Adrian’s eyes snapped open, and the world swan back into focus.
He was lying on his bed, in his room at the Academy. Through the open window to his side he could hear screams.
Startled, he sat bolt upright, and quickly moved to the window. The screams were getting louder.
Searching the Force, Adrian fought to calm the rising panic that was growing within him. He stood still; his eyes, unseeing, looking out over the grounds.
He could feel the terror of the Naboo, running for their lives in fear; from what, he couldn’t tell. He could feel the power and strength of the Jedi, acting as pillars of support for the citizens. And he could feel the Dark Side.
It hit him like a brick, and Adrian was struck with sudden disbelief as he wondered how he could be feeling what he was feeling. The dark Force was here, in Theed. As the panic threatened to rise up inside him again, however, Adrian’s training and duty as a Jedi Knight took over.
Not needing more meditation with the Force at that time, he pulled himself back to the present, and walked quickly around his bed to the door. He pulled on his cloak as he moved out into the corridor, stumbled slightly down the hall as he shod his feet, then strapped on his belt as he rounded the first corner. Seconds later, he was in the Entrance Hall.
Several people looked up as he entered. Their faces were frightened and confused, and the majority seemed to be Naboo who had come here seeking sanctuary from the dark warriors. Adrian wondered how long the attack had been going on, if there had already been time for refugees to run to the Jedi for help. How could he have slept through this?
He surveyed the rest of the hall quickly, noticing several young Jedi milling around uncertainly, unsure as to what they were supposed to be doing. Adrian was just about to ask them what was happening, when a sudden gasp from one of the Naboo caught his attention.
Some people, seeming to believe they would be here for some time, had set up a holoprojector in the corner of the hall, and had placed blankets around it to sit on and watch. Adrian recognised the studio in the background as that of a local news station, but the people sitting in front of the holocamera, he didn’t know.
The sound of a lightsabre humming gently in the background, and the image of an unseen humanoid standing in front of the camera, however, Adrian did recognise. Knowing what was coming, he turned from the holo instantly, and motioned to the young Jedi he had seen earlier.
“You three, come with me,” all traces of panic or doubt had vanished from Adrian’s voice, even though he felt them inside. He had to lead these Jedi now, and his manner had to speak nothing but confidence.
The three Jedi, slightly uncertain at first, followed him out of the Academy. They set off at a run across the grounds, quickly finding Adrian's speeder and jumping in. Adrian shot it into life, and they sped off towards the holo station.