Dantooine held an old Rebel base that the Empire and then ultimately the First Order had retrofitted for their needs. During the war there had been a blockade that the Jade Squadron along with a few other ace pilots, including Kaz helped take care of. Now it was their mission to claim Dantooine back from the dark forces it had been under for far too long.

As they hovered in orbit, R2-D2 projected a holo image of the base blueprints to show the workings of the base they were about to infiltrate. Poe made the mental note to tell Kat thank you for doing the droid swap. Sure it was originally because he wanted to make sure she stayed safe but with all of Artoo's knowledge, he just remembered how lucky he got with having the blue and white astromech tag along.

"Our contact has informed us that they're holding everyone in the main room. This one should be an easy one but don't expect all of our visits to be that way." Finn said, pointing out the space of their destination.

"Once we've made sure that all is well, we'll escort those who still wish to remain loyal to the imperial ways to a transport that will take them back to base where Commander D'Acy and her team will place them in holding cells until we get back. Just because most of the work has already been done for us, doesn't mean that you should let your guard down. Stay focused and we'll get home sooner than you think," Poe said.

A chorus of affirmatives rang out and soon Rey and Chewbacca brought the Falcon in for a landing. Finn had commed down to their contact prior to so by the time they exited the freighter, he was waiting for them. Poe and Finn led the group out of the Falcon, still remaining some distance from the person waiting for them just in case.

"Alek?" Finn asked.

The man still wearing his trooper armor nodded. "Yes. You are with the Resistance?"

"We are. My name's Finn and this is Poe. What is it that still needs to be done?"

"We've secured the base. All that's left is to destroy the base once we get everyone out."

"Was there any sort of intel stored here?" Poe asked.

"None worth keeping thanks to your efforts in destroying Starkiller Base," Alek answered.

Poe nodded. "Pava, make sure all files are destroyed." He then ordered.

"Yes, sir. You don't think Metonae would want them?"

Poe shook his head. "We're only interested in files dealing with personnel. We know all locations and have a primary source about operations."

"You got it, General." Jessika gave a small salute and soon Alek was leading the group down into the base.

"If I knew you were coming here first I would've hitched a ride with you." Wedge quipped as Kat exited the ship.

"Yeah, you should've stuck around. We just needed some time to work some things out."

"Leia did train you. Should've known you would be quick." He chuckled before motioning for the others to follow. "Come along. Norra should be back soon. It'll be a tight fit but we'll make it work."

"W-wait for me!" A small, scared robotic voice sounded.

Kat whirled around to see D-O speeding down the ramp and heading straight for BB-8 who wasn't too far behind her. She let out a sigh and placed her hands on her hips as she looked down at the orange and white droid. "BeeBee, what is this?"

"It appears, Katerina, that D-O tagged along," C-3PO stated from beside her.

Rolling her eyes, she crouched down so she wouldn't tower over the skittish droid. "Yes, I can see that Threepio." She looked up at the gold droid with a small glare before returning her focus onto the cone-faced one. "Now, D-O, I thought you were going to stay on base and help D'Acy out."

BB-8 let out a string of beeps to answer her instead causing Kat to sigh once more. "Yes, it was nice of you to ease your friend's fears. I just wish I would have been told." She then looked to D-O. "Stay close, understood? I need to make sure you stay safe."

"Stay close," D-O confirmed, rolling slightly forward so that they were even closer to where she was crouched.

Kat smiled as she stood. "Alright you two, let's get inside so we can plan for what's next."

One by one each of the troopers and a couple of commanding officers that were still loyal to the First Order were brought out to the transport taking them back to Ajan Kloss. With the last person out, Jessika and Artoo began going through the files the base had, deleting most of them but any with names they saved. Finn and Jannah spoke to Alek and the troopers who defected, going through the questionnaire they had created.

As Poe walked back to the main room after sending off the transport, he thought through next steps. They needed to see what else was going on with the planet, how the First Order ran it, and if they needed help with rebuilding. They could offer some assistance but Kat's team was really behind the more political rebuilding. He had some idea of what she wanted to create. He could potentially help in getting things started in the right direction so when Kat did arrive she wouldn't have to start from scratch.

"Hey, Poe!" Rey called out as she hurried over to him. "What's next?"

Poe chuckled as he paused in his stride to wait for her to join him. "I was just trying to figure that out actually. We need to figure out what the people here need and if it's something we can do or if Kat and her team need to be called in."

"Do you know enough of her plan that we can be useful? I thought we were just here to shut First Order bases down."

"We're here to shut down anything related to the First Order. We can't have the peace we've been fighting for with the First Order trying to rise up again." He started walking back into the base once she caught up with him. "I know enough to help get them started. We talked through some basics yesterday."

"Oh, so you guys did talk yesterday?" She teased him.

He furrowed his brow in confusion which caused Rey to laugh. "Let's just say that I didn't have to be a Jedi to see the tension between you two. Then again you are difficult so no one should really be surprised."

"If I'm so difficult, what do you consider her?"

"She's been nothing but reasonable to me." She smirked.

"Oh, isn't that just…" He rolled his eyes. "Reasonable? Reasonable my ass." He muttered, shaking his head as they entered the main room.

"Where are we at on things?" He asked.

Jessika looked up from where she was uploading the personnel files she and Artoo discovered onto a drive. "All files have been deleted and I'm uploading personnel files now. It's mostly a list of all who didn't make it off of Starkiller but there was another list of where people were relocated."

"Any locations sound familiar?"

She nodded. "There's a few on our list of locations we're headed."

"Then we'll focus on those for now so we have a better understanding of what we're walking into when we get there." He then looked to Finn. "What about you guys?"

Finn motioned to the small group surrounding him and Jannah. "We've got quite a few new allies." He said with a smile.

"Is there anything else we can help with?" Poe asked Alek.

He shook his head. "We've been in contact with the city and they seem to have a handle on things there. I'm sure they will reach out when you make it known how the Republic will be forming this time."

Poe hoped that all of their stops would be this easy but he knew that it wouldn't be the case. "Be on the lookout for a message from Katerina Metonae. She's the head of that side of the rebuilding efforts and will more than likely send out a message after she's done with the individual planets who need her help."

"We'll be awaiting her message then. Thank you for everything you've done and continue to do." Alek then turned to Finn. "Please let us know if there's anything we can do to further help you in your and Jannah's efforts."

With one last thank you, the team headed back out to the Millenium Falcon and started their journey to their next destination.

Kat poked her head into the next room in the hallway. Wedge had given them a tour of the house and now everyone was taking claim to a room. Before she decided on where she would set her things down, Kat walked through and checked on her team. She found Kare sitting on the bed in the latest room she came across, looking forlornly at the wall in front of her.

Taking in the features of the room before disturbing her friend, Kat realized that this must have been Snap's room. Her heart broke for Kare as she knocked on the door frame. "Can I come in?" She asked once Kare looked up at the noise.

Kare nodded and once inside the room, Kat shut the door to give them both some privacy.

The naval captain returned her gaze to the wall but moved to rest her head on Kat's shoulder. She was caught a little off guard but soon placed her arms around her. "I didn't even realize Kare. Are you sure coming with me was the right decision?"

"Are you trying to get rid of me?" Kare asked, trying her best to joke.

Kat chuckled. "No, not at all. I'm glad you're here. I'm just trying to look out for you."

"I couldn't follow Dameron," Kare said after a few moments of silence as she tried to gather herself but it was a vain attempt. Tears had started falling down her cheeks. "Sure Jess would be there but the void Snap used to fill would have been too large. I'd have been useless for him. This way I figured there wouldn't be too much action and you'd know what to do with a mourning heart. Besides I get to grieve with my in-laws for a little while too."

"I want you to spend as much time with them as you need during our stay. We can take care of the rest."

Kare shook her head. "Not only are you in need of someone who knows how to handle a blaster you need another pilot. Besides, weren't you and Temmin technically considered family after Wedge married Norra?"

Kat laughed. "I try not to think about my complicated family tree. I honestly think it's a distant relation or he would have possibly been the person who raised me after my parents died. I'm pretty sure he's only ever heard of me recently. Snap and I decided though that we'd call each other friends since we couldn't figure out the right word." She giggled at the memory. "Then again that was the night I finally won his trust with the hullstripper."

Kare's laughter soon joined Kat's. "How do you even remember that night? Between the two of you, you had like half the bottle if not more."

"Memories definitely have filtered through and some cases of deja vu."

"He had a deep respect for you after that. I mean he respected you before but after you drank him under the table and then ran that unexpected mission the next day like a champ even though we all could tell you felt like shit. He finally joined Jess and me in ragging on Dameron for ulterior motives behind teasing you."

Kat shook her head, a fond smile on her face. "He loved you so much. When I sent you out with the Stiletto Squadron, he nearly drove me crazy with how many times he came to ask me for updates. I finally just let him stay with me at the console. I honestly don't think I ever saw him grin as big as he did ever again after you sent word that you had completed the mission successfully. He was so proud of you."

Kare moved so she could hug Kat more properly. "Thank you. For everything. You took such good care of us and you still do. It was an honor to serve under you."

"I'm sorry that I couldn't bring him back home to you one last time."

"Don't." Kare pulled back, shaking her head. "We knew what we were getting into when we joined. We knew the risk when we fell in love with each other during a war. Please don't feel guilty. You did everything you possibly could have."

Kat let out a sigh. She was grateful for Kare's words, really, but hearing them wasn't the purpose of her coming in to check on her friend. "I'm supposed to be comforting you."

"We'll comfort each other." Kare smiled, squeezing Kat's shoulder. "Would you and Rose like to sleep in here with me? I would rather not share with anyone else."

"Of course. As long as you don't mind three droids in here either."

"Not at all."

Kat smiled. "Then it's settled. Let me go find Rose."

"You found me," Rose said with a smile as Kat opened the door, giggling a little when Kat startled. "I've also got some very worried droids with me."

BB-8 rolled through the door before circling Kat, going on about how they didn't know where she was and they should always have sights on her. They truly sounded worried and Kat felt bad for laughing but she really couldn't help it. "Bee, buddy, I think you're taking Poe's request a little too seriously." She said as she crouched down to give their belly some comforting pats. "If we're in a safe spot and no one else is alarmed by my disappearance then everything is fine and I'll be back soon."

The astromech beeped at her which made her roll her eyes. "Yes, I know Poe told you to look out for me but you don't have to follow my every single step."

"S-scared you had l-left," D-O spoke up, rolling forward a bit.

"No, I didn't leave. I was just checking in on how everyone was settling in." Kat sighed and looked at the two droids. "How about we make a deal?"

BB-8 beeped in agreement.

"What if I told you where I was going and if you need to follow me or not, will that make you feel like you're properly completing your mission?"

BB-8 beeped in agreement once again before negotiating another term.

Kat laughed and nodded. "Okay, fine and tell you how long I should be gone. We have a deal?"

"Deal," D-O replied, echoing BB-8's affirmative beep.

"Alright, good," Kat said as she stood.

Rose and Kare just laughed at Kat's exasperated expression. "How are you ever going to deal with the both of them all the time?" Rose teased, causing Kat to groan.

"Don't remind me," Kat said as she made her way back out in the hallway. "Oh, Rose, you're staying with me and Kare in this room during our stay. I'm going to get my things I left in the living room and then I'll be back."

"Actually, Katerina, Norra Wexley has returned and she's requested yours and Captain Kun's presence," C-3PO informed before Kat could get too far.

Kat and Kare share a look before they make their way into the main part of the house. Rose quickly sat her things down so she could not only catch up with her friends but with the droid trio that followed after them.

The moment the two requested women came into the room, Norra pulled Kare into a tight embrace. "We will talk later, I promise. There's some business I need to discuss with your General."

As soon as Norra's focus turned on her, Kat realized that she much preferred sending her condolences to next-of-kin through letters. Tears began to pool and the guilt Kare told her not to have, came back with a raging force, clawing at her stomach. She had to fulfill her duties as Snap's commanding officer. "Norra, I am so sorry that I was unable to bring your son back home to you. He was one of the greatest pilots the Resistance had. He fought valiantly and his sacrifice will be remembered and cherished by myself and those who fought alongside him as we rebuild the Republic."

Norra knew the look that crossed over Kat's face before the younger woman spoke. While a different kind of regret and guilt, she took in Kat's words with a sad smile. She was appreciative of Kat's condolences but she also hated that her generation couldn't stop the next generation from suffering the same pain they knew. The silver-haired woman brought Kat into a hug, causing Kat to sniffle at the motherly embrace. "I appreciate your words, General. But as you've said, we've got some rebuilding to do."

Kat pulled away and nodded. "Right. We're here to help in any way that we can."

"Then follow me." Norra motioned for Kat to come with her to the room she had been using as a headquarters for their small uprising.

Kat stood in awe as she took in the maps and other things tacked to the walls and laying over practically every surface in the room. "I knew that Akiva held an emergency vote that led to the First Order taking over but this is something else." She said as she looked at the closest map to her. "Do you mind if I have BB-8 scan them?"

The droid beeped, rolling a little in front of Kat, ready to start scanning the moment they got the go-ahead.

"Not at all," Norra said, motioning for the astromech to begin with its task. "There's a few places that we still need to shut down but that should be completed tonight. We'd like to handle our own prisoners until you all get the galactic courts running again."

Kat nodded. "Of course. Do you need our help in building the senate back?"

"That and having a leader. I know I took over as the leader of the uprising but after this, I would like to go back to my retired life." Norra chuckled.

"We can make that happen." Kat smiled. "Is there someone that's participated in these uprisings that you think would make a good leader for Akiva and to represent you in the Galactic Senate?"

"Do you have a plan for bringing back the Republic already?"

"I need to work out some final details but I have enough that we can go ahead and get started."

Norra chuckled, shaking her head. "You are Leia's daughter, aren't you?"

Kat shouldn't have been surprised at the comparison. Wedge had done the same. They had fought alongside her after all, so they knew her well enough and how she operated. Kat even knew she worked very similar to Leia. She was the one that had trained her until she honed her skills and made her way of things something completely her own. With it still being so soon after Leia's death and Kat wanting nothing more than to make her mom proud, the fact that so soon, practically back to back she had been compared to the woman, made her all kinds of emotional. "I must be doing something right then."

"You'll be just fine. So, tell me about this plan of yours and I'll see where we can get started."

And Kat did just that. She launched into the plan she had started to piece together. Each planet they were visiting, they were there to help reestablish their government before First Order rule. For some that meant senates, others it meant finding members of the monarchy, and for some, it was a mixture of the two. Either way, the governing body would then choose a representative to be a member of the Galactic Senate that Kat was planning on building. She also spoke of the Galactic Courts that would have two representatives from each region so that the courts held better representation from the entire galaxy.

That's about as far as she got in more definite plans. The Galactic Senate still needed some more details fleshed out. She thought that they could govern over the rebuilding projects that would continue for a while as well as the reuniting project that Finn was working on. She wanted to talk things through with Poe about the military aspect of this latest version of the Republic. He'd have a better understanding of what would be needed after this mission but she was looking at months of not knowing. She hated not knowing so she might just have to call him, especially since she wanted him to run it if he'd like to. Then there was the matter of her position in all of this. Did she assume rulership over the entire Galaxy? Should she put it up for a vote? Then again who would really want her position right now?

"It's a good start. I actually have just the person in mind to help you with rebuilding Akiva's senate. I'll introduce you two tomorrow. She's so good I honestly don't even think you'll need to stay all that long. If she accepts, of course." Norra said once Kat finished laying everything out.

"That sounds great actually and I hope she does. We don't mind spending as much time as we need to make things work but we do have quite a few planets to visit."

BB-8 chirped letting Kat know that they had finished scanning the maps and had recorded her explaining things. "Thanks, buddy. That'll come in handy when I start working through things again." She said as they walked back down the hall to the main room.

They beeped once more, asking about sending the recording to Poe. "Sure, you can send it to him. I think there was some new information there." The astromech beeped in confirmation and then rolled off to contact Poe. They didn't roll too far before asking if Kat wanted to join them.

Kat stopped in her tracks. She didn't really have a reason not to follow the droid. It was a stupid limit she set on herself so she wouldn't wind up missing him terribly as they spent months apart. She was going to try to make it a few days without reaching out to him if it wasn't absolutely necessary.

"Hey, Kat! Grab your datapad and we can talk over things while we eat. We always have the best brainstorming sessions when we do." Rose said with a wink as she looked up from the couch.

Leave it to Rose to somehow always know. Kat agreed and soon she and BB-8 were in Snap's room. The astromech remained at her side as she sat down to dig through her bag to find where she placed the datapad. She didn't pack as she normally thanks to a certain pilot making her late so she wasn't entirely sure where everything was. She was mostly surprised that her clothes were even folded.

So focused on the task at hand, Kat didn't even hear the connection crackle to life. For she said, "where the kriff did I put the damn thing?" right as Poe said, "Hey buddy, everything okay?"

Hearing Kat's words, Poe cracked up which made Kat raise her head at the sound of laughter. BB-8 wobbled as he let out a string of beeps greeting and telling him how mom was looking for her datapad.

Hearing the droid call Kat that gave both of them pause. Poe wanted to ask, of course he did, especially since she seemed to be taking all other steps forward except for a really important one that caused them to fight. He honestly didn't think that BB-8 would have asked her about claiming her as their other parental figure until much later.

They hadn't even officially started dating when his droid had asked about calling Kat, mom. The droid had started calling Poe dad while he was still a part of the New Republic Defense Fleet after his fellow members of the Rapier Squadron teased him about treating the astromech like a son. Poe had always assumed that after they saw him dote on Kat as much as she would let him while she was grounded to give her body time to heal from her concussion, that they assumed the progression of things. Then again Poe had gone on maybe one too many rants about how stubborn she was and how he wished she would just let someone (him) take care of her. Apparently, it caused BB-8 to decide that Kat would indeed be their mom and for whatever reason this mission made them decide it was time to finally ask Kat permission to call her that.

"I think you put it in your backpack." Poe finally answered, figuring that it would be better to have a conversation about her new name face to face.

Kat pulled the smaller bag over to her lap and unzipped the main compartment. Sitting there with other items she could potentially need for out in the field was her datapad. "Thanks, babe!" She exclaimed as she pulled the device out.

All she heard was his chuckle. She couldn't see his wide grin and him shoving at Finn for giving him a teasing look for his reaction. "Anytime, hermosa." Finn silently made gagging motions and Poe shoved at him again, not knowing that Kat rolled her eyes with a wide grin at the name.