Chapter 9: Expanded Duties

Imperial Guest Quarters, Hosnian Prime

Tron Fel was under the blanket on his bed. He was naked, as was the young woman that he had brought with him. She squealed as he tickled her and she tried tickling him back. Unfortunately for her, the only place he was tickling as a region that very rarely saw the sun on the back side of his body.

After a few minutes of thrashing around, the young prince and his lady collapsed back onto the bed, the blanket off their head. His hair was disheveled as was her own, but they held each other in their arms.

"I am glad that Father approved the match," Tron said, stroking her golden colored hair. "You will make a fine Empress one day, Jan."

"My father is just happy that his daughter is marrying someone of such noble stature," she said, nuzzled against him. "I can't wait to take on the name of Fel. I've never liked the last name of Zsinj."

"Both of our fathers understood the importance of a marriage alliance," Tron said with a sigh. He rested his cheek on Jan's head. "Although, I don't think Father would have approved of us if you weren't a member of a great family. Governor Zsinj controls one of the few Super Star Destroyers left from the old fleet, and he only cares about keeping the Moffs in line. Especially since my sister seems to be in no hurry of marrying any time soon."

"She has a lot on her mind," the young woman said. "I am sure that your father understands."

"No," he shook his head. "Between me, Roan and Elliah, Father believes that Elliah is the most likely to bring in an alliance with the Hapes Consortium. Unfortunately, she has had no inclinations of such a match with them. Instead, she likes that Knight."

"Let them be happy," she said, "Just like we are."

He couldn't argue with that. His father was the Emperor, and Jagged Fel made sure that all his children did their duty. Elliah was never to become to heir to the Imperial Throne, not as long as he or his little brother were still around. But their father was no one who allowed any of his children to be remiss in their duties.

A commotion outside drew his attention and before he had a time to even ask, the door burst open. The Imperial Knights were being shoved to the side by the Senate Guards of the New Republic, and in walked the First Senator. He did not look pleased, although all the aliens had faces that looked like they weren't ever happy.

"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded. He reached over the edge of his bed and grabbed his pants. "How dare you walk in here without permission, Villiecham? You have no right to storm into my chambers without asking permission!"

"Your stormtroopers are not allowed within the borders of the Republic!" the First Senator snapped back.

Tron had by now finished pulling on his pants, and motioning for Jan to remain in place, he stood up. Folding his arms across his chiseled features (he prided himself on his intense physical training), he stepped up to the First Senator.

"What are you talking about?" he demanded.

"Han Solo is dead," the First Senator said, anger flaring. "I have seen the recordings from the Solo residence on Corellia. They were stormtroopers and a man wielding a red blade. Looked like a wanna-be Vader!"

"I have no idea what you are talking about," the Prince retorted.

"Is it really a coincidence that shortly after you arrive on the capitol of the New Republic, that Han Solo is found dead by stormtroopers?" Villiecham rolled his eyes. "Do not take me for a fool."

Tron raised up his hands in a placating gesture. "I truly have no idea what you are talking about," he said, trying to reason with him. "What need have we to kill Han Solo? The Empire does not assassinate people outside of it's borders. Why don't you look to the First Order? They are a bad of renegades who think they are the inheritors of the legacy of the Emperor. They also have stormtroopers."

"General Organa-Solo also believes the First Order is at fault," Villiecham said, scowling. "You best hope that our investigation shows that it was indeed them and not you. Because if it was you, the Empire will suffer."

"You threatening war?" Tron demanded. "And over a supposed murder we did not commit?"

"No," The First Senator shook his head, turned and walked from the room. "War implies that the Empire has a chance of winning. No, we are not barbarians like the Empire."

The Finalizer, Starkiller System

Sam sat in the chair, ramrod straight. His platoon commander sat on the other side of the table, reading the after-action report that he had filed. This was the normal procedure that happened after every mission. The Lieutenant in charge of their platoon would read each report thoroughly as the trooper sat across from them. His years of training helped him maintain calmness and not allow him to become anxious in the silence.

One of his very first lessons had been "Do not fear silence".

"Your report is adequate," the officer said. "You should consider writing after the War is over and you retire from the service."

"Thank you, Lieutenant," Sam nodded his head. Who knew how long that would be. Once you joined the First Order, it was either to death or victory over the Republic. When victory was won, it was thirty years since you had joined the service. Whichever came first.

"Sadly you were mistaken on several points," the man said, scratching his scarred chin. "It will of course need to be altered at points."

"Altered, sir?"

Sam had never been told before that a report needed to be altered from the facts laid out. The First Order demanded perfection and complete and utter honesty in all things. Anyting less was seen as Chaos, and the First Order wished to stamp out that chaos.

"You must have been hearing a completely different conversation," the officer said, leaning forward and lacing his fingers before him. "You can't possible have heard those words."

"What words, sir?"

"That Kylo Ren's name is Ben and that he is related to Han Solo," the officer said. "It is of course reasonable you would think that you heard those words. But honestly, FN-2187, such things are not possible."

"But that is the truth sir," Sam replied. "I have been a hundred percent accurate with my…."

"Trooper!" the officer snapped. Sam fell silent. The officer sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Perhaps everything you said is true. You have been drilled to be completely honest in your answers. Yet, what would happen if the First Order were to discover that the Jedi Killer is in fact nothing more than the offspring of Han Solo? One of the greatest enemies of the New Order of Palpatine?"

Both the officer and Sam bowed their head at the mention of the name of the great visionary that had crafted the Galactic Empire. They both looked up at the same time.

"We must keep this knowledge out of the hands of the First Order at large," the Lieutenant said, began to punch in corrections and changes to the report. "Or else, we risk one of our greatest leaders lsing face.

Those words were still echoing in his mind when he entered his squads quarters. He had barely entered when he heard an enthusiastic cry of greeting.

"If it isn't Finn! The Hero of Jakku!" Slick called to him as he entered.

'I have no idea what you are talking about," Sam replied, popping off the helmet from his head. He allowed himself to swim in the coolness of the air the swelled around his face before putting the helmet onto a slot.

"That's what they are calling you," his slender comrade said, jumping down from his top bunk to slap him hard on the back. "Ever since you went all ARC Trooper on Jakku, and the fact that Kylo Ren himself seems to be taking a special interest in you, everyone's started calling you that! If this was the Republic, they'd be making holodramas on you."

Sam paused as he was removing his gloves. A hero? He was no hero. FN-2185 was a hero, and she was no longer around here.

"I don't know why I am being selected by Kylo Ren to do such stuff as guard those prisoners or accompany him on Operation: Solo," he finally admitted. He resumed pulling off his gloves.

"Modesty doesn't suit you," Shiny grumbled from where he lay. Sam turned to face him but Shiny wasn't looking at him, instead was watching a holovid on a PADD.

"What do you mean?" Sam asked.

Shiny grunted. "You know what I mean," he said sarcastically. He fixed his eyes determinedly on the screen before him.

"I really don't," Sam shook his head.

Shiny responded by taking some earbuds and plugging them into his ears. All the sound that had come from the PADD suddenly silenced. Sam stared at the veteran, frowning. The man was built like a rock, but Sam had no idea what was eating him.

"Don't mind Shiny, Finn," Slick said with a shake of his head. "He's honestly been a poodoo head ever since you left."

Sam didn't look away from Shiny. What had he possibly done wrong? He had thought they were friends. As friends as two who had shared battle could be. Slick tapped him a few times on the face.

"Forget that scruffy Nerf herder!" he exclaimed. "I heard they are sending us a new squad mate."

Sam listened to the info, continuing to discard the armor that he had worn the past few days. Pondering the words he had heard on Corellia, with the Lieutenant and Slick. By the time he had pulled off his boots, Slick gagged.

"Oh mee goosa!" He waved a hand infront of his face. "Pardon my Gungan, Finn. But you need a shower, asap!"

"Yeah," he said, leaning back onto his bunk instead. "I just wanna get a nap first."

"Don't say I didn't offer you solid advise, Sam Skyler," Slick shook his head headed out of the quarters to do whatever. There was no accounting for Slick most days.

Grabbing his own PADD, he opened up to his holoradio stations and plugged in earbuds himself. He opened to the Classic Empire Channel and heard a woman speaking on the other end of the line.

"Welcome to the Classic Empire Channel, where the the Glory of the Old Empire is kept alive. This is Stormy Jana, back from my two-week work trip to Cresta. First up we have Jedi Rocks performed by Jabbas Palace Hutt Rock Band followed by Nub Nub by the Endor Avengers Band."

And he soon drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep with music playing in his ears.

"I see your mission was a success," Phasma said, leaning on the rails looking down at the onboard shooting range. A squad of her troopers were target practicing, trying to keep within her very strict demands.

"You sound surprised," Kylo said. He stepped up beside her and put his own hand on the rail.

"No, sir," she shook her head. Her chrome plated helmet reflected the light from below. "I am always pleased when you return."

"If only Hux could share your feelings on that matter," he said grumpily, turning and looking down to the troopers below. For the most part they were excellent shots. Except for the one on the far right. His aim was slightly off.

"General Hux is a tool….." Phasma said, then her back stiffened as she realized what she had said. "I am sorry, sir."

"Don't be," he snorted, waving a dismissive hand. "You can always be open with me, Phasma. Your honesty and hard work has always been appreciated."

"I'm not sure you will so appreciative of what I have to tell you then," she said.

He looked up. His helmet made it seem far more menacing than he meant it to be. Honestly, he kinda felt everyone wearing a helmet at all times was kind of silly. But, he wasn't the Supreme Leader, and the Supreme Leader had been insistant they carry on the Imperial tradition.

"Zenna Ren contacted me earlier this morning," Phasma informed him. "She told me you haven't contact her in the past few days. She was wanting to know if you were here. I didn't lie."

He groaned and looked back. No, he hadn't contact her. But she would want to talk about feelings and he wasn't in a mood to talk about that stuff. Karabast, this was going to be a thing.

"I've been a little busy as of late," he remarked.

"Oh, I know sir," Phasma assured him. "She however feels that once the war starts, your opportunity to talk with her will diminish significantly."

"The War," Kylo rubbed the handrail. "We've only got a few days left."

"Five to be exact."

The war had been something that had been all consuming. As soon as it happened, Hux's most pessimistic projections put the war at two months. But with the Galaxy Gun on Starkiller Base, it most likely would be over in two weeks. And that was merely jumping in and mopping up the bewildered remnants of the New Republic Fleet, which would be caught between the First Order and Galactic Empire.

"She also says that Darth Talon has heard nothing about you arriving on Mustafar," Phasma said.

Kylo Ren's anger flared up at that reminder. Ripping out his lightsaber, he ignited the crackling blade and slashed down, cutting the hand clean through. His snarl and heavy breathing as he tried to calm the anger was clear to hear as he deactivated the blade and reattached it to his belt.

"I will do it when I am good and ready," Kylo said.

"Very good sir," Phasma replied, unfazed by his short and violent outburst.

They were still standing there, looking down at the trainees when an officer stepped up to them. Kylo did not look at the officer, although he could feel that it was to him that he wanted to speak with.

"Sir," the officer said.

"What is it?" he asked shortly.

"The Supreme Leader has commanded you contact him."

"Duty calls," he said to Phasma, and curling his fingers into a fist, lightly tapped her shoulder with it. Turning, he straightened the black cape behind him and moved away, walking right past the officer who stood rooted, having been undismissed.

He stood in his trophy room, Vader's melted mask looking at him with its scarred visage. Gulping, he pushed a button on the wall and a holographic image appeared at the other end of the room. He got on one knee, crossing one arm across his raised knee while his other hand helped balance him by being a fist that was planted firmly on the floor.

"Kylo Ren," Supreme Leader Snoke addressed him. His old, tired voice sounded like gravel and reverberated in the room. "I hear you were successful. That Han Solo, your father, is dead. Tell me, how do you feel? Do you feel stronger? More focused?"

Honestly, Kylo felt more confused. The vision he had when trying to read into the young girl's mind had been on his mind. He did not feel more powerful either with the death of his father. No, in truth, he felt like there was an emptiness there.

"I feel pride in doing what was commanded of me," he replied instead. He did not wish to reveal his doubts to the Supreme Leader. "I have seen the future, Supreme Leader."

"Indeed?" Snoke sounded, amused for a lack of a better term. "How so?"

"I looked in the mind of the girl and I saw that she has potential for both Light and Dark," he said, raising his head to look at the Supreme Leader. His voice took on an eager edge. "She indeed has strength. If we could convert her to our cause, she would prove a great asset. She would help us in our quest to rid the galaxy of the Jedi Scum."

Snoke said nothing for a long while. Instead, he sat there. His eyes bore into Kylo Ren's face, as if the mask wasn't there. He tried to ignore it, focusing on something else. Like the massive scar running down the middle of Snoke's head. Like the wound of a saber.

"I hear many words in the present tense," Snoke at long last said. "I heard many words in then future tense. I hear nothing in the past tense. I must be mistaken, she surely does not live still."

"Supreme Leader?" Kylo asked confused.

"Because if she was still alive, then I would be most disappointed with my Master of the Knights of Ren," Snoke continued. Each word his voice became darker, and the hologram crackled more and more as his anger began to spill out. "Because did not I command her death? Did I not order her extinguished because I saw her potential?"

"I wished to look into her mind to discover the whereabouts of the Skywalker blade, which is mine by-" he began….only to realize his error by trying to justify his actions.

"REN!" Snoke bellowed. The hologram was a filled of static, the dark side that spilled from him completely distorting the image. "I do not care for your childish claims on a lightsaber half a century old! I expect my acolytes to do as commanded! I care only for the destruction of the Jedi and I have seen that this girl's future is far more dangerous than a dozen Jedi Masters to our cause! Next time you have her in your sight, you will kill her! No discussions, no attempting to sway her like your grandfather did with your uncle! If you fail to do so, I will be forced to choose another to lead the Knights of Ren."

Kylo felt the rebuke hitting him almost as badly as if Snoke had been hitting him with lightning. The words stung his pride. He had done so much for the Supreme Leader, he had killed and killed and tortured the enemies of the First Order. He had fulfilled every command, yet one mistake and there was talk of replacing him?

"Forgive me, Supreme Leader," he said, trying to humble himself. Snoke was the master, he was not. "I only wish to inherit my grandfather's legacy as my own."

The static slowly died away, and he saw the image slowly clear until he saw Snoke was on his feet. He was twisted as he stood. He back was curved which led him to be bent. One one clearly stuck out even through his robes. Yet he seemed to accept the apology and sat down.

"You will inherit that legacy," Snoke assured him, his voice no longer rebuking but understanding. "But not will bobbles and trinkets of a long-lost age. No, your own actions will forge your own legacy and you will indeed inherit what had once belonged to the man known as Darth Vader."

Kylo felt his stung pride soothed by the words. Yet he fiercely believed that he needed to own that lightsaber. It was his by right, as the grandson of Vader. And not some long-necked girl who merely adopted the Solo name as her own.

"Send the Skywalker twins to me," Snoke said, cutting into his thoughts.

"Supreme Leader?" Kylo asked.

"I wish for them to be sent to me," Snoke repeated his request. "I have uses for them."

"As you will," Kylo replied.

He had no idea why Snoke would want the children of Skywalker. How many Jedi had he personally requested sent to him? Not very many. Yet he trusted Snoke and his judgement. If he believed that the Skywalker Twins would serve him best by having them near him, he surely could not be denied.

"Darth Talon has informed me you have not yet informed her when you are arriving to complete your training," Snoke said.

Kylo closed his eyes, not trying to let his annoyance spill through. Why couldn't that Sith witch leave will enough alone? Why was she acting like a child and tattling on him to the school dean? He had no need of such things.

"I have no need of further training," he argued. "I have defeated Jedi Masters before. I have yet to lose a fight to any Jedi. If Skywalker should come, I shall best him. You shall see!"

"Do not be so sure of your own abilities," the Supreme Leader cautioned. "They have room to yet improve and it was overconfidence that led to the downfall of every Sith of the Rule of Two. Even Palpatine, his own blind arrogance led to his death by betrayal. Going to Mustafar is what you need."

"I will prove I have no need of training!" Kylo Ren exclaimed. "You will see."

"Indeed, I will," Snoke agreed. "Indeed, I will.

Corellia

Kira walked across the landing platform of the Solo home to her stepmom. She found it easiest to think of her as that. It wasn't nearly as confusing. Leia was getting ready to leave the planet, with her soldiers that she had arrived with finishing to load the shuttle.

"Are you leaving already?" she asked, looking at the smaller woman.

"I have to," Leia said apologetically. "I can't mourn for Han. Not yet. Not really. I need to get back to the base. I feel that things are about to break and wash over the galaxy."

Kira took a deep breath. "Let me come with you," she said. Leia looked at her blankly. "Let me avenge Han's….I, I mean Dad's death. He wasn't just killed, but brutalized. I wish to make his killer pay!"

"No," Leia shook her head.

"Why not, Mom?" Kira demanded. "Why can't I avenge the death of my father? He deserved much better than what he got! Let me prove my worth….what?"

Leia had a small grin on her face. A grin that was mixed with tears that threatened to spill from her regal eyes. Kira had always admired the woman's strength and she had always felt that if she had not know whom she was, she'd be able to tell how regal and royal this woman was.

"You called me 'Mom'," Leia answered. "Without any hesitation and without any correction. I have so long waited to have a daughter call me that. Your father would be proud to know how much you care for him. But trust me, it won't bring him back. Force be good Kira. I would have done anything to bring back the billion fellow Alderaanians who died, but I couldn't. We have to accept that nothing we do can change what has happened."

She grabbed Kira and pulled her towards her and held her in an embrace. Kira, despite all she tried to do, felt the emotions that had so long been held at bay via their absence, suddenly rush through her. She held her stepmom close and wept bitterly, tears falling from her eyes. Leia held her in her arms for what felt like an eternity, although it may have been no more than ten minutes. But those were long ten minutes.

Finally, at long last, she pulled back, trying to laugh off her sobs. She wiped at her cheeks with her palms and Leia put a loving hand on her cheek.

"I need to do something," she said at long last, once she got some semblance of control over herself and was confident she wasn't going to break down again. "I can't just let Dad die without being avenged. His death can't go unpunished. I have to join the fight."

"No," Leia repeated firmly but gently. "Your place is not on the front line."

"But-" Kira started to object but Leia held up a finger.

"You have abilities Kira," Leia said, over her objections. "I know, because I have access to the Force. Not as well as your uncle Luke would have liked, but politics and the Cause came before my Jedi training And I know you do as well, from what you told me and Han as well. Also, I know you opened that holocron."

Kira's eyes went wide. How did she know? She hadn't even been close to the quarters on the Falcon when she had opened the holocron.

"We need more Jedi in the galaxy Kira," Leia continued. "The evil that is spreading across the galaxy can only be thwarted with the help of the Jedi. If you really want to make your father's death count, Kira, you need to use your powers for good and train to use them."

Kira thought about it for a second. Everything she had heard about the Jedi made them seem more mythical than reality. Yet most of the stories spoke of them as a force for good in the universe. That their powers had allowed them to perform minor miracles and defeat great evils that had threatened all that was good and just.

If she had these powers, and Leia said this was the best way to honor Han, then Kira felt it her duty to see it through. Slowly she nodded her head, feeling as if she were accepting a great responsibility. One greater than she knew.

"Good," Leia said approvingly. "I have been in contact with an old friend of mine. He is the only one who was ever trusted with the actual location of a Jedi who wasn't a member of the Jedi Council. He's reached out and he should be here in two days. Wait for him, Kira."

"Alright," Kira nodded.

Leia grabbed her hands and squeezed tightly. And with that, she let go and walked towards the shuttle, already beginning to whir into life as engines warmed up in preparation for take-off. Kira stood on the platform and watched the shuttle as the door closed, then slowly rose like a bird of prey, turned, and headed off towards the stars that the evening sun hid.

Leia's Shuttle, Hyperspace

Leia sat in the seat of the shuttle, looking at the three faces that looked at her from the holo-conference call. Wedge Antilles, Bala-Tik and Tasu-Leech all looked at her from rooms that were varied and different. She had, of course, seen them all in dinners and parties that Han had thrown that she had attended, but she had never meet with them in an official capacity.

"Han left a Final Will," she said in the conference call. "In it, among many other things, I was named to be his successor if he should die and I still live. Ben would have become the new head of the Solo Salvage Company, had not he become a Jedi and died all those years ago."

She knew that Ben was alive. There was no reason why her niece and nephew would have lied to her. Yet to tell that to these people would have been hard to explain. It was hard for her to accept that her son was truly following in the footsteps of her father. Her biological father, not her real father. He had perished on Alderaan.

"Yet he knew that most likely I would be too preoccupied with politics to be able to effectively run the day to day operations," she told them. "This was written back before I resigned from the Senate and wasn't updated. So, while I am the owner of the company, he gave me discretionary powers to choose someone to lead the day to day operations for the company. So, I nominate Wedge to lead the company, if both he and everyone else agrees to it."

"You and your Rebellion types!" Bala-Tik grumped. "Always sticking together. If I didn't know Captain Antilles, I would probably say no. But I trust him enough."

"I have no problem as long as he keeps profits up," Tasu-Leech agreed.

Wedge nodded his head. "Seeings as everyone else has confidence in me," he said humbly. "I will take on the responsibility."

Leia was glad about that. Wedge was indeed of the old Alliance stock. He understood logistics and how to run a tight ship. If anyone could lead the day to day operations, it was him.

"I'm going to be pretty busy so we will do a conference call at the end of each week," she informed them. "I know Han had you giving ten percent of your hauls to him. I'm going to ask for an increase to fifteen percent."

The three captains did not look happy to hear that and she heard grumbling. Even Wedge looked very uncomfortable with the request. She knew they could not possibly understand at the moment the what's and whys. But she had a very good reason.

"May I ask why?" Wedge asked.

"Because Han is dead and the Falcon will not be hauling salvage for the time being," she said with an apologetic look. "It's the only way that my family will be able to keep ourselves supported, as the New Republic military pays a meager salary."

"I know that," Wedge snorted. "Why do you think I resigned? Yes, we can accommodate your request. Since the Falcon is out of commission, I'd like to ask if I can hire on a new crew."

"Certainly," Leia sighed relief. "And Ghent will need to be assigned to a new crew as well."

"We can take him," Tasu-Leech said with a shrug. "The slicer I got onboard isn't as capable as he likes to brag. Locked me in the refresher the other day trying to fix a virus that was infecting our life support systems. On a brighter note, my wife likes him so it'll get me some action to bring him on."

Whatever it takes, Leia supposed.