There may have been more beautiful worlds in the galaxy than Takodana, but if so, they were unknown to Han, he reflected. Verdant and mild, flecked with bands of white cloud and necklaced with small seas and brightly reflective lakes, it appeared before them as the Millennium Falcon dropped out of hyperspace. With him in the pilot's chair, Rey copiloting, and Cade, Finn, and BB-8 behind, the cockpit was a bit crowded. Finn was met with uncertainty and curiosity. Cade, was not.
"What are we doing here?" the former Jedi turned spy asked.
"You wanted help, you're getting it," Han told him. "We're going to see an old friend." Cade rolled his eyes and Rey caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. She was staring fixedly out of the viewport. She seemed on the verge of tears.
He leaned forward. "Hey- you okay?"
"I didn't know there was this much green in the whole galaxy," she said in awe. He looked at her for a moment and realized Han was as well. They locked eyes, but his uncle turned away before anything further could be said.
Han sent the Falcon into a shallow dive, heading for a well-remembered location. Speed stripped away the clouds around them, revealing what looked like endless evergreen forest. As he slowed the ship to suborbital velocity, other features lingered in the gaze of his passengers: rolling hills, rivers, and lakes that glistened like sheets of silver foil.
"This place is spectacular," observed an exuberant Finn. "We could stay here for a while, hide out from the First Order."
Cade pointed in the distance. "You might want to ask them first." A towering stone castle came into view as the Falcon prepared for touchdown. Finn could not tell by whose hands- or other manipulative appendages- it had been raised by. Architecture was not something Stormtroopers tended to study. One side of the castle was dominated by a long freshwater lake. Of more interest to him, the other side featured a landing area crowded with small freighters not unlike the Millennium Falcon. Like the Falcon, the majority of parked craft looked worn and heavily used, but well maintained.
Disembarking, Rey and BB-8 marveled at forest, lake, and castle. Limping slightly but otherwise disdaining his wounds, Chewbacca ignored the rustic panorama in favor of inspecting the underside of the Falcon. Still onboard, Cade and Han were practically fighting over who got to rummage through the storage unit. Cade was looking for weapons while Han was trying to ascertain what Plutt had done to his ship. They were about to argue when Finn decided to come up behind them.
"Solo, I'm not sure what we're walking into here. A few details would be welcome."
The both of them half turning, Cade chuckled ever so slightly. Han looked back at him, said quietly, "Did you just call me 'Solo'?"
"Sorry- Han. Mr. Solo. Look, I'm not asking for information lightly. I just need to know if there are any conspirators here, okay? No First Order sympathizers? 'Cause they'd be looking out for me now, and I don't need any surprises."
"I can't believe this guy," Han said to his nephew incredulously. Helooked at Finn. "Hate to break it to ya kid, but no matter where you go, no matter who you happen to run into, the galaxy's just full of surprises." He handed over a blaster, which Finn took and examined. He realized it was of the same model Cade had also grabbed out of the storage container. His was a newer blaster, with all the bells and whistles.
Han brushed past the younger men, heading for the exit. The two of them just gave each other a look. Outside, Han interrupted the sightseeing. Rey was barely able to contain her delight at their surroundings.
"I can't believe this place is real. It doesn't even smell real."
He nodded understandingly, gesturing at the surrounding forest. "You got all this greenery pumping out all this oxygen. Makes a big change when all you've been sucking is recycled ship atmosphere." He offered her a blaster. "You might need this."
Rey looked down at the weapon, then back at him. "I've been in one or two tough situations. I can handle myself."
"I know you can, and that's why I'm giving it to you." He pushed the weapon toward her. "Take it."
She contemplated the blaster, drawn to it as she was to any piece of new and unfamiliar tech, and finally accepted it, hefting it carefully.
"It's heavy" was her appraisal.
He considered. Had he guessed wrong? "You do know how to use that?"
"Trigger," she shot back. "You aim it and pull the trigger."
"A bit more to this model than that. Put a little more effort in, get a little more result out. You've still got a lot to learn." He looked down at his boots, pondering what he wanted to say next. "I've been thinking about taking on some more crew."
She smiled at him. "Are you offering me a job? That's two offers in one day."
He looked at her questioningly. "Did Cade offer you one too? I was hoping he didn't get to you first." He continued on. "Need someone who can keep up with Chewie and me and who's smart enough to know when to keep out of the way. Someone who appreciates the Falcon and all her hidden qualities."
She cocked an eye at him and smiled. "What if I was going to take Cade up on his offer?"
He met her stare without blinking. "I can't compete with the Republic, they have too good of benefits. The job with me, it doesn't pay right away and I'm not going to be nice to you, but you'd have a lot more freedom than with him."
"I'm flattered." Rey paused. "But I can't do it."
Han looked at her and said knowingly, "Because you don't know what you want yet."
She nodded. "I'm not going back to Jakku now, but I haven't decided what to do yet," she hesitated a moment as Finn and Cade emerged from the ramp. "I haven't found that it yet." She smiled and waved at them. They returned the gesture.
Han put a hand on her shoulder. "Let me know if you change your mind." Turning, he called toward the ship. "Hurry it up you two, we haven't got all day!" He saw Chewie under the one landing strut. "Chewie! Check her out the best you can. Join us when you're finished." He looked at Finn and Cade as they approached. "Hopefully with any luck, we won't be here long."
"What exactly is this place?" Finn asked as he gazed at the massive structure off in the distance.
It was Cade who answered this question. "Maz Kanata's personal residence. She's a smuggler queen and has been running this place for almost a thousand years." Rey and Finn were both shocked at this statement. Cade replied playfully. "Her species live for a long time. There's nothing like it in the galaxy. This place is sacred. You don't shoot first, or even think about throwing a punch." He shot his uncle a look.
Han rose his hands in mock surrender. "Don't look at me kid, I'm an older man now."
"Yeah, but dad told me a story when I was a kid. Just don't lose your cool."
"You don't have to tell me twice." He led the way as the group followed the path to the castle. They were able to enjoy the forest and the occasional glimpse at indigenous wildlife. These were invariably small and nonthreatening. Approaching the impressive structure and it's odd, trapezoidal stonework, Finn found himself unable to estimate its age.
Cade and Rey gazed up at the hundreds of flags representing numerous cultures and tribes hanging from the battlements. Some of them were more faded than others. Cade holstered his weapon, and soon, Finn and Rey followed suit. "First impressions are important to her," He said to them.
"You've met her?" asked a curious Finn.
"Yeah, you could say that. I was a kid and it was," He trailed off. "Different."
They climbed the stairs, with Han turning around to block the entrance. "The most important thing here kids, is to keep a low profile. Stay under the radar. Maz is a bit of an acquired taste. So let me do the talking. And whatever you do, don't stare."
Rey and Finn replied almost simultaneously. "At what?"
"Any of it," Cade warned them.
The entrance was open. A corridor led to a sizable open hall of neatly finished stonework where a hodgepodge of humans, humanoids, and distinctly nonhumans were engaged in what struck Finn as a perpetual round of eating, drinking, gambling, scheming, negotiating, and arguing. Leading the way, Han alternatively shoved, requested, or cajoled assorted occupants of the hall out of their path, until at last he halted.
The figure standing in front of him and currently blocking the way was short. Very short indeed, and by the look of what skin and flesh was visible, very old. Abruptly, this decidedly unimpressive humanoid whirled, as if sensing something without seeing it.
What could be seen of the hairless pate beneath the simple grey cap was a withered, weathered yellowish-brown. Huge lenses that were as much goggles as glasses folded forward over both eyes. The nose was small, almost petite, and the mouth thin and drawn. She- for Han had told the trio it was a she- was dressed simply and practically: baggy dark maroon pants tucked into handmade boots. A vest of some charcoal grey material was fitted over a blue-green sweater-like shirt whose sleeves were rolled up to just beneath the elbows, exposing skin that was almost gold-colored. A buckle of some silvery material was fastened to a leather belt from which hung an assortment of tech. In contrast to the plain clothing, the collection of bracelets and rings she wore bordered on the ostentatious.
Catching sight of Han, she let out a shriek that reverberated off the walls and belied her size.
"HAAAAAAAAAAAN SOLO?"
All activity in the hall immediately ceased as everyone, regardless of species or aural acuity, turned to look in the newcomer's direction. The room became immensely quiet and Cade sensed dark intentions from various spots throughout the tavern. He had to figure out how to stop those sensations from happening.
"Hiya Maz," Han said wearily, not entirely sure if he would be greeted with kindness or hostility.
Finn shook his head. "Under the radar," he muttered. "Perfect." He noticed all the occupants in the castle were staring at Cade. He nudged his friend in the side. "Why are they all staring at you?"
"Why do you think?" he replied. "I've got a really bad feeling about this place."
Ignoring the comments from the two younger men, Han continued. "Still open for business?"
"Barely!" she snapped back at the much taller human. "Thanks to a certain mooch who still hasn't paid me back after nearly twenty years. Can you imagine something so horrible?" She smiled that old smile of hers at the smuggler.
He eased up and realized she would meet him with kindness. "I might be able to," he admitted.
Whoever she was- whatever she was- Finn had already decided that she was someone who could deal with Han Solo on an equal basis in terms of sarcasm.
Maz peered up at Han, her googled eyes wide. "Where's my boyfriend?"
"Chewie's repairing the Falcon," Han told her.
"I'm so sorry he's gotten you and that sweet Wookiee into trouble," she said abruptly to Finn and Rey. "You aren't fooling anyone with that beard, Skywalker." She approached him and indicated she wanted a hug from the man.
Cade stepped forward, kneeled down to the floor level, and accepted the hug. "I've got to try to be inconspicuous in my line of work."
She looked at Finn and Rey. "Don't give me that look. I've known this once since before he was a hatchling." She returned her interest back to Cade. "Following in the family business?" she remarked ruefully.
"Something like that," he replied in an equally rueful tone.
"Come! Sit! All of you! I can't wait to hear what you need from me this time," she said to Han.
The new arrivals headed off, trailing Maz out of the main hall. Being unremarkable specimens of sentient life, they only drew the occasional passing glance.
Among those who watched them go were an enormous hairless mass of slovenly dressed Dowutin muscle called Grummagar and a svelte slice of skin who went by the name of Bazine Netal. In contrast to her hulking companion, Bazine was fully human. Exquisitely if severely clad in a long sleeved dress patterned in an optical illusion of black and grey, she was sure to attract some attention in this place. But this was her goal of course. Attention meant information. Information she could sell to her employers.
The communicator she employed was capable of sending encrypted messages via the central planetary communications booster. With that much power at her disposal, it did not take long for her to establish a long-range connection.
"Yes. It's Bazine Netal. I've got them."
It was a very private place. There was no need to mark it as such. No need for signs or audible warnings or protective devices. Everyone on the ship knew what it was, who it belonged to, and what lay within. None would think of violating the sanctuary. That way lay censure, possibly pain, and quite likely worse.
The lighting within was subdued. There would not have been much to see even in the presence of brighter illumination. A pair of consoles dominated by red lights flanked the doorway. A single projection console sat in the center, attended by a lone chair. Otherwise the room was sparsely furnished. The individual who claimed the space had no need for the usual accoutrements favored by sentient beings. He was content within himself and with who he was.
The alcove where Kylo Ren was kneeling and speaking was darker than the rest of the adjoining chambers. He kept it deliberately so, as seemed appropriate for its function. He spoke now in a tone different from the one he usually employed when conversing with others. There were no orders to be issued here, no pathetic underlings to command. The one with whom he was presently communing would understand everything Ren chose to say, in whatever voice he chose to employ. No need here and now for intimidation, for fear. Kylo Ren spoke, and the object of his words listened in silence.
"Forgive me. I feel it again. The pull to the light. The Supreme Leader senses it. Show me again. The power of the darkness, and I will let nothing stand in our way."
Alone in the room, Kylo Ren- saturnine of aspect, lithe of build, tortured of mien, and troubled of eye- gazed at the silent recipient of his confession.
"Show me Grandfather, and I will finish what you started."
Trembling ever so slightly, he rose from where he had been kneeling and strode off to another portion of his private quarters. There was no response from the one to whom he had been talking: neither argument nor agreement. Only silence from the shape that had been the object of Ren's fervor: a ghostly, deformed mask that had once belonged to another. Ren had modeled his own after it. It belonged to a figure of rumor, of legend, of fear. Misshapen and malformed as it was, no one who had laid eyes upon the countenance that had belonged to Darth Vader would ever forget it.
While the appetites of Finn and Cade had been given a blow while crawling through the desert, they were nothing compared to Rey's. The two young men marveled at the amount of food she was able to down. It was as if she had never eaten real food before in her life. She grabbed examples of anything which was within reach. Han also ate energetically, but he was enjoying the conversation more so than the younger people at the table.
"A map leading to the first Jedi temple!" Maz was marveling as she puttered about the kitchen. "To Skywalker himself!" she looked at Cade. "I knew he would give you a way to find him someday. Not once did I give up hope."
Cade remained silent, while Han responded for him. "Well, that's good to hear, because I have a favor to ask," Han said.
Maz looked at him knowingly. "You need a loan, don't you? I heard all about the Guavian job." She stopped and looked at Rey. "How's the food?"
"So delicious," Rey said enthusiastically between bites.
"I need you to get this droid and Cade to the Republic…," Han said.
"Me?" Maz said archly.
"…and the loan sounds good too."
"I see you're in trouble," Maz said. "I'll help you find a route to avoid Snoke's hunter squads- but this journey to the Republic isn't mine to take, and you know it."
"Leia doesn't want to see me," Han said uneasily. He looked at his nephew, but Cade continued to eat his food silently.
"Who can blame her!" Maz exclaimed. "But this fight is about more than you and that good woman. Han, go home."
"He doesn't want to be a part of the fight anymore," Cade said after gulping down his food.
Maz zoomed in her goggles on Cade, looking him up and down from her seat. She already knew the answer, but wanted to bring it up anyway. "It seems you have left the fight as well, Jedi."
Cade shook his head. "I haven't left the fight," He glared at her, wanting to know why she was doing this. She had been the only one who had really understood what he was going through. "Would you want to be a Jedi if all the people you know who practiced it are either dead, turned into a psychopath, or in hiding?" He popped a piece of fruit into his mouth. "Not very appealing to me."
"You need to find your father and help him in this fight. It's as much a part of you as it was of him."
He laughed sarcastically, almost choking. "How's that?" He huffed, growing frustrated. "Because my last name is Skywalker, I'm supposed to face down evil with a laser sword?" He saw that Rey and Finn were now looking at him with uncertainty in their eyes. Some of the tableware was beginning to shake. Dammit, he thought to himself, it's happening again. He calmed himself and the shaking stopped. He turned his attention towards Maz. "You've been reading too many history books about my family. I'm not like them, and I never will be. I just don't have it in me."
Cade looked at the others gathered around the table apologetically. He got up. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to be alone for a while." He walked away toward the inner part of the castle, with BB-8 following. Rey attempted to go after him, but Maz stopped her.
"It's not worth it." She looked at Han. "He gets that stubbornness from him."
Rey's curiosity was peaked. "What fight are you talking about?"
"The only fight that matters: against the dark side. Through the ages, I've seen evil take many forms. The Sith. The Empire. Today, it is the First Order. Their shadow is spreading across the galaxy. We must face them. Fight them. All of us." She looked at the gathered faces around the table.
Finn snorted. "That's crazy. Look around. There's no chance we haven't been recognized already- I bet the First Order is on their way right now…" He broke off as Maz adjusted her goggles, making her eyes grown even larger than usual, like she did with Cade. "What?" Finn asked indignantly.
This time however, she climbed up on the table and made her way to stand directly in front of Finn. He started to feel nervous in a way he hadn't since entering the castle. "What's she doing?" he asked.
Han shrugged. "No idea," he said, "but it ain't good."
Maz finally spoke. "I've lived for a thousand years. Long enough to see the same eyes in different people." She adjusted the goggles again, and to Finn's relief the pirate's eyes went back to normal. "I'm looking at the eyes of a man who wants to run," she said solemnly.
"You don't know a thing about me," Finn said in frustration. "Where I'm from. What I've seen. You don't know the First Order like I do. They'll slaughter us. We all need to run."
Maz considered him, then pointed back into the main hall area. "Big head, red shirt, shiny gun. Bright red helmet with ear flares. They're bound for the Outer Rim. Will trade transportation for work. Go."
Awkwardly, Finn rose from his seat. Everything had happened fast. Too fast. The last thing he had anticipated was the fulfillment of his request.
Reaching- slowly- to his service belt, he drew the blaster Han had given him and offered it to the man. "It's been nice knowing you. Really was."
Han didn't look at him. "Keep it."
Finn hesitated, but there was nothing more to say. Pointless words wasted atmosphere. Turning, he walked away.
Watching him go, Rey was confused at the sudden and abrupt turn of events. Cade had gone off to sulk and now Finn was leaving. They had all been through a great deal, and their sudden leave-taking was hitting her hard.
Though his thoughts were churning, Finn managed to keep them under control. He looked for Cade to say goodbye to the man who had been the only real friend he had ever had, but the Jedi-turned-spy was nowhere to be found. He approached the table Maz had pointed out but there was not a human among them. Having been pushed this far, he addressed the red-helmeted captain and his one-legged Gabdorin first mate without hesitation.
"I'm told you're looking for help. I'll work for a lift to any civilized world in the Outer Rim."
The first mate replied to him, but Finn didn't understand a word of whatever language the Gabdorin was speaking. The captain remained silent.
"I don't know what that was," he responded, "but it's a deal." He smiled, hoping the expression was not found wanting. Or hostile.
The exchange was interrupted by Rey's arrival. She was confused and angry all at once.
"What are you doing?"
Finn smiled anew at the leader of the alien crew. "Give me a second." He edged Rey away from the table, leaving the aliens to mutter incomprehensively among themselves.
"You heard what Maz said," Rey hissed at him. "You're part of this fight now. We both are." She searched his face. "You must feel something…"
"I'm not who or what you think I am. I'm not special. Not in any way."
She was shaking her head slowly, not comprehending what she was hearing. "Finn, what are you saying? I've watched you in action, I've…"
His voice tightened as he finally blurted out the truth. "I'm not a hero. I'm not with the Republic. I'm a Stormtrooper."
That silenced her. He might as well have hit her across the face with the business end of a blaster.
"Like all of them, I was taken away from a family I'll never know," he continued rapidly. "I was raised to do one thing. Trained to do one thing. To kill my enemy." He felt something that should not have been there, that was not part of his training, well up in him. "But my first battle, I made a choice. I wasn't going to kill for them. So I ran. As it happens, right into Cade and you. I was ashamed of what I was. But I'm done with the First Order. I'm never going back. I'm getting as far away from them as possible. Come with me. You don't owe these people anything."
She shook her head. "Don't go."
"Take care of yourself," he begged her. "Please." He turned and headed back to the group of waiting aliens.
The red-helmeted captain looked up at him. Finn nodded once, hoping the gesture was as universal as he had been told. "I'm ready whenever you are." The first mate replied in his stumbling language and Finn nodded a second time. "Yeah, whatever."
The crew members rose and headed for the main doorway. As Finn started to go with them, an anguished Rey pivoted and turned her back on him.
Finn had wanted to say something more before realizing anything he could come up with would be worse than superfluous. Better to leave it as it was, he told himself. Clean break, no scene, no yelling and shouting. He went with the members of the alien crew, pausing at the hall exit to glance back at his friends one last time. Cade was nowhere to be found, and Rey was still walking away, not looking in his direction. Just as well, he thought as the doorway closed behind him.
That was what he told himself. But it was not what he was feeling.
So preoccupied and bewildered was Rey by Finn's completely unanticipated confession that she failed to notice the lumbering figure and accompanying henchmen who were making their way through the crowd toward her. She was utterly blind to the approach until one thick hand reached out to grab her.
"Hello, Rey."
She recognized the voice before she even saw the face.
Unkar Plutt.
There was no mistaking that repulsive countenance. After sparing a quick glance for his oversized minions, she turned her attention to him, astonished.
"How- how did you find me?
He smiled. It did not improve his appearance. "The ship you stole. You can't really track a ship while it's in hyperspace. But when it emerges, particularly after it sets down somewhere, there are ways. Expensive, but in the case of the Falcon, definitely worth it. I fitted it with an old Imperial homing device years ago. I simply fired up the relays, and here I am."
No one in the hall was paying them the least attention, she noticed worriedly. In a place where everyone minded their own business, she found herself wishing fervently for someone to butt in. She twisted defiantly in Plutt's grasp.
"I suggest. Kindly. That you let go of me. Now."
Despite her attempts to pull away, he drew her steadily closer. She could not avoid the fact that his breath was a suitable aromatic match for his visage.
"I suggest, less kindly, that you come quietly with me. Otherwise we'll begin right here, where you can provide some entertainment for this galactic rubbish." Putting his face so close to hers that they were almost touching, he lowered his voice. "I'm gonna make you and that wearisome droid pay for what you've done."
Rey was suddenly a frightened little girl again, unable to move. But then she realized. She was no longer on Jakku where Plutt had free reign. And she had a weapon. Whipping out her blaster, she plonked it right up against his nose. His underlings started forward, only to be waved off by their master.
Rey growled softly. "I'm seriously thinking about adding another hole to your face."
He chuckled unpleasantly, then in a single swooping motion grabbed the blaster and wrenched it away from her. Her expression fell. Before he had managed to grab it, she had pulled the trigger- she was certain she had. But for some reason the weapon had malfunctioned.
He shook his head in mock sympathy as he held up the blaster. "You need to take off the safety first." He laughed and turned around to look at his henchmen, whom were also laughing. One finger moved toward the hidden switch in question. "You flip the switch and the blaster becomes live."
Rey saw a flash of someone passing by out of the corner of her eye and noticed a figure had stepped directly beside Plutt.
"Kind of like this one?" asked Cade. He held his blaster into the side of Plutt. Chewie was flanking him. Plutt looked up into the furry face of the deceptively calm Wookiee. "Why don't you listen to the lady, huh? I'd rather we not make a mess of things in Maz's castle."
"Urrrrrrr….."
Not especially eloquent of Chewie, but it got the point across.
If Plutt was impressed, his face didn't show it. Noticing the bandaged soldier, he became more confident. "Half a Wookiee and a tiny human ain't much to worry about." He looked back at his henchmen and then looked down at Cade. "I think I'll be taking the girl."
Having a look of mock resignation over his face, Cade agreed. He stepped back, occupying Plutt's full attention. Rey was shocked for a moment, but Cade gave her a wink. "Alright, you win." He looked over at the Wookie Plutt had forgotten about. "Chewie, you're up."
Plutt quickly lashed out at Chewie, but the Wookiee was too quick. Grabbing the thrusting arm, a roaring Chewbacca twisted and ripped the arm off at the shoulder, throwing the dismembered limb clear across the room. Looking down at himself, Plutt let out a scream of agony as his underlings hurriedly fled the castle.
"You alright?" Cade asked Rey as he held out his hand to assist her.
"Yeah, I'm just glad someone came over to help." She looked around the tavern as Cade pulled her up. "I thought I was done for."
Cade followed her gaze. "Where's Finn?"
She was reminded about what got her into this mess in the first place. "He left with a crew bound for the Outer Rim," she gave him a look of annoyance. "Why didn't you tell me he was a Stormtrooper?"
Shocked as he was that Finn had told her, Cade shrugged. "It wasn't my secret to tell."
"Fair enough." She then smiled at him. "Are you don't sulking now?"
He returned the smile. "Yeah, I'm done. Let's go find Han." He turned around to find his former protector and now that of Rey. "C'mon Chewie."
Chewbacca growled an affirmative, making sure Plutt was still running away, then followed the duo as they headed back to the table.
The arm had landed on a table where a group of four-armed, long-snouted Culisettos were gambling. With an annoyed huff, one of them picked up the amputated limb and absently tossed it aside, allowing the game to resume. Nearby, a small bipedal GA-97 droid who had been monitoring the pastime curiously turned to check the source of the excised limb. Though it had originally focused on the retreating one-armed form, it now focused all of the attention on the human male assisting the girl to her feet. Visual recognition of the red hair and blue-eyed man ignited a small but very important internal sequence that concluded with the GA-97 sending out a compressed signal that was bounced around, coded, decoded, encrypted, and flashed out into deep space.
Where it very soon was picked up, decoded, and decrypted, to become the impetus for an electronic shout of joy.
Only on very rare occasions did C-3PO encounter a need for forward speed. This was one of them, but his ambulatory programming restricted him to a gait that was less than satisfactory. If only, he mused, he could move as fast as he could talk.
Despite his motive infirmity, he eventually found General Organa in her office suite, surrounded by aides. She was deep in conversations with an intelligence specialist. Ignoring the fact that they were engaged in serious discussion, the droid started speaking without prefacing his arrival.
"Princess- I mean, General!" At the sound of the protocol's familiar voice, Leia turned and waved off the tech.
"What is it Threepio?" she asked impatiently.
He lowered his voice so the others could not hear. "I believe I have successfully located Master Cade! According to the information I have just received through our scattered but attentive network, he is presently within the castle of Maz Kanata on Takodana.
Leia let out a gasp of excitement. "Maz- I knew you could do it, Threepio! Good work!" She got the attention of the aides and techs to follow her as she made her way out of the office. "Get me Admiral Ackbar! This changes everything."
Author's Note: Thanks so much for reading up until this point! I will try to post a new chapter every two weeks, most likely on a Thursday or Friday. I graduated in the spring and I'm attempting to find "a big boy job". I'm also working 30 hours a week, so if I can write more, I will. I hope you are enjoying the story so far. Leave a comment of what you think and share! The more people that can give me feedback, the better!
Excelsior and May the Force Be With You!
-Vikesman100