14. The Rescue Mission- Part One
Thanks to the guest reviewer who said this story keeps getting better and better with each chapter, that means so much so thank you! Thanks to Bunnie24 for her feedback in the last couple of chapters too. Hope the rest of you are enjoying the story, I'm sorry if I broke your hearts a little more with the last chapter but, just gotta mix things up as much as possible so the plot in the future pays off well :) Hope you enjoy this chapter, and don't forget to leave that feedback if you so desire to let me know how this story makes you (hopefully) feel all the feels!
It took 3 hours for the storm to pass. 3 of the longest hours in both their lives. In the past, Lyra had spent days on end doing nothing but read old books over and over as she waited for Armitage to return from meetings and still, those 3 silent hours in the cave with Poe, feeling the guilt of hurting Poe, her closest friend, were painfully, unbearably slow.
When the sounds of the storm subsided, it had been Poe who had offered to go outside to check if it was safe to fly to Naboo. Lyra waited for him anxiously until he returned to let her know it was safe and they made their way back to the ship in silence. It was only when they were halfway through their journey to the planet Lyra called home that one of them decided to speak.
"Are you sure it's safe for you to be going back to the planet your home is in?"
Lyra looked over and smiled at him, trying desperately to move on from the awkwardness between them.
"Oh yes, I doubt anyone in Naboo would recognise me in a shirt and pants, I wore nothing but elaborate dresses and robes when I lived here. I highly doubt anybody would recognise me without Armitage anyway."
Poe's frown seemed to deepen at the mention of Hux's name.
"I'm serious. Is this a safe enough place for you right now?"
The young woman brushed her hair to the side as she looked over at the visibly upset Pilot. "No more dangerous than facing off against a rancor, or getting shot at in Pau City, or going undercover in a casino teaming with guards, or fighting Stormtroopers in Takodana…."
Poe couldn't help but smirk. "Alright smartass, I get it. You can handle yourself. Just don't change into a dress while we're here."
Even though he was still looking straight ahead, refusing to look at her, his gaze had softened.
"We could really put everyone off our scent and have you wear one of my dresses" she retorted playfully.
"I would probably be able to pull it off" he said with another smirk.
"You probably could. I would hazard you could pull it off better than myself."
"Maybe, I mean, you haven't seen my legs but lemme tell you, I think in a thigh high dress, they could be crowd-pleasers for sure".
Poe finally met her gaze with a huge grin on his face, one that could make even the coldest of people fall in love with him. He could easily win over Finn she thought to herself. He had certainly won her favour. They burst out into laughter together and the tension between them was lost. For now at least.
Naboo was as beautiful as Lyra remembered. As soon as they approached the planet she could practically feel the sun on her face, taste the fine wines found in the cellars of the grand estates, feel the soft grass beneath her feet. D'Qar had felt nice, especially with Poe and the others there to make her feel at home, but Naboo, Naboo was truly home. Sometimes it felt like the only planet devoted to peace. Untouched by war. Trade negotiations had always been the biggest issue on Naboo but fights very rarely broke out. It was her safe space, it was her memories and her peace and something felt deeply and inherently right about bringing Poe there with her.
Bilek Yorka, as it turned out, didn't live far from Lyra's own home. His home was based in the Eastern markets, down by the fountains in the main city centre that were built by the Gungans as an offer of peace to all who visited their home planet. It was hardly an inconspicuous location, but then after fighting alongside Leia in the war against the imperial forces all those years ago, all that work had probably earned him the right to a peaceful retirement.
Poe watched as women passed them dressed in the sort of fancy dresses Lyra had worn before leaving the Finalizer. He followed her as she navigated through the streets in a way that only someone who knew the planet like the back of their hand could as he stared in wonder at the richness of the planet. Everything seemed so beautiful. Of course, Lyra's home would be beautiful, just like her. It seemed only fitting he thought to himself.
"I gotta ask you, do you miss dressing like…. That?" he asked, pointing to a woman wearing a dress with a train longer than some ships he had seen.
"Not the ones quite so, flashy, but yes. As much as I adore wearing your comfortable clothes, I do miss sometimes wearing my dresses. Back then, it felt like the only way to express myself" she replied as Poe tried his hardest not to stare too long at the wealthy, eccentric residents.
"But now you can speak freely, you can fight, you can wear clothes that don't you know, hold you back. You don't need 50 yards of fabric to express yourself anymore, right?"
"Poe, there are many ways to express one's self. I can still point a blaster wearing a dress. It isn't just about fitting one image. You know that best of all."
Poe raised an eyebrow as a short, rather angry looking alien huffed at the Pilot not moving out of his way. He quickly manoeuvred around the flustered male to catch up with Lyra. "What do you mean?"
"Well, you are an incredibly handsome, talented, charming, I daresay confident Pilot. You could have a different woman, apologies, being, on your arm each night and yet, you remain one of the sweetest, most loyal men I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. We all have our layers."
The Pilot nodded. "Well, I guess I never thought about it like that. Being surrounded by rebels and pilots all the time you start to forget people wear things other than orange flight suits, but hey, you think I'm handsome, talented and sweet? That's a bonus."
Lyra rolled her eyes as she cast a glance back at him. "You already knew I thought those things of you."
"Yeah but it's nice to hear it again."
They made their way through the markets to Bilek's home. Poe kept stopping to look at the things on sale at the market, shocked at how expensive everything seemed. Lyra eventually grew tired of him side-tracking them, having to remind him how Rey was still awaiting rescue on Starkiller and took his hand in her own as she tried to get him to match her pace.
Finally, they came to the Gungan fountain and Lyra breathed a sigh of content as she watched the children playing in the fountain, and at the young women sat by the edge of it, tossing coins into the water with the hopes it would bring them good fortune.
"I used to sit by this fountain all day when I was younger. Most of the time just to escape tedious lectures from teachers, but sometimes it was just to listen to the sounds of the water. It's so relaxing, the sound of water, don't you think?"
Poe was too busy staring at her smiling to notice the sounds of the water, but at her words, he stopped to listen for a moment.
"Well, it certainly isn't like the sounds of X-Wings taking off. It's pretty, but I would get distracted easily."
She laughed softly before moving on. "Well come on then man-child, I think this is Bilek's home just up ahead, on the left."
She led him to a busy residential street where the poorer residents of Naboo stood talking to their neighbours, hanging out washing as their children passed through the streets playing with various toys, laughing as they went. Bilek's house was hidden away around the back, up a narrow set of stairs.
When they knocked on the door, they were almost sure he wasn't in. It was only when they knocked a third time, did someone answer.
"Who is it?" A voice sounded from behind the door.
Poe and Lyra exchanged worried stares. They quickly realised Bilek was from a time long before them, who was to say that he would trust them, and even if he did, who was to say he would be interested in helping the Resistance when he already served his time long ago.
"Are you Bilek Yorka?"
"Who wants to know?"
"Please sir, we are friends of General Organa…. Princess Leia Organa, we came here for your help" Lyra pleaded.
The door opened and the old Cerean peered down at them. "The Princess….. she's a General now?"
"Yes sir, and this is her most trusted Pilot, Poe Dameron and I'm Lyra, I'm"
"One of Leia's most trusted agents" Poe finished for her.
Lyra beamed with pride at Poe's words but before she could express her thanks, Bilek ushered them inside his home.
To say the Cerean's home was unorganised would be an understatement. There were books and artefacts from other planets everywhere, not to mention he seemed to be trying to run a zoo in his own living room. He motioned for them to sit down, making Poe reach down to move the large lizard like creature sat on one of the chairs.
"So, the Princess is trying her hand at being a General now. Why am I not surprised?" Bilek said as he sat opposite them, offering them tea.
"It's an honour to serve under her sir, but we are to understand you helped a huge deal against Darth Sidious and the Imperial forces too" Lyra said, taking a cup of the tea from him.
"Oh yes, many years ago, tales for another time. Is there something I can help you with?"
Poe placed the explosives on the ground in-front of him.
"It's these, we understand you know the codes to these explosives."
Bilek studied the explosives before nodding. "Well yes, but, what on earth do you need them for?"
"I'm sure by now you have seen the effects of the First Order's regime? After the destruction of the Hosnian system" Poe said.
Bilek frowned. "A terrible, terrible day indeed."
Lyra's heart sank as she remembered it was her husband who was responsible for such destruction that clearly all parts of the galaxy had felt the effects of.
"Yes, it was a terrible day. Our friend, she has been kidnapped by the First Order and with these explosives, set in the right place, we could destroy the Starkiller, the weapon the First Order are using as leverage against the galaxy, and the Resistance. Can you help us?"
Bilek smiled. "You know, this is a very dangerous mission. You and your friends are very brave for doing this. Of course I will help you. Here, take the codes and tell Leia she still owes me for that bet I won against her. She told me she would never get involved in military options again, I knew she would help out rebels whenever the opportunity arose. I wish you both the best of luck on this mission."
They stood up and shook his hand. As he handed them the codes to the explosives Poe smiled at the old rebel.
"We could use a man of your skill in the Resistance, I'm sure Leia would welcome you back with open arms."
Bilek laughed. "You are too kind young man. But my fighting days are over I'm afraid. However, should you ever need someone to disable old coding for you, well, now you know where to find me."
"Thank you Bilek, you have helped us more than you will ever know. I have a home in Naboo not far from here. Perhaps one day I can return here and listen to you tell me tales of the last rebellion" Lyra grinned as he showed them out.
"Of course, any time at all. Now go, and may the force be with you."
"And with you."
As they made their way back towards their ship, Poe looked out for Lyra's home.
"Where is it?"
"Where's what?"
"Your home?"
Lyra turned to look at him. "Oh no, no way. We aren't going Poe, it's too dangerous. What if Armitage is there?"
"I thought you said he was never home? Spends his life on the Finalizer now?"
Lyra sighed. "Yes but if he's ordered my death, don't you think he would have guards posted outside our home, where all my things are?"
Poe shrugged. "You would have to be the biggest idiot ever to go running back to the one place he would find you. I know the guy's an asshole but come on, he's gonna give you more credit than that? Look just, show me what it looks like from the outside. We will see the guards before we even get there if they have been stationed, just show me where it is, I wanna see."
Lyra crossed her arms. "Just the outside, and from a distance alright?"
He nodded and she eventually relented, leading him to the richer district, not far from one of the planets largest lakes. When they finally reached it, Poe gaped at it in wonder. Even from a distance he could see how grand her home was. Out by the front of the house were intricate statues by the gate and the greenest grass Poe had ever seen covered the front yard. The building itself looked as if it was made of the finest sandstone, all pale gold and light blue roofs to fit in with the rest of the districts aesthetic.
There were no guards on duty and Poe went to step closer before he was quickly pulled back by Lyra.
"If there are no guards there, what if that means Armitage is home?"
"Relax, if he was home there would be guards, he's a huge military target. Probably just means the servants are at home, you have servants right?"
She looked up at the open windows on the second floor. "Yes, well, Armitage insisted on getting a butler and I have Ileya, she's been my maid since I was a girl."
Poe rolled his eyes. Of course they had servants. "What do you miss the most from your home?"
She shot him a questioning look. "I don't know, probably my dresses, and my bed, definitely my bed. I miss sitting on the balcony looking out at the lake too. Why?"
"Well, I can't get you the bed, or the lake but I can get some of the dresses. You stay here, hold the explosives."
Lyra reached for him. "Poe, are you insane? There is no way you are getting into that house! Besides, of all the dangerous missions you have completed, do you really want to say you were eventually brought down in Naboo, trying to steal dresses?"
"You're worth it. Besides, I won't get caught. See those vines growing up the side of the wall? I'll just climb them, straight into your bedroom, pick some things out, be out before anyone even notices. Easy."
Lyra frowned as he handed her the explosives. "Poe I swear if you do this, I will be so angry. This is by far, the worst idea you have ever had, don't you dare, Poe….. Poe"
He gave her a wink before making his way through the open gates and over to the vines.
"You bloody idiot Poe Dameron" Lyra whispered to herself as she watched him climb up the vines, making a point to look at the other windows to see if there was anybody else coming.
If it wasn't such a reckless thing to do, she would have considered him even more perfect than he already was, going to such lengths for her. Then again, she had taken a blaster shot for him. That was verging on more impressive. He climbed the vines clumsily and she couldn't help but giggle when he gave her the thumbs up after reaching her bedroom window after nearly slipping off twice.
As he disappeared into the house she waited anxiously by the explosives, resisting the urge to pace. Her maid was loyal to her, even above Hux, but he had no doubt enforced the severity of punishment if Ileya found Lyra and didn't report her whereabouts back to the First Order. Ileya was loyal, but most likely not so loyal when her own safety and the safety of her family came into play. The First Order had made spies of everyone. Even close friends and family.
A few more minutes passed until finally, Poe emerged from the bedroom window again, carrying a case with him. Lyra didn't think she could see a bigger smirk plastered on the Pilot's face. He was beaming with pride at his own success as he made his way back to her side. She wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around him and congratulate him for being such a wonderful idiot, but Poe didn't need his head inflated more than it already was.
"I so desire to be around the day that your recklessness and charm doesn't win everyone over. When do you think that will be precisely? When Acklay's fly? When it snows on Mustafar? Do you think maybe now might be a good time to go and rescue Rey? Remember, our friend, the one currently being tortured and possibly dead already on Starkiller?"
Poe shot her another cocky smirk. "Boy you sure have a funny way of saying thank you, don't you?"
"Thank you, for almost getting yourself captured for me, or worse, killed. Besides, if I thank you, your head might grow so large you might not be able to walk into your quarters again."
Poe tipped his head back in laughter as Lyra picked the explosives up and the two made their way back to their ship.
"I know you're trying to shut me down and act like what I did wasn't a big deal, but you do realise you just made it obvious that you just care about me, a lot."
Lyra smiled as she jumped into the ship, placing the explosives down carefully. "It's funny, you would think me taking a blaster shot for you was enough to show you I care."
As Poe sat down in the cockpit he grinned over at her. "You know I had almost forgotten about that. So really, me getting you those dresses was just, me squaring things up, right?"
As they took off for D'Qar, Lyra met his smile. "If my thanks is what you are after, then you have it alright. Tenfold. But you know how you can really pay me back for saving your life several times? Not get yourself into any more trouble, least of all for me."