Epilogue

by blueenvelopes

After the Battle of Exogol, an old iconoclast emerges from exile. Fearing history will repeat itself, perpetuating the Jedi and the Sith, he takes matters into his own hands. He finds the lonely scavenger girl with amazing Force in the Tatooine desert and promises, "I can raise the dead." It's an offer he will not let Rey of Jakku refuse.

25. Chapter 25

"Rey!" Finn gets her attention from down the hallway. Her friend leaves his huddle of staffers to come rushing up, his handsome dark face beaming a wide, white smile full of natural charisma. It's no wonder how this ex-stormtrooper quickly became a universally admired leader. General Finn is very easy to like.

"I got a message that you were back. Come here and hug me, Jedi," he playfully commands.

Rey complies, laughing a little self-consciously at their public bear hug. For closeness, as always, makes her a little nervous. The onlookers don't help.

Finn pulls back and starts firing off questions. "You told us you didn't want to kill Ren. What made you change your mind?"

She knew this point would come up. Rey sheepishly mumbles her prepared answer. "I guess I thought a lot about what you said . . . and about what Poe said . . . and about how much everyone was counting on me . . . " That's all technically true. She's trying hard not to lie to Finn of all people. "So, I decided to do something about it. I felt that I was letting people down by remaining on Jakku. I guess I have let people down . . . " Her voice trails off.

"Did Poe say that?" Finn bristles on her behalf. "Because if he did, I'm going to have a talk with him—"

"It's fine. His debriefing was just a little—"

"A little Poe?"

"Yeah. I guess that's the word."

Poe had been annoyed with her. He didn't come out and say it, but Rey has the strong impression that Poe blames her unauthorized and ill-fated assassination attempt for provoking the ultimatum from Kylo

Ren. Like Ben plotted, the ultimatum laid bare the latent divisions among the Core systems. Those tensions are at the surface now, meaning Poe and the Chancellor have a delicate balancing act to keep their various systems' interests aligned against the First Order. Like a true Sith Apprentice, Ben played the situation masterfully to his advantage.

Finn's face is the picture of concern. "I'm so glad you're okay. Are you okay? Like really okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

"You're sure? You looked so bad on camera. All that blood . . . Oh, Rey, you had us worried."

"I'm fully healed," she quickly reassures.

"The First Order healed you?"

"No. Ren himself healed me with the Force."

"He can do that? The Force can do that?" Finn squints his disbelief.

"Yes."

"Oh. Huh. So, he brought you back to life on Exogol and now he healed you as well?"

"Yes."

"Damn, that guy is freaking magical, isn't he?" General Finn shakes his head in miffed disbelief. Then, he concedes, "I suppose this means you're right and he really doesn't want to kill you."

Rey averts her eyes and chooses her words carefully. "He likes me, I guess . . . "

"No, he doesn't! Don't be fooled. He wants something from you." Finn is smart and very little gets past him. He knows there is more to the story she's not telling him. "Ren's manipulating you. I bet he wants an Apprentice."

"It's not that."

"Then what is it? Wait—what aren't you telling me?" Finn is concerned anew, his eyes searching her face as his brow furrows. When she doesn't immediately answer, he guesses. "You didn't go there to kill him, did you?"

Actually, she did. That part, at least, is true. "Finn—"

"Tell me the truth—are you still trying to turn him? Because he won't be turned. Rey, you can't save him!"

She sighs and admits to that impulse. "I know that now. I can't defeat him and I can't turn him." There will be no redemption for Kylo Ren. Not in the way that she and his family once envisioned. The salvation for that thoroughly problematic man will be his obsession with balance. That's the only way the brooding Dark villain Kylo Ren becomes the iconoclast Skywalker hero the galaxy needs. Ben knows it, and she knows it. It's why she has joined him.

But Finn's not ready to hear that news. Rey keeps up her charade. "I can't turn him and I can't kill him."

"Yes, and if he can resurrect himself and now I guess even heal himself with the Force, then none of the rest of us can kill him either," Finn reasons. "Not permanently, anyway. That issue more than anything is what convinced Poe that we need to talk with Ren."

"Yeah?" Rey's ears perk up.

"There were signs of some of our major systems breaking ranks, as well. Everyone was worried that those were the cracks in the dam that would eventually cause it to burst. But I think Poe also finally understands that if we can't kill Ren, we need manage him. We can't keep sending you and others to be slaughtered."

Rey looks to her friend and volunteers softly, "I'm glad you're not still trying to kill him yourself."

"If you can't do it, I can't do it. I realize that," Finn confesses a little sheepishly. "Especially untrained."

"Do you think peace is possible?" Even Rey can hear the hopeful note in her voice.

Finn is clearly unconvinced despite his earlier reasoning. "I don't know . . . I don't know how I feel about us abandoning half the galaxy to the First Order. That feels like failure and a bit of a betrayal." As a former stormtrooper raised as a child soldier, Finn feels especially strongly about liberating the Rim.

"What does Poe think?" Rey fishes.

Finn leans in to speak under his breath, aware of their witnesses. "Behind closed doors, Poe's terrified of Ren's threat to invade the Core. We all are. You should hear what the local systems are telling us. There is a lot of fear, Rey, and for good reason. Giving Ren the Rim . . . keeping him occupied in the Rim . . . well, it seems like a pragmatic choice under the circumstances."

She immediately concurs. "I think peace is always a good choice. Peace for some is better than peace for none."

"Only if it's a peace we can live with. We're not just going to roll over," Finn huffs. Then he divulges, "Poe's got a whole team assembled drawing up our positions."

"Already?" Rey blinks. "That was fast."

"We're getting a lot of pressure to get a proposal over to the First Order as soon as possible. The thinking is that if we don't get a deal fast, we won't get one at all. We'll miss our chance. And then, the First Order will be rolling tanks through the streets of Coruscant."

That's exactly what Ben does not want to do, but Rey can't let on. So, she replies, "I see. How can I help?"

She gets a brushoff. "The politics to this is tricky. Rey, you just keep on with your training and we'll take it from here."

Her eyes narrow. Has she just been relegated to the sidelines? "I really want to help."

"I know. But Poe has a team together and they're already working."

"So, I'm joining late . . . what's the big deal?" At most, she's a day late. She left Ben's ship a mere three days ago.

Finn hems and haws. "Rey, I'm not even on the team."

"You're not? Then, who is?"

"It's mostly high-level staffers. It's a full-time job and I can't take my eyes off the war. Until we have a ceasefire agreement, I have to focus on the enemy. This could all be a ruse to get us to lower our guard," Finn worries.

Rey knows otherwise, but she plays dumb. "That makes sense. Well," she angles, "even if you aren't on the team, you can get me on."

"Rey—"

She overrides her friend. "Look, I know Ren better than anyone on our side. I can talk to him," she presses.

Finn shoots her a look. "I'm not sure we want you talking to him. I think you should stay away from that guy. I don't like how he manipulates you. I don't like how you keep thinking of him as a lost soul to save and not an enemy to beat."

"But he'll listen to me."

"Deciding not to kill you and listening to you are not the same. Besides, I doubt Ren will even be on their delegation. He'll send others on his behalf so that they can use his distance in their negotiating tactics. The Chancellor's doing the same thing."

Rey refuses to relent. She's determined to get on the negotiating team. "Finn, if there ever was a role for a Jedi, this is it. Peacekeeping was the Jedi Order's primary purpose."

"We're not keeping peace, we're making peace. Those are two different things. Let the lawyers and the political types handle this. You and I should stay on the sidelines with the rest of the military."

"I'm not military," she protests.

"Everyone thinks you are. The whole galaxy thinks you're an assassin we sent to kill Ren. How would it look to put you on the negotiating team? We won't look credible at all," Finn complains.

Rey says it plainly now: "I want on that negotiating team."

Finn throws up his hands and sighs. "Look, I'm not the one to convince. Poe and the Chancellor are."

"Will you support me to them?"

"Yeah, yeah, I will, I guess . . . " Finn surrenders to her persistence. He flashes a sheepish, cajoled smile. "Rey, you know I'll always support you in what you want to do."

"Thanks, Finn. That means a lot," she smiles. It could do the trick, too. Finn has a lot of pull in the Republic hierarchy.

But her friend now waves a finger in front of her nose. "I said I would support you, not that I can make this happen. Don't get your hopes up."

"I understand. Thanks, Finn."

A staffer now approaches to discretely remind the General that he's late to their upcoming meeting. Finn's a busy guy and he is perpetually overscheduled.

"You go. We'll catch up later," Rey assures him.

Finn nods. "Yeah, okay. You can tell me the whole story of what happened with Ren. I think you're right that you might have some insight into how he thinks."

"Get me on that negotiating team," Rey urges again.

"Yeah, yeah, I heard you the first time, scavenger," Finn teases. Then he and his entourage troop down the hall to wherever they are going.

Rey herself has no particular place to be. So, she wanders over to where the Chancellor and those planning the upcoming Senate elections have temporary office space. Rey has a small office there to call her very own. She rarely spends any time in it. She's not the desk job type. But she plops down, shuts the door, and props her chin on her fist as she begins to wonder what to do next. And that's when the Force bond opens.

She smiles. This is a welcome distraction. "Hello."

Ben dispenses with the pleasantries. He gets right to his complaint. "Your name is not on the list of negotiators the Republic sent over."

He's stressed, she sees. Anxiety shows in his face, in his tone, and through the bond. Looking at his surroundings, she perceives Ben is in a public setting. It looks like he's standing on the bridge of The Resurgence. That means there won't be any personal talk between them. This conversation will be all business.

Sure enough, Ben hisses, "Why not?" He's all glowering petulance. Clearly, he worries that his plan to use her as a spy has gone awry before it's even begun.

Rey explains, "Poe had already assembled his team by the time I got back."

"Get on that team."

"I'm trying."

"Try harder," Ben growls.

Rey shoots him a look of frustration. Does he not understand how things work in the Republic? "I'm not you. I'm not in charge," she grumbles. "I don't walk in a room and start to talk and everyone pays attention and does what I ask."

"You got my attention pretty easily."

"Because I waved a sword under your nose."

"True," Ben concedes with the ghost of a smirk tugging at his lips. "What's the problem?"

The problem mostly is her. Finn won't come out and say it, but Rey knows it any way. "Poe and the rest see me as a weapon mostly," she sighs. "In their view, the Jedi are warriors. And since I've tried to kill you three times and failed, I'm sort of irrelevant to many people here now."

"That's ridiculous," Ben retorts. Then, he thunders, "That's outrageous and unfair!"

Rey screws up her face, uncomfortable to admit to her insecurities. But here goes. "Would you listen to an uneducated scavenger?"

He frowns. "You're more than that."

"Because I have the Force?"

"Yes and because of your experience."

"As a mechanic?"

"No—as a negotiator and a hero of the Republic. Only you and the traitor have gone toe-to-toe with me," Ben reasons.

"I've asked Finn to get me on the delegation. He's my best hope."

"Got him wrapped around your finger?"

Rey looks up sharply at the ugly edge to Ben's tone. His testy mood seems to be getting worse.

She scowls across the bond at him. "Finn's a friend. I need friends."

"You need to get on that negotiating team. Assert yourself."

Ben's commanding her like he commands his people. She shoots him a quelling look. "I'm trying. Give me time."

"Assert yourself. Don't let those people intimidate you."

"They don't. It just that I'm sure they want someone with experience and credentials." Not a graduate of the scavenger school of hard knocks.

"Negotiation kept you alive on Jakku," Ben points out.

"I reminded Finn of that . . . "

"Don't take no for an answer. The Jedi were relentless. You be relentless too. Make Uncle Luke proud," he sneers.

"I'm working on it," Rey grinds out, getting a bit peevish herself. "Give me time." She feels just as strongly as Ben does about her participation in the peace process. He must sense it through the bond because he relents.

And now, they are staring at one another from lightyears apart. Both feeling frustrated and a bit let down. Ben pulled off quite a feat by getting the Republic to the table to talk peace. The euphoria of that bold ultimatum combined with the breakthrough in their personal relationship had Rey on an all-time high. But it faded fast when she arrived home to a polite but dismissive Poe who was genuinely glad she was alive but distracted by having been very effectively maneuvered by Kylo Ren. Next, the Chancellor refused her request for an audience, sending a junior staff member to deal with her instead. Even Finn seems to think that she has no role in the peace process. And so, Rey finds herself safely back at the Republic, publicly heralded a heroine but privately shunted aside from the pressing business at hand. No one has time for her ideas or opinions.

The Supreme Leader of the First Order listens to her, but no one else does. Rey is glum about it, but not surprised. She's never been in Poe's inner circle and she consciously kept herself apart from Finn's regular military. She was trying to keep the Jedi Order she represents independent of politics, rank, and power brokering. But in this instance, it leaves her without influence. Rey is uncomfortably aware that her past reticence to be a team player has effectively sidelined her now.

Where does she belong? She definitely doesn't belong at the First Order. But does she belong here at the Republic? Not entirely. She's already lying again to Finn, Poe, and the others. Rey had trouble handling all the deception before when the two sides were at war. But at least this latest deception has a noble purpose of peace for the pursuit of balance. And since balance is the only way to defeat Darth Sidious, Rey tells herself that what she's doing is in everyone's best interest long term. It's not that she's condoning her lies, but that she has rationalized them under the circumstances.

The only setting where she can truly be herself—doubts, fears, scars, and all—is with Ben. With him, she needs no pretense and she eschews all deceit. It has her missing him, and missing their authenticity. For whether they are kissing or crossing swords, she and Ben are honest in their feelings. The bond won't have it any other way.

In fact, Ben is in her thoughts right now. His long face softens. "The Republic doesn't appreciate what it means to be you . . . they never have and they never will . . ."

"I'll handle it," she assures him, preempting Ben's next round of grousing.

She changes the topic. "I watched your speech on the flight home. It was good. People here hated it, of course. But it was good . . . really good." Ben's terse address to his supporters announcing the peace process was a masterpiece of optimism and grievance. Somehow, he managed to be righteous about a ceasefire while maintaining his posture of aggression. It was classic Kylo Ren.

"You're very positive for a fascist," she observes, "and you talk a lot about freedom and liberation for a Sith."

Ben nods. "I'm not a proper Sith any more than you are a proper Jedi. Neither of us would pass a purity test for the Force."

"I know." Only she gets to see the streak of Light in this Dark Lord. But now that she sees it, she can't unsee it. And she sees it more and more. How could she have been so blind to the rampant conflict in this man? She realizes now that when Ben refused to call off the attack at Crait, he wasn't choosing Darkness. He was choosing balance, but for that he felt he had to wipe the slate clean. It might have worked had Darth Sidious not resurfaced and Exogol occurred.

"The Force isn't really the issue," Ben tells her, reading her mind effortlessly through their connection. "Force users—even powerful Force users—can only accomplish so much with their power, whether Dark Side or Light Side." Ben muses on—by now, she knows that the only thing that gets him talking at length is the Force. How this man loves his Force. "The issues of our time are mostly about people's choices. They are the work of the freewill of beings everywhere, not the Force acting unilaterally. That's why you and I can only do so much on our own. We are agents of change, but we cannot bring peace by ourselves. We need everyone else to buy into it as well."

Rey cocks her head at these words, reminded of her old mentor. Ben won't want to hear it, but she says it anyway. "You sound like your mother. She was very skeptical of the Force mixing with politics."

The comment provokes the rush of confused emotion that talk of Ben's family always elicits. Through the bond, she senses Ben brush it off. He shrugs with indifference she knows is feigned. "My mother feared a repeat of Sheev Palpatine. Leia Organa believed in free will. It's why she championed democracy. She saw it as a higher calling and a greater god than the Force. For her, the state trumped the church."

"And for you?"

"Church and state must be aligned. No government that sets itself against the will of the Force can succeed in the long term."

"What will that mean for the Rim?" Rey presses. "Tell me you won't be the Dark Side tyrant everyone fears you will be."

Ben meets her eyes across the bond. "I will bring order, and that means I will keep control in ways the Republic won't like. But we have our own ways of doing things here in the Rim. We will handle matters as we see fit."

She warns, "You know that statements like that sound very ominous to our ears."

Indignant Ben doesn't care. "This peace is about letting us determine our values and our future, not bureaucrats on Coruscant or Hosnia."

"Say it like that. Talk in terms of self-determination and freedom because that will go down much easier with us. Tone and language matter."

He nods. "Point taken."

Rey looks away and twists her lips. "I really want this to work. If I can't get on the negotiating team, maybe I can still influence things. I'm not giving up. This is too important . . . for us and for everyone . . " She swallows back the lump that has suddenly appeared in her throat. She's so invested in Ben and in his bold machinations for peace. Committed in ways that scare her a little. But this feels right. They feel right. And she must do what she feels is right, even if her friends might not understand.

The bond is open and Ben is in her thoughts. He steps forward, eyes intense as he stares into hers. His voice is between her ears, but it's as husky as a whisper across a shared pillow. "You don't know how long I have wanted to hear you say that. From the first time I met you, I knew we needed to join sides."

Rey smiles wryly at the memory of their Starkiller Base battle that feels like ten years ago now. "I remember you swinging a sword at me even as you offered to teach me."

Ben nods earnestly. "I was certain that you were sent to me by the Force. That when you resisted me in interrogation, it was the Force showing me that you were a peer. You hadn't found Luke yet, so I hoped he hadn't poisoned your mind with his training."

Too late. Rey had already gorged herself on romantic tales of Rebel heroes and Jedi martyrs growing up. It's what made Luke Skywalker such a great disappointment. Only now does Rey appreciate what a no-win situation Luke was in.

"Having an open mind is one of the hardest things to achieve, I'm learning . . . "

Ben steps closer still. He's close enough to touch were this real life and not the bond. How she wishes Ben were actually here to touch and to kiss. But instead, he's standing on the bridge of his enemy flagship.

Ben is his usual melancholy mix of loss and anger as he remembers his uncle. "Luke used to say that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on your point of view. He was right."

She nods and breathes out, "It's a big galaxy out there . . . "

"Yes, and we don't all have to think and act the same. The Republic needs to be reminded of that. Their liberal orthodoxy can be a bit tyrannical in itself."

"That's not fair—"

"It is. The Republic tolerates all sorts of forms of government on the local system level. My grandmother was a child queen of Naboo following an old custom that persists today. My mother was next in line to a hereditary matrilineal throne on Alderaan. Those weren't democracies, Rey, and yet the Old Republic was fine with it. So why, all of a sudden, is what I'm doing in the Rim so unacceptable?"

Oh, come on. "You know why—it's because Alderaan and Naboo were peaceful and they had no ties to the Sith."

"All I'm saying is that this constant harping on democracy is inconsistent with the many non-democratic system governments that exist in perfect harmony with the Republic."

"That's at the system level."

"Yes. But the point is the same: the Republic tolerates all sorts of diversity locally so long as they can wash a veneer of democracy over it with their Senate. It makes all their grandstanding about disenfranchising the Rim a bit much."

Ben has a point. Rey nods. "Okay, keep going. I'm going to need these arguments on your behalf."

He obliges. "Democracy is one form of government among many. It's an alternative, not a necessity, and it's far from the superior choice in many instances."

She gives the counter argument. "Democracy isn't perfect. But it's the freest, fairest form of government there is."

"Maybe for the Core, but not out here in the Rim. All we want is to peacefully coexist as separate states."

"The peaceful part is going to take some work," she tells him plainly. "Everyone fears you are taking half the galaxy now, and planning to take the rest later. There are those here who think making peace with you is striking a bargain with the devil."

Ben crosses his arms. "I'm not crippling our military to get the Republic comfortable to sleep at night."

"Well, that could be a problem . . . "

Ben smiles at her grumbling. He now resumes his original instruction. "Get yourself on that negotiating team. I need you on the inside to know what they're thinking . . . what their fallback positions and tradeoffs will be . . . "

"I will, if I can. I have Finn arguing for me."

"I guess we'll see how devoted the traitor truly is," Ben smirks.

As if on cue, Finn arrives to knock on her door. Rey knows he's coming, thanks to the Force.

As she waves open the door, Ben sees Finn, but Finn can't see Ben.

"Hey, my lunch meeting just got cancelled," her friend announces. "Got some time for me? Let's grab a bite and you can tell me all the reasons you should be on the negotiating team. I'm giving a private briefing to Poe and the Chancellor later today. You can tell me how best to argue your case."

Rey beams back at him. "Sure, this is perfect timing."

Through the bond, she sees Ben nod his ascent. He glowers at Finn. But she ignores it, turning her back on Ben in the bond as she leaves.

Whatever Finn tells Poe, it works. The political context helps as well. Rey learns that everyone wants on the negotiating team, including numerous experienced military and political staffers and policy advisors far more qualified than she. Poe wants to keep the team small for efficiency. He also wants to balance the various factions within the Republic constituent systems. That means, for example, that Chandrila wants someone from their world on the team and so does Corellia and every other major Core system. Where does that leave Rey from Jakku? Completely off the list. Except Rey's inclusion provides the easy excuse to turn everyone else down without showing any favoritism. Poe justifies the decision because she's the Jedi advisor to the Senate and a war hero. But just to be certain to keep the team small, Rey isn't even an official member of the team. She is deemed a 'Jedi Observer' without status to fully participate in the peace process.

It's the best she will get, Finn tells her.

Rey immediately accepts. Jedi Observer status isn't perfect, but it's good enough. She's going to take this opportunity and run with it.

The next morning, Rey presents herself to join the negotiating team. On the walk over, she reminds herself that if she can take on Darth Sidious alone, she can handle a room full of know-it-all strivers with advanced degrees. Assert yourself. She even quietly says Ben's words aloud as she hovers stalling by the meeting room entrance. "Assert yourself." A peek in the open door shows people milling about a large conference table. It's a few faces she recognizes, but many she does not. She will be the youngest person in the room by at least a decade, maybe more, she estimates. But with a deep breath, Rey stands tall and walks in, telling herself she belongs.

The chairman of the proceedings, a senior member of Poe's staff, nods politely at her arrival. With a glance around the room and a quick headcount, he announces that they are all present. The chairman asks everyone to take a seat. Next, he calls the meeting to order and asks everyone to pull up the preliminary draft proposal loaded onto the datapads provided at everyone's places. He's about to launch into the nitty gritty of the ceasefire terms.

That's when Rey speaks up. Assert yourself. She's not a formal member of the team, she's merely an observer. She's only here thanks to her special Jedi status. It's because no one respects her opinion, but they respect her power. Time to lean into that power, she decides.

"Chairman," Rey interrupts in her best firm Basic she used with Unkar Plutt.

"Yes?"

"Let us begin our work with a prayer to the Force."

The chairman looks slightly taken aback and perhaps a little annoyed. He, like most everyone in the room, pays lip service to the state religion. But he can't refuse without showing disrespect. He's fine to go through the motions of some ceremonial genuflecting.

"Yes. By all means. Go ahead."

Assert yourself. This is her chance to explain why she's here and what perspective she brings. She's not a rubber stamp for the Chancellor or a concurring opinion for Poe Dameron. She's here for balance. It's why she's in a treasonous conspiracy with Kylo Ren. It's why Leia Organa and Luke Skywalker had to die for the galaxy to move forward. It's the only path to lasting peace under which all will have the chance to prosper. It's worth fighting and dying for, but hopefully it won't come to that. What they do in this room today can prevent more war, Rey firmly believes.

But a prayer? She has put herself on the spot. All eyes are on her expectantly. She fears sounding trite or hokey. Speeches are not her thing.

Ben would have the right words for this moment. He defaults to terse aggression with a sarcastic edge, except when speaking of the Force. That's when the dreamy, soft, and vulnerable side of Leader Ren is revealed. It's a vestige of the long-ago Jedi Padawan who represents an innocence lost. Still, some of that earnest altruism stubbornly remains as a spark of Light Snoke couldn't drive away from his Apprentice. It's what makes Ben Solo a Skywalker, and not merely another son of Darkness with the title Darth.

But she's the one on the hot seat now. Gathering her thoughts, Rey strives to speak concisely but from the heart. Intoning her words in a mimic to old Darth Plagueis' gravitas, she tries to choose language that is lofty and important sounding.

"We gather together today to do the work of the Force. To seek unity amid dissent, to grant forgiveness where there has been harm, and to seek peace during a time of war. May we find the courage to compromise and the strength to trust, lest the galaxy continue to be consumed by further division and death. Help us to strike a balance in which no side dominates and which all can accept. And, in all things, may the Force be with us . . . with all of us, including our enemies in the First Order who we now seek to make friends."

That's it. How was that? Rey can't tell. She gets a few curious looks, but most people are already moving on to the business at hand.

The chairman makes no editorial comment. "Thank you, Rey. Now, if you will all turn to your datapads, I'd like to begin with the disarmament provisions."

As the meeting begins in earnest, Rey sits and listens. Her comments are not invited, for there are plenty of opinions voiced. Still, this will work, she decides, as the discussion drags on. She is privy to the debate, but not part of it. She's not an advocate for details she's probably unqualified to opine on anyway. Instead, she will be a spokesman for balance and tolerance, a check on the defensive tone of payback and fear that at times permeates the discussion.

Rey speaks sparingly and it is usually as the devil's advocate. She asks 'would we accept that proposal were it sent to us?' a time or two when things have become bombastic. She questions some loaded language she feels is needlessly incendiary. She argues for a more evenhanded approach whenever possible. When the meeting concludes eight hours later, Rey has said the least of anyone in the room. But everything she has said is to promote moderation.

As everyone files out of the room, Rey heads to compose a new and better prayer to begin tomorrow's session. This time, she plans to be prepared. But as she walks out alongside one of the economic experts on the team, Rey takes the opportunity to put in a quick pitch for trade policies that will promote a living wage for Rim laborers.

The woman looks at Rey quizzically, as if perhaps she has misunderstood. "Our goal is to protect a low-cost supply of consumer goods to our people. That protects the Core's standard of living."

"Yes," Rey agrees. "But we also want policies that are humane. And we want to discourage illegal slave labor and brokered indentured servitude. You know that still exists in the Rim. It depresses opportunities and wages for everyone." Rey knows firsthand what it is like to compete with droids and enslaved persons for work.

"Why is that our problem?" the woman asks. It's a serious question posed with a straight face. "I represent the interests of our systems," she informs Rey. "My allegiance is to the Republic . . . to democracy. Let the First Order advocate for themselves."

From this matter of fact bitterness, Rey can see that the initial peace proposal will likely be very one-sided. It's a mistake, she believes. So, she counters, "Peace requires an agreement everyone can live with. We need a deal in which both sides succeed."

"Do we?" the woman asks. "Do we want the First Order to succeed in the Rim? When did that become our goal? I'd be happy to see Ren's New Empire collapse under the weight of his tyranny."

Before Rey can reply, the woman's attention is requested by the chairman. He wants to go over more edits to the trade provisions. The woman excuses herself and the conversation ends. Rey is left with a new understanding of just how hard peace will be. The galaxy is yet again at a perilous crossroads with itself. Who are the good guys? Who are the bad guys? Well, that depends entirely on your point of view. It can be hard to tell objectively because neither side's motives are entirely pure.

Ben is right, she thinks, the Force isn't really the issue. She and Ben might have made peace together, but there is still a long way to go. Rey now mutters her own private prayer under her breath. Be with me. She wants the Force to be with her. She wants the great Jedis of the past to be with her in spirit. She'll even take some support from any late great Sith Lords who honor her goals. She needs all the help she can get to achieve peace and hopefully someday balance. Because right now, she's feeling especially discouraged.