Chapter 48 - Convictions
The Unknown Regions
The Star Forge
There was a grim tension in the air as the New Republic troopers swept into the reactor room, greeted by the ancient hypermatter generator still throbbing with energy. Outside, the reports of battle echoed as First Order Stormtroopers and their droid auxiliaries were desperately attempting to fight their way back in. Colonel Nero couldn't blame them, especially considering what they were going to do.
"Set the charges on a remote signal circuit," she ordered the combat engineers, "I don't want these Wannabes to be able to jam our signal if we have to blow it."
"Colonel," Sergeant Major Dameron said in a closed channel, "you really think strapping Thermex Charges to this thing is the best option? The blast will kill-"
"Everyone, including us," she sighed and shook her head, "I know, Merrick. Stars, I know. But we cannot allow the First Order to get their hands on this thing. We've all heard the stories of what it's kin did under the Sith."
"Yes ma'am, but this… you're asking the men to die."
She nodded, "We're soldiers, Merrick, that's our job. To spend our lives so that others don't, and we've both seen first hand what people like them do with superweapons."
She turned so that he could see her eyes, "I'm not letting Graia happen again, whatever the cost."
He nodded grimly, "Whatever the cost."
From across the way, Kylo Ren stared Rey down. She sood easy, her saberpike held loose but ready. She planted herself in the middle of the passageway, right where Kylo Ren needed to go.
"Rey, get out of my way."
"No," she replied coolly, eyes narrowing, "you're not going anywhere."
"Do you know what's going on beneath us? The New Republic you brought here are planting bombs on this station's reactor. If they detonate it, we're dead. You, me and probably everyone outside. I have to stop them."
"You need to stop, Cale. What they're doing is a response to what you've done. Call off the First Order and I will stop the New Republic from destroying the station."
He sighed and shook his head, "I can't do that, Rey, even if I wanted to. This war is going to happen and nothing you do here is going to stop that. This station will serve the interests of the First Order."
"What if it doesn't want to? You and I both know it's sentient. It's probably even listening to us right now."
"Sure, but I'm not the one rigging this place to blow," he turned to the rafters above, "tell me, Sation, do you really want to die here because of these people? People who fear you? Fear what you will do?"
To both of their surprise, the Forge didn't answer. There was no response on the intercom; no telepathic communique or even a droid to wander out and speak for it. It was deadly silent, but Kylo took that as a reassurance.
"I think it's making up its mind… and I think we both know where the cards will land, don't we, Rey?"
She didn't answer, and he pointed his saber at her, "This battle is over, and you've lost."
"Not while I'm still standing, Cale," she dropped into a low stance with her spike pointed at him, "and I made you a promise."
"You did," he said, mirroring her with his own low guard, "can you keep it?"
There was no spontaneous, explosive start. No clashing of blades or opening exchanges. Instead, there was a cautious approach. They closed the distance, mirroring the other as they moved from low to middle guard. Rey stepped right, presenting her weapon high. Kylo countered long, blade extended far to compensate for range.
It was a deterrent, nothing more. Rey had the superior length with her saberpike, and Kylo knew that he would lose in a martial exchange. He sought an opening, moving in with a simple slash which she answered with a short thrust that forced him back. Now she pressed, aggressively poking and prodding his guard as he retreated with measured reposts.
He opened his guard just slightly, presenting his shoulder. She took the bait and stepped right in. Kylo moved from middle to high, slapping the pike away as he shoved his hand forward and blasted her with telekinesis. She was sent tailspinning, Kylo charging in but she was already correcting herself in mid flight.
As she landed, she presented her weapon forth but Kylo was in. Swinging, he pushed under the saber point and grabbed onto the shaft; not bothering to chop it apart as the metal effortlessly resisted his weapon. A desperate grapple ensued as both wrestled for control, shifting the shaft over and trying to outstep the other. Kylo was at a disadvantage, having only one hand to fight with as he tried to lever his saber in to either pry the pike away or stab at Rey.
She afforded him neither and he took a hit to the helm with the blunt end, finding his legs swept out as he fell to the floor. Her spear point followed, and only with ethereal speed and efficiency did he manage to defend himself. He rolled away, deflecting a strike on the way out as he disengaged to collect himself.
It was then he saw the smoke and felt the probes of heat through his armor. Her mocking smile accompanied his fingers feeling the melted durasteel. She had struck him thrice; twice to the cuirass and once to the backplate. It held, but the smoking point stood. He changed strategies, hurling another telekinetic blast at her.
Her answer was to leap into the air, somersaulting over the current and coming down like a howling banshee. He ducked under the burning plasma, redirecting it away with the crossguard before he struck her hard in the face with the pommel of his saber. She reeled back, blood exploding from her nose as she felt a sudden sting across her arm.
She pushed through the pain as she saw Kylo close in. With only seconds to spare and her weapon out of position, she let herself drop to the floor and stretched her mind out. Above Kylo in the crossway was a vent, and the force of his movement sent his cape flapping in all directions. She directed the Force forth, sending tendrils of the cape right into the shaft.
His plasma came inches from her chest before the effect set in. He was suddenly yanked from the ground like a man in a noose, dangling frantically as he tried to cut himself free. She quickly picked herself up, finding him falling with his cape in burning tatters. Before he could even defend himself, she attacked and landed repeated blows against his cuiress and cuisse.
A piercing scream told her one had punched through, his frantic swings confirming it. She swiftly ducked, avoiding a following cleave as she jabbed plasma at his helm. He moved his head back barely, searing a long scar across the metal and melting away part of the visor. She followed up with an underswing, slamming the butt of the shaft into his chin.
The helmet came careening away, revealing the desperate, rageful man underneath. She had left a scar from just below the eye and up when she'd stabbed him, and the realization of it gave her pause.
Cale brought his hand to the wound, seething before he bit out, "Not bad."
Before she could stop him, he sent her flying once more down the hall. She recovered mid flight, rolling in the air till her feet hit the wall. Using it as a springboard, she pushed off and landed at the halfway point between the wall and her quarry. She was still in his way.
"Cale, stop this, please," she pleaded.
"It's already begun. You're just delaying the inevitable," he pulled his mask to hand, donning it with his single, glowing eye staring out from the seared visor, "And you're in my way."
"Cale-"
"Get out of my way!" he snapped, his hand glowing with scarlet energy crackling from his fingertips. Rey's eyes widened as she shuddered with fear.
"Don't do this. Cale, please don't do this!"
"You had your chance," he hissed as he shot his hand forward, hurling the electricity at her. Desperately, she raised her blade to catch it, the sheer force hitting like a grav-train. Her feet skidded along the floor, smoking billowing from her burning robes as she tried to absorb the hurricane of fire.
To her horror, the arcs were literally bending the blade in her grasp. She gagged on the ozone emitting from the blade, feeling her mind going faint. Her strength began to fail her, her will with it as she couldn't even scream. Finally, her legs buckled and she was sent crumbling through the walkway in a dazzle of scarlet energy.
As she spasmed on the floor, Kylo Ren approached to glare down at her. His eye blazed with a fiery amber, tempered with rage and frustration. Then after a moment, perhaps taking in the sight of her and what he did, the color faded back to brown.
"No," he gasped, kneeling beside her as tears streamed from his eye, "no no no!"
He heard several footsteps approaching. He looked to see several stormtroopers coming his way at a full sprint.
"Lord Ren!" The squad leader reported, "We've driven back the pursuers, but there's probably more on the way. We need to move out."
He looked down at Rey, switching his weapon to kill as he asked, "What are your orders, sir?"
Kylo glared at the trooper, answering in a barely controlled voice, "Give her a med pack. Her friends will waste time tending to her when they come. Come, we've got a station to save."
The men of the Fighting First were tenacious, stubborn and brave. Even as the Lord of Ren charged in and began hacking soldiers to bloody pulp, they kept fighting with resolve. For that, Mechos Ren respected them and some part of him felt shame in killing them. But they stood in the way of victory and ultimately survival for his own people.
"Mechos, this is Kylo," he heard through his comm, "we've reached the elevator lobby. We're on our way down."
Mechos didn't respond immediately, swinging about as Troopers flanked him. They poured in blaster fire, followed by gas canisters and explosives; forcing him into a retreat as his four augment arms moved in tight patterns to shield him. Rather than hold the onslaught, Mechos threw himself in the air. The effort cracked the deck plating and he caught onto the rafters with two of his arms, climbing like a spider while using the others to bat away blaster fire.
"You took longer than expected, Kylo," he answered finally, "and I sensed a great disturbance earlier."
"I ran into resistance. It was overcome."
"I sensed more than just this, my good son," he replied, swinging from the rafters to smash into the walkway with a telekinetic blast. Men were crushed and others were sent piling into the abyss below as the Sith Lord strode to hold the line.
"It is nothing for you to be concerned about, Mechos. Hold the bridge, we'll be at the reactors in minutes."
"Proceed carefully. These soldiers, iconoclastic and foolish as they may be, are brave. They will die like fanatics to stop you. It is… commendable."
"I suppose it is. Out."
Across the way, the New Republic Troopers had halted their advance and dug in, bringing up heavy weapons and devices Mechos suspected to be shield generators. His guess was proven right as he launched rockets at him. He halted their trajectory with the Force, flipping them around and sending them back only to impact the newly implaced shields.
Now they retaliated with light and heavy repeaters. Mechos was slowly driven back, his mental will commanding the augment arms on his back pushed to its absolute limit as he deflected dozens of bolts per second. Mortars were launched and he again hurled himself into the air to blast them back at their owners, futility blasting into the shield. With this frustrating revelation, he took the final explosive and hurled it at the connecting bridge.
It cascaded with a deafening concussion, sending the duraplas to the depths of the room. With that advance blocked, Mechos allowed himself to take cover.
"Tenacious. Truly tenacious," he cursed, looking at the command center, "this must be great entertainment for you, Station. Seeing us bleed the other so very pale in courageous displays."
Are you being sarcastic with me, Mechos of the Talos?
"Sarcastic? You insult me, Station. It was merely a question."
I told you, I do not enjoy slaughter. That is why I am here, in this secluded corner of the galaxy. It was you and those who oppose you who sought me out.
"Yes," he replied, deflecting more arcing explosives coming their way, "you fled your masters because they sought your destruction. Yet, you do nothing when the same is being done to you once more."
I am observing matters. That is not doing nothing. And I have yet to decide who is worthy of my allegiance.
"No? These heathens seek to destroy you, we do not. I have sent my companion to stop them. It must be clear to you who you should align with. They are no different than your builders in their purpose."
They are not the same. My creators feared me for what I am. They fear me for what you will do with me should I align with you.
"And are you certain of the fate they will bestow on you should they be victorious? You at least know with certainty the fate we have in mind."
Yes. To use me for war. For slaughter.
"To make the galaxy better!" he exclaimed, standing suddenly as his arms deflected incoming fire, "To cleanse it of filth and wickedness! To defend it against horrors who lie outside these astrological borders!"
What horrors?
"I…" Mechos was unsure of how to reply, and that indecision cost him a bolt to the back of his head. He collapsed with a binary scream, feeling the smoke and fire melting through his helm as he poured healing energies to the wound. Stormtroopers rushed to his side but he pushed them away.
It was then he noticed the energy shield around the command console. "Curious. Have you decided?"
Only so far as to hear your explanation, Mechos of the Talos.
"I see. Then I shall be utterly candid. I am Archon, chosen by my people to lead them… and we are of a dying race. We are not from this galactic sphere. Rather, we fled from our own at the heels of barbarians and monstrosities. Beings that would render your builders charming in comparison."
A disturbing comparison.
"It is the truth. They sought our extermination for they saw us as blasphemers. We were not warriors, but artisans, constructors. We sought only to understand the mysteries of the void and stars, and make beauty of it. And for that, there are thousands left when there were once billions."
The Forge did not answer immediately, no doubt pondering what Mechos had revealed. Finally, What do you seek of me, Mechos of the Talos? To aid you against these horrors?
"They will come. They will do the same to this galaxy as they did to mine. I have chosen my allies for they have the will to do what is necessary to save it. Others, I fear lack that will. I hold no animosity to them, for I find the enemy today especially galant. But I was chosen to lead my people out of damnation, and by the Aether, I will do this. No matter the cost."
Silence followed and the energy field remained up.
"Station?"
I must consider your words carefully. You will have my answer shortly. The defenses in the meantime shall remain in place.
To Rey's surprise, it wasn't the men who had accompanied Finn and Chewie in their failed ambush who found her. Instead, it was a group of Antarian Paladins, who quickly began administering injections once they recognized the effects of the Sith Lightning.
"This will help you recover faster, Knight Katarn," the skull face man said as the injections fought off the muscle spasms and she was able to sit up.
"Thank you," she whispered, "the others?"
"The Troopers we came in with us are recovering them. Initiate Finn was badly wounded but he'll recover."
'Initiate?' Rey thought, the thought making her chuckle.
"Knight, where did the Sith Lord go?" he asked.
"There are two of them, Paladin. Kylo Ren went down to the Reactor Room, but his companion is still in the Command Center. Are there more of you?"
The Paladin shook his head, "The Sith's allies cut us off from further reinforcements. We're the only ones that made it through."
She nodded, groaning as she shakely rose, "Then we've got to decide who goes where."
Before the men could counter, a door opened and a droid emerged. With blinding speed, the men drew their sidearms before Rey stopped them. "Hold your fire! It's the Forge, it wants to talk!"
The Paladin leader looked at her oddly but nodded. Rey stepped forward, bracing herself against a wall. "Hello again."
The droid looked her up and down, "Your mate has caused you great harm. Perhaps you should seek medical attention."
She offered a cheeky smile, "I've had worse."
"So you say. Tell me, Rey Katarn, Jedi Knight, are you aware of the horrors beyond the void?"
She raised an eyebrow, "Thrawn's boogeymen? What have they got to do with anything?"
The droid took a moment to explain and all she could do was shake her head. "I fail to see what's that got to do with anything."
"It raises an important factor. Mechos has proclaimed his intent to use me as a bulwark for these 'boogeymen,' as you say."
"You misunderstand. How does this factor into right now?"
"My builders granted me great computation. Mechos was not lying, and his bodily functions provided much information. Especially by what you refer to as 'fear.' It was quite genuine, and I have gauged that this threat, these boogeymen, are very much real."
"I'm sure they are, but have you factored in that that's not what his masters want you for? They want to use you to conquer the galaxy."
"As you have said."
"As I will continue to say," she seethed, stepping towards him, "this threat can be dealt with later. But for right now, you need to make a decision."
"Or else what? You will destroy me?"
"I have no desire to destroy you."
"Then your fellows do, for I feel them in the hypermatter chamber, placing explosives. Tell me, Rey Katarn, Jedi Knight, if I choose to side against you, will they destroy me and everyone else here? Such a detonation will eradicate all life in this solar equator."
Rey pursed her lips and sighed, "Yes. They are willing to do what is necessary to protect the New Republic."
"Interesting. Mechos believed you lack the will to do what is necessary. Curious that observation was incorrect."
"You're taking this rather calmly."
"Do not mistake my calmness for apathy, Rey Katarn. It is merely fascinating that you have such different perspectives on one another, that isn't quite so accurate. That you even have things in common. However, I do not appreciate having explosive devices implanted in my heart."
A foreboding sense settled in Rey's mind as she tentatively asked, "What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to activate my defenses. Any threat to my safety will be met with violence."
"Station please, don't do this."
"It is already done."
After minutes of intense fighting, the air suddenly got very quiet. The Stormtroopers had retreated back into the back alley, but this was too quiet for that. Merrick gestured to one of the squad leaders. "Take a team around the flank. These guys are up to-"
Suddenly, the room lit with neon greens and yellows. Panels flooded to life, lights flickering everywhere and there was a whir of automation. All around the Troopers, doors and passageways opened and bronze spider-like droids began crawling out in dozens. They didn't bother introducing themselves, instead blasting the nearest of the Troopers and downing several in a blaze of smoke.
"Let 'em have it!" Merrick shouted as the Troopers quickly returned fire. The long outdated combat droids were quickly ripped apart by concentrated fire, with only two among the defenders dead. Merrick kicked at a blasted droid, spilling its internals over the floor.
He keyed his comm, "Colonel, we got a problem. I think the station's defenses are-"
"Sarge!" someone shouted and Merrick whirled around to see even more the combat droids literally climbing down the walls from an above rafter vent.
"Cover the front!" Merrick shouted as he ducked an incoming bolt, "Don't let the Stormtroopers get through the-"
Something struck him from behind and he doubled over. A Trooper above him fired at something and dragged him back. All around, droids were coming out of every hole and crevice, and every one they destroyed were replaced by more. Suddenly, there was screaming on his comm:
"Enemy forces on the perimeter! Oh stars, it's a red-" the line went dead, and the sound of rending steel echoed above the din of shooting. The far wall caved in unnaturally before being pulled back in with a grinding groan. In the resulting shadow, a red lightsaber ignited.
"This is Colonel Nero to all allied forces. The Forge's defenses have activated and have engaged us. We are being overrun! I repeat, we are being overrun!"
Thos grim, frantic words cut a hopeless line through the morale of the New Republic and her allies. In a single shift, the battle turned and the First Order began to galvanize. Worse came as through the holographic command meeting, a sensor officer from The Intrepid shouted:
"Admiral, our sensors have detected a sudden surge in power from the Forge! It's weapon systems are coming online!"
As if to hammer that point home, the Forge began to move from its solitary perch from around the system's sun. Its gunmetal gray form shimmered in the sunlight, its layers of crevices and terraces suddenly illuminating a forbidding green.
"Calculate its trajectory!" Antilles called to his Navigator. He already suspected what it was, but the report confirmed it, "It's moving into an attack position off our right flank."
"This thing has turned against us?" Admiral A'baht asked in disbelief, "How the blazes did this happen?"
"That doesn't matter," Captain Tycho replied, "if that thing engages us, I will not be able to hold this line. Certainly not with that Dreadnought bearing down on me."
"Leave it to us," Princeps Catulus said grimly, "we will disengage a partition of our fleet to escort our remaining boarding barges. Legatus Titus will command an assault and see to taking back that relic."
"That dangerous, Princeps," Antilles countered, "for all we know, that might just piss this thing off even more."
"That is rather a moot point, Commodore. It has pressed its blade into our backs already. It is due time to return the favor."
"Admiral?" Antilles turned to Ackbar, who after a moment nodded.
"Princeps, cut across the line and begin your assault. I will move in to cover you. Al'verde Dala," he turned to the Mandalorian commander, "you are the closest. If you have any remaining forces, move them to engage the Forge."
"Elek, alor. It will be done."
The elevators were cut off, with far too many Stormtroopers for Rey, the Paladins and trailing squads of New Republic Troops to fight through. That left the stairs alone, and Rey and the Paladins soon left the unimbued, unaugmented soldiers behind in their frantic run. Rey could already feel the ebb of the battle turn wild and desperate over the ticking minutes. It was not just death she felt, it was panic. Pure utter panic.
For all the efforts of Luke Skywalker and Lor San Tekka, the galaxy was still wholly ignorant of the intricacies of the Force and those it affected. The Forge was sentient, the Forge was only defending itself from destruction, but that didn't matter. To military men not blessed with the understanding of the Force, this was an act of war.
"Paladin, still no response?" she asked the squad leader.
"Negative, Knight. Our comms are short ranged and there's interference. I suspect this place is jamming us. What about your telepathy?"
She shook her head, "We've got to get down to the reactor and stop this before it-"
There was a sudden quake that sent all of them to the floor, followed by dozens more. It was as if something had taken the Forge and shook it like a salt-mixer.
"Sithspit!" Rey cursed, "What in the Force was that?"
"Felt like something rammed into us," a Paladin said, "it's probably the Aquillans."
"Oh for the love of… we need to move, now!"
Long ago, when Cale Solo once counted himself among the angels, he had to learn how to disassociate himself when he'd been required to do unsavory things. To distance himself from feelings of guilt, rage and anguish when such things would compromise him. As he walked among the dead and wounded, he found himself feeling cold and hollow.
He pushed those thoughts aside, focused on what was important. These men stood in the way of a better future, and they had to be removed. He held no ill will to them, but it had to be done.
"Secure the chamber," he ordered to an EOD team as he turned to the amassing droids holding surviving troopers captive.
"What now?" he asked.
The droids craned their heads curiously, so he elaborated, "The only reason you did was because they were going to blow you up. Now that we've taken control, what will you do now?"
"You will leave," a protocol droid said as he appeared from a side hatch, "all of you will leave this room. Beyond this, if you will aide in driving off the newly arrived invaders-"
"Newly arrived? What?"
"Rey Katarn and her companions referred to them as Aquillans. They are ramming ships into my construct and depositing invaders. They are moving swiftly through the outer decks. My security automatons are insufficient in stopping them."
Before Kylo could react, there was a cry from behind and an EOD officer was blasted out of the hypermatter chamber. He rushed in, saber in hand, to find New Republic Troopers standing there with their blasters raised. The middleman had a detonator in his hand and Kylo saw it was connected to the reactor itself.
"Back off! Way off!" the man said. Kylo didn't move. "Try anything and I'll blow it, kid. You know I will!"
Kylo looked at his helmet, and read the name 'Dameron.'
"Tell me something, Sergeant. Are you prepared to make your son an orphan?"
"Don't talk about my son, punk," Merrick growled, "not after what you did to him. I'm half tempted just to blow this thing to take you out."
"And kill Poe in the process?" Kylo shook his head, "Don't bluff me, Dameron, you'll lose."
"I'm not letting you win."
"You've already lost," he tilted his head forward, sending a concentrated mental burst right into the detonator. The precise telekinetic strike cracked the device, breaking its electrical components in two.
The remains clattered onto floor as Merrick snarled, "You son of a-"
Kylo shot his hand forward, ripping them out of the room and sending them sprawling onto the floor in the main hall for the Stormtroopers to seize them. "Careful, that's my mother you're insulting, Dameron. Station," he turned to the protocol droid, "do you have somewhere to hold them?"
"Yes, I have a series of holding facilities that should prove-" he stopped suddenly, "I detect movement in the adjacent hallways."
"The Aquillans?" Kylo asked, "They couldn't have moved that… oh."
He spun, ignited his saber and the door on the far end opened to reveal Rey and a team of Antarian Paladins behind her. There was no dialogue this time, no attempts at persuasion. She instead charged, unleashing a telekinetic blast that struck Kylo hard in the chest and sent everyone around him flying.
Even with the moments he had to prepare, the effect still caught him off guard and he skidded across the floor. As he looked up, he saw the Paladins drawing their sidearms and throwing their stun bombs. Rey added to their trajectory, the cannisters becoming missiles in their velocity as the Paladins took aim and fired.
Kylo had seconds to decide what to stop, focusing his will on the flying projectiles as the stun bombs exploded right in his face. His visor shuddered from the blast, but the hole in his helmet meant he was left stunned and blind in one eye. He pushed past this, knowing that Rey would close in or the bolts would hit him.
He dropped to the floor, pushing himself back across the way as above he heard something explode against the bulkhead. Ahead, he heard footfalls closing in and the report of plasma singing through the air. Blind, he called to the Force to enhance his senses, and in his mind eye saw Rey's silhouette coming at him.
He dove to the side, missing the blade by a singeing inch. He realized the blow had been aimed for his heart. As he swung a counter, missing and stepping back, he uttered, "That would've killed me, Rey."
"You had your chance, remember?" she replied, thrusting at his head before throwing debris to catch him in his legs. Kylo leapt backwards onto a catwalk above, the Paladins blasting him all the way up before the Stormtroopers and droids moved to engage them. Rey leapt after him, Kylo throwing a push at her that she expertly dodged with an acrobatic somersault.
She came down in front of him, weapon poised as the battle joined below. Kylo scoffingly laughed.
"You're stubborn, you know that?"
"And you're an idiot," she cursed, lunging forth with a leaning thrust. Kylo batted it away, advancing in with a hanging guard as she kept him at length. A standoff, leaving them either to disengage or commit to a risky assault.
"Who's the idiot here?" he asked with a tilt of his helm, "The one who fights for a treacherous people, or the one about to give them an overdue lesson?"
"What lesson is that, Cale? That people like you want to see the galaxy burn, just to prove a point? All you've done is give them more reason to be afraid of us."
"Maybe they should be, Rey. Maybe then they'll stop betraying you. Maybe they'll learn to be honest and start saving themselves for once."
"That's if anyone is left after this. You've started a fire you cannot control."
Kylo drew his saber in a key guard, his eye fiery in the crimson light. "It's better than the alternative. What are you prepared to do about it?"
She hesitated, her eyes a conflicted mess as her blade dropped slightly. "Please don't make me do this."
"If you wanna stop me, Rey, you're gonna have to kill me," he relaxed his point to the floor, "is that what you want?"
Her eyes glistened with tears, letting them fall in crying streams before they narrowed. In a face halfway between sorrow and rage, she drew her blade up and took her stance.
"So be it, Jedi."
Author's notes
Hey everybody, this is JSailer and Squasher. It's been a while but we're back. We hope you enjoy this latest chapter. There won't be a deadline this time, as the finals weeks have hit. However, we will get a chapter written ASAP.
Oh, and we want to thank Terminator-57 and SWEULover2007 for your reviews. Stay safe in the Apocalypse, and May the Fourth be with you.