After the Battle

On the way back there was a subdued mood onboard the Aquarius. Nomi stared out of the viewport where the streaks of hyperspace were passing by. Corran knew from experience that it wouldn't make much sense to speak with his mother now. So the young man was simply sitting there, making plans for his future which became bright now after defeating Palpatine.
He and his siblings would be never forced again to live in hiding and to deny being Jedi. Corran didn't understand why his mother wasn't happy as well.
The commander turned her head looking at her son. She saw how happy he was, but she was well aware how costly this victory was. Snap Wexley and hundreds had paid with their lives for the freedom of the galaxy. Hundreds she had never a chance to get to know, hundreds who would be forever nameless and faceless to her. She sighed and turned her attention back to the whirl of hyperspace.

If it came to the mood it was totally different onboard the Outrider. Dash had poured his sons and himself a drink and all three enjoyed it now. The Galactic Civil War veteran was leaning relaxed in the pilot's seat with his feet propped up on the console. After taking a sip of his drink he savored its taste. Yes, this was the taste of victory. He smiled at Dash Jr. and Biggs. They were through so much, but now it was over and his children would have a free life. The brothers were sitting casual in their seats, nursing their drinks. They were happy to be still alive. Eventually Dash Jr. raised his glass.
"To our victory!" He said before he downed his drink in one go.
Biggs smirked and raised his glass as well, being silent as always. Then he took a sip of the drink. He wondered what he might do after the war was over. Maybe he would find a girl, marry and have children. He smiled and downed the rest of the drink. As much as he enjoyed his brothers' company, it was time to strike out on his own.
And Biggs wasn't the only one thinking about what to make in his future life.
Onboard the Trader's Luck Tasherit Rendar and Jaden Katarn were in such a good mood as the crew of the Outrider was. They were planning on their marriage and the small cargo company they wanted to establish. Both were thinking of names for the company under a lot of laughter. The two young Jedi weren't this happy since a long time, but now they were ready and eager for a new life.

Nomi was torn out of her musing when a signal indicated that they had reached their destination. The commander pulled the lever and the streaks of hyperspace changed back to stars. In front of them, she and Corran saw the planet Ajan Kloss where that part of the Resistance which escaped the First Order attack found refuge. One by one the ships of the ragtag fleet dropped back in real space and made their approach toward the planet. Minutes later the Jedi Master set her battered freighter down nearby the Outrider and the Trader's Luck, as the victorious fleet landed at a clearing. She cut the engines, unstrapped and left the Aquarius followed by her son. The commander was glad that her family and the members of her Resistance cell had survived. She was welcomed by happy faces and cheering. Being hugged by humans and non-humans she hasn't seen before, she came finally in a cheerful mood too. The long fight was over finally. After all those decades, after all those sacrifices and suffering the galaxy was free.

Dash had left the Outrider together with their elder sons. He had difficulties to see his small wife in the crowd of people, but then he saw her as she was hugged by a Trandoshan. He grinned and hurried to his wife, who was just released by the non-human. Dash took Nomi in his arms. The former mercenary was all smiles and the commander felt how relieved he was that everything was over now. Their children and Jaden were approaching them and they hugged each other. Tarik stood a bit afar and was chatting with a young woman.
"Hey, Nomi," the commander turned her head, when she heard the voice from the former leader of Rogue Squadron. Wedge Antilles was approaching them. He walked slowly supported by a cane. Now she knew why he was onboard the Millennium Falcon as a gunner and not at the yoke of an X-wing. He gave her a lopsided grin.
"It's been a long time we've seen each other the last. But we did it again, Nomi."
The Jedi Master chuckled and hugged her old friend, who almost dropped his cane. Her husband suppressed a laugh and slapped Antilles on the shoulder.

The improvised celebration lasted until nightfall and Nomi had a lot of talks with those who fought at her side. She was just talking with Lando Calrissian when Poe Dameron came over to her. He sat down at her side, inclining his head to those sitting with the commander.
"Rey suggested a funeral for General Organa and her son. She told me, that Ben Solo saved her life back on Exegol."
Nomi looked at her children who had suffered so much because of Ben, when he was Kylo Ren.
Surprisingly it was Biggs who spoke up first: "We should do it. Both deserve to be honored. Ben was our friend before he turned to the dark side. With saving Rey he is redeemed in my opinion."
His siblings nodded their heads in agreement and Nomi smiled.
"We will do it, but only those who were close to them."
"Then we meet in 30 minutes at the small clearing nearby. I'll tell Rey and Chewbacca," Dameron said. Then he took his leave and headed for the Millennium Falcon.

At the appointed time they gathered at the small clearing. A bonfire was burning in the middle. One by one they took farewell of General Leia Organa, former Princess of Alderaan and her beloved son Ben Solo. The last one was Chewbacca who had tears in his eyes. Then the Jedi attending the funeral slowly circled the bonfire and bowed their heads in respect. In a fraction of a second they ignited their lightsabers in unison and raised them in salute. Nothing else was to be heard than the crackle of the bonfire and the humming of the sabers. It was a great moment to see the Jedi gathered honoring two of their own. Nomi took a deep breath and then she deactivated her weapon. The others followed suit. Now it was only the bonfire which illuminated the clearing. In silence they waited until it went out, before they left.