Chapter 2: Escape

Upon realizing he would be passing by the communications array on the way back to the detention center, the pilot had an idea.

"Mind if I could go to the refresher real quick?"

"You have one in your cell," a guard immediately barked back.

"Please," the pilot pleaded, feigning desperation. "It's been a while since I've gone, and it's gonna be bad. I need to go right now."

"You can wait-"

"Hold it." The other guard stopped, pulling the first one aside. "If it's really that bad, we'll have to clean it up. If he destroys another system's refresher…"

The first trooper sighed. "Very well. Don't you dare try anything stupid."

"Wouldn't dream of it." The pilot shuffled off into the communications array while the troopers continued their conversation.

Inside the array was just one bored-looking engineer. Presumably there was no reason to call other ships if this was meant to be a secret army, but it was still a stroke of luck.

"Excuse me," the pilot said. The engineer looked up. "You wouldn't happen to know what a 'sleemo' means, would you?"

The engineer looked confused, and a little offended. "I beg your pardon?"

"A 'sleemo.' I'm from the Mid-Rim, and I don't recognize the term. I only ask because the two troopers outside let me use the refresher in here because a 'greasy, do-nothing sleemo' would have to clean it up instead of them. Said something about you finally 'doing something of value.' Seemed a little mean, so I wanted to ask if-"

"Those fragheads!" The engineer ignored the rest of the pilot's ramblings and shot up. "I've had it up to here with those two."

The engineer stormed out the door. Even as the blast doors closed, the pilot could still hear a shouting match occur between the three cultists outside. Smiling to himself, he bent over the comms.

The pilot wasn't exactly an expert in Star Destroyers, but remembers back to when he and his brother would fix up old ship parts as kids. Once you've seen one broken-down set of comms, you've seen them all. Still, it took him a minute to figure out how to work the panel. While working on it, he was trying to figure out who to call. His brother? No, he wouldn't answer. He was probably too busy with the Resistance. He might get in touch with someone who can help. But that would take him too long. It's not like that message the Calrissian guy sent out to everybody during the Battle of Exegol a few weeks back. He only had one shot at this, but even then there was no guarantee-

The Calrissian transmission! He had created a channel that spread like wildfire throughout the galaxy. The pilot's brother had gotten it from a friend who got it from someone else, but even if it didn't come directly from the source, the comms channel he had opened made the transmission public to all sympathetic ears. Since the channel was so widespread, even if it was still up, it was highly unlikely anything he sent would even be found in the flurry of replies that were no doubt sent in the wake of the battle. Regardless, it was his best chance to stop whatever group of freaks he'd been abducted by. Maybe even save his skin, or the little community on the planet's surface. It was better than nothing.

Doing his best to mark down the coordinates, the pilot reopened the channel and sent a direct transmission to its source to a ship called "the Millennium Falcon."

After he sent the message, he heard a loud bang out in the hall. Preparing himself for another assault, the pilot braced himself, but saw it was nothing. The engineer and the two troopers had escalated their argument, and things had gotten physical between the three. With that diversion in place, the pilot had a new idea. He might've gotten his request out, but maybe he could warn the farmers down on the planet's surface.

The pilot's eyes darted around the room. Starships like this one had all sorts of hidden service tunnels and passageways in the event of an emergency. Some even led to escape pods. He spotted the entrance to one right next to the refresher door and had another idea.

First, he went into the refresher. There were two stalls inside. In each receptacle, he put one of his boots in. He then activated the flushing mechanisms, causing them to overflow with water. Next, he decided to set off a random alarm to distract everyone else on the ship. He went with a warning of a coolant leak in the ship's reactor. Those were usually far enough away from the escape pods in case of catastrophic failure. Finally, he wrenched open the service hatch and squeezed in. The pilot was no Ugnaught, but he managed to wiggle inside. After a delay, the alarm for the "coolant leak" went off. He could hear the thundering of several dozen pairs of feet racing through the ship. After a few minutes that felt like hours due to his fear, he managed to make it to the escape pods.

Most of the pods had been rendered non-functional, but he managed to find one that still worked. Now the tricky part. He knew roughly where the village would be from his visits, but making it there was another thing. Surely the ship would shoot at him the first chance it got, right?

After a moment of hesitation, the pilot input the longitude and latitude from his visits to the village. He was dead if he stayed on this ship anyway, especially after all that stuff he just did. At least if his pod gets blown out of the sky, it'll be quick.

Before he could lose his nerve, the pilot slammed his fist on the button labeled "RELEASE."

After finding out the coolant leak was a false alarm, Morroth stormed into the comms array. Inside he found the two troopers meant to escort their prisoner, as well as the comms engineer, frantically searching around. One trooper slipped on a large puddle of water that was leaking out of the refresher. As soon as they saw Morroth, all three stood up straight and faced him.

"What the hell is happening here?!" Morroth barked at the three of them. The three fools started sputtering.

"Well, the prisoner needed the refresher-"

"They called me a sleemo-"

"Out of nowhere, this jerk decided to hit me and-"

"ENOUGH!" All three were silent as Morroth looked at them menacingly. "Where is the prisoner?"

The three looked at each other nervously until one of the troopers finally spoke out.

"He, uh, might've slipped away while we were fighting."

A wave of hot fury overcame Morroth. Some of the technology in the room (that wasn't already short-circuited by the ever-growing puddle of water) started sparking. It looked almost as if they were being crushed. Morroth took a deep breath, and the crushing stopped. He addressed the three cultists in the calmest voice he could manage.

"I want all of you idiots in the briefing room right this second," he uttered, his even-tempered voice still oozing venomous intent. "I will handle you when I've finished here. Now go."

The word "go" had barely left his lips before the three of them immediately scrambled past him and out the door. After taking a deep breath, he looked down. He was receiving a call on his comm link from Dumak, who was still on the bridge.

"This better be good news," Morroth growled.

"Depends," Dumak replied. "Our scanners picked up an escape pod released from the ship. Just waitin' on you to give the order, and it's gone."

Morroth contemplated for a minute before replying. "No."

"You sure?" Dumak sounded confused. Not an uncommon occurrence for him.

"Leave him. I was going to grant him a painless death for his help. But now?" Morroth let a menacing smile creep up his face. "After we're done with the Destroyer, I have plans for him. Gather everyone into the briefing room. We've waited long enough."

Rey stood with one hand outstretched towards the unknown figure, as if she was trying to ward them off. The other was gripping her saber, reading to ignite.

The figure held up their hands. It might've been a trick of the light, but Rey thought she saw four arms instead of two.

"I mean you no harm," the figure said. "Please, just let me explain myself."

The figure was male, based on the voice. His voice was deep, but also slightly raspy. He must be an older individual.

"Alright." Rey didn't lower either hand. "Why is my friend currently hanging upside-down from a tree?"

The figure chuckled slightly. "Well, I set up the snare to catch potential intruders. Or my dinner. Maybe both."

Rey's finger slid closer to the activator on her saber.

"That last part was a joke," the figure clarified. "I haven't eaten meat in quite a while. And I would never admit that to a Jedi regardless. The snare was only up in case someone discovered me, so I could convince them to leave."

"You don't have many friends, do you?" Finn shouted, still dangling from the tree.

Rey still wasn't convinced. "How long have you been here?"

The figure shrugged. "Probably around fifty years or so. I lost track a while ago."

"Fifty years?" Despite his predicament, Rey couldn't help but notice Finn's curiosity peek through, now that the danger was subsiding. "We've been living here for nearly a year. No one has found you?"

"Well, your wookiee friend came close the first time around, but not since I first settled here, no."

"First time?"

"Master Luke…" Rey said. "He and Leia were on this planet a long time ago. When he first started to train her. It's why she knew to bring us here after Crait."

"Right, right." The figure started moving forward.

Rey, who hadn't noticed she had lowered her arms, resumed her defensive position. She did it more for the appearance, however, as she was slowly coming around to this strange new person. Or at least was beginning to think he wasn't a threat.

As he got closer, she started to make out more features. The stranger did indeed have four arms, but also had no limbs on his lower body, not dissimilar to a snake. His face, however, was covered with dirty white hair. A Thisspiasian.

"Who are you?" Rey finally asked. "And why are you out here?"

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry." He straightened up and outstretched one of his hands. "My name is Oppo Rancisis. I'm a Jedi, same as you."

"A Jedi." Rey lowered her arms in surprise. "H-how…"

"How about we continue our conversation inside?" Oppo gestured towards an outcropping of rocks, which Rey finally realized were meant to be a crude hovel. "It's getting late, and this conversation would be a lot better with some broadleaf tea."

Rey hesitated before saying "Okay."

"Um, excuse me," Finn said, still hanging. "You mind getting me down first."

"I'm sorry, son. I forgot you were up there."

With a flick of his hand, Oppo caused the knot at the base of the snare to come undone. Finn let out a yell that was cut short as he fell face-first into the mud.

Rey gasped in horror. "Finn!"

Despite still face-down in the mud, Rey heard a muffled "thank you." She helped Finn up, and the two followed Oppo into the hovel.

Poe was tinkering with the lower-right S-foil of his X-Wing when he heard the familiar whirring and rustling. Sure enough, a white-and-orange ball of a droid came speeding up to him, beeping enthusiastically.

"Hey, buddy." Poe smiled at BB-8, who beeped cheerfully.

BB-8 was one of Poe's best friends. For many years, he faithfully rolled by his side, always following his lead. It didn't take long for the two to bond, and after a while their bond became instinctive. Almost like the little droid could scan his mind directly.

"Hear any word back from Rey? Finn?"

BB-8 hummed sadly. It'd been a few days since she and Finn began tracking whoever had been watching them. They offered to take Poe along with them, but he preferred to stay behind. Whatever had been watching them was good, if the general, Rey, or even a tracker like Chewie couldn't pick up their trail until now. The thought unsettled Poe, so he let the Jedi and Jedi-to-be handle the search while he continued to help pack up what was once their old base. Despite insisting on following them, they asked BB-8 to stay behind. They didn't want him knocking something loose in the uncharted jungle. To ease his worried little processors, they promised to check in with him at least once a day until they were back.

That was three days ago. The first two days they'd signaled back to BB-8 before sundown. But as the horizon now turned an orange-ish hue, they've heard nothing.

"Ah, chin up, pal." Poe bent down to gently pat his buddy's head. "I wouldn't worry yet. If anyone could handle their own, it's those two."

"Bee-neep."

Poe understood the droid's fears. It's barely been a fortnight since they won at Exegol. They lost a lot of good people over there, and the ones that did make it knew a certain amount of luck was involved. The First Order would never be able to recover from a blow like that, especially as citizens across the galaxy rose up to overthrow them on their own worlds. As of that moment, Poe knew of about a dozen or so planets that were now in open resistance against the Order. Even if they never had the same foothold over the galaxy that the Empire had in its prime, they still weren't going without a fight.

It's why they were decommissioning the base on Ajan Kloss. The jungle moon had served them well the last year or so, but with the First Order struggling to maintain control of the planets they had occupied, there was no longer a need to hide in the shadows. All around him were the sounds of foot soldiers and pilots gathering their things and taking inventory, making sure they knew what to look for and which ship to bring it to. Somewhere in the distance, Poe could've sworn he heard the familiar sounds of C3PO and R2-D2 arguing over something or another.

Fortunately, one of the other Resistance cells had discovered that Eufornis Major, an urbanized planet not dissimilar to Coruscant in terms of structure, had gone largely ignored by the First Order. It orbited the star nearest to the one in the Kuat system, which explained why neither the Empire nor the First Order ever seemed to care about it. They were more focused on the Kuat shipyards to think much of the unassuming little world. There was still a small platoon of Imperial troops stationed there during the first war, but hardly large enough to become a problem for local militias when word about the second Death Star's destruction got out. For right now at least, it seemed to be the perfect spot for all the various Resistance cells to gather, at least for now. That meant decommissioning their base on Ajan Kloss, and taking anything even remotely useful back with them.

Poe found decommissioning the base bittersweet. On the one hand, this had been their home for a year. Working on the X-Wing with BB-8 and Rose. Coming up with battle strategies with Leia and Aftab. Nights with Finn swapping stories about history. Even arguing with Rey was something he looked back fondly on after everything that happened.

A loud crash sounded from the hangar bay, reminding Poe of the sweet part of their departure.

"Zymods!" He grabbed a particularly blunt tool off the S-foil. "If those things chewed through the wiring again…"

He stormed into the hangar, with BB-8 trailing close behind. They both knew Poe had no intention of bludgeoning the creature to death. He hated zymods with a burning passion, but he wasn't a monster. He was just going to bang the tool on something solid nearby, hoping the clanging would drive it away long enough for someone to prepare whatever leftover starfighter it targeted for departure.

The crash had come from around the corner of a beaten-up Y-wing. It looked like the ship Aftab used during Exegol. He rounded the corner, expecting a zymod huddled over some electronics. Worst-case scenario, a bunch of them.

"Hey!" Poe shouted. "Get out of-"

What he was not expecting to see was Rose trying to pick up a heavy ship part. Upon hearing him shout, Rose shrieked and dropped the part again, fully explaining the crash.

"Sorry, Poe." Rose sheepishly tried picking up the part again. Poe helped her load it in a cart nearby. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it." Poe casually tossed the tool he almost hit Rose with into the cart as well.

"What are you doing down here?" Rose asked. "Thought you'd be overseeing inventory up on the Home Two."

"Eh, I handed it off to Kaydel." Poe nodded in the direction of his X-Wing. "Rey and Finn haven't gotten back yet, so I've been giving her one last tune-up before we leave. I don't trust the old girl to just anyone."

"Makes sense." Rose looked like she was trying to slip away, but Poe noticed.

"Hang on," he said. "What are you doing down here? I thought engineering had already removed their stuff from the base."

"What?" Rose looked nervous. "I wasn't…wasn't aware of that. News to me."

Poe suppressed a grin. He liked Rose well enough, but she was a terrible liar. Besides, she led the Engineering Corps. Of all people, she would know what their progress looked like.

Rose sighed. "Fine. I'll tell you, but you're going to think it's stupid."

"I doubt it, but go ahead."

Rose took a deep breath. "So, I assigned everyone specific tasks for the decommissioning. Figured it best to compartmentalize. It was supposed to take a few days, but my team managed to get our inventory set in a few hours. We were done on day one."

Poe nodded, showing that he was listening so far.

"The thing is," Rose continued, "I've been thinking about stepping down from the Corps and transferring elsewhere."

"Anywhere specific?"

Rose's face started turning pink. "This is dumb, but I wanted to train to be a pilot."

Poe's eyes widened. He wasn't expecting that.

"It's just that…ever since my sister died, I've been trying to figure out where I belong. I like working on ships. And now that Paige is gone, I want to honor her sacrifice by protecting others the way she did. I've been familiarizing myself with the different fighters whenever I'm alone down here, but then this thing came loose and you heard it, and now we're here." After a few seconds of silence, Rose added, "if you're going to laugh, just get it over with."

Instead of laughing, Poe smiled.

"That's not stupid," he said. "I think that's a great idea."

"That…" Poe could see a look of pleasant surprise envelop her face. "You…you actually mean that?"

"Of course. We're going to need more pilots, and you know how these ships work better than anyone I know. Except maybe Chewie, but he's been alive for a few hundred years, so he doesn't count."

Rose laughed. "You'll teach me how to fly and everything?"

"I mean, I'll do my best. I taught Rey how to pilot an X-Wing. If I could teach her, I can teach anyone."

Rose playfully hit his arm.

"That actually works out well," Poe continued. "Kay and I were actually looking to talk to Aftab about a little project we're planning. If you're serious about this, you're welcome to join in."

"Oh?"

Poe gestured for her to follow him. "I think Aftab's got someone coming to get the ship for him soon. I'm just about done with mine if you wanted to hear about the pitch while I finish up."

Rose nodded enthusiastically. "I'd like that."

Poe grabbed the cart with the missing part and tool and pushed it back towards his X-Wing. Rose followed him, and BB-8 brought up the rear.

Oppo Rancisis: Djimon Hounsou