Chapter 2
His silent footsteps paced around her. His eyes were focused on her while his lightsaber was drawn and ready to strike. She inhaled deeply; her eyes were closed as she focused on locating his whereabouts. He was close. She knew this, yet she couldn't quite pinpoint his location. She could hear the soft hum of his lightsaber. Her hand tightly clenched the handle of her own.
Softly she exhaled and hastily she turned and blocked her brother's attack. Their eyes met, arms swung as she managed to block several of his attacks. He was fast but so was she. She was sure this time she would win their little sparing match.
"Keep up, little sister." Ben Solo taunted her slightly. A smile appeared on his lips as he tried to encourage her to fight with all her strength. His sister simply returned the smile and attacked him with all her might. She flung forward, only to have Ben move out of her way and push her to the ground. She landed with a loud thud, the wind knocked out of her. She quickly turned and looked up to him. His lightsaber aimed at her heart. Her lightsaber was too far to reach and had this been a real battle he would have already run her through. Their dark eyes met and he put his lightsaber away. His hand reached down for her before he helped her to her feet.
"Thank you." she said before she dusted her clothes off. Her hand raised and called her lightsaber back to her. After that she turned back to the tall man next to her. They walked a few feet before Ben motioned her to sit down and rest. The hot sun blazed down on them while he lifted a small leather canteen to his lips.
"I suck at this." She said, her breath was heavy as her brother gulped down a drink of water. "Am I ever going to beat you?" Ben laughed a bit before he looked to her. "How are you such a good fighter?"
"Well you're younger than me." He answered as he handed her the canteen. "I've more training than you. Still, I'm sure with time and practice, you can beat me little A."
"Don't call me that." She slightly glared at him before she took a drink. Ben let out a soft chuckle. How he enjoyed teasing his younger sister. After a few sips, the young woman handed Ben back his flask. He put it back on the ground before he felt his sister lean her head against his shoulder. He rested his head on top of hers and a soft breeze danced gently against their faces. They were quiet and for a moment all seemed peaceful.
"Do you think Luke will be pleased with my progress?" she asked as she leaned further against her brother. He looked down to her. He noticed brightness in her eyes, a smile formed on her lips as she turned to him. "Do you think we'll be able to go home soon?"
Ben didn't answer her. In fact, his face dropped slightly. Their parents had sent them away, why would she want to return to them? Their parents had rejected them. They, as brother and sister, were all they had now. They were no longer wanted by those who had brought them into this world. His thoughts turned to Snokes and his promises. The darkness crept upon him along with his anger and hate.
"Ben?" his sister asked. She could feel his confusion, his hesitation. "What is it?" Ben's gaze turned back to her. His lips parted to speak but quickly closed. He wanted to tell her all he knew but she wouldn't understand. She had to see the Dark Side to know it's power. There they could both find solace for their parents rejection. Still, it meant killing people he knew well, friends and colleagues. The decision gnawed at his very soul. Suddenly he shook his head, he was strong. He would do as Snokes asked.
"Nothing that you need to worry about." He told her before he stood and reached his hand out for hers. Giving the gesture little thought, she reached out and took it. He helped her to her feet and again his lightsaber ignited causing a soft buzz to be heard.
"How about another go?" he asked, his hand twirled his lightsaber, before he gestured her to do the same.
"Do you ever get tired?" she asked. They had been training for at least three hours now. Surely, he want to rest before supper and then their training with their uncle.
"Tired is for the weak." Ben answered, his lightsaber pointed towards her. "You, little A, are not weak."
"Stop calling me that!" she growled at him. Her lightsaber lit and she readied herself to strike. "Just for that I will kick your ass."
"Then get on with it." He encouraged before she sprang into attack mode. Little did she realize this was the last time she would see her brother as Ben. This was the last time he would call her by the nickname she had gone by since she was a small child. That night, she would meet Kylo Ren for the first time.
...
Lorelei followed her brother down hallway, it was strange. Why would that memory come to mind? It had been a while since she last thought of it. How she wished she would have known what she knew now. How she wished her brother had confided what he was planning with her. How she wished...it did not matter. Such regret was pointless. Even if he had told her what would happen, it wouldn't have changed anything. He always told her he had done all this for the two of them and for the galaxy itself. They both chose their path now she had to live with it.
The alarm continued to sound while stormtroopers, in small ranks of two or three made their way through the hallways. It was organized chaos, she determined while the soldiers seemed to spring into action, yet all remained in their own little formation. Lorelei didn't know it yet but that was General Hux's trademark. His troops were exceptionally organized and moved in an orderly fashion. Still she followed her brother until they reached the main control room. Inside, General Hux pace from the different monitors. How the General despised days like today. It was chaotic and that caused him great agitation. Still, it was something that could be easily contained and fixed. There was little need to worry over it.
"General." Ren greeted the red haired man.
"Ren." Hux nodded, "It is nothing you need concern yourself over. We had a gas leak in the west wing. It is being taken care of as we speak." Suddenly the ground shook and smoke began to erupt through the air. The trio braced themselves until the the small earthquake ceased. Hux turned back to the control panels. He looked at the screen only to realize that his great weapon, had yet another set back. A frustrated sigh left his lips, he had been so close to getting to use his weapon and now he would have to wait longer. It was then he remembered the two cloaked people next to him.
"The weapon had a small gas leak, it will be repaired and that will be the end of it." the general informed the two dark creatures before him.
"I'll leave that to you." Ren told him. He then turned back to Lorelei. "Shall we interrogate your prisoners now?" She nodded, without much hesitation. Ren, then turned and began to walk out of the control room. There was no reason for he or Lorelei to be here.
"What's the weapon?" Lorelei questioned as they walked towards the cells. Being mostly involved with Knights of Ren business, she wasn't as familiar with the military part of the First Order.
"Hux's life work." Her brother replied. "If he ever gets it to work, it'll destroy several planets at once. It's similar to the weapon our Grandfather used to destroy Alderaan." Lorelei nodded and the two continued to their destination. It didn't take long to reach the cells, Ren opened the closes one before his arm extended out, inviting her to enter. She took a few steps before she circled and looked at the man contained in the restraining chair.
"Shall you interrogate him or shall I?" Lorelei questioned, her hand and reached up to remove her helmet but if he wished to do it, she wouldn't complain. He nodded at her to begin and quickly she removed her black helmet. Her hand raised and again, the beautiful blonde haired, blue eyed woman began to appear in her prisoner's mind. Ren folded his arms as he faded into the background. Lorelei was capable of handling this. He turned and left the cell, he would interrogate one of the other prisoners. She didn't need him and it was far more time efficient if they worked on separate prisoners.
"Why did you attack my ship?" she questioned, while the man gazed into the empty space next to her. A goofy grin formed on his lips as the woman messed with his mind. Hux stood outside the cell. He had witnessed Ren's torturous mind games before. This was different, very different. "We would like to know why you attacked my ship." Lorelei nodded to the figment next to her.
"I know who you are." The man chuckled slightly as he looked from the vision in his head to the real woman before him. "I know your name."
"I'm called Lorelei." She answered as if that were nothing. The man shook his head. "I already know that."
"I know your real name."
"Lorelei is my real name." she began to lose her patience with this nonsense. She didn't want to remember the name her parents had given her. It reminded her too much of the carefree, happy girl she used to be. Such things no longer mattered. "Now answer me, why did you attack my ship?"
"General Organa, wishes for her children to return home." The man finally answered, he stupidly smiled back at the pretty lady he presumed to be next to her. "We thought we had located her daughter and had the intention of freeing her from the hellish prison she is in."
"What?" she whispered. She had heard his words however, hearing her mother's name caused her heart to quench. A side of her suddenly wished to put this whole thing behind her and return home, return…..Lorelei immediately stopped. Such emotions, such desires were futile. She could never return home. She would never leave him. S scowl appeared as her face gradually got closer to his. Her eyes stabbed into his as before she harshly whispered into this ear.
"General Organa's children are dead." She spat at him. "Her daughter and son are gone. There is no turning back." With that she raised her hand and threw man's head back harshly against the restraining chair. Lorelei continued to glare at the now unconscious man. Tears threatened to leave her eyes however she did not cry. Once she joined Kylo, he taught her how to better control such useless emotions. She glanced back at the man before she turned to see General Hux only a few feet away from her. His gaze peered down the end of his nose at the scum before them. A look of disgust was apparent on his face.
"What did you do to him?" Hux questioned as looked the now unconscious man over. Lorelei's eyes widened. It was strange, she hadn't sensed his presence and, aside from her brother, it was rare for anyone to sneak up on her.
"My job." she answered without much detail. The prisoner had been interrogated. The how, didn't matter in her opinion. Still, Hux found her technique odd. He wished to know what she did and would demand it of her if needed. Lorelei quickly picked her helmet up and walked towards the door. "Don't you have your weapon to take care of?"
"Repairs are being made as we speak. Do you take your helmet off, often?" Hux questioned. To his knowledge, Kylo Ren never removed his helmet. It seemed bizarre that this woman would do so and so frequently.
"It's a ghastly but necessary contraption." Lorelei replied before she glanced up to him. Mistrust filled the man and woman as his harsh blue eyes met her cold brown ones. "I find it rather constraining when performing my duties."
"Why, then, do you wear it?"
"All members of the Knights of Ren wear masks." She answered. "Also, you've seen my face. Does it look fierce and intimating to you?"
"Not in the slightest." He replied. Lorelei sent him a small glance before she placed her mask back on and walked out of the cell. Why he was there was there was beyond her. She did not have time for this man nor his arrogant presence. To her surprise he followed her out of the cell and walked with her several feet before she turned back to him.
"Is there something I can help you with?" Lorelei finally asked, unsure of why he was following her. He was clearly a man of little time. Why would he waste any of it on her?
"I wish to do know what you did to the prisoner." He again told her. Her methods were different than anything he had ever seen.
"I used the force to interrogate him. Nothing more." She replied. She found it hard to believe Hux would find her talents interesting. However, Hux did not like not knowing exactly what was going on, on his base. He had to know every little detail, every small snippet of everything that was happening. While he did not have any control over Ren, this woman was another story. She was beneath him.
"Yes but your method is foreign to me. I want to know exactly what you do." He ordered as they continued to make their way down the long hallway. Her mask turned towards him. Why would this be any of his concern?
"It is different from Master Kylo's." she acknowledged. "However it's simple. I dig deep into their minds and create a beautiful woman that only they can see…"
"A woman?" he asked. She caused all that chaos in her victim's minds by creating a woman? Such stupidity simply could not be.
"You'd be amazed at what a man will do when faced with a beautiful woman." Lorelei commented. The minds of men were weak. She had learned that quite quickly while growing up. Hux scoffed at that statement. Other men may sway at the sight of a beautiful woman but he could not imagine being so weak.
"I find it hard to believe anyone would quake at the sight of your face." He spoke; his eyes flickered up and down at her. Lorelei sharply turned towards him and they stopped walking.
"It is not me they see." Lorelei informed him. She knew she wasn't notably pretty however, no one had ever been so blunt with her about her appearance. Who did this man think he was? Just because of he was a general in the First Order did not mean she would tolerate this behavior.
"So you make up for your appearance by creating a fantasy woman?" Hux questioned. While he could not see it under her mask, Lorelei's eye twitched slightly.
"How dare you insult a Knight of Ren?" she growled at him. Her hand lifted up, threatening to force choke him. However, Hux did not waver. He was not afraid of her nor would he ever give her the impression that he was. "I have more power than you will ever know."
"I'm so worried." Hux taunted her slightly, though the sneer on his face remained still. "See to it that…."
"I am not under your command, General." Lorelei growled at him. A sense of loathing filled the air between the two people. How dare he think he could control her? She was a Knight of Ren, not some military dog. It was so tempting to force throw him across the room and with every word he spoke that temptation grew.
"Be that as it may, this base is still under my command."
"Yes but I am not. I am a Knight of Ren. I've two Masters, neither of which are you. Fix my ship, then I will be on my way and neither of us have to see the other again." She hissed. Her eyes pierced furiously into his. While he could not see it, his gaze met her with the same intensity. Both were determined not to be intimidated by the other. "Is that agreeable?"
"Quite." Hux replied before he turned and walked away from her. She could feel his animosity towards her. Her brother was right; Hux was nothing more than pompous creep. Her nose turned slightly up as he turned the corner and was out of her sight. At least one good thing would come when her time to leave the base arrived. At least then, she would no longer have to deal with the ignorant General.
Once the General was gone she turned back to another cell, inside she watched her brother torture a second prisoner. She entered the room just as her brother finished making him bleed with useless information.
"How did your interrogation go?" Ren questioned, he doubted she had any new information on the maps location but it was worth to ask.
"Well, I think." She replied. Her thoughts journeyed back to what the man had told her.
"Did you learn anything?" He asked.
"Not really. He did say...that General Organa wanted her children back." Lorelei told him. Ren stopped and turned to her. "That she wanted her son and daughter back."
"Don't think on it too hard." Ren instructed her before he continued to walk. "Do not forget, it was our mother's idea to send us away."
"But if she wants us back…"
"Our mother is dead to us." Ren growled. He drew his lightsaber and began thrashing it around. Lorelei took a step back at his sudden outburst. Sparks flew and she dare not speak. Meanwhile, Ren could not imagine why she would bring this up. There was no reason to even be discussing this. He continued to destroy the wall until he extinguished his lightsaber and set it away.
"Our parents sent us away." He reaffirmed before he looked back to her as tears threatened to leave her eyes. "They didn't want us. We're all we have now. We have no one else." They were both still for a moment, neither knowing how to respond or what to say to the other. After a few seconds the two began to walk and once more silence filled the air.
"You know I'm never going to leave you right?" Ren suddenly heard Lorelei say as her hand touched his arm. He looked down to her hand before his eyes met hers. "You're my brother and my best friend. I will stay by your side until the day I die."
~Three Days Later~
The redheaded General stood before the Supreme Leader. His frustration was indisputable. He wanted Lorelei off of his base. He wanted Ren gone as well but knew better than to think that would ever happen. If they were to fix her ship it would cost the First Order more than needed to be spent. However supplying her with a new ship would get her off his base far quicker and cost less.
"Supreme Leader the damage to her ship is irreparable." Hux informed the holographic form that towered over him. "The cost of collateral damage is far more than what the ship itself is worth."
"I see." Snokes said, though his mind was far from the General's concerns. "How long would it take you to grant her a new ship?"
"Only a few weeks, at the most." Hux replied. Snokes nodded, his mind continued to scheme. This was perfect for his plans. Her death could be slow and painful. Her brother could helplessly watch her suffer. He nodded to both himself and General. All Snokes needed was a few weeks for his plan to complete itself. It was all but finished; Lorelei would die right before her brother's eyes. There would be nothing Kylo Ren could do to prevent her death.
Lightsabers cracked as they hit against each other. Two dark figures fought furiously against the other. Sweet glistened the smaller figures forehead while the taller barely seemed tired.
"Faster." Ren instructed her before he charged at her again. "Your arms need to be higher and lunge forward when you strike back." Lorelei followed her brother's instructions and lunged forward with more vigor. Their lightsabers cracked loudly as they crashed into each other. Ren pushed against her, challenging her physical strength. She, in turn, pushed her strength back towards him. He faltered slightly, giving her false hope that she could win this sparing match against him.
Ren, however, had other plans. That speck of hope had caused her to lose her concentration. He swiftly and without much effort drew back, his fist slammed against her back. Lorelei stumbled forward in surprise and fell to the ground with a loud thump. Her lightsaber was knocked from her hand and a gasp erupted from her lips. Quickly, she turned back to her brother, her helmet tilted towards him only to find his lightsaber aimed at her chest. She inhaled deeply as she and Ren kept their gaze on the other. They remained like that a moment longer before Ren extinguished his saber, put it away and extended his hand out towards Lorelei.
"I still suck at this." Lorelei commented as her brother helped her to her feet. After many years of training, she still wasn't much good at this.
"No you don't." Ren shook his head slightly. When Lorelei joined the Knights of Ren, Kylo decided to take it upon himself to train her. She received double the education and training sessions than others in the Knights of Ren. Yet, fighting with a lightsaber was something she struggled with. "You are improving but you keep losing your concentration. You must keep your mind on your task. That is the difference between life and death."
Lorelei nodded, disappointed in her lack of skill. Why wasn't she any better at this? She looked down to the lightsaber in her hand. Ren quickly caught on to her feeling of defeat.
"Don't fret over this. You are doing well. Don't forget you're training against the greatest lightsaber master of all time." he said with a smirk.
"Don't get cocky." Lorelei told him, her lips curved into a smile. It was rare for him to joke with her any more.
"Go get freshened up." He instructed, While he enjoyed training with her they had other things that needed their attention. "I'll be there in a minute." Lorelei nodded and made her way towards the large locker room. She placed her hand on her side. A pained sound left Lorelei's lips as she sat down on the bench. She inhaled sharply before she lifted up her shirt and looked down to her black and blue side. Damn, her brother had a mean kick. Still it seemed like she had managed to fool him. He hadn't commented on the pain she had been feeling. If he had known about it, he surely would have.
Gently, her finger touched the bruise. She flinched slightly but had, had worse injuries than this. She continued to look it until she noticed the presence of another. Her eyes darted up to see a familiar grimaced look.
"Lorelei." Hux greeted. His ever present scowl remained firmly on his face. His eyes glanced slightly at her bruised side before they flickered back to her. Lorelei glared up at him. Her blood filled with furry. How dare he approach her now? A side of her wanted to use her powers on him and slowly slip him into a chaotic madness. However, she resisted.
"General." She nodded before she looked back down to her side. How is it this man always managed to find her at her most vulnerable? No one, save her brother and her victims, had gotten a good look at her face as he did. Now he had seen her wounded. Calmly she released the fabric she had been holding up and allowed it fall against her. This was not the impression Lorelei preferred to make. She looked down at her mask and began to debate putting it on when the man before her began to speak.
"I have corresponded with the Supreme Leader about the cataclysmic damage that has been done to your ship." He began causing Lorelei to look back to him. Her anger only grew. How dare he approach the Supreme Leader in a matter that concerned her without her or her brother's permission? "His orders were clear; I am to provide you with a new ship. I have seen to it that the preparations are in order. Your new ship shall be ready within the next few weeks." Lorelei's eyes widened slightly. She had not expected this news.
"Thank you General." She spoke before she stood back to him. "Your efforts are most appreciated." Hux went to speak, yet again but was interrupted.
"Lorelei." Her brother's low, distorted voice caused her to turn. Hux glanced at the man approaching them. His body turned away from the woman and towards the man.
"Master." Lorelei greeted him. The masked man nodded towards her. "General Hux was just notifying me that I shall be receiving a new ship in the next few weeks."
"I see." Ren commented. "Lorelei, you may retire for the day. Go." The auburn haired woman nodded and walked away. It was certain she would see him later. Once Lorelei was gone, Ren turned back to the general. Anger bubbled in his blood.
"What are you doing?" Ren growled at the General. How dare he approach her and in a place that was meant to be private.
"Taking care of matters." Hux replied calmly. "I informed the Supreme Leader of the damage done to her ship, he…"
"You approached the Supreme Leader about her?" Ren questioned. His anger only grew and his hand found itself on his lightsaber.
"I needed approval for her new ship." Hux commented.
"Anything in regards to Lorelei can be dealt with through me." Ren hissed. His eyes seemed to glow with anger and hatred, though the General could not see it through his helmet. How dare this loathsome man interfere with his family affairs?
"Her ship was beyond repair." Hux informed the cloaked creature before him. "The Supreme Leader agreed." However, he quickly took note that he had managed to strike a nerve with Ren. He planned to take advantage of it. "Surely you're not insinuating that the Supreme Leader was erroneous in his decision to give her a new ship." Silence developed between the two men. Before Ren lifted his hand up towards the general.
"Let me be perfectly clear here General, Lorelei is mine. She belongs to me." Ren seethed at the red haired man. "Stay away from her." With that Ren turned and walked away.
Hux's face remained sour as Ren stormed off. His loathing of that force-sensitive git only grew. What was so special about Lorelei? Why was Ren so protective of her? There wasn't anything about her that...wait Ren was protective of her. Hux's eyes widened slightly at this small discovery; his thoughts quickly began to race. If Ren was protective of her that meant he at least somewhat cared for her. If he cared for her that meant… Ren had a weakness. A smug look crossed the General's face as he began to scheme. He was going to take advantage of this new finding. Lorelei was his next target.
...
~Author's Note~
Hi everyone! Thank you for joining me for this chapter! I hope you all enjoyed it! Thanks to everyone who has followed and favored my story. A special thanks to everyone who reviewed:
Supremo: Thank you for your review and for the compliment! Hopefully I keep my chapters at an alright. Not super short or too long. I'm so glad you enjoyed the last chapter. I hope you've enjoyed this one as well. Thanks again!
Carolzocas: Thanks for your review and for the compliments. I try really hard to avoid turning my characters into Mary Sues. Mary Sues drive me nuts so seeing your review made my day. I'm so glad you enjoyed the previous chapter and I hope you've like this one as well. Thanks again!
Guest: Thanks for your review and for the compliments! Hopefully I can keep this story new and fresh. It's very different from anything I've written. I hope you've enjoyed this chapter like you have the precious ones. Thanks again!
Guest: Thank you for your review and for the compliments! I'm glad you're enjoying my story. I hope you will continue to enjoy it! Thanks again!
I think that's everyone! Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read my story! It's been such a fun one to write and I hope you all will continue to have fun reading it. I have a couple of other stories I need to focus on updating so it maybe a couple of weeks before I update this one. However, I will update as soon as I'm able and as real life permits me to. Feel free to leave a review if you have a moment and are so inclined. As always constructive criticism is welcome! Thanks again! ~Lin
