Chapter 24 From Nothing Comes a King
The base was going through out it's day as usual. The high command sat in it's chambers with Leia for the daily briefing but they were without their Admirals.
"Everything is up to speed." Poe finished looking around and Chewie gave a bark as the droids finished laying out some baked goods.
"What about our spies?" Leia asked and Connix swiped through the HOLO.
"Nothing to report as of yet but they're going in shifts." Connix reported and the room was quiet. Chewie then barked again and they looked to the Wookie and Finn nodded.
"When will Rey and Ben get back?" Finn asked because they have been gone for a few days now.
"When they're done soul searching." Connix answered as she set down her drink and Poe smiled.
"They're probably doing more than just soul searching." Poe and then looked to Finn. "Want to know where babies come from?" Finn rolled his eyes. "Those two." Finn smiled a little.
"I never saw it coming with Ben being as broody as he is." Finn started to poke fun and Poe nodded. Leia already tapped out of the conversion as she sat there. "And then Rey, all gushy over him." Finn then looked around. "Oh Ben," His voice changed and he gave himself a higher pitch tone and tried recreate Rey's accent. "You're a Sith and I'm a Jedi, it could never be." Poe smiled and decided to join in.
"Rey, I'm just so tortured." Poe dropped his voice and Connix sat back with a smile while Chewie titled his head. "I need, I need help. I need so much help I forgot to brood." He clenched his fists and shook them in a cheesy and overly dramatic way. "Rey,"
"Yes, Ben," Finn continued the poor acting. "I know what you did was wrong,"
"So wrong," Poe was trying to keep a straight face along with Connix as she watched this.
"But we can be more, we can be Jedi and save the galaxy." Finn went on.
"Maybe even something more." Poe held out his hand. "Rey, follow me." Poe continued and Finn did a little dramatic head swipe.
"Oh, Ben Solo," Finn placed a hand on his heart as the play went on.
"How about you both can go to hell." A deeper voice than Poe can reach filled the room. Finn and Poe turned around seeing Ben standing there and Connix's face was about to burst into laugher. Leia watched all this unfold and saw the moment when Ben walked in she wanted to warn the boys but never stopped it seeing just how far they will go. Poe and Finn turned around; their hearts pounding knowing he could ignite his saber and that would be the end of it. But they were both smiling still, holding back the laughs. Rey then walked in not seeing the grand production but noticed Ben seemed tense and upset.
"What happened?" Rey asked looking around as Finn held the laugh back but Poe chuckled.
"I hate every single one of you." Ben took his seat looking straight ahead as Rey sat next to him.
"Glad to have you back." Poe added and also continued to look straight ahead to Leia. Leia looked amused and Ben's eye slowly went away from hers.
"Let's get back to work." Leia insisted even though Finn and Poe looked like they were still holding back trying not to laugh. "And I'm glad you two found that funny." As this was going Rey looked around confused at what happened. This was the high command of the Resistance, the last of the galaxy's hope for peace and justice.
Finn found Rey outside of the base as she was doing some checks. He wanted to know what she might have found at the old Jedi Temple. Rey looked over seeing Finn and she smiled a little at him and handed him a small computer.
"Everything seems ok?" Finn asked and Rey nodded. "So, how was it?"
"The Temple?" She asked and Finn nodded. "We found a Sith shrine under it." Rey started and Finn nodded slowly. "It must have been a beautiful place once but…the building is just falling a part slowly." Rey sounded a little sad about it because it was once a proud shrine in of itself.
"So if you and Ben do decide to redo the Jedi Order, it won't be there?" Finn asked as he looked to a small cruiser punching in some numbers. Rey looked at him and shrugged.
"Honestly…" She took a moment to think about what she was going to say. "One, it wouldn't be there…to much death and sorrow." Rey looked around and then to Finn. "Two…Ben and I may not restart any Order when this is over." Finn's eyes widen a little not understanding. She felt maybe she shouldn't have said anything but Finn was her first friend in this war.
"This galaxy needs the Jedi." Finn was clear on that, that's how they found one another. It was because of Luke Skywalker and finding him is how they met, what has brought them this far. But for Rey with her time on the island with Luke, being with Ben and walking those halls of the former Temple; her ideas have changed.
"The Jedi and the Sith have caused most of the galaxy's problems." Rey began to give him a condense version of history. "It was a Jedi who trained Anakin Skywalker and he turned to the Darkside. It's Snoke who forced Ben Solo to be Kylo Ren." Rey was trying to get him to understand that there was a pattern and a cycle. The Jedi rise, the Sith defeat them, then it starts back over. It's a cycle that brings the galaxy with it.
"So, what by not doing anything prevents nothing?" Finn asked and Rey could tell he was upset because she was too. The legends of the Jedi and Skywalker were what she grew up with. Her whole perception of Luke was completely different than meeting him. Her whole moral stands of the Jedi were that of these high ethical levels, she raised the Jedi in her mind as nearly god like. But the last few days in the temple, thinking back to Luke and seeing just how damaged Ben was able to become her thinking has changed.
"Right now, I don't know what Ben and I are going to do." Rey answered and that's all she had for now. She could see it in Finn's face he was not happy. He thought that Rey and Ben were literally going to go on a holy mission, a pilgrimage and come back even wiser. Instead there was uncertainty. Rey thought the same thing when she flew to the old Temple. But maybe, just maybe it gave her a sense of clarity and meaning in a different light.
Ben entered the communications room looking around. He does like to work but getting away from all this did clear his mind. It wasn't the most ideal vacation but it did help. Ben found Leia working as well and that's all she ever has done. He joined up with his mother looking at the screen.
"About three days ago we've noticed a lot of traffic outside the system." Leia started to explain to her son as he studied the screen. "So far nothing that makes me nervous." Meaning it was nothing serious right now. "However, I was wondering if my two star pilots can set up a wider perimeter?" She stood up straight as Ben looked to her as he rested against the desk. Leia leaned up against the desk to folding her arms across her chest.
"How much of a perimeter do you want?" Ben asked and Leia shrugged. It was nice to be alone with his mother. They have always been close because of the Force bond and maybe they are the last descendants of a destroyed world. They both come from royalty from Alderaan and of Naboo. Both his grandmothers, Padme Amidala and Breha Organa were queens and his title is rooted deep in the galaxy. They were also the last of the Force when you think about it.
"You're the Admiral." Meaning he could do whatever he wanted. Ben nodded and looked back to the screen as it continued to scan for possible enemy ships. Leia reached out placing her hand on his shoulder assuring she still trusts him. Leia began to leave but something stuck out to Ben. Leia seemed to be moving a little slower than he remembers. Maybe she didn't sleep enough. Leia from his deepest memories was always on the go and he never seemed to understand where that energy came from. His mother was always on the move but it hit him. She wasn't just handing out these titles because she could, she was slowing down at least she was starting to. Ben pushed that aside and left the room.
Ben sat in the black X-Wing and his black wing was redone. The rest of the Black Squad wings were black but held stripes and the paint was a little dusty, a little worn as they painted it themselves. Ben went out and got an all black wing and the paint was sleek and shiny. There were no markings on it, nothing but the fleet knew it was his. Ben fired up the X-Wing and along side him was Poe in his. Ben looked over as Poe smiled giving a thumbs up with the window closing. Ben pulled on the controls as he heard R2 talking to him.
"I'll let you know." Ben answered the droid as the X-Wing hovered and took off and the two wings flew side-by-side out. They were going fly out and map more the land dropping censors. That will create a wider perimeter that can bounce better signals back to the base. But for Ben while this is work, flying was one of the most calming and relaxing things he can do; like his father he belonged in the air.
Rey rested her head in her hand as she watched the screens and seeing a wider range to monitor. Like Ben, little mundane tasks were nice. She could see the new censors popping up widening the range to look out for. Rey sat up and pulled herself closer to the computers and started to type up new coding as she began to program the new censors. Finn came in and joined her as he sat down and looked at the screens. Rey looked to him flashing a welcoming smile.
The sun had just peeked over the mountains as Ben was by himself. He held his unfinished saber in his hands letting the cool wind blow on him. He heard the ocean in the background as he watched the sky turn from black to a soft orange and pinks to welcome the day. He looked down at his saber with it's crossgaurd in his bare hands. He wore the dark brown tunic and pants with his boots letting the breeze go through his black hair. He then looked to the rising sun and took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. He let the Force in, letting it guide him and let go of his thoughts.
The one thing the old Jedi Temple taught him was to let go. He twirled his saber as he ignited it letting the red beam free and the hum drowned out the sound of the ocean. He brought the saber into both his hands letting it center him. He then raised it up and begun a series of moves still holding onto it with both hands. He still had a fury in his moves, large striking poses but refined not as animalistic. Ben began to move his feet as he trained.
Leia moved up to the hilltop and felt compelled to see her son train. She herself never went to train into the Force; it never called to her like it did Luke. She can use it when needed but she felt the Force through Ben. As he she near the top of the hill she heard the hum of the saber moving. She can remember Luke letting her hold his own lightsaber long ago. The weight of the saber was something unreal, she could feel it's power and she respected that power. She then saw Ben training alone and stood there.
Ben could feel his mother's presence and like Rey's it held a signature with it. His mother's he could pick out in a crowd without effort. Her presence was nothing but love; he would feel this overwhelming sense of love from her. It wasn't just love for him but in general. She was always full of love despite all that she has endured. Ben slowed down and stood there for a moment. He deactivated his saber and turned to her. Not only was her presence was of love but it was also of calmness and peace.
Leia looked at her son and it's still hard to believe how much he has grown. He went from a cute little baby, a little sweet hellion child, an awkward gangling teen to now a man. Time never did slow down. Leia started to move a little closer to him letting him know he can still continue as she won't interrupt but more or less wanted to spend some time alone. Ben turned around to face the rising sun and took in a deep breath closing his eyes to refocus. And with his mother here, something that he did long for a long time ago Ben continued to train.
The sun lit the blue skies as Leia truly did enjoy watching Ben train within the Force. Ben took a seat to the ground as Leia walked to him and slowly sat next to him. Ben was ready to help her as she took a seat next to him.
"Morning," She finally greeted him and he greeted her with that stoic face and looked back to the horizon. It was just nice to be with one another. She wasn't up here to talk battle tactics and business but to be with her only son. She wanted to know how his travel was. "I've thought about going to temple once, Luke and I talked about it after the Battle of Endor."
"Why didn't you?" Ben asked rested his arm on one bended knee.
"Too busy, the both of us." Leia answered. "We were busy rebuilding the Republic and the Jedi." Leia looked out. "Once in a while I would think about what I would have done if I did train with Luke."
"You've never wanted to be a Jedi mom, I know that." Ben commented because even now while she was strong in the Force and she has wielded it, she never wanted it. She was still hidden from it, still that last failsafe. Leia looked to Ben and nodded in agreement. She then looked a little beyond Ben and saw not just his saber but another. Ben then looked to it and called to it. "I thought about trying to train with it but…it never did call to me." Ben held it looking at it. Leia knows that saber.
"How did you find Luke's old saber?" Leia asked and Ben looked at her.
"I didn't, Rey did and she doesn't know." Ben answered and then continued to look at it. "I tried calling it to me but it doesn't completely call back." He then looked back to his mother. "It's not Luke's though." Leia's face farrowed a little and Ben handed it to her. "It's your father's." Then Leia's eyes widen. She just always assumed it was Luke's and never asked where he got it. Ben held out the saber to her telling her to take it. Leia reached out and took it gently from him as if it was glass and would shatter. Leia looked at the weapon and felt a pull to her. This was not just a relic of the past but a relic of her family. This was her father's lightsaber, Anakin Skywalker. Just like the Force she felt it deep within her.
Leia then looked to Ben once more studying his features. Within the lost archives of the Old Republic she did managed to see a picture of her father before he was Vader. Her father was once handsome and looking at Ben, he was truly Anakin's grandson. Ben looked like three different people depending on whom he was around and who you wanted to see. He had Han's eyes, those dashing eyes that Leia could never get over. He held his mother's strong face that could shield his feeling when needed. But he also held the slightest rebalance of his grandfather. He seemed to be three different people all fighting to break free.
Leia then looked to her family's lightsaber because that's what it was. She felt that weight and looked to what it has survived over the years. It called to an owner and right now it let Rey use it. But like Ben, Leia felt a pull to it. It felt natural to hold it because she was the closest in blood to it. Leia then started to push herself up and Ben looked confused.
"Show me." Leia demanded and Ben rose to his feet. "Something easy though." She added and Ben nodded and called his saber back to him and ignited it. Leia pressed the button and felt that kick back seeing the laser out in front of her. Ben stood next to Leia and she began to follow her son, mimicking his poses and stands. It felt rather natural and good. Then it hit Ben, he was training next to his mother something he had always wanted in life; he got something, a moment he always wanted.
Ben closed off the sequence and Leia followed and looked back to Ben. He flashed a smile at her and she smiled back. He always had the warmest smiles that Snoke and the Order robbed him of. To see it again made her heart both ache but happy. But to feel that power from the saber, to stand next to her legacy and to share something no one else has gave Leia a sense of clarity. And in that moment, the bond she always had with Ben felt just a little deeper. Leia deactivated the saber and turned to Ben. She then reached out to her son placing her hand to his face. She felt him lean in just slightly. Leia used the Force to place the old saber to the ground and with her other hand placed it to Ben's face cupping his face entirely.
She felt Ben's quiver a little feeling his mother's touch. He was always calmed by his mother's touch ever since he was a baby. She smiled at him, she was one of the few who forgave him and who will continue to forgive him and always be ready to accept him. Ben came a little closer to him feeling that love from her, a mother's love.
"I'm still proud of you Ben." Leia was always proud of her son despite what has happened. She knew it was Snoke who tore into his heart, who corrupted and abused him all these years. He was targeted when he was young. And she always wanted to find Snoke and kill him herself for what he had done her son. She would have and wanted to no matter if it killed her. She was always willing to die for her little boy; he was always her little boy. A mother's lover for her child was greater than death. Leia pulled Ben closer to embrace him and Ben had to hunch over but no matter how tall he would get, how old he turns, he could not pull from her embrace. He would never be too tall or too old for his mother. Ben fell into her embrace closing his eyes letting her presence take over. And no matter how hard the dark knocked his mother would protect him against it with everything she had.
The high leadership sat in the room as the updates of the spies were coming through. Rose was leading the group and her image appeared to the leaders.
"We've found something General," Rose began and she looked confused though. "The Order has captured about a hundred people." The group looked to one another wondering where this was going to go. "They look like refugees." Rose added and that threw everyone off. What did these people mean to them, if the Order wanted them then it they hold importance. But the word refugees threw them off. Ben can remember the Order not giving much thought to refugees. They must have or know something.
"Where are they from?" Finn asked because they had to have some kind of value or maybe know something. Rose shrugged looking unsure.
"From what we've gathered they're nomads." Rose continued.
"The Order picked up a group of nomads?" Poe asked because that was strange. They had to mean something or maybe the Order was using them as bait to the Resistance.
"We're not sure, we're running the name to know but…all that we get from any source…Alderaan." Rose finished and Leia's eyes went wide, she stood up and got closer to the table.
"Alderaan?" She asked to confirm and Rose nodded. She then looked back to Ben and Ben stared at his mother. He knew the story of Alderaan and this had to be impossible. Leia then backed up a little and then sat down. Ben then looked around the room seeing everyone was a little confused because the name Alderaan was something foreign these days. Leia looked lost as she sat there and Ben could se the tears settling in.
"Report back later." Ben turned off the HOLO before Rose could say anything. "Everyone, leave," Ben spoke up as they looked around. "Now," He demanded and he looked to Rey meaning she needed to leave to. As much as he could use her this was something she will not understand, not now at least. Ben then looked to the screen seeing Rose waiting for something. Ben made his way to his mother as she stared blankly out into nothing. "Mom," That shook her out of the trans and she looked to Ben.
That day Alderaan was destroyed played through her head. She can remember that day so vividly; she can see it happening as if it was right in front of her. That day she was torn into two. She saved the Rebellion but betrayed her people. That day she would have never won, she could have lost both Alderaan and the Rebellion, it was the lesser of the two evils. She looked at Ben and he saw terror in his mother's eyes. "Mom," He whispered again trying to bring her back to the here and now. He had to make a decision soon and he was going to need her to help. But looking at her right now, she was at lost and still processing what had happen decades ago.
The Resistance leaders were in the assembly hall to discuss what was happening. Rose was able to report back a little more.
"These are the last people known to this race, that said what we should do?" Rey stepped in meaning they leave and get them. Enough of them survived and since then have been traveling trying to find a place to call home. Up until now Leia thought she and Ben were the last of the Alderaan people.
"If we go in, we…" A leader stood up. "This is a trap."
"How dense do you think the Order thinks we are?" Poe asked because that was too simple.
"Very," Finn jumped in and looked around. "This isn't for the Resistance though, they want Leia and probably Ben in specific." Finn finished looking around. "The Empire destroyed Alderaan as warning…a warning. They wiped out a planet with it's known last survivor watching. Now, by some miracle there's more Alderaanians out there,"
"That's the thing," Another leader spoke up. "How do we know that they are from Alderaan? How do we know this is true?" That was a valid question and point. Rey sat there thinking about Leia and Ben. She's never heard of Alderaan but from what she was gathering Ben truly was the last of something. He was the last Skywalker, one of the Sith, Jedi and Alderaanian. She couldn't imagine what he was feeling.
"I say we continue to have the spies bring in more intel until we can confirm this." A male leader stepped in. "If it's true that they are the last of Alderaan then we go in." Just then the doors opened with Ben walking in but Leia was nowhere to be found. Rey stood up wondering what he had to say and what he thought. Ben, like Leia looked shocked.
"We're going to get them." Ben was firm on that and the leadership stood up knowing a debate was ensuing. It wasn't because they didn't want to help. Of course they were going to go in and save these people, but if this is a trap and a lie? They needed to make sure all the information was there to make the correct choice. The voices started to talk, some agreeing to go right now and others asking for time and information. This was delicate, the last of a race might have been found if not done carefully they could be wiped out for good this time.
Rey looked across the way seeing Ben standing there as the bickering went on. She knew what her choice was and that was to help Ben. The young man stood there and closed his eyes listening to the debates.
"The Order doesn't care!" Ben's voice rang out shutting the whole room up. "I should know." He added. "These people are the last of mine." He declared it because in reality if Alderaan was left alone Leia would be Queen by now. Leia was the Princess at the time it was destroyed. If she had returned to it she would be it's Queen and ruler. She still is considered as the Princess of Alderaan as a symbol. But if these people are the last of them, then Ben is currently their Prince and future King. That then hit Rey to think that she could actually be looking at a future King. "As you're Admiral, we're going." There was no debating that.
The base was in battle ready mode as Rose continued to feed them information where they were and what they can do. Crude maps were sent to the base. But as the base was busy Leia sat alone not overseeing preparations. As she sat there she felt Ben was nearby. She did not give the okay to do anything but she was not in the position to do so. Leia looked up to Ben as he took a seat next to her at her little table in her room. Leia then let out a sigh.
"After…after Luke and your father rescued me and I returned to Yavin," Leia started to explain. "One of the Commanders said to me that when they heard of Alderaan they feared the worst." Leia then looked around. "I told him that there was no time for sorrows, that we had the plans to destroy the Death Star. And when we did I thought…justice was done." Ben can see clearly it was not. "That night, after the celebrations…I cried alone…I thought…" She then turned to Ben with tears. "I thought I was the last of my people. My father, the only father I knew was gone, everything was gone." Ben continued to look at her. "And to know now that what is left of my people…could die again, against the very thing I fought…" Leia then turned away wiped some of the tears away.
Ben couldn't understand what his mother was feeling. He knows the stories and sometimes he thought his mom was playing around when she called him her little prince. But that might true now. But he felt this overwhelming sense of anger hit him. He can tell you how many times he has seen his mother cry…it wasn't much. Nothing more in this galaxy made his chest hurt than to see his mother in tears. But the anger he felt that Order may actually slaughter these people only to have his mother watch, to feel that pain and anguish all over again.
Leia was in no condition to act or make any judgments. The General was not in a competent state at this point. That placed Rey and Ben in charge. The two Admirals stood before the fleet as they went into detail about the plan. But it wasn't going to be straight forwards. They had to consider all the options the Order will take. In fact two fronts will move on this. They will see the Resistance fleet but a smaller operation will take place in the shadows. Of course they had to assume that the Order will consider this as well.
Ben found his mother watching the fleet get ready to make their way off the planet. She didn't know what the plan was but maybe that was a good thing. Ben stood before his mother and handed her disk to follow the plans if she chooses to. But she had more on her mind than she wanted.
"Ben," She started and she wanted to be selfish. "Stay," It wasn't an order but more like a strong suggestion. If those hundred people were the last of their people and the Order ends up destroying them and Ben…But she knew Ben would not stay and she didn't want him to either. Ben walked away as Leia stood there and looked at the disk. She then looked up seeing her son leave to possibly save what was left of them.
A storm was coming in with the night. Spotlights were everywhere watching. Outside as the cold started to settle in huge metal cells were placed around with people in it. The children were separated from their parents and the starvation began to set in. Some of the people wept others tried to sleep and most have given up hope.
Out in the distance of the quiet woods Ben stood there looking through his scopes. Rey walked up to him as he looked to her. Ben was quiet and Rey could feel his uneasiness. Ben knew this can take a turn for the worst and they needed to get this over with quickly. The Order will call in back up as soon as they know he's here. Behind Ben and Rey were a few squads of fighters and they were heading around back. They had to assume they will meet more Troopers but until then they would push through.
The planet that they were on was a forest planet and the fight was at night for better cover for battle. Ben moved swiftly through the dense brush and looked around as he came to a clearing. He looked around seeing the spotlights knowing he needed to stay hidden. He wore his black uniform that resembled his days of the Order but he wore armor plates and the Resistance symbol and his hood covered him. Ben was about start moving more but then ducked down into the brush as cruisers went to the gate. But that was his ticket in. Ben hopped on a cruiser and rode in and quickly got off.
He continued to move with the shadows and that was one thing Snoke liked about Kylo Ren, he could hide and infiltrate in the shadows and his enemies would never see it coming. Ben held out his hand silently with the Force taking out the guards. He made a clear perimeter and made his way to the holding area. Ben then looked up seeing the other guards that held the spot lights were disappearing and he knew Rey was up there.
Ben then came before the locked up people looked to them as they sat there in fear. He was cloaked and he needed to gaine their trust. And if these were the last true people of Alderaan there is a way. Ben removed his hood and walked up to a cell. He then said something to them and they all stood up coming closer. Rey jumped from the wall and joined Ben as Finn, Chewie and the squads started to come in.
Rey heard Ben speaking to one man but she did not understand the language. But Ben spoke it clearly to the man and the man spoke back. Ben nodded and ignited his saber cutting through the metal and Rey began to do likewise to the other cells. As the people were freed they gathered up as Finn kept watch knowing this was too easy.
Rey and Ben continued to cut through the cages and one was filled with just children. As Ben stood before them a few flinched away out of fear. Ben got a little lower showed them his saber. One little girl he met stated that he was a Jedi because of the saber. Maybe the children knew what Jedi were and by seeing his saber he could establish trust. It seemed to work as he cut through and freed them. The adults and children met up, as did Ben and Rey. Then the one man Ben first talked to walked up to Ben slightly bowing his head and spoke in his native language. Ben responded back as Rey listened. She figured this was the native language of Alderaan and Leia spoke to Ben in this language growing up.
"What did he say?" Rey asked and Ben turned to her.
"That the Order knew we would come." Ben answered meaning it was a trap. "But I told him we're here to spring the trap." Rey smiled a little and had one more question.
"How many languages do you know?" She asked Ben smirked giving her a cocky smirk at that.
"A few." He answered and Rey shrugged. Some of the Resistance fighters came in knowing this was way to easy. But they weren't done here. "Get these people out into the woods to the randavu point." He then looked to the last people of Alderaan and they looked to him. Ben then started to give them instructions as they listened and one woman shook her head no and then spoke up. Ben listened to her and she was telling him after all this time that their leader has found them and they cannot split up now. Ben then assured her that this was ok and to follow his men and that they will be led to safety.
Rey felt something from him as he spoke to his people for the first time. He was shaken and scared for them. Rey joined up with Ben as he finished his instructions but his people stood there. They didn't want to leave their last prince. Ben looked to the last hundred or so of Alderaan, they've survived this long, they can continue. Ben spoke and he said to go and it was an order.
Ben kept watch as his people started to file out into the cold night and in the distance the bolts of lightening were seen. As Ben watched he saw how starved and weak these people were. The Order was going to let them die painfully and slowly. The suffering he was going to endure knowing the Order was going to force him and Leia to watch boiled in his blood. Rey looked to Ben's fists as they began to clutch, she has not seen him clutch his fists like this before. But this is as low as the Order could go.
The last of his people left the prison with him, Rey and a few fighters staying behind. It was time to infiltrate the place. Rey and Ben with about a dozen fighters went further into the base. Ben placed his hood back on and it was time use the darkness to carry out the plan. As they went on small bombs were planted. Ben then jumped to the wall using it as leverage and got to the second level of the base and looked around. Ben ignited his saber because he felt danger was coming. He turned around and a line of Death Troopers stood before him. They opened fired as Ben held out his hand holding the rays in place.
The anger he had started to fill in him and he knew he would need to tame these emotions. Ben then clenched his open hand and the rays flew back to the Death Troopers killing them. They were going to run out of time and need to finish. Down below Finn used his wrist COMM to call in the back up knowing they were going to need it.
Ben turned around and held up his saber letting the red glow show his face as more Death Troopers formed up. The Troopers then stood in formation as Ben held his ground with his saber up. Rey ran to Ben's aide and sliced one Death Trooper down. It caused enough of a distraction and Ben charged at them slamming down his saber to their batons. Rey joined up with Ben knowing they will have to work together because Death Troopers were harder to take down then your average Storm Trooper. Ben kicked one way and stabbed another. Just then there was something else coming. Rey and Ben heard something that sound like a whip cracking in the air. They fought off the Death Troopers but saw what looked like a Praetorian guard. It had it's large whips as it came for Ben and Rey. But then another came out of the shadows and so did two more.
Rey turned around so they were back to back just like the throne room. They weren't in red like Snoke's and Ben figured they were part of the Knights, trained by them and there will be more after today. He didn't feel a Knight was here but this might be a sign of things to come. The guards and the Death Troopers surrounded Rey and Ben but these two have trained together for over a year now. They were both one in the Force as much as they were one with each other. They twisted their sabers in a similar fashion and blocked the attacks.
Unlike the throne room where Ben took on more guards than Rey, where he watched continuously making sure she was ok; this time he didn't have to. She held her own and they took on the same number but not without difficulty. As they fought the some of the Resistance fighters came in taking out the Troopers and guards. Ben ducked from a whip and held out saber and yanked it closer to him so whatever guard this was got closer without his will. Ben held out his hand and through the Force choked him. He then slammed him to the roof and let him fall hard to the ground.
Ben turned around seeing Rey was ok as she finished the last of the guards and Ben jumped over the railing taking out the last of the Troopers. Ben blocked the rays easily as Finn took out the Troopers with blasters. The room cleared out well but they were still on guard knowing more can and will come. Rey jumped over the railing and stood side by side with Ben and she felt it too.
The two turned to a closed door knowing something was coming. Finn joined up with them and held up his blaster as Ben twirled and ignited his saber. Rey did the same and held up her saber in a fight stands. The doors opened and it wasn't the Storm Troopers, it was nothing but Death Troopers. The Troopers started to fire at them as Ben and Rey blocked the rays as much as possible the Fighters fired back.
As the fight ensued a man walked up to the railing dressed in his uniform looking down at what he considered nothing but scum of the galaxy. He then saw the black hooded figure that fought with them, the true and ultimate trader. He looked around seeing the more Death Troopers standing around and held their blasters down at the fight.
"Enough!" A voice rang out and Ben looked up seeing Hux standing there. Hux didn't look worried though, which worried Ben. "Bring them out!" Hux demanded and a family came out screaming and crying. Ben's grip on his saber became tighter as blasters were pointed to the family. "I knew you and your precious princess could not say no." The Troopers forced the family to their knees as the mother and father shielded their young children. "Now listen, Solo," Hux started to make demands. "Disarm yourself now, surrender and I let them go." Hux stated and Ben dropped his saber without hesitation, which shocked Rey. She followed knowing Ben was thinking.
Ben, Rey, Finn and the rest of the fighters were cuffed and being escorted through the base and came to the front with stood before a massive crowd of Troopers and First Order officers. Hux looked around knowing this needed to be quick.
"Send the call out." Hux demanded to a worker and the man typed in something. Rey looked over knowing this was going to be broadcasted.
Out at the Resistance Base Leia walked to the communications room seeing her son the screen with Hux there. She knew the plan could change and there really was no plan but to see her son cuffed and Death Trooper next to him made her shake violently as she could do nothing.
Hux reached to Ben's hood and removed it so all could see his face.
"This is your Jedi Knight!" Hux yelled. "No, this is a traitor to the galaxy. This is a murder and a liar!" The night was quiet as the night sky lit up with lightening bolts. "He has not brought peace to the galaxy but war! He is the very symbol of distain and treachery!" Hux looked around knowing this was a bold move and knew back up from the Resistance was coming. "To the General of the Resistance, to those that support you, you will bow to the First Order! You will end this corruption! You will surrender!" Hux yelled as the wind picked up and a howl could be heard. "Ben Solo, you will be tried for treason against Supreme Leader Snoke and for his murder." Ben didn't say anything as he kept his eyes facing out. "The sentence is DEATH!"
There was a huge cheer among the Order before him. And at the Resistance Base Leia's heart was about to burst out. Her fighters were on the way but the minutes kept dragging and all she could see was her son. There is now a chance she will have to once again watch something loves die before her eyes.
"Death by blaster is too easy and too merciful for him," Hux explained to a Death Trooper. Rey looked around realizing the Resistance has not shown up yet and that this was happening quicker than she realized. She then looked to Hux and then to Ben. He has yet to make a move and there was no way for him to do so. "Make this hurt." Hux demanded and the whip cracked as she saw a Trooper come over. Another Trooper kicked the back of Ben's knees forcing him down.
"No!" Rey screamed and tried to charge to Ben but the Troopers held her back. The Trooper stood next to Ben as a few held him down. Ben was resisting now knowing he needed to break free.
"Do it!" Hux commanded because Ben will break free if they draw this out. The Trooper twirled his whip to get the momentum as Ben continued to struggle out. "Hold him!" Finn fought against the Troopers to save Ben as the did the Fighters. The struggle was real.
"Dijagaan!" A loud cry called out. Everyone looked over seeing the first man Ben talked to.
"Dijagaan!" Behind the man were the adult men and women and the repeated the word. Not only did the man chanted the word and they echoed they held blasters in air. Their chant was loud, fueled by anger and rage. The Order's focus changed as Ben looked up seeing the last of Alderaan ready to go down in a fight they long deserved.
"Dijagaan!" The chant went on and Ben felt no anger rise in him but unity and solidarity. From the base Leia watched all this unfold before her as tears streamed down her cheeks. She smiled knowing no matter how this ended her people will get the fight they should have gotten long ago.
The Alderaanians ran towards the Order with the Resistance fighters with them and then a huge crack herald out and the CC Solo broke through the sky with cruisers pouring out.
"Make it rain!" Poe commanded as he led the X-Wings. Ben rolled over and kicked back the Death Trooper and jumped to his knees. He defended himself with his bound fists, as did the other fighters. He looked one more time seeing the people of Alderaan charge in as the X-Wings gave them cover. Ben then saw one Trooper with his and Rey's saber and he called his to him. The crossgaurds cut the bounds as chaos continued to unfold. Ben then called the Skywalker saber and gave it to Rey as she broke free from her cuffs and then freed Finn and the fighters as Ben hacked his way through the Troopers.
The rain then started to pour down as the lightening became brighter. Then CC Holdo came through the night with more back up as the ground fighting continued. The Order will not back down easily on this because Hux was here. This was not an outpost but a major base. Then the Falcon ripped through the skies as it fired down.
Ben could see some control was happening but he needed to get Hux. This might be the only chance to get him. Ben then saw Rey and they locked eyes. They didn't need words though to tell one another what they were going to do. Ben left the fight and went into the base knowing every Trooper was out fighting. Hux was on the run and will leave everyone behind to save himself. Ben went into the dark base looking for his rival.
He left his saber ignited and let drag on the ground. The sparks and ash were left in it's wake as Ben hunted his enemy. Then out of the darkness blaster rays fired at Ben and he blocked them with his saber. Without any protection from Troopers or the Order Hux was defenseless. He saw Ben walking closer to him and took off running. Ben held out his hand stopping Hux in his tracks.
Hux tried to pull away but he was completely still and felt something else pulling his body forcing him to turn around. He was then brought to his knees and looked up seeing Ben standing before him. Ben then took a knee before Hux so they could be eye to eye.
"You're going to kill me." Hux stated to Ben. It's been a year since they have seen one another. Ben no longer looked like Kylo Ren, he was no longer Kylo Ren.
"I could." Ben knew he could right now and he could do it with a snap of his fingers. "Armitage Hux," Ben then stood up looking down at him and then pointed his saber at him. "In the name of the Galactic Resistance, you are under arrest for treason, the murder of the Senate and war crimes against the galaxy." Hux's eyes were nearly about to pop from his head as he remained still.
"This isn't over Solo." Hux declared and Ben knew this was going to deepen the battle. "Antar will become Supreme Leader and he will find you." Ben continued to take on the threats. "He has foreseen it, he will kill you."
"I'll be waiting." Ben accepted the future, at some point he and Antar will face off. But for now he has Hux in his grasp.
The rain had let up, the last of the Order were in cuffs and on their knees in surrender. The Resistance carried out their injury and their dead. Hux was placed separately from the rest of the prisoners. Unlike how the Order carries out sentences in death; Hux will get a fair trial and placed in jail to rot out the rest of his life.
Ben walked through the war zone that carried on through the night. This was a battle won but what the Resistance has done, taken General Hux, a bigger beast will come. As Ben walked the group of Alderaan's people walked to them. Ben stood before them; a few have perished in the fight but not without valor and meaning. Ben stood in before them in the grey morning, his cloak blowing in the wind. The last of a race looked to one another, the belief that they were wiped out years ago hit Ben even harder.
The man Ben spoke to first came forth looking at Ben, seeing the scar across his face, the armor, the Resistance symbol, the saber that gave hope. After all these years, out of disappear they have found their leader. This man could remember his princess and the man before; he knew that was the son of his princess, he looked just like her.
"Hujan es Raja." The man spoke as Rey came over with Poe and Finn.
"Hujan es Raja!" The huge group yelled out together. The group chanted that phrase and then the man took a knee and bowed before Ben. The last of Alderaan did the same and the man looked up to Ben.
"Lila hirup Raja." The man said to Ben and bowed his head. Rey, Finn and Poe realized what was happening despite not understanding the language but the gesture spoke for itself. They have just witnessed the coronation of Ben Solo, the long lost ruler of Alderaan has come back. They saw his strength and power; they saw that he was ready to die for them as a true ruler would. Ben looked to his now subjects and the thought that he was next in line to rule hit him. But could he really do this? Could he be king? Could he lead the Resistance? Could he become a Grey Jedi? Could he be all of it? Did he want any of it?
A/N: That was a tense ending? Will Ben accepted the throne? He could in theory take two thrones, Alderaan's and Supreme Leader if he defeats Antar. And thinking about the movie Ben Solo is a prince just in general; he comes from a huge legacy. So can he live up to the hype? That's a question for both the movie and this story? Is he ready to lead?
I hope you like this chapter. I also wanted a moment between mother and son and I hoped you enjoyed that moment. And oh, we're far from done with this story. There's so much more to come. So what's next? What do you want to see next? Let me know what you think. Let's discuss.
Thank you for commenting, following and reading.
Translations:
Dijagaan: Hold fast
Hujan es Raja: Hail the King
Lila hirup Raja: Long Live the King