All characters as well as setting is (C) George Lucas and Disney

All original characters (including Larulai Hynn, Darvic and Lord Hynn) and story is (C) BlackLaceLamb

Chapter III: Welcome Home

Two Days Later

Construction of the superweapon was coming along well, within two years Starkiller Base would be fully operational; though General Hux was putting the pressure on for faster and faster results. While it was initially planned to collect the slaves from Lothal within the month, Hux had decided to allow the mines to continue operating until they ran dry. There made no sense in abandoning the profitable kyber crystal deposits, and he had stationed a few First Order agents at the Hynn estate to keep him updated on their progress.

Kylo Ren had met with Leader Snoke, who had given his orders as to what was to be done with Lady Hynn. He was to stabilize her powerful mind, educate her in the practices of the dark side, but not embrace her as a full apprentice. Ren himself was still undergoing training, and Snoke deemed it unwise for the temperamental, young Knight of Ren to have an apprentice of his own. If she was seduced to the dark side, and proved herself through training, only then would she be embraced as a true ally of the First Order and shown the raw power of the Force.

Kylo Ren reached the medical bay, where a doctor was waiting for him with Lady Hynn's reports.

"Sir, we've finished our examination of the girl." The two of them passed the regular beds and went through a security gate to the quarantine chambers. After walking past several empty rooms, they reached one at the end, guarded by two stormtroopers. Inside the white cell was Lady Hynn, sitting cross-legged in the corner with an IV drip beside her. A thick red blanket was wrapped around her body, and she was staring blankly at the opposite wall. The whiteness of the room made her pale skin look almost transparent, and Ren realised just how unhealthy she truly was as he saw the hollows of her shoulders and cheekbones in the harsh light. There was a medical console behind a large one-way window, and the doctor took a seat and quickly tapped some keys. A holographic report appeared, with a cross-section diagram of her skull. Parts of her brain were highlighted in red and purple.

"This level of mental stress wasn't uncommon. As you can see, there's slight signs of damage." The doctor gestured to the highlighted areas with his pen. "When we ran a blood test, we found multiple drugs and other toxins. Mostly painkillers and sleeping pills but we also found small amounts of spice; this could also be a reason behind the deterioration."

"Is the damage permanent?" Ren asked. Spice had a number of effects on the body, and could be disastrous if taken regularly.

"Unlikely, but we can't say for certain, it seems she was taking it infrequently. It will take days for it and the other drugs to completely leave her system. What we have her hooked up to now will help her detox, but there may be some long-term side effect from her addiction that will surface in the future," the doctor said. "Despite this, she has perfectly normal brain activity, if not higher than average. Additionally, her midi-chlorian count is far higher than an average person's." Ren lifted an eyebrow, and his silence made the doctor's nerves uneasy. "Not as high as yours, sir, but enough to help to explain her Force sensitivity and power. Not to mention the close proximity to the kyber crystal mines, which may have had a significant part to play in her development as a child. Combined with her high levels of brain activity, it begins to explain her sensitivity to the Force, at least from a scientific standpoint." Kylo Ren knew that blood wasn't all that mattered, but it was one factor he couldn't ignore. No matter how hard he tried.

He looked back up at the patient, she hadn't moved a muscle.

"Anything else?" He asked. The doctor typed some keys and a full body scan appeared.

"As you can see, she is unhealthily underweight and has very little muscle mass, it will take time for her to suit your intended purposes, sir. But with frequent physical training and proper nutrition with supplements, she'll improve within the next few months. Lastly, there's an old scar, we estimate it at least twelve years old. Running from her left collarbone and diagonally across her torso. Other than that, there are few physical flaws." The doctor closed the report and rose from their seat, gesturing for the stormtroopers to step away. Kylo Ren stepped inside once the door unlocked, but she still didn't look at him.

There was something wrong. Her eyes were distant and clouded, her breathing soft as though in sleep. Without saying a word, he took another step closer.

White.

An endless scene of pure, white snow. Larulai's breath came out in small puffs of mist, as snow continued to fall around her. She could feel it dusting on her cheeks, melting on her parted lips. Her blanket was soaked in blood and it stained her skin. From where she sat was a spattered scarlet trail in the snow, leading out into that endless void. At the end of the trail was fire and darkness, wavering like a distant candle flame.

A shadow grew closer. Beside her.

She lashed out and the snow disappeared in an instant, replaced with clean white walls and the scent of sanitizer. Her hand was tightly curled around something leathery. Larulai slowly turned her head, and saw Kylo Ren. His wrist was clenched in her hand, but she held it firmly and kept her eyes on him.

'So… it wasn't a dream,' she thought, 'I should have known my prayers wouldn't be answered. They never have before…' Slowly she uncurled her fingers and lowered her hand, watching him warily, expecting him to strike her across the face for her insolence. But he didn't. Ren just watched her curiously as he rose to his feet, towering over her. The doctor stepped forward.

"Well then, how are you feeling, my lady?" He asked. Larulai glanced at him and nodded. "That's good to hear. Please change into the clothes we have provided for you." She got to her feet, keeping her blanket wrapped around her. The doctor carefully removed the IV drip and placed a ball of cotton and some tape over the wound. There was no sense putting up a fight, she knew she must be a million light-years from Lothal. If she resisted, Larulai knew in her heart Ren would find a terrible way to break her. And would probably enjoy it too.

The doctor put down a pile of clothes on a chair in a corner of the room before he and Kylo Ren exited. They waited down the hall with their backs turned to the window, reading over the reports. Larulai picked the clothes up and turned her back to them, starting to ease off the white medical gown.

The clothes she'd been given were simple, but functional and flattering. A pair of pants, simple undergarments, a long sleeved top, some knee length boots, long leather gloves and a long wool coat. All in black. She put them on and lightly combed her hair with her fingers, trying to untangle some of the knots. After dressing, she turned to the door and cleared her throat. The doctor turned and smiled, Ren appraised her silently. She awaited someone to put shackles around her wrists.

"Very good, please follow Kylo Ren." The doctor said. For a moment she paused in surprise, but Larulai nodded and she followed him through the long corridors. Larulai kept her head held high as she tried to assess her surroundings. Stormtroopers stepped aside to let them pass, but she could feel the curiosity behind their masks.

'I can't help but wonder what they have said about me… I'm as much a prisoner as any of them, but I thought they would have bound me or tried to break my mind to make me comply. T-That's what Father said they'd do…' Larulai glanced at Kylo Ren, fear still curdling her stomach 'Father always said they'd hurt people like me… so there'd be no rival to his power… but it's too early to say he was wrong… this is still the man who abducted me…' She thought. From what she could see, they were in a vast complex of halls and layered walkways. The lingering chill in the air was surprising though, and she couldn't tell if they were still in space or had landed somewhere. But she was thankful for the warm clothes.

They stopped at a long, quiet hallway that was lined with identical doors. Kylo Ren stopped in front of a set of doors and swiped a black piece of plastic across a sensor. He stepped back and let her enter first.

"Your new room." It was a small, sparse chamber with a single bed, an adjacent bathroom with basic facilities, and no windows. A little better than a prison cell, but not much bigger. "While it is true you were born and raised as a woman of affluence, that matters little anymore. You are not my apprentice, but neither are you a slave. In time, you will receive chambers more suiting of your position, but until then, here you shall stay." Ren said as he stepped inside.

Someone else was approaching, and Larulai turned to meet them. General Hux entered the room without invitation and Larulai scowled as he examined her openly.

"Lady Hynn, welcome to our base of operations," He said "I trust your new quarters are to your liking." Larulai said nothing. Hux moved closer, his expression souring, but she stood her ground. "A little gratitude would work wonders on your position here." She nodded. "Yes? Yes, what?" Hux snapped. Larulai opened her lips, her eyes fixed on him viciously. But no words came out.

"Answer the General." Ren said firmly. Hux moved closer to her, looking down his nose at her like she was little more than an ugly inconvenience.

"Speak!" Hux barked at her, making her flinch. She broke her gaze and a flush of shame spread across her cheeks and neck, feeling the burn of their eyes on her. Larulai tried desperately to speak, but her fear and pain made her words freeze in her lungs. All she could do was cover her face with her hands, clenching her jaw as she tried not to cry from humiliation. General Hux stepped back and leaned into Ren, his tone hushed. "She's worthless like this, just let her starve over the course of a week and then she'll be much more pliable." He said. Ren said nothing. Larulai caught a few of Hux's words, all she could do was draw more and more into herself, and desperately try to stop her tears. She felt them dissecting her with their eyes, Ren's in particular.

"The only time I heard your voice was when you screamed." Kylo Ren said softly, more to himself than anyone else. General Hux glanced at him curiously, then back at Larulai. Ren took a step closer to her, putting himself between her and Hux, she instantly shied further away from him. "You can't speak, can you?" There wasn't kindness in his voice, but for a moment he sounded sincerely curious. It wasn't an interrogation, just a question. She lowered her hands from her eyes, but still kept them close to her chest. Larulai nodded her head sadly.

"There's writing utensils in the bedside table. Explain yourself." Hux said. Dutifully, Larulai looked through the drawers. There was a small notepad and pencil beside a digital tablet, Larulai picked the practical ones.

After she was done, she handed the notebook to Kylo Ren. He and Hux examined the note, the cursive message was elegantly written:

Intimidating me will bring you nothing

I haven't spoken aloud since I was young, though I'm still physically capable

I don't expect kindness or mercy

But don't you dare treat me like livestock, I know my value

I shall comply with Kylo Ren's instruction, as I wish to be educated in the ways of the Force so I am no longer a danger to myself or others

In exchange, I request a basic level of freedom and respect

After reading the note, Hux sighed irritably and scrunched it up, Ren turned his head slightly to address him but Larulai felt his eyes remain on her. She kept her head respectfully downcast, and despite her fear she tried her best not to tremble.

"General, would you leave Lady Hynn's chambers. I wish to discuss something with my pupil in private." Ren said. Her face turned white with fear. Hux paused for a moment, but nodded and exited the room, the door slid closed behind him. Larulai's head lifted as Kylo Ren took a step towards her, she flinched back. He sighed, patience was clearly something new to him. "If you wish to learn the ways of the Force, you must come to trust my words, and the first step is for us to be able to communicate." He said. "Notes and sign language are ill-equipped for combat situations, and while it will, with luck, be a long time before such circumstances arise, this is the best way for us to speak." Kylo Ren lifted his hand, and she braced herself for pain, her eyes clenched tightly and a lingering tear to rolled down her cheek. He said nothing.

'Please don't hurt me… please… please…' Larulai felt his thumb lightly press between her brows, and a rush of energy swept over her mind. Her face relaxed, as something intangible burned from Kylo Ren into her, and something from Larulai flowed into him. 'Please don't… please don't hurt me... please don't break me…' His hand lifted and she opened her eyes.

"I don't intend on breaking you." Larulai's eyes widened, her mouth went slack with shock. "If I did, you would be no use to the First Order, and would be ungracefully disposed of, as all broken things should be." He said.

'You-you can hear me?' She thought, carefully trying to focus her thoughts into coherent sentences.

"Yes."

'How is that possible?'

"The Force is a powerful tool when utilised effectively. With focus, I can hear your surface thoughts. Perhaps even at long distances." Larulai frowned.

'Isn't that an invasion of my privacy at the most intimate level?! I don't want you seeing everything inside my head…you won't like what you find-' She turned her eyes away and cut the thought short, trying to make her mind go blank. Kylo Ren cocked his head lightly in curiosity.

"Unless we are face to face and you are completely submissive to me, I cannot penetrate your thoughts that deeply. No, this will suffice for now. Until I hear your voice, think as though we are conversing. Understood?"

'Yes…'

"Yes, what?" She grimaced internally and tightened her jaw.

'Yes… sir…'

"You have my permission to spend the rest of your evening at your leisure. On the tablet is a number of reading materials, but I will see to it that texts regarding your Force training shall be provided to you promptly. Your meals will be brought to your room, and you shall be escorted at all times around the base. Training begins at five tomorrow morning. Understood?" Larulai's blue eyes burned brightly and she straightened her posture as she addressed him.

'Yes, sir...' Kylo Ren gave a small noise of approval, dropping the key card on her bed before sweeping out of the room. Larulai waited until the door slid shut, before taking a seat on the bed. She took a deep breath, hair fell around her face and tears began to roll down her cheeks as she let her defences crumble. 'I can't die here…. I can't…' She wiped angrily at her eyes. 'I've been waiting for another Force user for far too long… and of course it's the commander of the First Order… lucky me…' Larulai steadied her breathing, and began to focus on strengthening her resolve. 'One day… I will see Darvic again, and Father too… but until then... I suppose this is where I'll stay…' She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. 'I know you're still there. Please... just leave me alone…'

Kylo Ren nodded at Hux, and they began to walk back to the control deck. He had heard her, and knew she needed time to process what had happened. Despite being able to hear her thoughts, he couldn't detect her natural voice. When he listened, all he could hear were hushed whispers that spiked and fell with her emotions, as though a hundred voices were speaking in unison. But this wasn't new, when he interrogated prisoners their thoughts were even worse, usually veiled with death threats. He was merciless when tearing through those screaming radicals, but Lady Hynn's trust would only be obtained with… finesse. A long and arduous process Kylo Ren wasn't looking forward to.

"She's nearly useless with her inability to speak," General Hux said, "I hope she doesn't expect pity for this pathetic gimmick."

"Leader Snoke has given his orders, and what should be done if she fails to live to our expectations." Ren said firmly.

"Well, I'm looking for proper results, the sooner, the better. Not to grade her on her bloody perfect penmanship."