The Long Way Home

Chapter Nine

Martyrs of the Resistance


"NO! NOT REY! NOT MY LITTLE GIRL!"

Han Solo would never forget the sound of Luke's scream when he discovered his daughter was dead.

"NO! NO! NO!" Luke fell to his knees next to the dejarik table where they had watched the footage of Felicity's torture and confession. "IT'S NOT TRUE! IT CAN'T BE TRUE!"

Han found that Luke had always had a sort of quiet grace when it came to reacting to death. Han had always figured it was because Luke had always been expecting the deaths of people he lost. Luke knew going to his burnt down home that he wouldn't find anyone alive. He knew seeing how old Yoda was that he would soon pass from the world. He knew taking off Vader's helmet that it meant Anakin Skywalker would die. He knew heading into a battlefield he would lose good fighters and friends. The closest to an unexpected death Luke had experienced was Ben Kenobi's death, but even that reaction had been brief as Luke had always known someday he would outlive Ben.

But this time was different. This time his reaction was more akin to the discovery that Vader was his father, for this revelation was completely unanticipated. This death was the death of Rey: his innocent five-year-old daughter with a vast future ahead of her. A future that would now never be.

Luke remembered the first time he held her: she was tiny, pink, and squalling. Felicity had waved off her chance to hold Rey immediately after delivering her, instead telling Doctor Kalonia to pass Rey to Luke as she was so exhausted by the labour. (Several months later, Luke would realize that her disinterest in holding Rey had been the first sign of Felicity's emerging postpartum depression.)


The moment Doctor Kalonia put Rey into Luke's arms it seemed like the world paused. There was a brand new life, a life he had created, a physical proof of love, radiating with the Force, and filled with the potential to do anything. This miniscule delicate little girl who wasn't even the length of his forearm was bonded to him for life. She would grow tall, beautiful, and strong, looking to him for morals and guidance. He would show her the world and teach her everything she needed to succeed in it. He would provide and care for her: feeding her when she was hungry, warming her when she was cold, holding her when she was sad, healing her when she was injured, and protecting her when she scared.

Luke stared at his little girl in wonder, amazed that he could love someone so much and so quickly. He looked into those large eyes – which at the time were blue – eyes that stared up at him in echoed wonder and love. Through the Force, she knew who he was and what he meant to her, just as he had known her from the exact moment of her conception.

"Hello, my Ray," Luke whispered using the nickname that later would be altered and made into her given name. "I'm your Daddy."

The yet-to-be-named Rey gurgled happily at her father's words.

The depth of his overpowering love made Luke want to embrace his beautiful little girl with all of his might. On the other hand, he didn't want to hurt her, so he held her gently in his arms taking in the magnificence that was this miracle. He held her close to his chest, Rey resting mostly in the crook of his right arm.

Luke carefully shifted Rey so that his left hand was free to move. He brought it to her face and used two fingers to gently stroke her cheek. Rey squirmed a little, but Luke couldn't wipe the grin from his face. He relished the feeling of her skin against his natural flesh. The cold hard metal of his right hand would be confusing to the small girl, but his left hand provided her with the gentle, loving hand he would raise her with. He would not be like his vicious father that severed his own son's hand. Luke would never harm nor allow anyone to harm a hair on her head.

"I love you so much, Sweetheart," Luke whispered, using his daughter's pet name for the first time. "I'm going to spend the rest of my life loving, guiding, and protecting you. And someday, when I pass from this life and leave you behind, I promise that I will have learned how to preserve myself like Ben Kenobi, so that I can continue to be there when you need me. I promise that I will never leave you; not even in death."


Luke had made the promise on the assumption that he would be the first of them to pass away. The thought of Rey dying before him never crossed his mind. He never expected to outlive her. He never wanted to outlive her. He was not meant to outlive her.

And yet he had.

But why? Why did the Force decide to take her – his innocent little girl – away from him? A parent was never supposed to bury their child… and even worse, because of Felicity's rashness, he never would.

His little Rey of Hope was lost to the desert of Jakku.

If only he knew how literal that truth was.

"NO! NO! NOT MY REY!" Luke cried, the hot thick tears splashing down his face. "NOT MY LITTLE GIRL!"

On the floor of the Falcon, Luke sobbed uncontrollably in front of Leia and Han. He didn't care what anyone thought of him. He had been utterly destroyed by the fact that his daughter was dead.

"TAKE ME INSTEAD!" Luke begged the universe. "BRING BACK MY LITTLE GIRL AND TAKE MY LIFE INSTEAD!"

Tear flooding her eyes, Leia fell to her knees in front of Luke and clutched him tightly. She tried her hardest to stop Luke from throwing himself prostrate on the floor. The sight of that was just too heartbreaking to witness.

Han saw Leia's struggle to keep Luke upright and decided to intervene. Han knelt behind Luke and locked his arms around his brother-in-law, firmly holding him up and against his chest.

"It's alright, Luke," Han choked through his tears, his words false and uncomforting. "It's alright."

"IT'S NOT ALRIGHT!" Luke tried to fight off Han, but Han held tight. "MY DAUGHTER – MY BEAUTIFUL LITTLE RAY OF HOPE, OF LIGHT, OF JOY – IS DEAD AND LOST IN AN ANONYMOUS STRETCH OF SAND ON A DESERT PLANET OF ALL PLACES! NO! GOD, NOT MY REY! NOT MY BABY! WHY? WHY? OH, GOD WHY?"

Leia and Han held Luke tightly, kneeling on the floor of the Millennium Falcon sobbing over the death of their little girl. Their niece, their daughter, their hope for the future was gone.

They cried together for a long time, no one speaking as they worked through the unbelievable turn of events.

"I want her back," Luke finally spoke, his voice congested but at a more regulated volume. His head was buried in Leia's shoulder leaving an ugly stain of tears and snot on her shirt. "I want my Rey back."

"I know, Luke," Leia stroked Luke's hair, her own expression not looking too attractive as she cried. "I do too."

She was the calmest of the trio as she had watched the footage the moment she got the transmission. It was a horrible thing, knowing she had heard of her niece's death before her brother had. Off in a far hanger, Luke was completely ignorant of the fact that his daughter was dead. It was why she had blocked herself from Luke, so he wouldn't learn of the terrible news from her thoughtlessness.

It hadn't been any easier when he did know.

Letting Leia know through the Force that he was ready, Luke pulled back from her embrace. His face was a wet, red, swollen mess. He was utterly destroyed.

"This is my fault," Luke whispered. "I told Rey I'd come back for her, and then I told Felicity to take her and run. And then I ignored her messages-"

"No," Leia objected. "That's not your fault. You heard Felicity; Rey was already gone by the time she sent her message."

"I still told Rey I'd come back."

"And you had every intention of doing so," Leia rubbed his shoulder. "But it turned out not to be the best choice."

"Wasn't it?" Luke snapped. "If she had stayed, if I let Felicity stay on Rornian, we would have ended the Knights of Ren, and then they both would have been safe with me."

"And then the First Order would have turned up the next day," Leia pointed out. "They wanted her and would have done anything to get her."

"I just can't believe she's gone," Luke wiped the tears from his eyes, only to have them be swiftly replaced. "If I had heard it from anyone else… if it wasn't Felicity who said it, I would never…"

"Shhh," Leia tried to calm her brother. His sorrow was bleeding into the Force sending pain through it all around them. She was almost upset that she didn't see the shape of blue Force ghosts come to comfort Luke in his time of need.

"Are we sure Fliss was telling the truth?" Han suggested. "I mean if she thought they might break her, wouldn't Felicity lie as a last resort?"

"You heard Ben," Leia answered sadly. "He saw it in her memories. Felicity couldn't possibly manage to lie about that."

"I suppose not," Han sighed, turning his face away so they wouldn't see his tears. Someone had to be strong for the family, it only made sense for it to be him. Luke and Felicity would mourn their daughter, Leia would comfort them and cry with them, and he would keep them all standing tall with a grin, a joke, a load of optimism, and schemes of revenge.

But strength was hard to find when his five-year-old niece had died a horrible death. As Han tried to be strong for Luke, he was struggling not to recall the flood of memories involving his niece that were trying to tear to the forefront of his mind. Her little laugh, her bright smile, the way her eyes would light up when he taught her about the different parts of the Falcon, playing with her and spoiling her as "Fun Uncle Han," telling her less desirable stories about her parents. All of it was gone.

"I want her back," Luke said with a sudden determination. He grabbed the rim of dejarik table and shakily pulled himself to his feet, "I want Felicity. I want her safe in my arms, away from those monsters. And I want her to tell me to my face that our daughter is gone."

Han and Leia exchanged a look; there was a dangerous obsession in Luke's eyes. Broken, angry, and determined, Luke looked like a feral animal ready to tear off the head of anyone who stood in his way. It was one of those terrifying moments when no one could deny that Luke Skywalker was the son of Darth Vader.

"Where is she?" Luke demanded as Han and Leia rose to their feet. "Where are they holding her?"

"Tonides," Leia answered. "It's in the Ouvis System. They set the security footage with a set of coordinates… and a message."

"What message?" Luke's hand gripped the dejarik table like it was the only thing holding him up.

Leia hesitated, "You don't need to see it. It just says that you're free to come collect Felicity."

"Leia!" Luke knew she was holding something back. "I want to see the message."

Leia shot a reluctant glance Han who gave her a sympathetic look. Behind her, Leia could hear Luke's mechanical fingers drumming impatiently against the table. She sighed, pulled out a small holo disk, set it on the table, and pressed play.


It was a continuation of Felicity's interrogation. Felicity was kneeling on the floor, her hands bound behind her back, and a pair of Stormtroopers were holding onto her shoulders. Phasma, Kylo, and Hux were still in the room, but they had turned to face the camera and directly speak to Luke.

Hux smirked, "Well, Skywalker, with the girl dead it appears that we have no further need of her mother. You are free to come collect Rhiaon, but bring only two companions with you. If you bring more, there will be consequences. Don't worry about this being a ruse, we have no problem with allowing you to reunite with your wife and take her to wherever you now call home. After all, the Supreme Leader will be needing the two of you to get to work on replacing the child you wasted."


"Wasted?"Luke exclaimed. There was a loud crack as his mechanical hand broke off a small section of the dejarik table's rim.


Felicity seemed to echo Luke's anger at the careless mention of their daughter's death. Enraged, Felicity screamed and threw herself forward to attack Hux. Yelling profanities from over a dozen different languages, Felicity fought against the Stormtroopers to take her revenge on the First Order's golden trio.

"As I said before," Hux continued while Felicity hurled insults in the background, "we will deliver you your wife in good condition."

One of the Stormtroopers smashed a baton against Felicity's temple. She cried out and collapsed to the floor as blood poured from her head.

"Well… mostly good," Hux watched as the Stormtroopers pulled the limp Felicity back to her knees. "We have sent you the coordinates to her location. You have one week to arrive and collect her. If you don't appear in the next seven days, we'll assume you don't want her anymore, and we'll dispose of her for you."


Luke clenched his jaw, his fingers pressing down on the dejarik table with threatening cracks.

Though Han was horrified and angered at the holo message and what was being done to Felicity, he couldn't help but wince as Luke destroyed one of the few sources of entertainment on the Falcon.


In the background, Phasma had approached Felicity and the Stormtroopers, and muttered a few orders.

Taking advantage of their distraction, Felicity looked to the camera and shouted, "LUKE, NO! REMEMBER WHAT-"

A piece of fabric cut into Felicity's cheeks, muffling her words as Phasma gagged her. The Stormtroopers tied her feet together and fasten the rope to her bound hands, immobilizing her.


Luke's eyes narrowed; the Dark Side coursing through his veins. He watched in disgust as Felicity continued to scream out muffled warnings. Warnings that Luke misunderstood as Felicity telling him to not come rescue her.

Sometime later, after discovering Rey was in fact alive, Luke would look back on the memory and realise that Felicity was trying to remind him of her first message she sent on Jakku. With horror, Luke would recognize that it was Felicity's last ditch attempt to get him to go to Jakku and collect Rey from Unkar Plutt.

And maybe, if he had, things would have gone differently.

But he hadn't… and they didn't.


"Seven days, Skywalker," Hux warned. "The clock is ticking."


The message cut off.

Han, Leia, and Luke stared wordlessly at the holo disc, angered and horrified at what they had seen. No one would ever comment on how Ben had stood there watching in glee as the First Order beat and degraded his aunt. No one would comment on how Luke had broken the table in his fury. And no one would comment on how the image of Felicity Rhiaon hogtied and bleeding profusely from her temple would be forever seared into their memories.

"You know it's a trap, right?" Han asked casually, his eyes inspecting Luke carefully. Both he and Leia were sure not to make any sudden movements.

"Of course it's a trap!" Luke snapped. "But I'm still going to get her! Do you actually think I'm going to leave her there to be tortured like that?"

"I didn't say you were!" Han exclaimed. "Don't take this out on me, Luke! This isn't my fault!"

"So it's mine?"

"Stop it, both of you!" Leia ordered. "Luke, I know you're going through a lot of emotions right now, but Han is just trying to help. Don't lash out at him because of what others have done. We're your family, and we're here for you."

Luke sighed, "Leia-"

"No, Luke," Leia cut him off. "Don't do this. Don't shut me out. Let me help you."

Distantly in the Force, Luke heard Leia's words echo in another woman's voice. A woman who was very beautiful, kind, but sad. It was a woman Leia didn't remember much of, a woman who Luke remembered nothing of, and a woman their father had once fruitlessly killed hundreds so they would remember everything of.

A woman that when his father lost her, he lost himself. A father who left Luke a very clear picture of what could happen if he gave into his grief. A father who had ignored the plea of the woman that was now being echoed by their daughter to their son.

Luke sighed and pulled Leia into a hug, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you. It's just… Ten minutes ago I was on my way to rescuing my wife and daughter, and now…"

"I know," Leia whispered as Luke lost himself to grief again.

Silently, Han walked up to the two and placed his hand on Luke's shoulder. Luke looked up. When he met Han's eyes, guilt flooded his features.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you," Luke hung his head in shame. "You've always had my back. I shouldn't have-"

"It's already forgiven and forgotten," Han smiled weakly at Luke. "Promise."

"Thank you."

"Come on. Fliss is waiting for us and I count three people in this room. I'll call Chewie to let him know what's up. He's off getting a few things for the ship and will be confused if he comes back and finds we're gone"

"Wait," Luke frowned. He looked at Leia helplessly, "People need to know that… I have to announce that… People are wondering and searching for… I…"

Luke sighed deeply.

"Rey," he simply said.

Leia nodded, "Han, call Chewie. Tell him to accompany the two of you. I'll stay here and inform our friends what happened."

Luke smiled, "Thank you, Leia."

Leia nodded, "Bring her home, Luke."


"This is my fault," Diego Nalto's projected com figure sat with his head in his hands, overcome with grief. "I should have gone there the second I thought of it. Jakku is no place for a little girl, and we just left Fliss-"

"It's no one's fault but the First Order," Leia assured Diego as she sat on the couch of her empty living room.

He was just one of dozens of com calls Leia had to make telling their family and friends that Rey had passed away. No matter how many times she relayed the message, it never got easier. In fact, it felt like it had gotten worse.

Leia remembered each and every call. She remembered each expression of grief, similar yet individually unique.

Chewbacca had been the first call, made before Leia had left the Falcon for home. Upon hearing Rey was dead, Chewbacca let out an agonized roar that made everyone jump back at the intensity of it. He then babbled on in Shyriiwook, which Han informed the twins that Chewie was rambling nonsensically, overtaken in grief. What he was saying was a mix of crying out to the universe for an answer of why it happened, vowing revenge on the First Order, saying some traditional blessings for the dead, and repeating words they did recognize: the Shyriiwook version of Rey's name.

It was long and something the humans couldn't attempt to pronounce. Han tried to explain the meaning to them many times, but Shyriiwook was complicated and he never could get the point across. The closest translation was "The Queen of Light Who Walks the Skies" which was a play on all three parts of the name Rey Rhiaon Skywalker.

Queen was taken from Rhiaon, which was a Coruscant name meaning "Great Queen." Light was what Chewie decided to call the made up name of Rey, relating it to the term "Ray of Light" as well as the fact that her father's name also meant "Light." Walks the Skies was again Chewie's own decision on the meaning for Skywalker.

When informed of the mission to rescue Felicity, Chewie cried out that he would be honored to join "Life Saver and Wookie Friend" (his name for Han) and "Knight of Light Who Walks the Skies" (Luke) to save "Joyous Queen Who Walks the Skies" (Felicity, who Chewie also sometimes called "Lands Ships with Many Flames.")

Artoo and Threepio were the next call, waiting at Han and Leia's apartment continuing their search for Rey and Felicity. As Threepio wailed in his typical over-the-top fashion, Artoo spewed a collection of angry squeals that were too impolite to translate.

Lando Calrissian had been called while Leia traveled home. He was overwhelmed with sorrow, openly crying before Leia. Lando had a soft spot for Rey, always bringing her toys and other gifts from his travels. Leia had vivid memories of Lando spoiling and playing with Rey, taking her swimming, flower picking, giving her piggyback rides, playing hide and seek, and sneaking her hot chocolate before dinner while Felicity wasn't looking (and buying Luke's silence with another cup.)

As Lando ended the transmission so Leia could inform other people, she could see that he was heartbroken.

After that things had become very much a blur for Leia.

The Naberrie family mourned deeply, and her grandparents offered to help Luke and Felicity with working through the death of their daughter as they had worked through the death of his mother.

Mon Mothma gave her deepest condolences and told Leia to take off as much time as she needed.

Doctor Kalonia cried hard over the death of the first baby she had ever delivered. Leia couldn't blame Kalonia for her intense grief. She had left home and had her entire community slaughtered leaving only three survivors, and now one of those survivors was dead.

Jaina Fel had collapsed to her knees and begged Leia's forgiveness for falling for Ben's trick. It took Leia nearly an hour to convince Jaina it wasn't her fault, and that Rey had been long gone by the time she was tricked.

Admiral Akbar was furious, ranting and raving about the First Order and how more than ever the Resistance needed to take action against them.

Wedge Antilles was very quiet. He was sad, but not outraged, almost like he wasn't affected too much by what had happened. Wedge had seen so many families destroyed by the war, Leia wondered if he had gotten so used to death that he regarded it with now no more than a shrug and a "Oh, well. Dang. I'm going to miss them."

Leia didn't know why she called Maz Kanata next. There was something odd that pulled her to Maz, and Leia found herself dialing the number. Maz was calm and grandmotherly, but angry under the surface.

"That poor girl," Maz shook her head. "Far too young for such a great tragedy. Those First Order soldiers are truly monsters. I will never forget the eyes of that little girl; her strong, beautiful, brave, mother's eyes."

Lor San Tekka told Leia about the branch of his church on Jakku and that if they ever found anything, he'd let her know. Leia didn't expect his people to go actually searching for Rey, but it was comforting to know someone would keep an ear and an eye open.

After ending her call with Diego, Leia started to type in the number for Kes Dameron.

"Mistress Leia, perhaps you should take a break from these calls," Threepio walked into the living room with a tray of lunch. It was a simple sandwich and glass of juice, but considering he had made them without Leia requesting it, it was the thought that counted. "They do seem to be upsetting you greatly."

"It has to be done, Threepio," Leia wiped the tears from her eyes as Threepio set the tray on the caf table. "Our friends should hear it personally from a member of the family rather than whichever media outlet finds out first. Plus telling people makes it so I can't pretend this hasn't happened. It makes it real."

"I wish it was not," Threepio said sadly. "Though I don't remember it, I was there when Master Anakin was a child, I was there when Master Luke and yourself were born, despite Captain Solo's best efforts, I was there was Master Ben was born, and I was there when Mistress Rey was born… I had thought that maybe I might be around long enough to see her own child before I made my way into the scrap heap."

"I did too," Leia said sadly. She looked at her lunch, and then back up at Threepio, "Thank you for the food."

"As you may recall, Princess, I am first and foremost a droid of etiquette. I have many customs in my database spanning dozens of planets and races to perform for a grieving person that I intend to perform for you."

Leia frowned.

"Exactly how many customs are we talking about, Threepio?" she asked apprehensively.

"438 for a grieving family member, 78 of those being specific to an aunt grieving for a niece, and 17 specific to the sister of the firstborn brother grieving his firstborn daughter. The 438 customs are as follows: One-"

There was a knock on the front door.

"Thank the Force," Leia leapt to her feet, thankful she was saved from Threepio going on about 438 grieving customs.

"Hello Senator Organa," A tall, tan young man flashed Leia a pearly white grin. She was surprised to find Poe Dameron standing at her door with his droid, BB-8 at his feet. "May we come in?"

"Of course," Leia frowned slightly at the unexpected guest. She gestured for him to follow her, "I was just about to call your father. What can I do for you, Poe?"

BB-8 followed behind Poe and let out squeal when he saw Artoo. The orange droid rolled up to Artoo letting out many excited beeps rolling in circles around him. Not fond of the younger droid, Artoo let out a few short angry beeps, one of which Leia was fairly certain meant whippersnapper.

"Yesterday was the last day of the semester at the Academy," Poe chuckled as BB-8 persisted in trying to make friends with Artoo. "I'm done now until the fall so I thought I'd come volunteer for the search effort. Felicity's always been a good family friend, and you know how much I fell in love with that little girl of hers. It's just killing me to know they're out there suffering somewhere."

Threepio spoke up, "Actually-"

"Threepio," Leia silenced him with a look. "Don't you have to switch the laundry over?"

"The laundry? …Oh, of course," Threepio caught her drift. "Excuse me. Come Artoo."

Threepio gave a slight bow and headed to the laundry room. Artoo rolled after him but stopped short when BB-8 started following. Artoo gave another angry beep, but BB-8 chattered happily back. Suddenly, Artoo extended one of his attachments and zapped BB-8 with an electrical shock. The room filled with a mechanical yelp as BB-8 rolled as fast as he could to hide behind Poe's legs.

"Sorry, buddy," Poe laughed at the droids' antics, "but no means no. You should have backed off when he asked you to."

BB-8 gave a sad trill.

"BB wants to help find Rey too," Poe told Leia. "I promised her we'd come visit over the summer and she could play with him. She adores BB-8 and he adores her. It might be nice if after all these terrible things she's been through she got a little time with her favorite droid."

A very loud, angry beep came from the other room.

"Why do I feel like Artoo would legitimately fight me over not calling him Rey's favorite droid?" Poe joked.

"Rey sure does love BB-8," Leia said sadly as she sat down on the couch. She gestured for Poe to do the same, "Please sit."

The summer Poe turned sixteen, he had lived on Rornian with Luke, Ben, Felicity, and Rey who came to absolutely adore him. Kes had bought Poe BB-8 for his birthday, and Poe, Ben, and Rey spent an afternoon assembling him. Overjoyed with the adorable droid roughly the same height as her three-year-old self, Rey had fallen in love with BB-8 the moment she saw the box. Rey had cried just as much over BB-8 leaving at the end of the summer as she had cried over Poe.

And now neither Poe or BB-8 would ever see her again.

Leia took a deep breath and gathered herself to deliver the news.

"I'm afraid that you've come too late," Leia said. "The search for Rey and Felicity is over."

"They've been found?" Poe asked, excited as he sat on the couch opposite and BB-8 settled by his feet.

"Not exactly. Luke and Han are on their way to Tonides to rescue Felicity from the First Order. Rey on the other hand… I'm afraid that Rey has passed away."

"WHAT?"

"Felicity meant to hide themselves at Niima Outpost on Jakku, but her ship crashed in the desert and they had to walk the rest of the way. Rey was so small and the conditions too harsh. At least it happened painlessly. One day she fell asleep and then… well, she just never woke up."

"Oh God, Rey," Poe's head was in his hands, his back hitching with small sobs. "That poor little girl. How could this happen? It isn't fair!"

"Death rarely is," Leia said sadly.

BB-8 watched his Master cry. He pulled up his memory files concerning Rey Rhiaon Skywalker and found that they were talking about the nice little girl who loved to hug and play with him. BB-8 let out a whimper and his head drooped down as he updated his record file of her to the living status of Deceased.

"How can I help?" Poe asked. "Do you need any help bringing her body to here or Rornian or… man, what are you guys going to even do with her? I know Luke's all for cremation but she seems a little young for that."

"Actually," Leia looked down guiltily, "there's no body to recover. In the panic of her grief, Felicity buried Rey in the sand. When she realized her mistake it was too late: a sandstorm had happened and the grave site was gone. Rey's… out there somewhere, lost forever to the sands of Jakku."

Leia couldn't go on. She broke down crying in front of Poe and BB-8. BB-8 made a small noise and rolled over to Leia, nudging her leg and purring to comfort her.

Poe however was not enveloped by sadness; he was consumed by anger. Rey Skywalker had done nothing to anyone, and yet because of the First Order she was lying dead in the sand.

His decision made, Poe shot to his feet.

"General Organa," Poe declared with a salute, "I would like to formally request to join the Resistance."

Leia looked up at him in horror, "Absolutely not."

"I'm not going to let that little girl die for nothing!"

"I won't let you join."

"My studies will be finished next year and I can participate full time during the summer."

"It's out of the question, Dameron," Leia refused.

"Come on, there are kids younger than me fighting in the Resistance!" Poe exclaimed.

"Poe, you know why I don't want you to join."

Poe locked his eyes with Leia's.

"And that's exactly why I have to," Poe's voice was distant as his worst memory replayed in his mind. "The First Order executed my mother. She wouldn't back down as they tried to steal the little children of our community, so they forced her on her knees and opened fire. Footage of it was leaked to the media, and everyone in the galaxy saw my mother die. I remember the speech that you gave afterwards. You quoted my mother's last words: any force will be met with proper resistance. You used the outrage to form the Resistance, and have saved countless lives as a result. I've always meant to join when I was old enough, and now it's time. My mother lost her life to the First Order on fighting to save the children of the next generation. Now the First Order has taken the life of one of those children, and it's my turn to fight back."

Leia thought over Poe's words carefully. She thought about the speech she made all those years ago. She thought about the speeches she had made since, begging the Senate to recognize the threat of the First Order. They had waved her off as an alarmist and warmonger, and because of that her niece was dead.

There was only one thing left for her to do.

"Please, General," Poe begged. "Let me join."

"On one condition," Leia looked up at Poe and smiled. She patted BB-8's head, "BB-8 has to join too."

"Deal," Poe held out his hand to her.

"Poe Dameron," Leia shook his hand, "welcome to the Resistance."


"Are you sure you want to do this?" Jaina questioned for the hundredth time as she followed Leia and Poe into the Senate box.

"No," Leia said pressing a button for her pod to float forward. "But it needs to be done."

"At this time, the Chair recognizes the Senator of Coruscant," Chancellor Mon Mothma broadcasted to the Senate as Leia's pod floated to the center of the room. "The Senator has an announcement to make."

Her eyes met Leia's briefly, and they shared a sad look. Mothma knew what Leia was about to say, and although Mothma didn't like it, she knew it was something Leia had to do.

"Senators," Leia began, "for weeks I've faced a barrage of questions concerning my brother and the disappearance of his family. Today I come forward with an answer to your questions. My brother's wife, Felicity Rhiaon Skywalker is being brutally tortured and held as a prisoner of the First Order."

Chatter spread throughout the room. Intermixed with the concern and horror was the usual disbelief and hand waving of the seriousness of the situation that came anytime Leia tried to speak to the Senate about the First Order. But this time it was different; this time she would make them listen.

"However that is not the announcement I must make," Leia continued, shooting dirty looks at those who dared question the validity of her statements. "I come forward today to tell you about the other missing Skywalker. My five-year-old niece, Rey Rhiaon Skywalker who is loved by and charms everyone she meets, an innocent with pure goodness radiating from her very soul, the daughter of famed war heroes Luke Skywalker and Felicity Rhiaon… is dead."

The whole room gasped as one. Outrage cried from the Senators who were horrified, angered and even some unconvinced at the news. Shutters clicked madly as the media scrambled to record announcement. Luke and Felicity had been hounded relentlessly after the announcement of Rey's birth; Leia could only imagine how it would be with her death.

"She died fleeing the First Order," Judgement and admonishment for the opposition to Resistance laced every one of Leia's cruel words. "Rey wasted away in the hot Jakku sun, and her grief-stricken mother dug the grave with her own two hands. Then her mother was captured by the First Order and tortured for her dead daughter's whereabouts, only to reveal it when they violated her mind. And what did this honorable, non-threatening organization that we don't need to concern ourselves with do? They sent a holo of the beating and confession to her husband. My brother learned his daughter is dead from watching a holo of the First Order brutalizing the woman he loves. This wasn't about them; this wasn't about anything they did or believed in. It was about the views of the Republic, and yet it is Rey and Felicity who paid the price. My brother is on his way right now to get back his wife, but he will never get back his daughter."

Leia took a long pause as she looked around the room.

"But this announcement means nothing to you, does it?" Bitterness dripped from Leia's voice. No longer the measured politician, Rey's death had made something inside of Leia snap. "For years, I have been begging you all to recognize the threat the First Order poses. Yet every time I broach the subject, I'm met with mockery and indifference. I'm told that the Resistance and all of its efforts to save innocent children from being stolen from their families is nothing more than hobby. The last defense between the Republic and destruction has been viewed with no more seriousness than knitting. There was time where I placed my faith and trust into politics and our justice system. But that's all been a folly, for what good has politics ultimately done to protect the people I love and fight for? You sit here and squabble while people are out there dying. I believe now more than ever we need this Resistance, but I will no longer stand idly by as lives are lost because of petty bureaucracy. That is why today I come forward to announce that I will be stepping down as the Senator of Coruscant, and will commit myself fully to the Resistance."

Leia's stunning announcement caused even more commotion.

"I do not come to this decision lightly," Leia continued above the shouts, "just as I did not come to the decision to form the Resistance lightly. Ten years ago, I stood before this Senate and made a speech, begging for you all to understand. I asked that you take a moment and think of the children in your life, children that are now fully grown. I asked you to imagine what it would be like to lose that child to the First Order, and have no one care to even lift a finger. And I told you that this was not about igniting the war of the past, but preventing the war of our future. Well, now the future how come, and the war has not been prevented."

Leia paused to look back at Poe. With a resolute expression, Poe nodded at Leia to resume her speech.

Leia turned back to the Senators, "That speech was prompted by the execution of a woman named Shara Bey who lost her life protecting a group of children from the First Order. I founded the Resistance in the name of Shara Bey, and on the promise that her eight-year-old son, Poe Dameron would not have to fight her war. Earlier today the now eighteen-year-old Poe asked to join the Resistance. Prompted by the death of a little girl, Shara Bey's son will now take up arms to protect the future his mother tried to give him. All because of ignorant, self-serving politicians, most of whom never even fought against the Empire like I and the Rebel Alliance did. We gave our lives, our blood, our sweat, and our tears, and now our children are being murdered thanks to the negligence and indifference of selfish people."

The outrage at Leia's speech was great that she could barely be heard above the commotion. Leia didn't care; the words were coming out of her mouth like snarls. Her eyes flashed menacingly in the chamber, for a split second turning yellow like her birth father's had been after the slaughter on Mustafar. Leia was vaguely aware that the Dark Side was pumping through her veins. She could almost hear Luke telling her to take it down a notch, but Leia didn't care. She had given so much to the Resistance, and for what? For Rey to be dead? For her pleas to be ignored? For the sacrifice of time that could have been used helping her son not fall to darkness?

Leia finally understood the way Vader had viewed politics. For years she had clung to the values her mother Padmé Amidala, and adoptive father, Bail Organa had lived by, but it was Darth Vader who had ultimately gotten it right. While Leia certainly wasn't about to advocate for a dictatorship, she understood his frustrations with the Republic. They just sat there and squabbled, doing nothing while people lost their lives. If Leia ever wanted anything done, she would have to do it herself.

A hand placed on her shoulder jolted Leia out of her reverie. Jaina was touching her, looking on in concern while Poe frowned in the background. Leia then realized that she was shaking, and tears were blurring her vision.

Luke was right: losing yourself to the Dark Side was easy.

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Leia turned back to the Senate in determination, "My resignation begins immediately. I will not let the names of Shara Bey and Rey Rhiaon Skywalker get scrubbed from history. I will ensure they are remembered for their sacrifices as Martyrs of the Resistance and our fight for freedom. If any wish to join our cause, we welcome you with open arms. And to those who still deny the reality of the situation, I say this: Wake up, Senators! Wake up! This isn't a game; this is a battle we cannot afford to lose. If you continue to allow your ignorance and stubbornness to prevail, then you are digging your own grave. This Imperial wannabe already has Stormtroopers, already has TIE Fighters and Star Destroyers, they already have Dark Force Users in charge. How much longer until they build another Death Star? How long until they target this system? Now is the time to make your decision, and I only pray that you all make the right one."

The room has quieted, waiting for what Leia would say next. Having the orphan heir of Alderaan suggest the creation of a new Death Star dropped in their stomachs like lead. Fear filled the room.

Leia took a deep breath and looked around the room, "It has been an honour serving as the Senator of Coruscant, and I only hope that my new role will come to serve you even better. Be careful Senators, and goodbye."


"Organa's speech has thrown the Government into utter chaos," the Anchor of HoloNews Nightly reported.

Luke, Han, and Chewie watched the projection on the dejarik table as they mended the table rim, still hours away from the Ouvis System and Felicity. Leia's shocking announcement was all over the news on every channel. The boys had been greatly surprised when the story broke, Leia not having informed them ahead of time. While Luke and Chewie had stared at the news stationin shock, Han decided to break the ice by declaring that he guess it meant he needed to get a job.

"Reports are pouring in of the different responses Organa's speech has provoked," the Anchor continued. A muted image of Mon Mothma at a press conference was brought on screen, "Less than an hour after Organa's speech, Chancellor Mon Mothma announced that she was stepping down in protest of the way the Republic has handled the issue."

The clip of Mon Mothma played.


"I am horrified that two of our brightest and most revered war heroes has lost their child as a result of this inaction," Mon Mothma said in a passionate, yet measured tone. "My condolences go out to Jedi Grandmaster Luke Skywalker and Resistance Lieutenant General Felicity Rhiaon. I apologize for and willing bear partial responsibility for your loss."


"The Chancellor was not the only politician to step down in protest of Rey Skywalker's death," the Anchor said as they cut to a clip of Luke and Leia's cousin, Pooja. "Senator of Naboo, Pooja Naberrie, cousin of Organa and Skywalker has also announced her resignation."


"This is an awful blow to our family," Pooja said in her own press conference. "My aunt, Padmé Amidala did not fight against Palpatine and give up her life so that her granddaughter could suffer an unimaginable death. As long as the Republic and Naboo remains indifferent, it shows that we are no better than champions of Palpatine and all that he stood for."


"The military took a large hit today as well," the Anchor was the focus again. "Many of the highly ranked military commanders of the Republic Army and Air Force fought alongside Skywalker and Rhiaon during the Rebellion. Twenty-five of them have resigned their commissions in protest."


"Luke is not a man who leaves a soldier behind," Wedge Antilles told a camera crew. "He'll save even the man with no chance of surviving, yet still is somehow breathing. It's heartbreaking to think that his child couldn't be saved."

"I've been on Jakku," the camera cut to Diego Nalto, "I know that suffocating heat. I remember Felicity and I practically crawling to Niima Outpost, the heat being so terrible. I can't imagine what Felicity went threw when she lost Rey to that heat. And to dig the grave of her daughter with her own two hands…"

Diego couldn't go on.


"But those aren't even the most shocking things to happen," the Anchor continued. "The planet of Zygerria is withdrawing its membership in the Republic. Queen Nerissa released a statement: Felicity Rhiaon, Luke Skywalker, and a dozen Jedi helped me overthrow my cruel sister, and bring an end to a thousand generation of slavery on Zygerria. We stand with Luke Skywalker, Felicity Rhiaon, and the Jedi. Justice must be served."

The footage then cut to yet another press conference, where the entire staff of the Republic Emissary Office stood in front of the reporters.

"And the most shocking development was the resignation of the entire Senate Emissary Office," the Anchor announced. "Felicity Rhiaon was employed as an Emissary for over a decade, before leaving Coruscant to become the Jedi Order's architect on Rornian. Nils Arlos, former Head of the Senate Emissary Office and Rhiaon's former boss, explained their reasoning."


"Felicity Rhiaon is an excellent worker, and a close friend to all of us," Nils told the cameras. "Dozens of planets joined the Senate because of her hard work. News of her loss as devastated us and shaken our views. None of us can continue on in our roles as we do not believe it to be right to advocate planets joining a government we no longer can stand behind. We ask that as long as the Republic refuses to do anything about the First Order, each and every planet must seriously revaluate their membership."


"Man, people are pissed," Han gave a low whistle as the station cut to montage of stock images of Luke, Felicity, and Rey as a pair of political analysts discussed the situation. "Then again, they've got a cute little girl as the face of the issue."

Luke said nothing, staring with teary eyes at the images of Rey. Han looked at Chewie, who growled that maybe they should turn the news off. With a sheepish expression, Han flipped off the projection.

"I'm really sorry, Luke," Han said quietly.

"I just can't believe she's gone," Luke whispered. He swallowed hard and looked at Han and Chewie, "You know, I always thought that if anything were to happen to you guys, especially Leia and Rey, I would sense it, but… Nothing. I didn't feel a thing. I had no idea-"

"It's alright, Luke," Han placed a hand on Luke's shoulder. "Most people don't sense that sort of thing. And you know… maybe it's better you didn't sense it. Can you imagine what would have happened if while we were searching for Fliss you suddenly sensed that Rey was gone? You were already pretty broken down and desperate, that may have just pushed you off the deep end."

Luke lowered his head, "What am I supposed to do now?"

"You go on living."

"How?"

"… I have no idea."

Taking in the despondent expressions of the men, Chewie growled something.

Han perked up at the words, "You're absolutely right!"

Luke frowned, "What did he say?"

"Look, nothing is going to ever fill the void that Rey left behind, and the Jedi may be gone too, but not everything's lost. You still have us, you still have Leia, and you still have Fliss."

Luke gave a small smile but said nothing as he contemplated Han's words. Han and Chewie were right, Rey left a very unique hole in his heart. Rey was more than family; Rey was part of him in a way she was part of only one other. The combination of two hearts, yet one unique individual in her own right. Luke could never replace Rey, nor did he want to, but there was only one personwho could ever come close to mending the wound left by Rey's death. And that person was other heart who had created Rey; the person who was the other half of Luke's soul.

Luke took a deep breath and found the strength to hold on.

For as long as Felicity Rhiaon was alive, Luke still had hope.