Chapter 26

General Dameron's office, Ohma D'un. On the day before the signing of the United Galactic Systems charter.

A few hours before the most important event since the Battle of Exegol for the Resistance, its leaders were reviewing the final preparations to be made. What speeches would be delivered, what clauses would not be open to debate, which head of state would be to be avoided or hard to convince. All gathered in Dameron's office, Ben was still astonished to have joined, albeit reluctantly, this small party.

The huge upholstered sofas were all occupied. To his left, reading for the hundredth time some notes she had taken on a datapad, Connix. Her girlfriend Rose, long asleep after C3-PO had had them revise the names of heads of state and systems — each one more boring than the last — had put her head on her legs, and her body, though tiny, stretched all the way across the cushions. The two Generals and Jannah had taken the largest sofa. Hands together, Finn and Jannah were squabbling with Poe, who was sitting in a ridiculous posture with his head in the air and his legs on the backrest.

It had been a long, boring evening. Ben sighed again as he looked forward to the end.

Fortunately, the boredom had been somewhat softened by a much more interesting and important person in his eyes, and who now stood on his lap. With her arms wrapped around his neck, Rey was chatting with her friends, stopping occasionally to caress his hair, or his cheeks, or to kiss him lightly. She had ignored the embarrassed and annoyed looks of her friends, and after several hours, Ben was relieved that they began to do the same.

He tensed up when he heard her laughing at the Generals' jokes, and so he took the opportunity again to tighten his grip on her leg, his huge hand covering it almost completely.

He couldn't help it, he was an only child, he had never been taught to share. He had been forced to do so from a very young age, but he had never been able to bear it. When asked to share his parents' love and time with others, Ben had always been terrible.

Surprisingly, the one he had always worried about, no longer seemed to be a threat. After several practices of scrutinizing his thoughts and correcting his mental barriers, he quickly realized that Finn was very much infatuated with Jannah. And even though he and Rey had finally reconciled and regained their former closeness, Ben didn't feel jealous. At least not too much.

Dameron, on the other hand...

Since Zorii's departure, and especially since he had overheard his reflections during Rey's tryouts, Ben had been observing the General's actions with an attentive eye. So when Dameron had offered Rey a drink earlier in the evening, smiling mischievously, Ben had drawn her possessively to him, holding her in his lap and hastily pressing her against his chest and face. Sooner or later her friends should understand. She was with him. Poe had already taken his mother's affection, he wouldn't take his Rey.

His?

When did she become his Rey? Probably the first time she took his hand, or put her lips on his.

He was trying to feel guilty about his thoughts, he was really trying to control them, but the satisfaction of the young woman he perceived in their bond was not helping him. She liked that he was like that, she felt the same way. They were both similar, they had never had many loved ones in their lives, she even less than he, so they both clung to each other with the same attachment, the same dependency.

She whispered in his ear, and Ben couldn't stop his hand from clenching on her thigh.

Let's go somewhere else, he said.

Rey blushed, but nodded. He could feel her trembling against him, but not just for desire. She was scared. He questioned her with a surprised thought and she explained what was worrying her. How she felt about him, how she lost control of her body and her heart when he touched her. She was embarrassed by her inexperience. Ben immediately blamed himself for having frightened her with his own desire, which he was finding it more and more difficult to repress. She was driving him crazy too, and both of them were tired of not being able to be really alone, but Ben promised her again that he wouldn't rush her. She blushed even more, and he kissed her cheek before turning his attention to Connix, who had gotten up and was careful not to wake Rose.

"I think we're ready. If everyone sticks to their roles, everything should go well. I can't stress enough the importance of this evening, you know what's at stake, you also know it won't be easy, but I know we're going to make it. Poe, do you want to add something?"

"Good night."

Follow me, said Rey.

Taking the hand that she held out, Ben let himself be led after her and they quickly left the General's office. She seemed to be driven by a determined resolve. He didn't know where she wanted to take him, but just around the end of a corridor, Rey stopped abruptly and slammed him against a wall. With her body she prevented him from moving. Their difference in size and stature didn't allow her to really immobilize him, but Ben wouldn't have tried to free himself from her grip for anything in the world. He bent down toward her and grabbed her face, pulling her to his own.

Ben...

The way she pronounced his name in his mind made him tremble. But someone else seemed to be calling him too. He let go of Rey's lips to face Connix, who seemed very embarrassed at the moment.

"Ben? Sorry," she apologized, looking up to avoid resting her eyes on their embracing silhouettes. "Poe would like to talk to you."

Rey reluctantly walked away and left him after getting his promise that he would join her through the bond right after.

Ben returned to the General's office which was now empty of all its previous occupants. He wondered what Dameron wanted with him. He had listened only distractedly all evening, since he was not expected to accompany them, and he had been much busier with Rey's presence on his lap. He was about to announce himself when he heard a voice. The leader of the Resistance was talking in a low voice. Ben knew he should have waited outside, but his curiosity was heightened.

"...it's been almost a month now since you've given any news. I've apologized hundreds of times, I don't know what to do... Tell me what should I do... I'm not asking you to come back, I understand that you don't want to after what I've told you, but just let me know that you're okay... Please... I miss you terribly."

Maybe Ben was wrong to worry about Dameron after all. Not wanting to hear any more, he coughed to signal his presence.

"Ah. It's you," the General said.

He sat up in his seat and pressed a command from his desk.

"I can come back... if you're busy," Ben began uncomfortably.

"Don't bother, she doesn't get them anyway."

"And that doesn't worry you? Maybe something happened to her?"

Poe shook his head in resignation.

"This is Zorii we're talking about. Nothing can happen to her. She makes me pay for my foolishness."

Ben wouldn't mind commenting on that, but he felt no less. An awkward silence stretched between them as the sitting man seemed lost in thought.

"You wanted to see me?" insisted Ben, who didn't want to spend the night listening to the General's problems.

"Sometimes I forget who you are. I really forget that just a few months ago you were trying to kill us. The Resistance against the First Order. And now we're going to do it again. But this time you're with us."

"What do you want me to say to that?"

"I'd like you to come with us to Naboo tomorrow."

That remark raised an eyebrow of surprise.

"Really?"

"Not to the palace!" Was quick to point out Dameron. "You'll stay on the ship."

"Why?"

"You know how important what's going to be decided tomorrow."

"Of course."

"This alliance, this charter, will determine our future and the future of the galaxy."

"I know what the stakes are, Dameron."

"We absolutely can't have anything... unusual happen. If you know what I mean."

Ben didn't need the Force to know what he meant indeed.

"You talking about Rey? It's gonna be okay."

"I hope so. There'll be a lot of people, politicians, big shots, morons, and with everything that's going on right now, I'd rather have you around to help her stay calm. You know if she ever... I don't know, needs a break between two long negotiations."

Of course Dameron wasn't aware of what the bond was allowing them to do. They could have been thousands of light years away from each other, they still would have been close in their minds through the Force. But he refrained from explaining this fact to the General. To tell the truth, he was delighted, he preferred to stand by her side if anything should happen.

/

/

You look gorgeous.

Rey purred with pleasure at Ben's comment. She was, for once, agreeing with him.

The droids and a woman from Naboo had done wonders with her outfit and hair.

Sitting in one of the seats on the ship they were taking to get there, she was careful not to wrinkle the delicate fabric of the work of art that was her dress. She took a look at her friends, they were all beautiful. Connix and her long white dress that matched her light hair perfectly, Finn and Poe in their impeccable tunic and pants. They didn't look like Generals anymore, they were princes.

Yet, despite their sumptuous appearance, she only had eyes for a man. He wore nothing but the patched and worn-out clothes that the Resistance had given him, and the jacket that Rey had offered him, she had observed with satisfaction that he wore it all the time. And when he turned around to smile at her, he was more handsome than any prince, governor, emperor, or general she had ever seen.

Ben had been brought in before them, early in the morning, out of sight. No one was to know he was going to Naboo with them. When he had joined her at night in their bond to hold her close to him, she had already been sleeping for a long time. But the announcement of his coming with them had woken her up instantly, and she had had a hard time falling back to sleep. Although he would remain consigned to their ship, hidden, Rey could not help but exult.

Much more at ease with her friends lately, he was talking with Connix and Poe, discussing politics and other subjects that Rey was not very interested in. She sometimes wondered how he knew about... well, everything. Navigation, piloting, mechanics, meditation, politics, Jedis arts, the dark side, the Force, relationships ...

She blushes at the thought. There seemed to be no limit to his knowledge. She knew there was no reason to be jealous, they had not had the same life nor the same education. Yet she had a strange thought about what would have happened if she had been raised by Palpatine. Ben had revealed to her that he had once belonged to the nobility of Naboo. If she still hated to even think about her grandfather, she couldn't help but be secretly delighted. To know that deep down she really had a place in this story, and to have common origins with Ben. Their families both came from this beautiful place and she couldn't wait to discover it.

Unfortunately, thinking about her grandfather and the horrible monster he had been, drove her into melancholy. What would have happened to her if she had indeed been raised by the former Emperor?

Perhaps she would have proved to be gifted in politics or strategy. After all, he had been one of the smartest and cleverest men, enslaving the Galaxy while hiding his identity as a Sith. Perhaps she would have become one herself. Probably yes. She would have been plunged into the dark side, submerged, never having known anything else. But she would have had a family. No matter how twisted it may have been. She wrapped her arms around herself to fight the cold fear that crept in. Or he would have killed her.

From a distance she saw Ben stop in the middle of his sentence, disturbed by her distress. She sensed that he was about to apologize to his interlocutors, when he paused in his gesture. Finn had come to sit next to her. He, too, seemed to have sensed her sadness, and passed a careful arm around her shoulders, taking care not to wrinkle her dress. She was grateful to him for that.

She was relieved to see that they were as close as they used to be. She had been so surprised, so confused by his revelation of his sensitivity to the Force. How could she not have noticed it? Now that she knew, it was as if she felt him all the time. Not like Ben, no, nothing could ever match the presence she felt in the Force every moment. With Finn it was more diffuse, but he was definitely there.

The journey to Naboo didn't last long, the moon and its planet were close, and very soon indeed, she felt the engines slowing down.

"Rey! Come quickly!"

She jumped up and made her way to the cockpit of their ship, from where Poe's voice had risen. Huge, the ship's command center was at least five times the size of the Falcon's. Another gift from the Naboo. But she thought no more about it as a planet appeared through the ship's windows.

Naboo.

Blue. Green. So many colours, so much life. So much water. It took her breath away. She had always been told that Ohma D'un looked like Naboo, but nothing could have been further from the truth for her at that moment. When Ohma D'un, its little sister, its moon, was beautiful, Naboo surpassed it in everything. Much bigger, much richer, much more alive. The Force reigned there, happy, powerful, peaceful. She closed her eyes for a few moments, and it was almost too much sensation. She felt like she recognized it. It didn't take her long to realize that it was actually the memories of Ben that were getting mixed up with the ones she was making.

When she opened her eyes again, many looks were directed at her, amused or touched, and she blushed before she turned back her attention to the planet. On a huge cliff, surrounded by waterfalls and overhanging rivers that crossed the landscape to the horizon, was a city. Vast, magnificent. A dance of ships escaped from it or landed there. She recognized the structures and the rounded and colorful roofs that were on Ohma D'un. So much greenery, so much beauty. Rey didn't know how to handle it, and they were just overlooking the city!

"Is that... is that where we're going?" she exclaimed, incredulous.

"Yes. That's Theed, the capital."

In the distance a building bigger than the others stood out.

"And this..."

"The palace of Queen Sola Naberrie."

A gigantic version of their Great Hall on the base. A building with large turrets and roofs topped with green domes of all sizes, dominated the rest of the city. To her regret, they immediately moved away from it, and to her disappointment they told her that the hangars were not in the city itself, but at its feet, hundreds of yards below. Their pilot did a spin before starting the descent. She got a close look at the rocky cliffs and waterfalls. How could a city have been so well built? Not destroying nature and vegetation, but rather embracing it in all its forms, sharing the space in a wonderful harmony.

Rey refrained from running out of the ship while their pilot performed the manoeuvres to land them. She wanted to see more, she wanted to discover everything. She was the first one in front of the door and pushed the opening switch with a sudden gesture. She stopped before she came out, giving an apologetic look to Ben, who smiled indulgently at her.

Go on. Enjoy.

I wish you were with me.

But I'm always with you Rey.

A large committee was waiting for them where they had landed. They had to shake hands and converse with many people, of which Rey did not remember half the names or faces. She could only think of one thing.

Theed, its streets, its buildings, the palace. She was stomping around, waiting for someone to lead them. When at last they were invited to climb onto a platform that turned out to be a huge open lift, she clung to Finn's arm so as not to falter under the excitement. She had never felt this way about a place before. Although she'd seen a lot now. Jungles, urbanized heights, deserts, snowy lands, a few lakes, rocky hills, but nothing attracted her and amazed her like Naboo at that moment.

Finally, she mused, when the platform rose and they ascended the massive cliff to reach the heights of the capital. Finally, she was going to see it. She burst out laughing with a pure, childlike joy as she reached over the platform to touch the water of the waterfalls they were passing by.

They emerged on a plaza, where white stone, columns, arcades and fountains adorned the landscape. The fountains, whose jets of water escaped in complex rhythm games, produced noisy lapping. Mixed with the rustling of trees, the sounds of conversation and the chirping of birds, Rey knew she was about to discover the most beautiful city of all.

And she hadn't been wrong. A speeder took them through streets, each more sumptuous than the next, where stone kiosks and plants mixed, and soon they passed under a huge stone arch. They were invited to continue on foot, and they found themselves in front of two imposing gates, high and wide enough to let the Falcon pass through. The gates opened and they walked out into a long plaza with many people in it. And that's when she saw it. In the distance, overlooking the largest staircase she had ever seen, there it was.

The Royal Palace of Naboo.

It was nothing she had ever known, nothing she had ever imagined, either. Although she'd seen bigger, more massive, but nothing could compare to it. As they walked along this endlessly long plaza, Rey went forward, turning around, eyes wide open, with an expression of wonder on her face. She tried to catch everything with her eyes, but it was impossible.

Everywhere, colors, materials, smells, kriff those smells, floral, rich, indescribable. Huge statues rose up all around them. There was not an architecture, not an ornament that was not elegantly designed, not a climbing plant growing in a place where it shouldn't have. Decorated windows, delicately worked masonry, domes reflecting the sunlight, ancient stone facades, Doric carvings, columns. She wasn't even sure she knew the name of everything she saw in that moment. But she did know one thing: she could have died happy now.

She reassured Ben's angry grunt, she didn't mean it of course. But she had such a feeling of bliss, such a sense of well-being emanating from these places that she knew she would cherish the memories for the rest of her life.

There were many citizens standing beside them, going about their business or waving at them. Some even cheered them on. After experiencing the hatred of the crowds, Rey was relieved by the Naboo's welcome. She wanted to congratulate each and every one of its inhabitants for the beauty of their city and their planet.

They climbed the imposing staircase and entered through the great gates of the palace. It was only an antechamber that opened onto a courtyard and gardens in the same line as the rest: sublime. They were made to cross some gravel paths that crunched under her heels in the most delicious sound to her ears, as she tried to engrave forever in her mind all the flowers and plants she saw.

Fountains and pathways contrasted with freer, wilder vegetation, and the ensemble was perfectly balanced.

They passed in front of a statue, but Rey, who must have seen hundreds of them a few minutes ago, did not linger there, already marvelling at what would be the next of her discovery. But Ben made his first comment, which forced her to stop abruptly.

My grandmother, he said in an awed tone of voice.

Rey admired the statue of this queen and the revered person that she had been. She hastened to point this out to Connix, who smiled at her and nodded her head, of course, Leia's former second knew this.

She was very beautiful.

Yes.

She lingered a little longer, looking at the immaculate statue of Padmé Amidala, before following the group that continued to advance. They entered the palace and there again Rey was astonished at the Naboo splendor. They climbed a staircase that split in two halfway up. The beauty of the palace prevented her from thinking of the unpleasantness of her clothes and shoes. She who had only once worn heels, had at first protested, but the insistence of her friends had made her bow. Now all those steps were starting to hurt her feet and she felt her posture becoming awkward again, but soon there were new corridors, new paintings, new statues to contemplate, and Rey forgot about her discomfort. She could feel Ben's amusement as he gazed tenderly at her admiring thoughts.

It's wonderful, she told him.

He agreed without saying anything. She took his silence as indifference. Of course he was not impressed by such a city. She suspected he had already seen many others, and he had, after all, been to Naboo many times before. He had grown up in these places of greatness and wealth. Kriff his mother was a princess. This bitter reflection cast a chill over her admiration for Theed, and she once again felt inferior to the life she had led. She had spent her young years in sand and poverty, in the stifling heat and slavery. While he on the other hand...

She wondered if he missed it sometimes. If he didn't regret those childhood memories he had to spend running through those glittering marble corridors or playing in lush gardens.

You're kidding, my dad hated it, he spared me as much as he could. And I soon joined Lu... I mean, I started my Jedi training early.

In her mind appeared a little black-haired boy who slid across the shiny floors. He gave an enthusiastic sign to someone behind her, and when she turned around, she saw Han and Leia sending him a loving smile. She turned her attention to little Ben, but the child's joy seemed to have dried up. His parents were now busy, chatting with many people, not looking at him anymore. Ben was alone. He was always alone.

You're not alone now, she told him.

You're right.

They were taken into the throne room.

If Rey had felt proud of how elegantly they were dressed her and her friends, it was unfortunately nothing compared to the Naboo and the other guests. It was far too much for her taste.

Too many colors, too much frills, too much noise, too many people. The buzzing she had felt as she entered the palace turned into screams in her ears. The Force was sending her a thousand sensations, and she was struggling to sort through them without feeling overwhelmed. When she finally managed to clear her mind and block out all the new information, the Queen of Naboo had just appeared in the throne room. Even if Connix hadn't had them check all the names and holos of the guests the day before, Rey knew she would have recognized the sovereign without difficulty. She had this aura of people in power, yet she had a certain kindness in her eyes. Rey tried to find her a resemblance to Ben, but she saw none.

What did you expect? We only share the same great-grandmother.

Light auburn hair and an imposing red dress with many layers of fabric intertwined in a complicated pattern, made up her appearance.

Accompanied by a woman who was probably her wife, she walked towards them. She had a very soft expression on her face and something in her eyes or her sand-coloured skin, or her long, smooth, black hair, reminded Rey of her friend Rose.

Next to her, Poe leaned over to Connix and whispered something to her. Rey could see that her friend was restraining herself from crushing his foot, but already their distinguished guests had arrived at their level, and she could say nothing. They welcomed the second of the Resistance with warm greetings, then the Queen gave a tight smile to Poe and a more cautious one to Finn. Finally, the couple turned to Rey in the same movement, and she was astonished at the sympathy in their eyes, and the interest.

"Master Rey, I was looking forward to our meeting."

Rey was tired of only dealing with people who wanted to meet her or hate her, couldn't there be people who had never heard of her for once?

That's the fate of the last Jedi.

"It's an honor, your majesty."

"My wife, Mai Lan."

"I hope we will have a chance to talk this evening, my dear," she replied.

"It will be a pleasure ... your highness," she said hesitantly.

"Please call me Mai.

"Master," exclaimed the Queen, "would you do me the pleasure of accompanying me before the dinner begins? I would like to introduce you to several people."

That wasn't part of the plan, Rey wasn't supposed to take part in the negotiations, nor in their political games, she had only come to put on a good face, that's all! She was going to screw it all up!

Ben, what am I going to do...

It would be unwise to refuse.

She cast an alarmed glance at her friends, and Connix surreptitiously nodded her head, telling her to accept.

"Of course my Queen," she replied.

Mai — Rey knew she could never call her that, she was the Queen's wife after all — walked away to other guests, while she herself rushed to the side of Sola Naberrie, ruler of the Royal House of Naboo. Rey tried to stay on her guard, and to be suspicious, but the Force was surprisingly calm around this woman, perhaps she was an exception in this underhand world of politicians, as Poe had warned her. Somewhat like the Doge of Malastare who liked her very much, and whom she had felt as trustworthy. The latter gave her a small wave of his foot to greet her, to which she responded warmly before he turned around to resume his discussion with the Governors of Denon.

"I hope I did not frighten you by keeping you away from your friends."

"It is truly a pleasure to speak with you, Your Majesty.

"The legendary courtesy of the Jedi. Don't bother with that," she said with a mischievous smile.

"I don't know if I can really call myself that."

"You're not a Jedi?" The sovereign wondered.

"In my actions and mind I try to follow their teachings, but I never received the official training."

You are very humble tonight, Ben commented slyly. Are you trying to make a good impression?

It was true that she never revealed this point to anyone, let alone a political figure. So she didn't know why she was doing it, but she wanted to open up to this Queen. After all, she was Leia's family, Ben's family. Rey wanted to be part of that family, too. She refrained from mentioning her cousin to her. The Queen didn't seem to mind the revelation.

"Your exploits speak for themselves, though. Only a Jedi could have accomplished them."

"I will not speak of accomplishments, I only did what I thought was right."

"Humility and deference, those are still Jedi virtues."

"You seem familiar with the Code?"

"The rise and fall of the Jedi Order is a part of our galaxy's history that cannot be forgotten."

"Master Rey," the monarch resumed, stopping abruptly. "What will be the place of the Jedi in this alliance we will create tonight?"

Rey swallowed nervously. So the negotiations had just begun.

/

/

"The previous Republics have both shown their flaws. More compassion and listening to the needs of each person must be integrated."

Rey recognized in Poe's speech, the words of Ben. That's what they had discussed on the way over. She was proud that his opinion was listened to, even though she wished he had been the one to declaim them.

Sitting next to Finn and the president of a small, distant system, Rey forced herself to stay focused all evening. They were now on the fourth appetizer and she, who was always hungry usually, couldn't eat a thing anymore. It was a strange thing for her to talk and negotiate while they were eating, with the datapads and documents littering the table along with the most exquisite food and dishes she had ever tasted.

No less than eighty leaders were seated around a long oval table in one of the reception rooms of the Palace. Night had fallen, and the moonlight, filtering through windows a dozen meters high, was no longer enough to light their gathering. Small illuminated probes had been brought in, floating and diffusing a soft glow around the guests. Before the meal was served, all had confirmed and vowed to adopt a charter on the purpose and stakes of their new alliance.

The United Galactic Systems were born tonight.

They were now discussing and negotiating the points of this charter, and while some of them had been unanimously agreed without discussion, others, however, were provoking heated debates.

About three hours later, when Rey was finally expecting to see the desserts, and after — to her annoyance — Finn told her they didn't even get halfway through, the doors of the room were violently kicked in. Two little boys emerged from the room, shouting merrily. They must have been between three and five years old, and by the look of their outfits, they were the Queen's children. Both had the same eyes and hair as her wife Mai.

The children ran around the table laughing, immediately relaxing the studious atmosphere of the negotiations. Rey watched them and their mothers, who were horrified by such a lack of etiquette, with an amused look on their faces. They hurriedly apologized, but all the guests swept away their worries with an indulgent look. All except Queen Raina Averénn, sitting next to the other two Governors, her face as cold and closed as usual.

As they passed by Rey, they noticed the lightsabers she had placed at her feet. Hidden and clipped under one of the panels of her dress, she had discreetly taken them away from Ohma D'un, preferring to be ready for any eventuality. The little boys, suddenly very excited, asked her if she was a Jedi. She hesitated, before nodding. They were thrilled and started jumping around her chair, asking her stories, a demonstration of the sabers, and questioning her. The smallest, and probably the youngest, even tried to climb on her lap.

She agreed, and as he was leaning against her, continuing to chatter happily, Rey felt a vibration in him and his brother, an echo, faint, but present nonetheless. She was enchanted by it, and smiling cheerfully, she turned to the Queen and her wife as they were discussing with what must have been the children's nanny, an elderly and now out of breath woman.

"I didn't know your children were Force sensitive" she said, her voice barely covering the lively discussions around her.

Yet everyone seemed to hear her. Immediately the conversations stopped abruptly, and noises of cutlery being dropped tinged before a long, heavy silence set in. Rey didn't understand what she had said wrong.

The Queen didn't believe in this Eghalist nonsense, did she? Seeing all the horrified looks that were thrown at her, she had to admit that she did, and that she wasn't the only one.

Ben what have I done, she whispered in the bond.

What a bunch of narrow-minded people. I can't believe my cousin...

"Nobue, Keleb, come here right now," called them dryly the Queen.

"Excuse me," Rey announced, pushing her chair back.

She lowered the child from her lap, and immediately the boys ran to their mothers. The Queen's wife grabbed them by the hands and dragged them, their nanny following in her footsteps. The Queen contemplated her family as they left, and then turned her attention to the still silent assembly.

"My children did not receive this... ability. You must be mistaken."

Rey knew she wasn't, but she didn't need to see the alarmed looks on the faces of Connix and Poe to know she had done something wrong. Crossing Poe's gaze, she could read on his lips the words "calm down".

"Excuse me," she repeated, before pulling herself out of her chair and walking away, not forgetting to retrieve her sabers from under her chair first.

All the eyes of the guests remained focused on her. As soon as she left the room, she ran as fast as the huge heels that Connix had dressed her in allowed her to do. She only slowed down when she was alone in those marble corridors with the great columns overhanging her.

Why did they react this way? She hadn't said anything wrong. They couldn't have been afraid of the Force anyway, otherwise why did they invite her here! The Queen had said that she had wanted to meet her for a long time, so why was she so offended? Why did Rey always have to ruin everything?

She walked slowly, the sounds of her footsteps echoing eerily up to the high ceilings. At the bend in a hall of mirrors, she came across glass doors as high as the windows, and checked that she was alone before pushing one. She emerged onto a large balcony that was more like a terrace, and overlooked one side of the city. Rey climbed up, and sat down on one of the stone balusters, contemplating the moonlight, illuminating the most beautiful city she had ever seen.

She wished Ben was with her right now.

He didn't answer, he knew what she meant. The bond offered them a wonderful chance to always be together, but it would never replace his true presence. She could feel him close by, wrapping her in warm thoughts to comfort her and let her know she wasn't alone. Exhausted by the evening and the fabulous food she had eaten, Rey leaned more comfortably against a column, one leg in the air, the other tucked under her. The cool night air was not unpleasant, and the sounds of the fountains and the wind soothed her. It didn't take her long to fall asleep.

She began to dream of a peaceful life, of a house by a lake and surrounded by nature. Children in Padawan robe, Force sensitive and practicing poses from the sacred books of the Jedi, the children called her Master, laughed and ran around her.

The children disappeared, but she didn't worry, for Ben was there, too. Finally, they were alone. He approached her and kissed her, rolling them on the ground in the grass. He took off her Jedi Master's outfit, then gently held her in his arms and stood over her. The sounds of the lake and a nearby waterfall covered all the sounds around them. Ben started to move, it felt so good...

Rey...

Ben... don't stop...

REY!

Ben I...

REY WAKE UP!

She came out of her dream with a start. Not remembering where she was, she almost fell from the balustrade where she had been sleeping. She could still feel the weight of his body on hers, his lips brushing hers, his smell, it was as if he was just right here in that moment, but ...

Ben was really there though.

Months of experience with the bond had been enough for her to know perfectly well when he appeared or not through the Force, and in that moment he was really standing in front of her. She jumped off the railing and threw herself at him.

"Ben!"

She kissed him feverishly. The sensations of her dream were still present in her. He responded, but then grabbed her by the arms to pull her back. He seemed worried. She caressed his face, trying to soften the wrinkled features of his forehead. He was talking to her, but she could barely hear him, she hated seeing that expression on his face, she hated that he was unhappy.

"You're not listening to me," he scolded.

His anger brought her back into the present. Ben was really there ! In the palace!

"What the kriff are you doing here? Did anyone see you?" She cried out.

"Something's wrong. We have to leave!"

"What? We can't, they're still in the middle of negotiations!

"Feel the Force, something's happening..."

She closed her eyes and concentrated for a few moments. He was right, she could feel a tingling of energy coming and going inside her. The current that bounded every living being and which usually went on its way quietly, now seemed to be disturbed, as if an obstacle had just got in its way.

"We have to go," Ben repeated.

"You mustn't be seen here," she worried. "Why didn't you use the bond to warn me?"

"I tried, but you were... occupied."

Kriff, he'd seen her dream. Bloody bond, she grunted before she blushed with shame and looked away.

"Rey," he told her as he drew her close, "I assure you I'm not thinking of anything else lately, but first let's try to get home safely."

"You think it was a trap?"

"No, it's something else."

"Hide, I'll tell the others."

She ran as fast as she could, then annoyed at wasting time, she stopped and angrily removed her heels. Ten centimeters less in height, she nevertheless regained her full speed. Luckily for her, the layers of her dress were so long that they hid her bare feet, saving her from embarrassment. When she arrived in front of the reception hall, she put her head through the door and looked for Connix. She was in the middle of a conversation with two of the Governors, the Queen and five other heads of state. Rey looked for another friend, but Poe was too busy.

She then advised Finn. He too was listening to someone, but she had no choice; she concentrated with all her being, then called upon the Force, and projected her thoughts towards him. It had nothing to do with the bond she and Ben shared, and she found the exercise terribly difficult, but at least it made him react. He turned around, surprised to see her, and came towards her. Drawing him out of the room, she quickly explained the situation. She could see his concern as she told him. He may not have been trained in the arts of the Force yet, but he too could feel its agitation.

At the same time, the governess of the Queen's children walked past them and entered the room at full speed. Rey, worried that something had happened to the royal children, stepped forward to listen. The old woman asked the mothers to follow her, their children were in great distress and inconsolable. The Queen's wife nodded her head and followed her. The latter thanked her and turned her attention to her interlocutors.

Finn and Rey leaned against the door, and watched the mother and the governess hurrying through the corridors. Once they were gone, Rey grabbed his friend by the arm.

"We have to go. Right now!"

"But Rey, we're not even halfway there... we can' t mess it up now."

"You feel it, right? You can feel the Force rustling and warning you! Something's going to happen Finn, and maybe we can stop it."

"I..."

Finn fell silent, hesitant, but eventually understanding what she meant.

"Please," she begged, "trust me."

He looked at her for a long time, and she projected towards him all her resolution, all her anxiety, and Ben's too.

"Okay... I trust you."

He returned to the room and walked resolutely towards Poe, then bent down to whisper in his ear.

"You've got to be kidding me," the General replied.

Finn whispered again. They both apologized, and the former pilot got up from the table and crossed the distance to Rey in no time, then he spoke dryly.

"What are you doing?"

"We've got to go."

"Are you crazy? We can't! Look, I know it's long, it's kriffing boring, I'll give you that, but we don't have a choice. Why don't you go for a walk or join Ben on the ship, it should only take..."

He suddenly fell silent when he saw a figure hooded behind columns. Immense and recognizable, he addressed Dameron before the latter screamed in anger.

"Poe, we must go."

"What the ... You gave me your word Solo! You're going to screw it up!"

"I know," Ben replied wearily. "But I wouldn't have come if it wasn't urgent, please, we have to leave, something terrible is going to happen."

Rey and Finn nodded, confirming his words.

"You are crazy. The three of you ! This is out of the question."

Ben raised his hand, but Rey stopped him, not fast enough because Poe had seen him.

"Don't even try to use your powers against me. Do you understand why everyone is beginning to mistrust you?"

"You wouldn't even notice," Ben scolded.

Poe approached, threatening, and Rey was forced to stand between the two men to avoid confrontation.

"Mistrust us," Finn repeated. "Poe, I hope you don't think that too..."

The General frowned and calmed down immediately.

"Sorry... I didn't mean that. But it doesn't change anything, we can't leave, not now."

He was about to go back into the room but Connix stormed out at the same time.

"The Governors and the Queen have just ended the negotiations."

"What?!" Poe cried out.

"They weren't feeling well, and she wanted to go back to her children."

Ben clapped his tongue, a satisfied look on his face. Poe turned to him and exclaimed accusingly:

"Did you do this?"

"Of course not. But think about it, we're not the only Force sensitive here.

His comment seemed to float in the air, rekindling the moment when Rey had revealed the nature of the royal children in front of the entire table. The General bit his lip, reflecting intensely, and then finally surrendered.

"Okay, let's get the hell out of here. You," he said, pointing his finger at Ben, "don't think it' s over, we'll talk about it when we get back to the base! Until then, try to sneak out."

Ben ignored him and grabbed Rey by the waist.

"I'll see you back at the ship, be careful."

He kissed her before he melted back behind the columns and into the darkness again.

The three of them returned to the room and proceeded with the usual polite formulas, the solemn and studious atmosphere had disappeared. Great tension now reigned among the guests, and all seemed ready to escape as quickly as possible. On the huge table lay the numerous datapads where the signed but unfinished charter of the United Galactic Systems was still displayed.

They rushed into the corridors of the palace, not accepting the proposal that they be escorted back.

"Good thing we signed it first," Connix said somberly.

"But before what?" exclaimed Poe. "What exactly happened?"

"I'm not sure, but the Force was troubled, we received a warning."

"From whom?"

"Come on, Poe, it's not a person. It's... it's a feeling, a sensation."

"I swear, if you screwed up these negotiations because one of you was gonna get sick or something, it's not gonna end well!"

"Poe calm down, the Queen and her wife also left, and the Governors weren't good either, Ban Orbel and Tamann seemed about to collapse."

They had come down the huge stairs and were now walking down the high streets. This time there was no speeder to take them home. Rey watched the surroundings, on guard and reacting to the slightest noise, but Theed town seemed deserted that night. Suddenly a shadow passed by, and she instinctively pulled out her saber and lit it. Their group screamed in fear before they recognized the person.

"It's me Rey!"

"Ben? But ... You were supposed to wait for us at the ship!"

"Oh, I swear..." started Poe.

"Shh," cut him off, Ben. "Look."

He pointed his finger to the edge of the street.

"What are we supposed to see?"

Rey ignored Finn's comment because she could see them. Or rather felt them. A group of people, with evil motives. The same turmoil in the Force agitated her and instinctively she moved closer to Ben. She passed his mother's saber to him, while she lit Luke's again. Then standing in front of Connix, she watched Ben come between the Generals and the coming crowd.

Because it was a crowd. Rey couldn't count them all, but there were at least sixty of them. Hooded, they walked with a brisk pace, giving her the impression of facing the Sith on Exegol, or the fanatics on the market of Quarrow.

They were more of the second category now that Rey saw them approaching distinctly. To her right, Ben swung the handle of his saber in his hand and she could feel through the bond that he was excited. He had been in a state of waiting and inaction for too long. She saw him leaning forward a little, adopting Kylo Ren's fighting posture. She almost expected to see him pull out his familiar red saber, but it was a blue blade that lit up his determined figure.

They both moved forward, and she heard Poe and Finn draw their weapons as well, but with a wave of her hand she told them to stay behind. The group in front seemed to be whispering a song, and soon they recognized the same horrors they had uttered against Rey on Quarrow.

Ben walked past her, but she caught up with him to get up to his level. No way he'd put himself in danger, they'd do it together.

A woman broke away from the group that had stopped, and took an object out of her pocket and threw it at them. Thinking it was still a rock, Rey stepped aside, but Ben, by reflex, grabbed it in his hand.

To their surprise, the group left, never stopping chanting their message of hatred.

Ben and Rey returned to her friends, and he handed the object, a small sphere, to Finn and Poe. Poe turned it over in his hands, and, seeing an aperture, he slid both sides of the sphere. He removed one side, and a hologram played. A gagged, frightened silhouette looked at them. The fear that gripped Rey at that moment, made her feel like a thousand stones falling into her stomach. For on that hologram was a familiar face.

"ZORII," Poe cried.

He had grasped the sphere with force, the knuckles of his hands whitening beneath his grip, he began to shake it violently. The hologram disappeared, but a voice rose from the small object:

"Give us the Jedi, and no harm will befall her."