Authors notes: I so terribly sorry for my long absence but I have not been well over the last few months, and an accident at work has not helped matters. This is the first chapter I have managed to complete in a long while and I hope you will forgive me my lack of updates. Hopefully things will improve as time goes on but I cannot guarantee that I'm afraid, but updates will continue as I can do them.
+TR+
(Jedi Temple)
Atris was stunned when the report came in that the temple itself was under attack on the very capital of the Republic; it was so surprising she failed to react straight away even as Vrook and the other council members asked her what they were going to do. Holding a hand up to silence the others she tried to focus but it was hard to do, she had been so focused on Revan and his party she had forgotten they were in the middle of a war and clearly the enemy had chosen now to send a strike force at them. Letting out a silent curse she put Revan and his party out of her mind, then she turned her attention to defending the temple and showing the people the Jedi were able to protect the Republic starting with their own home.
"Ready the temple guard and as many Jedi capable of fighting as you can, we must put on a show of force, to show the people we can protect not only our home but the people of the Republic as well" she ordered.
"Do you think it wise to empty the temple, we are already low in numbers due to been spread across the galaxy fighting the Sith?" Vandar inquired in surprise.
"We must if we are to keep the faith of the people, so far Malak and his ilk have done nothing but push us backwards and only days ago we lost the academy on Dantoonie" Atris shot back in answer. "If we are to have any hope of keeping their belief in us alive as well as ensure the Republic itself does not lose their trust in us we must fight and we must do as strongly as possible especially here as it is the capital and our temple under attack" she argued.
"Atris is right and this is not just a suggestion but an order from our grand master" Vrook cut in seeing Atris's point. "We must show our strength" he insisted.
Kavar stroked his beard before nodding in agreement and moved to comply whilst Kai-El wondered just who was attacking them, Atris clearly thought it was Malak but it was possible this had nothing to do with the war. Perhaps a group of people had grown angry with the Jedi's lack of ability in stopping the Sith, it would not be the first time. He had read the files detailing such events in the archives from the last war. Vrook trailed his hand over his lightsaber wondering if even the Council would be called on to fight; the last time he had actually fought in a battle was during the concluding fight to stop the Covenant. He'd had little practice since; he supposed he'd best get back into practice now he knew Revan was still alive somehow and possibly would show up in time.
The alarm quickly sounded through the temple as Kavar began to shout orders though the intercom, instantly the temple guard and the many masters, knights and even padawan's began to muster. As soon as the doors opened the force quickly rushed out only to come under immediate fire, several were injured before they could fully react whilst the rest quickly moved to take cover. Back inside the temple Atris ordered the doors to be sealed as they waited for word the attackers had been dealt with; Vandar was the lone Jedi who felt they were making a terrible mistake.
+TR+
(Corusant)
Canderous smirked as he watched the great doors to the temple open and for a few seconds remembered dreaming of storming them during the war, well if this was as close as he was going to get he would take it. A host of Jedi rushed out not even bothering to scout out the area straight into the firing line of his men, he watched in satisfaction as several went down with wounds to the legs, arms and feet. A stupid move on their part showing that unlike the Jedi who had followed Revan to war these idiots had never learnt true combat tactics, the rest quickly rushed into whatever cover they could find. Of course keeping them contained was not the plan, they needed to draw them away from the temple, shouting a command his men quickly began to pull away not even having to worry about enemy fire as the Jedi did not use anything bar lightsabers as weapons. He quickly moved to follow suit glancing back to see that the Jedi were quickly moving to follow them, smirking he shook his head at their stupidity.
"That's right boys follow the leader" he said with a grin as he vanished around the corner.
"We'll have to split up" Master Janus stated as he came to a halt before the turning. "The attack is happening on three sides, Master Palis take a small force to counter those enemies on the left side whilst Master Elina does the same on the right whilst I lead what is left after these ones" he ordered to which both fellow masters nodded and moved to comply.
They were unaware this was playing very much into the plans of their enemy, the three units of Jedi split up chasing after the three different group of attackers unaware they were been purposely pulled away from the temple. Once they vanished into the teaming city the Ebon Hawk fully descended as if guided to land at the right time, the ramp opened up and Revan led his small force of onto pathway leading to the temple doors even as the Ebon Hawk quickly accelerated away. Revan started forward straight to the door uncaring that anyone might spot them, he felt confident and considering there were no guards he suspected Canderous and his team had succeeded in pulling the Jedi away from the temple as planned. T3 quickly moved towards the door terminal and hacked in with his probe going through multiple codes until it reached the right one and the doors began to open, Bastila took a deep breath knowing once inside there was no going back.
She had made a choice to stand beside Revan and she knew it was the right choice, Atris, Vrook and the majority of the Council had clearly lost its way and given into paranoia, hatred and even a hunger for power in Atris's case considering what Master Sunrider had told them. Then there was the fact they had lied to her before she even knew about Revan, they had tried to murder his very soul and then told her he was just too badly injured to be healed and thus they had done what they had to save his body at the least. The agony of that event still rested inside Revan and thus in her through their bond, she would not forgive them for that no matter what. The one thing she had to focus on other than defending herself was using her battle meditation to help the fleet in space stay ahead of the Republic, whilst also helping Canderous, Mira and their men stay ahead of the Jedi hunting them. It wasn't easy but she was manging at the moment. Stepping inside they were confronted by two Jedi who were clearly Padawan's, they looked shocked at their arrival but quickly recovered and pulled their lightsabers and attacked.
Revan easily blocked the first blow and sent the Padawan of balance and right into Zayne who rammed an elbow into the young Jedi's stomach, as the Jedi doubled over he followed it up by ramming his lightsaber hilt into stumbling Jedi's neck with enough force to knock him out cold. Meetra caught the blow of the second guard with her doubled bladed lightsaber before shocking Bastila by head-butting the youth, as he fell backwards she shot her leg out and took him out with a powerful kick to the head.
"That wasn't even a challenge" Meetra groaned as she shook her head at the now two unconscious guards. "What have the Jedi allowed themselves to become, during the war that would not have been possible" she stated.
"Don't complain Meetra, we want to do this quickly before things get out of hand" Revan countered although he had to agree with her view.
During the war the Jedi had been on a war footing no matter if they had been following him or not, they would have had all temples and academy's guarded well not with Padawan's but actual knights. Clearly the training and the mind set for war had slipped, which was why he and now Malak had been beating them so easily in this war. He had warmed them before he had left to follow up on Mandalore's lead, warmed them not to let themselves slip into a state of laziness and prideful belief there would be no more trouble and they had not listened to him.
"Jolee take HK, T3 and Zayne to the detention area and free Vima and the others and meet us at the council chamber" he ordered quickly shaking those thoughts off and focusing on what they were here for. "Everyone else follows me" he added as he led Bastila, Meetra and Niks who had left Jaks handling the Ebon Hawk to accompany the team inside.
+TR+
(Space)
The Fireclaw kept its distance alongside its fellow fleet ships as they not only engaged the Republic defence ships but drew them out of position making them easier prey to disable with well-placed blaster hits to their engines and weapons. The Republic fleet tried to counter the surprise attack by the as yet unknown enemy, it was clear to the Republic commanders that their attackers were not Malak's Sith as they were not trying to destroy them and none of their ships were close to Corusant.
On the flagship of the defence fleet Admiral Tia Kalik tried to figure out the enemy's strategy as well as their identity, several heavy blasts made her ship shake hard but thankfully the armour held.
"Order the fleet to close ranks, we're getting pulled from our assigned areas and too far away from our support" she ordered as she clung to her chair as another blast struck the side of the ship. "Tell our heavier units to focus on the dreadnoughts, we must put them out of order" she added.
"Yes Admiral" her comm officer responded as he dodged an exploded work station near his console.
"Who are they?" her second in command asked aloud. "They aren't Sith, Sith wouldn't bother disabling our ships they'd just destroy them" he added.
"We can ask them that when we've won this battle Tarlson" Tia shot back to him. "Just make our fellow ships understand we will not be retreating from this battle, that is Corusant below us and we will not abandon it no matter what" she stated coldly knowing full way quite a few battles had been lost due to the Republic fleet quitting too quickly so as to live to fight another day.
"Understood Admiral" Tarlson assured her knowing just as she did they could not afford to abandon the capital as the message it would send would have devastating consequences for them all.
On the bridge of the Fireclaw Admiral Stark stood with his hands behind his back as he watched his force engage the enemy, not one of his commanders were been stupid which pleased him. They were only a small portion of the fleet and did not have the ships to waste, hence before jumping into battle he had told each of his fellow ship commanders to be careful and not allow their own pride to get the better of them and to stay close to the rest of the fleet.
"Status?" he ordered to his second.
"The defence fleet is trying to hold its ground and stay in orbit of the planet but our superior fire power is pushing them backwards Admiral" Captain Johansson reported. "They won't retreat like they have against Malak's Sith as that is the capital of the Republic down there, not some colony world" he advised.
"Indeed they will hold as long as they can hoping reinforcements arrive quickly" Stark agreed with a nod of his head. "Hopefully the General will be done by then, have squadron Zero focus their fire on the right flank whilst squadron Ravage take the left flank" he ordered. "The rest push forward and focus on the lead ships" he added. "We take them out and perhaps some of the commanders will panic" he mused.
"Understood sir, relaying orders now" Johansson responded moving to the commutations station so as to comply with his orders.
Stark kept his position even as his ship rocked with multiple strikes fully confident in the ships shields to hold, he watched as the fleet broke up into three parts each to his ordered destination and as he had hoped the enemy fleet broke up as well to counter his move. Nodding his head knowing as long as no reinforcements arrived his fleet could hold and perhaps even win this battle, even if the destruction of the enemy fleet was not the point of this fight.
"Bolster the shields on our forward hull as we go" he ordered as the enemy fire intensified.
+TR+
(Jedi Temple)
Revan ducked instantly as he felt a warning from the force as a lightsaber came straight at where his head had been from the corner they were approaching, backing up he watched as several Jedi appeared led by a Jedi Knight.
"You dare invade our home" the Knight spat as he prepared to attack. "And you Shan dare betray us for this monster" he added as his eyes landed on Bastila who stiffened in anger at the insinuation she was a traitor.
"You are one to talk about betrayal when you have allowed Atris and Vrook to depose the rightful Grand Master of the Order" Revan countered already ready to defend himself as where the others. "Stand down and allow us to put things right and we will leave peacefully" he offered.
"You take us for a fool Revan and yes I know it is you that damn mask is well known to belong to you" the Knight replied. "How you survived is clear, Shan never killed you and has been working with you since that moment in secret, corrupted just like you" he snarled his emotions getting the better of him.
"You ignorant fool" Revan replied with a shake of his head as he noted Meetra shift in front of him still hooded so as not to give away her identity. "Your very statement shows you are stupid and lacking in the force, none of us standing before you are corrupted we all stand united for the Republic but a Republic free of corruption, of ignorance, of blindness, of stagnation" he stated. "We have come here to stop Atris and Vrook's illegal coup against Zirrik, stand down and we will not harm you" he swore. "But if you stand against us then clearly you support the illegal coup and are our enemies and we will put you down hard, so again I say stand down and allow us to put things right" he finished as he tightened his grip on his lightsaber.
"He speaks the truth, there is not one person here who has fallen to the dark side especially not me" Bastila spoke up quickly before anything could happen and wanting to avoid a fight if they could. "I did not kill Revan I captured him and brought him back to the Temple on Dantoonie where the entire Council tried to wipe his mind and implant a new personality loyal to them, they failed as the force protected him and once I learned he was still himself I confronted him and learned many things and we made a deal he would help me stop Malak and keep me safe if in return I would not mention his survival to the Council" she explained.
"And you believed him?" one of the Padawan's inquired.
"He has kept his word throughout the mission the Council sent us on, I am only still free and not a prisoner of Malak due to his efforts" Bastila stated in response. "I have since learned the reasons why this war is happening, that Revan and those that still follow him are actually loyal to the Republic still just against the Corruption and the stagnation of the Jedi that hold it back and knowing the only way change will be allowed is by force" she explained calmly. "Sadly Malak and his followers did fall and betrayed those that were once their allies almost killing Revan and slaughtering many others" she paused as she sensed a surge of anger and grief from Revan through their bond at the mention of those who had perished during Malak's coup. "What Atris and Vrook have done is illegal and against all oaths they took as members of the Council, stand aside and allow us to bring them to justice" she requested.
"Justice, what do you know about justice" the Knight argued unware two of the Jedi behind him had dropped their weapons and backed away clearly taking in the words of both Revan and Bastila.
"We are justice" Meetra stated boldly knowing the Knight was going to attack soon and prepared to intercept him, her hood may somewhat block her sight but it seemed her connection to the force was almost back with her right now as she knew where each of the Jedi facing them were as she could feel their auras.
The knight let out a growl and jumped forward straight at Revan with three of the other Jedi following, Meetra activated her double bladed lightsaber and easily intercepted his attack. Revan, Bastila and Niks moved to counter his allies whilst the two who had dropped their weapons turned and fled.
Towards the detention area Zayne struggled with the Jedi who had intercepted him, the man was large and bulky more than likely a Jedi Guardian, the others were dealing with the group had attacked with him including a Jedi Master currently engaged against Jolee, two Knights a Padawan and two temple guards. HK was holding the majority of the group back with T3, their combined blaster fire keeping them from been rushed on mass. He pushed hard against his opponents lightsaber sending him backwards, he then used the force to jump over the bulky Jedi surprising him as he turned slowly only for Zayne's lightsaber to cut into his left leg sending him to the ground. Zayne turned and moved to take on another; Jolee had to use the force to keep up with the younger Jedi Master he had engaged as his fighting style was a unique blend of form Soresu and Ataru hence a perfect combination of attack and defence. Jolee himself was a Master of Shien and well-practiced in Juyo, he tried to slip past the Master's defence but found it was solid. Backing away slightly he swung his lightsaber around and waited for his enemy to attack, but before he could a blaster shot struck him in the legs taking the Jedi Master out of the fight for good. Turning Jolee noted the glowing eyes of HK-47 staring at him before he went back to blasting away at the few Jedi still trying to attack them, shivering slightly he moved to help Zayne with the Knight he was fighting just glad the assassin droid was on their side.
Zayne moves fast to avoid the strike from the Knight he had engaged having had plenty of practice in the war and before that when fighting his former Master and his covenant allies and the Sith who had been behind it all, he may never have passed the trials to become a true Jedi but he had the skill and the power of one and he knew how to use it. Shooting forward he knocked the Knight off balance and straight into Jolee's weapon who took him out with a wide swipe across his legs. Sudden silence fell except the moaning hissing sounds of pain from their now wounded and beaten enemies, nodding at Zayne they moved forward once more knowing another fight was around the corner as the prisoners had to be guarded due to who those prisoners were.
+TR+
(Corusant)
Canderous came to a halt as he ordered his small group of mercs along with Mira to grab some cover, soon the pursuing Jedi would once more catch up and he intended to injury as many as he could as they once more rushed headlong into their fire. He really wondered what the Jedi taught their people, clearly military tactics was not at the top of their lists but you'd think it was a no brainer not to run headlong after an enemy without scouting ahead first. Seconds later a group of Jedi indeed came running down the passageway without stopping and without considering the possibility of a trap, sweeping his hand downwards they opened fire and injured several of them and possibly killed one of them due to a shot landing near the man's heart. Canderous shared a look with Mira before he shook his head knowing there was nothing he could do about that, in combat nothing ever really goes to plan. He again gave the signal to retreat rather enjoying the game of tag, it made a nice change from the work he had been doing of late. Setting off again he glanced behind himself to see the Jedi again chasing them clearly not yet having learned their lesson much to his frustration, he'd rather have a challenging enemy to fight. He just hoped the rest of his team was having as much ease as he was, they weren't here to win just distract until Revan dealt with the council members he wanted to.
+TR+
(Space)
Admiral Stark watched as the defence fleet began to take heavier and heavier hits, several of their ships already lay disabled and out of the fight. Now they just had to keep pushing in the right direction, battle was a constant flow of back and forth and could change in an instant from one bad call. He focused his gaze on the flagship of the defence fleet and ordered several of his fellow ships to direct their fire on it, if they could disable that ship and knock out their communications it would disorientate the defence fleet.
"Sir, two of the defence ships are trying to flank us" Captain Johansson reported calmly.
"Order Pride of the Republic and the Darkstar to counter them" Stark ordered quickly after a quick check of where his ships were. "And send the Wind of Chaos to back them up" he added after a second.
"Aye sir, relaying orders now" Johansson responded with a quick nod.
The battle continued to rage but the fact that they were only to cripple the defence fleet did hinder them somewhat, still their dreadnoughts were far superior to the Republic models and gave them a clear advantage. On the Republic flagship ship Admiral Tia Kalik quickly noted the hail of fire been directed at her ship was increasing and realised the enemy were trying to cripple them; it was a sensible move she could understand.
"Back us off Tarlson and have the Avenger and Hammer of the Republic move to cover us" she ordered quickly knowing if they were taken out it would severely damage the rest of the defence fleet ability to fight. "Ensure our fighters protect our communications array" she added.
"Understood sir" Tarlson quickly responded and moved to transmit the orders even as the ship rocked violently from a dead on strike.
Fire blasted back and forth as the two fleets continued to fight both knowing they had to succeed, thus not one person aboard any of the ships even thought of surrendering.
+TR+
(Jedi Temple)
Meetra growled as she parried the blows from the Knight she was fighting as she had to admit he was good, but he was letting his anger at them get the better of him hence his swings were wild and uncoordinated. She waited for another of his swings and ducked before bringing her lightsaber around and took his legs out from under him, the Knight let out a howl of pain as he dropped but he was at least alive. Revan head-butted one of the Jedi he was fighting even as he parried another with one of his lightsabers, she moved to help him pushing the one stumbling backwards away from him. Niks easily overcame the Jedi he was fighting and laid him out by slamming the handle of his lightsaber into the back of his head as he bend over from the knee to his chest, he then raised his hand and sent a blast of the force into the back of the Knight Revan was facing thus allowing him to cut deep into the Jedi's side and one of his legs. The Knight fell just as Meetra overcame her own opponent who after overbalancing himself she slammed his face into the wall knocking him cold, nodding to Revan and Niks they rushed onwards towards the council chamber.
Zayne and Jolee glanced inside the room which held the main cells they kept prisoners inside, they both noted the cell which held Vima and the others and that three Jedi stood guard. It seemed a simple matter to overcome considering there was four of them, but it depended on how skilled their opponents were. Charging in Jolee and Zayne both engaged the two Jedi closest to them whilst HK-47 waited for the perfect shot as the third Jedi rushed to help, his eyes glowing he blasted him in both his knees taking him quickly out of the fight even as T3 moved quickly to open the cell holding their targets. Vima shot up from where she had been sitting to watch not only Zayne Carrick but also Jolee Bindo someone she recognised but had long thought dead rush into the room and start fighting their guards, then a droid appeared she also recognised from footage taken during the wall. She and her fellow prisoners watched as the droid quickly dispatched one of the guards with brutal shots to his knees, then they noted a small droid move to the cell and begin to hack into the controls so as to free them.
Jolee met his thrust of the Jedi's lightsaber with his own but quickly worked out a pattern to the man's attack and thus waited for him to make a swing to his side, lashing his hand he unleashed the force and sent the man flying into the cell's still operating shield. This caused him to cry out as his nervous system was overloaded with pain and collapsed to the floor his body jerking every few seconds, he turned to watched as Zayne was at first forced back by his opponent but quickly revealed he was leading his foe into a trap and quickly rolled out of the way of the man's strike and then in one long slash of his lightsabre took out the man's legs. Nodding at each other they turned to the cell where T3 continued to work whilst HK watched the door, stepped forward they greeted the caged Jedi.
"Vima, good to see you again" Jolee said in greeting noting how much the young girl he had once known now resembled her mother Nomi.
"I thought you long dead Jolee Bindo" Vima responded with a small smile. "What happened to you?" she inquired knowing there was nothing they could do to help until the small utility droid managed to free them.
"I went into personal exile, last ten years I've been living on Kashyyk" Jolee answered told her.
"Why, you were a good Jedi and my mother thought you might one day become a member of the council" Vima inquired in surprise.
"Not me girl, I grew to despise the council during the Sith war" Jolee shot back with a shake of his head. "The loss of my wife to the darkside and the horrors I saw, what the Jedi allowed to happen I just couldn't take it anymore and so I left" he admitted.
"Revan is here isn't he?" Lonna inquired breaking into their conversation. "You are both with him" she added.
"Correct Master Vash" Zayne confirmed with a nod of his head. "We have come to put down Atris's coup after she threatened to have you all killed if Revan did not surrender and bring Bastila back" he informed them.
"She actually threatened to kill us?" Zhar inquired in shock as this truly showed how much the woman had fallen.
"She did, Revan was angered beyond belief and thus we are here to stop them" Zayne answered. "Before you grow worried we are only injuring the Jedi we encounter and the ships above us are under orders only to cripple the defence fleet as nessacary" he added.
"Did Revan manage to save Ana?" Vima finally managed to make herself ask.
"Yes we managed to get her and the majority of her team out of harm's way, but two were killed before we got there" Jolee assure her much to her relief, just hearing the news made everything that had happened since calling Revan worthwhile.
"We need to get out of here, we need to end this quickly" Lonna stated.
"T3 is working on it but the controls have been configured to be rather troubling" Zayne shot back as T3 let out a few whistlers and beeps to explain why it was taking so long to unlock the cell. "Be patient Revan won't enter the council chamber without us" he assured them.
"Good I have unfinished business with Atris" Vima growled knowing a very important moment in the Jedi's history was about to take place.