"But we've been sweating while you slept so calm,
In the safety of your home.
We've been pulling out the nails that hold up
Everything you've known."
Prayer of the Refugee- Rise Against
"We met up on one of Kajimi's moons and came straight back here. We had to leave the Falcon behind."
General Leia Organa absorbed Poe's words as he finished his report. Her expression thoughtful. When the two young men burst into her office three hours earlier after arriving on a different ship than they left in, without Rey, she had been prepared to hear anything.
She was always ready to hear anything from those three, four if you counted Chewy. Finn, Poe, and Rey were her three best fighters. She sent them on the trickiest missions she had and more than once they had come back with some tall tales. Just like Luke, Han and me.
That didn't make it easier to fathom.
"There's more General." Finn spoke up. "On the way back we questioned Ochi's droid Dio. He has a lot of very useful information about Exegol, and," he took a deep breath, "About Rey." He released the breath.
"About Rey?" Leia asked, trying to keep her voice steady. She had a feeling about what was coming.
"Yes, General. Ochi Bestoon was a Jedi hunter and assassin for Palpatine. But, his last mission was to retrieve a little girl from Jakku. Palpatine wanted her alive. General, what does this all mean?" Finn asked, his expression a mixture of hope and desperation.
Leia stood behind her desk. "It means Finn, that Palpatine has been more involved in everything that has happened since the fall of the Empire than we knew. Rey has been in danger since day one."
"But why? Why Rey?" Poe asked.
"He could sense she was strong in the Force even then. He wanted to turn her to the Dark." Just like Ben.
"We're awaiting your orders General." Poe declared, eager to get back to the fight, though it sounded forced.
"With permission General, I'd like to gather supplies and a small crew to go back and retrieve the Falcon." Finn piped in.
Leia nodded. "You may fix up the ship you came in, what was it called Bestoon Legacy? Figure out a new name while you're at it. Go back to the Falcon with Rose and Chewy. Rose can pilot the new ship back and Chewy the Falcon. Take whatever supplies you need.
Poe, make a list of any preparations or missions that we have held off on because of the First Order, but not against the First Order. Rey put a lot on the line to get us this ceasefire. We need to make use of it. We have days until Palpatine's Final Order begins. Spread the word, I want every ship flight worthy, every blaster polished. Do not explain the ceasefire, just that we're prepping for a possible attack against Palpatine. Bring the list to me and we'll go over it, bring Ochi's droid as well.
Under no circumstances is anything but my orders to leave this room. If anyone asks about Rey, she's on official Jedi business. This is all top secret. Understood?"
Both men nodded. "With respect General, how do we know Ren will keep his end of the deal? It could all be a trap." Poe observed.
Leia shook her head, "It could be, but like Rey, I don't think so. Kylo Ren has a lot at stake, I don't think he'd risk his alliance with Rey over us. Now I suggest you get moving unless there's something else? "
Poe shook his head and silently left the room. Finn stayed behind. "May I have a private word General?"
Leia nodded. "Of course."
YOU ARE READING
Confronting Fear
Fanfiction"When I offer you my hand again, you'll take it." What if Kylo Ren had been right? What if Rey had taken Kylo Ren's hand when he offered it the second time, deciding her best chance at defeating Palpatine and saving the galaxy was with him? But can...
