Dawn of a new Force

Chapter 26 - Loyalties.

He had seen the great disruption in the Force, but he had not had access to the vision. All he knew was that it had been a great deal of violence, and his fears about Rey had come true. 

He was still watching her, in her room this time. He found that she was still unconscious, but the medical droid he had mandated assured him that she was not suffering any serious injuries. He could go to meet Hux, letting her recover. 

He quickly joined the command post, where Hux was overseeing the sending of troops to a Resistance pocket. The footsteps of his guard preceded Kylo, ​​and Hux bowed to his Supreme Leader. Kylo bore less and less the sight of Armitage Hux (Armitage, was it a name?), but he contained himself, knowing that he was mastering his army even better than him. 

- Yes, Supreme Leader. Our informants have discovered that the rebels are rebuilding an army.

- Where? Kylo asked sharply. 

- We do not know where they left. They were able to rescue fugitives over Takodana, and just as the squadrons arrived on a Duro cruiser, they jumped into hyperspace. 

- We do not know anything yet, as long as we have not found them. 

- But our informants were able to get their hands on some important information: 60 X-Wings were recently purchased from one of our suppliers, Incom-FreiTek. The transaction remained secret for a long time. I personally fired and imprisoned the director of Incom.

 "Sixty X-Wings," Kylo thought, "they're getting ready for a frontal fight."

- And that's not all. A delivery is underway for 40 additional X-Wings. This added to the cruiser that they have in their possession gives them a projection capability unmatched for weeks. It's time to hit!

Kylo knew that day would come. He did not feel any pleasure in ordering this, but what needed to be done would be done.

- But you told me you did not know where the rebel fleet is. How do you plan to proceed? Kylo wondered.

Hux hesitated, but started.

- Well, I know we have a ... distinguished guest on board. Why not use it to locate friends? he dare.  

Kylo straightened up. He looked taller, if it was possible. 

- No, she's not here for that. 

- And why? retorted Hux. 

He made his voice louder, to draw the staff's attention to their conversation. And that's what happened. Dozens of pairs of eyes and ears turned to the two men. 

- Would you dare to hold me to account, General? 

- Never, Supreme Leader, said Hux with an unnecessarily reverential tone. But some people question here the usefulness of feeding and harboring a rebel while it could be useful to us and serve the First Order. 

Kylo felt that he was on a dangerous slope, and he sensed the maneuvers of Hux. But he just could not use Rey that way, not like that. He needed time to think about it. 

- That's none of your business, General. I explained to you that in due course she would be a great help to our Order. Anyone who will question my decisions and therefore my authority will be guilty of treason. Is it clear, Hux? 

- Limpid, answered Hux. We will continue our research in a classic way. Hoping that the Rebellion does not strike the first. 

Kylo saw in Hux's eyes an expression he did not appreciate. If the latter had not won his claim, he nevertheless had a grin of satisfaction. He had something else, something he prepared every day a little more. 

- Do your job, general, and let me take the decisions.

He turned and went back to his apartments. He was fuming inside. He was angry with Hux for being able to trick him that way, and he was angry at him for not daring to make the decision. A decision Snoke would have made without flinching. A decision he made a few weeks ago. Before her. 

He decided not to return to see her immediately. He had to calm down, to exteriorize his tensions. He read the urgent files, and answered them without being completely at his task. He was concerned. He had to talk to Rey. Hux was more and more menacing, and he was afraid that a war of power would open. Another war was coming, where Rey should choose her side. Would she be ready for that? 

And there was something else: he could feel Rey walking toward him, but she was not yet his, entirely. He wanted her completely, but voluntary. He wanted her to be his apprentice, his ally, ... his lover too. He wanted her to be his, at every level. But he felt Rey still reluctant, torn as he had been before her, torn between two opposing universes. But he had not yet completely tilted to one side or the other, he had to admit. And it's been years since this internal battle raging. Rey would not have all this time to decide. She should do it in the days to come, or everything would be lost to him. She was to be at his side for the final confrontation with the Rebellion. 

After training to let off steam, shower, and put on clean clothes, Kylo decided to go back to the girl. He was attracted like a magnet to her. He could not imagine without her. She had magnetized him, he had a physical need to be near her. He started his way through the Fluency. 

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Once more, she got up, her icy breath preceding her, and in front of her, not far from there, came the sound of the battle: the screams of the wounded and the clash of arms, then behind her another voice. 

- Stay here, I'll come back for you.

She turned around, her vitreous eyes peering desperately at the dark voids between the thin trees, trying to penetrate the darkness. 

- Where are you?

She ran to the voice.

- I'll come back, sweetheart, I promise you.

Rey awoke with a start. Still this nightmare. But she knew now, yes she was sure. She recognized that voice, she recognized that nickname. Finally, she understood. It was him from the beginning.She heard the unlock code on her door, and suddenly he was there. She detailed him as he entered the room. He looked like a prince at that moment. 

He noticed right away that she was sweating. 

- Is everything alright? he asked. 

Rey smiled back. 

- Yes, she said simply.