The streets of Otoh Gunga’s Big Cityspace were quiet, dimly lit by orb-like lights and lanterns lining the walkways. The luminescent hydrostatic bubble houses illuminated the city district, casting a spectacular glow on the watery planet of Naboo. Few Gungans wandered the streets, save for scattered patrol units. Amidst the tranquility, an uncommon sight emerged: a Kiffar, flanked by two Gungan guardsmen, walked in a triangle formation, surrounding a small, levitating white pod. The pod moved silently along the walkway, its contents concealed from the world.
“Your city is beautiful, Captain,” spoke the Kiffar. “It is always a pleasure when my duties bring me to Gunga City.”
Gui Sol, adorned with dreadlocks and a calm expression, exuded his usual demeanor, despite the pressing importance of his assignment. His black dreadlocks complemented his raven-colored beard and contrasted with his red and yellow lineage tattoos. The leader of Odan-Urr had sensed his pursuers as soon as he had left the High Board Room with his objective in tow. Being the logician that he was, he had already considered the possibility of his objective being made known to an enemy. Yet Sol, ever so confident in his ability, had decided in his mind that the only person he could trust with this mission would be himself.
“Weesa preparin to turn at the Ancient District. Soon weesa gonna be arrivin at yousa ship,” said Captain Tokka, one of the guards escorting the Odanite. His years as a patrol guard had yielded complete knowledge of every nook and cranny of Gunga City.
The trio turned at a block, continuing down the curving walkways until they reached a bridge lined with orbs of light illuminating the path forward.
One up ahead, one trailing behind. A coordinated effort. But when will they spring the trap?
Sol's advanced senses, honed through years of training, detected his approaching assailant's affinity with the Force and their malicious intent.
As they passed the old ruins of the hidden city, Sol felt a disturbance in the Force.
Now.
The orange blade of Sol's lightsaber sprung to life.
Clink, clink
Immediately, Sol used the Force to move the pod and the Gungans out of harm's way as he was engulfed in smoke. Three blaster shots rang out, but Sol deflected them with ease, before swinging his lightsaber overhead. As he did so, a crimson blade cut through the smoke, colliding with his own blade, as the smoke parted in two to reveal a face. The opponent leapt back, and as the smoke cleared, dissipating into wisps of gray, Sol finally saw the enemy. Before him stood a young Sith, his crimson eyes meeting Sol's gaze.
The Gungans, brandishing their spears, prepared to defend the pod, while an IG Series assassin droid stood across the bridge.
“Smart idea bringing some help,” remarked Sol. “If you had brought a couple more of those, you might have stood a chance.”
The Sith grinned, his lightsaber held low. “I like my chances.”
The Odanite narrowed his thick brows as he studied the Sith’s face.
“I recognize you, Plagueian. My intel says you’re a new addition to the Ascendant Clan.” He took a small step back with his left leg, and turned his feet and torso some as to narrow his midsection. He held the hilt of his lightsaber at face level. “You must really be itching to climb those ranks.
In response to Gui’s guard, the mop-headed human took a stance of his own, bladed like his opponents, his right leg in front. He raised the lightsaber above his head, forming a horizontal high guard.
In a flash, Kesyk leapt toward the Jedi. The duel ensued, blades clashing in a flurry of strikes and parries. In a display of skill and determination, Sol went on the defensive, deflecting his attacks and retaliating with precision strikes. One counter-attack had come so swiftly that Kesyk was unable to block it, opting instead to leap backward, using the force to amplify his jump and clear the radius of the strike.
The Sith took command of the Force, red lightning shooting from his left fingertips. The Jedi’s lightsaber rose to meet the lightning, absorbing the cluster of electricity. It was blinding, so much so that he almost didn’t notice his attacker charging at him, lightsaber once again held high. They locked blades once more, and Sol redirected Kesyk’s attack before unleashing a flurry of aggressive strikes in an attempt to force his enemy into a retreat.
The sounds of the clashing blades filled the night air. The battle took a turn when, after Kesyk aimed a misplaced horizontal strike at the High Councilor’s head, Sol powered his lightsaber down and in an instant, did a forward roll into Kesyk’s left flank, before turning and shooting a spark of his own lightning at the Sith. Kesyk hastily blocked it, but before he could realize what was happening, he was suspended in mid-air. He looked down to see the Odanite’s outstretched hand, and with a small flick, he had been flung off the side of the bridge.
The victorious moment was short-lived as Sol turned to see Captain Tokka and the guardsmen felled by blaster fire from the assassin droid. With unwavering resolve, Sol stood ready to defend the pod, his lightsaber ablaze with determination.
