Disclaimer: I do NOT own Star Wars, it all belongs to Disney. I am just having some fun in the sandbox that George Lucas created, and that Disney now owns. There will be a mix of both Legends and Canon elements to this story, so enjoy!

Coruscant

Coruscant System

Corusca System

Core

"Shuttle Triumph, please transmit your landing codes."

"Acknowledged Control," Captain Gibbs said. "Transmitting now."

"So this is Coruscant?" Finn asked, looking through the viewport.

"Not what you were expecting," Korr said.

"Pretty much," Finn admitted. "The First Order made Coruscant out to be this glittering jewel at the center of the galaxy but in reality…"

"It is a spiraling mess," Korr said. "At night, it can hide reality with all the lights and glam but that is only surface level. Once you go below the upper levels, Coruscant is a mess."

"You speak with experience, so I'm guessing you grew up down there?" Finn asked.

Korr nodded. "I was one of the lucky ones," she said. "My parents ran a successful mechanic's shop on level 170, and they were able to send me to the Academy. A lot of my friends didn't get that chance or opportunity."

"I am sorry."

"It isn't your fault Finn," Korr said. "It falls on the politicians who hoard the resources for themselves that could be used to help others in actual need."

"Isn't that a reason to change the system to a more powerful centralized government?" Finn asked. "It just seems that the system is broken if it ignores the very people it is supposed to protect and serve."

"You can say that about any system of government," Korr said. "It all boils down to the people with the power. If the power is more spread out, there is less of a chance that one person can take complete control."

"That didn't stop Palpatine," Finn argued.

"Point," Korr said. "I truly do not think there is a perfect system of government, especially because it all comes down to the beings that run or live under the type of government."

"I suppose."

"That's enough you two," Gibbs said from the pilot's chair. "Go get strapped in, we will be landing shortly."

"Yes sir," Finn said. Korr just nodded before the pair left the cockpit and returned to the passenger compartment. Finn and Korr had just settled into their seats when the shuttle shuddered as it entered Coruscant's atmosphere.

"Don't worry kid, Gibbs will get us dirtside," one of the Resistance troopers said with a grin.

"Nozzo is correct," the female Twi'lek member of the team said. "We will be more in danger on the ground than in the air. Fewer escape routes are available to us on the ground."

"Maybe don't talk about us being ambushed Ziver," Nozzo said. "This plan is already a longshot to succeed, let's not bring ill thoughts down on us."

"Are they always like this?" Finn asked Korr.

"Pretty much. Captain Gibbs' team is the best," Korr said. "Their eccentricities are what make them so successful. We couldn't have asked for a better escort detail."

"I am not trying to disparage them, just noticing how different they are from the First Order," Finn explained. "There would be no banter pre-mission, we would all be solely focused on the mission and completing it. The mission always came first; as long as the mission was successful, it didn't matter what else happened."

"You went on these type of missions?" Ziver asked, looking up from cleaning her blaster rifle.

"Escort missions, yes," Finn said. "A couple of times my squad and I were assigned with close protection for a VIP. Our lives weren't as important as the VIP's, and we all knew it."

"Sounds lonely," the Bothan member of the team spoke up. The light color furred Bothan was hunched over a console, his fingers dancing across the pod, entering something.

"What are you doing Tim'othy?" Nozzo asked.

"Making sure our presence won't be noticed," the Bothan answered. "If Finn is correct, that the First Order has agents on the planet, we need to make sure our presence is not noticed."

"And how are you doing that?" Finn asked.

"It is better that you don't know," Tim'othy said. "What you don't know, you can't reveal if captured."

Finn could understand the logic but he still felt a sting of anger at the mistrust.

"Don't worry about him," Korr said. "From what I know about this team, they don't trust anyone outside their ranks."

"I can understand being cautious around me," Finn admitted. "I would be even more nervous than I am if I was being trusted immediately."

"We are about to touch down, and it looks like we have a welcoming committee," Gibbs' voice crackled over the comm system. "Get ready to disembark."

Finn took a deep breath as he felt the shuttle settle onto the landing platform. He quickly unstrapped from his seat and stood up.

"Here," Korr said, holding out a black hooded cloak. "This will protect your face, don't want to make things easy."

"Thank you."

"Come on," Gibbs said, appearing from the cockpit. "Let's go."

Finn put the cloak on and put up the hood, as did Korr and the members of the escort detail. The landing ramp made a low thud as it hit the platform, and Finn suddenly grabbed at his head as he felt a great pressure squeeze against the sides of his head.

"Finn, what's wrong?" Korr asked, as Finn staggered sideways.

"I don't know, all of a sudden I got this massive headache," Finn said. "It felt like something was squeezing my head in a vice. But it has passed now, I'll be ok."

"Very well," Korr said. "But let me know if it comes back."

Finn nodded and followed the group down the ramp. Waiting for them at the edge of the platform was another group of hooded figures. Finn could not identify what species their welcoming party consisted of but he was sure one of them was not human. The cloaked figure at the fore of the group was roughly Finn's height but the hood covering the being's head looked like an upside-down triangle, and a pair of large green eyes peered out of the hood's shadow.

"Welcome to Coruscant Captain," the hooded figure said. "If you and your party would follow me, we shall get out of this beastly weather."

"That would be most welcome ma'am," Gibbs said.

The group quietly left the landing platform and entered a turbolift that was just large enough to fit everyone inside. Finn's stomach rose as the lift shot downward, and he had to close his eyes as the headache returned as the lift descended.

"Are you all right?" Korr asked, noticing Finn's distress.

"My head again."

"Do you require a visit to the medical facility?" the spokesbeing of the welcoming party asked.

"Just a headache," Finn said. "Thank you for your offer though."

The being nodded and then lowered their hood. Finn blinked as he recognized the being as an Arcona.

"Our meeting place is just down here," the Arcona said when the turbolift stopped and the doors opened.

Finn glanced around as the group walked down a dingy but well-lit corridor. He could tell that they were deep below the main surface of the planet, there were no viewports and there was an artificial taste in the air that usually meant that the air was constantly being scrubbed clean.

"Here we are," the Arcona said, stopping outside a slate gray door. "She will meet you inside."

Finn frowned but followed Korr into the room.

"Senator, it is good to see you again," Korr said, walking up to the middle-aged woman with blonde hair that was streaked with silver that was sitting at the head of a table.

"Korrie, good to see you as well," the woman said with a smile. "I figured that it would be you that Leia sent but who is your friend?"

"This is Finn," Korr said. "Finn, this is Okdol Vosh, Senator for Arkanis."

Finn froze at the introduction.

"Are you well Finn?" Vosh asked.

"You can't trust her!" Finn shouted.

"What are you talking about Finn?" Korr asked. "Of course we can, Senator Vosh has been one of our greatest allies, why wouldn't we trust her?"

"She is from Arkanis," Finn said. "General Hux was born on Arkanis."

"Hux?" Vosh asked. "Now that is a name I have not heard for some time. I recall there being a Commandant Brendol Hux, who was in command of the Arkanis Imperial Academy during the reign of the Empire. But he vanished after the fall of the Empire, and hasn't been heard of since. I assure you Finn, aside from our home world, there is nothing in common between myself and Brendol Hux."

"I am not talking about that Hux, I am talking about General Armitage Hux, the man who created the First Order's armed forces," Finn said.

"Ah, I do recall hearing rumors that Brendol had a son," Vosh said. "Are you saying that this Armitage is the son of Brendol, and is in command of the First Order's military?"

"Yes," Finn said.

"I see," Vosh said. "Please take a seat Finn, it seems that we have much more to talk about than just the threat of the First Order."

Finn looked hesitant but after a hand on his arm by Korr, Finn relaxed and sat down opposite Vosh.

"So Finn, please tell me as much as you can about the First Order," Vosh said.

"The First Order is if the Empire and Rebellion merged into one," Finn said. "High Command are true believers; they want to wipe out any resistance to their rule across the galaxy. They are all about order, and imposing that order, not matter what anyone else believes."

"I see," Vosh said. "You believe that the First Order is a mix of Empire and the Rebellion, what did you mean by that?"

"The First Order learned from the Galactic Civil War," Finn said. "Most of the High Command are survivors from the Empire, and they have learned from their mistakes during the Rebellion. They won't underestimate their enemy and will make sure their enemies have nothing left when they are done with them."

"So they are fanatics?" Vosh asked.

"Yes but not so fanatical that they could be easily tricked," Finn said. "General Hux, Supreme Commander Ren and the other members of High Command are smart enough to know their weaknesses, and their enemies' weaknesses."

"Do you really believe that the First Order could take down the New Republic?" Vosh asked.

"Easily," Finn said. "The First Order is not some fringe group of Imperial die-hards. They have been working to undermine the New Republic for years, as well as building up their own forces since the fall of the Empire. The First Order has agents all throughout the galaxy, providing intelligence on the New Republic, whether knowingly or not."

"How are you so well informed about the First Order?" Vosh asked. "A simple stormtrooper would not have access to such in-depth knowledge about their organization. So who are you really?"

"My company was usually tasked with protection and escort of various VIPs within the First Order," Finn said, "and as such, we were considered the tip of the blade, the best that the First Order offered, and were privy to more information. I was a squad leader in the company, and if you believed the scuttlebutt, I was in line for a promotion."

"I see," Vosh said, sitting back in her chair. "That would explain some things. I have seen the reports that Leia provided about your estimates of the First Order's military strength."

"If Finn's estimates are correct, the New Republic would have a difficult time against the First Order," Korr said.

"The First Order High Command, at least the rumors had it, believed that the New Republic wouldn't have the heart or stomach for a war," Finn said. "Especially when Chancellor Mothma announced the Military Disarmament Act. There were many cheers and celebrations among the First Order ranks when that news broke."

"I am sure there were," Gibbs grunted from behind Finn. "Never understood why Mothma pushed for that so heavily. I can understand not wanting to keep the size of the military at what the Empire had but to strip it down by 90% was ridiculous. Now we are completely unprepared for the threat of the First Order."

"You make a valid point Captain but Mon saw what two galaxy spanning wars could do to the people of the galaxy," Vosh countered. "She didn't want another war happening under her watch."

"Well, we are now facing another one," Korr said, "and one that I don't know if we can win because she hamstrung the Defense Forces of the New Republic."

"I don't disagree with what you both are saying," Vosh said heavily, "but what is done is done."

"So will you take us to the Security Council then?" Korr asked. "They need to be made aware of this threat so we can begin preparing."

"I will do all that I can," Vosh agreed. "Do you have a safe place to stay?"

"We do," Gibbs said, pushing off from the wall. "It is better if you do not know where we are staying in case anyone gets wind of our presence on the planet."

"You are correct Captain," Vosh said. "Here is my comm code so we can stay in contact."

"Thank you ma'am, we will be in touch."

"Do you think that the Security Council will listen to Finn?" Korr asked Gibbs when the group reached a Resistance safehouse.

"If they are smart, they will," Gibbs said, "but politicians very rarely do the smart thing, especially if that thing can be avoided by just ignoring the problem."

"Leia trusts Senator Vosh, that should be enough," Korr said. "Shouldn't it?"

D'Qar

Ileenium System

Sanbra Sector

"Good morning Rey," Ahsoka said as she noticed the young woman leaving her quarters.

"Oh good morning," Rey said. "What should I call you now that you'll be teaching me?"

"You can just call me Ahsoka," Ahsoka laughed. "Come along Rey, we should get some breakfast before we get started."

"But I thought you were going to tell me about the Jedi?" Rey asked.

"I will Rey but stories can wait until we both have a full stomach."

"Oh ok then."

Ahsoka chuckled as she and Rey made their way down the corridor toward the mess hall.

"Has there been any word from the team sent to Coruscant?" they heard Poe ask as they entered the mess hall.

"No Poe, nothing more than what we already know," Leia said. Both Ahsoka and Rey could hear the exasperation in Leia's voice. "We know they arrived on Coruscant and met with my contact but that is it Poe. We must be patient and have faith in our friends."

"I know," Poe said, his head in his hands. "I am just sick and tired of not being able to do anything."

"I know you are frustrated Poe," Leia said, "but if Finn's estimates of the First Order's strength are accurate, we need the New Republic's help, and for that we need allies. Oh, good morning Rey, Ahsoka. How are you both this morning?"

"Fine General," Rey said. "Good morning Poe."

"Morning Rey."

"Rey, you don't have to use a title with me," Leia said. "Just call me Leia."

"Yes ma'am."

Leia gave the young woman a warm smile. "I am glad you agreed to let Ahsoka teach you. There is no one better to train you than Ahsoka."

"Even better than Luke Skywalker?"

Leia's smile dimmed at the mention of her brother. "Luke would also be a fantastic teacher for you Rey," she said. "But for that, we first need to find him. Until then, learn all you can from Ahsoka."

"I didn't mean to…" Rey began but stopped when Leia reached over and put a hand on Rey's.

"It is fine Rey," Leia said. "I understand. My brother can cast a very broad shadow but Ahsoka was one of Luke's teachers, so I am sure that she will train you well."

Rey turned in awe toward Ahsoka. "You taught Luke Skywalker?"

"I assisted in Luke's training," Ahsoka said, "but so did several others."

"But how?" Rey asked. "The stories only ever speak of Master Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"The stories are never the full picture Rey," Ahsoka said. "If you believed only the stories, then the Empire was defeated by just Luke, Han and Leia."

"Oh that makes sense," Rey said. "So if you helped train Luke, does that mean you knew Master Yoda and Obi-Wan?"

"I did know them," Ahsoka said. "Master Yoda trained me when I was very young before the Republic fell, and I fought alongside Master Obi-Wan during the Clone Wars."

"Wow!" Rey whispered. "When can we start training then?"

"After breakfast," Ahsoka said with a smile. "If there was anything that my Master taught me it was this: never do anything on an empty stomach."

Just then Rey's stomach rumbled, causing everyone to laugh.

"Ahsoka, you said that you were taught by Master Yoda while you were young," Rey said, "does that mean you had other teachers?"

"Many other teachers," Ahsoka said. "In fact, my first Master was Anakin Skywalker, Luke and Leia's father."

"You were trained by their father?"

"The Force has a funny sense of humor sometimes," Ahsoka said. "I was trained by the father, and then trained the son."

"What was it like training under Anakin Skywalker?"

"It was never boring, that's for sure," Ahsoka said, looking up at the ceiling. "And I don't just mean that since it was the Clone Wars."

"What do you mean?"

"Anakin was a very liberal Jedi, I suppose," Ahsoka said. "He felt that we should have been doing more as Jedi during the war. He wanted to help as many people as he could, no matter if it went against orders or the Jedi Code."

"Sounds like he was a good person," Rey said.

"He was."

"Then how did he…"

"Turn into Darth Vader?" Rey nodded. "I suppose it was a combination of things. But most of the blame can be put at the feet of Palpatine. He manipulated Anakin from the moment they met, and in the end, he made Anakin give into his fear of losing another loved one. Anakin could never let go of someone he cared for, and that made him very susceptible to Palpatine."

"What do you mean?"

"Let's talk inside," Ahsoka said as they reached Ahsoka's quarters. The door slid open and the pair walked inside. Rey sat down at the small table while Ahsoka made a small pot of caf. She then poured out two cups and handed one to Rey.

"A Jedi is supposed to be the guardians of peace and justice," Ahsoka said. "But that comes with sacrifice."

"Sacrifice?"

"The life of a Jedi is one of duty," Ahsoka said. "Most Jedi are solitary beings, roaming the galaxy helping those in need. We very rarely stay in one place for very long."

"Sounds interesting actually," Rey said. "When I was younger, I told my parents that I wanted to travel all across the galaxy. Being a Jedi is a perfect way for me to see the galaxy."

"I like your enthusiasm Rey," Ahsoka said. "But a Jedi is not one who craves adventure but goes where the Force leads us."

"Oh."

"At least that's what I was taught at the Temple," Ahsoka said with a chuckle. "My Master was always on the move, and that's how I believe the Jedi are supposed to be. And Luke believed the same."

"He did?"

"Yes, Luke saw that the old Jedi Order and their rules about attachments weren't working, and decided to change some things up," Ahsoka said. "It was his love for his father that broke Anakin free of the Dark Side's hold. Everyone, including myself, Obi-Wan and Yoda, had given up on Anakin but Luke never did. It was Luke's love for his father, even in the face of all that Anakin had done as Vader, that brought Anakin back."

"You speak of Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader as two separate people?"

"I suppose I do," Ahsoka admitted. "The day the Republic fell was the same day that Anakin Skywalker died and became Darth Vader. It was easier to believe that Anakin had been killed rather than turning to the Dark Side. It wasn't until I fought Vader on Malachor that it truly dawned on me that Vader was Anakin."

"You fought against Darth Vader?"

Ahsoka nodded as her gaze turned distant. "I did," she said. "It was about five years before the Battle of Yavin. He had been chasing after one of the first Rebel cells, and caught up with us on Malachor. We ended up dueling in the ruins of this old temple."

"How did you beat Vader?"

"I didn't, he defeated me."

"But then how did you survive?"

"By an immense amount of luck and the help of my friends," Ahsoka said. "If there was one thing that duel taught me, it was this: no being, Jedi, Sith, or neither, is an army. It is always better to fight with friends."

Rey frowned. "I never had friends on Jakku," she said. "It is a very 'you are on your own' type of place."

"Well you are not on Jakku anymore," Ahsoka said. "I would say you have already made some friends in Poe and that ex-First Order stormtrooper."

"Finn," Rey said sharply. "His name is Finn."

Ahsoka chuckled at Rey's defense of Finn. "I wasn't speaking ill of young Finn," she said. "You and he are very much alike; you are both searching for your paths. But enough about that, why don't we start on some basic training exercises."

"Ok!" Rey said brightly. "What's first?"

"Meditation," Ahsoka said. "From what I can gather, you've used the Force in an unconscious way for most of your life."

"What do you mean?"

"From what Leia has said, you've had instances where you've followed your gut or instincts in sticky situations, and have gotten out of them," Ahsoka said. Rey nodded. "That is usually a sign of the Force speaking to you. And with a meditation, you'll learn to hear the Force more clearly."

"So how do I do that?" Rey asked.

"Sit down like I am," Ahsoka said, indicating her crossed legs. Rey quickly mirrored Ahsoka's posture. "Good, now close your eyes and breathe. Slowly, deeply. You must quiet your mind if you are to hear the Force."

The pair sat in silence for several minutes before a small smile appeared on Ahsoka's face, unseen by Rey, as Ahsoka felt Rey's agitation and frustration begin to grow.

"Calm yourself Rey," Ahsoka said. "A Jedi must remain calm and collected in all manner of situations, and they must control their emotions, not let their emotions control them."

"I'm trying, I just don't understand what I am supposed to be doing," Rey said.

"You are learning to quiet your mind Rey," Ahsoka said. "Learning to touch and listen to the Force is something that all Jedi must know how to do at a moment's notice."

"I get why I'm doing this but I don't know how too," Rey said. "I am trying to…"

"Don't try," Ahsoka said. "There is no try when it comes to being a Jedi, you either do or you do not."

"Huh."

Ahsoka laughed. "I had that exact same expression when Master Yoda first told us that," she said. "It's something that took me quite a while to learn as well. I can't tell you how to achieve this Rey, it is something you must learn on your own."

"Ok," Rey said. She closed her eyes once again and took a deep breath. Ahsoka's smile grew as she felt the Force begin to swirl around the young girl. Several items that lined the shelves begin to wobble and slowly lift up into the air.

Rey felt…something reach out to her, it felt like she was being surrounded by a gentle warmth, like she was being welcomed home. But suddenly that warmth was stolen away by a biting cold. Rey's eyes flew open as she screamed and scrambled to her feet. The items that had been floating crashed to the floor all around them, adding to the noise.

"Rey!" Ahsoka cried as she got to her feet and approached the frightened looking girl.

"Stay away!" Rey shouted as she scrambled backward into the corner of the room.

Ahsoka stopped moving, feeling the fear radiating off of Rey. "Ok Rey, ok," she said. "I am going to stay right here. What happened? You were doing so well."

"I don't know," Rey said. "At first I felt this warmth surround me. It felt really good and welcoming but then there came this cold feeling, a cold I have only felt once before."

"When?" Ahsoka asked.

"It was right before I met Finn and Poe," Rey said. "I was asleep when suddenly I felt this immense cold feeling fall over me, there were screams and it felt like something was trying to pull me down."

Ahsoka frowned as she sat down at the table. "It sounds like you felt the Dark Side," she said. "I have heard of Jedi feeling tragic events from across the galaxy in some cases. I know Obi-Wan felt the destruction of Alderaan while in hyperspace, Master Yoda, Obi-Wan and myself all felt what was happening during the Purge, so it is possible you felt another event caused by the Dark Side."

"What was it?"

"I'm not sure," Ahsoka said. "I don't recall feeling anything on that night but that doesn't mean much. Luke said he didn't feel the destruction of Alderaan, so it depends on the Force-user."

"Is it always like that?" Rey asked.

"The Dark Side?" Rey nodded. "For most, yes, the Dark Side will feel cold and wrong."

"I don't want to ever feel that again," Rey shivered. "It felt like I couldn't breathe, my arms and legs wouldn't work and I couldn't move at all."

"Feeling the Dark Side will always be something that Jedi must deal with," Ahsoka said. "It is a constant battle for many. Very few Jedi go through their lives without feeling the temptation of the Dark Side at least once, most face a constant temptation."

"Why?"

"To borrow a human turn of phrase, Jedi are only human," Ahsoka said. "We can still make mistakes, and because of our abilities, those mistakes can have grave consequences for those around us." Rey swallowed audibly. "Don't worry Rey, mistakes are how one grows. Never believe someone who says they have never made a mistake in their lives."

Rey nodded.

"Good," Ahsoka said. "Now, let us start again with your meditation training."

Coruscant

Coruscant System

Corusca System

Core

"Welcome Captain Gibbs, it has been quite some time since you were last in these halls," a smug sounding voice said as the group entered a large conference room.

"Indeed Chief of State," Gibbs answered gruffly.

Finn looked around the room, seeing that the five seats at the front of the room were occupied by five different beings. Finn recognized all of the beings from intelligence reports provided during his training by the First Order. The Bothan sitting in the middle of the five was Borsk Fey'lya, the New Republic's Chief of State. The Bothan had replaced Mon Mothma as Chief of State when the Senator from Chandrila retired from public service nearly a decade ago, and with Borsk's term about to end, according to First Order Intelligence, the Bothan would do just about anything to remain in power.

To Borsk's far right was the Senator from Dac, Sirrull Pegruk. The Mon Calamari Senator was one of the longest serving Senators for the New Republic, having taken office a year after the signing of the Galactic Concordance. He was a staunch supporter of the New Republic, and one of the biggest proponents of a larger military for the New Republic.

Next to Sirrull was the human Senator from Fondor, Fincon Botfarr. The older man looked like a military recruiter's dream; tall with a chiseled face and sharp blue eyes. Botfarr had been a member of the Imperial military after the fall of the Republic, worked his way up to becoming the captain of a Star Destroyer before defecting to the Rebellion after Alderaan.

On Fey'lya's left was the Senator from Kuat, Juhen Gloregel, an older human woman with steely hair and sharp dark eyes. Kuat was the home of Kuat Drive Yards, which had flourished under the Empire with the planet's massive shipyards churning out Star Destroyers and other massive capital ships for the Imperial Navy. When the New Republic reduced their central military, moving responsibilities to the systems rather than the central government, Kuat Drive Yards' profits took a large hit but Botfarr was able to minimize the losses by offering contracts to various smaller star systems so that Kuat Drive Yards would provide ships to those systems. And the Senator used that business savvy to work her way up in the New Republic Senate to a seat on the Security Council.

And the final member of the Security Council was the human Senator from Coruscant, Vindon Gorijink. The Senator of Coruscant was the only permanent position on the Security Council aside from the Chief of State, due to Coruscant's importance in the galaxy. Gorijink had been in charge of one of the largest Rebellion cells on Coruscant during the Galactic Civil War, and had maneuvered that history into the Senate seat for Coruscant.

"So who have you brought before us Senator Vosh?" Fey'lya asked. "And be quick about it, we have much to discuss."

"There is a great threat out there that the Republic has been ignoring for years now," Okdol said. "And if we continue to ignore it, that threat will destroy us."

"And what threat would that be?" Fey'lya asked.

"The First Order."

"Excuse me Senator, you cannot possibly believe that a small splinter group of a destroyed Empire could possibly have become strong enough to challenge us?" Senator Botfarr scoffed.

"You have been listening to Organa-Solo too much Senator," Fey'lya chuckled.

"Or perhaps, you haven't been listening enough Chief," Vosh shot back. "We have evidence that the First Order has been building up their forces in secret and are preparing to launch an attack on the Republic."

"And what is your evidence?" Fey'lya asked, his ears flat against his head.

"This is Finn," Vosh said, gesturing for Finn to step forward. "He is a former member of the First Order who has defected when he witnessed another atrocity committed by the First Order."

"A defector?" the Senator from Kuat, Juhen Gloregel, asked. "How can we trust the word of this Finn?"

"Let him speak before we decide anything," the gravelly voice of Senator Pegruk cut in. "Tell us what you know son."

"Thank you Senator," Finn said. He took a deep breath and began. The room was silent as Finn spoke about his conscription into the First Order, his training into a stormtrooper, the missions he and his former comrades took in the name of the First Order and finally about the attack on Jakku. He then began talking of the First Order's strength, who and what he knew about the High Command, and finally what the First Order's true goal was: the complete destruction of the New Republic.

"And that's everything Senators," Finn said.

"An interesting presentation," Fey'lya said, leaning back in his chair.

"It is more than just a presentation Chief Fey'lya," Vosh said. "This presents a very real and valid threat to the New Republic. If Finn's estimates are accurate, the First Order has a strong enough force to fight our own on even terms."

"If Finn's estimate is accurate," Fey'lya said, "that is the key, is it not Senator Vosh? How can we be sure that these numbers are accurate?"

"Can we take the risk if he is correct and we do nothing?" Pegruk argued. "If this report is correct, and we do nothing, it could spell the end of the Republic."

"Come now Sirrull, you can't possibly believe this," Senator Gloregel said. "The First Order is nothing more than a small group of upstarts trying to stir up trouble in the Outer Rim, nothing more than that."

"Wasn't the Rebellion just a small group of upstarts trying to stir up trouble in the Outer Rim at one point?" Vosh spoke up, causing the Senators to look up. "Senators, Chief Fey'lya, you must take this intelligence and report seriously or it might be…"

Suddenly the doors burst open as alarms started blaring all around them.

"Senators, Chief Fey'lya!" an aide shouted.

"What is going on out there?" Fey'lya cried.

"Chief, ships! Dozens of ships have just appeared above the planet," the aide said, trying to catch his breath.

"Calm down lieutenant, ships appear over Coruscant by the dozens every hour," Senator Botfarr said.

"These ships are Star Destroyers!"

"Star Destroyers?" Fey'lya asked.

"It's the First Order!" Finn shouted.

"We are too late," Vosh said.

A/N: There you go, the newest chapter in my Star Wars sequel rewrite. Somewhat of a filler chapter but also this is where we really start moving away from The Force Awakens story line. Hopefully you all enjoy it, and hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and are staying safe with everything going on. Hopefully we are now reaching the home stretch.

Til Next time,

SlyNinjaKnight