Star Wars: A Resistance Story. Book 1.

Chapter 24: A Price on Their Heads.

The days following Ly'ra's return were probably the best for Poe. The couple spent most of their time together, working on the new ships for the Resistance or modifying Dameron's X-Wing. The young woman seemed to have found a stability in her life and, above all, a purpose. They both looked really happy and this, despite the war and the fights that seemed to be closer everyday. Poe's squad, and especially Jay, were gently making fun of his friend.

The young woman left her room nearly two weeks ago and she was enjoying her new freedom. The Sun was strong on D'Qar's tarmac and Ly'ra had gathered her brown curls in an rough ponytail. Her cheeks, her shoulders and almost all her shirt were covered with engine oil and dirt. With Jessika's and Bango's help, she was working on the lightness and the maneuverability of Jess' X-Wing. The young mercenary was settled aboard, working on the board computer. He was no pilot but he had a very good knowledge in data processing and all kind of technology.

"What do you have Bango?"

The young man stayed silent, his eyes fixed on the screen in front of him. The two women glanced at each other with an amused smile before that Jessika sent him a nut.

"Hey! Bango!"

"Oh, yes, yes? What? What is it?"

"Are you nearly done?"

Bango nodded quickly before trying to get out awkwardly of the cockpit.

"Oh erm, yes yes, I'm good."

The two girls shared a laugh and went back to their jobs. Looking up, her arms above her head and her hands in the engine, Ly'ra didn't hear Dante stepping closer behind her. It was when Bango awkwardly fell that she noticed him. The old mercenary caught him just in time, frowning.

"Hey! Be careful kid!"

"S-sorry!"

Ly'ra looked back at Bango who almost ran away towards Jay, Snap and Poe who were working on the Fleet's new ships. Besides, the three of them looked just like the girls: sticky and dirty from the head to the feet.

"You still scared him, poor thing..."

The young woman smiled, clearly amused by Bango's manner before grabbing an old cloth and wiped her hands with it. Her smile disappeared though when she noticed the darkness in her mentor's eyes. She frowned and stepped closer.

"What is it?"

The man seemed to hesitate a second, checking at the pilots behind him, and especially at Poe, before looking back at Ly'ra.

"You should come with me a minute..."

That was not good at all. The young pilot sighed before nodding softly and she turned back to Jessika.

"I'll be right back!"

"No worry, we were nearly done anyway!"

Ly'ra answered with a smile and followed Dante towards the main shed. As for Poe, he followed the strange exchange and frowned slightly before being called out by Snap.

"Hey Lover! You'll see your Sweetheart later, we have some job to do!"

The pilot smiled, amused, and went back to his work.

Once in the shed, Dante headed towards the Communication Room. Ly'ra was still very intrigued as she followed him without a word, trying to stay busy with removing the dirt from her skin. The mercenary didn't slow down and joined Leïa who was patiently waiting in front of a screen. The General's look worried even more the pilot and she took a deep breath.

"Okay, what is it now?"

Dante pressed a button and Ly'ra's face appeared on the screen.

"What's that?"

"I asked Bango to do a little research for me. I wanted him to hack the First Order's system to have more informations about Switch. But I found this instead."

Ly'ra frowned and stepped closer to the screen. When she understood what was going on, she felt the ground disappearing under her feet. All her world fell apart while it was just starting to rise again.

"They put on a price on my head..."

"Yes. With Leïa, we thought that your wound could have made them think that you were dead. Again. But it seemed that this time it didn't work. They're busily looking for you."

The words "High Priority" were written above the young woman's photo that was turning on itself. Ly'ra leaned on the table, allowing her head to hang between her shoulders. She stayed still as she listened to Leïa's words.

"We can still hide you. Most of us are also looked for..."

The young woman took a deep breath, staying few more seconds in the same position before looking up. Her green eyes met Dante's as they both silently agreed.

"Not this time Highness..."

"Ly'ra..."

"I have no right to put you all in danger. To put all your work, your mission and freedom in danger! I was wrong to think that my past was behind me and that I could join the Resistance. I need to solve this problem first."

Leïa didn't answer. She knew that it was the best solution for everyone.

"You could always count on me Ly'ra. Always.

The young woman smiled and nodded.

"And you on me."

She then turned to face Dante and straightened.

"Warn the others. We should be ready to leave tomorrow morning."

The mercenary frowned, tilting his head.

"Tomorrow? Ly'ra the best would be now."

"Tomorrow. We all need to rest and we need to get the ships ready."

With this said, Ly'ra stepped away, heading towards her barrack, leaving Dante and Leïa alone. The mercenary sighed, nodding respectfully at the General before walking out of the room.

Later that day, the pilots were done with their engines and they were headed towards their rooms, joking around. Poe hadn't seen Ly'ra for hours now and he was starting to worry. Jay gave him a friendly accolade, arching a brow.

"She's probably at the refectory. Let's just take a shower and we'll meet there?"

Dameron nodded softly and disappeared into his room. The rest of the group stepped away before stopping in front of Jess' barrack. They were talking, enjoying the calm that was surrounding the base. But Snap and Jay both noticed someone who walked behind them quietly. It was Ly'ra. The two men glanced at the young woman, intrigued. They saw her stopped in front of Dameron's door and knocking softly. The pilot opened after few seconds and seemed to be relieved to see her. He smiled and Ly'ra who kissed him, high on her tiptoes. The couple then shared a long look, still completely silent and then Poe stepped back, allowing the young woman to come in the room. Snap and Jay arched a brow before sharing an understood smile. Oddly enough, the couple didn't show up during the dinner and Poe and Ly'ra were seen again only the next morning.

The last chapter will be translated probably tomorrow. I'll work on the Book 2 quickly.