+TR+
(Corusant)
Mira dived into cover as a the temple guard with the few Jedi remaining chasing them opened fire, for once acting without waiting for instructions from the Jedi leading them. One of the Mercenaries with them grunted as he took a blaster bolt to his shoulder but remained active, Canderous smirked at her clearly enjoying himself even more now that their chasers were acting a bit smarter.
"About time they realised we are leading them into traps every so often" she couldn't help snort in disgust at how easy this whole mission had been so far.
"Tell me about it" Canderous agreed with a nod of his head. "I think there too used to chasing thief's and other low life scum, these Jedi are not like the ones Revan and even Malak have following them" he stated. "Okay we'll hold them here for a few minutes before running again, any calls from the other teams?" he inquired.
"Yeah, there facing the same thing no sense from any of the Jedi chasing them" Boda one of their fellow Mandalorians answered. "But the temple guard are beginning to act more cautiously, but the amount of damage all three teams have caused has been impressive" he informed them.
Canderous looked around the wall he was using for cover to see the Jedi leading their pursuers was now talking urgently into his comm, clearly they'd finally seen sense hence things would become harder but if Boda was to be believed they still had the advantage due to the amount of injuries they'd already inflicted on them. On the other side of the fighting Master Janus had finally been talked into seeing the danger of constantly chasing the group who had attacked the temple, it was now clear they were not some random attackers but clearly had a plan behind their actions. Contact with Master Palis and Elina had confirmed this, all three of their groups had taken a lot of injuries, weakening their ability to bring the attackers to justice. Thankfully the temple guard and their weapons were helping to keep the enemy pinned for now, thus he had to find a way to close ranks with what few Jedi he had left and overwhelm the enemy. As he looked at his group however he quickly realised how few Jedi he had left, with so many already on distant worlds fighting Malak's Sith the temple had already had few defenders and he realised in their eagerness to capture the attackers had depleted those few left even more.
"Keep them pinned" he ordered as he realised he'd need to call back one of the other teams to help capture this group. "Master Elina abort your chase and track back to my positon, once you have located us flank the enemy so we can rush them whilst they are pinned" he ordered after grabbing the comm of Padawan Orson.
"Understood Master Janus, we have many wounded already and chasing them seems to be exactly what they want" Elina responded.
"Agreed, we've walked straight into their hands" Janus growled angered at how easy he had been deceived. "I should have sensed it, the question is why and I have noted they have not killed any of us just wounded" he added.
"Yes I've noticed that also and Master Palis told me nearly his entire force has been wounded in a mass ambush, he didn't see it or sense it as if the force had abandoned him" Elina reported making Janus curse for one of the few times in his life. "He is falling back and trying to keep the group he is chasing pinned by what few means they have left, we've are relying more and more on the temple guard we have with us" she continued.
"So have I, their weapons and helping keep these attackers pinned for now" Janus reluctantly replied. "Let me know when you are about to attack" he ordered before handing the comm back to Orson. "We hold here and wait until Master Elina and her group are ready" he ordered.
Canderous watched the Jedi carefully noting him talking into his comm quickly; he was clearly relaying orders to the other two groups chasing Rex and Baxter's teams. But what orders was he giving he wondered, a sudden call from Commander Rex reporting the few Jedi still chasing them had turned and retreated gave him his answer.
"They're going to try and catch us in a pincer, that's why they've stopped chasing you" Canderous quickly realised. "Turn and follow, we may need the help" he ordered knowing the last few moves of this mission were about to play out. "Major Baxter I need you to turn and trace our position and move to support us if you can" he added switching to the Major's comm channel.
"Understood Commander" Baxter responded calmly. "Most of the group chasing us has been injured and those few left are trying to pin us down but their fire is ineffectual due to their low numbers moving out now" he informed him.
"Good" Canderous grunted before switching the comm off and handing it to Mira. "Okay, we make a stand here and try and draw them in but be mindful of a flank attack, whatever is left of their other groups will be coming as will ours" he ordered and watched confidently as the mercenaries obeyed.
It felt good to be back in the thick of the action, back in the blaze of battle knowing everything was balanced on what orders you gave. Would his gambit pay off or not? Who knew but so far everything had gone their way, he just hoped things were going as well for those in space and Revan and his infiltration team.
+TR+
(Leviathan Class Battleship Revenge)
Mission followed Rikka's movements with the vibroblade she had been given for the beginning of her actual training with a lightsaber itself, the movements were sometimes quick and sometimes slow and very unlike the quick slashes she had made with a bladed weapon before. They were taking a break from Rikka teaching her the few small duties she was now to carry out, to be honest she was having fun learning how to operate some of the complicated computers on the ship, she had also met a few of the Revenge's officers who she would be supplying with updates when they came in. Zaalbar was currently watching them having been shadowing them since Revan left, Carth had joined them clearly wanting something to distract him from thinking too much about his Son been on Korriban.
"Very good Mission, but slow your arms when you first move or you will give away what you intend to do to your opponent" Rikka cautioned her. "When fighting any enemy you must try and not give away how you are going to attack, the movements you make with your arms and shoulders can be read by a skilled opponent" she explained as Mission turned to look at her. "Either slow your movements before making your move or lash out fast so as not to give away what you are going to do but not so much as to overbalance yourself" she instructed.
"Now practice the movements I have shown you and then we'll see how well you have learned before moving on" Rikka told her before moving off to the side to grab a bottle of water.
Carth stared off distantly not really taking in what was going on around him as he tried to wrap his mind around the fact his son was alive, not only alive but currently on Korriban one of the home planets of the Sith. Taken there by Saul as a final revenge against him not joining him when he turned traitor, it was even more incentive to find and finally kill the man who had destroyed not only his family but his home, his world had been devastated by Saul's act of treachery. Millions had perished and it would take Telos years to even begin to recover, but knowing his son was alive gave him something else to live for bar his loyalty to the Republic. Hopefully Revan and his group would quickly put down the coup within the Jedi and return so they could go to Korriban and rescue his son, hopefully Denzel was still himself and had not been brainwashed by the Sith into becoming one of them.
"Carth, are you okay?" Mission's concerned voice finally broke him train of reparative thoughts.
Looking up he noted Mission had finished her training lesson and Rikka had vanished, standing up he noted Zaalbar was just near the door and he realised he had really lost track of time. "I'm fine Mission, just concerned what Denzel is going through been surrounded by Sith" he finally answered.
"I'm sure if he is anything like you then he is not going to be so easily turned into a Sith, you only kill when nessacary and you must have taught him the same kind of thing" Mission assured him.
"Thanks and I did try and teach him morals but I worry his resentment for not been there for him and his Mother may weaken his resolve to resist whatever it is they are teaching him" Carth admitted. "I should have been there more" he stated before walking out.
Mission watched him go worried about Carth's state of mind and wondering what would happen should they reach Korriban to find his son had truly converted into been a Sith.
+TR+
(Jedi Temple)
Revan blocked the blow even before the others sensed the danger, overpowering the Jedi Knight who had tried to ambush him he head-butted him as he knocked the lightsaber from his grip. The Knight stumbled backwards as Revan lashed out with his boot and sent him careening into the wall, he turned to block another attack from another Knight as Bastila slammed her own lightsaber hilt into the first's Knights head knocking him cold. Niks defended her as a Padawan tried to catch her whilst her back was turned, he pushed the Padawan away with the aid of a force push before rushing him. Bastila turned and seeing the Padawan off balance pushed her hand out and hit him with a stronger force push sending him into the fall with some force, Niks rushed forward and slammed his fist into the dis-oriented Padawan and knocked him down with a blow to his face with enough force he did not get back up. Revan backed up as the Knight switched fighting styles catching him by surprise but he quickly recovered, he pushed back hard before grabbing his back up lightsaber as the Knight staggered somewhat and then unleashed a flurry of blows which quickly overwhelmed the Knight's defence until he fell backwards straight into a kick aimed at his head from Niks which allowed Bastila to hit him with a force stun ending the fight.
The sudden sounds of running made them turn to their left expecting more foes to be appearing only for Jolee and his team to show up along with Vima, Zhar, Vash and a single Jedi Knight. Both teams paused only for a second before relaxing as they realised neither side was the enemy, Vima waited until Revan had deactivated his lightsabers before she stepped forward and gave him a quick hug.
"Thank you for rescuing Ana" she said simple as she stepped back and nodding at the very surprised looking Bastila.
Revan stared at Vima for a few minutes making Vima somewhat nervous as she recalled Revan had cause to be angry not only with her but Zhar and Vash too, yes she had told him her reasons for aiding the attempt to mind wipe him but that didn't mean everything was forgiven. The staring was beginning to get to her as Revan once more wore his well-known mask, how he had recovered it she did not know.
"Ana is my friend, you knew I would not leave her to be tortured and killed Vima" Revan finally responded deciding to put whatever still needed to be said between him and Vima to one side. "No matter what you had done to me I would have helped her regardless" he stated. "I am afraid two of her party were already dead by the time we arrived, the rest of her team alongside Ana is recovering back in my fleet" he informed her.
"What happened to them Revan?" Vash inquired stepping forward knowing she was taking a risk as at this point she had expressed no sorrow for her role in attempting to destroy his identity and replacing it with a new one.
"They were captured by loyalists to my cause however my supposed death had begun to affect certain people making them lash out in pain and anger" Revan answered frowning at Vash but deciding to answer all the same. "One of them killed your Jedi in a blind rage and was in the process of trying to kill Ana when we finally found them, I was going to kill him but your stubborn daughter would not let me" he explained with a small smile directed at Vima. "She insisted he could be saved, that he was only acting out of anger and rage and begged for a chance to help him thus I relented" he continued. "I made him her bodyguard but insured he knew if he slipped even a little he would die, Ana is probably currently counselling him as we speak even as she recovers" he mused his smile widening at the look on Vima's face as he told his tale. "She is every bit your daughter Vima" he told her.
Vima shook her head knowing he was probably more right than he knew, Ana very much took after her especially in her stubborn streak. That she was trying to help the man who had not only killed two of her team members but almost killed her was almost unbelievable, but then she recalled how she had reached out to Ulic when everyone including her mother thought him a monster. She had helped redeem him so that when he died he became one with the force like most Jedi instead of been consumed by the madness of the dark side, he mother had been stunned by it wondering how it had been possible. That moment had taught her one thing, no one was truly lost as long as there was a single shred of goodness within.
"I don't want to interrupt but we do not have time to stand around catching up" Zayne interrupted. "Canderous and his team are still outside leading the Jedi and temple guard on a chase and above us a battle is been waged" he pointed out.
"You are correct Zayne" Revan quickly agreed with a nod of his head. "Best to end this quickly, the council chamber is one floor up in the central tower we move fast and put down this coup once and for all" he stated as he turned and began running for the central tower and the others quickly followed.
+TR+
(Space)
Admiral Tia Kalik slowly pushed herself to her feet after been sent flying from two very direct hits close to the bridge, she felt blood run down her forehead as she did so but ignored it to focus on ensuring the defence fleet held. She looked around to find several of her bridge crew slumped over either dead or unconscious she didn't know, she noted Tarlson was slowly regaining his feet clearly having also taken a bad blow.
"Shields are badly compromised Admiral and our communications array has been damaged as well" one of her crew shouted out.
"Pull us back and order whatever ships are close enough to cover are retreat, we need time to affect repairs" Tia ordered as calmly as she could. "Tarlson get the medics up here now as well as some replacements for whoever can no longer tend their station" she added turning to her second who slowly nodded as moved to comply slower than before but still able to do his duty. "What's the status of the rest of the fleet?" she demanded to know wiping some of the blood away as best she could.
"Several ships have been rendered defenceless Admiral, there sitting ducks and yet the attackers are leaving them alone" one of the crew Briggs answered. "I believe whoever is attacking them is not intending to destroy our ships just put them out of action for reasons that escape me" she added.
"No speculations, it doesn't matter what their reasons are for attacking us or what their intent is" Tia growled out. "They are the enemy, focus we need to push back and quickly before we lose any more ships" she ordered. "Is our array still operational?" she asked.
"It's damaged Admiral and need repairs more than likely any messages been sent by us are been garbled with static" another crew member D'kor responded trying to stay upright even though his body felt broken.
"Damn it, order the repair crews to focus on that first then work on the shields" Tia ordered with a shake of her head. She knew without communications this battle was all but lost, and they could not afford to lose it as this was the capital of the Republic not some back water colony world.
Medics and relief crew members quickly arrived and set to work doing their jobs either helping injured crew members or relieving those rendered unconscious or dead, although it was quickly noted very few had actually been killed which was surprising. Tia wondered just who it was attacking them, what was their objective?
On the Fireclaw Admiral Stark watched the Republic flagship try and evade the fire currently directed at it, obviously trying to find time to affect repairs. It was what he would if their positions were reversed, he could not allow them that time.
"Johansson, order our fighters and whatever ships are closest to keep hammering at the flagship, order all our destroyers and carriers to support them" he ordered. "Have our battlecruisers form two columns and draw away the defenders trying to cover their retreat" he continued.
"As you command Admiral" Johansson responded wondering only briefly how events on the surface were playing out before refocusing on his job.
"Sir, Captain Tarkin reports his fighter wing has damaged the communications array of the retreating flagship" comm officer Organa reported.
"That is why they are attempting to pull back so they can repair their communications, if we can ensure that is not possible this battle is over" Stark quickly realised. "Order Captain Tarkin wings Omega and Delta to focus their attacks on the array ensure they are covered by whoever is closest to them" he ordered.
"Ay Admiral" Organa quickly responded and moved to comply.
The battle continued to wage as both fleets tried to out maneuver the other, fighters exploded as they tried to shield the much larger ships of their fleet. But slowly the defence fleet was beginning to not only lose ground but also ships, one by one they were been disabled and left adrift as the Revanchists pushed forward harder than ever with the Fireclaw leading the way.
+TR+
(Corusant)
Canderous's sixth sense quickly went haywire and he ducked back into cover pulling Mira with him as several blasters opened up from their flank, as he had suspected they were trying to cut them off and box them in. The temple guard were proving far more of a challenge than the Jedi, returning fire he prepared to break out once Rex, Baxter and their teams showed up.
"Keep the Jedi pinned, don't let them close in" Mira shouted as she noted two of the Jedi trying to slowly creep up and surprise them. It was a good tactic but it only worked if you had the numbers, the temple guard had been just as badly mauled as the Jedi leading them and thus they did not have the numbers.
Five more blasters from the other flank also opened up on them forcing them to split their own fire in two directions, Canderous really enjoyed a real challenge of his skill. Grabbing a grenade from his belt he flung it towards the west flank and was satisfied as it gouged up large chunks of dirt, this made their attackers take cover and thus lessen some of the fire coming at them. Mira did the same on the east flank causing the same affect, it only brought them a few seconds but it turned out to be all they needed, Rex's team turned up and quickly engaged the west side and seconds later Baxter's team engaged the east side. Canderous immediately ordered his own small team to push forward and take the centre, moving fast before the Jedi and temple guard could fully react they smashed into them knocking several down and forcing them backwards. Baxter knew he had already overwhelmed the small group of Jedi and temple guard his team faced and ordered his men to focus on the Jedi first, Rex ordered the same knowing they were the main threat to his force.
+TR+
(Jedi Temple)
Revan stared at the massive doors that protected the council chamber, three Jedi Masters stood in front of them with lightsabers already ignited and ready. He raised his hands and stepped forward, hopefully they could be talked down so they could end this all the quicker.
"Masters of the Jedi Order stand down, we are not here to kill anyone" he stated. "We are here to stop the illegal coup by Atris and Vrook, we are here to return Grand Master Zirrik to his rightful place" he continued watching the Jedi closely for any signs of aggression. "If you are truly loyal to the Order you will step aside and let us proceed, if you stand against us then you are just as traitorous as Atris and Vrook" he declared.
"You would say anything Revan to make us just step aside and let you enter the council chamber" one of the Masters stated his tone showed no surprise at Revan's survival and he wondered if Atris had admitted it to these three.
"Master Yarrik, please believe me when I tell you that Revan is not the enemy you think he is" Bastila spoke up stepping forward ready to react if needed but hoping to convince them with words.
"And why should we believe you Bastila Shan, for all we know you have fallen to the dark side due to your exposure to Revan" Yarrik snapped coldly. "Zayne Carrick is a known turncoat having refused to re-join the Order, I know not the two others with you but I assume they are traitors who joined your war too" he accused.
"I am no turncoat Master Yarrik" Zayne countered just as coldly as the Jedi had spoken. "I refused to re-join for a very good reason, I was betrayed by the Order who refused to believe me just because those who committed the crime I was accused of were prominent Jedi Masters" he growled having never forgotten the way he had been treated.
Had Jarael, Camper and Griff not risked their lives to aide him he would probably have ended up dead a long time ago, killed by his former Master who believed he would revive the Sith. If he had somehow managed to survive then more of less he would have been imprisoned for life, not one of the Council been willing to even listen to him. How could they just expect him to re-join after such a betrayal, no he'd had no more trust in the council and more to the point he'd fallen in love with Jarael and had no intention of walking away just because the code demanded it.
"Enough stand down Revan" the tallest of the Masters ordered. "Atris has done what is nessacary to ensure the Jedi survive, Zirrik was a good leader when he was able to lead but now he is old and feeble" he stated boldly missing the surprised looks Yarrik and the other Master gave him. "We need strong and stable leadership, now surrender" he added.
"I don't think so Master Zeph, Atris is insane and more than likely close to falling" Bastila growled. "She threatened to have Master Vima, Zhar and Vash all council members executed" she informed him.
"Stand down Zeph, Atris is not a leader the Jedi need" Vima stated stepping forward with a glare. "She has lost herself to her anger, paranoia, hatred and rage" she insisted. "That you can't see it is beyond me, just standing near her you can feel the dark side creeping in" she growled.
"I did not see it at first just like you but I saw it finally just before she had me, Vima and Vash illegally arrested" Zhar said also stepping forward. "I saw it plain as day as she raged, so focused on Revan that she ignored the destruction Malak was inflicting on the Republic and our Order" he continued. "Worlds were burning and all she and Vrook would focus on was Revan as if he was even a danger anymore, no you if you support them then you are the enemy of the oath you took to serve and protect the Republic" he told them calmly. "Stand down" he ordered.
"Do as they say if you want to see the Jedi survive as they were meant to be, if you want to see the Republic survive" Vash added hoping this did not break into a fight.
Yarrik and the still silent third Master deactivated their lightsabers and stepped away clearly not willing to go against three council members, perhaps motivated by their statements or just their loyalty to the Jedi and Republic.
"TRAITORS" Zeph roared as he charged at Vima who quickly activated her own lightsaber taken from one of the fallen guards and quickly defended herself.
Vima blocked blow after blow from the enraged Master and she wondered if the darkness in Atris and Vrook had not already spread to some of her fellow Jedi, it was a jarring thought. Had this been brought out in Zeph by Atris and Vrook's actions or had it already been there, she continued to defend each blow allowing Zeph to wear himself out. But even as she readied herself to counter attack, the hooded Jedi who had so far remained unidentified lashed her hand out and sent Zeph into the wall with such force it knocked the lightsaber from his hands and left him stumbling sideways. Jolee shot forward and slammed his elbow into Zeph's face sending him to the floor with a pool of blood leaking from his nose, deactivating her lightsaber she turned to face the hooded Jedi already having a sneaking suspicion who it was.
"We do not have time for this" Meetra growled ignoring the suspicious look Vima sent her way.
"Agreed we need to end this quickly" Revan said stepping forward. "T3, can you unlock the security doors" he inquired of small droid which quickly rumbled forward and plugged into the nearby security terminal.
"Master Vima, what exactly is happening" Yarrik inquired glancing uneasily at Revan and his team.
"An intervention" Vima answered. "Atris, Vrook and the others have lost their perspective on who and what they are and if they are not removed they will poison the Council and more to the point the entire Jedi Order with their darkness" she told them. "That Atris even threatened to have me and the others executed shows the state of her mind, she wants to kill Revan when it is well known we do not kill our prisoners" she told them glancing at Revan who watched them knowing what the Council had tried to do to him had been very much attempted murder. "No this coup needs to end now and Zirrik restored to his post, old or not he is the Grand Master of the Order and until he steps down that is how it is to remain" she stated.
Yarrik and the still silent Master glanced at one another before nodding in agreement just as T3 beeped loudly, turning they heard the giant doors begin to open. Revan growled as he stepped forward doing his best to keep his anger in check, he needed to be clear of mind. Bastila shifted uneasily next to him knowing there was no going back now, she had made her choice whilst Meetra gripped her lightsaber hard fully ready to confront the Council.