"If you're going to train, Rey," Luke began. "We'll need to start as soon as possible."

Rey nodded. She shivered in anticipation. Stepping off the Falcon and into the dark, damp cave that they were using as a temporary hangar and base, she watched as Luke headed for the entrance. Having just landed on the Barnush moon, the entire Reistanace strength had a lot to take in. The miraculous mountains, the gorgeous, lush valleys, the beautiful, red-orange sun. Rey admired how something could be so unique in a universe full of basically identical planets.

Following her off the ramp were Finn and Red. Fixing his hair, Red looked out to the sky. Immediately, he was overcome with the image of thousands of TIE fighters flooding the landscape. With a blink, they were gone, and he was once again staring at the snow-capped peril of mountains, Finn standing by his side. He followed Finn, who was following Rey, who was following Luke.

"Where are we going, Sir?" Rey asked Luke.

"We're going into the mountains," was the answer. Rey raised her eyebrows.

"Into the mountains?" She repeated. "Already? We literally just landed."

"I know, but your training is crucial," Luke rebutted. "As you're already so old, training can be postponed no longer."

Rey nodded as he talked. She turned around to see where Finn was, only to find him not far behind. She quickly turned to Luke again.

"Sir," she began. "Can Finn come too?"

Finn became surprised upon hearing what Rey had asked. She wanted him to come along? He'd love to, of course, but he didn't want to hinder. On the opposite side of Rey, Luke thought sceptically.

"I'm not so sure," he stated. "He could be too much of a distraction.

"He won't be," she quickly reputed. "I promise. I'm really good at cancelling out distractions."

Luke chuckled. Well, if she meant as she said, he saw no problem in having Finn come along with them. Besides, Luke had no real idea of where they were going to go, and Finn could come in handy.

"I suppose if he won't be any trouble," Luke conceded. Rey burst into a smile and, spinning around, grabbed Finn by the hand, pulling him along with them. They all stopped at the end of the cave, basking in the fresh, mountain air.

"Where to?" Finn asked. Rey nodded, looking at Luke.

"Wherever the Force takes us," he announced. Rey rolled her eyes with a laugh.

Luke turned up the plateau to an old, worn stone path, now overgrown with grass and little shrubs, created by the past inhabitants of the planet. Everywhere you looked, there was something that implied that life once existed on the planet. Across the valley, where red and blue squadron were temporarily stationed, old, run down structures were being used as hangars and pilot housing. Up the mountain path, there was what looked to be an old village, complete with huts and houses, shops and stores.

Even in the cave, old relics of the Empire era lay strewn about. Throughout its many corridors, there lay crates full of personal belongings, left behind in the hurry to get away from the wrath of the Empire. The occasional pile of bones was not uncommon, but they were few and far between. Even a few stormtrooper helmets were found by curious Resistance members.

Checking his sachel once last time, ("Two light sabers, good,") Luke, Rey, and Finn climbed the steep path that seemed to hug the side of the mountain. Where Luke and Rey were nimble and agile, maneuvering up the precipice, Finn was weary. He stumbled a few times before he was able to hold onto something. Noticing how clumsy he was, Rey handed him her staff. He looked up at her, wide eyed.

"Really?" He asked. She smiled.

"Yes," she approved. "For now. I want it back, though," said she, more serious.

Back in the cave, Red watched as they left and ventured into the open yonder. He was about to follow when someone called his name.

"2191," called General Organa. He turned to the Falcon. Following Chewbacca, Leia stepped off, carrying a large and heavy looking box. "We could sure use some help!"

With a sigh, he ambled back to the Falcon, where Leia stood waiting, greeting him with a warm smile on her face.

"How was your trip?" She asked. Red smiled back.

"Fine," he replied. "I finally got to talk to Shooter."

"'Shooter'?" Leia repeated. "Is that Finn?"

"Oh, that's just a nickname," he cleared up.

"Well, do you have a nickname?" She asked again. "Or atleast something else besides 'FN-2191' that you'd like to be called?"

"Red," said he. Leia smiled again.

"Red," she repeated, getting the name stuck in he head so she'd remember. "I like that. Like the colour?" She asked. Red nodded.

"Just like the colour," he confirmed.

Leia beckoned him up onto the Falcon again. She lead him to a large pile of boxes. Picking up a box, she plopped it into his arms. He began to turn when she took another and placed it on top of his arms. His knees buckled under the weight.

God, what's in these? He thought. He was quick to leave before she could give him another. He rushed off the Falcon, almost running into Chewbacca, and went to the ever-larger growing pile of boxes. He stretched out his muscles, watching as officers and crews unloaded the freights. Desks, chairs, tools, parts, small droids, everything the Resistance owned had been packed into the small cargo ships.

This will all be gone, Red thought maliciously. Nothing will be left. I'll be a hero. I'll be an officer.

But that was if he wasn't killed in the bombing run- and if Hux didn't get to him first.

They were three planets away from the Barnush moon. General Hux awaited the mission, nervously and anxiously tapping his fingers on the console. Kylo Ren found the act impossibly annoying, and he fought the urge not to act out.

After hours of listening to the rhythmic tapping, Kylo could handle it no longer. He thought he'd go insane if he listened for one more minute! Therefore, he left the cockpit to the small passenger area, fit for four people. Closing the door behind him, he sat down and removed his helmet. Beads of perspiration dripped from his brow. Was he nervous? Was he scared? Was he excited, hopeful?

All of the above.

His expectations were high for the outcome of this mission. Including the expectation that his mother remain intact. Their pilots would carry out the mission as ordered, this he was sure of. But who was to ensure that his precious mother would make it out in one piece?

Suddenly, he felt a twang of pain rippling from his left side. He looked at the black cloak in skepticism, wondering what that was. The pain lingered for a few moments before stabbing him again, this time with more nerve.

His bowcaster scar.

The wound had not quite completely healed, but that he was not about to tell the nurses. The last thing he wanted was Snoke and Hux breathing down his neck again. It would heal on its own, he was sure of it. Only it hadn't. And it hadn't bothered him at all until then, when it suddenly started to knock on his side with a fist of knives. It rattled him again, this time so painful that it made him wince. Then it struck him. He hadn't taken the self-prescribed pain medication that day, nor had he remembered to pack it.

"Damn it," mumbled Kylo. Normal painkillers would have to do for now. Lifting himself up from his seat, he clutched his side, hand brushing his new light saber. It was the same as his old one, just cleaner built. No more loose wires, exposed components. Be had been proud of his first one, but he was even more proud of his current one.

He shuffled over to the cabinets, rummaging around for a first aid kit. He threw aside pillows and light blankets, a box of rations, distilled water, various blasters and ammo packs, and even a few sets of hand cuffs- for prisoners. The clattered to the ground, making a ruckus. Hux couldn't hear him through the soundproof door, luckily.

Thanks for making it this far. If you're new to the story, you'll probably be wondering why this ends so abruptly. Yes, this chapter does end here, and I will tell you why. Back in June 2016, when this chapter was in production, I stopped writing altogether after a friend of mine died. Being as it is now April 2017 (when I wrote this update), I've obviously had time to carry forward (I'm trying to make this sound as not-sappy as I can). If you're reading this, though, you'll probably be glad to hear that this doesn't end here! I will have the next chapter uploaded within the week. In the meantime, I have added the "runout" for chapter 13 below, so you'll know how this chapter was supposed to go, because I don't plan on finishing it and will just continue with chapter 14. Enjoy!

~MEH~

Runout

Chapter 13

-Resistance is foiled on Barnush. Partially-built buildings, multiple ships, most Resistance members are killed.

-Kylo Ren and General Hux join First Order bombing run.

-Rey, Finn and Luke go out into the mountains to explore and train, and therefore are not hurt in the bombing.

-Minimal air combat ensues, but because of short notice, Resistance is not prepared. Poe is shot down but ejects into the mountains and gets stranded. BB-8 is lost but Poe follows a tracker to the wreckage. BB-8 is missing pieces and top dome but still functioning. Poe takes what he can salvage and looks for shelter.

-Leia, Chewbacca, R2, and most officers were in a cave, where part the base would have been built, and therefore survive. They fly away on the surviving ships to Tatooine for shelter.

-Kylo Ren and Hux trace Luke, Finn, and Rey into the mountains and corner them. Fighting ensues. Chapter ends.