Destructive Strike?
Leon's brow furrowed with confusion.
At the same time, the AR function of his holographic glasses automatically activated, displaying an image captured by the Diana V-class ship in the upper right corner of his vision.
In the image, an unusually conspicuous and massive "celestial body" was parked within Jedha's gravitational range.
The diameter of this object exceeded a hundred kilometers, far surpassing the scale of typical warships or space stations.
At first glance, it appeared to be a satellite orbiting the planet, but upon closer inspection, it became clear that it was not a natural celestial body but an artificial structure—a "ship" or asteroid.
It loomed silently in the image, and the surrounding starry sky seemed even more desolate in its presence.
Although its size dwarfed most of the main universe's Imperial ships, the Intelligence Department had already conducted data comparisons, analyses, and simulated confrontations.
The conclusion was that it did not possess the capability to directly confront a Traveler-class Dreadnought.
After all, when the Intelligence Department obtained the preliminary information from the joint reconnaissance team, they shared details about this artificial structure with all units involved in the unification operation—
The Death Star.
The Death Star was the Galactic Empire's ultimate weapon, capable of destroying an entire terrestrial planet in an instant, its power far exceeding that of most conventional weapons.
Background information provided by the Intelligence Department indicated that the Death Star project was born out of the Galactic Empire's endless oppressive policies and deep-seated fear of resistance forces.
Since Emperor Sheev Palpatine seized absolute control of the Empire, internal opposition among the populace had grown increasingly intense. As the emperor tightened his grip through tyranny, more and more star systems and planets began to rebel against Imperial rule.
This led the Galactic Empire to face multiple threats from various resistance forces, including the Rebel Alliance and other insurgent groups.
Although these forces operated independently, they constantly eroded the Empire's authority.
To completely eliminate these threats, the Galactic Empire urgently needed a weapon that could "once and for all" resolve and intimidate all rebel forces.
Thus, the Death Star was born. Its original purpose was to conquer rebel forces through unconventional means, serving as a terrifying political weapon.
However, this superweapon not only required vast amounts of manpower, resources, and time but also involved extremely high technological levels, especially in propulsion systems, weapon systems, and self-sustaining energy systems, pushing the Galactic Empire to its limits.
If the Death Star were to be mass-produced and form a fleet capable of overturning the existing power structure across the entire galaxy, such an idea would be nothing short of a "pipe dream."
Therefore, the Death Star had to possess intergalactic mobility to achieve its goal of intimidating the entire galaxy.
This point was particularly crucial.
To ensure the Death Star could operate anywhere in the galaxy at any time, the Galactic Empire equipped it with over a hundred "hyperspace propulsion engines," allowing this massive death machine to rapidly traverse between star systems.
At this moment, the Death Star had completed its faster-than-light travel and "silently" entered Jedha's gravitational range.
While the people of Jedha went about their daily lives, the Death Star loomed above them.
Based on the appearance of this colossal death machine, the Intelligence Department concluded that the Galactic Empire was issuing an ultimate threat to all rebels, aiming to completely shatter any hope of rebellion through this deterrence—achieving a "kill one to warn a hundred" effect and demonstrating the Empire's omnipresent rule over the entire galaxy.
Secondly, this was also an opportunity to test the Death Star in combat.
Although the Death Star had been successfully constructed and possessed hyperspace travel capabilities, its true combat effectiveness and destructive power had yet to be fully verified. The Empire needed a "real-world example" to test its capabilities.
After understanding all this, Leon's mood grew heavy.
He knew that once the Death Star was activated, Holy City, and indeed all of Jedha, would face an unprecedented catastrophic strike.
To ensure the mission's successful completion and protect all his agents, he made a decisive decision and issued an emergency order:
"All agents, immediately follow higher-level instructions and evacuate Holy City. Return to the forward base via the Black Falcon."
As soon as he finished speaking, David's response came through, tinged with confusion:
"Sir, what about you?"
Leon's tone remained steady and resolute: "I have critical leads that cannot be interrupted. I will arrange my own retreat route."
"Understood, sir."
Upon hearing Leon's reply, David seemed hesitant.
Given David's personality, he likely wanted to stay in Holy City with Leon to continue the mission. However, due to discipline, David had no choice but to comply with the commanding officer's orders.
Meanwhile, Leon had already followed the blind man and Baze through the broken alleys, arriving at a relatively open area—a small square connected to the main road.
The square was scattered with panicked locals, their faces filled with fear and anxiety.
Over a dozen Imperial stormtroopers moved between the crowd, conducting thorough searches and inspections. Their electronically amplified shouts and warnings were cold and hostile.
Every passing resident was forced to stand still and be searched to ensure no hidden rebels were among them.
Leon's gaze quickly swept over the stormtroopers' formation, analyzing their positioning.
Baze, on the other hand, seemed to know the area intimately. In the shortest time, he selected a concealed location that offered both cover and an optimal shooting angle.
The blind man, who still hadn't revealed his name, walked forward unhurriedly, his steps light yet firm, as if the presence of Imperial soldiers meant nothing to him.
Was he planning to confront the stormtroopers directly?
Leon felt a trace of confusion at the blind man's apparent "recklessness." Still, he trusted that if the man dared to act this way, he must have a hidden advantage.
Without hesitation, Leon found a suitable ambush position, forming a crossfire angle with Baze to quickly neutralize the stormtroopers and provide cover for the blind man.
Just as Leon re-engaged his pistol's safety and prepared for any eventuality, the motion detection function of his holographic glasses picked up some unusual activity.
The two outsiders who had inadvertently stumbled into the earlier firefight between the stormtroopers and rebels reappeared in Leon's line of sight.
Moreover, a black-painted "robot" was accompanying them.
The appearance of this trio—a man, a woman, and a robot—not only caught Leon's attention but also drew the gaze of the Imperial stormtroopers.
The chaotic atmosphere in the square momentarily froze.
This peculiar "group" stood out amidst the panicked crowd, naturally drawing the stormtroopers' suspicion.
Several stormtroopers immediately approached to interrogate them.
Faced with sharp questioning from the stormtroopers, the trio tried to deflect with vague responses. However, their lack of preparation left too many inconsistencies, making it impossible for the soldiers to believe them.
As the stormtroopers prepared to forcibly detain the man and woman and "diagnose" or "reboot" the droid, the tension escalated—
"Let them go peacefully."
The blind man's calm, confident voice broke the stalemate.
His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable force, like a blade cutting through the air, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Both the stormtroopers and the surrounding civilians momentarily halted their actions, their gazes turning toward the "uninvited guest" who had just spoken—the blind man who had interrupted the stormtroopers' inspection.
?!
Seeing this, several stormtroopers immediately raised their weapons in heightened vigilance.
Still holding his cane, the blind man continued to walk forward steadily, seemingly unfazed by the "blaster rifles" aimed at him. Instead, he exuded an unshakable confidence and composure.
As he walked, the blind man's voice rang out again:
"The Force is with me, and I am with the Force. I fear nothing, for all of this is the will of the Force."
His bold declaration left the stormtroopers momentarily baffled. They hadn't expected anyone to act so fearlessly in such a situation.
The stormtrooper captain shouted a harsh warning, his patience waning:
"Stop! Don't take another step, or I'll shoot!"
But the blind man acted as if he hadn't heard the warning, continuing to walk forward without hesitation until he reached the center of the square.
"He's blind," one stormtrooper observed, trying to explain the blind man's disregard for the warning.
"Is he deaf too?" another soldier muttered sarcastically.
"I said stop—"
But the captain wasn't in the mood for jokes. He raised his blaster rifle, aiming at the blind man's chest, finger tightening on the trigger. The situation was on the verge of exploding.
"..."
Witnessing the situation about to "escalate," Leon, hidden in the shadows, quickly adjusted his stance.
Leon gripped his pulse pistol tightly, aiming it at the stormtrooper captain while mentally calculating every possible scenario that could unfold in the next second.
Although he didn't fully understand the blind man's intentions, his battlefield instincts told him that the man had some kind of plan.
Even if there was no plan, the blind man was a high-value "recovery" target.
The fact that the blind man could discern Leon's origins and predict the Survey Department's mission made it worth the risk for Leon to remain in Holy City.
After all, the various anomalies surrounding him suggested that he might be a "Force-sensitive" individual, perhaps even a so-called "Jedi."
If Leon could safely bring him to the forward base, the Biological Department would gain a valuable "live specimen" for research and analysis.
Of course, the Biological Department wouldn't use coercive methods to force the blind man's cooperation. Rather, they would "treat him well," offering high-quality food and accommodations.
This was because the blind man had not shown any aggressive intent toward Leon and had even demonstrated a willingness to cooperate.
For now, Leon's priority was to ensure that the blind man wasn't killed on the spot by the stormtroopers.
Just as Leon's finger tightened slightly on the trigger, preparing to act preemptively to resolve the dangerous situation, the blind man did something completely unexpected.
His movements were shockingly swift, faster than anyone could react, as if he had entirely disregarded the surrounding threats. In a sudden blur of action, he swung his cane and struck the stormtrooper captain's blaster rifle with pinpoint accuracy.
The weapon flew out of the captain's hands, clattering to the ground.
Bang—!
The blaster rifle clattered to the ground with a crisp metallic sound, sliding across the square.
?!
The surrounding stormtroopers stood in stunned silence, their mouths agape in disbelief.
Within moments, over a dozen scorching blaster bolts cut through the air, their deadly glow streaking toward the blind man.
The atmosphere in the square instantly shifted into one of intense combat. Despite the chaotic nature of the stormtroopers' assault, the attack was relentless and overwhelming.
However, the blind man's reaction speed was nothing short of astonishing.
With a simple sidestep and a smooth tilt of his head, he effortlessly dodged the incoming blaster fire.
What was even more incredible was that the bolts he dodged struck several stormtroopers behind him instead.
Bang! Bang!
The impacts on their armor produced sharp metallic clangs and brief showers of sparks.
"Ah—!"
"Ugh..."
The soldiers who were hit cried out in pain and frustration, their groans echoing across the square. Fortunately, their armor provided reasonable protection against energy attacks, and their comrades had lowered their blaster power to prevent accidental fatalities. Otherwise, the stray shots might have killed their own men outright.
The blind man moved with a graceful precision that defied logic. His steps were fluid and calculated, allowing him to slip like an eel through the ranks of the ten stormtroopers.
His cane danced through the air in perfect arcs, each strike targeting a weak point in the stormtroopers' defenses.
At times, he would strike the knee armor of a soldier, causing them to stumble and fall.
At other moments, he would spin swiftly and use his cane to flick a blaster rifle out of another soldier's hands, sending it clattering away.
Every movement was executed flawlessly, without hesitation or wasted effort.
The blind man also seemed to possess a sense of humor, occasionally tapping a stormtrooper's toe or helmet with his cane, producing a sharp thunk sound before asking in a lighthearted tone, "Are you alright?"
To Leon, it seemed as if the blind man was predicting the stormtroopers' every move, evading their attacks before they even fired. To an observer, it might have appeared that the stormtroopers had atrocious aim, unable to hit their target.
Then again, perhaps their marksmanship really was that poor.
After dispatching the ten stormtroopers with ease, more soldiers flooded into the square from nearby streets.
Seeing this—
Whoosh—! Whoosh—!
Rat-tat-tat~!
Leon and Baze, who had been waiting for this moment, immediately opened fire, swiftly eliminating the stormtrooper reinforcements.
Then, Leon stepped out from cover, preparing to speak and persuade the blind man, who was resting on the body of a fallen shock trooper, to withdraw from the holy city together. However, the blind man spoke first:
"Chirrut Îmwe is my name. And everything is the will of the Force. At the right moment, Baze and I will leave with you.
But until then, it's best to let things take their course."
"Let things take their course?"
Leon was about to ask more—
"Don't move!"
"Hands up!"
The rebels suddenly appeared, surrounding them completely.
------------------
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American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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