Ryloth- Tuesday morning

[thatwaslucky]

Poe returned with Black Squadron the next day, along with a few new people and their new ships. It wasn't a lot, but it was more than they'd had.

Finn had come to get Rey from where she'd been working on the Falcon, bringing her to the hangar where they sat together and he pointed out all the new faces that Poe had pointed out to him while they waited for all the higher ups to return. A couple of the squadron pilots, some of whom Rey recognized vaguely from the half day she'd spent on D'qar before leaving to find Luke, were still in their flightsuits, nursing injures that probably looked worse than they were if they were here. There were new pilots, from Phantom Squadron. There was a Duros and a dark-haired girl who must have been maybe sixteen, an older human couple standing near Snap Wexley, who apparently was their son, an old, white-haired human male who was supposed to have been some big Resistance leader and was there with a Dresselian male, and a tough-looking woman who was an ex-Imperial warlord.

And somewhere in the middle of Finn's rundown, one of the young men dressed in a too-big Phantom Squadron flightsuit started a fight with the warlord, Teza Nasz. It happened fast; there was shouting, and the kid got in a good and probably very lucky shot, leaving a bloody cut above Teza's eye. She knocked him away, sending him sprawling to the ground as people began to encircle them, to watch, or cheer, or intervene.

Rey didn't know that it was her place to any of those things. She stood, but because that's what you did when a fight started, but she didn't get in the middle of it. Also she'd left her staff in her quarters because she hadn't expected a fight to break out at a Resistance meeting.

Jess Pava of Black Squadron was holding Teza back, just in time for Poe to arrive, with Leia and General Rieekan, trailing not far behind him. "What in the hell is going on?" Poe barked, essentially putting an end to the active fighting.

"Agoyo swung first," said the female half of the couple, Norra, standing beside her husband, Wedge.

"I'm not sure I care," Poe said, equal parts disgusted and tired. "We're all on the same side here. What is this about?"

"You should care!" the kid yelled, getting back to his feet after Teza had knocked him flat.

"Identity yourself," Poe ordered.

The kid didn't answer, tossing his black hair in defiance and crossing his arms over his chest.

"Name, Pilot," Poe repeated, his time clear that he was not playing.

"Pacer," the kid said, still seething. "Pacer Agoyo."

"Pacer." Poe nodded. "You know who I am?"

Pacer nodded. "Poe Dameron."

"No. I'm your commanding officer. And frankly, right now I'm not impressed with what I see. I understand you've come a long way to join us…" He left that open for an answer.

Pacer obliged. "Nuja. My dad flew with Phantom Squadron but he's dead. So I came instead."

"I appreciate your father's service, and your willingness to join the Resistance, but unfortunately it looks like you're not a good fit for this mission. You're free to leave," Poe told him, and turned his back on him.

There were a few gasps of surprise, but otherwise silence. They needed everyone they could spare. To turn anyone away for a fight…

It was a long moment before Pacer shuffled uncomfortably, and Rey understood what Poe was doing. "Poe… I mean, Commander Dameron," the kid said. "I- I want to stay, sir. Please. It's just…"

Poe turned back to him. "It's just what, Agoyo?"

Pacer was looking at Teza Nasz again, glaring daggers at her.

"Do you two know each other?" Poe asked.

The answer practically leapt out of Pacer's mouth. "She murdered my brother!"

He took a step forward like he was going to start the fight with Teza all over again, but Poe barked his name, and Pacer froze. "Eyes on me," Poe told him. "You will stop menacing Teza Nasz, or I will have you thrown in the brig until you can cool down. Is that understood?"

Pacer looked like he was torn between arguing and falling into line at that empty threat- Rey knew they didn't have a brig- and then Wedge leaned forward to say something into his ear, and Pacer let Wedge pull him back without a challenge.

"Well?" Poe asked, turning his attention to Teza.

She shrugged, which looked weirdly threatening with the blood streaked across her face, paired with her general attitude. "It's possible I killed his brother," she admitted, "but I don't remember. It's possible that I killed all your brothers. And cousins. And mothers and fathers and former lovers. It was my job."

"Then why are you here?" Poe asked, though he sounded more curious than anything.

Teza looked a little surprised that he'd asked. "Because it was wrong. But I didn't know it at the time."

"You were young and ambitious," Poe said, seemingly guessing, "so you joined the Empire."

"Mostly hungry," Teza agreed, though her voice was quieter now. "But yes."

"You joined the Empire," Poe said, looking around the room before settling his gaze on Wedge. "Just like you."

Wedge blinked, but didn't hesitate. "It's no secret I attended Skystrike Academy. But I left once I realized what the Empire was doing."

Poe nodded, and looked to Zay, the dark-haired teenager. "And your mother."

Zay almost looked as if she had been expecting this with this line of conversation. "My mother was an Imperial officer," she said quietly. "But she defected. She and my father. They died for the Resistance. Ask Leia. She knows."

"Suralinda?" Poe called.

Suralinda Javos, a blue-skinned Squamatan, had been sitting to the side and watching with interest. "I didn't care about either side much," she admitted breezily. "I was ready to sell Resistance secrets if it would get me what I wanted. Oh, wait, I did." She laughed at the stunned faces around her. "Relax, I came around."

Poe smiled tightly at that, but chose not to address it right now. Instead he turned to Finn, still standing next to Rey.

Finn stepped forward immediately, not even needing the prompt. "Used to be a stormtrooper, but now I'm rebel scum," he said, pressing a first over his heart. "Until the end."

Rey looked over at him, smiling. For a flash of a second he almost looked embarrassed at whatever he saw there, before that faded into pleased, and he stepped back to stand with her.

"My point," Poe said, turning back to Pacer, "is that many of us have dubious beginnings, but it is how we end that counts."

Leia, who had been watching silently as she let Poe handle this, said, "My father was Darth Vader. Is there anyone who wants to question my loyalty to the Resistance?"

The room was wisely silent.

"Now, is there anyone else with a grudge that needs airing?" Poe said, lightly, indicating that this was done. "Something that's bothering them? Someone in this room they can't wait to knife once their back is turned?"

There were a few laughs at that, and Poe waited a moment. When no one else spoke, he took a couple steps to leave before someone did speak.

"I got a question."

It was one of the Phantom Squadron pilots, a gray humanoid, his feet planted firmly apart and his arms folded over his chest, trying to be the biggest one here and succeeding. His name was Sanrec Stronghammer, and that felt fitting. "What about you?" he asked, pointing a finger at Poe. "I heard the stories. About what happened on the Raddus. To Holdo. I fought with Holdo. She was a good leader."

This was interesting, and Rey was interested in the answer. She'd missed all of that, and she'd gotten what Finn knew of the story, but mostly what she knew were the rumors that had floated once everyone was aboard the Falcon. She usually kept to herself there, or was in Fandom for odd periods of time, so if she'd heard them then they must be persistent rumors.

Honestly, it was one of the reasons she found it hard to trust him yet. She wanted to see what he did with this.

"I agree," Poe said.

"You agree?" Stronghammer repeated, stunned. "That's not what I heard. That's not what any of us heard. You're the one who should be in the brig. Or better yet, tossed out an airlock."

There were a few murmurs of agreement, and Rey placed a hand on Finn's arm to keep him from saying something. Whatever happened next was up to Poe.

"You're right," Poe said, nodding. "You're absolutely right. I disobeyed a direct order, I got people killed, I undermined my commander, and led a mutiny. And if you don't think that eats me up, that it haunts me every day, every minute, then you don't know a damn thing. And yeah, you could lock me up, throw me into space, but you tell me how that helps the Resistance? How that brings down the First Order? Because, trust me, if I thought my death would bring them down, I'd sacrifice myself in a heartbeat."

"Poe," Finn said, but Poe shook his head like he was about to stop him.

Jess cut him off, anyway. "Poe's my squad leader and I trust him with my life," she said. "There's no one else I want leading Black Squadron."

"He saved our butts over Grail City, just a few days ago," said Kare, one of her squadmates.

"And he saved mine on Jakku," Finn said.

Other people began piping up with agreement, and for a moment Poe looked overwhelmed by it all.

He waited till people went quiet again, and said, "We've all made choices. Choices that caused harm, led to destruction, even at times, death. We are all responsible for our deeds. The great and the terrible. But if we define ourselves only by what we've done, only by our failures, then this Resistance, this spark? It dies here and now. We're all here because we have a chance to change things. A chance to change the galaxy. A chance to change ourselves. But we have to make that commitment. That choice. A choice…"

And for the first time it became clear that he was making all this up as he went along, because he fumbled for the next part until Zay spoke up, "A choice to be better."

Poe smiled at her. "A choice to be better."

Murmurs swept over the crowd, and one person clapped, then stopped when no one else joined in. Wedge said something that made the people around him laugh, and the crowd began to break up. Rey looked over towards Leia and saw her waving herself and Finn over, so she tugged on his sleeve to follow her to the library, where Yendor and his children waited.

Despite all the imposter syndrome, it didn't feel weird to be part of Leia's inner circle. Rey was at least half in charge of the ship, she tended to act as bodyguard, it made sense to be there. Rey, Finn and Poe represented the Falcon crew, along with the old guard: Wedge and the Wexleys, Shriv, Rieekan and the veteran he had shown up with, Orrimaarko, with Taza Nasz and Stronghammer joining them. This apparently was their war council right now, and while ostensibly they were here for tea, the library had the addition of a large table that showed the readouts of inventory lists, a display of the meager supplies and people the Resistance had to work with at the moment. All talking died down when everyone realized what that was.

"I'm glad you're all here," Leia began. "I know many of you came at great personal cost with small hope of success. I can't promise that we will survive this. That we will all still be alive tomorrow, or the day after. But I can promise you one thing. I will fight beside you until the end."

When people in Fandom asked, Rey always said it would be okay, that they just had to get through the next part and they'd go from there. This was because she was excellent at pretending things were fine even when deep down she knew better. She didn't like having it put out there like this, but like all other things, it was probably for the best that it was.

"If I may," Norra cut in, though she waited to make sure Leia was all right with it before continuing. "Everyone in this room knows what they signed up for, General. This isn't our first battle, although it might be our last. We're done with homes. We've made our choice. This-" She gestured around the table. "-this is our home now. The Resistance is our family. And just like you, we're ready to die for it."

"Is that how you all feel?" Leia asked.

"Yes," Poe said immediately.

This was followed by a round of affirmation from the others, including Rey's nod. She had a feeling it wouldn't come to that this time. But she was prepared if it was.

"Then we have work to do," Leia said once they'd all had their say. "Yendor?" She stepped back, ceding the floor.

Yendor came forward, and began, "Welcome to Ryloth. Like Leia, I thank each of you for all that you have sacrificed. We are all here for the same purpose: to stand against the tyranny of the First Order. I and my children and those who are part of the Ryloth Defense Authority offer you all we have, but as you can see, we are few."

"You called the Resistance's allies from Crait, did you not?" Rieekan asked, turning to Leia. "Others will come."

Leia's mouth formed a firm, straight line. "So far the only allies we have been able to reach are the ones you see in front of you. We suspect the First Order has been rounding up and imprisoning those sympathetic to the Resistance, and we think that they've figured out how to block our frequencies, but we aren't sure. We can't rely on reinforcements. Not at this point."

Rieekan frowned. "Do we know if the roundup rumors are true? That's a bold step for a movement with no official government."

"They destroyed Hosnian Prime," Wedge said darkly. "I think bold isn't a problem for them."

"I only meant they don't have the infrastructure to house prisoners, do they?"

"Of course they do," Norra said. "I think you underestimate how massive they've become."

"Besides, what do they need?" Wedge asked. "A few local governments to look the other way, a few dark holes to lose people in. It's not hard."

"Speaking of local governments," Charth said, "you should all understand that while Ryloth welcomes you in your time of need, there has been a complication."

"A complication?" Norra asked.

"The First Order has come to Ryloth," Leia explained, and added quickly, "Not because of us. As far as we know, they aren't aware of our presence here."

"Then what do they want?" Stronghammer wondered.

"The usual," answered Charth. "Money. Power. They want to tithe our shipping lanes to raise money to rebuild the vehicles they lost fighting the Resistance. We will refuse, of course, but it does put us all, Ryloth and the Resistance, in a precarious situation."


"I suggest we act quickly," Leia said. "Given our time and limitations, I am most concerned with rebuilding our forces, giving us another week, another month. A foundation. I had hoped for time to find more leadership, but… I want ideas."

"Ships," Poe said, reaching over the table to highlight the ship inventory on the data display. "Is this up to date?"

"Yes," Rey spoke up, and one or two people looked a little startled, like they'd forgotten she was there. "I saw Rose account for the arriving ships before we met here."

Poe nodded his thanks. "I see a handful of starfighters, a few transports, a yacht. It's not a fleet, and we can't fight much less expect to win any kind of battle against the First Order with equipment like this. We need ships."

"I agree. How do you suggest we get these ships?" Leia asked.

"We could steal them," Norra suggested. "The First Order's actively building freighters. Charth just said so."

Charth nodded his confirmation. "The rumor is the Corellian shipyards are running continuously to meet the quotas."

"Then we go to Corellia," Poe said.

Wedge shook his head. "Too high profile. And we don't have enough people to stage a raid."

"Send me in with a handful of pilots and I'll get your ships for you."

"Wedge is right," Leia cut in. "We can't risk the few pilots we have to liberate a handful of ships. We need a more strategic plan."

"Bracca," said Shiv, after a moment. "Just a thought."

"Bracca is a junker planet," said Pacer. "I know it. I have a sister who moved there for the work and joined the Scrapper Guild."

"We don't need junk. We need good ships," Poe said. "Usable ships."

"Bracca has become the place that the First Order sends any and all claimed New Republic ships to be decommissioned and junked," Finn told them. "It's bound to be a treasure trove of the kinds of ships we want. Parts, too. We could fix up those X-wings out there. Besides, beggars can't be choosers, and let's face it. We're beggars."

For as glad as Rey was to be off of Jakku… she really liked this idea. She could maybe be useful there.

The door opened, and they all turned to see Connix at the door, breathless like she'd run. "A message came in on the Millennium Falcon," she announced. "Maz Kanata. She said you'd want to see it immediately, or I wouldn't have interrupted."

"Can you patch it through?" Leia asked.

Connix looked to Yendor, and they worked on the commands to bring up the message. Suddenly the small holographic form of Maz Kanata was in front of them, looking over the room to see who was there. "Greetings, Leia. I see you're doing well collecting your allies to you."

Rey couldn't tell if Maz had spotted her or not. The last time she'd seen Maz had been literally right after discovering the lightsaber and all that came with it, and Rey had said she didn't want anything to do with it and run away. She felt slightly weird about that now, and after yesterday, she'd like to not be called out publicly.

"We would be better if you had joined us," Leia returned.

"Ah, of course, of course. But the ways of the Force are mysterious, and it was not my time."

"I hear you have news for us, Maz."

"Yes! Did Dameron tell you of the list?"

Leia nodded. "A rumored list of the First Order political prisoners and dissidents."

"It's not just a rumor anymore. I've seen it," Maz said. "Well, parts of it."

Murmurs began around the table, but Leia spoke over them. "How?"

"A rule I live my life by: if you have anything worth stealing, someone will eventually steal it."

"Someone stole the list?"

"Fortunately the thief that acquired it is an old acquaintance of mine."

"Will they give it to us?" Leia asked.

"Hard to tell. Nifera can be mercurial," Maz said, noncommittal. "She likes games."

"We have to play a game for it?"

"Not exactly, but then again…" Maz shrugged. "She's holding an auction at her birthday party. Invitation only to the party, and the action will happen sometime during the event. List goes to the highest bidder. You know how thieves are."

"When and where?"

"The party will be held on Corellia, in Coronet City. As for when, you'll just have to be ready to move quickly when the information comes in. I should know soon."

"As long as we're in Coronet City, we might as well pick up some ships," Poe noted.

"The Force does work in mysterious ways," Leia said, shaking her head. "Maz, you said it's invitation only. Can we-"

"I've already taken care of it. Two invitations secured. One for a handsome but unscrupulous profiteer from Canto Bight and his junior business partner, and one for the ambassador of Ryloth and a guest. It's the best I could do under the circumstances. You'll have to improvise."

"Who's the profiteer from Canto Bight?" Poe asked. "There's no one like that with the Resistance."

From her spot in the corner, Rey tilted her head at him. Handsome, unscrupulous and have to improvise? That was Poe.

"Well, of course not, Dameron. I made him up," Maz said. "Pick someone, whoever you like. But, I was thinking of you when I said he was handsome." She winked.

See?

"Thank you, Maz," Leia said, saving Poe from having to respond. "We accept the invitations."

"Leia," Rieekan said, "how do we know this list is even real?"

"Who said that?" Maz asked, leaning forward and adjusting her spectacles. "Hmm, it's real because I just confirmed it's real. Didn't you hear me? I've seen it."

"You said you saw a partial list," he countered. "So even if we concede it's real, how do we know it's useful?"

"It doesn't have to be useful," Poe said. "Those are people who are being unjustly held. People who were willing to speak out for what's right. It's our duty to free them."

"They could be friends and family," Norra added. "Poe's right. We should help them."

"And we will. But Rieekan has a point," Leia said. "Our funds are limited. Before we commit to spending them at some thief's auction, we should know more."

"We could just steal it," suggested Shriv. "I mean, the list is stolen. We could just steal it again."

"Is that really the best idea?" Poe asked.

"We're talking about stealing ships, aren't we? What's the difference?"

"I'd rather not turn the Resistance into a den of thieves," Leia said with a sigh. "But we'll do what we have to do."

"You'll have to pay the reserve to be allowed into the auction," Maz said. "After that, it's up to you. But if you get caught with your hand in the biscuit bin, there won't be a nice trial and punishment, you know. These people will kill you."

"Your friend sounds charming," Leia said dryly. "Can you send over what you have?"

Maz transmitted it before saying goodbye, and in the moments while they waited for the list to come over, Shiv began snagging people for the squadron he had just been given command of to go to Bracca. Finn nudged Rey, like she should volunteer, and she was actually interested in going. And for some reason she didn't understand, she shook her head and stayed quiet.

And when the list came over, everyone else in the room was paying rapt attention as it appeared on the display, an assemblage of scrambled names and last known locations. The people in this room probably knew plenty of the names on this list. They might be friends, or family. Finn found Poe's name on it. Leia found someone she was sure she knew.

Rey didn't know anyone outside of the people in this room. Moreoever, it didn't matter whether she herself was on the list or not. The most important person in the First Order probably had his own agenda when it came to her.

"This is an assassination list," Norra said, frowning hard. "This is why we can't find our allies. They're hunting them down, one by one."

"It's smart," Wedge said. "The auction list, I mean. Offer enough information to make people think that someone they know is on the list but with no guarantees."

"People will pay their last credits for even the possibility of finding their missing loved ones."

"When it could all be a false hope," Snap said. "Foolish people and foolish dreams."

"Nothing foolish about hope," Rey said, quietly, and she wouldn't have thought anyone heard her if not for Poe turning to glance at her.

They broke up a few minutes later, with Shriv leading a team to Bracca, Wedge leading a team to head to the Corellian shipyards, while Poe, Charth, Yendor and a to-be-determined person that Rey would bet good money (if she had it) would end up being Finn, and the others staying on Ryloth.

And Rey… couldn't pinpoint the feeling she had about any of it.


[Heavily adapted from Resistance Reborn by Rebecca Roanhorse, because long scenes are long. Spoilers for a new book, potential movie stuff who knows, and an answer about a question left in The Last Jedi. NFB, NFI, OOC okay.]