The sound disappears as we hit sonic speeds in our ascent into the atmosphere. I took a seat in the gun turret scanning our surroundings for unwelcome guests. Sure enough not long after I could see a glint in the distance of Tie Fighters headed our way fast. They were able to get close fast because they were already in orbit around Jedha rather than coming from one of its bases.
The Tie fighters begin shooting at us without warning and I respond by returning fire. The turret launches rapid high-power bolts but has low accuracy. As Terrible as TIE Fighters are at evasion one easily avoided all of my shots. The pilot is experienced and knows how to time the shots from our ship when our cannon barrel flashes. One second he's in one spot and then he's where a bolt just passed.
The other two Tie fighters take a minor hit. One hit is to the wing and the other has a damaged control system. The less damaged ship latches onto the other and retreats.
The experienced pilot maintains a solid stream of accurate shots at us. If not for Teya's force sense allowing her to accurately evade all of the oncoming fire we would have been doomed. Teya and I can both fly a ship but neither of us is an expert. The same is true for using a gun turret. I have no experience using such a weapon but an idea occurs to me. If I can change the timing from the flash of the barrel to when the bolt releases slightly then he will struggle with the timing changes.
I focus on the turret barrel channeling the force onto the bolt as it's shot from the barrel pulling on it for a fraction of a second. As it's made of light and energy nothing is lost except the energy I waste from myself. Light always moves at the same speed so once released it picks up speed again. For lack of a better name I decide to call this, "Force Lag".
Sure enough, the Tae Fighter barely manages to avoid my next burst of shots. Seeing him take panicking evasive maneuvers I can tell my trick startled him. At first, keeping his distance after my barrage but suddenly he went in for a close-quarters battle. He must have lost his cool after regaining some of his confidence.
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"Teya braces yourself! This sleemo is coming in close!" I yell.
"Noted," Teya replies taking us into a nonstop spin.
I struggle to focus channeling the force with all my concentration. My next shot has to be perfect, I focus on my target and the energy bolt forming in the chamber. It feels like time itself slows down but most likely it's my perception speeding up. My senses improve but one in particular is enhanced the most. I feel the TIE Fighters as if I'm holding it in one of my hands and the turret blaster bolt in the other. I feel their paths align and I pull the trigger. Then darkness descends on me as I feel my body gets heavy and my eyes close.
"Roan! ... " I can't make out what Teya's saying.
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I look at my surroundings only to see an endless white expanse. That's right... I passed out and must be dreaming now.
"Hello young one," a calm nonhuman voice says.
"Who?"
A hazy humanoid figure that's not human stands before me. The cranium of this person is too large to belong to a human. The figure had to be a Bith or similar species.
The figure shifts, "That is currently irrelevant my young successor. That technique just now is more than it seems. All things are connected to the force and you feel that connection. Nearly all never learn this obvious truth and what it means and yet you also use it to align your weapons sights. This is more impressive than you know. For what you lack in power you make up for with ingenuity. There are ways to increase one's midi-chlorian's, although most belong to the dark side but not all."
"What are you you suggesting?" I inquire.
The Bith shakes his head," Nothing specific as fate will guide your path and my time is short but you will see me again. Remember this young one, keep your friend close and your enemy closer. An enemy yesterday has the potential to be an ally tomorrow. Since you walk off the paths making one of your own then keep one foot on the edge of the other's and you will find your way.
My eyes open suddenly to find myself on a sick bay stretcher.