Star Wars: Dar'Aliit

Chapter Eight: Aftermath

20 BBY Capital City Manuk

"Kian, get over here!" Shave drags Mer'en's limp body from the flames. I don't remember if I blacked out or when I came to, but I'm up now, clutching the side of my helmet and looking up to where Shave appears like a ghost from mist.

I stumble forward and grab Mer'ens other arm. Turning, I can see the whole city. Shave was right.

It's gone. Flames and smoke. It looks like parts of the walls were affected. Where we are, close to the back gate, we've been entirely cut off. It looks like one of the towers collapsed and formed a barrier across the city center. We could route it, but there's destruction everywhere. I grip Mer'en's arm. The sergeant groans.

"Aftermath? Bevik?" I pant.

"Here," Aftermath's voice comes weakly over the comms before they return to static. "My head hurts, though."

"Get up, and get over here," Shave demands.

Aftermath appears, limping. He looks around. "We're cut off."

"We have to get out of the city. This whole thing was rigged," Shave says, his voice edging on snapping. "And we have to get the sergeant to safety."

"Bevik?" I ask, a broken record at this point.

Aftermath looks around. Then he bursts forward and races toward the epicenter of the impact. Shave turns his head. "Aftermath, get back here!"

Aftermath charges without answering. I cling to Mer'en and try not to let my body collapse as badly as it wants to. My ribs are sore and my throat stings.

Moments later, Aftermath returns. All he carries is a helmet. He says nothing, but the helmet is clearly Bevik's.

Was Bevik's.

"Let's go," Shave says. "We need to make for the gate."

"We have no cover there," Aftermath says.

"The droids are gone."

"Then who did this!"

Shave hefts Mer'en higher on his shoulder. "I told you, this was a trap. We need to move before it becomes our grave. Now head for the breach in the wall and follow me!"

I don't dare argue. I agree with Aftermath, but also with Shave. There are no good options. So I limp along and help carry the sergeant to the breach in the wall where we carefully pull him over the debris and out into the open. Aftermath leaps over. He picks up a blaster along the way and keeps it trained on our surroundings as Shave settles Mer'en against the wall. He works the sergeant's helmet off.

"You with me, sir?"

Mer'en's eyes flicker. I crouch close and keep half an eye out as well. We can't afford to become sitting targets.

"Right, well, halfway," Shave mutters. He reaches back and hisses a curse. His medical pack is shattered. Shave stands up. "You two, stay right here. Protect him."

I nod. Standing, I move beside Aftermath. I don't have my gun anymore. Kriff it all. Aftermath glances back at me and my empty hands.

"Go grab one off the droids," he says.

"There's plenty around here." He gestures to the graveyard from only a few hours earlier.

He's right.

I jog out and pick up one of the better looking blasters. It's still got a few rounds left. I sling it across my back and pick up a second before retreating. I can't help from checking on the sergeant as I return. Mer'en has his eyes open but I've seen rookies who took a hit get the same dazed look as they fight off unconsciousness.