Chapter 17
Demons and Saviours
"We bring only death, and leave only carrion. It is a message even a human can understand"
Reqhiel of the sons of Fuegan.
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Galenor was a world of three large green, forest covered landmasses, and small mountains ranges, around the continents were sparkling blue seas that covered the rest of the planet, the world was a beautiful sight but that beauty was just a smokescreen for Galenor was labelled as a Death World, its native animals and plants on both the land and the seas were massive dangerous monsters that were said to be able to rip a full groan man in half. The main human population was situated on the northern continent in a city that was protected by thick castle-like walls.
Captain Mynn sat in her throne-like command chair watching as the officers and aides of her bridge were going about their assigned duties, scanning the surrounding system for any sign of other ships, already scouting squadrons of speedy A-wings were spilling out of the Star Destroyers hanger, small groups of Lightning and Thunderbolt fighters were also being released from the hangers of the Mars Battlecruiser and were following suit with their Alliance counterparts.
Standing beside her was the two Jedi she had been assigned to protect, Jedi master Gabriel Sabbath and his young apprentice Alana Varne, the two had their eyes closed, their brows furrowed in concentration, most likely searching through the force for any sign of what they were looking for, The Eldar, Ishta Taldeer, stood slightly behind Mynn's command chair, her form covered by the crescent shaped war helmet and mesh armour.
"Well master Sabbath" Mynn asked as she relaxed into her chair "Anything?"
Gabriel opened his icy blue eyes and smiled "He's very well hidden, I can't sense anyone, but not to worry captain, I'm sure they'll make their appearance in good time" his smile vanished as Gabriel felt a familiar dark presence that's hunger for bringing death and pain made him shiver, the force screamed a warning and Gabriel acted immediately "Shields up!!!"
The shields came up a split second before a small barrage of dark lances smashed into them; Mynn gripped the arms of her captains chair just stopping her from being thrown off, gritting her teeth she glared out at the materializing forms of Dark Eldar warships cutting lose with long red beams of dark lance batteries, the Cobra escort Sabre was blindsided and received several fatal hits to its engine compartments before the Destroyer could get its shields up, the small ship vanished in a blinding ball of fire and twisted steel.
"Aim carefully" the musical voice of Ishta ordered out to the crew "Try and aim ahead of the ships, if you aim right at them they'll just evade"
The Star Destroyer turned to face the approaching pirate vessels, the Judge and Crimson Blaze following suit and together they unleashed a withering barrage of weapons fire at the Dark Eldar ships, a Torture Cruiser ran right into a storm of turbolaser and lance fire, vanishing in an impressive explosion, the other warships scattered, using their speed and executing nearly impossible dives and climbs, the Imperium ships didn't follow the warlocks advice and their shots missed.
Swarms of small pirate fighters streamed out of the hangers of the dark vessels and dived towards the Crimson Blaze, small groups of speeding Thunderbolts, Lightning's and A-wings sped forward to meet them, the two sides clashed and small blooms of fire from missed missiles and exploding fighters could clearly be seen. More starfighters soared from the hangers of the Imperium and Alliance duo, dozens more Thunderbolts, Lightning's, Marauders, X-wings, Y-wings, Tie Interceptors and K-wings rose up from their respective mother ships like a terrifying swarm to reinforce their comrades.
Another massive flash of light signalled that the Judge followed its sister ship to the Immortal Emperor as two Darkness Battleships soared on either side of her unleashing a barrage of dark lance and splinter fire.
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Captain Xavier Zola gritted his teeth as the bridge shook from combined dark lance hits, his own ships powerful weapon systems returned fire but the Eldar vessels were proving their superior manoeuvrability compared to his own craft, dodging the lances and plasma before returning fire with their own weapons.
The Star Destroyer and its Xeno captain were doing better having gotten a kill already and were now duelling with another Torture cruiser, the two vessels circled each other firing continuously with their respective weapons but the Eldar's ship was faster and was avoiding the long ranged turbolaser fire, another Torture cruiser was zooming towards them, its guns silent, it was planning to sneak up on the Star Destroyer and barrage her at point blanc range, the up close kill.
The idea to warn the alien captain was dispelled from his mind, she and half of her crew were xenos and all aliens were enemies of the Imperium, whether they knew it or not. The Inquisitors warnings that stopped him from firing on that ship himself but maybe the Dark Eldar could do the job for him.
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"My lord the Red Death and the Succubus Blade have finished with the inferior escort vessels" his new bodyguard, a male Incubi warrior spoke up "They wish to know whether to attack the wedged vessel or the human Battlecruiser!"
"Have all ships concentrate their fire on the Battlecruiser" Archon Deathstrike replied as he glanced unflinchingly at the bright explosions of doomed fighters that was taking place in front of him "It is the bigger threat. Have the Fallen Banshee and Death scream continue duelling the smaller vessel, don't let it escape!"
A sudden long, almost razor thin beam of green light flashed past his own ship and collided with the Succubus Blade, the lance struck the battleship and stabbed through its light hull all the way through and exited out the other side, the Blade sparked before cracking in half through a series of explosions.
Surprised Archon Deathstrike spun to the source of the powerful attack to see a ship appear, slipping through Galenor's planetary shadow as silently as an ambush predator, it was long and wedge shaped, its design similar to the Alliance vessel that his ships were engaging except for the large gun emplacement that seemed to stretch from its pointed front all the way back to the command tower, unlike the Alliance ship it had no terraces, the warship closed in on the battle firing long red lances of energy from strategically placed gun decks.
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"I think we got his attention" his eldest daughter, Sonya, stated proudly as the view-screen silently zoomed to the burning remains of the pirate battleship.
The cloaked figure nodded as he sat in the throne-like command chair, his hands dancing over the glowing white runes that controlled the view-screen and communication systems "Don't play with the view-screen my dear" he stated sarcastically as the screen reverted back to its original setting, this new image screen was just one of many upgrades that had been added to the old ship over the last four thousand years, in fact the ship had been modified to the point that only its wedge shaped exterior was the only rememberance of the Cruiser it once was, in the days of the Jedi Civil War it was known as a Ravager-class Battlecruiser.
"Prepare for a micro-jump!" he ordered silently and relaxed as the cruiser jumped into hyperspace and returned to normal space a few moments later alongside its descendent ship, long red beams of modified turbolaser fire lanced out from its portside gun platforms smashing into one of the Eldar cruisers tearing its bow apart in a blaze of red and orange light, the Torture started into a slow out of control spin.
From the hanger bay of his cruiser came a group of twelve starfighters, these small, sleek craft were specially designed by him and his allies, they were black in colour with long wings on either side of their slender form. From melded technologies either traded or taken in raids it had the firepower of an Imperium ship yet as fast and able to make the almost impossible turns of an Eldar fighter, yet it kept the design of the old Sith starfighters that were used during the Jedi Civil War eras. These were known to him and his allies as Shadowhawks.
As the hawks moved into defensive positions around his ship, known as Shades of Grey to those who knew of its existence the old immortal knew that he was safe with them as his escort, after all one of his most trusted sons was the squadron leader.
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Zola gritted his teeth and grabbed onto the arms of his command chair for support as wave after wave of dark lance fire smashed into the ship finally shattering the void shields and slicing through the thick hull armour.
His ship was taking heavy damage, the Eldar had already smashed gaping hull breaches into his ship, these breaches were belching smoke, unbolted equipment and people into open space, more than a quarter of his weapon decks had been destroyed and his new hyperdrive engine had been disabled by a precise phantom torpedo strike, his warship wasn't going down without a fight however as his weapon salvos managed to connect with another Torture Cruiser causing it to explode in a ball of fire. That left two battleships and two strike cruisers left.
He saw one of the Darkness's unleash a barrage of dark lances and phantom torpedoes at his know exposed bridge, sighing he muttered a silent prayer to the Immortal Emperor before his bridge and himself was consumed by dark fire.
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Ishta scanned the holographic projection of the battle taking place around them, the Crimson Blaze turned from amber to red and finally winked out of existence, with the last Imperium vessel gone that just left these two Star Destroyers, although she wasn't even sure if the new warship was in the same class as the one she was on.
The new vessel lined up on a Torture Cruiser and fired a long, thin beam of light from its spinal super-gun; the thin beam of green energy connected with the cruiser and tore it apart.
"Captain" one of the ensigns yelled from the crew pit "The unknown vessel is hailing us!"
She glanced over at Mynn, the Togruta female nodded her understanding and rose from her chair, the holographic image of a humanoid appeared beside the battle hologram in front of them, his entire form concealed in a black cloak, the large hood up over his head, a bronze and silver mask visible on his face.
"Your galaxy knew me as Revan" the figure said, his voice amplified by the mechanics of his arcane mask "I realize you may have questions but may I ask you withhold them until this battle is over?"
Mynn nodded her agreement "I understand"
"Is your ship capable of micro-jumping captain?" Revan asked.
"Yes"
"Then listen carefully"
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Archon Deathstrike watched as the two remaining ships of his enemy got into some kind of a combat formation facing his four remaining warships, the battle had been more costly than he might have liked but if he could get one of those ships then it would be worth it "Disable both ships if you can!" he ordered sharply.
He watched as his ships shot forward at an incredible speed straight towards the last two vessels and as they got closer Deathstrike flashed a smile of pure venom, he didn't care how many of his fellows died here, as long as he would be the one to kill Taldeer's child, as slowly and agonisingly as he could, then he would go after the Jedi and take his lightsabre as a trophy.
His smile vanished as the two ships vanished in a flash of bright light, he scanned the area for a split second before jumping back in surprise, the two cruisers reappeared right in front of the Burning Agony and cut lose with a withering barrage of weapons fire, the Death Scream was caught completely by surprise as its front bulged and detonated, the Bloody Victim took several hits and was cracked into three flaming pieces, the Red Death took several hits but executed a steep climb avoiding the main bombardment before turning and vanishing into the webway, leaving the Archon to his fate.
Growling the Archon and several of his Incubi warriors activated their teleporters and disappeared in a flash of blue light before the Burning Agony was encompassed by red and green fire from the two Star Destroyers combined firestorm, and was blown to a hundred burning pieces.
The Archon reappeared within the bridge of the Firestorm and drawing his Punisher blade ran it through a Mon-Keigh's chest, spurting red blood over his dark armour, at least four of his six Incubi had managed to teleport into the ship with him and were tearing through several unsuspecting crewmen.
Gabriel spun on his heel and threw his lightsabre decapitating a Dark Eldar warrior before the Incubi could run his power sword through a surprised Mynn, Alana unclipped her lightsabre and activated the blade in time to parry an attack aimed at Ishta's back, the Warlock spun around, telekinetically throwing her shuriken pistol into her outstretched hand and riddled the second Incubi with small bolts of white light before looking down to see Archon Deathstrike cutting through a Stormtrooper. He saw her and jumped up to the command deck, punisher blade aimed at her. She just jumped out of the way before aiming her shuriken, the small pistols barrel was sliced through by the bloodied blade and a stiff kick to her gut nearly threw her off the command deck.
An honour guardsman charged up the command deck towards the Archon, a Force Pike in his hands, he thumbed it on and raw blue electricity encompassed the blade, he swung the weapon and missed the Archon by a hairsbreadth before being run through by the pirate Eldar's punisher sword, the elegant weapon sliced through his blue and silver power armour and straight through, exiting his back. Smiling sadistically the Archon spun unleashing a powerful kick into the stomach of the strange alien who he considered to be the captain, she fell backwards dropping the arcane pistol she held.
Half way down the command deck Alana jumped out of the way as an Incubi warriors swung for her and nearly lost her footing on the edge of the decking, she held her lightsabre shakily and just parried an attack by the elite warrior before a powerful force push shoved him of the command deck, landing in the crew pits below on his head and shattering his neck. Gabriel swung around and his emerald blade meet the Archons punisher blade, the Dark Eldar warrior broke off his attack and jumping into the air lashed out with his foot, catching the Jedi master in the head and sending him spinning across the floor before landing roughly on the metal decking.
Ishta staggered back to her feet and grabbing the downed force pike raised it in time to meet the Archons blade, the pike was heavy and difficult to fight with, the Archon circled around her, his face set in a sickening grin. Suddenly Alana charged forward, trying to get the Dark Eldar's attention, he jumped backwards, barely missing the golden blade and landed a blow from his armoured fist into the side of the young humans face, sending her flying backwards, Ishta took the chance and drove the pike through the Archons side, he sputtered and looked at her with burning hatred, light red blood trickling from his stab wound as he aimed his blade for her, dropping the force pike she rolled out of the way just barely missing the blade, cutting through her mesh armour and nicking her arm. She grabbed the next thing she could get her hands on and found the captains blaster pistol, he loomed over her, blood trickling from his mouth, his eyes full of madness and hatred, he dived for her with his blade, she raised the pistol and squeezed the trigger, two blaster bolts shot into Deathstrikes chest killing him, but in his death throes he managed to stab the blade into her shoulder drawing a pained cry from the young Eldar.
The Archons limp body was pulled off of her and she looked into the worried blue eyes of Gabriel "You alright"
She nodded between pained groans and ragged breathing, she closed her eyes, saying weakly "Just let me rest for a few moments"
He managed a small smile before leaving her and going to check on his apprentice who had gotten back to her feet, a hand on her bruised check, he gently took her hand away to inspect it, he smiled before patting her shoulder "You'll be fine, just take it easy for a while"
"I was useless" she managed.
"Hey, you kept them busy and saved Ishta's life" Gabriel said seriously "Just remember that you're a student and you're still learning"
The young girl managed a nod before he looked over to see Mynn, dragging herself to her command chair to answer the call from Revans warship; waving away the offer of help from the medics who were know swarming around the bridge treating the injured, he grimaced as he felt a pain in his ribcage, that kick may have bruised a few ribs, he opened himself to the force and let its healing energies flow through him, numbing the pain and slowly healing his wounds.
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The old shuttle was reminiscent of the empires Lambda shuttles as it hovered into the hanger bay, its wings folding up as it settled onto the decking, several Stormtrooper squads stood at attention to the left of the ramp way with a squad of Honour Guard right in front of them.
The ramp lowered and as it settled onto the deck it steamed sending wisps of cold white smoke into the air, obscuring the ramp to the point where the Alliance officials could only see the outlines of the visitors who were descending the ramp, only Mynn, Gabriel and Alana, beaten up and bandaged were the only Alliance officers fit enough to greet them.
The first to come down was Revan, dressed in a black cloak with the hood up over his head, he wore the same mask that he was famous for wearing, beneath the cloak Gabriel could just make out bronze and silver armour with black fatigues underneath, on his armoured waist was two lightsabre hilts, one looked like it was carved out of twisted wood while the other was a silver hilt, embroidered with gold and red engravings. Standing beside him was what looked like a young woman with shoulder length chocolate brown hair, unblemished pale skin and deep, mischievous hazel eyes, she wore the same black cloak, the hood down across her slender shoulders and was encased in what looked like Eldar mesh armour adapted to fit a humans frame, gold and silver in colour, she had a simple silver lightsabre, ancient black runes etched into its hilt.
"I am guessing that my message got through to you" Revan said quietly as he stopped in front of them, holding out a leather, black gloved hand, Mynn took it and shook it, Gabriel and Alana followed suit, he stopped in front of the young girl before bowing deeply, catching her by surprise "I apologise for putting you through that my dear, the visions were meant to be picked up by the most powerful force sensitive and I thought it would be your master"
Alana blushed slightly before bowing in return to her superior "Its alright, they weren't to bad"
He nodded in return before turning to the young woman "This is my daughter and second in command Sonya" she bowed in return, not uttering a word "Know Gabriel Sabbath, Jed Master, we have much to discuss"
So what do you think? I feel that I rushed the writing of this chapter a bit, anyway I'm not sure if I should continue here, go to Halos or continue with the Yuuzhan Vong…what do you all think I should do?