AWAKEN

16

EVERYTHING WAS caught up. Vira had heard everything from Poe and Amara. The three of them were huddled down a corridor away from seemingly everyone. Vira just shook her head after hearing it all. The plan. The mutiny. Amara's promotion. Poe's demotions. Leia's state. Finn and Rose at some casino. How much fuel they had before they were all destroyed. It was a lot.

Vira ran a hand through her hair, "Wow, um I really did miss a lot." She says.

Amara glanced at her friend and then down the corridor checking to see if anyone was coming their way or not. She turned back to Poe and Vira.

"That isn't everything," Amara says.

Poe gave her a confused look.

Vira glanced at Amara, "What else is there?"

Amara sighs, "My brother, Ben, he isn't dead." She says, "I mean he isn't the man I remember him as, but he isn't himself anymore. I mean- he is physically himself but just-."

Amara groans and ran a hand through her hair with frustrations. When telling Poe the secret of Kylo Ren's identity, she had the full support in her mother. Leia wanted to keep it on a need to know level, but Amara couldn't ask her mom for permission. Amara needed to get this off her chest.

"Mar," Vira says, "Take your time. What about your brother?"

Amara looks at Vira, "He is no longer Ben Solo, but rather adopted the persona that is Kylo Ren." She says looking at her best friend.

Vira looks shocked, "He- Your brother-?" She shakes her head, "He is responsible for so much death. He- He killed your father-! His father."

Amara frowns and nods, "Yes. I- I told you because I can trust you to keep it quiet," Her eyes drift to Poe, "Poe already knew."

Vira glanced at Poe, "Let me guess, because you two are together now?"

Poe shakes his head, "The General told me." He lies.

Amara knew that Vira seemed a little jealous of Poe and Amara's relationship. Poe decided it would be easier to just tell her that Leia told him. Actually, it would be believable. Leia is grooming him to become her successor.

Vira nods, "Oh, I see."

Amara glanced from Poe to Vira, "I couldn't tell you this before because you were boarded on the other ship but, we had a conversation. Kylo Ren and I."

"When?" Vira asks.

Amara frowns, "Recently," She says, "Before mom got hurt. He contacted me or I did through the Force, I- I really don't know. This is so confusing and new to me."

Vira looks at her friend with a frown.

"Anyways, what I needed to add is we talked again. He knows Leia isn't dead, but no doubt he would've sensed something if she passed." Amara says, "I don't know how to keep him out of my head- I- I don't have Jedi training. So I'm just giving you a heads up, I may hear from him again."

Poe looks at her worried, "When was the last time he contacted you?" He asks.

Amara glanced at him, "Before I first checked in with Holdo." She answers.

Vira scratches her head, "Jeez, this is just a lot."

Amara looks at Vira, "You have no idea."

{THE LAST JEDI}

REY SAT in her hut that night. The rain poured and poured. She was planning on leaving as soon as she got her third lesson, with or without the help of Luke Skywalker. She had no time to wait around, if her friends weren't contacting her meant something was wrong. She sensed him. She didn't bother looking up from cleaning her blaster. A frown was clear on her face the second she sensed him.