In the back of her mind, Vahliri knew they were taking an unnecessary risk. There was a simple, cold calculus that told her to dispatch the Imperials without another thought - to not even check if they were Joined and be done with the entire unsavory matter. It was the safest thing - it was what she should have done.. And yet the half-Annfyn couldn’t. Perhaps it was the hesitation that was painted over Tazlen’s face that kept her from taking that step. Or perhaps it was the thought of what Altair would say, if the Tiefling was the one standing beside her. Whatever the reason, Vahliri couldn’t go through with the execution.
Instead, she reached out with the Force - reaching into the mind of the trooper closest too her. Without mental defenses or the Force, it was childplay to see into the man’s thoughts - and the half-Annfyn immediately regretted the decision once there. In an instant, the half-Annfyn was overwhelmed with the sheer volume of voices, visions and emotions that surged through the Hivemind - a million difference consciousnesses and individual drones that she tapped into at once. The experience lasted only a moment, but it was long enough to send a spike of agony through her mind. And, worse yet, alerted the entire hivemind to Vahliri’s intentions and presence. Before Vahliri could reach for saber, the half-Annfyn watched as the Joined soldiers dropped in unison. Her gaze snapped back in the direction of Nails, immediately spotting the smug expression plastered across the woman’s face.
Rather than say anything, Vahliri opted to give Nails something to look at through her scope - proceeding to flash the woman her middle finger from long range.
With arms folded over her chest, Vahliri followed them down as the Resistance group began to change into the Imperial uniforms - allowing her amber eyes to linger on the faces of those who had fallen. They were men and women the half–Annfyn knew, and there was solace in the fact they had freed her companions from a fate worse than death. None of that, however, changed the simple fact that they had taken a risk unnecessary. She had hesitated, and they were under the gun now because of it. It was a harsh lesson that Vahliri wouldn’t soon forget.
Her gaze lingered on Tazlen and Nails nearby quietly - watching the exchange between the two of them without saying a single word. She heard the jokes that were cracked, saw the playful nudges between the two of them, and could recognize the fondness that glimmered in the sniper’s eyes with a vibrancy all its own. And just as clear, Vahliri could see the almost detached, casual expression in comparison. Vahliri stared, and for a split moment, the half-Annfyn couldn’t help but see herself standing right in Nail’s place. It was an image that immediately caused her fluted ears to flatten with discomfort and her jaw to set into a firm line. It was a bitter reminder of her own reality that seemed to follow her even in the crisis they faced.
“If I pull any bullshit, I’ll be sure to deal with you first.” She fired right back at Nails with a smirk, walking right ahead at the front of the group.” They had their uniforms, and a destination clear in their mind. Their only task now was to reach it before the base fell - and to keep out of sight from the Kiliks on their way. “The base is still a few clicks north of here.” As they began to walk, Vahliri glanced back at Tazlen - her gaze cold and vacant as she made his eyes. “We can’t afford to hesitate, the next time.” It wasn’t quite the ‘I told you so’ that the Jedi was likely expecting, but a reminder nonetheless that Vahliri had been right in the end.
It didn’t take the group long to retrieve their bikes and immediately begin the journey north and towards the base - blitzing through the mountainous terrain. At Vahliri’s instructions, they had taken a detour through some of the denser forest and vegetation - weaving between ancient trees and brush. The route was markedly slower, though it provided cover to the group from any Kiliks that flew overhead attempting to track them down.
“Fall in line behind me once we arrive at the base. If we’re luckily, they won’t ask too many questions and we’ll pass through security checkpoints without issue. There will be a number of shuttles for you to sneak about and find a way off the planet from there.” She glanced back over her shoulder. “No bullshit.” The group was being allowed right past security and into the Imperial fortifications, and she had no doubt some of them were already beginning to consider what damage could be done from the inside.
From within the dense forest, however, the group was completely oblivious to the plumes of smoke highing from the base.
Instead, she reached out with the Force - reaching into the mind of the trooper closest too her. Without mental defenses or the Force, it was childplay to see into the man’s thoughts - and the half-Annfyn immediately regretted the decision once there. In an instant, the half-Annfyn was overwhelmed with the sheer volume of voices, visions and emotions that surged through the Hivemind - a million difference consciousnesses and individual drones that she tapped into at once. The experience lasted only a moment, but it was long enough to send a spike of agony through her mind. And, worse yet, alerted the entire hivemind to Vahliri’s intentions and presence. Before Vahliri could reach for saber, the half-Annfyn watched as the Joined soldiers dropped in unison. Her gaze snapped back in the direction of Nails, immediately spotting the smug expression plastered across the woman’s face.
Rather than say anything, Vahliri opted to give Nails something to look at through her scope - proceeding to flash the woman her middle finger from long range.
With arms folded over her chest, Vahliri followed them down as the Resistance group began to change into the Imperial uniforms - allowing her amber eyes to linger on the faces of those who had fallen. They were men and women the half–Annfyn knew, and there was solace in the fact they had freed her companions from a fate worse than death. None of that, however, changed the simple fact that they had taken a risk unnecessary. She had hesitated, and they were under the gun now because of it. It was a harsh lesson that Vahliri wouldn’t soon forget.
Her gaze lingered on Tazlen and Nails nearby quietly - watching the exchange between the two of them without saying a single word. She heard the jokes that were cracked, saw the playful nudges between the two of them, and could recognize the fondness that glimmered in the sniper’s eyes with a vibrancy all its own. And just as clear, Vahliri could see the almost detached, casual expression in comparison. Vahliri stared, and for a split moment, the half-Annfyn couldn’t help but see herself standing right in Nail’s place. It was an image that immediately caused her fluted ears to flatten with discomfort and her jaw to set into a firm line. It was a bitter reminder of her own reality that seemed to follow her even in the crisis they faced.
“If I pull any bullshit, I’ll be sure to deal with you first.” She fired right back at Nails with a smirk, walking right ahead at the front of the group.” They had their uniforms, and a destination clear in their mind. Their only task now was to reach it before the base fell - and to keep out of sight from the Kiliks on their way. “The base is still a few clicks north of here.” As they began to walk, Vahliri glanced back at Tazlen - her gaze cold and vacant as she made his eyes. “We can’t afford to hesitate, the next time.” It wasn’t quite the ‘I told you so’ that the Jedi was likely expecting, but a reminder nonetheless that Vahliri had been right in the end.
It didn’t take the group long to retrieve their bikes and immediately begin the journey north and towards the base - blitzing through the mountainous terrain. At Vahliri’s instructions, they had taken a detour through some of the denser forest and vegetation - weaving between ancient trees and brush. The route was markedly slower, though it provided cover to the group from any Kiliks that flew overhead attempting to track them down.
“Fall in line behind me once we arrive at the base. If we’re luckily, they won’t ask too many questions and we’ll pass through security checkpoints without issue. There will be a number of shuttles for you to sneak about and find a way off the planet from there.” She glanced back over her shoulder. “No bullshit.” The group was being allowed right past security and into the Imperial fortifications, and she had no doubt some of them were already beginning to consider what damage could be done from the inside.
From within the dense forest, however, the group was completely oblivious to the plumes of smoke highing from the base.
@Sreeya
