[IC] Star Wars - Knights of the Last Republic

[Sep]

Jedi Padawan Rhon Duul

Rhon sat crossed legged in one of the many chambers of meditation that existed in the Jedi Temple. A fountain trickled nearby, he could hear the breathing off Jedi nearby, the faint talking of people walking past mid-conversation. There was an unease that spread throughout the temple, the war continued to drag on even after the Battle of Coruscant. As night approached the chat in the temple increased, he heard more than once that Master Kenobi had defeated General Grievous at Utapau. Deciding that his day was done he stood up and stretched. A lone LAAT flew over the temple, the usual comforting thrum of the craft as it flew overhead. Stretching his back cracked as he walked down the halls, nodding at the few other Jedi he passed in the halls. He sighed a deep heavy sigh through his mask as he looked out towards the city. Lights flashed all over the cityscape as the city never slept. The battle above the city never really caused detriment to the city, bar some falling debris once the shield had been lifted but even then very few had crashed into the surface getting past the point defense lasers.

He sighed as he looked out beyond the city and then he paused. As at the base of the temple steps he could see a group of LAATs landed. Led by a man in Jedi Robes Rhon didn't notice as he was joined by more and more onlookers who were watching the Clones led by a Jedi climb the steps towards the temple. As they neared the threshold they were stopped by Cin Drallig, drawing his green lightsaber there was some murmuring in conversation. Then panic spiked through the temple as a blue blade was ignited, the two blades crashing as troopers started charging towards the temple. The window shook as a LAAT passed close to the temple, Rhon ducked instinctively and looked out to the LAAT, doors open two clones stood with Z-6 Rotary Blasters, the weapons spinning up and piercing the glass. Before they knew what was going on several of the Jedi had already fallen. Some had grabbed their own weapons while others like Rhon had dropped into a prone position, below the line of fire.

"What is going on?" He recognized the voice as that of the human Jedi Mar, a couple of years his senior. "Why are they shooting at us?"

Rhon reached down to grab his own saber before he considered standing up. "I do not know, but we can't stay here. They'll mow us down, we need to get deeper into the temple!"

The building shook, and a red emergency light came on as Temple Guards jumped to the defense, their dual blades a shining beacon for those to rally behind. Rhon stood, twirling his own blade before him as blaster bolts came screaming in his direction, he stepped to the left to dodge a bolt. Just as he did saw he caught a glimpse of a blue bolt of blaster fire go through Mars head. Spinning the blade infront of him he started to fall back. Whatever was going on, he couldn't remain.

[vancexentan]

As Alec sat in his chair in the middle of the security barracks idling alongside some off duty temple guards he felt the deep unease he had not expected to feel in awhile. It had been far too long, and too many jedi had been killed in this war. Master Kenobi had been sent to deal the final touches, and Master Yoda was now fighting on the Wookie home planet. That left Master Windu in charge of this place, and many respected him. Alec did as well but sometimes Alec thought him a bit heavy handed in some places. Regardless there there is no ignorance, there is knowledge. He was sure Master Windu knew this and so he trusted his judgement. Suddenly one of the temple guards turned to the rest of the group from his place on the monitor. "Boss looks like we got the 501st Legion coming up near the temple's entrance. Any idea what's going on?" commented the guard as the boss told him it was probably here to gather jedi up to go hunt down some sort of CIS remnant on Coruscant. Alec shrugged quietly he had no input on the matter. They still had Master Cin Drallig in the temple if the Legion needed a commander they had plenty. However something in Alec's guts told him something was wrong but he was not about to make a joke of himself in front of the guards. He ignited both his sabers in his hand as he quickly but cautiously made his way through the now dangerous halls.

"Any radio chatter from the legion?" questioned Alec somberly as he sat in his chair suddenly feeling very...uneasy about what was going on he knew this feeling. Something was wrong...why a whole Legion? "No sir...radio silence as far as we can tell no hailing from the nearby Gunships, or any word from Commander Appo." the guard said as suddenly there was the sound of blaster noises from the comms. "WHAT THE FUCK!? What's going on here!? They just started shooting jedi! A rogue jedi has also engaged Master Drallig!" the guard stammered out quickly as the commanding officer spent no time smashing the alarm button as the Jedi Temple went into emergency alert alarms blaring. Alec didn't sigh, or fool around he got up silently and marched over to the nearby wall where there were blasters, and security armor he put on a set of protective armor around his torso, and pulled out his lightsabers igniting them. He felt a surge of stress from the force. Jedi were dying quickly...and not just here..."It is clear. We have been betrayed. Prepare yourself for the fight of your lives. The 501st do not hesitate or show mercy to foes but they are human like many of your comrades. They die when shot or stabbed." Alec stated flatly as he prepared to walk out the door a hand grabbed him one of the officers, "What do you mean Master Jedi, what are you talking about!?" he asked desperately as he received no comfort from Alec.

"There is no room for talking. It is time to fight, or die we are now enemies of the clones. Get as many jedi out of the temple as possible or try to secure exits. Get communications up to Master Drallig, and beware of that one who is fighting master Drallig. He is likely the one who betrayed us...I'm not sure who it is but I have a good idea. I will go and try to regroup with the other jedi now move. I will be on channel 11-02-02-443." Alec said coolly as a group of clone ran around the hall, vanguard most likely for the upcoming assault, only to feel a great wave of force energy pull them from their feet and back down the railing towards their doom. "It seems that no matter where I go I find myself in war. All the same a fight is a fight, and I've never had much the chance to murder traitorous clones." Alec mumbled to himself as he briefly noted the security squads rushing around to their destinations.

[Renny]

Jedi Padawan Byleth Tes

The images in his head were too raw, too surreal. Blue blasterfire melded with the cries of Jedi he had known all his life. The once comforting sound of a lightsaber became a death-song for the fearful and determined. In all the chaos Byleth once again found himself alone, not quite afraid, but very cautious, very anxious of his surroundings. Wherever he was, there was a chill that permeated through his every pore, a scratching at the back of his neck that he couldn't reach or ignore. It drove his mind up a wall. Made him question every little detail he could peer-out.

Then they came. The echoes of heavy footfalls. The ignition of a lightsaber. The blue hue of a light source from directly behind him. Byleth wheeled around, his own green lightsaber coming to life; hopefully he would finally confront the specter of this nightmare, but, like always, he awoke in his living quarters. He was drenched in sweat, heart pounding inside. A second later however, and his expression very quickly became placid.

I hear you, I can feel you whispering. But what does it all mean?

Byleth sat up and realized that his anxiety in the Force had only intensified with his wakening. His brows furrowed as he searched for his garments; finding them beneath his lightsaber hilt and utility belt.

Odd...

A moment after dressing and attaching his accessories had placed Byleth outside of his room. He strode down the halls aimlessly, worried by the festering dread growing in the Force. He realized with a student's eye that that dread wasn't very loud. Instead it was a thin, wispy sound that would be heard only by those actively listening for it. Not a second after that realization, alarms were occupying the usually docile halls of the temple. The noise drew all manner of residents from their quarters. These various sentient species looked to one another and a quick-read of the Force told him that many of them were confused, others more annoyed than guarded.

Byleth picked up the pace, heading from out the obscuring temple walls and onto one the outcroppings that would provide a view of the impossibly busy Coruscanty scenery. He needn't go too far for an explanation though. A bald, stern-looking Jedi ran up to him, his robes and parts of his skin marred by scorch marks. "Wrong way, Padawan. You want to go deeper, follow me."

Byleth nodded in agreement as the Knight briskly explained the legion of Clone Troopers sacking the Temple. The Knight had been charged with gathering Younglings and leading them to a safe location. "Do not worry, Padawan, we will not let this get out of hand!" he said through gritted teeth.

The man paused in his hurried steps then suddenly ignited his yellow saber, two bolts were deflected at great speeds. "Keep moving Padawan, gather up any Younglings you find and delve deeper into the Temple!"

A bolt flew past his face but he kept his calm, only ducking slightly. "Yes sir," he barked over the conflict.

Unclipping his lightsaber from his belt, Byleth dashed down the halls of the Temple searching, with help from the Force, for young survivors.

[Zarkun]

Jedi Master Riven Je'and

Silence reigned around the Jedi Master as she floated slightly above the ground in her room, the only other sound besides her breathing the sound of the small fountain trickling into its pool set into a nearby wall. The mantra of the Jedi Code ran through her mind while she meditated, but she did not go deep into the trance like she normally would. Last she had spoken with the the Quarter Master, the 302nd would be ready to head back to Manaan in a matter of hours. It had already been three days and admittedly, she had grown anxious. The fight for the skies had been almost as bloody as the conflict in the cities and below the waves and had shown no signs of stopping anytime soon. Finally, after another ten minutes, she exhaled and lowered her feet to the ground and stood. "Alright stomach," she said as her belly rumbled, "I shall cave and get you nourishment."

Retrieving her double-bladed saber from where she'd set it on her bed, Riven exited her room just as the alarm klaxons started to sound and the red emergency lights came on. Her years on the battlefield spoke that something was very wrong, as did her instincts, but she strode purposefully towards what she swore were the muffled sounds of combat anyways as her saber found its way into her hand, though remained inactive. An attack on the temple was foolish, but there were enough Jedi here-The panicked breathing of a retreating Mirialan Padawan, who was favoring his left arm, brought her back to reality and she stopped him while looking over the wound. "Padawan Grii, report."

"Clones! From the 501st, they just-they started shooting. The Temple Guards and Jedi Master Cin Drallig are engaging the clones and their Jedi leader, but most of the Knights and Padawans were ordered deeper into the temple. I don't wanna die, Master." Riven's eyes harden ever so slightly and she pushes the Padawan towards where she'd come from.

"Awaken the other Jedi, have them go with you. I'll be along shortly." The Padawan nods and runs to the first door he sees as the Jedi Master strides through the door he'd come into the area from. A trio of Clones had been giving chase, but before they could raise their weapons at the sight of the master, she flicks the wrist of her left hand up, slamming the trio into the roof of the chamber, before flicking it back down, slamming them into the ground. They did not move and Riven faced the stairwell and ignited her saber as another trio came down, their blasters already up. Their shots found their way back into their owners chests and Riven turned and left the chamber before anymore trouble arrived. She then locked the door from her side and proceeded after the retreating forms of the Padawans and Knights Grii had gathered. Time was of the essence and they needed to be protected.

[Heat]

Ryndi Das, Jedi Padawan

The powerful warmth of the Force held her in its embrace, basking the young Jedi in serenity and peace. She was on Dantooine once more, deep in meditation. It was as if she had never left the placid farming world, once more her fingertips danced through the tall, gentle blades of grass. Tickling her palms and sending a nostalgic sensation throughout her veins. It was where she been all those years ago when the Jedi knight arrived, like an angel descending from the heavens on a metal chariot. She was such an youth at that age, a code bound warrior of peace was the last thing she would have predicted she would become. It was a far-cry from the sensible ranching of her homeworld which was what her family did for a living. Yet in the stress filled mental state she found herself the Force guided her back to Dantooine, away from war which plagued the stars and made corpses of innocents. Far from the horrific reoccurring images of Master Gesi's brutal cessation at the hands of machines.

Wind whistled in the padawan's ears, it blew her flowing black hair across her shoulders gently. In her Force attuned meditative stance she strolled wordlessly through a lush field as she scaled a flower topped hillside. She reached the top to stop and gaze upon what laid before her, seemingly endless fields of nature covering every single inch of dirt. Thick forests of trees dotted the horizon, the air nudging the leaf filled branches gently. Clear blue skies hung far above her, devoid of smoke and flame. It was the picturesque vision of calmness for the troubled Jedi, the serene meditation she had seeked out in the Force. Ryndi was alone in her peace, as she had desired to be. The other Jedi tried their hardest to help her and she appreciated their efforts but solitary serenity was what she wished for more than anything at the moment.

In her vision she moved to sit atop the hill, ceasing her forward stroll as meditated in the same position she was in actuality. The tall grass welcomed her acting as a comfortable cushion for her frame. Each breath was deep in its length, helping to usher in the inner peace she desired. As her meditative counterpart gazed upon the horizon she felt a strange twitch, then watched as every single tree in her sight was enveloped in flame. Each leaf they carried turned to embers as the formerly lush plains turned to fields of fire. Internally she screamed, as the Force echoed her silent shriek. Her last sight in her meditation was blackened skies, as the formerly welcoming blades of grass cut into her like daggers and she was jolted back to reality.

Ryndi's eyes came open in a blaze to the sights of panic and sounds of utter chaos. Her pupils darted around madly in confusion like her head was a on a swivel as she tried to make sense of it all. She heard blaster fire echo down the hallways of their solemn temple, accompanied by horrific screams and the sounds of marching boots. The terrified padawan wondered if the Confederacy had broken through and against all odds launched a daring attack on Coruscant. If battle droids tore through the halls and slaughtered the Order's peaceful Jedi. She dismissed that panicky speculation as the Jedi who had awoken her shook her to her senses, hollering about clones. As Ryndi scrambled to her feet she felt the other Jedi's hands on her, recognizing him as Brel Kam, a Muun Jedi knight she had made an acquaintance with. He had been injured in battle, his left leg heavily bandaged. She could see the terror in the knight's eyes and felt it through the Force, then she finally comprehended his words.

"Lets go Ryndi! The clones are attacking the temple, they're killing everyone!" The Muun exclaimed, finally releasing the young Jedi as she felt her heart accelerate in her chest. Practically threatening to burst through her rib cage in her panic.

"W-what? They can't possibly..." The padawan replied as she took a step back, speaking between rapid breaths. It took every ounce of strength to pull the words from her own mouth as she did not even know what to say or think.

"There's no time, we have to move now!" Brel replied, as a few other Jedi around them walked around unsure, some scrambling to run. "Oh no, they're coming. Go now!"

She heard the Jedi knight holler as he ignited his lightsaber, the shimmering green blade sucking the tension from the room as it was followed by the thunderous sounds of combat boots across ground. Ryndi just started to run in the opposite direction, deeper into the temple and away from the main entrance. The clones couldn't have possibly have reached that far inside. A couple other Jedi had thought the same and ran ahead of her as Brel engaged the clone troopers. Her last glance back caught sight of him cutting down three of them valiantly, before being overwhelmed by a barrage of blaster fire. Then her running graduated into a full on sprint as she dashed with every ounce of strength she had. Shots rang out behind her, slamming in the trail where her footsteps had once been as another Jedi behind her fell in a heap.

The Force was clouded with pain, death and despair. The only thing keeping the already grief stricken padawan from plunging into the darkness was the sheer horror of the temple attack. A part of her told her to stop running and let herself die, without Master Gesi she was just some weak and broken girl. That she was doomed even she somehow survived this menacing assault on their beautiful temple. But the part of her mind that contained her survival instinct overcame the despair, and carried her footsteps ahead even as tears once more began to seep down her face.

[Double]

Jedi Sentinel Vrex Camek

When you're a Guard, you do a lot of standing still. Anyone who had ever worked security could tell you that. Whether it was a Clone Trooper assigned to guard the entrance of a base on the war front, or one of the Royal Guards assigned to protect the Supreme Chancellor. And yes, that applied to the Sentinels as well, the Temple Guards who remained steadfast in their duty to protect the safety and security of the Jedi Temples. Depending on who you are, standing guard could very well be a very boring affair, spending much of your time counting tiles or speeders passing by to stave off the insanity of going bored. That wasn't the case for a Jedi, at least not this particular one. Vrex took the extended period of remaining in one spot as an opportunity to constantly be honing his awareness of his surroundings, letting the Force become a sixth sense as well as an extension of his other senses. It was like meditation, in a way, but much more focused on a singular goal and nowhere near as spiritual in nature.

A hum, followed by beeping was what drew the Devaronian out of his focus and brought his attention to his immediate surroundings. It was his comm link, specifically the long distance one. There was only one reason for it to be contacted. Vrex snatched the comm link from its holster and switched it on, and he was surprised to see the holographic image of Master Tharn, but something was wrong. He looked off, his face appeared to be contorted, wincing in pain. His left hand was covering a blaster wound on his right shoulder. He was injured, "Vrex..." his voice was partially muffled by static, "...read me? My Clones turned..." more static, "...hit my arm. Not sure... escape... contact the Council and-" he was cut off, but not by static. His image whirled around and an ignited Lightsaber blade defected blaster bolts until the Jedi Master was overwhelmed and shot down, the last image showing was his lifeless form as Clone Troopers appeared.

"Master!" Vrex said, practically shouting. He put the comm link away and sprinted, making for the Council Chamber. He slowed and paused however, remembering that none of the Council were currently on Coruscant. He hastily turned his comm link back and tried transmitting to one of them. Master Kenobi, Master Windu, Master Yoda, any of them. But there was no response. Either they lost their comm links or... the Temple's communications were being jammed. That was the moment when Vrex heard blaster fire coming from the main entrance. They were under attack. He grabbed his Lightsaber hilt and unclipped it before dashing in the direction of the fight. He was a Sentinel, defending this Temple was his duty, and he refused to allow yet another Temple to fall.

It didn't make sense. Clones turning on the Jedi, the Temple under attack. Was this some kind of Separatist scheme? Had they learned some way to take control of the Clones? He'd heard reports that both General Grievous and Count Dooku were dead, which meant the Separatist Army was without its two strongest leaders. It was hard to imagine they could come back after their defeat at the Battle of Coruscant. And yet... Vrex picked up the pace. He needed to do something, anything to be of help to the Temple in its time of need. He could see the main entrance coming into view down the corridor. He could even see many of his fellow Sentinels with their blades already ignited and advancing out the doors. Before Vrex could get too close, one of the Sentinels turned and spotted the incoming ally, but held up his free hand to signal Vrex to stop, "We have the entrance covered!" he shouted, "Clear the interior, evacuate as many as you can! Use the Lower Exit if you have to!"

Vrex skidded to halt, but hesitated. Retreat? But it was his job to fight, same as any other Sentinel. No, not to fight, their job was to protect, and there was indeed many Padawans and Younglings deeper in the Temple that would need protection. Vrex nodded to the other Sentinel and sprinted the other way, back into the deeper portions of the Temple. The Lower Exit the guard was referring to was an emergency lift that could be found in a hidden room deep in the temple. The lift led down into an escape tunnel that would lead out into the Lower City of Coruscant. It was meant to be used as an escape route in the event that the Temple was overrun, and for security reasons the only Jedi who knew of it were the Sentinels and Jedi Masters. Padawans and other Knights should theoretically be uninformed of the Lower Exit's existence, though with a betrayal like this Vrex almost half expected the information to have been leaked at some point.

Vrex caught sight of some fighting ahead of him. Some of the Clones must have made it through the side entrances. He saw a few of them die by the blade of a Jedi before they managed shoot him down. Further ahead he saw a Padawan girl among others running deeper into the temple in retreat. Vrex steeled himself and allowed the Force to give him an unnatural boost to his running speed. He whipped past the Clones, using the Force to push them aside into the walls of the corridor before whirling around and batting a blaster bolt back at the remaining clone with his golden yellow lightsaber blade. Just as suddenly as the blade was ignited it was deactivated again as Vrex went back to running in the hopes of catching up to the retreating Padawan and any other survivors that were with her.

"Padawan!" Vrex yelled out to the fleeing girl, "Help me gather as many as we can find! I can lead us to an escape route!" hopefully the young Padawan wasn't too panicked and would hear his words. As Master Yoda had always said: Fear leads to anger, anger to hatred, and hatred to suffering.

@Heat

[Sep]

Jedi Padawan Rhon Duul

Running along corridors near the outside of the temple Rhon heard a LAAT beside him, a spotlight focused on him. Sensing what was coming next Rhon dove into a nearby corridor as laser shots landed directly in front of him where he had been heading. Back against a wall, he took a moment to catch his breath. A dark presence had entered the temple, he could sense it from here. The pain as Master Cin Drallig fell, as the 501st stormed the temple. There was no chance now, they had entered the temple proper. Rhon unclipped his blade from his belt as he ran down a nearby corridor, he could hear the boots of Clones following him down the hall. Blaster fire, screams, and shouts echoing throughout the temple as the Force was in chaos. He saw a Jedi Master ignite two blades and redirect fire towards a trio of clones before running after another pair of Jedi. "Master-!" He had started to shout after her, he didn't know what to do, where to go. As soon as he started, however, a group of clones came around the corner, narrowly dodging a blaster bolt he dove into a nearby meditation garden. Standing before a tree he stood his ground as the Clones walked in, arms behind him he cast pulled them around himself as the tree basically leaned forward, branches bending to cover him and protect him from the incoming fire.

Then he pushed his hands towards the door, the tree lurching forward at impossible speeds. He didn't want to focus on the crunching sounds or the groans from the clones, the feeling of their life being extinguished in the Force. He had spent the war being a healer, causing damage tore at him and his very beliefs. Yet, this was a life or death situation and he had no choice but to fight. He ducked around the tree once he deamed it safe and through a nearby door. A group of clones lay dead, slashed apart by a lightsaber. Turning the Kel Dor ran down the hallway, deeper into the temple. That was where everyone else seemed to be going, he had hope that he would find someone, and that they would somehow find a way to survive this crisis.

Mentions

@Zarkun

[Zarkun]

Jedi Master Riven Je'and

Riven stops as she hears the sound of more Clone combat boots approaching from behind and turn, unleashing a mass stun that stop the group of five troopers in their tracks, waving side to side as their minds become muddled. The orange blades of her saber sing through the air as she gracefully throws her saber, cleaving them in two before recalling the weapon back to her hand. She had heard someone call for a master behind her and she would die before leaving a padawan in need behind. Sensing the attack coming before she heard the blaster fire, the double-bladed lightsaber spun expertly as she turned to face the attacking clones, the shots all flying back into the chests and heads of their owners. The situation had quickly spiraled as soon as she had felt Master Cin Drallig fall and a dark presence, a terrible presence, had entered the temple.

As she searched for the owner of the call before, she remembered that Grii had said the clone's leader had been a Jedi, which meant that their lightsaber had been a blade of Green or Blue, but this presence...It feels more like that of a Sith than that of a Jedi. A clone, who's rifle had been damaged by a lightsaber strike, charged her, his fist pulled back to strike a punch, but instead he found himself yanked through the air at a speed much faster than he wanted and got impaled on Riven's saber. She couldn't stay put much longer, the number of Clones in the area was increasing far too quickly, when she spotted the Kel Dor as he passed her in an adjacent hallway. Using Force Speed, she caught up to the young Padawan. "Padawan Rhon Duul, it is good to see that at least one of our healers is still alive for certain. Did you see who leads this attack?"

Another twinge in the Force and Riven pivoted, deflecting three blaster bolts back at the three clones who'd thought they were clever, killing two and wounding the third, forcing him back into cover. "A question to answer when we're not in constant danger. Come, I know another way out of the Temple. I simply hope Padawan Grii followed my directions."

Mentions

@Sep

[vancexentan]

Blasters, and grenades rained through groups of jedi running, and fighting for their lives in the temple. Many were terrified, Alec didn't care. Whatever happens now he just wanted to make sure he at least died fighting if he could. That being said survival was hopefully preferable but if this sort of scale warfare was happening that must mean that someone very high up had them all in their sights. The pain in the force was felt, and ignored one had to channel their peace of mind if one was to survive. Focus, and ignore the distractions. Cleaving his way through some clone assassins by using his force powers to off set their skill in the art of killing rogue jedi he also managed to force his way through a squad with deft blade work, and his skill in Soresu. Dodging, weaving, and calling upon the force to speed his movements he rushed down his enemies cleaving them apart with deft slashes crippling those he could not kill instantly. Clones were always just puppets in truth though many jedi denied that way of thinking Alec had long since accepted that these puppets were just tools. Now they had been set to dance to the tune of a different kind that Alec was use to. There were too many to fight head on those who were doomed Alec left for death. He could not save everyone unfortunately. As he came rushing down the hallway he came upon Master Riven fleeing with a padawan choosing to follow them in order to make sure he at least knew some depth of command was still in place during this raid.

@Zarkun@Sep

[Renny]

Jedi Padawan Byleth Tes

The youths were tightly compact balls of fear in the Force. Many already being led by capable, if not lucky, Jedi already. Byleth found time to pace his thoughts and departure. He gathered what little he could gleam; the chaos, the fear, the panic. It sickened the Force. And the deaths, the deaths were tiny holes in its infinite fabric. He tried to ease the throbbing in his head, a physical manifestation of the drama playing out around him. Master Elda Beh often urged him to act on his feelings but not even his former Master had experienced such crippling confusion in the Force before.

A tiny voice and its pulling on his lower robes brought him back. Byleth blinked once, clearing his thoughts. Behind him, shaking and trembling was a human girl, a youngling with black hair and frightened brown eyes. He sensed the danger a short moment before she vocalized her warning. "Troopers behind me!"

Byleth flipped the switch on his lightsaber, its green blade hummed. "Go, Youngling. I'll hold them." She hesitantly agreed before scurrying off and once she was out of earshot, Byleth continued, "I think."

Three Clone Troopers stepped into view, far down the dim hall. Byleth took a step back before willed him to stay put for the Youngling that went ahead. He hoped that no more were behind them, cause he felt three was his limit. The first that saw him pointed. "Jedi in sight."

Byleth chuckled nervously. "Padawan actually, does that exempt me from your genocide?" He raised his lightsaber at the ready even as the Force surged within and around him. "I'm going to have to initiate," he told himself. "If I let them overwhelm me with their blaster fire, they'll mow me down." Byleth rushed them, deflecting blaster bolts in route. He reflected bolts into the rear Troopers before closing in, ducking under a blue burst, and diagonally bisecting the remaining Trooper.

Byleth stood and checked his surroundings; all clear. He fixed his robes, moving aside wayward strands of hair. "I'll survive this. I'll make sure to survive this," Byleth told himself, the Force taking the place of his exhaustion. "Gotta keep saving, keep running."

[Sep]

Jedi Padawan Rhon Duul

Rhon was about to answer to the Master before him before she turned and continued to run. He caught a flash of white coming out of a side door and raised his saber out before him. The blade igniting in a snap-hiss as the cyan blade came forth as a blinding column of plasma. He twisted and turned, the Force guiding his saber to the blaster bolts that were going to hit his body, while he moved with the grace of a trained dancer between the other shots. Eyes closed he let the Force guide his actions, he didn't need the distraction of sight to know what to do. For his ally was the Force. Twisting and turning through the bolts he gained on the Clone Troopers, the smell of burnt armour and flesh reaching his nostrils...

A Grim Reminder

Years ago on Geonosis Rhon stood in the command point after the second attack on Geonosis. Pelta-Class Frigates sat behind them as LAATs had formed together in a circle. Clones lay on gurneys as Rhon Duul lay beside one, concentrating on the Force inside the living being. Encouraging the flesh to sow together and heal. Master Rowoorr was off on the front helping Masters Skywalker and Luminara establish lines in the field, while Rhon was left to defend the FOB and heal the wounded with his masters former Padawan, a human female named Lucina. She was all he aspired to be a compassionate and skilled healer. There was an explosion in the distance and his left hand instinctively went down to his saber hilt, losing his concentration on his patient who groaned in pain.

Mentally scolding himself he raised his hand back to the body of the clone. Finally sealing up the wound. A Clone Commander came running into the circle. “General Kast, Commander Duul. The Geonosians are pushing us on the left flank!”

The young Kel Dor turned to the Jedi Knight, waiting for her response to the clones comment. This was his first time in battle. The Jedi Knight seemed to think on things for a moment, unsure on how to proceed before she spoke. “If we don’t go there won’t be much of a base left to return to, and there will be no hope for saving these men.” She said, her voice full of conviction. “We have to go Rhon. I know I’m asking a lot of you, but trust in Master Rowoorr’s training, and we’ll make it out of this.” She added, then joined the clone in running to the front.

Many clones spoke of combat but to be part of it, seemed to be torn from a nightmare. Around the Kel-Dor. Artillery rounds hit the hastily dug trenches, and beyond. Kicking up plumes of red dust, the chaos, the screams. But among them shining defiantly, stood the emerald green blade of the Jedi Knight who moments ago had been healing clones. It seemed like a stark contrast to The Jedi Knight he had seen moments ago, but the enemy was bearing down on them. It did indeed seem to be a combined push of the bug-like Geonosians, and battle droids. The latter of which had brought artillery to keep the clones pinned to cover, and provide support for their advance. Stopping their fire long enough for the Geonosians and droids to push up.

The droids began to run for the first trench. As the clones put the fire downrange, Lucina helped them by deflecting back the occasional blaster bolt. “Get in cover Rhon, they’re about to fire another barrage!” She shouted, at the Kel-dor, waving him forward to join them in the trench.

Rhon had followed his masters former Padawan, lightsaber hilt in hand. He stood behind the trench deflecting blaster bolts with his green saber. Spinning delicately, his masters' training and drilling running through his head. Keep calm, centered. Fluid, one position to the next. Trust the Force, rely on it. It will warn of any incoming danger. As Lucina shouted towards him he had no hesitation of diving into the trench as the heavy fire started raining down near them. Explosions rocked him, his ears ringing as he instinctively raised his arms to cover his head as small parts of debris landed on his head.

As his ears started to recover he could hear the clanking off droids as they continued their approach. Not one to be outdone by his masters' former apprentice he jumped out of the trench, blade aimed for a midsection blow. He almost threw up when the smell of burning flesh reached his nostrils. What he had thought would be a battle droid had actually been a Geonosian. The revelation caused his stomach to lurch, the feeling in the Force as life was wiped out, by his hand.

The human Jedi Knight climbed over the top of the trench. “Let’s push the artillery battery!” She shouted. She joined the Kel-dor in pushing through the separatist forces. As she sliced through the geonosians. Rhon was sure he saw a smile on her face as she cut through the enemy ranks. To the Kel-dor she seemed to enjoy it, she seemed blood drunk. Her green blade a blur, the force acting as another sword as she pushed, pulled, and scattered droids. All in a beautiful dance of carnage.

Meanwhile, Rhon lagged behind, while Lucina pushed at the front of the charge he stayed with the line of Clone Troopers. The range didn’t allow him to actually engage in the fighting, what he did, however, was focus on creating a defensive screen for the Clones. Rapidly moving between them in a move to deflect as many potential fatal blows as possible. By the time they reached the base off the cliffs by his count he had saved at least ten of the Clones.

As the clones supported them, she began to push the cliffs where the separatists had taken up artillery positions. She took them up a side trail up to the sepratist gun position. Here the enemy seemed genuinely surprised as the team fell on them. But that surprise didn’t last long as they fought back. “Take out those artillery platforms I want detonators on them now!” Lucina shouted, cutting through a sniper droid.

Rhon opened his eyes as the three Clones fell before him. He sighed at the needless slaughter, the slaughter that someone had orchestrated. He could feel his anger rise as his mind went cloudy, taking a deep breath to calm himself. Clear his mind. They would find and deal with whoever had called for this slaughter, off that he had no doubt. The Jedi Order would survive, regroup and then come back and exact justice for the slaughter that was currently taking place.

Running back after Master Je'and Rhon suddenly collapsed as a searing pain erupted in his left leg, a wayward blaster bolt finding its mark.

Elsewhere in the Temple

Pain, confusion, anger. The Hero to the Jedi Order was cutting a path through the Jedi Temple. Blue blade in hand he deflected blows, countered and slashes with expertise unmatched by anyone he came across in the temple. Making a beeline for the archives. He cared not who was in his path as he made his way through. Clones following him closely, firing at anyone who dared to try and sneak up on him. AS he heard pockets of resistance fighting back all over the temple he turned to the clones behind him. "Fan out. Have the LAATs surrounding the temple begin strafing runs to anyone they see from outside. By the time we're finished in the Archives I want this Temple Secure."

"Yes, sir."

[vancexentan]

There wasn't much Alec could do in this situation with the young padawan getting injured he considered for a brief moment the boy a lost cause. There weren't too many jedi who would survive this. As he had engaged in combat he felt in the force that many jedi were dying not just here but in many places. This was not secluded to just the temple. This was a massacre on a level he had not seen. But he was not one to shy away from brutally executing enemies. In fact it was his specialty. He kept his mind open always were there chances of snipers. The temple guards probably have been pushed back, or killed. "Get the padawan up, I'll try to cover for you." Alec suggested it was not an order, but it was urgently said be it he be abandoned, or not was up to the other jedi master. It was not the jedi way to abandon a comrade but never before had the jedi's own troops had turned on them to this extent. Not even during the first purge with Revan.

[Renny]

Jedi Padawan Byleth Tes

Byleth had started forward but stopped abruptly. There was a pulling in the Force. A kind, mesmerizing whisper. Where was it pulling him to and why? In this situation wrought with chaos, blaster fire, and a terrible, bone-numbing chill, could he afford to trust so completely in the Force? That was perhaps the first time he had ever asked himself such a obvious question.

This is crazy but if its the will of the Force... I'll seek it out.

He had been told to guide the younger Jedi deeper into The Temple yet the Force was tugging him back towards the battle. Towards something... no, someones. Byleth dashed to the corner of the hall, the three Troopers from before slain behind him. He peeked around it, seeing blue bolts stream, burst, and strafe far and further down. He reforged his confidence and ducked out of cover, avoiding the busy Clones before turning into a empty hall. Byleth had known the Temple pretty well, he hoped to use that and his skills to uncover the will of the Force during such a horrendous ordeal.

"Careful. Don't overdo it."

[Zarkun]

Jedi Master Riven Je'and

The sound of a third voice besides her own and Padawan Rhon's causes Riven to pause and turn back, finding that Rhon had been wounded by a stray blaster bolt and Jedi Knight Alec Arnost calling to her. When he said to grab Padawan Rhon, she was already moving, her saberstaff spinning and expertly deflecting blaster bolts back into their owners before she helped him up. "Knight Alec, help Padawan Rhon along, continue down this hallway and then take a left at the end. I'll be along briefly." Once the pair had started moving away, she faced the small team of Clones that was running towards them, a group of about six.

"There's a Jedi! Get her!" Their rifles came up and started firing and the Jedi Master's twin blades seemed to move on their own, sending the bolts flying away from her as she closed her eyes briefly in concentration. After a couple of moments, she thrust out her left hand and the Clones found themselves unable to move. Satisfied, she reached out with the Force and grabbed the ceiling above them and brought it crashing down, leaving their blue and white armored forms crumpled beneath the rubble as she ran after Alec and Rhon. That should buy them at least a few minutes.

[vancexentan]

Alec disabled his green lightsaber, and grabbed Rhon quickly pulling the padawan up and made sure the padawan could stand up properly so that he could walk, if he could not Alec quickly draped the padawan's arm around his own neck so that he could lean on him while he did most of the walking. He couldn't really afford to carry him in this situation, and he didn't have time to make sure he was properly secured around his back. Keeping his orange blade prepared he moved as fast as he could down the halls. He didn't have a clue what the jedi master had in mind but there was little he could do for the moment. The padawan likely knew little of what was happening, and he couldn't afford to try and contact the guards right now. They were probably dead now unfortunately. "Keep your focus padawan. The war has ended but a new one has started. If you wish to see the end of it you better not think of the pain. Think about survival." Alec told him simply they made their way to the point where the master told them to go.

[Double]

Jedi Sentinel Vrex Camek and Padawan Ryndi Das
(Collab between Double and Heat

As the fleeing padawan dashed down the hallway, darting away from the sudden chaos of the clone trooper assault she heard a voice call out to her. She did not recognize it immediately, thinking it was her panic filled mind taunting her. The other Jedi beside her kept running, some shifting down another corridor as they all simply sprinted away from any sounds of blaster fire. Ryndi slowed her stride and gave a glance in the direction of the voice speaking to her, staring at the figure that had caught up to her. A temple guard requesting assistance, what could see possibly do to help them? A weak grief riddled padawan fleeing aimlessly in a stunned terror. The only thing that had truly caught her attention was the mention of an escape route. A temple guard would know of such ways better than anyone.

“There’s too much panic. Can’t you feel it in the Force? It’s like it is screaming in horror, shaking and shivering inside my mind,” Ryndi stated in an uneasy tone, forcing herself to stop in her stride and speak to the guard. “I’m just a padawan, I can barely even think straight. I don’t know how well I could help you.”

Time was of the essence, and thus Vrex didn’t have time to fully explain himself. He did still respond to her queries, “Yes, I do feel it, tugging and pulling at the back of my mind like a great weight.” but then he reached up and took off the white mask, revealing red skin and a Devaronian face, “But I suppose I’ve been more thoroughly trained to steel myself against the tides of the Force for the sake of my position as a Sentinel.” then he placed his free hand on the girl’s shoulder, a comforting gesture not often used by the Jedi, “I know that I ask a lot of you, but there are many younglings throughout this temple with less training and experience than you have. On our own we are just lone Jedi, but together… together we may be able to save some lives. Including our own.”

The sounds of clone troopers and their heavy footsteps began to echo down the corridor, another wave was heading their way. The two were running out of time, “Head deeper in, to any place the younglings are likely to take shelter. Take them to the lowermost central level of the temple, there’s a lift that leads to a tunnel. It should lead out into the Lower City.”

“I don’t know if I’m strong enough. But those children will die without our help.” Ryndi replied, glancing at the floor as she spoke. Confidence not exactly pumping through through her veins. Still, the Sentinel was right, they had a duty to help even in a time of total crisis.

“I will try. I can’t take them all on my own, there’s so many of them stomping around the temple. With your help we have a much better chance, I doubt the clones know of the halls underneath the temple.” She stated as the padawan steeled herself for a difficult situation, at a horrific time like this she especially wished Master Gesi was still with them. But he’d want her to help others, especially the most helpless in the order’s ranks.

“We need to get going if we have any chance, they’re closing in on every side.” She added calmly, forcing herself to push away the fear which coursed through her. As Ryndi tried to find serenity in the lightside.

“Right then.” said Vrex putting himself out in front, “I’ll take point. Let’s start with the inner dormitories, some Younglings may have thought to hide in closets or other nooks and crannies down there.” some footsteps coming down the corridor behind them spurred Vrex into advancing forward. He deliberately let himself go at a slow enough pace for the Padawan to keep up, not wanting them to get separated so quickly. The inner dormitories awaited them deeper in the Temple.

[Sep]

Jedi Padawan Rhon Duul

Rhon winced as he tried to push on, his wounded leg slowing him. Focusing all his will power on the Force he found the injury in his leg, sealing the wound the best he could under pressure. As they continued to run down the hallway his leg became sturdier, he wasn't sure if he had healed the wound or simply numbed the pain. It didn't matter, removing his arm from around the guards neck he ran into a full sprint in the direction that the master had indicated. Towards the dormitories. He could hear clones shouting all around him, unable to make one voice out amongst the many. Blasters firing, and as time went on he heard less and less fighting. Fewer lightsabers, fewer cries of resistance. The Jedi Order was falling around them.

He pushed into one of the dormitories as he heard a Clone say something about doing a second sweep. Suddenly barging in, the Clone didn't have time to react as Rhon ignited his blade and dove down low, aiming for a midsection slice while he hoped that his companion would be quick enough on the draw to deal with the other two clones in the small corridor.

[vancexentan]

Quickly pulling his blade from the other belt using the forever he also used it to ignite the blade and throw it at the clone troopers whom the padawan had not dispatched. Even as his blade was thrown Alec quickly assumed his soresu's stance now that he had himself free. He blocked the blaster fire that would inevitably follow even if the clones didn't dodge in time it would still likely come. Hoping that his blade took one of them out regardless of it happening or not Alec reached out with the force gripping the clone troopers with it and them smashing them together with enough force to either snap their bones on contact with each other, or knock them out assuming the thrown blade didn't do it. Retrieving his weapon Alec looked around hoping that no other enemies were in the area. He couldn't do a good impression of those god damn Mando accents the clones had. He could only hope that reinforcements were busy. "We need to head towards the exits. Not the entrances but somewhere like the maintenance halls. The main points are gagged with troopers. LAATs are likely going into the skies to block starfighters. If we have any chance of getting out it needs to be somewhere they wouldn't immediately think of padawan."

[Zarkun]

Jedi Master Riven Je'and

"Then you'll want to follow me, Knight Alec." I come around the corner after the pair had finished their dispatching of the clones and kept walking, ignoring their fallen bodies. "There's a way out of the Temple that only the Temple Guards and Jedi Masters know about. Any surviving guards will be sending the other Padawans and younglings there. We will join them and pray there are still more Masters alive besides myself." She stopped the pair a moment and looked out the door on the other side of the room before leading the way out. It was quieter here, likely due to the fact most of the Jedi here had fled when the fighting started, being mostly padawans or younglings, or had already been found by the Clone squads that had made it this far in. "Stay close."

[vancexentan]

"Before I got here I dispatched a handful of Clone Assassins. Watch out some of them may not be wielding blasters to kill us. Though I'm sure I need not tell a master that. I apologize if I am rude I get this way when I'm in my survival mind set." Alec said calmly in all truthfullness he was incapable of being rude he really didn't feel anger, even as the temple was burnt to the ground, and his comrades died in droves behind him Alec's biological incapability of feeling that emotion both made him an excellent jedi, and a poor people person. "I was with the temple guards in the security room. I can try to send a message to them...or not if you desire."