~~~(POV: Nathan Opal)~~~
~~~(Location: Exiting Hyperspace, Balmorra)~~~
The view of Balmorra comes through the flight deck's window as I exit Hyperspace. I sense many Sith and Jedi on this world. I input the commands that are needed to land on the surface, and I watch the ship bring itself down and land in a remote mountain range. The views are nice, and I see distant skirmishes in multiple directions. My mission is complicated here.
Speaking to the Balmorran resistance means that I'll have to do so while Jedi are present, along with Republic forces. That isn't too big an issue. The biggest is convincing that I'm here to help without hurting or intimidating the Balmorran resistance. Demonstrating my force powers is an incredible form of intimidation. That won't help me here.
I close my eyes and spread out my senses, using the force to feel who I need to find first. My connection tells me who I need to find. A resistance leader named Vera Lorell, and she's located about 25 kilometers away from here. In a secret base that isn't on any maps, the reason I know this is cause The Force tells me.
It doesn't have a voice, but it implants the correct information in my head, essentially telling me what I need to know. "Vera Lorell... Has a warrior ring to it... Time to get a move on..." My body is filled with force energy, and I leap from the crevis in the mountain, and I land a kilometer away from the mountain range. I can travel great distances using my force leap and force run.
~~~(POV: Vera Lorell)~~~
~~~(Location: Secret resistance base, Balmorra)~~~
~~~(Time: Around 30 minutes after Nathan Landed on Balmorra)~~~
My forces are holding out well in some sectors, but in others, we're failing miserably. The Republic help has been seen in the results we're getting, but if the fighting continues this way, we'll never get our planet back from the Empire. Out of nowhere, multiple sensor alarms go off, and everyone in the room begins to scramble to defensive systems.
Dozens of cameras come to life, and the cameras find the source of the movement. Jedi Master Naero Plaaser barges into the room, and she's looking like something bad is coming. We all look to the screen, and there is a single hooded figure standing on the ledge over the massive and heavy latch sealing us inside. "What the hell..." This is random to me.
Master Plaaser runs and stands by my side. "Tell your men not to engage this man! He's not someone to be trifled with!" I've never seen her act like this before, and I need to take her warning seriously. I give the orders and the troops on their way to engage him to stop and return to a safe chokepoint. He stands there, unmoving.
My eyes widen as I see what's happening. He lifts his left hand, and we all watch as the massive latch that's composed of the strongest metals in the galaxy be crushed and ripped off its hinges like it's nothing. He flicks his hand, and the thing that protects us flies into the side of a mountain and is buried so deep you can't see it.
My head darts over to where Master Plaaser is supposed to be, but she's gone. I look behind me, and I see her turning the corner leading to the entrance that's just been broken open. "What do we do now, Ma'am?" One of the technicians voices his concerns, and he breaks the sense of fear and wonderment that's around the room.
~~~(POV: Jedi Master Naero Plaaser)~~~
~~~(Location: Secret resistance base, Balmorra)~~~
I can't believe the most powerful force user in the galaxy is here on Balmorra! Showing up at the resistance leadership and breaking into the base! "There isn't any damn time!" I'd love to contact the Jedi council for help and guidance, but I need to ensure that Nathan doesn't get any deeper into the facility. Even if that means I have to give up my own life.
I turn the final corner, and I see him standing in the middle of the entranceway with sunlight shining down on him from the opening he's created. He turns his head and looks at me. It's easy to know when Nathan is near. When he's not hiding his power, he's like a beacon. "A Jedi Master... I should've figured..." He stands with his arms at his side, and I know I can't beat him.
[Here is a Flashback Chapter, something I said I was going to use to explain Nathans time at Tython. We're at a point in the story where I can start doing this.]
~~~(POV: Nathan Opal)~~~
~~~(Location: Tython, Jedi Academy)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 9 and a half)~~~
It's been hard since mom and dad have left me, and I try my best with these classes. It's hard adjusting my life... "Opal, are you listening?" My thoughts are interrupted by the teacher of this class outside. Master Caleb is trying to explain to us how Meditation and pulling The Force into ourselves work. He's very patient with all of us.
My eyes meet his, and I can see he's waiting for my answer. "Sorry, Master Caleb... I was distracted by my thoughts..." The other younglings around me have been doing things longer than I have, but I'm slowly getting used to how things work here. Dorwill and Keilara are in different rows in front of me, and they're the only friends I've made so far.
Master Caleb turns around and heads to the stone platform in front of us. He sits down and crosses his legs. "Today, we're going to put what we've taught you about Meditation into practice. This is one of the most important lessons you'll have. Meditation is important for every Jedi's relationship with The Force." The Force... Something still mysterious to me...
People tell me my connection is strong, and I've experienced some things in my life. The Force is still confusing to me, though... I've only been consciously practicing my powers for about a month now. "People connect to The Force at different rates and levels when they first start. It could be quick, and it could take you a long time." The other younglings around me are nervous.
They're not the only ones. I've lost control of my powers on Alderaan and Tatooine... I don't want that happening here... "Now, younglings, take a comfortable and relaxed pose while sitting and close your eyes." The rest of the kids around me follow his instructions, and I look around as I'm the last one left. Master Caleb sees me and encourages me to try with a nod.
Here goes nothing... I settle into a relaxed state, and I close my eyes. There is the soft grass below me and the sounds of the wildlife and forests of Tython that surround all of us. My mind is relaxed, and I try to connect to The Force. In an instant, I'm filled with a familiar feeling. One that I've had on Tatooine and Alderaan. The feeling gets deeper and deeper.
The noise from Tython drowns out into silence, and the feeling continues to grow. My heart rate slows, and I feel everyone around me. Some are connecting to The Force, and others have yet to connect. My eyes open, but I'm met with a strange and scary sight. I'm no longer on Tython. I'm on a lush and green world. A place that feels familiar to me.
The Force is telling me to move forward, and I do. After a few minutes of walking, I see a massive clear and beautiful lake. My eyes land on a white-haired woman sitting on the edge of the stream leading into the lake. She lifts her head in alarm and turns her body around to see me. I'm far away from her on a hill, but I can make out her features perfectly.
She starts running towards me. She's completely nude. Before she can get halfway to me, the world fades away at speeds I can't tell. The best description I can give is the same look you get from hyperspace. The last thing I saw was her crying face and tears running down her cheeks as she reached out. My eyes jolt open as I take a deep breath.
I sit up in the bed that I'm in, and something must've happened. My head feels light, and I feel sick. The next thing I know, I'm filling up a waste bin with vomit. The door to the room hisses open, and I see Master Caleb and Master Max come into the room. Master Max is in a far fouler mood than I've seen him in the time that I've had him as a teacher.