Onderin Starlisk

One massive MC90a Starcruiser departed from the docks of the shipyard above Sullust. It was immediately crewed and christened the Revelation, both for being the final ship in the completion of the Alliance fleet, but for being the deathbringer to all Imperial forces that it intended to battle. The Revelation joined the other Starcruiser waiting over Sullust. Should the two be called upon, they themselves were a reckoning force, capable of handling a pair of ImpStar Deuces in heavy combat.

An MC90a Starcruiser exited the docks of Mon Calamari and joined the other near the shipyard. The fleet overall consisted of the flagship and eight Starcruisers, one ship short of completion. Sullust would see to changing that.

Right on schedule (as always), an MC90a Starcruiser left the production facility and joined the defenses at Sullust. The Empire wasn't apparently aware that there even was a shipyard at Sullust, as they had made no threats or moves at it. So the ship stayed on alert, completely ready to lend its aid into any of the multiple skirmishes going on in the galaxy.

Despite the apparently still-looming Imperial Fleet, production is up to speed and another MC90a Starcruiser drifts from the docks. Another is immediately started. The losses at Mimban were already well on the way to being replaced. This ship doesn't join the ships at Kuat, opting rather to stay and defend against the possible Imperial attack.

Admiral Onderin Starlisk, aboard his flagship, the massive Star Defender named the Defiant after his original command, had reason to be determined and firm. Ships had been lost on Mimban due to a surprising and unlooked-for amount of defenses. Now Mon Calamari and Selvaris were under attack. They would hold, however. His job here was to take out the Kuat Drive Yards. He would do it quickly and concisely, tearing down its defenses and striking the shipyard itself with as few casualties and as much efficiency as possible. There were no Star Destroyers here to offer resistance. There were only the stationary defenses. "Take out the Golans immediately," he ordered. "Launch all fighters. Give K-wings and B-wings fighter escort. Send E-wings on strike duty as well. They have the torpedoes necessary to reduce Golans to dust." And indeed the fighters struck hard and with speed. The K-wings carried specialized plasma bombs casually referred to as "eggs" that caused defestating damage to a target despite its shields, offering a cone effect that punctured a tiny hole and spewed highly volatile plasma at the structure below. A concentrated number of these eggs and the numerous torpedoes of the E-wings were already showing effects, destroying one of the Golans in orbit before it had caused any casualties. They were marvellous defensive platforms, but they were up against much more than they could handle. Overwhelming them was the perfect job for E-wings, who could evade turbolaser fire while dealing out damage themselves.

Having been told of the attack on Mon Calamari slightly too late by a certain Mandalorian bounty hunter, two MC90a Starcruisers arrive from a different Alliance base on the far side of the shipyard from the Imperial Fleet. They quickly join the defenses, making them even more formidable as the Imperial Fleet descended upon them. Soon after, a lone E-wing also exited from hyperspace. It was the personal ship of Admiral Onderin Starlisk, also a Jedi Knight. It made with great speed towards his flagship, the Defiant. Reaching it easily, it landed. Onderin made his way for the bridge of the massive Star Defender cruiser, which was easily a match for even a Super Star Destroyer. A great battle awaited both fleets. "Give me a synopsis," he ordered his bridge crew. "We can't get a solid reading on the Imperial fleet, sir," a nervous officer answered. "Our sensors cut out possibly before the whole fleet arrived. We know for sure that they have an Interdictor, an SSD, five Deuces, and two of our own ships." The Admiral nodded. If that was all they had brought, then the Alliance had the advantage. They had, last he checked, four Golan VI's, four MC90a's, the Star Defender, and a reinforced minefield, a force technically capable of handling an assault group of at least eleven Imperial II Star Destroyers or nine and an SSD. That was more than what they thought they faced, at least. "We can handle them," Onderin said with confidence. "Pull the cruisers behind the minefeild and the Golans. We need to preserve our ships as much as possible. Scramble a fighter screen, but don't have them go too far out." His orders were carried out without question. The Admiral had earned his crew's respect and they were willing to die for him.

The ships at Selvaris were called into action by their Admiral, and they immediately set course for the watery world of Mon Calamari, home of the shipyards that they held so dearly.

Defense update: Currently at Mon Calamari: 2 MC90a Starcruisers 1 Star Defender Cruiser 4 Golan VI Defense Platforms 1 Reinforced Minefield (Plus the defenses on the shipyard itself)

OOC: You didn't post this that I saw. It was ordered quite some time ago, but never completed. IC: An MC90a Starcruiser drifted from the docks of Sullust shipyards. It was the eighth Starcruiser in the current Alliance fleet, along with a Star Defender that was the flagship under direct command of Admiral Onderin Starlisk. Another was begun...it would make the fleet full strength upon completion.

Certain surprisingly simple modifications were made on the Alliance fleet that would ensure more success against the Imperial navy, specifically the Emperor himself. Additionally, another MC90a Starcruiser departed from the docks. It was the seventh MC90a to join the massive flagship. The fleet was almost complete.

At long last, a massive Star Defender drifted from the docks of Mon Calamari. It would be the flagship of the fleet under command of Admiral Onderin Starlisk. It was named after Onderin's first flagship, back when he had been Vice-Admiral. It was named the Defiant. And this ship would be defiant towards all the forces of the Empire. Five MC90a's and a Star Defender now loomed over the watery world of Mon Calamari and another MC90a was begun.

OOC: Blast, I missed it. One comment, though. You posted the Empire's four Star Destroyers here never leaving, but they obviously had to leave for Coruscant, yes? The last battle here never really ended. IC: The remaining Alliance troops and still-large number of E-wings made a strategical retreat, still several battalions strong but unable to battle the superior number of stormtroopers. They made a retreat for the mountains, as many pilots as possible grabbing drop ships and troop transports from the hangars. Some of these ships were destroyed despite scrambled E-wing cover, but enough made it out that they could carry at least most of the retreating force. Artus was lost, but not all hands were with it. As the mountains crept sooner, it was made clear that the Empire wasn't going to concentrate many forces in pursuit. They already had completed the goal they had set out to complete. Marines loaded onto troop transports, shuttles, and even freight areas with extended life-support for the trip to Alliance headquarters. The body of the Alliance would hear about this, and they would decide how to deal with it. The decision was not for this leaderless but not unorganized force to make. Moving as far away from the Empire as possible, ships made their exit, still covered by superior Series-4 E-wings until they all entered hyperspace en route for the Alliance main base, being absolutely sure that no one was tracking them and furthermore making several false jumps before choosing their final destination.

With only a few words, Onderin orders the pilot to take him to the Jedi Temple that was mentioned. He needed to talk to Kirana...and about more than one thing. The Jedi Knight was also and Admiral, and that was something it was wise to not forget. The sleek white craft lifted into the ground with little noise and headed for space. As soon as it cleared the planet's gravity well, it reached into the alternate dimension called hyperspace and pulled itself through with a shudder. Stars stretched into lines and the ship was gone without a trace.

Onderin breathed a sigh as the communication came in. "Sorry, Master, but my duties require that I leave at once. Get back to me on your answer, if you intend to give one," he said regretfully. However, at the same time, it would be nice to get back into the military duties of the Alliance--all he had dealt with recently was the concerns of a Jedi Knight. He turned and left. There was one problem--Sabian had taken the shuttle. Onderin wondered briefly if the apprentice had thought about the possibility that Onderin would need to leave before he returned. Being in the middle of the forest, there was nothing the Admiral could do but send a communication. It would take a little time, but an Alliance ship would be by to pick him up as soon as possible, using his comm signal for a homing beacon. It was a good thing to be able to do--especially if one was trying to locate stranded or extra-vehicular pilots.

OOC: Legal, of course. IC: Yet another MC90a Starcruiser departed from the shipyards, dubbed the Deadly Dejarik. It was an interesting name for a cruiser, being a ship of strict rules and military conduct, but the personality of the chosen captain fit perfectly. The shipyards decided to take the risk of beginning the production of a Star Defender, which would take twice as long but would by all means be the flagship of the Alliance fleet. It would be capable of taking on multiple Star Destroyers alone. The fleet now consisted of five Star Cruisers, and it was surprisingly close to nearing the largest the fleet had even been. Practicality was important, and more ships than the flagship and about eight other cruisers was too hard to maintain. Fewer, well-maintained ships were more effective than many more ships that were hardly space-worthy.

Onderin found it curious about the length of the time it took his old Master to respond. It was possible that Keiran was giving some thought into his response, but such a long time was almost obsessive. However, the Jedi Knight knew that he could not rush an answer that could decide the course of the relationship of the two Jedi talking. He nodded to Sabian when the boy said that he needed to leave. The Admiral found that as odd as Keiran's response time. Sabian had constantly strived towards loyalty to his Master and dedication to the study of the Force, but now he was leaving temporarily. Then again, Onderin thought, Perhaps it's that same dedication to the Force that is driving him to leave my side for the moment. The Force must be calling him for such an abrupt departure. And indeed that was by all probabilities the truth, if Onderin knew his apprentice as well as he should. This was a delicate time for him, but the Force would have its way. Its will would be accomplished this day, and Onderin was more sure of that than he was of anything else at the moment.

OOC: Sorry, Keiran and Sabian. Keiran, you delayed a little too long, and now it's my turn to do so likewise. I'm leaving in under an hour and won't be back until Sunday. I hope you'll have posted by then. Sabian, I'm sorry to keep you inactive for so long--I know how you hate it. But sometimes when you're RPing people make you wait. It's best just to get used to it.

Right on schedule, another MC90a Starcruiser emerged from the Mon Calamari shipyard, and it was crewed and named the Horizon by its new captain. It would serve the fleet well, and it served currently to reinforce the fleet defending the shipyard, which now consisted of four cruisers. Simultaneously, the Golan IV under construction was completed and the damaged one was once again made whole. The Alliance technicians had done their job with extreme efficiency, and now the defenses were capable of holding out with ease against even ten Star Destroyers. But no pause in the defense effort was made. Rather than daring to take the time to construct a Star Defender, which would admittantly be powerful enough to hold off two Imperial cruisers alone, the shipyard began yet another MC90a, for it would take half the time. The Alliance needed as much of a fleet as it could get its hands on as fast as possible. Only then would they be able to hold out against the Empire.

Onderin smiled slightly outwardly at the shoulder clasp, but inside he was unsatisfied. As much as he didn't like to admit it, he was convinced that what Keiran was doing was wrong. It was not right to forsake the Jedi Code and leave the Order after becoming such an established member. The Jedi needed Keiran. The way Keiran finished suggested dismissal, but the Admiral wasn't quite done yet. He still wanted to have a chance of bringing his old Master back. "I found you, Keiran, because I sensed and the Force told me that something was wrong," he spoke more firmly than he had intended, but he was careful to keep the mild anger and frustration he was feeling out of his voice. "And it's my duty as a Jedi, even if that Order no longer means anything to you, as well as my duty as your former apprentice to follow the will of the Force in this matter." He was rather pained by Keiran's outlook, but he didn't want to let such an emotion lead to other, less desirable ones. "Tell me the truth--what was it that you did to the Jedi that the rumors now speak of?" Onderin was going to slip now, or so he told himself. This was a touchy subject, and he felt that he could make a mistake at any moment. It wasn't like him to admit such weakness, even to himself, but he realized now that matters in the military had not required talk of true diplomacy and charisma. He thought he was doing well so far, but his side of the talk was on the edge of a vibroblade. He knew that no matter what he did Keiran would not grow angry easily, especially given Onderin's own relation to him. But if Keiran began to see something like the corruption he saw from Master Poleb and Master Kenobi, whether just a shadow or not, things could get tense. Onderin did not by any means want to leave his Master on a bad note, but he would do what he felt was necessary according to how the Force would guide him.

Onderin furrowed his eyebrows as he thought, walking with Keiran towards the hut. He motioned for Sabian to follow, not entirely pleased that his old Master had not so much as greeted him. It wasn't the most important thing at the moment, and the Jedi Knight was trying to stay on task. The news that his old Master gave him worried the Admiral. Because he was not constantly involved with the Order due to the demand of being ready to take fleet action with the Rebellion, he had not been aware of such corruption. He had always tried himself to stand up for the Jedi Order and follow the Code as closely as he could, and it occured to him that this could be made easier by his position. "It is disturbing that the Jedi would try and force a confrontation like that, but from what I know of Master Poleb, he is quick to action and a very powerful Jedi Master," he said. "You would know Master Kenobi better than anyone else, for he was your Master, though I myself do not know him beyond knowing that he holds a seat on the Jedi Council." Onderin continued to walk and ponder, letting some of his thoughts form into words but keeping others back. "I do not believe that the Jedi Council is so corrupt as to try and force you to fight unless they found it absolutely necessary," he decided, not wanting to anger Keiran but certain that it was better to speak the truth of how he felt. "Have you considered simply turning yourself in to see what they want of you? Or do you fear the consequences of such an action? I believe that a Jedi is responsible for his actions, and I think that you should at least give the Jedi a chance to try you for what you did, if the rumors are true. "Even if you no longer consider yourself of the Jedi Order, you are still a follower of the Light Side of the Force, and therefore you should still adhere to the Code," he went on, choosing his words carefully. "I can't force you to do anything, and I respect your opinion, but this is what I think. It pains me to see you turn from the Jedi, and it's never too late to turn back. After all, a single man with such experience as yourself, if he creates the right echoes, shall we say, can change the Order and resolve the corruption therein. I'm willing to help you with that part, if I do indeed find corruption as you do." Satisfied that he had gotten his point across, Onderin continued to walk, drawing back into his thoughts and remaining silent. He would not go back over his speech in his mind, for he knew he would most likely end up finding something he would wish he could take back, but would not be able to. It was a curious thing, giving council to the one that had always before counciled you. But the Admiral had grown much wiser since his training, and he felt more on an equal plane with Keiran than his underling. As far as he knew, Keiran had not yet achieved the rank of Jedi Master, though sheer experience more than made up for that.

Onderin smiled and greeted Keiran with the same enthusiasm with which he was greeted. The Jedi Knight had missed his Master more than he had thought. That brought up the solemn reason that he had come, however, and the smile disappeared off his face. Reluctant to bring up some a subject as this, the Admiral pressed into it anyway. "There is something wrong, Master," he said. "Some time ago we passed by each other in the Last Call and I felt a disturbance from you. And now again the Force called me here for the same reason. "Tell me, what have you been up to? I heard rumors of terrible things attached somehow to your name," Onderin continued hesitantly. He didn't dare mention the Dark Side by name, for now that he was in Keiran's presence he didn't feel anything particular. Then again, he may be biased. He would be careful to listen for Sabian's own opinion, whether it came audibly or through the Force, a much safer way of communicating with someone overhearing. On the other hand, it might be good for both Keiran and Onderin to hear what the boy had to say.

"Yes," Onderin said, searching the forest immediately around him. "I can feel him nearby. His presence is almost reassuring in and of itself, but I can tell he's disturbed about something important to him." The Jedi Knight looked at Sabian. "You have done well to get us this far, Sabian," he commended the boy. "You'd make a good CorSec operative were you not a Jedi already." Admiral Starlisk let the Force guide him now. He would not try and think things out--that would only lead to confusion. His apprentice had already done the extent of what could be done without a Force bond, so he would take the search into his own hands now. He felt he didn't need to say this aloud, but rather he closed his eyes as communication enough. Taking careful steps, Onderin searched. Keiran's presence was almost an explosion through the Force, and the younger Jedi practically trying to find the center of the explosion while inside it himself. It was difficult to do, but the Force gave him vision. It allowed him to see through the debris and the smoke and the flame. The Force was focused the most in a spot not far away, and Onderin took a few steps towards it. He opened his eyes, reinforcing what he saw through the currents of the Force with visual orientation, which wasn't as reliable but was enough to find a physical being for sure. Rounding one last tree, the Jedi Knight saw Keiran. "Master," he said with recognition and something close to surprise. "I've found you." Yes, this was the almost-cocky and laid-back Jedi that Onderin had been taught by those years ago. It felt right to see him again, though usually simply interacting with an old friend and mentor was not as powerful in emotion. Onderin could understand it to a degree, but not to this extent. It was the will of the Force, he reminded himself.

In light of the recent destruction of one of the mighty Golan defense platforms, the Alliance leaders at Mon Calamari suspected an attempt by an enemy faction to take the shipyards in their recent weakness. Therefore, it was time to refit defenses and prepare for an attack. First, the Rejuvenator finished converting back to an Alliance craft. It joined the other two MC90a starcruisers, which created a barrier across the front of the shipyard itself, behind the minefield. The minefield was far enough forward that the cruisers were initially out of range, but so would the attacking Star Destroyers. The Imperial ships would have to navigate the deadly minefield before being able to exchange fire with the Alliance ships, and the mines were smart enough on their own to do some good damage. Techs and mechanics were dispatched to immediately begin reconstructing the all-but-destroyed Golan IV defense platform, and they were making excellent progress on it. At the same time, the construction of another defense platform. It would be the fourth in around the station, and each was capable of handling an Imperial Star Destroyer. With all things added in, the defenses were capable of handling at least seven or eight Star Destroyers, and it was all but impossible for the Empire to have come up with numbers that large in the scant amount of time given, though a few Alliance ships had been captured at Kuat. Additionally, another MC90a was well on its way, due to be finished at about the same time the Golans were finished being constructed. If the Empire was extremely hasty, they could attack before everything was ready. However, that wasn't likely in fleet warfare. ((EDITED for content.))

"We are to go together. The time for training is over. Now we need to combine our strengths and talents for maximum efficiency," Onderin answered firmly. "Besides, when we find him, I'm going to need to be there to do some talking." The Admiral decided to lead on in that mind. He dropped his hand to rest upon his lightsaber amongst his green Corellian robes, then started heading in the nearest direction that he could sense his Master in. It was rather vague, and very few Jedi could pinpoint another Jedi through the Force, so he wasn't sure he was exactly right, but he was close. Stretching out with the Force, Onderin widened his sphere of conciousness to take in all the life around him. Every creature had a mind and a memory, though many were limited. "Sabian, feel the beings around you. They remember things just like what was discovered in our training. Treat this as our child's game of hide-and-seek. This is application," he said. In a way he found it rather coincidental that he had played the game with Sabian and now it was being applied perfectly in a real mission. But then he reminded himself that there were no true coincidences in the Force, and that the training had been the way it was due to the guiding hand of the Force. This mission was in the Force's plan. Onderin would do the best he could, and he would not come away with failure.

A small, white, Lambda-class shuttle exited hyperspace. Its pilot, Onderin Starlisk, spoke to his apprentice, who was seated in the passenger area just behind the cockpit. "Sabian, this is Naboo," he said. "During your visions on Ilum I felt a disturbance through the Force. This disturbance should not have been felt by many, for it concerns my old Master, Keiran Valoria. It was only through our bond that I felt this." The Admiral of the Alliance continued. "There was something...disturbed...about his Force sense. I don't know why, but the Force is telling me to find him," he explained. "He'll be in exile, my senses tell me that. I suggest that we start as far from civilization as possible and work our way generally towards Theed. "This is to be your first mission as a part of your fieldwork training, which starts now. We will need to do a thorough search--my old Master is quite resourceful. There are ways to speed up the process, but I'll leave those up to you to discover," he finished. Onderin didn't hesitate, but guided the shuttle towards the clogged swamps as far from Theed as he could get. This could take some time, but there were things that had undoubtedly found Keiran that could help guide them to him, and he was willing to do a good bit of searching. There was something that told him to be cautious about the whole mission, though. Perhaps it was military instict, picked up in his climb through the ranks of the Alliance. But it was more likely of his Jedi training. He was here for personal reasons, because of a personal attachment that he had been warning Sabian about all along. But regardless of any of that, he had to do what he was doing. It was good training for Sabian and himself--confronting Keiran was not likely to be easy.