AN: Whew! Almost thought I wasn't going to make it, but here we go. As always, thanks to FractionalSith, Tracyn, and Dragomi125 for their assistance in making my story better.
MaySail199 -Thanks! That is a great quote and most apt. I appreciate your continued reviews.
Chapter 61 - The Sith Academy
"Kas, we've got a situation up here," Fay's voice came through the comms.
"What a coincidence," Kastor replied dryly. "We have a situation down here."
"Darth Glovoc has come with what appears to be the entire Sith Empire fleet," Fay said. "He's given us twenty minutes to leave the planet and depart the system."
"Brilliant," Kastor responded with false cheer. "Anakin and Ferus went to talk to a possible contact that could lead us to Omega, and now the entire Commerce Guild droid army on this planet is trying to kill them. They just chased them into the old Sith Academy before breaking off their attack, but I'm not sure they're going to maintain the peace."
"We're dispatching three Komr'ks with troops for you, and they can provide support," Asuna said, instead of Fay, looking at the Jedi Master who nodded in agreement. "I'm not sure we'll be able to provide much air support once the Sith engage us."
"Understood," Kastor said. "Timeline acknowledged. How long do you think you can give us before we have no choice but to pull out or face being left behind?"
"Unsure," Asuna responded . "They outnumber us and outmatch us, but we don't know if they have battle meditation on their side or not. I also wouldn't count on them being extremely aggressive, so we should be able to hold them for a bit, but I wouldn't push your luck, Shan."
"Understood. Shan out." Kastor tucked his communicator away, and glanced at his fellow Jedi, and the rest of the squad. "The cavalry is on the way."
"Yes, but we can't wait," Obi-Wan said, gesturing over to the Sith Academy.
"No, we can't," Kastor agreed. "There's a fair chance that the Commerce Guild was merely trying to crack down on the black market, and didn't even know about Anakin and Ferus. They were undercover, and the Commerce Guild was probably growing tired of buying back their own stuff, regardless but it's time to announce our intentions. If they continue to pursue, they'll face the consequences of their decision."
"Oh, I hope they choose to pursue," Koba said with relish, hoisting his heavy repeating blaster lovingly. "If they're really stupid, they'll go for the Hawk. The boys we left behind are a bit put out right now."
"I sadly suspect you'll still have fun yet," Obi-Wan said with a sigh.
"Kas, line to the Commerce Guild HQ is open," Ranger Coria Daruss said.
"Perfect," Kastor said, and opened up his communicator to the predetermined channel.
"This is the Commerce Guild Korriban Headquarters," an annoyed voice said. "This is a private line. Who is this?"
"This is Jedi Master Kastor Shan of the Republic Task Force I'm sure you've noticed orbiting the planet," Kastor said. "Your forces recently attacked some old ruins that had two of our Padawans and pursued them into the old Sith Academy. This is a formal warning for your forces to desist further hostilities and withdraw from the area."
"A warning?" the voice responded in outrage. "The Republic has no jurisdiction here!"
"No, we don't," Kastor agreed easily. "However, as a member of the Republic, I don't think you want your Senate representative to explain how you interfered in the Senate mandated hunt for Granta Omega, and fought Republic Judicial forces and Jedi, possibly while aiding the terrorist, Granta Omega. This is a courtesy call. Nothing more. Stay out of the way or your forces will fight ours, and your forces will lose."
Kas cut the communication, and smiled.
"You enjoyed that way too much," Siri accused, though it's offset by her own grin.
"Yes, yes I did," Kastor agreed, and Darra, Soara, and Obi-Wan snorted. Ry-Gaul and Tru just shook their heads.
"There's just something so wrong, and yet so right about watching a Jedi Master threaten somebody," Koba remarked, getting grunts of agreement and chuckles from the rest of the Mandalorians and Rangers.
"Alright, let's go," Obi-Wan said.
"We're probably springing a trap," Siri said with a half-smile.
"Highly likely," Obi-Wan agreed.
They climbed down the steep, rocky path. Through electrobinoculars Obi-Wan had seen Auben, their contact, lead Anakin and Ferus into the monastery through a crevice in the stones. He led the team there. The rocks that made up the giant walls had shifted over the years. Some large slabs leaned against each other, while others had toppled and crumbled into boulders.
"We're not all going to fit through that," Ry-Gaul said, speaking for himself and four of their six Rangers and Mandalorians. "We'll find another way in."
"I can come with you, Master," Tru offered.
"No, we'll catch up," Ry-Gaul said, and he and his fire team disappeared, while the rest of them slipped through the crevice, with Obi-Wan and their two Rangers still with them struggling a bit, but managing to make it.
The Jedi and Rangers observed the dark chamber they found themselves in. It was just as big as the Great Hall of the Jedi Temple, but where the Jedi Temple was designed with beauty and light in mind, this place was dark and oppressive, with light only creeping through crevices in the walls.
The Jedi Temple had grand rooms, but also quiet spaces, light-filled classrooms and gardens, everything which pointed towards the Jedi belief that beauty was a part of the Force. They wanted the sound of water, the play of light, and enjoyed graceful architecture. This place was the opposite. The lines were harsh. The walls were high, but narrowed slightly as the rose, likely to create a sense of being trapped. Everything was designed to intimidate, to keep beings off-balance . . . to keep people afraid.
"Over that way," Obi-Wan whispered, hearing Auben leading Anakin and Ferus farther into the ruins.
They followed quietly, all hearing voices, but they knew that what they were hearing were echoes of the past. Obi-Wan turned when he saw shadows moving and a vision – a Sith student on his knees begging.
The darkness was pushed back momentarily and the vision was blown away like sand, and the Jedi all turned to look at Kastor who was looking at the vision sadly. Obi-Wan felt Siri's own shaky emotions through their bond. Darra and Tru looked shaken, as well. Soara moved to the two apprentices to offer support.
"Stay close," Kastor whispered, and they moved towards where they could see Auben, Ferus, and Anakin disappearing through a doorway.
They moved down to a small chamber, and they could see that Auben had turned it into a combination of a hideout and a storage space. The walls had bins filled with, presumably, stolen goods. There was a bedroll in the corner and a couple of durasteel boxes stacked to form a table, on which rested a glow lamp that was lit up in a low setting.
Anakin and Ferus were in the middle of a conversation with Auben, and the rest of them got their first good look at her. She was a young woman, dressed in a tight-fitting gray tunic and leggings. She wore a leather headpiece that fitted snugly over her ears, and there was an enormous satchel at her feet. Looking at her, you could tell she'd had a hard life.
"Fine. Jedi credits are as good as anyone else's, I guess," Auben said, with a pleasant sounding voice. "What are you actually looking for? It certainly isn't your parents. If you can make it worthwhile I can help with anything. I hear the Jedi have a vast fortune."
"Unfortunately, that's not all that accurate," Kastor interjected, and Auben turned fast, showing impressive speed, drawing two blasters at her hips. Kastor raised his hands and both blasters flew from her hands and into Kastor's. She gasped and gave them a fearful look.
"No need to be alarmed," Obi-Wan said, as the rest of them filed into the room.
"We just don't want any bloodshed," Kastor agreed, and he used the Force to float her weapons back to her. She took them warily and tucked them back into their belts.
"You're definitely Jedi," she said cautiously.
"Yes, we are," Anakin said, "and we could use your help."
"What's in it for me, friends?" Auben said, crossing her arms, attempting to look more relaxed and in control.
"How about a ride off planet?" Kastor said.
Auben shrugged. "Why? This place is a shithole, but I do pretty well here. The Commerce Guild tries something like they did today every so often, but the next day they're back to buying from me again."
None of them were buying that. She was probably doing better than many of the other thieves, but there was nothing to really use the wealth for here other than surviving . . . and she was a thief.
"The Commerce Guild isn't going to be in control here much longer," Siri said. "A Sith fleet is in orbit now, and unfortunately unless you are useful to them – which your business here won't be – then they aren't going to tolerate you. They're just going to kill you."
"The Sith?" Auben asked with a frown. "I thought the Sith were gone? The original bad guys, enemy of the Jedi and so on, right? Didn't they die out like thousands of years ago?"
"News travels slowly here, it seems," Obi-Wan said.
"What a surprise," Koba remarked dryly, as he, Ry-Gaul and the rest of their team entered the room, having caught up.
Auben eyed the large Mandalorian man, looking equally impressed and intimidated.
"The Sith Empire has returned and they are slowly retaking this sector of the galaxy," Kastor said. "My friend is correct. They won't tolerate you, and as skilled as you are, they'll disarm you as easily as I did. They won't give you back your pistols to talk to you, however."
"Well, maybe a ride off this dust ball isn't such a bad idea," Auben admitted, "but I'm going to need a bit more, since I'll be losing my entire operation."
"A trip to whatever world you want, and contacts to help you start a new life on that world," Kastor offered.
"And 30,000 credits," Auben said, after a moment.
"Done," Kastor agreed.
"Now, what do you know about the couple we mentioned?" Ferus asked.
"They were in Dreshdae," Auben admitted. "I tracked them leaving though, heading for the Valley . . . though why they'd want to go there, I have no idea." She shivered.
Everyone glanced at Kastor who had a grim look and nodded.
"We're short on time," he said "It's quicker to go through the Academy and through the path to the Valley rather than return to Dreshdae and fly."
"I'll have the Hawk meet us there," Koba said.
"I can guide you, for a price," Auben said, and Kastor grinned, amused.
"No need," he said. "I know the way. You should stay by us for now though. When we get to the Valley, you can wait on my ship, out of harm's way."
"Let's get a move on," Siri said, looking at the chrono on her comlink. "We're about out of time."
"Give me a minute," Auben said, and she started stuffing as much as she could into her large satchel, grabbing things off the wall, and rolling up her sleep roll.
They gave her one quick minute, before Kastor started guiding them through the academy. They had to move carefully through damp and slippery narrow stone passages, moving downward, further into the bowels of the mountain from which the academy had been carved.
Auben made a grunt of surprise when Kastor found a half demolished wall and guided them over it.
"These used to be for spying on initiates," Kastor explained. "It's nice to see the dividers have crumbled. These passages are more direct."
"How do you know that?" Auben said, looking impressed.
"I was here for a time, a long time ago," Kastor answered softly.
He kept guiding them through hallways, down tunnels, and they continued to move steadily deeper and deeper, the walls showing more and more moisture the further they went. Finally they pushed through a rotted door and found themselves in a large space.
There was a decaying and broken ancient looking ship that stood in the middle of the space. All around it were various decaying parts, droids, and rubble.
"We're in a service bay," Anakin noted, and Kastor and Auben both nodded.
"The landing hangar is just through that arch," Auben said, an arch that Kastor led them through.
Anakin was among many who gasped.
"Welcome to the main hangar and the main center of the Sith war efforts here on Korriban," Kastor said, gazing out on the ruins of ships that littered the floor, bits of metal and decaying tanks, droids, and parts.
"It's huge," Ferus said, walking a few steps forward.
"Yes, this is where their armies were always dispatched from," Kastor said softly. "Now, we'll head over to one of the hangar bays and cut our way –"
He stopped, and all the Jedi knew why. They all felt a surge of fear, of darkness, of power. Many of their stomachs turned, their nerves screaming at them to be alert, to run . . . to flee.
"What's going on?" Auben asked, frowning.
"Boss?" Koba said in concern.
"He's here," Kastor said tonelessly.
*The Will of the Force*
"Njonne, this is Arlon, do you copy?"
"Hearing you loud and clear," Njonne responded.
"Commerce Guild droids are assaulting our position. We're holding for now, but the Ebon Hawk won't be getting airborne anytime soon."
Njonne signaled to her fellow Mandalorian, Nor Pari, and he nodded in understanding, already sending out her unspoken orders.
"Roger, Nonor's transport is heading your way with reinforcements. The rest of us will continue on towards the academy. When the situation is in hand, get airborne and get to the Valley."
"Understood. Arlon out."
Ranger Nonor Delste's Komr'k broke away from their formation to head for Dreshdae, while the other two, Njonne's and Mando Tork Mark's ships, continued on.
"Jaing, our sensors are picking up activity. Apparently the Commerce Guild really didn't take Kastor's threat seriously. Droids are moving into the Academy through some hangar doors that just opened."
"Understood, Zale," Njonne said, and she grinned ferally beneath her helmet. "The droids are showing us the way in. We'd be rude not to thank them properly for their help."
Droids were still slowly walking into the hangar, mostly spider droids, Njonne observed. She guessed that the speedier standard droids had already moved on ahead. Both Komr'ks opened up, doing a strafing run before both started hovering above their intended drop zone.
The bottoms opened up and Mandalorians and Antarian Rangers rappelled down to the ground, opening fire on the remaining droids.
"I want a squad to remain here to help prevent anyone from escaping," Njonne said. "Everyone else, let's go."
*The Will of the Force*
"Our squadrons are deploying."
"Understood, Captain Lohmata," Asuna said grimly.
Thankfully, the Mandalorian forces had agreed to fall under Asuna's command, and the Jedi had also influenced who was in command of the Judicial forces. Kylah Lohmata. An old friend of the Jedi, and one of the first graduates of the Defiance Flight Training Institute. She didn't have the ego of some other ship captains, and Asuna had judged her to be quite competent just in their planning meetings. She had already made note of the woman for if they survived. Whether in the Jedi's fleet plans or just Kastor's own, this was a woman worth recruiting in her mind.
Now in the last minutes before Glovoc's deadline, both fleets were done with the pretense of civility. Starfighters and bombers were pouring out of the three carriers that the Sith had brought: the two droid carriers and the Lucrehulk. The Sith fleet was moving forward, and would soon be in range for the battle to begin.
"No turning back now," Des said. "We have to hold the line."
"Kas will come through," Fay said lightly, from where she was sitting, entering a meditative trance.
"He always does," Asuna agreed. "Those Sith chakaare want a fight. We'll give them one."
"This is Reaper One," Rhys's voice came through the comms. "All squadrons form up."
"Basilisk Squadron, right behind you," Vana responded.
"Alpha squadron, formed up."
"Bravo squadron, read you loud and clear, Flight Leader."
The two respective Republic A-6 Interceptor and CloakShape squadrons.
"Charlie is with you, Reaper."
"Delta, ready to move."
The two Republic P2B-625 bomber squadrons.
"Sabre squadron, ready for the fun."
"Mudhorns, ready, Reaper."
The two Fang-fighter squadrons.
"Rancor, deployed."
The Mandalorian P2B-625 bomber squadron.
"Alright boys and girls," Rhys said. "We're outnumbered but they're outmatched. Those droids win by overwhelming you. They're fast and maneuverable, but not particularly adaptive and most of them lack shields. Stay with your wingmen, and keep close to the fleet for the initial onslaught. Our escort craft can help thin the herd. First chance, we make a run for the Lucrehulk. If we can destroy that, not only will their ability to deploy more fighters go to shit, but the vulture droids that they already have deployed will shut down."
"Understood, boss."
"Roger, Reaper One."
"Alright, here they come!" Vana said,
Asuna felt Fay's battle meditation activate as a wave of scarab and vulture starfighters came flying in fast. At least eight squadrons of fighters in size, nearly 100 starfighters, with droid starfighters still pouring out of the three carriers. The two droid carriers should only be able to hold four squadrons, so they were probably about tapped out, but the Lucrehulk was a problem, able to hold just short of two thousand droid starfighters.
The four bomber squadrons stayed to the rear, behind the safety of the fleet, while the rest of the starfighters moved to intercept. However, the fleet opened up with an initial volley, working to whittle down the enemy fighter wave before they were engaged.
Reaper squadron took the lead and the rest of the squadrons followed, intercepting the enemy fighters before they could make a destructive run on the fleet. Right as they started the dogfight, Asuna felt Fay's powers wane.
"The Sith are countering my efforts," Fay said tersely.
"Haar'chak!" Asuna swore. "I guess we do this the old fashioned way."
"The enemy fleet is in range, Al'verde."
"Focus our efforts on the enemy escort craft guarding that Lucrehulk," Asuna ordered. "The Republic will focus their efforts on the enemy capital cruisers."
"There's too many of them!" one of the Republic pilots said, his voice filled with panic.
"Just stay with your wingman," Rhys ordered. "Give us your location!"
"Gunship One, I'm going to set three of them up for you," Garven Dreis said.
Asuna observed as Garven and Antoc Merrick were flying fast, evading the fire from three vultures. They set them up perfectly for one of the DP20s to unload and get them off their back.
The chatter between the pilots continued to flow, and Asuna used it to add to her picture of the fight.
"The enemy fleet is pushing forward aggressively," Des briefed.
"Then it's time we make them work for their victory," Asuna said. "Tell Captain Lohmata we're going for the double envelopment. Alert the necessary ships."
"Oya, Al'verde!"
Both Mandalorian Cruisers started pushing left, looking to flank the enemy fleet, with both Diamond frigates and two of the crusader corvettes. The corvettes focused on anti-starfighter actions while the other four ships started firing into the left side of the vent fleet, targeting the escort craft.
The Centax heavy frigates and Republic's Arquitens heavy cruiser started pushing to the right flank, with two consular corvettes mirroring the left flank.
Meanwhile, the Republic Invincible dreadnought with the Mandalorian Keldabe battleship, the Darasuum, both carriers, both DP20 gunships, and one crusader and consular corvette each started pushing into the center aggressively.
The Sith strategy was obvious and simple, but effective. They had greater firepower and much larger fighter and bomber squadrons so they focused on the "Republic" capital ships, with their fighters swarming to overwhelm the enemy fighters and then to clear the way for their bombers to help decimate the Republic fleet.
Unfortunately, it had largely relied on the Republic force being gathered together so that once they had been swarmed, the Republic ships would be largely ineffective against the fighter and bomber squadrons. Both Kylah Lohmata and Asuna Lok knew this, so they separated their fleet, creating larger sections for crossfires to neutralize enemy fighters and bombers, and they focused on the weaker escort craft to clear a path for their own bombers, trusting in their more skilled pilots.
Asuna noted the Sith commander (likely Glovoc himself, she assumed) was smart, and started shifting his own forces to counter their efforts. The Lucrehulk was well protected in the rear, with the command vessel more exposed then generally normal, but with the Lucrehulk's importance, it made tactical sense. Still, the Sith moving to counter the Republic still put them out of position for a bit, which Asuna and Kylah made sure to exploit.
On each of the enemy flanks, and in the center of their fleet, one corvette was destroyed, three CR70s in total, their shields finally falling to the Republic's focused assault, and it was exactly what Asuna had been waiting for.
"Reaper One, you got your window."
"Understood, Darasuum," Rhys responded. "Alright, all squadrons. We're going to penetrate their line. Fly fast and true. Bombers, target those front light cruisers before aiming for that Lucrehulk. Fighters, clear the way for them."
"All ships, keep focusing on those escort craft," Des ordered.
Rhys led a concentrated effort with all the bomber squadrons protected in the center of the formation as they flew fast and hard, the better pilots blasting any Vulture droids or Scarabs that got in their way, heading in a straight line to the Lucrehulk. Two of the enemy DP20 gunships went up in balls of flame as the bombers struck, not even pausing to confirm the kill, but still moving effortlessly on.
"Captain Lok," Kylah's voice came through the comms. "The enemy fighters and bombers aren't redirecting to try and intercept our starfighters and bombers. They're heading straight for the heavy frigates."
"Smart bastard," Asuna said.
It was a gamble on both sides. Asuna and Kylah had made a risky move sending their starfighters and bombers for the Lucrehulk, but with nearly 200 enemy starfighters in the battlesphere and more still leaving, they needed to shut it down. They'd hoped the enemy starfighters would attempt to intercept, which might work, but they trusted their pilots to be quicker than the droids. In doing so, they'd also expose themselves to fire from the corvettes and frigates. Clearly Glovoc was smart enough to think up an actual counter. A sacrifice play . . . who could survive the assault of the enemy fighters and bombers the longest? The Sith had lost more escort ships, but the Sith also had nearly five times the starfighters deployed, and nearly three times the number of bombers deployed.
"Darasuum, I can redirect two squadrons," Rhys said.
"After you hit the Lucrehulk," Kylah said grimly. "That ship must go for us to have any hope."
"Captain Lohmata is correct. Hit the Lucrehulk and then pull three squadrons off," Asuna said. "Keep the bombers and the two remaining fighter squadrons in the belly of the beast."
"Understood commanders."
"Al'verde, two enemy transports heading for the planet. They have a fighter escort."
"Let them go," Asuna said grimly. "Warn our forces, and then get me their status!"
*The Will of the Force*
Kastor's toneless words were soon the least of their worries as they started to hear the mechanical clatter of metal on stone . . . and it was coming from all directions except for the one they just came from.
"Auben, take cover," Kastor ordered calmly, his eyes narrowed, and the thief hastened to obey, finding cover behind the wreckage of a ship, both of her blasters in her hands, which were shaking slightly.
The Jedi all ignited their lightsabers as the lines of droids started to appear . . . and they just kept coming. On the left was a platoon of spider droids. On the right were lines of B-1 series battle droids, probably nearly a hundred of them. In the center though were the more worrisome problems. A hundred more problems.
"Those aren't normal battle droids," Ferus noted.
"They have reinforced armor," Anakin said, swallowing, "and the control center is lower… you can't cut off their heads. Like baron droids, but these seem more streamlined."
"This isn't quite what I had in mind when I agreed to our little bet," Darra said weakly.
"Those are the super battle droids we've been hearing about," Soara said. "A complete violation of Republic regulations."
"Help's on the way," Kastor said. "Fight in pairs, trust in the Force, and we'll prevail."
Koba and his team were the first to get off shots, unleashing a volley as they all moved to cover behind various pieces of wreckage. The Jedi grouped together to find some protection in numbers as the droid army started returning fire.
Obi-Wan, Siri, Soara, and Darra all quickly focused their efforts on deflecting the accurate and fast shots coming from the spider droids, while Anakin, Ferus, Ry-Gaul, and Tru focused their efforts on the rapid shots coming from the super battle droids. Kastor meanwhile took up the efforts of helping Koba and his team counter the B1s.
The blaster fire was so heavy the Jedi were having to use their impressive mobility and speed to dodge as much as they deflected. There was little they could do offensively until the droids got closer . . . but surviving that long was going to be a challenge.
A scream of pain broke Obi-Wan's concentration for a moment and he glanced over to see that Tru had taken a blaster bolt to his side, and was now being covered by Anakin, Ry-Gaul, and Ferus, all of whom were now limited in their mobility.
Obi-Wan and Siri were both starting to worry, seeing another smaller wave of droids appearing to reinforce the ones already assailing them, but then blasted fire rang out and they watched the rear line of reinforcing droids fall, and as they turned to confront their new foes, they continued to go down in droves.
"Reinforcements!" Kastor called out, as the droids they'd been fighting started splitting in two, the rear lines turning to confront the new threat.
Obi-Wan was further surprised to see Auben rush out, grab Tru's arms and start pulling him back to safety.
With nearly half of the remaining initial droids pulling the pressure off the Jedi, and Tru being moved to safety. they found themselves the window they needed to go on the offensive.
Ry-Gaul continued to shield Auben and Tru, his silver lightsaber a blur, but the rest of the Jedi used the Force to jump or propel themselves into the various lines of droids. Ferus and Anakin launched themselves into the center of the super battle droids, and started hacking away, while using the Force to throw droids into each other or use debris to shield from bolts.
Siri and Obi-Wan moved as one, cutting down droids as their styles merged, with Siri the flash, and Obi-Wan the strategist. He maneuvered and she struck, the two of them moving faster than the droids could track, especially with Soara and Darra moving like wind and water, flowing effortlessly through the spider droids, each stroke of their lightsabers ending another droid.
Obi-Wan glanced back towards the B1s in concern. He'd seen Kastor leap with both blades out and crash into the droids, ripping through the first line, but now he couldn't see the Jedi Master. Obi-Wan couldn't imagine him being overwhelmed, but it was possible. Kastor's absence wasn't notable with Koba and his team unleashing a wall of shots that were mowing down the B1s as they approached.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a flicker of movement, something sinuous and flowing, and he turned to see a dark-robed figure moving quickly, keeping in the shadows, working to avoid droids, Jedi, Rangers, and Mandalorians . . . and Obi-Wan wasn't the only one to notice.
He saw Anakin gesture for Ferus to follow him as they cut down two droids each. Obi-Wan knew his Padawan understood that he couldn't leave Ferus alone in the midst of all those droids. Anakin also likely believed they would be enough to handle the Sith . . . Anakin was wrong.
Anakin and a reluctant Ferus jumped towards the Sith, who halted at their approach. All the Jedi felt the Dark Side grow and gather for Anakin was suddenly lifted like a doll and thrown back into the center of the super battle droids. Ferus meanwhile was picked up in a chokehold, his lightsaber falling to the ground as he grasped at his throat.
"No!" Siri screamed, her fear flowing through their bond, and Obi-Wan turned with her to go and try and help Ferus, and Anakin as well, who would need help with the super battle droids. It would be difficult and reckless of them to try and rush through the spider droids and super battle droids between them, but both of them knew they would not abandon their Padawans.
However, before they committed, two white lightsabers ignited behind the Sith and the Sith just barely managed to jump into the air to avoid the strike at their midsection, and Ferus fell to the ground, gasping for breath, but alive.
Jedi Master Kastor Shan planted himself in front of him as he prepared himself.
The hooded Sith landed.
Hidden gold eyes met Kastor's, the ancient Jedi Master staring down not a member of the New Sith Empire but the Master of the hidden Sith. At long last.
A second went by before two pairs of lightsabers, one red, the other white met in a flurry of strikes as the Force started to swirl around the two combatants while the battle between droids, Jedi, Antarian Rangers, Mandalorians and a thief waged around them.
*The Will of the Force*
"There she goes!" Rhys exclaimed through the comms, and Asuna felt triumph shoot through her as the Lucrehulk started ripping apart, little internal explosions helping to speed the process up.
"Alright, Reaper squadron, we're moving to reinforce the command vessels. Alpha squadron, reinforce the right flank. Sabre, reinforce those Mandalorians cruisers on the right flank. Basilisk, Charlie, and Delta, continue to hit the Sith forces here in their rear area. Bravo, Mudhorns, reinforce them!"
"Copy, Reaper One!"
"Not a moment too soon," Des murmured.
Indeed, the destruction of the Lucrehulk had cut off the supply of new enemy starfighters, something they desperately needed. Of the 26 A-6 Interceptors they'd started with, they now only had half. Of the 36 Fang-fighters between three squadrons, they were down to 20, and almost half of the bombers, between all four squadrons, had been destroyed.
The enemy still had nearly 175 starfighters and 45 bombers deployed, but thankfully the strike was forcing them to redirect their forces. The Sith "rear" area had consisted of the Lucrehulk, both supply ships, and the other two droid carriers, all of which were now effectively defenseless against the bombers who would destroy the rest of them with little effort without reinforcements.
Four squadrons of Scarabs and two squadrons of Vulture droids were already enroute, but doing so had pushed them in the line of various Republic and Mandalorians volleys, so all six groups would not make it there intact.
"Wait, those Vulture droids aren't shutting down," Des observed.
"Haar'chak! They must not require a central control computer anymore," Asuna said.
"Well, at least we stopped new fighters from being deployed," Rhys's voice came through the comms. "It was still the right move."
Asuna could concede that and turned back to observing the battle. The space had effectively split into four battle spheres.
The left flank had both Mandalorian cruisers, two Crusader corvettes, a Diamond frigate, and half a squadron of Fang fighters against a Bulwark battlecruiser, a Bakura destroyer, a DP20 gunship, and two squadrons of Scarabs and a little over a squadron of bombers. The Task Force had already lost one of the Diamond frigates on that flank, but the Sith had lost one of their Bayonet-class light cruisers. The Sith had more firepower there, but the Sith were running low on support craft, with their fighters and bombers spread a bit thin on the flanks.
On the right flank, a Republic Centax heavy frigate, the Republic Arquitens heavy frigate, one Consular corvette, and half a squadron of A-6 Interceptors were in a fierce skirmish with the other Bulwark battlecruiser, another Bayonet-class light cruiser, two squadrons of Scarabs, and a little over a squadron of TF bombers. One Centax heavy frigate had already been destroyed, as had a Consular corvette, but the Sith had lost one of their Bakura destroyers and their only DP20 frigate on that side. With the loss of the last corvette, Asuna felt the right flank would end in victory for the Republic if they could get some bombers over to help destroy the Bulwark, and even without bombers, there was a high possibility of victory. Unfortunately, while bomber would be beneficial there, they were more needed elsewhere.
It was the center where everything was most uncertain, and steadily moving towards dire. Lohmata's Invincible-class dreadnought was backed by the Mandalorian Keldabe battleship, the Darasuum, one Hornet-class carrier, a Crusader corvette, two DP20 gunships, and eight starfighters from Reaper squadron. They'd already lost one carrier and a Consular corvette. Arrayed against them was the Sith Invincible-class dreadnought, Glovoc's Dying Sun, one Wavecrest-class frigate, two Bayonet-class light cruisers, one CR70 corvette, four squadrons of Vulture droids, and a little over a squadron of TF bombers. The Sith had lost most of their support craft in the initial maneuvers, but had only lost one Wavecrest frigate since. However, they were pounding away on Lohmata's shields, among others, and with the starfighters having swarmed before many were diverted, the center of the Task Force was in danger of falling apart.
Lohmata was focusing her efforts on commanding the right flank, and supporting Asuna's maneuvers in the center. Asuna was focused on the left flank, the Sith rear, and holding the line in the center.
"Left flank, have those Interceptors focus on the bombers, and have them stay out of the effective range of that enemy gunship. Both cruisers, all power to forward shields and guns. Focus everything on that Bulwark. Have the Diamond frigate and the corvettes continue with anti-starfighter operations."
Asuna felt some triumph studying the holoprojection of the battlefield, seeing that one of the enemy carriers and one of the enemy supply ships had just been destroyed, right before the remaining enemy fighters were arriving to prevent their movements.
"Pull those bombers and fighters back," Asuna ordered. "Send them to the left flank to reinforce. I want Basilisk to decimate that Bulwark."
"The enemy starfighters are pursuing," Keria Ordo said.
"That's unavoidable," Asuna said grimly. "If they can hold on, they can hit the Bulwark and then push towards our line. Our corvettes and frigates, along with the remainder of Sabre Squadron can support them then."
"Those PTB-625's are too slow," Des noted. "Our bombers are holding up, and even the PTBs are fast enough to outrun those Scarabs, with the lead they have, but those Vultures are gaining on them."
Asuna looked down at where Fay was still valiantly battling the Sith for control of the battle meditation. Sweat dotted her brow, and she seemed to be barely holding onto her calm composure. Whoever her opponent was had to be as strong as she was. She looked back out into the battle.
"Center flank, more power to our shields, and focus our firepower on the enemy dreadnought. Tell Captain Lohmata to divert power from her weapons to her shields. They're focusing on her, and if she can weather the assault, we can whittle down their forces."
On the right flank, the enemy Bayonet-class light cruiser went up in flames, but it was a short-lived victory as the last of the TF bombers in that area took out the Arquitens heavy cruiser with them. The right flank was now dire, with six pilots up against nearly twenty droid starfighters, with one corvette to reinforce them. The remaining Centax was now in a slugfest with that Bulwark battlecruiser, and it would be a race to see whose shields went out first.
However, while the right flank had gone from favorable to dire, the left flank had flipped around. The bombers made their run, with the fighters running ahead to help reduce the remaining Scarabs in that area, save for those that were in pursuit of them, and the Bulwark could do nothing as three of the four remaining bomber squadrons unleashed a full volley of proton torpedoes that started a chain of explosions that ripped the ship apart. The bombers kept moving fast, heading for the friendly line of advance, where the corvettes could help shield them from their pursuers, and where Sabre Squadron could reinforce Mudhorn and Bravo Squadrons.
"Have the left flank weather their initial swarm of droid starfighters, with the two cruisers focusing on that Bakura destroyer, and the three squadrons ensuring those bombers do not get to our cruisers," Asuna said. "As soon as the opening is there, I want them to charge that weakened line. They will crush that flank, push into the rear and decimate that before enveloping the center element. The bombers can then reinforce the right flank before we all convene on the center element. Force willing, this battle is ours!"
*The Will of the Force*
Obi-Wan and Siri continued to cut through droids, but all eyes couldn't help but focus back on the duel taking place. Kastor and the hooded Sith Lord were striking at each other faster than even most of them could comprehend, the Force surging with every strike.
Obi-Wan had never seen Kastor fight with such ferocity, such determination, and except for perhaps his duel with Maglus, which Obi-Wan had only heard about, he wasn't sure Kastor had ever fought with this much ferocity, at least not since he was reawakened.
The two battled, switching lightsaber forms with a fluidity that even Cin Drallig would be impressed with. Obi-Wan knew that only an extremely deep connection to the Force would allow someone to even entertain lasting more than a few moments in a fight like this. He only knew of a handful of Jedi in the Order that could obtain that deep of a connection.
All around, the droids were finally starting to be overwhelmed, something Obi-Wan was grateful for. Then the rest of them could help focus their efforts on assisting Kastor, ensuring the Sith Lord had nowhere to go.
Kastor gained some traction as he destroyed one of the Sith's lightsabers, and threw the Sith back a couple feet with a Force push.
"You're so focused on keeping that illusion up," Kastor said, his voice reverberating in the darkness. "You're putting so much power into stopping me from revealing your face. What will I see? Do I know you, Sidious?"
The hooded Sith tensed for a split second and snarled with a voice more beast than sentient. The Sith Lord-Sidious raised his now empty hand and bright purple Force Lightning surged towards Kastor, and he in turn raised both his blades and blocked the lightning.
With some difficulty, Kastor started to move forward, and the hooded Sith dropped the effort and tried to jump away, but Kastor jumped in front of the Sith and immediately re-engaged their heated duel.
"Sith reinforcements!" A voice yelled out in warning.
Everyone's focus turned to where they could see the rear group of Mandalorians and Rangers now in a firefight on both sides with Sith Troopers engaging them, while twelve Sith with red lightsabers surged forward.
"Shavit," Siri cursed, and Obi-Wan turned to see that the Sith Lord had taken advantage of Kastor losing his concentration and destroyed Kastor's primary lightsaber, leaving him only with his shoto blade, and then the Sith blasted Kastor away with a swift Force Push. The Sith quickly turned and used a burst of the Force to flee into the darkness, and he sensed the Sith's triumphant emotions. His last 'attack' it would seem.
Agitated over missing the opportunity to stop the Banite Sith Master, his irritation, prodded by the Sith's gloating, caused Kastor to his, "Kriffing hell!"
Obi-Wan was disappointed, himself, but they didn't have time to brood as the Sith warriors surged past their fighting troops, the still fighting droids, the Mandalorians, and the Antarian Rangers, and went straight for the Jedi.
Darra and Soara engaged three of them, with Siri and Obi-Wan taking another three. Anakin and Ferus decided to show how much they had grown by pairing together to take on another two, with Ry-Gaul taking two, and Kastor, who had rejoined the fight, taking the last two.
Kastor was clearly not in the mood because he parried the first couple blows from his opponents, his short saber not giving him the power of two handed swings, but giving him much better speed, and he used the Force to move inside one of his opponents reach, stabbing the man through the chest. Kastor then used his physical strength to run his opponent, the blade poking out the man's back, into the other Sith, who fumbled in his reaction to his own partner being pushed into him. Kastor's blade pierced through the second Sith, before he pulled his blade out and with one swift strike, beheaded them both. Kastor used the Force to pull both of the fallen Sith's blades to him, before he tucked one onto his belt, and ignited the other, the red blade contrasting brightly with his white shoto. He then immediately went to assist Ry-Gaul.
Siri and Obi-Wan danced with their three opponents, Obi-Wan setting openings up that Siri would close in on, keeping their three opponents off balance. Siri struck the first blow, when she spun around a desperate stab at her midsection, her blade held high, and she came down swiftly removing the Sith's hands, before she finished him off with a quick swing across his chest. Obi-Wan used the Force to hurl one of the Sith back and then switched to Djem So and unleashed a volley of strikes that the woman couldn't compete with and Obi-Wan struck her down when she lost her balance. The last Sith took a look at them and fled.
Darra and Soara had likewise already disposed of their three opponents, Anakin and Ferus were balancing their styles together and had their opponents on their heels, while Kastor and Ry-Gaul used a defensive approach to lull their opponents in before they trapped them between them and left them no room to maneuver with their backs against each other, and both soon fell, around the same time that Anakin defeated one of his Sith, and Ferus killed the other when he tried to retaliate.
Obi-Wan turned to where the rest of the Sith Troopers were in a tactical retreat and the droids had finally all been destroyed.
"Headcount," a familiar voice ordered.
"Njonne," Siri said with relief. "It's good to hear your voice."
"Yours too, Siri," Njonne said, moving forward to them.
Obi-Wan saw Auben helping Tru out from where they had hunkered down, and the three other Padwans hurried over.
"You all right?" Anakin asked, as Ferus pulled out his medkit and started applying bacta spray.
"Just a few bruises," Tru said, with an attempt at a cheerful smile.
"Now you've got a war wound like me," Darra said brightly, and Tru chuckled gratefully.
"Well, it's a good thing that perfect Ferus is fixing you up," Anakin teased, and Ferus sighed wanly. "We've got to get you back in the competition. You're falling behind."
Personally, I'm hoping whatever tally we're at right now is our number," Tru said.
"No fun at all," Anakin said, though he along with the other three shivered slightly as the Dark Side seemed to swirl, taking affront at their attempt to bring levity to the cursed world.
"I think the fun left when the Sith showed up," Ferus said solemnly.
"Which one?" Tru asked.
"All of them," Ferus replied, shaken.
"Did you see Master Shan?" Darra said in terrified amazement. "I thought I was good with a blade . . . I thought my Master was one of the best, but he was insane!"
"He was incredible," Anakin admitted, a bit humbled himself.
He thought his own skills much better than many, his Master, Siri, and Darra's master being among the few Knights he knew could beat him, but he'd always thought he was closer to Kastor than he clearly was. He still had a long way to go.
"And that Sith Lord could match him perfectly . . ." Ferus comments uneasily, a feeling shared by all four of them. The duel played back in their mind' eyes for a long moment.
"We'll get there, one day," Anakin said after a moment.
Tru snorted. "Maybe you."
"Oh, we can do it," Anakin said bracingly. A few months ago he might have been more than content with Tru's praise, but now? "We just need more time. Kastor's like a gazillion years old!"
"I resent that remark you impertinent brat."
Anakin grinned cheekily at the Jedi Master as he approached, a slight smile on his face . . . one that didn't reach his eyes and served to hide his frustration at the Sith Lord escaping.
"There can be no doubt. That was our hidden Sith Lord. The Sith Master behind the Zabrak, Maul, on Naboo. I'd bet my remaining saber on it. Darth Sidious." Kastor declared grimly.
A shudder reverberated around the Force while the other Jedi shared tense glances, even those lacking the Force couldn't help but shift and twitch uneasily.
His gaze left them to focus on the two Rangers and four Mandalorians that were walking up to Njonne.
"We've got 18 dead, and another 8 wounded."
"You need to get back to the ships," Kastor said, frustration not leaving his face. "Gather the dead and injured. Once you get to the ships, you all can meet us in the Valley of the Dark Lords. Sidious was heading that way, so we'll go on foot and try to catch up."
"Understood," Njonne said.
"Auben," Kastor said, looking at the thief who was looking shaken and out of her depth, but had risen to the occasion when it was needed. "Go with our people. You don't want any part of what we're about to face."
"No . . . I don't suppose I do," Auben said, looking at him with an indescribable look. "He's – er – probably gone for the last maintenance bay . . . I've seen a shuttle there before. The bay doors open."
"Thank you," Kastor said gratefully. "Let's move out."
Anakin glanced at Tru, who was stretching a bit gingerly, but clearly the bacta, along with probably the small bit of Force healing that Tru could do was enough to get him back in the fight. He nodded that he was fine.
They all followed Kastor through the hangar, stepping over fallen droids, and nodding at Mandalorians and Rangers that were busy collecting their dead and wounded. They made their way to the back of the hangar, finding a bunch of debris having been placed to block entrance to the last bay.
"Sidious," Soara observed.
"It won't keep us out," Kastor said, and he breathed slow before raising his arms, and the rest of them hastened to help him as he used the Force to lift the debris out of the way, enough for them to move through.
When they got through, they found two things. Five dead Sith warriors, and six dead Sith Troopers, and a brand new cruiser with its ramp down.
"Sith fighting Sith?" Ry-Gaul said with a frown.
"You're surprised?" Siri retorts, though she's frowning too. "Sith don't like sharing at the best of times, btu this is . . . sloppy. I'd have thought they'd be all for an alliance to kill us, keep the Jedi and the Republic off their precious Korriban."
"No," Kastor disagreed. "In fact, I don't think Darth Glovoc is here for us or for Omega . . . or even Korriban, though that last one is probably a bonus."
"He's here to try and take Darth Sidious and his machinations off of the board while he can," Obi-Wan said, eyes wide.
Kastor nodded.
"He's taking a shot. And so are we. If Sidious can get whatever forces he might have to assist him, the Sith Empire will work with him, knowing the Banites have been planning for a thousand years . . . but if Sidious dies here and now, any machinations he had that could interfere with Glovoc and the others in the New Sith Empire will die with him."
Kastor looked around to his fellow Jedi. They all shared the same thought, if they could capture of kill Darth Sidious, they could end whatever plans one Sith group had for the galaxy.
They quickly checked through the ship, finding little of worth. Even the navigation log and archives had been wiped.
"Got one thing!" Anakin called over, and they all converged on him, seeing a miniature holo-recorder.
Anakin opened it up, and saw one message in the archive. He pressed the button, and Granta Omega appeared.
Omega bowed. "Greetings, Master. We are grateful that our failure to complete our mission at the Senate did not disappoint you. As you generously said, the intent to disrupt and demoralize was achieved. The Senate is more divided than ever. It gratifies us that you have decided to entrust us with your secret. We have received the coordinates for our meeting. At last you will reveal yourself to us. We will then truly be able to further your cause throughout the galaxy." Omega bowed again. "Until we meet, I, Granta Omega, and Jenna Zan Arbor, servants to no one in the galaxy, remain servants to the True Sith."
The hologram fragmented into a shimmer.
"Whew," Anakin said, nose scrunched. "What a toadying dungcreeper."
"So they came here to meet the Sith Master, just as you thought," Siri said, looking at Obi-Wan.
Her husband grimaced. There was no comfort to be found in being right about this.
"Well, this ship won't be here to wait for the Banite Sith," Kastor said, pulling out his comm and sending a quick message to Njonne. "It's ours now. Njonne will have a team collect it and add it to our fleet."
"I found the controls for the hangar," Darra called over. "They're in good working order."
"The Banite Sith have been using this place for a while," Obi-Wan noted.
"It makes sense," Kastor said. "Well, after today, there's definitely a Sith holdout on this planet, so it isn't worth worrying about. At least we've disrupted one of Sidious' hiding holes throughout the known galaxy."
"Well, let's get moving," Soara said. "He's got a lead on us, but he doesn't have a ship."
"There's signs he might have taken a speeder," Ry-Gaul said, from where he was, observing part of the hangar.
"We should go in on foot, just in case," Kastor said with a sigh. "He might have gone by foot, and we don't want to take the chance of missing him. Last thing we need is for him to watch us fly over and then double back and escape."
"I agree," Obi-Wan said, and he looked at Kastor. "It's time for us to enter the Valley."
"Yes, it is," Kastor agreed. "Darra, the hangar."
She used the controls to open the bay doors, and Kastor led them out onto rocky terrain. He led them around what was probably once a service tunnel until they found themselves scaling down the cliff and into almost a cavelike system, except for no rocky ceilings.
"We follow this path, and we'll be in the Valley," Kastor said grimly.
"May the Force be with us," Ry-Gaul said quietly, and with those words to bolster their fortitude, they started moving.