When Light Meets Dark - Kylo's Sister

The Ship

"Our emotions dance in the paradox of love and fear."

~Debasish Mridha

Rey

"We've just received new intel," Hakeem said as he strode into the room. He stopped.

"Where did she go?" he asked me, looking at his wife's empty chair.

"She went to the toilet," I explained, spinning a little in my own chair. The room was empty apart from the two of us. A grey sky still dripping with rain was visible through the overhead window. "What's the new intel?"

Hakeem walked around the table to take a seat opposite mine. He had the tight expression of someone who was forcing calm. A few strands of hair fell over his face, cutting across one of his brows.

"A Syndicate ship was seen leaving the Geonosian capital a few hours ago."

I sat upright, so quickly that my chair creaked in protest.

"What?"

He nodded gravely and pushed the strands of hair back.

"Rumours say that Corrine was on it, but we can't confirm those for sure."

"Corrine was on what?" Ertra said as she re-entered the room. She looked from Hakeem to me and then back to her husband. Her worry set on her face.

"A ship," he said, turning to her. "Leaving Geonosis. I mean it was definitely a Syndicate ship, but we can't confirm whether she was on it."

Ertra sat down, in her usual seat at the head of the table. She leaned back and took a deep, deep breath.

"Okay, so there are multiple reasons why The Syndicate might have visited Geonosis." She looked at the two of us again, trying to see if her calm and rationale had made any effect on us. 

"Of course," Hakeem said, "but the most likely reason is regarding the attack they are launching in a few days." He placed emphasis on the word attack as if Ertra had completely forgotten about it.

"Yes, maybe she talked to the Geonosian leaders, or maybe she sent a representative, and it is entirely possible they turned them away," she argued. It sounded quite like she was reasoning with herself.

"Or maybe they didn't," Hakeem retorted. "Maybe whoever she sent was able to convince them to join the Syndicate. Maybe they're on there way here right now."

Ertra raised her fingers and began to massage one of her temples.

"Well what good is panicking going to do Hakeem?" she asked, in a weary, irritated voice.

"I'm not panicking, it's just--" he paused, turning to me.

"Where's Kylo?"

Kylo was the military expert, but I couldn't help being slightly offended that no one had asked for my opinion. He was also Corrine's sister, although they didn't know that. As I thought about it, I realised that I hadn't seen him since our morning class. He had said something about going off to the library and that was it. I had been busy most of the afternoon going over strategy and numbers and maps with Hakeem and Ertra.

"I'm not sure," I said. "I think he may be in the library."

Hakeem turned back to Ertra who was still sitting there, massaging her temples.

"Well," he asked. "Shouldn't we contact them?"

Ertra didn't say anything. Her eyes were shut and her face blank.