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Admiral Kardoff's transmission was quickly confirmed as two ships came immediately to his aid. A needle-like ship flanks the [i]Endeavor's[/i] right, a massive cruiser, nearly twice the Venator's size, looms over them, with the mandalorian ship not far behind them, as they too launched their respected fighters to join up with the republic starfighter swarm. As half of the death gliders changed course to engage the fleet, the Admiral continues watching from the command bridge as the main engines began to engage into maximum power, heading towards the vulnerable shuttle as fast as it can. They need to quickly retrieve the shuttle before the enemy takes it first, despite the fact it houses a sith lord inside according to the jedi commander. But the admiral didn't care about what was inside it. He wasn't trying to save the sith, but rather simply keeping it out of more manipulative hands. So as long as that's achieved, it wouldn't matter.

Meanwhile, the [i]Endeavor's[/i] fighter squadrons quickly approach the incoming death gliders and opened-fire as soon as they got close. Their shrieking red and green lasers streak across the emptiness of space as they begin hitting several enemy fighters the moment they began, each exploding upon contact. Of course, several V-Wings also bit the dust as they too also explore or whirl out of control into space. The Venator's point-defense laser cannons also began to engage the incoming fighters, as the red plasma lasers barrage the fighters. At the same time, the pyramid ships also began firing streaks of orange plasma against the [i]Endeavor[/i] and the escort fleet. The cruiser rattled slightly at the impact, the explosions outside releasing a cloud of gas that almost looked as if they did some damage.

[b]"Shields are holding admiral."[/b] one of the clone operatives announced confidently, [b]"No damage to the hull yet."[/b]

[color=fff200][b]"Lock all heavy turbolasers at the firing ship."[/b][/color] the Admiral orders calmly, [color=fff200][b]"Show them the might of the republic navy."[/b][/color]

All eight turbolaser cannons began to swerve into position, their barrels aiming straight at the firing pyramid ship. Once in position, the cannons fire everything they got at the enemy as blue bolts rush past the incoming fighters. Continual fire from these cannons would be able to eventually punch through the shields of the cruiser and begin to damage it, provided it has shields in the first place. At the speed and progress they're going, they should be able to reach the shuttle within tractor beam range in roughly five minutes or so. 

Of course, as the [i]Endeavor[/i] fires upon the enemy forces, Admiral Kardoff keeps a close eye on the disabled shuttle. He recognizes the possibility of the other "allied" ships to have their own agenda with it and the cargo onboard. This in of itself is already a risky endeavor to partake in. If any of the other ships begin to fire on the shuttle, it can spell disaster for the entire mission and it would all be for nothing. It's risky, but he had no other choice, and he certainly wasn't going to let it be. Of course, even as he currently commands the ship on his own, he soon finds his own mental conscious breeched by the jedi general himself.

[b][color=a0410d][i]"I'm telling you now,"[/i][/color][/b] General Vell warns, using the force to telepathically communicate with the admiral, [b][color=a0410d][i]"You're making a grave mistake in defending a sith lord."[/i][/color][/b]

Admiral Kardoff grunts with disapproval as he adjusts his brain to the awkward feeling of having an invading voice speaking into his mind. This isn't something he's a stranger too, as General Vell often does this when he's not within the vicinity of a communicator to give out direct orders, but it always felt uncomfortable to bear at first. He'll get used to it. The admiral cannot respond to him telepathically, but his voice can be picked up by the jedi.

[b][color=fff200]"Would you rather let it be in the hands of a malevolent force that could harness it's power for themselves to wield?[/color][/b] the commander whispers in response, as not to alert the crew members around him.

[b][color=a0410d][i]"I'm not saying to not take action,"[/i][/color][/b] the jedi continues, [b][color=a0410d][i]"I'm saying that keeping the sith lord hostage on our ship is not a good idea."[/i][/color][/b]

The admiral remains silent, his stern face fixed on the shuttle ahead. He leans over to a clone operative and quickly dials the frequency range up to maximum. He's attempting to pick up the nearby communication coming from the shuttle and what they're doing right now. He also looks at the holographic map to see if any ship is near the shuttle itself, for if one is he'll give it the orders to give it to them. Already there's a small cruiser protecting the shuttle, an ovular ship mostly comprised of cylinders and rounded edges. The admiral is still unable to match onto their direct frequency, leaving them in the dark as to what their next moves are. Soon the jedi breaks the silence again.

[b][color=a0410d][i]"Perhaps it would be better if we destroy that shuttle and not have anyone have the chance to use him."[/i][/color][/b] the jedi suggests.

The admiral pauses briefly to reflect on this possibility. He wouldn't mind to do so if they were alone or with their own personal fleet, but not so much within the presence of the other unknown ships. If he does so, he fears he'll loose to trust of the other ships after giving DIRECT orders to only PROTECT the shuttle until the [i]Endeavor[/i] arrives to retrieve it. Never did he say, nor imply, anything about destroying it. But just thinking about it began to make his head feel thick, as he became slightly worried. Yet he still proceeds to continue on with the mission as planned.

Another ship got itself closer to the shuttle, leaning more into the very center of the battlefield, which happened to have little to no conflict within it. It seems to be getting within the shuttle's direct line of sight. Kardoff worry began to slowly increase as he wonders if the purple ship is preparing to pull the shuttle to them or attempting something else. The possibilities of what they may do didn't set well with him at all as sweat began to slowly drip down his forehead. 

[color=fff200][b]"Get me into direct contact with the ships closest to the shuttle."[/b][/color] the Admiral stressed with concern, pointing to the two ships (Creed & Ahel), [color=fff200][b]"Find their frequency. Tell them to only guard it until we are in range. We can't allow the shuttle to~"[/b][/color]

Suddenly he sees plasma bolts firing upon the defenseless shuttle. One could believe that the invading ships were firing on it, until one realizes that the shots were coming opposite of their location. The admiral began to panic as he looks back at the holographic map, identifying another curiser to the left side of the battlefield firing upon the defenseless shuttle. Even worse, the ovular ship also began firing its own weapons upon it. And all as an emergency distress beacon blared on the holographic projection of the shuttle. 

The admiral's worst fears are suddenly coming to life.

Quickly grabbing ahold of the ship's communicator, he desperately dispatched a warning to the firing ships by tapping into all nearby frequencies, not giving a damn if anyone else heard him.

[table=bordered][row][cell][center][b][color=fff200]"THIS IS ADMIRAL KARDOFF UPON THE ENDEAVOR, ORDERING TO CEASE YOUR FIRE UPON THE SHUTTLE! I REPEAT, DO NOT ENGAGE THE SHUTTLE! FAILURE TO FOLLOW ORDERS WILL RESULT IN YOUR PORTRAYAL AS A THREAT! DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY!"[/color][/b][/center][/cell][/row][/table]

[b]"Sir!"[/b] an operator responds, [b]"We've got direct contact with the shuttle."[/b]

The Admiral rushes to the panel and attempts to directly contact the imperial shuttle.

[b][color=fff200]"This is Admiral Kardoff of the Venator Star Destroyer, [i]Endeavor[/i], to Shuttle-Craft, do you copy over? We're closing in on your position for pick up."[/color][/b]

There was nothing but static. He tries again.

[b][color=fff200]"Shuttle-Craft, this is a Republic Cruiser speaking, do you copy over? Respond!"[/color][/b]

Still no response. 

The Admiral glances over the bridge is distraught, still hearing  static as he vaguely sees the shuttle tumbling aimlessly into space, with a small hole within its side. Were they too late to save it? And who exactly shot at their target? Who in the hell disobeyed the Admiral's direct orders? Everything was already going as planned until that one damn ship from the left fired upon it. Suddenly, the elevator doors behind him opened to reveal a now free jedi Vell slowly walking towards him.

[b][color=a0410d]"He's gone."[/color][/b] the jedi says calmly, [b][color=a0410d]"He is no longer on that ship."[/color][/b]

The admiral turns towards the jedi in light surprise, his face contorting into anger, as he tries to keep his cool on the situation. He glowers towards the jedi, who must've persuaded the escorting clones to get off him, and gives a disgusted noise as he swats the air and faces back at the window. He has seemingly failed.

[color=fff200][b]"Damnit."[/b][/color] he blurts out with a hiss, [color=fff200][b]"I suppose he's dead now, yeah? I mean... I suppose it's what you wanted."[/b][/color]

Another silence filled the command bridge as Vell briefly scoured the battlefield for detections in the force. Then his face turns sour at the sudden realization.

[b][color=a0410d]"No..."[/color][/b] he responds, his tone deeper as he approaches next to the Admiral, [b][color=a0410d]"He's still alive... just no longer on the shuttle."[/color][/b]

The admiral's eyes widened in confusion as he turns his head towards Vell.

[color=fff200][b]"Alive?"[/b][/color] he asks with disbelief, [color=fff200][b]"Then where is he?"[/b][/color]

Vell continues to tap into the force, focusing on the direction of where the dark side energy is coming from. He can feel it's presence, its rage rapidly bubbling. It's disturbed... confused... wrathful... these words and more are the words that the jedi can describe it. And it feels like this dark side bubble is about to pop at almost any second. Within a few moments more of searching, he finally pinpoints where the sith is located. Vell was reluctant to give out it's location to the admiral, but under the circumstances that had just unfoled there simply is no other choice. He sighs hesitantly before giving out the sith's whereabouts.

[b][color=a0410d]"There."[/color][/b] the jedi responds, pointing to the white ovular ship in the distance.

[b]The USS Creed.[/b]