0BBY: Planet Yavin IV

The presence of starships making their landing around the ziggurat made up most of the noise Jyn heard as the landing bay doors opened. "They're bringing in everyone for an alliance council meeting," Cassian had said, keeping his gaze towards her as limited at possible.

"You told them about my father's message?" Jyn had asked.

Cassian shook his head.

Jyn briskly moved past him, allowing her shoulder to push against his. She snapped her head around to find Bodhi who was hovering towards the back of the crowd. "Bodhi!"

The defector had been watching a starship land in complete awe. "That's a Firefeather star cutter! You can tell by the whistling sound. They're really rare – someone important must be aboard."

Jyn grabbed him by the shirtsleeve, tugging him forward. "You don't get on the council without money, guns, or influence. Speaking of the council, I'm going to need you by my side."

Bodhi laughed nervously, his eyes darting to the official-clad men and women around them. "I'm sorry about Galen."

Jyn was surprised by his sudden words and found herself at a loss for words. "Thanks."

Bodhi merely shrugged. "I liked him a lot. Not that I knew him very well, but I did like him."

Jyn grimaced. "You probably knew him better than me." She glanced at his imperial flight suit. "Bet you'll be glad to get out of that. Got to be a change of clothes somewhere here."

"What? No. No, I... I think I'll keep it. As a reminder."

"A reminder of what?"

Bodhi edged closer to Jyn, still uncertain of his surroundings. "That I volunteered for all this. You know?"

A yell caught on the air and Jyn turned to a group of intelligence officers that had gathered around Cassian. Her eyes narrowed at the sight of him and she could tell her steady, glaring gaze made him uncomfortable. Nevertheless, Cassian signalled for Jyn to follow him into the ziggurat. Jyn grabbed Bodhi by the shirtsleeve again and dragged him along. There was no way in hell anyone was leaving that ziggurat until they had all agreed with her plan. She stole a glance at Bodhi and felt somewhat guilty for he was an active part of her plan and she hadn't even told him. While Cassian, Bodhi and K-2 were up on the flight deck for the landing on Yavin IV, Jyn had conversed quietly with the guardians about what she had in mind. They had agreed to help her, even if the alliance came to the decision not to.

In the briefing room Jyn had first walked into as a rescued prisoner with 'strings attached', Admirals and Generals in their uniforms along with senators, nobles and civilian bureaucrats all stood shoulder-to-shoulder murmuring amongst themselves. Jyn had lost sight of Cassian not long after she entered the extremely cramped room, not that she particularly cared at this moment where the captain's presence was. Cassian currently held possession of the holochip her father's message was on, and for a brief moment, Jyn wondered if he was going to hand it over or not. Don't be stupid, Jyn, she thought to herself.

Mon Mothma stepped up to the holoprojector in the centre of the room. Everyone's attention was drawn to her presence.

"I want to thank you all for coming on short notice," Mothma began. "Many of you undertook dangers I cannot begin to appreciate. You risk exposure, crossing imperial lines because you believe in our Alliance. Because you believed what you were told when we informed you of an unprecedented crisis. I wish I could say you came all this way for nothing, but the evidence we will present is not speculative. It is secretive, yes – and by showing it here, we must reveal certain sources and methods used by alliance intelligence; sources and method we cannot take to the public or the senate. You will hear testimony from both trusted rebel operatives and newfound allies. If you doubt their word, remember that all of them are marked for death by the empire. I would ask all of you to refrain from speculation until the end of the briefing. At that time, we may discuss what we have all seen and determine the future of our organisation and our galaxy together."

Jyn viewed General Dravin making his way toward the centre, but stilled as Mothma continued to speak. "What we face is the natural culmination of all the Emperor's evils." The former senator gazed around the gathered crowd. "Where is Jyn Erso?"

Murmuring of the name 'Erso' rang all around Jyn as she shouldered her way to the front. There she saw Cassian to her right, a datapad in his hand. Mothma was directly in front of her with Draven not far behind.

"This is Jyn Erso, daughter of Galen Erso the imperial scientist," Mothma said, gesturing her hand in Jyn's direction. Again, the murmuring surrounded Jyn.

Mothma continued. "Jyn has been raised these past fifteen years by rebel operative." Jyn wasn't too surprised to hear Mothma refraining from speaking Saw's name. Bringing up her foster father would not do any of them well in their case. "Jyn accompanied rebel intelligence officer, Captain Cassian Andor to Jedha after word reached us of an imperial pilot defected with a message from Galen Erso to us - the alliance. There, they met with former rebellion leader Saw Gerrera who had received Galen Erso's message from the defector." Mothma looked Jyn's way, giving the younger woman a reassuring smile. "Now, that message has made its way here, and you will all hear its contents."

Draven stepped forward and Jyn saw he was holding the holochip her father had sent. She felt her heart lighten, relieved that what she had hoped and dreamed of the entire return trip to Yavin IV was finally happening. Jyn turned to look at Cassian, who met her gaze and nodded. Dravin clicked the holochip into the holoprojector and her father's ghost appeared before her once more. The difference this time was that he was much larger and his voice echoed through the room.

"...then perhaps there is a chance to save the Alliance." Jyn inhaled ad exhaled deeply. Her father's image was facing Mothma so she could only see him from behind. His voice was as fresh as it had been when she last heard it on Eadu.

"...a chance to explain myself and, though I don't dare hope for too much, a chance for Jyn, if she's alive, if you can possible find her." Jyn leaned on the table, feeling her palms becoming sweaty beneath her gloves. She looked over at Cassian who had been watching her. His face was stone except for his eyes – they told her he was sorry she had to hear this all over again. In return, Jyn gave him a weak smile.

"...if I refused to work, if I took my own life, it would only be a matter of time before Krennic realised he no longer needed me to complete the project." Jyn could feel the heavy weight of her father's words way those around her. Not a single gaze was elsewhere, except on the holoimage of Galen Erso.

"...one thing nobody expected; I lied. Or I learned to lie. I played the part of a beaten man resigned to the sanctuary of this work. I made myself indispensible, and all the while I laid the groundwork of my revenge." Everything around Jyn started to feel tight – claustrophobia. She felt her breaths becoming shallow; she griped the edge of the table to keep herself standing.

"...we call it the Death Star. There is no better name." A slight murmur spread through the room; people hushed their colleagues.

"...the day is coming soon when it will be unleashed. I've placed a flaw deep within the system. A scar so small and powerful, they'll never find it. Jyn, if you're listening..." Her father's words to his daughter caused many to look in her direction. She kept her eyes straight forward at the back of her father's head. She would not allow those around her to see a fragment of weakness. She had to be strong for her father; for her plan to work.

"...the reactor system, that's the key. That's the place I've laid my trap. It's unstable, so one blast to any part of it will destroy the entire station. You'll need the plans, the structural plans. I know there's at least one complete engineering archive in the data vault at the Citadel Tower on Scarif. Any pressurised explosion to the reactor module will set off a chain reaction that will destroy the entire weapon. I know what I am asking for is nigh impossible, but it's all I could do in my situation. If anything, I have given the Rebel Alliance hope."

The moment the holoimage of her father vanished, the entire room roared to life with words. Everyone had questions and ideas.

"Please!" Mothma shouted, raising her hand for silence.

Once the room had been retaken into stillness, Draven ordered Bodhi in for terse questioning about Galen Erso and the construction he'd personally witnessed. Next came Cassian, professional and to the point. He recounted hearing the message for the first time in the U-Wing and the series of events of Eadu he witnessed where Galen Erso had been struck down by Krennic after seeing his engineering team being executed. Part of her was surprised by his honesty. He had lied outright to her after they made their escape from Eadu. She had expected the captain to continue his tale of lies to the council.

Jyn almost jumped when Mothma crept up behind her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Am I up next?"

Mothma kept her gaze on Cassian while she spoke to Jyn. "I wanted to say... I won't forget what we did it you."

Jyn just stared at the older woman. The room started to sound softer, but she was quickly bought back to reality as Draven called her name. She squared her shoulders and readied herself for all the questions. This was it; this was the start of her battle.

So much about Jyn's life was brought up for question; some if it was recent while other events had happened years ago. Admiral Raddus had asked her of Saw Gerrera and her feelings towards him. Jyn maintained her foster father abandoned her and added a quick small lie that it was due to her inability to commit the same violent acts as he did. Her white lie seemed to please those around her.

Eventually Senator Pamlo stepped forward. "This Death Star is an existential threat not only to our Alliance but to all life as we know it. We cannot in good conscience risk entire worlds for our cause. Until we know that the Empire will not use it on a populated planet, we must scatter the fleet and disband our military units."

Arguments and murmuring erupted around Jyn and she closed her eyes, steadying her breathing. Her words came out far louder than she intended. "Are you serious? Are you all really considering disbanding something that we've worked so hard to create?"

"We can't just give in," Admiral Raddus declared, siding with Jyn.

"We joined an Alliance, not a suicide pact!" replied a senator.

"We've only now managed to gather our forces," Raddus continued. "If we coordinate at last..."

Minister Jebel interrupted. "General Draven's already blown up an imperial base! I thought the alliance was disavowing Gerrera's tactics..."

"A decision needed to be made," Draven retorted from across the room.

"If its war you want, you'll fight alone!" Pamlo added.

"Councillor's please!" Mothma attempted to regain some control over the room. "We are all troubled by our situation, but I beg you to open yourselves to solutions..."

"I have a solution." Jyn hadn't realised straight away what she had shouted into the room. She noticed Cassian turning to look at her, his eyes wider than usual. Jyn had their attention. Finally.

"Hope – that was the last word of my father's message," Jyn began. "You all heard it. He gave us hope so we wouldn't need to cower in fear over the Death Star. He sacrificed himself and his life for the Alliance in order to create a flaw that would ultimately destroy the empire's greatest threat to us." Jyn stood tall, looking around the room continuously. "The galaxy is divided badly enough as it is, but think of how many star system will flock to the Alliance if they heard word that the rebellion managed to take down a planet-killer!" Jyn took a breath. "You speak of surrendering before they openly attack, but do you honestly think that the empire would leave such a weapon immobile?" Jyn looked to Draven. "Play the message again."

Draven straightened and turned to Mothma.

"You heard me," Jyn continued. "It's clear that not everyone fully understood my father's warning. Play the message again! Now!"

Mothma hesitated before nodding at Draven. The general started up the holoprojector again and the blue light emitting from the centre of the room drew everyone's attention back.

"...day is coming soon when it will be unleashed. I've placed a flaw deep within the system. A scar so small and powerful, they'll never find it."

After the message had ended a second time, the room remained oddly silent. Jyn seized at the opportunity.

"We need to go to Scarif to get those plans." Jyn crossed her arms. "I don't expect anyone in this room, save for Bodhi, to follow me there. I am going to retrieve those plans and if need be, I'll personally hand them over to you all. Hope is what I will be handing over." Jyn was sure every pair of eyes was on her, and it made her feel bolder and more in control. "Bodhi can get me past the shield-gate, but there lies the problem."

Jyn looked over to Admiral Raddus. "I'll need to alliance fleet."

While another bout of uproar began, Jyn noticed Cassian turn and leave the briefing room. She frowned, not sure whether to feel relieved at his absence, or slightly hurt.

"Listen!" she shouted. "Listen to me! We have to do this. This shouldn't even be up for debate. Do you all want your children and future generations to live in a galaxy constantly in fear? Or do you want to do something about it right now and be remembered as the heroes you all are supposed to be? Surrendering and disbanding the fleet will only show the galaxy the empire has won and you were all nothing more than cowards. You will be giving the empire what they want." Jyn remembered how she had searched for the spike to dig into Cassian back on the U-Wing – may as well be a stormtrooper. Jyn almost wanted to laugh at what she was about to say.

"You do that; you all may as well be imperial."

Jyn could feel Draven glaring into her as if his very eyes could pierce her soul. A handful of senators were openly gawking at her. Admiral Raddus laughed.

"I like this girl," he said, turning to Mothma. "She is right about you all. And she is right about this not being a debate. We must fight!"

Mothma had placed her hands on the tablet, staring over at Jyn. She met the older woman's stare equally. "You know this is the right thing to do." Jyn looked around at everyone. "Look into your hearts! Look into the eyes of those about you! Do not miss this opportunity to make a real difference!"

"I say we fight!" Admiral Raddus repeated.

General Merrick, commander of blue squadron, nodded in agreement. "I second that!"

Jyn noticed a tense stare between Dravin and Merrick. Mothma was beginning to smile.

"As do I," General Dodonna added. "The time to strike is now and we have cause more than ever. Should we succeed at this then perhaps conflicts in the future will result in less civilian casualties."

"What say you Draven?" Merrick asked, folding his arms.

Draven glared at Merrick then traced it along the tablet to Jyn. They held gazes. "I believe the empire is more than capable of unleashing the Death Star. We have squandered one too many opportunities to strike the empire. If we act now, this strike will be right to the heart."

Mothma regained her composure, standing straight once more. "Senators?"

Bail Organa was the first to speak. "Galen Erso's message was sincere and I heard truth in his voice. I believe he himself was terrified of what he had a hand in building. We cannot allow such a creation to remain." Organa nodded softly. "General Dravin is correct – the destruction of the Death Star would be a crippling, public blow to the empire. We cannot waist this opportunity."

Senator Vaspar stepped forward. "While I am not opposed to conflict, any hostility the Alliance displays should be done so carefully. However, open warfare would cripple the rebellion financially..."

"On the contrary," Jyn interrupted. "It would benefit financially. Think of the systems that would flock to our cause, offering support."

Vaspar sighed, his shoulders slumped. "It is unthinkable." He looked at Jyn earnestly. "If it were not for your father's words moving me, I would not support this. Your father spoke of honesty and love for a daughter taken from him." Vaspar turned to the rest of the council. "I support this notion." He turned back to Jyn. "Do not let our decision be in vain."

"You put risk to my home world coming to conflict with the Death Star," Pamlo stated, looking at Jyn. "I wish first to consult with my people, but I can see there is no time for that. Senator Vaspar is correct – there is truth to your father's words. You say he has given us hope, and you are correct, but he also sent hope in a different way – you. Do not let our trust in you or your father cause the death of billions." Pamlo turned to Mothma. "I say, yes."

Senator Jebel was last to speak. He kept his head down for most of the time he comrades spoke. "I am for peace," he finally said, lifting his head. "That is why I chose the life of senator. I have trust in the senate – I always will. While I have my misgivings towards all manner of violence, I, on my conscience cannot condone any path that leads to bloodshed." Finally, Jebel turned to Jyn, unsmiling. He then turned to Mothma. "As I said, I trust the senate. If you all believe this the best course of action, then so be it." With that, Jebel turned and began his way, shouldering towards the exit.

A heavy silence fell over the room once more. "Right," Raddus said, turning to Jyn. "What's your plan?"

Jyn felt herself smile, teeth and all. She glanced at everything, nodding a silent thank you. "My plan is to infiltrate the base at Scarif and steal the Death Star plans."

Jyn turned to Bodhi who had remained deathly quiet. She motioned for him to come forward. "Bodhi has made trips to Scarif before; he knows the protocols and procedures there. We go in with the stolen imperial freighter."

Jyn looked at Bodhi, giving a reassuring nod.

Bodhi gulped, edging closer to the table. "I can do it. I can get us past the shield-gate."

"Then," Jyn continued, "I will need a distraction to lure as many troopers out of the citadel so I can easily access my way in."

"Once they know where are on Scarif they will close the shield-gate," Bodhi added. "It'll prevent us from leaving."

Jyn turned to Admiral Raddus. "That's where I'll need the fleet. I'll need your ships to take down the shield-gate so we can get off-planet with the plans."

"Leave it to me," Raddus declared.

"Once the shield-gate is down you'll have air support," Merrick said.

"Going to Scarif alone will be risky," Dodonna added. "Do you truly believe you can do this?"

Jyn nodded. "I won't be alone. The guardians from Jedha have already volunteered to accompany me down there. They can lure the troopers out of the citadel by causing a distraction. I can then steal an imperial uniform from a trooper or an officer, disguise myself and make my way through the base. Bodhi will remain in the stolen ship with the engines running. If I find I can't make it back to the rendezvous point, he will be able to fly over and retrieve me."

Jyn turned to Merrick. "Speaking of which, is there a way of marking our stolen ship so it won't be targeted by your x-wings?"

"I'll sort it out," Merrick replied.

"Once we have the plans, we can leave the system," Jyn said to them all. "If we time this perfectly, we shouldn't even need to be there very long."

"You will have ground support," Dodonna declared. "Once the shield-gate is down we will send troops to fight on the base, give you plenty of time and distraction needed for you to retrieve the plans."

"Make sure they know when to retreat," Jyn replied.

"They will."

Jyn walked out of the briefing room two hours later after going over a schematic of Scarif Base, and coming up with a rendezvous point for the fleet to assemble at. It was long and arduous with many disagreements, but they finally had a solid plan.

As she walked out into the hanger, Jyn stretched her arms before her. She noticed Baze and Chirrut walking over to them.

"They fight," she said, grinning. "They said they'll fight with us."

Baze matched her grin.

"The Force is strong," Chirrut claimed, leaning on his staff as he sat.

"How many are coming down with us?" Baze asked.

"Just us," Jyn replied. "They'll send down support once the shield-gate is destroyed."

Baze looked past Jyn and smirked. "We may need to make room for more."

Jyn frowned and Baze pointed to something behind her. She saw Cassian walking towards her slowly in front of a group of soldiers. "I didn't think they were going to believe you," he said. "I believed you, and I always did. Your father too." He turned to look at the group assembled behind him. "We want to volunteer for the initial ground assault."

Jyn frowned, feeling – no doubt unjustly – sceptical. "Why?"

Cassian smiled sadly. "Many of us – most of us, we've done terrible things. We're spies, saboteurs; assassins. Everything I did, I did it for the rebellion. And every time I walked away from something I wanted to forget I told myself it was for a cause that I believed in. A cause that was worth fighting for. Everything we've done would have been for nothing. I couldn't face myself if I gave up now. None of us could."

Jyn was left speechless. She let her gaze wander over those behind Cassian. "Where did you find them?"

"It's been a busy day," he replied. "If I must be honest, I didn't think the council would agree with you. I was sure they would vote against your plan." Cassian looked at his men, before turning back to Jyn. "I knew you would go anyway, and I didn't want you to go alone. We want to go with you."

Jyn felt a smile creeping up. "I... I don't know what to say."

Cassian returned her smile. "I am amazed you got them to rally. Perhaps I should have stayed and listened."

"No," Jyn said, still smiling. "I could use all of your help. Really."

"It'll be cramped," Bodhi said from behind Jyn, indicating with his hands. "But we would all fit."

Jyn couldn't stop smiling.

"All right," Cassian said, turning to his men. "Grab anything that isn't tied down. Move!"

Jyn beamed over at the guardians.

"Jyn." K-2 had moved over to her. "I'll be there for you. Cassian said I have to."

She stopped a laugh bubbling in her chest and looked over at Cassian. They walked towards each other, circling.

"I'm not used to people sticking around when things go bad," she claimed, refusing to break eye contact.

Cassian leaned in slightly. "Welcome home."