ARCHIVED TWHLAY I:XX
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The Way He Looks at You Series
Act I: The Way He Looks at You
Chapter 20: The Way He Fights for You
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Story Master List: The Way He Looks at You Series
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You feel as the cruiser descends onto the planet below, there is a collective sigh of relief amongst the squadrons. Just as everyone relaxes, the ship jolts sideways accompanied by a loud boom. You grit your teeth against the force of the attack as yelling and alarms fill the air. The more experienced crew bark orders to those beneath them and run towards various stations on the large craft.
Unwilling to risk being spotted or thrown around the massive ship, you and the other fighters stay strapped into your seats. The ship picks up speed and begins traveling forward again, there are more explosions and you assume the Empire is giving chase. You really wish that you could see out a window, your instinct is to help by creating an escape plan, but you aren’t the pilot of this ship.
The sound of the cruiser firing back rings out and you hope the shields will hold off a majority of the damage. Then you hear the specific sounds of missiles being launched and dread seeps through you. It means that they likely disabled the shields on one side of the ship; something you aren’t keen on doing unless you are sure of the location of those firing back. There’s no way that those in charge would know where all the enemy fighters are located, this was a surprise attack, it’s risky.
The battle continues and the cruiser races forward not yet taking any significant damage. Then your worst fears come true when a much louder explosion comes from the belly of the ship. The lights flicker and the craft groans loudly, your stomach drops in fear. Screams ring out and you hang on tight to your belongings: the bag and the blaster.
Free fall starts and it’s always one of the worst feelings. Your insides all collectively move upwards and your eyes water at the sensation. Bracing for impact you clench your teeth tight and bow your head forward. You close your eyes to protect as much as possible against flying debris when the ship hits the ground.
The horrible feeling of falling goes on longer than you would like but finally stops as an enormous shock wave rattles your bones. The sound of the ship groaning continues and your eyes open and take in the surroundings, you need to get off this ship before it collapses further; you don’t want to be crushed. Springing into action you release the restraints securing you to the wall.
The woman next to you is alive but can’t get the restraints off, you quickly help free her and she thanks you before running towards a makeshift exit that some of the other Rebels found. You throw your bag over your shoulder and follow the crowd out the hole.
Outside isn’t much better odds than being inside a collapsing ship. Dust and smoke has already filled the air making it difficult to see much of anything. There are already a few dead bodies on the ground and red blasts hurtle towards you, cutting through the thick air. You drop as fast as you can to your hands and knees and crawl quickly to the left. Trying desperately to get cover, which you find behind a hunk of metal that fell off the destroyed ship.
Looking up at the cruiser you see the angle it’s sitting at. It’s not great and the sounds it's making is concerning, you’re worried it’s going to fall over onto you and the others taking cover nearby. You can’t get further away while under fire.
The smoke in the air suddenly reflects blue light and you turn to see Theo providing cover so that others can escape the bottleneck and exit the ship. You’d never seen him in battle and it takes your breath away to watch him protect others. He easily counters the blasts, causing them to ricochet back at the unseen enemies, the gunfire subsides significantly.
Despite being momentarily enthralled with the man you’ve loved so dearly, you know you can’t stay. Ripping your eyes away from Theo, you stand into a low crouch and run further from the ship, trying desperately to get away from the danger.
You continue to crouch-run from cover to cover, at first mostly pieces of the ship, then slowly supply crates. Not bothering to fire back with the blaster in your hands; you do not know what you’re doing out here and you really don’t want to die. The sounds of battle lessen the further away you travel.
As you get far enough away from the crash, the air has mostly cleared and you can see your surroundings. The Rebellion had been driven here, right to the doorstep of an Imperial Base. They knew you were coming, and they knew Theo would be on that ship, they intended to kill him.
Your heart aches as you realize the gravity of the situation. On the one hand, you could sneak your way through the base, and find a ship to make your way back to Cal. But knowing that Theo is walking into his own end keeps you from running. If you are pregnant with his child, letting him die would destroy you.
Then an idea hits, the Fifth Brother is the one running this attack, as gross as it is, he has shown an interest in you, you could distract him. It could be enough to give Theo and the Rebels a chance. Another impulsive decision, but you won’t turn you back entirely on the Rebellion.
The thought makes your skin crawl but it would allow you to achieve both goals. Theo would be safe and you would have a way back to Cal, surely Fifth would return you. Even if he didn’t, there’s no way he could hide you from Cal for long. You try not to think about what being held prisoner by Fifth would mean for you.
You peak around behind some supply crates and see a side entrance being guarded by a couple stormtroopers. It’s not ideal, but you can probably get past them, there’s only two.
Glancing around to ensure no one is looking, you strip off the borrowed clothing. You pull your items out of the Rebellion bag then stuff the incriminating clothes in between a couple of crates.
You pull on the dress and quickly tie it behind your neck. Next you place the leather satchel around your body, then wrapping the cloak around your shoulders and clasping it at your throat. As you do, you remember the first time Cal dressed you in that alley. The way his fingers brushed along your skin as he secured it on your body. He always made you feel like the center of the galaxy when you were alone, you craved him.
You could abandon Theo, go straight for Cal, damn be anything that kept you apart from him. But something tugs you towards Theo still, maybe it’s because he is a good man regardless of your feelings for Cal. It’s the goodness in you that makes you care, but it feels like something else too. It’s not love, you’re sure. Because you know you love Cal, and your feelings about Theo aren’t remotely similar.
Sighing, you glance around the crates again; you have a blaster, but no training. Maybe you could shoot one stormtrooper, but your ability to fire off another accurate shot before the second one started firing is slim. You are no soldier, but you have some power here, your status with Cal gives you power.
As with the other discarded items, you hide the blaster. Standing to your full height, trying to give off the aura of someone who would be with an Inquisitor, you aren’t lying, but you still need them to believe you.
The cloak makes you feel powerful, belonging to Cal adds to that. You raise your chin and stride out from behind the crates with as much confidence as you can muster. The stormtroopers point their weapons at you the moment you come around the corner.
“Hey! You can’t be here!” One of them yells.
You try to ignore the blasters that are trained on you, “I most definitely belong here.”
“Stop walking or we’ll shoot!” The other says.
You stop walking and roll your eyes dramatically, trying to appear more impressive than you feel. “Is that anyway to treat the property of the Thirteenth Brother?” You ask.
They don’t lower their weapons but they turn their heads to look at one another and speak more quietly. “Do you know anything about this?” The left one asks the other.
“No, the only Inquisitor stationed here is Fifth Brother.” The one on the right says back.
You cut in, “I’m aware, I was on that ship that just fell out of the sky. The Rebellion kidnapped me from Thirteenth Brother. I’m just trying to get back.”
They are both looking at you and seem a little more unsure about how to proceed, both their weapons no longer aimed properly. You take that as an invitation and move forward, they quickly raise their blasters but slower than before.
“We can’t just let you pass.” The one on the right says timidly. “If you’re lying…”
“Of course!” You purr, “I’m sure the wrath of Fifth would be quite terrible if you misjudge this situation. I could use an escort, take me to him then.”
“Well, we can’t leave this post,” comes another half hearted response.
You click your tongue, “Then I suppose we are in quite the predicament. I can’t pass and you won’t escort me. I’m sure that Thirteenth Brother would like to know of your determination to follow orders, even at his expense.”
If you didn’t hate the Empire so much, you might actually feel bad for threatening them with such an impossible decision. But you couldn't care less about their lives when Theo’s is at stake, and they are actively preventing you from getting to Cal. It’s easy to tell they are trying to convince themselves to help you as they speak to one another.
“It might get us promoted if we take some initiative.” One says.
“We keep getting overlooked, this could make us stand out. Plus, this post gets no action, no one is even going to come through here.” The other replies.
You help them along, “I will let the Thirteenth Brother know how very helpful you two were. I am quite valuable to him.”
That was all the motivation they needed, they lower their blasters and stand aside so that you may walk between them as they escort you through the base.
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I am walking up to the rear of the base when I hear the roar of a large cruiser that is flying much too fast and low to the ground. I look up and watch as a Quasar comes into view being herded by a large group of TIE Fighters and a Victory Star Destroyer behind it. Watching in horror as an anti-air fires at the belly of the ship. They weren’t shielding in the front in order to fire their missiles and the blast takes out a sizeable chunk of the underside of the vessel.
I am frozen in place as the ship crash lands behind the base. The moment it is out of view I run forward, the stormtroopers at the back entrance see me approach and move to get out of my way. The quickest way to her will be through the base so I charge ahead.
I can still feel her, she’s alive, but they are likely under fire, some idiot stormtrooper could kill her. The thought is more than I can bear and it feels as though I am running out of time. I haven’t felt so much fear since before my status as an Inquisitor. As if all the power I now hold means nothing when I could lose her in the flash of an eye.
I’m running through hallway after hallway, most are empty because of the battle which makes my job easier. I can sense that Fifth is somewhere in the base, I’m surprised that he isn’t waiting for the Jedi, perhaps he intends to let the Jedi come to him. It isn’t my concern, nothing else matters at this moment.
I continue moving as quickly as I can; I know I am close as the hallway in front of me is full with smoke. There is a blue glow growing closer, blocking my path and I know exactly who is approaching.
The Jedi, he has been nothing but a thorn in my side these past few days. How I would love to dispose of him, but being locked in battle is too great a risk. It’s cowardly, but hiding may be the best option. I turn to go back down the hall, intending to wait for him to pass.
“Cal Kestis! I thought I sensed you.” The Jedi yells out.
Turning back I still can’t see him, but of course he’d be on high alert, using the Force to feel out his enemies. I can’t get stuck here, I need to get to her before it’s too late. At this moment, I must play the part and pretend this is what I wanted.
“I was hoping you’d be here, you’ve taken something from me and I’d like her back.” I snarl as the Jedi comes into view. Quickly activating one end of my lightsaber, pointing the red glow out and towards the floor.
“I’m afraid I can’t help you with that, but I’ll let you know that she’s quite safe.” Theo responds, a victorious smile on his face.
“Safe?” I yell back incredulous. “What part of bringing to this battle was safe?”
Theo spins his lightsaber once to the side, before brandishing it in front of him, preparing to duel. “I didn’t bring her here, that would be stupid.” He grins, “I’m quite glad to run into you, you’re a threat to her, a threat I intend to eliminate.”
“Oh, but she is here, don’t you feel her?” I don’t yet raise my lightsaber, hoping to throw the Jedi off so that I can attack more easily.
Theo stiffens, contemplating my words, I see the moment his guard is down, as he reaches out with the Force to confirm if I know something he doesn’t. I race forward and as I near; I swing the blade across my body to grab it in both hands. In one motion I grasp the hilt and raise it while rotating the blade downwards to strike out at Theo.
He blocks the first attack easily but as I slam downwards, the second blade activates and I rotate my body to the right to attack again quickly with the newly available blade.
Theo wasn’t expecting it and cannot retaliate while I follow the motion spinning towards the right. As I turn my back, I release the two blades from one another and throw the left lightsaber a couple inches from my hand to adjust my hold on the hilt. I then swing both blades in parallel arcs but Theo had already braced for the impact, blocking both my swings.
I am suddenly knocked backwards a few feet as I see his left hand extend with his palm out. The frustration pushes me forward and I begin overhand swinging each blade down in quick succession, trying to find an opening in the Jedi’s parries. He blocks each swing with ease and jumps backwards when I try to change my attack style again.
“I’ve never seen a lightsaber do that before, perhaps I’ll keep it after this is over. If my child ends up being force sensitive, they’ll need a lightsaber of their own. It’s fitting for it to have belonged to the man who wanted them dead.” Theo taunts while back in his defensive position.
Rage fuels me and I charge forward and begin swinging from the center of my body outwards, trying to push aside his single blade far enough to have an opening for my other lightsaber. He blocks repeatedly with his blade pointed downwards, preventing much movement despite the power of my attacks.
I can feel myself tiring of the repeated strikes and the Jedi seems to notice. There is a moment where I do not strike as quickly as I had before and Theo flips his blade swinging it at my neck from the right. I do not have enough time to raise my blades to block the incoming attack. So I am forced to roll out of the way and try to stand as quickly as I can.
“She is going to die in that collapsing carrier if we stand here any longer.” I yell, feeling frantic.
The Jedi seem effective in his defense, clearly waiting for openings before attacking. He cannot trap me in this battle when so much is at stake. Under any other circumstances I would quite enjoy taking my time in killing him, but the additional stress is causing me to move too forcefully and tire quickly.
“She isn’t here, Cal.” Theo says, though his confidence falters and he continues to speak. “Anyone alive made it out.”
I feel out for her toward the ship, but the Jedi is right, no one is alive in that direction. I get the distinct feeling that she is still alive. She must have left the area, she would know the move far away.
I am sure she wanted help, that’s why she sent us the coordinates. She must be trying to find another way in, to return to me. I am wasting my time with Theo, I will kill him soon but yet.
I turn and run as quickly as I can in the other direction, deactivating my lightsabers as I move. I take a right turn down the nearest hallway trying to scan the perimeter for any sign of her presence. I hear Theo yelling after me but he does not pursue; he is Fifth’s problem after all.
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The stormtroopers lead you to the center of the base, and they glance at one another before pulling open the doors to bring you into the large room. You see Fifth Brother look up in a sneer, the moment he sees you his expression changes. A genuine look of surprise comes over his face and he strides towards you.
“So you’re taking my offer I see?” He says, stopping in front of you. “I’m touched.” His eyes slide from your face down the expanse of skin between your breasts, you grimace in response.
The trooper to your right speaks up, “She showed up on the west maintenance entrance, claims she was on the Rebel ship that just went down, says they kidnapped her.”
Fifth dismisses the troopers, “I assume you wouldn’t have left the post unguarded with Rebels at our door.”
The stormtroopers hesitate, and Fifth gestures for them to leave. They quickly exit the room, leaving you alone with the Fifth Brother.
“Kidnapped? How interesting.” He says calmly, but he doesn’t look convinced.
“I’m just trying to get back to the Thirteenth Brother, where I belong.” You say, trying to keep the confidence that you had earlier. But Fifth is much smarter than a couple of stormtroopers, and the act is hard to maintain.
“Tell me, what would the Rebellion want with you?” Fifth asks.
You hesitate, suddenly at a loss for words. Fifth stares at you with a smirk on his face watching several fearful expressions float across your features. You realize this may have been a terrible idea. Originally you thought you could keep Theo safe and get back to Cal in one plan, but now you aren’t sure that you will make it back to Cal.
“Having trouble coming up with a reason?” Fifth says as he saunters towards you.
He places a finger under your chin, forcing you to look at him, “Is it because you’re one of them? Is that where Thirteenth found you?” He shows his teeth and it feels more like a threat than a smile.
“You must have so many secrets in that pretty little head of yours. I’m sure they are all very useful, you probably know the whereabouts of a few Jedi as well?” He continues to torment you with words.
Panic overtakes you, and your body trembles. Your mouth becomes dry and you struggle to find words to save you from this predicament. You realize you may never be free again, they will steal every piece of information from you and then you’ll likely die.
The door slams open and Theo charges inside, his blue lightsaber already drawn. Fifth springs into action, grabbing you and using your body as a shield, his lightsaber activated and humming near your throat.
“No!” Theo yells, “I thought he was lying! Why are you here?”
Conflicting emotions fill you, horror at being used as a shield, and knowing you failed to keep Fifth from Theo. But your mind still finds space for excitement at Theo’s words. Cal knows you are here, you’ll see him again.
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Next Chapter: The Way He Reunites with You
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