Hidden thoughts

Chapter 12

I took Rey, Finn, the dark haired girl, who turned out to be Finn's girlfriend called Rose and a reluctant Poe back through the mountains.  I headed quietly onto my shuttle, dispatching the pilot and then Rey helped me drag the two Tie pilots bodies out into the open where we laid them next to the shuttle pilot. Finn and Rose stripped the Tie fighter pilots and stacked the armour next to my shuttle and then we carried the bodies back on first order stretchers to the Falcon, gathered some wood and lit the fire.  Leia had been busy whilst we had been gone, she had had the others mess the Falcon up, tipping tables over, smashing glass on the control panel and she had also thrown various items belonging to the main four onto the dirt outside.  Rey's staff, Poes jacket, her necklace and Finns gun.  I nodded at her, appreciative of her support.  She nodded back. 

Me and the ten remaining resistance fighters walked back to my shuttle.  Rey and Poe were to fly the Tie fighters and I couldn't help but watch as Rey pulled on the armour over her slim figure.  Rey climbed into the Tie fighter and I watched Poe giving her instructions, reminding me that he had stolen one once with the traitor,how ironic.  Just as Rey was about to put her helmet on she turned to me and smiled, "See you soon Ben". A lump formed in my throat and I was suddenly nervous. I nodded at her and turned away, heading onto the shuttle with the other resistance fighters.

We touched down on Batuu, the two Tie fighters hovering above us.  The ones who were staying here took bundles of supplies.  I told them that there was an old outpost that they could stay the night in and then I turned to leave, standing on the loading ramp.  My mother said her goodbyes and then headed back on board, stopping to pat my arm.  I looked around, just the traitor, or should I say Finn left.  I saw him stood to the side of the ramp, his arms wrapped around Rose who was crying, her round face slick with tears, "Don't cry Rose, I'll be back before you know it" Finn was saying, his hand wiping the tears from her face, "I love you Finn" Rose said, her voice breaking, "I love you too Rose" Finn replied, his lips meeting with hers.  I watched, captivated by this show of affection, so open, so unafraid, so loving.  Suddenly I realised that Finn was walking towards me, his face pulled into a snarl, "What? Don't you know it's rude to stare?" I dropped my eyes as he stalked on board and then I pressed the button which lifted up the hatch and set a course for my base. 

I landed the shuttle in the hanger and, with my mother and Finn still hidden in the hidden compartment on board, I lowered the ramp and headed out, just as the two Tie fighters screamed to a standstill. 

Hux suddenly appeared, his eyes wide, "Supreme Leader, welcome back" I nodded, carrying on walking, turning my head slightly and carefully flicking my fingers, signalling for Rey and Poe to follow us.  "You will be pleased to know that I only suffered one loss, my pilot.  The resistance however weren't so lucky" I stopped for effect, Hux raised his eyebrows, clearly desperate to hear the news, "I have wiped out all the leaders, General Organa, their best pilot, the traitor stormtrooper and the scavenger girl.  That only leaves six, some of them are injured, all are unarmed.  I would suggest that we have snuffed out the resistance once and for all.  I am tired now but first thing tomorrow I will take you there, you can see for yourself, the resistance is as good as dead".  Hux was smiling widely, something I rarely saw him do, "Well done Ren, seems that you have overcome your feelings and done what is required.  Very well, I shall accompany you in the morning".  Still smiling Hux headed off down a side corridor.  I turned and looked at Poe and Rey and signalled for them to follow me through a door and into my private quarters.

Once the door had hissed shut Rey pulled off her helmet and Poe followed suit.  They stood for a moment looking around my dark room and then Poe spoke, his voice laced with sarcasm, "Nice place you've got here".  I ignored him, running a gloved hand through my hair, "How do we get Leia and Finn up here?" Rey asked stepping closer to me.  I paused for a minute, looking over her head, thinking and then I looked down into her eyes.  "I will dispatch two stormtroopers and take their armour to my moth...uh General Organa and Finn and then bring them up here.  You two stay put, this room is soundproofed and only I can open it so you should be safe, if anything does happen hide in the bathroom" I said gesturing to the sliding door to the right of the room.  Rey nodded and smiled at me, Poe stayed stony faced and I left, securing the door behind me.