Fall of Tion

[Ben Kenobi]

***Outer Rim Territories - R-6***
***Thanium Sector, Tobali System***
***Rhen Var***


Rhen Var, a frozen world along the border between the Galactic Alliance and the Galactic Empire. It sat along the Prelemian Trade Route and right next door to the far more populated world of Galidraan. Being a world of seclusion and the difficulties of establishing an Alliance Military Base of any size in such harsh conditions, the Alliance's presence was given over to a Listening Post; the outpost was here to monitor Imperial traffic coming and going from the Galactic East to West and visa versa along the Prelemian, It also offered a significant early warning . It was an effective and valuable post. One that the Alliance Military could ill afford to lose.

The current status of the Rhen Var Listening Post was that it was well serviced and stocked. When the Sith came out of hyperspace the Listening Post detected them almost immediately; not the specific make and model but that there were indeed contacts in the area. It was currently impossible to determine the new contact's affiliation too. However unlikely for civilians to be in such a large group, it could be, or perhaps an expedition of some sort. The possibilities were endless.

With so many unknowns the Alliance couldn't take chances and the order was given to immediately scramble the defensive squadrons that were stationed there. Within moments, thanks to the fact that the Alliance Starfighter Corps were always in a state of readiness, the local starfighters launched into the skies above Rhen Var and formed into Flight Groups.

Scout and Dragon Squadrons, older model Incom T-65c X-wings. There was also a support squadron of Gamma-class ATR-6 Assault Transports that were typically utilized for disabling ships along the Prelemian and other interdiction efforts.

Immediately the Listening Posts fighters began to obtain altitude to screen for potential attackers. While this occurred the Command Center of the LP accessed the general frequency of the area and made an attempt to hail the freshly detected contacts to determine their intent.

"Incoming vessels, this is Alliance Listening Post Beta-631. You have entered Galactic Alliance orbital space and you are to immediately alter course and exit the Rhen Var locale. Please comply at once, we have scrambled fighters to intercept you current vector. We are standing by for your response."

***

Jedi Master Ben Kenobi released a heavy breath, hot mist vented from his mouth into the frigid weather of Rhen Var. His boots dug into the deep snow, there was only a little ways to go before they got back to the Listening Post. He, his Apprentice and an entire platoon of Antarian Rangers were on their way back from a week long exercise in cold weather environments. The event was very productive for the purposes of survival, discipline and endurance.

It had been a pleasant trip and they'd all learned a vast wealth of tips and tricks over the last week, but they were all ready to get back to the LP and get some nice clean clothes, a hot shower and a nice fresh meal.

They were about a half mile away from the LP when Ben finally switched his comm-link back on and instantly he was surprised to hear it explode with radio traffic. On top of that the locally housed squadrons began scrambling and roaring off into the skies.

Ben looked to Evelyn and Varn. "I think we've arrived just in time. We should pick up the pace and..." The Jedi Master stopped in his tracks and his head shot up to the skies as if he could see the intruders. A cold sensation washed over his mind and it was most certainly not the chill of winter's breath. He had felt this presence before and it hadn't been long enough since the last time.

But he couldn't be sure until his eyes fell on the man himself. Again he looked to his fellows, "We need to get to the Listening Post, now!"

[Varn Badaash]

“Seriously Varn, how in the hells did you avoid detection for so long,” one of the other Rangers asked the Dashade.

The grey skinned alien shrugged, “maybe your squad didn’t keeping a watchful enough eye out,” his deep raspy and currently a bit shivery voice replied.

“That’s not a bloody answer,” another of the Rangers chimed in.

With that a tall blond haired woman who’s armor marked her as a Captain spoke up. “Ranger Badaash, you want to tell them or am I going to have to break it to them?”

Varn gave his captain a look that said, don’t ruin my fun. As he was prepping to answer everyone’s eyes were drawn to the sound of repulserlifts and roaring engines. The Dashade quickly stepped up towards the Jedi Master who had once saved his life.

“It seems it’s time to see if all this training has paid off,” Varn responded to Kenobi, his voice filled with a bit more strength. He turned to his captain who gave him a nod.

“Silver Mynocks form up on Master Kenobi, double time!” She yelled and without hesitations a group of eight Rangers, including Varn, formed up on the two Jedi. While Varn was tired he was still confident that he was ready for what ever was to come, he just hoped all the other Squads weren’t to exhausted from the last week of training.

[Annan Rainwalker]

Outer Rim
Auril sector, Adega system
Ossus, R-6

Ossus.

The ancient home, the very cradle of the Jedi. To say that The Force was strong with this world would be an understatement. The Force revolved like a pulsar within Ossus, through it, from it and to it. It imbued Ossus' lush vegetation and enlivened the planet's wildlife. The temperate world no doubt still bore scars, of the Dark Side, of death, of the ancient dark-siders who had violated her sanctity. Yet inasmuch as it were the sum and substance of darkness to yield to light, the Ashla had long since reclaimed its primordial nexus.

To the Jedi Coalition, the planet was so much more than an interstellar archaelogical site. To them, to her, this planet meant everything.

Jedi Consular Jeanida Elysar stared out of the viewport of the MC30c frigate Startide, her green-skinned hands clasped behind her back as the Mirialan gazed longingly at the blue and green world below her. Ossus was their history, their culture, their greatest teacher and their most valuable treasure.

It was where her Master had brought her for her trials, so long ago.

The Jedi Coalition had learned from the lessons of the Clone Wars. It was decided in by Council on Permafrost long ago that they would make valiant efforts to stay away from the Alliance-Imperial conflict. Yet, while conflict was not the Jedi way, guardianship and protection was. Ossus and her two moons were artefacts too valuable to the heart of the Coalition to be left unguarded, especially considering its location so near to the ever-changing Imperial-Alliance border. Thus, the Coalition had stationed the task force Liberty in the Adega system at Grid Coordinates R-6. "Ossus Duty", as her good friend Jedi Knight Natalya Maris would dub it, was something Jeanida, like any Jedi, considered an absolute honour.

Jedi Elysar heard the swoosh of the turbo-lift doors behind her. She did not need to turn around to see who it was, her Force bond with her Padawan was too strong for her not to notice the Echani when she entered.

"Admiral Kiette sends a message from Jedi Rainwalker aboard the Pale Rider," Padawan Jelan Widom spoke up after a customary bow to her Master. "He had a vision."

Jedi Elysar quickly released any rising anxiety into the Light with a quick rise and fall of her shoulders. "Jedi Rainwalker's premonitions are rarely fallacious. Does... does the Dark Side... threaten Ossus?"

Jelan paused, unmoving, but then shook her head. "I don't know. All he said was that... that Task Force Liberty may see the winds of war before the Besh Solstice."

Jeanida sighed, opening herself up to the Force, letting her senses take her as far as possible as she plunged into the boundless ocean of light that connected her core to the core of all existence. She would never claim to be as good as Annan Rainwalker when it came to foresight, yet she was of the Ashla as much as he. Thus, she probed the Light for answers, and the foreboding chill that went through her spine caused her purple eyes to snap open in shock.

"Master Elysar?" Jelan had felt the same sheer, terrifying cold that had been unveiled to her Master through their bond, and there was a quiver in her voice.

Yet, when Jeanida Elysar spoke next, all hesitation and fear was gone from the Mirialan Consular's voice. Her every word measured, tempered with gentle reassurance and delivered in such an inspiring manner that Jelan felt her confidence and faith return.

"Fear not, my young Padawan. Fear beckons to the darkness, while the Jedi way is perseverance and hope. Know always that as long as we are of the Light, we have already succeeded, regardless of the outcome of battle. For in victory for us is prestige, in loss for us is an essential step of the path, and in death for us is the Force. For now, we prepare."

OOC:

Task Force Liberty (15 Capitals)

CGS Pale Horse (CEC Corellian Gunship)
CR90a Ciaphas (Cr-90 Assassin Corvette)
CR90a Pale Rider (Cr-90 Assassin Corvette)
M/STRK Midnight Run (Modified Loronar Strike Cruiser)
MC30c Reef Home (MonCal-30c Frigate)
MC30c Startide (MonCal-30c Frigate)
MC40a Destiny (MonCal-40a Light Cruiser)
MC80a Prideful Star (MonCal-80a Medium Cruiser)
MC80b Maria (MonCal-80b Medium Cruiser)
MC90 Fair Wind (MonCal-90 Heavy Cruiser)
MC90 Liberty (MonCal-90 Heavy Cruiser)
NBEF Redemption (Nebulon-B Escort Frigate)
NSBC Glory (Neutron Star Bulk Cruiser)
STRK Solaris (Loronar Strike Cruiser)
TPF Gallant (Titan Patrol Frigate)

[Evelyn Swann]

It hadn't been the first time that Evelyn had been on missions to snowy planets. Rhen Var was no different. Recently, the young lady had been to Ossus with Master Kenobi, and now it had been time for her to test herself even further. Together with a platoon of Antarian Rangers, she and her Master had been on a one week trip out in the deep snow far away from the Listening Post. It had been a very productive week with a lot of laughs, sweat and tears, not to speak of outmost concentration from the survival of the harsh environment. But they had done it, all of them and now they could finally get back to the base for refreshments.

Listening in on the Antarian Ranger named Varn Badaash, she smiled amused to herself when the other Rangers couldn't understand why it was difficult to actually sense and feel him through the Force. Hopefully they would understand soon, or at least be taught why. Her brows furrowed however, as soon as she could hear the booming radio traffic from Ben's comm-link. Gazing at her Master, she couldn't help but get a feeling of something being wrong. Very wrong, and her smile had swiftly disappeared. Especially when the squadrons began to scramble and roar off into the skies above them. Looking up, she took in a deep breath as a cold chilling shiver, like a disturbance in the Force itself, came over her like a strangling blanket. Her focus changed drastically when their Jedi Master had stopped mid sentence to look up as well.

The small trembles in the Force worried her and it would seem for a good reason. As soon as her Master had yelled at them to get to the Listening Post, Evy didn't hesitate but began to run if not sprint next to her Master through the thick snow as the Rangers followed close by around them. Her body was ready for another exercise, and her hands were ready to grab hold of her blaster pistol and her vibrosword. Never had she seen her Master that troubled. Only once, back on the Talon when he had picked her up on Permafrost to get to Ossus. But... that couldn't possibly be the reason why he acted like this... Could it?

[Jacobi Wylcott]

“Engage stealth.”

Tormentous spoke boldly into the ship’s AI core and so the Stalker instantly vanished from both visual and scanner sight. It was now a knife to be shot into the heart of an unknowing victim. The Dark One was holding the knife hilt and aiming it well. He gave the throttle up to full acceleration and the ship shot ahead of the Skiprays and Razorfighters. Now being cloaked, the Stalker was free of a slower formation and would be unimpaired by the fools that would inevitably strike out from the Alliance base.

Speeding ahead, the sensors of the Stalker picked up the defensive squadrons of the Alliance base and it was all to easy to avoid them. Especially since they were so heavily focused on the incoming vessels - they’d never be searching for a single object that they couldn’t even see anyways. No, this was a free ticket straight to the surface of Rhen Var.

Once on the ground the Stalker’s occupants would work to cut the head off of the snake and the squadrons in the skies would suffer not only from being outnumbered but also from a lack of any coordination. They’d be slaughtered and the Sith would suddenly obtain aerial superiority. Rhen Var would fall within an hour. The prospect of such a swift, deadly and lethal strike did much to stoke the fires within Tormentous’ vile heart. He could feel the Dark Side of the Force swelling. He could feel the death of so many on the horizon.

He cut power from the weapons and shields and shifted everything into the engines and they flared with power to shove the Infiltrator exponentially further through the darkness of space. Even now the black was beginning to turn lighter and brighter. The atmosphere of Rhen Var began to come into conflict with the Stalker and the hull of the ship began to vibrate.

Either Tormentous could continue this course and the friction would ignite across the hull which would short out the stealth capabilities of the ship - or he could lift the nose and make a gentle descent to remain as silent as the night.

One approach would deliver them immediately.

One approach would consume time.

Only one was acceptable.

As the time drew near, Tormentous looked down upon the world of Rhen Var and he could feel the great wellspring of Light down there. He smiled beneath his mask. “The last time we met you had an advantage. This time, Jedi, I’ll tear your heart out and crush it while you watch before you die.”

[Kell Sangros]

"Incoming vessels, this is Alliance Listening Post Beta-631. You have entered Galactic Alliance orbital space and you are to immediately alter course and exit the Rhen Var locale. Please comply at once, we have scrambled fighters to intercept you current vector. We are standing by for your response."

Came over the comm, Kinta looked up briefly from it at both Warvanus and Tormentous she knew what had to be done,

“Looks like they are rallying up” she observed then laughed “The fools” She switched the comm to the Wings of Fighters to issue their orders. “Skipray Squadrons one thru three stay on course, Razorfighter squadrons one thru three stay on course. Razorsquad squadrons five and six, Skipray squadrons five and six, let’s show our hosts our reply shall we?” Squadron four would remain on course but would act as backup if needed. She cut the comm and switched the Warhound battle group.

“All ships be ready, you have your orders, be ready at a moments notice” the apprentice commanded. Through the comm confirmations and affirmatives lit up the comm console.

Skipray and Razorfighter squadrons five and six broke from their course to go after the fighters that were deployed from Rhen Var once in firing range they engaged.

“Engage stealth.” Tormentous had commanded.

Warvanus watched as they began their approach, even when the craft shook he did not move or budge an inch. He could feel his Master’s growing delight on what was to come. Warvanus himself could feel the anticipation of what was going to happen next. He felt no fear, no anxiety, he felt energized, his blood quickened at the anticipation of battle. He was home. He was alive.

. “The last time we met you had an advantage. This time, Jedi, I’ll tear your heart out and crush it while you watch before you die.” He heard his Master say

Warvanus did not voice an agreement but through the Force his Master would feel that Warvanus was anxious to be unleashed. He did not need to voice an agreement they were on the same page. All he could think of as the landscape of Rhen Var grew larger and more detailed was of the coming onslaught that awaited the crew of this poor excuse of a listening post.

[Ben Kenobi]

Clearly they were out of breath; running as fast as one could through shin deep snow and not the powdery kind was the perfect recipe for fatigue. But they had no choice in the matter. If they weren’t swift in the execution of this course then they would fail to arrive at the Listening Post then they would fail to assist in the coordination of the station’s defense and to be late to this battle would mean it would cost precious lives.

They arrived without much fanfair into the station’s walls as the security teams were already deploying to the hardpoints such as the power generators, communications array, the defensive AA guns, and the like. Being just a listening post the defensive personnel were not especially elite but they all had at least taken the basic training course and knew how to fire their blasters. The Jedi Master was dismayed he didn’t have more time or the proper personnel to defend this base, with so few Rangers, who were certainly capable of holding their own, this effort of defense was going to be very desperate indeed.

Rushing into the Listening Post the sounds of the sergeants shouting for their teams to get into position, the brave men and women defenders equipping their gear hastily and powering up their blasters, and the chatter going about that this was just a drill or simply some bloody pirates passing through the system; Ben wished their moaning was even half right. Through the chaos of the preparations, they finally arrived at the Command Center of the Listening Post which was nothing much more than a small prefab concrete structure with some minor amenities.

With the Jedi duo, Ranger Captain and Varn, they moved into the brain of the Listening Post and it was utter disorganization. Ben quickly shouted down the noise and called on the station CO to get his issues in order. In a moment it settled and began to seamlessly operate as it should. “Commander, what is our status here?”

“Master Jedi,” the CO looked worried as he reported, “the encroaching contacts haven’t responded to our hails and the contacts have split up. Scanners are now effectively detecting multiple squadron size elements coming in on attack vectors. We’re also tracking one contact burning through into the atmosphere though its’ origin is unknown, it bypassed our scans and we have no ships nearby to intercept, it is as if it was using a cloaking device during its approach.”

Ben Kenobi observed the sensor screens as he was briefed by the CO and he quietly contemplated on these events. Clearly the dark presence he’d felt was aboard the cloaked element that was speeding ahead of the attackers and was too anxious to get into the fight than to play it safe; Ben knew instantly only one sort of foe would be so bold. Though he dared not give voice to his suspicions in front of the Listening Post personnel for the name of the Sith would likely terrify them and foil their efforts here.

“Commander, I want you to get the word out immediately.” He pulled the CO aside and spoke low, “Send an urgent distress call to Task Force Liberty, tell them that we are under attack by the Sith.” Soon as Ben uttered those words the CO’s face drained of color and his eyes betrayed his horror. The Jedi grabbed the man’s shoulder, “Have faith, Commander. Your men, the Rangers and us,” he motioned to himself and Evelyn, “will do our part. We must stand tall in the face of this threat and it is imperative to show no fear. The enemy can feed from your emotions and we need every advantage we can get if we are going to hold the line until Liberty arrives.”

With great effort the CO dried the beading sweat from his face and rushed to send out the call.

Ben then turned to the Ranger Captain. “Captain, deploy your troops and dig in. The security teams are likely just spreading out. I need you to rally them and set us up a defensive line. Hasty barricades, cover of any kind; once the walls are breached everyone needs to fold it back in to the next line and then the next.” Ben knew what he was asking; the impossible in such a short time. “We need to buy every moment that we can here.”

Suddenly he and Evelyn were alone, everyone was off racing to build a desperate line of defense. Looking to her, he gave her a confident smile. Then he calmly lowered himself to his knees into the snow and bowed his head in meditation with his staff lying across his lap. With all this rush, he needed to prepare himself now. In the brief calm before the storm he needed to clear his mind and focus his center of being. Through the Force he communed with Evelyn and warned her of the dangers to come. “Stay close to me. Your duty here is to defend the lives of this station, but do not range far from my side. This is not optional. If it truly is the Sith then we will be outnumbered and their savagery will test us. We must stand together. When the fighting starts, we will be in the thickest of it. The defenders of this station need to see us at all times. So long as they can see us defying the Sith then they will take heart and also stand tall.”

With that being said, Ben fell silent as he gathered the Light to him. The soothing aura of calm and disciplined faith came to him and the men and women around him could see the Jedi outwardly looking as if there was nothing to worry about and they took that emotion and their nerves were also calmed in turn. Ben gently called upon the Force and his fatigue was washed away.

The time for battle was here. The Jedi would walk into the fire and seek to snuff it out before it raged out of control.

***

The Squadrons intercepted the enemy, without a doubt they were severely outnumbered 3:1. The only thing in their favor was the ground based command center, as they dipped and dodged the enemy it was the coordination of the sensor and scanner teams on the ground that were giving the fighter pilots precious data where their Flight Groups could best engage the enemy.

There was no question in that the Alliance starfighters were in dire straits here but hopefully they’d be able to buy the time needed for reinforcements to arrive…

[Varn Badaash]

The listening post was clearly in disarray as Varn rushed in with the Jedi and fellow Rangers. Following the Jedi Master, Varn listened as Kenobi spoke with the post’s CO and then talked to Captain Alim. Once they were done conversing the Captain approached Varn.

“Master Kenobi believes it to be Sith, we need to help shore up these defenses and bolster the security forces,” she spoke with a slight hint of worry in her voice. Varn nodded and the two of them exited the interior. The Rangers were already helping where they could while they waited for instructions, they were well trained and equipped for a fight, but even with that they weren’t ready for a full scale assault.

The woman lifted her commlink so to reach all the Rangers without interfering with the LP troopers. “We have hostiles inbound, most likely Sith and these people need our assistance! We need to create three lines of defense, Black Gundarks, your team alpha, get to the exterior wall and support the troops, find the weak spot and report back on the most likely spots to be breached. Fire Hounds, your team Beta, create a defensive line between the walls and the command center, use what ever you can find to create barricades and cover, so that when the front line needs to fall back they have somewhere to go. Silver Mynocks, your team Charlie, help Beta team create their fortifications then return to the command center, find sniper nests and positions where you can provide the first two lines cover when they need to fall back!” The human woman took a deep chilling breath. “Antarian Rangers, this is what we train for, it’s time to show the enemy that we don’t back down!”

Several cheers echoed through the Rangers before the three squads split up to take care of their assigned duties. Varn, being a part of Charlie team, rushed off to support Beta in creating the interior defensive line. Everything was being used from large boulders to supply crates as well as the garbages repulser sleds. It was not the most pretty set up but it would do the job.

“Varn,” a green Twi’lek ran up to the Dashade. “Things are starting to take form but I had an idea, why don’t we use our portable heaters as IEDs? We aren’t gonna need them as much here and they can give the enemy a nasty surprise.”

Varn thought about it for a brief moment, he knew the Captain probably wouldn’t mind the improvisation and they could probably explain the lose to the quartermaster back at base. “I will support this plan, inform the front line once you’ve placed them, we don’t want to cause any problems for our troops.”

“Of course, I’ll coordinate with Alpha about where they believe the enemy will have the easiest time breaching.” The Twi'lek smiled and ran off getting a few of the other members of Beta team to assist.

Varn took a deep breath of his own, it was time for him to find his place at the command center. He glanced up at the array of antennae and comm dishes that made up the top of the LP, that’s where he needed to be, with his T-21 he could provide solid covering fire for each line of defense.

[Evelyn Swann]

Evelyn refused to slow down. This was a serious matter. Even though her stamina had gone down quite a bit from all the intense running toward the Listening Post in the thick snow, the young lady had taken the liberty to call upon the Light Side of the Force to help her calm her mind and it also helped her calm her breathing along the way. With Master Kenobi that perturbed, it had to be because something awful was to happen and he knew in a way through the Force. Either way, Miss Swann would do her utmost to assist in any way she possibly could. And her having the connection to the Light Side open was to make sure, she wasn't taken by surprise. Her connection told her that grave danger was approaching, so maybe her lingering thoughts were correct. Regardless, she wasn't afraid. She would fend for herself as well as those around her if it came to that.

Once they got inside the Listening Post, it was in chaos with the personnel panicking, trying to plan out a solution for this mess. Evy was along with the Rangers right in Master Kenobi's trail as she began to catch her breath. All the loud noise from the Command Center almost felt deafening, and Evelyn felt how everyone there had let their fears take over. It was then that her Master took action and made the noise quiet down. The CO seemed to be out of it when he spoke with Ben, and she could also understand why. Such an approach from those heading towards the planet couldn't possibly have good intentions.

Clenching her teeth when Swann heard what Master Kenobi almost whispered to the CO, her senses through the Force had helped her again, only this time, she truly wished that they had been wrong for once in her life. Sith... Her eyes looked at Ben and then the CO when her name was brought up. Giving the CO a kind, respectful nod with a calming, soft smile plastered upon her features, she did her part to make him feel safe. She had many years ago been in his shoes, so she knew how that horror felt like. Now was her time to help them regain their strengths and most of all, hope.

As Master Kenobi spoke with the Antarian Rangers Captain, Evelyn listened intently. There had to be something more they could do to prepare. But then almost with a blink of an eye everyone had rushed to where they were supposed to and she was now alone with her teacher. His confident smile made her smile back, but she also knew that he could sense from her that she knew that this wasn't going to be an easy task, but that she would give her everything to stand her ground and help these people. This was what she was meant to do, it was part of her path, her destiny, and she would face the challenges head on.

Joining him in the meditation position, Evelyn closed her hazel coloured eyes and took a deep slow breath in, then exhaled while she let all of her muscles and fibers in her being relax and prepare for the upcoming conflict. Their shared connection through the Force made her aware that this might be even more difficult for her than she first anticipated, but that didn't scare her off. Her plan had all along been to do whatever stood in her power to protect these people. And she would stay by his side defending them, no matter what. Because he was right. If they showed everyone that one could defy the Sith it would keep the warrior spirit alive. And that was the most important thing at the moment.

A thought came to her mind however as she sat and calmed herself in the peaceful Light Side of the Force. The first lines of defense. Her eyes shut open and she rose from her seat in the snow. Her eyes quickly scanned the room they were in, searching for some specific tools, though she couldn't find any in there. Asking for guidance through the Force, she allowed the Light to overwhelm her and lead her where she should go. Down a corridor and into a cargo room, the brunette was focused more than ever. And in a matter of minutes, the young lady had found several tools of all kind and stuffed them into a big bag. It was to be extra back up if the first lines had to fall back. To help them take cover safely, these different tools could be used in the cannons by the second defense. It might not be blasters or grenades, but Evelyn knew it could hurt the enemy just as much as an ordinary blaster bolt. Returning swiftly to the Command Center, she smiled at her Master. "No need to worry Master, I just had an idea. I will be right with you." And with that she ran as quickly one could with a heavy bag filled to the brim with sharp tools.

Her path led her to the Fire Hounds. Quickly explaining to them that the bag of sharp tools was a plan B if the first defense went down and the survivors had to fall back but would run into trouble, then they could use these for the cannons to buy them more time. Giving a confident nod, she ran backwards toward her Master's position. "Remember you guys to use your surroundings as tools to your advantage if everything else seems lost. We can do this, together!" Jogging back to the Command Center, Evy was satisfied with her actions. They would prevail as long as they all were one unit standing together against this brutal enemy.

As she returned to her Master's position, she felt ready. Calming her breathing, Evelyn closed her eyes once more but chose not to sit in the snow this time, but rather on a table, to calm her mind again before the incoming storm would come head strong at them.

[Annan Rainwalker]

MonCal-90 Heavy Cruiser Liberty
Auril sector, Adega system
Ossus, R-6


"Incoming transmission from the Alliance Command Center on Rhen Var..." Admiral Valark's face seemed to go pale as the holo-transmission details flashed across the datapad. The ginger-haired human male turned around, casting a nervous glance towards optical feed displaying the holoprojection of the Commanding Officer of the Liberty. "Priority Alpha, Master Jedi."

The commanding officer of the Jedi Coalition flagship Liberty, and thus of the rest of the task force that bore her name, Jedi Master Jade Winters' obsidian eyes narrowed. Hands clasped behind her back, the tall and slender dark-haired human garbed in elegant purple robes appeared both unaware of the ensuing ruckus on the bridge all around her, and simultaneously wholly cognizant.

"It appears Jedi Rainwalker's premonitions were well-founded after all," she muttered under her breath as glanced through the transmission details without voicing them on her own console. "Admiral," her voice took on a commanding edge. "Please get the vessel commanders of each capital ship on holo, as soon as possible."

Admiral Valark nodded and passed the instructions down to his station officers with but a gesture. Within moments, the bridge lit up with fifteen holographic figures of all sorts. Master Winters immediately entered into a quick debrief of the situation on Rhen Var; spot decisions were made and finalized within minutes.

"We have just received a Priority Alpha via credible intelligence that the Sith," she spat out the word with such distaste that it was registered loud and clear on all fifteen capital ships, "have begun an invasion of a planet close to our current position; Rhen Var. Task Force Liberty is the only one close enough to render both the planet, and Coalition assets present there, any assistance at this point. At the same time, we cannot leave Ossus unguarded..."

"Yes," Jeanida Elysar interrupted from aboard the Startide. "It would be immensely foolish to leave Ossus entirety unprotected. For all we know, Rhen Var could be a distraction."

"I recommend we leave a few vessels behind as part of the defense force on Ossus, under the command of the Fair Wind. But let's not take too many chances with the Sith," Master Han Xin spoke from aboard the Pale Rider, having just returned to command the vessel following a shore leave planetside and allowing his once-pupil Annan Rainwalker to return to his original commission aboard the Maria. After a few minutes of silent contemplation at the suggestion, Master Winters nodded. The Force seemed to be stirring in the right direction with that suggestion.

"I say we send in a quick response squadron to precede us," Jedi Elysar suggested, her holographic projection being met with a round of agreements. Jade turned her chair in the other direction, and activated the view screen to the bridge.

"Master Winters," Admiral Valark acknowledged, facing the optical feed.

"Admiral, sound General Quarters, set course for Rhen Var and make the jump to hyperspace ensuring the planetary extrication force cruisers follow. Ensure the Liberty's batteries are fully crewed. Have at least one fighter attack wing from each capital take flight and precede us to Rhen Var, have the others put on full alert."

The Admiral nodded at the directives given, promptly proceeding to ensured their swift implementation.

Within proverbial moments, numerous starfighter squadrons were launched from their hangers before immediately pulling the jump to hyperspace. Their parent capitals formed up as well, taking a little bit longer to do so, before spaghettifying into lightspeed themselves.

Within hyperspace en route to Rhen Var as part of the starfighter squadron launched from the MC80B Maria, the White Jedi, Annan Rainwalker, call sign Green Two, centered himself in the Encompassing Light, eyes closed behind the visor of his helmet as he reached for the centre of himself. He breathed in and out synchronized with the pulse and thrum of his fighter's engines, the muted whine of the cockpit, and the ticking of the life support systems.

Oh, how he had missed this, how long he had been forced to stay away from this during his training as a Temple Guard. The freedom of a fighter, the uncontainable joy of flight.

<... I supposed this would be a good time as any to say, 'this is where the fun begins'...> Jedi Rainwalker mused.

"Green Leader to Green Two, shut the duck up before you jinx us all, over," the feminine voice sounded over the comms and Annan couldn't help but chuckle behind his helmet.

<Heh-heh. Aye, hear you loud and clear, Green Leader.>

____________________________________________________________________________
Task Force Liberty (15 Capitals)

Rhen Var planetary extrication force (10 Capitals)

CGS Pale Horse (CEC Corellian Gunship)
CR90a Pale Rider (Cr-90 Assassin Corvette)
M/STRK Midnight Run (Modified Loronar Strike Cruiser)
MC30c Startide (MonCal-30c Frigate)
MC30c Reef Home (MonCal-30c Frigate)
MC40a Destiny (MonCal-40a Light Cruiser)
MC80b Maria (MonCal-80b Medium Cruiser)
MC90 Liberty (MonCal-90 Heavy Cruiser) {fleet flagship}
NBEF Redemption (Nebulon-B Escort Frigate)
STRK Solaris (Loronar Strike Cruiser)

Ossus planetary defense force (5 capitals)

CR90a Ciaphas (Cr-90 Assassin Corvette)
MC80a Prideful Star (MonCal-80a Medium Cruiser)
MC90 Fair Wind (MonCal-90 Heavy Cruiser) {flagship, temporarily assigned}
NSBC Glory (Neutron Star Bulk Cruiser)
TPF Gallant (Titan Patrol Frigate)