The Other Solo - Part II A Shadow of Hope

Chapter 25

Poe and Jaina laugh softly as they hurry toward the main hold straightening their clothes. She notices his shirt buttons are mix matched and reaches to fix it. He takes the opportunity to pull her into a kiss.

"Oh sorry." Lt. Connix blushes. "I...um, that is your mother...General Organa asked me to find you both."

Poe chuckles running a hand through his misshelved hair. "Relax, Connix..."

"What Captain Dameron means to say," Jaina lightly hits him. "We're sorry you had to see this and we're right behind you."

They follow the lieutenant to the cock pit. There the senior officers wait with Leia. Finn and Rey are also present.

"We need to formulate a quick plan. The group is getting restless." Leia begins.

Chewbacca moans.

"First, we need to decide where we should go. We need to set up a base of operations." Rey translates.

"We need supplies in order to set up a base." D'Acy replies.

"Do we have any allies out there? I didn't think anyone answered our call." Finn questions.

"No one answered right away but we didn't have the transmission for very long before the evacuation." Leia tries to sound optimistic.

"We still have some pull in the galaxy." Poe assures. "We just need to call in as many favors as we can."

An idea pops in Jaina's head. Rey reads her mind right away.

"She could provide us shelter."

"I don't think the First Order would bother hitting there a second time."

"And she would definitely have connections..."

Everyone ping pongs between the two women as they talk.

"Not to mention I know she has weapons and computers we could use..."

"At least it would buy us more time to find a new base."

Poe raises his hand to get their attention. "Whoa, whoa... Is anyone following this?"

"Maz Kanata." Jaina answers.

"Of course!" Leia happily claps her hands together. "Why didn't I think of that?"

"Only one problem..." Finn interrupts. "She's in the middle of a dispute of her own. A union dispute."

Rey steps back into the cockpit. "Let's get a message to her, now. Chewie put in a course to Takodano."

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The Falcon lands next to the large palace. The majority of the group stay with the ship while Leia, Jaina, Poe, Rey, Finn and Chewie meet with Maz. They enjoy the peace of the crystal lake with the sun gleaming across it. The fresh air invigorates everyone.

The small group make there way through the rubble strewn through the courtyard. They try to avoid being in the droid and other beings way as they clean the area. Maz stands at the top of the stairs calling out orders.

"Ah my friends! I'm so glad to see you alive and well!" She calls a droid over. "See to it that their ship is refueled and food and drink are sent to the remaining crew on board."

"We can't thank you enough, Maz." Leia hugs her.

"Glad to see you made it, yourself." Finn adds.

"It's good to see you." She tenderly squeezes his arm. "Come in, come in."

They follow her inside. The tavern is empty except for her workers, who are too busy cleaning up after the scrimage they had. Poe and Chewie turn a large table upright while Jaina and Rey gather the chairs. Finn helps Maz bring over food and drinks.