KASHYYYK

There were a few hiccups as the trio made their way inside the refinery but it wasn't anything they couldn't handle. Diane had discovered a new species called 'Flame Beetles'... They weren't very friendly.

"Still alive in there?"

Diane almost jumped as she heard Cere's voice in her ear, but the angel reminded herself that comms were a thing in the mortal world. After a few modifications from an old Stormtrooper comm that he took, Cal insisted that Diane should wear it since he'd connected it to his. He'd have to get her one connected to the Mantis once they got back. But at least, for now, she could hear the conversations between him and the Mantis crew.

"So far. We're almost to the prison."

Cal climbed up a ladder and saw Diane waiting for him at the top.

"Good. Imperial distress calls are going out across the planet. If you don't get the prisoners soon..."

"We can do this. I promise."

The double doors in front of them slid open and inside were at least twelve Troopers.

"Wanna take this one?" Cal asked her.

Diane shrugged and said, "Close your eyes unless you want to be blinded."

Cal took cover and he heard a faint noise engulf his hearing. When it stopped he felt a finger tap his head. He looked up and saw Diane looking down at him.

"The Wookiees, I believe, are on the other side of the door to our left."

He didn't bother to look at the small piles of salt and ran toward the other set of doors. He pressed the button on the door and it unlocked. Cal was surprised to see that there were no guards waiting for him on the other side.

He saw a control panel and started getting to work. Then, he heard a noise.

"Groooowwl."

Cal abandoned his post and kneeled in front of the black steel cages. Diane looked down and saw a Wookiee with something around its neck.

"Hey. We're here to free you."

Diane tilted her head as she listened to Cal speak in a soft, soothing voice. It was a sight she hadn't seen since she first met him.

"You're not alone."

He went back to the panel, unaware of the hissing sound behind him.

Diane saw as it approached Cal in a fast manner, but before it could get to him Diane stood in front and kicked it back where it'd come from. The redhead sneaked a glance as he watched a Security Droid take a hit at the angel. Her head moved and she'd only felt a stinging sensation.

The angel glared and gripped onto the arm that hit her before ripping it clean off its shoulder. She used it to smack the droid senselessly before grabbing its leg and tossing it back into its corner causing it to break apart on impact.

"Whoa," he whispered. If he wasn't scared of her then, he was terrified now. The boy made a mental note not to mess with the angel.

The gates finally opened and the Wookiees helped each other out and up from the prison. Diane took a step back as the Wookiees gathered, greeting each other. Then, one tried to speak to her and hugged her, lifting her body off of the ground.

"Y-You're welcome," she stuttered.

When she glanced over she saw that Cal was in the same predicament.

The Wookiees pried open the other set of doors and when it opened, the sunlight blinded Cal and Diane saw that some of the fighters had been waiting for them.

"Alright! Let's help these Wookiees get back in the fight!"

Diane looked closely at her and realized it was the same woman she had helped. The woman threw her head back and laughed.

"Of course it was you," she said, passing by Cal. The redhead looked between them in confusion.

"Cal helped too."

"Oh I bet he did, but I bet you contributed a lot."

She stuck her hand out.

"Mari Kosan."

"Diane."

"We need to rendevous with Saw."

"Where is he?" Cal asked.

Mari pointed in a general direction. It wasn't very helpful but Cal was sure he, Diane, and BD-1 could get to him.

"Thank you."

"No," Mari used one of her hands to hold Diane's. "Thank you."

Not used to the affectionate tone, Diane shifted uncomfortably before nodding her head. They scaled another wall before halting in their steps as they heard blasters shooting. Up above on a bridge was Saw, taking on multiple Troopers with a few fighters.

"Get to the prisons! We need the Wookiees to finish this!" he yelled.

Cal glanced between Diane and the opening. There was something that could help him climb up there, but the redhead had another idea. A better one, in his opinion.

"Can you see that entrance?" he asked.

"Yes."

Without warning, he held her waist and pulled her close to him.

"Do it!" He closed his eyes yet, didn't feel anything. Though when he opened them, they were at the top.

"THEY'VE GOT REINFORCEMENTS!"

Diane blasted the door at the end and Cal ignited his lightsaber. While he took on the Stormtrooper she and BD managed to get the other door open. Inside were three Stormtroopers and another Security Droid. On the right, the angel could see the cells.

"You do your thing with the...thingy. I'll take care of these guys!"

"'Thingy'?"

Diane did not have to turn around to know he was amused.

"You know what I mean!"

The angel was unfazed by the lasers and placed her hands on two Stormtroopers' helmets. A blinding light flashed and disappeared as their bodies turned into salt.

"What the—?!"

Diane went over to the last one and did the same thing as she restrained him. The security droid tried hitting Cal and she quickly moved there before he could blink taking it out. Just as she did he'd finished up on his task and the remaining Wookiees ran out of their cells and toward freedom.

Saw appeared in front of their window and held out his grappling hook.

"The Wookiees are free! Get to the roof!"

The trio ran out of the room and Cal yelled when he found a platform. It took them up and several things were happening at once. Within seconds, Cal watched as Diane 'teleported' around the area taking out Troopers.

"Holy kriff!"

He ignited his lightsaber and ran toward a Flame Trooper.

⸻╳⸻

Victory was a sweet taste. It was an experience that Diane was still unsure of but Cal seemed happy. Saw offered Cal to join his team to help the cause (which Diane assumed was a rebellion against the Empire) but Cal politely declined stating he had unfinished business he couldn't walk away from. It surprised Diane when Saw asked her but in all honesty, she didn't quite fully understand what she'd gotten herself into.

Confused, she shook her head and said, "I will think about it, but for now I will help Cal."

Cal was familiar and Saw was not. Diane was not yet accustomed to the mortal world, so you couldn't blame the angel if she wanted to stick by familiar faces.

Mari introduced them to a Wookiee Commander named Choyyssyk, who said he would help them find Tarfful. But in the meantime, they had to head back to the Mantis to regroup.

"Cal. I've been monitoring Imperial communications and I picked up something. Project Auger has been reactivated. The Empire may be close to finding another Zeffo Tomb."

"Looks like we still have work to do."

"Bee boo beep."

"You can say that again." Cal chuckled.

Diane smiled.

"Thank you."

Cal glanced behind his back to look at BD-1 before making eye contact with Diane.

"Both of you. For everything."

"Be-beep! Beep trill!"

"You're welcome Cal Kestis."

The BD droid glanced between the two as their eyes lingered on each other. Nothing was said, but it said everything on their minds.

They were glad to have met on that dark, stormy day.