The Last Stand

[Darth Carnifex]

MON CALAMARI
@[member="Ashin Varanin"]

The final stages of this War had finally begun, the forces of Clockwork striking with their monstrous World Devastators at three crucial locations across the Galaxy. Kaine could taste ultimate victory at hand, the great A.I shall be triumphant after so many years of planning, a Kaine, one of his blessed ascendants, shall help pave the way for all organics to be assimilated and ascend to the glorious height of enlightenment that Kaine stood at. Why they had denied and resisted, Kaine would never know, such was the mindset of the foolish unenlightened beings. The battle overhead was picking up pace, and so Kaine prepared to join the battle on the side of Omni. The water frothed and churned as the great behemoth of a machine rose from the dark abyss to send this champion of Omni on his way to destroy the Great A.I's enemies wherever they came to stop this great takeover. As the top of the World Devastator breached the surface, Kaine was already moving onto the deck of the machine via an access hatch leading to the 'roof'.

As the machine rose higher and higher, it appeared as if Kaine himself had commanded this beast of metal and gears as his steed to the battle, the wind whipping at Kaine's cloak as the World Devastator rose. Without a word, Kaine leaped off the edge towards the city below, using the force to soften his impact. Despite the protection of the force, he still hit the deck of the nearest platform hard, cracking and busting the metal beneath his feet. He unhooked his lightsaber, not activating it, but keeping it right in his hand for easy access, as a troop of Seraphs descended to fall into stride behind him. Kaine looked upon the fleeing refugees with a growing hatred, but felt comforted that they would all join him in transcendence and said, "For the Glory of OMNI" under his breath as he moved deeper into the city.

 

[Sky Kerberos]

On board the ship with the Jedi, she listened to the grandmaster's speech. Though she heard his words, she was distracted by @[member="Ben Watts"]. His hands did not shake, but that was not the strange part of it for only a few of the Jedi were stricken with the feverish shakes before battle. His lack of nerves was as if he were a statue, carved from the finest marble to be impervious to war. He was one of the purest Jedi she had ever met, and in that she found a pull to him, wanting to understand him. He had spoke of being by her side, yet was that simply the obligation of helping others that drove him? Was the heart, underneath the marble casting, more than simply one of a Jedi?

The grandmaster patched himself through to the Sith transport, which was growing closer to their location. She could no longer even focus on Ben. Her body, her mind fought her. There was something else. A feeling she had never had before.

It was as if a part of her soul--her very being--was near. On another ship, close by...the signature was faint yet the loudest, most distracting pull came from it. She searched her memories but found nothing. This signature, though she did not know who it was, she knew it was apart of her…her own flesh, her blood. It was powerful. Dark.

From hell, she sat. Little did she care for the mortals of above, nor the wars that would always find their place amongst the living. Eventually, they all come to her side. Eventually…they all die. They all find that darkness will overwhelm them. A feeling though came, one which she never believed she would feel again.

Cerberus? No, he died in her arms and now was lost forever from her. Did he have a child which she knew nothing about?

A smile came over her lips, though no happiness would ever again be felt by the soulless creature she had become. If this was a grandchild of hers who lived above, then surely her clone would feel it too. Yet the empty clone was drained of all memories, of all hardships…of all triumphs she had endured. Fist closed on her throne in anger, and in it she closed upon the heart of the one who dared call herself Jedi.

Pain, but without reason, suddenly gripped her. She held it back, for no one could know of any weakness that she carried. Looked upon the Jedi preparing for war, she tried to draw on their strength, fight the darkness that seemed to seep within her at ever beat of her heart. But…they cloaked themselves in the light. It was as if a barricade, one which she could not touch. Excusing herself quietly from the meeting, she left. She would prepare herself for battle, but alone.

@[member="Ashin Varanin"]

 

[Allyson Locke]

Mon Calamari

@[member="Ashin Varanin"]

Nightmares, the nights were filled with so many nightmares. The woman was left to her meditations if she wished to get any rest. The planet was a place she found some peace, they had accepted the Sith order easily especially once they saw that the call for a civil war was cut short. Spencer remained in her room for the time being, removing the mask she placed it on a dresser and moved to the window. Everything seemed so calm…for the time being.

The ground began to shake and the world destroyer made its way from under the city. Spencer quickly ran out of her room and alerted the guards, evacuations soon commenced and the city was thrown into chaos. Spencer did her best to try and keep everyone calm. Running out with the rest of the population Spencer moved towards the middle of the city. Everything was in chaos. Closing her eyes, the woman began to meditate. There was no time to call for help; there was no time for her to think about anything else. Calm washed over the city as they started to pack into the shuttles, the military quickly gathered and prepared. Spencer opened her eyes as she touched her lip and looked beyond the city.

Ashin…

Stripping the cloak and discarding it where she stood and quickly ran towards the location of the woman. Spencer focused on the feeling searching for her blood trail. It was the link Ashin and her shared with each other; it was the only sure fire way for them to find each other in any place in the galaxy. She stood in the middle of the chaos as she watched the Empress move through the crowd. Spencer knew where they were going and there was no point to try and escape the city along with the civilians.

They were going back in to save this planet once again.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

@[member="Spencer Jacobs"]
@[member="Kaine Zambrano"]

Battle meditation touched Ashin's mind -- more an awareness of its effects on the evacuation than the power itself. She smiled faintly, slipping between troopers and Mon Cala, until she spied a shock of blonde hair and...

A gigantic mechanical shape rising from the ocean. A World Devastator, more or less, an ancient superweapon. Molecular furnaces, tractor beams, an entire world turning into weapons.

Because Omni was, apparently, right. Evolution equaled weaponization. Development was nothing more or less than the acquisition of the characteristics that would ensure survival.

"Honey...that is Kaine Zambrano and a whole lot of machinery. Do you want the traitor or the superweapon?"

 

[Allyson Locke]

Making it to Ashin, she was greeted with a question. Spencer looked over her shoulder towards the machines and to the one Ashin stated to be Kaine Zambrano. The Empath closed her eyes she was trying to focus her thoughts find the emotions she needed to use. Taking a deep breath, she turned her attention back towards Ashin. The woman spoke quite calmly and it felt as if she was offering her choices for breakfast.

Chuckling, Spencer shook her head and shrugged.

“Well, seeing as I’ve been looking for a bit of fun…I’ll head towards the super weapon. Take care of Kaine; I’ve never been a fan of muffins.”

Pausing for a moment, she looked towards Ashin and did her best to remain smiling. Grabbing the woman by her collar and pulled her close. A crooked smirk formed from the smile as she quickly kissed the Empress in the midst of the chaos.

“I’ll see you soon, I do love you…may the force be with Mita’wa”

 

[Kiara Alanna Decoix]

Coruscant:

It was an honor really, The Empress had left her in charge of the Sith forces on Coruscant aside from their now allies the Jedi Grandmaster Wraith. She stood in the lower city within her hidden base, while many fled and fell prey to Omni on the outside, she and her own followers remained unscatched in her base. She knew she was right in making it only accessible through the force, so when Omni took over it would allow them a chance to strike closely. Her communications array was powered to it's highest capability as she connected with the Jedi's communication and opening up channels between the Sith forces attempting to make it planet side and those with her through the base.

She currently in her private quarters finished putting on her Mark 2 Rancor Armor. The armor hummed to life and it slid it'self over her body, and as her HUD display came into view she could see the huge power fluctuations going on outside. Her armor fed the Grandmaster's speech to her, she found herself smirking was she expected to give a speech as well? If anyone expected one from her they would be highly disappointed. She found herself wanting to say something however, opening channel with the Sith that would be fighting alongside her and the combined forces today she began to speak. "Come my brother and sisters, this is the chance we've all been waiting for. Today will challenge each and everyone of us but you hear the Jedi are ready to fight and possibly die today, are we not Sith the very embodiment of death? Let's not give the Jedi all the glory today, let's show them why we still stand today and push Omni off this world."

Satisfied by the little she did say, she began to walk toward the massive turbolifts. Half of her forces would use them to quickly travel to the upper city to help the Jedi and Sith above. While those of her followers who had already completed their training as Sith Juggarnauts would accompany her in the lower city. Seeing the first half off, she turned crisply walking toward the main door her eyes glowed red as she sent the darkness into the door. The door shuddered as did the ground, as it began to slowly move open and as it did Kiara spotted a World Devastator climbing up from the lower levels before her hidden base. She nodded at two of her Juggarnauts who began to store massive energies and as they ran Kiara used her power of inertia to propel them faster than their bulk would ever allow. As they leaped into the air, their destructive force and strength smashed into the Devstator. Of course, that wouldn't stop the Devastator but would open a hole to allow them entrance.

With a snap-hiss she ignited both of her sabers before leaping inside of the Devastator, she allowed her other Juggarnauts to remain in the lower cities fighting. As she walked through she deflected blaster bolts rather easily not attacking as she wanted to preserve as much energy as she could. Today was going to be a long one, of that she held no doubt at all.

 

[Cira]

@[member="Ayden Cater"]

Her lips drew into a thin line. His reaction alone had been enough to cause a height of concern, bracing her for what soon came after through the holoarray.

Without further ado, she spoke, "We have resources close to the Corellian Sector." her mind began to quickly run through possibilities, "The ones on Rydonni Prime." The recent alliance between the Rydonni Queen and the Omega Protectorate came with the easily accessibility of their resources being so near.

 

[Ayden Cater]

@[member="Cira"], @[member="Sarge Potteiger"]


Ayden shook his head. "We don't have the resources we need to take down those terrors. We have conventional forces, prepared for a conventional battle against droids. At best, they'll stall those things. What we need right now is a way to destroy those machines before they consume the planet." It was around that time that an alert came in, signalling an emergency transmission. Rather than disconnect her, Ayden simply patched Cira into the transmission to listen in.

He listened to Sarge's brief report and nodded. "We have some forces on Rydonni Prime that we'll route to Corellia to reinforce your group. We're aware of the situation and working on a solution. For now, all I can say is do what you do best and keep fighting until we get there with our solution." It wasn't much, and certainly wasn't going to fix the situation quickly. They'd have to wrack their collective minds for a solution to this problem. They had mere weeks before Corellia would be completely consumed. They couldn't wait that long.

 

[Cira]

@[member="Ayden Cater"]

"I can collect what we have here on Fondor and meet you on Corellia," she also offered, "But I cannot leave Fondor completely helpless." It was a give an take.

"What plans do you have in mind?"

 

[Sarge Potteiger]

@[member="Cira"] @[member="Ayden Cater"]

Sarge sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He'd been afraid to hear that. "Right, we'll stall them as long as we can. Maybe get some of the smaller ones down in the meantime. The larger ones are outside our means." The young veteran simply shook his head a bit before turning to the communications officer. "Start evacuating the families on base; get them into orbit."

The cities of Corellia would be doing the same thing right now. Thankfully they didn't have to move everyone in a day or two; it never would have worked. He could only imagine how clogged the spaceports were right now as people attempted to flee.

"Bring heavy orbital support, milady. We'll need something with big guns for orbital bombardment. It's about all we've got right now besides suffering mass casualties in an attempt to wound them. A troop transport or two for the civilians here would be appreciated too."

Right now, Sarge noted with a hint of amusement, he was acting more a Colonel than a Sergeant. Oh well. Things happened.

 

[Thraishe Krine]

Thraishe pulled his ship down through the atmosphere, as he readied himself for combat. He landed and hopped out, noticing the destruction around him. What could he do to help? He had to find someone in charge. Buildings crumbled while the battle raged on.

"What the hell's going on...," Thraishe muttered to himself.

He drew his pike and walked swiftly to where the fighting was.

 

[Reyven Samoth]

Coruscant

He was glad for his ship's pilot. The ship spun gracefully through the atmosphere, avoiding fire and focusing power to shields and thrusters as it made its way down to the 'surface' of the city planet, near enough the Devastators that he was able to get to it but far enough that it wasn't able to hit his ship. The loading ramp lowered and the ship slowed long enough for him to make a running leap to the street below.

Crimson fabrics furled around him as he flew through the air a brief moment, long enough for him to take in the droids surrounding him. He waved the ship off, knowing full well it wouldn't be able to do much if it was shot down. If he didn't survive this battle, he wouldn't need it. If he did, he could signal it once the air cleared. The nearest droid was decapitated with a spear of Force energies, giving him time to draw a black and gold saber hilt, which ignited into black and silver blades respectively.

He began slashing his way along the surface towards the 'ground' near the Devastator. He would see to it that it got brought down. This machine that was terrorizing the galaxy was just one more hill the galaxy had to overtake.

 

[Thraishe Krine]

Thraishe noticed @[member="Reyven Samoth"] and ran to him.

"Sire!" Thraishe yelled over the chaos around him.

Thraishe bowed before him.

"Sire, what should I do to help? I require guidance." He spoke, eager to fight.

 

[Reyven Samoth]

He paused, confused for a moment as to who this strange fellow calling him 'sire' was, but he would not deny the man guidance. "We're going to gut the beast." The silver blade in his left hand swung up and pointed towards the Devastator, his right swinging through another group of droids. "Also, stop bowing, we're in the middle of a battlefield! You need to keep fighting or you're going to die!"

 

[Omni]

As the citizens of the galaxy rushed to defend their worlds an unconquerable number of droids began to pour throughout the galaxy. Omni was pushing his full force into view. Millions upon Millions of Machines began to swarm the skies of every world, Seraphim, Spiders, and anything else that the AI had began to ravage the worlds of the galaxy. Along with the droids millions of converted citizens began to fight side by side with the Machines. Hundreds of thousands of once ordinary people, now evolved and ascended ran with the droids.

Their goal was simple, allow the world devastators to do their work. Allow them to consume the planets. New ones would be made, better ones would be made. Omni was not only evolving the people of the galaxy, but the galaxy itself.

The AI pushed on ahead, its droids and ascended beings fighting those who sought to stop it.


Coruscant-Space
As the Republic, Sith, and any other forces appeared above Coruscant Omni's own ships began to array themselves around the planet. Massive droid ships lined the skies around the ecumenopolis, accompanied by thousands of captured and converted capital ships, freighters, frigates, and corvettes. They loomed over the city world like masses of snakes ready to pounce. They spared no hesitation, as soon as the enemy fleet dropped out of hyperspace they opened fire in a massive wave of destruction.

Missiles, turbolasers, and suicide starfighters drove forth from the arrayed fleet, headed straight for anything and everything in its path. Omni was determined to Consume Byss, the AI would not be stopped by mere organics.

Coruscant-Ground
On the ground on Coruscant it was even worse, the ground was perforated with droids. Each and every inch of the City held thousands of droids, each one ready to kill maim and murder in but a second. Billions of Ascended stalked the halls of buildings, searching and looking for any that were not infected.

On Coruscant, Omni was everywhere. It saw Jedi and Sith upon the surface, and droids were sent in response. Blades came after them, seeking the most powerful targets and aiming to cut them down.

 

[Darren Onyx]

@[member="Kiyala Demont"]

As they ran through the streets the fighting intensified. Omni was giving the galaxy everything he had. Onyx was getting nervous. To lead a young girl off world would prove to be difficult. With the sky above Coruscant also in flame and ruin from the battle there, it made him nervous. He sighed as they ran from building to building. Getting closer to the tower. But the closer they got the harder the fight. The closer to their goal, the farther it felt.

 

[Auri Vesta]

Auri jumped out of hyperspace just outside of Coruscanti air-space. The view of the planet left her frozen in time. ".. bad of buisness .." was all she could slip out. Gigantic, alien-looking Dreadnaughts loomed over Coruscant skies, Tearing through Republic cruisers and Jedi Starfighters alike. Terror struck her as she turned her attention to Coruscants surface. Craters where skyscrapers stood marred the surface of the planet. Devastators were tearing the planet apart. Auri took a deep breath to calm herself, and opened the comm channel. " This is freighter pilot Auri Vesta, can anyone read, I gotta cargo bay filled with proton torpedos, I don't think my client would mind if somebody borrowed them. "

 

[Darron Wraith]

Transport approaching a World Destroyer.....

Upon receiving his message from Ashin Varanin, the GrandMaster merely shook his head. Roche eh, guess that will be a challenge. Though the betrayal was expected, it didn't make the shock of it any better. He quickly scanned over the datapad that had the roster for all of his forces, and he sighed. They could have used the bulk of the Sith force, but the Empress was off securing her world. "This will have to do," he muttered to himself. It spoke to her confidence that she was already scheming for the future, and to be honest Darron had already started plans for after this battle as well. It wasn't cockiness, it was sheer belief in those he called brothers-in-arms. How could they fail when the threat of defeat was extinction, if that wasn't motivation enough then nothing would work. If we can't find the will to win on this day, then there is no hope for this galaxy.

Through the cloud of doubt, and the multitude of thoughts. His face remained calm.

Turning to those on the transport with him, he merely sized them up before looking out. The ship was dropping, and vessels all around where being destroyed. The resistance was thick, and all those on board where feeling the concussive waves from each blast. "Well if anything this day won't lack for excitement." Another idle minutes passed as the vessel continued it's descent. Blue eyes fell on Rosa as he addressed her first.

"We do have a diversion, and this transport is dropping people off at multiple World Devastators. This one just is the closest to that energy signature, so only a few can get off on this one with me. We won't be working on each one together, we must spread out to thin their forces. Or at least give them multiple targets to eliminate. Fighters are battling above us, and are attempting to bomb, it's just nearly impossible right now."

Turning to Seroth, he addressed his personal guard. "Good man, just don't lose yourself in this fight. Desperation is a branch of fear, don't let it overtake you my friend."

There was just a look between Ben and Darron, no words were needed. Both were the pillars of the Order, and their duty was understood. Though both were very different, each was fully a Jedi. They complimented each other well, and it worked for their friendship. That they could work side by side, and be as one on most things helped. Being best friends only made the work that much easier, and today they would serve their Order well. Both were united by the cause, and they both would die to protect all life. "May the Force be with you my friend." The words came out instinctually, and the GrandMaster realized this may be the last time he could say anything to any of them.

Looking around, he spoke quietly one last time before the transport landed.

"If I don't see any of you again, it's been a pleasure." Turning to Rosa, he whispered. "I love you, be safe."

The door to the transport opened, and the GrandMaster jumped out. Two sky-blue blades activated as their hilts were summoned to his hands with the Force. As the blasts flew to him, he looked to the vessel while deflecting them. "Whoever is coming with me, do so now. If not, you will be sent to the next enemy target."

@[member="Seroth Ur-Rahn"] @[member="Ben Watts"] @[member="Sky Kerberos"] @[member="Rosa Mazhar"] @[member="Jaxton Ravos"]

 

[Au'Rus Rhaeyns]

[CORUSCANT]

Fire. Coruscant was ablaze with war and fire. Au’Rus holding onto a railing looked out onto the images of the force that where feeding into her farseeing eye technique. Various lights fighting for their lives and then vanishing, while other prevailed, the images that the miraluka was feed by the force sickened her. But, within that moment of deep sorrow, a powerful passion boiled to the surface. Au’Rus clenched her teeth and wrapped her fingers tight around the elongated hilt of her double-sided lightsaber. I shall cleanse this place and heal its broken wounds. Let Ashla protect me and watch over my Jedi brothers and sisters. Just watch me Bogan. My justice shall save, I won’t repeat the tragedy of the enclave! She guided herself along the railing towards the group of Jedi near the deployment doors that had opened up and through the force images she spotted the Grand Master himself. Through her eyes he appeared as a controlled conflagration a powerful flame of Ashla. Au’Rus was awe struck but now wasn’t the time to watch, it was the time to show her brothers and sisters what she could do. How she could help. How she could save!

The Grand Master said his orders and leapt from the transport down into the chaos. Au’Rus froze for a moment. She watch the Master Wrath plummet into the fray. Au’Rus summoned all her strength and whispered a few more words to Ashla. And then released her hand from the railing, sending the force into her feet she launched herself off the transporter and flung herself into the doom below. Flipping downwards she transported the force into her hands and with a powerful whip of her hands she unleashed a force blast that erupted into the earth below blasting the droids that were moving below her. Of course for the small amount she tossed aside thousands took their place. Planting her feet upon the surface of Coruscant she could sense the metallic beasts crawl near. Raising her hand that held her lightsaber parallel to the earth the two bright purple beams of her double-sided weapon erupted into a passionate glow. Turning to face the Grand Master she called to him, “MASTER! You shall need a distraction in order to clear a path to those giant machines of doom! I SHALL SUPPLY IT FOR YOU!”

The padawan surrounded by droids and other monster of metal took in a deep breath.

“Have at you monsters!”​

Au’Rus force leapt into the chaos spinning her double-sided saber deflecting and redirecting beams into the mass of metal. The droids took the bait and a small contingen converged on her position. She was now in the fight of her life.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

MON CALAMARI
@[member="Ashin Varanin"] @[member="Spencer Jacobs"]

Kaine strode calmly towards the Empress, his half a dozen Seraphs falling into line behind him as he stopped only ten meters from the Empress. His right arm hung at his side, the hilt of a temporary lightsaber clutched in his hand. He gave a mock salute to the Empress with his left hand, "Empress... I knew you would be here. The great OMNI told me so, and you have fallen right into our clutches. You should have surrendered to assimilation back on that ship, my dear. It would've saved you much heartache, for we, the ascended, no longer have need for such emotions." He moved up another five meters, the Seraph guard staying back at the ten meter mark, weapons idle in case they were called upon again. Kaine stared at Ashin, his eyes no longer the vibrant emerald, but now a pale gray, his entire complexion looking rather terrible, as if he's suffering from some disease, but whether he noticed his own look, he showed no signs of it.

He looked at Spencer with a sneer of disgust, "Is this your new pet, Empress? It looks so frail... I hope I don't break it." Kaine activated his lightsaber, a yellow blade hissing to life and bathing himself in a sickly yellow light, making his features even more terrible. "I have been commanded to convert you, or destroy you Empress. You leave me no choice, and you must be put down." Suddenly the Seraphs leaped into the air, and landed in various spots around Kaine and Ashin, their weapons trained on the Empress as Kaine concentrated with the Dark Side, and attempted to use Force Horror upon the Empress, while three of the six seraphs unleashed their beam weapons in conjunction with eachother to attack Ashin.