Author here, just a simple request from me, if u guys have the time can u write a review for the ff? Just say what u like and dont like, it helps me improve my writing and it helps new readers decide wether or not to try the ff. Thank u
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Ali made his way to the commander's office near the hangar, his boots echoing lightly against the cold metal floor. The academy was alive with its usual hum of activity: droids carrying supplies, soldiers preparing equipment, and acolytes rushing between tasks. When he reached the office, the commander barely looked up from his desk as Ali signed up for the mission to Vorrath.
"You're signed up" the commander said in his gruff tone. "Be back here in two days to report for deployment."
Ali nodded, turning away without a word. His mind was already racing with thoughts of the mission ahead.
When he returned to his quarters, Ali found Drogath sprawled out on his bed, the giant's broad chest rising and falling steadily as he slept. Bandages were wrapped around Drogath's stomach and arms, evidence of their brutal sparring sessions.
Ali didn't worry about the giant; he knew Drogath's resilient physiology and the healing assistance of the Force would have him back on his feet in no time, that along with some of the best medical departments in the Empire.
Ali sat down on his own bed, pulling out his twin handguns. The weapons were sleek, deadly, and perfectly balanced. Holding them in his hands, he extended his connection to the Force, letting it flow into the weapons. Slowly, he released them, and the guns floated into the air.
He began a focused exercise, manipulating the guns to rotate around him at varying speeds, alternating directions after a set number of rotations. The goal was precision and efficiency, and Ali pushed himself to refine his control over the telekinesis.
Hours passed as he repeated the exercise, his Spirit pond draining steadily as he experimented with faster movements and more complex patterns.
By the time his Spirit was completely depleted, Ali felt his control had improved. He was using less energy to achieve the same results, and his precision was sharpening with each session.
Ali set the guns back down on his bedside table and finally lay down, falling into a deep sleep that lasted only a couple of hours before sunrise.
The next morning, Ali and Drogath left the academy together on their speeders, heading out to their usual sparring spot in the desert. Drogath, still bandaged, insisted on joining, eager to continue his training despite his injuries.
The morning sun bathed the red sands in a fiery glow as the two acolytes faced off under the open sky. They sparred fiercely, their sessions growing more intense with each passing day. Ali focused on teaching Drogath techniques to counter faster opponents, knowing that Drogath's massive size and raw power would often be matched against smaller, more agile enemies.
"Use your reach and strength to control the flow of battle," Ali instructed as they exchanged blows. "Don't let them dictate the pace. Keep them reacting to you."
Drogath nodded, throwing a series of powerful punches that Ali narrowly dodged. The giant alien's strikes were becoming faster and more precise, his progress evident.
After sparring, Ali made Drogath lift his massive speeder as part of a strength-training routine. While Drogath held the speeder above his head, Ali used the Force to create additional pressure, mimicking an increase in gravity to test Drogath's limits.
"Don't just hold it," Ali said sternly. "Move with it. Combat isn't static. You need to adapt under pressure."
Drogath grunted in response, beads of sweat dripping down his forehead as he took slow, deliberate steps while holding the weight.
They ended their training each day with a final clash, burning through whatever Force energy they had left. Ali would always push Drogath to the brink, forcing him to dig deeper into his potential.
On the second day, the routine repeated. Both acolytes were improving rapidly, their training bearing visible results. Drogath, in particular, absorbed Ali's teachings like a sponge, combining his natural strength with newfound technique.
Despite his progress, Drogath had yet to win a single sparring match against Ali. Each defeat fuelled his determination, and Ali noticed how Drogath's resilience and spirit never wavered, even after taking a beating.
As they rode back to the academy on their speeders, Drogath broke the silence. "You're going on the mission tomorrow, right?" he asked, his tone serious. "Are you sure I shouldn't go with you?"
"Yes," Ali replied firmly. "Remember what I told you. That planet demands stealth and speed—neither of which are your strengths. You'd be at a massive disadvantage."
Drogath frowned but didn't argue.
"You better not slack off just because I'm not here. When I get back, I want to see you doing double the weight on all your lifts."
Ali's tone turned warning. "Don't disappoint me, Drogath."
Drogath snorted in response. "Double? That's insane."
"You'll manage," Ali said with a smirk.
The following morning, Ali and Drogath shared breakfast in the dining hall. They exchanged a few words, mostly about training, before parting ways. Drogath wished Ali luck on his mission.
Ali descended to the hangar, where five other acolytes were already gathered outside the commander's office. He observed them carefully, noting their lack of lightsabers and the weak presence of the Force surrounding them.
'They're all weak,' Ali thought dismissively as he approached.
The group fell silent as Ali arrived, stepping aside instinctively to make way for him. Ali ignored them, knocking on the commander's door and waiting patiently.
After half a minute, the door slid open, and the commander stepped out.
"Alright, listen up," the commander barked. "Before heading to Vorrath, you'll meet with the Sith Master who issued this mission. He'll explain the details himself. Follow me."
The group was led through a series of underground corridors. The walls were made of the same metallic alloy used throughout the Empire's structures, their cold, utilitarian design reflecting the efficiency of the Sith.
At the end of the corridor, massive double doors opened to reveal a sprawling laboratory. The room was filled with advanced equipment and droids of every shape and size. Ali's eyes were drawn to one droid in particular—a humanoid machine standing guard near the edge of the lab, a lightsaber hilt attached to its waist.
'That droid… It's connected to the Force,' Ali realised, his senses picking up the faint but unmistakable presence of the Force emanating from the machine.
A door at the far corner of the lab opened, and a small Zilkin entered. The green-skinned alien wore Sith robes tailored to accommodate his cybernetic arms and legs, his gait unsteady but purposeful.
"Listen carefully," the Zilkin began, his voice slightly shaky. "This mission is critical. You're retrieving an extremely valuable and advanced device."
He went on to explain the mission. Vorrath was a planet perpetually ravaged by a Force storm, with constant lightning strikes powered by the dark side. The device they were sent to retrieve had been designed to collect data from these lightning strikes, but the previous squad sent to activate it had been wiped out.
"Of course, they're all dead now, but that's besides the point," the Zilkin added bluntly, causing the acolytes to exchange nervous glances.
"The mission is simple: retrieve the device without damaging it and bring it back to me. Additionally, whoever finds the data collected by the previous team will receive a reward—one of my creations."
The mention of a reward immediately caught Ali's attention. 'One of his creations… That sounds interesting', he thought.
The group was escorted back to the hangar, where they boarded a small transport ship. The cramped interior had just enough space for the six acolytes and the pilot. Ali strapped himself in and stared out the window as the ship lifted off, leaving Korriban behind.
The red planet grew smaller and smaller until it was little more than a dot in the vast blackness of space. Ali's gaze wandered to the stars beyond, their brilliance reflecting in his sharp black eyes.
'Hard to imagine a view better than this', he thought.
Their destination soon came into view—a massive starship with a hangar large enough to accommodate their transport. They landed smoothly, disembarking under the watchful eyes of Imperial soldiers who escorted them to their temporary quarters.
Ali's room was small but functional, equipped with a window offering a view of the cosmos. He spent the time training, refining his connection to the Force as he prepared for the mission ahead.
When the ship entered hyperspace, Ali strapped himself into the safety harnesses in his room. The sudden acceleration shook the entire vessel, and Ali watched the streaks of light outside the window as they traveled through the hyperspace lane.
Moments later, the shaking subsided, and the ship returned to normal speed. A bright new sun came into view outside the window, signalling their arrival in the Vorrath system.
TAP. TAP. TAP.
A soldier knocked on Ali's door, his voice firm as he announced, "Five hours until deployment. Be ready."
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