driftfleet | [Open]

Who: Rey and ~~Hux~~Armitage
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: For S.S. Bloodsport.
When: Monday evening.

Hold on. [The small voice is somewhat muted at first while a communicator is being turned this way and that.] I think we’ll be able to reach others with this -

[With the communicator finally facing the right way, the image of a small girl comes into focus. Her hair is in the same style she will wear when she is older and much of her clothing is similar too.]

Isn’t your name Armitage? Can I call you Armi?

That’s not my name though… [Another voice, this one also younger and uncertain can be heard then and when the communicator shifts there is a 5 year old with sharp blue eyes and orange hair. He’s wearing a fitted uniform of an Imperial officer though the only insignia is an armband around one arm bearing the symbol of the Galactic Empire. He still has some dust on his clothes, a small cut on one cheek but his expression is determined.] I just need to find the Commandant and the fleet before they leave.

Someone will know. [Rey has the simple trust of a child, though recently her trust has been badly shaken. Being left on a remote desert planet will do that to you. However she is three or so years older than her companion and she feels the need to take charge and soothe his worries.]

If anyone can hear, we’re looking for the...Commandant? I’m also looking for Jakku. [Though she really, really doesn’t want to go back there. But her family might come back and look for her.

She takes a deep breath.] I need to go back to Jakku, but I like it better here. Armi has been really nice and I don't see very many kids in the desert.

[The nickname is sticking and there is obviously a growing affection for the small boy.]

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[Yep. That guy.] Yeah, I've heard of him.

[He's trying very, very hard to disguise the instinctive ugh, Imperials reaction that's been cultivated over years of smuggling and running with the rebels.]

Someone real helpful. [So informative, Solo. But he needs to get this kid to trust him, and he's pretty sure saying Han Solo, smuggler is going to do the exact opposite.] Listen to your friend. You see any bacta patches around?

Do ships keep them in stock? [Rey is very serious when Han mentions the bacta patches.] I know we're in a fleet. They have to have something.

[She grins briefly at the look Armitage gives her.] It's still a cut! It could make you sick.

Do you know where he is? I need to go back right now. [His voice rose just a little despite his best efforts. He didn't want to be left behind in the Republic all by himself.

He looked at Rey, his expression still stubborn but he didn't protest again.] I guess so.

Yeah, they've got a stock of medical supplies on the ship. Least I think so--do either of you know where the medbay is on your ship?

[To Hux's question, he shakes his head.] No, I didn't hear anything about where he is. I'll let you know if I do, though. [It's a lie, he's pretty sure it's safe to assume Brendol Hux is dead somewhere, and good riddance to him. But Han can't tell a kid that, especially not one who's apparently more than a little terrified of the prospect of being stranded somewhere new.]

See? Told you. The quicker you can find and put some bacta on that, the better.

It's okay, Armi. We'll find him. Until then, you can stay with me. [Rey smoothes over the little boy's hair before looking back at Han.] Yes. I think so! When I ran down the hall earlier, I saw a room with lots of beds.

[That has to be it, right? She picks up the communicator and tugs on Armitage's arm.]

Let's go see.

You aren't useful then. [He muttered sullenly to Han, but he looked more scared than angry. No one would come back for him if he was stranded or left behind here.

He had to lean against Rey a bit, looking up at her, not resisting when she started to pull him. ] Alright-

[If he was on his own he couldn't be hurt at the same time.]

I'm plenty useful. [It's said in a huff, as if he's affronted this kid would dare question his credentials. In fact, he kind of is.] I just haven't seen this Commandant around. He'd have answered if he saw this, right?

[...or probably not. To Rey, he's much more wry:] That's one way to see it. Probably best to ask someone else on board, if you can find anybody there.

Prove it by doing something then. [Armitage has high standards, Han. ]

I don't know... [But even he knew that Brendol Hux wouldn't come back in this case. He would have expected his son to find his own way back.] He's probably gone.

Armi! [Rey sighs at him, giving him a very sisterly frown.] You need to be nice. We don't know how he can help us yet.

[She looks back at Han, determined.] We'll find it together.

[Her expression falls a little and she wraps the smaller boy in a hug.]

You don't know that yet.

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