A/N: Hello everyone. I know it's been forever but I finally think i'm back in the swing of things and will be posting alternating chapters of this and the companion story Star Wars: The Knights of Rey. I hope you guys are still interested in the story I was telling what seems so long ago now.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Star Wars or any of the amazing characters.

Rey

Rey and Kylo were startled awake by the sound of alarms blaring all over the base. Rey jumped out of bed and Kylo was quick to follow. It was the fastest Rey had ever gotten dressed and within 2 minutes she and Kylo were running through the base ready to take on any enemy they came across.

Though they had known this was coming and had prepared for it for over a month now it was still jarring and unsettling to know that Zoroyais and Hux had really found them. Thankfully the only people still left on the base were those that had wanted to stay until the very last moment. Which hadn't been many, just enough to pilot a freighter, fill and operate a medical freighter and of course the Millennium Falcon.

The first person they ran into was Asera who was gathering the last things from the lab. She greeted Rey and Kylo with a nod before falling in behind them. She was lugging a giant pack on her back so that she was free to use her lightsaber should the need arise.

"Where are the others," Rey asked as they ran.

"Essie and Poe were loading up the Starfall last I checked. Taliki, Zer-o, and Cade are stripping the comms room of anything we can use on the new base. Gear is doing the same in the lab. Rose and Finn are down in the basement rigging the pipes to blow as soon as we are clear," Asera said. "The prisoner is still down in the cell too."

"And my mother and Connix," Kylo asked.

"They are in her office I believe," Asera answered.

"Rey, Sera go and get everyone else. I want the Starfall up and ready to play defense as soon as possible. I'm going to go and get my mother," Kylo said stopping just long enough to kiss Rey before splitting off and heading toward his mother's office.

Rey went for Ozoroth, Rose, and Finn down in the lower levels. While Sera went for Gear and the other members of the Ember Order.

"Finn, Rose," Rey yelled as she ran through the maze of tunnels tha made up the plumbing of the giant base. "Guys we have to go right now," Rey yelled.

The alarms didn't reach this far down into the base so they probably had no idea what was going on up above. They were probably making out among the many steam pipes without another thought about anything else. Rey was irritated just by the thought of it.

Suddenly she heard two sets of footsteps rushing toward her.

"Rey," two voices called.

"Finn, Rose. They found us," Rey yelled as her friends ran toward her.

"I thought we would have more time. The pipes aren't quiet ready," Finn said as the three of them came to a halt.

"They won't blow until tomorrow at this rate. We need to cap at least 10 more steam grates to get it to blow in time," Rose said in a rush.

Rey, the scouts reported 1 StarKiller, 2 shuttles and a bunch of TIE fighters. We have to get out of here now. Please tell me that the steam pipes are ready, Kylo's reassuringly calm voice came down the line of the bond.

They aren't there are 10 other grates that need to be shut off, she sent back.

"We need to go and get Ozoroth from his cell and get him to the others," Rey said out loud.

They couldn't afford to wait, not even while Kylo conferred with Leia about what to do.

"Why can't we just leave him to die," Rose asked as they rode the lift up a floor to the detention level.

"We can't take the risk that he would survive or be rescued before the blast even goes off," Rey explained quickly as they moved to the cells together.

"Yeah, Zoroyais doesn't need any more help hunting us down," Finn said as he put his palm on the scanner and the cell holding Ozoroth opened.

Rey, I need you up here. My mother is going on about staying here to make sure the base blows, Kylo said sounding desperate.

Okay. We're grabbing Ozoroth and we will be up there as fast as the lift will carry us, Rey said trying not to let any hint of the panic she was feeling enter her inner voice.

The male looked up at Rey and Finn as they entered the cell. Rey didn't hesitate before knocking him into a wall rendering him unconscious and then going over to cuff him. She was so busy cuffing him that she missed the look her friends shared behind her back.

"Let's go," Rey said using the Force to carry the man through the halls.

"You okay, Rey," Finn asked as they reached the lift and the doors opened.

She turned to look at him. The expression on her face said that she didn't know what he was talking about but she did know that it was out of character for her to just slam someone into a wall. She still wasn't really feeling like herself but now was not the time to worry about it.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Really," she said as the lift came to a stop. "Well, no. Leia is talking about staying in order to make sure the base blows while the rest of us flee to Vodran," she admitted trying to cover for what she knew was really ailing her. "Kylo wants me to help talk her out of it and we are kind of in a pinch for time."

Finn and Rose stared at each other for a few seconds as Rey stepped off of the lift with Ozoroth floating behind her like an odd sort of balloon. She turned back to see her friends just standing there and before either of them could say anything, she yanked them out of the lift shaking her head. This day just keep getting worse and worse.

"No one is staying here. If they get information about the Resistance from this base then so be it. It'll be outdated before we even reach Vodran. We aren't loosing anyone today," she said with a frown as they began making their way toward the hanger.

When they got to the main hallway, Rey stopped.

"Can you get him to the Starfall. Cade and the others will keep watch over him on the way to Vodran," Rey said. "I have to go and help Kylo get Leia onto a ship before The Neo Order gets to our planet," Rey said with only a hint of worry in her voice.

"Okay, hurry. Chewie will be holding the Falcon until the three of you are on board," Finn said and threw his arms around Rey in a tight quick hug. "We have to get out of here. If Rose and I aren't going to be the ones shutting off the pipes, no one should, Rey," he said in a very serious tone.

Rey nodded and said, "Okay, Finn. I'll keep that in mind."

With that she took off toward Leia's office. As she ran, she tried to take in every detail of the base. This very well could be the last time she got to see her very first official home, the first place that she'd been fully accepted and loved.

It made her hate Zoroyais, Hux and the Neo Order all the more for making her have to leave this place. She knew that she shouldn't hate anyone, it wasn't the way of the Jedi but the whole point of the Ember order was that they weren't as strict on the emotional restrictions as the dead order had been in their day. She was still uncomfortable with the way her emotions seemed so out of her control lately even if she knew those emotions didn't automatically make her evil.

It didn't take long to get to Leia's office and Rey entered without knocking. Leia was seated at her desk while Kylo stood staring down at his mother with his large hands splayed on the desk top. He loomed over her and Rey knew many First Order soldiers would have pissed their pants to have Kylo Ren staring down at them like that but Leia was unfazed.

"Mother, you are our leader. If you don't make it to the new base who the hell will lead the resistance," Kylo demanded as Rey shut the door behind her.

"I suspect you, Rey, Poe, Connix, Finn and Rose will have to step up. But that is beside the point, as long as there is a ship left for me, I can get to the new base," Leia argued.

"No," Rey said with such confidence that mother and son turned to look at her at the same time. "Finn and Rose said that it's too late. We should all just leave together. It would take time we don't have to get the steam built up enough for it to blow before the Neo Order lands," Rey explained. "Kylo and I are busy establishing our new order Leia, the Resistance needs you. The rest of us aren't ready yet," Rey said calmly.

Leia just smiled at her daughter in law. It was the kind of smile that said she had already made up her mind but she was letting Kylo and Rey make their points because she loved them. Leia's eyes went from her son to Rey as she waited for either of them to say something that might change her mind.

"None of us are ever ready, my son. Usually we are forced to get ready and step up by unforeseen circumstances," Leia said and Rey could tell she was trying to ease Kylo into accepting what Leia was gently trying to tell him.

"No mother! I just got you back. I'm not letting you stay here so you can die or be captured by Zoroyais and Hux," Kylo bellowed and Rey could feel the terror and rage that he was so desperately trying to keep in check getting ready to boil over.

Rey went and placed her hand on Kylo's arm getting him to turn and really look at her for the first time since she had entered the room. His eyes searched her face, for what Rey didn't know. Rey gently smiled at him and tried her best to let him feel her support.

I can't lose her again, Rey. I refuse to, he said through their bond.

I know, Rey said back.

Rey was about to bring up what Finn and Rose had said but a large explosion rang through the base. The base's shield took all of the damage so nothing was destroyed inside the base but the attack was strong enough that it seemed to shake the entire planet. The three Force sensitives exchanged a look before running out of the office without another word.

"Shield integrity at 90 percent," an automated voice announced.

"I thought we had more time," Kylo called back to Rey and Leia.

His much longer legs carried him along further and faster than the two women could hope to keep up with so he made it to the main hall first. There were clumps of rebels who had stayed to finish packing up the base, running for the hanger now that it was zero hour. Rey and Kylo stood and watched as their people fled for the remaining ships.

Another blast rocked the base, sending dust and debris falling all over everyone.

"Shield integrity at 80 percent," the same automated voice announced.

Kylo went to grab for his mother and Rey but Leia had already headed for the opposite hallway down the lifts that would take her to the lower level.

"I didn't even feel her walk away," Rey explained.

"I didn't either," Kylo said shaking his head. "Get everyone on the ships and get them out of here. Then you get on the Falcon and if we aren't there in 10 minutes you get the hell out of here Rey. No if ands or buts. I'm not going to argue with you about this. Just for the love of the gods just do what I ask," he pled with her before pulling her close and hugging her to his chest.

Instead of wasting precious time arguing with him, Rey kissed him gently before sprinting off toward the hanger. As she moved through the crowd, she noticed a pair of women dragging a heavy trunk behind them. Another explosion rocked the base and the two contemplated leaving it behind even though it contained medicine.

"Go on, get to the freighter. I have this," Rey said lifting the trunk with the Force and sending it floated into the hanger. "No shoving, please. Everyone with heavy items leave them, I will take care of it," Rey said in a loud confident voice.

Just like that the people of the rebel base began moving a little faster. Rey moved to drag all of the discarded cargo into the hanger and as close to the freighter as she could get it so that it could be loaded. It didn't take much time but getting everything to fit in the cargo holds of the remaining ships was a bit of a challenge. It turned out that the base had a lot more to offer than they had thought.

Rey was helping load the last crate onto the freighter and the last person was walking onto the medical cruiser when another blast, larger than the others, shook the base of Olara. People were knocked off of their feet and pieces of the ceiling gave way. Rey was easily able to deflect the debris from damaging any of the ships.

"Shield integrity 60 percent."

"What are those guys doing up there? If they keep bombing the shield, we won't be able to fly our ships out of here," Rey demanded, walking into the cockpit of the Falcon.

Chewie roared back in agreement, stating that Poe and Essie needed to get their asses in gear. He also asked after Leia and hesitated before asking about Kylo too. Rey could only sigh in response and tell the Wookie that they had to wait.

…

Kylo

It didn't take Kylo long to reach his mother. In fact, she was still waiting for the lift when he got there. Kylo stepped in front of the Leia and scowled at her.

"We are leaving," he said in his best Kylo Ren voice but he wished he'd had his mask on so that she wouldn't be able to see the fear in his eyes. "This is crazy. We don't have time for this. We did all we could to cover our tracks. Let's go," Kylo demanded.

Leia simply sighed and shook her head. She ducked under his arm and stepped into the lift, pressing the button for the lowest level of the base. Exasperated, Kylo followed her inside.

"Can you at least tell me why this is so important," he plead.

"I'm tried of the enemy taking our bases or destroying them without mercy. I want this one to go on our terms and if a few of theirs go with it, I think I'm okay with that," Leia said.

Kylo could only stare at the mother as they rode silently deeper into the base.

"As I was waiting for you to come to my office, I discovered an emergency plan that the last rebels had established before the left this base. We just need to shut the main values in the north, south, east and west corners of the building and the switch for the cooling system needs to be shut off. If we can get that done the base will blow within 20 minutes of the cooling system shutting down," Leia explained.

"Do you really expect me to believe that this wasn't your plan all along? That you just conveniently found those plans today when I know you've been through everything in that office at least 3 times," Kylo said incredulously as the lift came to a stop.

Leia shrugged as though what he was saying didn't even matter and in a way it didn't. Either way you looked at it they were down in the lowest level of the base when they should have been in the hanger preparing to leave with everyone else. So maybe it really didn't matter what he said.

"I will take the two furthest valves and the shut off switch. You take the two closest to the lift and once you are done you will leave and get to the Falcon," Kylo ordered. Leia opened her mouth to scoff at her son's sternness but Kylo said, "You can either agree or I can knock you out and have Rey retrieve you from the lift while I shut off all of the valves myself."

Leia nodded and laughed a little.

"Okay, son. We will do this together," she said, her voice filled with love.

They stepped out of the lift together. One final glance and Leia headed off to the right toward the South valve while Kylo headed down a center heading for the East and West valves. On the way to the furthermost hallway Kylo passed the switch for the cooling system. He made a mental note of where it was but kept moving at a pace that was closer to running than walking.

Kylo was halfway to the first valve when he heard, "Shield integrity 60 percent."

"Fuck," he hissed and actually began running.

How's it going down there, Rey's slightly panicked voice filled his head as he reached the first valve.

Could be better. My mother has this whole plan to blow the base but…it'll be sometime still before I can get to the last valve and can head back. My mother should be on her way to her second valve or maybe even on her way back up to you once she gets there, I want you guys to leave. Just give me an X-wing and I can meet you guys on Vodran, Kylo said and almost immediately regretted it as he felt Rey's panic double.

What!? What are you talking about Kylo. We are running out of time. The shield is already at 60%. A few more cannon blasts and the building will be falling down around your ears and stormtroopers will be escorting you to a private cell, she practically screamed at him.

Kylo sighed as he quickly closed off the valve so that he could start heading for the next one. He closed the bond off just enough that he could think without her hearing his thoughts and enough of her panic was blocked out that it didn't start effecting him. He had to be able to focus if he wanted to get out of there.

Rey, it'll be okay. I promise, Kylo said hopping it would help. I'm half way to the last valve. I swear I'll be out of here before the shield fails. But if you get the chance to get out of here before then I want you to take it. Swear to me that you will, he demanded.

He felt her sigh.

He had been prepared for her to defy him. Maybe even threaten to come down into the bowels of the base to come get him. The fact that she wasn't fighting meant that they were probably in worse shape than he knew.

What's going on, Rey, he asked.

It was his turn to be worried now.

I'm worried about Poe and the Starfall crew. They were supposed to be clearing the way for our escape but so far we are being hit with a barrage of cannon fire. Most of it is small like from Tie fighters but every now and then we get hit with a larger blast. I'm afraid that something has happened to them and our ships will be shot out of the sky as soon as we leave the safety of the hanger, Rey said and Kylo could have kicked himself.

He should have gone up with Dameron and the Knights of Rey. He was a better pilot than both Dameron and Essie and he was a better shot than them too. What if they had been overwhelmed and now the remainder of the resistance would be wiped out while he, Rey and his mother would no doubt be captured and taken before Hux and Zoroyais?

Have you tried to contact them, Kylo asked as he arrived at his second valve and began twisting the wheel.

Yes. No response from Poe or Essie, Rey replied.

Well keep trying, he said as he finally got the valve completely shut off.

I will. You hurry up and get topside. Leia just got to the Falcon, Rey informed him.

Okay, good. As soon as you get an opening you tell Chewie to get the hell out of here. I'm finishing up down here and should be on the lift in five minute, Kylo said feeling a little better knowing his mother was as safe as she could be aboard the Millennium Falcon with Finn, Rose, Chewie and Rey.

As Kylo began moving through the stream tunnels back to where he'd seen the switch for the cooling system, a large blaster canon shook the base causing prices of the building to collapse.

"Shield integrity 35 percent," the automated voice announced.

Kylo found himself dodging falling pieces of pipe and concrete as he began running for the switch. He had to catch more than a few pieces using the Force to keep his way from being blocked. If and when he got out of the underground he swore he would rain hell down on the Neo order.

He got back to the switch only to see that it had been damaged by a falling pipe. And even worse the way back to the lift was blocked by broken pipes and pieces of concrete. Kylo took several deep breaths to center himself before going over to the broken metal box that contained the switch.

Kylo, I was able to reach Essie finally. Everything is okay and we are getting ready to take off from the hanger. I made sure an X-wing was left for you but I would feel so much better if you were on the Falcon with the rest of us, Rey's voice came down the line of their bond a lot steadier than it had been before and he knew that she had let go of some of her panic.

He quickly began re-wiring the switch to function around the damaged relay.

How soon before you are able to leave, Rey asked.

Kylo hesitated for just a second before saying, Just a couple more minutes. I should be able to cover your escape.

He felt Rey sigh through their bond. He flipped the switch and prayed that the Force would guide him. After a few seconds he could hear the system that had cooled the massive base begin to shut down. The quiet that fell over the underground quickly and Kylo felt relief flood his being even as the temperature began to rise.

Hurry, my love, Rey called to him spurring him to move on to clearing the tunnel back to the lift quickly.

I am hurrying, Kylo thought back to her as he began clearing the debris.

Instead of trying to clear the debris carefully, Kylo took a big risk by sending out a wave of Force energy to blast the debris out of the way. Luckily the sudden movement of the fallen concrete didn't cause further collapse and the lift doors seemed to be completely untouched. With another quick prayer he pressed the button and waited for a sign that the lift was even still functional inside its shaft.

After a few moment the doors opened and Kylo dashed inside pressing the button for the main floor and the door close button almost instantaneously. The lift seemed the crawl to the surface as Kylo waited for the surface canon blast that would bury him in this lift shaft. He made it to the surface without any problems.

The base had been totally abandoned. There was trash and forgotten clothes and toys along the hallway to the hanger. As he ran toward the hanger, he thought about grabbing up the toys.

The kids would no doubt be over joyed to see their lost things again. Even as Kylo let the thought drift through his head he knew it wasn't something he would have thought three months ago. He was making progress in his pursuit to regain his light and not just have to rely on Rey's to sustain him.

Kylo had a slight grin on his face as he paused and called all of the fallen toys to him. Once he had them in his arms he turned and headed into the hanger. He loaded the toys into the x-wing and shut the hatch.

He flipped the switch to start the engine. Then Kylo tried to open the hanger doors but they had been damaged in between Rey and the others leaving and him getting up there. He fired a couple of shots at the doors trying to clear them but still nothing happened.

Kylo tried to make the doors open with the Force and was happy when a crack formed and light peaked through. He tried the doors again and they slowly began to inch open. there was another explosion and the ceiling of the hanger began to come down on Kylo and the X-wing he was in.