Chapter 5 The Attack

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

The next morning Ben works on something, very focused over a table and on a chart, and ignores Hux for half a minute before Hux breaks the silence.

"General Organa is dead," Hux flinches in anticipation of an outburst from Ben. Ben glares at him, draws a breath and then calmly speaks.

"I know."

Hux takes this an invitation to continue, "It was a happy accident indeed. We had no way of knowing General Organa herself was there. I for one.."

Hux trails off when he realizes Ben is glaring for him to stop. He looks around nervously then pauses before continuing more dutifully.

"Their morale will be low, we should strike now."

Ben looks out the window for a moment.

"We'll strike when I say we'll strike. Word is that the First Order is helping the helpless and holding strong. Let's keep it that way."

Hux steps closer, looking over Ben's plans on the wall.

"So you do have a plan." He smiles maniacally and Ben looks at him like he's an idiot.

As Ben passes the redhead he raises him high in the air with his hand at his throat.

"Oh, and any more accidents and you will no longer have a position here. Do you understand?"

Struggling against Ben's Force-gripped hand, the head of The First Order army still refuses to submit, "You wouldn't demote me. You need me."

Ben pulls Hux's face close to his, "I'll kill you."

Ben releases him and Hux drops to his feet angrily.

Later in the day Ben presents plans for something big. All the generals are excited and impressed.

General Wun is pleased, "Across the Galaxy it seems that systems are pleasantly surprised to be a part of the First Order."

The older men are always quick to pat themselves on the back. Hux feels he is in every way superior to them, by birth if nothing else. Ben knows that confidence is the first step to failure. He keeps a close eye on Hux as everyone in the room claps to celebrate the newest direction he is taking The Order. Vision is something he has never lacked, and he finally has the power to use it fully.

In the main hanger on Cloud City pilots are heading here and there. Commander Dameron grimaces. The weight of Leia's loss hangs over him, though duty calls. If he had thought their conflict would leave his mentor dead at the hands of her son he might never have joined. All those years ago when he was young and dumb and wanted nothing more than to be a hero. She had believed he could be something better. She believed everyone could be something better.

How could Ben do this? Then he knew in the back of his mind that maybe he couldn't. He wanted to believe so badly that the young man he'd met once, standing in the very hanger he now found himself fighting back his emotions in, wouldn't. There were a lot of things a man would do, a soldier would do, in the name of his cause.

Ben was no soldier. That he had stayed with Snoke so long without escaping was a mystery in its self. Ben had resented Poe for being what he couldn't, for falling in line and loving the cause that her own son wouldn't. Ben could take anything he wanted. So why take her?

Poe walks down the center of the rows of fighters, inspecting as he goes, and Finn joins him.

"Have you heard the Knights of Ren are present in every system? There are definitely more than six."

Poe wishes he hadn't, "Yeah I heard. Were there only ever six? Have you heard half of them were assassinated?"

"Yeah, which means the Dark side is coming back with a vengeance."

"I don't know Finn, I think it means there are more Jedi out there than we think."

"Have you heard?" Rey appears out of nowhere. "I think this is a good thing. When we get back, I'd like permission to go to Corellia on behalf of the Resistance. Heretia says, there are some Jedi gathered there, if I can bring them back to our base and we can share what we know, train each other, I don't know, it could make a huge difference."

Poe does not share her enthusiasm, "Corellia is a First Order stronghold Rey. After that attack on Humbarine, I can't afford to have you in such close proximity to them right now."

"You said yourself the next big mission is a few weeks out. I can be back well before then. At least let me try."

Finn is even more stern, "I'm with Poe; it's too dangerous, too many people know who you are."

Rey can't believe Finn is against her, "Don't cross your arms at me. Chewie and I can go where we want, when we want. I'll go on behalf of the Jedi then."

Rey storms off and Finn follows her. Poe follows half-heartedly but looks on with Heretia. Finn is determined to make Rey see things his way.

"Rey, you heard what Poe said, it's not a good idea, what if something happened to you again?"

"Finn, I'll be fine. I have a really good feeling about this. Why are you so afraid anyway?"

"Because," Finn breathes in before delivering his next three words, a long time coming, "I love you. And we need to protect the ones we love if we're going to win this thing."

Rose stands within earshot of this, near Poe and Heretia, and turns on her heels to go. Rey looks upset and surprised to receive this information.

"I . . Finn..."

"And I realize you're a little obsessed with saving the Galaxy and Force-chatting Kylo Ren, but that's the truth. He's on the wrong side of this fight and I've been right here, the whole time."

Finn looks to Poe and Heretia for support and sees Rose, who heard the whole exchange, walking away quickly. He hangs his head in shame for using Rose's words to declare his feelings for Rey. Rey puts her hand on his shoulder.

"Finn, You're like my family. I'll be okay."

Rey hugs Finn warmly and sets off.

Chewbacca and Rey unload the Millennium Falcon on their return from Cloud City. Rey is eager to start their next adventure. Something inside her is fluttering harder than ever, and it has nothing to do with Finn's declaration.

Chewbacca moan-talks.

"Of course I love him, like a brother."

Chewbacca moan-talks.

"You're like my family too, Chewie."

Chewbacca moan-talks longer as if scolding her. He never fails to remind her who is responsible for Han's death. He can hardly believe it himself sometimes, but actions speak louder than words to Chewbacca, and he does not trust Kylo Ren.

"I know what he's done, no one would have thought Lord Vader could turn, but Luke said in the end he did."

Chewbacca moan-talks.

"No, I don't think Force ghosts lie."

Chewbacca speaks again.

"I know it took a long time."

Heretia's presence commands both their attention as she stands leaning on a crate eating a piece of fruit. "And didn't he like, lose all his limbs?"

"Very funny." Rey answers. She scolds Chewbacca, "Don't say it."

Heretia chucks the core of her fruit, "So, I'm supposed to be going with you to the heart of First Order territory?"

Rey smiles widely and is glad that she has been with them. They board the Millennium Falcon and are set to leave, but before they can take off, they are gunned down by a group of black X-wings, and a weapon that slices through the Millennium Falcon. A large scale bomb drop on the Resistance base demolishes buildings and ships.

The First Order has launched a surprise attack, obviously designed to put down the Resistance permanently. The losses are massive. Rey hears Chewie yelling and finds him trapped under his own decimated ship. As she looks around the ruined base, she knows who is behind it, and her eyes narrow. The enemy is upon her.

She doesn't hesitate guiding each person she sees to safety underground. It is then she can feel them before they come into view. Storm Troopers. They descend on wires from above and their blasts are no match for her. She watches as Heretia dives for cover, it's the last thing she sees.

Hux stands proudly amid the leaders of the First Order, briefing them on the success of their attack on Chandrila. Ben looks out the window with his back to them.

"We should kill her to make an example. First General Organa, now the girl Rey, it would be the perfect show of power."

The other leaders agree and chime in simultaneously, "Yes. Brilliant. As soon as possible."

General Hux reluctantly follows protocol, "Supreme Leader?"

"I have a better idea." Ben says to the window.

Inside a holding cell, three First Order attendants stand facing Rey, holding a dress and other supplies. General Hux stands behind them. Rey is dirty and clearly injured on her right side. Shackles hold her hands and a collar is around her neck.

"What?! Where is he? Let me speak to him!" The bands around her neck and wrists are obviously causing her great pain.

"Is that a no? I hope it's a no," Hux steps forward and leans close to her face. "I want a simple but painful execution for you."

"So basically my choices are painful death or marry Kylo Ren?"

"You're contemplating the former aren't you? Either you put this on without any trouble, or I get the pleasure of dismembering you myself and sending the message to your little friends."

Rey lunges for him but is prevented by her shackles. The harder she tries the more it hurts. She screams in frustration and pain.

Hux enjoys this very much, "I wish I could take credit for that little creation. Unfortunately the praise goes to our new Supreme Leader. I hope it hurts. Do hurry up."

Hux, and Ben, dressed as Kylo Ren, ride side by side in the elevator.

"I hope you know what you're doing. She's agreed, unfortunately. What happens if she escapes? Again? Or kills you in your sleep?" He smirks to himself at the prospect.

"I can handle her. She'll change her attitude."

Hux sighs, "Well, I suppose we can always kill her later. We'll broadcast the ceremony. It is rather poetic. You know, as long as she doesn't manage to kill you like she did Snoke."

"I killed Snoke."

Hux is shocked and angered by this information, "What? Why?"

"So that I could be Supreme Leader of course." Ben adjusts his gloves.

Almost stuttering in disbelief, "Long live the Supreme Leader." Hux's face says it all.

"I feel your disappointment. I understand. You were one of his favorite pets. I grew so tired of that arrangement. This one is much more promising."

Hux exits the elevator quickly with Ben, who removes his helmet and holds it under one arm. As they walk down the hallway Hux is clearly disturbed. Ben's guards join behind them.

Rey waits outside an elevator door dressed in a long black gown that drapes behind her on the floor. Her hair is done in braided buns on the sides of her head and her make-up is dark and flashy around her eyes. She keeps wiping the corner of her eye – she's never worn make-up before. Ben walks to her at the elevator and looks her up and down with no expression. They stand waiting for the elevator and he waves the guards away. She wipes her eye. She is seething.

"Stop fidgeting."

"Don't tell me what to do."

Ben walks into the elevator ahead of her. She doesn't move. She glares at him. Impatiently he moves her into the elevator with the Force.

"You're insane. I will kill you first."

"No you won't. If you do you're dead and you know it. Your hair looks ridiculous."

Ben puts on his helmet.

"Why are you doing this?"

"It's a show of power that didn't involve your immediate death, I suggest you put on a good face until I can figure out how to get you out of here."

"How noble of you. I can't believe I thought you could change. You're disgusting."

"I'm not the one who was stupid enough to get captured!"

"So this is my fault?! I've changed my mind, I think I'd rather die."

"Make a move and be my guest..."

The elevator door opens to reveal a thousand Storm Troopers standing on every balcony and landing facing the walkway in front of them. Rey is visibly shocked but steps out boldly. As they walk down the aisle, what's left of the Resistance watches a comm feed the First Order patches to them and the rest of the Galaxy. Rey moves her hands surreptitiously as she walks resolutely by Ben's side. She manages to use the Force to knock a trooper of their balconies here and there. Hux looks at Ben incredulously in response. Ben speaks to Rey telepathically.

"Don't make a scene. Everyone on this ship is looking to make your death a standing example for all your friends."

Rey smiles to herself satisfactorily. They stand facing each other. Ben also holds his hands behind his back. As instructed, he offers her his gloved hand; she puts her gloved hand in his. They say the vows and raise their gloved hands for all to see. Every Storm Trooper salutes them.

Everyone on the main base of the Resistance on Chandrila is stunned in silence. It appears almost no one is without some kind of injury. They appear pretty hopeless. Finn's arm and head across his eye are bandaged. Rose stands near him and watches the screen; she has facial bruises and scrapes. Heretia's shoulder and arm are bandaged and her leg has a splint. Poe is on a cot with a broken leg.

"Give it up. We got played by Kylo Ren. For now, Rey is gone. Either he got to her, or she is under some kind of control."

Finn can't believe what he is hearing, "No! No! We have to send a rescue mission. Get someone in there to get her out."

"How Finn? They know where we are. Right now we have to move, and focus on keeping everyone alive—again." Poe covers his face in frustration.

"So that's it? Just give up? Leave her on that ship?"

Chewbacca moantalks some sense into Finn.

"I know she can take care of herself, but that doesn't change the fact that she shouldn't have to. Not like this."

Heretia ignores Finn's concerns and focuses on the maps of Chandrila before her.

"Commander. What if we don't leave the planet?"

"I don't get it. We have enough transports coming, assuming those don't get blown up, too."

"Well," Heretia suggests, "what if we only pretend to leave, but really we just dig in deeper and move to another place?"

Rose is concerned, "You mean send the help away?"

"Just make it look like we do."

"I like it," Poe grits his teeth, "It's just crazy and stupid enough to work."

"There are a thousand caverns on this planet. We might even be able to find a route across without ever surfacing," Heretia points out a path on the map.

"But we should be close to a major city, so that we have plenty of help?" Rose points to an exit.

They look to Poe and his face is resolved, "Let's do it. We were here first. This is Leia's home planet. Let's make a statement that we aren't going anywhere anytime soon, that the Resistance lives brighter and stronger in hearts across the Galaxy, no matter how many soldiers they may have taken from us today. No more running. Let's stay."

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net