Entry 111
I guided my shuttle into the Eclipse's enormous docking bay. Off to my port side stood a platoon of white armored Stormtroopers. The helmets were slightly different from what our Imperial soldiers wore, but they were still recognizable as stormtroopers. Out in front of the men was General Iwanuk. He was wearing an all black military uniform with leather jackboots under ridiculous looking Jodhpurs breeches…the type of wide thigh trousers that a person would wear while riding fathiers or other saddled mounts. Another difference in the uniform was the hat. It looked like they took a normal sloped brim Imperial hat and added some stiff fabric around the side and back and then folded it up…it is hard to explain other than it looked odd.
I powered down he shuttle and exited the craft. As I moved toward the General's position he smiled broadly and moved to meet me halfway. I saluted and then extended my hand in greeting. I was surprised when he not only shook my hand but also pulled me into a brotherly hug. It was an awkward moment, but I soon realized the purpose for him doing so. He whispered in my ear. "Remember what I taught you."
I was taken aback from his comment. The only thing the General ever taught me was how to prevent a Force User from pulling information out of my mind. It was obviously a warning...but for what? Was I about to be interrogated by a First Order Inquisitor?
I quickly regained my composure as I pulled away. "It's a pleasure seeing you again sir."
"The pleasure is all mine," he replied as he motioned for me to follow him. "I requested you personally. I thought you would be the ideal person to return young Solo to his parents. I trust you unequivocally and I know you have a good relationship with Princess Organa especially after saving her life on Naboo."
"Yes, Sir," I responded as we walked past the platoon of stormtroopers. "How exactly did you find Ben Solo? We have been looking for him for months."
He paused in thought. "All I can say is the First Order has excellent Intelligence resources." He turned and smiled at me fondly. "I was told you showed up on K'don only hours after we rescued the boy. That is outstanding Intel gathering on your part. Commander Darten is lucky to have you. You'll probably be running the Battalion in no time."
He steered me out of the docking bay and down a long corridor bristling with stormtroopers and First Order Navy personnel. As we walked further and further into the bowels of the ship I became more nervous. I glanced over to the General. "Sir, where are we going?"
"To get the boy, but first, our Supreme Leader wishes an introduction to the young Imperial officer that not only captured an Inquisitor but helped save the Former Princess of Alderaan."
I gave a curt nod. "I'd been honored to meet Grand Admiral Sloane."
Iwanuk shook his head. "Grand Admiral Sloane is in charge of our navy, but she is not the leader of the First Order."
We stopped in front of large durasteel door guarded by two sentinels clad in crimson armor and armed with Force Pikes. Their garb and weapons were eerily reminiscent of the Imperial Royal Guards who once protected Emperor Palpatine. One guard turned and pressed the door entry panel causing the steel barrier to slide open. The General and I stepped into what was once Palpatine's throne room. There was a large open space leading to steps and an upraised platform holding the Imperial throne. There, in my former Master's seat of authority, sat a strange, wizened alien. It appeared to be a male humanoid, but I couldn't be certain since I was not familiar with the species. Except for his eyebrows, the creature was hairless, with pale skin and a face twisted and malformed by either some brutal accident or congenital deformation. Even while seated I could tell he was tall and lean. I thought for a moment that he might be a Pau'an, but he didn't have the telltale sharp teeth or furrowed skin. He wasn't wearing an Imperial uniform but was dressed in a long robe made from a golden metallic fabric.
"Ah, this must be the young Imperial I have heard so much about," he uttered in a deep booming voice. "Come closer."
When I didn't move immediately the General gave me a gentle nudge on my shoulder. I now understood his warning. This Supreme Leader was a Force user…and a strong one. I clamped down on my Force presence, but I couldn't shut out this disfigured creatures Force signature out fully. The General and I approached the man hesitantly, stopping about twenty feet from his position.
"Captain Colay," General Iwanuk said softly. "This is Supreme Leader Snoke." He then bent down on a knee showing reverence to the leader of the First Order. Although I hold no allegiance to the man I didn't wish to provoke anger in the creature. I dropped down on a knee next to the General.
"Please rise," Snoke said as he motioned for us to stand. He regarded me intently and I could sense he was attempting to probe my mind through the Force. I pushed back and blocked his attempts as the General once taught me. A frown crossed Snoke's face before it morphed into a smile. "The General stated you would be the best person to return young Solo to his parents. Is that true."
I nodded, remaining silent as I gazed into the Supreme Leader's eyes…his intense blue eyes. They were not the eyes of a Sith…despite the fact that I could sense darkness in the man. There was darkness…but something much more…there was a balance. He was drawing power from the dark and the light side of the Force in equal quantities.
I initially wondered if he was another of Palpatine's experiments to develop a neutral Force-user—someone like me—but I soon realized this creature was ancient and probably preceded Emperor Palpatine by decades, or perhaps centuries. Did Emperor Palpatine know this man? Could he have been the Emperor's former master or maybe an adversary? I wasn't sure, but the one thing I did know was this First Order Leader was dangerous. The ability to harness both the light and darkside of the Force would make a person extremely powerful. Luke draws exclusively on the lightside of the Force and, although I have been trained to be Force neutral, I dread delving into the darkness. Supreme Leader Snoke obviously has no trepidation in doing so.
General Iwanuk cleared his throat and I realized Snoke was waiting for me to actually speak. I steadied my nerves and attempted a smile. "Yes, Supreme Leader. I once saved the Princess. We have a friendly relationship. I'd be more than happy to facilitate the reunion between her and her son."
The lanky creature stood and stepped down from the throne platform. "Good. We wouldn't want the boy's abduction by some misguided Sith sycophants to cause a rift between your Empire and the New Republic." He snapped his fingers and two crimson guards entered from a side door. Walking between them was a small boy that I recognized as Ben Solo. His eyes were wide in wonder, but he did not appear to be injured or even scared.
"There you are, young Solo," Snoke said as he walked up to the boy and put a bony hand on his shoulder as a cold, feral smile curved his lips. "The youngling is extremely strong in the Force. I've heard rumors that the Former Princess of Alderaan has some Force abilities…perhaps her husband too. They are not quite as strong as their friend, Luke Skywalker. I was told by some of our Inquisitors that Skywalker is as strong in the Force as the late Emperor Palpatine." He placed his hand on top of Ben's head and ruffled his hair. "If a weak Force user could produce a son with such strength in the Force…a child of Skywalker would posses a magnitude of power unseen since Darth Vader." There was a lingering pause before he continued. "That would be something to see."
I got a cold feeling in the pit of my stomach. I was fairly certain Supreme Leader Snoke not only knew of Ben's heritage, but he also was aware that I was dating Skywalker. Why else would he mention Skywalker having children?
I could feel the blood drain from my face. I didn't fear for my safety, but I knew I couldn't fight my way out of this mess without risking the life of Ben Solo. All I could do was smile and hope this First Order was going to keep their word and release the boy.
Snoke looked down to Ben. "Captain Colay will escort you to your parents." The little boy smiled to the misshapen man and walked to me. I reached out and grabbed Ben's hand in mine.
"On behalf of the Empire and New Republic I thank you for rescuing Ben Solo."
Snoke smiled coldly before returning to his throne. "It was my pleasure, Captain Colay." He sat down and gave me a dismissive wave. "You better return the boy before the New Republic sends out a search party."
I turned and got out of there as fast as I could. General Iwanuk stayed by my side, escorting me back to my ship. I glanced over to him. "Is there anything you can tell me about your Supreme Leader?"
Iwanuk looked at me nervously before signally for me to be silent.
We arrived to my shuttle and I lowered the ramp remotely. The general scooped up the boy in his arms and walked up the ramp. "Let me help you get him strapped in for the trip."
We moved to the flight deck where he gently lowered Ben to the copilot seat and secured the boy's crash webbing. He then stood and pulled out a small signal jammer from his uniform pocket and activated it. "This should keep the First Order from hearing our conversation, but I can't stay long."
I nodded in understanding. "What's going on?"
"Snoke's a Force user." He whispered. "He put those suicide suggestions in the Inquisitors."
I shrugged. "I figured as much."
He made a discreet gesture toward the child. "Watch him. He was alone with Snoke for hours."
I nodded silently, realizing Iwanuk suspected Snoke did something to Ben Solo's mind. "Do you know their intentions…the First Order's long range plans? Why did they want to prevent a war between the New Republic and the Empire?"
He shook his head. "I'm unsure. They don't quite trust me yet. I know something big is happening out in the Unknown Region, but I haven't been brought into their confidence fully. I have remained on this ship monitoring intel reports and interrogating an occasional prisoner." He blew out a frustrated breath before moving toward the exit. He stopped and turned to me, his expression was one of worry. "Another thing…Snoke asked me a lot of questions about you and Skywalker." He hesitated for a moment. "Disturbing questions about the seriousness of your relationship and if you planned to have children." He hesitated before continuing in a broken whisper. "I don't know if it means anything…but I thought you should know." He turned off the signal jammer. "Have a good flight, Captain Colay."
"Thank you sir."
I raised the loading ramp as soon as he was gone. I then fired up the engines and got the hell out of there.
