Chapter 11: Rebels
Jyn could hear her footsteps echoing through the halls of the dark tunnel despite her efforts to remain as quiet as possible. The only light came from a small torch on her vest, brightening about 10 feet in front of her before it was swallowed up by total darkness. The heat of the late summer trapped the moisture underground making the tunnels, and anyone inside them, drip with sweat. The tunnels varied in size and length, mostly ranging from around 10 to 20 feet high and many miles long. After walking for nearly 30 minutes she eventually reached a crossroads and checked her navigation pad.
Right, left, left. Jyn thought to her self as she snaked through a smaller inlet. Turning a corner she saw firelight up ahead. She crept up slowly to see a group of fifteen people gathered in conversation, their voices echoing loudly.
"We should blow up their convoy." A woman said, getting a cheering response from the others.
"We can make waves with big attacks. What good is it if we don't fight back?"
Another Nabooan replied.
"Quiet, quiet!" Said Tullab, a tall man wearing worn out clothes. "I know we have to do something rash. It's the only way to get their attention. Now I like Manda's idea of blowing up a convoy to start." There were some small cheers at this. "I also would like to introduce a new recruit, Matthew. He's a bit young, but he's fast and good at building things."
A skinny bushy haired kid stepped into the light with a small smirk. Jyn gasped and held her mouth; the cheering luckily stopped her from being heard.
The group argued and eventually settled on several attacks in the near future. Leaving silently the way she came, Jyn was relieved to feel the cool night air on her face when she climbed up the steep rocks to the city of Theed. She was all the way across town and the night and curfew had already set.
"Damn it." She cursed under her breath, every time she turned a corner and saw a Stormtrooper squad paroling the streets. She eventually got home and closed the door to see Cassian sleeping on the small couch.
"What time is it?" he asked wearily, getting up.
"Late." Jyn replied, getting a glass of water.
"What happened?"
"I had to go a few miles into the tunnels to find those rebels. They were planning a few attacks."
Sensing Jyn's stress, Cassian came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her middle. "You can tell Sosha in the morning." He curled against her and she leaned back into him. They stood there in silence, listening to each other's soft breaths and feeling the rise and fall of their chests.
Many nights this summer had been stressful ones. Naboo was recovering from the harsh winter and temperate spring that, among many other things, created dire problems for the Nabooans. Despite the crop increase with the warmer season, the Empire still regulated all rations and policed heavily. A small faction of rebels began to form on Naboo, and Jyn was monitoring their actions and reporting back to Sosha. They seemed harmless for now, but Jyn was unsure that their choices would eventually do more harm than good.
"There's something else." Jyn said, closing her eyes. "Matthew's joined them."
…
"What were you thinking?" Cassian yelled at Matthew in his apartment the next day. "You're too young to be involved with those… those…"
"Rebels?" Matthew replied. "Don't you want to defy the Empire? Don't you want to do something?"
"They are not the Rebel Alliance. They are working for themselves and not the greater cause."
"The greater cause? What is more important than the lives of the people on this planet?" Matthew yelled, gesturing outside to the oppressed people.
"Matthew, acting out of fear without planning is going to make more trouble. They aren't taking actions that show they are aware of the consequences." Cassian's accented voice bellowed in the small apartment. His frustration showed in the knot at his brow.
"My mother can't get the drugs she needs to make her better. I have to do this." He started getting emotional now. "You're not my father. I can do what I want. Just leave Jeron."
Cassian glowered back at this scared young man. It was as if he were looking in a mirror. He trudged back home, slammed the door and leaned up against it in angst. He closed his eyes, listening to Jyn in the room next-door finish up her shower.
"What happened?" Jyn said, walking in only wearing a towel. "Did you get through to Matthew?"
"Not even close."
Jyn walked up to Cassian, kissing and embracing him, her dark wet hair against his cheek. "I'm sorry. You'll figure it out."
I hope so.
…
Jyn watched the fog of her breath billow in front of her as she and Cassian ran through the frozen streets of Theed. This winter was even harsher than the last, and the spring days should have been arriving weeks before. They were heading towards Daamoren's Cantina on the north side, briskly walking mostly to keep warm on their way to meet Sosha.
"Any demonstrations on today? There's so many people out." Cassian panted, running beside Jyn.
"I don't think so, but you know how they are lately. They don't exactly count their musha before they act." Jyn replied.
"Musha?"
"It's an expression."
The pair eventually got to their destination, relieved when they stepped into the warm, bustling bar and sat down with Sosha in the corner. She was wearing a tightly wrapped scarf and draped clothing, covering her self up more these days. The high-class was seriously not in favor.
"Captain Korro tells me that two civilians were injured in the rebel's last attack. What happened?" Sosha asked as the pair sat down.
"Tullab shot a Stormtrooper near the University building who then proceeded to open fire on the citizens. I suppose it could have been worse."
"I appreciate your full reports on all resistance efforts. These extreme factions often do more harm than good." Sosha told he pair.
"I couldn't agree with you more." Said Cassian in earnest.
"I don't know what to do from here. If I resist the rebels no one will listen to me and if I go along with them more people could get hurt." Sosha said, clearly discouraged.
"We will support you your highness." Jyn said in a hushed tone. "We know the only way to win this war is outside this planet."
The bar started rustling.
"Something is going on." Cassian said, standing up and heading outside, Jyn and Sosha close behind. The group got outside amidst frenzy. Down the street they could see Tullab standing tall and defiant, ready to take action.
"Defy the Empire!" He screamed as he threw a grenade into a group of oncoming Stormtroopers.