Dawn of a new Force

Chapitre 44 - Future.

Back in the shuttle, Ben shut himself in a compartment, to check the settings of the subliminic propulsion. However, Rey knew it was a pretext. She had felt his confusion, his remorse. She had not dared to question him about the blood, but it was obvious that he had gotten rid of his jailers, and in a brutal way. Several weeks ago, that would not have caused him any case of conscience. And she knew it was a huge evolution. However, she saw that it was hard for him to get rid of his usual ways. And there was something else ...

She was lying on a bunk, but made an effort to get up. She took a few steps, and suddenly she felt blood running down her left leg. Her wound had reopened. Giddy, she tried to lean against the wall but slipped and fell to the ground, spreading out all the way.

The noise made Ben burst, who cursed at seeing her on the ground.

- Damn it, Rey! Will you one day do what you are asked!

He raised her easily, lengthened her and began to redo her bandage. Pulling the first aid kit out of a drawer, he began to clean her wound.

- I wanted to come see you ... started Rey.

- You always want to do well ... but you're just complicating things, Ben said softly.

She winced under the pain as he pressed the wound before bandaging it.

- You hold it against me, she said.

- Yes. I blame you for always putting yourself in such states. You could have died so many times ...

- I do not understand.

- You left alone today, while you could wait for me. If you had done it ... I should not have killed the knights. I would not have needed to execute my friend, he said darkly.

Rey said nothing, realizing what her stubbornness had provoked. It is true that she was particularly stubborn, since always. And it's also true that she could easily have avoided putting herself in such a situation. Together, they would certainly have repelled the attack of the knights. Together, they would have made front instead of being divided.

- I'm sorry, she said after a moment.

- Less than me, unfortunately, replied Ben.

He got up, wiped his hands full of blood. He looked at his coat, still stained with the blood of his old companions.

- I'll change, then we'll go, he said suddenly.

- For where?

- It has been too long since we postpone your training. It's time for you to choose your path. And it's time for you to become who you must be. I can not wait anymore, Rey.

He paused.

- We will go back to Endor.

- No, the First Order is certainly watching this planet. We will not fall into a trap yet.

- What do you propose?

- I'm taking you to Ach-To. We will be safe there, far from everyone.

- Perfect, we'll go there.

And he left, leaving Rey alone. In the tiny bathroom, he took off his stained clothes, and looked at his face. It was studded with fine droplets of blood. He was horrified, and had a high heart. He had slaughtered these men, not for himself, but for her. To save her, to return to her. He probed his heart, and found love there, intact and passionate for Rey. But also anger, towards herself and himself, at the feeling that had diverted him from everything in which he believed and had worked.

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General Tyder nodded. Poe adds.

- If we have to face them, we will need a safe place and many troops on the ground. We will never have such equipment.

- But where to find this place? We can barely meet our needs on this new base! retorted a senior officer.

- Perhaps we could go back to one of our last bases? suggested a young woman.

- No! Poe cut her off.

- Captain, Tyder tempered. Please let others speak. All good ideas are welcome.

- We know that the First Order will soon be trying to recover very powerful weapons on Kabal 1. If we can come before them, and requisition this equipment, then we would be armed, and able to hide in the ruins of the Tevarin cities. They are abandoned, and only populated by scientists, who work for arms dealers.

- Great idea, in theory, Kaydel Connix said. But how can one be sure of being able to requisition this armament?

- Descendants of Tevarians claim the right to return to inhabit the systems, but the corporations prevent them. If we can support them, they will give us theirs.

All eyes turned to Tyder.

- A guerrilla in old cities ... It looks like this plan was made for us, he said smiling.

An officer raised his hand shyly.

- Yes, officer? asked Tyder.

- But the Kabal system is crossed by the asteroid field alpha ... how will we fight?

Poe laughed.

- It's perfect! General, if you allow me, I completely approve of this plan. The First Order will never expect us to be so crazy!

- So it's settled, said Tyder. Commander Connix, start the preparations.

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She was alone, in a plain of fresh grass. She was walking, letting her hand run over the tall green stems. She felt something strange in her. She did not understand where it came from, and looked around. But she saw nothing, and started walking again. After a few steps, it started again.

Finally lowering her eyes to look in front of her, she was horrified at what she saw. She was pregnant for several months, and she felt this child move under her bouncy belly. But she did not want a child!

She froze on the spot, hating to feel that life in her while she knew so little about her past. She felt someone coming up behind her, and turned, looking desperate. He was there. Luke.

- You have so much hope in you, Rey.

- No! She shouted. I do not want any of this!

- You will not have to redo the mistakes of the past. The lies, they will no longer be part of the life of this child.

- I do not want him!

She saw from the corner of her eye something appear on her left. She turned her head, and suddenly she saw him. He was there, looking at her tenderly. He approached her and put his hand on her belly. She did not feel anything. He was dead, and it was his ghost facing her.

- I'll always be here for you, he whispered.

Rey screamed and woke up.

She screamed in the shuttle and Ben tried for several seconds to calm her down.

- REY! he shouted, taking her shoulders.

- You ... you're here ... you're alive ... she said, panicked.

- Of course! You dreamt?

Rey buried her head in the hollow of his shoulder as he gently stroked her head.

- I dreamed you'd die, she said, omitting to talk about the rest.

- I'll always be here for you, he whispered.