Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

More Than One Sort of Prison

Chapter Twenty-One

Jyn entered Captain Panaka's ship he had arrived in and was looking over the droid he had brought with him, an R2 unit he had acquired for himself over other droids he had a choice of because of the durability he had seen in the robot that Anakin Skywalker brought with him on all of his missions before the Jedi had betrayed them all, when the Captain stepped inside behind the young woman he was about to escort off of Bespin to make sure things were all set for them to leave.

Panaka was the first to speak up as he said, "That unit's one of the best I've ever worked with before. It's tough and has even saved my life a time or two. I wouldn't worry about it."

She turned her head to look up at him as Jyn quietly answered, "I only wanted to make sure it has the capability to help us locate Imperial ships. And to help with the decryption of any intercepted messages passed among them that your ship's computer might fail to. If Cassian's on one of them…"

"This droid's in great shape for whatever you need him to do," he replied, then started the ship's engines to prepare them for their take-off while the young woman turned back to the droid, looking at it as though she distrusted his word in its defense. "Have you worked with many droids during your missions before now?"

"I've only ever been on one mission with which we worked with a reprogramed Imperial droid," the younger woman responded despondently, then noticed the Captain's look of contempt due to her lack of experience. "I'm not a Rebel, or at least not one who is necessarily with the Alliance's Rebellion like Lando might have led you to believe. I was only enlisted by them days ago to help them in their latest effort to fight against the Empire. But I assure you, I have fought to survive since I was a child and I'm good at it. I know what it takes. Now, I'm fighting for Cassian too because I owe him. And I will do just that to save him, whatever it takes."

The Captain nodded and then answered, "It looks like we both have our own trust issues to work out. But I am willing to make a go of this as you are. Are you ready to go?"

Jyn nodded as she replied, "Let's get going."

"Jyn!" Lando suddenly called out to her as he came walking down the platform before they left to say his final goodbye, then raised his hand out to her as she reached out to shake his. "You both be careful out there. I wish you luck in finding him."

"Thank you, Lando," she responded sincerely. "For everything. Especially after the last time I came to you for help. I will repay you one day."

He smiled and answered, "It was my pleasure. The next time you come back, we'll try playing a few rounds of cards instead. Both you and your friend. He looks to me like he'd be one hell of a poker player."

Jyn replied, "I'm not so sure he's ever allowed himself to play, let alone to have fun. But I'm sure he'd be happy to return here once we do find him. I'll pass along your regards. Goodbye, Lando."

"Take care, kid," the Baron Administrator responded, then he nodded his head in gratitude to Captain Panaka and stood by to watch as the Naboo Royal Starship rose into the sky and flew off, leaving Cloud City behind.

Hours later…

"So, we're nearing the Ring of Kafrene as requested," Panaka stated reluctantly as they fell out of hyperspace and began to approach the trading outpost within an asteroid belt. "I suppose that it's as good a place as any to begin our search. There'll be plenty of stormtroopers and other Imperials around these parts. It's long since been taken over by the Empire and is now under Imperial law. What made you think of coming all the way out here?"

Jyn looked over at him as she pulled out the drive Cassian had given her and held it up for him to see, then she answered, "I saw it listed as one of the places Cassian had come to for information about the Empire on this. I haven't read the entry yet. I'm not so sure I really want to know what's on it. Not because it will change what I'm doing here or how I feel about him, but… It just feels wrong. He gave this to Lando to give to me in case he was captured or… killed. His instincts must have sensed something was going to happen. He was right. I should never have allowed that bounty hunter to get the drop on me."

The Captain glanced over at her and replied, "It wasn't your fault your friend was taken. According to Lando, Captain Andor was trying to protect you. It's terrible that he had to get captured, but surely it's better that it was him than you. He's a seasoned Intelligence Officer with the Rebellion, which means they won't kill him right away."

"And that's supposed to make me feel better?" she asked curtly. "I may have some time to find him, but they're most likely torturing him for information about the Alliance and Cassian's barely recovered from our last fight against them. And he won't give in to them so easily. Even if I do manage to find him, what condition will he be in?"

"We'll worry about that when the time comes," Panaka responded. "It won't be long before we land. You're going to have to push aside your fear if we're really going to go down there to possibly interrogate a few stormtroopers. Are you sure you're ready?"

Jyn stated, "I am."

The Captain nodded and said again, "Good."