Adventure of True Dave 9

Yama raises his weapon toward the open gate, his broad frame shielding the passage from the intersection. The signaler remains crouched beside the dead alarms, remote clenched in one hand.

She lifts the remote just enough to make its red indicator show. Beyond the gate, the avenue answers with a spreading rasp, and distant impacts mark the dead changing direction.

Yama's weapon stays trained low, blocking the outside shot without giving him a clear way to restrain her. The passage tightens around the choice: prisoner first, or strangers beyond the eastern road.

Behind Yama, True Dave stands at the gate with both light sabers ready. His injured ankle throbs beneath his weight as the rasping horde draws nearer, leaving the next decision open to him.

True Dave fixes his attention on the signaler and reaches with the Force. Force sensitivity gives the pressure a precise path, but his refusal to initiate friendship leaves no bridge, only a hard command.

The remote trembles in her hand. Her arm lowers despite her resistance, and the unseen pressure turns her attention from the gate toward the eastern escape road.

She presses the remote. A sequence of sharp tones carries through the passage and across the avenue, replacing the lure that drew the dead toward the escape road.

Near the eastern road, the horde veers away from the trapped civilians. The rasping mass turns into adjoining streets, opening a clear route for the defenders to advance.

Marla keeps the remote lowered, her compliance secured. Yama shifts aside from the gate, and the passage points directly toward the civilians and the newly opened course.