Bonded

Chapter 47: Killer

CHAPTER SUMMARY: Kylo Ren struggles with life among the Resistance.

NOTE: For the last segment of the story, I'll be alternating between Rey and Kylo's perspectives one for one, so this chapter is from Kylo's POV.

"Four of the five cruisers are operational, but that's where the good news ends." The Cerean sighs. "The base on Daxam submitted their numbers this morning, and I'm afraid they're less than we hoped." The colonel pauses. "Much less."

Half the people in the room visibly sink.

The Cerean clears his throat, suddenly unable to look anyone in the eye. He lifts his datapad, launching into a report on Resistance resources— starships, shuttles, bombers, everything that could be used for assault.

The Resistance leaders listen, many with their heads down.

Kylo keeps his up. His eyes aren't on the Cerean but everyone else.

Rey's sitting beside him, nodding as the colonel reviews the numbers. His mother's at the head of the table, a Mon Calamari to her left and a young blonde woman to her right. They both look miserable, shoulders sagged in defeat.

The rest look about the same. Most are anonymous faces, but a few stand out. Kylo remembers Admiral Madani only because she spent the first ten minutes of the meeting ranting about the First Order's negotiations. He remembers Admiral Patel because he has a scar not dissimilar from his own, a long, deep cut stretching across his right cheek.

And he knows the defector, Finn. He's sitting just across the table, the pilot beside him.

Poe.

Kylo sets his jaw. He continues scanning the faces, lingering on some more than others. He would say it's surreal being surrounded by Resistance leaders but reality cuts too deeply for that. The moment he entered the room, contempt and suspicion settled darkly, saturating his skin.

It's less now that everyone's consumed in the colonel's report. A few sigh or shake their heads but most stare blankly, every face grim expect for his mother's. She's wearing her mask, that signature self-possession, but Kylo senses her concern.

Based on what he's hearing, she has good reason to be. The Resistance may have evacuated most of their people before Hux attacked, but their resources are another matter. On that front, his assault was a spectacular success. They're hardly equipped to face a contingent of dreadnaughts much less the entire First Order.

"In sum..." The Cerean sets down his pad. "We're currently operating at a quarter of our former capacity."

Admiral Madani buries her face in a palm, grey ringlets falling like a shroud.

For a moment, the room is silent.

"Thank you, Colonel Melor." His mother sits up. "I know this isn't what we were hoping for, but we're no strangers to getting creative with sparse resources. In fact, I'd say it's our signature." Her lips twist wryly. "So, let's talk about what comes next. I want to hear ideas."

Rey wiggles straight. She and his mother are the only ones putting on a brave face. The rest look like they're standing in front of a firing squad.

"Well, I'm just going to say it." Madani drops her hand. "We're not equipped for an assault of any kind. Not even close."

"That's not true." The pilot shakes his head. "Like the General said, making the most of nothing is our M.O. We can do more with a couple squadrons than the First Order can with half their fleet."

Kylo suppresses an eye roll.

"The last thing we need is more foolish bravado from you, Dameron." One of the admirals glares at him. "We must take care with what we have left, and based on that report, our priority should be building up arms."