Star Wars: Destiny
Chapter 9: Race for the Blade
Master Yaddle looked out towards Telos's Capital city of Onasi. The peaceful city had a massive force field around it as well as a massive stone wall. The Telosians had forgotten the day that Admiral Karath set ablaze their entire world; it had no defense fleet; and Yaddle could sense that they detested the fact that a battalion of Clone Troopers patrolled through their Capital City. She also sensed that most were puzzled by the Republic's presence here. But, above all else she sensed fear; although the Republic tried their best to keep the imminent Sith attack a secret until they were ready to evacuate, it was also difficult to miss a seven-hundred and fifty meter long Acclamator-class assault ship descend from the heavens. Several of these warships; each delivering 16,000 clone troopers and several artillery pieces had begun reinforcing the city's defenses.
"High General Yaddle," a voice said from the shadows. Yaddle turned to face Marshal Commander Rau, "the City's fortifications are complete; our sensors indicate that..."
Several Turbolaser blasts rocked the energy shield.
"The enemy is right on top of us; our orbital defenses are holding however they managed to slightly break our lines; several dropships have broken through and are making a Beeline for this city," the Marshal Commander finished.
"Commander begin evacuations," Yaddle began, "Use our troops to conduct them; and keep snipers on the wall. Defend the city we must."
The small Jedi Master used the force to dash from the top of the temple. She keyed the transceiver hidden in her robes.
"Master Kota, Master Kuro," She began, "Defend the blade you will; Master Piell coordinate the evacuation you will; if need me you do, in the command center I will be."
"Yes Master Yaddle," the other Jedi said in unison not questioning her orders.
When she reached the command room she walked towards the central display. A massive hologram of Telos and the defense fleet was there. They glowed red, symbolizing Republic allegiance, a flotilla of blue warships engaged; some at pointblank range others fell back forming a circle around what must have been the flagship; Yaddle could sense the Dark Side was strong in that location; Tyranus was not the only one on that ship. There were others on board who were not forcelings. The Jedi Master turned her attention to the Cities defenses. She saw several HAGs bombarding the shields; as well as AATs.
"Commander Rau," She turned to the Clone Commander who had finally caught up with the Jedi Master, "deploy Plex Soldiers to that region you must, if fall the shield does, more difficult this will become; we must hold until reinforcements arrive."
--
General Grievous stared out towards the massive city. He watched his artillery tear away at the shields; hopefully the barrier would buckle within a day's bombardment. His cybornetically enhanced eyes picked up more movement along the walls. His inquiry on what the movement was, was quickly cut off as a blue lance of death came within a hair's length of his head. He would have died had it not been for one of his Izvoshras knocking him out of the way
"Snipers!" he barked, the General quickly ordered his Artillery to shell that area into oblivion; but the Republic answered with rockets. They soared towards there targets with deadly accuracy. The General nodded to two of his Izvoshra. The keyed repulsorlifts in their feet and soared through the shield and onto the wall; the Clone troopers expressions of shock could be seen through their helmets as three warriors diced through an army of drones.
--
In the Command Center a degree of shock turned into panic as all of the commanders eyes moved to the city's defense. Master Yaddle quickly assumed her command establishing order.
"Deploy five commando units to that region," Yaddle said briskly, she keyed her private comm to her fellow Master, "Master Piell, to the wall you will go. Re-establish order,"
"The General's spree ends hear," the Jedi Master said she brushed her hand over her lightsaber, "If all else fails destroy him I will."
Yaddle turned her attention back to the Space battle. The first wave of Sith Warships were now in ruin however a second wave of Warships had poured from Hyperspace. This time ferocious broadsides forced the fleet apart allowing another wave of dropships to pass through. Yaddle smiled to herself.
"Anti-air guns fire!" the Jedi commander ordered. Immediately hidden turbolaser towers emerged from buildings, and the Citadel itself. Thousands of dropships arced towards the beleaguered Sith army. Most of them erupted in flame as the shield opened a bit devastating their fleet of dropships.
"Commander signal the W-165 Turbolaser cannons, and the V-150 Ion Cannons," Yaddle turned to commander Rau who nodded in compliance.
Across the surface of Telos powerful cannons each over 50 meters across emerged from their hiding places. The V-150s boasted a 500,000 credit costs, and the W-165s boasted 1,000,000 credit costs and were worth every credit. The W-165s fired shattering the Sith fleet, each single one could shatter an Imperator-class Star Destroyer with a single blast they had a maximum range of 180,000 kilometers and could send a deadly bolt of energy through the heavens every ten seconds without reheating; it was the closest thing the Republic had to a superweapon. The V-150 Ion Cannons disabled whatever the W-165s did not annihilate. Any Sith warship disabled was quickly mopped up by the Republic fleet.
A handful of these weapons could destroy a flotilla of Keldebe-class battleships, Telos, however had a grid of over twenty.
--
On the Invisible Hand, Darth Tyranus watched in mute horror as his personal screen of defense warships shattered.
"Fall back wait for the reinforcements to arrive," the Dark Lord barked. Tarkin and the other Sith officers looked questioningly at the Sith Lord. Never had the Sith withdrawn from battle, however they knew that at that moment their was nothing that they could do, "Tarkin take point I shall be in my quarters."
--
Master Piell watched in amazement as the Sith dropships pulled back. He and his commando units stopped as they reached the top of the wall; hundreds of Clone troops corpses littered the ground. Not a single Mandalorian body was mixed in with it. The diminutive Jedi Master fought the urge to pursue the cyborg General. He looked up as more dropships became fireballs in the sky as the city's defense grid lit up the sky once again. Nighttime settled over the city as the Sith fleet turned tail and fled as fast as the could.
--
Grand Master Yoda sat at the head of the Council. He watched as his colleagues debated on what to do about Telos and the crisis at hand.
"It could be a trap," remarked Master Kcaj, the Ongree Master wisely counseled against rushing into battle.
"It matters not, did you not hear the Grand Master's words, the Nihilus blade in the hands of Tyranus would kill this Galaxy," Obi-Wan said.
"We must not allow it to fall as we did Coruscant," Master Koon said. At last their leader spoke the Councilors ceased their debate as the Grand Master began.
"Act on this we must," Yoda said, "Not one but two Dark Lords now race to tap into the blades power. If that occurs the Galaxy shall groan under the heel of the Sith."
Master Yaddle's hologram appeared in the center of the room causing all but the most senior Council members mouths to drop.
"Fended off the first wave of Sith we have," the female Master remarked, "But we will not be able to fend of Tyranus and Sidious at once, we need reinforcements."
"On my way I am," the Grand Master said, "Master Fisto, Master Mundi, Master Koon; with me," Yoda was already near the door by the time he finished his sentence, "Master Kenobi, until I return in command you are."
The Grand Master sped out of the room in a fashion none had seen before. Some barely noticed the Grand Master still holding his cane. While on his way to his shuttle the Grand Master found Bultar Swan running towards him.
"Grand Master," she said bowing, "You must see this."
"Master Swan," Yoda said slightly annoyed, "I am very busy right now."
"Master I promise that this will help you in any military campaign you are going to embark on," she said confidently.
"Very well," Yoda said nodding to the Jedi Masters who followed him.
--
Master Billaba dueled with her apprentice who had begun to master the first form of Lightsaber combat. 'Master Fisto would be proud she thought' as her apprentice began to push her back much to her shock. Both she and Padme could relate more now; both had men that they loved taken from them in one way or another/ The bond between Master and apprentice was a powerful one and nothing struck a Jedi more deeply than losing a Master; especially one who had trusted her so much, Mace was often looked as a father figure to her and losing him struck the Jedi Master deeply to the core. Both of them deactivated their lightsabers as massive warships descended from the heavens; holding positions a few Kilometers above the Temple.
"Shall we see what this is all about Master?" Padme inquired.
With a nod Depa and her Padawan turned towards the temple.
--
Kuat Swan; Bultar's father and newly elected Kuat (Chairman) of Kuat stood before the Grand Master of the Jedi Order; the elder Swan; a poor businessman begged Yoda to take his daughter in before he made his move to risk everything he had to gain an access to the Kuati High Council; when he became Kuat he felt indebted to the Grand Master. Even Yoda could not have seen such an act of kindness however.
"Master Yoda I present to the Jedi High Council twelve Mandator-III class Star Dreadnought," the powerful man said; the position of Chairman granted him a fortune large enough to supply an army, however even this must have set him back a few credits, "these are the most powerful Warships in the Galaxy I assure you. Each holds twice the firepower of the Mandator II class and an even more powerful hyperdrive. Each of its three bow Cannons have the firepower of a W-165 planetary defender."
"How can we ever thank you?" Yoda inquired.
"You saved my daughter from the slums of the Orbital ring while I lived in poverty; this is the least I can do," the Kuat said offering the diminutive Master his hand, "Together we will end this war."
The Grand Master took it and shook it.
"I apologize Chairman but an extremely important mission awaits me," Yoda said.
"Do not let me hold you Grand Master," the elder Swan said.
--
Korriban had grown from an empty tomb of a world to a bustling Sith Academy. A large city had grown to support the infrastructure of the New Sith Empire. The City of Dreshdae now included a massive Imperial palace as well as an Academy that rivaled the Temple on Dantooine. The warships in orbit sent the City into eternal darkness; the Warships shadows blocked out the sun. However even this magnificent attraction could not match the massive Space Station that hung in geosynchronous orbit around the sun. The Star Forge; Sith Warships docked on the three massive "fins" that radiated from the central orb. This space station had grown tremendously in size; feasting on the power of the Dark Lords that radiated from the tombs. This central Orb was about 900km in diameter. This Star Forge also encompassed massive habitable environments to house the Sith fleet.
Darth Maleficus looked on from the observation deck of this massive Factory. This also served as the command center for the station. An impressive display of Holographic panels showing reports from every commander in the fleet; right down to the ground forces on Korriban. On one side of the room the displays of the Fleet surrounding the Star Forge were displayed; on the other side the defense fleet around Korriban. In the central display a massive holographic representation of the Galaxy showed tactical information on every fleet in the Galaxy.
"Lord Maleficus, Emperor Tyranus is requesting a backup fleet," Admiral Screed said.
"Well then send it!" Maleficus said, "Send twice as many warships as he requests."
"But sir," Screed said.
"This is the most crucial battle of the war; whoever wields that Saber shall emerge victorious," Maleficus said, "I gave you an order soldier. Do it!"
--
On the edge of Telosian space Tyranus' fleet regrouped. Only the ships that were far from the brawl escaped; any warship in the fierce broadsides that ensued over Telos were annihilated in the Jedi's counteroffensive. On the Invisible Hand officers scrambled around the spire's command room. The General's quarters were now the center of all operations in the fleet; readouts from a hundred warships were displayed around the room. None even took the time to show the Supreme Commander respect as he entered the command room. The General's Izvoshra were about to make fuss about it but the with a nod of the head the General restrained his warriors. Looking over the displays from the last battle Darth Tyranus looked more stressed than the cyborg had ever seen him.
"Well done General in your campaign," the Dark Lord remarked.
Grievous was a bit surprised that the Dark Lord had not reprimanded him for not returning with a new trophy.
"Your innovativeness may have caused the only Republic casualties," the Dark Lord chuckled, "I believe you have found a hole in the Republic's citadel defense."
"My Lord?" the General inquired.
"If you can lead a troop of Mandalorian soldiers into the heart of the City we may be able to divulge where this barrier is being emanated from," he said.
"My lord if I may," the General said, "Sidious is most likely waiting on the edge of the system. Even if we did defeat the Republic's armada Sidious' fleet would merely swoop in and clean up what we had done."
This thought never hit the Dark Lord and he looked shocked.
"What do you suggest we do?" he inquired.
"Palpatine has little patience," the General began, "If we jump away from this location on a vector towards Korriban; but only truly jump out of sensor range; the former Sith Lord will attack prematurely. Regardless of the victor we will then have the advantage."
"Genius!" the Tyranus shouted aloud.
"The first rule in battle; know your opponent, there is no better way to know one's opponent than serving under that opponent," the General remarked as though this were child's play.
"Grievous to command bridge, jump to these coordinates," the cyborg said.
"Supreme Commander...these coordinates are in system," the voice of a Nemoidian said through the comms.
"I am aware of this captain, your predecessor once made the mistake of questioning my authority surely you are not foolish enough to make the same mistake," the General threatened.
"Of coarse high excellency I shall commence immediately," the comm cut off.
--
From his command dreadnought Sadow's Fist Darth Sidious watched in anger as his former apprentices fleet jumped into hyperspace. 'New Sith Empire' the Dark Lord laughed to himself, 'What Dark Lord cowers before the Jedi.'
"Tell me of their coordinates," he barked pointing a decrepit finger towards the navigation officer.
"Korriban System, High Excellency," the officer promptly answered.
"Prepare to move into bombardment range," the Dark Lord said swiftly.
"Excellency?" Admiral Relnacu wondered why Palpatine decided to rush in after waiting so long already.
"LAUNCH NOW!" Palpatine's voice echoed through the bridge, "Or you will all be replaced faster than my hand can kill you."
Palpatine's Fleet of Furious Revenge was one of the largest in the Galaxy; the ones around Dantooine, Korriban and Byss excluded. Even Telos's defenses would groan under the armada's heel. At 3,000 ships strong the fleet moved to surround the Republic.
--
Master Yoda's fleet 1000 strong including two Mandator-II class Star Dreadnought, a Mandator-III class Star Dreadnought, 15 Procurator-class battlecruisers and an assortmemt of Acclamators, Venators, and Rothana-class Destroyers. The new destroyers were geared towards ship-to ship combat. They were 1050 meters long making them longer than the Victory-class Star Destroyers but shorter than their carrier counterparts.
In the center of the formation; Master Yoda's Mandator-III dreadnought Heart of the Core directed the fleet. On the bridge Master Yoda sat on his repulsorlift chair, he looked out into the endless void of hyperspace. The Grand Master could sense that Palpatine had become anxious and had begun yet another attack on Telos much to the dismay of his colleagues.
"Master Yoda we are beginning another session of the Council," Master Mundi said as he entered the bridge.
"Very well," the diminutive Master hovered off of the bridge and into his transmission chamber. Master's Koon and Fisto were already present. Master Yoda took his place on his own holochair. From here he transmitted his visage to Dantooine. A holographic display of the council chamber appeared; in the center stood Master Billaba and Padawan Amidala Skywalker.
"The Council has decided to send you to send a trading dispute on Ord Sabaok," Master Kenobi said.
"Obi-Wan I'm sure we'd be of more use on the battlefield, there is a war being fo..."
Master Billaba struck her apprentice on the back of her head.
"Show respect young one, Master Kenobi is a member of the High Council," the Master said.
"While a member on this Order you are, respect our wisdom you will," Yoda said, "such rashness will send you on a path not so different from the Sith Lords. Do not think that Darth Tyranus was not once as you were; a young brash Jedi Knight."
"Yes Master," Padme said bowing, "I apologize my Masters."
"Report back to us when finished you will," Yoda said.
--
This Imperial Fleet was like none any had ever seen before; they lost warships like they were dirt beneath the mighty heel of their empire. Threw away countless lives for orbital lines and positions. Within minutes the Imperial Armada lost dozens of warships; but did not do so much as stop to breath. Soon what was a long range sniping range in the painted skies soon became a brutal broadside melee. Republic and Imperial Warships went one for three and still the Imperials smashed through their lines with a brutality not seen since the Coruscant campaign. Bright explosions painted the skies as dropships arced from the wrecked hulks of their motherships. Master Yaddle looked towards the display of the Imperial lines with a worried expression. The Imperials did not have strategy; they just rammed the Republic lines until they were through. Such a careless waste of lives could be the work of only one man; a man who threw the Galaxy into war for his own ambition; Palpatine.
On the surface prototype AT-ETs(All Terrain Extermination Transport) bombarded the shield; these insect looking walkers were the backbone of the Imperials, six legs propelled the beetle looking walker whilst several weapons bristled from the carapace including a mortar launcher similar to those on AT-TEs. The Imperial Troopers were clad in an armor similar to that of the ancient Sith.
"Master Yaddle," the voice of Rahm Kota boomed over the comms, "I sense something strange about those soldiers."
"Ancient Sith Soldiers they are," Yaddle said, "We Jedi always suspected that Malak kept a reserve of Sith Soldiers frozen in carbonate; but we never found where it was. Jabba the Hutt had acquired an artifact that may have disclosed the location of the army; which may explain his execution by Tyranus. Retrieved the holocron first Palpatine did. In fury the current Dark Lord killed the Crime Lord."
"How large was this army?" Even Piell asked Yaddle. She was the head of the Library Assembly for quite some time.
"After the Jedi Civil War many knew not what happened to the Sith Army; more than 3\4 unaccounted for, of the other fourth 3/5ths served under Sion, Traya, and Nihilus the rest, KIA they were," Yaddle said.
"It is no wonder Palpatine pays no heeds to his losses," commented the Dark Woman.
"At all costs, defend the blade we must," Yaddle said, "For the sake of the Galaxy, soldiers of the Republic hold out we will!"
"General, we have sightings on Black Robed Guards wielding Saber Staffs," Rau reported.
"Any warships within bombardment range carpet bomb the city; thin their infantry and Artillery," Yaddle said glancing at the massed Imperial Forces.
"This is the Venator Spirit of Heart we are beginning carpet BDZ-class bombardment; we are sending our flight of Arc-170's to further assist you," the voice of Republic Captain responded, "We are in range bringing the rain in five."
--
36 Arc-170s soared through the skies dropping Proton bombs on the enemy's assembly area. Before they could recover blue plasma annihilated what remained of their ground forces. Dropships soared to reinforce their beleaguered forces however were quickly intercepted by the City's web of Turbolaser fire. What dropships were not destroyed by the enemy were mopped up by Arc-170s.
Even Piell; who now led the wall's defense smiled as his snipers picked off what little forces remained outside of the City. In orbit he could sense Palpatine's intense rage burst open.
"Trooper," he turned to a Clone Sergeant, "Send a communique to command ask for Orbital status."
--
In Orbit things were going downhill very quickly. The Imperial ships bombarded W-165s and their V-150 counterparts into nothingness. The Republic's only advantage in space was gone. Their fleet was now tattered down to a band of 100 warships; half of which were in bad repair. Reluctantly these warships turned tail under order of their commanding officers. The Imperial Armada had established Orbital lines at the cost of over 1000 of their best battlecruisers. Now their dropships could land freely without being shot down. The Republic would not dare open their shields or risk massive Orbital bombardment. AT-ETs formed around the City and begun their bombardment. Soon Palpatine himself landed on the surface crackling away at the victory that was at hand.
--
Tyranus' Sith fleet was now bolstered with over 1000 extra warships making a mighty 1500 warships, including a Pinnance-class Dreadnought; this was the Separatist counter to the mighty Mandator-class Star Dreadnought, most were only seen in the deepest Separatist strongholds, but seeing one was truly a sight to behold, naturally the Sith made this warship the first of its class the Pinnance their new command ship. The 9000 meter long warship looked like a giant Geonosian Spire with a command tower which featured a bridge and the command spire on the Invisible Hand all in one. Even then they did not have a numerical advantage over Palpatine; but it would have to do. Suddenly they made yet another pinpoint jump at the request of General Grievous. They emerged right on top of the Imperial fleet much to the surprise of their commanders.
"General, we have reports that the enemy army is on there way towards the citadel," an officer reported, "They have just penetrated the shields!"
"Inform Lord Tyranus, Captain take command; inform all Sith Lords onboard to get to their shuttles immediately!" the General barked making his way for the door, "If you see a hint of treachery from Tarkin; kill him."
"Yes sir," the Nemoidian officer said.
--
Master Yaddle diced her way through three Shadow Guards with her orange Saber.
"Forcelings," she huffed.
"General Yaddle," the voice of Commander Rau sounded urgent, "The Sith fleet has reemerged we are tracking thousands of dropships on their way."
Just as the communique finished she saw an AT-ET emerge from the ruined areas of the City. She used the force to grasp her surroundings. She looked towards a slightly collapsed building. The diminutive Master dodged a Mortar shell and squeezed the support beams with the force allowing the massive building to topple on top of the walker; crushing and entombing it. A column of Sith soldiers walked out from a side street; before they could fire a shot an AT-TE annihilated them all with a mortar shell. Yaddle sensed Sidious' presence but could not pinpoint it. She looked towards the Citadel; the massive structure had explosions all around it; its batteries all ablaze.
"General I advise you fall back to the Citadel," Commander Rau said, "We will make our final stand their."
"Agree with you I do commander," Yaddle said, "Be with you shortly I will."
--
Long Chapter eh? Well this stunning battles conclusion next chapter "The Republic's Pyrrhic Victory" TYVM for your much appreciated reviews and now over 3,000 views.