The surface of the planet Tyjimi is spiked and treacherous. Jagged mountain ranges infest its landmass, with thin rivers and frozen lakes separating them. Its peaks have been traversed and conquered by Tyjimi natives, settlements and cities built atop many, now sitting in ruin. The jagged buildings are surrounded by forests of pine trees, being able to survive on little sunlight. A thick layer of cloud swirls ever present miles above the surface, and constantly showers Tyjimi in a light dusting of snow. From orbit, the planet appears as a sphere coated in white, blue and grey. As the Craitstar and thirty or so other Resistance ships exit hyperspace, the planet is a sight for sore eyes. Relief floods Poe's voice as it crackles over the fleet's comms;
"There she is. Alright everybody, one step at a time, keep your positions!"
Poe and Finn's U-Wing spearheads the line of ships, closely followed by the Millenium Falcon and the bulky Craitstar, all five starfighter squadrons following in sequence and three smaller cargo freighters bringing up the rear. The Resistance is smaller than it's ever been, but after a few hours sleep and the aftertaste of a win, confidence blazes in the hearts of every pilot.
In the cockpit of the U-Wing, Poe handles the controls with ease, whilst Finn scrubs through data scans of Tyjimi's surface.
"Our target is up ahead, we should probably set up a temporary base around here."
Poe nods at his co-pilot and opens a channel. "Wing Leader to Falcon, spotted anything yet?"
In the familiar cockpit of the Falcon, Chewbacca and Rose manoeuvre the ship below the cloud cover of Tyjimi, jagged mountains visible through the viewport. Poe's message plays aloud, and Rose looks around the back of her seat at BB-8, who is fussing over their scanner.
"See anywhere we can land?"
BB-8 lets off a tune of panicked whistles - a resounding 'no'. Rose searches around for options, then clicks on her own comm. In the Falcon's lower gun turret, Rey stares out towards the snow flecked mountains and pine forests below. There is a look in her eyes, as though a haze is obscuring her vision. Dark circles hang under her eyes. Her thoughts are so far removed from their mission that the sounds of Rose's voice in her ear makes her jump.
"W-what?" she stutters in response, adjusting her headset.
"I said: have you spotted a place for us to land yet?"
Rey shakes her head, trying to displace the hold that Ben and the prophecy have over her.
"Not yet, sorry Rose. I'll keep looking."
Rey engages the control of the gun turret and swivels, looking at the mountains far below. She can't see any flat spaces of ground to touch down upon, and the constant barrage of spiked mountains make navigating any lower dangerous. Rey gazes desperately around, but no leads surface. Her frustration builds, but she stretches out with her other feelings instead, a reflex of her training. And something responds back in her perception, like a ripple on water.
She swings the turret round to point forward, punching buttons in the scan terminal next to her. What she'd sensed is too far ahead for the naked eye to pinpoint, all she can see is a cluster of mountains. As the Falcon draws closer, she realises one of the peaks isn't a mountain at all. Though clustered in fern trees, roots, and snow, it is unlike the other jagged rocks formations. It has four flat sides, meeting at an exact peak. Several openings in its side are large enough for even the Craitstar to fit easily inside. Rey can just make out markings carved into the peculiar darkened stones that make up the structure's exterior. It is an ancient temple of some kind, a pyramid half sunk into the mountain. Rey looks at the scanning data to her right and taps her headset.
"Poe, I've got something. Looks like a ruined temple, uninhabited, camouflaged into the mountains."
She pauses on the decision to mention the nudge the Force had given her. She words it more modestly.
"I have a feeling we'll be safe there."
Poe's laugh crackles through her speaker. "The good feelings of a Jedi is high praise indeed. Take the lead Falcon, let's see what you got."
Chewie's enthusiastic roar is met by Rose's excited grin.
"Let's take her down, strap in BB-8!"
Still a bit on edge, BB-8 shot two cables out of his body to keep him steady as the Falcon takes a nosedive, the early morning horizon of Tyjimi replaced by it's spiked surface through the cockpit viewport. The U-Wing and the rest of the fleet form up behind the Falcon, as they manoeuvre between the mountains towards the ancient temple. The valleys still have yet to be touched by Tyjimi's sun, and Rose activates their lights to better navigate. As they approach the southern face of the temple, Rose notes how the large gap in the stones they speed towards resembles that of hangars on traditional flagships. The Falcon lights up the temple interior, and even Chewie lets out a gasp. The room is huge, able to fit a fully sized fleet inside, let alone their band of misfit ships. A large elevated platform stands at the room's end, and the ceiling far above them is covered in vines. The room has an eerie glow about it, as veins of crystals glittered in the walls,embedded in the jagged stone bricks. The Falcon touches down as the rest of the ships file in. Inside the cockpit of his ship, Poe is positively beaming.
"The Rebels used temples like this all the time; fortified, easily protected from orbital bombardment and scanning… oh yeah, this will do!"
Finn is less impressed with its tactical attributes and more with the temple's strange beauty. The multicoloured crystals glow in the cracks before them as they land near the Falcon. Finn removes his flight helmet and stares for a moment, taking it all in.
"Yeah, It'll do alright."
Once the last freighter powers down the Resistance springs into a well-rehearsed rush of preparation. Pilots and technicians secure starfighters and begin refuelling, whilst soldiers and officers set up a perimeter, flooding the base with lights. Finn keeps a watchful eye on new recruits, including Jaytu, as he directs them to distribute crates and power generators around their new camp. Rose and Chewie are immediately preoccupied by a small fire near the Falcon's engine room.
The signal Leia had received originated a few miles north, and Colonel Terez dispatches two of her soldiers on speeders to scout the location. Poe gathers his wing leaders and captains for a briefing up on the raised platform, now surrounded by lights and terminals. Leia leaves Captain Nien Nunb, R2, and 3PO to attend to the Craitstar's needs whilst she attends Poe's meeting, but an absence among their number troubles her.
The captain's quarters aboard the Millennium Falcon are Chewbacca's by right, but he refuses to sleep there. Rose hadn't enquired why, but when the time comes to power down and rest, Chewbacca will settle down comfortably in the common area cot. He had once wrestled Finn whilst he attempted to give him first aid there, and now he finds it practical for catching a few hours here and there. Rose had taken the guest cot above the seating area, and when Rey had returned to their crew, both had offered her the captain's quarters, which she now sits on the floor of.
After waking, Rey had hurriedly wrapped herself in a tanned yellow tunic and cloak, collected her things from the barracks of the Craitstar - seeking the solace of her own company. All four tomes of Jedi history lay before her, with translation charts and language guides strewn around too. The broken halves of Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber have spilled out of her bag, exposing the shattered gems within, but that particular problem will have to wait. Rey searches desperately though every single book she has about anything to do with 'the Oracle' or 'prophecy', and so far found very little. She had skimmed through the Aionomica before they'd exited lightspeed and found no mention, as it mostly describes historic travels into the unknown regions aboard ancient starships. She tosses it aside and roughly opens a book titled 'The Chronicles of Brus-bu'. Though a truly revolutionary Jedi of many talents and philosophies, Brus-bu was no sage, and Rey is starting to lose hope.
"I always loathed this room," comes a quiet voice behind her.
This is the second time today Rey's brooding has been interrupted suddenly. She turns to see Leia, dressed in a royal looking coat and gown, a gold circlet on one wrist and leather commlink on the other. She holds her hands before her and looks down at Rey among the mess of pages, curiosity crossing her face.
"What are you doing on the floor?" Asks Leia.
Rey looks around at the chaos in a daze. Leia steps over the books and sits upon the captain's cot. Rey watches as the undisturbed blanket kicks up dust, a certain tension coming over her usually relaxed posture. Leia contains a laugh at Rey's seriousness, leaning down to her level.
"My husband is dead, Rey. And use of an old bed isn't going to insult his memory."
Leia's abruptness cuts through Rey's defences completely, and she can only manage a nod. The old general does indulge a slight chuckle as she holds one of the folded blankets, then approaches the matter at hand with more delicacy.
"What's got you so riled?"
A lump catches in Rey's throat but she pushes through, telling Leia everything she had seen; Ben, the Final Order, the Knights of Ren, the Oracle, and the prophecy. Her composure struggles when she reaches the Oracle's vision of victory for the Knights of Ren.
"-If they succeed, they'll spread the dark-side across the galaxy. The Resistance will fall, and...and..."
She can't bring herself to voice the next part. If she does then it is real. Fortunately for her, Leia is no fool.
"They'll come for you, is that right?"
Rey manages a nod of acknowledgment. Leia sighes deep, thinking of how to tackle the threat of all that had just been revealed. She settles on what she does know to be true.
"Visions of the future are very complex, Rey. Do not assume that the future is known, it can only be glimpsed briefly. You might fear it now, but-"
"I'm not afraid," interjects Rey suddenly.
The great sadness that had subsided for a while now leers from its hiding place deep inside Rey, and her frustration with it. Leia zones in on Rey's defiant look, unconvinced.
"Yes you are, young Jedi. What's important here is what you did after that. You stood your ground against these hunters and refused to abandon my son."
Even from her position on the bed, Leia seems to tower over Rey.
"That's a huge step above what anybody else has done, ...me included." There's anger in her last two words, but it's not directed at Rey. Still, the Jedi backs down. Leia clears her throat.
"The Knights of Ren are hunters, they will come for you again. We will use that to our advantage."
Rey's embarrassment is replaced by curiosity. She looks up at Leia, wide eyed.
"You know of the Knights of Ren?"
Leia shakes her head, dejectedly.
"No, not much anyway. They're a cult dedicated to continuing the crimes of my father, Vader. Ben came under their sway whilst he was still training under Luke, when he found out about his lineage."
She pauses for a moment.
"No, when I failed to tell him. I feared it, and I gave in, sent him away."
Leia bows her head in genuine shame.
"They helped burn Luke's temple to the ground and kill students who resisted. Ben disappeared into the unknown regions with them for years. Han and I searched far, but we couldn't find them, or our son."
Rey places her hand over Leia's, who grips it tight. She'd never seen this calm and confident woman be so vulnerable before, and right now, she doesn't know what to say. Leia lets out a loud sniff.
"What matters is that they are excellent at covering their tracks but rely on brute force. You're smarter and stronger than they are. And they have exactly what you need: information."
Leia squeezes Rey's hand even tighter now, her confident glare back in place.
"Use their arrogance against them Rey, and you'll solve both problems at once. I doubt you're going to find answers buried in these books."
Rey retracts her hand and stares around at the mess, slightly abashed.
"I guess I may have panicked slightly."
"Slightly?!"
Leia straightens up, her coat whipping loose pages into the air.
"You're still trying to do this alone, without anyone's help! Did you not listen to me at all!"
Though Leia is genuinely scolding her, Rey can sense the compassion that comes with it. She meets Leia's gaze with a perky smile.
"Some skills I pick up fast, others I don't," she shrugs. Leia raises an accusing eyebrow.
"You better. I'll brief Poe on what you've told me, join us when you're ready."
Rey nods and begins packing up her things. Leia crosses the small room to leave, but pauses.
"Oh, and Rey?"
The young Jedi looks up. Leia's brow furrows as she searches for the correct words.
"You were right to tell Ben what you did. You and the life you're building are more important than this prophecy, and he has to learn these things for himself."
Rey is surprised Leia would even mention that part of the retelling. Crouching amongst old paper, some of the frustration Rey holds at the foolish Kylo Ren seems to ebb away.
"Thanks, Leia. I was angry, hurt, but I won't let that interfere with… what we talked about. Moving forward."
She can't speak as eloquently as Leia, but the old General understands all the same. Rey's expression changes to one of determination.
"No matter what happens, I'll still be there when he needs me most."
Leia nods, proud to count Rey as an ally in this fight.
"We will. If all goes well, that time draws near. Be ready."
"Master, we are approaching your destination."
Kylo Ren stirs. He had been meditating before Vader's helmet as the mechanical drone of his FA-17 pilot droid carries through his quarters. He gets to his feet and crosses the room in three strides, traversing the corridor that connects to the cockpit. It is just him and his thin droid aboard, and with every day that passes he is growing to prefer it that way. Ren leers towards the scarlet viewport, a planet covered in a thick sticky haze before them. Incorrectly taking his master's silence as an opportunity to speak, FA-17 drones on.
"The Night Buzzard is not far behind us, master. Where would you like to dock? I cannot currently locate a landing platform."
"Bogar Prax doesn't have them," replies Ren in a low, apathetic growl. He locates the stretch of forest that Ap'lek had discussed with him on the cockpit holomap "Set her down here, and keep the engine running."
FA-17 nods in confirmation and guides the shuttle through the sticky haze of clouds, revealing the surface of Bogar Prax. The entire landmass is covered in decaying vegetation, as though something rotten takes root deep in the planet's core, like a slowly decomposing fruit. The bodies of water lapping the shores are coloured an unnatural rusty orange. Next to a pool of bubbling tar, Kylo Ren's looming shuttle touches down, closely followed by the sputtering dungeon ship known as the Night Buzzard. Kylo Ren stomps out into the foul atmosphere, and takes a moment to taste the dying world in the stale air.
"Ap'lek!" He shouts.
Four figures depart the smokey ramp of the Night Buzzard, each of their metal helmets as crude as their bastardised weaponry. Beneath his cloak, Ren rests a hand on his lightsaber hilt as they approach. He suddenly realizes that he'd never seen them without their weapons. Ap'lek swings his executioner axe onto his shoulder and stands to attention before his master. Kuruk and Trudgen form up behind him, with Ushar completing the set. He flexes a crudely made prosthetic arm as they wait for Ren's instruction.
"Take me to her." Ren orders.
There's a pause as Ap'lek doesn't immediately comply. Ren notices that none of them have lowered their weapons, their suspicion of him is clear. Ushar finally speaks.
"...Why?"
In an instant, Ren removes his lightsaber hilt from his belt and lurches towards Ap'lek, pressing the emitter against his chest. Igniting the blade will skewer both Ap'lek and Ushar. The four warriors barely follow his movements before Ren replies.
"The next of you to question me will not speak again."
He jabs the metal hilt into Ap'lek's chest, causing him to stagger back into Ushar, who almost trips and falls. Trudgen and Kuruk watch, their disgust for weakness keeping them from helping. Ushar grinds his teeth beneath his helm, but it's enough to convince Ap'lek. He regains his balance and retrieves a familiar silver ornament from his coat.
"Yes, Master. The compass coordinates and scripture point this way."
He passes Ren and walks directly into a forest of dead trees. His master follows, trailed by the other three warriors. Both Trudgen and Kuruk barge past Ushar, his lack of strength a point of ridicule. Ushar's grip on his war club only tightens as he hurries behind. Exiting the wooden graveyard, the party of five comes to a stop before a large, stone entrance that protrudes from the rotting earth, seeming to descend into the planet itself. The door is decorated by an ancient text, which Ren approaches. As he does, the door comes alive.
Creatures living in the stone unfurl into a mass of scales, legs and fangs. The large and overlong insect gatekeepers descend towards the young Master Ren, their thin snake-like bodies scuttling across the stone surface. Kylo Ren doesn't flinch, as he is not alone.
The Knights of Ren surge forward, gleefully. Ushar's warclub pulverizes the head of one large creature, Trudgen's vibrocleaver severs another in half, and several catch blaster bolts from Kuruk's rifle. The last of the gatekeepers scrambles to attack Ren, but Ap'lek steps in swiftly. His axe crushes the creature's flesh and bones, and it whimpers it's last.
As his followers unstick their weapons from unmoving carcasses, Ren's hands search the stone entrance, feeling the grooves of the door. He reaches out and, with a touch of the Force, the stone door grinds open. Inside is a sharp descending staircase which leads down into gloom. With a crackling snap-hiss, Ren ignites his scarlet saber and enters, his boots meeting a globulous purple liquid trickling down the steps. The four Knights follow him as the entrance shuts behind them, the only light now Ren's saber.
Ren's pale face glows in the scarlet light of his saber blade. The skeletal structures of his follower's metal faces bob behind him in the gloom. The staircase ends in a large room, a circular holes in the ceiling stream weak sunlight. Ren sheathes his blade and follows the stream along the floor. The curious liquid falls into grooves that surround a stone statue; a tall bearded man, holding two animals in each hand; a winged griffin, and a fanged gargoyle. He stands atop a circular dais with a strange symbol etched into it. Ren's followers join him beneath the statue, and he curates his next words to hide his ignorance.
"Kuruk, Ap'lek. What do the scriptures say of this figure?"
Ren's two advisors step forward, examining the intricate sculpture. For once, Kuruk is faster. His strained voice comes out crude and mechanical through his helm.
"This may be a depiction of the dwellers of 'Mortis'."
Ap'lek nods in agreement, his gloved fingers travelling over the circular decoration on the statue base. "This symbol is similar to the myth of 'balance', and other such Jedi prophecies."
Ren knows of these myths well, as some concern his grandfather. His uncle Luke had told him stories of the power of the 'Mortis Gods', and how they are beings not to be confronted lightly. Doubt flashes through Ren's mind; has he underestimated the Oracle's power? He walks past the statue and gazes upon the large stone door on the far wall. Beyond are pillars and walls that resemble a maze, with no direct path. He can sense a presence beyond, like a mass of throbbing life. And the presence gazes back. Resisting the urge to retreat, Ren reminds himself that his followers have uses other than to guide and guard.
"Ushar, Trudgen, Kuruk, Ap'lek. Enter and find the Oracle."
But no scurry of booted footfalls meets his order. Ren rounds on his men, ready to slash them to shreds, but is confronted by Ap'lek kneeling kneeling before him, helmet bowed.
"Master, we cannot enter. Only one must enter the Oracle's labyrinth, and only the strongest will prevail."
Kuruk, Trudgen, and eventually Ushar follow suit and kneel before him. Ren guesses that they can feel the presence as he does, and their readings of scripture have been bountiful so far. He retracts his sharp frustration, though lingers for a moment on Ushar, who he senses watches him unblinkingly, before turning towards the entrance to the labyrinth.
"Your weakness fails me yet again, warriors of Ren."
Ren steps forth into the maze of pillars and walls, alone and confident that he can traverse its dangers unscathed. Like so many things, he is deeply mistaken.
"What've you got for us Colonel?"
Upon the elevated stone inside the ancient temple, Poe examines a large holotable. Gathered round are his squadron leaders, his naval colonel and commanders, advisors, and communication droids; the highest of Resistance Command. Rey stands amongst Leia and Chewie, whilst Finn and Rose sit beside Colonel Terez of the army division and Major Snap Wexley of the starfighter squadrons. All gathered are cast in the blue glow of the giant holoimage Colonel Terez now indicates.
"Lieutenant Moradi's scouting mission was a success; our target is called 'Calrim Guild', Tyjimi's largest city and home to all kinds of colourful characters, including pirates."
The holoimage shows a city of brick bell towers, market squares and tangled streets, nestled near the top of a pointed mountain. Terez continues.
"They were neutral in the war until recently. A garrison of Stormtroopers are currently controlling the city with a curfew, two walkers, and a prison; holding the Guild's most able fighters. They look desperate, General."
Poe scratches his chin. "Looks like we'll need a miracle. Luckily, we have someone better."
He looks to Rey. "What've you got, Jedi?"
The Force fills Rey up from the inside, the string of time but cord in her fingers. She can sense they are in the right place.
"We are supposed to be here, Poe. The Force is with us."
Poe nods gravely, approaching the next subject with care. "And, what of these 'hunters'?"
Rey nerves sharpen as she approaches the holotable, depositing a small datacard into the controls. The holo of Calrim Guild vanishes, replaced by a bounty holo. The masked helmets of Vicrul, Cardo, Trudgen, Ushar, Kuruk and Ap'lek are displayed, their names hovering above. Rey looks upon them with disdain as she addresses those gathered.
"The 'Knights of Ren' are Jedi hunters, dispatched by the Supreme Leader. They tracked me to our previous base, and I know they will do so again."
Rose shifts uncomfortably before the masked figures, and Finn grows anxious for Rey's safety. He works hard to not show these feelings, but others like Major Snap Wexley and Colonel Terez aren't so kind. Rey hesitates, sensing the unrest in the room, but presses on.
"I will make sure the Resistance is protected. Please, leave them to me. I can handle them."
Rey gives a small bow of her head. Leia shoots her a knowing, confident look and Poe squeezes her shoulder in support.
"We got you, Rey," he whispers before turning to the room at large. "Keep your eyes peeled, everyone."
A murmur of agreement goes around the gaggle of leaders as Rey rejoins them. Chewie lets out a gurgling growl of approval, the confidence of the Resistance returning. Poe switches the holoimage back to the overview of Calrim Guild and slaps his gloves across his hand, satisfied with Rey's promise.
"Excellent. Most excellent. Now, the task at hand."
He sharpens his focus on the stage before him, his brain's tactical cogs working overtime to devise a plan of liberation and inspiration. He rubs his hands together, like a cook on the cusp of a new dish, and lays his genius bare.
"The key is the prison. The Final Order have shepherded all potential allies into one location, and are prepared for a break-out, not a break-in. That's our first advantage."
The holoimage shimmers, now showing a makeshift prison complex on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by pine forest. A single trooper transport is parked behind and several squads of Stormtroopers patrol the inside.
"In order for us to liberate the Guild's fighters, we'll need to lure the garrison away from the prison. Only a handful of their number are patrolling the streets, so we'll ambush them somewhere public to draw reinforcements."
Poe clicks buttons and shows the city in full, then zooms in on an open area near the middle of the city - the market square.
"Here, perfect. Team Aurek will be our distraction. Once the troopers are lured in, our other two teams will jump into action."
He scrolls the holoimage again to show the garrison's two parked AT-ST walkers.
"Team Besh will commandeer their heavy artillery, as we don't want to be facing two walkers in an open area. Rose, that jammer will come in handy here for disruption. They won't know what hit them."
Rose's cheeks glow red as Poe indicates to her. Finn gives her a proud nudge.
"Simultaneously, Team Cresh will infiltrate the now under guarded prison and liberate the Guild's fighters. If all goes to plan, Teams Besh and Cresh will bring walkers and reinforcements to the city square, and we'll overwhelm the garrison with a dual ambush. There are several hundred ships and fighters parked and belonging to the Guild around the city; if we do this, I believe they'll join our cause. Then onto Othkore, and stopping the Final Order once and for all! To victory!"
A boisterous cheer goes up from those gathered, all but Finn. The same feeling that had irked him on the Craitstar the night before now rises up again. A sense of unease. As Leia had confessed to him, things need to change. And this doesn't feel right. A few feet away, Rey feels this unease emanating from him. They lock eyes, and Rey gives him a nod of support. With this nudge, Finn clears his throat.
"General, wait."
Poe had been on the cusp of dividing up the three teams, and grins at his co-pilot.
"What is it Finn?" You like the plan!? All thanks to your idea, huh?"
He closes the distance between them, changing tact as he sees Finn's concern. "What is it?"
Finn gulps, but speaks firmly. "I don't think an ambush is necessary."
The buzz of excitement dies down as those around them pause to listen. Poe's brow furrows as he tries to comprehend Finn's words.
"Don't you worry buddy, I've made sure we're taking as little risk as possible." But Finn shakes his head.
"No, I mean, we don't have to kill them all. We can still get what we need and spare their lives."
"Them?" quotes Poe. "You mean, the Stormtroopers?"
The room is completely silent now as Finn and Poe face each other before the holotable. Though he hesitates, Finn doesn't back down.
"Yeah the Stormtroopers. They're tortured into following orders by officers and people like Hux, they've never been given a choice."
Poe's eyes widen in disbelief at what he is hearing, but Finn presses on.
"Trust me when I say they don't want to die on this battlefield. They are experiencing first hand the very tyranny we are resisting, and no one is helping them. We should."
Finn heart thumps against his ribs, knowing that his words are heresy to those who'd suffered at the hands of such armoured troopers. But he doesn't care. If they had seen what he'd seen - friends forced to fight and gunned down, or seen the terror in the eyes of Jaytu - they would say the same. Before Poe can form his response, Finn finishes his point.
"Your plan is inspirational, General, but if we have the power to allow the troopers to choose between fighting and surrender, I'm confident they'll choose a ceasefire."
Poe rubs his eyes as a barrage of feelings wrestles within him. His concern for Finn has doubled in the past five minutes, but so has his frustration. Above it all, he holds himself to the high standard of 'Leader', and had learned the consequences of risky stunts such as this.
"Finn I understand where you're coming from, but we just don't have the manpower to back such a risk! We're here because we have woefully few allies. Until we achieve that, we're in no position to help. We're the spark that will light the fire that'll burn the Final Order down. That's our way forward."
Poe's sympathy didn't lessen his firmness; this is an order, however nicely phrased. Finn understands that much, but the burning feeling of injustice still persists. And more than just injustice; what if they fail to inspire allies? Who then will come to their aid? As Finn feels overwhelmed by trying to completely change the course of the war itself, a horrid memory surfaces in his mind. A dying friend, grasping up at his face with bloody hands. Finn's courage returns.
"How many tortured Stormtroopers will fall in order for us to liberate the few that are left? They never chose this, my friend Slip didn't choose this when he died on Jakku. And given the chance, I know he would have chosen a way out, to fight back against those who stole our lives away from us."
Colour drains from Poe's face as Finn names the Stormtrooper he'd shot dead, so long ago.
"I'll do as you command, General, but ask yourself: If we're the spark, what if they are the fire that'll burn the Final Order down?"
Finn bows his head in acknowledgment of Poe's orders, then returns to his seat. From afar, Leia watches with sympathy and regret, feeling as though Finn probes at a great truth that not even she has scratched the surface of. She wishes there is something she can do to help, and Leia doesn't envy Poe at this moment. The handsome leader clears his throat, and attempts to summon back the confident buzz before Finn's outburst.
"Alright, let's split up into teams. I'll lead the distraction with Team Aurek, and take the majority of commanders. I'll need volunteers to commandeer the walkers in Team Besh."
Rey immediately steps forward. "You can count on me to work more miracles, Poe."
Poe nods thankfully at Rey, but his relief doesn't last long.
"We're going too."
Finn passes Poe to join Rey, BB-8 at his heels. Poe's face remains passive, business-like, but the worry that Finn wants distance between them hurt. Rey, however, looks pleased to be in the company of her oldest friends.
"We should be alright with just us three, General." Her perky grin returns, and Poe adds jealousy to the emotions he'd be dealing with later.
"Agreed," says Poe. "We'll need all the help we can get breaking into that prison."
From behind him, Chewie lets out a roar of agreement, effectively volunteering himself for a prison break. Poe grins.
"Colonel Terez and Chewbacca, you'll be Team Cresh. Take a number of Scouts and head to the prison."
"General," pipes up a soothing voice from beside Chewie. "Count us in."
Leia approaches, beside her the blue and silver dome of R2's head bouncing and beeping with fiery determination. 3PO tries to shield himself behind Chewbacca.
"Oh my, here we go again..." He whimpers to himself.
Poe claps his hands together for the third time, satisfied with their plan.
"All right, everyone has their teams and orders. Keep radio chatter to a minimum and await my signal to advance. Snap, get your pilots some weapons, you're with me."
Resistance command disperses, moving towards their various stations as Poe shouts over the noise.
"And may the Force be with us!"
Rose goes to hurry off and join the distraction team but Finn catches up to her, Rey and BB-8 not far behind him.
"Listen Rose, you make sure Jaytu doesn't get into any trouble." His worry bleeds into his words as the four of them walk in the direction of the Falcon. Rose laughs off his seriousness.
"I'm used to babysitting reckless ex-Stormtroopers, don't worry." Her facade of confidence breaks slightly. "Though I'm told she's not to be trusted with a blaster, yet."
Rose and Finn walk level now, and she can see frustration contort Finn's face.
"He just thinks we're 'special cases'. None of us want to fight, why can't he get that?!"
Doubt flashes across his mind. "I don't want to put anyone in danger, I just think-"
But it is Rey's turn to be firm. She takes his hand, a nostalgic gesture of their friendship, and stops just before the Falcon's entrance, looking straight into his eyes.
"Finn, what you did just now was brilliant. You stuck up for the people who are tossed aside by this war, and I'm grateful. I'm sure they'd be grateful too."
Awe shines through each word she speaks to him. Finn straightens up, his doubts receding to be replaced by embarrassment at such high praise.
"T-thanks guys. Saving what we love, right Rose?"
"Right!" Rose beams at him. "We're with you, Finn."
BB-8 chirps in too, and the three friends laugh. Rose breaks away, crossing the hangar towards the Craitstar's barracks to join the distraction team. "I'll look after Jaytu if you keep those masked men away!"
Though the levity is clear in Rose's voice, through the eyes of a Force-user, her fear is evident. Rey grins confidently.
"I'll make sure, see you soon Rose."
Finn and BB-8 hurry off to prepare themselves whilst Rey boards the Falcon alone. She retrieves her blaster and staff, but lingers on the half-repaired lightsaber of Anakin Skywalker. She is still having trouble reconstructing the intricate insides of the weapon which, for a scavenger of her experience, is deeply frustrating. As she makes to leave, a sensation comes to her through the Force - the feeling of deep, repressed fear, far away. And she knows what this heralds:
Ben is in danger.
Deep in the crudely constructed corridors of the Oracle's labyrinth, the stomp of Kylo Ren's boots echo around the stone passageways. The labyrinth lacks any kind of finesse, it's low ceiling filled with thick stone pillars. The way forward is dimly lit through beams of dusty sunlight, but Kylo Ren has an eye for details. He navigates through the uneven corridors of walled pillars, and can sense a strong presence up ahead. Before long he is nearing the back of the room with suspiciously little interference, only a creeping mist materialising around his ankles. He steps over the rubble of several fallen pillars and arrives in a long, inlaid room. At the far end stands an open doorway, identical to the one he entered. He advances without question, but senses the power of the labyrinth tighten around him, like threads from a spider's web.
The pillars he just stepped over reform as part of the wall, baring his retreat. He turns back to face the exit and realises that the mist has grown thicker, but it's more than that. It is moving unnaturally, as though guided by an unseen party. It fills the room ominously, and begins to restrict Ren's vision. Growing frustrated with games, Ren lurches forward to cross the threshold of the door, but finds none. He is now encased in a room of white mist. As his frustration begins to boil again, a shrill feminine voice cuts through the air.
"Welcome to my labyrinth, Master Ren. Wise you are to leave behind your men."
Kylo Ren whirls around to face the source of the voice, his cloak whipping around him, answered by nothing but mist. The voice seems to be coming from everywhere at once. His patience runs dry once more.
"I must speak with you." He mutters.
A high-pitched, spiteful laugh fills the air around him.
"Many wish the same, but I only entertain a few. Why should I let you through? You have invaded my home, thinking you can take whatever you want. But you can't, not from me, no matter the power you flaunt."
Ren growls in defiance, stretching out his hand and commanding the Force. The mist before him retreats momentarily, but returns seemingly of its own accord, and the Oracle's laughter with it.
"I have already lent the Knights of Ren my insight, a future decree. What more could you need of me?"
The muscles under Ren's face contort as he wrestles with that very notion.
"I wish to ask you a question of my own, to change the prophecy."
There is a pause, the Oracle seems to contemplate his words.
"That all depends on who is asking. I will tolerate no deception, or masking."
The Oracle seems curious, at least, which Ren supposes someone who regularly peers into the future would be.
"I shall give you passage through my labyrinth and be your audience. You may ask you one question only once in my presence. But you must give me an offering..."
She teeters on the condition, and Ren wonders if she is enjoying watching him skirm. Does she wish for more of his blood? The cut beneath his glove has not healed, and fresh blood wets his hand.
"... not of the body, but of the mind. A precious truth you have told no one else, to which all others are blind."
Ren chooses to feign ignorance, but the mist swirls around him, as though responding to his decision to cheat.
"No-no-no, do not think you can deceive my mind as you do your own. I can see your heart, I can see the truth you hide, the one I seek to be known."
A forbidden memory bobs at the surface of Ren's mind and his breath catches in his throat. Shame and anger boil in his stomach.
"I see you, Ben Solo-"
As the most hated name is uttered, Ren drowns the Oracle's voice out with a roar of defiance, echoing around the room. The mist stops swirling, and Ren's voice is low and filled with bolstered pride.
"I need no reminder of what I have surpassed. I have overcome foolish Solo, the mighty Skywalker." His voice lowers further into a shallow hiss, more talking to himself than the Oracle. "I have gone beyond even Lord Vader."
Shrill laughter cuts through the air louder than ever, and the mist draws closer, thickening.
"Never have I seen one with so much vision be so blind."
The mist snakes up Ren's body, encasing him. He thrashes his arms and legs madly.
"Your greatest foe still holds such power over your mind."
The mist reaches Ren's neck, closing in to engulf his defiant and flustered face.
"Though they are dead, by your cruelest stroke, you cannot say their name, the one they call-"
"NOOOOOO!"
Ren clasps his gloved hands over his eyes, yelling in terror. And in the dark, away from the blinding light of the mist, he waits. His scream dies and he stands there, a warrior cowering behind his own fingers. Disgust and shame fills him at his own helplessness. He straightens up and opens his eyes. What he sees makes him wish for the comfort of the dark again.
He is aboard the flagship Supremacy, in the grand throne room. He is surrounded by flames. His cloak and lightsaber are gone, instead he gazes empty handed before the great metal throne. Atop it sits a severed lower torso, clad in a golden robe. At the base of the throne, the sprawled body of his former master lays awkwardly on the floor. One of his arms ends in a smoking stump, and the mutated and bulbous head lays still, facing towards Ren. But what fills Ren with terror is his eyes. Blue as summer sky, they stare at him. Even as a carcass, Supreme Leader Snoke pierces into Ren's very soul. No corner of his mind is safe. His black tunic and leather garments do nothing to protect him. The familiar and hated feeling of uninvited exposure fills Kylo Ren. He wants to turn away, to run, to leave this disgusting beast of a person at his back forever. But the Oracle doesn't lay behind him. He forces himself to gaze back into the eyes of his master, and summons the memory of his death, the look of shock and horror on his face as Anakin's lightsaber carves him in two, it's shining hilt flying into the hands of Rey. And now all he thinks of is her face, shining with relief, determination, hope. With a great effort, he steps forward.
The room vanishes. The heat of the flames and sounds of ion cannon bombardment are gone. Now Ren occupies a large atrium on Starkiller Base. His tunic is longer and a cowl is wrapped about his neck. He looks up into the holoimage of his master, sitting atop an oversized throne. Snoke points a gnarled finger at him but Ren is wiser now. His master is dead, and no illusion is going to bring him back. He steps forward once more, and the eerie atrium disappears.
Ren looks down at himself. He is wearing a simple white robe, brown leather belt and boots. A worn cloak is drawn around his shoulders, and stained gloves cover his hands. Ash and soot cling to his once pristine Jedi uniform, the aftermath of a fire. Ren looks up. He is in a familiar overgrown garden. The wicked trees have twisted and outgrown their confinements. Behind him gather the Knights of Ren, who brought him here from the temple he once called home. Blood clings to their weapons and clothes, and they block his exit. There's no going back. Atop a large wooden chair before him sits Snoke, dressed in a simple green robe and hood, covering his large head. Snoke contorts his face into a smile. Even after ten years, the smell of rotting wood sends shivers down Ren's spine. This had been their first meeting, and he is scared. No, Was. He wasn't a distraught Jedi Apprentice anymore. He banishes his fear and steps forward, seeing through the kind smile his master had worn. As the room dissolves into nothingness, he relents on the pointlessness of the Oracle's illusions.
But now he's in a familiar space. A room with white walls and a wide window, looking out onto the horizon of the planet Chandrila. A trickle of speeder traffic flies overhead. Ben sits on the floor, his back against his bed, and slowly absorbs the curious nostalgia of the room. One of his old stuffed toys sits frumpled upon the carpeted floor, a model of a New Republic starfighter stands atop his table. A polished staff leans against the wall, which he'd manoeuvre around like a blade when his lights were out. The door and - now he looks - the room in general are a lot bigger than he remembers. He looks down at his small, pudgy hands and realises the room isn't bigger, he is smaller. He pulls at the tiny body encased in a white shirt and navy vest, his fingers searching his cheeks to find them wet. His chest heaves, hiccuping on air. He'd been crying. But what about?
"Ben?"
The eerie noise makes young Ben jump, scrambling to force his back to the wall. He searches all four corners of his room with frantic eyes, but finds no one. This isn't one of his father's tricks either.
"I'm a friend, Ben. Don't be scared."
The voice seems to come from nowhere and everywhere at the same time. Ben doesn't understand how his Uncle Luke does some of the things he does, but he is sharp enough to know talking to someone without moving your lips is a possibility. Armed with this knowledge, young Ben pushes his mop of black hair defiantly out of his eyes.
"Who are you?" He asks the room.
There is a slight pause before he hears the voice again.
"I'm a friend, Ben. My name is Snoke."
There's an artificial sweetness to it.
Ben is caught between building excitement and a deep unease. As he stews on his feelings, the voice echoes once more.
"Why are you so upset, Ben?"
Previous feelings are drowned by a sudden, panicked fear that floods Ben's body like poison. He crawls towards the door, reaching up to touch the panel, to run, to call his mother's name-
"Please Ben, don't be alarmed. I'm like you."
The artificial sweetness is replaced by genuine seriousness. Ben's hand hovers over the door panel.
"I wield power like your Uncle does, you were right about that. But we're not like Them, are we Ben?"
Ben's hand still hovers threateningly over the door panel, but his attention has been caught.
"What do you want, Snoke?"
"I want what you want, Ben. Someone to talk to. Someone who wants more, to surpass those around them."
Ben had never spoken of the jealousy he'd felt for his father, his mother, his uncle. He had never even written it down, never the courage to. And hearing it aloud scares him. He activates the door panel and strides down the corridor towards his mother's office. He can hear the voice coming back but he shuts his eyes, imagining pushing it away. It is down to a whisper as he approaches his mother's office.
"Wait!" Says the voice, barely audible.
The young boy pauses again, but he'd proven he has power over this 'Snoke' now, he doesn't need him. The voice speaks in a whisper.
"I'm weak, Ben, I need your help. But in return, I can promise you power."
The boy turn his back on the door and peers down the corridor. Faintly, he can see the outline of a misshapen man wearing a shawl. His fingers look as though they'd been broken, and his face is cracked underneath the skin. This sudden, supernatural vision makes the hairs stand up on Ben's neck, but he doesn't look away. Ben's curiosity peaks, as he sees Snoke isn't lying. And if he isn't, that could mean…
"Power… like my Uncle Luke?"
The apparition of Snoke shakes his head, and Ben looks into his gleaming blue eyes for the first time.
"Power beyond the Skywalkers."
Beyond Luke? Ben can't comprehend what that means, but he likes the sound of it. The ghostly vision of Snoke outstretches his gnarled hand. Ben's pudgy fingers reach towards his new friend, but stop. There is something in those eyes that betrays the frail body that houses them. They see through Ben, and he is reminded of a sensation. A familiar and hated feeling of uninvited exposure.
"Closer child..." mutters Snoke, but Ben's hand fall down to his side.
"No."
The navy vest, shirt, and tiny body inside it fall away. In their place kneels Kylo Ren, his thick cloak covering his body and his lightsaber clipped to his belt. He matches Snoke's piercing gaze with his own, and his voice rumbles with thunderous resolve.
"You underestimated Skywalker, and Ben Solo, and me."
He gets to his feet, towering over the pathetic image of Snoke that quivers before him.
"Rey was right. It was your downfall."
He strides straight through the apparition. The corridor of his childhood home dissolves into nothingness, but the vision of Snoke remains. It twists in the air, distorting violently into a leering representation of his master. The huge, scarred head balloons in size and hovers over him, staring nightmarishly down at Ren, as large as his hologram on Starkiller Base. A dark chuckle escapes the scared lips.
"You think I can be beaten by you? 'Kylo Ren' is not your creation, he is mine."
The ghost of Snoke gnarls and warps like the trees he'd been surrounded by once before. But Ren doesn't move. Snoke hisses like an angry snake.
"You will never be free of me. I-"
"You are nothing," retorts Ren, low and commanding. "An old fool who wasted his gifts. But I won't. I'll seize my own future beyond you."
Ren's cloak billows behind him as he strides straight through the vision of his Master.
"Beyond 'Kylo Ren'."
But Ren says these last words alone. He is standing over the threshold of the labyrinths exit. Before him, the white mist retreats down a tunnel, burrowing even further into the earth. Ren waits for the voice of the Oracle to return, but supposes there's only one way forward.
As he descends, four sets of echoing footfalls signal the arrival of Trudgen, Kuruk, Ushar and Ap'lek. Ren supposes that the final room being sealed was another illusion of the Oracle. Ap'lek catches up to him, scarcely repressing awe.
"You broke through the labyrinth!"
Ren doesn't answer as he continues his descent. Ap'lek falls in step behind, and is joined by the tall and broad Trudgen in his praise of strength.
"Only a Master of the Ren could have escaped such a place." Trudgen's barely used voice crackles like gravel under foot. "You have proven your strength yet again, Master."
Ren's silence meets such compliments. His followers assume that he is above boasting of his endeavours, and they resume a quiet hike down the tunnel. All except Ushar, who now fervently suspects his master used some other method, like soft Jedi teachings, to slip past the Oracle. In truth, he is half right.
The layer of deep forest that surrounds Calrim Guild allows Rey, Finn, and BB-8 a well shielded approach to their target. The crunch of pine needles underfoot accompanies them, as the deep cover of the canopy above insulates them from all other sounds. Rey hugs her faded yellow cloak against the chill, her arms and hands protected by thick sleeves and leather gloves. Finn buries his face behind the collar of his poncho, envying BB-8 for ignoring the cold and bobbing merrily on beside him through the frost. Rey however is pleased to be among her oldest friends after what felt like a full week of torment. Finn is ahead, peering through his macrobinoculars whilst BB-8 chirps inquisitively next to Rey.
"We could have recruited more for our team, but the three of us have commandeered transports before, remember?"
BB-8 whistles back at her in half agreement. Finn retreats back to his friends, stowing away his macrobinoculars and kneels behind the downed trunk they are using for cover.
"Three Scouts ahead and four walker pilots. We can take them down easily and quietly, I've got some new moves."
Finn winks at BB-8, and Rey matches his look of optimism.
"Yeah, I've got some new tricks too. We are getting pretty good at this."
They exchange a hushed chuckle, the calm before the storm. Rey closes her eyes and becomes calm, letting the flow of the Force take her, like floating down stream. Her senses magnify and she can feel the crunch of needles underneath the Scout's boots before them, the checking of cockpit controls by the AT-ST pilots. Finn watches her work, pride filling him. Rey withdraws into her body and opens her eyes.
"You two go round the back and get as close to the walkers as possible. I'll take out these guards and give you a head start."
There is no protest from Finn as he keeps his prideful gaze. Rey's seriousness breaks as she notices, with a laugh.
"What?!"
"Nothing," Finn says, fondly. "I just can't help but remember the wide-eyed scavenger who lit up at the thought of 'Luke Skywalker', and-" He indicates to her. "Now look at you!"
Rey's heart glows with warmth, her cheeks too as she smiles.
"And look at you, a true Resistance hero through and through; The Finn."
Finn smiles at the floor, flattered but doubtful. "I'm not sure, I've had a lot of help, people who believe in me."
He looks up, and there is guilt in his eyes. "People who believe there's light in everyone. It's that idea that pushed me to challenge Poe."
He peeps over the log, the Scout Troopers are still circling the perimeter as ordered. Finn lowers his head, stowing his pride and getting to the point.
"I'm trying to say that I'm sorry about doubting you. You were the first to look at me like a person and you backed me up. So, I've got your back too."
He offers his hand solemnly. Rey is pleased, but wants to be as clear as possible.
"You believe he can be saved?"
The scar on Finn's back prickles uncomfortably but he ignores it, nodding resolutely. Rey takes his hand, and feels as though the weight she carries has just halved.
"Thanks Finn," she says, relieved. "I'm going to need all the help I can get."
When Finn looks mystified, she elaborates.
"He's working things out for himself, but I can't force him to see. And the Knights of Ren they..."
She looks more forlorn than Finn had ever seen her. He scratches his chin and settles on the truth.
"Don't worry about them, think about what you've already done. I wanted to run away and hide. Jaytu wanted to hand us over to the Final Order. Luke damn Skywalker wouldn't even help!"
He kneels down closer to Rey and points a finger at her chest.
"But you believed in us. If you believe he can be saved, I do too. That's all that matters."
BB-8 wobbles enthusiastically in agreement. Rey feels the sadness that lurks inside her retreat. Finn straightens up and offers her his hand.
"Come on. Let's go win this war."
Rey chuckles as she grips his hand and stands as well, her determination blazing. The three friends bank right, flanking their target. A question rises to the surface of Rey's mind.
"What're you going to do when this is all over, Finn?"
Finn runs a hand through his hair, hiding his longing expression from Rey.
"Oh you know, put my blaster away for good, maybe settle down, give back somehow. I'm done with fighting."
He looks at Rey with a cheeky grin.
"I know what you should be doing though."
Rey's cheeks glow red as her mind suddenly reverts to hushed conversations she'd shared with Ben on Ahch-To.
"What's that?" She replies, a little too accusing.
"Isn't it obvious?!" teases Finn. "You're a pilot! With your own ship you could go anywhere, do anything!"
This catches Rey by surprise. As they trek further, she takes a moment to really consider what she, Rey from Jakku, would want after the war is over. She enjoys helping others, especially those that are alone, like she was. But there are so many. That is a huge endeavour for one person. But, the hope that she might not be alone, that there will be someone there with her, brings the smile back to her face.
The thought of who that person might be makes her blush again.
"Oh, what a ghastly place!"
C3-PO is lagging behind. Team Cresh is twenty members strong, with the protocol droid and his companion R2-D2 bringing up the rear. The soldiers shuffle between the sharp-roofed settlements on the outskirts of Calrim Guild, providing them ample cover on their route towards the garrison prison. R2 whistles impatiently as 3PO quivers like a large golden scarecrow, refusing to advance.
"I can't do it anymore R2! I simply can't! You'll have to-"
But Chewbacca runs out of patience. The great wookie picks up 3PO and tucks him under his arm, as though he weighs nothing at all. 3PO's protest is quickly silenced by a low and serious growl from his big furry taxi. They advance far enough to reach the edge of the city, and meld into the trees approaching the prison. Ahead of the team, Leia shoulders her blaster rifle and peers down past the edge of the tree line, sizing up the prison before them. The large rectangular complex is surrounded by several squads of Stormtroopers, Leia counts over two hundred red helmets. This isn't going to be easy.
"Team Cresh in position, General," she whispers into her wrist commlink.
Leia's comrades gather around her, checking their blasters and keeping noise to a minimum. The realisation that the youngest of their group - a Twi'lek named Jembe - and the oldest - a Rebel vanguard named Jos - are separated by at least 40 years spurs sudden feelings in Leia. A rush of unity, for those who continue to fight the good fight despite creed and generational differences, but also shame, that the war still isn't over.
"I hope this works, Poe."
There is a pause before Poe's reply, and it brings the fiery glow of defiance back into Leia's old bones.
"Hope is like the sun, right General?"
"I see three squads in the the market square, another two patrolling the streets"
Jaytu lowers her macrobinoculars to look at Rose, laying beside her.
"There's a few Scouts guarding this side street too, we'll have to go around."
It was Jaytu who'd spotted the ruin of the bell tower that they now use for observation. They both lay flat, keeping their heads down and their makeshift cloaks wrapped around their heads and helmets. Jaytu yanks at the thick fabric irritably.
"Why do we have to wear this stuff?"
"It's camouflage," replies Rose enthusiastically. "It's to throw off the Stormtroopers. They'll think we're just rowdy villagers until we start blasting. Taking advantage of underestimation is what we do a lot."
Jaytu looks down at Rose's makeshift shawl as if she had been granted a window into true wisdom. Was this really how the Resistance had survived so long?
Poe's crackling voice sounds over Rose's commlink. "Get back here Rose, we're moving in."
"Roger that, General!" replies Rose, but her cheerfulness is soon cut short.
"Only you, Rose. Jaytu will stay and scout."
Frustration boils in Rose, and she was about to tell Poe exactly where he can stick his order when Jaytu intervenes.
"It's alright, Rose. I don't mind, I understand."
Rose's face is now a sharp mix of anger and sympathy. She refuses to leave Jaytu defenceless. After a moment, Rose takes a small object from her cloak and places it in Jaytu's hands.
"This is all I've got, but it should help."
"How does it work?" Calls Jaytu as Rose descends the stairs of their scouting spot.
"Hold the release and jab them with the sparky end!" Calls back Rose.
Jaytu turns the shock prod over in her hands, blissfully unaware of the sentimental value it holds for Rose Tico. Rose is more concerned with her new friend's safety, chastising herself for not bringing a second blaster pistol. She also chastises Poe even more when she reaches the front. The majority of their forces are here, just over half of their total number. Three companies – one led by General Dameron, one by Major Wexley, and one by Colonel Terex - are gathered inside an abandoned inn. Poe is surveying the squads of Stormtroopers in the market square when Rose jabs her finger sharply into his back.
"What're you thinking? Leaving a new recruit out there unarmed in the middle of a battlefield?!"
Rose expects a swift and heated defence, but Poe merely looks at her apologetically.
"I can't take that chance Rose, not with what's at stake. She's further away from the battle than anyone, so if it all goes well, she'll join us for the celebration. And if it doesn't..."
Poe puts on his warm half smile, remembering the words he'd uttered to Leia not moments ago.
Rose is still annoyed with Poe's hypocrisy, but judges that the success of the battle at hand is more important for now. She'd said her piece and will do so again, but for now, she unclips her blaster from her belt and holds it aloft.
"It will go well. For what it's worth, I'm with you General."
Poe snaps out of his tactical analysis for just a moment and really looks at Rose. He'd known her since she joined the Resistance, and he'd known her sister Paige even longer. Poe had lost many friends in this fight but Rose had lost her only sister. Yet here she is, still sticking up for people and ready to fight alongside him. His respect for her can only be matched by her own enthusiasm. He unholsters his own blaster and smiles back.
"Believe me Rose, that's worth a lot."
Terez and Snap approach, blaster rifles at the ready. "We're all set General."
Poe nods.
"The other two teams are in position, we've just gotta make some noise. I'll hold my company here, you two split off and provide cover fire from each side of the square."
Terez wipes snow from her crop of purple hair and grins.
"We've got you Poe."
Snap gives his old friend a confident punch on the shoulder. Poe's gratitude for all these people surrounding him temporarily drowns his nerves.
"May the Force be with us."
Terez and Snap lead their soldiers around opposite perimeters of the square, hiding behind the large brick houses and avoiding leaving their footprints in patches of snow. Poe's company advances cautiously through the square, finding spots of cover behind upturned tables and old speeders. Rose tiptoes around littered trinkets and caches of spoiled herbs, and supposes the Stormtroopers had arrived and suppressed the city quickly and without mercy. Several blaster bolt burns around her suggested she is right. The boiling disdain for the Final Order bubbles away in her chest as she glances over at Poe. He is sizing up the gathering of scarlet armoured troopers ahead of them. They're outnumbered two-to-one already, but they have more than numbers on their side. Poe cannot help but feel a finality to this mission, like the war will soon be over, for better or for worse.
As he squeezes the trigger on his blaster and fells his first foe of the day, he hopes it will be for the better.
"Insurgents in the market square!" yells a First Order officer. The Stormtroopers guarding the prison leave their posts orderly, gathering in lines of two. The officer addresses them.
"I want those vagrants either dead or incarcerated, and I want it done before we take any more losses!"
The officer's face was blood red as he screamed at his troops. "Now go! Fight and die for the Final Order!"
The lines of Stormtroopers file off into the forest of stone houses that mark the edge of Calrim Guild. Only a handful of scarlet helmets remain, and the officer rounds on them like a hungry predator.
"Spread out and man the cell doors. I don't want any of our guests getting sudden rushes of rebellious spirit."
What the officer doesn't know is the moment he had shown his status in the hierarchy of this prison, his fate was sealed. In truth, he is the acting warden, which gives him certain powers over both the treatment of prisoners and the garrison itself. This, however, doesn't protect him from the bowcaster bolt that soars through the air and catches him in the chest, forcing his body to flip backwards and skid away across the frosted ground. His guard of five Stormtroopers only realise he is dead when two silver orbs bounce towards them and explode. A localised electrical field erupts, rendering most of the guard unconscious. The captain who is left standing manages to fire off two shots into the group of disguised Resistance fighters now approaching. In response, he receives two bolts in the chest and drops to join his comrades.
Chewie approaches to check their foes are down for the count, whilst Leia orders a pair of her soldiers to set up a perimeter.
"R2, check we're alone."
The blue astromech does as he's told, wheeling to the spot where moments ago lines of Stormtroopers had stood. A small radar dish protrudes from his domed head, scanning for lifeforms. The mass of heat that indicates advancing Stormtroopers are still travelling away from them. Satisfied, R2 brings the good news to Leia in high spirits.
"Excellent R2. Now, if you wouldn't mind giving Chewie a hand."
In the shadow of the rectangular prison, Chewie fiddles at a panel beside the double blast door entrance. Being technically minded, he quickly realised opening this door will require both slicing and hotwiring. Chewie takes great pleasure in shouldering his bowcaster and digging his large hands around the control terminal and ripping it free. Leia ducks as the panel soars overhead.
"I know we're in a rush Chewie but don't panic! I trust our contact here."
Chewie concedes a stream of mumbling growls as he bastardises the exposed wiring. R2 approaches the other side of the door, accessing the door terminal and tries to convince it to open. Within minutes they succeed, the large blast doors retreating with grunts of grinding metal.
"Team Cresh is a go, General!" Says Leia into her commlink, triumphantly.
By the stars she hopes Poe's plan goes smoothly, and she dare not entertain the alternative as she, Chewie, R2 and their comrades enter the dingy cells.
3PO remains outside, sticking close to a pair of irritable looking Resistance soldiers.
"Well I'm not going in there, who knows what kind of criminals they've got chained up!"
"Patrol, do you copy?"
Inside an AT-ST cockpit, a pair of pilots grow wary. For about ten minutes now they'd received no orders from superiors, who relished in keeping them busy. They had appreciated the break from constant work for a while, but a feeling of unease has set in.
"Patrol, what's going on down there?"
One of the pilots looks to the other, alarm shaping his features.
"Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
Suddenly, the cockpit hatch above them opens. Instead of a face staring down at them, a pair of hands suspends a round looking droid over their heads. Before either of them can utter a word, the droid unsheathes a sharp looking shock prod and squeals as it's dropt inside, the hatch closing behind with a clang. BB-8's round body bounces from wall to wall of the small cockpit, bludgeoning and shocking anything he touches. The pilots yell and scream as they're bombarded, until they're both knocked unconscious. A stream of beeps indicates BB-8 is proud of his work, and the hatch opens again to reveal Finn's grinning face.
"Nice one buddy, you're quite the weapon."
An array of lighters, shock prods, cables and compartments protrudes from BB-8 all at once as he revels in his own success. Finn dumps the two unconscious pilots onto the surrounding platform grating, cuffing them with a pair of binders and replacing them in the driver's seat. He checks on a small beeping device in his pocket, a silver toothed key protruding from the side.
"This should keep us off their scans, and interrupt their comms," Finn tells BB-8. "Can you get this thing up and running?"
BB-8 chirps merrily as he pillages the wire insides of the control hub before him. Finn chuckles and peers out the viewport. The other walker is standing further away, and a pilot now races up the stair and scaffold that holds the walker in place. Finn bites his lip.
"Come on Rey, where are you?"
The pilot reaches the top of the docking scaffold and glances behind him, sure he'd seen an enemy approaching. What he doesn't see is Rey approaching the leg of the walker. With the Force as her ally, she leaps onto the knee joint of the AT-ST and flips up onto its metal head, landing with such precision that her boots barely make a noise on the metal hull. From Finn's point of view, it's as if she glides elegantly through the air.
The pilot turns to open the cockpit hatch but instead comes face to face with Rey. He reaches for his blaster pistol but she draws on a much more powerful weapon. Extending a hand towards his face, she can sense his feelings. Fear, anguish, and fatigue. She summons her strength and presses on his fatigue through the Force. The pilot's body betrays him. His hand swings away from his blaster and droops heavily by his side. A wave of exhaustion overwhelms him, and his body curls forwards as his eyes seek the comforting darkness under his eyelids. Rey catches the collar of his jumpsuit as he slumps forwards, sound asleep.
"Woah," utters Finn, to himself mostly.
Rey lays the pilot carefully on the grating and enters the cockpit of the walker, her voice erupting on his wrist commlink, protected from Rose's slicing key.
"Hope you weren't waiting long. Ready?"
Finn's walker suddenly jolts to life, BB-8 beeping excitedly.
"Ready as I'll ever be!" He replies to Rey, a hint of nervousness coming through. "Let's go and get Poe out of trouble!"
Finn and BB-8's walker lurches forward, advancing into the city with Rey just lagging behind. All is going to plan, and Rey hasn't sensed the telltale cold ripple in the Force that signals the arrival of the Knights of Ren. The vision of their victory floats to the surface of her mind, and she pushes it down, gripping the controls, fighting her won't allow it to rule her.
"That's excellent Finn!"
Poe yells his reply into his comm, the sounds of blaster fire ringing in his ears. He crouches behind an overturned cart, peppered with enemy blaster bolts.
"Get to us as fast as you can!"
His leadership reflexes kicking in, Poe surveys the ongoing battle. His team has been pushed back, the backup from the prison tripling the Stormtroopers already outnumbering them. Terez and Snap's fighters are unable to keep providing them with cover fire, now dealing with battles of their own. The square is a blasted battlefield now, with the Stormtroopers pushing out towards their perimeter command posts. Poe checks his blaster has cooled and prepares to return fire. The only way the Resistance wins the day is through trust, to believe that help is coming. He swears on the red sun of Yavin he will not break his belief this day. Poe swings around the corner of the cart, his blaster erupting in a burst of blue bolts.
"For the Resistance!"
The torchlight from R2's dome leads the way through the corridor of cells. The incarcerated patrons of Calrim Guild are, so far, a vicious looking lot. One bounty hunter peers at the approaching Resistance fighters from his ray-shielded cell, his pale head attached bizarrely atop a large droid body. Another outlaw bares his gallery of sharp yellowing teeth at Leia, who continues forward without even glancing around. These spacers are indeed as dangerous as they appear, but there is a reason the Resistance are here to rescue them. That reason sits alone in an end cell, which R2 unlocks. As the cell's ray-shield disappears, its occupant stirs.
"I told you Officer Baroc, you'll get nothing from me," comes a low and curiously mechanical voice from the inside of the cell. "I do not command these people, I simply provide them a place away from you and your lovely armoured friends."
The door slides open and the interior is flooded with torchlight. A man sits in the corner of the bare cell, wrapped in a large collared coat and shrouded helmet. He pulls himself uneasily to his feet, preparing for the worst. He gets quite the opposite.
"I should hope you pull some sway at least, or this day is going to be harder than I expected."
Leia fills the doorway, propping herself up on her cane and looking as determined as ever. The man reels.
"Princess? Is that you?"
Leia nods, nostalgic at the old honorific term.
"The Resistance needs your help. We're running the Final Order out of the city but we need you and your consorts aid. Can you help us 'Baron'?"
Leia had used the title in jest, and the Baron chuckles. He removes his helmet and speaks in a voice now filled with charm.
"For you, Princess, I'm sure we can put our skills to good use."
The streets are just wide enough for Finn and Rey to drive their walkers in single file. The characteristic 'CLUNK! CLUNK!' of their large flat feet warn any city dwellers left to stay well within their homes. Rey can sense their fear, like a haze of thick mist clinging to the powdered roofs.
"The square is just up ahead!" Finn's tinny voice echoes around the cockpit. "Have we got anything to worry about?"
Rey can tell Finn didn't really know how to properly refer to her abilities, and for good reason; they aren't easily defined. To be able to connect with the world around in such a way baffles Finn, but he is starting to understand, and that comforts Rey.
"People here are scared of the walkers." She replies.
Finn grimaces at BB-8 sitting next to him. "Yeah I used to be scared of them too. Soon they won't have to worry."
Rey's perky smile returns to her face. "We can do this."
But something catches in Rey's extra senses, like a sudden ripple in the web of interconnected life around her. She doesn't only sense fear amongst the villagers, she senses something more. Something worse. Malice.
Rey stops her walker and closes her eyes, her consciousness expanding past the barrier of her body and enveloping outward. Finn calls her from the comm but his voice seems to echo from far away. She feels she could have encompassed the whole city in her awareness if she wished, but finds what she searches for. Two figures move towards her, ducking low behind an old city wall. They are moving with the discipline and pace of trained warriors, but their insides burn with a cocktail of vice no warrior would entertain. A thirst, to hunt, to maim, to kill. When she finally recognizes their particular hate for Jedi, she turns the walker to face the wall and fires it's cannons. Two familiar shrouded figures jump away from the blast, aided by the Force. Vicrul draws his vibroscythe and Cardo retrieves a handful of detonators from his belt. The Knights of Ren have found her.
"Finn, get to the square," commands Rey as she turns the walker to follow Vicrul as he tries to find cover behind a ruin. "I'm right behind you."
The explosive shot of the walker sends Vicrul rolling backwards, but Cardo is quick. Two bombs fly through the air towards the cockpit of the walker. Her instincts still sharp, Rey turns the body of the walker to maneuver backwards, and the two bombs fall short and violently explode the cobbled street between them. Rey prepares another flurry of blaster fire but this time, both Knights are ready. They dash towards the walker with sudden bursts of speed, ducking beneath Rey's line of sight. Rey drives the walker forward to counter their speed and evasion, but an explosion rocks the cockpit, and the walker crumbles like a felled tree.
Pushing the hatch open, Rey throws herself away from the walker. She can see the smoking remains of the it's left leg still standing. One of Cardo's explosives has melted through the thick metal, resulting in her crash. The two figures emerge from the smoke as she tosses aside her singed cloak and draws her blaster and staff, readying her body and mind for a fight. Vicrul opens his arms, welcoming.
"Be warned, we've taken no orders of hesitation this time, Jedi."
Cardo loads a detonator into his wrist launcher with glee. But Rey sees through their act, having been present when they were ordered to find the temple by their Master.
"So you ignored your orders to hunt me down instead? How rebellious," she mocks. "I'm sure your Master will be as merciful with you as he was with the brute who challenged him."
Vicrul and Cardo grit their teeth beneath their metal shrouds, beginning to circle Rey. The walker smoulders behind them.
"Kylo Ren is weak, we are our own masters!"
Rey sneers, amused by their ignorance.
"Ben Solo is stronger than all of you, I wonder when you'll realise that?"
She swings her staff and points it threateningly at Vicrul. "Probably too late, just as you now realise your presence here was a mistake too. I will stop that prophecy."
Rey waits for realisation to dawn on her attackers. How did she know? Questions explode within their heads, breaking their concentration for only a moment of hesitation, which Rey takes advantage of. She lunges forward, the bulky end of her staff jabbing at Vicrul's head. He deflects but retreats backwards. Whilst on the backfoot, Rey spins around Vicrul, placing him between herself and the bomb Cardo had just thrown at her. The bomb explodes and dowses Vicrul's coat in flames. He yells, rolling onto his back and ripping his coat from his shoulders. Showing no hesitation for his fallen ally, Cardo continues his flurry of airborne explosives. Rey reaches into the Force. The bombs freeze in midair and collide with each other, the blast close enough to knock Cardo backwards. Panting from the effort, Rey's commlink buzzes.
"Rey? Who are you fighting? Is it them?"
Rey retreats beyond Cardo's range and keeps an eye on Vicrul, who is still attempting to detangle himself from his burning coat.
"I can handle myself Finn, the mission is more important."
She twirls her staff ready in one hand and raises her blaster, unleashing a flurry of bolts at Vicrul as he regains his footing. "It's my job to deal with them."
The channel buzzes closed as Rey turns off her commlink. A while away, Finn halts his walker, indecision paralysing him. Rey was right of course, but doing things alone often ends in tragedy. He'd learnt that lesson the hard way.
Rey ducks, side-steps, and leaps gracefully between the savage arcs of Vicrul's vibroscythe and Cardo's bomb blasts with ease. The Force is with her, and their anger is restricting the little finesse they have. Vicrul draws closer, whilst Cardo growls in frustration as another detonator betrays his aim, spinning away harmlessly, and he lunges for Rey. With a subtle push from the Force, Vicrul's momentum reverses and he falls backwards into Cardo's path. Rey smirks triumphantly as they crumple in a heap.
"The 'Mighty' Knights of Ren."
But Vicrul has reached his limit. Pulling a compact blaster from his undershirt, he fires a flurry of shots at Rey. She darts backwards, but not before two bolts singe her cheek and shoulder. Vicrul advances, levelling the blaster with glee.
"Don't mock us, pretender."
Rey darts behind a wall to escape the next barrage of laser fire. Cardo gets to his feet as Vicrul closes in on their prey.
"I know all about you, the nobody pretending to be a Jedi."
Rey's heart stops at That Word. She had thought, no, hoped that they had known little more about her than she does them. But as Vicrul continues, she realizes how wrong she is.
"An abandoned orphan, so ashamed of her past she can't even admit it to herself."
The bricks above her head explode as blaster bolts hit them, and Rey leaps behind a large stone well, just in time. The spot where she was crouching explodes as an impact grenade detonates. Through the smoke she can just make out two menacing figures approaching, Vicrul hoisting his blaster and brandishing his blade.
"You can't even admit it to your allies." He continues, full of spite. "How will they fare when they realise? When your secret is out? The Resistance needed Luke Skywalker, they needed a Jedi, but instead they got you."
Rey challenges the bubbling tears inside her with a sharp intake of breath. They may have had her riled for a moment, but these words now reveal how little they know. She'd heard the same insults many times, in her own voice. And these two strangers could never be as cutting, as sharp, as spiteful as her own self-disappointment. But they are all wrong. She'd brought Luke back to the fight, she'd reached Ben when no one else could, and she had saved the Resistance. And she will do so again.
"I was nobody," she admits. "But not anymore."
Her voice is so low, it is almost a whisper. She readies her blaster.
"And especially not to Ben."
Vicrul cackles darkly from within the dust of the explosion, and it is Cardo's turn to bludgeon Rey's morale.
"Kylo Ren does not think as you do, he will not fail us. And if he does…" Cardo licks his cracked lips from beneath his mask. "...We'll kill him too."
The bubbling sadness that Rey so desperately keeps at bay is suddenly overwhelmed by white hot rage. How dare they threaten him, the one person who'd not looked away, the one person who'd seen the real Rey. She screams in anger and whirls around the stone well, pointing her blaster at Cardo's blank helmet, but her weapon betrays her. The pistol is wrenched from her fingers, flying into Cardo's outstretched hand. No sooner has the red haze receded from her vision when Vicrul's vibroscythe flashed before her face, aiming to cleave her head in two. She stumbles backwards blindly, fumbling with her staff to defend, but Vicrul is ferocious. The curved blade comes down again and again on her blunt scavenger staff, cutting deep gashes in the metal pole. With a flourish Vicrul slashes, and the staff snaps in two. Rey holds the pieces in her hands, as the two warriors bear down upon her.
Rey's blood runs cold.
"Fall back! Fall back!"
Poe runs desperately towards cover, shouting into his commlink and grabbing soldiers by the scruff of their tunics, dragging them with him.
"The square is lost, fall back!"
He ducks behind a pile of crates and peers into the oncoming horde. Over a hundred Stormtroopers march forward through the square, a sea of violent red. Poe grits his teeth; they're running out of time.
"Rose?!" He calls out to either side. "Where are you?"
Poe leers at the square and suddenly spots the steady bop of a ponytail tied by electrical wire. To his horror, Rose is pinned down behind an upturned cart, alone. Two Stormtroopers overheat their blasters into the makeshift shield she hides behind, and a third is flanking from the side. Poe yells in desperation and throws himself forward, blaster ready, but someone rushes past him, already running. It takes him a moment to take in the dark hair, vest, and body glove before he realises it is Jaytu. As the Stormtrooper takes aim at Rose, Jaytu throws herself into them with full force. The Stormtrooper jerks madly as Jaytu drives the shock prod into their belly. Poe catches up behind the cart as Jaytu picks up Rose by the arm, and Poe can see she's been shot. Jaytu carries her away from the square whilst Poe covers them, guiding several blaster bolts home into the chests of advancing Stormtroopers. He follows the ex-Stormtrooper inside an abandoned house, where plenty of their soldiers have fallen back too. Jaytu doesn't look at Poe as she rouses her friend.
"Rose? Are you ok?"
Rose groans in pain, and mumbles something. Jaytu fumbles through the medpac on Rose's belt, hands trembling.
"Just direct me, I'm sure you'll be fine."
Poe watches, speechless, then looks around at his surrounding forces. They have lost at least twenty of their number in the attack, and conceded both ground and the element of surprise. A wide-eyed lieutenant approaches him, purple blood trickling down her temple.
"Orders, General?"
Poe breathes sharply, readying himself.
"Form-up Lieutenant, we defend from here til the other teams reach us. We've got to give them more time."
The young soldier nods, and Poe hopes beyond hope that backup will be here soon.
Rey braces to feel the cold steel of Vicrul's blade, or the burn of Cardo's blaster fire, but instead her ears are assaulted by a nearby explosion.
The stone well that she had been hiding behind explodes, catching both Cardo and Vicrul in the back with debris and dust. Rey stares, shocked for a moment, before a familiar silhouette and clang of huge footfalls announces the arrival of an AT-ST. BB-8's chirps sound through the walker's speaker and her heart seems to overflow with warmth. But her foes stir.
Rey's hands tremble as she holds the useless hunks of metal that once formed her trusty staff. She is weaponless, defenceless. A sudden image appears in her mind; Luke, tossing his father's lightsaber over a cliff. She chastises herself for forgetting the First Lesson; she is never defenceless. As Vicrul and Cardo get to their feet, she lets the two halves of the staff tumble to the ground, and simply breathes.
Vicrul mistakes her calm for surrender, and wastes no time stabbing at her with his vibroscythe. He strikes nothing but air as Rey leaps over his head, placing her hands on the sides of his helmet and twisting. Suddenly, Vicrul is completely blind as he stares at the back of his helmet. He claws at his eyes for a moment before he is thrown into a stone wall head first, where he crumples unconscious. Rey lowers her hand from where she just threw Vicrul and turns to face Cardo. He sneers, feinting with her blaster to throw a flame grenade at her from point blank range. But she is quicker than before. The grenade hisses with sparks as it circles Rey in a harmless arc and speeds back to meet its owner in the chest. Cardo screams as angry red flames race up his coat, but Rey outstretches a hand. Cardo lifts into the air and shots towards her, his head coming to stop in her palm. Rey reaches into his mind and presses on the fatigue growing in his body. Immediately, Cardo becomes limp and Rey drops him to the ground, fast asleep. Rey releases her concentration and exhales, fatigued.
"Whoa," says a voice above her.
Finn had opened the walker hatch and watched as Rey had taken out both Knights. She suffocates the flames on Cardo's coat and reaches up a hand towards Finn.
"Thanks for the save, throw me down some binders."
Finn does so, and Rey secures the two Knights to a large metal bar on the outside of an inn.
"They'll be out for sometime, let's get back to the mission."
Finn can tell Rey is trying to deflect. They both enter the walker with BB-8, and he commands it forward, towards the square. Finn waits a moment before bringing it up.
"Rey, why did you tell us to leave?"
BB-8 sits between them, and he swivels his head to look at Rey. She smiles, sadly.
"The mission was more important."
"You know what I mean, you didn't have to go it alone."
BB-8 chirps in agreement, and Rey privately admits to herself that they are right. It's not that she can't do this alone, it's that she doesn't have to. She chastises herself for her brief recklessness and grins at her two old friends.
"Yeah, you're right Finn. I owe you one." She shoots Finn a knowing glance. "Don't think I'll forget it."
Finn flashes his charismatic grin back at her. "I'll remember that, Jedi. Anyway, let's see how much trouble Poe is in."
He runs his fingers across the cockpit dials, and finds the Final Order commlink. Disabling the device Rose had given him, the comm roars into life. Shouts and voices criss cross over each other. Rey can't make out who is saying what, but Finn is familiar with Stormtrooper codes, and terror floods him.
"They've taken the square."
Snap's company had been forced to retreat, abandoning their previous command post behind the ruin of a city wall and fleeing for more robust cover. Thirty Resistance soldiers now form up between two stone settlements whilst the evolving mass of Stormtroopers presses on them, peppering their new safe haven with blaster fire. These enemy lines are being commanded by Captain Garan, a grizzled Final Order officer who regards the lives of his troops as galactic credits; throw enough at a problem, and the problem goes away.
"Fight and die for the Final Order!" Yells Garan, repeating the motto drummed into recruits. "We will inherit the galaxy!"
The lines of troopers before him comply silently, advancing towards Snap's retreating company and a hail of blaster fire. Garan sneers as he surveys the three holdouts across the square. He has both the men and the command to push them back. But he could always do with some more.
"You, HF-3311!" He yells, pointing at a trooper before him. "Where is your commanding Officer? Where is Officer Baroc?"
Unbeknownst to both Captain Garan and HF-3311, Baroc lay dead in the snow half a mile away in the shadow of the prison, along with most of his guard too.
"Officer Baroc sent us to assist sir, we have had no new orders since then."
"Tsk," scoffs Garan. "So he wants to play keep away, hmm? No matter."
Garan points a pale finger behind him to the upper right corner of the market square, where Colonel Terez and her soldiers are making a valiant stand.
"Take your repeating blasters and break their last lines, HF-3311. I don't care how many men it takes. If you fail, you'll be the first in line for Reconditioning."
HF-3311 manages to conceal his shudder beneath his armour and helmet. "Y-yes sir!"
The young trooper rushes off, relaying these orders to his fellow squadmates, who hoist FWMB-10 repeating blasters onto their shoulders and sprint for the building where Terez and her company are hauled up. A single one of these large, forward-mounted blasters can damage even the hull of a starfighter, but three of them can force a building to crumble. Captain Garan smirks as he watches HF-3311 hurry off and peers to the bottom of the square. Poe has pulled his company inside for cover, and they are on their last legs. That leaves only Snap's soldiers as the real threat.
"Time to get this done."
Captain Garan advances, ordering his troopers forward with more shouts of "Fight and die for the Final Order!" The narrow street slowly fills with Stormtrooper bodies as Snap's soldiers make their stand. Snap himself is trying to keep morale high despite dread filling his stomach. He teeters on calling for full retreat when a familiar voice sounds behind him.
"We'll take it from here, Snap."
Snap's whirls around to lay eyes on Leia and her team slowly advancing and joining their ranks. His face breaks in desperate gratitude.
"Am I glad to see you General, and-"
But words fail him at what he sees next. A man stands just behind Leia, a grandiose collared coat and slick blaster pistol drawn. He has a crop of handsome curls and a moustached grin that Snap remembers well. The man opens his arms in warm recognition and pulls Snap into a hug.
"Young Temmin Wexley, you've grown!"
Snap pulls away, hardly able to believe his eyes.
"General Calrissian! Where-what-?"
Snap trips over his words yet again. Lando Calrissian simply beams back at him.
"It's Baron, now Snap," he says with a wink. "Always on to new opportunities. Anyway, down to the task at hand; where do you need us?"
Snap looks past the famous rebellion heroes to the large group at their back, and is suddenly unnerved. Snap looks over an assortment of possibly the crudest looking characters he'd ever seen, all evidently bounty hunters, pirates, and thieves. He barely has time to take in their ferocious appearances - one stares at him with seven milky eyes, another gnashes his teeth from behind a metal visor, and a short troop of Deymasolians all armed with vibro-knives - before Leia returns his focus to their immediate survival.
"We'll take it from here, Major. You and your company provide us cover fire."
Snap nods slowly, and Lando opens his arms to his monstrous consortium.
"Gentlemen, I'm not going to waste anybody's time-"
A rumble of gruff laughter goes up from a few of the older bounty hunters. Lando chuckles in recognition and continues;
"Let's show these kids how it's done. Let's take back our city!"
The freed prisoners roar in agreement, lifting crude blaster rifles, bladed weapons and makeshift bludgeons. Chewbacca adds to the din with a deep howl, making 3PO beside him shake like a leaf in the wind. The noise can be heard in the square, where it strikes fear into Captain Garan and his advancing soldiers. Suddenly, the street ahead of them is not being defended from cover, but fill with ravenous looking soldiers. Garan recognises an eight foot tall mass of white fur as a Gigoran mercenary named Jnngen, just as she barrels through his front line with a single outstretched arm. Following her, a cyborg bounty hunter grins excitedly as he unleashes a barrage of blaster bolts upon Garan's soldiers, felling seven of them as he advances ferociously. Garan takes a step back instinctively, out of fear, but his officer training soon kicks in.
"Fight and die for the Final Order!" He screams at his soldiers' backs. "Don't let them take our birthright!"
He turns to check on the other command posts. HF-3311 has done as commanded, now attacking the building that protects Terez's soldiers. Garan is just questioning where their artillery backup is when the sound of large metal footfalls answers him. The lumbering rectangular head of an AT-ST enters the square behind the three repeating blasters, but Garan watches in horror as it opens fire and destroys all three, the gunmen fleeing. Colonel Terez is just as surprised from her spot inside a disused mess hall, but her commlink buzzs in answer.
"We've got you Colonel," says Finn's voice. "But we'll need your backup to win this."
Terez's purple lips curl into a grin. "It's a damn miracle to hear your voice Commander. We're right behind you, Finn!"
Finn and Rey beam at each other from within the cockpit. The AT-ST lurches into the square, Stormtroopers backing away at just the sight of it. Finn targets spots of cover with their blaster cannon, forcing troopers to retreat and bidding enough time for the Colonel to flank her forces either side of them. United, they push the Stormtroopers back, and notice that Team Cresh, snap's soldiers, and their liberated prisoners mirror the movements on the other side of the square. The throng of Stormtroopers are being speared from three sides. Members of both Resistance and Final Order know it; the tide has turned.
"Don't retreat!" Yells Captain Garan as he almost trips over himself fleeing the AT-ST. "Stand your ground! Fight! Die for the Final Order!"
But the Stormtroopers are taking heavy losses, and continue to back into the square. They now bump backs with the forces who have been keeping Poe's soldiers at bay. General Dameron himself now peeps a look over the wall he is using for cover.
"They're here!" He whispers triumphantly to his remaining gaggle soldiers. "We've made it!"
He looks over at Jaytu and Rose, who are just recovering. A bacta patch dresses Rose's wound, but her forehead still glistens with sweat as Jaytu supports her upright. Poe nods at Jaytu as Rose stirs, unholstering her blaster.
"Don't you count me out General, I can still fight," she growls at him.
A genuine grin crosses Poe's face.
"Not on your life, Rose."
He opens his commlink to all Resistance channels.
"This is General Dameron. All teams, advance. Rid this city of Stormtroopers!"
With that, Poe flings himself around cover and lets loose a flurry of bolts upon his foes. Rose and Jaytu, and so does the rest of Poe's company with a roar of triumph.
The battle in the square becomes a free-for-all. Leia, Chewie, Snap, Lando, and their mismatched soldiers push forward slowly, pushing the line of troopers back with little effort. Finn and Rey pilot AT-ST into the crowd of Stormtroopers, making use of flash grenades to disorient clumps of enemies whilst Terez leads her soldiers to take ground. All is going triumphantly for the Resistance, but something is amiss, Finn can sense it. He doesn't have to listen to the panicked cries for orders coming from the cockpit comms - he can feel the fear of the Stormtroopers as they face terrifying odds. Worst of all, he can feel their influence in the Force suddenly fade away as more and more are cut down. Finn grits his teeth against this sensation, angry at himself for his complicity in this battle. Is it even a battle if they've already won?
He looks to Rey, and finds the same distress mirrored in her face. Finn halts the AT-ST and activates his commlink.
"Poe, they've had enough. We can sense they're defeated, let's end this peacefully."
In the very heat of their counterattack with the fire of righteous retribution boiling his blood, General Poe Dameron mishears Finn's words. When Finn repeats them, Poe's frustration boils over.
"This isn't the time, Finn! You have your orders!"
Finn grits his teeth. "Poe this is wrong. We've won, nobody else needs to die!"
But Poe had seen too many die today to turn back now. "We need this win. You have your orders!"
Finn slams his fist on the cockpit console. Rey puts a hand on his shoulder, and looks deep into his anguished face. Finn knows without need for words that she is with him, and he makes his decision. He pulls from his pocket the circular device with a sliver toothed key that Rose had given him - they'd used it to jam the enemies comms. He takes a hold of the silver key and turns it counter-clockwise. The polarity reverses - instead of blocking scans and comms he can broadcast a pirate signal instead. Finn takes a deep breath, holds the jammer commlink to his mouth, and locks eyes with Rey before taking the plunge.
"Stormtroopers, this is Commander Finn of the Resistance. You are surrounded, outnumbered and outgunned. Lay down your weapons, and we will accept your surrender peacefully."
The bedlam of blasterfire pauses for breath as Resistance and Final Order soldiers hesitate. Finn's heart beats, uncontrollably. His commlink beeps but he ignores it. This could work, he can save lives, maybe even help them, like Jaytu-
"Stormtroopers, there will be no surrender." Captain Garan's voice is breathless over the cockpit comms. "Do your duty to the galaxy. Fight! Fight and die for the Final O-"
But Finn has heard enough.
"There is no need to throw down your lives for a cause you were forced to fight for! The city is ours, and we will not punish any Stormtrooper who surrenders willingly."
The blasterfire outside has truly halted now. Finn can hear Garan attempting to talk over him but Rose's jammer is too powerful. He lifts himself up and opens the cockpit hatch, staring out onto the battlefront before him. Despite how much he loathes the appearance of Stormtrooper armoUr, he feels nothing but sympathy for those forced to wear it. Many of them have gathered in clumps, cowering behind carts and crates, unable to protect themselves as they are surrounded. Finn realises what Garan threatens his soldiers with and uses it against him.
"There will be no Reconditioning in the Resistance, I swear to it. Please, for your own sake, surrender."
A single shot goes off as a Stormtrooper aims his rifle at Captain Garan. A flash of blue light dazzles, and the vulgar man drops to his knees, unconscious from the stun blast. Then, HF-3311 throws down his blaster with an echoing clatter and lifts his hands above his head. Several of his squadmates look at each other, then follow suit. Clumps of Stormtroopers discard their weapons, standing tentatively with their hands raised in open surrender. Rey, who had helped hoist Finn up through the hatch, shakes him excitedly. Finn can scarcely believe what he is seeing. As the final blaster hit the floor, a cheer goes up from Colonel Terez below, that carries across to Snap's mismatched company and down to Poe's soldiers. The Resistance has won!
Finn watches the sight in a daze. Over 300 Stormtroopers are present, and he'd saved them, along with any Resistance soldiers who would've lost their lives in the final struggle. Finn quickly gets a hold of himself and lifts the altered commlink to his lips once more.
"Please form lines so that we may restrain and confiscate your weapons."
He falls back on Stormtrooper protocol, as it is both known to him and them. He re-enters the cockpit to a song of whistles by BB-8 and Rey's beaming face.
"Finn you did it!" Rey exclaims with pride. "You saved them!"
Finn shrugs, embarrassed at his own sweeping success. "I guess I'm just lucky."
Rey shakes her head. "I'm starting to doubt there is such a thing."