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It was difficult to tell exactly what was happening over the roar of the blasterfire, explosions, and screams. The Sith squadron had obviously broken through the building's ill-prepared air defenses and were more than likely within the building at that very moment. Sirak's commlink buzzed loudly. The familiar tone was beginning to annoy him. He pulled it off of his belt and held it close to his face, pressing the small silver button to activate it. "Sazen here," he said.
"Master Sazen, a Sith assault force has penetrated our outermost defenses and are advancing into the building itself," the trooper reported worriedly. In the event of an emergency, select units of troops would be placed under the direct command of a Jedi by the Rebublic. This trooper had been one of Sirak's men. Never much of a military man, Sirak gave back his usual annoyed order.
"Well, hold them back. Don't let them penetrate any farther," he said monotonously.
When he released the pressure from the small button, he could hear screams and very faintly, the distinct sound of a lightsaber swooping through flesh on the other end. "Sir, they're being led by a Sith. We need assistance."
Sirak remained silent for a moment and took in the recent development. "I'll be right down," he responded and placed the commlink back onto his belt. The Jedi blazed off down the massive stairway towards the main entrance, nearly tripping several times as the building was shelled by artillery and the fire of landed starfighters. The feeling of death exploded through the Force like a gong being hit again and again - steadily to the beat of death. Jedi were being killed. There was no doubt of this. The current location of the Jedi Council members was unknown to him. Sirak could only pray they weren't among the dead. Anybody (or anything) that could efficiently clean through the most powerful Jedi the Galaxy had to offer wasn't something Sirak was fond of finding.
By the time he'd reached ground level, he could feel the madness of the Dark Side pulsing through the very air like ripples in a pond. There was no stopping them. Once a pebble had been dropped in, the dark waves wouldn't recede until they had been spent. The Zabrak pushed through others fleeing the carnage within the entrance hall, seeking the safety of the inner sanctums. Rounding the last corner, he ignited his green blade in his left hand.
The scene was just as he had feared. Although the defense force seemed to be holding up, the Sith was surrounded in pools of blood of both his own and the at least 4 Jedi lying dead around him - their bodies mutilated by this wounded animal. The Sith swung wildly with a vibrosword, his lightsaber nowhere to be seen. "Jedi heathens! Who will strike me down?" His cold, maniacal voice pierced those around him as if it was a knife striking the soft flesh of a child. "Cowards!" he cried and muttered something else about the Jedi. In his madness, the Sith began to kill his own men.
Sirak and several other Jedi he'd recognized from his days in the Temple halls encircled the craved man, if you could call him a man. His actions were savage. On Sirak's command, his troops concentrated fire on the Sith. Shots after shot, crimson streak after crimson streak seemed to sink into him. The madman only cackled. Sirak could bear it no longer. He quickly reached out and plunged his blade through the Sith's chest. The dying man muttered more, this time to himself. Sirak dragged his lightsaber out from his chest. Even so, the troops continued peppering him with rounds and stopping only when Sirak raised a closed fist. The Sith shakily took the death mask off from his face, revealing horrendous scars from the tortured life of a Miralukan. With another slash of green, it was all over. The Sith collapsed to the marble floor in death.
After a moment, Sirak returned his attention to the slowly ending battle. The assault squad was weakening - demoralized by the horrendous death of what appeared to be their leader. Sirak rolled behind one of the many marble statues of past Republic heroes and politicians, blocking the occasional blaster bolt on the way. From this position, he took in the look on his men's faces. It was one of determination and confidence. It took Sirak several moments to regain his composure and consider a plan to drive the enemy troops out for good. He made several hand motions to the other troops, conveying the strategy.
When the time was right, Sirak rushed out of cover supported by fire from his men. He quickly moved from cover to cover, using the Force to enhance his speed. Before the enemy knew it, he was practically behind them. The defenders charged forward as Sirak swiped away at the opposition's numbers. They Sith forces had been overrun and Sirak's men wiped out every last one. They had to be given credit. Even in the face of defeat, they did not falter and did not flee - an admirable trait.
Once the room had been clear, the defenders threw their arms in the air and let out cried of celebrated. "No. No celebration!" Sirak shouted over their softening yells. They all turned to look at him with confused expressions. "We're not out of this yet. Nowhere close. You two," he pointed to a pair of troops in the back of the group that had gathered. "Help the wounded into the Chancellor's office. It's being used as a makeshift hospital." The two men saluted and ran off to a small group of wounded that had gathered behind a fallen beam. "Everyone else, prepare for another assault. Check your ammo and refortify all the defenses. This entrance is an artery to every part of the-"
Sirak was interrupted by the all too familiar beeping of his commlink. "Get to work," he ordered the men before he answered. The voice over the commlink was that of a Captain that had been posted in the Senate's main security hive. "Go ahead," Sirak said.
"Sir, security holodisks are showing two unidentified men in the lower turbolift. They don't check out as Jedi. Both are carrying lightsabers."
The news was damning. Sirak stood motionless for what seemed like an eternity before replying. "Captain, shut off all power to that turbolift and keep me updated. Alert anyone in the immediate area. These targets are first priority, understand?"
"Yes, sir!" the voice boomed back. Sirak hooked the commlink back onto his belt and marched over to the unit's highest ranking soldier. "Listen, I need to take care of some things. You're in charge of these men," gripping him by the soldiers. "I trust you. Good luck and may the Force be with you." The soldier just nodded and began to bark out orders, much to the dismay of the other soldiers. Sirak couldn't be bothered. He had to stop the Sith, one way or another.
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"I find it hard. It's hard to find, oh well, whatever, nevermind."
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