Kylo allowed the cool wind to whip at his face as he stared at the grey structure. It was small and box-like but nevertheless shed an imposing presence upon the empty landscape. A glance at the pristine permacrete under his boots told him that even duracrete slugs avoided the building. He harbored only negative memories of the place, for he had been held there for a time after Snoke's defeat while the newly formed Senate discussed his trial and punishment for his war crimes.
"I've always hated this place," Poe grumbled as he jumped out of the Starfighter. The ship lowered BB-8 to the ground, and the droid rolled up to Poe's legs, whirring rapidly to the pilot. "Yeah, buddy, I find underground prisons creepy, too."
They started toward the building, and BB-8 jerked several times on the orange and white spherical body. Poe knelt next to the droid, and Kylo sensed the pilot's sympathy through the Force. "Why don't you stay with the ship? You can alert my communicator if we've been in there for over an hour."
The BB unit gave an enthusiastic blip of agreement and rolled back over the permacrete to the Starfighter. Poe watched his droid for a moment before they continued across the landing area to the building. "You sure this was a good idea?"
Kylo let out a slow sigh and brushed his gloved fingers over his lightsaber hilt. "It's the only thing I can think to do, especially with the attack on the shuttle Rey and I were supposed to take to Naboo."
Poe winced, and Kylo assumed he was remembering the news feeds showing the destruction of the shuttle just moments before it left the Coruscant atmosphere. The pilot averted his gaze to look up at the imposing structure of the prison. "And you can't find Eeth with your Force mojo?"
Kylo rolled his eyes but shook his head, vaguely wondering how he and Poe had fallen into their strange friendship. "No, Dameron, he's too far for my 'Force mojo' to detect. We're hoping to mediate with Luke soon, but he's been busy with the Senate and younglings."
Four guards stood outside the only gate into the building as they approached, and the figures of two Twi'leks waited next to them. Poe clapped a hand on the blue-skinned Senator's shoulder. "Tomsega! Fancy meeting you here."
The Twi'lek nodded cordially and allowed Poe's hand to remain on his shoulder, although he did not return the favor. "General Dameron. Master Ren."
Kylo distantly heard Tomsega explain something about the Senate wishing for representatives to monitor their visit, but his stomach twisted as Kilnetel's penetrating gaze swept over him. The green Twi'lek flashed a smile that likely would have made most men crumble into her palm, but it only sent a shiver of unease down Kylo's spine. He suddenly wished his wife had accompanied them.
He cursed his luck that even with a friendly Senator, the worst one had also come along. Kylo could deal with accusing Senators, but he had absolutely no experience staving off the attentions of, well, anyone. His hand jumped up to run through his hair, and he had the strong desire to find his old mask. At least his cloak concealed most of his body from the Senator's wandering eyes.
"Ren? C'mon." Poe tapped him lightly on the shoulder, and Kylo was glad the pilot had the good sense not to grab his arm like he frequently did with Finn as the heavy gates slid slowly to the side.
Their group entered into a small chamber lined with guards carrying long-barreled blasters. An Abednedo in a crisp black uniform greeted them in front of a large sensor. "Welcome to the Agamar Penitentiary. We ask that you submit all weapons here. They will be returned to you upon your departure."
Kylo hesitated for a moment before he slowly pulled his lightsaber from his belt and set it next to Poe's small blaster pistol. He began to follow the pilot through the sensor when the Abednedo grabbed his shoulder. He instinctively stepped away and tried to force his momentary panic down, suddenly noticing an unusual ripple in the Force. "Your cloak, Master Jedi. If you would also leave it here."
Dismissing the strange feeling in the Force as nerves from his previous imprisonment, he unclasped the material from around his shoulders and dropped the heavy cloak into the man's arms. The scanner hummed around him as he passed through it and joined the two Twi'leks and Poe. He kept his gaze pointedly away from Kilnetal as he felt her eyes on his black-clad form.
"This way." The Abednedo's voice was curt, and Kylo watched his straight back as they entered a turbolift. Poe smoothly slipped beside him, and Tomsega almost awkwardly tripped into the lift to stand in front of Kylo. Kilnetel's deep green lips tightened as she was forced to stand at the opposite side of the lift.
The turbolift dropped down rapidly, and Kylo caught Poe's eye, giving a subtle nod in thanks. He forced back the rising feeling of dread as the door reopened to reveal a bright, artificially lit hall that looked too familiar. The prison contained nearly thirty floors of holding cells and interrogation rooms, but they each looked identical with white walls and black doors to confuse any prisoner that tried to escape.
The Abednedo strode down the corridor with even steps. "The good Senators may watch in a viewing room." He stopped in front of a heavy black door and turned sharply to face the four. "General Dameron and Master Ren may enter."
He pressed a pale hand against the door, and it flashed green for moment before it slid silently to the side. Kylo stepped into the room behind Poe, feeling Kilnetel's eyes on his back as the door clicked shut behind them.
Three guards, a Togruta female and two human males, stood in the back of the room, holding long blasters in their hands. Blaster pistols hung in holsters around their right thighs, and stun sticks rested at their belts. A simple table rested in the middle of the room with two chairs on the side nearest the door. On the other side sat a thin man with distinct fiery red hair.
Hux's pale lips slipped into a smirk. "Ren. It's been a while. Betray anyone lately? You're about due."
Kylo felt the familiar anger flare in his chest, and he struggled to pull out the chair calmly to sit before the man. He could not allow Hux to see his words could still elicit a reaction. "Tell us what you know of the First Order's movements, and I won't dig it out of your mind."
Rey would likely not approve of his instant threat, but she did not know Hux like he did. They had too much history together for Kylo to believe the former general would give any information willingly.
"You know, I really should thank you, Ren." Hux set his clasped hands in front of him, and the glowing cuffs around his wrists clinked against the table. His brown eyes looked far too amused. "You advocated to give me this humble little abode." He gestured to his prison uniform with a small flick of his fingers. "You do know how much I love white."
Kylo leaned forward to mirror Hux's posture and held up his right palm from where it rested against the table. "Now, Hux. I refuse to believe you didn't leave contingency plans for the Order."
The redhead did not look at all concerned, much to Kylo's fury. "Temper, Ren. Not much has changed, has it?" He flicked a long finger against Kylo's glove. "Not much at all. Tell me, where is your little desert rat, hm? Have you told her all about the Supreme Leader? I would gladly tell her all my secrets, including yours."
The Force ripped into Hux's mind before Kylo even realized he had commanded it. He caught a glimpse of Rey swinging her saberstaff before he was forced out. He shut his eyes in concentration as he fought against Hux's resistance. An image of himself bleeding in the snow flicked past.
Hux's voice was strained as he gasped out, "Shame you were never strong enough."
They grappled mentally for what felt like ages, and Kylo wondered how Hux had learned to resist Force invasions so well. Snoke had not wanted his trusted generals to be able to hide anything from him. A flash of someone in a holo message appeared and was quickly replaced by Rey in a restraining table.
"If you weren't so weak, the Supreme Leader would've had you put that saber through her pretty neck," Hux growled almost inaudibly.
Kylo's fury exploded within himself, and he heard Hux's yell as a hand gripped his shoulder. "Ren!"
He turned his head sharply and slowly returned to the sanctuary of his own mind. Poe stared at him with wide eyes. He looked back to see Hux rubbing his wrists slowly. The former general's eyes flicked up to a corner where a surveillance cam rested. "Thank you."
The Togruta female jumped at Hux, and he dropped to the floor under her weight. The other two guards hesitated as they took in the scene, and one raised his blaster. His fire hit the Togruta square in the back, and the other turned his shots to Kylo and Poe.
Kylo nearly forgot to use the Force in his shock, and he narrowly stopped the bolts from smashing against himself and Poe. He shoved the table forward, and it toppled over the injured Togruta and one of the men. Hux snatched the blaster pistol from the woman and sprinted to the opening door.
The remaining guard began firing rapidly at Poe, forcing Kylo to stop the bolts mid-air to defend his friend. Poe crawled along the floor, apparently trusting Kylo to keep the fire from hitting him, and wrapped his arms around the man's legs. The guard fell to the floor, and Poe shoved the stun stick against the man's stomach. "Go, Ren!"
Kylo spun on his feet and raced through the door, feeling out with the Force for Hux's location. He had not sensed his signature in the Force for years, but it still felt familiar from his years with the First Order as he ran to the turbolift. He could hear the box lifting within the shaft of the first lift, and he slammed the button repeatedly to call the second.
"Master Ren!"
He did not need to turn to know the voice belonged to Kilnetel. He watched the reflections of the two Senators in the durasteel of the turbolift door and immediately scrambled into the lift as they opened too slowly. The Twi'leks clambered inside, their heavy breaths from their run filling the small space.
"What in the stars happened?" Tomsega frowned at Kylo from where he leaned against the wall.
Kylo stared at his hands for a moment. "I… don't remember forcing those cuffs open. It's the last thing I wanted…"
"I'm sure Ren didn't mean to free the prisoner, right?" Kilnetel's hand rested on his shoulder, and she moved so that her arm rested across his back.
He could not repress the scowl that twisted his mouth, and the Senator smiled prettily up at him. His thoughts were too distracted with finding Hux that he did not realize the female Senator's emotions were not broadcasted through the Force like Tomsega's confusion and growing distrust.
The turbolift's doors opened, and Kylo caught a glimpse of Hux's red hair disappear through the gates. Guards lay on the floor with blaster wounds as he sprinted through the smoking scanner. He held out his palm to the side, and his fingers closed around his lightsaber as he raced outside.
Four prison guards flanked Hux and began firing at Kylo to allow the redhead cover to run toward a black shuttle. His purple blade sprang to life in his hands to deflect the blaster fire. Kylo barely caught the sight of Rey's sheathed saberstaff smash against the side of the general's head before he could climb the ramp.
Kylo shoved the four traitorous guards back onto the ground with the Force and pushed away their blasters. He stepped over one guard and somewhat accidentally kicked the man's side.
Rey held one of her short blue blades at Hux's throat as she grinned broadly at him. "You can't go anywhere without me, I see."
Kylo glanced down at Hux, who looked dazed as blood dripped down from his forehead. "Not to sound ungrateful, but why the stars are you here?"
Two Zabrak guards approached and clamped new cuffs around Hux's wrists. Rey deactivated her saber and slung it across her back. "The Padawans and I all felt something… strange with the Force after you and Poe left." She tipped her head toward one of Poe's old TIE fighters. "I decided to come in case you needed help."
He ignored the feeling of Kilnetel's eyes on him as he wrapped an arm around Rey's waist and kissed her for a long moment. "I think I need to master your impeccable timing."
AN: And it always ends in a kiss. Thank you all for your kind words!