CHAPTER 10
They spent a day on the Harbinger, when Admiral Forn Dodonna called an emergency briefing on the Bridge.
Corran and Droc grabbed their gear and sprinted to the main deck alongside dozens of other Jedi and Republic soldiers. When they got there it was pretty crowded but Droc and Corran found a comfortable spot by the main star charts on the Port side of the bridge. Conversation filled the Bridge when Admiral Dodonna called, "Attention!"
All soldiers ceased what they were doing, clicked the boots together and saluted their commanding officer.
"At ease," Dodonna said. "I've called this meaning for a quick briefing; this is what we're dealing with." At this, a hologram projector fired up in the center of the room and displayed a blue hologram of a space station; a sphere in the center, with three spires protruding from it. Murmurs came from the crew. Then suddenly they exited out of hyperspace and the lifesize image of the space station appeared along with dozens of Sith ships engaging them. "This is the space station we are engaging. Man your battle stations! War is upon us!" At this, most soldiers dispersed but Corran, the rest of the Jedi, and two select squadrons of Republic soldiers remained. The shipped rocked and strained and Admiral Dodonna said to Vandar, "Vandar, I don't know what your Jedi can do in this situation. They are built for infantry, not space battle."
Vandar scratched his chin in concentration. "I fear that we will not win this battle. For that device is the Star Forge, a masterpiece of industry."
"I need to contact Carth," Admiral Dodonna said, "He must know what to do."
She walked over to the comm system and opened a channel.
"This is Admiral Forn Dodonna to the Ebon Hawk. Do you read us?" So that was Raltharan's mission! He was to find the Star Forge!
A man, clad in armor appeared on the hologram projector. He had brown slicked back hair, and a goatee. "Admiral Dodonna, this is Carth Onasi. We are receiving your transmission."
Dodonna sighed and said. "Carth I'm glad to see you are still alive. We've begun our assault on the Star Forge and we're taking heavy losses. How did the Sith ever manage to build something of this scope?"
Carth shook his head. "The Star Forge wasn't constructed by the Sith Admiral. We don't have time for me to fully explain but that space station is far older than you think." Corran perked up at this. An ancient space station? How was that possible?
Dodonna continued in a business like tone. "Maybe we should pull the fleet back and retreat. I don't know if we have the fire power to go up against this alien technology."
"You can't do that Admiral. The Star Forge is a factory of immense power. It's been churning out the capital ships, snub fighters, and assault droids that power the Sith war effort. You have to destroy the Star Forge now, or you'll be fighting an unending wave of reinforcements!" Carth sounded worried and Corran had just realized that if there mission succeeded, they could single handedly end this conflict with Malak.
"Then I guess we have no choice." Dodonna said. "But it isn't going to be easy. I can't even get our capital ships into position to start bombarding the Star Forge. Their fleet is too well organized. It's like they can guess our every move and counter our every strategy."
"It's because of Bastila, Admiral." Carth continued. "She turned to the dark side and became Malak's apprentice. We suspect she is somewhere on that space station right now, using her battle meditation against you and your fleet." Corran couldn't believe it. If Bastila had turned to the Dark Side, they was no way they could this battle, let alone the war.
Master Vandar stepped into the message alongside Dodonna. "This is Master Vandar," The Admiral said. "A number of Jedi Knights have joined our fleet under his command. "
Vandar spoke. "If Bastila is using her power to augment the Sith, then Malak's fleet is invincible. Our only hope is to somehow stop Bastila from using her battle meditation."
"How can we do that if she's on the space station?" Dodonna said looking down at Vandar.
"I will send a squadron of Jedi Knights to the Star Forge to find Bastila." Vandar continued. "Their small ships will be able to fly through the blockade and dock on the space station. If they can find Bastila they may be able to distract her intention from the battle overhead." He turned to look up at Forn. "That should allow you to move your capital ships into position for a final assault on the Star Forge itself."
Dodonna turned back to Carth. "I hate to ask this after all you've done, Carth, but they need all the help they can get."
Carth shook his head. "Don't worry Admiral. The Ebon Hawk and her crew are going to see this to the end.
"And may the force be with you." Master Vandar said, and Dodonna cut the message.
"All Jedi that remain here," Vandar continued, "are to man snub fighters and board the Star Forge. With haste!"
Dodonna spoke. "Vanguard squads," she said to her soldiers, "You're going with them." Droc nodded at this and clapped Corran on the shoulder.
This wasn't going to be easy.