Jedi Insurgency 166

An explosion rocked the scene, and A'Sharad Hett gasped for air as he diced yet another Rakatan Guardian Droid into pieces. 

Witnessing this scene, Corvus clapped his hands, showing his moral support. With a flick of his hands, he cast [Valor], rejuvenating some of the Tuskan's stamina. Hett gave him a side eyed look over his shoulder, and with a deep breath, walked over to him. 

“We have been descending the Tho Yor for nearly an hour now, with no end in sight. Who is to say we aren't walking in circles, or fighting illusions?” Hett sternly spoke, gesturing towards the red fog. 

Corvus slightly inclined his head in acknowledgment. 

“Your intuition is sound, under ordinary circumstances, we would, in fact, be lost in an eternal loop.” He said without mentioning the reasons as to why they weren't trapped. 

He knew this made him appear as an aloof asshole, but what was he supposed to say? That he had a System, and internal map that showed him exactly where to go like a GPS? Besides, even if Hett did believe him, why would he reveal such an important secret? 

Seeing that Hett was none-to-pleased, Corvus smirked beneath his mask. Rolling his shoulders, he stepped past the tattooed man, and steadily stepped forward. The future Sith Lord hesitated for a second, perhaps held back by pride, but the eagerness in his gait could not be hidden. He was curious to witness the might of Revan! 

Advancing down this narrow hallway, his eyes glowed white, and he could ever so slightly make out the outlines of three of the machines. This time was different from the last few engagements, as a faint buzzing noise also joined the frey. A high pitched sonic wail was constantly bouncing off of his [Energy Resistance] barrier, slowly chipping away at his shield. Floating behind the battle droids were a dozen fist sized spheres. Propelled by repulsor lifts, their sonic echoes within this confined space must be particularly disorienting to those without protection. 

The trio of Guardian Droids were also slightly different from the ones Hett had been curbstomping before. Although they shared the same appearance, they had been painted entirely matte black, and their metal components sang in the Force. It was as if each and every part of them could be considered a ‘Force Weapon.’ Corvus didn’t pretend to understand how this happened, bit the red fog suffusing the Tho Yor seeped into these droids like steam flowing out of the cracks in a bathroom door. Based solely on these observations, he wouldn't recklessly charge forward, and expect his Force Attuned lightsaber to easily bypass its shields. 

Analyzing all of this data from Pause, there were few options for his assault. Given the incredibly tight space, this funnel was perhaps most optimal for a concentrated burst from his [Force Lightning]. However, this would leave him open to return fire. Should he fail to destroy these automated automatons in one burst, then they might wear down his [Energy Resistance] shield, and maintaining both his attack & defense would be highly draining on his FP bar. This method of attack held high appeal, and had the potential to end everything in one burst, but was also incredibly risky. It was worth considering-especially since he wore Cortosis-Weave robes, which were highly resistant to energy-based attacks, however, he had a better idea in mind. 

Given the incredibly narrow hallways, and the relatively large & unwieldy size of the droids, he figured he could use their bulk against themselves. The plan was to [Shadow Hop] within a droid's flank, and then drop a motherload of emp grenades. Then, utilizing his superior footwork, evade any stabs from those ‘Force Attuned’ limbs, until the other droids opened fire. 

Having made his plan, Corvus Un-Paused, and acted exactly as he had envisioned. [Shadow Hopping] to close the gap, he teleported under a droid, and rolled several emp's out of his inventory. At the same time, the droid's reaction time was not slow, and the one he was directly underneath slammed its body downward. Metal clanged on metal as Corvus whooshed to the side like a ghost. 

Gushes of flame, high powered blaster bolts, and liquid carbonite followed after him, yet he was just a step too fast. Wherever the attacks landed, 80% of them were on the droid he had hidden behind. Its shield shimmered to life, and the emp grenades had weakened it by half, their static charges doing work. However, the Force thrummed, and the red fog flowed into the droid, recharging the shield at a visible rate. It was only when twin bouts of flame, and spear-length bolts struck it, that the shield snapped. 

Corvus saw this for the opportunity that it was, and ignited his twin lightsabers. Crimson Azure light bathed his mask as he dashed forward. His left saber clashed with a leg, defending his chest. Using the force of the blow, he somersaulted upward, and then fell down like a bird of prey upon its head. Cleaving down the center of its frame, the battle droid spazzed out as it split into two halves. 

There was no time to rest, as one of the spherical droids swooped down at his back at super fast speeds. A sharp blade stuck out of it, simple and crude. Quicker than a bullet, this was the most primitive, yet effective type of weapon known to man: a sharp piece of metal moving at super speeds. 

Caught in midair, Corvus twisted his body, and felt the sharp aura from the blade caress his [Physical Barrier], shaving off a tenth! He could only imagine how much of his barrier would be removed should a direct strike occur! 

Fury filling his veins, he retaliated against the flying orb with a flick of his wrist. As it passed him by, the tip of his lightsaber pierced its body, sending it tumbling uselessly to the floor. There was no time to celebrate, as the next wave of attacks came speeding at him. A jet of fire was headed at him, and curiously, several of the blade-spheres were flying directly…underneath the other Guardian Battle Droids!!! They were learning! 

Corvus was using Pause to the maximum effect in this fight, and analyzed all of this information in seconds. A slight chuckle left his lips as time resumed. 

[Force Pushing] the flame into a nearby speeding sphere, it melted instantly. Titling his head to the side, his neck avoided decapitation, in the same motion, he flicked his saber backward, destroying another sphere, spinning the blade forward, he diced a sphere heading for his left flank, and then moving the blade towards his chest, parried a bolt into another bot. Then with his right hand, he lifted it up, and pressed DOWN. 

The void trembled, and that high speed whining of all hovering spheres in his immediate vicinity-10ft-began to crumble inward towards themselves. Corvus breathed heavily as the two remaining Guardian Battle Droids staggered in place, yet remained standing. All of that had taken seconds, over said time, he had dealt with the gnats, yet these two behemoths remained. 

Holding his twin blades to the side, he invited their attack, and began to take aggressive steps forward. The shadows around his form roiled like boiling water. A deluge of fire, carbonite, and red bolts answered his call. 

Yet they struck nothing. 

Turning invisible, Corvus [Shadow Hopped] behind them-mere inches away-and stood still. The sticky sound of his boots on the Tho Yor's deck did not make noise, as he was not moving! 

In that brief interlude, the machines scanned the entire area in confusion, before ultimately turning their murderous intent towards Hett in the distance. Corvus had taken this opportunity to regenerate his FP bar, and gather himself. 

Inhale. 

Pulling upon the Darkside Nexus swirling around him, he breathed in the emotions that fed the Darkside: envy, hate, lust, sorrow, and yes, even happiness, and gathered himself like a monk reaching nirvana. 

Palming his hands together like a man in prayer, he pointed his hands at the droids mere millimeters away from their metal frames. 

Exhale. 

The world turned white. 

Blinding white-blue arcs of electricity concentrated in an impossibly narrow location, fueled by a Darkside Nexus filled this corridor. The result was like fitting a crematorium inside the confines of a coke can. Power all consuming raged forth, incinerating all that followed in its wake. 

When the lightshow cleared, it revealed that much of the red fog-that had been clogging the hallway, and limiting sight-had been burnt off. Where the droids had been, were now skeletal remains of internal components. A blackened gear, suspended by a slowly crumbling frame teetered before collapse. Once it struck the ground, it fell apart like dust. Marked on the floor of this ancient Force-bound starship were two permanent stains. Black ash-like the souls who had perished due to Pompey's volcano now coated the floor with an echo in the Force. 

Corvus felt that he was greatly drained due to that unexpected pull from the Force Nexus. And yet, he felt incredibly rejuvenated. The experience was like jumping into a cold pool of water, and then quickly running out. It was incredibly unpleasant, but also held the thrill of survival. He could very easily see how one could become addicted to this easy power. 

“Haaaah.” Corvus pressed his hands down, and forced himself to relax after such an intense exertion. 

Hett came around the corner with a grim, yet respectful, almost fervent gaze. His mouth moved, yet no words came forth. He looked like he wanted to bow in submission, yet pride held his head high. In the end, he could only gasp, and lower his eyes. 

“It appears you are speechless.” Corvus said, some humor in his voice. 

“Greatness needs no words.” Hett ultimately settled on. 

Corvus remained silent, and was about to resume their journey deeper-as they had almost reached their destination-however, a blue glimmer of light began to rise from the destroyed machines. 

Forming the holographic image of an alien, Corvus recognized that he was similar in appearance to the statues that lined the halls. He was bipedal, had dreadlocks for hair, and a human adjacent appearance, with big all black eyes, and a flat nose. If he was correct, this should be related to the original people of Tatooine. (At least if this wasn't a fake-out trap, where an evil spirit was pretending to be good). 

“Unreal. You must be a memory engram left by my people. A pure blooded Kumumgah.” Hett spoke with a deep seated longing in his voice. 

“Thank you for freeing me, Je'daii. I have been trapped within the subroutines of those droids for too long. You may call me L'shara, and it is as you have guessed young tribesman, I was left behind to enact a great task.” L'shara explained, his tone filled with melancholy. 

Corvus pursed his lips, suspicious of this AI creation, yet he was willing to see what it had to say. 

“The Force brought us here, revealing images of the Rakatans. Care to explain?” Corvus asked. 

“Ah yes, them.” L'shara spat with hatred. “Millennia ago, my people, the Kumumgah were a technologically advanced, space faring race. After encountering the Rakata, we were pushed back to Tatooine, where the entire planet was glassed, everywhere that is, but here.” 

Corvus nodded along, it would make sense for a Tho Yor to survive such a brutal onslaught, but why did his vision show him a machine? 

“Once covered in water, and a lush ecosystem, Tatooine was no more. The few survivors of that foul attack placed all of their hopes, and knowledge into a machine: the Zylack. One that could terraform this wretched world into one that is whole again. They left me behind to guide a Je'daii who would one day enter. Only the Force can save us..” 

Hett took a step forward, his face filled with hope, yet Corvus held up a gloved fist, halting him in his tracks. 

“That sounds like a good idea, but you still haven't answered my question. How is it that you were trapped within the confines of a Rakatan Guardian Droid?” Corvus pressed, a small amount of danger entering his voice. 

L'shara nodded in acknowledgment, and gestured to the side, conjuring up some imagery of a Rakatan warrior. 

“Sometime later, a lone Rakatan broke into the temple. His flesh was falling apart in patches, pus oozing from his pores. I know not of how he knew of this place, but he sought to preserve himself with our most wonderful creation.” L'shara spoke in a shamefilled tone. “Unfortunately…he succeeded. Abandoning his corporeal form, he has entered the Zylack, and now feeds upon the misery of Tatooine's denizens. I fear it will not be long until he harnesses this power, and crafts himself a body that could rival the might of a Lord High General, or that of the Over-Predor himself!” 

“Then there is little time to waste!” Hett ignited his lightsaber, and gestured to the hologram. “Lead the way!” 

L'shara took point, smoothly taking them past door after door, without encountering any resistance. 

As for Corvus, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. The Rakata were famous for their Force-powered technology. Trapping minds in machines was relatively normal, and terraforming planets was within their grasp…if this hologram was a trap, perhaps they would be the ones used as fuel to resurrect this endangered Rakatan? 

Corvus took a deep breath as they finally came before the final door. Many monitors, power cuplinks, and other high tech doo-dads littered the hallway by this point. The thrum of the Darkside undulated the walls like the steady movement of lungs. Red fog flowed in and out between vents, and cracks, making this place seem alive. 

This was it. 

Whatever that lobster head had waiting for them, was behind that door.