Dressed in her black leather traveling gear with a braid falling loosely over her shoulder, Falynn made her way up the ramp to the command shuttle. She had been genuinely surprised when Kylo had offered to take her with him.
Originally she had made no plans to apologize to him for their argument. She still believed what she said was true. He had been unreasonable and cruel. After their encounter Falynn had stormed out of the palace Henne quickly following after her. She had made harsh orders to a few Stormtroopers that had tried stopping her to leave her be and sent sharp glares to anyone else in her path. Her body had been shaking so violently Henne had asked if she was feeling ill.
When they reached some privacy under a tree shadowed against one of Naboo's shops Falynn unleashed her tears. Henne had placed a comforting arm around her mistress.
She had been patient, allowing Falynn some time to settle herself down.
When the crying had stopped Falynn roughly wiped at the tears and turned to Henne. Her bright and beautiful handmaiden. She had never seen any remorse touching those eyes. Henne always seemed cheerful, positive, and in good spirits.
"Why do you follow him?" Falynn had asked her. "Knowing who he is, and what he does. Was the choice given to you?
Her maidservant had been quiet for a moment before a soft smile touched her lips. "A few years ago the Order had killed my parents. I was left alone and starved. When I was taken to work under the Order Kylo was kind enough to show me and a few of the others the ropes. I later found out he was the one who suggested to recruit those who were left alive to serve under the order. It was not an ideal situation but I was no longer starving. Nor was I alone. I decided after that, that I knew I could rely on him. Even if it only over simple matters."
Kylo was warped that was true, but he still had that strange sliver of something beneath all of that. Despite how furious Falynn still was, she knew that things weren't going to go anywhere. She and Kylo had to start somewhere or nothing would change. If she stayed away from him she wouldn't be able to make her own difference. She swallowed her solid bit of pride that had been cemented into and decided to look for him. She had not expected to find him so quiet in his tight sleeping chamber.
Without his helmet.
She had seen him without the helmet, even if it was just the back of him. It was still a piece she hadn't seen before. His ink colored hair looked like it had been messily combed, and without the cape, she could see the muscles of his back through his black shirt. His voice without the helmet had been deep, softer than she would have expected. She had respected his wish to be left unseen. She wouldn't push it for now.
When he spoke something sounded broken in him.
When she had reached out and touched him she hadn't been thinking. It was as if a magnetic force, pulled her to him. Seeing how his shoulders slumped and hearing his voice sound like it could break at any moment. His muscles had been tight underneath her fingertips like he was carrying an invisible weight on those shoulders. There was something broken inside of Kylo Ren like there were broken pieces inside of her.
She pushed back the thoughts as she stepped onto the deck of the command shuttle, where Kylo was standing with two officials towards the back controls.
One was a woman with a tight black bun on the back of her head, her pale skin tight against her bones with her lips in a thin solemn line. The other was a man meeting Kylo's height, slender, with blonde hair tucked underneath his navy blue cap. She wanted to know what the three of them were discussing. If it had anything to do with Naboo. Visions of the broken Queen surfaced its way to Falynn's mind. Kylo may have seemed sympathetic yesterday with his offer, but he had already caused so much damage in Naboo.
Nothing could fix that...even if she did have an urge to ease that weight off of his shoulders for just a moment.
She had gone to the Queen's room one last time before she left. Falynn had laid a gentle kiss on her forehead promising when she returned, things would be different. It was a promise that she would keep, and sealed into her heart as she looked out the front port window of the shuttle. Stormtroopers still marched with their blasters on the streets, modifying the citizens. Her chest felt empty knowing members of the First Order were sitting comfortably in the diplomatic chairs of Theed. Naboo had indeed been completely taken over by Kylo Ren's control. It had only been a few weeks and her home was no longer it's own. She swallowed as she moved away from the port window and walked over to where Kylo was talking with the two officials. Pilots she thought, possibly officers.
She listened as the blond man spoke, his voice low and hushed as if he wished the conversation to be private, "a tracker was placed on one of the ships in Tatooine. We believe that members of the Resistance will be coming for the ship and a few others. Apparently some supplies were left behind. Crates that possibly-," The man stopped speaking when his brown eyes met Falynn who just gave him a smug smile. His brown eyes narrowed and sparked. He clearly did not want her to hear any of the information he was relaying to Kylo or the female official.
Kylo and the woman turned and Falynn lifted her hand, "good morning."
The woman didn't seem pleased either, but she wasn't grinding her teeth together like the blonde was. At least she had the decency to give Falynn a slight nod. Falynn returned the nod then turned her eyes to the blonde official. Daring him to ask her to leave or to turn her away. He pressed his lips tightly together but didn't say a word.
Kylo didn't return the morning sentiments but instead said, "we will be leaving shortly. We were waiting for you to board."
Falynn's eyebrows flicked up in surprise.
She had gotten up shortly after the light had risen, and took her time looking for travel wear. Not to mention her quick trip to the Queen. If he had been ready to leave before all that, why didn't he just send for her with a Stormtrooper? Perhaps he too needed that extra time.
"I see," she replied. "Well, I will settle myself down then for departure."
She made her way towards where she had last sat when they were previously on the shuttle.
She paused when she saw that the chair was no longer usable.
The back of the chair and the seat looked like they had been seared off.
She had a strong suspicion about who had damaged it. She remembered the red lightsaber swinging and breaking everything in its path yesterday in the palace. She took note of Henne who was buckling herself into one of the chairs that were seated with the back control. With a slight shrug, Falynn turned and began to head towards the back of the shuttle. A hand landed on her shoulder stopping her and holding her into place.
Raising her brows she turned her head to see that Kylo was now standing behind her.
"Where are you going?" Kylo asked motioning his hand with a dismissive wave towards the two officials who had been talking with him.
They both gave Kylo a brief bow, the blond shooting Falynn one more disapproving look. Falynn responded with batting her eyelashes. He sneered at her before the two of them walked away, heading off of the command shuttle.
After they were gone Falynn motioned her thumb in the direction towards the empty chair next to Henne. "I was going to strap myself in as you instructed me to do the last time you and I flew together."
"You were planning on sitting in the back?"
Falynn gave the broken chair a pointed, glance and Kylo followed her look with his helmet. He was quiet for a moment facing the chair then turned back around to her.
"You can stand with me then."
Falynn's stomach did flip flops knowing how she was with take-offs. She had had a hard enough time when she was comfortably sitting. She didn't want to know what the sensation felt as if she was standing. She didn't care if she was sitting in the back, a matter of fact she preferred it that way.
Her attempt to make it towards Henne again was to no avail as Kylo squeezed his gloved fingers tighter onto her shoulder. He didn't seem to be making any attempt on letting go of her.
"I would like to sit down please," she tried pulling away again, but his fingers only tightened. She winced as a sharp pain shuttered its way down her shoulder.
"You...can...stand...with...me," he repeated each word slowly.
He removed his hand from her shoulder and moved it to take one of hers.
There was no room for argument, she would have to stand during takeoff.
She sent a pleading look to Henne who only smiled knowingly at her mistress. Falynn repressed rolling her eyes, as Kylo led them to the very front where the navi-computers were. Falynn's paid no attention to those blinking screens or controls. Her focus was what was below them as the ship began to rumble beneath her feet. They were about to take off. Away from her home, the home that she was leaving once again. This time willingly. Her thoughts went to the lightsaber, that she had left again behind that roaring waterfall. To the broken Queen that laid in her bed. The shuttle began to lift and she felt the sensation of her stomach lifting up into her chest. Her body became immediately tense. She closed her eyes, trying not to notice that they were lifting up in the air.
Her eyes betrayed her though, as they looked over those falling waters, green hills and mountains that stretched out as far as the eyes could see. She sucked in her lips as her heart and mind thrummed from the deep ache that pounded deep within her chest. As the shuttle shifted into a jolt, Falynn gasped then felt a sudden warmth behind her. Tilting her head back her eyes met with Kylo Ren's black, and red cracked helmet. He moved her forward shifting both of their bodies until they were in front of the main command screen. He stretched out his arm to the side of her sliding his fingers over the screens, marking the lines and flashing lights. He wasn't holding her, but their bodies were close and secure enough against each that when the ship did its final blast up into the skies her body didn't budge. He kept his arm there his fingers never leaving the screen, as the ship made its way past the wall between her planet and space. Her eyes looked down one final time at those mountains and waters. They roamed over the colors of teals, orange, and gold growing smaller and smaller.
"We will be back," she heard his modified voice in her ear.
She lifted her arms gripping onto herself, and those words.
Falynn closed her eyes the rest of the way, waiting for the ship's movement to smooth out.
"You can open your eyes now," Kylo said taken a slight step back away from her.
Falynn blinked as her eyes adjusted to the dark that surrounded them, then moved her eyes to the screen. She took a moment to study the foreign lights and signals that were displayed. Falynn brushed her fingers at the screens. Falynn turned her body where her shoulder was now brushing against Kylo's chest.
"You told me you would teach me how to read the navi-computer," she reminded him and slid her fingers across the screens, and ignored the pilot who grumbled next to them. Apparently some aboard this ship were still wary of their new empress.
"So I did," Kylo mused as he took her hand, and slid it across the screen, where there was a bright outline of a ship. "That is my Star Destroyer that we are going to," he then moved her hand and slid it over to a yellow flashing dot on the screen. Falynn tried to focus on the screen, instead of the large warmth of his hand that encased her own. "That...that light is us." He moved her hand across the red dots. "Those are other ships that are flying near our hemisphere."
Heat rose to her cheeks as Falynn snatched her hand away from the screen aware others were watching them due to the limited space in the shuttle. "Do-," she swallowed trying to clear her thoughts, feeling his chest still pressing to her shoulder. "Do we need to be concerned about those ships?"
Kylo scoffed through his helmet. "Hardly. Those are usually just ships carrying cargo, and imported goods. We have signals that will let us know if they are going to be a problem."
Falynn nodded and tried to step away from the small space between her and Kylo finding it hard to breathe, but his arm was still stretched out on the side of her. She looked at the space between her and the pilot who was very intently staring at his controls. There was only a sliver of space between her and the seat. If she was going to move around the ship, Kylo would have to move his body. He seemed invested enough in the navi-computer that it didn't seem like he would be moving anytime soon.
So Falynn stood sandwiched between her husband the controls, and the two pilots on either side of them.
"Sir, it looks like we will be reaching a problem before we reach the Star Destroyer.," spoke the lead pilot to their right.
It was the pilot who had grumbled at her earlier. He was an older gentleman with gray stubble, sprinkling his jaw and chin. His hands that moved around the controls were skilled and cracked with years of his work. Falynn felt a shred of respect for him, and his years of rough work. It would have been more so if it wasn't working under the First Order.
"There seems to be some gravitational pull," the pilot continued frowning.
Falynn noticed a scar that nicked at the pilot's upper lip. Her eyes flickered up for a moment at her husband's helmet wondering what the mysterious scar looked like on his face. The only indication of what he might look like underneath that helmet. At least she knew his hair color now.
The pilot put his hand on the navi-computer spreading his fingers out, zooming in close to what looked like blinking "x"s. "They haven't reached the Star Destroyer yet, but it seems that we will have to go through them, to get to the ship, sir."
Kylo was quiet for the moment, as he bent forward almost crushing Falynn into the screen. His gloved fingers clenched and unclenched. The motion seemed to be of mere annoyance at the inconvenience as he straightened back up and gave his command. "When we reach closer put up the deflector shields and make sure that the laser cannons are ready."
The pilot nodded. "Of course, sir. It will still be a while before we reach the field."
Kylo nodded finally stepping away from Falynn and moved toward the controls and navigators in the back to give out further instructions.
Falynn watched him for a moment before she turned her attention back to the navi-computer and swallowed. She moved away from the main controls and sat down next to Henne.
Nausea and panic began to rise in her.
If she had a hard time with just take off, she had no idea what she was going to face in a field of asteroids.
It had remained quiet while the shuttle sailed smoothly through the thick darkness. Falynn remained rather bored, as she stayed in the seat next to Henne, who looked like she was about to fall asleep herself. Falynn had one leg perched and had her hand on top of it, with her chin resting on the back of her hand. She used the free time they had watching the navigators with the back controls, strategically pushing on buttons and maneuvered switches while they communicated with one another. Of course, everything they had said just sounded like gibberish to Falynn. Despite the fact that her father had worked for the Empire and the First Order for most of her life, Falynn lived a fairly sheltered life clung to her mother's side. They spent most of their days in Naboo enjoying the finery of the music, arts, and lush landscapes. It wasn't until Falynn was about twenty-three when she really made her way out of Naboo. Even then, the ship she had been on she hadn't taken a part of part of the controls. And none of those ships had been military ships.
She had also flown with some of the Resistant members in that short period of time she had been with them. She had stayed with the few that were located on Geonosis. That was where she had met Leia who had been making her rounds to their different bases. Falynn had been lucky she had been there at the time.
The memories of the Resistance and Leia had Falynn turning her attention to Kylo, who stayed fairly quiet as he stood next to the pilots. He hadn't bothered to speak with her and kept himself posted to the front. No doubt keeping an eye out for the Resistance. For the soldiers that he wanted to snuff out from the galaxy so he could complete his vision. Falynn's slowly moved her hand to her stomach were those scars were, wondering what she would do if she came across some of her old but fleeting comrades. She wasn't sure of which ones knew that Kylo had found himself an Empress. If some of them did would they even know who she was? She hoped that she wouldn't have to be there if Kylo ever found them. She prayed he never did, and it would always be an endless search for those allies she held in her heart.
Getting bored listening to the mindless talk between the navigators, Falynn leaned further back in her seat. She closed her eyes, listening to the hum of the ship, and letting the dull conversations lull her into a mild slumber.
She didn't know how long she had been sleeping before she felt a hand on her shoulder. Begrudgingly she opened her eyes. Heavy-lidded she looked up to see Kylo standing beside her. She ran a hand over the top of her head and smacked her dry lips together. She peered out the windows seeing nothing had changed. She sent Kylo an annoyed look, which he ignored.
"I need you to come with me to the front for a moment," he instructed softly.
Falynn raised an eyebrow curious as to know why.
Nodding she leaned forward stretching her arms up for a moment and arching her back to get the tight kinks out from sitting in the chair. Kylo's helmet remained to be watching her, causing a bit of heat to rise to Falynn's cheeks before she stood up from her chair. She turned to check on Henne, who was breathing softly as she dozed.
It baffled her how she and her handmaiden had somehow managed to fall asleep on the shuttle. Knowing what it had possibly seen and done.
Shaking her head she followed Kylo to where the front controls and navi-computers were. Folding his arms across his chest Kylo looked regal as he stood with his back straight while dressed in his dark leathers and cape. Looking like a true steady soldier to the dark side.
It was appealing in a way the way he could hold himself, those muscles remaining sturdy underneath all of that darkness. She sucked in her lips cursing herself for allowing her mind to wander to those thoughts.
"What do you know of the Resistance, Falynn?"
Falynn's eyebrows rose in surprise, as her heart stopped for a moment.
Had he found out that she had been located with them for a brief time? Was he able to pry his way inside her mind without her realizing it? Perhaps when she was asleep he had been able to see her friends. His mother. She quickly thought of a reply, not wanting to leave a long pause between them. That would rise too much suspicion.
"Not a whole lot," she replied truthfully. She knew of their cause, of their purpose. However, she never indulged herself too deep in their works. She had felt conflicted about it, knowing where her own family stood. They had been a moment of security for her. They had taught her, what it at least meant to stand for something. Something good. "Why are you asking me about the Resistance?"
"We have found a few of their ships on some planets from the outer rim," he turned to her. "I am informing you of this because you are my wife." She was quiet, a bit speechless as she waited for him to continue. He waited for a response. When she gave none he continued. "We are planning on locating a few of their ships once we port ourselves at the Star Destroyer."
"That is what you were discussing with those two official members when I arrived on the ship," she said.
"You heard that?" his modified voice sounded almost amused through the helmet.
Falynn nodded tilting her head smiling, remembering the displeased look of the blonde male. "I didn't mean to intrude on it. I just overheard."
"You weren't intruding when I was planning on telling you anyway," He said, and Falynn felt a ripple of satisfaction ripple through her. So he was planning on relaying this information to her from the beginning? Even if some of his officials didn't approve of her. That meant in some way, Kylo truly did see her as his empress. Whether or not the two of them liked each or not, he still saw that they should share some responsibilities with each other. The thought itself made her straighten her shoulders, and raise her head a little higher.
However, it wasn't all good news that he felt that way. If they were tracking Resistance ships was he planning on bringing her with him? What exactly were they wanting to do those with those ships? Falynn almost hesitated to ask, but she needed to know. She had to prepare herself for any future decisions she had to make.
"What are they hoping to find with the ships?" she asked swallowing down the lump in her throat, as she waited for his answer.
"Apparently there are some imported crates carrying some weapons and other supplies essential to the Resistance," he explained, his modified voice growing dark and deep. "They left them there, and I feel they did this to partially to lure us to them."
"So if you find them thereā¦," she was unable to finish the sentence.
That was a bold move on the Resistance part. A bold statement that they were not afraid to trap the First Order. It showed that they were confident in their abilities. A statement that they could easily outsmart the First Order. How the rest of the First Order thought and operated however that was...it was different with Kylo. He had the blood in his veins from the Resistance main commander. He wouldn't be so easily fooled.
"Then," Kylo replied quietly looking down at the navi-computer, his gloved fingers creaking as his fingers flexed. "Then...we take care of them."
Falynn swallowed at the menace in his words. The loathing that he had towards the Resistance, towards his own family. She could point out the coldness he had, could call him a monster for it, but she realized that she was no different. She would fight against her own family if she had the chance. They were two sides of the same coin. Falynn suppressed a shudder at the comparison.
"Sir," the pilot with the scarred lips looked up at Kylo, "I am getting some readings on the computer."
Kylo jerked his head towards the pilot.
"A reading?"
The pilot's eyes shuddered for a moment as they looked up at Kylo and nodded. "Would you like to go ahead and put up the shields?"
"That would be wise," Kylo snapped at him before he took Falynn's hand.
Falynn was a bit taken aback by Kylo's tone but allowed him to lead her to the back again. Reaching the seat next to Henne's Kylo roughly tossed her into it. Before Falynn could bark any words of protest Kylo was kneeling in front of her, and strapping her in. Falynn felt a warmth at the back of her neck, running up to her ears as Kylo moved the straps of the seat over her body.
"Ren-," she began but stopped as his hands gripped the seat on either side of her.
"Do not...leave this spot," he said, and kept himself there, probably waiting for her protest.
She didn't however, seeing how close he was to her. She felt the heat from his suit and the breath from his helmet hitting her cheeks. She sucked in her lips and only nodded. After another moment, he seemed satisfied enough with her obedience that he stood up. He moved back to the front of the shuttle. He placed a hand on the back of the pilot's chair and leaned down to look at the screens. Falynn settled herself back into the seat until the shuttle's alarm began to beep loudly.
Falynn cursed as she gripped onto the armrest of her seat. The ship started to shake violently causing Falynn's head to feel dizzy and her stomach to feel sick.
The shuttle rattled again this time more violently. The vibrations from the floor shot up her leg numbing them. The back navigators began to anxiously shout at one another as the shuttle shook once again.
Henne was now awake her eyes wide in horror looking straight ahead.
Through the shaking of her body, Falynn made herself look straight ahead.
Another curse escaped loudly from her lips. For the view outside of the port windows, was hundreds of asteroids headed straight towards them.
The pilot had been wrong. The asteroids hadn't been far from them at all.
