Chapter 21

Xalaina woke as Puru's ship fell out of light speed. She had not been slain in her sleep and this gave Xalaina hope that Puru was who she said she was.

"Are we there?" Xalaina asked sitting up straight to look out at the planet they were descending toward.

"So I've been told," Puru replied.

"I hope your informant is a trustworthy one or we could be walking into a trap." Xalaina pursed her lips, squinting out the window looking for a sign that they were in dangerous territory - there was none.

"Probably more trustworthy than the ones you could have gotten opening your big mouth." Puru chided.

Xalaina shrugged and sat back in her seat. Hitting the atmosphere was rocky at first but smooth after a moment. Below them was a thriving, lush jungle filled terrain. As they got closer the ship's intercom flickered to life.

"We have eyes on you, state your name and the reason for arrival."

Whoever was on the com didn't bother introducing themselves. "I'm Puru Odessa, myself and another have come to see General Leia Organa."

There was silence that caused both women to hold their breaths.

"Fly South, you'll see a landing strip there. I'm glad you made it Puru." Puru smiled proudly, her informant clearly had sent word ahead.

XxX

They landed with ease and so far everything seemed legit, but Xalaina wouldn't let her guard down, not even when she finally got to meet the General. After all, technically she was in enemy territory simply by association. For all the Resistance knew, she was a spy.

Of course, most, if anyone here shouldn't even know who she was, but the truth had a way of coming out eventually and Xalaina always felt being truthful to begin with gave them fewer reasons to doubt you in the future.

When they departed the ship, they were greeted by a dark haired man. "Nice ship," he nodded behind them before stopping to give Xalaina a curious look.

Xalaina recognized the man as the one Ren had captured on Jakku. The one who had shot at Ren after he'd killed Lor San Tekka. When Xalaina had allowed herself to be captured she had been transported on the same ship as this pilot.

"You, you made it out alive. I wondered," his grin widened. "We didn't get to properly meet. I'm Poe, Poe Dameron." He extended his hand and Xalaina took it.

"Xalaina," she replied giving his hand a firm shake before letting go.

"I'm glad you made it out. Everything happened so fast, I didn't get the chance...," his apology was unnecessary and wasting her time.

"No need for that. You did the right thing." She replied waving off his words. "I have information for General Leia Organa." Xalaina pushed. She was bursting to get this over with.

"I'd also like a chance to meet the General." Puru piped up.

"Of course, follow me." Poe seemed more than eager to rally the newcomers. Xalaina was annoyed with Puru on her heels, but she'd bite her tongue for now.

Through a set of doors, they entered what seemed to be a mostly underground base. Probably hidden below the landscape to avoid obvious detection, despite the landing strip. However, it was possible that anyone not looking carefully might miss it.

Poe led them across the inner base to the back where three steps up led them to a door. He knocked and waited. A female voice ushered him in. "General, I have the newcomers and they'd like to speak with you."

When Poe opened the door fully both girls moved in. Xalaina eyed the former Princess and she was exactly as Xalaina imagined. Chin held high, posture straight and screaming with authority. Her face soft yet stern. Her years certainly painted her face, but not her spirit.

Leia looked them both over, but when she looked at Xalaina she did so with a look of familiarity. "Puru Odessa, I'm glad you made it. I was informed by Zeno of your impending arrival. My condolences. I knew your father, he was good man."

Puru gave a somber half smile and a polite nod. "Thank you. I want to offer my services to the Resistance. My father believed in you and your cause. In his honor, I'd like to help you come out on top."

"We can always use more help. Poe can take you to my fellow leaders and they can assess what best you can help us with." Leia smiled and waited until they had both left the room before her eyes came back to Xalaina.

For a moment there was a stare down before the General broke the silence. "I know who you are Xalaina," she said her tone cool and even. It held neither acceptance nor suspicion. It was hard to read just how she knew her or if she even really did know. Perhaps, she'd heard only word of the 'pregnant' woman.

"Then who am I?" Xalaina asked slightly fascinated by the game.

Instead of a straight reply, General Leia turned to her desk and pushed a button on an older model dashboard. Up popped an image of her father and his voice followed the image. "This message was sent out over many channels. There was no attempt to encrypt it."

Xalaina listened patiently to her father giving the command to have her killed. To not engage her and also to him admitting his parentage. She now knew how Bounty Hunters knew about her so fast. This must have been made shortly after her escape.

When the message ended and the image disappeared Leia sat down. "I assume you lied on Ecu'dar when you announced you were pregnant with my son's child."

"I did. I didn't know that my father had put out such a public message. I thought faking pregnancy within your family would get me to you before he managed to send anyone of note after me." Xalaina shrugged.

"But you do know my son," is wasn't a question. On the outside, Xalaina could tell that the General was attempting to stay calm, but she suspected that any information about her precious Ben was welcome news.

"My prior relationship with your son was what ended up in me having to flee for my life." This certainly perked up Leia as she straightened in her seat. "I'd rather not discuss the details, but I'm sure you'd like to know that Ren, or rather Ben helped me to escape."

She watched as Leia exhaled, she'd been holding her breath. Xalaina wondered what it might be like to be loved so unconditionally that every sliver of information on a wayward loved one was eagerly accepted.

"I'm not here about Ben, I'm here because I have more information about the First Order than your Resistance could ever dream of. Places, names, numbers, procedures. I can be the biggest asset your side needs." To Xalaina it seemed things were going decent, but she noted the small shift in the Generals posture once more.

"Those things are certainly welcome but, I have to express concern over your arrival. The all too public message made by your father and then your own public display in an attempt to find us. How do I know this isn't all a setup? That you are not a spy?" Xalaina sighed before rubbing her temple in irritation.

"You don't." She replied. "Everyone keeps posing the same question to me and yet how can I possibly answer it. There is no true way to prove myself to you. I give you a location you assume it's one I was given ahead of time to make myself look trustworthy. I name names and because some of them might have been people you knew you assume I'm trying to turn you against each other. It's a catch 22."

Her annoyance was showing, she knew, but this was the situation she most dreaded. If General Leia decided she didn't want to take a chance then her information will be worth very little and she would have done all this for nothing.

Xalaina hated wasting her time.

Leia seemed to be weighing what she'd said and perhaps thinking of her options. She was quiet for quite some time and Xalaina patiently waited, breathing down her irritation.

"You're right," Leia admitted with a sigh of her own. "If I were in your place and my intentions were genuine, I would also feel very frustrated. You placed yourself in a very dangerous spot coming here." She paused again. "I cannot completely give you my trust, but I can give you my ear."

It was an invitation to start talking and without hesitation, Xalaina began to talk about things she knew regarding her father's precious Order. After all, the Resistance were not as deceitful as The First Order. It's not like giving up her information will lead to an early death or lifetime imprisonment.