Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter eight of "Not So Far." This chapter features the first action sequence in the form of the Resistance and First Order fighting each other. I am glad to have gotten to this point. It has been a while in coming, but it was well worth the wait. The chapter introduces FN-2187 as well. It has dialogue from The Force Awakens. Stay tuned for chapter nine.
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Chapter 8: Descent/Village Attack/Captured
Four transport ships carrying dozens of stormtroopers flew from the Finalizer thirty minutes later. They descended on Plint as if they were scoping out a piece of territory for themselves. Vari's shuttle followed them close behind. The shuttle happened to be rather large. Its wings were spread out in a diagonal position. The center was slightly longer than the Resistance transport ship was.
FN-2187 looked around the interior of the first ship. He was the seventh stormtrooper in the second of three rows containing eight of his comrades in each one. He held his blaster steady. He took three deep breaths and looked over at FN-2003, who was in the fourth row. His friend moved his head from side to side to stretch his neck. He eyed him carefully.
"You nervous about this mission?" FN-2003 wondered.
"Not really," FN-2187 admitted and cleared his throat. "You?"
"A little bit," FN-2003 responded and emitted a heavy sigh. "I hope I do not mess up this time."
"I don't either, but Captain Phasma gets irritated because you do it so much," FN-2187 said, shaking his head in disbelief. "She and several other stormtroopers nicknamed you Slip because of it."
FN-2003 snorted. "It suits me well."
"Maybe you should slip on a banana peel while we are visiting a cantina sometime. I would love to see you fly," FN-2187 joked with a snicker.
"Ha, ha, ha, ha. Very funny," FN-2003 retorted in sarcasm.
"Nice use of sarcasm," FN-2187 said, a soft chuckle leaving his mouth. "Do you think we will be successful in capturing a few Resistance workers, so Commander Vari can get information on Luke Skywalker's whereabouts?"
"I have no idea," FN-2003 whispered. "I do know one thing. Vari may be calm and collected most of the time, but she does have a bit of a temper." He huffed softly. "Never say she is harmless because of her gender."
"Unfortunately, many people have assumed she is harmless. She shows she isn't by some method. She prefers Force-choking," FN-2187 said, shuddering in fear.
"I do not want to end up on the end of a Force choke," FN-2003 said.
FN-2187 nodded in agreement. "Me neither."
A clearing throat sounded. FN-2187 and FN-2003 looked toward FN-9909, who was the first stormtrooper in the first row and happened to be the leader of the group. He glanced over his shoulder at them.
"You two better stop talking if you know what is good for you," FN-9909 commanded sharply.
"Sorry, sir," FN-2187 said with a nervous chuckle.
"We just got bored," FN-2003 added.
"I do not give a shit if you are bored. You need to stop talking," FN-9909 responded in much irritation.
"Of course," FN-2187 said and looked away. "You are such a spoilsport."
"I heard that!" FN-9909 blurted out.
FN-2187 shook his head in disbelief before lowering his blaster. He wished his leader wouldn't get on his case for talking to his friends. He preferred speaking to being silent. He looked ahead.
00000
Poe sat across from forty-five-year-old Remy Daru in her hut located near the edge of Tovi twenty minutes later. They listened to the laughter of children and talking of adults. He looked around the small hut. It was decorated with the bones of various animals, including birds and deer. The floor was covered in a large square-shaped rug. A small bed was off to the side.
Remy slipped a lock of hair behind her ear. She was human and was rather tall for a woman. Her skin was somewhat dark. Her eyes were light brown. Her long black hair happened to be straight. It was braided down her back. Her face had wrinkles here and there. Screaming caught her and Poe's attention. They observed a Twi'lek boy and an Ewok girl running past the entrance. They looked at each other.
"It's nice to hear children laughing and to see them playing," Remy said in much warmth.
"It sure is. They need joy in such a hard time," Poe commented, seriousness lining his voice. "Who knows how long it will be before the next rains come?"
"We have no idea when it will be, but we hope it will be very soon," Remy said uncertainly.
Poe sighed heavily. "It could be months or even years."
Remy nodded in agreement. "I know, but thank the Force you and your friends brought food and water to us. We really appreciate it."
Poe ran his hand over his hair twice. He cupped his chin in it and tapped his finger against his cheek.
"The General hopes to see you in the near future, Remy," Poe said, laying his hand in his lap.
"I do too. To me, she is royalty," Remy said, a small smile forming on her face.
"She is definitely that," Poe agreed and touched his temple in a very light manner. "She cried the day you decided to leave the Resistance and move out here."
"I wanted to get away from the fighting. It wasn't for me anymore," Remy said with a sniffle. "At least Leia wished me well."
Poe was about to say something when BB-8 came rolling into the hut. He and Remy glanced at him, their eyebrows raising.
"Trouble is coming!" BB-8 beeped in a frantic manner.
"Oh, no," Poe whispered, leaping to his feet.
Remy stood up. "Shit."
Poe and Remy ran out of the hut in which they skidded to a halt. BB-8 rolled up next to the former. Poe pulled out his visor and put it on his eyes. He spotted the transport ships heading rapidly toward the village. The villagers stopped what they were doing, as did the workers. They started to panic.
"The First Order has found us. You need to get out of here, Remy," Poe said as he took the visor off.
"So do you and your fellow comrades," Remy whispered.
Poe started running in another direction. "Paige, Rose!"
Paige and Rose raced to Poe as many village adults and Resistance workers grabbed their blasters and headed to various points to take aim. Children went into the huts to hide along with the remaining adults. The ships landed in which their engines roared in a loud way. Their ramps lowered with loud hisses. The stormtroopers ran down them in lines of two. They seemed to be parallel with each other.
The stormtroopers began firing their blasters almost immediately. Several villagers were hit before they could fire a single shot. A female Ewok aimed a blaster at a stormtrooper. She pulled the trigger, hitting him in the chest. Another one shot at her in which he hit her in the stomach. He fired again, striking her in the chest. She fell down on her back dead.
More villagers fell as they were hit by bolts. Their screams filled the air as they died. Several workers met a similar fate. Paige went into the center of the village. She spotted a stormtrooper racing for her. She took aim at him, firing two bolts. They hit him in the stomach and shoulder, knocking him down. She spotted another coming up behind her in the corner of her eye. She spun around, firing three shots at him. They hit him in the chest, causing him to fall on his back dead.
Poe saw a stormtrooper coming his way. He took aim at her, firing three shots. The bolts hit her in the arm and chest, and she fell down with a thud. He caught another one coming up behind him in the corner of his eye. He spun around, firing twice. The bolts struck his enemy in the head, causing him to flip forward. He smirked in a wide manner.
FN-2187 and FN-2003 ran through the village. They saw Rose shooting at three charging stormtroopers and hitting them. The latter took aim as she turned toward him. She fired her blaster twice while clenching her teeth. He was hit in the stomach and chest very hard. He fell on his side, a loud groan leaving his mouth as he touched his stomach. She sighed in relief before swallowing hard.
FN-2187 raced to his friend's side and turned him over on his back. He tried to help him up, but he couldn't. FN-2003 laid his hand on his helmet, smearing his blood on it. His breathing stopped, and his body ceased all movement. His arm fell to his side. FN-2187 looked up, his breathing hard and heavy. He listened to dying cries of the villagers and workers as they were hit with bolts. He rose to his full height and walked around, fearful shudders leaving his mouth. His heart beat very fast.
Rose fired two more shots, managing to hit two stormtroopers. Paige followed suit with three shots that struck three stormtroopers. The sisters came together and ducked as a stormtrooper fired at them, followed by another one. They shot at them, hitting them hard and knocking them on their backs. They could see villagers and workers falling down dead as they got hit. The remaining workers rushed to them, as did Poe and BB-8.
"There are way too many stormtroopers. We've got to get on the transport ship," Paige said frantically.
"You're right, Paige," Poe agreed. "Let's go!"
Poe began running out of the village. The others were right on his tail, especially BB-8. Four stormtroopers followed them close behind. The group reached the transport ship and boarded it. Poe got into the pilot's seat and pressed the start button, causing the engines to start. Their enemies fired at the thrusters and engines. Sparks erupted from them, and a fire started to burn. An alarm rang out.
"Damn it. The engines have been disabled," Poe said frustratingly.
"What do we do?" Rose cried.
Poe pressed a button. "We can at least take care of those troopers."
A gun lowered underneath the ship and fired at the stormtroopers. They were hit, falling on their sides with loud groans. Poe stood up and headed outside, as did the others. They panted heavily.
"I want all of you to run into the forest and head for Yalu," Poe ordered.
"What about you?" Rose asked.
"I will cover for your escape," Poe said and looked down at BB-8 when he bumped up against him. "I do not want to leave you, buddy, but you must go. You will be safe with the others."
"We don't want to leave without you, Poe," Rose whispered, tears coming to her eyes.
"Don't worry, Rose. I will be fine," Poe assured. "Go now. I will join you as soon as I can."
Though reluctant, Paige, Rose, BB-8, and the workers raced into the forest. Poe watched them until they were gone. He shifted his attention back to the village. He heard screaming and crying. Three flametroopers walked into the center with flamethrowers. They blew streams of flames from them, causing the huts to burn. The adults and children ran out of them. Remy walked along, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Stormtroopers grabbed villagers and pushed them toward the center. They ignored their screaming and crying, especially that of the children. FN-2187 swallowed hard while looking around and walking alongside FN-9909. The latter gestured for the former to stop. FN-2187 complied as his comrade ran off. The other stormtroopers managed to get every villager into the center. They surrounded them.
Poe was squatted down behind a large boulder. He looked up to see Vari's shuttle coming toward the ground. It landed with a loud roar of its engines. Its wings folded upward as if the tips were about to touch each other. The ramp lowered, a loud hiss coming from it. Vari came down it at a steady pace once it was on the ground.
Vari walked toward the group while running her tongue all over the inside of her mouth. She breathed somewhat deeply. Two stormtroopers dragged Remy away from the villagers. She stopped as they came to her. The stormtroopers released their hold on the elder and backed away. Vari tilted her head slightly. A smirk formed on her face.
"You don't look as young as you used to," Vari sneered.
"You don't sound nice anymore," Remy snapped defiantly.
"We got information that Resistance workers were helping deliver food and water to your people. Where are they now?" Vari demanded, flaring her nostrils.
"That's for me to know and you to find out," Remy responded with a sharp exhale.
"Getting mouthy, are you?" Vari asked, moving closer to her.
"I remember a time when you were kind and caring to others, despite your seething jealousy toward Ben Solo," Remy commented seriously. "You wanted his raw strength in the Force, but you could never have it."
"I have grown much stronger, thanks to the dark side," Vari said and began pacing. "You might as well give up where the rebels have gone to the First Order."
"The First Order rose from the dark side. You did not," Remy retorted and gritted her teeth.
"I will show you the dark side," Vari hissed.
"Ben had much darkness in him. He could never confide in his own family about it because he feared they would turn their backs on him. He thought he would be kicked out of the Jedi Academy as well. Despite this, he managed to resist falling into Snoke's clutches," Remy explained. "The darkness in you is far worse than it ever was in him."
"You are so right about that. I am proud of my darkness," Vari said, stopping before her. "All of us have a dark side. No matter how much anyone tries to suppress it, it will always be there."
"That may be true, but you will never be as powerful as Ben and Luke are," Remy said, turning her nose upward. "You will never be able to kill them. Moreover, Ben might as well be dead. No one has seen him since the temple disaster."
"Oh, I will find him," Vari said, stepping even closer to her. She removed her lightsaber from her belt. "I will find him. Before I do, I shall finish you off!"
Vari ignited her blade and grabbed the handle with her other hand. She lifted her lightsaber high above her head with a snarl so loud that it sent an echo through the village. She brought it downward in a swift stroke, slashing Remy across the chest. Remy fell on her stomach dead. Vari kicked dirt on her body before spitting on it.
Poe rose to his feet and aimed his blaster at the dark side adept. He clenched his teeth and fired a bolt. Vari turned toward him, holding out her hand and narrowing her eyes in deep concentration. The bolt froze in midair, as did he where he was. He tried to move, but he couldn't. Two stormtroopers went over to him and punched him in the stomach. This knocked the wind out of him and made him drop the blaster. She waved her hand, directing the bolt into a large boulder nearby.
The stormtroopers took hold of the pilot and dragged him toward Vari. He tried to pull away from them, but their grip was too strong. They forced him down on his knees once they reached her, causing him to groan in pain. Vari deactivated her lightsaber to put it on her belt. She squatted down to his eye level. A defiant expression formed on his face as she tilted her head somewhat.
"A lone fighter trying to get me with a blaster bolt," Vari leered with a smirk. "How foolish of you."
"Not as foolish as you attacking a drought-stricken village that had nothing to do with you," Poe snapped.
"The First Order will do as it pleases," Vari responded and emitted a loud snort. He groaned when the stormtroopers made him rise to his full height. She came to his eye level. "Maybe you would like to tell me where your friends are."
Poe shook his head. "That's for me to know and you to find out."
"I love it when people repeat others' words," Vari said, chuckling maliciously.
"You have a habit of doing that yourself as Luke has told others," Poe hissed through clenched teeth. "That is especially true when you strike them down with your lightsaber."
Vari scoffed. "That is right. Take him aboard."
The stormtroopers dragged Poe toward the ramp of the second ship while snickering under their breaths. Phasma walked up to Vari while holding her rifle. She made eye contact with her.
"Ma'am, the villagers?" Phasma asked.
"Kill them all with the exception of the children," Vari ordered firmly. "We will take them to be indoctrinated as stormtroopers."
Vari smiled evilly as Phasma went over to her troops. FN-2187 breathed heavily, sweat pouring down his face. Phasma emitted a soft growl, tightening her grip on her blaster.
"Raise your blasters!" Phasma ordered sharply. The stormtroopers did what they were told. They placed their fingers on the triggers of their blasters, including FN-2187. "Fire! Make sure you hit none of the children!"
The stormtroopers started to fire at the adults with the exception of FN-2187. Their horrified screams echoed through his mind. He emitted a scared whimper before lowering his blaster. Vari and Phasma did not hear the former, but they did notice him doing the latter. Poe looked over his shoulder as his captors dragged him up the ramp. He shuddered at the sound of crying children. He hoped his comrades got deep into the forest and would be able make it to Yalu.
Vari inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly as she walked away. She balled her hands into somewhat tight fists. She relished hearing the crying and screaming. She ran her tongue all over the inside of her mouth. She came to the edge of the village and stared at the damaged ship. She narrowed her eyes at it. Eight stormtroopers came to her side. They glanced at her.
"Destroy that thing now!" Vari ordered.
The stormtroopers pointed their blasters at the ship. They fired multiple bolts at it. It exploded in a huge ball of fire.
00000
Paige, Rose, BB-8, and their comrades raced through the forest. Their breathing came out in hard and fast pants. A distant boom sounded, catching the attention of the trio. The sisters and the droid stopped in their tracks and turned around. The others followed suit both ways. They saw the ball of fire through the trees. BB-8 rolled forward and moved his head from side to side twice. They could hear the screaming of the adults and the crying of children.
"I hope Poe wasn't in that explosion," BB-8 beeped worryingly.
"I hope so too, BB-8," Rose responded. "Unfortunately, we can't go back to find him right now. It is too dangerous."
"No denying that," Paige said as she and the other workers caught their breaths.
"It broke my heart having to leave the village," Rose muttered in much sadness.
"It broke mine too. We better go before Vari decides to send those stormtroopers after us," Paige said in much seriousness.
Rose swallowed hard. "You're right."
Paige jerked her head. "Let's go."
Paige, Rose, BB-8, and the workers resumed their trek through the forest. They picked up their pace somewhat. Paige and Rose glanced at each other, their breathing soft and steady.
"That was a great shot you made on that stormtrooper," Paige complimented.
"Thank you," Rose said and licked her lips. "You got a few of them yourself."
"Not enough," Paige growled in anger. "The way those stormtroopers attacked the villagers made my blood boil. We wanted to stay and protect the villagers, but there wasn't anywhere near enough of us to fight the stormtroopers off successfully."
"Believe me. I really wanted to argue with Poe when he ordered us to flee into the forest, but I restrained myself. I knew he would cover for our escape," Rose said, sniffling. "I hope it does not take us long to get to Yalu."
"We have several more miles to go. If we keep moving as quickly as we do, we should be there in a little while. Then we can board a shuttle to the Resistance base," Paige explained. "We may have to stop for a few minutes a time or two."
"It is never easy fleeing from the enemy, but you don't have a choice sometimes," Rose said with a heavy sigh.
"Poe has done many crazy things in the past. However, this was not crazy at all," Paige said honestly. "Covering for us while we escape was a very sound idea."
"It could have backfired if stormtroopers had noticed Poe explaining his plan to us," Rose pointed out.
"That is true. No plan is foolproof, not even the best ones," Paige murmured while rubbing her chin.
"You are so right, Paige," BB-8 said.
"I am always right," Paige said, chuckling to herself.
"You are not always right," Rose said, shaking her head fast.
"Yes, I am," Paige said with a snort.
"No," Rose commented and rolled her eyes.
"Yes," Paige responded.
The entire group started to go a little faster. It proceeded to break into quiet chatter as a frog hopped behind it. No one noticed it at all.