Chapter 29 - Adopting change
Kylo opened his eyes suddenly, a jolt of adrenaline coursing through him as he realised he was alone in his quarters. The silence felt unsettling; for the first time in what felt like an eternity, he had not been plauged by dreams of the little girl he had named Leia. A chill swept through him as he sat up, the absence of Rey's presence leaving a void that tugged at his heart.
He shook his head, trying to dispel the lingering sense that something was profoundly wrong. With resolute determination, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and quickly dressed in his dark, form-fitting attire. The corridors of the Star Destroyer stretched endlessly before him as he walked, but his feet moved with purpose, guiding him instinctively to the hangar bay.
As he approached, the familiar sounds of machinery and distant voice commands filled the air, grounding him in the present. The urge to fly surged within him, overwhelming any hesitation. Perhaps losing himself in the vastness of space would provide clarity. He reached the hangar, his heart racing in anticipation. Grabbing the receiver, he barked into it, announcing his intention to take an unscheduled flight.
His voice echoed through the comms, sharp and decisive. With his mind focused and adrenaline pumping, he began conducting his pre-flight checks with precision, his hands navigating his preparations for takeoff. Climbing aboard his sleek TIE Silencer, he settled into the cockpit, the familiar hum of the ship enveloping him. He initiated the launch sequence, and, with a powerful thrust, the engines roared to life.
The hangar doors opened wide, and he shot out into the inky blackness of space, the stars shining like distant beacons. As he soared away from the confines of the ship, he felt a flicker of freedom, hoping that the vastness ahead would help him escape the turmoil within.
As soon as he emerged into the airspace above Geonosis, a strange yet compelling connection washed over him, beckoning him to venture further into the depths of open space. Intrigued, he decided to follow this inexplicable pull. Checking his navigational charts, he discovered that Tatooine lay only a parsec away, perfectly aligned with the direction in which he felt drawn.
The irony struck him: he was heading to the very planet where his grandfather, Anakin Skywalker, had been born, and the place where his uncle, Luke, had spent his formative years. Before long, he found himself hovering over the iconic, sun-scorched landscapes of Tatooine. The planet's rugged terrain was dotted with dunes and rocky outcrops, shimmering under the twin suns.
As he descended, a familiar signature enveloped him, grounding him in a mix of confusion and curiosity. Kylo was certain it wasn't Rey; she remained on Rori, far from this desolate world. Navigating through the atmosphere, he followed the elusive signature until he spotted a dusty, barren plain below. There, his keen eyes noted a collection of dilapidated buildings, their surfaces worn and weathered by time.
A group of children, their laughter echoing through the still air, dashed playfully into one of the curved adobe structures. The sight stirred something deep within him—nostalgia or perhaps something more profound. With a confident maneuver, Kylo landed his ship on the parched earth, the engines humming down to silence.
He stepped out into the harsh light, his boots crunching on the gravel as he approached the source of the lingering presence, his heart pounding with anticipation and a hint of trepidation. Each step brought him closer, intensifying the connection and leaving him curious about what he would uncover amidst the ruins of Tatooine.
"It can't be, can it?" Kylo thought to himself, a whirlwind of emotions flooding his mind.
Suddenly, the heavy door swung open with a loud creak, and his breath caught in his throat. There stood the little girl from his dreams, tears streaming down her cheeks as she sprinted toward him, her tiny figure a blur of movement.
"Leia?" Kylo called out, his heart racing with a mix of hope and fear.
The little girl looked up, her face lighting up despite the tears. "Daddy!" she squealed, her voice full of relief and joy. With all her strength, she ran toward him, her small legs pumping furiously against the floor.
As she reached him, he knelt down, and she leapt into his open arms. Behind her, a group of older children tumbled out of the doorway, their laughter ringing out like cruel bells as they chased her. But when they saw Kylo wrap his arms protectively around Leia, their laughter faded into stunned silence.
"You came," Leia whimpered, her voice muffled against his shoulder as she clung to him tightly, as if she was afraid he might disappear.
Kylo's heart swelled with an overwhelming need to protect her. He gently pulled back to examine her, his fingers brushing her cheeks to dry her tears. She was exactly as he remembered from his dreams—the same brown eyes that sparkled like stars, the familiar sprinkle of freckles across her nose, and the soft brown waves of her hair.
This was not just a figment of his imagination; she was real, warm, and alive in his arms.
"What happened? Are you okay?" he asked, concern gripping him as he searched her face for signs of injury.
Leia sniffled, peering cautiously over his shoulder at the group of children who still stared at them in disbelief. "They were being mean," she said, her voice trembling. "They said you weren't real."
Kylo's expression hardened with protectiveness. "I'm definitely real," he assured her, his voice steady and comforting. "And apparently, so are you." He tightened his hold on her, as if to shield her from the cruel world outside.
"Who do you think you are?" an authoritative voice rang out, sharp and commanding. The words belonged to an older woman whose tone was unwavering and firm. "Put the girl down," she demanded, her eyes fixed on Kylo with a mix of concern and determination.
Kylo shifted the small figure of Leia in his arms, glancing toward the direction of the voice. The woman approaching him was robust, with graying hair framing her round face and rich olive skin that suggested a life spent under the sun.
As she caught sight of Kylo, a flicker of recognition washed over her features, and she halted in her tracks, her posture slightly more subdued. "My lord," she said, her voice softening, "I did not recognise you."
"Who does this girl belong to?" Kylo asked, his voice steady as he held Leia protectively against him. There was an edge of curiosity mixed with authority in his tone.
"She is one of my charges," the woman replied, a hint of urgency in her voice. "She was an orphan surrendered at birth. I'm truly sorry if she's bothering you. I assure you, she will be disciplined appropriately."
At that moment, Leia whimpered softly in Kylo's arms, her small frame trembling slightly, conveying her fear and confusion in the face of the sudden confrontation.
"That won't be necessary," Kylo said with an air of impatience, his dark eyes narrowing. "What is the price to buy the girl?"
The lady paused, clearly taken aback. "Excuse me, my lord," she replied, her voice wavering slightly.
Kylo leaned forward slightly, his demeanor authoritative. "This is an orphanage, isn't it? I can only assume that the children here are for sale." His tone was firm, expecting an answer.
"Well, yes, but…" she hesitated, glancing nervously at the girl in question. "You don't want that one; she is quite sick..."
Kylo cut her off with a sharp look, his patience wearing thin. "Don't dictate which child I want. Just answer my question," he growled, his voice low and commanding.
"Yes, of course, my lord," she stammered, quickly regaining her composure. "Each child is priced at 5,000 credits. However, given the health issues of the girl, you could acquire her for 4,000 credits."
"Deal," Kylo replied, his voice unwavering and decisive. He glanced at the girl, noting her frail frame but feeling no hesitation. "I'm in a hurry, so I need you to prepare the paperwork quickly." As he spoke, he could feel the weight of his decision settling in—a mix of urgency and purpose driving him forward.
"Of course, my lord. Right this way," the lady said with a slight bow, gesturing toward a nearby building that had seen better days.
"Does she have any belongings?" Kylo asked, his brow furrowing slightly with concern.
"Just the clothing she is wearing, my lord," the lady responded, her tone apologetic.
Kylo tightened his grip around the girl, holding her more securely against his chest. He could feel her small fist clenching the fabric of his tunic.
As he stepped into the building, he noted its low, oppressive ceiling, forcing him to duck his head to avoid bumping it. The dimly lit room contained a line of worn beds, their thin mattresses sagging with age, and at the far end was the familiar small cot tucked against the wall.
"My office is on the other side," the lady said, her voice tinged with embarrassment. "I would have cleaned this place up if I had known you were coming, my lord. It's in worse shape than I would like to admit."
Kylo's eyes narrowed slightly as he regarded the environment, noting the clutter and disarray. "You mentioned health requirements. Can you explain what you mean by that?" he asked, his interest piqued.
The lady's expression turned serious. "She struggles to keep food down and has alarmingly low energy levels. I'm not entirely sure what is wrong with her, but I can tell she's getting sicker by the day. It breaks my heart to see her like this."
As she spoke, she moved to a desk in the corner, its surface covered with papers and files, and began pulling out documentation related to the girl's condition. "Does she still require nappies, or is she toilet-trained?" Kylo inquired, his voice steady but revealing a hint of concern.
"She is toilet-trained," the lady replied slowly, "but she occasionally has accidents. It seems the stress of her condition affects her more than we realise." Her eyes shifted to the girl, who was still clinging tightly to Kylo.
It didn't take long for Kylo to complete the adoption process. With a determined look on his face, he retrieved his credit chip and confidently paid the required fee for Leia, carefully signing the necessary paperwork.
Throughout the entire exchange, he refused to set Leia down, cradling her securely in his arms. Her soft giggles filled the air as he shifted her, clearly enjoying the comfort of being held by him.
"Can I assist you with anything else, my lord?" the lady at the desk inquired, her tone both respectful and professional. Kylo shook his head, maintaining his focus.
"No," he replied curtly, turning on his heel and making his way back toward the ship parked just outside. Once inside the sleek vessel, Kylo glanced down at Leia, who was looking at him with bright, curious eyes.
"Are you ready to go home?" he asked, his voice softer now as he navigated through the controls.
"Will my new mother be there?" Leia asked, her innocent question filled with hope.
Kylo paused for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "She's... uh, currently at work. But you'll get to meet her soon," he promised, giving her a reassuring smile.
As they lifted off and soared through the vastness of space toward the Finalizer, Kylo felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. He knew he needed to face Rey and explain that the little girl he had seen in his dreams was not just a figment of his imagination, but someone he had just adopted and was now responsible for.
The thought of bringing Leia into their life both thrilled and scared him.
Kylo Ren approached the imposing Star Destroyer, he activated the communication system to summon both General Hux and Captain Parlux. The hum of engines faded as he brought the ship in for a landing in the vast hangar bay. Once the ship came to a halt, he stepped down from the ramp, a mixture of determination and urgency coursing through him.
Hux and Captain Parlux stood nearby, their expressions a blend of confusion and disbelief. They exchanged worried glances, unsure of what to expect. With a fluid motion, Kylo lifted Leia out of the ship, cradling her carefully in his arms.
The sight was unexpected, and Hux tilted his head, eyes wide. "Who's that?" he asked, his voice laced with astonishment.
"My daughter," Kylo said firmly, a hint of pride in his voice.
"Daughter?" Hux exclaimed in disbelief. "Since when do you have a daughter? And who, may I ask, is the mother?"
"Rey," Kylo replied without a moment's hesitation, as if the answer were obvious.
Hux's jaw dropped in shock, a mixture of confusion and incredulity washing over him. He opened his mouth to respond but found himself at a loss for words. The notion of Kylo Ren—known for his intense demeanor and ruthless ambition—having a daughter with Rey, was almost too much to comprehend. He was trying to do the math in his head which didn't add up. Hux blinked several times, struggling to process the unexpected revelation.
"Captain Parlux, this is Leia," Kylo began, his tone serious yet softened by a hint of warmth. "I would like to reassign you to the role of her nanny. It is essential that you ensure she has all the necessary supplies for her well-being. She will need a selection of clothes suited for various occasions, as well as an assortment of toys to keep her entertained. Additionally, we will require a small bed to be added to my chambers, where she can rest comfortably. If you could take care of these arrangements while I escort her to the med bay for a thorough check-up," he instructed.
Captain Parlux's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she smiled broadly and bowed respectfully. "Of course, my lord. It would be my honor to take on this responsibility." She nearly skipped out of the room in her excitement, her heart swelling with anticipation at the new task ahead of her.
Kylo couldn't help but smirk at her joyful demeanor before turning his attention back to Hux, who was examining Leia with a curious expression, intrigued by the young girl's presence and what it might mean for their future.
"I'm not going to comment further on this," he said, his gaze drifting back to Kylo, who stood with an air of calm authority. "I merely wanted to inform you that the execution was completed without any incidents."
"Thank you for the update," Kylo replied, still cradling Leia's hand in his. She watched the exchange with wide, curious eyes, taking in the tension in the room.
Kylo looked down at her, a soft smile breaking across his face that seemed to lighten the heavy atmosphere. "Let's go, sweetheart." With that, he lifted her effortlessly into his arms, cradling her against him as they made their way out of the bay, his voice reassuring as he answered her innocent questions as they went.
Hux blinked, his brow furrowing as he walked back towards the bridge with a mixture of confusion and concern. "I don't know what that was, but this could definitely be a problem," he thought to himself. "Since when does Kylo Ren smile."