Chapter 6: The Stark Hyperspace War: The Siege at Mount Avos

[The Lycinder Plain, Troiken, the Qotile system]

Cannon fire rained down on Tarkin's troops as they dashed from the escape pods to the caves of mount Avos lugging weapons, supplies and anything else they could carry from the pods across the Lycinder Plain – which had swiftly turned to a mud pit under the sustained bombardment – to their rocky sanctuary.

"Damn Finis!" snarled Tarkin as he and Jace took refuge behind one of the escape pods until the attack run had passed, "This plain is a death trap, we should have stayed aboard the Invincible."

Suddenly a fiery streak shot across the night sky and buried itself in the horizon, "What was that?" Tarkin asked.

"I'd say it was the Invincible," said Jace bitterly.

Then a diplomatic cruiser flew overhead and came to hover just above their position.

[Aboard the diplomatic cruiser]

"Right, we need to get off this ship right now," said Adi as she set the ship to hover and got up, "I won't even try landing, the ship is in a really bad condition."

"Where's Tyvokka?" asked Obi-Wan.

"Medical bay," said Plo, "He's gathering the entire stock of bacta and medical implements. The troops will probably need them."

Adi hit the P.A., "Tyvokka, finish up. We need to leave now."

With that they ran to the airlock, unsealed it and jumped out onto the muddy plain.

"Get down!" shouted Qui-Gon and threw Gunray to the ground as another attack run soared overhead raining shots down on their position.

"Tyvokka! Hurry up!" shouted Adi at the ship.

"I'm communicating with him now," said Plo, "He's almost to the airlock."

Then Tyvokka almost flew into view carrying two large cases like they weighed nothing as he sprinted towards the airlock even as cannon fire began to strike the hull and error alerts began sounding.

"Error, hyperdrive activated. Sealing all airlocks. Emergency safety protocols enacted."

Time seemed to slow to a crawl as both airlock doors began to slide shut. Tyvokka dived for the exit, passing the inner door.

He wasn't going to make it.

In mid-air he threw the cases past the outer door, into the mud, just before it slammed closed.

He was trapped in the ship.

In another second the ship was gone, blasting into hyperspace to parts unknown.

To Plo, as he stared at where the ship had just been, everything seemed to have gone deadly silent.

"Tyvokka..."

Adi placed an arm around his shoulders, "There is nothing we can do for him at the moment. If he is alive we will try and find him later, but right now he would want us to sort this mess out."

Plo shook himself, "Agreed," then he turned to the other Jedi, "The medical supplies Tyvokka got. Grab them before another attack comes!"

Obi-Wan and Siri summoned a case each with the force and dashed into the caves, the cases floating behind them.

Plo next turned to Valorum and Tarkin, who were in a heated argument.

"Both of you, enough. Further discussion should wait until the safety of the caves."

Several treks of ferrying supplies and evading gunship assaults later they, along with a little under a thousand troops, were cloistered in the caves. Emergency portable lighting had been set up and Jace was finishing his inventory; while the Jedi along with the senators and Gunray were gathered around in a circle sitting on empty crates, discussing their next move.

"The caves have an extensive water supply, we have food stores to last ten days and Master Tyvokka's medical supplies, bacta and implements. Ammunition wise, we have enough to last us a month and a reasonable stock of heavy ordnance."

The caves shook as yet another bombardment sounded from outside the caves.

"This is patently hopeless," said Gunray, "Our best chance at survival is to surrender now, while we still can."

"I can't believe I'm saying this but I concur," said Tarkin sourly, "Stark has already won, there is no point in fighting any longer."

Valorum frowned, "Don't be absurd, our defensive position nullifies the problem of us being outnumbered and the mountain shields us from the bombardment."

"More importantly, Stark is not prepared for a long term battle to drag on. He is finding it hard to keep his collective intact," said Plo, who had not said a word thus far.

"Supposition," said Tarkin, "You can't know that."

"As a matter of fact; yes I can. I am in his mind right now."

[Troiken's capital]

"This is not what we had in mind Stark," said Lom Porton as their medic dug pieces of glass and wooden splinters out of Stark's face.

"Ma'am, I assure you. This is not what I had in mind either," grunted Stark as a particularly large and sharp shard was removed, "But we are still on top; our victory is but millimetres away."

At this, Trodos slammed his axe into the table Stark was sitting on, Maybe, maybe not. The scales are teetering more than you know Iaco, he jabbered in Gamorrese, The Jedi, Valorum and Gunray were supposed to be dead or prisoners, their troops were not supposed to survive. If we don't have control of the situation by the time a major power manages to overhaul their navicomputers; we will be lynched.

"Trodos has a point," said Tam Gozon, "We are pirates, smugglers, mercenaries, assassins and organised crime bosses. Most of us are not trained for soldiering. So tell us Stark – how do you plan to deal with this?"

"Well, put simply there isn't a great deal of planning necessary," said Stark, "We have the enemy outnumbered and out-gunned. All that remains is to shatter their resolve. We must quickly mount a full assault on the mine, before they regroup properly."

"Very well," said Porton, "but plans rarely survive contact with the enemy. We shall see if you can adapt."

[Mount Avos, Troiken]

Suddenly Plo straightened up, alert.

"They are about to mount a full frontal assault! Quickly, we must prepare to intercept and counter them. They will try to break us before we can co-ordinate ourselves," he said, standing up and dusting off his front.

"If you are in Stark's mind, alien, why not simply make him surrender?" asked Tarkin.

"Unfortunately he's too far away for that; maybe if he was a personal friend I could," said Plo, "Although even if I could, Stark's co-directors would kill him and carry on if he tried to surrender."

"Damn. We'll need to use the caves to our advantage then. This place is a warren, good for choke points."

"Indeed," said Plo and turned to Jace, "mines, turrets, get them set up at all entrances. The main entrance to the mine is a natural kill-zone. We must trap as many of their forces there and hold them off."

"Yes, General," said Jace and dashed off. Plo next turned to Siri and Obi-Wan.

"Padawans, cover the rear entrances with Qui-Gon. Let no-one into the mountain; but try to be discreet. They may not know of all the entrances and I would rather not point them out if that is the case," Plo then turned to Adi.

"Master Gallia, would you kindly accompany me to answer the door?"

"I think I can indulge you."

Jace wasn't sure how long the battle lasted. An hour? Two? Three? Six? He, along with Tarkin's troops and the Jedi held the assault force at the main entrance for what felt like an eternity. Fire poured from every opening of the mine onto the plain below as Stark's forces endlessly tried and failed to climb the natural ramps to the cave openings. It all just dissolved in his mind to a long endless monotony of 'centre the target; pull the trigger; repeat'. No matter how many of the enemy fell, more and more kept trudging up the ramps. Their attacks kept changing focus; yet somehow, Master Plo Koon always knew where the next onslaught would be directed. Every now and then lightning would shoot down on the enemy as Master Gallia found a spare moment. Eventually the sheer numbers of the Combine seemed about to overrun them; Jace found himself retreating into the caves with his troops. Then suddenly Master Koon was at his side and driving the Combine back. Jace pressed forwards with him as his troops rallied and together they shunted the enemy out of the cave entrance.

Then suddenly there were no more targets; there was no more blasterfire.

The enemy had gone.

The Combine had retreated.

Back inside the main cavern, Jace once again took inventory as their remaining troops ate rations and tended to the wounded. Masters Koon and Gallia were moving amongst them, thanking them, praising them and helping the injured when they could.

'How did so much death, so much violence, get so... boring,' Jace thought as he paused to watch the medics struggling under the workload.

Then he saw Master Koon walking over to a patient and taking his hand. He said something to the patient, then looked at the medic, who shook his head. Master Koon sat on a rock beside the one the patient was stumped against, still clutching his hand.

Then, after about a minute, the patient's weak breathing slowly came to a stop.

'I feel sick.'

Jace stood up and walked over to Master Koon as the corpse was carried out of the cavern.

"Master Koon," he said, "I... I owe you an apology."

"Whatever for," said Master Koon. Jace took a deep breath.

"General Tarkin was very specific on wanting only humans in his army. Many of us – and I am ashamed to say me included – agreed with him. I know you are not the only Jedi here, yet... you are so... well... alien to us but your concern is honest. We aren't instruments to you, a means to an ambition. You see us as people. So I can only apologise."

Master Koon studied Jace for a moment, before pulling him into a hug, "Thank you. This has been a hard day; you have brightened it considerably. You never told me your name, what is it?"

"Jace Dallin,"

"I am glad to meet you Jace. Now, there is work to be done; I must attend to more of the wounded and I believe you have an inventory to finish."

"Well, that was boring," said Siri as she and Obi-Wan meandered through the caves, "No-one showed up at all and nothing happened for five whole hours."

They had received the all clear from Master Gallia and were heading back to the main cavern to regroup.

"Well you had me for company," said Obi-Wan. Siri snorted.

"Don't flatter yourself, Obi. Five hours with you is not the paradise you'd have people believe."

"Just because I won the most games of pazaak," smirked Obi-Wan.

"Oh if you want a rematch, just name the time and..." Siri trailed off as they reached the main cavern. She stared straight ahead at the sight.

Agonised screams issued from the patients as medics frantically worked on them.

Red stains adorned the floor of the improvised medical bay, the smell of festering was in the air.

Every now and then a cadaver was carried out.

"Siri?" said Obi-Wan, "Siri look at me."

When she didn't move he puled her round to face him, "You need to see Master Gallia."

"Obi, have you ever.. seen anything like... that," said Siri, finally coming out of her reverie.

"Yes... on Melida/Daan."

Siri's eyes widened, "Oh. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it-"

"It's fine," he said. They walked over to Master Gallia, who was holding a soldier down while the medic sealed her gut shut.

Siri found herself unable to look away as she watched the flesh closing up, held in place by an organic adhesive. When the medic was finished, Master Gallia released the soldier, who curled into a ball, her screams turning to groans.

"There was shrapnel embedded in her lung," said Master Gallia dispassionately, "We've run out of anaesthetic so I had to hold her down for the entire operation. How did your side go?"

"No sign of anyone at the back entrances; I don't think Stark's Combine knows about them," said Obi-Wan.

"Well that's some good news," said Master Gallia and turned to Siri, "Are you okay? Siri?"

Siri shook her head, still staring at the soldier.

Master Gallia placed a hand on each of Siri's shoulders and knelt down in front of her, "Siri."

Siri finally looked at Master Gallia, "Does... does it get easier?"

Master Gallia sighed, "Not for me. But everyone's different. Some people actually live for this, some just get used to it, others simply can't handle it. I'm no real expert; you should talk with Master Lev'loa after this is over."

At that point Master Jinn came in and moved over to Master Koon. They exchanged a few words and then they both joined the other Jedi.

"We've patched up all we can for now," said Master Koon, "We need to discuss our next move with the senators and Gunray."

They all gathered in a circle, mostly perching on rocks and empty crates. When they were all gathered – and Jace had finished serving out freshly heated nutrition soup – Plo began.

"I have glanced into Stark's mind again, he has convinced his co-directors to wait us out until our food supplies are gone. He has sent a message out on all frequencies claiming responsibility for the navicomputer sabotage and demanding the total surrender of the Galactic Republic to the Combine's authority. He also revealed Senator Tarkin's army in his transmission."

"Which will inevitably work," said Tarkin bitterly, "We have no hope of rescue. I seriously doubt the republic even knows we are alive still. You made a good fight of it but we are defeated, Jedi. Are you ready to admit it or do you wish to waste the command you usurped?"

Plo thought for a moment before replying, "There is some truth in what you say Senator. We need to get Valorum back to the Nigh Verity, or at least to somewhere safe where he can contact the senate. He must inform them of the Combine's fragility and convince them to hold out."

"I must also leave," said Gunray, "I am a non-combatant; you must get me to safety."

"Agreed," added Siri, "We do not need him here."

"And how do you plan on getting them to Nigh Verity? We have no working ships," said Tarkin.

"A good point," said Plo, "Stark has vessels does he not. Master Gallia, how do you feel about piloting a stolen vehicle?"

"I'm game, so: Finis, Gunray and us Jedi," said Adi, "Anyone else?"

"Senator Tarkin, would you wish to return to Nigh Verity, or would you rather stay with your troops?" said Plo.

Tarkin stiffened, "As much as I am sure you would like to completely usurp my command; no thank you. I will remain with my troops."

"Very well," said Plo and rose, "We should go then.

"Master Koon, please, stay with us," said Jace, "we need you. If you leave with the others, the soldiers will think you've abandoned us."

"Dallin is right Plo," said Adi, "Leave Gunray and Finis to us."

"Very well," came Plo's reply, "I stay."

"Finis," said Tarkin, getting up and approaching Valorum.

"Yes Ranulph?"

"This may be the last we ever see of each other. I want you to know something. Despite our... disagreements, I always... had nothing but respect for you," he held out a hand. Valorum regarded it for a minute before taking it. They shook.

"Thank you, my old friend," said Valorum.

"Make them hear our plight Finis, save my men and women. Convince the senate to stop Stark... and one last thing," Tarkin pulled one of his meals off his uniform, "I earned this medal for my successful campaign against the Delmaasi Pirates; I made my home-world safe for my family in that campaign. Could you please give this to my son, Wilhuff."

Valorum nodded, "Of course."

They waited for a diversionary attack by Jace and Plo before sneaking out one of the back entrances. Plo had described to Adi a personal ship of Iaco Stark's that was kept fuelled and ready to leave at the capital city's shipyards. Just in case he needed to quickly escape. Their basic plan was to sneak into the shipyards and hijack the vessel. Adi was currently ahead of the main party, perched on a large rock near the mountain above a patrol on break. The three soldiers were sitting in their air-speeder, eating rations and completely oblivious to Adi's presence barely a metre above them.

'Any moment now... not yet... NOW!'

She jumped down onto the head of the nearest one, causing it to be slammed against the dashboard. Qui-Gon suddenly popped up on the other side of the speeder and dragged the pilot by the neck out of the vehicle. He then proceeded to throttle the driver unconscious while Adi kicked the blaster out of the third soldier's hand.

The one Adi was standing on tried desperately to prise Adi's boot off her windpipe before slumping into a daze. Adi stepped off her and waved her hand in front of the third soldier's face.

"Now sounds like a wonderful time for a nap."

His eyes looked sleepy as he replied, "Yes, yes It does."

He keeled over in the back seat and slipped into a rather peaceful sleep. Adi was honestly surprised it had worked, but shrugged. She suspected he was just faking so he didn't have to fight two Jedi masters.

"Okay Siri, Padawan Kenobi. Bind and gag them," said Adi a she settled into the driver's seat. Siri and Obi-Wan quickly came around the rock and hauled the first and third troops out of the speeder while Qui-Gon straightened up holding the driver by the scruff of his neck and all three began to tie up their captives.

"Finis, Gunray, you can come out now," called Adi as she ran a systems check on the speeder. They did so and climbed into the back seats.

"Okay, done," called Siri as she, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan returned and also boarded the speeder. Behind them the three soldiers could be seen propped against the rock, all tied together and gagged.

"Good work," said Qui-Gon, "now let's get out of here."

"Siri. Where did your cloak go?" asked Adi as she looked over at her.

"Um..."

"Did you use your cloak to gag the soldiers?"

"I didn't have anything else to hand."

"I don't believe that for one second," said Adi as she gunned the speeder off into the morning horizon.

It took a couple of hours to reach the capitol and another half to sneak to the shipyards.

"Which ship did Plo say was Stark's?" asked Qui-Gon.

"That one, the sleek, silver one. Nubian design, not bad. It's called 'The Zutara'."

"Really?" said Siri, "That's a terrible idea for a ship."

"Why?" asked Obi-Wan.

"It literally means 'character derailment' in Bith," said Qui-Gon. They all ducked down behind a large pipe as a freighter flew overhead and landed on the platform opposite Stark's.

"We'll never get to the ship without being seen," said Qui-Gon, "we need a distraction."

As if on cue the freighter that had landed exploded.

"What was that? Have they found us?" whispered Gunray.

"No," said Adi, "Qui-Gon, I sense... wait, what can they be doing here?"

"That's our diversion; I sense them too," said Qui-Gon, "Get the Senator and Gunray on the ship and out of here. Me and Obi-Wan will investigate. Don't wait for us."

"May The Force be with you both," said Adi as Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan ran off to the other platform.

"You too Master Gallia," came Qui-Gon's reply over his shoulder.

There was only one guard left by The Zutara. He suddenly heard a hum and looked round to see a red lightsaber blade held against his neck.

"Now, you don't want to do this; I don't want to do this. So just let my apprentice here tie you up and we'll be on our way," said Adi.

The guard took a moment to decide before dropping his blaster and Siri immediately tied him up, gagging him with a cloth from her pocket. Adi raised an eyebrow.

"'Didn't have anything else to hand'? Hmm. Come on."

Gunray and Valorum rushed up the boarding ramp. Adi began to follow them but stopped when she realised Siri hadn't moved.

She turned round and looked at Siri.

She was fiddling with the sleeve of her tunic and initially didn't meet Adi's eyes.

"Siri, what's wrong?" Adi asked.

"I'm staying behind."

"What? Why?"

Siri gave no answer.

"Siri, if this is about Obi-Wan-"

"THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HIM!" she suddenly shouted, "Why does everyone think my choices revolve around him? Those soldiers need my help; I can't leave them. I just had to make sure you and Valorum got out safely."

"Why didn't you tell me before?"

"Because I didn't want you to talk me out of it. You have to go now. Before the distraction wears off."

Adi nodded. Then, much to Siri's surprise, she quickly ran down the ramp and gave Siri a fierce hug.

"May the force be with you, Siri Tachi," she said when she broke away. They held eye contact for a moment longer before Adi turned and ran up the ramp. Siri didn't waste another moment in running over towards the opposite, now smoking, platform to rejoin Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. Suddenly The Zutara flew overhead and off into the distance. By the time anyone tried to stop it, her master was well out of range. Siri peered through the smoke, looking to see where Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon had gone.

"Tell me master, you wouldn't happen to be testing my faith in you would you?" Quinlan's voice carried across the smoke filled air.

"No. This is just a complete and utter mistake," came Master Tholme's voice.

Then she saw both of them running out of the smoke. Followed by Aayla Secura and a lot of blaster bolts.

"Master Tholme? Quin?" called Siri, "What are you doing here?"

They made a beeline for her but as they met, even more shots came their way. Siri Ignited her purple blade and joined the other three in deflecting the shots. Then Adi's stolen air-speeder pulled up in front of them.

"Get in!" called Obi-Wan from the driver's seat with Qui-Gon in the back.

They did not need telling twice. The air-speeder zoomed off with all the Jedi aboard.

"I thought it was you I sensed," said Qui-Gon when they were well away from the city, "I thought you were supposed to be on Thyferra."

"We were," said Tholme, "Xucphra had one freighter unaffected by the navicomputer sabotage. We stowed away on it, only for Stark's Combine to hijack it and bring it here. When we arrived I tried to prevent Stark from getting the bacta."

"So you blew it up?" asked Siri.

"Things escalated. What were you doing here?"

"Trying to get Senator Valorum to Nigh Verity. Adi just escaped with him," said Qui-Gon, "speaking of which..." he turned to Siri, "Why are you not with her?"

"I'm staying to help the soldiers," said Siri.

"I see."

"Pity we didn't meet sooner. I have information about the bacta crisis that must reach Nigh Verity and The Ouran," said Tholme.

"In that case lets compare notes," said Qui-Gon as the speeder sped off in the direction of Mount Avos.