A few minutes later, Vala and her troops reach the central plaza, an area that surrounds the massive palace that houses the Sedition leadership. The plaza is at this moment filled with Sedition troops, droids, and tanks.

"That's a lot of bad guys!" Aja says.

"Indeed." Vala says.

"What are we going to do?" Aja asks.

The original plan obviously won't work anymore. There are more of them than I thought there would be. As grandmother taught me, always have a backup plan. Vala thinks. She activates her wrist comm.

"Jek, send the reserve units!" Vala says.

'Understood. Sending them now." Jek says over the comm.

"Thanks, Jek." Vala says.

"Reserve units?" Aja asks.

"I have two more battalions on standby. They should be here within ten minutes. Until then, we hold here." Vala answers.

"Hold? This position?" Aja asks.

"I have an idea." Vala answers.

"I thought you might." Aja says.

"We need to get some cannons deployed. I'll set up three here. I want you to take some troopers and set up two cannons… there." Vala says, pointing to a nearby statue.

"I see what you're doing. If they advance, they'll be caught in the crossfire of our cannons." Aja says. Vala nods.

Aja learns well, and she's brilliant. Hopefully, the council agrees to grant her a knighthood soon. She is almost ready. There is little more she can learn from me. Vala thinks.

"That's the general idea. Now, go on. Get to it." Vala says.

'Right." Aja says. She walks away, and Vala's wrist comm beeps.

"Skywalker here." Vala says.

"Just thought you'd like to know, the Sedition fleet has surrendered." Jek says over the comm.

"That's great news. We could use any available forces down here!" Vala says.

"Arvon's already seen to it. Your reserves are on the way, along with some air support." Jek says.

"Very good. Skywalker out." Vala says.

"Master, I find it highly unlikely that we will successfully hold this position until reinforcements arrive. I calculate a ninety one percent chance that we will be overrun." U5 says.

"We'll just have to change those odds, won't we?" Vala asks.

"Another one of your reckless plans I assume? I find it very difficult to protect you when you keep endangering yourself." U5 says.

"I'm a Jedi, and a general. It comes with the territory." Vala says.

"Be that as it may, my primary function is to preserve your life, by any means necessary. If your life is in danger, I will be forced to intervene to protect you. Even if it means violating your orders." U5 says.

"I am aware of that. I did help Arvon build you after all." Vala says.

"You should allow me to advance and covertly eliminate the enemy leadership." U5 says.

"No. I have something else in mind for you." Vala says.

"And what is that?" U5 asks.

"I need you to take a sniper position. Target the ground unit commanders and eliminate them." Vala answers.

"That is an acceptable plan. I will of course enjoy killing inferior meatbags for you, master." U5 says. Vala chuckles.

"Well, hurry up will you? I haven't got all day!" Vala says.

"Yes, master." U5 says. The droid walks away, heading toward a nearby skyscraper.


Vala turns her attention to a group of soldiers who have advanced toward the enemy. They are now under fire from a nearby tank.

What are they thinking? There's no cover there! Vala thinks.

The Jedi Knight activates her lightsaber, its two blades glowing green. Enemy troops begin firing on Vala, and she uses her double bladed weapon to deflect their blaster fire back to them. The enemy tank moves closer, while continuing its bombardment. Vala looks at the nearby soldiers.

"Fall back to the cannons!" Vala says. The squad leader salutes, then leads his men back to the cannons. This leaves Vala alone to face the tank.

Okay… it's just me and the tank now. I'd better time this right, or else. Vala thinks.

Vala closes her eyes, and breathes deeply. Then, she opens her eyes, and leaps into the air. Calling upon the force, she leaps over the tank, and lands on top of it. She uses her lightsaber to slice open the massive vehicle, then jumps inside. She takes out the two droids operating the tank, then takes over the controls.

Ha! Basic First Order controls! This tech's so old and simple, I could do this with my eyes closed! Vala thinks.

Vala uses the tank to destroy another nearby tank. The three remaining tanks start firing on Vala, so she abandons the tank and falls back to her troops.

Okay… only three tanks left. That bought us some time, I think. I wonder how U5's doing… Vala thinks.


Nearby, on the roof of a tall building, U5 looks through the scope of his sniper rifle. He aims at a few enemy soldiers.

Those meatbags are not targets of strategic value. I must continue my search. U5 thinks.

Eventually, U5 spots an older man in a black uniform with a trench coat.

That one wears the uniform of a First Order general. According to my databanks, that is General Zoban Kurr, a prominent commander of Sedition ground forces. I believe that my master will be pleased with his termination. U5 thinks.

Without hesitation, U5 fires his rifle, hitting General Kurr right between the eyes.

"Scratch one meatbag!" U5 says.


With one of their generals now dead thanks to sniper shot from U5, the Sedition forces in the central plaza are now in disarray. At this moment, Vala's reserve units arrive. There are about five hundred soldiers, several mobile cannons, and two hundred droids of various designs. One droid stands out in particular- a small round droid painted white and orange. This is BB-8, an astromech belonging to Vala, and a veteran of the Resistance War. The droid spots Vala, and beeps excitedly as he rolls to her. Vala kneels and affectionately touches the small droid.

"You bent your antenna again? Grandmother said you never could keep it straight. Having too much fun I guess." Vala says. BB-8 beeps in response. Vala laughs as she straightens the droid's antenna. Once she is done, Vala stands up.

"Looks like you got your backup. What now?" Aja asks, as she returns from helping the troops set up cannons.

"Most of our forces will continue as they are. However, I've assigned a few of the droids to sneak into the palace and take down the security systems. That reminds me… BB-8, is your squad ready?" Vala asks. The droid beeps in response.

Of course the squad is ready. BB-8 is the most efficient droid I've ever met. Vala thinks.

"Very good. Move out. U5, go with them. Serve as security. Remember… BB-8 is in charge." Vala says.

"Understood, master." U5 says. The group of droids leave.

"Why did you send U5? We could probably use him here." Aja says.

"We'll manage." Vala says.

"Understood. How are we going to play this?" Aja asks.

"We'll focus on the tanks! Let the droids handle the soldiers!" Vala says. As Vala is speaking to her apprentice, more Sedition droids emerge from the palace. Vala activates her saber once more, and Aja follows suit. In sharp contrast to Vala, Aja only carries a basic short lightsaber with a yellow blade.

There are some in the order that called me a fool for allowing Aja to use a shoto as her sole weapon, but… she handles herself well. If it works, no point in arguing, is there? Vala thinks.

"Great! More of them!" Aja says.

"Sithspit! Where are those fighters?" Vala asks.

At that moment, about twenty Alliance starfighters arrive, and open fire on the enemy forces. All of the Sedition tanks are destroyed, as well as several of the droids.

"Thanks for the help, Wolf Leader!" Vala says into her wrist comm.

"Anytime, general. Looks like you have things under control on the ground, so we'll patrol the city and take out anything that tries to escape." Wolf Leader says over the comm.

"I copy. Thanks again for the assist." Vala says.

The starfighters leave the area. Now, only a small number of Sedition troops and droids remain.

"All forces, advance! Secure the plaza!" Vala says.


Vala leads her troops toward the remaining Sedition forces. The fight is brief, and the now outnumbered Sedition troops are defeated. The few survivors throw down their weapons and surrender.

"Wise of you to surrender. You will be treated well. You have my word." Vala says.

"You're not… going to kill us?" One of the captured enemy soldiers asks.

"Of course not! What kind of monster do you think I am?" Vala asks.

"Our leaders… told us that the Alliance wanted to destroy all of us!" The soldier answers.

"Your leaders… are lying cowards!" Vala says.

"What about the Battle of Teragon? Weren't you there, General Skywalker?" The soldier asks.

The Battle of Teragon…. Not our finest moment. So many dead… all because of that bastard, Demarak! Vala thinks.

"I was there, but I was not in command. The Battle of Teragon… was a mistake. The leaders responsible for the atrocities on Teragon have been removed from their positions. These actions were not condoned by the senate, or the Jedi Council. Or me." Vala says.

"So you say. Jedi are known to be liars and hypocrites." The soldier says.

This… debate is over. I have work to do. Vala thinks.

"Sergeant! Prepare these prisoners for transport to the ship!" Vala says. A nearby soldier salutes. Soon, the prisoners are handcuffed, and led away.

"Look! We have a clear path to the palace!" Aja says.

"Yes, but we can't go yet. We have to wait for Demarak and his troops." Vala says.

"Skreb him." Aja says, in a low voice only heard by Vala.

Yes, I agree. Vala thinks.

"What was that, padawan?" Vala asks.

"Nothing, master." Aja answers. Unseen by Aja, she smiles briefly.

"That's what I thought." Vala says.