Halo
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A/N-thank you very much for the kind reviews on the last chapter. In this chapter we get to meet Zorii Bliss. I have changed her canon character for the purposes of this story. She is not connected to Poe but to Han….I hope this doesn't confuse things too much.
Chapter Forty-Nine-Zorii Bliss
A terrestrial planet, Kijimi had mountainous terrain. The planet had a frigid climate, with thick drifts of snow covering its Mountains. The atmosphere of Kijimi was breathable to a number of inhabitants, including humans, Boosodians, and Anzellans. The planet had no central government and was basically an anarchy with some stability. Everyone's self-interests kept the planet from collapsing. Kijimi City, home to a spaceport, was located on the peak of Mount Izukika, almost hidden between the mountains and the snow. The ancient architecture of the city consisted of buildings that looked like old monasteries.
The residents of Kijimi wore thick furs and animal hides to combat the cold climate. Rey envied them their thick garments as she remained huddled next to Ben in a darkened doorway in an area known as The Thieves Quarter-a well-known area where scoundrels were known to hang out. Of course, Han Solo fit right in. "Why are we here again?" She whispered irritably to Ben-not for the first time.
"We need money for parts for the Falcon and we're running low on supplies. Dad is calling in an old debt." Ben whispered back patiently.
Cold licked at Rey's face and crept under her clothes, spreading across her skin like the lacy tide on a frigid winter beach. With purple lips tinged with blue and gently chattering teeth she wrapped her black cloak tighter around her. "And why are Han and Chewie getting to sit in a warm tavern while we're forced to freeze outside?" She demanded grumpily-again, not for the first time.
"Because they're not wanted by the First Order for the assassination of Supreme Leader Snoke." Ben reminded her sarcastically. "That tavern is full of bounty hunters and this place is also crawling with First Order troops. My face is too recognisable."
The frigid air was wicking away their body heat faster than they were able to replace it. Their thermal undergarments were just not enough to combat the cold. The bleak grey clouds overhead reflected Rey's gloomy mood perfectly. Growing up in the humid heat on Jakku had not prepared her for the biting winter chill on Kijimi. At first, she had been delighted with the snow. Everywhere was covered in a thick blanket of white, the buildings peeked out under their new white caps, footsteps and paw prints crisscrossed each other around the labyrinth of paths. In the day the streets of Kijimi city looked like an unfinished painting. The morning light struggled through the murky cloud, but even in its weakness it was enough to blind. The air was of course cold, but Rey hadn't expected the same dampness that comes before the freezing rain followed the fluffy snow. Now it was night and the temperatures had dropped considerably. Breath pale against the numbing air, she emitted a grateful sigh when Ben wrapped his arms around her in an attempt to share the warmth.
"I'm sorry, Rey." Ben apologised quietly as he rested his chin on top of the hood covering her brunette hair. "If I wasn't a wanted man- "
"Not just you." Rey cut in before the usual guilt had a chance to overwhelm him. "I may not be as recognisable but my name is on the list too. Though why they want me taken alive and you shot on sight still confuses me. Why wouldn't they just want us both dead?"
"Who knows what's going through Hux's twisted little mind." Ben's knuckles turned white from clenching his fist so hard as he thought about his one-time rival, Armitage Hux. It shouldn't have surprised him that Hux was the one who had used Snoke's death to his advantage to make an instant grab for power. The little weasel had always had dreams of grandeur. It was just bitter irony that he had been the one to give the treacherous ass the perfect opportunity to realise his ambition.
Since leaving the Resistance behind they had spent the last few weeks trying to evade capture. They had plenty of near misses and in the process the Millennium Falcon had taken a battering. Han had been forced to reach out to his old contacts for favours as they sought refuge. Ben and Rey tensed in the shadows when the tavern's door creaked open, only relaxing again when they saw Chewie motioning for them to come inside.
"Are you sure its safe?" Ben asked cautiously.
"It is now." Chewie answered in Shyriiwook as he shoved the comatose body of a Boosodian bounty hunter out into the cold. "Don't worry. He'll be out for hours."
Ben exchanged an amused glance with Rey before reaching for her hand to pull her inside the tavern with him. They were met with a jangle of voices when they stepped inside. Men and women of varying species were slumped on the bar. Empty pint and shot glasses littered the top of the bar, the servers were making no effort to clear them. In fact, Ben spotted one of them reusing one of the dirty glasses for a new patron. He grimaced in disgust, his fingers tightening around Rey's as he followed Chewie's tall form as they weaved their way through the crowd. They passed a drunken woman crying in the corner, her anguish becoming lost in the hubbub and din. One of the drinkers at the bar smacked into Rey, causing the hood covering her head to fall backwards, revealing her lovely face. He leered at Rey as he made a grab for her, but he was met with Ben's fist instead. It only took one punch before he was sprawled on the ground. His companions went to rush to his defence but one growl from Chewbacca and the murderous look in Ben's eyes sent then scurrying away.
"We're trying not to attract attention." Chewie reminded Ben pointedly as they continued on their way.
"Says the great big Wookie." Ben retorted irritably as he flexed his fingers to check he hadn't dislocated any of them. It had been a while since he'd had the pleasure of smashing his fist into someone's face.
Chewbacca gave him another warning growl before taking the lead again. Ben reached for Rey's hand, but she just scowled and pushed past him as she followed in Chewie's wake.
"Why are you pissed at me?" Ben asked telepathically as he hastened after her.
"I could have handled that myself. You didn't need to step in." Rey replied sharply.
Ben let out a weary sigh. She was right. He should have let her handle it herself, he just couldn't help feeling protective. "I'm sorry." He apologised sincerely.
Mollified by his quick apology, Rey let him take her hand again. They had reached one of the secluded bays set at the back of the bar. Ben caught sight of his father; Han was sitting opposite what appeared to be a female clad in a dark maroon catsuit which clung snugly to her curvy body. She had gold shields wrapped around her upper arms which matched the unique gold coloured helmet she wore, complete with dark visor covering her eyes. When Ben glanced back at Rey, she had a strange look on her face which he couldn't decipher. Before he had a chance to figure it out his father was calling him over.
"Hey, Ben, you remember Zorii?" Han said animatedly as he made the introductions. When Ben shot him a puzzled glance, Han rolled his eyes. "She's Harry Wynn's daughter. You remember old Harry? He and I- "Han cut his explanation short, not really wanting to bring up his old spice running days.
"He won't remember me, Han. He was still a babe in arms." Zorii laughed as she opened the visor on her helmet, revealing a pair of twinkling green eyes.
"I remember Harry, though. Nice to meet you, Zorii." Ben said as he tugged on Rey's hand, drawing her further into the light so he could include her in the introductions. "This is- "
"I'm Rey." Rey cut in tersely.
"Okay." Zorii drawled, clearly amused by Rey's abrupt answer. "So, you're the girl I've been hearing so much about."
"What do you mean?" Ben and Rey said at the exact same time.
Zorii laughed again. "Did you two practise that?"
"No." Ben and Rey answered together.
This time it wasn't only Zorii who laughed. Han and Chewie joined in, riling Ben and Rey further. Their exasperated expressions mirrored each other as they glared at everyone around the table.
Zorii was the first to recover from her laughing fit. "Han, you didn't tell me they were so adorable."
For some reason this set Han and Chewie off again. Irritated by his father's antics, Ben reached out and grabbed the back of Han's chair, yanking it from under him and sending him sprawling to the floor. Han's amusement died and he glowered at Ben as he pushed himself back onto his feet. "What did you do that for?" He demanded gruffly.
"To remind you that I'm dangerous not adorable." Ben said sarcastically. This time the snicker came from behind him. Ben turned to look over his shoulder to find Rey with her hand covering her mouth as she tried to stifle her giggles.
"Not you too!" Ben sighed in defeat as it dawned him what he had just said.
"Ben 'dangerous not adorable' Solo has quite the ring to it." Rey's sweet, joyful laughter burst forth and she collapsed into a vacant chair next to Han. She caught Zorii gazing at her, her eyes crinkled at the corners with mirth. The brief spike of envy that had plagued Rey when she had first been introduced to Han's striking companion disappeared. The two women exchanged an amused look as Ben pulled up another chair and sat down heavily, his face still marked with irritation.
The atmosphere turned serious again as Zorii motioned them all to quieten down. They were attracting curious stares. Ben and Rey tensed, their keen eyes surveying the bar for any sign of trouble. The room was filled with the smell of stale alcohol and body odour. "I can get you the supplies you need." Zorii said in a low voice to Han. "But it may take some time. You need to lay low for a few days. The Falcon will need to be moved somewhere less conspicuous while I get my guys to source the parts you need and make repairs. Leave that to me."
"Any suggestions where we can hide out for a while?" Han asked.
Zorii pondered his question for a minute before answering. "I suppose you could bunk down in my dad's old place. Be prepared, its quite dilapidated now, but the advantage is, its off the beaten track."
"I'm grateful, Zorii. I know you're putting yourself at huge risk by helping us out." Han thanked her.
"You did the same for my family countless times, especially when it came to getting my dad out of trouble." Zorii reminded him.
Han's eyes moistened as he thought about his old friend. Thinking about Harry had awakened long forgotten memories of his youth. He, Harry and Lando had been quite the trio back in their smuggling days. Thinking of Lando prompted Han to ask after his old friend. "Have you heard from him?"
Zorri's expressive eyes turned grave. "The last time I had any contact with him he was still on Pasaana."
"When we leave here, I'll go and look him up." Han pushed his chair back and stood up. Everyone else did the same. After another brief conversation with Zorii, where she gave them directions to Harry's old residence, they quickly left before they aroused any further suspicion.
A/N-thanks for reading! A filler chapter but I hoped you enjoyed it all the same. Please review.