Hope (Galactic Alliance Dominion of Alderaan Hex)

[Garith Organa]

Location: Juran Mountains, The Light of Ashla
Allies: The people of Alderaan and their friends
Enemies: The Sith remaining at the temple
Objective: Defend what is left of the temple
Interacting with: [member="Cambria Zadira"] , anyone is welcome to join

Like a soft wind that blows gentle change, Gar’ith could feel it. The presence of light and darkness was waning.

Gari’th did not flitch from the motion of the shifting environment. Intertwined with the Force he could sense the flow of combat around him. It was not an attack directed at him nor was the pillar directed at him.

He could not help but smile hearing the telepathic words. Being a polite and cordial he did return the conversation in kind. “I do welcome your presence my friend”, his words sent via telepathy and with empathy through the Force. Gar’ith appreciated that she had brought aid to the Alderaan Jedi, his friends that now fought for their lives in this very temple.

During this new shift in the flow, Gar’ith’s feet shifted. There was only two Sith now and they shifted their feet to match what they believed the flow of combat would take. With Gar’ith’s back now next to Cambria the stage was now set. There was now balance, from a curtain point of view. It was from a mathematical perspective.

“I will feast upon your bones”, was the Sith Master’s words as he leaped into the air angling his saber in a downwards arc towards Gar’ith’s head. The Sith was filled by anger. In this fit it left him blinded by his rage. Gar’ith stance was well positioned for defense. He could have easily killed the Sith right now. Gar’ith was no killer.

It started; he moved the tip of the azure blade upwards. It went from pointing at the ground parallel in front of him, then into a semi half circular pattern that met the crimson blade. As he parried the crimson blade he took his off hand from his own saber. As he pushed the enemy’s blade away with his main hand, which held the saber…he centered himself within the Force.

Drawing from the clarity of purpose, he began to shape the Force around him.

From his offhand, telekinetic energy flew from his finger tips. It hit the Sith Master squarely upon the center torso region. Off balance the Sith had no defense. It flung the Sith through the air and into another standing pillar within the cathedral.

Dust and debris flew about from the initial impact of the Sith hitting the pillar. Momentarily stunned the Sith slummed to the floor.
With caution Gar’ith began to walk forward. He had full faith his new friend would take care of the other Sith.

“Let go of your anger”, Gar’ith pleaded the Sith he confronted. “I know where it will take you. I’ve been to the Netherworld. I lived there for years without knowing a way home to my family. You will not like the path of darkness will take you in the next world. Please for the sake of your very soul let go of your pain!”

 

[Derek Dib]

Location: Alderaan Space
Allies: FWC remnants, GA, other CIS personnel
Representing: United Siskeen Coalition, Confederacy of Independent Systems
Objectives: aid and assist, make reparations

Standing at the viewport the man closed his eyes and had a moment of silent reverie. The Free World Coalition had been their allies, and the Confederacy had failed them. Was it the hesitancy of the ViceLord who did not order a full military campaign? Was it the Viceroyalty who failed to convence and propose a motion to aid their allies? Was it the individual Viceroy who had faltered on their word of support? There was blame enough to go around. Penance would be made, for fail they had the Free World Coalition.

Turning back to one of the screens upon the bridge he read the incoming reports of devastation and destruction, the high fatality count, the missing. It was a tragedy, one that could have been avoided had the Confederacy taken active steps to ensure they had been prepared to aid their allies. He silently swore to himself that he would not be party to such failure again. Steps would be made, if by no one else but the United Siskeen Coalition.

Looking across the bridge he nodded at the solemn face of the fleet commander. He understood the emotions boiling beneath the cool facade worn by the commander. A warrior was meant to be in battle, not arrive late and ineffectual. While Derek was not often viewed as a warrior, unlike his brother, neither was he merely some soft diplomat. He had spilled blood in the same mud as many of his fellow confederates.

The Sovereign Class Star Destroyer cruised through space with a single Nest Class Carrier Cruiser and Diamond-Class Carrier Mk:II on either side. Four Blastoise Armored Escort Cruiser were positioned to each of the other ships. Commander Webber spoke to her captains as they neared orbit. Nodding to the communication officer, Derek intoned the channel should be opened and spoke in a transmission to New Alderra.

"This is Viceroy Dib of the United Siskeen Coalition. Representing the Confederacy of Independent Systems we are to assist in any way we are needed. We have a few ships that can help patrol orbit as well as a Cruiser able to land and discharge droids for assistance with search and rescue or more military units. We are at your disposal. I would also like to receive permission to land a shuttle and two fighter escorts on the surface so I may offer the services at my disposal and my most sincere apologies for failing to keep our word to the Queen [member="Faith Organa"] personally, as time permits in this time of dire events."

Nodding to the communication officer to cut transmission he moved from the bridge with a final look to the fleet commander. Reparations would be made. As the turbolift dropped toward the hangar he messaged the Captain of his guard, Lucian, to meet him in the hangar. The response immediately received was he was already there. Nodding to himself he straightened the jet black suit and smoothed the crimson tie upon the charcoal shirt and prepared to enter a warzone that could have been avoided.

 

[Karlie Lynn Destat]

The despair on the Alderaani refugees in the camps were shadowed by the looks of disappointment toward her, for she not only bared the Castan family crest of House Destat, but that of the CIS on her white flight jump suit..

Karlie made no effort in avoiding eye contact with the people in the camp as she followed Sargent Trask. She came to the queen alone, leaving behind her Colonel by the two Castan fighters while the remaining bulk of her squadron were circling above. Already they had most likely succeeded in shooting down or scattering the bogies she had seen on her scope away from the camps. She could only attest to the fighter's return and flying by in a victory formation.

"Miss Destat...our majesty, Queen Organa... " She were introduced to a rather striking lady in what were not lavish royal clothes. But rather of a bit unorthodox , especially of a Queen of Alderaan.
Karlie bowed, before her, as her escort were dismissed.


"Your Grace..." Karlie had first acknowledged the queen.
"...Queen [member="Faith Organa"]....your kind hospitality is undeserving of my person." She said, relaying her father's will upon the queen whom he had forfeit his given word to. Her father Tarssin had not spoken on behalf of the Confederacy, but had implied that Catagne would answer the need of Alderaan by way of him rallying support within the Confederacy. This latter had come to the attention of the CIS too late. As thus, no military aid and support had arrived in time to lessen the suffering of Alderaan's two largest cities...the primary targets of the sith.

"I come here before you-" She was then suddenly interrupted by one of her squad leaders relaying a cut in message.
She put her hand on her ear piece, understanding that more bogies were picked up coming toward their encampment. They were not friendlies and already FWC fighters were engaging them. But long range showed two more waves coming.
Karlie looked up to the queen a second, before replying.
"Engage all incoming bogies." She ordered.

Then..." Colonel Erlick, assist all friendlies...resume command of our group!"

"Good call, Destat...i'm on it!" Her grounded Colonel standing by their two fighters replied.

"..ahem...excuse me your Grace" Karlie said of the interruption, before closing the channel and turning her attention back to the queen.

"...again, my father 's deepest regrets for failing on his en-devour to strengthen our ties to Alderaan.
If your Grace permits, Castan Navy Capital ship Tecknor, on behalf of the CIS requests three more squadrons come planet side to help with the current pest eradication." She had to ask, for her not doing so, was disrespectful. Alderaan was not under CIS domination, and under Castan rules of engagement, permission was needed by the ruling government to them to send military aid and have their fighters engage.

Karlie was to take no liberties. What the queen of Alderaan wished, under discretion of Karlie to keep within established rules of engagements, she were to provide Alderaan with.
It was understood by Karlie that this was not so much a means of restoring good diplomatic relations which had failed on Castan's part to convince CIS to come to immediate aid, but to provide what they could to restore the system back to full Alderaani control. Time for politics would come at a later time.

 

[Faith Organa]

[member="Derek Dib"] | [member="Karlie Lynn Destat"] |

Where to begin...before Ms Destat made it to her Faith senta message to the Viceroy, "Viceroy, you are welcome to to the surface with a shuttle and two escorts." She looked at SGT Trask again, "SGT Trask will meet you and bring you to my location."

Two members of the conferacy here now how thankful she was she knew the distance they had to cover. It was this distance that had prevented Faith from seeking to put Alderaan within their influence. But that was neither here or there right now. She knew she didn't know the voice of this Dib but she wondered if this one was related to Muad. Bella's partner in...life. Yes that was the best description.

Then she turned to look at Ms Destat who was once again apologizing for the failure of her system and she brought words of encouragement from her father, what was his name again. Tarssin..yes yes she believed that was it.

"Ms.Destat you can tell your father that he is more than welcome to come to Alderaan whenever he wishes. But I must honest the apologies at this moment must wait. My people suffer and need assistance. That is where you can help, I don't have time to think about what was not done. Maybe later I will dwell upon it and call you to account for yourself. But until then...if you have supplies, and people who can help with rescue efforts for anyone trapped or in need of being transported to safety...that would be most helpful." Did she just notice that the young woman had taken in her attire?

Faith looked down, yes it was not what one expected to see of a ruler. But this was not the halls of the palace, had she come last week she would have perhaps met the expectation but this was today. Today Alderaan was a victim to attack and her Queen would not show up in some regal attire when some of her people only had the clothes on their back. No. This was not Faith's style.

Faith sighed, "Can you help with that?"

 

[Derek Dib]

Location: Alderaan Space, then planetside
Allies: FWC remnants, GA, other CIS personnel
Representing: United Siskeen Coalition, Confederacy of Independent Systems
Objectives: aid and assist, make reparations

Climbing aboard the shuttle, Lucian and three other of the Captain's Guard followed up the ramp. Taking a seat, Derek felt the shuttle depart the hangar as it, along with the dual escort fighters, made their way from orbit and into the atmosphere. Idly he scratched at the stubble upon his chin as he stared vacantly across the seats of the ship. He hated having no control over a situation, but as he was most assuredly not a pilot, it was his lot to sit and wait.

Suddenly the ship lurched and the lights on board flickered momentarily. Unbuckling Derek quickly made his way to the cockpit, Lucian muttering a curse as he followed his Viceroy. A pair of enemy fighters were strafing the ground below with no opposition. Grunting he pointed at the starfighters.

"Order our escort to break off from their pacing duties and eliminate those ships. We came to help, so let's help."

Turning back to his seat he heard his orders repeated. Out the viewport the escort broke off and accelerated to engage the hostiles before more damage could be done. Buckling once more he looked at the vacant chair across from him and calmed his pulse. There was naught he could do at the moment, so allowing himself to get worked up accomplished nothing.

Shortly thereafter permission was granted for landing and the shuttle sank onto the makeshift landing that they had been cleared for. Disengaging from the belt restraints he moved with his quartet of guards to the ramp, waiting for it to lower before leaving the ship. Once his feet touched the planet he pulled the force into himself. The pain that permeated the very air spoke of injury and loss. A tangible emotion that could nearly have been sliced with a vibroblade. Moving across the port they met the sergeant and began to follow him.

From above several fighter flashed by, laser fire flashing through the streets and buildings, lancing through anything with no discrimination. An explosion from across the street flared out a concussive blast that scattered debris and bodies across the ground. Blinking slowly he raised his head from where he had been tossed to the earth. A loud ringing echoed in his ears as he blinked away a red film obscuring his left eye. Looking around he watched as his guard slowly moved along with several others who were able to rouse.

Sound slowly began coming back and the first to be clearly heard were the screams coming from several women. Their families were inside the building that now billowed smoke and threatened to topple to the streets. Rising to his feet he flew across the ground, Lucian at his heels, and entered the building. The sift cries of several children could be heard as the Obsidian smoke lowered visibility to nearly nothing. Already coughing against the smoke inhalation he pointed one way and his Captain of the guard nodded and went in the opposite direction. After several minutes he found three children coughing and huddled in a fresher. The oldest was pinned to the ground by a beam that had fallen from a ceiling. Dropping to his knees he tried to move the beam but it wouldn't budge.

"I'll come back for you."

Pulling his jacket free he wrapped it around the two smaller children and hefted them in his arms before barreling from the groaning building. Lucian had already exited and was waiting at the entrance for him. Placing the kids upon the ground he nodded to Lucian.

"One more. I'll need your help."

The two men headed back in. It took several minutes to reach the teenager as between the smoke and crumbling building their route had been obstructed. But finally they found themselves back in the fresher. Each man gripped the beam and managed to raise it just enough for the teen to be pulled free, but a splurt of blood from the youth's thigh revealed that he had not escaped unscathed. Yanking his tie from around his neck Derek made a makeshift tourniquet before the men escaped with the kid. With the youth returned to the streets and a medic working on him Derek turned to once more follow the Sergeant.

"Lucian, stay with the guard. Help where you can. And don't give me that look my friend, I can take care of myself."

Lucian had given him a frown, but between Derek patting the gun holster hanging under his arm and the fact that the captain knew his Viceroy was capable, he finally silently acquiesced.

Walking beside Sergeant Trask they finally, after a detour due to the attacking craft, reached where the Queen, [member="Faith Organa"] , was conversing with an attractive blonde woman he recognized from his Confederacy files, [member="Karlie Lynn Destat"] , the daughter of a fellow Viceroy. Pausing a respectful distance so as not to intrude he glanced down at his ruined attire with a bemused lilt to his lips. Black slacks were coated with dust from rubble, charcoal shirt was soot covered from actual charcoal (and the irony was not lost on Derek), his tie was missing as was his jacket, the wound still wept crimson from his brow though his sight was no longer obscured, and a 48. Enforcer pistol hung from a holster under his left arm while a knife dangled from it's sheath under his right. He certainly didn't look the part of a foreign dignitary greeting a Queen, but circumstances had a way of altering necessity.

 

[Cathul Thuku]

Location: Alderaan
Allies: GA [member="Jaius Sovv"] [member="Faith Organa"] [member="Taeli Raaf"]
Enemies: Sith stragglers

And, once again, as with Thyferra, whatever hope medvac could bring the beleaguered survivors was limited by the bed capacity of the sickbays, more so than even the ambulances' capacity. Meanwhile, repairs were underway onboard the Potentate, with the understanding that the expended explosive tiles will have to be replaced at a later date, once the hull underneath those is fully repaired, while the Kartharage had to rely on parts that have to be shipped in from Kiribi to get the work done. Even then, all ships were expected to contribute to the medvac effort until such time a surface triage facility could be set up. So, really, she had medical supplies brought in so as to help out the relief efforts - what a disaster it was. Even though some Jedi seem to be more or less indifferent to such disasters because it's a statistic to them, because they are unable to act on such a large scale. Yet she could do nothing but endure, standing ready to have all the patients vacated (to the extent it could safely be done) if another call to battle occurred, in this system or elsewhere.

"Medical supplies status?"

"They should be here in one hour" the quartermaster answered.

Spoiler: Fleet

Capital ships:

ANS Potentate (Potentate-class Star Defender) light hull damage
ANS Kartharage (Okami-class heavy cruiser) light hull damage
ANS Kro Var (Lothal-III-class interdictor carrier) moderate shield damage
ANS Clicker (Clicker-class pocket carrier) light hull damage
ANS Locus of Control (C-9980-class frigate) moderate shield damage
ANS Big Seven (C-9980-class frigate) moderate shield damage
ANS Job Engorgement (Skor-class monitor frigate)
ANS Task Significance (Skor-class monitor frigate)

Attack craft:
103 Chiloon-I fighters
58 Chiloon-II fast bombers

Spoiler: Medvac

ANS Pharmacokinetics (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Tylenol (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Oral-Turinabol (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Alka-Seltzer (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Aspirin (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Nandrolone (Cardea-class medical cruiser)

192 M47 Illria ambulances

 

[Karlie Lynn Destat]

"Of course, your grace. " She replied giving the queen a respectful bow.

It was presented and it was said. The queen's reply were more than satisfactory, as her father had hoped.
This queen was unlike anyone she had the privilage of encountering. Queen [member="Faith Organa"] gave her the impression that she was more than a monarch, that she was one of the people here. Hence her getting right down and dirty alongside her people. This was one queen she could respect...as her father most likely did. Although she knew her father had wanted her to see for herself..meet the queen. Karlie now understood as to why she were sent here by her father. It was unlike him , not doing this himself. She hid her satisfactory smile, thinking as to how her father got her here and for what reason. this was for both Alderaan and herself. Her father was priming her.

"I shall do my best, Queen Organa.." She then said before she turned.
This was not the time to continue to converse. Karlie had not averted her eyes from the queen, as it would have been disrespectful. But in doing so, Karlie did pick up on the queen's averted attention. Seemed something or someone had caught her attention. It were then that Karlie bid her leave.

Upon turning to leave, she was then able to come to the attention of Viceroy Dib?..??
karlie was certainly taken back a moment, inadvertently raising a brow...much like her father did. Something she had picked up as a little girl..mimicking her father's expressions at times.
"Viceroy Dib..." She managed to say, giving him a slight nod of acknowledgement as she passed him.

Shoot, what else could she say, she thought as she kept walking toward her craft.
It were about 3 meters before she stopped a moment.
But then she continued without turning, as the man was with the queen and she had never met the man herself. Just knew of him from the Bureau's files. She was after all an operative in the IBI, an executive branch of the Castan government.

She got a good distance away before she got back on her comm.

"Agent Lynn to Tecknor.... need ready and launch 3 additional squadron details."

"Affirmative AL... squadrons on the line and deploying....ETA in 7" She received a reply from the Tecknor's launch command.

"Have them coordinate with Colonel Erlick and with Alderaani air command...." She then said.
"...got that Erlick?"
Her channel was open to both the capital ship Tecknor and her current squadron leader that was already planet side.
"Confirmed." her colonel replied.

"Bridge...what's the status on other CIS ships in the sector?...we have Viceroy [member="Derek Dib"] planet side...info?"

"Sending you the data now A L...."
What followed as soon as Karlie withdrew her small holo-i was the current data the Tecknor had on the USC's current battle group in the same system.
Sovereign Class Star Destroyer Nest Class Carrier Cruiser 2 Diamond-Class Carrier Mk:II 4 Blastoise Armored Escort Cruiser

"Why haven't I been informed of this?" She gritted her teeth. How were a battle group not relayed to her? was she here vacationing or something?

"Commander Tass didn't receive orders from you to forward incoming friendlies, A L."

"Well, you're ordered now." She held back cussing, as she didn't like not being on top of things. Especially not getting a heads up of a battle group...friendly or not, she should have gotten a heads up the minute they emerged out of hyperspace.

"Affirmative A L, will inform the commander..."

Karlie looked over to where the viceroy and queen were conversing, before she climbed in her fighter. it was quite a distance, but she could make out the small entourage of staff and security.
They...the viceroy and herself...along with other CIS systems should have come here a week ago.
She pounded her canopy side, frustrated at their inability to head off the sith in all of what they had done here. It made the CIS look weak...made her system seem indifferent. This wasn't so and the rage in her wanted to so desperately lash out at the sith. But she had to show restraint..self control.

"Agent Lynn to Tecknor... hold back one squadron for standby escort....the USC has brought enough firepower."

"Affirmative A L ... two squadrons to coordinate with ground forces, one on standby."

"Good.
Ready all supply drop ships for launch and attach that squadron... one fighter to drop ship. I'll be heading back up to coordinate relief."
The canopy sealed around her, pressurizing her fighter, as she commenced her launch sequence.

In no time at all she was skyrocketing up through the stratosphere. She were heading back to the Tecknor to coordinate Castagne's addition to the relief efforts of getting down needed humanitarian aid. Her fighters on planet side were searching and engaging straggler sith suicide forces that were left behind.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Shield of Light
New Jedi Order Star Temple
Alderaan System

"Well, we shall see if our new approach isn't able to honor his legacy," she replied, smiling still. Even with a more... realistic awakening to how the galaxy was, and his own push for more militancy, Jaius was still at heart a creature of peace. He would not understand, not yet, that was going on was only the beginning for the New Jedi Order. She fully intended to have that little political noise on Coruscant dealt with as soon as her agents got word to her about their support system. She had an inkling, but she would like confirmation nonetheless.

The problem at hand though...

"And it is acting Grand Marshal," she laughed. "Until the New Jedi Order is able to have a proper conclave and elect the next Grand Marshal, the title is only voluntary and not permanent."

Although, she thought, no one seemed in any hurry to create such a conclave since the one she had called had been quiet. When the hologram of Aryn appeared, her smile widened. The new Supreme Commander was going to be an important piece in her plans, and the first steps had already been taken. He too was starting to push the Alliance into a more militaristic direction, his goal likely to create a military force that could actually fight against their foes. Their last several outings had been rather... unimpressive. She supposed that was what happened when one becomes stagnant with those clinging to the delusions that democracy and peace were the forces shaping the galaxy.

Before he delivered the news of the Confederacy forces, Temple Master Ro caught her eye and nodded ever so slightly. Humility was all well and good, but the tone she and Master Starchaser were starting to set was sitting quite well with the rank and file, for the most part. She wanted to gauge the reaction of more seasoned Jedi in the future.

"If I remember correctly, many of the noble houses of Alderaan had mountain refuges in case of an attack from their rivals," she said. "In light of the situation, it is likely that Organa is regrouping at one near to New Aldera. Have our forces on the ground met with any local forces?"

In the back of her head, the Jedi Meld was surging with fresh thoughts and emotions as they recognized two Dark Blades escorting a Wyyrlok on the edge of the system that had avoided detection from Therapy Command. Temple Master Ro was already giving the order for the escorts of the Jedi force here to engage. Once they had disembarked all the aid workers and transports on the Shield of Light, they would join the attack.

 

[Jerrid Syn DeVoe]

He put the last stone on the grave of his enemy.

His sister [member="Marina DeVoe"] had initiated him to do so. Jerrid would have rather have hailed his custodians to pick up the carcasses he had laid waste here and ship them off on a slow transport to Bastion...dumping the rotten carcasses of Carnifex's sith soldiers over the butcher king's own landscape. This is what he had been on setting to do, since his return from Lohr and finding that Carnifex had fornicated on his sister's world. And there were many such graves now alongside the pathway.

His sister had stayed his hand for now. She had pleaded to him in the name of his ancestors to help her bury the dead. The very sith soldiers he had just slain.
Jerrid had shared not only their mothers womb, but his sister's heart...and the same blood which coursed through him, her. They were twins. Only Jerrid, like his father and his father before him and to the time of the destruction of their ancestral home world of Alderaan, the male bloodlines had been trained in the dark art of war on Lohr.
This was a tradition..a way of the DeVoe to harden the hearts of their men so that Alderaan would never fall.
And fall it didn't, for his father [member="Duke Kyle DeVoe"] had held the Northern providence of Alderaan as he had done with the previous sith overlords. Their house had never fallen, not since the days of the vile Emperor Palpatine...a Millennia past.

But the last stone he put on the grave had stayed his thirst for immediate retaliation. He looked over to his sister Marina, who like himself were heavily soiled in both dirt and sweat. She had labored with possibly more determination than he at first. But Jerrid could not do a less part in this than his own blood. Marina had a way of bringing him back to understanding what compassion really stood for.
"Marina...we're done here. Please go back home." He implored, seeing her near exhaustion.
The graves had been dug off the side of the path where they had been slain. Her droid had used the ship's remote excavator/digger and had also helped with the bodies. Between them three, they had properly buried the enemy dead in Alderaani soil in 2 hours time.

As exhausted as his sister was, she still went on to ask him if he knew how many he were killing before it were all over.
"No...I hadn't counted, Marina...I hadn't counted." He replied to her speaking of the slain. She had to speak of them, for it were part of the final say in the ceremony... a small one at that under the circumstances. But his sister nevertheless gave the enemy dead a rightful burial. Jerrid didn't speak of his thoughts on it, for he would have preferred raining the bodies over Bastion. But he at least had given reason to put them in the ground..his sister just prevented him from eating his cake too.

"Me?... " he then said, helping her up off her knees.
"I need to keep cleaning up the pile of dung the sith left us...that's what I am going to do." He couldn't help but snap at her a bit.
She had asked if he would go back to Mt Cetril and help her load up her ship with supplies again.

"Marina...please!
I've buried the dead with you....but it doesn't end here. There are more left behind. More of Carnifex's disciples that are already brain dead. Their sole purpose is to keep disrupting the serenity of your home world...our home world." He couldn't understand how or why he had slipped. it seemed to have been on purpose. But to his sister?

"Marina, until we rid of every last one of them, no one is safe here on Alderaan. No Alderaani children can walk by their mother's hand on these paths-" But he was cut off with her accusation that he was trying to twist her sensibilities.

"Grrr.... you know little of what these creatures-" Again she rebuffed him. in her eyes they were men, despite whom they followed. Killing them in her eyes solved nothing, for he couldn't kill them all.
Jerrid bit his lips shut, for he could well do just that...kill them all. But he took a step back. He could not speak with her if he were in rage...and he kept that in check in her presence.

"Fine... I will return with you.
I'll help you load up the supplies. I'll even come along to distribute them to our people... will that settle you?" He then said, for he knew she wouldn't let him out of her sight for fear he would continue his purge of the sith remnant forces that had been left behind.

"Ahg..." Jerrid got his answer with an immediate loving hug from his sister. "..sigh.."

 

[Cambria Zadira]

Juran Mountains, Jedi Temple
Allies: GA and Alderaanean friends
Enemy: Sith and their ilk
w/[member="Garith Organa"]
___

Back to back, the Jedi duo readied themselves to defend against the Sith pair; a master and apprentice it appeared. Cambria took a calming breath in through her nose, then out through her mouth centering herself in the Force. And then the dance began... The warmth of the Light verses the coldness of the Dark.

The Sith Lord's apprentice flourished his weapon as he approached the Rutian Twi'lek, the twin red blades of his double-bladed lightsaber carving long, languid arcs through the air in an intimidating fashion. The Zabrak raised the double-bladed saber above his head, spinning it so fast it was nothing but a blur, then lunged forward full of rage. One end came down in a savage overhead strike that the Jedi Knight parried away, but of course it was a feint as he next made a slashing attack at her waist from the opposite blade.

Cambria twisted and blocked the slash, then countered with an assault of her own. She didn't score a direct hit, but did force the young, rather arrogant Sith to take several steps back after pressing her attack. The Twi'lek did take note during their engagement that under pressure he was still working to keep the double-blade balanced and flowing in a rhythm. That weakness she would gladly exploit.

When an opening became apparent as they went back and forth, the Jedi Guardian disarmed the Sith by cleaving the elongated hilt of his double-bladed lightsaber in half; the broken pieces deactivating and scattering across the marble floor of the cathedral into the debris much to the disbelief and anger of the Zabrak.

The blue-hued Twi'lek brought her lightsaber back to guard in anticipation of the Sith apprentice using Force Lightning on her as his fingertips started to crackle with energy... Now the fun really did begin.

 

[Cathul Thuku]

Location: Alderaan
Allies: GA [member="Jaius Sovv"] [member="Faith Organa"] [member="Taeli Raaf"]
Enemies: Sith stragglers

"We have new hostiles, a Wyyrlok and two Dark Blades, entering the system, well outside standard turbolaser range" the sensor technician reported in.

"Trace back the possible flight paths and we shall investigate suspicious locations. In the meantime, have the Potentate fire at full power on the enemy Wyyrlok, with all other units concentrating on the nearest Dark Blade; one interdiction field centered on each of the Dark Blades, and two on the Wyyrlok, and also jam their sensor arrays"

"We're not properly positioned to hit the Wyyrlok: just give us the time to properly maneuver towards it" the captain of the Potentate retorted.

So a Wyyrlok and two Dark Blades just entered the system? That is putting a wrench into the medvac operations; however, at that long range, she'd better hope for the escorts of the Shield of Light to be able to engage those craft at shorter ranges before they could close in on her. Also, with one Dark Blade coming under concentrated, heavy long-range fire, all she could hope for is to have some debris torn off its huls, which, in turn, would buffet the remaining enemy destroyers. But the warships firing on the destroyers at range forced the ambulances to stop considering diverting patients there. Regardless of the Potentate positioning itself to hit the Wyyrlok using a heavy proton beam, which was rather slow but about the same speed and maneuverability as the Wyyrlok they aim at. Hopefully these three ships will be dead before the medical supplies arrive, she thought, realizing that it was a different gang of Sith attacking compared to the rear-guard stragglers she engaged, and the Angral was, in fact, meter-for-meter, inferior to the Wyyrlok. The question being, on her end, wouldn't firing on those three ships make it so that the enemy would fire at them from long ranges?

"Corellia seems to be the most likely point of origin, admiral"

"We may need reinforcements before we jump in on Corellia"

Spoiler: Fleet

Capital ships:

ANS Potentate (Potentate-class Star Defender) light hull damage
ANS Kartharage (Okami-class heavy cruiser) light hull damage
ANS Kro Var (Lothal-III-class interdictor carrier) moderate shield damage
ANS Clicker (Clicker-class pocket carrier) light hull damage
ANS Locus of Control (C-9980-class frigate) moderate shield damage
ANS Big Seven (C-9980-class frigate) moderate shield damage
ANS Job Engorgement (Skor-class monitor frigate)
ANS Task Significance (Skor-class monitor frigate)

Attack craft:
103 Chiloon-I fighters
58 Chiloon-II fast bombers

Spoiler: Medvac

ANS Pharmacokinetics (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Tylenol (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Oral-Turinabol (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Alka-Seltzer (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Aspirin (Cardea-class medical cruiser)
ANS Nandrolone (Cardea-class medical cruiser)

192 M47 Illria ambulances

 

[Zark San Tekka]

"We're too late," Ser Tycho scowled as he marched back out into the mountain palace's inner courtyard where the knights of his Circle were arrayed, "Queen Organa is gone."

Their grand rescue had ended up being something of a disappoint. While they had intercepted a swiftly destroyed several Sith scouting parties among the mountains, upon finally reaching the royal safe house they had found what little fighting had reached its outer walls had been competently repelled by the castle guard.

So caught up in his frustration at being one step behind his sworn charge, the Knight-Praetor took several moments to notice the look of abject misery and hopelessness his words had effected upon his men.

"Take heart!" he laughed in mild embarrassment, "Her Majesty yet lives. The castellan has informed me she took a shuttle back to New Aldera but an hour ago, against the wishes of her master-at-arms."

A collective sigh of relief breathed through the assembled Knights of the Lance. Raising their energy lances and force pikes in jubilant celebration at the news of their Queen's well being, Ser Tycho silenced them with a stern look almost at once. Privately, he was sharing in their relief that Alderaan's legacy was secured.

"What you all patting yourselves on the back for? Our oath remains remain unfulfilled. Mount up! We ride for New Aldera in ten."

Alderaanian power armor made his movements stiff, but Tycho had trained in them long enough to confidently stride over to his own personal Destrier. The House Alde insignia emblazoned across its side stood out from the others, and he wasted no time in checking the power cell first on his submachine gun and then on the pulse carbine strapped to the speeder's side.

"Knight-Praetor!" young Ser Antony hustled over to him, power armor leaving a trail of deep gouges in the earth, "A word in private, if it pleases you."

He could tell by Antony's expression something was wrong, as one of the Circle's junior knights he was currently the closest thing they had to a communications officer. Still, it wasn't standard protocol for him to pass along anything that would be considered privileged information among the other knights.

"What is it, Ser Antony?" Tycho asked once they had moved a dozen or so paces away from the others.

"I've been monitoring nearby emergency frequencies, as you commanded Knight-Praetor," Antony stammered out by way of explanation, and haltingly proceeded when his superior gave a nod to continue, "There has been a distress call."

"I know what you hear on that com may at times distress you," he reminded the younger man, "But our oath is clear. The Royal House supersedes all other responsibilities. Do you know these people? Where is this distress call from?"

"Its from the House Alde estate, Knight-Praetor."

"Oh," he simply said, and though his expression was inscrutable his face had suddenly grown ashen.

After a long pause between them, Ser Antony hesitantly asked, "What is your command, Ser Tycho?"

"Our oath is clear," the Knight-Praetor repeated, his voice hollow, "Get to your Destrier, Antony. We'll be making for New Aldera in but a few minutes now."

 

[Garith Organa]

Location: Juran Mountains, The Light of Ashla
Allies: The People of Alderaan and their friends
Enemies: The Sith remaining at the temple
Objective: Defend the temple
Interacting with: [member="Cambria Zadira"] , anyone is welcome to join

“You wish me to let go of my pain”, the Sith said while rising back to his feet.

The Sith Master then spoke a word unfamiliar to Garith. The man’s form shimmered and shifted. Two duplicates of him appeared next to the original, Sith Sorcery. Gar’ith watched all three forms closely, as they started to circle him. One was real and the other two was just an illusion?
Thing was, how do you tell.

All the copies rushed Gar’ith at once. With a steady breath stepped out saber stance and deactivated his saber. It appeared he had given up, like he was defeated. All three images came in for the strike, and then passed right through Garith. All three was an illusion. Where was the Sith Master?

“I thought you were going to show me your pain”, Gar’ith asked while looking around in the shadows.

“I shall”, the Sith’s voice seemed disembodied, yet coming from the shadows in the cathedral. From what shadow nearby was he watching Gar’ith from?

 

[Karlie Lynn Destat]

Location: Back on board the Castan SD Technor
Objective: Provide air support to Alderaan and ally forces



"Affirmative...one escort fighter to transport..." She replied to the Tecknor's Commander.

Karlie was on board the Tecknor again and strategically coordinating Castan's aid to Alderaan by way of air support and humanitarian supplies.
Normally all that would be in the hands of the ship's commander. Only that this was more than an ally coming to the aid of a system that had come under a sith attack. The CIS had failed to arrive in time to avert the damage done on the civilian populations and it's major cities. This was now more of a diplomatic mission to right their wrong, than to help with the defenses. The main battle group of sith ships had already left the system. What remained were more suicide squads and pockets of sith soldier platoons. Their main objective was to impede ally help to Alderaan. But those pockets of sith suicide squads were spread out and like rats, had to be lured and flushed out.

"Commence sequential launches..." The Commander instructed his crew.

"Agent Lynn, should we send a few more squadrons down?"

"Sigh...no.
If anything, recall Red Wing squadron and have them come in to cycle out Taff Squadron." Karlie replied, monitoring the lack of engagements since she boarded the Tecknor.

"Seems for the moment the air has thinned over Aldera.
We should have come flexing our might a week ago, Commander. Us buzzing the skies is futile, as there aren't enough engagements for your boys and girls down there. The two squadrons we just sent down following Red Wing is quite sufficient." she replied, not wanting to over do the display of assistance. Karlie wasn't one to show off. At this time, the skies were pretty much clear over the camps and Aldera.

"Agent Lynn...of the other planetary sectors still under conflict?" The ship's commander asked.

"They are doing fine...pretty well actually. It's their court, Commander.
But do send them a message that we are prepared to assist them if they wish us to.
Besides, it's no longer a conflict, but a mop job..." She replied.
Of course the likely chance of the other allied forces and even that of the Viceroy [member="Derek Dib"] inviting them on their hunt was slim. the pickings were slim, as she could pick up on their long range tactical sensor arrays.

"Agent Lynn... supply transports are on their way.." Another officer informed her.

Karlie looked over to the Holo monitors and could see one of the first transports clearing the SD Tecknor and heading planet side...a fighter escorting it close behind.

"Good...keep them cycling...all the transports. And tag an already committed fighter not engaged to escort a transport ship."

"Why not launch more fighters?" She was asked.

"Daisy chain the ones already out there. If there is any signs of more hostile, then launch as required. We aren't here to perform an air show.
We fraked up in coming when they needed us most. With what transports we are to escort down and support...there are enough wings flapping out there already." She replied.

Sure enough, the other allies were doing well, and at this point Karlie could only see about doing what she came here to do and that was to assist without putting on a horse and pony show.
There were enough friendly forces down planet side and in orbit that were getting the job done. They didn't need to crowd each other.

 

[Faith Organa]

Help was now everywhere and a great relief began to descend upon the Queen's shoulders. There would be many favors to repay after this day but they would rise up again. She wondered again how her family had fared through this.

There was no word of death which either meant they lived or no one had found the bodies yet.

She would put aside her own grief and thoughts to see to the people. The people who moved all around her alive at times reaching over just to touch her arm perhaps to make sure she was still whole. She did not flinch from any of them most times she reached back to touch them.

She would have to send a message to @tarrsin destat and invite him to Alderaan when there was an Alderaan to see. The holes repaired, the people once again able to smile, and that they could all put on a proud face of who and what they were.