Connections (Open In Between)

[Ashla Marr]

Jedi Academy
Outer Rim World of Fray

The sun rose up over the capital once more, as it has done in the past. Yet today, the air still carried the smell of smoke and death. The attacks on the Capital the day before have left its scares across the city in more ways than one. Without warning, yesterday the northern rebels attacked the heart of Fray with brutal determination. While the battle for the Jedi Academy was won in just over an hour, fierce street to street fighting continued well in to the evening hours.

After much of the smoke had cleared, it was learned that some 70,000 northern rebels took part in a wide series of attacks across seventy southern cities and towns. A key stroke to the rebel attacks was the assassination of the King of Fray. Leaderless and overwhelmed, the military leaders of Fray asked for direct Republic military assistance. This allowed Master Chun to deploy much of his forces to help stay off the attacks on the Captain. While fighting continued on the outlying regions of the south, the Capital City was finally secured after bitter battles between Rebels forces and the pride of the Republic, the 501st.

With much of the fighting in the Capital over, Ashla walks through the dorms of the Academy in search of her friends. The rooms facing the Capital all had their window’s blown out due to explosions that happened near the Academy. Because their room was smashed, Ashla and Unna were forced to move in to Auro’s and Gadeon’s room. Ashla turned and saw Unna sitting on her bed, “you might want to see this,” She said holding a holopaper for Unna to read.

The article was about the attacks on the city. But the cover image was clearly their friend from the market. A middle aged Twi’lek walked through the rubble of market place. One of her Lekkus had been ripped from her head leaving behind a six-inch piece of bloody flesh. In her arms, she carried a young boy with one of his legs missing. The anguish on her face told the story of a mother lost in pains beyond believe. Her pain filled cries could almost be heard. It was almost merciful that the image didn’t hold any sound. As Unna read the headline, “Thousands Suffer as Terror Strikes Fray!” The mother and child were well known to the party.

Ashla added, “there is still no word from Gadeon since his first report.” Late in the afternoon, yesterday Gadeon checked in with the party letting them know that he was okay and not where any of the fighting was taking place. While he didn’t give his location, everyone was grateful that he checked in.

Ashla set down next to Unna and pressed her head up against Unna’s shoulder. She could feel the suffering from the city. So many in need, so many in pain. It was so hard for her to block out all the voices crying out for help. A tear rolled down Ashla’s face, “I feel so helpless.”