Rey was completely calm considering a blaster was trained on her person. Han Solo and Chewbacca had both finally returned to the Falcon. Han looked tired and even older than he did when she first met him, and it had only been a few days. His grey hair was tousled and his clothes looked rumpled. Chewbacca even looked tired, his fur a bit more matted than the Wookie was usually known for. The blaster was lifted away from her just as quickly, to Han Solo's credit.

Han looked momentarily surprised and then resigned. "Kid—was that Bala-Tik I saw in pieces back there?"

Rey shrugged and looked down at her one-person holo-chess game. "It was either the Guavian Death Gang or me—I chose me—"

If Rey thought for one second that Han Solo would fault her for killing off an entire gang of ne'er do wells, or question anything about it, then she was wrong. He took it in stride, like it was normal to kill an entire group of heavily armed men, and maybe, to him, it was. If half the stories from his younger days were true, then Han Solo likely belonged in a New Republic prison somewhere. However, it seemed that whatever crimes he had committed during the time of the Empire were swept under the rug.

Chewie roared and Rey nodded in agreement. Yes, Han should cut back on his risky ways. Rey worried for him.

Han rounded on Chewie and pointed at the Wookie with a finger. "You stay out of this—"

Chewie waved him off with a rude gesture.

Han looked back at Rey with a sigh. "Look, kid—I'm sorry—I didn't realize they'd come after you too—"

Rey narrowed her eyes at him. "What if I hadn't been here?"

Han shrugged as if he hadn't a care in the world. "Chewie and I would have made out like we always do—"

Rey snorted. She wasn't fooled in the least. Bala-Tik was right about him. Han's game was old and he had swindled too many people in the galaxy. "You should listen to Chewie more—your lucky streak won't last forever—"

Han ignored her. He fixed her with a serious look. "What are you doing here, Rey?"

Now it was Rey's turn to be nonchalant. "Can't I come and visit my one-time almost employer?"

Han gestured to her in frustration. "I meant here on Coruscant—what happened to Ach-To—being a Jedi?"

Rey nodded her head towards the Wookie. "Chewie didn't tell you?"

Chewie roared an affirmative.

Han shook his head as if to clear it. "Chewie said you didn't even last three days there before you had him drop you off on D'Qar—said Luke wasn't exactly the guy we remembered—"

Rey chewed her lip in contemplation. Rey had to know. "Did you know I was here?"

Han sighed, obviously caught. "Leia may have mentioned something—asked me to keep an eye on you—make sure you were okay—"

Oh, Rey just bet that General Organa asked him to keep an eye on her! She did not trust that woman's motives in the least.

Rey peered at Han seriously. "And instead it worked out the other way—"

Han held his hands up in a placating gesture. "Look, kid—I know you're still upset I took back the job offer—"

Rey lifted her chin. Her voice was prim and to the point. "You certainly have the right to choose to hire who you like, but I would at least have liked to have had a choice about whether or not I had to go to Ach-To—"

Han rubbed his chin in a gesture of unease. "I admit—I wasn't comfortable with that either—but Coruscant?"

Rey lifted one shoulder in a casual shrug of disregard. "Why not? Isn't Coruscant the place to be? Maybe I felt the need to see more of the galaxy before dedicating the entire rest of my life to the Jedi Code—"

Of course, Rey was going to get nowhere in pointing out that General Organa should not get to decide who was going to become a Jedi anyway, so she kept her mouth shut on that score. Leia Organa wanted the old Jedi Order back even if Luke Skywalker hated the very idea these days. Han seemed to get the message if his barely perceptible flinch was anything to go by. Good, he should feel guilty.

Han Solo and General Organa were both a bit hypocritical, considering they seemed to do an awful lot of gallivanting around the galaxy on this whim or that over the years, as far as Rey was concerned.

Han looked at Rey with an incredulous expression. "So-what—you left Ach-To and the Resistance to go clubbing?"

Rey crossed her arms. Her voice was a little too hasty and shrill for her liking. "Of course not—don't be ridiculous—I went on a tour of the Temple—the one club I went to was full of scum—"

Like a rathtar on a ship full of anything else alive, Han pursued this new trail of information. His voice was deceptively casual. "Yeah—and how'd you get to this club—"

Rey could actually tell him the most basic of information, she decided. As long as she left out the whole Kylo Ren part she'd be fine. In fact, she'd deluge him with pointless details. "On a swoop bike. It was a mint condition Mobquet Zephyr G- by the way. It even had a prototype accelerator—"

Han was sitting back in a chair now, hands behind his head. He whistled in appreciation. "Nice. So- we have a ride on a swoop bike—was there dinner involved at any point?"

Rey rolled her eyes. "Of course I ate dinner—at the pub next to the club—"

Han was still doing his casual act. "Was there dancing involved at all?"

Rey thought back to what Kylo had said before they slaughtered the Guavian Death Gang. Rey muttered to herself. "Well, he called it dancing—but I don't see how—"

Han sat up straight and looked at Rey in genuine surprise. "He? Kid? Did you go on a date?"

Rey was defensive. "It was NOT a date—"

Dates were prearranged situations, not random scenarios that ended with—well. Right?

Han looked unconvinced. "Swoop ride? Dinner? Dancing? Conversation?"

Chewie added his own additional question.

Han raised a questioning eyebrow. "Yeah—was there kissing?"

Rey maintained a blank face that wasn't fooling anyone, especially considering that she was blushing.

Han gave Rey a little smirk. "That's what I thought—"

Chewie started laughing- his fur shaking everywhere in the process

It was odd to Rey that Han considered her being on Coruscant to be more dangerous than being part of the Resistance. When she first met Han Solo, she almost considered him to be a father figure, and though he still seemed to fill the role in a very superficial capacity, she could not trust him any more; especially not after he sat back and let General Organa take over her life. Han Solo was not reliable in the least in the ways that counted to someone like Rey. She still couldn't help but like him though, sad as it was.

The trip back to D'Qar was frustrating. Trying to have a truly serious conversation with the likes of Han Solo was practically impossible. He tried to make a joke of everything. Rey finally gave up and decided to go with it.

As D'Qar came into view, Rey spied its lovely green landscape, lakes, and mountains wistfully. However, once the grassy bunkers came into her line of site she couldn't help but feel on edge. Something felt different.

Leia met them as they landed, waiting stoically on the tarmac.

For all that General Organa wore trousers and the colors to blend in with the others around her, she was one of those that pulled off the effortlessly casual look of the wealthy. Rey could not help a stab of envy at the sight and immediately felt ashamed of herself. Leia had only ever been kind to her, after all. She had completely steam-rolled over Rey's own non-existent plans for her life, but at least she was kind about it.

Leia ignored her estranged husband and looked at Rey shrewdly. "I don't know what you did, but leaving Ach-To was finally the thing that got Luke to get off his ass and back in the fight."

Han quipped dryly from behind Rey. "I missed you too."

Leia sighed and gave Han a look. "I'll talk to you later—"

Han's tone was innocent. "I'm just saying—"

General Organa grabbed Rey's arm and tucked it in her own. "Walk with me, Rey—"

It looked like Rey wasn't being given a choice. She almost tripped in her haste to keep pace with the older woman.

Rey was confused. "I don't understand—"

Leia led Rey along the tarmac, passing grass-covered bunkers along the way. Ships, transports, and uniformed personnel were all around.

General Organa nodded at an ancient ship that a rather large group of people were making over near them. "See that x-wing over there? It showed up right after you left. Luke said he felt the Force at work and it just so happens he has sensed some other Force sensitives—"

She patted Rey's arm. "He's decided to re-build the Jedi Order—"

The gesture could have been taken many ways, Rey reckoned, but it only came off as slightly patronizing to her. She wasn't even sure General Organa realized.

Again, Rey was confused. The Luke Skywalker she met was rather anti-Jedi, quite a bit curmudgeonly, and not at all interested in teaching Rey much of anything at all. In fact, she got the impression he didn't like her all that much. Rey's voice was weak. "What?"

Leia shook her head in wry amusement. "I mean—he's not like he used to be—that's for sure—but at least he's finally come to his senses about the whole thing—"

Rey couldn't help but sound skeptical. "Really—"

General Organa's tone suddenly turned more hesitant, more motherly. She turned to face Rey fully and grabbed her hands with an earnest expression on her face. "Did you know that the Jedi only used to train younglings? It never made sense to me. It was only when I was older than I understood why. I get it now.

"I get why you'd want to leave your training—believe me—I understand more than you know. Luke did once too—hard to believe—I know—but Rey—I learned the hard way that sometimes the struggle between the light and the dark is also one of having to make sacrifices—it's hard—I'm no stranger to it either—

"I guess I just want you to know that the thing that counts is that you're here now—you came back—and we're grateful. I'm grateful—we need someone like you—

"And you know—if you ever want to talk—you'll always have a willing ear with me—"

Rey smiled to cover up her discomfort. That was simply not going to happen. Rey was not the type to indulge in heart-to-hearts. Then there was the clear case of manipulation here, but Rey was already on to General Leia Organa. If Han Solo was a superficial father figure that didn't really fit the bill, then Leia Organa was much less suited to fill the role of a superficial mother figure for her. Rey had very little in common with anyone privileged, wealthy, and entitled.

Despite her feelings, Rey had difficulty arguing with Leia as she would Han or even Luke. This is why Rey allowed the General to monologue without interruption. It was much easier and less stressful to simply tell the woman what she wanted to hear and be done with it. "Right—of course—thank you, General—"

General Organa gave Rey a warm smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She squeezed Rey's hands hard before walking off. "Call me Leia. Welcome back, Rey—"

Rey was left standing there, watching the General's retreating back. Why did that last squeeze feel like a warning?

She didn't know what to think anymore. Luke Skywalker was there on D'Qar. There were, apparently, other Force sensitive individuals he was going to find to train in the ways of the Jedi. She could only hope that he had somehow undergone a personality transplant for the better. The entire thing felt surreal. Rey sighed and decided to explore her surroundings- and by surroundings- she meant the verdant green of the outdoors surrounding the base.

Rey felt his presence before she saw him. She almost turned and walked back the way she came but restrained herself. Taking one look at him, it was apparent that the only thing that had improved about Luke Skywalker was that he sported a new haircut, a neatly trimmed beard, was now wearing new and clean Jedi robes, and had been outfitted with a new cybernetic hand. His presence was as unpleasant as ever.

Luke Skywalker managed to sound incredibly annoyed and resigned all at once as he looked at her. "So- you decided to come back after all—"

Rey crossed her arms and gave as good as she got. She snorted in amusement at her own wit. "So- you're finally done playing the guru on the mountain giving three valuable lessons- like in all the stories? I meant to ask before if you knew the sound of one hand clapping—"

Luke's eyes were piercing. "The real question is if you learned anything—I'm thinking not—if Han's story was true—"

Rey repeated what she had told Han Solo. Her denial was just as emphatic now. "It was NOT a date—"

Luke looked at her like she was a detonator ready to explode. His voice was incredulous. "I'm talking about killing off the Guavian Death Gang, Rey!"

Rey's stomach dropped. Oh, that. She couldn't exactly tell him about how she had had help from Kylo Ren, but she didn't feel that she should have to explain herself for defending herself either. Rey raised her voice in frustration. "Should I feel upset about finishing off a bunch of monsters like that? They deserved it—and they attacked me first!"

Luke looked angry and he sounded angry. "You could have showed restraint! You could have just incapacitated them! Jedi never kill unless there is no other option! You have a power they don't—you have a responsibility—"

For some reason, Rey didn't feel like she could look Luke in the eyes anymore. She clenched her jaw and spoke quietly, her hands in fists. "There wasn't another option! You weren't there—you don't know—"

Luke shook his head, his voice taking on a tone of disgust. "Like I said—straight to the dark—"

Rey stared at a place on Luke's chin. He was making her feel like some kind of naughty youngling and Rey hadn't ever had the luxury. She resented it. She defended herself. "You're paranoid—"

Luke wasn't through yet though. His voice was mocking. "And you're still as wrong as you were when you first came to Ach-To. 'The Force is a power that Jedi have that lets them control people and makes things float!' Remember that? Your actions speak loudly—"

Rey hugged herself. She felt very vulnerable right now. She had only been following the Force. How was that wrong? Her voice was soft. "Well, I'm back now, aren't I? I still need to learn how to control this—I still need help—"

Luke still didn't let up. His words were meant to cut. "It's impossible to teach a student that cuts class. I'm one to learn from my mistakes—I don't want a repeat of what happened to my nephew, Ben Solo—"

Rey flinched. Despite herself, this made Rey livid. Luke Skywalker had only ever offered her three lessons and told her to leave numerous times. Yet, when she had decided to take his advice and followed through on it he had acted as if she was doing the wrong thing. She blew out a loud breath to calm herself and tried to be rational. "Yeah—you never explained that—"

Luke huffed. "No? Maybe I should have—"

Rey's self-hug turned to a defiant arm crossing. Her voice dripped sarcasm. "It would be shocking to find out that he left due to your charming personality—"

Luke went still and leveled a serious stare at her. "Ben struggled with the dark too—he wound up trying to kill me—he did kill my other students—they call him Kylo Ren now—"

Rey's mind blanked out. The only thing she could think of was the one thing that she voiced. She was in shock. "What?"

Kylo Ren was Ben Solo? Rey shook her head as if to clear it. This explained his reaction to seeing the Millennium Falcon but it raised so many questions. Oh, Maker, had she gone on a date with Ben Solo? Well, it was immaterial because there had been no date, but still—

Luke had crossed his own arms. His tone was still sarcastic. "Oh—do I have your attention now? If you're serious—if you don't want to be a danger to everyone around you—you show up—you do things my way—you listen—you learn to meditate—It appears my schedule is at your disposal after all—and you'll have to be a good example for the younglings when we find them—"

Rey looked up at Luke with a lost expression on her face. She sounded like she was choking. "What?"

He shook his head at her. "We start tomorrow morning—"

Luke Skywalker stormed off like he couldn't get away from her fast enough.

Rey knew that for every wreck that the desert revealed there was also quite a bit buried under the sand; and while she did not feel as if Luke was lying about Kylo Ren, she had the distinct impression that he had left out quite a bit too. This information made her more conflicted. She had been right to not trust Kylo Ren; however, she also felt that she was right in not trusting someone like Luke Skywalker either. Time would tell who was right, and until then Rey would bide her time. Rey was a scavenger. She'd take the useful teachings that Luke Skywalker had to impart and leave the rest. Yet, she also couldn't help but think that if even Luke Skywalker was afraid of the Force and what she could do with it, then her own fears of this power were perhaps justified. It was a thought she did not want to contemplate.

It was much later when Rey decided it was time to once again rejoin the rest of the base. Her growling stomach was the only thing that could encourage her to leave her exploration of the surrounding area. She found herself hesitant at joining so many others in the canteen as she was hardly used to any company save herself most of the time.

The food was barely a step above rations, but she was hardly in a position to complain, so she joined a line, picked up a tray, and then turned to find a place in which to sit.

She spied Luke Skywalker sitting next to General Organa and Han Solo. Luke's gaze was rather unwelcoming, but it appeared that he was giving off that vibe to everyone else too, so Rey deliberately chose to sit elsewhere.

Her eyes scanned the canteen until she came across a group on the far end, and it was one individual that caught her attention. It was a man with dark hair and an infectious smile, and he was likely the most conventionally handsome man Rey had ever seen.

As if noticing her stare, the man looked up into her eyes and smiled. "Hey—you can sit here if you like—"

He certainly didn't make her weak at the knees like Kylo Ren had, but there was nothing wrong with admiring someone, was there?

«He's a distraction.»

Rey's shoulders tensed. For a moment she almost thought it was her own inner voice. However, there was no mistaking the disdainful tone of the old man. She had hoped to never hear it again. Except she now knew he was much more than that. Just to spite the specter of the Emperor, Rey sat down at the space the man indicated for her at the table. It would not do to dwell on this new development now.

The dark haired man cheerfully introduced himself. "Hi—I'm Poe Dameron—"

And Poe Dameron was very charming and charismatic. He introduced Rey to everyone and she quickly learned that he was the pilot that had helped Finn to escape. For half a second, Rey agreed with the Emperor. Poe was definitely a distraction. But why was that even an issue?

Dropping his voice and looking around as if trying to be discreet, Poe looked at Rey. "How's—you know—the Jedi thing going?"

Rey's smile turned brittle. "That's to be determined—"

One girl at the table, a Rose Tico, looked at Rey in excitement. "I heard you and Luke Skywalker had an argument—it's the talk of the base—"

Rey shrugged in embarrassment. She wasn't used to being the center of attention. "We had a difference of opinion—he wasn't happy that I went to Coruscant—"

Poe looked at her with a serious expression. "I can see why. Coruscant isn't safe these days—it's full of Centrists and First Order sympathizers—"

Rey truly did not understand why being a Centrist was such an issue. If anything, her own political views fell more into line with the Centrists. They were a valid political faction to belong to in the New Republic. Rey's nose wrinkled in confusion. The question was out before she could stop it. "What's wrong with being a Centrist?"

Poe looked flummoxed. "What's wrong with being a Centrist? Are you seriously asking? She's seriously asking. They're bad news. It's the Centrists that are at the root of the problem here in the New Republic—"

Rey looked at Poe Dameron with a guileless expression. "Why?"

The question rang uncomfortably in the air. The mess hall went silent and Rey immediately wished that she could recant it. Apparently Poe's surprised response had been a bit too loud. Asking such a question was always dangerous, even among idealists- especially among idealists. In this case, directly questioning whatever Populist ideals Poe held dear, Rey had wondered why it was considered better. From what she had learned, the Centrists had, at least, gotten things done. Populism sounded wonderful on flimsiplast, but reality was much harsher than such idealism ever accounted for. Rey had never seen the benefits of it on Jakku.

Looks were exchanged and some appeared as if they were gearing up to argue. Some were already beginning to mutter angrily. Poe looked genuinely surprised that Rey would disagree, which only served to make Rey feel guilty somehow, though she was certain she had nothing to feel particularly guilty over.

Poe's incredulity was tangibly written on his handsome face. "Why? What do you mean why, Rey?" He looked around as if expecting someone else to have an easy answer to such a preposterous question. "Because—"

General Organa's authoritative alto cut through Poe's poor explanation decisively. "Because, when the people in authority don't have to answer to the citizens of the galaxy, the result is tyranny."

When the General had arrived to stand at their table, Rey didn't know, but she wasn't accepting this answer either. Who was to say the Centrists were against those in authority not having to answer to anyone? It seemed too convenient an answer. Too pat. Not all of the Centrists had been for the First Order. Rey's skepticism was obviously evident on her face. Her jaw was stubbornly set and her posture was a little too straight. However, she knew better than to argue with the General.

Leia Organa smiled sadly at her. "Well, it's all somewhat moot right now, isn't it? Let's defeat the First Order before dividing ourselves into political factions again, okay?" Leia's voice turned teasing. "Besides, as a Jedi, you're supposed to be skeptical of politics."

Rey gave an uncomfortable smile of her own and canted her head in acquiescence. She was no Jedi. She had only reluctantly begun the training- and Luke Skywalker didn't want her there anyway. She could voice none of this. "Yes, of course, General."

She didn't need to turn her head to search for Luke Skywalker. His Force presence was already gone.

The warning was heeded for what it was and the ice was broken. Everyone else went back to talking, with Poe immediately changing the subject to something less controversial and more upbeat. However, Rey was not exactly oblivious to the wary looks she received from some of those around her.

What did it say about her, Rey wondered, that she didn't find herself agreeing with the Populist talk around her at the Resistance base? Wistful stories about returning the New Republic to its days of glory were all around, but Rey couldn't get excited about it anymore. The Centrists made more sense to her. General Organa had been the only saving grace for the Populists, if the stories were right. Nevertheless, the more she learned, the more she was convinced the New Republic was a form of government perpetually doomed to failure. It had failed everyone on Jakku anyway. None of this meant that she was for the First Order though.

Suddenly, someone flopped down next to her on the bench, his back resting against the table as he sprawled out casually.

He pointed to her with his Corellian Ale bottle and began talking. "Well—you just learned an important lesson—"

Rey side-eyed the man. She did not feel like being lectured by yet another person today. "Who're you—"

He was wearing a long, brown duster, had deliberately mussed hair, and had fingerless gloves. "Name's DJ. I'm a slicer—anyway—it's like I've always said—partner. Live free, don't join—"

Rey looked at him with narrowed eyes. She didn't like him. "Why're you here then—"

He smirked. "I lend out my services to anyone that pays—"

Rey huffed and looked down at her meal. She mumbled. "I can't believe they let you come here—"

DJ shrugged. "I can't either—but they're keeping an eye on me see—they're always having me watched—not letting me around droids or any tech at all—"

Rey's voice turned sharp. "You could give away where the base is once you leave—"

DJ hummed in acknowledgement. "The First Order already knows where it is—and the Resistance knows it—they're in a cold war—"

Rey hissed through her teeth. She knew his sort. "The fact they even hired you is disgusting—you'd probably sell your own mother for drinking money—"

The man took a sip of ale. "Smart girl—I warned 'em about me—that's what I like about you though—you don't try to convince yourself I wouldn't sell you out—or that I haven't taken money from the other side too—it's what I do—"

Rey shook her head in disgust. "I'm used to your sort—I'm from Jakku—"

DJ nodded at her in approval. "So you don't trust anybody—"

Rey stabbed her synth meat with more vigor than necessary. He looked like a drunk. "Especially anybody that's looking for drinking money—"

As if used to such things being said about him, DJ ignored her and kept talking like she hadn't insulted him at all. "Say—what do you know about old Imperial tech—"

Rey should have ignored him but she couldn't help herself. "Quite a bit—why?"

DJ took another sip of ale and shook his head slightly. "No reason—ever heard of a numbers station? Real low tech—uses old radio frequencies low tech—but they're dead useful—impossible to decode or slice into if you don't have the one-time decryption code—"

Finally, Rey turned and looked at him. "Why are you talking about this? And no—I haven't—"

He glanced at her with an innocent expression. "Just making conversation—there's this one though—it's infamous really—they call it "Piett's Revenge"—'s been broadcasting continuously since the day after the Battle of Endor—"

He had her full attention now. She'd never heard of anything like this. Rey couldn't help the tone of interest that crept into her voice. "You know—that is actually interesting—"

DJ nodded in agreement. He continued his story, obviously into it. "Always a topic of interest for me because even I can't slice it—but this one—always the same—has the same recording and then a set of numbers—sometimes—the numbers change—but it's always the same recording—a buddy of mine tracked the frequency down once—tried to jam it—but it seamlessly moved to a new frequency—same broadcast transmission—different location—when he got there—it was an old abandoned Imperial outpost—"

Rey held back a shiver. This was like hearing some of the interesting tales from the rare off-worlders that came to Niima Outpost. "Really? That's—kind of creepy actually—"

DJ gave her a look of agreement. "You'd better believe it—it spooked my buddy quite a bit—officially nobody has ever proven what they're used for and the Empire never acknowledged their existence—but it's pretty obvious it's to give instructions to spies—amongst other things—"

Intrigued, Rey added her own thoughts. "Yeah—but if that's true then how did they get their decryption code—"

DJ side-eyed her. "Rings—"

Rey looked to him in absolute surprise and not a little confusion. "What?"

He shook his head as if he couldn't even believe it. "Honest to Maker decryption rings—that's what they say—"

Rey froze and went white. Her heart stopped beating.

DJ suddenly stretched and waved his now empty ale bottle in resignation. "Well—you know—as interesting as this conversation has been—I'm being glared at—so I guess I need to get back to my escort—think I need a new drink anyway—"

Rey didn't even notice him leave.

Rey found herself drifting away in her own thoughts. Rey knew that she was given to too much quiet introspection for other people's comfort. Her time since Jakku had changed her. She wasn't so certain that it was for the better. The myths and heroes she had eagerly and naively clung to had long revealed their flaws and she was only left with a constant search for serenity, which was all the harder after discovering that there were more things in the galaxy than the loneliness and survival of Jakku. With the expectation that she would eventually become a Jedi dogging her steps, Rey found it even more difficult than her upbringing afforded to maintain normal interactions with others.

In lieu of her failure to engage those around her without offending them, Rey turned toward the bag at her side and pulled out the one artifact she had kept after the events on Coruscant. The one thing she could not bring herself to destroy. In some ways, her scavenging ways would never leave her.

General Organa's voice washed over her as she came to sit by her side, sitting where DJ had. Her perfume was light and sweet. "What do you have there?"

Rey shrugged, looking at the Imperial holo-vid she had come across, before handing it over to the older woman for her review. "I found it earlier."

Curiously hefting the slight weight of the disc in her hands, the General looked at it for a minute before handing it back to her. "Huh. I bet it contains exactly the kind of ostentatious bantha shit the Imperials favored—"

Rey shook her head in amusement. "Yeah." It was more than that, she knew. It had been something she had taken to remind her that she wasn't crazy, that it happened. She wanted something to remind her of everything she had experienced- and of all of the things she hadn't. It was exactly why she took it.

The General gave her a look. "You alright? You know, I wish you'd just go to Luke, Rey. Whatever you're going through, he can help you—"

Rey couldn't look her in the eye. She focused back on the holo-vid in her lap. She swallowed thickly with tears in her eyes. "I do appreciate the offer—but I can't think about anything related to being a Jedi right now. You'll recall I did have a job offer doing something I would have been good at—"

The General reached out and covered one of Rey's hands with her own. "I'm sorry. I know I'm to blame for Han retracting his offer. However, I couldn't live with myself if I let a promising young woman get swept into a life of smuggling. You were in a bad enough state after that Stormtrooper broke your heart and abandoned you—I couldn't stand the thought of you getting caught up in my husband's shenanigans too—"

Her hand felt clammy on Rey's skin. "Perhaps you're right." Rey looked up at the other woman with a tremulous smile. "And it's not that I'm not grateful for you letting me stay, but I just need some time to myself tonight. I'm not saying I'll never talk about everything with Luke, I just don't want to right now. He told me we start tomorrow anyway—"

Leia smiled and immediately released her, pulling her hand back to pat Rey on the cheek. "That's all I'm asking Rey—that you give it a chance. And—if it doesn't work out with my brother—I'll give you a job."

Despite herself Rey couldn't help giving the General a hopeful smile. She could have kicked herself for seeming so desperate. "Really? You mean that?"

General Organa shook her head ruefully. "Don't be a nerf-herder, Rey. Of course, I'll give you a job." She gestured to the holo-vid in Rey's hands. "Oh, and you might want to keep that hidden. Not everyone around here would understand—"

Rey laughed and gave the General a mock salute. She feigned a depth of feeling she currently couldn't muster, because she only felt numb at the moment. She did it because it was expected of her. The only thing she truly felt was an obligation to not let the General down. When she saw the tension visibly lift from Leia Organa's posture at her response, Rey knew then that she could not be herself with the older woman.

Rey reached into her pocket and clenched the ring that Kylo Ren had given her with a death grip. She didn't even notice when she lost the feeling in the hand altogether. Rey did not fit in here.

Later that night, Rey sat in her assigned room and looked at the piece of equipment sitting innocently in front of her with trepidation. Placing the earphones on, she began adjusting the dial, searching for frequencies. She found quite a few, but none felt right. Just as she was about to give up, the Force nudged her.

The station had quite a bit of static and then it came through loud and clear.

"Do they have a code clearance?"

Rey held her breath. There was no mistaking that voice. It was Darth Vader. She could hear the respirations and the ominous vocoder as if the Sith Lord was in the room with her.

Then there was another voice. "It's an older code, sir, but it checks out. I was about to clear them… Shall I hold them?"

It was Admiral Piett. It had to be. She had found the station. Rey had found "Piett's Revenge."

Darth Vader's voice came in again. "No. Leave them to me. I will deal with them myself."

Piett's voice came in again. "As you wish, my Lord. Carry on."

A clipped and clear male voice with a Coruscanti accent then chimed in with a string of numbers. "Eight, zero, two, four, six, eight." There was a pause and then the numbers were repeated. "Eight, zero, two, four, six, eight. End of Transmission."

A line of static followed. Then the entire transmission began again. "Do they have a code clearance?"

With a shaking hand, Rey pulled the ring out and looked at it. Her breath was uneven and her heart was beating fast. She had never felt so nervous. She briefly closed her eyes to calm herself and then opened them with determination. Before she could question herself, Rey opened the ring.

Numbers stations are an actual thing.