Chapter 8: The Siege Begins
It was 9:00 at night now.
The 10,000-strong orc army was illuminated by the thousands of torches they carried.
The Jedi under Maximus' and Terra's command were on the walls waiting for the ladder assault.
The Spartans under Robin's and Sar Labooda's command were placed behind the main gate and were to hold it.
The Tamaranians under Emperor Galfore's and Starfire's command were based in the courtyard.
There were also smaller battalions of Tamaranians under other commanders including Cyborg, Beast Boy, Raven, and Sarasimat several other defense posts.
Blackfire was flying above her army when she saw the Royal Castle in the distance. She flew ahead and saw the numbers and kinds of defenders.
"Ha!" She laughed. "They actually think they can withstand us."
She flew back to her army.
"It's Blackfire, sir." A Tarmaranian Captain said. "Shall we attack?"
"No, Captain." Galfore told him. "Let her have her moment of glory."
The orcs marched within 200 feet of the wall.
An orc commander roared an order and they stopped.
Maximus addressed the Jedi army under his command.
"My men, a battle is never easy, especially in the middle of the night. A battle is made all the easier when your heart is brave!"
(Cheers and Shouts)
"Over there stands the orc army of Blackfire, creatures not worthy of being feared. They are more afraid of us, the powerful Tarmaranians, you, the honorable Jedi, and the warrior Spartans. Together we are invincible!
(Cheers and Shouts)
"Some of us may soon be dead, but the survivors will drink to their memory. Now strike hard, strike without mercy, strike with righteous anger!"
(Cheers and Shouts)
Blackfire was speaking with an orc commander when a cloaked figure addressed her.
"My lady, we are ready to strike against the Jedi on the walls."
"Good. You will be first into battle."
"Thank you. The Jedi order is a fading light in the darkness. Corrupt and arrogant. The Jedi shall fall!"
An orc commander roared to his army and the orcs began to charge toward the castle walls.
Maximus looked at the orcs. "So, it finally begins."
"What are your orders, Captain?" Terra asked him.
Maximus turned to the Jedi again. "Do not activate your lightsabers yet! Wait until they are on the walls!"
Galfore and Starfire were on the high walls of the main courtyard. "Get ready to fire!" Galfore shouted.
"Get ready to fire!" a Tamaranian captain repeated.
When the orcs were 50 feet from the wall, Galfore told his troops to unleash their starbolts.
"Fire!"
The starbolts were hurled toward the advancing orcs and exploded on contact, killing all orcs with a 5-foot radius.
Despite the rain of starbolts, the orcs reached the walls and brought ladders up to them. They began to climb, but the Jedi remained still.
The first orcs reached the top of the walls. "Now!" Maximus shouted.
The Jedi drew their lightsabers and killed every orc that came up the ladders.
Below the walls, cloaked figures ran with the orcs to the walls.
When Maximus first noticed them, it was too late. They jumped on the walls, threw off their cloaks and drew lightsabers.
"Sith!" A Jedi shouted.
The newly-revealed Sith attacked the Jedi at numerous points on the wall and covered the orcs as they preceded to climb the ladders.
The Jedi were completely surprised by the Sith and many were killed. One Sith used a Force Push on several unprepared Jedi and they flew off the wall.
Maximus was told to avoid the Sith as he was completely unprepared to fight them and proceeded to attack any orcs that were open.
"Maximus!" It was Terra.
Maximus ran through the chaos to Terra's position and found her hanging onto the edge of the wall, at the feet of a Sith.
"It was foolish to resist a Sith. Die now!" the Sith told her. He aimed his lightsaber downward.
"No!" Maximus charged at the Dark Jedi, but he sensed Maximus' presence and turned to block Maximus' gladius. The saber sliced the gladius in two. Then the Dark Jedi pushed Maximus to the ground. "Pathetic attempt."
"My sword!" Maximus yelled. "How dare you break a Roman's gladius!"
"So, you must be the Roman Lord Trigon talks about so much." The Sith smiled. "There is a great reward for the one who brings your head to him."