As the weeks went by Rey became worse. She started becoming colder towards everyone. She seemed to dislike being there. She stopped working on the Falcon, leaving it unfinished. Ben noticed this and went to fix the Falcon himself. They'll need it for their next mission, but Ben was doubtful if Rey would be with them. Rey just didn't seem to care as she once did. It's like she had totally given up.
Ben leant against the Falcon and looked over at Rey, standing alone, in her own head. He quietly uses the Force, to feel for her, reach out to her, let her know he's there for her, that he can't help. But he feels cold, the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. All the thoughts he sent out to her were quickly pushed back. Rey was refusing his help, but this time it's different.
Finn and Poe can't work out the problem. They're worried sick. The atmosphere around Rey has changed and Finn is desperate to help her but doesn't know how. They don't blame Ben for not knowing what to do, they don't have any ideas either. They're so lost in worry for Rey.
Then, later in the day, when Ben felt he needed Rey's advice the most, she was nowhere to be found. Ben searched the whole base and the area around the base. She was gone. He searched everywhere. Every room inside the base, he went outside and searched. It was then he clicked, she was gone. He didn't want to believe it.
She's got to be here! Ben thought to himself, and took one last ditch to find her in the base.
Ben's heart was pounding in his chest. His hands shook with anxiety. Panicking, Ben ran through the base.
"Rey?!"
No reply from her, just confused glances from the rebels.
"Rey!!!!" Ben begins getting frustrated. Me needs to find Finn and Poe. Ben begins running through the base, looking for them. It's clear Ben's shouting caught their attention, as they were running toward him.
"Poe! Finn!" Ben shouts drawing more attention from others. Why was he shouting like that?
Poe and Finn come running toward Ben wondering why he sounded so concerned.
"What is going on?" Poe asks
"Is everything alright?" Finn asks
"Well, not really." Ben replies "it's Rey. She's gone."
"W-What do you mean gone?" Finn stutters a little
"I went to talk to her and I can't find her anywhere!" Ben says "I've searched everywhere possible, searched the parameter. Only reason I know she's gone is because she's not here, and one ship is missing."
"Shit." Finn mutters "what do we do?"
"She wouldn't just leave like that surely?" Poe tries keeping hope "Maybe she'll come back?"
"As much as I want to keep hope" Ben sighs "I'm not so sure she's coming back"
"I don't want to believe it." Poe says, his shoulders slumping a little
"I don't either." Ben replies "right now we have no idea what's going on and we need to figure this out. We can do this, together."
Ben smiles at Poe and Finn who smile and nod at Ben in approval. As Ben, Poe and Finn head off for lunch, Ben thinks to himself.
What if I could reach her? No, no. She cut me off last time. But I doubt she'd expect it, right? Ben's thoughts ran through his head at light speed.
Rey... Ben reaches out to her.
Silence.
Rey please.. Ben pleads in his mind, whilst walking toward the canteen. Where are you?
Ben, stop trying to find me.
Rey! Ben's inner voice full of relief Rey we are worried about you. Where are you? Come home.
Ben, I can't come back. I am following what I believe is my destiny.
The Dark Side is not your destiny, Rey
You don't know my destiny, Ben. Rey's voice snapped a little. It startled Ben a bit to hear such hostility in her voice.
Please Rey, don't go this way. You never gave up on me, I'm not giving up on you. I will never give up for you, you've sacrificed so much.
Well, Ben, please give up, I'm not looking for help, I don't need it. I'm following my path.
Please, Rey Ben reaches further into the Force, using more strength
I'm sorry Ben. This is my life now. Take care of Everyone for me.
Please...Rey I can't do this alone.
You're not alone.
Ben loses the connection with Rey, even though he fought it. He properly comes back to Poe and Finn trying to get his attention. As reality comes back, Ben gasps and takes a deep breath, pushing through the Force like that was exhausting.
"Hey buddy, you alright?" Poe says, concern in his voice.
"Y-yeah I'm good." Ben says breathing deeply "I tried reaching out to Rey."
"Did you get through to her?" Finn asks
"I did." Ben sighs "she doesn't want to be saved. She told me to stop trying. She is adamant that she is following her path. She has become so cold and hostile now, I refuse to believe the Dark Side is her path. I won't give up on her." Ben's voice cracks a little.
Poe lays a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We will get through this together."
Ben smiles a little keeping what little hope he last left close to him. He couldn't give up on Rey, ever. He wouldn't.
With Rey gone, it was clear that as the news got out, many seemed a little worried. They became concerned that the Final Order could find them. After all, Rey was being manipulated by the Dark Side; so no one really knows Rey's intentions. It concerned people. It was clear people got more paranoid. Worrying as to if the Final Order will know where they are.
Ben tried pushing the thoughts to the back of his head whilst he picked up his meal and joined Finn, Poe, Rose and a few others. Ben's heart ached as he noticed Rey's usual spot stayed empty. Ben pushed through his meal as he watched as everyone tried to stay happy, making jokes, engaging in conversation, just trying to keep going.
They all knew now was the time to start being prepared for whatever came next. Ben has been spending time reading over the Jedi texts himself. He never got the chance to read them himself with Luke.
As lunch finished, it became clear a supply run was needed, Finn offered to go, and Ben happily volunteered.
"We can take the Falcon." Ben says "My father altered it in ways so that it can carry more cargo. I mean that's what it was for anyway."
"Great idea!" Finn smiles
Ben laughed a little. The closest to a laugh he's mustered in weeks. Ben and Finn prepare to leave after lunch.
Ben goes to his quarters and puts on his grey cloak. It covers the white shirt that he wore along with brown trousers and black boots. The style he chose was a bit like his fathers style, but with a slight Jedi twist.
He picks up his lightsaber and hooks it to his belt. Ben looks in the mirror and sighs a little as he adjusts the hood to sit more comfortably. Ben makes his way to the Falcon and finds Finn waiting for him.
"Ready to go?" Finn says with a smile
"Yeah." Ben replies "Lets be quick about this. We don't need anyone knowing where we are or following us back."
"If only we could hide the Falcon better." Finn says
"We can now." Ben smirks "I made a few..modifications. I managed to fit a cloaking device in the Falcon. I've tested it and it seems to work. So we should be good!"
"Good thinking Ben!" Finn praises "let's not forget where we park the Falcon then"
Ben laughs and enters the Falcon. He sits in the pilot seat and Finn takes a seat beside him. Ben begins flicking switches and preparing the Falcon for takeoff. Finn nervously fumbles about next to Ben as he tries to remember what each button was for. He was still learning.
Maz has sent co-ordinates for a supply drop she managed to get together. So Finn entered the co-ordinates into the Falcon and the Freighter set off into the stars. Entering hyperspace causes the stars to become streams of matter that lit up space. The supply drop was where Maz' canteena was once. The place was over-run by the Final Order so Maz had no choice but to leave. She couldn't get a supply drop to a safer zone, it was the safest she could muster.
Ben and Finn left the ship, after cloacking it. Ben looks over his shoulder to make sure the cloak held. It all seemed fine so Ben followed Finn to Maz' canteena. They collected the supplies and quickly returned to the Falcon. They uncloaked the Falcon began piling the boxes in safely and prepared to leave.
Ben felt uneasy, as though he was being watched. He looked around him, he couldn't see anyone. The place seemed decolate, so why did it feel like someone was watching him? He reached a little to the Force, someone was there. He felt them. He didn't like the feel of their presence. He hurried Finn along got in the ship and left the planet.
"What was the rush?" Finn asks
"I sensed someone." Ben replies "it was like someone was watching us. I didn't like it. That's why I insisted to leave sooner. I don't know who or where they were but someone saw us, and wanted to know what we are doing."
"Do you think it could be Rey?" Finn asks "if it was anyone else, I don't think they'd sit back and watch us. Especially for the fact that there was only 2 of us."
"Maybe, I don't know." Ben sighs "Dark Side users are known for stalking their prey, doesn't seem to happen much now. So either it was Rey, or the Final Order are getting more sneaky."
"I hope she comes back."
"Me too. Just have to keep up hope"
"I don't plan on losing it."
"The Final Order don't Stand a chance!"
Finn smiles a little as they quickly set off for base. They watch carefully around them to do checks. Making sure no one follows them. Scanners seemed clear and no ships could be seen in the area so Ben quickly jumped into hyperspace to not spend too much time in the area. He couldn't risk the Final Order finding them.
In the last few weeks the Final Order has become worse. They're taking over again, and its now that allies all over the galaxy need to come together. A fight is coming and no one knows what's going to happen.
Ben and Finn arrive back at Atch-To and quickly enter the atmosphere and head toward the base. Once found, they begin to land the Falcon and make sure it's secure. Once landed, Finn exits the ship while Ben does a few last checks over the ship. Ben locks up the ship and heads toward Finn who's talking to Poe and Rose.
"Ben, is it true you think someone was watching you guys?" Poe asks
"Yes." Ben replies "I could feel their eyes on me. I sensed them through the Force. I have no idea who it was, or where they were, but if they're with the Final Order, then they've become much sneakier."
"Must be how they got control over much of the galaxy again." Rose says
"Could be." Finn replies "I mean it would make sense since we've not heard of or seen any attacks on planets."
"Could it have been Rey?" Rose dares to ask
"Maybe, I don't know." Ben replies "I didn't get the chance to find out. I wanted to get off the planet before anyone else saw us. Don't worry we made sure we weren't being followed."
"Are you 100% sure?" Poe asks expressing concern
"I know you're worried, I understand." Ben says laying a hand on Poe's shoulder "I wouldn't have come back if someone was following us. I wouldn't risk everyone like that."
Poe smiled as he helped Ben and Finn unload the supplies.
