Star Wars: Duel of the Fates

Chapter 72

Rey walked along the quiet street at the less reputable end of Canto Bight.

A boy was cleaning a filthy wall at the back of a huge building up ahead of her. She approached him smiling.

He froze unsure of what she wanted.

"Hello," she said shielding her eyes from the bright sun above them.

Nodding haltingly, he continued wiping the wall.

"Can you understand me?" she asked.

He dropped his cloth into the dirty bucket at his feet and folded his arms, "Yes."

"What's your name?"

"...Temiri Blagg."

"I'm Rey."

Looking her over, he noticed the hilt of a lightsaber hooked onto her belt and his eyes shot up to hers, "Are you the Jedi who fought for the Resistance?"

"Yes, that's me. I hear that you helped some of my friends before," she said, gesturing to where Finn and Rose were waiting.

Temiri saw them and beamed, looking down at the Resistance ring that Rose had given him.

"Can I see it?" Rey asked.

Proudly, the boy slid the cover away to reveal the Resistance emblem.

He tilted his head to one side, "Why are you here?"

"Well, I'm looking for people...people like me, to train them."

"Who are you looking for?"

"You."

"Me? But I'm a nobody."

Rey's smile warmed at his words, "No one is a nobody."

He studied her, "So you want to train me to be a Jedi?"

"If that's what you want."

Temiri looked around him at the displays of his life in this grim corner of the city.

"Can I bring my friends? They don't have families either."

"Of course."

"Then yes I'll come with you," he said, nodding eagerly before running off.

He fetched his two friends and they shyly approached where Rey, Rose and Finn were stood. Rose offered her hands to the little boy and girl and they walked away.

All three children's eyes widened when they first saw the Millennium Falcon.

The boy and girl wondered around the main hold, activating the holotable and beginning a new game as BB-8 watched them.

Temiri wondered into the cockpit where Poe was preparing for take-off.

"Hi there," he said turning, "What's your name?"

"Temiri Blagg."

"Well it is very good to meet you, Temiri. I'm Poe Dameron."

"The Resistance pilot?"

He nodded as he flipped a few switches and Temiri stared in awe at the control panels.

"Ok everyone," Poe yelled over his shoulder, "We're heading out!"

He pressed a series of dials as Chewie settled down beside him and the Falcon lifted off the ground.

Temiri took a step forwards, standing between them and peering out of the viewport as Canto Bight receded below.

The others came in: Rey and Rose sat in the two rear chairs as Finn stood to the side of Rose and leant his arm over the top of her seat.

Once they left the atmosphere, they plotted their course and jumped to hyperspace.