Well, here we are at the final chapter of Dark Stars.

For the first time I'm going to recommend a single song as a soundtrack to the final scene. I usually don't as not everyone reads at the same pace. But this is simply perfect.

If you love goosebumps and the sweeping feeling that only music can truly bring, I hope you will take a second and cue it up. It perfectly expresses the emotion and meaning of the scene in a way the words cannot do by themselves.

Rogue One: Your Father Would Be Proud

Begin playing at the final scene: Rebel Victory - The Service.

Read at a steady pace and it will fit perfectly from beginning to end.


New Republic – The Brigg

Nash couldn't complain too much. He was now suspended in midair, held in place by a series of translucent rings that were more binding, though not nearly as painful, as the metal cuffs and straps he was forced to endure for an entire day. Finally, Master Skywalker came and approved the alternate method of restraint.

Oddly enough, Master Skywalker said nothing directly to Nash. Nash pondered on this as he passed the time.

"How many do you think are at the ceremony?" a young guard asked another as they played cards at a table just outside of Nash's cell. With an energy field being the only barrier, there was no privacy when it came to conversations held within a certain distance from Nash.

"I heard they are running a full crew in all sections due to the alert, but anyone off duty was invited to attend," an older guard replied. "Hey – they have probably started. I want to hear Master Skywalker. I've never even seen him before."

"What comm frequency did they say to use?" the younger guard was now standing at the comm console. "Never mind – I got it." He picked up a piece of flimsy and keyed in the numbers. Immediately, a man's voice could be heard speaking over the general comm in the Brigg. Everyone inside and outside of the cells could hear the transmission.

"Is that Master Skywalker or the Admiral?" the young guard asked.

"Jedi Solo's gifts in the Force were remarkable, this is indisputable. Though, anyone who knew him would agree that Grhan's greatest gift was something that does not require being Force sensitive to possess. Grhan was selfless. He gave of himself freely and without hesitation, seeing the goodness in beings in a time when the Galaxy was shrouded in darkness. My greatest regret was not having the opportunity to share with Grhan that he was to be knighted at the Academy's ceremony next month."

"That's Master Skywalker. He sounds young, doesn't he?" the younger guard asked. The older guard nodded then tossed his cards on the table. "What? Forget it! I can't win."

"Wisdom comes with age, my son," the older man said, smiling as he pocketed the pot.

"Grhan Solo was a Jedi – he was a friend, a brother, and a loving husband. He embodied everything we have all come to know to be true about the Jedi – their selfless heroism…"

"That's the Admiral," the older man said, dealing the cards, then stopping to listen.

Little did the guards know that Nash was listening more intently than anyone in the Brigg. Nash had no idea that Grhan had been killed. How and by whom may have a tremendous impact on Nash. As usual, Thane was the thorn in Nash's side. It was all just sentimental babble.

"I've seen it in Grhan's hands as he performed miraculous feats in an operating room, pulling pain from my brother's body. His hands held Light in them – you could literally see it as he worked - and he kept my brother alive when, but for Jedi Solo's gifts in the Force, his life would have ended."

Nash recalled that night. He had shot Dalven and was at the Clinic afterwards when Thane, his step-father and mother virtually ignored Nash standing there with a blaster rifle to stand vigil outside of the operating room. It was interesting to hear how Dalven survived. Nash had been shocked to hear it the first time he was captured and held by the Jedi.

Nash was listening and the guards playing cards when the lights in the Brigg flickered. It barely caused the guards to look away from their hands. The second time they flickered the older guard set his cards down and looked around. Fifteen seconds or so passed without anything more happening, so they returned to their game. Then the lights went down.

"Kriff!" the younger guard said. Small clicks could be heard as the emergency lighting popped on throughout the Brigg. The area was painted in dim red and soft white lights. "Can it get any creepier down here?"

The older guard stood up and unfastened his holster, gesturing to the younger guard to do the same. He commed the guards posted outside the two sets of doors leading into the Brigg. There was no response.

"Stay here – I'm going to go make direct contact and figure out how to get our comms back online," the older guard said. He noticed the younger guard looked slightly unnerved. "It's just a glitch. New ships – things like this happen all the time on them." The young guard nodded and seemed reassured.

The older guard stepped around the command center and was immediately dropped by a blaster bolt to his chest. The younger guard dove under their card table and drew his weapon. Legs turned the corner and came into view. They walked up to the table. The young guard was terrified. Whoever, or whatever, was standing over the table tapped the toes of its left boot.

"Come out," a female's voice said. The young guard slid backwards and emerged at the opposite side of the table. He put his hands up and slowly stood. Standing across from him, arms crossed, a small smile on her face was a beautiful woman. Behind her was a very large, blonde haired man.

"Hello," she said.

The young guard was visibly trembling. With a shaky voice he replied, "Huh…hello?" The woman smiled even wider.

"We're not going to kill you. We need you. We wouldn't have killed your friend had he not seen and drawn on us first," she said matter-of-factly.

"Why do you need me?" the young man asked, still shaking.

The woman took her finger and motioned for him to follow her. The young guard slowly moved away from the table and did as she asked. She stood in front of Nash's cell. Inside, Nash was smiling.

"See that man in there?" the woman asked. The guard nodded and swallowed. "He's tired of hanging around here. We're going to be leaving with him now."

"I… I don't have the codes to deactivate his restraint system," the guard said, which was the truth.

"Of course you don't," the woman said. "I just need your hand print to get into the system."

"I…I can't. I can't do that," the guard said.

"Well, sure you can. And you'll be relieved to know how easy it is. My friend here…" she pointed at the man, "…he can pick you up and carry you to the panel, then force your hand on the screen. Or we can incapacitate you and drag you there. We could shoot you and just lop your hand off – but that's messy and will take time. Or – you could just mosey on over there and plop your hand down. Easy peasy." The woman stared at the guard. Surprisingly he seemed to be considering his options.

"How can you incapacitate me?" The man burst out laughing and the woman shushed him.

"Oh, yes, I see. You don't want to appear to have helped us. I totally understand," she nodded. The man stepped up to stand beside her and removed a small canister from his belt.

"Sleep tight," he said. He sprayed a small mist into the guard's face and he dropped to the floor.

The two infiltrators turned and looked at Nash who was smiling. "Hello Sona. Hello Korus. Nice of you to drop in."

Korus smiled back and carried the small guard to the control station. After using his hand to access the security system, they entered the codes for deactivating Nash's restraint system and energy field. Nash fell to the floor with a loud thud.

Sona tossed Nash a bag with clothes and boots inside. Nash changed quickly. "How did you get in and how are we getting out?"

"We have the schematics for the ventilation system and maintenance access hatches and corridors. We landed in the dignitary's docking bay next to one of the access panels. If we hurry, with the attention primarily in the main docking bay, we can get back to our ship and get out of here virtually unseen," Sona explained.

"Let's go, then!" Nash commanded.

Twenty minutes later they were staring through the access panel into the dignitary's bay, and Nash saw the Millennium Falcon. "Han Solo is here. That means that Wookie of his is also here. I've got a score to settle with that hairy creature. It's too bad my father's rug making business disappeared with Alderaan." Sona gave Nash an admonishing look. "Sona, Sona, Sona – the animal's greatest friend. Such a soft heart you have, my dear."

Sona knuckled Nash. Korus frowned at the two of them "Might I ask the leader of the Dark Alliance to join us now so we can get out of here?" Korus whispered.

"Yes, yes, you are right. I'm a tad punchy. Being unable to move for days will do that to you," Nash conceded. A guard was posted between their exit and the shuttle. "Sona, are you unable to sedate the guard for some reason?"

Sona looked at Nash in confusion. "Why do you ask that?"

Korus interjected, "We used the mist to ensure he'd be out for at least a few hours."

"I can take care of the guard. Wait here," Sona said, as she quietly lowered herself out of the access to hang by her fingers and try to affect a smoother, quieter drop to the floor. She succeeded.

Nash and Korus watched as she approached the guard. Sona looked like an everyday pilot who was likely hanging back with the ship while the hoity toity she flew around was at the service. They spoke for a moment, even sharing a laugh about something. Then Sona's hand came up and the guard went down. Korus and Nash dropped from the access and hurried to the shuttle's ramp. Five minutes later they were raising on repulsorlifts.

"The shield!" Nash exclaimed.

Korus scrambled and commed the docking bay officer. He provided him their clearance code.

"You're leaving early – the event isn't finished," the officer stated.

"Regretfully so," Korus said with disappointment in his voice. "Our Ambassador's husband has fallen ill and we have to leave immediately. We apologize for the inconvenience," Korus offered.

"No problem. Shields will be down in five. Best wishes to the Ambassador."

As promised, the shields were lowered and the shuttle would be shooting through hyperspace before anyone noticed Nash was gone.


**Begin Soundtrack: Rogue One – Your Father Would Be Proud**


The Rebel Victory – The Service

Thousands of crew members and officers were gathered in the Docking Bay. Master Skywalker had just concluded a moving and heartfelt tribute to his apprentice. Now, Admiral Kyrell stood at the podium preparing to address his crew and visiting dignitaries. Behind him sat the Jedi and a beautiful young woman, who stared straight ahead, her smile and her thoughts somewhere far away.

In the front row of seats sat Leia, Han, Chewie, Wedge, Mon Mothma, and Admiral Ackbar. The pained expression on Han's face and his difficulty making eye contact with anyone did not escape Leia, Chewie, and Luke. Had Kendy been able, she'd have been the first to notice.

Thane swallowed hard then began to speak. "Grhan Solo was a Jedi – he was a friend, a brother, and a loving husband. He embodied everything that is true about the Jedi – their selfless heroism, their lives of sacrifice, their unwavering commitment to serve the needs of friends and strangers alike. And they do these things absent the desire for medals, glory, or recognition.

I know there is evil in the Galaxy. I served the Empire before I defected, and the things I saw shook me to my core. Being with Master Skywalker and Jedi Solo last year - witnessing their remarkable gifts and their willingness to use them for good at great peril to themselves - my eyes were opened to the truth. Most notably that without the Jedi we would have been forever lost in darkness.

We all play a vital role in staying the course and bringing lasting hope and peace to the Galaxy, yet nothing is more necessary to our cause than the Jedi. The loss of even one Jedi is tragic. While I am admittedly biased, the loss of Jedi Solo is particularly difficult to accept.

Behind Thane, a meter-wide bar suspended approximately four meters high above him began to rotate. As it turned, a flag slowly began to fall into view.

"There is still goodness in this Galaxy. This is hard to remember when you've spent years at war, and seen the sheer brutality – the evil – up close and personal. Jedi Solo taught me about the Light – that there is much still worth fighting for - and I learned in those days that the Jedi have always been the guardians of this Light. They are the very best of all of us.

Thanks to Jedi Solo and Master Skywalker, I now understand the Force exists. I've seen it in Grhan's hands as he performed miraculous feats in an operating room, pulling pain from my brother's body." Thane held up his hands and looked at them, and then looked out across the thousands of captivated listeners. "His hands held Light in them – you could literally see it as he worked - and he kept my brother alive when, but for Jedi Solo's gifts in the Force, life would have ended." Thane looked down and cleared his throat.

The flag continued to slowly unroll, revealing the edges of a symbol.

"I have no doubt that when Jedi Solo entered his last engagement, he did so with two things in his mind most of all. First, his wife, Captain Kendy Idele Solo, was on the Gazer, and nothing would have touched that Shuttle with Grhan in the air to protect her. Second, he was thinking of us – all of us - friends and strangers alike. He would have laid down his life for any one of you hearing my voice. If you needed his help, he'd have given you everything he had to give. He was risking his life to prevent others from having to do the same."

Half of the flag was now visible, with the New Republic symbol clearly displayed.

As he did with my brother, Jedi Solo saved my wife's life and I owe my future happiness to him. It is because of Jedi Solo my wife is alive and we are having a child. I will raise my child to know who Jedi Grhan Solo was and what he meant to all of us. My child will know and revere the Jedi, unlike his cynical father who took twenty-five years to realize the Force exists, and how desperately the Galaxy needs beings like Jedi Grhan Solo, Jedi Master Skywalker, Jedi Horn and the growing number of future Jedi who are just starting their journey as I speak to you today.

We must protect them. They are the New Republic's greatest hope for our children living in a Galaxy free of the darkness we all knew and sacrificed so much to defeat.

I pledge here and now, in front of all of you, that I will do everything in my power to lead those that follow me towards righteous endeavors that will honor the thousands of Jedi who were taken from this Galaxy by the Empire, casting us into the years of darkness from which we have only just emerged.

We must never allow history to repeat itself. We must protect and defend our Jedi as their only wish is to protect us all."

Now fully revealed, the flag billowed gently in the breeze from the docking bay. Visible to all was the symbol of the Jedi displayed side-by-side with that of the New Republic.

"May the Force be with us all as we strive every day to remember the lessons we've learned from Jedi Solo, and those we'll continue to learn from Jedi Skywalker, Jedi Horn, and our Galaxy's promising young Jedi candidates."

Thane turned and faced the flag, then saluted. Thousands of men and women, beings of all kind, stood and joined Thane, saluting the flag.

Eight junior officers took up post, four on each side of the frame, and slowly the first two took the bottom corners and began to side-step forward. The flag lowered as they moved away. The next two officers grasped the flag and followed the first two, then the next two. The final two men unhooked the top corners of the flag and stood waiting until the flag was pulled tight and flat. They methodically folded the flag into a tight triangle, handing it to Thane, who carried it over to Kendy. Thane knelt in front of his friend and took her hand, placing it on top of the flag underneath his own.

"From a grateful Galaxy who mourns with you. You are not alone." Kendy looked at the flag, then up at Thane and she saw his tears falling. She put her other hand on top of Thane's and squeezed. Thane stared into Kendy's eyes and her expression was saying what words could not. She was pleading, and Thane nodded. Very quietly he said, "I promise, Kendy. I won't rest until I do."

Luke and Corran glanced over, confusion evident on their expressions. Thane set the flag in Kendy's lap, stood, and took his chair.

Almost on cue, a squadron of X-Wings flew into view, heading toward the Docking Bay, and when close enough to see clearly, one veered off and flew out of sight as the others continued their path toward the Docking Bay, veering up and over the Rebel Victory.

The End


Epilogue to follow...