Attack on Ardru

The space around Ardru was ready. Defense monitors, cruisers, fighters in escort patterns...all awaited what was to come. The Separatists, vigilant and warned by the lack of subtlety and stealth on the part of the Sith Lords ruling the Republic, had prepared well. A defensive grid that would make the most jaded Admiral proud patrolled vigilantly, awaiting the promised attack that was to come any moment now, any second. The 38 hour mark was up, and there was no doubt that under Annattar and Caduceus, the soldiery of the Republic would be mercilessly pushed to make their deadline.

Almost as on cue, at exactly 38:03:28, the first electrical impulses of Hyperspeed deceleration reached the sensors of the picket ships, and after that, ship after ship began exploding into the void several hundred kilometers away from Ardru and her defensive fleet. They were Republic ships, but all had been repainted with the new symbol of the New Order; a blend of the Republic Senate crest, and the Chancellor's Office symbol. The ships were silver and red, glitteringly precise lines of military paint and batteries of turbolaser turrets turning to meet and greet the Separatists. They were still way past range, but fighters began pouring from the hulls of the carriers and cruisers with fighter capable launch bays, swarming around their parent ships like insects defending their hives.

After the massive armada was done exiting lightspeed and had assumed formations, another ship emerged. Massive and dwarfing even the Republic Magister-class Battleships. Across its hull, the words "Baraddur" could be read in sharp relief. A new breed of ship, based on the Leviathan class Battleship of the old Sith under Darth Malak, but if anything even bigger. On board the bridge was busy as fighter wings were coordinated, firing patterns and target relays were made and regiments of soldiers were entering boarding craft alongside the tanks and walkers that would support them. It was all nothing but white noise to the black armored man who watched from the viewing deck.

Annatar had donned a rigid and formidable set of combat armor, black as night to suit the black cape that adorned his shoulders. His face was hidden behind a helmet that resembled a sharp, inhuman skull and was crested with short horns as a crown. His arms were crossed in front of his chest as he watched the fleet turn and ready itself. The Separatists were moving in ordered maneuvers into well drilled positions to confront the larger fleet, and the terrifying masked visage of the Sith Lord looked on impassively. An officer moved up behind and clicked his heels and saluted, only to be favored by Annattar's back. When there was no answer the man continued.

"We are in position my Lord. Communication channels are open and the Separatists aren't jamming signals as of yet."

"Set a wide frequency channel. Boost the signals with every ship in the fleet. I want every citizen on that planet to be able to see what's coming."

"It will be done my Lord..." The man turned briskly and made a hand gesture across his mouth to the nearest officer, who nodded and pressed several buttons. "You're live, my Lord. The comms are recording everything..."

On the planet below and in the viewscreens of every Separatist ship, as well as every comm station, the terrible Sith Lord appeared. He seemed to dominate the world itself and the fleet opposing him. For a moment, though he could not possibly see them all, people were convinced he was looking right at them, and the black gaze of death itself froze many of them in their tracks.

"Citizens of Ardru...judgement has come." The voice was cold, icy and filled with a venomous malice. "I am Darth Annattar. I have come to restore these worlds to the Republic that rightly lays claim to them. You have turned your back on those who bled for you and set yourself up in the opulence of a free will you do not deserve. I am not here to treat, or to show compassion. I am here to make sure you bend the knee to the rightful rulers of this galaxy, and you will do so, even if there are very few of you left."

"Wrylyn, I know you are facing me right now, and I have but one way for your people to leave this alive. Turn yourself and your government in and you will all be publicly executed by firing squad, and your people on Ardru will be dragged in chains to work camps where they can work off their treason. Fight me, and I will turn this world into a ruin where the blood of men, women, and your children will put out the flames of your cities. I offer no other alternative. You have 10 minutes to respond."

Annattar cut the link, turning to look at a bridge filled with white faced officers. He looked to the Admiral "Prepare my drop ship and my personal guard." He stalked past, his cape flowing behind him. "Give them five minutes to respond, then start the attack."

The bridge was dark. What little light present was reverberating off of various holo-arrays surrounding the few who stood in it. Among them, the stark and tall figure of Nathe Wryln eye-balled the video comms feed so graciously sent by their uninvited guest. His eyes shifted as he spoke, taking note of his holo-grid, which displayed the multitude of ships comprising his entire fleet. Large... over-compensating even...

The man who spoke before them in such cowl words was hidden under dark trinkets of armor, no doubt likened to instill fear in those of his lessers. But the voice was all too familiar. Wryln's mouth coiled into an obvious frown as the video feed finished.

"Looks like the intelligence was sound, sir." Came a reply from one of his on-board battle commanders, who stood tall and determined, seemingly un-affected by the monstrosity they were about to face. Wryln let the comment pass over as he continued to observe. His hands clasped calmly behind his back.

"Make the preparations." He said simply, and it wasn't until men started moving away from him that he allowed a hand to touch the comms feed, opening the feed back up to the Republic's flagship, ensuring that it too, broadcast on all channels of their fleet.

"The only bending of the knee you will witness, Corrin Illessar, is when I pry my foot out of your fourth-quarter-contact!" Wryln leaned in closer to the comms, his enduring gaze piercing the atmosphere on Ardru. "There is only one man in this sector who fell on his haunches, and we will not take after you... If you want war, Illessar,"

"You have come to the right place. You will take solace, only in that." As Wryln cut the feed, he watched from his view-port as tectonic beams shot up from the surface of Ardru, massive planetary weapons rocked into it's crust, shifting the floors from which they were embedded on. The silver-green sheen of the colossal turbo-lasers flew into the fleet in orbit. Wryln turned on his heel and began to walk off the bridge. "Contact our asset, prepare the evacuation and set our course. Captain Hall, prepare us for immanent proximity alert and deploy our defensive fighters. It wasn't until he stopped at the door frame that he turned to officially address his top leaders. "The man we face intends to slaughter us either way, we all heard what he had to say..." his eyes shifted from each face, determined, confident, and filled with resolve.

"Let us show him what a true Republic can do..."

Utter darkness was all Xeo could see. Motionless and no means of verbal communication to anyone than the last hidden message he hinted towards Dreazin's takeover during dark moments. Xeo's immunity to the Force Bond between his kin, brother in this case, was at all time high. Only during moments of a broken spirit can Dreazin be able to attack Xeo without even sending out his minions or even lifting his finger with The Force to take him out. All that the wounded corellian could hear was echos from voices he could hear from before.

“Bring him down to the medical ward Nozomi. I'll see what I can do to help his mind. We don't need at the wrong time for Xeo to lose himself and to be dealing with another homicidal Sith on our hands. We have enough of that with our current situation.”

He only knew Nozomi was taking him down to the medical ward for the time being. Xeo had to just wait to see what would happen next. After being taken to what felt like a standard medical ward bed and just feeling less tension off his body...he just had to notice his thoughts to return back to the realm of the real. “Sssooooooo this is very lonely in here. I would think Dreazin do his monolog...Dark Side this. Temptation that...Corrin is dead...Sith is the way...The Galaxy needs more of me and all life is meaningless without power, and so on, and so on, and gosh I hate being right on these talks on my own. DREAZIN COME OUT FROM THE SHADOWS OF MY MIND! JUST SAY YOU ALWAYS ARE GOOD FOR...A REMINDER OF HOW THE DARK SIDE IS A PILE OF LIES AND BAD SECERTS!” Nothing. Xeo didn't count on the fact that a Jedi Seer being able to heal him would also block out most Dark Side arts on his well being.

-Progression of time-

Dreazin had not made contacted with Xeo is over sometime nor did Xeo ever got up from his self inflicting wound on his chest to sever the mind control moment. His will was strong to fight against Dreazin now, but like all walls of defense...there are cracks the be exploited.

“Brother....here me now...'he' is here...”

Bright light then flashes in front of Xeo's point of view just to see ripples of The Force. Black and White of rooms and life forms running around. Rips of wind and water like substance flow all around Xeo's point of view of this 'vision' he was having. Talks and echos of pain were being heard though out these metallic rooms. Soon a deck room appeared of a large optical craft. And all that Xeo saw was just pure black...almost absents of light itself flowing around it till he heard the voice. The voice to awaken him from his nearly done healing stages from Malerna being close by.

"Give them five minutes to respond, then start the attack." It was Annatar himself.

Xeo had no idea what Annatar was even speaking about. He felt death was close by and Dreazin...alerted him personally to this matter. Course snapping out of his healing phase, which was just about done...and being almost nude. Nozami wasn't near by to be seen but Malerna was. “Oh not this again!” Xeo said and Force Pulls his belongings to his medical bed just to get everything on before another 'infraction' was made to his Jedi dutys...even if he was a 'Jedi' anymore at this rate. “Thanks for the patch up job...I'll send your credits once this war is over,” he said while just smiling and suiting up in fashion. “Nozami, Ereth, anyone read me...Xeo here on com channels 456943.123:492 frequency to any and all 'loyal' Republic troops...oh hell with it if they're hacking the coms. Any Republic fleet is opening engaging another within five mins. Everyone check your stations!” Xeo cut his coms off and gets his lightsaber in hand. “Round 2, Annatar...”

Seshmira had parted ways with Saris shortly after getting a safe distance away from Coruscant. Not that she wanted to, but both of them agreed she needed to hide Eldarion away from them. She found herself back where it all began. On Dagobah. She was sitting outside the cave. The beasts of the planet near by recognized her home coming for lack of a better term. She stood outside the cave. The home she knew for so long. She had Eldarion walk with her in to the cave beneath the old tree. The room lay untouched. Rags of clothes lay where she had left them as did the old bed made from dirt and leaves. Eldarion looked to his Mother but said nothing. He could feel the sorrow and pain in this place. It was so dark. He couldn't believe his Mother had survived sixteen years alone here. It was in this moment Eldarion looked at his Mother with utter awe. Being told of her scars and now truly seeing where she survived for so long from age four to twenty. It was this moment that he realized just how strong his Mother is. How powerful her will to survive and what she must have endured to do so till his Father found her. How her faith in him despite never having met him face to face kept her alive. They heard a ship land outside and Eldarion tensed. Seshmira placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a soft smile.

He stepped off the ship. Death stick rolling on his lips as he let out a small puff of smoke. He sighed as he swatted a bug away. “Of all the places in all the systems she could have chosen for me to pick her up she chooses this forsaken swamp.....How in the hell did she manage to live here for so long?” Dextrimus sighed as he moved his auburn hair out of his face his solid red eyes seeming to glow here in the low lit area. He walked in to the cave his brown trench coat billowing behind him revealing some blasters and a metal rod that would extend in to a full staff. When he saw her his breath caught she seemd so at ease in the darkness of the cave and as natural to the surroundings as the beast themselves. Her son was worried it was written on his face. He kneeled down when he reached them. The boy rushed in to his arms calling out Uncle Dex. Dextrimus smiled and held him tight. “You sure about this Cher? I mean this is your life your asking me to hold. Not that I would ever turn you down for a second you two are family. Still wouldn't he be safer with you?”

Seshmira sighed . “Sadly no Dex he wouldn't be. Corrin believes us his last connection to who he was. The person he is now and his Master see us as a threat. Sith only deal with threats in one way. I can't protect us both and try to get Corrin back at the same time. Eldarion is his son. He will be able to feel him just as he can feel me. So you need to take him with you and you can't tell me where you are going because if I know Corrin will too. When it is safe enough I'll reach out to Eldarion. He will be able to tell you when you can say where you are. Till then no matter what you see or hear. Even if I am killed do not under any circumstances let Corrin or the Chancellor find him. Saris knows that should I die, until it is safe not to go looking for Eldarion either. I need you to take care of my boy. Can you do that for me Dex?”

Seshmira and Dextrimus had known each other as children before she was abandoned to die on Dagobah when she was four and got back in touch not to long after she was brought back to Coruscant. He cared deeply for her. She was like the sister he never had and he would move the whole of creation if he asked her to. He had risen to his own power as head of a thieves guild running off Nar'Shadda . A half Chiss with some skill in the Force. Able to pass kinetic energy to objects and make small explosives out of them. Never developing it further save for quick reflexes. He had yet to release Eldarion from the hug till this moment and placed his hands on either of the boy's shoulders. “What do you say little man? You and me? I could always use that good sense of yours to tell where to find my next mark?” He flashed a mischievous smirk at Eldarion who laughed for the first time since they left.

Eldarion could tell he was only teasing. His mind was so easy to read and he could never lie to him. “Ok, but don't let Mommy know I don't think she would like it if her son became a smuggler. Its not becoming of a Jedi.” He was trying to release tension. He didn't like the idea of leaving his Mother and less so the idea of her being killed. However he understood that it wasn't safe for them to be together right now and he trusted Dextrimus. He had known him his whole life and had no reason not to. He moved away and hugged his Mother tightly. He was strong for his age. The Anzati strength had certainly passed on to him. Seshmira returned his embrace and tried to hold back tears. “It's ok Mommy we will be together again. Just promise me you won't die....You still have to finish my training remember?” He squeezed her more.

Seshmira let out a soft chuckle as she kissed his hair. She knew he was trying to make her feel better. “Ok my little warrior I promise I'll be back and we will keep training. You best not slack off while I'm away you hear me?” It sounded so much like she was going on a trip. Not to war and certainly not to fight the man she loves. It was a beautiful lie. They both knew the truth. The three of them walked out of the cave and on to Dextrimus's ship. She gave Eldarion his bag and hugged him tighter still. “You make sure you behave and stay well hidden alright. Be safe my little warrior. I love you Eldarion beyond the stars and far reaches of the Force. Be safe my sweet sweet boy.” They both embraced fighting off the tears as if it may be the last time they do so. She kissed his forhead and he kissed her cheek.

“I love you too Mommy beyond the stars and far reaches of the Force. Come back soon.” He didn't want to let go. He didn't want her to leave, but he knew he had to. Eldarion gently let her go despite everything in him not wanting to.

Seshmira smiled at him and cupped his cheek. “I'll be back as fast as I can.” She turned to Dextrimus. “Take care of him Dex please....I will do my best to come back as soon as possible.”

Dex nodded as the two shared a gentle embrace. It killed him to see her hurting so much. He was furious at Corrin for doing this to her. He swore to himself the moment that man got his head on straight he was gonna give him a good punch to the jaw. No man should do this to his family. He sighed as he let her go and watched her give yet another hug to Eldarion before she got off the ship and on to her own. “So El time to head to a place full of scum and villainy you up for it?”

Eldarion tried to smile as he watched his Mother's ship take off. “Sure lets go. Can't be any worse then what my home has become.”

---36 Hours Later---

Seshmira had found herself on Ardu when the announcement was made. She had gotten to Malesyn and the others ahead of Saris. Listening to Corrin she seemed unmoved. Once again she had dawned her white armor with the plate steel corset for lack of a better term. The segments over the ribs and spine resembling an outer skeleton and allowed for freedom of movement. On her hands the silver claws making her look as though she had the talons of a bird of prey. Her lightsaber staff on her hip along with a newer lightwhip and her old trusted blasters strapped to her legs. Along with two long daggers the length of her forearm cross crossing on the back of her belt. Except this time she wore a mask covering the lower half of her face. Her hair was bound back in a long braid with a white ribbon braided in. The one she had worn in her hair on her wedding day. For some reason she felt the need to have it. A reminder of whom she was to face. She could feel him reaching and searching. She knew he was looking for her this day. “You will find me My Hero...that we are both certain.” she said to herself

Nozomi got the message from Xeo and rolled her eyes as she was walking in to the medical bay “You are so not going down there without me Z. We are doing this together whether you like it or not.” She gave him a soft jab and grabbed his hand. “I need my partner again.”

Malerna wasn't surprised when he popped up. She had heard this Dreazin's voice that awoke him. “I have done what I can to help sever the link at least to the point of him no longer able to play the puppeteer. Don't rush in blindly you two. Speak with the others before you leave. You are not the only ones looking to turn the tides. Be safe.” Forever the Mother figure Malerna couldn't help herself but feel protective of these younger Masters. She had watched them grow as she had many others and now war had come again. She was readying herself for the amount of wounded she would soon have to treat.

When Seshmira had separated from her ship, Saris had found herself alone. It gave her a short time to prepare herself as her own ship did not move with the same speed as the other specialized ships much like Seshmiras. Not modified to perfection, She had wanted to leave a little an impression as possible...and it would seem she had at least succeeded in that endeavor. It was easy enough to weave through the general traffic going to Ardru without notice.
She had gotten the quiet she needed to think through everything clearly from the initial attack by Corrin. He knew what he was doing, what he wanted to happen...that much was obvious. Their fight had given her that much to work with...and that she had held her own against him was a good sign. The battle grounds had been set...and she knew Ardru might be their only chance to protect the innocent and reclaim what they had lost on Coruscant. Malesyn and Ereth knew what they were doing, and to bring the rest of the Jedi here gave her a bit of hope. There was another thing that lingered in her mind, and that was the holo message the man had sent out. He had tapped into their coms to do...what? Warn them? Scare them? Yet there was no reason not to heed his words...and when he had spoken to her and Sesh directly...his words had left a distinct impression on her mind. She had thought it a simple play on the relationship they had always had...She was tempted to test the theory, but as it was she lacked the resources necessary. Perhaps when the immediate danger was passed...
She had barely broken through the atmosphere when Annattars message aired even to her holo. She watched quietly before she picked up her sabers and hooked them to their place on her belt. Ten minutes was what was promised...and she had yet to make contact with Seshmira, Malerna, or Ereth yet aside from a short holocall she had gotten through to Ereth to ensure to him that she was alive and fine...her Cathar friend worried for her far more then she worried about herself. She would need to find a safe channel to use or find a way to get to them...but at this point she would need to focus more on the impeding war zone this was about to be. She pulled her hair back and shrugged on her cloak as the auto pilot descended to a landing zone.
Pulling up her hood, she left her ship behind and hid to the back of the crowds of people going to evacuate but keeping a sharp eye around for her allies...and her enemies

Ardru... A nearly desolate planet rich with the minerals necessary to fund any steadfast and worthy war machine. Of what little history could be mustered in Malesyn's mind saw nothing but a long and fruitless dual-ended cooperation between the Ardru and Denon mineries. While in the more present era it had been under the official control of the Republic, Malesyn nonetheless could not deny the foul dealings that went on among it's barren surface. In some ways, even back then when he infiltrated one of the facilities with Corrin, he felt a slight since of joy at the thought of Wryln dealing a civil blow to the scoundrels who lined their pockets on the blood and sweat of their workers.

Malesyn's expression darkened as he sat at the edge of his seat in the common area of the Raven's Fold, putting together his rifle. He was dressed, much like his counterparts, for battle, though not in the traditional fashion. While the Jedi adorned themselves in robe and armor, and Wryln's soldiers; head-to-toe in it... A simple flak vest covered his entire torso... as defensible as any other soldier's would be... The long sleeves of his under shirt had been rolled up, revealing his broad biceps. His multiple prosthetics comprised the remainder of his protection and visage. He had finished it off by placing the traditional beret atop his head. A reminder of what he once was, and at heart still is.

As he slapped the magazine into the rifle's feeding chamber, Wryln dipped his head in under the door frame as it slid open. "Planetary defenses are online and laying out the first stages of this battle, but it won't be long before they descend upon us."

"Good." Malesyn said as he peered down the sight of his weapon, ensuring it's accuracy. Wryln took a moment to notice how much Malesyn had changed since the last time they faced each other.

"Don't consider us partners just yet, but I just wanted to thank you for giving us the heads up, because of you we've got a chance of getting out of this." Wryln tried to console the Commander. "There are times I wish I could have had a better conversation with you the first time we met... but I had no right, I allowed a Sith to infiltrate our ranks with his filth and saturate what our cause was truly for, at that point I didn't really have a right to defend myself..."

"We can muse over our regrets later, Commander. Right now our priority is you and your men. You got enough of them now to effectively operate the fleet you've acquired since you've been here, and we're going to need it in order to launch any kind of effective counter-strike. We live to fight tomorrow, when the odds are better in our favor, so we cannot risk any unnecessary equipment or lives in this battle."

Wryln nodded, his expression firm. "I agree. Our men will set up a perimeter around the evacuation site. The official battle-cruisers will cover the route for our evacuating ships. They may be few, but they came fresh off the ship-yard. Advanced weaponry, rudimentary shielding, vessels after our time."

"I'm going to be coordinating our forces on the ground, keep your comms channel open to me on a separate freq, notify me of all sit-reps you encounter while you're covering our asses from the air. Once we get word that the evacuation site is clear our floor-assault will fall-back and clear the impact zone." Malesyn stood on his feet, "Working along side you will be interesting to say the least, don't let me down."

"I could say the same for you, ya bastard." Wryln chuckled, watching as Malesyn nodded to him before making his way out of the room.

As Malesyn stepped off the ramparts of the Raven's Fold, he could see the streams of ionic energy piercing through the atmosphere into the space above. No doubt the massive planetary defense turrets were fixated on the massive fleet of Corrin's just out of Ardru's Orbit. Various fighter ship's flew by at low-altitude, preparing themselves in various air-space patterns in order to get the most out of their Area of Operation defenses. Kilometers off from their location, Wryln's massive Cruisers idled around near the surface, while smaller medium class ships, were making their way off in the opposite direction of their fleet. Malesyn's designated N-19 coordinates were already well known to most of Wryln's top officials. The evacuees would already be punching their way into hyper space as war descended upon them. What few remained behind did so in a large show of force the establishment itself provided. Wryln spared no expense in fortifying the factories he had captured 4 years ago. Planetary Mac -weapons even now, continued to fire into space at an as of yet, invisible foe.

Ereth had been waiting for Malesyn along side his old crew, who stood battle-clad and ready to fight. Ereth, remained very much the same however, lightly garbed in the traditional Jedi attire, the only difference being the darker tones and the manner in which they were fitted together.

"Many of our survivors are already seeing fit to prepare themselves for the battle ahead." Ereth said as Malesyn halted before him. "I've also received a signal as to the Grand-master's arrival. It would be fitting to try and catch up with her before the event that's about to transpire."

"An event worthy of the history books, Master Jedi. Perhaps, if we're lucky, we'll spare no expense of life. That's certain to rattle the Supreme Chancellor in his petty throne." Malesyn, nodded to, Conner. "Conner, how do we look?"

"Like dogs of war, sir." he smirked.

"Have Aran spool up the Raven's Fold, and make for the front lines of the surface-perimeter. I'll be right behind you. Ereth, in the mean time let's go find your Grand-Master and the rest of our lofty crew so we can all get on the same page before it gets really ugly down here."

Annattar froze on the long walk to the drop ship. The troopers moving with him broke step and slowed with him, watching the Sith Lord with interest. His head was minutely craned back and slightly turned to the right, like someone studying a sign intently. Indeed, his very body language seemed to give the impression of searching.
In the Force, he felt her...bright, beautiful...a light that refused to hide or be shuttered. She had changed since seeing him again. The pit of dark despair that she had seemed to fall into had lifted into another purpose; one that Saris, Xeo, Nozomi seemed to share. To bring him back. Of all the people in the galaxy, of all the treasured friends and family...she may have reached into him and unlocked that web of deep purpose to make him forget.
But only if he hasn't steeled himself against that. He knew from the beginning that love would be the greatest weapon they could use against him, and now Caduceus did too. Annattar knew it had to be him to do what needed to be done. It was the only way things ended right. In the Force, he reached out with his own essense towards her, though he imagined that force as black, cold tendrils that she would not recognize. No matter what his feeling, it wouldn't nor couldn't be what she had felt of him before. He hated himself, why should it?
"Seshmira..." He whispered. The soldiers looked over the fearsome mask of the black armor and to each other, unsure of what to do or to say.
Annattar was shaken from the search by the sudden shaking of the cruiser and the sound of explosions. He looked to a nearby window to see the fleet beginning to answer the attack of the giant macro weapons. Evasive maneuvers turned to strafes as the Republic fleet fired every weapon it had, and moved forward at all speed to engage the Separatist fleet at point blank range to keep the gigantic weapons as ineffective as possible.
He turned to his bodyguard then and pointed.
"I have my own affairs to attend to. Commander, take control of the invasion ground forces. Pursue all original objectives. Commander, Tear this planet apart until you find their leaders, and bring them to me. I want them alive!"
He turned on his heel, cape billowing out behind him as he made his way to a small black fighter in place of the drop ship. He started diagnostics, flipping through safety turnoffs and failsafes before activating the engine and thrusters. Closing his eyes and searching, he found her...
His eyes opened as he rocketed forward out of the drop bay, his fighter shrieking as it plowed forward towards the planet, and towards her.
"All craft..." He spoke into the comma central, opening a secure channel "The Jedi are here, and they are helping the Separatists. I go to deal with a high ranking General and Master. I need two winge to help me punch through. Afterwards, concern yourself with the destruction of the Separatist soldiery..." He twisted a knob in the control column, and his fighter's targeting reticules came up. "Leave the Jedi to me..."
Missiles fired from the underwing of the blade like craft, slamming into the bridge of a small frigate in the way. Two wings of Republic fighters soared in to deal with the return fire as the black craft twisted forward past it, towards the planet.

Prepping his gear and cracking his smile he looks onwards to the great battle that would ensued. Course it was cut off by the time Nozami took Xeo's hand asking for him to be his 'partner' again.

“We don't have time for this before a great battle...WAIT ZOE!!! AARRGG” He screamed. He always screams even it was ten minutes or hours on hours...sadly it wasn't that 'battle'. A real war was happening near the surface of Ardru both him and Nozami would have to have a bout with Annattar 's forces. “You know...” he said trying to get his hand free from Nozami's iron grip on his own until he let out a pulse of Force Push to get his hand free. “I feel everything you do thought The Force. Why haven't we tried anything on Seshmira just as 'he' would be near? Nothing toooooooooooo dark but any of us could try use a bit...no this is Sesh...A LOT of Force Lightning or slightly burn her flesh just to get 'him' to be weak for one of us to knock sense into our former GM? Hell Saris might be able to take a stand against him equally for that simple moment IF the bond isn't gone by now?” Xeo said as soon as he to the surface exterior entrance...just as soon as a few explosions came forth. “Late to the party I guess? Ok where's our guest of honor?”

Xeo pointed up to see the unique craft all in black...then a smirk started to show again. “Nice paint job...stole my idea too. Oh well. He'll be coming for us. What's the plan now?”

Seshmira knew the ship was his. The closer he got to her the stronger she felt. She watched the barrage of attacks levied against him as he made his approach. “He's gotten better. I remember there was a time I use to have to fly for him.” A small smile crossed her lips hidden beneath her mask covering the lower half of her face. The wind swept passed her face blowing the white cloak back as it spread behind her. He would see her the closer he got. The cloak now splayed out like white wings. She looked like a masked angel among the dust and explosions. Despite not being face to face he could feel her eyes on him. Her entire being opening to him. There was no pretense. No fear. Just a readiness for what she knew was to come. He felt no different to her. Darker perhaps, but she knew deep down in the depths in which he tried to hide he was still there. His true self buried beneath the darkness he tried to cloak himself in. She found it so funny that she laughed the deeper she felt him. Her laughter was lighter then air and so soft like a lovers familiar touch. “I was born in to darkness remember? You think I can't see through it the same way you saw through me? Your crazy wild woman scared and afraid. Reaching out because your eyes were truly the only real peace I knew. My only hope in all the darkness that I was saturated in. I'll always know you my beloved hero. No matter how you change your hair, your clothes or let the darkness change the sapphire of your enthralling eyes. I know you. Just as you know me. Time has made us stronger, but it has not dimmed my love for you. It never will. There could be no other but you. Only you.” She knew he would be before her soon but still she spoke to him through their shared bond. She watched as another volley of attacks came on him. This time she didn't entirely trust they would all miss. She ran through the ground troops that were readying themselves and jumped up and ran down the barrel of a canon getting ready to take him out of the sky. Her midnight black braided hair whipping behind her. The white ribbon holding in place making it look like star light streaking through. He watched as she with all her strength jumped in the air and summoning up the Force within her he felt it surge like a white hot light as she came down with her heel denting the metal and sending it down enough to miss him. The soldiers cursed her as she took off again away from all of them to open ground. They yelled after her calling out Lady Illessar. Begging for her to return. She paid no heed. He could feel her excitement mounting. Just as he always did when he would return from a mission she could not go on with him. How she would feel just before a sparring match of theirs. The need for him to be near. They all watched in horror as the white blur she had become with the speed she ran left the safety of the near by base. She had reached open field as she watched the ship descend. They both could feel her heart pounding and her blood rushing. Her eyes narrowed as the ship landed not far from her. No fear, no anger or hatred. Dare he call it bliss? He could see in her mind she knew he was here to kill her. Yet she was so happy. Certainly confusing. Yet knowing her it wasn't. She truly loved him. He could have a saber plunged in to her chest and she still would. It would never change and he would never fade from her heart. She waited for him to get out of the ship her muscles going taught readying herself. She knew no matter what to never let her guard down for any reason. Both of them had grown stronger and now being this close they would be able to feed off each others new strength. For anyone to get near them it could perhaps prove more deadly then anyone could imagine.

Nozomi rolled her eyes. “Trust me their bond is still there, but good luck getting to Seshmira right now. You see Annattar....Their strength will be.....”She saw Seshmira kick down a canon. “To the nine hells how did she?! WOAH! “ She felt frantic looking at Xeo. “They aren't even standing next to each other and she can do that?! I know she is strong, but by the Force thats not human!” She just realized her words and hit herself upside the head. “I really forget Seshmira is half Anzat....We have got a serious problem. Z we need to get everyone mobilized to attack that spot. If Annattar draws off Seshmira we are going to have bigger problems then the fleet.”

Malerna came out to them hand grasped on her staff. She shook her head and sighed. “If Seshmira is to do what I know she is going to do you have to trust her. I know its easy to feel like this is going to be catastrophic but if you go in right now before they have a chance to come face to face you really will destroy any chance we have of bringing him round. They are bonded. In this life and the Force. She see's him and in to him as no one else can. Before you attack give her the chance to reach him. If you disrupt this now she may never have another opportunity and he will think she has utterly given up on him. What ties Corrin to who he really is is the love he has for his wife and son. He is out to destroy that love to truly take the name Annattar. The thing is real love never dies. My dear young masters what you are looking at is one of the most rare things in all existence. So much so the Jedi gave permission for them to be wed. Can't you feel it? Do you not see it? Should she fail....Well then yes you will have to injure Seshmira. It will be the only way to subdue Corrin just enough to capture him and try again. I can only pray the paths I see meet at the right one and she brings him back to us and she doesn't lose or her life or....as one path shows...Join him. For if she does there will be little that has the strength to stop them.”

One of the nearby surface-to-orbit turbo lasers ignited next to Malesyn as he was making his way toward one of the dropships, no more than a few kilometers away. The resounding shockwave swept through them, forcing them to brace. As he righted himself, his eyes directed toward the skies.

A stream of carbon laser fire descended from the skies. Raining down upon them. The focus of their attack directed to the automated turrets that instigated their stout riposte. It was expected. As of yet no fleet had contended with Corrin's outside the confines of Ardru's atmosphere. The majority of their frigates were at the rear, already making their preparations for evac, some ships having already jumped to make birth at Malesyn's briefed coordinates.

The familiar sounds of warfare began to fill the air, but Malesyn showed no concern for it. Ereth followed closely behind as they entered their transportation, a troop ship in ranks with a plethora of others ready to carry brave men straight to the front lines on the surface.

As their ship ascended from the ground to formate in the skies with others, Ereth looked to the Commander in confidence. "What worries you old friend? I know that look. You look beyond the present, damn near ignored the shockwave when it swept past, what ails your train of thought?"

Malesyn gave him a brazened look, "The fact that you and I are the only ones on this ship should be a prime indicator of my concern, Master Jedi. The others run off to fight their own war against, Cor-- against Annatar. The only men I have confidence in at this point in time is you and my own. This is not a battle we're fighting today, it's a rescue mission."

"Trust is hard earned, Commander. And we've not had the proper time to gauge it. Corrin knows we intend to align ourselves with the Seperatists, so does the Chancellor. Pressuring us is part of their plan."

Malesyn nodded in agreement, "Which is why we're not making our way to the front lines just yet, we'll be pulling out of the formation shortly. You said you could track down the Grand Master, her voice will no doubt aid in rallying the remaining Jedi. If we're going to make it out of this, and fight effectively in future battles, cohesion is key. We cannot allow our own reservation about Annatar's betrayal blind us to what we know needs to be done in order to effectively turn the tide of this battle."

Ereth gave him a firm nod. "I'll stretch out my influence in the force, see if I can't sense her presence, she is here, of that I'm certain."

Malesyn clambered his way past the troop hold and up into the cockpit, where he knelt down next to the pilots. "Once I give the word, we'll be breaking ranks. Standby!" he hollered over the roaring engines.

Ereth closed his eyes, drowning out the noises of the ship and the battle resounding outside their walls. He drew into himself, calling out to the GrandMaster in an effort to link minds.

-------

"Blast dammit, we're hit!"

Conner immediately drew back, casting stark signals to the men in the troop hold. Immediately they detached themselves, leaping over the side on ropes as the ship began it's harsh descent, fire stretched through the hull before one of the turbines exploded, sending shrapnel through men that couldn't get out in time. One soldier clinged to the side, a rod stuck in his gut. Conner tried to reach him but he couldn't make it before he fell to his own avail. The pilot in control of the craft risked a glance as he fought to keep the dropship afloat. "He's gone, sir. Get out of here, she's not gonna hold!"

Conner gave him one last look, and nodded firmly. He knew he wasn't going to see the man again...

The rest of his own men had already ditched the craft. And he was the last one to the side, he lept hitting the surface almost instantly. He rolled through the hot sand and slid to a halt, watching as the ship spiraled out of the sky and slammed into the surface, bursting into fire and twisted metal. He didn't have time to mourn their sacrifice. Immediately tufts of dirt kicked up around him, stark streams of carbon barreling down on his position. Corrin's fleet hadn't even begun it's descent to the surface and already Republic forces marched the grounds, Orbital drop troops no doubt, he knew... he used to be one of them.

As he sprinted across the battle field, carbon streams phasing past him as he did so, he watched as other men rushed forward right beside him, war-faces on all of them as their rallying cries echoed over the explosions. Ignoring the mortar rounds that shelled their position. Wryln's men were fearless, even as death swept it's dastardly hand upon them. And their motivation roused his own.

Conner dove into a man-made trench just as mortar rounds riddled their position. He scrambled to his feet and slammed his shoulder into the wall as the debris washed over them, pelting them. With fury in his eyes he charged his weapon and brought it over the bend. Releasing it's contents into the dust-filled battle field.

"WE HOLD THE LINE! DO NOT LET NOT ONE BASTARD THROUGH, AND DARE THE ENEMY FIND THEMSELVES IN OUR TRENCHES THEN YOU WILL MAKE HIM WISH THAT HE HADN'T" Conner roared.

A unanimous war cry echoed over the sounds once more as the rebellion defended their position with stout heart and espirit de corps. Wryln had trained his men well, but it wasn't just discipline that gave them cause to be brave, they had believed in their cause so truly that they were ready to die for it. And any man ready to die for his beliefs was a force not to be under-estimated.

As the sounds of battle rang out, Saris almost felt helpless as she saw the sky bloom into flames that spread all around.  The screams that pierced the air as civilians ran...and yet she stood resolute.  She felt the Force around her, frowning as she felt Seshmira and Annattar reaching to each other...all she knew was that was not going to end well...yet she shook her head to focus herself.  She was about to step away from the crowd when she heard the heavy foot falls of Republic soldiers coming from behind, on the nearly empty street.  As she turned, she blocked back a few blaster bolts with the green saber in her left hand strait back to their sender.  Counting them down, the squad was certainly not the largest...but on her own they would be a problem yet she was the only thing standing between the innocent people trying to evacuate and their blasters.  As she took in a deep breath, She heard from behind her cutting through the crowds was a group, part of a small militia that jumped in line beside her as Annattars soldiers began to open fire.  It was both a comfort and heart breaking to see the people of Ardru joining in the fight to protect their home.  She even caught the sight of one of them smiling at her.  They knew who she was, why she was here...and as one stepped in front of her, she took it as a silent relief for her to move forward to join her colleges.  She ducked away, turning her saber off for the moment as she observed a second wave of Ardru people, these true soldiers, joined in...And she had to force her self to move on.  The people would protect their own, and they seemed to have a good handle on it now.  She could only hope the Force would guide them...

After going around a corner quick, she felt a smile play with her lips as she felt Ereth reaching out for her.  Reaching back, she linked together the Force to allow them to communicate. "Ereth.  Finally...Where are you? "  She noticed a family running into their home to bar the doors..."It is Chaos down here.  I trust you have thought of a solid plan?" ...She may be Grand Master, but she was also the first to admit she wasn't always the best at having a plan. Now, her only plan was to meet up with them, to fight along side them...

The black craft swept over the trench lines, bolts of red hot plasma shrieking from the underwing cannons into the cannon that had just recently missed him. The emplacement detonated with a white hot bloom of shrapnel and energy, shattering bones and bodies nearby. He pulled up into a tight spiral and came back. This time there was no blaster fire. Instead, the hatch of the ship opened and the black armored Sith Lord dropped from it, right into the center of the lines. In mid air his blood red blade shrieked to life, and as he came down, he bisected a man right down the center. From there, the terror began.
Men were screaming, blaster fire directed at the skull helmed monster shrieking back into their ranks as the lightsaber slammed them back. Men literally fell apart by the blade or were torn apart by the invisible power of the Force; necks twisting with horrendous cracks and splintering fractures.

Men began running, retreating in earnest as a gap opened that Republic troops took advantage of. As they swarmed into the hole he'd made and engaged the Separatists at close range, he made his way over the trench...where she was standing.

The red lenses of his facemask looked over her white armored form, and the lightsaber at his side fell into a casual hold. He reached up with one taloned gauntlet and lifted the helmet off of his head, revealing a look that was more well groomed than it had ever been as a Jedi. His blue eyes were sad, but focussed on her.

"I'd hoped when we met again...just you and me...it'd be far happier. Far closer. I wished only to hold you, kiss you, lay with you...but..." He closed his eyes. When he opened them, they were crimson laced with yellow "I told you to take the boy and run. You should have listened. Where is he?"

“I've seen worst...” Xeo said off the side of his mouth to Nozami when the canon crashed on to the surface with Seshmira getting Corrin's attention. Regardless of his name, Xeo always remember the good that was Corrin. Annattar just a figure of his former self in the shadows of lies. He did heed Nozamoi's words on trying to do damage control now feeling the surge between the two. This wasn't his time to duel his former master. Xeo felt more of a...warm up after the self inflicted wound. “Well...attack pattern Gamma?” Xeo nodded and took towards a long dynamiter in circling both Seshmira and Annattar.

Any taint of The Dark Side by Annattar's corruption was to be expelled near the two super powers on the surface of this planet. Having Nozami gripping at the wrist Xeo ignited his blade and nodded to his partner to do the same. Xeo took blaster fire and some heavy bolts from shocktroopers from long distance and point blank range. Heads and torsos were flying through the air as the vaporization of there blood and bones were heard by Xeo's blade. Soon he broke away from Nozami's wrist and started doing his Ataru mastery over his enemies. More flips than kicks as beheading kills and team killing among the black armor troops of 'The Republic' were being laid to waste. Drop troopers with quad duralsteel started to show up on the front lines and division that Xeo had to consider going for his Dual Phase mode. With a good amount of The Force summoned and focusing into Djem-So took right into there ranks. “Come one...come all! Let's see how your fair against battlemaster styles of this caliber. I dare you to tell stories...if you still standing from my grace!” Pools of melting slag and screams were heard as more than five units of these death walkers in black with red visors would be brushed with ease. At times Xeo would Force Jump into the air and Force Push hard enough to crack the surface of the planet and all enemies to be pulverize. “How's you're fairness, firecracker?” Xeo yelled over the battlefield...knowing her hearing, Nozami could tell it was him.

Xeo then look towards the skies seeing those false Republic craft coming in. “If only I could do more than just ground. Oh wait...” his Jedi Sense were able to find out another personnel on the battlefield to run into. It only took him a few jumps and landed into a trench man made. “Oh Conner there you are....hows,” he said as a few blaster bolts came by. Still in Dual Phase, Xeo just Force Push the bolts back at the Scout Troopers before they got to close to block. “Listen can you give out some coms to whom ever has that commander we capture weeks ago? Maybe he can give us the means to break through there shields or run a muck with coms to give false information...something? At least the air space needs help. You do that while I'll,” Xeo kept saying as more morter shots came in. He turned off his lightsaber and cover Conner. Force Protection was used in a split second as the blast took it told. Not a scrach...just some panting from Xeo's part. “...And I said I never was a Jedi. Heh...some order. I'll find another means to open the sky and help out Mal if need be. I got cover fire for, well...those two to duel it out on the battlefield.”

Xeo Force Leaps out of the trench and takes on more ground forces both man and machine base weapons. Walkers were next on his kill list. Not to do Dual Phase but more focusing on Force Abilities. ..a good amount of Force Speed and just knowing where to strike would cut down any walker legs if need be or confused them long enough for self inflecting blast against others. “They are spread too thick for that kind of fire...false bucket heads of the Republic. HA!” Indeed his will of The Force was getting to him again. The heat of battle always making him give into more raw emotions. He keeps checking back on Annattar and Seshmira's duel, if such a thing would ever happen to be witness and tell another life form. The pattern of fire to keep those two unarmed was holding for the time being. At times when Xeo had no means of using his lightsaber he just looked towards any low fliers, and either Force Push them into another close formation, or Jedi Mind Trick the leader into committing treason and kamikaze into a hull of a hanger to disable any fighters. Xeo doing his rounds and mocking up any ground forces until he got back to Nozami. “Well hopefully we did our Gamma battle plan until the skies are clear then we can see how this duel would end up unless we have to get off this rock with innocence to watch over...”

Some reason...Xeo's breath turned cold as he was finishing his speech. He thought Annattar teleported over to his side and would end him in one move. It was someone just as worst. “...Well well...some reunion after all this time now?” he said to...'him.'

“...Oh brother, where out thou? Hello dearest firecracker...or is it Nozami still these days?” Dreazin appared. On this world...just by himself, or did he?

Seshmira watched the carnage and didn't seem at all effected by it. Death and blood were as common to her as breathing in all the years they had been separated. For when she had lost her mind for a time upon her return from being lost in the Force she became a pure killer. What they had always feared she would be, but she for reasons unknown would only target Sith who were working to dispel the peace they had achieved. In her madness she would often leave nothing but puddles of blood behind her where bodies once stood. Using her ability for Force Combustion to destroy their bodies utterly with no hope of ever bringing them back. She had been remorseless. Saris was the only one who would could reign her in back then. She was a true wraith, A creature who at the sound of her screams acted as a death knell. The Banshee. As he looked in to her eyes, his own changing from their eternal sapphire blue to fiery crimson and yellow he saw it all flash over her mind. “You really think I'm afraid? Come come my Beloved Hero we both know I never did listen very well when you told me to stay away.” She raised her hand. It too bore a gauntlet making her hands look like the claws of a bird of prey. All to like his own despite their years apart. She touched side of her face the mask covering that had been covering the lower half of her face pulled back. Showing once more hardly a line of the years had shown on her face. Her long braid falling over her shoulder. He could see the white ribbon braided in to her hair. The last time she had worn it so was on their wedding day. She smiled at him lovingly despite the ill intent in the air. “Corrin do you honestly believe me so foolish that I would allow myself to know where he is knowing full well your intention is to kill us both? Search my mind my Beloved Hero. I don't know where he is. I made certain that I wouldn't. He wasn't safe with me. Not for what I know I need to do.” She closed the distance between them throwing off her gauntlets her hands now exposed. She smiled at him still despite the darkness in his eyes reaching up and tussled his hair. “There now you look more yourself.” Her touch was so gentle and light. She knew his intent, but still she reached for him. Had to touch him. “I too had hoped when we found each other again it would be a much happier reunion. Though we both know your Master see's me for what I am far too powerful a threat to be allowed to live. I make you stronger and more so we are that much stronger together. I also remind you of the man you still are deep down. Even though you deny it to yourself. Sith don't allow their apprentices to become stronger then them or for any chance that they may turn on them. Better to destroy the light then allow for it to outshine all things. Even them.” She stepped back but only so she could see his face better and so he could see her's as her eyes bore in to him. Those dark unearthly forest green eyes that could see so much more then she would ever say and looked right through your very soul. “I see things perhaps much more clearly then you might imagine. Whether I really want to or not. For in searching for you I went further in the Force then most dare ever go. So far out that I did not come back for three months. My body lay in a comatose state. You see the reasons seers don't venture as far as I did is because you can become so lost you never return, you die or simply you lose your mind. Well my Beloved Hero I did become quite mad, but it seems all the best people are these days. As a result however. I go to the places Malerna dare not look. Past, present and all potential futures. So many rivers all flowing to the same ocean. A endless sea of power and creation. The Force itself. So when I look at you. When I am near you. I see much more then you or anyone else ever could or could hope to see.” In the moment she said thus he saw her eyes shine so bright that they turned white. Illuminated by the strength of her vision and their joint power. In being close to her he ended up for the first time since they realized she had this gift seeing what she saw. Her armor stained with red. A saber plunged deep in to her chest, but the person who did it was left undetermined. It could be him or it could be his Master. Only a black gloved hand gave way to the truth, but not the full answer. It was so clear he could feel the white hot heat of the saber burning in his own chest as it dissipated. Still when they came back she was smiling at him. “That is one future to where this current path may lead, but I see many rivers. Before you make your choice allow me to show you. Allow me to let you see as I see. To show you were all power comes from and more so what your choices may lead you too. I made a vow on our wedding day. That no matter what path you walk down I will walk it with you. That I will love you in this life, beyond the far reaches of time and the Force. I meant every word. I still do. You could be the one to drive the saber in to my chest and I would still love you. You could burn down all of creation and I would still love you. Loving someone truly, doesn't end when they change or lose their way. You still love them no matter what and you be there for them in all ways. Even when they try to drive you away. I love you Corrin Illessar. I always have and I always will. I will never give up on you. No matter how far you try to go my heart goes with you. I couldn't change that no matter what happened in our lives. The Force brought us together. I know that truly. Just as it does now. So come with me my Beloved Hero. See as I see and know as I know. I hide nothing from you and am as open as I have always been. So please don't turn away from me this time.” She reached out and gently cupped his cheek. “Let me help you to see as no one else can.”

Nozomi ran out with Xeo as the troops came in moving with him fluidly her two light whips drawn as she left behind only pieces. Her whips moving in a never ending vortex. Like a crazed hurricane ready to swallow everything in its path. Yet she stopped dead when she heard his voice. Like a ghost of her past come back to haunt her. She turned to face him her fiery red hair wild from her movements. “You lost the right to use that nickname when you slaughtered our family.” Her hands gripped her saber hilts. Her knuckles going white as she was ready to take his head off. When she heard giggling. She whipped around to see white hair, pale pink skin and a painted grin. “Lumi.....” She said through gritted teeth.

Luminessa was beautiful. A half zeltron half sephi. Moon light white hair that went down to the center of her back in a high pony tail with pointed ears. Pale pink skin with a small frame well toned athletic build. High cheek bones with dazzling violet eyes and a crescent moon birth mark over her left eye. Painted on tears and smile making her look much like a jester. Clad in a tight backless leather black corset vest, black pants with knee high boots. Her sabers on her hips, but they knew too well she had other weapons hidden on her person. She was Dreazin's apprentice. A deadly young woman speacilizing in Force Bombs and Cryokenisis along with being quite the acrobat. She passed by Nozomi laughing and giggling as she took to her Masters's side her head tilting on to his shoulder in a show of mild affection. “They don't seem to happy to see us. So much for family reunions huh. Never was much my thing, but then again I don't really know mine too well and yours is either extra crispy or drunk most of the time.” She giggled again as she could see Nozomi noticeably become more agitated. “Hey I though you Jedi were supposed to be all about peace and light. That nothing ruffled your feathers. HA another good joke of life.” She moved her head and turned about in a dancer like motion. With a slight pout on her lips. “We come to help them and she wants to take your head off Drez. Tut tut shows how grateful they are. Ah well.” She shrugged as she raised her hand picking up a rock and throwing it behind Xeo's head then raised her hand a explosion going off behind his head as a trooper fell over. “See? Helping.” She giggled again.

Malerna was already being bombarded with the wounded as she worked fast to treat them. Feeling Saris near by she reached out to her old friend. “I know Seshmira seems out of her head for what she is doing, but if she is successful we might just have a better fighting chance. Fight now scold later. I'm neck deep in the wounded. We could use you over here as most of the fighting is coming this way. Most of the people have been evacuated but some are still trying to get here. Do what you can. Xeo and Nozomi are dealing with as many as they can as are the rest of the troops.” Malerna raised her hand to Force push away another piece of falling ceiling that was getting ready to come at them. Going quickly back to her work on yet another trooper who had several blaster wounds. Her hands moving like lightning as she tried to get him ready to head back on the field. Combining her skillful surgeons hand and her Force healing ability. She was being worn thin, but she had to keep going. She couldn't allow one more soul to perish. She wouldn't. Too many have died for no reason. Too many souls to the Force all because one of their own had betrayed them. She was determined to save every soul she could and more. Her heart was breaking with each soldier and civilian that was brought in that she had to heal. With each life she saved she held on to that hope. That mad hope that things could be changed. That the one river she saw. That one shining light of what could be. She held it in her heart and kept healing others. She had to.

War spread like wild-fire over the surface of Ardru. The dregs of Corrin's forces slammed into the strategic defensive networks that the resistance had set up prior to their arrival. The Republic fleet pierced the surface, their warships now visible as their fire power reigned down upon them. No blockade had slowed their advance, no Separatist vessel to counter them as they took over the Ardru skies.

Nathe's expressionless face watched it all occur kilometers away as the remaining ships prepared themselves for evac. His voice was emotionless as he prepared what little forces remained at his side. "I wouldn't expect any less of the Republic... however, we have prepared for this, ready our contingency plan. Malesyn will be calling on us er' long."

"Everything is set up as instructed, We're ready and awaiting your command, sir." One of the higher military officials nodded.

----

Ereth had been no stranger to war. Despite being known to most within his organization, the details of his life bore a resound testament to his reclusive life style. He had been seen by many as a wise and gentle soul, and in most respects he was. But battle had shared it's presence with the Jedi Councilman on many occasions. He was all too familiar with the need for sound strategy. It was one of the reasons why he had chose Malesyn to lead them. The Commander, despite his internal quarrels over the events that transpired thus far, knew the importance of survival. To the men who fought such battles without the safety of the force, this is what war was in it's entirety.

Ereth was not endowed with great knowledge in various styles of the force. He did not know every form of light-saber combat, he was not knowledgeable in all the abilities that could be learn to increase ones knowledge or power in it. But his mastery in what he had learned made him a force to be reckoned with. There was power in subtlety, and Ereth's entire lifestyle could be summed up as such... a subtle, simple, kind-hearted being who, when it came to battle, carried out his duty with distinction and dignity.

Most Jedi and Sith alike would make a mad dash to learn all they could about the force and it's secrets. But Ereth respected those secrets. Enjoyed the mysteries of the force, found serenity in it, in all honesty. To think there were frontiers still available to men and women of the force who did not think to usurp their fellow constituents as they have been doing for thousands of years. Perhaps this is one of the qualities the Grand Master saw in him. Perhaps it is why she had relied on him so. Ereth, was one of the few Council members who knew more than most of the dealings and events that transpired within the galaxy. Things that transpired even before Corrin became an official member of the Order. It would be surprising to learn that the shadow he followed all his life wasn't Corrin and the Emperor... but another, who even now kept his presence unknown and neutral during these trying times. A looming presence who he couldn't help but feel as if they had been watching, and judging them from the time of his Master's existence to the here and the now.

"Standby, Master Amalia... we will be extracting you shortly." He pushed the message through on their private mental link, before he opened his eyes to look upon Malesyn, who had been watching him intently. "She is near us, to the East, within the small city-scapes nearby."

Malesyn confirmed with a nod and leaned back to inform the pilots. It wasn't long at all before the Grandmaster could see their drop-ship descending upon her location. Ereth was the first to step off and greet her, a group of men following him in his wake to set up a perimeter and pull security as he and Commander Malesyn greeted her. "It is good to see you made it safely from the Temple." Ereth bowed slightly and with a smile, but his eyes were too hazed to appropriate the same emotion. "The assault as you can see has begun, but I am happy to announce that the majority of the Separatists forces are already making their way toward Malesyn's designated coordinates, which we will be heading to once we have tied things up here."

Malesyn held out his right hand in greeting his other keeping his rifle in check, "Naydo Malesyn, ma'am. I've been doing my best to coordinate our forces here on the surface."

Ereth nodded, "I'm sure you remember Malesyn, you tended to his wounds after the battle of Correlia. No doubt you may have come to the realization of his importance by now. This man was a former Commander of the 273rd Special Forces Division. His service to the Republic has been numerous; he was at one point an appointed task force member of Corrin's. He knows more about the man's tenure in battle than perhaps his closest consorts in the Jedi Order. If there would be anyone to formulate a trained military resistance, this would be our man."

"Would that it were, that we had time on our side. Our forces on the front-lines are already taking hits, and your fellow Council members have wandered off to fight battles of their own. Ereth and I have worked closely together many times before, and we both agree that our priority should be evacuating as many Separatists as possible. This confrontation is not on fair terms, we are ill-equipped to deal with a full scale Republic assault. Nathe's men are tough, but they are not properly trained, their weapon is their resolve. More than ever we need breathing room. We need distance and time to coordinate these forces into a fighting force to be reckoned with."

"Malesyn is correct," Ereth nodded, "We need your voice to rally the Jedi, fighting on their own I fear the worst, but together, we may yet live to fight another day."

As Ereth finished, Malesyn's hand went to his ear and he cantered off to the side, before long he looked at Malesyn, "That was Conner, they've broken through our first line of defense, our men our falling back and covering down on our second strategic position. Xeo and Nazomi are with he and the rest of my men."

Ereth gave Amalia a cold look, "Seshmira meets with Corrin Illessar. So already he walks the surface of Ardru, the man's tenacity knows no bounds. I'm all too well aware of their relationship. I can sense it about as much as any Jedi could. Amalia, our situation is too fragile to risk a betrayal. Is she going to be a problem for us?" It was a cold question to ask, but a necessary one. And Ereth was not without sincerety with his words.

Malesyn put a hand on Ereth's shoulder to grab his attention, "We should get in the air at least, get to the second line of defense where we can better command the troops. Though I do not doubt Conner's taking the lead in that respect, I'm sure Amalia is ready to coordinate the Jedi."

"You are not mistaken in that, old friend." Ereth nodded to Amalia, "By your word, Grand Master. My blade is yours."

Malesyn gave her a final nod, before he moved back over to the drop-ship, from within the hull he carefully pulled a man out allowed him to find footing on the surface before letting him go, his hands were bound, but he did not look to be mistreated. "Before we go, Master Jedi..."

"I would have words with the Admiral."

---------

Conner had little time to watch Xeniro confront the unfamiliar two counterparts who seemed to walk the battle-field of little accord to the men around them who were laying their lives on the line. While he respected the man for aiding them in their hour of need, the fact that Jedi and Sith alike could walk so nonchalantly into battle irked him to no end. He used that fury in the fact however to rally the first line of defense and push them to fall back and regroup at their second strategic battle position as planned. He signaled Xeo and Nazomi as best he could from afar, but they seemed to be pre-occupied.

Grizz lept up beside him as he prepared to move, Esparza, and Aracles soon after. "Getting mighty dicey over here, top. What's the plan?"

"Push back, get to the next objective and hold, the boss should be here shortly, once the second line of defense breaks we make for the evacuation site. Nathe's 3rd line of defense should daze them enough to make a lucrative escape."

"Were we in a better situation to take these bastards on, I'd love to give that bastard Corrin a piece of my mind." Esparza sighed, cheerful and complacent as always.

"I'm sure the Commander is ahead of you in that line, Esparza. We all want to know what the hell he is up to. This isn't the Jedi we remember fighting beside." Conner replied. he looked over his cover one last time. In the distance he could make out 2 silhouettes, one dark, and one encumbered in white. No doubt he could probably make out one of them to be Corrin, as for who the other was he was unsure. With a look of wariness evident in his face, he drew back into cover and Malesyn's men prepared themselves to fall back and regroup. "Let's get this over with, guys. I'm dying to get a decent night's sleep without this bastard looking over our shoulders."

Saris heard Malerna in her head and sighed, rubbing her head briefly as she saw the drop ship coming near her. She was glad to hear her former Padawan was here doing what she could...but she had little time as she smiled back to Ereth as her friend and his associate came to her. As she moved to them in return she nodded back to him. "I'm glad you made it out safely as well. It would be a very boring galaxy without you to pick on. We must get through to Corrin, stop this madness."
She tried to keep her words light, but her frazzled mind was betrayed at the edge of her words. She shook Malesyns hand quick "I am glad to see you made it through as well, I remember your wounds were extensive last I saw you...and please...just call me Saris. No need to be so formal as to call me by my surname or position. Ereth knows how much I hate it." Saris gave her furry friend a pointed look as she pushed back the memories of Correlia. She had no time to think of the past in the middle of the present battle field.
She crossed her arms as they spoke, feeling around them into the force to understand better "I can feel him, he's not a presence you forget easily...yet I am unsure about Seshmira...I believe she knows what she is doing, what Corrin is capable of...how much of a risk she is taking...yet I worry more that she may be underestimating Annattar...He is very much changed from the man that was her husband, my friend...at this point I can only hope nothing will go wrong with what ever plan she has."
Unlike the others, she was a bit less optimistic yet she held plenty of hope to make up for it. "I am glad to have you both with me, It would be much more difficult if you were not here...We must hurry to get the Jedi rallied..." She paused as she saw the Admiral brought out, pursing her lips slightly
"There is little time for your interrogation here...but if you must, make it worth while to save these people."

Annattar paused, the red beam of the lightsaber in his hands sliding back into the hilt. He listened as carefully as he could, feeling every word, every sentence she said in his very soul. His gaze found her eyes, and found the helmet that was his new face. The red lenses gazed up at him from the skull, the dark crown atop threatening and shining. He sighed; the explosions around him, the screams of death and rage washing over him like a dark tide at moonlight.
"I've seen the future, and I've seen what happens if I don't take these matters into my own hands. If I don't do this, the galaxy lives under the yoke of a threat that will never, ever stop. You can't stop it. I can...and I will, no matter what it takes."
He reached up, his gauntleted fingers closing around hers as she touched his cheek "You can't save me, Seshmira. I don't need to be saved, and I don't want to be saved. It's too late for me to turn back on this road. It's far too narrow, and far too long."
He reached out and caressed her cheek, closing his eyes again.
In the Force she was a beacon, preparing herself for what was to come; powering a vision that she wanted him to see. Underneath that was something different. He could feel them...Ereth...Saris, Xeo and Nozomi. Conner, Mal...closing on his position. He could feel darker forces opposing Xeo and Nozomi, and recognized one instantly as Dreazin. Another complication...but possibly part of a trap that he had walked right into.
His hand moved down her cheek, and to her throat...and there his grip tightened. He lifted her in the air, opening his eyes to reveal crimson and yellow.
"You led them here, to me." He whispered. "Whether or not you intended to, you've sprung an ambush..." His grip tightened as he began to shake.
"Why couldn't you have just run?!" He snarled "Why couldn't you have just frakking taken our son, and hid somewhere and not FORCE me to do what I now have to do?! Why can't you HATE me? Why can't you be afraid of me?! WHY CAN'T YOU JUST LISTEN?!"
He threw her to the ground then and walked away a few paces, pulling his lightsaber from his belt once again. The blood red blade ignited with a hateful hiss.
"Get up, Jedi. This ends one way..." He glared at her, hot tears leaking down his cheeks.

The two Xeniro brothers kept eyeing one another. A long stare down without words being uttered. A rare sight for a moment. After a few short words the two would duel each other for victory and death. Dreazin taking in all the screams of life being taken on the battlefield and scorched earth as a means of 'soothing' songs in his mind. Xeo, on the other hand kept eyeing on him and Annattar just to be sure two Sith don't become one alliance. He knew it wasn't in Dreazin's nature. There eyes kept being locked on each many moments as blaster bolts nearly hitting any parts of there body, but almost able to just seem to step slightly to the left or right to avoid a fatal shot. Xeo didn't see past Dreazin for any thoughts of sending his new right hand after Nozami or waiting for him to make the 1st move. The feeling of The Dark Side pooling into Xeo's aura being defected back at Dreazin with any amount of Light Side almost made Dreazin cracked a smile feeling the need to have a worthy, if not, equal duelest...but he isn't about having one being his equal unless it was a true successor from his bloodline or his mate.

After a long stare of Dreazin finally broke the silence with him igniting his deep purple violet blade. “Deal with Nozami...this is a sibling rival!” Dreazin almost vanished right in front of Xeo and for a split second later Xeo Force Pushed Nozami out of the way to see almost a shadow like void come forth with Dreazin's blade nearly running Xeo through. “You will not be my equal...you'll never be truly Corrin's better half. You can never find true balance within you! I'll denied your path to such ways!”

"Because my Master trained me to never run away from my problems. Because my Master showed me that I should never give in even at the cost of my life. Because my Master showed me that even in darkness there is always light to be found. My Master Corrin Illessar trained me to never give up even when all hope seemed lost. That love and the light conquers all things and in it all things are possible. My Hero I'll never stop trying and I'll never stop loving you. Even if it means my life." She slowly rose to her feet her eyes met his as the gauntlets that she had taken off flew back to her and slid on to her hands like a second skin. Giving her hands once more the look of having the talons of a bird of prey. He watched as her eyes narrowed giving that all to avian like quality to them. Like a hawk circling its prey. He saw her once crushed larynx easily move back in to place. The bruising begin to recede to once more pristine white skin. As she kept her composure he could feel it build in her. The whirlwind that was his wild woman of the forest. The one who would never let a tear of pain fall from her face so that she could save him. He watched as the tears that fell from his face flowed towards her like crystals forming and changing as they touched her cheeks and absorbed in to her skin. “I take your sorrows and they become my own. I take your pain and it shapes me. Your fears. Your agony. Everything I take it in to myself as I always have and I will shoulder it. Just as I did on the battle field all those years ago when you took out Orexis. Crying out to me that the Sith were nothing more then cattle meant to be slaughtered. I took your face in my hands and I once again reminded you that each one of them were living breathing beings of the Force. Good or bad they had people to love them. People to miss them when they were gone. That any life. No matter the side they were on was precious. Just as your life is precious to me. Even if they did come for you Corrin they would have to get passed me first.” She removed her saber staff Hope from her belt. He knew all to well Seshmira never drew her saber unless she felt the person she faced was worthy of it. He knew that if she chose she could use her power of Force combustion and reduce him to a puddle of blood. When it came to the Force he knew too well his wife had few that were her equal in utilizing both light and dark side abilities so seamlessly and still being able to retain her sense of self. The violet blade of the amethyst he had given her all those years ago snapped to life yet it seemed to vibrate. Stronger then he had ever remembered. She closed her eyes a moment as crystalline tears escaped her eyes and rolled down her cheeks like jewels. She opened her eyes to look at him her irises where changing in front of him from their eternal dark forest green to pure white. “You say one way my beloved Hero? I think not.” She took a rather odd stance one he had not yet seen from her. Her body contorted in a odd fashion as she seemed to be swooped down low ready to spring from her lowered position like a bird breaking free from its cage. “I've gained control over my visions since you last saw me and when the madness of the eternal sea of the Force took me it granted me new insight that allowed me to apply it to combat. Precognition they call it. To see what will be before it happens. Something the best blade masters strive for. To know what your opponent will do before they do it. Before they think it. But I have a distinct feeling I'll need it just to keep my head.” She smiled at him from her stance. It felt much like how their old sparing matches began. When they would train to both their absolute limits and many times beyond them. Yet behind her smile he could see the pain in her features buried deep in her white eyes. This was ripping her apart as it was him. “The whole of creation could come for you Corrin and I wouldn't let them get their hands on you. This moment here and now is about you and me. The choices we make here and the now. I can't kill you. My heart would never allow me to end your life. I would sooner rush on your blade then end your life, but I can't allow the Chancellor to take Eldarion nor any harm to come to him. When you were gone he befriended Eldarion and acted as a surrogate Father. Had my visions not been so clouded in my search for you. Had I known he knew where you were all along.....We all could have been together. Jedi, Sith none of that holds meaning for me. Its just words. Names given to those of religious belief. It is only in the heart of the wielder of the Force that it truly matters. You should have been there for Eldarion. Not that bastered who manipulated us. Who attempted to take your place in your boys eyes. All these years...gone and for what?!” It was the first time her voice broke. The first time her pain of the situation broke the surface. “So all the people you love could die? So thousands of innocent people who will not bend the knee that never did anything wrong will die? For some type of phoenix birth from the ashes?! Look around at you Corrin. Look at all this. Look at me....at you.....here and now....Sabers drawn....WHY?!” Her hand griped her hilt tighter as if to steady herself. “I will never give up on you. I can't...To give up on you is to give up on hope itself. The hope that kept my alive for sixteen years that I might see the owner of those sapphire eyes when all else tried to kill me. Hope of a future with the man I love. Hope of the family we share and a life free of war and endless blood shed. We once talked of that. Leaving it all behind....I know we were young and so foolish to think we ever could, but it was a dream just the same. Eldarion needs you Corrin....I need you. Please don't make me do this. Don't make me have to raise my saber and use my power against the very reason I have for living. For you aren't just my beloved Hero. You are my hope. The very embodiment of my will to keep breathing. To give up on you...I give up on everything. I just can't do that.”

Nozomi and Luminessa both rolled their eyes as they grabbed their respective Xeniro brother and ripped them away from each other. Nozomi elbowed Xeo in the face. “We do not have time for this stupidity. Last I checked we are on a planet that is under attack Xeniro. Calm your shit and stow your hatred for the wannabe dead man over there....We don't have time for it.....”

Luminessa griped on to Dreazin as he felt a cold surge go through his body. She smiled sweetly at him. “If you don't stop trying to play rough with your brother I will turn you in to a Dreazcicle. We came here to help them. Not chop them up in to tiny little pieces.” She grabbed his cheeks and pursed his lips together. “No go kiss and make up so we can explode some Republic soldiers. Ok?” She smiled sweetly and giggled as she let him go. Her finger tips leaving a little bit of frost behind on his cheeks.

Nozomi sighed once again. “Once I was your commanding officer in our special Forces unit. We were good at what we did. Seems we have a situation where the band at least for now has to get back together. Things are going to nine hells around here and getting worse by the minute. I don't have time for this. Dreaz hate you as I do for what you have done we don't really have a choice here. Either work with us or I let your apprentice freeze you and then I will slash you in to ice chuncks. Do I make myself clear?”

Malerna was dealing with more and more by the minute and felt the unease as Corrin turned on Seshmira. Malerna did something she hadn't done in years. She began to pray. Pray to the Force that Seshmira saw something she couldn't. “Saris and Ereth if you need help with the interogation I will do what I can. Still in way over my head with the wounded here. Sending the Xeniro brothers out soon hopefully....Yes I said brothers....We have another one to deal with...”

Admiral Mullen, despite his abrasiveness in his dealings with Malesyn and his alliance, was a good-intentioned man. His service to the Republic had been profound. For 23 years he had served proudly, and with the highest honors. But every man had his weakness, Mullen's just so happened to be his family. Malesyn did not spite the man for having put their safety first before the mission. But it was still a violation of his duties. Even so, they were no longer under Republic Code. There was a chance he had to redeem himself. And Malesyn, kind-hearted as he was beneath his rigid exterior, wanted to offer him that chance.

They had since found themselves on their way to Conner and his men aboard the dropship, with Grand Master in tow. It was the best option for them to carry out the interrogation en-route. Amalia was not lying about time being of the essence.

"Admiral, sir." Malesyn gave him his full attention. "If there is any chance that your family is still alive I'm sure we can do what we can to find them. Where we are going, Corrin won't be able to follow, he has no idea where we intend to make port once we've all been evacuated. This will give us the time required to build our forces, and investigate ours and your situation further. If there is anything you can tell us, that would help us reach that goal. It serves as a better chance to see them again. Cooperate with us, sir. We're not the villians, even you know that."

The Admiral was stricken by grief, his head hung between his shoulders, but the comment roused him enough to make eye contact with the Major. "It's a hopeless cause, I betrayed my own integrity as a soldier, I have killed my family. No amount of redemption will see that changed. You do not know Annatar like I do, Malesyn. He would sooner snap their necks if I did so much as look at him with any sign of disrespect."

"Sir, where I come from respect goes both ways. Had I doubted you I wouldn't still be calling you, sir."

After a moment Mullin raised his head. "Anattar's plan is to pressure you. He's made it his mindset to do so with wreckless abandon. Every ship and destroyer was deployed to ensure that none of you make it out this day."

Malesyn thought on this revelation for a moment before realizing what the Admiral was getting at. "Coruscant and the neighboring Rebublic foot-holds are undefended."

He nodded slightly.

Malesyn gave a nod to one of the soldiers beside him and the man turned to release his shackles.

"Sir, we haven't the forces to even consider a counter attack at this point, but we need all the leadership we can get. For your sake I hope your family is still alive, and we'll see what we can do about getting your family back when we can. But I need you to lead. You know very well there are plenty of our men worried about their families too. This isn't going to work if we're only worried about ourselves."

The Admiral nodded slowly as he rubbed his wrists.

"Conner, we're on our way, ETA 3 minutes." He looked to Ereth, who had been consulting with Amalia. "Once we've linked up with Conner and my men, we'll be helping them push back to our last defensive line. Nathe is awaiting the signal for a full scale retreat of our remaining forces. Amalia, Ereth, we need you to get the reigns on the remaining Jedi Order and appraise them of the situation. We are against the entire Republic force, there is absolutely no way we will come out of this alive if we are not sticking to our mission perogative. That being said most of the essential personnel have already been evacuated, save for us, we need to start preparing the last phase of our operation."

Ereth nodded, "Agreed, I'll stick with Amalia, help her rally our fellow constituants, then make for the exfil site."

Malesyn nodded, "I'll link up with Conner and order the rest of our men to fall back. Once we're there will initiate the last phase."

"Admiral." as he rose his head he caught the weapon Malesyn tossed to him. "You stick with me, and don't make me regret putting my faith in you,"

"Sir."

Mullen nodded somberly, "Let's get your men out of here, Major."

----

The Raven's Fold had been sitting idly by next to Nathe Wryln's outpost at the extraction zone. Aran Tarth, the Raven's Captain, waited patiently along side the man for any word from their men on the front lines. Colossal frigates were taking off kilometers behind them, only a select few remained. They could here the booms and bursts of the battle ahead of them. Grim they were, filled with the uneasy sound of war. "Malesyn better make that call or this is all for nothing, Tarth said as he watched the holo arrays before them."

"He'll make the call." Nathe said with an expressionless face. The man showed no doubt in that fact.

"He tells me you weren't as keen to negotiate the last time you met here." Tarth eyed him curiosly, his arms folded across his chest.

"I was too naive to think he'd listen to reason." Nathe grunted, "When the export trade failed on our world, and our people began to suffer, I wanted someone to blame. And at the time the Republic was an obvious choice. But now I know it's only one man who is responsible for this mess. And it isn't even that infernal Corrin Illessar. He's become the pawn, no doubt, but the Supreme Chancellor is the man behind the man."

"Well whatever the case is, we'll have the time to discuss it if we can pull off this evacuation."

"When, Captain, not if. Of that I am certain. We rebels got what we had initially came for when we came here, and that's war ships, and enough equipment to go to war. I find more solace now in being a part of a resistance than I ever did becoming a terrorist. This isn't about me anymore, it's about what we stand for. When this is all over, I will have made up for my actions in the past."

"Ardru will not become a part of that man's scheme, rest assured we will not leave here without dealing a crippling blow."

As the battle raged, fires burned, the stench of smoke and blood filled the air...and in that moment, she was released. It had been ages since she had a real fight, even if what she had faced so far in the day had been cannon fodder. No big deal really...and now she had finished her designated area and would have to report back. Finding him wasn't hard really...After all, the entire Galaxy had their eyes on Darth Annattar--Just follow the smoke, fire, and bodies.

In the time she had been with Caduceus and Annattar she had begun to grow again. No longer hindered by the 'teachings' of False Sith and Failed Lords, no longer was she like a stray pup looking for a home. Even her appearance was honed, her black cloak abandoned elsewhere to have better ease in the battle. Her dark brown hair that boarded on black was pulled half back with some brushing her shoulders and wispy tendrils not really fond of being contained nearly floated around her face. Her new black armor had a slight sheen in places, slightly scuffed from battle or speckled in places with drying blood...the perks of the black and purple tones that covered her almost completely, from her boots to her finger less gloves, to the neck covering top...She had grown back to what she had been suppose to be all this time, and now she only gave pause to observe her appointed 'Master'. Lord Caduceus had told her to stay with Annattar, to listen to his teachings and revere him as her master for the time being...yet she was wary of how it would turn out. The last apprentice of Caduceus that had trained her ended out turning her blade on the teen...and that had only succeeded in making her mad in that motion.

She kept to the edge of the field for a time, watching her Teacher and this bird like woman being so close with eyes of liquid gold slightly ringed with red...She was not amused. All the talking, the speeches...If he had intended to do as his Master had ordered, why did he stall? It was annoying to her as all the 'Why? why? why?' accomplished nothing. She palmed her saber as she made slow steps forward, her thumb tracing the cracked design embedded into the hilt...the actual cracks had been a 'gift' from Letalis, much like the scar running down her face; She had merely made the cracks permanent by adding a second metal to fill them in.

If he couldn't do what he was tasked to do, Kida would have no problems doing it herself.

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

As they went, Saris found herself watching out to the ground below them as she spoke with Ereth on the details of the battle for the Jedi, how to connect them all and toughen their defenses; she saw the billows of smoke the marked the battles...that Corrin could do this...it pained her...yet she had to keep a positive, hopeful front for the people around her even if it broke her heart. She nodded as they agreed on a plan, not bothering to correct them on her name yet again...They were used to it, and she couldn't keep correcting them. She was only along for the ride to the main battle grounds.
She heard Malerna in her head and her words almost gave her a headache again....Xenrio brothers? That in itself was trouble...
'Mal...Just focus on the wounded. I will get this under control. Focus your power to those around you...they need your undivided attention, even if it is only to comfort them in their passing.' She remembered being head healer, knowing how much trouble it could be if distracted..
She looked to Ereth as her eyes slightly narrowed...Feeling into the Force for all the Jedi around them, she prepared to leave the drop ship along side him
"Ready Fuzzy butt?" She couldn't help cracking a smile at the nickname she had coined him with so very long ago she couldn't even remember...It had always balanced them out with his formalities. "We must save these people...our people..." she diverted her eyes out in front of her again "...we can not lose this battle. At least...not so easily."

"Your Master also taught you when it was prudent to fight and when not to. To pay attention to a wider stage and smaller nuances." Annattar growled "He taught you to keep open to the will and the movements of the Living Force, so they could guide you to the path that needed to be travelled. Instead you've chosen Malerna and the Seer's universal theory, and so you've lost the ability to truly see. The future is always in motion, and our minds belong here, and now, as opposed to forward. Ignore the present, and you doom our descendants, and that is what you and the Jedi are doing."
He turned his head slightly as he felt Kida's presence, and he cursed under his breath. She was watching, and the gaze of his over-eager apprentice made the entire situation that much more complicated. His student or not, she reported to Caduceus, and the Sith Lord was irritated that his Master should always be close by. There were things that needed to be done that didn't require his scrutiny, and the idea that he was being watched troubled him. He sent a pulse of energy her way; a warning. Stay back, or she would pay for a lesson very dearly.
Annattar fixed his gaze on his wife. He knew her fear of her abilities...and knew she thought, as she always had, that she could kill him like an ant if she slipped, or if she became angry enough to lose herself and focus. This, like many of her fears, was not true. Corrin Illessar had never been a Seer, or a healer, or a Consular...but he was powerful in the Force. His ally had always been in life and the power that the universe surrounded him in, not just bladework. He had not become Grand Master only because he could fight with a blade, but because his powers had met some of the most powerful Force sensitives in the galaxy...and come out on top. Now a Sith Lord, that power didn't have the restraint that a Jedi's respect gave it, and he knew that she could hit him with everything she had, and he'd be able to dish it back in kind. He wasn't afraid of what she could do, and it was irony that it would come to a moment like this for her to finally realize that. He gauged her carefully, his finger touching a small button on the center of his wrist. The gauntlet gave a sharp squeal before it dinged almost jubilantly, and he nodded.
There was no time to think as he came forward, lightsaber slashing in what would seem like a thousand directions at once. Her blade was there to meet each one, her saber staff twirling to meet the angry, sharp movements of his blade work. The crimson blade met amethyst at every turn as the Sith Lord battered at her defences, calculating every move with ruthless efficiency...searching for something. An opening perhaps? A missed step? He was a surgeon at the operating table, and the lightsaber functioned like a well fashioned instrument.
Then, something changed. There was a moment, a slip. His blade hammered down from above, and she caught it on one half...then, as they'd danced a thousand times before, she spun to bring her other blade around in a backwards stab. It was a move he'd seen her and other staff users apply time and time again; a clever move designed to buy time and back an opponent off. He had fended it off every single time it had been thrown at him, but now...
The blade slammed into his chest, purple energy erupting from his back with a hissing crunch. He yelled out in agony before he threw her and the blade from him with a massive force pulse before falling to his knees to observe the scorched, smoking black mark on his armor. He coughed then, a font of blood pouring over his lips and down to the ground as he fell to his face in the dirt.
There was another explosion this time, followed by the screaming of engines. A black armored drop ship roared over the small ridge to hover near him, blaster cannons swerving to point at Seshmira. They fired, laying down an intensive screen of fire at her feet to push her back as a dozen black armored figures emerged from the craft. They ignited several shades of lightsaber...greens, purples, blues and yellows, to deflect bolts aimed at the fallen Sith Lord as Republic troopers dismounted and grabbed his silent form, carrying him into the ship. One of the black armored figures pointed at Kida. "Your Master instructs you to continue the attack on the ground. You are to fall back to the first marker and regroup, then slam forward with everything. Do not fail him" the figure deflected a stray bolt before turning back and boarding the ship, the black craft speeding into the sky. Whoever this group was, they were definitely not sanctioned by Caduceus.

Minutes later, the wounded Lord was fixed into a vat of Kolto, his form floating in the liquid...silent and alone.


As the interrogation finished, Malesyn's comlink beeped again before activating itself. The uniformed operative known only as Mit'thrawn'dir looked up from the device, his red eyes shimmering.
"I have but a few moments commander, but you need to know the situation. My intelligence on the ground informs me that the Republic is withdrawing to their first rendevouz point." It was an unexpected move. "Now is your chance. Evacuate your men, and make damn sure the Jedi go with them and don't exercise their damnable self sacrifice desires. I'm sending you a code burst that will give you the safest way for your fleet to withdraw. Space lanes are being monitored, but not this one." For a moment, the holo shimmered, almost giving the impression of something underneath. "Act quickly commander. All our hopes rest on enough escaping to win this war. May the Force be with you."

Dreazin, as one minded self center as he is with any means of power and control, Force Choked his new apprentice out of spite of her 'idea'. Xeo, on the other hand had to bow down at Nozami. She was right as Dreazin...didn't want to give in to Luminessa. “Only for more death...can the 'old times' resurface once again; however, I am command of my own forces on the other side of the planet in shadow and low orbit. I'll screen out any weakened crafts so far to open the sky for my troopers to land. I...alone can do far better being as one. Brother...” he gritted his teeth for saying his real name, “Xeo...as battlemaster land or air doesn't matter to you. I suggest giving in to your emotions and...”

“Just point me where the main rush is...it's what I'm best at, brother...” Xeo cuts him off. He knew small Dark Side taints could germinate from his influence with words.

“Southwest South. I'll have my units converge. You and...your mate can do what you can. I am not without sniper skills anymore, but death sphere of pain. Luminessa...you WILL company them. Insurance I don't glass them with you...”

“...but gather much detail if you can. Probe both for any weakness before I make my move...” Dreazin spoke to Luminessa in Force Telepathy.

Dreazin punched in a few key into his wrist comlink and called in his grand admiral. “I have change the plan...and pray I don't alter it further. Come and screen the fighters and these crafts. Break there command decks. Ground troops and Delta pattern formation. I'll be dealing with the bulk of there forces. Also...my mate is among enemies. They can't be harmed. Do so and I'll have other moffs trying to fill in your power vacuum.” Dreazin then started to make his way far from the group. Already with lightsaber in hand with purple violet hue and Force Lightning weaving around it...he started his personal run against a mass group of Republic forces to the false Grand Master of Jedi. “I just need the time to let things fall into place...then I'll show Xeo the way.” he said in the back of his mind. It felt like a black cloud came forth from where Dreazin was as he Force Dash into the fry. 20 troopers were felt by Force Lightning before Shein form came about. Blaster fire everywhere but Dreazin brush them back at the enemy with ease. It wasn't even flashy saber arts like his brother, Xeo. Piratical. Brutal. Nothing to give the enemy a moment to see a dance or evasion of an enemy, like a specter as Xeo could be...he wanted them to see who took there lives with the fire in his eyes. One platoon taken down by his Dark Side abilities his small fleet came in. Being away from them he made sure there arrival draw the attention of the heavy armor...which Dreazin made sure to take care of on his own.

Xeo, along with Nozmai and Luminessa did what Dreazin told them to do...at least Xeo listen to Dreazin. Just as soon as Dreazin's fleet came into view and open firing both sky and ground, Xeo felt the rush to give into his saber abilities. “Light and Dark working together...oh this day is soooooo full of surprises!” Xeo ignite his mint green blade and started to take into the air from all the blaster fire. Drawing any fire away from both ladies in the field of operation. Ataru came forth and started to be acrobatic. Letting enemy fire take out each other or even the main canons of Dreazin's fleet blow up a few because Xeo was at the right place and time to get the false Republic's attention. A Saber Throw here and a Force Speed into poor lower skilled troopers there, and Xeo was already racking up a good amount of bodies, which wasn't very Jedi of him to think of...but he had a job to do. A few heavy armored tanks were coming into view, but Xeo just disable them with easy with a Djem-So strike on the repulsor engines. Letting either the girls to finish the job or the fleet to take them out. “How you're holding up new-b? Try to keep coms active with Zoey over there,” Xeo said to Luminessa about sticking close to Nozami.

On the other side of the battlefield, false Republic forces were screaming in death and pain as Dreazin was making there walkers fall with ease. One by one he could fuse his lightsaber with Force Lightning and short out there entire motor engines, to which he opened a side panel in the hull and invaded. All the crew members, which were about 25-34 members plus troopers for back up drops...were turn into hollow husks by either his lightsaber or unnatural ways of The Dark Side. Once all on board were killed or fled he would over drive the engines safely limits on the reactors and the gears would still be locked up by Dreazin's doing. A simple Force Push out of the cockpit...or a dynamic cut from his lightsaber around the umbilicus neck section would sign the take down of one of the tanks...followed up by an explosion. “I am fond of this kind of training and Dark Side use on the false Republic's war machine...but I grow tired. Knowing my brother he's having the time of his life out there and...” Dreazin paused for a moment even as fire and bodies screaming around him was songs of harmony in his ears. He slowly pan his view towards to Seshmira and the fallen Grand Master. “A...disturbance. In my favor no less...”

“Keep up Luminessa...Nozami has a higher kill count than you...and your my brother's apprentice...step it up!” Xeo kept on taking down fighter crafts and heavy armor tanks with is dual phase saber mode or simply run into a group of troopers unwilling to gather there senses. Juyo was used to cut them down with ease or even Shii-Cho just for simple kills to give Xeo an idea where the next group for him to move on next. Then he stopped. Just like Dreazin, he felt it...towards Seshmira and Corrin. “What?” Xeo had to get a better view of what felt...cold in his heart. “Nozami come with me...forget that woman at the moment!” Xeo was giving into his emotions fast as he dashed over towards as close as he could from Seshmira and Corrin fighting each other. Xeo was the 1st to get there duel before Dreazin and anyone else.

The unthinkable happned. Xeo dropped to his knees. Pain was all he felt in his heart. Seshmira slew his former master. Xeo didn't know if it was fatal. He couldn't grip with reality. Then darkness took over his heart.

Right on cue from such timely events...Dreazin came right behind Xeo. “What is your creed with The Jedi these days. It's lacking true training...such darkness filling you up? Shame. What Jedi can you be with such unbalance willpower and training...even from your, now dead, Grand Master. You failed redemption on him...and on me. Utterly broken now...only one thing left. The void...” Xeo knew Dreazin had drawn his lightsaber to his back and could tell Xeo had no means to speak...but to fight. Xeo just took one swing of his blade willing to strike Dreazin blade and ready himself...instead his aim and anger towards him cracked Dreazin's hilt. Dreazin dropped the hilt and Force Dashed back...letting the hilt blow up in Xeo's direction. Knocking Xeo out...but Dreazin was unarmed against any saber welder...and much Force was spent on this day. Knowing Nozami was not far behind and Seshmira might notice Xeo being taken out. Dreazin quickly looked at Xeo and spoke in The Force saying, “You're unbalanced...and you're broken. You'll never be close to any Jedi now. You. Are. Nothing...”

The image played again and again it would not cease. She stood there her white armor bearing the red smear of the blood he had coughed up before he hit the ground. Shaking so hard feeling as though her bones would shatter from the force of it. As she was fired upon she raised her hand above her head throwing up a quick shield. Her mind racing in so many directions. She had wanted to help him. To heal him and yet she was denied all to quickly. As she was fired upon her pain, her anguish, her fear for him, the abundant sorrow that was so encompassing her very soul flew up from her like a volcanic eruption that had long lay dormant. Its full fury being unleashed in violence and fire. The flames began at her hands and only grew outward. A ring of hellish fire rising up as she was shot at. All at once her pain culminated and the long kept in silent screams of her soul were unleashed. Her mouth opened and the sound that escaped was not human. It could only be described as the sound of ultimate suffering. A Force scream reminiscent of the cries of the truly damned in eternal torment. Blasting with such rage and terrible pain at the firing ships on her location. Her fire flowing outward in angry waves. Looking like angry lava flows meant to decimate all in its path. The ships firing at her would have to make a emergency retreat least they risk being incinerated. The sheer depth of her pain moved through each Jedi and Force sensitive that could feel it. Those of weak constitution or unable to filter it would be brought to their knees.  She had thought him dead for so long. He had come back only for her to lose him twice. Not only had she now lost him. She had lost her son. The life she had led as a Jedi had now cost her everything she held most dear. She knew he still lived. Yet she was breaking inside as she fell to her knees trying to hold it all together again. Pulling herself in and just like that silence....As if a vacuum had formed around her leaving so many that felt her presence to now feel a void cold as death where she once stood. She saw Nozomi and Xeo not to far as she looked at Xeo disgusted. She could hear his thoughts. “You are a diluted self absorbed wayward idiot. You merely saw it you damned child.... You didn't experience it as if the blade was shoved inside your chest....You didn't have to look in to his eyes..... To absolute nothingness with the both of you....” She said her voice devoid of any emotion. She didn't even bother to help Xeo up. His thoughts of how he was the only one who could save Corrin. Of what had just happened only deepened her pain and drove her deeper in to herself. She knew all the Jedi were looking to pull out with the survivors. It hardly seem to matter as in essence she felt as though she had just died on the battlefield and was honestly in no mood for a lecture from anyone. Not Saris, not Malerna or anyone. She walked passed those that looked at her on the front line. Malerna who raised her head feeling her presence and yet her voice was caught in her throat. Feeling Seshmira's dark forest green eyes slash right through her. Images of what had just transpired visible. The blood on Seshmira's armor. Malerna almost fell over from the strength of the images and the pain sent towards her. Seshmira moved as a wraith through the rest of the crowd of people. Many parting out of her way. She found her ship and moved to walk on board. Being sent information about the current situation and next move. It didn't much register. Her moves were mechanical. Acting much outside herself as she set in the designated coordinates. She had nothing left. Only moving now because she had no other choice. Hollow and alone....Just another body to feed the Jedi machine. To fight a battle where there was nothing left for her at the end. She wasn't certain of her survival at this point and deep down she felt death was better. The Jedi would take her son when it was over as they always wanted from the start. He would have people to fill his life with light. Something at this moment she felt she could no longer give. Her light had gone.

Nozomi looked in horror as tears streamed down her cheeks after Seshmira had passed by them. The pain of her former Master was more then any sane person could handle. She had done her best to shield her and Xeo from the onslaught. Listening to Seshmira speak as she did to them. Despite Xeo being unconscious. Xeo's thoughts as Nozomi had come to realize had been like daggers to Seshmira in her already pained state. She was trying to keep from sobbing as she picked Xeo up and put him over her shoulder. Carrying him to the base. She looked at Malerna her eyes still rimmed with tears. “Please...help...” She laid Xeo down as she collapsed herself.
Malerna did her best to compose herself as she helped the two young Masters to a bed. Doing her best to heal them and then have them moved so that they would be able to move out with the others. Seshmira's pain was still having a shock wave effect on her and she was doing her best to try to put it out of her mind for the moment. There was too much to do and not enough time to do it.  

Luminessa took no time in rejoining her Master and just merely sighed as she handed over one of her lightsabers. “Till you make another one.” She wasn't too pleased with how things had ended and a little pout had hung on her lips since their departure. Yet she said nothing of it. All the while feeling sorry for the Jedi girl in white. Thinking no one should feel that much pain over someone they care about so much. How unfair this all seemed. It solidified more the reason she felt the dark side of the Force was kinder. There were no rules for love.

Ereth and Saris had just made their landing among the second line of defense. As they touched-down, with the multitudes of Nathe's forces already withdrawing, they instantly braced themselves. Seshmira, who had been a few hundred yards ahead, let out an ear-splitting scream; one that shook the very foundations of the force. Ereth, held his own against the tsunami of emotions, his eyes slivering against the sweeping dust that brushed by them, raising his hand against his face so as to defend himself against the invisible force. It was in the wake of her torment that his empathic abilities assessed the events that transpired only moments ago. Searching through her raw and ruptured emotions, he immidiately pin-pointed the reason behind her dramatic and traumatic outburst. Corrin had fallen... by her hand no less.  Had he not realized the revelation of that cause, he would've succumbed to the full force of her reaction. He immediately darted his eyes over to Saris, such un-fettered emotion would have brought anyone to their knees, had the Grand Master managed to resist it? He linked minds with her in the very moment.

"I will confront, Seshmira, Saris. Bring her back if I can. Xeo and Nazomi would most likely benefit from your assistance, I sense and unfamiliarity in the force, one that closely ties itself to Master Xeniro. Something tells me you know more about it than I do, and are better equipped to deal with it. I won't be far, old friend."

The Cathar pushed himself onward after they made their seperate ways. He managed to make himself onto the ramp to Seshmira's ship just before it began to close. As he pushed his way through the dark and small corridors his eyes set upon the woman in white, now lightly smeared with blood. Her body moved effortlessly, though he could tell her eyes were devoid of anything noteworthy of the hope they once held. He approached cautiously, but his voice was level and calm.

"Master Illessar... Seshmira..." he called out to her, hoping her full name would bring about her attention, one that he hoped would not be violent. "I know your pain, as do the rest of us, we felt it. For your sake you must hear me out." He steadied himself from across the cockpit, one hand held steadily on the door frame as his other reached out to her in a calming gesture.

-----------

The battle that ensued across Adru was one-sided. The Republic fleet lead by Corrin Illessar was perhaps the entire military faction itself. All ships had, since their initial arrival, penetrated the mining planet's atmosphere and laid waste to the entire surface. What counter-measures that were initiated to resist their advance was utterly destroyed, even now, Nathe's forces were making preparations for their final withdraw back to their last defensive posture. The mining facilities themselves. It was Wryln's plan to initate the mac-cannons that were placed strategically away from the facility, and to manuever his forces there, this gave the impression that the Rebellion had set themselves up further out, and no doubt Corrin's forces had responded to the counter-strike there without hesitation. Now, as Conner ordered the retreat, he could see Xeo in the distance fighting his own battles. He gave a grim look as he was brought to his knees. And after signaling Nathe's forces to withdraw to their last defensive line, he nodded to his own team, and they pushed forward to assist. It was not their first tango, facing off against a force sensitive, let alone a Sith Lord. The last time they had done so, however, Corrin had been fighting along side them, and it wasn't just one Sith lord, it was a Sith Lord and a force anamoly that gave even the former Grand Master cause for concern. Conner cocked his weapon, drawing the man, who everyone referred to as Dreazin's, attention.

"I don't know what kind of deal, Xeo made with the likes of you. But this isn't the time or the place for your little family squabble." Conner's eyes peered into the eyes of Xeo's brethren. "Step away from Master Xeniro." he demanded as he leveled his weapon on him. "We're falling back, and we don't leave our allies behind."

Conner knew that this man was powerful, perhaps he could easily kill them on no more than a happen-glance. But if the man bore any common sense he'd realize that he was right. No matter how many Republic soldiers he could kill he could not contend with the entire force of  Corrin's military, and that force would be upon them any minute now. "Fall in line, and help us, as you said you would, or get the hell out of our way..."

"Your choice."

Grizz lept down beside Nazomi. "We're pulling out to the last defensive line, now would be a good time to get your men on the same page. We'll be meeting the Major, and with luck, the rest of the Jedi there."

--------

As Malesyn and Admiral Mullin watched the Grand Master and Cathar Council member leap off into the dust-ridden abyss, the Major's comlink whirred to life. It was the same Chiss that had contacted them during their escape from Coruscant. He listened to his words carefully, and as the comlink cut out shortly afterwards, he looked at the Admiral. "Do you know this man?"

"Very little, I'm afraid." Mullin digressed.

"Can we trust him?" Malesyn pressed.

"I'd say for now you can." The Admiral nodded.

Malesyn gave him a hard look before he reactivated his com-link. "Viper Main, we're pushing our way to the last line of defense. The Republic forces have drawn back for the time being, but I'm sure they'll resume their push forward. Prepare the contingency plan. We will be in the area shortly."

He switched roles, "Reaper 1, this is Main, once you've reached the last defensive position return comms and give me a grid, we'll be meeting with you shortly, and hopefully the rest of the Jedi will be there as well...."

-------

Nathe Wryln confirmed Malesyn's response, noting his titled callsign as Viper Main. The majority of Wryln's forces were now pushing for the final phase of their extraction, and it was time to implement their contingency plan. "That's your que, Captain. One of our squadrons will follow you inland, I and the remaining frigate will follow behind you, clear us a path, and let's get the rest of our men out of here."

Tarth gave him a firm nod, and made his way off the bridge of Wryln's Capital ship, dubbed The Reconcile. As Nathe commanded the ship's ascendance, the remaining frigate outside followed behind. At last he no longer needed to wait in the sidelines as Corrin's forces wreaked havoc across Adru. Now he would face them head on.

"Steele yourself, Darth Annataar. For you will witness my resolve before the end of this day..."

------

Somewhere on Coruscant...

"I managed to eavesdrop on some of the conversations the soldiers were having. Looks like they intend to send the majority of the political leaders to a concentration camp, wasn't able to figure out where, Senator." A man had leaned in to whisper as more of the political party members were herded into the hull of a militarized transport vessel.

"Chancellor Asklepios was wise and quick to take down his political rivals. Just keep your head down and do as your told, my friend. Even with him at the head of the Senate, I still have faith that our Republic would not so easily bend to the idea of a Supreme Chancellor. There are plenty of people who are against his policies."

But, Senator Yaln, the entire Republic military was activated on Ardru, you yourself were there when we heard the order."

Senator Yaln gave his close friend and political constituant an eerie gaze, followed by a somber smile. "Our men at arms would not follow such an order so easily unless they had skewed the truth. I hear Master Corrin had returned while these events had unfolded. The man has done wonders for us in the past, and yet I hear no news of his alligience to the Rebellion Asklepios broadcasted to the world."

"Did he not aid the Jedi Order in their escape?" His man asked.

"I cannot say for sure, but had he crossed his own people, it would be remarkably easy to manipulate the military into some unchartered idea that the Jedi Order was declared an enemy of the Republic. Who better to sway that idea than the former Grand Master himself? And with the political backing of Asklepios, who are they to argue when the order comes down from the top?"

Yaln Lan Cester was the ideal Senator, honest, for the people, and inogurated with a passion for democracy. While other members of the Senate would often bode toward the common testiment-- presented among the people-- in regards to their ways in Politics he remained, un-bribed, un-slandered, and highly praised by the people. The precise reason as to which he had ended up in this predicament. What few Senators where reprimanded were now on their way to a location no one would know but the Chancellor. Yaln was no pushover. He knew that Asklepios wouldn't risk outright murdering his competition, too many people supported them. He had to keep them quiet. Moving them to an undisclosed location was proof of that.

"Keep a wary mind, Groland and be patient. The best we can do now is listen and pray that the surviving members of the Order haven't forgotten about us."

As he finished, a firm grip planted itself on his shoulder. One of the gaurds pulled him in close.

"Don't worry, Senator. We're here to help you, stay close and we'll get you to a safe place."

The guard forced him back into the hull of the transport violently, to maintain appearances. Yaln gave his man a nod and an invisible smile, before giving the guard an evil glare.

"Those who fall under the Chancellor's rule are traitors, you will get what is coming to you...

"Of that I am certain."