Gala - Jedi Praxeum Ruins

[Sheog the Mad]

Corellia... A most familiar presence... One most delicious... The Wookiee... Kirlocca...

 

As the atmosphere began to buffet his craft, and the TIE/Ds of Flight Greyjoy, Sheog could feel the battle through The Force, below him, around the temple, in all its wicked, magnificent, maddening glory. The Sith were about to become engaged in battle, true in form, against the full might of the Jedi. His control consul lit up bright red as Black Sun forces began their assault upon the hard-targets, but something more drew his attention. Whilst the Force ebbed and flowed with battle, he could detect one very strong presence through The Force, one full of light. The Wookiee, Kirlocca, whom he had faced on Corellia, was there, amongst the forces of the Sith. A dark smile illuminated the Maddened Hutt's face, as he toggled his console, and began illuminating targets for Flight Greyjoy. Toggling his comlink, he executed his command.

 

<>

 

His glowing, crimson eyes, swept over his weaponry command console, observing the full capabilities of The Cake is a Lie. Within the missile bays, lay 20 Proton Bombs, and 20 Electro-Proton Bombs, prepped, and ready to launch, at a nano-second's notice. At the nose of his superior craft, lay nestled four Diamond-Boron missiles, each impervious to anti-missile fire, and packed with a payload that could devastate an area in roughly a 500 meter radius from the point of impact. There also was the quad-laser cannons, with overlapping fire, which would be awesome in power, but nothing in comparison to the anti-mechanized-infantry weapons that dotted his oversized luxury-craft. These, were the Gatling Slugthrowing Cannons, each loaded with 30mm shells, designed to puncture tank-class armour, and devastate anything in its 4,000-8,000 foot range. The Dark Lord smiled, imagining the terror he was about to unleash.

 

Greyjoy squadron itself was armed very well. Each of the twelve TIE/D Defenders were armed with two Ion cannons, and four laser cannons. Adding to that firepower, the Greyjoys were also equipped with two missile launchers, which were currently loaded with four Concussion Missiles, and four Proton Torpedoes, respectively. Flying each craft was Sheog's personal guard; Sith Masters who were sworn to protect him, from one family, as Dark Lord, and carried massive battle-axes whilst in combat. They were eager for blood. Haley's voice broke through the maddening chaos.

 

”œFifteen seconds to ground, my lord... Scanners indicate 12 armored bogies on the Temple grounds, reading as Wolfspider Arachnids... Clear to target as immediate?”

[Wookiee Jedi]

((The following post contains multiple mini-presetup defense posts listed throughout the entire thread.))

 

As Kirlocca came to a full stance, time seemed to slow down just a bit. His precognition rang fast, as he jumped over the 'hostage' line for his own safety, he made certain to enter the woods to separate a good amount of distance between him and those behind him. Of course, two did happen to make a run towards him, in which Kirlocca simply lifted a paw towards the three and sent them flying backwards and far out of the woods within seconds of them entering it. Quickly turning his head back towards the lackeys of the Sith, behind him rang out a chorus of sounds perfectly timed by Kirlocca.

 

((Defense against Hostage Bombers.))

 

Op upon the platforms, sitting thirty meters above the ground, the Praxeum guards began opening fire upon the standing orders of Kirlocca to keep the hostages down and away from the Praxeum, hence the reason they were armed with stun riffles as they left the safety walls of the Praxeum. At the very same moment, all twelve Wolf Spiders leapt off the platform and started to make their way into the woods, also upon orders that Kirlocca gave. The battle would be fought within the woods, just as Kirlocca intended it to be.

 

((Defense against Hostage Bombers.))

 

The Praxeum defenses were designed to protect the Praxeum against bombardment and suicide runs from the outside, with the exceptions of large capitals cruisers that could bring in way too many targets for the large satellite in the basement to handle, in which case, the stealth ones would then come into play. Since the stealth ones never picks up anything of that size, only to main one within the basement had to work. As the missiles entered the range of the main satellite, as per the standing orders, the turbo lasers began to go to work, having the most accurate precision ever seen within a turbo laser. They began to work fast and often to pick up the targets and blast them within the air, creating large explosions that from afar might come across as a firework display. Those within the Praxeum only needed to worry about those that got a little close for comfort, in which they would then feel the strong rumble of the explosion.

 

((Defense against any and all arial attacks.))

 

Within the security/communications room, something funky began to happen that the Praxeum had yet to experience. The lights and the power began to ebb away, until the entire Praxeum was lit by red lights and blaring alarms. At the same time, twenty-four flares erupted from the Praxeum as a warning sign against the massive destruction about to erupt from the Praxeum's basement. One of the security staff felt uneasy as he franticly tried to figure out what was happening. After a quick and short fuss at his console, he stood up and began to work on the one that Kirlocca was just present at, as well as being the direct one that he executed an order on in preparation for the attack. Once the man figured out what was going on, he looked up at those who were now staring at him within the room.

 

"Kirlocca has all power going directly to the defense systems and some other side system within the basement. I'm not sure what the other one is, but it's within the defense console, the one that only he can get to...."

 

The defense console, being the one that held the only real ability to shut the defenses down was down with the massive satellite in a room protected by a total of five security codes, codes to which only Kirlocca held knowledge of. It was set up to be the hardest room to gain entry by, either by force or willing walking down. The quickest way was through the visitor center, which was even then protected by the massive reinforced durasteel to protect against bombardment. The design was all made by Kirlocca, whom understood the primary way of entry of any invading army would be through bombardment or suicide runs at the Praxeum, hence the reason all of it's main and most expensive equipment was designed around this fact.

 

****Basement Defense Room****

 

The side system activated was of course a bomb, one designed to go off at the right moment. The main satellite within the Praxeum kept it's time to unleash it directly when either the time expired, or when the Praxeum itself was destroyed, along with it. The bomb was an EMP bomb capable of wiping out ships, droids, blasters, and lightsaber within a five hundred meter radius of the Praxeum.

 

((1))

 

((This EMP bomb goes off no matter whether Kirlocca lives or dies.))

 

****Outside Forest****

 

Kirlocca made a quick maneuver with his lightsaber to engage the second acolyte who came after him. The acolyte made some move that forced Kirlocca to lose his lightsaber, and within the same motion, made a swing towards the Wookiee. Kirlocca reached out and grabbed his hand, followed by the other. Then with a smile and without aid of the force, Kirlocca placed his foot on the acolyte's chest and then proceeded to remove his arms from his body. As the boy fell to the ground, Kirlocca called his lightsaber back to his paw just as the Wolf Spiders began to enter the Forest with him. Kirlocca held his lightsaber out in orders for them to seek and destroy anything that would move, as they most assuredly were not him at this point. Turning his head for a moment to glance up at the sky line above the Praxeum, he could tell that the defense that he worked really hard to install were now in full glory, meeting missiles within the air before they could reach their intended targets. With a smile, he turned to follow the Wolf Spiders further in.

 

((The defense posts are scattered throughout all of my posts from the rebuilding of the Temple into a Praxeum to the post before this one.))

[Ary the Grey]

Ares sat down under the landing platform as the first booms went off, signalling the beginning of the end. It had been a good run, all in all. He'd played his part flawlessly, served his master perfectly, and when it was all said and done he would be rebuilt better than ever, possibly with improvements. As he sat there, his armor seemed to shimmer, and the warrior easily recognizable as Darth Ares dissolved, leaving behind a simple droid, Dolos, his loyal puppet. The droid knew what was coming, it knew the plan as well as Darth Ares himself did. Any semblance of a Force aura quickly faded as Ares halted the projection of his presence.

 

And then, like a bullet through the brain, an EMP wave washed over the droid, causing it momentary pain (if droids even felt such a thing) before rendering him completely inoperable.

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Meanwhile, on the opposite end of the battle, far from danger, back where the Dark Lord was currently waiting, sat an Acolyte, or at least someone dressed like an acolyte, the hood pulled low. However the lightsaber hilts that hung on his belt were wickedly clawed, custom made, not at all like most of the prefabricated blades most acolytes were simply given to fight with in battle. Suddenly this acolyte's presence in the Force surged far past what a typical acolyte's Force signature should feel like, as the real Darth Ares, still maintaining his Battle Meditation, stopped projecting the bulk of his energy at his droid and simply focused most of his energy into the Battle Meditation, as well as summoning a decent-strength Force Barrier to further shield the forces in waiting from the potential blast waves that could result from so many missiles that were planned to bombard the Temple. They were well shielded from their own EMP barrage by the line of sight they used with grounded speeders***, and if the Jedi had just so happened to employ one of their own, it should have the same effect, if it even hit them.

 

((Defense post against the Temple barrage, as well as the Jedi EMP.

 

Citing posts:

Where Ares is not Ares anymore -

http://forums.jedi.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=1182817#1182817

 

Where he's used the 'Force presence ventriloquism' before -

http://forums.jedi.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=1175337#1175337

 

***, or in other words describing the effects of an EMP bomb that isn't an outright nuke -

http://science.howstuffworks.com/e-bomb3.htm

 

In the above link, we see that the actual Emp pulse is not omnidirectional as it would be in a nuclear explosion, rather it is a directed almost conically, spreading wider as it leaves its origin, and one facing upwards would travel upwards at an angle such that those on the ground at a distance from the Temple should be under the blast. Of course, that's where my next link comes in, in case this is ruled to not be the case.

 

http://www.endtimesreport.com/faraday_cages.html

 

In this link it explains how to make a Faraday cage, or literal shield from EMP devices. There are two important quotes here:

 

Electric fields travel in straight lines, unless bent by other fields. Theoretically, the bottom of a cage doesn't need to be closed. If someone could offer me actual EMP test data that an open bottom is OK, I'd consider believing it. However, if you're in an area of high ionization, the field could bend around. Complete enclosure is the best technical solution.

 

The ionization curve is referring to a nuclear blast detonated high in the atmosphere, miles away, not right next door.

 

With radio's and smaller appliances, a Faraday cage can be built by using two cardboard boxes: one should fit tightly inside the other, and the item to be covered should itself fit reasonably well inside the smaller box. That is about the most work involved--finding the right size boxes! The outer box is then covered with aluminum foil or Mylar, as from a cheap "space blanket." A grounding wire is then taped to the foil. I then cover the foil with black 6 mil plastic, taped securely in place, to protect the foil from ripping. At the end of the ground wire I attach a cheap small alligator clip from Radio Shack. The item to be protected is placed inside the inner box, which acts as insulation from the outer box, and any EMP hitting the foil and is bled away by the ground wire.

 

We are all taking proper line of sight cover behind these speeders, while not sitting close enough to be hit by the electricity they are about to be charged with. They are grounded, which is where the majority of the electricity will be rerouted anyways.

 

Edit: for clarification, yes, the speeder(s) repulsors are off, they are resting on the ground.))

Edited January 12, 2012 by Guest

[Dashel Illioni]

Uriel glimpsed the massive form of Kirlocca standing before the Jedi Praxeum and immediately surged forward on the rented speeder bike. Nearly simultaneously, he felt a surge in the Darkside whose familiarity raised the hairs on the back of his next.

 

Only one individual, his former fellow student, his master Sheog orbited about the planet. Uriel also knew what it meant when his master's force signature surged like that.

 

Uriel skidded his hoverbike 180 degrees away from the Praxeum and slammed the bike to maximum acceleration to get away from the blast that he knew that surge meant was coming.

 

It was the third betrayal and he knew he needed to do something about it, but for now survival became paramount. After all, when Master Sheog arranged for something to explode, he tended to towards overkill. The overlapping fields of fire Sheog often employed often brought out the quotes from civilian commentators of "Overkill, much?"

 

In the eyes of Uriel, other Sith, or professional military planners, the planning involved in Sheog's assaults simply meant he accomplished his objective, if a bit expensive were ammunition was concerned.

 

As he flew away from the incipient blast, he readied himself to receive a kick from some sort of shock wave. He knew it was coming so he readied for the inevitable destruction of his bike by mentally preparing himself to cushion his fall from the bike through the force. By the time it did hit, he was fully readied to cushion his fall.

 

When the hit came, it was far more powerful than he expected. The bike disintegrated around him, flinging him through the air at a rate of acceleration even higher than the maximum of the bike he rode. He immediately called on the force to cushion his fall, not by arresting it completely, but by degrees, albeit it at degrees at the maximum tolerance of his body.

 

<>

[Slicer]

Darth Asperse could feel the ground rumbling and shake as explosions began to detonate. Yet not even a slight breeze stirred his cape. This is what he prepared for. This was the moment before the charge. He felt a strange sensation he was excited.

 

He a man who had killed for money was excited for a battle that had no monetary value. If anything it was costing him money. He who had trivialized and marginalized life was excited now that his life would soon be on the line. This man”¦ no this demi-God.

 

He could feel the power, the absolute and total power that came with his new found title. He was eager to test his cunning and his might against the Jedi. This was his moment. He would spill the Jedi blood and let it fertilize the very earth he would later glass. He would mark this spot, as his rise, as his ascension to full God hood.

 

Every reverberating roar from the bombing run was like a drum beating in his chest. Today he would become a God of Death. He would slay his enemies, all of them who dared to stand against him. Normally he would have found it strange having shut down his armor system to protect them from the emp. He was positive that he was well outside of the blast range, as the Sith attack force was 600 meters away from the center of the temple. He was even more sure the effects of the blast wouldn't reach him because of the grounded speeders. Anything that accidently exploded a little too close to comfort would be diverted into the metal speeder that rested before him.

 

As the tree line explode and most likely the wolf spider droids along with them Darth Asperser began his count down. It would take less than a minute to breech the temple with a full on Force assisted sprint from this distance. It helped that he had scouted out the location from orbit. Had known where to set up, to give the sith the best running routes. He had known the defenses, and he had known the ordinance on the way. There was nothing he did not know. He was the God of Knowledge!

 

It was unfortunate that the full specification of the Jedi defenses had eluded him before arriving. He had an idea of the history of that area and the counter measures they would most likely use. So he had planned for that. That was why the barrage had led with the diamond boron missiles. Granted they were his favorite type of missile, yet they had a far better reason for their appearance. He knew they would be nigh impossible to shoot down. Laser cannons had proven ineffective against such missiles in the past and with their ability to fly faster than a proton torpedo, they would strike hard and fast, never deviating from target and allowing all the guns to go silent.

 

The Speeders had meant to be shot at by the temple's defenses. Strapped with bombs they were rigged to explode on impact and send shrapnel into the surrounding area. Still they were meant to delay the temple's defenses once the full extent of the defenses were known to him. Of course in failing to distract the temple, they would simply do considerable damage to the temple, so it was a winning scenario no matter how it went down.

 

The hostages had been icing on the cake. Meant to take down Jedi, guards and the temple itself, they were outfitted in a way that would blow holes through walls and shred through people. Their use had been a way to make sure that the jedi were rocked by explosions that their turrets wouldn't dare fire upon.

 

The best part were the emp bombs. Now those had been important. Those had been meant to shut down the defenses, security, and weapons of the Jedi. This was meant to turn the warrior monk group into nothing more than monks with broken toys. Combined all of these elements were meant to accomplish one thing. To allow the sith to personally carve into Jedi flesh. It was to soak the ground with the very essence of life for a Jedi. To spill their blood in physical combat and prove superior over the Jedi with the killing strokes of the Sith.

 

Today the galaxy would understand one thing. After the Jedi fell, so to would the galaxy. The count down had begun, and soon the charge would commence.

 

<>

((The first two posts in this thread by Slicer were set up posts preparing for protection against this bombing run. Not being able to see the temple, having the speeders in the way between his forces and the temple, Specifying being outside of the blast radius, and citing being behind the speeders for added protection.

Since Aryian already cited how emp work, I don't feel the need to re-iterate that.))

[Dahar Raikanda]

Dahar watched the horrific scene unfold before his eyes. The Sith were acting in there usual fashion, bringing chaos and disorder behind the lies of necesity. For eons the Sith had spread their evil, always claiming to do so for the benefit of the galaxy, for order. But the Jedi Master knew the truth. The Sith dwelled in the Dark Side, allowing the emotions of anger and hatred to control them. And behind all of it, a quest for power. Sure, there may in fact have been periods where the Sith control had brought order, but it was all under the influence of a single person's quest for personal power.

 

When Darth Ares appeared on the monitor with his hostages Dahar could feel his emotions surge. With great precision and control he calmed himself, knowing that the Sith would want him to give in to his anger. Dahar could sense ((sorry if this is a strecth here but Dahar has already encountered the Ares droid illusion, and if it is indeed too far of a stretch it doesn't really matter at this point anyway) the illusion he had once fallen for. It certainly wouldn't be something your average adept would feel, and even as a Jedi Master he had fallen for it, but not again. He could tell the man on the projection was actually the droid he once bested. Most certainly his foe Ares was behinds the scenes somewhere, but was not the one murdering the hostages.

 

The battle unfolded as Dahar kept his cool in the security room. Kirlocca, the designer of the praxeum, was now outside the temple. The Wookiee was the only one priveldges to defenses and information here that even Dahar didn't know about. The Grandmaster did his part.

 

Off to the side, almost unnoticed, Tobias was quietly typing away on a computer. "What are you doing?" Dahar asked him. Moments later there was an intense impact felt all through the room. The security room was burried deep within the praxeum, so whatever had happened to have been noticed here must have been immense.

 

((Defense, or at least pointing out that Dahar and Tobias are pretty deep within the temple, I assume deep enough to not be killed by the first wave of attack)

[Tobias Vos]

Tobias could sense the Dark Side in Dahar. It was there. Well, not so much dark. It was just the Dark Side's taint. He could feel the emotions in Dahar running wild. Another credit to Tobias's theory about how every Jedi should be put through a test, and if they fail- kill them. There was no grey area in the Jedi. There is either light, or dark. And Dahar was falling.

 

Outside the order there was defiant grey area...

 

Tobias set his feet up on the desk, just as Dahar asked him a question.

 

"I am backing up Holocron files, so should the temple fall, I can still learn."

 

It was the truth. He was getting miscellaneous files as well, but nothing that would alert the Jedi really. It looked as if the uplink was going straight to his ship, which it was. Then there was the distinct feeling of the temple getting hit with weapons. The building shook, but very little where Tobias and Dahar were, deep inside the temple.

 

(As Dahar said, we are deep inside the temple so the Killshot shouldn't affect us. Slicer even said himself, that the Killshot did not involve myself, or Dahar. I have proof, if a Mod wishes to see it.)

[Gren Sairdonga]

(Sheog, how about a 3 post modded duel. Your little airforce against little old me in my ship.)

 

With a flicker of pseudo-motion the RTB appeared from hyperspace above the besieged planet of Gala. Staring down at this familiar sight he had a flash back. Not one but many, this place had been his home for longer than he dared think. He had fought against the Empire for the most part of his life from here. Had trained here, had fallen in love here, had started learning to be a Jedi here. Mother had woken him up here. To be his protector. He looked to the chip Mother's AI was nestled in. He had managed to rescue it from the ruin that was his Guardian droid.

 

Taking the chip he turned it over once in his hands, wondering if something very similar was buried in his brain, controlling his actions. A look of sadness on his face, this had once been his guardian, now it was part of him and soon to be part of his ship. If this worked it would be anyway. Connecting the chip to the master computer he waited a second before toggling the reset switch. Momentarily the control panel in front of him flashed, and then his monitor began speaking to him. One of his monitors flashing binary. With a grim smile Gren acknowledge and transmitted a data-packet from his own brain to the AI. Updating it on what had passed and what was coming. The binary went off again. Mother was ready. The RTB was ready. Getting on the intercomm he spoke to his passenger.

 

"Mia get on one of the guns lass. It's going to get bumpy up here."

 

Looking back to the planet he suppressed the nostalgia that threatened to consume him. Pushing it back as he pushed the RTB to dive towards the planet. Scanners singing out to him, telling him where the enemy fighters and transports were. Time to strike.

[Damon]

As Damon finished the his transmission his mind saw the carnage about to unfold upon the temple. In slow motion the barrage of missiles, the loss of life of unwilling kamikaze hostages and the assault that would wreck the hangar as well as kill many within.

 

His mind recoiled against the vision as he knew he had only a handful of minutes to save as many as he could. Speaking quickly he eyeballed the hangar chief. "Where is the most fortified and secure area in the hangar. We need to get there now or die."

 

Under most circumstances he might have been considered insane, but considering the wolves of war were at their door step he did not question but simply pushed the alarm. The foreman answered as the workers all headed towards a mimic'ed bunker in the hangar. As the whole hangar ran to this area the foreman yelled to Damon where they were going. "In case of aerial strikes that could actually break through the turrets and shields there is a reinforced room that will seal us off from the assault...In theory."

 

Theory would have to do as the situation was extreme. As the sealed off jedi hangar crew all entered the panic room the doors slammed shut and sealed them inside. The Jedi however was not comforted by the series of interlocking doors that now stood before them and the flames that would attempt to consume them all. As the crew looked at each other Damon brought his staff up and slammed it hard to the ground.

 

"Everyone move close to the center. I will do what I can and put up a barrier that should help absorb some of the force the blast. I can't say how much it take before it breaks though. May the force protect us all." With a quick succession of three taps the staff rang in the air. At the third tap Damon's orange eyes glowed white as the flames of the force wrapped around him. A blue liquid seeped from the solid staff and slowly covered the walls and soon engulfed the entire room and every person in the force offering sanctuary and protection. As long as Damon stood the room would not fall.

 

<<<<>>>>

 

((After the ruling and depending how much of the base is left standing from where I am, Darkfire and I will be having a throw down. IT will be hot and awesome and all kinds of wicked.))

[Jidai Geki]

Delta, Sheog, Slicer et al vs. Wookiee Jedi, representing the Jedi Praxeum:

 

Firstly, Wookiee Jedi did indeed spend considerable time building up aerial defences at the Praxeum. However, the question here is one of semantics, and it is here that we run into issues.

 

Using turbolasers to combat starfighters and, beyond that, warheads and missiles, is terribly ineffective. From Wookieepedia, and indeed, supported by Episode IV's Death Star assault:

 

[...]using turbolasers against fighters proved to be highly ineffective because fighters were too fast and small for a good target lock due to a slower rate of fire than point-defense laser cannons. Turbolaser turrets installed on the first Death Star were unable to hit the nimble Rebel starfighters that were attacking the station during the Battle of Yavin[...]

 

With that in mind, and with no other specific defences (such as the more useful point-defence lasers) referenced in the defence post, then the ruling can be nothing other than this: the bombardment from above is almost entirely successful, with most missiles hitting their targets. The aboveground portion of the Praxeum- including the Wolf Spiders, which were moved only after the bombardment had begun to fall- is utterly devastated.

 

This is supported by Slicer and Are's ground assault with the suicide bombers, although frankly, given the overall devastation wrought, the results are more or less the same either way: the aboveground Praxeum is gone.

 

With regards to the EMP device set off by Wookiee Jedi: there was no record of such a device being installed, and as such, this portion of the defence is nulled. It should be noted for future reference, however, that everything I found within the context of the Star Wars universe, rather than real-life science (which should not really apply to a fantasy sci-fi universe, as evidenced by FTL, deflector shields, lightsabers, blaster rifles and innumerable other conceits found within Star Wars) that EMP blasts travel outwards in a radius and are not slowed or deflected by objects in the way. Regardless, this point is moot since the device doesn't exist.

 

As for Player Characters- Wookiee Jedi's defence post was sufficient to ensure his own survival- as a Jedi Master who was not a focal point of the aerial bombardment and faced with three wired-up civilians, his attempt to escape unscathed is successful.

 

The other Jedi within the Praxeum are considered to be either in reinforced underground areas, or else deep enough to survive the blast. All personnel except the PC's who posted are, of course, obliterated in the blast.

 

A final note- the posting order for killshots is this:

 

A- <>

 

B- <>

 

It is not:

 

A- <>

 

B- <>

 

A- <>

 

If we were to do things this way, we'd be looking at a potentially infinite cycle of defences against other defences. In future, if you initiate a killshot, please refrain from posting anything after your opponent's defence post.

 

KILLSHOT PARTIALLY SUCCESSFUL- the Praxeum is completely destroyed aboveground, but each Jedi PC posting a defence post survives. All Wolf Spiders and personnel aboveground are destroyed/killed.

 

EDIT- it's just been brought to my attention that some PC's (Kyrie and Xae-Lin Ardel) haven't posted in a month or so and were standing outside the temple at the time of this ruling. They may be considered dead, but given the amount of time they've been gone, it's unlikely that a further three days will make much difference.

[Kyrie Eleison]

((I apologize for the delay, it was unfortunately unavoidable. Set up post for my duel with Lockjaw))

 

Stealth and deception. The Sith often move in plain sight, using only the shadows for cover, and are successful. Because of their ability to easily conceal themselves, their Assassins are renowned... And terrible... Know this the light will always prevail against the dark, for in all its hate and evil, but one candle can hold it at bay. To see the dark, one must rely on more than sight, for it is like to view the galaxy through a crack in a door... You must rely upon the Force, for through it, you will find victory.

 

The pale grass, shallow in root, scattered in patches where the sunlight would filter through the canopy of deep green, blew steadily in the evening's cold breeze, as it whistled through the boughs. Upon the wind, Kyrie could hear the haunted songs of death, filled with sorrow, from lives cut prematurely short. The wind picked up in speed, and Kyrie could feel the icy hands of death, piercing through her blackened tunic, and sending chills up the ridges of her spine. The souls howled in her ears, tortured and bewildered at their sudden demise, ripped from life in an instant, burning in pain and sorrow. Wincing visibly, Kyrie stumbled against the dark, mossy bark of one of the towering trees, as her mind rang with their cries. Sinking down into the soft dirt, she glanced back towards the Praxeum, knowing that it had been completely obliterated, and placed her bound hand against her face. There was no time left to grieve, only time to battle the Sith, and cleanse the infection from the planet's surface, though the only way she knew, with fire.

 

A small tremor in the Force kept her where she was, sunken into the hallow of the tree, as a dark presence appeared, albeit diminished. The feeling of dread moved closer, and in response, Kyrie drew the song about her, concealing herself with the power of the Force. A normal Jedi, one not used to hunting Sith, as an Exorcist was, would have had a hard time detecting the dark presence. It was more than one Sith, not surprising, considering she was far behind enemy lines. Her emerald eyes glimmered in the shadows as one of the Sith moved close and paused. It was a giant of a man, clothed in black, armed with a double-bladed lightsaber. He was bald, and his scalp shone in the glimmering light, filtering through the trees, and she could make out tattoos etched into the flesh in black and red ink. His presence was strong so close at hand, and at this distance, it was beginning to become clear that he could also feel her within The Force, albeit at a smaller level.

 

Heavy footsteps revealed another Sith coming to join the other, this one a Kel-Dor with a single blade of Sith-steel, and lightly armored in the fashion of the Krath Sorcerers. A silent kill on two enemies would be difficult, but not entirely impossible. A small smile tugged on Kyrie's scarred lip, as the thought of vengeance began to invade her mind, and the tone of the song began to change back to those from the dueling rings, where the death of an opponent meant one more step towards freedom, where the spilling of blood meant glory. Checking herself quickly, Kyrie realized the dark's corruption, trying to rob her of her strong foundation in purity, and destroy her righteous power.

 

Reaching her half-gloved hands to her belt, Kyrie slipped her lightsaber back into place, and silently took out her vibrosword and one of her stilettos. Feeling the battle-worn handles in her palms, she knew she was ready for battle. As silent as a whisper, Kyrie leapt from the hallowed tree, the blackened cloak whipping out behind her, as swift as a diving falcon.

 

The Kel-Dor Sith saw her, and began to yell a warning, but before he could utter a word, Kyrie had released her vibrosword, and its blackened tip caught him in the jaw, ripping through his vocal-chords and face-mask, bisecting his jawbone. The blade, with its raven sigil, finally exploded out the back of his head in a spout of black blood and ivory shards of shattered bone, taking with it a large portion of his spinal column. As the Kel-Dor's body went limp and began to fall, the large Sith warrior turned, but was too late, as Kyrie landed on his black, driving the stiletto into the base of his skull, between the second and third cervical vertebrae. As the blade passed through the spinal-cord, the Sith went stiff, before Kyrie ripped the blade sideways, and passed it through his skull and out the side. The body tumbled lifeless into the dirt, already begging to burn into ash, as the powers of the Dark Side devoured the body.

 

Using The Force to retrieve her vibrosword, she rolled to her feat, and glanced about the clearing. Spinning the Vibrosword on its weighted pommel, she brought the blackened blade through the belly of a charging Twi'lek Sith, dressed in light armour, and a deatheater's mask. The blade passed through the Twi'lek's flesh, carried on by the weight and momentum of his own charge. Kyrie whirled to the side, ripping the blade free, taking with it about a third of the man's chest cavity, as well as his left arm. The lifeless, disemboweled husk stumbled and fell, consumed in orange flame, as he was turned to ash.

 

Then, there was silence. Kyrie glanced up at the edge of the clearing, and saw a large Barabel Sith, (Gonzo Lockjaw), observing the battle. This was one of the leaders, a captain of the Sith. Using the Force, Kyrie carried her voice to the Sith, small, frail, and haunting.

 

”œFight me... Or... Or... Die... Sith. T-t-that is y-your c-choice. Tu autem, Domine, miserere nobis...”

[Slicer]

The dying roars of a completely successful reverberated through the tress still standing. The smoking remains of wolf spider droids brought forth smoke tendrils reaching for the sky. The blood of various guards seeped into the ground, straining it with their life force, their bodies shredded beyond recognition. Countless Jedi lay strewn about, broken, bleeding and dying. Their bodies twisted in various convoluted forms, as shrapnel had finished off those lucky enough to survive the various bombs and the subsequent falling debris. In short the once grand jedi temple lay in ruined, like a stinking blood coated cesspit.

 

Yet it was not over. Not over by a long shot. The snipers in position failed to take a shot at the gigantic wookiee, or the Jedi behind the building. They didn't have to. Instead as they reintegrated into the command network the hum of speeders and the sound of footsteps distracted them

 

It had taken a full minute. At first all was quiet, then the distant sound of a speeder could be heard. One minute later, Sith flew from the tress, jumping leaping, and flying into what remains of the Jedi temple, and its surrounding areas. Entering what remained of the hanger, they looked for survivors, and began to work on appropriating ships when given the chance.

 

They crawled into the building itself, spreading out, slaughtering Jedi who were still gasping for breath, moving toward their commanded objectives.

 

Yet at the head of this charge, briefly bloating out the sun, came a large foreboding figure. It was a flying beast with a wing span many meters in length. Glowing red eyes stared down at the hapless Jedi below bringing forth a terrifying image before they died of their various injuries. Swooping down it landed at what remained of the Jedi temple and slowly it rose to stare out amongst the battle field.

 

This was Darth Asperser, Dark Lord of the Sith. His cape was caught in the wind, his body seemingly distorted by the heat of the burning buildings and the smoke that drifted into the sky. Like the very incarnation of death, his evil influence rolled out upon the battle field. High above, his ship gave him aerial support and updates. Sith quickly filed past him moving into what remained of the temple yet quietly he stood observing the proceedings. He was the God of death and the Jedi would be the lives given to appease his new found thirst for their blood.

[Wookiee Jedi]

Kirlocca turned to see the massive destruction rained down upon the Jedi Praxeum by the mini-fleet in space. As he turned around towards the forest that held the majority of the Sith, he face held a very clear and visible smile upon it. Lowering his lightsaber to his side, but not off, he began to shout into the forest, having the Force help carry his words through so that all would hear his voice.

 

<< Is there no one that can take me on with their lightsaber and Force alone? Or must you all use blasters and other cheap tricks like the cowards you are? >>

 

Kirlocca allowed for a short few seconds to pass before he knelt down and began to use his lightsaber to write upon the ground in Shyriiwook. He would do so until a challenger was brave enough to step forward to face him or until a coward was willing to prove him right.

[Ary the Grey]

((Right on. 2v2, Slicer and I vs. WJ and Damon, 4 posts modded, no holds barred.))

 

This is it...

 

As the dust began to settle and the terrible bombardment fell silent, Ares rose from where he sat. His ears still rang from the incredible noise of blasts that large going off that close to them, though as the seconds waned towards his destiny it slowly began to fade. Whether or not he was simply tuning all sound out unconsciously or his recovery rate was genetically superhuman with a Force amplified kick mattered little, his focus was now on the one path set before him. It was a path he had known since landing here, it was the culmination of his journey as a Sith, and whether or not it would be his last he did not know. What he did know was that it would test every ounce of his might, tax his strength until a victor emerged.

 

Silent footsteps plodded upon disheveled soil and remnants of broken trees, tossed asunder like a god had stricken the very ground he would now fight on, and quite possibly die on. But...not if he had anything to say about it. His hearing sharply returned to him as he continued forwards, stopping short of his target a good thirty or so feet, and simply bathed in his darkside bloodlust, his presence obvious to the Wookiee who still crouched before him, drawing in the dirt. Ares couldn't tell if it was apathy or if the Wookiee knew who he was and chose to ignore him thus far, but it was the Sith who spoke first.

 

"Hello...old friend. If that's a message you're trying to send someone before you die, I'd happily convey it for you...after I've made them a corpse, of course."

 

He paused briefly, studying the Wookiee's reaction.

 

"Does it anger you, what they've done to me? I know you know who I am, the only thought that probably escapes your feeble old mind is why. Had it ever occurred to you I chose this when it was offered to me? That they made me stronger, more powerful than I could have ever been working with the stupid, sniveling Jedi?"

 

Two iterations of snap-hisss cut through the air like a traitor's knife swinging to strike the killing blow in its target's back. Twin crimson blades thrummed softly, casting a foreboding glow around the Sith.

 

"I am a true master now, Kirlocca. A Master of the Force, bending it to my will, binding it as it once bound me. But now...my chains are broken. The beast is free to play, old friend. Now please, make this challenging for me. Let me show you what I've become so I can savor the despair in your eyes as I finally put you down like I should have done a long time ago..."

 

The Master stood there like a statue, though Kirlocca would know full well that he was ready and waiting, his perfectly still lightsabers belying his incredibly honed combat skills and reflexes.

 

"Come, Kirlocca. Meet your destiny."

 

((I yield the first post to you. Come at me, brah!))

[Gonzo Lockjaw]

From the safety of his position in the forest, Gonzo had been enjoying the spectacular view of the Sith forces obliterating the Jedi Temple. As he stood there, Gonzo could feel the force of the explosions rippling through the air, and he would have continued watching the battle as the Sith army advanced to an inevitable victory, but he was interrupted by one of his soldiers who redirected his attention to the newcomer.

 

There before him stood what he perceived a skinny young girl who was carving up three of his men into mince meat. As he watched the brutality of the scene unfold in front of him, Gonzo's remaining nine soldiers began to unsheathe their swords and lightsabers preparing to charge in. Gonzo however signaled to them to stand down and ready their blaster rifles strapped to their backs while giving them specific orders. While they were still doing this the young Jedi had finished slaying the Twi'lek and was calling out to him,

 

”œFight me... Or... Or... Die... Sith. T-t-that is y-your c-choice. Tu autem, Domine, miserere nobis...”

[Damon]

The barrier was cast and Damon braced himself for the impact that was about to befall the room. The people looked to him for protection and for their chance at survival. Everyone was scared. In a comforting voice before the first explosion he gave an assuring smile.

 

”œAll will be fine. The force will protect us. I promise.”

[Slicer]

Eyes scanned the area filled with broken bodies. Effortlessly he moved through the battle field like an ancient specter invoking a primal fear in lesser beings. His cape flowed like liquid silk behind him catching on neither broken body nor stone. Instead as he moved there was a grace to his movements. One that allowed him to pick through the battle field effortlessly, as his men performed each task.

 

He could see a gathering of forces arrayed against Darth Ares. While he was sure the man could handle it, Darth Asperser decided he could use a bit of fun. His men marched through the remains, killing what jedi remained and attempting to lock the place down. Darth Asperser simply moved closer to the confrontation.

 

There was quite a bit of blustering being performed. Darth Asperser simply used the technology at his disposal to lock onto the Jedi in his battle computer. It would make it far easier to track them than just simply eye sight alone. Given the tendency for Jedi to run and hide, this was perhaps a good measure.

 

The Force swirled around him as he began to bend it to his will. The ground seemed to darken under his influence. Every step he took seemingly poisoning the very ground, and killing the life he trampled upon. though such an effect would not last long. He would not insult area by jumping into his battle immediately. Instead he woudl let this man try out the waters before the Dark Lord of the Sith moved in for the kill. He unclipped a single lightsaber from his belt and prepared himself for battle.

 

((Allright we are all here. I believe this is a four post duel with wj being given the first post.))

[Wookiee Jedi]

((Might be shorter than normal.))

 

Kirlocca slowly stood up, but took no full acknowledgement of Aryian yet. Had he known what exactly was written within the ground in Shyriiwook, he might have actually held his tongue. As his eyes rose, Damon made his way onto the scene, followed shortly by the one Kirlocca knew as Slicer. The two had fought a while back on Kirlocca's home planet of Kashyyyk. His suite looked different, but he could tell he was the same man inside, or at least Kirlocca assumed he was a man. Someone who wore that much might as well be nothing less then a cyborg. Lifting his lightsaber, he finally made his acknowledgement of his once former friend. Slowly he brought up a Battle Meld, one that would flow naturally for himself through his own form of Wru'torr, but the option was left open for Damon to join in if he wanted to.

 

<< And so it begins. >>

 

Without hesitation, Kirlocca leapt through the air directly at his former friend, but in a strong attempt to catch him off guard, spun himself mid-air around him and instead landed behind him, placing Darkfire between Damon and himself. He openly allowed for his eyes to make a quick dart towards Slicer before returning back to Aryian. He would not openly go directly at him yet, but would instead let him decide how he would join in the fight. Better to first place Darkfire into a bad spot before both Jedi Masters had to worry about another. And Darkfire would be a challenge enough for either Damon or himself.

 

With his attention back on Darkfire, he swung his blade low towards his feet, but did so in such a way that if Aryian made an attempt at a simple escape, Kirlocca's elbow would be swinging around to nail him in the gut. And Kirlocca would make sure that with every blow, he would place his own natural physical strength into each blow, as well as the Force to make for damaging results.

 

((1))

[Ary the Grey]

((1))

 

”œYou wish for him to face his destiny Aryian, but what of yours?”

[Damon]

Aryians voice like cold steel. His friend, no his brother had lost himself. Still he was not beyond redemption, but his salvation would not be easy. That thought would have to wait. The new figure that had joined their foray was easily identifiable. The dark lords always pushed their taint all around. His suit mimicked that of Slicer. A man he had faced once before. The force did push its most harshest trials upon those it served it most.

 

In a flash his light saber was replaced by blaster and fired in a spread that was easily deflected by his staff. It would spread him thin, but Aryain was moving with each shot. It was a test. Aryian loved his test. He had not changed at all. Damon though had. He traveled the universe in search of himself as well as the force. He had pushed his mind, body, and spirit to limits that he did not he had. Every day he trained. Every day he prepared. Now was the time to see if it was enough.

 

While no light saber, his staff was able to at least deflect the bolts away. The light sabers built into the staff were not yet needed. In a motion the staff slid into his left hand as he pushed his self made weapon from bolt to bolt. Like water it twirled in swift strikes deflecting the bolts with out compromising his staff. His body in perfect rhythm swung his body around with his staff lined up along his back blocking the final bolts.

 

As his body came round time slowed. A chant said so fast that those of normal being would not have heard it, however those strong in the force would not only hear, but feel the power that was coming.

 

White flames of the pure Come forth...

 

The force surged into Damon as the staff spiked out before Damon faced forward. The effect created a barrier preventing Aryian's movement forward preventing him from bringing his light saber to bare. As he turned the words finished.

 

And exorcise the demon before me.

 

A white flame engulfed his hands, quickly moving to his staff turning it into a torch before it struck the ground. A force shock wave erupted outward towards Slicer and Ares. The flames created by the jedi master shot forward to both Sith propelled by the wave. The exorcism by fire that emanated seared the Sith who bathed in their darkness making it difficult to hold it for more than the briefest of moments.

 

(1)

[Kyrie Eleison]

An Exorcist, whose lightsaber is guided by The Force, and his or her own righteous conviction, need not fear the outcome of any battle, whether against the criminal underworld, or the corrupted Sith. Be not in fear, let go of everything, and trust yourself to The Force, you are a Jedi. You are an Exorcist.

 

The song flowed about the clearing, binding itself to Kyrie's mind, as she let it flow through her, letting The Force guide her. Her emerald eyes glittered, reflecting the fading light, as it fell through the swaying, green boughs of the thick forest. Evening was beginning to draw near, and, if in witness to the growing darkness, the breeze turned colder. A storm was brewing, it was to rain.

 

”œBold wordsss from one ssso young, tell me Jedi have you ever fully witnesssed the true power of the Dark Ssside of the Force. Becaussse I have and every time I have ssseen the Light go againssst the Darknesss, the light hasss fallen every time. Ssso what makesss you think that you will have any chance of defeating me, and even if you do it will be but a sssmall victory for the Jedi asss they will sssurely fall before the all might power that isss the Sssith. But if you truly wisssh to fight me very well then, letsss sssee what you're made of."

 

The Sith's words tasted like poison upon the wind, winding themselves around her as a spider would spin a web. The Force was moving, like a whisper within her ear, raising the alarm. There were the nine soldiers, slowly approaching her position, using stealth. They reeked of the Dark Side, to a lesser degree than the Barabel Sith Lord before her, but, to an Exorcist, they were hard to miss. Around her mind, she continued to strengthen the barriers against the Sith's evil grasp. From her lips, words came forth, stuttering, but carried through The Force, carrying power.

 

”œThe... O-only t-thing I-I n-n-need... Is The F-force."

 

The wind increased in speed, taking with it the first droplets of rain, to land upon the clearing, the prelude to a grand storm. The droplets felt like ice upon her pale, scarred skin, causing her to shiver ever so slightly. Kyrie tightened her grip upon her vibrosword, her fingers playing over the battle-worn handle, feeling the countless, miniscule notches upon the handle, signifying the lives she had taken with it within the arenas of Ord Mantell. She had no fear from battle, even against innumerable odds. With a brilliant flash, the Sith disappeared, and Kyrie knew the trap was sprung, as if upon an unwary mouse. Her muscles began to move, following the commandments of The Force. She was no mouse.

 

...We are Jedi, we are not afraid of death...

 

As one, the Sith raised their blaster rifles and began to pour stun rounds into the clearing. The nine soldiers were arraigned in a typical scattered formation, to allow themselves a good range of fire. The song increased in intensity as Kyrie sprung backwards, away from the waves of blue energy. Landing on her back, a few meters away, she skidded to a halt, rolling behind a fallen tree. Her back hurt from the clumsy landing, and her cape bore testimony, having been shredded by the unforgiving ground. Had she had more time to plan the jump, it would have gone better.

 

The waves of stun dissipated before they got to her, thanks to their small effective range, and any that would have reached her, would have been absorbed by the crumbling remnants of the fallen tree. Through The Force, she could sense the Sith retreating, yelling like Confederates. Oddly, though, she could not sense the Sith Lord to whom she had spoken. Reaching up to her neck, Kyrie released her cowl, leaving her in her bare-armed tunic and leggings of black. She began to sing softly, within The Force, the Song of the Black, letting it bolster her body for continued battle. The song did not take physical form, but resonated through The Force.

 

...Cast out from the lands of their births, Banished from home, All must swear the oath, Forsaking all they've known...

 

The rotting wood felt damp against Kyrie's exposed skin, and through The Force, she could tell it was teaming with life. Silence began to fall upon the clearing, all but for the pattering of rain against fallen wood and grass. She calmly rested a hand on the hilt of her vibrosword, the feel of the handle bringing back waves of memory. Its name was Bealocwealm, justice through strength. Battles won and lost, bitter defeat and joyful victory. Two sides of a credit chit. The two opposing forces of the galaxy, the light, and the consuming darkness.

 

...If you choose to take the black, Bid farewell to Heaven's fate, Those who do, don't come back, Prepare yourself for life on the gate...

 

The song was hauntingly beautiful, and carried with it, great power.

• ...Crack...

Kyrie froze, as the sound of a snapping twig came to her ears. Was it the enemy, moving from hiding, coming to attack? Her nail-bitten fingers tightened upon her vibrosword's handle as she began to bend the song towards the sound. She felt nothing through the Force, only the typical life of the Forest. She frowned and began to focus upon The Force, letting it fall about her upon the field of battle. It was as if she was casting out a net, woven from The Force's pure strength. She let her own purity flow about her, to purify the ground on which she sat.

• ...Crunch...

There. The sound was nothing more than energy within The Force, as a dart thrown by the enemy upon her ears. Sith manipulation. As the song moved about her, she uttered words in the language of the Exorcists, as she rose to her feet, her loose braids whipping in the wind.

 

...Veritas, bonitas, pulchritudo, sanctitas...

 

She focused upon the sounds, the darts of the enemy, and began to trace them to their source. They came from behind her, perhaps a dozen meters away. Within her mind, the music of the Song of the Black began to increase in beat and strength. She took a small step backwards, letting her body settle into the stance of Vom Tag, her feet and body aligned at a slight angle, balanced equally, facing towards her enemy. She brought her blade up above her head, grasping the battle-worn handle with both hands, angling the blade at a forty-five degree angle towards the sky, angled behind. With a small smile, she leapt forward, concentrating upon the guidance of The Force, to where she had tracked her enemy. The distance to be covered was around a dozen meters, no small feat for a normal human, but for a Jedi, it was as easy as throwing a pebble into a lake.

 

...Night gathers and your watch begins, The wind carries an unnatural chill, There are things beyond the northern border, That mere steel cannot kill...

 

With a push of her strength, she flew forwards, gathering all her mental power, and let it flow into the ground beneath her, forming with the partials of earth and rock, as she had in the forest, while battling the technobeasts, which had attacked her earlier in her training. She wished to crush the lizard with raw power, but that was not the way of the Jedi, it was within the small things, that a Jedi's strength lies. Oft practiced, the moves were almost second nature. As she flew through the air, she pointed her hand at Sith, palm up, and lifted, both mentally and through the force, focusing the raw power of The Force into one movement. The song flew out of her, amplified in power, in the language of the Exorcists.

 

...Nil igitur est mors ad nos...

 

The small rocks and branches would explode up around the Sith, and rush inwards like a bitter storm, like shrapnel from a bomb, concentrating on Lockjaw's body, like waves of fire to from a shotgun, to obliterate the enemy. Kyrie landed upon the ground a few meters in front of the Sith, with her blade held in Vom Tag, prepared to do battle. A small trickle of crimson blood flowed from her back, a witness to her earlier landing. She let the pain flow from her body, channeling it back into The Song. She flicked her blade downwards into a defensive stance, and began to circle, the air about her beginning to grow heavy with rain.

 

((1))

[Slicer]

The air stank from the explosions and the dead. It was a smell that was familiar to those four trapped in the vicious cycle of death by association. Even air processed through his filters stank for the Dark Lord. His lightsaber still in hand, he watched as the Wookiee charged Ares. Like a brute it swung hard, just short of becoming a mad claw. The Wookiee seemed so familiar but he had killed so many Wookiees, that one rug was the same as any other for the most part. Still he had only ever run into one Jedi that was a Wookiee.

 

Kirlocca”¦

 

His musings were interrupted as the second Jedi responded to the fray. His hands seemed to be burning and the Force was not subtle in demonstrating the potency of the Jedi's attack. A ring of fire spread out, in a color that Darth Asperser had never seen. His movements were instinctual, born from the mammal part of his brain to avoid the unknown and to avoid fire. He leaped as his lightsaber activated, the bright cyan blade burning through the smoke still twisting into the sky. A cold wind had picked up in the time since he had given the order to scorch the earth he now fought upon.

 

Time seemed to slow as Darth Asperser moved his chest parallel with the ground. The pure white flames briefly licked at his chest, as if attempting to sample him. Immense pain blossomed where the tongues of flame brushed against the armor. Yet it was not enough to distract. He had long ago learned to work not through but, with pain. His lightsaber left his hand aimed at the Jedi causing him distress. Spinning through the air the cyan disk brought a low whine to the decimated battlefield. Boots crunching into the ground the Dark Lord pressed his attack.

 

With liquid grace the Dark Lord's arms outstretched from his landing, each one pointing in the direction of a different Jedi. With cold unemotional detachment that came from his years of hunting Jedi, he brought to bear his weapons. Two darts fired from each wrist coated with the compound lecepanine meant to stop the Jedi cold. For him this move was second nature, he was far too practiced in hunting to betray his movements. After all he long since had discovered how a Jedi or a Sith detected danger. Darth Asperser had discovered that when evil intentions led actions the ability for Jedi to sense an incoming attack greatly increased. This was the reason why droids were able to snipe jedi without alerting them with a bit of set up. It was why the Sith assassins of old had been able to get close to their prey. Even order 66 was successful in part because the clones felt like children to the jedi and as such the desire to do their job was the sense Jedi got. Otherwise has the clones been of full mental maturity the jedi would have known in advance the harm about to befall them.

 

However, Darth Asperser was not just practiced at suppressing his emotions. That was the way of the Jedi. No, he controlled them the way he controlled the Force. They were a tool for his use and he knew how best to grab the attention of the Jedi. The desire for Jedi blood grew in his breast and his malicious intentions permeated the battlefield. It predated his next attack. The darts would perhaps go unnoticed, small as they were and fired without the desire for harm to alert the jedi. The laser blasts from his wrist lasers would however, came forth as everything about him seemed to suddenly scream for Jedi blood. His arms crossed the movement potentially alerting the Jedi to what was coming. As each arm switched targets a stream of blaster fire erupted from his wrist. Each shot was attempting to take their target's head off, or place two smoking holes into their torsos.

 

In some regards it was covering fire for Ares. After all the Jedi were of the caliber that simple blaster fire would merely be annoying. Yet he knew that the Jedi's focus would have to be in his direction. This would hold true if only for a little while. The stream of blaster fire erupted from his wrists attempting to bring death the same way water sprinklers brought life in a yard. While the Jedi faced that incoming wall of lethal blaster fire the Dark Lord of the Sith uttered only a word. A word that was audible to none save his highly advanced technological suit.

 

”œBlind.”

[Gonzo Lockjaw]

It seemed his own attacks betrayed him, as Gonzo sat there perched on his boulder, even though he was still invisible his enemy was looking directly at him with her blade ready to strike. Before Gonzo could guess what her next move would be his opponent flew towards him and Gonzo could sense the force she was building up inside of her. Knowing that he would not want to be standing idle when she unleashed whatever attack is was she had planned for him.

 

Leaping into action, Gonzo moved to assault his enemy, but before he could close in for the kill an explosion of wood and rocks erupted from behind him imbedding some of the debris into his back and tail, knocking him off balance, and sending him down into the growing puddle of mud. As he arose with his robes torn, wet from the rain, and covered from head to toe in a mixture of mud and blood. Even though his back was stinging with pain and trickles of blood running down it, all Gonzo could do was laugh.

 

As he laughed he called out to his opponent again,

 

“It isss going to take a lot more than sticksss and stonesss to break thessse bonesss of mine, in cassse you are unaware in your barabel anatomy allow me to educate you”

 

With that said, Gonzo tore off what remained of his tattered robes leaving bare his chest and torso revealing his emerald green hide of scaly amour that covered his entire body.

 

“Asss you can sssee my ssscalesss offer me more than adequate protection, but I wonder how well your own ssskin holdsss up in a sssimilar tessst”

 

Pulling out his lightsaber with his right hand Gonzo activated the crimson blade while unsheathing his beskar sword with the other, and for a moment Lockjaw eyed carefully his enemy watching her as she circled around him. When he deemed the time was right Gonzo struck, launching himself forward Gonzo was upon the Jedi in what seemed an instant. Bringing both of his weapons down to his right side he would swing both of them across his body using the force of impact from both his lightsaber and sword to try and knock away the Jedi’s sword before lurching forward to sink his mouth full of needle sharp teeth into the flesh of her unprotected shoulder.

 

((2))

[Dahar Raikanda]

"Sir, nearly all of the above ground praxeum has been destroyed. Hangar one was completely leveled, hangar two still appears functional." A man sitting at a computer spoke to Dahar. The Jedi Master remained silent. His focus was now split in two directions. There was the battle outside the temple, but also one happening within. Tobias had answered Dahar informing him that he was backing up holocron information. This was true, but not the whole truth. The Jedi Master reached deep within hoping to hear the whispers of the Force. The Kiffar had definite practice in the Force as his emotions were locked down. But still Dahar could sense being lied to. He had no proof however other than his intuition, so he decided it best not to act on these feelings at the moment.

 

"Tobias, I fear this academy may fall. There are certain... secrets... that must not be allowed to perish with this building of stone and steel. We must leave this place... Commander Corbin, take command." Dahar relieved himself of control of the security room and left, beckoning Tobias to follow. He journeyed deeper underground, going through a few checkpoints that required a code of at least a Jedi Knight to pass. At the end of a long corridor there was a large door. This also required a Jedi Knight code to enter. Dahar entered his code, which of course as headmaster allowed him entry to every room in the praxeum, save a few Kirlocca had set up that Dahar wasn't even aware of. The door opened and Dahar entered the room.

[Tobias Vos]

Tobias felt his Sooba getting riled up. But he was safe for the moment. Good thing he was in the secondary hanger. Dahar beckoned him to go forward with him. Tobias wondered what secrets Dahar was talking about. He didn't question it, he just followed.

 

It was going to be interesting to see if Dahar was going to blame Tobias for this. Tobias was ready, already a thousand contingency plans formed in his head.

 

"What is this place?" He questioned upon entering the room. "And what secrets?"

[Wookiee Jedi]

It was very sudden for Kirlocca to have the one formerly known as Aryian to make such a quick block of his maneuver, yet it mimicked that of another move he had seen before. His instincts told him to follow and pursue after Darkfire, yet the Force whispered to remain. With his understanding of his precognition, and it of course already on high alert, he allowed for Darkfire to make his full move before he responded, as something told him that whatever strength Kirlocca and Damon would have that he could picture in his mind would not be available to them if he charged in after Darkfire.

 

However, as he stood and watched Darkfire make his run towards Damon, out of the corner of his eye, movement caught his eye from Slicer. With his attention no longer having to be split, he turned his body towards Slicer. But even as he turned, his senses went wild as the Force echoed a warning to him. Even as his heightened senses warned him of danger, his sharp eyes caught something small move his direction, something he had seen before in battle. Without hesitation, Kirlocca leapt into the air to avoid the deadly object heading his way. His warning and his eyes didn't offer him up a lot of time to react as the dart barely missed him, a dart very similar to what other Sith have thrown at him before in battle.

 

As Kirlocca landed from missing the dart, blaster fire erupted in his general direction. While not accurate, it still proved to be a deadly arch of blaster fire that the Jedi Master must deal with. Lifting his lightsaber, he began to deflect as much of the blaster fire as he could back into the general direction of Slicer in hopes to stay away his attempts to cheat this battle in his direction. Come on you sorry wannbe cyborg! Give me a fair fight and I'll show you why no Sith is worthy of the god title. But upon the very thought, something upon Slicer's chest began to light up in a bright light that grew bigger by the millisecond. Without knowing what it could be, Kirlocca turned his body towards the nearest tree to use it as cover from Slicer's attack. But even as he moved, a single blaster bolt struck him in the arm. While not deadly to him, nor was it fully a slowly blow, it did hurt. But even with the pain, Kirlocca understood that he must still move.

 

As Kirlocca got behind the tree, he lifted a paw to his arm and gave it a squeeze to break the constant pain. A lot of movement came from Slicer within the fifteen to twenty seconds that he decided to act, but all of it was deadly within its own right. Not wanting to have this sort of side action take place any more, Kirlocca decided that he would lower the amount of extra weapons brought in by the Sith who sought to act like soldiers. Closing his eyes, he spoke out loud as he summoned the Force to himself.

 

<< scraanraoaahra, caorcahorwo acahsc ahanan! >>

 

Upon finishing those words, Kirlocca unleashed his attack through the Force, knowing that Malacia would force him to engage with his lightsaber rather than be a soldier at a distance.

 

((2))

[Dahar Raikanda]

The door shut behind them and the room illuminated. The walls and floor were both of a bright white, the room appearing completely empty save the two inhabitants. Even the door disappeared into the whiteness, making no clear definition where the exit was. Dahar walked into the white abyss, in a direction that appeared random, but to him was quite specific. Journeying inward the immense size of the room became apparent. After a few minutes of journeying he came to a spot in the wall, just as white as the rest. The Jedi Master placed his hand on a seemingly random place. A beep was heard, signaling the secret spot had been touched by either a council member, or the current leader of the facility. A small opening appeared and Dahar stepped inward.

 

The lights in this room turned on much slower than expected, and even then dim at best. It was apparent that during the series of renovations that transformed the old temple into the fortified praxeum that this room had remained untouched. The air was stale, signaling it had been years since this completely closed off area had been visited.

 

In the small room, barely two yards across each way, sat a chair, a desk, and a shelf. On the shelf were five small devices. Dahar gently picked one up and turned to Vos. He reached out his hand for the Kiffar to accept this gift.

 

"I believe you asked for one of these. This is the holocron of the great Jedi Master O Zee Quay. He was a true master of the Light, spending his life in servitude of the Force and never once dabbling in the Dark Side. If you truly wish to learn the ways of the Jedi, or at least the ways of the Light Side, this will be a suiting master."

 

Dahar's voice then grew stern, "Tobias, I no longer fear I acted hastily in my attempt to kill you, as you have once again broken my trust. Whatever it was you were doing on that computer, in the middle of a hostile situation, was not within your right. Do you assume we are not capable of backing up our own data? The records you claim to have accessed are restricted, and I can guarantee as head of this facility that you never received such clearance. Therefore whatever you did was without permission, and I would find no fault in placing you under arrest as an enemy of the Jedi Order..." Dahar paused for a moment, "However, despite all of this, I can sense deep inside you that you have true intentions. I do believe you wish to turn from the Dark Side, but you have burned your bridge here." Dahar punched a few keys into his datapad. "Your ship, which fortunately is in the hangar that was only minimally damaged, appears to have received no damage at all. You will be permitted to leave, that is if the Sith army gathering outside will let you."

 

"Go, now." On the far side of the white room the exit once again became visible.

[Ary the Grey]

((For easy reference, whenever I mention specifically 'The Master' as a title, I am referring to Ares, it was a title I conferred to him after he attained the status of a Jedi Master Guardian and Weapons Master while in the Order. Short for 'Combat Master.' 'The Exorcist,' 'The Wookiee,' and 'The Dark Lord' are Damon, WJ and Slicer, respectively, though those three are a little more obvious.))

 

 

The Force broiled and churned, a torrential mix of tidal waves that swept the battlefield as the four combatants released everything, exchanging mighty blows as true warriors destined for whatever semblance of Valhalla the Force would reward them with when they were done this day. The Exorcist unleashed a shockwave of holy fire that had caught Ares off guard, before the Dark Lord himself had joined the fray. The Master's armor sizzled as the shockwave washed over him, and intense pain jolted through his whole body, causing him to falter for only a moment. It was the first time Ares had witnessed the fires of the Exorcist, even before Ar-Pharazon had bound him to the Sith's will.

 

But pain he knew. Agony, even. The Master bathed in such things, relished them, savored the delicious taste as he drank it in. Were it not for his armor, the pain might have been significant enough for him to lose his grasp on the Force, but Ar-Pharazon had gifted his armor with unholy magicks, and dark runes skittered across the surfaces in evil red lettering as it acted as an anchor point in the Force, allowing Ares a much easier time concentrating on the Force in these kinds of situations. The armor itself was not of the Dark Side, rather the user, otherwise the Master would have been far more worried about Damon's exorcist fire affecting his armor.

 

As it was, the moment he did falter, there was a hailstorm of blaster fire that rained down on Damon's position along with a blinding flash that came from behind Ares' right shoulder, allowing Ares the cover he needed to regain his footing and press the advantage. The Dark Lord had entered the fray, and now both Jedi were utterly and royally screwed. Ares was a formidable enough opponent by himself, but he was the weapon of the Dark Lord, he was created to make his will manifest. Their minds became as one as the dark presences surged across the battlefield, and immediately the Dark Lord knew Ares' intent. The Master's thoughts were made clear, and Ares became as a living extension of the Dark One's will.

 

Almost immediately he felt the Wookiee dip into the Force instead of pursuing Ares, who was still a grave threat to both Jedi at that point. Ares felt the Grandmaster's pain through the Force, small ripples, but it was like blood in the water to a hungry shark. And now the Wookiee dared to reach out to strike at the Dark Lord? Unacceptable. Like a whip the Master reached out with the Force, latching onto the Wookiee's injured arm and squeezing and twisting. It would have only lasted a brief moment if successful, and would have been the equivalent of a decent 'Indian Burn' as known in another galaxy a long time in the future, far far away. But still, over the fresh injury the pain would have been more than enough to shatter the Grandmaster's concentration on the complex technique, even for a few more vital seconds that the Dark Lord could easily use to keep the tide of the battle in their favor.

 

With that, the Master turned his attention back to the still-recovering Exorcist, blasting the ground at his feet with a minor display of the Force. The blast wasn't important, it was the dirt that was showered up towards Damon's unprotected face that was. If he wasn't blinded and distracted enough by the flash of light from the Dark Lord's armor, this would have only added fuel to the fire. Armor still lightly smoking from the holy fires, Ares surged forward in the same instant with both his lightsabers, fast enough that Damon probably wouldn't be able to shield himself completely like he had before. Ares had taught Damon about Force Barriers when he was still a Jedi, and the Master knew tricks to overcome their use as well as use them effectively. Both blades swung in, one high, one low. The Master pressed the Exorcist hard, with the intent of luring him or even forcing him into lightsaber combat.

 

((2))

[Tobias Vos]

Tobias called the Holocron to his hand. He half expected Dahar to either kill him, or offer him pills. But neither happened. He was just banished from Gala. Good, he would hate to kill Dahar.

 

No problem. He marveled at the Holocron in his hand. Smiling, he said his final words for Dahar. "You, Master Dahar Raikanda, Jedi Grandmaster, have made a grave error in not letting me stay." For the first time since he had arrived, he held a small banter of emotions in the words. With that, he spun on his heel and left the room.

 

Walking down the hallway, he made his way to the secondary hanger. Walking by the Temple's shuttles a thought struck him. His original mission. Reaching out to feel the Force he heard it call to him from onboard one of the shuttles. He debated on pressing his luck and boarding his ship and leaving. With a wave of his hand, he reached out to warm up the engines on his old YT shuttle. The powering up would take a few minutes. Meanwhile, he started to run towards the shuttle. The ramp was down, and it was defiantly unattended for the longest time. He made his way to the cockpit.

 

Powering up the Jedi Shuttle as well, he found something most fun. He let go of all emotions, prejudice and lightly placed his fingers over the keyboard.

 

Psychometry.

 

The young Kiffar loved it. Racing through the shuttle's past he found something. Why would any ship need to make so many microjumps? Into the deep core? Unless that was where they were hiding! But where? No time to pinpoint it exactly, he awoke from his trance. The navcomputer- He needed the navcomputer. It was easy enough to find the datalink, he once again placed it on a secure route that he just made, then uploaded the data to his ship in a compressed file. He thought about just yanking the whole console out and abandon ship, so to speak. But that might cause a corruption. The up link started. He stood up to leave.

 

He heard a blaster. Raising his hands he turned slowly. "Who are you?" The young guard questioned him.

 

"Tobias Vos. Former Jedi Apprentice."

 

"Jed-" He started. "Former?! Sith scum!"

 

"Wait!" Tobias shouted.

 

The trooper halted. "What?"

 

"I'm not Sith." Tobias blinked. His eyes turning a volatile blue. "I'm something inbetween." Without a second thought Tobias reached out with the Force and threw the young man into the corridor behind him. The boy didn't even let out a whisper.

 

Tobias rushed down after him. Gore covered the walls, and there the body lay, ten feet down the corridor. Bowels and blood littered the floor. Never take on a Force User alone was the lesson to be learned here. He picked up the blaster and ran off the ship.

 

Rushing to his ship, he closed the boarding ramp and powered up the shields and weapons. The quad-repeating lasers on the underbelly of the ship was most dangerous. Sooba was overjoyed at the site of Tobias once again and started to nuzzle Vos's ribs. The ship was still powering up, he put the Jedi Holocron with his Sith Holocron in a storage compartment on the bridge. Taking a breath he watched as the ship came alive. The ship still needed a name, he pondered for a moment and decided to name it "Truth." The lights around the cockpit came alive, but Tobias focused on Sooba for a moment. Patting his head and stroking his fur, it seemed as if the world around him, the battle around him was not happening. He was caught up in the moment.

[Emily]

Once the temple had been blown open, Emily had made her move, following a Sith Master and his contingent of followers inside. The Sith spread out once inside, and Emily followed suit. She headed down towards the heart of the temple, her senses on alert for any Jedi.

 

As she walked, she planned. She was going to have to be creative if she was going to take out a Jedi without a lightsaber. She had her mother's lightsaber on her, but Sheog had been very specific that he had wanted it to be done without the traditional blade of their Orders.

 

She knew she wouldn't be able to override a Jedi's precognitive warning sense. That meant that the original attack would have to be quite grand. The thought called up a bad memory of Ar-Pharazon and his Black Sun cronies killing her onboard Ar-Pharazon's "something something chariot of suffering". But that had been a situation where she hadn't been expecting an attack; this was the middle of a war zone.

 

As she walked, she found herself in a garden meditation room. Or rather, what used to be a garden meditation room. Chunks of rubble had smashed the room to pieces, destroying it quite thoroughly. She caught sight of a blue-skinned hand emerging from underneath one of the larger pieces of concrete....and then got an idea.

 

It would require stealth and a strong presence of mind, but she thought she just might be able to pull it off. It might not have been what the Hutt had been thinking when he gave her the assignment, but the outcome would still be the same. The details of the plan fell into place in her mind, and she headed right out to the garden, looking for the perfect place to set her trap.