Rey sat cross-legged on her bed, each breath in and out was deep as they pulsed with the pull of the Force around her. The ever-present thrum was a constant that the young woman had come to rely on these past few months, to keep her steady and calm. It was thing that she had grasped onto, even as everything around her had changed. It was easy to say that Rey loved the peace she found in the simple meditation of the Force, and she was intensely grateful that this, at least, came easy to her.
However today, she tread more cautiously than before. Something had happened the last time she had ventured into the Force, something that Rey couldn't quite explain. She'd had a vision, as chaotic and confusing as the first time she had touched Luke's lightsaber. To be honest she was still trying to make sense of the things and places she'd seen. Unlike the first vision, which had come into more focus after she'd been captured by Kylo Ren, Rey still had no reference for the mangle of images that had been shown to her. More importantly, when Rey had been in the vision, it hadn't been like the first time, where she had been a bystander, watching the scenes play out before her. This time it had been like- like she had truly been there, living the past as if it was her own, which only had confused Rey more, because she was certain that she'd never set foot on a planet made of fire and magma, or been in front of a parade in a city more beautiful than anything she could have ever imagined.
Rey was quite certain she'd remember something like that.
The whole thing had left Rey's head feeling so heavy with the oddest feelings that she'd been scolded by Luke the next day when she had failed to properly replicate her master's teachings. But even when Master Luke has asked what was wrong, Rey had been hesitant to share with Master Luke as to exactly why she was so distracted. Something about the entire affair had felt private. It had been an odd feeling at first, because Rey had never before felt as though she needed to hide much of anything from her Master. It had been part of the agreement between her and Luke, that she would be honest with him, and that in turn he would train her.
Rey understood why Luke had wanted it this way, had even needed it to be this way, from what she had known of his past, how his past apprentice had betrayed him. She had understood even more when Luke had told her more of Kylo Ren's past, when he had been known only as Ben Solo. She had been surprised to learn of Larissa Solo's existence, and that she had also trained with Luke. When Rey had originally asked of her, Luke had only said that she had had great potential, but had disappeared after Ben Solo's betrayal. Rey had wanted to press for more, like why no one, especially General Organa, never mentioned her, or why Luke had not tried to find her. But something deep inside her, the part that had woken the first moment she'd used the Force, had stalled the questions on her tongue, as if warning her now was not the time to ask.
Still, Larissa Solo had touched at her curiosity, appearing in her thoughts at the oddest of times, like when Rey had been in the middle of practicing her lightsaber forms, or when she had been reading one of the many volumes lain about Luke's dwelling of connected caverns. Rey had often wondered if Larissa had read these words, if she had found them as confusing and intriguing as she had. But of course, Rey knew better than to voice her odd musings to Luke, because they were just that- odd musings that crossed her mind.
And so in everything else, Rey was honest with Luke, and she strived to be a worthy apprentice to Luke Skywalker, because she wanted Luke to be proud of her, especially when Han Solo had thought so highly of him. Rey was diligent in her studies. She took in every word of her Master's, and took the small times when she was free of her training to contact her only friends, and it was those contacts that kept her abreast of the world outside the small, green island on which she trained. At first, Rey had thought that Master Luke would make her stay there until he was satisfied with her training. But that had not been in the case. Instead, after a few short weeks, they had used the Falcon to travel far and wide, returning on occasion to both the Resistance and the small island Luke had called home. Rey was grateful, because it seemed that Luke understood her desperate fear of being tied to place, like she had been on Jakku, and had taken steps to make certain she would never feel that again. Rey had been, and still was, grateful for his efforts, and it made her work even harder on her training.
The only thing that Rey had disagreed with her Master on was Luke's insistence that they not fight in battles of any kind, that they should remain neutral. It had infuriated Rey that she had to stay behind, with all this new power, while her Resistance friends, Poe Dameron and a newly healed Finn, fought the First Order on the front lines. When Rey had asked if that included Kylo Ren and the mysterious Supreme Leader, it had made Rey feel a bit better that Master Luke had agreed, that at some point, it would be necessary to battle them, though he'd made it clear that he didn't think that they would encounter either for some time.
When Luke had told her that they were to accompany the Resistance to the the base of a new rebel clan, where Larissa had been found, miraculously alive and fighting against the First Order, Rey had been quite excited. Not only would she get to meet Larissa Solo, but if she was as powerful as Master Luke had hinted, then perhaps, together they could convince Luke to stand more firm against the First Order as a whole, and the two Sith at the heart of it. Those hopes, however, had been dashed on that disastrous day, the entire affair leaving a bad taste in Rey's mouth as she had seen a side of her Master that Rey still found- odd. Even in the several months since the quick, frenzied battle, she had still not gotten a straight answer from Luke about what had exactly happened in that decrepit hanger.
It had also only been after that time, did Rey realize that even though she had promised honesty, Luke had not done the same. He had promised to train Rey, and Rey had trusted that, in turn, he would be honest with her as being a Master should have required. But clearly Master Luke thought that she still didn't need to know about why, almost inexplicably, Larissa Solo had seemed to hate Luke Skywalker. This left Rey in a troubling position. She could not go against her Master Luke, to whom she did feel she owed so much, but at the same time, those odd musings still remained, and continued to prick at Rey's consciousness, a constant reminder that she still knew so little about the Skywalker family.
Which was why Rey had reached out to Kallen Kozuki in the hopes of learning something, anything that could help her. As Rey sat on the bed, she considered again how the vision had come just mere days after Rey had voiced her own need for help, outside of her Master's realm of influence. Maybe, the Force had tried to answer her in kind. The vision though, had been less than helpful, and Rey forced to breath deeply again to calm her annoyed feelings. This was just like a machine, and even though the all the parts didn't quite fit, Rey knew her only recourse was continuing searching for the right information, like she hadn't the forgotten vessels for hours, until she found the right piece that would make everything work like it should. Rey was certain of one thing, however, and that was that she'd been shown these things for a reason, and that Master Luke hadn't been meant to see them.
Even still, Rey was more careful whenever she meditated deep into the Force, so she wouldn't have to see anything more without being prepared for the consequences. As she took another deep breath, Rey felt a presence wander into her realm of consciousness, but before she could determine the presences identity and intent, a knock came from her door. Rey sighed and uncrossed her legs, deciding it was better to just let person in than to dig unnecessarily in their mind.
"Come in," she called out. The door slide open with a small hiss, and Rey was surprised to see Kallen stepping in quickly, looking nervous. "Kallen," Rey said, slipping off her bed to stand and greet the woman. "What can I do for you?"
"I've thought about what you said," Kallen said slowly, "and I think you're right. You're probably going to get to Larissa before I do, and as I much as I think she needs a serious ass-kicking for the shit-show she's started, I don't think she deserves to die, not after all she's been through. Maybe you can help her, maybe you can't, but I know I'd never forgive myself if at least I didn't try to help."
Rey smiled encouragingly, and she thanked whatever or whoever had convinced Kallen to come. "I don't know if I'll be able to either, but I'd like try."
Kallen nodded, her red hair bobbing with the motion. "Okay. What do you want to know?"
Rey and Kallen spent hours talking. At first it was awkward. Neither really knew what to say and the last thing Rey wanted was was for Kallen get riled and leave, because she knew that Kallen was the only link she had to the daughter of Han Solo, and Rey could sense was very close to what she needed to explaining everything that had been bugging Rey for the past several months. At first Kallen talked about Aurora Canan, the alias that Larissa had assumed when she had no memories of her previous life. Kallen seemed to be able to speak of the those years easier, because of her extraordinary dislike for Britannians, and her powerful loyalty to the cause she fought for: the complete freedom of her people, and the destruction of the Britannian System. After a while though, the two eased into an unspoken agreement Rey would ask only clarifying questions, and Kallen would decide what stories she would share.
"I remember the first time I saw her in person," Kallen said quietly. "She asked for Zero. I'm still not sure how she managed to get a message to one of our undercover members, but Zero was impressed at her conviction. If anyone sympathetic to Britannia had gotten their hands on that message, she would've been charged with treason and executed." Kallen paused then, as if the very thought of that, even now, made her a little ill. After taking a quick breath, she continued.
"When I saw her, I had to admit I was- really suspicious as first, even after she said she wasn't really Britannian. It just seemed too ridiculous to believe that someone had just dropped her here and managed to convince a wealthy Britannian noble to take her in as their own. The idea was absolutely insane." Something pricked at Rey's annoyance then, but she chose to ignore it as Kallen continued on. "But after a while, when the information we started getting from her was not only credible, but also keeping us ahead of Britannia in ways we hadn't before, people really started to trust her."
"But not you," Rey hedged quietly.
"Trusting a Britannian is a great way to get yourself killed," Kallen muttered, almost as if she couldn't help herself, before she seemed to realize she'd gotten off-topic "I also don't convince easily," Kallen said a bit lamely, before quickly continuing on, "but, it was during our second time in the Chin Federation when something changed. During a fight, I got hit by an enemy knightmare frame and I was nabbed by some Chin looking to make a deal with the Britannians." Kallen paled a little, and Rey didn't the Force to tell how unpleasant the experience had been for other woman. "I thought I was goner for sure, but Larissa helped me escape before they could transfer me into Britannian custody. I still don't know how she managed it, but Larissa gave me enough of a window that while Zero was busy decimating the Britannian forces with his new knightmare, I got the hell out of their with my knightmare. I guess that's when I really started trusting her, y'know? I mean, she'd never even met me, and still she risked everything just make sure I was safe. She put herself above others, always, even at the risk of her own life."
Rey nodded, because it was what she had expected her to be like. Kallen was a hard woman to crack, and Rey doubted Larissa could have garnered Kallen's loyalty with anything less than a selfless heart. The more Rey heard, the more she was sure that Larissa Solo and Aurora Canan had both carried heavy burdens, ones that had required them to sacrifice much for others safety. But Rey still didn't understand how those burdens could have caused so much torment that she would turn against the very core of her beliefs, and betray those she had protected. There was something she was missing, of that Rey was certain, but she was certain that the only person who could tell her the truth was the one person Rey was unable to reach. Rey still wasn't about to let Kallen go, not now that she had the woman talking.
Rey opened her mouth to ask another question when the small tablet next to Kallen lit up. She picked it up and scanned the note, but Rey was surprised when she suddenly rocketed off the bed, her entire frame vibrating with so much excitement, it didn't take much for Rey to be nearly overwhelmed with the feeling.
"We gotta get to the control room," She said quickly, pulling Rey up along with her.
"We?" Rey asked, trying to decide if she was more amused or annoyed that she was again getting pulled along by her arm with no idea as to why.
Kallen glanced back at her with an odd look on her face. "You're not going to want to miss this."
When the door opened into the enormous control room, there was no person who wasn't moving as if a sandstorm was following them. Kallen immediately grabbed Rey's wrist again and guided her through the bustling storm to the center of the control room where Leia stood with several Resistance generals and Black Knights generals, the masked Zero at the helm. As soon as they were clear to the table, Kallen let go of Rey's hand, turning to an older man. It took a moment to remember the elder man's name. Tohdoh, her mind supplied helpfully as she leaned in to listen in on their words.
"I saw the alert, what's going on with the Order?" Kallen asked.
"They're attacking the Castia cluster," Tohdoh said, Rey noted he didn't seem too upset by it.
"Isn't that bad?" Kallen hissed.
Tohdoh's mouth curled into a small smile. "No. They're getting beaten back." Kallen looked practically gobsmacked, and Rey was feeling the same. She turned to General Organa, questions already on her lips, but the elder woman was already speaking, as if knowing what she was going to ask.
"Our spies got word one of the governments within the Castia cluster had aligned themselves with the First Order. We were able to alert the other governments in time that they were ready for the coup. With Zero's help we have a real chance of taking back the system."
"But how did we manage to get the information?" Rey asked.
"That's what we're trying to figure out," Leia murmured, her face looking troubled. Rey turned to the large table, Kallen next to her.
"How did we get alerted?" Kallen asked the larger group.
"The First Order started moving large amounts of troops into the cluster. It wasn't hard to guess who might be the target after that," Li answered, glancing between his tablet and the larger holo recorder in the middle of the large table.
"That's downright sloppy, doesn't sound like Larissa at all," Kallen huffed.
"Maybe we just got lucky," Lieutenant Connix interjected gruffly.
"Kallen is right, Larissa wasn't in charge of the final assault," Zero murmured, and even in the commotion surrounding Rey could he knew something.
"How can you be certain?" Rey asked, not able to help the instinct telling her to ask the query. The masked man turned his gaze to her then, answering her directly.
"Because we have received word that General Hux is personally leading this assault. Even if Larissa had determined that a full assault was necessary, she would never have given away leading the assault. Unless, of course, she was no longer in charge of the mission."
"But why would they take her off?" Kallen demanded. "I'd hate to sound pessimistic but she's been kicking our asses pretty thoroughly. Why would they re-assign when she's clearly been doing so well?"
"The Supreme Leader must have determined there was a more important mission that required Larissa's skills," Zero replied, sitting back, "and while that is troubling, what is more troubling that the First Order has made a mistake, and now they are less predictable because we aren't certain how it occurred."
"Well," Finn's reluctant voice carried from the other side of Leia, "I don't know much about Larissa, but I do know that Kylo Ren and General Hux hated each other. We weren't supposed to talk about it, but Hux pretty obviously thought that Kylo Ren didn't deserve the position he'd been given. I'd bet a lot that Hux feels the same about Larissa. When she got reassigned, Hux probably thought that this was an opportunity to prove to the Supreme Leader that he was better than them."
"And in the process has lost them a territory," Zero said thoughtfully. "Thank you Finn for the insight. That could solves one of our queries. As for the second, do you know if any outstanding mission that would be more important than expanding the First Order's reach?"
Finn shrugged, looking uncomfortable. "The only one I knew of was finding Luke Skywalker before the Resistance, but that one's kind of moot now."
"I see," Zero said neutrally, but Rey could sense a bit of frustration in his rigid form. Obviously it was not the answer that Zero had wanted to hear. "That is our priority, then, to find Larissa's new mission before she can undo the damage done by Hux." He looked aside to Li. "Please insure the Black Knights continue to provide assistance to the Castia Cluster. We must make sure to bolster their defenses before the First Order can return with reinforcements." He turned back to the rest of the group. "We cannot let Castia Cluster fall."
"I believe I may know Larissa's mission," a familiar, quiet voice murmured from behind Rey. She turned around to see her master, standing just outside the control room. "If I may enter?" Everyone looked to Zero then, and he considered Rey's master for a moment before leaning forward, his gloved hands tapping twice in quick succession, before nodding slightly. The invisible barrier was released and Luke stepped through, weaving his way to the center of the room.
"Well," Zero asked swiftly. "What do you believe is Larissa's assignment?"
"I believe that the Supreme Leader has instructed Larissa to locate the First Jedi Temple." Rey looked up in surprise. That was the very thing that Luke had been searching for over ten years ago when he'd disappeared.
And another thing he hasn't spoken to me about, Rey thought, before she quickly banished the thought. She trusted her Master.
"Why would the Supreme Leader risk such a promising asset as Larissa to look for a an old building?" Zero's commander, Li asked cooly from next to Zero.
"The First Jedi Temple is said to hold knowledge containing powerful secrets of the Force, lost since the the time of the First Republic," Luke replied. "Gaining those secrets would not only bolster the First Order, but also make both Larissa and Kylo Ren more powerful than before." He turned to Li more specifically. "And as to your first question of why Larissa was chosen, I taught her for many years, and I have no doubt with the right information, she'll be able to locate the temple within a matter of weeks."
"Of that I have no doubt," Zero said grimly. "Tell me, Master Skywalker, did you ever manage to locate the temple?"
"No," Luke replied. "I was never able to discover it's location." There was a breath of disappointment around the table. "However, I did keep detailed records of the information I'd gathered. I would be happy to retrieve them for you if you wish."
"That would be most helpful," Leia suddenly said, her voice grateful. "Please take whatever ship you need to retrieve them."
Luke inclined his head to his sister and then glanced at Rey, motioning for her to follow. Rey gave Kallen a warm smile, before turning away and following after her master. She managed to catch up to him just outside the hall.
"Are we going to retrieve the information master?" Rey asked, hopeful that they would finally be able to do something useful, something that might get them closer to finding Larissa.
"No," Luke said firmly, "There is no need. I already know where the temple is." Rey nearly tripped then surprise, her eyes wide.
"Master, if you know where the temple is, why don't you tell them?" Rey managed not to shout, but she couldn't help the hint of anger in her words.
"Because I don't trust these people," Luke replied firmly. "There are things about the temple- secrets you do not know. As Jedi we cannot- we will not allow those secrets to fall to the hands of outsiders."
"But with their help we could defend the temple," Rey insisted, "perhaps even capture Larissa-"
"No," Luke repeated, and his voice was so harsh it stopped Rey's protests in her throat, "We must insure the temple remains buried." He put his hands on Rey's shoulders, looking her deep into her eyes. "You must promise me not to tell those people what you know."
Rey didn't want to. It felt like she was betraying her friends, and her newly found camaraderie with Kallen. It felt wrong to hide this crucial piece of information from the very people Rey knew could help them. But as she looked at Luke, there was a part of her that insisted that she couldn't betray Luke, she had to trust him. "Alright," She finally agreed. "What are you going to do now?"
"I have already destroyed one archive that has the location, now. I must locate the other archive so that no matter where Larissa searches, she won't find it."
Luke kept his eyes on her, and only let go of her arms when she began nodding in reluctant agreement. "Is there anything I can do?"
"Tell me if you receive any word of Larissa's progress," Luke replied. "She must not be allowed to take the temple under any circumstances."
"I will," Rey promised, and Luke nodded then, glancing away from her, seemingly swayed by her answer.
Before he left, though, he touched her shoulder, and whispered softly, "May the Force be with you, Rey."
"May the Force be with you as well Master," Rey intoned back, and her careful expression remained until her master was long gone from her ability to sense him. The feeling of trust vanished as quickly as it had come, and as Rey's mind settled, she was certain that Luke, for all of his wisdom, was wrong about this. This couldn't be the only way, Rey was certain. Rey may agree that telling everyone the truth was not a good idea, but she did know of two people she trusted beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Without hesitation, Rey turned around and ran back to the control room. She got lucky, both Finn and Poe were walking out just as she turned the corner, her heart racing. She grabbed them by the shoulders and pulled them into an empty corridor.
"Hey Rey," Poe said brightly, but his expression changed when he took in her palpable intensity. "What's wrong?" he asked, lowering his voice while Finn looked equally concerned.
"Nothing yet," Rey said honestly, "But there will be if we do nothing. I need to tell you something, and you have to promise not to tell anyone- at least not yet." They looked at each other, and they both seemed to agree on something before turning back to Rey.
"What do you need, Rey?" Finn asked, and his smile gave Rey hope, that maybe, just maybe, they might be able to pull off another miracle together.
