Dawn of a new Force

Chapter 3 - Reunion

Poe dropped the suitcase he had in his hands. It opened loudly as it fell on the floor grate and the small cubes of energetic juice it contained spread across the floor.

He darted after Rey, and found her already gone, looking determined. She was moving away from the ship towards a small hill a few miles away. Running, and out of breath with both emotion and effort, he came to flee in front of her.

- Where are you going like that? he threw her.

Rey stopped but did not dare answer immediately. She was looking at Poe with compassion, but was decided on the next events.

- I'll find the First Order, she finally let go.

It was too much for Poe who did not understand. As usual, and as Rey feared, he exploded.

- Sorry? Are you going to find the First Order?

- Yes, that's right, said Rey dryly. It's like I told you.

- And why? You are leaving us while we are in the middle of a rout? We should be gone at this time and here we are wasting time! Is Leïa aware? he finally said, softened. He seemed to understand that there was a plan behind it. 

- I have to find Kylo Ren. I can not tell you why, but since Crait he's after me. It's me he's looking for, me and Leïa. Leïa will not be able to face her son, and I have seen what he did to Han. I will not let him. And I do not want to put you in danger. I go there, I know what I'm doing. 

Poe looked at her intently. He had rarely met a girl so determined in his life, and yet this seducer had crossed many. Rey remained a mystery to him. And there was that extra thing, that spark in the look they shared.

- Yeah. Looks like me. Except that I was very lucky, and had often a vessel to push off if necessary. What do you plan to deal with a hundred stormtroopers? I know you have your ... uh ... powers, but nothing will protect you from blasters! 

- I will not get killed. Trust me, please. Go. I can not explain all this to others, they would not understand. 

- But what makes you so sure of you? asked Poe. 

Rey bit her lip. She could not tell him anything, it would be too long, they did not have time. And she did not want to say anything anyway. 

- Kylo Ren is looking for me, not to kill me. That's all there is to know. Leave, I tell you! she finally screams. I give you a chance. I will see you again.

Poe looked at her again. It emanated from her an inner strength and an unwavering determination. He could not explain why, but he believed her. So he held out his hand. 

- It really looks like one of my plans. You have courage, and I approve it. We'll meet again. See you soon, Rey. And may the Force be with you.

Rey smiled as she gave him a handshake. She liked Poe even though they hadn't known each other for a long time. They had in common that grain of madness and spontaneity that some had lost, worn out by war and fear. And she liked his humor.

Poe then left again quickly, and the wind blew her bits of what was said there, near the Falcon. Her heart sank when she heard Finn call after her and Poe told him to go in the Falcon. He called her several more times, then she heard the Falcon take off.

There she was.

She was alone now. She mechanically touched her bag where she had slipped a water bottle and a blaster. She restrained her grip on her battle stick that she kept in the Falcon. She regretted the lightsaber that he would have helped her right now, to feel safe.

She walked what seemed to last an hour and was at the foot of the hill, the sun was declining on the horizon. She was in the shadow of the little mountain when she felt him close. There was no noise, the tall grass danced with the evening wind. She slowed down and crouched down. No tree or relief to hide, definitely this planet had few assets, she pouted. She had hoped to climb to the top of the hill to be in a high position, which would have given her the advantage of seeing far. But she should be satisfied with that ...

Near her, a rock leaning against the hill allowed her to lean back and observe. She jumped. He was very close. But where? She felt his anger, she felt his rage. She suppressed the fear that filtered through her, blowing slowly. Suddenly she saw him. He emerged to his right, between tall grass. She had expected an army of Stormtroopers, but he was alone, as at their first meeting.

He had no mask, he looked more tense and tired than the last time she had seen him. He stared at her, and she straightened up. The wind made his cloak, his hair dance. They stayed a moment without talking to each other, the world around seemed to have faded away. Then Rey took courage with both hands.

- It's over, Kylo. I know there is no hope. I know that Ben is gone, that you killed him, she said, containing the emotion she felt rising inside her.

Kylo Ren approached her. He swallowed, then ignited his lightsaber.

- That's good, you understood then. You do not cling to the past, you are in the present. And the future is waiting for you to finally make up your mind. Do you want to join us (he deliberately used this term, to keep her away from him as a person), to restore balance to the galaxy? Or do you decide to stay true to old silly doctrines?

Rey did not answer him. For answer, she threw down her bag and grabbed her stick with both hands. Kylo Ren left an uncontrolled laugh.

- No, really, you do not think about it!

- And why not?

He raised his hand and Rey began to feel her knees bent. She closed her mind and felt the light in her. She repelled the attack and looked up. In a split second, he grabbed her stick and hit her behind the legs. She fell back and he pointed his lightsaber on her throat.

- Because you're out of size. It's too late, you said it. I am the Supreme Leader, I would accomplish my work with or without you.

She threw her mind toward him and felt his fear and bitterness. His disappointment that paradoxically strengthened his powers. He felt that she was infiltrating inside of him and tried to push her back but she forced and went further. She saw his nightmares, she felt his attraction, and at the moment when she forced his best-hidden secrets he repulsed her with such violence that he too fell while Rey's head hit a stone on the ground. 

Rey felt a warm color substance along her neck. She was not afraid, she just wondered what would happen to her when she could not get up. She saw Kylo Ren get up and rush on her. His lips moved but she did not hear anything. She felt his cold gloves on her temples, then she closed her eyes.