[center][h2]Battle Update[/h2][/center]

The battle raged, what should have been a invasion had turned into a meat grinder, Republic troops were being shot down left and right, transports littering the area in blazes of twisted metal, and bodies. The troops that were on the ground remained stuck behind cover, looking out to fire every so often at the cultist troops. An immediate call would go out for troops on the ground to fall back to the ‘Bone yard’ it was a mile away and had an easily defensible perimeter, the rest of the transports were already being redirected to the site. Immediately troops would begin to fall back, moving from the ruins as they could squad by squad taking defensive positions along the perimeter to provide cover fire for anyone yet to leave.

Morale was high amongst the Okussus forces as they held the line, entrenched in their defenses against the Republic’s attack. The Force users amongst the defenders had made their presence known as did the elite soldiers in the cult. In the courtyard the battle had turned into a slow crawl for the Republic. Okussus mercenaries stayed behind cover as they kept constant blaster fire on the encroaching enemy forces. The ruins were already littered with scattered corpses from soldiers on each side. The number of dead attackers clearly outnumbering the perished defenders.

“Keep forcing them back! Push them out of the ruins, keep giving those Republic dogs hell! Then pursue them and push them off this world.” Ideon screamed over the sounds of combat, the Okussus commanders throughout the ruin relaying the orders. 

As the Republic went into retreat, the cult’s forces continued to slam forward, chasing after them with intent. Okussus troopers spread out through the ruins, some moving upwards and taking higher vantage points as they pursued. 
[hr]

As the battle raged Vasha stared at the loss of life, feeling every death as it came, her heart hurt at the violence taking place here, but it had been something she had seen before in the wars past. “Everyone fall back…” She said into the comms and gave a deep sigh. “We fell into their trap, fall back to the Boneyard.” Turning Vasha could feel the presence of Ideon, he was fighting with another Jedi. Shaking her head Vasha leapt from her position down to a platform below, it was on the same level as Ideon, she knew that the Jedi fighting against her former Master could not win alone, unfortunately as she sought to interject herself into the fight she was assailed by a pair of Cult Disciples, for several minutes their lightsabers clashed before one was kicked away missing his hands, and the other fell to the ground without his head.

Vasha took in a deep breath and felt for Ideon’s presence once more, unfortunately the duel had ended and she was not sure if the Jedi battling him had gotten away, but his presence was close just on the other side of the ruin’s wall. Her lightsaber came to life and slashed the wall in several places cutting cleaning through it, her hand stretching out and hitting the stone with a blast of the force and sending the chunks right at her former master as she stepped through the new doorway she had made.


As the Republic troops fell back and fled, Ideon prepared to follow his soldiers as they gave chase. He paused in stride, several of the Okussus troopers around him also stopping as they wondered what had caused their leader to pause suddenly. He felt a presence he had not felt in a long time, one that immediately drew his attention as it came closer. One that was far more powerful then when he had last encountered them. He turned back to where the rubble had came down and clenched his lightsaber tightly. The stone was torn away and the opening was recreated, there stood his former padawan, fearless as always.

“I knew you would come, Vasha. Just couldn’t resist seeing what had become of me, why I had disappeared without a trace. You’ve grown stronger, wiser, but now we stand on opposing sides in another battle.” Ideon stated, resisting showing much emotion to encountering his ex apprentice. Internally he felt a wide mixture of feelings, but knew what he needed to do. 

“You should leave this world, you and the rest of the Republic. You should have never come here, it will only end in more pain and destruction.” He added, giving her a chance to retreat and get away though he knew deep down she would never do even consider such a thing.

Vasha stared at Ideon for a long moment before looking at the troops around him, her posture would move to a more relaxed one as she disengaged her saber, and held out a hand. “Ideon it isn’t too late for you to stop this, you can come back with me, the council can forgive you.” Vasha would take some steps closer slowly closing the distance between them. Sincerity was in her voice she truly sought Ideon’s redemption. 

Ideon stayed silent as he thought over her words, he was not surprised by what the forgiveness she was offering. He knew the council’s ways though, they would believe he had become a Sith or something accursed like that. They did not know the truth, nor would they truly understand it. He glanced at his former apprentice’s extended hand, and how she had deactivated her lightsaber, she trusted him. Part of him wanted to take her hand, and end all this. Go back to Coruscant and live his old life again. But a larger part of him would not do that, as inner confliction hit him, the former Jedi master shook his head. 

“I’m sorry Vasha, but I cannot go with you. The council would never understand, they only see their old ways. I have discovered something greater than the Order, greater than the Republic. I cannot leave now, but you can. I give you my word, my soldiers and I will let you leave this world in peace, then return to Republic space safely.” Ideon said, still holding his lit lightsaber, though he did not want to have to use against her. He hoped she would heed his words and leave.

Giving a sight Vasha would drop her hand to her side, and raise her hand up to her ear. “Continue the retreat I am going after Ideon.” She ignited her saber and spun it several times before moving into her defensive stance. “I cannot leave, what you are doing here, I know it won’t be constrained to this place, I can feel it, feel the ambition, the threat your cult causes. This part of wild space is not your purpose…” 

It was then that Vasha would suddenly lash out with her hand once more the force being called to her, and sending the rubble up once more smashing into the troopers surrounding Ideon and removing them from possibly interfering in the combat to come. “You are coming back to Coruscant, one way or the other Ideon.”

“I don’t want to have to kill you Vasha, but I cannot let you stop what I have started here. Its purpose is greater than either of us.” Ideon said with a long blink, then took a duelist’s stance, his lightsaber lowered as he stared down his former padawan, now opponent. Then he motioned with his free hand, picking up and flinging several pieces of rubble at Vasha. Trying to catch her off guard as he rocketed them one after another at her. 

Each of the piece of rubble was met by the burning slash of Vasha’s lightsaber blade, cutting them out of the air before she finally moved forward in a blurring dash straight at Ideon, her movements were quick and fluid, her lightsaber spinning, slashing, and stabbing, none of it was meant to hit, but it was to keep Ideon on his toes, all the while Vasha watched. Looking for an opening any opening. “Then share it with the council Ideon! Share with us what you have learned so we can stop it together! Your purpose is the only reason we are fighting now!”

“I cannot do that Vasha. The Jedi would damn it, they would never understand.” Ideon said as he countered her initial slash, blocking it with ease. He kept rapidly moving his weapon as he stopped her other rapid flurries, knowing how she fought. Though she had gotten much better, moving with a blazing speed which reminded him of himself. He hit back, with rapid stabs and pokes, not showing almost any physical strain as he dueled her, showing off his talent in the contention form.

Vasha had been waiting for him to return her attacks, to try and strike her back. She dodged and darted, and as a stab came towards her she completely disengaged her lightsaber as the two blacks clashed, her body shifting to the side, her body bending and kicking a foot up from behind looping around her former Master’s arm to try and strike into Ideon’s chin. “You do not know till you try!” 

“I know the council too well, Vasha.” He stated calmly. Then Ideon moved his head back, narrowly avoiding the swift kick. He felt the Force flow through his other hand, then pushed outwards at her, attempting to send her into the wall on the side of the courtyard.

Vasha went wide eyed as the force slammed into her and sent her spiraling through the air into the wall before dropping onto her hands and knees with a groan. Slowly she pushed herself up and blinked several times reigniting her saber as she stared at Ideon. “They’ve changed as we’ve changed…” She reached out with the force as well once more sending chunks of stone at Ideon.

“The council has been in their old ways ever since the Order was formed. Fighting for a Republic that is rift with corruption and deceit.” Ideon replied as he waved his lightsaber as each piece of stone came his way, slicing and dicing them effortlessly.