Remembrance

Mirrin Prime wasn't a particularly special world. Like thousands of habitable planets, it consisted of various ecosystems, including mountain ranges, oceans, deserts, and steppes. It's oxygen rich atmosphere and moderate gravity made it perfect for those sentients that survived best in that environment, which included more than 90% of known intelligent species in the galaxy. It had in its past been home to both a Rebel Base and a New Republic base, and now was the official home of the newly restored Republic.

It had been the last base Poe Dameron had been assigned to before he left the New Republic and he hadn't been back since then, but the event that had been held here earlier today was something he refused to miss.

He stood looking up at the impressive but modest memorial. Made of granite, it stood about three meters tall and was in the shape of the primary tower from the palace in Aldera. It was dedicated to Leia Organa. Her name was centered in large letters about half-way up the tower. Lower down, in slightly smaller print, were the names of her husband and son.

Poe stared at Ben Solo's name for a long time, resentment competing with understanding. He knew why Ben's name had been included on this memorial. Most of the galaxy had no clue Leia's only child had become Kylo Ren. Most believed he had died with several other young Jedi when Luke Skywalker's temple had been destroyed on Ossus years ago by Kylo Ren. Those that did know had either died during the war or had chosen to remain silent on the subject. It didn't really matter now, did it?

He took a deep breath and looked back up at Leia's name. She would have wanted it this way, he thought. As much as she knew Kylo Ren had to be defeated, she had still loved her son. And according to Rey, it was her love for her son that had helped in that defeat. Rey had seen the change in him at the moment Leia died, and he had later given his own life for Rey's on Exegol.

It was the latter action that made Poe keep his silence about the true identity of Kylo Ren, and only that action. He would never forgive the man. And Rey would never ask him to.

He felt a person come up behind him and knew without looking that it was Rey. She had been taking to Chancellor Chaurasia when he had wandered back over to the memorial, but he knew she had seen him leave. The earlier ceremony had included speeches from them both. Larma D'Acy had also spoken. Chewbacca was also a guest of honor, but he had refused to speak, knowing he would be unable to control his emotions. Poe understood; he had barely been able to keep from crying while he spoke, and listening to Rey, who had followed him, had made him cry.

"Are you ready to go?" Rey's asked softly from behind him.

He nodded and turned to her. "Yes, please." He was so done with this. While he appreciated the honor the Republic was showing his late mentor, he understood the politics behind this act as well, and he wanted to get away before certain senators and senator-wannabes tried to corner them, schmoozing and begging for their support. While Poe had long ago hung up his Generalship, he and his Jedi wife were still heroes in the eyes of the Republic's elite.

Taking Rey's hand, they began walking toward the speeder that would take them back to their hotel. They would stay the night and head back to Yavin in the morning. Back home.

"What were you talking to Chaurasia about?" he asked.

"I was getting her approval for some additions to this memorial," she said with a smile. "I want to bring two Uneti saplings here as soon as they are old enough. We can plant them on either side of the tower."

Poe felt joy sweep up through him. "That is a wonderful idea!" Rey and Poe's father Kes had been carefully cultivating saplings from the Dameron Uneti tree in hopes of planting them at various locations throughout the galaxy. Mirrin Prime would be a perfect place.

"I thought you'd like that," Rey grinned at him. Then she became serious. "It does mean we'll have to come back, though." She knew he had no interest in becoming involved with the current government, preferring to stay on the outside, keeping watch to ensure nothing like the First Order ever rose again.

Poe glanced back at the memorial. "Of course, we'll come back. Leia deserves our remembrance."