Rise of the Order: A Star Wars Story

Chapter 38: Communications

Luke sat silently in the front, his eyes squeezed shut in deep concentration. 

"Anything?" came Poe, his voice sounding very far away. 

Luke pursed his lips, and drew his senses back in. "Gala is in deep pain..." He took a deep breath. "And there's a disturbance in the Force."

"Like say, the destruction and enslavement of an entire planet?" Lando commented.

Luke opened his eyes. "No. Something else."

"Well, we're nearing our destination," Poe said, fidgeting with the console. "Coming out of hyperspace in three...two...one."

On cue, the stars righted themselves, parting to reveal Gala's bright purple exterior. Surrounding Gala were three Stardestroyers.

"Let's hope being in one of their crafts doesn't set them off against us," Lando prayed. 

"I think we're good," Poe remarked. "We just need to get to th--" He paused, staring at something on the computer. 

Luke turned to him. "What?"

Poe didn't answer, his eyes glued to the screen shock. 

"Poe!" 

Poe blinked. "It says here that one of the Stardestoyers is deploying bombers," he said, his voice quiet. 

"Bombers?!" Lando exclaimed. "What the hell are they thinking?"

"We gotta get to the surface. Now!" Luke took control of the piloting from Poe, and steered them down. "We get our people and get out!"

Poe stared at the beautiful purple planet. "So much for our alliance with Gala..."

"Lando, can you try connecting us with our people below? Let them know we're coming?" asked Luke. 

"I got it," Poe said, receiving a glare from Lando. 

~~~~~~~~

As Rey neared the city, she turned her comlink back on. "Finn!" she huffed between breaths of air. 

"Rey!" came Finn. "Have you found Jennica?"

"Not yet, but I know where she is. She's in the city."

"What? How the heck did she get in there?" he exclaimed. Rey could hear Chewie's roar of surprise in the background.

"I don't know. But I'm going to get her."

"Rey, listen, we don't have much time. The First Order is deploying bombers--"

"What?!"

"I know. We got to get out of here as fast as possible."

"Lucky for you, your ride's here," came a new voice. 

Rey reeled at her comlink. "Who is this?"

"POE!" shouted Finn so loud, that Rey was almost certain she heard him across the battlefield. His excitement mirrored itself in the cute shriek that BB-8 released from below her.

"Hey buddy, how's it goin'?" 

"Poe, what are you doing here?" Finn asked, his voice unable to hide his excitement. "Is the Resistance here?"

"Not exactly. It's just us."

"Us?"

"Gosh, I told you to contact them, not make small-talk," growled another voice.

Rey's eyes widened. "Master Skywalker?"

"Yeah, it's me, Rey. Now will you two listen--"

"Wait, where's Jennica?" interrupted Poe. "Why isn't she on the channel?"

Rey silently cursed herself before answering. "Jennica kind of disappeared during the battle. I'm on my way to get her now." 

"She's not with you?" 

"Listen, Rey," interrupted Luke, "find Jennica, and meet up with Finn and Chewie in the next five minutes at these coordinates. We don't have much time."

"Yes, Master," Rey responded. Her comlink beeped with the coordinates Luke sent. 

"Now, hurry!" And with that he signed off. 

Rey quickened her pace. 

~~~~~~~~

Ren stared out at the battlefield from his position besides the Knights. They had stationed themselves way outside Yarel's city limits, setting up camp beside the Night Buzzard--the Knights of Ren transport ship. They were safe here. But Ren couldn't say the same for Rey. Her familiar presence was running towards the city, instead of away. 

Would this be her grave? Would Ren lose her so soon? He didn't know. He liked to think she had a plan. She always seemed to get herself out of very sticky situations. But Ren wasn't so sure. And it bugged him not knowing. It also bugged him that he worried in the first place. 

"My lord," came Rogue from beside him. 

"Yes?" he acknowledged without a glance. 

"All the Knights are accounted for, except for Monk and Armory," he reported. "Blade is badly injured, but alive."

Armory must still be on Brion, heading this way soon. That leaves Monk. Ren frowned. It was unlike Monk to not show when summoned. 

He cast out his senses, focusing his energy on finding Monk's--which was fairly easy since Monk tended to darken any space he entered. It took Ren less than a minute to find him. 

Ren looked to the cliff-side city. Monk was alive, he knew that much. What he was still doing in the city, Ren had no idea. But with the bombers, there's no doubt he won't make it out in time. 

"Send a ship to the city," he ordered Rogue. "Monk is on the upper levels and is going to need assistance." 

"Yes, my lord," Rogue said, and left. 

Ren's frown deepened. He realized that Rey was headed in Monk's direction.