Chapter 2: Commandant

Nakadia was the closest neighbor to Chandrila, and had also been a precursor to the galactic capital back in the short-lived days of the New Republic.

Nakadia was now the convenient location for the Stormtrooper Barracks and Training Facility.

At the end of the First Order-Resistance war, Poe Dameron's best friend, Finn, had been tasked with deciding the fate of all the Stormtroopers forcibly conscripted into the First Order's ranks. After more than a year of work and consultation, Finn had come up with a solution: rather than completely dissolve the Stromtrooper program, Finn had decided to maintain it, but with some radical alterations. The Stormtroopers were now a voluntary fighting force; anyone who wished to enlist could, provided that they were over 21 standard years of age. Those who had previously served the First Order were free to choose to either stay in the new program, or be honorably discharged and allowed to re-enter society, building new lives and seeking out their families. Stormtroopers were also given the option - no matter whether they chose to retain their ranks or discharge - over whether or not to restore their memories before being abducted by Captain Phasma and Armitage Hux. It was these two individuals who had been formally charged as the masterminds behind the Stormtrooper program, and not Kylo Ren, at the insistence of a certain Jedi... which Finn had found odd, but to which he had ultimately acquiesced.

Poe had whole-heartedly approved of Finn's suggestion, and upon being elected President after only one year as a Senator, had appointed and endorsed his dear friend as the first Commandant of the Stormtroopers for the Final Republic. Finn had testified before the Galactic Congress in a confirmation hearing that was viewed by many as a mere formality; it was there that he had introduced himself under a new name: Finn Stormbreaker. A last name that both honored his past while also disavowing the more shameful parts of it. Finn had also suggested that the President be protected by an elite corps of Stormtroopers, personally handpicked by the new Commandant. Jannah Calrissian, who had surprised all by deciding to stay enlisted in the program, was Finn's second-in-command.

When Poe Dameron and Zorii Bliss arrived at the Barracks on Nakadia, they found troopers hard at work in the firing range, or participating in workshops dealing in Z6 baton combat. A special seminar was conducted for all those Stormtroopers who were discovered to be Force-sensitive, like Finn and Jannah. These abilities were uncovered after rigorous testing. Force-sensitive Stormtroopers could, at any time, request a year-long sabbatical to the first Jedi temple on Ahch-To, to train as Jedi under Jedi Grandmaster Rey Skywalker. These troopers could then serve as Jedi peacekeepers part-time in the New Jedi Order, if they so wished.

In the firing range, Poe spotted his dear friend overseeing the day's marksmanship.

"There you are, you son-of-a-bitch!"

"Poe?!" Finn broke into a grin and embraced him. "Uh, I mean, Mr. President..."

"None of that bullshit, buddy. We're brothers!"

But Finn would have none of it. Stepping out of the embrace, he hollered to the room at large: "Atten-hut! Present arms for your President!"

All activity ceased as the Stormtroopers stood at attention and hoisted their guns on high. Poe nodded deferentially at the display of respect.

"At ease," he commanded. The troopers obeyed him as they would their Commandant. Smiling, Finn clapped a hand to Poe's shoulder.

"What brings you here, friend?"

"Exciting news," Poe grinned. Stealing an arm around his fianceé, he brought Zorii forward shyly. "You remember Zorii?"

Finn took her hand and kissed it. "Enchanted, madame."

Zorii beamed, blushing. "Pleasure's all mine. It's nice to meet you, finally - everything was so rushed that night on Kijimi."

"I remember it well," Finn dipped his head. "This idiot was tongue-tied for days afterward!" Poe scowled, though it was forced.

"Well, Commandant, I must ask: are you ready to have a sister-in-law?"

Finn looked between the couple, understanding dawning. "You mean...?" Then he whooped and picked up Poe in a hug so tight, the President nearly lost his breath. "This is amazing, man!" Then he turned to Zorii. "Congratulations, my dear. You've tamed the most stubborn bachelor this side of the Kessel Run!"

Zorii's cheeks turned pink. "Commandant..."

"Finn, please," he entreated. "We'll be family soon!"

"OK... Finn," she giggled. "I was hoping if I could speak to you in private?"

"Of course, my lady. Please, step into my office." And Finn gestured her to follow him.

Closing his office door behind him, Finn circled his desk and placed his feet up on the polished durasteel. Zorii lowered herself into the chair opposite him, crossing her legs and placing her hands in her lap.

"So what did you wish to discuss... Mrs. Dameron?"

Blood rushed to Zorii's cheeks as she mumbled, "I'm not Mrs. Dameron yet..."

"Ah, but you will be soon enough. Besides, no offense, but Miss Bliss just doesn't roll over the tongue quite right."

Zorii laughed at this. "I've never thought so either." Studying the Commandant, she smiled warmly.

"You're all he talks about sometimes." He turned to her, frowning in bemusement, but with a distinct glow to his cheeks. "I know some things, but... how did you two meet?"

Finn leaned back in his chair, stroking the slight stubble at his chin. His dark eyes suddenly seemed far, far away, and Zorii feared she had pried into something too intimate. She was about to apologize when his voice cut across:

"We were on Jakku, deployed to take out a key position in Taunul Village."

Zorii straightened in her seat, listening intently.

"Kylo Ren was at the head of our battalion, personally hunting for the map to Luke Skywalker. A grounded X-wing and its pilot were intercepted, but the customary accompanying BB unit had vanished. I didn't see Poe except from a distance, as Kylo took him aboard his shuttle. Ren told us to open fire on the villagers, with orders to shoot to kill. I never discharged my weapon; I couldn't do it. When I returned to base, I knew that Captain Phasma would screen my weapon and know that I had never fired it. I'd be executed for insubordination. I got scared. Something had shifted in me down in that village... and I knew I was no longer going to kill for them. I had to run, but I couldn't fly, and that was my only way off the ship. I broke out Poe, and guided him to a TIE fighter which we hijacked out of the hangar bay. Poe tried to go back for his BB unit, and we were shot down just outside of Jakku's atmosphere, and pulled into orbit. When I woke up, I was still strapped into my ejector seat, completely separated from the rest of the fighter. Poe was nowhere in sight. When I found the rest of the wreckage in flames, I thought he was dead. It wasn't until later that we reunited on D'Qar."

Zorii stared, speechless at the story. "You saved his life..." she breathed.

Finn bashfully stared down at his hands. "I just did what I thought was right. But sometimes, I still wonder if I just used him as a means to an end: getting off that ship. Poe even guessed when we met that the only reason I was freeing him was because I needed a pilot."

Zorii adamantly shook her head. "I don't believe that," she stated firmly. "You had a conscience. I don't know many Stormtroopers of that time who would have done that, conditioned and programmed as they were." Now it was her turn to not meet his gaze. "Stormtroopers occupied my home planet," she admitted softly. "Kijimi was under First Order occupation for close to three years until Exogol. I would help lead skirmishes against battalions. I hated them, what they stood for behind those masks... and this is coming from someone who's worn a helmet for much of her career!"

The pair shared a strained chuckle at this. Zorii gazed at Finn, beaming. "I can see why Poe showers you with such high praise," she murmured.

Finn smirked. "Thank you."

"No, Commandant: thank you." Circling the desk, Zorii pecked his cheek, smirking herself when Finn turned bright red.

A few moments later, Poe poked his head in. "Everything OK?"

"Just chatting," Finn smiled.

"Well, are you up for a little road trip?"

"Always," Finn laughed in a high-pitched lilt. "I can leave Jannah in charge. Where we headed? Not Jakku, I hope?"

Poe grinned. "Nah. Someplace much better than that."