The mountain tunnels leading to the Resistance Outpost are with hostile activity. Squads of Stormtroopers invade each crevice with their blaster flashlights, the crackle of synthesized voices reverberating off the high tunnel walls. They are drawing close to their goal.

Inside the warm lights of the outpost itself, a similar energy is present. Soldiers move crates and boulders to create barricades before the entrance tunnels - but there are too many to count. Scouts peer round corners with macrobinoculars, and pilots who'd finished evacuating their teams pick up blasters too. The Resistance needs every combatant they have if they are to survive the day. General Poe Dameron unholsters his blaster pistol as he shouts orders to his soldiers, before a familiar voice breaks the silence.

"Rey!" he yells back, holding his blaster aloft and beckoning her to him. Rey strides forward, slightly ahead of her party.

"I'm glad you're here, we need your skills." Says Poe.

He points to the number of tunnels their precious few troops are now covering.

"Stormtroopers are closing in, fast. Can you sense where they're coming from?"

Rey grins at Poe.

"Of course General, but Finn can do one better." She stands aside and Finn approaches, BB-8 and AJ-2522 following close behind him. Finn is determined, if a little nervous.

"Poe, this woman has agreed to help." He put a hand on her shoulder. "In exchange for her freedom."

Poe looks from Rey, to Finn, to AJ-2522, and finally to BB-8, who bleeps excitedly. He closes his eyes with tired frustration, but never reaches his prepared lecture of Finn. Rey steps in front of Poe's scolding gaze, cutting him off.

"Before all that, I think you should hear what she has to say, General."

Rey's words have just the slightest hint of danger in them. The sounds of shouts and panicked evacuation can be heard behind them. Poe gives the Jedi a frustrated look, then places a hand on his hip, the other beckoning with his blaster for AJ-2522 to speak, quickly.

"Let's hear it then, trooper."

The last part makes Finn uncomfortable, but AJ-2522 pays it no mind, stepping forward confidently.

"General Poe of the Resistance; I have the agreement of your subordinates for the exchange of intel for freedom, can you guarantee that? I'm not here to fight anybody's war… not anymore."

Poe raises an eyebrow at Finn and Rey, then sighs.

"Help us save lives and you can run, if you want." He narrows his eyes at her. "How do I know you're not going to just go back to your friends?"

AJ-2522 looks past Poe at the barricading tunnels, blind terror flashing in her eyes.

"I can't go back. It'll be worse than..." She trails off into silence.

Whilst Poe is only more confused, Finn squeezes AJ-2522's shoulder in comfort.

"You can trust Poe, AJ-2." He whispers to her. He'd shortened her name to give her a little push. She straightens up, eyes back on Poe.

"The flare beacon I activated is for exclusive use when a trooper is sure they've found the Resistance. My garrison consists of 200 troops who will all be on their way now. If they find this place they will surround and overwhelm. Swarming is our tactic."

Poe takes in all this information and scratches his jaw, thinking fast. He turns and calls out over the rush of soldiers.

"Connix! Tico!"

As if summoned by magic, Rose Tico and Kaydel Connix appear from the mass of starships and troops almost immediately. Connix, a blond-haired commander, carrying several blasters she is in the process of distributing. Rose holds a datapad as she checks over every member of the Resistance. They reply in unison;

"Yes General!"

"How long until we can get out of here?" Demands Poe.

"Not within the hour, General" replies a concerned Connix. "Most of our transports need to finish refuelling."

Even during the rush, Rose takes a moment to nod welcomingly at AJ-2522 before answering.

"Everybody is almost back to base General, including our Scouts, but it's taking them time to avoid detection." Her anxiety bleeds onto her face. "We need the hour, atleast."

Poe continues to think hard. He was foolish to hope that a full scale evacuation would be so quick. He shakes his head. No, it is never foolish to hope. But his various plans are interrupted once more;

"Err, General, I think I have a suggestion" Pipes up AJ-2522. Poe cocks and eyebrow, and she continues.

"If you collapse the tunnels you can trap the garrison long enough to escape."

When Poe, Finn, Connix, Rose, Rey and BB-8 all stare at her in confusion.

"How?" Asks Poe. "We'll just stall the first wave, surely?"

AJ-2522 shakes her head.

"The flare beacon summons all troops in my garrison, that means no backup and they're moving in one group. If you can lure them into a single tunnel, you can trap them until you escape."

She nods, mostly to herself than to anyone else. "It's all in the new protocols."

Rey grins excitedly. "And if any slip through the cracks, don't worry, I'll handle them."

Finn clasps his arms fondly around Rey and AJ-2522, his expression excitable.

"Yes! That's what I'm talking about AJ-2!"

Poe nods, his mind made up. "Right follow me."

The group of seven circle the perimeter of the base, as Poe shouts new orders.

"Alright squads form up! We're gonna trap these thugs in the tunnels before they get to us! Connix, divide up our thermal detonators. Rose, notify me when the last of our Scouts returns."

"Give me five minutes General, we'll meet you at the main tunnel." Replies Connix, and both women rush off to work. As the group approaches one of the largest tunnels, Leia appears behind Poe, her sporting pistol by her side and her eyebrow raised.

"It's your plan and your soldiers, General Dameron, but are you sure this will work?"

She surveys the assembled group before her fondly, pausing on AJ-2522. "And who's our new recruit?"

Poe comes to stand next to Leia and survey AJ-2522 along with her.

"I'm not sure if she's on our side, but her intel is good." He offers.

AJ-2522 gazes at the floor anxiously. BB-8, Finn and Rey are caught between, showing concern for the scrutiny of their new companion. Finn steps forward first.

"Poe, I know this is all very sudden, but you've got to understand. Everybody here in the Resistance chose to be here. The majority of soldiers advancing on us now, they had no choice."

Finn's brow furrows as painful memories of Reconditioning surface in his mind. He can hear the cries of his fellow cadets, the hum and buzz of surgical instruments, and the blank terror that followed.

"AJ-2 and I have been… conditioned since we were kids to follow orders, and we don't remember it, just the... fear of it. It compels you to follow orders. Despite that, she's here, helping us."

Leia's disgust at the methods of the enemy is evident. She looks to Rey, who nods in somber acknowledgement of Finn's words. Leia offers a hand toward AJ-2522.

"It's very brave what you're doing," says Leia earnestly. "Thank-you."

AJ-2522 takes the shake, the ghost of a smile crossing her lips. "Well, I had plenty of stubborn support getting here, Ma'am."

Leia and Rey lock eyes knowingly. Finn, reminded of his damnation of Rey's view of Kylo Ren, feels the squirm of guilt in his stomach. Leia and AJ-2522 break their handshake.

"Well, lead the way, ah…" Leia pauses, having no name to address the ex-Stormtrooper by.

"Oh it's-"

But AJ-2522 pauses, looking down and then ip into Finn's. She makes a sudden and significant decision.

"It's Jaytu, that's my name."

Leia nods in acknowledgement and Rey gives her shoulder a squeeze as the group moves out. As they walk, Finn tries and fails to subdue his shame. Rey notices, cocking her head when he hesitates. To follow the group.

"Everything alright Finn?"

Finn shakes his head in an attempt to clear it.

"Yeah, yeah! I'm right behind you!"

He and BB-8 bring up the rear as they join the forces Connix has assembled for their counterattack.

Jaytu's garrison are indeed out in full force as the penetrate the mountain tunnels. A large group of Stormtroopers advances, blasters raised, searching through a large cave for enemies. Nearing the end, one Scout peers into a smaller off tunnel, looking left into the gloom, and then right, where the flashlight of their blaster illuminates the silhouette of Rey, hand raised. Before the Scout can even react, Rey utters a few words in a completely neutral tone.

"The Resistance isn't here. They must be hiding in the main tunnel behind you."

The Scout's shoulders slacken, but not before two of his squadmates appear behind him. Rey raises both hands and closes her eyes, repeating her words;

"The Resistance isn't here. They must be hiding in the main tunnel behind you."

The Stormtroopers freeze when they see Rey, but don't lower their blasters. Sweat appears on Rey's brow, but she breathes, long and deep. A moment pases before their synthesized voices finally answer in unison:

"The Resistance isn't here. They must be hiding in the main tunnel behind us."

Swivelling drowsily on their heels, the three troopers file back into the cave behind them, shouting orders to their squadmates to follow. In the darkness of this tunnel, Rey lowers her hands, panting. Behind her, Finn, Jaytu, and BB-8 duck out of their hiding spots.

"You think this'll work?" Asks Finn, a little anxious.

Rey nods confidently. "I'm sure, it's a good plan."

She winks at Jaytu, who looks even more nervous. "And a good name too."

Jaytu grimaces, remembering what Rey had told her in the cell.

"Thanks, I made it myself."

Finn and Rey chuckle as the four of them rejoin the teams now surrounding the main cave. In caverns hidden near the ceiling, Resistance forces watch as red armoured Stormtroopers gather into a single cave, meeting in the middle. A few of the more senior Scouts exchange looks.

"I thought we'd searched all the tunnels, and this was the last one?"

"That's what I thought too!"

One of them hit another on the back of the head, scoldingly. "You idiot, why would you think that?!"

As the Stormtroopers quarrel amongst each other, Poe signals Connix and Rose. They point to sets of detonator charges above the three entrances, and indicate they are ready to go. Two other teams return and confirm they are ready too. Having moved to a ledge overlooking the entrance, Rey gives Poe the all clear too. Poe counts down on his fingers, then activates the detonator.

The sound of exploding rock is instantaneous, shattering the entrances to each cave and blocking them with large debris. The thick crack of rock-hitting-rock drowns out the confused yells of the Stormtroopers, as each entrance is filled with boulders. ~Some of them attempt to call out over the radio for help, but there's no answer. They wave their torches around in the dark, slowly realising they're trapped.

On the other side of the rubble, a cheer goes up as Poe confirms all enemy troops have been cut off. Finn turns to Jaytu, and grasps her hand.

"Thanks," he says with a grin. "For, you know, for not making me regret my decision."

Jaytu nods curtly, feeling uneasy about what will happen next. Will she go with them? Live out her life on the next planet they happen to stop at? Who knows.

Finn hadn't noticed Jaytu's apprehension as he now searches for Rey. They make their way through the squads of troops before spotting her, descending from her ledge. Finn touches her shoulder, and she jumps slightly. Finn raises an eyebrow.

"Everything alright, Rey?"

Rey's frown indicates differently, but she nods.

"Yeah it's just, I can sense something… cold."

With Jaytu following behind they enter the outpost once again. Though he hadn't quite mastered his new sense, Finn engages it, but feels nothing. He looks back to Rey worriedly.

"What can you sense?" He asks quietly.

Rey's focus intensifies, and she turns towards a tunnel snaking upwards, presumably higher into the mountain and above their base. Her expression of concern turns serious, battle-ready.

"There's somebody else here." She whispers.

The circular cave the Resistance currently uses for the outpost was once a nesting station. Exogrub larvae burrow smaller tunnels to reach the top of the mountain, where their crystal diet is easier to find. Amongst one of these tunnels, high above the outpost, crouches a man wrapped in black, his vibroscythe strapped to his back; Vicrul. One hand holds his body steady as he leans out of the smaller tunnel. His other hand holds a small attachment to his crude helmet - a macroscope - as he searches through the crowd of Resistance fighters below, muttering to himself.

"Come out, come out..."

But he doesn't have to wait long.

A scarlet blaster bolt flies through the air, striking the macroscope in Vicrul's hand and sending it hurtling down into the outpost below. Vicrul raises his hands in slight surrender, and turns his helmeted head. In the semi darkness stands Rey, blaster pistol smoking, pointed right between Vicrul's eyes.

Vicrul moves his hand slightly towards his weapon, but a second blaster bolt whizes between his fingers and the handle.

"Don't move," warns Rey.

Vicrul freezes, realising his prey has come to him. Under his mask his lip curls. Rey looks him up and down with disdain. She can feel the dark-side rippling off of him like stink from a carcass, the same way she'd sensed it in Snoke, and... Ben.

"Who are you?" Rey demands.

The dark warrior scoffs, and straightens up to his full height. There is simply no need to lie.

"Vicrul, of the Knights of Ren." Comes his distorted reply. He allows the weight of his words to land on Rey, then continues.

"It's our sworn mission to hunt and oppose you."

Rey frowns. This 'Vicrul' is being more talkative than she had imagined, being trapped with the only route escape behind her. Curious. Rey continues to probe.

"Why hunt me?"

Rey maintains her pistol, still steadily aimed at his helmet. The noise of Vicrul's scoff is metallic and raw, distorted by his helm.

"You're a Jedi pretender aren't you?" He replies, as though their opposition is obvious.

Rey says nothing, refusing to answer to 'pretender'. Vicrul builds on this bruising of her ego.

"I know you are, I can sense it in you too." He sneers. "The delusions of grandeur, the same that brought the Jedi to its end so long ago. But we both know there's more lies, isn't there?"

The colour suddenly drains from Rey's face. He wasn't talking about…? How can he know? Vicrul takes an eager step forward.

"Yes, Master Ren told us all about that. How will the precious Resistance react when they discover their brave, virtuous Jedi is just some worthless, no name, nobo-"

But before Vicrul finishes the insult, Rey squeezes the trigger. A bolt shoots towards Vicrul's head, but his reactions are on par with hers, managing to tilt his helm. The bolt ricochets, leaving a gash of singed metal, and Vicrul uses the momentary confusion to activate the smoke grenade on his belt. The dingy tunnel instantly fills with a thick black haze.

Rey calms her frustration at both Vicrul and Ben by closing her eyes. That was reckless, and she couldn't afford to act out like that anymore. she imagined her feelings stretching out, like a ripple on water. Sure enough, she can sense Vicrul, crouching near to the ground, unsheathing two short vibrodaggers. She aims her blaster into the smoke and fires, but he leaps into the air, soaring over her head. As he flips the blades flash in the gloom suddenly, opening two cuts on Rey's back.

"Ahhhh!"

Rey yells in pain but keeps her concentration, moving to thrust the pistol towards Vicrul, but he hadn't prepared to counterattack. She sensed through the smoke, and realised he now fled up the tunnel. Why? Still with her eyes closed, Rey breaths and squeezes the trigger a second time. A bolt shoots from within the cloud of smoke, and catches Vicrul in the shoulder. His distorted yell reverberates as he turns the corner in pain, and Rey gives chase.

The tunnel twists and turns upwards as Rey's boots pound the rocky floor, her pistol held aloft. As she runs Rey decides capturing him will yield a better outcome, but doubt creeps into her mind. What if he is right? What if her friends don't see her like Finn does? She hadn't told anyone what had happened That Day, not fully. She needed to appear strong for them. In her fear she imagines Leia, the strongest of all, looking at her with pity and disappointment when she finds out how truly weak Rey is…

The Jedi shakes her head, clearing it, and calming her rising nerves. Right now, she has to focus on the task at hand.

Up ahead, Vicrul is busy running whilst wrapping his daggers in cloth and stowing them in his coat to care about much else. He lurches up two forked pathways to throw off Rey, reaching the entrance of the tunnel. He exits into the welcome afternoon air of the mountainside, wasting no time in darting through the undergrowth towards his ship. He is nearly there. Suddenly, he feels a peculiar sensation come over him; his energy depleted and his legs becoming numb by the second. Dropping to his knees panting, he turns to see Rey at the tunnel entrance with her pistol raised. He's been hit by a stun bolt.

Rey raises a hand towards Vicrul, opening herself to the Force. Vicrul lifts off the ground and hurtles through the air backwards, his feeble resistance no match for Rey's command of the Force. No! He thought, panicked. I can't be captured! We're so close!

Rey's concentration is suddenly broken by a spherical device that hurtles towards her. She leapes swiftly away as the bomb detonates, the explosion destroying the tunnel entrance she and Vicrul had appeared through. Her influence interrupted, Vicrul falls to the floor with a groan, looking up to see his partner Cardo standing over him. The tall warrior retrieves another bomb from his long coat, throwing it in Rey's direction.

"Get up," Cardo commands Vicrul in disgust. "You disgrace yourself."

"It matters not, I have what we came for!" Retorts Vicrul with relish.

Vicrul gets to his feet and dashes away through the mountain undergrowth, fighting the numbing sensation with pure willpower. Cardo follows, still lobbing grenades towards Rey, but she'd had enough. Sprinting forward, she immersed herself in the Force, allowing her to leap and dodge away from Cardo's bombs even before he threw them. As Cardo turns and disappears into the undergrowth behind his partner, Rey gives chase, but she is too late.

A small, crude looking two-man fighter lifts from its hiding place amongst colourful ferns. Cardo climbs in beside Vicrul as he fires the engines, propelling the ship named 'Talon' swiftly into the sky and out of Rey's reach.

Rey watches the ship go with barely concealed frustration, the pain from her cuts becoming more prominent, and the doubts she'd put off beginning to gnaw at the edge of her mind. What had these two wanted? Why attack her then leave? And, the question that made Rey shudder as she retreated; why did his words anger her so much? She remembers who had told them her secret, and her jaw clenches.

Ben.

The mosaic patterns of hyperspace dance beyond the clear window of Ren's shuttle quarters. Aboard his personal ship he has only his pilot droid and himself. After the confrontation with Ushar and Hux, he had sought the solace of his own company, to purge the soft thoughts he felt stirring once more. He had been succeeding so far, the charred helmet of his grandfather sat on a plinth, a reminder of the consequence of softness, failure. He stood with his back to it, hands held behind his back, staring through the window into hyperspace. He breathed slowly, pushing thoughts of the Jedi out of his mind to focus on his only goal; rebirth. Suddenly, the sound of the ship's engine is nullified around him. He knows this sensation now, as their bond through the Force. He doesn't turn to look for Rey this time, he won't. All his careful work is for nothing however, as the object of his thoughts has a will of her own.

"I know you can hear me."

Rey's chastising tone stokes molten feelings he'd just spent time repressing. She is upset about something. What? Ren dismisses these feelings and lets her words hang in the air. She doesn't deserve his time. Did she think they were equals? After what she did…?

"Look at me." Rey demands.

Ren turns in the direction of the voice with a cold look. Between them is the plinth holding Vader's helmet. Her clothes are slightly dirty and sweat still glazes her chest and face. The look she affixes him with is hard to decipher. The woman he'd conversed with on Ahch-To was easy to read; anger, frustration, sadness. But the woman before him has changed. She looks into his eyes with accusation and… something else. Is it pity?

"You shut me out-" He pauses, wrestling with his own frustration. "-After you couldn't accept the truth."

His voice is low and calm, but the ripple of anger cannot be mistaken. She left him. He offered her everything and she left him. He turns back to the window, as though uninterested by her response. That should be enough. But Rey's footsteps echo across the room as she comes to stand next to him, also looking out the window and the dancing lights of hyperspace.

"A truth you've decided to tell your little friends."

So that's what she is upset about. Ren can sense the betrayal in her voice. He'd told the Knights the version of Snoke's death where Rey was the murderer, and that she refused to accept the truth. He drowns out a sudden bout of shame.

"After you refused, I sought aid in reforming the Galaxy." He retorts, resentment filling his voice.

He turns away from the window and approaches the plinth holding Vader's charred helmet.

"They are dedicated to my mission." He finishes, resolutely.

"I don't think they are." Rey's words are as sure as his. "They want destruction, not recreation."

Caught off guard, Ren stutters for a moment. He is shocked she even remembered his offer, of bringing a new order to the galaxy, to create something new. A moment passes before she speaks again.

"I don't think you want the same thing."

Ren growls in annoyance as Rey fails to understand him. Again. He stalks away from the plinth, meaning to leave Rey as she had left him. But her next words freeze him.

"Ben, wait."

He stops, glancing at her. She has approached the plinth, her wide brown eyes moving over the charred helmet which she holds… somehow, in her hands? Ren blinks. How is this possible? Thinking back, she had been looking out the window too. Can she see, even influence his surroundings? Has their bond grown that strong? How? Why?

"What you said back then..."

Rey continues, and something about her catches Ren's attention. She'd been so resistant when they'd spoken before, hostile. But there remains none of that about her now. She is being honest, no, vulnerable. Ren conceals his surprise as he hangs on every word;

"I've been thinking about it alot... becoming who I'm 'meant to be'..."

She looks straight into his eyes now, so he knows how serious she is.

"I've begun asking myself those questions too. What is it that I want?"

She trails off for a moment, as though she doesn't have the answer yet. He understands; just asking is hard enough, but he knows what he wants. She senses this too and gazes at the helmet, the symbol of all Kylo Ren compares himself to, of all he wishes to surpass. And to his surprise, a sadness that she fights to keep back everyday spills onto her face.

"Can you say you're doing the same?"

The sudden use of his own advice against him stuns the dark warrior. He'd expected their first conversation after the Battle of Crait to be hostile, full of shouting and accusations, but Rey has come in peace, having done some introspection of her own. He hadn't prepared for this, and his silence told her so. Ren bristles, trying to regain his composure once again and purge himself of doubt. Of course he knows what he wants, his mission is so clear! It had been clear when he had offered for her to share in it, all those months ago. So why then had she shut him out? She watches him sway in silence, wrestling with emotions inside himself. She is waiting for an answer he can't give. Yet. She averts her gaze, understanding but disappointed at the same time. She returns the helmet to the plinth, and voices the last thing she's wanted to tell him for months.

"It was good advice, so… thanks."

Her voice is low, vulnerable, a ghost of a smile crossing her lips. Like all that she's said in the last few minutes, Ren is astonished. Why is she thanking him? Is she trying to confront the truth about her past? Is she finally listening to him? Will she finally…join him?

The appearance of this thought, this hope, is enough to strike fear into the heart of Kylo Ren. He wrenches his eyes away from hers and moves towards the door, sure this time. He's already been vulnerable before her, and he'd ended up more alone than ever before. Just the thought of it brought sharp, painful breaths to his chest. He activates the door panel and leans against it, breathing hard against the loneliness. He can't afford to hope, not again, not risking such crushing loss. He slumps forward as the turmoil inside him reaches a breaking point. Watching him deal with so much, Rey does the only thing she can think of.

She reaches out.

The warmth of her hand on his shoulder makes Ren freeze. It's a soft, calm squeeze of her fingers, the simplest expression of support. Ren can't think of the last time somebody touched him like this, with such gentle care. And then her hand is gone, and the sound of the ship around him returns to his awareness.

Though she is gone, Ren whirls around to look for her.

Minutes seem to pass as he breathes heavily, staring at the spot she'd stood in, mind racing, but one thought keeps bobbing to the surface: They hadn't been that close since… since…

Ren's melancholy thoughts are interrupted by the flat tone of his pilot droid through his ship's commlink.

"Vicrul on comms, Master."

Ren regains some of his artificial composure. He stomps over to a holotable to his right.

"Put him through." He orders the droid.

"Yes, Master."

He stands taller, dismissing the obvious relaxation he'd felt around Rey. A live holofeed of Vicrul's head appears, and he immediately speaks through muffled static.

"I have it Master, I have her blood!"

Ren's squints at Vicrul, deep in thought. He'll have his prophecy, he'll have his vengeance, he'll finally have everything he wants. Almost everything.

"Bring it to me," Kylo Ren commands.

Rose Tico darts excitedly through the rushing throng of pilots and troopers, datapad in hand and rolling droid companion BB-8 at her side, before finding who she's looking for.

"Everyone is accounted for, General, and we're all fuelled up."

Standing atop a stack of boxes, Poe had been hurriedly shouting orders and pointing people around. Relief breaks across his face as he hears Rose's words.

"Thank the stars, alright!" He claps a hand on Rose's shoulder as he passes her and raises his voice. "Everyone fire-up and let's get moving on my mark!"

Poe dashes towards the front of the fleet, engines activating around him as X-Wings, A-Wings, B-Wings, and Y-Wings roar to life. He reaches the front consisting of three ships; the large cruiser flagship ('Craitstar'), a battered corellian freighter ('The Millennium Falcon') and a large UT-62D 'U-Wing' transport - his own ship, decorated in the Resistance colours of orange, blue, and green.

Poe checks the fuel line of his ship, being tended to be an ancient looking droid. Behind him, Finn chivvies younger recruits into their transports, some of them as young as he was. Jaytu brings up the rear, and Finn clasps her hand in welcome before sending her off.

"I'm only hitching a ride with you before I'm off on my own!" Shouts Jaytu over her shoulder.

Finn, a bizarre feeling of déjà vu washing over him, nods loftly. "Of course you are."

Jaytu manages a smirk before hurrying off to follow the rest of the newbies into the bowels of the Craitstar, which is transporting non-combatants. Finn turns and sees Poe in his natural habitat; fussing over a ship. Finn is in his element guiding new recruits but, as he draws closer to Poe, he becomes suddenly nervous. Finn straightens his jacket fussily and clears his throat.

"So… got a name for her yet?" Finn asks.

Poe notices Finn and smiles wide, joining his side to look upon his new ship.

"Yeah no, I'm not very good at naming things." Poe admits.

Finn scrunches his face in disbelief and laughs. "Well that's wrong, you named me didn't you?"

Poe closes his eyes and grins, caught out. "Ha, you're right there bud."

He sneaks a look up and down Finn before walking forward. "Come on, let's get her fired up."

Poe maneuvers into the cockpit and activates switches and toggles, powering the ship up. Finn is mesmerised; Poe has restored the entire ship to working order, buttons and screens light up like a celebration before two captain seats.

There's awe in Finn's eyes as he admits; "It's beautiful Poe."

A boyish grin crosses Poe's face as he dusts off leather pilots chairs, proud of himself.

"Makes a nice change, right? No more single seater journeys for me."

He is of course talking about the old X-Wing he used to fly, but Finn senses the hint of a second meaning. He approaches the second piloting chair, watching as Poe moves his fingers across dials, plucking up his courage.

"So… do you need a co-pilot?" Finn asks tentatively.

Poe glances at him, doubtfully. "Finn, buddy, I'm the best pilot we got! I can fly this thing with my eyes closed!" Poe goes back to completing the startup sequence, and Finn flinches at the sting of rejection. He masks it with a smile.

"Right! Of course? Obviously." Finn pats the top of the captain seat, almost scathingly. "Nevermind."

Finn backs out of the ship's hull. Poe shoots a look of confusion at his back, before realisation breaks over him. How could he be so stupid? Cursing under his breath and throwing the hydrospanner he'd been using to the ground, Poe chases after Finn.

"Wait, Finn, wait! Do you mean... you?"

Finn walks curtly towards the Millennium Falcon before pausing. Rose was atop it, waist-deep in the interior of a removed hull panel, talking back and forth with Chewie and Rey in the cockpit. Finn turns, straightening his jacket - Poe's jacket - and summoning his fake smile once more.

"Hey, it's fine, you've got your thing, that's cool." But there is no sincerity in Finn's voice. Thankfully, Poe gets this too.

"No, if you mean you then of course, I'd love you to be my, err co-pilot!"

Poe stutters, trying to find the correct way to articulate his feelings. "You know, we're a great team, and I definitely need somebody, there, you know?"

Finn raises an eyebrow, unconvinced. "A team? Like equals, co-captains?"

Poe becomes very aware of his own sweat.

"Yes, yes, co-captains, right!" He replies panicked, desperately drawing Finn into a one-armed hug and indicating between the two of them. "Me and you, co-captains, like old times, in my-no-our ship. Sound good?"

Finn, who'd been secretly satisfied with just watching Poe chase after him, stroked his chin in mock contemplation.

"Hmmmm."

His face broke into his classic smile, enjoying Poe's desperation. "Of course I'll be your co-captain, Poe."

"Yesss, great, I'm glad!" Poe shakes Finn's shoulders, relieved. "Come on, let's get her all fired up." They re-enter the U-Wing together, but unbeknownst to them, their conversation had an audience.

The U-Wing joins the chorus of engines as it's two captains prepare to fly at a moment's notice, but the Falcon stays worryingly silent. Chewie roars from inside the cockpit: the old ship has encountered another engine malfunction. Whilst Chewie tries profusely to jumpstart the freighter, Rose and Rey have hurriedly clamber atop the hull. The young technician wades through a jumble of exposed cables with tools in hand, wary of the little time they have before take-off. Rey, however, has noticed Finn and Poe.

"It's like watching two awkward kids!" Scoffs Rey.

Rose pops her head out of the hull of the Falcon for a moment, noticing Finn and Poe inside the U-Wing, and giggles before returning to her repairs.

"Do you think there's anything we can do to nudge them?" Rose replies as she works.

Rey sighs. "No, I think they'll work it out sooner or later, just very clumsily."

Rose holds out a hydrospanner and Rey swaps it for a welding torch. Rose resumes repairing the Falcon's wiry guts, making quick work of several exposed panels.

"When did he tell you about it?" Rey asks, curious.

"He didn't have to tell me," says Rose knowingly. "I knew from the way they looked at each other."

Rey impersonates Poe by overtly fluttering her eyelashes at an invisible Finn, prompting Rose to resume her giggles. Rose finishes her work and Rey hoists her up onto the hull of the Falcon.

"Try again Chewie!" Rey calls out, muffled wookie mumblings greeting her. As they wait, Rose shuffles closer to Rey.

"Wanna know a secret?" She whispers.

Rey cocks an eyebrow, interested. Rose's cheeks turn slightly pink.

"I kissed Finn once!"

This time Rey's look of surprise is genuine. "Really? I thought you were just friends!"

Rose chuckles at Rey's reaction, nodding along. "Yeah we're so close now, but about a year ago I made a move!"

A garbled shout comes from the cockpit - Chewie still can't get the engine to start. Both women move to a different spot to check on, smiling cheekily between them.

"You better not tell Poe that!" Rey whispers, amusing Rose as they weld more wiring on the Falcon's back. Sparks kick up as they work quickly.

"Try that Chewie!" Rey calls a second time. She's worried they'll keep the entire fleet behind at this rate. Whilst Rey surveys the other starships with growing unease Rose gazes at her, considering a question in her mind.

"Rey?" She inquired. "Is there anyone you want to… you know…"

It is Rey's turn to blush.

"...Kiss?!" The young Jedi replies in a hushed voice, as though cursing. Her seeming embarrassment amuses Rose.

"Yeah! Is there someone?"

Rey's cheeks glow as her thoughts begin to drift. She wishes the Falcon would start, but…. She trusts Rose.

"...I think so." She finally admits. "Maybe."

"Oh!" Rose claps her greasy hands in surprise and leans closer to Rey, desperate for details.

"Who? Who is it!?"

But Rey answers with only a smile, tinged with sorrow. The revving of the Falcon's engine fills the silence between then before Rose realises who Rey means. Rose knows little of Rey's connection to Kylo Ren, and had not expected this. The moment of hesitation passes as Rose decides that her only concern is Rey's distress. She grips Rey's hand with her own and squeezes.

"I'm sorry Rey, I didn't mean-"

But the young Jedi shakes her head, banishing the sorrow once more.

"It's alright! it's complicated, just..." Rey stutters. "He's not ready. Not yet."

"That's because he's going through alot," retorts Rose flatly. "You both are."

Rey looks at her, confused. She never heard such an outlier statement about Ben like this before. Most of the people she'd talked to about this had at least met him, but Rose knew only what Rey had told her. The technician just shrugs at Rey's look of confusion.

"Rey, I don't know anything about the Force but I know people. What happened in that throne room - when the time came, you stood by eachother. Even if you've both made mistakes, things holding you back... that means something right? That's what I'd look for in someone!"

Rose chuckles to herself, trying to defuse the tension.

"All I'm saying is-"

But Rose notices something by her foot - a thrust pressure cable has become detached. She nudges it back into place with her boot and the Falcon's sublight engines roar to life. Chewie's roar of triumph comes from the cockpit and both Rey and Rose yell in unison. Rose indicates to the now solved problem and finishes her advice;

"...Maybe it's simpler than you think."

Rose clambers down from the Falcon's hull, and waits for Rey at the boarding ramp. Rey leaps down elegantly, following Rose towards the cockpit at speed. They pass the communal space, the walls of which have become infested with nests of porgs.

"Thanks Rose." Says Rey quietly.

Rose nods, her ponytail bobbing up and down as they take their seats in the cockpit next to Chewie, who is flicking switches dutifully.

"I'm sure he'll find some way to show you how he-"

Rose gasps loudly, staring at Rey's shoulder.

"Is that blood?"

The cuts Vicrul had given Rey she'd hastily bandaged, but they'd started to weep with fresh blood. Rey opens her mouth to make an excuse but giggling Rose has been replaced by angry medic Rose.

"Shut up and hold still!"

Rose retrieves batca spray from the medpac on her belt, treating Rey's wounds with quick proficiency. The Falcon ready to fly, Chewie lets out a low, enquiring growl. Rey tries to answer but Rose overrides her once more;

"Rey went off and got injured and didn't tell anybody!"

"I know, I know, it won't happen again!" Rey sighs as Chewie waves his arms at her in frustration.

"Who did this to you anyway?" Rose inquires. "A Stormtrooper?"

Rey's expression turns dark. "No. They called themselves a 'Knight of Ren', two of them."

The word 'Ren' freezes Rose. "Did… he send them?" She whispers.

The sadness creeps back into Rey's eyes, and she avoids the question.

"I don't know, but they moved like me, like a Jedi, they're dangerous."

She thinks back on what Vicrul had told her, and what the two Knights had said to each other.

"I think they were after me, but I don't know why."

She trails off, wondering if this was Ben's doing. The thought of a person so powerful they can hunt Jedi sends a shiver down Rose's spine. She'd sooner stick to the life of healing, maintenance, and the occasional blaster fight. What scared her the most is Rey fears them too. Rey's search for a subject change is interrupted by a muffled BOOM. Rey swivels in her chair to look at Chewie.

"Is that the signal?"

But Poe's distorted voice erupts over their cockpit commlink in answer.

"All squads, cut your engines and await orders. Commanders, report to the bridge of the Craitstar. We've got a situation!"

The crew of the Falcon look at one another anxiously. Chewie's low growl probably means he has a bad feeling about this.

Miles away high above them, a large triangular shadow creeps over the sunbathed flora of Brentaal IV. The Finalizer, having jumped from lightspeed, now descends close to the surface of the planet, kicking up gusts of dust and causing boulders to tremble. Aboard the bridge stands Admiral Hux, looking down at the various mountains and forests with cruel determination.

"Do not stop until you have found them. Search every cave, every crevice." Hux orders.

A spew of large grey trooper transports spill from the Finalizer's flank, accompanied by sharp looking starfighters, whose triangular, solar panel wings cut through the air like knives - TIE Daggers. The fleet of starships descend upon the surface of Brentaal IV like a swarm of locusts.

Miles below the surface, the inner cave housing the Resistance outpost rumbles as the scream of TIE daggers can be heard overhead. Poe and his commanding officers gathered inside the primary command bridge of the hammerhead flagship Craitstar. Being only a light-corvette, the quarters are cramped, just about accommodating the dozen or so commanding staff; Major Snap Wexley of Black Squadron, accompanied by his fellow commanders of Cobalt, Razor, Comet, and Shell fighter squads and Captain of the Craitstar Nien Nunb to top off the naval captains. Colonel Terez, a tall and imposing Theelin woman in her late 40s, sits with her arms crossed atop her dual pistols. Three short horns protruded either side of her pink-skinned head, and she is surrounded by her army commanders; Connix, Finn, Rose, and a handful of others. Everyone is slightly on edge. Rey however remains calm, standing beside advisors Leia and Chewbacca. General Dameron activates the holotable, and the chatter around him instantly dies.

"Alright everyone listen up."

The following holoimage doesn't ease anybody's nerves. A three-mile radius of Brentaal IV is displayed, including the mountain they now hid underneath marked by the Resistance insignia. Above, a triangular obelisk representing the Finalizer looms, with markers showing TIE Daggers and Stormtroopers approaching them rapidly.

"Our escape just became a whole lot more complicated."

"How did they find us?!" Major Snap Wexley looks frustrated at the timing of this ambush. "We shut down the garrison! They can't have known."

Rose plucks up her courage to speak. "The beacon we intercepted earlier could be more wide reaching…?" But Poe waves his hand impatiently.

"The 'how' doesn't matter right now. That Star Destroyer can track us if we jump to lightspeed."

He squints at Rose. "Is there any chance we can stop that from happening?"

Rose scratches the back of her head, thinking fast. "I'm working on something, but… it's not ready yet."

Rose pulls a curious device from her bag and holds it up: a crudely made circular datapad with a silver toothed slicing key lodged in one side.

"From what we've learned of hyperspace tracking, a jammer like this uses a pirate frequency to slice us out of the tracker's range... but so far? I've only been successful with blocking basic scans, like starfighter targeting computers. Star Destroyers are just too big."

Rose fiddles with the jammer, apologetically.

"I'm sorry General, the only options we have are to shut it down or be out of range."

"That's alright, Rose," replies Poe. "How far out of range?"

Rose looks to Finn for confirmation, and his brow furrows.

"About a mile from the Destroyer." He confirms.

Poe clicks his fingers as an idea comes to him. He looks immediately to Rey, who is already grinning.

"It's ready, we can do it!" She answers, without giving context. "We'll need to keep the Destroyer from catching up though."

Whilst Rey and Poe bounce off each other, Finn examines the holomap of moving troops. Three squadrons of Stormtroopers move towards one of the tunnels leading down into the mountain, too close for comfort. A spark goes off in his mind too.

"It's all in the new protocols, just like Jaytu said!"

Finn gets the attention of Rey and Poe, who are still discussing their exit strategy. "Poe, this'll help. Just as we did with Jaytu's garrison, we trap them."

Poe frowns at the mention of Jaytu. "I'm not sure Finn, are you sure she told us everything? Maybe she planned this?" But Finn shakes his head.

"No no, what I mean is, we lure and trap them down here, they tell their boss and the Destroyer won't leave the mountain!" He clasps his hands on Poe's shoulder. "It's all in the new protocols!"

Poe glances at Rey who nods in encouragement, then to Leia who raises a surprised eyebrow. The Rebellion specialised in tricking the Empire back in the day, and he'd been used to that so far, but this drastically improves their odds of success. Poe is swayed.

"Alright! Chewie, lead the demolition teams to the remaining tunnels, leaving only the one ahead of us, and dowse the lights. The rest of you, get back to your ships and get ready for a takeoff."

All gathered move in unison. Finn, Rey, and Rose catch Poe's eye as he nods in determination.

"And may the Force be with us!"

Lieutenant Quonit approaches Admiral Hux with a nervous gait, stopping just shy of Hux's reach. The white uniformed Admiral halts his pacing, looking up threateningly.

"My patience is faltering Lietnanant, what have you found?"

The young Quonit gulps.

"O-one of the squad leaders thinks they've found the base," he says tentatively, as though one wrong word will cause Hux to explode like a bomb. The Admiral rolls his eyes.

"My Stormtroopers are not conditioned to think they are conditioned to do," he sneers, more to himself. "Get me on comms."

Deep in a ravine near the base of the mountain a squad of Stormtroopers advance, led by two flametroopers. One of them lifts their wrist to answer a bleeping call on their gauntlet comm. Hux's distorted voice is heard.

"TN-2729, be quick."

The flametrooper stands a little straighter, an almost emotionless tone in her voice.

"Yes, Admiral. We've found an irregularity that suggests the Resistance are hiding nearby."

Two of TN-2729's squad examine a large blackened shadow on the sandy floor, where the Scout Trooper met his end at the hands of Rose a few hours earlier.

"Permission to advance with all squads Admiral."

Up in the Finalizer, Hux's lip curls. Let's see Ren's face when he throws the defeat of the Resistance at his feet, and more…

"Permission granted. All squads convene at TN-2729's location. Swarm and overwhelm the Resistance!"

A look mirroring the apathetic boredom he'd shown at the Reconditioning Division passes over his eyes. "Failure will be met with Reconditioning. Do not fail!"

TN-2729 shudders for a moment before she lowers her arm and hoists her incinerator rifle before her, advancing alongside her scarlet-armoured fellows into the gloom of the mountain tunnel maze. The tunnels give way to large caves, which they search with their rifle-mounted torches. Soon a dozen more squads join their search, the caverns now invaded by more than a hundred troopers. Their mechanised voices and radio chatter bounce off the walls, though they do not see the faint blinking lights of active thermal detonators lining the entrance.

Inside the Resistance outpost, Poe and Finn stand atop the U-Wing in near darkness, the lights extinguished. Finn watches through his macrobinoculars as distant torchlights flicker beyond the far tunnels.

"Poe..."

But General Dameron's face is scrunched in absolute determination. The moment these bombs go off the fleet will move, so he can't be off, not by a second.

"Wait."

Back in the caverns, a trooper climbs above a heap of rocks, shining his light into the pile and listening. They can hear a faint voice over their radio.

"Captain!" The trooper calls over their shoulder. "The garrison are in here, they're trapped!"

TN-2729 activates her commlink. "Admiral! They're here!"

On the bridge of the Finalizer, Hux narrows his watery eyes, tasting victory.

"Take them out." He commands.

"Leave them!" TN-2729 instructs the troopers investigating the collapsed caves. "Spread out! Overwhelm the Resistance! Shoot anything that moves!"

Finn looks to Poe, alarm in his eyes. Poe grits his teeth as enemy torch light approaches them.

"Wait..."

A single trooper turns the corner of the nearest tunnel, shining light upon the fleet sitting in darkness. The trooper barely opens their mouth before -

"NOW!"

All is rubble, smoke, and dust as explosives erupt in the tunnel roof, blocking the Stormtroopers exit, and hidden concussion grenades engulf TN-2729 and her troops in a red pulse of energy. The flametrooper drops her rifle and hits the floor, hands over her helmeted head as her senses are assaulted.

"GO! GO! GO!" Yells Poe.

The Millennium Falcon's engines explode into life as it surges forward into the largest tunnel, closely followed by the Craitstar and each squadron of starfighters. Poe and Finn watch them go from the cockpit of the U-Wing and, as the last B-Wing zooms past them, they engage their thrusters and follow into the gloom of the largest tunnel.

TN-2729 manages to get to her feet and watch Poe and Finn's U-Wing disappear into the tunnel, leaving an abandoned outpost. There is genuine panic in her voice when she shouts into her comm;

"The Resistance fleet is on the move! I repeat, the Resistance fleet is on the move!"

Hux listens intently to the comm broadcast on the Finalizer bridge, but all that reverberates around the walls is muffled static.

"What's happening down there?!" He looks from one scared aide to the other, finding no answers. "Did they find them?"

In one of the sunken workstations, a seated technician swivels on his chair, looking up at Hux.

"Sir, something seems to be disrupting communication with our squads, but it's not being jammed!" The technician's eyes flicker back and forth under the brim of his cap, searching for a solution. "There might be an environmental disturbance."

Hux's pale skin shones with sweat.

"Nobody moves until we find out what's happening and find out NOW!" He screams. "We cannot lose the Resistance!"

The Finalizer glides through the atmosphere, now hovering directly above the mountain, scanning for any and all life forms. TIE Daggers circle a wide perimeter in pairs. Far from the Finalizer, two Daggers pass over a huge hole the exogrubs dug earlier, led by Rey. They barely pass over it before a ship shoots out of the hole, knocking them off course. One of the Dagger pilots manages to steady themselves, and catches a glimpse of the ship that buffeted them; the Millenium Falcon. The TIE pilot activates his commlink, but is buffeted again by a stream of ships appearing from the tunnel - it's the Resistance!

"All squads, c-come in!" The TIE pilot stutters as his ship cartwheels through the air. "North-East! The Resistance are making a run for it!"

The Falcon steams ahead, skimming the surface of another mountain before heading upwards for the atmosphere. Rose, Chewie and Rey are in the cockpit, pushing the old freighter to the limit of it's speed. Whilst Rey and Chewie drive, Rose shouts into her headset commlink.

"Ignore enemy fighters and just keep following us! As long as we stay out of the vicinity of that Star Destroyer, we'll be able to escape! Be prepared to jump at a moment's notice!"

Inside the bridge of the Craitstar, Captain Nien Nunb and Leia Organa operate the ship's controls, the huge ship soars just behind the Falcon. C3-PO waves his hands in the air as their large ship accelerates.

"I-I'm all for escaping, but this is just ludicrous!"

R2 bleeps a rebuttal of excitement over him, and Leia replies into her comm.

"We're with you Rose, lead the way."

The starfighters that follow the Craitstar remain in formation, making a line of ships behind the Falcon, now lifting away from the surface of Brentaal IV. But the element of surprise has been lost. From the bridge of the Finalizer, Hux is watching the band of ships escape in the distance as the hulking Star Destroyer turns to face them, but too slow. Many expect Hux to divulge into flustering screams, but his face has drained of all colour. For the first time, the prospect of execution crosses the mind of Armitage Hux. His panicked rage is realised as choked commands spill from his lips.

"All fighters! B-Bring them down! NOW!"

As the Star Destroyer starts to lurch in the direction of the Resistance, a slurry of winged fighters gather behind the escaping fleet, peppering them with green ion bolts. A handful of Resistance starfighters take damage, but they aren't worried for long.

"Time to break up the parade!" Comes a confident voice over Resistance comms.

The orange and blue colours of Poe's U-Wing jet from the tunnel at incredible speed. The ship's wings fully extend outwards, charging towards the gathering of TIE Daggers now chasing the Resistance. With a rolling maneuver, Poe manages to hook the enemy fighters with his wings and twist in the air, sending several flying off course and disorientating the rest as he bullies them out of the sky.

"Hahaha!" Yells an exhilarated Finn, seated beside Poe in the U-Wing cockpit. "We ready yet?!"

Poe's concentration is completely focused on maneuvering the ship as Finn maintains the shields. Poe gives him a quick side glance.

"Almost. Let me ditch these thugs and put us ahead, get ready."

Finn nods and pulls the crude circular jammer Rose had shown them earlier from his jacket.

"Rose are you sure this will work?" Finn shouts into his commlink.

Back in the Falcon, Rose's face is both anxious and sweaty.

"I hope so, I mean I think-"

Before she can finish, Rey shoots her a look and shouts; "It'll work! Believe in yourself, dummy!"

Rose stares at Rey, the use of her favourite insult touching her heart momentarily. She nods, and her voice is full of calm determination as she replies.

"It'll work, we're almost there!"

The Falcon breaks through the layers of cloud and the blue sky fades into the familiar blanket of stars. The Resistance Fleet rises, but a gaggle of TIE Daggers still pursues. Even further behind them, the Finalizer causes gusts of dust to billow as it's engines engage, pushing it's bulky hull slowly in pursuit. The point of Hux's noise is all but pressed to the window of the bridge as he watches the distant ships disappear beyond the clouds. How could they have fooled him like this?!

"I want them dropping out of the sky!" He turns and points to a communication technician in the workstation pit. "Any pilots that are not firing constantly will face Reconditioning! I want the Resistance dead and I want it NOW!"

An eruption of green ion energy shoots straight for the Resistance fleet. The U-Wing takes the most hits, but still speeds ahead. In the cockpit, Finn looks flustered.

"Shields are holding Poe, but-"

"Wait for it..."

The U-Wing's manages to outclass the TIE horde, pulling ahead and catching up with the rest of the fleet with abnormal speed.

"Alright, now!" Shouts Poe.

Finn turns the silver key on the side of the jammer, and it activates with a PING! Instantly, an invisible wave emanates from the U-Wing hitting friend and foe ships alike. In the interior of Resistance starfighters, tracking dials go blank, and some show looks of concern.

"Everyone keep your eyes ahead," came Finn's reassuring voice. "Our tracking may be dead but just keep following Rose and get ready to jump!"

Finn now looks right out of the U-Wing's viewing port, and grins triumphantly.

"It worked Rose! It worked! I wish you could see this!"

Behind the fleet, enemy blaster fire becomes amateurish at best, with streams of bolts and missiles completely missing. Without their targeting systems, enemy pilots cannot lock on and attack with their weapons. Rockets and other energy blasts are shot at random, but none hit home. Hux watches this unfold with eyes wide.

"How long until we're in hyperspace tracking range?!" He spits at one of his aides, who quivers in their boots.

"T-thirty seconds sir."

Now panicking, some of the TIE Daggers let off homing missiles, but Rose's slicing key is too strong. The missiles spiral out of control and hit friendly TIEs, left and right, and chaos ensues.

The Falcon finally breaches the atmosphere, and Rey puts her hand on the lightspeed lever, looking to Rose, who repeats into her comm; "Everybody get ready!"

Rey slams her hand down on the lever with a determined grin and Chewie roars in triumph.

"NOW!"

Thirty different engines take a deep breath, and jet into hyperspace. Poe and Finn take one last look at their pitiful pursuers and punch it, disappearing into the twisting realm of lightspeed with a shared victorious grin.

As the U-Wing disappears into the folds of space, Hux's patience finally cracks. His screeching yell is followed by dead silence aboard the bridge of the Finalizer. Hux pants in panic, then manages to get his breathing under control. His eyes are red with danger as he spits his next words.

"All active troopers and pilots will be sent to Reconditioning. All of them!"

Deep in the tunnels of the abandoned outpost, a mountain of rubble is disturbed as TN-2729 and her squad push through the rocks, managing to escape into the sunlight. TN-2729's commlink lights up and Hux's distorted voice can be heard.

"All of you have failed, and will suffer the consequences of non-conformity."

TN-2729's vision sways as she shudders at these words. No. Anything but Reconditioning. Her squadmates look at each other in panic. Hux's voice interrupts.

"Retreat to your ships immediately and return to the Finalizer. We will be jumping to hyperspace to pursue the Resistance immediately."

Aides and officers look at each other in muted confusion around the bridge. Hux's aide has courage to spare, and peaks up in a small voice;

"B-but sir, we don't have their location."

Hux turns on his heel to face those gathered aboard the bridge, raising his voice to address them all.

"Then we will find it. Nobody leaves their station, nobody eats, nobody sleeps until this mission is successful. Is that clear?"

Hux manages to contain his panic but the effects still linger. Sweat dampens his hair and brow, his eyes bulging dangerously.

None meet his gaze as they all reply, in unison. "Yes, Admiral!"

Way out in space, surrounded by no planets or satellites, the Resistance safely exits hyperspace. This tactic has been used plentifully to ward off tracking, and comes to their benefit once again. Many of the starfighters dock and board the cramped halls of the Craitstar, but the mood is triumphant. Once again, against all odds, they've escaped.

A merry gathering takes place aboard the command bridge. Poe has learned that celebrating victories with his soldiers, however brisk, is key in keeping up morale. He pulls Snap into a one-armed hug, before he sees his new co-pilot enter the room.

"There he is!"

Much unlike their first meeting so long ago, there is genuine kinship in their embrace now. Finn ruffles Poe's shaggy head of hair as he laughs, thumping Finn in the chest.

"What a team huh?!"

Finn prods a finger into Poe's shoulder. "How'd you make her go so fast?!"

Poe waves a hand.

"Ahh it's easier to focus on speed when your co-pilot has both shields and arms covered." He lowers his voice slightly.

"And I made some personal modifications. Don't tell Rose, she wouldn't approve."

Finn doubts Rose will care that much, but still he laughs. Rose, however, has spotted someone standing hesitantly beyond the outskirts of the rabble. Rose approaches her fellow introvert.

"You should be proud."

Jaytu, deep in thought, jumps at Rose's words.

"Huh? P-proud of what?"

Rose leans against the wall next to her, and gestures around to the surrounding Resistance members gathered on the bridge.

"You made a choice, and these people are alive because of you!"

Jaytu smiles in acknowledgment, but guilt skirms in her stomach. A memory surfaces, but she pushes it down, looking away from the bright smiles. Rose wrongly assumes it's nerves.

At a smaller holotable, Leia privately enjoys the moment of success, but her mind keeps working as it always has. She reopens up communication between planets, appearing as a large holo of their immediate area in space. She and R2, stationed beside her, scroll through older abandoned bases that could be their next spot to fortify. Rey approaches from behind, holdin her arms behind her and examining the planets close.

"I see my tinkering worked!"

Leia acknowledges her with a welcome nod. "Yes we've got quite a few replies back, and intel on abandoned bases for us to use." She looks away from the holotable and examines Rey, whose mood seems to have improved from earlier. "Looks like you took my advice."

Rey looks at Leia in surprise. She has been feeling plenty better since opening up to Finn and Rose, but how does Leia know? This is met with only a knowing look from Leia, as if to say "How do you think I know?". Rey should have guessed; The Force really is powerful, more than she'll probably ever know.

The memory of That Day still remains buried in Rey's mind, but she no longer ignores it. That's a huge step. Leia pats her on the shoulder assuringly. Between these two, it seems, not even words have to be exchanged. When Leia withdraws her hand, however, it's peppered with red.

"Rey! You're-" But Rey waves a hand. "It's nothing, Rose has seen to it! Must have opened up whilst piloting."

Rey's mask of indifference reminds Leia painfully of her younger self.

"Who did this?" Asks Leia.

Rey doesn't answer. Her face is suddenly hard as stone, suddenly appearing far older than a woman in her early twenties.

"Ben really is amongst monsters, isn't he?"

Leia looks away, shame creeping in. "Yes."

Rey grimaces.

"They're Jedi hunters. They'll come for us." Rey's breath catches in her throat. "They'll come for me."

Leia so desperately wants to help this poor girl, but there is a difference between what one wants to hear, and what one needs to hear. As she always did, Leia chooses the harder road - of belief.

"And if they do, we'll be here to defend you. We all will."

But Rey isn't so sure. Vicrul's words echo around the happy smiles of all gathered on the bridge;

'How will the precious Resistance react when they discover their brave, virtuous Jedi is just some worthless, no name, nobody?'

"If they knew the truth," Rey whispers. "I'm not sure they would."

Rey crosses her arms and leans on the holotable, meaning to sink slowly into a familiar wrap of solitude. Leia taps her cane sharply across Rey's head.

"Ow!" Rey exclaims, loud enough to make 3PO jump beside her. "What was that for?!"

But Leia points a ringed finger at her.

"You listen to me! Being a Jedi is not a birthright, it is not about who you are born as, it is how you choose to live. I should know-" She straightens her long coat. "I turned it down."

Rey is distracted from her pain by this revelation, looking at Leia with eyes full of confusion.

"Why?"

Leia laughs at Rey's incredulous look. "Because this is who I am. I'm a leader, a wife,-" she pauses for a moment. "...a mother. It is something you choose. That's all that matters. To be better, to be true to what you want. Doesn't matter how old you are, or how far gone you believe you are. There's always a choice."

And suddenly, they'd circled back to Ben. Rey felt the weight of responsibility lift, even for a moment, when she remembers their pact to save him. She isn't alone. Both women relax somewhat, as Poe's voice carries across the room.

"Yeah, alright, alright, settle down, let's hear it one final time of Commander Tico, who navigated us safely out of there and scrambled enemy weapons!"

A roar of approval and applause goes up as Rose's cheeks burn red. Finn claps her on the shoulder with his winning grin.

"Right!" Poe continues. "The next step you should all know well; we get our roots down, fortify, and continue recruiting. The intelligence division has some leads on a potential new outpost, all uninhabited, so we can-"

But he is interrupted by a quieter voice trying to talk over him. Pilots, soldiers, and technicians look at one another for the source of the noise, before parting ways to reveal Jaytu, still with her back to the wall. She is looking through the crowd at Poe, a mix of anxiety and terror plastered over her face.

"Y-you can't hide anymore."

Finn steps forward in concern but is stopped by Poe, his relaxed expression replaced by one of arresting offence. His voice echoes his distaste. "We're not 'hiding', we're surviving, we're rebuilding." But Jaytu only shakes her head.

"You can't. Not anymore."

There's real anger in Poe's voice now. "Why?"

But Jaytu's voice is small and full of shame. "They've almost rebuilt their fleet."

Poe had taken a few steps towards Jaytu and now towers before her in frustrated disbelief.

"What fleet? How?! After the Battle of Crait they have one Star Destroyer and no facilities to rebuild! We scoured known space, we destroyed Starkiller Base! We destroyed the Supremacy! we-"

Jaytu shakes her head again, and dread creeps into the hearts of all at her next words.

"Starkiller Base wasn't where the First Order was built. Another planet, a horrid place. They've rebuilt their fleet of Star Destroyers, recruiting troops, they'll be ready soon, then..." She pauses, regretful tears brimming in her eyes. "They'll burn all opposing worlds to the ground. That's the 'Final Order'."

Silence follows. The triumph of the Resistance's escape suddenly seems like an insignificant fluke. Rey runs a hand through her long hair, Finn closes his eyes in grief. Just a moment ago they'd had so much time, almost deluding themselves into winning. Poe however refuses to believe it.

"How do you know this? How…. how..." He struggles to find the words. He looks to Finn for help. Finn approaches Jaytu, holds her shaking hands in his own, and wills her strength.

"Where is their base?"

Jaytu's breathing slows. "It's called 'Othkore'. I don't know where it is, it's where I...I..."

The look of terror returns to her eyes, her shoulders trembling. Finn knows what she fears there - Reconditioning. He looks back at Poe, nodding in confirmation. On some deep level, he can sense she speaks the truth.

But Poe can't accept it. All the planning, all their sacrifice, for nothing. As Poe struggles to comprehend this sudden and overwhelming threat, Colonel Terez moves to the front of the crowd, casting a harsh eye over both Finn and Jaytu.

"How do we know this isn't some kind of enemy trick? A plan to lure us out?"

A murmur of agreement goes round the room, but Rey approaches Jaytu and Finn in a show of support, facing Terez and Poe.

"I can sense no deceit. If Jaytu says this 'Othkore' is a threat, then I believe her Colonel."

Finn joins her.

"We can't ignore this. They're gonna destroy everything if we don't stop them."

Terez evidently has respect for both Finn and Rey as she promptly backs down, instead turning gravely to Poe.

"What do we do General?"

Major Snap Wexley, leader of Black Squadron and acting leader of the fleet, joins her in concern.

"Poe, we don't have enough ships to take on one Star Destroyer."

"Then we'll get more," Poe vows. "If Othkore exists, we need to find out where it is and gather more firepower to halt the completion of that fleet." He looks over at Leia, 3PO and R2. "What leads do we have on bases with starfighters?"

"Most systems are still avoiding helping us to keep the Final Order from invading!" Pipes up 3PO. "Currently we have three confirmed planets with ships that could double or fleet!"

As the protocol droid speaks, Leia approaches the central holotable, placing a datachip into it and loading up a holo image. Three planets flash before them, surrounded by descriptions of climate and potential allies.

"These three responded to my personal code with offers of sanctuary," adds Leia. "Acquiring their ships, however, is a completely different problem."

"We could just buy them?" Offers Major Wexley. Rose intervenes, bustling through the crows next to Jaytu.

"No, that won't work. Not only are we just making war profiteers richer, they will be the ones supplying the Final Order with extra materials. They will sell us out."

Many in the room hit a worrying standstill, but Finn's mind still races as he looks at the planets, to Jaytu, and back again. It is so simple.

"No-no-no, we inspire them to join our cause!"

Finn is met with confused attention as he approaches the main holotable to address everyone.

"We don't just need the ships we need pilots to fly them. We can do what Skywalker once did: show the galaxy we aren't afraid, then people will stand with us!"

A good handful of those present had sought out the Resistance after stories of Skywalker's sacrifice reached the core worlds. The more seasoned Major Wexley voices his doubts.

"It's a nice plan kid, but it's a risk. How do we know they'd join us?"

Finn opens his mouth but someone steps forward to answer for him.

"It worked on me."

Jaytu steps out of Finn's shadow, proudly. "I'll join you, I'll help you take on Othkore."

Finn's anxious expression vanishes into a blazing smile. He turns to Poe.

"General, I believe it can be done. If we're the spark, they're the fire. It's our best chance."

He waits for Poe's answer. Poe squints at the three planets, then to Finn, then Jaytu in faux scrutiny. But he knows deep down Finn is right.

"Alright, Finn's plan is a go. We recruit allies, pinpoint the location of Othkore, then take them down once and for all!" He fills his words with as much inspiration as possible, they have to be confident going forward. He examines the planets before them.

"Which one do we go to?"

As the discussion opens up about the pros and cons of each location, a strange feeling washes over Rey as she examines each planet. She'd felt this way when she'd gazed into Ben's future back on Ahch-To, seeing the shape of his betrayal of Snoke. Now, she can sense a battle in a winter kissed city, and she feels the triumphant elation of discovering the power to fight back against their foes. The Force flows through her as she reaches out into the future, and sees that only through this path can they challenge the threat of Othkore. And Rey, no longer just the scavenger from Jakku, trusts herself.

"Poe, I've sensed something."

Plenty of those gathered, including Poe, had seen Rey's skills in the Force up close, including an avalanche of rocks hovering in the air during the Battle of Crait. When Rey finishes speaking, an electric silence falls over all. Most wish to witness a fabled Jedi at work, and they get their wish. Rey points to the planet nearest the top of holoimages before them.

"Tyjimi. I can sense our path to victory leads through there."

Poe looks from the planet to Rey, welcoming her insight but slightly doubtful.

"Tyjimi are also fighting a losing battle against a garrison of Stormtroopers." He pauses to contemplate his next question before realising it. "Are you sure, Rey?"

The young Jedi interrogates the other two planets, opening herself up to the Force. She finds nothing.

"I'm sure, General."

Rey makes an effort to include Poe's title, which she often forgets. Poe nods, and makes a decision.

"Tyjimi it is, people. Let's set up and get moving, NOW!"

He claps his hands loudly and the huddle of Resistance members bustle towards their stations or the closest exit. "I want a diagnostic of every ship before we jump!"

As the crowd thins, Jaytu flounders for a moment without direct orders before she's embraced by Finn. She flaila, not knowing what to do, before he releases her and thumps her on the arm.

"I knew there was something about you!" He exclaims.

Rose claps her hands in excitement beside him, the threat of Othkore temporarily abated.

"Yes! This is your official welcome to the Resistance!"

Rey approaches her gaggle of friends too, aiming her signature perky smile at Jaytu as well. Jaytu's averts her eyes from their gaze.

"I wouldn't have done it without all of you, so."

Her thanks came out blunt, but they all know what she means. From afar, Poe stops tending to BB-8 (who'd also been giving out orders to the other droids) and looks at the group. Pride with a twinge of jealousy fills him as he watches Finn snug Jaytu close in joy. Rose breaks them apart.

"Alright, we're going back to the barracks to get some sleep, and you should too!"

Rose takes Jaytu by the arm and marches her towards one of the exits, the ex-Stormtrooper waving half-heartedly as they leave. Rey chuckles.

"You really came through for her," she tells Finn. "Your senses were right. How do you feel?"

Finn can't fully comprehend the sensations that have been evolving inside him. It was like a past life had kept knowledge locked away, now open to view. He'd only known Jaytu the best part of a day, and he can already sense things about her he wasn't even sure he could know. The more he looks, the more there wisas. And the enormity, the access to all, made him feel -

"Rey, it scares me." His voice is low as he matches her gaze. "It's a lot."

She nods, trying to contain her excitement. "I know, but it's ok, just breath."

And they do, together. Rey repeats the same lesson she'd been using to meditate.

"The Force belongs to all, not the one. It's all around us, and I can teach you control, to focus, to let it flow through you."

She waves her hands calmly with their breathing, and Finn manages to regain his composure. His memories of Reconditioning had disturbed him, as was feeling the same terror in Jaytu. His discomfort is written all over his face, but Rey doesn't waver.

"You used those things that happened to you to help someone, you faced your fears." She smiles wide, feeling a close kinship with her fellow orphan. "That's the path of a Jedi."

Finn nods, his confidence returning. From afar, Leia watches Rey work. The once introverted scavenger is truly opening up to others, and Leia couldn't remember the last time she'd been this proud. Rey makes her exit past Poe, but Finn remains. He walks to the forward viewport, staring out of the window into space. Even without a nudge from the Force, Leia can sense an air of animosity. She approaches, gently touching his shoulder.

"Finn? Is there something wrong?"

Finn blinks as he withdraws from his thoughts and focuses on Leia. "Oh... I'm alright General!"

Leia tuts at him, unsatisfied. "You can speak freely with me, Finn. And I'm just an advisor now, you don't have to-" but Finn raises his hand.

Ever since she'd given him the moment to speak, over a year ago on D'Qar, Leia had been immortalised in Finn's mind as the epitome of leadership. Kind, welcome, but smart, tactical and firm if need be. Maybe a person of that calibre and experience is who he needs right now?

"I'd like to ask for your advice, General."

Chewie growls a goodbye to both, leaving Leia and Finn almost alone with the blanket of stars beyond the viewing port.

"Of course Finn, about what?"

Finn struggles with what he wants to say. "My plan. I feel like we can only win this with more allies, but then what?"

He frowns at his own words, clearly not satisfied with his first attempt.

"I don't just want to win this war, I want it to end."

Though unsophisticated, Finn felt this best describes his feelings. After the subjugation he'd been exposed to a year prior, of how war rewards profiteers and destroys worlds with each battle, he feels trapped by the question with no answer. Though this issue seems tangled and shadowy to Finn, it could not have been more open and clear to Leia. She takes Finn's arm, walking with him past the windows.

"I've asked myself the same question for over thirty years Finn, and I haven't a clear answer. The Republic corrupted itself, evolving into the Empire. Even with the defeat of the Emperor and my father, their influence still warps the galaxy to this day. The Emperor's ideals are the foundation of the Final Order, and Vader..."

Leia breaks off for a moment. Not being able to say her son's name brings her great shame, but Finn knows why. He nods in polite acknowledgement, encouraging Leia to continue. After a moment, she does.

"The Final Order must be utterly defeated, dismantled, their foundation uprooted. I've lived and fought too long to shy away from the fact that there will always be enemies to fight against, but as for the Final Order..."

They had circled the room and now stand before the door. Leia takes Finn's hands in her own and looks into his eyes, stern.

"We must learn from the failures of the Republic and Rebellion. And I think, without even knowing it, you've started down that path."

Finn looks stunned, but she grips his hands tighter so he will listen close.

"From the way you've acted today, saving that woman's life and thinking beyond the Resistance, I'm sure you will find the answer. Keep going."

Finn struggles to find the words.

"I-uh-well-, thank-you General, I'll… keep going."

He bows his head in salute and makes his way through the door towards his quarters, head buzzing with more questions, but his doubts subdued temporarily. Thankful, yet again, to Leia Organa.

Leia is left on the command bridge, taking a moment to fight that creeping shame. Alone amongst the stars, the old General feels the pressure of their mission loom overhead. Staring out into the void, her thoughts turn to that of her lost son. These thoughts are so private and painful, that just his name threatens to snap her famous resolve like a twig. However, being a Princess, a Senator, and a General, Leia is so adept at fighting tears that a bystander would not have sensed her turmoil. But if Han were here, he'd have seen the telltale signs of her back straightening, her grip tightening, her lack of blinking. He'd have known, and comforted her.

But Han is dead, and she is alone.

The narrow barracks of the Craitstar are almost full. Rey had left behind the Falcon, docked with the larger flagship whilst internal repairs are made by Chewie and Rose. The Jedi finds a slim room at the end of the barracks to pack down into; complete with a bed compartment in the wall, water dispenser, and a luggage shelf. The dim light rumbles as the ship pushes through space, and Rey wonders if they'd jumped to lightspeed yet. It was now over a year since she'd left her homeplanet of Jakku, but having a room all to herself still excites her.

Rey scurries around, setting her bag of things on a small crate and stowing her extra clothes and net of junk above her bed. She opens her bag and retrieves two items - a large wooden tome, and a handmade doll in the shape of a person.

The tome is of the ancient library on Ahch-To island, one of several she'd taken to save them from her Master's self-destructive spiral a year prior. This volume - whose title translates as 'Aionomica' - she was slowly reading, as it contains the combined accounts of ancient Force users exploring the galaxy, and taking their first steps into probing the Force. These writers were in a similar position to her - wading into the unknown with little guidance. She finds this soothing.

The doll has a deeper significance, as it had been given to her long ago, and she had retrieved it covertly from her old home in the past year. As she undresses to an undershirt and unravels her hair, she places the doll upright on the crate next to her. She had always slept near it for as long as she can remember, and she set it there out of a phantom need for familiarity in this unfamiliar place. Her eyes linger on its blank face, and wonder if she places it to stand guard, or as a reminder? And if so, a reminder of what? She decides she can't remember, and opens the cover of her book.

The language of ancient Jedi explorers is difficult to decipher, being wrapped in complex metaphors and poetic language, and Rey's mind begins to wander. As it does, Vicrul's venomous taunt surfaces in her mind:

We both know there's more lies, isn't there?

Rey of course knew, but now she thought about it, Vicrul most likely did not. He had relished in his taunt, but if he truly knew what she hid, he'd have said more. Ben had not been able to tell them, but why? Did he not know either? He had seen her parents, when their minds were connected, but had he seen That Day?

The doll looms in Rey's vision and she shifts, suddenly uncomfortable. She withdraws from the thought, closing the book with a snap. She'll sleep it off, as she always had. Rey reaches up and switches off the light, then freezes. The humming of the ship around her disappears as all sound is sucked away. Instead of being met with a blank darkness where the wall to her room should be, she sees a familiar frame of shoulders leaning over a large metal workbench. Sparks flick up from whatever he is working on. Rey swings her feet off the bed and stands, facing his back before she speaks.

"This isn't your ship."

The shoulders tense at her words, the sparking stops. Kylo Ren straightens up and slowly turns to face her. His long cape and gloves are gone, and he looks strange without them. He hurriedly pulls the leather covering over his hands, almost embarrassed at the semi nakedness. The room is a medium sized compartment of a ship, with two long workbenches in the middle. Scraps of metal and wood lay tattered about the place, gnarled tools hang from the ceiling by chains. Rey stares around, and finds when she looks behind her, the confined room of the Craitstar appears again. She takes a step forward and feels cold durasteel beneath her bare feet. She'd been able to see more of his surroundings earlier - the ship's window, the helmet - but this is so much more. Rey's eyes widen. How is this possible?

By the way her hair flutters and muscles tense against the cold, Ren can tell she is not just a projection anymore. She's really here. A simultaneous explosion of fear and excitement roots him to the spot. He simply watches Rey look around the room, only possible through their power. She notices him watching, and draws closer. He backs towards the wall, towards the shadows. Rey watches him go, her wide eyes still hold indeterminate pity in them. He feels bare when she stares, even though he is wearing several layers of clothing, whilst she wears nothing but an undershirt and trousers. She stops before his workbench, and picks up what lays there in both hands.

"I forgot how heavy it is."

She turns his crossguard lightsaber over in her fingers. The emitter plate has been removed as Ren tunes up the inner components, as it's been damaged. Rey's fingers search inside the metal shell, and find the scarlet crystal inside. Rey notices a large, raw gash in the side of the hilt. She runs a finger over the damage, a gut feeling to whom Ben has been fighting.

"I thought you were all dedicated to 'reforming the Galaxy'?"

She holds up the damaged hilt.

"This doesn't look very... collaborative."

Ren doesn't answer. He retrieves his cloak and adjusts it around his shoulders, obscuring his form beneath it like a large shield. Rey frowns.

"Are you going to be honest with me this time? Or should I expect more creatures in masks to appear and do your talking for you?"

Ben just stares at her. Rey's patience for his silence thins dangerously.

"Really?"

She drops the ugly lightsaber onto the bench with a loud 'CLUNK!' Ren's eyes flit from his weapon to Rey, choosing his words carefully.

"The Knights of Ren hunt, and they have found something I need." Ren straightens his back. "It will stop the fighting, and bring a new order to the Galaxy."

Rey sighs. "Why does the Galaxy need to change?"

"It is broken." He says simply.

Rey studies him for a moment, then softens her gaze. She nods.

"Yes…. you're right. It is."

Ren's demeanor breaks as he stares at her, astonished. She wasn't lying before; she has recognized her own denial. Rey catches his eye and smiles weakly.

"It is broken, but it can be healed."

He is speechless once more. Kylo Ren knows what she's getting at, but he refuses to play along. He shakes his head at her, but she draws courage in the face of dismissal.

"It can. It's just not easy."

"What if it was?"

Rey cocks an eyebrow. She hadn't expected this answer, and curiosity arises as to what he's planning. But she knows this feeling all too well, of wishing for an easy answer. And she refuses to regress.

"Ben… the two men I just fought, they do not want what you want! They-"

But Rey stops herself. This is a truth he will only accept when he experiences it. She softens her voice as she draws ever closer.

"I wished for a simple solution for a long, long time, all that waiting, and look what happened! I made things worse, you saw it! The easy way doesn't work. So don't make the same mistake I did."

"I won't."

"Then be honest with me," Rey pleads. "What are you still holding onto that hurts you so much?"

Ren's life seems to stretch out behind him, like a long and arduous road of turmoil. Where would he even begin? Was there even a specific point that drove him to this path? He used to think so. But now, he couldn't remember a time before his mission. He averts his gaze from her piercing brown eyes.

"It doesn't mat-"

"It does matter!" Rey overrides, defensively. "I was stuck for so long and I've been able to move forward, I've accepted things! You can too."

Ren closes space between them. He reaches out, picks up the lightsaber Rey had left on the workbench, clipping it to his belt. Ren ignores her empty platitudes, instead focusing on the part that most interests him.

"Accepted what?"

Ren watches the colour drain from her face. Rey had changed since he'd last saw her, but he doubts that she'd been able to confront the one thing that'd held her back for so long. In fact, he doubts she can even say it outloud.

"...My parents are dead." Rey murmurs. She clenches her fists right against the words, avoiding his eyes. Ren just stares at her as she continues, shocked.

"They're gone. But, I refuse to resent them anymore. It's how I'll move forward, and build a home of my own."

She sniffs, tilting her head up to face him now.

"And you can too."

But Ren's patience for Rey's naïveté runs out. He can tell she's referring to Leia. Anguish and rage flash across his face, and Rey shows hesitation for this first time since entering the room. Ren's lip quivers as he bites back the roar that wells up inside him. He molds it into words.

"Leia?" He spits. "Where was Leia Organa when Skywalker stood over me, lightsaber in hand? Where was Leia Organa when my grandfather's lineage was uncovered?"

He towers over Rey, his voice low and full of spite.

"Where was Leia Organa when Snoke whispered his poison in my ear, all those years ago? Where?"

He stares down into Rey's face. His eyes brim with twenty years worth of trauma, his next words but a whisper.

"There's nothing left for me there."

But Ren's intimidation isn't strong enough. Rey watches him, her eyes full of the same hurt. She feels it too. She sees the same look in his eyes that she had on That Day.

"You're wrong."

Her voice is small, but defiant. There is no way she can convince him. The harsh truth Rey knows is this is something he has to find out himself. She knows because she'd done so. She'd made little progress, but she refuses to be anything less than proud of what she's achieved so far. And Rey can sense the beginnings of doubt taking route in Ben's mind. He hadn't defended the Knights of Ren from her words. Maybe, just maybe, he can see them as she does.

But even that wouldn't change how hurt they both are.

After the hard work is done, maybe they can be together, as Rose had said. But the work comes first, for both of them. Right now, they have little to offer eachother. Rey knows this. Despite that, her heart aches in her chest. He watches her, blissfully unaware of the harsh truth that awaits him. Even with her mind pleading for restraint, Rey outstretches her hand regardless - but not to take his. She reaches towards his face, to look him in the eyes, to offer him all that she shouldn't-

"Master!"

The door to their left opens and two familiar armoured faces enter. Rey recoils at the sight of the man who had attacked her not hours before; Vicrul. He steps forward, Cardo behind him.

"Master, we have it. We have her blood."

Ren was still staring down at Rey in shock. As she reached out, for a split second, the molten rage inside him had subsided. Not beaten down, not culled, it had retreated. His gloved hands twitch, his breath quick, but Rey is no longer looking at him the way she had been. Now she stares at Vicrul and Cardo, who in turn stares straight through her at their master. Just the sight of them is enough for Ren's rage to bubble again, hot and livid.

But what Vicrul holds in his hands brings reality crashing back over Ren; a cloth stained red. Ren realises that the answer can't lie in the women in front of him, and he chastises himself for being seduced into believing such simplicities. His frustration at himself boils over, his cheeks burning hot with embarrassment. Only the Oracle holds the answer to ending the war, to ending his suffering. And it will be his.

Ren crosses the room in two strides and snatches the rag from Vicrul's outstretched hand. He takes one menacing look at his subordinate and stomps down the corridor towards the immolation room, not daring to look back at Rey. The other four Knights are gathered, burning offerings to the Ren in the sunken fire pit. Kuruk is sitting near his metal throne as Ren approaches him, thrusting the bloody cloth into his chest.

"The conditions have been met, summon her."

Kuruk shoulders his rifle and snatches the cloth from Ren, not thrilled about being ordered. The sly voice of Ap'lek comes from between them. Ren turns to watch him unsheathe a vibrodagger from his overcoat.

"We need your offering too, Master."

Ren affixes Ap'lek with a penetrating gaze. Ap'lek approaches slowly with the knife, but Ren catches his hand, wrenching the knife from his grasp. He pulls back the glove of his right hand and lets the blade glide across his skin, drawing a thick pool of blood. The sting causes him to grit his teeth, but he holds an expression of complete apathy; no weakness can be shown. He tossed the bloody blade to Kuruk, who caught it and slatheres the fresh red liquid atop the now dried and browning stain on the cloth. Kuruk and Ap'lek descend the step towards the furnace, followed by Vicrul, Cardo, Ushar and Trudgen. They gather before the pyre, with Ap'lek and Kuruk stepping forward with the offering and ancient tome in hand.

Looking down on them, a dark excitement fills Kylo Ren. For the first time in his life, his path to absolute victory will be clear. He clenches his hands beneath his cloak, feeling blood from his cut wet the inside of his glove. He will finally be rid of distractions, he -

But a sight to his left makes him stop dead. Rey's brown hair flutters in the warm updraft, her face caught by the orange glow of the flames before them. She isn't looking at him; she stares straight ahead, determined and sure. He opens his mouth to ask, but no words form. She answers anyway.

"After what you've just told me, you think I'm going to leave you here, in this place, alone?"

He has no response, no defence. He tries to digest her compassion, like a fish gulping helplessly on air. Then Ap'lek's voice cuts through the air.

"Tzirji Utimuna, amohtsawsi sis udati ir tsûtri wa dzis tu'iyia zijia!"

Smoke fills the room once more, but Ren continues to stare at Rey, unblinking. The weight he carries in his chest eases, just a little. The waves of frustration and rage clash against the yearn to defend, to reach back. He feels the familiar sensation again. He is being torn apart.

"Ziji mus! Ziji mus! Ziji mus!"

Kuruk drops the bloody cloth into the flames, sputtering forth a dark red cloud. Rey watches in anxious awe as the glowing smoke forms into several arms, a torso, a large semi-circular head. The Oracle gazes down upon each gathered, and eventually lingers on Rey, which startles her. Surely only Ben can see her? Rey hopes the knights couldn't see as well as this ancient creature can. She'd never seen anything like this before. Rey's eyes dart from the large book of scripture Kuruk holds, to the spot where the bloody cloth had been offered, and understands this much; the Knights of Ren have summoned something ancient, something beyond, something powerful. She recognizes some of the words Ap'lek had used from her own translations; 'Great', 'See', and 'Oracle'. Is this an Oracle? For the second time since leaving her bed, she feels her blood run cold with fear.

The Oracle bears down upon Ap'lek, addressing him in an echoey sing-song voice.

"Summoner, garnering these offerings was a difficult task. Choose well you question, as only once may you ask."

Ap'lek bows low and turns to his master, awaiting orders. The conflict inside Ren rampages, but beneath it all, a void remains. A yearning for the answer. Not even Rey is powerful enough to overcome this old, sore gap inside him. He wrenches his eyes away from Rey's freckled face and nods at Ap'lek. The shrouded knight outstretches his hands to the Oracle.

"Great Oracle, those gathered here wish to know; who will win the war?"

The gathered Knights draw apprehensive breath, eagerly leaning in to catch every word of the Oracle's response. The great creature places all three pairs of hands together, her eyes seeming to bulge as she tilts her head back. Her mouth twitches as she reacts to the information streaming through her head, before she unfurls her hands and talks directly to Ren.

"The battle for the galaxy's soul is fought by those who are true, but the war will be decided by a chosen few. Those who fulfil these feats will join those in history who alter the galactic future for certain victory."

Rey and Ren both stare up at the Oracle, hanging on every word. The Oracle raises two of her arms, a long finger raised on each hand.

"These foretold champions will be marked by dual feats, freeing their kin from the doom of repeats. The first is to forge a bond sealed in blood and kinship. A true connection and understanding that transcends traditional friendship."

Rey considers the Oracle's words. Forge a 'blood bond'? She glances around at the Knights of Ren, who are all staring eagerly at the smokey form above them. She guesses from the age of this ship and their power over Kylo Ren that the knights have been Jedi Hunters for some time. A bond literally forged with blood she thinks, bitterly. The Oracle lowers one of her fingers.

"The second is to converge at a temple, a mausoleum of sacred earth. You will know it by it's molten heart, veins of fire, your guide for rebirth."

Rey blinks, confused. The words 'molten' and 'veins of fire' make her think of volcanoes, which she'd only read about. She'd never heard of a temple with a 'heart' of lava. She snuck a quick glance at Ren's face to her right, and guessing by his reaction, he hadn't either.

"Once there, two of your number will approach the temple heart. In the flames you will present a kyber crystal, cracked, split, broken apart."

"In hands bonded by blood the crystal will become whole, summon me by name and you will achieve your goal."

"Carry out these feats and adhere to this sequence strictly, and I shall bestow upon you the title of Heir to Victory."

"These victors will channel the Force unlike any other, exerting wisdom, power, and control in perfect harmony together."

The Oracle lowers her remaining finger. Rey runs over the prophecy in her head; 'bonds sealed in blood, discover a temple with a molten heart, in which a pair will reforge a broken crystal, and summon the Oracle'. This all sounds like gibberish to Rey, but she can see from the way they gather round the pyre and gaze, entranced, that this is what the Knights of Ren wanted. She wonders what this 'Heir of Victory' could do with such command over the Force, and she isn't alone. The Oracle leans forwards, clearly out of her trance, and Kylo Ren doesn't give her a moment of solace.

"What future will the Knights of Ren bring?"

The eagerness in his voice makes him sound oddly desperate, hungry. The Oracle hovers her pale gaze directly upon the master of the Knights of Ren. She raises her hands to hover, palms open, above each of his six followers. The great creature tilts her head back once more and her eyes gaze wide as she searches the future.

"Should you six succeed, the shadow of the Ren will spread. Life will wither and die, and flames will follow in your tread. Your foes on the battlefield will fall, as you will kill their very hope. The destruction you will bring cannot be understated, in vengeance or scope."

Shouts of excitement go up from Ushar and Vicrul, but the Oracle isn't done.

"The wound will spread, never to recover from this calamity. No order, either Jedi or Final, will be able to reverse this catastrophe. This you will make sure of, total destruction unburdened. As the Jedi will lay dead, by your hands is she murdered."

Fear floods Kylo Ren's mind. The roar of triumph that reverberates around the room rings in Rey's ears. She seems to exist, mind and body, in the moment the Oracle uttered the word 'murdered'. A vision of her own body, broken and bloody, swims before her eyes. The shackled sadness within her wrenches free, enveloping her heart. Terror takes hold, and a scream builds within her.

"No...no…no…" She mutters desperately, bringing her hands to her face as if to shield her from the now wicked vision of the Oracle, who gazes at her blankly.

But Rey's inner shock is disrupted by a noise to her right. For a split-second she had forgotten Ren was even there, but he made his presence known with a deep and painful scream.

"NOOOOOOO!"

Immediately, the gathered knights stop their celebration of coming galactic ruin. Kylo Ren stalks down the staircase, staring up at the Oracle's passive alien face, his own a sharp contortion of shock and rage.

"No. We will burn and rebuild. This cannot - will not - be the answer. You dare try to fool me with false-"

But the Oracle's wide eyes suddenly spin to affix him in a quivering stare.

"My prophecy is as clear as the path of vengeance you walk, Ben Solo. These are the blossoms seeded by wrath, of which you were too proud to forego."

Ren recoils at the use of his real name. Even his gathered six followers take a sharp intakes of breath in shock. Their own names have been lost in the allegiance to the hunt long ago, but to mention their master's name is to invite death itself. The anxious silence remains as the Oracle retracts her arms and bows her head.

"These words spoken are prophecy, and our exchange is complete. Completing these feats will yield absolute victory, unblocked by conceit."

She seems to be speaking directly to Ren and Rey, as the flames on the pyre blaze and roar.

"Farewell."

The gathering of smoke and ash sped unnaturally towards the flames, as though being sucked through an airlock, and the pyre returns to a slow burning heap of ashes. The room grows stale and tense, before Ren breaks the silence it yet again.

"Ap'lek, use the compass to map a course for the Oracle."

Ap'lek, the most subservient of the Knights of Ren, gazes up at his master in disbelief.

"But Master, we have-"

"DO IT!" Kylo Ren thunders. "I will not have our good work amount to nothing!"

The Knights of Ren stare at each other. It is clear what Ren means when he says 'our work'. He means his work. They are content to hunt down their enemies and make offerings to the Ren, but that isn't good enough for the great Kylo Ren. Their metal helmets mask the looks of contempt, accusation, and scorn they now level up at their master. But their silence is dangerous too.

Ren descends the steps and towers over Ap'lek. "Now."

A split second passes where Ap'lek stands his ground, then he bows his head.

"Yes, Master. The Oracle guards her hiding place with all manner of defences, it will take time to-"

Ren cannot allow this insubordination to spread, and his molten rage threatens to spill over again. He raises his voice and addresses all six warriors.

"There will be no quarter given. This mission is of the highest importance. I will go to the Oracle and I will bend this prophecy to my will, by force. These conditions we have been tasked with carrying out will not start until I say they do."

He points at Trudgen and Ushar. "You will assist Kuruk and Ap'lek. I want the location of the Oracle in the next hour."

The sounds of Ushar's grinding teeth are muffled beneath his helmet. He and Trudgen are forced to comply. The four warriors stalk off towards the cockpit, and Ren rounds on the remaining two followers.

"Vicrul, Cardo. I want this temple found, and I want it done today."

The two warriors knew better than to voice their bitterness, but Vicrul's gets the better of him.

"What of the second condition, master? We will take our blood oath to one another, Cardo and I will find the temple, what of the crystal?"

Kylo Ren thumbs the hilt of his lightsaber beneath his cloak, feigning ignorance.

"I will deal with that. Report directly to my ship once you have a location."

He turns swiftly on his heel and marches up the staircase, his cloak billowing behind him.

"I want this done now, Vicrul. Do not fail me."

Vicrul's curses under his breath as the two hunters go to prepare their starfighter for immediate departure. Ren tops the stairs and passes his throne as he goes to prepare his own ship, emotions crashing over him with great speed and pressure. Frustration, anger, elation, hesitation. But one stood out; shame. He had been a fool to count himself among the Knights of Ren. They are tools, and he chastises himself for being soft. For seeking belonging. He approaches the boarding ramp and lets it descend. The rain soaked surface of a landing platform on the secluded world of Zoh unravels before him. Through the downpour, he can see the winged silhouette of his personal shuttle, and prepares to brave the rain but something stops him. The sensation that all the sound has been sucked from his perception. He senses Rey behind him this time, and it isn't calm openness that greets him. It is cold, livid anger.

"So this is where the path of vengeance leads, does it? The 'seeds of wrath' was it?" I told you there is no easy way... And you didn't listen."

All the warmth and closeness they'd regained is gone, ruined by the prophecy of the Oracle. Kylo Ren grits his teeth, rooted to the spot. She doesn't understand. This isn't what he wants! But it is Rey's turn to be conflicted now. She sees a man who had been abandoned by those who loved him, but she also sees her own body, bloody and broken on the floor. Was it her imagination or something more? Despair squeezes it's fingers around her heart, and she bits back the scream that builds beneath her chest. He's still standing at the top of the boarding ramp, speechless, and this irritates her even more.

"Well your highness, this prophecy will never come to pass. I won't allow thousands to die for your own empty vengeance."

She sounds more like the girl on the island now, but these insults aren't blind. They are targeted assaults on Ren's ego, his selfishness, all the things he'd shown to her. When he had offered her his hand amid the flames of Snoke's throne room, this is where it led. Rey's anger bubbles like boiling water, steaming her vision. She had been foolish enough to worry about him, whilst he was just like all the rest. Just like them. She will not be thrown aside, not again. She sharply corrected herself: Never Again.

This sudden peak in Rey's anger flusters Ren. It's too much. The Oracle was meant to solve his problems not multiply them. This isn't what he wants. He'd dreamt of building something better, something greater, a galaxy that treats them how they are meant to be treated, but it was all falling apart beneath him. He stares into her brown eyes, alive with deep resentment. Her chest rises and falls as she breathes quickly, the knuckles of her fists white and ready. Rey has been deeply hurt by this. By the prophecy of her death at his hands. The thought of it disgusts him, she must know he would never do something like that. But her hurt goes deeper than that. Instinctively, Ren stretches out with his feelings, trying to find the reason why. Even though this sadness grips her heart, its source is obscured. Something she's buried deep, and guilt floods him. She'd came to him earlier offering only honesty and support, expecting nothing in return, and she'd been battling this all along. What a fool he is.

"This is not what I want. I will never hurt you like that," he vows calmly. "I will go to the Oracle, I will change this. It's not..."

He loses his words for a moment, but Rey knows exactly what he wants to say. And it's not enough.

"But it's what they want, isn't it? They want me dead."

Ren opens his mouth but has no answer. They are just tools, he tells himself. Rey looks down the ramp at this pitiful, lonely man. He can't see the power they have over him, how he obscures himself from them beneath his cloak, how his muscles hadn't untensed until he left the immolation room. How he believes he is their master. Rey shakes her head. Is he truly this lost? Does he truly not understand how his power is ruling him?

"When you stand before the Oracle, will you be asking her for your future? Or for the 'Master' of the Knights of Ren?"

Ren can't decipher what she means, and her last strand of pity almost snaps. He can feel her outrage, her disdain for him growing. Deep down, Rey knows she should resist throwing all her pent-up frustrations at him. But Kylo Ren deserves no pity, blind to how deeply and specifically this hurts Rey. With a huge effort, she holds back the boiling anger a moment longer, and delivers her final warning.

"You've got your answer: This is the future of Kylo Ren. And I will not allow it."

She watches the bewilderment spread across his face before turning swiftly. The sound of the rain, the smell of smoke, and the cold feel of durasteel grate flooring against her toes is suddenly gone. She's back in the tiny compartment on the Craitstar, level with the bag and junk net she'd tossed above the bunk. She can just barely make out the bundle of blankets as she gropes in the dark, settling into them as best she can. Rey clutches at the pain in her chest. They had been closer than ever just minutes before, and that made the sting of betrayal so much sharper in Rey's heart. Now she is alone, the words of the Oracle float to the surface of her mind, and so does her vision.

A bond in blood. The temple with a molten heart. Two warriors reforging a crystal. They are masked, and the crystal is blood red. Resistance soldiers are cut down without mercy. Poe and Finn's starfighter crashing to the ground in an explosion of flames. And her own body, broken and bloody, breathing it's last.

The rumbling cries come from within but she refuses them, clenching the blanket in her fists. She will not be tossed aside. Not again.

Never Again.