Battle of Coruscant: This Ends Now

[Captain Canuck]

(Late to the party because I finally figured out a reason for her to be here.)

Mavis let out a breath. Not a breath of relief or distaste, but of fatigue. Injuries on Corsucant had been innumerable, even among the Jedi. Few made it out of the fight without an injury that was at least semi-serious. She was trained in the ways of healing by her father, a much more skilled practitioner than her. No matter, Mavis knew she could make a much larger impact treating those in critical condition than risking her life on the streets. As valiant as her cause was, Mavis was not her father. Healing that her father could do with barely even a conscious thought required careful concentration when done by Mavis. She spent most of her time stabilizing those that were not going to last much longer, keeping them alive so a more skilled healer could have the time to arrive.

She was finishing up a patient with only half of his limbs left when she heard the Lord's command. She immediately discarded the thought of going, but a second consideration proved different. She could barely heal a cut as tired as she was, and she had been healing nonstop for hours. If she pushed herself any further she'd either force herself into an exhausted sleep or make a mistake, which could be fatal. Mavis rose from her kneeling position and washed her hands before leaving the medical bay.

She wasn't in the most presentable of conditions, her sleeves were rolled up past her elbows and her hair had been put into a quick braid. As she walked she skillfully unraveled the braid, her long blonde hair falling down her back. Now, with equal amounts of dexterity, she reformed her hair into two French braids going down the sides of her head. She just finished unfurling her sleeves when she arrived among the congregation of Jedi. She took her place near the door and watched the Jedi Lord begin to speak.

She breathed a sign of relief she he sheathed his lightsabers. She had experienced far too much misfortune and death today. She had barely wondered what her sentence would be when she felt it. What was he doing? It was horrible, like he was draining the blood from the Site's body. The Site's force presence was incredibly strong, like a cloud in the room in which her misfortune was the rain it brought. It was so unnatural and alien, the by-proxy sensation of it almost made Mavis vomit. The force had been natural to her since birth, now it was as essential as her lungs or heart. Knowing that someone had taken that essential power away was like taking her very name.

The connection to the force snapped and Mavis stifled a scream.

 

[Prudence]

Kira had been walking pridefully across the bridge, though halfway through her march she felt the Force yank at her legs. She struggled to retain her footing and snapped her head around, eyeing the General. She gave the man a vicious stare before turning back to walking. She was approaching Vosrik now, and she was starting to realize what this was. The Lord had called her infront of an audience, and it was becoming more likely than not that this would mean a public execution for her. Kira steeled herself for Death, staring the Jedi Lord right in the eye as if daring him to do it. She didn't know whether he could or not, as the Vosrik she had known at the temple wouldn't kill someone execution style like this, though war changed people - it had certainly changed her. He called for a line to be opened to the Sith and Republic fleets and she wondered if this would be it, her death turned into a spectacle for a momentary boost in morale. Even then how permanent would that boost be? Kira knew what what was brewing behind Sith lines, and nothing could bolster morale to withstand such a blow. The Jedi Lord listed off a list of her 'sins' for those watching to reminisce upon, and Kira mumbled "You certainly know how to flatter a girl Vos."

It was after his speech was done that he lit his blades, crossing them across her neck. Though she was staring death down Kira adopted a sick smile as she locked eyes with Vos, leaning in so that the blades were even beginning to leave hot red burns on her skin - though nothing too serious. "Go ahead Vosrik, if it will make you feel like a real Lord. Prove to the masses what a hypocrite you've become, that you've become like me. Even if you kill me now Vosrik you can't end the horrors. My machinations are already in place, and this galaxy will burn in my name."

Instead of following through, however, Vosrik unlit his blades and sheathed them at his sides. What was he going to do? Torture her to death with a speech about doctrine? She certainly would wish she was dead if that were the case. Kira had no idea of what was left that he could do, and that was when she felt the guards forcing her to her knees. Before she could bite back at the guards in protest Vosrik's hand met her head and he began to focus on her. She was unsure of what he was doing at first, and then she felt it. It was like there was a rope tied to the center of her being, and Vosrik was pulling - ripping her center directly away from her. Like a small piece of string attached that rope to every cell in her body, and with his pull Vosrik was ripping every single cell from her body. The pain was was insurmountable, and Kira tried to hold her screams back. Her face had turned pail and was the image of pure pain at this point. The Dark Lord began to tremble as she tried to pull back from him, but the guards forced her to stay put. The pain grew and she found herself unable to hold it back. Guttural screams escaped her lips, enough to shatter the eardrums of those gathered around her.

She had no idea what form of torture this was, or where Vosrik had learned it, but it certainly wasn't the Jedi way. It was all at once that the pulling stopped, something having snapped between the two of them, and Kira nearly fell forward onto her face. She took several ragged breaths, struggling to stay conscious after the intense amount of pain. To those gathered this would have been one of the most offensive, and traumatic events any of them would likely have witnessed. Rather than a peaceful passing into the Force, as death was, this was a violent and unnatural ripping of the Force. It would leave a wound in the Force that inflicted pain on any even nearby. Her dampeners were removed by order of Vosrik and she felt... nothing. She had meant to rip the man apart for his transgressions but instead the Force refused to come to her call. She couldn't even feel the Force. Slowly the horror set upon her as she looked up at him, staring "What have you done?!" she bit at him, though she already knew the answer. And then, in her lowest moment, Kira heard a soft voice speak on in her damnation, Lanna. Her head turned to face the girl, her yellow eyes filled with disappointment as she saw the bitterness on the young Jedi's face. Kira had never felt weaker in her life, as all the energy was sapped from her body so that she even struggled to stand.

"I will reverse this Vosrik, and when I do no where will be safe for you. No safehouse, no fortress, no temple. You have accumulated debts today, and those debts will come to call. Your time left among us is little, Vosrik, enjoy your final days."

 

[Valen Pelora]

Valen smiled as both Irx and Sigal arrived. Despite everything, the two young Jedi brought him strength. They had survived against impossible odds and demonstrated what it meant to be a Jedi. They were a small light in a sea of darkness, he was glad the Force had brought them together. He only hoped he could continue to show them the way when he felt so lost. He patted young Irx on the back.

“Healing slowly, Irx, but healing. You should still be resting.” The young Twi’lek was headstrong and Valen doubted even a direct command would have gotten Irx back to his bed. (@Irxirola Mishka ). He lowered his voice to answer Sigal’s query. He was careful to ensure only his two students could hear him. “I don’t know what is going on but the Force is out of balance.” (@Esther Nyx )

He could feel the tension in the air. Lord Vosrik and his generals were visibly tense and it hummed in the Force. They knew something the rest of them didn’t. The bridge thrummed with anticipation. It was a strange feeling as dozens of Jedi gathered as the war raged below. There was very little peace and tranquility. His eyes scanned the growing crowd but he only recognized a few faces. A rumble began to grow through the crowd as doors opened. A prisoner was being walked towards Lord Vosrik.

Valen nearly ripped his Lightsaber from his belt. His mind slammed mental barriers into place and he grabbed ahold of the Force. He knew that face. He had seen Darth Solum plastered on the Holonet, displayed on the Peacekeeper, even pictured on Tython. The Dark Lord of the Sith was being walked among them. He was silent. Stunned. His knuckles white from griping the silver hilt of his Lightsaber. Instinctively, he pushed Sigal and Irx behind him.

He watched as the mistress of their nightmares was forced to kneel. He kept his eyes on Lord Vosrik, praying the Jedi Lord would not execute the Sith. That was not their way. That was not the Jedi way. Relief flooded his body as Lord Vosrik sheathed his sabers and placed his hands on the Dark Lord. Valen prayed this display was over. It wasn’t.

The Force shuttered, groaned and wavered. Pain shot through his very core as waves of unnatural energy emanated from their leader. He could see the Force unraveling, the suffering on Solum’s face, and the strain of Lord Vosrik. Valen’s heart sank. He knew when it was over. He barely heard his fellow Knight’s outburst, or the Dark Lord’s promises of revenge.

He felt empty. His face was a blank mask but inside he was hopeless. To have your connection to the Force severed was a fate worse than death. It was barbaric. This was not the Jedi way, this was not who they were. War had changed everything and the Jedi had lost their way. He turned away from the public Force execution, Darth Solum was no longer a threat to any of them. As he walked towards the back of the bridge he shook his head. He was tired.

“This is not who we are, not what we are supposed to be. How did this happen?” He didn’t leave the bridge but made his way near the back. Defeated.

 

[Vinny]

Nimarra stood off to the side, there was no need for her to be front and center. Her force sight served her well enough, especially in close quarters like this. She had been silent throughout the proceedings. It was true that she had faced many a darksider before, but it was nothing compared to the raw and bleak aura that Solum gave off. There was something more than just corrupt there, it was sinister, vile even. She had to restrain a shudder, and more so had to restrain herself from striking the darksider down. Killing a prisoner was not the Jedi way, she reminded herself, no matter the crime. Her sightless gaze took in the others, split on what to do about Solum. Her heart ached for the jedi Lanna, who seemed to have known the Sith's alter ego personally.

Even so, there was no room for mercy here. A greater punishment was required for the being that had ordered the deaths of so many on Ithor. She pursed her pale lips when Lord Vosrik stepped forward and clicked her heels together at attention. Her armored boots and gauntlets were covered largely by the thick robes she had worn while waiting in reserves. She wondered at why she had not been sent down to the battlefield. Perhaps the force was working it's ways with her destiny. She was not certain.

Vosrik made his choice, a decision that only a Lord could make, only a Jedi Lord had the right to take the solemn duty onto themselves. She let out a breath, considering the symbolism of the Darksider's name and the solemnity of the act. There was nothing to enjoy about what was done, nothing celebratory. It was simply an act of necessity based on the desire to maintain balance in the force. Killing Lord Solum would only martyr her in the eyes of the growing fanatic sects within the Sith. She swallowed as Vosrik proceeded with his task, and Nimarra was thankful that no other Miralukans were present. It was difficult enough to feel the procedure through the force. To physically witness it was another thing entirely.

Nimarra's stomach twisted and bile reached her lips as the force stretched, tugged, and was cut like a string under a hot blade. The power of the force left the one once known as Darth Solum, and she felt like she could breathe again.

Only the reactions to the severance had been more than just mixed. Most of the auras in the room trembled with a mixture of fear, indignation and outrage at the punishment. It was more than just an execution, it was damnation in their eyes. Nimarra strode just into view of the Dark Lady, just enough so that she would be heard among the argument.

"Lord Vosrik showed the sith mercy. A greater mercy than we have shown many of her own on the battlefield. It is not the Jedi way to execute a prisoner. She will reflect on her crimes as a normal woman, and she will live a normal life in consequence of her deeds. A fitting punishment for a being that rose so high on clouds of darkness." Nimarra said quietly, her veiled face turned to look down upon Solum. "Lord Vosrik chose to take on the responsibility and the solemnity of this punishment. He is well aware of what difference the force makes in a person's life. Sometimes, the right decision is not the easiest, we as Jedi should know this best."

@Prudence @Vosrik

 

[Cheshire]

Rokuro stayed quiet, his late arrival to the bridge went unnoticed as Rokuro quietly glided inside, moving into the crowd, spotting a few familiar faces like Yva and Lanna which made him less nervous. He watched cautiously and looked down at the poor darth that was currently joking and taunting the lord infront of her which wasn't the best idea to do. He was terrified for the poor girl and the undecided fate that she would receive. However his mind wandered and he eventually spotted someone he recognised. Maliel. His "master" that was never around, nor cared for him at all, especially when he was going through a horrible part of his life. That woman was someone he never wanted to be. He would never abandon his pupil when they grew up.

Then he saw Vosrik's smirk, a dark and cunning smirk which he knew wasn't good. A look that sent chills all the way down his spine and to the bottom of his stomach. Her fate was cruel and he would of preferred death. Then he felt it, the act being committed, the force physically being torn from her being. He felt the force weeping, its threads being torn unnaturally. He watched her panic and her pain, knowing that she may need a check up once she was finished.

He let a small sigh of relief one Vosrik had finished, noting all the responses from the various Jedi surrounding him. He heard Lanna's voice showing clear disgust to her. He looked at the poor girl who was still reeling from her loss of the force. He gave the smallest of grins and he was quite amused at the fate. He couldn't help but let out a small laugh. A few Jedi around him looked at him which encouraged him to giggle louder. "Oh I'm so sorry, but I cant help but laugh at her. The infamous Darth Solumn has now been reduced to a woman with nothing, a suffering wreck of a woman that she deserves to be. All those acts of horror and chaos have just been repaid, such is life and existence. So I feel no ounce of sympathy for her and I hope she suffers for the rest of her days." He grinned, stepping past them and heading to the door however as quick as a Viper, he jerked around his hand moving straight towards Kira's face and a loud smack would echo around the room.

@Proleptic @Prudence @Zenya

 

[Vinny]

Nimarra whirled, the strike of Rokuro's backhand against Solum's face spurring her to action. She did not turn her head to look back at the others present, it was pointless with her blind eyes. "I will speak with him." She said serenely, her white-like-starlight hair billowing behind her and her lightsabers glinting against the artificial light. Her steel heels clicked against the ground as she made haste to catch up to the young Jedi. "Jedi Rokuro. Jedi Rokuro please wait." The further away from the room he went, the deeper the Paladin's frown became. She tried to hide her displeasure and control her emotions, but there was a line that had been crossed.

She reached out with an armored hand and grasped Rokuro by the shoulder, turning him to face her. Her veiled face leaned in close.

"Jedi Rokuro, that was uncalled for." She said with as much serenity as she could muster, her words still came out with an edge to them though. "You are a Jedi, I understand your anger, but your actions are beneath you." She gestured down the hall.

"Come, let us go and find a quiet place to calm our minds, mm?" She offered pleasantly. She was not at the point that he deserved punishment, but he did need to understand that his actions were wrong.

 

[Balla Vahla]

Her hands were stained with blood. The darkest blood red she had ever seen on another human being and no matter how much she scrubbed she couldn't get it to get off.
The blood was on Balla's hand, but not there due to misdeeds. Due to her healing. After arriving on the ship with Taryn and the others she had been strong armed into healing the wounded on the ship. Going to the wounded and stemming the blood of blood or soothing someone who shook too much. A healers work was never done... Balla also saw to it that the three kids they had managed to save were taken care of. Given food and new clothes.

The dead child... Well, the dead one was going to be held somewhere safe till she could think of what to do with the body. He deserved a pyre, but if his family was still around they could decide what to do with him. Choices would have to be made fast. Bodies didn't last long.

When her leaders voice broke through the noise of the medbay, she ignored him at first. For the pure reason of she had work to do. She had to heal and mend, there people here that needed her help and she didn't want to leave them.

The Golden Rule. Treat others as you wish to be treated.

However, when it happened a sudden rush washed over the Jedi in the Medbay. Even those in pain seemed to settle for a second.

Balla stopped, her hands shook as she felt... Something. Oh Light, what was that? Why did her heart hurt more? It was like something unnatural had just happened but that couldn't be true. The Jedi didn't do things like that. The most unnatural thing on this ship was the food they served.

The protectors of light and balance. That's what the Jedi were. They protected everyone, no matter the color or creed they followed. Did that include the Sith?

Balla shook her head, now was not the time for deep retrospective thoughts. The man in front of her was bleeding, whatever had happened to numb everyone was fading and the noise was building up again. This valha had work to do.

 

[Alastar-Ro]

Al turned in the direction of the noise, for the sound of the blow practically rang out as thunder in the bridge. His fist clenched in anger, but another stepped out to handle the situation. Probably for the better. Al knew basically nobody on the cruiser, if he stepped in theres liable to be violence. Let them handle their own.
To think things had spiraled so out of control that a Jedi would openly strike an unarmed prisoner, especially after all she'd gone through. But what could he do? Nothing, except grit his teeth and get control his emotions. He did however reach inside his jacket pocket, pulling a small and clean cloth. The woman, Kira was bleeding from her lip. And with her restraints in place she couldn't even hold the bleeding.
He stepped towards her, looking again to Vosrik and raising the cloth.
"Are we good enough at least to tend to our prisoners?" He asked with a small measure of spite.
Before waiting for an answer he knelt in front of her, practically daring someone to stop him. He looked her over, seeing her up close for the first time. She was pretty, he didn't doubt she was a fine Jedi once upon a time. He didn't pity her, but he still felt sorrow that her life turned out how it had.
"Here." He said, slowly raising the cloth to the bleeding.

 

[Vosrik]

The bridge burst into discussion after the deed was done. A divide seemed to form between the Jedi - those in favour of the action Vosrik took, and those against. At the final words Kira spat towards him, a question arose in the back of his mind. Was the sever permanent? Previously, only the whole Council had attempted such a thing, and it certainly was permanent. Though without the support of any others, that might not be so. Mentally brushing off the doubt, he replied,

"That may be so. But for now, I command a fleet at my fingertips. The Sith will not win today."

It was then that Rokuro stepped up and slapped Kira after having said his piece, prompting a quick rebuke from the Jedi Lord. "We'll have none of that, Jedi. Guards, take the former Dark Lord back to her cell and tend to her needs. She is our prisoner, but not a slave."

Another sudden wave of fatigue swept over the Jedi Lord, and he turned to face the holographic feed of the Sith and Republic. (@Calixis @Relent)

"Sith, your Dark Lord is now powerless and therefore dead in your eyes. The Battle of Coruscant isn't over, not yet."

With those final words, he pressed the buttons on the armrest and silenced the comms.

 

[Phoenix]

Corvo was tense throughout this entire ordeal. To the end of time he wouldn't feel at home here in the Order. That's why he kept to the sides and shadows, rather than the center. He had few friends who weren't shadows themselves which made him the ideal candidate to hunt people like Solum and grow few attachments to others within the room. He was ever-alert to the feelings of the room and there were many. The entire place seemed to pulse and ebb with anger, frustration, shock, and a variety of other emotions.

He leaned forward against the railing and gripped it as he watched the people in front of him. He saw Kira wrenched from her life. Everything she'd known since birth and the senses that she had developed for years were suddenly ripped from her. She was one of the most powerful individuals in the galaxy and she'd just been brought - literally - to her knees. Even so, he knew far better than to count her out as a threat. His teeth ground together in frustration. He had a mixture of opinions on the topic. The purely calculating parts of his mind told him that she needed to be killed. Ended here and now in public or in private, but the part of him that had once been a friend to her would have preferred this.

Yet people were complaining about this? It was unpleasant and horrible for certain, but mild compared to the potential outcomes that a meeting such as this could carry. People were apparently unprepared for the ugly parts of life. How could they have lasted as an Army for this long without coming to terms with war? The Sith or the Dark Lord herself wouldn't have shown such mercy to any of them. While perhaps they wouldn't condone an execution anymore - it had been tried already and the results were counterproductive - that didn't mean that there wasn't a need for penalty. What he couldn't help but wonder was if it would be permanent. During his time as Dark Lord he had been exposed to means he suspected would reverse such punishment, but then, she would never escape Jedi custody, would she? That was the whole purpose: keeping her contained.

While everyone else was watching the stripping, Corvo was watching the crowd. His feelings reached out across the room. There was something out of place. Something wrong that had Corvo on edge. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, half-basked in the darkness that the Sith Lord was putting off, but it had a familiar touch to it in addition to the misplacement. His head scanned the crowd, helmet covering his face as ever, but he had yet to spot what he was looking for.

Then, as abruptly as it began: it ended.

 

[Proleptic]

Maliel stood resolutely as the proceedings unfolded. She hadn't been too surprised by Kira's harsh words. If anything, Maliel believed them to be true. Kira wasn't one to go back on a promise, not after the last time, at least. Maliel knew that Kira wouldn't allow her promises to fall flat. So when she swore that all those in this room would die, she believed her wholeheartedly. Maliel shrugged the threats off, as she did every other atrocity that Kira committed. She laughed internally at the hypocrisy of her own mind.

As the main event began, Maliel cocked her head in confusion, no understanding just what Vosrik intended on doing. As he placed his hand on Kira's head, Maliel began to worry slightly for Kira. Her immediate thought was that Vosrik was going to attempt some sort of mental manipulation, whether for information extraction or something infinitely worse. Maliel didn't let any of her concern show on her face, and she didn't let it become evident to anyone who might be trying to sense her feelings.

Maliel continued wondering what exactly Vosrik could be doing, and she didn't have to wait long to find out. She felt the force begin to fluctuate in the room. Waves of the force, increasingly strong ones, pulsated out from Vosrik and Kira, with the two of them being the epicenter. Vosrik's face was locked in a sort of grim concentration, but Kira remained unmoved at first. Suddenly, as if Kira was hit by an unstoppable force, the screaming started.

Maliel flinched harshly as the screams began. They were ear-shattering, but worse than that was the pain laced throughout every single tone. It felt like an impossibly long time before the screaming stopped, leaving a pallid Kira, nearly falling over on her knees. Vosrik stumbled back away from her, obviously just as exhausted as she. Maliel worried for a moment that her emotional display would oust her as having met Kira, but realized quickly that most of those in the room had been struck in some way.

As Maliel allowed herself to calm down, she listened to Vosrik give Kira the fateful news. It seemed impossible. It seemed completely ridiculous that someone so powerful as Kira could have her connection to the force severed. Maliel couldn't speak for Kira, but she felt quite certain that she would definitely follow through on that threat of hers, no matter what the cost. Maliel Settled her face back into a blank expression, turning her attentions back to the proceedings in the room.

Despite her emotional bias towards Kira, Maliel saw nothing wrong with doing this to your enemies. To her, it seemed quite prudent, if one wanted to find a solution other than killing them. She couldn't complain about this decision. If anything, it gave Mal a greater respect for Vosrik, though she had hardly any there in the first place. Maliel didn't bother voicing her opinion, choosing instead to keep in the shadows of this particular affair.

Maliel had to fight internally to keep from reprimanding Rokuro strongly, but it wasn't her place to stop his actions, despite being his master. She knew that she would have done the same, at one time. Honestly though, taking action would simply cast a suspicious light on her, and that was the last thing she wanted. No, this was the time to wait. Kira was devoid of the force, Vosrik had taken his first step towards being a true Lord, and Maliel was just chilling.

 

[Prudence]

A stiff and dry cough escaped the weakened Dark Lord's lips as she stared into Vosrik's eyes. Hers were cold as ice, as if she thought she could perhaps freeze the Jedi Lord's soul with hatred. Kira was trying to come to terms with what had happened, trying to reach out to the Force, to feed it anything it would want if the blasted energy would come back to her - and currently there was nothing. She opened her mouth to speak and felt a hand meet her cheek, sending pain through her face. Her cheek radiated red and hot as her head spun around to the insolent fool, "Your death is soon. Mark my words."

Turning back to Vosrik she continued her stare before speaking once more, "You are foolish to believe you are the only one between us that commands a fleet here, Vosrik." She allowed her vision to slip towards the window before returning to him, "You've merely temporarily severed communication between my fleet and I. Take a picture of me in your custody, it'll last longer than the real thing." With that the Dark Lord spun on her heels. She was done in this room, she was done being humiliated, and she was done being watched. Her eyes briefly saw Maliel and her face reddened as much as it had when she saw Lanna. The Dark Lord just hung her head in shame and hurried away. Her guards struggled to keep up with her as she wound her way back to her cell.

The Ithorian opened the door for her, letting out a chuckle once more, "Seeing you put in your place was satisfying. " and with that he pushed the frail woman into her cell and took her cuffs off. The door closed behind her and she could hear its pressurizing click. She sat now, in darkness. Her neural dampeners were gone but she was still devoid of the Force. Kira focused hard on the Force, trying to move anything, to feel anything, and still couldn't. For the first time since she had awoken in this Star Destroyer she felt true terror wash over her. Would this be permanent?

 

[saam]

As the Emerald blade hovered at the Sith's neck, Ikora watched with anticipation. Then suddenly the Jedi Lord pulled back and deactivated his lightsaber. Instead he placed his palm on the Sith's forehead and with it Ikora could feel the force. Her eyes darted to Vosrik, scrutinizing him. She didn't entirely understand what was happening but she could feel an imbalance. She looked back to the women, waiting for the deed to be done. The force intensified like it was upon a single string, it grew more and more taught before it figuratively snapped. And then there was an emptiness in the Sith. She had been stripped of the force.

Ikora watched in silence for a moment before speaking softly under her breath, "It's not enough." Although it was a drastic act, she still thought that the punishment was lacking. The Sith could still harm others as the force was not her only weapon.

Many Jedi had adverse reactions speaking against Vosrik's judgment. And although a voice spoke in the back of her mind to not questions his orders, or in this case his decree on their enemy's fate, she felt underwhelmed at the punishment and looked to Vosrik, speaking plainly she said, I still feel darkness in this women. If anything she is filled with even more hatred than before. Are you sure this is enough?

The Sith was taken away with Ikora's eyes on her back once again, contemplating something she should not do.

 

[Argus]

This day was a dark day, shadowed by one of the greatest slights upon the Sith ever accomplished by Jedi forces. Their Dark Lord was taken, stripped of her power, her apprentice could feel it. Maddened by it, felt the connection sever from across the galaxy, as grief and rage overcame the normally calculated and intellectual man. There was no rage greater in the entire universe than what he felt currently. A fleet of three star destroyers and seven war leviathans was assembled and dumped into hyperspace at the time of the Dark Lord being taken, headed by the enraged apprentice himself, a wave of ice shot through the skies above Coruscant as they arrived. Each ship, thoom, came out of hyperspace directed towards the last known location of Kira Elan, Darth Solum. Strength of Ilum, flanked to it's right by the incoming force, was it really so strong as to fight off against this attack?

Squadrons of fighters from each ship poured out from the Sith ships, bombers, hunters, all hurdling through space towards the Jedi fleet. Star Destroyers flanked above and below by a pair of the Leviathans in a triangle formation around a single Leviathan which poured energy into it's thrusters. Slow to start, but as it gained speed, it was was clear the target was the hangar of the Jedi Flagship. Inside, devoid of it's fighters, held it's maximum crew of soldiers strapped in and braced for the suicide run of a lifetime. Seconds passed, explosions of numerous craft in dogfights flashed as a brunt of the Sith forces escorted it's payload towards the target.

“We're losing shields!”

“Get those fighters off our tail! Protect the thrusters!”​

The bridge was a mess, orders being shouted, as the ship encroached, and soon the screeching of steel resound through the hulls of each ship. Blistering sounds cried out in agony as two ships collided, each structure fighting against one another. Then silence...

Crack-thoom

An explosion in the hangar tore off the front of the War Leviathan as it breached the hull, exposing both interiors of the ships. The pure destruction that occurred would throw all to their feet, as the impact vibrated through each part of both ships, until everything settled there was only uncertainty and silence. And from the silence, from the dust and smoke came laser fire, Jedi forces had come to investigate, yet would perish at an unrelenting wall of blaster fire as Rhen Var troops poured from the gaping hole with a battle cry and spread throughout the halls of the Empyreal-Class Star Destroyer. Battle, destruction, hatred, death. It all reigned supreme from within this beacon of light, and disturbed the very symbol it stood for within the core. From the smoke and debris came a single Sith, igniting his saber with one command.

“Find Her!”

Over the cries of defenders, his voice resounded, through the heat of battle was the blizzard of rage which resembled the ice caps of Csilla. A storm had come for the Jedi, to end this mockery, to avenge the very thing which threatened to weaken the Sith Brotherhood. That would not be allowed, could not be allowed, as the apprentice of the Dark Lord forced his way into the very heart of the Jedi alone. The gifts she had given, his armor, the saber, the weapons which she bestowed upon him would not be a memento of their past. There was only one thing on the Chiss' mind, retrieve the woman he loved. Kill anyone who blocked his path.

 

[Proleptic]

Maliel saw as Kira briefly caught her eyes, trudging from the room in shame. The girl was stripped of her power, and no doubt felt as helpless as she looked. Maliel took Kira's departure as her invitation to leave as well, and she departed from the bridge swiftly. She didn't much connect with most of her Jedi companions, and she didn't want to spend any more time in there than she had to. She walked aimlessly about the ship as she considered what she needed to do next.

Maliel knew that the Sith would be infuriated by this action, and she knew that they would only double their efforts to retrieve her. Vosrik had made a bold and stupid stroke by broadcasting the "performance," and Maliel felt quite certain that it was going to come back to bite him. She wouldn't be surprised if there was a fleet of Sith ships on the way at that very moment. Maliel returned to her quarters aboard the ship in order to plan for her next move. If they Sith arrived, she would know just what to do. If they weren't coming, then she might have to get creative.

Maliel strolled slowly to her quarters, mind racing with ideas. She never made it to her quarters, however, as the ship shuddered violently, and Maliel pitched forwards into the wall, she knew just what had occurred. The lights flickered, now, but the sounds of screeching metal had ceased. Maliel felt certain that all forces would soon be overrun by a Sith attack, and she knew just what they wanted. Maliel jumped up, breaking into a sprint, heading straight for the detention cells.

As she came upon the cells, Maliel stood just outside the room. Her eyes close as she stood outside the door, and in her minds eye she visualized the cameras that dotted the room in front of her. She raised her hand, taking two fingers and visualizing the wires within the cameras. She pinched her fingers together, grabbing the wires and violently jerking her hand to disconnect them internally, effectively disconnecting the cameras from the power. If someone wanted to fix it, they would have to go physically into the cameras and reconnect the wires.

Maliel strolled into the room. The guards looked at her with a bit of confusion, obviously wondering what she was doing here. Maliel steeled herself for what she was about to do, and smiled at them brightly. "Hey there, fellas," she said brightly, even flirtatiously. One of the guys smirked, then, obviously thinking that Maliel was somehow into them.

"Hey there, sweetheart. What brings you to the cells, did you just want to visit the prisoner?" he said smugly, as if he was proud of being stationed as a guard for the powerless prisoner. The other guard was a stick in the mud, and decided to simply give her a curt nod. Maliel smiled sweetly at the annoying one, and took a few steps towards him. "Well, I did want to see what she looked like stripped of her power, but what would you say if I was here to see you?" Maliel said with a smile, leaning forwards and rocking on her heals some, giving them men a false sense of security.

The man smiled charmingly back at her, thinking he had somehow scored. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came forth. Instead, a pained gasp issued forth from his mouth, and he glanced down at his chest to find Maliel's hand sticking through his heart, wreathed in a halo of glowing mint energy. Maliel's face was grim at this point, as she hadn't much wanted to kill the man. He simply couldn't be left alive, unfortunately. She couldn't have her cover blown, after all. As she did this, the second guard's eyes widened, and he cried out in anger. He lit his saber, raising it in a vicious swipe against Maliel.

Maliel was already moving, however, dropping the dead man to the floor and raising her own lightsaber to block the strike. The man pressed the attack onward, but Maliel was a master, and this guard was not. As the man went for an ambitious swipe at her legs, Maliel stepped inside his guard, swinging her blade down to block the strike and embedding her hand, once again wreathed in that green energy, in the man's sternum. The man's eyes popped outwards some, and a growl escaped his throat as his lightsaber dropped from his hand. His hands came up to grab Maliel's wrist, but he was too weak to do anything against her, now.

"Sleep well." Maliel said softly. The man died on her arm, and she slid her blood covered hand from his torso. Mal let out an exhale, wishing she hadn't had to kill them. Unfortunately, Maliel didn't truly trust Kira's life with anyone else, even Argus. Maliel quickly walked to the control desk, grabbing Kira's lightsabers from the lockbox in the console. Maliel deactivated the force field, and she stepped through the doors of the cell to find Kira sitting helplessly in the dark. "So," Maliel started slowly. "You're going to kill everyone who was in that room?" she said with a small smirk.

Somehow, despite how she burned worlds, and despite how she threatened the life of all those that Maliel knew, not to mention the lives of everyone in the galaxy, Maliel couldn't help but care for the woman who she had become fast friends with. Maliel was even willing to turn a blind eye to the atrocities she committed, as long as it would mean that she could keep her company. Perhaps that made Maliel more Sith than Jedi, but she hardly cared for such labels at this point.

Maliel only cared about peace, and her loved ones, and when she had to choose, she would always pick the latter. "Come on." Maliel said. "Let's get out of here before someone decides to come visit. I'd really rather be in good graces with the Jedi, for the time being."

 

[Wit]

Valin watched as Vosrik did the unthinkable, something that hadn't even crossed his mind. He knew enough, had seen enough of the Sith's atrocities to know that he couldn't agree with the Jedi who were now crying out in complain against what Vosrik had done. But he also knew what had been to Kira to not completely support it either. What he did feel was disgust, not at what Vosrik had done, but at how some of these so called Jedi were reacting. Laughing, taunting, was this what the Army had been reduced to? Were the Jedi not meant to be better than this?

Shaking his head in equal parts disbelief and displeasure, he turned away from the gathering and starting following in the wake of Kira and her guards. If he was going to play the role of a Sith his path from here was obvious. He had no doubt that the Sith would attempt to rescue her, he needed to act fast if he was to play any role in all this.

On his way out he spotted Corvo once again, his helmeted face scanning the gathered crowd. He had planned to contact Corvo, but couldn't do so face to face, so he had done the next best thing and left him a message. One that would reach him soon enough. If he was to pull this off he was going to need the former Sith Lord's aid. But for now he must help another former Sith Lord.

Realizing that he was most probably closing all access to Jedi channels by what he was about to do, he opened up his comm and started broadcasting on all Jedi channels. Moff Arpha to strike team, converge on the bridge. The Jedi Lord is weakened, everyone converge on him now!

It was a risky gambit, exposing himself like this, but he wanted to draw as many Jedi away from Kira as he could. If he was going to help rescue her then he was going to make sure there were as few Jedi casualties as possible. Activating his comm once again, he switched to another channel, a secure Sith one. This is Moff Malak Arpha, I am currently aboard the Jedi flagship and heading towards Darth Solum's location. The Jedi are temporarily distracted but we need immediate evac. Repeat, requesting immediate evac!

He also sent out the location of the cells, where he expected Kira to be, and started running. Hopefully he wouldn't run into any Jedi till he reached the cells.

@Argus @Phœnix @Kira Elan @Maliel Ascondt

 

[Prudence]

The darkness had nearly consumed her. For once in her life Kira Elan had been unsure of what was to come next, what the next move would be or how she would be getting out. She had a general idea, but she had no backup plan and had to rely on others to be competent enough to carry out a proper plan. As the darkness of the cell engulfed her lithe form she began to consider that she may have overestimated the collective intelligence of those responsible for springing her, and that's when she heard it. The sound of something quite literally crashing into the ship she was currently in. She wasn't sure where the crash had occurred, or what ship it had been crashing, but it had been large - if she had to guess it was a War Leviathan. Kira stood up, holding against the wall to stay stable as the ship shuddered and shook from the impact. The look of weakness that had been on her face, the mask of fear and sadness was gone now, replaced by that same predatory smile she had worn so many countless times before. ​

"Hello Argus." she said, more to herself than anyone listening "Missing me already?"

She could hear outside her cell the sound of a door opening, and then scuffling and muffled voices. She was only slightly surprised to hear the sound of Maliel's voice. She had been curious of the Jedi would come for her, or leave it to Argus. She was glad that Maliel had made a personal visit herself. She heard the sound of cries as the guards were likely killed by Maliel, and even heard a thud as one of them met the wall. Damn, I didn't know she had it in her to be that cold.

theme​

Kira made her way to the door and stood in front of it as she heard the Jedi make some parting words to the dying Jedi before opening her door. There the Jedi master stood in all of her youthful beauty, her head stained red, "Oh Master Ascondt, how good to see you again. Red is definitely your color, it brings out the... oh I don't know you're just fekking gorgeous." Kira took the sabers from her and leaned in, kissing the girl directly on the lips. She then stepped out of the cell, taking a long breath of air, of free air. Her hands were still shaking, and there were bags under her eyes, but she was in well enough condition to get out of here, "I haven't already tried to kill you enough to get the message across?" Kira asked, a smirk on her lips, "Besides, everyone dies Maliel - its the only thing that beings can be relied upon for." The first guard that Maliel had stabbed was still groaning against the wall, trying to crawl as he bled out. Kira stopped dead in her tracks and looked towards him, seeing the Ithorian from earlier. Snapping one of her intricate red sabers on she slashed at the man, slicing his head clean off. She stared at the corpse for a moment before tucking her blade away on her belt, "One down, several to go."

Her smile brightened as she looked Maliel over, "Where did Argus 'land'? We should likely head there."

 

[Vinny]

This is Moff Malak Arpha, I am currently aboard the Jedi flagship and heading towards Darth Solum's location. The Jedi are temporarily distracted but we need immediate evac. Repeat, requesting immediate evac!​

"This is Lord Cain. The Homager is right behind you." A voice like a knife blade across bloodied ice came through the comm. Cain stood in the cabin of a transport shuttle. Around him, the Homager moved into position just parallel to the Jedi's star destroyer. Several more Sith Warships were moving into position as well, throwing out waves of covering fire. Cain tapped his foot impatiently, his marred eyes glancing over at the chronometer. It had been nearly thirty seconds since the first call went out from Moff Arpha. Cain wanted to choke something. First news of Mand'alor Prudii's fate, and now this. He would have someone's head. Who was protecting the leadership of the Brotherhood?!

Regardless, he would not fail Darth Solum, no matter the cost. He owed her more than his own life. The transport shuttle disembarked, hurtling toward the beleaguered Star Destroyer. The rain of cannon fire from it's main guns and the emergency systems had drawn more than enough power away from the shield generators to make inserting into the hangar bay relatively easy. Though the hangar had already been breached and severely damaged. Fighting had already broken out. Cain pulled his hood over his head, his cowl casting an orange glow from within the dark confines, that same glow creating a shadow that concealed his face completely.

He bore his teeth as the ship came in for a landing, blasterfire glancing off of it. White hot zeal boiled in his blood. He could not feel Darth Solum in the force, not in the way he knew her. She was a speck, like an ordinary living person. The Jedi had done the unthinkable, it was the only explanation. The boarding ramp fell and two priests lunged out, throwing out their hands and hurling a pair of men into the void of space.

Cain, ignited his lightsaber.

"Secure the hangar. Kill anyone who enters. Assist the others." The Sith Lord snarled and checked his wrist mounted datapad, the information sent out by Moff Aphra had processed. The holding cells were a bit of a hike, he only hoped that the rescue team had accomplished the first part of their mission.

The hot zeal in his blood was not going to abate simply by standing still, though. He needed an outlet.

@Prudence

 

[Argus]

None of name value had cared to confront the invading forces yet, it was strange, mowing down Padawans and Knights alike as they stumbled down halls and shouted warnings. All fell upon deaf ears as their last breaths escaped from their bodies, felled upon his saber, squashed under his command, bent over backwards in his rage. Until one instant where a child came within his grasp. The light side said the small boy was too young for all this, yet the dark side begged for his sacrifice. It was all too conflicting until a Knight begged for the child's life, maybe the father, and offered anything in exchange for the boy's life. At least there, there was an answer. Many had seen the proceedings of Darth Solum's punishment, seen the atrocity the Jedi had done to her, the Knight sung sweet songs in Argus' grasp. Once the man's usefulness ran out, it was time to teach the youngling what happened when the Sith were scorned. All Argus left behind was a child trapped inside a closet, inches away from their father's corpse.

From this point it was quite the conundrum, go murder a Jedi Lord or save a Dark Lord, well the surprise to find his lover locking lips with another woman really wanted to make him go murder some Jedi. Yet there was one in the room, and quite to add to a few more questions was the fact that Jedi bodies were on the floor. Staying silent, brooding in the fact that he could no longer feel Kira in the force, the cold rage held yet there was something inside that wanted to see her just laugh. Red saber deactivated, showing no attempt to start a fight with Maliel, as he sent more soldiers deeper into the bowls of this Jedi ship. Closing the door behind him, crossing arms and looking at the pair, the visor of his helmet cleared to show his face. Angry, crimson eyes flared in rage, the words came out brunt. Unfortunately, that's all he could muster in this moment, there was no joy that would come from their current situation from this Chiss.

“So... we making this a three way thing?”

Jaw clenched, it really didn't look like he was joking, along with the blood and gore sticking to his armor. Quite a sight to see, honestly, it was messy yet maybe attractive towards Solum. She was into that kinda thing last time he checked, murdering a ton of people. Argus shook his head, dismissive, opening the door again.

“We'll talk later about that, the Leviathan crashed into the hangar has a couple couriers in it. Take one, I'll be with you after I punish those responsible.”

It was quite apparent that Argus was not done here, very intent on confronting whoever pulled off this travesty. Yet split within the choice to go deeper, and the undying will to make sure nothing else happened to really piss him off today by messing with the Dark Lord.

 

[Cheshire]

He stood there, seething at the woman which he just smacked, visibly shaking and the anger was clear in his being and you could tell that he wanted to continue slapping the defenceless woman infront of him. However he decided that the woman wasn't worth it however he grinned when Kira said that he would die. "Well it may be... just not for you." He laughed before turning on his heel and leaving the room but not before giving Vosrik the tiniest of nods to acknowledge his mistake that he still felt good about. As soon as he left that room, he felt his high from the situation start to evaporate.

"Jedi Rokuro, that was uncalled for. You are a Jedi, I understand your anger, but your actions are beneath you."

Rokuro had to try so hard to not blow up at the woman so he quietly took a large breath in response. He turned to face her, a subtle bit of anger shown on his face. "Are they really? Have you seen what they have done down there? They hurt people! She has killed billions and you think that its beneath me? I'm a doctor and everytime that I go to a warzone, I am met with overcoming death and do you know how that feels? It feels like hell. And for the first time, I was tempted to kill her. Sorely tempted."

Rokuro took a deep breath, releasing it loudly before running a hand through his hair, clearly stressed by the situation. "I'm going to go to my room for some meditation and to clear my mind." He said, trying to put enough sincerity into his voice so that the Paladin wouldn't think that he would just drink his problems away again. He nodded his head in thanks before turning away and walking towards his room, silently preparing for his great alcohol.

When he got in, he immediately opened up a bottle of whiskey that he had brought with him before downing a shot. Then it all went to hell. He heard the crashing and the chaos beginning. He immediaty knew what was happening, knowing that they were here to get Kira from Jedi possession. He immediately grabbed his saber before running towards the hanger knowing that they would most likely escape from there. He sprinted through the halls before meeting the all to familiar force presence "Cain"

@Vinny