Re: Starfall - Episode One: Blind Man's Bluff
The Imperial shuttle simply waited until the Rebel fleet had distorted into hyperspace. It was simply easier that way. He felt Celes' question and hoped he sent assurance as a reply. The Force-blind bounty hunter could challenge a Jedi.
Jedi Master Eli Sundancer watched them go from the shuttle's viewport. He was grateful his young padawan and his friends had escaped Subjugator. For all his power, he could not have helped them. From the moment of their betrayal upon first boarding Subjugator, Sundancer knew they were on borrowed time.
Himself, and young Thuraya, were prizes the Empire could not resist or allow to be free. The moment they were captured was the moment they were reported. And Sundancer guessed at the hound the Emperor would send to fetch his prey. He knew the half-man by reputation only. Had Sundancer actually met him, the old man would have been either dead or another of His Majesty's puppets.
So the decision was easy to make but hard to bear. With many waves of hands and whispered words, the Jedi became temporarily forgotten by those that knew and beheld him. It took all of his skill with the Force. He could do little else but walk. Through the strain of effort, Sundancer could hear the Dark Side call out to him. Was that enough? Merely to be tempted or was true acquiescence required? He did not assent but he was tempted. And then his task became possible. Was the victory really his? Or was he merely fallen and deluded.
In any case, once the others had escaped Subjugator, so could he? He asked for mercy from different Imperials, posing as their prisoner. Most denied it and were then reluctantly cut down. The few who had offered it became his shuttle crew. He did not begrudge them time on a Rebel prison planet. Every soul could be saved, Sundancer hoped.
Now that so many peering minds were gone, Sundancer could relax slightly and began to set the coordinates for the nearby Rebel base instinctively. Just a few more moments and they all would escape...
Through the Force, he knew before the shuttle's sensors informed him. A tiny vessel had just emerged from hyperspace. It was a rare, if not unique, model of TIE fighter. The pilot was just as singular a man.
Jedi. Yield yourself and your padawan to me and live. Your cloaking of you both was impressive but not sufficient.
The rasp and labored breathing were not needed for this form of communication but they persisted. The fear they engendered were now part of the creature's aspect.
You are too late, Lord Vader, we will escape and hide again.
Today, perhaps. But know that it was not you we felt across the stars.
Sundancer activated the hyperdrive, the universe began to fall away in every sense. But just before the icefire corridors, Vader's last thoughts came through.
Her rage called out to us. We will meet again...
Hyperspace boiled and rippled now across the shuttle. Sundancer was chilled with a cold realization. He had two choices now, training if the girl was still reachable, and one other solution otherwise.
He regarded the cold and quiet other solution clipped to his waist, hoping it would never be needed...
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:31, Tue 09 Mar 2021.