The Millennium Falcon has left the Alliance Fleet. It's destination- Vala's home planet of Aquilae. Rey Skywalker, former Jedi Grandmaster, pilots the ship as she takes her granddaughter to begin her two weeks leave. After a journey of several hours, the ship eventually reaches Aquilae, and lands in the main hangar of the royal palace.
Vala exits the Falcon, with Aja at her side. Instead of their usual combat attire, the two women are in fancy dresses, as they are now appearing as members of the Aquilae Royal Family. Standing at the bottom of the ramp are Vala's parents. A few guards are in the background, but the hangar is otherwise empty. Vala's mother, Queen Senatha, is fifty one, but looks years younger, with not a single gray hair in sight. She is in a colorful dress, with numerous pieces of jewelry. Vala's father, King Leon, is fifty six. His hair is graying, and he has a neatly trimmed mustache. He wears a dark blue dress uniform, with a sash containing various decorations from his Alliance military career and a golden crest identifying him as the king.
Vala and Aja walk to Senatha and Leon. They both bow to the king and queen. Senatha then walks to Vala and embraces her.
"It's about time you come home!" Senatha says.
"I'm sorry it's been so long, mother. With the war…" Vala says.
"The war is over now. I expect to see you much more often. Both of you." Senatha says.
"You will." Vala says.
"Good." Senatha says.
"Aja, how are you doing?" Leon asks.
"I'm fine, sir. Thank you." Aja answers. Leon chuckles.
"Aja… I've told you before. You don't have to call me sir anymore." Leon says.
"Sorry. Leon. Old habit." Aja says.
"She is being respectful, Leon. Surely you can't fault her for that." Senatha says.
"No, I can't. But Aja is a member of this family now. We shouldn't expect her to use our titles during a private conversation." Leon says.
"Quite true. You have come a long way since I have known you, Aja." Senatha says.
"Thank you." Aja says.
"When Vala first informed me that the Jedi Council had assigned her a padawan, I was… uncertain how to react. We treated you like a servant at first… and I regret that." Senatha says.
"You apologized for that a long time ago." Leon says.
"True… but I still regret it." Senatha says.
"I was just Vala's student. I wasn't expecting any special treatment." Aja says.
"You are much more than that." Vala says.
"Indeed." Senatha says.
"I understand Vala gave you command of Falcon Squadron." Leon says.
"Yeah. Three months ago." Aja says.
"A sixteen year old squadron leader? Vala, are you sure this is wise?" Senatha asks.
"Aja is one of our best pilots, and has a natural talent for leadership. So, I would appreciate it if you have more faith in her." Vala answers.
"You misunderstand me, Vala. I don't doubt her ability. I'm just concerned for her safety. She is still a child after all." Senatha says.
"I was a Squadron Leader at seventeen. I don't see the problem." Vala says.
"You take too many risks, Vala. Wherever you go, Aja goes." Senatha says.
"We're doing just fine, thank you." Vala says.
"What about the Battle of Kanderon?" Senatha asks.
"Your mother has a point. You almost died last year." Leon says.
"Kanderon… was a mistake." Vala says.
"And then… this latest mess. Was that actually Kylo Ren?" Senatha asks.
"I'm afraid so." Vala answers.
"Damn your grandmother! She should have killed him sixty years ago!" Senatha says.
"You think she likes how things played out?" Vala asks.
'Who knows? I've never understood that woman." Senatha answers.
"I don't always understand her myself, but she did what she thought she had to do to protect me. She had a vision of me fighting Kylo Ren. In that vision, I died. So, she made sure that things played out in a way that would avoid that." Vala says.
"Or so she claims. She could be lying." Senatha says.
"To what end?" Vala asks.
"I don't know, but… no harm speculating, is there?" Senatha asks.
"Sen… I think that's enough." Leon says.
"Very well. Vala, I understand you are on leave, and are not to perform any military duties for the next two weeks." Senatha says.
"That's right." Vala says.
"What of your obligations to the Jedi?" Senatha asks.
"The Jedi Council also placed me on leave for two weeks." Vala answers.
"Good. At least someone on the Jedi Council has a brain." Senatha says.
"Two or three of them, maybe." Vala says. Senatha chuckles.
"I'm glad you're home. I'll see to it you stay on leave the entire time you are here. Besides, when you are here, you're not a general. Or a Jedi. You are my daughter, Princess Vala." Senatha says.
"I realize that." Vala says.
"There is one more thing." Senatha says.
"Yes, mother?" Vala asks.
"I ask that you not allow yourself to be flown around in that ancient pile of junk. It's beneath you." Senatha answers.
"That 'pile of junk' belongs to my mother…" Leon says.
"Speaking of your mother, I see that she has chosen not to show herself. How typical. Is she even on that ship, or did she have her droids fly them here?" Senatha asks.
"I flew them myself, of course." Rey says, as she emerges from the Falcon. She approaches Senatha, and bows. The gesture is not returned.
"You and I… are going to have a long talk." Senatha says.
"If you don't mind, I would speak with my son first." Rey says.
"Very well. But do not keep me waiting for long." Senatha says.
"This will not take long." Rey says.
"Good." Senatha says.
"If you will excuse me, this will only take a moment." Rey says. She walks to Leon, and embraces him.
"Hi, mom." Leon says.
"Hi, Leon. How are you?" Rey asks.
"I'm doing great. Now that you're here. Thanks for bringing Vala home." Leon says.
"She would have flown herself here if I hadn't insisted on it. With what she's been through, I couldn't allow it." Rey says.
"So, Kylo…" Leon says.
"Dead. He will never hurt this family again." Rey says.
"Good. I know you couldn't do it back then, but maybe… you should have killed him." Leon says.
"There are many things I should have done. But, there's no point thinking of it any further. Ancient history." Rey says.
"The calls are nice, but it's not the same. Hell, I don't even know where you are half the time. Of course, I'm no Jedi. I don't understand most of this Force stuff." Leon says.
"Let's just say… I have a lot of responsibility. I may have resigned from the Jedi Order, but that doesn't mean my journey is over. Far from it, I think." Rey says.
"You're still having the visions?" Leon asks.
"Yes. But… I still don't know what it all means. The Force is trying to tell me something… about the future. I just… can't see it clearly yet." Rey answers.
"If anyone can figure it out, it's you." Leon says.
"I realize that we don't see each other that much, and I am sorry for that. You are my son, and my love for you is the same as it's always been." Rey says.
"I have no idea what you're into now, but you're my mom. What you did to those Knights of Ren ten years ago… I know that's not something a Jedi is supposed to be able to do. You should be eighty years old, but you don't look much older than me." Leon says.
"I did what I had to do. Vala was in danger, and I had to act quickly." Rey says.
"Not saying you were wrong. You did what you had to do to protect Vala. I'm grateful for that." Leon says.
"As you pointed out, I should be eighty years old. This isn't fair to you." Rey says.
"It's alright, mom. Besides, it'll be nice to have you around for a little longer." Leon says.
"Thank you. We'll talk more later, son. I don't want to keep your wife waiting any longer." Rey says.
"She went nuts when she found out what happened with Kylo Ren. She wanted to ban you from Aquilae… but I managed to talk her out of it." Leon says.
"Your wife may be queen, but if she thinks she can stop me from coming to see my son, she is mistaken." Rey says.
"I wouldn't let her hear you say that." Leon says.
"I will say what I must." Rey says.
"Mom…" Leon says.
"I know she is your wife and you love her. That being said… I know she doesn't trust me. She is suspicious of me for keeping things from her, and I have no doubt that she also resents me for not participating in the war. I'm sure she's come up with a long list of insults. Honestly, I am long past the point of caring what anyone thinks of me." Rey says.
"That may be, but Senatha's my wife. I don't always agree with her, but I still love her. Just as much as I always have. I would appreciate it if you treated her with respect." Leon says.
"I will try my best to do so. But, I will only tolerate the foolishness of her family for so long." Rey says.
"I get where you're coming from. But, like it or not, this is their turf." Leon says.
"True. But… I am here for you and Vala. That is all." Rey says.
"I know you don't like Sen's family, but… you can at least… fake it, can't you?" Leon asks.
"For you… I will try." Rey answers.
"Thanks, mom." Leon says.
Rey and Leon embrace briefly. Then, Rey walks to Senatha, who crosses her arms and raises an eyebrow.
"Umm… I'm gonna go… help the droids with our stuff." Aja says. Vala nods in approval, and the girl heads to the Millennium Falcon. Meanwhile, Rey and Senatha stare at each other in silence for a moment.
"So, you've decided to come out of that rock you hide under." Senatha says.
"I was not hiding." Rey says.
"Is that so? Then, what exactly were you doing?" Senatha asks.
"Preparing." Rey asks.
"Preparing for what? What was so important that the great Master Rey Skywalker couldn't even be bothered to fight the Sedition?" Senatha asks.
"There is little reason to fight in a war that serves no purpose." Rey answers.
"Serves no purpose? Thousands of people died in the war! My daughter… your granddaughter… was almost one of them! Surely you give a damn about that!" Senatha shouts.
"You do not understand." Rey says.
"Then, would you care to explain it to me?" Senatha asks.
"It would be a fool's errand to teach those who do not listen." Rey says.
"You senile old bitch! That's it isn't it? You're losing your mind, aren't you?" Senatha asks.
"Mother, please!" Vala says.
"She's lost her mind, Vala! A damn shame too. She was a hero once. But that was a long time ago." Senatha says.
"Perhaps you are right, Senatha. Perhaps I am senile. Perhaps everything I say is nonsense. Or perhaps, it is only nonsense because you wish it to be so. The future will unfold as the force wills it. Then, we will know who is right. Now, if you will excuse me, I believe it is best if we end things here." Rey says.
"Yes. By all means go. Do… whatever." Senatha says.
"Later, Senatha. Good night, Vala." Rey says.
"I'll… go with her. We can catch up later, Vala." Leon says.
Rey and Leon leave the hangar. Vala and Senatha are now alone.
"At least she loves you. There's no doubt of that. I don't think she gives a damn about anyone else. Except for your father maybe. Of course, they don't speak much, so… who knows?" Senatha asks.
"Mother, why do you have to antagonize her all of the time?" Vala asks.
"She may be your father's mother, but I don't trust her. I never have. She just keeps too many damn secrets." Senatha answers.
"Regardless of what you think of her, she is right about the war. It was basically meaningless. It was all a trick… orchestrated by Kylo Ren." Vala says.
"Damn her! She should have killed him sixty years ago!" Senatha says.
"I think she realizes that now." Vala says.
"If what she says is true, then… why? Why did he start a meaningless war?" Senatha asks.
"He thought he could use the war to weaken the Jedi, and the Alliance. Then, he would turn someone to the dark side, and use them to form a new Empire. He meant for that to be me." Vala says.
"Because you're a Skywalker." Senatha says.
"And in his twisted little mind, that means I'm the second coming of Darth Vader. But he failed. Grandmother took away his powers, and Arvon killed him. It's over." Vala says.
"Good. Arvon did what your grandmother was too afraid to do." Senatha says.
"I wouldn't say she was afraid. In her eyes, Kylo was still her cousin. Even after everything he did." Vala says.
"Your grandmother's a damn sentimental fool. She should have killed that bastard on Exegol. Then, we might not have even gone through this war." Senatha says.
"Maybe. It doesn't matter. That's all in the past." Vala says.
"Now that the war's over, what's next for you?" Senatha asks.
"I expect that I'll most likely be sent back to the outer rim. The syndicates are still a problem." Vala answers.
"Will Arvon remain as supreme commander?" Senatha asks.
"I think for a little while anyway. When the senate ends their recess, they'll probably vote to end Arvon's emergency powers and restore the High Command. Every major military decision will then be decided by a vote among the command council members." Vala answers.
"As a senior general, I expect that you will most likely have a seat on this council." Senatha says.
"Very likely. The war may be over, but the Alliance still needs me. I have no plans on changing that anytime soon." Vala says.
"What about when you get married? Have children?" Senatha asks.
"We haven't even discussed children yet." Vala answers.
"You are thirty years old now, Vala. You should give it some serious thought. I would like to have some grandchildren before I die." Senatha says.
"I'm not ready." Vala says.
"Not ready? I had you when I was twenty one." Senatha says.
"I've been a Jedi for most of my life, and a soldier since I was fourteen. Right now, I am focused on my duty to the Alliance, and the Jedi Order." Vala says.
"You are a princess, Vala. You can do whatever you want. Does the fleet really need you anymore? Surely someone else can step in." Senatha says.
"Perhaps someday. But, I'm not ready for that just yet." Vala says.
"You have only to give the word, and you will be the next Queen of Aquilae." Senatha says.
"I've already told you, I don't want it." Vala says.
"I suppose I should have expected that answer. Still, I had to try." Senatha says.
"Of course." Vala says.
Finally… an update. The next two chapters are already written in rough draft form, so an update shouldn't be too far off. Stay tuned, and thanks for taking the time to check out this story.