I woke up completely entangled around Ben. Frowning I wondered how I got there but the memories from last night emerged and my stomach churned both from the night of drinking and the evidence that we were really getting too close. Part of me wanted to be selfish and just stay in the comfort of his arms but today was a day for action. I pushed away. I elbowed him until he released me, groaning. I told him to quit it since it was time to put my plan in place. We bought a utilitarian but elegant little craft and with no ceremony, left Chandrila behind. I gave Ben the coordinates and while he entered them I looked behind us at Chandrila. It was a nice vacation destination, I was going to miss the safety and luxuries but we had things to do.
"How long until we reach Zygeria?" I asked, double checking our supplies since I had nothing else to do.
"3 days. What is the plan?"
"Take back the Kiroans, steal them if necessary. I already contacted my fleet and it will take them a week or so to get there." I untangled a cord.
Ben nodded, his black curls bouncing. It took far more resources to move a fleet of that size, we were most likely going to reach Zygeria first.
"We are going to be on our own at first," I decided to tell Ben more of the plan. "We will have to find the Togrutas first then we can extract. Meanwhile, the fleet will stay a light year away." Ben nodded and turned back to navigate while I drew up my computer.
The first day in space was strange, I had to get used to the silence and darkness of space again. My circadian rhythm was thrown off and I needed to keep a routine to prevent space sleep. I changed and brushed my teeth getting ready to take my turn at the wheel so Ben can rest.
I went to the cockpit and took the controls as he went to crash on the bunk in the back. A couple hours passed quietly and though pleasant, I enjoyed arguing and bantering with Ben more than staring out into endless space in silence. I heard him shift and get agitated. I glanced behind me uncertainly and saw him flail around. Concerned, I put the ship on autopilot and went back to check it out.
He shouted and flung the blanket at me. I swiped it aside. "Ben! What's going on?!" I pushed aside my apprehension and came closer. He sat up so suddenly I took an automatic step back. His wide eyes were an unrestrained storm crashing against a distant shore.
"Don't you see her?" He panted, his black hair stuck to his skull in sweat matted clumps.
I was afraid he had a concussion or some other terrible brain injury. "See who?!" I stuttered.
"Her!" He pointed behind me and I turned to see an empty wall.
"There's no one here!" I was dumbfounded. What was happening to him?
His finger shook and his face drained of color. Ben lowered his hand slowly and set back heavily, breathing hard. I let out a breath, he was a lunatic's laugh away from snapping.
I moved in and took his saber away from him. He tightened his bloodless lips but didn't stop me. "Who was it?"
He couldn't look me in the eyes as he lied. "No, not a clue."
I let it go as he looked pensive and dare I say it, frightened? That unnerved me more than anything. There was a lot that I don't like about Kylo Ren but I could never call him a coward. I've never seen him afraid of any body or situation.
The next day, I woke up to Ben's speaking lowly. His deep voice carried and I strained to hear him.
"-where are you?" I woke up completely and went to the cockpit. Wondering who he was coming and whether that person might interfere with my plan, I hid behind the entrance to listen in.
"-I can't tell you. Can't and won't. She'll kill me." She evidently means me. I fisted my small hands, was he going to betray me? I grasped my necklace, ready to activate it and kill Ren if need be. Kill him? I paused. Once I wouldn't have hesitated but now, I found myself reluctant.
"No. The First Order is everything to me, I'll never leave it. This conversation ends here," He paused. "You can go now." Another pause, "How should I know?! This isn't a com."
That was piquing my curiosity so I entered the cockpit. Sure enough, no com was on and Ben was speaking to nothing. Ben stopped talking and quickly turned. "Would you please put something on?" I looked around in confusion then pointed a finger at myself. "Yes, you," Ben spoke to the controls. "Who?" I was more confused than ever.
"You, Artemis, the only half naked one here."
I glanced down at my silk pajamas. Yes, it was a camisole and shorts but it didn't reveal too much and the silk was completely opaque-I checked. "Half-naked? This is one of my more conservative pajamas." Rather than replying, Ben stripped off his shirt and held it out in my general direction. "So who were you talking to?" I reluctantly put his shirt on, I was too curious to leave and change. At least it was warm. "It's on," I laughed when he still stared straight ahead. He turned and looked like he couldn't breathe. I tilted my head, "What's wrong now? If you say something about my hair, I'm going to hit you."
Ben swallowed then shook himself. "It's none of your business." I leaned over him menacingly. "Of course it is! You're on my ship and a part of my plan. What you do and who you interact with directly affects me."
Ben glared into my endless sapphire eyes. He blinked, looking away. I grasped his chin and narrowed my eyes. "I don't know who she is." I snorted in disbelief. "I don't, I really do not know who this person is. All I know is that she is a part of the Rebellion, we've crossed paths a few times but I don't know her agenda. I've been trying but I'm not as good as you are at getting what I want." I smirked smugly and sat on the right armrest. "Of course not," I flipped my hair, hitting him in the face.
"Oh, come one. I was trying to compliment you," Ben swiped my silvery hair out of his face. I sniffed. "So? Go on, who is she with, what's her plan, what is she interested in?" I gesticulated. Ben shrugged a shoulder. "Er, we haven't gotten that far. Right now, we're trying to figure why and how this keeps happening." I poked him in his bare shoulder with a nail. "Stop referring to you two as we. You're going to get attached."
"No I won't," he denied. "How long has this been going on?" I studied him.
"A week or so."
I looked down at him from my vantage point scornfully. "A week and you thought to keep this from me? Clearly you are getting attached."
"No I'm not!" He sat up straighter. "Then why hide it?" I prodded him, this time in the thigh with a foot. Ben rubbed his neck, "I didn't want you to think I was crazy. Don't laugh," He glared when I scoffed. "I thought I was going mad. Who has interactions with their hallucinations besides the insane?"
I shrugged. "I don't have any answers. We can use this to our advantage though."
Ben grinned at me, "Who's using we now?"
I swung my legs over his and leaned forward, fisting his luscious dark hair. "Let's get something straight, by we I mean me. This can benefit me. I want something out of her." Conflicting emotions warred on his face. Frustration, wry resignation, annoyance, and want. I let him go and left him by himself.
The last day of travel was spent getting ready. I bathed and washed my hair as thoroughly as the small bathroom allowed. I applied lotions and makeup then meticulously dried and curled my long hair. I styled my curls in a simple, elegant style away from my face. It was a bit harder without my hairdresser but I would pass. I slipped on my most expensive dress-a long ice blue dress with an over layer of silver gauze. I arranged the deep sweetheart neckline then smoothed the iridescent fabric over the flare of my hips. I looked at my bare arms with annoyance, I wish I had some bracelets. I spritz on more perfume and then slipped Ben's ring back on my finger.
I swept out and Ben gave me a double take. "Who are you supposed to be?" He asked.
"Myself, Galaxia Tarkin. We're not playing a role here. I'm Lady Tarkin again and you will be.."
Ben interrupted, "Your husband." I gave him a strange look. "I've been thinking. If I was a servant, I would be almost invisible but if I was caught, you'd have to deny me." I motioned for him to continue.
"If I was a silly spoiled husband, I'd be given tours and no one would take me seriously. Everyone would be focused on the Lady Tarkin but as for me, they would think I would be trying to get a gift for you if I were caught, no one can detain me." He grinned as I pondered his suggestion. "Alright, I don't see anything wrong with that."
I told him to change while I guided the ship to Zygeria. I saw the large reddish planet come into view. It was the first time in a very long while that an outsider has come to this secluded desert planet. This was going to be dangerous. Ben appeared next to me and I gave him a smile. I was grateful he was with me.
I stepped off of the ship holding Ben's hand delicately, allowing him to guide me down the ramp. The heat slammed into me instantly activating my sweat glands. The drastic difference from the cold of space travel to the desert heat sapped me of energy. We gave the dock official our documents; mine which were authentic and Ben's, whose were not and the man gave me a deep bow. Instantly a luxury transport appeared as I turned. Ben clambered in first and helped me in as I gathered my long skirt in my other hand. Once arranged, we took off with the driver giving me a narrative of the history of Zygeria and various monuments and buildings. I listened half heartedly as I watched the ziggurats and palms pass by. Large sandstone pyramids reached for the heavens while shops and apartments were blocky and utilitarian. Sapphire blue canals cut through the city like veins bringing life giving water back to the heart of the city, the palace.
"Where are we going?" Ben asked at last. The driver nodded at the gargantuan palace. "You will be staying at the palace. You and Lady Tarkin will meet with the queen for dinner once you have rested." I waved my hand gracefully in acceptance and in a silent command for the driver to shut up. He did so and the rest of the short trip passed quietly.
Once we reached the palace, a host of slaves and diplomats greeted me. Ben hid behind me while I held out my hands to be kissed. I greeted them politely and they led me into the palace. The diplomat instructed me on the traditions of Zygerian culture and how to greet the queen but proud creature that I was, was going to greet the queen my way.
Finally we were left alone. I was finally able to bathe like a civilized person. A slave massaged me feet and calves while another rubbed my temples and neck. Yet another manicured my nails as I relaxed in the bath. A sharp prick made me hiss in pain and yank my hand out of the slave's grip. "Why you-," I snarled. The woman dropped to her knees, pressing her forehead to the ground. The other slaves froze. I frowned at their reactions, what did they think I was going to do? I would punish servants by firing them or docking their pay but I would never be crass enough to beat them.
I held my hand out again, "Be more careful. Continue." The woman's hands shook as she took mine again. There was a collective exhale as I closed my eyes. "How are you treated here?" The Twi'lek brushing my hair paused. "Better than most," she whispered.
"And for the most?"
"We are replaced once we aren't useful anymore," The other slave said.
I leaned back thoughtfully and let the women do their job. I emerged from the bath refreshed and thoughtful. Ben looked up from the bed. He was dressed in a Zygerrian tunic with gold trim and loose white pants. I went to him and fingered the collar. "I hate this, these colors don't suit you at all." Ben shrugged, "They gave them to me, I put them on. It's just clothes, why does it matter?"
"A good appearance matters. It's an invisible armor. If you dress poorly, clothing is the first thing they notice." I laid down beside him and closed my eyes.
Ben poked me in the side and I pushed his hand away bad naturedly. "We should explore."
"No, it's nap time," I wiggled under the silk sheets. "Now either go to sleep or go and explore by yourself."
Ben sighed and I felt him climb in after me. A polite knock at the door woke me up and I found Ben curled possessively around me. This was occurring too often. I left his arms, immediately missed the warmth of his body and moved to the edge of the bed.
I went to the door and let the slaves in. As they dressed me, I heard him wake up. I was dressed in a dark plum and lavender dress. The low neckline plunged in front and in the back. The long skirt swept the floor flaring gently out like a flower. My hair was coiled in an elaborate updo. I declined the bulky jewelry that the queen generously lent in favor for Ben's ring a simple diamond pendent and matching earrings. I stepped into my heels and walked out. Ben was waiting attired in a blue tunic and dark pants. I nodded in approval. Taking his arm, we were escorted to see the queen of Zygeria.
Miraj Scintel was a tall woman, almost as tall as Ben, thin as a honed razor and probably twice as sharp. Powerful women always had something to prove and I was not going to underestimate her. I curtsied, sweeping out my skirt gracefully while Ben bent at the waist in a bow. I rose taking her in. She held out a long taloned hand in red varnish out for a kiss. Ben took her hand and dropped a perfunctory air kiss. Her amber eyes in a distinctly feline face narrowed at me, assessing me.
Through her eyes, I saw myself as a fairly tall willowy woman with a completion of moonlight and distinguishable hair the color of polished silver. My opaline eyes are sharp and guarded while my shell pink lips were softly curled in either a smirk or a smile.
"Your highness."
"Lady Admiral."
