Chapter Twenty Four: Narudar Attacks

[ladyofleithian]

 In which Poe Dameron gets a first glimpse at the destruction that Narudar leaves behind.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

There was something about the destruction that, even heading over the city, was glorious.

The only thing that it was missing was a Basilisk war droid, actually, but this ship would do. It was good for raining destruction upon the city, the sort of destruction that, actually, was long overdue.

At the turrets, Narudar Ren, formerly Atin Ordo, manned the turrets, firing them at buildings and watching in fascination even as they crumbled to the ground so easily. And to think he had wasted his life like this so far working for the Hutts on Nar Shaddaa? When all this glory, all this splendor, was right in front of him?

It was a pleasure to watch the destruction.

It was even more of a pleasure knowing that the destruction had a purpose. They were reminding the galaxy too well of Althir, of Cathar, of the battles in the Mandalorian Wars that echoed throughout history and always would. Of what Death Watch had done during the Clone Wars.

He was finishing what Death Watch started long ago, and it was beautiful.

***

Black Squadron flew over a vision of hell.

It seemed as if things were already bad and getting worse in a hurry. There was fire spreading through the city, flames licking hungrily at city walls even as civilians made their way to the medical frigates that were already parked in the hangar bay.

Not that they always made it there either. Even seeing the buildings crumble under the weight of a blast, sometimes on top of fleeing civilians, it was enough to make Poe feel suddenly very sick.

“It doesn’t look good, Black Leader.” Jessika Pava spoke this time. “There’s...there’s not a single thing that isn’t on fire, actually. It’s all fire.”

“I know.” And Poe already felt sick even thinking about it. Seeing it, fire falling from the sky even as Narudar and his men shot at the civilians as if they were no more than womprats someone would shoot at in their T-16...

“Black Squadron,” Poe said, “We’ve got to cover any survivors while they get to the medical frigates. We have to give them a fighting chance.”

“Copy that, Black Leader.” Snap, this time.

“Lock S-foils in attack position. Stay in formation. We’re going in.”

Poe headed towards the ships just then, and began shooting. And even as the ships fell like shooting stars towards the ground, he could only assure himself he was doing the right thing in the end, that he was defending the city from further harm.

Yes. He was.

Narudar was at least diverted long enough to start shooting and firing at them, and dodging out of the way, Poe continued to shoot at him. A lucky hit, and Narudar’s ship headed towards the ground, smoking.

“Good shot, Black Leader!” Jess’s voice, this time. “You did it! You got him down!”

Poe nodded. “We’ve got him. But we better get to the ground and get everyone else to safety. Find any survivors. And,” he said, “Get Narudar into custody. He’s done enough damage.”

They headed towards the ground in that moment, and it seemed that there were countless people struggling to get to the frigates, struggling to get debris off them. Poe got out of the X-wing and ran towards them, BB-8 wheeling behind him, the rest of the team pulling them out of the wreckage. One of them was a young girl, probably eleven years old or so, blond hair in braids.

“Are you all right?” Poe said. “What’s your name, kiddo?”

“Teria.”

“I’m Poe Dameron. We’re here to rescue you.”

A laser shot down from the sky. Poe ducked, as did Teria. Behind him, Jess, who had barely gotten out of the way in time, was already helping the other civilians towards the hangar, and Snap was shooting at the ships. Probably to buy them some time, Poe thought.

“We have to get to the frigate,” Poe said. “Follow me.”

Teria nodded.

It was once everyone was on the frigate (along with Narudar, who was currently sedated) that Poe got back in his X-wing. “Right,” he said, “We’re going to cover them long enough to get to hyperspace.”

“Copy that, Black Leader,” said Jess.

They lifted off, shooting at the ships who were currently firing at the frigates. They fell, like stars fallen out of the sky.

“Good shooting, Snap!” Jess, this time, over the headset.

“No problem,” Snap said. “I think I got enough of them. Enough to get to hyperspace.”

“We all did. Good shooting, everyone,” Poe said. “Meet you back at Coruscant.”

They shot off into hyperspace with the rest of the frigates, and hopefully, Poe thought, home.