The Space Between Us

Chapter 2

Rey watched as Luke stood in silent contemplation with a hand on his chin. "It could mean nothing," he muttered aloud.

"You and I both know that that's not true, Master Skywalker," Rey pushed, rising to her feet in a fluid movement. She stepped closer to the apparition and looked over him. "You're not telling me something. What are you hiding from me?"

"He's not on this side either."

"I could have told you that," Ben called out sarcastically as he continued to sit on the floor and observe the conversation around him.

"But he died. I was there. Where could he be if he's not on either side?"

"I'm right here," Ben laughed exasperatedly, eyes looking between the two of them. "I've been here the whole time."

"Can you sense him?" Rey questioned. "I hear him all of the time. It's so clear and so real." Her tone was still wavering from the explanation of the dream to still yet another person. It wasn't as difficult to describe the visions a second time, however an exhaustion was settling in her from all of the emotions swirling through her head. "It's like he's standing right next to me. And sometimes I see shadows or movement in the corner of my eye. Do you think that it could be him?"

"It's possible." Luke nodded in answer. "I've never heard of anyone being trapped between the two though."

"What is the other side like?"

"I can't ruin everything," Luke said with a smile. "There still needs to be some mysteries in the universe to experience."

"Where do we go from here?" Rey questioned, the feeling of easiness finally settling in her. She felt like she could breathe fully again and her skin didn't feel quite so tight.

"I'm afraid that I do not have an answer for you at this time. But the Force will guide and balance you. Listen to it."

"Yes, Master Skywalker."

"Rey! We need your input!" Poe's voice said from somewhere outside of the door.

"I will be there in a moment!" Rey called back as the form of Luke faded away. She pulled her hair back and out of her face in such an effortless way that it left Ben impressed. She slid her saber into the pouch on her belt and left the room, following the hall for a turn or two before she opened the door to the main chamber. "What are we up against?"

"There are five transport ships full of Imperial Droids," Poe explained, leaning over a console with a hologram of a Sentry Droid.

"Do we know why they are going to Chandrila?" Rey asked, moving closer to the computer so she could click on something, pulling the world onto the projection.

Ben stared at the spinning planet before him. The last time he had been on that world there had been some argument between his parents. He remembered it clearly. It was over if he should be trained by his uncle. But he was already 10. He needed to learn as soon as possible. Children his age had already begun their testing to become a padawan. If he didn't start now there was no way he would be ready by 13. Or so he had thought. He had been trying to convince his parents for so long to let him go and train and the time had finally come and they were going to go back on their word. They always did. Not that he was ever first priority to them. He was always passed off to a maid just like the so called prince he was. Given everything the child of a princess and a war hero could give him, but it was all material. Not them.

And so he left and never looked back without telling them. He hadn't thought about Chandrila in years. The question still hung in the air. Why there? There was nothing there worth destroying anymore. The Galactic Senate no longer met there and hadn't for at least the last decade.