Battle of Corvala

[Cain]

It had only taken three days for Corvala, Shili's capital to fall. Once the Empire had begun its unofficial war by snatching up systems in the outer rim, it was finally time for the Emperor to deal with the border systems who were at risk of falling to the Federation. Shili was one of the first on the list. Two squadrons of the Imperial Army were sent with the Interdictor, Itami, to secure the Shilian capital and establish the new Imperial government. Aside from minimal resistance from the official Shilian army, the mission went off without a hitch. The real problem now was the many unaccounted for tribes of Togruta that inhabited the surrounding savannas and valleys whom had begun a "hit and run" gorilla war with the occupying Imperial forces.

Aiden was part of the first wave to attack the city. By the time they'd arrived the streets were mostly deserted, someone must've warned the squid-heads before hand. The army grunts were push overs, most didn't even carry blasters, preferring to try and attack the Imperials with nothing but their hands. Typical alien pride centered bullshit. Who would ever think there was any honor in taking a blaster bolt to the face deserved every bit of what they got in Aiden's book. Though the gorillas from outside were different, they fought dirty. Sneaking into the Imperial camps at night and kidnapping sleeping soldiers, only for them to found the next day with their throats slit, hung up by their entrails.

"Goddamn savages..." Aiden mumbled as he zipped up another body bag. It was dusk and his shift to watch the city limits had just begun. Little could he know that the largest assault of this campaign was about to occur on his watch. It began just after sunset with a rustling in the grass. Smitty went ahead to check it out and Aiden hanged back, his blaster rifle at the ready. After Smitty disappeared into the night, Aiden listened carefully for sound of danger. There came a rustling again and Aiden took a cautious step forward, "Hey, Smit... that you!?" He called out into the night. The rustling grew louder until at last Aiden could make something out. It was Smitty's head rolling back to Aiden's feet...

Earlier that day, as the sun was getting ready to set, Kyo stood alone in his tent pouring over schematics of Corvala's streets. Then a tall and muscular Togruta entered. It was the Togruta shaman, Ulwynn Zha. Zha was a strong and highly respected warrior among his people. He wore a distinctive necklace adorned with the fangs of an Akul beast that Zha had hunted and killed himself. A feat which gained those among the Togruta much prestige.

"It is time," Zha said simply. Kyo glanced up with smile and nodded. Though he was still very young the Togruta expected Kyo to lead them into battle against the Empire. They knew all to well the talents of the Jedi and their dark counterparts, the Sith. If there were any Sith with the Empire's forces, the Togruta wouldn't stand a chance without Kyo. He would have preferred not to make the attack on his own, but the Jedi's ranks were stretched thin already as it was... and besides, they had to strike now before the Empire had time to send more reinforcements and taking back the capital became impossible.

"I'll be there in just a minute," Kyo responded, picking up his Jedi robes and slinging them back over his shoulders, "Are the men ready?"

"We was born ready, Master Jedi," Zha responded in his thick Shilian accent, "We is ready to die together."

Kyo gave a nervous laugh and smile in response, "Mm, well let's hope it doesn't come to that," he said, rubbing the back of his head. Zha gave a decisive nod and thumped his chest with his fist before turning and exiting. Kyo inhaled deeply, holding the breath for a long moment as he cleared his thoughts before a long, slow exhale. As Kyo stepped out of the tent he found Zha already addressing the nearly 200 assembled Togruta warriors. An intimidating sight, but still far fewer then Kyo estimated he would need.

"The Empire has killed our people and polluted our lands! Tonight, we make our stand!" Zha announced loudly, followed by a united roar from the assembled crowd. As Kyo stepped forward Zha moved aside. A hush came over the crowd as Kyo came before them and he felt a ripple of nerves run from the top of his head down to the tips of his toes. Swallowing hard, Kyo finally spoke.

"Ok... so here's what I think we should do," Kyo began. Public speaking was never his strong point and his attempts to seem strong only seemed to come off as meek to him... but if it did the Togruta's didn't let him know it. Each of them stood perfectly silent and still, at attention, "Our scouts have been watching the Imperials for over a week now. The entire perimeter of Corvala is under Imperial guard all day and night. The only exception to this is a small window just after dusk in which the two squadrons switch shifts. Umm..." Kyo paused attempting to remember what it was he was supposed to say next for a moment, "Uhh, we'll aim for that. Ulwynn Zha has volunteered to lead the first wave. The second wave will come with me, entering the city from the opposite side through the sewer system, which as far as we can tell has been left unguarded. With Zha distracting the Imperial troops, my squad will storm the Corvala capital building and knock out communications with the Interdictor in space. Without orders from their commanders in space the troops should become disorganized and easy targets. Understood?"

The warriors let out a quick, loud "OOO!" in response that startled Kyo a bit. He took a step back and gave Zha a nod, "Alright! Let's move out!" The shaman shouted.

Zha's team waited in the tall grass until the sun settled behind the horizon and the Imperials began changing up their guards. Silently then Zha gave the order to move forward, taking up his twin bladed war sword and pressing toward the city first. As they crept through the turu-grass Zha suddenly lifted his arm, signaling the others behind him to stop. Someone was coming. Zha crouched down low, sizing up the enemy and waiting for him to wander close before suddenly... striking! An almost effortless spin of his blade and the Imperial's head was removed before he knew anyone else was there. It had begun.

[Moonfire]

Lila Quix watched Kyo's speech with a frown spread across her lips. This place wasn't her idea of a tropical vacation, but hey, at least she had some action. The weeks of service she had with the Federation so far weren't the best, by hey, they could be a lot worse. What the young Zeltron really hoped was that they'd prepare her for the battle that was just itching on the horizon. A few weeks of basic and a set of blasters, thats how the Federation had prepared her. Hmph. Great job, right?

With a sigh she watched as the troops began to move out, if you could even really call them troops. A handful of Federation lackeys and a Jedi who didn't seem old enough to even drink on some worlds and a pack of natives hell bent on revenge. All against an impossibly large army. Things weren't looking too great.

Sighing, she withdrew both blasters from their holsters, quietly moving towards the battle leader, Xa or Zee or something. If there was one feeling Lila just couldn't shake today, it was that this battle wasn't going to end well. As the first blood was drawn, she launched herself forward, blaster firing quickly into the group of bewildered Imperials, a smile now lingering over the red lips.

Amongst those ambushed Imperials was one Richter Kruegar, who followed his first instinct as Smitty's head came rolling out, the shouts of beginning warfare echoing. With quick speed, the young man darted away , jumping for the nearest cover. Sadly in the tall grasses their wasn't much in the way of cover save for occasional jutting rock. Thankfully, Richter had managed to find one of those few.

With shaking hands the Coruscant born boy withdrew his blaster, clutching it tightly in sweat soaked hands.

"Gotta calm down, calm down... You've got this Rich." He muttered, before turning his head slightly to look over his rock. The squid-heads where rushing in, aided by what looked like a few standard troopers, certainly not of Imperial nature either. Running a hand over the short stubble of hair he had left the man weighed his options. Continue to wallow in cowardice? Or possibly die with a little dignity? With a grunt he shot back up, still shaking some with the effort. As he did this one of the squid head turned, seeing the obviously nervous and incompetent solider. Rushing towards him, war blade in hand the Togruta slashed downwards. Falling back, Richter barely missed the blade, and with closed eyes his blaster went off, hitting the warrior right in the chest.

Panting heavily, the young Imperial scrambled backwards, the Togruta having fallen forward, dead by a stroke of luck. Breath on even, still panicking Richter began to crawl away from the body, fearful of being spotted again.

Lila on the other hand revealed in the battle. Action, fire and blood shed! Blasters ablaze she shoved her way through the crowd high pitched laughter filling the air, taking down any Imperial foolhardy enough to approach.

[Cain]

In a matter of seconds the scene outside of Corvala went from a calm summer night to out right pandemonium. War cries and screams rang out from both sides as blade and blaster met flesh. Standing at 6'4", not including his impressive mane of horns, Zha was an imposing and terrifying sight as he charged forward, his lips curled back to display his large fangs. With a mighty swing of his war sword he cleaved an Imperial in two before spinning and delivering a powerful forearm to the head of another. The Imperials were caught completely off guard and many of the soldiers had begun falling back into the city in order to reform the front line. Aiden was among them, unloading his blaster rifle at anything orange that entered his vision as he scrambled back into the streets. He took cover in one of the abandoned residences only to find the comm officer huddled inside as well.

"Repeat, we are under attack! We need back up!" The frightened officer barked into the comm link, receiving a garbled static laced response that Aiden couldn't quite comprehend. Though he was able to make out the word "AT-AT". An Imperial walker would certainly give those squidies a thing or two to think about. Aiden changed out his blaster's power cartridge, inserting the new one with an open palmed smack before craning his head out the door and down the road. The sound of blaster fire was still clear but he could see no one. Cautiously Aiden moved out the door and down the road.

As Aiden rounded the next corner he came upon a squid-head standing over one of the Imperial soldiers, a dripping red blade raised up and ready to be plunged into the hapless victim below. Aiden immediately put two shots into the squidie's torso and one in the head. The blade clattered on the pavement and Aiden quickly moved to help his comrade to his feet, "You alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I owe you one, kid," the Imperial said, gasping for breath, "Some of us are heading back to secure the capital building, you should start heading that way, you know that's going to be the squidies' target." Aiden nodded in response and gave a quick salute before the two parted ways. Aiden made double time, jogging down the road back to the capital when suddenly the manhole cover in front of him flew up into the air. Startled, Aiden leaped down behind a parked speeder. The first to emerge from the sewer was a young man in simple robes, armed with no swords or blasters. There was no mistaking it... the squid-heads had a Jedi on their side.

Only a few minutes earlier, Kyo's team waited in the grass on the western side of the city. When they heard the blaster fire coming from the east, they knew it was time. The imperials standing guard over their side quickly scrambled away to help those fighting Zha and the others and Kyo turned to his team with a nod, "Right, that's our que. Everyone, with me!" Kyo called out, taking his lightsaber off his belt, but leaving it turned off for the time being. Kyo followed a small river that flowed out from the city back to its source, a grating which led into the Corvala sewers. Kyo ignited his saber then with a snap and a brilliant yellow light, using it to cut an entrance into the grate. The team trudged through the sewage, Kyo taking the path he'd memorized from the city schematic before settling underneath a manhole.

"This is it," Kyo announced. The Togruta next to him nodded wordlessly and climbed up the ladder to the top, struggling for a moment before turning back down, "I can't lift it, the hole has been sealed."

"Ok, get back down here," Kyo said, waiting for the warrior to get clear of the manhole before rolling back his sleeves and extending his palm upward. With a quick burst of telekinesis Kyo blasted the cover clear before preforming a Force jump up out onto the street. Kyo began to turn back to help the others up when a sudden sinking, sickening feeling hit his stomach as if he'd swallowed a rock. It was the feeling he always got when there was some sort of danger nearby. Kyo's lightsaber quickly snapped on as he spun, meeting Aiden's blaster bolt with a swift slice that sent it careening harmlessly aside. Kyo then extended his arm in Aiden's direction, blasting the Imperial back and into the wall behind him, separating him from his weapon and knocking him out cold.

"Quickly," Kyo called down at the others as he turned to help them up, "the Imperials are already here." As Kyo led the Togruta and Federation soldiers with him toward the capital, a groggy Aiden received a sharp kick in the ribs, "Wake up, kid!" Shaking out the cobwebs, Aiden quickly sat up to see the comm officer from before standing over him.

"You! Call up to Captain Pickett, we have to contact him immediately!" Aiden shouted. The comm officer gave him a puzzled look.

"Don't get excited kid, the Captain is well aware of the situation. Reinforcements are on their way."

"It won't be enough!" Aiden snapped back, "The squid-heads have a Jedi with them. They're headed for the capital!" The comm officer's eyes widened upon hearing the news. He quickly grabbed at his comm device and shouted into it.

"Captain Pickett! Do you read? Captain, it's urgent!"

"Yes, this is Pickett. Lower you voice, soldier!" The Captain's gruff voice answered over the comm link.

"We have a situation, Captain. It seems the enemy has a Jedi with them, they're headed for the capital now."

"Well deal with it, soldier!" Pickett snapped back, "What do you expect from me? We've already sent everything we got to back you up. Reinforcements would take at least a day to arrive from Coruscant, we don't have that kind of time."

"With respect sir, you could use... it." Aiden's eyebrow raised at the comm officer's suggestion. What the hell was 'it'?

"Absolutely out of the question!" the Captain shot back, "The Emperor said that was only to be used in case of an emergency. It'd be my ass if anything were to happen to it!"

"This is an emergency, Captain!" the comm officer called back. There was a long silence on the other end before the Captain finally responded.

"... fine. But be sure to get all your men away from that capital before we set it loose."

"Understood, Captain. Over and out."

[Moonfire]

Lila couldn't have been having more fun. Diving between the soldiers with feline grace, dual wielding her blaster, vibrosword unsheathed she sliced through them with ease. Many of them hardly had more than a moment to notice the intimidating woman, skin a rose pink with vividly curly blue hair clad in yellow and blue before being cut down. The exhilaration of battle, the fierce passion of the Torguta was infectious. Letting out a powerful war cry of her she dashed into another crowd of Imperials, vibrosword buzzing as it split apart flesh and bone, blaster blazing with the heat of rapid firing into the crowd as it scattered.

Breaking out into a run she felt the grass turn to city, the eerie emptiness not lost on the woman for a a moment as she and the battle group too headed towards the capital. Her breathing controlled she continued to take down any threat that approached to close, almost protective of her little unit, lead by the the powerful Zha. If this was war, she could get used to it quickly.

Richter felt quite the opposite. Still shaking, his blaster unsteady in hand he still managed to be a decent enough shot to keep from getting killed. Stumbling through the city, he kept his back to the wall, trying desperately to control his breathing, to calm. If he was heard that could be the end of it all. With a light quickness he meandered towards the center of the city, silently trying to find others of his unit. The imposing orange skinned warriors of the Torguta seemed to be lurking behind every corner, all heading towards the Capital.

Sheltered in an alleyway, his comm-link crackled to life with a short message ordering everyone away from the Capital building. Were the natives planning something? Who would blow their own building up? With great weariness Richter watched with curiousity, feeling he was a 'safe distance' from the building, he couldn't help but wonder what was about to happen.

Lila with quick feet headed towards were Kyo had discussed that he and his men would be. Might as well be where most of the action was going down, no? Electricity zapped through her bones, her whole body wired on the thrill of battle. Skidding to a stop next to him, she couldn't help bu notice the sincere lack of Imperials here. "Whats goin' on kid? Hope you've got something big up your sleeves."

[Cain]

Kyo and his team moved cautiously as they approached the capital building. Strangely they met very little resistance, there wasn't even anyone standing guard in front, "Strange, no?" one of the Togruta commented, "Not a single Imperial for blocks around the capital. It could be a trap."

Kyo stroked his chin, contemplating his options. It didn't make sense that the Empire would simply concede the capital. They had to know that it would be the Togruta's target, "I wouldn't put it passed them," Kyo answered, "You all hold back here, I'll go in and check it out." As Kyo stood up a blue haired, pink skinned woman came rushing down the street toward him before skidding to a halt at his side.

"Whats goin' on kid? Hope you've got something big up your sleeves." She said, brandishing a blaster and vibroblade. Kyo nodded.

"You're just in time. The Imperials seem to have left the capital unattended. I'm gonna go in to check it out. You should stay back with the oth..." Before Kyo could finish his sentence the sound of an engine filled the air. Looking up Kyo could clearly see an Imperial drop ship closing in on their location, "Speak of the devils..." Kyo said. As the ship came in close it seemed to be moving too fast to make a landing in front of the capital. The drop ship kept going, and as it moved over the capital some sort of capsule was shoved over the side and sent plummeting towards the building. The capsule crashed through the roof and landed in side with a thud that could be felt by Kyo and his team across the street.

"What the bloody hell was that?" One of the Federation troops asked. Kyo didn't answer, he simply ignited his lightsaber.

"I'll check it out." Kyo moved forward carefully and several of the Togruta followed behind him. They didn't believe in doing things solo, to the Togruta there was power in numbers. Kyo didn't protest, he kept his focus on the capsule that crashed into the capital. There was something foul about it. A presence not like anything Kyo had encountered before. As Kyo came to the capital's doors a loud sound on the other side froze him in place. It was the sound of chains... thrashing about followed by a low long painful moan. Kyo swallowed hard, glancing back at the others behind him to confirm whether they had heard the same thing he had.

"Well... that was ominous," one of the soldiers commented. They heard it.

Meanwhile, Aiden hurried away from the capital as fast as he could, keeping on the heels of the comm officer, "Hey! I'm talkin to you! What the hell is 'it'?" Aiden called after him. The officer would have none of it until he was at a safe distance. Finding an open door he quickly darted inside and ducked down behind the wall. Aiden followed him inside and ducked down right beside him, "Start talking. What is 'it'?"

"I don't know for sure," the officer answered, "Something the Emperor made called "Xela". All I've been told is that it will kill anything, friend or foe, once its loose."

"And how exactly is that supposed to help us?" Aiden asked, still catching his breath.

"Because it might just be the only thing we have that can kill a Jedi." Aiden scowled at the answer. He was just careless before. Give him a clear shot and he was sure he could take out that Jedi himself. Without saying another word Aiden stood back up and rushed back out into the streets. From around the corner an Imperial suddenly flew across Aiden's view, slamming into a wall and crumpling to the ground. Aiden crouched down behind a garbage can as a tall, muscular Togruta stalked toward the soldier. Aiden's eye's widened seeing the fang adorned necklace around the squid-head's neck, "Primary target... acquired."

Back at the capital, Kyo cautiously approached the door when suddenly he sensed the Force collecting on the other side, "Everyone, get out of way!" he shouted just as the doors exploded open from the other side, sending Kyo tumbling down the steps. Standing in the entrance was a petite and frail looking girl with jet black hair, pale skin and sunken eyes which for some reason were sewn shut. Her body is covered in bruises and scars as well as tiny metallic needles on her face and arms like something out of Hellraiser. She was malnourished and starved, her ribcage visible through the flesh. The ends of each of her fingers had been removed and replaced with long razorblades and around her wrists were restraints from which a pair of chains hung down to the sides as if she'd been locked up somewhere. She let out a horrible shriek before darting forward at blinding speed and burying her claws into the abdomen of a Togruta. She gripped his stomach muscles before ripping her arm upwards and disemboweling him with one quick motion.

[fell]

Earlier that day, Shadowed Fate landed at a small spaceport on the outskirts of Corvala City. As the ship touched down on solid ground, Amon Fel watched with mild curiosity as a group of Imperial soldiers set to work piling Togruta bodies in a pile to be burned. While he had seen and orchestrated his fair share of violence on Nar Shadaa, he had never seen a true war. This would be an interesting day.

Eska Vaj seemed to sense his thoughts. “You will have plenty of time to fight, my apprentice,” said the Twi’lek. She gestured outside. “The Empire has claimed Shili as it’s own, but the Togruta appear to have a different opinion on the matter. The soldiers here will gladly welcome your assistance in resolving the conflict.

“My assistance?” asked Fel. “Where will you be?”

Vaj’s lips twitched upward. “I have heard rumors of a certain item of interest in Corvala for some time. It would have been too difficult to obtain before, but now the natives will have more pressing concerns on their minds than any mere trinket.”

“I don’t suppose you’ll tell me what it is, will you?”

The Sith Master laughed. “Surely you know me better than that by now, my dear student? Besides, you will have your work cut out for you. The fighting here will be bloody and vicious. You will need to know how to fight and command men in such a situation if you are to complete your apprenticeship.” She pulled the cowl of her hood over her head. “Be careful not to divulge too much to the soldiers here, though. They will be glad enough to see us that names should not be an issue, but I do not want to draw unnecessary attention to our presence here.”

Fel nodded in understanding. Vaj did not want the Emperor to know about whatever she was here to take. An interesting day, indeed.

[Moonfire]

"Holy shit.." Lila shouted before jumping back away from the door as it exploded apart, revealing the pathetic excuse for a girl. As a horrific scream filled the air, and Xela launched herself at one of the warrior, slashing with inhuman fingers. The Zeltron only then registered enough to do the smartest thing she could think of. Grabbing Kyo's hand, she pulled him forward, racing away from the scene as the Torguta was disemboweled with a few swipes.

"I dunno what the hell is in there, but its weird and its pissed off!" The woman yelled to Kyo as she tore off away from the screams of the Torguta echoed behind them. "We better get the fuck outta here kid, because seriously, we don't gotta a chance against anything like that." Pulling him out into the streets, she scanned them with quick eyes, the Imperials were nowhere to be found. They knew what they were unleashing.

"Hope you've got a plan..."

[Cain]

A few of the Federation soldiers raised their blasters and began firing on the abomination that emerged from the capital. The petite woman moved with surprising quickness and agility, seeming to anticipate the blasts as she ducked and weaved around them. Finally one of the bolts landed on her back shoulder causing Xela to let out another shriek. The soldiers and Togruta closest to her then suddenly lowered their weapons and hunched over. Their insides were beginning to burn as if they were violently ill. Kyo recognized the presence of the Force right away, it was a dark side technique that Ryuu had used on him before. Plague.

As Lila tried to pull him away, Kyo wrenched his arm free, "Leave me. You get the others as far away as possible," Kyo said turning off his lightsaber and setting it back on his belt, "Don't worry about me... I'm a Jedi, things like this are my specialty." Kyo gave Lila a reassuring smile, doing his best to exude a sense of calm through the Force. Kyo then began to focus, there wasn't much time. With his team down, Xela began carving through them... and the bitch was seriously fast. Kyo reached out to his team, feeling the damage being done to their bodies with the Force and began the process of reversing it. Using the light side to revitalize and speed up the production of their cells. The burning suddenly soothed and the the remaining troops quickly stood up and fled from the capital.

Xela turned her attention then to the young Jedi Knight standing before her. Kyo summoned his lightsaber back from his belt, igniting the yellow blade with a snap and hiss, "Good evening. My name is Kyo, it is a pleasure to meet you, ma'am." Kyo said, attempting to maintain his calm. This girl... there was so much pain, Kyo couldn't sense anything else inside her. There were no thoughts, no other emotions, only pain. Kyo wasn't sure what he'd be able to do, but he had to try and help. Focusing hard, Kyo surrounded Xela with a soothing aura of the Force. Her body had been wracked with injury for years it seemed without proper treatment. Kyo went about counter acting the negative effects of the dark side only to find that something very powerful was blocking his attempts.

Xela hesitated a moment, Kyo's light side powers granting her the first relief she'd had in nearly eight years, all be it very brief. When the pain kicked back in she let out another howl before springing forward. Kyo quickly cut off his attempts to heal her and raised a crude barrier between himself and Xela. When she crashed into it Kyo went about boxing her in with the Force to create a state of stasis. As he held her Kyo could feel the Force building inside Xela. Now was his chance to flee. Kyo turned and ran, holding the stasis over Xela for as long as he could.

---

Meanwhile, with the Togruta and Federation in full retreat, Zha was left to fight off the Imperials on his own. After Aiden had informed the other Imperials that he had located their primary target, reinforcements came running. Despite having him outnumbered 20 to 1, Zha was an imposing and formidable Togruta specimen. Standing at 6'7", Zha was much larger then most of his species. The Togruta warrior swung his massive war sword wildly at the Imperial soldiers who crowded around him and picked at him like ants around a giant spider. One of the Imperials used a flamethrower to hold Zha back as the others open fire, being sure to keep their basters set to stun. Their orders were to bring the prisoner back alive. Finally Aiden struck Zha with a stun bolt that dropped the Togruta to the street.

"Quickly, get him back to the Itami," The comm officer ordered. Aiden and a fellow Imperial obeyed, it took both of them to lift Zha and carry him off to one of the near by shuttles.

[fell]

With his master off on her own errands, Fel was left to wander the city. While the thought of battle had excited him at first, now it just irritated him. Vaj had essentially told him to sit down and be a good little boy while she went off to do the important work. While it wasn't the first time his master had pulled such a stunt on him, Fel couldn't help but feel cheated. Vaj knew quite well that he could handle anything they might face, so she couldn't be worried about him holding her back. No, she wanted to make sure only she benefited from her little mission. It wasn't a surprising move given that she was a Sith, but even so, Fel couldn't help but scowl. The first Togruta who got in his way would be in for a nasty surprise.

Fel had considered talking to one of the soldiers near their landing site about where the fighting was but thought better of it. They wouldn't have been handling bodies if they thought the enemy was still around, and it wouldn't be wise to draw attention by asking them where the battle was. Instead he headed toward the city of Corvala itself to see if he could learn what was going on. Vaj had granted him one of the speeders from the Shadowed Fate, so he set the bike in gear and took off.
* * * * *
As Fel drew closer to Corvala's downtown area, the presence of Imperial soldiers increased. Thankfully he was wearing his black apprentice robes today instead of his favored jacket and so elicited no extra curiosity, but even so he didn't pause to stop. Judging by the movement of the soldiers and the frantic shouts he heard there was fighting in the west. He accelerated at full speed toward what he guessed to be the center of the battle.

Sith troopers hastily moved through the streets as their officers barked frantic orders. However, there was something wrong: they were running away from the battle. Fel frowned. The Federation shouldn't have had such a strong presence on the planet that they could cause such a retreat. Something else was at work here.

Slowing only slightly, he reached through the Force to see if he might determine what was going on. He felt the minds of soldiers in pain, panicked civilians... and what could very well be a Jedi. That was not all, though. There was an entity here that radiated dark side power beyond anything he had ever felt, and it was... wrong. Instead of being the true source of the darkness itself, it wore the dark side like a cloak, or perhaps a set of chains.

Then a thought occurred to him: he could very well be sensing the dark side object his master was here to collect. If he could reach it first, he could claim the item for himself. Obviously he couldn't take it back with him right away, but if he hid it somewhere for now and came back later without Vaj...

Fel smiled. He had a prize to claim.

[Moonfire]

Lila turned about and Kyo seemed intent on facing the monstrous girl, if it could even be called such anymore. "If you're sure kid... I'mma gonna get the ship ready." She said not stopping for a moment, feet thudding powerfully against the ground the Zeltron bolted back down into the grasslands.

More Imperials seemed to pop out of the woodwork then. Vibroblade in hand she swept through them in a a few quick cuts. Oh did she love Vibroblades, Lila thought as a grin spread across her face. As their ship grew in the distance, she usered in what was left of of the Federation troopers and now all that was left was to wait.

[Cain]

After a few tense hours of fighting the Battle of Corvala was finally winding to a close. Though the Togruta fought valiantly, the Empire ultimately still held the capital. On board the Itami, the Togruta Ulwynn Zha along with Xela were placed in Force cages on the ship's detention level. General Pickett made sure his gifts to the Emperor were safely stowed away before entering the coordinates to his ship's next destination. Coruscant.

Meanwhile, down below Aiden had very little time to catch his breath. With the attack the security around the city would tighten even more, both squads keeping watch until reinforcements arrived. It looked like he wasn't going to be getting much sleep tonight. There was always the possibility that the squiddies could hit them again, but Aiden doubted it. His mind was more focused on how long he would be stationed on this rock. Having achieved their primary mission objective there didn't seem much cause for them to remain here... but orders are orders.

Kyo, after fleeing away from Xela, made his way back to the rendezvous point they had agreed upon. A dishearteningly low number of Togruta made it back. Though despite the defeat the Togruta's spirit was not shaken. Kyo observed as they took comfort in each other, their resolve to succeed next time only strengthened by the set back here. Seeing it, Kyo felt somewhat embarrassed for every despairing. Even so, he was still worried about Zha. The Togruta warrior was among those who did not return, and Kyo could no longer feel him anywhere within the city.

Before leaving Kyo made sure the Togruta got back to their village. Staying with them through the night in case the Empire had decided to follow them back to their homes. Though it pained him to leave, Kyo had been away from the Temple for far too long. After saying his goodbyes he returned to his X-wing fighter. He would have to fly low and make the jump to hyperspace on the planet's dark side in order to avoid detection by the Imperial fleet up above. The coordinates were so familiar to him, and yet it seemed like a century since he'd last entered them. To Ilum... to home.

[MikDaTv]

The Johnny 5 exited hyperspace over the planet Shili. The very civilian looking craft joined the planets usual traffic patterns and requested a place for landing. They requested for landing in another city other than Corvala to not raise suspicions but close enough that Sapphire could get to Corvala in a few hours with other transportation.

Mixed with the planets natural traffic, it took them nearly 3 hours before they got to a public landing pad. Runt had changed out of his armor and into some civilian clothing. He went down and lowered the boarding ramp while Tank went to the cargo bay to get Sapphire's equipment.

[Deleted]

Sapphire had changed into civilian clothes as well, tucking the high neck of her armor under the collar of a blouse, and taking the gloves off before tucking them into the sleeves. She converted her gunbelt into a shoulder holster to wear under a jacket with one gun under each arm. She stode down the loading ramp as though she owned the ship...at least, as though she had rented it. She directed Runt to where she wanted her cargo.

"Just over there."

She moved to the port official and presented the false credentials that they had drawn up. He wasn't looking at them, but at her. She flashed a winning smile at him. This would go easily. She gave a wave to Runt as he dropped off the goods, and another wave up to the cockpit.

[MikDaTv]

Runt winked at her as he walked back up the boarding ramp and Hefty gave her a thumbs up from the cockpit window. Things were looking good. Her insertion onto the planet had been a success.

Hefty waited for her to clear the bad before he fed power to the repulsorlift and took off again, headed for orbit. in another few minutes they were back in hyperspace.

<Exit Gray Team>

[Deleted]

Sapphire purchased a rental mover at a significant discount from the nice young man that handled her affairs at the port, and after a little bit of fruitless flirting, left him with false contact information and went on her way. It was only a short drive of a few hours to the city of Corvala. She started seeing troop encampments before she had even passed the final toll-booth.

As she drove down onto the streets of the city she took in everything. Sapphire put her senses on high alert, as she had been trained to do. It looked like the spirit of the city had been crushed, and the Imperials had taken a tenuous hold on the entire planet. Taking out the ground forces in Corvala would be no small task. Sapphire set up at a hotel, checking in to the private suite that took up the entirety of the highest floor.

With a little bit of nifty work with her personal datapad, the Lady was able to hack into the hotel's system and "pay" the lodging costs for several weeks in advance. Then, slipping into a little black spaghetti strap dress and matching heels, and strapping her blaster between her thighs she left the room, carrying nothing but her personal effects and an IR strobe.

Her destination was the nearest suitable watering hole. During times like this the occupying soldiers could often be found easing their troubles by drinking. Sapphire found a raucous pub called Kat's Cradle and dove in.