"The main cruiser's still keeping beyond range. But their medical frigate is out of fuel and its shields are down" Hux heard as he stared at the blue image of the rebel ships. Another of their ships had fallen behind and drifted into the range of their flagship. His mouth pulled into a grin.
"The beginning of their end" he rubbed his chin in satisfaction as he felt another badge of glory about to be pinned to his uniform. When he opened his mouth, something sparkled in his eyes. "Destroy it"
Amilyn Holdo stood petrified on the bridge as the commander of the medical ship suddenly appeared before her eyes as a blue hologram. He didn't speak for a moment, but it was not needed. Amilyn looked out of the window and saw Snoke's ship open fire. The rebel ship burst into pieces with a huge explosion. The commander was surrounded by a devastating flame, but he ignored it. He unhooked the last ship before the dashboard was discharged.
"The last of our crew has been evacuated and heading your way" he shouted as he pulled back on the arm of the airlock. Then, for a brief moment, his gaze found hers. "It's been an honor, Admiral"
Amilyn felt like she's been kicked in the chest, but she held her ground. She held her posture, held her breath and held back the tears in her eyes.
"Godspeed, Rebels!" the man shouted, before the explosion ended the call. From the window, they watched as the ship fell apart in a glowing cloud, and when the flames died down, all that was left were drifting, dark pieces of iron.
The silence of death fell upon them.
The ground disappeared from under Amilyn's feet. They were alone in the infinite space, as she was alone on the bridge of the Raddus. Their wounded were dying. As they all die. One by one. In a few hours they will all be dead too. They will be nothing more than bloodless bodies floating in space until they are also torn apart by the vacuum.
Her mind seemed to freeze. It was hard to breathe. That was it. It's over. They had to stop. If they stop now, maybe some of them will survive. She's gonna give herself up and... They have to...
She inhaled sharply. Shock ran through her like a cold bolt of lightning.
It was... not her idea. Not her voice.
She shivered. What was happening to her?
"Admiral," she heard Connix's voice muffled. „…fuel reserves at four rotations"
That was all the girl said. Silence followed. All eyes were on the admiral. The admiral, to tell them how they would escape. How they would not meet the fate of the medical ship. Or the Ninka. They wanted hope. But Holdo saw nothing else when she looked over them but corpses. She felt even she was no longer alive. Holdo swallowed, afraid she couldn't speak.
"Maintain our current course" she said hoarsely. "Steady on"
Destination?
"What did you ask?" asked Holdo, surprised. The girl blinked, puzzled.
"I didn't ask anything, Vice Admiral"
Holdo furrowed her brows. She looked around. From in front of the computers, her people were looking back at her questioningly. She nodded, then hurried out of the room. The choking feeling in her chest grew. Her temples were about to split again.
Poe watched the medical ship explode from the canteen window. His blood ran cold. Then jumped up in anger. He could no longer sit still and wait. Waiting to see if they would do anything at all. Ridiculous!
"Finn, Rose, where are you guys?" he ruffled his hair nervously. They were running out of time.
He made his way towards the bridge with quick steps. As soon as he saw the nearing figure of Holdo, his heart started to pump even faster. It was her fault. Because of her, they lost another ship and another crew. She was the one, who made them sit on their asses instead of doing something. Anything.
"Why the hell aren't you doing anything?" he shouted at her, and she flinched. The last thing Amilyn needed now was someone to hold her accountable. With a graceful step, she dodged him. Then he suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her back. Amilyn stared at him in surprise.
"Tell us what the next step is, Admiral" Poe said, straight to her face.
"Let go of me" Holdo said in an ominously calm voice and tried to free her arm. She only succeeded in making Dameron hold her tighter.
"Tell us what the next step is" Poe repeated slowly.
Where is the Raddus going?
Amilyn inhaled sharply. At the last words, the commander's mouth did not move. It was not his voice. She looked around. There was no one else in the corridor. Her vision suddenly blurred.
"Listen to me" he shook her and the admiral turned back.
Whose voice was that?
She had a very bad feeling. A sharp, cold pain pulsed in her head. Her thoughts were jumbled. Amilyn was a rational person. She believed in many things, but there were some things she couldn't. Mostly she trusted what science and experience dictated. But even she was sure that if an unfamiliar ghostly voice asked the second time where their ship was going, she was dead certain that she shouldn't answer.
"I'm asking you one last time to let me go. Or someone will help you do it" she said darkly. Poe let go of her and spread his arms.
"Is that your answer? Is that all you have to say to your crew who are heading for death?"
What's the next step?
She touched her head, but quickly pretended to use the motion to stroke her hair. The captain didn't seem to care. His eyes glowed with anger. Amilyn's pulse was racing. She wanted to answer. Something forced her to answer. Her lips seemed to open automatically, but closed it at the very last moment. She quickly closed her eyes and swallowed. She was sweating.
"If General Organa were here now, this wouldn't be happening" The words felt like a slap across Amilyn's face. Her eyes shot open.
"Excuse me?"
"Our only hope is that Leia comes to her senses, because if it's up to you, we're all dead. You don't seem the least bit interested in our fate, Admiral. You look like you've already decided to die anyway. Do whatever you want, I don'd care, but you have to know that there are other people on this damn ship with plans, families and lovers-"
This time, it was a real slap in the face. Poe groaned in pain as Holdo's hand left a red mark on his cheek. She leaned so close Poe could feel her breath on his skin as she spoke. Her voice trembled with repressed anger.
"A few rotations ago, a transport ship was blown up in the sector next to us" she almost whispered. "We had thirteen people on board. Sad about that?" she asked. Poe looked at her, stunned, then nodded. Amilyn smiled. "Of course you say that. But you cannot feel it. But the moment you bond with them... that moment, Captain, it changes"
"I'd rather feel it than become as cold as you are" slipped out of Poe's mouth, and Holdo's hand swung again. She held it back at the last moment.
"Don't you ever use that tone of voice with me again" she was shaking with anger. "You know just as much about Raddus' operations as your position requires. You have yourself to thank for being where you are, and you don't serve me a moment's notice for wanting to change that! Look around," she leaned in close. "Look at the others! They are afraid, just like you. But they can follow orders. Take a lead and let me do my job.Flyboy"
"And what's the order, Vice Admiral?" retorted Poe to her face. Amilyn's face tightened. They stared at each other for a moment, then she pulled away and continued on her way.
"Don't turn your back to me" Dameron shouted after her. "This ship is about to be blown to atoms! What the bloody hell are your orders?" he snapped, but all he could see was her back as she walked away.