You might notice that for the names of the Rogue squad I used the first names of the actors who will play them. I figured since I did that for Felicity, I might do it for the rest. In case you're confused, Ji-Dan is the birth name of Donnie Yen, and Gunner is supposed to be Jiang Wen.
This oneshot is based on the photoset entitled: Part Five – Nice to Meet You
Definitions of Home
Part One
Nice to Meet You
10 ABY (After Battle of Yavin)
Despite being the man who blew up the Death Star, and the woman who stole its plans, Luke Skywalker and Felicity Rhiaon wouldn't meet until a decade after their heroics. In fact, it had been at the tenth anniversary celebration of the destruction of the Death Star that they were introduced.
It was a grand event that Leia planned. There was a photo session with all the major news groups, a reenactment of Luke and Han's medal ceremony where Leia would present more medals to those who had been neglected (Luke strongly suspected Chewie and Wedge were behind that idea), a tribute to the fallen, and then it would conclude with a giant after party.
All of the participants were gathered backstage, chatting casually as they tried to stay out of the overstressed Leia's way. Luke could tell she was especially stressed over the fact that Ben wasn't at the celebration, but she was the one who insisted on keeping him out of the public eye as much as possible, and thus had been left at home with a babysitter.
The meeting between Luke and Felicity had been the briefest of exchanges. Luke had been busy chatting with Wedge when Leia came whizzing by, leading a woman towards them.
"We'll have you stand next to Luke. It'll be a great photo op," Leia hurriedly said to the woman. "Have you met my brother yet?"
"Uh, no," the woman replied taking a glance at Luke – who was desperately restraining an amused smirk at Leia working herself up over nothing. The woman extended her hand to Luke, "Felicity Rhiaon."
"Luke Skywalker," Luke shook her hand as Leia dashed off to check for the eighth time that they had enough medals.
"Pleasure to meet you, Luke. It's nice to finally meet the man who destroyed the Death Star."
"The pleasure's all mine," Luke gave her an overly large grin that didn't reach his eyes.
"You have no idea who I am, do you?"
"Not in the slightest," Luke couldn't help but laugh. "Sorry."
"I'm Rogue One," Felicity returned the chuckle.
"Who?"
Wedge elbowed Luke, "Leader of the team who stole the plans to the Death Star."
"Oh," Luke said. "Well, it's definitely a pleasure to meet you."
Felicity was rather attractive. Pale skin, brown hair in an elegant up do, slender figure though not very curvy, her face had sharp angles, and her brown eyes seemed to assess even the smallest of details as she too took him in.
Luke opened his mouth to say something more when he was suddenly cut off.
"PLACES PEOPLE!" Leia called out.
"See you around," Felicity gave a smile before heading off.
"See you," Luke watched as she walked away. Out of the corner of his eye, Luke caught Wedge's smirk, "What?"
"You never have been good with women, Luke."
Triumphant music rang through the hall as Luke stood at the head of the assembly next to Leia and Han. He had no idea how in the galaxy Leia had managed to track down the exact same outfits they had all worn at the first ceremony, but he strongly suspected replicas were involved.
Originally Luke had asked to wear his formal Jedi robes as he felt they were more appropriate, but Leia refused. The destruction of the Death Star was not a Jedi success, no matter how many times Luke insisted the Force had guided him. So there he was in the same brown pants, yellow jacket, black shirt and boots, and medal of bravery hung around his neck.
Four well-dressed figures strode confidently down the aisle: Chewbacca looking particularly well-groomed, an olive skinned, dark haired man that Luke vaguely recognized as one of his Rogue Squadron pilots on Hoth, Felicity Rhiaon with a distant sadness in her eyes, and Wedge tugging at his collar, clearly wanting out of his formal clothes.
Leia made a brief speech once the honored reached the platform. She shared a few words about the history of the Battle of Yavin and threw in a few anecdotes involving trash compactors and Han ending his conversation with security using a blaster.
Next it was Luke's turn to speak. He gave a few words about the pilots who were lost, and the dogfights in the trench. He announced that medals of bravery would be awarded posthumously to the men and women who lost their lives, and shipped to their families. Finally, he awarded Wedge his own medal of bravery, taking great joy in being able to place it around his friend's neck.
Han next spoke, telling the story of how Chewie had convinced him to return to the Rebels and save the day. Luke had heard it a thousand times already and felt no shame in tuning his brother-in-law out.
Luke looked at the four people being honored, focusing particularly on the two strangers. He wouldn't exactly call the man a stranger; he had met him before on Hoth. Luke tried not to furrow his brow as he thought back to the icy planet and the pilots assigned there, trying to place the face to a name.
Then it hit Luke, the man was Diego Nalto – call sign Rogue One. Oddly enough, Diego had always rejected the designation, having even attempted to be reassigned to the position of Rogue Two. The Rebel Council told Luke and Diego in no uncertain terms that call signs were based on seniority and with Diego's accomplishments they could not possibly rank him under the assigned Rogue Two, Zev Senesca.
When Luke had asked Diego why he was so adamant about being Rogue Two, Diego had explained that the Rogue Squadron was the name given to the team of people who stole the plans to the Death Star.
"I cared very much for the originators of the titles, and this is how I choose to honour them," Diego told Luke in mess hall one day. "I understand why they wish to reuse the name – especially when it's going to be commanded by the man who destroyed the Death Star – but Rogue Two was my place on that team, no matter how hard I fought to be Rogue One. So, if I can't be Rogue Two, then call me Second."
"But what difference does it make?" Luke asked. "You're still second in command, and you just said you wanted to be Rogue One. Why would you turn that chance down?"
Diego grinned, "Because after all the hell Rhiaon got me through – through Death Stars, and Imperials, and Tarkin, and Jakku – there will never be another person who deserves the title of Rogue One."
As Luke turned his eyes to Rogue One herself, Luke felt admiration and curiosity for Felicity Rhiaon's story. He only knew bits and pieces of the fateful Operation Citadel – named for an almost impossible undercover operation the Jedi had carried out during the Clone Wars, while assisted by a young Tarkin, making the name far too perfect not to use. Maybe if he had the time, Luke would ask Felicity about it.
"But the Battle would have been nothing without the actions of the first Rogue Squadron," Leia continued her address, drawing Luke's attention back to the ceremony. "Four men and one woman were sent on the daring mission to steal the plans to the Death Star so we may have found and exploited its weaknesses. This mission required much sacrifice not only on a level of mortality, but for some a far more personal level. The sacrifice of pride, of leadership, of values, and in one tragic case, of one's own family."
Luke couldn't help but notice Felicity quickly lowered her eyes.
"Five brave Rebel soldiers departed our base," Leia carried on, "only two returned. Two who we honour here today not only for Operation Citadel, but their continued work with the Alliance in our time of war. Felicity Rhiaon, Rogue One, leader of the first Rogue Squadron became one of our top recruiters. Diego Nalto, Rogue Two, second in command and team pilot, used those skills in many of our aerial battles throughout the war. Therefore, we honour you both today with these medals of bravery."
Applause thundered through the room as Leia placed the medals around Felicity and Diego's necks. Then, with a nod from Leia, Felicity climbed the platform and faced the audience.
"I thank the Rebel Alliance for this award," Felicity began. "It is something I do not feel I deserve, yet am honoured to accept. If you will grant me a few moments, Senator Organa has allowed me a few words."
The audience quieted, interested to hear what Felicity might say.
"I am not much of a speechmaker, so I will keep it short," Felicity promised. "I wish to take a moment to speak of the men whose lives I lost on my mission. When I was assigned to be the leader of this team, I was not some great General or deep cover spy. I was a low level recruiter who happened to have some ties to Bail Organa, and an Imperial officer stationed on the Death Star. I was not the best leader the Alliance had to offer; I was merely the most convenient, a fact Diego never let me forget."
Diego shared a grin with Felicity, and she just shook her head.
"The other men on my team were the best," Felicity went on. "And though we struggled to get along at first, each man became family to me. Diego Nalto – Rogue Two – one of our best pilots and strategists. He was the annoying big brother who never got off his high horse, but fought with everything he had to protect me, his annoying little sister who had no idea what she was doing, and got the power he wanted. Though all of my men played an important part in the mission, it's thanks to Diego I'm standing here today."
The audience gave Diego a minute of pilot applause.
"But we cannot forget the men who lost their lives on the mission," Felicity's voice became solemn. "Riz Drayson – Rogue Five – the Alliance's best technician had been my friend since the day I joined the Alliance. He truly was my brother, and I know he died happily. Using the last of his energy, as he suffered from his mortal wound, he stole the Death Star schematic out of the Imperial computer system. With his dying breath he begged me to keep it safe."
Luke applauded with the audience once more. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt over the fact that he had never truly wondered about the spies who had stolen the Death Star plans. Luke wondered exactly what wound had ended Drayson's life.
"Gunner – also known as Wen Arroyo – was a notable figure in the Alliance," Felicity's speech went on. "He was Rogue Four: a man made of muscle, firepower, and a dangerous mind to combine the two. An uncle to me, Gunner taught me how to fight, lessons I still use to this day. He almost made it out that day, but he chose to stay behind and sacrifice himself so that Diego and I had a chance to escape. He went down the way we all knew he would: fighting legions of Stormtroopers singlehandedly."
Luke noted that the applause for Gunner was the most enthusiastic yet. It was surprising, Gunner's legacy had well lived on in the Alliance. Luke had even heard of the man several times during the war. No one had ever brought up the fact that he had died for the Death Star plans.
In fact, now that he thought about it, Luke realised that no one had ever really discussed Operation Citadel around him. Perhaps since the Alliance hailed Luke as the sole hero of the Death Star's destruction, they felt it too awkward to tell him "by the way, there were more people, you know."
"But the person I miss the most is Rogue Three – Ji-Dan Hayato," Felicity said. The distant sadness returned to her eyes. "He was a mentor and grandfather to me. Operation Citadel happened during a time when the Force was dead to the world. There has no black or white, only grey. But in Ji-Dan, the Force lived on. I've always doubted the extent of the Force's power, but to Ji-Dan, it was everything. He believed fiercely that someday the Jedi would return, and Light would win. I stand here, ten years, wishing I could see the look on his face as I stand next to the new Jedi Grandmaster, Luke Skywalker himself. Ji-Dan would be proud to know that not only did the theft of the plans bring destruction to the horrific machine, but it also brought about the return of the Jedi. And that is what those men, what all Rebel martyrs, died, and what we all fought for: peace, freedom, and the return of the Light. And I know, deep in my heart, that Gunner, Riz, and Ji-Dan are all looking down on us with pride."
As the audience broke into applause, Felicity glanced over at Luke, who was clapped extra hard for her.
The two couldn't help but share a smile.
"Let's get one of Skywalker and Rhiaon together!"
Luke blinked, trying to clear the bright flashes of the cameras from his eyes as the reporters crowded around the photoshoot. No doubt the pictures would be on every screen the next day.
People shuffled awkwardly as Luke suddenly found Felicity Rhiaon pushed next to him.
"Hello, again," Felicity smiled at him.
"Hello," Luke grinned.
"Master Skywalker, put your arm around her!" someone ordered.
Luke looked at Felicity, "May I?"
"Go ahead."
Though he didn't think much of it at the time, Luke found there was something to how perfectly his arm fit wrapped around her waist. Felicity placed her hand on his shoulder and they silently paused for the cameras for a few minutes.
"I bet this will be the star photo tomorrow," Felicity muttered, trying not to mess up the shots. "Rogue One and Rogue Leader. The woman who stole the plans to the Death Star, and the man who blew it up."
"We do make a sensible match," Luke nodded. "I liked your speech during the ceremony."
"I'm just glad I was allowed to make it. Very few people ever talk about my team, and we suffered very heavy losses."
"Well, thank you. Without you stealing the plans in the first place, none of this would have been possible."
"Thank you," Felicity said. "It's nice to see someone appreciate my team's accomplishments for once."
Luke grinned, "Any time."
As they looked back at the cameras, Felicity found she rather liked Luke's smile.
Felicity found herself at Luke's side once more during the tribute to the fallen. A large pyre had been built and lit in memory of those who had lost their lives. Leia, Felicity, and Luke stood at the head of the assembly and took turns saying the names of the fallen. Felicity listed the members of her team, Luke the pilots, and Leia the rest. Leia even took a few moments to mention Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Owen and Beru Lars, who merited recognition for their part in refusing to expose Luke, Obi-Wan, and the droids.
As the flames burned bright, Felicity listened to the quaver in Luke's voice as he listed his set of names. Felicity was quite impressed. Luke hadn't known any of the men who spoke of, yet his voice was so filled with heartbreak, she struggled not to tear up.
Perhaps it was from his connection to the so called Force, but Felicity had her doubts but the extent of the power of the Force.
"Biggs Darklighter," Luke's voice broke on the last name. "Biggs was my best friend, and we had just been reunited. I was going to tell him all about the adventures I had had, but…"
Luke couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.
Felicity looked up at him. Luke was staring into the flames, tears shining in his eyes. As if it was the most natural thing in the world, Felicity gently touched his arm. Luke visibly relaxed at the gesture of comfort.
"Thank you," Luke whispered.
Felicity smiled, "Any time."
As they looked back at the pyre, Luke found he rather liked Felicity's smile.
They didn't spend much more time with each other that day. At the after party they bumped into each other and briefly exchanged a few words. Luke had found Felicity made pleasant enough conversation.
"You were only 21, and they put you in charge of the team?" Luke repeated in disbelief.
"I'd say they made the right choice," Felicity grinned. "Besides you were only, what 18?"
"19," Luke instantly corrected.
"Oh, well that makes a huge difference, doesn't it?"
Luke rolled his eyes, "So, why'd they pick you?"
Felicity bit her lip, "My… father was stationed on the Death Star. We had gone our separate ways, but he had offered me a job if I ever came back to the Empire. I was best shot to get us in. The Leaders of the Rebellion weren't exactly enthused about putting me in charge, but Bail Organa was insistent. I'm sorry I couldn't save him in the end. Organa was a good man."
"What about your father? Did I…"
"Blow him up?" Felicity rose an eyebrow when Luke awkwardly let the sentence hang. "Yes, but… it was the right thing. Our reconciliation didn't exactly go as planned. My father was a… difficult man, and far too loyal to the Empire."
Luke laughed, "Now there's a sentence I can relate to."
"Luke," Leia came rushing up to the pair. "Luke there's someone I want to introduce you to."
"Of course," Luke nodded. "It was nice meeting you, Felicity."
"Nice to meet you too, Luke."
Felicity and Luke shared a smile as Leia threw her arms around Luke's neck and led him away. Felicity found that she liked Luke Skywalker. He was kind, charming, and definitely handsome, but she didn't really think much more of it. After all, it was Luke Skywalker, and she was a nobody. What were the chances they'd ever meet again?
She never dreamed that in three years' time, she would marry that man.