Speeding Up 2.0

[Rector_Ras]

The hot day on Korriban was nothing out of the ordinary, it was something Ras had gotten used to over the time he spent as an acolyte and never really left the planet for long enough to forget it. Having some extra time between missions and work he needed doing he decided to train some acolytes in a power that was a fundamental part in his fighting style. Force Speed. . There were some hopefuls on this planet, people he would never have noticed as an acolyte but so obvious now looking on them from above.

The class was being held on the flat roof on top of the entrance to the temple. How they where to get up was for the acolytes to figure out themselves. The crusader had come up in a series of leaps but if an acolyte didn't know how to use the force to aid their jump that rout was impossible. It was a test of sorts. If you could not get to the roof you where not worthy of the time necessary to train you. The roof provided a large flat area with nothing above them. The only downfall to the chosen place was that there was no cover from the beating sun. The heat would pound on the group as they worked and it would test endurance this group was capable of. It was for that reason he had a droid waiting on his signal to bring him some beverages for the crusader was sure to get hot. Of course he would wait for the acolytes to be sure not to show them the easy way up. He had also been sure to tell the last class that left only a little while ago not to show the way to anyone who seemed to be looking for a way up. The consequences if they did being very severe.

 

[Despair]

While many of the others had studied at the temples of Korriban, Szera himself had been a bit of a stranger to the planet. His journey prior to enlisting as an acolyte had proven a worthy development for his skills. Though, he had journeyed prior to the planet on one of his many explorations.

“Hot as always....” The Acolyte muttered under his breath, one arm elevated to cast shade over his eyes. Eyes peered over the looming temple before him. This was supposed to be the site of the class, yet he had received no information pertaining how he was supposed to make his way to the top. Perhaps the instructor had just forgotten? Still new to the Sith Scene, he had yet to realize the mysterious ways in which many of the teachers chose to operate.

After some minutes taken to explore the surroundings of the temple, Szera found himself with only two options. Scaling the wall straight up, or attempting to leap from some of its structural protrusions, base jumping from one to the other.

A low sigh was given in defeat now. “Having to go through all this already. The glare off this damn sun isn’t making it any easier either...” He squinted now towards the protrusions he would use as bases for a moment, just long enough to examine their integrity before taking a shot at it.

Szera lowered his body in a semi-crouched position, biding his time before taking off in one big force aided leap towards the first base. One after the other he made his way upwards, progressively escalating until he had reached the roof. Fingers planted firmly upon the edge, as he made his final ascent, changing his trajectory so that he would land upon the edge, as apposed to the roof itself. The last thing he wanted was to fall through a crack in the ceiling; after all, these were older structures.

“Hope I’m not late.” He blurted out now with his back to the scenic horizon of the sun baked mounds behind him.

 

[Zay]

The harsh sun beat down on the red sands as Abel stared up at the zenith of the temple. Ironically enough it appeared as thought the master for this class had forgotten hat his students didn't processes the abilities to traverse to such and obscure location with ease. Then again nothing was easy on Korriban and if it was easy it was a trap. Gritting his teeth he placed a hand on a groove in the wall and began to pull himself upward. The smooth stone of the temple making a treacherous climb for even the most skilled mountain climbers.

It was almost poetic. By the time this day was over he would never again have to climb this infernal wall. His training today was to sever another link in the chain life held. Today he would learn how to use the force to enhance his innate ability to jump. The only way to learn this skill was to finish his climb. Sweat poured from his forehead impeding his sight as he continued upward. Forcing himself to rely on the force to guide his hands he pushed on. His muscles were fatigued his hands shook with every new hand hold he found. Desperation began to set in as Abel closed in on his prize. In only a few short meters there would be release. He would be able to allow his muscles to relax.

As his left foot pressed off the smooth stone surface Abel's foot slipped. His hands griped with as much tenacity as he could muster. His chest and abdomen slammed into the wall and the air was driven out of his lungs. scrambling to find a foot hole to release the stress on his arms Abel let out a cry of agony. His mind and body told him this was the end this was how he was going to die. A meaningless wretch cast upon the ground like a so many before him. It was in this split second he was able to defy the fates and gravity itself. His left foot found a foot hole and he was able to breath easy for a moment before continuing on.

Taking the rest of his climb with even greater care Abel reached the top of the temple. As he pulled himself up and over the ledge he breathed a sigh of relief. The first obstical was over, now it was time for the lesson to begin.

 

[Wit]

Standing just outside the Temple compound, her head turned upwards to take in her destination, Jade wondered if all her lessons were going to be like this. Need everything have to be a test? Not that failing was actually a worry, she needed to learn all the Sith had to offer to have any chance of saving her sisters, and that meant failing simply wasn't an option.

Having stood in silence and observed as two acolytes had used different routes to reach the flat topped roof that was to be the location of this particular lesson, she realised she had no intention to get all hot and sweaty. She had not just been observing them, but also waiting, observing their surroundings and already spotted a means for her to reach the top without overly exerting herself. In the distance, maybe a mile out when the first acolyte had started his leaping accent, a speader was fast approaching the temple. Her Force senses might not be greatly refined, but she could already sense that there were no Sith inside the vehicle, some of the temple support staff most probably.

As the vehicle reached the temple entrance, just as the second acolyte was reaching the top, Jade stepped in the approaching vehicle's path and raised an upraised palm, universal sign for requesting or ordering someone to stop. And stop it did, the bothan driving the vehicle pulling down the window in inquiry. A few quick words, and a look at the lightsaber hilt hanging at her waist, were all it had taken to get him to cooperate and she was soon standing on the speeder's bonnet as it started rising into the air. Unfortunately the speeder was not one designed for altitude, and couldn't really take her all the way to the top, but it got her high enough to be able to cover the remaining height in a normal leap.

Landing gracefully on the roof, having barely broken a sweat in the process, she smiled at the gathered trio and smiled a self-satisfied smile. "This is us, isn't it?"

 

[Rector_Ras]

Watching the group get up was interesting at the very least. None of the three took a similar path to each other and it showed him the character that was likely behind each of the acolytes. The first he thought would be very straight forward in thought. No time for games, and so for that reason the crusader would have to put games into the situation on him personally just to keep him entertained. The second was more then likely a calculated individual. He had seen where to jump and the gaps his hands and feet could fit into. Nothing missed his eyes and when something did would it bother him? For some it would, some it would not. Telling by a simple thing like this was impossible so he would also test this, for more then the simple reason it went along with the class all so well. The third though was the most unusual. She was resourceful and she likely knew it. She had taken the easiest rout of the group and it made her proud. It was because of her the class would start with the refreshment droid coming up the stairs that went right up to the top of the roof.

The crusader stood not taking notice of the acolytes who waited, watching as the busy life of Korriban passed by below him. Of course when the droid came out and stood beside him with four refreshments he grabbed one taking a sip and turned around. "A lovely day isn't it? So, relaxing, so... cold. I had planned on having drinks ready for you all, I was sure you would need them but as the female showed getting up didn't take much effort at all did it?" With that the three remaining drinks where dropped over the edge of the temple, the droid moving without any real verbal command. "I do never understand why no one ever uses the stairs. Its like you guys 'like' working to get up here." Finishing his drink he gave the class back to the droid who slowly walked back down the stairs.

Now today you came here to learn to move quickly, at least I hope you did if not then you are going to be utterly disappointed on your fall back down. At that he smiled. "I joke! No we are going to learn speed and the basis of speed is running so why don't we start like that. Class run, disappointing me will not make you happy." The ending of his sentence was filled with an obvious tone of cruelty, the message wouldn't be missed.

 

[Despair]

“Great, as if climbing up wasn’t bad enough, now I’m going to be on edge the rest of this class.” Szera thought to himself as he watched the other two arrive. Patiently he awaited their instructor to speak, and was taken by surprise when he presented himself in a relaxed speech.

For their first task it seemed they would be exorcising, which wasn’t that surprising given they would need to build up stamina in order to use a greater capacity of the Force Speed.

Without so much as questioning the chore, Szera began a slow jog around the perimeter of the roof. As he did this he glanced around the roof top, trying to eye any suspicious constructs or anomalies. The last thing he expected was an easy class. Being a self proclaimed expert on ancient Sith Ruins, he figured he would be the first to spot any modification made to the environment, giving him ample enough time to respond, should a trap present itself.

 

[Zay]

Abel watched the liquid spill over the edge. What a poor ploy. Dangle some insignificant sense of relief in front of them then rip it away. How predictable. Then to add in the cruel undertone to his passive aggressive message and you had your basic psychopath. This crusader would be like all of the others Abel had "learned" from. Emotionless, he glanced to the side stealing a glimpse at the woman who'd overcome the trial with her cunning. Abel was impressed with her resourcefulness and her general insubordination. No the instructions hadn't specified how to get to the top, but the implied messaged had been to struggle and overcome. She'd overcome without the struggle. Abel liked that.

Glancing to his other side he took in the acolyte who'd struggled the way he had. The instructions from the crusader had been to run, but he'd not specified to where or to what. He'd simply spoken cryptically and then expected them to follow the order. If his intention had been to build stamina in his class this would have done the opposite, it takes weeks to gain stamina. Running aimlessly from point A to point B would do nothing but exert their bodies. Abel smelled a trap. Or perhaps this was the crusaders response to the woman out smarting the system. The end result would matter not. Abel's body was in peek condition and any form of exercise would come easily to him.

With no word or form of acknowledgement Abel followed the raven haired Acolyte. He would run. He would run until the crusader gave him a worth while lesson. Physcial pain was something Abel was content with. He would not be broken.

 

[Wit]

Jade had heard the Crusader describe the supposed relief that he had planned for them, had watched with indifferent silence as said relief had been poured over the roof's edge. She wasn't really bothered by the fact that a drink was being withheld for her, she had been put through worse tortures during her time as a Shadow Guard, speak nothing of the training they had put her through. So this, this she could get through easily enough. As for the Crusader's ulterior motive, of turning the other acolytes against her by making her the cause of their discomfort, when if they decided some retaliation was in order then hard luck for them.

Sensing one of the acolyte's eyes on her, she shifted her gaze to momentarily make eye contact with him, her face still facing the Crusader, and winked mischievously at him before returning her gaze to the Crusader. She might be here against her wishes, and her ultimate goals might be questionable, but that didn't mean that she couldn't have fun along the way. She had no idea when her life might end, and a justifiable fear that was considering her life was more or less held in the palms of a mysterious Sith Lord. So she might as well make the most of the time she did know was there for her.

As the two acolytes started running as per the Crusader's instruction, Jade decided to just do the same and headed off after them. The instructions had seemed vague to her as well, but the others seemed to know what they were doing and she couldn't rule out the possibility that by virtue of having been among the Sith for a longer period of time than her they had picked up something that she had missed. Or this was a known routine, that running around for a bit was what was expected at this time.

 

[Rector_Ras]

FASTER!

The crusader screamed at the acolytes. Their pace was pathetic, show up at a speed class and move slower then an over weight hut. Ras expected more of a Gizka then what he was getting from this group. His instructions seemed simple and so the problem could be only one thing. They needed motivation. Motivation of course could be given.

Many teachers might have threatened with a blast of lightning. A simple and agonizing punishment but that wasn't the way this Crusader did things. Ras was not one to simple punish for the sake of punishment. The punishments would last at least a couple days, possibly even leave scars. Mementos of their training. Nothing less might be expected for a former student of Mira Albion.

Lighting his palm with flames under the heat his hands became dry and crusty and so while having not planned on It the flame was thrust out towards the acolytes on a parallel line, it wouldn't hit them but they knew who threw it.

 

[Despair]

With how hot it was, the radiating heat from the fireball was easily missed by Szera. What he hadn’t missed, however, was the feeling of danger as the force rippled closer. A single glance back and he reduced it would miss them, most likely a scare tactic.

“Fire isn’t the hardest thing to out run.” Szera remarked to the others who ran behind him with a look of satisfaction. “If that’s all you’re going to throw at us! You’re going to need more!” He continued in an elevated volume so that their instructor would hear. Perhaps he hadn’t shown his true colors before by taking the flash way up the temple, but now it was his time to shine.

The acolyte’s course changed now, making a bee line back towards their instructor. His speed was nothing less of incredible for a human, being light enough to make no sound, while being firm enough with his footing and force to move at an alarmingly increasing speed.

Countless ventures though dungeons of old had trained him to become quick on his feet. Every stride seemed to come faster than the last, though this was not all that lay in his running technique. For now he would hide his fullest ability, as no doubt the others would catch on should he reveal it.

But at the speed he carried himself, he hoped to catch the trainer by surprise, and hopefully amp up the difficulty to their training.

After all, what’s life without a challenge?

 

[Zay]

Apparently, this speed class was based on the instructors amount of boredom. Abel wasn't sure if this crusader knew he'd given no direction in how to use force speed. The crazy fire ball throwing lunitic was attempting to force greater speed out of the acolytes, this ploy fell flatly on Abel. He was in the middle of the line, he felt no flame and wouldn't speed up unless the man in front of him did. As this comfort slipped into his mind, it was ripped away.

“Fire isn’t the hardest thing to out run. If that’s all you’re going to throw at us! You’re going to need more!”

The raven haired man in front of him, seemingly outraged by the fire charged toward the crusader attempting to throw the instructor off guard. Fool. Abel would not play these games. He was above such actions. Abel's face remained blasé with the show going on. His instructions had been to speed up, the barrier in front of him had been removed. He now had the freedom to increase his pace and so he did. Lengthening his stride to it's full potential, Abel's speed, tripled in the flash of an eye. He would continue to run until his stamina gave out on him.

Abel's patience was wearing thin with this seemingly useless method of teaching. If he didn't learn the theory behind the application of this force power within three laps time he would be taking his leave of this lesson. Abel was already in immaculate shape. He didn't need to deal with a psychopathic taskmaster and his whims. Kartan was no toy to be played with. He would crush those who got in his way and remember the names of those who impeded him.

 

[Wit]

Jade simply looked at the Crusader's attempts at motivating them with raised eyebrows, wondering what the success rate of such training methods would be. Were there people walking around with burn marks all over their backs from failing at this obstacle or was it simply a bluff?

Regardless, she wasn't interested in studying Sith psyche, she was here to learn, and if she wasn't able to accomplish that here she'd simply find another to reach her. So she ran, increasing her pace to keep ahead of the flames. As the acolyte in the front suddenly made off towards the crusader, she had a sudden desire to stick out a leg and trip the fool. But she suppressed that urge, deciding instead to simply observe how this played out. If nothing else, it might be some entertainment.

 

[Rector_Ras]

A flash of amusement came over the Crusader when the front of the group charged towards him. He seemed to forget they where here to learn speed, a skill Ras knew very well and the Acolyte not at all. Taking note of the speed up of the other two Ras ignored them, right now this fool needed to be laid out, and laid out was exactly what was going to happen.

Still amused the Crusader pulled the force into his body and Ran straight towards the charging acolyte at speeds no untrained eye could follow which the ones here, now definitely where not. Arriving at the acolyte his hand would be put on his chest pushing him the opposite direction he was moving. The forces would clash and the Acolyte would slam his back into the ground without having seen anything coming, if he was lucky enough to not have smashed his head he might recover with only winces of pain. If not a concussion would definitely be there.

As to where Ras ran, he kept the speed moving now putting his attention back on the two running. His speed would put him in front of them both, stopping and putting his hand out in the call for them to slow down. That's when the class would continue. "What did you feel while running? Which muscles did you feel moving about your body? How much energy was used? How would you in your own minds apply the force to these actions? I want answers from the both of you."

 

[Despair]

The blur left by the crusader as he reacted and moved towards Szera had been too much for him to react quickly enough to dodge. A push it seemed was enough to knock him off his game, though he wasn’t about to allow himself to be fully disgraced.

As he fell he used the physical body mechanics of running to give himself just enough time to stop himself from smashing onto the ground. The right arm moving higher past his head to punch the floor before the back of his head smashed into it, and his left arm flattening so as to cushion a portion of the collision force. It was painful either way, though as least he wouldn’t bash his head in too hard.

For a moment the acolyte laid there, only to sit back up with rubble falling from his knuckles, some of which had become embedded into the skin. “That’s the speed of a master then?” He asked himself as he stood back up. “I can only move at a fraction of that with no control. I need to figure this out then...”

As the instructor began to speak, he readied himself and charged back, this time using the force speed. While his was far less refined, it brought him quicker to the others, though not without repercussion.

At that uncontrollable speed, Szera was unable to truly see where he was going, and only capable of going short distances before he lost sight of what he was doing. Past them he flew, only to stop and skid on his feet for several feet before nearly tumbling off the roof. “SHIT SHIT SHIT!” He shouted as he fell forward, rolling twice before managing to save himself by grasping onto the ledge, leaving him hanging there.

 

[Zay]

Abel's body worked like a well oiled machine. His running technique equal to that of an Olympic sprinter. Focused on his task at hand Abel didn't see the crusader take down the acolyte. However as his footfalls fell upon the roof of the Sith temple his auditory senses picked up a peculiar pitter-patter. Just as his eyes turned toward the sound the Crusader appeared in front of him. The Sith's hand was outstreached in the universal symbol for stop. Abel slowed from a run to a trot eventually coming to a full stop just outside of the Sith's reach. His eyes still unimpressed with the class.

Abel listened as crusader Ras spoke. Frustration began to simmer under the Acolyte's skin. Closing his eyes and focusing on the questions, Kartan began to imagine his body running. What had he felt? He'd felt a burning in his lungs, fatigue in his legs, the jarring of hist feet hitting the ground, and the arid air blowing upon his face. What muscle's had he used? He'd used his gluets, quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves... Just like every other bipedal being. These thoughts ran though his mind as the instructor called for an answer.

Abel met eyes with the instructor. "I felt everything." his words were confident and sure. "To apply the force, I'd gather the omnipresent power into my calves and glutes, as I pressed off the ground I'd channel the power into my quads. I would manipulate the force back and forth like a piston. This would not only allow me to control my speed, but it would also conserve my energy in the long run." As Abel spoke the buffoon who'd attempted to attack the crusader went whizzing past screaming obscenities.

Exasperation swept over Abel's chiseled features as he watched the other acolyte bumble around. He hoped the rest of his tutelage on this planet wouldn't be like this. If it was he'd remain locked in his chambers studying holocrons.

 

[Wit]

Jade had watched the interaction between the Crusader and the foolhardy acolyte with mild amusement, not at all surprised by how events had played out. The Sith, despite their many flaws, were a meritocracy. If this Ras was a Crusader then he had obviously earned that rank. Hearing the acolyte speak out about the difference in speed between him and the Crusader, another smirk crept onto Jade's face as she passed by where he had landed on the roof. "What did you expect, a tortoise in crusader's garb?" A condescending smile more than visible on her face, she raced past the dark haired acolyte, her attention soon drawn away by the Crusader's appearance in front of her and the other acolyte.

Listening to the questions put forward to them, and the kind of reply being expected, Jade had to wonder if she was expected to know medical jargon to learn how to move faster? When her turn came to speak up she was more or less at her wit's end with regards to what to say.

"Well... I guess buoyancy would be a good way to describe what I was feeling. Emotional buoyancy from the entertainment we were provided," her eyes flicked to the acolyte hanging onto the roof's edge, before returning them to the Crusader and her hands coming up and grasping her breasts as she continued speaking, "and physical buoyancy from the bouncing around these guys were doing."

Not really sure why she had said what she just had, she realised that watching and sensing the Crusader use the Force to enhance his speed, along with the fact that she was herself doing half of what he was doing, had made something click in her mind. Reaching out to the Force, she smiled at the Crusader before continuing. "But that wasn't the kind of answer you were looking for, were you? I'll answer the last one properly then, I'd use it like this."

As soon as the last word escaped her mind she dashed off towards the fallen acolyte, the Force enhancing her speed as she had somehow known it would, though her speed was still far less than what the Crusader had exhibited only moments earlier. Reaching the acolyte in a fraction of the time it would have normally taken her, she reached down and gripped both his hands, making him let go of the roof's edge as if she intended to help pull him up. But as soon as his hands were free of the roof she let go, letting him find his way to the ground far below.

Her mind clearing as she let go of her hold on the Force, she was suddenly surprised by all that she had said and done. Taking a quick step ahead showed the presence of a balcony just a few feet below the roof to safely break the acolyte's fall, but that she had so crassly attempted to drop him to his death worried her. It was an indicator that her darker side had taken control, though the fact that it was her drawing on the Force instead of the violence that normally triggered it's appearance was a cause for concern.

 

[Rector_Ras]

Ignoring the Acolyte who seemed to be uninterested in the class at this point Ras listened to the answers the two had for him. One Thought about moving the force back and forth, it gave him the picture of dancing more then it did running. The second seemed to grasped what he was saying a little better and was able to even show a little of what he was getting at. She might even amount to something eventually.

No... Oh I never asked for names did I? How crude of me... At any rate staying conscious of where the force is exactly and moving it back and forth takes far to much attention. You will be using this skill while in the midst of a dual with other force users at some point so naturally your concentration will be somewhere else. If you really want to move back and forth start dancing, it suits the style far better." Pausing for a moment to let his words sink in he continued " The purpose of having you run was a hop you might have the feeling of running in the back of your mind, subconsciously. You cant afford to 'think' about moving the force It just needs to be called and do what it needs to do. The back of your mind is simply as important as the front."

Now pointing on the girl "She seemed to understand this. The basics of the skill she understands, meaning at this point she is your superior. Are you going to let that continue? Is she better than you? No? Prove it!"

Only at the end of his speech did the Crusader notice she had dropped the interruptive acolyte off the roof. "Deserved it" He mumbled under his breath.

 

[Despair]

Just what was it with Sith always wanting to kill themselves? For the love of him, he couldn’t understand it. Reducing comrades and constantly having to be on edge in fear that your own allies would attempt to take your life. It was a little ridiculous considering everything. Perhaps the universe had gotten calm enough for Sith to freely fight amongst themselves once more. Times like these really got him reconsidering his choice to join the Imperium.

That intent was there the moment the female arrived at the ledge before him, he could feel it in his core, he had felt this before when on his adventure with that female Jedi.

Eyes narrowed intently so as to cause alarm with the other, though he himself was feeling it worst with his fear of women. He could have pulled her down with him, grasped onto her wrists as she grasped onto his arm, and pushed off to pull her with him. Could have even fired the wrist laser on his left arm. At this range it would have stuck too, probably. But he didn’t, he knew he wouldn’t die anyways, having hung there long enough to see he was safe to drop.

Yet, as the others continued on he rushed from his position. He wasn’t about to let this slide.

Using the power of the force he leapt once more, this time rocketing past the ledge so that he was facing the back of the woman whom had just attempted to kill him. Both sabers were drawn, and his body came crashing down at her with a tremendous amount of force with a very aggressive cross slash intended to serve as a method to get him distance,

“Urur diomu baurudzun ia yaiodi waidipusun!” He shouted in a voice far gruffer than the one he had spoken in before, displaying his more aggressive feelings.

Every fiber of his being seemed to be radiating with the dark side of the force, with enough intensity to make those with weaker stomachs feel sick with disgust. Yet these were others trained in the way of the force, those that would be able to hold their own. A full on battle was threatening to break out here, with all the aspects to go into play.

Yet, for how short sided this attack seemed to be, Szera had prepared. He was use to being outnumbered, and wasn’t so rash as to rush on his fellow acolyte without anticipating that the other acolyte, or even the crusader, would attempt to intervene.

 

[Rector_Ras]

Watching the fallen acolyte climb back up and charge the female who had dropped him, he understood the feelings. Thing was understanding them and seeing them as acceptable where very different, a sith needed to control his emotions not let them turn them into a mindless monster. When he drew his lightsabers Ras's hand flew up and only shortly after a pulse of power rushed from his palm that would make the acolyte go flying back towards the edge he came from likely leveling him out. Arriving there using speed only the force could give you he arrived only moments after the acolyte landed with his silver saber drawn pointing at his neck.

"You might think you can possibly fight me but im going to tell you now your wrong. This saber was a gift from now rogue sith master Xanthus for nearly beating him. Let that sink in. A man who managed to get away from the sith alive, a master of the sith." During his speech however his other hand had reached for a second of his three sabers and only after finishing his last word did he activate a second slashing down on the Acolytes right hand. He would live but he wouldn't forget his mistake.

He reached to his ear and ordered a medical team to the top of the Academy roof to take care of the acolyte. He didn't need to die, at least not yet. The orders however where to simply make sure he healed. No robotic arm would come. Not as long as he stayed in the imperium.

 

[Despair]

Just how unprepared did they think he was? The display of force power wasn’t unexpected, being pushed had been one of the first things to cross his mind whilst falling down on the acolyte. With both arms crossed he effectively channeled his will power and force just long enough to shield him for the shock of being struck. Though he wasn’t going to fall and continue this class. He had seen what he needed, how a master utilized the force, and he had no intention of landing on the ledge.

Instead, as he descended he launched the missile of his wrist laser down. The familiar screech as the small projectile struck the roof and scattered smoke and dust giving no room for the Crusader to close the gap. After all, fast as he were, he anticipated to land close to the ledge where he anticipated Szera would land. Doing so would land him struck by the missile, which no one should have been aware of until it had actually launched from his sleeve.

With dust risen his physical presence was masked, leaving only for his force to be detected, something he easily hid through force stealth, something he had learned upon meeting the one he now called master.

Just like that, the acolyte had vanished. Falling onto the balcony, and leaping back down upon a mound of sand to make his escape through some of the ruins. No one knew them better than him, following after him could result fatal, even for a team.