The Chosen One: A Reylo Story

Chapter 17: Having Faith

The air on Cantonica is hot and dry, but not oppressively so. Not like Jakku.

Canto Bight had been a resort town, after all. The days are arid and crisp with gentle breezes frequently interrupting the heat. The nights are warm and bright with the light of three moons. It feels like a paradise.

And right now, it looks like one. It always does when the suns set and deepen the sky into an amber glow. Thick, fluffy tufts of clouds line the expanse of the heavens, illuminated with golden rays that make them appear translucent and blended. Glittering streaks of light from two red orbs glide across the rippling waters of the Sea of Cantonica and meet to form a brilliant mirage of color dancing above the waves.

But Rey notices none of this. She charges swiftly down the open deck with a to-do list written across her face. Several of the dorm rooms are open, students peering out after her as she flies by. She doesn't stop to greet them like she normally would. Part of her feels guilty about this. But the dominant part doesn't care about anything but the task at hand.

The transport is fueled and ready, packed with everything except for individual cargo. That needs to go onboard too, but only after she double-checks with everyone first. Though she doesn't expect to be gone for long, she told the team it could take a week, even a month to find the Interloper. It's not likely, but it's possible. She needs to ensure everyone packs accordingly. And she needs some one-on-one time with her volunteers. She debriefed them together this morning, but it can be difficult to pinpoint individual reactions from a group. They're all scared... that she does know. And they should be. This mission will be dangerous. Any one of them could get hurt. Or die. Rey must know that each one of them understands this reality and accepts it.

She takes a deep breath and lets it out, banishing a sudden pang of anxiety and striding forward. She's seen everyone on the east side of the school and just told Dyson to come by for their luggage in an hour. Batu and Jessa are on the west side and Ismene's at the north end. But where's Skn Cei? He's not on the east side, is he? Did she miss him?

Rey stops abruptly just before she rams straight into Finn.

"Hey, whoa! You ok?" He holds his hands up, concern in his eyes.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just focused. You're packed and ready to go, right?" Finn nods and starts to say something but Rey cuts him off.

"Good. Give your luggage to Uhde before sundown. Jian's too. You haven't changed your mind about him, have you?"

Finn rolls his eyes. "No, Rey. For the tenth time, I'm ok with bringing Jian. In fact, if I didn't let him come, I honestly think he'd stow away on board, so regardless of what I say, Jian's coming."

Rey sighs and shakes her head, briefly casting her gaze upwards. "He's so eager for something he doesn't understand. I'm not letting him fight with us when it comes to that, Finn." She looks him dead in the eyes. "I don't care what he says. He's eleven years old. It's not time for that yet. He'll know why when he's older."

"I appreciate that, Rey." Finn nods his head towards his friend, then leans in a little. "Good luck keeping him away from the fight." He raises an eyebrow with a wry expression.

"You're not helping with that attitude." She steps around him and begins walking down the long, open deck again.

"I'm just being realistic!" Finn calls, catching up to walk beside her. "I know my son."

"You're making me rethink bringing him at all." Rey spits out, agitated.

"Remember what I said about being a stow away?" He struggles to match her pace.