~ 𝚒𝚜𝚘𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍 ~ A Ben Solo/Kylo Ren Story

28.

Ren hadn't stopped thinking about that damn smile. It was late, but he felt like he still had unfinished business to get done that day. He went over everything he'd done in his head. Showered, apologized, eaten at least twice, what else was there to do? He had already cemented the plan to stop being affectionate and vulnerable in front of Celeste. It was even more dangerous since she had been a rebel. 

He found himself pacing, and eventually pulled on his helmet and wandered the hallways aimlessly, trying to recall what else there was to do. He was so lost in thought, he walked directly into someone.

"Watch it," Hissed Hux, irrationally annoyed. Well, maybe rationally, Kylo had almost killed him rather recently, but still... 

"I should have destroyed you when I had the chance," Ren growled in return.

"I could say the same to you," Hux sneered. 

"What are you planning now, you pathetic weasel?" Kylo muttered as he reached into Hux's mind easily. This memory was recent but full of sinister intentions, Ren could feel it. 

"Admiral Hux." Snoke's voices echoed around the chamber. "I see your intentions with Ren's pupil. Good. You seek revenge on him by going after the girl," He observed. 

"Uh, sure?" Hux sounded confused. 

"I have a more important...task... for you. A far better way to get back at Ren, I'm sure you'll agree," Snoke smirked slightly. 

"You could, for instance, capture the girl and use her to lure Ren into a trap. I'm sure the stormtroopers are quite loyal to you, and I'm also sure that if there was enough, Ren would not be able to win against, say, 200 blasters firing at the same time?" Snoke suggested slyly.

A malicious smile spread across Hux's face. 

Ren pulled away. Snoke suggested Hux have him killed? No wonder he was so distant and uninterested when he asked for permission to search Celeste's mind...Ren threw Hux to the floor, almost without thinking, and started the walk back to his quarters.

If Snoke was seriously planning for his death, he wasn't safe anymore. He could be ambushed at any moment. He wasn't protected, even his knights would be loyal to Snoke above all else if it came down to it. The only one on his side was her. 

~~~~~

"We need to escape," Celeste said without question, as soon as Kylo had finished recounting what he had seen the previous night. 

"If you're gone, I'm gone. We have to get out of here. Maybe the resistance can help smuggle us to some planet somewhere?" She suggested. Ren shook his head.

"It's useless. They'll be able to track us anywhere, and they won't stop until they've killed us." 

"Th-then we get them first. We can give the resistance information about the ship and how to destroy it, then we can escape just before it gets blown up or whatever!" Her voice got louder as the sentence went on, her confidence growing. 

"Wait! And I have something they used to communicate with me, I think! I remember hearing a voice from it like forever ago! It's this tiny little device that was in my ear. Do you think we could get it to work and send a message to them?" 

"Bring it to me," Ren replied slowly. Celeste nodded and sprinted out of the training room. She rummaged around her closet, finding the small envelope with the tiny device after a moment of searching. She rushed back and skidded to a halt in front of Kylo. 

"Close the door," He said as he took the envelope from her, holding the device in between his fingers and observing it. "Let me borrow your knife," He said, holding out his hand without looking at her. Celeste grabbed it from her pocket and held it out. He grabbed it quickly, careful to not touch her hand. 

He carefully poked at the device for what seemed like forever, until suddenly, a small green light turned on. Celeste's eyes widened. 

"I didn't know you were...mechanically inclined?" She laughed slightly.

"I was born and raised on a ship. My father-" He stopped abruptly, then cleared his throat. She decided it was best to drop the subject.

"Here. It's best if you deliver the message, not me," He held out his hand again, and again, didn't touch her hand as he passed it over. Vega cautiously held it to her ear.

"Hello...? It's Vega, requesting a transfer to General Leia," She said, with feigned confidence. Silence, for a moment. The only sound was their breathing.

"Come in, Vega. We thought you were compromised?" A man's voice said from the other end. Vega and Ren breathed an identical sigh of relief. 

"U-uh no, I'm all good!" Her voice was squeakier than usual, "I need to talk to General Leia, now please." 

~~~~~

"Are you completely sure you aren't compromised at all? If Ren catches on to your plan, we would all be destroyed," Leia asked. 

"I'm 100% sure, general. They don't even know I'm on board, I've been well hidden. I assure you, I will get the information to you discreetly. I have one request, though," Celeste said.

"Yes?"

"I need an empty ship ready for me to escape in, with enough room for my belongings, so a two-person ship, so I'll be sure to have enough room for, uh, my personal effects," She knew she sounded awkward, but Kylo needed to get out somehow, too, and she figured they'd be able to explain everything once the First Order was completely destroyed, and they were all safe. 

"Of course," Leia agreed. "Oh, and Vega?" She asked. Celeste's heart skipped a beat nervously.

"Y-yes, general?"

"It's good to have you back," Celeste breathed a sigh of relief.

"I-it's good to be back." 

A/N: Hello! If you're enjoying this story so far, please consider leaving comments, votes, add it to your reading lists, or even follow me for more stories in the future. It really means the world to me, and I love seeing everyone's comments and thoughts! This story is currently under editing, and your support keeps me motivated to continue. If you like my writing style, be sure to be on the lookout for more, similar stories in the future! Thank you! :)

EDITED