The windowless base was so quiet, the silence seemed to echo in Thess' ears. He and his team had only been on Sarka for a week or so, though it was difficult to tell exactly how long. The planet was so dark, sometimes a whole day could pass without him noticing. He moved quietly through the base, not wanting to disturb any of his soldiers who might be sleeping. He doubted they would be, tomorrow they stormed an Imperial base. From their reconnaissance missions earlier in the week, they knew that there weren't many soldiers, just a few officers and enough stormtroopers to guard them. Still, it would be a restless night for them all.
Thess wandered through to the hangar, treading silently across the walkway that ran around the room, high, high above the ships and speeders they'd taken with them from Yavin 4. He leaned his forearms against the railing, peering through the dark to see how the engineers were getting on. Down below, a team of Rebels were carefully moving Mara and Bodhi's battered, old cargo shuttle into the hangar. How they managed to travel across the galaxy in that beaten up little ship was a mystery to Thess. He saw Bodhi helping guide the shuttle into an empty space. He already fit in well, hardworking and humble. The other Rebels had accepted him and Mara immediately, although the latter didn't seem nearly so eager to make friends.
Sotoo landed with a dull hiss. Unaware that he was being watched, Bodhi went around thanking each of the engineers. He was smiling. Bodhi liked it here on Sarka, no one stared or asked prying questions, and he wasn't just 'the pilot'. He was surprised that Thess let them wander around wherever they liked. He and Mara had a free run of the base and no guards had been ordered to follow them, at least, none that he'd noticed. Maybe they did trust him after all. Bodhi thanked his new friends one last time, waiting until they left to go to bed before he walked up Sotoo's ramp.
It was dark inside their little shuttle but he didn't bother to turn the lights on. After all this time, he knew the ship like the back of his hand. It felt strange to be in there by himself. Bodhi went into the cargo hold and found the clothes they bought on Chandrila stacked in the corner with a soldier's uniformity. Mara hardly said a word throughout dinner. While all around her, the Rebels chatted and laughed with each other, she just sat quietly and ate her food, her eyes fixed on the table top. The moment she was finished eating, Mara left the refectory. Bodhi let her go without protest. He didn't want to make matters worse by pressuring her to talk to him. He gazed at their pile of clothes, wishing he knew what he could say to make her feel better.
Bodhi sighed and scooped the clothes up into his arms but jumped when he heard a sudden rattle. He crouched down and peered under the bench to find the medcentre scalpel had clattered to the ground. He hadn't seen it since Boz Pity, they'd both forgotten about it. Bodhi gingerly picked up the scalpel and slipped it into his boot, who knows, it might come in handy.
He gathered up their clean clothes then went through to the cockpit to see if he'd forgotten anything. His jacket was strewed carelessly across his seat while Mara's sat neatly folded on the co-pilot's chair. Bodhi considered leaving them there for now but then he remembered that Rejnian had told him it would rain soon. Plus, because of its distant sun, it was perpetually cold on Sarka, especially at night. He pulled on his jacket but hesitated before picking up Mara's. He didn't like touching it, it was like handling a sacred artefact, like it was wrong to even look at it without permission. Still, he knew Mara would appreciate having her uniform back. Perhaps it would restore some of her confidence, if not in herself then in her abilities.
Bodhi left Sotoo only to find that the engineers had left the wide hangar door open. Sarka was pitch black at night, only the feeble moonlight could break through the dark, but with the low, artificial lights in the hangar, he could see a figure standing just beyond the base, outlined against the blackness. His heart stumbled and he almost dropped the clothes, but then he recognised that stance, those broad shoulders and that wild, dark hair. Bodhi left their clothes on Sotoo's ramp, making sure to carefully fold Mara's jacket over his arm before he left the hangar and ventured out into the night.
It took a few moments for his eyes to adjust to the gloom. Shapes swam in front of him, figments of his imagination, so he kept his gaze down to avoid tripping over the rocky ground. He made very little sound as he moved across the scorched, cracked earth but he knew Mara would sense him approaching. When he reached her, Bodhi didn't feel brave enough to stand by her side, so he stood a few steps back. Mara didn't turn around. His breath billowed and curled in the cold night air. She must be freezing without her jacket on. Bodhi waited for her to say something, anything, but Mara didn't even look around to acknowledge him.
With a quiet sigh, he turned to look out at the sloping walls of the canyon. "It's cold out here."
Mara didn't respond, she didn't even give any indication that she'd heard him at all. Bodhi saw her standing there, just a silhouette against the darkness, and was reminded of the first time he saw her. He was terrified of her then. Mara looked so fearsome that night in the Yavin 4 hangar, barely held together by the brace around her middle but still fighting, her only defence a medcentre scalpel. He wasn't afraid of her anymore, far from it, not now he knew that ferocity hid a constant anxiety that she wasn't enough, that she had failed at her life's only purpose. Bodhi only felt an overwhelming sympathy, though he was certain Mara would not appreciate it.
He studied her for a moment and saw that she had a blaster strapped to her hip. "Did Thess give you that?" He still didn't get a response, though the silence felt considerably less hostile. Bodhi looked down at his own blaster. Thess had pressed it into his hand whilst saying how pleased they were to have him on their team. Bodhi didn't have time to tell him he'd never even fired a blaster before. "He gave me one too." Bodhi grazed his fingertips across the edge of the blaster. It was cold, heavy. "I don't even know how to use it."
Movement caught his eye and made him look up again. Mara had turned her head to look at him over her shoulder. It wasn't much but it was enough to let him know she was listening after all. Then to his surprise, Mara walked to stand by his side.
"Show me."
Her voice was quiet and hoarse like she'd been crying. It was too dark to see her face clearly but he could tell she wasn't meeting his eyes. Bodhi carefully handed over her jacket then drew his blaster, half afraid he might set it off accidentally. Mara gestured for him to raise it up in front of him, then pointed at a dried-out dessert plant a few meters away. Bodhi held his breath as she walked behind him.
"Hold it tight."
Her hand came up to straighten out his arm. She murmured more instructions, carefully touching his shoulder, his elbow, his fingers. Soon the blaster rested comfortably in Bodhi's hand. Mara gently touched his other elbow, telling him without words that he should support the blaster with his non-dominant hand, then she gently toed the back of his boot.
"Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and bend your knees and elbows. Keep your shoulders square to the target."
Bodhi listened carefully, committing every one of her instructions to memory, but he was suddenly acutely aware that Mara was very, very close to him. He felt her press against his back as she leaned forward to adjust his arm again and tried not to shiver.
"Then fire."
Her voice brought him out of his thoughts but he could not forget the warmth of her touch or the feeling of her mouth so close to his skin. Bodhi stared down the dead cactus then squeezed the trigger. The blaster shrieked, cutting through the dead silent night and making him jump. He missed by a mile. Bodhi began to feel frustrated but then he heard Mara laugh softly behind him. He looked over his shoulder, all his aggravation immediately forgotten the moment he saw her smile.
"That's alright," she said. "Just aim a bit lower."
Bodhi looked back at the cactus. He imagined it was an Imperial soldier, the one who'd given the order to destroy his home and Mara's. He fired, and the cactus exploded into a dozen pieces. Resisting the urge to give a celebratory yell, Bodhi turned to Mara and saw that she looked almost proud of him.
"Perfect," she said quietly. "I'd be proud to have you as one of my soldiers."
Bodhi gave her a look, certain that she must be teasing him. Mara didn't smile back like he hoped she would but at least she was talking to him. Bodhi looked down at the blaster. He didn't like weapons. He'd seen so much destruction, he didn't want to be a cause of it, but he supposed he might need it tomorrow. A thought struck him. Bodhi looked back at Mara.
"On Boz Pity, you gave me the blaster." She was looking out at the horizon, her gaze following the stars, but he saw her shoulders stiffen at his words. Bodhi slipped the blaster back into its holster, turning to face her properly. "But you knew I didn't know how to use it."
"Well, I didn't know, it was more of an educated guess," Mara said, forcing a smile that Bodhi saw straight through.
"Then why did you give it to me?"
Mara's weak smile faded. She opened her mouth but no sound came out.
Bodhi waited for an answer but when she continued to stall, he grew impatient. "I'm going in, see you in a bit." If she didn't want to talk, that was fine, he understood, but he thought Mara trusted him. Perhaps she gave away a little too much in their room, more than she was used to, anyway. Old habits were hard to shake, perhaps Mara felt safer behind her mask. Bodhi turned to leave but only managed a few steps before he heard Mara's voice rise.
"I gave you the blaster because I didn't want you to get hurt."
He paused, rolling her words around in his head to make sure he'd got it right. When Bodhi turned around to face her, he wasn't at all surprised to find that Mara looked very uncomfortable. What was surprising was that despite her obvious hesitancy, she held his gaze, something she hadn't been very good at in the past.
"I wanted to keep you safe." Mara felt her heart start to thud when Bodhi's expression softened. With only the light of the moon to illuminate them, his face was mostly shadow, but she could see that his dark eyes were soft and full of starlight.
"Even then? When we weren't..." He didn't know what they were. Bodhi couldn't even begin to describe the way he felt about Mara, it was far too complex, but she seemed to understand, as he knew she would.
Mara felt all her fear melt away as she looked at him. Her mother's grasp on her mind weakened, her anxieties about Leia now just a faint whisper rather than the raw bellow they used to be. "Yes," Mara said. Then, more certain. "Always."
Bodhi let out a long breath, hoping it would slow his frantic heart, but it had little effect. The way she looked at him, he could almost kid himself into believing she cared for him more deeply then she let on. Bodhi didn't know what to say, he'd never been very good with words, but it had taken a lot of courage for Mara to admit that. She deserved to know how he felt too.
"You're not- When you said that you were nothing without Leia... I should've said something at the time. I wanted to but I didn't know- I..." He felt his chest tighten when Mara looked away, her lips pressed into a firm line. She was ashamed of what she'd said, embarrassed to have shown so much of her true feelings after a lifetime of restraint. Bodhi stepped forward, closing the distance between them. "You're not nothing. You're not. I'm sorry."
Mara forced herself to meet his eyes. Why was he so kind to her? After all she'd said to him, Bodhi still cared. She could hardly believe what she'd overheard in the refectory. Bodhi thought she was beautiful. Now she had a clearer head, she remembered he said she looked lovely just before they landed on Sarka, and how shocked he was when he learned that she'd never loved anyone, or been loved.
Mara knew what it was, to be in love. She'd seen the queen and Bail together and she'd heard stories, people talking about their loved ones. When she began her training all those years ago, she accepted the fact that she could never have such attachments. Love was a distraction, a weakness. She hadn't entertained the idea for many years but now Mara found herself wondering, just for a moment, what it might be like. It was a terrifying thought but looking at Bodhi, she found she didn't mind. She didn't mind at all.
Silence fell between them again but the tense air, once so thick he could cut it with a knife, had dissipated. Bodhi moved beside her and they stood there, both freezing cold but happy-ish, watching as the dark drew ever closer. Without words, Mara apologised for shouting at him, for not explaining herself properly, and Bodhi assured her that he understood why she was upset. It had not been a good day. They were both exhausted, filthy and afraid, but they were together. Standing together in the dark, Bodhi realised that he could do anything so long as he was with Mara.
He glanced across at her. She still looked sad but at least she wasn't hiding it from him anymore. He let a few minutes pass in silence, giving Mara a moment alone with her thoughts, then he screwed his courage to the sticking-place and reached out, brushing his fingers against hers. Mara turned her head ever so slightly, just enough so that she could see him out of the corner of her eye.
Bodhi kept his gaze forward. With his heart thudding in his ears, he carefully took her hand in his. When Mara didn't move or say anything, Bodhi thought he'd crossed a line and almost let go but then she turned her hand so that she could lace her fingers between his. Bodhi exhaled shakily and he knew Mara must've heard it but she didn't comment. If he'd turned to look at her, he would've seen her smile. They stayed there, letting the night envelop them, all the while, Bodhi's thumb gently rubbed against the back of Mara's hand.
They went inside after that. When Mara let go of his hand, she did it with obvious reluctance. It only dawned on Bodhi as they headed back towards the base that Mara had probably never held anyone's hand before and made a mental note to do it far more often from now on. On their way through the hangar, Bodhi picked up their clothes, only passing Mara her half when she protested. After their tumultuous day, she'd forgotten all about them and thanked the Maker they thought to head into the market on Chandrila, she couldn't bear the thought of smelling like a womp rat for much longer.
Their box-like room seemed much more cramped than the last time they were both in it, perhaps because of their dismal mood, but it was far comfier than Sotoo. They were both just happy to sleep in a real bed, although as Bodhi slipped under the covers, he found himself missing the privacy and quiet of their shuttle.
Mara hung up her jacket on the back of the door and mumbled that she was going to have a shower. Bodhi had washed after dinner, filling the time while he gave Mara some space, so he showed her where the 'freshers were. Thankfully, it was so late that no one else was using them. Mara couldn't stand the thought of making polite conversation at that moment. The 'fresher water was lukewarm and slow but it was luxury after their last few weeks.
She returned almost half an hour later, her hair still damp. Though a deep anxiety still sat heavy in her chest, the 'fresher and some clean clothes helped a little. Bodhi was lying in bed when she got back, his eyes closed. Only now did she realise how little space there was. Perhaps they should've asked for another bed. Mara carefully sat on the edge of the thin mattress, worried that she'd wake Bodhi if she moved too sharply, but he hadn't drifted off just yet. She heard him sigh and turned to see him watching her.
Smiling gently, Mara tied back her hair and moved under the covers. It had begun to rain outside, just like Rej said it would, and the cold crept through the base. Only Bodhi's warmth kept her from shivering. Maybe one bed would be alright after all. The low light meant that Bodhi could hardly see her face but he could tell that Mara's thoughts were weighing her down.
"We can leave, if you want," he murmured, making her look up. Mara's eyes seemed tired, sad. Despite her assurances that she was fine, he could not forget the look on her face when she told him she was leaving, that she thought she was worthless. Calmer now, she looked almost resigned to her situation. Bodhi didn't want her to feel trapped. If Mara truly wanted to leave, he wouldn't let her go alone, not after all they'd been through. The corner of her lip quirked, a sign that she was grateful for his offer.
Bodhi turned over onto his side to face her, making the feeble bedsprings squeak. Mara looked away out of embarrassment. This was no different from how they slept in Sotoo. Except, she supposed, now you're in a real, much smaller bed. The mattress was well worn and dipped in the middle. Bodhi was so close, he only had to speak in a whisper. The whole situation was so intimate, Mara could feel her heart thudding against her ribs but strangely enough, she rather liked the closeness.
"Leia will still be there when you get back," Bodhi said, giving her a crooked, cheeky grin. He was testing the waters, trying to make her smile and it worked, if only for a moment.
Mara couldn't ignore the anxiety that wrung her stomach between its hands. Thoughts of what Leia must have gone through clouded her mind but as usual, Bodhi made her feel calm. "Why do you want to stay?" She turned over so that they were facing each other properly, slipping her arm under her pillow to prop up her head. Her movement caused her hair to fall in front of her face but Bodhi carefully tucked it over her shoulder for her. Mara didn't flinch away, she didn't protest. In fact, she rather enjoyed the affectionate gesture.
Outside, thunder rolled across the sky, making the ancient foundations of the base tremble, but they were safe and sound inside their little room. Bodhi allowed himself to enjoy the domesticity and familiarity of it all before he answered her question.
"They know who I am. They were pleased to meet me. They want my help. Our help." Embarrassment crept over his skin but then he looked at Mara a little longer and realised he had nothing to worry about. Talking to Mara was just so easy, he never felt the need to alter his speech or omit his true feelings. He couldn't remember the last time he was able to completely be himself with someone. "No one's ever wanted my help."
It was a jumbled mess of a confession but Mara didn't mind. She gave a slight shrug, trying to summon a smile. "Apart from me."
Bodhi shook his head. "You needed me, that's different."
Mara's smile faded. After all this time, she'd forgotten that Bodhi did not volunteer to help her find Leia. She couldn't believe she'd allowed herself to erase the true, distressing beginning of their relationship.
This hadn't been Bodhi's intention, he didn't mean to make her feel guilty, but it was interesting to see that Mara's attitude had changed, that she recognised she'd done something wrong. He slipped his hand under his own pillow, stretching across until he could brush his fingers against hers. Mara didn't shy away from the contact, in fact, she welcomed it. "I meant what I said, Mar." He looked down at the mattress. "I'm trying to make up for what I did."
"You were just a cargo driver."
"But I knew what I was doing. I knew what that cargo was for." Galen Erso's words still rang in his ears after all this time. Bodhi had always felt a creeping guilt whenever he touched down on a new planet in the name of the Empire but he needed the money and at the time, he'd reassured himself that he wasn't hurting anyone. Erso had shown him that he was wrong, that people had suffered, if indirectly, because of his actions. While others, Mara included, had tried to tell him that he was a man with very few choices and a family to support, Bodhi could not shake the shadows that followed his thoughts. "If I can make one bit of difference. If I can do something to help..."
"Bodhi, you almost died doing just that." Mara had never been very good at being reassuring, she'd never really had the opportunity, but she remembered all the times that Bodhi had comforted her. She took his hand, smoothing her thumb across his palm. His skin felt rough after a lifetime of hard work and struggle, his fingers much longer than hers. She remembered what it felt like when he tucked her hair behind her shoulder and imagined what it'd be like to have his fingers move through her hair, grazing across her skin. The thought made her shiver.
She wanted to leave Sarka. She wanted to find Leia. She wanted to complete her mission and return to her rightful place behind the princess. But for the first time in her life, Mara wanted something else more. She wanted to be with Bodhi. "I'll stay."
Her words caught him by surprise. Bodhi lifted his head off the pillow, his brow furrowed. "You don't have to-"
"I'm staying." Mara squeezed his hand. "Where you go, I go." Bodhi's eyes were so dark and kind in the low light. A week ago, Mara would've lost her nerve and looked away, but now she found holding his gaze was as natural as breathing. He smiled and the corners of his eyes crinkled. Mara found herself smiling back and wondered when exactly she'd allowed herself to be so open with a man who was once a complete stranger. "I'm scared, Bodhi," she whispered. It was the first time she'd ever said the words out loud. Mara had thought them plenty of times and felt fear more often than most, but her training and her superiors had stamped out any desire to share her feelings when she was a child. If her mother could see her now.
"What of?" Bodhi shuffled a little closer, allowing her to speak as quietly as she liked. He wanted her to feel comfortable, to know that she could tell him anything without fear of judgement.
"Everything." Mara gave an embarrassed little laugh, then pressed her lips together as that sickly feeling crept up to her throat again. "What if something happens to me and Leia's on her own? What if she isn't on Yavin 4 and she's still a prisoner somewhere?" She hesitated before adding, "What if you get hurt?"
"I thought you weren't scared of anything." Bodhi tried to crack a grin but his heart was going a hundred miles an hour. When they first met, Mara had one thought and one thought alone, Leia. Now he was included in that list. Mara tried to summon a smile in response but was just as unsuccessful.
"I can't lose anyone else," she whispered. Her muscles tightened instinctively, a reaction to showing her true feelings after a lifetime of suppression.
It was too dark for Bodhi to see the way she flinched but he felt her fingers brush his skin as they curled into a fist. "It's gonna be alright."
His thumb began to smooth tiny circles against the inside of her wrist and despite every fibre of her being telling her not to enjoy it, Mara allowed her anxious fist to relax and felt her worried heart slow.
"It's just a few stormtroopers," Bodhi said, and this time he smiled for real. "What's the worst that can happen?"
The next morning, they were awoken by a sharp knock on the door. The same man who came to collect them for dinner the night before had come to tell them that there would be a meeting in the command centre in fifteen minutes. Bodhi still didn't know the name of this messenger but he made a mental note to thank him later. Dressed in their new, clean clothes and smelling considerably nicer than they did yesterday, Mara and Bodhi blended in much easier amongst the Sarakan Rebel squadron. Thess stood in the middle of the command centre, his small army of Rebels encircling him. When he spotted Mara and Bodhi amidst their ranks, he smiled.
"I'm glad you decided to stick around," he said, his gaze falling on Mara in particular. He had a feeling she'd prefer to be with her princess, so Thess was surprised to see her face in the crowd. Surprised, but pleased. "We could use your help." Thess nodded at Bodhi, a gesture of gratitude.
Embarrassed by the attention, Bodhi merely gave him a quick smile. He'd spent so much time treading on eggshells around the Rebels, he felt uncomfortable suddenly being their equal. He didn't want to be treated differently, he was no hero, the other Rebels were probably braver and more selfless than he ever could be. Still, it felt good to be accepted at last.
Thess brought up a map on the largest holoscreen. Behind him, the bowl-shaped map still glowed. Bodhi watched as the eerie hologram of the Death Star crawled slowly across the sky. He felt Mara tense beside him. Her face was stern, her brow set in concentration. This was the side to her that he had yet to see, the captain, the leader. After Thess, she was the highest-ranking person in the room, though he didn't think Mara would flex that power, not here, not in someone else's space. Thess spread his fingers, zooming in so that they had a better view of their target.
"The data we collected earlier in the week has allowed us to pinpoint the exact location of the Empire's base. We also know that their weapons are not yet operational. The temple runs deep underground. We don't know how far the tunnels go but it could be miles. There're at least two captains in the temple and apparently a few science officers."
"Science officers?" Rejnian piped up from somewhere across the room. "What are they doing down there?"
Bodhi peered over the heads of the people standing in front of him but couldn't pick his new friend's face out of the crowd.
"That's what we're going to find out," Thess said, then tapped the map with his fingertips twice, making the holoscreen go blank.
Mara was pleased to find that very little discussion followed Thess' briefing. She was expecting a tedious lecture that detailed every minute step they would take, but Thess simply outlined the plan then dismissed them. It was only when they reached the hangar that Mara began to worry that he didn't have much of a plan at all. There were only thirty or so Rebels in their little army, would that be enough? From what she'd heard of past Alliance missions, it appeared optimism and a bit of bravery were almost as effective as good planning. It was not what she was used to but she would never question another leader's decisions, especially a general.
The lights were low in the hangar even though the pale sun was beginning to rise. All around the hangar, people were loading the armoured speeders with supplies, weapons, and an all manner of camouflaging equipment. Though their plan was to infiltrate the base and take out any stormtroopers they came across, an exterior counterattack was highly possible.
Thess had assigned a group of Rebels to set up base outside the temple, ready to take out any backup forces or escaping Imperials. They were taking every available vehicle, from the slim speeder bikes to the boxy, armoured transporters, all of which were painted green to match the thick jungle they would be travelling through. Mara found herself beginning to grow excited as the hubbub of activity met her ears. This was what she was born to do.
Bodhi had stayed by her side throughout the briefing but when he saw them loading up the transports, he gave her a quick smile before rushing over to help. Mara watched him hurry away with a proud sort of smile. Bodhi was always ready and willing to help. She was only kidding when she said she wouldn't mind having him as one of her soldiers but he really would be an asset. It wasn't often she came across someone so selfless and loyal. But the more Mara thought about it, the more her smile began to fade. Though it was only a joke, she couldn't bear the thought of Bodhi going through the training she faced. Mara grimaced at the thought. She didn't want that life for him, he was too good, too gentle.
She watched from a distance as Bodhi laughed with Deffan, Rejnian and a few Rebels she didn't recognise. A pang of jealously reverberated through her. While Bodhi seemed to make friends without even trying, Mara felt cut off from the others. They all had something in common, a shared experience. There was no one else like her left. Mara knew they thought she was standoffish but even if she did know how to talk to them, she would be gone soon. She'd never see any of these people again, was there any point trying to make friends? But then, she realised, that's exactly what you thought about Bodhi.
A shout echoed across the hangar, it was time to leave. She turned away from Bodhi and his new friends, trying to push down the almost overwhelming feeling of loneliness. It warmed her heart to see Bodhi relaxed and laughing, but there was a small part of her that shook with envy. She had come to enjoy it being just the two of them against the rest of the galaxy. As much as she was glad to see Bodhi happy, she knew it meant their time together was almost over. Thess stood in the back of the largest transporter, dividing the troops between the vehicles. When he spotted Mara, he gestured for her to join him. Brushing her thoughts of Bodhi aside, Mara made to join Thess, but a voice stopped her.
"Mara?"
She slowed to a stop at the sound of her name and found a woman standing behind her. She was practically twice Mara's height and dark-skinned, her eyes a stunning violet colour. She rested her hand over her heart and gave a slight bow, smiling gently.
"My name is Itzpalo. My apologies for not greeting you yesterday."
Mara didn't remember seeing this woman in the command centre when they were brought in, then she spotted the red cross on the shoulder of her uniform.
Itzpalo was the only medic on Sarka and spent most of her time in the tiny medcentre just one floor below where they stood. She was usually based on a Rebel base way out on Freanoon but volunteered her services when she learned that the Sarkan group had no doctors. "I've heard many tales about the Alderaanian Royal Guard. It's an honour to meet you."
"Oh, thank you." Mara knew and was proud of the fact that her soldiers were galaxy-renowned for their expertise, but it was still strange to hear it in person. She glanced over her shoulder, hoping that Bodhi was nearby and would come and save her.
She really wasn't good at talking to people. She'd spoken to Bodhi more in their short time together than she had with anyone else over the last year. If she wasn't barking orders or discussing strategies, Mara didn't have anyone to talk to. She was always so busy, she hadn't really noticed before. Now, she could hardly keep a conversation going and hoped Bodhi would spot her and come do the talking for the both of them.
"I am sorry for your loss." Itzpalo spoke calmly, as if she could sense how uncomfortable Mara was. She gave her a sad sort of smile, her peculiar eyes turning down to the floor. "They took my planet too."
Mara stopped furtively trying to look over her shoulder. A sudden foreign feeling of empathy swept through her and she finally understood why this woman had approached her. "The Death Star?" The name left a foul taste in her mouth.
Itzpalo shook her head. "Stormtroopers raided Liost for our natural resources: trees for timber, gems to sell to the highest bidder, the very earth for their own agriculture. They took what they wanted and killed whoever protested."
Itzpalo's sad expression softened and Mara knew she was pushing down her memories of home. She knew it because she was doing the same.
"I'm glad you decided to stay. We have a much better chance now with you. And with your partner, of course."
"Oh, he's not..." Mara cut herself off, unable to think of a better way to describe Bodhi. Instead, she summoned a smile, the first in a long while that had not been a struggle. "We're more than happy to help."
Itzpalo nodded then bowed her head again. Mara did the same, letting her know that she appreciated her coming over to speak to her. As she watched Itzpalo walk away in the direction of the command centre, Mara felt the band around her stomach loosen for the first since she learned about Alderaan. She was not alone.
"You making friends?"
Mara smiled at the voice. Of course, he was never far away. "I think so," she said, turning to face Bodhi. He grinned, and if she didn't know better, she'd say he looked almost proud of her.
"Look at you, eh?"
Mara rolled her eyes, embarrassed. "Come on, flyboy." She began to make her way over the transporters. On the way, she rested her hand on the small of Bodhi's back, just a gentle touch and only for a moment, but it was enough to ask him to follow her and to make him blush.
Though the forest glowed a bright jade colour, the distant sun left the entire planet shrouded in shadows, so the Rebels blended in well with the trees despite their dark Alliance colours. Thess led the way, Diana, his second in command, not far behind. They left their transporters half a mile back, not wanting the Imperials to know they were coming before they had a chance to attack. It meant they had to carry their limited equipment through the jungle and although it was perpetually cold on Sarka, the highly volatile weapons were heavy and they were beginning to sweat under their weight.
At last, the trees began to clear and the great temple came into view. As they hunkered down, keeping low to the ground in case of patrolling stormtroopers, Bodhi found that the building reminded him of the Yavin 4 base. Its lofty pyramidal structure consisted of successively receding stories. It was so tall that it appeared to brush the clouds and the purple and red jewels that spattered the uppermost quarter sparkled in the low light. A rumble echoed through the sky, so deep and broad that it seemed to murmur through the ground. Bodhi knelt down and pushed his fingertips against the mossy forest floor, feeling the vibrations of a distant storm.
Thess passed an order to Diana, who turned and whispered to the Rebels nearest to her. The order seeped through the soldiers like a wave washing over the shore until it reached Bodhi and Mara, who had kept themselves nearer the back of the group. It was Deffan who passed on the order, he stood just a little way in front of them. The main entrance to the temple was heavily guarded, this wasn't going to be easy.
Bodhi knew Mara was itching to be the one giving commands but she held back. This was not her mission and these were not her soldiers. Mara felt an all too familiar cold dread seep over her skin as she realised that her soldiers were dead. How could she be the Captain of the Alderaanian Royal Guard without soldiers, and without a family and a planet to protect?
Rejnian was sandwiched between Mara and Bodhi and unlike the rest of the Rebels, seemed remarkably unbothered by the whole situation. He and Bodhi had become firm friends, even though they'd only known each other for a few hours. Bodhi was surprised, he didn't know what he'd done to make Rej like him so much, but he wasn't about to question it.
Charming, funny and roguishly handsome, Rejnian had all the markings of a typical Rebel pilot, so Mara was surprised when she discovered that he was actually an engineer and a volunteer, just like Bodhi.
"Hey, don't worry."
He must've seen her solemn expression because Rejnian nudged her side, making Mara grunt.
On his other side, Bodhi hid a smile. Though he and Mara had come a long way since the first time they met, he couldn't forget her brusque and ruthless side if he tried and Rej was still a relative stranger. He wanted to warn him but where was the fun in that?
"I've broken into places more heavily guarded than this."
"Are you a soldier or a thief?" Mara turned her head to face him, her expression blank and unnerving.
Rejnian gave her a crooked grin, never one to back away from a challenge, especially not in the form of a pretty woman. "Little of both, Captain," he said, which Mara didn't seem to find very impressive, although she did allow herself a smirk. Up ahead, Thess gestured for the group to keep moving. Feeling brave, Rejnian stuck out his hand, wriggling his fingers invitingly. "You can hold my hand if you're scared."
Mara stared at him like he'd grown a second head. Just ahead of them, Deffan hid a laugh behind a cough, shaking his head slightly at his friend.
"He's kidding," Bodhi said quickly, feeling his hope that his friends would get along starting to slip through his fingers.
"Good." Mara turned her sharp gaze to Rejnian. "I am not some starry-eyed damsel who needs saving. I'm a captain and you're in my way." With that, she moved past the men, making sure to knock her shoulder against Rej's on her way past. As she moved away, she turned her head slightly and caught Bodhi smiling. She couldn't help shooting him a grin back. Thankfully, Rejnian seemed to realise that she wasn't serious. As he watched Mara walk away, he gave a dreamy sigh.
"Oh, she's so hot."
Bodhi scoffed, shaking his head, though secretly he had to agree. The thick jungle muffled their footsteps and the distant sun helped them to blend in amongst the trees, so they weren't spotted as they neared the temple. In fact, they didn't see any guards at all. From what they could tell, the Imperials had no idea they were even on Sarka. The element of surprise was their only real advantage but hopefully, it would be enough.
They avoided the main entrance for obvious reasons. Thess' Sarkan contacts had told them about three other possible entrances to the temple, one that sat in the side of the pyramid and another further off into the jungle, an underground passage. The third and final entrance was for if things really went pear-shaped and they needed to get out of there fast.
"We'll split into two groups." Thess kept his voice low and his words few. There was very little time left before the far superior Imperial weapons were up and running. If they didn't attack soon, this little mission will have failed. "My team will take the east quarter. Diana, you head west." His second in command nodded then turned to the group, calling off the names of the Rebels who should follow her. Bodhi was one of them.
As the first group began to split off, Mara made to follow him but a voice stopped her.
"Captain, with me," Thess said, turned to guide his group in the opposite direction.
It had been many years since Mara had taken orders from anyone. She wasn't sure that she liked it but she respected the chain of command, even if something in her chest was pulling her in a different direction, towards Bodhi. She met his gaze and was somewhat relieved to find he looked just as unhappy about being separated as she felt.
"Don't do anything brave, alright?" he said quietly, glancing over his shoulder to make sure he wasn't being left behind. His heart sank when he saw Diana's team already starting to make their way back into the jungle to find the second entrance. There wasn't time for parting words but this wasn't really goodbye, they would see each other again soon. Still, Bodhi felt an awful anxious fog rise up through his mind. The only time he and Mara had been apart since they met was when they were forcefully separated. Bodhi didn't want to leave Mara, he felt braver with her, stronger, safer. Little did he know the feeling was mutual.
"Same to you." Mara tried to generate a smile but it faded as soon as it appeared.
Bodhi heard Deffan call his name and waved over his shoulder, letting him know he'd be there in a moment. When he turned back to Mara, he felt a sickening jolt of fear, like he was never going to see her again. Bodhi felt the need to let her know that he didn't want to leave her, that he hoped she would be alright and that they would see each other again soon, but he didn't have the time or the right words. He could only remember what his mother used to whisper to him when she thought he was asleep in the bed next to hers. "May the force be with you." He wasn't exactly surprised when Mara scrunched up her face, confused. Then she gave a weak laugh.
"You know I don't believe in all that."
"I know." Bodhi shrugged then gave her that gentle smile she'd come to adore. "Still, can't hurt, can it?" Mara's incredulous expression softened. Bodhi wished he knew what she was thinking when she looked at him like that, then suddenly Mara took a step forward and pulled him into a tight hug. He was so surprised, he barely had time to put his arms around her before she moved away again. Her hand found Bodhi's forearm and squeezed it tight, though he wasn't sure if it was for his benefit or hers.
"Be safe," Mara whispered. Then, clearly embarrassed by the affection she'd shown him, she quickly let him go and stepped back. With one last nervous smile, they parted ways.
Bodhi hurried to catch up with his group where Deffan greeted him with a friendly, if vigorous, pat on the shoulder.
When Mara rejoined her group, she found that Rejnian was one of its members. She rolled her eyes when he grinned at her but she actually rather liked Rej, despite his faults. It wasn't often that people felt comfortable enough to tease her. In fact, it never happened. She couldn't remember a single instance on Alderaan when one of her soldiers had joked with her or tried to wind her up. Although, Mara didn't think she would've appreciated it then. Maybe she really had changed.
Thess led their little team around the outside of the temple, keeping close to the treeline. Armed only with what they could carry, they waited in silence, making sure that no troopers would ambush them the moment they stepped out of the jungle. When they thought the coast was clear, they hurried through the gaping mouth of the temple door.
What little light was able to reach Sarka was swallowed up the moment they stepped into the arching tunnel. It was so dark beyond the entrance that they had to wait a few moments for their eyes to adjust. When the gloom cleared, they found the cobblestone path beneath their feet was cracked and uneven. Vine-like plants hung from the low ceiling, brushing their cheeks as they moved deeper into the temple. The air was thick and musty, Mara had to fight the urge to cover her mouth and nose. Beside her, Rejnian looked considerably more nervous than he did earlier.
"You can hold my hand if you're scared," she whispered, nudging his arm just as he had done to her. Rejnian's face was clouded by the darkness but she could just about see his anxious expression relax a little.
"I wouldn't mind actually," he said, making Mara chuckle quietly.
They reached the end of the tunnel and were surprised to find that the main cavity was just as ill-lit. The temple was enormous, at least a hundred feet wide in every direction. She couldn't even begin to calculate how tall it was. Looking up, the Rebels and Mara found that the temple was completely hollow. The only way to move around was by scaling the winding stone steps that bordered the walls, spiralling up and up and up until they disappeared into the darkness, only flattening out when they met with a passage like the one they stood in. Though they had yet to see any Imperial soldiers, the temple practically shook with the sounds of hammering and metal scraping against metal. Ducking low, they crept to the edge of the walkway and peered down over the edge.
While the upper half of the pyramid was dark as pitch, burning yellow lights illuminated the ground below. They'd pulled up the floor in the base of the temple, leaving piles of rubble slumped against the ancient stone walls. Complex scaffolding structures had been put in place to keep the ground beneath them from collapsing. Mara managed to spot a few stormtroopers patrolling the lowest levels, overseeing construction, while more Imperial workers drove machines that dug into the crumbling rock. Rej whispered something but it was impossible to hear him over the din. Mara guessed it must've been an expression of disbelief. This was not what she was expecting at all.
"They're mining."
Mara turned her head and saw that the voice belonged to a soldier she didn't know, a Togruta woman. She was unable to wear the standard helmet because of her head-tails and protruding montrals, and her deep red skin did little to camouflage her against Sarka's green hues. She felt extremely exposed but she wasn't afraid. Her people were tranquil and silent but also true warriors. It would take more than a few stormtroopers to frighten her.
"Sarka is riddled with cave systems," Thess murmured, recapturing Mara's attention. He peered down over the edge of the ridge, his gaze switching between the activity below and the other side of the walkway, worried that a trooper might stumble upon them at any moment. "Most of the natives live in tunnels. They say it's because it's safer underground but the planet is filled to the brim with nova rubies. People would pay a lot of money for them."
Mara was reminded of what Itzpalo had said to her just before they left, about how her planet was gutted for its natural resources. It appeared Liost's wealth was not enough for the Empire, how many more planets were going to fall under their feet?
"There's the signal," another Rebel said, making them all look around. A few layers down, a torch flashed on and off intermittently. The other team were ready.
Mara's heart lifted. It was a relief to know that Bodhi was just a few feet away, to know that he was alright. After weeks in their cramped little shuttle, she was unused to him being out of arm's reach. Thess raised his torch and flashed it on and off, repeating the pattern. They rose to their feet, immediately flattening themselves against the cold stone. Mara could feel the vibrations from the mining equipment trembling through the temple walls, making her bones shudder.
They kept close together for fear of getting separated in the dark. There was no protective railing at the edge of the walkway, one wrong step and they'd fall hundreds of feet to the hard temple floor below. The plan was to descend to the lowest floor and disarm the troopers, their two groups attacking in a pincer movement to trap the few guards who patrolled the area. The simplicity of the plan worried Mara when she first heard it, but then again, it was the last thing the Imperials would be expecting. Thess drew his blaster, the faint whir as it armed echoing through the temple. Behind her, Mara heard Rejnian grumble under his breath.
"I've got a bad feeling about this."
She rolled her eyes and turned to chastise him but just as Mara looked over her shoulder, Rej ducked out of her line of sight. He'd stepped too close to the edge and lost his footing. His right leg dropped over the side of the walkway and if it weren't for his left knee hooking over the edge and Mara gabbing his shoulder, he would've fallen to his death. She and another Rebel quickly dragged Rej back over the side, pushing him against the wall to keep them out of sight from the Imperial troopers.
Mara held her breath. Their little army froze. Thess closed his eyes, praying and praying that they were going to be alright, but then he heard a low, terrible rumble. He looked down to see that Rejnian had accidentally dislodged the edge of the ancient rock walkway. A small flurry of stones crumbled away from the stairs, cascading down to the temple floor, bouncing off of lower walkways and colliding with the metal machinery below.
A voice called out and suddenly all eyes were on them. Mara heard Rejnian curse, then the low drumroll of pounding feet heading their way. Another shout echoed up from the floor below, a warning that the intruders were just a few stories up. Thess didn't need to give the order, the Rebels were running before the last rock could hit the floor. Mara's instincts immediately kicked in. She pushed Rejnian in front of her, making sure she brought up the rear. She would not lose any more soldiers, not to these monsters.
They tried to run back the way they came but a group of stormtroopers blocked their path. Moving as if of one mind, the Rebels turned into the nearest passage, hoping they could lose the troopers in the myriad of tunnels that ran like veins through the pyramid. Mara just had time to see Bodhi's group disappear into a different tunnel before the darkness enveloped her.
They didn't get very far. Just as they turned right to head deeper into the cavernous temple, a swarm of stormtroopers were there to meet them. The Rebels stumbled to a halt. The impassive black and white masks gazed emptily back at them. One had his blaster trained right on Mara. She couldn't help but think of the Tantive IV, of being trapped in the emergency pod with no hope of escape.
The other group of Imperials caught up with them at last, trapping them. The Rebels didn't bother raising their blasters, there was no point, they were vastly outnumbered. The stormtroopers parted, allowing a tall, thin man in an Imperial officer's uniform to approach. His cold gaze swept over each of their faces with clear indifference before he waved his soldiers forward.
"Hand over your weapons."
When none of them moved, the stormtroopers stepped closer. The Rebels exchanged glances before reluctantly handing over their blasters. The few who carried backpacks stuffed with explosives handed those other too, warning the Imperials that they should be careful with wolfish, defiant grins.
"Take them down to see Captain Redde," the lieutenant said, backing away from the group like he was already bored with them. The stormtroopers stepped forward, pressing their blasters against their backs to get them to move. One shoved Mara a little too hard, making her stumble over the uneven ground.
She wheeled around, ready to strike the soldier but two more stormtroopers pointed their blasters at her. She hated them, hated them with every fibre of her being. These people had taken the princess from her, destroyed Alderaan like it was nothing and now they were clawing every last credit they could out of other planets. They were led out of the tunnel and back into the main cavity of the temple.
"You got a plan, Captain?" Rej whispered, his gaze switching between the three guards to his left.
Mara gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stay calm. "Working on it." Despite their discovery, the mining work had not ceased. Two towering diggers clawed into the earth, dragging up its contents like starving birds foraging in some poor animal's carcass. The noise was immense, Mara could hardly think straight. As they were led down the winding staircase, she ran through every single step of her training, trying to think of a way to get her and new acquaintances out of this.
They couldn't fight their way out, they were outnumbered and now unarmed. Perhaps when they were closer to the ground floor, they could try and make a break for it. That plan was even riskier than the first. What would Captain Redde do with them? Would they be kept prisoner? Or killed on the spot? Panic began to eat away at her as it dawned on Mara that she couldn't get herself out of this mess, not this time. Her mother had drilled into her that there was always a choice, there was always a way out, but as Mara looked around at the Rebels' terrified faces, she realised that her mother wasn't right about everything.
They reached the bottom floor of the temple. At last, they could clearly see what the Imperials were up to. They'd guessed correctly. The rocky floor of the temple had been stripped back to expose the tunnels and caverns that lay beneath. The enormous industrial machines had pulled up ancient tree roots and precious stones. Beneath the first layers of dirt, they could see that the Imperials had hit a vein of rock. Nestled in its heart were the blood-red nova rubies Thess had described.
Anger sparked in Mara's chest. How dare they destroy an ancient, sacred temple for something as trivial as money? These people had no guilt, no shame, no humanity at all. Waiting for them was Captain Redde. Apart from him, the soldiers driving the diggers, and the stormtroopers who accompanied them, they were alone.
Captain Redde stepped forward to speak to them, a sinister smile on his thin lips, when suddenly a squeal ripped through the air and he lurched back. The captain fell to the ground at their feet before he could even say a word. The Rebels and remaining stormtroopers looked around wildly as more shots cuts through the air, catching the ground at their feet and striking the Imperial guards.
Mara looked round just in time to see the other group of Rebels running around the walkway above them before they scattered, disappearing into the three tunnels that led off from the level. Now that there were fewer guards and they were more than a little bit distracted, Mara broke away from the group and threw herself at the nearest stormtrooper. She knocked his legs out from under him then tore off his helmet and used it to strike his head until he fell unconscious. She hurled the helmet at another stormtrooper, using the first's fallen weapon to take him out before he even knew what was happening.
By the time she straightened up, the entire ground floor had been cleared of Imperials, even those operating the machinery. Diana's group of Rebels came sprinting down the staircase, rushing towards their comrades to make sure everyone was safe. Panting hard, Mara looked for one face in particular. The moment she saw Bodhi, her heart began to pound unspeakably loud. She'd never been so happy to see anyone in her entire life. For a moment, all she could see was him. Then he spotted her and the look of relief on his face made Mara feel all the more giddy.
"You couldn't stay out of trouble for five minutes, could you?" he said, half jogging across the room to meet her.
He had the biggest grin on his face, Mara couldn't stop herself returning it. "You're not doing so great either, flyboy," she shot back, reminding him that they weren't out of the woods yet.
Bodhi was too relieved to mind. When his team saw the other Rebels run for cover, his mind had whirred with terrifying thoughts of what might happen to Mara. He knew she could look after herself but he also knew she would stop at nothing to protect the others, and that could get her killed. Right now, the only thing stopping him from hugging her tight was the distant sound of Thess barking orders to his troops. They would break into three groups this time: one would go with Diana to locate the main computer and shut this place down, another would try and locate their stolen weapons, and the final group would round up any stray stormtroopers.
Bodhi volunteered himself and Mara to help find the few remaining Imperials. He wasn't letting her out of his sight again, little did he know Mara was thinking the exact same thing. Thess was certain there were only thirty or so troopers in the entire temple, it shouldn't be difficult to track them down. Their little group of five broke away from the rest and followed the nearest tunnel around the perimeter of the temple.
They didn't run into any troopers until they'd almost completed a full lap of the first level. A gaggle of stormtroopers seemed to appear from nowhere but their gleaming white suits were a dead give away in the gloomy tunnel. Searing red laser bolts flew through the air, singing the walls. Stormtrooper after stormtrooper fell but more poured in from behind the Rebels.
Mara had always preferred hand to hand combat over a blaster, so she slipped hers into her holster and ran at the nearest soldier. She jumped, wrapped her legs around his neck and twisted round hard so that he fell to the ground. In one smooth movement, she grabbed another trooper. She'd been trained since birth, every fibre of Mara's being was conditioned to protect the princess, whatever the cost. Now, she used that energy to protect her new teammates and above all else, to keep Bodhi safe.
She landed gracefully but another stormtrooper she hadn't seen wrapped his arms around her neck. He choked her until she could hardly breathe but Mara swung her legs up then down again hard, flipping him over her shoulder. She was free but she lost her footing and staggered back. Mara fell, hitting her head hard against the cold stone wall.
For a moment, the world swam. She saw only blackness and bright, blinding spots of light. All she could hear was a high-pitched whine, like the drills that broke through the stone floor of the temple. Then she heard someone call her name. The voice wavered, weaving in and out of her subconscious. A dark shape grew closer. Though the threat of the stormtroopers was still very much present in her mind, she didn't feel any fear as the shape moved closer, her name echoing and echoing into nothingness.
Bodhi crouched in front of her, trying very, very hard not to panic. His hands hovered by the sides of her face as if he was afraid to touch her.
Mara winced, her expression screwing up as a wave of pain seeped through her body. When she opened her eyes, everything was a little blurry.
"Are you alright?" Bodhi whispered, his voice evading him.
Mara frowned as his words seemed to crumble then reform, it took her a moment to realise what he'd asked. Bodhi was the only thing in focus.
Mara stared at him, it looked like she was having trouble concentrating. Bodhi watched as she blinked a few times, then carefully reached up a hand and pressed it against his chest, like she was testing if he was real.
"You've got brown eyes," Mara said, her voice low and soft.
Bodhi knew he should've tried to shake her out of her daze but he could feel the warmth of her hand through his clothes, blooming across his skin. She was so close, he could see tiny scars and faint freckles on her face that he hadn't noticed before.
"Yes," was all he managed, his voice a little shaky.
Mara seemed to consider this, then her gaze dropped to his mouth. "And nice lips."
Bodhi forgot how to breathe for a few seconds. "Okay."
Mara met his gaze again and for a moment, he thought she might lean closer but then the fog began to clear from her dark eyes.
"I think I hit my head."
"Yes," Bodhi whispered, as if in a trance. Then he realised what she said and the gravity of the situation hit him. "Yes," he said, more firmly.
Mara put her hand at the base of her skull, gently massaging the pain away. When she raised her fingers in front of her face, there was thankfully no blood. The ringing in her ears had started to fade away to a low hum. The other Rebels had seen off the last stormtroopers and were ready to move on. They offered to wait but Bodhi waved them onto the next section of the pyramid, telling them that they would catch up in a minute.
He helped Mara to her feet, letting her rest her weight on him whilst she got her bearings. When she continued to blink and frown at her surrounding, Bodhi asked, "Can you see alright?" The last time he hit his head that hard, it had taken a few moments for the world to stop spinning.
Mara carefully unwrapped her arm from around his shoulders, making sure she could stand properly before she let go completely. "I'm fine," she insisted, even though in truth, everything was still a bit blurry, like she was seeing things a fraction of a second after they happened. "Let's keep going."
They began to follow the others into the next section and found they'd reached the second floor. They hurried into the main cavity of the temple, wondering if their teammates were circling the interior staircase, but there was no one there. Peering down over the edge of the walkway, Mara found the ground floor was now empty, the machinery silent at last. She turned, ready to suggest they move on, when two Imperial officers came stumbling into the mouth of the tunnel. Mara recognised one of them as the lieutenant who captured them earlier.
These were not stormtrooper drones, most Imperial officers were highly-skilled fighters. Mara pushed the dizziness from her mind, her heart suddenly picking up its pace as she realised that Bodhi was in danger. One of the officers ran at her. Mara pushed Bodhi behind her and ran to meet him but he stuck out his foot. Mara was moving too quickly to jump out of the way in time. She stumbled then tripped but managed to tuck her shoulders under as she went down and rolled over. As she straightened up, she pulled the curved dagger from the officer's belt and in one smooth movement, rose to her feet, span around, and slashed the man straight across the chest.
The officer stumbled back but quickly recovered. He ran at her again and Mara bent her knees, preparing to meet his attack, when suddenly Bodhi came out of nowhere and stepped between her and the Imperial. He flung his jacket at the man, covering his face, then twisted his arm around, whilst Mara dealt with his companion. With just a few punches, the lieutenant was on the ground, unconscious.
Bodhi wrenched the first man's arm so hard that he dropped his blaster but the officer managed to wriggle free and punched him square in the ribs. Bodhi fell to his knees but Mara was already there to protect him. She jumped over him, planted her feet against the officer's chest, then pushed off hard. Mara landed safely and the officer fell straight over the edge of the walkway. Mara peered over the edge to find he'd landed in a crumpled heap on top of one of the abandoned diggers. She looked back at Bodhi, his hands were shaking. She looked at her own, and they were not.
"Good work, flyboy," Mara said, allowing herself a small relieved laugh. Bodhi grinned across at her, his whole body rising and falling as he tried to get his breath back. Mara stooped down to grab the lieutenant's blaster. It was heavier than she was used to but it would have to do. As she straightened up, she caught movement out the corner of her eye. Her head was still spinning, her vision blurred. She knew she was too late before she even moved.
Before Bodhi could react, Mara shoved him hard, almost making him lose his footing. He stumbled over the uneven ground, his windmilling arms finding the wall. He gripped onto the cold stone and looked around just in time to see the stormtrooper raise his blaster. Mara had managed to get him out of the way but there wasn't time to save herself.
"Mara, no!" His cry seemed to echo soundlessly through the cavern.
Mara raised her blaster but the stormtrooper had already fired. The blast hit her hard. She fell to her knees, the force of the shot making her body twist unnaturally. Bodhi felt all the air leave his lungs as Mara slumped against the ground, unmoving, her eyes closed.