Disclaimer: I do NOT own any part of Star Wars, it is now owned by Disney, and am just having some fun in the sandbox that was created by George Lucas. There will be elements from both Disney's canon, and the old Expanded Universe, so enjoy!
D'Qar
Ileenium System
Sanbra Sector
"Home sweet home," Han said as the Millennium Falcon emerged from hyperspace above D'Qar. "Send the clearance code so we don't get blown out of the sky."
Chewie growled something into the comlink and a beacon appeared on the sensor board.
"Where are we?" Finn asked, entering the cockpit with Jethro trailing him.
"One of many Resistance bases," Han said. "And it looks like Poe beat us here, good."
"What about me General?" Finn asked.
"You are sticking right next to me until you have been cleared," Han said. "And that is non-negotiable, understand?"
"Yes sir."
The Falcon settled down on a landing platform not far from where the Silver Explorer was sitting. Finn followed Han and Chewie down the landing ramp, with Jethro and another Resistance trooper following him. When he reached the bottom of the ramp, Finn could instantly tell that this was no ordinary Resistance base, he spotted a squadron of X-Wings situated on a couple nearby landing platforms, and Finn noticed that they were not the same fighters that had helped the Falcon escape from Takodana. For one, they all had very little battle damage and they were all painted various colors or had different patterns over their fuselages.
"Ah General Solo, welcome back," a large, bearded man wearing a pilot's jumpsuit said as he approached the group.
"Wexley," Han said. "Where's Leia?"
"I was actually on my way to get her," Wexley said. "Intel has copied the data from BB-8 and is analyzing it as we speak. I figured the Princess would want to be there."
"Good thinking, lead the way," Han said.
"Sir," Wexley said. The larger man led the group through the parked X-Wing squadron and over to the Silver Explorer's berth. Just as they approached the ship, two figures appeared at the top of the landing ramp.
"Rey!"
"Finn!"
"Han."
"Your Worshipness," Han said with a smirk. Leia just rolled her eyes but there was a fond smile on her lips as she looked down at her husband.
"Princess, Intel has finished downloading the data from BB-8," Wexley said.
"Thank you Captain," Leia said. "I shall be there shortly."
"Ma'am, General," Wexley nodded to the pair before jogging back across the landing platform.
Leia's eyes then focused in on Finn. "So you are Finn?" she asked.
Finn left a frisson of something race up his spine when his eyes met the famed Princess Leia Organa. "Yes ma'am," Finn said.
Leia walked down the ramp, Rey following. "You put me in quite a predicament Finn," Leia said. "On one hand, you are or were an enemy combatant, and many of my people will wish to either lock you up and stand trial, or just have you lined up against a wall and be done with it. However, you also risked your life to help Poe escape from the First Order, and helped him recover BB-8 and the data within him, so the question is, what to do with you now?"
"I am willing to submit to whatever your decision is ma'am," Finn said. "I know that I have done terrible things while in the service of the First Order, and much to answer for."
"It would be pretty hypocritical of me to not offer you the chance at redemption," Leia said. "Many who served in the Rebellion were former Imperials who defected, so you will be given the chance to prove your words."
"Thank you ma'am," Finn said with a bow of respect.
"Your first test will be to tell us all you know about the First Order's military capacity," Leia said. "Come along, once we have finished with BB-8, you will sit down with Intel and tell us all you know."
Finn nodded and fell into step behind Leia, Han and Chewie. Rey sidled up beside him while several Resistance troopers following behind.
"What is it that you have found?" Leia asked as she walked into the bunker that housed the Resistance's Intel division.
"We aren't fully sure ma'am," one of the Intel officers admitted. "The data that Commander Dameron provided shows us an area of the Unknown Regions that had been deemed unexplorable for centuries. Most of these systems don't even have names from the old Imperial records, so that is making things difficult."
"I see, of course Luke couldn't make things easy," Leia said. "Regardless, this data does open the Unknown Regions to us, at least much more than we knew prior. Major, I want you to create several copies of this chart. We will send out scouts in order to track down my brother."
"Yes ma'am," the officer said but before he could fulfill his orders, Rey stepped forward, and into the holo-projection that took up much of the room. "What are you doing?"
"Wait Major," Leia said, holding up her hand and watching as Rey reached out toward one of the glowing dots.
"What's going on?" Han asked.
"Quiet Han," Leia whispered. "She turned to the major, "What system is that?"
The major scanned the nearby console before saying, "The only data we have on it is from the old Imperial records, it is called Site Omega."
"Site Omega? What kind of name is that?" Han asked.
"I don't know but I think Rey has just found Luke," Leia said.
"Ma'am, how can you be sure?"
"The Force," Leia said. "The Force is guiding Rey, and it is telling me that is where Luke is."
"What am I doing here?" Rey asked, "how did I get over here?"
"Poe, why don't you show Rey to my quarters?" Leia suggested. "I will meet you there in a little bit, and I will explain as much as I can Rey."
"Ok," Rey said, looking quite confused but allowed Poe to lead her out of the bunker.
"Han, you will be coming too," Leia said. She turned to the head of the Intel division. "Get those copies completed as soon as possible."
"Yes ma'am."
"Han let's go," Leia said. Han sighed but followed his wife from the bunker.
"Did you know that Rey was Force-sensitive?" Leia asked as she and Han made their way across a landing platform.
"No, I have barely spent ten minutes with the girl," Han said. "Never saw her doing any of that hocus-pocus stuff that you or the kid or…"
"I know Han," Leia said. "I know. We will get him back, we will find both Ben and Luke, and bring them home."
Han nodded. "So where are we going?"
"To speak with someone who can speak with Rey about the Force," Leia said.
"You don't mean…"
"I do," Leia said. "I can't Han, there is too much to do, I wouldn't be able to provide enough one-on-one instruction for Rey. She needs a teacher that can spend as much time as possible with her, she is powerful in the Force, very powerful."
"Whatever you say Princess."
"What happened back there Poe?" Rey asked as Poe led her through the Resistance base. "Everyone was looking at me weirdly."
"Rey, remember what I said over Takodana, about you possibly being Force-sensitive?" Poe asked.
"I guess," Rey said. "But what does that mean Poe? I mean, does that mean I can be a Jedi?"
"I think so," Poe said. "But I don't know all the details Rey. I am sure Princess Leia will explain everything when she comes back."
"What about Finn?" Rey asked. "Have you heard anything about what is going to happen to him?"
"No, but the fact that he hasn't been put in binders is a good sign to me," Poe said. "I'll ask around about him once the Solos get here. I am worried about him too Rey, but he'll get a fair shake here."
"So what happens now Poe?" Rey asked. "I mean, if I can become a Jedi, what then?"
"Well Rey, it all depends on if you want to become a Jedi," Poe said. "I don't believe that Princess Leia or General Solo will make you do anything you don't want too; it is your decision."
"Can you tell me more about the Jedi?" Rey asked. "You told me about the Edict that made Luke Skywalker leave but what about Princess Leia, can't she use the Force as well? She is Luke's brother, so why wasn't she made to leave?"
"Princess Leia hadn't been outed as someone who could use the Force to the wider galaxy, and those who knew kept quiet because they knew the Edict was wrong," Poe said. "Also the Princess was more subtle than her brother, along with some other personal stuff. I don't know all the details."
"Ok, then just tell me what you know about the Jedi," Rey said.
Poe grinned and quickly launched into the tale of Luke Skywalker. Rey sat transfixed as Poe spoke, she had only heard scant details about the legendary Jedi Master before, thanks to stories from her parents but as Poe told Rey the unvarnished truth, she was struck at the similarities between her and Luke Skywalker.
They had both grown up on barren, backwater planets in the care of someone who wasn't their parents. Both didn't know about the Force until they were well into their teens, and both were drawn into a war by events outside their control.
The door chimed, interrupting Poe's tale, and causing the pair to turn toward the door just as Han and Leia entered the quarters with a hooded figure following behind them.
"Enjoying story time?" Han chuckled at the coloring that appeared on both Poe and Rey's faces.
"That's enough Han," Leia said, though she was also smiling. "Now Rey, there is someone I would like you to meet. She will be able to explain things about the Force much better than I would, and she will be traveling with you to find my brother, if you are willing."
The hooded figure raised their hands and lowered the hood of her cloak to reveal a tall orange-skinned alien with white and blue marked head tails. Rey vaguely recognized the alien as a member of the Togruta species.
"Hello Rey, my name is Ahsoka Tano."
"You are Fulcrum!" Poe cried, recognizing the woman.
"Who?" Rey asked.
"Fulcrum is a legend from the Rebellion, on par with Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo," Poe said. "She was the lynchpin that kept the early Rebellion alive. It is an honor ma'am."
Han and Leia shook their heads while Ahsoka laughed. "It has been a while since I met a fanboy of mine."
Poe blushed. "My parents told me about you when I was younger; you were the amazing spy that constantly fooled the Empire," he said.
"That is quite alright Poe," Ahsoka said. "It is quite the honor to be mentioned alongside Luke, Han and Leia. Now Rey, Leia tells me that you have the ability to use the Force?"
"I guess," Rey said. "I am not sure though, Poe thinks that because I have gotten these feelings sometimes and that I get lucky a lot, that means I can use the Force."
"That is a common trait for Force users," Ahsoka said. "Force-users usually have enhanced reflexes, and the Force can whisper to us, usually through feelings or notions that we sense."
"So Poe wasn't lying?" Rey asked. "I can use the Force?"
"It does seem so," Ahsoka said. "Now, you will need training to control your abilities before you can really do anything."
"You can teach me?"
"I can, if you are willing to learn," Ahsoka said.
"You are a Jedi?"
"I was."
"Was?" Poe asked.
"That is a story for another time," Ahsoka said, her voice slightly sad.
"Why me?" Rey asked. "I am no one special, just some girl from Jakku."
"The Force works in mysterious ways Rey," Leia said.
"It most certainly does," Ahsoka agreed. "Even those who have spent their entire lives studying the Force don't completely understand it. So does that mean you will let me teach you?"
"I don't have much of a choice, do I?"
"Never think you don't have a choice Rey," Ahsoka said sternly. "You will always have a choice but know this, if you let me teach you, you will have to face challenges and dangers that will test you in ways that you cannot possibly imagine. This is not a decision you should make lightly."
"What do you think I should do?" Rey asked, biting her lip to reveal her nervousness.
Leia smiled, which instantly calmed Rey. "It is your decision Rey, and yours alone. Do I think you would make a good Jedi? Yes, I do. You are kind, smart, willing to do what is right and willing to stand up for others, even when others won't."
Rey ducked her head, trying and failing to hide her blush. "But I didn't want to help Poe and Finn initially," she said.
"But you did in the end Rey, and that is what matters," Ahsoka said.
"Poe, why don't we give Rey and Ahsoka some time to talk alone," Leia said. Poe nodded and rose from his seat, though his desire to stay and talk with Ahsoka was plain to see.
"So Finn, what can you tell me about the First Order?" Leia asked, sitting down across from Finn with Han and Chewie behind Leia.
"I have told all that I know to Captain Gibbs," Finn said. "Surely, he has told you what I've told him."
"I have reviewed his notes, yes, but I want to hear it directly from you," Leia said. "Han mentioned that you hope that no child is forced to go through what you did, do you still wish that?"
"Of course," Finn said. "No child should be forced into service like I was. It is slavery, just using a different name. I know the only way to stop that practice is to stop the First Order. Forgive me ma'am but I don't see how your Resistance has any chance against the First Order. The First Order is much larger than anyone thinks, and that is exactly what they want."
Leia sighed. "I can understand that you would underestimate us…"
"It is you who is underestimating the First Order ma'am," Finn cut in. "This is not the Galactic Civil War between the Empire and your Rebellion, actually it is more like you are now the Empire and the First Order is the Rebellion."
"What do you mean?" Leia asked, holding up a hand to tell Han and Chewie to remain silent.
"I don't mean that you, the Resistance or even the Republic, are ethically like the Empire, only from a military standpoint," Finn said. "The Rebellion succeeded because the Empire couldn't bring its full military weight against you. The Rebellion was mobile and flexible, making sure that the Empire couldn't wipe you out in one battle. And the amount of territory that the Empire had to protect allowed the Rebellion their pick of softer targets to attack."
"And now the Republic has dozens of places to protect, places where the First Order could attack," Leia said.
"Exactly. The First Order has learned from the Rebellion and the Empire," Finn said. "I have already told Captain Gibbs and Poe about the advancements that the First Order has made to old Imperial tech. They haven't just learned how to improve Imperial technology; they have new tactics and strategies."
"So you think we have no chance?" Han asked.
"No but you can't underestimate the First Order," Finn said. "If you do, they will win and control the galaxy. The First Order, especially the high command, will not stop until they are victorious or they are dead."
"We need to inform the Republic," a man wearing a captain's rank said once Leia had called the Resistance leaders together. "If we can believe this Finn's information, the Republic is the only force strong enough to defeat the First Order."
"The Republic won't listen to us," Poe argued. "They got rid of the Jedi, they ran Princess Leia out of the Senate, we can't trust them."
"Then what do you suggest Commander Dameron?" the captain asked. "We do not have the resources to fight a war against the First Order, we need the Republic's help."
Several of the Resistance leaders nodded.
"Enough," Leia said, quieting the group. "We need to stop acting like children. We must remain united in the face of this threat, if we don't, the First Order will win power that much easier."
"So what should we do then ma'am?" General Statura asked.
"We prepare," Leia said. "And inform the Republic." She turned to a young woman wearing a commander's rank. "Korrie, I need you to go to Coruscant and tell the Republic what we know of the First Order."
"Yes ma'am," Commander Korr Sella said. "But will they even listen to me?"
"Some will, some won't," Leia admitted. "But we need to warn as many people as we can, if only to give them time to prepare."
"What if the First Order defector goes with Commander Sella?" a voice suggested. "He could provide evidence to back up our claims."
"Or it would provide our opponents an opportunity to claim we are making the First Order threat up," another voice argued.
"Enough!" Leia barked, silencing the room before even more voices could be added to the discussion. "Jethro, go and bring Finn here. We will give Finn the choice."
"Ma'am," Jethro said.
Leia turned back to Korr Sella and asked, "Would you be willing to take Finn with you? Captain Gibbs can provide an escort if you want one."
"If you think it is the right call ma'am," Korr said. "But how will we get in front of anyone who might listen? The Republic is hanging on by a thread, and we do not have many friends in the Senate."
"There are still a few who are not blinded by greed and pride," Leia said. "I will contact one of our allies in the Senate, and they will meet you when you arrive."
"Yes ma'am."
"Ma'am, I have brought Finn as you requested," Captain Gibbs said when he and Finn entered the briefing room.
"Thank you Captain," Leia said. "Has Jethro informed you of why you've been asked here?"
"He just said that I would be given a chance to prove my intentions," Finn said.
"Yes," Leia said. "I would have you travel to Coruscant alongside Commander Sella here, and speak to the Republic Senate about the threat that the First Order presents."
Finn blinked as he processed Leia's words. "Are you sure that is a wise move ma'am?" he asked. "The First Order has agents all over the galaxy, and I am sure they have agents within the Republic. If they get word that I am coming, we won't make the planet's surface."
"That is why we need to take this risk," Leia said. "The Republic is woefully unprepared for what is coming, we need to at least make the attempt. I understand the risk to you but this needs to be done. As for getting you to the surface, we have our ways."
Finn looked around the room, and he could tell that many of the faces expressed doubt in him. And to be honest, Finn had doubt in himself, could he really convince the Republic Senate of how dangerous the First Order was? By warning the Republic, it would make any conflict extremely bloody, and cause more deaths of brainwashed children that were forced into service.
But if the First Order emerged victorious, they would engulf the galaxy in darkness, and no one would be safe.
"Very well ma'am," Finn said. "I'll go to Coruscant and see what I can do."
"Thank you Finn," Leia said with a smile. "Jethro, you and your team will go with Finn and Korrie for security."
"Understood."
"I want you all to leave as soon as possible," Leia said. "The sooner we can inform the Republic, the better our chances will be."
"Yes ma'am," Jethro said before turning to Finn and Korr. "Grab what you need and meet me at platform 6."
"Yes sir."
"Good luck to you, and May the Force be with you Finn, Korrie."
Point Alpha
First Order staging area
Bridge of the Finalizer
Supreme Commander Kylo Ren gazed out the bridge viewport as his fleet began to make final preparations to leave the spacedock. There was a sense of controlled excitement and anticipation amongst the members of the fleet. Everyone knew that the First Order fleet was getting ready for a major operation, and most had guessed correctly that the operation was to be against the New Republic.
Hux had been almost beside himself with giddiness ever since the Supreme Leader had given the order to prepare the fleet for their attack on the Republic. Kylo thought back to his meeting with Supreme Leader Snoke and Hux a week prior where Snoke had laid out his plan for the campaign.
"General, Commander, I am most pleased with the preparations that you both have made so far with our forces," Snoke said. "And the time for our strike has come at last."
"Thank you Supreme Leader," Hux said with a wide smile. "Our forces are ready and awaiting your command to strike."
"Good General," Snoke said. "Now I have devised a series of strikes that will cripple the Republic." A holographic map of the Core appeared in between Snoke, Hux and Kylo. Several systems became highlighted as Snoke touched them, and Kylo recognized them all. "We will strike at these key systems, crippling the Republic's forces and allowing our forces the ability to gain a foothold."
"Excellent Supreme Leader," Hux said. "Our forces should have little issue wiping out the paltry defensive forces that the Republic have stationed around these targets."
"We will take no chances General," Snoke said. "Each of these targets must be pacified as quickly as possible. And that is why we will be sending a full fleet to each of them."
"Supreme Leader, I understand the need for complete success but if we send a full fleet to each of these targets, we will leave ourselves dangerously exposed," Kylo said.
"Your concern is valid my young friend but we must strike hard and fast in order to achieve victory," Snoke said. "These targets have been chosen not only for their value to the Republic but also their value to us should we succeed. And that is why these strikes must be precise and total, do you understand Commander, General?"
"Yes Supreme Leader."
"Good," Snoke said. "I am expecting our forces to be in position within one standard week, is that understood?"
"We shall be ready Supreme Leader," Hux said.
"Very good," Snoke grinned as the map vanished. "Contact me when the fleets are in position, and I shall give the order."
"Supreme Leader."
Kylo blinked away the memory as he felt the deck beneath his feet shudder. He looked up just in time to see the stars turn into starlines as his fleet leapt into hyperspace. He knew that this was only the start of a new journey; a journey that would change the shape of the galaxy forever.
A/N: Well there you go, the newest installment of my The Force Awakens rewrite. It's a bit of a filler chapter and this is where we start to shift away from the plot of the film. I never liked how the First Order just made a Death Star 3.0 for their big weapon. I didn't mind that the First Order's main base was Starkiller Base but making the planet a Death Star was just boring, so the First Order will be much different in this rewrite than what we got in the films. Hope you all enjoyed the chapter, until next time
May the Force be with you,
SlyNinjaKnight