Star Wars: A Bond Awakens
Chapter Six: As the Weeks Go By
It has been eleven weeks. Everyone was running out of time. Finn was utterly impatient. Ora was the same. Every day Poe, Finn, and Ora mostly sat in silence at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They all sat together still, and all three thought hard about what they could do to help, but none of them could figure out what they could do other then clean, man the ships, and listen in on everything they could when there was a meeting.
"You're starting to show," Poe noted one evening at dinner.
Ora looked down at herself. It didn't help that she hadn't bothered to find properly fitting clothing either. Her clothes were now tighter on her.
Finn couldn't look at her. He still blamed her for most everything. More importantly, he blamed her for having lost Rey. "Have you spoken to Rey lately?"
This was about all he talked to Ora about. At an attempt to make him feel better or even like her a little more, she told him she had spoken to her through the Force. He felt better, yes, but he certainly didn't like much more now than he did before. Ora shook her head. Ben and Rey were quiet. She purposely avoided speaking to Ben, but Rey hadn't been answering her at all. She can't blame her of course. She was neither trained, nor in decent conditions to communicate, Ora imagined.
"No, but remembered she is untrained in the Force."
"She is being tortured, Ora," he exclaimed, "Of course she wouldn't find the will to communicate."
General Leia walked up to them, smiling. Or at least trying. "If you don't mind, I would like to borrow Ora for the day."
Finn waved his hand nonchalantly, and Poe nodded.
Ora stood up having finished her food and walked with Leia towards the ships outside on the landing. "So, I've been thinking that we could have just a private day with no responsibilities or thought of what's been going on. Just you and me."
The young women lit up at the thought. "Oh! Where will we go?"
"Well, there is this small planet just outside with many markets and shops. I thought maybe we could find something more fitting. You have filled out quite nicely for being only twelve weeks along." She continued talking as they boarded the ship that was all ready to go for them with a pilot and a co-pilot to take them away. It was nice to see outerspace again. Ora had missed it. "When I was ten weeks pregnant with Ben everyone was shocked at how big I was so early. But let me tell you, that not only was he a huge baby, but being as small as I am, that doesn't help either."
Ora laughed. "Well, this baby better be normal sized because I hear it's painful as is without having a bigger child."
"Oh, don't fret over that. There are plenty of drugs they will shoot you up with to ease the pain," Leia smiled.
This. This was when she was happiest. Talking freely with someone she calls family, having the evil out of her mind, being able to laugh and talk about something beautiful. This is what she wanted for the rest of her life.
It was right then her smile faded and she realized how tired she was of always wishing, always wondering what if. Never being able to ease her mind of Ben. It was all so exhausting to carry such a weight on her shoulders and to feel so betrayed by someone who said to love her.
"Are you alright, Ora?" Leia asked as she poured some tea into two small cups.
"Yes."
"We have an hour until we get there, but I was wondering if you could tell me anything about...you know, when you and Ben were training with Luke. I'm sorry to ask, but Ben never contacted me or his father. I know nothing about when he was younger."
Ora ripped open a sugar packet and put a little in. She didn't want to go back into the past and dig up lost memories she very much wished she could relive again, but she knew little about her own son. How could she keep him all to herself? Ora searched through her memories, picking out which ones were best, but making sure not to leave out the worst either. Because both went hand in hand and even when it was bad, it brought out a lot of good.
"Well, I had grown up, as you know, my entire life with Luke. And I remember when I was seven years old, this strange and quiet boy came to the temple with Luke. I think he wanted us to be close because of his connection with each of us. There was only two other younglings. Both siblings. Brothers. But they weren't very nice, so it was really just Ben and I. He was kind of mean at first, giving one-worded sentences whenever I tried to start a conversation with him. But eventually, I got him to smile. And I will say that he has the most contagious smile I've ever seen in my twenty-eight years." Just thinking about his smile made her smile. She tried to hide it when she saw that Leia was looking with such pride in her eyes, but she was happy she couldn't. "It had been a few months at that point and Luke was teaching us how kindness could mean the littlest of differences in a person..."
xxxOra-Seven Years Oldxxx
Luke released the four children to play on the temple grounds. Ora sat small little self under a tree thinking hard of what she could do for each of the children there. Maybe if she did something nice as Master Luke said, she could make the kids be nicer to her and Ben. But it was hard. The small planet they were on contained nothing more than salt water and rocks.
She was more concentrated on Ben, however. Maybe she could make him a pet rock. Lifeless as they are, they seemed pretty cool especially on such a lonely, far away planet in the middle of nowhere.
It took some time, but finally she decided to simply write an encouraging letter for Ben and each of the other students there. Running back to her chambers, she ripped out a piece of paper from a book and began writing on the back of it.
Dear Ben,
Even though you can be a little mean sometimes, I know you are beautiful at heart and the greatest friend in the whole galaxy. I'm glad Luke brought you here. If there wasn't you, I wouldn't have any friends. And I think you will be the most brilliant Jedi of all of us. You just wait!
And if there is anything you want or need, you can always ask me. I'll be there for you. Promise!
Love, Ora.
She sealed the letter messily with some tape and went off to find Ben, completely forgetting about the rest of the students. Soon enough, she found him sitting in the grass messing with something. The rest of the way, she skipped happily, plopping herself down next to him. He jumped slightly, hiding whatever he had from her.
"What's that?" she asked nosily.
He furrowed her brows at her. "None of your business."
She smiled despite his bluntness. "I wrote this for you, Ben. Will you read it now?"
He took it with his free hand, but gave it back. "Hold on. Okay. I'm done. I made this for you." He handed her an object of grass that was weaving in and out to make a heart.
Ora lit up like a fire. "I love it!" She shoved herself into his vacinity and gave him a giant hug. When she pulled away, she saw how bright and beautiful his smile was, and that's when she realized that the best thing she had ever seen was that.
She gave him the note again. She looked at him intently. So intently that she noticed he read it twice. He looked up, and to her delight was smiling once more. "Thank you."
xxxOra-Presentxxx
"There was nothing more rewarding for me than to see him smile." Ora began to laugh and said, "If Luke could, I know he would bribe me to stay out of trouble with it."
A tear streamed down Leia's cheek. She looked at Ora with as much pride and love as she would her own. "Thank you for telling me."
Ora nodded. She took her dishes to the ship's sink and rinsed them clean.
"We're here!" the pilot said over the intercom. Ora rushed to the window like a child and looked out at the beautiful green town surrounding them. It was a quaint place, but full of people and trinkets and chatter. There was a stand for everything from snacks to furniture and tools.
Ora ran off the ship as soon as she could with Leia amused right behind her.
There was a sweet smell in the air. She followed the scent to a stand with as many sweets as there were stars in the sky. Her mouth was watering a pool. "I'll take one of those. Maybe one of everything..."
"Slow down there," Leia laughed. "Don't want to over eat."
"It all looks so good though. How about you pick for me?"
Leia pointed before the merchant. "Two of those, please." The general allowed Ora to use her own credits to pay for the sweets, but insisted she spoil her the rest of the day.
"I think you'll be able to do plenty of spoiling when the baby arrives."
She smiled with excitement. "That child will most definitely be spoiled by both his grandparents. I will garauntee you that, Ora."
"He? So you think the baby is a boy then."
"With how you look now, I have no doubt."
They both laughed, chowing down on their sweets.
"If I could live off of any one food in the world, it would be this cinnamon biscuit. It tastes absolutely amazing," she said, finishing the biscuit off.
"Oh, here is a shop with some clothes. Let's see if we can't find any that fit."
There was an older lady and her thirty-something son sitting in front of a house with racks upon racks of different clothing. Ora walked up to them. She was going to speak, but she didn't have to.
"Maternity clothes?" the elder asked. "We have plenty of those over there. Kall, go show her where they are. My feet are too banged up to walk very far."
He was handsome man, a few inches taller than she, and he carried himself with much more confidence and happiness for someone in such a small town. The man gave her a nice smile, leading her to a rack furthest away from the small hut. "We also have a fitting room just about the corner of the house if you need one."
Ora nodded, "Thank you."
He walked back over to his mother again.
Leia and she examined each article, finding something practical and fitting. That's when she noticed a beautiful lengthy tunic with leggings that wasn't only just attractive to look at, but appeared logical to wear in battle. Ora frowned at how she even had to think of going into battle at all.
No, this is supposed to be a happy, relaxing day.
"Look at this, Leia. Look how pretty the details on the tunic are! I've never seen anything like it!"
Leia definitely approved. "Go on and try it! And don't you change back until I see you in it!"
Ora nodded with plenty of joy, rushing in to try it on. When she came out, Leia looked at her amazed. "Well, I'll say that if you wish to hide, this will not do, but it's the most beautiful thing I've seen on anyone. And I'm sure it's only because a beautiful woman and child are filling it out. You should leave it on. I'll go pay for it. Here. Let me take your other clothes."
She payed for the tunic and leggings while Ora admired herself in the mirror. She was right, there wasn't much hiding herself in this unless someone were to only look at her back, but it was comfortable and elegant just the same.
Ora turned towards Leia who was chatting away with the man and elder lady. Feeling satisfied, she walked back to the counter beside Leia. It was clear they had been talking a bit about her.
"Don't you worry, child," the lady said. "You are just such a tiny human that it's no wonder you look so pregnant."
The young Jedi laughed. "I think I'm getting used to it."
"Well," Leia said, picking up where she left off before Ora interrupted, "I would love to have your son in the Resistance. We could use all the pilots and members we can get with what's going on now. If you can fly as well as you say you can, I would be most grateful for your service and your volunteering for the cause. We are low as it is, but our staff is working hard and we might be able to succeed in destroying their weapon."
Ora looked Kall whose chestnut brown hair was long and tied in the back. One pilot more. What use was it? Would one more pilot make any difference against a fleet of First Order pilots? Would there be any way to actually be successful in saving the Resistance? She hated how doubt crept so easily into her mind.
The man looked up, catching Ora staring absentmindedly. Ora blushed, looking away, ashamed for being rude.
"Yes, I would love to join the Resistance. I will do all I can, even if I can only fight in a ship. I'll do it," he said with a smile radiating with confidence and care.
"Well, we will continue around the town and when we are finished, we will meet you back here, and we will take you to the base."
"I'll be waiting."
They shook hands. Leia thanked him again, and they were off about the rest of the town, searching for more items and clothing that would be needed in the future.
"He was kind of cute," she remarked.
Ora's brows raised. "Are you suggesting..."
She stopped walking; Ora followed suit. The tone became more serious than the young Jedi anticipated. "Well, all I'm saying is you shouldn't dwell too much on the past. Right now, you should have yourself a bit of fun. Force knows, everyone right now needs it."
"The thought is unbearable. Not because I believe I'll be with Ben again, but because I don't want to lead anyone on knowing that I can only love him."
Leia's eyes were sad. She took Ora's hand and squeezed it. "I hope Ben sees how much you and I and his father love him. And I hope he sees how loyal and amazing you are."
"I wouldn't go that far," Ora said light-heartedly, "But I do hope he knows." She looked around, seeing that they covered most of the shops and having gotten what they wanted and needed. "Well, I'm exhausted. How about you?"
"I'm old," the general remarked with a coy smile, "I'm always exhausted."
xxx
The three boarded the ship, the pilot taking off immediately. Some new information was found at the base and they needed to speak to the general right away.
Leia was talking to Han over a holo in the next room while her and the man sat at the table drinking more tea.
"How long have you been in the Resistance?" he asked.
"I guess...for ten years now I suppose."
He nodded. "That was when the Jedi temple burned and Luke disappeared."
"Yes, it was."
"So, I was wondering maybe you could show me around the base when we arrive?" he asked.
There was kindness in his eyes, and she needed to immediately shut it down. "My soul belongs to another. I'm sorry."
He chuckled, "I didn't mean anything more than a tour. My apologies for making you think otherwise."
Ora laughed and blushed in utter embarrassment. What made her so cocky? "Oh, sorry. Yea, of course."
"But you can tell that guy that he is the luckiest man to have such a kind woman such as yourself."
Her mouth barely twitched into a smile. "Maybe I'll be able to tell him someday."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up something touchy. He isn't at the base?"
She shook her head, setting her cup down on its saucer. "He joined the First Order."
"He abandoned you with child?"
"Oh! No, no! He joined long ago."
"So despite being part of the First Order you still manage to see him?"
Ora laughed, her eyes watering. "You, good sir, are quite nosy."
He smiled. "Yes, I know. Forgive me. You don't have to say anything."
"No, it's alright. I'm nosy myself. Why don't you tell me more about yourself?"
xxx
Rey? Can you hear me Rey?
She paused a moment.
Still, she heard nothing. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't hear her voice or presence. She wasn't sure what was happening.
Rey, please stay strong.
Ora decided to leave it all alone and walk into the meeting room. Every Resistance member including Kall was there, ready to listen to the plan and receive orders.
Poe began to speak. "The scan data from Snap's reconnaissance flight confirms Finn's report. They've somehow created a hyper-lightspeed weapon built within the planet itself."
"A laser canon?" someone asked.
"We aren't sure how to describe a weapon of this scale," Poe continued.
"It's like another Death Star," someone piped up.
"I wish that were the case, Major," Poe sighed. He tapped some buttons on the panel revealing a holo. "This is the Death Star...and this is Starkiller Base."
There were whispers among the group. The First Order's base was at least ten times that of the original Death Star.
"Ma'am," a staff member whispered to Leia who stood right next to Ora. The woman handed Leia a message. The general was not pleased.
"The First Order is charging their weapon again now. Our system is the next target."
Too early.
Ora felt her gaze drift away from that place. She tried again to feel anyone other than those who were here. Rey... Ben...
But there was no one. Nothing but the anguish in her heart.
"Okay, okay," Han said, trying to calm the chaos down. "How do we blow it up? There's always a way to do that."
Leia nodded. "Han's right."
"In order for that amount of power to be contained," Statura explained, "that base has to have some kind of thermal oscillator."
"There is one!" Finn jumped out of where he was standing and pointed to the spot on the Starkiller base. "Precinct forty-seven. Here."
"If we can destroy that oscillator it might destabilize the core and cripple the weapon. Maybe even the whole planet."
Poe was ready. "We will go in there and we'll hit that oscillator with everything we've got. But they have defensive shields our ships can't penetrate."
"I can disable the shields," Finn said. "But I have to be there. On the planet."
"I'll get you there," Han assured him.
Poe interrupted, "So we disable the shields...we take out the oscillator and we blow up their big gun. Alright let's go!"
Everyone scattered to their positions. Ora followed the pilots outside. Everyone geared up for their big plan, putting on their suits and planting their droids into the backs of the X-wings.
"Where do you think you're going?" Han asked.
"Just saying goodbye," Ora managed innocently.
There was clanking from Finn's direction. "Hey, be careful with those. They're explosives."
"Now you tell me?" Finn said dumbfounded.
"Look, please let me go," Ora begged. "I'll stay on the Falcon. Keep watch. I won't move. Please?"
There was so little time now, that she hoped her speedy begging was successful. He looked at her carefully, shaking his head. "I absolutely don't want you going with us. But you're an adult. If you feel you want to come, then I won't stop you. Chewy on the other hand might."
Chewy groaned, warning her she was in no condition to be there. It was dangerous.
"I love you, Chewy, but I'm coming with you guys."
Chewy moaned in protest.
Han took his jacket off and handed it to her. "Here. Put this on. Cover yourself up, will ya?"
Ora took the jacket and obeyed his orders, zipping it up tightly. It was big and quite hard to be agile in, but it would do."
"You know," Leia spoke from behind them, "No matter how much we fought, I always hated watching you leave."
"That's why I did it. So you'd miss me." He walked up to her with a smirk on his face.
"I did miss you."
Ora tried not listening in, but she couldn't help it. Their interaction made her hopeful and happy. They were wonderful and wild together. They were confusing, but amazing.
Han brought her in, resting her head against his chest in a loving hug.
"If you see our son...bring him home," Leia whispered. But Ora didn't miss a beat of it.
She turned away, trying to ignore them now. She helped Finn with the explosives, making sure he didn't accidently blow himself up. Clumsy one he was, that was for sure.
Leia walked up behind her. "I understand that you are going with Han and Finn?"
She nodded, trying to smile at her with pride in making her own decisions. Not many thought her decisions were wise, which is probably why she felt the need to have so much confidence in herself and make it clear to others she was confident.
Leia hugged her right then tightly around the shoulders. "You be careful. Don't get yourself into too much trouble. I hear you caused a lot in the past."
Ora laughed. "I'll try."
"And Ora," she began, "I don't know whether you should tell Ben either, it's your decision of course, but if you do. Tell him that I love him and just want him to come home so we can all be together as one family."
"Of course." Ora hugged her again. She tried staying strong, pushing the tears back. The idea of one family sounded beautiful.
But at the moment it seemed so far away.