"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"
[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION :
Woostri - Gopsthal | OBJECTIVE : Defend the Core | TAG (FRIENDLY) :
Ran Serys
(Indirect)|
Corazona von Ascania
(Indirect) |
Taam Moghul
|
Nir Si
|
Lycus Merita
|
Shan Pavond
TAG (FOE) :
Madrona A’Mia
(Indirect) |
Jhyrack
(Near) | @Kasir Doran (Nearby) |
Quinn Varanin
The air hung thick with the acrid scent of blaster fire and ozone, a metallic tang coating the tongue. The southern entrance of Woostri's gargantuan data center, a fortress of durasteel and shielded energy fields, was a maelstrom of chaos. Galactic Alliance troopers, clad in gleaming white armor, formed a desperate line against the relentless crimson tide of the Sith Order. Explosions blossomed across the battlefield, each concussion a hammer blow against the defenders' resolve.
Connel Vanagor moved through the carnage like a wraith. His lightsaber, a blade of pure azure energy, danced in a whirlwind of lethal grace. Sith troopers, their faces contorted in snarling aggression, fell before him, their armor cleaved, their dark ambitions extinguished in a flash of light. He was a Jedi, honed by years of rigorous training, a bulwark against the encroaching darkness. But he was also something more, something that churned beneath the surface of his calm Jedi facade: a Shadow.
His father, a legendary Jedi Master, had instilled in him the ancient ways, the philosophy of balance and serenity. But he had also revealed the necessity of confronting the darkness, of understanding the shadows within oneself and in the galaxy. This duality, this precarious balance, was Connel's inheritance, his strength, and recently, a source of growing disquiet.
He had felt it awaken during the initial assault on Woostri. A primal rage, a thirst for violence that simmered just beneath his control. It was a sensation both terrifying and exhilarating, a power that amplified his already formidable abilities. He had pushed it down, suppressed it with the disciplined focus of a Jedi, but it lingered, a hungry beast straining at its leash. He was well trained in how to channel it properly, but the recent invasion into his mind, he could not prove that but was certain a Sith had done so, combined with the Battle Meditation he was reaping the benefits of happened to awaken the animal inside him.
He channeled the Force, drawing upon its power to enhance his speed and agility. He became a blur, weaving through the enemy ranks, his lightsaber a whirlwind of destruction. Sith troopers fell back, their faces contorted in terror as the Jedi Shadow carved a path through their lines.
Connel reached the entrance – a reinforced blast door, now riddled with scorch marks and blown open. A squad of Sith warriors stood guard, their red lightsabers humming menacingly. Their leader, a hulking figure with a scarred visage, sneered at Connel. "You will not pass, Jedi!"
Connel didn't reply. He simply ignited his lightsaber, and short saber, the azure blades illuminating his steely gaze. The battle was joined. The Sith warriors lunged, their attacks fueled by hatred and rage. But Connel was their superior. He parried their blows with ease, his movements precise and economical. He disarmed them, then struck with lethal accuracy.
The Sith leader roared in defiance, his lightsaber a crimson blur. He was a formidable opponent, his strength enhanced by the dark side of the Force. But Connel met his assault with unwavering resolve. Their blades clashed, sparks flying as they engaged in a furious duel.
As they fought, a tremor shook the ground. The data center groaned under some immense pressure. Alarms blared, adding to the cacophony of war. The Sith leader laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "It is too late, Jedi! Our forces have unleashed a seismic weapon. This planet will be consumed!"
Fear coiled in Connel's gut. He could feel the raw power of the dark side emanating from the depths of the earth. He knew that it was only the beginning.
He disengaged from the duel, leaping back to create distance. He focused his mind, reaching out with the Force to sense the source of the disturbance. He felt a churning vortex of dark energy beneath the surface, a malevolent force threatening to tear the planet apart.
He had to stop it. But how? He was a Jedi, a warrior, not an engineer or a geologist. But he couldn't abandon his mission. The data center, and the information it contained, were vital to the Alliance's survival.
He made a decision. He would trust in the Force, and in his training.
Turning his back on the Sith, Connel focused his powers to rip the blast door open. He dashed inside, leaving the Sith warriors in confused silence. He had to find Anthony Gray Sun, but the warriors would not allow that, they engaged again.
Now, as he carved a path through the retreating Sith forces, the beast clawed at its cage. The assurance that the Galactic Alliance was holding the line, though welcome, felt like a justification, an excuse to unleash the pent-up fury within. He told himself it was for the greater good, for the preservation of the data center, a repository of invaluable knowledge critical to the Alliance. But a darker voice whispered that it was for the pure, unadulterated satisfaction of the fight.
He reached the inner perimeter, a series of blast doors leading into the data center's core. The Alliance troops, battered but unbroken, saluted as he passed. "Good luck, Jedi," one of them, a grizzled veteran with a cybernetic eye, called out. "We'll hold them off as long as we can."
Connel nodded, his face grim. He knew their chances were slim. The Sith were relentless, their numbers seemingly endless. He activated his comlink.
This is Shadow One, he said, his voice steady despite the inner turmoil. "I'm entering the data center. What's the situation inside?"
Inside the data center, chaos reigned. The halls were filled with smoke and dust, and the air was thick with the smell of ozone. Emergency lights flickered erratically, casting long, dancing shadows. Technicians scrambled to salvage what they could, their faces etched with panic.
Connel navigated the labyrinthine corridors, following the Force-infused path towards Anthony. He found him in the primary data core chamber, surrounded by a team of engineers. They were working frantically, trying to reroute power and stabilize the system.
One of the soldiers the Shadow was working with earlier turned to Connel, his face grim. "Connel, thank the Force you're here. The Sith have triggered a series of seismic charges beneath the planet's surface. They're destabilizing the tectonic plates. Woostri is going to tear itself apart!"
I felt it, Connel said grimly.
Are you suyre it was them? What can we do?
The soldier pointed to a large console. "There's a failsafe protocol. If we can overload the data core with a counter-frequency, we might be able to disrupt the seismic charges and stabilize the planet."
Might? Connel asked.
"It's our only chance," the soldier replied. "But the system is heavily shielded. We need a Jedi to channel the Force and break through the barriers."
Connel stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his lightsaber.
Then let's get to work.
Together, they worked to breach the datalock. The soldier directed the engineers, while Connel focused his mind, channeling the Force into the system. He could feel the dark side's presence, a malignant energy trying to corrupt the data core.
The earthquakes grew stronger, shaking the data center violently. Cracks appeared in the walls, and the ceiling began to crumble. But they pressed on, ignoring the danger. Connel could feel the darkness raging within him, the violent shadow threatening to consume him. But he fought it back, focusing on the task at hand.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they broke through the shields. The engineers initiated the counter-frequency protocol, and the data core began to hum with power. The room filled with a blinding light, and a wave of energy washed over them. That is when he saw half the building come down unnaturally and his awareness of where the nearest Jedi, Ran, was. It was starting to slip.
Do you have this?
“Huh?”
Did I stutter? Do you have this?!
“Yeah, jerk! Do whatever!”
Turning on his heel, Connel made way across the terrain that was once walls and ceiling and he saw her. The Mirialan green bean… whatever that is. She was bleeding like a stuck Hutt. He had trouble getting to her as the place was coming down around them. Thinking quickly, Connel started to push debris against the intact walls to try and reinforce them somehow to get to her.
Talk to me, Guardian! What’s the weakest form? Talk woman! How funny is Graclin?
Finally getting to her and putting direct pressure to her neck, he let the Force flow out of him. Connel
SUCKED at healing others but getting his arm and shoulder healed by
Amani Serys
did teach him something.Connel focused on stabilizing her, using the Force to slow the bleeding. He knew he wasn't skilled in healing, but every second counted. The building groaned ominously, reminding him of the urgency. He had to get her to safety before it collapsed entirely.
[“Michael”, you getting out of here?]
[Raven’s incoming.]
[Wait for us.]
[“Us?”]
[I have a Jedi Council Member down. I’m stabilizing her.]
[Copy, we’ll come to you.]
[On our way now.] Come on green bean! I can’t carry your pain, but I can carry you! Using his Special Forces training, the Shadow picked her up into a (Fireman’s carry) hold.
[Stubborn bantha! Ha!]
[Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]
