Now that the Empire has abandoned the core worlds, the Alliance fleet has been sent to restore democracy to those worlds, and ensure that the Empire is truly gone. The Alliance flagship, a super star destroyer once constructed by the Empire, now orbits Coruscant.
On the massive bridge of the Alliance flagship, several key members of the Alliance are gathered around a large holotable, observing a projection of the planet Coruscant. Present are- Kira Bridger; Ben Solo; Ezra Bridger; Finn; Kira's apprentice, Chana Salari; Juno Eclipse; Chopper; Zeb Orrelios; Jacen Syndulla; Miara Larte, Admiral of the Alliance Fleet; and Chancellor Sabine Wren. Appearing via hologram are- Jyn Erso; Cassian Andor; Hera Syndulla; and Leia Organa.
"We've been scanning the planet ever since we entered orbit four hours ago. No signs of Imperial activity or communications of any kind." Sabine says.
"It looks like the same situation on Kuat. No sign of any Imperial ships, troops, or transmissions." Jyn says.
"That's what the other scout teams report, too. Looks like our intel was right." Hera says.
"We need to be absolutely sure of that." Leia says.
"Agreed. We should make contact with people on the ground. Get a better idea of how things really are." Hera says.
"Alright. Rogue One, go ahead and make contact with the Kuat government. Any problems, let me know." Sabine says.
"Will do, chancellor." Jyn says.
"Good luck, commander." Sabine says.
"Thanks. I'll let you know how it goes." Jyn says. The holograms of Jyn and Cassian vanish.
"According to the latest reports, Admiral Dareus Roga is now effectively running Coruscant. He's been the leader of the Resistance to the Imperial occupation. I've known him for a long time. He's a good man." Sabine says.
"I've known him for a long time, too. He couldn't openly support the Resistance, but… he helped us out where he could. I think we should try to recruit him into the Alliance." Leia says.
"Agreed. We'll go ahead and break comm silence and make contact with Roga. Let's get to work." Sabine says.
The holograms vanish, and the gathered heroes head off to their respective assignments. Sabine remains at the holotable alone, and presses a few buttons on the console in front of her. The projection of Coruscant vanishes, and is replaced by the hologram of an older, bald man.
"Chancellor Wren. I was wondering when you would make contact. We picked up your ship on scanners four hours ago." The man says.
"Admiral Roga, it's good to see you again. I apologize for not calling sooner, but we had to be absolutely sure the Empire was gone." Sabine says.
"I understand. As far as my people and I can tell, the Empire has completely withdrawn all forces. They stopped patrolling the streets a week ago. Five days ago, the ships started leaving, and the last left three days ago. We've checked every known Imperial base. They're all empty." Roga says.
"How are the people doing? We're ready to offer medical assistance and emergency supplies for anyone in need." Sabine says.
"I appreciate the offer, Chancellor. We suffered some casualties during the Empire's withdrawal, and our medcenters are… overwhelmed. If you can spare any bacta, it would be helpful." Roga says.
"Of course. I'll have some delivered to your medcenters immediately." Sabine says.
"Thank you." Roga says.
"I'd also like to come down with a team to assess the situation." Sabine says.
"Of course. Send anyone you wish. We're using the old senate building as our base of operations. Plenty of space to land there." Roga says.
"Thank you, Admiral. I'll see you soon." Sabine says.
A few minutes later, two ships head to the surface of Coruscant. They are- The Ghost, piloted by Kira; and the Rogue Shadow, piloted by Ezra and Juno. The ships head to the Old Republic Senate building, which was once the center of Galactic government. Now, the old building is reduced to serving as the seat of power for the Coruscant sector, and is at this moment occupied by a remnant of the fallen New Republic's military.
The Ghost and the Rogue Shadow land in a massive, nearly abandoned hangar. Emerging from the ships are- Kira; Ben; Ezra; Juno; Finn; Chana; Zeb; Jacen; Chopper; and Sabine. As the crews leave their ships, they are met by Admiral Roga, a few officers, and several armed soldiers.
"Welcome to Coruscant, chancellor." Roga says.
"Thank you, admiral." Sabine says.
"Master Bridger, I heard you were back in action, but to see it for myself…" Roga says.
"After Yavin, I was done. Spent the next thirteen years running away from my problems. Then, one day, I woke up. Now, I'm where I'm meant to be, doing what I'm meant to do." Ezra says.
"Bringing back the Jedi…" Roga says.
"Won't be easy. I know. But a very wise friend of mine used to say that nothing worth doing ever is." Ezra says.
"How true. Colonel Eclipse... and... Captain Orrelios? I had heard that you were somehow… alive again. How is this possible?" Roga asks.
"It's a long story. Let's just say… Jedi stuff." Juno answers.
"Fair enough. Now, as for why you're here. I expect you've come to ask us to join your Alliance." Roga says.
"I would like that, but I won't push the issue. I'll support whatever your people choose to do." Sabine says.
"The people aren't really all that united at the moment. Some want to join the Alliance. Some want the Republic to return. Some even want Coruscant to declare independence." Roga says.
"Maybe we should let the people vote. Let them decide what they want to do." Kira says.
"Quite right, young lady. I'm sorry, I didn't get your name." Roga says.
"Kira Bridger, sir." Kira says.
"Kira Bridger? I thought you were…" Roga says.
"Dead? I know. I get that a lot. The Knights of Ren faked my death, and dumped me on Jakku. I just recently found my way back to my family." Kira says.
"General Bridger has become one of our best pilots, and a natural leader." Sabine says.
"A general? At such a young age?" Roga asks.
"She earned it." Sabine answers.
"Of course. I meant no disrespect, general. It's just… unexpected." Roga says.
"I wasn't expecting it either. I only became a commander six months ago. Four months after that, I'm a general." Kira says.
"Kind of reminds me of my own career in the rebellion. One day, I was a lieutenant. The next, I was a major. The higher ups got the idea that a hotheaded kid from Corellia was a good enough pilot to get his own squadron." Roga says.
"You're a pilot?" Kira asks.
"Was a pilot. I became an admiral almost twenty years ago. Haven't done much flying since then. Speaking of flying, I see the Ghost is in the air again. Last I'd heard, Hera had retired it, permanently." Roga answers.
"The Ghost needed a lot of work, but we've got her back in fighting shape. Hera oversaw repairs, flew one mission with me as co-pilot, then stepped aside." Kira says.
"So, Hera actually gave up her ship?" Roga asks.
"She felt it was best for her to help lead the Alliance, so she chose me to take over as captain. Every day since then, I've been doing my best to make her proud." Kira answers.
"You make us all proud, Kira." Juno says.
"I try." Kira says.
"I see we have a couple more Jedi here too…" Roga says.
"This… is Ben Solo…" Kira says.
"Ben Solo? I thought you were…" Roga says.
"I got better. Had some sense knocked into me." Ben says.
"What you did… damn near drove your mother to the grave…" Roga says.
"I know. I can't take it back, but… I can try my best to make sure it doesn't happen again." Ben says.
"Well, if Ezra's taken you in, and Leia's forgiven you, then, I guess I can give you a chance. But I'll be keeping my eye on you, mister." Roga says.
"I understand." Ben says.
"Now, who else do we have here?" Roga asks.
"Chana Salari, my apprentice…" Kira answers.
"Salani? Any relation to Veltar Salani?" Roga asks.
"He's… he was my father." Chana answers.
"I'm sorry for your loss. Veltar and I served together in the rebellion against the old Empire. Damn shame what happened at Hosnian. We lost a lot of good people there." Roga says.
"Chana's mother… was on Hosnian as well." Kira says.
"Damn. I'm sorry, Chana." Roga says.
"That's why I'm in this fight. We're going to stop the Empire so nothing like that ever happens again." Chana says.
"Damn right we are. I can't speak for the whole planet, but my troops and I will help you with this fight, in any way we can. I believe the Alliance is our best hope for the future. Hopefully, the people of Coruscant agree." Roga says.
"I hope so. In the meantime, we'll check in with the leadership of the other core worlds. We'll see what kind of help they need, and… hope they join us." Sabine says.
The Empire may be leaving us alone for now, but it won't last. The Empress will come. She'll come to destroy us, once and for all. We'll lose. We're not ready to fight her. I hate it, but… this is the only way. We have to lose to win. Kira and the others will learn what they need to learn. Then, they'll have a chance to win this war, and defeat the Sith, once and for all. Ezra thinks.