The Legend of the Jedi Queen

42. The Echoing Force

Ben and Rey were silent as they walked to the lounge Kaydel had reserved for all of them. The First Order and the New Republic needed a better plan than what had gone down in the crystal conference chamber. Yet they remained stoic until they entered the room, in which Ben slammed the door shut behind them.

Sitting in various chairs and couches were Chancellor Connix, Poe Dameron, and Finn and Rose Tico. They all looked up when Ben slammed the door.

"That was a disaster," Rey said, not even looking at Ben before sitting down next to Finn.

"You don't say," Poe muttered, rubbing his chin.

Ben stood near the door rather awkwardly. "I'm sorry I screwed it up for us."

"You haven't quite," Kaydel said. "We still have time to fix all of this."

"The conference is going to keep going for as long as it takes," Finn said.

"We've got to get our resolutions passed," Rose said. "There are people counting on us. With Corellia, we know the war is costing thousands of lives already."

"I was trying the same things my mother did," Ben said, starting to pace the room. "She always appealed to feelings, and to her mother."

"But that won't work now," Poe said. "Ambrose— he knows about your temper."

"You are incredibly difficult to work with sometimes," Finn agreed.

Rose and Kaydel nodded.

Ben sighed, exasperated. "We at least all know what the plan is, right?"

"We've been over it so many times, I don't know how we wouldn't," Finn said.

"We're all Leia's protégés," Kaydel said. "We can make this work. She was a great diplomat— surely at least one of us can pull it off."

"I still can't believe we're going through with this," Rose said, shaking her head. "It better work, that's all I'm saying."

"What we're going to make will end all the war," Ben promised, stopping and turning, looking into Rey's eyes specifically. "We let the past die. For real, this time. No Empire, no Republic, no war."

"That's what you've always wanted," Rey said quietly.

"I think Leia wanted it too," Poe added.

They all regarded each other with silence.

"New plan," Finn said, after a moment. "Ben, we know your temper will not help with this. Rey, you're the Empress— you try negotiations."

"Are you sure?" Rey asked, her cheeks flushing pink. "I'm not the one that's a Supreme Leader."

"But you are a leader," Ben said. "You lead the Jedi, and negotiate with them and others. You can do this."

"Besides, we'd rather you than Ben," Finn said.

Ben glared at him, despite the mutual agreement between them.

"So, I will be announcing the First Order's proposal?" Rey asked, standing up.

Everyone nodded in assent.

"I'd better go prepare what I have to say," Rey said. "And someone should tell Jaina, Rowley, Kiernan, and Mitaka of the plan."

"I'll come with you," Ben said quickly.

Rey smiled, although she was playing with her hands nervously. "We'll meet up in the ballroom, and then again in here tomorrow morning, before the conference."

"Agreed," Kaydel said. "We'll stay in here and prep the New Republic's proposal."

Rey nodded before leaving the room. She looked to Ben. "Once we tell your sister and the others, I was thinking that maybe we should return to our room, just for a little bit. Then we could go down to the ballroom, if we want."

"Only if we want," Ben agreed, a Han Solo-ish smirk on his face. "I know you can do this."

"Of course you can," Rey said. "You'd believe I could make the stars shine in the middle of the day."

"With a little practice," Ben said, all trace of joking gone.

Rey grinned and shook her head. "We'd better get to telling those people, and then we can talk more."

"I for one, love our talks," Ben said.

Rey shook her head again. "Such a scoundrel, you."

The two started walking down the halls, searching for the people to inform and to prepare their plans. Diplomacy might have been ruined for one day, but tomorrow they would be prepared.

Tomorrow, the past would die, just like Ben had said all those years before. But now they were united, hand in hand.