Competition: [CNS] Inferno - Fiction (Week 2)

Calenhad nervously tapped his foot against the floor of the Lambda class shuttle. Clan Naga Sadow had begun their assault on the Collective world of Ruuria and he was late! Battlemaster DarkHawk would not be pleased if he found out his apprentice was late. He despised inefficiency, especially within the Sith Empire. ‘I better hurry up and make myself useful then’ Calenhad thought. The Shuttle began its descent toward the planet. Fire burned in pockets throughout numerous buildings, structures that once stood as tall monuments to the power of the Collective were now reduced to rubble by the awesome might of Clan Naga Sadow. The Sadow Legion marched among the destruction, a sea of white armor garnished by dirt and blood. The Lambda shuttle touched down and Calenhad was on his feet in a moment. The ramp lowered and Calenhad bolted out of the shuttle. Calenhad ran past the mass of white until a glint of color caught his eye. He turned toward the source to see a shining captain insignia upon a soldier’s pauldron. The soldier snapped to attention and saluted Calenhad upon his arrival. “Soldier, where was Battlemaster DarkHawk last seen?” The soldier paused for a moment. “The Battlemaster went in pursuit of the enemy special forces known as the Shikari sir.” Calenhad wracked his brain for any mention of these so called Shikari. He remembered something about a group of female soldiers said to be excellent shots and stealthy combatants. Nothing more seemed to come to him so he decided to get moving. “Carry on soldier.” Calenhad walked away in pursuit of his Master. As he walked Calenhad slipped his hand into his robe and pulled out his communicator. “Heard that we get to hunt the hunters today master. Where should I meet you?” Calenhad spoke into the device. There was a moment of silence before the device cranked to life. “You will not be joining me today Calenhad. I have another assignment for you. The seniority of Clan Naga Sadow are split between the pursuit of the retreating forces as well as the search for the Shikari. I need you to work together with our military forces to keep order in what remains of the city. Am I understood?” “Of course master.” Calenhad replied. With a deep sigh Calenhad returned his communicator to his robe. He began to retrace his steps back toward the captain. As he walked he breathed deeply as the force filled him with the pain and suffering of those around him. He face remained blank but there seemed to be a little more pep to his step. “Captain” he called out as he walked toward the Sadow soldiers. “Is there a problem sir?” The captain asked, face indistinguishable under his helmet. “I’ve been reassigned to aid you in the pacification of the city.” Calenhad said. “Is there a specific area that is giving your men trouble?”
“Yes sir” the Captain said “We have encountered resistance from remnants of technocratic soldiers near the western side of town. They are holed up in a building across from the bridge and have heavy weapons in the form of an E-web sir.”
“I see” Calenhad stated. He remembered learning about the use of E-Webs during the Battle of Hoth. The Imperial Army utilizes the E-Web to suppress rebels in the trenches and allow their men to storm Rebel fortifications. The E-Web possessed an incredible rate of fire and even one shot could be deadly. It was no wonder that the Sadow troops were unable to cross the bridge into the western part of town. “Gather your men Captain, we are going to deal with that E-Web.” Calenhad and the Sadow soldiers walked toward the western edge of town. As they walked Calenhad saw medics tending to wounded Sadow soldiers. Despite his medical training, Calenhad forced himself not to aid these men. His mentor had begun to impart a dislike of wasteful activity, especially in terms of human life. The best way to end the pain of these men would be to stop the cause in the first place-the E-Web turret would have to be removed. Finally the bridge came into view. Smoking craters lined the surface of the bridge, at least the surfaces not covered by bodies in white armor. Calenhad could see the glint of metal from the building at the far end of the bridge. However he was unable to see how many men were operating the E-Web. Calenhad immersed himself in the Force. It ripples and spread all around him. He could feel the Sadow troops behind him and the lifeless bodies on the bridge. He could also feel 3 new presences, likely members of the Collective. Calenhad focused on the feeling of those men and unclipped his lightsaber from his robe. He burned the location of these men into his mind before throwing his saber low to the ground. Calenhad guided the saber with the Force, keeping it parallel to the ground and hard to detect. As it grew closer to the presences he wrenched the blade upward and into the E-Web. The time for subtlety was over. Calenhad pulled the lightsaber back into his hand using the Force. He proceeded to step forward but faltered and grimaced when he felt the exhaustion of exercising such control over the Force. Calenhad knelt down and immersed himself in the Dark Side of the Force. He could feel the lives of soldiers across Ruria being cut short during combat. The screams of wounded soldiers echoed in his ears and resonated as a twisted symphony. Calenhad stood back up, exhaustion forgotten in the suffering that was to come. Calenhad stepped forward onto the bridge. The remaining 2 Collective soldiers opened fire on Calenhad and the men advancing around him. Each shot was intercepted by a swing of Calenhad’s lightsaber and thrown harmlessly to the side. The Sadow soldiers returned fire and quickly overwhelmed the 2 sharpshooters. The Captain and his men formed a line by the door. The Captain raised his white boot and kicked out towards the door. There was a loud noise followed by a flash of light. When the light vanished there was no trace of the Captain of his men. “Ambush” a voice called out from behind Calenhad. A group of tan women with dreadlocks approached from all sides. “Shikari” Calenhad growled as the women continued to close in on the remaining Sadow soldiers. Calenhad gripped his saber tightly with both hands and prepared for the fight of his life.