Star Wars Episode 9: A New Order by J.R.Wittig

Chapter 1 As it Stands

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

STAR WARS

EPISODE IX

A NEW ORDER

Prologue

The Galaxy is secretly divided under First Order control. Many fear for the stability of the First Order under the command of the new Supreme Leader, Kylo Ren, and his aide, General Armitage Hux.

Luke Skywalker's death diminished some hope for the Resistance. Among the battle-weary groups, there are whispers of a new hero, a young girl named Rey, who could free the Galaxy.

Resources are limited, however, and recruits appear to be few, compared to the vast power of the First Order.

Chapter 1 - As It Stands

Ben Solo strides confidently down the corridor, disguised as Kylo Ren. The title of Supreme Leader now rests on his shoulders, and his mask provides a comfortable barrier between his Galaxy and his feelings. Almost no one outside the First Order has seen him without it. His long blue cape swishes behind him as he travels to meet General Hux for their appointment on the upper deck of his new command ship. Six of his Knights of Ren, dressed as blue Praetorian guards, stay in step with him as he walks.

General Hux is never late. The appearance of blue in the throne room—Ben's long cape, the guards' new uniforms—doesn't bother him. Thus far, Snoke's former apprentice hasn't interfered too much with his day to day tasks, and has managed to maintain a certain dignified presence that Hux appreciates. Red, blue, it's all the same to Hux. He notices that Ben's shoulder insignia are missing their hexagonal box, but he says nothing as they walk side by side to meet the diplomats of Mandalore at the docking bay.

The Supreme Leader always speaks first. Without wasting time, he's polite and straightforward. Everyone who meets him has the same experience; in his mask, he is foreboding, but his brief words and formality of manner instantly offset the feeling. His voice is deeper from within the mask, but less distorted than the diplomats of Mandalore once thought.

"Welcome. We are pleased to have you aboard. As you can see, your support has been well used." Ben's words though the mask are sincere. What more can they expect? Everyone in the Galaxy knows General Hux is the one who does the most of the talking. "You can see the design is sleeker, much more economical. Very fast. Allow me to give you a tour." The red-headed man bows his head slightly, a gesture that, although many find him too proper and grating, inevitably invites trust. As the group follows the two men, younger than so many of their subjects, even the most discerning of diplomats would have a hard time finding anything to reprove.

Distant against the purple rising moon of a desert planet, Rey escorts a group of Resistance supporters onto the Millennium Falcon. As she closes the door, her mind flashes back to the time, almost a year ago, she closed the door to Ben as they left Crait. Dozens of missions and reconnaissance flights since then failed to lessen the feeling of that moment. But she had no other choice. She felt no regret, but Ben's unwillingness to connect since had left her wondering if there was an alternative path she hadn't considered at the time.

She remembers waking up the night she and Ben defeated Snoke and pulled the broken lightsaber to her with the Force. Stumbling as she stood, she had picked up a light blue crystal from the ground, examining it briefly. Looking toward the hangar for Snoke's escape vehicle, she had stood over Ben, still knocked out on the floor of the throne room. Seeing the other piece of the lightsaber just past him, she reached over him to pick it up, whispering something in his ear before leaving him to escape.