Heart Of Darkness (Star Wars)

Chapter 34: Brown Eyes

"The Rhydonium is still stable." Din mentioned.

"Juggernaut Five, maintain speed and course. Proceed with caution. Re-routing course, stand by." The woman informed us.

Mayfeld raised an eyebrow, growing nervous. "Proceed with caution? Is she serious?"

Another male voice rang out from the comlink. "Control, this is Juggernaut Three. Requesting...Abort! Abort!"

We then heard blaster fire, before he screamed. We then saw an explosion not far ahead from us. Mayfeld swerved the vehicle as we avoided the juggernaut engulfed in flames. All of the sudden, we heard a loud thud coming from the back of our juggernaut.

"What the hell was that?!" Mayfeld exclaimed. 

I glanced over at the camera screen to see pirates aboard a repulsorlift craft. One of them had jumped over onto the vehicle. I narrowed my eyes. "Pirates."

"Keep driving." Din advised. "I'll take care of it."

Din rushed over to the top of the vehicle, opening the door before firing his blaster. My eyes widened as I whipped around. "Are you seriously shooting a blaster near Rhydonium?"

"I'm trying to deal with the pirates! Do you have a better idea?!" Din asked.

Unfortunately, I didn't have a better idea. Din was gonna have to blast them down. As Din continued to take them down, he spoke up. "They've got thermal detonators."

I groaned. "Great...just great." 

"Keep it steady." Din advised. 

Din then continued to fire his blaster. I glanced down at the camera to see him picking off the pirates. Mayfeld shouted out. "Get these guys off of us! Get 'em off!"

An explosion broke out behind us, causing the vehicle to violently move about. An alarm went off and I noticed the Rhydonium's levels were spiking high into the red zone. Mayfeld swerved the juggernaut, and fortunately, he regained control of the vehicle. We both watched as the Rhydonium levels lowered, remaining stable.

"They're trying to blow up the Rhydonium." Din announced.

"You think?" Mayfeld retorted. "You should've left me in prison!" 

Din was about to close the door, when I saw three more repulsorlift crafts, containing more pirates. I let out a sigh. "Suffering Sullorians..."

I watched as Din climbed up onto the top of the vehicle, fighting the pirates. As he took down the pirates, we felt some "speed bumps" along the way. The second and third repulsorlift craft were making its way closer towards us.

"Mayfeld! Pick it up. Drive faster!" Din exclaimed. 

At Din's words, Mayfeld picked up the pace, however as soon as Mayfeld drove faster, an alarm went off and the levels of Rhydonium quickly spiked. My heart beat rising, prepared to jump out of my chest. 

"I don't think faster's a good idea!" Mayfeld mentioned.

"What choice do we have? We have to lose those pirates." I protested. 

"We won't have to worry about the pirates if we're dead." Mayfeld shot back. 

With that, he stepped on brakes, slowing the vehicle. Immediately, the Rhydonium's levels decreased, returning to the green zone. Mayfeld let out a sigh of relief. 

"What are you doing?!" Din asked.

I glanced over at the camera screen to see Din fighting off the pirates. I then noticed he was struggling as more surrounded him. I then saw two pirates pin Din to the ground, trying to take his helmet off. Not on my watch. I climbed up from my chair, getting Mayfeld's attention.