Chapter Twenty-Five: Puzzles and Pieces

[ladyofleithian]

In which Narudar is interrogated.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

The road back to Coruscant seemed to take too long of a time. Poe could still see the burning city in front of his eyes, could still hear the screams in his ears, could still...

He had never seen war up close and personal before. He had heard stories about how awful the Empire was when he was a child, but he had never seen atrocities in action right here, right now.

How that monster had fired upon the buildings and upon civilians like he was running a fighting simulation.

And in the end, that was why Poe and others were here, Poe supposed. To fight the bad guys where others were unwilling to.

Ben wasn’t unwilling. But it seemed like Luke was. Poe couldn’t say what exactly was the case with that. After all, wasn’t it a Jedi’s job to defend the innocent?

Poe’s ship came out of hyperspace just then, towards Coruscant. The amber planet that might as well have been one big city.

Everyone landed, got out of their ships and headed onto Coruscant. There was still something about the city that Poe never failed to find absolutely beautiful. The towering, sparkling cities, the glittering towers, the beautiful sunset, things of that matter...it was something that never failed to wow Poe.

Poe looked around, already relieved that he wasn’t being surrounded by fire, by screaming and helpless people. He had a feeling, however, that it was going to haunt him for the rest of his days. Everyone who had nearly died. Everyone who had died. They were going to be in his nightmares for years to come.

Ben was there, and Poe ran to him, already relieved to see him. There was always something about Ben that made Poe relieved to see him, Poe thought -- something about his face, something about his very presence...

They embraced, and Poe was still struck by the fact that Ben was, though younger than him, taller than him as well. He took some solace in Ben’s presence, in the familiar smell of Yavin, inhaling it if only to wash away the smell of smoke and ash that seemed to choke his nostrils and his throat....

Finally, Poe drew away. “Ben,” he said, “Narudar -- ’’

“I felt it in the Force,” Ben said. “I can’t imagine who would do something like that...”

“A monster is what,” Poe said. “A murderer.” He sighed. “They’ve got Narudar Ren in custody, at least. He can’t kill anyone else.”

“Good,” Ben said, and Poe could swear that he heard broken transparisteel in that voice. Ben hadn’t had to see what had happened, see how Narudar had fired upon buildings as if he were some guy shooting womprats. He knew. He simply knew.

“How is your uncle?” Poe said. Please tell me he’s come to his senses...

“Still ‘deliberating,’” said Ben bitterly. “The whole galaxy could be in danger of blowing up and all he’d do is deliberate. I’m sorry, Poe.”

“Not your fault. I was thinking -- ’’

“Could I continue to raise awareness however I could?” Ben said. “Anything, Poe. Anything. And I’m keeping an eye out for Snoke too...whoever he is.”

“Have you found anything?”

“Not yet. But I promise, if I do, I’ll let you know.”

***

Harry Sarik was no stranger to the disturbing. He’d questioned many people in his lifetime, including someone who had killed his whole family (something that was still burned into his mind and he had a feeling it would be for the rest of his days), but there was something about bringing Narudar in that was enough to give him the chills. The heebie-jeebies, as his daughter would have said.

That stare through the helmet that seemed designed to make sure the face was as inscrutable as possible for starters. How Narudar stood -- there wasn’t an ounce of shame in that bastard, but...pride. Pride, as if killing all those civilians was some sort of accomplishment. Sarik had heard stories about the Mandalorian Wars, but he hadn’t thought that he would see a man devoted to destruction as the old Mandalorians apparently were.

The guards roughly forced Narudar into a chair. They pulled the helmet off, and Sarik didn’t know what to expect under it. Maybe a face horrifically scarred from battle, anything like that. But instead, pulling it off, the face looked almost...normal, actually. Scarred, of course, haggard, but nonetheless normal.

He didn’t even flinch. There was something about those eyes were they seemed to hold a proud sort of defiance in them. Then, “Henry Sarik. What an unexpected pleasure.”

Sarik could swear that his skin had turned to worms. Still, he kept his composure and said, “Narudar Ren. So you’re the one Dameron caught.”

“I am. Remind me to compliment Dameron the next time I see him. He is indeed a worthy opponent. His skills in piloting and combat are formidable.” Narudar looked thoughtful, almost dreamy. “I can’t say I’ve found a worthy opponent in years. Not after working for the Hutts.”

“You worked for the Hutts?”

“I used to. It was a thankless life, sir, I don’t believe you have any idea. Working for the Hutts was akin to being a full-time cannok exterminator. Hardly glamorous. Hardly worthy of glory. It was there to put food on the table. Nothing more. You’ve felt that too before, haven’t you, sir? I can only guess.”

Sarik flinched. This Mandalorian seemed to be good at getting under his skin. Too good, actually. Then, “And that’s why you did it, didn’t you?”

“Destroyed the city? You don’t know how it was, sir. Corruption, misery, greed -- ’’

“Everyone in that city was innocent.” It took every bit of Sarik’s self-control not to let his rage bubble to the surface.

“You’re naive, sir. If you were there, you would have seen them for how they really were. They were cowards, all of them. Valor’s a trait that’s hard to come by these days.”

Sarik forced air into his lungs. Don’t lose your temper, don’t lose your temper... “The others with you...who were they?”

“My brothers and sisters.”

“Literally?”

“Not by blood, sir. We’re bound by a common purpose -- honor and order. Did you know that the word Ren is Milaran for balance? That’s what we seek to do.”

“So Ren’s a title, not a name.” Sarik said. Already, the more he was getting into this interrogation, the more uneasy he was getting. A sort of sick feeling in his stomach that wasn’t letting up, almost as if there was something bad about to happen, actually. Something worse, actually, considering that the bad thing had already happened.

“Exactly, sir.”

“Then who are you?”

A smile seemed to play across the Mandalorian’s face. “I daresay that names are irrelevant next to our greater purpose, sir.”

“Don’t play games with me.”

“I’m not intending to. I’m telling the truth. Names are irrelevant next to our greater purpose.”

“Who’s your leader?”

“That,” said Narudar, “Would be telling, sir. But he would be very interested to meet all of you, in his own good time. Fascinating man, actually.”

“What is his name?”

Silence.

“Was he the one behind the slave trade?”

“It wouldn’t have been his first call,” said Narudar.

“So he’s Haranka’s employer. I have no more questions. Thank you for your time, Narudar.”

“You’re very welcome.” The Mandalorian smiled pleasantly. “And tell Poe Dameron that he was a worthy opponent today.”

I won’t, Sarik thought, even as he left the interrogation room. He didn’t want to burden Dameron with that. At least he could start looking up the Knights of Ren as well as the Black Supernova. Narudar had done something that he really shouldn’t have -- given Sarik the advantage.

I’ll find them. And here’s to rooting them out so they can’t do any more harm. Here’s to that.