The next morning, as the resistance survivors assemble in the common room of the Millennium Falcon, they are joined by a fully recovered Rose Tico, who enters the ship with Finn.
"Wow! The Millennium Falcon! I remember all the old stories about this ship! Now, I'm actually on it!" Rose says.
"It's pretty much our command center now. At least until we get to the new base." Finn says.
"New base? Where's that?" Rose asks.
"I'm not sure yet. The general hasn't said. We're here on Lothal for now. At least until the Ghost is fixed." Finn answers.
"We're on Lothal? That old freighter outside...is the Ghost? General Syndulla's ship?" Rose asks.
"Yep. Come on, the others are waiting." Finn says.
"Oh, right. Sorry." Rose says.
Finn and Rose enter the common room, where the resistance survivors are present, along with Hera, Chopper, and Jacen. They are greeted by Hera and Leia.
"You must be Rose. It's good to see you recovered. Welcome to Lothal." Hera says.
"General Syndulla?" Rose asks.
"Please, call me Hera." Hera says, as she heads for the holotable.
"So, Rose, you up for some work?" Leia asks.
"Yes, general. Whatever needs to be done." Rose says, enthusiastically.
"Glad to hear it. For now, our priority is getting the Ghost repaired so it can fly out of here when we leave. We still need to buy the parts, and it'll take a few days to get the ship operational again. As soon as our meeting is over, Hera is going to lead a small team to the capital city to buy the parts. They'll take a small freighter we've managed to acquire. I'd like you to accompany the team. Your technical skill will be of use to them." Leia says.
"I can help them spot counterfeit parts, and I'll be able to tell if there are any compatibility issues between the components. I would also like to volunteer to be part of the team that repairs the Ghost." Rose says.
"I thought you might. Hera already insisted on it. We'll be starting soon. Go ahead and find a spot." Leia says.
"Han Solo? I thought he was dead!" Rose says, as Han Solo and Chewbacca enter the room.
"The rest of us did too." Finn says, as he and Rose approach the holotable. Kira enters the room with R2-D2, and they approach Finn and Rose.
"You're...the jedi!" Rose says, disbelieving.
"Kira Bridger. You must be Rose. I've heard good things about you. I'm glad you're alright." Kira says, extending her hand.
"Kira? I thought your name was Rey?" Rose says, uncertainly, as she shakes Kira's hand.
"I couldn't remember my real name until yesterday, so I thought my name was Rey. Thanks to an old friend, I remember who I really am. I understand Grandma Hera has already drafted you to help with the Ghost?" Kira says.
"Grandma Hera? General Syndulla is your grandmother? Forgive me, but I don't see the resemblance!" Rose says.
"She's not literally my grandmother, more like an adoptive one. She practically raised my father when he was a teenager, and became a second mother to him. Lothal is my father's home planet, and most of the family lives here. At least what's left of it." Kira says, with sadness in her voice.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." Rose says.
"It's alright, Rose. We've all lost people. Now, we fight for them, as well as for those who can't fight for themselves." Kira says.
"Well said." Rose says.
Later, once the meeting ends, Kira goes to the cabinet in the common room, and retrieves the ancient jedi books, putting them in her pack. She exits the ship with R2-D2 at her side, and approaches Hera, Chopper, Leia, Finn, C-3PO, and Poe.
"We've got Plutt's ship ready to go. It's a common type of freighter, but heavily modified. I'm glad we don't have to take the Falcon or the Gauntlet." Hera says.
"It was nice of frackface to leave his ship for us. You could say he was just dying to give it to us!" Chopper says, laughing. Kira laughs at Chopper's remark.
"Chopper!" Hera scolds.
"I don't care who you are, that's funny right there!" Chopper says.
"Come on, Chopper. Let's get to the ship." Hera says, shaking her head, as she walks toward Unkar Plutt's ship. Chopper follows her.
"I must say, that droid certainly is odd. It would seem that he requires maintenance." C-3PO says.
"Chopper's always been that way. A little strange yes, but completely loyal to those that respect him. I wouldn't have him any other way." Kira says.
"Are those the jedi books you told me about?" Leia asks, noticing the books in Kira's pack.
"Yes. I'm taking them to Ahsoka. She's going to help me translate them." Kira answers.
"Good. I hope they have answers for you. Has your father come back yet?" Leia asks.
"No. Not yet. He was pretty vague about why he was leaving, other than saying that he had some things to think about." Kira answers.
"I know that he's not what you expected." Leia says.
"He's in a great deal of pain. Since he's cut off from the force, I can't sense it, but I can tell, by the way he acts. He misses mama, and it's tearing him apart. My coming here seems to have helped somewhat, but it's not enough." Kira says sadly.
"It's a start. From what Hera has told me, your father was much worse before we arrived here. I haven't given up on him, and neither should you." Leia says.
In the capital city of Lothal, the freighter formerly belonging to Unkar Plutt lands at the spaceport. Hera pilots the ship with Jacen co-piloting. Chopper, BB-8, Rose, and a few rebels are on board. Hera, Jacen, and Chopper are alone in the cockpit.
"Maybe we should have brought more of the rebels with us. The city can get a little rough. Even during the day." Jacen says.
"The others are too well known. We don't want bounty hunters spotting any of them. We have enough people to do what needs to be done. It should only take a few hours." Hera says.
"Hope you're right, mom." Jacen says.
"She's right, boy. She's always right." Chopper says.
"Not always, but thanks for the confidence, Chopper." Hera says.
Hera, Chopper, and Jacen exit the cockpit, and approach the rebels gathered in the cargo hold.
"There's a lot of crime in the capital city, so I need four of you to stay and guard the ship, and make sure nobody tries to steal it. The rest of us will go to the junk dealer where I'll buy the parts we need. We'll be back as soon as we can, then we'll get out of here." Hera says. The rebel soldiers salute Hera. Hera, Chopper, Jacen, Rose, and a few other rebels exit the ship to head to the junk dealer.
The junk dealer in the capital city is a sullustan named Melx Tugba. Melx is based in a large building, which was once part of the Imperial tie defender factory. He recognizes Hera, Chopper, and Jacen from prior dealings.
"Hera! Jacen! Always a pleasure! What brings you here?" Melx asks.
"Hello, Melx. We're here for parts for the Ghost. I have a list of everything I need." Hera says, as she hands a datapad to Melx.
"Finally fixing the Ghost, eh? Who are these people with you?" Melx asks, pointing toward Rose, BB-8, and the other rebels.
"Some help I hired. They'll be helping me haul the parts back to my other ship, and they'll be doing most of the repair work on the Ghost." Hera answers.
"Hired help? Other ship? Dev must be giving you a lot of credits!" Melx says.
"You could say that." Hera says.
"Right. Hera, Jacen, If you'll follow me to my office, I'll check my inventory, and see if I have all you need. Then, we can discuss payment." Melx says.
"The rest of you, wait here until we get back." Hera says.
"Yes. Go ahead, look around, but if you break it, you buy it!" Melx says. Melx walks toward his office, followed by Hera and Jacen.
Most of the rebels stand together, talking. Chopper and BB-8 are standing with Rose.
"So, Chopper, I hear you killed one of the Knights of Ren when the Jedi Temple was attacked. Is this true, or is it just a rumor?" BB-8 asks.
"It's true, sonny boy. I killed that sumbitch! With his own lightsaber!" Chopper answers.
"You used a lightsaber? I find that very hard to believe!" BB-8 says.
"You calling me a liar, boy? Ain't nobody calls me a frackin' liar!" Chopper says.
"Astromechs can't use lightsabers! Are you also going to claim that you have force powers, and are secretly a Jedi?" BB-8 asks.
"When we get back home, I'll show you what I can do with a lightsaber!" Chopper says.
As the astromechs continue their argument, Rose sneaks away unnoticed, and heads to a secluded area of the shop. Once she sees that no one is nearby, she takes out a comlink, and presses a few buttons. A hologram of Emperor Palpatine appears.
"Agent Tico. We have not heard from you in some time!" Palpatine says.
"I was wounded at the battle of Crait, and I was unconscious until last night. This is the first time I have been alone since then." Rose says.
"Save your excuses, agent! Report on the status of the resistance!" Palpatine says, irritation in his voice.
"There are less than thirty survivors. They have made their way to Lothal, and are now working with Hera Syndulla, Jacen Syndulla, Ahsoka Tano, and Ezra Bridger." Rose answers.
"Lothal? Is the jedi girl with them?" Palpatine asks.
"Yes, my lord. She is Kira Bridger. Ezra's daughter." Rose answers.
"This I already know.. I will send Kylo Ren to deal with the rebels soon enough. Maintain your cover until his arrival. Do not fail me, Agent Tico!" Palpatine says.
"Yes, my emperor." Rose says. The hologram of Palpatine disappears.
Uh oh. A double agent? The Empire's on the way, and Ezra's MIA, doing who knows what...