Padme arrived at breakfast moments later. She was nervous. She never spoke in front of this many people before.

"Padme, I was just sharing with Ezra and Sabine that after you make your speech, we will have ships available, for anyone who wishes to leave Mandalore," Flora explained. "I am concerned about my people's safety, especially after what Ezra told me about this Starkiller Base."

"I wish we had enough ships to evacuate the entire planet," Sabine groaned.

"You know there are those who will never leave Mandalore, even under threat of destruction. But I want to make sure that as many of those that want to leave can."

"Flora, I beg of you. Please reconsider your decision to stay. We need you to testify before the Senate," Ezra begged the Prime Minister.

"No. I made a promise to always defend Mandalore. I am Fen Rau's daughter, after all."

"Sabine, if anything should happen to me, I want you to testify before the Senate. Mandalore will also need a new Prime Minister," Flora added.

"I can't take your place, Flora!" Sabine argued.

"You must. If I should perish, you must become the leader of Mandalore. Padme does not want to lead our people, because she has a higher calling. So when she gives it to you, you must take the Darksaber."

"I can't!" Sabine did her best not to cry.

"Sabine, you said that the last time about the Darksaber," Ezra reminded her. "But Kanan, Hera, Zeb and I believed in you. I still believe in you."

Sabine smiled at her old friend. She knew Ezra was right. She nodded her head in agreement.

"I am going to get the Ghost," Ezra told them. "As soon as Padme is done with her speech, we are leaving."

"Except for me," Flora reminded him. Ezra scowled, remembering how stubborn Mandalorians can be. He turned his attention to Padme and said,

"You will be fine. Just speak from your heart. Sabine will be there to support you."

"Thanks, Ezra," Padme replied. He left the palace.

"It's time, ladies," Flora said to Padme and Sabine a few minutes later. Sabine led Padme up the stairs to the balcony, which overlooked the main plaza. Padme looked down and saw a sea of people. She knew the other cities would see her via their Holonet. Sabine was just out of sight from the camera.

"If anything, I am right here," Sabine whispered, holding her blaster in her hand. Padme walked onto the balcony, and turned her attention to the camera. The Darksaber was in her hand, but was out of sight of the people watching once her speech was broadcasted.

She gave a brief but passionate speech about how the First Order was threatening to destroy the Outer Rim. Then Padme raised her hand and turned on the Darksaber. She sensed many in the crowd, along with those watching on the Holonet, bowed their knees.

Padme continued, saying that Mandalore needed to join the fight. Ben had warned her to not mention about Starkiller Base, since it would put his life in jeopardy if the news got out.

"The time is now, Mandalore. If you want to join the fight, go to your city's main entrance. Ships are there, waiting for you. Do not fear. This is what the First Order wants. But they will crumble, just like the Galactic Empire. Long live Mandalore!" Padme finished with a shout.

"Long live Mandalore!" she could heard the crowd cry out in unison. Padme left the balcony and joined Sabine, who had tears in her eyes. The two women embraced.

"Padme, that was amazing!" Sabine said to her.

Padme smiled. She had done it. She knew through the Force people were boarding the ships, ready to join the fight.

"Padme, you need to get off the planet," Kylo suddenly warned her. "The Order is coming. Someone beamed your speech to the Finalizer. They did not get your name, but Hux now knows what you look like."

"Sabine, please tell me the ships are combat ships," Padme uttered, as she broke the embrace.

"There are, but why..." Sabine questioned, before seeing the worried look on Padme's face. She sighed and said, "It's the First Order. They are coming!"

Padme nodded her head. She wondered where Ezra was. She hoped he would not run into the enemy. Otherwise, she and Sabine would not be able to escape.

"You need to stay up here, where it is safe," Sabine instructed her. Padme bent down and grabbed her knapsack, which held her grandfather's lightsabers.

"And you need to take this," Padme responded, as she pulled out the Darksaber and offered it to Sabine. "Take it. It is time."

With reluctance, Sabine took the Darksaber. Before she left, she warned Padme to not go downstairs, even if their lives were threatened.

"Ezra, where are you?" Padme cried out.

"I'm dodging some TIE fighters. Someone must have tipped them off," Ezra grunted, as he was able to avoid being shot at. "Padme, they are heading straight to Sundari!"

" Please hurry!"

"Padme, are you safe?" Kylo asked her.

"For now," she replied, her body shaking.

"The minute you started speaking, Hux sent all available troops to the planet. Listen carefully to me. Hux and a legion of Stormtroopers are going to enter the royal palace. He is going to demand that you be turned over to him. Otherwise, he is going to use Starkiller Base to destroy the planet. Do not go downstairs."

"Ben, I can't just stay here and watch him kill your people!"

"You must. You are too important to lose. If you hear Hux threatening to kill the Prime Minister, do not going downstairs. Take the stairs to the roof. Someone will be there to help you escape."

"Who?"

"You will know when you see them. I must go now. Until tonight, my love."

Kylo did not want to tell Padme the truth about who was going to be on the roof. Hux had everyone except for Ren go to Mandalore. He was suppose to stay on the ship. But he didn't. He used his Force powers to make it seem he was still on the ship. He flew down to Mandalore, in his black outfit and mask, and headed to the royal palace. He was going to save Padme from being captured by Hux.

Padme heard arguing coming from downstairs. She drew close to the door, to be able to hear what was being said.

"How dare you barge into the royal palace uninvited!" Flora angrily snapped at someone. Then Padme heard a loud slap to the Prime Minister's face.

"Did your people not learn from the mistake they made the last time they fought against the Empire?" she heard an angry voice yell back.

"We learned. We learned to join the fight, and not delay!" The bold statement from Flora caused her to be slapped again.

"Flora, we know Mand'alor is still here. All you have to do is hand her over to me. Then my troops and I will leave you in peace."

"She is not here, and even if she was, I would not hand her over to you, General Hux!"

Flora was forced to her knees. Hux motioned for the Stormtroopers to aim their blasters at her. He walked over to an open doorway. Padme could hear his cold voice call out.

"Mand'alor! I know you are still here! Show me how brave you are and come downstairs!"

"I am here," Padme heard Sabine grunt to Hux.

"You possess the Darksaber, but you are not Mand'alor. I know what she looks like, Sabine Wren, and it is not you. Seize her!"

Padme heard a lot of commotion. She hoped Sabine would be able to escape.

"Why did you let her escape?" Hux screamed at his troops. "She is not Force sensitive, that you should have trouble capturing her. Find her!"

"Mand'alor, I know you are here!" Hux shouted out. Padme could feel Flora's fear, as the blasters were aimed close to her head. "If you do not come downstairs right now and surrender yourself, the Prime Minister will die!"

Padme debated for a moment whether to give herself up. But Ben was right. She had to flee, despite the fact that Flora was going to die.

With tears streaking down her face, she quickly ran up the stairs to the roof. She felt Flora's death as she reach the rooftop. Padme went to walk towards the middle of the roof, when she was suddenly grabbed from behind. The person covered her mouth to prevent her from screaming. As she tried to free herself, she heard a modulated voice say to her,

"The girl I heard so much about."