A Seam Within the Galaxy • Kylo Ren

Ch.26

We are all set to leave.

My lips pull into a grin as I file away the last stack of papers into their specific folders, Commander Ren's voice phasing into my mind, the glimmer of excitement woven into his words distinguishable even through our connection. He had insisted on helping me finish every last file, but I had convinced him to oversee the preparations for his shuttle only an hour or so ago, ensuring it was prepped and ready for our early start.

Perfect, I'll be on my way.

My chest buzzes as I collect to my feet, pushing in my chair and powering the printing device down. I found it hard to believe that not long ago, the Commander and I had been separated by such a thick canopy of ignorance and fear. Deep down, he had known the two of us could have come to a mutual understanding, but at the time, was unable to see how to accomplish such a thing.

Now, we were leaving for this planet, just the two of us. I wasn't questioning anything, nor was I nervous of spending even more time with just him on Takodana, I was simply struck down with tranquility. I was pleased to be on such good terms with him—I wanted to ensure I'd never ruin it.

I yawn and finish the last swallow of coffee left in my cup, checking the time to see it was only two and a half hours into the early morning, a time I would usually be fast asleep. I tuck in my chair, hearing my droid's beeps fill the space between us, asking of how long I would be gone. I grimace, raising my shoulders the slightest bit. "Around three days, I would apprehend."

He gives me his version of a sigh, his internal fans ramping up dramatically, whirring back down to normal right after. The way he looks around my room following my answers tells me he was not ready to part from me, at least not now.

My fingers skim my desk, flattening out my palm and leaning my weight into my hand, releasing my own kind of sigh. I wasn't planning on bringing him along for this early leave, nor the mission in general, but something inside of me twinged with pain at the thought of him, all by his lonesome. Attending routine check-ins with students without me, trying to fill the hours of his days as best he could.

"Would you care to tag along?"

The droid's attitude perks instantly, his small and circular head popping up to examine me, making damn sure I wasn't lacing my words with any kind of sarcasm, something he was barely able to catch on to.

I lean off of the desk, peering down at him as he whizzes up beside my boots. "You wouldn't need to pack a bag, would you?" I chuckle as I ask. He displays a flurry of beeps, all catered to his belief I had meant what I had said, explaining as to why he wouldn't need to. I shake my head and laugh as he begins to understand the joke, I move on from any embarrassment he could possibly concoct as I make my way toward the door.

The droid and I bound down the halls, my eager feet granting us a speedy deliverance through the different sectors and into the docking bay, taking notice of the Commander's shuttle as ready as ever for departure. I fight off a yawn and keep my lips clamped together, unable to remember a time I was waltzing around this area of the Death Star at such a time.

I nod at the zone captain, as well as the officers surrounding him; looking to my side, I observe BB-9's wandering head, swiveling 360° around his accelerating body. He admires the ceilings, the walls, the different shuttles and starships lining the sides of the room, as well as the many people hard at work. I admire them in passing just as he does, not recognizing too many faces as they worked the night shift, only taking rest during a time I would be seeing my own duties to completion.

We both approach the shuttle, the ramp already lowered to the ground for easy access. I let out a relieved breath, thankful I didn't have any kind of run in with the General, someone who was sure to be stockpiled full with questions concerning our early leave, still dedicating a good amount as to how I managed to find our assailant on my solo mission. I think to the Supreme Leader, wondering how much leniency he has for Ren, or how short a leash he was kept on, letting us leave for a mission a day earlier.