The Flame [3]

Chapter 12

I step out and take a look around at Coronet City. I have visited my father's home world a few times before when I was young and once for a mission. This will be my second mission on Corellia. Coronet City is filled with bright lights and noice. Even through all that I heard the calm waves of the ocean. I felt the peace of the ocean through the Force. There were landmarks all around us. Skytowers, chapels, and buildings also stood out. The one thing that my eyes always fell back on, was the ocean. I see a moving bridge stretching into the sky where the chatter of people talking and laughing sound. I startwalking down the ramp with the others. Finn clears his throat so I look back and see Poe hurrying down the ramp after us.

"Invitations, please," one of the six stormtroopers that line the marble pathway says and holds out a hand. Charth steps forward and hands the trooper his chip card. The trooper slides the chip into the datapad. After a minute the datapad chimes. Then Charth and Suralinda get checked for weapons.

Poe and I step up I pull our card out of my pocket and hand it to the trooper. The information on Lorell and Skylar Shda is displayed. The trooper cocks his head.

Poe tenses from beside me. "Something wrong?"

"Lorell and Skylar Shda."

"Those are our names."

"And you're both from Coruscant."

"Canto Bight more recently, but yes, we were both born on Coruscant. A lot of people are from Coruscant."

"Of course, it's just..."

Poe looks at the wrist which has the chrono watch on. "We're holding up the line. If there's not a problem?"

Another trooper comes over. "Does the invitation check out?"

"Yes, sir. But this couple looked familiar. I swear."

"Perhaps you've seen us on the newsfeed," Poe says trying not to blow our cover.

"There was that one deal. With the...uh...at the fathier track. The race you won. Huge money. So much money," Finn says with a massive grin. "None of us were able to get away from the reporters. Constant coverage. I swear Mr. Shda had a fan club for months."

I smile a graceful smile and Poe does the same.

"See? They're famous. There're a lot of celebrities here. That's why you recognize them," the second trooper states.

"I don't think that's it," the first one replies.

"You're over thinking it. This is supposed to be a cushy babysitting detail. As long as they've got an invitation and they're not armed."

I shift my dress, and become one with the Force.

"What's the holdup?" someone from the line shouts.

"Move them through," the second stormtrooper says. "Move through" he tells us.

We walk through, but before I get checked I trust in the Force as I speak. "I am unarmed, and can move through."

"You are unarmed, and can move through," the trooper moves out of the way.

I step through and meet up with Poe and Finn. Once clear of the checkpoint we walk to meet Charth and Suralinda.

"You made it through?" Poe asks me sounding surprised.

"You doubted me?" I ask offended.

"Of course not" he says holding his arm out.

"Why thank you," I take him arm. "My dear husband."

We walk up to Charth and Suralinda. They watch us approach.

"What was the holdup?" Charth ask. "Did they find it?"

"No, we just looked familiar," I tell him patting my leg. "Like I'm going to let this beaut get found. I'm better than that."

"You are well known to the First Order. We should have gotten some kind of prosthetic. A nose or something," Suralinda says.

"A wig?" Finn suggests.

Poe touches his curls. "You wouldn't dare!"

"I mean it is one of his best features," I say. Suralinda and Finn eye me. "What! I just said his hair was nice."

We move up the stairs to the door. Charth stops us before we enter.

"Here's where we part ways. Suralinda and I will make our thanks to our hosts first, so hold back a bit until you see we're gone. We don't want them thinking we are more than simple acquaintances sharing a shuttle down to the planet's surface. Lorell and Skylar Shda are friends of the Rylothian government, so it's not remarkable for them to accompany the ambassador's son. But the eyes that watch us need not know more than that."

"Okay, and after that?" Poe asks Charth.

"It is my understanding that invited guests must present a gift to Nifera Shu. If she approves of your gift, she will present you with a gift in return. This gift is the next step in reaching the auction."

"Do you know what she's supposed to give us?"

"I assume a map of some kind, but I'm not sure."

"We don't have..." I start.

"Your gift," Suralinda pulls a box out of her dress pocket, and she hands it to Poe. "Careful. It's fragile, so don't shake it. And don't open it until you're in front of Hasadar and Nifera. I wish I could be there to see it."

"I don't like the sound of this, at all," Poe says giving me a look.

"The rumor is that Nifera does like the unusual, and you need to make an impression. We couldn't risk you not getting into the auction, so I made sure you would make an impression."

"You got her a necklace!"

"It better be worth it," I tell her.

"Trust me, it will. I got gifts that fit." She takes Charth's arm, and gives Poe a kiss on the cheek. "Good luck!" They turn around and walk into the crowd.

"You know I think Suralinda found her person," I tell Poe and Finn.

"Who?" Finn asks.

"Poe Dameron."

"What?" he asks looking at me.

Finn hold in a laugh. I smile. "Nothing, come on."

"Don't shake it," Finn said.

"I'm not," Poe tells him.

"What do you think it is?" Finn asks us.

"It's definitely alive, I feel a connection," I tell the two, taking the box from Poe.

"Knowing Suralinda, it'll be interesting. Now let's go find the Shus and get this over with so we can get that list."

I put the box in my pocket, and take Poe's arm again.