I haven't been active because COVID-19 has thrown me off SO MUCH! So you get three chapters of content. Enjoy and stay safe! I will be publishing my other story, New Beginnings, as soon as I can.
"Empress, we have tracked the remaining rebels on the planet and have rounded them up," General Pryde said. A few resistance fighters and Poe were dragged in front of her. Poe had a cut on his mouth and dried blood ran in a line towards his chin.
"Take the rest away but leave this one here," Sethi said, gesturing to Poe. "Treat them well, General."
"As you wish, my lady," the general bowed. The stormtroopers pushed the other resistance member back along the corridor. Poe looked at the Empress with a mix of emotions.
"Rey," Poe whispered.
"They won't die, Poe. And neither will you," she said, sitting down. "I have control of the Empire now. I don't want there to be any more war. Join me and I can help you."
"What happened to you," Poe whispered, looking at the sickly, sinister complexion of her face.
"I have been given greater power than you could ever imagine, Poe. I can use it to bring peace to the empire. Join me."
Poe shook his head. "Power is not the answer. Hope prevails. Hope is what keeps people alive when soldiers come to drag their loved ones away. Hope is what brought millions of people to Exogul. The First Order wins by making you think you're alone." Zorii's words echoed in his mind. He hoped she was alright, that she had escaped.
"The Final Order will not fall," Sethi snarled, making Poe shiver a little. "The Resistance will not be needed anymore. I will bring peace and freedom."
"Freedom? So this is your idea of freedom. Intimidation, separating families, killing people? Freedom is the ability to think, act and speak on your own. The Empire never delivered this, and it never will."
The Empress looked at Poe before motioning for the guard standing at the door to take him away.
The Falcon landed on Naboo in the outskirts of the planet. It was a forest and the Falcon was well concealed. There was a small stone door concealed within a tall mountain. Lando twisted some stone locks and it slid open, the sound of stone upon stone echoing in the noisy forest.
"This was built during the Clone Wars as a military hide out," Lando explained. "We can stay here until we figure something out."
The Resistance fighters walked inside and were led on a short tour by Lando. They settled down on bunks and unpacked the little gear they had managed to grab. Ben and Finn took a bunk together, with Ben taking the top.
Lando brought out some rations from the Falcon and they shared it around as Ben and Finn talked to each other.
"There is something on a planet that is worse than the fleet on Exogul. Rey is a Sith and now she has practically unlimited power. What now," Finn said, throwing his arms in the air in frustration.
"We can find the planet. We can save Rey as well," Ben said.
"Incoming transmission," Rose called, carrying a hologram device in her palm. She hooked it up to the control table in the centre of the room and it flicked to life. A person wearing a stormtrooper outfit appeared. She quickly took off her helmet and looked around cautiously.
"If you can hear me, I am on a ship which is part of the Final Order's fleet. The Empress, or should I say Rey, has taken control. I overheard something about Korriban and how there was something big there. I had to go before they talked about some huge project, but they mentioned a slave camp. I think that's where we're headed. Poe and the rest of the resistance are here. Finn, if you're there, I just want you to know that I am grateful that I knew you. Thank you for making me feel human. Don't worry about me – I will contact you when I get out of here. And may the Force be wi-." The woman suddenly jerked her head to the right and pulled her helmet on before cutting the message.
Finn looked to the ground as the remaining fighters began to mutter to each other.
"Jannah," Finn whispered. "Hang in there."
