Chapter 37 - Exploring ruins
Poe scanned the flickering radar. "I don't understand why they're not following us," he remarked, a hint of unease creeping into his voice. "But I don't trust it."
Chewbacca let out a low, rumbling growl, his eyes narrowed with concern.
"Landing gear's busted?" Poe responded. "How busted?"
Rey leaned in, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes. "I managed to get the translation about the blade," she explained, her voice calm despite the tension in the air.
Poe swiveled in his seat to face her, surprise washed over his features. "Really?" he asked, intrigued.
She smiled mischievously. "It was with the blade. It's on one of Endor's moons—Kef Bir," Rey said, pausing to remember the coordinates. "Delta 3-6, transient 9-3-6, bearing 2-3…no, sorry, 3-2." She spoke slowly as she tried to get it right.
Poe raised his eyebrows. "I'm impressed," he said, plugging the coordinates into the navigation system.
Suddenly, a warning light went off.
"Kriff," Poe exclaimed.
"I'll fix it," Rey said, glancing at the door before leaving the cockpit. Finn followed her as they moved toward a section of the ship that was sparking.
"All that matters is the wayfinder," Rey proclaimed. "And finding Exegol."
"That's exactly what we're doing," Finn reassured her.
As they spoke, Rey's mind drifted to the memories that have surged back to the surface since she caught sight of Oshi's ship and touched the dagger.
"He killed my mother and my father," Rey declared. "I'm going to find Palpatine and destroy him."
"Rey... that doesn't sound like you," Finn said, his brow furrowed with concern. "Rey, I know you."
Rey turned her face away, a distant look in her eyes. "People keep telling me they know me," she replied meeting his gaze, her voice tinged with weariness. "I'm afraid no one does." Not in the Resistance. The thought echoed in her mind.
Finn shook his head, a mix of frustration and doubt swirling within him as he handed Rey the wire cutter.
They worked hard in concentrated silence, their surroundings filled with the hum of machinery before they eventually finished and made their way back to the cockpit without exchanging any further words.
Finn couldn't help but steal glances at Rey, his heart heavy with conflicting emotions. She sensed his turmoil, as if the air between them was charged with his unspoken words. He wrestled internally, desperate to voice that he understood her, and that he genuinely cared for her.
Yet, fear gnawed at him—fear of her immense power and the darkness it could summon. He was worried that Kylo Ren might be trying to manipulate her, and the significance of their marriage was troubling him.
The image of her power lingered in his mind as he looked at her hand, wondering if it appeared any different after unleashing a surge of Force lightning that obliterated the trooper transport.
Rey forced herself to block out his troubling thoughts, channeling her focus into thinking about their next mission.
Before long, they arrived on Kef Bir. The Millennium Falcon touched down on a grassland island that overlooked the shattered remains of the Death Star, its once-imposing structure now a mere ghost of its former self.
The sky was a blanket of dreary gray with a brisk wind churning around them as they stepped out of the Millennium Falcon, whipping strands of hair across their faces.
They made their way to the edge of the hill, where the landscape fell sharply away, revealing a dramatic cliff that plunged into a tumultuous, storm-lashed sea below. The roar of the waves crashed against the rocks echoing like thunder.
"What… what is that?" the cone-headed droid inquired; its metallic voice tinged with curiosity as it nodded toward the ominous silhouette looming in the distance.
"It's the Death Star," Rey replied, her gaze steady on the ominous structure. "A bad place from an old war."
They were gazing out over the waves when a thought struck Rey.
"Only this blade tells," she whispered, her mind racing back to the mysterious inscription etched onto its surface.
With a deliberate motion, she drew the dagger from her satchel and examined it closely, searching for anything that set it apart from an ordinary dagger.
As her gaze fell upon the cross guard, she noticed a slight edge protruding, almost as if it were beckoning her. With a practiced pinch, she pulled the edge, and to her surprise, it revealed a hidden measurement arc.
She cast a glance back at the sprawling wreckage of the Death Star, its once-mighty structure now scattered like bones across the landscape. Holding the dagger level before her, she felt Poe and Finn drawing closer to see what she had discovered.
Rey slowly swept the dagger parallel across the shattered ruins, each movement deliberate as she searched for alignment. Her heart leapt when she spotted a section of debris that resembled the shape of the dagger.
Rey concentrated intently on the arc, which pointed toward the heart of the ancient ruins. "The wayfinder is over there," she declared, her voice steady with conviction.
Suddenly, a piercing neigh echoed from behind them, followed by the heavy, indicative thud of approaching footsteps.
"Heads up," Poe said, pivoting sharply as he leveled his blaster at a group of figures emerging from the sea spray.
The newcomers appeared to be humanoid and were mounted on sturdy creatures adorned with saddles and small, jutting tusks.
Finn instinctively raised his blaster too, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face as he scanned the strangers for signs of hostility or friendship.
A woman at the forefront caught his attention; her caramel-coloured skin glowed, and her long, dark curls cascaded past her shoulders like a waterfall.
"Rough landing," she said, an amused smile playing on her lips. "Are you with the Resistance?" she asked, her gaze fixed on Poe, searching for honesty.
"That depends," Poe responded, a hint of curiosity creeping into his voice.
"We picked up a transmission from someone named Babu Frik," she explained.
C-3PO interjected. "Babu Frik? Oh, he's one of my oldest friends," he chirped, nostalgia softening his mechanical voice.
"He said you'd come," she continued. "He said you were the last hope."
"We have to get to that wreck," Rey stated, her expression resolute. "There is something inside that we need."
"I can take you there by water," the woman offered, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
"Have you seen the water?" Finn asked, scepticism lining his features.
"Not now," she shook her head, her expression turning serious. "It's too dangerous. We can go at first light tomorrow."
Rey stepped forward, her determination evident in her posture. "We can't wait that long," she declared. "We don't have the time."
Poe turned to her, his expression serious. "Or the choice," he replied, glancing towards the damaged ship behind them. "Let's get that ship fixed."
His gaze shifted back to the woman riding the creature nearby. "Do you have any spare parts?" He holstered his blaster and began to approach her, hoping she had what they needed.
"Some," she answered, a hint of optimism in her voice. "I'm Jannah."
"I'm Poe," he introduced himself, a small smile breaking through the tension as he took a closer look at her.
Rey turned to gaze back at the decaying wreckage of the Death Star, its jagged remnants silhouetted against the darkening sky. The sounds of the voices and footsteps faded into the background as her focus shifted inward. We don't have time for this.
"You didn't have time to say goodbye either," a familiar, deep voice resonated beside her, cutting through her thoughts like a sharpened blade.
Rey bit her lip, a rush of emotions swirling inside her as she turned her head toward him.
Kylo Ren stood there, his posture relaxed yet imposing, his dark cloak billowing slightly in the wind as he surveyed the devastation before them. A smirk played at the corner of his mouth.
Rey stole a glance over her shoulder, ensuring no one was within earshot. Finn was the closest although still a distance away, engaged in conversation, his face momentarily glanced her way before returning to the man he was speaking with.
Rey crossed her arms tightly over her chest, as if trying to shield herself from the pull she felt toward touching Kylo. Taking a deep breath, she struggled to find her voice. "I..."
"It's okay," Kylo interrupted, his voice steady but laced with an edge of vulnerability. "I can sense the regret radiating off you." He took a deep breath and, with a new twinkle in his eye, continued speaking. "But you have a duty to fulfill, even if it means holding on to other men."
Rey snorted lightly, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "I had no idea that hugging and hand-holding could make you so jealous."
"Only a little," Kylo replied. "At least they don't get to discover the sounds you make when you cum."
"Ben," Rey scolded, a little louder than she intended, earning a laugh from Kylo.
Rey glanced over her shoulder and saw that no one was paying attention to her.
She turned back to him and rolled her eyes. "You are so lucky I can't whack you right now."
Kylo tisked. "Proposing violence again? How very dark side of you."
Rey shook her head and bit her lip to suppress a laugh.
"I'm only teasing," Kylo replied, deciding to bring the conversation back on track. "How goes the search?"
"I'm getting closer, but the Resistance is slowing me down," Rey admitted, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice.
"Perhaps it's time to cut them loose," Kylo suggested.
Rey paused, her brow furrowing as she sensed Finn's familiar presence approaching. "You might be right," she replied thoughtfully then turned towards Finn.
"Are you coming?" Finn asked, glancing at her with concern in his eyes.
Rey plastered on a forced smile, the muscles in her face tense as she nodded in Finn's direction. "I'll be right there," she assured him.
"Don't worry, you'll have better help soon enough," Kylo said, a grin on his face. "See you later, sweetheart."
Rey's gaze shot back toward Kylo, her brow furrowing in confusion as he vanished from the spot he had just occupied. A whirlwind of questions swirled in her mind. What does he mean by that?
"What is it?" Finn asked, glancing at the empty space where Rey had been fixated.
Rey blinked rapidly, as if trying to clear away a fog of uncertainty, and her smile faded into a thoughtful frown. "I'm just... thinking," she replied, her voice trailed off.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Finn offered, concern laced his tone as he studied her expression.
"Not really. Come on, let's go," Rey said, dismissing the moment with a shake of her head.
She turned and walked purposefully toward Poe, her mind still racing with thought. How can I get back to the death star alone?
Rey chuckled softly to herself as she expertly guided the skimmer through the tumultuous stormy sea, the wind howled like a wild beast around her. The small vessel, which she had cleverly procured, sliced through the churning waters with surprising agility.
It was easier to slip away undetected than she had anticipated. Everyone was consumed with repairing the Millennium Falcon, and completely oblivious to her absence. But she knew that wouldn't last forever.
Suddenly, a massive wave loomed ahead, threatening to crest over the bow. She grunted as she wrenched the wheel, angling the skimmer just in time to avoid a flood. The icy spray splattered against her face, stinging her cheeks, while the relentless wind knocked her, threatening to sweep her off her feet.
The unforgiving sea rolled beneath her, making it a challenge to maintain her balance, but she held tight to the controls. Every so often, she darted between different sections of the skimmer with practiced agility, her heart racing with the thrill of the journey.
She tugged on thick ropes, re-positioned the metal fins, and spun the wheel, her eyes darted to the horizon as she focused on staying true to her course through the tempestuous waters. Each movement heightened her senses, making her feel alive as she battled the elements that sought to throw her off course.
Drawing on the force within her, she felt the ocean shift beneath the skimmer as a massive wave loomed, threatening to engulf the vehicle entirely. Despite the impending danger, her determination remained unshakeable.
With fierce concentration, she let out a low growl, focusing all her energy on the task at hand. The skimmer climbed upward, higher, and higher, the metal frame rattling and vibrating as if it might break apart at any moment. The wave curled ominously, ready to unleash its power.
Rey tightened her grip as the skimmer ascended sharply, an exhilarating rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. She clenched her teeth to steady herself, heart pounding in anticipation. Reaching the crest, she was launched into the air, momentarily suspended above the chaotic sea.
The world below unfolded in a breathtaking panorama, her destination gleaming in the distance. But then, gravity took hold, and the skimmer plunged forward, hurtling down the steep slope of the wave.
A rush of weightlessness sent her stomach lurching, and a surge of icy seawater crashed over her, soaking her to the bone. The frigid touch of the ocean made a shiver race down her spine, igniting both fear and exhilaration as she braced for the tumultuous descent.
She glided down with unexpected smoothness, she spotted the looming cove nestled within the twisted remains of the Death Star. With a deft maneuver, she guided her skimmer through the narrow gap, her eyes drawn upward to the tangled wreckage above—pieces of metal jutting out at alarming angles, some dangling precariously, casting eerie shadows in the dim light.
The air was thick with foreboding, and the once-thundering roar of the ocean fell almost silent, replaced by the soft, rhythmic running of water and the unsettling creaks and groans of rusting metal. As she steered closer, a massive wall loomed before her.
In a split-second decision, she leaped from the skimmer, evading collision just in time, and reached for a nearby ledge. Her fingertips brushed against the cold, rough surface as she pulled herself up, finding the ledge barely wide enough to support her feet.
She clung to it, and focused on steadying the frantic thump of her heart against her ribcage. Glancing sideways, she took in the structure around her—its twisted forms and jagged edges evoked memories of her days scavenging the remains of Walkers back on Jakku.
The perilous ascent before her loomed like a formidable giant, both daunting and eerily familiar. As she began the climb, her fingers instinctively sought out the familiar textures of fixed holds, each one rough and reassuring beneath her touch.
She scanned the wall for sturdy gaps, each crevice a potential sanctuary for her hands as she scaled the towering expanse. Looking up, she felt a rush of excitement at the sight of the corridor, still a considerable distance away, cloaked in a veil of shadows that seemed to taunt her.
With each step upward, confidence washed over her, and she moved with the grace of someone who had practiced this many times before. But suddenly, as she reached for a particularly fragile section of wall, it crumbled away under her fingers and fell away, sending a jolt of panic through her.
In that split second, with her heart racing, she let out a scream that echoed in the stillness, twisting her body to maintain her grip with one hand. She dangled precariously for a moment, adrenaline coursing through her veins, before finding her footing again and quickly locating a new hold on the wall.
Rey pressed onward, her mind racing with the mantra: Focus, focus. You can do this.
Of course, you can. Kylo's voice reverberated in her thoughts. She quickly shook off the lingering echo, her grip tightening around the cold, narrow pipe that anchored her.
As she turned her head, a more solid section caught her eye, offering a glimmer of hope. With a deep, steadying breath, she summoned her strength and leaped toward it.
Her body collided with the sturdy beam, and she grasped it more securely, grunting as she fought to steady herself against the impact.
Pulling herself up, she finally stood on her feet, her eyes scanning the area. A walkway loomed not far ahead, but the climb to reach it seemed daunting. Crouching low on the precarious section she occupied, she paused to catch her breath again, feeling her heart race and her lungs strain.
Beads of sweat trickled down her brow, and she wiped them away with a trembling hand. She continued to surge forward.
She scaled the crumbling wall, pulling herself up with every ounce of strength she could muster. At last, she grasped the next ledge and hoisted herself upward, emerging into the dimly lit corridor.
A wave of relief washed over her as she paused to catch her breath. Carefully, she navigated the debris-strewn floor, her boots squelched in the puddles of stagnant water that had formed over time.
The rhythmic sound of dripping water echoed around her, creating a haunting melody. As her eyes adjusted to the shadows, she took in the sight of discarded storm trooper helmets and battered body armor scattered across the floor.
Cables dangled precariously from the walls and ceiling like sinister vines, adding to the desolation of the scene. She focused intently on her footing, aware that the damaged floors could give way at any moment beneath her.
Memories surged back of the bruises, scratches, and broken limbs she had endured after misstepping back on Jakku while scavenging amidst a similar wreckage.
The floor tilted unevenly in places, forcing her to duck and weave under low doorways and navigate around jagged metal obstacles that jutted out from the ground.
Following her instincts, she turned down a corridor that seemed to lead to a room illuminated by a large, multi-tiered broken window. Light streamed in, casting a warm glow across the dust-laden air, and she felt an inexplicable pull toward this tempting refuge amid the ruins.
This must be it, she assured herself, her heart racing with anticipation.
