CHAPTER XII
Kylo Ren was awoken in his chambers by a soldier and immediately informed of the uprising down below.
"The prisoner has escaped and infiltrated the cloning facility. And the Wookiee is with him."
"What of the Sith Inquisitors who were doing the cloning?"
"We've lost contact with them."
"Shut down all elevators!" Ren ordered, "Quarantine the lower level; no one goes in or out! Can we gas the whole level?"
"The gassing functions on this Star Destroyer are no longer operational."
"Very well. Just leave them down there. Two rebels trapped on a floor with no food or water won't last long. After they get through whatever Inquisitors are there, they'll be starved out."
Of course, no longer having Finn and Udo as leverage would hurt his negotiations with Rey the next day. But he knew he had the higher ground, and he was sure he could be a match for her.
He got back in bed and fell immediately into a peaceful sleep.
Finn, Udo, and Veep soon became aware of their predicament. They had expected every single Sith and soldier aboard the Star Destroyer to charge at them. But after a few minutes, they realized nothing was coming.
"Veep, what's happening with the elevators?"
Veep rolled across the floor, then plugged into the wall.
"I'm afraid they've been shut down and are no longer operational."
"Can't you override them?"
"Negative, sir. It is a complete lock-down."
"We've been cut off," Finn said as Udo roared in frustration, "They intend to keep us here and starve us out!"
He began looking around the facility. There were only a few baby-clones in their pods, some sleeping away, others crying or looking scared. Soon, a plan started to formulate in his head.
"Veep, how many species of clones are in this room?"
"Only twelve, sir, all from different species."
"And are any of them Force-sensitive?"
"Yes, but-"
"Then this is the future," Finn said triumphantly, "They may only be infants, but they can help. This is the next generation of clone soldiers. They are the Resistance. The Resistance lives!"
The next morning, Rey and Kur Wendar stood on the planet surface at the appointed time. The tension between them could be cut with a knife.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Rey said.
"You would," Kur responded, "But I believe there's more to you than meets the eye, Rey Palpatine."
Rey smirked a bit. She found that she wasn't so afraid of her last name anymore. Truth was, she liked having a surname, any surname. Saying it in full rolled off the tongue very nicely.
After a few minutes, Kylo Ren's shuttle could be seen descending from the sky. Rey grabbed her lightsaber in fear, preparing to see him again. It would be her first time seeing him in person in three years.
Eventually, the shuttle landed right in front of them. Kylo Ren emerged without his mask, the scar across his face still prominent. Two other Sith Lords stood behind him as he surveyed Kur and Rey.
"Hello, Kur," he said, staring at him with eyes that seemed much older than they were, "You've come a long way since we were Skywalker's students. I understand you've had a breakthrough in the Force. You always were the most pensive student."
"And you were always the strongest, Ben," Kur replied, "Anyway, I've been foolish all these years. I kept myself busy on the planet, meditating, doing new things with the Force, but all the while I've ignored you and the new rise of the Sith. No longer. I willingly surrender myself to you."
Kylo Ren smiled, then turned to Rey.
"It's been a long time since I saw you in person, Rey. Three years I believe."
"Yes, the day you murdered Chewbacca and tried to murder your parents," Rey said defiantly, "You are not Ben Solo. Ben Solo died that day. Now that I see your face in person again, outside of a dream, Kylo Ren is as good a name for you as any."
"The Force is strong with you," he replied coolly, "I sense the darkside."
"Enough of this," Rey said, "I thought this was a prisoner exchange. Where are Finn and Udo?"
"I'm afraid I cannot take prisoners off the vessel where they can easily escape or I can be ambushed. They had to remain aboard the Star Destroyer. But you're welcome to come back up with us and free them yourself."
Rey snickered.
"You must think me a fool to fall for such an obvious trap."
"Suit yourself then. It seems to me Kur wants to come with me anyway."
"That's right," Kur said, then walked forward to the Sith Lords who cuffed him and led him inside the vessel. Now Rey stood along with Kylo Ren.
"What are you doing, Rey?" he asked, "What's the point of fighting me, part of a Resistance that's now dead? Why not join me?"
"I will never join you."
"So what is the alternative? That the two of us just stand here, Force-choking each other to death? Or should we have a lightsaber duel? Even if you killed me, my men would be on you immediately. You could be a very powerful Sith."
"Maybe I could. I supposed you might say I'd be part of the legacy of Darth Sidious," Rey said with a slight smirk. This comment seemed to throw Kylo Ren for a loop, but then he regained his composure.
"Face it, Rey: the Sith have risen. They are already here."
Rey said nothing.
"Leave her be," Kur called solemnly from the shuttle.
"Very well, Rey. Out of respect to your friend here, I won't harm you. I think leaving you here, all alone on a barren planet, the only member of a dead Resistance, is enough punishment for you."
"You're a monster," Rey replied, eyes full of pure hatred.
"Maybe so," he said with indifference, "But at least I am part of an army with something to fight for. You are alone. And you always will be."
And with that, Kylo Ren entered his vessel, and it took off, ascending into the heavens.
Rey realized she was indeed alone, right now the only living being on the surface of a barren planet. She had watched all her friends be captured, and now she had watched Kur, the closest thing to a new friend she had made, be captured with them.
But she still had a plan.
As soon as the vessel had disappeared in the sky, Rey ran. She sensed the invisible barrier coming towards her and she jumped through. Once inside the Golden Sphere, she allowed her mind to connect with it and, using the Force, began to ascend as well.
She was going into space to settle this once and for all.
