[CLOSED]The Thin Red Line (Thread by Raine)

  • Thread starter
  • Moderator
  • #21
As she had promised, Muriel made her way to Serena's quarters next. Her newly adapted form, that of a Clone Lieutenant, allowed her to meander down the hallways of the Hope unquestioned and unabated. When she phased inside the Jedi knight's quarters, Serena was up and awake, seated in a lotus-pose with her eyes closed and hands resting comfortably upon each knee.

She was meditating.

With a quirk of an eyebrow, Muriel shifted her weight from one foot to another and waited until the other woman opened her eyes before speaking. She was anticipating some kind of surprised reaction - an exclamation, perhaps - or a demand as to what a clone trooper was doing in her quarters, unannounced and uninvited. But to her astonishment, Serena did neither of these things. Instead, the Jedi looked up to Muriel's helmeted head, her head canting off to one side.

"What do you want?"

By that moment, Muriel had felt a gentle but insistent prodding of the Force and did not block it.

"Clever girl."

Serena nodded slowly, saying nothing further until an explanation was duly given. To that end, Muriel forced the illusion to dissipate without giving it another thought and now, in her true form, came to stare at the Jedi guardian mimicking her movements exactly, to the very breathing pattern of the young woman before her.

"You need to see Alonzo immediately," she placed subtle but noticeable emphasis on the last word. "You must speak with him. Everything depends on it."

Serena gazed at the emerald eyes, unconvinced.

"I must do nothing by your orders. How did you get here?"

Muriel flinched, clearly taken aback by the response. She anticipated some resistance, yes - but nothing so . . . absolute.

"I have my ways. I'm not without resources, and frankly - you insult my intelligence by asking. Stop wasting time, Serena. You know I'm telling the truth. You are all in danger. I have felt it. I feel it still."

"We have been in danger since Order Sixty-six was declared, years ago. How is that 'news'? Be more specific, or be gone." At this point, Serena considered contacting Davin telepathically, but did not want to risk Muriel finding out. The repercussions could have been rather . . . unpleasant.

"This is more of an imminent danger. Something is about to happen, something devastating. I had a vision in the Force, and it showed me many things. . . Among them, fire . . . pain . . . death."

"In conjunction with the Hope? Or someone specific? And why should I believe anything you say? For all I know you are leading us into a trap!"

Serena's face was set into a grim mask of stoic skepticism.

"Which is why I told you to see Alonzo, now. If you won't believe me and my vague interpretations of a Force-vision, then go talk to one of your own. He's a Jedi, last I checked?" a mocking tone taunted. "Give him a chance. Let him tell you what I cannot."

"Why would Alonzo have special knowledge of things that the Jedi masters would not?"

"Oh, empty arrogance!!"

Muriel shook her head in disgust, wondering just how these people survived on their own, all these years. With such a shallow, misguided belief system and narrow field of vision, they should have been captured by Imperial forces, long ago. Forcing an inner calm, the Sith Lord stilled her livid thoughts and assumed a posture of cool indifference.

"Alonzo and I share a special bond, as you recall. I feel that he knows something that is vital to the continued success of your survival. I do not know what it is; I can only speculate. Still, even if I did know, you wouldn't believe me if I told you. We're not exactly the best of friends."

"No, we are not," Serena admitted with a brief nod. "But this begs the question: why come to me? Why not Davin, whom you consider an acquaintance of longer standing?"

"Because," Muriel said icily, "once, you had done for me what no other ever has. Consider my debt to you as paid in full. What you do with the information I gave you - is your own affair."

"What I do with what information?? You haven't told me jack!"

Before Serena could say another word, Muriel simply vanished from view. Shaking her head and taking a deep breath, the irritated and justly unsettled Jedi knight rose to her feet with barely veiled urgency and, grabbing her utility belt began wrapping it quickly around her waist while walking toward the door of her private chambers.

The moment she stepped out into the hallway and took her first steps in the direction of Alonzo's quarters, a familiar loud siren began resounding throughout every corner of the ship.

"What is going on?" she reached out to grab the armored arm of a Clone trooper rushing toward a nearby turbolift. A ship-wide announcement answered her instead, deafening any reply that could have come from anywhere else.

"COMBAT ALERT: ALL COMMAND AND SENIOR STAFF TO THE BRIDGE. COMBAT ALERT!"

Shooting one final glance to the end of the hallway with Alonzo's door quickly fading away, Serena Elysar stepped into the turbolift and headed for the bridge.
 
  • Thread starter
  • Moderator
  • #22
"It was wonderful to see their courage; nothing seemed to frighten them."
~ Serena Andyr Elysar, Jedi Knight, said of the Enduring Hope forces at the Battle of Agomar.


Serena arrived on the bridge just in time, it appeared. Ahead, the familiar figures of Corvus Arca Dalen and Davin Ingram Kabak, were already gathered along with the others, apparently waiting only on her. Marius, Lana and Jarad, as well as the towering and mighty Shorlofnik stood nearby, their faces creased with deep frowns. With a few swift strides, the blonde Jedi guardian crossed the catwalk and joined her comrades at the viewport. Seeing her, they merely locked gazes but said nothing. There was no need. As Corvus stepped aside to let her take a closer look, Serena's face fell, seeing the dark familiar shapes forming up in space, dead ahead.

AMBUSH!

When... how!?

The lesser ships, mostly starfighters, seemed to be standing absolutely still as soon as they had come to sit upon an invisibly drawn line, the Jedi realized. But that was not all of them - not by a long shot. More ships began sliding out of the black, moving forward to cease movement only when they had joined the others. Behind them, a menacing shape of a much larger cruiser seemed to loom in the darkness of space, not yet fully coming into view.

"Can we get a close-up on the battlecruiser," Serena finally spoke, breaking the silence. Her instincts were already telling her what she needed to know. Nevertheless, the Jedi wanted confirmation.

"On screen, general," said a voice behind her, as its owner swiveled his chair to face the status display.

Serena put her palms flat up against the screen and leaned in close while the sensors brought up grainy views of the object ahead.

"Spawn of a --" Serena whispered when the close-up view of the vessel stunned her into slack-jawed silence.

Lana blinked repeatedly before asking, "Is that what I think it is?"

The former handmaiden swallowed hard and found her voice again. "Well, it sure as hell isn't a Huttese sail barge."

Next to her, a booming voice of a Hapan Jedi master issued an immediate order: "All crew, battle stations." And to Serena, "This is a scouting task force; no doubt sent here to recon the system."

At that point, Kabak chimed in. "They have seen us, but sent no transmissions which I find oddly disturbing. No orders to stand down or prepare to be boarded. No communication of any kind."

This did not bode well. If the Imperials had finally caught up with them - whether by accident or not - surely they would be interested in taking back the ship? Unless ... they were intent on simply eradicating the traitors, completely - and leaving no sign of them having ever existed ... behind.

"It won't be long now," Corvus nodded. "Marius and Davin, you have your assignments." The aforementioned Jedi nodded almost simultaneously, then turned to leave. There was no time for further discourse, no time for discussion of elaborate tactics or clever defense strategy. It seemed that the only thing they had time for now, was to make a stand. Serena pivoted toward Davin in one sweeping motion, attempting to arrest the Jedi Master in his tracks. "Are we certain we cannot run?"

Just then, a warning klaxon sounded. The Imperials were on the move.

"They are sending out their starfighters out - three, four ... six ... eight ... twelve squadrons and more on the way! Evasive maneuvers, now!"

Her features ashen, she did not bother to look to the officer who spoke. "Cavalry action," she muttered, as-a-matter-of-factly. The tactic consisted of long-range, fast moving elements from each side engaging each other, in order to set up the placement of the battle. "They're going to force us to maneuver the Hope somewhere where we think we have the advantage over them - but in reality, it's designed to leave us trapped once the main force arrives," supplied Corvus, noting that Marius and Davin had already vanished into the turbolift.

"We'd best get ready. Serena, Lana - I need you to secure the hangar bays; make sure nothing gets through." Last thing they needed now, was to get boarded. "The rest of you are with me," the Jedi Master directed. "Jarad, I will need you to attempt to jam their communications grid so that they cannot send for reinforcements. Shor, I want you to coordinate with Garak and help perform any emergency repairs that might arise. Everyone else - you know your job, so snap to it!"

Serena nodded and glancing to Lana, was already moving toward the turbolift. Only one thought drifted through her mind: how could the Imperials have known their precise location? Oddly enough, Serena feared she already knew the answer - she simply refused to accept the horrifying possibility of it.

The possibility that wore the mask of a close and dear friend.
 
  • Thread starter
  • Moderator
  • #23
Vardel's voice was tense with urgency. "That's a Venator-class cruiser, Admiral."

Jorge Odrick nodded and pointed at the viewscreen. "That's the one. Time for our little ... demonstration. You may proceed at your leisure, commander."

Saluting, Vardel gave the order. The fake line of battle would take shape now, meant to conceal the real and true attack intending to take place. A moderate Imperial force was commanded to exit hyperspace at his mark - to lure the Hope into believing they were 'reinforcements'. Still, their position was some ways off ... giving the Venator-class cruiser a small window of time to maneuver - not that they could get away - but taunting them with it couldn't hurt. The task force was large enough that the Hope could not fight them and win. They would send their HS-capable fighters to screen and delay, while the enemy battlecruiser would maneuver toward the outer edge of the system, hoping to make a hyperjump. However, once the screen fighters became engaged they could not break away easily ... and just as the Hope reached a safe jump point, that's when Vardel would call in the Interdictors.

The real attack would begin.

"Keep the ship on screen. Have our forces pursue it at full and have the skiprays hang back - we don't want to send them running too early. We must control the field of battle at -all- times, understand?"

"Yes, Admiral," Vardel said, and made it happen.

Just then, a myriad of starfighters and reconnaissance vessels burst into space, their engines fired on full as they lurched after the Enduring Hope.

Odrick took up an observer's position at the head of the ship, watching silently through the viewscreen as possibilities played out in his mind. With the possibility of Jedi on board, the Venator may have just become a greater challenge - but not that much greater. They could run, but they could not hide. And even with a company of Jedi on board, they stood little chance against vastly superior numbers.

He continued to stare at a focal point in space, watching the initial strike force gain on the battlecruiser. In moments, they would get a clear field of fire.

The Galactic Empire needed war to thrive. Odrick was more than aware of that.

He needed war to thrive, to advance his career and wash the stain of treachery off his family name. He was aware of that, too.

It was within the Admiral's power, possibly, to make it happen - by utterly obliterating the survivors of the Enduring Hope.

He saw Agomar in the viewscreen beyond the Venator-class battlecruiser and imagined both in a spectacular combustion of flames.

The flashing light on the nearby communications console reminded Jorge that he had a call to make.

"Hail the Venator-class," he said.

Vardel looked puzzled. "I doubt they will answer, Admiral."

"Do it."

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

Corvus Arca Dalen did not need to consult any scanner displays to know that the incoming enemy starfighters were moving in an attack formation. All around him was silence. No one had said nothing, everyone busying themselves working their instrument panels and occasionally consulting the scanner readouts - but the reports were not coming in just yet. The Hope began to bank hard right, attempting to get closer to the planet. The attacking task force seemed to accelerate, closing in on their coordinates. And behind them all loomed the enormous bulk of the Imperial star destroyer, waiting for its chance to take the field.

"Our fighters are launched, General Dalen. They are prepared to engaged the enemy at your command."

"The command is given."

Nodding, Garak gave the order and a moderate contingent of support ships began to swarm out of the hangar bays, heading straight for the approaching Imperial 'cavalry'. Before them, the glowing orb of Agomar's night side hung in the deep blackness of space. The sun crested behind the planet, and Agomar's horizon line lit up like it was on fire. The enemy ships continued to close in on the Hope, with their defense force already on its way to intercept - but it did not set Garak any more at ease - with every passing moment it felt like this would be their last stand ... and the finality of that thought set the Captain's mouth in a grimace of righteous anger.

"With all due respect, General - perhaps we should make contingency plans. If we can't outrun them, there is always Agomar's atmosphere--"

"Possibly," Corvus said. "No, wait. We are being hailed. Holo."

Without saying another word, Garak activated the transmitter mounted up on the main communications panel he faced.

A hologram of an Imperial bridge took shape. Crew sat at their stations, their images clear in the holo's resolution. Two human men stood in the foreground, one sporting a blonde crop of hair in the uniform of a high-ranking Imperial officer - possibly an Admiral, and the other - a stout, bulky figure of a man in similar uniform who seemed to cast momentary glances to his companion as if waiting on his word to do something. As for Odrick, his cornflower blue eyes seemed to study Corvus with such intensity that it made the Jedi master uncomfortable even through the holo.

"Power down your ship and stand down," said the tall man, his voice as raw as an open wound. "You have thirty seconds."

Dalen leaned in closer to see the hologram better. The man's eyes never left his - and even across the distance, he could feel their hatred. Who was he? There was -something- oddly familiar about him but Corvus could not quite put his finger on it just yet.

"I don't believe we've had the pleasure," he answered casually. "To whom am I speaking?"

The face across from him stared blankly in return, as if its gaze was attempting to burn past and through the Jedi. A brief silence ruled space and time before a response came. It was - of course - not the kind of reply Corvus hoped for.

"You have twenty seconds," Odrick said.

A subtle nod was given to Garak who hit the transmit button.

"To hell with you, then."

The transmission was cut off as Corvus shook his head, using every last ounce of his willpower not to unleash a rain of colorful Hapan expletives. Moments later, the Hope was ordered to head for the orbit of Agomar as it would attempt to vanish from Imperial scopes in anticipation for a hyperspace microjump - or perhaps even a jump to hyperspace. Of course, the Imperials would make it as difficult for them as possible - but as they had no Interdictors present, the possibility of escape was still a very clear and present enterprise ...
 
  • Thread starter
  • Moderator
  • #24
All four hundred and twenty fighters which complemented the Hope were launched, with general Kabak and Commander Shae leading the fight. They would take it straight to the enemy, their unsurpassed grace melding in perfect harmony with lethal efficacy they brought to their display.

"I'm heading after that skipray," Davin heard over his speakers, from a decidedly familiar voice. "She's veering off from the rest of the pack; easy target."

"Take a couple of interceptors with you. Maybe even an ARC-170. Proton torpedoes can't hurt."

"Yes, master."

Moments later, Kabak saw the familiar dagger-shaped silhouette of the headhunter break off formation and leap in pursuit of the blastboat. Dangerous move, the Jedi Master thought, but he had faith in his pupil. Marius Shae was no vulnerable greenhorn; he was a seasoned warrior. He would be fine - provided he heeded his former master's counsel.

The GAT-12j's were a formidable craft; armed to the teeth they possessed the power to take down both support craft and capital ships, alike. They weren't slouches either, although could be easily outrun by just about any starfighter class. Running over their specs in his mind, Marius continued on course, seemingly forgetting to contact his 'escort' as per Davin's suggestion.

Some four kilometers away, blissfully 'unaware' of its pursuer, the skipray blastboat 'Gallant' plowed through space on its way toward the Hope, as if in puerile disbelief that it alone could take down the sleeping giant. Of course, the Venator-class battleship was far from asleep; all on board remained vigilant, its scopes trained on all leaving and approaching vessels with equal zeal.

"Where is that GAT going?"

The question fell from Garak's lips just as Corvus came to stand beside the man and smiled.

"Nowhere, if it's smart. Keep targeting its engine. Shields can only absorb so much turbolaser fire. And if I am not mistaken, that one has a bullet already on its tail." The Hapan Jedi master pointed to Shae's headhunter following the skipray not too far behind.

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

Concussion missiles.
Marius' mind was swarming with them, a menacing grin spreading beneath his helmet.

The craft the Jedi knight was pursuing was very close to perfection when it came to small attack craft, but it was not without a weakness. Its single engine and wing actuator were all in the same housing. One well placed shot--

"Commander Shae, this is Lieutenant Drake. I was ordered by general Kabak to accompany you on your little hunting trip. Enroute to you now, ETA: 30 seconds."

Marius blinked and frowned simultaneously. He did not expect to be knocked out of his reverie by an announcement of an incoming chaperone. As a renowned space veteran, he was more than capable of taking out another spacecraft without assistance. Also, there was the small matter of having the Force on his side - which, he was certain, Drake did not put much faith in.

Reluctantly, he activated his comm and addressed his comrade.

"Far be it from me to disobey the general's orders. Come on in, just don't be late. Wouldn't want to hog all the glory for myself, you know," Shae joked and punished his throttle to accelerate.

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

"Another craft coming in," Garak observed. "Looks like it's one of ours." he commented on Drake's advanced recon fighter closing in on Shae's position.

"Get the ion cannon ready."

One of Mayim Kress's many modifications would finally find its use on board the Hope.

"Yes, sir. Ion cannon standing by."

"Good. Wait for the skipray to come about and then fire at will, Captain."

"Fantastic. Watch for that squadron of fighters and assault gunboats heading for our aft. Looks like they might attempt boarding and we have no fighters left to destroy them ship to ship. Signal General Kabak, he will have to divert some forces back here. Now."

Garak saluted in acknowledgment as he moved to take stock of the small contingent of attack craft that had somehow slipped past the perimeter of Hope's fighters in an effort to undermine the Hope's defenses from within. After the transmission was sent, he turned back to the Jedi master.

"General Kabak will be here himself to deal with them. In the meantime, he suggests we station our troops around the hangar bay in case any of these idiots-- pardon the general's vernacular-- manage to get in."

Corvus' blonde brow shot up and down, and then a big, low-pitched chuckle ensued. Garak merely watched in confusion as the Jedi master took his time to appreciate his friend's unorthodox terminology in times of war. Jedi or not, he would speak his mind and not hide behind politically correct jargon.

"Right." Dalen cleared his throat and gestured to the main viewport. "In that case, everything seems to be taken care of, here. Keep me informed. I'll be in the main hangar bay."

Before the stupefied Captain could respond, the Jedi Master swept from the bridge and vanished in the bowels of the nearest turbolift.

In the meantime, Shae was closing in on the target.

"ETA 15 seconds, commander," came a steady reminder in his helmet.

Right. Right on time, too, Drake. Could have baked a cake before you got here, old man.

The Jedi Knight chuckled at the thought and prepped his first concussion missile, aiming straight for the vulnerable spot. MG5s ... ready and waiting.

Inside the Hope's main hangar bay, Serena Elysar was waiting in position, along with other Jedi - Lana Star, Alonzo, the Wookiee Shorlofnik and the miniscule Jawa padawan Junie - all hunkered down in their spots, ready to defend the obvious entry point to the battlecruiser. So far, things had been very eerily quiet ...

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

Alright, Drake. Here or not, time to finish this bastard.
Somewhere, in the back of Shae's mind, his danger sense flickered, albeit uncertainly.
The Jedi knight checked his scopes but found no enemies closing in on his trail, save Drake, who was now very, very close.

The GAT was beginning to look 'jittery' out there. It was now, or never.

The concussion missile fired. In that same instance, a proton torpedo hurled itself at the Z-95 headhunter, propelled forth with the determination to seek and destroy.

The black devil piloting the enemy ship was reading his mind.
Marius did not hesitate and immediately executed evasive maneuvers, attempting to outrun the deadly ordnance. Most of him ... did. And then his port-side wing exploded in a startling ball of fire.

"Sir? SIR! You got him, you GOT him, Commander--." the rest of the comm died suddenly as all the systems on the starfighter were hit by a massive disruption. The headhunter would soon be spinning out of control. Propelling himself forward to check his visual, Marius could see the faint outline of the Enduring Hope. He could maneuver himself into the underbelly of the beast, provided the shields were down. And he had no active comm. Was this to be the end?

Off to his starboard, the Jedi could see scraps of a skipray blastboat floating about.
His vision was slightly blurry and he felt hot, all over ... skin boiling, eyes clouding over. Grabbing the throttle, he quickly verified that his propulsion was barely working. Maybe ... maybe it was enough to make an emergency landing, provided those on board actually saw what just happened. Shae made for the open mouth of the hangar, closing his eyes as he let the Force guide his every movement now. He either made it, or he didn't. Either way, he was home.

Home was where he was supposed to be.
With his friends.
With Serena.


He felt a sizable turbulence shake the leftover carcass of his ship.
And then all went black ...
 
  • Thread starter
  • Moderator
  • #25
"Set him down right here," a female voice commanded, quiet yet firm. "Gently. TWO-1B, I may need you here in just a moment; get the bacta patches ready." The automaton gingerly complied as Alonzo and Corvus Arca Dalen moved back to give the Jedi medic some room to maneuver. The two Jedi had brought the injured Marius into the infirmary and were instrumental in removing him from the smashed up starfighter. They would now watch in silence as Lana Star worked her art upon their comrade, vigilant and ready to lend a hand - should it be needed.

Lana's skilled hands moved over Marius' still, seemingly lifeless body as she concentrated upon the Force and attempted to scout for any internal injuries. Beside her, the medi-droid stood by with the requested bacta patches, not interrupting until called for.

Several minutes later, Lana stepped away from Shae and looked up at Corvus with a small smile.

"You can let the others in now, he will be fine."

Breathing a sigh of relief, the Jedi Master moved to the door and unlocked it, letting in a rather pale Serena. She rushed straight to Shae's bedside, nearly slamming into the medical droid which stepped back just in the nick of time. "How is he??"

"He will make a full recovery," Lana reassured her friend just as Marius began to stir. In a few seconds' time his eyes would snap open and a goofy grin began to twist his face as he spoke.

"Am I in the Netherworld? Can't be Chaos; too many beautiful women around ..."

"You made it back to the Hope, safely," Lana grinned back. "Gave us quite a scare though. And that magnificent starfighter of yours ... I think you'll need to retake those flying lessons, and soon."

Serena continued to glare at him sternly. Marius must have felt the stabbing gaze because his face turned toward his friend as his grin began to fade. "Did I at least get the skipray?" he whispered, his eyes never leaving hers. "And the state of the battle ... how are we doing? I need to be up. I cannot stay here." He began lifting himself up slowly, letting out a faint groan before finally making it to a sitting position.

"You got the skipray and you cost us a working starfighter, so we will just call it even," Serena nodded, her voice oddly hollow and all-businesslike. "However, you are still alive which is not something that can be said for the pilot of the GAT. Now, as far as the battle goes--"

Before she could continue, a huge explosion had rocked the ship, followed by a call directly to Dalen's comm-link. The familiar voice of General Kabak came in crackling amidst weapons' fire. "We have a problem. The Empire did not just bring a few ships; the entire sector fleet is here, including a couple of very adamant interdictors. The first wave of the enemy fighters has been destroyed but more will soon be on the way. I'll be there soon. Hold out for as long as you can. Davin out."

As pale as he was Marius sat up straight and swung his legs down off the cot before slipping to the floor. His hand moved instinctively to the lightsaber before glancing to Corvus. Just then, another message came in, this time from the bridge of the Hope. Garak. The message mirrored the content of Davin's earlier warning and requested immediate orders. The captain moved for evacuation of all essential personnel while he would stay behind in his forces and remain fighting. Corvus dashed that recommendation swiftly. "We're on our way to the bridge; in the meantime, Captain: hold your ground."

On board the bridge, Garak, looking solemn and grim, clicked his boots together, saluted the communications console ... and obeyed.

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

Two of Davin Kabak's personal guards stood outside Mayim Kress' door, as per orders of Serena Elysar. Two more were stationed next to his personal craft in the hangar bay, effectively cutting off any chance of escape.

It did not take the Jedi Knight long to put two and two together. How could an entire sector fleet find their way to the Enduring Hope without someone on the inside providing vaguie hints or perhaps even precise details? The air was cold and damp on Mayim's face as he pressed the door release and looked to the right and left of him, watching them out of the corners of his eyes. They were there to accompany him wherever he went, likely reporting to their Jedi superiors simultaneously along the way. Perhaps, given the grim outcome of the current situation, the former Imperial officer did not have long to live. But oddly enough, Kress did not care.

It was not his personal danger that was worrying him; it was the thought that his machinations brought this disaster about. Without thinking, he made for the bridge where he was promptly stopped by one of the Jedi who came out of the turbo lift just as Mayim thought to enter it. He looked up slightly and stared at the man. For a brief wordless moment their eyes held. Then Mayim said regretfully, "I always liked you, Alonzo."

There was an ache in Alonzo's stomach. "I know," the Jedi said. But the Mayim Kress whom he had grown to know and respect, the man he admired and pitied alike, was not the man who now stood across from him. Or was he? Was he so clever a schemer that he had been able to fool them all for so many years? Had this deceitful persona always lain at the heart of his character?

"Return to your quarters, Kress. No access to the bridge except for authorized bridge crew and Jedi."

There might have been regret in those dark eyes looking at Mayim just now, but no mercy. If he tried to force his way up there, Alonzo would have him killed, all right. The possibility which he had never quite believed, now became a certainty. Realizing this, he felt suddenly nauseated. It was not the danger he was in that sickened him; he had a great deal of physical courage. It was what was happening to everyone, here and now. By the Force, what would happen to the Enduring Hope should she be captured by the Imperial sector fleet?!

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

Endless weapons fire was still streaking the fabric of space with crimson and gold when the remainder of the vast Imperial fleet came into the system some five thousand kilometers west of Agomar. As it went, it brought with it death and destruction, painting a grim picture of the ultimate battle for the Enduring Hope.

It was a scene that afforded little in the way of geographic advantage being a site that clearly favored those with greater numbers. There was no place to run to; no asteroid field to hide in and no hyperjump to make for a quick getaway - given the stalwart presence of Imperial interdictors in the area. The Seswenna sector fleet - which Mayim Kress assumed had come to capture them - had several hundred vessels under Admiral Sander Delvardus' command; the Venator-class battlecruiser had noticeably ... less.

Kress had not been able to effect an escape thus far, although his guard was now limited only to a single trooper stationed outside his quarters. It seemed that the Jedi needed every able-bodied man under their command and it would not be long before Mayim was either outright killed or simply left to his own devices. With impending doom on their doorstep, a former Imperial officer was the least of the Hope's problems.

The Seswenna sector fleet was comprised of mostly seasoned veterans and experienced youngsters who had impressed Tarkin at one point or another. They had been training intensively between encounters and boasted enormous confidence outmatched only by their respective egos. Eager to please the Emperor and his right hand, they could not wait to capture the 'Jedi ship that got away.'

It would not be long before various fleet ships took up their positions and began the final offensive to drive the Venator-class cruiser into full and utter submission. As the eternal night of space dragged on, the man guarding Mayim's quarters was finally recalled to join his squad in the main hangar bay. Noiselessly Kress rose to his feet and listened at the door for a few minutes. It was only until he was convinced there was no movement across the wall that he opened the door of his quarters and started to move toward the nearest turbo lift. He was almost caught by a passing trooper but managed to slip into a storage closet and continue on, undetected.

Once the man was gone, Mayim wasted no time. Agile and swift, he could move as silently as a woodland predator when he wanted to. By the time anyone noticed he was gone and men were sent out to look for him, he would be far gone, hidden by the darkness of the ship.

Leave the Hope, his inner voice said. She will never forgive you if you stay. Go to the Unknown Regions, where you will be safe.

He could get away now with little trouble, head for Wild Space or some other parts unknown. Loose wires and cracked bulkheads heaved above him and he heard the sounds of shouting as armored clone troopers ran and regrouped amidst weapons' fire. The decision was made and Mayim was moving before he consciously realized that he had even made a decision. He could not go anywhere until he had first seen Serena.

He took a few more steps and the thought settled, solidified, and became a conviction. He had to see her. He did not know why, just knew that it was a necessity. He could not run away until he had first seen the woman he loved.

Changing direction, Kress began to walk toward the nearest turbolift from a different angle. He looked across the empty hallway to the noises of men assembling behind the door ahead, realizing that he had to choose a different route or get caught and face the consequences of disobeying a Jedi's direct order ...
 
  • Thread starter
  • Moderator
  • #26
"Life is filled with trials and tribulations, one after another - and if you don't recognize and face them head on, you are doomed to fail."
~ A Rwook proverb


Taking one of the rear port-side turbolifts, Kress traversed the path to the bridge unabated. It was not until fresh alarm sirens sounded that he began to wonder whether his entire effort to see and speak to Serena, was for naught. As the blaring sound intensified, dozens of white-clad troopers poured out into the hallways, brandishing E-11 rifles and light repeating blasters. Some even wielded vibro-blades and force pikes in addition to the regular weapons in their display. Whatever was coming, it felt ... ominous. Like a cadence chord about to be struck. A final stand.

In all the swift, systematic commotion that occurred, Mayim Kress was - to his great surprise - entirely ignored. Whatever the orders against his person, these men were now on a much more vital mission; one that would forever cement their destiny. Yes, they were likely going to their deaths - and where they went, there were likely to be Jedi, also.

He moved with the flow, letting the cloud of troopers shift past him quickly, like a rising storm. The generous door to leading within the main hangar bay stood open, and an erected platform of durasteel crates was easily visible to Mayim as he paused some hundred feet across from the entrance - passage within currently blocked by rows upon rows of eager, grim soldiers. Mayim's long-sighted eyes were able to make out the Jedi Masters' dispositions without difficulty. The towering Wookiee, Shorlofnik, along with a dark-haired companion (whose back was currently turned to Kress), and a small black-clad trooper unit were on Davin's right. The bold, tenacious humanoid would throw terror into the enemy troops, Kress thought with approval. He squinted a little to see what type of forces Kabak had given to the hairy biped to command, and was surprised to note that the armor they wore was reminiscent of that worn by the clone shadow troopers. Such forces should have been assigned to the likes of Marius Shae, he thought. He looked harder and realized abruptly that the dark head of the man he was watching did not belong to Shae after all.

Radiant Tide. He almost said the name aloud. Tide, once a most unorthodox and fiercely independent Jedi knight had returned to the Hope to fight with the others. Kress felt a moment of fierce pride in the man. Then he moved his eyes to Davin's left wing, expecting to see Alonzo and Marius Shae.

Neither Shae or the bald, sinewy Lorrdian was to be seen there, however. Kress looked at the slender, flaxen-haired figure of a female who was walking up and down in front of a row of assault troopers. Serena. Serena, at whose side he should have been, this very moment. And instead, he was here, skulking in the shadows of the corridor, a branded traitor. The conviction that he had to see his lover burned even deeper than before.

Finally, almost reluctantly, he allowed his eyes to come to rest on the figure under the Republic banner resurrected and hung in the center of the hangar bay. He was adorned in full Jedi battle armor, Mayim saw at once. The center, which Corvus Arca Dalen occupied today, had a tall platform erected. He stood there, long blond hair rippling like platinum, the forbidden symbol of freedom fluttering directly over his head. As Kress watched him, the Hapan moved forward to the edge of the platform, joined shortly by Davin Kabak. Standing there in front of his men, alone, the elder Jedi Master raised his voice.

"Men of Enduring Hope!" There was absolute silence in the ranks as they listened to the clear, strong voice echoing effortlessly in the air. "You have fought with me before, many of you. Radiant Tide fights with us today." Mayim could hear the murmurs of excitement and approval that ran through the amassed crowd as Tide came forward to the front of the right wing. The Hapan Jedi raised his hand and silence descended once more. "Free men of the Republic!" came Kabak's call this time around. His black mane shifted upon his shoulders as he regarded the gathered in pious contemplation. "Our time to stand united against those who would take our lives and freedom, has come."

The sound of a Klaxon proximity alarm all around them cut across Davin's words. Beside him, Corvus gestured and the men shouted, raising their weapons in remarkable unison. If Mayim's hypothesis was correct, the Enduring Hope was about to be boarded. The remnants of all that was free and righteous in the Galaxy mustered in readiness for the oncoming invader.

They would fight - and they would meet their destiny.
 
  • Thread starter
  • Moderator
  • #27
Mayim Kress had not expected to see a battle right here, on board the Enduring Hope, and at first he watched in horror as masses of men clashed and mingled and began to kill, after the deflector shields went down in spite of Jarad Telsin's best efforts to keep it operational. It was perhaps fifteen minutes before he realized that there was a steady stream of enemy's men attempting to flee. They were all retreating from the main hangar bay in a last ditch effort to reach their vessels - just behind the demolished platform from which the Jedi Masters had previously addressed their men. Kress looked and immediately recognized the figure who was so competently forming an assault squad into a unit of reserve for Davin Kabak. Shae. Someone all these veterans would know and trust.

With a thrill of triumph, Mayim realized that the Imperials were methodically being beaten back.

Suddenly, he could stand being an outsider no longer. He grasped his blaster firmly in his hand and went into the hangar bay to find his lover.

============================

"Aaaaah!" A terrified face stared up at Radiant Tide. "I surrender! Please ... don't kill me. I have a family and small children! Two daughters ..."

"Drop your weapon." Tide said. "Alonzo, take him away and bind him with the others." He raised his voice. "Anyone else who wishes to surrender, speak now or forever hold your peace!"

The crowd around the Jedi Knight began to thin noticeably. Radiant grinned and turned to Alonzo who had returned with haste. "By the Force! There is no honor in this fight; not if every other man we raise arms against declares a swift surrender!"

Alonzo smirked. "There was at least a hundred with Shae the last time I looked. The number must be double by now." His eyes narrowed. "Hold on. This is a group that doesn't appear to be so compliant."

"You deal with them," Tide said. "I have another job to do."

And he whirled away from the assault unit heading toward the center of the portside hangar bay. As so many years ago his ancestors searched scorched battlefields for the Sith, so now Radiant Tide searched for the architect of this misery.

Jorge Odrick could never turn down a challenge, nor could he pass up the opportunity to reign supreme in on a battlefield. He knew that taking the Hope was but a matter of time. He knew their struggle was futile and that they would soon be utterly dominated - if not destroyed - by the forces of the Galactic Empire. The thought of oncoming triumph made him salivate with relish; his imagination already conjuring up visions of the Emperor bestowing some of the greatest honors upon his person - and him, Jorge Odrick accepting with gleeful pride. It never occurred to him that the arrogant decision he had made in ignorant belief that he would stand victorious atop the bodies of fallen renegades ... would cost him the very life he so prized, above all things.

It wasn't until Tide roared that Odrick saw him coming, a great raven god of a man wielding a lightsaber. Jorge raised his phrik-coated vibroblade and watched as Tide approached, cutting his way through an army of his men as easily as hot knife going through butter.

"Jedi," he seethed when finally they were face-to-face. His blue eyes were fearless. "This is for true peace and justice." Odrick said. He gestured around the bay. "For the Empire." And he laughed.

"You treacherous bastard!" There was no understanding in Radiant's eyes, only murderous rage. Jedi would never understand, Jorge thought. It was supremely ironic, really, considering they were supposed to be such enlightened, noble beings. No wonder the Emperor had them all obliterated; they would never accept the new order - the only order that could ever stand and prosper.

Tide's lightsaber was descended and he parried it. The Jedi knight was immensely strong and Odrick's wrist ached from the blow. Then, as he was launching his own vibroblade, he saw another on its way. He just managed to get his shield up in time. Tide was so fast! Then the Jedi was moving sideways, affording Radiant sufficient guard.

In his lessons to his students, Radiant Tide was famous for stressing the importance of lateral movement. Jorge Odrick managed one faint gasp before the last blow came down on his unprotected golden head.

==========================

Jarad Telsin swore profusely while banging both fists on one of the consoles. At this point, it did not matter since most of the consoles had been fried by Imperial turbolaser fire. At this point, it was only a matter of minutes before the ship came apart at the seams. At this point ...

"You must order the evacuation, Captain," he spoke to Garak with his usual calm though underneath, every fiber of Telsin's body, was shaking. "While we still have time."

Did they have time? No. Borrowed time, perhaps. It was a miracle the Venator-class cruiser did not come apart from all the blows received from star destroyers, skipray blastboats and assault gunboats, alike. Telsin continued to glare at Garak, waiting for him to issue the order.

But the order would not come.
He was waiting on the Jedi.

"Damn you, man! We are all going to die here, do you understand?! Forget the Jedi; they are busy fighting and have little clue as to what is going on up here. Transmit an evacuation code; or by gods, man - I will do it myself!"

Garak stood there, motionless, as if carved in stone. "I have my orders, mister Telsin; you are well aware I cannot issue such orders unless General Kabak or Dalen inform me it is in the best interest of all on board. Please ... " he produced a blaster from the confines of his holster and pointed it straight at Jarad's waistline. "...step away from the communications console. I doubt it's working anyway. No need for all these ... theatrics. And we can still use you."

Jarad's face twisted into a grimace of disgust. Use him? For what?? There was nothing left on this ship to fix; the whole carcass was about to be blown to bits if seen fit by the enemy. All that was left was fighting them hand to hand in a hopeless struggle that would only end in everyone's deaths. He spat in the direction of Garak's pistol and tightened both hands into fists.

"What is wrong with you ... all of you!?" He shouted, staring at every man present who looked up to pay him the most scant amount of attention. "Why would you choose death when you can have life? Why would you stand to fall when you can run and come back to fight another day!?"

A swift pivot of his heel brought Jared to face the communications' console once more as he swiftly keyed in the evacuation code and transmitted it across the ship. Whether it actually worked, he could not tell. The console bleeped then began to smoke as electric shock impulses began to coat the surface black. A trigger was pulled just then, emitting a coil that engulfed Jarad Telsin's torso and caused him to topple to his knees then fall down face first, senseless ... onto the console.

"Take him to the brig. Inform the Jedi."

The two crewmen saluted and complied, momentarily vanishing from the bridge with Telsin's seemingly lifeless body. As Captain Garak and the remaining crew went about their business, no one seemed to notice the lone figure of a slinking Jenet, scampering off the bridge ...
 
  • Thread starter
  • Moderator
  • #28
"Update."

The enigmatic Krath sorceress Muriel Y'ar stood on the bridge of the 'Omega' and smiled. It was not a smile of glee or satisfaction, nor was it a smile of amusement or pride. It was a smile of absolute smugness.
"The Enduring Hope is about to fall. They have routed the initial boarding assault but have no idea of their overall state. The Seswenna sector fleet is about to--"

"Enough. Move us in. Keep the stealth shield on. I don't want our illustrious 'friends' to know we're here." The word 'friends' was dripping with undisguised disdain as Muriel cast a sideways glance through the viewport to catch a glimpse of dagger-shaped fleet moving ever closer.

"They won't hold out much longer."

Tristan Durant snapped his gaze to his master, questioningly - waiting for the command to signal the Enduring Hope. None came. The young captain of the Omega turned to the navigations officer and made sure his subordinate was executing Lord Xun's order, as requested moments earlier.

The stealth ship plowed eerily on.

===============================

Breathless and weary from the ongoing battle, Serena Elysar took a moment to step back from the mayhem surrounding the fighters and took a brief communique from Tide. The enemy was not only beaten back but completely routed, the Jedi knight reported. "Hope your side is faring as well." Serena grinned and reassured him that it was about to be, then requested that the captives be escorted to the brig. Surely, this was not all the Empire had to muster??

And yet, she knew better.

Some twenty paces ahead, the last remnant of the invading battalion was beginning to collapse. Many lay dead, few were wounded and even fewer taken prisoner.

All of a sudden, Serena felt a hand upon her shoulder, squeezing it lightly. "Where are the Masters?" a familiar male voice asked. Without turning, she responded, her voice quiet yet firm. "Gone up to the bridge to speak with Captain Garak. I was told to stand by for orders and get all the prisoners ready in case the Imperials want to make a deal," she glanced dead ahead, her voice dull and devoid of all emotion.

"There won't be any deals," Marius Shae replied in kind. "Imperials don't make deals with traitors. They are here to wipe us out. I've always thought this day would come, somehow."

"You never thought to retire somewhere and live a quiet hermit's life?" Serena's face finally turned, her eyes were moist and glossy - a stark contrast to her otherwise pale and detached facade. "Never thought to settle down with a wife and family?" The man next to her grinned and shook his head. "It's not the Jedi way," he winked playfully, then grabbed her hand as the two Jedi knights leaped back into the fray, eager to finish what the Empire had started ...

=============================

Mayim Kress was aiming for the amber lightsaber blade flashing in the distance. He cut his way through the shifting groups of men on the hangar bay deck, reacting automatically, in the way he had been trained, whenever a weapon was raised against him. The lightsaber, however, instead of getting closer, seemed to be getting farther away. Serena was leaving the field of skirmish, Mayim saw. In a panic, he pushed forward even harder, his mind concentrated on this one thing only, that he must speak with her.

The battle was breaking up around him. The death of the Imperial admiral that had led the boarding party had taken whatever heart his troops had left. There were still patches of combat here and there, but clearly most of the fighting was over.

Serena had leapt up on the edge of a scaffolding near the back wall of the hangar and was watching the action, surrounded by a group of clone troopers. Mayim saw Marius rushing out of the turbolift to speak with Serena and the Naboo Jedi knight turned toward him. Then she deactivated her lightsaber and clipped it to her belt before jumping down to meet him on the ground floor. As she and Marius talked, Mayim began to run. Sweat stung his eyes and it was only instinct that made him turn to parry the blow that had been aimed at his back. He struck the man away with the blunt edge of his katana and ran forward again, panting with exertion and emotion. He did not even realize his weapon was still raised.

"Serena!" he cried as he pushed through the circle of troopers who had been watching the blonde Jedi and Marius and so had not seen him coming.

Serena spun around. "I have come to beg--" Mayim was beginning when there came a bellow of rage from Drake, one of the clone trooper officers. Kress looked up in a daze to see the point of a vibroshiv thrusting straight toward him. Then something was in its way.

"SERENA!" It was Marius' anguished cry. Mayim stared with horror as the Jedi slowly slipped to the ground at his feet.

Someone was sobbing. Marius dropped to his knees beside Serena. The vibroshiv that had felled the Jedi knight had come out of the wound when she had fallen and there was blood all over the front of her forest-green tunic.

"Get a medic," Marius said, and one of the troopers instantly whipped out a comlink, calling for Lana Star. Marius tore off his cloak and tried to stanch the blood. Serena's lashes lifted slightly.

"Get the traitor away," she said. Her voice was weak but clear. "Do not kill him. It's not the Jedi way. He must stand trial . . . for what he has done."

"I will," said Marius. "Just rest. We'll have you fixed up in no time."

"Home," Serena whispered, her eyes glazing over. "Marius. Take me home . . ."
 
  • Thread starter
  • Moderator
  • #29
Lana came running up, followed by a shuffling of heavy footsteps. "Friend Serena?" Even through the anguish and fear, Mayim recognized the droid voice expressing Shorlofnik's concern.

"She's hurt," said Shae.

"Hurt? But how? The skirmish is over."

"It was an accident," said Marius curtly. The Jedi healer was bending over her friend's now unconscious figure. She looked up at Shae, and Mayim read what was in her face.

"No." It was scarcely more than a whisper. Kress stared in panic at Serena's quiet face. "She's n o t ..."

"Not yet," Lana said. "But it won't be long, I think."

Pushing and shoving this time, and Mayim turned to see Alonzo. The bald Lorrdian Jedi checked in surprise as he saw him there, and then he noticed the motionless figure on the ground. Someone had led away the sobbing trooper and it was very quiet. Marius looked at Alonzo and said, "Get this traitor away from here. Take him to the highest security cell we have for the time being until he can stand trial for what he's done. It was the last thing she said before losing consciousness."

A sudden flush of emotion became Alonzo's usually impassive features. "Did Kress ... ?"

"No. It was an accident. Get him out of here. Will you do that for her?"

"Yes." Alonzo rallied visibly, his fists clenching underneath the long folds of his sleeves. "If that is what Serena wants."

Kress felt himself being pushed roughly. He did not want to go, but he knew that he must. "We'll make a stretcher," he heard Marius saying as Alonzo led him away from the others. It was not until much later that he realized he was being locked in a specially rigged escape pod - one that could only be opened from the outside. His hands encased in magna-cuffs and clasped behind him, the former Imperial officer sat in a small seat and glanced around his new surroundings, numb with grief. As the hatch fell closed, he squeezed his eyes shut and felt his throat constrict with the urge to both cry out and disgorge.

This was a nightmare. Surely, it had to be. Soon, he would wake up, and Serena would be laying beside him. He would whisper in her ear.

Your hair always smells like jasmine ...

And then he heard the faint ticking - like a clock somewhere, mercilessly ticking away the precious moments of his life. In truth, it was more real than even he realized. Before leaving, Alonzo had set the timer on the escape pod's life support systems. Twenty minutes. Kress was too overcome with emotional suffering and self-loathing to even notice.

Soon enough, he would not notice anything at all ...

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

"Captain Garak."

The most senior commanding officer on board the Enduring Hope snapped his attention to Davin Kabak, one of the two Jedi Masters present on the bridge. The man's face seemed grim but strangely serene. "Sir?"

"I have orders for you. Step into the ready room with me for a moment."

Garak obeyed, and in moments the two men found themselves in the relative privacy of the captain's ready room. His gloved hands clasped lightly behind his back although his entire person tensed with anticipation of whatever the senior Jedi might have to impart.

"I have had the liberty of speaking to my brother before this entire ordeal began," started Kabak, his eyes boring carefully into Garak's. "You have done exemplary service on board this ship and I wish I could do more to recognize the immense valor and incredible sacrifice you have shown and made on behalf of this crew. Captain Garak ..." he paused for a moment, taking a brief look to the sideward viewscreen. The Seswenna sector fleet began forming a ring around the Enduring Hope. It tightened, like a noose around the neck of the barely breathing battlecruiser.

"... you are ordered to transfer on board the Imperial Star Destroyer Warhammer effective immediately. You will report to the commanding officer Rear Admiral Rhiannon T'Jarell. That will be all, Captain Garak."

"I don't understand--" Garak began.

"Your unparalleled skill with which you command a vessel this size, along with your experience and Force-given talent has caught the eye of a friend. Believe me when I say, this was no small favor to procure on my part."

Garak's face turned white, as did the knuckles of both fists that clenched and unclenched, repeatedly.

"But the captain's place is with his ship--"

"You have done all you could for this ship, and more, Captain." Said the Jedi gravely. "Your orders are to report on board the Intrepid-class Star Destroyer, Omega." Kabak handed him a datapad with all the particulars. "You will be given further coordinates once on board. Captain ... It was an honor serving alongside you. And more importantly, having you as a friend."

"Thank you, sir." Garak's face was visibly touched; his lips were trembling slightly. "In all my years as a military commander, I have never felt pride as an officer ... as when I served on board this ship. With this crew."

"I know, Captain. I feel the same way. Now. Please, give whatever final orders deemed necessary to the crew. We haven't much time."

"Thank you for everything, General," Garak shifted into a stiff salute.

"Thank you, Captain. And may the Force ... be with you."

The Jedi pivoted on his heel and momentarily vanished through the door, heading for the comm station.

"And with you, Master Jedi ... " came Garak's soft whisper, as he watched the door close behind Kabak. He had his orders and he would follow the chain of command, always. Taking a moment, Garak processed all the details on the datapad, then walked out of the ready room, ready to dispense final orders to those who would be left behind ...

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

"Telsin!"

Jarad jumped, visibly startled by a familiar use of his name. The brig was dark, and it took him a moment to adjust his eyes do the engulfing darkness. Once he was able to make out shapes and surroundings - albeit vaguely, in his mind - the Tapani engineer sat up on his cot and canted his head in the direction of the voice which sounded oddly ... familiar.

"Hope you haven't come to gloat or taunt; you'd be wasting your time. So if you're here to do something productive, get me out of here?"

A soft chuckle reverberated on the other end of the wall. " ... I'm working on it. By the way - it's me, Barragh. You're lucky everyone's diverted to fight the Imps, otherwise this wouldn't be as easy as I hoped for."

Several minutes passed, during which Jarad began to wonder if he just imagined the whole thing. Glancing at the chronometer on his wrist and then towards the door, he called out, "Rat! You still alive out there?"

Silence answered him. But just as Telsin was about to give up all hope, a series of staccato clicks against the door that barred his way to freedom, stirred his attention. Listening carefully, Jarad blinked, then shook his head in visible dismay. "Emperor's black teeth. Fuck your code. Just open the bloody door?!"

Just as he spoke, a resounding noise accompanied by a sizable blast, seemed to acquiesce to Telsin's request. When the smoke cleared and a large, gaping hole in the wall marked the escape route - Telsin grinned and moved toward the escape route without giving anything else a second thought. Once on the other side, he felt a grip of thin, rodent-like fingers upon his forearm. "About time," Barragh chuckled. "Come on. I got the ship all prepped and ready." Jarad glanced to his friend uneasily, his worst fears aglow in his eyes. "The Imps are all over this outfit," the Jenet explained. "Won't be long before we're all blown to oblivion."

"What about the others?" Jarad asked, dully.

"They'll be getting off too, I suppose." The Jenet did not sound too overly convincing, although the logic of his thinking could hardly be refuted given the circumstances. "I got a communique from a stealth ship called Omega, not far from here. They're not Imperial-friendly but I'm sure they'll want something for their trouble. No one rescues anyone nowadays without wanting something in return. Especially if they're rescuing the Empire's Most Wanted," Barragh offered his friend a toothy grin.

"Right," Telsin replied quietly. "Well, I hope the others can get off without too much fuss. Sounds like we have very few choices, in fact, we have but two. Die, or try this Omega business. I'd say it's better to live so we can come back to fight another day. Send a message to the others. Let them know what our plans are."

Barragh chuckled quietly and complied as the two friends moved under cover of darkness. It would not be long before they reached their destination and took off for parts unknown ...
 
  • Thread starter
  • Moderator
  • #30
Word came to the Omega that the Imperials were gathering all of their forces for ultimate asault.

"Give me command and I will punish the wicked," Aziz said to his mother. "Palpatine has made it a point to obliterate the renegades and he has gathered many forces under his standard to that effect. He must not be allowed to do this."

"There is word also of an Imperial push into the entire Agomar system," Muriel said to her son now. "I cannot give you the entire army, Aziz, and leave ourselves ... unprotected."

Mother and son were alone in the audience chamber of the Intrepid-class Star Destroyer Omega. The Krath sorceress was seated in her chair on the dais and Her son was standing before her, his head bare, his thin, muscular hands hanging empty by his sides. He had just come from a meeting with Claude Virgalius and so his mother's words were no surprise.

"I realize this, my lady," he replied. "Give me two thousand soldiers under my command. That is all I ask."

"Two thousand?" Muriel almost whispered. "The foe is said to have many times that number.

Aziz smiled. "If you can give me more than that, I will gladly take them."

"No." Muriel's face was like a mask. "I cannot spare you more than two thousand. You are doing this for the Jedi, I gather? those who saved my life?"

"Let's just say I prefer to pay my debts," Aziz replied lightly. He hesitated and then stepped up onto the dais. He knelt and bowed his head. "Thank you," he said. "Mother."

Muriel put her hand upon the shining black hair. "I wish it was all to do again," she said achingly.

She felt the quiver that ran through the boy's body. Then Muriel looked up. "I will do my best," her son said, and his gray eyes were gray and fearless. He picked up his mother's hand, kissed it and rose to his feet. "Good-bye, Mother."

Unable to answer, Muriel merely nodded. Aziz turned and walked out of the chamber.

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

The silence among the gathered in the main hangar bay was interrupted by a familiar noise from a comlink. Radiant was the first to answer it. "Tide here." The message came from the bridge. Davin was relaying their current situation to the Jedi. The news was grim.

"I would advise all of you to make your choice now, while you still can," came Kabak's voice over the intercom, loud and clear. "I can't tell you what to do, but if I could --" his voice cracked slightly, or perhaps it was the interference on the line? "--I would get the hell off this ship. Come back to fight another day, another time and place. There are enough ships for you all to get off safely. Muriel Y'ar ... will be providing cover for you, I'm sending coordinates for her fleet."

Tide remained silent for a moment. He was fighting an inner battle on how to break the news to Davin. The news that his best friend's padawan whom he held like a daughter - was dying. There wasn't really any round about way to say it, so he opted for the most direct path.

"Roger that, but first ... Masters ... you'd best get down here." His voice was not his own. "Come now."

The comlink was silenced before a reply could be given. Radiant Tide's face was ghastly white. He felt a small hand wrap around his and squeeze lightly. Lana Star's large eyes were looking up at him, full of sympathy and concern. He forced a small smile before clipping the com to his belt.

"You heard him. Fight or flee, the choice is ours to make. I will stay with you," he glanced to Marius. "I'm not leaving her."

Before anyone else could speak, fresh bombardment and turbolaser fire began lacing the beat up carcass of the Venator-class battlecruiser. They were aiming for the weakest sections of the hull, the ones that were already on the verge of flying apart.

"Get to safety!" Marius roared. Just then, the nearby turbolift opened and two familiar Jedi figures came rushing out, heading for Serena's location. Corvus' face convulsed into a mask of pain and regret as soon as he saw his former Padawan. He also recognized that her wound was mortal. Still, he would not be deterred from attempting to help her. The Force was strong with him, he could bring her back. And if he could not, certainly Davin could. He knelt beside the seemingly lifeless body, then placed one hand on Serena's forehead and another on her chest, over the wound. But as weak as she was, his former student still managed to push back at him with her thoughts.

The Hapan Jedi frowned deeply, stifling an inner sigh. Serena did not want this. For whatever reason, she wanted it to end this way. He had to respect her choice. And still, he fought her one last time.

Must it ... be? He implored her.
It ... must ... be. A serene voice replied.

He took a moment to reconcile her words to himself, then slowly rose from the ground.

"Get her off this ship, Marius. That's an order. Don't let her die here. Understand?"

Shae's eyes locked with the Hapan's and a simple nod affirmed he understood.

"The rest of you - do as you will - but whatever you decide, may the Force be with you."

"And you, master?" ventured a shaky, quiet female voice beside him. "Will you come?"

Corvus paused for a moment, as he glanced from Serena to Davin, then the others. Serena would want him to live. They all would. Staying here, was madness. Would he choose his personal ego, to fight and die as a Jedi - to make a single statement - or would he run and live, to help others survive - and help make many statements stand?

"I will see you all soon," he whispered, drawing to his full height. Davin stepped up to help Marius with Serena, silent and watchful up to this moment. "Let's move," was all he said.

Moments later, the hangar bay was nearly vacant, save the bodies littering the ground and a small squad of clone troopers standing in the main doorway.

"Orders, lieutenant?" came a muffled question from one of the troopers standing close to Drake.

"Get to your ships. And let this be our finest hour."

The 55th Air Combat Wing scattered and took off momentarily.

1zg3gxl.png


In the 7th year before the Battle of Yavin, Republic loyalists, broken and outnumbered,
charged the superior forces of the Imperial Seswenna Sector Fleet at Agomar.
They fought for the broken and the downtrodden.
They fought for innocent lives lost. They fought for peace and justice.


And died free.

1zg3gxl.png


Survivors of Agomar:
Corvus Arca Dalen
Davin Ingram Kabak
Marius Shae
Radiant Tide
Lana Star
Alonzo
Shorlofnik
Jarad Telsin (rescued by Barragh)
Barragh
Junie
Captain Emil Garak



Fallen at Agomar:
Serena Andyr (Elysar)
Commander: CRC-07/544 "Sargon"
Major: CT-55/9117 "Payne"
Lieutenant: CL-33/5834 "Drake"
Captain: CT-55/9866 "Stick"
The remaining noble crew of the Venator-class cruiser, 'Enduring Hope'
 
  • Thread starter
  • Moderator
  • #31
EPILOGUE

Muriel was waiting for them. She had known the moment that Serena was hurt, but she did not know until she saw her how serious it was. Mixed feelings and volatile emotions threatened to flood the vast expanse of the Sith Lord's usually impregnable mind, but she held them at bay even now as she watched the young woman being brought on board, so barely holding on. So beautiful and fragile.

Once, long ago, she wanted Serena Elysar as her apprentice.
And now, Serena Elysar was dying.


Forcing her gaze away from the Jedi party, Muriel gave swift orders to arrange for their accommodations. Serena was to be put in Marius' room, as the young Jedi Knight would likely refuse to have her lay on a cold medbay bed. An armed dark trooper was sent along with the party to escort Shae to his quarters before vanishing without a trace. Just as the Jedi was placing a woolen blanket over his friend's still frame, the Krath sorceress entered the chamber without announcing her presence. She walked up to the cot and pushed back the covers with unusual gentleness, taking one look at the wound and realizing there was nothing she could do. It was a miracle the girl had survived her journey to the Omega. Without saying a word, Muriel quietly replaced the covers and quietly exited the room, her mind deep in thought.

Serena had been in this place before, but then it had been by choice. She did not want to be here now, and she fought it. She was hurt and so terribly weary but she fought. There was a long dark path before her, and at the end of it there was a light. The light was so warm, so welcoming ... No, she said. Marius. I cannot leave Marius.

The light came closer and then it was as if someone were speaking to her. She heard it the same way she heard Marius, but it was not Marius this time. The voice seemed to be coming from the light. There was great peace in what it said to her, and Serena felt the peace seeping into her spirit. The pain in her chest lifted and she opened her eyes.

He was there, as she had known he would be. But there were other obligations first. Mayim? she asked.

Alonzo is taking care of it. It will be done, as you asked.

That was a relief. Corvus? she asked next. Tide?
They are waiting outside. Do you want to see them?


Yes.

They came in, the two big men, and Serena would have grieved for their sorrow if she had not been too filled with peace. "My family," she said. For them, she had to talk. It was an effort. "I will miss you so--"

There were tears running down the younger Jedi's face. Serena wanted to tell him not to grieve, but it was too hard to talk. She must conserve her energy for the essentials. "My lightsaber," she said to Radiant. "I want you to have it." Tide knelt and pressed his wet face into Serena's hand. Slowly, her eyes went to Corvus.

Always there, she thought. Whenever I have needed him. For all these years. "One of the finest things in all my life," she said to those familiar dark eyes, "Has been having you in my life. My master. My friend."

Corvus was not crying, but with the peculiar clarity that characterized her vision just now, Serena could see his whole face clench. She closed her eyes. Enough, she said to Marius, and she heard him taking them to the door.

Muriel Y'ar had put Marius and Serena together, so they would be close. Later the Sith Lord would instruct all her crew not to reveal to anyone that Elysar's wound had been mortal. Marius would give her a secret burial reserved for Jedi. The Empire would never know what really became of Serena Andyr Elysar. Let them believe she escaped harm. Let them think she was still out there, somewhere - taunting them to come and find her along with all the others who escaped Palpatine's wrath.

It was the last thing Muriel could do for a young woman she grew to admire and respect over the past few years she'd come to know her.

And Marius?

He had felt despair when first he carried Serena in, but it was gone now. She was still and white and blood had stained through the bandages and he knew she was dying. He could not call her back this time. But she was at peace. He could feel that in her, and he was glad. She had been going away and she had made one last great effort to come back, but not because she was fighting it. She had come back to share some of that peace with him, and to say good-bye.

He crossed to the bed and Serena's heavy lids lifted. Lie with me, she said.

She was beyond pain, and so he did as she asked, resting his head against her arm. We will be together, she told him. Believe that. This is only for a little while. We were always meant to be together, you and I.

He did believe her, and some of her peace crept into his own heart. Marius, she said. Marius, my beloved.

She felt his head move and his thought came through, faint but clear, Your hair always smells like jasmine.

1zg3gxl.png

FINIS
1zg3gxl.png
 
Back
Top