Poe led the Resistance fighters to the back of the casino. Lando and Finn were there to greet them. Poe and Finn immediately embraced. "How are you? Nice clothes," Poe complimented.
"We have to get inside. First Order spies could be everywhere," Finn warned them.
"Alright," Poe nodded. "Let's move inside," Poe said to the group.
Poe then went up to Lando. "Thank you for sheltering us, Sir," Poe said gratefully.
"Don't mention it," Lando smiled back but then gave a worried expression as the group entered his casino. As he looked up, he saw a Star Destroyer suddenly exit hyperspace above them.
"We're going to have company," Lando said grimly.
First Order transport ships arrived on the coast and immediately Storm troopers exited in a hurry. Captain Phasma took the lead as they stormed the beach towards the casino. The casino guests stopped what they were doing and stared in stunned silence as the Storm troopers approached. Lando came out to greet Captain Phasma.
"How can I help you?" Lando asked politely.
"We're looking for fugitives of the First Order. Now, stand aside as we search the premises," she ordered.
"This is neutral territory. I am sure we can come to an arrangement…," Lando said.
"Not any more. Everything now belongs to the First Order," Captain Phasma declared.
"Many of these people are responsible for building your weapons. Please," Lando said softly.
"The First Order no longer needs these people. We will simply take what we need by force if necessary," Captain Phasma replied.
"I think we can come to an arrangement, a deal maybe," Lando said smiling. "I can have my security forces find your fugitives if you like," Lando offered.
"This will be the last time, stand aside," Captain Phasma insisted.
Lando nodded allowing them to go past him and his security forces. He turned on a wrist communicator warning Finn. First Order Storm troopers barged into the casino interrupting the casino games. The rich types stared in fascination as the Storm troopers began searching the rooms. Captain Phasma's mask scanned for life signs and heat signatures.
A black BB-8 droid rolled around and suddenly stopped as it sensed something. Captain Phasma approached the droid as it beeped at her. "Fn 2187 is here," Captain Phasma said to her troopers.
Finn barged into the sleeping quarters and came up to Poe. "The First Order is here."
"Alright everyone, time to leave," Poe said to the group. "How did they find us?" Poe wondered.
The Resistance fighters gathered their things and went out the back door only to be cut off by Captain Phasma and her troops. "Wrong way," Poe realized and headed back the other way only to be cut off by more troops.
The Resistance fighters were forced outside and surrounded. Rich types looked on in amusement from balconies. Captain Phasma approached Finn. "Do you know how I found you?" she asked.
Finn made no reply. "Every Storm trooper has a homing beacon in their body. Removing it will cause death. You have led me right to the Resistance. Well done," Captain Phasma mocked.
"No," Finn realized.
"Come back to us and we will recondition you, FN 2187," Captain Phasma offered.
"I would rather die than join you," Finn spat.
"I hoped you would say that," Captain Phasma said and raised her hand. Her Storm troopers raised their weapons at the Resistance fighters.
"The brutality," a rich woman said disgusted and went inside.
"We'll at least take some of you down," Poe said with his pistol out.
"My troops don't fear death," Captain Phasma replied.
"No one needs to die, alright. I challenge you to a duel. If I win, you leave the planet," Finn offered.
"And if I win, you will all surrender without a fight and you will go back to us for reconditioning," Captain Phasma replied.
"Okay," Finn allowed.
"This will be interesting," Captain Phasma said amused and then took out a vibroblade. She then threw one to Finn.
"You sure you know what you're doing?" Poe asked him.
"No," Finn said honestly.
"Great," Poe said sarcastically keeping his eyes on the rows of Storm troopers.
Captain Phasma engaged Finn blade-to-blade, the energy from their blades crackling. The rich tpeople watched in fascination as the two dueled. Despite her heavy armor, Phasma was the faster of the two as she toyed with Finn. She managed to wound Finn sending him to the ground. Electric shocks went through his body as he was hit.
Captain Phasma went for the kill but Finn moved out of the way just in time. Poe tensed up realizing that Finn was losing. Phasma continued to hammer at Finn and then kicked him to the ground. Finn then saw Lando looking at him helplessly.
Inspired, Finn got back to his feet and swiped at Phasma's helmet cracking it. Unable to see, Phasma backed away. Finn took the initiative and slammed her helmet repeatedly creating more cracks in it. Phasma then swung wildly sending Finn back to the ground. She quickly removed her helmet and let it fall to the ground.
Finn stared as he saw her face. She had short blond hair, a masculine face for a woman but otherwise beautiful. He had never seen Phasma without her helmet. "Helmet, please," she said to one of her troopers. A new armored helmet was presented to her. She smirked at Finn and placed the new helmet on her head.
Phasma then took the fight seriously overwhelming Finn and putting him on the ground with her blade at his throat. "You've lost, rebel scum," she said ready to kill him.
The rich types cheered at the conclusion of the battle thoroughly amused. A red beam suddenly went through Phasma's chest armor and out the other side. "Impossible," Phasma said as she fell to the ground dead.
Finn looked around and saw Lando with the pistol. The Storm troopers immediately raised their weapons. Lando's security forces appeared in mass behind the Storm troopers. "Surrender your weapons," Lando said to the Storm troopers.
They remained silent programmed since birth to never surrender. "Fire!" Poe ordered. Storm troopers and Resistance fighters clashed filling the air with laser fire.
Lando's security forces open fired on the Storm troopers taking out scores of them. Using Gatling laser guns, the security forces killed most of the Storm troopers off. After the fire fight was over, there were bodies from both sides on the ground. The rich people changed their tune from amusement to horror as they saw what had happened.
"Are you not entertained!" Finn said to the hushed crowd.
"It's okay, buddy. Let it go," Poe said to him.
The rich people started leaving greatly troubled by what they had seen.
The First Order Star Destroyers sent out probes out into the nebula to find the Resistance cruiser. General Hux and Kylo Ren, without his mask, were present before Snoke. "We have sent probes to every corner of the nebula but there is also the possibility they have already passed through, Supreme Leader," Hux said.
"No, they're here," Snoke said annoyed. "Continue your search, general," Snoke sneered and let him depart from the room.
Snoke then turned to Kylo Ren. "I wonder if your feelings on this matter are clear, my young apprentice," Snoke said.
"They're clear," Kylo replied without emotion.
"The Resistance general knew how and when we would attack. It was as if she knew our battle plans," Snoke said accusingly.
"She has grown stronger in the Force with Luke Skywalker's fall," Kylo reasoned.
Snoke looked at Kylo unconvinced. "When the time comes, you will be the one to end your mother's life."
"As you wish, Supreme Leader," Kylo replied.
Leia sat with her good friend, Vice Admiral Holdo. "Are the transports fueled up?" Leia asked her.
"Yes, general," she replied.
Leia nodded pleased. "When we pass through the nebula, I need you to jump to the planet Crayt. There is a very strong bunker there. Abandon the ship and take all the transports to the bunker. You should be safe there until we can reach our allies in the Outer Rim," Leia ordered.
"Why are you telling me this? You act like you won't be joining us," Holdo said confused.
"Snoke is tracking this ship. He senses my presence. I'm strong in the Force, but I can't control it. Not like Luke. I'm endangering everyone on the ship," Leia revealed.
"You have struck a blow against the First Order and saved us all," Holdo disagreed.
"I am out of tricks," Leia admitted.
"If he can sense you, then you an escape pod as a diversion," Holdo suggested.
"They're all gone," Leia smiled sadly.
"Then a transport," Holdo said.
"I can't take one of the transports. We won't have enough for everyone onboard," Leia rejected.
"What are you saying?" Holdo asked finally.
"I need to die. Then Snoke won't be able to track us," Leia said.
"No, you've given everything to the Rebellion and to the Resistance," Holdo objected.
"Not everything," Leia shook her head.
"There has to be another way," Holdo said strongly.
"There isn't," Leia frowned.