Chapter 16 The Six
Rey and Ben were on the mountaintop once more training. Ben has upped the standards for her letting more of his brutality come through. She can fend off a Knight but she needs to be able to take them down too. Off to the side sat Poe and Finn watching. The only Knight Finn has ever come up against was Ben back on Starkiller Base. The Knight he faced on the Finalizer was very hard hitting. Even Ben had a slight struggle with the Knight. Maybe they have become too comfortable and that was a wake up call.
Rey fell to the ground as Ben held out his sparring stick to her. Rey was breathing heavily knowing he has won this round and if it was a Knight she was dead.
"Come on Rey! Get up!" Ben demanded and Rey swiped back at the sparring stcik and got to her feet. "They won't show you any mercy, you have to be faster," Ben spun and continued on as Rey defended herself. Ben didn't want the darker side of him to appear not to her but this was the only way. He was a Knight once in fact he was the Knight; he was the superior Knight out of the eight. If Rey was going to survive another attack then he had to show her just how powerful they are. He didn't like it but if he went easy or felt bad then he failed his student. The Knights of Ren will not go easy on her or feel bad.
He wanted to protect her, shield her. He felt the need to do so maybe because she was all he wanted, just a piece of light and hope he never had. But protecting her will not save her. He almost didn't make it in time. The reality of her being killed was very real. He had to be stricter on her training now because if she dies he will be responsible for it. He can't be her shield anymore, he had to let go. But letting go, that idea was difficult. He had a trouble time with it. If he was going to let her go then the least he could do is train her properly.
Ben then ducked a swing and backed off as Rey advanced a little more. She was getting there though. They matched one another and Ben wanted her to go above him. If she can take him out fully in his prime then she can with the other Knights. Just then as their sparring stick clashed Rey pushed back against him and he felt something within the Force and then he flew back. It was that same feeling he felt on Starkiller Base. That raw power Rey has just like him. Ben landed on his back and looked up seeing Rey standing there. Finn and Poe's eyes widen as they looked to one another.
Ben slowly got up as Rey continued to stand there in some disbelief she did that. She didn't actually call on the Force at all it just…happened or at least she thought it did. Ben then held up his sparring stick again letting her know it was time for another round. Rey twirled her sparring stick and charged at Ben, jumped and slammed the stick down at him and he blocked her.
Down at the base the hustle and bustle continued. A few dozen or so recruits were being signed on today and would later meet their commanders later. In the communications room Connix and Chewie were on the computers working. They were trying to crack the hyperspace tracking system and so far they have failed. Rey has yet to look at it because Ben has whisked her away to blissful hard training sessions. Rey and Finn managed to steal some other data though. Connix was going through the information. Chewie then gave a moan.
"Really Chewie?" Connix asked and the Wookie looked at her tilting his head. "Fine, go eat." Chewie got up as Connix rested her head on her hand looking at the data.
Rey let the warm water fall on her, soothing some rather aching muscles. She actually enjoyed the new intense training now. The bruises that were caused by the Knight on the Finalizer were mostly faded but those memories did play in her head once in while. As much as she wanted to forget them she needed to be reminded what she was up against. It wasn't going to get any easier because if she and Ben were stepping up their game then so are the other Knights.
Just then she felt Ben in the Force and physically. He was right behind her and she smiled. Rey turned around looking up and there he was. Out in the world he was tough, frightening and will kill you in the blink of an eye. But here in their quarters, alone just the two of them, he was the soft person and it was only for her. Ben leaned in and kissed her and she pulled him closer.
Rey sat at the desk in their room drying her hair and there was a knock at the door. She then looked to the bed seeing Ben was asleep. It was barely the afternoon and he was asleep. The sparring match they had was intense though and she herself felt like a nap was needed. Rey stood up from the chair and headed to the door and opened it and it was Connix.
"You need to look at it." Connix gave her the disk that held the file on hyperspace tracking. "It's insane but I can't look at it anymore or completely understand the coding." Connix was another top tech in the Resistance and she was having trouble. Rey took the disk and looked at it and nodded. Rey closed the door and walked to the desk to the small computer they had and began to upload the data.
Ben stirred awake but felt groggy as he rolled to his back. He sat up and saw Rey across the room sitting at the desk. Ben got up and walked to her and she looked to him. He looked to the screen as code ran across it.
"Hyperspace tracking." Rey explained to him and he nodded. Rey sighed and reached to turn it off and took the disk out. "I need to be on a bigger computer to really see anything." Ben then squatted next to her and she looked to him. "They have been working on this for years and…"
"You'll find something." Ben assured her because he truly does believe in her. Rey looked at the disk knowing this was going to be the biggest project to under take next to taming Kylo Ren. Ben leaned in and kissed her cheek as she continued to study the disk. Ben then stood up to get dressed knowing they needed to induct the new recruits. Rey continued to look at the disk thinking.
Three-dozen new recruits stood in a room looking around. They were waiting for the leadership to come in and finally make them members of the Resistance. The doors then opened and everyone stood up just a little straighter as Rey and Ben walked in first followed by Poe, Finn, Connix and Chewie. Once the six lined up side-by-side the General then came in.
"Welcome to the Resistance." Leia began looking to the new people. "You have come here to fight for this galaxy that is under tyranny, injustice and war." Ben listened to his mother thinking about those words. Did he come to the Resistance for the same reasons? He has yet to agree with himself on this reasons why. The biggest reason is Rey; he will follow her wherever she will go. But the more he stood within the Resistance, the more he sat at the table and ate with them, the more he tinkered on the old X-Wings with Poe, the more he sat with Finn helping train the recruits, the more R2 followed him around helping him, the more he stood among them, the more he felt like them.
Ben has never felt part of anything. His parents never paid enough attention to him growing up. He grew up in the shadows and no one praised him, thanked him, supported him. Even in the Order while acknowledge he was only feared and nothing more. It wasn't until the battle of Naboo did he feel like he belonged to something. He belonged to the Resistance, to their cause. Poe cheered for him, Finn stood side by side with him. Then, in the darkness, Rey showed him what love was, he felt what it was liked to be loved. He has never had a cause or something to fight for. Now, all these people especially the command crew, they fought for him and he fought for them in return. In fact he was finally understanding what friendship was, it was family.
In the dining hall of the base Poe and Finn sat next to each drinking some water. This area was always busy and even into the night people would still be here.
"So," Poe asked as he sipped the water. "Rey figure anything out yet with the tracker?" He asked Finn and Finn shook his head no. Chewie sat next to Poe and ate his fourth meal for the day as the three sat together. "How hard is it going to be figure out?"
"It took thirty years to come up with it." Finn added meaning it wasn't going to be something that will be solved overnight. "We're going to need to help Rey, she can't do it all on her own." Finn finished and then the little Porg that Chewie found a year ago was still around and hopped on the table chirping. It squawked at Finn and Finn pushed it aside a little as he continued to eat his snack.
Rey sat at a bigger computer looking at the codes and the numbers. She was reading what the Empire and the Order have been able to accomplish. She knew she can't solve it right away but this was the first step. She would look at the screen then jot something down as she took notes. As she took more notes someone walked up to her and hand her something.
"Hydration." Connix insisted and handed her a cup with something in it. Rey took it and set aside her notes as Connix sat next to her with a cup as well. They were the only ones in this room. It was a small room off to the side of the main communications room. Connix looked to the screen and then reached for Rey's notes and started to read. The two women continued to study together.
Ben had finished his checklist with the base and was now looking for Rey. The day was coming to an end soon and it was a long one. Ben walked to the communications room seeing the place was thinning out. People were turning in for the night. One or two people will operate the room through out the night monitor the system. Ben looked around for Rey and a tech person pointed in a direction for Ben and he went in that direction to the little room. He stood at the entrance seeing Rey and Connix sitting there. The two turned around seeing Ben standing there.
"Don't be shy," Connix invited Ben in and he walked in looking at the screen and took his place next to Rey.
"Anything?" He asked knowing that was a no but he was hoping. Rey shook her head no.
"How's it going?" Poe asked with Finn and Chewie at the entrance. Finn looked to the screen and then to the notes Rey had been taking.
"Don't know a lot about tech stuff like this but figure we can help." Finn offered and Connix smiled.
"Who's hungry?" Poe asked and Chewie let out a bark indicating he was.
The six of them were jammed into the little room together sitting in the chairs and on the ground. Each had some food or drink with them as they talked.
"So, it looks like here it's the same code as a tractor beam." Rey pointed out as she stood in the room and took a bite of her food. Ben sat on the floor somewhat in the corner listening. She then walked over to the computer and started to point to the screen as Connix wrote the code down. "It looks like they use that piece to hone in on a ship or cruiser." Finn who was also sitting on the ground opposite of Ben then got up to look.
"It looks like that was the basic idea." Finn added and Poe nodded as he continued to eat.
"But what tracks the ship? It's one thing to plant a device." Poe added as he sat next to Ben because that was the only way to track a ship of any kind. Ben continued to sit there listening as they tried to crack this. "Tractor beams pulled the ship in and keeps them from leaving."
"It's the idea." Rey added she stood there reading everything. "They took that formula." She finished and Connix once more wrote it down.
"So, in theory they just made a huge wide range tractor beam." Poe added and looked to Ben. Ben shrugged because he doesn't do tech stuff. Rey nodded looking at the screen and then dusted off her hands and started to thumb through her notes.
"In theory yes," Rey confirmed and continued to go through her notes. "If that is what they managed to do then it was something large enough to trace through hyperspace."
"But when I saw it, it's like this little no nothing little piece thing." Finn added and Rey looked to him and then to the screen.
"It's massive though," Rey began to understand what she was looking at. "This, this is years and years of data, reports, every thing the Empire and the Order documented." She continued to look at the screen. "It goes back to the Old Republic." She then took to Ben as he continued to sit there.
"It's all the after action reports done." Ben added understanding what the data really was. "Whatever the mission, the fight, it's all of that."
"The Empire hacked into old records of boring reports?" Poe looked to Ben asking and Ben nodded. "This does what then?"
"It can create an algorithm of some sort." Connix and Rey nodded.
"It pinpoints better." Rey began to explain to the group. "Instead of estimating a location based on trajectory like in the past it hones in further based on an algorithm and what information has been fed in through the reports." Rey looked around. "It analyzes all the data and gives a reading on where the ship may go."
"Statistics." Ben summed up and Rey nodded. "It's all what's been recorded and then numbers are run."
"How do we fix it?" Finn asked.
"It's nothing new." Rey looked back to the screen. "Machines do this all the time. It took years because they went through all known data from records and achieves." Rey then looked to the group again.
"The Order cheated?" Poe asked and Finn shook his head no.
"Perfected." Finn answered. "The questions how do we bypass this?"
"In theory," Rey started. "We would have to go somewhere or remap in way that's not on record."
"Random, you mean be random?" Poe asked and Chewie said something and Poe agreed. "He's right, how can we know?"
"We go right when they think we would go left." Connix summed up the idea although it wasn't going to be that easy. Ben then stood up looking at the screen and then to Rey. She figured what it was and how it works. Now she needs come up with something to counter it and can't be going right instead of left. Rey then sat down looking at the screen and sighed. How can they block this or reverse engineer it?
"We're going to need build one ourselves, test it, rebuild it," Rey started to shoot out ideas and the next step on this.
"We can see about getting equipment from Lando." Poe suggested.
"No, we need old stuff too, old tech." Connix looked to the Poe.
"We tossed all of that out." Poe meant all the old computers and operating systems that were here before. "We would need to go to like a junkyard depending on what you are thinking." Rey then looked to the group.
"I know where we can find junk." She added and Finn shook his head no.
"We're not going back to Jakku." Finn protested.
"We're going back to Jakku." Rey confirmed. "It has everything and we can test on things too. It's the biggest junkyard out there." She gave her argument.
The six of them stood before the General and handed her the proposal on hyperspace tracking and the counter measures they can come up with. Leia looked through the data and then back at them.
"You all came up with this?" She asked and Poe pointed to Rey.
"She did most of the work but yeah, we spit ball ideas together and now we need your permission to go to Jakku." Poe finished and Leia looked to them and sighed. "You don't think it's going to work?
"It's not that, it's the Order." Leia started. "Ever since Rey has announced her status and where she has come from Jakku is now under watch of the Order." That does present a problem. Leia knew what they wanted to do and knew they needed to do something.
"Under cover, it'll just be us, nothing big, we scout, if we see something we like we'll figure it out later." Poe suggested and that seemed ok. However, just like the mission to the Finalizer she couldn't risk her whole command team. But seeing them there, she couldn't break them up either. They have come a long way since the Resistance was nearly wiped out. "We have Rey with us, she knows the planet very well. Five days, give us five days to scout and we'll figure it out from there." Poe finished and now it was time to wait. Maybe it's true what Leia said a while back, separate they were not enough but the more they stood side by side the stronger they are. Seeing them on Naboo side by side she felt something. And now they've solved how hyperspace tracking works, they figured that out together.
A small ship was being prepped but all six of them would have to arrive to Jakku at different times. This was a planet that you don't vacation at; no one goes there just to go. Some go to get away from the galaxy for many different reasons. This cruiser was big enough for that as they loaded up some supplies and took off. Once in hyperspace they had to plan what to do.
They sat at the table on the cruiser as Rey started to draw out a map. They will be landing at the outpost where she grew up and she met BB-8 and Finn. Actually looking back Rey, Ben, Finn and Poe all converged on Jakku at some time in some way. Rey finished the map and everyone looked at it.
"Once we get there head to this area," Rey started to give directions. "This is the main outpost and the closest for miles, Niima. We'll meet here." She pointed just outside the outpost. "We'll need to seek shelter fast, nights can get very cold and that's when the sandstorms pick up." She informed them. They had to follow Rey on this, as she knew more about this planet than any of them, this is where she grew up. "We'll scout in the morning at dawn, it gets too hot a few hours after sun rise." Poe nodded and Rey looked to Ben, as he was quiet.
The cruiser started to orbit the planet but no signs of the Order but it doesn't mean they aren't around. Rey went to smaller shuttle with her things and boarded as Ben went to see her off. Ben will pilot down the main cruiser later. Rey took off and piloted to the planet and she was nervous. She hasn't seen this place in a long time and it only held negative memories. She was alone on this desert and even to this day sometimes in her mind she goes back to it. She came into the planet's atmosphere and saw nothing but sand below. She gently piloted the shuttle down, grabbed her stuff and stepped back on her home turf. She looked around and felt the sun pounding down, the air hot and thick.
Rey looked around and had Ben's scarf and began to shield herself from the harsh light and began to walk towards the outpost and wait for the others. As she near the post she began to look around and spotting nothing that stood out. Her mind flooded with memories as the people were working. She could feel herself ready to jump in, clean the parts she found, trade it in for a meal that lasted less than a week. She shook it off as she headed through the small village and on the other side. Just then across the way she saw Connix making her way to the outpost.
The six found one another and followed Rey. She can already tell the sun would be setting soon as she led the team somewhere. As they got further from the outpost they came to sand dunes and Poe shielded his eyes looking harder into the distance seeing what was a Star Destroyer. Jakku was the graveyard of the Empire and the Rebels. And out of this graveyard rose the Order and the Resistance. They continued to walk and Rey stopped looking at the AT-AT laying in the sand, just the way she remembers it.
"What's this place?" Finn asked looking around.
"Home." Rey answered and she continued to walk towards the AT-AT and looked around. The team looked around as Rey opened up the door to her old place and she looked inside. It was dark as it has been abandon for a year. Rey stepped inside and slammed her fist against the wall and some lights flickered on. The team followed her inside looking around as they shed some of their out clothing that deflected the heat and sand. Rey looked around and it was just how she remembers. "Ok, let's get started."
Camp was set up and just outside the AT-AT a small fire was going and Chewie cooked something over the fire. The sun had set and the stars started to come out. The heat of the day nearly disappeared and it began to get cold. Everyone had a plate of food as they ate and right now they were swapping stories of their past. They were going to be here for a few days so they should get to know one another better. They know each other but now it was just them.
Then it came to Ben's memories. He looked around knowing he had to share because they have. They all came from somewhere. Looking back his childhood wasn't always awful. It was ok before his parents started to disappear into their own lives.
"Once," Ben started as he had a memory of his father. "I was sitting in the Falcon by myself at the controls. I was playing some game in my head and…" He let out a small chuckle that only Rey has seen. "I turned the Falcon on and I look around as it started to hover and I panicked. Just then I hear Han yell my name and I knew I was dead. Han comes storming in looking around. He actually seemed impressed and later he was teaching me how to fly." That was rather a good memory and he looked to Rey. She smiled a little at him. They can all imagine him being a cute kid before Snoke took him. Ben can remember that day so clearly, it wasn't all bad.
As the night continued the group had loosen up around each other even more, maybe it was the drinks Poe brought. It was nice to be away from the base and constant training and planning. It was nice to be in a small group. Connix laid on the ground as did Poe opposite from her. Finn laid on the makeshift chairs and Chewie sat next to him. Rey sat on the ground in between Ben's feet as he had his hands on her shoulders rubbing them. Poe was talking now but it wasn't about their past, how they got involved in the fight, they were just talking. They sat around the fire talking like friends talk.
"So, what you're saying is this," Finn repeated back what they were talking about. "We win this, retire by buying a planet, an unknown planet and race all day?"
"Yes, we race and fly and do nothing." Poe suggested.
"And what will we be racing in?" Connix asked and Chewie barked something. "Right," Rey smiled as she looked around.
"Ben will kick our asses, his dad made the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs." Poe added and Finn nodded. Ben looked around remembering that story. He has heard that tale more times than he can remember. "But sure, sounds like a good retirement idea."
"Well, these two will be running the next Jedi Order so they can't race with us, not right away." Finn looked to Ben and Rey. Rey smiled back at him because that would be a great idea, a new Jedi Order she and Ben could run together. Poe then sat up and began to dust off and took the last sip of his drink.
"We should probably call it as much fun as this is." Poe was right and they needed to get some sleep before scouting.
The six claimed sections of the AT-AT to sleep in for the next few days. As Rey was helping them settle in Ben was in the place where Rey slept when she lived here. He was looking at a wall though and it had these tick marks going across and making rows. It covered the wall as he looked to it. Ben reached out placing his hand on the wall feeling the marks edged in. There must be thousands of them. He then looked to the last one.
"I counted." Ben turned around seeing Rey standing there and she moved further in. She joined up with Ben looking at just how long she had waited. She waited here for the return of her parents and it never happened. She remembers the day they left though. Ben then looked to her. She waited for something that would never happened and she knew it wouldn't, she knew her parents where no ones, they traded her for money. She was alone on this planet for so long. He watched how she studied the wall and how many days she waited. She waited for someone to come back to for her and she was patient about it and believed in the best.
Ben then reached out and pulled Rey to him. She looked to him as he embraced her. It took her a moment to register everything and then he felt it. Rey let out a sob realizing she had waited for so long, she was alone for so long. Her parents were never coming for her, they never had any intent to. Maz was right, what she was seeking was never behind her but right in front of her. Rey pulled away and didn't want to cry in front of Ben but he felt it. It was a wave that hit and she couldn't hold it in. He felt how lonely she was out here and all those days hoping for something that never would come.
Ben then reached out with both his hands on Rey's cheeks and wiped the tears away. She didn't need to feel alone anymore not even while here. Rey looked up at Ben and the low light of the room seem to light his eyes even more. Ben leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. Someone did come for her and she was not alone anymore. Rey pulled herself closer to Ben and then held him. Ben hugged her tighter and then looked to the wall again. It told the story of her life.
By the little light in Rey's little old room she and Ben began to make love. He placed kisses up and down her neck as she was relaxed his arms. She let her fingers get lost in his black locks and she felt herself falling back as he gently lowered her to the makeshift bed of sheets and blankets. Their shadows projected on the wall of the tick marks and the shadows danced in the low light. Ben looked down at Rey into her eyes. He was always nervous when they did this even though by now he shouldn't be.
Rey liked seeing that side of Ben, she can witness his vulnerability and it would only be for her. To the galaxy Ben Solo was invincible but here in front of her he was a man with true flaws. And Rey loved all his flaws. She reached up to him letting her hand roam his face and the scar that was on it. He closed his eyes feeling her hand on his face and allowing him to give up all control. He opened his eyes slowly looking back at Rey.
"Ben," She whispered and then pulled him in for a kiss stating she wanted him. Ben leaned in and kissed her and already in the Force she felt all his defenses fall. Ben began to lose himself in the kiss and in her. He began to rock within her and Rey held him close in the low light of her old home. She wasn't alone any more as she glanced to the wall that counted her days. Rey's eyes closed feeling Ben within and around her as she went to seek out more kisses and warmth. The wall and the tick marks were now nothing more than a memory.
Ben stirred awake hearing something. There was a howling noise as he listened closer. It was the sandstorm Rey told everyone about. It sounded violent too as he listened. He can even heard the sand pelting at the AT-AT. He then looked down to Rey, as she didn't move. These storms probably lulled her to sleep at times. The air was cold though. The AT-AT didn't have any heat or cold regulation; it was whatever it was outside. She lived in this harsh world and he didn't want to think about it. Maybe one day when this was all over they could walk away from it. He can take her to some beautiful planet, a place just for them. It would be them only living out a life of peace something he's longed for. Ben laid back down hearing the storm outside.
Ben pulled Rey just a little closer to him listening. Just then he felt Rey stir and she rolled over looking to him. The light was so low now it just light them. Her eyes met with his. Ben leaned in and placed a kiss to her forehead, as she was mostly asleep. Ben rolled to his back as Rey placed herself nearly on top of him and started to fall asleep again. Ben let his fingers glide up and down her bare back listening to her breath. He looked to the black ceiling and listened to the harsh storm outside. But Rey's presence overtook all of if, the warm breeze and wild flowers washed over Ben. He closed his eyes while wrapping both arms around Rey.
The six of them were out in the desert heading towards a massive Star Destroyer. The sun was barely over the horizon and the heat waves can already be seen.
"It's hot." Poe began to complain as they walked. "Like, it's really hot."
"The sun just came up." Finn added and Rey looked to the boys with a smile. This was going to be a long day if Poe was already complaining about this. The six then stood looking up to a sand dune with the Destroyer behind it. They looked up and around wondering how to get up there.
"You need a running start." Rey explained and took a few steps back. She then took off running and sprinted up the dune. The other five looked at each other and Connix shrugged and tried it. She made it to the top of the dune and Rey held out her hand helping Connix up and over the dune. Ben did likewise followed by Finn as Connix helped Finn up. Chewie made it up and now it was Poe. Poe sighed, took step back and then charged up the dune. Ben held out his hand grabbing Poe's and pulled him the rest of the way.
Now it was time to take a look around. Rey led the way to the Destroyer that was laid in its resting place. The group will have to follow her on this one. Rey looked around for a way in. The best way to get in and get it is find the path of least resistances. They had to be careful while in the hauls of the ships. These ships were filled with holes and decay. The sand, harsh heat and cold were eating away at these ships. Rey looked around seeing more sand pouring in slowly burying it. Rey looked around the haul hearing the low whisper of the wind. The group formed up around her looking around. Rey pulled out some of her notes to know what they were going to collect.
"Ok, we need certain parts, they're small and they'll be closer to the bridge." Rey looked at the paper looking around. She continued to look at the paper as Ben joined up with her. "We're going need bigger parts and it would really be nice to take this with us." She looked around the ship. Getting a Star Destroyer off the planet was going to be hard, it's not a small ship. But to dig it out of the ground and lug it across space is impossible, it'll be torn apart.
"Let's get to work." Finn indicated as he looked around.
"You might find other scavengers, don't talk to them or interact, just don't look." Rey informed everyone.
"Why don't we look at them?" Poe asked, as he was interested.
"Just don't." Rey answered as she started into the Destroyer. The group started to fan out to look and collect items and parts. Rey looked down deeper into the ship and then hooked herself to a pipe and turned around facing Ben. She smiled at him and started to jump down into the dark. Ben looked down watching her descend down and watching her go back to her old ways. Ben tethered himself and went after her. His feet touched down as Rey unclipped herself and looked around. Ben got behind her and they turned on some lights looking around.
They walked around and Rey walked to a wall and pulled something from the wall and studied it. She then put it in her bag and continued on. Ben looked around the skeleton of the Destroyer. The Star Destroyers out there now were different. This was from the Imperial days and these were even different from the Clone Wars. Ben looked around the place as he followed Rey. They began to climb up to the bridge. Just then they both felt something move. Ben reached out pulling Rey to him as she looked up at him and sand fell on them and ship rattled ever so slightly.
"They do that sometimes." Rey whispered looking around as she explained to Ben. He let up a little knowing she knew more about this than him. They finished their climb and found the bridge and looked out. They could see nothing but sand dunes out ahead. "Alright, let's see what we can find."
A few hours had passed by as the six of them gathered outside the Destroyer looking out. The day seemed even more blinding as the sun was high in the sky. All round them were more scavengers gathering like them after a morning of collecting. It was time to head back to the AT-AT and see what they were able to find. Rey then slid down the dune easily. Ben followed behind her, as did the others. Finn had a little trouble and stumbled at the end.
"I'm good." Finn indicated and they headed back to the AT-AT.
At the AT-AT the six poured out the parts and scraps they found and Rey looked at them. The group stripped out of their outer clothes and walked around. The AT-AT was hot as it absorbed the heat of the day. Rey was already on it to get the heat out. She went to a box that was on the ground and stepped on it and reached for a switched. She flipped it and a hum started to happen, as she stepped off the box. There was a fan that was sucking up the heat of the AT-AT.
Rey then sat down on the ground and started to go through the parts and pieces they have found. Everyone was hot and sweaty and they were only in the middle of the day as they continued to work.
"It's still hot like this is unnatural." Poe claimed as he was panting.
"It'll cool down soon." Rey assured him as she continued to sift through the parts. Rey looked at her paper and looking at the parts.
The sun was still in the sky but it was no longer this bright yellow but a deep orange. Ben was outside of the AT-AT watching the day and the coming and goings of scavengers that would pass by now and then. While it was nothing but desert out here some of it was rather beautiful at times. Ben turned back inside and looked around as the parts were being separated into piles. Poe was putting together some food for everyone as they worked cataloging the parts.
Poe seemed better now that the sun wasn't as intense and they were coming up to the end of the day. He began to pass around plates to everyone as they sat around while Rey drew something on the wall with the HOLO projecting other images. Poe then handed a plate to Ben and patted his shoulder and continued on. Rey was having everyone look at an Imperial Star Destroyer and a First Order Destroyer and seeing what parts were needed before they left.
They wanted to build their own that would be the only way to know what to do with it. They would build it, put in the data they have from the Order then hopefully field test it later. Once they can build it then maybe they can find a counter measure or reverse it.
"We have," Rey took a step back and looked at her notes. "Not all the parts." She then turned to the group as they ate and cataloged. "We're going to need to find another Destroyer," Meaning the ones here were gutted for the most part. They would have to venture out further beyond the usual scavenging grounds.
"Is there a Destroyer no one goes to or something?" Finn asked and Rey walked to a small shelf and pulled out a rolled up piece of parchment and laid it on the table unrolling it. On it were markings indicating where she has been and locations of the ruins of ships. She has been doing this her whole life so she knows where to go. She then started to look but it's been a year since she's been here and maybe the others have ventured out. Parts were going to disappear after time. Then it hit her, what if she never left and she was still out there in the desert looking? How much time did she have? After time she will come up short or empty. Those parts she traded fed her. She would have to ration food and eventually when everything is cleared she would starve.
Rey pushed that out, she no longer lived her anymore. She had a home and place and it was not here. She was not going to die here. She glanced at Ben as he picked up something from her but knew now wasn't going to be the time to address it.
"The last time I was here there were rumors of a Star Destroyer this way." Rey began and she pointed where they were located and the possible location of the Destroyer. "It's a half a days walk." She added meaning once they get there they would have to stay there until the next day.
"We should try I mean the worse that happens is nothing." Poe offered and they seemed to agree. "We leave tomorrow, long before the sun rises." They started to come up with a plan and it meant packing up for the walk. They would sleep a few hours tonight and start early.
Rey stirred awake first and looked around the dark room. She turned slightly as Ben was behind her. She gently woke him up and he didn't look please to be awake this early but they needed to move. Rey got up first knowing Ben will drag his feet. She yawned as she stepped out of the little room seeing Poe already up and getting everything ready. Then Chewie came in and roared. It sort of hurt to hear but it woke everyone else up.
The six stepped out of the AT-AT into the desert and it was still dark. It was the twilight hour as Rey looked around at the night. It was cold out and in a few hours it'll turn to fire. The six started off knowing they had a long walk ahead. The plan was to get there and gathered what they needed, stay the night inside the Destroyer and like now trek back here, stay the night then leave and go home. That was the plan as they moved.
The sun was up as the six traveled over the dunes and further into the desert. Ben looked up into the harsh light of day and around the place. It was so quiet out here and at times when he looked the sky and the desert blended that he couldn't tell anything apart. It was such a barren and ugly place. The sky itself was rather pretty, it had a nice deep blue but it was washed out by all the yellow sand.
As the six walked together in the distance with the heat they saw the half buried Destroyer. As they got closer they realized they were the only ones out here as Rey looked around. As they neared the Destroyer she looked up to it and like before ran up the sand dune. She looked at the Destroyer and her habits came back. This was untouched and it would feed her for weeks with all the parts she could pull. The others joined her as they made their way in. The haul of the ship made a noise as the wind blew it.
"Be careful," Ben spoke up as he pulled Rey back looking around. "This one is very old," He meant this Destroyer has been out here for a long time and looking around parts were ready to collapse in. He stepped in first slightly jumping down and looked around. It was eerier to be here knowing this to was a tomb. He looked up into the haul listening to nothing. He turned around as Rey went to join him and the others followed. "Let's make camp first."
Once they set up a place to report to they looked around as this place has been untouched. At some point when the nearby Star Destroyers are cleaned out others will come out here. For now though they can claim everything they wanted. The six started to go deeper into the ship, to the dark. A huge gust of wind picked up and they all heard it howl outside. They continued on and Rey looked up to the first thing they will need as the others fanned out a bit. No one was going to go alone though because they were by themselves. Poe went to open the panel but everything was rusted.
"Let me try," Ben offered and then took out his saber, ignited it and started to cut.
"The lightsaber, lots of uses, vanquish your enemies, cut holes and remodels home." Poe commented as Ben cut into the ship and Rey smiled at her friend. "Maybe at parties we can use it as a glow stick." Ben didn't like that last part; this was ancient and elegant weapon not a party prop. Rey can remember the caretakers on Ahch-To had monthly parties and when they saw Rey with her saber they wanted her to wave it around like a glow stick. Ben finished cutting and then pulled out the panel and Rey looked at the switchboard. She started to pull apart what she wanted as Connix and Finn looked around.
The group continued on but something made them all stopped. While the wind could be heard through out the dead ship something else howled. Finn knew that sound instantly even though it was faint as did Ben.
"Scouts," Ben whispered knowing what was happening. They were inside and unless the TIEs flew in they should be ok. The sound was getting closer so to be safer the group looked for something to hide in a little more. Both Rey and Ben then cut out a giant hole together as everyone started to climb in because the TIES sounded closer than they liked. As they got in and huddled together the TIEs were even closer. Just like when the Star Destroyer hovered over Dantoonie, Ben held Rey close to him for comfort and stability.
The TIEs were inside the ship looking. Was the mission compromised? The six remained quiet until the TIEs left. They heard them roaring through with their echoes. Ben closed his eyes to calm himself knowing the only way they would be found is if they waved at them. Just then the TIEs flew right over them with their loud roars and continued on. They started to fade away and Rey looked out. The wind is all she was able to hear.
"Well, that was great." Finn commented on the moment and Chewie said something.
"I don't think so." Ben responded to the Wookie. "We need to get what we came for and leave as soon as we can." The mission wasn't compromised but it can be quickly. The TIEs were just surveying but it meant the Order wasn't far away. The group put more emphasis in their steps and went in smaller groups to find the last pieces they needed. They wouldn't make it back to Rey's old AT-AT by nightfall and were stuck here but they would need to leave tomorrow as soon as possible.
The next day came and after a long walk the six made it to the Niima outpost as they were going to head the cruiser and get out of here. They had what they needed but something wasn't right as they were going around the outpost to avoid the crowds. Those TIEs from yesterday were circling the outpost and without cover the team was in trouble. The group knew as well that the TIEs were not there by themselves and the quickest way and maybe the only cover they had was through the outpost. They would need to be quick and quiet if they wanted to go unnoticed.
They made it into the outpost and spotted Strom Troopers. The Troopers didn't seem to be doing much though as they walked around and didn't bother anyone. These Troopers weren't here two days ago so they might be doing a routine check in. As the six walked through the outpost with Rey leading the way she saw the line forming at the trade in counter. But Ben picked up on a conversion in the near distance. A Trooper was asking a local about a cruiser just ahead and why it was out that far and not here. Now the mission was in danger of being compromised. Ben got to Rey's side quickly.
"They're looking," He whispered and knew if they don't leave reinforcements were coming and they will come fast.
"Hey you there!" A voice called to the group and it was a voice of a Storm Trooper. The group stopped in their tracks and looked at the Trooper as he approached them. The group all wore something shielding their faces so they weren't completely recognizable. "There's a cruiser outside of the post, what's it doing out there?" He asked them. Then Ben slightly waved his hand.
"You'll let us continue to walk," Be began.
"I will let you continue to walk." The Trooper repeated.
"We know nothing of this cruiser." Ben went on.
"You know nothing of this cruiser." The Trooper repeated again.
"Move along." Ben finished and the Trooper waved them off.
"Move along." He repeated and they did. But if they continued to the cruiser it would look suspicious. They would need to take some cover and see if the Troopers would move elsewhere and they could get away. Rey lead them into the local bar and they all stepped inside. It was this stinky, dirty bar that Rey went into once and turned around and left. They walked in looking around and Finn searched for a table for them. He found one and they all gathered to catch a break and rethink for a moment.
"What did you do back there?" Poe asked Ben.
"Force can affect the weak minded." Ben explained and Poe nodded liking that idea.
"You can control people's mind with the Force?" Poe asked and Ben didn't feel like teaching a philosophy lesson on the Force right now. Poe knew to accept what he just said and go from there.
"Ok, so now what?" Finn asked the burning question. Connix looked around seeing people up on the small stage playing music and others around talking, eating and drinking.
"How long should we wait?" She asked and Chewie shrugged. Just then Poe appeared with a tray of drinks and everyone looked around at each other. First he was just here and second where did these drinks come from. Poe started to pass the little cups out the group.
"I say we drink until this blows over." Poe suggested the solution to the current situation. Ben didn't seem like he agreed as he stood there and looked at the brown liquid. Poe then held up his little cup waiting for the others to do the same. They might as well humor the pilot and grabbed their glasses. "To…us and the General because without her none of this would be necessary." Poe toasted and they took their drinks. All of them gave a disgusted look as they down the drinks.
"it taste like jet fuel." Finn commented as Rey took in a deep breath.
"More like battery acid." Connix added and Ben looked like he was ready to kill some one. Poe then regretted the drinks as they all looked defeated looking around the table.
"Yeah, lets just go home." Poe suggested and there was a collective agreement but as soon as they went to leave three Strom Troopers came into the bar. Rey looked around and right now it looked like the entrance was the only exit. "Are we about to have a bar fight?" Poe asked in a whisper.
"Just keep walking." Ben ordered and they did. They kept a discreet eye on the Troopers moving opposite of them. The six made it out of the bar and looked around and started towards the direction of the cruiser but then more Troopers started to appear.
"Who is this woman?" A Trooper asked holding up his blaster to Rey as Ben stood next to her.
"She's my," Ben looked to Rey knowing they were being scanned but how much time did they have? "My uh…my,"
"Rey!" A voice called out and the group turned around seeing this big ugly thing.
"Unkar Plutt?" Rey whispered but her name was enough to alert the Troopers who she was.
"Alright I'm done." Ben did sound done and he took out his saber. They would just need to push their way through. Rey joined him as she took her saber out too. Finn, Poe, Connix and Chewie took out small blasters and started to fire at the oncoming Troopers as Rey and Ben blocked the blaster rays once more. They took out the small group easily but the six stood in a line and turned around seeing a squad racing to them.
"It's hot, we had nasty drinks and the Order found us, I just want to go home." Poe was dead in his tone and held up his blaster and started to fire. The others joined in as the people and beings of the outpost fled the fight. The group can take out a squad of Troopers easily but its what will follow they need to avoid. The six then took off in a run as their stay was long passed overdue. As they ran they could hear TIEs in the distance. But in front of them they saw the cruiser they needed and upped their pace.
Ben used the Force to pull the ramp down and the six jumped aboard and headed to the cockpit. Ben took a seat in the pilot chair as Poe and Rey took up the seats to the guns. Ben started the flight sequence and they saw the incoming TIEs.
"Go, go, go!" Poe yelled and Ben pulled back on the controls to take off. Rey and Poe started to aim at the TIEs as the chase began.
"Fly low Ben, it confuses their tracking!" Finn yelled and Ben dived down towards the ruins of the Star Destroyers. For Rey and Finn this was a repeat of the day they met. Ben flew low and cut deep around the obstacles in front of him.
"Oh, we should not have had those drinks." Poe admitted feeling it in his stomach as Ben flew and they continued to fire back on the TIEs. Connix took a seat at a control panel and started to run some numbers.
"They're not tracking us but they sending a call sign." Connix informed Finn meaning they needed to get out and into hyperspace soon.
"Ben! We're going to have company!" Finn yelled out as the Solo flew into a Star Destroyer. Rey gunned down a TIE and then had an idea.
"Poe!" She turned to him and he looked to her quickly letting her know he was listening. "We're coming up to the old fuel cells." She let him know.
"Ben how fast can you fly?" Poe asked as he took out a TIE. Ben glanced at Poe for a moment. "Because we're gonna to need to fly pretty frickin' fast in a second." Ben then started to flip some switches indicating he was ready. The fuel cells came up and both Rey and Poe fired on them and in an instance they ruptured and started to explode. Finn stood next to Ben knowing they needed to get out of the Destroyer now. Ben maneuver through the Destroyer, as they saw the way out.
"Punch it Ben!" Finn yelled and Ben gave everything this little cruiser had as they saw the fire starting to engulf them. Chewie then yelled but Ben never broke his concretion on what was in front of him. They came out of the Star Destroyer as it continued to explode behind them. "Woo!" Finn cheered as Ben did it. "Let's get the hell out of here for good." Ben put the coordinates into the computer as they made their way out of Jakku's atmosphere. Ben grabbed the hyperdrive control and pushed it up and they were off.
Rey took in a deep breath sitting there and looked at the bags on the ground with the parts they needed. They'll get some new parts to but the hyperspace tracker was a mix of old and new. Ben sat in the pilot chair for a moment realizing how bad this mission could have gone but they actually worked well as a team. Finn and Poe exchanged high fives at the success of this. But now they had to rebuild the tracker and that was then next step. Rey looked to Ben seeing he was tired but looked a little relieved that this was over. Hopefully they had enough of what they need for now. Rey took another moment to breath knowing that was more than a close call.
A/N: That was a fun chapter I hope. I wanted to dive a little more into the command crew of the Resistance. They are the leaders and I wanted to see how well they can work together because more things are coming. What did you all think of this chapter? What's on the horizon for them? I can tell you one thing, the end is typed up and that's all I have to say. The end isn't coming for a bit though so we're good for now.
What did you like about this chapter? Do you want more like it? What do you hope to see next? How does all this end? Let's discuss.
Thank you for reading, following and commenting you guys are awesome.