Of The Force

Little Mouse

I'm actually at work right now, but I haven't seen a single person in two and a half hours so I wrote instead. I hope you enjoy!

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Heart racing, Cordelia dashed towards the Supreme Leader’s closet. The scent of him washing over her upon entering the sea of black garments.

She was fucked.

How could Ap’Lek do this to her? To not only put her in such harm’s way, but to abandon her the way he had. She wanted to tear out her hair and scream loud enough people across the galaxy could hear. But there was no time, not now. She needed to dress and escape.

Grabbing a large black henley, she slipped it over her head. The sleeves hanging limp as she tried rolling them to accommodate her, while the hem fell lower than her disaster of a dress had. Once the shirt was secured, she grabbed a thick cloak and swung it over her shoulders, easily being swallowed by it.

With the hood in place, she reentered the bedchamber and gathered her dress before turning towards the door to make her escape. As her fingers reached forward to press the release to open the door, she could hear the faint beep as the pad on the other side was pressed and she only had a moment to think before she dashed into the refresher parallel to the entrance. Hiding behind the door, hand over her mouth, the cover any ambient sound her breathing might have caused, she listened as the door to the chamber opened and the Supreme Leader entered.

The sound of his boots as he made his way into the bedchamber were unmistakable. Even eight years later, she remembered the cadence of his steps. Cordelia tried to follow his movements in her mind’s eye, but she hardly knew the space and could only guess where he had stopped when she heard his steps grow silent.

“Fucking Knights.” The Supreme Leader said, his modular voice coming through the helmet Cordelia could just imagine him wearing.

He took a few steps. In what direction? She had no clue.

“Come out, little mouse. I can sense you’re still here.” He asked, and Cordelia’s heart galloped in her chest. “You haven’t angered me. I wish to see you returned to the craven that thought to use my chambers for his bed sport. Come out, and I won’t be angry.”

Cordelia exhaled a shaky breath. She could reveal herself. He might not even remember her, but if he returns her to the knights, they will surely introduce him to Valour. She hadn’t even looked upon the Supreme Leader’s face and she knew when they were side by side, their resemblance would be unmistakable. She could not let that happen. If he found out about his son, he would never let them leave.

“If you make me find you, little mouse, I will not be so benevolent.” His footsteps sounded again, but the distinct sound of his footsteps grew muffled as he moved further away.

This was her only chance. She needed to go now, or face him.

Cordelia sprinted. Jumping clear of her hiding spot and racing for the door. He must have heard her because the sound of his boots filled her ears. But she had already triggered the door, and it opened with a hiss. Before it had fully opened, she was sprinting down the long corridor. Taking the corner, she glanced back to see his menacing form lunging from his chambers, his dark helm finding her easily before she disappeared around the corner.

Her lungs burned as she pushed her body to its limits. Crashing down the hallways without a care for those around her. People she passed cursed when she knocked into them in her rush. Normally she would apologize, but not when there was a monster of a man on her heels.

“You there! Stop at once!” A trooper shouted as she raced around a pair of them.

Cordelia’s eyes bulged as she realized she had not one but three pursuers.

Her surroundings grew more familiar as the farther she raced, but the longer she ran, the more troopers joined her tail. Taking a corner too tight, she didn’t have time to check her surroundings as she ran face first into the broad chest of a man she knew.

Ap’Lek looked down at her with a look of confusion. Vicrul at his side, just as confused.

“Why are you -” He stopped as a wall of troopers appeared behind her.

“Turn around and remove your hood.” One trooper yelled, the sound of his blaster readying, filled the small space.

“What is the meaning of this?” Vicrul snarled at the troopers.

“Would either of you, like to explain why this creature was in my chambers?” The Supreme Leader’s voice was like liquid ice coursing through her veins.

Cordelia chanced a glance over her shoulder to see the sea of Troopers parting for the impossibly large man swathed in black to step forward, a blazing red saber ignited at his side. Her entire body trembled as she realized she needed to be smart, and think of something before she ended up dead.

“I brought her there.” Ap’Lek came forward with the reply, his own burning gaze locked on the raised blasters of the troopers, now trained on her form.

She needed to act now.

“He brought me there, at my request.” She said, turning to face the Supreme Leader, hood still pulled forward covering her face.

“You asked one of my Knights to bring you to my quarters? Why is that?” He asked.

Ap’Lek remained silent at her side, casting her a sideways glance as if trying to determine her course of action. Vicrul, blessedly, stayed silent on her other side.

“I did. I’d heard you were returning and wished to see you. To catch up as old friends.” She removed her hood with a deep breath for courage. When she looked up into the darkness of his visor, she wished there was a way she could gauge his reaction, but there was nothing but silence from beneath it. Tilting her chin down, she looked to the floor.

“My courage ran out, and you arrived before I could leave without notice. It would now appear I’ve made a fool of myself. I apologize if -”

“Cordelia.” Her voice was barely a whisper from beneath the helm.

Glancing up from beneath her lashes, Cordelia watched as he extinguished his saber and took a half step towards her as if in a daze.

“I am sorry, Supreme Leader, for the havoc I’ve caused.” She said, glancing away. She dared a look towards Ap’Lek, who looked at his leader with obvious confusion, before turning that questioning gaze on her. Something within his eyes darkened before a spark flashed as if something had just become adamantly clear for him.

“You’re all dismissed.” The Supreme Leader said, and the troopers listened without question. It was the two knights at her side that hesitated.

Cordelia’s heart pounded as she looked to Vicrul and Ap’Lek, begging that they said nothing.

“You two as well. Thank you, for bringing her to me, Ap’Lek.” The Supreme Leader said, not looking anywhere but her.

With a final glance to Cordelia, Ap’Lek spun on his heel and went the opposite direction, Vicrul following closely behind. Cordelia kept her gaze on the floor, head bowed as she tried to regain control over her racing heart.

A gloved hand pinched her chin lightly as it lifted her face up to look into her reflection on the chrome of his mask. Even when she looked at him, the hand remained, as if he needed the touch to reassure himself. She was really there.

“Hello Kylo Ren.” She whispered.