Before you start reading, I made a discovery: On the Wookiee on each of the Knights of the Ren, in the Behind the Scene section, they reveal on which person played the Knights of Ren. Here is what it said who played who:
Stunt Performer, Martin Wilde, played Cardo
Martial Artist, Ashley Beck, did Ushar
Stunt Performer, Lukaz Leong, portrayed Ap'lek
Martial Artist, Anton Simpson-Tidy, was Vicrul
Stunt Performer, Joe Kennard, as Kuruk
Stunt Performer, Tom Rodgers, is Trudgen
Knowing who played as who, could give us a visual idea on what they would look like underneath their masks, give us an imaginative thought on where they came from and a backstory for them. And, yes, the Wookiee said all of them are human, but they can, also, be viewed as different species, if we want them to be.
That's all I gotta say. Now, on to the story!
Two Days Later: On the Finalizer...
"The Bothan Council of the planet: Bothawui, have requested an audience with you, Supreme Leader. They wish to negotiate an alliance with the First Order, in exchange for some advance resources and seventeen percent of our prisoners t-"
"No." Kylo Ren, immediately, responded, staring out at the stars and space before him.
Some of his generals turned to each other, some curious and others appalled that their leader instantly refused the deal.
General Domaric Quinn, who gave the update, looked flabbergasted, before he made a response.
"'No'? What do you mean 'no', Supreme Leader?" He dare argued. "Their tech can be of great use to us. They're even willing to trade in their workers in exchange for those Rebel-scums we keep on our ships that we, to my eluded mind, treat as our own Stormtrooper!"
With his back remained to them and with the modulator keeping his voice dark and low, Kylo answered.
"And risk the possibility that they'll let our workers go? To help rebuild the Resistance? Give them a chance to steal important data on our ships and base, that can give them leverage on their attempt to feel empowered?"
General Frantis Griss, sitting two seats from General Quinn, spoke out.
"Supreme Leader, our scouts have informed us of the Bothan Council no longer offering the Resistance aid, since many had died to get them information, many years ago, on the second Death Star." Griss reported, looking down at a datapad held in both hands. "It's likely, in an act of revenge for their deceased relatives, they believe they could use such an excuse in their attempt to punish our imprisoned Resistance workers."
Kylo stated quiet for a moment, before he turned his head to his right. nobody in the room could see his face, but the Knights of Ren, all standing against both sides of the wall, can sense their leader is taking the general's words seriously. Especially, when it involves the Resistance.
"Anybody else would like to voice the opinion on the matter on allying with the Bothan Council?"
A female general, General Bellava Parnadee, spoke up.
"Supreme Leader, I believe you're right that we shouldn't ally ourselves with the Bothans." She commented, pulling out a hologram and showing a list of Bothans they never seen. "Not only have they stolen important data on the second Death Star, but they apparently sold the information to other neighboring planets, besides the Resistance. And, to the fact that the troops that was ruled under Palpatine's order are the ones to kill their group off, they could be plotting to get back on both the First Order and Resistance. They could, even, be making preparations to strike, right this second."
Kylo is pleased that somebody else can see the risk that he foresaw if they join forces with the Bothan Council, though he needs a second opinion before he makes the final decision.
"Allegiant General Pryde, what are you note as to what you believe to being the right choice of action?"
Since the Resistance retreat on Crait and the rise of the First Order, Enric Pryde had been promoted to the status that's equivalent to Grand Marshal. While Kylo Ren doesn't try and form any kind of ties with anybody on the ship, with the exception to the Knights of Ren, he knew that he can trust Pryde; he proved time and time again, even when working under Snoke, that he's dedicated to the First Order and will follow any command to a fault. He even isn't afraid to speak up and inform others of his opinion, to a reasonable point, and tries to compromise the issue with another motive that, most of the time, makes it acceptable to both party.
And, to the fact that it rubs Hux the wrong way, is an added bonus to the thirty year-old male.
Pryde stood from his seat, staring ahead.
"I concur with what General Parnadee has to say and, also, believe an alliance with the Bothan Council is out of the question." He stated, clear and straight to the point. "With their reputation and history with the troops from the past, even if we were to pay them for their services and offer what they requested, they can easily turn on us at any moment and sell any of our important data to those who still try and oppose against us."
Quinn glared at the higher ranked general, jealousy can be seen in his eyes.
"Be that as it may, we would do greatly to have more spies to assist us on recon missions and the Bothans should do more of an effective job to join our troops than those pathetic Rebrl prisoners we ha-"
"Enough, General Quinn." Kylo Ren cut him off, folding both arms behind his back. "It's decided, then. Allegiant General Pryde -The general straitened from the call of his name.- I want you to inform the Bothan Council of our negotiation of an alliance is denied. Also, you're to informed them that, should they or anyone that resides on Bothawui dare to cross us or even attempt to steal information on our order, ensure them that we shall rage war with them and annihilate their planet to non-existence."
Pryde, pleased of the decision, nodded his head to their leader.
"At once, Supreme Leader."
He moved away from the table, and went off to do his task.
Quinn very much wanted to speak out to their leader to reconsider, but knew that his Knights of Ren will react if he dares to challenge their master. So, he kept his mouth shut.
"Anything else to report?" Kylo said, keeping his back to his generals.
General Amret Engell, sitting next to General Parnadee, responded.
"...There's been another incident with our Resistance prisoners, Supreme Leader." She started, knowing here wasn't going to like what she has to tell him. "Former-General Hux has taken his methods too far on punishing the workers, yet again. And, has begun the treatment with our newest captures from Akiva."
If she and the other generals were Force-Sensitive, they would be able to sense goas fueling rage building up.
Even with the modulator changing his voice, his voice seem to have gone lower.
"...Proceed."
Kylo Ren walked down the corridor of the Finalizer, with four of his knights following from behind.
After General Engell had told him that the former general was cutting the prisoners their food portions and sent three prisoners into solitary confinement for three days without food, he immediately dismissed them and went on the search for the redhead pest that became a nuisance.
...Who, he knew, tried to kill him, while he was unconscious, in Snoke's Throne Room, on the Supremacy.
They couldn't afford their prisoners to grow weak from hunger... Not like how Rey was and still is, from her life on Jakku and with the Resistance.
He recalled the last time he saw her, when he was able to reach out to get through their bond: On her hands and knees, hunched over and coughing very harshly into her hand.
She appeared a somewhat smaller than he last remembered, from how her rags-like clothes draped and hung over her form like an overcoat. And, when she finally got to her feet and faced him, seeing how her face was more hollow and the dark-bags underneath her eyes, told him that she's struggling.
Behind the mask, Ben bit his lip. So many thoughts ran through his head.
Why was it taking so long to find her? Did she, finally, have food to eat? Is she getting enough sleep?
...How much longer is he gonna have to wait, before he could have her back in his arms? For them to be reunited, and live the life they're meant to have?
When they reached the prison area, he pushed his thought of his soulmate in the back of his mind and stalked towards two Stormtroopers, guarding over a door.
"Where's Hux?!" He yelled.
One of them, immediately, answered.
"We last heard here was heading for Interrogation Room Eighteen, progressing another interrogation attempt with some of the Resistance prisoners that were brought in from Akiva, Supreme Leader."
His gloved hands clenched tightly into fists. He isn't satisfied from the report.
He turned his head to his knights, all ready to spring forth and take action.
"Vicrul, Trudgen, head for the Solitary Confinement area and inform the guards that the three prisoners are to be taken back to their cells, unharmed. Cardo, Ap'lek, follow me."
As they walked through the door, Vicrul and Trudgen went the opposite direction from their leader and brothers-in-arms to do their task.
Two levels down the Turbolift, and Kylo Ren and his companions are in the integration sector of the Finalizer. Each door to an interrogation room had two Stormtroopers standing guard.
When he reached to room eighteen, the two guards immediately stepped away and lowered their heads in submission.
The double, metal-doors parted, and Kylo Ren let out a roar of a yell.
"HUX!"
Thirty feet from the entrance and standing in front of the interrogation chair, stood the one person that he despises with every fiber of his being.
The former-general with his back turned to the Supreme Leader and two of his knights, sneered from hearing his voice.
He knew that it meant he did something wrong, or something that offended him.
Hux forced himself to sound calm and professional, keeping his gaze on the bound prisoner before him and another officer he brought with him to torture information out of.
"Supreme Lea- Ack!"
A sudden feeling of his throat being squeezed by an invisible force cut him off, and Hux was forced to turn and face the very person he wants to have killed.
He grabbed at his neck, holding on to nothing in his attempt to loosen the grip, as he was pulled forward and now held in Kylo Ren's outstretched grasp.
The instant his throat was in his clutches, Kylo Ren had him pulled to his face.
"What is the meaning of this, Hux?!" He demanded, forcing his victim down and to be on his knees on the ground. "I thought I made my orders clear: You're not permitted to interrogate our newest prisoners, until after I, personally, conduct the interrogation on my own and have been on board the Finalizer for no less than six hundred hours!"
He then looked towards the officer standing beside the prisoner, holding what appears to be a taser-version of an electric prod, which would be used on Fathier. Kylo pointed a finger at the now horrified officer, silently instructing one of his knights to pull the man away from the prisoner.
Cardo went over and grabbed the officer by the back of his neck, pulling him away from the prisoner and towards the Supreme Leader.
"Who gave you instructions to harm the prisoner, without my knowledge?"
The officer, sweating bullets and flinching underneath Ushar's grip, immediately answered.
"General Hux made the order, Supreme Leader." He revealed, lowering his head. "He had me conduct the physical punishment, claiming you desired to involve severe injuries to force information out of them about the girl, or to make them beg for death."
Hux, immediately, made an excuse to the claim, straining and grunting from still being caught in the Force Choke.
"Our troops informed us that this Rebel-Scum was the last to see the murderer of the Supreme Leade- Ack!"
Again, the pressure from the Force Choke cut him off and his face started to turn a bit pink.
Even with his mask on, Hux can feel Kylo Ren's eyes glaring into the depths of his soul.
"...You seem to have a habit to keep pushing the boundaries of my patience, when it comes to filtering orders, Hux." He said, sounding not too satisfied. "Give me one good reason why I should even let you keep living, when I should've already dispose of you for treason."
He pulled out his lightsaber and the red-crackling light sprung out, ready to slice and stab that wronged its master/creator.
Hux can feel the intense heat coming off of the glowing blade, that barely rested against the left-side of his face. He struggled to move, but the lack of oxygen and the strength of both the Force Choke and Kylo Ren prevents him from moving.
The thirty year-old, from underneath his helmet, knew he should kill the filthy weasel. To dispose himself of this filth of a traitor, who he knew tried to kill him on the Supremacy.
If he was given the chance to try and kill him... He could even do the same with his Rey, whom he believe to be the true killer of Snoke.
A lie Kylo Ren told him, in order to both protect her, and give any of his generals and troops a reasonable argument to find her and bring her back to him.
Ben made a promise to himself, that once she's by his side, he'll reveal the truth to all of the First Order. Hell, the entire galaxy, as to why he claimed Rey killed the former Supreme Leader and listed her on their wanted list.
Before he gave in to his darkest desire to kill off Hux, Ap'lek stepped in, laying a hand on his right-shoulder.
"Master," he said. "General Engell's report that this prisoner is the last to have seen the girl is correct, but her reports showed that this prisoner had, also, killed four of our troops when he resisted arrest. And, of course, the punishment for assaulting a Stormtrooper or an officer of the First Order, is labor imprisonment. But, killing a member of the First Order, even a Stormtrooper, is punishable by electrocution torture until rendered unconscious, depending on the number of our troops had been killed, and permanent imprisonment on Abafar."
Ap'lek hated himself for sticking up for the scrawny ginger; he detested the former general, the instant he first saw the snake... But, Kylo made it clear to his knights, when he took over, that there will be fairness towards punishment towards all subordinates that work for the First Order and prefer to avoid killing as much as possible.
...However, the Knights of Ren were, also, given orders to keep constant visual on the thirty-five year-old male and keep tab on who he has contact with, physical or even through the COMM. And, should they find evidence of him plotting to betray Kylo Ren, will they be given the rights to kill the threat.
Hux felt the tightening of his neck instantly fade away and out of Kylo's grip, leaving him gasping for breath and grasping his neck. The lightsaber turned off, much to his relief.
Kylo appear to be glaring down at him, before turning to the fear stricken officer.
"How long had the prisoner been put through the electrocution punishment?"
The officer lowered his head, but answered the Supreme Leader.
"Nearly twenty minutes, Supreme Leader."
The thirty year-old nodded his head to Ushar, signaling him to let the scared man go.
He thrusted his left-arm out, his cape fluttering in the air.
"Go," he ordered. "Return to your previous post, before Hux dragged you away from your duties. Do not follow any of his orders in the future, and only follow Agent Tierny."
As soon as he finished, the officer bowed slightly to Kylo and immediately head for the doors, off to his previous objective.
He then turned to Ushar.
"Inform Agent Tierny that Hux no longer has power over the decision of our prisoners, and to nullify all of Hux's orders. She'll know how to handle operation of our workers, and prisoners."
Ushar left as quickly as the officer, not having any intention to waste time.
As soon as he was gone, Kylo turned back to Hux.
"You're relieved from duty, Hux." He informed, as he slowly walked towards the prisoner. "Head back to your chambers. You're on suspension, until further notice."
Hux, sitting up on his hand and knees, has a look of disbelief and not very keen to the news, as grew watches Kylo Ren walking away from him. As if he was nothing but a bug, dirt that stains his boots.
He opened his mouth, ready to refuse his order and argue of his decision making, only to stop when a Mandalorian Executioner Vibro-ax came out of nowhere and the blade rested next to his head.
Ap'lek, with his hismenacing rictus and crude design helmet covering his face, made Hux's blood freeze and hair stand on end.
"Our leader gave you an order, Hux." He growled, sounding very intimidating and haunting. "You may have gotten away for harming a Resistance member that has information to what the Supreme Leader sought to find, but know you're on thin ice and won't be so lucky to walk away, unscathed."
He pulled his weapon away from the pale man, before grabbing him by the back of his uniform and pulling him to his feet, forcing him towards the doors.
He held out the ginger, as if he was a bag of trash.
"Escort him to his chamber, and have two guards on stand by at his room. He's suspended from duty, until further notice. Captain Phasma will give out further instructions to whomever will be selected for the task." He instructed, then went back into the interrogation room to rejoin his master.
When he came near, he saw a gasping, slightly trembling, bleeding Sullustan: Slight-pale pink-skin, torn edged ears, and, when barely opened, black-eyes.
The small-creature glared up at Kylo Ren, who appear to only be staring down at the tired, wounded Sullustan.
It made gasping sounds, as it spoke in Sullustese, hoping to would through them off guard*.
"...I know what you want, and I'm not going to tell you anything."
Neither Kylo, nor Ap'lek were amused by the creature's attempt to trick them.
Kylo, with his arms folded behind his back, slightly leaned his face forward.
"Of your own free will, you'd be correct, Ruus Snaju. But, by the power of the Force, that's a different answer." He stated, which startled the Sullustan that he understood Sullustese.
Still in pain, his gaze hardened, while a smirk of a smile slowly appeared on his face.
"You can go ahead and use the Force on me, and I'll still do all that I can to resist you. Even if it cost me my life." He replied, before coughing harshly from his injuries he received from the officer that was with Hux. "Though, I'm afraid it'll be pointless. Even if I do surrender, I'm afraid you're out of luck; neither I, nor my men know where General Organa and her group is at. Which means, you'll never find our Jed- Ack!"
Just like Hux, he finds himself in a Force Choke by the Supreme Leader.
If Ruus could see his eyes, he would believe he's staring into the eyes of a Krayt Dragon. Even the low rumble, with the modulator changing his voice, could be mistaken for one.
"...She... Is NOT... Yours..." Kylo hissed.
Ap'lek can see he was getting tired on hearing that. Hell, all odd there Knights of Ren knew how much the phrase would set their leader off and would take all of his control to not snap. But, it's when others dare call or even claim her as theirs, does he allow himself to let go and give in to his rage to murder the poor fools.
Ap'lek slowly reached out to his leader with the Force, reminding him that he needs to collect himself, before he even considers choking his victim to death.
Kylo felt the presence in the back of his skull, and used it to push back his rage and release Ruus from his Force Choke. His brown-eyes didn't show any sign of regret or concern for the Sullustan.
"You Rebels all seem to have forgotten her name, if all of you are referring to her by a title that is false and is just as guilty as the Sith." He said, with a low grumble that sounded disgusted with the prisoner.
Ruus, coughing from the chokehold, only glared at the Supreme Leader.
"How dare you say such revolting words of the Jedis!" He hissed, spitting a small-amount of blood at the mask. "The Jedis have protected innocent beings all over the galaxy, even put their lives on the line, in order to fight against evil. While the Sith only kill, with or without reason, seeking to destroy and consume all life, just as you, yourself, are doing."
Kylo simply wiped the bloody-spit off of his mask with his gloved-hand. He wasn't moved in the slightest.
Underneath his mask, he grunted a smirk to the Sullustan's claim.
"Is that so?" He replied, wiping the blood on Ruus' stained and torn tunic. "It's true that I have killed many, but you fools have forgot that the Jedis had, also, taken many lives in the name of 'peace'. And, in the many of times of war that had taken course, when they were truly needed, their code will have them not intervene when thousands, millions of lives, are at stake, for the sake of 'balance'."
He then slowly circled the prisoner. His arms folded back.
"And while my companions and I were trained in the ways of the Jedi, when we were but children, we found that their way is just as appalling as the way of the Sith. But then, at least the Sith doesn't result taking children away from their families and turning them into emotionless, empty vessel fighters, who are trained to sacrifice their lives for others and only be recognized as fallen heroes."
Kylo forced his head to look up, seeing the dark-socket of his mask.
"You insolent fools were fed with lies, brainwashed to think that I would kill the girl for power or just the thrill of murdering, when that's far from the truth. -He then moved his hand to the right-side of Ruus' head, one of his fingers pressed against his bruised temple on purpose to cause pain.- And even if you don't know where she is, exactly, I'll look through every single detail that you know until I'm satisfied with what I find. And, if I find that you were lying to me, I'll give you the punishment that'll have you begging for death."
Ruus trembled within the hold of the interrogation chair, his eyes wide with terror, but didn't dare beg for mercy.
Kylo wasn't going to hold back.
The instant he used the Mind Probe, throughout the entire sector, all heard Ruus' scream of agony.
Meanwhile, at Sarvchi; a Day Later...
Rey sat on the ground, legs crossed and hands resting on her knees.
She's in deep meditation.
She was hoping to find a moment of peace, but it was hard to concentrate on anything that brings her a sliver of joy. Especially, when her stomach ache for hunger and her lungs felt like she was being jabbed by knives when she coughs.
On her right-shoulder, a Porg took roost, jumping a bit and making a small-squeal sound when its resting spot jerked and shook. But, after the coughing settled down, it just got back to getting comfortable, nuzzling its little face against her cheek.
Rey is truly grateful of these little creature keeping her company, even if it never stops bothering her for food and likes to steal her pillow to make a nest in.
She found its presence is just more comforting and makes her more at ease, than it was with her friends.
...And now, even more comforting than General Organa.
Her heart pang against her chest from thinking of the general and, as quickly as she thought of the fifty-four year-old woman, her search for peace through meditation was gone.
She sighed heavily, placing both hands on the ground and slowly getting to her feet.
The Porg chirped from the movement, fluttering its wings, but remained on her shoulder, even as she began to head for the Millennium Falcon.
Rey needed to go see Chewie. To see if the ship was ready for an unexpected trip for Ahch-To. To make sure she has everything ready, before she heads for her destination
...Which, she knew, will be her final destination.
She made certain to avoid making any form of contact with anybody the Resistance transport, which includes the few friends she had that still come and see her. The only time she went back in the ship, is to see Dr. Kalonia to ask her certain exercises she can do that won't push her too hard.
Chewie, having to learn the news from See-Threepio and Artoo-Deetoo of Kalonia informing the Resistance of her health, would go in and bring them both their rations, so she wouldn't have to face those who blame her for the misfortune.
Finn, Poe and their group would come by and talk to her. Even Beebee-Ate would follow her to the Falcon in an attempt to sleep with her, and Chewie.
When engaged in small-talks, she would put on a smile and act like everything is okay. But, when asked how she was holding up or given an offer to either join them for a little sightseeing to the nearest town, to go see Kalonia on the ship or even do a little tinkering on the x-wings, she would immediately excuse herself and go off to her training spot.
She truly wanted to spend time with her friends, people she considers her family, but knew that she has to keep distance from them. To not have them be shunned by the others, for hanging out with a Troq from Jakku that brings nothing but destruction and death.
...That, and she can't bring herself to go in the transport... Not when it means encountering Leia.
A small-sniffle left her, as her eyes burned, threatening to make tears for just thinking of the general.
After the conversation they had, three days ago, she no longer find any feeling of comfort towards the woman she viewed as the mother she never had. The instant she learned of their bond, Leia was very adamant that she wanted the nineteen year-old to reach out to her son and try to convince him to leave the First Order. To put a stop to this war, and come home... And, lastly, tell him that she still sees him as her son and still loves him.
She didn't even bother to hear Rey's opinion as to why she choose to block him, and not contact him through their bond. And the worst of it all, besides walking away from the heartbroken, grieving nineteen year-old, was the next day, when Leia gathered all of the Resistance and told them about her Force-Bond with Kylo Ren.
Ever since, almost everybody of the Resistance have turned their backs on her, completely.
Gial and his group, the ones to have started it all, now would look at her, as if she was Kylo Ren, himself, and now carry their blasters with them every time they leave the ship and kept visual on her.
The fourteen members, excluding the five males, her friends, Dr. Kalonia and Leia, seem to finally realize she was a danger to them and are quick to follow suit with blaming her and wanting nothing to do with her. And that one time she went to see Dr. Kalonia about exercises she should do, they wouldn't stop glaring at her and, underneath their breaths, muttered the word "Troq" when she walks past them or they walk away from her.
Rey let out a deep, sad sigh. It feels as if she's back on Jakku: Unwanted, despised and discarded, as a tool that finally broke and can't be fixed... As a nothing.
The Porg on her shoulder chirped, seeing Chewie cleaning and checking over his Bowcaster for any sign of damage he missed.
The Wookiee, with his enhanced senses, heard the Porg and smelled Rey's scent before they were ten feet from the ship and, getting off the rock he used as a chair and putting his weapon down with the safety on, went over to greet them.
He let out a purr of a rumble, wrapping big, hairy arms around the small-girl.
"Little Light," he greeted.
A small-smile came on her face, as she rested her head against Chewie's chest.
The moment they went into Hyperspace and got away from the two clients that were going to turn on him and Han, Chewie had given her the nickname "Little Light". As if calling her a ray of light, but in its separate definition.
Han wasn't lying, when he told her that Chewie liked her; not many people in the galaxy would take the time to learn how to understand Shyriiwook, let alone have any interest to wanna talk to him. And because of his intimidating appearance and many viewing Wookiee as wild beasts, it really meant a lot that somebody views him as an individual.
The Wookiee enjoyed having Rey around... Even more so, since the very day Han was murdered and they left the Resistance to find Luke. And still, even over six months, he loves having her with him.
He hopes, when this war finally ends, the two of them, including his little Porgs, they would go travel to different worlds and show her what she's been missing.
It'll give the Wookiee the chance to feel he has his family, again, after losing his own, so many years ago... After losing Han.
...And, since learning of her health deteriorating from Stage Three Silicosis, he wants to give her a chance to explore, before she, too, ends up leaving him.
The Porg, chirping up at the hairy beast, jumped up his arm and scurried up to his right-shoulder, playfully grabbing a few strains of his fur and pulling at them.
Rey giggled at the little critter pestering the Wookiee, as Chewie growled at the pest and barked at it to stop it. Then, her giggles turned into harsh coughing and hunching a bit forward, having her left-hand to cover her mouth when she felt the phlegm traveling up her throat and threatening to escape through her mouth.
Chewie grunted out whines of concern, keeping an arm around her back to keep her steady.
From how harsh and hoarse her coughing was, it almost sounded as if she could be choking or is going to puke at any moment... And, when she pulled her hand back to see the dark-brown phlegm covering most of her palm, with a few remaining in her mouth and gliding down the corners of her lips, she might as well have thrown up.
Immediately, Chewie gently lifted her head to face him and laid a paw over her forehead, feeling abnormal heat coming off her skin.
He whimpered in concern, pulling her against him to rest on his chest.
"Little Light, you need rest. Please, go rest." He begged, starting to pull her towards the Falcon.
Rey, clearly exhausted from lack of sleep and winded by the harsh coughing, weakly pulled her head back and pushed herself out of his hold.
"I can't rest, Chewie." She whispered, wiping the phlegm on her pants. "I need to help gather resour-"
Chewie cut her off with a bark of a growl, shaking his head.
"No! Little Light needs food! Needs rest! No more pushing yourself! No more damaging yourself!"
Add if agreeing with him, thes Porg chirped a squeal down at her, flapping its wings and puffing out its feathers to look bigger.
Chewie grunted in approval.
"Chicken agrees with me, Rey. You need to stop, and rest. If not, won't hesitate to drag you to bed, myself."
Rey rolled her eyes at the name he called one of the Porgs by, shaking her head but a tired-smile played on her face.
"You really need to give them proper names, and not names of your meals." She replied, earning a pat on her head.
The Wookiee raised his brows, giving her a serious look.
Rey, seeing there's no way to negotiate out of the situation, bowed her head in defeat. Even if she does uses the Force to overpower him, she doesn't feel comfortable on using it unless she has to in a battle she can't win on her own or is in grave danger.
"...All right, Chewie."
Hearing her surrender and is going to listen, Chewie grunted in satisfaction.
"Good, Little Light." He praised, walking beside her towards the ship, keeping an arm around her shoulders. "Eat. Rest. No more training."
Rey stared down at the grass underneath her. She isn't happy to give in so easily, when she has important matters to attend to.
...More specifically, to leave and head for Ahch-To.
She knew she can't take a ship, alone. And taking one of the X-wings is out of the question, when the remaining pilots are needed for battle in space, in case the Resistance transport runs in to danger. And even if she can get pilot the Millennium Falcon on her own, it could cause suspicions of her loyalty and have everybody believe she's being a coward by abandoning them to fend for themselves.
Of course, her few friends in the Resistance would be more than happy to go with her to Ahch-To, whether she asks them to or not, but doesn't want to risk putting them in danger by being with her than they are being associated with her from afar.
And, there was no way she could have Leia go with her to the very place her brother was hiding for over six years... Where he died.
She knows, the only way for her to go to Ahch-To, is to have Chewie go with her.
However, after losing his close friend and Luke, Rey knew the Wookiee may never recover, when she ends up leaving him. But then, he'll still have Leia to go back to. And, with his history of military combat and fighting Stormtroopers, he's a far more valuable asset and member to the Resistance than she would.
So, should she die by the disease, in battle... Or, by other method, he'll still have a home, friends, a new family to go to.
As they neared the ramp, Rey knew now was the time to begin her task.
"Chewie." She said, looking up at the Wookiee, who stared down at her, wondering what she needs. "I-... -She cleared her throat, followed by a nagging cough, before she continued.- ...I've been thinking, lately, having deep meditation on what I need to do. And, after some recollection, I was wondering if we can go to Ahch-To."
Chewie was a bit surprised by her request.
It had been months since they left the planet, which he and Artoo had enjoyed their stay, with the exception of the few rains they had and the Porgs tearing through the metal and wires in the ship. And, if the Wookiee is honest, from how most of the Resistance are pointing the blame on his Little Light and calling her a disrespectful name that should only be given to monsters who are like Snoke, Palpatine or anybody who worship the way of the Sith, he believe some time away from all this stress and unhealthy eating and sleep habit would be good for the girl.
Even though he's on board with the idea, he can feel something off with her reason to leave for Ahch-To. Something in his heart told him that it isn't anything good.
So, he asked.
"Why do you want to go to Ahch-To? "
At first, Rey looked down at the ground, seemingly shy or perhaps embarrassed to tell Chewie why she wanted to leave for Ahch-To. The Wookiee and the Porg stared down at the girl for a couple seconds, before she looked back up at the hairy creature and gave him a forced smile.
"I need to take care of some things."
Her hazel-eyes, once full of curiosity and wonders, are now dull, self-loathing, reflecting physical, mental and emotional pain.
And above all, self-loathing, remorse... And acceptance.
It's the look Chewie knows all too well, long ago... Both he, and Han, are very familiar with. And something they never want to see, yet never could forget in their lives.
And he knew that those around his Little Light: Unkar Plutt, the Resistance, Luke... Kylo Ren... Her own parents. Even Leia, herself. They're all responsible for the reason she has that look in her eyes.
To what she will do, because they pushed her to the edge.
The look in her eyes is all here needed for his answer.
Chewie whimpered a growl, nodding his head.
"...Okay," he relied. "We can go to Ahch-To, Little Light."
The Porg on his shoulder chirped, seeing one of its flock sticking its head out from behind the window of the Falcon, then flew off of Chewie to head inside the ship.
The Wookiee grumbled at the Porg taking his seat within the Falcon, while Rey chuckled.
"It'll probably be good for them to go to Ahch-To, too. To see their family, again." She suggested, rubbing her arms with her hands. Her fever making the air feel cold to her.
Chewie gently nudged her towards the ramp.
"Go. Rest. Eat, Little Light." He gently, but firmly ordered. "Need to gather rations to last us two days. Though, the Lanais would offer us food if need more food and we can hunt for our own. Also, have to tell Leia of our departure. Dr. Kalonia will need to check over your health, before we go."
Rey had hoped they would tell Leia when they're departing.
She didn't want to see the joy, the satisfaction of the Resistance seeing her off. That she's leaving them, and they can leave Sarvchi at any moment and abandon her for Takodana, or some other planet she doesn't know that's far away.
...Just like her parents.
Of course, Finn, Poe and the others would be against it and may even choose to wait for her and Chewie to come back, even if that meant they'll risk getting caught by the First Order. She hopes they'll go, when it's time for them to leave Sarvchi.
Leia may be hesitant to let them leave, since that meant not knowing when Kylo would try and reach out for Rey and not have her tell him what she wants her son to hear from his own mother. But, even she knows that with all this hostility going on in the Resistance and Rey being the reason behind it, that some time away would do everybody some good.
Rey nodded her head to the Wookiee, then, coughing out a nagging cough, made her way into the Falcon for her bunk. Though, barely in the ship, she almost tripped when two baby Porgs ran past her feet while playing with one another.
Their mother, remaining in the nest, looked up at the nineteen year-old, as if her chicks didn't almost had her fall, before curling in to sleep.
Rey didn't say anything, only continued, with fatigue and shortness of breath from walking up the ramp, for bed. She knew, in her tried state, that she should eat, but the thought of harsh, tasteless food sitting in her stomach made her wanna run outside and puke her guts out.
If somebody we're to tell her, six months ago, that she would never want to eat a morsel of food for the rest of her life, she'd call them crazy and whack them on the head with her quarterstaff.
On Jakku, food means life. It means getting past a tough day of scavenging and guarding her territory to see a new day of endless struggle. Even if she ends up with a fourth of a portion, she'd still be grateful to have something in her belly.
Now, with all that happened and her Silicosis taking over her health, she wants nothing to do with food. If there were to come a time in her life, where either she or another person were at death's door and only one of them can eat to live another day, she wouldn't hesitate to let that person have the food and allow herself to slip away.
She's too tired to even care if she were to die, right this very second, from either starvation or from the Silicosis.
She just want it to stop... She just want it all to finally end.
"It's time to let all things die."
A tear ran down her cheek, recalling that one truth Rey see is right. A fact she can't ignore, as she heads for her small-bed and fall into a sleepless dream.
...Filled with the darkness... Of nothing.
TBC
*: Because there is no website to translate their words and how to write them, whenever an alien character speaks in their native language, I'll have it set in italic. Unless, there is a website and I just haven't found it, yet. If there's such a website for translating our words to other race languages for Star Wars, please let me know and send me a link to it, if you can.
And, yes, a couple of the languages have been translated on the Wookiee, but not all is on their page.