161 Knee Deep in...

(I'm not dead. Just exhausted from work.)

-2:08 AM, January 1st, 2056-

-Lessu Canyons, Ryloth-

I winced as I clamped my nostrils shut using my fingers. As a result, my voice was nasally. "Ughh. That smell is unbearable."

Before the almost 50 ANV operators was a sewer drain about 8 feet in diameter. A steady flow of waste water poured from what remained of the grate that we'd cut out.

Tucker nodded. His helmet was already on. "We have air-tight helmets and are fully covered for a reason."

Sirius held out a helmet and I quickly grabbed it. After putting it on, the air hissed as a seal was formed.

I frowned upon taking a deep breath. "I can still smell it. What a fucking way to spend New Year's Eve."

Tucker shrugged. "Next time put your helmet on before approaching a sewage line."

I shook my head. "Nope. Next time I'll ride in with the cavalry."

Tucker sighed before turning his attention to the other team leaders. "Alright. Our helmets are soundproof so don't worry about communicating. You know your objectives. Move out."

Tomas and Aki nodded before walking back to their teams. I turned to my padawan. "Sirius, don't push yourself too hard."

Sirius nodded. "Yes, master."

He then turned and followed Tucker towards his team. I sighed and then followed Tomas to join up with Alpha team.

T's operators were picking up all their things. We were to head in first. Our objective was to shut down the power grid.

I walked over to the pipe with the team. Without looking back, I hopped up and stepped inside. The "water" was up to my ankles.

With just one step, I felt a faint sense of danger. Something was inside…

Tomas patted my shoulder. "Whatever it is, we'll handle it."

I nodded. "I know. I just don't want to touch the poop smoothie."

I tapped on the left side of my helmet, turning on my night vision. Then, I led the team inside.

We walked up a slight incline for a few minutes. I could feel dozens of presences.

The outlet pipe ended and opened into a large square chamber. The water was deeper here.

I jumped down and the water went up to my knee. Across the chamber was another pipe. We'd have to walk through that one to get to our a maintenance room.

We waded through the water in a straight line towards the other pipe. Like before, I was in the front.

Suddenly, I saw something in the corner of my eye. My head snapped towards it. The water had been disturbed about 5 yards to my left.

Then, I felt danger from behind me. I spun around as I pulled my lightsaber to my hand.

Without even thinking, I activated it and swung. A massive rat-like creature was lunging towards me out of the water.

I chopped at it and split it in two. The two halves splashed in the water. Then, there was more splashing.

Another one emerged from the water. With another chop, another rat was split in two.

I then spun to my left and pushed out my left hand. One rat was flung into another. Mahmud nodded to thank me for saving him.

Mahmud then stepped back and dumped several blaster bolts into the two rats. They stopped moving.

Without looking, I kicked backwards with my right foot. Another rat was pushed away. I twirled my lightsaber and stabbed the rat through the water.

With that, it was quiet once again. I sighed in relief. "Let's move."

Fortunately, no one got hurt. I could only hope that there'd be no more surprises.

I hopped up into the next pipe and started walking. After another few minutes of wading through ankle deep water, we reached a hatch.