Chapter 20
Lena must have alerted the village after they took off because as soon as they landed, the villagers were all rushing around to load of their ships with as many belongings and resources as they could. As soon as they landed and the ship door opened, the children all ran out to find their parents. Saya felt good seeing them run to their families and be reunited with them.
Her arm was still stinging as they all quickly evacuated the ship. The fowling was following Saya, hovering in what must have been his cradle.
They all ran up to the village elders who were waiting patiently by their hut. They quickly spoke in their native language and Lena turned to the group.
"The elders thank you. The ore has already been given to the Varasys. They will be destroying their mines so the First Order cannot take what is still on the planet."
Saya stepped forward.
We saved the Fowling as well. Where is his family?
Lena looked down at the Fowling, who was taking turns looking at everyone with large, curious eyes.
"He was brought to the village years ago by a man who asked the elders to protect and raise him. He is no longer safe with us."
Lena raised her eyes to Saya.
"I ask you to please take him. Take him and protect him. Many have been after him in the past and he needs powerful people to protect him."
Poe was quickly shaking his head. "There is no way we can take care of a baby! Not happening! Especially if he's got a bounty on him!"
Lena glared at Poe. "He needs protection! He will be safe with Jedi who can protect and raise him!"
Arguing quickly ensued and Saya looked down to the Fowling who was staring back at her. She turned and raised her hand to him. He quickly grabbed her hand and Saya swore she felt warmth flow from him and into her.
You and I seem to be the same, Little One. We don't quite fit in anywhere.
He gave her a large smile and Saya turned to the arguing group of people.
I will take him
Everyone turned and stared at Saya.
I will protect the Fowling. You have my word I will protect him with my life.
Lena smiled and Poe stepped forward.
"Saya, you can't be serious! A baby with a bounty on him!?"
She glared at Poe.
He is no different than me.
Poe didn't seem to have a response. Rey broke the silence.
"Incoming TIE fighters! We need to go NOW!"
Saya looked up to the sky and, sure enough, several black ships were descending down into the village.
"Ok fine!" Poe said raising his hands in defeat. "Let's just get out of here!"
Saya turned and smiled at the Fowling.
Will you come with me, Little One?
He gave her a big smile and giggled. Everyone quickly turned and Saya was surprised that the Fowling's cradle was easily keeping up with the running group.
They ran through the swamp and finally reached the Flacon where Bayard was sitting outside as if awaiting their return. Saya knew several ship had already landed and Stormtroopers began emerging from the trees.
Saya and Rey quickly withdrew their lightsabers and began blocking the blasts from them, knocking out as many as possible. Poe and Finn ran inside the ship to start it up while Saya and Rey knocked back the incoming blasts.
"Alert the Supreme Leader! We found the Rebels!"
Saya turned to see one with a communicator. Now Kylo Ren knew where they were. She used the force to blast him back and they finally cleared the area of soldiers and could get away. Saya and Rey ran aboard the ship. The fowling was hovering right inside the entrance.
You need to get back, Little One!
She grabbed the cradle and pushed it into the corner. The Fowling watched with big eyes while Bayard sat next to him. Saya scratched behind Bayard's ears.
He's with us now. Please protect him.
Saya turned and rushed to the cock pit at the same time as Rey.
"Why haven't we taken off yet!?"
Poe and Finn turned to Saya and Rey with all color drained from their face.
"It won't fire up." Finn said in dismay.
Everyone was silent and Rey quickly turned. "It could be a wiring issue! Keep trying while I see what's wrong!"
Saya withdrew her lightsaber again. I'm going outside! I'll protect the ship while you guys keep trying!
Saya turned to rush to the entrance. She cast a quick glance to the corner where Bayard and the Fowling were.
Stay here!
She ran outside in time to see more Stormtroopers beginning to emerge from the trees. With the wave of her hand, they were sent flying back before they could even get close.
Saya winced and looked at her arm. She still felt small, painful jolts of electricity in it. It wasn't fully healing. Something was wrong.
Suddenly, she heard the cracking of branched and saw several trees being knocked down. She raised her lightsaber and prepared herself.
Coming out of the trees with his bright red lightsaber was Kylo Ren. Even though he was wearing his mask, she felt his eyes on her.
He walked several paces into the small clearing and stopped several feet away from her. She gritted her teeth and mentally prepared for battle.
You will not hurt them! I won't let you!
"Saya, enough! The battle is over! It's time for this to end!"
Saya began shaking. The ship still hadn't started yet and hope seemed to be leaving her.
Saya realized she only had one option in front of her. She couldn't defeat him in a battle. There was no chance in hell. And she wouldn't let the Resistance fall.
Saya slowly turned off her lightsaber and stood tall.
I'll trade you. Let the Resistance go and let the villagers go. No one gets hurt. Do that and I'll come with you. Them for me.
He quickly turned off his own lightsaber and held out his hand to her.
"You have my word."
Saya looked back to the Falcon. She could see it was almost ready to fly but it still wasn't ready.
I'm sorry. You all are the best friends I could ever have. Good luck to you.
Saya turned back to Kylo who was still waiting patiently with his hand out. She took several steps and raised her hand out to hold his when she suddenly stopped. Saya was suddenly frozen to the spot, unable to move.
Even behind the mask, Kylo looked confused.
"Saya?"
I'm not doing this!
Kylo ripped his mask off and began quickly walking over to her, ready to grab her hand. Just before he could reach it, he suddenly froze as well.
The falcon finally started up and Saya was able to force her head to move and look behind her.
The Fowling was standing at the entrance of the Falcon with his eyes closed and his hands raised up. Bayard stood next to him, watching and waiting for Saya.
The Fowling was doing this. He was freezing them on the spot.
Saya looked back to Kylo who was also staring in amazement at the Fowling. His eyes turned back to Saya and she could see he was struggling to move, desperate to touch her hand. They were less than an inch away from touching each other.
Kylo was suddenly blasted back into the trees and Saya felt herself fly back into the ship. She hit the floor of the ship and the Fowling used his power to close the ship door. Rey came running back just as the Fowling suddenly lowered his arms and fell to the floor, unconscious.
"Are you alright, Saya?"
She didn't answer but quickly crawled over to the Fowling and cradled him in her arms as the ship took off. She ignored the jolts of electricity in her arm and placed a hand on his chest.
He was alive. He just needed to rest.
Saya stood and placed him back into his cradle as the ship jumped into light speed.
Who exactly are you, Little One?
-!-!-!
Kylo watched in rage as the ship took off and went into light speed. He was close. He was SO CLOSE to getting her back!
He stood and grabbed his helmet that was still in the clearing. After replacing it, marched back through the village. A captain quickly approached him.
"Supreme Leader, Most of the villagers escaped but we captured a group of them as they were trying to destroy the mines. We await your orders."
Kylo looked over to the group of men on their knees, surrounded by several Stormtroopers with raised blasters.
"They will work the mines. We will use them to mine the ore for the First Order."
He quickly marched back to his ship, aggravated and frustrated. His thoughts went back to the little green creature. He had extraordinary power in the force if he could stop not only Saya, but himself as well.
Not only did he need to get Saya back, he needed to get the creature as well.
-!-!-!
Saya was rubbing her arm, desperate to try and heal herself. But the problem didn't seem to be her arm. She ran her fingers over her skin and felt the little bump.
It wasn't her arm. It was the infertility chip. Something was wrong with it. Saya stood and rushed over to the small kitchen in the ship. She swiftly found a small knife and winced. This was going to hurt. But she needed to get the chip out. Rey walked in just as Saya brought the knife to her arm.
"Saya! What are you doing!?"
There's something wrong with the chip in my arm! I need to get it out!
Rey rushed over and took the knife from her.
"I can help you! All you have to do is ask!"
Saya sighed.
You right. I'm sorry. Please help me.
Saya pointed to the spot where the chip was.
It's not deep in. Just a small cut and I can push it out.
Rey took a deep breath and made a small cut in the spot Saya pointed at. In a flash, Saya quickly pushed on her skin and the chip popped out. As soon as it had left her arm, she healed herself. The electric jolts had stopped.
She inspected the chip in her hand and could feel the small surges of electricity. The chip had been destroyed. The electricity from the woman's whip must have destroyed it.
"Was that the infertility chip? The one the Healers Order put in your arm?"1
Yes. It must have been damaged. It doesn't matter. I don't really need it anymore. Thank you for helping me.
Saya tossed the chip in the garbage bin and walked out to go to the sleeping Fowling and Bayard. Rey followed behind and looked to the Fowling as well.
"Is he ok? What happened to him?"
He stopped me from going with Kylo Ren. I was going to trade myself for your escape but he stopped me. We were able to escape because of him.
"How did he do it?"
The force. I know why Lena wanted him to go with us. He's strong with the force. That's why he needs protection.
Rey and Saya stared at the sleeping baby for several moments.
"We will be back to base soon. We can get some rest before deciding where to go from here."
Saya nodded and sat next to Bayard and the Fowling's crib. She was happy that the Resistance was able to get away but couldn't deny that she partially wanted to go with him.
She still missed him. If she encountered him again, she had no doubt she would have to fight even harder to resist taking his hand.
They soon landed at the Resistance base and the small team slowly made their way off the ship. Saya was the last to exit with Bayard and the Fowling in his cradle. He was still asleep but his cradle still followed her where she walked. Saya had no idea how it was possible but she was too tired to question anything right now.
They walked through the camp when they were all suddenly face to face with a very angry Leia.
"What happened to reporting back to base to come up with a plan!?"
They all looked to each other and Poe finally stepped forward.
"General, there was no time! We had a limited amount of time to save those kids!"
"I heard. The Varasys has the ore and are beginning for forge the resources we need. But you all still snuck onboard the Star Destroyer! You all could have been captured or killed!"
Everyone looked to the ground. It felt as if they were children being scolded by their mother.
Leia suddenly walked forward and looked down to the sleeping Fowling.
"What is a baby doing here?"
We saved him from the First Order. He was captured with the other children. They were protecting him but he was in danger now that they needed to evacuate. I promised them I would raise and protect him.
Leia looked up to Saya with sad eyes.
"Saya, this is not the place for a baby"
I'm sorry but I gave them my word. I will protect and watch over him.
Leia sighed and shook her head.
"I can't say I agree with this, but if this is what you want then do what you feel is best."
Leia then stepped back and looked to the tired group.
"Go get some rest. We will continue training and will wait for the weapons and ships from the Varasys family."
Everyone turned and slowly made their way into their personal huts. As soon as Saya entered hers, she kicked her boots off and moved the cradle to hover next to her bed. Bayard slowly walked in and curled up in the corner to sleep.
Saya sat on the bed and buried her face in her hands. She was so tired. She longed for the day when this was all over and she didn't have to fight anymore. She wanted a small home for herself. Maybe by the ocean, if she ever gets to see one.
She wanted to share her home with Bayard and the Fowling.
She wanted to share a home with Ben.
Saya dropped onto the bed and was about to fall asleep when a familiar presence filled her hut.
"Saya."
She opened her eyes to see Ben standing next to her bed. She could feel his aggravation but saw the longing in his eyes.
"Saya, we had a deal."
That wasn't my fault and you know it. I was going to keep my word until I was taken back into the ship. It took off before I could even try to get to you.
She could tell he wanted to argue back, but knew she was right.
"Saya, what is that creature?"
She glanced over to the cradle.
I don't know. But I gave my word that I would protect him.
"Gave your word to who?"
The villagers. We saved him from your ship along with the children that were taken.
"Saya… I didn't give the order for those children to be taken."
I know. I know you ordered your General's to take them back but we were already there and saved them ourselves.
He stared at her for a moment.
"How did you know I gave the order to return them?"
Saya cursed herself for saying too much.
… I was there. I was hiding in the throne room when the Generals were talking. I was right behind the throne.
She watched his hands tighten into fists.
"You were there… Is that why you blocked me out when I reached out to you?"
She nodded.
I was also standing behind you in the elevator.
She could now feel his anger.
"You were that close to me and I didn't even know it"
Saya sat up and looked down at her hands.
I was there for the children. If I had reached out to you, I know you never would have let me help them and you would have killed my friends.
There was silence in the hut and Saya continued to stare at her hands. She didn't feel strong enough to look into his eyes.
"Saya… please. I miss you so much."
She closed her eyes and fought back tears.
"Come back to me. Please…"
She opened her eyes to see his hand held out again. She wiped her tears away and looked up to him. Saya had to muster all the remaining strength she had for the night.
My deal still stands. I will leave the Resistance if you leave the First Order. Leave Kylo Ren behind and give me back my Ben.
He stared down at her, trying to find the right words to say to her. Saya could see he was desperately trying to find the right words to convince her to come to him.
Before anyone could speak, Saya felt a sudden pain through her head. She raised her hands up to cover her ears, desperately trying to stop the pain. She was able to glance up to Kylo who was doing the same thing. He was feeling the same pain.
A loud, dark voice seemed to echo through her ears.
"At long last… it's time for the Sith to rise again! Prepare yourselves for the return of the Darth Sidious!"
As fast as it was there, it was gone. Saya blinked and frantically looked up. Kylo was still there, also looking fazed.
What… what was that?
Kylo looked at Saya.
"I don't know. But I'm going to find out"
Then he was gone. He had actually broken the connection himself. Saya couldn't deny that she was scared. The voice was so dark and sinister.
A small noise drew her attention and Saya looked to the side of the bed. The Fowling was awake and smiling at her. She gave him a small smile back and reached out to hold his small hand.
You will probably be the only child I will ever have, Little One
The fowling clutched her finger and she felt that familiar warm feeling flow from his hand to hers.
-!-!-!
Yup, I'm just going to dive right in and try my own attempt at the Rise of Skywalker. No I haven't seen the movie but I know enough. I already know the basics and know how it ends. But I'm not a fan of what I heard so I'm going to do things my way.
More to come soon!