Last On: The planet Akiva held a rebellion and self declared them part of Kylo Ren's First Order. Leia wants to hold a Ball there. Ben teaches Rey to Dance.

Chapter 34 – To Plot and Plan

They arrived on Akiva during it's night cycle, taking a small shuttle down into the city of Myrra. There ancient architecture was mixed with new.

Ben knew only a little of this world, though he'd been researching it since they saw that holo. The planet's Jungles were teaming with life. 'Rey will love it here,' Ben thought to himself.

Ben was permitted to wear black again for this trip. Though the occasion, you could say, demanded it of him. Each outfit, including the one he wore now, was specially designed to, as his mother puts it, make a statement.

Beside him Rey's outfit certainly did make a statement. Her dress was black to match his, and her hair was braided with red beads threaded throughout. Judging by her facial expressions however, Rey must have felt the dress was designed to torture her. However, based on the way the top of it clung to her womanly features, Ben suspected it was designed to torture him instead.

Also in their shuttle was a young Resistance cadet named Dillon. Dilly would be assuming the title General on this trip. He was supposed to be the Supreme Leader's confidant. The one he'd speak through to carry out his rulings, though in truth his orders would come from Leia and her team, as Ben had almost no real power. Something he still resented, though he was getting used to it.

There were also six supposed stormtroopers traveling with them. Finn, Poe, and Snap were the only ones Ben knew by name. Snap actually had been helpful to Ben's research on Akiva, as Snap had grown up there, and was more than willing to tell stories of his childhood once he learned of Ben's interest.

Leia had a comm sent telling Akiva to expect their arrival ahead of time, so their ship was greeted by a commander of the defecting First Order personnel, and a team of white stormtroopers who must have defected as well.

When their shuttle landed, their brown stormtroopers got out first. They marched out following a procession and stood in two lines of three outside the shuttle. Ben followed, with Rey closely by his side. He had a firm grip on her through the force, because due to the tight skirt, and the ridiculous shoes his mother made her wear, she had a lot of trouble just walking. Still it helped him have that detached look a Supreme Leader must have meeting with subordinates.

Dilly stepped off last, and immediately greeted the First Order defectors present. "Your Supreme Leader Kylo Ren extends his Greetings to the world of Akiva. He is pleased you have taken to remove the traitorous from your ranks and your loyalty will be rewarded. I am General Dillon Degorn, and I have the honor of speaking for His Highness and for carrying out his commands."

"Commander Boche, at your service." said the First Order defector, as he bowed towards Ben. "The old Satrap's Palace in the Royal District has been rebuilt, and prepared for your stay, if it pleases Your Highness."

Ben looked over Boche with an air of indifference. Dilly looked at Ben then spoke again. "Yes, that will be agreeable."

The defectors stepped aside to make a path. Ben walked with Rey between their lines, followed closely after by Dilly and the rest of their men. When they got to the street outside the hanger, they found a line of small speeders waiting.

"Bala-balas are the only way to travel in Myrra," Boche rushed after them nervously to explain. "The streets here are so narrow, few other vehicles will fit."

Indeed, Ben had heard about the Bala-balas and the narrow roads from Snap, but he made a point to look slightly put out, before nodding his acceptance to Dilly.

Ben walked up beside them all and chose one speeder to ride. He threw his leg over it's side, then noticed the issue with the whole plan. Rey couldn't just throw her leg over in the skirt she was wearing. Instead he pulled her over to him and sat her behind him with her legs over one side together. "Hold onto me," he instructed, and she wrapped her arms around his chest.

Boche took the lead speeder, and he led them up narrow, bumpy roads into a gated community known as the Royal District. There he led them up to the largest property. It was built using a combination of timber and stone. The foundations were much older than the rest of the place. They must have been all that remained after the old Satrap's Palace was bombed.

Their speeders pulled up in front of an archway. The archway led to stone stairs that led up to the palace entrance. From the entrance there were two wings that stretched out on either side. However, they were not mirror images of each other, as the wing on the right had a tower containing at least two more floors than the left side.

When they entered the Palace Rey's eyes became very big, looking up at the ceiling that stretched several floors above her head.

"Greetings Your Majesty, I am Edward, the Palace Butler." Edward greeted them with a bow. "I hope the palace pleases you, and your, uh, guest."

Ben turned to Dilly, who was walking up behind Ben. "Rey should take off these shoes so she can finally walk on her own." He whispered.

Dilly turned to Edward, "Kylo Ren is very pleased with the palace. He would like to introduce you to Lady Rey. While he is here, you are to take care of her every need."

"Oh, yes. Greetings Ma'am," Edward rushed to bow to Rey.

"Have your servants take Master Ren and Lady Rey to their quarters," Dilly commanded.

Edward clapped his hands and two servants walked up. "This is Carly and Kevin. They will see to your needs while you are here."

"I understand servant's brought our belongings from the Hanger," Dilly inquired.

"Yes, several bags were brought in through the servant's entrance just now." Edward sounded relieved to have someone closer to his station to talk to.

"Very good, I'd like to see your dance hall. How many can your kitchens serve?" Dilly continued to drill Edward long after Ben and Rey walked away.

There was a long grand staircase in the entrance hall, but the servants had enough sense watching Rey stumble around the foyer to lead them to the lift instead. Upstairs, they led them down a hall to a set of double doors, which the male servant opened. "Supreme Leader, your bedroom suite, if it pleases you." He sounded very timid.

Ben turned to Rey. To the servants and anyone else watching, Ben simply nodded to Rey, but this was when they opened up their mutual mental connection. Rey probably only agreed to pacify Ben. But to Ben it was a safety measure that soothed his anxieties more than knowing he'd be bringing his own guard from the resistance. This was a First Order world, after all.

Ben then turned and entered his quarters. The room was very large. Creams and whites dominated the color scheme. Ben found it acceptable.

'Oh my, Ben!' came Rey's thoughts. She must have gotten to her room already.

'Where are you?' Ben asked.

'Right beside yours. Next door on the right. This room, It's…'

Ben laughed. It felt nice to hear her enjoying this.

'This bed, it's so big, and so grand. Why did they cover it?'

'The screen is to keep out the Ya-ya flies. They take advantage of the moisture after a rainstorm to breed, and they breed like crazy. You'll want to sleep with the curtain drawn, from what Snap's told me.'

'Oh, well it must be a very expensive curtain. It feels like it's made from Demicot Silk!'

'Only the finest for the Supreme Leader and his guests.' Ben thought.

'I want to take off this dress and these shoes. Where are our clothes?'

Ben was beginning to wonder the same thing, so he pulled the cord that rung a bell summoning a servant to his quarters. The door opened, and Kevin pushed in a cart with several outfits hanging, and more bags loaded below.

"I have your belongings right here, sir. Is there anything else I can do for you?" Kevin said with a bow.

"No, you're dismissed." Ben replied, suppressing a laugh and a smile. Rey's thoughts as she finally took off her shoes were filled with a few curse words even he didn't know.

When they were both wearing a second, more comfortable outfit, Dilly came to Ben's room. "Everything seems to be going well. I spoke with Commander Boche. He seems to be the one in charge here in the interim. I have given your proclamation that a counsel be elected to send you issues and suggestions for leadership, and he says that would take a couple months to prepare for. I think he's delaying for some reason. I haven't covered the issue of opening up the voting to all species yet. I figure we can tackle that once I get him to stop stalling."

"Does the General know about this?" Ben asked, deciding to use his mother's title in case his room was bugged or a servant was listening in.

"Yes, she agrees with my assumptions. For someone like him to get power, even a temporary power, then being asked to give it up suddenly would naturally produce some resistance. Anyways, I've spoken to the staff here. They have a dance hall large enough for holding a Ball. And the kitchens are prepared to cater it. Raffaele, he runs the kitchen here, wants us to do a tasting this afternoon. We should be able to hold the Ball at the end of the week."

"Yes, do that. And remember, send the invitations to all species." Ben knew he didn't need to give him such commands, but again, if someone was listening in, he had to seem to be in charge.

"Yes, all species," Dilly repeated. He seemed to understand enough of Ben's motives to give a slight bow before leaving.

Later that afternoon Ben and Rey went down to the dining room to participate in the tasting for the Ball. Rey wore a comfortable white dress and a pair of shoes similar to the style she usually wears. As Ben walked down he held Rey's hand. He was having a hard time holding a stern face with all her thoughts of shock and amazement at every room they passed. He figured if their Supreme Leader were going to be smiling like an idiot, it'll be better if there were a reason others could perceive.

When Rey started trying the Akivan delicacies, he began to regret his decision to stay mentally bonded. Her thoughts trying the foods were sensual, to say the least.

"Try my freshly made Dao-ben. These steamed buns are filled with Salustan Jam and Carruthian brandy." went the chef. Raffaele watched them with awe as they tasted his food.

'Mmm.' Then when Rey got to the middle she thought a surprised. 'Ooh. That's so good.'

Ben nodded his approval to the chef. The next dish they brought out was steamed Korlappii, still in their shells.

'eew' Rey thought just looking at them.

'Try it. It's better than it looks.' Ben took one to demonstrate how to get the meat out of the shell.

'It looks as gross as the bugs on Jakku. I haven't been that hungry in a long time.'

Ben received the memory of a sour and bitter taste and a bug still squirming as it went down her throat. This reminded him she had been that hungry before. He pushed the plate away "We'll pass on this one." As he said this Raffaele frowned in disappointment.

In the end they approved several dishes, including a roasted Wyrg stuffed with Arguez sausage, a Corobb salad made with the local Koshar melons, and a fried Boaboo fungus.

Next Raffaele brought out a tray of drinks. He passed them glasses filled with different brandys and wines from across the galaxy for them to sip. Ben could tell Dilly liked the Carruthian brandy, and it was one of his favorites as well. Then Raffaele poured the last bottle and a gold colored beverage filled the glasses.

Rey tasted a sip of the drink, and her mind went, 'Mmm it's sweet and fruity.'

Ben simply held onto his glass as he listened to Rey's thoughts. Raffaele interpreted his stillness as indecision. "Sashin-leaf mead, Sir. It's locally brewed."

By the time Ben took a sip he was decided. "We'll serve the Sashin-leaf mead and the Carruthian brandy." With that decision made, the tasting was complete.

"Come on Luke, I will get my grandson to kiss that girl, even if I have to drag you here myself." complained Anakin.

"Oh, you're still on about that kiss, are you! The music didn't work. Neither did giving them some alone time. What's next? You gonna force feed them Amare seeds? You know that would work better than any of your nitwit plans." Luke grumbled back.

"Tell that to Obi Wan, why don't you! You can't interfere with their free will like that. You've messed around with their biology enough." Anakin imitated.

"So what is your plan then?"

"They're going to go to a Ball, where they will eat, then dance. When they've finished dancing, knowing your nephew, he will be desperate to leave the crowd." When Anakin said this Luke rolled his eyes. "He'll take Rey out here to the gardens." Anakin looked around. "These won't do," he said while studying a bush. Waving his hands he moved plants around, then smiled. "When he brings here here, these flowers will bloom with the slightest push from yours truly, and it'll create a moment."

"A moment?"

"Yes, a moment," said Anakin looking down on Luke with dismay. "He'll lean forward a little. She'll lean forward. Then their lips will meet. His hands will stroke her hair. Maybe they'll even use their tongues!"

Luke wrinkled his nose and spat his tongue out. "Yuck, why do you have to make it sound so gross."

Anakin only rolled his eyes. "It'll be romantic. The kiss of the century."

Hello everyone,

I have recently added chapter titles, because with 30 plus chapters it's getting hard to remember what each was about. I had fun with a few of them.

I didn't find a lot of pictures to use for Akiva, so I used Mediterranean design and Roman architecture for my inspiration.

For this chapter I did a lot of research on Wookieepedia, especially for Star Wars foods. The stuffed Wyrg dish was a bit between the lines. I couldn't find any Wyrg in the books, but there was a Wyrg Jerky Akivians were said to like, so I figured why not.

For Rey's reactions to the shellfish, I vaguely remember hearing about some insect on Jakku that was a source of nutrition if you were desperate, but couldn't find anything when I tried to look it up. I figure it sounds realistic, even if it was only my imagination playing tricks on me. Rey's reaction to shellfish is the same reaction I would have.

And the Amare seeds Luke mentions are entirely from my imagination. I tried to research some type of substance in the Star Wars universe that makes you get frisky, but couldn't find anything to any of the search terms I used.