Chapitre 39: Shattered World Part Two
Tol stepped forward, red lightsaber humming in his grip, his eyes gleaming with the memory of their last encounter.
"Do you remember how our last bout went?" he said, a mocking edge to his voice.
Leska raised her blue blade, calm. "Things are different now."
Tol smirked. "Oh yeah? And how's that?"
"I'm not afraid anymore."
Tol's smirk faded slightly. He charged, his red lightsaber slashing down with brutal force. Leska met the strike, her blue blade catching his. Sparks flew from the point of contact as the force of Tol's blow pushed against her, but her stance held firm. They disengaged, Tol spinning his lightsaber in a tight arc toward her midsection. Leska stepped back, letting the blade pass in front of her before she countered with a quick strike to Tol's shoulder. The tip of her lightsaber grazed his armor, leaving a smoldering mark.
Tol sneered and flicked his wrist, sending a chunk of debris flying toward her. Leska sidestepped, letting the debris crash to the ground beside her, before slashing at Tol's legs. He jumped back, his red blade spinning defensively as he reengaged, coming at her with a flurry of heavy blows.
"You're stalling for nothing," Tol growled, pressing his attack. His red blade cut through the air in sharp, aggressive arcs. "This planet will split apart, and you're going to die with it."
Leska spun her lightsaber upward, deflecting one of his swings, then ducked low to avoid another blow aimed at her head. Her blue blade flashed toward Tol's side, grazing his ribs before she stepped back. Tol snarled, raising his hand to unleash a bolt of Force lightning. The blue energy crackled through the air, striking Leska's lightsaber as she intercepted it, redirecting the surge to the ground.
Tol advanced, his red blade swinging toward her legs again. Leska leaped over the strike, her body turning in mid-air as she landed softly behind him. Tol spun around, his lightsaber coming down with brutal force. Leska raised her lightsaber just in time, their blades locking in a heated clash.
"You're fighting for nothing," Tol said through gritted teeth, pushing against her blade. "This planet is doomed."
"You have such anger in you," Leska said, her voice soft but firm.
Tol growled, his lightsaber pressing harder against hers. Leska let the force of his push guide her, stepping to the side as she disengaged and slashed upward. Her blade caught Tol's arm, the strike deep enough to burn flesh, carving a chunk. Tol screamed in anger and pain, his red lightsaber sweeping toward her chest in retaliation.
Leska spun to avoid the blade, but it caught the edge of her robes, burning through the fabric. Tol charged again, his movements fast and brutal, swinging his lightsaber in wide, deadly arcs. Leska blocked one strike, then ducked another, her lightsaber meeting his in a series of quick, precise parries.
Tol lifted a massive chunk of debris with the Force and hurled it toward her again, but Leska didn't dodge this time. She extended her free hand, catching the debris mid-air and redirecting it toward Tol. The heavy chunk slammed into his side, knocking him to the ground with a grunt of pain.
"You pity me?" Tol spat, scrambling back to his feet, his red lightsaber igniting once more. "I don't need your pity, Jedi!"
Leska stepped forward, her blue blade steady. "I pity what you've become, Tol."
Tol roared in anger and charged, his lightsaber swinging wildly. Leska's blue blade met his, deflecting his frenzied attacks, each movement controlled and precise. She side-stepped a downward strike, then lunged forward, her lightsaber cutting through the air toward Tol's chest. He blocked it, but the force of the blow sent him stumbling back.
Tol growled, raising his hand and summoning a powerful wave of Force energy. It slammed into Leska, lifting her off her feet and sending her crashing into the debris behind her. She winced as she hit the ground, pain flaring through her side. But she pushed herself up, her blue lightsaber still in hand, steadying her breathing as Tol approached.
"You should give in," Tol said, grinning through his pain. "You can't win here."
Leska stood, her gaze calm as she faced him again. "I've already won, Tol."
Tol snarled, launching himself at her with a vicious swing of his red blade. Leska blocked it, then twisted her wrist to lock their blades together. They struggled for a moment, the ground beneath them shaking as another earthquake tore through the battlefield. Tol's eyes flickered with rage, his strikes becoming more erratic, more desperate.
"You're nothing without your fear!" Tol shouted, breaking the saber lock and slashing at Leska's legs. She jumped back, her blue blade flashing as she countered, slashing upward toward Tol's arm. The blade cut into his shoulder, the smell of burnt flesh filling the air as Tol growled in pain.
Leska spun, slashing toward Tol's midsection, but he blocked the strike, then countered with a vicious overhead swing. Leska ducked, her blue blade cutting across his leg in a quick, fluid motion. Tol roared, stumbling back, but managed to raise his red blade just in time to block her follow-up strike.
Another quake rocked the ground beneath them, sending cracks splitting across the surface. Tol glanced at the widening fissures, a manic grin spreading across his face.
"This whole world is coming apart!" he shouted, his voice wild. "And you're going to fall with it!"
Leska stepped forward, her lightsaber raised. "Not today."
Leska's lightsaber clashed against Tol's, the red and blue blades flashing as they met again and again. Tol pressed forward, his strikes wild, heavy, each one met with Leska's precise blocks. Their feet shifted, moving over the unstable ground, cracks spreading beneath them. Another rumble echoed from below, the earth trembling. Tol spun, his lightsaber slashing toward Leska's legs. She stepped to the side, her blue blade deflecting his strike, then countered with a quick slash aimed at his side. Tol raised his arm, blocking her strike, their blades locked for a brief moment before they both disengaged. His eyes gleamed with fury, his body moving aggressively as he came at her again. Their lightsabers clashed once more, the sound of the hum and crackle filling the air.
A low rumble echoed through the battlefield, louder than before. Both of them paused, lightsabers raised, their attention shifting upward. The clouds above began to part, torn away by a massive object breaking through the storm. The Defendor descended from the sky, its massive bulk emerging from the stormclouds, pushing the dark clouds aside as the sunlight broke through. The storm dispersed, the air clear, and the bright light of the sun bathed the battlefield for the first time in days.
Leska's eyes widened, her lightsaber lowering slightly as she stared at the ship. Her breath caught in her throat, hope swelling inside her as the ship descended, its thrusters slowing its fall as it crash-landed onto the surface. Metal screeched, dust and debris kicked up as the Defendor made contact with the ground, sliding along the earth but remaining intact.
Tol's eyes narrowed as he looked at the ship, his grip tightening on his lightsaber. Leska's focus remained on the Defendor, a smile beginning to form on her face as the sunlight broke through the clouds. The distraction proved costly.
Tol's hand shot out, both palms extended, blue lightning erupting from his fingers. The torrent of energy struck Leska square in the chest, her body convulsing under the power of the lightning. Her lightsaber fell from her hand as her body was lifted off the ground. Tol poured all his power into the attack, his eyes locked on her as the lightning surged from his fingertips.
Leska's body jerked violently as the lightning consumed her, her form glowing with the energy. Tol's lips curled into a sneer, his fingers tightening as he poured even more power into the blast. Leska's feet left the ground completely, her body flung backward by the force of the attack.
Without warning, her body flew over the edge of the cliff. Tol's lightning dissipated, leaving only the faint crackle of energy in the air. Leska's form disappeared, falling below.
Tol lowered his hands, his breathing heavy, his gaze shifting toward the base. His eyes narrowed as he saw a plume of smoke rising in the distance, followed by a loud explosion. His face twisted into a mask of rage.
"No!" Tol screamed, his voice echoing through the base. He turned, his body moving swiftly as he rushed toward the explosion, his red lightsaber still ignited, its glow casting long shadows as he moved further into the base, his eyes burning with fury.
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The bridge of the Defendor was in disarray. Bodies lay scattered across the floor, some still, others stirring slowly. The control panels flickered, sparks flying from damaged consoles. Smoke filled the air, the smell of burning metal thick. Admiral Novak unbuckled himself from his seat, his hand gripping the armrest as he rose to his feet. His eyes scanned the room, taking in the sight of his crew. Some dead, others unconscious.
"Status report," Novak said, his voice firm as he turned toward the captain.
Captain Darklo stood nearby, blood trickling down his forehead, but still conscious. "We've lost shields completely. Hull integrity is compromised, several decks are venting atmosphere. We've got fires in multiple sections, and... we've lost some men." Darklo's voice carried a grim tone, but he remained steady, his eyes meeting the Admiral's.
Novak's gaze hardened, but he didn't pause. "Get damage control teams out. Prioritize the fires and the hull breaches. I want all hands working on repairs now." His voice cut through the chaos, steady, commanding.
Crew members who were still conscious nodded, moving to carry out the orders. Some stumbled, others moved more slowly as they assessed their injuries, but they all began to make their way to the damaged sections of the ship. Novak stepped toward the viewport, his eyes scanning the landscape of Jabiim below, the remnants of the storm still swirling in the distance.
An officer approached, their expression tense. "Sir, there's something you need to know."
Novak turned, his gaze locking onto the officer. "What is it?"
"The planet... it's unstable," the officer said, their voice low, almost hesitant. "The seismic activity we've been experiencing... it's getting worse. If it continues, the planet is going to collapse in on itself. We don't have much time."
Novak's jaw tightened, his fist clenched at his side. "Damn it," he muttered, his voice low, barely audible. His eyes flicked back to the view outside the ship, the storm still raging, the ground below trembling with each quake.
A sudden alert sounded on the console, drawing his attention. One of the crew members looked up, a spark of hope in their eyes. "Sir, good news! The storm... there's a break in the storm!"
Novak's head snapped toward the console, his eyes narrowing as he stepped closer. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, sir. We've got a clear path. We can send the transports out."
Novak's voice carried across the bridge as he turned to the communications officer. "Get all transports in the air. I want everyone we can get onto this ship. No one gets left behind. Go!" His command was met with nods from the remaining crew, their hands moving swiftly over the consoles as they began issuing orders to the hangar bays. Transports, already prepped and ready, began lifting off from the Defendor's hangars, their engines roaring to life as they surged into the sky. The break in the storm provided just enough room for them to maneuver, the clouds parting as they descended toward the surface. Novak stood at the viewport, watching the transports disappear into the distance, his expression unreadable.
"Let's just hope we have enough time," he muttered, turning back toward the bridge as the crew continued their frantic efforts to stabilize the ship.
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Jaden ignited his blue lightsaber, the glow illuminating his face as he looked at Alto. Hatred flickered in his eyes, but so did pity. Alto, wild-eyed, growled low and threw Zule to the side like a ragdoll. Recognition sparked in his gaze, and his lips curled into a sneer.
"Zule, go and protect the others," Jaden said, his eyes never leaving Alto.
Zule nodded, limping toward the others, her hand gripping her injured arm.
Alto roared, lunging forward, his fists swinging. Jaden sidestepped the first blow, his lightsaber humming as it cut through the air. The blue blade met Alto's swing, cutting into his shoulder and searing the flesh. Alto snarled and slammed his body into Jaden, knocking them both off balance. Jaden used the momentum, pushing Alto back with a Force wave. Alto's body flew through the air, smashing into the side of a building with a heavy thud.
Alto pushed himself up, his eyes burning with fury. He reached to his side, drawing a vibrosword that hummed with energy. He charged again, swinging the blade in a wide arc. Jaden's lightsaber intercepted it, the two weapons sparking as they met. Alto swung again, a brutal overhead strike. Jaden stepped back, avoiding the strike, then countered with a quick slice across Alto's arm. The vibrosword dropped from Alto's grip, but he didn't hesitate, his other hand reaching for the blaster at his side.
Blaster fire erupted from the pistol, the red bolts flying toward Jaden. His blue lightsaber deflected them, sending the bolts back toward the wall, scorching the metal. Alto charged again, his body crashing into Jaden before he could react. They tumbled to the ground, fists and elbows landing on both sides, raw, brutal strikes.
Jaden rolled, planting his boot into Alto's chest and pushing him off. He flipped to his feet, raising his lightsaber just in time to block a downward slash from Alto's reclaimed vibrosword. The force of the strike sent sparks flying, the weapons locked together. Jaden pushed off, separating them, and raised his hand. Alto flew backward, his body slamming into a nearby vehicle.
Without hesitation, Jaden extended his hand further, lifting a nearby tank with the Force. The massive vehicle rose into the air, then hurtled toward Alto. Alto dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the crushing weight as the tank slammed into the ground where he had stood, the impact sending mud and debris flying in all directions.
Alto sprang back up, roaring again. He leaped onto a nearby building, scaling the side with brute strength. Jaden followed, using the Force to propel himself upward, landing on the roof across from Alto. They stared at each other for a moment, their breaths heavy, their eyes locked.
Alto charged, swinging his vibrosword at Jaden's head. Jaden ducked, his lightsaber flashing as he aimed for Alto's legs. The blade cut through Alto's thigh, leaving a deep burn. Alto howled but didn't stop, his fist slamming into Jaden's side. Jaden staggered back, but quickly recovered, his lightsaber humming as he slashed at Alto's chest.
Alto jumped back, his eyes wild with rage. He swung the vibrosword at Jaden's head again, but Jaden blocked the strike, their weapons sparking as they clashed. Alto's other hand shot out, grabbing Jaden's collar and yanking him forward. They tumbled off the roof, falling through the air, their bodies twisting as they fought mid-fall.
They crashed through a metal ceiling, landing hard inside the building below. Metal beams and debris fell around them, the sound of the impact echoing through the space. Jaden pushed himself up, his lightsaber still ignited, but Alto was already charging. Jaden thrust his hand forward, sending a powerful Force push that hurled Alto through the wall of the building. Alto's body flew outside, landing in the mud with a heavy splash.
Jaden leaped through the hole in the wall, landing in the mud. He raised his lightsaber, but Alto was already up, swinging his vibrosword again. Jaden deflected the strike, the blue blade slicing across Alto's chest, burning through armor and flesh. Alto howled in pain, blood dripping from his wounds.
Alto's eyes glowed with madness as he grabbed a large piece of debris and hurled it at Jaden. Jaden slashed through the debris, cutting it in half, but the distraction gave Alto time to close the distance. He swung the vibrosword at Jaden's legs, and Jaden jumped, avoiding the strike. Alto's fist followed, slamming into Jaden's chest, sending him stumbling back.
Jaden's breathing was ragged, his body aching from the blows. Alto's movements became more erratic, more desperate. He lunged again, his vibrosword aiming for Jaden's throat. Jaden deflected the strike, then countered with a swift slice across Alto's arm, severing the limb. Alto screamed, dropping to one knee, his body trembling with pain.
Jaden stood over him, his lightsaber raised, the blue blade casting a glow over Alto's bloodied face. Alto looked up, his eyes wild, his breathing heavy. Jaden's grip tightened on his lightsaber, his heart pounding in his chest. The hatred surged within him, threatening to consume him.
But then, Jaden paused. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. The anger, the hatred—he let it go. His grip on the lightsaber loosened, his breathing slowed. Alto, sensing an opportunity, swung the vibrosword at Jaden one final time. But Jaden's eyes opened, calm, focused. He stepped aside, the vibrosword missing him by inches.
In one swift motion, Jaden's lightsaber sliced through Alto's neck, severing his head from his body. The body collapsed into the mud, the head rolling to the side. Jaden stood over the body, his blue lightsaber still humming softly in the air.
He extinguished his blade sparing one last look at Alto before rushing over to the others. Jaden knelt next to Zule, his hands hovering over her injuries, a faint glow emitting from his palms. His focus shifted from Zule to Scout and Aubrie, checking their wounds, his touch light but firm. Zule groaned, clutching her arm, and Scout and Aubrie winced, her wrist bent at an awkward angle. Jaden's hands moved between them, steady, the energy flowing from him into their bodies, closing wounds and easing the pain.
The ground beneath them rumbled again, stronger this time. The quakes were becoming more frequent, shaking the very foundation of the battlefield. Rocks shifted, cracks forming beneath their feet. Aubrie stood nearby, her gaze fixed on the towering Mass Shadow Generator. "We have to turn off that machine somehow," she said, her voice filled with urgency.
Before anyone could respond, the sound of engines roared overhead. Hundreds of transports flew above them, casting shadows on the ground below. Republic gunships swooped down, their green lasers cutting through the air, targeting the remaining droids and tanks. Explosions erupted in the distance as the gunships fired, their blasts reducing the enemy forces to smoldering wreckage.
One of the ships landed next to them, its door sliding open as reinforcements poured out, blasters raised, firing at the droids still scattered across the battlefield. Blaster fire lit up the area, the remaining droids falling under the onslaught of Republic soldiers. Another ship hovered, waiting for them to board.
Jaden stood, his eyes scanning the battlefield, then looked at the others. "Get on the gunship," he said, nodding toward the open door.
Scout shook her head, her face determined. "We can't leave yet. We still need to destroy that superweapon."
The ground trembled again, the entire mountain range shaking as if the planet itself was splitting apart. Deep cracks formed in the earth, spreading across the battlefield. Jaden looked down at the cracks, then back at the machine towering over them. "It's too late for that," he said, his voice calm.
Aubrie stepped forward, her eyes wide. "Then what do we do?"
Jaden's gaze shifted to the Mass Shadow Generator. "Maybe the machine can reverse the damage," he said, his voice thoughtful.
Scout frowned, glancing at the control panel. "The control system is completely foreign. I don't know how to use it."
Jaden's lips curled into a smirk, his eyes glinting. "I'll figure it out. Now get out of here. Find Leska. Go."
Zule and Scout exchanged glances, hesitation clear in their eyes. But before they could protest, the ground shook violently beneath them, nearly knocking them off balance. Jaden turned toward the gunship, his expression firm.
Zule and Scout moved toward the gunship, but Aubrie stood her ground, her eyes locked on Jaden. "I won't leave you, Master," she said, her voice unwavering.
Jaden opened his mouth to protest, but Aubrie raised her hand, signaling to the pilot. The gunship's engines roared to life, lifting off the ground. Zule and Scout shouted, their voices drowned out by the engines, but it was too late. The ship ascended, carrying them away.
Aubrie turned to Jaden, her face calm but resolute. "I'll stay with you till the end," she said, her voice soft but firm.
Jaden sighed, shaking his head slightly before a smile spread across his face. "Let's get to work then," he said, turning toward the machine.
Jaden stood in front of the control panel, his eyes scanning the foreign symbols and unfamiliar buttons. His hands moved over the console, his brow furrowed in concentration. The system made no sense to him. Every light, every symbol was foreign, and no matter how much he looked, nothing seemed to point toward a solution. His frustration grew, his breath becoming heavier as the ground beneath him continued to shake.
More ships took off in the distance, their engines roaring as they fled the planet. The earth cracked and split open, jagged lines spreading across the ground. Jaden's hands moved across the console, his eyes narrowing as he tried to make sense of the machine's inner workings. Nothing. No answers. He gritted his teeth, his jaw clenched as the frustration built inside him.
Aubrie pointed toward the horizon, her eyes wide. "Lava... over there."
Jaden didn't look up, his hands still on the console. "I'm busy."
The cracks widened, molten lava pouring out from the earth in the distance. It glowed a fiery orange, rivers of molten rock flowing across the landscape, swallowing everything in its path. The rumbling intensified, the entire structure trembling, bits of debris falling from the ceiling.
Aubrie stepped closer to Jaden, wrapping her arms around him from behind. "Master... be calm." Her voice was soft, soothing.
Jaden closed his eyes, his hands resting on the console as he felt Aubrie's presence around him. He grabbed her hand, holding it for a moment, finding comfort in her touch. He breathed out, his mind clearing as he pushed the frustration aside.
His eyes opened slowly. "Edan Garrant," he said. "The man who activated the machine. He must have notes... something. A diary, a journal, anything." His voice was calmer now, more focused. "If he had something like that, we might be able to find out how to stop this."
Aubrie nodded, her arms still around him. "We don't have much time."
Jaden turned away from the console, heading toward a nearby terminal. His fingers moved quickly over the screen, hacking into the system. The directory of the base appeared in front of him, lists of rooms and personnel scrolling by. He found what he was looking for—Edan's living quarters.
Jaden looked at Aubrie. "Let's go."
They ran through the base, the ground shaking beneath their feet. Cracks formed in the ground ahead of them, and they leaped over the gaps, avoiding the glowing lava that bubbled up from below. Buildings began to collapse around them, walls crumbling as the earth split apart. Aubrie darted ahead, jumping over a large crack as a structure toppled to the side, missing her by inches. Jaden followed, his eyes scanning the destruction around them as they made their way toward Edan's quarters.
They reached the room, the door hanging loosely on its frame, half of it already broken off. Inside, the room was in shambles, debris scattered across the floor. Jaden and Aubrie wasted no time, pulling apart the furniture, searching every corner of the room. Drawers were emptied, cabinets torn open, but nothing useful was found.
Jaden paused, his breath heavy as he stood in the middle of the room. His frustration began to rise again, but he closed his eyes, forcing himself to focus. He reached out with the Force, trying to let it guide him, searching for anything that might lead them to an answer. He walked toward the table, his hand brushing against the surface.
A sudden flash.
Jaden saw Edan sitting at the table, his hands trembling as he pressed a button hidden beneath the surface. A section of the wall slid open, revealing a hidden panel. The vision faded, leaving Jaden standing in the room once more.
He stepped forward, his hand reaching under the table, finding the button exactly where he had seen it. A section of the wall clicked and slid open, revealing a hidden safe. Jaden extended his hand, the Force flowing through him as he ripped the door off the safe.
Inside, papers and a small journal lay scattered. Jaden grabbed the journal, flipping through the pages as the building rumbled around them. The words were written in Edan's hand, detailed notes about the Mass Shadow Generator, its capabilities, and its destructive potential.
Jaden's eyes locked onto a specific entry. Edan had written a theory, a possibility of reversing the polarity of the gravitons being generated by the machine. If done correctly, it could stabilize the planet. But the process would overload the machine, likely destroying it and anything within a ten mile radius. Eden often considered trying to do it but there were many other people here that didn't deserve to die, in the end he wasn't brave enough.
Jaden looked up at Aubrie, his face serious. "There's a chance we can reverse the damage, but it will destroy the generator... and us along with it."
Aubrie didn't hesitate. She smiled, her eyes filled with determination. "Let's do it."
Jaden nodded, closing the journal and slipping it into his pocket. The ground shook violently beneath them, but they stood firm. Together, they ran back toward the generator, the rumbling of the earth growing louder with each passing second.
Cracks spread across the ground in front of them, the lava glowing brighter, the air thick with the smell of burning rock. Buildings continued to collapse, but they pressed on, their path clear in their minds.
They reached the generator once more, the machine still humming with power, its energy crackling through the glass chamber. Jaden stood in front of the control panel, flipping through Edan's journal. His eyes scanned the pages, his brow furrowed as he tried to make sense of the instructions. The foreign symbols on the console were still confusing, but the journal helped to piece things together bit by bit. His fingers traced over the diagrams and notes, reading aloud the necessary steps.
"Aubrie, you need to climb up to the central chamber," Jaden said, looking up at the massive structure towering over them. "There are coolant pylons connected to the chamber. You'll have to remove them for this to work."
Aubrie nodded, her eyes scanning the machine. "Where are they?"
Jaden pointed toward the sides of the chamber, where large cylindrical pylons jutted out from the structure. "There. See those vents near the top? That's where you need to go. You'll have to open the access hatches and disable them manually."
Aubrie glanced at the pylons, her eyes narrowing as she calculated the climb. She nodded again, determination in her eyes. Without another word, she leaped toward the base of the machine, grabbing onto a metal support beam. Her body moved swiftly, scaling the structure with ease. Her hands gripped the ridges of the machine as she ascended, her feet finding footholds as she made her way up the side.
Jaden watched her for a moment, then turned back to the control panel. His eyes darted between the journal and the console, trying to align Edan's notes with the strange symbols in front of him. The words in the journal detailed a process to reverse the polarity of the gravitons, which would theoretically stabilize the planet. The symbols on the console represented various aspects of the generator's functions—graviton flow, energy modulation, coolant control, and more.
Jaden flipped through the pages, reading each section carefully. He adjusted several controls on the panel, his hand moving across the buttons and levers. The instructions referred to "graviton streams," "plasma conduits," and "flux capacitors." Jaden set the gravitons to reverse polarity, adjusting the plasma flow to reroute energy away from the destabilized core of the machine. He flipped a switch, activating the energy modulators, and monitored the plasma conduits as they surged with redirected power.
Above him, Aubrie reached the first coolant pylon, her fingers finding the latch on the side. She gripped the handle and pulled, the metal hatch creaking open. Inside, a series of glowing tubes pulsed with energy, coolant running through them in thick streams. Aubrie pulled out the coolant rods, one by one, dropping them down into the abyss below. She moved to the next pylon, repeating the process, her hands working quickly but steadily.
Jaden continued his work at the console. His fingers tapped a few more buttons, rerouting energy to compensate for the removal of the coolant pylons. He set the energy conduits to direct the graviton stream downward, focusing the power flow into the core of the planet. The system hummed loudly, the lights on the console flickering as the changes took effect.
The chamber in front of Jaden switched from a soft blue glow to an intense red. The energy bolts that had been firing intermittently from the machine shifted, now forming a continuous stream of energy that shot down into the ground. The machine began to shake, smoke rising from the sides as the internal systems strained under the redirected power.
Jaden glanced up at Aubrie, who had just removed the final coolant pylon. She leaped down from the top of the machine, landing beside him. Together, they watched as the energy stream intensified, the machine groaning under the pressure. Small explosions erupted from the sides, sparks flying as the system strained to contain the power surge.
"It's working," Jaden said, his eyes fixed on the machine.
Jaden and Aubrie stood together, watching the massive machine spew smoke and sparks. It groaned under its own weight, parts of it tearing away and exploding in short bursts. "We did it!" Aubrie shouted, excitement breaking through the roaring noise around them.
Jaden gave her a small smile, though his eyes stayed fixed on the horizon where more cracks began to open in the earth. "We did," he said softly, though the sense of finality in his voice was heavy. Lava poured out in the distance, flowing freely as the ground trembled harder.
Above them, the gunships rose higher into the sky, heading away from the imminent eruption. Jaden and Aubrie held each other tightly, knowing they had little time left.
Aubrie rested her head on Jaden's chest. The tremors were getting worse. "Master..." she began quietly.
"You can call me Jaden now," he replied, his voice gentle.
Aubrie smiled and then looked up at him. "Jaden... thank you for saving me."
Jaden frowned in confusion. "What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief. "We're about to die, how did I save you?"
Aubrie pulled back, her gaze soft. "You saved me in Choal. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't have lived through that battle. And I wouldn't have met you..." She hesitated for a moment before adding, "Nor fallen in love with you."
Jaden's eyes widened slightly, surprise washing over him. Aubrie, without hesitation, leaned in and kissed him, her arms wrapping around his neck. He stood still for a moment, but then slowly kissed her back, pulling her close as the ground shook violently beneath them.
Just then, a voice dripped with malice interrupted them. "Disgusting," Tol Skor spat, his voice cutting through the noise around them like a blade.
They both turned toward Tol. His body was battered, his face a twisted mess of anger and hatred. His lightsaber ignited with a sharp hiss, the red glow casting ominous shadows across the torn landscape.
"What have you done?" Tol snarled, stepping forward with barely restrained rage.
Jaden took a step in front of Aubrie, his blue lightsaber still at his side. "It's over, Tol. You've lost. The planet is stabilizing."
Tol's lips curled into a furious sneer. "So, the fake Jedi thinks he's a hero now, huh?" He tightened his grip on his lightsaber, his knuckles white. "I'll destroy the machine, and I'll destroy you along with it!" He launched himself at them, red lightsaber blazing through the air.
Jaden and Aubrie moved in unison, their lightsabers igniting with a synchronized hum, their blades cutting through the tension as Tol charged toward them.
Tol's red blade swung down hard toward Jaden. Jaden sidestepped, bringing his blue lightsaber up to deflect the strike. Aubrie moved swiftly to Tol's side, her blue lightsaber aimed at his torso. Tol twisted, his lightsaber blocking hers in a blinding flash of sparks. He pushed forward aggressively, forcing Aubrie back as Jaden closed in again, his blade aiming for Tol's head.
Tol ducked low, sending a Force push straight at Jaden, who stumbled back but regained his footing quickly. Aubrie, now behind Tol, swung her lightsaber in a downward arc. Tol barely spun in time to block her strike, their blades crashing together. He kicked her hard in the stomach, sending her back a few steps, before turning back to Jaden.
The ground beneath them split apart, lava bursting through the cracks. Jaden jumped onto a piece of debris that had been hurled into the air by the volcanic activity. From the elevated ground, he leaped toward Tol, his lightsaber aimed at the Sith's shoulder. Tol raised his lightsaber in defense, sparks flying as the two blades met. Jaden pushed harder, trying to overpower Tol, but Tol grabbed him by the wrist with his free hand and hurled him into a nearby rock.
Aubrie rushed forward, her lightsaber coming in low toward Tol's knees. He jumped into the air, flipping backward and landing on a crumbling piece of machinery. Aubrie followed, vaulting over debris, her blade cutting through the air as she slashed at Tol. Tol ducked and weaved through her attacks, his face contorted with fury. He slashed at her side, but she leaped back, narrowly avoiding the blow.
Tol reached out with the Force, tearing a piece of burning wreckage from the ground and hurling it at Jaden. Jaden caught the debris mid-air, using the Force to throw it back toward Tol, who sliced it in half with his lightsaber. Tol charged again, swinging his lightsaber in rapid strikes, forcing Jaden and Aubrie to fall back under the relentless assault.
The ground beneath them shook violently, massive cracks forming, sending entire buildings crumbling into the lava below. Jaden and Aubrie moved quickly, their lightsabers flashing as they deflected Tol's wild strikes. Lava erupted from a nearby fissure, spraying molten rock into the air.
Jaden leaped onto another platform as Tol sent a wave of Force energy at him. The platform shattered, sending him flying through the air. Aubrie jumped after him, her lightsaber ready, but Tol used the Force to grab her and slam her into the ground. She gasped in pain, her lightsaber skittering away across the broken earth.
Jaden rushed forward, his lightsaber swinging downward. Tol blocked, their lightsabers locked as they struggled for dominance. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the ground beneath them. Aubrie scrambled back to her feet, grabbing her lightsaber just in time to block another strike from Tol.
Tol's red lightsaber swung at them both, but they ducked under the blow, their lightsabers coming up in unison. They forced Tol back toward the edge of the cracked platform, lava bubbling up from the chasm below. Tol growled in frustration, using the Force to grab a nearby structure and pull it down on top of them.
Aubrie and Jaden rolled out of the way as the structure collapsed, debris scattering everywhere. Tol leaped onto the debris, his lightsaber slashing down toward Aubrie. She blocked just in time, sparks flying as their blades clashed. Jaden came in from the side, his lightsaber aimed at Tol's side. Tol turned, deflecting the blow and using the Force to push Jaden back.
The ground began to rumble more violently than before. A deep, thunderous crack echoed through the battlefield. Jaden and Aubrie's eyes widened as the entire plateau they were standing on began to shake violently.
Tol, seeing the cracks widening beneath them, growled. "This planet is doomed!" he shouted, his voice filled with rage.
Suddenly, with a violent tremor, the entire plateau was launched into the sky by the eruption of the volcano. The force of it slammed Jaden, Aubrie, and Tol to the ground as the entire section of land was thrown upward. They tumbled, debris and lava flying around them as the air roared with heat and pressure.
Jaden felt himself being lifted into the air, the force of the eruption sending them high into the sky. Jaden and Aubrie struggled to keep their balance, the platform tilting violently beneath them. Lava bubbled far below as they soared high into the sky, chunks of the rock breaking off and falling into the molten sea below. The wind howled around them, but the only sound Jaden focused on was Tol's heavy footsteps as he approached, his red lightsaber flickering menacingly in his hand.
Tol's eyes burned with fury as he stepped forward. His breath was ragged, his face twisted with anger. He raised his lightsaber, pointing it at Jaden. "You've ruined everything!" he shouted, his voice strained with rage. "This planet, this war... you've taken it all from me!"
Jaden steadied himself, his blue lightsaber raised, waiting for the next strike. Aubrie moved behind him, her grip tight on her own weapon as she prepared for Tol's attack.
Tol charged, his lightsaber swinging down toward Jaden. Their blades clashed with a loud crack, sparks flying between them. Tol pushed forward, his strikes wild and full of hate. Jaden moved to block, his arms straining against the force of each blow.
Aubrie moved quickly to the side, her lightsaber coming in from a new angle. Tol turned just in time, deflecting her strike with a swift motion, sending her stumbling toward the edge of the platform. Jaden stepped in, swinging his lightsaber toward Tol's exposed side, but Tol spun back around, their blades colliding again.
"You think you've won, Jedi?" Tol growled, pushing Jaden back with a heavy strike. "This planet will still be your grave!"
Jaden didn't answer, focused on the fight. He ducked under another swing from Tol, stepping in closer to the Sith. Aubrie regained her footing and lunged at Tol from behind, her lightsaber aimed at his back. Tol turned, grabbing her wrist and flinging her toward the edge of the platform. Aubrie hit the ground hard and slid, her fingers scrambling for purchase as she grabbed the edge, barely holding on.
Jaden's eyes widened, seeing her dangle from the platform. He lunged at Tol, his lightsaber flashing through the air. Tol blocked the strike, their blades locked together in a contest of strength. Jaden pushed forward, his grip tightening on his weapon. In a swift motion, he twisted his wrist, knocking Tol's lightsaber from his hand. It spun through the air and fell into the abyss below.
But before Jaden could take another step, Tol raised both hands, unleashing a torrent of lightning from his fingertips. The blue energy crackled through the air, hitting Jaden square in the chest. His lightsaber was torn from his grip, sent flying off the platform. Jaden stumbled back, his arms raised, trying to contain the lightning with the Force. The strain was immediate, the power behind Tol's attack overwhelming.
Tol's face contorted with glee as he saw Jaden struggle. "You'll die here, Jaden Katarn!!!" he screamed, pouring more power into the lightning. "This is the end for you!"
Jaden gritted his teeth, his body shaking as he held back the lightning. His mind raced, the temptation to draw on the dark side gnawing at the edge of his consciousness. He could feel it, the raw power waiting for him to seize it, to fight back with equal fury.
But then he looked at Tol—saw the hate, the anger, the madness in his eyes. This was what the dark side had done to him. This was what he would become if he gave in. Jaden closed his eyes, steadying his breathing, letting go of the anger, the fear. He reached out with the Force, not to attack, but to calm his mind, to find the center within himself.
Slowly, he stepped forward, moving closer to Tol, the lightning still crashing against him. Tol's expression twisted in disbelief as Jaden advanced, his own power being pushed back. "No! This is impossible!" Tol screamed, his face red with rage. He poured more energy into the attack, but Jaden kept coming, the lightning starting to bend back toward Tol.
With a final push, Jaden sent the lightning surging back toward Tol. The energy hit him square in the chest, sending him flying backward off the platform. Tol screamed in agony as the lightning coursed through him, his body disappearing into the abyss below.
Jaden was thrown back as well, hitting the edge of the platform hard. He scrambled, his fingers gripping the edge as the platform tilted dangerously. Lava splattered up, thrown high from the cracks in the earth below, the heat almost unbearable.
He pulled himself up slowly, his arms shaking from the effort. As soon as he was stable, he crawled over to where Aubrie still clung to the edge. He grabbed her hand, pulling her up with all the strength he had left. They both collapsed onto the platform, their breathing heavy, their bodies spent from the fight.
The platform continued to rise, now so high in the sky that they could see the stars above. Aubrie looked up, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath. "It's beautiful," she whispered.
Jaden lay beside her, staring up at the sky. He reached out, taking her hand in his. "It is," he agreed quietly, the stars twinkling above them as they hurtled back down toward the planet.
The wind rushed around them as they plummeted, but then a familiar sound cut through the noise. A beeping came from Jaden's commlink. He furrowed his brow and brought it up, activating it.
A series of urgent beeps followed. "SD8?" Jaden said in disbelief, sitting up quickly.
More beeps answered him, and he looked into the distance. His ship, the familiar shape of the vessel, was barreling toward them through the sky. Jaden's heart raced with both surprise and relief. Aubrie sat up beside him, her eyes wide.
They looked at each other, stunned, before laughing with pure relief. Jaden pulled her into a hug, their bodies shaking from the adrenaline still coursing through them.
The ship drew closer, lining itself up with the falling platform. The wind was intense, but SD8 seemed to know what it was doing. "We need to jump," Jaden said, his voice steady despite the chaos around them.
Aubrie nodded, and they both stood, steadying themselves on the edge of the platform. The ship's cargo bay doors opened beneath them, waiting for them to make their move.
"Now!" Jaden shouted, grabbing Aubrie's hand as they leapt from the platform. They fell through the sky for a brief moment before landing in the cargo bay with a thud. They rolled as they hit the ground but quickly scrambled to their feet, both looking at each other in disbelief that they had survived.
Jaden and Aubrie walked through the corridors of the ship, their footsteps echoing on the metal floor. The door to the bridge slid open, and they stepped inside. SD8 was waiting for them, the small droid scurrying up Jaden's shoulder, its mechanical limbs clicking softly. Jaden gave a small nod, acknowledging the droid's presence.
In the corner, Aurora sat, her wrists bound, her expression blank. She had disappeared early on in their mission, leaving without a word. It seemed she had come back to fix the ship, but SD8 had dealt with her. Jaden looked over at the droid, his brow raised.
"How did you subdue her?" Jaden asked, glancing between Aurora and the droid.
SD8 beeped rapidly, its response coming in quick bursts. The droid explained how it had turned off the life support system when Aurora was asleep. The explanation was simple, efficient, and cold.
Aubrie's eyes flickered with unease. The thought of turning off the life support on someone while they slept felt harsh, even brutal. She glanced at Jaden, her discomfort clear.
Jaden, however, gave SD8 a nod of approval. "Well done," he said, his tone calm as he praised the droid for its quick thinking. He moved to the pilot seat, sitting down and placing his hands on the controls. Jaden navigated through the sky, his focus on reaching the Defender. In the distance, the large vessel came into sight, its massive shape moving steadily into the atmosphere.
Jaden guided the ship closer, the Defender's hangar bay doors opening to receive them. The ship glided into the hangar, touching down softly on the metal floor. As the ramp lowered, Jaden and Aubrie stepped out, their eyes scanning the massive space.
Thousands of people filled the hangar. Men, women, and children—all Jabiimi—stood packed together, their faces marked with exhaustion and relief. The remaining Republic forces mingled with the civilians, organizing the groups. Jaden realized Admiral Novak had managed to transport as many Jabiimi as he could, knowing the planet was destabilizing and time was running out.
Jaden exchanged a glance with Aubrie before moving forward, his mind still focused on the situation at hand. The Defender's engines roared to life as the ship lifted off, breaking free from the atmosphere of Jabiim. The rumble of the engines filled the hangar as the ship tilted upward, escaping the volcanic eruptions below.
In space, the Defender shot forward, navigating through the blockade of Separatist ships. Red and green laser fire streaked across the dark void, but the Defender continued its path, undeterred. The Separatists tried to halt their escape, but the Defender's shields held firm, deflecting most of the damage.
With a final burst of speed, the Defender's engines flared, and the ship entered hyperspace. The stars stretched into long lines as the ship jumped, leaving the Jabiim sector far behind. Onboard, the ship carried nearly 10,000 Jabiimi and the surviving Republic forces.
————————————————————-
(Serrano)
Count Dooku knelt on the cold stone floor of his fortress on Serrano, his cape draped behind him. In front of him, a holoprojector flickered to life, casting a pale blue light. The shadowy figure of Darth Sidious appeared, towering and ominous.
"Darth Tyranus..." Sidious's voice was low, cold. "What news do you have?"
Dooku hesitated. He had always chosen his words carefully with his master, but this news required more than care—it required preparation for his master's wrath. He straightened, his tone calm but weighed with the gravity of failure.
"Our plans have failed, master," Dooku said, his voice firm despite the tension building in his chest. "Jabiim remains intact. Our ground forces are eliminated. Alto Stratus and Tol Skor are dead. The Mass Shadow Generator is destroyed."
The silence that followed was deafening. Sidious's face remained expressionless for a long moment, his eyes piercing through the holo. Then, finally, he spoke, his voice even lower than before.
"What of Jaden... the false Jedi?"
"He still lives," Dooku admitted.
Instantly, a crushing force gripped Dooku's throat, his breath stolen from him. His body tensed, and he fell forward, clawing at his neck. The walls of the fortress groaned under the weight of Sidious's power, stone cracking, windows shattering. Dooku gasped as the pressure increased, his vision blurring, his mind consumed by the unbearable pain.
Sidious's voice dripped with malice. "It seems I must handle things myself."
The holoprojector flickered out, the image of Sidious vanishing. The invisible grip around Dooku's neck loosened, and he collapsed to the floor, coughing, his body trembling.
(AN: So that's it boys and girls. The end of the Jabiim arc. It's been a while and tbh I'm not a huge fan of this chapter. Towards the end I just kinda wanted to end things so it may seem a little rushed. Btw these last two chapters ended up being 20,000 words combined. Bruh. That's like 5 chapters I could've written in that time. Ah well. Anyway I think I'm gonna take a break for a few days before I continue writing I'm feeling a little burnt out and I woke up today with an ear infection. Anyway hope you enjoyed the chapter)
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