Kissed by Fire: Cal Kestis

Chapter 9

Running ahead, they found their way through the building to find the main prisons, but this time, the monitor was guarded by three stormtroopers and a security droid. "I'll take the troopers," Y/n said, taking her blaster and firing off a round at one of them, already ending his life.

Cal didn't disagree with her. He charged the droid while she charged the troopers, and between the two of them, they took down their enemies in mere seconds. Their weapons clashed between them in a rush of adrenaline, the elecrobaton sparking against the blue lightsaber. They brought the weapons down when they realized. Cal brushed past her, quick to free the rest of the Wookiees in the large prison. "You've done it! The Wookiees are free!" Saw called through to Cal, and Y/n saw the pride on the redhead's face at the rebel leader's praise. "Get to the roof!"

"BD, show me the map," Y/n said, and the droid was more than happy. Pointing at a section they were in, she continued. "Here. There's a lift in this room that can take us to the roof. If we double back, we can make it."

"Then let's go," Cal responded, and BD shut off the map.

They headed back down, finding a shortcut to get them back to the lift they had found before. Luckily, there weren't any more stormtroopers, but as soon as the elevator rose to the roof's landing pad, it was chaos. Wookiees were attacking the troopers brutally, while security droids and stormtroopers fought back with all they had to keep the order. Cal went straight for the security droid while Y/n just barely dodged the fire of a Flame Trooper from hitting her. A nearby Wookiee took the Flame Trooper by his shoulders, the man crying out in terror, before throwing him over the edge of the landing pad.

"Wow. Uh, thanks," Y/n awkwardly nodded to the Wookiee, who growled his welcome. Taking her blaster, she began shooting at the last remaining Flame Trooper as Cal took down the security droid, but even more stormtroopers arrived in a transport ship. Cal and Y/n shared a look, and finally an understanding passed between them, blowing through the stormtroopers like a hot knife through butter.

"Jedi!" Saw's voice came over the comms. "We don't have enough firepower to breach its hull!"

"We're on it," Cal answered, and Y/n stiffened at the sight of the AT-ST being dropped into battle right beside them. "I've got this covered. Just stay low."

Cal swiftly ran across the pad, Y/n watching carefully as his lightsaber cut through the legs of the AT-ST. He wasted no time in bringing down the walker, the pilot on the inside escape through it's top hatch. His first sight was Y/n, and aimed his blaster, but she fired hers right into his chest before he had a chance think.

The Partisans all began cheering, shouting out in joy at the empty pad as Cal watched them with nothing but awe in his green eyes. Y/n felt a furry hand on her shoulder, and looked up with a smile to see the Wookiee that aided her excitedly roaring. He led her towards the front of the small crowd, Y/n looking back to see Cal following as Saw took his place in front of them.

"Everyone!" he called out, calming their joy, but not hindering. "These have been hard years. We've lost comrades, friends, family... to the Empire. Dark times. And yet the fire still burns. Hope still burns! The Jedi are not yet lost!" Cal felt all eyes go to him until Saw continued. "We are not yet lost! Kashyyyk is not yet lost!! For the cause!"

Cal joyously cried out with the others, raising his fist in support. It felt right here, fighting against the Empire with people that have suffered, just like him. Bringing down the Empire with stunts like this, bit by bit, felt like something he could do. If felt like somewhere he could belong.

Y/n could see it in his eyes. Cal wanted to stay here, with the Partisans. He wanted to fight the Empire alongside Saw, no matter how the man goes about his plans. She could see Cal Kestis looked up to Saw already, just from how persuasive he was in getting people to fight for him, against the Empire. She had to admit, Saw Gerrera was a powerful man. Looking to the Wookiee beside her, she gave him a pat on the arm in goodbye, one which he seemed to not think enough as he took her into another bone crushing hug.