บท 30: Message
Aubrie and her squad were huddled behind a crumbling wall, the last vestige of a building that had long since been destroyed by the war. The rain was relentless, pouring down in thick sheets that turned the ground beneath them into a muddy mess. Explosions shook the earth, sending up showers of mud and debris that coated everything and everyone in a layer of grime. Aubrie's heart pounded in her chest as she peered over the edge of the wall, her eyes scanning the battlefield for any sign of an opening. But all she could see were hundreds of battle droids advancing on their position, their blaster fire tearing through the air around them.
Behind her, the charred and burned bodies of Zule and Scout lay motionless, their skin blistered and blackened from the intense heat of the explosions. They were barely alive, the only thing keeping them from slipping away entirely was the force that Aubrie was desperately channeling into them. But she knew it wasn't enough. They needed help, and they needed it fast.
The clones from Jaden's squad had found them just in time, their heavy weapons allowing them to put up a solid defense. One of the clones had set up a rotary blaster cannon on a broken wall, the barrel glowing red as it spewed out a continuous stream of laser fire. Another clone was firing rockets into the mass of droids, causing massive explosions that sent metal parts flying in every direction.
But it wasn't enough. The droids kept coming, their relentless advance pushing Aubrie and her squad further and further back. She had managed to get in touch with Jaden, who had assured her that he was on the way with reinforcements, but as time went on, it was becoming more and more likely that they would die before any of them arrived.
Aubrie gritted her teeth as she activated her lightsaber, the blue blade humming to life in her hand. She leaped over the wall, deflecting blaster bolts as she charged towards the droids. Her movements were a blur of speed and precision, her lightsaber cutting through metal like a hot knife through butter. But for every droid she destroyed, two more took its place.
A rocket exploded nearby, the force of the blast throwing her to the ground. She groaned as she pushed herself up, pain radiating through her body from the injuries she had already sustained. Her vision blurred for a moment before she forced herself to focus. She could hear the screams of the clones as they fell, one by one, under the overwhelming firepower of the droids.
"Hold the line!" she shouted, her voice barely audible over the cacophony of battle. But she knew it was a losing fight. They were being overwhelmed, outnumbered, and outgunned. She spun around just in time to see a droid raising its blaster to fire at her. She swung her lightsaber, deflecting the shot back into the droid's head, but the effort left her open to another shot that grazed her shoulder, sending a searing pain through her arm.
She stumbled back, clutching her injured shoulder as the droid pressed forward. Before it could fire again, a clone stepped in front of her, taking the shot meant for her. He fell to the ground, his body smoking from the direct hit. Aubrie screamed in ofrustration and grief, lashing out with the force to send the droids flying back.
But it wasn't enough. Nothing they were doing was enough. The droids were too many, they didn't feel fear, they couldn't be reasoned with. Aubrie could feel the weight of despair settling in her chest, but she forced it down, focusing instead on the task at hand. They had to survive. They had to hold on until Jaden arrived.
The droids were closing in now, their blaster fire coming in thick and fast. Aubrie ducked behind the wall again, panting heavily as she tried to catch her breath. The clones around her were doing their best to hold the line, but they were running out of ammo. But on the edge of her senses she could feel something, she looked up and relief flooded her when she saw Jaden leaping from one of the buildings. Jaden dropped between the droids, his boots hitting the ground with a solid thud. As his hand slammed into the earth, a powerful force shockwave radiated outward. The ground cracked under the pressure, and droids were thrown back, crashing into each other like tin cans. Metal limbs, heads, and torsos scattered across the field, smoking and sparking as they hit the ground.
Jaden didn't pause. His hand snapped to his belt, and his lightsaber ignited with a sharp hiss, the blue blade cutting through the smoke-filled air. He moved forward, stepping into the path of a B1 battle droid, and with a swift upward slash, he cleaved it in two. The halves sparked as they tumbled apart. Another droid raised its blaster, but Jaden's lightsaber was already swinging, slicing through its arm and then bisecting it at the waist. He turned, thrusting the blade backward to impale a droid that had come up behind him, pulling it free just in time to deflect a volley of blaster bolts that were sent his way. Jaden's movements were fast, each strike meant to annihilate his opponent. He ducked under a hail of blaster fire, then spun low, cutting through the legs of two droids, sending them toppling over. As he stood, he brought his lightsaber up in a sweeping arc, severing the heads of three more droids that had closed in on him. His hand shot out, and a droid caught in his force grip crumpled like paper, collapsing into a heap of twisted metal.
Jaden then leaped high into the air, deflecting blaster fire as he ascended, and came down hard on another group of droids, slicing through them. His lightsaber was a blur, the blue blade cutting through the droid battalion, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. As he finished off the last of the immediate threats, he flipped backward, landing behind the barricade where Aubrie and the remaining clones had taken cover.
"Master!" Aubrie's voice was filled with a mix of relief and desperation as she saw Jaden. Her usual calm demeanor had crumbled, and she rushed to Jaden, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace. Through their bond, Jaden felt the fear and anxiety that had been eating away at her. It was almost overwhelming. Jaden's eyes flicked to the still forms of Zule and Scout, his stomach twisting at the sight. Their bodies were charred, burned, and broken, only their faint breathing a sign that they were still clinging to life. He felt a wave of nausea rise in his throat. "Are they...?"
Aubrie shook her head, her expression pained. "I've kept them alive, but I don't know how long they'll last." Her voice trembled with exhaustion and worry.
Before Jaden could respond, a blaster explosion detonated nearby, sending dirt and debris raining down over them. He instinctively pulled Aubrie close, shielding her from the blast. The air was thick with smoke and the acrid scent of burnt metal.
"It looks like we won't be lasting much longer either," Aubrie muttered, her voice tight with fear.
Jaden's resolve hardened. He stood up, igniting his lightsaber again. He took a deep breath, feeling the dark side's seductive pull as it whispered power into his ear. His eyes flared yellow as he extended his arm, sending out a massive blast of force energy that cleared the battlefield in front of them, droids shattering and exploding under the pressure. Without hesitation, Jaden leaped from behind the barricade, charging into the remnants of the droid battalion. His lightsaber flashed, carving a path through the metal horde. He slashed through a droid's torso, then spun to sever the arm of another that was about to fire on him. With a flick of his wrist, he sent a dozen droids crashing into each other, their bodies crumpling under the impact.
Aubrie watched in horror as Jaden unleashed his fury on the droids. She could feel the dark side's corruption in him, a deep well of rage and hatred that drove his every move. She had sensed the taint of the dark side on him when he arrived, something she didn't understand, as when Jaden had first used the dark side it had left no mark on him which made her think perhaps he wasn't using it. She was terrified, not for the droids that he was annihilating with ease but for Jaden himself. This was not the man she knew. This was something darker, and it scared her.
Jaden, on the other hand, felt invincible. The dark side coursed through him, filling him with a power he had never known before. He clenched his fist, and droids crumbled to the ground, their metal frames buckling under the pressure. He waved his hand, and a dozen more were crushed, their circuits sparking and smoking as they were destroyed. A smile spread across his face as he reveled in the destruction. But Aubrie couldn't take it anymore. Desperate to bring Jaden back, she jumped over the barrier igniting her lightsaber and she reached out and tried to grab his shoulder. Jaden spun around, his lightsaber swinging toward her before he even realized what he was doing. Aubrie barely managed to block the blow, but the force of it knocked her to the ground. Jaden froze, his heart pounding in his chest as he recognized her. The yellow in his eyes flickered, the dark side's hold on him wavering for a moment. He turned back to the droids, deflecting their blaster fire with his lightsaber, but his movements were less aggressive now, more controlled.
"Master, please," Aubrie's voice was soft but pleading. "Zule and Scout need you... please stop."
Jaden hesitated, his hand trembling as he held his lightsaber. The dark side still whispered in his ear, urging him to continue the fight, to destroy every last droid on the battlefield. But the worry and fear that pulsed through his bond with Aubrie pulled him back from the brink. Reluctantly, he extinguished his lightsaber and rushed back behind the barricade with her.
He knelt beside Zule and Scout, his heart heavy as he tried to calm himself. He closed his eyes, drawing on the force to heal them, but something was wrong. It was more difficult than it should have been, the healing process slow and labored. He struggled to channel the force, sweat dripping down his face as he focused all his energy on their wounds.
"Aubrie..." he breathed out, his voice strained.
Aubrie moved next to him, understanding what he needed without words. She placed her hands over Zule and Scout, adding her own power to his. Together, they worked to mend the torn flesh and burnt tissue, but it was a long, grueling process. Even after they had finished, Zule and Scout remained unconscious, their breathing shallow and weak.
Aubrie collapsed beside him, her energy spent. Jaden panted heavily, his mind racing with confusion. Healing recent wounds like these should have been effortless... but this time, it had taken everything out of him. He didn't understand why.
Another explosion rocked the ground near them, shaking Jaden from his thoughts. He stood up, bringing out his lightsaber once more, ready to continue the fight. But before he could move, a massive explosion erupted from the center of the droids, sending a shockwave through the battlefield. Jaden looked up to see Lock and the reinforcements charging in, clones and Jabiimi fighters overwhelming the remaining droids with sheer numbers. The tide had finally turned.
Jaden took a deep breath, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle over him. Today's events had taken a toll on both his body and mind, but for now, the battle was over.
...
Jaden sat in a small, empty room within the captured city, listening to Satele Shan's projection. It had been a few hours since they took control, and Jaden had asked for some time alone. He activated Satele's holocron, seeking answers to the difficulties he had encountered during the recent battle, particularly why healing his comrades had been so challenging.
"I just don't understand why it was so hard to heal them..." Jaden muttered, frustration evident in his voice.
Satele moved closer, her holographic form flickering slightly. "You used the Dark Side..." she said, not framing it as a question but as a statement.
Jaden remained silent for a moment. There was no use in lying—she could sense it. "I did. I had to," he responded, though his voice carried a hint of doubt.
Satele sighed, her expression one of concern rather than judgment. "I won't question whether you had to use it... But I must tell you the consequences of your actions." Her tone was stern, yet compassionate. "There are many Force abilities that can be used by both the Light and Dark sides. Healing, however, is not one of them. Healing is an entirely selfless act, giving a part of yourself to help another. The Dark Side is inherently selfish, bending the Force to your will. The stronger the taint of the Dark Side, the more difficult it is to use abilities of the Light."
Jaden's gaze fell to the floor, his emotions swirling. He had saved so many with his ability to heal, and now that very power was weakened because of his use of the Dark Side. He felt like a fool, cursing himself for not thinking about the consequences of his actions.
"It's okay, Jaden... you didn't know," Satele said gently, sensing his turmoil. "You were not raised a Jedi. You weren't taught the dangers of the Dark Side from a young age." Jaden remained silent, taking a deep breath before deactivating the holocron. He sat in the room for a moment longer, gathering his thoughts, "I'll talk to you soon," Jaden said to Satele, before deactivating the Holocron.
A few minutes later a clone entered, informing him that everyone was gathered and waiting for his next orders. Nodding, Jaden followed the clone out of the room, heading toward the Hammer, the command center now situated in the middle of the city. As he entered the makeshift medical bay inside the Hammer, Jaden asked the clone medic about the condition of Aubrie, Zule, and Scout. The medic responded that they were stable but would be out of commission for some time due to exhaustion.
Lock, who had been waiting, approached Jaden. "What's our next move, General?"
Jaden looked at Orion, the Jabiimi leader, and asked, "How many cities or villages are nearby?"
Orion quickly responded, "Around ten or so within a day's march."
Jaden nodded before turning to the rest of the gathered soldiers and allies. He began to outline his plan, the details were laid out clearly, though what he was proposing was nothing short of insane. As he finished, Orion stepped forward, his face pale. "This is insane. You can't do this!" His voice carried a mix of disbelief and fear.
Another Jabiimi soldier spoke up, echoing Orion's sentiment. "This plan... it's too much. We've already lost so much. This... this is going too far."
Jaden's eyes narrowed as he looked at them, frustration building. "In war, there are sacrifices. They'll have their lives... that's all I can give them."
The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of Jaden's words sinking in. But the protests continued, voices rising in a chorus of fear and dissent. Jaden's patience snapped, and he slammed his hand on the console, silencing the room with the loud thud. "What should we do then?" he shouted, his voice carrying the frustration and desperation of a man pushed to the edge. "Our enemy outnumbers us, outguns us, and has beaten us to the ground time and time again. So tell me, what should we do?"
The silence that followed was deafening. No one had an answer. They all knew the reality of their situation, but facing it head-on was another matter entirely. Jaden's voice softened, though it retained its edge. "This plan is the only chance we have. Now, get to work. Once you're finished, we're heading to Cobalt Station."
The room slowly emptied as the soldiers and Jabiimi prepared to carry out Jaden's orders, the weight of their mission hanging heavily over them. Jaden remained behind for a moment, staring at the map on the holotable. He knew the risks. He knew the cost. But he also knew that this was their only shot at victory. There was no room for hesitation. Not now. Not ever.
————————————————————-
Alto Stratus stood in the command center, eyes fixed on the holo-displays showing the approaching Separatist forces. Thousands of battle droids, flanked by tanks and artillery, were on the march toward Cobalt Station. The final battle was near, and victory seemed certain. Alto could taste it. Less than a day away from wiping the Republic base off the map and securing Jabiim's freedom. He turned to his officers, who stood at attention around the command center, their faces reflecting the same anticipation that burned within him.
Alto grabbed a glass from a nearby table and raised it high. "To Jabiim," he declared, his voice strong and confident. "To our freedom—from the Republic, from the Separatists. We will be masters of our own fate."
The officers echoed his toast, raising their glasses in unison. The room filled with the sound of clinking glass and triumphant cheers as they celebrated the culmination of their struggle. For too long, they had fought, bled, and sacrificed everything to see this day. Alto looked around at the men and women who had stood by his side, and for a brief moment, he allowed himself to feel hope. The celebration was suddenly cut short when Colonel Mazzi, his most trusted officer, entered the room with an urgent look on his face. The room fell silent as Mazzi approached Alto, holding a data pad. "Sir, we've just received a message from the capital," Mazzi announced, his tone grave.
Alto's eyes narrowed. "Play it," he ordered, still riding the high of impending victory. But as the holographic image flickered to life, his good mood evaporated in an instant. The familiar face of Jaden appeared on the holocommunicator, the same man who had nearly killed him in Choal. The room, which had been buzzing with excitement just moments before, now fell into an uneasy silence.
"You must be confused," Jaden's voice began, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Wondering how you're seeing this message, wracking your brain trying to figure it out. The truth is, I outmaneuvered you, just like you did to me in Choal. But that only cost me a battle—this has cost you the war."
Alto's face darkened, his grip tightening on the edge of the table as he listened. Jaden's words were like daggers, each one twisting deeper into his pride.
"You've committed the entirety of your forces to a remnant of the Republic's," Jaden continued, his tone mocking. "Meanwhile, my forces have taken the capital and are ransacking it. No more supplies. No more Separatist reinforcements. You may have won the battle of Choal, but you've lost the war. Outsmarted by a fifteen-year-old."
Alto's rage boiled over, his face turning red with fury as Jaden's taunts echoed in the room. The officers around him exchanged uneasy glances, sensing the storm that was about to erupt.
"Your communications are destroyed, your reinforcements annihilated. You've lost. All the sacrifices you made—your people, your cause—they've all been for nothing. You will be remembered as the monster who slaughtered his own people." Jaden's smile widened, the final insult that broke Alto's restraint. With a primal roar, Alto smashed his fist into the holotable, shattering the glass and sending sparks flying. The force of the blow was so strong that it ripped the table from the ground, and with a surge of adrenaline, Alto hurled it across the room, where it crashed against the wall, pieces of it scattering across the floor.
Breathing heavily, his eyes wild with fury, Alto turned to Colonel Mazzi, who had stepped back in shock at the outburst. "Prepare everyone to march towards the capital," Alto ordered, his voice a dangerous growl.
Mazzi, who had known Alto longer than anyone else in the room, did not move immediately. Instead, he stepped forward, trying to reason with the man who had led them this far. "Alto, you're acting rashly," Mazzi began, his voice calm but firm. "We're close to wiping out the main Republic force. Leaving now would undo everything we've worked for."
Alto's fists clenched, his knuckles white with tension. "You dare to question my orders?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing.
"Sir," Mazzi continued, his gaze steady. "Moving our forces now, when victory is so close, could be disastrous. We need to stay focused on the objective."
Without warning, Alto lunged forward, grabbing Mazzi by the collar and lifting him off the ground. "I said prepare everyone to march!" he snarled, his face inches from Mazzi's. "Follow my orders, or I'll find someone who will."
The room was thick with tension, the other officers frozen in place, unsure of what to do. Mazzi, despite the precarious situation, held Alto's gaze, refusing to back down. After a long, tense moment, Alto released his grip, shoving Mazzi back.
"Take half the forces to Cobalt Station," Alto commanded, his voice cold and resolute. "Destroy the base and everyone in it. I'll take the other half and crush the forces in the capital myself."
Mazzi hesitated, knowing this was a terrible idea, but the look in Alto's eyes left no room for further argument. "Yes, sir," he finally replied, turning to relay the orders.
Alto stormed out of the command center, his mind racing with thoughts of revenge. Jaden had made a fool of him, but that would end soon enough. One way or another, Alto Stratus would have his victory, even if it meant tearing Jabiim apart to do it.
(AN: So what is Jadens plan, who knows, you'll see it soon and though. Next battle is the Battle of Cobalt Station and after that we shall be approaching the end game of this arc. The mass shadow generator, will Jaden be able to stop it. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.)
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