Star Wars: A Resistance Story. Book 1.

Chapter 12: A Risky Plan.

The group was back aboard the Dawn since several hours now. They needed to work on a plan that would allow them to first, enter the Hutt's Palace; then, find the room where the First Order was keeping the cristals safe; third, taking them away and last but not least, going out without being noticed. Not as easy as it seems.

Jay, Poe and Ly'ra were settled around a table, in the common room, Dante had his back against the wall behind them, Nodin, Niv, Switch and Bango were seated at another table, further in the room. BB8 was between the two groups, projecting a map of the Palace.

"No, no it can't work!"

"Why not? That's honestly the best option we have for now!"

Ly'ra sighed and ran her fingers in her brown curls before looking up at Jay, obviously frustrated.

"Because they'll recognize us! I agree this idea could be good. Technically. But it's a mission that needs a lot of hands and Dante, Switch and Bango have a bounty on their heads. Which means you'll be alone with Nodin to do the job. You won't be able to do it."

Poe frowned before arching a brow, looking back at the young woman.

"And what about me Sweetie?"

"The First Order must have heard about you Dameron. Especially after what happened on OR-Kappa-2722."

The pilot raised his brows, obviously surprised. Ly'ra let out a small laugh and shook her head softly.

"I told you I know everything I needed to know about you Commander..."

Poe couldn't help but smiling back before noticing the amused look on Jay's face. The pilot then turned his head back onto the map of the Palace, trying to hide the blush that was appearing on his cheeks. He was fixing the projection given by BB8, staying silent a long moment, before standing up and coming closer, as an idea was starting to grow in his mind.

"But... There might be something we could try..."

Ly'ra was following the man with her eyes, letting him talk freely. There was such a lack of time and they really needed a plan if they wanted to succeed this mission. Dameron then turned around to face her, with a smirk on his face.

"We can use our new friend. You and me. We go into the Palace with Valek."

The young woman was about to intervene but Poe stopped her with a finger. He kept on his idea, showing in the same time the different rooms of the Palace.

"It'll be crowded right? And with your veil you had earlier, no-one will notice you. We're gonna take this corridor, we'll reach the back of the Palace easily. All the guests, including the First Order, will be in the main room, enjoying their evening. Once there, we'll need to cross from here to this part of the Palace..."

The pilot stayed silent a moment. This part of the plan was a slight problem. The two parts of the Palace were separated by a huge rift in the ground. Poe looked down, trying to find a solution to his problem when it appeared right next to him. BB8. Images of the droid taking its place next to him to help him fly earlier came back to his memory. A large smile appeared then on his face when Dameron looked up to Ly'ra.

"The harpoons! You're awesome Buddy!"

The little droid let out enthusiast beeps and Poe kept explaining his idea.

"Once here, the Dawn will have to be ready. Someone will fly it above the Palace just... There. Yeah... So we can transfer the cristals boxes from the room, into the ship and leave quickly without a word!"

A heavy silence fell into the common room. Everyone seemed to be thinking about this idea. The minutes suddenly seemed to turn into hours, until Ly'ra finally crossed her arms on her chest, lying back into her seat.

"Actually... It might work. It's risky... But it might work. We would need Jay and Niv to fly the ship. Dante, Switch, Bango and Nodin will need to get ready to charge the boxes."

BB8 let out a small beep, asking a question about his own job to the young pilot.

"No Buddy, you'll stay on board too. You're too noticeable and you'll be much more helpful here."

The small droid seemed disappointed but the young woman ignored it, looking up at Poe with a small smirk.

"It's a pretty good idea actually Commander... A pretty good idea."

The man smiled back and faced the Palace's map. Of course there were risks. Especially when they'd have to rely on Valek to make them come into the Palace, or even when they'll need to sneak into the back room. Actually, if he wanted to be honest, this whole plan was risky, but they were calculated risks and he couldn't let the First Order take the cristals. His thoughts were stopped by Ly'ra who stood up behind him, now facing the rest of the group.

"Alright. You now all know the plan. The party will start in about few hours so let's take some rest for now. I want everyone to be ready to move in... Let's say three hours. As for us, we're gonna talk with our friend and get ready."

Poe nodded and started heading towards the cells where Valek was kept, while the others were headed towards their cabins. Trying to convince this jerk to help the Resistance would not be the hardest part. He was such a coward that he would sell his own mother if he was sure to stay alive. No, the real problem was in the look Ly'ra and Dante shared earlier. She got scared when she heard the name of Hux. Dameron knew the man, this General Armitage Hux. This guy was arrogant, ambitious and completely devoted to the First Order. But he was also a dumbass. A dangerous one, yes, but a dumbass still. So why did Ly'ra freak out? He remembered she said something about having pissed some members of the First Order before being saved by Leïa. Maybe he was part of them? He could simply ask her but something told him that she would not answer his question. But he would end up knowing the truth...

Hopefully the price would not be their own lives...