Corellia - Coronet City
Footsteps paced around hitting the metallic surface where a group of men and women dressed in Imperial uniforms and armour. Opening fire against Alliance forces who were returning fire from their own weapons. BANG! KABOOM! Blasts from grenades and several explosions erupting throughout Coronet city. Many transport shuttles and battleships were engaged in the skies while more troops on either side were landing down to reinforce ground units. A J-1 Shuttle made its entry into the atmosphere of Corellia where two Jedi Masters had prepped for battle, a man and a woman in sync with each other while protocol droids experienced in piloting their shuttle descended down into Coronet Spaceport. Deflector shields were raised, endured any stray blaster fire incoming.
Once the shuttle had settled down in the docking area of the Spaceport the two Jedi emerged after the door opened and the shuttle's ramp unfolded. Soldiers coming towards the pair hailing from the Galactic Alliance and formed up into their trained positions. One trooper stepped out of the formation to approach both Jedi Masters and cleared their throat to begin speaking. "Master Jedi, glad to have both here to help push back the Imperial forces." Lieutenant Jaccobs said to the pair. He gave them a quick and sharp salute to them.
"Just Ajax will do Lieutenant. Titles make my skin crawl." The male, Epicanthix, near-human looking, Jedi Master said to the lieutenant acknowledged that salute.
"Right uh Ajax, sir." Jaccobs stammered in response as he dropped his arm and hand down from the salute.
"What can we do to help lieutenant?" A soft yet firm feminine voice spoke next.
"Master Naife. We're trying to cut off the Imperial Outposts near the Supply Factories for Energy Plasma munitions. Remove their ties there the supplies are cut-off and can be recaptured to boost our efforts in clearing those Imps out." Lieutenant Jaccobs pulled out a hologram device to go over the schematics of the factory mentioned.
"Looks like we can tackle this factory from two points, Ajax." The female Keshian pointed and gestured with her hand indicating ways to enter the factory.
"Hmm you take the roof, sneak inside and I'll bash through the front door heh. Guess we have a plan Elah." Ajax grinned over to Elah the two nodded their heads in unison in agreement.
"Where should I position my squads masters?" Jaccobs asked the two as he examined the holographic schematics of the supply factory.
"Anyone that's long-ranged, handy with a Sniper or similar weapons. They should form up with Master Naife." Ajax said to Jaccobs.
"For those in the experience of assault. They should fall in with Master Larsen." Elah suggested and the Lieutenant nodded in agreement. It seemed a plan was set and ready to go.
"I can take a small team to disarm and override security defences hopefully turn them against the Imperials. Make the approaches easier for your routes of entry Master Jedi." Jaccobs finished off with adding the small team to handle security defences in the background.
Everyone got to their teams, prepared weapons and equipment before heading off to their designated areas of offence. Ajax got his team ready to make a frontal assault that'd distract and draw the majority attention of the Imperial forces to him and his team. All while Elah and her team sneak in from the rooftop of the factory to descend down and use the ventilation shafts to gain entry and close in to surprise the opposing Imperial units while distracted. Lieutenant Jaccobs and his taskforce would prior to the two teams with the Jedi Masters would disarm the factory's defences allowing time to turn those against the Imperials. The teams divided up into the three taskforces and went off to the factory.
Ajax led his team to the front entrance of the factory but having taken cover and hid until Lieutenant Jaccobs gave the call that the defences had been disabled at least and he can make his assault against the Imperials guarding and using the factory. Meanwhile, Elah with her team made their way along the rooftop undetected having use of Stealth Field Generator and Sound Dampener belt devices in their equipment. Now the two Jedi Masters waited for the lieutenant to give the call that the defences were disabled and down. Speaking of the lieutenant the team managed to overwhelm the small amount of Imperials assigned to the factory external defence command post. Weapons had been fired and stun grenades exploded to knock off the Imperials reign over the factory's defence systems thankfully no alerts to the Imperial forces within the factory itself.
"Master Jedi! Defences are disabled! I repeat. Defences are disabled! Commence with your attacks!" Lieutenant Jaccobs said over the comms between the trio.
"Copy that lieutenant. Breaching the rooftop. Naife out." Elah responded as the team of troops she led began to breach the rooftop via using the ventilation shafts while their Stealth Field Generator and Sound Dampener belt devices were active. Made their progress to get inside and taking the Imperials by surprise.
"This is where the fun begins. Hitting the front entrance. Larsen out." Ajax announced over the comms replying to both Elah and Jaccobs. Led his taskforce towards the front entrance of the factory. Assault cannons and rifles opened fire upon the Imperial troops pressing the offence that Elah's team attacked from within and on top of that after time. Lieutenant Jaccobs' team had managed to override the factory defences to thwart against the Imperials. The battle began and it was chaotic however Ajax and Elah were taking lead positioning in their teams.
At the front entrance of the factory consisted Ajax and his squad the Jedi Master applied the use of Force Valor which bolstered him and his squad. The accuracy of their shots were enhanced by the light-side of the Force, their base morale and combat prowess boosted thanks to Ajax. The Epicanthix Jedi Master was like a blur. Sped through the factory, accurately and powerfully cutting through the Imperial soldiers defending the supply factory. Threats from them were disarmed, defused and in the limited options due to some Imperials being crazily fuelled by immense passions and hatred against Alliance and Jedi forces those had been made one with the Force. Ajax's lightsaber was nothing but a blue blur to the naked-eye that even some Jedi would find it hard to keep up with and track. Ajax and his allies were now securing the lower to mid levels of the factory rendezvous with Elah and her team.
Elah and her squadron were preventing any Imperials fleeing with supply cache units. She was equipped with her Arbiter Lightsaber hilt and Plasma Shield working against the Imperials. Successfully stopping majority of those retreating but the Imperials that fled ended up arrested, detained or killed on sight but external teams of the Alliance. Elah was using applications of Telekinesis ranging from abilities to the likes of Pushes, Pulls, Grips and Bursts before occupying her offhand with the Plasma Shield available in her arsenal. Cutting through droids and soldiers aligned with the Imperials where Elah used both her lightsaber and shield to power through the waves of Imperial forces. Nearing towards the middle levels to regroup with Ajax and soon after Lieutenant Jaccobs joined them all as the teams secured the supply factory. However, the two Jedi Masters detected the dark-side present deep in the factory.
"I sense it too Ajax. Darkness deep in the factory." Elah said with a concerned voice knowing their job wasn't finished.
"Lieutenant. We're going to investigate the factory deeper. Secure everything but have an airstrike on stand-by if neither of us return." Ajax said to Jaccobs prepping for an engagement. Possibly with Sith Lords it couldn't be ignored or left alone.
"I-uh. Yes master Jedi but I believe you'll both make it back." Lieutenant Jaccobs gave them both some hope.
Ajax and Elah glanced towards one another they knew what had to be done. The pairing had confronted the dark-side in various forms - sometimes came out injured other times came out unscathed with a bit of luck. Without another word to the Alliance troops they went off to a the central core levels of the supply factory. The presence grew stronger the closer the two Jedi Masters followed their senses within the Force. Until they saw two dark-robed figures with red lightsabers ignited by their sides one was using a double-bladed lightsaber and the other possessed a standard lightsaber singular blade. Ajax and Elah had their lightsabers active, a blue beam for Ajax and a yellow beam for Elah. It seemed the four knew of each other possibly long-time enemies and rivals on the field. The distance between them had came to a close as the Jedi approached the Sith all of their lightsaber blades humming in the background.
"Ajax Larsen.. Jedi Master.. An infamous Jedi Guardian.. Why am I not surprised you're here.. My old foe.." One of the Sith Lords spoke with the soft yet taunting tone in their voice.
"Darth Lexor. Couldn't keep away from old hunting grounds could you?" Ajax responded to Lexor in acknowledging their long-time feud.
"Ah and accompanying Ajax is none other than Elah Naife.. Famed Jedi Sentinel.. Hah.. Your shield will break.." The other Sith Lord, a female, directed her attention towards Elah.
"Hmph. Darth Xhatra. Been a while since we lost saw each other. My shield break? I've heard that one before." Elah said in response towards Xhatra.
The four ran into each other like blurs. Jedi versus Sith. Light versus dark. The clash of lightsabers echoed throughout the factory core where the duels commenced. Lexor attempted to cast a barrage of Force Lightning out towards Ajax. The Jedi Guardian brought his blue blade up to absorb the lethal streaks of lightning while charging up his own cast of Electric Judgement to counterattack Lexor. The Sith Lord sent his off-hand out to absorb the Jedi Master's energy of the Electric Judgement but Ajax lunged towards Lexor using Djem So's: Falling Avalanche against him. It was too late for Lexor to defend or move away from the Jedi Master's attack range. CLASH! Their blades from the lightsabers formed into a block motion where Lexor had been forced down onto a knee as Ajax powered on down against him.
Meanwhile, Xhatra launched herself through the use of Ataru and Juyo combined as Elah applied Niman but combining the prior forms to wear down Xhatra's attempts of offence against her. The female Sith Lord made tries to bash and batter her Saberstaff lightsaber blades against Elah. The female Jedi Master blocking and parrying the blows with her single-bladed lightsaber but then equipped her shield sharply to then catch Xhatra off-guard by using a strike with her shield to knock the Sith Lord off balance and left Xhatra exposed. Elah flicked her lightsaber down just for a moment to blast a Force Push out towards Xhatra where she flew off her feet and slammed into a pile of stacked crates. This enraged Xhatra as she sprung into a flip to stand back up and kicking the crates out where she then used Telekinesis to throw some crates off toward Elah. The crates being cut down by her lightsaber blade and bashed aside by her energy shield.
"WHY WON'T YOU JUST DIE JIDAI!" Xhatra roared out to Elah. The female Jedi Master stood calm and firm not distracted by the Sith Lord's words ringing out through the factory core room.
"You won't succeed on Corellia. Alliance and CorSec forces have managed to send the Empire packing." Ajax said to Lexor while they continued their test of brute strength in shoving their lightsaber blades against one another.
"Hmph. We'll continue to linger in the shadows. Ajax." Lexor spat out as he kicked back to break the saber-lock between having some distance to recover and regain composure.
"Where there is darkness there is always the light." Elah glanced towards Xhatra remained calm and focused on the task at hand.
Ajax drew back to preserve his stamina not drain himself and be left fatigued. His stance changed where now a hybrid of Soresu and Shien was being applied. A good defence will lead to a strong offence with the right opportunities and timings taken into account. Lexor was using the raw power of Juyo alone but now he opted into Ataru to channel his aggression towards the Jedi Master. All while Xhatra stuck to applications of both Ataru and Juyo to continue her assault against Elah. The female Sith Lord being relentless as she sent out a series of strikes displaying the usage of Ataru's: Saber Swarm trying to put Elah on the backfoot. There it was a small window but Elah managed to see an opportunity where Xhatra was exposed and the fatigue was setting down on the Sith Lord. Elah used her shield to bash Xhatra's Saberstaff hilt up into the air and performed Niman's: Pushing Slash.
Lexor saw his former apprentice being struck down by Elah the life energy from Xhatra had left her body where the female Jedi Master took an opportunity to make their strike count with the lethal impact towards an enemy in the battlefield. A sigh escaped from the male Sith Lord and Ajax heard "Kriffin' weakling!" Lexor muttered under his voice of disappointment. Lexor looked up towards fuel tank and waved his hand over to some debris to telekinetically launch it to the tank. SLAM! KABOOM! An explosion erupted and it surrounded Elah's body. Ajax saw the flames gather around Elah a fury was coming out of the Epicanthix. "No! Elah!" He yelled out while watching more debris fall and fire surround his comrade. No longer was Ajax holding back and this was his moment in utilising Vaapad. He and Lexor furiously charged towards each other like two lions fiercely clawing at one another while their lightsaber blades strike against each other. SNAP! CLASH! WHACK! SLAM! The two duellists battering their lightsaber beams hard to see who'd break and fall first.
"Ahaha she is gone, Ajax. You lost and giving yourself to the dark-side." Lexor taunted Ajax as they entered a saber-lock.
"Wrong Lexor. I'll never amuse you or the dark-side." Ajax had employed use of Vaapad's: Tempered Aggression to not succumb so easily toward the dark-side.
A slight distraction through the Force was felt within Lexor surrounding his mind as if there were streaks of the light-side emerging out from nowhere. Ajax felt this too but it wasn't coming from him and he wasted no time to perform Vaapad's: Swift Flank as he broke the saber-lock while Lexor was distracted. A quick dash to the left of the Sith Lord and Ajax struck directly towards the chest and striking the heart of Lexor. A gasp of shock came from the Sith Lord as his life drained away from him. The presence of the dark-side came from Lexor and Xhatra they left this realm and moved on to the after-life. Ajax made haste to where he sensed where the light-side energy came from and it was a familiar presence.
Elah managed to use her plasma energy shield to take majority of the flames but also employed a brief period of using Protection Bubble that combined with what defence the plasma shield provided her with. However she didn't come completely unharmed. Sharp debris of metallic piping penetrated her right side and she needed medical attention immediately. Ajax managed to pick out the debris and got it bandaged up after using a first-aid med pack kit from his utility belt but that'd only buy him enough time to get Elah to a Medical Station. "Jaccobs we need a immediate med evac asap!" Ajax said over to his commlink. He sat down with Elah and got her comfortable until help arrived. A few moans came from Elah as she was dazed.
"Hey Ajay. Another battle for the holobooks huh." Elah gave him a faint smile and a soft chuckle.
"Shh. Don't speak just rest Elah. We did it. We defeated them both." Ajax said with a smile as he adjusted their positioning.
"Mmm. Good, I'm glad. No more high level threats from those two." Elah said while her eyes were closed. Rested her head into Ajax's chest getting comfortable.
Alliance soldiers came rushing into the core level of the supply factory and a medical team brought a hover-bed to put Elah in. Ajax saw Lieutenant Jaccobs lead the troops and helped Elah get secured on the hover-bed. The medics rushed her out to the nearest Medical Bay and Ajax was ready to follow them but Jaccobs asked him a question.
"The corpses what do you want us to do with them master Jedi?" The lieutenant asked Ajax.
"Respectfully burn them and their possessions. I have to go lieutenant." Ajax said as he made haste to be with Elah.
A few weeks later...
After her recovery spent in the Coronet General Hospital the two Jedi Masters were walking through Axial Park together keeping each other company like always after their battles. Ajax was glad Elah had made a full recovery and that the Sith and Imperial forces left Corellia alone. Another world being able to be free and live in peace. The pair of Jedi enjoyed the peace and quiet while enjoying each other's company while they strolled through the park.
"We've fought many battles." Ajax said to Elah while they paused and Elah took a seat on a bench available.
"Yeah, we have Ajay. It doesn't stop." Elah let out a sigh and there was something weighing on her mind. Ajax felt something was off.
"What's wrong?" He asked her all while his hand contained a small box that was cupped behind his back. There was a surprise in store.
"Huh. Hmm nothing I can't handle, well..." She was in thought about news received throughout her time in recovery.
"Well, I have something to ask." Ajax said while he waited to get Elah's full attention.
"Huh? Sure Ajay, can ask me anything." Elah turned her sights on Ajax with a bright smile on her face.
Ajax knelt down on one knee and presented the small box that contained a wedding band inside of it. Looked up to Elah, he always loved her and she loved him just as much. Their love for one another grew over the time spent together. Both Jedi Masters had approached and opened up to the Jedi High Council, their honesty was appreciated and respected. Elah had her hands on either side of her face, a gasp and brighter smile appeared. Tears of joy came down from her eyes as she hugged Ajax, nearly causing him to tumble over onto the ground. Wrapped his arms around Elah and chuckled.
"I'll take that as a yes then?" The pair looked each others' eyes as they gave a bit of a space to breathe.
"Of course, Ajay!" She held her hand out for Ajax to take the wedding band and slide it onto her ring finger and they smiled, shared a passionate kiss together expressing the joy, happiness and love for each other. After adjusting their position while in the embrace. Elah still had something on her mind and remained unsure how Ajax would take it.
"I guess my news might be additional seasoning for us both heh." Elah said after she moved off from Ajax's lips from the passionate kiss the two shared together.
"Huh? Trying to out-do this moment I brought you?" Ajax laughed and rubbed Elah gently on her back as they sat together on the park bench. Elah being embraced by Ajax within his arms, comfortable. She moved out for a moment to look him in the eyes. Brought his hand over to her stomach.
"Remember when we learned Life Detection as Padawan Learners Ajay?" Elah dropping Ajax a clue for him to act upon like he always does. He began to focus his connection within the light-side of the Force and reach out. Ajax had a confused expression on his face at first but then the shock came over him. His surprise for Elah trumped the proposal as he opened his eyes and a smile of a father formed on his face.
"Y-you're.. I.. W-wait, two?!" Ajax had to double-check his senses and there the realisation hit him. Elah blushed and had the smile of a mother-to-be that Ajax will never forget for the rest of his life. The same applied when Elah saw the way Ajax smiled in how a father would.
"Ahaha yep. A new chapter for us." Elah said while she hugged and kissed Ajax he held her in the embrace, cradling her out of love. The two Jedi Masters now becoming husband and wife with the addition in becoming parents couldn't be any happier.
To be continued...
