Back at the Resistance…
It took over a week to establish the base, sometimes longer. When they had landed on Chardaan, Rey had been sent to help install and repair many units around the base. The move was hard on the equipment especially since the moved had been so hasty. Rey sighed as she stepped into her shared new room. She unrolled her roll and collapsed on it, face down, exhausted from being up from more than 24 hours. Sleep took her before she could even think about fighting it.
The next day dawned too early for Rey and she wondered if anyone would even notice if she didn't get up and go help with assembling the new base. She moaned and dragged her tired body up off of the ground. She finally took off her dress suit and replaced it with something more suitable for crawling around engines and under consoles.
Rey listened as she worked. People were talking about the escape of Kylo and about the things left over on the planet; Chardaan had been part of the New Republic but from the remnants of the planet it was clear that none of those people were left. People spoke in hushed tones as if the ghosts of the former residence could hear them. They did not speak quietly enough that Rey didn't hear the speculations about how Kylo had managed to get free.
Leia heard the same speculations in the same hushed tones and tried not to react. None of them suspected that he was banished and she intended to keep it that way for as long as possible. The plan had a lot of risk in it, especially since she was still unsure as to where Rey's allegiance was. She knew what it was like to be fresh in the resistance, she'd watched Luke and many others struggle with the thought of dying and the horrible realization after friends were lost on a raid or attack that this was real. And she still had no idea if Rey was attached to her son. She knew that she should be happy about the entanglement but really she was just concerned for Rey and what it would mean for any future she might want to have. It was a calculated risk, one that Leia had serious doubts about.
Rey looked across the space to the General sensing her worry. Rey waved and received a smile and nod back as the General was turned back by her aides to address something they were holding. Rey looked down at the spanner in her hand and worked her way over to the new panel maintenance had just set down with the lift. The wiring was being dropped down from the ceiling. Each person knowing what they were doing. Rey was there to troubleshoot and assist as needed, which typically was a lot as the electrical was prone to surges.
"I'm going to check out the geni and see why we're getting surges." She said to no one in particular, turning to head out to the generators.
The planet, like so many others, housed fallen pieces of imperial ships, shipyards that had crashed to the surface. Rey was thankful for that, it would supply them with plenty of replacement parts over time and she made a mental note to tell the General that some should be sent out to scavenge the ships in the next few weeks. Who knew how long it would be before the First Order showed their faces again?
Rey discharged the generator and flipped the switch to turn unit three completely off before opening any of the paneling. She found the problem in the voltage converter, pulling it out of the unit and examining it. She tried to focus on what might be wrong with the unit but still couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She sighed, leaning against the generator and sliding down to sit on the ground. She pried open the converter and examined the unit. A few solder points had broken. Rey sighed, hoping it was an easy fix as she moved to bring the unit back to the camp.
The rest of the day was long and tiring. Poe and Finn still hadn't returned from their reconnaissance mission and Rey felt their absence that night. There were a few other pilots she'd met in flight school she could eat with and laugh with but none of them had the connection she felt with Finn or even BB-8. She left the group laughing in the mess hall as she returned to her shared quarters for the night.
Rey lay on her roll trying not to let the nightmare she'd had all those months ago surface but as the day came to a close it was the only thing her mind was set on thinking of. The rage that poured through her in that nightmare had startled her: how could she be so angry about someone leaving who she knew so little of and who had killed people she'd cared about? Pressing her lips together she stared at the ceiling, feeling the threat of tears come at the frustration she felt. She'd really thought she was bringing him into the light. Squaring her jaw she remembered the thoughts she'd felt of his when she'd invaded Kylo Ren's mind the first time, the fear, the uncertainty, and knew that she was affecting him.
Sighing, she turned on her side and squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself to sleep.
Later on Rutan…
It had been months on Rutan and Kylo Ren was itching to leave the planet. Plans were unfolding much as he expected: group leaders and factions were visiting, hearing his plans for the future. Most agreed that the system in place now with the First Order and the Resistance was a losing game of cat and mouse. When they heard his plans for returning order to the Galaxy many had pledged allegiance, or at the very least to not meddle in the Knights of Ren's plans.
Kylo didn't enjoy the accommodations like the rest of the Knights of Ren. It was the first time ever that they were under no one else's orders and many fell into drinking too much and staying out all hours of the night. Kylo knew he would soon have to rein them in, make sure they were ready for the next part of the plan which would spread them far across the galaxy.
He'd been trying to contact Rey for months without any success. He still could feel her but not speak with her, which was very odd since he'd found her so easily during the negotiations. The General, the thought came; he had decided that General Organa must have somehow figured out how to use the force much more than he knew she was capable. A few times the thought came that maybe Rey was glad he was gone and wasn't searching for him and that she was the one blocking their connection. The thoughts only lasted a short time until the nightmare they'd shared would come screaming back across his thoughts, searing a hot path that usually left him angry and upset.
"Sir, the Hutt's envoy is here." Targen Ren said bowing slightly.
"Show them in." He motioned across the room. They'd set up in an abandoned manufacturing warehouse on the outskirts of section 16. False Identities were already procured and in place. As far as the Rutan's were concerned they were still saving enough money to get off planet. All of the Ren's had taken to covering their faces again, as part of their ultimate plan. It ensured that when they went out into the galaxy they would go unrecognized. Few had demanded to see the faces of those they were speaking with. Most of the Ren's opted for head scarves that covered most of their faces. Ka'Ren had taken to covering his entire face with grey and black muslin to cover his eyes since Section 16 didn't have any good cosmetic doctors who could augment his eyes temporarily.
Rotta the Hutt's envoy entered the large room, taking up a good portion of the room with the number of people that accompanied him along with his own berth.
"Rotta." Kylo Ren stood and addressed the Hutt bowing ever so slightly.
"Son of Solo." He slurred before speaking in his own language. "Are you even more disgusting looking than your father and mother that you must hide behind that cloth?" His envoy translator translated after Rotta stopped speaking.
"It is dry and windy here; the shrubs here do not hold the dirt to the planet. I prefer to keep the sand out of my mouth." He grumbled. "Thank you for coming. We would like to propose something to you as the leader of the Hutts. We hadn't thought that you would come yourself but are glad that you are here." Kylo said and his stomach turned at the sycophantic tone in his voice.
"Your initial contact was intriguing and I am on my way to Mustafar to generate a trade agreement."
"Well as you know the First Order has destroyed the New Republic. What you might not know is that they are already trying to build another Republic backed by the First Order, while the Resistance does the same." Kylo crossed his arms behind his back and continued. "I find the thought of an extended conflict to be repugnant and ostentatious on both sides."
"Agreed. The conflict has driven too many common people to the outer rim. They bring sadness, order, and death with them. I find it changes how I am able to do business." Rotta commented through his translator.
"What I am proposing is a loose joining of all planets." Rotta made a disgusted sound. "With the exception that all able bodied humanoids would be placed in a lotto and could be chosen to serve 8 years on the senate."
"But my people will not serve." Rotta's translator translated matter-of-factly.
"No. Outer rim planets would be exempt unless they wanted to apply specifically to be part of the New Galactic Government."
"And why do you think this is a better plan than another Republic?"
"Because if any person could at any time be put into the senate, then common sense and decency will prevail. Sure there will be some absolutely moronic things done, but by ensuring that the lotto is used it will limit how much barbarism and idiocy can filter out into the galaxy. It will also limit how much control special projects will have and hopefully limit the raise of something like the Empire or the First Order."
"And why do you need anything from me or my people?"
"I need you to stay out of the way." Kylo said. "Your gangsters make a haven for those who would disappear into another realm. You can accept any vagabond you want. I would only ask that you report any First Order person that comes into your established space."
"You want me to spy for you?" Rotta asked laughing much like his father used to: full belly laugh.
"To an extent, yes." He nodded.
"I will consider your offer." The Hutt said before turning to leave. "Be careful that you don't die before you accomplish your goal. I am sick of taking the outcasts of this war." Rotta said as he slithered away.
"Working on it." Kylo murmured after the Hutt.
TBC...