Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter. This chapter will introduce a surprising character, I'm sure. Not a major one who will linger, but just an interesting touch.

Let's get to it.

Chapter 6- New Squad

(June 10, 2026, Christophsis)

Jared walks confidently through the front doors of the building. The building he's trying to enter is TSOC's Andromeda Headquarters, located in Christophsis' capital city of Chaleydonia. After he and the Squadron had left Ossus, they had decided to travel to Christophsis to try and recruit a special ops team to their mission. Jared felt confident that his request would be granted, given his status as a Jedi.

The Squadron was currently at the airfield close by, having their SF-15s inspected, refueled, and re-armed. Jared was here to talk to TSOC's Chief of Andromeda Operations.

An officer at the front desk looks up as Jared walks in. Recognizing him as a Jedi and from the stories of his actions during the battles of Jakku and Coruscant, the officer says, "Jared Hansen. Welcome to TSOC Andromeda HQ. What brings you here?"

"Hello. I need to see General Meyer," Jared says. General Ansgar Meyer, a former German special forces commander who now serves as the Chief of Andromeda Operations for TSOC.

"Of course, Let me confirm he has time to see you," the officer responds. He picks up a phone and, after a moment, says, "Yes, General, Jedi Knight Jared Hansen is here and wants a meeting with you." The officer is quiet for a moment before saying, "Understood."

The officer sets the phone down and looks back at Jared. "The General can see you. Sergeant Hashimoto, can you take Mr. Hansen up to the General's office?"

A Japanese sergeant on guard duty in the entrance nods and says, "Yes, Captain." He then motions for Jared to follow him and leads Jared out of the reception area. Hashimoto takes Jared to the lift, riding up to the third floor with him. Once they reach the third floor, Hashimoto takes Jared down the hallway to a door with the name General Ansgar Meyer on the door.

"The General will be waiting for you," Hashimoto says before he heads back to the lift.

Jared turns to the door and knocks twice. "Enter," he hears almost immediately. Jared opens the door and walks in, immediately seeing General Meyer sitting behind his desk.

"Jared Hansen. A pleasure to finally meet you," Meyer says.

"Likewise, General," Jared says as he takes a seat.

"What brings you to me? Last I heard, you were stationed back home," Meyer asks curiously.

"I was. But a few weeks ago, I was assigned a special mission from General Rommel. I was assigned to work with the Hammer Squadron to hunt down a dark side cult that has won the loyalty of some surviving Imperials. After encountering some members of this cult on Mustafar, I learned the identity of their cult. I spoke with Luke Skywalker, and he gave me more information on this cult, which is known as the Dark Force," Jared answers.

"Ah, I see. I've been updated on this cult since they came to prominence on our radar. I didn't realize that General Rommel had tasked you and the Squadron with hunting them," Meyer says.

"Yep, he did. But, I have a problem. From what Skywalker shared with me, this cult is going to have some places to hide out where they're dug in well. I may have the Squadron working with me, but I'm gonna need more boots on the ground if I'm going to be able to take care of this cult," Jared says.

"I see. You came here hoping for me to lend you a team," Meyer surmises.

"Yes, General," Jared says.

Meyer thinks for a moment, then says, "Most of the units currently deployed to the galaxy are already undergoing various missions. However, I have some teams here on Christophsis I can assign to help you."

Meyer then picks up his office phone. A second later, he speaks into it as his assistant picks up. "Major Anderson, send Sergeant Lawrence to my office," General Ansgar Meyer says into his phone before putting it down. He then looks at Jared and says, "I'm going to assign you command of a single platoon from the 2nd Ranger Battalion. 38 operators. That should be sufficient to help you assault any base of operations this cult may have."

"That will be perfect," Jared responds.

A minute later, there is a knock on the door and the door opens, and a woman Jared recognizes from films enters the room. "Jared, Sergeant First Class Jennifer Lawrence," General Meyer introduces.

Jared smiles a bit at the former actress, who nods in response. He'd of course seen her in the Hunger Games films, and knew she was still in service, but hadn't expected to meet her.

When the Terran Alliance declared war on the Empire in 2013, the mass increase in enlistments along the draft had seen many celebrities across the world either join the military or otherwise pledged their services to the way effort. Tabloids and social media was full of pictures in those first few months of actors and actresses, performers, and athletes in basic training or with their first units. Some went into combat units, others went into intelligence or support roles. Some were not terribly surprising to the public, but others were. Many so called A-list celebrities had joined the military. To name a few, Miles Teller had become a fighter pilot, three members of the band One Direction had enlisted in the Starfleet and served aboard Star Destroyers, and Gal Gadot had returned to the Israeli military to serve in the infantry.

Although a number served with particular note to their records, the vast majority of celebrities to join the military for the war did not intend to make it a long term commitment. After the war ended, by the end of 2019, most former celebrities that were serving had applied for an honorable discharge. However, a handful chose to remain in the military rather than return to their old lives.

Jennifer Lawrence was one of them. When the war broke out, she was filming the final two movies in the Hunger Games film series. Although she wished to serve, the producers and her agents persuaded her to finish filming. After filming finished in June of 2014 in Berlin, Jennifer returned to the States, and on July 4, she enlisted in the Army. In basic training, she was assigned to the infantry, and after training, she was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division.

Jennifer had served well throughout the war. She had first seen combat as part of the retaking of Saleucami, where she earned the Bronze Star for leading a charge against a superior Imperial force before tanks could arrive to support them. She later saw combat in the battles for Mandalore, Ord Mantell, and Kuat, earning a Silver Star and a Purple Heart. She saw her last combat at the Battle of Coruscant, where she earned her second Silver Star. She returned to Earth shortly after the war, as the 3rd was not assigned to occupation duties.

After the war, Jennifer had decided to remain in the Army, enjoying the comradery she felt and the sense of purpose she felt in the Army. She applied for Ranger School in 2020, and became a full member of the 75th Ranger Regiment's 1st Ranger Battalion in 2021. Despite getting married, Jennifer had gone on several missions against Imperial remnants as part of the Rangers. She now held the rank of sergeant first class and served as the platoon sergeant of her platoon.

"Sergeant Lawrence, I'd like you to show Mr. Hansen to Lieutenant Franks and your platoon. As of today, your platoon has been tasked with assisting Mr. Hansen in his mission assigned to him by General Rommel," Meyer says.

"Yes, sir," Jennifer responds. She then turns to Jared and says, "Come with me, sir."

Jared nods and then turns to Meyer, nodding in gratitude. He then turns away and follows Jennifer out of the office.

As the two enter the lift to head back down to the first floor, Jared turns to Jennifer. "A pleasure to finally meet you, Sergeant. I'm a fan of your work in the Hunger Games series, and I've heard the stories of your service. It'll be a pleasure to work with you."

"Same here, Mr. Hansen. I've heard the stories about you too, and you seem like a very good man. It'll be a pleasure for us to work alongside you," Jennifer responds.

The two soon reach the first floor, and Jennifer leads him down to the shooting range, where her platoon is enjoying some target practice. As they enter the range, Jennifer calls out, "Men! We have a guest!"

Everyone hears Jennifer and stops shooting. The platoon quickly stops and sees Jared and Jennifer standing there. They begin to set down their weapons and walk over to the two.

In front is a man wearing a single silver bar rank insignia of a first lieutenant. "Jared Hansen, I presume," the lieutenant says. Jared nods in response.

"Pleasure. 1st Lieutenant Tanner Franks, 1st Ranger Battalion," Franks introduces himself.

"Pleasure," Jared responds.

Jennifer speaks up and says, "We have new orders from General Meyer."

Jared then picks up the line of thought and says, "I'm here with the Hammer Squadron on orders from Grand General Rommel. We're hunting a cult here in galaxy that's won the loyalty of some surviving Imperials. But I need some boots on the ground if we're gonna fulfill General Rommel's orders. I spoke with General Meyer, and he's assigned your platoon to my command for this mission until this cult has been dealt with."

The Rangers are all quiet for a few moments, exchanging glances, before Lieutenant Franks says, "Well. If the orders come straight from General Meyer, and in a way from General Rommel, count us in. We've been out of action for too long."

Jared smiles. "Alright, then. Welcome to the team, Rangers."

And, I'll end the chapter there.

So, for those wondering about why I included Jennifer Lawrence as a Ranger, I felt it was time for something like that. I've already included two celebrities, Simone Biles and Cameron Boyce, as Jedi. So, I figured it was time to show a celebrity as a soldier. Jennifer was already in prime physical shape at the time of the start of the war and had some fighting training for the Hunger Games. I went through a couple of possible candidates for this role, and ended up choosing Jennifer.

Next chapter will be up this weekend or early next week. Until it's up, please leave a review and stay tuned!