Hello to all of my lovely readers! I will be using a different computer for the time being to publish my chapters so I apologize in advance for any grammar errors you may see! Anyway I hope you can still enjoy the read. Hope you are all safe and well.
It had been a fight at first just to be by Kylo's side the next day. Most of the ships had taken enough damage leaving them stranded until more ships were able to be sent down to them. The troops were finally able to push back the Resistance, but they did not want to linger on Geonosis for too much longer. The Resistance had taken enough damage that Falynn doubted they would try to do another attack anytime soon. They were probably waiting for Poe's return and to do a report on what had been done. On her. When she had woken up to Geonosis's rising light, she had been laying on a cot outside of Kylo's command shuttle. Mayea had been by her side along with Henne. Falynn shot up from the cot, and winced as she looked at both of her arms that had some light bandaging on them.
"Where is Ren?" she had demanded right away wide-eyed. "Where is my husband?"
"He is on the command shuttle at the moment," Mayea laid a gentle hand on her shoulder trying to push her back down. "He is alright, my lady. He just needs to rest. As do you."
Falynn knocked Mayea's hand away as she scrambled to get off the cot. Henne tried to grab onto her as well, but it was no use. Falynn pushed her away as she steadied herself on her feet. She began her way towards the command shuttle ramp that was currently up and shot her eyes over to Mayea.
"I want to go onto the command shuttle," Falynn ordered, trying to sound stern, but her voice was dry and hoarse. "I want to see him then I want you to go over everything with me."
Mayea stood there hesitantly and unsure until Falynn shouted, "Now, Mayea!"
The doctor flinched but bowed her head as she stood walking over to where Falynn was. After Mayea pressed the large switch that attached to the ramp, the shuttle opened up to them hissing loudly. Falynn motioned with her head for Mayea to go up the ramp, which the doctor slowly did. The Empress would be lying if she were to say, she wasn't a bit angered with Mayea. She had told Falynn the medicine she had given her would only last a couple of hours. It had been much longer than that, and Falynn would have to have a talk with her after she saw Kylo's condition. Two Stormtroopers stood near the doorway to Kylo's chamber. When they noticed Falynn they gave her a deep bow. Falynn nodded her head, then quietly ordered them to leave. They were quick to obey, leaving Falynn alone with Mayea. Falynn cast Mayea a wary glance before she entered Kylo's chamber.
Kylo laid on his back on his bed, shirtless and bandaged. His head was propped up on his gray pillow, as his ink colored hair fanned out fabric away from his face. A small metal stool was beside the bed that Falynn walked over to and sat on. Leaning over Falynn reached a hand out as she gently caressed the side of his Kylo's face. His skin felt clammy and cool against her fingertips, but some color had returned to his face. Falynn took note of where there was a small puncture in his arm, where he had been given a shot. The memory of the smoke and the thundering sound of explosions and screams erupted back into Falynn's mind. So much devastation in such a short period of time. Falynn still wanted to believe none of it was real, but she was tired of lying to herself. Running her fingers down the bandages Falynn looked up at Mayea who kept herself in the doorway of the sleeping chamber.
"Were you the one to dress his wounds?" Falynn questioned her voice softening towards the doctor.
Mayea nodded. "Our first attention was to him and you, my lady. I am so sorry," Mayea shook her head looking down at her feet. "W-When I gave you the medicine I gave you a higher dose, than I should have. That was a mistake I fully take responsibility for. Whatever punishment you see fit, I will oblige to."
Falynn snickered, "don't be ridiculous, Mayea. You saved my husband's life." Falynn turned her gaze to Kylo whose chest was slowly rising. "I will not hide the fact, I am angered that you misinformed me...but," Falynn scooted her body closer to Kylo. "You kept him alive. How bad was it?"
Mayea took a single step into the room as she explained. "The injuries were severe enough that the only thing that kept him alive were his powers. We took him immediately to the command shuttle, while the troops cleaned up the mess the Resistance had made. We had to clean the wounds. We will have to stitch them up in a few days time. He has been breathing but he has not woken up since the attack." Mayea took a few more unsure steps before she placed a hand on Falynn's shoulder. "My lady, you should be resting as well. You obtained small burns on your arm, not to mention everything you have gone through-"
"I will not leave his side," Falynn quickly cut her off as she took Kylo's clammy hand in her own. "If anyone wishes to speak with him, tell them until he recovers that anything they can tell me. Ren will be left alone, unless he needs medical attention. The only ones who I will permit near him without my permission are either you or Henne. I will most likely be with either of you anyway. Is that understood?"
Mayea bowed deeply. "Yes, my lady."
"I wish to be alone with him." the Empress didn't look at the doctor as she dismissed her. "You may leave now, Mayea. Take care of your needs or any other injured. I will call for you if needed."
"Yes, my lady."
Falynn waited until she felt that Mayea was far enough away, before Falynn grabbed a damp cloth that was beside Kylo's bed, and began to dab around his face, neck and parts of his chest that were free from bandages. Falynn's eyes scanned the scar that went down her husband's face and trailed jaggedly down to his neck and chest. She placed a hand on her stomach and a sickness fell over her. Her own rough wounds were able to recover because Leia and her comrades fixed them up. Falynn had always thought that she would find friendship within the Resistance. How truly wrong she had been. Things would always be a bit complicated, she knew this. Due to the circumstance there was no route that would ever be smooth sailing, but she had never dreamt that they would be so willing to kill her. Jasper said Poe had wanted to hold her captive, if the captain had never mentioned death than why had they gone against his orders so vigorously? The ugly truth of it was this was a war. It was either to stay alive or be killed. She had not been able to run from that truth, she tried keeping herself away from it, but she was a part of it just as much as the rest of them were. In that moment during the chaos of bloodshed, Falynn had to make a choice. There was no way around it, she had wanted to go with the Resistance she could have easily turned against Kylo. She could have torn herself away from General Jase, turned a blaster towards Henne. She hadn't though, instead she had used the force to keep them away from Kylo to protect him. She had made her choice and now she had to face whatever came next.
"My lady," came a soft voice in the entrance to Kylo's chamber.
"Come in, Henne," Falynn waved her hand towards her.
Gentle footsteps echoed through the floor as Henne made her way over to stand beside Falynn. The two of them were quiet for a moment until Henne faced Falynn and got herself down on her knees and knelt before her mistress. Falynn raised her eyes in shock at Henne's sudden display and moved to have Henne stand back up, but Henne spoke first.
"My lady, you saved my life last night!" Henne choked out. "You told me to run, you were going to give yourself up...my lady, I don't deserve that honor!"
"Henne, what are you saying?" Falynn leaned forward as she grasped Henne's face in her hands and lifted her head up. "You are my first hand, my friend, and close enough to me as a sister. As your Empress I shall not see you so mindlessly be grovelling."
Tears rimmed Henne's eyes as she clasped her hands around Falynn's.
Falynn smiled down at Henne as she gently demanded. "Get up. This is strange. No first hand of mine, will be kneeling in such a way. Why don't you go see if the troops need any help cleaning up. I want to be with Ren for a bit longer."
Henne nodded as she stood up then paused her brows creasing. "My lady, the troops will most likely be coming to you with our Supreme Leader in this state. Will you be alright?"
Falynn held her head up as she broadened her smile. "I think it is about time, I fully take my lead as the Empress don't you?"
Henne returned the grin and did a curtsy. "I believe you are quite right, my mistress."
The handmaiden had not been wrong.
Falynn had only spent about twenty minutes sitting by Kylo, before Henne had returned back to the shuttle to inform Falynn some of the troops were wishing to speak with her. Falynn had stood up, promising her unconcious husband she would be back, before descending down the ramp where two officers waited for her, along with a group of Stormtroopers. Henne who stood behind her, kept her stance regal with her hands formally clasped in front of her. Falynn wasn't sure if it was because both women had visible wounds on their bodies, and looked just as worse for tear as the officers, but the men were looking at their Empress a bit differently that morning.
The officer who stood on the right was the same tall officer from the day before. Placing a fist to his chest he bowed deeply, the other officer who seemed a fair amount older looked taken aback for a moment before he bowed as well. Falynn finished her way off the ramp and stood before them.
"Speak freely," she said, feeling a bit odd at her command.
The officers straightened up before the older man spoke. "We are relieved to see you are doing well, my lady. How is our leader?"
"Resting," Falynn answered quickly before asking. "How are the repairs going?"
Their faces turned grim as the older officer shook his head. "The ships would be too much of a risk to send space-born. However, we were able to fix the controls for communication. We have not sent a message to the Star Destroyer yet for them to send to us some ships."
"Why is that?"
"We were waiting for you to send it, my lady," the tall officer replied. "We came to see what you wanted to demand of us?"
Falynn repressed a look of surprise.
Yes this was all completely new territory for her.
This was the first time that any of them had come to her for given orders. She felt pity as she looked at the two men who seemed completely lost, and at the Stormtroopers who tension she easily felt. They were lost, and she even felt their fear that lingered in the air between them. With the ambush and now the lack of their Supreme Leader who they gave them their strength, there was little for them to depend on. Falynn would have to find a way to be the strength for them, even when she was feeling lost herself.
"Henne, stay with Ren," Falynn turned to face her handmaiden. "I will return shortly. I want to see the repairs myself."
Henne's face lit up with pride as she curtsied, "yes, my lady."
Falynn grinned at Henne, before she moved her between the officers and the Stormtroopers where she led them towards the ships. Falynn didn't realize how sore her body had actually been, now that she was moving around. Her legs felt stiff, and the tension in her shoulders burned. Her body was unpracticed, and she realized that much of that soreness was probably more from her training with Kylo, then it had been from the battle. Her powers that she had once again buried were humming inside her ready to be used again. She wondered if any of the First Order had witnessed it, or had the display solely been seen by the Resistance? Haymond and Leia were the ones who had trained her on how to have a steady grip on the force, it was ironic that Falynn had used that control to attack those who had worked with her old mentors.
Before they even reached the group of ships the smell of smoke and oil burned strong in the air. She could even still see a bit of smog in the air that hovered high in a dreary way. Like some dark cloud that was permanently hanging over them, threatening to rain down more darkness and death. The circle of ships was now scraps of metal, and a crude medical field. Cots were lined out with Stormtroopers and officials, laid out on them covered either in smoke or blood. Falynn didn't even look towards the pile of bodies that were being incinerated several feet away from the ships. An easier clean up than a proper burial. She didn't want to think of the kind faced General who was now in that pile of ash. If he had lived he would be the one standing right beside Falynn at the moment, giving her encouraging words. His head would have been held high and he would have answered all of her questions without judgement. She knew at the moment he would also tell her it is not yet time to grieve you need to keep moving. So she did as she moved her way through the shattered metal, helmets, and ash.
The communications were roughly thrown up, some of them weren't even placed on a platform or a table anymore and just sitting on the ground. Falynn respected the fact that the troops did their best to set up what they could. To their credit, all the controls were fully functional. It was going to be easy to call up to the Star Destroyer, the dilemma now was delivering the bad news. Paying no mind to the Red Earth below her, Falynn sat down as she pressed the button to one of the communication controls.
"This your Empress, Falynn speaking, we are in need of assistance," Falynn spoke loudly into the speaker before lifting her hand from the control. When there was no answer Falynn pressed the button again making her voice more firm. "This is your Empress speaking. If someone is attached to communications I demand for your response. We are in need of assistance."
"This is control speaking," came a muffled voice, apparently the speakers on the controls took more damage then how they looked.
"Good! You answered," leaning in further towards the speaker Falynn began to instruct is the best authoritative voice she could. "There has been an attack on Geonosis. Our ships are unable to become spaceborn. We need you to send a small fleet of ships to recover us and bring us back to the Star Destroyer."
There was another pause before the voice asked. "Where is the Supreme Leader? Why is he not communicating with us?"
Glaring at the controls Falynn pressed the button again before she spoke in a clipped voice. "My husband is attending to other affairs." She didn't want to say Kylo was injured. Not would be too many questions asked before they even reached the Star Destroyer. "No matter, I am your Empress and I command that you send the ships down to receive our troops on Geonosis."
"I am sorry," the voice spoke again, she could hear irritation over the muffled speakers. "We do not take orders from-"
Falynn crouched down as she felt her nerves burning beneath her skin. "Let me make this very clear," she began an icy warning. "We will return to the Star Destroyer whether it be difficult or it be easy. Allow me to warn you now, if you do not send down ships and make it more difficult on my troops then I will see to it that I personally track you down, and send you off the Star Destroyer...without a ship I might add."
Falynn released the button and waited for a moment in silence until the voice shakily answered back. "Yes, my lady. We will prepare some troops to fly down as soon as possible."
"Very good." Falynn clicked off the button as she stood and turned to the surprised looking officers and gave them a smile. "I want two groups split for the time being as we wait for their arrival. Stop spending your time fixing ships that won't be of any use now, and focus on gathering those that aren't severely injured. I want the other half to focus on those who are wounded and getting them back on their feet. I will be checking in within a few hours. I want to see that my orders are being followed."
The two men placed their hands on their chest as they answered in unison, "yes, my lady."
She had done it.
For the first time since she had become the Empress she had given her first real orders.
She only hoped now that she would be able to keep up with it, before anything else happened.
The troops surprisingly kept to their strict orders that Falynn had given them.
There almost looked to be a line divided as one side had the troops standing and gathering their supplies, while the other side had men still on their cots being tended to. Mayea and the other medic who was a man with gray streaking the sides of his black hair did not stop moving as they moved from one soldier to the next. None of them even noticed as Falynn walked through as they were all too busy with the task at hand. Falynn had spent most of the afternoon by Kylo's side. Other than his breathing his body hadn't moved, not even a twitch of a finger. For such a weapon to cause damage to a Sith Lord she was amazed at how they had survived at all. Most of the equipment was salvaged and there was still a fair amount of weapons lying around just in case another attack happened. However, their efforts did not spare many lives. Falynn did not miss the ash pile that had grown taller from when she had been there a few hours earlier. She was surprised that more lives had not been taken if they had strong enough grenades to take down Kylo. If they had used more it would have been a cinche to clear out the First Order troops. She had a strong suspicion those grenades were made specifically to take down the Supreme Leader if needed.
Falynn took note of the older officer who had spoken with her earlier, who was placing some heavy equipment into large crates. His cap was now off revealing his gray peppered brown hair, and his dark navy sleeves were rolled up. A familiar face would be a good start for Falynn to begin her rounds. Placing her hands behind her back and straightening her posture Falynn made her way over to the officer's small group. When the men noticed her approaching they all quickly stopped as they bowed before her, Falynn raised her hand as she peered into the several crates they were around. Blasters, controls, and even armor. Falynn was surprised there was actually this much supplies. They were well prepared, and she wondered if that was from their own choices or her husband's. General Jase ran most of this set up and troops as Kylo was stuck on Dantooine with her. He probably set up most of the supplies and gave orders to it. The thought of the General had Falynn's eyes drifting over to his ship. That small round table probably seemed so empty now without his presence. Folding her arms so the men could not see her fist clenching she tried to get a grip on her emotions while she turned her attention back to the officer.
"Have communications sent any messages when they will be sending the ships?"
"They will be here sometime by nightfall," the officer answered wiping sweat off his forehead with the back of his forearm. "The troops have been working without rest so when they arrive we can make an immediate departure."
That was good news to hear. The sooner they were off Geonosis the better. For the time being their first concern was distancing themselves from the Resistance as much as possible. They no doubt knew what state Kylo was in, and who knew what they had reported to Poe and when he would return. Nightfall was possibly too far off for their comfort, but there was not much else they could do. The troops on the Star Destroyer were probably making their own progress to depart. Falynn was relieved to know that they would be leaving by night. She didn't know if she could handle sleeping where the battle had just occurred. Regards to Kylo's shuttle that was a bit of a concern as well. Her husband was the one who had flown down to Dantooine and Geonosis. With his condition she would need to find another pilot.
"Officer, with my husband's state I need you to find me a pilot that can navigate the command shuttle," Falynn ordered, feeling sheepish. "Could you do that for me now? I want that prepared before nightfall as well."
It was embarrassing that she had to ask, and probably watered down her authoritative appearance. She tried to keep a neutral face, making it appear as if she was just simply requesting it, instead of looking as clueless as she felt. The commander didn't seem to notice Falynn's lack of knowledge as he saluted her then wandered away from the crates. Nodding in approval Falynn turned to the rest of the group before casually telling them to continue before making her way through the rest of the troops who were busy packing things away. She was impressed on how well divided they were and the organization that she saw. Perhaps once Kylo recovered she would ask Kylo to give his troops more credit. They were handling the situation fairly well on their own. The tension was still thick in the air but despite that they were getting things taken care of. With each group Falynn gave specific instructions if they found any grenades laying around they knew weren't their own to collect them. The fact that they had made a weapon strong enough against Kylo Ren was disconcerting in more ways than one. She didn't want to ignore the mechanics behind it.
The medical side of things was a bit more messy.
Mayea and the other medic paid no interest to their Empress as they ran to one soldier to the next. Small tables were set out amongst the cots with viles, rags, syringes, and other medical tools Falynn couldn't name. Both doctors had blood smeared on their clothing as sweat visibly dripped off their faces. Not wanting to interrupt their work Falynn watched at a distance in silence. Things were moving quickly and steadily. It was clear all of them were ready to be space born as much as she were. There wasn't much else that Falynn knew what she could do. Now that she had made her appearance, she would send Henne down to keep an eye on the rest of it. Falynn wasn't too comfortable being away from Kylo.
As she turned away to head back towards the shuttle she noticed another body being dragged away towards the ash pile. It was going to be a long rest of the afternoon. Not just for her, but for all of them.
The sky was darkening outside of the command shuttle, and there still had been no word from communications. She hoped that her threat remained with whoever she had spoken to, and they were being true on their word when the ships would arrive. Henne had reported to her a few times throughout the rest of day. Each report was the same, and the troops were remaining consistent in their work. None of them had called for Falynn, hopefully understanding that Falynn wanted to stay with her spouse. Mayea came when she could, to inspect Kylo's wounds and to give him his shots. Falynn had helped move his body forward when needed, and held onto him while Mayea changed out his bandages. After that the doctor was back out. Mayea had been working nonstop. It showed with the dark circles beneath her eyes and the color draining from her face. Falynn at one point forced the medic to sit down, and forced her to take several large drinks of water, and to eat a quick meal before she headed back out.
The anger that Falynn had felt towards Mayea had dimmed each time she had come to attend to Kylo. Falynn was quick to humble herself as she watched each time the bandages were applied, remembering who was the one who had helped Falynn's' own quick recovery. She made a note to give Mayea a proper thank you once they got back onto the Star Destroyer.
The Empress had been sitting by Kylo's bed holding on his hand in silence when there had been a knock on the doorway. Shifting on the stool Falynn turned towards the arched doorway then smiled at her handmaiden, motioning with her head for Henne to come in.
Following the gesture Henne walked over to her, and looked down at Kylo.
"How is he doing?"
"Alive," Falynn responded, taking the wet rag out of its warm water and dabbing it around Kylo's face. "But injured enough that Mayea said once we get back to the Star Destroyer we need to take him straight away to our room."
"You think you and the lord will be sharing a room again?"
Falynn tilted her head and gave Henne a wicked smirk. "He is not too talkative right now, so it's not like he can really oppose right now."
Henne giggled before she turned back to a more serious tone. "We just heard from communications. The ships have just taken leave of the Star Destroyer. The troops have everything ready. Those who are injured but still alive have preparations set up for them as well. Oh! And that officer found an experienced pilots to fly you and our leader safely back with the command shuttle. The pilots, and some Stormtroopers will be here shortly to board. Would you like to fly separately or with the rest of the troops, my lady?"
"After everything that happened, I believe keeping the ships in unison is best," Falynn answered as she set the cloth back down into its water filled bowl before she beamed up at Henne. "I am proud of all the work you have done today, Henne. Would you possibly be interested in becoming a General? You seem to be quite good at this."
Henne let out a melancholy laugh. "I do not believe I could replace General Jace, my lady, however honored I am for such high praise."
"No," Falynn whispered, taking hold of Kylo's hand again. "No one could. Nor could they ever replace you, Henne. Or Mayea. I need to make sure the next time this happens I can keep all of you safe."
"Why do I feel like you are blaming yourself?" Henne frowned as she knelt down by Falynn placing a hand on her knee. "No one knew this was going to happen. Not even our Supreme Leader."
Falynn didn't look at Henne, as guilt spread throughout her. Falynn's plan had been to go into the Resistance and to set something similar up. The only difference was, she would have done better to keep the ones she had become close to out of the violence. She felt guilty because she knew she was being a hypocrite and her ideals had backfired on her. That one way or the other the troops would have been attacked. The only difference was Falynn's hand wasn't in it, and it all turned around against her.
"Well then," Falynn spoke as she pressed down on her powers as the force began to tremor within her. "I guess next time we will just have to do better."
Footsteps echoed through the command shuttle.
Henne was about to stand before Falynn placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I will go greet them," she said. "You stay with, Ren.
As Falynn headed out the door and went to the command deck to greet the group who would be flying with them she looked out the port windows. Several lights zipped down towards where she knew the ships were. Relief washed over her. They had kept their word, and she soon would be back to what she knew was home
