asteroid field alongside them. The passengers sat in silence around the bridge, the awkward atmosphere hung over Finn and his captors."

Finn glanced around the room, analysing his captors' behavior. From what he gathered, Hux was the ringleader, and the apparent brains of the operation. But his ego diminished any admirability that he may have evoked. Phasma was the brute strength, yet she managed to maintain morals with her work. Ben was the pilot, but somehow had some connection to the force. When Finn had inquired if he was a jedi, the man snorted.

"I barely have a midichlorian count of 5,000," he said light heartedly. "I can only do a few tricks my uncle taught me."

Before Finn could inquire anymore, Hux sent them a warning glare, and the silence began. It made him angry that he couldn't find out any of their personal weaknesses. The only thing that could potentially be a strategic factor would be Hux's prone to yelling at the other two. That might be useful.

He had to bide his time, so he looked out to observe any easy escape routes. He saw nothing but miles of asteroids, save for a strange shiny dot. It wasn't a star. Stars don't move. He wasn't the only one to notice, as Ben glanced out the window, a look of indifference remained on his face. Even as he spoke out.

"Hux."

"Hmm?"

"When will we reach the planet?"

"By morning," Hux responded, then he looked at Ben and glared. "Stop looking out, there's no need."

"Making sure no one is following us."

Hux scoffed."That would be totally and utterly inconceivable."

Finn saw the opportunity to encourage the upcoming storm of frustration brewing in Hux, and scathed, "Despite what you think, you will be caught. And when you are, the prince will see you all hanged. "

Hux turned to Finn, rage painting his face a boiling red color, almost matching his hair. He took a deep breath before growling out

"Of all the necks on this boat, Highness, the one you should be worrying about is your own."

Finn tried to come up with a response, but that comment left him a bit of a loss for like he was better at containing his anger then he thought. He would just have to try harder.

'Or not,' he thought as Hux leaped out his seat, stormed over to Ben and hit him upside the head.

"Stop doing that! We can all relax, it's almost over!"

Ben turned to Hux, a hurt frown placed on his face, before asking, "You are sure nobody's follow us?
"As I told you, it would be absolutely, totally, and in all other ways, inconceivable! No one in Guilder knows what we've done, and no one in Florin could've gotten here so fast!" Hux breathed out before rounding back to his seat. He paused for a second before turning back to Ben."Out of curiosity, why do you ask?"

Ben shrugged. "Oh, it's nothing, suddenly, I just happen to look outside and something is there."
"What?"

Phasma and Hux rushed over to Ben's window, and searched out through the field. Finn took the opportunity to rush out of his seat and to the hanger. Quietly, he made his way to a small fighter jet, almost remnant of an old speedor. Apparently, the mic on the bridge was on, because he could here his soon-to-be-ex-captors arguing over the intercom. He pushed the button to open the hanger and rushed over to the craft. After igniting the engine, he placed his helmet on, and quickly flew out the hanger.

"Probably some local Starfisher out for a pleasure cruise at night... through a Rathtar infested asteroid field," Hux reasoned out loud, shivering at the last part.

Suddenly a red light flashed through the room. Hux looked over to the control board to see the hanger was open. He quickly turned to the bridge to see the prince was missing. Before his anxiety could reach an all time high, their speedor whizzed past them, and the prince was at the helm, heading towards the astro field. He turned to Ben, grabbed his shoulders, and shook him violently.

"Wha-wh- Go! Get after him!"
"That was our only speedor," Ben remarked sadly. Hux then turned to Phasma, who shook her head sadly.

"I left my extension rope in Starkiller"

Hux let out an exasperated scream, before yanking Ben by the collar and throwing him in the pilot seat, and turned off autopilot.

"VEER LEFT! LEFT! LEFT!"

Ben did so, staying clear of the asteroids as he stayed high above the field. The crew looked down to see Finn maneuvering through the belt of asteroids. He was suddenly stopped when a long tentacle emerged from inside the asteroid, blocking the speeder's path. Hux turned on the hologram, connecting to the hologram on the speedor. A blue light shone from the ship as the prince's distressed face appeared. A blood curdling shriek rang through the asteroid field, and Hux smirked.

"Do you know what that sound is, Highness?" He spoke to Finn, who looked terrified. "Those are the Shrieking Rathtars."

One tentacle slithered by the ship.

"If you don't believe me," Hux continued, malice etching his voice."Just wait! They always grow louder when they're about to feed on human flesh."

As if on cue, a Rathtar emerged from behind the asteroid, its suction cup tentacles floating in a menacing wave above the speedor.

" If you fly back now, I promise, no harm will come to you. I doubt you'll get such an offer from the Rathtars."

The Rathtar began to close in on the speedor, and Hux watched as a shadow loomed over the hologram of the prince, pure fear flooding his eyes as the shrieks of the carnivorous beast began to close in on him.

"He doesn't get eaten by the Rathtar at this time.

"What?"

"The Rathtar doesn't get her. I'm explaining to you because you look nervous. "

"I wasn't nervous!"

"...Truly?"

"Well...maybe I was a little bit concerned, but that's not the same thing.

"Because we can stop now if you want-."

"No! I.. I mean... you could read a little bit more, if you want. "

"Do you know what that sound is, Highness?Those are the shrieking Rathtars."

"We passed that, Noh Wan. You read it already."

"Oh, oh my goodness I did. I'm sorry. Beg your pardon. All right, all right. Let's see. He was in the water, the eel was coming after him, he was frightened, the eel started to charge him, and then-"

The Rathtar screeched as it was hit with a blast. Finn looked up to see the gun of the Falcon aimed in his general direction. Suddenly he felt the entire ship shift, as if something was pulling him towards the falcon. He looked to see the controls moving to their own accord, steering the speedor to the ship. Finn tried to set them right, but no matter what, the controls would not yield.

He discovered why soon enough as he was pulled into the hanger, and Ben's hand was extended as a look of painted concentration riddled his face.

"Put him down," Hux commanded."Just put him down."
Ben did so, and the ship collapsed. With uneasy breaths, he looked out the hanger and panted out, "I think... he's getting...closer."
Hux looked out as well, and frowned "He's no concern of ours. Let's fly on!"

Finn suddenly felt a tug at his arm as Hux pulled him to his feet. "I suppose you think you're brave, don't you?" He mocked, before pulling him to the bridge.

Finn did not look him in the eyes, but his hatred brewed as he spit out
"Only compared to some."

"Growing up on a planet that had only ever seen winter forests, D'Qar was a shocking sight. Had this not been the place where his captors were going to allegedly murder him, the lush planet would've been a most exotic sight. As they approached the large cliffs, their tail was gaining on them."

"He's right on top of us!" Ben cried out, but panic soon turned to curiosity. "I wonder if he's using the same engine we are using."

"Whoever he is, he's too late. SEE?"

Hux turned to the large cliffs. Far too jagged and uneven to land a ship, and far too steep for any man to scale. Many had tried, and it was their bones at the bottom that lay testament to the power of nature.

"THE CLIFFS OF INSANITY!"

Finn was lead off to the hanger, carried by Phasma, who offered an apologetic smile as she hauled him over her shoulders. Finn offered little resistance, he only winced as Hux yelled out commands as they docked the ship.

"HURRY UP! MOVE THE THING! AND THAT OTHER THING!MOVE IT!"

Suddenly the ship rumbled as it took ground. A moment later, Hux and Ben emerged.

"We're safe." Hux stated as he opened the hangar, revealing a harness and rope hanging from the cliffs. As Phasma carried Finn to said harness, he was overwhelmed by the monstrosity that was these cliffs.

"Only Phasma is strong enough to go up our way." Hux stated smugly, looking back at the oncoming x-wing jet. "He'll have to sail around for hours 'til he finds a space port."

When they were all strapped securely into the harness, Phasma began to climb. Finn was impressed that she managed to keep climb so fast, considering the amount of people she was carrying. He turned his attention downwards as the sound of a ship landing rang through the air. Below the x-wing had landed, and a figure emerged, from the looks of it, a man, dressed all in black. The man ran over and took hold of the rope, and began to climb.

"He's climbing the rope," Ben stared wide eyed as man came closer and closer. "And he's gaining on us."

"Inconceivable," Hux breathed, before turning to Phasma "FASTER!"

"This is as fast as I can go under these conditions."

"YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE THIS COLOSSUS, YOU WERE THIS GREAT LEGENDARY THING, AND YET HE GAINS! "

"Well, I'm carrying three people, and he's only has himself."

"I do not accept excuses. I'm just going to have to find myself a new giant, that's all."

Horror flooded Phasma's eyes. "Don't say that, Hux. Please?

"DID I MAKE IT CLEAR THAT YOUR JOB IS AT STAKE?"

Somehow, Phasma managed to climb faster, but the man in black quickly matched her pace. As they climbed higher and higher, impossibly high, they became more evenly matched. But the battle was soon over as Phasma hauled them all to the top. Quickly Hux pulled out pulled out a knife and cut the rope clean. It slithered down the edge, and they all awaited a scream or a thump.

But it never came.

Ben and Phasma walked over to the edge, and saw that the man in black was clinging to the edge of the cliff for dear life.

"He has a very good arms," Phasma remarked, clearly impressed.

"HE DIDN'T FALL?" Hux exclaimed, joining them in their observation. "INCONCEIVABLE!"

"You keep using that word," Ben observes, sounding a bit skeptical. "I'm ninety percent sure it doesn't mean what you think it means."

Unaware of the nasty look Hux gave him, Ben looked down to see the man in black attempting to place a foot on a rock above him.

"Kriff, He's climbing!"

Hux saw it too, and his expression turned cold.

"Whoever he is, he's obviously seen us with the prince and must therefore die. You," he pointed to Phasma. "Carry her. We'll head straight for the Rebel frontier. Catch up when he's dead. If he falls, fine. If not, the saber."

Ben stiffened, and grabbed the cold durasteel hilt hanging from his belt

"Hux, you know I can't-"

"Yes, you can. Less you want me to throw you at him and have youboth fall down the cliff."

Ben sighed before nodding. A beat later and he said

"I'll be using my left hand."

Hux groaned. "You know what a hurry we're in!"

"It is the only way I'll do it. I'm saving my right for you-know-who."

Hux shook his head. "Fine, but make it quick."

Phasma walked over to Ben and patted him on the shoulder."You be careful. People in masks cannot be trusted."

Ben rolled his eyes, but offered her a smile. "Like I don't know that already."

"I'M WAITING!

Phasma rounded back to Hux, and they departed with Finn, making their way to the Rebel frontier.

Ben looked at his saber, placing a gentle hand around the hilt. It felt cold, yet familiar in his grip, despite his tendency to avoid using it. He felt it thrum with the force, the mystic presence draping itself around the small weapon. Even someone as force insensitive as he was could feel it. It intimidated him, that's why he vowed only to use it when necessary. But it was either his vow or his job, and he was his father's son. Besides, it wasn't technically breaking his vow, he was using his left hand. He carefully shifted his saber hook to the right hip, and looked over the cliff.

"Hello there!" He called out, waving a bit. "Slow going?"

Hey, just because he was meant to kill him didn't mean he couldn't be civil. Besides, the poor sap was struggling a bit. He looked up a Ben, and his frown was barely visible.

"Look, I don't mean to be rude, but this is not as easy as it looks, so I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't distract me. "

Ben gave a nod of understanding and then offered a "Sorry."

"Thank you."

Ben waited a few minutes, but the man in black barely scaled a few feet. Tapping his gun holster impatiently, he called down

"I don't suppose you could speed things up?"

The man looked up, annoyance clearly displayed on his covered face.

"If you're in such a hurry, you could lower a rope or a tree branch or find something useful to do. "

Ben shrugged. "I could do that. I've got some rope up here, but I do not think you would accept my help, since I am only waiting around to kill you. "

"...That does put a damper on our relationship.

"But," Ben adds, offering a charming smile."I promise I will not kill you until you reach the top."

The man in black offers a smile of his own, but it seems more forced. "That's very comforting, but I'm afraid you'll just have to wait."

Ben sighed, turned around a scuffed the dirt like angry child.

"I hate waiting," he grumbled, before he Began to walk away, but turned and came back.

"I could give you my word as a Smuggler...? "

"No good," the man gritted out as he hoisted himself another foot. "I've known too many Smugglers. "

Ben sighed, before whining out, "So's there any way you'll trust me? "

"Nothing comes to mind."

Ben considered for a moment, before offering,

"I swear, on the soul of my father, Han Solo, you will reach the top alive. "

The man on black looks up, clearly exhausted, and panted out, "Throw me the rope."

Ben uncoiled part of the rope from the rock and tossed it over the edge. The man in black climbed to the top, surprisingly rejuvenated but sweaty as all hell, and smiled at him.

"Thank you," he said genuinely. He then looked at Ben's belt at his light saber and raised an eyebrow. You'll have to forgive me, Master Jedi-."

"I'm no Jedi."

"Oh," the man in black said, eyes widening a bit. "Then Master Si-."

" I'm not a Jedi or a Sith." Ben states. "My mitochondria count isn't high enough."

The man in black cocked his head. "Then why do you carry a light saber?"

"Light sabers can be activated by anyone. They can be used by anyone. Force users are the only ones that can construct them, though."

"Ah, I see," the man in black nodded. "But why?"

Silence rang through, until Ben spoke up, "Revenge."

"Do elaborate," the man in black encouraged.

"I will," Ben replied. "But first, can I ask you a question?"

The man in black shrugged in response, and Ben continued.

"Do you have a bowcaster shot scar in your abdomen?"

The man looked at him oddly, before lifting up his shirt, showing no such scar. He put it back in place, before asking, "Do you always ask people that question?"

"My father was slaughtered by a man with a bowcaster scar."

The man in black had a look of understanding in his eyes, and Ben reclined against the rocks.

"My family were all force sensitives. My grandfather, my mother, my uncle. I was expected to carry on that tradition. But when my midichlorian results came back... Well I was always closer to my father. He was a smuggler, the best around. I grew up in the copilot seat. Helping him on jobs were the greatest days of my life. Then the man with a bowcaster scar appeared and requested that an item be found. A rare lightsaber that had been lost after the fall of the Empire. One that was apparently still out there in the remains of the planet Death Star. My father took the job."

Ben took out the lightsaber, and handed it to the man in black.

"He slaved a year, searching high and low, near and far, using all his connections, before he finally found it."

The man's eyes light up, befor he said, his voice doing nothing tk conceal his awestruck, "I've never seen its equal." He returned the saber to Ben, who spun it around mid air, using the force, while he continued his story.

"The man with the bowcaster scar returned and demanded it, but at one-tenth his promised price. My father refused. Without a word, the six fingered man slashed him through the heart." With that, Ben caught the lightsaber, and sheathed it back into his belt. "I loved my father, so naturally I challenged his murderer to a duel. I failed. The scared man left me alive. But he gave me this."

He tapped the scar running down his face. The man in black nodded.

"How old were you?"

"I was eleven years old," Ben said solemnly. He straightened up and adjusted his belt a bit, before crossing his arms, a dangerous smirk began to crawl on his face.

"When I was-a strong enough, I dedicated my life to the study of lightsaber dueling, so the next time we meet, I will not fail. I will go up to the bowcaster scared man and say, "Hello. My name is Benjamin Solo. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

The man in black looked at him oddly. "You've done nothing but study lightsaber duels? Why not become a jedi? You can move objects."

Ben shrugged. "I did learn some jedi tricks from my uncle, but moving objects and people isn't a big body is easy. Now mind control?Force Bounds? Communicating with force ghosts? That's the advanced portions. I never was good at sitting still long enough to meditate. I focused more on studying lightsabers and force moving things...well more a pursuit than a study, lately. You see, I cannot find him. It has been twenty years now and I am starting to lose confidence. I just work for Hux to pay the bills. It's not a lot of money in revenge."

"Well," the man in black started as the rose, and reached for his pouch. "I certainly hope you find him someday."

Ben reaches out his hands. "Wait, you don't have to use your blaster."

The masked man looks sceptical, so Ben reached into his own pouch and pulled out another saber.

"I keep an extra, just in case."

The man in black blinked a bit, before blurting out "I don't know how to use that."

Been gave him a reassuring smile. "Well, this will be the perfect opportunity to learn!"

The man in black hesitantly took the saber, and held it tight in his grip. Ben unhooked his from his belt, and activated it, the blue glow of the saber illuminating his face. The man in black activated his, which was an odd purplish color.

"Neve seen a saber glow that color," the man in black commented.

"Meh, stole it from some old jedi temple remains, I think it was that sight that all those jedi younglings were killed .

"Ah."

"So, are you ready?"

The man in black shrugged "As I'll ever be. Besides, whether I am or not, you've been more than fair."

Ben gave him a sad smile. "You seem a decent fellow. I hate to kill you."

The man returned the smile. "You seem a decent fellow. I hate to die."

Both men drew their sabers,buzzing with energy as they began to come in contact with another. Ben's smile turned dangerous.

"Begin."