11
Digging through my bag I tried to find anything that could potentially override the panel that kept me encased in the room. Pibble leapt out, disgruntled at being disturbed. 'Help me out buddy, I need something to get us out of here.' Pibble stared at me before screaming and I sighed. 'Or just yell, that works too.' Tossing my bag to the floor, I began to rifle through Ben's drawers. I finally came across a black blaster and snatched it up, turning off the safety latch. Out of the corner of my eye I could see small transport ships exploding against the black sky as I lined up my shot. Pressing the trigger, plasma collided with the panel causing an explosion of sparks. The outer rim of the door began to flash and it opened, revealing my escape route. Holding the blaster down to my side, I hitched my bag onto my back including Pibble and made a break for it.
The ship seemed oddly quiet as I snuck around twists and turns, trying to manoeuvre my way to the escape pods. 'Where is everybody?' I murmured to myself, pointing my blaster ahead as I rounded a corner. The barrel pointed at a wall, not an enemy in sight. I heard pained yelling and crept towards the noise source, my heart thumping. I came out onto a balcony which looked over one of the TIE fighter hangar bays which was painted with a sea of white storm trooper suits. Phasma's shining silver frame dwarfed two kneeling people who I did not recognise. Light on my feet, I crept closer and slid behind some crates, peering over the top. Executioner troopers raised their laser axes, drawing the sizzling plasma exceedingly close to the prisoner's necks. Slamming my eyes shut, I awaited the unmistakable smell of burning flesh. Instead, all noise stopped and the ship jolted. Flicking my eyelids open, bright white light consumed my vision and I could see nor hear nothing. Confused and scared, I yelled out to no avail until a loud metallic sound echoed around me, shaking me to my core. My body flew back and collided with another crate causing me to sink down to the ground slowly. Gradually, my vision returned and I was met with fire and falling debris. Struggling to my feet I started to run back the way I came, pushing against the flow of people trying to escape. The sounds of blaring alarms and shooting blasters filled my ears and I shoulder barged through the masses until I came to an abandoned command terminal. A hologram of the ship glittered in the centre of the room, split in half. Gasping, I tenderly reached out and traced the line that cut the ship in two. 'There's no way out of this one.' I murmured to myself, the reality of my mortality hitting me. Stepping back I found myself resting against one of the navigation computers. Slowly sliding to the ground, I felt hollow inside and out. Reaching into my bag I felt Pibble snuffle against my hand, bringing warm tears to my eyes. 'I think this is it for us buddy.' I tickled the feathers on the back of his neck causing him to let out a delighted mew. 'You have no idea what's happening do you?' I laughed a little at his naivety, a part of me wishing I had the ability to be so unwitting. 'I know that we need to leave.' My head whipped around and I saw Kylo standing in the doorway, an arm outstretched. 'I thought I meant nothing to you?' I spat at him, unamused by his presence. He swallowed before leaning his arm a little closer. 'I can get you home. You don't have to die here. I implore you to take my offer whilst I'm still feeling generous.' Narrowing my eyes at him, I heaved myself to my feet and swung my bag up onto my shoulders again. 'Fine.'
He led me down to another hangar, his command shuttle waiting. My stomach churned and I could feel something wasn't right. I could see no other ship present for myself and Pibble to escape on. 'Ren, where is my ship?' I hissed under my breath. He remained stoic, frogmarching me towards general Hux who stood by the ramp leading into his vessel. 'Supreme Leader, the drop ships have departed. We should leave for Crait now if we are to catch up.' Kylo nodded, continuing up the ramp. I stopped at the base, anger rising within me. 'Crait? No, you said we were going to Takodana. You said you were taking me home.' His dark figure froze and he turned on his heel to look at me. 'Get on the ship.' I gritted my teeth and planted my feet into the ground. 'Not until you tell me how I'm getting home.' 'Your home is gone. I destroyed it. I destroyed that ridiculous castle, every piece of it is just rubble on the ground now. Let it go. It's gone.' His words were laced with venom and hit me hard. Eyes widening and heart pounding, I felt my entire body sag in disbelief. 'Supreme Leader, this ship is going to-' Kylo lifted a hand in Hux's face and walked towards me menacingly. I trembled as he grabbed my chin and made me look him in the eye. 'Get on the ship.' Weak and afraid, I allowed him to pull me on board by the scruff of my neck.
The shuttle glided smoothly through space and I sat by myself glowering in the corner. Two troopers stood either side of me, blasters ready in their hands. Resting my head on my knees, I processed the news that my home was no longer. I felt tears forming in my eyes as I thought of Maz suffering in the wreckage and blinked hard to draw them back inside. The creaking of leather caught my attention and I slowly looked up to be met with the harsh features adorning Kylo's face. He crouched in front of me, extending a bottle. I sniffed the liquid inside gingerly. 'It's just water,' His voice was deep but calm. 'Trust me.' The flashback to our conversation when I'd cleaned his wound filled me with anger. I'd been so idiotic to put my faith in him previously. I swiped at the bottle aggressively, causing it to clatter to the ground and spill everywhere. The troopers next to me thrust the barrels of their guns to either side of my throat. Staring hostilely at Kylo he signalled for the troopers to stand down before getting up and walking away. 'Supreme Leader, we're entering Crait's atmosphere.' The voices from the command deck echoed and I pressed my head against my knees again.