Jedi Enclave

Kortos groggily opened one of his eyes just in time to watch the antiquated ARC-170 Starfighter appear from almost out of nowhere, as it managed to harass the group of TIE Bombers which would have been his demise. It was like watching something out of a holo-pic, where a lone fighter pilot managed to save the lives of a group of heroes on the ground. Kortos had managed to come to as the starfighter broke off towards the city, giving only a simple thumbs up as her message played over the comms. He knew this fight wasn't over though, as the last of the bombers assaulted the Enclave and its defences. It was then he turned his gaze to the building, which had been hit quite heavily. Sections of the facade had been blown apart, whilst others were sliding off into piles of rubble "Sahiir!" He started back towards the Enclave at a run, dodging the lines of defences as he activated his comm piece to the Enclave defence forces Pull back to the Enclave! I repeat, pull back to the Enclave! Carry any wounded you can! There was a series of yes sir's, and affirmatives from various commanders as they rallied their troops and complied with Knight Vel's orders. With Sahiir likely out of duty, he was currently the unofficial ranking officer, so he had to do right by these men and women. It was then, that one of the Alliance biker's came up alongside him and gave him a lift back to the Enclave. It was there, that crews were already working to make their way through the rubble and pull out any survivors. The speeder bike had barely stopped, when Kortos launched himself forth to aide in getting down to the lower levels. Meanwhile, those few Alliance forces that were still able, began to re-man the trench's and other defence emplacements close to the Enclave. They all knew they wouldn't earn themselves a victory, but they weren't just about to lay down their arms and surrender. If the Imperials wanted a fight, they could be damned well sure they would get one.

Thankfully, the combined efforts of the Alliance crews and Kortos didn't take long to breach down to the lower level, with even less time being taken to breach the command center. Parts of the roof had caved in, whilst other equipment had been prey to power overloads. Bodies lay half crushed by debris, whilst officers tried to tend to their wounded fellows. It was in the middle of all this, that Kortos found Sahiir laying unconcious next to the central display. He vaulted past everyone and knelt beside her, taking one of her hands in his own, before a smile crept across his face as he sensed life still in her "Sahiir! Sahiir! Wake up!" Slowly she opened her eyes, blinking a few times to try and gain focus. She stared at the roof for a moment, before her head tilted to the side, and she saw Kortos kneeling over her. She almost wanted to accept that he was alive, to believe that he was really there with her. He's dead, you killed him, you sent him to his death. Slowly it all came to her, the truth of what was happening right now. It wasn't Kortos - not really. It was merely her guilt conjuring forth his likeness. But for now, it was enough for her, as she raised a hand and placed it on his cheek "Forgive me... I... I killed you..." He could sense she was not at all fine, and it wasn't because of her injuries. He could sense anothers presence focusing upon her, sinking her further into some delerium. The Imperials seemed to have a strong Force User amongst them, capabale of extreme telepathy. Undoubtedly some Sith Lord, or perhaps one of those Knights of Ren he had heard about. Either way, he needed to free Sahiir of their control, but right now, he didn't have the time he would need to do it properly. He smiled down at her, hoping to reassure her "You didn't kill me... Rest now, we'll get you somewhere safe" Sahiir's strength seemed to leave her then as her hand dropped from his face and she looked back up at the ceiling "Yes... Somewhere safe..." As she drifted off, Kortos closed his eyes, focusing upon the force. Calming himself, he opened his eyes again, before gathering Sahiir up and making his way to the surface. Already a dozen or so salvageable vehicles had been gathered together and loaded with as many wounded as possible. Kortos moved to the front of the convoy, and entrusted Sahiir to the lead speeder bike "Make sure they get to Garang. We'll provide what ever distraction we can, so that you can escape. Understood!" The Soldier gave a nod, before Kortos gave them the all clear gesture. The shabby convoy took off away from the Enclave, going through a path that had incidentally been cleared by the TIE bombers. As they started to fade from sight, Kortos turned his attention to the Khoonda Plains. Imperial ground forces had already started to assemble their artillery lines, with Smiletroopers advancing across the remnants of the otuer defences. Kortos grabbed his dual sabers and ignited the pair of sapphire blades as he opened the comm link to the forces that remained We fight for freedom! For reason! For peace! Our enemy came seeking death! So let us oblidge them their wish! If they wish to take this Enclave, then we shall make them bleed for it! For everyone one of ours, we shall take ten of theirs! A shout went up from the meagre Allaince defences, before the Imperial forces entered firing range and the lines were brought together. Kortos meanwhile set his gaze upon the darksider at the forefront of the Imperial Forces. Even at this range, he could recognize the man that the Jedi Order knew to be one of the first Knights of Ren "Time to see just how good you really are..." Kortos charged across the defense line, crossing the field towards the Knight, sapphire blades trailing in his wake before he came to a stop several feet away. His lightsabers snapped up into a guard to block any blaster bolts some foolish smiletrooper might try fire at him "It appears your troopers already know how much of a joke you lot are, with a grin like that plastered on their helmets!"

"Welcome to the party..." Was his response to the new Jedi's question. When he had rushed out to meet the approaching lines in battle, he hadn't much thought through how the ensuing meeting would play out. But, as the twenty stormtroopers leveled their rifles in two lines towards him and his unnamed ally, Kortos knew this was not it. If there had been fewer of their enemy - maybe four or five apiece - they may have been able to block it. But at this close a range, and with that many guns. Suffice to say, there was no deflecting them all, not even with his dual sabers "Well shit..." Kortos deactivated his sapphire blades, before raising his hand out to the side - towards Synar. He could sense his companion was about to attempt a rather impossible and foolish task. He then let loose a force push in an attempt to send Synar over into the trench to his right side, whilst he simultaneously used the force to aide himself in jumping to the trench to his own left. Blaster bolt fire filled the air, passing mere inches from him, with a few hits grazing his clothing. The ground suddenly rushed up to meet him as he landed with a dull thud into the trench. His body ached from the impact, but he knew he was still far too exposed. Pulling himself as best he could, Kortos scrambled for better cover. He passed through a couple connecting tunnels between some of the lines of trenches, before stopping. He had hopefully brought the Enclave enough time to finish preparing for the slaughter that was about to befall them. There was no getting out of this, for any of them

*Soku watched with a sadistic smirk as the pair of Jedi could do nothing more than escape into the trench, one rather unceremoniously forcing the other ahead before narrowly escaping the Company's fire. He signaled with his hand and the blaster fire ceased, the lead troopers standing. Soku chose not to direct them to use grenades in the trenches; it was very well possible the Jedi were expecting such a maneuver with the intent to use their weapons against them.*

"Continue marching," *he directed his men, and as one their march began anew. The Enclave was in utter ruins now, with whatever measly defenses left no doubt taking up positions and preparing for their last stand. This would be a glorious day for the First Order indeed...*

*The Company was disciplined and prepared. The moment the Jedi had dared show his face once more, they had all stopped, the outermost line turning and firing upon the returning assailant. He did not last long, taking at least one blow and disappearing into a trench, the light from his blades extinguishing. No words were spared as the Company scanned the premises for a moment longer, then resumed their march on the remains of the Enclave.

It was then that the extermination order, relayed by General Caalin, entered the helmets and headpieces of every member of the advancing company. It had already been Soku's intention to eliminate every last defender of the Enclave; every foolish Jedi and those that dared to stand with the archaic religion.* "He has no need to doubt my dedication to destroying anyone who stands in the way of order," *he replied to the private communication,* "and those who actively blockade the progress."

*What followed was a massacre. Thriesa Company was not without its casualties, but they were paltry compared to the havoc they and the two Knights of Ren, Soku and Derel, wreaked upon what little defenses remained of the once "proud" Enclave. It had previously been in ruins for millennia; the Jedi should have left it be. Now, the First Order would ensure the remnants would be beyond restoration, little more than a pile of smoldering rubble and corpses. What little Jedi resistance remained was no threat, finding themselves cleaved by Soku's blade, lashed to death by Derel's whip, or blasted into oblivion by Thriesa's gunfire.

When the silence fell, Soku stood upon the battleground, senses extending throughout the surrounding area. The scent of death was heavy; the reaper had made a bountiful harvest.* "Sir," *came Arin's voice as the stormtrooper captain approached the Knight.* "Our scans indicate all defenses neutralized. Not a soul remains, besides ours."

"Very good," *Soku replied, a smile coming to his lips, reaching for his commlink.* "We are victorious here, then." *Lifting the commlink for his lips, he began to make his report.* "The Jedi Enclave has been captured and all defenses destroyed."

*His words were interrupted by the sound of displaced rubble and an angry yell as a survivor burst forth, lunging for Soku. The lash of a lightwhip, however, met the assailant's face and torso, sending his now-charred form sprawling across the ruined ground. He was finished off by the rifles of Captain Arin and the handful of stormtroopers gathered.

Soku only smirked.* "Sorry. Now all defenses have been destroyed. Awaiting further instruction."

Knowing that there are no words that could make the grim work ahead of them any easier, Berdine says nothing as she walks up beside Arduino, feeling just as stricken as he looks to be as they look out upon the shattered, bombed out, smoking rubble which is all that remains of the Enclave, the broken, bloodied, and torn bodies of fallen Jedi Knights, Masters and Padawans visible here and there amidst the torn, scorched earth and the broken stone and glass of the Enclave.

Pointing to a hilly rise hundreds of yards from the ruins of the Enclave, beyond the trenches and other defenses that failed to halt the merciless advance of the First Order and Knights of Ren sent to lay waste to the Enclave and all in it, Master Jyotish says, "There," to indicate where they will lay their fallen brethren to rest upon their funeral pyres. The Zabrak Master silently removes his hooded outer robe and then makes his way towards the charred body of a male Jedi, face hideously scarred by what looks to be the lash of a lightwhip, to begin the work they have come to do.

"I'll start building the pyres," Berdine says softly, resting a hand on Arduino's shoulder briefly before she sets out to gather what she needs for the construction of the funeral pyres.

Turning from the flickering flames of the pyres as she hears the rustling of fabric accompanying Arduino's departure for their ship, Berdine watches her fellow Jedi walk into the shadows waiting beyond the glow of firelight, frowning in concern as she asks Master Jyotish, "Will he be alright, do you think?"

"Will any of us? sighs the Zabrak, shaking his head and waving the remark away with a scowl of distaste for the momentary loss of faith in the ideals he has sworn to uphold he believes the comment suggested. He has the Code, and he has both of us to help him follow it, Jyotish says after a moment, hoping his tone is more certain than he feels that the Jedi Code and their companionship will prove capable of preventing Arduino from stumbling from his path after all that has happened. Resting a hand on the Morganian's shoulder comfortingly, Jyotish says, Come, we have done what we came to do, and should start looking ahead."

Falling into step beside the Zabarak as they set out to follow Arduino, Berdine asks, "Has there been any word from the Council? Will they keep us together, or . . ."

Shaking his horned head, Jyotish says, "Nothing yet, and I cannot guess whether or not they will give us all different assignments. We'll know when the time comes, and must trust their judgement where such things are concerned however, so I'd suggest you focus instead on what we can do in the here and now. There are wounded still in need of our skills, for instance."

Summoning a half-hearted smile to convey that she understands the Jedi Master's point, Berdine says, "Of course, Master. Thank you, she adds, grateful that Jyotish has refocused her attention and energies on matters she has some degree of control over rather than wasting both on speculation and idle fears. Once aboard the ship, she heads to the cockpit as Jyotish heads aft for reasons of his own, and Berdine settles herself in the co-pilot's seat as she asks Arduino, referring as much to piloting the ship as to his troubled expression and demeanor, Need any help?"