A/N: Here we are to the last chapter. Hope you've enjoyed the story. So far, I haven't gotten 'moved' to work on something new, though I'm reviewing various WIPs to see if I can't get one of those completed. Keep in mind, if you are new to my writing, that I only post finished stories (completely written) so as not to leave readers hanging. But that means it can be a while between new stories. In the meantime, if you haven't already, browse through my list - there are over 200 to choose from (mostly Lord of the Rings related). If you have a ffn account, you can put me on Author Alert for when something new posts, and I will also mention it on Tumblr.
Many thanks to those who have reviewed, especially my ever faithful JuliaAurelia who is always supportive. Happy Birthday, m'dear!
Chapter 22
"Captain Andor. Have a seat."
Now that he was on one of Onoran's teams, it was unclear why Draven had called him in. If they were going to move him back to Rebel Intelligence wouldn't Onoran be the one to tell him? He stiffened at the mere possibility.
Finally Draven explained the purpose of the meeting. "Despite the retroactively sanctioned nature of Rogue One's infiltration of Scarif, the Alliance Council thinks it wise to put the entire matter in the best possible light. Already most Rebellion personnel consider the lot of you to be heroes. Consequently, with the anniversary of Scarif coming up, it has been decided that medals will be awarded to you and Jyn Erso in recognition of your…heroic accomplishment."
Cassian noted that Draven carefully did not include himself in the decision that this should be done. He wasn't sure Draven would ever acknowledge that it had been necessary. But, that aside, a medal? For going to Scarif where so many good soldiers had died? He couldn't stomach the thought, and he felt sure Jyn would be no more eager to accept.
"With all due respect, sir, I must decline. As I'm sure Sergeant Erso also will. We did what was needed, but it is difficult to 'celebrate' the loss of all those lives with a medal for heroism. All of them were heroes."
Draven scowled. "This wasn't exactly a suggestion that is optional, Captain. The Council wants to present medals."
In a moment of great clarity, Cassian knew how to respond. "Very well. They may present the medals to two of the true heroes of the mission – two who rose above everything that could be expected from them: Bodhi Rook and K-2SO."
Draven's face flushed red. "Have you lost your mind completely? The Council is not going to reward an Imperial defector and a droid! That is out of the question."
Cassian shrugged. "Perhaps you can convince Melshi and Tonc to accept, then. Jyn and I decline." He was not going to yield on this, though he very much hoped he wasn't speaking out of turn for Jyn.
Draven's scowl deepened and he cleared his throat. "Melshi and Tonc have…already declined. They both insisted the honor should go to others more deserving."
"Perhaps they'll reconsider when they know we've also turned it down." Cassian remained unmoved.
"I could order you to do this, Captain. Or have Onoran do it as your new commanding officer."
"You could. And Jyn and I would disobey, just as we did when we went to Scarif."
Draven pretended great interest in something on his data pad, but at length he said, "Possibly we can consider Rook, but they are not going to allow a medal to be given to a droid. They will require a sentient being."
"Suit yourself."
"Dismissed." Draven's voice was laced with irritation, but Cassian ignored it.
He didn't make it all the way back to the ship before he met Bodhi heading toward Draven's office. The pilot looked more than a little unnerved. "Hey, Cassian." He hesitated, then asked, "General Draven wants to see me. Do you know what that's about?"
Cassian smiled reassuringly. "Nothing bad. Don't worry. I just came from there."
"Uh, okay. Thanks." With a deep breath to steady himself, Bodhi continued on.
He arrived at Draven's door much more quickly than he would have liked. Well, Cassian said it was nothing bad and he trusted the Captain. He knocked.
"Enter."
Draven gestured for him to close the door behind him. "Be seated, Rook."
"Yes, sir." Bodhi gingerly sat in the chair facing the general, trying to breathe normally.
Draven didn't mince words. "We've decided to give you a medal on behalf of Rogue One. For your accomplishment on Scarif. Congratulations."
To say he was stunned was an understatement. A warm flush of surprise and pride rushed through him, leaving him beaming from ear to ear. After less than a minute, though, reality inserted itself into his thoughts. "Uh, sir? Why me? The medal should go to Cassian and Jyn. They led the team – they deserve it more." Only after he said it did it occur to him that maybe they were all getting medals and his response was foolish.
"Captain Andor and Sergeant Erso have declined the award."
Draven didn't explain further, but Bodhi still found his response very curious. They had refused? So he was next in line?
"Well, then Melshi and Tonc. Or even K-2. All of them did much more than I did. They should get medals."
Draven didn't meet his gaze, biting out his words with carefully controlled ire. "Melshi and Tonc also declined. All four of them recommended you and the droid, but giving a medal to a droid is not an option, and before you suggest it, the Guardians of the Whills are not official members of the Alliance and so are ineligible. That just leaves you to represent your team."
Bodhi sat back in the chair, stunned by the General's words. Everyone had declined and recommended Bodhi and K?
He straightened in his chair. Everyone had recommended both he and K-2 for this, and K-2 had been dismissed out of hand. That wasn't right. Just because he was a droid didn't mean his participation hadn't been equally important. He had sacrificed himself to ensure Cassian and Jyn succeeded, but then even managed to sway a stormtrooper to defect and found a way back to the Alliance to report. He went way beyond any programming he might have. Cassian would never have ordered him to give up his own existence to protect the sentients on their mission. K-2 had acted as a true Rebel working for the good of all.
"With…uh, with all due respect, sir, uh…I can't accept this. Not unless K is honored also. Maybe he's just a droid to the Council, but to us he is one of the team – a valuable member. He deserves it as much or even more than I do."
"Rook…" There was no missing the warning tone of Draven's voice. "This is not a negotiation! You'll do as you're told, Corporal."
When he was working for the Empire, Bodhi had always followed orders and kept his head down. Even once he defected, he felt he needed to continue that obedience to orders that were given to him. But his entire team had refused this award, insisting that it go to those they thought most deserving of it. And they all thought the most deserving were Bodhi and K-2SO. He agreed with the team to the extent that if Bodhi deserved it, then certainly K did also. And if they had stood up to the brass, well, he wouldn't let his team down.
"Your orders are understood, sir. But I still decline, unless K-2 is also a recipient. I stand with my team on this, sir." He could scarcely breathe and he wanted to quake in terror, but after nearly a year with Rogue One, he had grown. Repeatedly they told him that he didn't lack ability, only confidence. He chose to believe them and act accordingly, even if it terrified him.
Draven jerked to his feet, causing his chair to slam back against the wall. Apparently he intended to use his anger and physical presence to intimidate Bodhi, but he refused to flinch away and forced himself to look the man steadily in the eyes.
Draven must have noticed the determination on his face. "Dismissed," he growled.
Bodhi didn't need to be told twice.
Five minutes later, Draven found Mon Mothma alone in the Command lounge. "Chancellor…" He paused, thinking how to word his message.
"Is it all arranged with Rogue One for the medals to be presented, General?" She didn't look up from a datapad in her hands, seeming not to notice his irritation.
"No, ma'am, it is not. They… declined the honor. They all insisted it be given only to Rook and the droid, but Rook refused when he found out the droid wasn't to be considered."
Mothma looked up and a tiny smile flitted briefly over her lips. "Indeed. All of them feel K-2SO is deserving?"
"It would seem so. Someone needs to explain to them that droids are machines and not soldiers."
"Actually, General, I think they may have the right of it. If they are so convinced of K-2's worthiness, then I think it wise for us to consider his contribution. The report I heard was that he essentially sacrificed himself – or at least his physical form – defending Captain Andor and Sergeant Erso, enabling them to fulfill the mission. That is quite a valuable and commendable action on his part."
"It has to do with programming, Chancellor. People need to stop reading human motive into a droid's programmed actions."
"Well, on that we will have to disagree. I have seen little evidence of blind obedience from K-2SO since he came to us. If for no other droid, I think you are mistaken with regard to him. At any rate, if you would send for the droid, I will speak with him and see if he is willing, and then find a way to persuade the Council to agree to it. You said Corporal Rook was willing so long as K-2 was awarded, yes?"
"Yes, ma'am," Draven replied through clenched teeth.
"Excellent. If you would summon K-2 for me, I will proceed. Thank you for your efforts, General."
He nodded acknowledgement of the dismissal and left, not even attempting to hide his feelings about the matter.
Mon Mothma merely smiled after him before returning attention to her datapad.
x
"I do not understand. Why are you wanting to give me a medal? Those are only ever given to Alliance personnel. Droids are not considered personnel."
"That is true, K-2, for most of Alliance Command, and even other Rebels, but your team believes otherwise. All of them have insisted that you be included in any award or none of them will accept it."
"Rogue One insisted on this?"
"Yes, quite adamantly, much to General Draven's disgruntlement. However, having read the reports about your actions on Scarif, I must agree with your team that you are deserving. Will you accept a medal?"
K's processors whirred, trying to understand this course of events. It was not within the expected parameters of behavior that he had compiled on the various team members. Cassian, perhaps, might act in this way, and Jyn Erso was frequently unpredictable, but the others as well? Most unexpected.
Mon Mothma was awaiting an answer. "Very well, if my team wishes me to do this, then I will comply."
x
"I'm not sure I can do this."
Jyn stopped smoothing the fabric of his uniform and let her hands rest on his shoulders, turning him to face her. "Yes, you can. It's just a bunch of your fellow Rebels, and we'll be there in the audience, and K will be right beside you. You can do it, Bodhi."
Bodhi wrapped his arms around her, though the embrace seemed to be more for his benefit than hers. "Okay. Okay. I won't let you down. I can do this." He paused, then added, "But I still wish you guys were going to be up there with us. You deserve it more—"
"You and K-2 deserve it just as much as anyone else of Rogue One. No one single person made it possible. It took all of us together. But Command likes to focus on the leaders as though the team didn't matter. Like it or not, this time around the unsung heroes are going to be acknowledged."
She stepped back out of his arms. "Now, come on, flyboy. You don't want to be late."
"Right. Right." He took a deep breath and followed her out of the room.
The rest of the team was waiting for them at the end of the hall, and they moved as a group toward the meeting space. Without a permanent base, the ceremony necessarily had to be small, but it was to be recorded and sent around to other ships and small bases to allow them to watch later if they wished.
x
"Marika?"
She looked up, not expecting to see the Chancellor. It wasn't long until the ceremony to present medals to Rogue One. "Yes, ma'am?"
"Do I remember correctly that a relative of yours was part of Rogue One?"
"Yes, ma'am. My cousin, Corporal Stordan Tonc."
"Ah, yes. Would you accompany me to the ceremony, then, and act as my aide? I think it a nice touch to have a family member of one of the team members be part of the awards."
She blinked in surprise. "Well…" She glanced around. "I am on duty, Chancellor."
"This shouldn't take more than an hour. I'm sure the others can cover for you until you return."
Marika gave a nod. "Yes, ma'am. Very well." She looked over at Corporal Inden. "Keep an eye on things. Reach me by comm if anything urgent arises."
He stood straighter. "Yes, Sergeant."
Mon Mothma had turned and moved away a few paces, but was waiting for Marika to join her. Once they were side by side and moving on their way, Marika asked, "What exactly would you like me to do as your aide, ma'am?"
"I thought I would handle the speech-making, as that is my specialty." She smiled at the girl who returned it with amusement. "I would have you present the actual medals to the recipients."
Marika's eyes widened. "You…you want me to…"
"Present the medals. It will be simple enough. When I call the name of the recipient, he will step forward and bow to you. You will place the medal around his neck and step back. He'll bow to me and step to the side. Then the same thing again with the other one. Very simple. Nothing you can't handle."
She cleared her throat. "No, ma'am. I can manage that." She couldn't restrain a pleased grin inwardly. This was unexpected, but she completely agreed that the team deserved the awards. Tonc had explained to her why it was just Bodhi and the droid, and it made sense even though she still thought her cousin deserved recognition. But, then, they weren't in this for recognition. Still…her eyes crinkled with warmth – she would enjoy seeing the look on Bodhi's face when she put the medal around his neck. There was just something about him that made her…well, enough of that. Time to pay attention to the task at hand.
They reached the meeting room a good ten minutes ahead of the ceremony's start, but it was already packed with those wishing to be in attendance. Seven chairs had been set out along the front of the room for the team members, with the droid standing to the side. Mon Mothma led the way to a spot near the small dais that had been set up. Someone was already there, holding the two medals to be presented. The sight of their leader quieted the room somewhat, though they continued to talk in hushed voices while they waited.
Just moments before the ceremony was to start, the survivors of Rogue One filed into the room and took their seats. Silence had rippled over the room as people realized they had arrived. By the time they were seated, there was no need to call the room to order.
Mon Mothma stepped to the podium and smiled down on the gathering. "We meet today for a bittersweet moment. One year ago we were made aware of a terrible weapon that the Empire had created, but fortunately we were also made aware of a way to defeat it. The weapon had been used already to wipe out an entire city on Jedha, and many lives were lost. Because of that, many would not believe anything could be done to stop the Empire. Many thought we had no choice but to surrender or give up and hide. In that dark moment, a lone voice reminded us that there was still hope, that we should not assume defeat until it actually happened. Some believed her, some did not. But on that date, a small group with great determination and heart decided not to sit back and wait for the end. They had hope and so they set off to do everything in their power to give us a true chance. We are here now because they succeeded in their endeavor. Sadly, many were taken from our ranks that day, but thanks to their sacrifice we may still move forward in our efforts to bring peace and freedom to the galaxy. It is a long road ahead, but they gave us renewed hope for the future.
"Today, we meet to honor that brave team. In particular, we will award medals to two of their number on behalf of the entire team. These two are not the first to come to mind when the heroes of Scarif are mentioned, but their contributions to the mission were vital to its success.
"The first award goes to Corporal Bodhi Rook. Bodhi was brave enough to slip away from his Imperial entanglements, at great personal risk, to bring the message of the weapon and how it could be defeated. He used his knowledge of Imperial practices to infiltrate the Scarif base. And, at the end, he flew the shuttle that saved at least a few of their team. Corporal Rook." She gestured for him to come forward.
Taking another deep breath, Bodhi stood, desperately hoping he would not trip on the three steps up to the podium or do anything else equally embarrassing. His eyes were on Mon Mothma, reassured that she was smiling at him, when he noticed movement from the corner of his eye. Marika had been allowed to attend the ceremony, he had noticed, and he was sure that it pleased Tonc to have her here. Not to mention that it pleased him. But, to his astonishment, she was moving toward him. For a moment he wasn't sure what she was doing, but then he realized she held his medal and his eyes went round. Oh. He froze, just staring at her.
Under her breath she murmured, "Bow."
Oh, yeah, right. Quickly he bent over to bow toward her. Or was he supposed to bow to the Chancellor? She smiled, a twinkle in her dark eyes, as she placed the medal around his neck. "Now to the Chancellor," she whispered.
Relieved by the guidance, he turned to Mon Mothma and bowed again. He should have known Marika would look out for him.
After another warm smile, Mon Mothma announced, "The other recipient is an unexpected one. Droids are not considered Alliance personnel and so anything they do in our service is merely taken for granted. But some droids go far beyond their programming in loyalty and selflessness. K-2SO stood against overwhelming swarms of Imperial troops, helping others find the needed information and protecting them from harm. When it became clear that he would fall, his final act was to create a barrier so the troops could not readily get to his friends, thus enabling them to continue the mission, even as he sacrificed his own existence. Fortunately for us, an unexpected turn of events restored him to us, and he continues to serve the Rebellion just as faithfully as he ever has. K-2SO."
Slowly K-2 clumped up to the podium, and Bodhi stepped aside for him, grinning up at the droid. Having watched Bodhi, he followed that example and bowed to Marika, though she still needed to stand on her tiptoes to reach the medal around his neck. For a moment, he just stared at it, but then remembered the second bow to the Chancellor. Finally he turned and stood beside Bodhi, unsure what to do now, but still more wrapped up in gazing at his medal than concern about protocols.
The room sat in expectant silence, waiting to see what else would happen or be said. Bodhi gazed down at his team silently watching and thought of the many missing faces, those who hadn't returned with them. After a moment, he removed the medal from around his neck and thrust it into the air. "For all of Rogue One, past and present." His voice broke on the words.
K-2 glanced questioningly at him, but then raised his own medal as well, and the room burst into cheers and applause.
"Well done, Bodhi Rook. Well done," K-2 told him quietly.
The crowd was surging forward, but their team reached them first, enfolding them into a group hug. They stood with heads bowed together, remembering those lost.
Rogue One. It suddenly occurred to Bodhi that he was the original Rogue One. Yes, he had given the team that name in a moment of panic, but all of this began the day he took that first step and fled the Empire with Galen's message. It had been a long, difficult, often terrifying, journey, but it had brought him home.
The End
2/10/18 – 12/3/18
invented characters:
Sergeant Daster – head of the tech shop on the tech frigate
Dr Lesorid – kind doctor caring for Cassian
Isk-Gun Jul – bounty hunter
Marika Tonc – cousin of Rogue One team member Stordan Tonc
Ved, Rimmer, Gazz – stormtroopers Jyn meets
Corporal Inden – comm tech on Home One
All other characters actually are taken from the existing Star Wars universe.
Synergy: a mutually advantageous conjunction or compatibility of distinct business participants or elements
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0 BBY/0 ABY
(Jul 12) Battle of Scarif
Jul 14 Death Star destroyed; awards ceremony on Jul 15
Jul 16 rescued, return to Yavin [Yavin evac begins Jul 18]
Jul 21 Yavin evac (began few days after awards), J & K depart (Bo lvs Jul 20, C&B lv on med frig Jul 21)
Jul 24 J spoke with B by comm
Jul 28 C awake – B contacts so J can talk to him
Aug 7 J & K are reassigned to MF; Tag stays on tech ship working on droids; C&B are planetside/Tatooine
Aug 11 K calls Solo a maniac
Aug 21 J & K with Solo 2 wks/6 missions, 2 unsanctioned (36 days)
Aug 25 Solo remarks about moping (40 days)
Aug 29 Solo fakes injury (44 days)
Aug 30 en route to rendezvous with med frigate (45 days)
Sep 15 Draven gets C back in action (60 days)
Sep 16 Bodhi pilots – takes C and Melshi to Takodana to pick up ships, B&C come also (61 days)
Sep 17 on Takodana
Sep 18 Melshi recruits J from Solo on Jakku; few hours later C picks up K on Jakku
Sep Melshi brings Tonc onto the team; later he gets Bodhi as their pilot also
Sep 27 status quo settling on C & K – C won't discuss Jyn or Scarif; K worried about him/his behavior
Nov 13 'whizbangs'; K comlinks Jyn - extraction of K & wounded C from Coyerti – take to medical frigate
Nov 14 C brought to medical frigate
Nov 15 J confronts C – he weeps
Nov 16 they talk again, Bodhi visits C
Nov 17 breakfast banter; J talks to C more; training with Bodhi
Nov 18 Melshi & team on 3 missions
Nov 21 conversation betw Draven & Mothma re C & Jyn
Dec 6 discussion of assassins/prison/torture on ship; Melshi & team return to med frigate
Dec 7 C&K assigned to Melshi's team; J talks to Dr L and C about it; J shaves C; Baze talks to C
Dec 8 K visits C – talk about future plans; C eats with team; J comms Draven abt C
Dec 12 C cleared by medical, joins team on ship
Dec 14 C's 1st mission with team on Coyerti – has an incident triggered
Dec 15 2nd mission – supply raid, initiators, credits; C as Imperial
Dec 16 arr Chalcedon, orbit until morning – for layover of "a few days" then go to Takodana to drop off
Dec 17 shopping trip for food, pickpocket
Dec 19 lv Chalcedon, arr Takodana, talk of building table for Baze – C regresses
Dec 20 morning: J notices C's state at briefing, C stays in her bed dur mission, B destroys incinerator;
afternoon: Rrulinn mission, Tonc trapped, J fights trooper, C sniper, J has nightmare
Dec 21 T has migraine, C gets massage, C & J spar, M has K fake comm trouble
Dec 26 Nioma killed – Rogue One gets word of it, C has nightmare
Dec 27 J becomes aware in early evening abt C and confronts him in cockpit; J in dark – K comforts her
Dec 29 on Roxuli – ship maintenance, Bo talks to J after K asks if he's comforting
Dec 30 on Roxuli – Ubin Des and Partisans
1 ABY
Jan 2 wall collapses on Baze; arr at medical frigate; C talks to Dr L; continue missions w/o B & Ch
Jan 8 marketplace – tea & fruit for B & Ch; T wants J to scratch his back; C sees J wearing his shirt
Jan 9 (ch 17) return to medical frigate to check on B; B cleared to return to limited duty, but leg still in
walking cast to protect it while bone knits
Jan 10 B & Ch return to ship; C comments about J staying with Alliance – others say they are in love with each other;
C alone in hold to think, Ch talks to him
Jan 15 Yavin fully evacuated (or thereabouts – 6 months after DS destroyed)
Jan 16 C & M discuss final evac of Yavin
Mar 4 M stabbed; bounty hunter after Jyn
Mar 6 depart from medical frigate after dropping off M; C takes command for the duration to continue with missions
Mar 17 (ch 18) J confronts C abt not sleeping – they fight; B comforts J
Mar 18 J & C reconcile; they talk and then kiss
Mar 19 Bo comments on their being together, suggests taking any happiness that can be found despite poss pain later
Apr 24 M returns to duty; Bo's nightmare – talks to C
May 7 MM reads report and muses on C&J
May 16 J overhears Bo talking to Marika; J pumps T for info abt Marika
May 19 decided Hoth will be the new base; building begins, hope to start moving in around first of year
May 27 Star Destroyer arrives during mission – Bodhi calls for an abort
Jun 2 Bodhi mentions having a holoprojector
Jun 8 Melshi and J on mission, turn off transponders due to pursuit; K alerts C to situation; 3 stormtroopers
Jun 10 drop off stormtroopers and continue on missions
Jun 11 artificial gravity goes out on port side
Jun 15 arr at Resolute Base on Jagomir for repairs
Jun 22 repairs complete
Jun 23 depart Jagomir on recon mission
Jun 29 Spaceman Spiff disks found & watched; discussion with K-2 about them
July 9 arrive at Home One; C summoned to meeting with Draven the next day – doesn't tell Jyn
July 10 Draven tells Cassian about intended medals to be given
July 12 – anniversary of Battle of Scarif