Mara hadn't realized that she had been holding her breath. As the stars whizzed past her at light-speed, their beams of white like the glint of a sharpened knife, she had been too distracted to remind herself how to live.
When Mara finally gasped for air, her hands sweating against the control board, she could feel the sting of tears lacing the bottom of her eyes. Blinking them away would do her no good; they were coming faster than the planets just outside.
Mara forcefully brought her hand to her cheek. "Everything will be okay." She repeated the words Poe had so often whispered. "Just trust me."
The coordinates would not take long to reach with the speed of her new and improved TIE fighter, making Mara somewhat thankful. It gave her mind less time to comprehend the mad scheme that she was about to step into. Of course, she and Alok had been the ones who orchestrated the entire thing, but Mara wasn't even sure how to hold the baton.
"Sergeant Terrim coming in."
That was the name on the uniform Alok had been wearing. Mara hesitantly pressed the 'receive call' button, her voice stuck somewhere in her throat.
"You hanging in there, FN-2188?"
Mara shook her head, her eyes closing against their will. The firm press of her eyelids made the tears stream down her cheeks. "Can we really do this?" Her voice came out somewhere between a whisper and a plead.
Alok was silent for a moment. It was a rare gesture for him, but Mara embraced it as hope rather than fear. "You're not worried about your own skin. You're worried about your parents. I can tell that you don't really care if you die, and that your tears are usually shed for someone else." Mara didn't openly disagree. "I can't promise anything, Mara. Only a fool would cling onto fairy-tales. But you and I are trained, we're disguised, and the First Order won't see us coming. We've got as much of a chance as we're going to get."
Mara nodded. "Yes. You're right."
"Of course I am. You need to get out of light-speed in about ten seconds." Mara knew it would be the last time she spoke to him without the helmet for a short while. Hopefully it would not be the last time she spoke to him at all. "I've got to go, Mara. Scratch that. You're FN-2188 now. I'll see you on the other side."
Mara said nothing. It was best not to say goodbyes if you had the intention of meeting again. Clicking off the call button, Mara placed both hands back on the wheel. This time, her hands were steady. Her tears had dried into a warrior paint on her soft skin, a reminder that even fear and sadness could come to an end.
Now was the time to be focused. She would make her way in, get her parents, and leave. If Poe was there, she would come back for him. These were the people that mattered most in life, and she had already lost that once.
She would save them.
If Mara Crescent put her mind to it, she believed she could even save herself.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Starkiller Base.
Location: Unknown Regions.
Formally mobile planet.
Moons: Zero.
Terrain: Forest, Ice, Mountain.
Diameter: 660 Kilometers.
Mara stared at the star destroyer standing before her. It wrapped around her entire vision, the cold blue exterior enough to make her shiver inside her heated ship. Its size was incomparable, the weapon creeping from its core similar to a solitary eye of destruction. With one blink, Mara knew it could end the lives of millions. And it looked as if it had an itch.
Mara was heading closer to the main hangar with Alok only moments ahead of her. She had replaced her helmet for fear of wandering eyes that passed, but in her mind she was beginning to assume the strength of a Trooper. The cold material of her uniform matched what she believed to be in their lonely hearts. After all, they were certainly lonely.
"Sergeant Terrim and FN-2188 requesting a landing. Over."
Mara could hear Alok's voice ring back into her headset. Without telling her, he had requested landing for the both of them. Mara wasn't sure if that was an act of kindness or distrust.
"What's your mission number? Over."
There was silence on the line. Mission number? Had they found one? Perhaps Alok and Kes had managed to acquire them when stealing the uniforms and ships, but she wasn't entirely certain. And yet, Mara didn't feel that Alok would have been foolish enough to leave without one.
"5793 and 100039."
The pause that lingered between the three speakers was enough to make Mara gasp beneath her tight helmet. Beads of sweat dripped down into her eyes, her hands unable to wipe the burn away. Alok coughed slightly, a minor way of expressing his concern. She coughed back, hoping he understand that she could handle whatever was thrown at them.
"Permission to land granted. Report to sector two for mandatory report scans and mission statements."
Mara smiled wildly to herself. The first step had truly been that easy. Of course, the First Order was as ruthless as the stories told and any intruders were unlikely to pass through with such grace. She could feel herself landing the ship breezily inside the hangar, as if she were truly fitting into the role of a Trooper. Something about the simplicity of it all made her question who she really was beneath the mask. If everything was to go as smoothly as before, she truly wondered where the boundaries of her bravery could stretch. It made her long to get back behind the control boards of an X-Wing, but not to fix it. She wanted to fight.
The planet was large enough in itself, but Mara had not quite found the words to express her shock at the size of the hangar. It was perhaps quadruple the size of D'Qar's with five times the staff. Of course, the First Order was mainly working from Starkiller Base, whereas the Resistance had allies around the galaxy. Perhaps the thought was an attempt to not let the size frighten her.
When her TIE fighter was finally directed to its holding spot on the left side of the spacious room, Mara climbed out uneasily. Her boots were still uncomfortable, but as she landed on solid ground, she made sure not to blow her cover with such a tiny detail. An officer was already waiting for her alongside Alok, who had also brought his ship onto the main platform.
"FN-2188, where is your mission statement?" The man who spoke was perhaps not much older than thirty. The lines that creased his forehead were well defined and seemed to stretch past his ears. It distracted Mara that such a man could age so drastically, but it did not surprise her with his line of work.
"All the documents you want are in there." Alok tapped the small file he had handed over. "Both myself and FN-2188's records have been stored on there."
The man narrowed his black brows. "And what was your purpose for recording them in such a fashion?"
Alok took a step forward, his black pupils piercing enough to cause the officer to briefly look away. "Are you questioning my motives?"
The man glanced at Alok's badge, swallowing any further questions. "Of course not, Sergeant. I will fetch for Captain Phasma in order for FN-2188 to report back into duty."
Alok nodded firmly, causing Mara's heart to sink to the floor. She still hadn't said a word, but with the Trooper Captain at her side, it would be herself that needed to do all of the talking. As the duo watched the officer stroll off, they took a step closer towards one another.
"FN-2188 was a man."
"I can handle that."
"I'm starting to believe you can handle anything."
"I'm not sure if I can handle her."
From ahead, a female Captain was heading their way. Her armour was almost identical to that of the new Trooper suits, but with its elegant silver plating, curved breastplate and red cape, Mara knew that she would not be dealing with a mere orphan boy turned soldier.
"FN-2188." Phasma's voice was surprisingly high, as was her stature. Naturally. There was suspicion lurking in her breath. "You've been away for quite some time."
Mara was momentarily frozen, but with a stern glare from Alok, managed to bob her head. "When duty calls, Captain." Judging by Alok's quick gaze, she had done rather well with the voice drop.
"Where is your mission report?"
"I've given it to Officer…" Mara's mind flashed back to his badge. She wasn't sure if it was quick enough. "Wash."
The Captain's head spun around, her eyes locking on the Officer who had already forgotten about the recently arrived crew. He was too busy chatting with his friends to note what was going on.
"I've been ordered to fetch the prisoners." Mara blurt the words out before she could comprehend their meaning. Alok's cold stare was now turning her skin to ice, but she kept her heart steady beneath the layers of steel.
Phasma's head fell to her shoulder, the dark line where her eyes should have been now uncomfortably clear. "Which prisoners exactly?"
"Hari and Dex Crescent."
"That's interesting. I don't remember ever making that call. Who commanded you?"
Alok took a step forward. "I did. We've been given word by the General that a… family reunion is soon to be in order. It would be best to let the girl see her parents before revealing her to Dameron." Mara was impressed, and could thankfully let her mouth hang freely open in shock. Nobody was able to see it. "For emotional purposes."
The woman said nothing. She simply moved her helmet slowly between the two, her thoughts entirely masked. It suddenly dawned on Mara that this was the real reason they hid their faces. No emotion was to partake in any decision of the First Order.
"Report back to me immediately after moving the prisoners. I'll have gone through a thorough scan of your reports and will decide what to do with you." She spoke about Mara like an unwanted dishcloth. "On your way, FN-2188."
Mara nodded firmly, standing herself straight in military position. She was unsure if it was the correct salute to be making, but the Captain had already grown disinterested. When her back was finally out of sight, Mara let an irrepressible groan pass her lips. "You need to move," Alok poked her in the chest. "Now. If Phasma finds out that nothing has been logged in that record for two weeks, she'll start to grow suspicious. No doubt she'll be on you like a TIE on an X-Wing."
Mara frantically questioned him in her usual voice. "I don't know where the cells are. How will I get there in time? What if I can't get them out?"
"Technically, Phasma's already given you permission. You have every right to request directions and a key. Now move, and don't question yourself. If you do, the others will have permission to do the same."
The sound of her heartbeat rang out in Mara's head. She wasn't sure if it was the compression or the heat of the suit. In the back of her mind, she wondered if Darth Vader had heard the same thing inside his mask. Was his heart always ringing in his ears? It was a part of him that he had still managed to hold onto, both literally and figuratively. Perhaps that was what had changed him into a regretful sinner. The constant sound of his beating heart.
Mara turned down the hall without saying a word. The walls were surprisingly brighter than those on D'Qar, but not in a particularly admirable way. The walls were made of solid steel, the lights on the floors of the narrow passageways just enough to make the reflection shine in your eyes. Mara was now, ironically, thankful for her helmet.
She continued to walk, not sure of where she was headed. One could have called it a gut feeling, but Mara was beginning to understand the First Order more clearly. The sound of their prisoners should be heard. They should be feared by all, including their own men. It was likely that the cells were not far off. Troopers passed her in uniform order, others simply strolling. Many locked and guarded doors were passed as she carried on, the cries behind them another suggestion that she was in the prisoner's wing.
None of them sounded like Dameron.
Where was he?
Mara gripped the blaster on her belt without reason. She had no intention to use it, and yet the thought of it provided comfort. Poe had taught her how to use it. She would have to thank him, once again, for that small act of kindness.
She couldn't help but think of him as the hallway stretched on. She remembered the roughness of his hands against her, his touch comparably gentle. His fingers had weakly locked onto the few strands of hair that had managed to escape her tie. She could feel the heat of his breath brushing against her skin as they slept, his gentle sigh much calmer than she expected of a Resistance pilot. Poe was not troubled by his dreams; he was living them. His life and slumber were both a blessing in his eyes.
Mara's heart was not the only thing that yearned for him. It had been a couple of days, but she had missed him more than she cared to express. The importance of him was suddenly dawning on her with every forceful footstep landed on Starkiller Base.
I can't lose him.
I can't lose him.
"Trooper."
The voice caught her off guard. She spun around too quickly on her heels, grabbing onto a nearby wall to steady herself. Luckily it was a Trooper of the same rank, his head cocked sideways in what appeared to be confusion. "Where are you headed? Are you lost?" His voice was kind.
"I'm here to move the Crescent couple. Hari and Dex." Mara glanced at his number. "You're…"
A bright laugh rang out from behind the other man's helmet. She uncomfortably noted a hand print of blood splattered across it, the wetness of it still reflective in the lights. It took Mara by surprise. His entire countenance took her by surprise. "You're like my sibling."
Mara blinked in order to see his number clearer.
FN-2187.
"Yes... It would seem so." Mara laughed nervously, her masculine voice slipping somewhat with the press for time. "I'm sorry to ask this of you, but-"
"You need directions to the cells." The Trooper nodded. "I'm in a bit of a hurry myself, so I'm afraid I can't take you there. You need to head down the hall and make a sharp right. The Crescents are the last cell on your left. They're the only ones down there. Can't miss them."
Without thinking, Mara took a grateful step froward. "Thank you, I…" She bit her tongue. "Thank you."
"Not a problem." His words were slow, as if he were suspicious of her. Sweat began to pour from her palms, fearful that he had caught her. "If you'll excuse me, I…"
Mara waved her hand quickly. "No worries. Be about your way, FN-2187."
The Trooper seemed to be in a rush. His footsteps were fast as he headed down the long corridor, back to where the high-maintenance prisoners seemed to be. Mara took one last glance over her shoulder at him, not entirely sure why she had done so.
When she continued on her pathway, she could feel herself growing cold with each step closer to the cell. There were no Troopers guarding the way, not even what she believed to be the cell where her parents were being kept. Clearly, they were not much of a threat to the First Order. They were merely fish caught on freshly sharpened bait hooks. Taking FN-2187's advice, Mara pressed her helmet against the door.
"...We can't, Hari..."
"...I know, but..."
The sound of her mother's name put a clamp on Mara's heart. Sprinting back down the hallway, she stopped a fellow Trooper in his path. "I need access to the Crescent cell. I've been ordered by the Captain to relocate them."
The Trooper seemed a bit taken aback, but he began to fiddle with something on his waist belt nonetheless. It truly shocked Mara how truly ignorant they all were. Or were they trusting of one another, like a family? Everything seemed a blur after meeting FN-2187. Then again, she would not complain about their feelings towards one another. "I'm in charge of those cells. You said Phasma sent you?"
"That's right."
"She didn't say anything to me."
"She might say something when she finds out that you blatantly went against her orders." Mara outstretched her hand. "The keys, please. It's somewhat urgent as we're expecting their daughter any minute."
The Trooper did as he was told and made his way back the direction he came. It was highly likely that he was going to report back to Phasma and get a second opinion on the situation.
It would be in Mara's best interest to run.
Her fingers fiddled with the strange square key as she attempted to open the thick door. Whether it was the padded gloves or her own nerves, the door took a lifetime to open. When it finally gave up against Mara's will, the sight that awaited her was one of both horror and joy. Her parents, cuddled against one another, sat on a bench in the back corner. It was the only furniture they had, but Mara was surprised they even had as much. Their eyes were wide like rats in the sewer, fear shaking their every bone like a child's rattle. They were not fighters. They had never been fighters. They were public servants and bartenders, but they were the ones who had made Mara strong. Seeing them afraid only put her heart at ease that she was finally here to save them.
"What is it?" Her father asked through a face of unfamiliar stubble. "What do you want from us?"
Mara could barely find the words before her mother spoke. "Do you have our daughter? Where is she?"
Mara took a step closer. It only made them shrink back more. "She's here. She's ready to take you home." She used her normal voice, but the helmet was too distorting. The two exchanged confused but somewhat hopeful looks. It was not enough. Mara peeled off her helmet, the brown hair that they had gifted her with sticking to her forehead like glue. Her cheeks were undoubtedly as pink as the day she was born, her eyes just as beady.
"Oh my…" Mari stood up with shaking hands. Her fingers wrapped around her daughter's face, the tears falling faster than the snow outside. "Oh my… What are you doing here? How did you get here?"
"Mara, I can't believe that you…" Her father had not yet gotten up. The shock and luck of the situation was too much for his heart.
"I want to explain," she panted. "I really do, but we don't have much time. I need you to follow me. You need to look like I've hurt you. It's the only way we're ever going to get you back to the hangar. Lokesh is waiting for you there with a ship. He's going to take you back to Yavin 4, where you can recover and relocate. You'll never be safer anywhere else." Mara popped her helmet back on, not giving her parents any time to speak. "Follow me, prisoners."
Her parents, their frail bodies still hunched in shock, obediently trickled their way behind her. Their footsteps were drowned in the sound of the Trooper boots, but they would have been soft shuffles nonetheless. Mara cracked a smile beneath the helmet.
This could really work. It could really-
"FN-2188."
Mara had finally reached the edge of the hangar with her parents. Everything seemed to be going to plan, perhaps even better than that, but Alok was too far away to offer help this time. He was watching intently as Phasma made her way back over to the girl's side.
"What can I do for you, Captain?"
"Where are you taking these prisoners?" Her voice was no longer curious. It was ruthless.
"To another cell, as commanded." Mara raised an invisible brow. "Captain."
"I do not believe the cells are out here."
Mara gestured towards Alok. "Sergeant Terrim personally wanted to escort them as he finds me somewhat irritating." The lies passed easily off her tongue. She was so close. Now was not the time to fail, as she had so often done in the past. Mara was determined to win.
"The thing that I find odd about you and Sergeant Terrim is that your reports have not been logged for two weeks. Don't you find that odd, Trooper? I certainly do." Mara remained silent. "Take off your helmet."
Mara sucked in her breath. "Excuse me?"
Phasma took a daring step forward. "That's an order. Take off your helmet." Each word sounded like a sentence in itself.
Mara's hands slowly made their way to the brim of her helmet. Fight plans were dancing through her head as each millisecond passed. She would peel off the helmet slowly enough to taunt Phasma. That would distract her when she finally discovered that Mara was not who she claimed to be. During the midst of Phasma's confusion, Mara would grab her blaster and shoot the villain in the chest. Her parents would then be pushed to Alok's side, where they would make it to safety before open fire was released on the ship.
As for Mara…
Perhaps her plan was less fortunate. At least she would get her parents to safety. That was the plan. That had always been the plan.
Mara could feel the cool air slipping against her neck as the long seconds ticked by. Phasma was waiting patiently, the idea that she had won already firmly planted into her mind. A woman like that would never see someone like Mara coming. Because Mara Crescent was a nobody, but she was about to be a somebody.
That would have been a very good plan, if it were to have happened.
But before the helmet even passed Mara's chin, before the delicate curve of her lips could be revealed to the Captain, something incredible happened.
From the far side of the room, a loud creaking had rung out across the hall. The sound was like metal against glass, its sharp grating enough to make Kylo Ren cringe. Phasma's attention was immediately lost, and in the spur of the moment, Mara ushered her parents over to Alok. "Go now!"
Hari reached out her hand in uncertainty, but Dex pulled her back. He at least trusted his daughter, and would follow her orders as she had once followed his as a girl.
"What's going on?" Phasma screeched at the top of her lungs. A TIE fighter, similar to the one that Mara had steered only moments ago, was trying to escape the hangar. It was still connected to its safety hook, signalling its desperate attempt to make an escape.
Mara's jaw fell open beneath the mask, her words now unable to be suffocated. "What idiot would actually try and steal a TIE fighter?" Phasma had already left the scene. Troopers swarmed around her, their blasters aimed at the runaway machine.
Whoever you are… Mara thought to herself. Thank the stars for this.
It was the perfect time to escape. Alok and her parents were already halfway off the ground, preparing to fly out into the night. It would simply look like an attempt to stop the runaway fighter. If anything, the presence of her parents went entirely unnoticed. Mara herself climbed back up into the familiar TIE fighter, more than prepared to make her escape alongside the others.
"Alok!" She signalled for him. "Are you getting this?"
"I've locked on to you, Mara! I've got your parents and we're ready to set out!" Alok let out a cheer; she could practically hear his hands beating against the handle. "Whatever idiot is trying to make a break out now is certainly saving our asses. I never thought I'd want to kiss a Trooper in my life!"
"How do you know it's a Trooper?" Mara unlocked her TIE fighter, preparing to head out.
"Normal folks, other prisoners… They won't know how to fly that kind of thing. It has to be someone from inside."
Mara's brows came together in her forehead, a strange thought flickering into her thoughts. "You're right. Only an expert pilot would know how those work."
"Mara, we've got to get to Yavin 4. TIE fighters have already been sent out to stop that runaway. We'll blend in perfectly, if we just pretend to fight. You've got the coordinates, right?" They were both already out of the hangar now, their ships flying out of the atmosphere at incredible speed.
Mara tossed the helmet to the floor, her circular widow opening up to sky of black stars. "I've got the coordinates."
"We're entering a shootout, Mara. Stay close."
Mara did as she was told. Up ahead a bubble of TIE fighters were chasing the runaway with the utmost precision and speed. It was the first time she had seen the First Order fleet in action, reminding her that she may very well be on the other side one day. Mara was still unused to the ship's main controls, and in the heat of the moment, she stumbled. A curious button caught her attention, her finger pressing down on it. A large green blast shot out from the ship's front, its rays barely passing Alok's ship.
"What the hell, Mara? I leave you alone with the First Order for ten minutes and you're trying to kill us?"
"I'm sorry! I-I didn't know what the button did-"
"Now isn't the time to be playing with buttons, sweetheart." It was Hari. "You need to stay focused. If you get caught in their line of fire…" The rest of the sentence was too much to comprehend.
Mara had entered the battle field before she could even understand where she was. Blasts flew past her ship with incredible delicacy. Although she wasn't shooting, the others wouldn't be suspicious as their attention was latched onto the stray. Mara kept close on Alok's tail, as he expertly dodged shots from the escapee.
"Damn! Whoever is steering that thing knows how to shoot. Be careful, Crescent. We need to blast off in ten."
"Minutes?"
"Seconds!" Alok cursed. "Mara, where's your head gone?"
"I don't know!" She shrieked as she pulled her ship sharply to the side. She had barely managed to dodge a blast from the solitary ship. Little did they know that she was on their side. "I'm preparing to blast off. I'm preparing." Her fingers flew across the board mostly from memory, certainly not from a sense of certainty. "I'm ready to take off in five-"
Just as Mara began to count down, a strange feeling kept her from finishing her sentence. Her voice stopped in her throat as her entire head was flown back into the seat. A ringing sensation swam through her head, the high-pitch song enough to cause her to scream in frustration. The previously steady ship was now twisting and turning through the air at a shocking speed, and the worst part was that she was going down, not up.
"Mara!" The sound of her mother's cry rang out into the speakers. "Mara! Alok, we have to do-"
It was the last sound Mara heard of the others. Alok's ship had already blasted into light speed. When she was left with only the sound of her ship's warning bells and the heaviness of her breath, Mara could finally make sense of what had happened. Her ship had been hit by the runaway. An entire wing of her fighter had blown off into a mess of metal and wires, and she was hurtling towards what appeared to be the red Jakku floor.
Mara let a steady breath pass her lips. If she gave up now, the opportunity to save herself would be lost.
"Every ship has an ejection seat." Mara quickly skimmed around her, despite the ship's consistent twisting and turning. She kept her seat-belt tightly locked, trying to ignore the pain in her head. She was almost certain that her wound had opened itself back up, the cool sensation on the back of her neck all too familiar. "Where are you..." Her lip busted open against the sharpness of her teeth. The taste of blood on her tongue was not enough to shock her.
When she finally spotted the ejection button, she pressed it without hesitation.
Whether it would work or not, she was unsure.
She closed her eyes as the sensation of hot air hit her skin. A breeze, stronger than any she had ever felt, blew her hair out of its tie and sent it dancing around the sharp edges of her chin. Ever so still, her eyes remained shut. The voice of Poe Dameron rang through her head once more, replacing the horrible drone that had been there only moments before.
Just trust me, Mara Crescent…
Everything will be okay.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Leave me a thought
It's so easy
the box
is right
there
vvvvvv