Dawn of a new Force

Chapter 12 - Suspended time.

Three days had passed since their kiss. Three days since the death of his mother. He knew that his funeral was or was going to take place. Hux had come to inform her of General's death, offering his condolences, but with a touch of pride in his voice. Kylo had heard the stormtroopers shout their joy in the sheds. For everyone here, it was the hope of the complete and total defeat of the Rebels very soon. Moreover, new systems had abjured their loyalty to the old republic and have been sworn allegiance to the First Order since.Strange, Kylo thought to himself, as the weak pass from one camp to another without wanting to look any further. Without having a state of mind, without asking any questions. Strange, yes, as a small event could bring about the opinion of thousands of creatures. Because so terrible was her death for him, what was she apart from an image, a blanket, for the Rebellion? Most of those who spoke of her had never seen her. Kylo found the others finally so uninteresting.

After all this, he was less and less able to get on board the Fluency. He pretended to go and see the engineers on Fondor, which had been taken over from the New Republic, the latter having disappeared. Shipbuilding yards were booming since they had been rehabilitated. And the new Supreme Leader was keen to follow in his grandfather's footsteps, to have his new destroyers built there, where the Executor had once been assembled. He had ordered a series of new NewOrder class destroyers, a compromise between a Resurgent class destroyer and a battleship. Smaller, more maneuverable, but better prepared for attacks. Kylo Ren did not believe in gigantism, but efficiency in all circumstances.  

This technical and formal exit would give him an excuse to escape, at least a few hours, the Fluency and his crowd. It would also allow him to get away from Rey. He felt it there under his feet. He passed near the detention corridor at night. But his thoughtless act forbade him now to return to see her. He could not bear to face her eyes. He should answer her questions, explain. He could not. He would be weak. He did not have to be.

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Three days had passed. It was endless. Rey had passed the stage where she was crying with rage, alone and desperate in her cell. She was resigned to waiting. The cell was tiny, and she had no human contact. Only droids brought her meals, and sometimes a medic droid came to check her stupe. He had given her an injection too, and she had heard the doors of the cells next to her open and close. She suspected that the Supreme Leader had ordered the prisoners to be lightly sedated in order to keep them calm. 

She changed her position and went back to bed, with the only horizon being waiting. She did not understand why he had kissed her, why he had left so suddenly ... why could she only think of him, while her friends were fighting to survive? She was so ashamed of not having repulsed him, of not spitting in his face. 

She felt shame and fear seep through all her pores, and even worse, now she felt depressed. She could still hear that voice, her father. She would have wanted to know more about him, and to know that he was there, in his mind but without being able to access it, was even more frustrating than not knowing anything. But never, never, did she want to come back to him by that path she had taken. She had to find another way. But which one? 

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Admiral Tyder ordered a mourning of three days, the time of preparations for the funeral of Leïa. The practical question of burial was quickly settled. Where to expect? Who could welcome them? Chandrilla had been approached for that, but it was out of the question now. Tyder had the idea to leave Leïa there, in space, because they all lacked time and safe planets where to dock. On the other hand, he promised everyone to have a mausoleum erected in honor of all the dead heroes, and in particular Leïa, as quickly as he could. 

The funeral was therefore quick, but very moving, everyone sharing anecdotes about the frank and passionate discussions with Leïa. Everyone remembered her gift for reading in souls, her incredible capacity for persuasion, her smile that warmed the heart even in the hollow of the wave. Finally, everyone could share memories of Leïa singing (she was a very good singer), dancing with Han at banquets, Leïa's hairstyles inspiring the whole galaxy, and so many good memories ... 

It was Chewbacca who was appointed to place the shroud containing Leïa in the location of the emergency capsule, now empty. And Chewbacca again, who pressed the button releasing the body of the Princess into the sidereal emptiness. They all stared through the portholes at this white form slowly turning in the void, like a dancer, surrounded by necklaces of flowers cut from old fabrics and papers. Leïa was bowing and joining the Force in turn, they say. 

Chewbacca had found comfort with Rose, who had woken up two days earlier. She had to learn the different tragedies, but had not let herself go. She was walking with two crutches for the moment, and was spending a lot of time with Chewbacca, talking and starving. 

But during the three days of mourning, a small team around Tyder continued to work on another mission: saving Rey, Finn and Poe from the First Order. And this third day, an unexpected and unexpected communication arrived. Hyas brought the message to Tyder himself. He read the note, then typed coordinates on his keyboard. A small planet appeared on the central hologram. 

- My friends, this is Fondor. I just learned that Kylo Ren's personal vessel just landed there for a shipyard inspection and a review of the reactors, estimated at one or two days. This is our chance. In orbit, the Fluency is impossible to attack now. But a commando can land on the planet and invest the ship. If we dismount, it will be possible. 

A murmur of excitement and fear ran through the assembly. Tyder spoke again. 

- We just lost Leïa but it's our chance. She would have told us not to let her go. So who is ready to save our friends? 

A dozen hands rose, and Tyder could smile for the first time for ages.