Near the Mandalorian palace, there are several identical towers, which serve as housing for Alliance personnel. Following the council meeting, Kira and Ezra fly a borrowed speeder to one of these towers.


Upon landing, Kira and Ezra make their way to one of the apartment suites. The sign next to the suite's entrance indicates it belongs to Commander Poe Dameron and Lieutenant Finn. Next to Finn's name, it says 'inactive reserve'.

Not only did you cut me out of your life, you also resigned your commission. From what I gather, you spend most of your time in this apartment. Why, Finn? Why did you give up? Kira thinks.

After a few seconds, Kira activates the door chime. Soon, the door opens, and BB-8 stands in the doorway. The short, round droid looks at Ezra, then Kira.

/If you're here to see Poe, he's in a meeting./ BB-8 says.

"Actually, I'm here to see Finn." Kira says. BB-8 looks at Ezra, then looks at Kira again.

/He won't see you. You know that. He's a stubborn meatbag./ BB-8 says.

"He doesn't trust himself anymore, and he's afraid. I can feel his fear from here." Kira says.

"We're here to help him. I can get that chip out of his head." Ezra says.

/I thought that was impossible./ BB-8 says.

"Nothing… is impossible." Ezra says.

/I suppose you're right. Well… this will piss him off, but… I'm going to let you in./ BB-8 says.

"Thank you, BB-8." Kira says.

/Finn's my friend, but so are you. He needs a kick in the ass, and I think you're the one to give it to him. Just… let me warn you. It's not pretty./ BB-8 says.

"The place is a mess, isn't it?" Kira asks.

/Yes, and so is Finn. If you can help him, please do so. I want the old Finn back./ BB-8 says.

"Me too." Kira says.


BB-8 leads Kira and Ezra into the apartment.

"Are you here about the holonet? Swoop racing channel went out two weeks ago!" A male voice says from another room.

Finn? Oh, force. He sounds so… drunk. Kira thinks.

Kira and Ezra are led to the living room, an area in complete disarray, with empty bottles and dirty dishes all over. The massive holoscreen is playing some poorly made dramatic retelling of the Clone Wars. A man is seated on a couch, watching it, and facing away from the room's entrance.

BB-8 rolls to the man, and says /Kira's here. Brought her dad too./

The man slowly stands up. He is tall, dark skinned, and shirtless. He turns to face Kira and Ezra. It's Finn, but he's now overweight, with a thick beard and shoulder length hair. Kira gasps.

Oh, Finn! What have you done to yourself? Kira thinks.

"Kira… what are you doing here? I can't be around you." Finn says.

"We're here to help you, Finn. My father thinks he can take that chip out of your head." Kira says.

"That's impossible. The doctors told me there was no way to get the chip out without killing me." Finn says.

"Nothing… is impossible. Have faith." Kira says.

"Easier said than done." Finn says.

"What the hell are you doing here, kid? You're better than this." Ezra says.

"This chip in my head… I can't fight it. I'm not strong enough. Umbra's commands are still in my head, and there isn't a fracking thing I can do about it!" Finn says.

"So, you just gave up." Ezra says.

"What choice did I have?" Finn asks.

"There's always a choice. You… made the wrong one, like I did. I've been in the same place you are now. No hope. No faith. You can come back from this, but you have to want to come back from this." Ezra says.

"Can you really get that chip out?" Finn asks.

"Yeah, I can." Ezra answers.

"Come on, Finn. We'll get that chip taken care of, then you can start training." Kira says.

"Training?" Finn asks.

"We know you're force sensitive. Poe told us." Kira answers.

"I don't think I'll amount to much. All I can do... is kind of read minds." Finn says.

"Poe said you could hear his thoughts." Kira says.

"Not all the time, and I have no idea how to control it." Finn says.

"You can learn how. We'll teach you how to control this power that's within you. Right now, you're on a very dangerous path. If you continue as you are, you may become what you hate most." Ezra says.

"I could… go darkside?" Finn asks.

"Anybody can. You need the proper training, and… the proper attitude." Ezra answers.

"You have people that care about you, so let us help you. Please, Finn." Kira says. Finn hesitates for a moment.

"Alright." Finn says.

"Good. We'll get that chip taken care of. Then, we need to get you into shape." Ezra says.

"The liquor goes. All of it." Kira says.

"All… of it?" Finn asks.

"Booze doesn't help. It makes you think you feel good, but it's not real. Trust me on that." Ezra answers.

"Yeah. I guess you're right." Finn says.

"Glad to hear it. Now, let's get that chip taken care of." Ezra says.

"Okay. What do you need me to do?" Finn asks.

"Hold still." Ezra answers, as he raises his hand and extends it toward Finn's right temple.

"Oh. We're doing it right here." Finn says.

"Hold still. Mouth too." Ezra says.

"Sorry." Finn whispers. Ezra nods, then closes his eyes.

"Alright… there it is. That's what I thought. They used Sith Alchemy to make this thing. That's why normal surgery wouldn't work." Ezra says.

"Can you get it out of him?" Kira asks.

"Yeah. I've... got it." Ezra answers. He opens his eyes, and pulls his hand away from Finn.

"I… don't feel it anymore. It's… gone." Finn says.

"So, he's… " Kira says.

"He'll be alright." Ezra says.

"Thank you." Finn says.

"Glad I could help. Now, as for what's next… that's up to you. I'd like to take you as an apprentice, but only if you're willing." Ezra says.

"You mean… I could be a Jedi, like Kira?" Finn asks.

"Maybe." Ezra answers.

"Alright. I'll do it. I want to learn about the force. I want to learn how to use it." Finn says.

"Okay, but I have to ask… why? You're a good soldier. Do you really think you need force powers or a lightsaber?" Ezra asks.

"If I have the force, I need to learn how to use it. If I can become a Jedi, then… I need to be the best Jedi I can be. We need to stop the Empire. If I can help with that, then… I just have to. Because… it's the right thing to do." Finn says. Ezra nods in approval. Kira approaches Finn, and embraces him.

"I missed you." Kira says.

"I know, Kira. I messed up. I'm sorry." Finn says.

'I wish you hadn't cut yourself off from the rest of us. I understand why you think you had to do it, but… that really hurt, Finn. But, I wasn't any help either. I should have come to see you. Consequences be damned." Kira says.

"This… is all on me, Kira. Don't blame yourself. I'm sorry I hurt you, but… I did what I thought I had to do to protect you. It wasn't safe for you to be around me." Finn says.

"You should have trusted me to decide that for myself." Kira says.

"You're right. I'm sorry." Finn says. Kira embraces him again.

"I forgive you. Now, let's get you cleaned up and out of this apartment." Kira says.

"Sure. I guess… since the chip's gone now, I think… I'd like to return to duty." Finn says.

"I can put in a good word for you, but it's up to Hera to decide if you can come back." Kira says.

"Kira's right. You've been out of commission for a while, so don't expect to be thrown back into the fight right away." Ezra says.

"I figured that, since I'm an out of shape drunk." Finn says.

"Doesn't mean you have to stay that way. You hit rock bottom, Finn. I know what that's like. You can come back from it, but you have to want to. At the end of the day, the only one who can change you… is you." Ezra says.

"I know. Thanks." Finn says.

"Anytime, kid. Now, get yourself cleaned up, and meet me in the palace training room in two hours." Ezra says.

"Understood." Finn says.

"Finn, I guess… I'll see you whenever my father gets finished with you." Kira says.

'You won't be there?" Finn asks.

"Kira has her own work to do." Ezra answers.

"That's right. Poe told me you have a student now. How's that going?" Finn asks.

"It's great. Chana's a fast learner, and she listens. She might only be sixteen, but she knows right from wrong, and she wants to be the best she can be. I'm glad I have the chance to train her." Kira answers.

"That's good. I'm happy for you." Finn says.

"Thanks." Kira says.

"By the way, Kira's also in charge of saber training. As soon as you're ready, you'll be in her class." Ezra says.

"Don't I… need a lightsaber for that?" Finn asks.

"We'll take care of that when the time comes." Ezra answers.

"Okay." Finn says.

"Alright then. Kira and I are going to head back to the palace. I'll see you in two hours." Ezra says.