Author's Notes: This is where we begin the slight angst of the story. I kind of debated on having any angst in this at all but it's Star Wars. it's very hard to avoid all the sads. There is so much tragedy and missed opportunities in this universe. That said, I'm still keeping it VERY light because humor and comedy are like food for my soul. Also, this chapter has a non-linear timeline going for it. Again, I debated on having a time stamp on each little break but I kind of liked the vagueness of it. BUT if it's confusing this way, please let me know.
[General Hux is holding a meeting in one of Finalizer's large, swanky boardrooms. His top officers are present, along with a shiny Captain Phasma and a masked Kylo Ren. The meeting is going on its third hour now and shoulders are slumped, heads struggling to stay upright. There's a soft snoring sound coming from a man who's eyes are wide open.]
Hux: So, to reiterate, the incident reports should be labeled as AMB-124. Note: the dash is very important but it is not to be confused with the compiled data reports which should be labeled RLA-341. Now, I've seen people labelling them as RLA/341 or RLA_341 or RLA-341 or RLA|341 or—
Random Lieutenant: [pained smile] He's really quite thorough in his meetings. No rock left unturned.
Hux: [paces in front of the boardroom] Now, we haven't even scratched the surface on the spending records—
[A deafening alarm blares. Everyone jumps to their feet and rushes the door. Hux is left standing there, looking confused.]
Phasma: If the meeting runs over certain amount of time, I have one of my guys pull the fire alarm. It's the only way to keep one's sanity.
Kylo: [voice distorted under his mask] Four words...Jettison. Into. Space. Mother[bleep].
[The new Resistance base is buried deep in a dormant volcano on a tiny, rock planet. Rows of dim, golden lights illuminate the ancient, intricately carved tunnels, connecting a network of various-sized spaces. In a small stock room, the interviewer greets Finn with a handshake. Finn takes a seat, smiling.]
Interviewer: So, how's everything going?
Finn: Man, life is great! I have a sweet name, awesome friends and [grins] a really hot boyfriend. I couldn't imagine myself here a few months ago. Don't get me wrong, the constant danger can be really stressful but [shrugs] you gotta take the good with the bad. Of course, at any moment, we could be engulfed in flames, or shot down in a ship, or I could lose everyone I've ever cared for. [winces] Sorry, I sometimes go to the extremes. [looks at the camera] I'm working on that.
Interviewer: Makes sense. Look what happened on Hebious. That was pretty intense.
Finn: Yeah, missions can go sideways like that, but we try to prepare the best we can. And we all got out safe and sound—that's what matters. [looks troubled] Rey was pretty shaken up though. She puts on a brave face but I could tell something was wrong.
Interviewer: She told you what happened?
Finn: Kind of. I know she faced off with [growls] Kylo Ren but she didn't seem to want to get into it and I didn't want to push but...I know it's been hard for her.
Interviewer: So, she gave you no details? [looks bewildered]
Finn: [shakes his head] I want to respect her privacy, you know. She's someone who likes to work things out on her own.
Interviewer: [glances at the camera] I think we have the footage of what happened.
Finn: [starts to protest] Wait, that's not—
Interviewer: [turns to the camera-bot] Play footage from Hebious.
[Nothing happens. The interviewer asks again but still the camera-bot doesn't respond. He taps the camera-bot's holo-projector lens.]
Interviewer: Huh? Okay, I guess I can tell you what happen—
[Suddenly, there's a high-pitched ringing sound erupting from the camera-bot. Finn and the interviewer jump, slapping their hands over their ears.]
Interviewer: [shouts] Sometimes it gets like this!
[Just as abruptly, the ringing stops.]
Interviewer: Sorry about that. Has to be a glitch of some kind. It's almost like this thing [shakes his head like the idea is ridiculous] has a mind of its own.
[The camera zooms in on the interviewer's face.]
[It's the middle of the night on the Resistance base and everyone is asleep aside from the few sentries guarding the skies. BB-8 and the camera-bot are in the common area when Rey stumbles in looking exhausted and red-eyed.]
BB-8: [beeps] {Hi.}
Rey: [smiles but it looks pained] Oh, hello. I just...just needed a cup of water.
[BB-8 rolls over to Rey while she pours herself water from a hydration unit.]
BB-8: {Are you okay?}
Rey: I'm fine. [her hand shakes violently and water sloshes over the rim of her cup] I've been...having a hard time sleeping.
[BB-8 whistles worriedly and shoos her over to a dim corner of the room lined with thick, ornate rugs and enormous cushions and blankets. Rey tries to protest but eventually sits down, tucking her legs underneath her. She looks young and vulnerable. The camera-bot trails after them then lowers itself to eye level.]
Rey: [takes a gulp of water] It's been hard to sleep lately. I've been...having bad dreams. At least, I think they are.
BB-8: {You think?}
Rey: [eyebrows furrow] I-I'm not sure. Some definitely are but...some may be visions. Maybe. I don't know. [rubs her eyes] They're just so confusing.
BB-8: [bumps head against Rey's shoulder] {Master Luke is arriving tomorrow. He can help?}
Rey: [nods slowly] Maybe...I'm not sure if I'm ready to talk about this with him.
[BB-8 turns to the camera and beeps in concern. The camera-bot transmits an answer only BB-8 can hear.]
BB-8: {It says you should listen to your heart.}
Rey: [blinks in confusion then gazes into the camera] It—you talk to each other?
BB-8: {Yep. It's my friend.}
Rey: [stares] Oh, I didn't realize you were sentient. My apologies.
BB-8: {It says, it's okay. It prefers if most people not know. People are more open and at ease if they think it's nothing more than a floating camera.}
Rey: I guess that makes sense. [smiles] I promise I won't tell anyone.
BB-8: {It knows that. It likes you.}
Rey: [looks at the camera] I like you too. I'm flattered you've shared that with me. How many people know?
BB-8: {Only one other person, though it has lots of droid friends.}
Rey: [looks confused] Your interviewer?
[The camera view swivels from side to side.]
BB-8: {No, the interviewer doesn't know. It says after all these years, the guy still hasn't figured it out. It says the guy's a complete doofus.}
Rey: Oh, then who?
BB-8: [looks up at the camera] {It says it's confidential.}
[It's nighttime on the Finalizer. Only the skeleton crew are awake, manning the monstrous ship through deep space. The rest of ship is quiet, except for the soft, steady hum of the engines. Programmed to be inquisitive, the camera-bot wanders the corridors, always on the lookout to for something interesting. It nears the officers ward and hears something—a hard THWAP and then another. It turns a corner and peeks into a sparring room. A tall, masked figure—Kylo Ren—swings a fighting stick at an armored dummy striking its neck, then belly. The camera-bot drifts into the room. Kylo spins on the spot, sending the stick flying at the droid. The camera-bot braces for impact but nothing happens. A hairs-breadth away from the droid's lens, the stick wavers then clatters to the ground.]
Kylo: [straightens] Oh. Thought someone was sneaking up on me. Can't be too careful these days.
[Hesitantly, the droid floats further into the room. Kylo scoops up a tall, thin bottle filled with green liquid. His movements are looser than normal, almost sloppy. He leans against a wall and pushes a button on his helmet. The nose guard clicks open and he nudges his helmet higher, freeing his mouth and takes a long swig from the bottle. He grimaces.]
Kylo: This is supposed to be the finest liquor in all the quadrants [fiddles with the bottle] but I think that might be an overstatement. [shrugs] But what the hell do I know? I don't usually drink but desperate times...
[The camera-bot just hovers there. Watching.]
Kylo: You're not with your interviewer. [glance at the camera, then cocks his head] Does he have you explore the ship? Find any juicy stories?
[The droid just waits, obviously unable to answer.]
Kylo: [sighs] I haven't been sleeping well. Thought sparring might be a nice distraction [mutters] but it's not. This, [he gestures with his arm] all this—it wasn't supposed to be this complicated. [sighs again and is quiet for 2.27 minutes] Well, [bleep] it. I'm just gonna go back to my room and drink 'til I'm stupid.
[Kylo crams his helmet back in place and sweeps out of the room. The camera-bot follows him out into the hallway. It pauses, watching Kylo's clomping gait, so unlike his mother's regal bearing. From what the droid's seen, the young man's heart likens to an imploding star, his emotions resembling a nest of buzzing, angry insects. It's like watching two massive starships crash into each other.]
[The dude's a hot mess.]
[The camera-bot makes a decision. It follows him.]
[After several turns, Kylo stops at a door and finally notices the droid. He sways a little, assessing, then shrugs as the door hisses open. The camera-bot trails after him, hoping its processors hadn't read the gesture incorrectly. His quarters are sparse—drab, with several uncomfortable looking pieces of furniture and a wall lined with communication screens. Kylo tugs off his helmet and drops it onto a pedestal topped, inexplicably, with ash and dust. Kylo plops onto a hard-looking chair. The droid inches closer. Even in the dim light, it can see the dark circles under Kylo's eyes. His hair is immaculate.]
Kylo: Drinking is frowned upon in our knighthood [takes another pull from the bottle and wrinkles his nose] but I haven't been able to sleep much and I just want to [closes eyes] forget.
BB-8: {How are you feeling now?}
Rey: [shrugs] A little better.
BB-8: {Do you want to talk about it?}
Rey: [gaze flickers toward the camera] I'm not sure...
BB-8: {Only if you're comfortable.} [peers up at the camera] {And whatever you say, it will stay private. You can trust it.}
Rey: [nods slowly] Okay. [takes a shaky breath] I will. It's just...sleep is already difficult enough. It's hard to block out all the noise—Force static, that's what Master Luke calls it. The nightmares are...difficult. [blinks slowly] But it's the dreams, or...visions that are really the most [brushes a trembling hand over her forehead] disturbing. Like tonight. I've dreamt it before. It's—I don't know what to make of it.
Kylo: [glowers at the bottle in his hand] It's like my brain can't stop. [slurs slightly] I just can't stop thinking about, dreaming about...
[His lightsaber suddenly flares to life. The camera-bot jerks back. Kylo doesn't notice. He just stares at the rough, glowing blade in his hand. Deep angular shadows cut across his face. He almost looks frantic, delirious.]
Kylo: I haven't slept properly in awhile. I don't want to. Every time I close my eyes, I see...my father. Or my mother. Sense her sadness. [glances down] And of course, there's always Rey.
[The lightsaber sputters off, casting the room in darkness again. Kylo takes another drink, wincing.]
Kylo: I have this one dream [fiddles with the bottle] about her. It's always about her now. [glances at the camera] It's not that kind of dream, though it would be nice to have one that's not blood and death and terror. [leans back, smiling to himself] It would be nice to just...talk, maybe kiss her, [smiles wider] spoon. [grimaces] Shit. I'm [bleep] pathetic. [takes another drink]
[Rey grabs a pillow, hugging it tight to her body. BB-8 rolls closer to her. She licks her lips, her face pale.]
Rey: It always starts the same. I'm on the side of a steep hill. It's rocky. I'm compelled to climb but it's hard to walk. I stumble a few times. It's dark but it's not nighttime, maybe dusk, and the sky is filled with black clouds. It's cold, so cold—the kind of cold that seeps into your bones. And windy too, like a storm is approaching.
BB-8: [beeps softly] {It sounds scary.}
Rey: [gazes at the little droid and nods] Then...there's the smell, like something's burning. It's sharp, stinging—
Kylo: And it hurts to breath. [his eyes are glazed, unfocused] I'm on the top of the hill but I'm...looking for something. Then the sky grows darker. Something brushes my face—
Rey: Then I feel it in my hair. I look up. At first I think it's snow, but it's dark, almost black. And the burning smell...It takes me moment. [blinks slowly] It's ash.
Kylo: Big flakes of ash, falling from the sky, filling it. It's so thick I can barely see. And the wind...I can't shake this feeling that the stakes have been raised. I need to find what I'm looking for quickly. And then I see—
Rey: I start to run up the hill. It's hard. The ash is coating the ground and it's greasy and I'm slipping. I'm practically crawling. Then I sense something. I look up the hill and ash is everywhere, swirling around me, getting in my eyes. But I see...him.
Kylo: It takes a second for me to believe what I'm looking at, but there she is, standing there, bright against the darkness, close enough that I can see her face. I yell her name and start down the hill. She backs up. And she looks [frowns] scared. I stop. But I feel [jerks his head] anxious, like something bad is going to happen. I yell her name again—
Rey: I can see his mouth moving but the wind is too loud. And there's that instinct again—to run up the hill. Then the ground jerks hard. I almost fall. I glance up and meet Kylo's eyes. He looks...panicked.
Kylo: I start to race toward her. I know what's going to happen—I know the ground is going to split open underneath her and swallow her up. And I just—I have to get to her.
Rey: The ground shakes again and I don't think, I start scrambling upward, toward him. He's close now just a few feet away and—
Kylo: I snatch her hand and run back up the hill, half dragging her behind me. We're almost to the top. I know we'll be safe when we reach it. Then Rey screams.
Rey: The earth is coming loose under my feet. There's a deep, horrible crunching sound and the ground crumbles beneath me. I hear my name and I feel like my arm is going to pop out of its socket—
Kylo: I almost fall in after her. I'm clinging to her hand and she's dangling over a crevasse, nothing but bottomless darkness underneath her. Her face—she looks so frightened and I [closes his eyes] and I can't stand it. I yank her up—
Rey: And I stumble into him and he grabs my shoulders and [she looks down] he pulls me to him. He [eyebrows furrow] wraps me in his arms.
Kylo: I'm holding her so tight I'm probably crushing her but I...[gazes down at the almost empty bottle] I'm so relieved she's okay.
Rey: It almost hurts, he's holding me so tight and he's shaking. He's whispering...in my ear. 'I got you, Rey.' That's what he says—over and over again. [shakes head] I don't...I don't know what that means. [looks up at the camera, her eyes watering] Why? Why is this happening?
[Kylo stares up at the ceiling, dejected. He sighs loudly.]
Kylo: I'm so utterly [bleep].
[The camera-bot has to agree with him on that.]
[Kylo is still sitting in the same chair the next morning, head bent back, snoring softly. The camera-bot waits. Finally, Kylo jolts himself awake, groaning.]
Kylo: What the [bleep]. [rubs his head] I feel terrible. [squints] When—what time is it? [more groaning] I think I'm going to puke.
[BB-8 and the camera-bot are waiting with Rey in the hangar bay, watching the skies for the arrival of Master Skywalker. It was a long night last night. Rey had cried a little, then got angry—angry enough for a few light fixtures to explode. She decided to go to bed after that.]
Rey: [gazes upward] I see them. I see the Falcon.
[A voice calls behind them. The interviewer is speed-walking toward them.]
Interviewer: There it is. [points at the camera] I was looking all over for it. [shakes his head] It's so strange, sometimes it just wanders away. I have no idea why. Need to get the thing checked out.
[Rey stares at the camera and bites back a smile.]
[Kylo is bent over with his head between his knees.]
Kylo: [painful moaning] No wonder the knights don't drink. It's [bleep] awful. [bleep][bleep] I'm never doing that again.
[He gingerly cradles his head with a hand and glances at the camera, one eye squinting.]
Kylo: So, what's this about? Your interviewer has you go around and film incriminating shit? [scowls] Maybe I should pay him a visit later. [groans and rubs his forehead] When I'm feeling a little better, of course.
[The camera-bot is unsure what to do. With Kylo glaring at it like that, it begins to question its life choices. But it is a droid—a droid that can calculate a thousand different scenarios in mere seconds. It makes a choice—definitely not the smartest choice. A choice that doesn't even make the top 50 actually, but it's a choice made from the "gut" or whatever such crazy shit it's heard non-droids blather on about.]
[A screen on the wall flickers on. Words line up like a tram, glowing and straight.]
Camera-bot: {I'm just curious.}
[Kylo's eyebrows shoot up to his perfect hairline.]
Kylo: Just...curious?
Camera-bot: {Yes.}
Kylo: So, you're curious and you go around filming everything? What do you do with all the footage?
Camera-bot: {The footage I gather with my interviewer is, of course, subject for use. However, that footage is usually heavily edited due to any pressures or threats applied to our producer. Footage I collect on my own though, is private and never shared.}
Kylo: Pffttt! Are you [bleep] kidding me? Do you think I was born yesterday?
Camera-bot: {By my estimation, you were born approximately 30 years ago.}
Kylo: [rolls his eyes] Oh, you're one of those droids. So, you film all this stuff and never share it? What's the point?
Camera-bot: {I find everyone and everything interesting.} [zooms in on Kylo's face] {Some more then others.}
Kylo: So, I'm guessing you're hoarding a ton of valuable information—on politicians, on the First Order, even the Resistance. What's stopping anyone from prying all that right out of your processors?
Camera-bot: {I have over a 2 trillion intersected transmitters. I can bury the data so deep no one could ever find it, therefore it is impossible to force any information I choose not to release. Trying, however, might fry my 'brain' so to speak and I would prefer if that did not happen. That said, I have placed the integrity of my word over my well-being.}
Kylo: [shoots the camera a dead-eye stare] That sounds fake but okay.
[The Millennium Falcon drifts into the hangar bay. The interviewer is beside himself, prattling on about meeting the great Luke Skywalker. Rey shifts from foot to foot as the freighter gently settles onto the ground. Chewbacca is out of the ship first, sweeping Rey into bear hug and wailing in her face. R2-D2 trails after him, chirping excitedly and circling everyone's feet. Finally, Luke exits, looking tired and a little worn, but he still carries himself with the easy grace of a Jedi. He grasps Rey's shoulder, lightly touching his forehead with hers.]
Luke: [pulls away and smiles] I hope I find you well, Rey.
Rey: Yes, master. [she returns his smile] I'm guessing your mission was a success?
[Luke studies his apprentice. His smile turns sad but he nods and when he speaks, his tone is light.]
Luke: Yes, very well. I'll tell you all about it—
[The interviewer creeps into the camera's view. Slowly, Luke looks over at him, then at the camera.]
Luke: —in private.
Interviewer: [red-faced with a thick layer of upper lips sweat] M-Master Luke Skywalker, sir, it is an honor! [grabs Luke's hand and shakes it vigorously] I can't believe—sir, you have to let me interview you. I can't...This is a huge scoop for me. I need an entire expose on your life, your family, your secrets—everything! Full disclosure! This will—
Luke: Young man, [waves a hand in interviewer's face] you're not interested in me or my story.
Interviewer: [releases Luke's hand and straightens] I'm not interested in you or your story.
Luke: You will forget you ever saw me. In fact, you need to find General Organa and ask her a very important question.
Interviewer: [blinks slowly] I need to find General Organa and ask her a very important question.
Luke: Goodbye.
Interviewer: [voice flat] Goodbye.
[They watch the interviewer leave. Rey gives her master a look. Luke shrugs innocently.]
Rey: He won't find her. The General is off-planet. Some last minute business this morning—
Luke: I know.
Rey: [smirks] Really?
Luke: [taps his head] She's my sister. I'm a Jedi. [whispers] And I know everything.
Rey: [laughs softly] Of course, master.
Luke: Now, my young padawan, you must take us to the food. Chewie complained about how starved he was the entire trip and I'm afraid if I don't feed him right away, he'll eat my face.
Chewbacca: [grunts and growls] {Damn straight, I'll eat your face. I can't sustain this magnificent physique and beautiful, flowing locks on ration bars alone. Completely ridiculous! I'm a wookie, not a peasant.}
[R2-D2 whistles in agreement.]
Kylo: [looking equal parts miserable and thoughtful] I said...a lot of things last night. I don't remember all of it but I know it was [purses lips] personal. Private.
Camera-bot: [its lens flickers around the room] {Are you not worried about surveillance?}
Kylo: You mean, is my room bugged? [snorts] Of course, it is. But my mother was a spy and incredibly paranoid. First Order bugs are amateur hour compared to what that woman can do. They're either listening to me snore or whispering to my grandfather's helmet right now. [stares into the camera] I was talking about you.
Camera-bot: {Rest assured, what you told me was in the strictest confidence. I promise you, no one will know what you've disclosed to me.}
Kylo: [nods] Thank you. I...appreciate your discretion. I suspect I don't really need to threaten you accordingly?
Camera-bot: {No.}
Kylo: Good. [stands up unsteadily] Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go throw up. [frowns] A lot.
[General Hux is crawling around inside a large shelving unit in his quarters. He climbs out and stands up, hands on his hips. He looks exasperated.]
Hux: Where in the frickity frack did my 300 year old Alparas liqueur go?