A/N Ok, who feels guilty for neglecting to update. *Hand raised* So this is a little shorter than usual, but I'm told that it's alright? *Shrug* Anyways, this arc will be over next chapter. But then what's going to happen...
Plank watched, frozen for a second, as the droid fired. But then a geyser of lava spewed up and out. For a tense moment, all that was visible was red. Then the lava fell back down, and Plank spotted four figures standing protected in a divot. He let out a breath of relief that was short-lived.
More droids raised their blasters. Planks gaze hardened beneath his helmet. Kriff – he was not going to wait here. He had to do something.
Ignoring all common sense, he vaulted over the bars, down towards the lava.
"Plank!" Wolffe called out, alarmed. "What the kriff are you doing?!"
But Plank didn't have time to worry about that. The lava was coming close and fast! Plank tucked his body and leaned, his path tilted, and a piece of the dismantled crust came into his view.
Perfect.
He reached one of his hands out to momentarily latch onto a falling pole. As expected, his grip lasted only a second as the pole continued its descent. But that gave him a moment to slow down his speed, so when he was about to make impact, he tucked his limbs in close and bled out his momentum with a side-body roll.
He stood up and scanned the immediate area, analytically. Three droids had cocked their blasters.
Plank took a running leap onto the next piece of crust and charged them, blaster raised. He slipped an impact grenade at their feet before trying to jump to the next section of crust.
He just barely made it and let out a sigh of relief.
Note to self: plan your stupid moves before doing them.
Then the ground started to shake again.
"Kriff," he muttered, almost losing his footing. He used the rocky momentum to leap across the others, making it over to his brothers.
"That was crazy!" Camo said, leaping up from his hiding place.
"Yeah," Sly huffed. "Crazy stupid."
Plank found his balance, for the moment, and gestured to a door higher up behind them.
"You can thank me later. Right now, this place is going to blow."
They all nodded then looked back up at the door.
"How are we going to get up there?" Snipe asked as another bout of rumbling shook the ground.
Um.
There was a second silence as he considered.
Sly sighed. "You didn't think that far ahead, did you?"
Plank's mind was whizzing through the possibilities. "Uh… No?"
Then suddenly a large grumble that seemed to come from the very center of the planet rocked their world. An angry roar split their ears, far louder than the thunder that they heard on Kamino.
Lava suddenly covered half the cavern, and red dripped down everywhere. Camo was looking in awe at the show, probably not realising that it could kill them all.
"Go for a jump then?" Snipe said, still facing the blood-red stream.
"Yes," they all said in unison. They turned to the door, ready to try and make their saving leap.
…
Wolffe stared as Plank vaulted over the edge of the railing. What was the bantha doing?! He was going to get himself killed!
Wolffe rushed over to the bars and let out a relieved sigh as he saw Plank tuck and roll on some of the floating floor. Then he face-palmed. This guy was crazy!
Lava was churning ominously. Plank may be okay with jumping into lava, but there was a more logical way to do things. Wolffe spun on his heel and rushed back down the corridors.
This base was standard Separatist design, and Wolffe had spotted a door only a level higher than where the others were trapped.
Bolting down halls, Wolffe skid around the corners.
I need something to help them up!
He knew the layout from previous missions and quickly looped around to the door. The foundation of the building was shaking massively now, and Wolffe could barely manage at a quick walk. At least without falling flat on his face.
He needed to hurry. Finally, he came upon the door, peering out, he could see that the troopers were together again.
"Hold on!" he called, backing up and looking frantically around for something they could use.
Oh, that Plank! I swear when we get back. . .
Wolffe pulled his blaster out of the holster; he hadn't needed it previously because all the droids were preoccupied with the lava. Standing back, he shot the walls until a sheet of durasteel was able to be peeled away.
He eased it down, and Plank grabbed it, managing to lay it flat and hold it there.
"Camo first," Wolffe could hear Plank saying firmly. In a few seconds, there was a small weight on the strip and a head popped into the doorway. Wolffe offered him a free hand and Camo took it, hauling himself up.
The others came up, one after another, until only Plank was left.
"Plank, climb up!" Wolffe called, his brows furrowed as the strip started slipping from his hand.
"Hold on!" Plank called back.
In took everything in Wolffe to not mutter expletives under his breath. What was this crazy Commander doing? There was a loud bang, and the rest of XYZ peered over the edge.
Because of their lack of panic, Wolffe decided to wait a few more seconds. Then there was sudden weight in the strip that almost made him lose his grip, and Plank came up.
Wolffe discarded the durasteel then jabbed a finger at Plank.
"You are the MOST reckless trooper I've EVER met!"
Plank raised his hands in surrender. "I don't doubt it!"
Then the ground trembled.
"Now we should get out of here." Plank said.
Oh, that trooper. We're going to have a loooooong talk.
Wolffe nodded, nonetheless. They did need to get out of there. He lead the way as they followed the twists and turns, arriving at the exit that they had come in.
"It's not that far now," Wolffe briefed the others. Suddenly, the rumbling that had been ever-present ceased.
They all stopped.
"Um, is that a good sign?" Camo asked, nervously.
Wolffe considered. "Possibly. Let's focus on getting out of here."
They continued, then they realised that Plank wasn't with them. They turned around. The commander's helmet was cocked, as if listening.
"Plank, we need to move!" Wolffe said, some of his irritation slipping into his voice.
There was no reply for another beat; then his head jerked up as if in realisation.
He yelped in alarm before shaking his head, "We can't go out that way!"
"Why-" Wolffe's confused response was cut off as the rumbling came back full force.
"Hurry!" Plank called gesturing for them to go back in the building.
Back?! TOWARDS the scalding lava?!
Then he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning his head, he saw it was Sly.
"Trust Plank, sir. He won't let you down."
He has the respect of his brothers. And that says a lot.
There was a small inward struggle before he let out a sigh.
"Come on, then." He broke into a run, and he could hear the patter of feet behind him. Even with his helmet on, Plank looked extremely relieved that they listened. He lead them away from the door, but there was still no evidence of why.
Then, there was an explosion that made everyone lose their footing, and a loud hissing of lava burning through durasteel.
"That's why," Sly said as he stood up first. His voice was grim.
Wolffe soon saw why, and scrambled to stand up as well. Lava was rolling through the corridors like hot death, enveloping all in its path. And it was coming at them, fast.
"Come on!" He called, this time leading himself.
They climbed until they were at the roof. For now, they would be safe here. Everyone stopped, trying to catch their breaths. Then Wolffe stood up and whirled on Plank, jabbing a finger in his direction.
"How the kriff did you know THAT was going to happen!?"
Plank took off his helmet, looking a tad guilty.
Ha! I KNEW this trooper had a secret!
"Um, well-"
Then Plank froze, eyes wide. Wolffe was about to inquire further when the roof exploded. A mix of pumice and debris shot up as if from a volcano. Sly, Camo, Snipe and Wrecker managed to get to cover, but Plank and he were right in the open.
Before the lava could hit them, the force of the explosion shoved them backwards. In mid-air, Wolffe saw Plank roll and catch himself on the edge of the building.
Then realisation dawned. He wasn't going to make the roof. He was falling.