10 Season 1: Episode 3.3 - The Escape

Season 1: Episode 3.3 - The Escape

Stardate: 4 1 1 6 0

Earth Standard Date: February 28, 2364

Galactic Standard Date: Unknown

Location: Unknown

Before Tyson could properly greet the Jedi woman, his breath caught in his throat as an ominous sensation gripped him. A vivid vision burst into his mind's eye with startling clarity.

The durasteel wall behind the Jedi rippled and warped, the air around her shimmering. Then the wall detonated in a thunderous explosion, a swirling vortex of fire and shattered metal. The Jedi was engulfed by the maelstrom, and killed by the blast.

The vision flashed through Tyson's mind in an instant but left his heart pounding wildly in his chest. Reeling from the vivid intrusion, he knew with sudden certainty that it wasn't a daydream or a hallucination, it was a glimpse of a possible future. A future that he now had the chance to change.

Adrenaline flooded Tyson's veins as instinct moved him into action before conscious thought could catch up.

The air around the woman began to tremble and warp, shimmering like a mirage. In his vision, it was the first sign he'd seen of the approaching cataclysm. Tyson knew with heart-sinking certainty that he would never reach her in time to divert the disaster.

Instead, he reached out desperately to the Force, channeling every ounce of emotion and will into a plea to save her. The Force responded to his call, rippling outward from Tyson in a powerful wave that knocked back everything in its path, including the Jedi woman. The pulse of energy struck her moments before the wall erupted in a deafening shockwave.

The deck plates shuddered violently as debris rained down from all directions amidst the thunderous roar. Tyson's yell was drowned out by the explosion's intense heat as a barrage of shattered metal consumed everything around them. For those few harrowing seconds, time seemed to slow to a crawl as they were enveloped in the destruction.

The dust settled slowly in the wake of the violent explosion, revealing the true extent of the surrounding devastation. Jagged shards of metal and debris littered the corridor.

Tyson stood cautiously as he took in the scene. Though the blast had been powerful enough to rupture the deck plates beneath their feet, somehow neither flame nor shrapnel had touched him. Around him was a perfect circle of calm in the center of the destruction. The surrounding space was miraculously clear of debris and untouched. Tyson realized what he had done. In that split second before the explosion, he had not just used the Force to push the Jedi woman away. The Force had responded to his desperate call, rippling outward in a Force Wave that knocked back everything in its path. It was as if he had been the eye of a hurricane of telekinetic force that blew away the fire and metal.

Urgently, Tyson moved into the debris, desperate to find the Jedi woman he had tried to save. He spotted her crumpled form half-buried in the rubble and raced to her side. She was in rough shape, her body marred by burns and pockmarked with shrapnel, but she was alive.

Tyson shouted, "Vicky!"

The Nursedriod came rushing forward, medpacs already in hand. As Vicky began treating the Jedi's extensive injuries, Tyson knelt beside her and stretched his hands over her injured body.

Having chosen Force Specialization: Intelligence, the Perk had granted him access to the Force Heal power. Reaching out, he beseeched the Force for guidance and aid. A soft blue glow emanated from his palms, spilling over the Jedi like the gentle waves of an ocean. Though her words came out strained and weak, the Jedi woman looked up at him with gratitude in her eyes.

"The Force is strong with you," she whispered.

Still reeling from the day's events and yet another unexpected turn, Tyson could only nod, never breaking his connection to the Force as it worked through him to heal the Jedi.

Avner and Trask approached cautiously, taking in the grim scene before them. The corridor was a wasteland of twisted metal and shattered deck plating in the wake of the devastating explosion. At the edge of this devastation knelt Tyson, his hands aglow as he channeled the Force to heal the injured Jedi woman.

Trask's expression was one of awe mingled with wariness as he witnessed this display of power. He knew of the Jedi's mystical abilities and had even fought alongside them on occasions, but to see their powers manifested so vividly was still a surreal experience. Clearing his throat, he addressed Tyson, "We don't have much time," Trask stated, "That explosion is sure to have drawn more Sith reinforcements. We'll clear the way ahead to the bridge. You can catch up when you're able."

Though he loathed splitting their party, Tyson recognized the wisdom in Trask's suggestion and had few options otherwise unless he planned to leave the injured Jedi behind. With a solemn nod, he agreed. "Go on ahead. I'll join you as soon as I can get her stabilized."

Avner gave a curt nod of assent, turning to Trask, he said, "Lead on."

The two men continued down the shattered corridor, advancing toward the bridge. Tyson didn't watch them go, focusing solely on the healing energies flowing through him. The sounds of renewed blaster fire echoed back from the path ahead, though he barely registered it.

The female Jedi stirred beneath his ministrations. Though in pain, her voice held a serenity as she addressed him. "You have shown great courage and compassion today. The Force guided you to intervene, did it not?"

Tyson chose his words carefully before replying. "I just knew I had to act."

"I am Jedi Knight Alysia Rahn," she introduced herself. Her eyes, gradually gaining focus and lucidity, studied him intently. "I don't know you. Who was your master?"

"My name is Tyson. I am not a Jedi," he admitted after a pause. He had no idea how to explain himself.

Alysia showed no reaction to this revelation, merely absorbing the information. "Well, you're not a Sith," she observed evenly, her tone free of judgment. "Untrained then," she concluded. "And your lightsaber?" She asked.

Feeling exposed under her perceptive gaze, Tyson confessed honestly, "I inherited it." He didn't mention he inherited it from a Perk, not a family member. "I never felt the Force before today. Right after our battle, I saw a vision of the wall exploding. I needed to get to you, to protect you..." He trailed off, emotion creeping into his voice. "But I wasn't fast enough. All I could do was try to throw you out of the way, and I failed at that."

Alysia's expression grew solemn, "You have been granted a rare gift. A glimpse into the currents of the Force and the possible futures that flow from them. Such visions are powerful, but also fraught with peril if misinterpreted. Foresight, and Healing. Both are uncommon Force abilities. Healing is usually only seen among Jedi Consulars." Her eyes locked with Tyson's, "Regardless of where you came from. You have my thanks," she added softly.

Vicky spoke up then, "Master, she's stabilized. I'm afraid there's little more we can do here, with the limited supplies available. Under normal circumstances I'd recommend rest and no strenuous activities for several days, maybe even a few weeks. But I fear we don't have that luxury, given the deteriorating state of the ship."

Alysia reached out a hand. "Best be on our way then. Help me up, I'll be fine to get to the bridge, and hopefully off this ship."

But Tyson held out a hand, not to help Alysia up, but to forestall her moving. "Please wait a moment, I might have an alternative solution." Tyson pulled his Access Key from his pocket and moved to the nearest door with a panel. He held up his Access Key but received only a negative beep in return, the red light flashing mockingly. A message flashed across his HUD, denying access.

Warning: Entering your Personal Reality from an alternate reality (Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic) requires an Inter-Reality Connecting Door.

[-50 RP] Inter-Reality Connecting Door: Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic (Personal Reality)

Reality Points: 450

Tyson accepted the cost of the Inter-Reality Connecting Door without hesitation. He knew that it was an inevitable purchase. He'd have no way to leave this reality otherwise. Plus its low cost, combined with his desire to help the injured woman overrode any concerns he had about the purchase.

As the doorway opened into the antechamber, Tyson strode through the newly formed entrance. Looking back, the new Inter-Reality Connecting Door sat adjacent to the door leading to T'Pol's quarters on the NX-01 Enterprise. Both Inter-Reality Doors were located on the right wall of the antechamber.

Wasting no time, Tyson hurried back to the Jedi Knight who still sat leaning back against the wall. Though Alysia Rahn held herself with composure befitting her status, Tyson could see hints of strain in the tightness around her eyes and the tension in her posture. As he approached, she made a subtle motion to stand, but Tyson gently shook his head.

"My apologies, Mistress Jedi," he began respectfully, "But it may be better if I carry you. The door I just opened leads to a medical facility outside of this ship. It will be a safe place for you to recover."

Alysia regarded him steadily, unruffled by Tyson's offer. When she responded, her voice held a thread of warmth beneath the calm formality. "You may call me Knight Rahn or Alysia. There are no Mistress Jedi, only Masters." Tyson inclined his head in acknowledgment, accepting the correction. Alysia paused, seeming to sink into the currents of the Force as she contemplated the situation. "I sense a slight deception on your part," she finally murmured, "but only in that you wish to keep your secrets. I was informed of your origins, Space Pirate… Yet, I believe you. The Force assured me. When you said this medical facility would be safe, you spoke the truth." Alysia finally acquiesced, "I accept your offer of assistance in moving me and your aid in my recovery. Thank you."

With her consent, Tyson gently lifted the slender Jedi into his arms, her weight barely noticeable thanks to his Augment strength. Carrying her with care, he passed through the doorway into his Personal Reality, then Medical Bay. A newly-created biobed sat empty and waiting to receive the injured woman. Tyson laid Alysia down delicately. Vicky followed them, hovering nearby as the biobed came to life with diagnostic panels lighting up around the resting Jedi. Vicky made a few adjustments to the displays, fine-tuning the automated treatment protocols. Soon after, Alysia slipped into a peaceful, healing sleep aided by the advanced technology. Tyson knew that like the Vulcans, he'd saved her life, and the Medical Bay would allow her to recover from her wounds.

Tyson turned to face Vicky, "Thank you for your help," he said. "But I have another favor to ask of you."

"Anything, Master," Vicky replied.

"I need you to remain here," Tyson said. "It is the safest place for you. I don't know what awaits me when I return to the Endar Spire, or how I'll manage to escape. And while I appreciate your help with Alysia, I know combat is not your specialty. I also know I'll have to fight my way off the ship."

Vicky nodded. "I understand, Master. I appreciate that since we've been together, you have taken the time to consider my well-being." She stepped closer, wrapping her arms around him in an unexpected embrace.

Tyson stood motionless, surprised by the droid's unexpectedly intimate hug. He slowly raised his arms, wrapping them around the humanoid nursedriod. Through the thin fabric of their clothes, Tyson felt the gentle pressure of Vicky's breasts and the warmth emanating from her synthetic form.

The contact stirred the feelings and desires he thought had been buried after his meditation session with T'Pol. The adrenaline from the earlier confrontation with the Dark Jedi had faded, but now a new tension coiled in his gut. Tyson could feel his blood pumping within his veins, his heartbeat rising. This sensation was one that he was quickly becoming familiar with. The Blood Fever was starting to affect him again.

With an effort of will, Tyson gently extracted himself from the droid's embrace and took a small step back to regain his composure. Vicky gazed at him longingly, "Be safe, Master," she said, "Ensure you return to me."

"I will, Vicky," he managed. "Don't worry." With a last lingering look at Vicky, Tyson turned and strode purposefully back into the Endar Spire.

Tyson held up his Access Key, and the Inter-Reality Connecting Door collapsed into a card. He pocketed the card without examining it further. Several minutes had passed since Trask and Avner rushed ahead to the bridge, and Tyson needed to catch up. When rounding the corner on his final approach to the bridge, he came face to face with Avner. The amnesiac man had already turned to Tyson and held his vibrosword in an attack posture. Upon recognizing Tyson, he stayed his hand.

"Where are the Jedi and the droid?" Trask asked urgently.

"The droid is attending to the Jedi. They'll regroup with us later," Tyson answered smoothly. Trask did not inquire further. He opened the door to the bridge, and the group was immediately met with blaster fire. The presence of several Sith soldiers made it clear the battle for the Endar Spire was far from over. However, the combined skills of Tyson, Trask, and Avner soon overwhelmed the Sith troops.

"Bastila's not on the bridge," Trask declared. "She must have already escaped via the pods. With Bastila gone, there's no reason for the Sith to keep the Endar Spire intact. We need to reach the escape pods immediately."

Concerned about abandoning his Perk-awarded spaceship, Tyson voiced his hesitation, "What about the shuttle bay? My ship is docked there." The prospect of leaving his ship behind was difficult to accept. If given the choice, he'd make sure he retrieved the vessel.

Trask, however, quickly eliminated any notion of using the Tramp Freighter to escape. "There are too many Sith fighters out there. I don't care how crafty you Space Pirates are. If you take off in a freighter now, you'll be blasted instantly. The escape pods are small enough to slip by unnoticed. The Sith won't shoot them if they want Bastila alive."

Though it pained him, Tyson recognized the truth in Trask's words. Any attempt to escape while the Endar Spire was still under attack would be tantamount to suicide. The Sith's focus on capturing Bastila meant the escape pods represented their best and only avenue for survival. With great reluctance, Tyson accepted that abandoning his ship to its fate would be necessary.

The shuddering of the Endar Spire grew ever more violent as Tyson, Avner, and Trask navigated through the failing ship's buckling corridors. Each quake underscored the urgency of their quest to reach the escape pods before the entire vessel was torn apart. Rounding a corner into an adjoining passageway, the trio was confronted by an ominous figure blocking their path.

The man was equipped with dark battle robes, but it was his double-bladed lightsaber whose crimson glow revealed him as a far deadlier threat than the Sith troopers they had previously encountered.

Trask's eyes narrowed as he recognized the danger. Stepping forward, he addressed Tyson and Avner with resolve, "Another Dark Jedi. Go on ahead to the escape pods. I will hold him off long enough for you both to escape."

Yet Tyson held fast, unmoved. The Blood Fever pumped through his veins, singing its siren song, urging him to fight and conquer. He felt the irresistible drive to kill the worthy opponent before him.

Placing a firm, steadying hand on Trask's shoulder, Tyson insisted in a tone that brooked no argument, "Get to the escape pod. He's mine." Though his outward demeanor remained composed, underneath Tyson could feel the Blood Fever thrumming in anticipation, his heart quickening at the prospect of combat.

Though taken aback, Trask searched Tyson's eyes and saw the resolve and dangerous edge within them. Recalling how Tyson had fought alongside the Jedi woman against the previous Dark Jedi, Trask decided to place his trust in the man. Wasting no time, he grabbed Avner and began retreating down an alternate passageway toward the escape pods. "You don't have to tell me twice. Damned noble for a pirate," Trask called back over his shoulder. "Good luck!"

The Dark Jedi observed Tyson with a smug smile. His confidence in his own abilities was written on his face. Rather than immediately engaging in combat, the Dark Jedi seemed content to simply watch and wait, allowing his arrogance to get the better of him. "Your confidence is misplaced," the Dark Jedi finally spoke.

His Augment intellect allowed Tyson to see an opportunity in the Sith's words, even through the haze of the Blood Fever. A villain's willingness to banter usually leads to their downfall.

"You're right." he sighed theatrically, "It's all false bravado. I know I don't stand a chance against a Jedi." Tyson paused, resignation entering his voice as he continued, "I just wanted to give them hope." Thinking quickly, he asked with forced politeness, "Would you mind giving me one minute to send a final farewell message to my wife?"

The Dark Jedi let out an amused laugh, "I suppose this is the part where I ask if you have any last words anyway… Very well. One minute. Let it not be said that Darth Bandon isn't magnanimous."

Of course, Tyson didn't actually have a wife. He had simply wanted to buy himself some time to quickly browse through his Perks. The Dark Jedi had unwittingly granted him that time, allowing him to prepare for their battle. Normally a single minute wouldn't be nearly enough time to thoroughly peruse the extensive list of new perks available to him in this setting. After all, Tyson had spent hours doing so his first night on the Enterprise-D. However, Tyson was different now. He had Augment intellect, further enhanced by the boost garnered from his Force Specialization: Intelligence.

Tyson retrieved his tablet. His hands roved over the device's surface, though it was merely an act. In truth, he focused elsewhere, accessing the heads-up display. The Tactical HUD operated at the speed of thought. Information streamed into his mind far quicker than his hands could ever access the tablet devices.

Without a moment wasted, Tyson dove into his list of perks. The sheer volume would have overwhelmed an ordinary man. But Tyson's enhanced mind absorbed and processed each perk in an instant. Combining all his mental assets, Tyson rapidly read, analyzed, cross-referenced, and considered every available Perk, processing the information at magnitudes faster than his normal speed. He scanned intently for something that would prove useful not just in the immediate confrontation with the Dark Jedi, but provide lasting value moving forward. With only seconds remaining, Tyson identified a few viable options and hastily weighed them against one another to make a final selection before his borrowed time expired.

[100 CP] Armored Robes (Item)

A Jedi robe with cortosis plates woven in. It can protect against blaster fire, and lightsaber attacks.

[200 CP (Discounted)] Sever Force (Perk)

This power will allow you to cut individuals off from the Force by creating a wall of light side energy around them. The effects of this power may only be temporary at first, but with practice, you will be able to permanently remove an individual's connection to the Force. Sith receive a weaker version of this power, and only true Jedi can unlock its full potential.

[300 CP (Discounted)] Telekinetic Lightsaber Combat (Perk)

This incredibly rare ability will grant you the knowledge and skill necessary to control up to three lightsabers using only your mind. These blades will be about as deadly as if you were actually wielding them, but it will be difficult to move them faster than your own walking speed and you won't be able to move them outside of your visual range.

[400 CP] Dodge! (Perk)

Some folks like to rely on shields, others on armor. You're the kind of person who prefers to never get hit in the first place. Your flexibility, dexterity, and body control are some of the best, and you use that to evade attacks, guards, and the occasional angry spouse. Said flexibility and dexterity also increase your attractiveness by how you hold and move yourself. Ever seen a woman move like a cat? Quite similar. You could even use this to become one hell of a tease.

Tyson contemplated his options carefully, weighing each one in turn. First he considered the Armored Robes. it was the least expensive of the choices. Cortosis was a rare mineral that held a special property. When a lightsaber blade contacted the metal, it would 'short-out', immediately deactivating. The one wielding the lightsaber would be forced to reactivate their weapon. Though the robes could serve as a surprise that would grant him the upper hand, Tyson dismissed them as unviable for his current situation. Previously when he'd purchased Items, they appeared somewhere in the world or within his Personal Reality. The Spacesuit and Laser Blade appeared within the Warehouse in his Personal Reality, and the Lightsaber had appeared in the footlocker in the room he woke up, but only after reading the system message. If he purchased the robes, there was no guarantee he'd have immediate access to the garments. If they didn't materialize in the immediate area, they wouldn't help against the threat he currently faced.

Next, Tyson turned his thoughts to Sever Force. It was a deceptively powerful ability for its moderate cost. He racked his memory but could not recall any characters who possessed this talent. Save perhaps the Sith Triumvirate, the antagonists of the second Knights of the Old Republic game, the sequel to the situation he know found himself in. Most of the time when characters lost their connection to the Force, it was because they voluntarily cut themselves off from it. Luke Skywalker did this, as did the Jedi Exile, Meetra Surik. The ability to cut off an opponent's access to the Force, even briefly, could mean certain victory if employed at the right moment. The only drawback to this ability was that it would have no effect against non-Force users. However, Tyson felt confident this perk would prove its worth in this universe.

Telekinetic Lightsaber Combat was also worth considering. It was a rare and novel fighting style. The technique granted strong offensive and defensive capabilities in melee combat, though it was weak against fast-moving enemies or dynamic combat situations. Tyson hesitated to choose it mostly because it was a skill that he could potentially learn for himself given time and practice. He imagined it was an evolution of Telekinesis, a Force power he already had access to. Comparatively, developing the Sever Force ability, on his own, would be a far more difficult undertaking. He didn't have any base skills to build from that could disrupt another's Force connection, and would be starting from scratch.

Finally, Tyson considered Dodge!. The ability to avoid attacks completely was invaluable when a single blaster bolt or phaser beam spelled certain death. His Lightsaber and Laser Sword Items, combined with his Duelist and Master with your Hands Perks, would allow him to deflect or avoid most shots. Dodge! would render him virtually untouchable when combined with his Snakeskin perk. There was never harm in having additional, layered, defensive options.

Tyson selected the Sever Force ability. Though the power wouldn't serve a purpose against non-Force users, he felt secure with the array of weapons and skills already at his disposal against mundane opponents. Jedi, Sith, and other enemies who could wield the Force posed the greatest challenge. Their supernatural abilities granted them an extensive range of attack and defense options, from hurling objects with their minds to foreseeing an opponent's moves. Countering these powers would be key to his success. By severing a Force user's connection, even briefly, Tyson could eliminate their main advantage. Without access to the Force, a Jedi's precognition or a Sith's telekinesis became useless. A well-timed disruption could prove the difference between victory and defeat.

Tyson nodded, satisfied with his reasoning. Sever Force was an invaluable benefit, for an acceptable CP cost.

Character Points: 1250

Tyson's allotted minute expired. He removed the plain shirt he had worn over his Spacesuit, lifting the garment over his head and dropping it to the deck plating. The suit's color shifted from its default silver to transparent, displaying the muscular physique granted by his Best of the Best perk, and his Augment physiology. He'd reduced his clothing to get as large a benefit as possible from the Snakeskin perk, seeking to gain every possible advantage against the Sith.

Reaching to his belt, he withdrew the Lightsaber and Laser Sword, igniting both with a flourish. The lightsaber's plasma blade thrummed to life in a vivid green, while the laser sword glowed a cool blue.

Tyson adopted a defensive stance, weapons raised, he addressed his opponent courteously. "I appreciate your consideration, Darth Bandon. Shall we begin?"

The display of courtesy and controlled confidence angered the Dark Jedi. Bandon's eyes narrowed malevolently at the sight of Tyson's paired lightsabers, their glow reflecting in his yellowing sclera. His voice emerged as a vicious snarl. "A Jedi? You dare mock me? I shall teach you the price of such arrogance!"

Darth Bandon lunged forward, his double-bladed lightsaber a blur of red as he unleashed a flurry of strikes. Tyson met the assault head-on, his enhanced reflexes allowing him to parry and counter with preternatural speed and precision. Green and blue clashed against red in a dazzling display of swordsmanship. Sparks flew as the blades locked together, the combatants straining against each other.

Bandon disengaged and leaped back, thrusting out his hand. An invisible force slammed into Tyson, sending him flying across the room. Tyson twisted in midair, landing in a crouch and sliding backward. He reached out with his own telekinetic power, ripping consoles and debris from the walls and hurling them at Bandon.

The Sith laughed as he effortlessly batted away the projectiles with a flick of his hand and a slight exertion of the Force. "Is that the best you can do?" He raised his hand, fingers curling as he unleashed a Force Choke.

Tyson felt an invisible vise tighten around his throat. With a grunt of effort, he focused his mind and called on the Force. He pushed back against the dark energy, breaking free from the choke's grasp.

Bandon snarled in frustration and charged forward, his lightsaber whirling in a dizzying pattern of slashes and thrusts. Tyson's Augmented vision allowed him to track the blades and meet Bandon blow for blow, his own dual blades a whirlwind of green and blue.

They danced across the corridor, leaping over debris and twisting through the air in a deadly ballet.

As they clashed, Bandon unleashed a wave of Plague, a dark side Force power. The sickly green energy washed over Tyson. Tyson gritted his teeth as pain wracked his body. He shuddered as he fought off the effects of Bandon's Plague, his Augment physiology and immune system protecting him from the full force of the sickly green waves.

Bandon's eyes narrowed in frustration as his opponent remained standing. Drawing deep from the boiling well of his rage, the Sith apprentice summoned a howling vortex of dark side energy. The Force Whirlwind seized Tyson, lifting him off his feet and flinging him violently against the corridor walls. Tyson let out a pained groan as he slammed into the unforgiving metal. But the power didn't cease, slamming him and spinning him from one side of the hallway to the other, repeatedly. Darth Bandon laughed cruelly as Tyson was finally dropped to the ground.

Through sheer force of will, and thanks to his Augment constitution, Tyson was able to pull himself upright. Gritting his teeth, he reached for the Light Side of the Force, requesting it regenerate his battered body, activating his Force Healing ability.

The battle raged on between the two Force users. Bandon's double-bladed lightsaber whirled and spun in a crimson blur as he pressed his attacks without mercy or restraint. The Dark Jedi struck again and again, putting the full weight of his rage and power behind each blow, meaning to end his opponent's life.

Tyson's paired blades met each of Bandon's strikes. His defense held firm, turning aside strike after strike even as he sought openings for a counterattack. Tyson's ripostes came swift as lightning. His lightsaber technique was unrefined, but the Force subtly guided his movements. It granted him a measure of foresight that combined with his superhuman reflexes, enhanced attributes, and reaction time, seamlessly. He deftly parried, emerald and sapphire blurs flickering as he wove a defensive web to turn aside Bandon's strikes. Tyson's blades danced and spun, matching the other man blow for blow.

Though Bandon's double-bladed lightsaber whirled with vicious speed and power, Tyson had no difficulty holding his ground, keeping pace with the Dark Jedi's blistering offense. Tyson pressed the attack when he could, seeking openings to counterstrike.

The duel became a contest between Bandon's raw fury against Tyson's focus and control. In lightsaber combat, Tyson's Perks gave him the edge against the Dark Jedi.

Bandon snarled in frustration as his devastating blows were turned aside. He drew more deeply on his anger, striking again and again, but Tyson continued to gain ground through finesse. The Sith intensified his assault, seeking to create an opening where none existed. Tyson's paired blades were there to meet his every attack. The corridor resounded with the clash of their blades and the hum of the plasma searing the air as the Force flowed strongly through both combatants.

The Sith realized brute force and his lightsaber skills would not carry the day. During this battle, the only time Bandon had the advantage was when he drew upon the Dark Side and bent the Force to his will. He recognized that he would need to employ his mastery over the Force if he hoped to overwhelm the tenacious defense of his enemy.

In a desperate gambit, Bandon gathered a massive amount of Force energy. The air crackled with power as the very fabric of reality seemed to warp around them within Tyson's Force sense.

At this critical moment, Tyson unleashed Force Sever.

Silver-white energy surrounded Darth Bandon, slicing through his connection to the Force.

Whatever ability he was preparing to unleash failed to manifest.

Just as importantly, Bandon was left without the battle foresight and guidance granted by the Force.

In that instant, Tyson's blades sliced through the air in a blinding arc, the green Lightsaber and blue Laser Sword flashing as they came down upon the stunned Bandon. The Sith tried to react, but without the Force to guide his blade's path, he was at a severe disadvantage against a Force-wielding Augment.

Bandon had no chance to defend himself against Tyson's final barrage. The blades of plasma and light carved through cloth, armor, flesh, and bone. The Sith's amber eyes widened in disbelief and agony as Tyson's weapons cleaved through him. His torso split and separated from his legs. What remained of the man toppled backward, collapsing to the deck in a heap of lifeless meat. His crimson lightsaber tumbled from his hand, clanging against the metal floor, its plasma blade winking out.

Tyson stood over the corpse of his foe, blades still humming in his hands. The threat of Darth Bandon had been ended.

The Endar Spire shuddered around him, alarms blaring as the ship began taking critical damage. He deactivated his weapons and grabbed Bandon's double-bladed lightsaber as he turned toward the escape pods.

Tyson raced through the Endar Spire's corridors. He hoped that Trask and Avner had waited for him before abandoning the doomed ship. Skidding around the last corner, he arrived at the escape pod bay, only to be met with bitter disappointment.

The pods had all been ejected. They had evacuated without him, leaving no path for his escape.

Tyson racked his mind for alternatives. Trask had warned that trying to fly the Tramp Freighter out of the hangar surrounded by Sith fighters was suicide. But remaining aboard the Endar Spire was hardly better.

Then realization struck.

Darth Bandon must have come aboard somehow, just as the Sith troopers had. The Sith did not possess transporters, like in Star Trek. They couldn't materialize instantly on another vessel. Bandon had to have arrived in a ship docked somewhere on the Endar Spire.

Tyson spun on his heel and dashed back the way he had come, calling on the Force to enhance his speed. Passing, but ignoring Bandon's corpse, he continued down the corridor, finding the hangar bay. Inside, beside the Tramp Freighter, sat a sleek Sith Interceptor. The fighter must have been Bandon's personal craft. Though it pained him to leave his freighter behind, Tyson climbed into the interceptor's cockpit.

Though he was unfamiliar with the controls initially, his This is (Not?) Rocket Science Perk granted him the basics of flying the ship. From there, Tyson's Augment mind allowed him to quickly comprehend the fighter's systems. In moments he had the interceptor undocked and flying free of the still under-fire Endar Spire.

As Tyson pulled away, the Sith fighters swarming around the dying capital ship ignored him. To their sensors, it was just another fighter from their fleet. He felt a pang of regret at leaving his freighter behind, but with the Endar Spire coming apart around him, the interceptor had been his only chance of escape. For now, the deception served its purpose. The Sith paid him no mind as Tyson gained distance from the battle with every passing moment.

Finally having a moment to breathe, Tyson considered his options. The Sith Interceptor was a small craft, only around 7 meters long. It only held a day's worth of provisions; a pair of small meals and some water. A quick survey of the ship's systems revealed it had no hyperdrive, so he wouldn't be able to travel to any other solar systems quickly.

He was left with two options. Return to a Sith cruiser or land planetside.

Tyson didn't like his odds posing as a Sith. He hadn't taken any Sith armor on the Endar Spire, and there wasn't a spare set within the cockpit. Landing on the nearby world, Taris, one of the galaxy's few city-planets, was his best bet. As Tyson angled the fighter to descend to the ecumenopolis, he saw the vivid explosion of the Endar Spire. Descending into the atmosphere, his HUD displayed messages.

Episode: Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic - Endar Spire Complete!

+100 RP

Reality Points: 550

"Well, well, well! The plucky young hero defeated a Dark Jedi and sated his Blood Fever in one fell swoop! I must say, that battle was mildly entertaining, I suppose. For a human, at least. Taking Darth Bandon off the board so early deserves a bonus. Maybe some SP since you didn't have a real chance at saving your Tramp Freighter."

Tyson's brow furrowed in confusion. He mumbled, "SP? He quickly recalled that the Voyager Problem Drawback offered SP instead of CP. As Tyson worked through his memories, the message continued scrolling.

"SP! Ship Points! Don't tell me that great Augment brain of yours can't comprehend such a basic concept. I suppose even an enhanced monkey brain is still a monkey brain… Ship Points are used to improve and customize your ships and vessels. This needs to be done at a spaceport, starbase, or similar facility of course. You can certainly attempt to upgrade things yourself, but using points gets the job done perfectly and instantly."

+100 SP

Ship Points: 1400

But the omnipotent being wasn't done yet.

"I do hope you plan to entertain me some more in this reality. That little skirmish was a decent enough aperitif, but I shall require something far more substantial for the main course."

Settling back in the pilot's seat, Tyson muttered, "You're just salty that I settled my Blood Fever in a duel to the death instead of with T'Pol."

Q's disembodied laughter filled the cockpit as the Sith Interceptor began its descent toward the surface of Taris. 

— Star Jumper —

Tyson

Origins: Human, Humanoid, Drop-In, Space Pirate, Bad Guy

Race: Augment Human-Betazoid (Hybrid)

Character Points: 1250

Reality Points: 550

Ship Points: 1400

Credits: 0

Status Effects: (none)

Drawbacks:

Gauntlet (Locked)

Ensign Marty Stu

A Simple ReQuest

Hybrid (Betazoid)

Amok Time/Blood Fever

Outlawed

The Voyager Problem

Perks:

Cosmic Awareness

Out of Nowhere

Going Native

Live and Let Live

This is (Not?) Rocket Science

Kinda Bland

Determinator

Painted On

Snakeskin

Adaptable

Duelist

Master with your Hands

Best of the Best

Everything Is A Weapon

Augment

Force Specialization: Intelligence

Tactical Info

Sever Force

Items:

Laser Blade

Spacesuit

Agony Booth

Cloaking Minefield

V-KO IV Nursedroid

Lightsaber

Personal Reality:

Access Key

Security System

Inter-Reality Connecting Door (Star Trek Enterprise)

Medical Bay

Inter-Reality Connecting Door (Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic)

Spaceships:

Tramp Freighter (Destroyed - Respawn on 02/28/2365)