A/N I'm needing a pick-me-up today. Can I get some reviews? Please please?
It takes a few tense minutes at the back table in Maz's castle, but eventually the worried parents relax enough to put the others at ease, and they all begin their planning anew.
"Three hundred religious nuts isn't that many." Poe says optimistically, but Ben shuts him down fast.
"Inside an almost impenetrable fortress with six Knights of Ren. I'm amazed my Mother managed to get outside once already."
Laherra chimes in from where he sits stiffly in his seat, drink untouched in front of him.
"I would never underestimate the General."
After sharing a tiny, knowing smirk with Ben, Laherra continues.
"That aside, I think her escape attempts denote a certain disorganization inside the fortress."
Ben and Poe are nodding thoughtfully in agreement as they accept another round of drinks from Maz. Rey is feeding Hanna in her seat beside Ben and munching on a snack, when the food pauses on the way to her mouth.
"Do we still have that huge machine that the First Order used to crack open the doors on Crait?"
All eyes around the table turn to her, but it's Laherra that answers her thoughtfully.
"You mean the superlaser siege cannon?"
"Yes, that one. Do we still have it?" She asks, excitedly and Laherra nods slowly as he thinks.
"We do… I'm not sure it would be a good idea to take such a direct approach with the General still inside, though, and I'm not entirely sure the cannon is in working order".
Chewie starts making noise from the opposite side of the table and Rey, Ben and Maz all turn to listen.
"That's right. We may not even have to use the cannon. Chewie says that there is a back way out of Jabba's fortress, if they see that cannon and think that we are about to break in, they will try to escape and move Leia out the back way. We can be waiting for them in secret and take them with barely a fight."
Ben sits back in his chair to think it over, and runs a hand through his hair as he starts nodding.
"If we surround them, they may try to fight their way out, but if they think they can escape unnoticed... like the Resistance did on Crait..."
"All I'm picturing is being on the other side of the Battle of Crait." Poe says uncomfortably and Ben leans towards him.
"As you will recall, you all escaped out the back while I was being fooled by Uncle Luke's force projection." Ben says in an annoyed tone and Rey reaches over to squeeze his hand before shifting a sleeping Hanna into his arms.
"If everyone's in agreement, then I think we have a plan to work with." She says as she stands to stretch, and as Rey quirks her head and starts scrutinizing Finn, up and down, Ben takes over command in a quiet but firm voice.
"Laherra, contact the Commanders on the Dreadnaught and track down that cannon. Finn, organize the ground troops and Poe, get some fighters in the air. Chewie, we will need everything you know about the back door to that fortress."
Everyone stares at Ben for a moment before he remembers that he's not in charge anymore and then he just shrugs.
"I know a few things about intimidation tactics." He says simply and everyone kind of nods in agreement as they rise from their chairs to start on their tasks.
Maz places a hand on Ben's shoulder and peers down at the sleeping baby in his arms with a smile.
"Your Mother would be proud." She says with a small squeeze and Ben gives her a small, grateful smile.
"Maz, Ben and I have a very important job for you and Chewie and Rose, if you'll accept it." Rey says seriously, turning fully, towards them.
"Ben and I need you to protect Hanna, should anything go wrong."
Rose immediately protests as fast as Chewie accepts and Maz pauses to think it over.
"If the worst should happen, we want you take Hanna and hide her." Rey's voice wobbles slightly but she looks back to Ben for strength and at his nod, her resolve hardens.
"Take her somewhere that the Acolytes and the Knights of Ren will never find her."
There is silence for a few moments before Chewie once again accepts and Rose, with tears in her eyes, nods her acceptance as well.
Rey and Ben turn to Maz and she stares at them in that way that says she is seeing more than just their faces. Finally, she gives a small bow to both Rey and Ben.
"It would be my honour to give the little princess a life away from danger and violence and fill her days with as much joy as I can muster."
Maz's words bring tears to Rey's eyes and she lurches forward to fall to her knees and hug the tiny creature. Maz accepts her hug with a smile and pats Rey comfortingly.
When they break apart, Maz turns to Chewie and beckons him to follow.
"Come, Wookie. Let's go perfect this plan so that poor child doesn't end up with us for parents."
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Their plan comes together in record time and that same afternoon, Rey finds herself back on Tatooine, trekking across the desert. Herself, Ben and a small legion of skilled, trusted soldiers are moving into position to lie in wait at the secret escape exit of the late Jabba the Hutt's fortress.
Hanna is safe on Takodana with Chewie, Maz and Rose, but they are packed and ready to jump in the falcon and escape, should the whole operation go badly.
With little else to concentrate on beside her footing, Rey glances over at Ben, walking beside her, and examines him with amusement. His preferred dark clothing has been replaced with light, sand coloured robes and his dark hair is covered by a scarf to ward off the heat.
He catches her staring and quirks a brow in question.
"You just look so different. I'm trying to decide if I like it more than the black robes and mask." Rey teases and Ben smirks as he squints into the distance. He veers closer to Rey, darting a hand out to grab her around the waist and pulls her close for a moment to plant a loud, wet kiss on her forehead before releasing her again.
"You're still short." He says quietly and Rey smothers her laugh as they keep walking.