-ooo- Escape from Ren, 8 of 13 -ooo-

140 Coruscant Street — Ext. (Innocence remains in the Republic) 140

A hooded Finn stares at the smiling Aquila through a screen on a crowded market street. It's late evening on this side of the globe. Some women are still haggling and hauling goods, but the popularity here is the race —with women and children and alien races watching the screen. Most merchants are selling snacks. Here a hooded Poe returns, bringing some shelled street food.

POE Woof, these "shelled suns" got some kick to 'em.

FINN Hmph, cluster-boy here didn't even add any red flakes.

POE Man, you imps are Just obsessed with torture.

They begin to move through the crowds.

FINN It's why we watch Pod Races for six hours.

POE Hey, that's a good time... especially with so many women around. No factory men taking work off?

FINN Poe, the planet is on total conscription. Every able man is serving, dead, or has money. Women stay behind in the factories with the ex-honor races. Unless they have honor through a husband, they'll die here.

POE ...largest market in the galaxy, huh?

FINN They spend money like there's no tomorrow. Oh!

Finn sees kids playing a game on a drawn 3x3 grid, the center is square crossed out and cards are stacked in the free boxes. Two players are deep in thought. The other kids are heckling.

FINN "Eight Liars!" That takes me back.

One kid uses flips a card over, the small crowd goes wild.

LOSER KID AHHHH! How did you know!?

FINN Haha! Oh, I used to be the best at that game!

POE I wonder if that's 'cause you're Force-sensitive.

Finn questions his entire life.

POE (cont.) Well, thanks for bringing me out here, Finn. Nice to get out and see life on this side.

FINN Uh, yes, right... you seem to have bonded with the Red Republic fast.

POE We share a "kill imps" policy.

FINN Anything else?

POE ...it's more than just a rebel band. With this number of soldiers, families, ships, and guns... they're getting funding, Finn. All the companies here are under the Imperial Family, and they are fighting back! That's what's so huge about this.

FINN (conflicted) ...yeah.

POE I want their patrons, if we can team up with them, this war is done and over. So, I charm 'em a little.

FINN The Republic Cluster could use some Imperial assets, right?

POE Of course.

FINN Then Poe, why haven't there been any more troopers going to the Republic?

POE ...that's why you brought me away from the base.

FINN Yes.

POE ...It's what you think.

FINN They're killed.

POE After torture.

FINN Why? When they are already trying to help.

POE We trust nothing anymore, Finn. They didn't even trust you.

FINN What?

Poe throws away the rest of his meal and prepares for a confession.

POE I've never told this one to you.

Finn recognizes the threat this revelation has.

FINN Should you?

POE You remember when I showed up on Endor? Meeting back up with you, Rey, and Luke?

FINN Yes, of course.

POE I showed up in a Pulsar.9. If I show up in a Pulsar.9, I'm there for work.

Finn understands.

FINN But... why?

POE Finn... I told the General everything. About where you were studying with Luke. After a month, he wanted all the information you had. He asked me to go to Endor and take you to an unnamed asteroid. To meet with a team of "information specialists."

FINN You didn't take me.

POE After the party ended, Luke took me to the side of the academy. He told me if I went any further, he'd kill me and go to war with Organa. When I informed the General, he canceled the order. And the rest was us three, saving the universe together.

FINN Would you have done had it?

POE I'm a soldier, Finn. I follow orders. Granted, I'm a smart soldier, so I don't where I can. But then... I didn't see many ways around it.

FINN Poe... do you even want Organa to win?

POE Urgh... "want" is tough, Finn. My side was chosen. I have to see this through.

FINN I wish you didn't tell me that.

POE I'm sorry, Finn.

FINN Are you going to do his secret orders for this mission?

POE ...perceptive. No. I will not kill any other Imperial Family Member with Rey. I won't have to if I give all this Red Republic information.

FINN Thank you... I can't work with your side after this, Poe.

POE ...I understand.

The men look at each other, swallowing their new lives apart, choking down two years of bonds.

POE (cont.) Then let's make this final mission count.

Poe reaches out to his friend. Finn accepts his hand.

FINN For Rey.

POE For Rey.

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