Doomed To Repeat
Chapter 2
Back on the shuttle, Rey could only sit in the pilot's seat and process the information she received from Unkar Plutt. Her mother acted alone in trading her for money and possibly a new identity. So how could Kylo Ren know that both her parents died a pauper's death and were buried on Jakku? She could understand them being poor, especially hanging around Nima Outpost. Unfortunately, Unkar could not verify her parent's deaths or where they were buried. Maybe Ren couldn't either. Perhaps he was luring her to join him in his desire to rule the galaxy. Or maybe it was as she thought. Ren saw a glimpse in the past that consisted of mere images and not hard facts. He was interpreting them the best way he could.
What gave Rey a new concern now was Unkar's claim what her mother's said that he overheard. She is nobody's child. What could possibly be the meaning in that, if it was indeed true.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a HoloNet call coming in. She looked at the identification and sighed. Maz Kanata. The only being in this galaxy now who could give her insight on the Force. Maz never revealed how she became so acquainted with the Force. Rey never witnessed her using the Force, unless her powers were based on merely feeling emotions in others through the Force. She had an extraordinary sense of intuition. It was Maz who suggested to Rey that if she wanted to pursue the answers about her parents, she would need to "follow the source". That led Rey to Unkar, since he was the recipient of the trade between herself and her mother.
Rey answered the HoloNet message. A foot tall blue-white image of Maz Kanata appeared before her. Her wide eye glasses dominated the image.
"Hello, Maz."
For a moment Maz did not say anything. She leaned in closer and took off her oversized eyewear. She finally asked, "Child? Rey? Is that you?"
"Yes. Who else?"
Maz smiled wide. "You let your hair down, child. I almost didn't recognize you. Looks good on you."
Rey shrugged. "I only needed it for a disguise. What did you need?"
"Did you get your answers?"
"Some. Now I have more questions."
"I thought so. What did you find out?"
Rey hesitated and said, "I saw my mother, Maz. She was so thin. I couldn't see her face but I saw her hair that's the same color and length as mine. She traded me for a case that looked to have more than just drinking money in it. Unkar said he supplied her with a new identity."
"I see. What about your father?"
"He wasn't with her. Unkar said he left mother weeks before the trade. She was alone."
"Interesting. Do you believe him?"
She scoffed. "You can't exactly make up memories on the spot."
Maz gave a look that was on the border of scolding. "I assume you used the Force?"
"Yes. I saw Unkar's memories," Rey stated almost too casually. "Those were the only details I could get from him."
"Mmm, otherwise he would be in too much pain."
"Yes."
"Well, you are certainly using all means necessary to get your answers. Although, you are running out of sources. Unkar Plutt was the last connection to your parents."
"That we know of."
"Who else could know? I know you saw your mother take some kind of case on the trade for you. And she was alone. That doesn't coincide with what Kylo Ren told you. He said they were both buried on Jakku in a pauper's grave. How could that happen if your mother was alone?"
"I thought you discouraged me from finding the truth about my parents."
"I'm only reminding you that Kylo Ren could be lying to you."
"I actually figured that on my own."
Maz shook her head. "Child...Rey...why are you so adamant about this? Where we come from is not as important as who we become. And the best example of that is Luke Skywalker."
Rey cringed as the mention of Master Skywalker. At one time she sought him out to get answers about her new found powers. She remembered travelling to Ahch-To with Chewbacca in the Falcon. On the way, she played out several different scenarios involving meeting the legendary Master. Of all the people in the galaxy, she was the one who was about to rediscover the Jedi Master after all those years in solitude. He was going to train her and follow her back to defeat Snoke and Kylo Ren. He was to help her bring hope to the galaxy over the First Order.
None of that happened.
This is not going to go the way you think.
Rey realized that when it came to the Force, nothing she had assumed about it was correct. It was too complex to understand everything about it. With her parents, she knew the answers were still out there. She told Maz, "They are a part of me, Maz. They may not have had a significant role in the galaxy. I may have come from nothing, but that doesn't mean I can never make a difference. I'm afraid if I don't find the true answers, I'll never know who I am."
"Oh, child. Look at what you have accomplished just since leaving Jakku. You've made a new lightsaber on your own. You have accepted the role of teacher in the Force. You began a movement to find those in the galaxy who haven't realized their Force potential yet. Just like you once did. People in the Resistance look up to you, Rey. They see you as a–"
"A what? A legend? Luke Skywalker was a legend. So was his sister. Look what happened to them."
"And you were the last connection to both of them. That is why the leaders of the Resistance trust you. Because the Skywalkers did."
"I'm not so sure if Luke did," she scoffed.
"Of course he did, Rey. He wouldn't have gone through his final act if it weren't for you. The Skywalkers' time is over. You, Rey, are a part of the next generation of Jedi. Whether you choose to become that leader is up to you. The Force chose you and others to keep the balance."
Rey replied defiantly, "The balance between light and dark? I've read the journals, Maz. Throughout the Jedi history it was believed that way. The Jedi misunderstood that the light was the only side to keep balanced. The true balance is to keep the light and dark together as one Force. That was what Luke was teaching me."
"Perhaps that was part of his third lesson you spoke of."
"Maybe." She ran her hands through her hair and stretched. "That is a whole conversation for another time. The research on my parents is also something I need to know about. Now more than ever."
"Why, child?"
Rey hesitated. "Something Unkar said. He told me my parents and myself were not on Jakku long. But they argued about me. It's possible they were frightened of me. Unkar heard them say that the child...me...was not theirs. He heard my mother say that I belonged to nobody."
Maz sighed. "And this from the reliable Unkar Plutt?" She paused and asked Rey, "What do you think it means?"
"I wasn't sure until just now. What if...I was born...like Anakin? Through the Force?"
Maz slowly began to realize what Rey was saying and she replied, "Honey, no. That's not possible."
"Maybe it's why I can use the Force so well. And how quickly I've learned it."
"Rey, you can't think like this. The Jedi use of the Force is natural. Some learn it in different ways. But what you're suggesting has never been proven."
"Supposedly, Anakin did not have a father."
"But you did."
"Did I? How do we know for sure? You see why I have to know?"
"Child, don't do this. You are only setting yourself up for disappointment."
Rey chuckled humorlessly. "Trust me, I already experienced that on Ahch-To."
"All right. Fair enough. I can see your determination. How do you intend to continue your research?"
Rey shrugged. "Just like you said. Follow the source. There is only one other left to ask."
Maz looked confused but then her expression turned to horror. "No! Rey, that's too dangerous."
"Maz, I've learned to realize over the past year that dangerous can also mean opportunity at the same time. Besides you, he is the only one with knowledge of the Force now. And he is the only student of Luke Skywalker's who is still alive."
"But Rey–"
"No, Maz. I have to try. I'll contact you when I can." She shut off the holoprojector. She then sat in silence and concentrated.
She focused on Ben Solo.
tbc
