A Transmission
Rey’s schedule remained the same, waiting by the ex-stormtrooper’s bedside leaving only when she had no other choice.
Today was one of those days when she had no other choice. Kylo Ren entered the medbay, stonefaced as he looked at his cousin. “You’re needed on the bridge.” His tone was stoic, commanding. A voice that Rey likely couldn’t’ve refused, even if she wanted to. So, with a light touch to Finn’s sleeping face, she stood up, staring at the Sith.
“Lead the way, then.”
He obliged, walking through the sleek black halls of the Star Destroyer they now resided on, until they reached the command deck, where Hux and Phasma already waited- Hux looking as impatient as ever, and Phasma looking radiant in her chromium armor.
“Ren.” Hux started, glancing from the Sith to the girl, then back to the Sith. “You’re late. I told you to be here at 13:00 hours sharp, and it is now…” The general looked at his watch with furrowed brows. “13:08. What were you doing for those eight minutes, Ren?”
The Sith looked indifferently at the General. “My personal affairs are certainly nothing that concern you, general. If you really wanted to know what I was up to for those eight minutes, why don’t you just check the tracker you planted in my belt?” His tone was suddenly harsh, and Kylo’s dark eyes stared intently at Hux as the general quickly grew flustered, glancing off to the side.
“No matter.” Hux finally replied. “Right now, our concern is establishing communication with the Resistance.” His lip visibly curled as he spat out the word, as if the act of simply saying it brought bile to Hux’s throat.
“The Resistance?” Rey finally piped up, looking from Hux to Phasma to Kylo. “Why are we contacting the Resistance?”
“Because.” Phasma’s voice chimed into the conversation, her helmet giving away no emotion as she stepped forward. “It’s time for FN-2187 to leave. We need to decide on a rendezvous point so that we may deliver the Traitor to the Resistance.”
It was a good point- and Rey quickly fell silent, only to have Kylo glance in her vague direction. “We also must inform General Organa of your location. They’ve been combing the galaxy for the past month searching for you. She has to be informed that you no longer need to be looked for.” Rey simply looked to the ground, almost regretting her choice to… to join them.
“Why am I needed, then?” She finally whispered, still staring at her feet.
“Because.” Hux replied, a foot tapping impatiently. “Why would the Resistance believe a word we say?”
Another excellent point, and Rey, once again, fell silent.
“Enough chatter. Let’s get this over with.” Kylo’s authoritative tone echoed through the room as he strode over to a computer monitor, flicking it on and typing something into the nearby console. Then, an image flickered to life on the screen- none other than Leia Organa herself looking at them, color draining from her face the moment she saw her son.
“Ben-” Her voice was full of longing as she put a hand on a nearby surface to steady herself.
“Ben Solo is dead, General Organa.” Kylo’s expression gave away no emotion as he simply stared at the screen before them, hands held tightly behind his back. “He was weak. But I can’t help it if you don’t believe that he’s gone. Han Solo didn’t believe that either.” There was definite pain that flashed across Leia’s features as he uttered that sentence, and Kylo couldn’t help but crack a light smile of amusement at her distress.
Leia’s expression hardened as soon as she saw Kylo’s self-satisfied smirk, and she adjusted her position, squaring her shoulders and trying to appear emotionally detached in the present situation. “Fine. What do you want, Ren.”
“I’ve contacted you to inform you of two things. First, we have the Scavenger, Rey Skywalker.” It sent chills up Rey’s spine to suddenly have a last name, especially one with such a weight as Skywalker- But she decided against saying anything in the present moment, instead opting to stand in the background as, again, Leia’s emotions threatened to betray her. “Second. We have a traitor who must be returned to you, as per an agreement between me and my cousin. We must discuss a rendezvous point, as, just as I will not willingly invite your scum on board my ship, you would likely not invite my forces into your base.” He cracked his neck slightly, gazing off to the side. “For these reasons, I would like to suggest a neutral planet, such as…” He glanced back at Rey for a moment, before looking at Leia once again. “Tatooine.”
General Organa narrowed her eyes lightly as she stared at her son. “Tatooine? Very well. We will meet in a public place. I will be sending Poe Dameron and three other representatives. You will arrive with your captive, yourself, and three representatives of you choice. Do not arrive with anyone else, or there will be dire consequences.”
Kylo nodded in agreement. “Very well. We’ll meet in two days time, at 10:00, as Mos Eisley. Do not keep us waiting.” And with that, he ended the transmission, turning on his heel with Hux following swiftly behind him, leaving Rey alone with Captain Phasma.
“So. Uh-” Rey awkwardly scratched the back of her neck, looking up at the chrome-clad stormtrooper.
“Do not waste your breath speaking with me.” Phasma interrupted, likewise turning sharply on her heel. “I am not one to waste time with small talk.” And with that, she left- leaving Rey alone on the bridge of the First Order’s star destroyer.
So she returned to the medbay, walking silently and awkwardly through the halls to wait, once again, at Finn’s side until it was time for him to leave.