The Flame [3]

Chapter 8

I turn and look at the holo. A sixteen-rayed sun and a hexagon in the middle appears. The title says SUBVERSIVES and has names and last known locations listed underneath. I read through the list. My initials BS are listed at the very top with my last known location as Crait. It has 'Top Priority' listed beside it. Ben wants me dead that bad? I look through the list more and I see P for first name and D for last name, the last known location was also Crait. Poe.

"Hey Poe. You're finally on someone's most-wanted," Finn tells him.

I see Poe frown probably because he sees his initials. His eyes wander the list. "Ree, is that you?" he points to the first one. "Why does it say top priority?"

I smile tightly. "Guess my brother really wants me dead."

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

"We'll they're not going to get us," Finn says.

A different list appears with the title CURRENTLY DETAINED. It has initials, conviction,  current location, and the person's title.

"So this friend of Maz's, the thief, she can decode these names?" Norra asks.

"That's my understanding," Mom says.

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

"People will pay their last credits for even the possibility of finding their missing loved ones," Norra agrees with her husband.

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

Rey speaks quietly. "Nothing foolish about hope."

"Rey's right. I know I would want it if someone I loved went missing. Hope is what keeps people going," I say. It's silent for a moment.

"These titles, these are people from all walks of life, not those directly associated with the New Republic. Did they arrest anyone who has ever spoken against the First Order?" Teza Nasz asks.

"Looks like it," Snap says. "Hey C. H., athlete. Could that be Cutar Har? The grav-ball champion?"

"I thought he was dead. Didn't he die in the Turclom Riots?" Norra asks.

"Apperently not," Wedge says lifting his hand.

"If there's one thing I've learned is never to believe someone is dead without proof," I say thinking back to when Finn thought Poe was dead.

"We've got to help these people," Finn says.

"Agreed. And look at some of these other titles. Senator, diplomat. These could be the leadership we're looking for. What do you think, General?" Poe asks turning.

I study the list. Poe reaches around me to grab my mom. I turn and see her looking up at Poe with tears in her eyes, but she's smiling. "Mom? Are you okay?" I ask grabbing her shoulder.

"What is it? Are you okay? Do you need to take a break?" Poe asks her. He takes care of her just like a son would take care of his mother. He was her son, and she was his mother. I smile at the two of them.

"It's the list," she tells him. "I-I never knew. I thought he was gone."

"Who?" we ask in sync. Poe looks at the list, but my eyes remain on her thinking of every person I knew since I was little.

"An old friend," she says. She pats Poe's hands and then my cheek. Poe drops his hands after she straightens. "And if I'm reading it right, he's being held on Coronet City."