Chapter 4 The Step
He felt his body floating and rising as his eyes fluttered open. The room was white and it seemed to go on forever. Ben sat on the table and looked around and then down. He saw he was back in his black suit and next to him his helmet. He destroyed the helmet, how did it end up here? Just then he heard a click, click sound as he looked the opposite way and a shadow walking closer to him. The shadow cleared and before him stood Han Solo. The two men looked to one another for moment in complete silence.
"Ben," Han spoke softly. Ben looked around the room or what might be a room. Was he between life and death? "It doesn't matter if you listen it just matters that I get to speak to my son one last time before it takes him." Ben looked to his father, he didn't have the saber wound, he just wore his boots, had his blaster hoslter hanging around his waist, the black vest and white shirt. "Leia, Luke, even Chewie and plenty others told me that you were growing up, that children grow up fast. I thought it takes time and that I had time. I never listened and I didn't watch my only son grow up. Seeing you on that bridge I knew and I understood it was over. I knew I would never see you again."
Ben sat there quietly listening. He couldn't muster anything to say he couldn't even move if he tried. "My life, on that bridge looking to you, I saw it in one…one long breath, one moment. I never knew how much I truly loved you, loved your mother. And I knew I couldn't tell you until it was too late. I don't think I ever really told anyone that I loved them. In that moment, seconds before I fell, that I didn't say I loved you." Ben sat there feeling his eyes burn. "I would have traded everything, every moment, the Falcon, the money, promotions for just one more moment with you."
Ben managed to look away for a moment. After all this time even in death he was able to hear that his father say that he loved him and always loved him. "We'll be together again, Ben. Not now, but in another time." Han stood there for a moment as Ben faced him. Han then turned away and continued to walk. Ben wanted to call out to him, to stay with him.
The room was full of light; a warm breeze filled the room as he managed to open his eyes to look around. He went to sit up but a dizzy spell hit. He doesn't know how long he's been out, what day it was or remembered much after leaving the Falcon. Ben laid back down looking to the open door to the outside watching the breeze roll through the thin curtains. He then looked to his arm seeing he was hooked up to different bags of clear liquids. He forced himself to sit back up and steady himself.
His body was weak but yet his mind felt rested for once. He couldn't hear anything except the birds outside chirping, the light breeze and sound of silence around him. He threw the blanket off of him and reached for his bare side to the bandage around his wound. He looked to it and then looked around the empty room. But then the door opened and he perked up.
"Rey?" He whispered but another woman walked in clad in white. She walked over to Ben with a smile and in one hand held some equipment. She then ran something across his head as he continued to sit there.
"Your fevers are gone." She informed him. "You nearly died." She nodded and Ben's heart raced, he was close to death. "Come, I'll walk you to the balcony. Sometimes fresh air is the best." She removed more of the bedding while taking a blanket placing it over Ben's shoulders. She then removed the fluids from his arms and helped him up. She then walked him to the balcony and before him was a lake. The water was so blue today. And for the first time he felt the sun. The warm breeze felt good as the woman placed his hands on the balcony to support him. He then took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. "How do you feel?"
"I'm ok." Ben answered with his eyes closed still taking in the air and sound of nature. But for a moment in his mind fire flashed and he opened his eyes. He told himself it was ok for now. "Where's," He turned to the woman and looked back to his room. "Where's everyone?" He asked.
"I believe a meeting is about to start. Do want to speak to one of them as I go get the head medical personal?" She asked and he looked to her. Who would speak to him? "That one girl, share barely left your side, I had to shoo her away last night so she could sleep."
"Rey?" Ben asked and the woman nodded with a smile.
"I'll send for Rey." She seemed so pleasant and kind. "There are some clothes for you if you'd like to change." She offered as she left. Ben looked back out to the lake again hearing the water wash ashore.
Rey at first walked down the hall and then she sped walked now she was at a little bit of a jog. She then stopped at his door and then looked down. She was preparing herself to see Ben. It's been a long few days where Ben went back and forth on life and death. She was even there at one point when his heart stopped and that was almost the end. He did fight though. Rey then opened the door and walked in.
Rey saw a made bed and an empty room. She then looked to the flowing curtains and walked closer. Ben was standing outside. He was wearing pants, boots and a loose shirt; he was standing there meditating.
"Ben?" She asked wondering who came out of the fire. Ben turned around and he was no longer pale, he didn't look like death. Rey didn't know if she should smile or go to him. She felt a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Ben didn't smile but the brightness in his eyes said something. Ben then slowly held out his hand to her this time there was no glove just him. Rey reached out and placed her hand into his and embraced it.
"I heard you." Ben stated and Rey nodded. Rey then walked closer to him and gently embraced him. He didn't know what to do as he hasn't hugged anyone in a long time he almost forgot what to do or how it felt. He slowly wrapped his arms around her and she was even tinier than he thought. Rey then pulled away trying not to blush.
"How are you feeling?" She asked and Ben nodded.
"I'll be ok." He answered and then turned away looking back out to the water. Rey couldn't help but love this planet and all its beauty. She could tell though Ben wanted to be alone but he was happy to see her.
"I'll be…I'll be here if you need anything." Rey assured him and he turned around slightly to her. She wasn't sure what was supposed to happen in this reunion. But she was happy he made it. Ben snapped a few more images of her in his head knowing he was going to need it later. Once he closes his eyes he's going to need her to be there. Rey then began to leave as Ben continued to look out.
Leia stood before the last of the Resistance; only 30 members remained after all this. She looked to her small band of heroes. They weren't giving up but they were in need of a boost. Now was the time to talk about the next step. So, what was the next step? Naboo was only going to let them stay for a while longer. Up in the front row sat Rey, Poe, Finn, Chewie and Connix. Towards the back Rose was awake sitting with the droids.
"Ok," Leia started as she looked around. "We have one more week here on Naboo and then by the agreement we are to leave. On Crait we sent out for help and our call was heard but no one was going to come." People were afraid and they should be. "Now, we don't have any scouts but the information about Snoke and his death means we may have some time." Leia then looked to Rey and she nodded. While everyone was focused on Leia, Ben snuck in and stayed in the shadows to listen.
"The First Order isn't in shambles but they have no leader at the moment." Poe got up looking around. "Now would be a time to attack but…we have nothing to strike with." So the moment they've been wanting was gone and they couldn't take it.
"They have a leader." A voice came through and everyone in the room turned to Ben. No one knew what to think of him right now and no one knew where he stood in all this. "Hux will take over."
"Why did you kill Snoke?" Finn asked and that was a good question.
"I turned my saber to my true enemy." Ben answered as he glimpsed at Rey. "Snoke…Snoke is or was the least of our concerns. There's a bigger problem and not just with General Hux."
"Ok, so, what's his plan?" Poe asked and Ben shrugged.
"Snoke's was easy, kill Skywalker and the rest of you guys then rule. Hux…" Ben went quiet. "He actually might be the least of our concerns now too." Ben looked around the room and he noticed that everyone was listening. He stepped out of the shadows so everyone could see him. "The Knights of Ren…If Snoke was killed then it's the Knights that would contend for the throne."
"And you're the strongest?" Finn asked but Ben didn't answer that. "Who are the Knights of Ren?"
"Snoke's personal army, elite fighters; fallen Jedi. It was going to be one of us to take over." Ben answered looking around the room.
"You didn't take over so what happens?" Leia asked.
"The throne is open and…I didn't take it. They will hunt me first for betrayal then kill each other for the throne." Ben finished.
"Nice group of friends there Ben." Poe pointed out. "Ok, so why Hux?"
"That was Snoke's pet." Ben walked to the front of the room. "He'll sit until I'm found and then…whatever Ren wins. The First Order has to rebuild just a little, Hux will want to change a few things but they have many steps ahead of you guys."
"I'm not risking Naboo in this. They have offered asylum and it's time to leave them be. This was always a peaceful planet." Leia took over and Ben now sat in the front.
"We can go to an older base." Connix spoke up. "We don't fix it up, it'll keep us hidden while we rebuild."
"How many old bases are there?" Poe asked because there were quiet a few back during the Empire. But there were some that they should avoid because they were landmarks like Yavin and Hoth.
"Dantooine," Leia spoke up. "It's been empty for years but…it's much like Crait." The plan was forming and it could work. They can start from there. It was a dense forest planet, easy to hide. "We leave in three days."
The capital of Naboo, Theed was always busy but Ben was on a quieter side of the capitol. It was a mausoleum as he stood before it. He was here once before as a kid. The doors were opened for all to come and he walked in. The sun's light showed all the corners. Within the middle was a rectangular sarcophagus the emblem of Naboo on it. Behind the sarcophagus was a stained glass window with the effigy of the deceased. Ben stood before the sarcophagus in the small memorial room. People still come here.
"Who was she?" A voice asked and Ben turned around as Rey looked to the painting. "She's beautiful." Rey added and Ben looked to the picture.
"She was my grandmother." Ben answered as Rey stood next to him. "She was the queen of Naboo and later became the Senator. Rumor has it that she started the Rebellion." Ben then looked to the sarcophagus and placed a hand on it. "Sometimes, I would see her in my dreams when I was alone. I don't know much about her but…I know she was kind." Rey looked around as the place stood for decades honoring a hero.
"The Falcon is leaving." Rey added because it was time to leave and she wanted to know if Ben was coming. He didn't say anything. "You're not coming are you?" She asked but more or less confirmed.
"Rey," Ben paused and looked around. "The Order will hunt me down, you and the Resistance have next to nothing." He then looked to her. "I don't know where I stand in any of this. Going with you, the target gets bigger. Besides, you don't need me." Rey's heart broke. "Thank you for bringing me here, staying next to me…"
"Ben," She whispered and was crushed. "You can't give up," She then looked to the stain glass painting of his grandmother. "Luke won't come back, I need a teacher, I need help in this, I can't do this by myself." She added and Ben continued to look to her. "Please," She asked one more time. He didn't move and she nodded. "Fine, stay." She wasn't going to beg and plead anymore. She has work to do and she was going to fight when the battle was already lost. She turned away and started to leave but Ben turned to her.
"Rey," He called out and she turned back to him, looked at him dead in the eyes. "May the Force be with you." He chimed in the old phrase. Rey slightly nodded and continued to leave. Ben faced back to his grandmother's painting and stood there.
The Falcon was getting packed with cargo of food, medical supplies and fuel for their trip. As Leia stood there watching the last of people packing and making sure they had everything she saw Rey walking towards her. She didn't have to ask to know the conversion that she had with Ben.
"Rey," Leia called to her as Rey lifted up a box and she turned to the General. Leia walked to her with that sincere face. "He's like his father, he's a Solo and Solos are…stubborn and he's going to make his own choices you can't do that for him." Leia assured Rey knowing she tried. Rey understood and nodded but didn't accept it. She headed into the Falcon as the final preps were being made. Rey walked into the cockpit where Chewie had started to prep the Falcon. Rey sat in the pilot chair as the little Porg hopped around. Rey sat there for a moment thinking about Ben and hoped that whatever choice he was going to make was the right one.
"You know it actually takes four people to pilot the Falcon," A voice came from behind and Rey turned around seeing Ben there and she smiled a little. She was happy to get up as Chewie started to talk to Ben as he took his seat. "Yes, Chewie I know how to get there." Rey sat behind Ben comfortably as Poe came in and sat behind Chewie. "Everyone in?" Ben asked as he started up the engines.
"Ready to go." Poe answered as he got comfortable. "How long before we get there?"
"As long as we don't run into the Order…three hours." Ben answered and Poe nodded. Leia stood at the entrance of the cockpit smiling. Solos, they always seem to come through. The Falcon started to hover as Chewie barked something and Ben looked to him. Chewie then held out his paw and Ben knew what he wanted to do. Ben held up his hand and they both raised there arms to their chest placing it over their chest and then started to pilot the Falcon. Rey smiled at the gesture knowing it was something for them. The Falcon left Naboo and was probably for good and reached space. Chewie plugged in some coordinates and Ben grabbed the lightspeed controls and pushed it up. The stars around them start to get longer and then the ship took off in its blue tunnel.
A/N: So…I'm hoping this going well. I know it seems like a lot of exposition but the Resistance has like nothing left. This would be my idea how they could rebuild. Also I want to explore Ben's soul. He's nowhere near being saved. More to come because I have lots of ideas. Let me know what you think in the comments. Than you guys for reading, you're all the best.