I know, I know I'm always super late when it comes to put these chapters out so I might move the day to Monday just to give myself an extra day. Anyway, please RandR!
WARNING: THIS IS A COMPANION STORY FOR Two Parts of a Whole: A Reylo Star Wars story. PLEASE READ CHAPTER 1-19 BEFORE STARTING THIS STORY!
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or any of the Amazing characters other than Eshreal...
As always enjoy!
Chapter 3: Home
Leia, Finn and Rose were waiting for them when Eshreal guided the Starfall into the hanger of the Olara base, as well as half of the rebels on the base. Everyone cheered as Evanna and her children exited the Starfall. Poe told the group how proud of them he was. The group followed behind Poe and Leia who were escorting the group through the base.
"Queen Evanna, I'm glad my people were able to rescue you from the First Order so quickly. I trust that you are all unharmed," Leia said and it was the word queen that caught everyone's attention. "General Organa, I am no longer Queen of Naboo which is exactly why I am here," Evanna said. "You are here because you are my friend and I could very much use your support at this time," Leia said.
Essie grabbed the back of Poe's jacket and pulled him back between her and Cade.
"Did we really rescue the former Queen of Naboo," Cade asked. "Seems that way doesn't it," Poe said with his usual cocky smirk. "You could have told us she was royalty. We would have been more careful," Zer-o snapped. "I couldn't tell you anything I didn't know myself. Leia tells me what I need to do my job. Who they are is unimportant; what's important is the fact that we got them safely away from the First Order before they could be tortured," Poe said.
They couldn't argue with that.
"Besides she brought with her 500,000 Galactic credits. One of the many things the Resistance is lacking in is funds. The Jasmenerthians can't exactly sell what they are making here with us without it being too risky. Plus, we need the weapons and armor they are making more than the credits should we ever get to rescue Rey," Poe said. "If you needed credits, Cade has a whole mess a credits stashed on the Starfall," Eshreal blurted and both Cade and Zer-o shot her unfriendly looks.
Poe looked at the two bounty hunters with amazement. He'd never even heard of them but apparently, they were very good at their job. Poe knew that Leia wouldn't take their credits unless they offered, but it didn't seem like either man was too keen to part with what they had earned.
"No that's okay. If you guys continue doing what you did yesterday I don't think we'll have any issues with funding or a lack of people once word gets out that we can protect them on the way here," Poe said with an easy smile. "That was rather exciting," Taliki said with a slight blush. "Taliki, you are always welcome to join us when we go out," Zer-o said. "I already offered her a place on our team," Eshreal said, rolling her eyes. "Well good. Now there are five of us," Cade said in a tone that said he couldn't really care less.
The five of them followed Poe and Leia as she escorted former Queen Evanna to the 'Royal' dorm where the General's own set of rooms was located.
"So, what's next, Commander," Cade asked. "I don't know. You guys have been fighting all your lives. Maybe for now you could just relax, make yourselves at home. Think of it as a vacation at least until the General needs you again," Poe suggested. "Vacation? We are in the middle of a war," Gear exclaimed in shock.
Poe looked around at the young people. They looked so riled up and ready to fight that suddenly Poe felt older than his years. He remembered being just as ready to do whatever needed to be done not long ago, but that was before Kylo Ren stopped his pet dog from murdering people, the First Order wasn't forcefully taking children from their homes to make them fight for the Order, and there were a lot more than 300 rebels at his back.
"This is as close to peace time as the Galaxy has seen in a long time. Right now, we need to get stronger, build up our numbers, our weapons. Strength isn't just gained by working hard, its gained by knowing when to take a break and relax. Be ready when the General needs but eat, drink and be merry," Poe said. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, we came here to fight the First Order not to relax in ," Eshreal said.
Poe shook his head.
"Well, what do you all suggest we do," Poe asked.
Everyone was silent then. Poe was right. There were no battles to fight at the moment. All that could be done is what is usually done in between battles; recoup, rebuild and prepare for the next one.
"Well it would help if there was some way we could train in the ways of the Force but with Rey being gone we can only do what we were doing before we got here," Cade said. "I guess we could go back home for a while," Zer-o suggested. "No, not yet. I think we should all stay for at least 2 months before we decided on anything," Eshreal said in her serious voice. "What did you see, Essie," Gear asked. "I didn't see anything, I just have a feeling things will go our way if we stay here," Eshreal said.
Poe and Taliki looked confused but Cade, Zer and Gear just nodded. They knew precog was one of the few skills that Eshreal had mastered. Though it wasn't as strong as Gear's ability; he could actually see things, Essie on the other hand could just feel them. Either way they had all learned long ago not to question their captain when she felt something so strongly.
They accompanied Poe and Leia back to her office once she was sure Evanna and her children were settled into their rooms. Leia sat at her desk with a slight smile on her face. She was so proud of the young people sitting before her.
"My people were skeptical about letting you all in but I told them I had a good feeling about you and you proved that you were good people when you didn't hesitate to rush headlong into danger for someone you didn't even know. Evanna said you were professional and ruthless when it came to dealing with the Stormtroopers holding them hostage. I can see why House Benelex thinks so highly of you two," Leia said to Cade and Zer-o.
The two males looked pleased with themselves.
"I was also impressed with you guys. Poe told me how well you all worked together and how you refused to let him get himself into trouble or jeopardize the mission by being recognized," Leia said shooting a wary look at her commander. "Hey, we all made it out with no issues thanks to Poe," Eshreal said. "Yeah, only thing that would have made the mission a bigger success is if we could have blown up that base too," Cade said and Zer-o and Gear agreed.
Poe and Leia exchanged a glance and a smile.
"There will be other opportunities to blow up First Order bases in the future. I know I'll need you guys for other things though, so I hope you all plan on staying. I know you didn't find what you came here looking for but that doesn't mean you won't still find it," Leia said with a smile. "Of course we are staying," Cade said reassuringly. "We have to be here when Rey comes home," Gear said with confidence.
Leia stared at the group, trying to decide what to think of them. In the end she just smiled and sent them on their way. So for two and a half months the members of the Last Hope kept themselves busy.
Eshreal made it her mission to introduce herself to everyone on the base and make as many friends as possible. The rebels loved her, especially the children since she was the only adult willing to waste time playing with them when there were so many more important things to do. When she wasn't babysitting, Eshreal took to tending the base's garden. Thanks to her the base's fresh food supply doubled and then tripled.
Cade spent his time taking apart and repairing the base's old, outdated technology with any spare parts he had on the Starfall. With the improvements he was able to double the strength of the energy field around the base and added motion detects a mile or so outside of the field. Cade also began hunting the prey animals found on Olara so that they had more to eat than fish, vegetables and fruit.
Taliki went back to helping Leia with things around the base. She delivered messages for the General and her staff around the base. She fetched people when Leia needed them but her favorite task was helping Eshreal with the children. Eshreal played their games while Taliki taught them new games to play and dances to do.
Zer-o took Shira and went out exploring in the jungles of Olara. They ate, slept and trained together until the nexu cub knew Zer-o's moves almost as well as Zer-o himself. Their training consisted of fighting predatory animals around Olara as well as each other. When Zer-o was not in the jungle, he was modifying any weapon on the base that he could get his hands on. Soon every dorm had a special weapon just in case the base was ever invaded.
Gear went out into the jungles of Olara to study it's flora and fauna. He ran experiments on everything, discovering medicinal purposes for plants and animals as well as things that would help him with his own personal mission of getting stronger. A few Jasmenerthians began accompanying him out into the field to help him bring back more of the medicinal stuff until they had a stockpile of alternatives to Bacta which they were in sore need of.
It was just fortunate they were all in the base when the alarm that Cade had set up started going off. The five of them met up in the main hall and made their way to Leia's office where Leia, Poe, Finn, Rose and Kaydel were waiting for them.
"What's going on," Cade asked. "Kylo Ren's shuttle just dropped into the atmosphere and landed a few miles away from the base," Leia said in a worried tone. "Are we being invaded," Taliki asked. "I doubt it. If we were being invaded it would be by a lot more than just Kylo Ren's personal shuttle. Only 5 people can even fit on the thing," Finn said and then turned to Cade. "I see you know your tech. Ren's shuttle is supposedly untraceable," he said. "Thanks," Cade said with pride. "Maybe Rey stole the shuttle and made her way back here. If it's untraceable to the Frist Order it would be the perfect ship to take," Rose said and the others nodded, hopeful.
Leia on the other hand looked worried.
"I doubt it will ever be that simple," Leia said. "What do you need from us, general," Zer asked. "Accompany us out to the edge of the shield, we may have need for those of you with lightsabers," Leia said and got up from her desk. "Yes ma'am," the three force users with lightsabers said.
They all followed Leia and the others out of the base and down the long road that led to the gate surrounding the base. They all stood there for a while and Cade began wondering if it had been a false alarm. Suddenly three figures could be seen in the distance.
"It can't be," Finn hissed. "You gotta be shitting me," Poe snapped. "Force, be with us," Leia whispered.
The figures got closer and the group could make out one male and two females. Leia was the first one to feel her son and Rey in the Force but she could tell when Eshreal, Gear and Zer-o did. Cade scented the air and then let out a growl.
"What is it," Taliki asked. "First Order scum," Zer-o hissed. "Rey is with them," Rose said and the group turned to look at the trio that was only about 10 meters away now.
They all looked to Leia as Kylo Ren, General Phasma, and Rey came to stand right outside of the shield.
"Gear, Cade, Eshreal, Taliki, Zer-o please escort those two dangerous criminals to the dungeons. If they cause trouble, do whatever necessary besides killing them to get them there," Leia said pointing to Kylo Ren and Phasma.
None of them argued just moved to do what she told them. Cade, Zer-o and Eshreal ignited their lightsabers and moved toward the two. Cade and Zer-o were hoping that they would put a fight but one look from Rey and they put their hands up and began moving toward the base.
This was a short chapter but now we are all caught up to the main story Two Parts of a Whole: a Reylo Star Wars story. Chapter 19 to be specific.