Chapter 14

There was an explosion on the southern face of the palace. The door that Rey, Ben, and Finn had entered into exploded outward, clearing the debris from Poe's barrage. Rey, her hand stretched out, had used the Force to make an opening for them to exit. She limped into the walkway, followed by the soldiers, BB-8, and Ben who was carrying Finn.

There were open craters and destroyed TIEs scattered over the terrain. Poe's walker was still standing and firing at more TIEs and clone transports.

Sayah, the injured soldier called Poe on the transceiver. "I thought you were going to surrender."

"I did," Poe replied. "They didn't accept it. Lucky for us, the armor on this thing is stronger than they even bargained for. Where's Finn?"

"He . . . he didn't make it," Sayah answered. Poe did not reply.

"Can you lower that thing so we can board? We need to get out of here." Sayah called.

"Yeah, but from the look of things, there won't be anywhere to get out of here to. The Resistance is looking finished."

The walker began to descend, its legs folding on themselves. The rear door opened; and the soldiers rushed in, one of them carrying another body wrapped in a dark cloak, TIE blasts creating more craters around them. The dirt and rubble from the impacts rained down on the last of the fleeing soldiers but did little to harm them.

Poe had left the driver's seat to open the back door, while Riven and Silas continued to man the cannons. The entering soldiers moved past him, but he looked at Ben. Ben entered carrying Finn. Poe had no words. He walked up and put his hand on Finn's chest. He appeared as if he was going to say something but then tensed his lips.

Rey put her hand on his shoulder. He bowed his head. Then Poe lifted his head and in a low voice muttered, "This has broken you, brother, but it just might make you the greatest captain in the galaxy." He looked at Rey and Ben and through gritted teeth said, "There is a command center on the north side of the palace. If I get you there, can you two end this?"

….

General Mors looked out over the battle, even now the skies were thinning of fighters. The battle was progressing predictably toward a First Order victory.

The alleys were successfully guarded, the skies were under control, and in space, many of the Resistance cruisers and destroyers were already obliterated.

"So much for the last Resistance," Mors said to herself as she took another sip or her hot caf.

Colonel Crous rushed in, pregnant with anxiety. "General Mors, you have orders to surrender."

General Mors continued to watch the battle while she addressed him. "Supreme Leader Snoke has given me no such order."

"This is not from Supreme Leader Snoke, General," Crous said.

"The Resistance? When have we ever submitted to them?"

"No, General, not the Resistance . . . but to them."

General Mors turned around.

A body was thrown on the ground in front of her; Snoke's body. Standing over it Rey and Ben stood, their lightsabers ignited.

"By the orders of Darth Irata and Kylo Ren, stand your troops down," Rey said, using the names she knew the general would respond to. Behind them through the doorway, General Mors could see dozens of clone troopers on the ground, dead or injured. Another dozen clone troopers, having seen the dead Snoke and the determined Darth Irata had filed in behind Rey and Ben.

General Mors swallowed hard, put down her cup of hot caf, and then nodded her head. "As you wish. Give the order for all forces to stand down."