I cannot believe you would support those killers, let alone join them!
The female voice from the open door down the hall is shrill from strong, pent up emotion.
Kylo turns to him and jeers, "You might need to rethink your crush."
He and the matchmaking Apprentice are seated side by side on a bench in the front hallway of Senator Ono's palatial Coruscant penthouse apartment. This is where his prior bodyguard self waited quiet hours on assignment. Now, he's here with Kylo as a Knight of Ren in civilian clothes escorting Rafe Ono for his long-deferred homecoming.
Beside him, Kylo is bored and sprawled. He himself is nervous with one knee bouncing. It's the setting, it's the girl, and it's the family conflict combining to make him uncharacteristically jumpy.
Those people are horrible! They are absolutely horrible!
That's not just any young woman's voice. It's her voice. Cessily Ono. She's not exactly welcoming her brother, the prodigal son of the family, home from exile with open arms. What they're hearing is downright cringeworthy. Nestor can't help but feel for the guy.
You got him into this, didn't you? I can't believe you would drag us down like this!
Cesi—
You did, didn't you?
The calm, deep baritone of Senator Ono sounds now.
Cessily, calm down. Sit down.
I will not calm down! Because you—and he—
Cessily, please sit down. Let him speak.
Nestor can't help but squirm as he continues to unavoidably eavesdrop on the Ono family drama.
Beside him, Kylo rolls his eyes. He's unimpressed. Something tells Nestor this sort of thing was common at his house growing up.
"You have a knack for picking girls who don't like your politics." Kylo shoots him a pained look. "Didn't your old girlfriend dump you over the Order?"
"Yeah," he concedes, wincing at little at the reminder.
"You gotta drop this nice girl fetish," Kylo decides. "It's not working for you. Get yourself a girl from the Finalizer," he advises, sounding like Mom. And Nestor has to concede that Cessily Ono sure doesn't seem ready to put on a red MGGA 'Make the Galaxy Great Again' hat and go to a Snoke rally.
From down the hall, there are more tense words. Cessily Ono is learning for the first time tonight that her brother's not the only First Order loyalist in the family. The news is not going over well.
Rafe didn't get me into this. I introduced him to the Order.
You what? Wait—you did?
Yes.
You're with those crazies too? Oh, Daddy!
We're not crazies.
They kill people, Rafe! Did you kill anyone?
No! I didn't even have a gun. I was there as a lawyer making a court appearance.
Are you sure?
Yes, I'm sure!
Is that true, Daddy?
You heard your brother.
Beside him, Kylo now slaps his knees and stands to his feet. He's getting antsy and it shows. But they're going to be here a while longer. The argument down the hall is just heating up.
I don't understand this. Not at all! Daddy, you are a Senator of the New Republic!
My dear, these are strange times. Angry times. Mean times. But the future belongs to the Order. They have the better ideas.
Like killing people?
I'm afraid that's what it has come to. The Republic doesn't function well outside places like this. Cessily, you don't see it because you live in a comfortable, insulated world—
-of fancy parties and Core privilege-
Raphael! I am speaking.
Yes, Sir.
Apologize to your sister.
Sorry, Cesi.
Nestor eyes pacing Kylo. It's clear that the Apprentice is not as indifferent to the argument down the hall as he pretends. Running a hand through his messy locks, Kylo mutters, "I can never go home again." Because, naturally, with Kylo, this is all about him. But Nestor feels for the guy. He really does. From at least Kylo's version of his life story, he has been treated pretty shabbily.
"Where's home?" Nestor asks, as he suddenly realizes that his friend knows all about his own family life, but he knows very little about Kylo's past beyond the shocking details of his heritage and his uncle's attempt at murder.
The Apprentice twists his jaw. "I was born on Chandrila but I grew up about five blocks from here."
"Yeah?"
"She still has the big place here from when this was the capital. She keeps a small apartment on Hosnia now . . . or so I've heard . . . "
Does Kylo want his own homecoming? Seeing his wistful face, Nestor casually suggests, "Well, I guess we could fly by—"
"No!" Kylo is vehement. Then, he looks embarrassed at the quick reaction. He shrugs and explains, "She's not here anyway."
"How do you know?"
"I can sense her presence. Well . . . I used to be able to . . ."
"Is that a Force thing?"
"Yes."
"Got it." Kylo looks so glum that Nestor immediately changes the topic. "Are we still dropping by the party tonight?"
"Rafe's gonna need a beer after this."
Kylo looks like he needs a beer too, Nestor judges. He looks a little haunted as he keeps glancing down the hall, no doubt self-identifying with the hostile reception Rafe is getting from his sister. But at least the Senator is present to moderate things.
When you get outside the Core, things are bad. People are suffering. They are angry.
The Rim has always been bad.
Not like this. Listen to me, for I have lived through the Separatists, through the fall of the old Republic, through the Empire, and now through the New Republic. I have been in public life for over forty years. Several times now, I've seen major political movements organize and sweep across the galaxy. But Cessily, I have never seen anything like the First Order. They are much better organized than the Separatists, their messaging is phenomenal and they have a very sophisticated media strategy, plus they are on the right side of all the major issues.
But Daddy, they're killers!
Killers with good ideas. And since we can't beat them, we should join them.
Your brother is right. The Republic talks more than it leads. The Senate has largely abdicated its role. It created the huge power vacuum that the First Order is filling. Mark my words, Snoke will not be the cause of the Republic's demise. He is a symptom of it.
How can you be a Senator and yet support those fascists?
Because Palpatine was right. Democracy is fine at the local level, but it's too unwieldy for the galaxy at large. It makes it too difficult to accomplish anything. Major reforms require too many competing interests to come to the table and compromise. That won't happen. Things are not going to change. Not from within, at least. That's why I got involved with the Order in the first place—because I want to help shape the future for our world. I don't want someone else speaking for Coruscant to Snoke.
As he listens, Nestor recognizes the familiar arguments. This is how discussions about the Order always seem to go. The underlying disconnect is actually quite skew, he thinks. The Ono men argue pragmatism and she argues morality. They take emotion out of the decision, focusing on the message and not the means. She, by contrast, reacts with emotion and can only see the means. It horrifies her, and she rejects it—and the Order—completely. Some of that is a gender difference, Nestor suspects. Women are often led by their emotions, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.
But why do other women respond favorably to Snoke's cause? Mostly, it's class. Unlike Cessily Ono, Order supporters have little to lose by upending the status quo. This young woman is a scion of the Core Establishment who lives a glittering lifestyle of ease and privilege. When war breaks out, she's exactly the overeducated princess type who will lose big time. But here's the thing—for as much as the Rimmers resent the Cesi Ono's of the galaxy, they also want to be her. So sure, there's contempt but there's also a strong undercurrent of envy. It's a phenomenon that the commentators on the holonet completely miss when they caricature the Order as haters. The Rim doesn't want to burn down the Core, it wants to become more like it.
So . . . what are you saying?
I'm saying that the Order is the best chance for positive change. I'm saying that war is coming. It's unavoidable, I'm afraid.
War? Daddy, you really think it will come to that?
Absolutely. I want our family to be on the winning side.
Snoke and the Order aren't perfect, but they are the best choice for the galaxy and for us.
Rafe is right.
You really think it will come to war?
If the Republic attacks, it could provoke a war in the near term. But if they try to manage the status quo, it's probably five years off . . . at most.
Daddy, they kill people!
It is regrettable.
Regrettable? Regrettable? Daddy, do you hear yourself?
Yes, I do. My dear, there will be lots of death when war comes. I've seen it before. Trust me, the Republic will do plenty of killing itself . . .
"This is what civil war does," Kylo suddenly blurts out. The comment drags Nestor's attention away from the conversation down the hall. "Civil war tears the galaxy apart. It tears families apart. The Onos will be in good company. Every family in the galaxy will be the Skywalkers soon," he predicts grimly.
Nestor just nods. He's known Kylo long enough to know that he periodically erupts in angsty vent sessions. It looks like here comes another one.
"How are your parents?"
Is that a question for him? "They're good," he answers. "Dad's loving it actually. He and Hux's old man understand each other."
"Good. And your mom?"
"She's never lived on base before. She and Dad married after he left the army. This life is all new to her, but she's figuring it out. She misses her friends and her job a bit. But she says it will be fine."
"She seems pretty flexible," Kylo observes.
"It's better than Dad rotting in prison. Mom says she can handle anything as long as they're together."
"So, she's cool with our jailbreak now?"
Nestor shrugs. "Let's say she's accepted it. So has Dad."
"Good. I want them to be together on the same side. It's nice that they're still together," Kylo remarks.
"Yeah. I can't imagine them apart," Nestor smiles.
Kylo scowls. He turns away to resume pacing and brooding.
Meanwhile, down the hallway, talk of war continues.
All these terror attacks by the Knights of Ren—those are designed to provoke a war?
There are elements within the Republic that want war as well.
Like Leia Organa?
Yes. But there are others. They fear a return to the Empire, so they want to preemptively strike the Order.
Are they going to?
Nestor's ears perk up.
Kylo pauses his pacing to listen closely.
Dad?
I don't know. But if they do, it's a mistake. It's what Snoke wants. It plays into his hands to have the Republic be the overbearing aggressor stamping out dissent. The Order champions the underdog and they like to portray themselves as the underdog . . . even though they're not.
But attacking the Order won't eliminate its issues—the Senate doesn't get it! The way to defeat Snoke is to solve the problems that are his rallying cry. To make him irrelevant.
Your brother is right. The Republic needs to fix the problems the Order cares about. Not spend our time chasing Snoke's illegal fleet around the galaxy in an expensive and dangerous game of hide-and-seek. But that won't happen. Leia Organa and her followers are so worried about the excesses of the past that they let it blind them to the problems of today. The Empire had a lot of issues, but it wasn't all bad. It did a lot of things better than the Republic does now.
Why am I hearing this now for the first time?
You know I can't say this from the Senate floor.
Why not?
The orthodoxy of the Republic won't allow it. And, frankly, my constituents don't care. No one here on Coruscant wants to hear about the plight of the Rim.
And you didn't think I would care?
Honey, you're not very political.
Let me guess—you didn't think I should worry my pretty little head about it—
Cessily, you know better than that.
You're right. I'm sorry. It's just that he's disgraced on the holonet and—
You're embarrassed before your friends?
Yes! Yes, I am! And so is Daddy. You weren't here to listen to all the ugly things people said about you.
And here I thought you believed that all press is good press.
In the social pages, yes. Even bad pictures are good pictures. But this is not a bad picture!
My dear, we didn't tell you because we didn't want to endanger you . . .
"They're all like this," Kylo speaks up again suddenly. "You know that, right? All these politico types are one person before the cameras and another person in private. Ono takes it to an extreme with his treason, but most are just a lesser version of his pretense."
Nestor nods along affably. He's never actually known a Senator. He doesn't move in those circles.
"My mother is a screamer. On the holonet, she's the regal princess, all measured words and principles. But behind closed doors, she's a raving bitch with a mouth like a drunk spacer."
"I could see that," Nestor decides. He's no fan of the woman.
Kylo's tone is vicious. "She's a bitter, unhappy, career obsessed bitch. She never loved me half as much as she loved the New Republic."
Yikes! Nestor nods again. He tends to keep his mouth shut and listen when Kylo gets in these moods. From experience, he knows they usually become a monologue of sadness and regrets. The Apprentice has a depressive streak. It makes him seem older than he is.
"She's been marginalized since the stuff about Vader came out. She was exposed for the fraud that she is."
"Yeah, that was a shocker," Nestor comments. "No one saw that big reveal coming."
"She hasn't said anything since we went public. She hasn't commented on the record since the thing with your dad."
"Yeah?" That's been months. Is Kylo feeling dissed?
"She knows it's me."
"Yeah, I figured." The sword kinda gives it away.
"Luke knows it's me as well."
"What do you think she's going to do?"
Kylo has clearly given the issue a lot of thought. "She'll organize another ragtag band in some new version of the rebellion. She won't shrink from the fight. Leia Organa won't hide in exile. She's more the 'bring it on' type." Kylo seems to approve of that last part, at least.
But that wasn't his question. "I meant about you, not about the Order. What do you think she's going to do about you?" Kylo's her son, after all.
The Apprentice shrugs. "Nothing."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Oh."
Here comes more angst. Kylo's face is a thundercloud as he seethes, "You know, just before each of our mission videos gets uploaded, I think about her. About how I have become everything she ever feared I would be."
Nestor digests this indignant statement, watching as Kylo glances down at his 'Vader Lives' tattoo. Honestly, it still grates on him that Kylo persists in viewing the brewing galactic conflict as his personal family squabble writ large. The First Order is more than just his dysfunctional clan. But this is not a good time to make that point. So, Nestor just plays along as his young boss vents.
"And Skywalker? Do you think about him?"
"No." Kylo is as tightlipped as ever about his uncle. But apparently, he can't get his mother off his mind because he complains, "She blamed me for never completing her Jedi training. Before I was born, she told Luke that she had a vision of me dying. She knew then that she couldn't continue on the path to become a Jedi. She made it out to be this big maternal sacrifice. That she gave up her big chance to be a Jedi so she could take care of me. She believed it. She always believes her own bullshit."
This is news. "I didn't know Leia Organa was a Jedi."
"She's got lots of Force," Kylo informs him. "Lots."
"I never knew."
"She hides it. She's afraid of it. She always worried her power would make her into Darth Vader. She and Luke are terrified of the Darkness that lives within them," Kylo sneers, making a not-so-subtle fist with his 'Vader Lives' hand.
It gets Nestor thinking. "Do you think Skywalker will come to the aid of your mother?"
Kylo whirls to glare at him. "Are you suggesting we kidnap Leia Organa?"
"Uh . . . " Yes.
"Because Snoke won't go for it."
"Why not?"
"He won't risk me running home to mommy."
"Oh."
"And don't assume that my mother and Luke are on good terms. If she ever learns the truth of what happened at the academy, she might kill Luke for us." Kylo sounds sort of hopeful about that scenario, actually.
Nestor's eyes narrow. "Wait—you think she doesn't know the truth?"
"I'm positive."
"You think Luke Skywalker lied?" Wait-can Jedi lie?
"I think my uncle would say or do anything to hide the truth of who he is."
"He is supposed to be this great hero."
"He's not," Kylo hisses.
Down the hallway in the parallel conversation to theirs, Cessily Ono sounds a bit disillusioned as well.
How deep are you into this, Daddy?
Deep. Let's leave it at that.
No! I want to know! He's hanging out with Kylo Ren now. He's a wanted fugitive. That's deep!
I'm on Snoke's staff.
You work for Leader Snoke?
Yes.
Oh. And you? Daddy, do you work for Snoke too? Okay, don't answer that . . .
I will tell you the details, if you truly wish to know.
I guess not . . . Mom would hate this . . . you know that, right? I think I hate this . . .
Your mother would understand. I promised her I would take care of you both. That matters more than a Senate career.
So where does this go? He's a fugitive from justice and you're a secret Senate sympathizer. What happens now?
We go on like before.
And what do I tell everyone about Rafe?
Nothing.
Everyone is talking. It's been over six months and still no one understands it. I still don't understand it . . .
We realize this news is very fresh. Give it time to sink in.
Who cares what people think? Sis, let them talk.
They're talking because they are shocked and horrified! Are you getting that, Rafe? There are people who won't even speak to me now.
Is that so bad?
It's certainly awkward.
You're a party princess. You have poise to spare. You can handle it.
I'm afraid he's right. You may have to get used to it, my dear. Soon people will need to start choosing sides, but we won't be declaring ourselves until the time is right.
Do I get to choose? Because it sounds like you have chosen for me.
Of course, you get to choose. But I hope that when you learn more about what's truly going on and have time to reflect, you too will choose the Order.
"I didn't get to choose. Not really." Again, it's Kylo reacting like this is his family, not Rafe's. But maybe that's the point—the Apprentice is missing the people he says he hates. It's all very complicated, Nestor is surmising. Because Kylo never got the chance to explain himself to his mother and there has been no opportunity yet for him to confront his uncle. Like Cessily Ono, the Apprentice has a lot of pent-up emotion that he's confused about. Kylo vents it in laments to him and in periodic sprees of violence. Great granddaddy Master Snoke seems perfectly fine with those coping skills.
So who are the guys in the hall?
Knights of Ren.
What?
They're friends. They're cool.
I've seen that buzzcut muscle man here before. I thought he was some constituent's bodyguard.
He's a Knight of Ren and that constituent was a First Order general.
Oh. I guess you are in deep.
I have not done this lightly, Cessily.
So those are two of the guys who follow Kylo Ren?
Rafe, go ask them in.
That's their cue to join the Onos. He and Kylo walk down the hallway. Rafe presents them to his father. "Guys, this is my father—"
"Senator," he and Kylo nod in unison respectfully at the older man. But Nestor's not looking at his host. He only has eyes for his host's daughter.
This is his first look in a long while at the young woman he's adored on and off from afar. She looks shockingly normal. It's a big departure from her many holonet party pictures he has scrutinized. He's used to seeing Cessily Ono dressed to go out in high heels, a face full of makeup, and designer dresses. Not casual and homey looking. Well, maybe homey looking is a stretch. She is way too chic and polished for homey looking. She's better described as approachable, Nestor decides. It's as if his Coruscant socialite glamour girl has stepped off her pedestal and become the girl next door. If he wasn't already smitten, he is now.
For just look at her. Knocked off her stride by that raw conversation, she looks vulnerable in a way that is contrary to her usual effortless aplomb. With that curtain of long blonde hair tucked behind her ear and those glossy full lips, she is beguilingly feminine in an everyday way. She's far less intimidating too without the usual tall shoes that project a brisk confidence. Cessily Ono unexpectedly looks like the Mid Rim version of her usual self. To his eyes that's hot . . . very hot.
Beside him, oblivious Rafe Ono completes the introductions. "Dad, Cesi, this is Nestor Flick and—"
"Kylo Ren," Kylo speaks for himself.
"Oh, Gods!" Cessily Ono reacts like she's just met General Grievous and his four lightsabers.
It irritates her brother. "Stop being dramatic."
"We met before," Kylo volunteers. "At a party a while back."
"We did?" she yelps. But she recovers fast as her eyes search Kylo's features. "Yes . . . yes, we did. I remember your face . . . you crashed Max's birthday party . . . " Her eyes find Nestor. "You were there too . . . you had the tattoo . . ."
Nestor dutifully flashes the Order insignia inked on the inside of his wrist.
"I told you who I was back then," Kylo informs her as he flashes his own version.
"No one knew who you were back then," she counters.
The pouty Apprentice lifts his long chin. "They know me now," he announces proudly.
"Did you bring the sword?" Cessily stammers, taking a step back.
"I always bring the sword," Kylo brags.
And this is all wrong. Nestor asserts himself, stepping in front of his friend. "Don't let him scare you," he ventures, tossing a glare his boss' direction. "And welcome to the Order," he adds as an afterthought. "Glad to have you in the loop as one of us."
But his girl doesn't seem to know he's speaking. She only has eyes for scary Kylo behind him.
"Right. Uh, well, nice to see you again . . . er—"
"Call me Kylo."
"Right."
With a slight smile tugging at his lips, the Senator now excuses himself. "I'll let you young people talk further. Cesi, we'll talk more as well. But first, I've got a fundraiser to attend. Got to get re-elected," he says without a trace of irony. The Senator now turns to his son. "Will you be here when I get back?"
"Probably not. Dad—"
"Then walk out with me." The Senator lifts an arm about his son's shoulders and they put their heads together as they leave together. "I'm proud of you, son," the senior Ono tells his grown boy as they walk off. "Come home as often as you can," he continues as they head out of earshot.
Kylo watches longingly.
So does Cessily, but for an entirely different reason. She does not look pleased to be left alone with either of them.
Nestor tries again to make a good impression. "Let us talk to you about the Order. We're more than what you see on the holonet. Maybe we can answer some questions or calm your fears," he offers. He's trying to sound reasonable and non-threatening. He'll be the good cop to Kylo's bad cop.
She eyes him warily. "Are you going to kill me if I don't listen?"
"He might," Kylo smirks.
"Shut up," he grumbles up at his boss. Nestor turns back to his dream girl. "Ignore him. He likes to pretend like he's the villain."
Cessily says nothing, but her expression tells him she finds Kylo's act convincing. "If I have any questions, I'll talk to my brother," she informs them. It's a frosty brushoff. She punctuates it by crossing her arms, tossing her hair, and flashing a brittle smile.
Kylo is undeterred and surprisingly aggressive. The guy who took two weeks to work up the nerve to say two words to Tara, the navigation girl, now plays his wingman. Apparently, all those Finalizer pool parties have made Kylo more confident with women. Or maybe, he's more confident because he's not the one angling for a date. But either way, Kylo issues an invitation. "We're going out to a party. You should come." Like much of what Kylo says, it comes out in the tone of command.
His girl's having none of it. "No, thanks. I'm staying in tonight."
"Don't make me pull my sword," Kylo responds. He's joking in that dry deadpan way he always does. But Cessily takes him seriously.
She pales and takes a step back.
"Ignore him." Nestor inserts himself again. "Come on, it will be fun. You should join us."
She looks from him to Kylo to Rafe who now re-enters the room. She shakes her head. "You are wanted fugitives. I don't know what you think you're doing here, but I can't be seen with you in public."
"We won't be in public," Nestor assures her. "This is a private party at an Order safe house in the Mid Level."
"Come on, Cesi," Rafe joins in. "Bet you've never been down to the Mid Levels. Am I right?" he teases.
"I'm not dressed for a party."
"You're beautiful," Nestor counters before he can think to stop himself. Reddening, he amends, "Er . . . I mean you look perfect just like that. It's like you're undercover," he improvises, trying to avoid Kylo's mocking smirk.
Her brother snorts. "Trust me, no one will recognize you in sneakers."
Now, it's her turn to redden. But still, she low key resists. "You guys go ahead. I'll stay here."
"Don't be like that," Rafe wheedles. "I took an awful risk coming back to see you and Dad. At least, spend some time with me? This party is just people our age, I promise. I think you should get to know who the underground Order people are on Coruscant. There will be some faces you will recognize," he promises.
She stands her ground.
"For me?" her brother outright whines.
"Oh, alright," she relents. It's clear she's has a soft spot for her little brother, even if she's not a fan of his politics. "If you're sure it's safe . . . I don't want a mugshot on the holonet."
"It's safe." Rafe gestures to him and Kylo and grins. "Look who you've got as escorts."
"Yes, that's the problem," she points out.
"Come," Kylo commands again. "You should be together with your brother." He's not talking about just a party, Nestor knows.
Cessily Ono seems to comprehend. She nods slowly and decrees, "Two hours tops," with an imperiousness that matches Kylo's. "I'll get my purse."
She disappears and returns two minutes later. She's got her purse in hand, some lipstick painted on, her hair fluffed, and different shoes on. So much for the undercover casual sneaker girl. This social swan might not be wearing her most stylish dress, but she's giving strong Upper Level vibes all the same. "I'm ready," she announces, her chin high and her expression composed like she is being led to her execution.
They head out to where their ride is parked at the Ono's small private landing pad.
She blinks. "You came here in that thing?" Cessily stares blankly at the police speeder they use while on Coruscant.
"No one pulls us over or cuts us off," Kylo explains. "The best way to fool the local authorities is to pretend to be one. It works every time." The Apprentice takes charge. "Rafe, I'm flying chauffeur for this date. You're shotgun up front as chaperone. Flick, you get in the back with your girl. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
The comment earns both him and Kylo a look. But Cessily Ono gracefully slides into the back seat beside him anyway. With no small amount of glee, Kylo puts up the transparent partition between the front and rear seats. Like he and Cessily are prisoners together in the backseat of the cop speeder. "Let's make it romantic," Kylo leers with nasty schoolboy glee. "Want the handcuffs too, Flick?"
Nestor doesn't bother to hide his groan. "Get flying," he growls, feeling flustered. He's embarrassed. Nestor hazards a peep over at the gorgeous girl who's so close that her leg intermittently touches his. "Sorry about him," he mumbles. "He's . . . he's . . . "
"He's not very subtle, is he?" she observes archly.
Good. She's not offended. Nestor is sheepish as he grumbles, "He's Kylo Ren." That pretty much explains everything.
And true to form, as soon as Kylo takes off, he banks the speeder hard to the right. Then he quickly flips it over in a leisurely spin. It's an abrupt, unexpected move that slides shrieking Cessily towards him and then drops her unceremoniously in his lap.
"Oof!" she lets out a grunt as she lands and grabs at him to steady herself. Her lovely face is an inch from his as she worries aloud, "Did we hit something?"
"Nah, we're fine," Rafe calls back.
"Good." She is relieved. "Sorry about that," she apologizes needlessly for their tangled state. She is soft and warm as she sprawls all over him. Plus, she smells great.
"Who taught your friend to fly?" Cesi grumbles as she climbs off.
"Luke Skywalker," listening Kylo calls back in reply.
"Luke Skywalker?" she breathes out in disbelief.
"Luke Skywalker?" her brother repeats. "No shit?"
"No shit," Kylo confirms. He executes his hairpin turn-spin maneuver once more and Cesi lands back in his lap again.
"Hey!" she protests. "Knock it off, flyboy!"
"How's that for subtle?" Kylo jeers back. "Are you two getting the hint?"
Nestor makes a face. "Nuance isn't his thing."
"This is because I don't like the First Order, isn't it?" Cessily complains under her breath. "Is he going to troll me like this all night?"
"It's me he's trolling," Nestor sighs.
"Damn right, Flick," asshole Kylo gives a nasty laugh. "This is where the fun begins!" he declares as he guns the speeder engine and turns on its siren.
