Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here is chapter twenty-two of "Not So Far." Ben makes his decision regarding his home and Vari. I will not reveal what it is. You will have to find out for yourselves. The first action sequence will occur in the next chapter or the one after that. Stay tuned for chapter twenty-three.
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Chapter 22: Not Too Much
The Finalizer's command bridge thrummed with the low whine of hyperspace engines. Stars streaked past the viewport in a hypnotic blur. Hux stood at the center. He stood at attention. He had his hands clasped behind his back. The air was thick with tension. The crew was hunched over consoles, their murmurs a dull undertone to the ship's pulse. Vari stood nearby, her cape moving back somewhat. Snoke materialized, his hands resting on the arms of his throne. He emitted a soft growl.
"Report," Snow demanded, his eyes narrowing at the duo.
"Supreme Leader, the Finalizer remains on course for Tihon," Hux said, steeping forward with a smirk. "We'll exit hyperspace by daylight. That is than eight hours. Our forces are primed for deployment."
"Good, good," Snoke said in great warmth.
Vari tilted her head. "Tihon's electromagnetic anomalies will mask their presence until we're planetside. I estimate Skywalker, Solo, and their allies are there. They are likely with Ben Solo. We must strike swiftly."
"And your plan?" Snoke asked, leaning forward.
"We deploy TIE fighters," Hux said, his chin lifting with confidence. "Aerial bombardment will flush them out. It is minimal risk to our ground forces. We can level their defenses before they organize."
"TIEs are loud and clumsy," Vari said, turning to him with a scoff. "They are perfect for alerting them to our arrival. Stormtroopers are better suited. A surgical strike led by me can infiltrate their hideout and eliminate them quietly."
"Quietly? You'd waste time trudging through jungle muck while they slip away," Hux hissed with much irritation. "Fighters can cover more ground and overwhelm them before they react."
"Your fighters would devastate the terrain, leaving us nothing to search!" Vari retorted. "Your machines can't sense the Force, General. I can. Ground troops under my command will root them out."
"You and your Force tricks," Hux taunted.
"I will show you one," Vari threatened and curled her hand into a fist. Small lightning bolts surged through her fingers. "I will do it right now."
Hux smirked. "Do it. I—"
Snoke raised his hand, a snarl coming from him. This caused Vari and Hux to look at him. They straightened their postures. They placed their hands behind their backs.
"Enough," Snoke growled, his hologram flickering with his impatience. "Your rivalry bores me. Vari, you will lead an assault with both—fighters to disrupt, stormtroopers to finish the task. I want no survivors and no mistakes."
"As you command, Supreme Leader," Vari said, her smirk widening as she moved her head upward.
Hux scowled, his fists clenching briefly before he forced them to relax. "Understood. "
Snoke narrowed his eyes at the duo. "Fail me, and you'll both answer for it."
His image dissolved into motes of light, leaving the bridge in tense silence. Vari turned to Hux, her smirk lingering as she met his glare.
"Leader Snoke preferred me over you again," Vari taunted.
"I wouldn't get cocky if I were you. That has led to many failures," Hux pointed out fiercely.
"You are the cocky one. You put too much trust in your machines," Vari snapped.
"You put too much trust in the Force," Hux retorted and flared his nostrils. "Your plan will fail."
"We'll see about that," Vari commented.
"We'll see about that," Hux said mockingly.
"Trying to mock me, huh?" Vari asked with a snarl. "You will pay for that."
Vari moved out her hand. She zapped Hux with a bolt of Force lightning. He flew into the air and landed on his side. He looked up at her, his teeth clenching. She looked down at him.
"Let that be a reminder of how powerful I am. Understood?" Vari asked in a fierce way.
"Understood," Hux responded.
She chuckled. "Good."
Hux stood up and shot Vari a dirty look, his lip curling in disdain. He stomped to the viewport. She watched him go before leaving the bridge. Her cape billowed somewhat. The Finalizer hurtled on.
00000
The early morning sky above the Resistance base was beginning to light up. Leia stood at the central table along with Holdo and Ackbar. Her hands rested on the table's edge. They listened to the quiet chatter of people calling out commands at holos around them, but they didn't turn in their direction. Leia emitted a relieved sigh.
"I still can't believe it," Leia said, her voice low as she glanced at Holdo. "Poe made it back. He crashed on Plint and trekked through that mess, yet he's still in one piece."
Holdo smiled faintly. "He's resilient and resourceful, Leia. He brought that stormtrooper with him."
"I like the name Finn. I feel it suits him," Ackbar said.
"I doo too," Leia agreed.
Ackbar became thoughtful. "A defector from the First Order is unprecedented. His knowledge could be invaluable."
"That's what shocked me most," Leia said in amazement. "A stormtrooper turning against them—it's not something I'd have predicted. However, Finn risked everything to get Poe out. There's hope in that."
"It is hope we'll need," Holdo said with a heavy sigh. "The Finalizer's gone silent—likely in hyperspace. They could strike anywhere."
"Or anyone," Ackbar added, gesturing to a star map. "We must prepare for the worst."
Leia straightened her posture. "I feel it. Ben's out there with Han and Luke. If the First Order's moving, they're the target. We'll be ready when they need us."
Leia headed over to a chair and seated herself. She emitted a long yawn and smacked her lips. She cupped her chin in her hand. Holdo and Ackbar came to her.
"It can get so tiring running an army at my age," Leia admitted. "I am not young like I used to be."
"No one expects you to be absolutely energetic at all times, General," Ackbar pointed out sympathetically.
"I remember how energetic you were during the rebellion. You looked like you were ready to take on the whole Empire yourself," Holdo said, a smile forming on her face.
"Han often joked I ate too much sugar and was on a rush. It did feel that way at times. Of course, the sugar I consumed came from fruit," Leia said.
"Fruit is an important food. It contains vitamins and minerals critical for the body. Unfortunately, it can be hard to come by on worlds that do not have the soil for it," Holdo murmured.
"Luke once told me Owen and Beru were able to buy fruit seeds in Anchorhead or Mos Eisley for real cheap. They were able to draw enough water from the atmosphere with their vaporators. This allowed them to grow fruit on the moisture farm. He loved blueberries, blackberries, and bananas," Leia explained. "When he returned to the homestead to bury his uncle and aunt, he managed to salvage some of the fruit that remained. Chewie actually stole a banana he brought with him and ate it."
"When a Wookie gets really hungry, it will eat whatever is near," Ackbar commented.
"Luke was not happy when that happened," Leia said, snickering under her breath. "He muttered for thirty minutes about how that was his only banana."
"He did get to have another one eventually," Holdo added.
"He consumed it like he was starving. He was making sure Chewie wouldn't get that one either," Leia murmured.
"One thing is clear," Ackbar responded with a soft chuckle. "Humans and Wookies are opportunistic eaters. They will eat just about anything they can get their hands on."
Leia nodded in agreement. Threepio walked into the room with Artoo right behind him. He stopped next to her, tilting his head.
"General, are you all right?" Threepio asked in concern.
"I am fine, Threepio. I am just taking a little breather," Leia responded, looking up at him.
"Just remember that humans need at least eight hours of sleep. You can't run on fumes," Threepio pointed out.
"I know," Leia responded and motioned toward Ackbar. "The same can be said for humanoids like Ackbar."
"I just need five to seven hours of sleep before I am ready to go," Ackbar said proudly.
Artoo blew a raspberry. "You are such a worrywart, Threepio."
"Pardon me if I am concerned about our friend, Artoo. It is in my programming to be helpful," Threepio pointed out.
"Back off some. Let people have their space," Artoo beeped.
Threepio waved him off. "Oh, switch off!"
Threepio turned away with a huff. Leia tried not to chuckle, but she couldn't help herself. She glanced at Ackbar and Holdo.
"Those two bantering never gets old," Leia said with a smile.
"They might as well be immortal since they have lasted so long," Ackbar said, blinking three times.
"You are right," Holdo agreed. She started talking about the time she caught Threepio going through her stuff.
00000
The midmorning sun filtered through Tihon's dense canopy. This dappled light across the hut's porch. Ben stood there with his arms folded and laying on the railing near the doorway. He had his eye on the sky. He observed the clouds move across it at a steady pace. Two small clouds merged to form a bigger one. They were joined by another small one. The Falcon loomed nearby on the beach as Han had moved it there before the sky even lit up.
Ben heard chatter coming from inside the hut. He looked over his shoulder at Han, Luke, and Chewie finishing up breakfast. He turned away with a soft sigh. He already made his decision about what he wanted to do. He wasn't sure how Rey would react to it. He hoped she wouldn't react badly, but she was prepared for it. He heard footsteps and saw Rey come to his side.
"You okay?" Rey wondered.
"Yeah. I just needed some fresh air," Ben responded and smacked his lips.
"I don't blame you," Rey commented, looking over her shoulder at Han as he stood up and went to the table. "I needed some of it myself."
"I am sure Uncle Luke, Dad, and Chewie will get some soon," Ben murmured. "Anyway, I have made my decision."
"What do you want to do?" Rey asked.
Ben inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. He prayed Rey wouldn't freak out at what he had decided. He made eye contact with her.
"I'm going with them," Ben said and emitted a soft sniffle. "I can't sit here waiting for Vari to find us. If she's coming, I need to face her and protect you and the baby."
Rey looked down at the sand. She didn't blame Ben for deciding this. She had suspected that was what he wanted to do. She knew it was getting dangerous and that she had no doubt Vari would step on this world soon. She turned to her husband.
"You don't have to do it alone, Ben. I'm coming with you," Rey announced firmly.
"Rey, no. You're pregnant. It's too dangerous—" Ben started, shaking his head.
"Home isn't this hut," Rey interrupted in a soft way. "It's you. Wherever you go, I go. We're stronger together. You said it yourself. The dyad, remember?"
Ben's jaw tightened, conflict flickering in his eyes. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face, his touch lingering.
"I don't want to lose either of you," Ben said in uncertainty.
"You won't," Rey said, resting her hand over his. "I'm not helpless. I'm a Jedi, thanks to you. We'll keep each other safe."
Ben exhaled and pulled his wife into a tight embrace. He rocked her from side to side, a tear sliding down his cheek.
"Okay," Ben whispered. "Together."
Clearing throats sounded, causing Ben and Rey to look at Han, Chewie, and Luke. Han tried not to smile, but he couldn't help himself.
"It is good to know you have made a wise decision, Ben," Han commented.
"We're not leaving yet," Ben responded steadily. "We need to get our things together first. This isn't a quick trip."
Han clapped twice. "Well, let's move, your highness. Clock's ticking."
Chewie rumbled in agreement while lumbering toward the hut's door. His massive frame ducked under the doorway. Luke followed, his cloak brushing the sandy porch. Rey squeezed Ben's hand before heading inside. She grabbed her pack from her side of the bed. She approached the chest and knelt down. She pulled out clothes and a small medkit. Phoenix fluttered down from his rafter, landing on her shoulder with a curious squawk.
"I am going to miss this place," Rey murmured, folding a shawl and tucking it into her pack. "We'll make a new home wherever we end up."
Ben nodded before coming to Rey's side. He knelt beside her to pack his own satchel that included his lightsaber, his vibroblade, and a carved wooden toy he'd made for the baby.
"Yeah. Just wish it didn't feel like running," Ben said softly.
"You're not running, kid. You're fighting smart," Han said, picking up a crate containing dried vegetables and fish. "Chewie's got the heavy stuff. You two focus on what matters."
Chewie growled from the doorway, balancing a stack of blankets and a cooking pot in his arms. He gestured his head toward the Falcon, urging haste. Luke appeared behind him. He carried a bundle of Rey's training gear, including staffs, mats, and a datapad with Jedi texts Ben had salvaged.
"These might come in handy," Luke said, the stuff down. "You've built something here, Ben. Don't let it go to waste."
"I won't," Ben said, looking at him as a flicker of trust rekindled. "Help me with the bedframe. It's light, but it's ours."
Ben and Luke dismantled the simple frame, its wooden slats creaking as they stacked them near the door. Han hauled the crate outside while muttering about sentimental junk. Chewie ferried loads to the Falcon's cargo hold. Rey paused, running her fingers over the chair's backrest. A smile crossed her lips.
"I thought you were a ghost the first time I saw you," Rey said, glancing at Ben.
"I thought you were trouble," Ben replied, a rare smirk breaking through. "I guess we were both right."
Luke chuckled softly while hefting the last of the gear. "A dyad's never simple. Come on. Let's get this loaded."
Han cleared his throat. "Let's pray this doesn't take a real long time."
The group proceeded to take stuff and head to the Falcon. Marcus sniffed Chewie's fur as he padded alongside him. He was shooed away by him. He came to a stop as Phoenix flew to his back and landed on it.