Chapter 31

Poe laughed so hard that tears actually came to his eyes. The look of shocked outrage on the face of the male ambassador only made him laugh harder. He laughed so hard it took him a minute to realize no one else was laughing. Sure, the First Order drones wouldn't find this funny but the other rebels….

Taking a look around the room, a sense of foreboding filled Poe. What was wrong with everyone? There was no way they would take the side of the First Order over him. He was Poe Dameron, the commander of Black Squadron. He had been handpicked by Leia Organa herself to act as her right hand. Why did it feel like everyone was siding with the First Order instead of him?

Laughter dying, Poe straighten to his full height and gave Gala Vash his complete attention. The so-called Rebel leader returned his gaze. The man's entire being radiated grim resignation. After a few tense moments, he broke eye contact with Poe and motioned for two more guards. The guards that Poe had already fought moved to his back as the new pair approached. Poe was trapped but the gravity of the situation didn't solidify until Poe saw the cuffs come out. He was being betrayed.

"You are going to turn me over to them. The enemy." It wasn't a question. Everyone knew what was happening.

Gala Vash didn't even have the decency to look ashamed. Instead he just replied, "Justice must be served and innocents are dead. Commander Dameron, I don't believe that you killed them on purpose but your actions cannot be ignored. People are dead and the evidence implicates you. A trial is necessary. A jury of your peers will weigh all of the facts and justice will be dispensed accordingly."

This got another laugh from Poe. Only this time it was mocking. "Sure, the Order is known for their fairness."

Poe didn't resist when the cuffs were placed on him. He was outnumbered and he knew it. He was going to have to rely on Leia to come to his aide and Poe had no doubts that the general would be there for him. Still, he couldn't resist getting in a parting shot as he was marched out.

"Everyone here is in chains. Mine are just visible."

…

Finn sat incredulous across from Leia. He never imagined that he would be having a conversation like this one with the General. Leia was the very heart and soul of the resistance. She was always the who had hope. She always had a plan. Her legend was undisputed even within the ranks of the First Order. So, when they arrived back on Kashyyyk this was the very last thing he expected from her.

"There is nothing that we can do for either Rey or Poe right now. Rushing in may only put them both in more danger."

Finn was still in stunned silence but he imagined that Chewie spoke for them both when the Wookie let out a plaintive growl that was equal parts sadness and disagreement.

"I don't like this any more than you do but rushing into things before we properly prepare is what got us into both of these situations in the first place."

The truth in Leia's words stung but Finn didn't want to admit it. Doing so felt like a betrayal to both Rey and Poe and they were family. They, along with Rose and Chewie, were everything to Finn. He wasn't going to blame them for what happened. Both of them acted out of good intentions. Intentions designed to save others. Finn wouldn't abandon them to the First Order.

Thankfully, Rose was able to speak and she echoed Finn's feelings. "With all due respect General Organa, we can't just leave them to the mercy of the First Order. They won't stand a chance."

Finn winced at the truthfulness of her words. Having spent almost the entirety of his life with the Order, Finn knew exactly what Rey and Poe were likely being subjected to. He wouldn't stand for it.

Landing on Kashyyyk, Finn had expected the planning of Rey's rescue operation to be well under way. He had prepared a speech to fight any objections to him being a part of that mission. Those arguments died in his mouth when he learned that Poe had also been captured. How could he help both of his friends?

At least they knew where Poe was being held. The First Order had released their supposed footage showing Poe tampering with the medical shipments during the press conference. The Order had spared nothing to defend themselves against the accusation that they were not actually providing aid to vulnerable populations. They had even given the original data files to multiple news organizations so that everyone could independently verify that the footage had not been tampered with. All of those organizations confirmed that the tapes were real. Finn didn't know how the First Order was fooling everyone but he knew his friend was not a killer. He also knew that they had to save him.

"This is bull."

The argument between Rose and Leia came to an abrupt halt at his sudden declaration.

"What was that?" The General's tone implied that she didn't care for Finn's tone.

"This is bull," Finn repeated. "The longer we stand here the more likely that they are going to execute Poe."

Leia's response would have withered a less determined individual. "The First Order is not going to blindly execute Poe after they announced to the entire system that they will let justice take its course. Poe has been arrested and is currently awaiting trial. That gives us time."

Finn wasn't willing to let Leia continue. "Time as a First Order prisoner. You know what that means."

"Yes, I do." There was no guilt or remorse in Leia's tone. Just the steely resolve that had gotten her through all of her past trials.

Finn saw that they were not going to find a solution. There was no point in arguing. He felt helpless to find Rey. That helplessness fueled his rage about what was happening to Poe. What the Rebels were allowing to happen to Poe. Finn would not stand for it. They couldn't do anything for Rey until they found her but he could do something for Poe.

Finn just turned and walked out. He didn't even register that Rose followed him until she tugged his arm and forced him to stop and look at her.

"Hey," she said. "It is okay. We are going to get them both back."

Rose lifted a hand to his face and looked deep in his eyes when she said it. Unable to form the words to let her know how much he cared for her, Finn simply reached out and wrapped his arms around her. They stood locked in an embrace for a long while. Neither wanting to break the moment. Finn buried his face in the top of Rose's hair, breathing in the scent of her. It calmed him and loosened the knot in his chest. Finally, Finn pulled back just enough to look into Rose's warm eyes.

"I can't wait to go after Poe. Trial or no, he isn't safe. Besides, there is no way that the First Order will give him a real trial. This is just a show for the galaxy. We need to get him now."

"Agreed," Rose replied. "So, what is the plan?"

"First we need a ship."

A slow smile grew on Rose's face. "I think we can manage that."