[Teller]

For FN-9013, the crash itself was a non-event. More interesting was the experience of the Force during it. The Force was something she often included in the stories she'd tell to the squad at night in their bunks, but in those stories, it was an evil magic used by villains and renegades. It was a power that corrupted by its very nature. Only the strongest and purest of heart could wield it without giving in to its corruption. Or so she told the others.

It was just something she'd made up. Lots of things were made-up when you were in the Order. Like the rumors that Snoke and the Knights of Ren could use the Force, too? Made-up.

She'd felt the ship's initial acceleration as they left the hangar bay and then a feeling of floating. There was a flash of light that seemed to phase through the entire ship. Suspended motes of dust shone in the light of that perfect moment. She'd assumed they were all dead or dying and this was some last gasp of consciousness, maybe wishful thinking. It seemed as reasonable an explanation as any.

One of the Resistance members shone even brighter in the light. It was the one who had been first up the ramp and was dressed as a colonel. Her name was … Rey, wasn't it? Her eyes were closed. She looked serene. Centered. FN-9013 couldn't have said how she knew, but she definitely did know, that this woman was using the Force to protect all of them. She was shielding them somehow, letting the scorching power of a turbo laser pass right through the shuttle, through their bodies, but leaving them untouched instead of incinerated.

There was nothing corrupt about it. FN-9013 felt sanctified by it somehow, like Supreme Leader Snoke himself (honored be his memory) had blessed this mission and given them a new life. The light faded and they were engulfed by darkness – a peaceful, protective, comforting darkness. They still floated. There was a roaring sound of atmospheric entry, but it seemed unreal without the vibration of it through the soles of her boots. Finally, there was a bang, a shriek of protesting metal, and cacophony of other impact sounds. It was just noise without threat, like a simulation. They remained safely cocooned, every one of them.

She felt herself settle on the floor again, but it was no longer level. It was still dead dark, the glow having faded from even the woman. Reality came back. She could hear people moving around, probably finding walls and whoever was near them. The non-hairy alien complained about the dark and the emergency lights came up as though in response. TN-1017 had his helmet off and upside down in his hands, looking in it.

The first sergeant looked to him and asked, "Ten-ten?"

He explained, "Night vision auto setting not working."

The hatch to the forward compartment swished open and General Hux appeared. His hair was somewhat askew and his uniform rumpled, but he had the same commanding aura as always. FN-9013 drew herself to attention along with the rest of them, the strange, surreal, and fantastical elements of their transit still swirling in her head. Her stories would never be the same.