Kijimi
"They're everywhere," Poe said, hurrying back to his friends. They heard a cry behind them and they turned around to see stormtroopers hauling a family out of their home and throwing them roughly to the ground. Light flashed off of the trooper's armor, and a spotlight illuminated a terrified girl being brought to her knees as she screamed helplessly. Rey's heart twisted and a wave of cold anger crawled up her spine as she could only watch the scene unfold. She wanted to make those troopers pay, to make them suffer. But then Poe's voice broke Rey's trance.
"Alright," he said. "I know what we should do."
"So do I!" C-3PO said behind them. "We should leave."
"Clam it, 3PO!" Poe retorted, clearly annoyed. But Rey could sympathize with the droid, he only had their best interests at heart, even if he was incredibly annoying at times. Rey shivered even with a large coat wrapped tightly around her shoulders and a thick hood covering her head. Her hand that was clutching her quarterstaff was numb. All her life, she had grown up in the desert where it was scorching hot all the time. Kijimi's frigid atmosphere was new to her, although Poe seemed completely at ease.
"Follow me," he said with such an easy and casual confidence that Rey found herself wondering, again, how Poe knew this place so well. But she trusted him, so she didn't say anything. D-O closely followed BB-8, his wheel squeaking so loudly that it made Rey wince. She hoped the other sounds around them would drown it out.
Their small group hurried through the streets and stayed close to the wall in order to not draw attention to themselves. Poe looked out from behind the corner.
"Alright, let's head down this wa-" Poe was cut off when he heard a sharp click and felt the pressure of a blaster against his skull. Poe closed his eyes and berated himself for not being more careful. He didn't dare try to see who his attacker was until a chillingly familiar female voice rang through his ears.
"Heard you were spotted at Monk's Gate," she said, coldly, her voice filtered through a modulator in her helmet. She continued and said, "I thought, he's not stupid enough to come back here."
"Oh, you'd be surprised," Poe remarked without humor. Finn and Rey had rushed to catch up with him, but they stopped when they saw the blaster against Poe's head. Poe noticed how Rey's hand tightened around her quarterstaff, and he hoped she wouldn't do anything reckless.
"Who's this?" Rey asked with a worried expression on her face.
"What's going on?" Finn added, glaring at Poe's attacker.
"Guys, this is Zorii," Poe said. "Zorii, this is Rey and Finn-"
"I could pull this trigger right now," Zorii interrupted.
Poe nodded grimly. "I've seen you do worse."
"For a lot less," Zorii snapped.
"Can we just, uh, talk about this?" Poe asked tentatively as he slowly lowered his hood and turned to face her. He could see his reflection in the visor of her helmet, her maroon flight suit stood out against the white snow, her twin blasters gleaming in the light.
Zorii ignored him. "I wanna see your brains in the snow."
Poe winced and said, "So, you're still mad?" Her helmet tilted down as if she couldn't believe he was asking her that. Poe could almost see her roll her eyes.
"Zorii," Poe said. "We could really use your help. We gotta crack this droid's head open, and fast."
"Pardon me?" 3PO's indignant voice cut through the air, but Poe ignored him as he looked at Zorii with a pleading expression on his face.
"We're trying to find Babu Frik," he said.
"Babu?" Zorii scoffed. "Babu only works for the crew." Her voice turned icy. "That's not you anymore."
"What 'crew'?" Rey asked.
"Oh, funny he never mentioned it," Zorii said, sarcastically. Poe tried to shake his head and opened his mouth to protest but Zorii had already spoken.
"Your friend's old job was running spice."
Poe grimaced. Here it comes, he thought. Finn looked at him in shock.
"You were a spice runner?" he asked, sounding incredulous.
"You were a stormtrooper?" Poe retorted.
"Were you a spice runner?" Rey added, surprise on her face.
"Were you a scavenger? We could do this all night!"
"We don't have all night," Zorii snapped. She walked in front of him but kept her blaster trained on Poe's head. "You know, I'm still digging out of the hole you put me in when you left to join the Resistance." Her voice was angry, bitter even. Then, her gaze trained on Rey.
"You," she said, her blaster shifting to point at Rey. "Bounty for her just might cover us." Zorii looked at the group of armed thugs that she had brought with her and yelled, "Djak'kankah!"
Poe shook his head and protested, "Don't Djak'kankah!" But Rey was already moving. She swung her staff to knock Zorii's blaster out of her hand and took down the thugs behind her with ease.
Finn moved backward and grimaced. "Ooh!"
He moved his arms in front of Poe and 3PO protectively and quickly shuffled backward, out of the reach of Rey's staff. D-O was looking around in confusion, not quite understanding what was going on.
Rey swung her staff and Zorii fell to the ground, quickly drawing her other blaster. But Rey was faster and before anyone could blink, her lightsaber was pointed at Zorii's neck. Poe hid a smile as he looked at Zorii and Rey. He could practically see Zorii's scowl as she came to the realization that she'd been beaten.
"We could really use your help," Rey said, her voice kind and non-threatening despite the fact that she was still holding her lightsaber. "Please," she added. Both women stared at each other for a bit, breathing hard from the exertion. Finally, Zori broke the silence.
"Not that you care," Zorii said with a hint of grudging respect and admiration. "But I think you're ok." She lowered her blaster and Poe and Finn exhaled a sigh of relief. Rey gave her a small smile.
"I care," she said. She switched off her lightsaber and then held out her hand to Zorii. Zorii took it and Rey helped pull her up. Zorii gave a slight nod of respect and recognition for the woman in front of her. Zorii respected her for the fact that she was independently badass and capable, and that she had no problem with showing it. Rey nodded back with a smile and then struggled to hold in a laugh when she saw Finn and Poe looking at them in confusion.
After a bit, Zorii led them past the streets, and away from what seemed like millions of troopers coming from every direction.
"Walkers," Zorii said. "Stay close by."
"Poe Dameron, spice runner," Finn said with a grin on his face. Poe just rolled his eyes. "Runner of spice," Finn continued.
"Alright," Poe said, exasperated.
"Get your spice!" Finn teased as they climbed a small set of stairs.
"Come on, 3PO!" Rey called to the protocol droid who was lagging behind the group.
"Oh!" 3PO's reply faded into the wind as the group advanced. What they didn't see, is that as they passed a stone archway, the heavy clank of boots echoed through the tunnel as the Knights of Ren emerged, their eyes trained on the empty street.
Kylo exited the interrogation room, fists clenched tightly. He was still shaken from the interaction with the Wookie. He hadn't been prepared to see all of those memories that he'd tried to bury for so long as he tried to find Rey. His chest had tightened and he still felt incredibly unstable. Again, he was surprised that he took no joy in the Wookie's pain, leaving that hollow sensation in his chest. It unsettled him but he tried not to let it show. Allegiant General Pryde, General Hux, and Admiral Griss walked behind him as they strode down the corridor.
"Report, General Pryde," Kylo commanded, forcing his voice to remain steady.
"There's been a development, sir," the General's said. Kylo paused as he turned to acknowledge the man. "The Knights of Ren have tracked the scavenger."
"To a settlement called Kijimi," Admiral Griss added.
Hux then cut in and asked, "Shall we destroy the city, Supreme-" Kylo stopped the General from going any further and stuck a gloved finger in his face to shut him up. Irritation and anger rose up in him and Hux fell silent as the words died in his throat. Then he realized that he wasn't angry because it was Hux, although that was often the case. It was the fact that Hux had wanted to destroy the city with Rey in it. He froze for a moment before trying to clear his head, but it was no use, the thought had already dominated his mind. Kylo briskly turned away and walked down the corridor alone.
Pryde and Griss looked at Hux with raised eyebrows, and Hux clenched his jaw to avoid saying anything but his hatred for the Supreme Leader increased with every passing moment. He really hated that man.
Meanwhile, as soon as Rey had realized that Chewie was alive, relief flooded through her. She hadn't killed him after all! It helped balance her sadness and guilt about C-3PO's memory being erased. And she knew that it had been painful for Poe to say goodbye to Zorii, again. Finn had comforted Poe and hugged his friend tightly. Rey watched the two men and smiled. However, the smile slipped off her face when her thoughts turned to Chewie. She desperately hoped that he was ok. And poor 3PO, he would never be the same as before. Then her breath caught. She hoped Kylo wasn't still on the ship. He would find them almost instantly. But then Rey felt his familiar Force signature going down to Kijimi and she sighed in relief.
So as Kylo flew down to Kijimi, Rey and the others landed Ochi's ship in the Steadfast's hanger. Two stormtroopers approached the landing ramp.
"Credentials and manifes-" the troopers were cut off and they let out a cry as Finn and Poe blasted them. Blaster fire began shooting all around the hanger, but Rey, Finn, and Poe quickly dispatched of the troopers.
Rey looked at the three droids trying to follow them. "You three stay there!"
"Happily!" 3PO said anxiously, even though BB-8 let out a stubborn beep.
"Which way?" Poe asked Finn, as he was the former stormtrooper. "You used to be on these things, right?"
Finn looked around and hesitated. "Uh, no idea," he said. "Follow me!" He ran towards the end of the hanger and thought, That looks like a helpful door, right?
The trio soon found themselves sneaking around the hallways, blasters raised, trying to make as little noise as possible. As they crept around a corner, a sudden clang of a door opening made them glance backward. When they turned around, Finn and Poe quickly raised their blasters as the two troopers in front of them raised theirs.
"Drop your weapons!" a trooper said. Rey quickly stepped in front of Finn and Poe and waved her hand, and instilled a sense of calm in her voice.
"It's ok that we're here," she said, and a nervewracking beat of silence hung in the air before the troopers' arms relaxed.
"It's ok that you're here," the first trooper said.
"It's good," the second one added. Finn and Poe looked at each other in confusion.
"Rey waved her hand again and said, "You're relieved that we're here."
"Thank goodness you're here," the trooper said, his shoulders sagging with relief.
"Welcome, guys," the second trooper said as he lowered his gun.
Poe leaned over to Finn and whispered, "Does she do that to us?" Finn shrugged nervously. Rey dismissed the idea that she would do that to them. She would never-no, wait... She would. She definitely would. If it meant protecting them, she'd do it in a heartbeat.
"We're looking for a prisoner," Rey said. "And his belongings." The troopers cheerfully gave them instructions on where to find Chewie and continued on with their day. Finn and Poe looked at each other both impressed, confused, and a little nervous. They both shrugged and followed Rey.
They burst into a corridor, and Rey's eyes flitted upwards.
"The cameras," she said, and she and Poe quickly shot them.
"They said Chewie's this way," Finn called as he and Poe rushed to the panel of the door in front of them. Rey started to follow them, but then she felt a sharp tug in her gut, pulling her in the opposite direction. She turned around and a strange feeling came over her.
"Rey, come on," Finn said.
"The dagger's on this ship," Rey said, almost to herself. "We need it."
"Why?" Poe's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. She turned around slowly, lost in thought.
"A feeling," she answered. "I'll meet you back at the hanger," she said before running off down the hallway across from her.
"Rey, you can't just-" Finn said, but Poe put a hand on his chest to stop him from following her.
"Chewie," Poe reminded him firmly. Finn tore his gaze away from where Rey had disappeared and nodded grimly.
Snow continued to fall on Kijimi as Kylo addressed his Knights.
"Search the city again," he ordered. The Knights nodded and immediately spread back out to resume their hunt. Kylo turned and murmured to himself, "She's close." He continued walking, and he reached out to the Force to find her bright Force signature, she was practically a glowing beacon of light. Rey… The single word left his mind and he reached out as far as he could in an effort to locate her. At this point, it was only a matter of time…
Finn and Poe burst through the door and they heaved a sigh of relief when they saw Chewie. Chewie roared as the two rushed towards him.
"Of course we came for you, Chewie!" Poe said as Finn unlocked the chains. Chewie roared in what seemed to be gratitude and affection.
"Yeah, Rey's here, she's gonna get the dagger," Finn said as he and Poe hauled Chewie out of the pit. The three hurried out of the interrogation chamber to make their way towards the hanger.
"Ship's this way," Finn said. "Follow me." Finn turned a corner, only to run into a group of stormtroopers.
"Over here!" a trooper yelled. Finn quickly shot the trooper and then blasted the door shut.
"Wrong way!" he shouted.
"There's not really a right way, is there?" Poe asked as he ran in the opposite direction. A laser blast struck the wall in a flurry of yellow sparks next to Poe's head and he ducked behind the wall for cover. When he turned around, he quickly shot one of the troopers, and Finn shot the other. As they ran past the fallen troopers, Poe slid one of their blasters to Chewie. Chewie grabbed it and promptly shot two troopers behind them. Poe grinned, the Wookie never missed.
The next few minutes were a whirlwind of chaos and blaster fire as he, Finn, and Chewie ran down the halls, shooting troopers left and right.
"Are we close?" Poe yelled over his shoulder.
"Straight ahead!" Finn shouted, turning to shoot at the troopers behind them. Poe took the lead and rushed ahead.
"Halt!" a trooper's voice yelled. Poe turned half a second too late. He groaned in pain as a laser blast struck him in his left arm, falling to the ground. Chewie roared and Finn turned around, his eyes widening in horror.
"POE!" he screamed and he ran toward his friend. He crouched down next to him to help him up and winced when he saw Poe's arm. "Are you ok?" he quickly asked, his voice worried. Clutching his arm, Poe looked up but then his eyes widened.
"Nope," he groaned and Finn lifted his head. They were surrounded by stormtroopers.
"You, there!" one of them said. "Hands up!"
"Drop your weapons, now!" another added.
"Put your weapons down!" Finn looked around and saw the blasters trained at their heads. There was no way out of this, not this time. His hand was still clenching his blaster, though.
When he didn't move, another trooper ordered, "Drop them!" His blaster was aimed at Finn's head. Finn glared at them defiantly. "Drop them, now!" Finn was tempted to blast them and tell the bucket heads to go to hell, but when he saw Poe breathing heavily and wincing in pain, he paused. Finn gritted his teeth and threw his blaster down angrily and Chewie did the same.
Poe looked up and around them and said, "Hey, fellas."
"Shut up, scum," a female trooper said. She sounded so much like Phasma that Finn's blood boiled with rage as he glared at her. Chewie roared in frustration and then Finn suddenly remembered Rey. He hoped she was doing better than they were, at least then they might have a chance.
*Author's Note: Ok, this didn't have much Reylo in it but it was super fun to write the other characters, especially Zorii. I left out the part where 3PO gets his memory wiped because it felt a bit redundant at that point, and I didn't want to write every single scene lmao. Next chapter is the Star Destroyer bond. I hope you guys enjoyed! :D