The Flame [3]

Chapter 5

I sighed and sat back putting my head on the headrest.

"I guess I expected more," Poe said.

"From Maz? You should never expect much, but I at least thought she would help mom," I tell him. Even though I know he was talking to BB-8.

"More empathy for one. More passion for the Resistance, and for Leia, more information. Just... more. More everything," BB-8 whirled.

"Maybe my expectations were too high." Poe laughed after a minute of silence.

"Poe, if Maz doesn't trust you, then she doesn't trust me. She respects you, too. Don't doubt your self so much. We didn't fail, we tried our hardest, Maz wouldn't budge. And back on Grail City the prime minister, she broke her promise. We didn't fail anyone. And my mom is way more disappointed in me," I tell him after reading his mind.

"Did you just..."

"Yes I did," I laugh.

"Aren't you supposed to ask for my consent?" I hear the smile in his voice.

"Those were the terms we agreed to. But when have I ever asked permission for anything else."

CB beeps telling me that there's an incoming call. The Falcon. Mom.

"This is Poe Dameron, and Brianna Solo," Poe says quickly. "Everything alright?"

"Poe! Bree!" Rose Tico's voice is enthusiastic. "Good to hear your voice. You find Maz Kanata?"

"Rose!" I say back, happy to hear a familiar voice.

"Everything okay on the Falcon?" Poe asks her worried.

"Falcon's on land. We're hoping you two and Maz will join us," Rose says.

"Rose, Maz isn't going to be joining us. She's done fighting." I tell her.

"What? Why?" Rose asks us.

"She didn't say," Poe tells her.

Rose explained what had happened.

"Where are you stationed?" I ask Rose.

"We took shelter on Ryloth."

"The Ryloth system?" Poe asks. "Did I hear that correctly?"

"You did, Commander. Leia has secured us temporary shelter on Ryloth," Rose says repeating what she had told me.

"Maybe you should pay attention next time, Commander," I tell him

"How did Leia pull that one off?" Poe laughs. "I thought Ryloth didn't pick sides."

"She's Leia," Rose says.

"She is, indeed," Poe agrees.

"Yendor," I whisper so no one hears.

"I'm sending Beebee-Ate and Seebee-Twentythree the coordinates now," Rose tells us. I watch them come across my screen.

"This says head for the outermost moon." Poe says. "Is that correct?"

"Ambassador Yendor has asked our starfighters to meet there. Once everyone's collected, he'll bring you in under cover."

"Ah. So we're not officially on Ryloth."

"It's a bit of a stealth mission. The government knows we're hear but can't acknowledge us. We're working directly with the Ryloth Defense Authority."

"The Ryloth Defense Authority? I don't know what that is, but it sounds promising." Poe says.

"Yendor and his family are in charge of it. I'm sure my mom will explain it," I tell him.

"Anyword from the rest of you're squadron?" Rose asks.

"Negative," I inform her.

"We're just clearing planet orbital space. I'll follow up with Black Teams One and Two shortly and give them the coordinates."

"Affirmative," Rose says. "Leia also wants you to follow up with Inferno Squadron and give them the coordinates, too."

"I can do Inferno Squad," I tell Poe.

"Great. See you soon, Commander."

"Out," Poe disconnects from the transmission.

"Rose, before you go, can you tell me how mom is?" I ask her.

"Um. She is doing better. Slowly recovering. She probably doesn't want you to know this, but she has been worried about you. She is always wanting to know if we heard from you," Rose says slowly.

I laugh. "You sure about that? She's worried, about me. Well, can you tell Rey, and Finn I said hello."

"Will do."

"Thanks, Rose."

"No problem. Bye, Bree."

"Bye, Rose," I end the transmission, and ask CB-23 to make a call.

"Shriv here," Shriv's voice fills my ears.

"Hi Shriv, it's Brianna," I tell him.

"Well, what do you know? I get to speak to the Jedi Master, herself."

"I'm no Jedi Master. But how's the mission?"

"Lot of flying, and getting doors slammed in our face. But we found a couple old Rebellion friends. I think your mom will be pleased."

"That sounds about the same as us. Black Squadron is heading to Ryloth. Can you guys join us?"

"Can do."

"Alright. Sending the coordinates, now."

"Received. On our way."

"See you soon, Shriv."

"See ya, Solo."

He ends the transmission. I look out at Poe.

"All good here, Dameron. Shriv will meet us there," I tell Poe.

"Okay get Seebee ready to jump," Poe says.

CB beeps. "Well, she's ready."

BB-8 beeps. "Well, sorry to keep you waiting. Ree, ready when you are."

"We're ready," I tell him.