Mission on Fest
"Alright kid, focus," Hiro heard one of the clones say. Hiro nodded before taking a breath through the nose. He was sitting down cross legged on the ground. He was blind folded, head bowed as he meditated. Standing around him were the clone soldiers.
"Now. Who am I?" he heard one standing before him ask.
"Ummm…Breaker?" Hiro said unsure.
"Good job kid. You got me."
Hiro smiled as he took the blindfold off and looked up. "Really?!"
His smile faded as he looked into the face of Killjoy. "No," Killjoy said with a frown.
Hiro let out a frustrated breath. "Sorry Killjoy. I thought-"
"Don't think. Feel," Killjoy said for the umpteenth time. "You need to focus. Stop rushing," the clone stated sternly.
"How is this supposed to help me again?" Hiro asked.
"This will help you feel the Force better. And the more you can feel it. The better you will be at using it," Killjoy explained. "You just need some discipline and focus. Try again?" Hiro nodded as he tied the blindfold around his eyes and bowed his head.
A distance away Hiro and Kiara watched Hiro interact with the clones. They could understand the logic behind the clones' exercise. The clones, while essentially the same person, all felt different when examined with the Force. Gogo and Kiara could distinguish them all with their Force senses.
This could help improve his sense and focus. And maybe that in turn would help with his Technometry.
"Let's let them practice," Kiara said aloud. "How about we spar a little?" she offered. Gogo arched a brow at her, Kiara only smiled at her, her features issuing a friendly challenge.
"Alright. Sure," Gogo said with a shrug. Gogo followed Kiara a distance away from the clones.
The group and stopped on a small forested moon a few hours of lightspeed travel away from their destination for last minute preparations. Kiara led them to a small clearing before turning around and drawing her lightsaber. She waited as Gogo did the same. When Gogo's blade was lit and she gave an affirmative nod Kiara made the first move.
She advanced and swung at Gogo's left. Gogo quickly reacted and moved her saber to block. She pushed it away before striking back, raising her saber above her head and delivering a downward slash. Kiara spun out of the way before counter attacking. They continued to lightly spar, not particularly attempting to defeat th other more than just pass the time.
"So, still plan on taking Hiro away?" Gogo asked out of the blue as they exchanged strikes.
Kiara parried her attack before humming in thought. "Haven't fully decided yet," she said before she struck back, thrusting forward for a stab that Gogo side stepped. "Do you still plan to eventually give Hiro to the Jedi fighting alongside the rebellion?"
Gogo froze after parrying a strike. She sighed. "I don't know. I believe it's for the best."
"And what do you feel is for the best?" Kiara asked her.
"I don't know if I can trust my feelings. I don't know if I can't do it because I feel he's better off with me and the crew, or if I simply don't want to let him go," she muttered with a shrug and bowed head.
Kiara dropped her stance before shortly deactivating her lightsaber. "For what it's worth, you've taught him quite well."
"But you still think he'd be better off with you and your master?" Gogo asked.
"I can't deny that."
Gogo couldn't help but scowl at her. "Who is she?" she demanded.
"I already told you-"
"I don't care. Why should I believe Hiro would be better off with her?" she pressed. "I knew the old masters. I know they wouldn't hide away like yours does, letting everyone else do the fighting."
Kiara narrowed her eyes. "You don't know anything."
"Then tell me, because I may not be a Jedi, but at least I'm doing something. I'm fighting against the Empire, risking my life, while your master does nothing but hide in the shadows." Kiara continued her glare, but added a low rumbling growl.
Gogo turned on her heel, done with the conversation and not wanting to start a real battle with Kiara. She took two steps before Kiara said something that made her stop.
"You're right."
Gogo whipped around to see Kiara staring up at the cloudy blue sky. "My Master, she was once a great Jedi. And then she lost everything."
"Her heart has been broken. She lost everyone she considered family. And somewhere along the way she even lost the will to fight," Kiara said, sympathy to her master evident in her voice.
"But something has changed in her. My sisters and I can sense it. This is the most interest she's taken in anything besides surviving," she paused to look down and at Gogo. "And it's all because of Hiro. Something in that boy…he just seems to bring out the best in people."
"Yeah, he does," Gogo said with a smile.
"But you're right. You deserve to know who it is you're supposed to trust. But you can't tell anyone else. Not even the other Jedi. Deal?"
Gogo arched a brow, staring at Kiara to make sure she was serious. "Deal," she said with a nod.
With that Kiara approached, pausing just before her before leaning in to whisper.
"Alright kid. Let's see if you've improved," Killjoy said as he and Hiro entered the stolen Imperial shuttle. Hiro followed along as Killjoy placed himself in the pilot's seat while Hiro took a seat in the co-pilot's chair.
"Alright. So what are we doing?" Hiro asked curiously.
"We're going to test out your Technometry, on the shuttle."
"The shuttle? My power works on droids."
"No, it works on machines, which is all a ship is. Right?" Hiro stared at him. "It's all wires, metal, buttons, and code. No different from a droid right?"
"I guess…Technically," Hiro conceded.
"Exactly. So this should be no different. Give it a shot," the clone soldier said as he leaned back in the seat.
Hiro pursed his lips as his eyes scanned over the numerous controls of the shuttle. He understood what Killjoy was getting at. Machines came in different forms, computers, droids, ships, so technically he should be able to control any of them.
Hiro took a breath before closing his eyes. He raised a hand up, focusing his powers and channeling the Force. From under his eyelids he saw it, streams of code. Ones and zeros in a myriad of sequences, every line feeding him info about the shuttle. His eyelids fluttered as his brain processed the information. He squeezed his eyes shut as he sifted through the numbers in search of the activation code.
When he found it he focused on it, the line of code flashed before he heard the shuttle hum to life.
"Good. Good. Now try to get it in the air," Killjoy said as he saw the control panel come to life. He watched as Hiro kept his head bowed and eyes closed. Killjoy remained silent as he heard the engines power up. The thrusters turned on, slowly lifting the shuttle into the air.
"Good job Hiro," Killjoy said to encourage him. "Now, let's put the wings down and take an easy lap." Hiro nodded.
On the ground everyone watched on curiously as the Imperial shuttle began to rise into the air.
"What's going on?" Honey Lemon asked.
"Killjoy's having Hiro flying the shuttle with the Force," Breaker explained.
The others' eyes all widened in amazement.
"He's actually doing it," Gogo said in wonder.
"Seems the clones' methods are actually working," Kiara commented.
"See. We may not be Jedi, but we all served with the best of day. We know a thing or two about the Force," Nolan said with a smirk.
"And when it comes to focus and discipline nothing beats that of a soldier," Herald added proudly.
Suddenly the weapons on the shuttle became active.
"That wasn't the plan," Chief said in confusion. The shuttle started to teeter and spin a little wildly. "Get down!" Chief shouted as the weapons began to discharge.
Everyone hit the ground with a shout as the shuttle fired around them, scorching the ground and blowing up chunks of earth.
"Is the kid trying to kill us?!" Nolan shouted.
The shuttle suddenly straightened out, the weapons deactivating as it lowered to the ground and landed. The wings folded up before the back hatch opened and the ramp extended. Hiro rushed out with wide frantic eyes.
"Oh my gosh guys I'm so sorry! I had it and then I lost it and-" he paused as everyone gave him a glare. He flushed and rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "Sorry," he muttered.
"Hey, no problem kid," Nolan said with a shrug.
"Yeah. We're all fine," Breaker said dismissively. Hiro looked around to see everyone was indeed ok. Their glares were replaced by smiles.
He breathed a little easier as Killjoy came out and placed a hand on his shoulder. Hiro looked up into the clone's face. He was smiling at him in pride.
"Good progress kid. Lost it a little at the end, but we'll work on that."
Hiro couldn't help but beam a little in pride himself. With that everyone congratulated him on his progress.
The planet of Fest, a snowy planet of harsh wilderness covered in steep-ridged mountains and snowy plains. At the base of one of its numerous snow capped mountains sat a large Imperial base. The base was a weapons' testing facility, but more importantly it was also the facility testing and manufacturing the prik metal armor for the dark troopers.
The base was several stories tall, made from thick durasteel that protected the base from the harsh environment and outside attack. A watchtower surveyed the area, sweeping a spotlight over the area to ensure the base remained safe. Defense turrets atop the compound added the benefit of being able to counterattack any ship or force that dared to try to mount an attack. But luckily the howling winds also made for great cover.
Approaching the compound on foot were Hiro, Gogo, Kiara, Toothless and the clones. They came to the side of the compound, led by Gogo whose Force sight wasn't at all hampered by the biting winds. Gogo placed her hand against the wall, focusing her power to peer through it.
"We're good," she called back over the wind. She grabbed her lightsaber and ignited the blade before stabbing it into the wall. Slowly she cut out a large circle. When she was done she thrust her hand forward, making the circular slab fall inward to allow her and her friends inside.
Once inside the Jedi combined their powers to replace the slab in the wall. After that the group shed their thick clothing as they psyched themselves up for their mission.
"Alright we're in," Chief said as he got right down to business. "Plan is ago. Killjoy, Gogo, Nolan, and myself will head toward the control room. Everyone else to reactor room. Good?" Everyone nodded.
"Good. Go," he ordered. Immediately everyone split off. Hiro's group moved as stealthily as they could. All while avoiding stormtroopers and technicians as they searched for the control room. Their search eventually brought them to an elevator.
"Control room on level three," Hiro said as he saw the data pad beside it give display a map of the compound. "We should send these to the others."
Everyone nodded as they sent the scans to the other group. With that they loaded in to catch a ride up to the third floor.
"Things are going pretty good," Hiro commented aloud.
The elevator stopped at the second floor and the door opened to reveal to surprised stormtroopers. Before they could react Hiro and Gogo thrust their hands out, sending the two of them flying down the hall. Before they could pick themselves they swept their hands to the side and slammed them into the walls.
The troopers blacked out, prompting the clones the clones to disarm and take their comm. Devices. The clones then dragged them to the elevator and placed them inside. They shot out the panel to seal them in.
Killjoy looked down at Hiro. "You had to say something," he deadpanned. Hiro smiled sheepishly. With the elevator out of commission they began moving about in search of another way up. As they moved about they managed to avoid detection, dodging stormtroopers and other security personnel.
They eventually found another lift and climbed inside to go up to the next level.
"Don't say anything kid," Killjoy said to Hiro.
"Ok sheesh," Hiro said in his defense. He remained silent as they reached the third level. The doors opened and four stormtroopers happened to be approaching the lift.
The stormtroopers flinched and reached for their weapons.
"I didn't say anything," Hiro said quickly before he and Gogo grabbed and ignited their lightsabers. They charged the troopers, weaving back and forth as they dodged fire and closed the distance in a few seconds.
Hiro lashed out, slashing through the blasters of the front two troopers while Gogo leapt over them, deflecting blaster fire before landing before the remaining troopers and slicing through their weapons. Hiro waved his hand to the side, throwing one trooper against the wall before leaping up to deliver a spinning kick to the remaining one.
Gogo quickly incapacitated the last two, prompting both of tm to look to t clones.
Chief whistled, impressed. "You guys are good," he complimented. The Jedi smiled before they all put the troopers into the lift and locked them inside.
They moved on, eventually reaching the door to the control room. The clones took the lead, holding their weapons at the ready. Chief gave a countdown as Nolan prepared to open the door. When he'd finished his countdown Nolan opened the door, catching the stormtroopers completely off guard as the clones moved in and shot the stormtroopers.
"Killjoy," Chief said when the stormtroopers were taken care of. He motioned to the monitors. Killjoy nodded as he slipped into a seat. His fingers flew over the keyboard as he began searching for information of the Gromas mining facility.
Nolan stood by the door to guard it. "Hurry it up brother. Won't be too long before people wonder where some of the security are," Nolan said to his fellow clone anxiously.
"Working on it. It's just these damn Imperial computers and network. I can't find a damn thing," Killjoy growled in annoyance.
Hiro smirked as he stepped up. "Allow me," he said as he reached out toward the computer. The clone grumbled in protest, but his it gave way to astonishment as Hiro quickly navigated through Imperial network. And to their amazement he found what they were looking for.
"Got it. Plans, blue a print, schedules, personnel files, the works," he said proudly. Everyone crowded around him, staring in amazement.
"Kid, you continue to impress," Nolan said as he patted Hiro's shoulder. Hiro smiled and ruffled his hair bashfully.
Chief suddenly looked at Nolan. "Nolan, aren't you supposed to be watching the door?" Chief asked the clone.
Before he could respond the door slid open. Five stormtroopeers coming to relieve their comrades immediately drew their weapons, prompting Hiro and Gogo to grab their lightsabers. The troopers began to fire. Hiro and Gogo waved their sabers around as they deflected fire. The clones took cover, hiding behind consoles and returning fire.
"Good thing these stormtroopers are such terrible shots!" Nolan shouted to everyone else. With the Jedi defending and the clones returning fire they made quick work of the enemy.
"That wasn't so bad," Nolan said as he came out from his cover. As if on cue an alarm began to blare, red lights began to flash.
Everyone threw Nolan a dirty look.
"Blast it Nolan," Killjoy cursed.
"Let's get moving people! Double time!" Chief shouted.
The group ran, calling for the others. Chief called them up, ordering Herald to set the reactor to blow, but to give them enough time to evacuate. With the facility on alert they were met with opposition. They battled their way through stormtroopers as they sought to regroup with the others.
They navigated through halls, finding a lift to take them down to the first level before rounding a corner. But as they did a stormtrooper came flying past them. They glanced down the hall to see Toothless holding his boltcaster.
He let out a moan in greeting. They rushed up to join him and the others before they were on the move. As they rounded another corner their path was blocked from both ends by stormtroopers. The clones and Toothless began returning fire, their aim truer than the stormtroopers'.
But the Jedi could see they needed some help.
They extended their hands, using the Force to pull the stormtroopers from their cover, allowing them to be picked off by the clones and Wookie. When none were left they were on the move again, the Jedi leading the way in case they were met with fire from the front.
"Everything is going ok," Hiro called out aloud. As if to retort blast door in front of their path began to close.
"Had to say something, didn't ya' kid," Killjoy called out as they stepped on it. With that the group climbed and leapt through the closing door with their entrance and way out just ahead of them. With a burst of speed and some luck, they made it.
The Jedi threw their hands out, making the slab of wall fall outward. They dived out into the cold and began running as fast they could away from the facility.
An explosion sent them all flying face first into the snow. They all looked up to see the compound in smoke.
"Kid. Never say anything from now on," Killjoy told Hiro.
"Got it," Hiro said with a nod.
As they basked in their success the cold winds blew over them. Toothless let out a moan.
"Oh really, you're cold?" Nolan asked the black furred Wookie.
new chapter. Sorry for the wait.
BTW Force Awakens was awesome!