CHAPTER XVI

The torture had been ongoing for hours. Kur was strapped down to the chair as Kylo Ren stood over him, bare-faced, Force-choking him. Kur was not doing well; between the choking sessions he gasped for air and struggled to get words out.

"I-I told you-there's no need-to torture me," Kur was able to get out, "I offered to aid you."

"I know what you said, Kur. But you think I'm just going to blindly trust you? I need to know that everything you show me will be true."

"This power-of the Force-requires years of concentration. It's not something-I can teach you in a day."

"Tell me how you do it! You uploaded your consciousness into the planet of Kessel, and to its twin. What is the other planet?"

"It's part of me-It's just-The Planet With No Name."

He released Kur and handed him a glass of water, allowing him to get his voice back.

"So what do I do? Just use the Force?"

"Yes," Kur said, still taking deep breaths, "You focus on space itself. And start thinking in a way you've never thought before-"

Right at that moment, there was a notification of a transmission being received. Kylo Ren activated the room's computer, and a tiny hologram of Darth Phasma was projected onto the floor.

"Greetings, Phasma," he said, "What news do you bring?"

"The deed is done," Phasma said triumphantly, "Zyr has been assassinated. And the people of Coruscant are happy to be rid of him."

And Ren smiled, as if a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

"And the New Republic?"

"They are in chaos. There is no line of succession, and the senators are all corrupt windbags. They are debating what do do; some want to hold an election, others want to make a claim for monarchy."

He was in ecstasy. The New Republic was falling apart before his very eyes. The very thing he had seen his mother build, had seen consume her, was now in shambles.

"Master Ren," Phasma's hologram said, "Now is the time for us to strike! We can rule the galaxy!"

"How would you do that, Darth Phasma? Are you a senator?"

"Coruscant is weak. If we attack now, whoever comes out on top can take the seat, regardless of legitimacy."

"Stand by, Phasma. I need to think."

He shut off the transmission, then turned back to Kur.

"What have you done, Ben?" Kur asked, "You've single handedly destroyed the entire Skywalker legacy!"

But Ren suddenly looked around, feeling something intently.

"Hush. I sense a presence in the Force. Do you?"

Kur was quiet, and both realized they felt it.

"It's her," Kur said, "The girl Rey. She's somehow onboard."

"Truly a resilient one. I'll deal with her."


Rey was in the middle of crawling through the Star Destroyer's ventilation shafts, carrying Veep with her. It was hard navigating through such a large vessel, but between the Force and her droid's programming, she was faring well.

Rey...

A voice called in her head, and she froze! She realized Kylo Ren was calling to her through the Force.

Rey, I know you're near. I can feel you. I have something to share with you.

What is it?

President Zyr is dead.

Rey took this in.

Suddenly all the machines around her lit up and began playing transmissions. Darth Phasma's message was relayed, as were images and footage of Zyr's corpse and of the Senate debating. She searched her feelings, but she knew this was the truth.

Rey, there's nothing left for you. His voice seemed so haunting and somber when she heard it through the Force. What do you have worth fighting for?

Rey hesitated for a moment, and then spoke back.

Very well. I surrender to you. I am on the lower level. Take me to the bridge. I won't try to fight you.


A half hour later, there was a commotion on the main bridge. Rey and her droid had been found on the lower level and was now brought forth. The droid was taken by one of the Sith while she was held as a prisoner. About thirty Sith were gathered around her, staring at this infamous yet powerful Force-user, unsure what to do next.

"No one is to harm her!" Kylo Ren yelled as he emerged out of his quarters, bringing Kur with him. Kur still shivered from his torture and had clearly seen better days, but he looked at this scene with interest.

As Rey was taken to the very middle of the room, she looked at the face of the young man who had once been Ben Solo; she saw his nose, his clenched jaw, all the things that once seemed menacing and now made him seem-so vulnerable.

"I come to you in peace, but I have something to say," she spoke up, "And I'd like everyone to hear it."

"Very well," Kylo Ren said, "Let's all listen to the prisoner."

Rey hesitated a second as the room went deadly silent. She knew there would be no going back after this moment. With a breath, she took the plunge.

"My name is Rey Palpatine! Rightful ruler of the Galaxy, granddaughter to one of the great Sith Lords, the man known as Darth Sidious! I will continue my grandfather's legacy! And, with the president assassinated and the Senate in dysfunction, now is the time for me to take my place as Empress!"

The Sith all stared at her, astonished. Kylo Ren's face dropped.

"It's not true. Can it be true?"

She seemed dead serious, and her face did not betray her words. He looked over at Kur, who simply stated: "Yes, it's true. She is his granddaughter."

"Listen to me, all of you!" Rey proclaimed, every bit in command of the situation, "On my own, I am nobody. Were I to go to Coruscant, my claim for the throne would fall on deaf ears. I need an army! Sith who still are loyal to my grandfather and to what Sidious stood for! If you swear fealty to me as Empress, I will restore the ways of the Sith!"

Everyone looked confused, and all eyes turned to Kylo Ren, who still seemed unsure. Rey stood resolute.

"Our grandfathers worked side by side," she said, "So can we. Will you join me?"

He simply stood there, realizing whatever he did next would affect years to come.