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chapter twenty-nine: general's orders
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    THE SUPPLY TRANSFER between the Ninka and the team of ships from D'Qar goes off without a hitch. Indira meets the bunkerbuster's commander, Amilyn Holdo, for the briefest of moments while she takes inventory of the ship's stockpiles. The vice admiral is a stern looking woman, but nothing like Indira would have imagined from a seasoned military veteran.

    In contrast to Leia's nitty-grittiness, Admiral Holdo is all fine silks and decadent jewels; draped in pastel shades of pink and purple from head to toe. Yet in spite of all her finery and splendor, the older woman commands respect; tall and willowy with a certain fierceness to her. In an odd way, she reminds Indira of her mother, back during her glory days in the New Republic senate. The technician unconsciously finds herself standing taller in the woman's presence, shoulders back and posture straight without even meaning to.

    Nearly all of the supplies is accounted for by the time Indira finishes taking inventory of the ship's stockpiles. However, she does find a troubling inconsistency in the fuel reserves. The Ninka's delivery amounts to only half the amount of fuel anticipated on the base; a consequence of an unfortunate encounter with a rather nasty band of looters, according to the ship's admiral. Though Holdo had promised that the Ninka would return with a full fuel supply, Indira still feels uneasy about the shortage. If her math is right — and it usually is — the shipment amounts to hardly enough fuel to power the fleet for two hyperspace jumps; maybe even fewer.

    Still, there's nothing to be done except wait for the Ninka to return on its next supply run, so once all the stockpiles are loaded onto transport ships, Indira and the rest of the Resistance crew make their way back to the base. Indira finds her way onto a ship piloted by Stefan Nakada, the former First Order pilot, and the two of them talk absentmindedly as they approach D'Qar.

    "I've never seen a ship like the Ninka before," Indira admits. "It's pretty damn nice though, isn't it?"

    Stefan squints from the pilot's seat, taking some time to craft a response. "It's ... decent," he says in a way that sounds like he's trying not to hurt her feelings. "For a Resistance ship."

    Indira stifles the urge to laugh. "Right," she says, rolling her eyes without any true malice and turning her nose up at him. "I forgot who I'm speaking with. Tell me, Captain Nakada, how does it feel to live amongst us common folk after years of luxury? We must seem terribly simple to you."

    Immediately, guilt flashes across Stefan's face as he shakes his head quickly. "That's not what I meant!" He protests. "It's just that First Order tech is a lot more advanced. I wasn't trying to be pretentious —"

    "Stefan, relax," Indira says with a laugh, setting a hand on his shoulder gently. "I'm messing with you."

    The captain blinks three times before forming a small "O" shape with his lips. "Messing with me?"

    "Joking, teasing," she elaborates. "I don't think you're pretentious. You do know what a joke is, don't you?"

    Stefan rolls his eyes. "Of course I know what a joke is," he retorts. "I wasn't born yesterday."

    Indira scrunches her nose at him before kicking her feet up on the dash. "Just making sure."

    He shoots her a glance out of the corner of his eye; lips twitching slightly. "Your jokes just aren't nearly as funny as you think they are."

    Her mouth drops open instantly and she sits upright with indignation; feet slipping off the dash. "Excuse me?"

    A laugh escapes Stefan's lips and he shakes his head. "I'm messing with you," he mimics her voice from earlier, raising a single brow at her. "You do know what a joke is, don't you?"

    Indira slouches back into her seat. "Well played."

    As soon as the transport touches the ground, Indira is up from her chair and hurrying outside of the shuttle. Various ground team members are already there, stepping up to assist with unloading the stockpiles. Even General Organa is there, shouting out orders and delegating jobs to her troopers.

    Indira takes a few steps towards the older woman, prepared to report on her discovery of the fuel shortage from the Ninka, but she barely moves before a familiar round android comes barreling over to her, ramming itself against her legs in a way that isn't exactly gentle. Indira hisses in pain, taking an immediate step backwards before frowning at the small astromech.

    "Bee, that hurt!" She scolds him. "What was that for?"

    The astromech lets out a short, clipped series of beeps in binary; so quick and scattered that Indira can't interpret their meaning into Basic. "BeeBee, I can't understand you when you talk that fast," she replies, crouching down to level with the droid. "Say it again. Slower this time."

    The droid makes an exasperated whirring sound, rolling away from her without another word. Indira calls after him, but he ignores her; increasing in speed as he heads towards where Poe has landed with Black One. From a distance, Indira watches as BB-8 rams itself into the back of Poe's knees none too gently just as the pilot is about to remove his helmet. Poe staggers forward, caught off-guard by his astromech, and yanks his helmet off before whirling around on the little droid.

    "Bee, what the hell?" Indira hears him exclaim as she grows closer.

    BB-8 lets out a loud, fast stream of beeps, repeating whatever he'd said to Indira. Poe's brow furrows as he listens intently; a frown curling his lips downwards. "Finn naked leaking bag," he repeats once the droid has finished speaking, shaking his head. "What?! Did you fry a chip?"

    Indira throws her hands up in the air. "Right?" She demands, exasperation leaking into her tone. "He isn't making any sense!"

    BB-8 lets out an indignant — and somewhat crude — series of beeps before barreling away from the two of them and speeding out of the hangar into the hallway. Poe shoots Indira a concerned look before running after his droid, chasing it down determinedly. The technician stands and watches them for a few beats before choosing to follow them, bumping and squeezing past people in order to catch up with Poe.

    She's nearly caught up to him when he comes to an abrupt halt in the middle of hallway; freezing in his tracks. Indira skids to a quick stop, plowing into his back and nearly knocking the both of them off balance.

    "Hey," she begins with a frown, blowing a loose piece of hair from her eyes. "Why'd you stop —"

    "Finn!" Poe shouts in disbelief.

    Indira pokes her head around Poe's shoulder to see none other than Finn himself wandering through the hallway with a dazed expression. His eyes are crazed and confused, filled with uncertainty and fear. The bacta suit he'd been wearing is leaking all over the floor, oozing slightly and flooding the surface with the clear liquid. When the former soldier's gaze lands on his two friends, he immediately makes his way towards them; struggling slightly as he walks on shaking legs.

    Poe snaps out of his frozen state, rushing forward to stop him from walking any further. "Finn, buddy," Poe repeats, sounding stunned. He sets his hands on Finn's shoulders. "It's so good to see you!"

    A smile overtakes Indira's face as she processes the fact that Finn is finally, finally, finally awake after spending so many weeks in a coma. She rushes forward to where the two men are standing. "You're awake!" She beams at Finn, glancing back at BB-8. "Bee was right."

    Poe does his best to plug the leaks in Finn's suit with his hands before eventually giving up. "We need to get you dressed," he decides, putting an arm around Finn's shoulder to escort him down the hallway. "Come on."

    Finn allows himself to be led out of the hallway, still seemingly disoriented, but Poe helps him walk by offering a shoulder for him to lean on heavily. "You must have a thousand questions," Indira hears Poe say as she follows behind them.

    Finn shakes his head, coming to a complete halt in the hallway. His face takes on a determined expression; eyes intense as his mouth falls into a hard line. In spite of the fogginess surrounding his brain, there is only one thing he truly needs to know; one thought that surpasses all others.

    He fixes his gaze on Poe and Indira, glancing between the two of them before asking the only question that matters. "Where's Rey?"

    POE FINDS FINN a spare Resistance uniform and helps get him settled before he and Indira sit down and catch him up to speed on everything he'd missed; starting with the destruction of Starkiller base. Finn takes it all in with a troubled expression, brow furrowed and lips curled downward in silent resignation. His face falls when he learns of Rey's departure, but remains silent until Poe finishes talking.

    "So let me get this straight," Finn says, setting his hands on his knees. "You blew up Starkiller base, Rey beat Kylo Ren, and the Resistance found the map." Poe nods in confirmation and Finn looks to Indira. "That means you won, right? Why doesn't this feel like winning?"

    Indira frowns slightly. "That depends on what your definition of winning is." She crosses her arms over her chest. "We might've won the battle, but we are nowhere close to winning the war."

    "When we attacked Starkiller, we came out of hiding," Poe elaborates. "It won't take long for the First Order to regroup and find the location of our base. But for now, we're lying low and focusing on recovery before we go back at 'em."

    Uncertainty crosses Finn's face and he shrinks back slightly, curling in on himself. "Look," he says wearily; shoulders hunched and posture tense. "I believe in what you guys are doing here — I really do — but I didn't abandon one army just to join another one. I don't want you guys to think I'm something that I'm not."

    "Hey, hey, hey," Poe interrupts, setting a hand on Finn's shoulder. "It's fine; you're alright. You're here with us — where you belong. " He steps away for a moment to pick something up off the edge of his bed, handing a tattered leather garment to Finn. "It's your jacket," he explains, coughing slightly and crossing his arms over his chest. "I'm not much of a sewer, but I did my best."

    Indira does her best not to laugh when Finn holds the jacket up, fully displaying Poe's haphazard attempt at sewing. Large parts of the torn leather have been stapled together to keep it from splitting any further and the stitches are awkward and crooked, giving the garment a distinctly ragged look. She thinks that it just might be the worst sewing job she's ever seen and, from his bewildered expression, she's pretty certain Finn agrees.

    Still, he's far too nice to say anything but kind words. He tightens his grip on the jacket and shoots Poe a sheepish smile. "Thanks," Finn says. "Sorry it got, uh, ripped."

    "Not your fault, pal," Poe replies. "Now, I know you've gotta be starving after being asleep for so long. How about we get some food in you and take you to see the general? I know she'll want to see you now that you're awake."

    Finn shrugs before nodding, rising from his seat on the edge of Poe's bed with some difficulty. "I could eat," he agrees, stretching stiff limbs and aching muscles. His eyes light up. "I mean, the food here has got to be better than what they fed us in the First Order."

    "Erm," Indira says wearily, exchanging a look with Poe as she links one of her arms through Finn's to help him walk. "I wouldn't get your hopes up too high."

    Everyone is thrilled to see Finn awake and walking when they enter the cafeteria. Many Resistance members stop and stare at him with poorly veiled curiosity in their gazes, wanting to know more about the stormtrooper who decided to abandon the First Order and join their cause; a modern myth standing amongst them. No one looks more starstruck than Rose Tico, who watches Finn with a sort of hero-worship in her eyes. All the attention makes Finn visibly uncomfortable. After years of anonymity and keeping his head down, he isn't sure what to do with all of the attention.

    Jessika is the first one to take note of his obvious discomfort, whispering something in Snap's ear before the two of them break out into a loud argument over something nonsensical — an obviously staged fight to everyone sitting at their table — but it's enough of a distraction to draw away most of the attention from Finn, allowing him some semblance of normalcy while he eats. When Jess and Snap finally finish screaming at one another, Poe mouths a silent thank you to both of them and they grin; Snap gives him a thumbs up and Jessika winks slyly.

    Once Finn has finished eating, they leave the cafeteria and make their way to Leia's office. The general is alone in the room, face somber as her hands fiddle with a small figurine that's been carved out of wood. However, as soon as she sees Finn standing in the doorway, her eyes light up and she stands quickly, leaving the figure behind on her desk.

    "Finn!" She exclaims. "It's good to see you up and walking. How are you feeling?"

    Finn gives her a weary smile. "A little sore, but I'll manage."

    Leia nods, her expression contemplative as she purses her lips. "I trust these two have gotten you all caught up on what you missed?" She asks, nodding her head towards Poe and Indira.

    "Yes," Finn confirms before hesitating. "But I wanted to ask about Rey. General, do you know if she's okay? Or when she'll be back?"

    The general's face falls and she shakes her head. "No, I haven't received any word from Rey or Chewie," she admits. "But I anticipate that they'll return soon — hopefully with my brother in tow."

     Finn looks crestfallen. "I hope they're okay."

     Leia touches his arm. "I'd know if they weren't," she says, doing her best to comfort him, but uncertainty still lingers in Finn's expression.

    A silence falls over the room, heavy and solemn, before the general clears her throat and focuses on the other young people in her office. "How did the transfer with the Ninka go?" She asks Indira. "Did everything go smoothly?"

    Indira hesitates, thinking about the fuel shortage. "Yes. Well, almost."

    Leia arches a brow at her. "Almost?"

    "Their fuel supply was inadequate," Indira frowns. "Very inadequate. The Ninka suffered an encounter with looters that left their shipment significantly understocked. Admiral Holdo promised that they would return with double the amount on their next supply run, but our reserves will be in poor shape for the time being."

    The corners of Leia's mouth droop slightly. "We'll have to make do," she says wearily, rubbing her temples tiredly and closing her eyes. "Rations will have to be put into effect."

    "It shouldn't be too difficult to ration," Poe replies, trying to be optimistic. "If we cut back on patrols and shorten the perimeter, we could save a lot of fuel that way."

    She shakes her head in frustration. "We'll have to do that regardless," Leia responds. "But a fuel shortage creates potential problems for the next part of our plan."

    "What plan is that?" Indira asks.

    Leia's lips purse slightly. "Finding more allies in the Outer Rim," she says. "Admiral Ackbar and I have been assembling a list of contacts that might be sympathetic to our cause; those who were loyal to the Republic and old Alliance members — anyone, really, who has yet to have been corrupted by the First Order. We want to send envoys to meet with them."

    "Who?" Poe asks, brow furrowing.

    She sighs. "A few of the pilots. Wexley and Kun, for starters," Leia says before hesitating, glancing between Poe and Indira. "A few other members of Red and Blue Squadron. And ... Pava and Kilam."

    Indira's stomach drops immediately. Poe looks equally unhappy with the general's response — though perhaps for different reasons. "You're splitting up Black Squadron?" He asks. "General, that's all of my pilots. If you're going to send them all, the least you could do is send me with them!"

    "No," Leia says sharply. "You're needed here, on this base. Your squadron is more than capable of carrying out this mission without you."

    "General, they're my team!" Poe protests. "You know that I'm a capable operative in the field. I should be going with them —"

    "My decision on this matter is final, Commander," she interrupts him firmly, silencing any further protests. "The pilots will ship out in two days time. I want you to focus on training the remaining pilots on the base during their absence. Is that understood?"

     Poe clenches his jaw. "Understood."

    Leia scrubs a tired hand over her face. "Good," she says wearily before returning to her desk. "You're all dismissed."

    A scoff escapes Poe's lips as he turns on his heel, exiting the room swiftly without another word. Indira shares a knowing look with Finn before they both follow after him; albeit much slower, due to Finn's weakened state. They finally manage to catch up with Poe at the end of the hallway, finding the pilot still fuming with anger.

    "It's bantha shit!" He says sullenly. "Complete bantha shit! She's separating my entire team and sending them away. Testor has never gone on a mission like this before. Hell, she's practically still a kid! What if something happens to her?"

    "Kali, too." Indira frowns. "Neither of them have done anything like this."

    "Snap and Karé can handle themselves, but Jess ..." Poe shakes his head. "We already lost L'ulo. If anything were to happen to her —" he cuts himself off before his voice can break. "Everything is about to change."

    Indira can't help but nod in agreement, feeling a terrible sense of foreboding wash over her. "I know," she says, meeting his gaze. "Nothing will be the same."

EDITED ON:
10.22.19