Chapter 40: The Point of No Return

I slept through the flight without incident. I had some nonsense dream about a vast chamber. A flash illuminates everything around me with an unbearably bright light. It is followed by a terrifying roar and a rhythmic cracking sound.

A moment later, I am jolted awake.

A clearly flustered stormtrooper is standing next to me. Well, in his place, I wouldn’t know what to do either. On one hand, he has his orders; on the other, there is the natural desire not to die at the hands of a woken Sith.

"No need to rouse me. I woke up on my own."

Through his helmet, I caught the faint sound of a sigh of relief.

Stretching my entire body, I stood up smoothly. It was already late at night outside the viewports, but it wasn't dark due to the brilliant floodlights sweeping the sky, searching for enemy bombers.

At the exit, I was already being met.

"Well, look who it is. Still alive?"

It was Kamma in the flesh, haggard, covered in fresh bandages, but alive.

"Unfortunately, yes. So much so that my paws ache and my tail is falling off."

With a maximumly serious face, my comrade walked around me and, with evident disappointment, stated:

"No tail. I thought it was a new manifestation of the Force, growing on the most annoying and unkillable ones."

"Then I suggest you check your own backside for that important symbol."

Trading meaningless banter, we reached the building designated for the Inquisitors' private use. Such quarters were found in almost every camp. Inside, semi-darkness reigned, making it difficult at first to discern the figure sitting at the table.

"Hello, boys."

Did I imagine it, or did our faces sour at the exact same moment?

"Hello to you too, Tifa. It's a great shame you're alive."

"Agreed," Kamma added. "Such a beautiful planet for your little grave."

"Are you still sulking over that incident? Oh, don't be like that. Let’s forget old grudges and step into a bright future together."

The slender girl rose smoothly and began to approach us, swaying her hips. Her outfit consisted only of a tight-fitting top and leggings.

As is well known, Twi'lek women are highly prized for their innate sensuality. Having been a former resident of a brothel, I remember this all too well. I don't know about my comrade, but my body reacted accordingly. It’s the age, after all, the natural desires of a young, healthy organism.

"Is it just us here?"

My voice wavered slightly. Sixteen years old is an explosive age. If I, a person who has already lived through this once, can barely maintain my composure, I can only imagine what Kamma is going through.

"Just the three of us, so no one will disturb us."

I clearly heard my comrade's knuckles crack.

"Stop it."

"What’s that? I can't hear you, darling."

The girl drew closer. A dizzying aroma emanated from her, and the curves of her beautiful body were mesmerizing.

A heavy hand landed on my shoulder. I hadn't seen a Pantoran turn pale in a long time. His bright blue skin was now a grayish-blue. The shadows under his eyes were even more pronounced. His gaze, filled with golden metal, stared point-blank at the girl.

"Get out of my head!"

A wave of the Force scattered the surrounding chairs and tables, turning them to dust. The Twi'lek was forced to shield herself with her arms and take several steps back to keep her balance. A faint shimmer in the uneven lamplight showed that a transparent sphere was protecting her body.

Strangely enough, the obsession vanished instantly. I was back in control of myself.

"So that's what she's been spending her time on. That explains a lot. You could have warned me, but thanks anyway."

"Don't mention it. Better yet, hit up a brothel when you get the chance. You need it."

"You’re probably right. Right after the war. I hope they don’t lock us in that fortress again. What are we doing with her?"

"Nothing, let her be. Let's go to our rooms; I just got back myself. A shower and a full stomach are better than sex right now, I swear."

The nervous tension gripping us receded. Trading stupid jokes, we headed upstairs under the girl's furious gaze.

Ten hours later… washed, fed to bursting, and finally rested, we sat at a new table. Tifa sat across from us, casting hostile glances our way. At the head of the table sat the Grand Inquisitor.

"Let's get straight to the point. You are the best of the acolytes, so you are being entrusted with an important mission."

A hologram unfurled over the table.

"Fifth Son, the data you gathered helped us avoid major problems. The large factory we considered a priority target turned out to be a decoy. The real production is hidden here."

Upon zooming in, it was clear that what was once a massive mountain had been converted into a gargantuan industrial complex. As the viewing angle shifted, hills could be seen radiating from it in uneven circles.

"The Separatists prepared an unexpected surprise. Our scanners couldn't detect droids beneath the thick layers of earth and rock. The decoy fortresses seemed real, but in reality, they were a brilliant trap. If we had attacked according to the original plan, we would have been squeezed from three sides."

"A new plan is being developed. However, an unexpected proposal has come from our scout within the Separatist ranks. The Emperor has personally reviewed it. A final decision has not been made, but you must know."

An unpleasant premonition made my shoulders twitch with a chill.

"Our forces have surrounded the enemy's first line of defense. But it would take too many resources to break through. A frontal assault is pointless, and starving this fortress out is impossible. The factory is protected by a shield of an unknown model. Analysis suggests its power is nearly equivalent to a planetary shield. Beyond that, we are beginning to lose the battle for the planet's orbit. Constant Separatist reinforcements have thinned our fleet significantly. Therefore, the complex must be destroyed as quickly as possible."

"And you want us to do it?"

"Exactly. You are the best we have right now. We now know the exact location of the core that powers the plant. Your task is to mine it and destroy it."

"But that's pure suicide!"

"How would we even penetrate it?!"

The hologram, following the Inquisitor's gestures, zoomed in to show a small ledge, barely noticeable against the overall landscape.

"No one could, except a saboteur gifted in the Force. You will be dropped from the lower atmosphere. The shield only protects against energy bolts, but your bodies will pass right through it. You must land on this section. According to our data, it is an emergency platform, so it shouldn't be heavily guarded."

Great. Falling dozens of kilometers and trying to land on a tiny patch. Indeed, it’s unlikely anyone except a Force-user would even dare such a thing. Heck, even a Force-user shouldn't go for this! What kind of suicidal plan is this?

"It's impossible. Even if we survive that stage, how do we know where to go? I don't think we’ll immediately be able to tell the path to the cafeteria from the path to the reactor..."

Kamma stopped mid-sentence. His face went white again, twisted in intense fear. Clawing at the air near his throat, he slowly began to rise.

With every fiber of my soul, I felt the Dark Side of the Force swirl through the room like a whirlwind. I had never felt such pain and rage. They were hidden, yet their heat scorched everyone present.

A hollow voice, distorted by a mask, echoed through the room:

"Refusal to carry out the Emperor's will will be severely punished. You would already be dead if not for the Lord’s will."

"Lord Vader."

Tifa and I immediately dropped to one knee, not only out of respect but because of the sheer impossibility of standing upright in the presence of this being. The power radiating from him boggled the imagination. Only the Grand Inquisitor remained standing, his head bowed.

My friend was released and fell to his knees, gasping for air.

"This operation was approved by the Emperor. I hope you do not fail his expectations."

"As you wish, Lord Vader. We were just discussing the mission plan..."

"I know. Our contact reached out to relay the final intel. It was his last message. He insisted on your presence, Grand Inquisitor. However, I need you here. The acolytes will only be able to contact him inside the station. The question of the route is settled."

"In that case, I would like to finish the briefing."

The Grand Inquisitor's voice was barely perceptibly laced with venom.

When the door closed behind one of the most terrifying beings in the galaxy, I looked at the head of the Inquisitorius.

Man, we are in deep trouble. The Master's eyes were flashing lightning. I think his hatred for Vader grew every day under his direct command.

"Thermal detonators, jump packs, new armor, and other necessary items will be issued to you at the depot. In ten hours, at midnight, I expect everyone at the airfield for final instructions. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir."

A cold wind, piercing to the bone, fought its way through the extra armor plating, making it impossible for my already tense body to relax. My hands kept reaching for my chilled shoulders, neck, and calves.

The moon, hidden behind dark clouds ready to burst at any moment, provided almost no light to the platform. The stormtroopers walking here and there looked more like ghosts gliding between vehicles than living people.

The Grand Inquisitor was checking a datapad, likely receiving final orders.

"Sir, the ship is ready for takeoff."

"Excellent. Fifth Son, come here."

Waiting until there was less than a meter between us, he took a step forward. From behind, no one could see what he was showing me on the datapad. But that wasn't the main thing.

"Listen to me carefully. I have high hopes for you. The factory must be destroyed at all costs. There will be a special explosive in your pack. It is three times stronger than standard charges and is activated by a button located inside. Only those who wield the Force can use it. You will have to find your own way out; I cannot help you there. However, if Geonosians were involved in the construction, they might have left underground tunnels. If you get the chance, retrieve a map of the plant."

Straightening up, he looked intently first at me, then at the others.

"The Emperor has high hopes for you. Upon the successful completion of this mission, you will all be promoted to full Inquisitors. Now, move out."

As they say, we’ve passed the point of no return. If we ever had a ghostly chance of escaping the base and disappearing into the woods, it’s gone now. For the next few hours, it will just be us, the walls of the ship, and the increasing distance between us and the ground.

One could try to hijack a jump pack, but they are all rigged with explosives, which we were told in no uncertain terms during the briefing. If anyone tries to jump early—big boom. One piece here, another piece there, and no one will ever see you again.

Oxygen masks were strapped tightly to our faces. Right now, they weren't necessary, but when we jump... I wouldn't want to lose consciousness from lack of oxygen while falling.

I don't know what the others were doing, but I decided to sleep. I’ll need a lot of strength, so I won't waste it on empty worries; I’d rather rest. I fell into oblivion instantly as soon as I found a comfortable spot.

Again, I was surrounded by a large hall. Everything was blurry and indistinct, but now I clearly felt my body. It hurt unbearably. A throbbing, ghastly pain spread in a long line from one side of my chest to the other. I could clearly feel the cold floor against my cheek, and my fingers were gripping something hard. A second later, a blinding flash illuminates everything.

I was jolted out of my sleep. Someone's hand was insistently shaking my shoulder.

"Get up, we have ten minutes until we enter the zone. The jump window is less than a minute; we need to prepare."

The compartment we were in was barely lit by red emergency lights. My friend's face seemed to disappear into the darkness for a second before being illuminated by the red light, much like everything else.

Red and black, colors so fitting for another assignment for the adepts of the Dark Side. With these thoughts, I reached into my worn bag, checking if everything was in place. The holocron I forgot to put away, a couple of EMP grenades, stim-syringes… excellent, business as usual.

Stretching until my bones cracked, I checked my watch against what was said. Indeed, only a few minutes remained before the start of the riskiest operation of my life.

In complete silence, I had to put on the cold jump pack and the specialized helmet to protect my face during the high-speed descent. No one uttered a word. The Death Troopers stood in tense postures, muttering indistinctly among themselves. Tifa was nervously chewing her lip, constantly glancing at the timer. Kamma, with an unfocused gaze, stared at the floor, clutching his lightsaber hilt. Only the drone of the engines and the faint creak of parts broke the silence.

The atmosphere was simultaneously tense and resigned, like watching a plane lift off the ground further and further, there’s nothing you can do about it. You realize you have nowhere to go, so you just lean back and watch what happens. It seems a slight apathy had fallen over all of us.

The minutes dragged on incredibly long. It felt as if they had turned into hours. I fell into a light trance, simply watching the steady blinking of the red light. The world around me seemed to have stopped. Only the crimson light and the slight shaking of the ship disturbed my absolute peace. This is probably how a person feels before an execution, given one last drag of a cigarette.

The pilot's voice, coming through the speakers, snapped me out of my stupor.

"We’ve arrived. Jump as soon as it opens. You have a window of less than thirty seconds. Good luck."

Heh, we’ll certainly need luck.

The cover of the hatch slid aside, and a raging wind rushed into the room.

Realizing there was no time, I was the first to dive like a fish into the black, circular opening.

For a few moments, I was too afraid to open my eyes. My body tossed from side to side, spinning on its axis. It felt as if someone was trying to shout to me, but the blood pounding in my temples drowned out all sound. My heart was ready to leap out of my chest.

But I managed to recover quickly. I spread my arms and legs, stabilizing my flight. I was no longer being tossed around like a broken doll. Suddenly, I realized I could control the fall.

I could plummet like an arrow or spread my limbs to fall slowly. I could change direction by leaning one way or the other. The wind roared in my ears but no longer distracted me.

Gaining courage, I finally looked down.

The entire battlefield spread out beneath me. The stone spire of the mountain seemed so tiny against the backdrop, little more than a large needle. Flashes of fire showed where the fighting was currently taking place. Perhaps the soldiers of my company were involved in one of them. From up here, it all seemed so small and insignificant.

I felt a simultaneous sense of freedom and my own total insignificance in this vast world. Despite all my power and influence, I am but a grain of sand. And yet, even a small particle is capable of exerting a massive influence on its surroundings. But that's for later; right now, I need to concentrate on the mission.

The factory no longer looked so small; it was approaching rapidly.

Sensors built into my helmet highlighted the platform we needed to hit. Tucking my arms against my body, I plummeted straight toward it. The Force whispered that we had entered the zone of aimed fire from enemy turrets. If even one of them spotted us, it would be the end of everything.

The sensors unerringly tracked the distance to the target. Three thousand meters... two thousand meters...

I flipped in the air, and the straps of the jetpack bit painfully into my body. The fall slowed sharply, enough to keep me from splatting, and maybe even keep from breaking anything.

Five hundred meters!

The Force surged within me, working to cushion the landing. It went surprisingly well. My legs went numb from the impact, but that wasn’t too bad. Taking a few quick steps forward, I managed to lean against the wall and dissipate the inertia.

I wouldn’t want all my explosives to accidentally detonate on impact. That would be the stupidest death possible.

My partners in misfortune landed nearby. They seemed to be much better at this than I was.

"Why did you have to go so fast? You definitely beat us by a couple of kilometers."

"Got a bit carried away. But it went well, didn't it?"

"Boys, if you're ready, I suggest we move. It’s not in my plans to stand here until we're spotted."

"I’m surprised, but she’s actually making sense. There really is no time. Let's cut the door."

A few seconds later, the opening cut into the metal door was ready.

The rapid footsteps of several beings echoed faintly through the deserted corridors of the factory.