The Super Star Destroyer Executor makes its way to Rhen Var. Jyn Erso, Kamron Varr, and HK-47 board a shuttle, and head to the surface of the frozen world.
At this moment, Jyn has gathered her rebel allies, and now sits with them at a large conference table.
"By now, you have heard what has happened on Coruscant." Jyn says.
"The entire Emperor's Ruling Council… all dead in a massive explosion! I know you stole some Rhydonium for her, Barriss! You helped her, didn't you?" Bel Iblis asks.
"Yes. The Knights of Ren secured the Rhydonium, and it was installed into a series of droids commissioned by Jyn, solely for this purpose. Object on moral grounds all you like, general, but the deaths of the council members were necessary!" Barriss answers.
"This is practically mass murder!" Bel Iblis says.
"Yes, but of bastards and psychopaths! What would you suggest? Sparing their lives in the hope that they just lay down and let us arrest them once I take the throne?" Jyn asks.
"There had to be another way!" Bel Iblis says.
"What other way? Round them all up, and toss them in prison? Might work for some, but the likes of Isard, not so much. If we didn't do this, then I believe that we would be facing an Imperial civil war after I kill the Emperor." Jyn says.
"Maybe that's for the best." Bel Iblis says.
"Are you sure about that?" Jyn asks.
"If the Empire tears itself apart, then the Alliance will win, and the Republic will be brought back." Bel Iblis answers.
"Mon Mothma's version of the Republic! Is that what you want?" Jyn asks.
"Not really, but… maybe it's the best choice." Bel Iblis answers.
"I know that you are very strongly opposed to Mothma becoming a head of state. You have described her as 'power mad' and unwilling to listen. Others in this room have also said that she is often unwilling to listen. That is the leader the galaxy will get if the Alliance wins. In my view, that does not seem to be the best choice." Jyn says.
"Would Mon Mothma really be that bad? She's a good person. In fact, I consider her a friend." Leia says.
"She is not a bad person by any means, princess. However, she is not a good leader. I think she would be best suited as a senator or diplomat." Jyn says.
"I have often thought the same." Bel Iblis says.
"Think about it general! Would things really be so bad with Jyn as Empress? There have been good monarchies in the past. Aquilae. Naboo. Alderaan. The Empress Teta System. All ruled by monarchs who were respected, and even loved, by the people. This is what Jyn wants. Most of us have agreed to help her run the Empire after she takes the throne. I for one, plan to keep my word." Barriss says. Bel Iblis sits in silence for a moment.
"What do you think, Master Jedi?" Bel Iblis asks, looking at Ezra Bridger.
"Trust Jyn Erso. Give her a chance." Ezra answers.
"Princess Leia?" Bel Iblis asks.
"Trust her." Leia answers.
"Alright, Erso. They trust you, so I'll give you a chance." Bel Iblis says.
"Thank you, general." Jyn says.
"Now that we all seem to be in agreement, we should discuss our next move." Barriss says.
"About that… the Emperor knows that I've betrayed him. He is expecting me to come to Coruscant to challenge him." Jyn says.
"He... knows?" Barriss asks.
"I warned you not to underestimate Palpatine." Anakin Skywalker says.
"I haven't. I will go to him, and I will face him with everything I've got." Jyn says.
"We will face him." Luke says.
"You will not do this alone, Jyn. The Knights of Ren are ready to go with you. As am I." Barriss says. Everyone else at the table nods in agreement.
"So… you all want to go." Jyn says.
"That wrinkly old bastard's gonna answer for what he did to my brothers." Rex says.
"To our generals." Wolffe says.
"To our masters." Barriss says.
"To our families." Anakin says.
"Since you're going to be Empress, and everyone here has agreed to it, maybe we should get used to taking orders from you." Leia says.
"Indeed. I think Jyn should command the mission to Coruscant." Barriss says.
"It does make sense from a tactical perspective. She's more familiar with the Imperial Palace than any of us." Rex says.
"Agreed." Hera Syndulla says. The table falls silent as everyone looks at Jyn.
"Only if there are no objections." Jyn says. No one says anything.
"I think you have your answer." Luke says.
"None of you had to support me, but you chose to. Thank you. I'll do my best to not let you down." Jyn says.
"Do we have a plan for getting to the Emperor?" Leia asks.
"He's going to let us walk right in." Ezra answers.
"Are you serious?" Bel Iblis asks.
"Bridger's right. The Emperor will allow me the opportunity to face him. This is a Sith tradition dating back centuries. The apprentice defeats the master, and becomes the new master." Jyn answers.
"You said you weren't a Sith anymore." Bel Iblis says.
"I am not. However, the Emperor doesn't know that. He only knows that I'm no longer under his control and that I am going to move against him." Jyn says.
"So, we'll just go to Coruscant, land at the Imperial Palace, and march straight to the throne room? It can't be that easy!" Leia says.
"It won't be easy at all. We will be able to get to the surface, and land without incident. After that, the problems begin. While I am able to move freely through the palace, the rest of you are not. There are security measures that will have to be overcome." Jyn says.
"What kind of security measures?" Sabine asks.
"Automated turrets, ray shields, about five hundred death troopers, and… ten royal guards." Jyn answers.
"There's something else there too." Ezra says.
"What do you see?" Jyn asks.
"The surviving Inquisitors… will be with him. He will use the Inquisitors to fight the rest of us, and you... will have to face him alone." Ezra answers.
"That doesn't surprise me one bit. Did you see anything else?" Jyn asks.
"You… will be tempted to give in to hate. Don't. No matter what. Remember who you are now. Don't lose that." Ezra answers.
"I don't plan to." Jyn says.
"Good." Ezra says.
"The presence of the Inquisitors will complicate things somewhat, but I believe we can prevail. Some of you have faced Inquisitors before, so you know what to expect. However, the Grand Inquisitor is a different story. He is a miraluka. No eyesight, but his other senses are enhanced, so he is still a very dangerous opponent. I attempted to have him eliminated, but getting to him was challenging. He spends most of his time in the Emperor's palace, training future Inquisitors." Jyn says.
"Okay. So we have three Inquisitors to deal with. We split them up and take them out, one by one, just we did on Saldaris." Sabine says.
"Good idea. Might work." Jyn says.
"Of course it will. I have something special in mind for that Grand Inquisitor." Sabine says.
"Something special?" Jyn asks.
"Yeah. I think I can rig up some kind of sonic emitter that will confuse his hearing." Sabine answers.
"That won't be necessary. There are sonic grenades on the star destroyer. I'll bring you a few when we meet up on Coruscant." Jyn says.
"Real sonic grenades? I've been wanting to get my hands on some of those!" Sabine says.
"Which is difficult since they're so rare and expensive outside of the military. Now, you'll have some." Jyn says.
"Thanks." Sabine says.
"Anytime. Now that we have a solid plan, I think we had better get going." Jyn says.
"Someone needs to stay here and watch over the children." Barriss says.
"Agreed. We'll take a small group of knights, as well as some of the general's men. The rest will stay here with the children and anyone else who can't fight." Jyn says.
"Sounds good. I think you have everything covered." Barriss says.
I sure hope so. Jyn thinks.
"Alright then. May the force be with us." Jyn says.
