Belonging. Star Wars story. Episode 10 X. Sequal to TROS.

4. Past, Present and Future

Rey woke up in sweat. Everybody was dead. Everybody she loved. Finn, Chewie, Poe, Rose, even Bb-8 and C-3PO were destroyed. And it was her fault. Everything was her fault.

Everything was so scary, the fear has led her to the end and in the end there was only darkness and death. But that future couldn't be true. That was just a dream, not a vision. Could someone with no Force could actually see visions? Anyhow, Rey's visions had proven to be untrustworthy or maybe just misread, so she didn't think she should worry about it so much. She wasn't ready to stop what she had started. No Jedi would give up mission because of fear.

Rey took a look out of her small window overlooking the base.

Outside it was peaceful, everybody was still sleeping, from time to time there were some of the patrolls here and there. The dawn was coming and Rey took a meditation pose in front of empty wall in her chamber.

Her chamber was small and simple. There was built in wardrobe, that stored all of her belongings, that really wasn't that much- her few pairs of clothings, jedi books, lightsaber and some parts for Falcon that she'd scavenged. From the closet there was entrance into the shower. There was bunk bed in the corner, the window and the empty wall that she'd really liked to use in meditation.

She took a deep breath and let it out. Her mind filled with words:
"There is freedom in life.
There is purpose in death."
Where she had heard those words?! How did they slipped in her mind?

Concentration broke and Rey cursed. She couldn't really find peace since she's been back from Mustafar, she felt unsettled. But she had to heal completely to journey further. And of course bacta tanks here were under repair.

It wasn't that bad. Since the war between Resistance and Final Order ended, there weren't many injuries. Only some who accidently stabbed themselves with screw drivers while repairing the ships or got kicked in the balls for not holding their tongues. They surely didn't need the tanks, but Rey did. Well, maybe, just maybe she also didn't but just.. she was so restless. She needed to move. But she also needed to heal. She was sure that if she journied further with her health at this state, she wouldn't make it out alive.

"Time for a walk". Rey took the saber and satcher with camonah chrystal, that Finn had given her back a week ago when she returned, and went out into the woods.

It was peacefull morning, only D-O had somehow managed to sneak out with Rey, so both of them took a walk (or a roll) to the east, through the forest. Little droid was nice company and Rey was happy to not being alone. It was pleasant to meditate, but she needed company.

The thick tree forest gave away for the green meadow. Now they were as far as Rey have wondered ever. Maz has told everybody to stick to the woods, because meadows were borders with local lands- and the locals didn't like guests.
It was time to head back to the base.

Takodana was really bautiful place to build the new base. Poe decided not to intrude in Maz's home, so they choose to make camp in the caves and partly forest to the east about 20 km from Maz's palace. They helped to rebuild palace too, so it regained its historical charm or even more so. Not only bounty hunters and smugglers were coming, but rebellion also enjoyed the place. Nobody yet had connected facts that sometimes there seemed too many rebellion members in the bar. Of course it could have been just because Maz's castle was amazing partying place, but at some point Poe would need to limit the visits.

The base consisted of four parts. There was command "bridge", that actually was a pretty giant hut between seven large trees at the edge of the forest, next to the clearing with rocky grounds. And there in the rocky surface, under the little hillside there were caves.

Caves were mostly for storage, training and the fleet. Rebels have managed to make most of the space but still there were many unexplored, that were left for lizards and other creatures. Caves came quite handy for hiding the starships. There were many openings that were big enough for ship to land into the caves, and many more were build. They had build the generators for deflector shield for base that could be turned on if there was attack coming.

A little bit into the forest there were living quarters and leisure area with dining space, sports area and small room with games and such.

Living quarters were made of block with tents, huts and some more stable constructions. Everybody choose the living option for themselves. Rey camped with Finn, Poe, Rose and few others in biggest building, that in the beginning was the only one standing, but actually long time ago it was some kind of club or bar- before Maz build her palace.

In the second floor were living quarters, also Rey's. In the first floor were living quarters and small gathering room with few games and tables for snacks or coffee. When they arrived they found that in the basement was emergency escape exit - a tunnel leading through rocky hillside and ending in the forest. They cleaned it but hoped they wouldn't need to use it ever. Some furniture and other supplies were stored in the basement.

The leisure part of the base was the most popular of course. For many it was the best way to relax after a long hours in missions. The complex was build next to the living quarters, but the difference was that it was mostly situated in the trees. There were pathways build that led anyone up into the trees to the terraces and huts. There were game rooms and kitchen with dining area for meals. In the centre of it all was huge shed for gatherings and festivities. It was truly beautiful when all the lights were on and music started, for Rey it always felt as if they have won the war all over again.

Rey was almost back into the base, when she looked up to the terraces- and there was Finn leaning against railings looking into sun, that was now already up into the sky.

"What are you doing up so early?!" Rey laughed.

Finn looked down and shouted back- "It isn't that bad, is it?! I'm not really usually sleeping that long!". But he didn't looked so sure himself.

Rey walked deeper into the base and Finn met her at the end of the pathway leading down from the trees.

-"Rey, I'm nervous. I am going to the first diplomatic mission alone. Poe tasked me to go to Canto Bight to continue the peace talks for helping stabilise political situation in galaxy."

-"What are you so worried about? It will be great training for you. The Force will be with you."

-"Of course, I understand. I've listened in everything you told me about the Force. I can't wait when we'll have a time to continue the lightsaber combat training!" Finn was ultra entusiastic when talking about training in Force. "But that doesn't change what did happen in Coruscant. The talks were going so great and then.. well.. Poe was perfect in there, but still they kicked us out and we really needed them. We needed to be on the same wave. And now I can't even imagine what would happen if I blow this chance of forming allies. All we've worked for the last months could be for nothing, the future could be ruined."

-"Finn, do not dwell in the past, do not worry about the future, focus in living fully in the present. That is you goal and you'll be magnificent in Canto Bight!" Rey squeezed Finns shoulder.

-"Thank you, Rey!" Finn smiled.

-"May the Force be with you!"

-"May the Force be with you too, Rey!"

-"We'll talk when you get back! Have a safe trip!"
Finn walked to the shuttle and Rey was left with the sad smile.

"If only I could afford the Force to be with me."