Star Wars Rise of an Empire IC

[Bearon]

Dooku stood looking out of the viewport of the room that was currently holding both himself the leader of the CIS and his master the Chancellor of the Republic or more formally the Dark Puppeteer who moved the strings that held the galaxy together when he deigned to move his own claw like hands at all. Currently Dooku was admiring the view presented to him by the external viewport at once showing him the multi-faceted colors of the enemy cruisers chasing the flagship of the CIS navy known as The Invisible Hand and the multiple colorful bolts of laser fire flying towards the Invisible Hand inevitably hitting the shields before dissipating in a bright burst of smoke and light. Dooku also made sure to take in the multiple explosions let off by both the Republic Cruisers and CIS Dreadnaught's heavy artillery guns as the bursts of lights that followed rivaled any firework show on Coruscant before turning around slowly and addressing his master "Quite a view isn't it?" He said enjoying the lavish opulence the Invisible Hand was able to provide for Dooku and his "guest" in mere minutes.

[Seno Zhou Varada]

A Small town on Tantooine

"Waaah Waaaah Waaaaah" Cirad cried just after he was born."He's beautiful" Catherine said lovingly. "Awww" Micheal said "He's adorable". "Waah Waah Waah" CIrad cried more. "Aww here you go" Catherine said as she put a nerf milk bottle in his mouth and held him. "How do you think he'll be in the future?" Micheal asked. "I don't know but I'm hoping good in general" Catherine replied while holding the bottle in his mouth.

[Ahtonland]

Sith Temple

Anton picked up the old book engraved with "Artifacts of the Sith" on the cover. Sith opened the book and he became disappointed because most of the pages were destroyed. "I hope that some page are suitable for reading."He quickly searched for pages that aren't destroyed. "Tantooine ... What Sith Lord would leave there artifact? But I'll go to the desert. Perhaps this artifact has great power." Daeskent quickly got up and walked out of the temple.

[Sulania]

Sira Marr - Venator-Class Destoyer - The Battle of Coruscant

Sira sat aboard the bridge, she could hear the sounds of the several officers coordinating the attack. The several voices around her, the noises of buttons being pressed. She forced these voices out of her mind and began to focus, noises were a distraction. A distraction that Sira must ignore. She focused on her heavy meditation for minutes. She could feel the force around her, she could feel it as if it was her own heartbeat. Every death she could feel outside, was like a ripple through the force, and she could feel everyone. She focused even more and put the use of her battle meditation into affect. Despite her form being weaker, as she was young and pretty inexperienced, she felt that it would still benefit the Republic effort of the battle. She could feel as the morale of the officers aboard the ship strengthened, and she could feel how the clone pilots attacks became even more coordinated. She would have to maintain deep concentration in order for this to keep going, and she hoped she had the will to keep it going.

[The Sith lord vader]

Hanger of the Invincible hand

Anakin Skywalker shook his mop of hair free of sweat, gathered through the intense star fighter battle. Stepping out of his starship he ordered R2D2, his astromech droid to say with his yellow starfighter. Turning to his former master and current friend, Obi Wan-Kenobi, he said "Come on, Master. We wouldn't want to miss our appointment with Dooku". He than turned on his heel and sprinted down the corridor.

[The Rebel Alliances]

Obi Wan Kenobi-Jedi Master-Battle of Coruscant-19 BBY

That feeling. The one in my stomach when I am flying. The one that gets worse when in the very pit of it when I am flying, dodging and weaving to avoid death due to Droid fighters and missiles from incinerating my Jedi Starfighter and myself high above the orbit of the Capital of the Jedi Order and Republic, Coruscant. The sweat on my palms reminded me of my grip on the controls. And the g-force hit me as I banked the star fighter. A deep maroon craft, fast and agile. And on my flank was another Jedi Starfighter, but with a bright yellow coloration. It's pilot was the best I have the pleasure of knowing. And training, although his flight abilities were natural talent. As he did not destroy the Droid Control Ship at eight years old over Naboo because of me.

We were called back from the outer rim sieges for an urgent assignment. To rescue the Supreme Chancellor.

General Grievous, the leader of the Droid Armies, had staged an invasion of the Core Worlds. And seemed to have the sole purpose of capturing Chancellor Palpatine. And forcing a truce. Or so that is the assumption, as the move makes little sense otherwise. Despite these thoughts I scanned the space around me and caught sight of a wing of Republic Clone Pilots. Who were to help ensure we make our objective, boarding the Invisible Hand.

And waking me from my concentration was a outcry of beeps and boops from R4. Warning me of incoming anti fighter batteries, coming from enemy frigates that made a corridor all the way to the invisible hand.

"Dont worry R4, we can handle it. Some evasive action, but lets keep it simple."

And with slight adjustments in speed and angle, I glided through the incoming hail of fire although not as graceful as Anakin had managed.From the very start I had kept any confrontation with enemy formations to a minimal. Or at least as much as possible being in the most massive orbital engagement in recent memory and the war.

Our mission was to board the Invisible hand, not defeat enemy formations. And the gap between us, and the CIS flagship, never seemed to close. Such is the nature of naval battles. The ships are so large they seem close, but in reality you are countless kilometers from the closest of ships usually.

Just then we began to get just close enough to alert ourselves to...what seemed to be...Vulture Droids? No of course not there were too many. And they were all over the outer hull of the ship, but as I edged ever closer, the truth became known.

They were Vulture Droids, and there were enough of them to make the hull of the Invisible Hand seem to be crawling. And almost as thankful for the challenge I saw Anakin surge forward to tackle the situation. Headstrong as always.

I tapped into the force, knowing I would need it's guidance to make it past the veritable smog of vultures heading our way. Sighing heavily I thought back. Had it not been for being taken in as a Jedi, I may have never set foot on a starship. What a pleasing, safe life that would have been.

However, returning back to reality I spoke through the comms to Anakin.
"Slow down, the 'Hand' is not going anywhere. We should not put a significant gap between us. And let the clones take point in this, that is what they are here for, after all." I spoke with a nervous smile. I knew Anakin would be fine, I was worried about me. But despite this I pushed on the thrusters slightly to regain some lost distance between us as we got ever closer to the center of this battle.

The fight through the horde of fighters was a blur, and I only did my best to maintain correct direction. And as I raced my starfighter into the hanger bay, I activated the ejection canopy and force leaped from the fighter. Landing and slaying several droids as we cleared the hanger.

Hearing Anakin and seeing him turn a corridor I gave a relived smile. Finally, on firm ground. Well, not actually, but a sight better than a fighter. At least you can get a sense of up and down on a ship. Replaying to Anakin as I followed him briskly I spoke almost light heartedly. "Surely that would upset Dooku, and we dont want that now do we?" As we began to enter what could be an epicenter of darkness.

Aran Vale-CIS Vice Admiral-Battle of Coruscant-Aboard the 'Noble Might'-19 BBY

Disaster. Mistakes. That is all I saw as the chaos of the battle unfolded both on scanners and in plain view. There are literally thousands of starships trading blows above Coruscant at this very moment. Nearly four thousand in our fleet alone, and another near six thousand in the Republics. Above. Below. Ahead. And behind us, there is some ship, somewhere going up in flames and falling into the atmosphere below or ascending into endless space. Not to even consider the tens of thousands of droids in this fleet. The droids can be replaced...mostly and in time. But these warships, are near irreplaceable assets. We have lost dozens of our most beneficial foundry worlds to the Republic. And many more are under siege...right now. And half of them are expected to fall soon.

This war had been raging for three years now. And Grievous has been the leading figure in command of the Droid Armies for the better part of two of those years. I risked more than my rank and station when I opposed, quite sternly his plan to invade the core. And instead proposed my own plan to use our forces in this fleet and others to break the sieges of our most valuable worlds, and perhaps even lay siege those who have trapped us. Doing so could have led to countless setbacks for the Republic in the Outer Rim and a little less so in the Mid Rim. And allow us to recover forces to keep this war going for years to come.

But, I was overruled by the Supreme Commander of the Armies of the Confederacy....again.

I sighed and sat myself down in my command chair on the bridge of the Flagship of my Task Force, the 'Noble Might'. My task force includes more than 1,100 ships of war. And after this battle is decided. I will be fortunate if half of that returns to me. Coruscant is the most heavily defended planet in the Galaxy. And here I am, sitting right above it. Albeit with some difficulty. But the shallow humor in it left me, as my hand brushed over a holo projector that I wear. A small silver device. I cupped it in my right palm and pushed my thumb over it, activating it. And an image of Thesseen appeared, small and transparent but in all of her beauty. My wife, a mirialan who runs a large company on Onderon. And one of the few of her kind who sided with the Confederacy, her marriage to me had little to do with that however. But I had been unable to see her ever since the Republic had inspired my world, and one of our most promising sons. Lux Bonteri to revolt and take control of our world.

Lux was the son of a dear friend of mine. Mina Bonteri. A beautiful, wise and principled leader of both Onderon, the Republic Senate, and before her death the Confederate Parliament. I mourned her loss as much as her son, as she was taken from not only her family and friends but from her world and the Confederacy of Independent Systems as well. Dooku had informed me afterward that Republic Agents assassinated her. Presumably to keep this devastating war going. And while I channeled my grief into actions against the enemy, Lux...was manipulated by the very Republic that had stolen his mother...and my friend. And now, he today acts as Onderon's senator in the Republic.

Snapping my concentration on the past was a hail from another Vice Admiral. Reporting coordinated enemy attacks. And I cleared his message to be patched through.

The Vice Admiral was in charge of the advance guard of our assault, and has suffered heavily because of it. But no matter the commander, anyone who led the attack on Coruscant would sustain enormous casualties. The admiral was somewhat short, and a Aqualish of an older generation. His bulging eyes had a humbled look in them. As e reported his situation in his native language. About how the Republic forces in his sections have recently become more organized, precise and coordinated. Almost unnaturally so. And were beginning to pose a threat to his Task Force. And as we both knew, if his task force collapsed, then there would be nothing standing between the full might of the Republic navy and the heart of our fleet.

"Vice Admiral Voghar, I am not seeing any such attacks in my own battle. Allow me to check the scanners and see what the difference is between my own battle and yours." The old Admiral then spoke harshly, but was motivated by a dire need, rather than genuine anger.

("My force is facing the brunt of five thousand enemy ships and facing three to one odds, Admiral! That is the difference!") He however realized his tone and wished me most speedy luck in finding out what is causing the increased effectiveness of enemy operations in his sector of the battle. And what he may do about it.

I instantly activated a holographic representation of the battle above coruscant. Red blips were CIS forces, and blue were Republic. And each 'sector' or area of the battle was separated by thin boundries that acted as a border for a battlefield. And I zoomed in on Voghar's struggle, and observed the progress of it. He was right, coordination in a battle this large is difficult to achieve among even smaller, tactical groups like different fighter squadrons.

My eyes darted from one part of his battle to another. Trying to see some sort of pattern, and in about five minutes. Finally deduced what he was up against. A five minutes in which he lost a dozen ships. Calling him back on the line, I began to explain the situation, and what I would do for him to a holographic projection of the Aqualish.

"You are facing a Jedi with skills in Battle Meditation. But...he or she is inexperienced in it's use. Records show that Bastilla could inspire an entire armada and instill fear and uncertainty in enemy ranks. But, this is more local. Weaker. But still there and a threat. The Jedi can only coordinate a single aspect of a single engagement at a time. This is what has allowed me to guess his or the Jedi's relative location. This Jedi is elevating a specific engagement at a time, for example those fighter squadrons that just knocked out one of your cruiser's engines. And when their ability went back to normal, the frigate packs you are facing moved perfectly to corner one of your carriers. But then they ceased their exceptional movement and another small group received it. So, it is only logical that the Jedi's location is quite close to all of these skirmishes."

I then highlighted a section of the Republic's Venator Destroyer Group.

"This formation is at the center of all the events I mentioned. So, I am almost certain the Jedi is aboard one of these ships, focus and press your attack here. And you may slay this threat to your operations. To assist you I am dispatching two dozen Munificent Class Star Frigates and eight Recusant Class Light Destroyers to help bolster your attack on this group of Republic Destroyers. Use them well Admiral, I can spare no more for you." And with that the line closed. And he faded from sight.

I then paced over to the viewport and stood resolute by it, with my cape flapping gently as I made my way over. Jedi, Grievous despises them. Dooku believes the order foolish and blind. And I have just simple respect, and sometimes pity for them. No matter, they are an enemy and hopefully the Jedi enemy causing Admiral Voghar difficulties will not live long to cause me problems.

[Zeinbrad]

"Sir! Engines have been hit!" A officer abroad the Invisible Hand bridge screamed as the ship began to shake from the fire of a Republic Venator.

"Then focus fire on them!" Grievous yelled before coughing. This is getting bothersome He thought as he coughed and wheezed. He looked outside the bridges windows and saw that the battle was not going well,the CIS was not winning, but they had too, this was their only shot at turning the tide of the war back in their favor. Grievous paced around the bridge, before another officer spoke.

"Sir we got two squadrons of Republic bombers coming our way!" He said with a hint of panic.Coward Grievous thought before speaking.

"Send 4th and 5th squadron to intercept them" He ordered. He continued to pace around the bridge, watching a Munificent-class star frigate be ripped to pieces by two Venator's sealing it's fate. Then something interesting came.

"Two Jedi starfighters have been spotted, they are heading for us" A officer reported. Grievous crackled They are launching a rescue attempt, I see. He thought.

"Send 1st and 2nd squadron to intercept." He ordered, secretly wishing the Jedi would land so he could add more lightsabers to his collection. His thoughts were broken by a officer.

"The Jedi have boarded the ship" He said. Grievous would of smiled if he could.

"Send 430 Squad and 320 Squad to delay them. Ready two MagnaGuards to support them" Grievous said, wanting to welcome the Jedi, not kill them. He wanted that satisfying act all to himself.

[Einsiev]

Sarak entered the bridge in a hurried manner. "Master, I sense something. It feels like...Jedi." Sarak could see an expression growing on Dooku's face, but couldn't tell if it was out of anger, or fright. In fact he never could. Sarak just stared into his piercing eyes, waiting for a response. No matter what, he couldn't shake this feeling. It grew more and more intense over time.

[Sulania]

Sira Marr - Venator-Class Destroyer - Battle of Coruscant

Sira began to notice something through her meditation. Many CIS ships began to break away from their original course of action and proceeded to move in order to attack a group of Venator-Class Destroyers. The very same group that Sira's ship was in. She immediately broke her meditation and rose from her sitting position. The sounds of the bridge began to flood back into her hearing, and turned to the rear of a bridge to the holo-projector that held a complete overview of the battle.

She quickly made her way to the holo-projector and began to examine it, assessing the moving ships. "You noticed it too." spoke the captain of the vessel. "What do you think is the reason as to why those CIS vessels broke off and are now making their way to us?"

"I was tracked." Sira said sternly, with much disdain in her voice. "Someone was able to find the pattern in which I was using my battle meditation. They were able to deduce that I was in this group of destroyers and are now moving to attack."

"How did they manage to track you?" The captain asked in distress, obviously panicked.

Thoughts raced through Sira's head. How did they manage to track her? Who did? Her eyes quickly cut to a ship in the CIS fleet. "Captain, what ship is that?"

The captain stood there for a moment and then pulled up a datapad. The ship is known as the 'Noble Might', it is the flagship of vice-admiral Aran Vale."

"I've heard of him. Excellent strategist, man of few words, but also in poor health. Do we have any means of boarding that ship?" She asked, still maintaining her composure. Despite the embarrassment of being tracked.

"Yes, we can move a small transport with a strike team to board it. We can have several fighter squadrons move to pull the CIS forces out of that area and provide the transport enough time to board the ship."

"I'm going with the strike team. Prepare a ship." She spoke quickly, and started making her way to the hangar.

"I don't think that's wise madame. It would be best if you st-" He was cut off as the door closed behind Sira.

Sira arrived at the hangar to find a LAAT and a small clone strike team already boarding it. She quickly made her way onto the transport and watched as the door closed. Her lightsaber was gripped tightly in her hand. She could hear as the transport left the hangar and moved into the heat of battle. She looked around at the clones around her. She held a face of determination, and did not want to show her disgust at the use of clones.

An explosion rocked the transport, cutting off her train of thought. She could then feel them coming closer to their destination and finally landing aboard it. They were able to make it aboard the flagship through the hangar before the doors were able to close. She lit her lightsaber, which gave off a bright silver color. And waited for the doors to open.

When they did, she quickly moved her way out. Cutting a few droids down and then moving behind some cover. The strike team was able to clear much of the droid force away, but with heavy losses. She came with a force of a dozen clones, now she was down to four. They were able to clear out the small section of the hangar and proceeded into a corridor. They waited there for a moment to catch their breath.

[The Rebel Alliances]

Aran Vale-CIS Vice Admiral-Battle of Coruscant-Aboard the 'Noble Might'-19 BBY
It was some time before anything demanded my attention. Well, besides the loss of many of my own ships. But, considering the circumstances of the battle, there is nothing I can do about it. Ships will be lost, men will die and droids will be vanquished. I tilted my cap a little closer to my bow. And crossed my arms considering the position I was in. But in the end, all I could do was minimize the losses inflicted upon our fleet, and wait until Grievous finally orders a retreat. This invasion failed before it ever began. As we lacked the resources and capabilities to conquer Coruscant, but really, that was never the aim. Just to seize the Chancellor. A true fools game. If Grievous maintains command of the armies any longer in this war, then the CIS is doomed to defeat. He does not even hide the fact that the cause that we fight does not concern him.

But, an alarm was raised on the bridge, and my Command Droid K-239. Spoke in it's monotone voice.
"Admiral, the Republic has forced a landing in the ship. There is a Jedi aboard."

Strange, for a strike team to come aboard this ship. I turned sharply and inquired of the droid.
"How many?"

"Five Admiral, including her."

Her? A thought then entered my mind.

"What is the status of Admiral Voghar's fleet condition? Is the Battle Meditation still in affect?" The droid paused for a few moments while it's databanks collected the needed information.

"All reports suggest the Jedi has ceased Battle Meditation. Current situation unknown." I gave a slight smile of entertainment. It is the same Jedi. This woman discovered I had found her out, and now she is here to attempt to capture or kill be almost by herself. No other Jedi and a fire team of clones. Such arrogance, to believe she can board with such a force and succeed in taking me.

I was about to order Droideka's and Super Battle Droids to kill her and her clones. But a thought occurred to me.
She is indeed unusual for a Jedi, brash and impulsive and needlessly reckless. But she does have a talent for Battle Meditation. Perhaps...well that is unlikely. To reason with a Jedi is almost as fool hardy as this invasion. But something pulled at me, she interesting and may be a useful prisoner.

"Order squads of B-1 Droids to force her and her team down corridor D on level 3. And then up to level 4 and into corridor H and lastly into Corridor C."

If the droid could express surprise, it would have.

"Admiral, that leads them here."

I fumed passively as the droid calculated I did not know that.
"Of course it does, and I want Droidekas and Magna Guards stationed here on the Bridge. Position them in a circle along the wall so they will be able to defend the bridge from all positions should it come to a battle. But, I trust that our Jedi guest is intelligent enough to not take on 12 Droidekas and ten Magna Guards by herself or even with a few clone survivors. I would like to speak with her."

I said as I finished stating my order. I then grasped a blaster pistol placed it inside of a hilster on my right thigh.
Just in case. I have nothing personnel against the Jedi, and this one has interested me enough to warrant the courtesy of a meeting. I pondered as I observed her progress though my ship via the many monitors, and the hordes of B-1s starting to press her to the outlined paths I had chosen.

The B-1s should be enough to nudge her here, but not enough to kill her. Not in the numbers I am sending anyways. I then stood opposite of the viewport awaiting this young Jedi to arrive.

[The Sith lord vader]

Corridors of the Invisible hand

Anakin sliced through two droids as he ran swiftly on. Glancing next to him at Obi-Wan, he wondered about apologizing, knowing his former masters hatred of flying. Thinking differently, he deactivated his lightsaber, and aggressively pushing the next droid into the wall, breaking it apart. The ship rocks once under fire from the republic guns, but Anakins balance held, as he used the force to stabilize himself. He couldn't hide a chuckle as he thought about how he'd never have imagined this, when he was a child on Tatoinne. Thinking of his home planet brought unpleasant thoughts, and the chuckle died on his lips.

[Sulania]

Sira Marr - The 'Noble Might' - Battle of Coruscant

After a few moments of resting, a large group of B-1s made their appearence and had already succeeded in killing two of the other clones. She did her best to enter a soresu stance, but her form was sloppy at best and down-right laughable at worst. Before she even had the chance to cut down a single droid, she found herself in full retreat.

She rushed down a series of corridors deflecting what fire she could. Unfortunately, the clones were less lucky and were killed. She was alone and in full retreat. She continued running down the corridors and going up to level 4 of the ship. She continued running, not paying any mind to where the corridors are leading her. She moved down the corridor designated as C and passed through a door.

She found herself on the bridge, surrounded by droidekas and magna guards. She could see the famed vice-admiral Aran Vale. Her lightsaber turned off and she held it at her side. "You have me." She said with extreme anger at both the vice-admiral, and at herself for falling into his trap. "I surrender" She then waited for a response.

[Evbrus]

In the "Invisible Hand"
"Yes my Apprentice, the view is quite nice. But soon this war will end, and I will rule the galaxy with you Count Dooku and General Grevious at my side. That young Skywalker has potential to join the Sith. But you must take care of that nuisance Obi-Wan Kenobi," said by Palpatine with a serious tone to Dooku. Count Dooku was needed in the future, but Palpatine foresaw that he dies in the hands of Skywalker, but hopes at least that Dooku escapes. Now both him and Dooku wait for the Jedi to reach them, while watching the Battle of Coruscant, Munificents and Venators Exploding and Buzz Droids ripping apart ARC-170 StarFighters. As Palpatine waits he meditates to pass the time.

[Ahtonland]

Anton's Spaceship

"Ok, I have set coordinates for Tatooine. I hope it will be worth my time" Said bored Anton. "I guess I have to wait..."

When Anton's spaceship arrived on Tatooine, he said, "I have to get some kind of transport..." Anton approached random citizen and asked

"Where can I buy a speeder?"

Citizen answered "Go to Wallik's Place, he can sell you a speeder"

"Thanks" answered Anton. Daeskent went to Wallik's Place and bought a speeder.

(Few hours later...)

"Wait, what is happening with my speeder?" Anton's speeder released a lot of smoke, and suddenly it turned off. "Damn it! I have to find transport. Wait, what's that little house over here? And there's a speeder! But I don't have any credit's because of that piece of junk. I will have to steal it." Anton approached speeder, and when he tried to steal it, he heard someone saying "HEY! STOP IT! CATHERINE! BRING ME MY GUN!"

[Seno Zhou Varada]

Catherine's and Micheal's View
Catherine ran outside and someone trying to steal the speeder. She handed it to Micheal who in turn fired multiple shots from it until...



Cirad's View

Cirad was sleeping soundly in his Crib till he heard Dada shouting loudly and saw Mama carrying a thing to Dada. He then heard a strange noice repeated over and over again until it stopped and that's when he heard a different noise...

[Benning]

Dantooine plains

Kyle exhaled and sighted down his rifle. Please don't crap out on me now he thought to himself, bemoaning the outdated tech his situation forced him to use. The rifle may have been good in its day, but time had robbed it of most of its accuracy and power, until it had barely enough energy to knock out a full grown man. Luckily for Kyle's little band, a blow that could knock out a man was enough to break the neck of an iriaz and seriously injure a kinrath or kath hound. Luck was on his side today. Though the bolt was slightly off target, it flew true enough that Kyle and his adopted family would eat well tonight. Thank goodness! Now just to get it home. Focusing, Kyle lifted the carcass with the Force, as the holocrons and the Force ghost had taught him.


Jedi Enclave Ruins

Putting down the carcass momentarily, Kyle opened his datapad and sent the door the command codes to open. Of course, because the door was probably 3000 years old, all that did was release the mag seals. Kyle was forced to pull the doors open using the Force (Hah, that pun) before he was able to lift the Iriaz in. Inside, he was greeted by John, a slightly older boy. "Hey Kyle, what didja bag?"

"Iriaz. Which you'd know if you'd waited a second and seen what I was straining to carry. Seriously, can you grab this? I'm running on fumes right now." Kyle replied.

"Sure, sure. Oh, the ghost wanted to talk to you. She looked stressed out over something"

Kyle sighed. "Fine, I'm on my way."

[Bearon]

Aboard the Invisible Hand

(Image)

In the "Invisible Hand"
"Yes my Apprentice, the view is quite nice. But soon this war will end, and I will rule the galaxy with you Count Dooku and General Grevious at my side. That young Skywalker has potential to join the Sith. But you must take care of that nuisance Obi-Wan Kenobi," said by Palpatine with a serious tone to Dooku. Count Dooku was needed in the future, but Palpatine foresaw that he dies in the hands of Skywalker, but hopes at least that Dooku escapes. Now both him and Dooku wait for the Jedi to reach them, while watching the Battle of Coruscant, Munificents and Venators Exploding and Buzz Droids ripping apart ARC-170 StarFighters. As Palpatine waits he meditates to pass the time.

Dooku paused at the mention of Obi Wan briefly considering trying to change his master's mind on the subject in Obi Wan's fate. He had always considered Obi Wan to be a sort of grandson due to him being the apprentice of his own late apprentice Qui Gon Jinn along with Obi Wan being a perfect example of what the Jedi should have been if they had remained uncorrupted. He weighed the pros and cons of bringing up such a tender subject with his master before letting the idea go. He had brought up Obi Wan's possible conversion to the Sith on numerous occasions and the discussions had not ended well. Sighing to himself at what could have been he instead responded to Sidious by saying "Are you sure the boy can be turned? He seems to be firmly entrenched in the ideals of the Republic and killing his master might only make him cling more tightly to those ideals."

Sarak entered the bridge in a hurried manner. "Master, I sense something. It feels like...Jedi." Sarak could see an expression growing on Dooku's face, but couldn't tell if it was out of anger, or fright. In fact he never could. Sarak just stared into his piercing eyes, waiting for a response. No matter what, he couldn't shake this feeling. It grew more and more intense over time.

Dooku paused in his conversation with his master as one of the many Dark Jedi he had recruited to the cause of the CIS entered the room and began to voice her worries over the approaching Jedi. Dooku gave a faint smile at the acolyte's ignorance before saying "You have done well Sarak. I have sensed them too and another aboard a ship boosting the Republic's fighting prowess though that problem I feel will be quickly solved. The other Jedi are to be allowed to arrive on the ship unmolested and when they reach this room I will deal with them. You will go to General Grievous and tell him of this breach in the ship's security though it is likely he already knows. You will stay close to General Grievous and await further orders unless otherwise commanded. Do you understand Sarak?"

On Tatooine

Kalaka warrior chieftain of the Salek tribe of Sand people had consulted with the sacred shaman of their tribe on where to find enough food and water to provide sustenance for the tribe as their best trackers had been unable to find anything. The shaman though difficult to understand to those not chosen by the goddess Varna had seemed to indicate the large city to the West would be their only option in the gaining enough sustenance for the Salek tribe to survive. Kalaka had been dubious at first as she had always adhered more to the physical art then the arcane but she had agreed and now waited with a group of her best warriors atop a hill that loomed over the city that was now shrouded in darkness. Signaling her warriors they quickly swung their chutlas ( grappling hooks ) over the walls and scaled them before a guard noticed their presence. They swept around the walls killing any guards silently before signaling to the rest of the warriors to swing their own chutlas and sweep through the city. The Sand people went silently through the city killing the citizens in their house silently before a scream was sounded out from one of the houses and the rest of the city began to awaken. Kalaka silently cursed to herself "The warrior who had given them away would be sacrificed to Durma in the most horrible way imaginable and she would attend to it personally. As the city awakened the Sand people began to quicken their pace caring little for any noise that they might make now. Kalaka herself leapt into a room before killing the inhabitants an elderly couple that had come out after hearing the noise. At the cry of a small voice Kalaka froze and turned slowly. The cry had sounded almost exactly like her beloved Koda the son she had given birth to just a month ago but who had died to an influx of the deadly virus Meletha. Kalaka walked slowly into the room and was surprised to see a small human. She knew this must have been the older couples child and she pondered what she would do with it simply staring down at the infant human child as the city around her was slaughtered.

[Einsiev]

"Right away my master." Sarak sprinted towards the bridge where Greivous was issuing commands to hundreds of droids it seemed. He entered the bridge and approached the General. "General Greivous, there are Jedi on the ship. Sarak's feeling intensified. He knew they were close. But, this felt familiar. He had felt the same thing when he was with Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi. Was this the one who trained him when he was younger?

[Seno Zhou Varada]

Cirad (Present)

A strange being had come in after the 2 others had left. There sure were a lot of them. Cirad moved his arm a little and started making noises since he was bored and couldn't sleep. He rolled a bit in his limited cradle and grabbed his stuffed Nerf he call "Ga oh" and moved it on top of his chest. He felt that he was getting hungry and started to whine a bit.

[Bearon]

Cirad (Present)

A strange being had come in after the 2 others had left. There sure were a lot of them. Cirad moved his arm a little and started making noises since he was bored and couldn't sleep. He rolled a bit in his limited cradle and grabbed his stuffed Nerf he call "Ga oh" and moved it on top of his chest. He felt that he was getting hungry and started to whine a bit.

Kalaka jumped backwards when the infant began making noises before walking back to where she had been before standing before and staring at the now energetic baby who began to roll around and make cute little noises- noises, just noises Kalaka reminded herself as she watched the infants movements. It soon became apparent that the infant required sustenance as it began to make whining sounds. Kalaka entranced and her violent instincts now overwhelmed by these new maternal ones could only reach for her belt pouch and grab some leras leaf and gojun water which she then proceeded to mix to create a kind of nutritious mush that provided sustenance for her people. Hesitating only for a moment she reached down and pick up the infant little more then a month old. "The same age Koda would be." She thought to herself idly as she rocked the infant in her arms and fed the infant the mush she had made. Realizing her mistake she set the baby back down in the crib and drew her sacrificial knife before noticing a name carved into the crib. "Cir- Cira- Cirad." She sounded out to herself out loud though she quickly clenched her jaw. Learning the outsider tongue they called "basic" was forbidden and if caught speaking it the penalty would be death. She looked down at the baby her knife hand trembling before she let her arm fall to hang at her side. She knew she could not kill this child. She had already bonded with it and it would be impossible to do so though she she knew others of her race would have know such qualms if they discovered him. Pondering her options she reached into her backpack and brought out her son's mask which she now carried everywhere with her. She placed the mask on the babies head and moved the dial so he would be able to breathe in and out. This mask would now be his face for the rest of his life and she made sure to memorize the beautiful lines and smile which had made up his face before sealing the mask and dressing him in the wrappings of the Tusken Raiders. Carrying him out of the hut now devoid of life she began to sing him a lullaby as the last of the cities inhabitants were killed and the Tuscans began to loot anything they could find.

[Ahtonland]

Anton (past)

Anton looked with contempt on the dead bodies. "What a waste of time. Wait, someone is coming. Looks like a couple of people. But I do not have time for this ". Anton got on the speeder and through the window he saw a little child lying in crib. A moment later he was on his way to the sith artifact.

[Seno Zhou Varada]

Anton (past)

Anton looked with contempt on the dead bodies. "What a waste of time. Wait, someone is coming. Looks like a couple of people. But I do not have time for this ". Anton got on the speeder and through the window he saw a little child lying in crib. A moment later he was on his way to the sith artifact.

Cirad (past)

Cirad heard no more for a little while until he heard a crying noise and saw people come in with something that seemed wet on their face.

Cirad (Present)

A strange being had come in after the 2 others had left. There sure were a lot of them. Cirad moved his arm a little and started making noises since he was bored and couldn't sleep. He rolled a bit in his limited cradle and grabbed his stuffed Nerf he call "Ga oh" and moved it on top of his chest. He felt that he was getting hungry and started to whine a bit.

Kalaka jumped backwards when the infant began making noises before walking back to where she had been before standing before and staring at the now energetic baby who began to roll around and make cute little noises- noises, just noises Kalaka reminded herself as she watched the infants movements. It soon became apparent that the infant required sustenance as it began to make whining sounds. Kalaka entranced and her violent instincts now overwhelmed by these new maternal ones could only reach for her belt pouch and grab some leras leaf and gojun water which she then proceeded to mix to create a kind of nutritious mush that provided sustenance for her people. Hesitating only for a moment she reached down and pick up the infant little more then a month old. "The same age Koda would be." She thought to herself idly as she rocked the infant in her arms and fed the infant the mush she had made. Realizing her mistake she set the baby back down in the crib and drew her sacrificial knife before noticing a name carved into the crib. "Cir- Cira- Cirad." She sounded out to herself out loud though she quickly clenched her jaw. Learning the outsider tongue they called "basic" was forbidden and if caught speaking it the penalty would be death. She looked down at the baby her knife hand trembling before she let her arm fall to hang at her side. She knew she could not kill this child. She had already bonded with it and it would be impossible to do so though she she knew others of her race would have know such qualms if they discovered him. Pondering her options she reached into her backpack and brought out her son's mask which she now carried everywhere with her. She placed the mask on the babies head and moved the dial so he would be able to breathe in and out. This mask would now be his face for the rest of his life and she made sure to memorize the beautiful lines and smile which had made up his face before sealing the mask and dressing him in the wrappings of the Tusken Raiders. Carrying him out of the hut now devoid of life she began to sing him a lullaby as the last of the cities inhabitants were killed and the Tuscans began to loot anything they could find.

Cirad (present)

Cirad was picked out of the crib and given some sort of food. He ate and though it was a little mushy and had an odd flavor it kinda tasted nice. Then the being set him back down and spoke something uncertainly. SHe was also holding something strange and held it in her hand pointed at him before letting it fall to it's side. Then the being put a mask on his head that strangely enough he could see out of and then a couple seconds later realized he could breathe out of. The being then put a strange material that kinda felt like his clothes on him and then proceeded to pick him up walk out of the shelter and make noises in a pattern to him.

[Sulania]

Brishkah - The Jedi Temple on Coruscant

Brishkah was anxiously running through the Temple. Since the CIS attacked Coruscant, he was separated from his padawan, Serena. He ran through the several rooms and corridors of the Temple, seeing several Jedi discussing about the battle overhead. He entered the Temple Archives, he immediately went straight to Jocasta Nu, the Chief Librarian. "Have you seen Serena?" Brishkah asked, with a very fearful tone in his voice.

"I have not." Jocasta responded. "I would help you look, but I must tend to the Archives. Some things may have been damaged during the attack." She added, speaking with a certain regret that she is unable to help.

"It is fine, I'll be able to find her." With that, he sat down on the nearest chair and began to reach out with the Force. He used the Force to send a message to his padawan: "Serana, are you alright? Where are you?." He remembered teaching Serana a very basic form of force telepathy, so that they could communicate back and forth from each other. All he had to do now was wait and receive a message from Serana.

[The Starlight]

Jedi Temple Nursery

Despite the furious battle above Coruscant, the Jedi Temple maintained its peace. All was quiet, except in the nursery, where the nurses examined the newborns. One in particular caught their attention. His name was Craig Myers and he was destined to become a Jedi. That was all that the note on the newborn's cradle had said. It had been found on the steps of the Jedi Temple, with the little Craig wrapped in plain cloth. A Jedi had almost tripped over it, for the baby had been silent all throughout. But in the nursery, little Craig began to cry. He was hungry and none of the nurses(though Craig's little mind thought of them as "big people.") had thought to feed him. As he cried for food, the cloth covering little Craig began to lift just a little before falling back down to the bottom of the cradle. As this was the first time he had made a sound, the nurses were surprised. One of them rushed over and gave Craig a bottle of space milk, which he drank eagerly. He then started to examine his surroundings. He had a covering over him of some sort and he was in some kind of open box. Trying to explore, he tried to reach for the edges of his cradles only not to succeed because he was not strong enough. As one of the big people reached out a finger, he tried to grasp it. He had no idea what it was, so being curious, he put it in between his little teeth and nibbled at it. As the nurse cried out in surprise, he giggled and smiled, being happy, though he had no inkling of the battle taking place above him.

[New Armarzia]

Serena and Mhaor - The Jedi Temple on Coruscant

Serena desperately hurried down the halls of the temple, the temple had been her homes for most of her life, but still in her anxiety and fear in the attack she knew she had taken a few wrong turns in quick decisions. She needed to find Master Brishkah, he would know what to do. As she hurriedly walked down the halls, with heavy clanking behind her as her droid of nearly ten years now followed behind her in her frantic pace, the droid that she had no name for said in its electronic voice, "Lady Serena, where are we going?"

"I, uh, we are..." she stammered out before stopping and taking a breath. She took a moment to clear her mind as she remembered her master's constant reminders of her tendency to become anxious and give in to her fears. She looked around to get a sense of her surroundings realizing she was at the main entrance of the temple. Almost as if on cue, once she cleared her mind she heard the familiar voice of her master in her mind asking for her whereabouts and her wellbeing. Thankfully her master had helped teach her in the ways of this ability of the force though she was still far from mastering the ability. Those she had no connection to, like her master, she was unable to speak with unless she could see them and save for the times she was at her most attuned state of mind with the force she often still ended up verbally saying what she was projecting mentally.

She took another deep breath and closed her eyes as she sent a message to her master mentally while simultaneously and unintentionally saying her message out loud. "I am at the entrance, master. I-I think I'm fine, but scared." Her voice became quiet as she said the last part, knowing that she as a jedi shouldn't be afraid. But she would have never expected the fighting to reach the capital.