Hope Remains - A Reylo Story

⭐Five⭐

The Falcon entered Lothal's atmosphere as wild luminescent flames sparked to life with the speed of moving through into air. Lira leaned up on her seat curiously watching as yellowed grasslands came into view and blue oceans and lakes divided the land. Rey flicked her eyes to gauge Lira's reaction and smiled, seeing so much of herself in her young daughter before returning her attention to the landing sequence at Dinar.

As they approached the city, black clouds of smoke could be seen in the distance - the evidence of the recent riots. The smoke towered at least five storeys into the air and Rey inferred that the First Order Outpost was at the centre of the smoke ingested hell. Naara's ship came into view and Lira pointed, "Mama, there it is."

"I see it." Rey responded nonchalantly and shifted the Falcon down next to Naara's ship. Lira unbuckled the restraint and hopped down from the seat. Rey turned her head and quickly followed. "Lira, wait." They exited the Falcon, Lira first followed by Rey and R2 trailing behind. Her lightsaber was clasped to a special garter on right thigh with her blaster in a holster on her belt. Rey's clothes were like that of when she first arrived on Achc-To, mission ready and prepared, Lira was dressed in similar attire but in blues and greys. Lira stopped short when Naara appeared from behind her ship and cowered behind Rey's legs.

Naara laughed at the cowering child and quipped, "I'm not going to eat you. I only eat children if they're naughty." Naara laughed harder and Rey joined in knowing the Togruta was merely teasing her daughter. "It's been a while, Rey!" Naara added after their laughter subsided.

Rey stopped in front of Naara and shook her hand, "Too long. How are you?" Rey asked.

"I'm good. Captain now and lead the Red Squadron." Naara responded cheerily. Her eyes travelled to Lira who was securely hidden behind her mother's back. "I see you have more secrets than the Galaxy itself, Rey."

Lira tugged on Rey's trouser leg and Rey looked at her timid child. "This is my daughter, Lira. She's not usually this quiet. Lira this is Captain Naara Vaa of the Resistance. Poe sent her to help me!" Rey informed Lira who finally started to emerge from behind her.

Naara knelt down in front of Lira, "Nice to meet you." Lira walked towards Naara and put her hands on Naara's Lekku head tails inquisitively. She closed her eyes and explored Lira's mind and soul to ensure her intentions were good. Once satisfied, she backed away into Rey. Naara stood and gestured for them to follow. "The rioters were from farming communities. From what I've uncovered they were slaves."

"Do they work in the city?" Rey asked trying to discover as much detail as possible. Lira slipped her hand into Rey's and clasped tightly - she had never left Dantooine before but she had been with Rey across the planet on her many mechanics jobs. This planet seemed much like her home world except more yellow in the shade of the land.

Naara peered at the mother and daughter walking side by side. "Some do. However, some work in the brothels as... You know."

"No. I don't know." Lira piped up.

The two young women laughed and Rey gazed at her daughter adoringly before saying, "When you're older, I'll explain, okay?" Lira scrunched up her face in an annoyed expression and nodded regardless.

"What's interesting though Rey, is that the rioters had inside help from a small number of troopers." Naara said narrowing her eyes. Rey pondered this. It could be possible there were more troopers defecting, yet from Poe had told Rey of the state the Galaxy has been in, it seemed unlikely. Something darker was at play here.

"How far until we reach the village?" Rey asked. It was almost nightfall on Lothal and who knew what sort of terrors lurked in the prairies between the city of Dinar and the farming villages.