Fear and Sabers | (The Push of a Button #1)

Doing what we have to do

  "What are we doing....exactly?" I dared voice the question as I followed Rey into a ship. I briefly wondered where the Millennium Falcon was but didn't dare ask that yet. Still, I had searched the hangar with my eyes for it as we'd walked.

The ship we boarded was smaller than I expected. It was sleek and silver, looking like something Queen Padme would have flown in. There were several tiny booth-like seats, a couple windows, and a cramped hallway that looked like it went back a few yards towards rooms I couldn't see. 

"Best not to ask questions right now, Kenna." Rey patted my shoulder as she passed. "I'll explain the plan once we're on route but for right now-" She pointed to a crate. "You need to change."

"But-"

"That tunic will not protect you, nor is it appropriate for battle. I'm going to prepare the ship. Kylo will be on board in a  few minutes."

I nodded and obeyed quickly, recognizing the urgency in Rey's tone. She disappeared to the front of the ship, and I dug through the crate, puling out a heavy garment that smelled kind of....musty.

I wandered to the back of the ship, looking for a room to change. There were only few, and two of the room off the hallway were black as pitch. I shivered and quickly moved on.

I found the last room to be lit with a small light and quickly discarded my tunic, looking at it with longing. Maybe Rey wouldn't care if I kept it. I'd ask her.

To my surprise, the outfit Rey had ordered me into was a jumpsuit, with lots of pockets and thick fabric. It was very flexible, though, and I happily tucked my phone into one of the large pockets. I hesitated before stowing the button away. It's red, dull face stared back up at me. I still didn't know what it meant. Face my fears was the first challenge. But how was that going to help me get back home? And what about my family?

I inhaled sharply, telling my inner panic to settle down. Right now, I had a job to do. It was an unwelcome job....I mean, I was going to be held hostage with Rey and Kylo by some freako. But, if there was one thing living in a large family had taught me, it was you had to work to earn your keep. Rey and, well, maybe Kylo too, had been very gracious and helpful to me. If I backed out now, I was risking the lives of hundreds of people.

I couldn't do that.

So, I squared my shoulders and stuffed the button safely in a large pocket on my leg before marching from the room and nearly crashing into a large object that most certainly hadn't been there before.

I yelped and caught my balance as a loud, angry beeping erupted from what I suddenly realized was a droid.

"Ar-Two?" I nearly shrieked. A series of beepings followed. I squatted down and examined the blue and silver machine, my eyes nearly bugging from my head.

"It is you! Oh my go-sh!"

More loud beeps, and this time R2 shuffled back and forth and moved his head from side to side.

I shrugged.

"Sorry, I don't understand droid gibberish."

If a droid could look insulted, R2 pulled it off. I quickly held up my hands.

"Sorry, sorry. But I really can't understand you-"

"He's asking what you're doing on our ship." A deep voice rumbled from above me. I glanced up, seeing Kylo standing there with his arms crossed. "Except Ar-Two uses more colorful terms in his questions."

"I see." I flushed. "I'm uh, I'm part of the mission," I told the droid. 

The droid swiveled his head to look at Kylo.