A beam of light shot across the training room only to bounce in the opposite direction. Then again and again as Rey casually deflected the lasers with her lightsaber. She felt so confident that she didn't even have to look to see where the beams were coming from anymore. It all felt so natural to her.
Excellent! she thought as her set finished. She did not waste much time before setting up the next exercise in accordance with her new schedule. Since Rey's permanent departure from the engineering department a few days prior, she had a sudden influx of free time on her hands. Being on the infiltration team, it only made sense for her to dedicate that extra time to her combat training. Nothing these days seemed to give her more pleasure than demonstrating her power. If anything, it was a nice distraction from her Kylo dreams, which seemed to be becoming more and more vivid by the day.
As she fiddled with the machinery she heard a voice shout from the doorway. "That was amazing!"
Even before Rey turned around, she knew it was Poe of course. Damn it! I suppose I couldn't avoid talking to him forever. Just act natural, he doesn't know that you did anything.
After a second or two of collecting herself, she got up and greeted him with a smile. "You bet it was!"
Poe seemed to be acting like his usual affable self as he strutted towards Rey. "When you haven't seen that kind of stuff in a long time, you forget how impressive it looks. Glad you're on our side!"
She gave an awkward chuckle. "Right..."
"How have you been? Feels like I haven't seen you in weeks."
"I'm fine. Busy. I've been training mostly."
"So I've heard. I had no clue it would be this intense, to be honest. It was a mistake to sit you out, you're going to be a valuable asset to us," Poe said, putting his hand on Rey's shoulder.
The words 'valuable asset to us' and 'tool of the Resistance' flashed through Rey's mind, distracting her for a second. "Speaking of the mission, any more details on when and where?"
"It looks like we'll be leaving early next week for a colony planet in the Unknown Regions."
"Wait a minute, a colony planet?"
"Yeah that is where the factory seems to be."
"I see… Will civilians be working in this factory?"
Stroking his chin, Poe took a second to think. "Probably? We don't have all the details, but making sure it is destroyed is a priority. If we can prevent a new fleet from being built before it becomes a threat, that could be just the kind of break we need."
-To finish exterminating the First Order, civilians and all, Rey finished in her mind. "What about this source, can you trust it?"
"I hope so... we're certainly paying him enough for some good info. But no, we can't trust it on face value. We still need to wait until it is verified to act on it."
Rey's eyes widened. "Where is he?"
"He's at one of our old safe houses until we can figure out if this is legitimate."
"Can I meet with this person?"
Poe sighed. "This again?"
"You know what I can do. I could get to the bottom of this matter way faster than any recon team. I'll tell you if he is lying."
"You can do some amazing things, that is true. But the General is still... uncomfortable with you leaving the base. She's already questioning my judgement bringing you on the mission, I don't want to push it."
"How is this still an issue? I am going on the mission, why would she care if I do this? I am just trying to do what is best for everyone Poe," Rey said, throwing her hands up in the air.
"Just be patient."
"Patient? I've been campaigning to leave here for months but still have yet to be given the dignity of a single trip off world."
"Well, if you're talking about the Kylo thing again, it's not exactly in my interests to sign off on a suicide mission."
"Oh come on Poe. Have you seen what I can do? I am the greatest hope of the Resistance."
"That might be overstating things a little." Poe said, rolling his eyes.
Rey pursed her lips. "Oh really? Then why is the General so worried to lose me? Why? It's because she knows you don't stand a chance without me."
"Take it easy Rey."
"It's true, isn't it? You people would be destroyed if it wasn't for me. Crushed by the First Order," Rey said, a manic look in her eye.
Poe furrowed his eyebrows. "Please. If I remember correctly, it was me that disabled Starkiller Base. You might be great, but you are acting way too damn pompous for your own good! Now enough of this nonsense!"
"Pompous? This is nonsense you say?" Grabbing Poe by the collar, Rey pushed him against the wall "For months, I have been a good girl for you people and helped your army fight its war, even as you people let my friend die. I've felt trapped here, but it's clear now that I've only had myself to blame for that. I've had enough of your irritating overprotection. I've heard no from you for the last time."
"Are you threatening me?" Poe said, pushing Rey away from him.
She did not care. She had no use for his body, just his mind. Looking into his soul she saw disgust and anger, but most of all she saw fear. Rey relished it. It meant she had what she wanted. It meant she had him in the palm of her hand. She locked eyes with him. The sides of her mouth curled as she gave him his orders. "You will send me the location of the traitor and have no concern about me visiting him."
Poe paused for a second, computing what he had been told. "I'll give you the location of the traitor and have no concern about you visiting him."
"You will prepare the Millenium Falcon for my immediate departure."
"I will prepare the Millenium Falcon for your immediate departure," Poe echoed in a monotone voice.
"Now you will leave this room, forget this conversation and that we were ever in conflict. We are great friends."
"We are great friends." Like that, Poe turned around and left the room.
I don't know why I didn't start doing that sooner, Rey thought, a wild look on her face. The experience wasn't as exhilarating as last time, but it was certainly enough to give her ragged breath and a heat in her chest. After a few more seconds of excitement, the magnitude of what happened began to sink in. This was what she had been waiting for.
Finally... I'm free.