Consequences Of A Rebellion.
To say things were bad would be a massive understatement. The attack on the Imperial facility was a success, but the explosion was much bigger than the rebels had planned, as it didn't just destroy the facility, but also damaged the nearby town as well. People on the street had watched the facility explode, only for the blast to reach them, and just like that, hundreds of livelihoods has been completely destroyed. How much trouble the people of this city would suffer through one could only guess... But one thing that was for sure, they would suffer.
The rebels escaped the collapsing facility by the skin of their teeth. They were very lucky not to have been crushed by the rubble, and likely wouldn't have made it without Cloud's help, his jedi abilities saved them several times. Cloud used the force to clear some of the dust, so everyone could see each other, and avoid having to breath in any of the dust.
"Looks like we made it. And with nothing but a few scratches to show—" Barret began before the ground shook a little, and the sound of more rubble falling was heard from the distance. Barret looks at Jessie in slight concern "Think you might've overdone it? We only needed a strong enough blast to shut down the facility".
"I followed the instructions to the letter. Maybe it triggered a reaction with the stuff thy developed in there?" Jessie suggested, a little worried that they almost died because of her.
"Well, let's hope this city's still in one piece" Barret said.
"But the planet's what matters, right?" Biggs asked, sounding unsure "I mean… this must've helped some. Even if some people were hurt, as long as the planet survives then there is still hope".
J"After all that, it'd better have. Anyway, let's get going. We in Sector 8?" Jessie asked.
"That'd be just down there" Wedge answered.
"All right, then. Lead the way" Barret ordered.
"You got it sir!" Wedge said.
They began moving through the ruble, which was easier said than done. No matter where they go, there was always something in their way. They even had to avoid some probe droids that were clearly searching for them. One got a little to close, so Cloud use the force to make some rubble fall down and crush it. He hoped the Imperials would believe it was an simple accident, and would waste more time sending in a new droid rather than sending in troopers to investigate. They were getting close to the city where they're already being hunted. Stormtroopers were everywhere, and all of them were on high alert. Sneaking around them would be difficult, they may be bucket heads, but even they would get suspicious of their strange group.
An Announcement was heard across the area: Attention all citizens. Attention all citizens. This is an alert from the Imperial Emergency Operations Center. Unidentified intruders have detonated a bomb inside the Imperial facility. Multiple explosions have been confirmed, as well as ongoing fires. In response, a disaster warning has been issued. Structures in the areas near the facility are at high risk of collapse, rendering the entire area hazardous. Evacuate as soon as possible, and bring only the most essential belongings. Then hurry to the nearest shelters, where our brave troops and medics will look after you
Cloud scoffed. He knew full well those "Shelters" were just interrogation centers in disguise. Anyone who goes there are likely going to be harshly interrogated long before receiving any real help, if any. But there was no time to worry about them, since he and his temporary employers were in serious danger every second they stayed in an area crawling with Imperials.
"No… No way" Jessie said, horrified at all the chaos caused by the destruction of the facility.
"This couldn't have been us… could it?" Biggs asked in worry, they only meant to destroy the facility, not the city itself.
Wedge looked really worried "But what if it was…?".
"What's done is done. Missions like this rarely goes according to plan, and there is always factors that are impossible to predict" Cloud said.
"The jedi is right. It ain't pretty, but we can't stop now. This was just the first facility. And the planet won't be safe till we get the rest and we finally drive the Empire of the planet completely" Barret said, trying to sound determined while hiding his own concern for the innocent people that were caught up in all this.
"Yeah… We always knew this was gonna get messy" Biggs said, more calm now.
Wedge looked down "And this is only the beginning…".
"Y'all gotta look at the bigger picture here. Nothing worth fighting for was ever won without sacrifice. Me and my brother learned that the hard way. Though you may not be crying out, I know you're in pain-just like the planet. But it's okay, 'cause I'm here for you! To help take the load off your shoulders! Your fears… Your worries… Your concerns… And yes, your fees… Whatever your problem, I got you" Barret said.
"Brother? What brother?" Cloud asked.
Barret gave him a hard look "I don't trust you nearly enough to tell you about him, ex-jedi. But he's a hard ass, like me. And we both are prepared to do whatever it takes to make the Empire pay".
"So, what's our next move, boss?" Biggs asked.
"That's easy enough! We get our asses home! We'll split up and shoot for the last ride home. Regroup in the train. Got it?" Barret asked.
"Later then!" Wedge said as most of the group spread out.
"Hey. I'd like my credits now" Cloud said.
"You can have it once we're back at base" Barret said.
Cloud was annoyed but arguing about it wouldn't do him any good. So he goes his own way. Walking around the chaos caused by the mission, Cloud could see a lot of buildings that are either damaged or having crumbled completely. He could see people in different states of horror. Many were shaken up and silent, many were crying in obvious despair... and some were even clawing at the rubble, trying to free the unfortunate people who were trapped under it. There was a time when Cloud would've felt sad about it all and would've even stopped to help them... that time has long passed.
He keeps going, doing his best to ignore the suffering he could sense all around him, like the force itself was screaming at him to do something... But Cloud kept going, even if he wanted to help, it would be to dangerous. If anyone finds out he's a jedi, then the situation would become even worse than it already is. He reached the part of the city that was untouched by the damages, and he had to be careful to avoid being spotted by Stormtroopers. But as he moves around, he noticed some.
He saw a girl with brown hair, wearing a dress with a red jacket over it. She looked familiar... for some reason Cloud felt like he knew her, even though he's certain he's never seen her before. The girl noticed him and smiled as she walked up to him, Cloud was so deep in his thoughts he barely noticed her approaching until she was right in front of him.
"Are you okay!? Hey… Are you okay?" She asked.
Cloud snaps back to reality "I'm fine".
He was about to leave but the girl quickly got in front of him and held up a flower "Here. This is for you".
"A flower?" Cloud asked in confusion
"That's right. It's a gift. You know, you looked like you could use some happiness. After all those scary things" The girl explained.
"What things?" Cloud asked.
"Never mind. Think of it as a memento" The girl said.
Cloud sighed in annoyance "Just my luck…".
"I heard that, you know" The girl said, faking being offended.
Realizing she wouldn't let him leave unless he accepted her flower Cloud spoke "How much?".
"Well, that depends on the customer. In your case… It's on the house. Lovers used to give these when they were reunited…" The girl said.
Cloud reached out to take the flower... But when he did, their hands briefly touched, and suddenly Cloud could sense something... something very powerful. The force was like a shinning star inside this girl, but there wasn't a shred of darkness inside her... Who was this girl? And how could she be so powerful, and yet remain hidden from the Empire, instead of being locked up in one of their many horrible prisons?
"Something wrong?" The girl asked.
Cloud shook his head "It's nothing. Look, I'm involved in things. Dangerous things".
"Oh, I'm sure you are. So?" The girl asked.
"So keep your distance. You don't want to get involved with my problems. Or whatever life you've managed to build for yourself will be destroyed forever" Cloud explained.
"Wait you think someone's out to get you? Is that what you're all worked up about? Relax. No one's going to attack you. I promise" The girl said.
Cloud gave her a look, how could anyone be this naive in such a dark galaxy? Anyone could be attacked at any moment for any reason. And yet this girl was acting like the galaxy hadn't been ripped apart by a massive war, before being taken over by an tyrannical Empire. She was happy in an era full of sadness and suffering. Cloud couldn't even begin to understand this girl, and he had no desire to.
"Look, you should head home, before you're tortured for information. And forget you ever saw me" Cloud said as he walked away... he kept the flower though.
The girl watched him leave, and she too could sense through the force that there was something familiar about that man... And she wasn't sure what it was, but she hoped she would find out somehow, and hoped they would meet again soon.
Cloud was nearing the place where the others were set to regroup. However, his luck ran out and he was quickly confronted by several Stormtroopers. Wasting no time on words, Cloud ignited his lightsaber. The moment he did, the troopers opened fire, but several shots were deflected right back at them. Cloud quickly dashed forward, taking advantage of the fact blaster rifles were harder to use in close combat, and cut through several troopers. Limbs were sent flying as Cloud killed all of his enemies, showing no mercy and giving them no chance of running away to call for back up.
Once he was done with the Stormtroopers, a ship arrived above him. He narrowed his eyes as the ship opened up and a different kind of trooper jumped out and landed on the ground. This trooper was different, he had black armor with some red markings and a red visor. He was also carrying an electrostaff which was known for being able to block Lightsabers. This, was a Purge Trooper.
"A jedi, at last. This is what I've trained for" The Purge trooper said darkly.
He lunges forward, and the impact of his electrostaff striking the ground sends Cloud reeling back. This trooper was indeed different from the others, he knew how to fight... and if was trained to fight jedi, then this battle wouldn't be as easy as Cloud would've hoped.
"Yes. Be afraid. My hand won't falter" The Purge trooper said as he strikes out again, but this time Cloud is prepared.
He parries the blow and shoves the purge trooper back with a blast of the Force. He skids backward, stabbing his electrostaff into the ground to halt his momentum. He looks up just in time to block one of Cloud's strikes and forced him back before unleashing several strikes himself, which Cloud managed to block or avoid, depending on the direction the blows were coming from. This Trooper was skilled, no doubt about it. But he didn't have the Force, and the force is a powerful ally. Cloud strikes out again, and this time the trooper cannot block in time as Cloud cut his head off.
With his enemy dead, Cloud rushed to regroup with the rest. he wasn't thrilled about the Empire having soldiers trained to fight jedi, as if the Inquisitors weren't bad enough, but he was certain he could handle them. Two military vehicles are blocking his path and a small army of troopers emerged.
"End of the line, Jedi! Surrender now or be executed!" The Commander demanded.
Cloud kills the nearest trooper and jumps onto a passing train under fire from a dozen automatic rifles without any problems. Moreover, the train turns out to be exactly where the rest of the group is. He had made a successful escape... But he had a bad feeling things weren't going to get any easier.
.
Tell me what you think.
