Admiral Bwua'tu brought his fleet out of hyperspace well beyond the range of the interdiction vessels patrolling the Corellian system. His navigators were skilled, and the fleet arrived in precise formation. Picket rings were established by his frigates, and the modified Dreadnaught-class carriers launched waves of assorted TIE Interceptors and X-Wings.
Several nearby patrols were quickly eliminated by coordinated attacks from the frigates and fighters. Bwua'tu transmitted the code to the waiting rebel fleet lurking on the far side of the system, and the various ships cobbled together by the Corellians began approaching their homeworld from the opposite direction as the Bothan fleet.
Bwua'tu groomed the sleek fur on his head back with one hand as he walked across the bridge, eyeing the tactical displays that showed a three dimensional image of the system. The core group of the Fourth Fleet, comprised of the fleet carrier Peacebringer and the Mon Calamari Star Defender Dauntless, along with their escort ships, was forming up and moving towards the Bothan fleet.
Already, the leading fighter squadrons from the Dreadnaught carriers were closing to engagement distance with the outlying elements of the Fourth Fleet. They were heavily outmatched by the interceptors launched from the Peacebringer, however. The Alliance had equipped her fleets with the latest designs of fightercraft, including the E-Wing Interceptor, an evolution over the fabled X-Wing that combined the fire control innovations of the heavier B-Wing fighters with the shielding and maneuverability that defined the iconic X-Wing.
The pilots who flew with the Fourth Fleet were also exceptionally skilled, rated second only to those of the Third Fleet who had Wedge Antilles to thank for their intensive training and selection programs. The pilots in Bwua'tu's fleet were mostly from Fondor or Commenor, and while they included many veterans of the Yuuzhong Vong War, they were untested as combat units. Bwua'tu knew that he would lose a fighter engagement, and worked to close with the enemy capital ships as quickly as possible.
The planetary defense forces garrisoned on Corellia, primarily A-Wing interceptor squadrons, had scrambled when their allies launched their attacks. Hundreds of Corellian fighters swarmed up from the surface and flew to engage the blockading frigates. Each frigate had a handful of her own fighters supporting her, and they tangled with the Corellians in the skies below the orbital factories, lasers flashing back and forth.
The other capital ships in the Fourth Fleet, mainly Republic and one newer Nebula-class Star Destroyers, were strung out across the system to support the interdiction operations. Bwua'tu watched on his tactical displays as four warships raced towards his fleet, recalling their patrols from the edges of the system.
His own fighters were getting mauled against the ace flyers of the Fourth Fleet, with their superior fightercraft and numbers allowing them to quickly pick apart his own fighter wings. However, the assault group of his fleet, composed of the Bothan Assault Cruisers, was rapidly closing in behind the fighters. Bwua'tu gauged the speed of the Fourth Fleet's Star Destroyers and made his decision.
Stepping over to his control station, he issued the order,
"Assault Cruiser captains, take your ships forward and engage at will. Break into fighting pairs and concentrate on the Peacebringer, I want her destroyed before she can bring her fighter screens back. Escort frigates, support the fighters and leave the carriers."
His captains carried out his orders promptly, and the Assault Cruiser that he was on paired up with her sister ship. The assault group accelerated past the fighters, letting the Carrack frigates join the fray to tie up the Fourth Fleet's interceptors. The six Bothan Assault Cruisers tore past the escort vessels protecting the Peacebringer, absorbing their broadsides with their reinforced shields. Two cruisers broke off to engage the massive Mon Calamari warship, the Dauntless, while the remaining four moved to surround the fleet carrier.
The escort frigates of the Fourth Fleet split apart, some moving to counter Bwua'tu's frigates, while others reversed course and turned in wide arcs to come about and protect the Peacebringer. The Bothan cruisers were heavily armed, and they delivered punishing volleys of turbolaser fire at point blank range to the Peacebringer. The Dauntless was more than a match for the two cruisers engaging her individually, but together their combined firepower forced her to concentrate power to her shields and limited her offensive options.
The Star Destroyers of the Fourth Fleet raced across the system, but they were sluggish capital ships designed more for power than speed. The melee above Corellia intensified as the reserve fleet cobbled together by the Corellians came into action against the frigates blockading the planet. Fighter wings struggled to stay together as they danced in and out of the orbital factories, darting down to assault the frigates from time to time.
The Peacebringer was flagging under the combined firepower of four Assault Cruisers, while the Dauntless held her own. Several escort frigates had moved to support the fleet carrier, firing on the Assault Cruisers. The shields on the Peacebringer were weakening, not designed to withstand close range fire from capital ships.
One of the cruisers attacking the Dauntless began to reduce her turbolaser volleys, diverting power to shields as the Dauntless hammered her relentlessly. The frigates joined in, and several blasts impacted on the cruiser's hull, tearing open her armor.
The Bothan's X-Wing Squadrons were severely battered, and the TIE Interceptors had been almost completely eliminated, but the addition of the Carrack frigates had allowed them to inflict equally heavy casualties on the E-Wings of the Fourth Fleet. Debris from the chaotic melee floated past the frigates as the remaining fighters danced around, dodging green and red laser trails.
Bwua'tu stood on the bridge, carefully watching the Star Destroyers make their way across the system. He looked out of the forward viewscreen at the Peacebringer, and saw her shields flicker and die as streams of heavy turbolasers poured in from the four cruisers surrounding her. Blasts pounded her hull and opened huge rents. Flames erupted along the length of the vessel and the engines pulsed and slowly went dark as the ship lost power.
The combined firepower of the Dauntless and her escort frigates broke through the shields of one of the Bothan cruisers, and the two ships attacking her broke off to flee towards Corellia. Their heavy armor absorbed most of the damage inflicted by the lighter guns of the frigates, but the turbolasers of the Dauntless punched a number of grisly wounds into the first cruiser, whose shields flickered on and off sporadically as the repair crews raced to restore power to the generators.
Bwua'tu pressed down the key to open a channel to his entire fleet,
"Target the frigates, inflict maximum casualties and avoid the Dauntless. Cover the carriers as they fall back to Corellia."
The Dreadnaughts swung wide around the remnants of the Fourth Fleet's carrier group, joining up with their Carrack frigates as they did so. The fighters were breaking off, the remaining squadrons of the Fourth Fleet moving to attack the Assault Cruisers.
The Dauntless shifted power from her shields to her turbolaser batteries and slowly turned to engage the four cruisers that had disabled the Peacebringer. These cruisers scattered among the Fourth Fleet's escort frigates, using their maneuverability to prevent the Dauntless from lining up a broadside. As the mingled with the frigates, they allowed their armor to protect them while they concentrated on delivering repeated volleys from their heavier guns.
Bright green turbolaser fire knifed through the weaker shields and armor of the frigates and inflicted terrible damage. E-Wing fighters flew in to protect the frigates, racing past the cruisers and firing torpedoes against their hulls. The projectiles arced in and impacted with bright flashes, leaving smoking craters in the cruisers' armor.
As the fighters engaged them, the cruisers were forced to shift more power to their shields, and the turbolaser fire became less frequent. Bwua'tu led his assault group away from the Dauntless and broke contact with the frigates, leaving many drifting helplessly through space as they burned and broke apart.
The field of space around the assault group was littered with the broken remains of fighters and frigates from both sides, and the debris glinted as it reflected the light of Corellia's star, turning slowly in the vast abyss of space.
The Dauntless raced to catch Bwua'tu's assault group, but it could not keep up. The Bothan fleet regrouped as it approached Corellia, and the remains of the Fourth Fleet's carrier group turned to join their Star Destroyers.
…
Elohirnok saw the indicator light flash from green to red as the ship suddenly broke her connection with the station. For a terrifying moment, the Sol Eternal fell towards the surface of Corellia before he got the engines online and activated his maneuvering thrusters.
Elohirnok's heart raced and he seized a headset, shouting into it, "Someone get on our guns! And find General Antilles!"
As he flew out from behind the orbital station, he saw an amazing sight. Hundreds of fighters clashed above Corellia in a deadly ballet, spitting colored flashes of light and exploding silently. Wedge Antilles ran into the cockpit behind him, and stopped suddenly.
"What in the hell is going on?"
Elohirnok shook his head slowly, "I think the fleet is attacking Corellia. Those are the planetary defense squadrons out there."
Wedge looks around, glancing down at the sensor displays on the console, "That's not all of it. Look at the ship signatures, there are dozens of vessels bearing down from the opposite side of the planet, and there's a huge cluster further out."
Elohirnok looks down, frowning, "Radiation signatures are off the charts, there must be some heavy fighting going on. Who in the blazes could they be fighting?"
"I think I have an idea about that, and I don't like it."
Turning around, Elohirnok fixes the general with a solemn gaze, "Now or never general. I can launch an escape pod down to Corellia if you want, or you can stick with us. I think we're fugitives, too, so it might be less awkward than before."
Wedge looks out at the hectic scene before them and then over towards the marbled green surface of Corellia. There is a long silence and then he says, "I'll go down to the planet, perhaps I can reason with the leaders of this rebellion. I don't want to see my planet destroyed by a senseless war if there's anything I can do about it."
"Very well, sir. Signal me when you're ready for an ejection pass, I'll swing as close as I can and cover your descent with chaff in case any of these fighters decide to take an unhealthy interest in you."
Wedge nods and leaves the cockpit, making his way to the escape pods. Along the way, he passes Sventrare, who is slumped near the docking tube in dull shock.
Lachance and Thrash are manning the defensive turrets. Wedge hurries past them and climbs into an escape pod. He presses the intercom to the cockpit and says,
"Alright, standing by for launch, Lieutenant."
Elohirnok pilots the ship down towards Corellia, staying clear of the fighter engagement as best he can. Lachance and Thrash fire on any fighters that fly too close, chasing them off. As the ship approaches the atmosphere, Elohirnok levels out and jettisons three escape pods, one of the Wedge's. As he angles away from the planet, he also deploys several canisters of chaff, light metal fragments and fake beacons designed to disrupt targeting systems.
Haytham enters the cockpit and sits down beside Elohirnok. He looks slightly fatigued, but otherwise calm given the circumstances.
"Elohirnok, I've just received word that Luke Skywalker has called for a gathering of the Jedi Order on Ossus. The Academy there will be a safe location for now, until you can sort out what to do."
"The blockade appears to be in disarray for now, select the coordinates for Ossus in the navicomputer and I'll plot a course there."
…
Luke Skywalker walks with his wife, Mara Jade, along one of the stone balconies that wraps around the Jedi Temple on Ossus. It is newly constructed, but was built using stones from the ruins of the Jedi Praxeum on Yavin Four where he began the Jedi Order.
They walk in a comfortable silence, enjoying the respite from the congested atmosphere of Coruscant. Ossus was once a beautiful world, but desolation unleashed thousands of years prior had left the planet's surface scarred and desolate. Very little grew here, and many areas of the planet were still irradiated, but it had once been the home to a vast library and academy for the Jedi of old. Luke felt a surreal connection to them when he was on Ossus, and thought that the planet served as a valuable lesson for the younger Jedi.
Ossus was a relic of the old times, but also a beacon of what he hoped would come in the days ahead. Rebuilding, restoring the forgotten traditions of the Jedi, but always wary of the dangers they faced. The faint hum of approaching engines made him turn, and he saw a small transport flying down towards the academy's landing pads. Numerous craft were arriving, since he had called all available Jedi to the academy.
Suddenly, Mara gasped and stumbled. Luke reached out to her, concerned.
"Mara, what is it?"
She put a hand to her forehead, looking anguished, "I've just felt something in the Force, something terrible."
"Is it Ben?" Luke inquired, a sinking feeling settling over him, fear gnawing at the back of his mind.
Mara closed her eyes, shuddering, "I think so. It was such a flash of overpowering anger, and then… nothing."
…
Admiral Cha Niathal, a dark skinned Mon Calamari whose eyes were more oblong than most of her species, met Jacen Solo in the depths of the Crix Madine Military Reserve. Far from prying eyes, they sat down in a large circular room filled with low holodisplays that projected images of various sectors of the galaxy alongside planetary information, reports from Alliance intel, and estimates of economic activity.
Jacen looked over the myriad displays, saying, "My my, Admiral. You've been busy."
Niathal blinks slowly, "So have you. Are you prepared to begin your operations on Nar Shaddaa?"
"Within the week. I plan to have transports ready with the necessary supplies by tomorrow. Any news from Corellia?"
Niathal taps her fingers on the arms of her chair in a steady tempo, replying in a carefully level tone, "It appears that Nek Bwua'tu has renouned his oath to the Alliance. He recently led the First Fleet against Kuat, and reports from this morning indicate that Bothawui has lent her fleets to the Corellians' cause as well. Regiments from Fondor have landed on Kuat and taken over the shipyards. We face open rebellion."
"What has Cal Omas said?"
"He committed half heartedly to bring the Third Fleet up to standby. They were at minimal readiness, most of the crews were either receiving retraining or on leave. They'll be returning to Coruscant immediately, but it will be at least a week or more before the Fleet is prepared for action. The loss of the First Fleet makes our situation quite precarious, but Omas refuses to take drastic measures for fear of losing his popularity."
"What about the Second Fleet?" Jacen asks.
Niathal sighs, "They're on patrol near the path of the Vong invasion route. Colonies out there are still skittish about stragglers, even though there hasn't been a confirmed Vong attack in seven years. Pirates are a concern, though, but not so desperate that we can't spare the fleet to suppress a rebellion!"
Jacen stands up and walks around a display highlighting the Core Worlds, centered on Coruscant. He pauses, looking over the reports from Kuat.
"What did he propose to do about the rebels' attack on Kuat?"
"Nothing so far. He's formed a special branch of the advisory council to draft emergency measures. They're a bunch of inept nerf herders, though. Not a single military officer on the council, either."
Jacen finishes looking at the reports and turns back to Niathal, "How much support do you have in the Senate?"
"Some, but not enough to overrule Omas. I'm meeting with a lot of the Senators who are on the fence, but too many of them fail to see the significance of Corellia's defiance. Once word of the attack on Kuat becomes public, however, I think Omas will be forced to raise troops and prepare to put down the rebellion with force."
"Very good. I must go to Ossus for a meeting of the Jedi, my uncle has called for every available Knight and Master to return immediately. I suspect that he wants to address the rebellion as well, I will do what I can to sway the Jedi to intervene against the rebels forcefully, before more systems join them."
Jacen leaves the meeting room and heads for his personal StealthX fighter, outfitted for long range reconnaissance, which is docked in the lower hangars of the compound.
…
The tattooed man stalks through the shadows on the Advent Dawn, carefully avoiding the bustling traffic that moves through the halls. He is able to divert the attention of guards and watchers with the Force, and slips through to the most secure areas of the vessel.
He makes his way into the inner sanctum of the intelligence chiefs, where Colonel Raven keeps his quarters. He finds the correct room, but the door is sealed magnetically. Hurrying off, his footsteps soft and silent, he mentally reviews the layout of the deck he is on.
The man slips around several corners, reaching out with the Force to sense for other presences, but he is alone. He reaches a small maintenance room and opens the door, stepping inside. The room is cramped, with shelves taking up the space near the door and a large air circulation unit roaring loudly on the other side.
The tattooed man walks over to the unit and finds where it joins the wall. He pushes with the Force and peels back the metal duct from the wall, exposing a narrow vent. He smiles to himself, shaking his head as he worms inside headfirst, replacing the duct behind him telekinetically.
…
The Jedi Order convened on Ossus in a massive gathering chamber in the academy. Tiered rows of benches form an oval around a central speaking platform, with stairs leading up from the narrow ends of the oval to wide stone archways at the top of the chamber.
Luke Skywalker and the other members of the Jedi High Council occupy the innermost circle of the chamber, sitting calmly in their Jedi robes. Behind them, the tiers slowly fill up with other Jedi. Most of them are younger Knights, trained in the decade following the Yuuzhong Vong War which took such a heavy toll on the Jedi's numbers.
Tam Solusar and his wife, the head instructors at the Ossus Academy, join Luke in the inner tier. Kyle Katarn walks down the stairs and takes a seat, followed shortly by Corran Horn and Zhayne. The last member of the council to arrive is Seba Sebatyne. Other Jedi are still filling in the seats, although the chamber is more than two thirds full at this point.
Jacen Solo walks in quietly, wearing his Jedi robes over his GAG armor. Sventrare Dermo has taken a seat close to the stairs, and Haytham Kenway sits opposite Jacen Solo near the outermost tier. When a minute goes by without any more Jedi Knights arriving, Luke Skywalker stands and a hush falls over the chamber, slowly spreading outwards until the entire congregation is silent.
Luke extends a hand with a sweeping gesture to the assembled Jedi, saying, "Welcome to Ossus, my fellow Jedi. Thank you for arriving promptly, for we have important matters to discuss."
Luke walks out onto the central speaking platform and projects his voice across the audience chamber, "As you are mostly aware, Corellia has announced her secession from the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances. Fondor, Commenor, and Bothawui have joined her in this action, and even now their combined fleets clash with the Alliance over Kuat and Corellia."
Turning as he speaks, Luke continues, "Many prominent officers and soldiers have sided with Corellia, and this divide has exacerbated the fault lines that already exist in the Senate. The Chief of State, Cal Omas, has asked me to provide Jedi Knights for an expedition to retake Kuat and capture the heads of the Corellian resistance government. I turned him down."
Several members of the Council, notably Corran Horn, frown at this and a murmur ripples through the assembled Jedi. Zhayne speaks out,
"Master Skywalker, what do you mean?"
Luke calmly turns to him and says, "The Jedi Order exists to advise the Alliance government and to protect the people of the Alliance, not wage war on them. I could not authorize the use of Jedi Knights in a mission to attack our own people."
Kyle Katarn folds his arms over his chest and says skeptically, "Corellia is in open revolt, isn't it our duty to protect the Alliance from fragmenting?"
Luke shakes his head, "There is no clear moral high ground in this conflict. I will not commit Jedi Knights on behalf of the Alliance without proper justification."
Jacen Solo stands up and calls down loudly, "The attacks on Coruscant, the assassinations at Crix Madine, the sneak attack on Kuat, are these not justification for our intervention?"
Before Luke can respond, Haytham is on his feet shouting back, "They had plenty of provocation from the Alliance themselves! I was there at Corellia when the Alliance blockaded the planet and began slaughtering the workers in the factories who resisted."
The room erupts with hundreds of Jedi taking one side or another, shouting to be heard over each other while Haytham and Jacen trade jabs from across the room. Luke looks around, a stern expression coming over his face. He gathers the Force into himself and unleashes a large wave of energy, just strong enough to rustle cloaks and jostle anyone standing.
He raises his voice to be clearly heard and says commandingly, "Silence. As Grand Master of the Jedi Order, I have made my decision and announced it. The Jedi Order will remain neutral in this conflict until its resolution. If necessary, we will support peacekeeping for both governments."
Jacen becomes apoplectic at this, "That's ridiculous! We're sworn to uphold the Alliance. Would you have every Jedi here turn his back on that oath?"
Luke faces Jacen and says evenly, "The Jedi Order is independent of the Alliance. We serve the Force, and keep the peace. I do not think it is right for us to become involved in what is essentially a civil war."
Haytham adds, "The Alliance brought this rebellion on themselves with their heavy handed tactics."
Most of the younger Jedi Knights are looking to Haytham and Jacen, while the older Masters nod at Luke's reasoning.
Corran Horn says, "As a Corellian myself, I can't condone the methods you're using to suppress this rebellion, Jacen."
Jacen retorts, "I'm the only one doing what's necessary to preserve the Alliance. Have you asked yourself what will happen if the Alliance fractures? The Empire would encroach on our territory, and countless systems would splinter away when they saw that the Alliance was too weak to maintain herself."
Haytham shouts across the chamber, "Would you bind them to you by force? With your Guards? Is it not a Federation of Free Alliances?"
Jacen says, "It is an alliance to preserve freedom for its members, but it can't do that if it disintegrates. This is the first internal strife to shake the Alliance, if we don't weather it by standing strong and holding the Alliance together, everything we fought for during the war will be lost."
Many Jedi are nodding in agreement, and voicing their support for Jacen. Luke looks around, gauging their reactions.
He says to Jacen, "We fought against the Vong during the war, but only because they invaded our galaxy. The attack was unprovoked and aimed at our total annihilation. This war is entirely different, we have no right to impose our will on the systems who wish to leave the Alliance."
Haytham continues, walking down the stairs towards the center of the chamber, "We should impose a truce on the two parties, prevent the Alliance from simply slaughtering the Corellians like Jacen would have them do."
Luke cuts in, "No. The Jedi Order will not get involved in this war, it would lead to endless fragmentation and infighting."
Jacen says, almost casually, "It already has. Ben was killed at Corellia."
Luke stops mid-step and says to Jacen, "What?"
A deathly quiet fills the room. Mara Jade lowers her head, quietly realizing the significance of what she felt through the Force, but had refused to accept. Jacen seems to loom above Luke as he continues,
"Your son died fighting the Corellian rebels. Are you just going to let his sacrifice be in vain?"
Luke appears stunned, struggling for words, "No, I should never have let him follow you…"
He walks, dreamlike, towards his seat and sinks into it.
Jacen speaks confidently, "The Jedi Order needs to intervene to stop this bloodshed from escalating. Our full strength can stop this rebellion and preserve the Alliance!"
Haytham, midway down the stairs, stops and calls out, "You have no right! The Jedi are not the Alliance's Kath hounds, our task is to protect the people, not grind them into submission."
Luke looks up at Jacen and says, "Go, return to Coruscant with your Guard. I will hear no more from you."
Jacen appeals to the Jedi around him, "Remember what you are sworn to do, uphold the Alliance or else the galaxy will fall into disarray! Those of you who would fight for order and security, for the principles that the Alliance was founded on and the Jedi Order sworn to defend, join me!"
He walks towards the doors nearest him and nearly half of the younger generation of Jedi Knights makes to follow him, joined by many veterans of the Yuuzhong Vong War. Luke watches them go, numb with horror at his son's death.
Corran Horn stands up and shouts, "Where are you going? To crush Corellia into the dirt?"
Haytham looks to Luke Skywalker, "Give me permission to defend the Corellians, to impose a peace and protect the innocents who will be slaughtered by the Alliance."
Luke does not answer, but Corran Horn walks over to his side and stands with him. Haytham looks around at the remaining Jedi, who are a mix of younger Knights and older masters who had been trained in the days of the New Republic.
He makes towards the entrance opposite Jacen and says, "I go to defend Corellia from Jacen and the Alliance's storm troopers."
Many Jedi join him. Not as many as followed Jacen, but enough that the hall looks practically empty as they file out. Corran Horn follows him, alongside a handful of other masters, but none from the Council. Kyle Katarn stands up at the last moment and attempts to shake Luke into action.
He says, "Luke! Listen to me, what are we going to do?"
Luke does not answer, but Seba Sebatyne does, "We will remain neutral, here on Ossus. There is the matter of the assassins who attacked Crix Madine. There were Force Sensitives among them, we need to root them out and discover their masters."
Kyle grows angry, "No, what are we going to do now. The Order is splitting in front of our eyes!"
Luke looks out at Kyle, his eyes sorrowful, and says, "Old friend, I cannot compel the obedience of the Jedi Order, that would make me no better than Jacen in his misguided ways. We will have to trust to the Force to show us the correct path."
Kyle turns and makes to follow Jacen, saying as he goes, "I swore my allegiance to Galactic Alliance, and you may not like it but it's our duty to defend her. Against all enemies, even those from within who would weaken us fatally."
The audience chamber empties out, there is only a meager fraction of the original Knights remaining. Many masters remain, but most of the younger Jedi Knights followed either Jacen or Haytham.
…
The Sol Eternal is docked at the Jedi Temple on Ossus, while the Jedi hold their counsel within. Elohirnok, Kael, and Lachance sit in the crew lounge while Thrash goes to find Haytham.
Kael looks at the other two men. Elohirnok appears fatigued, his normally crisp flight suit is matted with sweat and his blond hair appears slightly grimy. Lachance's cold grey eyes stare out evenly from underneath the white medical wrapping on his head.
Breaking the silence that has settled in, Kael says, "You two are welcome to remain with me on Nar Shaddaa until you clear your names with your government, but I do need to get back home."
Elohirnok muses for a moment and nods, "That should work for the time being. I'm sure I can get in touch with Colonel Raven and sort this whole mess out now that that overeager Jedi isn't interfering."
…
As the sun sets on Ossus, numerous craft leave the Jedi Academy. Among them is the Sol Eternal, flying gracefully up into the sky and disappearing from sight. Elohirnok sits at the controls, guiding the ship away from the scarred surface of the planet and into the depths of space.
He sets his course for Nar Shaddaa and attempts to establish a holocall to his sister. He doesn't get a reply, and keeps trying until the ship finally makes the jump to hyperspace, cutting him off from the universe and propelling him into the whirling void.