Chapter 19 - Battle of Takodana - Second Part (1/2)

Kylo Ren and his knights of Ren crossed the skies of Takodana at such speed that even their own allies lost contact with them as soon as they had entered the atmosphere.

- ”Enemy fighters at 3 o'clock”- informed Black Two- ”engaging now.”

Black Two fighter separated from the group and approached the incoming enemies not feeling tnervous at the least even though they were nine. On the other side the Takodana forces saw the lonely TIE Silencer coming to them and they could only snickered at the pilot.

- ”These pilots of the First Order really think too highly of themselves”- said the leader of the Orange Team which was one of the most experimented and renown squads in the Takodana forces- ”number two to four will attack with me in Diamond formation. Number numbers five to nine ignore the enemy and engage the main group.”

- ”Yes, Sir”- said number Five and started to turn to the right- ”follow me in Echelon formation through sector N2. We'll cut them off from the side.”

- ”We'll meet up in a minute”- said the leader and locked his lasers on the enemy- ”send him his way guys.”

Immediately the four Variant Morning Star Star Fighters shot against Black Two who did not seem to react and the leader thought that he had been frozen by terror but the next thing that happened made him feel dizzy. The TIE Silencer increased its speed and evaded their barrage in such a way that even him who have fought against the best pilots of the galaxy had never seen. The movements were simple dashes and barrels but what ade the veteran leader sweat was the timing of the movements. It had been so perfect and fluid that it was simply impossible to do unless you could predict the shots from before they were done and even like that your maneuvering had to be extremely precise. Imagine someone who could evade multiple blasters at close range and that would give you an idea of the shock the Orange Leader was having right now.

- ”He just... Arrgh....!”- the leader returned to reality when he heard the explosions next to him and the beeping on his systems teeling him that two of his members had been shot down.

Black Two not only had evaded their shots but he had also responded fire while doing so. Was this pilot still human? Just evading should have taken all his concentration and multitasking skills and yet he still had the ability to fight back.

- ”We lost number Two and Four!”- said number Three whose voice showed horror- ”he's just too fast!”

- ”Calm down and keep shooting...”- said the leader but when he tried to find the enemy, he noticed that he had just ignored them and gone after the star fighters that were going to ambush the main group- ”hurry and chase! We'll sandwich him! Number Five! There's a very annoying pest behind you!”

- ”You didn't shot him down?”- asked Number Five- ”he must be a tough guy.”

- ”He killed Nuray and Synyc with one shot each.”- said the Leader and Number Five did not need to ask anymore- ”Split and surround him.”

However, they did not have the time to do so since Black Two was already there and he shot down Number Eight before he could react to the order given. The rest of Star fighters scattered and theyy started a dogfight of six versus one.

- ”Who the hell is this fella?!”- shouted Number Five in frustration after witnessing how the enemy pilot's great skill and speed- ”He's behind you number Three!”

- ”I can't shake him off! Help...!”- said Number Three before dying from a direct hit by Black Two.

The Takodana pilots were overwhelmed by his swiftness and wonder how could such fighter and pilot exist in the first place. Black Two did every barrel roll, overshoot, turnabout, rollaway and Immelman with such perfection that the Orange team felt ashamed to be considered veterans. If they were veterans then what was the pilot in front of them?. One after another they were shot down and even Number Five which was considered the best after the leader could only resist a few exchanges before falling. However, his death had created an opportunity for the Leader who had managed top to position himself at blank distance from Black Two and shot with perfect timing at Black Two. He considered this the best shot he had done in all his life but once again he felt his world be turned upside down when the enemy not only dodged his attack but he placed directly in front of the Leader.

- ”How can he evade that?!”- said one the Orange Leader with horror knowing that he could not escape death- ”Can they predict the future?”

He could not say more since his body was blasted by a direct shot to the ċȯċkpit. Even in death, the veteran could not understand how someone could control a star fighter like that and shoot down ernemies with just one shot directly to the ċȯċkpit. He would have said it was lucky if he had not seen the enemy pilot doing that with all his squad. He was angry since he felt that the enemy pilot had only been playing with them.

- ”Targets destroyed”- informed Black Two returning to formation. He noticed Black three and Black Five had also gone to deal with some pests. He also noticed that Black Leader had destroyed a cannon and a battery during his engage.

- ”You took too much time”- said Kylo Ren with a dissatisfied voice- ”next time do not play and take care of them instantly.”

- ”Yes, Black Leader!”- said Black Two getting a little nervous since he knew Kylo Ren was someone who hated wasting time. Kylo Ren was extremely methodic and precise. He was the type of warrior that disliked useless movements and actions since in his opinion the best victory was a flawless and fast one.

A total one sided domination where the enemy did not even understand how it happened. This was his way of thinking and it was something he had also ingrained in all the Knights of Ren. It was of course difficutl since the dark side sometimes made them want to toy with their enemy but Kylo Ren had made clear the consequences of disobeying this.

- ”Someone is using the Force”- said one of the knights of Ren codename Black Four- ”she even tried to sense us back.”

- ”Maz Kanata is a Force Sensitive being who had lived enough to hone her skills”- said Kylo Ren- ”but she's not at the level to defy us. Cloud her senses and continue attacking.”

- ”Yes, Black Leader!”- said the rest of the squadron

- ”Next target is the cannon in sector D56”- said Kylo Ren- ”clean the area from any enemy.”

They did as told and they were so fast that the enemy pilot did not even have time to notice they were already dead. Kylo Ren focused and used the proton bombs directly in the base of the cannon making heavy damage to the structure. The same weight brought the cannon down and Kylo did not even looked back to see if his attack had any effect and continued to the next target.

- ”I found the origin of the force sėnsɨtɨvė”- said a knight of Ren and passed the coordinates.

Kylo Ren focused on the point aand found Maz who was trying to fight back their mental attack. Kylo snickered at her poor and useless attempt and doubled his effort. After a moment Kylo opened his eyes in delight.

- ”Han Solo!”- he said and turned to attack the place where they were- ”I finally found you!”

After the attack on the main part of the castle, Maz and the rest had stood up almost immediately and checked the damage. Luckily, the attack had not been as destructive as they had believed and Maz praised herself for not being a miser in the defense budget. After some minutes the systems were recovered and they had recovered the map and the majority of screens were online.

- ”I want visuals on them at all times”- said Maz who did not have her usual smile and seemed to be about to collapse due to fatigue at any moment- ”show me the area G45 coordinates 394, 657 and locked on them.”

Immediately the screen changed positions and they could see the TIE silencers flying at incredible speed and destroying batteries and cannons with surgical precision.

- ”That's definitely Kylo Ren fighter!”- said Finn recognizing the ship which was a kind of symbol of the First Order- ”and the ones behind him are Knights of Ren!”

Han and Maz looked at each other and Finn had the impression that he could detect what seemed to be pity in Maz' eyes. Han seemed disturbed while watching the TIE Silencer of Kylo Ren, but then he nodded at Maz and started to go to the door.

- ”Where are you going?”- asked Finn who had a very bad feeling.

- ”To fight”- Han simply said without stopping.

- ”Are you mad?”- said Finn grabbing Han's jacket. Han looked at him with surprised eyes but his questioning eyes detected that Finn had an even shocked expression by his own actions.

He let the jacket go and Han could see the confusion in the eyes of the kid. Han knew that he wanted to stop him but not even Luke would be able to refrain him from facing Kylo Ren.

- ”I have unfinished bussiness with Kylo Ren”- explained Han with such firm tone that left no doubts about his actions- ”I've been waiting for a long time to have this opportunity and I will not let it go.”

- ”It's suicide”- said Finn who really did not understand why he was trying to stop him so hard- ”He's the best pilot in th First Order”

- ”Humph! He's still a greenhorn, Kid- said Han using a very sarcastic tone and grinning in confidence- ”Seriously, kid... anyone would say you like me and worry for my well-being.”

- ”What? I... I just dont want that my benefactor dies uselessly.”- said Finn in panic trying to fake his motives.

Han found this reaction surprising. Until now he had considered Finn an opportunist coward who cared for nothing but himself. Han did not judge him for that since he could be considered the same as him and only God knew all the things he had to do in order to survive. It was a normal way of living in this terrible and cold galaxy where the weak were swallowed by the strong. However, that does not mean Han had to like Finn, he still valued loyalty and trust which were so rare nowadays so he was ready to let Finn go and never see him again. No bad feelings, just bussiness. This was the reason why he felt so surprised about this kid. His words were trying to sound tough but his eyes were clearly telling him that he cared for Han. They had only met some days ago so he was sure Finn himself did not understand his own emotions but Han could due to his experience.

- ”He's the soldier type”- Han said to himself- ”he placed great importance to loyalty and team. Even if he just fought with me a couple of times, he already considers me his squad member. He has this idea of 'I will protect your back if you protect mine', seriously... he's too pure and naive. This kind of thinking can make him end up with a band of thugs.”

- ”Look, Finn”- Han said choosing his words carefully- ”I'm grateful for your concern but there's no power in the galaxy capable to stop me in this... so if you care so much come with me! God knows I need a shooter and you are not half bad... Stay or come with me, you decide!”

He did not wait for his response and immediately called Chewee who was in one of the hangars where Maz people was repairing the Falcon. Finn did not want to fight but then he remembered Rey.

- ”Where is Rey?”- he asked feeling very worried.

- ”I saw her running in direction to the forest”- said Maz who was already commanding her forces again- ”if she's still there, she could be in danger.”

- ”We must help her!”- said Finn looking at Maz and Han alternately- ”she could be attacked at any moment.”

Han looked at him and after considering for a moment, he nodded. The eyes of Finn showed the same concern he felt for Leia and he had to admit that he liked that young girl. She had talent so it would be a waste if something happened to her.

- ”We'll be more effective looking for her in the air”- said Han- ”we'll shoot down some First Order at the same time... come along?”

- ”Yes!”- said Finn after a small moment of doubt.

He had cast Rey aside when she had asked for help before due to his cowardice. She was in grave danger now and this time he would not give her his back.

- ”Go to the hangar”- said Maz pausing her commanding- ”you will find guns and equipment there and... take this.”

Maz grabbed the lightsaber that Rey had abandoned in terror previously and offered it to Finn who grabbed with a confused expression. Han furrowed his forehead and then he opened his eyes wide in surprise.

- ”Where did you get that?”- asked Han who finally recognized the lightsaber Maz had given Finn while having many memories of the times when his best friend wielded it against the Empire. He even felt funny when rememberering how clumsy and ridiculous Luke had been when he had started training against a droid with Obi Wan.

- ”I've had this for ages.”- said Maz returning her attention to the battlefield- ”Kept it locked away.”