Chapter 2
Poe expected pain when he hit the ground after falling through the Force hole—black hole, whatever it was. Aside from a small jolt when Rey's body hit his, he might as well have fallen onto his bed back home on Yavin IV. The good one with the soft mattress.
"What just happened?"
Rey sat up, rubbing her head. "I have no idea. Do you recognize this place?"
They were in a market of some sort. Definitely an Outer Rim planet, judging by the rougher clothing and the styles of the buildings. Made of rough mortar, it could have been Tatooine or Jakku or any number of dry planets.
"The name of the place is of no importance." The woman's voice drifted over the market's noise.
Poe scrambled to his feet. "You. You're the voice. The one from the wherever we just were."
"Who are you? Why have you brought us here?" Rey's hand went to the hilt of the lightsaber on her belt.
She was still wearing her gray leggings and the tunic-style top she favored. Compared to the women of Naboo or Hosnian Prime, her clothes were plain, but Poe liked that she hadn't tried to change now that she'd saved the galaxy.
Sure, the tight fitting clothes gave a guy a good opportunity to admire her lithe form and leanly muscled curves. Mostly, though, the clothes reminded him how grounded and normal she was, even if she was some all-powerful Jedi.
"Peace, child. I am not your enemy." A figure stepped out of the shadows, wearing all white. The hood of her cloak fell, revealing a face somewhat similar to General Organa's. Around the eyes and mouth especially.
"In life, I was Shmi Skywalker."
"Skywalker?" Rey frowned. "You're not Master Luke or Leia's mother. R2 showed me old holovids of her from the Clone Wars."
"He did?" Poe frowned. "When?"
"After the…after Leia passed." Rey's attention didn't stray from the woman, her hazel eyes narrowing as she studied Shmi. "You're—you're Anakin's mother, aren't you?"
Shmi nodded. "I am. And I've been given a vital task, young Rey."
"What task? What did that Wayfinder do to us?" Poe asked.
"I can see patience is not as strong as other traits for you two." Shmi's lips twisted up in a wry smile. "I am not only a manifestation of the consciousness of Shmi Skywalker, I am a manifestation of the living Force. The Wayfinder is a guide. It is meant to reward a Force-wielder who has done a great service with their heart's desire. You, General Dameron, were an unexpected but oddly appropriate stowaway on Rey's journey."
"Oddly appropriate? What does that mean?" The hair on the back of Poe's neck stood on end, just as they had when Lor San Tekka confirmed he had the map to Luke Skywalker. Like something had changed forever and he was just along for the ride.
Shmi remained enigmatic. "You will see in time."
Rey was about to speak when a Twi'lek walked close enough to ram into her. Except he didn't. It wasn't that he floated through her, exactly; it was more like he didn't take any notice of her at all.
"We are shades in the force. Impressions. We can see and hear and move about as any might, but those of this time cannot perceive our presence in any way." Shmi motioned for them to follow her.
"This time?" Rey, how do we know this isn't some Sith trick? Time travel—" Poe couldn't even find words to describe how insane it was. The shock of whatever the Wayfinder did to them was wearing off.
Protectiveness and worry were hot on its heels though. He would never forgive himself if something happened to Rey on his watch. He'd lost too many people he lo—cared about already.
"Because I can sense it. I've never felt such purity in the force except on Ahch-To." Rey took his hand, her palm dry and cool against his.
He sighed but let her pull him along. "This is one of those things where we have to go through it rather than getting out of it, isn't it?"
"Look at it this way," Rey said, "at least this time it was me doing something reckless and getting us stuck instead of you."
She had a point. And at least if he was going to be on another crazy mission after a year of peace, there wasn't anyone he'd rather be in a nest of rancors with.