The war between the Empire and the Galactic Alliance is at a stalemate, with neither side having a clear advantage. Since declaring herself Empress, DARTH UMBRA has been operating in the shadows, leaving her most trusted servants to manage the Empire's affairs.
KIRA BRIDGER continues her studies of the force, and despite her young age, has recently begun to train her own apprentice. Besides her role with the newly formed Jedi-Bendu Order, Kira also has a vital role with the Alliance, and is seen as a hero by many.
Unknown to the Alliance, the immortal Umbra has a secret plan that could bring her enemies to ruin, and secure her reign of the galaxy for years to come….
Mandalore, a world known for its armored warriors, now serves as the capital of the Galactic Alliance, the successor state to the New Republic, which consists of the forces of the Resistance, the Kingdom of Mandalore, remnants of the fallen Republic, and a few other anti-Imperial factions.
The most important part of the Alliance is probably the Jedi-Bendu Order, the more moderate successor to the Jedi Order. The members of this newly formed order do not follow the old Jedi Code, and are therefore free to have contact with their families as well as romantic relationships. Also, knowledge once declared forbidden is now open to the members of this order.
Although Grandmaster Ezra Bridger founded the order and serves as its leader, his daughter, Kira Bridger, is seen as the public face of the order for many. Since being knighted following the Battle of Kamino six months ago, twenty one year old Kira has continued to grow in the force. The young woman has become more confident, more disciplined, and has come a long way since the days she called herself 'Rey'.Her bond with the redeemed Ben Solo has continued to grow, and the two former enemies are now deeply in love with each other.
Knowing that she may have to one day confront the Empress, Kira works hard to learn all she can, not just from her father, but from other sources as well, including force ghosts. Besides having an apprentice of her own, Kira is also in charge of lightsaber training for all apprentices, and is currently training three students in the basics of lightsaber combat.
In the Royal Palace of Mandalore, things are relatively quiet since it is just before dawn. Most of the palace's many occupants are still asleep. Kira Bridger and Ben Solo not being among them. At this moment, they are in their shared quarters, preparing to start their day. Kira is dressed in gray, white, and blue. Her outfit is a combination of Mandalorian and Jedi styles. Her long, dark hair hangs freely, going halfway down her back. Ben is dressed in a black shirt and dark blue pants, with a brown jacket. His somewhat messy hair is shoulder length, and he has a neatly trimmed goatee. Kira and Ben are currently seated at a small table, eating breakfast and drinking cups of caf.
"So, you're working with my mother this week." Kira says.
"That's right. She asked me to help her train some of the new pilots. We're taking them out to the asteroid field for some simulated combat." Ben says.
"Sounds like fun. I'll be staying at the palace, probably all day. Saber class for two hours, then a staff meeting, then one on one time with Chana, then meditation, then holocron time with my father. At least there isn't a blasted council meeting today." Kira says.
"That we know of. Those meetings tend to just show up out of nowhere." Ben says.
"True. I don't mind being on the Alliance Council, but… sometimes, it seems like we don't get that much done." Kira says.
"I noticed." Ben says.
"You're new to the council. You missed some of the more dramatic meetings on Garos." Kira says.
"When Senator Kalim was still around." Ben says.
"Yes. Not only did he turn out to be an Imperial spy, but he killed himself before we could put him on trial. We had hoped to get some intel from him." Kira says.
"Ancient history now." Ben says.
"I suppose so. How long before you have to go?" Kira asks.
"I need to do preflight on the Ghost, so I should probably get to the hangar right now." Ben answers.
"Make sure you finish your breakfast first." Kira says.
"Yes, general." Ben says. Kira chuckles.
"General. That still sounds weird." Kira says.
"Not to me." Ben says.
"The entire council insisted I take the promotion, but… I don't feel like I did enough to earn it." Kira says.
"You led the mission where we took out Admiral Tyron. The Empire's now lost their fleet commander. You coordinated the fighter attack on his flagship, and led the ground team that boarded it. That sounds like general material to me." Ben says.
"If you say so, Commander Solo." Kira says.
"Commander… still not used to that." Ben says.
"You earned it." Kira says.
"There are still some on the council that don't trust me. It's okay. I don't blame them. I have more than I deserve. I'm alive. My parents are back together, and… they forgave me. Then, I have you. Thanks to you, I'm not Kylo Ren anymore." Ben says.
"Don't give me all the credit. You are the one who chose to turn from the dark side." Kira says.
"You're the one who gave me the push I needed." Ben says.
"Maybe, but… you're the one that made the choice." Kira says. Ben reaches across the table and takes her hand.
"I love you." Ben says. Kira smiles and squeezes his hand.
"I know." Kira says.
In another part of the palace, a large, empty room is set aside for the Jedi-Bendu to use as a training area. Kira is now in this room. In her hands is a double bladed lightsaber with two blue blades. Also present is Chana Salari, a pantoran girl of sixteen; Rogan Aldar, a human boy of fifteen; and Talles Koya, a human girl of eighteen. All three students are armed with single bladed lightsabers. Rogan and Talles have blue blades, while Chana has a green blade.
Kira takes turns attacking each student. Chana seems to keep up fairly well. However, the other two struggle, especially Rogan, who seems unable to block Kira's attacks, and finds himself hit several times, leaving mild, stinging burns. Eventually, Kira stops the exercise.
"You haven't been keeping up with your lessons, have you, Rogan?" Kira asks.
"Well…" Rogan says.
"You're supposed to practice on your own for at least one hour each day. You have also been late for class twice this week." Kira says.
"I was just… " Rogan says.
"I've told you before what I expect of you. Your master has told you what is expected of you. If you want to be a knight in this order someday, then you must learn discipline, and you must be focused. I know you enjoy watching the Mandalorians train, and I have no problem with that, as long as it doesn't interfere with your responsibilities. I have been patient with you, but I think I am going to have to discuss this with Master Skywalker." Kira says.
*I understand. I'm sorry, Master Kira." Rogan says.
"I know I'm hard on you sometimes, but I just want you to be the best you can be." Kira says.
"I understand, master. I'll do better." Rogan says.
"I'll hold you to that. Alright everyone, class is dismissed. Rogan, Talles, I'll see you at 0600 tomorrow. Chana, you're with me." Kira says.
"Yes, master." Chana says. Rogan and Talles leave the room. Kira looks at Chana.
"You've learned the saber quickly. I'm impressed." Kira says.
"Thanks." Chana says.
"I think it's time to try something new. Here, take this." Kira says, as she offers her saber to the younger woman.
"You… think I'm ready for a double blade?" Chana asks.
"I think you should at least have a basic understanding of it. Let's take it slow, huh?" Kira asks.
"Fine by me." Chana says, as she accepts the saber. Kira takes another lightsaber from her belt. This one is also a double blade, but the hilt is of a more basic design. Kira activates the weapon, and a yellow blade emerges from each end.
"Why do you have two doubles anyway? Isn't it a little hard to fight with both of them?" Chana asks.
"Damn near impossible if you do it normally." Kira answers.
"But you have that floating saber trick just like Master Ezra, so I guess you don't fight normally, do you?" Chana asks.
"If I fought normally, I wouldn't be alive today. If we are going to win this war, then we must use all of our skills, and all of our knowledge." Kira answers.
"That's why you train me so hard." Chana says.
"Exactly. I train you the way my father trained me. Now, let's see how you handle that saber." Kira says. Chana nods, and Kira does the same. The two women engage each other, and exchange basic strikes. Chana seems to have some trouble with the unfamiliar saber, swinging it erratically.
"Concentration is vital. You must become one with the saber." Kira says.
"Right. One with the saber." Chana says.
The two continue to spar. Soon, Chana begins to wield the lightsaber more gracefully as she takes her master's advice.
"Very good. Keep it up." Kira says.
Kira and Chana continue to practice. Unnoticed by either, someone stands at the entrance to the training room. Fifty four year old Ezra Bridger, Grandmaster of the Jedi-Bendu. Ezra is a somewhat rough looking man with graying hair, and a thick beard. He is dressed in orange and brown Jedi attire with two lightsabers on his belt. Ezra watches in silence as Kira and Chana practice. Eventually, Kira notices her father's arrival.
"Okay, Chana. I think that's enough for today. You did very well for your first time." Kira says.
"Thanks." Chana says. She shuts off her saber, and offers it to Kira. Kira accepts the weapon, and clips it to her belt.
"You were right to start training her with the double blade. She handled it very well." Ezra says, as he approaches. Kira and Chana turn to face Ezra. Chana bows.
"Master Ezra." Chana says.
"Hi, Chana. How's the training going today?" Ezra asks.
"It's going great. At least, I think it is." Chana answers.
"What did you think of the double blade?" Ezra asks.
"It was kind of weird." Chana answers.
"It's not meant for everyone. I'm not really a fan of the double myself, but Kira's mastered hers, and if you want to learn how to use one, she's the best one to learn from." Ezra says.
"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind." Chana says.
"What brings you here? I thought you were on the other side of the city." Kira says.
"Rogue One just got back. Sabine wants a council meeting in two hours to talk about their mission." Ezra says.
"I guess the intel they got from that base must be important." Kira says.
"Looks that way. Chana… don't you have hangar deck duty today?" Ezra asks.
"Yeah, in about an hour." Chana answers.
"We were about done here anyway. You can go. Have yourself a little free time before your shift. I'll see you later." Kira says.
"Okay." Chana says. The girl bows, then leaves.
"You've been doing a great job with her." Ezra says.
"When we recruited her, I didn't think I was ready for a student." Kira says.
"You've had Chana for two months. What do you think now?" Ezra asks.
"I'm glad you asked me to train her. I teach what I know, but I also learn with her." Kira answers.
"How would you rate Chana as an apprentice?" Ezra asks.
"She's wonderful. Eager to learn, and she's picked up the basics of saber combat very quickly." Kira answers.
"What about her force powers?" Ezra asks.
"She can do a vertical jump of about three meters now, and she can unlock doors. Her push and pull still need some work, but she's getting better every time." Kira answers.
"What about her attitude?" Ezra asks.
"She's very patient. She listens and asks questions. She wants to learn, and she wants to help people." Kira answers.
"Very good. That's my opinion as well. It's time to take things to the next level. I think you should start teaching her battle meditation." Ezra says.
"Alright. I'll start her later today." Kira says.
"You're a good teacher, Kira. I'm proud of you." Ezra says.
"I do my best. I just hope it's good enough." Kira says.
"You have… concerns." Ezra says.
"I'm worried… about what will happen when the Empress decides to show herself again. It's only a matter of time." Kira says.
"She's not done with us. She's up to something. She didn't just kill Palpatine and take the throne for no reason." Ezra says.
"I'm the one she wants. That Kamino mission was a trap for me." Kira says.
"Your duel with Vastia… she wanted you to win, and kill Vastia out of anger. She wanted you to have revenge, and she wanted to force you to give in to your hate and anger, then you would have been hers." Ezra says.
"And then her plan backfired." Kira says.
"We got lucky, thanks to Ahsoka." Ezra says.
"Yeah. What she did, for us… " Kira says.
"We got your mother back thanks to her. I'm glad, but… " Ezra says.
"I wish Ahsoka didn't have to pay so high a price for it. She should still be here, with us." Kira says.
"I know, but life… is change. Sometimes, we can't stop it. We just have to go on, and make the best of it." Ezra says.
"Ahsoka's still with us, but a force ghost… it's just not the same." Kira says.
"No, it's not, but… we make the best of it." Ezra says.
"You're right. At least we can still talk to her. I guess we should be grateful for that." Kira says.
"Ahsoka's still here to help us, but… her part in all this has changed. She's been helping me to learn about... my role as the Bendu." Ezra says.
"You're still getting used to the new powers." Kira says.
"Yeah. Teleporting… I can go to a planet halfway across the galaxy, instantly. It's been months since I learned how to do that, and it's still weird." Ezra says.
"I know you've been very busy, not just your lessons with Ahsoka, but building this new order, training Jyn, and serving on the Alliance council. I'm amazed you find time for me, or mama." Kira says.
"Family first. Always. That's why I resigned my military commission. I wasn't cut out for supreme commander anyway." Ezra says.
"You seemed to do alright to me. You made me an officer, and the Alliance is still using the chain of command you organized." Kira says.
"Qi'ra… I mean Umbra… made me supreme commander so I wouldn't have time to train you." Ezra says.
"I know. She wanted to keep us apart so she could manipulate me." Kira says.
"She played us good. She pretended to be friends with me and your mother for almost thirty years. Then, she got herself elected chancellor of the Alliance. She had us all right where she wanted us. If it weren't for Ahsoka, Umbra would have won at Kamino." Ezra says.
"And we'd all be dead. Maybe worse." Kira says.
"Well, it didn't happen. We're still here." Ezra says.
"We seem to be winning the war, for now anyway. But… Umbra's immortal, and stronger than Palpatine. It can't be so easy. How do we kill something like that?" Kira asks.
"I don't know. Not yet anyway." Ezra answers.
"We haven't heard a thing about the Empress in weeks. As for the Empire, I don't understand their strategy. We've destroyed all of the Death Stars. I would have expected some kind of response by now. I don't get it. What are they up to?" Kira asks.
"I don't know, and I don't like it. We're being played. I'm sure of it." Ezra says.
"That's why we sent Jyn and her team to that Imperial base. They're the best intel unit we have. If anyone can find out anything, they can." Kira says.
"Agreed." Ezra says.