Star Wars: The Rebirth Of The First Order

Chapter 26

Ben looked up at the sky over Endor, he could see a familiar ship over head. It had been a painful sight in the past... the ship that was always taking his father somewhere far away, the ship that took his parents away when he was left to train with his uncle Luke. But now he was glad to see it, knowing that it was bringing Rey and his mother to him.

He didn't look forward to meeting the other Resistance members, they probably wouldn't be very forgiving, but it would all be worth it to be reunited with his mother, and to see Rey for just one moment.

Hux walked up to him "they're requesting to land" Hux reports.

"Everyone's clear not to attack?" Ben asked.

Hux nodded.

"Give them the go ahead," Ben answered.

Hux shouted the order at some lieutenants and they radioed back to the falcon Hux turn back to Ben "no matter how much you want to, no hugging, kissing, or being over excited"

Ben nodded. He had been thinking about doing exactly that, but he knew that Hux was right.

Moments later, Hux and Ben stood with several First Order personnel as the Millennium Falcon landed in an open space in front of them.

The ramp lowered and the Resistance poured out, with Leia and Rey in the lead. Ben watched them approach, he clenched his fists and forced himself to keep an emotionless expression on his face. He wanted to run to them, and pull them both into his arms, hold them close and never let them go. But he was forced to stand here and regard them as strangers... worse enemies.

Next to Rey, the pilot... Poe was glaring at him, seeming none too happy about this meeting. Not surprising given his last encounter with him... actually now that he thought about it, he should be grateful that he wasn't shooting at him.

Ben looked over at the former stormtrooper, FN-2187... or Finn as Rey called him. He didn't look any happier than Poe.

In the back of the crowd, he spotted Chewie. He felt a pang of guilt... he was sure the Wookiee would never forgive him, in fact he might simply rip his limbs off, but he deserved no less.

He looked back to Rey again, she seemed to be wearing the same emotionless mask that he was. His mother however looked at him with steadfast determination, no attempt at concealing her feelings. But she was strong willed and everyone knew that she was his mother... and a mother's love knew no limits.

When the Resistance reached them Leia looked up at her son "Ben"

Ben nodded, he wasn't sure what to say. Their reunion was hard enough without him having to pretend that he didn't care, that he just saw her as the Resistance General and nothing more. "Come with me," he said in a low voice.

She nodded sadly and the Resistance followed.

Ben led them to a meeting room with a large table that was surrounded by several chairs. Ben sat down at the table along with Hux, a few First Order leaders and the leading members of the Resistance.

"Thank you for coming on friendly terms," Ben said.

"If it were up to me, there would be nothing friendly about our terms," Poe replied.

Ben looked down at the table to glare at him slightly.

Leia lightly hit Poe on the arm then looked to him "sorry about him"

Ben nodded. "It's alright... I know this isn't easy, the First Order and the Resistance have been fighting for a long time. But we need your help. I have sensed a dark force rising. The fighting between the First Order and the Resistance needs to stop. The real fight is about to begin."