Author's Note
Apologies for the delay. I had planned to upload this chapter earlier. But Christmas time tends to force loads of obligations on you in your spare time. On that not I am not sure how often I can update during Christmas and New Year. But I will do my best and still welcome you to read and review.
Rhyming With Oranges: Thanks for your compliments on my aerial combat description and the story in general.
buzzsaw935: Glad to hear that you are beginning to come around to the First Order. Like you I thought that it was a simple rehash of the Empire and a scapegoat for the writers to hit a massive reset button on the series to avoid thinking of new stories. (Or even following the legends material). So, at first I was not a fan of the First Order. However, as I read the background of the group from Admiral Sloane and the flight into the Unknown Regions to the lives of Cardinal and Phasma etc. I began to love their story. As a supporter of the Empire from the start it also showed me that the Rebels have not really won their 'heroic' victory. That both suited me as a realistic ending and one that suited me personally. So, I am glad that my OC and story has managed to change your opinion of them as well. Also, I will take your suggestion of the pairing into account.
TishaLiz: I am glad you picked up that bit in that last part of the previous chapter. It was vague but as you caught, it had hidden deeper meaning. However as for whether or not that particular pairing will happen, I will leave that as a surprise. Thanks, about your comments on my aerial combat scene and how they were able to accurately paint the scene. I re-wrote that countless times trying to make that kind of situation as accurate as I could make it. It was just hard to make it equally technical, tactical and emotional. In addition, thanks for your suggestions on the pairing between Kuvira and Kylo Ren. I have added some of that in this chapter and I hope that you will enjoy it.
Setress: Thanks for your compliments of the aerial battle. I have taken the next major stage of development between Kylo Ren and Kuvira in this chapter. I am trying to meet the increasing demand of more of their pairing. While at the same time trying to keep true to who they are as individual people at the same time. I hope that it meets your expectations.
Guest: Thanks for your review and your support. I already have a plan in mind about the interaction between Kuvira and Rey. I have thought long and hard about the different scenario's and I think I have managed to get a great interaction between them in the future. I just need to get them into the scene of their first meeting and I will go from there.
Gilyflower: Thank you for the review and your compliments about my OC. I am glad that I have managed to avoid making Kuvira like the typical OC's you mentioned. I am trying to make her a realistic commander with skills and brilliant military skill but with flaws and deeper development that will hopefully be conveyed in this chapter. I have been trying to avoid wish-fulfilment storylines, so I am very glad to hear that you like Kuvira as an OC for this story.
Chapter 13 – Battle of Takodana. Part 3
Takodana – Maz's castle courtyard.
Finn – POV
The black-marked x-wing swooped down again, firing his cannons and sending red energy landing towards his enemy. This resulted in exploding another enemy vessel before swing around to just barely dodge the blaster bolts that were send at his engines from the black TIE fighter just behind him.
Finn fired his blaster and before he could even see if he had hit his target, he threw himself back behind his improvised cover as another explosion shattered remaining masonry in the already ruined courtyard. As the ground stopped shaking and the sound and heat of the fiery explosion died away he chanced a look over the rim of the rubble mound he was sheltering behind. The explosion had been another fighter coming crashing back to earth and exposing into scrap metal. Another victim of the vicious battle that was illuminating the sky with green and red fire.
From the looks of the wreckage, the fighter that had almost crashed down on top of him was a TIE fighter. He could see the remains of the solar wings strewn about the courtyard. There was no sign of the central body of the fighter. He could only assume that it had been vaporised in the crash and explosion. Along with all remaining traces of the unfortunate pilot that had been at her helm.
But the First Order pilot would not be going to the afterlife without company. Even he watched a x-wing was hurtling into the side of Maz's castle, trailing flames and smoke all the way. As he watched it smashed into the side of the castle and erupted into a ball of fire. The flames were soon smothered as the side of the castle that it had collided with came crashing down to the ground as the structure took one too many blows. Even as he watched he saw several combatants of both the pirates and stormtroopers get crushed as the structure came down on their heads.
At least he hoped they were crushed. As strange as that thought was. He was certain that a quick death like that was better then being trapped under the tons of rubble until force knew when. Left to either die a slow death from their injuries or even worse, die of thirst or suffocation.
He sincerely doubted that in this system with the usual clientele would waste time and resources getting their competition and/or enemies out of the smoking rubble.
He shook himself out of his morbid thoughts as Han grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him back behind their cover as a series of blaster bolts slammed into the rock and mortar that had once been a wall. Han hissed in pain as the sudden movement made his injured legs flare up in pain once more. He levelled a glare at Finn that clearly said something along the lines of 'pay attention, you laserbrain!'
Chewbacca growled his agreement with Han's unspoken reprimand as he turned back to fire his bow caster at the enemy. Whether that enemy was the First Order stormtroopers or the pirates and smugglers that were firing at anyone and everyone around them, Finn could not say.
Finn returned with an expression that conveyed his response just as clearly as 'sorry, my bad.'
But then he turned back to fire at the troopers that had moved closer to their position and sent more bolts at them. But he missed as the troopers ducked back behind their own improvised cover and all he did was chip pieces off the rock.
Then he was forced to take shelter yet again as they returned fire. Even as he crouched behind the rubble he saw another x-wing come plummeting out of the sky and smash into the previously glassy surface of the lake. A geyser of water, (almost as high as the remaining castle tower) shot up into the sky in a perfect column. Before a TIE fighter flew through it in its mad dash to escape the pursuing x-wing. The impact of the two ships sent the water slashing over Han, Finn and Chewie. The latter of which roared in annoyance as his fur was matted.
Finn honestly thought they had more important issues to worry about right now. But clearly the Wookie had different priorities. Maybe it was a cultural thing for the giant furballs?
But then again this might be a weekly thing for him and Han.
"Pull back to the tree line!" Came the shout of the storm trooper commander.
The order carried through the cacophony of battle and made its way into Finn's earshot. That had unmistakeably come from the First Order unit commander. He was ordering a retreat?!
Finn could not fathom what he had just heard. The troopers had numerical superiority on the ground over the three of them and the remaining criminal elements from the castle. Most of the residents had bolted for their ships or the forest as soon as the x-wings had appeared, and the TIE squadron was now distracted by the battle.
He should not have been surprised. They called themselves 'spacers of fortune' after all. And there was no fortune to be made in this battle.
Regardless it now meant that the First Order had an almost overwhelming advantage in numbers on the ground. The only reason the fight was still going on was that the lines had been so scattered during the initial x-wing attack, that no-one was sure just where the enemy was.
And in the sky the ambush from above and the arrival of new TIE reinforcements, meant that the battle in the air would soon be over as well. True the Resistance x-wings were putting up a great fight. Taking down two TIE's for each x-wing that was destroyed. But the advantage of numbers and the TIE pilots own impressive skill proved that this battle would only end one way.
After that the First Order would have the run of the castle and could cart them away for interrogation, torture and likely execution. Not necessarily in that particular order.
So why name of the Force had that commander called a retreat?!
Finn thought he must had heard wrong. But even as he rose from cover to fire again he saw that the troopers were indeed pulling back. They were slowly retreating from the shattered remains of the courtyard and heading for the tree line on the west side where they had landed their transports and shuttle.
And then, out of breath, he turned to face the forest line that the enemy soldiers were retreating too. And then he saw something that made his heart shatter
There, on the outer most reaches of the treeline he saw a dark shadow; walking with a calm serenity that blazoned rage and evil far and wide.
'Kylo Ren'. Finn though as he felt his blood turn to ice in his veins as he remembered the last encounter he had with the terrifying dark warrior. It was something that he still had nightmares about. In the rare moments since Jakku that he had been able to sleep.
But that was not the sight that caused his heart to almost stop. It was the sight of Kylo Ren carrying Rey's clearly unconscious body in his arms to his shuttle. Even as he watches, Kylo Ren started walking up the ramp and into the depths of his ship.
Han saw it too and was clearly rocked by the sight in front of them as they both stared at Rey being abducted by Kylo Ren. Cleary Rey had come to mean more to Han then Finn had realised, based on the degree of shock and pain on his face as he watched the scene.
But he had no time to consider that now as his brain turned abruptly from survival mode to instinctive protectiveness.
"NO! REY!" He shouted as he heroically (and stupidly) ran toward the shuttle through laser blasts and explosions that the retreating soldiers sent his way. He heard Han and Chewie shout/roar at him to come back as Han hauled himself upright with his arms due to his legs. He also heard them add many of their additional unflattering names for him as they called him back. But he paid them no notice as he continued to run forward. In any other situation, he would have been amazed at how brave he was being and how fast he was running. But he was no match for the forces of fate clearly arrayed against him.
Kylo Ren disappeared with Rey into the shuttle which almost immediately began to take off from the ground and rise into the sky. Even as he watched a trio of TIE fighters broke off from the engagement and formed a defensive formation around the shuttle. Within moments the black winged shuttle was blasting off into the atmosphere while Finn irrationally chases it, screaming in desperation as he watched his partner, friend and only anchor he had forged in this new life of his vanish before his eyes.
Kuvira – POV
Kuvira's lip had curled slightly into a small smile as she had downed another of the Resistance x-wings. Sending it streaking into the already burning portion of the forest around the lake. If the pilot had not been killed in the moment of impact. The explosion of the fuel tank that erupted from the green foliage certainly finished the job for her.
However, that smile faded as she was forced to dodge yet another close barrage for turbo lasers sent at her TIE fighter from Poe Dameron's iconic black x-wing. She barrel-rolled to the left and brought her TIE around to regain the altitude that had been lost during her pursuit of the no deceased x-wing pilot.
However, as she brought her TIE level again and quickly reassessed the battle, she allowed her smile to reassert itself on her face.
The battle was almost over. Soon it would be as obvious to the Resistance pilots as it was to her.
One by one their pilots had fallen, and now there were less then eight of them left in the sky. True they had wrecked a grievous toll on her own pilots and nearly two dozen TIE fighters were nothing but smoking ruins smouldering in the lake, trees or the castle courtyard. And more importantly, those replaceable machines were piloted by men and women that she had personally trained and flown into battle beside them. Their loss hurt her deeply.
But she was an Admiral of the First Order. And as an Admiral, she was expected to accept and take the costs necessary to achieve victory. The loss of her pilots and colleagues, while painful to her were necessary sacrifices to achieve the victory on Takodana. It was not her role to ensure that all lives were saved. It was her job to ensure that those lives were spent wisely for the maximum gain and minimum loss.
She shook those feelings away. She would not insult the memory of her fallen pilots and soldiers by implying that their sacrifice was a meaningless random loss. Nor would she insult them by implying that their resolve to give their lives for the First Order was in anyway hard to make. She expected as much from every soul under her command.
And she saw that they had sold their lives dearly and soon the Resistance pilots would be hopelessly outnumbered.
Especially since they had no reinforcements coming to aid them in this battle. The Resistance x-wings were all alone and they were all the Resistance had put into this battle. In fact, it was entirely possible that this was the entirely of the Resistance fighter contingent in the entire galaxy. The Resistance was horrifically underfunded after all.
In contrast the First Order had hundreds of fighters that they could call upon from both the Finalizer and the Reclaimer in orbit. And unless the Resistance pilots could destroy two hundred fighters each. The battle was decided.
Or at least that had been her thinking, until she noticed that her fighter squadron was breaking off from the battle and heading into the higher atmosphere. At first she thought there were performing the G-37 manoeuvre and were forming up and gaining altitude to exercise it correctly. But as she watched she saw that they had taken a standard formation (with the exception of the evasions from the stubborn x-wing pilots) and were heading on an out of system path.
Frustrated at the unplanned and unwelcome behaviour of her pilots she took her own TIE fighter out of the combat and engaged the thrusters to catch up with her squadron. She may had wanted to continue the battle to its final victory. But she was not so deluded that she thought she could single-handedly take on the remaining seven x-wings by herself.
She pulled her TIE out of the battle and performed evasive action until she re-joined her squadron's formation and the x-wings hah broken off their pursuit and returned to the surface.
At the same time, she activated her communication with her squadron leader as she tried to get her temper under control at the unexplained withdrawal of her pilots. When the link opened she did not give commander Pyre the chance to speak first.
"Commander Pyre. I advise you to have a phenomenally good explanation as to why you have ordered the squadron to break off the engagement without my orders and have turned an assured victory into a possible devastating defeat?" She asked calmly, still remembering the BB droid on the surface. But Pyre could clearly hear the ice in her voice that hid the simmering fury beneath her Admiral's mask. And he was equally aware that his life might very well depend on the answer he gave.
"Admiral, forgive me, I assumed you knew." He started before trailing off hesitantly. But he had captured Kuvira's interest.
"Continue Commander." She ordered. She could almost hear the sound of Pyre gulping down his nervousness before he continued.
"Lord Ren has commanded the division to withdraw to the fleet and to begin preparations for the hyperspace jump back to Starkiller Base." Pyre stammered out. Kuvira's interest in the developments on the ground returned with increasing anticipation.
"Has he retrieved the droid and its data, Commander?" She inquired. However, the long pause between her question and the commanders answer did not fill her with optimism.
"I do not know Admiral. He merely reported that the droid was no longer relevant and relayed the orders to pull our forces of Takodana." Pyre replied.
Kuvira was silent for a moment. Then she keyed the com channel again. "Maintain course and continue to follow current orders unless the are countermanded by myself. Do you copy Commander?" She relayed. Once she had his acknowledgment she cut the connection and keyed a new com transition to Kylo Ren's Upsilon shuttle. Before long the blue tinged hologram of Kylo Ren appeared on her TIE fighter holoprojector.
"Lord Ren. I am told that you have ordered our forces to retreat on the cusp of victory on Takodana. While details have been unclear I trust this means that you have the data and or droid in your possession?" She stated directly. She was not in the mood for their usual pleasantries now that she knew he had been solely responsible for robbing her of an almost secured victory over the Resistance and the galaxy's criminal element.
True she was aware that a battle was not the war. And as an Admiral it was her job to focus on the war. That did not mean however that she could not be annoyed at a battle having been fought and abandoned for possibly nothing to show from it.
Kylo Ren observed her through his mask and after a moment he responded to her terse question. "The droid is no longer relevant Admiral. I have the data that we seek, and it will be in our possession within a few hours." He stated flatly.
Kuvira raised her eyebrow in an expression that conveyed both suspicion and disbelief. "You will need to explain further Lord Ren. You say that you have the data, yet it is not within our possession yet. Do you have the data to Skywalker or do you not?"
Kylo Ren visible tensed at the tone of voice that he was being address with. Even if his face could not be seen his stance took on a clearly defensive and aggressive stance. "I have captured the Jakku local girl. She has seen the map and she has the necessary information we require. Once I have her on Starkiller, I will obtain the information directly. We will have Skywalker's location with the day and with that total victory all but assured in this war, Admiral." He replied, his tone leaving no doubt that he considered this conversation closed and not up for debate.
Kuvira stared at the hologram of the dark warrior as her mind raced through the ramifications of this sudden situation. On the one hand it is possible that all would turn out as Kylo Ren said. She had seen him rip vital information directly from the minds of their enemies many times. She knew that it could be done. And if the girl had seen the map then it was possible that they could get what they needed without having to chase the droid any further.
However, this plan relied on the fact that Kylo Ren was trusting this entire strategy on the assumption that he could glean the correct and intact information from the mind of an unremarkable desert rat. Instead of the secure date files of a droid.
A droid that was also being left to return to the Resistance now that the First Order was abandoning the attack on Takodana. So, the Resistance would soon have the information as well. That though alone made her want to order their forces to return to the battle immediately and not to stop until the Resistance was driven off the planet and the droid was either scrap or captured.
But that might lead to a conflict of orders between her and Kylo Ren. And even she was not sure what the result would be from that. Like Darth Vader in the Empire, Kylo Ren's rank within the First Order was rather unclear. In theory Kylo Ren had no official rank within the First Order and could therefore be ordered around by the lowliest stormtrooper.
In practice, as Supreme Leader Snoke's apprentice, enforcer and possible chosen successor. He held the power (officially or not) of a prince. That was the whole reason that he had been able to issue the retreat order without anyone thinking to confirm it with an official officer or herself. And she was not eager to test the strength of the First Order command structure by issuing opposing orders in the middle of such a critical situation.
Her musings only lasted a few seconds and afterwards she focused on the hologram again. "Deposit your prisoner in the brig aboard the Finalizer. I will be coming aboard momentarily so meet me in the command conference room to discuss this further." She stated. And with that she cut the connection before Ren could object or possibly deny her orders.
She engaged her thrusters and her TIE shot forward to the Resurgent Star destroyer hanging in the orbit of Takodana along side the Reclaimer. She relayed orders for her pilots to return to their respective hangers and continue with their assigned duties. With that she turned off her com channels and spent the time before her arrival on the Finalizer regaining her composure and reviewing the situation. It was a routine she had used many times when dealing with some of her more incompetent colleagues and subordinates.
She had a feeling she was going to need her trademark stoicism in the near future.
Han - POV
"He took her! Did you see that? He took her. She's gone!" Finn gestures frantically at Han for the fifth or sixth time as if he had not heard him properly before.
"Yeah, yeah, I know..." He said as he was carried past the emotionally crippled former stormtrooper while flung over Chewie shoulders like baggage to prevent more strain or damage to his blasted legs.
Han was thankfully thrown over Chewie shoulder facing frontwards rather then backwards. It allowed him to maintain some form of dignity and allowed him to observe the situation as the Wookie moved toward a Resistance transport landing in the debris alongside the docked x-wings within the smoking ruins of what once had been a glorious castle. BB-8 rolled up beside him, waiting for the transport to open up.
He knows instantly what is going to happen next. He may not have the force but he has always had his intuition. It had been a small subtle feeling that told him that something bad was about to happen. Luke of course would say it was some small manifestation of the force. And old Obi-Wan would say 'there is no such thing as luck'. He just called it good survival instincts.
And right now his was telling him to run (or crawl) as far and as fast as he could away from this place right now. Chewie could call him a coward. He could call him a wimp if he wanted too. But he would take that label if it meant he did not have to face this situation.
Finally, the transport door opens. And standing there is Leia.
She sees Han and clearly from her stunned expression she was not expecting anymore then he had been looking forward to it. A silent beat, as husband and wife were reunited for the first time in years. In the smoke and embers of battle. Ironically similar to how they first meet on the first Death Star's detention level during a fire fight. But unlike that situation, which was filled with insults and jabs at each other. In the here and now neither one says a word.
Then C-3PO walks out from the transport, into the field and makes a bee line for Han and the Wookie holding him. "Goodness! Han Solo! It is I, C-3P0!" The droid stops in front of Han who was forced to look down from the impressive height of Chewbacca's shoulder at the droid.
"You probably don't recognize me because of the red arm." The droid said cheerfully while waving the scarlet appendage in front of the crippled smuggler.
Han looked at the droid and then at Leia, and then back to the droid. And he suddenly found himself wishing that Admiral Kuvira had shot in him the head instead.
Kylo Ren - POV
Within the blue swirling tunnel of hyperspace. Aboard the Finalizer within the main conference room located just beneath the bridge of the Resurgent Class Star Destroyer. An Admiral stood directly facing a warrior of the Dark Side, and between them was enough tension to crack durusteel.
Kylo Ren had just come from the brig where he had deposited the Jakku girl after leaving strict instructions that she be kept sedated and manacled until they reached Starkiller Base and was able to be transferred to a proper interrogation cell.
Already he was focusing and preparing himself for the act of ripping the information about the map from her mind. It was not a particularly difficult thing to do. He had done it so many times to Resistance members and various enemies that he could properly do it in his sleep. But with information as important as this he needed to set his own mental house in order before he entered hers.
And that important act of mental preparation was not being helped by the feelings that were being provoked by this meeting. And as he stared directly into the Admiral's piercing emerald eyes, he felt his serenity slip a little more. At the same time he felt his emotions channelling the dark side which even now was pulsing within this room with vibrating power so palpable it was almost visible to the naked eye.
He was snapped out of his personal thoughts when Kuvira broke the silence.
"I want you to explain what has happened on that planet, Lord Ren" She commanded. Her voice was full of steel and he could sense both instinctively and through the force that she was working hard to maintain her composure.
But he was Kylo Ren and he would not be intimidated. Not even by Grand Admiral Kuvira. "You are more than able to grasp what happened on Takodana, Admiral." He whispered in response.
Kuvira nodded slowly. "Yes, but explain it to me in your own words." She 'asked'.
Kylo Ren paused for a moment, then he began his summary. "During my pursuit of the droid I encountered the Jakku girl that was acting as some form of bodyguard for the BB unit. When I subdued her I searched her mind to learn where the droid was. Once I did so, I learned that she had seen the map to Skywalker previously. I then knew that we had the information we need right in front of us. So I brought her back with me so that we can gain it and win this war Admiral. Is there any part of that you are having trouble with?" He asked sardonically as he took a step towards Kuvira.
Kuvira was in no way intimidated as she began her own summary. "Not at all Lord Ren. Let me run through it again just to make sure I am able to grasp the intricacies of your plan." She said with an unusual level of sarcastic emotion that was almost never displayed from the stoic woman.
"You managed to corner the girl and you learned that she was potential resource in us gaining the information we need. In the learning of this fact you captured her and brought her into our custody. I commend you for that act wholeheartedly." She said as she took a step towards him before she continued.
"And then you ordered our entire force to pull out and abandon the planet. In so doing you ensured that we lost an additional number of pilots who were forced to make a running retreat while dodging blaster and cannon fire from our enemies. You also ensured that the criminals and rebel 'heroes' Han Solo and Chewbacca were able to escape to the Resistance, despite one of them being crippled precisely to prevent escaping. You also ensured that rather than us claiming victory on the planet and locating and/or destroying the BB droid. The Resistance is now in control of the planet and even now may be in possession of that droid." She said, her voice becoming biting yet still remain in a calm volume.
"With that in mind the Resistance will likely have the information before you are able to wrench it from the mind of the girl and have Skywalker in their possession before we do. In summation, Lord Ren your actions could cost the First Order dearly." She finished.
Kylo Ren felt his anger spike at her tone but also at himself as he found it hard to deny any of the Admiral's logic. He realised that his excitement at seeing the information right in front of him had lead him to make a foolish error in judgment. He had been swept away with the thought that this girl was the key to finding that cursed old man. The key to finally doing what his grandfather had done and finally slay his treacherous old master with his lightsaber. But he had made a mistake in forgetting all the other factors of the mission to Takodana. It was a mistake Darth Vader would certainly never have made. He mentally admonished himself. But he would be damned if he showed weakness in front of one of the few people he truly respected in the galaxy.
He stepped closer to Kuvira and allowed his voice to drop a few degrees. "Are you questioning my judgment or competence, Admiral?" He asked dangerously
Kuvira never blinked and took a step forward of her own. "I am questioning your judgement regarding this Jakku girl. You have never been one to make such an error of judgment and yet due to this girl you have made a possibly devastating one." She paused.
"Why? What is it in this girl that caused you to experience such a lapse? What is your sudden interest in her?" She demanded as her eyes narrowed.
Kylo Ren did not know what promoted him to say the next words but he said them before he could prevent it. "You are strangely focused on my interactions with this girl, instead of the location of the data, Admiral Kuvira. I wonder, if this matter is motivated through some form of jealousy." He threw out.
Silence filled the room as they stared at each other in surprise at what had just been hinted at. It was only then that both of them realised as they had each taken several steps toward the other. Just how close their faces were in that moment.
Kuvira's eyes were flashing dangerously and her posture stiffened to the point that she could be impersonating statue made of cortosis. He almost felt the room grow hotter as if the dark side was manifesting itself on the dangerous emotions that were suddenly present in then room. Then again it might have been result of his rabidly increasing heartbeat sending blood to his face under his mask.
But he also noticed another thing. That underneath the Admiral's piercing emerald eyes. Her face was becoming redder and her eyes had become slightly diluted.
He could also sense her through the Force. He felt her fury at what he had just insinuated to her. He felt her pride burning at his suggestion that she was allowing personal emotions to control her military strategy. He felt her annoyance that she was trying and failing to keep the obvious physical reaction to his words under control. He felt her desperation to maintain control of the situation and not let this spiral into something that could threaten the unity of the First Order.
But buried beneath all of that, he sensed something else. He sensed…curiosity?
But before he could press deeper into that particular discovery he was forced to return to the physical mundane world as he heard the Admiral begin talking to him in a voice as sharp it could probably cut diamonds.
"We have just come from the heat of battle Lord Ren and we might soon stand on the cusp of victory in the battle with Luke Skywalker. It is an, emotional moment for all of us so I am going to forget what you just implied to me." She said stonily. "And rest assured Lord Ren if such a situation were to happen I am not so weak as to hide behind petty jealousies when faced with a threat to something I want." She finished.
But before Kylo Ren could consider the possible meaning in her words she spun on her heel and headed for the door to the bridge. As the door opened and her storm trooper guards fell into position at her sides, she stopped for a moment and turned her head to the side to give a final parting word.
"I expect you to use all your power to ensure you gain the information from that girl the instant we arrive at Starkiller base Lord Ren. And I also expect you to remember, that killing Luke Skywalker is a separate battle, a bonus. We, the both of us, must focus on winning the war."
With that she walked out and the door hissed shut.
Kylo Ren stood in the empty conference chamber staring both into space and into the force. He found himself contemplating the Admiral's words. Both about his focus on the mission and his issues with Skywalker over the goals of the First Order.
He remembered the conversation with his master. It was sentiment that had crippled Darth Vader at the crucial moment. It was his love for his son Luke that had caused him to throw away everything he had ever worked for and cast the Empire he had helped build into ruin.
Was he in danger of committing the same mistake? Was his obsession with killing Luke threatening all he had worked for in the First Order?
And then his words to the Admiral about jealously. Where had that come from?!
He had reacted in anger to her accusations about his conduct on Takodana. But why had he chosen to retaliate with that statement? And more to the point. Why did he feel such pronounced shame at the suggestion that he had failed the First Order? That he had failed her?
Maybe, just maybe.
He shook the thought away. Both mentally and physically as he shook his helmeted head in anger. Sentiment again! It was truly the curse of his bloodline!
He had more important matters to attend to. And the Admiral was right. He had information to retrieve and retrieve fast before his mother's…..before General Organa's pathetic little band of insects got hold of the droid. If they had not already.
He swept out of the room with his black cloak billowing out behind him as he made his way to his chambers. He needed to meditate on this.
And maybe some other things.