The Invasion of Rhen Varr

Background

“The Republic did not lose Rhen Varr in a single battle…
It was taken from them, piece by piece.”

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 High Admiral Pax opened the campaign not with an attack, but with a conversation. Establishing contact with Marshal Commander Sand, Pax held the Republic’s attention just long enough for a Providence-class destroyer to move into position.

Moments later, a series of EMP payloads detonated across the Republic fleet, disabling all four Venators almost instantly. The battle for space was decided before it could even begin.

Despite the sudden loss, Republic pilots and Jedi managed to hold off incoming CIS forces long enough to evacuate most crews. The Conqueror and Requiem were destroyed, the Hardcase was abandoned, and the Fortitude was captured. Pax personally boarded the vessel, executing select personnel and leaving the remaining crew stranded above Rhen Varr, ensuring the Republic would remember how the war truly began.

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 4: 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 6: 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 8: 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 11: 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 12: 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 16: 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 to recapture their lost base.

After a short battle, the Clones are successful in their recapture without summoning the Shadows. The Bravo Base is restored to Republic control, however, it is heavily damaged from multiple battles without repair.

Day 17: The Trap

While attempting to repair the broken Bravo Base, the 21st and their Jedi receive an incoming transmission from a CIS Providence-Class Destroyer. Jedi Master Ki-Adi Mundi answers the call, and is met with High Admiral Pax on the other end. Through the conversation, it is revealed that this has been Pax's plan all along, and that he now has the Clones trapped with no possible retreat. On his command, Pax disables the Clones's shield generators and begins landing the largest droid army of the invasion right on top of Bravo Base.

The 21st, Jedi, and Commandos hold their own for some time, until Pax himself and 10 of his best Shadows make their way to the icy surface. The High Admiral flanks the Clones position and begins splitting up their front line from the top of the mountain. With the Jedi focused on Pax, the Clones begin to be pushed back and are soon forced to retreat inside the Bravo Base. Pax now has the advantage and the Republic is trapped inside the mountain.

Wishing to avoid anymore bloodshed, High Admiral Pax calls for a cease fire so that he may meet with the Jedi face to face. He offers them terms for surrender, which is considered for some time. During the discussion, Pax's Shadows take Padawan Raves Konan away as a good faith payment of mutual terms. After not coming to an agreement, Pax makes his way back to his forces to continue the assault. While his back is turned, Jedi Master Ima Gun-Di rushes Pax and attempts to end the battle with one swing of his saber. The Jedi is too slow, and Pax's Shadows and Droids begin to open fire. The battle continues, and Pax makes his way over to Padawan Konan. Pax and his droids execute the Padawan and continue on with the battle.

Despite the Republic forces being heavily diminished, the 21st still shows no sign of surrender. Wanting to force their hand, Pax places explosives in the hallway. After pulling his Shadow's back, Pax collapses the hallway, trapping the remaining Republic forces inside their own base.

Day 19: Failed Escape

After days stuck in the base, the 21st is left with no option but to attempt an escape. The three remaining Jedi begin to cut away at the collapsed hallway in an attempt to make their way back to their old hangar. Upon clearing the rubble, they are met with an overwhelming CIS force. B1s, B2s, AATs, Pyke Sentinels, Shadows, and High Admiral Pax himself all await the Clones in the hangar. Seeing no other option, the three Jedi along with Commander Keller make their way to speak to Pax face to face.

After a few threats and executions, Pax finally convinces the 21st to surrender. The four leaders hand over their weapons and are taken prisoner by Pax's Shadows. In return for their surrender, High Admiral Pax guarantees the safety of the Clones who will remain in the base. 

Following the surrender, the four 21st leaders are taken from Bravo Base and transported to High Admiral Pax's fleet.

Day 19: Desperate Rescue

Having lost all communication with their forces at Bravo Base, Commander Bacara leads the rest of the 21st through Ruins fearing the worst. They push through the harsh Rhen Varr climate with haste to reach their stranded men. 

As they make their way through Ruins, High Admiral Pax uses his Providence to meet them in the field. Countless droid pods are sent down as Pax hopes to halt the Clone advance. Despite a heavy disadvantage, the Clones persist, and continue on towards Bravo Base.

Seeing no way of stopping them without his army, Pax decides to visit them from his shuttle. His goal is not to negotiate, but to break their will. While above them, Pax drops the helmets of their fallen brothers in the 21st. This angers the Clones, and they push through Ruins even faster despite the incoming orbitals now from Pax's ship. 

After finding cover in the mountains, the Clones persist through Ruins and Pax pulled his forces back to make one final stand at Bravo Base.

Day 21: To be Continued

Legacy

This story is not yet complete.