Entirely Different

Chapter Twenty One : Finally, The FInalizer

You woke with a start from the alarm.

You were in Kylo's mega-bed, a dull headache burning through your frontal lobe. You felt like a cloud full of rain, uneasy but still somehow floating. The night before seemed far away and vague, like a dream. Images played through in your mind like a hologram: Kylo. You. The Temple. The pool. The dark. The void. Voices of the Sith wrapping around the two of you, convincing you to join. To touch, and you did much more than that.

You saw the time and panicked, taking a moment to look around for Kylo, but he was nowhere to be found. The two of you were supposed to travel to the Finalizer today, your first in-space flight. You'd slept in considerably, with only a half hour until you'd been scheduled to take off. You stole a glance at Kylo's shelves, finding them nearly bare. You panicked less, coming to the conclusion he'd woken, packed, and left ahead of you.

Once ready, you collected the bags and checked the panel before you left his room, making sure your biometrics would allow you to seal the quarters for an extended time. You noticed, with a contended hum in your heart, that he had opened all authorities to you at some point. You sealed the room with your palm on the way out. Careful to check the hall before leaving. You slung both bags over your shoulder and smoothed your uniform against your body.

Your stomach was uneasy, washy from anxiety. You were a pile of nerves as you navigated toward the Hangar Bay early that morning. Yesterday seemed far away and foreign, something strange had come over you. You found your way to the bay on autopilot. When you'd arrived, you saw a familiar face waiting outside the shuttle. Jane stood by Kent and grinned when she saw you. She jogged over to you and wrapped her arms around your shoulders, followed closely by Kent, who kept his distance, thankfully.

"Kent and I ran into each other in the mess hall yesterday," She said as the two of you hugged. "He told me what time you were leaving – we wanted to wish you luck!"

You pulled back to smile at Kent, rather grateful he'd informed your friend of your departure time.

"It's so early- I'm so happy you came!" You shook your head and smiled at her.

"Oh, I know. When he said 04:00, I said 'gross,' but I had to say goodbye!"

The two of you giggled and you felt Kylo's mind approaching from the east.

What's funny?

His voice was light-hearted.

"You guys should go. I have to fly soon and I'm afraid I may blow chunks over you both if you stay much longer!" Jane laughed and squeezed your hand.

"Yuck!" She stuck out her tongue.

"Good luck." Bailey smiled from behind her.

You turned as they departed, assessing the exterior of your shuttle. It was shiny, freshly polished, and ready for flight. A group of engineers disembarked as you approached. Nel spotted you and dismissed her team.

"Good morning, pilot." She smiled, tiredly.

The two of you walked through the last return report and this morning's flight inspection. You fiddled with your cap, not a fan of how tight it sat on your head. You had sensed Kylo nearing you, and your attention was entirely too focused on that. That is, until you heard Nel say something a bit out of place.

"Wait, what was that?" You asked, peering over her shoulder at the report.

"The backup blaster?" She questioned, a finger hovering over that section of the report.

"It isn't firing on all cylinders. But, as long as you keep that in mind with your thrusters, it shouldn't impede flight. The shuttle isn't a combat craft, so there's not much need for the backup blasters."