Chapter 18 War Pigs
The market was busy in the hot sun. People were buying food, goods or just walking around. As the normal day continued and the locals were into their normal lives they were being watch. Rey walked the streets covered in the black scarf looking around. She was following someone as they walked. But it was who else was patrolling the streets that made her that more in tune; Strom Troopers could be seen within the crowds.
"He's heading east." Rey said into her COMM. She wasn't alone though. Finn wasn't far up the street and neither was Poe. Ben was sitting in a local eatery as this was happening. Chew was at the Falcon with Connix as they monitored from afar.
"Not seeing anything." Poe stated as he looked around. "It's really hot too." He shielded his eyes from the son.
"You will." Rey added and then Poe spotted their target.
"Keep your distance just don't look it." Ben spoke over the COMM as he took a sip of his drink as he looked around at his table. They were dressed as the peasants around them to blend in.
"How do we do that?" Finn asked as he continued to walk around.
"Walk causal?" Poe asked as he started to follow the target. Ben sighed hoping this was going to work.
"You'll learn to be quiet and watch your back at all times." Ben added as he sat there knowing he should see the target soon if he was heading east.
"You know, you're very paranoid. Anyone ever tell you that?" Poe asked as he walked causally in the streets.
"Say it to my face and I'll tell you." Ben answered back.
"Hey, keep the chatter down guys." Connix came over the COMM as she watched the computer. Back out in the streets from his chair Ben spotted who they were tracking. Ben paid for his drink and got up and started to track the person of interest as well. In a moment the four of them will form up around the person hopefully.
"He's going inside, should we follow?" Poe asked as he watched from a far.
"What will the probably of casualties be if we do?" Finn asked and the Falcon BB-8 ran the numbers.
"Fifty percent or less." Connix answered.
"That's not bad." Finn sounded surprised.
"No lightsabers Ben." Poe decided to go below fifty percent.
"I wasn't planning on killing him." Ben defended himself.
"No one is killing anyone, we grab him and we head back to camp." Rey jumped into the conversion.
"Well, you heard the boss lady." Poe finished as Rey walked into the place first. She looked around sighed, she was tired of the bar scene. Rey looked around and one by one her team showed up. They had to keep their distance from one another and keep things quiet. Rey sat a table and then behind Finn sat so they can talk but not look too suspicious.
"Where did he go?" Finn asked looking around and Rey nodded in a direction. Ben walked around the bar and then ran into Poe. They had to act like they didn't know one another went their separate ways. But then Ben felt something and turned around. The person they were following picked up on it and held out a blaster to Poe's back but before he could fire at him Ben jumped in and sliced off his hand.
The man let out a scream and fell as the rest of the team gathered around the scene. Ben put his saber away and the patrons of the bar looked at them.
"Seriously?" Finn asked in a loud whisper.
"I didn't kill him." Ben defended himself and took out some credits and tossed it to the bar server. "Sorry about the mess." He apologized and then grabbed their person of interested and hoisted him over his shoulders. Rey let out a frustrated sigh but she and the others followed. "Chewie, get ready to take off." Ben ordered over the COMM as he opened the back door with the Force. The four looked around to see where they can go. Just then a gaggle of Storm Troopers were coming towards them. "Act normal." Ben whispered and Poe looked to him.
"How?" Poe asked.
"Our friend got into a fight and we're taking him…home?" Finn asked and Rey shrugged, as a Storm Trooper got closer.
"What's going on here?" The Trooper asked.
"Well, see our friend here…he had just one too many, taking him home." Finn smiled and put his hands on his hips standing there. Ben kept thinking this was how he was going to die. It wasn't going to be a glorious battle but in an alley by a Storm Trooper of all things. The Trooper looked to the group and then the man around Ben's shoulders.
"Move along." The Trooper ushered them out of the alley and the four walked into the streets and headed in the direction of the Falcon. They took some side allies to avoid anything as they left the small village. Once they got out they looked overhead and saw the Falcon come to view and started to land just slightly as the ramp opened and Connix was there.
Ben jumped onto the ramp effortless as he waited for the others to got on and it closed as Connix looked to the unconscious man.
"What did you do to him?" She asked and Ben didn't answer but dropped the man down hearing him clunk on the floor as Finn tossed Poe a set of cuffs. The Falcon hovered as she waited for her captain and Ben went to the cockpit shedding the cloak he wore and sat down. Rey then came in as they started to fly off.
"We really need to work on your people skills." Rey commented as she leaned planting a kiss on his cheek lightly patting his shoulder and sat down behind him. Ben pulled on the controls as he piloted towards the camp and flew through the semi desert planet. Poe then joined them in cockpit and looked out.
"Ok, he's cuffed, it's hard to cuff someone with one hand though." Poe commented as he sat down trying to wipe the sweat off his face. "Not sure how well he's going to corporate with us though. I mean, you take my hand not going to be your best friend."
"He'll corporate." Ben declared and Poe nodded knowing the man won't but Ben will make him. As they flew they saw a pack of some kind of animals running on the ground and the beach coming into view.
"You know, it would be nice to swim, treat this like a vacation." Poe continued and Rey smiled a little. A vacation would be nice. Then just off in the distance they saw the camp that was put up. The Resistance was here. Ben piloted the Falcon down as he started to power down the iconic ship while they went to get their new guest.
"Ben?" Leia asked as the six were in their debriefing.
"I didn't kill him." Ben stated again about the small dismemberment issue that had happen. They need this guy to trust them and so far they were losing at that. Leia sat in her chair rubbing her eyes and sighed. "Ok, we have him,"
"Don't let him near any tech," Finn jumped in. "He's a code breaker and he turned on us before." Finn finished the statement.
"He likes money so we pay him out." Poe started up.
"No," Finn shook his head no. "He'll take the highest bidder, we can't make him take sides." The six and the General looked around wondering what to do. He can be tried for treason depending on what they consider treason. So, why did they track him down anyways if he may end up betraying them?
"Ben can torture him." Poe offered up looking to the dark Jedi. Ben didn't look to Poe and just continued to look straight on. "He does his Jedi mind trick, tortures him a little, we're good." That could work but that was going to be the last resort in this. Rey leaned back in her chair thinking how they can turn the guy so he will work for them.
"We just need to know when this deal is going to go down." Leia began and looked around the table. "I will talk first," Poe then sighed looking a little disappointed. "If, if," Leia looked to her captain. "If he refuses then I will bring Ben in." Poe nodded and then Ben looked to the pilot wondering why he was into having him torture people all of a sudden. "Dismissed." The six then went to file out of the tent and out into the camp.
The Resistance that was here was small in size about a hundred of them while the rest were back home. During the reading of the Arms dealing on one of the disks they managed to swipe they were able to piece together information along with a meeting that was being held that they also managed to swipe. If they can intervene in some way or know who is selling them weapons or at least helping they can stop it. They've tracked the dealing to this lone planet and while in the process DJ, a code breaker was spotted. But something else was happening to this planet as well, war was here and it was Order that brought it. Cities and villages have been taken over by the Order, those who fought were killed and many others imprisoned. The Resistance wasn't here to free the planet, not right away but by shutting down the deal it was a start. One thing was for sure Finn couldn't shake the fact that DJ was a part of the deal.
The six dispersed through out the camp and just off in the distance you could hear the ocean. Ben squinted his eyes to the sun but this wasn't like Jakku. Yes it was hot but it was also not a complete desert, there were plants and shade in some places and the Resistance was camped out on a beach, could be worse. He looked around seeing the fighters still keeping up with training.
Leia walked with a Resistance fighter to a room and opened the door seeing the man sitting in a chair. He was strapped down a little better and the hand he lost was bandaged up for now. DJ as he calls himself straightened up a little bit.
"Y-our s-son toke my hand off." DJ stuttered and Leia sat down in front of him.
"You tried to kill one of my officers." Leia put in her counter argument and DJ smiled.
"An eye f-for an eye." The coder breaker finished and he seemed ok with it now. "Ky-ylo Ren-n, back home."
"Yes," Leia confirmed and DJ nodded. "We're not here to talk about my son." DJ sighed and looked around the room. "It doesn't matter what you do from here on out, you will be imprisoned for treason and attempted murder, so do us a favor," Leia laid out the terms.
"Like I told Finn b-back on the Supremacy, you b-blow them up today, t-th-hey blow you up tomorrow. The war machine keeps turning." DJ finished and Leia nodded. "I feel I'm hardly important in this." Leia nodded agreeing.
"You're a business man." Leia stated. "Buying and selling to the highest. I know people like you, I've been around long enough." Leia started the integration process. "While on a reconnaissance we came across this dealing and you happen to be here." DJ smiled and nodded.
"I'm a-a business m-man trying to make a living." DJ added and Leia can see right through him.
"By selling to the First Order." She finished and DJ still smiled. DJ then leaned forwards to the General.
"I j-jus-st set up the business, t-they run it." DJ then sat back and Leia knew that's all she wasn't going to get from him. Leia sighed knowing she needed bring in the big guns; she needed Ben on this.
Ben was outside with some of the fighters as they continued with target practice on him. Ben just wanted to use his saber, as hasn't had a good fight in a while. The Resistance was told to aim for him and he blocked the rays easily. He twirled his saber as the fighters took a moment to let Ben regain him self and Poe walked around shaking his head.
"Cocky bastard." Poe muttered as he met Ben's gaze for a moment. The Resistance started back up as Ben blocked the rays once and Poe smiled folding his arms across his chest. Just then he saw a group of fighters making their way over to them. "Hold your fire!" Poe called out and Ben turned around seeing the fighters and he knew it was mother calling. He deactivated his saber putting it away knowing she needed help with DJ. As he began to walk away Rey joined up with Poe looking around.
"What's going on?" Rey asked seeing the last bit before Poe called off the firing.
"Ben's going to torture some poor soul." Poe answered and Rey looked to him knowing what the real question was. "Target practice." He answered.
"Ben was the target?" She asked and Poe shrugged.
"He suggested it." Poe answered and Rey couldn't argue and just let out a sigh as the fighters continued with target practice without Ben.
Ben made it to his mother as she stood out side the room. She didn't need to say anything to him as he walked in seeing DJ sitting at the table. DJ smiled big and started to laugh. Ben didn't know what made him so happy but he won't be smiling in a minute.
"Kylo Ren." DJ sounded impressed as Ben took a seat. "You, you know, Han Solo stool from me once." DJ started the conversion.
"Well, that's a shame, can't help you with it though." Ben's voice was low, deep and intimidating to say the least. The scar on his face enhanced it and most people would already be worried. DJ though deals with nasty people all the time so he knows how to work a poker face as well. Ben got his face from Han, even if the odds are stacked against you, you still hold your bluff. He had to do that in front of Snoke and thinking back on that day, he walked into Snoke's throne room ready to kill the Supreme Leader but having an absolute zero plan on how. He was defiantly Han Solo's son. "This deal, I want to know where and when."
DJ smiled and gave chuckle looking around the room and then back to Ben.
"You're mother of-fered a-a payout." DJ started. "And y-you cut my hand off. You think I'm g-going to deal?" He asked and Ben sat back in the leaning far back and placed his foot on the edge of the table. Ben kept his straight face looking at the hacker. "The Resistance shouldn't have c-com-me here. T-his-s isn't your war, it's the Order's."
"Millions have died, and many are dying. This isn't war it's genocide." Ben cleared up the terms and DJ smiled.
"You had a firm hand in it." The hacker reminded Ben of his past. Ben didn't disagree; he couldn't disagree with it so he nodded to the statement. But the foot that was on the edge of the table that appeared that he was just leaning back to be casual was meant for something else. With a powerful kick the table flew to DJ knocking him down. Ben stood up with a sigh hoping this would happen. He felt a lot of energy and pinned up rage and this was good man as any to let it out. Ben walked over to DJ and grabbed the dirty man by his collar and lifted him up.
"Now, I don't stutter, where is this deal happening?" Ben demanded and DJ looked Ben right in the eyes and turned away. Ben dropped him on the ground hearing a thunk.
Leia waited for a bit and then saw Ben coming towards her.
"Did you kill him?" She asked in a rather relaxed manner.
"No, he just might now wake up for a few hours." Ben answered honestly. "Did get information out of him." Leia nodded knowing it probably wasn't the most ethical way but then again the First Order isn't probably talking about ethics either.
The sun was setting over the water and the camp was turning inside for the night. The camp was made up of tents and some old structure that was abandoned a long time ago. The six were together at a table while finishing their dinner. So far they didn't have much of a mission to work with. What DJ told Ben was little if anything so they would have to piece stuff together and that's what they were doing now.
Rey was writing down notes while looking at previous notes. Poe would read it, Finn would add and they would all approve it or disapprove it and rework it if needed. They had to have this turned into the General and the Resistance strategic team for further review. Then tomorrow morning they will go over the plan, finalize the team and then go in. They were going down to the wire but that's what they had to do. They had jump into the deal as it happens to get all those involved any sooner then Order may find out and leave, any later they might lose those who they were hoping to capture.
"Ok, this seems like the best plan." Poe read the notes and took a sip of this drink. "What are thinking as far fighters? "
"Smaller the better?" Connix asked and Chewie barked something in an agreement. "Task Force for sure." Connix added and Ben sat quietly as he ate listening.
"Task Force of twelve, say maybe part of a squadron." Poe jumped in as he wiped his face and Rey kept writing down their suggestions. "What about us? You think Leia will let us go in?"
"Depends on what she feels at the time." Connix answered. Leia didn't like sending all six of them in on one mission. She fought not to do it with Jakku and she may fight this one.
"It's a small operation, I don't see why not." Poe wanted to go and not sit behind a computer. This wasn't a small gig though well it had potential to get out of hand because there wasn't enough information. "We'll know tomorrow." Poe finished because they were done for now.
Out on the beach as the stars now lit the sky Rey had her feet in the ocean. She has seen the ocean several different times since this all started. But she has yet to dip her toes in. She had her feet submerged in the salty water feeling the water pull back and then wash over her feet again. She smiled as she looked out. The water was warm as she stood there. She then turned around seeing Ben walking over to her. He stood just far enough back as not to get wet.
"Never been in an ocean before." Rey began, Ben has though when growing up. Once his parents took him to an ocean and the three swam together. That fleeting memory passed but it was good memory. Rey looked out into the night letting the warm breeze hit. Just then Ben walked closer to her standing side by side with her. The water ran up his boots as he stood there. The only thing they could hear were the waves crashing on the shore and off in the distance low chatter from the camp.
"I'll take you somewhere nice someday." Ben started as he looked out into the night. "There's better oceans out there." He added and Rey smiled. What Rey didn't know though is Ben was planning a future. He thought about this war ending, when it ends how he'll take her hand again and walk away. No Jedi Order, no more war or fighting. He wanted to take her to a paradise of endless green land, endless blue oceans. It would just be them looking out to bright sunrises and burning sunsets. He wanted to find peace and he wanted to find it with her. Rey reached out placing a hand on his shoulder and their eyes met in the night.
"That sounds nice." Rey's voice was soft; she liked that idea. Just then out of nowhere Ben picked Rey up in his arms cradling her and she laughed and pulled closer as he started into the ocean. "Ben, no," But in her voice it wasn't much of a protest and more laughter than anything. He walked in more as the waves crashed over them. She got to submerge herself into the water. They came up from the water and Rey wrapped both arms around Ben's shoulders. She was eye level with him as he stood in the water.
Rey's smile was always big, full of wonder and made Ben hopeful. She reached out fixing his wet hair and then leaned in for a kiss. She could taste him and the salt from the water. Once she pilled away Ben reached out tucking some hair behind her ear and then pushed off and started to swim with her in tow. She then pulled closer hugging him as they floated together in the warm water.
Ben heard a little beeping noise as he opened his eyes and looked to the COMM alerting him it was time wake up. He looked around the little tent seeing the very early hours of daylight coming through. He then looked down, as Rey was asleep on top of him, fully on top of him. Ben laid there for moment just thinking. He knew duty called but once more his memories took him back to being with the Order. He would wake up and there would be nothing there. He would roll over and sit on the side of his small bed next to the wall. He would get ready on his own, eat on his own, everything was by himself. Now with Rey, he shared a bed, she would greet him, he would be with someone. It was hard to think about the complete differences and it almost seemed liked a lifetime ago.
Leia was with the six while a man was going over the battle plan. A HOLO projection was up as they talked about the mission and what was going to happen.
"You all know though this plan is…less than perfect. The intel and from we got from DJ doesn't fill in the holes." The man named Gervis explained. He was once with the Rebellion and retired after the Battle of Endor. He has come back to help and was Rebel stagiest. "What we have confirmed though is this, within this deal we have a top advisor to Hux, Undoa and then we have Sergeant Abdi of the Absolution." This was going to be big if the Resistance can pull this off. "We'll send in the Twelve Task Force as recommended to infiltrate the target building. We then send in Resistance Commander Finn and Leutant Connix and a squad of six to hold security. Once security is set up no one gets in or out. We send Captain Poe and his squad in to start the evac process. Once that process is started Commanders Rey and Solo will come in, take the prisoners, load them up and we're gone. The Falcon with Chewie will cover from above."
The six looked to the plan that hovered on the HOLO. "Chewie will coordinate the air mission as to keep watch down below for you along with Poe's team." That was the plan and Leia wasn't liking it, something wasn't right. "From start to finish, it should take thirty minutes." Gervis finished and now it was time to wait.
"What about back up and artillery?" Poe asked and Gervis nodded.
"General, I would like a second force of thirty ready to move should anything happen. I also request armor cruisers, again should anything happen." Gervis finished and now it was time either change the plan or approve it.
"And which building are going to take?" Finn asked because that hasn't been discussed yet.
"We don't know, somewhere within the market." Gervis answered and that's where the mission seemed to get fuzzy. "We have an inside operative, he will be marking the building. This is going to be a hostile territory, the Order controls it and the people there are on their side." There was some silence in the room. "However, before we get to the ninth circle of Hell, we'll be going through peaceful neighborhoods, so be careful not to engage unless fired upon." Gervis finished. "General?"
Leia then stood up and made her way to the front to decide if anything else needed to be changed or added. She then looked to her six commanding officers and they're faces screamed something negative.
"What do we not like?" She asked because she wanted to know.
"Little artillery and back up, few people, daylight instead of night, afternoon of all times." Poe stated the problems.
"We don't have a say in the time." Leia finished and it wasn't that something was off.
"It's not just the time, it's the location." Ben jumped in. "We're going in enemy territory where the Order is strong, where they can mount a defense, sounds like a trap." The Commander finished.
"So we spring it." Finn jumped in and looked to Ben.
Now it was time to wait for the call sign as they prepped for the mission. This was the longest part of it all, the wait.
"You agree?" Finn asked Poe as they helped gear up the supplies.
"With the plan?" Poe asked and Finn nodded. "Plans fall though, something about this doesn't feel right." The whole camp seemed to be on edge about it. It was smart move to take out some officers of the Order. But the circumstance around it, how the information was obtained and what they were going into felt less than ideal. Ben and Rey then came over to brief their Task Force as the team started to form up. Rey took out a map of the city and it was mark up for different reason.
"Ok, it's about four or five miles to the area. We're taking the main roads only." Rey started as Ben stood next to her and everyone hovered around her as they came up with the final plan. "Here," She pointed. "We'll head east," She then dragged her finger across. "Then north, those assigned to wait will wait here until prisoners are confirmed." Rey continued to look at the map. "We won't come back the way we came, we take this main road." Rey continued to point. "Chewie will be our eyes in the sky and we'll have Poe's team for cover. Be back in an hour."
Ben looked to the plan and it seemed simple and straight forwards.
"Where we're going is heavy in the First Order and not just Troopers, talking support. But be careful, there are innocents out there too." Poe reminded the Task Force. Ben then looked to Rey and she looked at him, their eyes said everything and it was time to take their stations and get ready. Just as they dispersed the mission was green lit and everyone started off to their positions.
Ben held out his hand pulling Rey into the cruiser next to him. From the distance he can see the Falcon taking flight and then Leia came over to the couple.
"May the Force be with you." Leia said to them and the walked away. Rey and Ben then looked to one another a little confused, she rarely says that unless feels something isn't right and wishing them extra luck. Ben let out a sigh and Rey looked around as they started to move.
The small Resistance raid started for the town. Over the COMMs everyone kept a close communication and stated everyone move they were doing. It seemed tight, controlled and deliberate. But as they neared the area that's when they noticed the First Order too. It wasn't the Storm Troopers it was the town's people.
"The fun starts." Ben muttered looking to Rey and she was ready. They got confirmation that the prisoners were secured and ready and that was the cue for the two Jedi to move in. They got to the building as they walked towards it Ben took out his saber blocking some of the stay blaster rays. The two walking to the building as the prisoners were being arrested and Ben went to confirm the two they were really after. He then saw their faces and they looked to Ben.
"Rebel scum!" One yelled and went to spit at Ben.
"It's them." Ben confirmed to the COMM. Some of the fighters started to bring the prisoners out with Ben and Rey following as they started to load up and getting ready to leave. Just then there was screaming and it wasn't in place for what was happening. Rey went to check it out and turned the corner of the broken down building and in the distance she saw a crowd of people and something knocking them away.
"They got a cannon!" Rey yelled.
"Take cover!" Ben yelled at the COMM at the same time pulling Rey to him and in an instant something blew up. Ben and Rey were on the ground and looked around and in the air an X-Wing went down. Ben looked around and something wasn't right, that shouldn't have happened. "We made a mistake." He more or less said to himself. "Chewie! I need to know what's happening and now!"
At the base Leia was watching and saw it. She picked up her COMM to alert the Resistance.
"They knew we were coming," Leia started but now wasn't the time to figure out how. "That whole part of the town is closing in, Ben, Rey get your men out now!" She ordered.
"All teams! All teams! Pull from your post!" Poe yelled out and Rey ignited her saber. As Rey blocked a few rays Ben saw down the street a crowd of the town's people with blasters heading their way. Overhead the X-Wings laid down some cover fire realizing things were spinning out of control and fast.
At camp Leia went to DJ's room and he smiled at her.
"You set us up?" She asked as she stood there and he smiled.
"It was an arms deal G-general, to the people." JD answered. "The Order o-owns this town and it's people." This wasn't the Order talking about buying weapons or an exchange. This was about arming a town and putting it against each other and having the Order set another establishment.
Back in the streets the Resistance Fighters had to get out before being pinned down but that was getting harder as from above Chewie could see that side of the town and it's people closing in. They didn't have enough people not even at the camp to get out of this. Over the COMM they heard Leia give the order to send in more fighters to help and more X-Wings were deployed. Up in the air as Poe took out the enemies he was being fired at and saw a townsman fire at him with a cannon. Poe went to peel off but the end of the X-Wing was clipped.
From the ground Rey say it and looked to the direction Poe was falling. She started after him as Ben watched her race to her friend's aid. Ben blocked a few more blaster rays as Finn joined Ben taking out the more of the people that fired back. Rey made it to the X-Wing as Poe got out and grabbed his blaster. Rey blocked the oncoming rays and Poe started to fire to cover Rey and she covered him. More X-Wings were coming as the two made their back to the building.
"Into the building!" Connix yelled and Ben could see Rey coming back as she ran passed him. Poe ran with a slight limp with Rey.
"Well, that was fun!" Poe yelled as he ran passed Ben as Rey provided more cover with Ben.
"Why can't we just spend a normal day together?" Ben asked as they went back to the building knowing time was against them. They got in and without any orders they started barricade themselves in.
"Ok, so what the hell went wrong!" Finn yelled.
"It was dealing to the people!" It was Leia's voice they heard as Ben listened in. "The Order is selling to normal towns."
"Gorilla warfare at it's finest." Poe commented looking around the building. "They're building militias then." Ben knew once he got back to camp he was going kill JD. He should have mind tortured him longer. "Now what?"
"I'm sending everything I have." Leia answered but they had here wasn't enough. Chewie was then heard as he argued about going in but he was told stay in the sky. They needed him to see what was happening from above.
"Well, while we wait, let's defend ourselves." Poe began and the team started to place themselves in such away they can see everything. A few Task Force fighters headed to the roof and went from there.
"We need to get out of here and fast, it'll be dark soon." Ben informed his mother and that was another issue.
"Cannon!" A voice yelled and everyone ducked and covered not knowing where it was coming from. Just then there was an explosion rocking the building. Ben got up looking around and turned around but his heart dropped. He didn't see Rey or Poe anywhere. His sight and hearing went into tunnel vision, everything slowed down as he raced towards where he last saw them. He started to look around the debris and rubble. Just then he saw something and with his own strength and the help of the Force he pulled away at the rubble and found Poe. He pulled out the pilot and he moaned a little and held his side. Ben quickly dragged the pilot away and Finn rushed to his aid.
"Captain Poe Dameron has been injured!" Finn yelled over the COMM. Ben raced back in searched for Rey and dug through the rubble again as the fight continued on with chaos around them. As dug he looked in and saw her deep in the rubble. Ben climbed into the rubble pushing it out slightly with the Force and grabbed Rey. Ben pulled her from the debris and looked down at her seeing the damage. Her lip was split open, the side of her head was bleeding and her eyes closed.
"Rey?" Ben asked but her head fell back in a limp. Ben just took a moment in the midst of the chaos looking to Rey as he body laid in his arms motionless. Ben looked up to the explosion site and then back to Rey and lifted her up in his arms cradling her and brought her to where Finn was and Finn's eyes widen. Poe looked over holding his sides but the pain went away after seeing what he was seeing.
"Commander Rey is down, I repeat Commander Rey is down." Finn spoke over the COMM as Ben knelt down handing Rey gently to Poe and he took her with the most delicate touch. He then saw it in Ben's eyes,
"What's her status?" It was Leia's voice asking and Poe looked to Rey and then back to Ben and Finn. "Some one talk to me please." Leia begged.
"Possible KIA." Poe was honest at the situation and Finn gulped.
"Commander Solo is about to lose it." Finn warned everyone. Ben headed for the blast area and stepped outside igniting his saber seeing the onslaught of people coming. Ben yelled as he rushed to a few of the armed people. The fighters started to fire back clearing some of the way for Ben. Poe continued to hold onto Rey and then looked back to Finn and the Resistance Commander went to help his fellow fighters. Poe pulled Rey closer to him as Connix raced to them.
"Help them." Poe insisted and Connix nodded as she went to fight. Poe then looked down to Rey and pulled her head up slightly and he felt sick. He just pulled her closer hoping to keep her warm as possible.
Ben plowed through the people with his saber and Force and finally more back up came to view. Ben then held out his hand forcing more people back but then there more shots but it was coming from behind. The town's people who did not support the Order were starting to fight back. A civil war just started. The X-Wings were clearing a path as ground cruisers started to come in. One fighter jumped out to Ben as Ben blocked some rays seeing the rescue team come in. Just then a bunch of rays were stopped mid air as Ben held them back
"How many casualties?" The fighter asked and Ben looked at him blankly. He forced the blaster rays back to the people that shot them.
"Just get my team out." Ben ordered as he headed back to the building. Maybe if he was in the First Order he would just leave and who ever could get out would. But now, that wasn't the case; he headed back to the building to save everyone, dead or alive.
"We're evacuating!" Someone yelled and Poe bit through the pain on both sides of chest and the pounding headache and lifted Rey in his arms and started to leave. Once in the streets and the blaster fire continued Connix came over to him to help covering him. He gently placed Rey into a cruiser as the battle was getting worse and more explosions could be heard. They needed to leave soon because Storm Troopers would be here not to break the fight up but to finish off the Resistance.
Ben made his way back into the building making sure everyone was getting out. Another explosion happed in the building rattled again and they needed to leave before the town tore it down. Ben grabbed a wounded fighter helping him up and out and to the cruiser as he looked around. Some of the attention was pulled away from them as the town was fighting amongst itself.
"I want extra security on these cruisers!" Ben started to yell, he was the Commander now, Rey was out, he was the leader of the Resistance until he got back to camp. The fighters were listening to him now as he had the final say. "I need a gunner on every cruiser! I want a clear shot to camp! I want the camp packed up and ready to mobilize out of here!" He then paused for a moment.
"Yes sir!" Was heard all over the COMM. Leia heard the command and started to order the camp to be ready for hyperspace. Ben reignited his saber blocking the stray blaster rays while the rest of the fighters got out. A few X-Wings flew overhead for more cover as the last of the fighters made their way out and safety. The hard part wasn't over, as they had to get out of town.
"Ben!" Finn stepped out looking to him as he continued to defend the cruisers. The last of his team was ready. "We're leaving!" Ben then boarded the cruiser with his command crew and they started to leave. The X-Wings from above continued to clear a path for the cruisers as they gunned down anyone who fired at them. But it wasn't enough; the whole town was in on the raid among the Resistance and each other.
Ben made his way to Rey as Poe was there still with her.
"She's alive." Poe confirmed but it didn't help the situation. Ben looked at Rey as she was knocked out and right now it was hard to know her condition, she needed medical help. Just then their cruiser shook. They weren't being fired upon it was the town itself. There no such thing as a safe zone now until they got off the planet. Then they heard a cry of pain and looked down. The fighter on the gunner was hit as fell and landed in Ben's arms. Blood covered Ben looking down at the fallen solider.
"What's going on?" Connix asked as Ben made his way to the guns and saw the dead fighter laying there. Ben looked around as more people were coming out to fight and then he saw a few TIE-Fighters coming in now. Ben grabbed the gun and started to fire at who considered the enemy. He had to defend what was left of the mission as he passed by a blown and burning cruiser. Poe watched as Ben fired with pure accuracy.
"One hell of a fighter." Poe whispered as they continued to fly out of the town. Ben looked up seeing the fight was thinning out as the X-Wings were slowing up on their firing.
"This town is going to tear itself apart!" Finn yelled as they were retreating.
"It's a failed mission!" Poe informed them and in his voice he sounded defeated. These people were going to kill each other. The Order wasn't going to do it they just gave them tools. That was war.
"We're not leaving, we can't leave these people behind!" Connix insisted because they can't. There were innocent people in this that had nothing to do with it.
"We fight tomorrow, this town can't be saved; we can't save them all." Finn looked to Connix and she knew it was true. The Order has won this round even if they take the two prisoners they wanted. The cruisers and the X-Wings made it out and headed for the campsite and Ben went back to Rey who still hasn't woken up. He gently pulled her towards him knowing they only had a small window to get out.
Once at the camp as those who were here finished the last of the packing a medical team came out to get the wounded. The command crew left the cruiser with Connix helping Poe to a medical bed and Ben holding Rey in his arms. He set her down on the medical bed and she still hasn't move. Finn rushed over and his heart dropped and he felt himself trembling. Ben placed both hands on Rey's face and leaned in resting his forehead to hers.
"Her life signs are weak but she's fighting." The medical person stated and Ben didn't move. He was afraid if she left his sights she would leave forever. He then felt a hand on his shoulder and looked to Finn. Ben then looked to the medical people knowing he had to give up control and let them work.
"We have Commander Rey, we need medical attention, she's critical," The woman announced over the COMM and a few people rushed Rey off to the cruiser as the camp started to evacuate. As Ben watched he saw across the way DJ being escorted to the transport. A blind rage hit Ben, this man caused a loss in his fighters and maybe even killed Rey. Ben walked over to DJ and then started to race to him. Finn saw what was about to happen and went to intercept as Ben ignited his saber and DJ saw the man come after him. No one could save him as Ben sliced through the man and all he saw was red in his eyes. Finn stopped dead in his tracks seeing DJ's body split into two and fell to the ground. Ben then took a knee with his saber still active and he didn't get up.
Finn and Ben's eyes locked on one another's. Finn wanted to be upset at what Ben just did but at the same time he felt justice was served. Ben was still kneeling there looking around as Finn walked over to him. He saw what Rey looked like and then placed a hand to Ben's shoulder. Captain Poe was injured as he was escorted to the medical area and standing side by side each other were the highest and maybe the only commanding officers on the ground. Ben looked around as he watched everyone frantically pack and boarding the transport that will go back to CC Star Dust.
"Go Finn." Ben ordered in a nearly dead voice and Finn looked to Ben.
"Not leaving until you board the transport to." Finn stated and Ben knew he couldn't convince him otherwise. Just then they both heard the sound of TIES in the air and off in far distance they heard more explosions, the town was destroying itself, Ben stood up still clutching hard on his saber. This was the example of war and what the Order wants, chaos. Ben sees this now and the tearing he feels within himself is external in this. While he feels the galaxy is ugly and it is slowly tearing itself apart seeing it first hand, seeing a town kill itself, now he realized this is bigger than himself. He didn't create this but like DJ said, he had a hand in it. The two leaders waited on the ground as the last of the fighters boarded the transport. The two leaders looked at one another as Ben twirled his saber deactivating it and then they made their way to the transport.
Once the transport landed on CC Star Dust Ben began to make his way to the bridge. As he made his way Leia walked towards him. Out the corner of his eye he could see the wounded being carried off to the medical bay. When he turned the other way he saw the fighters that were dead as they were being carried off elsewhere. There was a cruiser down there in that town with his men inside, dead but still there. He almost wanted to go back for them but by now the enemy had completely taken over. Leia went to stop Ben for just a moment but her son blew passed her.
"We failed." Ben answered the question as he walked away from his mother heading to the bridge. He wanted to go to Rey and be with her but as the only Commander now he had to make sure his fighters got out of here and home. He made it to the bridge as they finished the placing the coordinates in the computer. Just then the sirens went off and Ben looked around.
"Proximity alert!" A crewmember yelled and Star Destroyer came out of hyperspace next to him. Ben looked out and in his mind the entire First Order was his death list for what just happened.
"Coordinate's in place!" Ben asked.
"Yes sir!" The crewmember yelled.
"Then get us the hell out of here!" Ben ordered and CC Star Dust went into hyperpace just as fast as the Destroyer showed up.
"They're not tracking us." The crewmember assured the Commander. Ben stood on the bridge for a moment and in a complete daze. His ears were ringing, his head felt light; everything that happened was all a blur now.
"I can take it from here Ben." And Ben turned around seeing Finn there. "Go." He insisted and Ben left the bridge and went to the medical bay. As he made his way he can see the fighters that made it and they all looked in shock and confused. That mission should have never had happened if they knew the proper information. But war was never cut and dry, never straight and narrow.
Once Ben got there he started to look for Rey but then a group of people ran down the hall fast and his heart sank. He just knew it was her. He followed them as he heard yelling and Rey was on the table as the medical people started to surround her. Ben was about to go into the room to do something.
Chewie pulled Ben to him before he had a chance to go into the room. Ben looked to a screen that would show Rey's heart beat but the line was flat. Chewie pulled Ben away even though he fought to get in to that room. Leia was there and saw what was transpiring but there was nothing she could do. She could only watch Ben scream and yell. Chewie had a firm grasp on the young Solo as he pulled him away. Leia walked over to Ben as he fought and then she grabbed his face so he can focus on hers.
"Ben!" She yelled and all she could see were the eyes of a man in fear, absolute fear. Their eyes locked and in Ben's the realization that Rey could be gone was setting in. The red was gone, the blind rage was gone; the pain was setting in. The night before of them in the ocean, holding one another, looking down at her and kissing her as the waves washed over them came back to him. He didn't say what he wanted to her or do everything he wanted with her yet; he had a life already mapped out and she won't ever know now.
Leia then pulled Ben in towards her and he let out it, a huge sob and then embraced his mother for support. Leia couldn't do anything but hold her son; comfort him in his darkest hour. Leia held Ben a little tighter assuring him she wasn't leaving. But what could she offer now? Leia glimpsed into the room seeing Rey not moving on the table as the medical workers crowded around her trying to save her.
A/N: And now I back away and then run. So…how do we all feel?
That's a lot to take in and what happens now? I really wanted to put Ben in the position of a leader to see what he does. In the beginning he hid in the shadows and now he gets his team out and is ready for nearly self-sacrifice for them. But yes, I know that's no what you want, what happens to Rey? Guess you'll need to wait.
What's next? What's Ben going to do? The Resistance has lost a town and maybe a planet. What do you hope to see next? What do you think will happen? What are your thoughts on the chapter? Let's discuss.
Thank you for reading, following and commenting.