Chapter 2

I took a moment to collect myself, pushing aside the fear that ran through me. I had to come up with some sort of diversion, something that would postpone this conversation, at least until the Resistance Fleet arrived to save my ass.

As I began walking towards the stairs on the other side of the room, I felt around in my pocket for the smoke bombs I had tucked away. I had no idea that there would be a time when I had to make a quick getaway or cause a diversion, they were more of a comfort…among other things.

As I made my way along the wall parallel to the stairs, I sidled up to the wall and without stopping, placed the bomb on the wall, the device sticking to the wall easily.

It wouldn't harm anyone, it would simply cause a distraction large enough to draw Ren's attention, allowing me an opportunity to slip away.

I ascended the stairs as slow as humanly possible, further delaying confronting him. I couldn't pinpoint exactly why he made me so uneasy, there was almost something that I felt in him that felt…familiar. I was probably wrong, it had been years since I had trained as a Jedi, my senses were most likely muddled and all over the place.

I banished the thought as I reached the landing, directly across from Kylo Ren.

"Supreme Leader," I addressed him in what I hoped was my most detached, professional voice, "You asked to speak with me."
He turned and approached me, stopping only centimeters from myself. Up close he was far more intimidating than a quick passing in the hallway. He towered above me, lowering his face to look at me. I felt queasy at this, being quite tall myself, I wasn't used to having to look up at others. It made me feel small, weak. But more than anything I got that feeling again, the feeling that I knew this man, not just as Kylo Ren, but as someone else.

His hand brushed close to my leg, and my heartbeat sped up in fear. I stood shock still for fear of him discovering the lightsaber attached to my leg, hidden beneath the hem of my uniform. It would be bad enough him finding out that I was a spy, but him finding out I was a Jedi was something else entirely.

Before he could speak however, I stretched my fingers behind my back, feeling the force between myself and the bomb, and squeezed.

A bang echoed through the chamber, smoke rising from right underneath us. The detonation shook the floor we stood on, breaking the intensity of…whatever that was between us.

Kylo whirled around in the direction of the noise, going to the edge of the mezzanine to inspect. He looked back at me over his shoulder before storming down the stairs, no doubt preparing to shove his lightsaber through the nearest soldier he could find.

I blew out a breath and hurried away, exiting through one of the side doors and into the quiet hall.

That was too close. I thought, quickening my stride as I tried to get as far from the hall as possible before anyone suspected. It wouldn't be long before the Resistance Fleet arrived to get me out of here, all I had to do until then was avoid him entirely.

I halted my footsteps as I rounded the corner, almost slamming into General Hux. I stepped backwards immediately, inclining my head. It hurt me to do so, to bow to a man as slimy and vile as this.

He put a hand on my shoulder and my stomach churned.

"Isla! Do watch where you're going, why are you in such a hurry?" He said.

"Uh…there was an incident during training. I'm just…going to get someone to assess the damage." I had heard that it was far easier to lie when there was an element of truth to what you're saying, though I doubted this man wouldn't believe anything I told him.

"Ah, it was probably Ren having another one of his temper tantrums." He scowled, and I laughed half-heartedly, causing a smile to tug at his mouth. It took all my willpower not to wince.

"Yes, of course. Well, I'll get going then." Without another word I hurried past him. I blew out a breath, glad to know that there were still people who would believe anything I told them here. Though after that hand on my shoulder I would have to scrub off in the shower until my skin was pink and raw, and probably burn this uniform too.

I was relieved when I finally reached my chambers, hastily entering the room and locking the door behind me. Only then did I push aside the cloth of my uniform concealing my thighs and touch the hilt of my lightsaber, making sure that it couldn't be seen.

I exhaled when I was sure that there was no way Kylo saw it, then collapsed onto my bed.

This entire day was filled with far too many close calls for my liking, but at least I could rest easy knowing that soon it would all be over.

Though there was still one question circulating in my mind – what was it about Kylo Ren that made me feel…whatever it was that I felt? I couldn't describe what it was exactly, but when he came close to me it felt familiar, like we'd…been there before.

I knew I was delusional, it had been so many years since I'd even seen another force sensitive person. My senses must have been all over the place.

Still, I went to bed that night with unsettling dreams – of Stormtroopers and rebels, Sith and Jedi…and an island in a camp on a cliff, standing with a boy…