Chapter 16: An Unexpected Surprise

The Master was about to tip Finn off to some of the information she had gotten recently, but Poe shouted back to them, “Of course, that’s how you would see it, Finn. Negotiations are meant to be done through deliberation, not accusation. You spend too much time with Marcus.”

Rey raised an eyebrow at this while Finn again looked irritated, restoring to the pilot, “Someone has to say it. Those imperials only know how to scheme and lie.”

Seeing her friend’s fever, she decided revealing her recent Imperial interactions and the offer presented to her was not the wisest choice she could make at the moment, at least until she better understood the situation. No one was more aware of Finn’s disgust with the officials of the old Empire, and from Admiral Primidian's description, he did fall cleanly into the category of ex-rebel. Months ago, when negotiations for the talks began, she had needed to real him in on more than one occasion. It seemed he was only growing more disgruntled with the limitations imposed by high society and political negotiation. At the same time, hearing Finn was spending time with the Chancellor worried her. Jedi and Chansilors were historically not a good mix, though Finn’s duty as a General made this slightly more difficult. Rey could only sigh internally as she realized how convoluted everything was already.

She kept all this hidden deep within her heart and simply nodded, “Poe’s right, you need to try and stay calm.” With sympathetic eyes, she added, “I know it’s hard to deal, especially with your past, but we can’t let our emotions get in the way of our mission.”

The Jedi Knight looked even more frustrated, but this soon faded to a dejected expression and hesitant calm, “I know. I’ll do my best.”

Rey smiled at this, though on the inside was still worried. Finn was more than her student but also a friend. Given time to reflect, it seemed she might have been too soft when training him. Unlike Fama, whose heart naturally gravitated towards calm, Finn was almost the opposite. He was too often distracted by his feelings. His dedication to the Jedi code was real, though to live by it, for him, would require much more self-discipline. Rey decided after these talks she would do her best to get him away from politics for a while. Interacting with the old Imperial factions was not doing him any good.

She diverted the subject from the peace talks, though Finn constantly recalled his frustrations. He brought up examples of Imperial misconduct, from war crimes to quals that had occurred during negotiations. Rey realized he needed to vent and eventually let him complain for the rest of the trip, which seemed to calm him considerably.

When they finally landed, Rey found her ears ringing with anti-imperial ranting, most of which she agreed with wholeheartedly. However, the Jedi Master also knew she couldn’t let this affect her state of mind. Finn looked at her, much calmer now, and finished, “Sorry for going off. It’s been a stressful week.”

The master nodded sympathetically as a friend, “Don’t worry about it.” As a teacher, she added, “But try and meditate some tonight to clear your head.”

Fama appeared at Rey’s side, exclaiming, “You have to meditate, too.”

Finn nodded wearily, “All the time.”

Rey grabbed the girl, who seemed disheartened and scolded, “Don’t look so sad. You’ll learn to like it.”

Finn and the child looked skeptical, and the Master could only put her faith in the Force that they would come around someday. Poe emerged from the cockpit, calling, “If the ranting is over, let’s get into the embassy. I, for one, have a busy day tomorrow and would like some sleep.”

Rey appreciated Poe’s ability to separate his duty as a General from his private life while keeping his exotic flare. She stood, stretched, and added, “Sleep sounds great.”

They disembarked, and the Master and Padwan found themselves before a skyscraper on the planet's surface that went up at least a hundred floors. Both were stunned by the structure and gawked till a voice called to them, “Oh, Rey, I’m so glad you’re safe.” A stern-looking woman in her mid-fifties appeared, moving towards the Jedi quickly. She hugged Rey tightly, adding, “Dear, you worried us.”

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Rey responded with a happy but exacerbated sigh, “Minerva, you always worry too much.” Rey had always liked how the woman treated her so daintily. Most people only viewed her as an all-capable Jedi, and it was nice to be worried about for once. Even Laya had treated her like a Jedi in training, more than just a young woman. If anything, Minerva often treated her too much like a child, though only because she cared.

The woman glared at this and retorted, “Worry too much? you give me too much to worry about.” Lapsing back on her kindness, she hugged Rey briefly before pulling back and focusing. She seemed ready to talk but was suddenly distracted when Fama entered her vision. She squealed like a young schoolgirl in a new outburst, “This must be Fama. Oh, my, she is precious.”

Without a bit of meekness, the Pawdawan proudly responded, “Yup, that’s me.”

Minerva squatted down quickly for her age and clasped the little girl’s hands and, in the girl’s native tongue, spoke, “Aren't you such a pretty Mirialan? Your skin is lovely.” Charmed by this, Fama blushed dark green before the woman added, “My name is Minerva; if you ever need anything, make sure to find me.”

Fama nodded, lost for words as childish shyness caught up with her. Rey rolled her eyes as the vice-chancellor of the New Republic went into full aunt mode. At this point, Poe let out a cough from the side before intervening, “Ah, Madam Vice-Chancellor, might I suggest we move this inside.”

After a final wink to Fama, Minerva snapped back to attention. She stood back up, straightening her skirt embroidered with cultural patterns from her homeworld of New Alderan. She cleared her throat into a fist before regaining her stern completion, “Right, thank you, General Poe.” She then glanced at Rey as a hint of coldness appeared in her gaze, “We have much to discuss, don’t we.”

Rey shivered at this, knowing she was in for a scolding sense due to her mission going awry. It wasn’t so much that things didn’t go according to plan but that she had been put in danger. Minerva had told her numerous times everyone had a role to play, to do the best they could, and that Rey was to be a beacon of hope, and being a beacon of hope did not include dying on espionage missions. Their back-and-forth argument on whether Rey should still be doing a mission for the New Republic or retire to the safety of the homeland and manage Jedi business had gone on for almost two years and showed no signs of ending soon.

They entered the skyscraper that had a regal plack outside that bore the name ‘Hotel Galactica’ in an older cursive form of galactic common. The exterior was crawling with guards and even a few pieces of heavy weaponry positioned discreetly. Entering the lobby, Rey and Fama once again grew speechless by the elegance and grace of the architecture and furnishings. Undoubtedly, it was the most beautiful building either of them had ever been in. Rey couldn’t help but ask, “Is the embassy early in this palace.”

Minerva chuckled and pinched the Jedis check, “Silly, this interior building is the embassy.”

Rey blinked uncomprehendingly, looking to her friends, who nodded reassuringly; she finally managed, “But it’s so… So…”

Minerva chuckled and patted Rey’s shoulder, “Yes, it’s pleasing to the eyes. It is one of the best hotels on the planet.” She added with a more serious look, “And as such, it has its own security system, shielding mechanisms, generators, and backup generators.”

Rey swallowed and nodded, taking in the scenery again, realizing she was the most beautiful bunker she had ever had the pleasure of hiding in. Poe added to this sarcastically, “Not a bad base of operations if I do say so myself. I like going legitimate more than I thought I would.”

Minerva gave the man a playful push and growled, “Don’t get used to this. The Remnant Generals are covering the tab for this place.”

Rey blinked at this surprise and asked, “They are?”

Minerva looked proud and added, “Of course. Who do you think negotiated the lodgings logistics.”The Jedi smiled at this reply and couldn’t help but shake her head. Minerva might be doating, but on the political stage, she became a completely different person. Rey wouldn’t have been surprised if the woman said she got the Generals to give her the hotel outright.

At this point, a fifteen or sixteen-year-old youth in an ornate suit rushed over to Finn. The black-haired and brown-eyed boy caught his breath before speaking a short like that left Rey’s mind reeling. “Master Finn, I need to talk to you.”

As her confusion and shock mounted, Finn smiled and blurt, “Damion, perfect timing!” He turned to Rey while gesturing to the lad with a proud and eager expression, “Rey, this is my third Padawan, Damion Morgan.”

Several things went through the Jedi Master’s mind at once. First was the undeniable conclusion that Finn had gone and taken at least three Padawans. The second was the boy’s age. She almost didn’t accept Fama based on age while this boy was a teenager. Last was his presence in the force. Everyone had a signature in the force that reflected their thoughts and feelings. Padawans were accepted while young because they could be considered a clean slate, ready to be taught the ways of the force. If one lived too long, they would become cloudy, and thus, it would be difficult for them to become proper Jedi. She and Finn were lucky because, as a scraper or a stormtrooper, one didn’t get exposed to much clutter and thus were both still relatively clear-minded. But this Damion was clearly well educated and had great worldly experience. His mind could be said to already be completely cloudy.

Rey held back a scream as the youth's face lit up with excitement and awe before he quickly bowed, “Master Rey, it’s, it’s... “ he finally got out, “It’s such a great honor to meet you.”

Finn and the boy were both clearly waiting for an answer, to which Rey barely managed, “Oh…”