Chapter 4
Raven all but lives in the hangar bays the next few days with all the repairs to be done after the battle. The Falcon is given a wide, reverent berth by the other mechanics, the intimidating wookiee keeping most gawkers away. That and the fact that General Organa herself checks in now and then to make sure they're getting what they need. Raven worked her way through the planes in the hangar, edging closer and closer to the smuggler's ship, dark eyes and keen ears minding the comings and goings while she checked a capacitor, tightened a clasp, or tuned a laser just so. When she wasn't looking she could feel eyes on her back and it made her smile. It was Poe and his new friend Finn who made official introductions. Rey. The group entered the ship, Rey guiding the tour, with Chewie providing oversight and the occasional story, which Rey would translate. Each time he speaks, Rey would smile softly, hearing the sadness that tinges each word. There are open panels in the floors and walls where Rey and Chewie had been working. Exposed wires and exchange boxes immediately draw Raven's attention. Rey's shy demeanor is shed like a cloak at Raven's first question. She lights up and animatedly describes the repairs and upgrades they were doing. Poe and Finn slip away with smiles as Raven and Rey become engrossed in their conversation. They fall into rapid, excited tech-speak, Rey only occasionally questioning something Raven says, not knowing all of the terms and names, but clearly well-versed in how it all works. They move from panel to panel, Raven more and more astonished that what seems to be a mish-mash of parts barely held together with spit and luck starts coming together in her mechanical mind as a madcap system of genius. It is aged and weathered and has a history and reputation that is nothing short of legendary. Quiet sweeps over them finally as they sit on the floor, feet dangling over tangled wires in one of the open bays. Rey's shy smile returns.
"She should be ready for a test flight tomorrow," Rey announces. Her eyes sweep along the passageway, seeing the toolboxes and loose parts scattered about. Chewbacca's voice echoes down the corridor, bemused and questioning barks. "Perhaps the day after," she concedes.
"Is that an invitation or are you asking for help?" Raven asks, still marveling that the ship could fly at all.
"I don't need help, but if you're free, you're welcome to join us," Rey offered. "She might surprise you."
Raven climbed to her feet, hands brushing the seat of her pants. She looked down at Rey with a smirk and a cocked brow. "Maybe she will. Come find me when you're ready to go. I gotta get back to work. Thanks for the tour."
With the sound of Raven's steps disappearing, Rey falls back against the floor, arm over her eyes, wondering if the twisted knots in her stomach and heat in her cheeks meant she was getting ill. She opens her eyes and scowls at Chewie's rumbling barks of laughter as he stepped into view. "I'm not sure what you find so amusing." More chatter from the Wookiee. "Yes, she's pretty. And yes, she's right about the override mechanism." She sits up with a sigh. "Can we please just get on with whatever's next on the list and not talk about this, perhaps, ever?" Chewie gives a chuffing snort of amusement and shambles down the corridor as Rey drops into the bay and starts pulling at the loose wires in front of her, as determined as ever to get the Falcon in the air once more.