A GALAXY IS NOT ENOUGH

Chapter 13
A New Arrival

"Now," Rey said, suddenly seeming determined, "tell me what happened to Ben."

It only took Hux a moment before his stomach twisted unpleasantly, and something cold flooded his veins. His throat tightened, and he saw the way she looked, her eyes moist and face flushed.

He realized at that moment who the someone was that Rey had loved.

Rey looked up, meeting Hux's eyes, almost pleading. His face had become a mask of cold calculation again. Only a second ago, he'd looked soft and concerned and dare say even, hopeful? Now he was stoic and distant as if he'd put up an invisible wall.

Was it some kind of strange Force-like ability? She wasn't sure. He was incredibly adept at hiding his thoughts and emotions from others, and had he learned this somewhere?

"Ben," Hux whispered the name, his voice rough and tense. "You want to know what happened to Ben Solo?"

Oh. Oh. Rey realized her mistake in calling Kylo Ren by just his first name —Ben—she'd made it quite evident that there was something more. Something beyond the rivalry of their Force abilities. An intimacy that had before only been known to her and Ben and Leia. She'd referred to him as Ben Solo before, to Hux even, but the way she'd said it just then, it was all but transparent.

Hux cleared his throat and watched Rey, his eyes hooded, and arms crossed behind his back. He took a resigned breath before he spoke.

"I told you that as Supreme Leader, he was not particularly well-liked," Hux said slowly. "He was—rash and quick to anger. Though he was—" He searched for another word. Something else. Anything else. "Powerful and determined. He was not a benevolent or a very strategic ruler."

This Rey knew Ben was his father AND his mother. But his tactical expertise and understanding were not that of Hux's. Ben used his natural skills, and for as intelligent as he was, his intelligence did not extend to his relationships. Ben was decidedly not keen on social inter-workings, and Hux seemed to have little expertise in that area as well. Though—had the two worked together, she doubted that anyone would have been able to take control of the First Order.

"He was cruel, at times. Foolish at others," Hux said hesitantly as if even the mention of that cruelty would be too much for Rey to hear. "I—I hated him. And so did many others. There was a rage about him that was all-consuming. It fueled him though, it gave him power, I expect. But he was not in his right state of mind."

He shifted awkwardly, taking a step toward Rey then pausing as though unsure if he was allowed to come further. She swallowed but kept eye contact, beckoning him toward her silently.

"If I'd known what his knights planned—perhaps—I could've done something," he said quietly. "But I was ignorant of their aspirations."

"His Knights turned on him," Rey said. Hux had mentioned this before, but she needed more.

"Yes," he bit his lip as if considering what he ought to tell her. "I thought his knights were his own. Friends or loyal subjects. But—when he—when complications arose. They turned against him."

"What complications?"

Hux frowned and looked away, "Ren began seeking something an artifact or—or something, something to do with the Force. He was searching for it. Neglecting his duties to the First Order, letting things slip. His Knights—they didn't want him searching for whatever it was."

"An artifact?"

"Something," Hux muttered irritably, shaking his head. "It was something to do with the Force—I—I can't remember—a Holocron that belonged to someone. He said he'd had a vision of some kind; I'm not sure how that works."

Rey bit her lip, not realizing she was imitating Hux. "Did he say if it was a Sith Holocron or a Jedi Holocron?"

"I—Sith, I believe. Why?"

"Because—well, do you know if he found it?" She said uneasily. If Ben had been seeking a Sith Holocron and he found a way to open it, well, was it possible that he had unleashed something? Was it the Holocron she touched that made her see visions? The one that was stored all too conveniently aboard this very ship?

"If it was found—I don't know," Hux shrugged. "It's all the same, though, isn't it? Something from that old religion being wanted for stars knows what purpose, and then everyone is fighting again."

He sighed and leaned against the desk, pinching the bridge of his nose with his fingers.

It made sense to Rey. A Sith Holocron possessed power, possibly even some hidden knowledge about the Force. If Ben had been searching for it, then Rey needed to find out why.

"Whatever it is, whatever he was searching for, the Knights didn't want him to have it," Hux murmured quietly. "They—confronted him, fought him, and he—he didn't survive."

That Rey could not believe, Ben was a skilled warrior, beyond anyone she'd known. He would've held his own, even against his Knights, and she knew that.

Hux bit his bottom lip and looked at her before letting out another huff.

Rey wasn't sure if Hux's hesitancy was due in some small part to his desire to spare her from the terrible details of Ben's demise. But she had to know. She needed to hear it, no matter how much it might hurt.

"Tell me," she said quietly. "Please."

"His right-hand knight," Hux paused, "she had an advantage, and she—."

They were cut off by the voice of Lieutenant Dopheld Mitaka as it crackled out of the overhead speaker.

"Sir, I apologize for the interruption; however, the Emperor has requested your immediate presence on a holocall. In the General's conference room, Sir."

Hux let out another frustrated sigh and gave Rey a look of incredulity.

"Apologies, my dear. We shall continue this later. Perhaps I'll see you for dinner tonight?"

His eyes traced over the lace of her bodice for a moment, stilling at the column of her throat before they snapped back to meet her gaze. His face held an odd mixture of frustration and sorrow, but he didn't wait for her response and exited the room, leaving Rey staring after him.

So, he got to have an abrupt exit while she was left sitting in his chair?

She rose, irritated at being cut off just before she learned which Knight had killed Ben. The speaker overhead crackled again, and again it was the hesitant voice of Lt. Dopheld Mitaka.

"Lady Rey, are you still there?"

She paused before answering, "yes…."

"Could I perhaps, have a private word with you?"

"Alright," she replied tightly. What could the squirrelly Lieutenant have to speak to her about? She didn't have to wait long as she'd barely seated herself again when the young man entered the office.

"Thank you for speaking with me," Mitaka said; his hands were clasped behind his back, and he held his head high. He did not appear timid at the moment, but the façade tumbled away the moment he opened his mouth. "I—I wish to, to express to you my intentions and obtain your —."

His eyes were settled firmly above Rey's head, and as soon as they dropped to her neckline, his mouth fell slightly open.

"Just say whatever it is, won't you? The longer you drag it on, the more painful it is."

"Right, yes." He muttered, snapping his eyes back up to hers. "You asked me about my relationship with Ms. Tico, and well, I thought I ought to make my intentions clear. I wish to—wish to court your friend Ms. Tico, and as such would be appropriate, I am making those intentions known to her commanding… officer—are you her commanding officer?"

Rey blinked at him, surprised and slightly amused. Something about the young man was strangely endearing, enough that she wondered if perhaps Rose might think so too.

"Court her? As in, interested in possibly marrying her or something?"

"W-well, marriage isn't something to be rushed into, especially with someone she's only known for a short time. . ." He trailed off, seemingly realizing with whom he was speaking.

"I don't think you need to tell me. It's more important that you express this to Rose and see if she's interested."

"Yes, I fully intend to make my intentions known," Mitaka said quickly. "However, I am not sure how they will be received. We've only spoken a handful of times and—."

"Wait? A handful? You spoke to her when I was on a hollocall with her and during my reception. You've spoken to her other times?"

Mitaka had gone quite pale, "Well, yes, I've called on her at least once a week since we met at your reception. I intended to call more often, but I've been attending to duties on the bridge multiple days and was unable to do so."

Rey tried to hide her smile; she would let Rose be the one to make the decision as to whether or not a relationship with Lt. Mitaka was wise. Still, at least Rey knew that he was trying to be . . . honorable? Was that the right word?

"So you need my permission or blessing before you can begin courting her? It seems like you've already begun courtship with how often you've called on her," Rey said with a soft smile.

"I only intended to get to know her a bit better before attempting to court her," Mitaka replied hurriedly. "I can assure you that I would respect her decision, should she refuse—."

"Fine by me," Rey replied, putting her hand up to stop Mitaka's word vomit. "I give you my blessing, or whatever it is. As long as you respect Rose's wishes, then I'm perfectly happy with you —um courting her."

Mitaka's face flushed a bright crimson, and he nodded, the trace of a smile on the edge of his lips. He returned to attention and almost saluted before putting his hands behind his back again.

"Thank you, Rey."

—

Rose. Rose and Mitaka. Mitaka and Rose.

The thought made her feel hollow, an empty pit forming deep in her stomach; she longed for something like that. A familiarity, a comfort. Someone who cared for her like that. Or at least wanted to see if they could care. Silly little desert rat, how swiftly she found herself caring for someone, how quickly she'd loved Ben, how fast she'd befriended Finn.

She would've done nearly anything for even a morsel of affection from someone then. Approval, affection, comfort, all things that had been sorely lacking on Jakku. But most of all, she'd longed for a friend, at the very least, a companion. Someone who could help her feel less alone.

Could Hux give her that? The way he'd looked at her —almost respectfully — even while she was dressed like this, it made her heartbeat just a bit faster. He'd thought to purchase her clothing like this, she ran her fingers over the fitted lace bodice, and she couldn't help but feel that it meant something. After all, he was trying to provide her with every comfort.

Perhaps, approval and affection would come later? The hope burned deep inside her, spreading through her chest.

Suddenly, in desperate need of a release of some kind, Rey found her way to her training room and threw herself into combat. She ran through nearly twenty different scenarios before finding one that caused her difficulty. She could take on almost fifteen opponents at one time without having to blink, but that was if they had blasters. She was a natural in following the guidance of the Force when the shots fired in her direction.

Most of the time, her opponents were not on the same skill level, and she could win the simulation easily. She finds it much more challenging to hold her own against attackers who use melee weapons like lightsabers.

Deflecting blaster fire was one thing; avoiding the close combat swings of a blunt weapon was another altogether. As she'd grown up on Jakku, she tended to have more experience with hand-to-hand combat. Still, multiple opponents or at least more than seven or eight tended to be difficult for her.

She had to admit that the training room was incredibly impressive. The digital scenarios and simulations were vivid and terrifyingly realistic. Rey enjoyed pushing herself to the limit, testing her strength, and trying to reach new heights. Hux had created the perfect place for her to do this, and it really was quite thoughtful of him.

Something inside her warmed at the thought of her husband. He was so severe all the time; he was the exact opposite of Poe, who was always joking. Stars, was she beginning to enjoy that he was so prim and proper? Perhaps, at little and only because seeing him that way in public and then seeing him so undone in private was strangely rewarding.

And that Hux had never been with anyone. . . Her stomach coiled deliciously at the thought of it. Hux was nervous to bed her because he'd never done it before. It wasn't that he didn't want her; he was embarrassed. She grins to herself when she remembers how he blushed as he told her. Stars, it almost made her forget she was annoyed with him.

But then again, he had withheld the information about Ben. He'd also spied on her. And not to mention he'd rejected her multiple times. She frowned, suddenly aware of a pain in her shoulder. She needed to train. She liked to be exhausted, sweat sliding down her skin and muscles aching before she was done. Sometimes it was the only reason she was able to sleep on Jakku. She had to be so bone-tired that she couldn't even lift a finger if she was going to sleep through the night.

Perhaps it was time she put the training bot to use? A new challenge was just what she needed after the frustration of her conversation with Hux. Whenever she got close to getting answers, something always blocked her path.

It was infuriating. She wanted the truth. She wanted to avenge Ben. She wanted —the sensation of Hux's firm lips and his equally firm body washed over her suddenly. Her stomach coiled again pleasantly with the memory. There were other things she wanted too. But she needed to focus. She needed to— her core flooded with unexpected warmth, and every part of her suddenly felt sharp and —and tingling.

Perhaps, if her husband wanted the same things… she shook her head. This was a distraction, and it was pulling her focus away from her mission. Find out what happened to Ben. Avenge his death. And perhaps, if she had time, she would um… she would see to her husband.

Maybe. Whatever. This was ridiculous. Hux was very pretty though, she glanced over at the training bot and frowned. And Hux had given her so much. Well, so many material things. Possessions, a luxurious bed, and lifestyle, an endless supply of food.

What he hadn't given her was more glaring.

She looked over the simulation options for training. Finally, she selected the training droid, using melee weapons at nearly the highest level.

She needed a different kind of distraction.

Hux half-listened to the discussions of the General's, present only in the wavering blue of their holos. His mind was still rapidly reviewing his conversation with Rey, the look in her eye when she'd said Ben Solo's name. The icy flare of jealousy that had filled his veins and made his jaw clench. It had rushed in, sudden and unexpected, and seated itself in his chest, seemingly to reside until further notice.

He knew she might've loved someone — before— before their marriage. Not that he expected her to love him. Love was unrealistic in this situation. Tolerable, finding each other tolerable was much more likely. But he'd somewhat hoped that he wouldn't have to compete for her attention with someone else. Especially someone that was dead.

That being said, he also hadn't expected to actually care about her attention. As far as he remembered, his father was never sentimental. He struggled in vain to recall if his father had ever shown even the slightest acknowledgment of Maratelle's feelings.

In fact, what had his father told him about marriage? It was something about how a man shouldn't worry about the woman's feelings, as they had too many. But this seemed like an illogical error to Hux as he, too, had many feelings. So many, he had to hold them all tightly to his chest when he was around these Force users because they would exploit them.

So he kept them deep down, inside. He was so good at it, in fact, that even his new Emperor had no idea of his scheming. His distaste for this regime and his anger towards Kylo Ren. Hux was resentful. He'd been resentful of Kylo Ren back then, and now he knew that it was full-blown jealousy. Rey cared for Ben Solo; she loved him. As far as Hux knew, no one loved him. Perhaps his mother—his real mother.

But who knew. Perhaps his mother hadn't loved him either. Hux frowned. Love made people weak. Love was a ridiculous notion, a fairytale. Hux was not in some fairytale; he was in space, fighting a war, ruling a galaxy. This wasn't a fairytale; this was real life.

"And you're ready, Grand Marshall?" The voice cut through his thoughts, snapping Hux to attention.

"For my mission?" He made it sound slightly more like a statement than a question. "Of course. I'm prepared."

"And your bride?" The Emperor's rasping voice said, nearly a whisper.

"I believe she will be quite helpful," Hux offered confidently. "She's powerful in the Force, and I'm sure that if you allow her to have her lightsaber—."

"No lightsaber," the Emperor says quickly. "I don't want to take the chance that she will use it against us."

"But you've allowed her to keep it," Hux replies slowly. He's wary of saying more but feels he ought to say something. It seems contrary for the Emperor to prevent Rey from using her lightsaber but still allow her to keep it in her possession.

"Do not speak to me of what I allow." The Emperor booms harshly. "I have ordered her not to use it. That is final."

"Yes, your Grace," Hux says, bowing his head in concession, even though it makes no sense to him why the Emperor would allow Rey to keep her weapon and yet not use it.

"Good," the Emperor says with a nod, and Hux can hear the smile behind the mask. The Emperor preens at this, reveling in the power of the throne. "That will be all; you are dismissed."

The blue holocalls fade out, and Hux ends the call. Now that the meeting is over, Hux finds himself alone again, contemplating what he will do since his honeymoon is almost upon him.

They'll be expected to—fulfill their contract. Something like a thrill rushes through him, and he feels the tension in his stomach again. That almost familiar feeling makes his blood heat. He will be alone with Rey on their honeymoon. Where he's supposed to consummate their marriage. His cheeks flush, and he remembers how she pinned him to the bed so expertly, her robe open and body bare. His natural instincts had taken over then; he'd flipped her over onto her back and threatened her like he would any attacker. But part of him had wanted to do something else. Then she'd kissed him — Hux swallowed, even just the thought of her lips gave him that surge of warmth in his stomach again, that pleasant sensation.

If it hadn't been for the vision, he had no doubt their marriage might've been consummated then and there. Stars, she was lovely. How would he be able to stay away from her? He couldn't stomach another one of those visions, especially now knowing how she'd felt about Ben Solo. What if he saw something that made the icy sting of jealousy flair again?

He was sure that he wouldn't be able to hold himself together, to keep that calm poise in check if he saw them together. His stomach lurched. Perhaps he could still consummate their marriage without having a vision? Maybe he just wouldn't kiss her.

Though that meant he might not be able to distract her from his inexperience. Kissing would be a good distraction for his lack of knowledge. Well, he knew where things were supposed to go, but without much practical knowledge or practice, he wouldn't bet that she would enjoy it much.

Frowning, he leaned forward in his chair and rested his forehead in his hands. This was going to be terrible. He was going to fail. He could feel it in his bones. He was going to make a fool of himself, and then she'd never let him touch her again. The warmth in his stomach tightened until it felt like a hard sinking weight. He needed to do some research; he needed to be confident he knew what to do when the time came.

Sighing, he lifted his data pad up and opened a private holonet search. He would be prepared for his mission as well as his marriage bed.

The training bot was far more challenging than Rey had anticipated. The way it approached her with a blade, the slight tilt of its head reminded her of that time in the forest when Kylo—he wasn't Ben to her then— had stalked her. She'd run, trembling, like a frightened skittermouse through the woods until he'd found her.

Then there was that paralyzing fear as her whole body refused to move, held in place by what at the time had felt like magic, but she now knew to be the Force. Her body was not her own then, and he'd peered inside her mind like the brushing tendrils of a gentle caress. His touch was curious; Ben was always so curious.

Her heart ached in her chest when she thought about these things. Though she'd been afraid in the beginning, by the end, she believed that Ben would renounce the dark side and come to her. That Ben would join her, and they would fight together.

Now she was all alone in the world. She had friends, yes, but it wasn't the same. She missed the constant pressure of his mind so near her own. That loneliness was devouring now, like a black abyss of pressure, reminding her every day that Ben was gone. She missed knowing that there was someone else out there who felt like she did. Who felt lost.

The bot swung at her from the left, knowing or perhaps calculating that this was her weaker side. She dodged the blow and rolled, sweeping her legs under the bot, so it trembled and nearly fell over. She ducked under its counter swing, and she used the Force to push it back off the mat. The bot wavered, halting for the briefest of moments before it rushed toward her again.

"You just don't give up, do you?" She smirked, twirling her bo staff expertly between her fingers, meeting the bot with a swing to the side as she faked right but went left. The bot didn't falter as it turned towards her, and then the training baton connected with her side, knocking the wind out of her.

Rey sputtered, but it wasn't the first time someone had gotten the better of her during a fight, and she doubted it would be the last. She needed to retreat, even if only for a moment. Collect her bearings and determine where to strike next.

So she arched her back and pushed off the ground, executing a one-handed flip and then rolling onto her knees. The Force made such movements easy now, graceful and full of certainty.

The bot stood away from her on the other side of the mat; it was very still, observing her with an almost predatory stare.

A chill spread up her spine, making every hair on the back of her neck stand on edge. It took a slow step toward her, then another, one-by-one till it looked down at her, cocking its head to the side.

Rey took her chance and lunged up toward the bot, the end of her bo staff connecting right under its chin. But the bot moved quickly, grasping the Bo and swinging her around. It pulled her forward till it had her by the neck. It squeezed her with its vice-like grip under her throat; she could barely breathe.

In. Out. Breathe, dammit.

She closed her eyes, letting the Force guide her. She just needed to slip out of his grasp. She went limp, dropping down and then using her movement to slide out of the bot's grasp. She dove forward and was immediately pulled back by the bot, its hand catching her boot. Turning to the side, she kicked out, her foot connecting with the side of the bot's head, and she followed it with a strike to the bot's chin using her bo. The bot's head snapped back, sparking wires, and then the bot teetered and fell to the ground.

"Stars, that was harder than I thought it would be," she said to herself, panting from the exertion.

Rey collapsed on the mat, utterly exhausted. She wasn't on the floor for very long before something pricked her senses, and she sat up to see a dark figure leaning against the durasteel door.

"You have excellent form," the stranger said in a voice that was deep and rich and full of joviality.

"Thank you," she said slowly; who was this man? A humanoid, tall and built, nearly Ben's size. He wasn't an officer or a stormtrooper, guessing by how he was dressed. He wore rough brown trousers and a loose beige shirt with a thick belt strapped at his hip and connecting to a hip holster. His hair was a sandy blonde, cut short, almost militaristic.

He offered her half a grin and then tipped his head, "though I thought he had you there, near the end."

She frowned, looking up at the new arrival, "and how long were you standing there for?"

"Oh, I saw enough. Enough to know I wouldn't like to go up against you hand to hand. You're a fast little devil."

"Just who are you?" She asked impatiently.

He gave her a full smile now, "Gavin Reiner, I'm surprised you haven't already heard of me."

"I don't know who you are," Rey said irritably. She hated feeling like she was being watched, and who was this man who thought he could just show up and start talking to her? He reminded her of Poe. Someone who thought a little too highly of himself.

"Well, I know who you are," Gavin replied, trying a rakish grin. Did people really fall for that? Rey would've rolled her eyes, but she really didn't want to encourage him.

"And who am I?" She asked, turning her back to him; she went and put the bo staff back with the other weapons and returned the baton as well. She'd let the bot sit there for a while; maybe she'd call someone to come service the droid. Or she'd have to tell Hux.

"You're the ginger prude's little rebel wife."

She went still, glancing over to the man, "Is that so?"

"That's what I hear," he said with a shrug.

Rey gave him a glare, "And what exactly are you doing here?"

"Oh, me?" He pointed a gloved hand at his chest. "Well, obviously, I'm here to be the brains, the brawn, and after meeting you, well, I suppose I'll have to be the looks too."

"What are you going on about?" She said, exasperated.

"I'm here to help you."

A chill went down Rey's spine.

"Help me with what?" She asked.