Bonded

Chapter 32: Head and Heart

The younger colonel sighs. "Definitely not tomorrow. We barely finished set-up today. These slaves are so very uncooperative. My troops had the worst time wrangling them. Half of them kept trying to wander off, refused to—"

"How long, colonel?"

"Three days, sir." Russo clears his throat. "Assuming the slaves stay put and follow orders."

"Make it two," Kylo commands curtly. Petrov, what's the latest intel on Ranc's presence in the Silver?"

"Last we heard, the gang's headquarters took in only a few from the smaller bases, no more than a hundred. The rest of the scum are holed up in a canyon on the west side of the planet. Sources tell us they've got an armory there, but not a large one, nothing that could threaten us."

"Is the canyon populated with civilians?"" The Supreme Leader turns to Petrov.

"I think..." The general takes a moment to consider. "Not. Perhaps a few sand tribes, but I'm sure they stay clear of the armory. Ranc would see to that."

"Good." Kylo continues pacing. "Then I want you to bury them. Start with a round of aerial assaults in the morning."

"With pleasure." Petrov smirks. "And the Silver?"

"Set up a perimeter around the headquarters," Kylo commands. "And be subtle about it. I don't want Ranc catching on before we evacuate the city."

"Yes, sir." Petrov straightens. "I'll send in a stealth unit at dawn. I can even send them tonight, if you like."

"No." The Supreme Leader stops in front of a console. "There's only one more thing I want from you tonight. All of you." He turns to face the men.

They all look at him, ready and alert.

Kylo stares coolly a moment. "Get some sleep," he orders.

The men visibly relax.

"You're dismissed." He turns to the console. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Yes, sir." Russo's shoulders drop in relief.

The men scoot back from the table, rising and filing into the hall of the ship. The door whirs shut behind them.

Kylo listens as their footsteps recede. He stands, perfectly still, until he hears them fade away.

Then he snatches the comm at his belt, bringing it to his lips. "What's the word from 928-C?" He lowers the device, waiting.

"He's on his way, sir," the operator crackles in. "He'll arrive at the shuttle in five minutes."

Kylo lets out an exhale like he's been holding it all day. "Clear the ship," he commands into the comm. "I want everybody out before he gets here. Tell the guards to let Bonden and his guest in, then close the shuttle until morning."

"Yes, sir."

Kylo steps to the console, setting the comm next to his mask. He pulls off his gloves, casting them on the counter, then strides to the meeting table. He pulls out a chair, taking a seat slowly, a wave of exhaustion setting in.

The feeling doesn't last long. He sits up, swelling with anticipation, tempered only by a hint of uncertainty. For a split second, the image flashes, the last time he saw Rey— her eyes pleading with his, tears glistening. He quickly buries the memory, banishing it to the edges of his mind. He looks down.

He hates the way things ended last time he saw her, but it's not an interaction he's keen to dwell on. Instead, he wonders what she'll be like when she sees him, reviewing the possibilities in his mind. Will she be cold, keeping him at arm's length?