Reference to the Darth Vader comics in here. Thanks for all the feedback, kudos, comments, and support.
The Executor
Darth Vader left the suite of Kylo Ren and entered the bridge to check on the latest developments in the pursuit of the Millennium Falcon. The Executor was expected to arrive outside Bespin's orbit very soon and Boba Fett had already sent word that he would be waiting for them. He had traced the trajectory of the Millennium Falcon as arriving in a couple of days at it's current course. Vader was able to pacify the Emperor concluding a few of his other duties in the meantime. The Emperor was growing impatient with Vader's obsession of locating Skywalker. Though the Emperor himself had wished for him to be found as well as his existence was a threat, Darth Vader wasn't sure he really wanted to bring Skywalker to the Emperor. Darth Vader knew that he would be slated to take his place, or die if he did not. The Emperor would never get anyone as powerful as Darth Vader, and though Vader was loathe to admit it, he was the Emperor's slave and was bound to him. He also believed it was the Emperor who was keeping him alive. He'd need to figure out a way to survive in another way. A different suit perhaps? We're they bound by some connection that would keep Vader from surviving his death? Vader's injuries from Mustafar, given to him by Obi-Wan Kenobi, and the way the Emperor had revived him made him wonder about this. Still, some part of him felt something about Skywalker being his son and he wasn't sure that he wanted him to be the Emperor's slave. Even if he himself would never be free of Darth Sidious.
Then there was this mysterious descendant who had arrived from the future. He at first had his doubts that this man was who he said he was. He certainly believed he was telling the truth. Kylo Ren would grow tired and irritated by Darth Vader's questions. He could understand that. He sensed some kind of pain from the man, as if his own past haunted him in the way that Vader's did. He seemed to know a few details about Cloud City and what happened there, but he was hiding something from him. Something important to Kylo Ren and possibly his existence. Vader started getting the impression that this Kylo Ren wasn't from that far into the future, perhaps only a couple of generations at that, and he was not the grandson of Skywalker. He even reminded him a little bit of his former self a bit. It frustrated Darth Vader that Kylo Ren would not answer the question if there were twins. It was the fact that he would neither confirm or deny it, and his own anxiousness about the question. What made Darth Vader even think that was a possibility? It could just be that this Kylo Ren harbored some resentment towards Skywalker, and that he actually did know him. He stated his mother was also a descendant. The daughter of Luke Skywalker perhaps? He did refer to Vader as grandfather at one point, stating that he would often talk to him either through the Force, or just as an illusion, and used it as a sign of respect, he being his descendant. Darth Vader sensed something more. He regretted that the mortician from Naboo had been killed after admitting that Padmé had a son. He was never asked if she had twins. Darth Vader searched his memories and remembered believing that the baby who had kicked him when he felt her belly had been a girl. Did he have a daughter as well out there? Or another son? How could he know now? Would Luke know? He got the impression that Luke had no idea that he, Darth Vader, had once been Anakin Skywalker, and what information he had gotten had pointed that Luke had been raised alone.
There was that Force user Jedi in training who would have been around the same age as Luke, Ezra Bridger. They were probably born around the same time, but Ezra Bridger appeared to be completely different in coloring and looks that he could not possibly be his son. It was pretty well established who Bridger's biological parents had been. Did he, Darth Vader, have another child out there in hiding? Or was Kylo Ren a descendant of Luke Skywalker as he originally thought?
Arkanis
General Hux had gotten word that Phasma had arrived and was being treated privately in her quarters by droid. He always found Phasma to be a useful ally in the past and he was glad that she was back on the Finalizer. If she was up to it, he would have her come down to Arkanis for the final day of the conference. Ren's state was puzzling, and even more puzzling was his behavior when Hux had that spontaneous will to end Ren's life. The truth was, he wanted to, very badly. He never liked the man and he wasn't sure how committed to the values and ambitions that he himself had in regards to the First Order. He was sure that Ren would one day be his downfall. He could be quite frightening, but he didn't have the loyalty of the troops. While in this strange and often weakened state, it might be possible he could take Ren with Phasma's help. She could act even as an alibi. They both, Hux and Ren, did win the public's favor in this public relations trip to Arkanis, and Ren had planned a tour of the galaxy. Hux was confident enough that he could somehow forge a plan to end Ren once and for all and still come out making it appear to be self defense or accidental.
He arrived at the governor's dinner, offered an excuse for Ren then took his seat where Supreme Leader Ren was expected to sit in his place. As soon as he arrived, he saw Maratelle Hux making a beeline for him in the corner of his eye as he was speaking to a dignitary from Kuat who was inquiring about recruiting labor from other systems. She stood there as if she were spying or waiting her turn to speak. Hux pretended she wasn't there, until the dignitary, who Hux never bothered to even remember the name or exactly what he wanted because frankly he didn't care, left and returned to his seat.
"Armitage, I hope I'm not intruding, but I did want to thank you for allowing me to come," Maratelle said patting his arm. "It is so wonderful to see you again."
Hux turned around, took an annoyed deep breath and sighed, "Yes, yes. Certainly. I hope you enjoy yourself."
Hux couldn't help but wonder if Maratelle wanted something from him. She wasn't his mother, even if she told the Starver that, and the hotel manager, and whoever might ask. What he did remember was that she was generally aloof except for when it suited her, showing off to her other well off society friends how wonderful she was to take in her husband's son as her own, or when she was particularly bored and wanted him as a play thing to entertain herself. She was never particularly cruel to him, but she never defended him in front of his father. Perhaps she too was a victim to his cruelty. He always thought any kindness she gave him was more of pity. She stated she didn't want anything from him now, but didn't everyone have some agenda? After all, here she was seeking him out specifically as soon as he got here to the dinner.
Maratelle hovered a bit as others came to shake hands, often smiling and nodding as they came by. Many of them speaking to her as well, laughing and smiling as if they were old friends. Hux, of course, took it only as a sign of what he suspected, Maratelle was using him.
It was when the governor arrived things became even more clearer, Maratelle wasn't using him at all. The governor completely ignored Hux for a moment and went straight for Maratelle, hugging and kissing her cheek. She smiled and patted him on the back.
"Ah, Maratelle Hux, so glad you could make it. Here have a seat next to me. Of course, you would know Maratelle, wouldn't you, General Hux. Maratelle is one of Arkanis greatest treasures. Her philanthropy and advocacy throughout the planet has touched every child who lives on the planet," the governor spoke admiringly.
Hux took his seat on the other side of the governor and groaned. Great, he thought, his stepmother is well regarded saint. He begrudgingly groaned, "How wonderful of you."
Throughout the dinner, Hux would try to get a few bites in between various individuals wanting to get in their specific wants or needs, a father or a mother who wanted to introduce his eligible daughter often with the daughter giggling, people who just wanted to meet him in person, and everything else in between. Basically it was a personal hell and Hux could not wait until it was cleared for him to excuse himself, leaving any other duties to Starver, who was sitting nearby, to handle. Hux then retired to his room.
He contacted Lieutenant Mitaka on the Finalizer by holo, insisting on checking in on his cat and then on Phasma. When he learned that Phasma was doing well, he contacted her directly.
"General Hux," Phasma answered. It was hard to tell her condition, but it seemed she had filled in part of her helmet with some plastoid as a temporary fix.
"Phasma, I hope you are well. I'm so pleased to see you've arrived on the Finalizer. Are you up to returning to work, or do you need a respite before returning to your duties," Hux asked stiffly.
Phasma replied, "Sir, that would depend on what it is you require. With all due respect. I would be happy to do whatever you ask on the Finalizer, but I'd not like to go on a mission anytime soon."
"What about coming planetside, Phasma? I could use your help down here? Would you be up to it? Perhaps first thing in the morning?" Hux asked looking into the holo.
"I believe I could do that," Phasma answered.
"Good, meet me for breakfast in my suite, have Mitaka arrange for a shuttle," Hux replied. "I have a number of things to discuss with you. I'll have the details all arranged for you."
"Very well, sir," Phasma answered. "Will the Supreme Leader be joining us?"
"No, it will just be you and I. We have a great deal to go over," Hux gritted his teeth then gave her a telling glare. "The Supreme Leader will not be involved, not directly this time."
Phasma nodded, "Understood, sir." The holo faded out.
Hux stood up and walked towards the door. He thought for a moment then made his way to Kylo Ren's room. The two stormtroopers were standing outside. Hux asked,"Do you have anything to report?"
"No, sir," the two answered.
"Very well, I need to speak to the Supreme Leader," Hux said as he went into the room.
Kylo Ren was still laying unresponsive on his bed. A medical droid was attending to his care.
"Has there been any change?" Hux asked in an annoyed tone.
"None, sir, his heart rate is still quite rapid. His eye activity changes from time to time," the droid responded.
Hux kicked the chair. He'd dismiss the medical droid for now. Perhaps after breakfast with Phasma, they would drop in again.
Hidden Resistance Base
It was just after the hottest part of the day, when break time was over and everyone was getting back to work, that Rey took it upon herself to find one of the smaller ships and make a break for it. She knew what ship she would take. It was the smallest of the ships, and she had her bag filled already. It was just a matter of getting there without being seen or discovered before she was able to get the ship off the ground. She had her bag, carrying in such a way to make it look like she was just transferring some materials across the base by placing her bag inside a small crate.
"Hey Rey!" someone she barely knew waved and stopped to share some pleasantries.
She smiled and nodded, "Kind of in a hurry, they need these with the flight crew straight away," she smiled.
She noticed Rose giving her a stare, and wondered if Finn had mentioned anything about her going. She didn't think she would, but she imagined that Rose knew that there was probably no chance she would be transferring anything to the flight crew.
"Hi, Rey, looks like you're working hard," Rose said coming up to her suspiciously.
"Not really, just bringing some parts from Chewie over to some of the pilots. How are you feeling, Rose? Didn't see you on the Falcon this afternoon," Rey said just to make conversation.
"I was in the cave swimming today. It was just too hot. You should have joined us!" Rose said smiling and looking at Rey's crate.
Chewie was coming towards them in the distance, roaring a greeting.
"Hey Chewie! We were just talking about you, Rey was taking your stuff to the pilots," Rose said with a smile arms crossed around her chest.
Chewie roars and tilts his head.
"You remember, Chewie, right?" Rey elbowed him.
Chewie roared something that only Rey understood, and he got the gist to go along with it. He would talk to Rey later.
"Well, gotta go, take care Rey!" Rose said as she walked away back to her own work.
Rey spoke under her teeth, "Always into everyone else's business."
Chewie roared.
"Yes, of course you didn't. Chewie, it's something I need to do," Rey said as she ducked into an area that was hidden, behind some tents.
Chewie roared.
Rey whispered, "I have to leave for a bit. I'll be back. Don't worry. I'll explain later."
Chewie roared again, obviously upset.
"I can't. I can't tell you. And no, you shouldn't come. I'll be alright," Rey whispered and gave him a hug.
Chewie purred and rubbed her head.
Rey, after heading back and trying it again without being bothered, found the empty spacecraft and climbed aboard. She knew that they would notice she had taken off, and hoped that there were no scouts in the sky. Of course, there were. They called out to her, but she was in hyperspace before anyone could catch up with her. She hoped that Finn and Chewie could explain her departure. Finn knew more of course.
Once in hyperspace, she found a small cot off to the side. She sat and meditated.
Cloud City
Kylo Ren was riding in a shuttle with Lieutenant Trave and four stormtroopers. It wasn't his choice. When Trave came to his quarters, he hadn't even seen who he knew as Lieutenant Ben Antilles since he first arrived on the Executor. His orders were just to retrieve Antilles and arrive with the stormtroopers. Darth Vader himself had already been there with another crew, and Trave had his orders for their team once they arrived on Cloud City. Kylo Ren was far from happy about the situation. He really didn't want to meet anyone from his future in the past, for one, but he did think of it as a way to get away from the Executor, and once he got the chance, he would attempt escape.
Darth Vader and a small entourage had already gone to the city to meet with it's baron administrator and set a plan in motion. The ship they had chased after the Battle of Hoth had finally docked on a berth expecting repairs, and the baron administrator was already at work to make them happy and make the rebel friends of Skywalker want to stay there unaware of the danger ahead. Trave, Kylo Ren and company were to await orders once they had arrived. Kylo Ren really didn't understand why Darth Vader wanted him here, other than to confirm whatever he sensed or felt. They were to report in a detention facility that Darth Vader wanted to prepare for his unsuspecting guests. Once they got there to a berth on the other side of the city, an escort was waiting to take them to the facility. He stood there alone as they departed from the ship.
"Lieutenent Sheckil, I didn't realize we'd be meeting you here," Trave said smiling as if he knew the man.
"Trave. And you are?" Sheckil spoke looking in Kylo Ren's direction.
"This is Lieutenant Ben Antilles, Sheckil. He's relatively new," Trave answered realizing Sheckil probably wouldn't know him.
"If you gentlemen will follow me," He spoke then waved for the stormtroopers to follow.
Kylo Ren had visited Cloud City before, years later of course, but he had never seen this part of the city. They were taking some maintenance corridors and were going through parts where workers for the mining facilities would do their work, rather than the more glamorous parts of the city. He imagined it was so they wouldn't be detected. It seemed odd to him though if the Empire was so powerful, why would they feel they needed to hide? As not to scare away Skywalker? It seemed that the Falcon had already arrived here. Kylo Ren did feel strange that he could feel the presence of his parents and Chewbacca, but it felt a bit stranger than he remembered. Perhaps it was their youth, or the presence of Darth Vader. Or maybe just the fact he wasn't exactly himself here either. Once they got to their destination, Lieutenant Sheckil opened the door and showed the officers in, directing the stormtroopers to another location.
"What is this thing?" Trave said looking at what looked like some kind of mining equipment.
Kylo Ren had a good look at it and had no idea what it was then shook his head. Lieutenant Sheckil came back to the room after telling the stormtroopers where they should head and then spoke, " Lord Vader took a tour of the facility and had this device brought here. It's some kind of machine that analyzes minerals by electrical current."
"Whatever would he need that for?" Trave asked looking it over. "Is Lord Vader planning on taking over this facility?"
Kylo Ren turned it on without Trave or Sheckil looking. It started to spark.
"That seems rather dangerous, Antilles, perhaps you should turn it off," Trave laughed. "I dare you to touch it."
Kylo Ren did, pushing back some of the electrical current back onto itself. He didn't say anything and made it seem that it didn't cause any pain to do so. Trave slowly put a finger on it and then howled, "Owwwww. Should have warned me."
Sheckil laughed as Trave put his finger his his mouth. Sheckil then got a ping and ducked out for a moment. When he came back he said, "They have the prisoners. One is being brought up here right now. Trave, you are to come with me. Antilles, Vader wants you to wait in the detention room. I'll take you."
Kylo Ren followed Sheckil and Trave and then Sheckil opened the detention room and said, "Just wait here. The stormtroopers will be here shortly."
The room was large and dark with some seating. There weren't any prisoners here, which relieved Kylo Ren, and he wondered if now would be a good opportunity to try to leave now that he was finally alone. It wasn't long though before he could hear noises outside. Kylo Ren stood up immediately. The door opened and he could see a man being thrown down with the stormtroopers circling him. When the man started to speak, they gave him a kick, "Be quiet, rebel scum!"
Another stormtrooper looked at Kylo Ren, "Oh good, an officer is here. Lord Vader commands you to stay with the prisoner until he sends for him."
Kylo Ren stared at the stormtrooper. He didn't have to see the man to know who it was on the floor. He could sense him. "Understood," is all he said feeling a bit tense and unsettled.
The stormtroopers marched out as Han Solo started to try to get himself up off the floor, winching a bit. He was still facing the door, but Kylo Ren knew it was him. He just stood there quietly, not knowing what to say. Han turned around getting his bearings then asked, "Where are the others? What did they do with Chewie? Where's the princess?"
Kylo Ren looked at him for a moment, almost in shock. He looked so young. He was actually at a loss for words. The last time he had seen him... he couldn't think about that.
"Can't you talk? Where are they!" Han said moving towards him aggressively as if he were going to punch him in the face. Kylo Ren grabbed his wrist as he started to raise it. "I don't know. They will be alright. Just sit down," he spoke gently.
Han took a seat and put his head into his hands. "It's all my fault. If I didn't have that broken..." he mumbled. He stood up, "I don't know anything! You won't get me to talk!" Reaching out as if he were going to punch Kylo Ren again.
Kylo Ren tried to remember what little he knew about what happened here. He did know a few things. He had even seen some of it in a vision or a dream. That didn't involve whatever happened to Han, Leia or Chewie. He knew they survived, and he knew that it would be months before they could rescue his father.
"I'm just here to watch you. That's all. I don't know where they are, but you'll see them again," Kylo Ren said trying to remain calm.
He felt some strange mixture of mixed emotions. He felt guilty, too. And some part of him wanted to free him, but he knew that wouldn't be good either. These things had to happened as they did then, and even though it was horrible, they were important. Perhaps there was something he could do that would make it less traumatic. He knew about the torture and the carbon freeze. Maybe, just maybe... He put his hands on Han.
"Hey, get away from me!" Han said reaching for a blaster that wasn't there and then looked at his hand just frustrated it was empty.
"Sit down. I'm not going to hurt you," Kylo Ren said calmly.
He put his hands on Han and used the Force. Han would still feel pain. He had to feel pain, and it was what would bring Skywalker to Cloud City. He could lessen it though if they were planning to put him on that scan grid. Han seemed a bit loopy after he took his hands off of him.
"Did you inject something in me?" Han said with his eyes a little wider. "The room, it's spinning a little."
"No," Kylo Ren said to him. "Just remember whatever happens here, no matter how bad it is. You'll be back."
"I'll be back," Han answered nodding his head a little as if he were slightly drunk.
Kylo Ren hoped he wouldn't be this loopy by the time Vader arrived, but it would take the edge off at least. It was the least he could do for him. Then he started to tear up a bit. "I'm sorry."
"What?" Han answered.
"Just I'm sorry," Kylo Ren said walking away a bit.
"Hey, kid, it's not your fault. I know, it's just your job," Han answered trying to get up but feeling a bit rubbery. "Make sure Leia and Chewie are alright. I could die, but they have to get away."
"You won't die. Not this time," Kylo Ren choked out. "Not now."
"I'll be back," Han nodded.
"That's right," Kylo Ren said shaking his head and getting a little misty eyed.
Kylo Ren stood by the door as he heard footsteps. Two stormtroopers came in, picked up Han by his shoulders and pushed him up and out the door forcing him to walk to the room with the scan grid. Kylo Ren just had to touch his shoulder once as they took Han away. In the distance, he could hear and sense Darth Vader coming up through the corridors, so he ducked into the room before he could see his face. He backed up to the wall and slid down to the floor to sit. As he was sitting there, he could hear other voices, one he assumed was Lando. Then he heard the screams. He tried to cover his ears, but it did no good because he could still sense them. He knew he could never achieve any power from hearing those screams. He had already learned that lesson the hard way.
He was there a few minutes before Trave came in, "Taking a break?"
"I wasn't told to go anywhere else after the prisoner left," Kylo Ren spoke as pulled himself up to stand.
"You feeling alright? I know this atmosphere is hard to get used to. Come with me, Antilles," Trave said as they walked through the corridors.
After a short walk, they got to a nicer part of the city. Something that seemed a bit more familiar to Kylo Ren as he remembered Cloud City looking like this when he had visited before. When they came to a door, Trave opened it to reveal a fancy suite. Kylo Ren was not really that surprised to see a much younger version of his mother standing there. She had her hands in binders standing with Sheckil gripping her arm. She walked with dignity and with her head held high. At first she never made any eye contact with any of the men, but at one point she did to Kylo Ren and she gave him this puzzled look, like she had seen him before, but she didn't know where. He couldn't sense her, and though he knew she didn't know that she was capable of it, her shields were strong and he couldn't sense her feelings because of it. They made their way back the way they came, as they came closer and closer to the screaming, Leia's defiant demeanor began to change and she started to struggle.
"If you think something like that will make me tell you anything, you're mistaken," She said holding back her emotional pain.
They got to a room nearby and Sheckil pushed Leia in with Trave and Kylo Ren following. Trave got up close to the princess, and lifted up her chin.
"Shame, you're kind of cute," Trave said pushing it away, then started to grab for her as Leia backed away.
"Hey!" Kylo Ren spoke.
"She's rebel scum, Antilles," Trave said turning his way.
"Did Lord Vader order you to treat her like that?" Kylo Ren asked. "What if she was your...sister?"
"I don't need you defending me!" Leia said moving towards Kylo Ren then spit into his face.
Kylo Ren gently washed it off. He knew she probably didn't either. Leia struggled with her binders and moved away from the men who just stood there quietly. Lord Vader arrived and then opened up a screen showing the room with the scan grid and the continuing torture of Han Solo.
"I see you've finally arrived, Lord Vader. If you think this will make me talk..." Princess Leia stood with anger looking at the Sith Lord.
"As I've said, you have nothing I need. You are only a means to an end, Princess. Leave us," Lord Vader said pointing to the door and looking at the officers.
Trave and Sheckil quickly moved out, but Kylo Ren felt the need to turn slightly and he briefly watched his mother give Darth Vader hell, while he forced her to watch Han Solo scream. He joined the other two man who stood with three stormtroopers and Lando Calrissian who looked to have a sour mood.
"How long can they keep this up," Kylo Ren could hear Lando say quietly.
Lord Vader stepped back out of the room, and pointed to some stormtroopers to enter as he went back to the room with the scan grid. As Lord Vader passed, all of the men stiffened up with fear and stood quiet. The screaming stopped, and Lord Vader came out again and ordered more stormtroopers to enter. Lord Vader then gave orders to Trave and Sheckil then said to Kylo Ren, "Come with me."
They walked to an empty room and Darth Vader closed the door with the Force. He looked at Kylo Ren, wondering a bit about his emotional state by the look of his face, and from what he could sense. From what he knew about Kylo Ren's life in the future, the man was a leader and an interrogator. He even had the ability to probe minds using the Force, he knew this as a fact from his own experience. The princess was a strong minded individual. It frustrated him to no end any dealings he had with her in the past. The fact she had been across his path so many times and was still living was another thing all together.
"First, I must ask, is something upsetting you? Are you finding this assignment difficult?" Lord Vader said very sternly.
"No, I'm am fully capable of performing my duties, Lord Vader," Kylo Ren answered, his head turned down a bit and his eyes looking upward.
"The princess, do you sense anything from her? Anything at all? I have often found her to be quite hard to read. I had wondered if you had experienced the same thing," Darth Vader asked turning away as if he were deep in thought.
"No, not really, she is angry, Lord Vader," Kylo Ren spoke. The thing is, here he couldn't really read her, only feel her familiar presence. It was quite odd to him, as in the other realm, they had some kind of bond. He never considered that she would be difficult to read to a Force user, but this Leia had never had a child with whom she had bonded in the womb.
"That is quite obvious. I can only hope it's enough to lure Skywalker. Do you believe that he will sense her? Do you believe that he is still coming," Darth Vader asked turning around and pointing with emphasis.
"Yes, from what I know, this was how it happened, Lord Vader," Kylo Ren answered wondering if he himself should reach out to the Force and sense him.
Kylo Ren closed his eyes and Darth Vader continued his questioning. Kylo Ren really didn't hear him, and he knew he would be angered by that, but when he would answer the original question with what he sensed... "Skywalker is coming, Lord Vader. He is on his way to the city."
"How do you know?" Darth Vader asked, "And when I speak to you, pay attention."
"Yes, Lord Vader," Kylo Ren answered stiffly. "I sense his Force signature."
"You did know him!" Darth Vader spoke sternly.
"I can touch an object of his and feel his presence, Lord Vader. I could for you as well. You had been long dead," Kylo Ren answered and it was true he had this ability.
"Very interesting, but did you know Skywalker?" Darth Vader shouted.
"I am a Skywalker," Kylo Ren answered. "As I explained..."
"I see," Darth Vader noted, knowing he would never get a straight answer on this topic. He was beginning to believe what he had come to conclude. That Kylo Ren wasn't from that far into the future. "You are not a Sith?"
"No, there are no Sith where I come from," Kylo Ren answered softly.
Darth Vader paced the floor. Skywalker doesn't become a Sith. Interesting. Vader thought to himself. Then he asked, "Who destroys the Sith?"
Kylo Ren paused and looked directly at Darth Vader, collecting himself and finding the strength within. "You do, as it was foretold. You destroy the Sith. There are no Sith."
"You believe you are speaking the truth," Darth Vader said pacing. "I take it that has no bearing on your future?"
"I don't know," Kylo Ren answered. "I believe in breaking it all down and starting over. The Sith would be part of that."
"One of my men in there acted in a disrespectful manner towards our guest. Did you not speak out?" Darth Vader said surprising Kylo Ren by changing the subject.
"Yes," Kylo Ren said lowering his head and cowering a bit. "That method had no bearing on our task. It was appalling."
"Do you like her? Would you not wish to do the same if you could?" Darth Vader asked pointing a fist at him.
Kylo Ren thought he was going to be sick. He tensed up and became agitated.
"I asked you a question!" Darth Vader pointed his mechanical fist towards him.
"No. She reminds me of my mother, Lord Vader," Kylo Ren answered quietly.
Darth Vader actually softened and he could tell what Kylo Ren said he believed to be true, "I don't believe I'll be able to get anymore from you right now. I was considering having you interrogate the prisoner. Since you claim to have that skill, but perhaps you are not as skilled as you seem. Time will tell if you are correct that Skywalker is coming."
"He will come, Lord Vader, soon," Kylo Ren answered.
"You are dismissed. Wait at the shuttle for further instructions," Darth Vader commanded.
"Yes, Lord Vader," Kylo Ren spoke, got up and left. He needed to find a fresher.
Kylo Ren walked the corridors of Cloud City and found a restaurant. He went inside and found a public refresher and took water from the sink and washed his face. He leaned looking down for a while. He was going to get out of here. He didn't know where, but he could figure out how. Lando Calrissian had to have some ships of his own, and he had a good idea where they might be. Lando wouldn't be needing them anytime soon, and if he had some security mechanism on it, he would find it and use the Force if he had to. Maybe there was a time where he had wished to have seen what Darth Vader was really like, or to have met him, but after spending time with him, he became disenchanted. Not only was he questioning his own instincts asking Kylo Ren for validation, but there was something else as well. He found him disappointing, like he had found most everyone else in his life. Of course, Vader didn't know, or wasn't really sure he was Kylo Ren's grandfather, but he knew that wouldn't matter. He was using Kylo Ren merely as a tool. Kylo Ren was sure if for some reason he was stuck in this time, that when Luke escapes, if that indeed happens again, and Kylo Ren is still here, Darth Vader may use him in the way he would wish to use Luke. He only hoped he didn't already realize who Luke's twin already was, and that she was already in his custody. Not only for her sake, but for his own.
Arkanis-The Present
Rey landed using an assumed name and transponder codes. She had no problem getting a place in a docking bay, but since she had very little in credits, she found herself trading some items that had belonged to the Resistance. A few blasters that had been stored on board. At least it worked. She had no problem finding the hotel either where Supreme Leader Ren was staying. There was quite a crowd outside, and using a mind trick with some security near a ladder to the roof, she climbed up to the top and looked around the dark city. She sat quietly and took a deep breath, trying to sense where she should go. When she felt her direction, as if the Force were pulling her by the arm, she jumped down to a balcony, then another, and then another. She hid in the shadows as some lights flashed around the building, a landspeeder making it's way down the nearby alley. Using the Force, she opened the glass door to the suite, and sensed a familiar presence as she walked towards the bed, and laying there was Kylo Ren. She shook his arm and pushed on him, but he wouldn't respond. She noticed that his heart seemed to be beating rapidly. He seemed comatose. She sat down next to the bed, a bit flustered, then closed her eyes to think. When she opened her eyes, she saw herself in a white corridor, and coming around the corner was Ben wearing an Imperial uniform.