Star Wars: A Resistance Story. Book 2

Chapter 18: Mission Order.

When Ly'ra stepped onto the main deck of the Mon Calamari Cruiser, the first thing she saw was the explosions in the background. The battle was raging outside and the young woman understood, noticing Leïa's look, that the simple distraction created to give the time for the last transports to evacuate had just turned into a spatial fight. The pilot headed closer towards the large windows of the Raddus, horrified by the sight. Poe was fighting helplessly against the First Order's ships, but it seemed to be vain. There was one last Bomber left and, according to what she could hear, there was a problem. Alarms were blaring in the entire Cruiser, as they were the next target of the First Order's Dreadnought.

The young woman turned on her heels and was about to run to her Fighter with her men to go and help the Resistants outside, but Leïa gestured for Dante to stop her. Ly'ra tried to fight back and, running out of options, she raised her hand towards her mentor, a red light appearing dangerously between her fingers. The Jedi then turned and tackled her against the wall behind him, blocking her hand above her head.

"Stop that. Now!"

"Ly'ra it's useless to go too. You'll be killed."

Furious and raging, the pilot tried to free her hand from her mentor's hold, but it was vain.

"What the Hell are you doing, we must go and help them! Dante, let me go!"

In the comlink, she heard Poe yelled his orders to his pilots. And the following seconds seemed to slow down suddenly. Behind the Jedi, Ly'ra saw the Dreadnought exploded, taking with it the last Bomber of the Resistance. They all froze, until a voice announced:

"Direct hit! Dreadnought down!"

Victory cries were heard on the main deck and Leïa sighed in relief. Dante let go the young woman and all the Fighters turned around, coming back quickly towards the Cruiser as it was passing in Light Speed the following second. Ly'ra stayed silent, massaging her wrists, as she felt her anger boiling dangerously in her. She glared at her mentor, who sighed and turned to face Leïa. They shared few words while the pilot turned and took her leave. In the corridor, she met Jay who offered her a smile before frowning seeing her raging eyes.

"Holà... Hey... Are you okay?"

With a furious yell, Ly'ra sent her fist in the wall next to her before turning and sliding slowly on the ground. The pilot came to sit next to her and sighed.

"Long day?"

"They didn't let me go. I wanted to help them, but..."

Jay nodded softly before looking back at the young woman.

"Look... I know it's not easy for you... Yes, I do. But I'm sure that if Leïa didn't let you go and fight, she has a reason. Things are going to be different now. You have to understand that. When you were a mercenary, you were able to choose your mission. You could even choose your employer. But you're a Resistant now. You're under the orders of Leïa and Poe. Don't get me wrong, you're an amazing asset for us, never doubt that! Ly'ra you have no idea how much you changed things around you, Sweetheart..."

The young woman let out a joyless laugh, her green eyes still fixed on the floor.

"Yes you do... Trust me. There, take Poe..."

Ly'ra then looked up at her friend, obviously not convinced. Jay laughed softly at her gaze.

"You should have guessed he would be in my discourse! Well, you changed him, really. He loves you Princess. And I swear that I never saw him smile like a perfect idiot when someone mention your name. And I know him for a very long time! You make him happy and I'll never thank you enough for that. He is thinking about his future with you and believe me when I say it's something completely new for him. I was like that before. But then I met my wife and all my life changed. And I don't even talk about my kids's birth! So... Chill... And wait to see what the Future has in store for you."