Hey, everyone! How are you doing on this cool night of Sunday, January 17, 2021? I'm doing well, if a bit nervous. I've got a busy week ahead with school starting back up on Wednesday and working at my job for three weekdays. I just need to keep calm and budget my time accordingly. So, unfortunately, I won't be able to write as much as I'd like, and my chapters will come out a bit slower from this point on. Oh, and I wrote three Jedi Odyssey chapters in the last ten days, and I hope to publish them soon. So, without any further fanfare, I'd better get started on the next chapter of Galaxy at War. May the Lord be with us all on the precipice of what I fear is an even darker time for the world.
(Monday, January 18, 2021 Addendum.) Hey, everyone! How are you all doing on this cool day? I'm doing all right, as I worked from 8-1 pm today, and I had a good shift. I might do some reading later, as I still have a way to go on the novel Wizard's First Rule, and I want to get a good chunk done today and tomorrow before school starts back up on Wednesday. Well, I'd better take a break to charge my laptop, and then I'll get back to writing. May the Lord be with us all in these dark and difficult times for so many.
One Hour Later
Within the Varon System
On Varon Orbital Command
It's just one crisis after another. Kal lamented as he heard the Palpatines' conclude their report on the Transformers.
"And you truly believe that this Starscream is on our side?" Wulff skeptically pressed. "What if it is an elaborate scheme by these 'Decepticons' to weaken us for an invasion?"
"If that was true, then why would he help the Old Republic during the Great Droid Revolution? Never mind aiding the Chiss protect their borders and allies?" Ahsoka countered.
"They raise a fair point." Mon interjected. "Besides, we still have a summit with the Chiss to attend, and we can't back out now. We'll just have to keep our guard up if he tries anything."
"Agreed." Bail nodded.
Glancing to the Palpatines, the Chief of State acknowledged, "Thank you for informing us straight away. We'll start assembling a secondary detachment for you Vice Admiral Syn straight away."
"Thank you, Sir. And, what of our request for the addition to the Chiss delegation?" Tau cautiously asked.
"It is granted, Tau." Mon answered. "We'd be fools to ignore a retired Jedi Council member and diplomat of Master Sinube's caliber. Now I suggest you two and your crew get plenty of rest and enjoy yourselves for the next couple of days. This mission and summit may very well keep you two lovebirds apart for at least a few weeks."
"We'll be sure to do just that, Minister." Tau promised, ignoring Ahsoka's small sultry smile before they signed off.
"Was that last remark really necessary, Minister?" Ralon asked.
"They're young newlyweds, Supreme Commander." Mon reminded him. "And one of them recently became pregnant with twins. They'll need their quality time together before their duties keep them apart for a while."
"Now, I suggest we return to more pressing matters. Don't you have to assemble a fleet to help liberate the Lothal Sector, and an interdimensional portal to secure?"
Seeing everyone smirk at his expense, Ralon sighed, "Sure, why doesn't everyone gang up on the ex-Confederate?"
Two Hours Later
In Hyperspace
Aboard the Glory
Nine Hours and Fifty Minutes From the Honoghr System
"Sir, the final checkouts on the fleet are complete." The XO handed Demetrius a datapad.
"Very good." He nodded, perusing through its contents before he noted how their two Force advisors and their acolytes were performing far above the projected reports.
"Master C'Boath and Prophetess Merili have been putting the men through their paces, I see. If the men aren't already, have the men recover from the exercise. We'll all need to be at our best for the coming siege."
"If I may be so bold, Vice Admiral, would it not be more prudent for you and Vice Admiral Batch to try to alter your attack strategy before we engage the Jedi?" The captain reluctantly inquired. "Since we can confirm their governments are protecting the Noghri, we ought to assume they will attack us if we arrive at our original rendezvous point."
"I appreciate the concern, Captain, but the plan cannot be altered. The Emperor and Lord Bahl'al both ordered this strategy, and I doubt even the Jedi would be able to anticipate Vice Admiral Batch's new weapons. And remember, this is not a direct attack on Honoghr, but a blockade to starve them into submission."
Before the captain could attempt another caution, Demetrius allowed, "Nevertheless, you raise a very compelling point. I will confer with Vice Admiral Batch and see if we cannot prepare any last-minute contingencies."
One Hour Later
Aboard the Second Chance
Within its Main Hall
59 Hours From the Varon System
"Edaan truly defeated A'Sharad all by himself?" Tera astonishingly asked after Akku and Arnine concluded their abbreviated tale of Edaan for him and Celeste. "I remember Master Hett back from when he was a Padawan. Even back then, he was very strong with the Force and had a noble but wounded heart. To think he fell so far after all he suffered."
"Everyone has a breaking point, Master Sinube. I know that better than anyone here." Celeste reminded him. She still carried the shame of the millions of Mandalorians she turned into Rakghoul thralls on Jebble. What Zayne Carrick had to do to stop the spread of the plague was a great mercy compared to what the rest of the galaxy would have done to her.
Breaking herself out of her despondency, she got up from her seat, "I'm gonna go check on Ventis. He probably needs a break after all the repairs he's made on the ship."
"And your presence will help calm him after, well, you know." Akku added as Celeste went towards the topmost turret.
"Don't remind him." Celeste warned him before she disappeared.
"You and Tau's crew are very open and friendly with each other. Rather like a makeshift family." Tera observed.
"Don't forget the crazy, lovesick newlyweds; their crazy pet; the stern, traditional uncle or grandfather; and their socially awkward friends." Arnine mentioned before he blew a raspberry and rolled away.
"Yes, that is true indeed." Tera chuckled at the droid's sense of humor before he felt a tongue lick his fingers, and he saw Butch curiously glance at him before whining.
Warmly patting the Tuk'ata's head before offering him a slice of meat from his dish, "To think Edaan managed to tame a Tuk'ata hound and redeem many Sith from the Dark Side in his short life. He must have been a prodigy in a league of his own to pull off those feats."
"Helps that he had good teachers, a strong moral compass, and great people by his side to keep him on the righteous path." Akku added.
"Indeed, but Tau has followed his brother's path very well." Tera admitted before lamenting, "He is certainly blessing Ahsoka well, far better than the Council treated her by the end."
"You can't blame yourself for what they did to her. You had no say in their betrayal."
"True. But I could have done something, anything for her, for deep down, I knew that she was innocent. And instead, I just rationalized it as the Will of the Force. And it cost us a great woman for years before Tau helped her overcome her own guilt and bitterness."
Sighing, he reluctantly admitted, "He is very good for her, and has filled her soul with light in a dark time for the galaxy. I only hope they can overcome the trials ahead for them, especially when their twins enter the galaxy."
Something in Tera's voice caught Akku's attention, and he guardedly asked, "What do you know?"
"Nothing for certain, but I have a hunch that they will be a critical juncture for the galaxy in the coming years." Tera admitted, before suddenly asking, "Do you think that tomorrow, I could use Tau's holocron? I would very much like to learn more about the journey Edaan took, and what knowledge Tau added to it."
"I don't see why not." Akku shrugged. "You can ask him yourself tomorrow after he and Ahsoka rest from their time together."
"Yes, the young do have so much passion and energy to spend on each other." Tera joked, earning a boisterous laugh from both Jedi and Mandalorian.
Meanwhile, On Honoghr
Within the Clean Lands
Inside the Village of Nyasto
Just Outside the New Dawn
"We've made outstanding progress on the evacuation, Maitrakh. Already, we've evacuated more than half a million of your people and transferred my children's bodyguards to Varon. And the last terraforming agents are finally embedded in your planet's atmosphere. It won't be long before your world is restored to its former glory."
"Yes. But I cannot escape the feeling of dread from the coming invasion." Rakh sighed.
"Please forgive my despondency, Lord Skywalker. I'm an old woman by my people's standards, and very prone to worry for all of the clans."
"I know how you feel. I'll be taking part in the coming defense of your world, so I'll be in space in a couple hours. But don't worry, you won't be defenseless. Rex and his men will stay with Master K'Kruhk and the doctors on the ground to watch over you, just in case they slip past me."
"That does bring me some comfort. But I must confess a certain curiosity of mine. I would have thought that you'd want to be a part of the attack on the Imperial fleet."
"A few years, even a few months ago, I would have done so without a doubt. But I made a promise that I'd help your world recover, and I intend to see it through. Besides, I have orders to stay in reserve. And knowing my bad luck, I still might get to see some action yet."
"Then let us hope your bad luck does not come to pass, right?" Rakh smiled.
"For many people's sake, let's hope not." Anakin warmly chuckled, smiling beneath his helmet.
Thirty Minutes Later
Within the Alternate Dimension
On Lothal
Within the Lothalian Brotherhood's Jedi Temple's Training Hall
"Well, if the team is all picked out, then we'd best prepare to be on our way back to our reality. At least after we find Tau's reality, that is. I'm sure my team's definitely gonna have a heart attack by the time I get back. Thank you for all you have done for us." Vega and Adegan bowed to Master Talus.
"It is no trouble at all, young Vega." He bowed back before gravely warning, "But remember to mark your path to retrace your steps and all of you, keep your datapad copies secured at all times. They'll have all the information you need to free the Hawkes family from their imprisonment. And you'll be able defend your dimension from all the threats you're experiencing, just in case anything happens to Adegan and the others."
"But, most importantly, if you encounter the dark entity in the World Between Worlds, return to either our reality or yours straight away. Whatever it might be, it cannot be allowed to enter any new dimension, or the consequences will be unspeakable."
"I know. I will make sure Vega here does not decide to engage the monster all on his own." Adegan teased his companion while ignoring Vega's deadly glare. "So, which of your Jedi are going to accompany us back to our reality?"
"Master Kratis and five highly experienced Jedi Knights. If you're going to go exploring in there, then there is no sense in taking any chances."
"I'll take that extra security." Vega agreed. "So, when do we set out?"
"In an hour or two after you finish breakfast." Talus smiled. "I'm sure you're starving after your training session last night, and there's no sense in leaving our dimension on an empty stomach. Especially if you're gonna be exploring dimensions for Force knows how long."
"All right. I could use one more good meal after all those ration packs." Vega ruefully chuckled. He only wondered how he'd explain all this to Ruby and the others if the New Republic ever declassified his team's findings. That would be quite a story to tell.
Twenty Minutes Later
On Tenupe
Within the Chiss Garrison
"I'm afraid the situation is worse than we could have expected, General." Kirak warned Kres'ten'Tann as they observed the Grysk fleet emerge from hyperspace. "I can sense a second fleet approaching the system. I'm absolutely certain that it does not belong to the Grysk."
"The Moechor? So soon?"
"Unless the Vagaari have rebuilt their force quicker than expected. Otherwise, that is the most logical conclusion."
"How could you possibly know that? Your vaunted Jedi senses have been wrong before." A captain skeptically asked.
"Don't underestimate a Jedi Master well-versed in combat." Starscream reminded him. "And he is correct. I've intercepted some of the second fleet's transmissions, and it matches the Moechor's fleet we spied on."
"So it is a double invasion, then." Kres'ten'Tann grimly noted. "Still, we might be able to use this to our advantage if we can make them turn against each other."
Turning to Starscream and his Mini-Cons, he requested "I don't suppose you five can buy us some time by turning their focus on each other, yes?"
Smirking, Starscream gladly said, "It would be our pleasure."
Five Minutes Later
In Hyperspace
Aboard the Second Chance
58 Hours From the Varon System
"You think the others are okay?" Tau gently asked his wife as they basked in the afterglow of their lovemaking.
"Who?" Ahsoka absentmindedly asked.
"Everyone. Obi-Wan, Anakin, Ventis, Connor, and everyone hurt or in danger. This war is only going to get worse as time goes on. I don't need the Force to tell me that, because I can feel it in my gut. I wish that we could face all of it together."
"We will, Tau." Ahsoka calmly rubbed her hand on her husband's back. "The Force will keep us connected no matter how far apart we are. And don't worry about the others. They're all made of strong stuff and have faced worse odds before. We just have to have faith in them and Eru."
"Easier said than done." Tau admitted before suddenly asking, "How do you think Katooni and the others are holding up with Captain Shryne and Olee aboard the Drunk Dancer? I'm sure they would've wanted to spend more time catching up with you after all these years."
"I'm sure they're just fine. And I'll be able to spend a lot of time with them after you head to Tenupe. So it's no big deal."
"But right now, I want to wring as much joy out of you as I can before our distinct responsibilities keep us apart for a while. And that means no distractions whatsoever."
"'Wring as much joy' out of me as you can?" Tau chuckled. "Sounds like you're advertising as a dancer for one of those raunchy nightclubs."
She tiredly smirked before yawning. "Well, if it gets the point across."
"Let's try to get at least a few hours' sleep." Tau suggested. "I'm sure you want to wish Anakin luck one more time before he has to protect Honoghr. And from personal experience, I know he could use another good friend's encouragement right now."
"Always so considerate." Ahsoka teased as she pillowed her head against Tau's sweat-slicked chest.
"You know it, Dear." Tau jested before giving her montrals one last gentle kiss as the couple drifted into a short but blissful sleep.
Two Hours Later
Aboard the Gauntlet
Ninety-Three Hours and Forty Minutes From the Tython System
"Is the trap ready on your end, Bahl'al?" Vader asked.
"My fleet and I are prepared and ready to capture Quest the moment you enter the system. But if I may, there is another issue I could use your assistance with afterwards. One that could greatly help accelerate with rebuilding the Imperial Army's ranks."
"Speak plainly with me, Bahl'al. Neither of us has the time for wordplay. What have you found on your fortress world?"
"Very well; I believe that there is a thriving population of advanced Flesh Raiders living within Tython's underground."
Betraying none of his shock behind his helmet or through the Force, Vader pressed, "That would indeed be worth my aid. But what is your evidence?"
"Several Imperial patrols have been ambushed by unknown large predator-like beasts in recent weeks. But the evidence suggests a level of coordination far greater than what mere animals are capable of, and Doctor Se my scientists have conducted several tests to compare the leftover DNA samples stored within the Jedi Archives. The results came back with a 97.32% match. It would seem that the last Rakatan survivors have been quite busy in the last thirty-six centuries." Bahl'al explained.
"So it would seem." Vader agreed. "Have you spoken to the Emperor of this discovery?"
"Not yet. I do not want to divert his attention away from the war, not with the Jedi still advancing on many fronts. I need sufficient results before bringing this to his attention."
Translation: I need enough time and manpower to build an army loyal to the Empire over a single man. Vader understood.
"I can't stay there for a prolonged campaign. It would draw too much attention from all of our enemies. But it might be possible for me to deploy Commander Kimmund and a garrison to assist you." Vader answered.
Nodding in acknowledgement, Bahl'al thanked him, "Any assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated. And speaking of assistance, how is young Uriel's training progressing?"
"Commander Kimmund and Inquisitor Rawk are overseeing his evaluation, and they both report that he is a natural with the lightsaber and basic Force powers." Vader answered, but continued before Bahl'al could question the choice, "They both have explicit orders to only observe, but not intervene unless he pushes himself too hard. And Kimmund has his own orders to keep an eye on Rawk for me."
"Then I will trust in your judgement on that matter." Bahl'al acquiesced. "I must go for now. I have many projects to oversee for the Empire, and an ambush to coordinate." He ended the communication, leaving Vader to attend to his own designs.
Meanwhile, Aboard the CloakShape Fighter Fever Wasp
Attached to the Guantlet's Command Tower
So, that's your endgame, Bahl'al. I never would have thought you were capable of something so bold. And to think that the Flesh Raiders are still alive. Sarcev mused after tapping into the Gauntlet's communications network.
He knew he had to find a way to warn the New Republic and the Rogue Company of Bahl'al's schemes. Not only would it add a substantial bonus to his reward, but if this intelligence was used correctly, if could tear the Empire apart from the inside out. It was too good an opportunity not to take advantage of.
But how could he send it out without dooming himself? The Sith already knew of his presence, but if they figured out that he was intercepting their transmissions, it would make them alter their plans.
Clearly, he'd have to play this carefully.
Meanwhile, In the World Between Worlds
Just Outside the Lothian Brotherhood's Portal
"Well, last chance for any of you to back out." Vega reminded the six Jedi as they left a probe by their portal to mark the path.
"We're not going to abandon you to this monster, Vega." Eldra shook her head. "We all took an oath to see you back, and that is what we're going to do. Besides, I would very much like to see your dimension and speak to your New Republic's leaders."
"You always did have a bit of a thing for diplomacy, Master Kratis." One of the Jedi, a young Bothan named Kolur, chuckled.
"Well, first we have a promise to keep for Tau, and that means we need to track down his dimension's portal." Adegan pointed out. "He'll want to
"Right. And just how are we supposed to find one portal amongst thousands of them?" A Nautolan Jedi Knight who called himself Landry rhetorically asked.
"Why, by following trace amounts of radiation, of course." Adegan rhetorically replied. "The temple in Tau's time was destroyed by all kinds of bombs after the Empire discovered it. And it just so happens that I can detect tiny amounts of residual radiation with my Geiger counter. It should only take us an hour or two to make it there if we move quickly."
Amidst the blank stares for the simple answer, Vega simply nodded. "Oh. Okay. Let's do it your way, then, Adegan. I just hope I'm not gonna get cancer because of the bombs."
"Highly doubtful, Vega. I suspect the radiation is just residual at this point." His Shard companion and partner noted as he pointed eastward.
As everyone started walking in the clear spider web path, Adegan continued, "I'll have to acquire more data as we grow nearer to the portal. But I would expect a person would need to stand in the temple's ruins for at least a year or two to get even a mild strain of radiation poisoning."
"That's not really comforting, you know." Eldra griped.
"I know, but it helps calm me to be accurate."
Meanwhile, In the Csilla System
In Orbit Above Csilla
Aboard the Pursuit-class Destroyer Steadfast
"Both enemies have already made their move." Ar'lani irritably stated to her shrouded ally inside the Aristocracy.
"I am well aware of that, Admiral. None of my agents have been able to make contact with the Tenpue garrison in the past eight hours." The hooded Aristocra replied.
"My fleet is now ready to jump to hyperspace. If we leave immediately, we can arrive in about ten hours, and buy our garrison more time."
"What of the New Republic? Will they be able to send a fleet in time?"
"They expect their commander's fleet to be on their way by the end of tomorrow, but I fear that will not be soon enough." The woman noted as she stared at the holograms of at least ten capital ships within each enemy fleet.
She boldly suggested, "Perhaps Commodore Mitth'raw'nuruodo can spare a portion of his fleet to relieve the garrison. If anyone can achieve a victory out of such terrible odds, he can."
"We both know he cannot help us, Vereen." Ar'lani sternly reminded the Aristocra. "He cannot afford to destroy his cover within the Empire now. And-"
"He does not have to, if he decides to take or send people that he fully trusts to assist us." Vereen clarified. "Captain Dagon Niriz is loyal to Thrawn above the Empire, and Captain Gilad Pelleaon was sent to him by the Jedi as a gesture of goodwill. And he does have an information broker, what was his name, Car'das, on his payroll, yes? Even if he cannot directly help us, these three and their forces can still help us."
"As for the rest of his forces, Mitth'raw'nuruodo and Vice Commodore Voss Parck can surely keep them in line while the others are on their expeditionary mission."
Ar'lani approvingly smirked, "And many of your peers and subordinates doubt your qualifications as a leader of the Chiss, Aristocra Sev'eere'nuruodo. I will reach out to Mitth'raw'nuruodo immediately."
One Hour Later
On Honoghr
Within the Clean Lands
Inside the Village of Nyasto
Just Outside the New Dawn
"Sorry I woke you and Tau up, Snips. I imagine how as an impending mother; you'll need your beauty sleep now more than ever." Anakin teased Ahsoka as she drowsily smiled at her former master.
"It's all right. We can easily get some more sleep after we finish this call. I'm just glad you reached out to us before you set out for space. You just be careful out there, and don't do any reckless stunts, Skyguy."
"I won't, Ahsoka." Anakin chuckled. "I've got a debt to pay off and a planet's worth of people to look after. Just be sure to give Tau that same advice before he sets off for the Chiss Ascendancy."
"I already know it, Anakin." Tau groggily stated. "God be with you, Anakin."
"Thanks, Tau. I'm sure I'll need him and plenty of luck once the battle begins. And don't even get me started on the Noghri enter my kids' lives."
"Yeah, that'll be a can of worms all on its own." Tau agreed, just before he suddenly remembered, "Oh! Before I forget, give Nagme and Jarael our regards. It's just not the same without them around."
"I'll be sure to do that."
Rex's hologram suddenly appeared, "General Skywalker? Sorry to interrupt, but the reserve fleet's ready for you."
"Thank you, Rex. Tell them I'll be on my way up in a few minutes."
"Yes, Sir." His hologram disappeared.
"Well, guess I'd better sign off. Good luck, both of you. And be sure to get plenty of rest." Anakin signaled goodbye to the two Palpatines before he closed the comm feed.
Uttering a silent prayer to Eru to protect the Noghri in case he failed, he prepared his ship for takeoff.
Thirty Minutes Later
Within the World Between Worlds
"Oh, yes. This is definitely the place." Adegan noted as he stepped through the portal into the scarred surface of the Lothal within Tau's dimension.
"Why don't any of you come and take a look? The view is quite beautiful, if you can look past the final remains of this temple."
"Because we don't want to risk getting a form of radiation sickness." Landry stated as if the answer was obvious.
"I already told you all it was safe. And the radiation is far weaker than my earlier assessments. I'd say you'd have to stay here for about 3.6 years in this exact spot to even get a mild strain. And that's stretching it."
"Perhaps another time, Adegan." Vega shut down the idea as he planted a beacon in front of the portal. "At least we know where Tau's door is now. Now I suggest that you return from there so we can return to our reality before whatever lurks here comes for us."
"Oh, all right." Adegan relented, walking back through the portal before he went rigid.
As his motion sensors blared in alarm, he quickly warned them, "Unknown entity is moving in our direction. Cannot determine composition beyond some kind of energy residue."
"How far?" One of the Jedi asked, clearly afraid.
"Approximately one hundred and fifty meters."
"We have to move. Now!" Landry hurriedly stated.
"Steady, Knights. Do not give into fear." Eldra reminded them, even as her own voice quavered ever so slightly from her own fears. Just then, everyone started hearing the trudging footsteps of heavy metal boots, impacting on the ground with deliberation and weight.
Oh, this can't be good. Vega worriedly griped as he saw the monster a few moments later.
It was like a moving shadow in the dark, shifting like a dark tide at dusk. It was vaguely humanoid, lurking towards them like a hunchback. He didn't quite know what to make of it, but the Jedi around him were terrified.
"RUN!" One of them shouted, and Vega was pulled along as well as they all fled down the passageway.
He chanced a look back in time to see something fly out as them. It was a tendril, a black viscus thing that for a moment seemed like it was made of mercury. He could actually see his terrified reflection in the dark metal as it seized the slowest of the Jedi.
It wrapped around him, pulling him back with a scream as his hands scrapped along the transparent ground. Acting purely on instinct, Vega leapt after him, drawing his lightsaber as he tried to cut the monstrous creature. When the plasma hit the thing, it was if it was slicing water. The living metal bent at the impact, flowing with the heat as he managed to bat it away for a moment.
Seizing the moment, Vega reached out, grabbed the Jedi and quickly pulled him free.
"Come on!" Landry shouted as they hurried down the corridor, with the monster right on their tail.
The thing was soon on them. It was lightning fast, despite almost moving and waving around like it was weak, starving. He saw one of the Jedi push him away as the tendril came back. It hit him in the chest, Vega watching it lift the Jedi high into the air with a splatter of blood oozing from the impalement. Vega was stunned, utterly shocked still by the sight, only made worse when the man started to wither away like he was decomposing.
As the corpse dissolve to nothing at all, not even ash, Vega was grabbed by someone and pulled to his feet. The Arkanian Jedi who did pushed him forward before she too was skewered by the creature, blood showering Vega's armored form pure crimson. The same, horrifying fate awaited her, only this time it happened much faster.
Now, the creature started to move even faster and more coordinated, swinging its tendrils at the rest of the Jedi who desperately batted them away with their weapons and power. Vega made the simple conclusion: whatever this thing was, they couldn't fight it and every person it drained of their very life essence was just going to make it stronger. They had to escape.
"Enough of this!" A Nautalan growled as he unleashed a blaze of Force-generated fire at the monster. As the blast hit the abomination, the fire actually seemed to hurt it as it took a few steps back, shrieking in agony.
"Nice diversion! Now let's get out of here, before it recovers!" Eldra ordered the survivors.
Before the group could flee, the creature doused enough of the flames in an attempt to wrap its tendrils around them. But before it could finish, Vega and Landry threw out a telekinetic barrier to halt. It responded by literally wrapping its tendrils around the invisible wall, constricting it tighter and tighter like a Boa crushing its prey.
The kriffing thing's trying to drown us! And it just might work if he keeps up this attack! Vega growled before he realized, But that doesn't mean it has to get all of us. Ruby, please forgive me one day if I don't make it back.
Knowing there was only one way for everyone to escape, Vega turned his head to Landry, "Adegan and I will buy you all time. When I say go, you run."
Landry glanced at me, his eyes ablaze, "Whatever your planning, do not die, brother."
His lips perked up in a smirk, "I wasn't planning on dying. You get our brothers out of here. Can you hold him back for a few seconds?"
"I can."
Adegan opened up his body and Vega stepped in, merging their powers together into one form. With an extension of his hands and his mind straining from the effort, he tore a path through the tendrils and hurled the abomination away from the party. It landed a hundred yards away with a plop, oozing back to form like gelatin.
It was already hurling itself at them.
"Get out of here Landry." Vega strained, "We'll buy you some time."
Landry looked back at his brothers and then back to Vega. He gave a nod of respect before throwing him a spare blade, running like hell the other way.
"You ready, Adegan?"
"I always am, my friend." Adegan encouragingly answered before they used their combined powers to immobilize the creature in a Force Stasis field.
"GO!" Landry shouted to Eldra and the others as they fled towards Vega's portal.
Come on you galactic slugs! Hurry up! Vega cried as he quickly felt his stasis field failing under the monster's great and foreign might. It was if his bones would give out from the strain of maintaining the defense. Mere moments later, the creature's full speed returned, and it roared while lunging at the weakened human and Shard.
"Not today, monster!" Adegan shouted as he launched the two away from it. Making a break towards their dimension, they found themselves being outpaced by the creature.
"We're not gonna make it! You got a back-up plan?!" Vega demanded.
"We'll just have to improvise." Adegan answered as he made Vega and him jump through a nearby portal. But before the creature could follow through, the portal closed, ending the creature's feeding.
At least for now. There would be curious souls to feed off of when the time came, and the shard would patiently wait for these new victims.
Well, I think that this is a good place to end this chapter! So, how are you doing on this cool night of Thursday, January 21, 2021? I'm all right, as I had two classes today, and I'll get started on homework tomorrow after I work an 8-hour shift. Man, it is not gonna be pretty, but I'll get it done, and then work on some homework. And I'm still down about yesterday's events, but I'm still going to hope for the best for when the time comes. In other news, I don't think I'll be able to write that much for a bit, given my busy workload now, so I figured I'd get this done quickly. Well, I'd better get this chapter to my friends, as I look forward to seeing what they do with it when the time comes. May the Lord be with us all in these dark times, and Long Live the Expanded Universe!
