AN: Hello! I apologize for going quiet there for a bit but I was moving, getting settled, seeing family, ya know life stuff. Anyways I just wanted to say thank you so much for all of your love towards this story. It really means so much. I'm hoping to get back to posting on Sundays and Wednesdays. So with that being said, I hope you enjoy this latest chapter! Happy reading!
With datapad in hand, Kat wished Poe well on his mission and headed back out to the main room. She plopped down in the seat next to Rose. Her friend had already made her a plate and as she grabbed a bite, she smiled gratefully. Soon the two were deep in conversation as they worked through Kat's notes and the file Leia had left behind.
Kare and Norra were in the kitchen, washing the dishes, watching as the two worked. "What was it like serving under her?" Norra asked, wanting to talk about something other than what they needed to.
"It was great. Far better than the colonel or even the general I served under with the NRDF. She's no-nonsense but she has her people's backs. She really tried with every mission to bring back everyone. Each life lost, she holds on to. I'm really glad I got to work with her and continue to do so."
"So you're not going to stick around?"
Kare sighed. "Temmin and I talked about coming back here and starting a life after things but I don't know if I can do that, Norra. I know I couldn't go back to being in a fleet without him, it's part of the reason I joined Kat's efforts with rebuilding. So I'd like to see what Kat comes up with for me to do in the new system. Even though I know Temmin would still want me to do some of the things we talked about, I can't do them without him by my side, at least not right now. I'd rather do something useful with my life so if it's sticking around with the rebuilding efforts, then that's what I'm going to do."
Norra dried her hands on the towel nearby before placing a hand on Kare's shoulder. Kare looked over at her mother-in-law, wondering what the woman would say next.
"Just promise you will do what makes you happy and that you will still come visit your old mother-in-law."
Kare turned and wrapped Norra in a tight embrace, grateful for her support as she tried to figure what was next for her. "Of course I will. I'll visit so much you'll get sick of me."
Norra chuckled, holding her daughter-in-law close. "I could never get sick of you. Thank you for loving and taking care of my Temmin. He loved you so much that I even knew before I met you how much I would love calling you daughter. Both of you make me so proud."
With a tearful smile, Kare pulled back, thanking Norra for her words before both women returned to their task.
She and Rose had figured out more of the details of the senate. They even figured out a name to call this new organization. The Galactic Union.
"We can't call it the New New Republic." Kat had said. She grew tired of coming up with different euphemisms so she needed to come up with a name.
"Well, it's just a galactic union, is it not?" Rose had asked, causing Kat to jump on the name. It was by far the easiest conclusion they came to since they started brainstorming.
Kat now sat outside, blanket wrapped around her shoulders as she looked up at the stars. Most everyone had turned in for the night or docked themselves into charging stations.
"Huh, thought I'd be the only one out here." Wedge said as he joined her on the steps.
"I needed to talk to the stars a little before I went to bed," Kat said, looking over at Wedge with a soft smile.
He nodded. "They are good listeners."
They sat in silence for a while, just watching the stars. Contemplating what they needed to contemplate before they could let sleep find them. Akiva was yet another jungle planet with a hot climate. The blanket wrapped around Kat's shoulders was thin enough though and was more of a barrier between herself and the bugs flying around. Kat honestly would be thrilled to never see another tree ever again. She had enough of jungle planets and couldn't wait to get back to the concrete jungles she was used to. She just hoped that what she was doing was the right thing to do.
"You know, when Lando told me I had a distant relative leading this fight, I was pretty shocked. Then he told me what side of the family tree you were from and then I wasn't so shocked." Wedge said, breaking the silence, causing Kat to laugh.
"Growing up, before Leia took me in, it was just me and my parents. My dad came from Alderaan and well you know their fate and then my mom never really talked about her family. So imagine my surprise to know that I'm related to the Wedge Antilles and get all these people who suddenly care about me when Leia and Han took me in. I got a new set of parents, three uncles, two droids that are practically family, and a brother."
"Can I ask what happened to your birth parents?"
Kat nodded. "Imperial sympathizers killed them."
Wedge placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze. "I'm sorry to hear that."
She flashed him a sad smile. "Thanks. I'm hoping that some of our rebuilding efforts will keep other families from knowing that pain, well, at least now that the war is over."
"You're doing even more than that. You're bringing hope back to the galaxy." He smiled. "Now, you should probably get to bed. Big day for you tomorrow."
Kat chuckled as she stood. "I would just like to point out that I'm only going because I hear a worried droid coming to check on me."
They turned to see D-O approaching the door. Kat smiled sweetly at the droid. "I'm coming, Dio. Everything okay?"
"J-just w-worried. Not in b-bed."
"Wedge and I just lost track of time. Let's get to bed, shall we?"
When D-O agreed, Kat turned to Wedge. "Good night, Wedge."
"Sleep well, Kat."
Ever since they arrived on GH-531, a remaining First Order communications base, things had not gone as easy as Dantooine. They were greeted by a few TIE Fighters which Finn easily took care of with the help of both Poe and Chewie's flying. The Falcon took some hits but nothing that Rey couldn't easily fix, which she did.
When they landed, they were greeted by blaster fire. They needed to get the transport following them to a safe location or they wouldn't be transporting anyone back to Ajan Kloss to await trial. The base clearly had become a refuge for some of the remaining members of the First Order for it seemed like the troopers never ended until finally, finally some of the blaster fire turned on themselves.
With the bodies of the troopers now littering the floor, the few troopers that were helping Poe and his team ripped off their helmets. "Sorry, we took so long. We should get to the command center though before they realize what's happened." They motioned for the group to follow.
Poe looked to Finn for confirmation on if they could trust them. Finn took in the scene before them. He knew there really wasn't another choice for them. They hadn't received any communication from the base so he wasn't sure about how loyal those who had helped them were. Not to mention they needed to get to that command center before anything could get destroyed. So he nodded.
"We still need to be alert. Don't let your guard down." Finn said before he started off after the troopers.
Blaster fire once more filled the room and the hallway as the remaining First Order commanding officers of the base tried to protect it. Shouts mixed in with the sounds of blasters going off, especially as the Resistance members were finally able to surround the First Order officers.
"Jess and Artoo, go ahead and start on those computers. Gather all intel you can. Finn and Jannah, speak to the ones who helped us and see what more you can find out. The rest of us, let's move these bodies. Those injured try to stop the bleeding before we carry them to the transport." Poe ordered.
A chorus of 'yes, sir' met his ears and he let out a relieved sigh. None of his people were injured. Despite their initial setbacks things seemed to be going their way now. He knew things weren't going to be Dantooine easy but he hoped that what awaited them would at least be calmer than the fight at this base was. He was actually ready to set down his blaster for a while, fly just to fly, spend an actual evening together with Kat that didn't have a threat of interruption clouding their time together. If anything this firefight just showed him how ready he was for things to finally and truly be over.
"If we leave directly after this meeting, we'll be able to keep on track," Connix said as she walked alongside Kat.
"While that sounds great. We don't really have a timeline. How we wrote things out was wishful thinking at best. Is the other team moving along pretty fast?" Kat asked, knowing their plans were truly wishful thinking in trying to create moments that they could work together on the same planet so that they weren't separated for too long. It all depended on what each planet needed, however, especially for Kat and her team.
"They just sent their second transport although it apparently wasn't the easiest stop. Everyone is fine though despite a few firefights."
Kat nodded. "I hope they don't run into too many of those." As they approached the small group they were meeting she then leaned closer to Connix. "If they don't need our help after we go over things, we can definitely leave after the meeting, if not, we'll stay behind for as long as they need us."
Ultimately only Kat, Norra, C-3PO, and those who Norra chose to be the best for taking charge were welcomed into the conference room they chose to meet in. Kare and Connix helped to send those who were allegiant to the First Order back to Ajan Kloss while Rose sat out in the hallway with the others of Norra's crew, the two other droids, and Beaumont.
"Do you think they'll all be like this?" Beaumont asked.
Rose shrugged. "I don't know. I think it depends on where everyone's at. Since they've got Norra, they're probably farther along than others. Besides, Kat's got more of a background in all of this out of everyone. She'll make sure everything's okay before we leave."
"Yeah, I don't doubt that. Just thought I'd be doing a little more."
Rose rolled her eyes a bit before looking over at him. "This is only our first planet and trust me, Kat's gonna put ya to work."
And put people to work she did. After the meeting on Akiva, they felt more than confident they could carry out Kat's plan on their own so with an exchange of comm numbers, Kat and her team set off for their next destination. On their way to each new planet, they all discussed what they knew of the planet's history and what had been communicated to them about their current needs. With Lothal they didn't have to spend too much extra time there but with Garel, it put them behind a little bit.
Garel still needed to be truly liberated. The rocky, mountainous planet hadn't known true freedom since the Empire. Kat's team went in expecting a fight and a fight they got. Since there wasn't a true base on the planet, Kat had taken it as a part of her journey through the galaxy. There wasn't a true First Order presence either. It was mainly sympathizers and smugglers.
Both groups didn't really want the Resistance to come in and change everything since it was a bit of a paradise for both parties but once they got the sympathizers in order, Kat was able to discuss things over with some of the leaders of each of the gangs. She was extremely grateful for some of the things that Han had taught her, some of the things she had picked up along the way, and some of the things she overheard that she was probably not meant to hear.
Either way, Kat was able to get them on their side by promising to work with them on certain rules and even properly setting up Garel as a trade post planet. That promise surprised her with how well they reacted to it but with the promise of a more steady income and not being too uptight about some flying maneuvers for drivers so they could still get some thrill, everyone was able to leave the table a little happier about things.
"Oh, maker, I can't believe that worked." Kat breathed out as she leaned back in the pilot's chair once autopilot was set.
"We can't either." Rose, Kare, and Connix all said, filling the cockpit with their voices.
Soon laughter filled the space as all of their adrenaline settled down. "I honestly can't believe you didn't go all, well, you on them," Rose spoke up.
"Oh, absolutely. I swear for a moment there you were going to get up on the table," Connix said.
"I definitely had to stop BeeBee from calling Poe on multiple occasions so you may have a not so happy boyfriend call later," Kare said.
Kat rolled her eyes. "He should be very familiar with my meeting antics so he shouldn't be worried."
"We're totally going to be hearing you complaining about his protectiveness later." Rose laughed.
"Don't make me tell Finn on you, little miss. I had to stop you from jumping across a table." Kat gave her best friend a pointed look.
"You wouldn't."
"You should know by now that I absolutely would."
Everyone started laughing and soon they were all bent over from laughter the moment BB-8 rolled in claiming that Poe would like to speak with Kat.
"I would like to point out that whatever Bee said, I did nothing of the sort," Kat said as she followed the astromech to the captain's quarters, her friends' laughter following her out.
Poe's team had found a list of planets and the number of children taken from each planet on the communications base. Next to each child's name was their operating number and where they were sent for their training. Finn and Jannah had been ecstatic, planning on going through the list to compare any of those who had lost their lives during the war. They honestly couldn't wait to get started but knew that they had to finish this part of the mission first.
Poe also told her how Hays Minor was excitedly waiting for their arrival and the state the planet was in so that she could prepare Rose for when they returned to the mechanic's homeworld. They were just about to Attera Alpha so Poe wished her good luck on Bespin and hoped to see her on Batuu since he wasn't expecting this next planet to take them long.
By the time Kat returned to the cockpit, they were dropping out of lightspeed and headed towards Cloud City. All four women watched in awe as the city came into view. A small smile crossed Kat's lips as the stories she had heard about the city came to mind. Luckily she was rather certain no one was on a bounty hunter's list and with her brother on Ajan Kloss, they shouldn't be surprised by the enemy.
Cloud City luckily allowed them to make up time that they had seemingly lost on Garel. They just wanted their freedom back and to work a little more freely with their gas mining. They made sure that everything would be sustainable and that all the workers were being treated fairly before taking off to Batuu.
"I don't think I realized just how good your sister is." Lando chuckled as he sat down in his usual chair in Ben's room.
It had been about a month since Kat and the others left. Ben no longer had the bacta treatments around his wrist or ankle. His ribs were still sore and he didn't care much for the physical therapist. He was pretty sure that they were pushing him harder to where he was in pain because of who he was. He wondered on several occasions if Kat was around if she would set them straight. Then again that was how things were between them before Snoke and apparently, the Emperor got ahold of him.
"If you're just realizing this then you've not been paying attention," Ben said as he continued to sip on his caf. "I'm honestly surprised mom didn't send her out on more missions. Although I hear it was her idea for the attack on Starkiller."
Lando nodded. "Sure was. Now she's got smugglers and gang leaders working together to build a safer port on Garel."
"She's persuasive. She'll make a good senator." He really wasn't all that surprised. Kat knew how to get what she wanted. She nearly got him to come back multiple times but each time Snoke's voice played in his head, making him feel like he couldn't return. So he tried to get her to come to him but that never worked.
"She's finishing up in the Outer Rim before moving into the Inner Rim planets, anything she might need to know?"
Ben mulled it over as he finished his drink. "No. I told her everything I knew before she left. If she was able to handle Garel then she'll be fine with the other planets that have known imperial and First Order ways longer than the Republic ones."
"Well, if you remember anything."
"I'll be sure to inform you, uncle." Ben fought the urge to roll his eyes. He knew he had to earn people's trust back. Kat had told him as much but she had the decency to still talk to him as she normally would even if things were a little more clipped than usual. Everyone else was either entirely rude to him or walking on eggshells, or as with Lando, treating him like a little kid who's been grounded. He couldn't wait until everyone returned or at the very least until he could get out of this hospital room.
"You know I was beginning to think I'd never meet you in the flesh." Vi Moradi said as she showed Kat and her team around the base they would be staying at.
Kat laughed. "We would have met eventually. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the Resistance. We made some major steps thanks to you."
Vi waved off Kat's gratitude. "Just doing what any one of us would have done. Should we wait to talk shop until Dameron's team arrives?"
Kat nodded. "I think that'd be best but I wouldn't mind a tour of the outpost if that's possible."
"Sure. The First Order's trying to lock things down, keep a tight rein on things but they've only really been able to do it in one section. I'll introduce you to some of the people you need to know."
"Perfect. I'll come find you once I'm settled." Kat smiled as she and the three droids following her stepped into one of the rooms they were shown.
She tossed her bags onto the bed, as the droids gathered at the foot of it. "Are you guys needing a little extra boost? What is it?" She asked, chuckling a bit.
"I was wondering if I would be needed for this tour Miss Moradi will be giving you," C3PO stated.
Kat shook her head as she took out each charging dock. She had grabbed one just in case one of the others went out on her during their trip but it was now being used for D-O. "I don't think so, Threepio. I'm sure Vi can translate for me if needed. I'll need you for the heavier discussions though."
"Of course, Katerina. I'd be more than happy to continue to provide my services as you continue to bring peace to the galaxy."
Rolling her eyes a bit she patted Threepio on the chest as she passed by him to place the charging docks out. "Thank you, Threepio."
A string of beeps sounded next to her as she set up everything for the droids. "Yes, you can come with me, Bee. I mean really you all could but I don't need a droid entourage to follow me around." She then looked over to D-O. "What do you wanna do little one? You wanna come with me and Bee or do you wanna stay with Threepio or I'm sure Connix or Rose wouldn't mind the company if you're not ready to go out to a new place just yet."
"Stay here," D-O said. "W-wait for R-Rey."
Kat nodded. "I'm sure she'll be really happy to see you." She smiled as she stood. "Threepio, you don't mind watching over Dio, do you? Until Rey gets here?"
"Not at all, Katerina. Do be safe and we will patiently await yours and BeeBee-Ate's return."
Shouldering her backpack, she looked down at the orange and white astromech. "You ready to go, Bee?"
The droid beeped in confirmation and the two headed out to look for Vi. They didn't make it far for an all too familiar voice called out. "Where do you think you're taking my droid?"
Both of them whirled around to see Poe standing at the other end of the hallway, a large grin on his face and his hands on his hips. BB-8 let out a whirl of excited beeps and sounds as they raced towards Poe, rolling around his feet as they exclaimed how much they missed him.
The moment he saw BB-8 barreling towards him, he crouched down so he could greet the droid as he always did with belly scratches. "I missed you too, pal. Have you been good for Kat? Keeping her outta trouble?"
Poe chuckled at their answer. "Well, you've always been the better listener so obviously she hasn't yelled at you."
"Yeah, you could learn a thing or two from them," Kat smirked as she reached Poe's side. She took her time walking down to him so that he could have plenty of time to reunite with his droid.
"Is that so?" He asked as he stood before pulling her by the waist, closer to him.
"Mmhmm." She nodded as she draped her arms around him.
"Riling you up is just too much fun though." He leaned in close, their lips only a breath away from each other. "Hi." He whispered.
"Hi." She replied just as soft before their lips crashed together. Her fingers dove into his curls while his arms constricted around her, both trying to get the other as close as possible with a droid at their feet and bags on their shoulders.
"Oh," Rey groaned as she came across the couple. "I mean honestly you two," she continued when they pulled apart. "You're in the middle of the hallway. Can't you get to a room first?"
"Hi, Rey." Kat grinned as she pulled away from Poe to walk with the Jedi back to her room. "I have a stowaway that will be very excited to see you."
"What do you mean stowaway?" Rey asked, confused until D-O rolled over to her. "Dio! I thought you were staying on base. What are you doing here?"
"How'd they get past you?" Poe whispered as Rey and D-O talked.
"A certain orange and white astromech helped." Kat gave him a pointed look.
"And they didn't get in trouble?"
"Of course they did. And then on top of your orders to Bee, those two won't leave my side or come and find me if they think I've been gone for too long."
Poe chuckled. "Looked like to me that you and BeeBee were best of friends about to go out on a mission together." He wished he could have taken a picture. BB-8 had been right on Kat's heels as the pair went down the hall. Just before he called out to them, she had turned to look slightly behind her to make sure the astromech was following.
"We were going to find Vi so we could get a tour of the outpost until you distracted us."
"Can I distract you a little longer?" He asked, kissing along her jaw.
Kat bit her lip. She really wanted to get a jump start on things so they could potentially wrap up everything quickly but she also knew that she had given them the day to rest, reconnect, and just be together again. As two of the three leading generals, they had much to discuss. Problem resolved. "Well, I mean you do have to get settled and update me on how things are going on your end."
Once he agreed, she took his hand in hers and pulled him to her room, kicking Threepio out in the process. BB-8 tried to follow but Poe stopped them with his foot. The droid let out a string of beeps arguing their case for following which made the pilot chuckle. "I know you were but this is more of a one on one meeting. We'll come find you once we're done and I'll hear your side of things as we get that tour you two were about to go on."
"C'mon, Bee, I want to hear what you and Dio has been up to and how in the world you two managed to slip Dio's location past Kat," Rey said as Poe shut the door. With BB-8's sound of approval, Rey stood and started walking down the hall to find a room she could claim for herself.
"I do have a question," Poe said in between kisses to Kat's collar bone. They had actually been updating each other on a few things as they were reuniting.
"Now?" Kat groaned, bringing her hands from his hair to rest on his shoulders.
They were sitting on the bed, well Poe was, she straddled his lap. Her shirt completely off while his was unbuttoned all the way. Her hair hadn't made it fully out of its braid yet but the hair tie had joined the one he had been wearing on his wrist since Coruscant.
"Mmhmm." He hummed as he kissed back up her neck and along her jaw before kissing her sweetly. "You're letting Bee call you mom now?"
Letting out a sigh, Kat hid her face in his shoulder. "I know it doesn't make any sense especially since we haven't figured out our living situation once this is all done."
"Then explain it to me."
She moved closer to him, tucking her head underneath his chin as she pressed her body as close as possible. A small smile graced his features before he kissed her head, a little thrill shooting through him that even though they were having a hard conversation about them, she still sought him out for comfort.
"It was so cute how they asked and yes just seemed like the only answer. And I wish telling you yes we should move in together was just as easy. If anything this past month has shown me that I miss you dearly and it would be lovely to see you after a long day of meetings. Maker knows the only reason I did not strangle anyone on Garel was because I kept hearing your voice telling me to calm down and to not get shot. I just…" She let out a small huff as she pulled back enough so she could look at him.
"I'm sorry. I know I'm being difficult. I just really want this to work out."
Poe caressed her skin at her waist as he just took her in for a moment. It was probably an odd thing for his heart to swell at but hearing how just thinking of him calmed her down during a meeting, how she had missed him, how she still kept up one little wall because she wanted them to work out made him want to scream from the mountain tops how much he loved the woman in his arms.
"I missed you too, so much." He gave her a kiss and that's when an idea hit him. Kat really didn't pay much attention to words unless they were promises because she held them to such a high standard. A promise was binding in her eyes. The thing that got her to trust in anyone was their actions, however. She wouldn't believe a promise made until she trusted the person.
He pulled back and removed his mother's ring from around his neck. He felt Kat stiffen above him but before she could move, he gripped her hip, keeping her in place. "You obviously know what this ring means to me or you wouldn't have just frozen up like you did but don't worry, I'm not going to propose," yet he thought, "because I know you'd certainly run out on me then. But I still want you to have this."
"Poe, I can't take your mother's ring."
"Yes, you can. It was going to become yours anyway."
"It's so important to you, though."
"Not as important as you are." He reached up with his free hand and caressed her cheek. "Mom always said that I would know when the moment was right and while it's probably not the moment she was talking about, I still know that giving this to you right now is absolutely right." He had a similar feeling with Muran once and he had ignored it, waiting instead for the right time to propose, after the war. Sure he was now thankful that he still had his mother's ring to give to Kat but after Muran's death, it was one of the regrets that ate at him for some time. He didn't want to make the same mistake again.
"You don't have to wear it on your finger, you can keep it on the chain but it is to represent my promise to you. My promise that I will always come back to you. My promise that I'm in this for the long run. My promise that I truly want a life with you Katerina Metonae." He then switched the chain to his other hand as he held up his wrist that he wore her hair tie. "Oops, not that one," he muttered, making Kat giggle a bit as he took off the top band. "This one," he beamed at her, "has been on my wrist long before you or I thought we would be sitting where we are now and it's never coming off unless you absolutely need it but you're always prepared in that department." He smirked at her. "So because I always have something of yours with me, I want you to have something of mine."
Kat nodded, not trusting her voice right now to sound coherent. Poe smiled and placed the chain over her neck, grinning more as he let it rest just at the tops of her breasts. A shiver ran through her at the soft touches from Poe and the cool metal touching her skin. Before he could even say another word, she surged forward and captured his lips.
"I love you." She said in between kisses.
"I love you." He told her as he pulled her in closer.
They would figure things out. That they were both certain but for now they would just focus on showing each other how much they loved and missed one another.