Saving the Monster

Chapter 54

They left the hanger unchallenged but neither Rey nor Kylo spoke until they had been flying for several minutes.

"Nothing on the radar, I can't believe we just left like that, totally unchallenged". Rey said, shaking her head and turning to look at her copilot.

The look on his face stopped Rey in her tracks.  He was staring straight ahead, his face pale, his eyes distant.  "Ben?" Rey tried gently.

His eyes flicked to meet hers but they didn't soften, "Ben, what's wrong?" Rey asked, her brow creased with concern.

Kylo opened his mouth as if to say something and then clamped it closed again and shook his head, "It's nothing, just keep an eye on that radar".

Finally the dusty vastness of Pasaana came into view.  Skilfully, Kylo guided the shuttle in to land.  It touched down with a hiss and Rey looked out across the windswept sand.  "We found Lando in a bar. The bar was in a settlement just north of here". Rey said, rising from her seat.

"Rasees. I know the place" Kylo said flatly, following Rey out into the desert heat. Rey turned to him in surprise. She didn't think he'd know much about Pasaana, very less the name of a seedy bar here.

His eyes were scanning the horizon, "Come on" he said, "I think I can remember the way"

Rey frowned, as she fell into step next to him, "How do......"

"My father, we used to come here a lot, that bar was where he ripped people off"

Although it was a harsh comment from Kylo, there was a lightness to his voice which implied that it was meant in a nostalgic way, rather than a spiteful way.

They walked in silence for some minutes, Rey's eyes moving to him every so often. He was hiding something from her, she knew it. Rey was about to ask him, when he stopped abruptly infront of her, causing her to collide with his broad back. He barely registered the impact, his head turning ever so slightly in her direction and then immediately gazing forwards again.

"There it is, it hasn't changed". Kylos voice was low and emotionless and Rey followed his gaze down to the cluster of houses and the small bar hidden amongst them. It fascinated her to imagine a young Ben Solo standing here side by side with his father. She so wanted to ask more but she desperately didn't want to lose him to negative thoughts and emotions, so she kept quiet and followed him down the slope.

Before they had left the shuttle they had pulled on heavy black cloaks and now, as they entered the town, Kylo motioned to Rey to raise her hood. She nodded at him and took the lead, pushing open the door and stepping into the dusty, dull bar.

It was quieter than it had been the last time Rey visited, there were less punters and the music seemed to be a far softer sound which Rey was grateful for, she didn't feel in the mood for heavy drums and over enthusiastic wailing today. 

Rey wound her way through the crowds, her eyes scanning the faces, searching for Lando Calrissian.  Kylo hung back, staying by the door, his head lowered.

Loud laughter made Rey spin around.  A group were huddled around a table in the farthest corner and as Rey approached she could see that it was comprised mainly of humans, with just two Aki-Aki making up the group.  Another burst of laughter as Rey moved closer, and then the group parted and Rey saw him.

Lando Calrissian appeared to be in the middle of a game of Sabaac, a clutch of cards in his hand and a pile of shiny coins on the table.  "You're just sore old buddy, accept it, I played a better hand than you" Lando said, reaching across the table and scraping the stash of riches towards him.  The Aki-Aki opposite said something in its native tongue and shoved the table, rising to its full, rather impressive height before leaning across the table to shove Lando, the coins spilling from his hands and spinning noisily across the floor.  Rey lifted her boot, bringing it down hard on top of one of the spinning coins. 

The table fell silent and Rey lowered her hood, her eyes meeting Landos. If he was surprised to see her he didn't show it.  "Well, well, well, the beautiful Rey, to what do I owe this return visit?"

"May I talk with you, in private?" Rey asked, trying to sound as confident as possible.

Landos brow furrowed and then he nodded. "Tarlos, we'll have to finish this some other time, gentlemen, till next time". Lando did a theatrical bow to the other card players, before leading Rey away, to the side of the bar, leaning on an ornate walking stick as he went.

"You in trouble?" Lando asked, his eyes searching Rey's face,

"It's a long story, and one I'll tell you if you'll help us" Rey said simply.

Landos eyes narrowed, "Who's us?"

Rey glanced nervously over to where the cloaked figure of Kylo Ren stood and then back at Lando, before he could follow her gaze, "A friend. Look we need shelter from the First Order and you're the only trustworthy person I could think of"

Lando laughed and tapped his own chest, before laughing again, "I'm trustworthy?"

Rey nodded, her attention caught by a fight breaking out close to where Kylo stood motionlessly. She wanted to get out of here.

Lando seemed to read her mind because he nodded and then took Rey's hands in his, "Ok. You can stay with me, on one condition"

"Anything" Rey said, stopping when she realised that his attention had fallen on the figure on the other side of the bar dressed in a cloak the same as hers.

"Tell me, who the hell you've got with you.  Cause I can tell you as sure as I'm still handsome, that figure over there is not the princess, it's not Leia"