**Sepros Orbit

NSD Ascendancy

Admiral's Quarters**

Kal di Plagia Vorrac's image flickered to life in the darkness, illuminating only part of his Quaestor's face. Had it been anyone other than Kal, his alarm at the unexpected appearance of such a sight would have been visible. As it was, the sheer strength of will it took for the Sith not to react was unusual.

"Sir, you could have had better timing." The sentence was punctuated with the whine of the engine of an approaching MAAT. “Our surviving assets are already at the ruined Sadowan firebase, setting up a new base camp, and-...,”

"It begins, Kal,” The Shi’ido cut him off. “The Force warns that our first Betrayal is imminent. Pull back to the Firebase. I'm sending in the Instigator to get you and everyone out." The strained nature of the normally smooth and mellifluous voice drove home the point to the Di Plagia, making his breathing cease as if beskar crushgaunts had found his throat.

"By your Will." With that, Kal was gone, already back to calmness and cold pragmatism. The darkness returned to the Nebula-Class Star Destroyer, as the stress and agony of months of fear finally began to wash away. That had been the worst; the damned waiting, the ticking of an unseen clock. At last, it was beginning.

At last, the time for action was at hand.

-=+=-

**Sepros

Sadowan Defensive Line

Temple of Sorrow**

Time slowed as adrenaline pumped through his body, his blood surging with the rush as the infantry suppression weapon bucked in his hands. It was almost as if the cannon was alive, breathing in the acrid air and belching a hail of death. Locke could feel his mouth open of its own accord, having just finished the rallying cry of Naga Sadow. The moment was glacially slow to his enhanced reactive abilities, each cartridge firing and making the weapon move just a tad, each flash just another in the long string of seizure-like holo-cam bulbs going off.

The roar of the cannon was suddenly exceptionally loud, the screams of the dying and the sloshing of mud and detritus assaulting his senses all at once. As the combat training kicked in and snapped him back to reality, the whir-whine of the cannon wound down. The Consul checked his feed, noting that two thirds of his ammunition remained.

Examining the landing site, his eyes met the sight of a completely shredded jungle expanse, with the canopy raining leaves, bugs, and water like it was stirred in a storm. Entire trees were crashing to the ground, lacking support as the canopy of the area crashed. Much as he hated damaging his own system, it made him smile. A cry of victory rose among his men, as for the moment, they had retaken the advantage.

"Sir! The Plagueian forces are retreating, circa the South-Eastern Firebase!” The voice of the Dlarit captain, whomever he was, sounded confident as he listened to his helmet comlink. “We’ve scout reports that their forces are headed there en masse. Looks like they’re getting ready to bug out! What should we do?”

“We go after them,” Locke replied, hefting his cannon once more. Order an assault on the Firebase from all directions. Let’s show them what happens to those who cross Naga Sadow.”

“Yes, Sir,” The captain replied. “Should I order a shuttle to return you to the Palace?”

“No,” Locke replied, smiling. His left hand brushed his lightsaber. “Organize a main strike force and inform them I’ll be taking command. I’ve a few words for Tra’an Reith; I’d prefer to deliver them personally.”

-=+=-

**Sepros Orbit

Excidium II

Bridge**

As the battle upon the surface unfolded more or less as planned, minus the lost of the initial landing sites, Xen'Mordin Vismorsus came to a decision. It was time to take the success of crushing a Clan, and amplify it by adding a House to the total. He had a sudden flash of inspiration, imagining Lord Sidious as he gave his own infamous Order. Nodding in confirmation, he lifted his holocomm unit and made a call.

Warspite Bridge

Archangel's personal com unit rang. Lifting it in front of him, he didn't even see his Emperor’s face. All that came through was a voice, delivering a predesignated command.

"The time has come," Came the voice of the Quaestor of House Scolae Palatinae. “Execute Order Sixty-Six.”

Suddenly, just as it had so many years ago, everything changed.

"Gunnery!" bellowed the Aedile of the House of the Last Emperor.

"Sir?" came the questioning reply.

"Change our targeting profile." Arch's voice was deep and smooth, belying the confidence within him, the desire to bring yet more beneath his heel. “Plagueian vessels are now Priority Bacta targets. Sadowans remain Priority Aurek, but once free of danger, engage the so-called Ascendant ships.” A dark, excited look took his face. “Rip them from the skies.”

"Aye, milord." In seconds, silent commands were relayed to every ship in the Imperial Fleet; Dark Jedi and mundane captains alike altered targeting profiles and changed their headings. Gaps opened in the line, exposing Plagueian craft as Cocytus vessels moved to safer strategic positions. Hundreds of turbolaser volleys, ion blasts, and missile reports ceased as one, as half of the battlefield went still.

For a few seconds, the Plagueians reeled, suddenly overmatched by the Sadowans they’d held at bay. Then the Warsprite opened up, and The Baron’s shields began to glow like the surface of distant Sigil.

-=+=-

VSD Instigator Command Bridge

“The Baron is in full retreat,” The Communications Officer shouted. “They’re reporting shields down to twenty-two percent; Warsprite is chasing off the Exile as we speak.”

“Which means we’re next,” Dacien Victae said, turning to the weapons station. “Treacherous dogs. We were fools to trust them.”

“My lord, Renown is closing; Covenant is no longer being harassed by Relentless. We’ll be in firing range of both ships in ten-...”

“Thank you, Dacien, but that will be enough.” The image of Tra’an Reith flickered to holographic life aboard the Instigator’s Bridge without warning, startling the crew and making even the Master of Plagueis’ Last Son raise a calculating eyebrow. Gone was the haggard fear, the dread behind his eyes; disappeared was the faint slouch in Reith’s shoulders, the slept-in robes and lines of stress. Their places had been taken by polished armor, a glinting lightsaber hilt, and unshaken determination. Gone was the specter of a Quaestor, the shade of a leader.

In his place stood an Ascendant Warrior, powerful and confident, ready to face down oblivion. “Redirect your ship, Captain.” The Quaestor said, “And get to the coordinates I’m sending. It’s high time we left this system.”

“And you, Quaestor?” Dacien asked, pointing toward his regalia. “A striking image, of course, but I would ask why you’ve armed yourself.” The formality and eloquence he’d taught Vorrac to use so many years ago showed itself clearly.

“I will stand for Plagueis,” Tra’an replied, his eyes glinting, “And I’ll do it with a blade in my hand.”

-=+=-

VSD Ballista Command Bridge

“Captain, shields are up to seventy-five percent.” The Engineering station Officer cried out, not looking up. “Superstructure is back up to eighty-six percent and holding. The aft cargo bay has been sealed off; cargo not lost to the vacuum has been secured.”

"Thank you, Major.” Captain Young braced himself; if he showed panic, he knew it would spread to his fellow soldiers. Alaris Jinn had shown him that years ago on Antei, when they’d been facing Crask’s droids. “Your engineers are doing a hell of a job. I'm sorry to say, but it's about to get a hell of a lot harder.” Here goes, Terrance thought, dropping the proverbial bombshell. “We just got reassigned; we’re covering the Instigator on an orbital insertion and removal run."

The faces before him blanched or darkened, depending on species, as panic set in. Everyone knew what that meant.

"Get the non-essential personnel in shuttles and off this ship. I want feet sticking out of Ascendancy’s airlocks if necessary.” He looked every man and woman in the eye, one by one. “This order’s come down from the Supreme Commander himself. We’re...” He hesitated, before reaffirming his resolve. “We’re covering the retreat of all Foxtrot Uniforms.

At that, the entire Bridge stopped, quiet for nearly a whole second. Then, as one, the voices broke free like an angry flood.

“I’m not dying for them!” The Gunnery Officer shouted.

“They feed us to pirates, smugglers, and rebels for months on end,” Communications added coldly, his voice furious. “Now they throw us to their own kind so they can escape?!”

“Enough!” Terrance’s voice rang out, overpowering the sea around him. Looking at the panicked faces all around, he stood up straighter, anger fuelling his resolve. “Yes, we’re saving our overlords. We’re saving the Sith.” He looked around the crew, eyeing all of the rest. “We also save our brothers and sisters in arms. Soldiers, scouts, engineers, pilots, medics. Friends and colleagues, peers and partners, those who have defended us and had our backs.”

A grim look took his face as he spoke; he respected Jinn, not the rest of them. Certainly not their shape-changing chieftain, or the creature called Vorrac. “The Sith will divide and fight each other if we fight them; only when they are safe will they let us leave. Now,” He looked them all in the eye, his own gaze holding all of the haunted memories of a long-time servant of Ascension, “Are you with me?”

In every soldier, at the back of their mind and in the depths of their fears, there was a grim knowledge. A certainty that one day, they could be called to carry out their last orders. In some ways, that knowledge turned a man into a mouse; in others, knowing that the day had come did nothing but cement one’s dedication. After all, no one wanted to die in vain.

As one, they all decided. Their finest hour had come; not for the Sith, nor for their goals, but for Jusadih and her best. Their voices were unanimous; the sound brought a tear to Young’s eye. “Sir, yes, sir.”

-=+=-

These are the times that try men's souls. Those faint of heart and lacking hatred will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their Unit.

This is Week Three. This is the end. How will you be remembered? How will you contribute to, or detract from the end of War totals?

Week One Results are AWARDED.

Give Praise to the following Members for their contributions.

Fiction: First Level Crescents (Upgraded Due To Participation)

Kal di Plagia Vorrac

Darth Vexatus

Mirado Pepoi L'eonheart

Poetry: (Upgraded Due To Participation)

Darth Vexatus

Masika Oshairana

Archangel

Graphics: (Upgraded Due To Participation)

Xia Long

Solus Gar

Nariah Jadon

TOR Gaming:

Godarrow

Necronomicon

Kalia Phoenyx

Non-TOR Gaming (Downgraded Due To LACK Of Participation)

Atra Ventus

THE ACC EVENT IS CLOSED! When the matches are graded, I'll post the results in their own special bulletin.

Remember that the Wiki Event is still running until the end of this week!

WEEK THREE EVENTS!

Fiction (Battle of Kel Rasha):

HSP/PLA: We have received intelligence that the rebels are about to make their final attack on Kel Rasha. We believe the Dark Jedi leading this attack will attempt to retake the the low-level skyscrapers that make up the offices of the Dlarit Plaza near the middle of the city. They must be stopped at all costs. Write how you would accomplish this mission in 700 words or more. Submissions will be judged based on creativity and realism. Send all entries to [Log in to view e-mail addresses]

CNS: The time to take back Kel Rasha is at hand! You have been chosen to lead the attack on the city. We expect heavy resistance, including enemy Dark Jedi. Your goal is to recapture the Dlarit Plaza and the low-level skyscrapers that surround it and make up the headquarters of the local government. Write how you would accomplish this mission in 700 words or more. Submissions will be judged based on creativity and realism. Send all entries to [Log in to view e-mail addresses]

GFX: Create a graphic depicting your side of the Battle of Kel Rasha. Minimum image size of 800 x 800. Send entries to [Log in to view e-mail addresses]

Gaming:

Non-TOR: Most FFA Wins, with four person minimum per match.

TOR: Most Dueling Wins: THIS MUST BE DONE IN OUTLAW'S DEN AND VERIFIED WITH SCREEN SHOTS. Per Fremoc. If you don't follow this, he will dismiss your submission and mangle you for wasting his time.

Poetry: Choose and write one of the following sets: four haikus, three limericks, one sonnet, or one standard poem (Defines as AB rhyming) of at least fourteen lines on subjects related to the events of Week Three. NOTE: you must use a form that you have not yet used. Send entries to [Log in to view e-mail addresses]

TL:DR?

Week Three Begins!

Fiction Attached. Should Read it!

Week One Results Out!

Week Three Events Announced!

Sacramentum di Plagia.

Semper Fidelis di Plagia.

Glory to Plagueis.

OP Tra'an Reith (Obelisk)/QUA/Plagueis [ACC: JUD]

SC / AC / DC-BP / BN-BL / Cr-5A-1S-6E-5T-2Q / CF-GF / CI-GC / DSS-BL / LS-AuL / SoL / S:-4Rm-8P-5U-4B-1De-3Ret-9Dec

{SA: DML - DSW}

Adapt. Ascend. Avail!