Ouroboros

Eighteen

Eighteen.

"What d'ya mean, we can't see him?" Poe asked in exasperation. "He's ours!"

"I beg to differ," the heavyset humanoid sneered at him, his dark eyes and deeply tanned face mocking. "Possession is all of the law on D'Nolos. He is in our custody so he's ours."

"But this man is our agent, a man who is currently on a critical mission for the Resistance-and by doing this, you are siding against us!" Finn added, his fists clenched in exasperation. "Ilios Dando-we have to respectfully demand his release to our custody." The leader of the kidnappers-the Yanoj Free Traders, almost the most immoral and criminal gang in the Galaxy-pulled his thin lips into a leer, showing sharpened teeth.

"Good try but you'll have to bid for him like everyone else," Dando sneered, inspecting his grimy nails. Dressed in leather and studs, he was all business behind the steel desk. A bank of screens were playing behind him, showing markets, remote bids and personal messages from many of the potential bidders, all asking for a discount, favouritism, an edge... Finn felt his heart plummet, exactly understanding what they were facing.

"You broke into our ship and kidnapped him!" Poe protested.

"Did we mention he's actually one of our double agents?" Finn repeated, knowing now there was no chance of this grifter being reasonable.

"And you allowed the First Order to see him!" Rose put in suddenly, her eyes narrowing. Dando inspected her small shape as if she was some particularly nasty insect.

"Kylo Ren is their escaped traitor," he sneered.

"And they paid you well for the privilege," Rose realised before her eyes flashed in anger. "How much?"

"More than you can afford," Dando scoffed, looming over her. His mouth curled. "Unless you fancy some way of persuading me that there's something in it for me."

"Maybe the friendship of the Resistance-as opposed to our enmity?" Poe spoke up, his voice far calmer and less animated.

"Never heard of yer," Dando scoffed.

"You should," Rose told him. "We defeated the Final Order."

"Word was yer Jedi did that-and I don't see her here," Dando scorned.

"Our Jedi-and Ren," Poe insisted. "You don't want to be our enemy."

"I'll take my chances," Dando sneered. "Is that all? I'm a busy man." The leaders shared a look.

"Thank you for your time," Poe told him. "And be assured-our Jedi will have words with you." And with that, they stalked from the room. The little group walked along in silence until they reached the waiting others.

"What was that?" Finn asked as Poe ran his hands through his hair in exasperation.

"He's already decided who he's selling to," he explained.

"The First Order," Rose realised.

"So we have to be ready to act when it all goes down," Poe told her. "And for the record, when we get Rey back, I'm gonna her ask her to come here and trash this place." Rose stared at him in shock, her brows furrowing.

"You really believe that is possible?" she asked him directly, her tone still suspicious. Poe nodded.

"A lot has gone on that we haven't really gone into-but Ren has delivered," he explained. "And he delivered, every time we needed him to. He believes he can get her back. He's determined. I think..." And then he shook his head. "No, that's not right. He knows she is there-and she needs him. If there is any chance, we have to do whatever we can."