Star Wars: The Ancient Force

C H A P T E R . 7 -- Inanimate vs. Animate

THE FALCON SAT QUIET the next morning. Locked up. Because about a mile away, all four of the group were peeking over a hill to size-up the layout of the Imperial base beyond the wall below. Scattered along the horizon of red hills, they see several distant outposts, and closer in they see a hill among a mile of scattered ancient ruins that look like a rusty metal forest. Before it, there were brand new developments: landing pads, constructions on partial new buildings, additions to finished ones, and a rosy-black building in the center of it all.

They were all well-rested and Luke carried his neutral Jedi demeanor well, taking it upon himself to lead.

As they climb down, Han groans, "They sure have built up fast compared to us."

Luke says, "I think our forces are trying to stay undercover."

Terigo adds lightheartedly, "That, and you can accomplish anything by using human death & suffering."

Han eyes her and half-jokes, "You know, you're awfully morbid for smiling all the time."

Terigo smirk-scoffs, "I thought you called it thick skin, Han."

"Weelll. Little miss attitude now, are we," playing around.

With a joking 'don't pull my tail' tone, Terigo says, "Oh please, you like it."

They head through the streets along the wall and Luke marvels at what looks like ancient rusted metal pillars and crumbled stone walls. Terigo notices him noticing them and touches them to show her mutual interest despite having seen them yesterday. He says, "So you were saying that people are calling this planet: Origins?"

But she stops them behind a corner. They all peek around to see two stormtroopers guarding an Imperial-built gate two-hundred feet away, both standing awkwardly to try to stay in the shade. Terigo keeps her voice down to inform, "I couldn't get inside because there's two of them and I couldn't—I tried a number of times, but I couldn't influence them both at the same time without the other's orders fading. Not at this distance."

Determined, Luke says, "But I'm here now."

"Right..." Terigo says, a little concerned yet the thrill of adventure was rising, "but how far and how long can you affect a mind? If they see us, it will be all over their base in seconds through their helmet's comlink. And if they're killed, we only have thirty minutes between each check-in."

Luke grumbles at himself on the inside because he wasn't exactly sure he knew the answer. "I'll test it, with something harmless."

He puts his back against the wall and starts calming every knot in his essence, concentrating with his eyes closed. The other three watch, curiously, patiently, growing more curious, enough to peek around the corner again. They see the closest guard remove one hand from his blaster and raise it like he were flying, but out where the other oblivious guard couldn't see it. He holds it there for a bit and Chewbacca jabs Han to gesture 'are you seeing this' and Han jabs back 'course I am, hairball.' The two gawk at Luke's power and try not to look so blown away as Luke comes out of his state. He takes a peek himself and after a moment, watches the guard drop his arm then seem confused and shift uncomfortably.

"That should be enough time," Luke says.

"Just barely," Terigo says, but she seems even more thrilled now. "Alright, so have yours face away while I'll have mine open the gate. I saw in their minds that there are warehouses just beyond, so we should have some cover."

"Alright. Give me a lead of seven seconds, then do yours."

"Got it," she says.

They both put their backs against the wall and begin to concentrate.