Fall of Tion

[Evelyn Swann]

Observing the Sith in front of her for a brief moment, she noticed that his stance was that of a well experienced warrior. They would have to be careful and not do something stupid, like she just had. He would counter it. Varn and Evy had to think their moves and tactics through, which would be a challenge as time right now was precious, and they couldn’t afford to lose time nor to do something too drastic. Teamwork was the main balance here, and so she would give Varn the benefit of getting hold of his mace as she decided to catch the Sith’s attention by trying to engage in a duel with him, even though she knew that it would be crazy.

[Evelyn Swann]

Her focus was on the Sith now and she knew Varn had something up his sleeve, so she had to be ready for anything. Her boots crunched softly in the falling snow beneath her and the cold was trying to crawl under her skin, but she refused to let the environment take her attention away from her main target. She was as ready as she could be as this would most likely be a fighting for survival.

[Professor Mors]

Masters and Pupils… Scions of Order and Lords of Mayhem…

As the tattered husk of the listening post sunk further into chaos, the battle for Rhen Var would reach its end at the frigid station’s core. Ben Kenobi, greatest of Jedi, squeezed tightly at the midsection of his lightspear’s hilt before freeing his left hand and bringing it off to the side. It would not be enough to defeat the Dread Lord of Sith in a war of attrition. Indeed, his murderous intent all but melted the air around his onyx warmail. If Kenobi was to defend his comrades, he needed to do more than stall for time. He needed a distraction, and he would have it.

Though his better years slowly slipped past, the Jedi drew in the pure opalescence of the Light Side as a star tugs matter toward its core, the boundaries of his strength and dexterity growing more and more vast with each passing moment. Puffing frozen breath from out his nostrils, the aged sentinel spun about with all of his moment, his entire body spinning clockwise toward Tormentous as his golden blade angled surgically at his right thigh. With a snarl, the tireless raider easily blocked the strike, his murky, clouded eye fixing tightly on Kenobi’s wrist.

The Jedi’s initial attack had landed low enough for the Sith to counter, and if the Force would simply obey, the Ravager of Tanaab would claim Ben’s hand as a paperweight for his throne. However, one did not live so long as Master Kenobi had on chance alone. Offering a burst of agility uncommon for his current epoch, Ben leapt two feet into the air. As Tormentous’s intended blow cleaved naught but arctic winds, it took all the Sith’s concentration to raise the cruel blade aloft to parry his foe as the smoldering head of Kenobi’s lance barreled down at the crook between his shoulder and chest.

The Dark Lord would have chortled with glee at this unorthodox assault from the artful duelist, but could only scowl in disgust as the Jedi completed his avant garde set, landing swiftly and hammering a coarse boot into the Sith’s bowels. The momentary glee of Tormentous passed in a flash as he staggered backward, his malevolent rage reconquering his instincts almost immediately. Kenobi meant to press the attack: two could play at that game. Jidai Maras hissed with vicious purpose as its master took up a two-handed grip and hoisted the cruel weapon overhead.

With a gravely battle cry, Tormentous struck repeatedly at the Jedi’s cowled countenance, his teeth grit with furious intensity as sparks flew with each collision between cursed steel and focused plasma. Ben for his part attempted to force any anxieties to the back of his mind, his one-handed posture barely allowing him any time to spade and redirect each pummeling blow. Growling with impatience, the beleaguered Sith channeled his rage into his left foot, stomping it forcefully before the Jedi and launching his upper down toward the reeling warrior with all of his might. The speed and proximity were too much for Kenobi, who had nary a moment to negate the maneuver with the length of his lightspear.

A sickening crack sounded out as metal romanced metal, embers bursting from the impact as the fabled sword of Tormentous rent steel and partially exposed the inner lining of the Jedi’s trademark accessory. Ben could feel his footwork faltering as the force of the Sith’s advance continued after the blade twanged off course. Calling on the Force yet again, the Jedi Master twisted his body about and leapt back through the howling gale, landing in a wide stance with his tarnished weapon held behind his back at angle. Thus the two stood panting for breath, their conjoined gaze colder than any ice planet and hotter than the brightest sun.

No more than a few yards away, Ranger and Padawan stared down a malicious Darth no less lethal than his lord. Without waiting for an invitation, Varn Badaash let loose a feverishly salvo from his long-nosed blaster rifle. Unlike his master, Warvanus would waste no energy dealing with such trifles. Smirking with contempt, the Battlemaster thumbed the compact shield generator on his belt and let the sinister bolts of crimson splash harmless against his unseen barrier. Pointing his blade forward in a challenge, the Sith stalker made it clear that he meant to finish his business with the Dashade here and now.

However, so complete was the fell warrior’s vengeful focus that he almost failed to notice Jedi Swann bolt forward, vibroblade in hand. Fear crept at the edge of Evelyn’s mind- what was she doing?! She knew she had to find someone to keep Warvanus off of Varn, but was this really the best option? Wincing from the impact of the two swords as Akaan Burkida screeched sharply along the flimsier weapon, the young Padawan exhaled shakily and worked to center herself. Her Master and the rangers were fighting just as hard as she, and faced no less insurmountable odds. The aspiring Jedi would do her part, and the force would guide her.

The Sith Battlelord moved quickly to counterattack, sweeping his vicious companion out with a wide berth in a bid to catch Evelyn’s midsection. His considerable strength lagged but a hair’s breadth behind the Padawan Learner’s nimble reflexes, her own body curving in time with measured steps as she worked her way around the Sith’s back. Not about to give Warvanus another chance at a quick coup de grace, Jedi Swann was already lifting her blaster pistol upward, having negated the warrior’s energy field. But in the end, she could only cry out in surprise as the Dark Sider caught her wrist in an iron grip, the Westar belting out panicked whoops as she Evelyn sent futile blasterfire peppering into the broken walls of the facility.

Not content to listen to a young pup’s mewling, Warvanus swiftly twisted the captive Jedi’s wrist until the sidearm fell from her fingers, before latching his gauntlet tightly over her throat. Was this all the next generation was capable of? The mix of terror and pain on the young woman’s face seemed to suggest as much. What a waste of His Master’s time! The Sith moved to squeeze the life from his opponent when a weak smirk blossomed on her face. In an instant, the Battlemaster’s vision went dark as the Padawan used her waning mental strength to fling snow into his eyes.

That would be one of two surprises. Warvanus cried out as something collided with his torso and lifted him off the ground. Ranger Badaash would not abandon Evelyn to such a fate, and had slammed into the Darth with his vibroshield hoisted high. Gasping for breath as he landed on his back, the downed Sith had nary a moment to wipe the icicles from his brow before his situation registered. Varn stood overhead, ready to slam his defense-made-offence right into the warlord’s belly.

Hollering with rage at his dire straits, the Battlemaster narrowly managed to roll out of the way as the Ranger’s shield hammered into the rock face beneath the snow with a sickly metallic clang. Not eager to remain on the ground, Warvanus performed a hasty kip-up, and landed back on his feet just in time to intercept the Dashade’s followup. Pain coursed throughout the hateful hunter’s body as Varn locked onto the Sith’s shoulder with one of his stungaunlets. And yet this time, the Ranger had overreached, and the Battlemaster knew it.

The unruly beast let slip a pained howl as the Darth managed a superficial slice across Varn’s left breast, the agony multiplied by the lack of natural armor in that area. But, if the warlord forgot one thing in that moment, it was that the Ranger did not stand alone. Warvanus felt hot blood burst from his veins without warning, and stared in amazement at a revived Jedi Swann. Having recovered from her close call earlier, the young Evelyn had rushed to Varn’s side and managed a lucky blow onto the interior crux of the Battlemaster’s extended elbow.

Both skirmishes had come to head, and the neither emissary of the Dark Side had received what they bargained for. The dual engines of their hatred all but cracked the ozone in their surroundings, and the two warriors became of one mind through their seething anger. The pallid, unblinking eye of Tormentous seemed to roll right back into his skull and pierce Warvanus from afar. An arrangement was communicated through feeling rather than thought, and in moments, Evelyn and Varn observed their foe roll back several feet onto one knee, his sword staked into the ground as he clasped one hand under the other.

At the same time, Master Kenobi could only gape in distress as the Darth turned his back on him and broke off toward his companion in a heated sprint. The two Sith worked in unison, Tormentous stepping forcefully onto his apprentice’s makeshift foothold and propelling himself high into the air, his sword heaved over his shoulders as gravity pulled him down toward the errant Padawan and her comrade. All the while, Warvanus rose once more and brought the length of Akaan Burkida across his chest in a defensive posture. The dance would continue yet, but time for switching partners had arrived.

Ben knew in his heart that Evelyn and Varn could only delay Tormentous for so long, and thus he taxed his body further and charged at the Battlemaster with his lightspear held straight out like the warpikes of old. Warvanus parried the first thrust with ease, but the unexpected force of the Jedi’s attack forced the Sith warrior to adjust his stance. A second attempt was made to pierce the inside of the Darth’s guard, but this time he was prepared, and countered with such ferocity that Kenobi was forced into a momentary retreat.

Even so, as Warvanus moved to drive his blade at the Jedi’s shoulder, the militant hermit suddenly brought his weapon to stand vertically parallel to his body. Kicking at its base, the wily Master sent the blunt end of his staff crunching harshly into the Sith’s chin, all but bunting his head up toward the war-torn sky. Howling with rage at this insult, the warlord swung wildly in retort, and here Kenobi’s limited defense came back to bite him as virulent alchemic steel cut into his right forearm like butter, very nearly sawing its way down to the bone.

The follow-up was just as severe. The lower half of Warvanus’s death masque retracted inward to reveal his glowering maw, and in an instant the horrific shriek of a Force Scream hurtled toward Kenobi with the intensity of a sonic boom. Snow flew out in terror as the Battlemaster’s voice rent the air itself. It was all the Jedi could do to lift a hand and divert the terrific burst of energy, his robes flaying in taters as the vacuum gale forced him back a meter and shook him down to his boots. The dazed denizen of the Dark Side would not suffer such insult!

With renewed fervor, Warvanus took off toward the offending Jedi, catching him neatly off guard as he flung Akaan Burkida at his foe like a boomerang. It took all of Kenobi’s concentration to duck beneath the airborne instrument without falling over. And though he rose to reclaim a defensive posture, by then the Darth was upon him, catching the upper end of the Jedi’s lightspear with one hand as he began to mercilessly club at Ben’s head with a neighboring fist.

Consciousness became a potent concern, and by the fourth fierce strike Kenobi started to doubt his ability to stand. No, he could not yield to despair. Closing his bruising eyes, the Jedi Master poured his thoughts into the amulet adorning his person. The Force would deliver him, he would become its vessel, and by its unseen hand his fate would be laid bare. Exhaling audibly, Kenobi snapped his gaze back onto the vile warrior, and attempted to sweep his legs with the base of his staff.

Warvanus leapt up and over the inbound blow like a child jumping rope, but at the cost of his sustained assault. Looking beyond the Jedi, the Battlemaster extended a hand and called his sword back to him in a bid to impale Kenobi from behind. The Force would not be denied however, and on this battlefield, it answered Ben’s call. In a blur of speed, the Jedi sidestepped the cruel blade, which sliced harmlessly through the sagging sleeve of his robes, and tucked his spear in the crook of his arm.

Reunited with his weapon, Warvanus moved quickly to bring Akaan Burkida down on Kenobi’s head, but it was too late. With one calculated thrust, the font of yellow plasma skewered the flesh between two armored plates with a sickening electric pop, burning and puncturing the Battlemaster’s right lung. Gasping and wheezing desperately for breath, the Darth staggered backward, his eyes wide with shock as he called forth all of his strength just to remain standing. He could fight no more.

Concurrently, as Tormentous quickly neared the ground and his weaker prey, Ranger Badaash dashed forward in an attempt to shield Evelyn from the Sith’s descent. Yet the Slayer of Kings would not be forestalled. Snapping one arm off to the side, the Dark Lord focused his malice into his wrist-mounted lanvarok. Several razor-discs flew free and aimed to strike Varn in his core, and it was only through the aid of his strength that he was able to dampen each impact onto his vibroshield.

Such a feeble attack was but a mere distraction, and Evelyn called out too late as Tormentous hit the ground and telekinetically pulled a shattered wall segment into the Dashade’s backside. As the reptilian guardian was sent rolling out of sight, the Elder of the two Sith glowered venomously at Evelyn before pressing his advance. Padawan Swann could hardly blink before the titanic terror stepped into engagement range, his famed sword of ruin sweeping in an upward diagonal which was only barely caught by the Jedi Learner’s vibroblade.

It was as a small brook attempting to absorb a crashing hovertrain. Evelyn was forced to backpedal with each stone-cutting blow, the harsh whine of steel splintering resounding around the pair as Tormentous physically chipped away at the Jedi’s excuse of a weapon. He needed her dead, and quickly. The sooner Kenobi’s prized Padawan fell, the sooner the Lord of Moraband could return to his true foe and finally lay him low. The pitiful woman attempted to lift a blaster to the Sith’s torso, and he could not help but laugh at such foolishness.

Hissing with impatience, Tormentous sent a bolt of lightning crackling toward the Padawan’s outstretched hand, grazing and blistering the skin while sending her sidearms flying off into the snow. Though the pain spurred a cry, Evelyn met the Sith’s cold unfeeling gaze, and in a blur of instinct sent the tip of her blade slicing across his left cheek. Now she’d really done it. Growling with frustration, the Darth channeled his unquenchable fury into his arms and moved to disembowel the young woman.

As fate willed, Jidai Maras made contact, and began to cleave the flesh at the base of Jedi Swann’s stomach. But for all its murderous owner’s will, the Force had not abandoned the young warrior to such a grisly demise. Evelyn managed to twist her torso just enough to prevent the Sith steel from passing through her organs, though she cried out with terrible agony and stumbled awkwardly about, fresh blood quickly slicking her hand as she attempted to put pressure on the wound.

Now Tormentous would claim his kill. With a rueful hand, he bid the gravity surrounding the Padawan to dissipate, and watched with sadistic glee as the shocked woman began to float about against her will. Leveling his blade at Evelyn’s chest, the Lord of the Sith moved to lance his sword straight into her solar plexus. He would have her heart as a trophy to toss at Kenobi’s feet, and nothing could stop him. Nothing, save for the discard sheet metal from before that suddenly smacked against his shoulders and sent his weapon into the ground instead.

The Conqueror of Onderon turned and sent an enraged look at the now-recovered Varn, who quickly closed the gap between his landing site and his attacker and grappled the Darth. Pain and numbness racked the Sith’s nerves as the Dashade stun gauntlets sent countless joules of pure energy coursing through his body. A lesser man would have been felled in moments. But Tormentous was beyond the realm of mortal men. Slowly and with effort, he lifted his sword to offer a deathblow, his frame shaking violently about as he did so.

But before the Darth could strike, a heated grunt bubbled free of his core quite against his will. Tormentous growled and groaned for breath as Evelyn’s battered vibroblade plugged fiercely into the Sith’s abdomen. The Jedi had not been as immobilized as he thought! With great effort she had floundered her way onto her side, and tugging her sword free, she sent another lightning strike down below the Dread Lord kneecap and sent the tip of her vibroweapon through the base of his tendon.

Forgetting the debilitating pulse emanating from Varn’s gloves, the Sith spitefully backhanded the young Padawan and sent her back down into the snow. But that was all the opening the Dashade needed. With a battle cry of mighty fervor, the Ranger propped the flailing Darth above his shoulders, and tossed him off toward the enfeebled Warvanus with all of his strength. Thought schemes continued to unfold around them, the Defenders of the Light, thought battered, had emerged victorious...


Darth Tormentous and Darth Warvanus VS Ben Kenobi, Evelyn Swann, and Varn Badaash


Victorious

Ben Kenobi, Evelyn Swann, and Varn Badaash
25 EXP


Defeated

Darth Tormentous and Darth Warvanus
5 EXP

[Jacobi Wylcott]

Darth Tormentous and Darth Warvanus climbed to their feet, both furious at the crumbling situation all around them but they could clearly see that the Sith Soldiers within the Listening Post were all falling back to the walls where they held their current strong point at. Soon more Alliance reinforcements would arrive and the Sith would be cut off. Frustrated beyond repair the two Lords moved in unison and the order to fall back was given. The remaining Sith Warriors escorted their Lords to the walls where a short battle ensued in their defense until Sith drops ships, including Blastboats and Firesprays, could hover over the walls and pick up the battered Sith ground forces.

As the Fleet was currently engaged, the drop ships skimmed the surface of Rhen Var, staying low to avoid detection via scanners as much as possible where they maneuvered outward from the Listening Post and moved into the relative safety of the Sith’s dropped prefab compound, which was currently guarded by Sith heavy armor, anti-aircraft batteries, turrets and a shield generator that was being deployed still. The Sith AT-ATs were scanning the horizon and if anything moved in pursuit of the fleeing Sith Dropships then they would immediately be fire upon.

In orbit the fighter battle waged into a recession and first the Sith Bombers disengaged and flew towards the vicinity of the Prefab Base, then the heavy fighters and finally the lighter and more nimble superiority fighters. Soon enough the Alliance carried the field and the Listening Post fell silent - devoid of the greater conflict.

Finally the only fight left to be had was in space where the Exar Dreadnaught Moraband went toe to toe with the Alliance Flagship, exchanging heavy blows with the MC90 Heavy Cruiser. Both ships being relatively fresh, this battle was only just opening up. The vessels supporting the Exar formed up to screen Alliance Bombers as well as to keep the CC-7700 secure from Alliance batteries. She was staying far enough away to avoid any serious conflict with enough fighter escort to fend her off and evade if necessary. The battle in space would likely be decided by the two behemoths slugging it out.

OOC: Sith activity is concluded. Silas Karn remains to determine how the Space Battle may proceed.

[Silas Karn]

The smell of seared corpses met with the burnt air that radiated from the four crimson blades as the Sovereign pushed past the half way point and motioned for Nil to seal what appeared to be an auxiliary turbolift. What remained of the stalwart Alliance soldiers had at first merely formed ranks in front of the access door to the heart of the Liberty’s engineering deck. However as the situation developed and their apparent chances to repel this onslaught dissipated a ranked officer called for the blast doors to be sealed cutting them off completely from reinforcements yet likely affording the Alliance the necessary time to properly ensnare the Sith Priest. Aware of this fact Silas took great effort to maintain his advance while contacting Nil. “What would an appropriate ETA be for you to breach the blast doors leading to the engineering deck?” In a mere matter of moments the droid granted its reply, “While I am assured you’d wish it completed in seconds it would likely be a matter of minutes to properly splice and that is saying that the Alliance don’t destroy the controls in order to barricade the entrance more thoroughly.” The Sovereign was faced with a pivotal decision.

[Silas Karn]

Sensing a lull in the resistance to his actions Sovereign directed Nil to the auxiliary lift and then darted to the fork in the corridor his self. Recalling the four ruby blades back to his position allowed the Alliance to access the damages incurred in just a few minutes of the priest’s presence. With just a brief window to reassess the situation Silas reached out through the Force and allowed his senses to carry insight far beyond his physical position. The Alliance did not waste this opportunity to reform ranks and send communications, likely shouting out the invader’s position. For his part Silas could tell that the entity he had once sensed at the bridge was gone. Though unaware of Annan’s current movements the High Priest factored in the possibility of pursuit from the lower levels in determining his next move. “We move to take the bridge. I’ll grant a final distraction while you plot a circuitous route, with them coordinating we need to shake as many pursuers as possible!” As Nil complied, Silas channeled a great current through his body with the Force before darting back out into the corridor. Though a few shots met the movement they failed to take mark before the Sith Lord emitted a great arc of electricity across the distance terminating at the blast doors (Force Lightning).

[Silas Karn]

The luminous sparks seemed to knife through every remaining Alliance soldier, knocking the first several back from the immense energies contained within. Yet, this final assault lacked the lethal intent the Sovereign’s former efforts had held. Though a few may have been culled in the attack the discharge ceased as swiftly as it had started with the priest actually taking a few indirect glancing bolts in exchange. “Using the ships maps I have our heading my lord,” Nil notified Silas. “Spare no time then!” The Sovereign replied as the pair departed through the auxiliary turbolift. True to the priest’s intent the pair did not make directly for the bridge but stopped off at several levels to draw attention and make small pushes to other lifts. It was a daunting trek as the Alliance were well prepared at all the most vital junctions of a ship they knew very well. While the intruders were forced to make concessions in their venture more than once to avoid being surrounded or cutoff. Eventually Nil was left with directing Silas through a series of service ducts much like Annan, slowing their progression immensely but finally leaving the Alliance with less intel on their position.

[Silas Karn]

Through great pains the intruders had finally arrived just behind a wave of defenders guarding the forward most turbolifts to the bridge. Smashing out the vent to the service duct Silas was sure to not repeat his mistake back on the engineering deck. Unleashing a massive telekinetic volley the Sovereign cleared the path past the doors to the bridge and with Nil providing immediate cover fire the pair moved swiftly fell back within. Calling both of his curved silver hilts from his belt the High Priest ignited their deep violet amethyst blades. The Sovereign all but casually deflected the stunned crew’s immediate attempts to repel his entry. In truth, if not for a superior power readied and able to combat the Sith Lord it was all but assured no that the priest would cull the remaining interlopers and commandeer the Liberty. With Nil holding the entryway against the soldiers that yet lived in the long corridor leading out from the bridge Silas began systematically ending the lives of every officer inside its domain. With a few well-placed draws of telekinetic energy the few defenders were swiftly disarmed. Calling out to Nil a final order was levied, “Slay the lot of them and then seal the bridge. We will cleave this vessel from their fleet!” With that the Sith Lord walked out toward the vast panoramic viewport of the Alliance flagship. The opportunity for a successful counter to Silas’s infiltration was quickly fading away.

[Annan Rainwalker]

(OOC: Sorry for the distinct lack of quality in these last posts. I wrote them from my phone.)

Annan winced as he felt the death around him. The brave people laying down their lives for the Alliance were brothers- and sisters-in-arms, and to sense their lives literally blinking out of existence in the Force was something that pained him.

Yet, he could not intervene. Not yet. He awaited the right moment, the directive in the Force that would compel him to jump in. Until then, he had to trust the brave navy officers, and honour those who failed for their sacrifice.

[Annan Rainwalker]

The Jedi reached out in the Force. Even if the Sovereign were to mask his presence it would not be difficult for any Force adept to follow his trail due to the death and destruction he left behind in his wake.

Climbing through the service crawlways while keeping his senses focused on the death beacon, Annan became suspicious when the Sovereign's controlled rampage suddenly seized, and his signature in the Force became haphazard, as if he was jumping between places instead of going in a single, intended direction.