Chapter 25. Invasion
The Arquillion Empire was in a panic and many citizens were bold enough to ask that the Empress step down from her throne and someone else in her family rule. Of Donovan was against this and expressed that he would take action against anyone who dared spoke against his wife. "Perhaps we should consider training people in the force to help aid in protecting what we have." Admiral Gafran said of the Gafran Clan."
"I protest most vehemently!" Harson Kaban said. "The tradition laws and the great vow cannot be broken-Even to save the Empire."
"Normally I would agree, but these are far from normal times." Caseopeia said looking at Donovan, "If you had an army of force sensitive individuals could you drive the invaders from our domains?"
Donovan smiled, "Yes I could! How many could you give me?"
"I shall ask for volunteers, but only train those in the ways of the Jedi who will become powerful and strong-Don't waste your time with weak force users."
As the Arquillions prepared for war the Arquillion Imperial fleet fought to protect Arquillion interests in the Unknown Regions. But that was hard to do because Star Systems that had been docile for the past 4,000 years were arming to aid the invaders in their war against the Arquillions.
Alien's Gate
The ancient space station was still operational after 4,000 plus years. The Chiss now controlled the station in their attempt to expand their territory. The Chiss Imperial Fleet was under the command of Admiral Tchei'Cai Zuun. He was a brilliant strategist and war master. His first target was the Nyrakus Star Cluster on the edge of the Empire. The battle to take the cluster was long and bloody, but in the end the Chiss were victorious. As they continued their invasion the Chiss used the Alien's Gate as a command center.
The Barren Worlds of the Itoi System
All five planets in the system were barren rocks that spewed poisonous gas into the atmosphere. It was here that the Mandalorians used their old war bases to launch their invasion of the Arquillion World's. As Mandalore Bobba Fett was supreme commander of the Mandalorians. He had chosen his daughter Ailyn Vel to be his second in command. His wife Sintas served as his advisor.
"The Alien's Gate is a prime spot to take many Arquillion systems." Ailyn said in the war room. "We take the Gate we have a prime place from which to take many star systems."
"I agree!" Sintas said. The other Mandalorian Clan Lords added their agreement to this line of thinking.
"We cannot underestimate the Chiss." Xena Ordo said, she was a direct descendant of Canderous Ordo the Mandalorian who helped Revan destroy the Star Forge. "If we can't take the Gate I say we blow up!"
Bobba stood up, "We will divide our forces into two groups-One will attack the Alien's Gate-The other will attack take the Oin System."
"That Star System is really close to the Gunjar System."
"Yes and the Alliance will have to pay a tribute in order to pass through it."
Nal Hutta II
The swamp planet of Syn had been renamed by the Hutts. They focused on unifying the criminal element of the Unknown Regions. They also bribed and black mailed their way into the planets they wanted. They also used battle droids and mercenary armies to fulfill their conquests.
Gunjar System
The Gunjaghi had made a treaty with the Alliance thnks to Junior Ambassador Heston who served aboard the Star Fire before it was destroyed. The Gunjaghi had agreed to allow the Alliance to use their system as staging point against the Arquillions. Kyp Durron was in overall command of the Alliance invasion forces. Luke wanted nothing to do with invading the Arquillion Empire, but he did agree that the Jedi were needed. Wedge was still recooperating from his ordeal with being placed in Carbonite.
Kyp met with the other Jedi Masters and Fleet commanders around a holo-map table of the unknown regions. "We've already received intelligence reports that the Chiss have taken the Alien's Gate." A Twi'Lek named Risa said. She was a representative for the GAI division (Galactic Alliance Intelligence). She wore a black and white uniform, "The Mandalorians are also going to be a problem as they have divided their forces into two groups-One is heading for the Alien's Gate and the other for Oin System."
Han and Leia were there as well, "Knowing Bobba Fett the way I do if they can't defeat the Chiss they will blow the station up." Han said as he held Leia in his arms.
"Agreed!" Kyp said, "But we won't need the Alien's Gate Station-My first target is the Arquillion ship yards on Algar IX."
Jaina was standing next to Kyp, "That is deep inside Arquillion territory."
"Yes, and no one will expect an attack so deep in their territory."
"One problem!" Kyle Katarn said speaking up, "We have to pass through the Oin system to get there and the Mandos will probably want some kind of payment for passing through."
"There are hyperspace lanes that the Mandalorians are unaware of-We will use those." Kyp replied with a smile.
The siege of the Alien's Gate went poorly for the Mandalorians, so they blew it up forcing the Chiss to reevaluate their invasion strategy. The Mandalorians successfully attacked and acquired Oin System. The Chiss contacted the Mandalorian Clan leaders to discuss treaties of non agression, but as they talked a force was sent in secret to ignite the dangerous gases of the Itoi Systems and kill the Mandalorians. Aware of this Darth Khaun used the thought bomb to destroy the Chiss forces sent to do the job.
"This was a thought bomb..." Jaina said over her head COM to Zek, as they walked through the halls of the Chiss flagship. "And it was done by the same person who destroyed the sith home world of Kesh."
"Agreed!" Zek replied, "We better contact Master Durron and inform him of this."
Kyp ordered them to blow up the ships then he contacted Luke on what to do with the information they had. The council agreed to tell the Chiss what happened to their fleet. The destruction of the Arquillion shipyards in the Algar System was successful. When Kyp's forces returned from the battle the Gunjar system was under attack by an Arqullion fleet made completely up of force users. Kyp could feel all of them, but the most distracting presence was that of Donovan himself who was using the mind melding technique to win the battle.
Jaina assumed command of the battle and quickly organized their forces, but still it was a hopeless battle as the Arquillions used force powered cannons that no shield could stand against. Kyp was about to sound retreat when Jacen Solo arrived leading a Fleet of Hapan battle cruisers and star destroyers. Jacen used his battle mediation to even the odds of the battle and he ordered his fighters to concentrate on those Arquillion ships that were armed with Force guns.
"Jaina are you still out there?" Kyp asked over the COM.
"Yes I am Master Durron-What do you need?"
"Before we retreat I need one of those ships captured so we can anlyze and study those force guns."
Jaina lead a bold assault against an Arquillion cruiser with a team of ten Jedi and 100 Alliance commandos. They were able to capture the ship, but the computers had been erased and the ship programmed to explode. They were able to get off before it exploded and they only lost forty men and three Jedi. Eventually Kyp had to order that the system be abandoned, but hey were able to take many of the Gunjaghi with them.
"What a glorious victory-Perhaps with this new army and weapons we can drive the invaders out and over throw the Republic after all." Donovan said to his new apprentice, an Arquillion named Jor Dersan of the Clan Dersan.
"This victory is hollow my master-Because we Arquillions love the force, but the force is not meant to be used in this manner."
"I don't understand how a people as powerful as yours could waste such a gift-All your race is one with the force."
"So were the Yuuzhan Vong and looked what happened to them!"
Donovan looked at him, "What did happen to them."
"Sir incoming ships! Unknown markings!" The Com Officer yelled before Jor could answer.
A Mercenary group of Arquillions of clan Kom was attacking. Clan Kom had always been faithful followers of the Trayus Academy. Donovan's Fleet was neutralized and everyone but Donovan was stripped of the force and killed. Donovan was left alone, so he took a ship back to the Arquillion home world. The only person he told the truth about what really happened was Caseopeia.