Chapter 25
The plan was simple. Land, fight through the Star Destroyer to find Chewie and Bayard, then get the hell out. They also needed to find the knife. Saya had a good idea of where it might be. The coin fro Zorii had worked and sent the right codes to the Star Destroyer and allowed them to land with no issues.
As soon as the door to the ship opened, two Stormtroopers were waiting for them.
"Halt! Show your credentials-"
Poe wasted no time blasting them. Poe, Finn and Rey had blasters ready while Saya settled for only her lightsaber. Rey was ready with her as well as using a blaster. They needed to make this fast.
Rey turned to C3-PO.
"Stay here!"
They all quickly rushed off the ship and ran down the nearest hallway, despite 3PO's protests.
"Where do we even begin to look!?" Finn said while they ran.
They turned a corner and ran into two patrolling soldiers. They raised their blasters to the small team.
"Halt! Identify yourselves!"
Before Poe could begin shooting, Rey raised her hand to them.
"It's ok that were here."
The men suddenly went stiff.
"It's ok that you're here."
Rey had a small smile as she waved her hand again.
"You're relieved that were here"
"Thank goodness you're here!" One man said.
"Welcome, guys!"
Saya couldn't suppress a giggle as Rey used the force in such a way.
"You will take us to where the prisoners are"
The men began turning.
"We will take you to the prisoners"
They all began quickly rushing down the hallways with the soldiers leading them when Saya suddenly stopped. If the knife was on the ship, she knew where it had to be.
I'm going to go find the knife. I think I know where it is!
The team stopped and turned to Saya.
"Then you're not going alone! I'll go-"
Saya cut Poe off
No. If I'm caught, these men won't hurt me. I have a better chance alone. I promise I'll be quick and meet up with you as soon as I can!
Saya didn't give them time to argue with her. She turned and ran, listening to everyone calling her name. She didn't hear footsteps behind her so she knew no one was following her.
It took several turns down different hallways before anything looked familiar. After running for about ten minutes, she finally found the large door to Kylo's room.
If the knife was anywhere on this ship, Saya knew it would be here.
She was easily able to unlock the door with her power and entered the room. It was almost exactly the same as the last time she was here. Saya couldn't stop herself from looking at the bed. She wished she could just crawl onto it and sleep. She was so tired. And she missed him. She wondered what would happen if she just crawled into it and waited for him.
She smirked. He would probably tie her to the bed and keep her there forever. But she couldn't stay, no matter how much she wanted to.
Saya began to frantically look around and her eyes locked onto a dark object in front of the large window of Kylo's room.
She walked forward and glared down at the helmet. His grandfather's helmet. She knew that what Luke Skywalker had almost done to him was the push point for him turning, but Vader was his inspiration for staying with the Dark Side. She had to resist the urge to destroy the helmet completely. But her spirit was lifted when she saw the large black knife in front of it on the helmet's stand.
Saya let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding. The knife hadn't been destroyed. Which meant Chewie and Bayard really were alive.
She picked up the knife and placed it in her belt loop. As turned and her heart skipped a beat.
Kylo Ren was standing a few feet away from her.
She took several breaths before she could regain her composure. He wasn't actually there. If he was, she would have heard the door open and close.
Saya tried to sound strong.
I don't have time for this.
She could feel his aggravation.
"Neither do it. This game of hide and seek your playing with me needs to end."
She gritted her teeth.
This has never been a game! I'm fighting for balance in the galaxy! I won't stop until-
"You will only find the balance you are seeking with me! I am the only one who can help you! I will only ever be the one to understand who and what you are!"
The two began circling each other. Saya couldn't suppress her glare.
No. The only one who understood me was my Ben. And now that he's gone, I have friends who are standing beside me.
"Do your FRIENDS know the extent of your powers? How did they react when you unleashed it onto your brother? How do they feel about the power of our bond? How do they feel about our connection?"
Saya froze and looked to the ground in guilt. Kylo recognized the feeling instantly.
"You haven't told them, have you? About how I found you on Volrath? About how I found you using the necklace YOU were wearing?"
Saya blinked back tears.
"You don't tell them because you think they will be afraid of you. You think they will stop trusting you. Are those the friends you're speaking of?"
Saya looked back to him, ignoring her tears.
It doesn't matter. Soon it will all be over. Rey and I will find the way to Exogol and we will end all of it!
They continued circling each other. Saya didn't notice him slowly getting closer to her.
"You and the scavenger… you think the scavenger is the best person to help you get the balance you're so desperate for? She is a threat to everything you are fighting for"
Saya finally stopped moving and stared at him.
What are you talking about? Rey is a Jedi-
"How do you think she was able to use that power to destroy my transport ship?"
Saya clenched her fists.
She did it because of me! Because I let my power get out of control-
"All you did was amplify powers that were already inside her! Jedi are not known to harness the power of lightning"
… What are you saying?
Kylo stopped and Saya realized how close the two were to each other.
"The scavenger's parents truly were no one. They hid her away on Jakku in an attempt to hide her from the last known family she had. Hid her away from the Sith loyalist who was trying to find her. A loyalist who was serving the last known Sith lord, before the Empire fell on the battle of Endor"
He took a step towards her and Saya took a step back.
"Saya… The powers we have don't come from nowhere. You have the power of the Mahjai. My mother is the daughter of Darth Vader, whose Skywalker blood flows into me. He gave me my power. Your scavenger friend gets her power from her family's bloodline"
Saya took another step back. She didn't have time for this. He was distracting her on purpose.
I don't care about where our powers come from! It doesn't matter-
"Of course it matters! Don't you understand what she is!? The threat-"
Saya's anger was rising in her
My friend isn't a threat! She's fighting to end the war! She's-
"The scavenger is not what you think she is-"
Saya finally snapped
I DON'T CARE! I DON'T CARE WHAT SHE IS! SHE IS MY FRIEND! THE ONLY THREAT TO THIS GALAXY IS PALPATINE AND YOU!
Saya turned and glared at the melted helmet. Another flash of rage flowed through her.
DARTH VADER DIDN'T GIVE YOU YOUR POWER! TO HELL WITH VADER AND HIS LEGACY!
Without thinking, Saya grabbed the Sith knife from her belt and plunged it through the melted helmet on the stand. She hated it. She hated what his grandfather turned him into. All of this because he idolized him. She lost her Ben because of him.
With a twist of her hand, the knife turned and the helmet cracked and fell apart.
Panting, Saya stood tall and glared at Kylo while still holding the knife in her hand. He looked to the knife then back to her face. He knew exactly where she was now.
He took a deep breath and Saya felt him stare into her soul.
"So that's where you are…"
Saya took another step back from him. Her anger was now replaced with fear.
"You need to know exactly what she is. Then you will understand. I'll come and tell you"
He was suddenly gone. Saya cursed herself for her stupidity. She placed the knife back in her belt and took off out of the room and down the hall.
-!-!-!
The entire time the team followed the Stormtroopers, Poe was cursing himself for not following after Saya. But she was too fast down the hall. So they all begrudgingly followed the Stormtroopers. As soon as they were led in front of the holding cell, Rey waved her hand and the soldiers fell asleep.
The door opened and they saw Chewie in chains. Bayard had a large iron collar and was chained to the wall. As soon as Chewie saw them, he yelled for joy.
Rey and Finn rushed forward and blasted them free of the chains. Chewie was quick to grasp everyone into a hug and roar in happiness. Bayard, on the other hand, quickly bypassed them all and ran down the hall.
"Your welcome!" Finn yelled after him.
"He must have gone looking for Saya" Rey said. She grabbed Chewie's belt that was sitting on the small table in the cell and gave it to him.
"Where to now?" Finn asked.
"We need to find the Falcon! We can't leave it here!"
"Wait, what about Saya?" Poe said in frustration.
"I trust Saya when she says she'll meet up with us! We need to keep moving!" Rey said.
They all began rushing down the hall and Poe begrudgingly followed. They ran down several hallways when they were suddenly faced with several soldiers who rushed out in front of them. Rey withdrew her lightsaber but from behind them, more soldiers appeared.
"Drop your weapons! NOW!" One ordered.
The small team looked around in a panic. They were completely surrounded. Rey knew she couldn't manipulate all these soldiers at once.
Slowly, the team lowered their blasters and Rey holstered her lightsaber back onto her hip. They raised their hands when they suddenly saw General Hux walked in front of the soldiers with a cocky smile.
"Bring them to the brig"
They all felt blasters shoved into their backs and they were all forced to walk forward. After turning down several hallways, they were led into a smaller room.
"This will do" The General said.
The team was facing a wall and were passing sad glances at one another.
"Guys… see you on the other side" Poe said in defeat.
Rey simply closed her eyes, feeling useless. She was panicking and couldn't concentrate to even try to use her powers. She felt like a failure.
"On my mark"
They heard the blasters raise. Rey suddenly had a thought. Before the third count, she would turn and stop the bolts. She could do it. She had to. She could stop the blasts and send them right back at the Stormtroopers. Then they could easily overpower the General.
"Blasters ready! One"
There was no two. They all jumped when a series of blasts sounded from behind them. After several thuds on the floor sounded, they all swiftly turned to see General Hux with a large blaster and several dead soldiers.
They all stared at him, completely perplexed.
"Why?" Was the only thing Rey could think of to say.
Hux turned and gave a glare at the team.
"Because I want Ren to fail. I want him to lose everything. Just like I did"
"Wait, were you the spy!? The one who leaked the information about Palpatine!?" Finn asked.
"Yes" Was his simple reply.
"I knew it!" Poe exclaimed
"No you didn't" Finn said in annoyance.
Hux turned and left the room and the team had to choice but to follow. As soon as they left the room, Hux pointed down the hall.
"Three doors down and to the left is the loading bay. You will find your ship. The droid that accompanied you has already been taken there. You have five minutes before security is alerted and soldiers storm the area"
The team quickly turned to rush off.
"WAIT!" The team turned impatiently back to the General.
"Shoot me in the arm! Or they will think I'll have helped you!"
Poe lifted his blaster, thought for a moment, and then blasted Hux in his leg. As soon as the blast made contact, the team turned and ran for the loading bay.
Hux was true to his word. C3-PO was just outside the ship and not a single Stormtrooper was around. They rushed inside, ready to finally escape.
Rey let Poe and Chewie fire up the ship while she closed her eyes and opened her mind.
"Saya, where are you!?"
-!-!-!
Saya rushed down several hallways, using the force to blast away any soldier that tried to stop her. She had no doubt that Kylo communicated to his troops that she and the others were aboard the base.
After another turn, she was suddenly elated to see a large white creature rushing right to her. Saya immediately dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around the wolf. She held him close, tears springing free from her eyes.
I'm so sorry Bayard! Please forgive me!
Bayard took a step back after a moment and gave Saya an urgent look. Even though he couldn't speak to her, she always knew what he was trying to tell her. It was time to go.
Together, they rushed back down the hall and a voice entered her head.
"Saya, where are you!?"
She didn't stop running and looked around. A sign up ahead caught her attention.
I'm heading to loading bay number three!
"We have the Falcon! Get to the bay and we will get you!"
Saya and Bayard burst through the door and ran into the bay. Stormtroopers began surrounding the area as a large black ship descended and landed in the middle of the room. She knew exactly who was in that ship.
Saya glanced over and saw that the exit was completely unguarded. Probably because the soldiers didn't think she would dare escape by simply jumping off the edge. She slowly walked closer to it as the door to the ship opened and Kylo Ren exited.
Bayard was hunched over ready to pounce but Saya placed her hand on his head.
Bayard, don't
He seemed to calm down but still didn't stop growling in warning.
Kylo ignored the wolf but stopped several feet away from her.
"Saya"
She loved it when he said her name but hated it when it was through the mask. She stood tall, trying to wait and listen for the Falcon. After staring at each other for what felt like eternity, Kylo finally spoke.
"You tell me you are fighting for balance in the galaxy but you're ignoring the threat that walks beside you. You say it doesn't matter what the scavenger is, but it does matter."
Saya gritted her teeth in frustration. She didn't want to listen but she needed to distract him until she could escape.
Fine then… tell me who she is…
Kylo didn't hesitate.
"Only Sith have the power to use lightning as a weapon. All you did was amplify power the girl already had. Power she inherited from her bloodline. The bloodline of the Sith… The scavenger is the great-granddaughter of Palpatine"
Saya froze. Silence filled the room. She heard her heart pound in her chest.
…no, that's not true! Your either being lied to or you're lying to me!
Kylo swiftly removed his helmet and Saya felt true grief when she looked into his eyes. Eyes that have never lied to her.
"Saya… you know I'm telling the truth. It's why she is so powerful with the force. She harnesses the power of the most powerful Sith lord in history. She threatens the balance you are fighting for."
She wanted to argue. She wanted to deny what he was saying, but he has never lied to her. Not once in their lives. He was telling her the truth.
He took a step towards her.
"Saya, come with me. Forget the map you're searching for. I'll take you to Exogol. Together, we can end Palpatine. I'll help you get the balance you're fighting for. You and I, together"
Kylo held his hand out. She looked at his hand and desperately wanted to take it. But he wasn't fighting for balance. Not the same balance she was fighting for.
She looked up to his face and saw the desperation in his eyes.
… I don't know how else I can make you understand…
Saya took several steps back towards the exit and his eyes suddenly hardened. She felt a few tears exit her eyes.
The only hand I will ever take is my Ben's hand… And he's gone…
Saya suddenly heard the roar of the engine and felt a blast of air. It was them. Without looking back, Saya turned and ran. She didn't need to see to know what to do. Bayard was faster than she was. He easily made the leap over the edge and landed on the walking bay of the Falcon.
"SAYA, STOP!"
She ignored Kylo's scream over the Falcon's engine and leapt over the edge. Poe was waiting. Saya knew she would have made the jump but Poe was still there to catch her. Without waiting, they rushed into the Falcon and Poe swiftly shut the door. Rey and Chewie entered light speed and the Falcon blasted away from Kajimi and the First Order.
As soon as the door closed, Saya took several deep breaths but she felt a sudden rush when a voice entered her mind.
"If you trust them so much then tell them the truth... Tell the scavenger who she is and about our bond…see if they will stand beside you then…"
Kylo's voice left her mind and she looked over to Rey who was sitting on the ground, taking deep breaths. Saya knew how torn Rey had been for weeks with herself. She remembered the dark dreams and the problems she was having with her powers. Then there was Rey still blaming herself when everyone thought Chewie and Bayard were dead.
No, she couldn't tell Rey. Not yet.