Last On: Finn completes his redesigns of the stormtrooper armor with Ben's help. Finn succeeds in getting Ben to loosen up a bit.
Chapter 20
Rey never really understood grief. She reckoned she probably grieved when her parents first left her on Jakku, but that was a long time ago. It's not that she wasn't familiar with death. No, she saw people die from the hot sun, from a lack of food, and even from attack by thieving desperate scavengers. But none of these people had a relationship with Rey that was enough to produce grief at their passing. The closest thing she could, perhaps, remember would be Han Solo. But she hadn't known him long, and he represented more an idea to her, of a father figure.
But Rose had her sister, and they were as close as two can get. Early on, Rose had many times when her grief overflowed and she went alone to cry in the back of the falcon. Rey noticed, when she did this, most of the others kept their distance too. Even Finn, didn't know what to say to make things better, so he didn't say anything at all. But many of them did seem to understand her pain, as many of them had their own losses to grieve after Crait.
But the only way Rey could seek to empathize with Rose was with 'what ifs'. If she lost Finn, and Rose, and the whole Resistance, how would she feel. The answer was simple. She'd feel alone again. And alone was a feeling she wouldn't wish on her worst enemy, let alone a friend. So when Rose had to grieve. When she tried to go off alone, ashamed to breakdown in front of anyone, Rey didn't let her do it alone. It was hard to figure out what to do, but she just stayed close. Sometimes she'd stroke her back, as Rose sobbed out her feelings. Other times she'd listen to her tell stories of her sister. And their bond grew.
It grew so strong that Rey told her secrets she wouldn't tell anyone else. Well, it was hard not to tell her. Rose had a keen eye, and she was good at guessing what was up. Rey even suspected she may be force sensitive, but no. She did not have those gifts.
As time passed, Rose had fewer bad days. She still loved her sister, but she wanted to live for her, not just without her. But this morning, Rey knew would be one of the bad days. It was Paige Tico's birthday.
Still, Rey had a meeting scheduled that morning. Further planning for her upcoming mission. She went into the cafeteria to grab a meal to go that morning.
"Over here," said a man named Bill who was serving food. He handed her a small bag. "I've got some cake I stashed away for you and Rose. Tell her I still think I'll walk into the cafeteria and see her, sometimes."
"I will, thank you," said Rey. It surprised her sometimes how generous they can be. Yet no one here ever seemed surprised at all. 'It can't just be Jakku, where generosity is fleeting.' Rey thought often.
Leaving, she looked over the cafeteria, and she noticed Ben was not there. It surprised her she'd notice him at all. He'd been so up and down these last few days, she didn't know what mood he'd be in any time she'd see him.
The last time she saw him was yesterday, in the Medical wing. Why he'd be there, she didn't know, but when he showed up and asked her what she was doing, he had a meltdown. He did not want her going on this mission. Why he felt that way, she didn't understand. It's not like she hadn't been in dangerous situations before and she could take care of herself, which she tried to point out. But that boy was hearing none of it.
When he left, she realized he was never there at all. Some of the other nurses were nervous at her sudden outburst, talking to no one. By the time she managed to explain about the Force Bond, and how she wasn't going mad, Poe ran in spurting the same things. 'He still probably thinks he's done me a favor,' thought Rey.
Rey walked into the meeting. She set down her drink and pastry, taking a seat next to a few other cadets joining this mission. Leia eyed her with a nod when she entered, and Poe was deep into a conversation with another commander. But they didn't have the opportunity to begin the meeting before a rather unexpected guest showed up.
"Ben, now isn't the time." Leia said.
Ben ignored his mother's protests, and walked right into the room. He didn't look once at Rey. Poe crossed his arms, his face featured a very disapproving frown. "I have a proposal to make," Ben began.
Leia gave a brief glance towards Rey, almost without thought, but the girl looked as clueless as anyone else. "Ben, now isn't the time. We have a mission to prepare for."
"It's the mission this is concerning. I propose a change in plans." Ben went to the holo-projector on the table, and pulled up images of a map of the shipyard they'd be raiding. "Your current plans are to fly over here, and drop team one here, via parachutes."
"Yes, that's the plan," Poe breathed out.
"You've seen the new armor designs." Ben gestured to Leia. "I propose you take advantage of it's covert properties and drop the team here instead. If all goes well, by the time they're within firing range, they can get off a few shots of their own."
"Poe, what do you think of that?" Leia asked.
"It's just. No. That can work." Poe's body language changed from arms crossed suspicious to leaning in, interested at the map. He nodded. "Yes, that can work."
"Sit down," Leia said turning back to Ben.
The rest of the meeting went as expected. Ben had no more points to add. Though he continued to avoid eye contact with Rey. Even when she was asked to speak, he turned his head away. This was very frustrating for Rey. She knew she'd have to meditate extra long that night to get rid of her anger in time to be useful on the mission.
The next day Rey was in a shuttle, preparing to jump with the team. She wore a simple black jumpsuit with a parachute strapped to her back. They also had boxes with armor prepared to drop out of the ship too. The original plan was to fall with costume pieces of armor on, closer to the building. But out here there were no cameras, and the armor they had was more than costume pieces.
"Ok, folks. Ready, on Three we jump." Poe was preparing to lead her team. The other team would go on and hijack the Star Dreadnought. "One… Two… Three."
When Rey jumped, she felt exhilaration falling through the air. When she was clear she pulled the parachute and landed, running on the dusty ground.
"Good landing there, Jedi," said Poe, as he handed out the armor.
"That was fun!" replied Rey.
Rey was armed with her lightsaber and a blaster, as she walked with the others to the command center. Rey noticed that the building was more prepared for a large assault than a small group of cleverly disguised rebels. Poe shot one lookout, while the team destroyed a ground canon, all without setting off an alarm.
"Ok, That's the entrance we want to use. Once we get in, we can't rely on camouflage anymore. Shoot to kill only if you have to. We want witnesses." Everyone nodded to Poe.
Rey was the third one to enter the building. Poe, who was first, motioned her to join him. As he shot at the leg of a nearby trooper, he said to Rey. "I need you to do your trick here."
"These alarms are a technical malfunction. You will reset the system and order all troopers back to their stations."
The tech repeated her instructions then proceeded to follow her instructions. The blaring alarm was silenced, then he radioed command to tell them about the technical malfunction. Poe watched this with an open mouth. He'd never seen something so cool.
"You will report to your superiors that the building was raided by stormtroopers loyal to Supreme Leader Kylo Ren." said Rey. Both the tech and the trooper repeated her.
"Good, you lock these two in a supply closet somewhere. We've got a computer to blow up. According to this." Poe referenced the screen near where the tech was working. "It should be down that way."
Before they were done, they added four more witnesses to their stash in the supply closet. All of which Rey told to report seeing Kylo Ren. Bombs were placed around the main computer terminal. When they were outside, and Poe pushed the trigger button, they heard the loud bang as it went off.
"That'll get their attention now. We have to get out of here," said Poe.
They walked to the exit-point, pursued by a few stormtroopers who had trouble finding a target to shoot at. When they were onboard the shuttle, Poe asked for an update from the pilot.
"We destroyed the maintenance droids and took ten prisoners. All of them low level maintenance. Jill put on a big show, telling them they now work for Supreme Leader Kylo Ren. Didn't know if you'd want to mind trick them or take them with us. Oddly enough, they looked happy when she told them that. I think they'd appreciate their freedom. Anyways, when you blew up the terminal, Rick was able to hack in with our own codes. We now have full control. They are still working on getting our tempo hyperdrive installed, but it should be done soon."
"Good work, are the shields up and running?" asked Poe.
"Yes, when they finally realize what we're doing, they won't be able to do anything but wave as we fly away," replied the pilot.
"Lets get back there, so we can wave goodbye to these people." Poe smiled as the ship took off.
Hello everyone. Thank you to all who've been favoriting this story and leaving Reviews. I love hearing about how much you are enjoying this. With this mission finished I plan on getting back to the Force-Bond stuff, and some Force Ghost stuff. Also, if anyone is displeased that they are not all fluffy and romantic yet, I'm sorry. I write it real, and really these two have issues to acknowledge first, before the fluff.
