Populate The Impossible Hour | GA Populate of Walalla

[Caltin Vanagor]

IT'S ALWAYS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN...​

Location: Coruscant - Jedi Temple - Lower Levels

Spoiler: Lightsabers

"ELOAH" (Secondary - Long Handle)

"CONSERVATOR" (Primary - Long Handle)

Spoiler: GEAR

Comm-link, Rebreather, Custom Robes, Battle Armor,Toraynor-Henkan(mind crystal added)Advanced Jedi Utility Belt

Spoiler: STARSHIP/COMPANIONS

Starship: Starlight Sentinel, (Jedi Interceptor in landing bay, Dilorian and Bike both in cargo bay)
Companion: Astromech R01R - "Roller", Pilot droid Mu51c - "Music" , "Aricsias" Wookiee Clan (pops in and out of posts)

Tag: Bernard Dagon Kaze Black Mynock Allyson Locke Aaran Tafo Aeris Lashiec

” The past is called the past for a reason. If you spend your life looking behind you, your eyes are not on the road ahead. You do not drive a car that way, so why should you live your life that way?” - Rachel Van Dyken​

Every single argument that Caltin had heard was right, in some way shape, or form. There was nothing wrong with how any of them felt, or how he himself, but the rub was how to get them to tie it all together. Not long ago, he would have just went off on them for being immature, but that was before he really found who he was. That was when he had just come out of the ice of Rhen Var and had not completely come to understand the galaxy as a whole. No, now was a different dynamic entirely.

Romi had it right. We need to show the people who we are, too many had forgotten.

The demure blonde Consular next to him hit proverbial the nail on the head. They couldn’t do this alone. This was indeed one of those times where he wished that there was one Order and not so many, but that was for a time long past. That was something that he needed to press with his Council.

We’re all “Jedi”, that should be all that matters.

There was a problem in the immediate thought and while he had no place being a “fixer”, Caltin could notice that there was not going to be anything done if all were blaming each other. The Sith was the one who sacked Coruscant, not the Senate(for all of their blunders) and not the Jedi. They needed to realize it. It was natural and perfectly acceptable to be feeling the way that they were, but the consensus was turning into something that would hurt them in the future. True, he saw himself in a lot of them, but Caltin knew he has made mistakes in his life. Should they?

If I may say something? I know that it does not look like it right now, but the Sith were not successful.

The big guy realized fully how it sounded. He looked like he was “lovable but a bit much sometimes”, and half expected everyone to just nod and blow him off like a senile old man.

Heh, you’re a jerk sometimes, you know that right?

You laughed… anyway, giving them another second he continued to his point.

Hear me out. It was a “gut-punch” to be sure, but there are still Jedi in the galaxy, and not in hiding. Jedi were not forced (no pun intended) to pick up and hide on a single planet. What they did is on no one and everyone at the same time. The populace has allowed themselves to believe that what has happened before would never happen again. The problem with this is how to solve it. Living your life in fear and paranoia is no life at all.

There is an old military saying that goes something like: “Keep the barrel pointed out.” Don’t blame each other for what happened, it’s counter-productive. There’s nothing with being angry, frustrated. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to turn and fight back. I get it more than you know but say you do. I used to call this place “home”, myself. My quarters were right around the corner from here.

He pointed in the general direction.

Look, it’s probably not my place to say anything, I get it. I’m not telling any of you how to live your lives or conduct yourselves either. I’m here to help no matter what you ask of me. I’m just saying, I was here when this place was sacked once before when hundreds of Jedi walked these halls daily. I “crossed that line” in defending the Temple… I’m still paying for that.

The demure Consular was dead-on in that they needed to come together in not only pushing back the Sith but showing the sentients of the galaxy who they really were. Not just what they believe to be the Jedi’s lot in life. Many like to see the Jedi as whatever some slick marketer tells them to see them as. They cannot change their opinion, but they can show them the truth.

Right now though, they needed to stop the bleeding before they could close the wound.

... YET THE DAWN ALWAYS COMES.

 

[Jacen Nimdok]

“I’ll go get some,” Nimdok replied without hesitation, standing up and leaving the room.

He returned a few minutes later, handing Auteme a water bottle. Evidently water was being handed out outside the Temple to survivors and rescue workers. He had brought one for himself as well.

After guzzling half his bottle, he looked at Auteme, waiting to see if she would speak. When she didn’t say anything, he sighed.

“I want to understand what happened here.”

Auteme​

 

[Leon Gallo]

Chelchu Air Base
Tren Chaar Qellene Tyliame

Leon hadn’t slept since the battle. He barely felt it. Every moment since had been busy; hunting down left-behind Maw forces, repairing his wrecked X-wing, and above all else, avoiding this confrontation. It couldn’t be put off forever, Leon had just hoped both their tempers could have been cooled before it happened. The Knight hadn’t heard the Major General's speech. Really, he had, but hadn’t processed it. He’d been too busy forcing down his own emotions. The moment he’d caught his commander’s eye, it was over. Running was impossible.

“And just where the Netherworld were you Flight Officer? I should have you kicked down to Specialist and shipped out to the Bryn'adûl front for pulling a stunt like that! Do orders mean nothing to you, boy?”

​

Though the man spoke quietly, his anger was unmistakable. The pilot forced himself to stay silent, to think before he reacted. It took every ounce of Jedi restraint in him to not smack his commanding officer. He’d been locked in the Temple, abandoned by the Alliance military. When he was called on, he didn’t have the fuel to even reach orbit, let alone fight! Why should he have to answer for the actions that crippled him? At least he’d gone somewhere to fight!

Leon took a deep breath, trying to let the Force calm him.

“Sir.” Leon spoke in a hushed tone, but just as firm. “Permission to defend myself?”

Internally, the man scoffed at the thought of needing to ask to defend himself, at even needing to request permission to speak. He’d left the Jedi once for being too restrictive--how had he let himself end up in the military?

Externally, he just stared forwards.

 

[Veles Oshu]

Location: Chancellor's Office
Nearby: Elizie Athacorr // Aerarii Tithe // Sssar Taszzn // Faith Organa // Donavon Arturo // IVI

Dorian waited for the other's to make their peace before he interjected, moving to rest one hand behind his back while the other casually grasped it. In a small sense, it was like the Makashi form the Jedi so often used - bringing a fist to the small of the back for a duel of elegence. In Dorian's case, he held no lightsaber, but often words were far more deadly than what one of those blades could accomplish - especially when one was speaking to the Head of State. He smiled the subtle way he often did as he spoke;​

​

"If I may make a suggestion, Chancellor.", he intoned, silver almost dripping from his dulcet tones.​

​

"The Jedi are a rogue element in a time of crisis. That is to not say they are not useful, but if the Alliance is to stake their very reputation on a group so unreliable it could only spell disaster for the nation. Even if the New Jedi Order were to keep their noses clean of that 'war crime' business - are they not equally represented in the actions of the extremists of the Ashlan Crusade, or the do-nothing Silver Jedi?"​

​

"That is to say nothing of their failings and transgressions before. The splintering after the last Sith attack, the betrayal of the Grandmaster during the joint strike of the First Order and Sith Empire. Their abandoment of Ession to genocide, or their utter failure to stop the Bryn'adul threat despite the combined strength of their entire order.", Dorian said with a shake of his head.​

​

"That is not to say we should not make efforts to reconcile, their military strength would be paramount to striking back against the Maw's forces - but making them the face of the new regime, to have them represent the very back bone of the alliance surely would be folly. If not to other nations, consider the layman - who even now believes the Sith and Jedi are but one coin."​

​

"Were it any suggestion of mine, I would say to free them of their lockdown - but institute surveillance on their actions. Reconcile publicaly, but insure that the people of the Alliance understand it is not without condition - that they are beholden to the will of the Senate, of the people, and the security of this nation. The Sith have already shown a fine strength in manipulation - anything more than a short leash and you threaten to expose our proverbial neck to them once again..."​

​

He paused for a moment before bringing his smile back, signing his words with a single utterance -​

​

"... Chancellor.", and a nod, a small sign of respect for the new leader of the Alliance, if only for the moment.​

 

[KAR2]

Location: Coruscant Lower Levels
Tag: Aria Vestra Valery Noble Yula Perl

"For anybody approaching the beacon, I advice caution. There are Sithspawn beasts in the streets. I've taken care of one in this area already but there may be more."

​

The message came through Katarine's comm unit loud and clear, seconds before she heard another howl. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up as the Force lit up with warning. She turned just in time to avoid having her head cleaved off by the creatures claws. Instead the claws sunk into her shoulder. She screamed as the ancient fabric of her flight jacket and the pale flesh underneath was ripped into.

She rolled sideways to avoid another incoming blow. Now she could get a better look at the beast attacking her. It was somehow catlike, but had glowing eyes and strong powerful legs. It was snarling at her but wasn't charging. Katarine felt herself stumble slightly on her feet. She felt slightly dizzy as her eyes focused on the talons the beast had. They were acid green and seemed to be dripping a liquid. Her eyes widened as she understood they must have a poison secreting from them. A poison that was now running through the wound in her shoulder and causing the dizziness.

 

[Auteme]

Jacen Nimdok
​

Auteme took the water bottle and drank. "Sorry, I- well, I've lost a lot of water," she said, almost finding it in herself to laugh.

She'd calmed down enough that she knew what Nimdok was looking for. She couldn't give it to him -- but she couldn't stay silent, either, so she had to give him something.

"I met with Romi a few weeks ago, at the unveiling of the Jadelight Beacon. Honestly, I'd been... I had suspicions that there was Sith influence in the Senate. We'd seen pushback against the Jedi before, and it wasn't without reason. Even now- Kaigann Fossk was a friend, and I didn't expect him to be so vehement with his pressure, nor that it'd reach this point.

"It's not like I had evidence. Just a feeling. With the rest of the New Jedi Order confined, my only option was outside Jedi. People like Romi and Coren, smart, trustworthy, people who could help inspire a counter-movement, and maybe sniff out the Sith influence, if it was there. And if they found it -- well, it'd be more trustworthy than any account I could give. How would it look if I accused Kaigann of being a Sith, when he was the one heading an anti-Jedi political movement?"

She rubbed her eyes, as though it'd make them less dry. "I just- I should've known. I shouldn't have bent so easily, signed off on the order that would bring everyone here. And just- it all adds up. Striking at the heart of the Alliance to take down those most wary of the Sith, when they were all home, and using the Senate itself to do it. On the day of the Triumvirate meeting, no less -- all the leaders in the same place. Greater security, sure, but that hasn't deterred them before.

"And Fossk- how could I be so blind? He was so kind, so well-spoken, and I... he came straight from the Brotherhood's holy city, 'rescued', and in only a short time rises to become a Senator. I'm friends with the Chancellor, but something- I was so excited to have an ally, someone who seemed to understand, being a Jedi in politics." She closed her eyes. "And he was right there, the entire time, and we walked in, and he just..."

 

[Valery Noble]

Shattered​

---

Location: Coruscant, lower levels
Valery: Appearance
Ship: Factory link
Tag: Aria Vestra Katarine Ryiah Yula Perl

Chapter IV: Back into the Chaos
Following the transmission and warning, Valery began moving through the dark streets of Coruscant's underworld again. She was closing in on the source of the distress beacon but quickly found something that required her attention. It began with a scream of pain from a woman she met on Kashyyk and was followed by another howl from the beast responsible for her injury.

Without a second thought, the purple plasma of Valery's double-bladed lightsaber ignited, and she began to charge towards the beast. Katarine looked somewhat staggered from the injury, so she wanted to get the beast's attention.

"Hey ugly!"
​

Valery called out to the beast, which seemed to draw its focus despite his lack of understanding. The beast snarled at the orange-eyed brunette and charged towards her to initiate its attack. Right as it was about to reach her, and its claws were sweeping out towards the woman, Valery launched herself into the air and over the beast, causing its nails to strike the ground.

She flipped and turned over the beast, landing between it and Katarine, which is exactly what she wanted - a guarantee that her fellow Jedi was safe. But Valery wasn't the type to stand around and keep waiting. With explosive speed, she dashed back towards the creature and drew her staff into a striking position.

Once again, the beast lept towards her, but this time Valery responded by altering the direction of her momentum with a quick hop to her side. The beast passed by the woman, and the blades of her staff began to twirl. In a quick sweep, its head was separated from its torso, causing it to collapse onto the ground. The fight was over as quickly as it started.

The two plasma blades then disengaged, and Valery took a deep breath before she turned to Katarine Ryiah.

"Are you alright?" she asked with a kind smile.

 

[Jacen Nimdok]

"And he was right there, the entire time, and we walked in, and he just..."

“Pulled out a lightsaber and started swinging,” Nimdok finished for her, waving his severed stump of an arm for emphasis. The lingering effects of the alcohol on his system made him a bit more flippant than usual.

Auteme could be a little hard to understand at times. Mainly because of her insistence on speaking in a stream-of-consciousness fashion rather than clear, concise dialogue. Nimdok was able to follow most of what she said, though just thinking about the mess of an outline he’d have for his inevitable next paper was enough to make his head ache.

“It sounds like you were in an unenviable position,” he said at last. “I don’t blame you for trying to find another way. I only wish you had told me what I was walking into.”

He wondered momentarily if she somehow believed that the entire attack on the Senate and Temple were somehow her responsibility as well, something she could have avoided if only she had managed to ensnare the Dark Lord, but soon pushed the thought aside. Auteme was smarter than that, surely. Moreover, the destruction of the Temple and Senate Building paled in comparison to the complete takeover of the Republic by Palpatine during the Clone Wars, or even the business with Taeli Raaf during the last sacking of Coruscant. Nimdok still had hope that the Alliance and the NJO would rebuild, and things would get better rather than worse. Fragile hope, but hope nonetheless.

“When did this… feeling that Fossk was really a Sith Lord develop?”

Auteme​

 

[Auteme]

Jacen Nimdok
​

"I don't know. It was... after Ryv left." She paused a moment, then facepalmed. "I should've looked for him. Figured out why he would- he attacked Fossk's aid, or that's the story we were told by Fossk, anyways. I didn't know it was Fossk definitively who was a Sith. It just- it felt different, this time, the feeling on the Senate floor. More menacing, maybe more manufactured. If Ryv knew, from the beginning, even if it was a better feeling than mine..."

Still, she nodded. "I should've told you. I just... didn't want to cause a panic, I guess, or give reason for anyone to act odd if I ended up being wrong. If Kaigann hadn't been a Sith Lord-" she stopped herself, then shook her head. "No. I was just wrong."

She looked over at his hand. "If you want, I could get you a new one. Organic. Though, I suppose the Silver Rest probably has as good tissue synthesizers as we do here."

 

[Jacen Nimdok]

“Ryv isn’t exactly…” Nimdok began, but did not finish the sentence. Trustworthy was what he was going to say, but that wasn’t the half of it. He had to admit his opinion of the absent Sword of the Jedi (whom he had never actually met) was more negative than positive. Ryv Karis was a complicated man, equal parts charismatic and volatile, but anything Nimdok said about him would inevitably sound harsher than he probably deserved. “Well, a feeling isn’t evidence submissible in court. If Ryv did have evidence, I assume it was destroyed when he was forced to flee, or else he would have found a way to give it to you.”

At the mention of his missing arm, he shrugged. “Oh, that won’t be necessary.” He looked down at his stump. “To be honest, I’ve just been putting off dealing with it…”

For a moment, his gaze darted around the room, making sure no one else was watching. Then, smirking mischievously in Auteme’s direction, he focused on the limb. It began to shift and lengthen, the flesh as malleable as clay. He quickened the regrowth of his hand until he could waggle five new fingers, a fresh arm extending past the burnt ends of his jacket sleeve.

“See? Good as new.” He pointed upwards with his new index finger. “And this place will be soon, too. It always does. Trust me, I’m a historian.”

Maybe he really was drunk already.

Auteme​

 

[Yula Perl]

Location: Hangin' Out Under Some Rocks
Save Me Pls: Aria Vestra | Katarine Ryiah | Valery Noble

It hadn’t taken long for the would-be rescuers to catch her distress signal and start moving onto her position. Perhaps it was a way for her addled mind to stay awake, but as Yula struggled to hold on to her last scraps of consciousness in the dark, unpleasant memories began to surface.

Violent, visceral, and unstoppable.

“GO! Get… ….OUT!”

“NOW, YULA.”

The heat on her face, though it was not present, nearly burned through Yula in an instant. Somewhere, a temple was burning. Somewhere, she was frozen in time among a sea of red. Somewhere, someone had used his life to secure her escape.

“I’ll be alright.”

What kind of fool uses his last words to reassure someone?

“Meet you on Faldos.”

She’d never fully repressed the memories, but she’d never pushed herself to revisit them either. Now, they swept through her like a fever.

"Hello?! Can you hear me?!"

Yula’s remaining eye forced itself open, delirious panic pulling at her bruised face. She didn’t know who that was, and for all she knew—the temple was still burning, and a tide of red waited for her on the other side. Until a familiar face showed itself, she couldn’t trust anyone.

There were other noises above her too, vicious ones. Were the sithspawn still wandering the streets? That was a bad sign. She stilled for a moment before skittering further into the darkness, inadvertently shifting some of the debris on the surface with her efforts. In reality, she had moved only a few inches, injured and confined as she was, but the sentiment was there. The more the memories swirled around in her concussed head, the more unhinged she was becoming.

The rubble that could have been her tomb was now her fortress.

 

[Linny Rennis]

Location: Lower Levels.

"Okay, okay... calm down, hold on," Linny said as she reached for her lightsaber, holding out her hand towards the doorway. It was blocked by a heavy piece of metal, bent and burned from the attack. "You're gonna have to step back, I don't wanna like... it's gonna be bright too!" Linny warned, her voice dripping with nerves. As she spoke, her broken communicator screeched and cracked with scattershot words.

Approaching... beacon.... caution.... streets... maybe more.

With a loud crack, the dark alleyway was bathed in sudden, pink light. Linny took a sharp breath and then swung, one rushed arc from shoulder-height down. The blade cut through the metal like butter, sending a quick molten stream to the ground. Split in two, the metal came away, leaving a jagged opened that glowed as it cooled in the smoky, acrid air.

"Okay... it should be safe!" Linny called out into the blackness, as a few ashen faces appeared. An adult human, with a bunch of kids there too. Some of them looked barely able to walk. "It's okay... it's okay, I've got some bacta supplies and-" Linny began to say, before she noticed their faces turn to horror. One screamed. Another pointed, right behind her.

Linny turned. There was a instant, close blur of dark, matted fur and flesh before a heavy fist smacked into her. It tossed her aside, flinging her down the street. With a cry, she landed right on the edge of a walkway, with the smoke climbing all around them. The beast, hollow-eyed, hungry and desperate, ignored the other prey and focused on her. Breathing with pain, Linny reached out for her saber. It span back into her palm, igniting it instantly. The creature leapt towards her. Linny focused. Grit her teeth. Steadied herself.

The beast fell upon her as she thrust the lightsaber blade upwards, ramming the pink plasma into it's chest. Linny screamed as the full weight of it collapsed upon her. The sudden push and force knocked her back, bending the weakened safety rail at the edge. For a second, she held at the edge. Thinking she'd be fine. Thinking it'd be okay. Then she fell back, plummeting below with the dead creature.

It didn't take long. A second or two later, the beast's corpse span below her, cushioning her as they both hit an abandoned vehicle. Linny rolled off the top, gasping for air as she fell upon the cold, rough street below. Her bones ached all over. There was a nasty cut somewhere on her head. She'd probably broken most of her toes and two fingers. But she was alive.

Linny looked up, seeing two people in her woozy, swaying vision. A dark-haired woman, holding a saber hilt, looking authoratative and in charge. Another woman, seeming to be a little unsteady. She blinked as she tried to carefully pick herself up a bit.

".... hi," she muttered, wincing as she did. "J... J... Jedi?"

Valery Noble Katarine Ryiah Aria Vestra Yula Perl

 

[Valery Noble]

Shattered​

---

Location: Coruscant, lower levels
Valery: Appearance
Ship: Factory link
Tag: Linny Rennis Katarine Ryiah Aria Vestra Yula Perl

Chapter IV: Back into the Chaos
Just moments after Valery asked Katarine about her injuries, she heard a loud bang not too far away. She felt a darker presence as well, but it faded away, while the signature of a Jedi remained. Her reflecting orange eyes turned to the source, and she spotted a young Padawan. On closer inspection, she noticed the girl was hurt.

Almost like a caring mother, she quickly moved towards Linny Rennis to take a closer look, wanting to make sure there weren't any major injuries that required immediate attention. "Hey, it's alright," she said with a comforting tone. "We're both Jedi," Valery said as she gestured for Katarine, who still looked somewhat unsteady.

Judging by the cut and how shook she seemed, Valery figured that Linny had likely seen and run into one of the Sithspawn beasts. While the beast was dead, it meant there were more of them out here than she thought. Or they were simply moving around quickly through the lower levels.

"Stay with us for now, okay? We're stronger together," she said with a kind smile that almost seemed strange, given the Master's appearance. While she often looked intimidating, she had heart of gold.

"What is your name? And have you seen more of these beasts around here?"

 

[Auteme]

Jacen Nimdok
​

Auteme was stunned briefly as she watched the professor's arm return. "What?"

She looked at him. "What?"

She rubbed her eyes. It took her mind a little longer to work than usual. "Are you a Gen'dai or something living in a little skin-suit, or something? No, that was- Shi'ido?" She frowned. "You can't complain about me not telling you things and then regenerate your severed arm like that."

She'd had enough shock for one day. This was low on the list of surprises, though admittedly somewhat pleasant.

 

[Jacen Nimdok]

“Shi’ido,” he confirmed once she hit the right mark. Then he raised an eyebrow in mock offense. “And it’s not a skin-suit, it’s ‘hidden flesh’ and an exceptionally malleable physiology.”

"You can't complain about me not telling you things and then regenerate your severed arm like that." ​

Nimdok mocked her, imitating her voice. “The difference is, you not knowing what species I am doesn’t affect you at all. Aside from feeling needlessly guilty about my arm, I guess. But you not telling me that Kaigann Fossk was a Sith Lord before we walked into his office could have gotten me, and anyone else in there who didn’t know what they would be dealing with, killed.”

He didn’t have to mention Morteg, the Jedi Master who had died during the duel. “I showed this to you to lessen your burden. One less thing to blame yourself for. Just don’t go telling your friends about it.”

Auteme​

 

[Aria Vestra]

Location: Lower Levels of Coruscant

The sounds of hasty-driven footfalls grew louder by the second. Soon a group of four rounded a corner led by a woman with white hair.

Aria's yellow eyes shone in the broken lighting of the lower levels as she stared at the trio of women before her. "Is she alright?" It had been difficult to miss Linny Rennis ' fall from such a height with the beast. Valery Noble looked in healthy condition, however, and had a presence in the Force that reassured Aria that Linny was in good hands already. Not every Jedi knew Force Healing, but not every wound required 'magic' to heal.

The Ioshan turned her head aside and in the direction of Yula Perl then. Aria turned her head toward the trio that'd accompanied her. "Under the rubble there," she pointed. "Be careful, we don't know how many there are or how stable it is."

Her eyes shifted back toward Linny, Valery, and Katarine Ryiah again. "A larger group has set up a field outpost two levels up. They're clearing that area as they look for survivors." The body of the fallen beast caught Aria's eye for a moment. "These creatures will kill countless people before we're able to reach them. If you would be willing, we could work together to clear this level." Otherwise they would be welcome back at the outpost and possibly passed on to the nearest field hospital further up where the monsters did not lurk.

Sound of rubble being moved aside drew Aria's attention over to where the men and women worked to free Yula of her prison. "How many?"

"One so far."

With a nod to the three women, Aria would move toward the wreckage this far down to check on the survivor. She knelt down and extended a hand out toward Yula, "It's over. You're safe now. We're with you." A smile touched the Ioshan's lips.

The world may have ended, but none of them fought alone. There was still hope.

 

[KAR2]

Location: Lower Levels
Tags: Aria Vestra | Valery Noble | Linny Rennis | Yula Perl

“Are you alright?”

“I think so. It just caught me by surprise.”

She glanced at her shoulder after speaking and was astonished to see the wound was already healing, as if the beasts claws had bacta in them. What would be the point of designing a beast capable of poisoning someone only to heal them after? Katarine had a bad feeling about it but already her strength was returning and she was able to make out the face of Master Noble more clearly.

“Thank you.”

Before she could say more someone fell from the sky and they were joined by a white haired woman and her team. The soldiers started to dig out a woman from the rubble while Valery saw to the fall victim.

“Nice of you to drop in.”

As always the woman reached for sarcasm to hide how she really felt. It was annoying to some but it was a defense mechanism Katarine couldn’t shake.

“We should probably make our way towards the temple while we clear these levels. If the Sithspawn can detect Jedi as prey than anybody trapped in the temple is basically bait waiting for the taking.”

 

[Tren Chaar]

C O N F E R

CELCHU STARFIGHTER BASE
​

---

---

While considered disrespectful to not pay attention to the major general speaking on stage, Chaar could not control his rage. He got right up in Revenant Seven’s face. He’d since learned that rather than refuelling and hurrying back up to orbit to support his squadron, Gallo had hurried off to help his Jedi buddies. Not only had he abandoned his wingmates, but he’d also disobeyed a direct order.

“You know what, permission granted,” he replied, barely able to keep his voice hushed to avoid interrupting the speech. “This I’ve got to hear with my own ears.”

Up on the stage, the major general motioned for Qellene to stand next to him. “Flight Officer, I understand Revenant has completed a successful tour of duty in the Unknown Region,” the Gran explained. “And to add, the destruction of a Brotherhood cruiser above Coruscant.” A cheer went up from the crowd who raised their glasses to cheer Revenant Squadron. “Though I must say, I find it highly irregular that someone serving under an officer as exacting as Commander Chaar should be caught wearing a uniform out of regulation!”

The audience was unsure how to react. Some gasped, most went silent. A small number who had served with the major general and knew his style gave a knowing grin.

“Let me fix that for you.” The flag officer withdrew a set of rank patches from his pocket, each a grey patch emblazoned with a full red circle in contrast to the red circles with white inserts which Qellene wore on her uniform. He removed her rank patches and replace them with the new ones.

“Congratulations, Flight Lieutenant Tyliame.”

Leon Gallo | Qellene Tyliame ​

 

[Constantine Oliva]

Chelchu Starfighter Base, Coruscant
Tren Chaar Qellene Tyliame
Relynia Sorrene

​

It was too soon for celebrations. Frankly, I saw nothing to celebrate over. Coruscant had burned. This had been the worst defeat since Csilla, and arguably an even greater failure on the part of the Alliance. I had been the highest ranking Naval officer present, not counting those of the New Imperials. Almost no forces had been present. The Home Fleet was inexplicably absent. Because of that absence and the complete lack of reinforcements, the Alliance was almost beheaded.

Coruscant was still burning. Some of the fires set by the bombardment hadn’t yet been put out. Marauders still walked some of the streets, and crime was at a higher point than in decades. Damage done to the cityscape would be repaired in time, but the lives lost couldn’t be replaced.

I was far from happy to be present. If an outside observer tried, they could easily point out the region of the room occupied by my staff and I. Compared to the relative jollity or relief, we radiated anger and frustration. We’d lost friends, and the survivors of the original 253rd were rapidly dwindling. Survivors of Csilla.

I watched as The Major General handed a promotion to Now Flight Lieutenant Qellene Tyliame. She had done something impressive, to be fair. She deserved it. Talk of Tren Chaar’s Revenants was almost unavoidable. I had yet to see the man himself, not that I was in any rush. He chased glory, with no handle on the tactical situation. True, killing one of the Maw’s main commanders was huge for the long-term war effort, but it nearly came at the cost of losing his entire squadron, and if they’d been present elsewhere--say, fighting the World devastators--the battle could have been less of a disaster.

Of course, I’d been a lot like him once. ​

For now, there wasn’t much for me to do. What ships of the 253rd survived had all taken heavy beatings, with the exception of Raptor. I was grounded, like a Hawk with a broken wing. So I sat and watched, waiting to see what the Gran would do in the rest of the ceremony. Though we were different branches, he still outranked me.

 

[Mirana Praji]

Who Can Say...
Aerarii Tithe // Annasari // Seto du Couteau // Shoma Ike // Faith Organa // Mazik Stazi // Donavon Arturo // Brama Tagge // Eboi Seth // Dalton Crowder // Julius Beyron // Grand Moff Vel'alari // Sssar Taszzn // Jak Ross // Hyden Sy // Elizie Athacorr

"The Chancellor is right," the melodic tones of Minister Mirana Praji drifted from the entrance of the office, her gowned silhouette filling the frame of the door. The young blond woman was swatched in the colors of Coruscant, aquamarine and silver, colors that had frequently been forgotten in the wake of the various federal colors that had frequently dominated her native planet. The feathered fascinator on her head was positioned like a tiara as she carefully entered the room amongst the other prominent leaders of the Alliance. "I have already heard the grumblings among the Capital Citizens... in this time of extreme weakness we must... show... strength." Her words were carefully chosen and even more carefully enunciated as she made her way into the crowd of legislators and party leaders who had gathered around Chancellor Tithe.

"As the Federalist Party has yet to choose a new leader, I can only speak for myself," she addressed Tithe, alone, now, "but as Chancellor Chandra's most trusted advisor... and as Minister for State, I give you my full-throated support."

Mirana gave a respectful bow of her head, acknowledging Tithe's new position formally. It was true, she was the most powerful person serving in Chandra's government next to Tithe and the Senate Secretary. Her support was key to Tithe's success and she knew beyond a doubt that the future of the Alliance was dependent upon the success of the government. "And the first thing you must do, Chancellor, is select your deputy..." The State Minister smiled blithely and glanced around the room for expectant candidates.

​

​