Saving the Monster

Chapter 41

"Incoming!"

Rey's head lifted from the Jedi text that she'd been trying in vain to study and she rose to her feet, her eyes wide.

The day had started out quietly, a heavy depressed aura hanging over the base, but now, as Rey opened the door of her hut she was almost knocked down by at least a dozen resistance members running towards the main control room.  Rey followed, her heart pounding, what was going on?

"Just one, transmitting.......a peace signal?"  Rey stopped behind Leia and Connix who sat in her chair, watching the radar screen.  Finn stood next to Rey and she leant in close,

"What did I miss?"

Finn glanced at her and then back to the screen, "Incoming tie fighter, transmitting some bullshit  peace signal".  Finn turned to look at Leia who stood at the front of a crowd which had now gathered, "I say we shoot it down, I say we're done giving the First Order chances"

"You escaped on a tie fighter, what if it's someone trying to defect, like you?"

Everyone turned to find Rose stood there, her hands on her hips, her eyes on Finn.  Rose had been quiet ever since they had returned the day before, but now she seemed to have her spirit back Rey thought as she looked between her two friends.  Finns face softened as it always did with Rose and he nodded, dropping his argument and turning back to the screen.

"It's getting close" Connix said, turning to look at Leia, her eyes wide.

"Oh dear, I don't like the sound of that" C3PO said from somewhere at the back of the room as R2 D2 beeped in agreement.

As it approached and became visible through the patchy clouds, Rey and the others took their positions on the ground, their blasters held out, trained on the approaching ship.

The all too familiar screech of the tie fighter made the hairs on Rey's arms raise and for a fleeting moment she wondered if it might be Ben. But no, she would have sensed his presence, of that she was sure.

The tie landed in the dusty earth, creating a cloud around it as Rey, Poe and the others advanced, blasters at the ready. The hatch opened and through the dust Rey could make out a figure. "Don't shoot!" Came a male voice, high, agitated and well spoken.

Finn glanced at Rey, his brow creased. Whatever they had expected to hear when the hatch opened, it hadnt been that.

"Come down real slow with your hands up" Poe shouted, edging forwards as the dust began to clear. The figure jumped down, his hands above his head. Rey squinted, the dust making her eyes sting, and then suddenly the tie's pilot was there, right in front of her. Rey didn't recognise him, but evidently her friends did.

Finn rushed forwards, "You! What the hell are you doing here?"