3:10 to Port Pixelito

[Jacobi Wylcott]

Tormentous stomped his way along the tops of the train cars. The wind was like a hot blow dryer in his face as the train sped along into the wild wastes. He was undeterred in his action though as he was now nearing the engine car. Once he was there he planned on taking full control of it and then waiting until either Kita gave him the signal to stop the train or until he otherwise felt the moment was right in which he’d stop it anyways which would make picking up the bomb much easier. They could easily pick up the bomb while the train was moving but stopping it was logistically simpler.

But now was the time to reveal his presence. Not just to carve his way into the Alliance personnel but to announce himself. If there were any Jedi here then his powering up would not go unnoticed and in doing so he’d likely be able to draw the majority of the enemies his way and away from Kita. Not that he was trying to make things easier for his Apprentice but rather he wished to ensure this mission was successful.

The outcome of this operation would be a massive boon for the Sith if they were victorious here.

Gripping his sword, the Jidai Maras he focused his will unto the blade and it went from cool mirror sheen steel to superheated in the blink of an eye and he slashed through the top of the train car that he stood on - still several car lengths behind the engine - and the blade sank through the metal like it was butter. (Telekinesis) he gripped the metal plating and ripped it aside, slinging it off into the wastes and then he dropped down into the train car and right in front of several startled Alliance Troopers. The sheer shock and panic in their faces was pure bliss to his senses (Feed on Dark Side) and he drank their fear in absorbing it for the fulfillment of his power.

His freehand shot out and sucker punched the nearest trooper in the throat. Had it been a normal jab the man would have been fine. Yet with the power of the Dark Side of the Force empowering his every movement the man’s throat was obliterated on the inside and he crumpled to the ground in a heap, both hands on his throat as he gagged in horrific suffocation. His fellows fell backwards as Tormentous entered the car fully and with a sweep of Jidai Maras he lashed through the car’s power cables - the interior went dark save for the lighting that poured in from behind the Dark One. Unable to see and with the gagging of their dying friend the Alliance men began to waiver.

Tormentous pressed in on them as the first blaster rounds now came his way. (Absorb/Scatter) A shot came at him but he let it splash against his energy field, disrupting the energy and further giving him fuel with which to dispense pain. (Waves of Darkness). Then came his mighty will as it showered down upon his foes with wave after morale crushing wave. It dominated their every nightmarish fear and tore their minds apart for the impending damnation to come. Once brave men dropped their weapons and fled. Others who scored high on marksmanship exams dropped their aim and the Dark Lord came at them with his fury.

He deflected shot after shot with his sword, some right back at the shooters. He poured his hatred upon them and lashed out - his sword passing through a rifle with ease and sending the shooter sprawling. Stepping in he sent his sword in an arc to take the fallen man’s face which it did - passing through the man’s cheek, through half of his face and nose and out through the other cheek. Gurgling screams replied. Tormentous moved in deflecting more and more firepower from the routing defenders but he was already upon them. His sword slashed down and across, disemboweling a man who dropped his rifle and fought to hold his entrails into his stomach amid his blood shattering screams.

Another he sliced through the firing grip of the weapon which off came half the hand with it and the Trooper fell aside gripping his maimed appendage.

Tormentous’ wrath had been unleashed.

There was no stopping it now.

[Kita_Ikari]

Kita stopped in her tracks at the sight of the girl in the distance as she frantically exited the boxcar. The Sith apprentice obviously hadn't been discovered yet, so it gave her the opportunity to see if this person was a threat or not to her mission. She noticed the lance attached to her as she approached the flatbed. It seemed by her reactions alone this girl was well aware something was going to happen today. "Another force user no doubt. A Jedi perhaps?" Even though she didn't see a lightsaber, Kita was positive this girl was another apprentice much like herself. No normal person acted in such a way out of the blue when no threat was yet in sight.

Narrowing her blue gaze as the wind whipped through her golden hair, she assessed the situation before acting. Finding the bomb wasn't going to be easy while also battling an opponent. Not to mention the fact they were out in the open which was a hazard of its own as the train accelerated at a fast rate. Kita would have to keep her guard up at all times. "Let's do this then."

Rushing forward, Kita leaped off the roof of the car onto the flatbed facing the girl as she landed flawlessly on her feet. Taking notice of the vibrolance in Aliclairs grasp, she got the idea of what her fighting style may be. However, she couldn't be certain. Her blue gaze looked over at the crates behind the padawan and Kita wondered how she was going to figure out the decoys from the real bomb. But first she needed to defeat her opponent in order to secure the bomb for pickup. Otherwise this mission was bound to be a loss.

Looking back at Aliclair with narrowed eyes, Kita ran forward and made a swing at her lower right side with the activated side of her vibrolance before twirling it in her hand and changing its direction to aim for her upper left shoulder in a powerful downward sweep, meanwhile closing distance between them, Kita aimed a uppercut punch to the Jedi apprentice stomach before leaping back out of Aliclairs reach. Whether any of the hits made its mark or not, perhaps it was enough to make a point that this Sith apprentice wasn't playing around. Any attempts to get in her way further, Kita wasn't going to allow her opponent to walk away unscathed or in Tormentous favor, alive.

[Ben Kenobi]

The Jedi Master was running now from car to car. He could feel the growing darkness fall over the train as if it was a massive blanket covering everything. Even though it was broad daylight the entire scene seemed to become darker and almost as if he was swimming in the murk of a swamp haze. He passed positions with a skeleton crew of Alliance Troopers, their rifles held up and Ben could sense the fear on them as reports came in over the communications that a Sith was on board, that combined with the contact reports of men pleading for backup… it was too much for them and they were literally terrified.

Ben felt for them all but he could not stop and console or give them a word of hope for the men under fire needed him most. In truth simply his rushing towards the heavy fighting brought hope to these men and those that knew he was coming… just maybe they were fighting a little harder now. Regardless of that point Ben Kenobi was rushing as fast as he could towards the front cars, he silently chastised himself for not sensing the Sith coming in the first place, he had not been on guard when perhaps he should have been. He would have to meditate on this later.

For now he had more pressing concerns to deal with.

Finally as he approached the next train car up he could feel the deep stench of the Darkside of the Force. He could also feel death. Carefully now he opened the doorway, read for ambush, and what he viewed within was the stuff of nightmares. The dead and the dying littered the car, blood soaked the floors and was spattered on every wall, ceiling and window. Dying men were crying. They were well trained and hardened men of the Alliance Military and to hear some of them literally crying out, some without physical wounds at all… it was heartbreaking.

Ben looked for the Sith but found no one… he was in the next car…

Swallowing hard and fighting to not let emotion distract him from what must be done, Ben Kenobi stepped hurriedly forward and he was well intent on putting a stop to this fiend before he was able to do anymore harm…

[Aliclair Austjor]

Uncertainty shrouded Aliclair unlike any other. She had no abilities, no powers other than her untamed 6th sense. At least it let her know an enemy was afoot. She met with the eyes of her enemy, a Sith apprentice. But, Ali didn't know that. Her eyebrows knitted and lowered to offer her a glare, for intimidation. The padawan noted on her figure, her bright sun-kissed blond hair, her inky black attire. Well, Aliclair's wasn't any better but it was for combat and not show. Gripping her vibrolance, she waited patiently to see if she would attack first and she did. She twirled her lance to reflect against the first to attacks, but unable to protect herself from the gut punch. Ali let out a hissed grunt of pain, instinctively hunching forward to grip her stomach but forced herself to quickly recover. She sure was fast.. perhaps too fast. Aliclair had self-taught combat training. She would need to think light on her toes and quick. Ali huffed out before charging at Kita in a tender toed sprint, twirling her lance within her hand before spinning the activated lance upwards to Kita, then a swift left-vertical slash, her foot semi-planting for stability and to stagger her opponent the best she could.

If the Sith wanted this bomb, they'd need to incapacitate Aliclair, because she wasn't giving up, even if she was down and unable to fight.

[Jacobi Wylcott]

The Waves of Darkness pounded the resolve of the men of the Alliance into ash and no longer could they form any sort of proper defiance towards the Dark One. Tormentous, looking at them in utter disgust for their lack of resolve - unchained the weapon he wore around his armor. It was a long chain with wicked barbs along its fifteen foot length of which on the end of said chain was housed a nasty hook. His yellow eye glowed with a sinister hue but it was already too late. The men within this train car were condemned to suffer to his name. The name of Tormentous.

Thrusting the Jidai Maras into the chest of another man he flung the hapless fool away which left one final trooper in this car. It was a woman. She was young, had to be in her early twenties, maybe just outside of nineteen. She had beautiful brown eyes and satin black hair, fair skin and from her face one could tell her smile was a tender one. Alas her smile lacked here as she was screaming aloud and thrashing as Darth Tormentous drug her - that nasty hook was dug deep in her stomach and hooked inside her ribcage - it was stuck in her and he so callously dragged her through to the next car leaving a trail of red behind him. She gripped the hook with both hands, her left hand was covered in blood but her wedding band glistened from the red viscera spattering all over her person.

Tormentous climbed up a ladder and was now on top of the last train car before the engine. The agonized young woman begging for someone - anyone to help her - but none would come. She even begged him to release her though her pleas fell on deaf ears for he cared nothing for her suffering. It was the affect she was having on her fellow Alliance men that he cared about.

Seeing her being mutilated like this combined with his Waves of Darkness - not a single soul remained and they fled from the Dark Lord of the Sith without so much as a fight. Yet if they came into his range he struck them aside and cut the chaff from this life and unto the next.

Finally near the end of the train car he took his end of the chain and hooked it into the roof of the car and with a frown and a nature devoid of care he picked the woman up - by the hook that held her. Her pain shocked her into a scream that could be heard over the roar of the wind itself and then he waited for the Jedi Master to arrive.

He had a nice decision for the Jedi to make. His vile sneer glowered then and he knew then and there that the scars he was leaving on these people would last far longer than the ones the dead would ever carry with them.

[Kita_Ikari]

Honestly Kita was not intimidated by the padawan, but did not keep her guard lowered. For even the sith apprentice knew that sometimes even beginners in the force could be powerful opponents. Kita usually didn't start the battle off first, but she felt Ali wouldn't attack first but hold her off in the long run. Kita wanted to bring down her opponent as quickly as possible so her and her master Lord Tormentous could finish their mission and escape without much trouble. However knowing her master, trouble seemed to follow him wherever he went anyhow.

Unfortunately neither of the swings with her lance struck Ali. But the moment her fist collided into the padawan's stomach, a smirk came across her light pink lips. Kita had always been naturally quick and agile. And it seemed both apprentices had a headstart in self teaching themselves as well with a lance as Ali ran at her twirling her weapon in hand with ease. Finally a seemingly equal opponent for her to battle with had arrived before the sith apprentice. In Kita's mind this was interesting and also a bit worrisome. For the padawan could possibly outdo her in the future if she continued her training diligently. Kita would have to train just as hard from this point forward to keep her new rival in the dust.

Kita stood awaiting Ali's attack patiently. Remembering Jacobi and Warvanus teachings, she saw the padawan's attack coming her way as Ali swung her lance upwards, her shoulders movement already telling her where the padwan was going to strike. Both lance's clashed loudly, electricity from their weapons hissing as Kita blocked the padawan's first strike only to follow through with the next coming at her vertically with amazing speed...but still not quick enough to strike. However, it did cause Kita to stumble slightly. Quickly catching her footing as she began to fall back, the sith apprentice counterattacked while still in close melee range and quickly lunged forward with the activated end of her lance. As she began pulling back, Kita attempted hooking her foot behind Ali's left ankle in hopes of her falling backwards meanwhile keeping her weapon close and ready for a oncoming attack in turn.

[Ben Kenobi]

The Jedi Master passed the dead and his heart broke to pass the dying, their hands reaching out for him and even a few grabbing at the hem of his cloak. How badly he wanted to stop at each man and woman and get on his knees and help them. But that screaming woman that was being dragged through the train and the promise of others to be mercilessly slaughtered at the hand of Darth Tormentous, it tore him in two. His mind told him not to rush, to focus and steady himself. To be patient.

No, he was running now and passing through the train car, the bloody streak was driving him to run faster. Finally he reached the top of the train car and there to his horror he found the Dark Lord of the Sith, with a woman helplessly hanging from a nasty meat hook.

Ben flourished his lightspear and engaged his weapon, the beam extending from the emitter a bright golden yellow. It hummed with a radiance and the vow that justice would be done no matter what should come. “Stop!” He commanded, the authority in his voice bellowed over the din of the ripping wind of the train. He had to stop him, he had to save the girl. Her screams were of such pain and suffering… his heart wept to get her free of those bonds and ease her agonies. She was so desperate, clinging to life if only another moment. He sensed the urgency and the need for liberty from this terror.

She looked at him from widened eyes and a blood covered face. Her panic, her fear… she was terrified.

Now that he had caught up to the fiend, he would not stop shy of doing whatever was necessary to save her from his clutches…

[Aliclair Austjor]

While still stable on the ground, Kita's next attack would cause her to lean back, and ultimately, she tries retreating but to no avail; Aliclair hesitated but with her foot being hooked, she'd need to try this move again. The first time she'd done it, her body was half dead. But now, it was rejuvenated and ready. Flipping back, she firmly planted her free hand to the ground, quickly bringing her foot up to uppercut Kita's chin, and she followed the attack with a speared throw of her Lance toward the feminine sith. Landing firmly, she whipped her right arm to equip herself with her vibroshiv, not giving her a chance to recover; she dashed forward at her to give a more CQC battle; the lances wasn't getting them anywhere.

Aliclair twirled to add some punch to her kick, going for another one, aiming for her head in hopes to knock her out, bringing her harden metal toe part of her boot in and fast.

[Jacobi Wylcott]

Her guttering screams played across his ears - he paid them little heed. But what he did hear and heed was a demanding phrase by a rattled soul. Tormentous stopped his advance and the train and the wind seemed to stop with him as his sensed touched something so absolutely rare it was as if he had never felt such radiance before. He slowly turned and he spotted the Jedi Master, regal in his robes and cloak and standing like a statue amongst the wind as it tore at his clothing - the yellow beam of his lance portraying him like some hero from the holovids. Ben Kenobi had always struck an impressive figure, but this time it couldn’t have been more real.

Aside from the image of a Champion of the Light, the Jedi was frazzled by emotion and that feeling was so powerful that Tormentous was unable to ignore it. When a Jedi Master - no - when the Grand Master of all the Jedi Order - broke his stalwart focus and allowed emotion to pour forth. That was when you knew that you were winning and all that is good - had already lost.

Narrowing his eye to the Jedi (Feed on Dark Side) he drank in the wayward emotions of urgency, of desperation, of - fear - and his power grew so exponentially that he dwarfed anything prior. Tormentous flexed his gauntlet as he examined the new power and strength Ben had just given him. It was so immense. He felt as if he could crush this entire train on a whim. Finally he breathed and let out an extensive exhale. He wanted more.

Somehow he resumed his thoughts on the mission and smiled at the Jedi beneath that horrid mask. “You want her?” His voice threatening. “You can have her.”

He took the chain and wrapped it around a broken spar of metal and threw the girl off the side of the train - and then he turned and almost casually he walked away as if the Jedi never existed. The Jedi would have to hurry, the chain was already slipping and she would surely plummet to her doom.

Tormentous disregarded the Jedi Master entirely.

And walked away.

He finally arrived at the train’s engine car, reaching out he flexed his fist and the door of the car folded in on itself unto a tiny ball. Stepping inside the engineer pulled a pistol, Tormentous ignored him physically but suddenly the man could not move his hand as Tormentous’ mind held him in a grip of iron. The Dark One could have made it quick - but why? Agonizingly slowly the Dark Lord contorted the man’s arm and hand inching closer and closer to the man’s own face. He started screaming and writhing after protesting, “No! No! No! NOoooo!” But ever closer the man fought his own disobeying arm until the barrel of the pistol rested in his own mouth. The man was crying now, Tormentous ignored him - and the trigger was pulled.

During this time the Dark One accessed the train’s terminal and brought up the car’s access window. Soon he would find the car that Kita was on and he would detach the coupling. In doing so he would separate the cars and bring Kita’s to an eventual stop so that the retrieval would be easier.

[Kita_Ikari]

Thinking Kita had perhaps finally gotten this padawan down, she watched as her opponent began to fall back...only to find she had recovered quickly and already made her next move by catching herself as she fell. Even with her lance at the ready, Kita had barely managed to block Ali's metal boot with her lance from hitting her jaw. Surely that would have broken it if it had made impact.

As Ali backflipped out of range, she caught sight of Ali's lance from the corner of her eye. The deactivated spearhead itself made contact, hitting Kita in the left shoulder, striking her. It wasn't super deep, nor did it hit any vital organs, but it hurt like hell. Had it been activated, Kita would have been down pretty quickly from the electric shock of it. Despite the fact she shouldn't pull it out, Kita did just so, blood slowly oozing from the wound in her silver top as she held Ali's lance in hand.

There was no time to dwell on the pain as the padawan already flew in with her next attack. Kita was ready. In the flash second she was about to be kicked with the Ali's foot, Kita sensed (Danger sense) the kick coming and swiftly pivoted out of the way, both lances now in hand activated as she twirled them about. Noticing the vibroshiv in her possession, the young Sith apprentice knew the padawan was now wanting to get in on closer combat as she began to fly past her. Kita swung both of the lances downwards in hopes of knocking the padawan out of the air and onto the ground with a nasty shock of her lifetime. Stunning her enough to at least check out the cargo for the bomb. If not and it missed, Ali was still needing to get up from her previous attack anyhow.

This still gave Kita a chance to rush over to the crates before the padawan was back on her trail. Her blue gaze observed the crates as she had already figured out a way to know which one was the real one. If any were decoys, they would be empty.

Knocking on the left one of the 3, she heard a echo and knew it was one of the decoys. All that remained was to check the final two. However she sensed Ali approaching as she was already back for another round. Kita back flipped on top of the decoy crate, observing carefully her opponents next attack. She was ready for whatever the padawan was to throw at her. With narrowed eyes she awaited before making her next move. Patience was the key to this battle. For rushing into the fight could cost Kita and her master the mission they intended to accomplish.