AN: I know that it has been a while since I've posted. Life has been pretty hectic. So hectic I forgot to also post this chapter when I originally updated this story on May the 4th. Thank you all for being so patient and I hope you enjoy this next chapter!
Kat made her way through the outpost to Dok-Ondar's shop. It was still fairly early in the morning for there wasn't a whole lot of hustle and bustle at the individual stands. She knew the minute Vi had told her that Oga's number two wanted to see her alone, that she could be walking into a trap. There was even a chance she would get patted down when she got there but that didn't stop her from making sure she was well covered. A blaster on one hip, batons on the other, and she even strapped some throwing knives on her thigh just in case.
A gold glint caught her eye. She was nearing the den and hadn't run into any trouble. Now that she was close, she wondered if that was on purpose. Try to get her to let her guard down. She continued walking, acting as though she hadn't seen it. The only indicator: her hand now hovered closer to her blaster.
When it was clearer that whoever was following her wasn't going to use their blaster, Kat switched to hovering over her batons. Out of her peripherals, she noticed movement coming towards her, the same glint flashing as the suns hit the gold helmet. At just the right moment, Kat grabbed one of her batons and used it to shove the person back, landing a blow to the person's stomach.
Kat spun to face her attacker and came face to face with none other than, "Zorii?" Kat asked in shock.
With her defenses momentarily lowered, Zorrii managed to land a hit on Kat, causing her to stumble backward. "Oh, so he did tell you about me."
Kat rolled her eyes as she regained her footing. She grabbed her second baton and gave them both a twirl. "You're working for Dok-Ondar now?"
"You should really be careful of what you say when negotiating, princess," Zorii said, hands held up in a ready position.
She knew the moment the name came out of the other woman's mouth it was meant to rile her up. She knew if she would strike now that she could possibly not have the upper hand. But maker how that name made her blood boil. "Someone's done her research." Kat quipped before striking out.
The two women soon entered into a close dance exchanging blow after blow. A baton, a dodge, a jab, a kick, each blow evenly matched. That is until Kat kicked Zorii into a wall, causing the other woman to lose all breath from her lungs which gave her the opportunity to pin her with a baton pressed to her throat. "What were your orders?" Kat seethed.
Zorii just laughed. "I can see why he likes you."
Kat rolled her eyes and pressed the baton just a bit more into the other woman's throat. "I'm done with the mind games, Zorii. What does Dok-Ondar want?"
"You're good. I'll give you that."
"Do you need protection, is that it?"
"Job security's more like it."
Kat let out a small huff. "So you answer my questions when you need something, huh?"
Zorii shrugged as best she could. "You haven't shown that…" Her words stopped in her throat as she started choking since Kat pressed her baton further into her throat, cutting off her airways.
"You sure that I won't now?" Kat raised an eyebrow and Zorii just patted her arm requesting her to let up, which she did.
"I should have expected as much from Kylo Ren's sister."
Kat reached up and smacked the button that raised the visor on Zorii's helmet. "I'd rather see the eyes of the woman who's insulting me rather than helping herself. I'm over whatever this is. So you can either talk to me or I'll take other actions."
Conflict warred in Zorrii's green eyes and Kat watched every emotion pass through them. Before they returned to their usual hard stare, there was a brief moment of softness. "I just wanted to make sure you were good for him."
That caught Kat off guard. "What?"
"I'm not trying to win him back or whatever but even when I thought he was just some punk trying to make sense of the growing tension in the galaxy, I knew he was good. So after he declined my offer of traveling with me on Kijimi, I realized that it was more than just the Resistance that it was also whoever this Kat person that kept coming up. Then there was that weird tension after Exegol but based on what I saw yesterday you two made up. So I'm glad he's got someone good like you around and if you could just ignore me and what I do, that'd be greatly appreciated."
Kat rolled her eyes and let up, taking a step back so she was no longer pinning Zorri to the wall. "You know if you help get this outpost into a true trading port, you'd have that job security you want." She really didn't know how to feel about the comments in regard to her and Poe. A part of her didn't really care. She and Poe's relationship was no one else's business besides her and Poe. Although another part of her appreciated the compliment. She just wasn't going to comment on it further.
Zorri chuckled. "Nice try but I'll stick with what I'm doing. You do know that there's always going to be crime, right? Just because you won a war doesn't mean you can just do a Jedi mind trick and it'll all be erased."
"Oh, I'm well aware. But if I can lower the crime rate by making sure that those who are committing crimes because they feel like it's all they can do in order to provide basic needs for themselves or their families, I'm going to do that as we rebuild the Republic into the Galactic Union."
"You sure are an idealist."
Kat shrugged. "I've been called worst. Now, how should we go into Dok-Ondar's so we both get what we want?"
Zorri laughed, pressing the button to return her visor over her eyes. "You are a politician." She then held out her hand. "Give me your weapons and we'll walk in together."
She gave the other woman a wary look, adjusting her grip on her batons.
Despite Kat not being able to see them, Zorrii rolled her eyes. "Oh, c'mon, princess, I'll give them back to you."
She pointed a baton towards Zorrii. "Maybe stop calling me princess and then maybe I'll agree."
She sighed. "Alright fine. I'll give your weapons back to you, Kat, but I'll need to hold onto them while you talk to Dok-Ondar. I won't go off without them, I swear." She may have thought Kat naïve for thinking that she could manage something like lowering the crime rate but she was intrigued by the other woman's conviction. She really believed she could do it and she wanted to know how she would, especially on a crime-driven planet on Batuu.
Kat slowly handed over each baton, blaster, and throwing knife. "I want those back the moment we step back outside of Dok-Ondar's den."
"You will," Zorrii said, nudging her forwards so they could get this all over with.
"She's good. I don't how she bested a Trandoshan but she's good. I think I still listen to what she has to say. She apparently only gets feisty when provoked. I doubt she'll actually lead anyone to try and rob you." Zorrii said once they stepped into Dok-Ondar's office.
Dok-Ondar tried to dismiss Zorrii but Kat spoke up. "Actually, it'd be better if she stayed. I won't get too feisty if I don't feel threatened."
Just before he was about to reluctantly agree, there was blaster fire heard in the mix of a commotion outside. Zorrii left on his command to see what was going on while he and Kat started negotiations. Kat sat more on edge because with Zorrii gone, that also meant her weapons. Yet she pushed through and started mapping out a plan with him that would be beneficial for all.
Zorrii stepped out into the alley to take a look at what was going on when she saw Poe shoving one of the poor smugglers that worked for Dok-Ondar into the wall. "Dameron! Let the poor guy go."
Poe whirled around in shock as BB-8 rolled forward and bumped into Zorrii's boot, demanding to know where Kat was.
Zorrii nudged them back as she answered. "She's negotiating."
"If she's negotiating then why do you have her weapons?" He'd recognize Kat's batons anywhere and the fact that she didn't have them made him more worried that she truly had walked right into a trap.
"Because she needed to prove that she wasn't going to do anything hasty like rob a store to prove a point." She then handed him Kat's weapons. "I've held up my end of the bargain so hold onto these for me and wait for her to reappear and things should be just fine." Once he had everything she gave a small salute. "Later."
"Do you really expect me to believe that she's fine in there?"
Zorrii rolled her eyes. "You have a droid, use it."
"BB-8 is too recognizable."
"And who's fault is that?"
"That's not the point."
She huffed. "I was the trap, okay? She bested me and we worked a way for both of us to get what we wanted so in order for her to get that trade deal, listen to me and stay put. She'll be out whenever their discussion is over."
BB-8 beeped, letting him know that it still wasn't the set time that Kat had requested before they could go look for her and that they should at least trust Kat to know what she was doing. Poe sighed, sitting down on one of the benches. Zorri took that as her cue to leave, giving another small salute before making her way to the cantina.
"You really just waited for her to be done?" Poe asked, looking down at his droid.
The orange and white astromech beeped in confirmation.
"Did you ever have to go in to help her?"
They let out a string of beeps letting him know that they only ever had to go find her once and when they did, she was reassuring a family that they would find their child.
Poe sighed. That must have been the name that BB-8 had sent them. They hadn't found a match on the records they had of casualties and they hadn't run into anyone with that name yet so they continued to be on the lookout.
Waiting the remaining time nearly drove Poe mad. His leg seemed to continuously bounce, his fingers tapped along her batons, as he kept his eyes on the front door. BB-8 sat at his feet, keeping their photoreceptor trained on the door as well. They counted down the minutes until Kat was supposed to walk out those doors.
The moment she did, BB-8 took off with Poe right behind them. She heard the droid's beeps first and was just about to crouch down to greet them when she noticed the pair of legs not too far behind. She looked up and before she could even register how she felt about seeing Poe she was wrapped up in his embrace.
"I wasn't even going to be late," she said.
"Don't you ever do something like that again." Poe said, holding her close.
"It wasn't even that bad. He just wanted to make sure I didn't use a meeting to rob his store. We're moving forward with a trade agreement."
"It could have been so much worse. You didn't even have anything to protect yourself with."
Kat pulled back. "Speaking of which, I'm hoping Zorrii gave you everything."
Poe sighed with a nod and started handing everything back. "This is why I gave you BB-8, you know."
"And they're with me most of the time." She then looked to the astromech as she started to reholster everything. "We've only had to do that a handful of times, right buddy?"
The droid beeped in confirmation before letting out a stream of them informing Poe that they only ever leave mom's side unless for a very good reason.
"This was not a very good reason," Poe argued.
"Pretty sure it was. Besides, shouldn't you be at a First Order base right now?" She asked with an eyebrow raised as she started walking back to the Resistance base.
"Jannah and a few others should be doing recon right now. We're hitting it later tonight." Poe said with a roll of his eyes as he quickened his step to keep up with Kat and BB-8.
She nodded. "Smart. If you need help while we're all together, let me know." She smiled at him, reaching out to take his hand.
Sighing, he took her hand in his, interlocking their fingers. She was here, right beside him and it didn't even look like the fight with Zorrii took a toll on her. He'd have to check under her shirt later just to make sure there wasn't any bruising, but she seemed to be breathing normally so maybe there really wasn't anything to worry about. "I thought I was supposed to be the reckless one." He said softly.
She squeezed his hand. "You always told me I needed to lighten up." She teased him.
"Not so much that you willingly went into a mission knowing full well it was a trap. Did you really have no other option?"
"I really had no other option. If I didn't show up, nothing would go through and the people in this part of the Outer Rim would be without a proper trading post since the next closest one is not close at all."
"And this is why you were picked as Chancellor. Just make it to the capital in one piece please." He brought her hand up and placed a kiss across her knuckles.
"I promise to make it to the capital in one piece." She leaned in close, sealing the promise with a kiss to his temple.
"Where have you three been?" Finn asked as Poe, Kat, and BB-8 walked into the control room of the base.
"I had a few things to take care of and these two decided to follow," Kat said. "Is Vi around?"
Finn nodded. "I saw her in the mess hall last."
Kat smiled. "Thanks, Finn. Let me know if you guys need anything." She said as she walked off, BB-8 following behind her.
Finn motioned towards the pair walking away, a smirk plastered on his face. "So family outing this morning?"
Poe rolled his eyes. "Not exactly. Is Jannah back yet?"
"She just commed and said they were on their way. Should be any minute."
"She indicate anything?"
"Let's just say, I'm glad we have back up."
Poe groaned. "They're on a criminal planet…" He trailed off as things began to click. "They're on a criminal planet which means they're trying to rebuild here."
"Exactly."
"Kriff. How many?"
"We won't know until Jannah returns."
Poe nodded. "And they don't know we're here?"
"It doesn't seem like it. It seems like they're trying to lay low in order to rebuild."
"I know I haven't seen any troopers patrolling the streets. Let's get a plan together and then we'll bring in Kat."
Kat sat across from Vi in the mess hall. BB-8 had seen Rey and D-O on their way and had rolled off to speak with their friends. The General smiled as the other woman continued eating, staring at Kat with a raised eyebrow. "What have you done?" Vi finally asked.
"I got Dok-Ondar to get Oga to agree to trade regulations and making Batuu a legitimate trading post. I just need someone here to help look after things and report to the Galactic Union when things don't go the way they're supposed to."
"And you want me to be that someone." She didn't even have to ask. If Kat wanted someone else she would have gone to them or approached her much differently.
"I do. You know these streets like the back of your hand. You know these people, got them to trust you to get information and to keep the First Order at bay. I don't see anyone else that holds that kind of trust that would make this work."
Vi sighed. "I don't know, Kat. I like it here but I was hoping to get out after everything tied up."
"You'd have to meet with those who want to trade here which means going off-world to make sure they're following the regulations but if you want more than just that, I get it. I just need a recommendation from you on who you think could take on this job."
Silence fell over the two women as Vi chewed over Kat's offer. She didn't exactly have anywhere to go back to. If she was running the show then she could put things in place so she wouldn't have to be here all the time if she wanted. There were plenty of planets in this section of the Outer Rim that she wouldn't get bored with.
"Alright, I'll take it." She agreed after finishing her latest bite of food.
A grin spread across Kat's features. "Thank you. I know you're going to do a great job." She then stood and motioned towards the bowl that was in front of Vi. "I'll let you finish eating but find me later and I'll go over what I've already agreed to with Dok-Ondar this morning and then you can come with me for any other meeting.
"You spoke with Dok-Ondar this morning?"
"Yeah, that's where I've been. He's agreed to most of my conditions and surprised me with a few of his own."
"Good conditions?" Vi asked, skeptical of any requests that the number two of a crime organization made.
Kat nodded. "I wouldn't have agreed to them if they hadn't been."
The Resistance surrounded the building the remaining First Order members were using as their base. They were split up into four different teams. Kat's team would enter from the back and work their way to the main control room where they would meet Poe's team who would enter from the front. Kare would be leading a team from the roof that would make their way down and Finn's team would enter by crashing into the windows, swinging in from a building nearby.
The goal: capture all leading officers and flip all troopers that were questioning in the first place.
They went in on Poe's mark and soon chaos ensued. All that could be heard was the sound of blasters and shouts from both parties. Orders were being shouted over each other and while the kill count was more than what the Resistance hoped for, they finally made it to the control room.
Once everyone was either dead or tied up, Kat took a look around the room. There were far too many lights blinking back at her and machines humming back for her liking. Stepping over to the main console she realized that they weren't just planning on laying low here to rebuild, this was their hub for all rebuilding.
"Connix!" Kat called out. "Help me get a channel open to all connected to this base. It's time I make an address."
The lieutenant hurried over and soon the two worked together to open up the right channel. The holo recorder shined to a spot in the middle of the room. Taking a few deep breaths, Kat prepped herself. She wasn't ready to actually address the entire galaxy until their campaign to shut down the remaining First Order had been completed. This hub, however, changed her mind. She needed to let those who were still oppressed, who were still under the First Order's shadow that there was hope and that there was help on the way.
Poe grabbed her arm just before she entered the holo recorder light. "Are you sure about this?"
She nodded. "Look around, Poe. We may have stopped them in Exegol but that only stopped them from creating more harm to the galaxy. With that part of the war now done, it's time to go help the fight that most of the citizens of the galaxy have been fighting in their own backyards. They need to know that we're on our way to help them."
Poe nodded before pulling her close for a kiss.
A large grin lit up her features when she pulled away but it soon became a look of determination. She stepped into the light from the recorder and took a deep breath, hoping the words would flow as easily as they normally did when she tried to give her pilots a pep talk. "Hello to anyone that comes across this broadcast. My name is General Katarina Metonae of the Resistance. I along with the rest of the Resistance are currently stationed on Batuu but are moving throughout the galaxy in order to finish what we started on Exegol and that is, ending the First Order. I am broadcasting to you from a hub the First Order tried to rebuild from and seeing the list of planets that this hub is connected to I couldn't leave without saying something. If I haven't been cut off yet hear this. There is hope still out in the galaxy and we are on the way to bring you out of the shadows the First Order cast. If you are a part of the First Order, your days are numbered. We are coming for you and you will pay for your crimes against the galaxy."