Chapter 39 The Calm
The Resistance base was preparing for war as the General and an Admiral were taken by the enemy. If that wasn't a declaration of war then what is? Ben knew what he needed to do to find them but at the same time how strong was the Resistance? The First Order still has the numbers, the Resistance fighting tactics is that of gorilla warfare. Can they come at the Order full force?
Ben was alone at the moment. Nova was with his people as they would soon be going back into hiding if needed. At least for the moment the heir to Alderran was safe and the linage can continue. In fact the Skywalker line would remain with Nova and perhaps she could be the galaxy's next best hope. That was a contingency plan in the works.
"Ben?" Luke's voice was soft and held somber. Ben wanted to have a plan ready but he didn't know what to do. In fact when Rey went to rescue him she was able to take down an entire First Order base and save him and nearly killed a Knight. That's was by herself. His mother has commanded two rebellions and he had no idea what to do. He couldn't feel either his mother nor Rey. They weren't dead he would know but they have cut themselves off in order to keep the Resistance safe. "We can find a way."
"It's me they want." Ben knew the way. Just then the high command of the Resistance came in as it was time to discuss what needed to be done. "The message from the Order?" R2 then came rolling in. "At last the work of generations is complete, the great error is corrected. The day of victory is at hand. The day of revenge. The day of the Sith." Luke felt a chill run down the entire length of his spine as the message continued to play over and over. "Is it him?" Ben asked never hearing Palpatine's voice other than in dreams. Luke nodded as whispers were in the room from the high command.
"From what our intel is gathering this message has been traveling through frequencies across planetary systems and networks." Poe stepped in. "The Order hasn't released anything else as of yet."
"We must assume they will give us, you, the Resistance a deadline to surrender." Luke added.
"Or what?" Finn asked and that was the true question.
"I don't think Rey and Leia were the ultimate goal in this, they just happen to have something to bargain with." Luke continued on. But he looked to Ben as he was the bargaining chip. "That is Palpatine, the Emperor of the from the old war." Luke felt defeat. Leia, Han and him fought so hard to defeat him, his father died to see it happen.
"How though?" A high commanding officer asked.
"The Sith have practice ways to cheat death." Ben answered. "He's found a way."
"I don't think so," Luke trailed off and looked to Ben. "Not fully at least and you're the final piece." Luke then took the stage so to speak. "With the Sith there are only two, my father was supposed to take control and I was to join him. But at the same time Palpatine wanted some one stronger than my father and I was going to take his place."
"Ben's next in line, grandson of Vader gives him to be…" Poe trailed off.
"The rule of two still stands, Palpatine wants Antar as the second, Ben needs to self sacrifice and Palpatine can use him." Luke concluded the most logical explanation.
"Couldn't Antar just let Palpatine in?" Poe asked because it could be a possibility.
"He could but Antar wouldn't last, I don't think he would be strong enough." Luke paced the small room. "He needs someone stronger. Ben's touched the Darkside, he was the leader of the Knights of Ren and being a direct descendant of Anakin it's possible it can work."
"Rey and Leia," Finn finished what Ben would sacrifice for.
"This is a bold move." Luke added and Ben looked to him. "Either way Palpatine will try and re-enter these plains that message proves it."
"Exogol is where we need to go." Poe jumped in. "We can navigate there and try and get Rey and Leia, fight the bigger fight later with more recruits."
"They're not on Exogol. I make the choice I'll be brought there." Ben put down that plan. "We don't have time to extend our forces."
"You guys have done excellent in waning the First Order but if Ben is right Exogol will be the strong hold. They are regrouping there." Luke continued.
"We draw them out, Antar and what's around them. The rest of the high command start signaling now for more recruits." Poe tied another approach. "Still doesn't seem like enough."
"You have something still." Luke's voice turned hopeful. "Fear, Palpatine has fear and it's Ben and Rey. They are a Dyad in the Force and if they unit they can defeat him."
"Does he know this?" Poe asked but Luke did not answer meaning he wasn't sure.
"Palpatine is returning but he won't show." Ben then looked to his uncle. "He fears you too and won't show until he knows you're dead." Luke couldn't deny that.
"Then we can use that." Luke looked around. "We need to draw them away with Leia and Rey."
"We need to increase our numbers too." Poe added. Ben knew how and he he might be able to figure out how to draw out the
Ben sat at the desk with radio silence waiting. Luke came into the room and sat next to his nephew wondering what he was doing. Ben pressed the butting again and Luke noticed that when computer he was one was a little bit different than the rest.
"Lando Calrissian this is Solo, come in." Ben repeated again and Luke perked up as Ben waited.
"Calrissian," Finally a voice came through. "What service can I offer Ben?" Ben then looked to Luke./\
"Hey, Lando, remember me?" Luke asked and there was silence for a moment again.
"Luke? Luke Skywalker?" Lando asked, Lando's voice sounded happy. "It's good to hear you old friend."
"Same here." Luke reciprocated the happiness but the joy was about to disappear. "I wish I can talk on better terms but…" Luke sighed. "Lando, the Order has Leia and Rey." There was a long pause now as they were giving time for Lando to process the information.
"What can I do?" Lando asked and that was a start.
The Resistance base was on lockdown as Ben, Luke, Chewy, Finn and Poe headed to the Falcon.
"Ok, so what planet is this again?" Finn asked as they boarded the Falcon.
"Coruscant," Ben finished as he and Chewy took their seats. "It was the capitol of the old Republic and where the old Jedi Temple is." Ben started to flip switches with Chewy. "Rey and I found the Sith decoder there and when we left the First Order was arriving."
"You want to get captured there?" Finn asked standing at the entrance to the cockpit. Ben started to pilot the Falcon and Luke knew what Ben wanted to do. Chewy started to bark and talk to Ben.
"We just need one." Ben answered and the Falcon started to take out.
The small crew made it the endless city of a planet and skimmed large skyscrapers and buildings. Poe and Finn have never seen such a place. Ben circled the old Jedi Temple or at least what was left of it. There still smoke coming from it. Luke has been here once before and to see that the Order like the Empire was trying to erase everything broke his heart. Ben continue to fly off and started to descend into the underbelly of the city. They landed as the streets were busy while the night life was starting.
"This is just nightclubs and bars." Poe mentioned as Ben finished the landing sequence.
"Right, follow my lead." Ben got up and the all filed out. "No weapons." he added as Chewy, Poe and Finn were about to reach for some.
"What do you mean no weapons?" Finn was confused.
"I said no weapons and follow my lead." Ben repeated himself.
"So we use harsh language instead?" Poe asked but he didn't get a response as they left. The small crew walked the streets seeing the sun lights were gone and now the neon signs took over. Ben was looking for a specific area and looked and it didn't take long. He spotted Storm Troopers and low level First Order workers. He then turned around facing the team.
"Just walk right up and ask them, hey where are the Resistance General and Admiral?" Poe questioned what they were planning on doing. Ben led them inside as the nightclub was already in full swing. The small group looked around as people were drinking and dancing and not even worried about the war to come. "Ok!" Poe had up his voice a little bit as the music went on. "Now what!" But his question was about to be answer. Ben headed over to the bar area to where he spotted the First Order lower officers. Finn then nudged Poe meaning to just follow Ben and Luke.
Uncle and nephew took a seat at the bar to remain somewhat within the crowd. Luke knew this was going to go one of two ways but he could sense Ben. He was filled with anger and Ben could let it spill over. That would draw too much attention and quickly end the plan. But then Luke had a thought, Ben could very much use that anger for the betterment of the mission.
As Ben waved to the bar tender for a drink one officer took notice. Luke then waved for the same drink Ben ordered. They both downed their drinks while the officer continued to stare at them. Ben then looked to the officer making sure his face could be seen entirely. The officer then got up and made his way over curious to see what was happening as Poe, Finn and Chewy made their way closer.
"Excuse me?" The officer started and Ben grabbed another drink. "Let me see some identification." Imperial Storm Troopers and lower officer grunts were just as bad wanting to see everyone identification. It was one way to get "criminals" off the streets and those who they consider that opposed them. Even though half the people in jail at the time during the Empire were nothing but low lives, not criminals; fear is what kept the Empire going. The First Order was no different. Ben placed his glass back on the bar table. "Sir, don't make me ask again." Then Luke stood up and placed his hand on Ben's shoulder. Luke knew what do and Ben felt it, trust as they felt one another through the Force.
"Kylo Ren, attack." Luke commanded and without any notice Ben grabbed the First Order officer by his throat and slammed him on the bar. People started to back away as Storm Troopers started to advanced. Ben held out his hand and pulled one Trooper to the ground with the Force. He then grabbed another one and slammed him down hearing a crack coming from somewhere. Poe, Finn and Chewy watched on and it's been a long time since Ben has used just sheer brut force. "Easy to fall back into it." Luke commented to the rest of them as blaster rays came at Ben and he held out his hand causing each to stop in their tracks. Just then Poe was about to go in but Luke pulled him back. "Stay, it's working."
Ben let the blaster rays go as they fired at different Storm Troopers but what Luke could see is that the rays weren't aimed to kill. Ben has managed full control of his anger and situation. "Have to remind them that while he may not be Kylo Ren he's still just as strong." Luke added to the group as they watch each Storm Trooper go down. Then the First Order Officer took out a blaster and aimed it at Ben but Ben grabbed him by the wrist smashing it against the table hard enough shattering his wrist.
"Kylo Ren, enough." Luke called out as Ben turned around. That should be enough proof that Ben meant business. Ben then went to the bar where the officer was still trying to catch his breath from the pain that Ben caused. Ben downed the second shot he ordered before being attacked and then grabbed the Officer and started to walk away from the bar.
"It can't be this easy." Finn commented while Chewy agreed. The group headed outside and Ben threw the officer to the ground as he laid there.
"You, you won't get anything from me." He declared. Ben stood there knowing that he won't have to do much to get the information. Ben reached to a pocket on the Officer and pulled something out, a medallion. "Resistance scums." He then tried to spit on them but Ben punched him hard enough knocking him out. Ben started to walk away leaving Poe and Finn to drag the officer on to the Falcon as Luke followed Ben.
"What did you steal?" Poe asked as he entered the cockpit as Ben and Chewy started to pilot the ship out of the system.
"Docking medallion, it'll get us where we need to go." Ben answered.
Ben sat quietly one the small bed in the Falcon looking at the medallion as the group hit hyperspace. As he sat there both full and empty of thoughts Luke came in and took a seat at the foot of the small bed.
"During your training I sensed nothing." Luke started. "I saw my nephew learning both the politics of life and the ways of the Force. My goal was to make you better than me." Luke continued as Ben continued to stare at the medallion. "I had no idea Snoke, Palpatine, started to manipulate you. He was watching you…" Luke sighed. "I should have sensed something, knew something. Instead…I failed as a Jedi Master…I failed as your uncle." Ben then looked up to Luke. Ben sat up so now they were sitting side by side. Ben didn't know what to say.
"If you failed then I wouldn't be where I'm at now." Ben tried to help.
"That wasn't me." Luke went on. "It was Rey." Maybe it was true, maybe all of it was true. "You and her are a Dyad, you can still talk to her."
"They," Ben started.
"No one knows but you, it's this connection that only you two can feel and see." Luke began to explain. "Reaching out your mother yes but not to Rey." Ben sat there and thought about it. Ben put the medallion down and took in a deep breath and closed his eyes.
Rey and Leia sat quietly in a small cell together. No one has asked any questions, nothing has happened except not eating or drinking in the last few hours.
"They might try and starve us out." Rey suggested and Leia smiled.
"We're bait." Leia explained the plan. "They may try and rescue us, but if Ben is his father's son it's going to be a messy one." Rey smiled meaning they may just have to try and get out of this themselves. 'Rey?' Rey looked around and then up seeing Ben standing there. It was like the hut at the old temple, he was right there. 'Don't answer just…' Rey then looked to Leia who had closed her eyes for the moment. 'Show me details in anyway.' Rey looked around and then mouthed to him cell meaning they were locked up. Just then the door opened making Rey flinch.
"Time to move." A Trooper informed Rey as she was handcuffed along with Leia. Ben continued to follow her as he got up from the cot and walked the room. Luke smiled a little knowing it was working.
After a few corridors Rey and Leia were placed in a large conference room with a table. They both sat down near each other as the Troopers left them.
"Conference room…" Rey stated as she looked around. Leia looked her confused for a moment. Rey then looked out the large window near the far end of the table. "Small white planet."
"Rey?" Leia asked. Rey then began to look at the stars trying to see any small details. "Rey, what's wrong?" Rey then looked to Leia for a moment and Leia smiled. Leia looked out to the window as well to see what information she could feed to Rey to give to Ben. Rey got up and walked to the window looking down at the planet trying to piece anything together.
"It's a mining colony." Rey could see different First Order ships all for different purposes. Rey then looked to where Ben was standing. It felt like she could reach him and she did even with her cuffed hands. Ben could see Rey and felt her finger tips on his cheeks.
"Where are you?" He asked sounding desperate to get her.
"I'm ok, we're ok." She sounded alright, not even a wince of fear. But her face changed and Ben saw it. Rey looked towards the door as it opened. Antar came in and this was the first time meeting him. Ben listened in hoping Rey could explain the area.
"At last, Rey of Jakku." Antar started to circle the table. "And the famous Prince Leia turned General." Rey scanned Antar seeing he had no weapons. "It's rather an honor to meet you both."
"From one leader to another," Leia started. "Taking a leader such a myself or Rey is not only an act of war but,"
"The rules of war do not apply here." Antar cut her off. "This is how it's going to go, you," He looked to Rey. "You will bring me Solo and that's it. I will let you and the General free so you can mount your forces and put on a small fight against the Order."
"You think I'm just going to give you Solo?" Rey asked.
"If you want to live another day yes." Antar threatened.
"Killing me will bring out Solo and not in a great way. It sounds like you want him calm." Rey suggested.
Antar demanded so Rey complied at the moment. "Do you know where we are?" ""No," Rey answered.
"This is Kimji, a little ice box of a planet." Antar began. "After the Empire fell the Order was going to need new recruits. A clone army seemed to be on the table but Snoke had a much better plan. So, we came here. We needed people."
"You took children," Leia started.
"This planet was worth both bodies and fuel for the First Order, I'd like to think we save this planet and this was out birth place. The New Republic was never here to help them. This planet, the children were trash and the Order recycled that trash." Rey didn't know why but she felt tears swell in her eyes. Maybe because a small innocent child like Nova was snatched away and brought up to be a killer. Finn was one of those children. "We've managed to complete a lot of work on our Storm Trooper project.
"You either psychologically or chemically subjected them." Leia added and Antar nodded.
"Most do well with psychological submission…most…" He then looked to Rey and she knew he was talking about Finn. "Had FN 2187 finished his functional evaluation and we noted the issues then chemically we would have fixed him." That made Rey feel sick and to know she could have been a victim to. They just took children and will continue to do so. But at the same time she felt sick she felt a strong presence behind her. She felt Ben's hands on her shoulders, a light feathery touch from his cheek to hers, a soft but warm breath in her ear; this kept her more than calm. Ben could see what she was seeing now as she widen the room for him. Antar was more of a shadow but he could see him.
"You seem upset," Antar directed to Rey but she remained silent. Antar then paced the room as Rey's followed him. She felt Ben wrapped his arms around her and she so wished he could just pull her to where ever he was.
Ben could now see Antar, the yellow in his eyes, how pale his skin has become, how he was deteriorating. The Dark Side was consuming him, Palpatine was consuming him. Ben could also see his mother as she remained upright, calm and collected. She was not going to break and he knew she would die before she told Antar anything.
"It doesn't matter, you both will die," Antar began to explain. "One way or another, it'll be here or out there." It was both a threat and an outcome. "I'm trying to let you die out there."
"The Resistance base and it's crew will remain hidden, Solo will find you and the people of the Commonwealth will declared war on the Order." Leia informed Antar. Rey continued to remain silent as Antar locked gaze on her.
"If you kill us now, there's nothing to bargain with." Rey reminded him.
"If I kill you." A saber ignited as he pointed it to Rey. "He'll come for you dead or alive." Rey then sat up a little more calling his bluff.
"Then do it…I dare you." Rey responded to the threat. Ben could feel it, Antar was too afraid. Antar retracted the saber and stormed off.
"Set coordinates to Kimji," Ben started as the small crew of the Falcon started to scramble. "Alert the Resistance command crew to send out reinforcements and patch me into the high council of the Commonwealth." Ben ordered. "Why them?" Finn asked about the Commonwealth?" As Ben sat down in the pilot chair as Chewy began to reroute the Falcon.
"We're about to go to war." Ben answered and Luke could see both Leia and Han in Ben coming out.
In the small conference room two Troopers went to escort Rey and Leia back to their cell. As they left Rey let a small smirk form as she looked to Leia and Leia smiled right back at her.