As Darth Avarice ascended within the turbo-lift to the bridge of the Imperial Star Destroyer Malady, he could not help but feel the spur of expectancy calling to him. All had gone rapidly, from leaving Korriban to travelling aboard his freighter with his apprentices and other Sith.

The words of the Dark Lords singular order kept repeating in his head - Do not fail.

Failure, when he did have to face it, was met with severe repercussion, from himself and his superiors. Now he had less superiors to worry about, but he still disdained the idea of failing.

He had rendezvoused with his relatively small strike force fleet above the planet of Glee Anselm, and he had arrived to a rather skeptical reception by his commanders. However, a brief mass Force Choke dissuaded they minds from any unproductive thoughts.

They set off for the Aphran system as soon as possible, and were now only a few minutes away from their target - Aphran, a world that barely anyone Avarice expected would know the name of, how ever they would soon associate it with on thing - Darth Avarice and the Sith.

" My Lord, Darth Avarice," a voice echoed sheepishly, immediately meeting the hooded Sith Lords ears, and his sight raised to see a rather paunchy looking Imperial captains face, rotund and ball-like, his size barely contained in the prim Grey uniform of the Imperial navy.

"- Everything is prepared, as per your orders." he declared, the Sith looking at him with rather bemused eyes. The Imperial quickly corrected his stance, straightening and saluting crisply;

" Captain Reginald Unterox, Darth Avarice, sir!"

The Sith Lord may have grown up with Imperial custom, but he nonetheless learnt to despise the snobbishness shown by their men. Entering the bridge proper, he surmised all those there and only once he had gotten his bearings, gave a latent grunt of acknowledgement;

" If your name was needed captain, it would only be necessary for a report on losses, if you should be one by the end of this day... prove your usefulness and I may even see fit to keep you alive..." Avarice said in disdain, snorting in disdain of the Imperial, who seemed to recoil at the harshness of the Sith's words. There was no emotion in his words, only the alteration of his breathing when he spoke.

" E.T.A - now!" he growled at the captain who quickly flitted to a logistic station as quickly as a ensign;

" Should be dropping out of hyperspace at any moment."
" Prepare your marines to board, pilots to their fighters and bombers, and have the battery crews prepared. We drop out, place all power to engines, get in close then we storm their ships - at this stage of the campaign, I'd expect to take more ships than we destroy at this stage..."
" Campaign?" the captain Unterox said with a degree of surprise to his voice.

With a sigh that sounded more like a simmer, Avarice enlightened the captain;

" This is but the first step on a road of chaos captain - I have a campaign of war and conquest that will make my masters as well as yours very pleased. Now - don't ever misunderstand me again, especially at such a crucial yet early stage..." the Darth bristled.
" Yes... sir, I apologize Darth Avarice..."
" don't apologize to me worm, I'll not take excuses for your idiocy, merely learn from it and give me someone I can work with."

Just then, almost as a relief to the captain, the fleet dropped out of hyperspace.

As the the fleet floated into a slow canter, they immediately maneuvered, readying to fall into a combat formation with the Imp.Stars in battle line, with the Marauder-class ships holding the flanks.

Taking a seat, on the command seat, he sat with all the arrogance of a war lord, yet with the poise of a charismatic leader.

" Record this then send it to the opposing fleet, I sense they are here just out of plain sight..."

A comm.officer tapped away on a panel then gave him a thumbs up.

" Aphran defense fleet - this is Darth Avarice - prepare to die." he said, ordering the cut off by a hand signal at his neck.

It surprised the crew on the bridge to how short his communication was. Usually, the Imperial naval commanders spent a long while trying to convince the opposing fleet they were doomed if they didn't surrender.

This Darth... didn't offer quarter, merely foretold their enemies death and then made it so.

He was a terrifying presence as all Sith Lord's were, but this time this one was part of a sanct of Sith Lord - a Sith that merely pursued the kill, not victory. Now the robed Sith Lord waited, sending a message through the Force to his apprentices while expanding his senses;

" Acolytes, my apprentices - prepare yourselves, the fight is going to be a rapid and unforgiving one..." he said as he palm the hilt of his Sith Lightsaber and narrowed his eyes at the planet that was hiding the enemy fleet...

Jedi Knight Enimi Hatiso, along with Padawan Avlione Desheh had come to Aphran at the request of the New Republic. Since the Jedi had worked out some kind of deal with the former Chancellor, they had gotten requests to train with the Republic Soldiers. So that they could learn more about Sith. While Jedi were not Sith, and were different than them in many way, they did hold many similarities. Both groups consisted of Force Users. One side light, the other dark.

After a few worlds had been attacked by the Sith Order, alongside the Imperial Remnant, the urgency for this sort of training grew. Enimi, who had done much work with the Republic over the past few years, had volunteered to assist the Republic in a training exercise. Aylione had requested to go along. As she had grown bored over pouring over what information they Sith Investigations Team could gather.

They had been on Aphran for approximately three days, and had spent two of those days training. The Republic held an outpost, or base, within the forests north of the largest city on the planet. All their training had been conducted within the forests, surrounding the facilities. And that was where they currently were.

The last thing that the two members of the Jedi Order had expected, upon accepting this mission, was that they very world they were training on, would be attacked. But then again, perhaps they should have expected it. The previous assaults had been launched upon other world they would not have expected. Endor, Yinchorr. It did not make much sense to most, as to why the Sith Order and Imperial Remnant would attack such worlds.

Enimi had been sitting in the command center, when they received a transmission from the defense fleet above the planet. They had already informed planetary defense forces on the surface, as well as the government, about the fleet that had arrived. As well as relayed their chilling message.

Aphran defense fleet - this is Darth Avarice - prepare to die.

Planned out procedures, that had been put in place during the Clone Wars and were still in effect today, were sent out. Civilians in all villages, towns, and the capital, would be ordered to evacuate their homes. Since populated areas tended to be targeted if the attackers should be able to make it to the surface. There were a few designated areas which they would go to, in hopes of safety until it was safe to return to their homes.

The Jedi Knight wondered if they would all make it to safety in time. Although, she doubted it. From what she had heard, the Sith moved fast when attacking. Sweeping through planets as if they were a flame in a dry forest. Destroying all they had touched.

As soon as the Republic Commander received the warning, from the fleet above, he was quick to action. Issuing orders to his men, who were stationed at the base north of the city. While the Republic soldiers prepared themselves, Enimi rushed off to find Avlione. While hoping that the Padawan was prepared for what was to come, and hoped that she herself was as well.

{{I don't think anyone offered to NPC the Defense Fleet. If you want to do it yourself, then feel free to. Make it all epicy and shit. Or just PM me and tell me to do it. Either one is good.}}

Oriadon finished the adjustment to the left stabalizer of the Spectre. Closing the access port, he walked around to the cockpit, climbed in, and began powering up. Slowly, the left repulsor whined up with the right, and the ship began to hover off of the ground. Pleased with the results of his repairs, he began shutting down again when he saw the dock officer coming his way. Refusing to acknowledge him until his ship had shut down, he only lept down to meet him upon his assurance the ship was repaired.

"Sir, I am glad to see you managed to repair your fighter before the coming battle, I'm sure your skills will be -"

Oriadon cut him off with a stern look, then replied, "My starfighter wouldn't need repairing if your men knew anything about loading and unloading anything bigger than their lunch."

The dock officer took a step back, offended. "With all due respect, sir, this ship is of a most unusual make, and the men had trouble fitting the lifters to it. You are lucky we were able to get it aboard in one piece."

Oriadon did not blink as the captain tried to justify their shoddy work, but when he made mention of lluck, Oriadon smiled. "If I believed in luck, I would tell you that you are the lucky ones, that my ship is together in one piece. Furthermore, I checked the ship when first arrived, and I can see a far better way of attaching these lifters. Right here, along the sides of the body."

Oriadon was about to continue, until he felt the ship shudder below him, a sign that they had exited hyperspace. Looking up, he saw the battle-ready lights turn on, and saw the dock officer turn to take command of the fighter launches. Oriadon was highly aggrivated by this lack of professionalism and repect, but decided it best to wait before striking the officer down. Killing him this soon before battle might have psycological effects on the pilots, and that was not something they could afford this close to battle. No, Oriadon could wait. There would be plenty of chances to kill during the next few hours, of that he was sure. He only hoped his Master's skill in military tactics were sufficient for this battle, else the Sith lose their first campaign of the war. And that would, through his Master, damage Oriadon's reputation, perhaps even dangerously so.

Even as he thought of his Master, he felt the brush against his mind. A summoning to prepare for battle. Immediately, oriadon locked down his starfighter and proceeded out of the hangar. he was passed by multiple dark-helmetted TIE pilots, as well as other various support personnel. Pushing his way through, he took a turbolift towards the bridge of the Star Destroyer. He would meet with his Master to discuss strategy before rushing off into battle. And he refused to be briefed over the comm, he wanted to be there to recieve his orders perosnally.

As soon as he reached the bridge, he could tell that battle was upon them. Crews rushed about readying the ship's systems for combat. Oriadon was quick to locate his Master, who sat in the commander's chair. Standing near him, he dropped down on one knee and looked at the back of his Master's chair.

"Master Tre-" Oriadon caught himself, remembering this man's new name he had only recently heard. "Forgive me, Lord Avarice. I come seeking my orders for the comming battle. Please make your plans known to me, for I am fully at your disposal."

As the Resurrection came out of hyperspace Kal'den saw the planet of Aphran in front of him. Also he saw a very moderately sized imperial fleet coming upon the planet, he looked throughout the fleet and quickly picked out the Star Destroyer that belonged to Lord Avarice, The Malady. It was just moments earlier that he had left the personal star destroyer that belonged to Lord Tragius, whom had told him that the battle for Aphran could be a proving ground of sorts for him.

The sith recognizing Kal would be one of the most important steps in his overall plan. Flipping a switch Kal began to speak over the comm-unit.

"This is Kal'den Pretectus, I am here to aid your cause in this battle. Requesting permission to board."

Kal sat back and awaited the approval from the docking captain of The Malady. He did not want to irritate Lord Avarice, so he would play to his courtesies.

In the Force, a mass of sudden attentiveness and fear arose from the planet. Avarice sat still, intently staring at the planet. He couldn't make out the number of presences, but he knew it was a considerable mass.

" Hmmm... and I was worried this wasn't worth my time..." The latest Sith Lord thought.

Upon boarding The Malady, Avarice had been involved in intensive tactical meetings with his command staff and X.O's of the fleet. What was established - mostly by Avarice's fearsome will - was that Aphran, a planet of lacking tactical use, was to be there first attack.

Low Risk, low danger, great flexibilty for their campaign to start out from.

Aphran was a Emmerald-glazed world of beauty, arrayed with hundreds of various sized lakes that were known to glow Gold due to the sunsets glazing the color of the planet a Red-Gold hue.

But the 'beauty' of the planet was nothing to this dark heart of the Darth's - it was merely a name, and astral body where he would carve his name into the carcass of the galaxy forever.

It was at this juncture he sensed the converging of various Force presences aboard and around The Malady - his Sith followers were arriving, and no sooner had he thought that, his own apprentice Oriadon Breez appeared.

There was no anger rising in his veins when the acolyte mistook current name for his old one. But his voice was still burningly harsh in answering;

" When the time for plans comes, you shall be on the recieving end - make no mistake of that my young apprentice..." he growled indignantly, expressing no attentive towards him manneristicly along with his lack of turning in his seat to look at the young Breez.

" The enemy has yet to move their fleet, so either we bring the combat to them, or they come to us for a merciful death at our hands... Acolyte Breez - I want you commandeer a squadron of T.I.E's, and turn as many of the Republics fighters and bombers in debris as possible..." he ordered, a flick of his hand towards Oriadon dismissing him with vapid lack of care.

The accentuation of his Force senses picked up the mutterings of the ensigns, and caught an exchange between Captain Unterox and a controller over a comm.channel between bridge and one of the hanger control rooms, establishing that all ships transfering to Malady were to be accepted while the battle was not joined, even the mention of a name, Pretectus. It may have been a T.I.E pilot coming off of sweep, or a shuttle calling for landing clearance, or one of the many Sithlings scuttering for prime position to set off from when the battle came.

It was all in the Darth's thoughts as the Captain returned around the bridge barriers of bars and consoles and approached Avarice, clasping his hands around his back which unintentionally pushed his pot-belly into an even more pronounced, attention-grabbing to the near-enough forge-bodied Sith Lord.

" What are you orders my lord?" the Captain asked, at least not sounding totally out of his depth when talking towards a Sith Lord.

His piercing red-hued eyes regarded the portly Imperial momentarily, before looking back to the rectangle viewing-port of Imp.Stars bridge, and speaking with a lighter tone that panged of boredom and disinterest.

" Well it seems that they aren't coming to us so we'll have to drag their interests," he started, his eyes then flitting to the Captain's face;
" - Dispatch a squadron of T.I.E fighters. Save our interceptors and Defenders for when they come. I don't care for the losses or cost, spur the Republican fleet to defend itself - really the orders, have fleet ready..." he said, his eyes staying fixed on the Captain constantly.

The Captain seemed rather unboldened by the vicious Red-glow that emanated from Darth's eyes, but answer, firming his voice;

" It shall be done my Lord!" he declared, saluting his gloved hand to the rim of his Imperial Navy Officers cap and turned on heel, immediately setting to the task apointed.

Now left alone to think once more, Avarice extended his perseptions through the Force, and focused on the fear, and latent panic resounding from the planet, the not-yet-visible fleet above it...

" Excellent...

"Set loose the fighters immediately. Order them to remain close to our fleet for the time being. They can deal with any enemy fighters that may come to close."

The Admiral of the Star Destroyer was not happy. Yet he kept his nervousness in check. Not wanting his bridge crew to see his worries. Even though the Republic had already suffered losses at the hands of these monsters, and he was assuming these attackers were Imperial and Sith, since the odds of more enemies attacking them was slim. He did not see the reason to panic. So long as they had hope, they had a chance.

"Once the fighters are deployed, raise the shields to the maximum. Make sure we are within range of their larger ships. But only just within range. I would prefer to avoid getting any closer than that, for as long as possible."

He paused for a moment. While studying the view before him, and then glancing at the screen. Nodding to himself, he gave one more order. Although he was sure it would not be the last order, on this day.

"Once all of that is complete, I want our larger ships to focus on sending all of our firepower onto their own larger vessels. Aim for weak spots." He commanded, and gave what he hoped to be a reassuring and confidant smile. "Let's bring these bastards down."

Nervous chuckles floated among the bridge, as the orders were carried out. They were nervous. Some even scared. Who wouldn't be? But they would do there best to make sure this would be one world that would not fall into enemy hands. Or at the very least, give those bastards on hell of a beating.



Emini bumped into Padawan Avlione as she rounded the corner.

"I heard that the planet may be under attack," Avlione said as she tried to catch her breath. She had obviously run to find the Jedi Knight, upon noticing the Republic Troops preparing themselves.

"Indeed," Enimi nodded. "The cities and villages are evacuating. Hopefully. Force, I pray they find time to seek out a safe haven."

"What will we be doing then, Master?"

"If you two do not mind, we would appreciate if you would both assist us." The Republic Commander requested, as he approached the two members of the Jedi Order. "We want to try to lure them away from where the civilians are heading, and where they may still be if a ground invasion should occur. They seem to hit the cities, when they manage to make it to the surface."

Enimi thought about his plan for a moment. She was not experienced in battle. Therefore she felt that she should trust the Republic Commander, and his men. As they were the experienced ones here. And she knew that Avlione would follow her lead.

"Tell us the plan, Commander. And we shall help you in any way that we can."

The Commander let out a sigh of relief, and gave a nod. "Our outpost here, in the woods, is pretty visible when flying from over above the treetops. I'm hoping that these bastards will want to take us out, in order to prevent us from attacking from behind, should they go to the city. But we shouldn't be here, if they come. But still be nearby."

"They won't come if they can see it is empty." Avlione murmured thoughtfully. "Maybe if either Enimi or myself remain behind, with a squad of troops. Have any extra armor you have laying around set up, to look like more troops. Then we can lure them into a trap."

The commander nodded, thoughtfully. "That may work. Won't hurt to give it a try, anyway. If they head for the city and ignore the base, we can work out a new plan. Hit them from behind."

"The sighting of a Jedi, may tempt any Sith with them." Enimi warned her Padawan. Who nodded, in understanding.

The turbo lift opened to the bridge and out stepped a hooded figure, the beings face had been hidden by the cowl. the figured paused for a moment scanning the bridge for a moment and then moves over to the Sith Lord it came to a pause just behind the plotting Lord.

"Darth Avarice" the voice from the cowl was ruff and harsh "What is your command for me?" a gloved hand reached up and pulled the hood back revealed the half-scarred features of the Sith known as Xoran. The Falleen flixed his one good eye on the Sith Lord for a moment before looking out view-port of the bridge, he could sense the new Sith Lord was reaching out to the world and ships out there through the Force.

It had been a while since Xoran had taken part in any thing to do with the other Sith he had taken to train on his own but now he wanted to see the fear in a being’s eyes as he brings them fear and death.

Once again, Avarice's thoughts were interrupted, but by a much rougher, courser voice than Breez's. This even prompted him to shift in his seat to see who was addressing him.

A Falleen face stared hard of a hood cowl and spoke,
" Darth Avarice, what is it that you command of me?" he said, simply, bluntly, well knowing of his place. That was good, for once there was a Sith that deserved to be treated with attention rather than avertedness.

Returning his gaze forward, where he saw the squadrons of T.I.E's blazing ion trails in formation, surging towards the planets fleet through the transparisteel panes.

They were the inferior T.I.E/in fighter, craft that relied more on the skill of their elite pilots than anything else. They lacked punch and speed that their rebel equivalent of the day, the X-wing, had in spades.

Avarice's lack of respect for the pilots lives, or anyone's life aboard this craft except the Sith present and his own, brought his mind back to the Falleen in his presence.

After a brief process of thought, he made decision,
" How do you feel about leading the ground assault - because that's what I'm ordering you to do. Take command of the legion aboard this craft and dispatch yourselves to the planet, you and your command will be the judge which dictates my tactics for the ground battle. So hope you aren't adverse to the occupation I have chosen for you - it may require you to... bleed.. somewhat." the Darth said with malice in his voice when referring to the pain the Falleen may have to suffer.

Avarice understood that he would need to be present in both space and surface combats in order to react and adapt his forces as rapidly as possible, but for the time being he had to be present as Commander-and-Chief of the fleet action.

Without addressing the Sith any further, he looked into the distance, interrupted by the Captain,
" My Lord, the enemy fleet is making course to intercept us."
" The games finally begin then - have our Destroyers line up in a broadside-array, it will provide a screen for our landing legion..." Avarice said matter-of-fact, prompting concern from the Captain,
" We are sending a legion down so early... sir, we wont be able to support them to the degree they need-" the captain cautioned but Avarice merely over-ruled him,
" Understood Captain, not that I didn't know that before. Now, have the Maruaders run cover tactics on our destroyers, and make ready to dispatch the other fighters and bombers once we are face-to-face with are enemy. Oh, and one last thing Captain - inform the X.O of our carried Legion that his new commander is a Falleen Sith, and not to fail him, or he will be failing me..." the Darth said, firmly but at the same time vicious bite, which made the Captain shy slightly but he nodded, and set about relaying the orders.

Returning to his churning thoughts, Avarice thought on whether he should decimate the fleet as example to the ground to surrender, or capture the fleet for later in the campaign.

Eventually, he silently reasoned with himself that he needed more ships, and that the destruction of the fleet would mean little - he sensed presences in the Force on the planets surface - Jedi were there, and that in of itself made the Darth's mind buzz with cruel satisfaction,
" The prey is caught, and it shall fight but fail..." he uttered in his mind, before turning his gaze back to the now distant specks of ion-engines attached to the TIE squadrons heading for the enemy fleet.

Xoran studied the Darth as he turned to look at the Falleen Sith and then looked out at space and the fighters moving though the void. Xoran shifted ever so slightly so that his single eye could study the bridge and the crew at their post before turning his attention to the Darth as he spoke to Xoran.

" How do you feel about leading the ground assault - because thats I'm ordering you to do. Take command of the legion aboard this craft and dispatch yourselves to the planet, you and your command will be the judge which dictates my tactics for the ground battle. SI hope you arn't adverse to the occupation I have chosen for you - it may require you to... bleed.. somewhat.

Xoran listened quietly to every thing the Darth told him and smirked, it was very clear that the Darth was expecting result from him. “I am a tool for the will of the Darth” coarse voice spoke while in his head For now, but in time you and the others will fall to me Xoran then felt the need to address the Darth’s last comment “My Lord I have bleed for our Order before” with that he reached up pulling his hood off his head revealing his entire head.

The now fully revealed head was split almost evenly down the middle, the left half of the Falleen’s face the standard smooth and attractive visage but the right side of the face was warped and scarred flesh that had been twisted and burned into the face of a monster. One of the deck crew lost his composure and his gasp in disgust was heard but Xoran ignored the fool “I will bleed for the Order again if needed but I think the blood of our foes will be better”

Having said his pieces Xoran pulled his hood back up and then turned and walked from the bridge, he had to prep the legion and himself for battle but as he left he heard the Darth issuing orders to the captain. But that wasn’t really his concern so he stepped into the lift and began his descent to docking bays. When the lift doors opened Xoran stepped out and moved down a corridor and passed through a door and walked out onto a platform that was over looking the docking bays.

Beneath him troops were marching into the drop ships in platoons of 3x12, their synchronized steps could be heard over the din of the other part of the war machine being moved into their places. Xoran studied the movements for a moment more before he sensed some one come up behind him and he then heard the thud of an individual coming to attention behind him. Xoran turned round to see a human male in his field dress standing to attention. The officer opened his mouth but Xoran cut him off “I have no interest in you name X.O. so I do not need to hear it. I can see that the men are prepped and almost ready for deployment which is acceptable. I am going to assume that you have in formed the men that they are to clearing and securing a landing area for which the rest of the legion will be using once the enemy starships are taken care of?”

The X.O. nodded his head “Yes sir, and two sections of the Maulers are ready as well” Xoran nodded his head “Good carry on X.O.” Xoran turned from the X.O. dismissing him, soon every thing ready and Xoran himself was walking onto one of the drop ships with the X.O. while the other was passing the message of all ready onto the bridge.

Oriadon knew he shouldn’t linger this close to battle. He stood, and nodding to the back of his Master’s command chair, he exited, passing a Falleen Sith as he entered the turbolift back towards the hangar. Once he was safely inside, Oriadon let fears grip him for an instant. Sure, he knew how to fly, and had flown a few simulations during his time in the Corulag Academy, but he had never flown live in a dogfight, let alone the massive starfighter battle that would take place. And his knowledge of starfighter tactics was very limited. But, he turned the fear into anger, using it to drive his resolve. He would not fail. Not with the Force at his command.

Oriadon entered the hangar, and saw men trying to fit the loading rigs onto his fighter as he had shown the deck officer. Sighing is exasperation, he yelled at them, “Get them off now! I need this thing ready to fly, and you are fitting it for storage?” At his words, the men quickly began to undo the connectors, and Oriadon used a last, impatient jerk from the Force to pull the rigs off before the men could lift them. One of them fell onto the foot of a worker, who cried out in pain. But Oriadon ignored him, scrambling into the cockpit and starting up the different systems. He ignored the men scrambling for cover, hauling away their injured comrade, as he fired up his boosters and rocketed down out of the hangar.

Oriadon suddenly felt very calm, as he spiraled through space out of the hangar. He was in a starship, one that was solely his to control. He was in total command of his surroundings. It was a comforting thought.

He was brought back by the comm. Chatter that suddenly filled his cockpit. Men were wondering why Lord Avarice had pulled their commander out right before the battle. Oriadon turned his comm to all starfighter channels, and said, “All squadrons to me. This is Specter Commander, and you will all answer to me for this battle.”

“Where is Commander Eric?” This came from a pilot registered as Alpha Two.

“He is currently indisposed, perhaps offering starfighter advice to Lord Avarice. In the meantime, we need to start harrying their starfighter squadrons. Form up behind me."

The squads all fell in line behind him, and he led the flight towards the enemy fleet. He could see the small specs of the enemy starfighters in swarms against the light grey hull of the Star Destroyer, with the four cruisers around it. At least this battle wasn't very competative, with the Sith having a large advantage. This was an environment he could afford to learn from, so long as he survived.

As they neared the enemy fleet, Oriadon began warming up his ship's two laser cannons. They got closer, and he activated his fighter's S-foils. Closer still, his hand tightened on his control stick. Finally, they were close enough. He switched on his comm and said, "All fighters, prepare to engage!"

"Enemy fighters are closing in," A Republic pilot reported.

Each fighter pilot squad quickly ran through their checks. Confirming that all of their teams were there and ready for the fight to come. As their star fighters circled the ships they were assigned to, their eyes watched carefully as enemy star fighters drew closer and closer.

Their orders were clear. Remain close to their ships, and draw the enemy fighters in. With their own fighters and the enemy fighters fighting around the Republic Capital Ships, it would create a sort of secondary shield for the larger ships. Or, so that was the plan and hopes. Since this was not the first world to be attacked by the Imperial Remnant and/or Sith Order, the men and women stationed here planned to do all that they could to keep this planet from falling into enemy hands. Including using basic and simple battle scenarios.

"Enemy fighters within range," A Voice reported through the communications system. "Engage with enemy fighters."

The orders to engage were given. The men and women piloting the star fighters knew what to do. Skilled and experienced, they would get the job done until told to pull back, or until their own ends. They were not up to par as the retired Skulls or Vengeance Wings, however they were good.

The fighters detoured from the route they had been flying in while waiting for enemy fighters to close in and began firing upon the approaching enemy fighters. They would remain within range of their own ships, even if the enemy fighters retreated. Although seeing the enemy retreat, should it happen at all, would not be for some time. Until then, they had a long fight ahead of them.



"Fighters have engaged with the enemy, Admiral."

The Admiral, who stood on board of the bridge of one of the few Republic vessels stationed here, nodded. His eyes watched the scene before them. After a silent moment he cleared his throat and spoke. "Order all ships to be ready to fire in the enemies direction. If any ships are seen heading for the planets surface, shoot it down."

Ruby red eyes continued to stare into the perma-black expanse, in the direction of where his apprentice had now just this moment joined the battle, as the rain of fire from turbo-lasers and fighter cannons began to streak through the stillness.

This was what was needed, Avarice thought, as the the swirl of TIE and opponent fighters acted as a shield for both their foes and them - except there was one thing the Republic hadn't the stomach for...

They would be bothered by shooting through their own fighters...

" Captain Unterox!"
" Yes my Lord?"
" Have The Malady and The Negator file maneuver around to cover the transports about to be launched. Have The Emperors Shield and The Emperors Sword begin to advance on the enemy fleet. Two Maruaders with us and two with the attacking group..." Avarice ordered with barely a hint of contemplation or hesitation.

The Captain looked rather wary of this plan, and voiced his view, rather bravely as well,
" My Lord, separating our fleet up may compromise our stratagem..."
" Do not worry Captain - I have faith that your comrade ships have the power of will and guile to survive... I only want them to get in close enough to launch boarding actions... We'll not allow quarter, there will be no surrender for us or them..." Avarice elaborated, ensuring that his captain understood what he was asking was something of a demand of his own stratagem, not the Imperials which seemed more inclined towards preserving their own delicate lives than winning the combat.

Avarice snorted,
" Do I have to keep justifying my orders to you captain? Or do I have to replace you to maintain a co-operative environment about the bridge?"
The captain cleared his throat, and nodded.

The Darth clicked his knuckles within his gloves as he continued orders,
" I want the enemy ships boarded, kill all aboard them, prisoners are only to be taken if they hold some value to the invasion effort. Maruaders are to continue their efforts in averting both fighter/bomber runs and intercepting missiles. Our TIE Defenders and TIE Bombers are only to be launched if we are being harried too heavily by the enemy guns - I want their ships as intact as possible. Send word for Xoran to begin his landing trajectory, tell him to sweep wide and hit the planet on its opposite side from where the enemy fleet is arrayed, it will allow them to avoid any enemy interference from orbit for a good while... those are your orders."

" Yes sir," Unterox boomed, moving off and finding the necessary officers and ensigns to relay commands, orders and messages.

Avarice planned to take the enemy fleet, wrest life from it, then launch the full might of his fleet. His fleet was small, but his army was numerous and powerful. It was only this fleet holding their plans back.

As The Emperors Shield and The Emperors Sword began to accelerate forwards, The Negator tucked in behind them, fall in line behind The Malady.

The Sword and Shield would take heavy damage, but if they got as many troops aboard the foes ships as possible it would not matter, for they would be to busy fleeing the overwhelming superiority of the Imperial forces to man guns of the ship rather than a blaster.

Avarice may end up on one of those ships. But for now, he had to ensure that the departing legion of soldiers and equipment made it to the surface as un-harried as possible, and then make sure that if the fleet battle was not finished by the time enemy cannons could blast them, that they would not be able to act to stop them.

Once again, Avarice's flame-intense stare passed as his eyes closed and the Sith Lord gave his mind to the Force. Already, lives were being extinguished, although he could not tell from which side the losses were, they most probably from the TIE's he had dispatched, their out-dated yet serviceable fighters being beaten. But he knew they'd hold firm, and die for their objective. They cared little for anything but honor, loyalty and victory. Those were the few Imperial tenets he respected.

" My apprentice Breez - hold strong, let the fury of the Dark Side drive your senses and your intelligence measure your orders. You must hold as long as you can. Two of our ships are steaming towards you, so allow them as much time to catch up as possible. Only pull back when you've exhausted your effectiveness..." Darth Avarice said through the Force to Oriadon. He expected nothing less than commitment and strength of will from him, and if he showed it, he will have earned respect from him.

It briefly made the Darth think on what he had ordered Angel to do - offer herself as a tool for Darth Desidia, his own former Master, as a good-will gesture - if there could be any such thing between Sith.

It was a action of tactics, and he probably knew that Desidia would question her motives for being there at his disposal, smelling treachery.

He'd be right, of course. But he trusted Angel Whitelight to be as opaque and transparent as possible to allow her to get close enough to strike at Desidia, maim him, or with any luck kill him. Then there power vacuum he would leave would be filled by him, Malus would be his fiefdom, and he would be the Sword of the Sith.

Sending another message through the Force, this time to the Falleen Xoran, he spoke abruptly and briefly,
" Xoran, lead the legion as you would use your lightsaber, tactically, but with powerful lethality. Think clearly, let the Force course through your veins as a fire in your blood and reap terror amongst the Republic soldiery - they shall flee, I sense the terror already... slaughter, massacre, decimate - show nothing of humanity or mercy, become the very evil they cower from!" he said with ferocity he hoped instilled in the Siths mind and transferred to his manner as a leader.

This Battle of Aphran was the first blood-drenched step on Avarice's campaign of terror. Many Jedi and Republic forces would die, the weak amongst his forces would be winnowed and killed off in the firestorm to come, and only the strong would stand at his back and side.

This was total war. Kill their people. Take their weapons. Break their will. Conquer their spirits. Dominion for a thousand years would be wrought from is actions this day and those to come.

VICTORY THROUGH POWER!

Oriadon pulled back on the throttle, causing his enemy to shoot right by him. The X-wing wheeled around, firing its laser cannons as Oriadon juked and dodged, and he set up the enemy for a game of chicken. Just as they were about to collide, Oriadon pulled hard to the left. The fighter skimmed past him, and flashed in an explosion as his wingman blew the X-wing, coming in from above to catch the dodging X-wing in the tail end.

"Good job, Alpha Two."

"Thanks sir...I don't know how, I just knew I should help you..."

"A good pilot's instincts. Follow me, we've been drawn out of the fray, and we make good targets sitting here alone."

The Sith Interceptor and TIE Fighter turned as one, and sped towards the fighting again. The thick of it was a mass of starfighters, coiled together and thrown out into individual dogfights every once in a while, similar to what Oriadon had just emerged from. The enemy capital ships had changed position, but did not engage the fighter cloud itself for fear of hitting their own fighters. Oriadon was thankful, because the tactic of engaging so close to the enemy fleet would have resulted in their annihilation otherwise.

He took time to swing around the battle once. On his pass, he saw two of the Star Destroyers in his Master's fleet had broken formation and where cruising towards him. Finally, time to engage with the big guns! Oriadon peeled back as an X-wing's laser cannon pulsed through where he had just been. Completing the maneuver, he fired his own cannons, striking the shields. He pursued, and eventually caught the enemy with a final, fatal blast.

The Force had saved Oriadon countless times already, warning him of just such danger, danger his sensory organs could not convey. Also, it had allowed him to communicate the idea of help to Alpha Two's mind.

Even as he thought on the communications, he received one from Avarice, warning him of the two ships coming to help, and to hold the line as long as possible. He also got a live feed to make sure that pressure was kept up until the last possible second. Oriadon sighed, turning back into the fray and picking up another fighter. It was not a sigh of boredom, no, simply a sigh to release the pent-up exhilaration. This fighter combat was more exciting then he had thought.

"Every available starfighter from all ships in the fleet are engaging enemy fighters, Sir."

The Admiral on board the Imperial Class Star Destroyer nodded. He already knew that all the fighters had been deployed, and did not need a reminder. Which led him to believe that the Ensign was merely nervous. However, he acknowledge the information anyway.

With the fighters already deployed, they would not need to lower their shields. Except for once, when they deployed a little something else when the time was right. For now, the shields were up and running. The fighters were engaging enemy fighters. There was little else they could do but hope that they would continue to last through the battle. At least, that was all they could do for now.

"Weapons on board all five vessels in the fleet are prepped and ready to fire on command, Admiral."

He nodded again. His attention focused on the battle before them. Watching while he stood on his feet, rather than trying to relax in his seat. "Are the men stationed on the planets surface prepared, in case a landing party manages to land?"

"Yes, Sir. All men at the base are prepared and waiting for contact. As well as the two Jedi, who are with them."

"Very good," The Admiral murmured with another nod.

"Sir, enemy ships are advancing towards our position."

The Admiral glanced at a nearby screen, and rubbed his hands together thoughtfully. He decided to give the enemy ships a bit more time, before giving the order to fire upon them. While they waited for that, he wanted the boarding parties to ready themselves. "Send word to the hangers for the Katarn-Class Boarding Shuttles to be ready, with teams of 50 troops per shuttle. Have some starfighters on standby to break from their current orders, and escort the boarding teams."

"Yes, Sir!"

Dropping his hands to his side, and then clasping them together behind his back a moment later, the Admiral turned his attention back to the battle.

(( sorry about not posting soon, had comp issues their fixed now ))

Xoran stood between the pilot and co-pilot as they started to guide the lead drop ship out of the hanger. There were four other drop ships following behind in a V formation, the group of ships cleared the main craft and they sped up and arched round and headed toward the planet. It was then that Xoran heard the voice of the Darth through the Force, he did not respond merely nodded his head and then he was interrupted by the pilot “Sir you should find a seat we’re about to hit the atmosphere and it going to be rough” Xoran fixed his gaze on the pilot and held the man in it long enough to cause the man to squirm and look away “There is nothing to worry about pilot as far as I am concerned. Continue on to the landing point out side the city”

The pilot nodded his head as he followed his orders, the landing point was a leveled hilltop near the capital city the raised elevation of the spot would allow the invading forces to see approaching at a distance while also giving them the advantage when it came to weapons fire. The entry into the atmosphere was rough but the crafts handled it well while the men in side were jostled around, some soldiers grabbed the harnesses that kept them strapped into seats for entry. Most of the men looked in awe and disbelief as Xoran strode from the cockpit into the main part as if he was walking on firm ground and not a bucking and shifting craft “X.O. once we have fully entered the atmosphere have the men ready to deploy the moment we touch down I sense that some thing is not as we plan and we must move quickly” the Falleen Sith said to the X.O. as he came to a stop in front of the man “Sir? You sensed something, that is hard..ack” the man grabbed his throat and start to choke as Xoran tilted his head and his voice held a bored tone to it “I was not opening this to discussion X.O. nor did I want your option in the matter. The Force has shown me that something is not correct with our knowledge of the situation” and then he turned and walked away releasing the X.O. just before the man passed out.

The drop ships had barely landed when the attack forces surged out of them in what was a controlled chaos. Xoran stood in the center of it taking in all that was happening, watch posts with turrets were being set up so that their arks of fire would cover each other while men were busy getting the communications up and running while others were setting up a command center. Xoran’s eye fell on a squad of maulers and his eye narrowed “Sergeant Dacal, on me” the words were spoken low and like a hiss and those around Xoran barely heard him but through the Force the sergeant those words were meant for echoed in the man’s head and Xoran smirked as the hardened soldier visibly shuddered before leaving his squad of maulers and dashing over the Sith where he came to attention and saluted “Sir, what do you need of me” Xoran looked the braced body up and down and then nodded his head before speaking “Take your squad of maulers and go down to the city and attack the nearest entry point, then go as far as you can before your force to retreat” Xoran paused wait to see what the man said but to his credit the sergeant said nothing “while this may sound like a suicide run it is not sergeant, once contacted if it is too great I want to return and report, clear?”
“Sir, Yes Sir”
“Then go carry out your orders” Xoran didn’t bother to watch the man turn and leave instead he started walking toward the command point that was almost finished “X.O. have another two mauler squads do recon on the hills and forests behind us, I do not wish to be caught between a rock and hard place when this all goes to hell” the X.O. nodded his head and dispatched the order to a runner.

Darth Avarice's view turned to the sight of the transports departing containing the advanced legion led by the Sith Xoran - a Titan Dropship led smaller dropships. It was more to unnerve the foes that witnessed the landing, they would expect an AT-AT assault. They would not receive as yet, but they would be liable to be defensive when there was more leave to be offensive otherwise.

Content that his side of the fleet was well-placed for now, Avarice stood up silently, and made announcement to the bridge crew and the Captain Unterox,
" I am going to depart to oversee the space battle in person, maintain your remaining TIE Defenders and Bombers unless the ships or the returning dropships are assaulted by the enemy. Do not move unless I personally give you the order to move from your position Captain - do not fail me." Avarice slapped a gloved yet cold hand onto Unterox's shoulder - hard, which drew a tensed gasp from the captain.

Avarice left up the observation gallery and into the turbolift, using the Force to close the door and depress the button that would take him to his desired floor.

Unterox took a relieved sigh, and eyed the command seat. He wouldn't sit in it yet, at least not until he was sure the Darth was very much absent from The Malady

Meanwhile the two attacking Imp.Star ones advanced onwards still, now entering firing range of the enemy fleet which was veiled in a swirling metallic mist of battling fighters.

The two brother ships, bearing honorable names, surged onward side-by-side. With the two bridges in view of each other, the two captains exchanged a salute between each other, showing to their crews more than each other they were at least working together.

The two were both captains, both trained academically in the application of strategy and tactics in space, and well skilled in using them to gain advantage in combat.

No matter how the field had changed, with the Republic gaining commanders of the same or greater capacity, it did not matter - the Imperial Empire still had the greatest Naval Commanders ever to live.

Captain of The Emperors Sword went by name of Khan Steel, a man who held himself properly as a Captain, always well spoken and well thought of due to either social rank or skill, it was unclear. Aboard the brother ship The Emperors Shield, its captain went by name of Paul Carling, not from natural Imperial stock and he knew it, so whenever possible he used his unkempt and relaxed manner to get is higher-ups goat. However, he got results. In war, you kept assets that got results, despite their... difference to the norm.

Flicking a unkempt hair from his otherwise peerless prim hair formation, Khan replaced his gloved left hand to the rail of the observation galleries upper tier, burning Green eyes looking towards the spiralling battle, and smiled. Turning his gaze to his Communication Officer and gave a silent acknowledging nod, before giving his orders vocally;

" Inform all long-range batteries they have clearance to open up on all visible and viable targets." he said firmly. Still quiet.

Aboard the opposite ship The 'Shield, Captain Carling had just finished relying the same commands, if only slightly less wordily as his cohort. Walking from the observation gallery upper tier to the commanders seat, he sat down and imputed some button combination into the arm-rest console and from a ceiling storage bay, and a viewing screen actuated down in front of the seated captain, who now patched in a secure channel and contacted The 'Sword.

As the captains features appeared on screen, Carling stood up and saluted loosely, before looking over the screen and out to the battle they'd soon be in;
" It seems our TIE attack has got them balled up and waiting for us. They can't get at us until we let them. Shall we? I'm thinking take wide-vectors around their flanks and catch them in a pinch. Sound a good plan?" Carling offered more bawdily than a normal captain would.

Captain Steel, on the other-end looked past the screen to the battle himself, he spoke briefly while looking at the fight before looking back to the screen with a wry smile;
" I believe... that we can indeed assault their flanks, but we'll have to split off from each other to do this - feel good about going it on your own?"
" Well Steel - I've got thousands under my command and a Marauder giving me support - so what I say instead is 'Good-hunting Captain."
" Good-hunting Captain." Steel said with a salute, but still kept the wry smile on his goatee'd face.

He watched the screen ascend back into its ceiling aperture storage, Steel took a breath of resolve, then informed is crew of what was to happen. Key to good leadership was communication and Steel had built a good re pore with his crew;
" My crewman! We have decided on making a flanking attack, we're taking a wide left vector while The 'Shield takes a wide right vector. Whether the enemy react or not, I know this much - its going to be a fun time for all!" he declared confidently, his crew briefly agreeing with an assured laugh before setting to their various works.

In that moment, the first shudders of the firing and recoil of the long-range batteries, the rhythmic thrum that reverberated through the hulls of the two ships served as pre-warning to the crews of the coming combat.

The duller hue of the Ion Engines suddenly grew into a brilliant glow of Blue as the two ships parted on their similar but different courses, escorted by the Maruaders who held fast to defending their individual charges.

The cannons fired their powerful salvos and shots at the distant battle - whether the shots hit their marks or not, whether they were accidentally intercepted by fighters unlucky enough to get caught in the trajectory, it did not matter at this stage of battle. The battle would be one of trading more damage to the enemy then they could give back. However, that was when the battle was joined.

Within the ball-cockpit of Avarice's personal Defender The Approaching Hatred, Avarice prepared to join the distant battle. As the diodes, control systems and the engines whirred, hissed and growled to life, the Darth growled indignantly.

This was in relation to the two TIE Defender pilots who had been assigned to him by request, not by order. Despite his annoyance at such over complication of such a simple act as leaving the ship, Avarice allowed their presence - if they wished to trade their life for his, then he admired their guts, but berated their foolishness.

As lead, he lifted off first, being followed by his escorting wingmen.

Making sure the communication mouthpiece was secure to his head, he spoke to his escorts, bluntly and firmly.

" You are tasked to protect me. But if you get in my way, I will dispose of you myself. DON'T get in my way!" he said fearsomely, as he accelerated his craft, almost out of formation with the other two Defenders, whose pilots resisted the urge to shift nervously in their seats, merely answered in tandem,
" Yes my lord!"

Blazing towards the combat, Avarice did not care if he was not noticed yet. He would soon be, by any Jedi scum in orbit and by the sheer numbers he culled himself.

There would be much blood this day...

Oriadon pulled back on the yoke, but the enemy starfighter had seen the move coming, swerving to the side to swing around and resume pursuit. Oriadon adjusted his angle of decent, then put in full throttle as he came out of his maneuver, turning to the side and causing the fighter to hastily dodge the shots. Then Alpha Two was there, pounding it with twin lasers until its shields failed and it exploded in a fireball. Oriadon was glad Alpha Two was sticking with him, like a good wing mate should. Of course Oriadon was lightly prompting him every time he needed help, but it was keeping Oriadon alive to keep his ships in line.

He spotted a pair of fighters speeding in his direction, and he and Alpha Two formed up. As they came closer to each other, Oriadon and Alpha Two split up, each taking a fighter with them. He saw Alpha Two pull a switch on his own fighter, dodging around behind the X-Wing and sheering off its two left S-foils with cannon fire. It was dead in space, its pilot ejecting in hopes of a rescue. But he was consumed by a green turbolaser blast, with nothing left as the beam passed. Shuddering slightly, he saw more turbolasers pounding through the battle even as he dodged the shots of the enemy fighter still trailing him.

He called again through the Force to Alpha Two, sending the general impulse that he needed help. But as he saw Alpha Two coming to help him, he also saw the enemy ship pull of a spectacular maneuver, landing himself right on Oriadon's tail. Oriadon became nervous, then scared, as he heard the beep of a confirmed enemy lock. He tried to shake it, but it kept on him. This pilot was more experienced, and was not about to let him go.

In that instant, three things happened. A flash of laser cannons caught the surprised enemy from above, blasting it apart. This smaller blast was overshadowed by a huge turbolaser blast from one of the Star Destroyers. Then, Alpha Two's consciousness vanished from Oriadon's feeling, vanishing so quickly that Oriadon almost called his name aloud. But he knew it was useless. Alpha Two was gone.

Oriadon looked and saw that the Star Destroyer's turbolaser had shifted firing arcs, and that Alpha Two had flown right into it, compelled by Oriadon's will, even as he realized the adjusting turbolaser would catch him.

Oriadon stopped his ship, now breathing heavily. He had completely dominated Alpha Two's mind without knowing or intending, but out of instinct. He wondered why it had become so instinctual to bend and sacrifice others for his will. He had joined the Sith to answer to his greater calling, but now his attempts to separate himself from certain aspects were slipping. And it made him uneasy.

Still mulling over the thought, he looked to the ship that had saved him. He was surprised to see that it was Lord Avarice's personal TIE Defender, with escort. He quickly turned on the comm, and said to his Master, "Thank you, my Master. Welcome to the fray."

"Our guests have arrived," A Republic Soldier murmured.

Jedi Knight Enimi Hatiso gave a curt nod. She sat with most of the Republic Soldiers stationed on Aphrans surface. Their location a short distance away fromt e direct path that led from the city to the Republic Outpost. Hoping that if the Imperials, Sith, or whoever it was attacking the planet would miss them completely, should they go to investigate the outpost. Then they could strike from behind, before heading to the city.

"Do not contact the base. Padawan Desheh will inform us when they are ready." Emini reminded them.


Padawan Avlione Desheh was excited. She had only a small squad of troops with her, at the Republic outpost. But still, it was something. And she was glad that her Master had entrusted her with this task. She would finally see battle, and perhaps do something that would grant her the rank of Jedi Knight. She would have a story of her own to tell, rather than researching tales told by others.

A Republic Soldier approached her. "M'lady, we are prepared."

Avilione nodded. "Then lets make sure that we give these guys a welcoming party like no other."


"Enemy ships are within range, Sir!"

The Admiral glanced to the Ensign who had spoken, and smiled. "All ships that can, fire at will. Send orders to the boarding parties. Tell them to roll out." The Admiral ordered.

As orders were sent, the starfighter pilots continued to do what they did best. Some going down, while others continued to engage with the enemy fighters. Having received word that the larger vessels within the Republic Fleet were prepared to engage with the enemy, they had warning to look out for that.

"Boarding parties are requesting permission to depart," Another crewmen reported.

"Permission granted."

The Katarn-Class Boarding Shuttles lifted off, and exited from the hangers where they had waited. A squad of Republic X-Wings broke off from they battle, to escort them towards the enemy ships.

The squad of Maulers raced down the open ground with the speed they were designed for. They were in a fish bone formation and the Sergeant Dacal was casting an eye at the sensors every so often only to see that there was nothing on them; this was unsettling for the Sergeant who had seen enough combat to know that his squad should have been contacted in some way by now. Gritting his teeth he spoke into his head set “Alright men here’s how its going to go Trast your going to knock on the doors for us if there is an answer we haul on out of there if not we go in for the look see, got it?” his men all gave their affirmatives as capital city grew closer Dacal tightened his grips on his controls as his he touched a few dials and studied what his sensors were showing, he frowned as he was getting very little from them which meant they were getting very little from every thing around them including the city. At half a click Trast’s mauler which was the lead one opened fire with a volley of laser fire which struck the closed gates of the city and blasting them open. “Too easy” muttered Dacal as he heard his men making jokes about how easy it was to get in, the squad was soon in side the city and moving down one of the main streets when Dacal studied his sensor they showed him nothing “Frack this” the Sergeant cursed as he flicked to another frequency “This is Tango Leader with a report for Alpha post come in Alpha post, over”
“This is Alpha post responding go ahead Tango Leader, over”
“Alpha post Tango team has breached the city with not resistance what so ever…..”

“… and they are proceeding further into the city and will report in ten, sir” the X.O. relayed to Xoran as the Sith stood on the edge of the camp looking off in the direction that the two other squads of Maulers had been deployed to scout. “Very well X.O. but I think that the other squads will provide us with far more important data, so have the men ready to respond either way” the Sith turned and start to walk towards the center of the camp.

Hurtling through space at speed, the Darths hand upon the yokes of the joy-sticks was steely. Death and malice run through him like blood within his veins as the arrow-head positioned trio of Defenders arched at velocity past the the port-side of the bridge of The Sword and continued their scorching approach to the battle.

This rise in adrenaline also complimented him within his awareness in the Force, which was a good thing - for it a spike in the Force prompted him to pull hard up and roll, missing a unnervingly close turbo-laser shot from The Sword's guns.

A crackly growl of static sounded followed by a shocked and concerned notation of one of the Darths wing men,
" That was too close! Are we to work under the fire of our ships?!"
" No wing men, you are to work under me! Return to the ship in cowardice if you must but I will not flee any battle against thes-" the Darth heavily berated the wing men, but was interrupted partly by the urgency to dodge another shot, this time prompting his wing men to rise above his charge to evade collision.

The Darth composed himself. The battle was now at least five thousand feet out and already the bolts of enemy contacts were blazing around the three.

Avarice noted what he was doing before hand and spoke to both wing men,
" In life or death soldiers - serve your forces bravely and it shall be remembered. Be proud - the Force will bring you victory."
Both conceded.
" Understood mi'lord..."
" Alright pilots - follow my lead. Reserve your proton torpedoes for any overly-complicating turrets on the enemy ships."

The notation tone sounded within the cockpit, Avarice looked out into the flowing, balling, expanding, contracting mass of steel and determination that was the dog-fight. They were continuing to act as a shield and hindrance to the enemy and the capital ships of the Remnant, but Avarice did not care what lives were lost...

Avarice yawed over to the right, and pulled upwards, exposing his and in turn his wing mens under-belly to the battle. A risky maneuver, but it wasn't half as risky as flying in a straight-line. The heavy-turbo-laser fire had intensified from the Sword and Shield, and more often than not a fighter or two were caught in the firing line.

" Slip back, slip back! Enemy cluster incoming! Cover!" the lead wing men shouted in tactical-alert, prompting the two Defenders to blaze in front of their lead and charge as he fell back.

Avarice was a proud warrior, but knew not to interfere with the delicate balance of training versus chaos in the favor of chaos. Both superbly armed craft fired, heavy turbo-lasers thundering out volleys of fire that tore the incoming handful of fighters into nothing more than metallic wreckage in mere seconds. There was no bravado, no cheer or praise to each other... Merely,
" Scratch two-"
" Scratch three-"
*both*" Standing by. mi'lord!" they both said in tandem as their TIEs swung back into formation. The lead wing men took a glancing bolt, his fighter recoiling slightly.
" Shields holding!" was his acknowledgement over the common comm.
Avarice didn't care. He sensed it coming but didn't yelp a warning like a worm, show concern like a woman.

He was a Sith Lord. No fear. No attachment.
Only death or victory. An immortal power in the Force for all to awe.

Banking above the massive fighter cloud, the wing men now spacing outwards, engaging any approaching fighters blankly with a blaze of laser than dealt with a fighters of lesser build like flimsiplast.

Now they swept down, Red ion trails searing a line of haze behind them as they did show, adding to the spectacle of Green, adamant and snappy heavy turbo-laser blasts, and the drib-drab patter of fighter craft fire.

They swept down in a dive that almost made the wing men falter. But Avarice. Nothing was scaring him, for he was hollow and as unfeeling as the dead when in battle. It was his turn to ready himself. He spotted allied ships taking a beating, one fighter was consumed in a blinding blast of Green while its cohort was bore down upon by a single B-wing fighter. With a clawing snatch of the fire triggers, his cannons roared to life as his wing men surged ahead of him, securing the space ahead with brute force and speed.

The B-wing fragmented, its shields collapsing near instantly due to the point of impact of the Darths shots. Guided by the Force they were, and with the Force, anything is possible. It was in that moment as he swooped over the fighter that he saved, he realized and recognized the presence of the pilot. His assertion was correct when his apprentices voice greeted him.

"Thank you, my Master. Welcome to the fray." the voice pawed in his head, it made Avarice grunt indifferently,
" I didn't know you needed invitation to kill and die in battle..." he thought rather dryly before actually contacting his apprentice by comm.

" Join up with my formation Breez. he ordered shortly and coldly, before banking around sharply, so they 180'd back in the direction they came due him spotting a clutch of X-wings and transports through the battle at. He saw this at the urging of the Force and it was galling - the fools actually thought that they could reach on of his ships? The idea was laughable, but Avarice did not laugh.

It was an ironic humour that would be answered with a blunt reply of judgement. The judgement was death, before they could even touch the deck of a single Imperial Star Destroyer with a single foot.

" Blast you're way through these wretches, TIEs' as well if necessary!"
" Sir we could climb above the-"
" I have given my order wing men! I will not allow them head start by seeking safety first! Fortune favors the bold! Follow me!"

The wing men would have shook his head, but he was soon flabbergasted that the Sith Lord was charging straight towards the thickest part of the fighter battle and - short of yelling warning - rushed after him.

Either this Sith Lord had a death-wish. Or he was probably the ballsiest fighter pilot ever to man a craft...

The TIEs were being savaged but their pilots were keeping their heads, reforming with other flights when their own were exhausted by destruction. The enemy fighters had been more than savaged, they must have been cowering in their cockpits for fear of death by enemy heavy battery.

The heavier weaponry of the larger Republic vessels fired one shot after another, as fast as they could muster. Aiming for the enemy ships that were within range. Not taking the time to worry over whether they hit their own star fighters or not. For the brave pilots knew how to do their jobs, and knew of the risks. Instead they worked quickly, and hoped that it paid off.

The Admiral on board the Imperial Class Star Destroyer watched the battle progress from where he stood on the bridge. His hands clasped nervously behind his back. Men and women of the crew carried out their duties quickly, and just as nervously as the Admiral himself.

Star fighter pilots were told that if things got too bad for them, to head to the planet rather than one of the larger ships. For the small fleet stationed at Aphran did not wish to risk lowering their shields or anything of the sort, while in battle. The Republic had lost much already to this dark menace of an enemy. They needed every advantage they could get here on this day.

"Admiral, the convoy is under attack!"

He turned and glanced at the crewmen, then nodded. "Send a pilot squad to aid them, and distract the enemy fighters if they can. For as long as possible. Contact another vessel that carries Katarns. I want another boarding team to depart as soon as possible."

---

Jedi Knight Enimi Hatiso looked toward the Republic Soldier on her left, then signaled him to go towards the city. By himself. They would need a report on the situation there, if they were to coordinate an attack on the invading forces there later.

Nodding he took off.

Once the soldier vanished from view, Enimi looked over at the rest of the troops with her. They, unlike the lone soldier, would not be going to the city just yet. First they would go to the Republic encampment. Assist there, gather those they had left behind. Then they would head into the city.

Enimi just prayed to the force that no more enemy transports made it to the surface. For they, the two Jedi and Republic men and women, would be outnumbered here. If they were not already.