Manaan Orbit

[Swirling Force]

This is Manaan's orbit. Here ships may enter and exit both hyperspace and the planet's atmosphere.


^{Image: Star Wars: Empire at War © Lucasarts}


There are no Republic forces in orbit currently.

[underlord]

(That Last Post on Manaan Orbit brought over from Facebook after the defeat of the republic fleet)

*As the republic fleets begin to disentigrate and go in the three different directions, the sith fleet roars in victory. As the republic fleet opens up their engines and lose power to shields and weapons the sith fleet takes advantage, opening full fire at them from the rear. The four sith interdictors giving the exiting fourth fleet entire broadsides of fire. As the two fleets move into hyperspace, the sith fleet rejoices its victory, and soon, the remaining sith starfighters land in their ships*

*After having their starfighters land in the ships, the combined sith fleets move into a defencive formation of Manaan, with four interdictors going to each pole, moving the sensor grids to cover the planet on all sides, the remaining ships move into a fleet formation*

*After the formations are taken in, the Nightfall, as well as the two other centurion cruisers and two interdictor cruisers, make for the planet while fresh starfighter pilots and refueled and armed starfighters take to space*

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Sith Empire's Third Fleet is present in this system.

Sith losses Since Start:
9 Sith Interceptors
4 Derriphon Class Battleships
4 shuttles
5 Interdictor Cruisers

Current Capital Ship Numbers:
4 Centurion Class Cruisers
12 Interdictor Class Cruisers

The Third Fleet is under the direct command of DARK UNDERLORD.

[underlord]

*From the planet, a sith code is sent to the orbiting ships. A comm man walks to the captain of the Venerable, a Sith Interdictor, and hands him a coded message from the Underlord*

-Sith Captain-
"He want's what? He want's subs? What the H*** is he going to use those for? A dozen? What does he plan to do make war on all of manaan? Force help me."

*He nods to the nav officer*

"Make best speed for the nearest hyperspace point. We're going to Kuat"

-Nav Officer-
"Yes captain!"

*The Interdictor exits the system, sliding into hyperspace*

[Kali Black]

*The Dauntless Battlefleet emerges from hyperspace numbering 2 Inexpugnable-Class Tactical Command Ships, 10 Hammerhead-class Capital Ships, and 5 Foray-Class Blockade Runners. All are running on Red Alert*

=Captain Brex=
*Captain Brex aboard the Inexpugnable Dauntless stands on the bridge surveying the Sith ships around Manaan*

Talk to me people! How many Sith are we dealing with?

=Lieutenant=
Four Centurions and Eleven Interdictors, Captain.

=Captain Brex=
Any signs of the General?

=Lieutenant=
No sir.

=Captain Brex=
Then she must have been held up. The General is never late.

=Lieutenant=
Hold on sir. I think that's her coming in now.

*The Ebon Hawk flashes out of hyperspace just above the Dauntless Battlefleet*

=Me=
::Kali Black to Dauntless. Do you copy?::

=Captain Brex=
::We copy, General. Everything alright?::

=Me=
::Oh yeah. We just had to make a pit stop on the way here to pick up an old friend. Hows the view?::

=Captain Brex=
::Just peachy, General. Looks like we'd be about evenly matched... that is if they hadn't already been through a battle. Half their turbolaser batteries are exhausted, their shields and armor are weakened, and their crews must be just as exhausted as those turbolasers. We've definitely got the upper hand here, General, no question about it.::

=Me=
::Great. I'll keep in touch.::
*Kali closes the channel*
T3, patch me through to the lead Sith ship.

Bwoop?

I dunno. The one in front, I guess.

Beep boop.

Fine! If they are all in a straight line then pick the one in the middle!

*T3 opens the channel to the Sith ship*

::Sith Fleet, this is General Kali Black. You have invaded Republic territory and committed an act of war against the sovereign world of Manaan. I ask you to please recall any and all ground forces and remove yourselves from this system immediately.::

[Lee Katarn]

*Lee makes his way back to the cockpit and sits in the seat across from Kali as he hears her arguing with T3. Carefully Lee looks over the two opposing fleets.*

Fleet battles. Never my thing. I always preferred any fight I could use my lightsaber for.

*Lee's quiet for a moment as Kali speaks to the opposing fleet.*

Pretty words. You sound like a pro at this.

*Lee makes the obvious reference to previous battles she'd been in before Lee's time as a Jedi. Lee once again looks over the sith fleet.*

Things are so different now, yet it all seems the same.

*He reaches out with the Force and tries to feel anything familiar to him.*

That taint. It's different. It's not Sion or Talik, definently not Freedon. Old, but not familiar. New sith lords, that's just what I want to come back to. I'm guessing there's still plenty of updates I've yet to hear.

[underlord]

*Within moments of the Republic Fleet's Arrival, the Nightfall and her escort resumes position within the Sith Fleet, a reply is sent to the General, the Dark Underlord appears on the screen before her, his eyes glowing electric blue within the dark confines of his umbarran helmet, the shoulder armor within the view of the Holocomm covered in runes glowing the same electric blue, his deep voice echoes within the cockpit*

::General Kali Black, it's been a long time since I heard that name uttered. It seems you have arrived at the most inconvenient time as ever, however, your reputation precedes you. I plan to leave this system now unscathed. If you wish to try to stop me, you will have to kill every one of my men and myself. Allow us exit from this system, and you shall end the day without losses.... to Your fleet that is. I'm afraid the good general Zhar was not so fortunate. Pray good general you will not make the same mistake, and allow me exit. Without following ships thank you, I would hate to have any ships you send after me to be met with... unfortunate circumstances. That is all General, I shall see what your answer is in your fleet movements. Until we meet again::

*Without waiting for an answer, the holocomm shuts off, and the sith fleet collapse into a clustered formation, designed to fight off superior forces as long as possible, achieving maximum casualties for any attacker*

[Zhar Lestin]

*A transmission from the planet below is recieved on the Republic channel and is fuzzy at best.*

-General Rhylla-
::Dau....ess, this is G....ral Rhylla...Do yo.. ..opy? Sit......rces have lef.....hto City...Do you copy?::

[Kali Black]

*Kali receives the response aboard the Ebon Hawk*

*she looks over at Lee and T3*

Well that's one I haven't seen before. A Sith that knows when to back down?

Dwoowoo?

When did this start happening? And did the guy kill his own messenger or something?

*sighs*

I guess I'll just have to repeat myself again.

*she opens up the channel again*

::Oh, hi, it's General Black again. Sorry to interrupt your little pow-wow over there, but you're the only one talking about exchanging weapons fire. Why don't you just follow my instructions and leave already. There's no need to make it more complicated then it already is. The door's to your right. Don't let it smack you on your way out. Black out.::

*she cuts the transmission*

*Aboard the Dauntless....*

=Lieutenant=
Captain, Another Sith Ship just came up from the surface. And there's a message coming in from the surface.

=Captain Brex=
Patch it through.

=General Rhylla=
::Dau....ess, this is G....ral Rhylla...Do yo.. ..opy? Sit......rces have lef.....hto City...Do you copy?::

=Captain Brex=
We copy General... barely. Looks like General Black's made some new friends up here.

=Lieutenant=
Sir, the Sith are positioning themselves in a clustered formation.

=Captain Brex=
Hold on General Rhylla. We might have a problem up here.

*turns to the holographic display of the enemy ships. Brex large Duro eyes bulge in confusion*

What....? What are they trying to do? If they even try to attack, their ships are too close together to get half their shots off without hitting their own ships. We could surround them and destroy them completely in a matter of minutes just by moving around them. This Sith must be a serious Noob. How'd he ever get in command of Fleet? Unless... unless he wants us to fire on his ships. Yeah, that'd be a great headline from the Sith's propaganda machine, "Republic Battlefleet destroys surrendering Sith vessels." We'll I'll be damned if I let the Sith take another planet due to biased news broadcasting. Kuat was a disaster.

*he turns to the holoprojector*

General Rhylla, it looks like the Sith might be withdrawing from the sector soon. We'll keep you updated. As soon as they're gone, we'll send down some medical teams right away. Dauntless out.
*the transmission is cut*

Any word from the General?

=Lieutenant=
Not yet. I hope she knows what she's doing.

=Captain Brex=
She does. Trust me.

*The Dauntless Battlefleet remains motionless but still on Red alert, waiting for the Sith fleet to withdraw*

[Lee Katarn]

*Lee looks unimpressed at the image before him. Though he studies the image of the sith lord. He says nothing until the transmission is cut.*

So that's the guy? Can't say I'm impressed. Though when you tangle with the worst of the Sith Lords, I suppose your view can be a bit biased. Though you're right, he did listen. It'd make sense. His ships have already seen battle and ours are coming in fresh. If he's looking to limit casualties and spend his resources wisely...

*Lee stops his ramblings and looks over at Kali.*

I don't suppose there's a visual recording of what's going on with that sith fleet, is there? And maybe a recording of the transmission between that sith lord and you?

*Lee looks back over at the Sith fleet, still uneasy about all this.*

I just wish these guys would leave Manaan alone.

[underlord]

*Within moments, the Sith Fleet begin their move, and steer clear of the republic fleets, the sith officers and crewers breathing a sigh of relief at the choice to leave. The Sith Fleet slips into hyperspace*

[Kali Black]

*Kali nods to Lee*

Yeah, the Hawk's sensors should have recorded any ship movements within sensor range. And the communication logs are stored until wiped. You can use the Communication's Room just behind this cockpit, if you want to take a look.

*Kali looks out of the viewport window, as the Sith ships jump into hyperspace*

Well that takes care of that. T3 open up the channel to the Dauntless again.

*T3 opens up the channel*

=Captain Brex=
::I don't know what you said to those Sith, General, but it sure as hell worked. Congradulations.::

=Me=
The thanks goes to the men and women serving on your ship and the rest of the ships in the fleet. How about we give the Selkath a hand?

=Captain Brex=
::I'm sending down several shuttles with medical and repair teams right now.::

*As he says so 8 shuttles are launched from several different ships in the fleet, and head down to the surface*

=Me=
Good work, Captain. I'll go ahead and head down to Ahto City too.

=Captain Brex=
::Sure thing, General. We'll stick around up here in case the Sith decide to swing back around for another pass. The Force be with you General.::

=Me=
And you, Captain.
*she closes the comm line and looks over at T3 and Lee*
Well, let's go see the damage.

*The Ebon Hawk breaks from its holding pattern above the fleet and streaks down to the surface of Manaan*

[Lee Katarn]

*Lee nods to Kali.*

I'll check them out. Probably me being overcautious, but the sith make you uneasy.

*Lee heads back to the communications room and begins scanning and checking everything he can from the encounter.*

Hm. Nothing suspicious, I suppose. Guess I'm just touchier than I use to be. Still, that just seemed too easy despite the logic in their move.

*Lee places a hand on one of the panels and leans on one arm while rubbing his head with his free hand. He leans back up and relaxes again, trying to go over his Jedi meditations to fight the fatigue creeping over him.*

::*To himself* You've been through worse Lee. Hang on a little longer and you'll get the rest and nourishment you require. Tend to these Selkath first though.::

*Lee walks back into the cockpit as Kali looks over to him.*

With any luck, it won't be as bad as I've seen it get in these battles.

[Kali Black]

*The Ebon Hawk rises up from Ahto City and then pauses as it makes it's calculation for the jump to hyperspace. A few minutes later it jumps into hyperspace bound for Coruscant*

*The Republic's Dauntless Battlefleet remains in orbit around Manaan in a defensive arrangement*

[Zhar Lestin]

*A Republic shuttle comes up from Ahto City. General Rhylla waits for the fleet to contact it.*

-Dauntless Comms Officer-
::Republic shuttle, identify.::

-Rhylla-
::This is General Rhylla with High Jedi General Lestin, we are Coruscant bound.::

::Copy that General, you're cleared for hyperspace jump, happy flying.::

*After recieving confirmation, the shuttle jumps to hyperspace.*

[Kathaesis Renùta]

5 days ago...

*The Ashen Light limps out of hyperspace on her backup hyperdrive. It's a respectable class 5 and isn't much slower than some Sith War-era freighters. The fleet is on low alert and the merchant ship codes get Kathaesis' ship through without a hassle. She takes the ship down to Ahto City.*

[Kali Black]

*The Dauntless and her battlegroup slowly form up and move to a safe position for a jump to hyperspace. After relaying a message to Coruscant for additional forces, the fleet jumps into hyperspace toward Dantooine*

[Kathaesis Renùta]

*After some prolonged repairs, Ashen Light rises up from Ahto City. With no fleet in orbit, it is only a matter of aligning the ship along the right hyperspace vector. Kathaesis inputs her destination into the ship's navcom before engaging the hyperdrive.*

[Master Qual]

*A Republic Shuttle carrying Jedi Master Qual rises up from Ahto City and makes its way into orbit around the glowing blue globe. Qual looks out one of the viewports and watches as his watery home grows more and more distant. He knows that Shasa will lead and train the other Selkath well, so he leaves in peace. Afterall it was only a matter of time before he returned once again. The shuttle pauses as it calculates the safest route to Telos IV, and then jumps into hyperspace*

[Nadya Vevut]

*Having narrowly escaped the Sand People attack on Tatooine, the ragtag crew of Mandalorian mercenaries, Jedi, a food vendor and a Jawa sail toward Telos IV. But with the Jawa having disassembled a large number of systems and components, the trip itself was a risk. Several hours into the trip the hyperdrive on the frieghter formerly known as The Furball shakes violently. A moment later the sounds of explosions echo through the hold and the swirling blue vortex of hyperspace fizzles away as the ship spins out of control into the Pyrshak system.*

*Inside the vessel, loud blaring alarms are going off, and red and orange lights are flashing on nearly every console.*

"Fierfek! We lost the hyperdrive! We've got a fire in the engine room! Remote controls aren't working. We've got to seal it off!"

*Nadya jumps out of her seat and starts sprinting down the corridor and around the bend to get to the engine room. She gets to the door and inside a raging blue chemical fire is growing and expanding toward her. She grunts and groans as she tries to pull the sliding door closed - but it's jammed into place, the mechanism frozen.*

"God dammit, someone help me or we're all spacedust!"

[Mineth Ora]

*Mineth wasn't a mechanical genius but he had plenty of experience with starships and knew that it was considered "bad" when all the lights turned red or flashed. It was lucky they dropped out of hyperspace into a populated system. The ship could easily have broken down in the void somewhere, a lightyear or two away from the nearest source of food, water, or air.*

*He jumped up and grabbed the fire control canister and followed Nadya to the engine room. While Nadya struggled with the door Mineth began to spray down the engine and prevent the flames from reaching the door.*

[Saviin Roegr]

*Saviin rushes to Nadya and begins helping her push the door closed as Mineth tries to get the flames under control. At first, nothing happens. Saviin grunts in frustration and pushes even harder. Where were the Jetii with their magic powers that could open doors? Surely they could close them too.

However, that thought is interrupted as the door suddenly budges. Saviin lurches forward and puts one foot infront of the other to stop herself from stumbling forward. Well it finally budged, it just needed to be pushed the rest of the way.*

"Push!"

*It wasn't just a statement to Nadya, but to anyone around in general. Saviin continued pushing as hard as she could and with a combined effort, it'd close the rest of the way.*

[Belaya]

*Belaya rushes to the group next and helps push the door with what strength she had. Even though it had been quite some time since they left, Belaya hadn't gained her full strength back. She'd have to check into a medical facility on Telos IV with Ze, if they dropped out at Telos IV. She didn't check to see where the ship had dropped out at. She only knew that it had dropped out of hyperspace.

She gave a grunt as well as she pushed hard to close the door shut. With everyone involved pushing, the door finally closes shut. Belaya stumbles back and leans against a nearby wall and sighs in relief. This mission she had been sent on had been one disaster after another.

First a sandstorm makes them crash land on Tatooine and not in the only populated area of it either but in the middle of the dune sea. Then if that weren't bad enough, they were attacked by sandpeople. Then they had to infiltrate a sandperson compound and survive that evil sith android creature and escape it. Then they ran across the dune sea in hopes of warning the people of Anchorhead and escaping only to hold the line while others evacuated to the docking bay and a raging sandstorm formed. Then they had to endure the sandstorm and fight off Vexxtal’s army and fight against Vexxtal himself during it. Then eventually they had to fall back to the docking bay themselves.

They finally came up with a plan to escape and did so, but now the ship was having issues. There was no telling where they were at. Belaya was just hoping that it was Telos IV. Knowing their luck though, they’d probably somehow drop out of hyperspace and into Korriban’s orbit. Belaya pushed those thoughts to the back of her head. Doubt was a beginning step in a Jedi’s fall to the dark side. Belaya had to hope that eventually there would be a bright light at the end of this tunnel.*

[Nadya Vevut]

*Finally, with the combined help of Mineth, Saviin and Belaya they manage to close the door and seal off the fire. Running back to the cockpit, she brings up the controls for environmental containment and vents the atmosphere to the engine room. As the oxygen is sucked out, Nadya can see on the closed-circuit feed the flames die and the immediate threat to the ship is neutralized. She sits back and sighs in relief. No engines would be exploding today. She rolls her head to the side, looking at the astrogational map on the wall panel to her left.*

"And the next order of business is to figure out where the kark we are."

*The chair swivels around and she picks herself up and leans forward, looking at the map, tracing a line through the screen, and then pressing several controls to zoom in on the image of the flashing blue dot which indicated their location.*

"Well... could be worse. At least we're in solar system, that means we at least have a decent chance of finding a rock to set down on for repairs. The... 'Pyrshak' system, if that means anything to anyone."

*She stands up and goes to another panel, pulling up the astrogational data on the Pyrshak system. She scrolls through the listed planets, and finally pauses on one.*

"Well I'll be damned.... Manaan."

*Turns out it couldn't have been much better. They weren't at Telos, but at least they'd made it to a habitable world. And one friendly toward the Jedi to boot. Last thing they needed was to escape one crazy dar'jetii robot just to meet another crazy dar'jetii.*

"Well, looks like we'll be alright afterall. I should be able to get us to Manaan on sublight speeds within a few hours."

*Keeping the engine room sealed off and vented for now, she powers up the sublight drive to a minimum functional capacity and sets a course for Manaan. After several hours a small blue orb can be seen growing larger outside the cockpit. Eventually the rag-tag group of Anchorhead survivors enter orbit around the water-world. Nadya looks to her Jedi shipmates.*

"This is one of your worlds, last I checked. You should probably do the introductions and landing requests - cause I don't know about the Bothan or the Jawa but I sure as hell am broke and can't afford a docking fee."

[Belaya]

*When Belaya hears what system they are in, she sighs in disappointment at first. They hadn't made it to Telos. However, the system did sound familiar to her. As she begins thinking of where she heard the system's name before, she heard the name of a familiar planet.

Manaan. It was a place of neutrality until after Jacob Degan's appearance there. It was the planet he had been sent to investigate the Star Maps. It was also a Republic held world. No independant system operating outside the Republic and even better is that it wasn't a Sith occupied planet.*

Not just that but this is the source of kelto. They will have suitable medical facilities. I'll take care of the docking fee and we can go from there. It's no Telos, but we should be safe here.

[Mineth Ora]

*From baking desert that overheated him and gave his fur split ends to a waterworld that would have every human in the vicinity complaining about his smell. If the Force did exist, it had a nasty sense of humor.*

"If there's a Czerka station here, I'll be fine. Otherwise I'm sure there's someone who could use a handysentient. Iziz claimed this ship, I'm not sure what you Jedi was to do about that. I don't think Jawa get off Tattooine much, I'm not sure where he can go."

*He checked the atmospheric systems on the ship and saw that the repulsors and landing gear were working. At least, they were working for now.*