The Invasion of Rhen Varr

Background

The Rhen Varr Campaign was the first major blow to the Republic's naval capabilities. After the Republic launched a daring campaign on Christophsis, the Separatist took their opportunity to apply pressure to two Republic planets, Rhen Varr and Corfai. 

This campaign is still on going, and with multiple known personnel being involved in the assaults. Above all, this invasion is the first time the Republic has seen the mysterious CIS High Admiral Pax in action.

Day 1: Deception

High Admiral Pax, emboldened by his strategic position, decided to hail Marshal Commander Sand on a holo-transmission. After a brief conversation, High Admiral Pax sent in a Providence Class Destroyer loaded with EMPs. These EMPs detonated, crippling all 4 Republic ships and all but securing a Republic defeat to the clever Admiral.

The Republic fought bravely, with ARC Fighters and Jedi Aces holding off the CIS Munificents long enough for three of the four Navy crews to fully evacuate their Venators. After evacuation, the VSD Conqueror and VSD Requiem were lost. The VSD Hardcase was abandon but maintained operational until a cease fire was called after Marshal Commander Sand surrendered.

The crew of the VSD Fortitude were boarded by High Admiral Pax and his crew. After the ship was secure, High Admiral Pax interrogated the Marshal Commander and executed multiple Navy personnel. After a deadly morning, High Admiral Pax left the Fortitude's crew stranded aboard the crippled ship. The crew was doomed to float above Rhen Varr, helpless and hopeless.

Day 2: The First Parlay

Jedi Master Ima Gun-Di and 21st Commander Keller were invited to parlay with High Admiral Pax. During this meeting, Senator Valerian Draxus of Rhen Varr was transmitted in via a hologram from Coruscant. 

During this parlay, the High Admiral offered his men the option to surrender peacefully and concede the planet to Separatist control. The Senator considered, but ultimately denied the Separatist's terms. As a demonstration, High Admiral Pax called for the destruction of an ore refinery on the planet, crippling the economy of Rhen Varr.

Day 3: The Capture of Sand

Once again wishing for a peaceful surrender, High Admiral Pax and his Shadows made their way to the VSD Fortitude, where Marshal Commander Sand and his men were stranded above the planet. Having failed in his previous negotiations, Pax summoned Senator Valerian Draxus once again to meet with the crew of the Fortitude. 

High Admiral Pax offered Marshal Commander Sand and his fleet to the Republic in exchange for Nute Gunray and Watt Tambor, who the Republic previously captured. The Senator from Rhen Varr rejected this trade, not having the desire or authority to hand over the two CIS diplomats. 

Left with no other options, High Admiral Pax took Marshal Commander Sand away, firing one lone shot and leaving the Commander's helmet behind for his men to find. The status of the beloved Marshal Commander was left in question.

Day 4: Interrogation & Escape

After establishing his surface point of operations at the Rhen Varr Excavation Site, High Admiral Pax moved two prisoners to the CIS base; Marshal Commander Sand and RCO Rai, who was captured in a previous operation.

After not complying over the course of multiple sessions, Pax leaves the interrogation into the hands of his most trusted Shadow, Admiral Silk. After a long and painful session with the Admiral, Marshal Commander Sand reveals more information about the Clones training process and the man responsible for turning young Cadets into fully trained Clone Troopers.

Later that night, Marshal Commander Sand sees his chance to escape along with RCO Rai. The Shadow's underestimated the injured Clones, and leave a blaster vulnerable for Sand to seize. Together, Sand and Rai take out 3 Shadows and fight their way out of the CIS base. They reach a CIS shuttle and are about to make it back to orbit when they are shot down. Wounded but alive, the two Clones are now stranded somewhere in the mountains of Rhen Varr.

Day 5: Ruins

The 21st took on the challenge and decided to push away from the safety of Bravo Base to defeat the CIS forces that have gathered at the Excavation Site. However, to do so, they needed to push through the harsh Ruins of Rhen Varr. In the cover of night, the cold Marines pushed forward.

After being spotted by Admiral Silk and his Providence's in lower atmosphere, CIS forces are mobilized to halt the Clones progress. Facing countless B2 Super Battle Droids, AATs, Spider Droids, and Orbital Bombardments, the 21st Marine Corps and their attached Special Operations Units pushed through a deadly assault.

After a long battle, the 21st successfully pushed through Ruins after facing heavy causalities. In all the chaos, Jedi Master Ki-Adi Mundi was able to capture a CIS Tactical Droid, which will aid the 21st in future operations on the planet.

Day 6: Victory & Deception

After a long march through Ruins, the 21st finally arrived at the CIS stronghold at Excavation Site. Due to a tracker in RCO Rai's armor, the Clones are aware that nearby is the lost Clones captured by High Admiral Pax. 

The Clones split their forces, with the Marines taking on the CIS fortress and the Commando's searching for the survivors of Pax. 

The Marines faced a heavy defense at the fortress, but not nearly as large as the forces they have fought previously. Most importantly, High Admiral Pax seemed to be completely missing from his own stronghold. Unbothered by the limited defenses, the 21st successfully push forward through the Droids and capture the CIS point of operations on Rhen Varr. After losing the base, Admiral Silk pulls his Providences away from Excavation, mysteriously leaving the Clones unharmed.

In the middle of this chaos, the Commando's led by Jedi Master Ki-Adi Mundi are able to find and rescue Marshal Commander Sand and RCO Rai. However, Sand was not finished, and ordered the Commando squad to take him back to Pax's prison nearby. The Commando's do what they do best and take the prison easily, surprised by the limited forces holding the high value prison.

While searching for information on the prison's computers, Commander Sand notices a pre-recorded message left the day he escaped. The computer automatically plays a recording left by High Admiral Pax.

"Commander Sand. I suspected you would return eventually. Your escape was… admirable. Truly. Watching you and your Commando scramble for that shuttle was quite entertaining. Stealing a CIS craft and fleeing into the void… bold. Though I was surprised you never stopped to ask yourself a simple question. Why was it there? Why was the hangar lightly guarded… why did the launch path remain clear… why did no one pursue you?
Your escape, Commander… was permitted. 
You see, battle droids fight well enough. But they cannot build. Not quickly. Not efficiently. Clones, however… are exceptional at it. Your 21st Legion in particular has mastered the art of constructing a forward base anywhere it lands. I studied your tactics carefully. Long before we ever met. An offensive campaign against your legion would have been… costly. So instead, I allowed you to do what you do best. You built the base for me.
I must apologize, however. I did lie to you. I told you I was leaving the system. But as you watch this message… my fleet is already descending on your Republic base south of your position. All that work. All that time. All that effort your men spent securing this world… Was simply preparation for my arrival. Now you must do it all again. Except this time… the balance has shifted.
I hold the space. I hold the atmosphere. And very soon… I will hold your base. Good luck, Commander Sand. I am very interested to see what you attempt next."

Once the recording finishes, the clones are alerted that Bravo Base is under attack. Pax and his Shadows have circled around the planet and launched a full invasion on the heavily fortified, but lightly defended, Republic base. 

Left with no other options, Sand and the 21st dig in and set up a temporary base at Excavation, having no way to support their men who have just lost Bravo Base to the CIS.

Day 7: The Escape of Sand

Being stranded for too long, Marshal Commander Sand decides it is in the best interest of the Republic if he attempts to flee the planet and reunite with his forces on Coruscant. Sand intends to send a much larger fleet back to Rhen Varr in his place to support the 21st and free them from the clutches of High Admiral Pax.

Using a CIS shuttle and stolen codes from the Tactical Droid the 21st secured at Ruins, Sand and his Commando's are able to break through the Reaper's blockade and leave the system. The 21st are weakened, but hopeful that their salvation will return soon with a fleet that can break Pax.

Day 10: Recapture of Bravo

After pushing through Ruins once again, the 21st and their Commando's face a large CIS force occupying Bravo Base. With Pax and Silk occupied above the planet, the Clones use this opportunity for a surprise attack

 

 

 

 

Legacy

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