Strong and Strange

Switch and the Switchboard

"Hey Deacon." I said.

"You know it's me? Really? Come on, admit that you didn't know." Deacon said.

"I can't." I said. "I knew it was you."

"Oh yeah, of course. From the force... alright. We're going to an old base. We lost it to the Institute including many of our agents. We left a lot of things back there. We're going to retrieve something important to our agents." He said.

I didn't really need to ask about our objective so I nodded.

"We're going to walk across the highway to a tourist. He's going to tell us what he's seen in the base. You do the talking. And whatever he says, just say Mines in the shop. Got it?"

"Yep. Let's go."

"Love your enthusiasm..." He said, walking towards the highway. I listened to him talking about the Railroad signs as we walked and killed some ghouls. Once we got to the tourist, I obeyed Deacon and said the code. He said there were a lot of synths and that there's a mine field near the entrance.

"Alright. We'll have to go through the back entrance. Let's hope the tourist is telling the truth"

"Most of it is true." I said. "I'm sure we can get through this."

"What an assuring comment." He responded.

We went to the secret entrance and debated about how to get through the synths.

"Let's go stealthily." I said. "It will be easier and better than spilling blood... and sparks for the synths."

"They'd catch us in no time. Even I'm saying that. We go through, clean out the synths, and get as much as we can." Deacon protested.

"So we assault and get what we can. Jedi can never use their lightsabers for attack... only to defend themselves and others." I said. "I cannot break the jedi code. Otherwise I'd be banned." I knew it probably didn't matter but I didn't care for one second about that. If I were to be a true jedi, I needed to follow the code and the rules.

"Ok. I'll assault and once you are shot at you can join the fight." Deacon said. "Come on." We fought off the synths and soon found ourselves next to a vault. Deacon was unlocking the terminal and the door while I took a look around. I found many weapons and ammunition and a couple of hazmat suits. They reminded me of the radiation in the place I was. I had fought in the clone wars and alongside the jedi generals and the clones. Some battle droids had radiation weapons but the force protected us from the damage. I took the suits just in case anyways. By then, Deacon unlocked the door and we stepped into the charred room.

"Man. I guess Tommy Whispers didn't make it. Here, you can have his weapon. He doesn't need it anymore." Deacon handed me a small handgun. But I declined.

"I have my lightsaber." I said.

"Come on, take it." He insisted.

"I'm not adjusted to using blast- guns..." I said.

"Why not? You always use that lightsaber?"

"Yes. Those guns are... uncivilized to us."

"Take it anyways." Deacon said, ignoring my protests and putting the gun into my bag. He then noticed the holocron. "What is this thing?"

I guess it wouldn't hurt to tell him. "It's a holocron. Jedi can access it through the force and it shows any message stored in it." I said.

"What does this one say?" He asked.

"Nothing of your concern." I said, putting it away.

"Come on, don't be so secretive... please?" Deacon pleaded.

"You're secretive too." I sighed. "Fine, but stay quiet about it."

"Like I have any reason to tell anybody... " He leaned in as I opened the holocron.

"This is Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. I regret to report that both our Jedi Order and the Republic have fallen, with the dark shadow of the Empire rising to take their place. This message is a warning and a reminder for any surviving Jedi. Trust in the Force. Do not return to the Temple. That time has passed. And our future is uncertain. We will each be challenged. Our trust... our faith... our friendships. But we must persevere. And in time, a new hope will emerge. May the Force be with you... always."

I didn't cry this time. "And in time, a new hope will emerge" had stuck to me as I listened to it.

Deacon stared at the holocron even as the message ended. "Woah. You've been through a lot, haven't you?"

I sighed and walked towards the exit. We had decided to exit through the front before. We just needed to take care of the rest of the synths and the minefield. I used the force to disarm the mines and put them in my bag. We fought our way through the exit.

"Alright. We got what we needed. I think it's time we part ways. I'll meet you back at the church. Once you show this to Desdemona, she'd have to let you in." He walked away, looking behind his shoulder.