STORY: Battle of Sluis Van

Battle of Sluis Van (Great War) – c.3680 BBY



Chapter 1

“Today will be different” Jacan told himself as he reclined in his quarters in Coruscant, the problem was that he told himself the same thing yesterday, and the day before... but it was never different.

Time was passing slowly for Jacan – it had been over a year since he became a Jedi Knight and at only 18 he was considered one of the academies most successful and promising graduates.

He had been summoned to appear before the Jedi Council and was due there within the hour, no doubt to receive his next assignment – another force sensitive child to escort to the academy or another senator to follow around the markets... nothing to challenge him, nothing to refine his abilities...

The time to move was nearly upon him so Jacan changed into his favourite outfit, the only one he owned, and headed to the council room.

Walking to the centre of the council room Jacan noticed that only 3 councillors were present. He waited patiently to be addressed by the council.

“Young Jedi knight, we have a new assignment for you... if you are ready” says the councillor to his right – A shrivelled old Balosar, rare as a Jedi but especially intuitive.

“I serve the order Master Jedi” replies Jacan, “I will perform any task you set before me”

“Ever ready to serve Jacan, but this task will not be like the others.” Says the councillor on his left, “you will see things, you will experience things, you will be challenged... like never before.”

“With the force as my ally I will succeed Master Jedi” replies Jacan, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other. Could today be the day? Could today be different?

The councillors on his left and right both turned to look at the Jedi Master right in front of Jacan. This councillor looked young but his demeanour spoke of experience, of hardship and struggle. His eyes lingered on Jacan, studying him and reading his emotions.

Finally the councillor spoke, “we are sending you to the Sluis Sector in the outer rim, we have received reports of Sith activity in the area and we cannot risk losing the Sluis Van shipyards. Jedi Knight Talon Skirata will accompany you. A ship is waiting in hanger eight, you will leave immediately... Remember your training Jacan, now go.”

Stunned for a moment Jacan just stared at the councillor. Snapping himself back to reality Jacan promptly left the room before taking a moment for the assignment to sink in.

Combat! He was finally going to be a part of the war, and it was exactly what he wanted.

Jacan hurried to hanger eight and saw his old academy friend Talon waiting for him.

“The time has come my friend, we finally get some action!” says Talon – a human in his mid twenty’s.

With that the two Jedi boarded the ship without a single thought of the life they were leaving behind.

Chapter 2.

Jacan woke from a restless sleep as they approached Sluis Van, a planet in the Sluis Sector. Walking into the cockpit he asked the captain for a status report, to which the reply was normal.

Jacan’s mind became clouded momentarily just as the planet came into view.

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this” said Talon walking up behind him.

“I can feel something too Talon” said Jacan, “there’s something down there already.”

Suddenly a Sith battlecruiser appeared out of nowhere and immediately opened fire on their ship. Landing ships started launching from the Sith cruiser heading for the surface of Sluis Van. Right behind them was a fleet of Sith starfighters.

“We have to land captain, we have to stop that invasion!” yelled Jacan over the screaming blaster bolts.

“Yes sir Jacan, if you don’t mind, could you clear the way?” replied the captain apprehensively.

Jacan and Talon ran to the blaster turrets and got ready for the assault.

Jacan swung his turret around to focus on an incoming Sith starfighter, followed its path for a moment, and then released a barrage of blaster fire exploding the ship in a ball of flames.

“Nice shooting Jacan! But don’t slack off yet, that’s a Centurion class battlecruiser, it may look old but there could be as many as 92 Sith fighters on that thing!” screamed Talon, always a wealth of useful and terrifying information.

Feeling the thrill of battle surging through his bones Jacan began picking off the Sith fighters, Talon and him clearing a path between them and the surface of Sluis Van.

The ship suddenly swerved towards the planet so Jacan and Talon swung their turrets backwards and aimed for the following Sith. Nothing could get close, they were an unstoppable force, they both felt the power that comes from victory, and they loved it.

The captain told them to prepare for landing, “I will drop down to the east of the invading troops, between them and the capitol” he said.

Jacan was ready for anything, he felt like taking on the Sith Emperor himself right now!

As the ship approached a safe landing position Jacan felt his mind clouding over again, sensing an evil presence. But he pushed that from his mind as Talon and the Captain followed him off the ship.

Chapter 3.

After making contact with Republic forces in a nearby system and requesting reinforcement, Jacan and Talon left the Captain at the ship and headed off in the direction of the Sith landing ships.

After walking for what seemed like hours over the rocky planet surface without encountering even the slightest indication of life, the distant noises of footsteps and voices was easily heard by the Jedi.

Jacan and Talon looked at each other and smiled. The Sith invaders were getting close and they were going to be ready.

Talon indicated to a nearby pile of rocks large enough to shield Jacan until the time to strike, he then moved into a small cave nearby to do the same.

Before long the Sith troops had come close enough to see the rock pile and cave but they took no notice, completely unaware of the ambush that await them.

Suddenly Jacan heard a loud scream followed by the thud of a body hitting the rocks above him, taking this as his queue Jacan lunged from behind the rocks straight into a group of Sith troopers.

They were distracted by the trooper flying over their heads and didn’t notice the lightsaber wielding Ithorian bearing down on them in a blur of green skin and blue light.

As Jacan’s weapon slashed around him, Talon was throwing troopers and deflecting blaster fire with his own green lightsaber.

To an onlooker the scene would have been comical. On one side of the Sith troops a blur of bright blue light carved through them and on the other side a large circle of bodies was forming around a blur of bright green light.

The element of surprise had been the ally of the two Jedi Knights, but now the trap was sprung and the Sith were becoming harder to fend off.

Jacan was lunging at another group of Sith when he felt a sharp burning across his back which threw him in a different direction.

Talon heard the scream of his friend and leapt high into the air leaving the Sith firing upon him in confusion. From his momentary vantage point Talon saw where Jacan had fallen and redirected his fall in that direction.

Jacan had managed to scramble over a small rock pile, just escaping the incoming blaster fire, but his back was badly scorched and it hurt immensely to move.

Several Sith had nearly reached him when a sudden battle cry halted them in their tracks, before they could react Talon had descended on them, a flurry of green light tearing through the space they occupied.

Deflecting a few blaster bolts Talon leapt over the rocks to attend to Jacan, “Jacan! They hit you!” he yelled in mock disgust.

“It’s only a flesh wound” replied Jacan, wincing in pain.

Talon started to stand up as he said “Don’t move, I’ll just finish off...” but he didn’t finish his sentence because the sight before him left him speechless.

“What’s wrong Talon?” asked Jacan quizzically.

Jacan slowly struggled to his feet and looked out upon the battlefield, noticing that not a single Sith trooper remained.

The two Jedi started laughing as Jacan sat back down exhausted.

“Hold still Jacan” said Talon as he focused his mind and channelled the force into his friends blaster wound.

Feeling the restorative effects of the Force Jacan patiently waited for Talon to finish before attempting to stand again.

“Master Jacan, are you there Master Jacan?” came a crackled voice through Jacan’s communicator.

Taking the communicator from his belt Jacan held it up and responded. “Yes Captain, what is it?”

“We heard blaster fire in the distance, we thought you... I’m glad your okay Jacan” came the Captain reply.

“We?” asked Jacan.

“Yes sir, reinforcements have arrived. We are moving in the direction the blaster fire came from, we should be with you shortly,” the Captain announced.

“That’s comforting” said Talon, “and you’re lucky that blaster only grazed you!”

“Thanks Talon, we make a good team. Let’s wait over there.” Said Jacan, indicating the cave Talon had hidden in before.

Surveying the scene around them the two Jedi settled down to wait for the Republic troops.

Chapter 4.

The troops had set up a command point on the battlefield where Jacan and Talon had wiped out an advance squadron of Sith troops the day before.

Knowing full well there would still be thousands of Sith troops establishing a command post where their invasion ships landed, the Jedi were not going to take any chances.

Vehicle reinforcements were due to arrive today along with more Republic troopers.

Jacan was planning patrols of the nearby area with several Captains when he noticed a scout come running out of the nearby forest heading towards Talon who was overseeing the deployment of equipment.

The scout reached Talon and seemed hysterical.

Upon closer inspection Jacan noticed the blaster burns across the scouts back and legs.

“Take over Captain Wendall, I am going to see what the commotion is” said Jacan as he set of in the direction of Talon and the scout.

“We didn’t notice until it was too late, it came out of nowhere and half the squad was gone before we could figure what direction to fire!” exclaimed the scout, exhausted and terrified as Jacan approached the conversation.

“It’s okay trooper, how did you get away?” asked Talon, genuine concern showing on his face.

“He just... it just... left” replied the scout with a new look of confusion as fear began to grip him more fully, “I was the only one left, standing alone, surrounded by bodies...”

“Medic!” yelled Jacan as the scout collapsed in front of him.

“Alpha scout squad was ambushed in the north-east sector. They surely know where we are” said Talon turning to Jacan as the medic attended to the scout, adding “it sounds like a Sith... a REAL Sith.”

“We have to mobilize and advance, before they can surround us” said Jacan, “they must really want those shipyards if they sent Sith Knights.”

Jacan and Talon quickly went among the troops, encouraging them, motivating them and preparing them for the battles that lay before them all.

Within an hour the troops were mobilised. There would be no more waiting, it was time to advance.

With a simple overhead gesture Jacan and Talon set forth into the forest and the thousands of Republic troops followed in stride.

Chapter 5.

Three weeks had passed since they had set forth toward the enemy.

Jacan, Talon and the Republic troops had met their enemy head on but were not prepared for what they faced.

There were at least a dozen Sith Knights among the Sith troopers and vehicles, severely outnumbering the two Jedi Knights.

Nevertheless they battle hard but were forced over the weeks to retreat until they were holed up in the capitol of Sluis Van barely able to hold the Sith forces at bay.

Reinforcements were arriving regularly for both sides but they only seemed to replace the troops already lost and the battle was dragging out with no end in sight.

Jacan was in a tactical meeting with several Captains and the leader of Sluis Van when Talon commed him.

“Jacan, are you there Jacan?” asked Talon over the commlink.

“I’m here Talon, whats the problem?” replied Jacan after retrieving his commlink from his utility belt.

“There are reports of activity within our lines, the troops seem to think some of the Sith Knights have snuck through and are after the Khedive. I’m heading to you to help keep an eye out” said Talon before closing the comm channel.

“You are in grave danger now Sere Dordar” said Jacan turning to the Khedive beside him, leader of the Sluissi people.

“Yesss, Massster Jacan” hissed Sere “I hope you Jedi are up to the tasssk. My people cannot sssurvive much more of thisss assssault.”

“Come with me Sere, Captain Bluestone please continue the tactics briefing” said Jacan as he led the Khedive out of the room.

Through another room full of radar displays of various areas of the city and out onto a series of narrow winding walkways between the cities many factories and industrial buildings Jacan led the Khedive in the direction of the bombardment shelters.

Halfway across a particularly high walkway Jacan began to sense imminent danger in the Force “Hurry Sere, they are getting close” he said and dragged the Sluissi by the arm.

“BEHIND YOU!” Talon screamed from somewhere nearby, making Jacan spin on the spot and throw the Khedive to the floor.

Standing at the far end of the walkway were two Sith Knights staring at the archway above them where Talon had just leapt to after calling out his warning.

Sensing no other hostiles nearby to endanger the Khedive Jacan instructed Sere to keep heading for the bombardment shelters while the Jedi took care of these Sith.

Returning his attention to Talon and noticing the three had begun to fight Jacan ran to help his friend.

Leaping high into the air Jacan ignited his blue lightsaber and slammed down towards one of the Sith, who at the last second spun and parried Jacans attack.

Talon and Jacan each continued to battle a Sith Knight each, both equally matched in their opponents.

Talon was thrown against the building with a Force push but quickly pushed back off the building leaving a deep impression in the masonry then came bearing down on upon his attacker with his green lightsaber.

The Sith slammed against the floor and pushed himself into the air, performing a somersault over Talon as their paths drew close.

Talon swung up towards the Sith with his lightsaber and the Sith slashed across Talon’s path with his own.

The Sith landed with his feet spread ready to face the counter attack and found his enemy was not there.

Jacan had just sliced his opponents lightsaber in two, severed his arm and thrown him against the nearest building where he lay, unmoving when he felt his own insides tear asunder.

Searching for his friend to come to his aide, thinking the other Sith had come at him from behind Jacan quickly scanned around the area and finally found Talon’s body laying on the walkway with a lightsaber gash running the length of his back.

“NOOO!” screamed Jacan as he ran towards his friend only to be intercepted by the remaining Sith Knight.

Instantly full of rage and uncontrolled emotion Jacan reached out to his friend in the Force and without even thinking about it retrieving Talons lightsaber in his left hand.

Now wielding both green and blue lightsabers Jacan bore down upon the Sith Knight in a lightning flurry of death dealing brightness, the Sith tried to defend himself but was taken by surprise in the sheer brutality of the strike and was shredded and ripped into a myriad of pieces that crumbled before Jacan.

Heaving deep and painful breaths into his four throats Jacan dropped both lightsabers which instantly extinguished as they bounced and rolled along the walkway finally coming to a rest near his fallen comrades body.

“I will make every last Sith pay” swore Jacan before retrieving both lightsabers and calling for assistance on his commlink.

Chapter 6.

A month had passed since Talon was slain.

Republic forces led by Jedi Knight Jacan Na’al had driven the Sith invasion back for 2 weeks before being overwhelmed and forced to barricade themselves in the inner defences of the Sluissi capitol.

Nevertheless, republic troops remained vigilant, determined and motivated to hold fast, largely due to the unyielding presence of Jacan’s blue and green lightsabers on the frontline.

There had been another attempt on the life of the Sluissi Khedive which was mercilessly thwarted by Jacan and Captain Bluestone, a promising young officer which natural tactical abilities.

At this point in time Jacan, Bluestone and a small squad of the republics finest troopers has made its way to the Sith invasions flank with the intent to disable their communications and shield generators.

The break in the guards patrol pattern which the squad had been waiting for appeared and Jacan leaped with the force into the perimeter tower and dispatched the single Sith trooper then quickly pressed the button to unlock the perimeter gate.

Landing on the ground just ahead of the republic troopers as they scuttled through the gate to meet him, Jacan reached out with the Force and noted all nearby enemies.

“Three around the corner on our left, two around the right and no one else between us and our targets” whispered Jacan to Captain Bluestone.

The captain made several hand gestures to a republic trooper who then moved off to the right followed by three other troopers.

“On my word Jedi” said Bluestone with an intense look of determination chiselled into his young face.

Several muffled thumps sounded from the right and Captain Bluestone gave the word to go.

Leaping out to the left from behind cover Jacan quickly located the Sith guards and reached out to all three of them with the Force, grasping them and yanking them towards himself.

The remaining republic troopers quickly made light work of them with barely more than the sounds of feet shuffling in gravel.

“There’s our objective” said Jacan, pointing at the shield generators control building.

As the captain organised the troopers in position to advance and sabotage the generators Jacan felt a disturbance in the force, a large feeling of emptiness washed over him and left him in shock and unaware of his surroundings.

Coming to his senses Jacan realised he was being dragged through the forest away from the battlefield of almost two months by Captain Bluestone and another trooper.

Scrambling to his feet Jacan asked “What’s going on? What happened back there?”

The trooper with the captain looked at the ground then at the sky then Bluestone responded “One of the orbital shipyards was destroyed and the debris came crashing through the atmosphere... the capitol was crushed.”

Jacan was stunned again, “Our troops?” he asked, tears forming in his eyes.

Leaving Jacan’s question unanswered was as good as just saying it – no survivors.

“We have been ordered to retreat sir” continued Captain Bluestone, “we have an evacuation point just a few clicks north of here.”

Glancing around at the dismally small group of soldiers that had been with him on the sabotage mission Jacan finally sighed and said “Let’s keep going then... let’s go home.”

All done now.

Comments/Suggestions?

Epic....

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this” - I know I didn't coin the phrase but definitely my favourite and most used saying when grouping in all MMOs.

Great work.

Well written, don't be afraid to reveal to us how the characters are feeling. It helps the reader to identify with the characters and put themselves in the story. The story was fast moving and exciting and thank you for not making it a chick flick like the 2nd Star Wars movie. I'm looking foward to more.

Nice!
Pretty awesome Jacan.

I put it on the TOR forums a while back and got some constructive criticism that I will implement when I get time.

I like this story, it's well written. I'm tempted to write one, but I would have to do some major background work, you guys would pick up on any anomalies.