Darkness Within

Despicable

The transport settles on the ground with a soft thud followed by the hiss of hydraulics as the hatch lowers in front of them. A shiver runs up Rey's spine at the memories that flood back from that one sound alone and she wishes with every fiber in her being that she could somehow escape this nightmare she is living in real-time. Zyan and Kira both tighten their grip on Rey's hands as the door opens further to reveal the expansive hanger with impossibly shiny floors and she fights back the bile forming in the back of her throat.

Ben takes the lead with Rey directly behind him, the two teenagers following behind them nervously, their eyes scanning their surroundings as they step into the hanger, a setting drastically different than anything they have ever experienced.

The walls travel up for what seems like miles above them, broken up by Tie fighters layered over top of each other, windows of the hallways and control rooms, and panels of lights leading from the floor all the way to the ceiling. The sight of the blackness that stretches forever past the large hangar entrance forms an even more aggressive pit in Rey's stomach which she quickly chokes down again, remembering Ben's words about how they need to be brave for the twins.

"Palpatine and Ren, good to see you again," General Parnadee says with a small nod, her hair showing her age as it is now speckled with light grey.

"Parnadee, good to see you," Ben forces out, electing to ignore the memory of her consistent siding with his wife that consequently worked against him on a regular basis.

"We can brief you in the Bridge," the general assures and motions for the family to follow, both of them noting how Pryde isn't present. Rey falls into step behind her with Zyan next to her, while Ben motions for Kira to follow him, wrapping his arm across her shoulders. The fear in both of the teenagers is palpable as they observe the dark surroundings and the strangers in various uniforms labeling their respective ranks.

They pass rows of computers manned by workers in simple black uniforms who click at the screens aimlessly and make their way up a short flight of stairs before turning to the bridge. The patrons all stare at them, whispers of curiosity being exchanged in hushed tones but stopped abruptly by Rey shooting looks of warning in their directions.

"Sit over there," Rey says to Kira and Zyan, motioning towards a table with two benches on either side in the corner. "We'll be right here," she explains, showing them that they would still be visible and they won't be alone. "So," Rey begins and turns back to the General, walking to the table in the middle of the room. "What are we looking at."

"We're still in the system, so currently we're viewing Argent along with its moon that is uninhabitable," General Paranedee explains with her hands behind her back.

Both Ben and Rey circle the holotable, their eyes scanning the world they had called home for years. Rey can feel a pang of sadness as she follows along a large fissure in the surface of the planet, knowing it leads to a little ways away from their house.  She can almost hear the sound of snow crunching under their boots as she explores the forest with the twins during one of Ben's work trips.

"Can I ask how exactly you found us?" Rey asks and turns her back to the table with her arms crossed across her midsection.

"We were tipped off by a smuggler that he had information regarding the whereabouts of the Empress and Emperor. Of course, he clearly sold the information to the Resistance as well."

"And how exactly did this smuggler learn of our identity?" Ben asks.

"Did they recognize him?" Rey clarifies by pointing at Ben, assuming that is the only reasonable explanation.

"Surprisingly no," the general laughs and glances over her shoulder at Kira and Zyan. "He encountered a 'Solo' at the Cantina. A Kira Solo."

Rey's eyes shoot up to Ben's then over at Kira who stares at the floor, her eyes partially hidden by her dark hair. Feeling the attention on her, she glances up at Rey, meeting her eyes for a second before dropping them back to the ground. Zyan who sits next to her shifts uncomfortably, and glances up to Rey but she is too preoccupied to look at the boy.