Into the Fray

Chapter Nine

Kylo sat in his room a few weeks later. He was situated on his black couch, legs crossed, hands resting comfortably on his knees. His eyes were closed and his breath was coming out calmly and evenly.

The rendezvous ending up never happening. Rey and Leia had come up with a drop-off point. However, due to his schedule, he was never able to make it. Finally he decided to just go the direct route.

Rey?

No response.

Are you there?

HI! Came the cheerful response. Sorry, I wasn't sure if I actually felt you or not.

Do you have a moment to talk?

I always will make time for you. What do you need?

Kylo's brow knitted. "I've done something terrible... "

A pause. I'm sure we'll get through it. What happened?

We've been collecting children. Force sensitive ones.

I'm here with your mother--can I tell her this?

Of course.

There was a pause, and then, I'll relay what you tell me as you speak. Go ahead.

They want me to change them when they're small, turn them to the dark side. This came out as a whimper. I tried to lie the first couple of times, but Hux started getting extremely agitated. So now I'm actually doing it. I feel terrible--we're amassing a dark side army to use against any opposition the First Order has in the universe.

Hold on, came the gentle response, your mother is speaking.

I can't do this, Kylo continued, a tear trickling down his face, ignoring her request to stop. These children are so young, Rey. They're so scared. They just want to go home. The older ones fight me, and a couple of them are powerful--I've had to physically restrain them. I just--I don't know how long I can do this--

Ben--

There's so much pain here. I haven't been able to sleep for days now--

Ben--

There's this wall of pain, and confusion, and fear emitting from their holding cell. This ship is big but I can't get away from it. I don't know how much more I can take--

BEN!

Kylo was fully crying now. What?

Your mother has an idea. Ben, this isn't hopeless. We'll make it a priority to save the children. Before it's too late.

Kylo admittedly hadn't thought of that.

"Kylo?"

Kylo's eyes snapped open, immediately severing the contact with Rey. To his utter shock Hux stood before him. Genuine worry was on his face. Without being asked, Hux sat down next to him.

Kylo looked at him. "What are you doing here?"

"When you didn't show up on the bridge I went looking for you. I was at your door just now for about five minutes pressing the entry button. I finally gave up and put in my code to open the door."

Sometimes Kylo hated having the Force. It wasn't often, but occasionally he caught glimpses inside people's heads without meaning to. He saw that Hux was considering taking his hand, but was much too embarrassed to. He also saw how worried he was.

"Are you alright?" came the tentative question.

Kylo, now feeling embarrassed himself, wiped the tears from his face. "I was just meditating."