Getting back to Erso's home on Lah'mu had my heart pounding. Yes, I know: there was no emotion; there was only peace. But surely whoever invented the Jedi code didn't have a planet-destroying Death Star and rank defiance of a murderous, tyrannical, Sith Empire in mind.

I caught myself there. No matter what, the Code remained the principal guide for me; Yoda and Obi-Wan had been very clear about this during my training. The Code had served the Jedi for centuries until Vader's betrayal, and would keep serving Jedi for centuries after it if I succeeded in correctly following its tenants.

Drawing in a few deep breaths, I continued walking through the night, my pounding heart growing stiller. Best to focus on what must be done, and nothing else. Stay in the moment, Luke, I reminded myself. Stay in the now.

As always, it was my biggest problem.

As we reached the property edge, Jyn glanced at her husband, who gave her a nod back. (He had insisted on accompanying us, a sign that while I had the majority of the trust he ever parceled out, he would always remain wary. I liked him.) Yet even with such encouragement, Jyn still wavered for a moment. I watched her gather her determination, drawing in several deep breaths just as I had done previously on the trek here.

Then, with slow, even steps, she headed toward the house and toward her waiting father.

OOO

Cassian Andor and I both stayed out of the room upstairs. This was Galen and Jyn's conversation, not ours. But we still needed to make sure things remained safe.

Which was how he and I both ended up in the living room, both on edge and on our guards—though I must say he showed this only in the perception of the Force. Outwardly, he retained a mask of cool calm, even command of the uncontrollable and potentially perilous situation. Yet again, he impressed me.

But it was also awkward. We exchanged glances a few times, then went back to making sure things stayed and seemed secure. The silence proved deafening.

About ten minutes in, maybe to break said stilted silence, Cassian suddenly demanded, "So, what's your plan?"

Get the Death Star plans and rebuild the Rebellion. Though I had no idea how to accomplish either the former or latter. He needed a good reply, though. Neither he nor Jyn had actually committed to helping us yet. He needed to be convinced.

I replied with what I thought sounded like a very sagely and Jedi-ish response: "Take it one moment and one step at a time."

Cassian cut in, "That's a terrible plan."

I balked inwardly, even as the bizarre urge to laugh overtook me. This man did not mince words, did he?

"My teachers taught me to focus into the moment. Old habit."

"So you've got no plan at all?"

"I do."

"What is it?"

"Get out of here safely. Then gather to make a plan on how to retrieve the station blueprints. Leia and I would love to have you both to help us."

"So, you have a plan to make a plan."

I smiled. "I've only been at this for a few weeks. And before I got here, I thought Erso had the plans in hand."

"Well—he will, if it works." Cassian's mouth creased with evident disapproval. I'd shared Erso's plan to get the blueprints with both his daughter and her husband on the trip over here. Neither had been particular fans, even as I wasn't, but both agreed it could feasibly work. I half wondered if Jyn was up there attempting to convince her father there was some other way—even though she knew there wasn't. She had better not be.

"Right," I agreed. "And that in of itself requires a new plan. But I didn't have time to make one, since I was looking for your wife."

Cassian huffed, still disapproving of what he clearly interpreted as my lack of foresight, but then he gave a short nod. "It's good we're here." Obvious subtext: Because you'd completely bungle it on your own.

I sighed. "Probably so. It is very good to have allies such as you both, since you have far greater skill than I do."

Surprise flickered in him. What had I said? It was true.

He made to reply, but then Jyn headed down from the room. Her eyes were red and puffy, but both Cassian and I pretended not to notice. She thrust up her chin into the air and demanded,
"So—when can I meet the founder of this new rebellion?"

OOO

"We're so happy that you could join us today," Leia began. Apparently for the sole purpose of this meeting, she'd bought a house through thoroughly unofficial channels via proxies upon proxies. It was a large mansion on Alderaan's southern continent, which held less of a massing of Imperial troops and presence than some other parts of the planet, like Alderia, where she'd allowed an Imperial Academy to be built.

I didn't tell anyone, including Leia, but the largeness of the house actually made me nervous. I'd never seen anything so grand in my life besides the Aleraa palace. It made me think of how many Tatooine families could be fed and provided for for life with this kind of money.

For her part, Leia wore a dress of pure white, the Chalcedon Waves around her neck, her brown hair in a simple long braid down her back. Even dressed simply, she looked every part a queen. Her hands were clasped before her. She spoke with a confidence and ease I knew I would never possess in front of people—even so few people.

Seven people, to be exact, including Leia. There was me. Jyn Andor (I'd learned she'd taken her husband's name, partly for protection). Cassian Andor. Amylin Holdo, who was now one of the leading members of the Council of Mothers on Gatalenta, and one of Leia's best friends. She would prove a valuable ally to have. Mother Holdo had also brought along one of her friends, a certain Tai-Lin Garr, who wore one of the classic scarlet cloaks of his world and radiated an admirable placidity. He kept looking over at me, like he expected me to do something fabulous. (Gatalentans still held Jedi in high esteem.) Finally, Pamlo, risking all, had also come to our meeting. She was in her sixties now, and still lived on Taris, but she'd made the journey here because apparently despite near death and former discovery… she'd once again found the will to fight.

Leia continued, "I won't waste your time talking about our cause. We all know what our cause is, and why it's critical that we take action with this chance given to us. We have all seen the cruelty, ruthlessness, and complete lack of respect for life of the Empire firsthand—on our worlds, to those we love, and even to those we respected and held in high esteem. On Jedah. Chandrila. Jakku. And so many more.

"You know my story. I know a number of yours, as well. I also realize the immense risk each and every one of you is taking, to come and even listen to me today. But I hope you also have come in faith, and with willingness to act. The plan, in of itself, is simple, though deceptively so, I realize.

"As soon as Galen Erso has the plans, Master Skywalker will retrieve them. Given that he lives on a remote world as an average citizen, we have agreed that for the time being the plans are safest in his hands. Meanwhile, we will gather allies and resources quietly and secretly. Once we have built up enough of both, we will destroy the Death Star, and in doing so ignite the spark that will light the fire and restore freedom to the galaxy. At least, that is our hope.

"In reflecting on what I would say to you all today, I found myself thinking about that one particular word: hope. For a while, I lost hope, twice over. In doing so… I came to realize that hope is like the sun: if we only believe in it when we can see it… we'll never make it through the night. We are, here, in the long night. Let us act in faith and in hope to bring a new dawn, for if we don't, we truly do condemn the galaxy to an eternity of submission."

OOO

Author's note: Please consider a review if you liked reading! Let me know what you thought of Leia's speech.

Thanks,

Hope