Chapter 28 - Return to Base
Rey and JK settled into the Millennium Falcon's familiar cockpit, the engines' comforting hum whirring in the background. Chewbacca sat in the pilot seat, growling as he adjusted the controls, while R2-D2 beeped excitedly, his lights flashing in a cheerful rhythm. C-3PO, ever the anxious protocol droid, was busy checking windows around them as they soared through the atmosphere. They were headed back to the Resistance base, where they would finally share their account of the recent events in one comprehensive debriefing. Poe didn't think relaying the information over the radio transmission was safe.
The First Order had moved their ships from Naboo airspace just after Rey and JK had left, allowing them safe passage to Rori. Yet, as they flew further away from Varykino Villa, Rey couldn't shake the creeping feelings of anxiety and anger that began to rise within her like a dark storm brewing on the horizon. She knew her resolve would be tested in the days to come.
"The Resistance betrayed you... Kill them all," she thought to herself.
Rey closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, drawing in the cool air around her to steady her racing heart. Each breath was deliberate, as she focused on finding her centre amidst the chaos of her mind.
JK turned his gaze toward her. He studied her closely, looking for signs of distress.
"Are you alright?" JK whispered softly to Rey, his voice laced with genuine concern as he observed the worry etched on her face.
"I'm not really sure," Rey admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. Uncertainty clouded her expression as she struggled to collect her thoughts.
"Just remember, I'm here for anything you need," JK replied, offering her a reassuring smile. His presence had a calming effect, reminding her that she wasn't alone in this moment.
Rey managed a slight smile in response, Thank you," she said sincerely, grateful for his support.
She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself as the familiar rumble of Chewbacca's voice echoed through the cockpit, announcing their approach to the Resistance's base. They were descending into the hangar on Rori, a place filled with a whirlwind of memories and emotions.
Suddenly, Rey's hand began to tremble, a physical manifestation of the anxiety bubbling within her.
JK noticed her shaking hand and instinctively reached out to her. "Here," he said gently, his palm open and inviting.
Rey nodded quietly, extending her hand to take his. The moment he grasped her hand and helped her to her feet, she felt a surge of comfort wash over her. As the ramp lowered with a mechanical hiss, she caught a glimpse of familiar faces—Poe and Finn, their expressions a mixture of relief and concern. Rey tightened her grip on JK's hand, using the solid connection to anchor herself amidst the chaos of emotions swirling around her.
"They are traitors! They tried to kill your husband!" her voice growled in her mind.
At that moment, Rey felt a familiar connection with Kylo. She glanced over at him briefly before turning her focus back to Finn, who was rushing up the ramp with urgency.
As Finn reached her, he threw his arms around her in a tight embrace, causing her to instinctively let go of JK's hand.
"Are you okay?" Finn asked, his voice filled with concern.
Rey attempted to respond but found her words muffled against Finn's shoulder. "You're crushing me," she managed to say, feeling the discomfort intensify as Finn squeezed her tightly, pinning her arms at her sides.
"Sorry!" Finn exclaimed, quickly realising his grip was too tight, and he loosened his hold. "What happened?" he asked, looking deeply worried.
Poe, stopping halfway up the ramp and placing his hands firmly on his hips, shot a questioning look towards JK. "Who's this guy?" he demanded, clearly intrigued and skeptical at the same time.
Before anyone could respond, C-3PO interjected, his metal voice clear and precise. "That's Rey's partner, Jack," he explained.
"Partner?" Finn replied, his brow furrowing in confusion as he glanced between Rey and JK, trying to process this new information.
Poe narrowed his eyes as he scrutinised JK, clearly unconvinced. "This guy?" he questioned; skepticism evident in his tone as he assessed JK's presence among them.
Feeling annoyed, Rey gently pushed Finn aside before stepping closer to JK and grabbing his hand again. As she did, she heard Kylo let out a heavy sigh behind her.
"I'd choose him over you, pilot," Kylo declared, his voice seething with a potent blend of frustration and rivalry.
Rey couldn't help but suppress a smile at his words; they distracted her from the increasingly thick atmosphere around her. With a playful yet serious tone, she turned to address the group. "Are we going inside, or would you prefer to debrief here?" she asked, glancing between them.
Poe, his expression shifting from surprise to irritation, snapped his gaze back toward Rey. Jealousy flickered across his features as he pointed over his shoulder, indicating the entrance to the building. "We might as well do this inside," he said, his tone sharp.
Rey nodded confidently, leading as she guided JK towards the main mess hall. She didn't stop to look back but could still hear the conversation unfolding behind her.
"Did you know that Rey had a boyfriend?" Finn whined, his tone incredulous, as if the information was too shocking to process.
Kylo, who had fallen into step behind Rey, couldn't help but eavesdrop on the exchange too.
"Yeah, at least he's a better choice than Kylo Ren," Poe responded, his voice dripping with biting sarcasm.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that; I have more wealth and power than you could possibly imagine. I truly believe she made the right choice," Kylo insisted, his confidence unwavering as he continued the conversation, knowing they couldn't hear him.
Rey let out a snort, and at that moment, JK looked down at her.
"I think an Emperor would clearly make the better choice," JK whispered, his voice low yet filled with conviction.
Rey's lips curled into a smile at both of their similar remarks.
As they entered the bustling mess hall, the noise of lively chatter faded into silence. A large crowd had gathered, their faces turning to observe the group with a mix of curiosity and anticipation.
"Okay, Rey, tell us what happened," Poe called out, his voice cutting through the lingering quiet. He stood with a commanding presence, ready to facilitate whatever story she was about to share. Rey felt her heart race as she swallowed hard, a lump forming in her throat as the weight of the moment settled over her.
"You'll be fine," Kylo whispered to her encouragingly, providing a reassuring presence despite the chaos around them.
With a nod, Rey took a deep breath to steady herself. "I may as well start by introducing myself," she began, her voice gaining strength. "I am Rey Solo." The words hung in the air, drawing in the attention of everyone in the room as she prepared to share her story.
She was careful to modify and withhold certain details from her story, wanting to protect herself and her true allegiance. She explained how her ship had crashed and described Jack's crucial assistance in getting a vital transmission to the Resistance. In her narrative, she recounted her experience of spying on Kylo Ren, revealing how she had managed to catch a brief glimpse of Lady Ren.
The heart of her story focused on the elaborate dinner on Naboo, where she and Jack had nearly been discovered. Tension had hung heavy in the air, and they had been on high alert, knowing that the stakes were incredibly high. Just as they thought they were in the clear, news broke that the other spy the Resistance had sent was captured during his assassination attempt and had now been sentenced to execution.
The weight of this revelation was palpable, and Rey could see the guilt written all over Poe and Finn's faces as they absorbed the gravity of the situation.
"I think I'll leave it at that for now," Rey said, turning to Poe, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "Perhaps we should discuss this further later, in a more private setting."
As she spoke, the murmurs in the crowd swelled into an anxious roar, and soon there were outright shouts of protest echoing their outrage over the impending execution. The tension in the room was thick, as the assembled group grappled with the implications of what had just been shared.
Poe raised his hands, trying to quiet the restless crowd that had gathered in the mess hall. "Okay, okay. We'll get to the bottom of this," he shouted, his voice rising above the clamor of confused voices and anxious whispers.
As he spoke, Rey turned and signaled for JK and Kylo to follow her without hesitation. They quickly slipped out into the dimly lit corridor, and Poe hurriedly trailed behind them, eager to understand what was going on.
Once the door secured behind them, muffling the noise from the mess hall, Poe took a deep breath and addressed Rey. "Rey, I'm really sorry," he said, his voice filled with regret.
Rey shot him a piercing glance, quickening her pace as she responded, "You lied to me." Her tone was sharp, and the disappointment was evident in her eyes.
Poe sighed, the weight of her words settling heavily on his shoulders. "I know," he replied, his voice laced with sorrow.
Rey stopped for a moment, turning to face him fully. "You realise who you truly owe the biggest apology to?" she said, her voice steady but filled with intensity. "It's the poor idiot you convinced to go along with your reckless plan. That decision is going to cost him his life." The gravity of her words hung in the air, amplifying the tension between them.
"Perhaps we should organise a rescue mission," Poe proposed, urgency lacing his voice as he surveyed the room filled with concerned faces.
"Do you honestly believe Hux hasn't already devised some grand public execution? Something designed to tarnish the Resistance's image?" Rey responded.
Before Poe could respond, Connix burst into the hall, her expression a mix of urgency and alarm as she clutched a datapad in her hands. "Poe, you need to see this! There's a live announcement from the First Order!"
With a swift motion, she elevated the datapad, revealing a broadcast. Hux's cold, sneering demeanor filled the screen as he launched into a fiery speech about the betrayal of the Resistance, his words dripping with malice.
Rey stood frozen for a moment, absorbing the message before shaking her head. "I told you this was coming," she said, frustration evident in her tone. She turned on her heel and started walking back toward her room, but paused to look over her shoulder at Poe.
"Jack needs a room. I don't think my room is big enough for both of us," Rey said, concern etching her features.
Poe glanced up from the data pad, his brow furrowed in thought. "Room 5 is free, and it's just down the hall from yours."
Rey nodded and turned her attention to JK. "Come on, Jack," she called, motioning for him to follow.
As they walked down the corridor, she pointed out the various facilities he would need. She stopped in front of the door to his assigned room. "This is you. Just remember, mine is a little further down that way," she said, gesturing toward her door.
"I'll see you tomorrow," Rey added.
"Call me if you need me," JK replied, a hint of reassurance in his voice.
Rey nodded once more, then turned and made her way to her room. As she reached the door, she glanced back at Kylo, who remained just behind her, lost in thought. With a gentle click, she closed the door, creating a small sanctuary where she could gather her feelings and thoughts away from the outside world.
She flopped onto her bed and buried her face in her pillow with a frustrated groan, the day's weight pressing heavily on her.
Kylo, sensing her distress, strolled over and perched on the edge of the bed, looking at her with concern. He gently rubbed her back in soothing circles. "You okay?" he asked softly.
"I just need to go to bed and forget about today," Rey replied, her voice muffled by the pillow.
Kylo let out a sigh, contemplating how to help her escape the burdens of the day. With a deep breath, he concentrated on transporting them into their shared room aboard the Finalizer. The room, with its warm lighting and familiar decor, offered a sense of comfort. In an instant, the surroundings shifted, and they found themselves perched on their bed.
Rey turned to him, patting the space beside her. "Get in and help me forget," she instructed, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
"Anything for my queen," Kylo replied warmly. A small smile tugged at his lips as he began to strip off his clothing, shedding the day's stress along with his garments, before climbing into bed next to her, ready to offer the solace she needed.