Author's Note: Hey everyone! This was one of the hardest chapters to write so I really hope it came out well. Please comment or review, it's much appreciated. Thank you!
Chapter 26: Final Command
Ben was barreling down the long, brightly lit hallway towards the prisoner cells. He had ditched his helmet after battling Hux, which was now making it easier for him to run. When he reached an intersection, he slowed slightly in order to pull out his comlink. "Rey! Do you hear me?" He had just stopped in order to hear any response.
A faint voice could be heard. "Ben?"
He fiddled with the volume knob and continued to walk briskly. "Rey, I'm on my way to you. Hux and the entire High Command are dead. The only threat that's left are the knights." He was rounding another corner and was almost to her now.
"Oh that's great news. Unfortunate that it had to happen this way, but necessary none the less. I'm proud of you Ben." Rey's voice was as warm as her name.
He felt pride swell in his chest. His beloved fiance was proud of him. It was all the encouragement he needed to finish the mission with a bang. He was determined to make a moving final speech as Supreme Leader. Renouncing his title, offering a normal life to stormtroopers and hopefully convincing them to accept and join forces with the New Republic and Resistance. This was going to be quite a challenge.
He had reached her cell and entered the code on the panel, opening the door. He saw her sitting cross-legged on the bed looking serene.
She had heard his footsteps entering the hallway before she saw him in the doorway of the room. "Are you ready for phase two?" She grinned at him before leaping up into the air, doing a flip and landing right in front of him.
He beamed at her, he was just as proud of her as she was of him. Ben nodded that he was ready and the pair took off in the direction of the Command Bridge.
On the way there, they had come across four troopers. Ben and Rey had somehow managed to mind trick them all simultaneously, into believing that they were all good friends with each other. Ben had convinced them that they had new orders, to relieve the stormtroopers working in the hanger that their ship was parked in.
The troopers happily obliged and wished the couple well as they departed.
Once out of earshot, "That will certainly come in hand later." Ben smirked.
Rey grinned back at him. "I love how you are so quick to think ahead."
They had arrived, Ben once again used his personal code to open the doors to the Command Bridge. Ben strode on in like he had always owned this place and he was it's commander-in-chief. It made Rey feel slightly uneasy, until he paused and waited for her to catch up to him.
He stood in front of the head chair and waited for all eyes to fall on him and Rey. There were many confused expressions, Rey noticed that a few were angry at the sight of her.
"Begin a broadcast hologram to all ships and stations." Ben commanded to the closest officer, who immediately obeyed.
The message was ready and started to record.
"Today is a new day. There will be some major changes to this organization starting immediately. First, I regret to inform all of you, that every member of the High Command has committed treason against me and therefore have been sentenced to death."
Ben hated that he had to lie about this, even if he knew that the result would have been the same. If he had told the High Command officers his choice to dissolve the order and switch political sides, they certainly would have tried to stop him. The High Command was composed of some of the most loyal members of the First Order.
"As I'm sure you all realize, this leaves us with a severe lack of leadership. As Supreme Leader I've decided which course of action will be the best option, in order to minimize further potential loss of life."
Ben paused, giving everyone some time to take in the information, before he pressed on.
"As my final command of Supreme Leader, I hereby declare the First Order disbanded."
Before he continued, he could hear gasps erupt from around him. He knew that this was occurring wherever the broadcast was being watched. He continued on again.
"I'm ordering that all ships with a First Order insignia, travel to the following incoming coordinates. Once there, the admirals of their respective ships will turn over all First Order property to the Resistance, who will be waiting there. Stormtroopers now have a choice on how to live their lives. You may assimilate into civilian life on any planet if you choose, or you may join the Resistance and support the New Republic if that calls to you."
The room was silent and the air tense. Every person was hanging onto Ben's every word and waiting to see what he was proposing.
"As of now, everyone is free to follow their own freewill. I will be working alongside General Leia Organa head of the Resistance, in organizing an ex-stormtrooper success program for the New Republic. This will aid in this difficult and sudden transition for many stormtroopers. The program will also serve as an information center as a means for people to get in touch with where they came from. Then they can re-connect with loved ones. If you feel uncertain about what to do, I recommend going to the Resistance for guidance."
The mood of the room was getting harder to read. Rey was feeling anxious that one of them might attack her and Ben at any moment, with all the mentioning of the Resistance.
"Lastly, If any admiral refuses to follow my final commands they will have me, Rey and the Resistance to answer to. We will not stop until the remnants of the First Order and Galactic Empire are destroyed. Each ship needs to check in and report their status immediately following this transmission."
He stopped broadcasting the hologram and waited for what seemed like minutes, before ships began radioing in. One by one, they were stating their acceptance and gratitude over his final declaration, and giving notice of their current positions before traveling to their new coordinates.
Those still speechless on the bridge had either accepted this transition, or at least accepted that they were outmatched and if they were to react violently, that it wouldn't end in their favor.
Ben walked around the bridge examining the screens and nodding in approval.
This looked encouraging to Rey. Maybe this transition can be peaceful after all?
Ben had heard her through the force. I believe for the most part, yes. I know that there is almost no chance for a hundred percent of the Order to accept my final command, but these numbers are encouraging.
He pushed a few buttons on the machine he was looking at and then pulled out a small drive from it.
He walked over to Rey while speaking to her through their bond. Take this, but don't let anyone see. It has to get to the Resistance and if anyone is going to attack us to get it, I want them to attack me instead.
She wasn't a fan of this plan but knew that a decoy in this situation could make all the difference. He stood next to her, using an arm to pull her close to his side. He placed his hand in hers beneath her cape so that no one saw them exchange the small drive between them.
We need to leave immediately Rey. The longer we stay on this ship, the more at risk we are of getting captured or killed.
He looked down at her with concern written across his face. She gave him an encouraging smile and nodded firmly. You don't have to tell me twice, let's go.
He strode over to the second-highest in command. "I need to know this ship's status before I have to take my leave, which will make you in command of this ship."
The man looked stunned for a moment before grinning a wicked grin, making Rey's gut sink to her feet. Something was obviously wrong.
"Oh, you can try to leave but I doubt you'll make it far. We notified the Knights of Ren as soon as we learned of your treachery to dissolve the Order! They should be on board the ship, probably making their way here right now!" He laughed wickedly, his eyes bulging out of their sockets.
Rey and Ben shared a distressed look before Ben ignited his vivid golden saber, pointing it at the man. The man flinched but stood his ground, he had already accepted his fate. Ben struck the man down in the same fashion as he did Hux.
Rey was already guarding his back from any potential threat. A quick glance around the room, along with a mind sweep courtesy of the force, revealed that nobody else was planning on stopping these two force users from escaping.
They simultaneously bolted towards the door, flinging it open with a combined force push, flinging debris into the hallway.
Sprinting towards the hanger that their ship was in, Rey was panicking. She spoke across the bond, I'm worried that the Knights might have gotten Finn!
I know, but they won't hurt him...yet. Not until they can use him as a way to manipulate us into doing what they want. Rey.. no matter what happens, save your friend. It's me they want anyway.