Rey felt groggy from all of the crying she did last night.
She opened her eyes; they felt swollen and raw. She groaned and sat up, careful not to clunk her head on the pipe protruding in her little smuggler's cabinet she called a bedroom.
She remembered hugging Ben. She remembered Ben's face when she asked him how he planned to finish the Rebellion… she remembered falling asleep with his presence beside her in this tiny little closet. She felt a faint shimmer of comfort, like a left-over scent still lingering in the room. They had comforted each other last night. Somehow still enemies? She wondered.
She put on her belt and overshawl, securing and cinching it tightly. She pulled on her sleeves and boots and unlatched the access panel (bedroom door) and nimbly climbed out into the main gangway to the fuel cell chamber (sleeping quarters for 7 members of the Rebellion). She walked to the refresher, amazed that it wasn't occupied – the ship was quiet.
She felt a slight ripple – Leia probing her – probably checking on her. And she smiled and sent warmth and greetings back.
Today they were supposed to split up. They were landing on a planet in the Drosulu system (not all were given the name to protect information as best they can) and there they would get another ship. Leia's contacts spanned far and wide and a diplomat from Onkuru answered with a large freighter ship that would serve as their Mothership for the time being. Supplies and more crew were included, and today felt like a day of hope to Rey. A step in the right direction at least.
She headed to the cockpit, her thoughts clouded by Ben. She felt in her heart that he was still good. She felt like if she could just get him out of the First Order – that he would be happy.
"Rey of sunshine! Thank the Maker I'm exhausted." Poe was piloting the Falcon, there were 6 pilots in total on board: all taking shifts. Poe gave her his best dazzling smile. She tried to return it.
"We will be landing shortly – is Leia up? This is her meeting after all." Poe leaned back in the captain's chair and rubbed his neck.
"Yes, Leia's up. I sense she's on her way." Rey said as she slipped into the co-pilot's chair and reviewed the control panel to ensure all was well. Poe raised his eyebrows at her… he was still getting used to this Force "mumbo-jumbo" he liked to call it. She quickly changed the subject before he could tease her about her weird abilities.
"Fuel capacity seems too low." She mumbled to herself frowning, "what's eating the fuel?"
Poe sighed. "This ship is made for 12 people tops. We have 47. Between the air quality and water re-treatment the Falcon is burning fuel just to keep the lights on for us."
Rey frowned. This new ship couldn't have come at a better time. Poe got up and stretched, making a ridiculously loud 'araghhhhh' sound as he did. She snickered under her breath – she found sometimes people were funny and strange and she was still getting used to being in the company of so many people, all the time.
"Oh and I suppose Jedi's don't get kinks in their systems, huh?" Poe teased with a wicked smile on his face. "Listen kid, when you are my age – you'll groan. Jedi or not."
He smiled and moved to leave.
"I'll collect the General and then I'm getting some shut-eye. Don't go lifting any boulders without me." Smiling, he left.
She shuffled over to the pilot's chair smiling. Poe did love to tease her. She shook her head, still laughing at him.
"Lifting rocks" she said aloud, smirking.
"What rocks?" Chewie grumbled from the cockpit door, hunching over to come inside and fold his huge frame in the small bridge. "Asteroid belt? Here?" he lumbered in, bent half over, eyes scanning the view port.
Rey scooted over to co-pilot chair out of respect for the Wookie. He mentioned it's hard for him to sit where he sat with Han… still too soon. So they silently agreed he's always pilot.
"No Chewie, no rocks… I was mumbling to myself." Rey said, laughing.
"You do that a lot." Chewie's low growl was gruff, but kind.
"Yeah well, I was alone a lot. I'm used to talking to myself." Rey meant it to be funny, but Chewie's face fell when her words came out. He busied himself with the controls, but she felt him glancing over at her. She felt his concern and sympathy welling off of him towards her like a wave.
Rey reached over and pressed the comm for Leia's quarters, "We are approaching the planet General. Make ready the landing party."
She was met with silence and tried again. "General Leia?"
Still nothing. She didn't want to make a general announcement over the comm – sleep is precious to those who are getting it and everyone was working around the clock…
She decided to find Leia another way. She reached out with the Force… found her walking on her way to the cockpit.
Hello Rey. I'm on my way to the bridge.
Rey smiled. Leia never ceased to impress Rey. She seemed wise beyond her years. She looked up to Leia and wished that she could do more for her. She wished she could've saved Han, and brought Ben back.
Leia arrived in the cockpit and placed a hand on Rey's shoulder. "All in time, Rey. The Force will reveal it all in time." Rey looked up puzzled, but was interrupted by Chewie:
"I'd like to accompany your landing party Leia. You may need protection here; we haven't been in the Drosulu system in years. It can't be safe anymore." Chewie's concern came through in his throaty growl.
"Nowhere is safe anymore Chewie," Leia said. "I need Rey to accompany me, along with Commander Poe, Lt. Rayda and Eric. "I need you here. The Falcon needs repairs desperately and you only have a short time to complete them."
Chewie and Rey's eyes met. He nodded in agreement. "I'll stay with Rose and figure out the fuel burn ratio so we don't run through our cells so quickly."
Leia smiled and nodded sagely. "Rey, let's speak a moment please." It wasn't a question. Leia rarely asked permission.
"Uh. Yes of course." Rey got up and Chewie waved them both on in a 'yes I'm fine thanks for asking' way and Rey found herself hiding her amusement as she followed the General to the main lounge on the Falcon.
The lounge was filthy and crowded and there were 3 people sleeping in the corner. Voices were hushed out of respect for those sleeping, and when Leia entered, those awake in the room got on their feet and saluted.
Leia laughed, a lovely tinkling sound that lifted everyone's spirits. "Aren't we past saluting anymore?" the room laughed and relaxed. Leia turned to Rey, "We should find somewhere private." Rey nodded and thought the air quality nook would do nicely.
"Follow me." She told Leia. And then, in a moment, realized she just gave the General an order. She turned awkwardly and stammered: "I mean, um, please come this way?" Rey's innocent face betrayed her embarrassment and Leia couldn't help but laugh again.
"Yes my dear, lead the way." Leia gently turned Rey around and affectionately pushed her forward.
Once they rounded the corner to the dead-end that was the access to the air quality components of the ship, Rey turned to face Leia.
"I have something to tell you." Rey said. She was nervous. She blurted those words out – thinking she needed to tell Leia about her Force Bond with Ben. But then, she panicked…. What if Leia left her on this planet and abandoned her because Ben might trace their location through her?
Leia watched Rey struggle – felt her panic rise, felt her fear of being alone permeate the air around them.
"Child, please." Leia reached out and grasped both of Rey's hands in hers. "How about I begin? I also have something I wanted to discuss with you. I'm bringing you with me to meet an old Ambassador of the Republic. He's been loyal to the Rebellion and is provided us with the ship and supplies we desperately need. However; we could be walking into a trap."
Rey's eyes widened. "But you said he's loyal to the Rebellion..."
Leia's look softened. "This is the most difficult lesson I've learned Rey, but; betrayal never comes from a stranger." Rey looked at Leia's steely gaze, her strength came out towards Rey and Rey was once again, in awe of the Princess. "We must be prepared. Every single time." She said to Rey.
Leia continued, "I need you to open your senses to the Force. I need you to probe the very first people who come to meet our party at the rendezvous point. Look for the weakest person, someone in the background perhaps? A pilot, a servant. Probe them for information through the Force. Find out if we are in danger. You are stronger than I."
Rey straightened, but was unsure. "I… I've never really done that Leia. I don't know that I know how…"
"Rey, we have no time for you to not know." Leia looked at Rey somberly. "You've read the Jedi texts, yes? From Ahch-To?"
Rey nodded, "…yes…. But I…"
"You've probed me to find out where I am and if I'm ok? Yes?" Leia prodded.
"Yes."
Leia sighed, satisfied. "It's the same thing, only you need more intention to find out something specific. Probe for nervousness, fear of being found out, knowledge of people hiding in wait. A codeword." She held out her hand to Rey. "It's time to be a Jedi Rey." She said.
Rey looked down at Leia – standing so small in front of her. With her hand out. Her hand out just as Ben's hand was out to her in the Throne Room. Her chest hitched at the memory and she swallowed the lump forming in her throat.
Rey clasped Leia's hand and smiled down at her.
"I'm ready." She said.
Rey hoped she sounded more convinced of that then she actually felt.