"I almost forgot to write this chapter, this will be a 'calm before the storm' chapter before hell hits the fan. The next chapter WILL be the Knights Of Ren but for now this is a quiet moment and all main characters will have moments. Please enjoy"
Chapter 24: Preparations
"So thats the plan, we rescue the Engineers daughters and in return he repairs and upgrades the ship free of charge" Evelyn stated she stood with Jessika and Finn as everyone else stood in front of her.
"Just like that? this ship is gonna cost alot to repair mind" Jaylah argued.
"This guy is pretty wealthy, guess you could say he makes the most money in that city" Jessika explained.
"So that explains why those bastards stole this guy's daughters" Poe said with his arms crossed.
"Exactly, if we can get this done we can get out of here before trouble finds us here" Evelyn stated.
"So whats the plan?" Finn questioned.
Evelyn looked to the mountain in the far distance and after a few moments she looked back at everyone "We will go tonight, less chance of us being spotted". She then looked at Jaylah and Poe. "I need you two to stay here and keep any scavengers from taking out ship apart, the rest of us will head to the bandit's hideout".
"Do we go in stealthily or kill them all once we are in?" Javik questioned and Evelyn looked right at him "Until we find the girls we dont start shooting, the bandits could kill them if they think they are being attacked.".
"Little Wing is right we need to be extremely careful, so no explosions until we get the kids out" Jessika agreed.
Evelyn looked to the people who was gonna go with her "Rest up, your gonna need your strength later" She then walked past every one and headed into the Tempest to rest up and prepare herself for the nightfall.
-Moraband-
Rey slowly made her way up a steep hill will her staff in hand and the sandstorm just wouldn't let up. Visibility was low but she was able to she what was in front of her as she slowly moved up the hill. Rey had been walking for an hour as the whole journey to the Temple was like a maze as she would come to dead ends which would force her to take other paths and she couldnt help but feel frustrated that it was taking her this long.
Her Jedi Training Robes where getting filthy from the sand in the wing and all she could feel was the cold air hit her entire body, Rey continued to walk for another thirty minutes and soon she started to feel tired which was strange to her. On Jakku she could walk for miles and it would be nothing to her but here on Moraband it felt like she was walking for miles for the first time.
After reaching the top of the steep hill Rey looked on and saw she still had a long way to go as the Temple was still miles away, as she stood at the top of the hill she looked around the area and tried to get a sense of where to go but her mind couldnt produce anything, sighing she slowly sat down on the red sand to regain her strength. Closing her eyes she tried to meditate but all of a sudden she heard deep breathing echoing through her mind and her eyes shot open and quickly got up igniting her lightsaber.
Rey was on edge as she heard this breathing that sounded like pure evil but she couldn't sense anyone nearby and all of a sudden she heard a demonic voice speak to her.
"There is no life after death, only nothingness awaits you Jedi..your fear feeds our hunger" The voice was shallow but cut Rey deep as she quickly looked around with her orange light saber.
"I'm not afraid!" Rey argued with the voice.
"Your grandfather spoke the same words...he failed and was lost to darkness, you are destined to follow" The voice mocked in a slow tone.
Rey knew she had to get away from this situation so she turned down to the hill leading down to the next area and she ran then jumped down the hill, she speeded down the hill and suddenly lost control and started to violently roll and she grunted and gasped until she reached the bottom and landed hard with her laying on her back looking up to the red sky.
"You cannot escape it, you cannot deceive it...claim your destiny or be claimed by it..." The voice warned her.
Rey took a deep breath as she rolled to her front and pushed herself up from the ground and picked up her temporary lightsaber a few inches from her but she realised that she had left her staff at the top of the steep hill after she tried to escape the voices, she looked up the hill and it seemed to stretch further into the sky. Her eyes were playing tricks on her as exhaustion was taking over her.
"Need to find shelter, must regain my strength" Rey whispered to herself as she turned and walked towards the direction of the Temple, which was still far far away.
-Supreme Leader's Throne Room-
Kylo Ren slowly opened his eyes after sensing Rey's journey through Moraband and soon he saw the doors leading out of his throne room open and General Hux walked in until he came into the middle of the throne room.
"Supreme Leader, Ranza Ren has located Kenobi and her crew she and the Knights Of Ren are forming a plan to take her down" Hux stated.
Kylo Ren slowly stood up from his throne as he continued to look at Hux. "Good, as long as she keeps her from resuming her chase to Skywalker victory will be near".
"What are your plans?" Hux frowned wanting to know.
Kylo Ren slowly walked towards Hux until he was at arms length. "You will find out soon enough, I must now head to Moraband myself and ensure the plan succeeds".
"You are going after Skywalker?" Hux questioned.
"No, something else which will bring peace back to the galaxy. We will finally be rid of the Jedi once and for all" Kylo Ren then marched past Hux and called his light saber from his throne and caught it in his hand.
"And what would you have us do in your absence?" Hux turned his head to his side but didn't turn to Kylo Ren as he marched to the door.
"Hunt down the Resistance" Kylo Ren spoke and his voice echoed as he left his throne room.
-Undisclosed Planet-
Evelyn was laying on her bed on the Tempest breathing peacefully in her sleep as she recovered her energy for the mission to save the Engineer's daughters from raiders up in the mountains, for some reason she felt this wasnt gonna be a simple task so she decided to rest and prepare just in case there would be something waiting for them.
In the engine room Javik was rewiring some panels and was trying to find a way to be able to run areas of the ship on a lower power rate in order to improve the more critical systems, he pulled of another panel and tried to see what could be improved for the engines.
Near him C3PO was trying to access a terminal to check on the systems but sadly he had no luck "Oh where is R2 when I need him?".
"Your little blue buddy? He's in the bridge seeing what he can do to improve the systems up there" Javik then looked back at the gold droid then resumed his work. "So you two been together for a long time?".
C3PO turned to Javik "A long time yes Master Javik, I honestly dont know how we stuck together this long".
"Keep your friends close 3PO, there's not many in a galaxy like this" Javik then ripped out a wire.
"May I ask Javik how is it you come to know Evelyn? She never mentioned you" C3PO asked.
Javik chuckled "I've known her since she was nineteen, we bumped into each other and we helped each other out of a scuffle. Ever since then I consider her a friend, glad to know she still does. Also the reason why she didnt mention me is cause I told her not to tell anyone about me".
"I see" C3PO then turned to terminal he was working on and saw a status update. "Javik it seems there is a leak in the coolant system, it needs to be repaired overwise the engines will over heat and explode before we even get off the ground".
Javik chuckled at C3PO's direct statement as he got up and walked "Ok I'll check it out, dont blow us up in here". Javik headed through the halls and towards the coolant systems and all of a sudden he heard something snap followed by a gasp of pain in one of the rooms near by.
Deciding to check if anyone was seriously hurt he went towards the door where the sound came from and peeked inside and saw Jaylah sitting on a crate holding her hand as she took a few sharp breaths.
"Jaylah you alright?" Javik asked a little concern and Jaylah looked back then looked down at her hand making sure he didnt see it. "Its noting just had a shock".
Javik looked to the panel and saw blue blood covering a sharp edge of metal and he knew then she was injured, taking a chance he stepped into the room and slowly approached her. "Jaylah your hurt arnt you?".
Jaylah took a deep breath getting frustrated. "Javik, its nothing!".
Shaking his head he slowly walked to the placed she sat and gently placed his hand on her shoulder and she voilently shook him off giving him a dangerous glare as he took a step back frowning.
"Hey, Jaylah I'm only trying to help" Javik tried to explain as he too was a little frustrated.
Jaylah just looked at him with a glare and then looked back down at her hand she balled up. "If I wanted your help I would have asked".
Javik sighed then went and knelt down in front of her and the two looked at each other. Jaylah just looked at his expression as it was blank with his eyebrows raised, he wasnt going anywhere until he saw it.
Sighing at how much she was annoying him she just gave in and opened her hand revealing a cut going across her palm and Javik saw it was gonna need stitches, he gently took her hand and examined it. "You shouldn't hide things like this Jaylah".
"I know how to treat a wound I'm not a child" Jaylah defended as she watched him check her wound and all Javik could do was chuckle. "Yeah your over one hundred years old".
Jaylah closed her eyes and let out breath. "You make it so difficult sometimes".
"I do I really do" Javik then looked up at Jaylah and she looked at him. "You could at least be a bit nice mind, come you know sometimes I'm alright".
Javik then stood up and motioned her up as he kept hold of her hand making sure there was no bits of metal in the cut.
"Ok your not the worst human I've met" Jaylah said in frustration as she looked to the side.
Javik looked up at her and smirked "Not the worst huh? thats the nicest thing you've said to me".
Jaylah looked back at him then noticed his finger's were caressing the back of her hand "Stop that".
"Stop what?" Javik acted innocent.
Jaylah directed her eyes to her hand then looked back up at him. "That!, you'll get blood on you".
Javik took a slow step forward still caressing the back of her hand "Why are you worried about blood getting on me?".
"I'm not worried" Jaylah argued as she watched him get closer and she couldnt move back as the crate she was sitting on stopped her.
"You sure about that?" Javik's voice got quieter and he got closer to her.
Jaylah then glared at him as he got a little too close. "Stop or I will break your arm...". Her voice was not convincing.
"If you were gonna break it you wouldn't have warned me" Jaylah whispered.
Jaylah for the first time couldn't answer as her eyes never left his but her glare remained fix on him.
"Maybe cause you dont want to hurt me" Javik's face was getting closer to hers.
"I will hurt you" Jaylah suddenly started breathing heavy.
Javik's lips came closer to Jaylah's "Will you hurt me?".
"Yes.." Jaylah whispered then suddenly their lips connected and their eyes closed and all Jaylah could do was breath in and moan but all of a sudden C3PO came rushing to the door and both Javik and Jaylah pulled away and separated themselves.
"Javik I managed to lower the power usage required in the living quarters, it can run on lower power now!" C3PO exclaimed in excitement.
Javik took a deep breath and looked directly at the droid a little annoyed "Thank you, well done..".
"Your perfectly welcome Javik" The droid wondered back out into the main hall and both Javik and Jaylah were left alone, he looked over to Jaylah who was now leaning against the wall and he saw she was now uncomfortable. Javik thought maybe he went to far, he shouldnt have pushed her like that.
Javik let out a little cough and pointed at her hand "You...you better get that cleaned".
"Yeah..I'll do that" Jaylah didnt even look at him and she quickly rushed out of the room and he sighed wondering if he just made her an enemy now.
Outside of the ship around the back both Finn, Poe and Jessika were just talking about the current situation.
"So Rey left for this planet cause...theres something there that is gonna help the Resistance? In what way?" Jessika asked as she sat on a crate taking a break from working.
"We dont know much of the details but what ever it is its related to the Jedi and all, Evelyn and Rey have been trying to figure out the visions Rey was having in her dreams." Poe stated as he adjusted his welding gloves.
"Apparently this visions were directing Rey to Moraband, Leia didnt want her to go cause the planet is rumoured to be dangerous. So we must get to her before she gets what ever is there cause for all we know what ever is there can cause more harm then good" Finn explained as he leaned on the crate Jessika was sitting on and then he looked out to the distance with a little bit of worry. "I just hope we are not too late."
Poe looked to Finn "Hey dont worry we'll get to her, Evelyn will make sure we do".
Jessika then clicked at the mention of Evelyn "You guys told me Evelyn and Rey are in a relationship, when did that happen?".
Finn slowly shook his head chuckling. "I think it happened when Evelyn came back from her mission, you should have seen those two sprint at each other at Yavin 4".
Poe laughed "You were focused on the sprinting? when they tightly embraced in front of everyone I thought we would never pull them apart".
"Yeah and ever since that day Rey and Evelyn have not been shy showing their love the amount of times they were caught snogging each others faces off around corners back at that base.." Finn tried holding his laugh in.
Jessika just smirked at the thought of Evelyn and Rey and after a few seconds Jessika looked up at the Tempest. "Thats my girl!" Her voice echoed around the Tempest and all Poe and Finn did was laugh.
However miles away sitting on a mountain cliff meditating Ranza Ren and she picked up on all the conversations that Evelyn's crew were in and she now had new information on them.
Especially knowing that Rey and Evelyn are romantically involved and all she could do was smirk behind her mask, she now had something to use against Evelyn when they finally face off. As she stayed near her ship with First Order Troops setting up a perimeter her fellow Knights were off sight making their own plans for the ambush on Evelyn and her crew.
The Knights of Ren took to the mountains and set up ambush points, sending in a disguised trooper into the city he reported back there was a kidnapping of two children and after digging for more information the spy reported that Evelyn and her crew took a job to save the kids, this would be their time to strike. Nothing else mattered, only the death of Kenobi.
-Moraband-
Rey was curled up in a small cave trying to avoid the sandstorm until it past and as she remained still trying to maintain focus she couldnt help but hear more voices.
"Death will come...there is no escape..." A man's voice echoed in a deep voice and Rey tried to shut it out as she tried to rest but soon she heard the sounds of lightsabers slashing followed by screams of agony and death, Rey held herself tightly as the sounds got louder and louder and all of a sudden they stopped and another voice echoed.
"I love you..." Evelyn's voice echoed and Rey's eyes shot up when she heard her voice and it frightened her to hear Evelyn's voice sound so weak and quiet, it was like her last words and it scared Rey.
Looking back out of the small cave the sandstorm continued to get worse and all Rey could do was stay put and wait for it to pass, she would move the second it would die down.
-Supreme Leaders personal shuttle-
Kylo Ren with a group of stormtroopers marched up the ramp of his personal shuttle and once they entered the hall Kylo Ren seperated himself from his troops and headed towards his private quarters to meditate and prepare for the mission ahead, he knew this plan of his must succeed a single mistake will cost everything. Everything he worked towards would all be for nothing if it failed.
Soon he finally came to the door of his quarters and slowly entered and right there in the centre of the room was an alter and there laying on top of it was a burned helmet, Kylo Ren locked eyes with it as he slowly approached it.
"After all my work, all my sacrifice...I will finally finish what you started." Kylo Ren whispered as he finally came up to the alter, he then slowly placed his hand on top of the helmet and closed his eyes hearing voices and raw power.
"Lend my the power of the Darkness, with it I will finally finish what you started...I will not fail you...Grandfather" Kylo Ren remained motionless as he kept his focus on his Grandfather's helmet and soon his private shuttle took off and set course for Moraband.
After the pain and all the sacrifice Kylo Ren was ready to achieve what he wanted this whole time, Peace.
"Evelyn is resting for the rescue of the daughters, Rey is struggling on Moraband, Javik and Jaylah kissed in a heated moment, Poe with Finn and Jessika just enjoy a moment of laughter and Kylo Ren, Ranza Ren with her fellow Knights are ready to spring into action. Next chapter will show the team encounter the Knights Of Ren. SEE YA NEXT TIME!"