Let the Light In

Chapter 33: Defiance

Chapter 33: Defiance

When the glistening white surface of Hoth appeared in the transport's viewport, Rey was already sick with nerves.

All that previous level-headed calm? Gone. A distant memory.

Not even the wild dogfight going on in the atmosphere during their rapid descent could make her any more on edge. Rey was already far enough.

It was almost a relief to be rushed into the heat of battle the moment they touched down. The blaster bolts and voices that filled the air were perfectly tranquil compared to the cacophonous maelstrom that was her mind.

As it happened, Rey was not at all anxious about the larger battle. She knew she could fight, and she knew she'd be able to handle herself well, even with the Elite present.

That in itself was a shock to Rey, but she took it in her stride. Elite here? To what end? It seemed Snoke was escalating his tactics by bringing these...things into the First Order's ranks.

Rey effortlessly threw a group of them into the nearby ravine, earning her many grateful nods from her squad, and steam followed her shimmering blade as she cut through the ranks of opposition.

Her body was in it, but her heart and mind were not. Rey's limbs were moving in perfect form, and the Force flowed through her in all its hues, but it was all muscle memory. Her mind was stretching to feel if the bond between them would glimmer, but she hoped it would not.

Or rather, part of her did.

Part of her was hoping he would not be there, and yet a little shred of her heart was hoping he would. It made her uneasy to acknowledge, but she had been forced to admit that perhaps this was not all for Leia.

It was the more foolish and whimsical side of her, the side that still yearned to be back in that bar, where they could just be.

But this was war.

Rey gritted her teeth as her form slipped, and an Elite landed a stinging blow.

The perpetrator soon found himself crumpled on the floor, along with his backup, after a particular quick Force Crush.

Still the bond remained silent, and Rey found a small amount of unsettling solace in it.

Her squad reached the ridge that overlooked the base, and Rey was struck still.

The base was in flames.

"Fracking hell!"

"What in the name-"

"No-No no-"

"Oh frack-"

All around her, her troops were clutching their weapons and shaking their heads in horrified disbelief. One man fell to his knees beside her and whispered a woman's name along with a prayer.

Rey knelt beside him, and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, taking initiative to slowly feed a little of the Force into him, and all the other troops.

It was similar to a mind trick, but rather affected one's spirit. Rey had no idea from whence the idea came, but she went with it, and slowly but surely her squad was filled with healing energy and determination once more.

She helped the man to his feet, and gently rubbed his arm before facing the rest. To her astonishment, they were looking to her for leadership. It was then she noticed the Captain was missing. Oh Force...

Rey swallowed heavily, and glanced back to the base. A snowstorm was picking up, but the wind carried the desperate screams on its wings, and Rey's mind was set. There were still X-Wings in the sky, and transports going to and fro, all was not lost just yet.