Rey felt the warmth from the fire on her backside as she laid her head down. She could feel Ren going further with Luke and they started to patrol. She sensed his feelings, Ren was intrigued at whatever him and Luke were discussing. She fought the desire to close her eyes; Rey wanted to wait until Ren returned. She started to doze when it jolted her. The Dark Side. Ren was fearful and angry, the emotions were strong in his mind. Rey took a breath and held it, then exhaled. She focused on the Force, the cold air, the living trees, the fire's warmth. It helped that Ren also started to calm himself and she felt nothing more from him except callous resolve. She dozed, waking occasionally to see if Ren had returned. Several hours must have passed when he and Luke returned to camp. Luke woke Chewie, and the wookie whined quietly and got up to patrol until morning. Ren added some more wood to the fire, and knelt down next to her. Rey lifted her blanket for him, the cold air rushing in. She shivered and he added his blanket to hers.
"You should have been sleeping" he said quietly as she snuggled up to him, her head resting on his arm.
"I dozed here and there. You had a interesting conversation with Luke?" she murmured sleepily into his chest. His muscles tensed around her and the angry feeling returned until he exhaled.
"We were discussing some things, we have to be careful being close to the Nightsisters. Just rest..." He kissed her forehead and he started to breathe deeply. She fell asleep comforted with his arm around her.
Poe needed to think of a good name for Sicarii's ship that now belonged to the Resistance. He sat in the cockpit checking the systems as they prepared for their mission. It would come to him sooner or later he determined. It was agreed upon between him and General Leia, if there was a First Order fleet stationed at Ossus, the small craft would buy them time to go back into hyperspace instead of a Resistance x-wing. He took it out on a few test runs earlier to get used to the controls. It responded well to his direction. Finn buckled in next to him, and BB8 beeped between them. General Leia's serious voice came over the intercom "Poe, scout only and report back when you can." And more softly "Be safe. No unnecessary risks please."
He finally made the last jump out of hyperspace. It took them nearly twelve hours to get to Ossus, five of those were making smaller hyperspace jumps around the Cron Drift. His eyes quickly scanned the space in front of him. The Cron Drift shone brilliantly nearby; even though the parent star of the nearby Cron system had went supernova a millennia ago, the light from the remaining gasses added to the nearby star's intensity. Ossus was rusty red colored and nearly cloudless. There were several First Order ships lazily orbiting the planet, and thankfully no Executor-class dreadnoughts, the largest ship the First Order used.
"Poe, we need to go. They will sense the ship soon." Finn said behind him, worried.
"Get the coordinates and enter them in, but I'm going to take the ship closer to see what I can find. Their bigger ships are on the far side of the planet." Poe took the small craft closer and started counting the ships. Many of them were just transports. There were a few basic dreadnaught ships, capable of holding four TIEs if he had to guess. With the bigger ships on the farside of the planet, Poe was determined to get more information for the general.
He got closer to the planet and a First Order officer came on the frequency, requesting codes and information from them. Poe swore loudly, he hated not being able to bring the most information back to General Organa. Finn looked shocked at his outburst and grabbed the telecom.
"FN 2199 reporting, requesting clearance, we were split from the First Order at the Thesme Sector several days ago. The fleet was destroyed from a surprise assault from the Resistance." Finn's voice was calm and full of authority. Poe looked into Finn's dark eyes and they knew, if the First Order didn't buy into this they'd have to go into hyperspace immediately.
The frequency was quiet for some time, Poe sat in the chair and prepared to take the small craft into hyperspace. "Understood, we heard of the assault. Permission granted" and provided the coordinates.
Poe shut off the telecom. "Finn, we're going to look whats down there, then leave immediately. You were great!"
Finn's cheeks flushed and he weakly tried to stop smiling from the praise. "This is hardly what General Leia asked for. And I used my old commanders identification. It was worth a shot, hopefully he isn't there or somewhere that they could easily be made aware of our lie."
They flew in closer to the provided coordinates. There terrain was mostly rusty and orange-colored canyons with bare broad steppes, no sign of vegetation that Poe could see. There was a very large mountain that the coordinates lead to, and he saw grey buildings at its base. The mountain was alone for leagues, no other elevated landmark came near. More crews were working to construct additional buildings at its base, machines and equipment moved like small insects. Finn was paying rapt attention to every detail.
"There is something going on in that mountain. We won't be able to go in there Finn, but this is enough information and numbers for us." This was more than Poe hoped to get, his spirits felt high. The general would be pleased.
"That isn't a mountain, it was a volcano. They sealed off the top though. There is something in there..." Finn's brow furrowed, he was trying to make sense of the First Order Base, if it could be called that.
Poe interrupted his study "Are the coordinates ready Finn?" Finn nodded, finally breaking his eyes away.
Poe aggressively turned the craft around and jetted through the atmosphere. The First Order came on the frequency again demanding information but Poe ignored him and set up the ship for hyperspace, and entered it seconds later.
They would have two hours until they came out of hyperspace. Poe made use of the time they had together on the way to Ossus, laying with Finn and talking of dreams and Poe's childhood. Finn made his way back to the sole bunk on the ship, and laid down.
"BB8 tell me when we're at one hour forty five minutes." The droid beeped confirmation at him and rolled into the cockpit. Poe made his way to Finn and reclined on the bunk. Finn wrapped his arms around him, and settled his head near Poe's neck. Finn was wearing a tight black top with pants, and Poe enjoyed the sight; Finn was built from his time in the First Order. Poe usually had held his prior lovers but strangely enjoyed Finn holding him instead. He loved seeing their contrasting skin tones, enjoying his warm brown on his olive toned skin. Different, but the same. Poe and Finn's heart beat for each other. "I can't tell you enough how much I love you. You amaze me always." Finn tightened his hold on him and kissed his neck. Poe started to hum, and he felt Finn's cheek twitch into a smile on his shoulder. Finn's hand threaded through Poe's, and it rested on Poe's abdomen. Poe softly sang about searching for that once special place, that one special star, that one special person in the whole galaxy.
Rey chewed on the tough dried meat as they walked. It was mid-day, and still overcast with grey clouds. They were at the foot of the mountain region, the trees were sparse and the soil was very rocky. Cool winds chilled by the snow brushed them from the mountain tops. Ren was eating next to her, his emotions fluctuating between apprehension and boredom.
"What are you bored about?" She asked, still chewing. Neya walked on the other side of Rey, her eyes searching the nearby land for any threats. Luke and Chewie walked behind them, and as usual, Lana'i walked much further in front of them.
Ren swallowed the cheese he had been eating, and sipped some water from his canteen. "Nothing brings me more joy than eating meat and cheese for every meal" He said wryly. He shared a small smile with her but his eyes still held worry. She didn't bother to ask him his concern. He danced around the question this morning, and she felt his desire to avoid the subject. He sighed, he knew she wanted to know more. "We just have to be careful. Promise me" he said in a hushed voice.
Rey sighed and looked ahead, Lana'i was starting to go up a narrow path. Ren was very protective of her, and although it grated on her, she also enjoyed the feeling. She always had to look out for herself, having someone care and want to protect her was still a new experience. They walked to where Lana'i went up the path, Ren made sure to go first. Neya looked surprised with his decision, but followed. Rey followed after with Luke behind her. "Make sure you're feeling with the Force Rey." Her master murmured behind her. Rey nodded and felt with the Force. Ren became more focused and she glanced ahead, his hand was close to his lightsaber. His worry started to creep into her mind. It bothered her, and she wondered if the Nightsisters were really his biggest concern. Nearly their entire group was Force sensitive, with Luke a full fledged Jedi, and Chewie with his bowcaster. Ren was strong and able to use the Dark Side, it would be a surprise to the Nightsisters to see that. They also had lightsabers. Rey's mind went over their strengths in her mind repeatedly.
Half an hour must had passed when Lana'i stopped and turned to them. "Ahead is where Beriz is exiled. I will go to her and let her know we are here."
Neya spoke, her voice determined "I will go as well."
Lana'i's eyes narrowed, then she nodded. "Very well." After some time, Neya returned and took them to the clearing where Beriz lived. There was an overhang of the mountain that served as a shelter for the exiled clanswoman; inside was only enough room for her bedding and a small fire, charred wood and ashes were all that remained. The woman was seated looking up at them as they arrived, her body tense, her hand near a spear. She had fire red hair and pale green eyes, the color of her hair was shocking to Rey. It was braided like every clanswoman. Her skin was very pale, and although the skin near her eyes was dark, it was healing.
Neya introduced them "Beriz. The Jedi Luke Skywalker has questions for you if you would be kind to answer. Euouae trusts him and agreed to send him for this information."
"I know why you are here. It is the reason why I left the Nightsisters." Beriz spat. Her voice was husky and trembled with anger.
Luke nodded "With all respect, I had not planned to come to Dathomir until a Nightsister was found on a First Order ship less than a week ago. I need to know what they are planning. "
It was obvious Beriz loathed being addressed by him, her eyes stared with hatred. Rey felt nervous for Luke, however he stood calmly. She breathed and tried to emulate him. Ren was a different case all together, she could feel his apprehension and focus though their bond.
Beriz spoke, her words heated with contempt "The First Order came here and made promises that if we helped them, they would give us more power and a way off of Dathomir, to practice nightspells and flourish as we wish. They sent a man initially, which we punished and sent him back. Normally we kill men or make them breed with us but we do not want the First Order's wrath upon us. But the second time, they sent a woman, a warrior not unlike ourselves. She said we would have to pledge fealty to their Supreme Leader. Some felt this was just like when the old Emperor came here with his offer. But others started to think that words could be broken, we could get away from here and set up a new home, a new order of Nightsisters. I disagreed with serving any man and left them."
"What kind of power was promised?" Luke asked.
"They said they found something, that required Force users to activate. They wouldn't divulge more. I am unsure if they even know what it is."
Luke nodded, his blue eyes pensive. "That is concerning. Is the Nightsister's camp near here?" Rey felt nervous with his question.
"Less than an hour from here we can actually see it. I do not care to bring you closer though. They have sentries." Unease entered Beriz's voice. She was afraid Rey realized.
"Have you seen any ships recently? Leave or arrive?"
"One arrived a week ago, It has not left." Beriz said, getting up to her feet, her spear in hand.
"Take us as close as you feel comfortable. We may be able to find some information on their numbers and activities." Luke replied. He looked determined, and also calm. Ren was staring at the Jedi. Worry filled his mind.