UFC: One Rogue Alien
Summary: A rogue alien, from another galaxy, ends up in the same Imperial Labour Camp on Wobani as a certain Jyn Erso.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Author's Note: The 8th story in my Unfinished Chronicles where abandoned stories get one last lease of life.
Chapter 1
"Next work crew we are on together. I will kill you then," the non-human Kennel threatens the person they believe to be called Liana Halik.
On the other side of the cell the brown haired human female replies with a casual attitude, "Who's going to keep you company?"
"I like a quiet cell."
"What if I kill you first?" Liana asks back, her green eyes hardened.
"Then I hope you like a quiet cell, Liana Halik."
Liana leans back against the wall, sitting on her bed, her gaze never wavering off her cellmate. Her name wasn't actually Liana Halik. It was Jyn Erso but she never used it. Could never allow the Empire to know who she really was. A few months ago she had been on Corulag, planning to steal some weapons from its 'petty dictator' only for it to fail and her to be caught, betrayed and abandoned by her 'colleagues'. She was sentenced to here. The Wobani Prison Camp. 20 years. No-one lasted more than 5 she knew. If she could not figure out an escape this Camp was almost certainly where her life would end.
And just her luck she had managed to turn her cellmate into an enemy. She knew what that last conversation meant. Next time they are together on a work crew either she will have to kill Kennel or be killed.
Lets just say her sleep that night is fitful at best.
As it is the next day.
And the next.
Both days she and Kennel are not together.
On the 3rd day however it is a different story.
They are marched from their prison to the transport which takes them to the quarry they work for the Empire and in the crew that day is Kennel.
They are at the opposite ends of the transport, an old Turbo Tank from the Clone Wars refitted as a prisoner transport, when they are shackled in. Jyn finds her gaze focussing in the person opposite her rather than Kennel. Opposite her is a tall human male, with messy curly dark hair and stubble on his face but what really stands out are they piercing eyes of unusual blue.
Jyn had seen him around the prison obviously but they had never interacted before. Her mind briefly wonders how long he has been here before she reminds herself she doesn't care.
Jyn counts down the minutes until they stop. The journey always takes the exact same amount of time.
The transport grinds to a halt. The door at the rear opens. The two Stormtrooper guards in the back are joined by more and today's overseer, a uniformed officer of the Empire march in.
"Upon release you will exit the vehicle one by one, taking your tool for the day and line up outside. Any deviation from these instructions will result in severe disciplinary measures. Am I clear?!" the overseer demands.
"Yes!" they all know to bark back. Not doing so gets those 'disciplinary measures'.
Their restraints are released and they stand up. One by one exiting the vehicle and being given their tool for the day.
No. Not tool. Weapon Jyn knows. Her weapon against Kennel and Kennel's weapon to be used on her.
"Captain!" the overseer barks to the chief Stormtrooper once the prisoners are lined up. "Take them to their designated workplace," he commands.
"Yes, sir," the trooper responds, the voice distorted through the helmet. "Move out!" he orders and the prisoners begin their march down into the quarry.
Jyn soon finds herself shovelling the rock, others, stronger than her, have smashed up, into carts to be taken away to be processed somewhere. The Empire could easily bring in machines or droids to do this work of course but the point is this is prison. This is how they deal with prisoners. Work them to death and forget them.
All the time Jyn tries to keep her eye out for Kennel.
It's later in the day and Jyn finds herself ordered to a different sector of the quarry. She walks round a rocky outcropping...only to find Kennel waiting for her. She makes moves to walk the other way only to find 3 other prisoners blocking her way. She's been set up!
Jyn seethes internally. For the betrayal(though that's hardly a new emotion for her) and seethes for her own stupidity in not seeing this coming.
"I warned you Liana Halik," Kennel says.
All Jyn has to defend herself is her shovel and make no mistake she will defend herself. She readies it as Kennel approaches. Jyn swings it back...only for one of Kennel's friends to grab it. She spins round to be met by a strong punch to the face knocking her over.
Jyn's head rings. Was that guy related to a Wookie or something. She lies on her back as Kennel stands over her, pick-axe like tool in hand.
"I guess I will have the quiet cell after all," Kennel comments as the alien raises the axe up high...only to find it grabbed by a powerful hand. "What?!" Kennel roars, spinning round to be met by a powerful punch.
Jyn gasps a little for breath as she sees standing over her is that guy who was sitting opposite her this morning.
"I never did like you," he says to the fallen Kennel.
Kennel's friends charge at him but Jyn watches him fend them off. Literally picking one of them up like he weighed nothing and throwing him into the other two. A few swift kicks later and they're all dazed and groaning in pain.
He comes to stand over Jyn. She wonders what happens next...when he offers his hand.
Jyn chooses to take it and she can feel a powerful grip as she is hoisted back up to her feet. She looks at him trying to figure him out.
"What is going on here?!" the irate voice of their overseer rages as he and a couple of troopers march upon the scene.
"Say nothing," the man tells Jyn as he puts himself between her and the Imperials.
"You!" the overseer seethes. "Prisoner AC1061938. Name...yes only known as Kal I recall."
"It's slightly catchier than AC1061938," the man now identified as Kal says humorously.
"Of course. The comedian," the overseer sneers. "Explain yourself," he demands.
"It's quite simple, Sir. Kennel and I had a slight disagreement. His friends tried to intervene...and well accidents happen."
"Disagreement about what?"
"His personal hygiene. He didn't take kindly to my advice over how he could improve his overpowering stench. An issue I know you can personally relate to...Sir," Kal says in such mocking tones Jyn wonders if this place has driven him mad.
The Overseer's face twists up in anger. He gestures at the accompanying Stormtrooper who slam their stun batons into Kal's ribs. Jyn flinches instinctively to the sound of the electric discharge. She knows from personal experience how much they hurt.
Kal grimaces in pain but refuses to scream out.
The Overseer turns his attention to Jyn. "You. Did you witness this?"
Jyn can hardly say no when she's standing right here. "Yes, Sir. What, uh, Kal said is exactly what happened. The hygiene problems as well, sir."
The Overseer backhands her across the face. "Don't get smart!" he sneers.
Jyn's cheek stings and she glares her cold hatred but does not respond.
"How do I know you two weren't in this together, huh?" the overseer queries.
"Like I need any help with Kennel," Kal sneers.
The Overseer nods at the troopers who slam their stun batons into Kal's ribs again.
"So you two care nothing about the other?"
"Should I?" Jyn asks, shrugging her shoulders in a disinterested manner.
"I think I've been here long enough for even you to know what I'm like," Kal replies, adding in an insult for good measure.
The Overseer walks over, reaches down and picks up Jyn's shovel. He walks back in front of Kal...and then slaps him across the face with the metal digging implement, staggering him. "If you fall down she dies," he tells Kal before smacking him again.
Jyn is furious. Sadistic son of a…
"Fall down AC1061938. If she means nothing to you fall down and I'll stop," the Overseer taunts the tall man. "She'll die but your suffering will end."
Kal glares at him.
The Overseer strikes Kal again and again and again, blooding and bruising his face, smashing the shovel into his ribs a few times as well but no matter how much punishment Kal receives he somehow manages to stay standing.
When finally the Overseer has had enough he marches over and whispers into Kal's ear. "You know if I had started this with her you'd already be dead. She wouldn't give you a second thought."
Kal's breathing is raspy. "You really should stop thinking that everyone is like you," he advises.
The Overseer sneers. "Still a smart mouth I see but remember this. I don't care how hurt you are. You have a quota to meet. Fail and you know the penalty."
And with that he throws the shovel to the ground, frustrated and angered that he didn't get what he wanted before he leaves with the troopers.
At which point Kal drops to one knee and almost topples over, having to place a hand on the ground to stop himself. He coughs violently, spitting up blood.
"Why did you do that?" Jyn asks as she drops down to her knees beside him. No-one has done something like that for her...probably ever.
"Because they haven't beaten the chivalry out of me quite yet...though as you can see they've been giving it a good go." He coughs some more. "Help me up," he requests.
Jyn does just that, his arm across her shoulder. She supposes it's the least she can do. "You weigh more than a rancor," she groans under his weight.
"I don't know what that is but I'm guessing it's not a compliment."
"It's not."
"Must be all that nutritious prison gruel they feed us."
That one makes Jyn snort in amusement because she knows he's being ironic.
At night, once they are back at the prison Jyn finds herself still helping Kal. Not by choice this time. That vile overseer...whose face frankly reminds Jyn of a dead fish, had ordered her to do it. She finds herself helping the young man, a Stormtrooper assigned to 'escort' them.
To her surprise he ends up sharing the weight with her. A helpful Stormtrooper. She must have been hit harder than she thought.
They reach what she assumes is Kal's cell. Like hers there are 2 beds. Unlike her he doesn't seem to have a cellmate. She wonders why.
Jyn and the Stormtrooper lie Kal down on his bed.
"Stay here. I'll be back in a minute," the trooper orders and he makes sure by locking the cell behind him.
"Yeah. Thanks then. I'll just stay here," Jyn snarks at the departed trooper.
"It's not so bad you're here. At least for me," Kal jests with what would be a smile if he didn't wince in pain from trying it.
"Well clearly it's not bad for you to be in my company," Jyn boasts, joking back.
The stomps of the boots signal the return of the Stormtrooper. "Here," he says, pushing something through the bars.
Jyn takes it and is surprised to find it's a medpac. Deciding not to question it she sits herself down on the bed next to Kal and opens it. "Why would he do that?" she mutters aloud as she starts to treat Kal's wounds.
"Gary's not so bad," Kal answers.
"Gar-wait. His name's Gary?!" she splutters in amusement.
Kal nods.
"Gary the Stormtrooper," Jyn snorts in laughter. That totally gives you a new image.
Kal chuckles. "Well what did you expect? There is a person under all that armour. They're not all faceless, brainwashed idiots who can't shoot straight."
"No...just most of them," Jyn replies to that, her humour fading fast as she recalls all the terrible things she has seen Stormtroopers do.
"Liana right?" Kal asks to confirm her name.
Jyn nods.
"Liana...I've been here a long time. Believe me I know what some of the Stormtroopers are like but it can also be far too easy just to paint them all with the same brush. Gary...has a wife; Chianna and a daughter; Jessica. He's been posted here for 5 years and rarely sees his family...and as you can see taking the effort to learn that gets you some advantages from time to time."
Jyn wonders whether these 'advantages' could be advantageous to her in figuring out an escape. That would mean getting closer to her 'patient' here...but if it means an escape she might consider that worth the effort. She continues to treat his injuries. "That Overseer didn't seem to like you. Like it was personal," she idly mentions.
"Oh they're just worried I'll ruin this place's reputation."
"Which reputation?"
"The one about how long anyone survives here."
"5 years. No-one survives 5 years in this place."
Kal taps on his chest with his fingers. "5 years next month."
"Huh?"
"That's how long I've been here."
Jyn's eyes go wide and she almost drops the bandages in shock. Wow. That's...actually impressive. "H-how?" she wonders.
"I'm more robust than I look. Jacen use to say I could out-wrestle a Wookie. Since I've never met a Wookie I never did know exactly what he meant but I took it as a compliment."
"It is," Jyn can confirm. Wookies were very strong and durable. That's why the Empire used them extensively as slave labour. "Who's Jacen?"
"My 1st cell mate. We came here together," Kal says, a sad looking clouding his blue eyes.
"What happened to him?"
"He wasn't as robust as I am."
No more needs to be said. Jyn can guess that he's dead. She finishes treating him. "I've done what I can," she tells him.
"I'm sure it'll be enough."
"How can you say that?"
"Because it has to be. You've been here long enough to know that if you don't work..."
"You die," Jyn finishes. She's seen that. Prisoners too exhausted and weak to work lined up and executed.
"I'll survive. I always seem to find a way. 5 years remember."
"Halik," the distorted voice of a Stormtrooper gets her attention. Must be 'Gary' again. He opens the cell. "If you're finished, back to your cell," he orders her.
Jyn stands up.
"Well thank you for your time Dr," Kal says farewell in a joky manner.
"No problem. I always pride myself in my bedside manner," Jyn jests back. She steps out and walks back toward her cell. Once there she finds it empty. "Where's Kennel?" she asks 'Gary' about her absent cellmate.
"Solitary," he answers.
Jyn had heard of that but even she hadn't managed to get herself sent to it yet. It was suppose to be hellish. Good, she thinks sourly to herself. Couldn't happen to a nicer...guy...uh girl...uh person. In all honesty Jyn isn't sure if Kennel's species even has genders. She steps in and her cell is locked. Seem she's the one with the quiet cell after all.
She sits on her bed and reaches into her to top, pulling out the small white crystal. The only thing she has left of her mother. She spends a long time looking at it and remembering. It's a glimmer of light in what otherwise be suffocating darkness.
Back in his cell Kal rolls on his side and looks at the empty bunk opposite. The bed that use to house his 1st friend he made in this place.
But even Jacen never knew the whole truth. Like say Kal's real name.
Clark Kent.
5 years. That was the last time he used that name. So long he has practically started calling himself Kal even in his own head.
He can remember it all still perfectly yet it almost seems unreal. Like another life.
Clark had been trying to escape the Phantom Zone after having been banished there by a Zod possessed Lex. He had met Raya. Someone who knew his father and she helped him reach the portal. The way out.
She sacrificed herself for him. He can remember that. He activated the portal and vanished...but instead of depositing him back on Earth he ended up...actually to this day he doesn't even know what the planet was called. Well he ended up here...in this galaxy which he has had come to conclude isn't the same one Earth resides in.
His nature...his need to help people soon had him running afoul of the Galactic Empire…and without his powers they easily had the means to capture and contain him and they sent him to this camp for his 'crimes'. Kal was the only name he chose to give them so it's the only name he uses any longer.
What had happened to his 'god-like' power? Who knows. Clark sure didn't. True he was certainly still stronger, faster and more durable than a human. Like Jacen had commented he could out-wrestle a Wookie, if he knew what one of them was but compared to how he was before it was like comparing a drop to an ocean.
5 years.
In those 5 years Jacen had been the one to educate Clark on everything really. The Empire, the Republic it grew out of after a terrible, galaxy wide war known as the Clone Wars. Jacen taught Clark to survive in this hellish place. Taught him how to survive. For that he'll be forever grateful.
And in return Clark could do nothing when Jacen met his fate. Some hero he is. Chloe, his mom...they use to believe in him that he could be one but he's not. He's has failed utterly and this is his punishment.
He was speaking the truth what he said to Liana. He has nowhere to go. He can't go home. He has been in this camp since practically he arrived. He's in a strange galaxy he knows little about apart from what Jacen told him.
Even if he could escape where would he go?
No. It seems very likely the life of Clark Kent will end in this labour camp.
He reaches into his top and pulls out the one thing he has left of that previous life. The crystal Raya gave him, given to her by his father Jor-El, which he has managed to keep tied around his neck all these years. He use to hate that symbol upon it. The symbol of his heritage. The heritage he never wanted. That he felt weighed down by. That he felt denied him the life he wished to live.
Now he'll stare at it for hours just to help him remember. It's the thing that helps remind him who he is and where he came from. It's his lifeline. The glimmer of light in the suffocating darkness.
Jyn's morning starts as it always does. Being woken up early to stand in line for the meagre rations they call food. At least she got a fairly good night's rest for the 1st time in awhile. She gets in the line and feels a presence behind her. She turns her head to see it's Kal...looking slightly better already.
"Just thought you'd want to know; Kennel's dead," Kal informs her.
"How?" Jyn asks.
"Attempting escape."
"He was in solitary. How did he escape?"
"Oh he didn't. Covering up their tracks."
"Covering up...that ambush on me yesterday was a set up wasn't it?" Jyn realises.
Kal nods. "Kennel did a deal and when he failed..." He does a cutting motion across his throat.
Jyn realises something else. "It was no coincidence you showed up was it."
"I hear things," Kal says vaguely.
Jyn internally fumes. That's why the Overseer was so harsh on him. He ruined whatever deal had been made. She has got to get out of this place. The sooner the better.
And that means carrying out her plan to ingratiate herself to Kal here. Get into his world. Learn his contacts amongst the guards and other prisoners. Learn how to use them to formulate an escape. It'll take time but she was sentenced to 20years here so time is one thing she has lots of.
So that is what she does. Pretends to want to get to know him.
Yes. Pretends.
Of course it's not real. Jyn relies on no-one but herself. She's learned that lesson often enough that she can't rely on others. After all, in the end, they all abandon her. Her father, Saw, her last partners in crime who left her to take the fall which is how she ended up here in the first place.
Jyn was puzzled why he helped her. Starting to actually pay attention to him only puzzles her more. There is a kindness about him that you would think, after 5 years in this place, would have been lost. Under the noses of the guards somehow he makes it his business to help as much as he can fellow prisoners.
When new prisoners arrive he tries his best to steer them away from the less pleasant elements and groups within the prison which one day prompts her to ask an important question.
"I don't recall you doing that when I arrived?" she asks him, now having worked her way enough into his circle to get to ask questions like that.
Kal looks at the woman he still only knows as Liana. "Actually I did. You pretended to ignore me," he contradicts her memory.
Jyn frowns. Did she? She tries to recall her own arrival. She was completely in her own head space at the time. Annoyed, frustrated, angry at her double crossing partners. "I'm not sure I was pretending," she admits in a low voice.
"That hurts me. Right here," he bangs his fist on his chest over his heart but his tone and mock expression of hurt clearly says he's not really pained.
"Well I am a dangerous, heartless criminal," Jyn drawls.
"Is that how they depicted you at your trial?"
"My summary hearing you mean, yes," Jyn confirms, recalling the mockery of what counts as Imperial Justice.
Kal shrugs. "More than I got."
What can you say to that?
A few weeks later Jyn finds herself on the same work crew as Kal. He's been creeping into her thoughts more and more lately. It started when he said she got more of a trial than him. She wanted to know what he meant. She didn't get the full details. She thinks he always holds something back but the summary of it was that he crossed some Imperials, got a beating for his efforts and when he woke up after was on the transport to Wobani.
He's annoyingly polite and kind...and sometimes just plain annoying. Jyn admits she snarks at people. It's her nature. What she had discovered is that you push Kal just enough he'll snark back quite happily, quick witted enough to get the better of her on occasion. Not many people have ever done that.
Point is it's a side of him you wouldn't realise is there until you push.
When they step out the transport at the quarry the rain is pouring down.
"Another wonderfully refreshing day," Kal drawls.
"I would tell you where to stick your optimism but it would be wasted breath," Jyn says back.
Kal chuckles. "Not a rain fan?"
"Oh I like rain just fine...when I'm inside, under a roof and you know, not being worked to death."
"I believe the Empire calls it 'Re-educational Labour Programs'."
"I believe I need to make friends who haven't been brainwashed by Imperial Propaganda."
"Well at least I have a brain to be washed."
Jyn fixes him a glare and he smiles back disarmingly.
Truthfully that is actually the good part of the day because heavy rain causes landslips around the quarry. Three prisoners are dead by lunchtime. Buried and suffocated to death before they can be dug out.
Not that the Overseer cares because he doesn't.
And there is nothing you can do but carry on working and try and make yourself not care. That's what the Empire does to you. That's what Jyn tries to do because like she keeps telling herself; can rely on no-one but herself.
An opinion put to the test when she hears and feels the rumbling.
"Liana!" someone shouts.
Jyn looks up as a cascade of rock and earth tumbles down towards her. There is no way she can move out the way in time. Not a chance.
Just when she is facing her death something large plows into her and lifts her off her feet. She can feels herself flying through the air and land in a huge muddy puddle as earth and small rocks bounce all around, splashing the water around.
Jyn looks up to find herself underneath the large frame of Kal. "You ok?" he asks her.
Jyn nods, somewhat stupidly. Her mind hasn't quite caught up yet. She finds herself hauled back to her feet to see the torrent of mud and rock where had been standing. "Thank you," she finds herself saying...and believe you her she hasn't said thank you to anyone in ages.
"You're welcome," Kal says easily. "Although I think we need to change your name to 'Trouble Magnet'."
Jyn gives him a sardonic look for that and gets that annoying disarmingly, lopsided grin of his in return. Before she can glare him to death she sneezes violently...all over him, making him grimace and her laugh so, so hard.
Course for that Karma kicks in and that night the sickness kicks in. The scratchy throat, the blocked up nose, going from feeling hot to cold to hot again. It isn't long before she feels like death warmed up.
In fact it is the worst she has felt in a long time. Perhaps this is the thing that finally does her in. Oh the irony. When she was with Saw she fought against the Empire, her life being in danger constantly and it's a bug that is going to kill her.
"Liana."
The voice sounds so far away. She can barely hear it. Nice voice though.
"Liana."
Bit louder now. Perhaps if she focusses on it.
"Liana."
Sounds close. She tries forcing her eyes to open. It's all blurry. "Kal?" she queries, her voice so weak it doesn't sound like her own.
He is smiling down at her.
Jyn reaches up and finds a damp cloth on her head. "Hot," she breathes.
"You have a fever," Kal tells her. He reaches over and brings a small cup to her lips. "Here. Sip on this," he instructs as he helps raise her head.
Jyn takes a few sips...and makes a face. "Trying to poison me?"
Kal grins. "Lu was a healer on his world before he came here. It's one of his concoctions."
Lu? Jyn takes a minute to think. Lu'bratnik. One of Kal's friends. A male Twi'lek with red skin as she recalls.
"Come on drink up," Kal encourages her as he tips the cup back to her lips.
Jyn does so before coughing a few times. She lies her head back down as Kal re-moistens the cloth for her head. She groans, a little delirious as the cloth goes back on her head. "Don't leave me," she whispers hoarsely.
"I'm not going anywhere," Kal assures her.
"Everyone else does. Everyone leaves me in the end," she says in her fevered ramblings.
Kal purses his lips. It's hard to know what she means. It's not like they've sat down and shared their life stories or anything. Hell he has never told anyone where he really comes from. "I'm not everyone," he says back. "I have nowhere else to be."
"Hmm...why not? Don't you have a home?"
"Not one I can ever return to," Kal says, the emotion of that heavy in his voice.
"'Cause of the Empire?"
"Because of my own stupidity."
"Empire took my mother...took my father," Jyn slurs slightly, clearly not quite aware of what she is saying. "Stardust," she murmurs just as her eyes droop shut and she falls back asleep.
"Just rest Liana," Kal says.
It's the next day that Jyn's fever finally breaks. Her green eyes blink as they adjust to the light. Looking around she spots on the other bunk Kal, asleep. His face more stubbly than she recalls.
As she starts to sit up she has to moan as her muscles protest at any sort of movement. Course that could be just the bruises from when Kal saved her life.
The noise wakes up Kal. "Liana. You're awake," he says.
"Stating the obvious," Jyn snarks as she swings her legs round and plants them on the floor.
"Take it easy. You were pretty out of it," Kal worries as he sits on the edge of the bed.
Jyn takes a moment as her head spins a little. She then looks up at Kal's face, his blue eyes staring into her. "Have you been looking after me?"
"Well when they opened your cell yesterday morning the guard found you clearly ill with a fever."
"Must have been that puddle you threw me into."
"Probably," Kal has to concede. He leans over and grabs a canteen. "Here. Water," he offers it to her.
Jyn takes it and drinks it down greedily, refreshing herself. "So...if I've been sick since yesterday how am I not in trouble for missing my work quota."
"I might have used up a few favours I've earned over the years," Kal explains.
"Why?" Jyn asks. "Why would you do that for me?"
"When you wouldn't do the same back?" Kal asks, that gaze of his penetrating deep.
"I never said that."
"You implied it in your tone of voice."
Jyn's mouth opens and then closes. Would she have not done the same back? Her mind says probably not and the unfamiliar feeling of guilt stabs at her a little bit. "Why though?" she presses.
Kal rubs the stubble on his chin. "Do you know when it is the Empire wins, truly wins?"
Jyn shakes her head.
"It's not when they destroy your home or conquer your world. It's when they make you forget who you really are. When you stop caring. When they've driven all the compassion out of you and you just submit to their way of thinking. That's when they truly win. I may not be able to fight a war against them amongst the stars but I can fight one here every day to not forget where I came from. Who my parents raised me to be."
Jyn has literally no response to that. She doesn't think she's known anyone who thought about it like that.
"I may never get out of this camp but I will not let it turn me into something I'm not," Kal states...though there is a certain weariness that becomes apparent when he says that. Five years in this place. It breaks most people so it's no surprise it has at least taken a toll on him.
Jyn sits pensive. Her whole aim is to get out of this place. No matter what. Still he did look after her so the very least she can offer is a, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Kal says, standing up straight. "Now that your fever has broken I don't think you need me mothering you any longer."
Jyn nods...and then a blurry memory flashes into her mind of her speaking in fevered rantings. "Did I say anything while I was delirious?"
"Nothing that made any sense," Kal replies, choosing not to reveal what she actually said. "I think you thought I was a giant walking vegetable at one point," he jokes.
"Nah. Can't see myself doing that. After all I like vegetables," Jyn jokes back.
"Again, hurts right here," Kal pouts, tapping his fist above his heart. It had become a regular joke between them, the mock insults.
Jyn bursts out in a laugh at a joke Kuala just told. She was a female Amaran with a wicked sense of humour. She had been sent here for trading in illegal wildlife. Amarans are traders in all sort of exotic creatures. She was also part of the circle of friends around Kal, Jyn had found herself pulled into.
Jyn had tried not to admit it but she really found the little gatherings at mealtimes really quite enjoyable. She tried not to admit it because getting close to anyone is something she no longer does and besides this is all just part of the plan. Her plan to figure out an escape and she was getting closer to it.
In any prison there are people and networks that smuggle what one would call contraband in. Well if those networks can smuggle things in Jyn reckons she can use them to smuggle herself out. Either she gets aboard one of the ships that takes the ore they mine off world or gets herself to the nearest settlement and finds a transport off-world there.
She just hadn't worked out the full details yet of how she gets out her cell and then outside the prison walls. The Empire was many things. Cruel and inhuman but stupid it was not. They know how to keep people they want in jail, in jail.
That's why she was 'pretending' to befriend these people. They knew the systems of the prison that would get her out. That's what she keeps telling herself.
Jyn's eyes flicker to Kal, equally laughing at Kuala's joke. She did feel genuine gratitude that he took care of her when she was ill...and she likes the way his blue eyes light up when he's laughing. It's like for a moment the weight in them he usually carries disappears.
Of course after 5 years in this place it's amazing that there is any light left in them at all.
"You're too kriffing tall," Jyn complains as they march back to their cells after dinner. She means he is. She has to strain her neck just to look into his face.
"Ok that's a random insult," Kal comments. "And I'm not that tall. As I told a friend of mine once it's not my fault you're related to pixies."
"What the hell is a pixie?"
"A mythical creature from my world described in stories. Supernatural beings noted for one thing amongst many."
"That being?"
"That they're tiny...just like you," Kal jokily bumps into her as he says it. She's like 5-foot nothing...just like Chlo...no, stop right there. Too painful a memory.
Jyn snorts. "And let me guess cute and harmless too?"
"Well they appear to be so but they're supernatural so appearances can be deceiving. In reality they can be very dangerous...so I'm thinking my description is quite fitting."
Jyn glares at him out the corner of her eyes.
"I may remind you, you are a dangerous criminal. That's why the Empire locked you away."
"You're locked in here with me," she reminds him.
"Yeah but I'm here through lousy luck and rotten timing."
In fact Jyn still didn't know why he was here. He has never said what 'crimes' he committed against the Empire. Perhaps he never really committed any. Like he said. Wrong place, wrong time. It's not like the Empire needs an excuse to reduce you to slavery. They reach the point they have to part ways. "You are right about one thing."
"Hmm?"
"I am dangerous...in ways I'll have to show you one day," she says with an almost sultry tone.
Kal looks suddenly uncomfortable and mumbles a 'good night' as he leaves.
Jyn puzzles over that reaction as she takes slow steps towards her cell. Wait, was she...did she just flirt with him? Oh no, no, no. Nope. By the Force she most certainly did not. No connections. No attachments. Just herself only looking after herself. She shakes her head and tries to forget. No matter how nice and kind Kal appears to be Jyn knows how it ends. How it always ends. They all leave her in the end.
The next morning Jyn is sitting on the edge of her bed, waiting for the guard to come open her cell and be marched off to work. She takes a moment, as she often does, to gaze at her crystal necklace. She briefly wonders what her mother would think of the situation Jyn has found herself in.
The door to the cell slides open, breaking her thought. Jyn quickly shoves the crystal back under her top. She is surprised when a Stormtrooper enters her cell. They usually just bark orders from outside.
"Stand," the trooper orders.
Jyn does so. Her heart fluttering in worry about what this is about. It's so unusual to generate concern. The trooper marches right up to her. Jyn gazes directly in the eyes of the helmet in a gesture of defiance.
"Word of advice Halik," the trooper says. "Keep a close eye on that friend of yours; Kal."
Jyn's brow furrows slightly.
"Lets just say the Commandant is most displeased at having this place's hard won reputation ruined."
It takes Jyn a moment. "This is about Kal having been here for 5 years isn't it."
"Lets just say there is meant to be a guaranteed empty seat on the transport tonight," the trooper says.
They're going to kill him. They're going to engineer something so he doesn't survive the day. That's what Jyn thinks the trooper means.
"I've done all I can," the trooper says, almost sounding regretful. He steps back outside the cell. "Halik! Move!" he shouts out.
Jyn marches out, a knot in her stomach. This is going to be a long day.
On the transport Jyn keep glancing at Kal while she replays what the trooper said over and over in her head.
Why did the trooper tell her? Why didn't he tell Kal? He's the one under threat. Unless Kal knows and just doesn't care?
Is that it?
Did the trooper think Kal was basically going to let it happen? Or didn't take it seriously enough?
She should probably stop stealing looks at him. He's bound to notice. Those eyes of his...those so very expressive eyes seem to see so much more than they should.
Jyn may put herself first but she is finding she just can't stand by and let Kal die. For the times he has saved her life, she owes him at least one back. The question is how are the Imperials planning to do away with him. Now that knowledge would have been useful but her seemingly friendly trooper didn't, couldn't or wouldn't tell her more.
Just then the turbo tank grinds to a sudden halt. Jyn looks suspicious.
"What now?" one of the 2 Stormtrooper guards asks the other as he stands up.
"I don't know. Must be another pick-up," the other says, clearly completely uninterested.
"I thought we had everyone," the 1st one says.
Jyn's suspicious grows when there is a small thud on the closed rear ramp.
3 seconds later the door explodes inward, forcing everyone to cover their heads from the debris. Blaster fire quickly follows killing the 2 troopers.
Jyn's senses go into hyperdrive. Her training with Saw kicks in as 3 Rebel soldiers enter the tank.
"All clear sir," one of them says.
"Halik. Liana Halik!" one assumes is the commander calls out until he comes to a stop in front of Jyn.
Jyn looks up, hiding how ready she is to react.
"You want to get out of here?"
Jyn nods. This was her chance. The man unlocks her binders.
"Hey!" a human male prisoner yells. "What about me?"
The commander looks at him. This is Jyn's moment. She shoots up to her feet kicking the guy in the chest. She storms forward and right hooks the 1st soldier. She grabs a shovel where they are stored to her left. She swings it back first hitting the commander and knocking him to the floor. Without a moment's hesitation she strikes the 2nd soldier.
On pure adrenaline and instinct she then makes a break for it, running past Kal without a thought. She makes a leap for the exit...only to be caught in mid-air by some sort of Imperial droid...which throws her to the ground hard enough to knock the air out of lungs. As she is gasping to regain her breath the droid speaks. "Congratulations. You are being rescued. Please do not resist."
Jyn glares at it.
"Someone help her up," a new voice says, sounding a little weary.
Two more soldiers yank her to her feet and Jyn finds herself looking at a man with brown hair and eyes, light skin with a light beard. "I'm Alliance Captain Cassian Andor," he introduces himself.
"I hope that's not infectious. I just got over a rather nasty bug," Jyn says with her usual snarky defiance.
Cassian can tell instantly this one is going to be trouble. "If needed we can just sedate you but you are coming with us," he tells her in no uncertain terms. "I hope that option won't be necessary."
Jyn searches his face and his eyes trying to figure him out. What would the Alliance want with her? She finds herself looking back at the tank as the soldiers she decked make their way out, groaning in pain. She spots Kal, his penetrating eyes looking at her...with sadness and hope she thinks. Jyn suddenly remembers her vow to save him and makes an impulsive choice. "He comes with us," she says, pointing at Kal.
"No," Cassian refuses.
Jyn meets Cassian's eyes with her own. "Those are my terms. He comes with us, I offer no resistance."
Cassian's eyes narrow.
Jyn's voice quietens. "They've marked him for death," she whispers. "Isn't your Alliance suppose to be saving us?"
Cassian knows he's going to get into trouble for this. "Bring him," he agrees. The others hesitate. "That was an order," he says sternly.
Next thing Kal knows is having his binders unlocked and escorted off the transport. He can barely hide his surprise at this turn of events. As he is brought to stand next to Jyn his eyes asks the unspoken question of why?
It's not a question Jyn can give an answer to right now.
Cassian nods his head at his men and they lead the 2 away.
Kal just has to say the one thing that springs to mind. "I have a bad feeling about this."
Author's Note: This is, in fact, not the only Star Wars/Superman story I started and then stopped and I'll probably put that up soon. What can I say? Awhile back I was on a Star Wars kick...and then the Last Jedi came out. Sigh. There goes my childhood. Thanks to everyone who has previously written reviews.