Darth Vader
Although Chirrut Imwe knew their location was millions of kilometers away from Scarif, far from being able to see the Death Star or the Galactic Empire's fleet directly, he still felt a "vast" darkness sweeping across the entire star system, like an invisible wave.
This darkness was like an unfathomable abyss, nearly impossible for any light to pierce.
What Chirrut felt was an overwhelming force of destruction, pain, and rage, deep and irresistible, as if it were a cosmic fate, an unavoidable shadow.
The source of this darkness did not come from an unfamiliar force, but rather from someone once thought to be "the chosen one"—the great figure who was believed to balance both light and dark, to change fate itself—Anakin Skywalker.
This name once sent ripples throughout the galaxy, but the bright future once held for Skywalker had now vanished completely.
In his place stood Darth Vader, the incarnation of the dark side's Sith Lord.
His power had reached its peak, surpassing normal Force sensitivity, and it felt as though the entire galaxy's shadow was consuming all life.
Truth be told, while Chirrut had some ability to "foresee the future," even this power allowed him only brief glimpses—nothing more. He could not see the entire tapestry of the universe's fate, especially when facing an entity like Darth Vader, whose future seemed even more elusive and distant.
After all, to him, there was no clear answer on how to defeat someone as powerful as Darth Vader, who controlled the Force with such terrifying might.
The strength of such a being was so overwhelming that it was almost impossible to face it mentally.
Although Chirrut could sense the currents of the Force and capture flashes of the future in the dark, in the face of such an enemy, all he could "see" was an endless abyss. No matter how deeply he explored, there seemed to be no way out.
However, Chirrut had never given up hope.
He knew that while the dark side was powerful, the light side had never truly extinguished.
Even though the future was uncertain and the galaxy still lay in the shadow of darkness, he believed that there would always be a way, that some opportunity would arise to reverse the tide.
No matter how faint that hope might be, even if it was just a tiny spark, he would pursue it.
For faith had given him an unshakable will, allowing him to continue moving forward even in the depths of despair.
Furthermore, the situation had changed significantly since the past.
The appearance of the Main Universe Empire had introduced a new variable into the struggle.
Their power was undeniable. Not only did they possess military strength that surpassed that of the Galactic Empire, but in many ways, they also shared his disdain for tyranny, even willing to stand against the Sith's dark rule.
On the surface, the Main Universe Empire and the Rebel Alliance seemed to share common cause in many respects, making them a surprisingly powerful ally.
But Chirrut still had reservations, particularly regarding their "human supremacy" ideology.
The Main Universe Empire's stance was clear: they harbored a deep-rooted aversion to non-human civilizations.
Although Chirrut had not yet engaged in deep conversation with them, he had keenly noticed that, within the worldview of the Main Universe Empire, most non-human races were viewed as threats, and in some cases, even as enemies that had to be eradicated.
This extreme position did not fully align with Chirrut's own ideals of freedom and equality.
Of course, Chirrut was not stubborn. He understood that the Main Universe Empire's position was likely the result of some "historical event," not just blind prejudice.
Perhaps they had suffered deep betrayal from alien civilizations, or perhaps, throughout their long history of war, they had developed an irreparable hatred towards non-human species.
This had led the Main Universe Empire to adopt an extreme stance of precaution and hostility towards most non-human races.
Though Chirrut found it hard to fully accept, he still chose to understand. After all, every civilization had its own historical background and logic for survival, and it was not merely a matter of right or wrong.
Thud, thud.
While Chirrut was deep in thought, the sound of steady, forceful footsteps—marked by the distinctive magnetic boots—echoed behind him.
With each step, a heavy presence was felt, and his attention was instinctively drawn to the source of the sound.
Turning around, Chirrut "saw" the figure approaching him—Gabriel Angelo, the commanding officer of the Scourged Children 1st Company, wearing his "Grim Reaper" terminator armor and standing over three meters tall.
Simultaneously, Chirrut's perceptive observation detected an undercurrent of emotion emanating from Gabriel.
It was a palpable sense of restlessness, as if the 1st Company commander was unwilling to remain idle and instead longed to redirect his will and action back to the frontlines.
This aura was not just from Gabriel's fighting spirit but also from the warrior's blood that had been tested in countless life-or-death battles, an energy that could not be contained.
Chirrut knew that this commander bore a monumental responsibility, as his decisions and actions not only impacted the course of the battle but the future of his entire company.
Gabriel's readiness to risk danger in order to keep fighting reflected his natural soldier's instincts and an unwavering desire for victory. This spirit resonated with the ethos of the Scourged Children, who were built on tenacity and strength.
Accompanying Gabriel were twenty stern-faced and resolute guards from the company, along with Leon S. Kennedy, a familiar face to Chirrut.
"Mr. Imwe."
Gabriel's voice was clear, tinged with unmistakable respect.
"Commander Angelo," Chirrut replied with a smile, his expression warm.
He didn't waste time with pleasantries, cutting straight to the point, "Commander Angelo, you wish for me to assist Agent Kennedy in infiltrating the Death Star's interior and gathering initial intelligence for your company, and possibly for your Legion as a whole, am I correct?"
His tone was calm, but the depth of his wisdom and insight was unmistakable.
From Chirrut's composed expression, it was evident that he had not made this assumption lightly. Rather, it was based on his observations of Gabriel and his understanding of the situation.
While Chirrut was not privy to the arrival of the Gene Primals and the main force of the 1st Company, he certainly understood that reinforcements were on their way. As a seasoned veteran, he knew the importance of acquiring precise intelligence in such complex circumstances.
From his observations and personal analysis, Chirrut deduced that the Blood Ravens and the Scourged Children aimed to capture the Death Star, rather than destroy it outright.
Thus, infiltrating the Death Star and collecting information on the enemy's movements was a critical step.
With this calm mindset, Chirrut knew that he was already prepared for the upcoming "chess game," fully anticipating the next moves.
Gabriel's gaze flickered with a hint of surprise but quickly settled into calm, as if he were already accustomed to Chirrut's unique perspective.
Gabriel did not immediately respond, simply continuing to watch Chirrut.
There was a mixture of complex emotions in his expression, both an acknowledgment of Chirrut's careful deliberation and a consideration of the risks involved in the forthcoming mission.
Gabriel appeared to be weighing whether Chirrut could shoulder such a daunting task, whether he could maintain enough composure and sharpness while infiltrating the Death Star, to assist the Intelligence Department's operatives.
They still had some time before the Gene Primals and the main force arrived.
Gabriel clearly did not want to wait idly.
He was among the more aggressive factions of the Scourged Children, always seeking to prove his company's worth and the strength of his Legion, with a fiery desire to win that burned within him. This waiting, inactive stance was something he was not accustomed to.
Thus, he made the decision to act first, to take the initiative and secure the advantage.
His plan was to engage the Galactic Empire's main fleet briefly, drawing their fire and attention to force the enemy to focus on the Blood Ravens.
This would not only buy more time for the upcoming operation but also confuse the enemy tactically, reducing the pressure on other units.
Gabriel's strategy was decisive and clear: he intended to use this small-scale engagement to disrupt the enemy's plans, weakening the Death Star's defenses, thereby paving the way for the upcoming "infiltration operation."
Once the attention of the enemy was drawn to the limited forces of two Paris-class ships, one Stealth-class, and one captured Star Destroyer, he would deploy the Silver Gull, equipped with its own stealth capabilities, to carry the operatives, including Leon, and a hundred elite special forces from the Intelligence Department, to begin initial reconnaissance of the Death Star.
Their mission was not just to gather intelligence but to serve as the pivot for a larger-scale attack later.
With the Silver Gull's stealth mode, they could avoid detection by the enemy, providing the infiltration team with vital protection.
More importantly, Gabriel had chosen a veteran squad, skilled not only in special operations but also possessing extraordinary proficiency in the use of the Force.
If an emergency arose, this veteran squad would be able to provide formidable support and cover for the Intelligence Department's elite operatives.
With this, when the Gene Primals and the main force arrived, they would be able to execute a more precise strike on the Death Star and carry out the "capture" operation, fully claiming the Galactic Empire's superweapon as their own.
However, this mission carried enormous risks.
Though Gabriel's plan appeared thorough and the details well arranged, engaging in direct conflict with the enemy, whether to provide cover for the infiltration team or for any other purpose, was a clear violation of the Gene Primals' orders.
Their father had made it clear: no direct confrontation with the enemy was to be initiated.
Should Gabriel proceed with this plan, success would be favorable, but failure could bring severe punishment from the Gene Primals and potentially jeopardize the future of his entire company.
More critically, a failed mission could result in the loss of several elite operatives from the Intelligence Department, the veteran squad, and a Force-sensitive individual who had been willing to help the Main Universe Empire.
But the urgency of the situation led Gabriel to favor a "quick resolution," executing the plan and seeking remedies later. As a "war-hungry" commander, he had already made up his mind to take the risk.
After a brief pause, Gabriel gave a slight nod and spoke:
"Indeed, Mr. Imwe," his voice steady and resolute, carrying an undeniable conviction, "I hope you can assist Agent Kennedy. Your understanding of this universe's Force, along with your unique perceptive abilities, are things we cannot yet replace."
"In the highly guarded environment of the Death Star, we need every possible advantage, and your involvement will significantly improve the success rate of this operation."
Chirrut smiled slightly, his expression still serene.
He could feel Gabriel's sincerity in his tone and understood the mission's significance. Without hesitation, he answered, "It would be my honor."
His words were brief but filled with firm conviction.
For Chirrut, aiding those who opposed the Empire's tyranny had always been the path he chose to follow.
Moreover, he was now at the heart of the storm, and continuing forward was the only option.
"Then, count me in."
With that, Baze Malbus, who had been quietly contemplating, stepped forward without hesitation.
His voice carried a fierce determination.
As a former temple guardian and now a resistance fighter, Baze understood the difficulty of this mission and knew that his involvement might not change the odds significantly.
But Baze was never one to shy away from a fight, nor would he stand idly by.
For the final victory, or to stand shoulder to shoulder with his comrades, he would not let Chirrut face this danger alone.
Gabriel's gaze lingered on Baze for a moment. He knew full well the warrior's strength and combat experience.
Baze's knowledge of the Galactic Empire would undoubtedly be a great asset to the infiltration team, so Gabriel nodded, silently acknowledging Baze's inclusion.
Meanwhile, Cassian Andor, who had been watching from the sidelines, felt an urge to step forward.
Of course, he wanted to contribute, but reality soon made him step back.
Cassian was well aware that his strength was far below that of the Intelligence Department's elite.
Moreover, his wounds were not yet fully healed. If he joined the fight now, he might not only fail to offer any help but also become a liability.
However, Cassian quickly shifted his focus to the K-2SO droid beside him and hastily suggested, "Commander Angelo! If you want to execute the infiltration more effectively, why not let my Imperial security droid assist as well? I believe he could provide excellent cover!"
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