Force Fall Episode I: War of Attrition/narrative

Part 1
Darkness, a rancid odor and amnesia. These were the things that plagued a man who had become stuck in an unfamiliar (or familiar) environment. The man unlocked his legs and stretched them outward, repeating the same with his arms and down the darkness he slid. Eventually, he slid out of the confined space into a more spacious squared off area. A small crack of light shone in from the top. The man reached, threw open the top and had his location revealed to him. A dumpster, he was in a putrid, rotten dumpster, he must have slid down a garbage shoot. He briefly pondered why he was in the garbage shoot before realizing that he was still in the dumpster and climbing out. “Someone must be after me or have thrown me in there. Either way, someone on this planet wants me dead.” he reasoned aloud.

The man heard the distinct sound of footsteps hitting the pavement and hid by the dumpster, while stealthily peering around it to see who or what passed by. Two men in black uniform with the initials GF stitched into them and armed with blasters passed by. The authorities. Surely they would help him. The amnesiac picked up his walking pace and approached the more well shaven of the two men.

“Eugh, what's that stench, Samuel?” spoke the well shaven soldier. “You smelt it, you do dealt it, Gordo.” replied Samuel. The two soldiers quickly turned around when realization hit them like Durasteel, someone was behind them. “Ugh man, you smell awful. How did you even come to smell that bad, you'd about have to crawl in a dumpster.” “I am in need of serious help, I awoke in a dumpster and I'm suffering memory loss.” The amnesic replied to Samuel “Well, what do you want us to do about it?” “You guys are in uniform, aren't you the authorities?”

Samuel and Gordo exchanged concerned glances. “We're going to be late if we don't hurry, Samuel.” “Get back to the Duty and make up some excuse for me. We can't just leave this poor sap to himself when he can't even remember who the Galactic Federation is.” “Fine, just hurry.” Gordo sprinted off, leaving Samuel and the man alone. “I am not with the authorities, I am with the authority or to be more specific the Galactic Federation. Look, I need to get going, we were here on business related to the war and that business has been taken care of.” War. The thought of it made the amnesic's skin crawl, something about the thought of war felt very personal to him. “I feel like I had some sort of personal stake in the war, no, I feel like I have one. I can't remember anything about my life, so I have no reason to stay here, can I go with you?” “If this is what you want, then fine. I'll take you to the captain of the Duty, he will have to clear you for service.”

The stars whooshed by as two star ships, Void Hounds, raced towards the Blood Conglomerate's flagship. The radio in Hemlin Bright's Void Hound briefly crackled static, Hemlin made a couple of calibrations and then Hal Jax’s voice became audible. “So far so good. We'll be on the Gilded Mind soon, be ready for anything.” “Roger that. Darro is going down this time, 3rd time's the charm.” “There's a reason the others failed, Bright. Be ready for anything.” The shields dissipated as the Void Hounds neared. “Hal, the shields! Did the generator short out?” “Possibly, I can't tell. I'm not getting any readings, but this is too coincidental and could be a trap.” “Impossible, they can't possibly know that we are here, we slipped by all the patrols undetected. Besides, even if they did somehow know, we can't pass this up, Blood has to die and it could be ages before we get another opportunity.” “I agree, but I have a bad feeling about this.”

The Force-wielding pilots leaped out of their Void Hounds as soon as they touched down in the Gilded Mind's hangar, they found themselves in a hangar with only two guards. The two Devotees of Ashla activated their lightsabers, their blue and green hues flashed off the walls as they dispatched their opponents without giving them time to react. The two Devotees paused and reached out with the Force in an effort to pinpoint Darro Blood's location on the ship. “Do you sense it, Bright?” “Blood is in two different locations.” “We are going to need to split up, I'll take care of whoever is at the communications room and you take of the one at the bridge.” “Alright, let's do this!” “Hemlin.” “Yes, Hal?” “May the Force be with you.”

The amnesic man and Captain Weizmann were the only occupants of the cafeteria aboard Duty. The two men sat at the table closest to the South East corner of the room, the table did not have food on it, only elbows. “Lieutenant Zechu tells me that you wish to join us and that you are suffering from amnesia, am I correct?” “Yes, Captain.” “How do I know that you aren't a spy and why should I bother with you?” The man was taken aback by the question, he did not expect it to be one that came up, but it was a fair and sensible question. “You don't. The way I see it, this is my last chance at life. You could kill me and have me thrown overboard right now, but it wouldn't matter, my life is already over in the sense that I can't remember any of it. When I heard that there was a war I felt compelled to help end it, I don't know why, but I suspect that I was somehow affected by it before I lost my memories.”

The two men sat in silence for a moment, the Captain casually scratched his head while in deep thought. “I want you to understand that your request is unusual, but I will grant it. However, you will have restricted access to this ship until such a time comes that I feel that I trust you. You are to undergo all of the physical exercises that the troops and pilots aboard do, furthermore, you are to practice with the flight simulator everyday in the event that we ever become shorthanded and you are needed to pilot. Is that understood?” Yes, Captain.” “Very well, what shall I call you?” The amnesiac thought briefly before a name shot into his head without warning. “Graves, I think my name is Graves.” “Very well, Ensign Graves, go to the dormitory and get some sleep, tomorrow will be a busy day.” “Yes, Captain.” Graves began to walk away, but paused when he heard Captain Weizmann's voice. “Oh and one more thing.” “What is it, Sir?” “Keep your distance from Grand Marshall Vulpter unless you are summoned by him, he is... moody.”

Part 2
Hal Jax scratched his beard as he proceeded down the corridor, not because it was itchy, but to calm himself, he may have been an expert at projecting a calm appearance, but in truth he was afraid. There was a reason that the two other teams sent to assassinate Darro had failed, his immense power. Jax had intended to take on Darro with the help of Bright, but now that plan was shot, he was going to have to face him by himself or whoever he was advancing towards. Hal arrived at the door that led to the communications room and paused, whoever was on the other side had sensed him. This is it, no use trying to take him by surprise now. Hal lowered his hand from his beard to his belt and plucked off his lightsaber; he ignited it, briefly admiring its green glow before strolling into the communications room.

Panic, fear and confusion coursed through Hal when he felt the presence radiate from the entirety of the communications room, he had no idea where in the room his opponent was! A male voice echoed throughout the room. “You just had to come to me, you and the other Ashlan couldn't have both went to Darro as I had planned. Perhaps things aren't ruined, perhaps your friend will be able to take care of my father and I wouldn't have wasted my time in lowering the shields and dispatching the guards to the other end of the ship in an effort to contain the prisoners that I released.” “You wanted us to do the dirty work so that you could take control of the Blood Conglomerate, is that it?!” “Of course, the galaxy belongs to me.”

A flash of red energy cleaved towards Hal faster than the average human could blink. Although not able to discern where his opponent was located, Hal was able to sense the danger headed his way and in response he reflexively ducked and caught the red blade on his green one. After batting away the red blade, Hal leapt backwards in an effort to create some distance between him and his assailant so that he might be able to discern his location, the effort did not pay off. A flurry of red energy rained down at Hal from above, Hal batted wildly, missing with each strike, but succeeding in keeping his opponent's assault at bay. The communications consoles, he's on the consoles! Hal somersaulted and stuck a landing on one of the rooms various communication consoles. The lights flickered off. He saw something move in the dark, a dark cloak, perhaps. Hal stabbed the darkness with his green blade and heard the sizzling of fabric and then a grunt of pain. The dark cloak on Hal's lightsaber continued to plunge forward onto the blade until it tore off. Hal looked down and soon realized that he had made the grunt and that he was in pain, what was unmistakably the red blade of a lightsaber protruded from Hal's stomach. He threw his cloak in front of me. Hal fell dead, never catching a glimpse of his killer.

The distinct sound of a beeping holo-communicater filled the bridge of Gilded Mind, Darro Blood reached into a hidden pocket underneath his cloak and fished it out. After a few button presses, a small middle-aged black haired female clad in red armor appeared. “Do you have an update for me on the situation in the brig, Grand Marshal Dent?” “The situation remains unchanged, we're are holding them at Section D, we have all possible routes between Section D and the Hangar blocked off.” “Do NOT make me come down there. I want them all the assets alive and back in the brig, resolve this immediately.” Darro Blood switched off the holo-communicater and pocketed it before Kara Dent could respond.

Darro Blood motioned upwards with his arms and used the Force to pull down a large portion of the ventilation system on the bridge, Hemlin Bright searched for something to grasp or to slow his fall, but failed. Hemlin fell and hit the ground near Blood, a faint snap could be heard. “It sounds like you broke something, assassin.” “Some ribs. How did you know?” “I've been at this long before you were born.” Bright slowly began to rise and was met with one of Darro Blood's boots to his ribs, he tumbled backwards and hit the ground again. Blood brought his thumb and index finger together aiming at Hemlin and motioning up, Hemlin was lifted up off the floor and began coughing as his throat began to tighten shut. Darro's eyes gleamed from behind his mask and widened with joy when Hemlin was able to free himself from his Force induced choke-hold. I haven't had a good fight in a long time.

Reaching out with the Force Bright was able to partially mend his broken ribs, thanks to this, he was able to keep his footing. Bright leaped in an effort to create more room between himself and Blood, he thumbed on his lightsaber, while in mid-air, and threw it at Blood. Red illuminated the room as Darro ignited his lightsaber, successfully blocking the stray blade by batting it with his own causing the blue bladed lightsaber to switch off and hit the floor with a thud. Hemlin yanked his lightsaber back to him with the Force when Darro attempted to grab it. Without warning, the lights went out and the room darkened. The two combatants met in the middle of the room, while swinging their energy blades frantically at each other, the room became illuminated by a shower of blue and red sparks born of battle.

The duelists broke off from each other and fell back to opposite sides of the room. Darro and Hemlin ran at each other full speed, both leaped and met in the air, blades swung wildly and both met their marks. Hemlin and Darro landed on the floor; Darro gently, Hemlin hard. Bright screamed in agony as he forced himself to his feet, he had gained some new broken ribs in addition to his partially healed ones re-breaking, the pain was immense, he struggled to open his eyes. He brought his left arm to his face and began lightly patting it, his right eye was gone, it had been melted away when it came into contact with Darro Blood's lightsaber. Darro Blood rose to his feet, peeling off the remnants of his mask and exposing the rest of his pink, Zeltron face. If not for this mask, I wouldn't be alive right now.

Still screaming, Bright defiantly raised his lightsaber, while calling on the Force to boost his speed, he charged at Blood. Blood blocked his opponent's attack causing him to stagger, Blood held his lightsaber vertically and brought it down on his staggering opponent's saber arm like a guillotine. Hemlin's right arm hit the ground, the hand was still balled into a fist with a firm grip on the lightsaber. Darro Blood triumphantly strolled towards the defeated Ashlan who was on his knees. As the distance between the two shortened, Hemlin sensed it or rather he didn't sense it, he could no longer sense Hal Jax, Hal Jax was dead. “Your screams are music to my ears. Let's make beautiful music,” said Darro as he began punching Bright in the face. Screams echoed throughout the Flagship. “Mercy, please!” Droplets of blood began to pour from Hemlin's face, he was beginning to feel dizzy and nauseated, and then came the vomit. Darro Blood smashed Hemlin face first into the freshly created vomit pile on the floor, unconsciousness mercifully overcame Hemlin Bright. Visions of the future surged through the unconsciousness man's mind, the future was dark and the darkness of the future leaked into the man's heart...

Part 3
Darro Blood observed the damage to the bridge after the lights had kicked back on, the damage was extensive, but fixable. Everything is fixable. Darro reached into his cloak and thumbed on the holo-communicater and Kara Dent appeared. “Update.” “The escapees were able to temporarily take control of the power distribution center, it is now back under our control. We now have them cornered in the engine room, but-” Kara Dent clawed at her throat in desperation as an invisible force constricted it, she collapsed in a dead heap on the floor, Darro Blood had heard and had enough.

Supreme Chancellor, Ellep Horn was seated at the desk in his office, staring intently at his monitor as information streamed across it and was attempting to process it when the doors to his office opened. The Zabrak lifted his gaze and eyed his guest, it was a male Gran, Unk Durr, the Vice Chair in the Galactic Senate. “Hello, Vice Chair, Durr.” “Supreme Chancellor, Horn.” “I know what this is about, don't I?” “Yes. I am here to discuss the distribution of the Ysalamiri.” “That name is hard on the tongue, you are talking about the creatures that repel the Force, my recollection is correct, is it not?”

“It is. The Ysalamiri breeding program has been a colossal success. So far we have spread them across fifteen planets, including here, by our estimations they are in such a large number that the Force cannot be summoned on those fifteen planets. In other words, we are safe from attacks led by Force wielders as long as we are on one of those fifteen planets.” “Excellent, how long would it take for you and your “contacts” to distribute them across the entire galaxy?“ “Roughly a decade. Not only do we have to wait for the Ysalamiri to breed, but we have to grow and genetically tamper those blasted Olbio trees so that they don't die when introduced to new planets and so that the Ysalamiri have a source of nutrients.” “Very good, have your “contacts” make it happen.”

Hemlin Bright awoke in a pile made up of both blood and vomit. I'm alone, I have to get out of here before he comes back and finishes me. He dizzily leveraged himself off of the floor with his remaining arm and made his way off the bridge, only stopping to recover his lightsaber. Bright ran his hand across one of the corridor's walls in an effort to keep himself upright as he slowly marched toward the hangar, to him the ship felt like it was on its side and he was walking on one its walls. He paused and emptied his stomach's contents on the floor again. ''I'm not going to make it. I have to make it. I have to make it so that I can kill every last person on this ship, in the Blood Conglomerate.'' Finally, Hemlin had reached the light at the end of the tunnel, he had done it, he had made it into the hangar. Hemlin soon realized that he was back in the tunnel as he glanced out of the hangar and spotted a massive Blood Conglomerate fleet headed towards the Gilded Mind.

''This is Lucim's fault, he was too afraid to face Darro himself so he sent us, and now look at where I am at, what condition I am in. I'll never make it in that Void Hound.'' A potential solution struck Bright in the midst of his angry thoughts, while the Void Hound couldn't outrun the fleet and would stick out like a sore thumb, there were other ships in the hangar, more specifically Star Phantom's, spacecraft which were admired for their immense speed. “It's worth a shot.” Hemlin muttered to himself.

Part 4
Various rectangular ships gathered around Gilded Mind, but one of them in particular carried a very anxious and nervous Captain. He was a nervous wreck for good reason, two members of the Blood family, Laun and Saun, were on his ship. The Captain dusted off his red uniform, tightened his cap in an effort to cover his baldness and activated the holoprojector. Grey armor appeared and then became obscured by a black cloak, Darro Blood slowly leveled his holoprojector with his face pink face and squinted his yellow eyes. ''Pink skin? Where is his mask? “This is Captain Eisman of the Instigator-class Star Specter, Wraith'', reporting for duty.” “Very good, Captain. We no longer have the means to contain captured war assets, I want you to send over Laun and Saun and have them transport the assets back to Wraith.” “As you say, Master Blood.” Krant Eisman returned the holoprojector to his pocket as the hologram faded.

Krant strolled across the bridge and keyed the intercom. “Attention, this is Captain Eisman. I want a transport shuttle readied in the hangar for VIP and prisoner transport. Laun and Saun Blood, you are needed on Gilded Mind per Master Blood's orders.” Eisman sighed after he took his finger off the intercom button, at least they'll be off my ship for a little while. He stared out the viewport and watched as the transport shuttle departed for Gilded Mind. As he watched he glimpsed a blur near the viewport. ''Those Star Phantoms are impressive, I'll give Startech that much. It's just too bad that we have such a small number of Ace Pilots that can actually handle those things.''

The transport shuttle gently touched down in the hanger of Gilded Mind. Saun reached back and tied her long black hair into a ponytail while her twin brother, Laun, lowered the cargo bay loading ramp. Laun turned to his twin, wondering how the power of the dark side had managed to turn her skin pale white and yet not caused her to look like she suffered from sort of plague as was the case with him, while he waited patiently for her to speak. “Are you ready, brother?” “I suppose, this task just feels beneath us, sister.” “Father can't rule the galaxy without doing some occasional grunt work himself, if he has to do it, than so must we, for if we do not the Blood Conglomerate will not succeed. Our role will change in time.” “Very well, sister,” Laun responded as he picked up his walking pace, creating more distance between him and the Blood Conglomerate forces while catching up with and passing his sister's cape, coming to be side by side with her as they walked towards their destination. ''I wonder if I could kill father and control the Blood Conglomerate with Saun? I wonder how she would react? Maybe she would be for it and help me kill him? There are too many variables right now, it would be best to wait and see how the situation unfolds before making any moves.'' “You look preoccupied, Laun.” “It is nothing, sister.” “Fine. Father is in the engine room.” Her connection to the Force is amazing, I am just beginning to sense their location.

Rabo was the last member of the Blood family to enter the engine room, he entered without uttering a greeting or an offering an apology for his tardiness. Feelings of discomfort rippled through Rabo, something felt amiss. Rabo tried to place the feeling, but was coming up short until he realized that Darro wasn't wearing his mask. ''He never walks about without his mask, he must have lost it in a duel. Even so, why do I feel so discomforted? The Force is emanating from him, he is using it right now, but why? I'm missing something, but what?''

Darro shifted his gaze between Laun and Saun as he spoke. “Laun and Saun, the two of you are to make certain that the war assets stay recaptured and are transported to Wraith without incident. You are to also inform the Wraith's Captain that Wraith will be acting as a prison ship until the assets are transported to Aila.” “As you wish, father,” Laun and Saun replied in unison. Darro paused and faced Rabo before resuming the conversation. “Rabo, in light of Kara Dent's recent failure and... forced retirement, I am appointing you Grand Marshall of the Blood Conglomerate.” A smirk briefly invaded Rabo's face from behind his mask.

On a brown colored by the name of Pelgrin sat the Devotees of Ashla and their headquarters. Their headquarters was nothing more than a series of small, flat, orange colored buildings and one large, dome-shaped building which contained a hangar. The Devotees were the only inhabitants of Pelgrin save for the odd wildlife which roamed the barren landscape, their headquarters were the only buildings on the planet with the exception of ruins from a far gone and forgotten time. In one of the small buildings Florence Jader and Cheots Lucim sat keeping an eye on all space activity in the area, usually there was none to be had, now was the rare exception. “Lucim! We have an incoming Star Phantom, should we scramble the Void Hounds?” The leader of the Devotees of Ashla, Cheots Lucim, entranced himself in the Force, searching for an answer. “I sense anger, perhaps even hostile intent, but no. Do not scramble the fighters, the pilot of that Star Phantom is Hemlin Bright.” Jader opened the hangar doors so that Bright could land, while Lucim left to greet him.

Lucim gasped when Hemlin Bright emerged from the Star Phantom covered in blood, missing an eye and an arm. “Hemlin!” Lucim barely managed to catch Bright in his arms as he collapsed. Cheots carried him to the medical bay, sprinting the entire trip.