Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.

Let's get to it.

MR11: No, I just got it from Star Wars Legends. The Eclipse, which the Enterprise was based off, was designed to be capable of ramming enemies without taking much damage.

MatbeK01: Yes, Kylo will still go to Exegol. As for the Elves, they are not immortal, but do have very long lives.

Rico: I am very excited for the Ahsoka show. As for including parts of it in this series, that's kind of what The Terran and the Mandalorian's Lumiya arc was.

Guest Colossus: No, I haven't seen it

Chapter 41- No Victory Without Loss

(April 27, 2050)

As the sun is setting over the planet of Chalcedon, it is not setting on a peaceful planet. In the skies above, Terran warships are battling against a First Order task force that had suddenly appeared out of hyperspace to attack the planet. At the same time, legions landed by the First Order are engaging Terran troops and the local militia on the surface.

At one of the main Terran army fortifications, Jedi Master Miriam Walker is monitoring the progress of the battle. She is one of several members of the Council currently deployed in Andromeda, and had been visiting Chalcedon when the attack began, when she had taken command of the defense.

"Send another tank battalion to the southern front, and request further air support from the fleet," Miriam calls out.

"Right away, ma'am!" one of the communications officers calls out.

Miriam looks back at the situation board. Then, a few moments later, one of the officers manning the radar calls out, "Master Walker, multiple flights of TIE bombers approaching our position!"

"Arm all air defenses!" Miriam orders.

Around the base, anti-aircraft laser turrets and SAM launchers spin up towards the incoming bombers. The SAMs begin firing first, sending up a swarm of missiles to engage the bombers. A number are shot down before they can hope to get within weapons range, but many of the bombers deploy countermeasures designed to decoy Terran SAMs and escape death. The laser turrets then begin firing, but the bombers take evasive action as they press on to their targets.

From her position in the command center, Miriam watches as the bombers begin dropping their bombs. However, to her slight confusion, the bombers focus entirely on the air defenses around the base. Most of the SAM launchers and anti-aircraft cannons are consumed in large fireballs from the proton bombs. Several fuel tanks are also hit and go up in huge explosions.

As the bombers peel away, Miriam looks up at the sky, and her brow furrows as she sees multiple First Order landing craft, led by an Upsilon-class shuttle, are descending towards the base. She realizes the bombers had been preparing the way for a landing force.

"Maintain communications with all planetside forces and relay reports to me," Miriam orders before she rushes out of the room, drawing her lightsaber as she goes.

As Miriam exits the command center, she sees that the landing craft have already landed, and the base's garrison is engaging the stormtroopers that have landed. In the midst of it all, the command shuttle has set down. And as Miriam looks towards it, to her dismay, she sees Kylo Ren striding out of the shuttle, wearing his signature mask again.

Since the climactic battle against Snoke's fleet that resulted in Snoke's death and the destruction of the Supremacy, Kylo Ren had publicly assumed the role of the First Order's Supreme Leader. Believing the story Kylo had come up with about Rey and Ben being responsible for Snoke's death, and also fearful of him, the First Order had rallied under Kylo's rule.

Since he had taken command, Kylo had attempted to resume the First Order's offensive and break the stalemate, but had so far made no progress, suffering defeats each time he tried. Chalcedon was his latest attempt to break the stalemate.

Miriam firms her face as she ignites her lightsaber, the hum of the blade audible to her even above the sound of combat. She strides confidently towards Kylo Ren, who quickly takes notice of her.

"Miriam Walker," Kylo Ren calls out to her and he starts walking to meet her. He removes his lightsaber from his belt and ignites it with its signature snapping sound.

"Your attempted offensive ends here, Kylo Ren," she calls to him.

"It is barely getting started," Kylo says as he twirls his saber once in hand before sprinting the last few yards and driving his saber right at her chest. Miriam easily deflects the blow away, and their duel begins.

Miriam takes a more aggressive stance and slashes away at Kylo, knowing that being more aggressive with Kylo is likely to be the better strategy as he isn't as adept at defensive fighting due to his aggressive nature and style. However, Kylo quickly realizes what she's doing, and he shifts tactics, trying to maintain physical distance between them so he can continue with his aggressive style while avoiding having to shift to a more defensive style.

The two begin to circle around each other, darting in to strike at each other and leaping away again, neither one able to get an advantage over the other yet.

"You are a formidable opponent. But you still have much to learn, young one," Miriam says. Even though it makes her feel even older than she is, she feels like she can say that given she's a few decades older than Kylo.

"I am a master of the dark side! I know more than enough to defeat you!" Kylo growls under his mask before lashing out again.

Miriam shifts into a more defensive stance as Kylo's ferocity seems to increase. She blocks a fierce strike aimed at her head, only for her to immediately have to switch her grip and bring her saber down to block a strike at her waist. The strike is so strong that she is forced to take a few steps back.

Kylo presses his attack, striking fiercely again and again at Miriam who is forced completely onto the defensive. Kylo is now in a full dark rage, and is attacking with intense fury.

Miriam switches tactics, and begins backpedaling a little quicker as she begins reaching out with the Force, grabbing hold of any debris or large objects around her that she can throw at Kylo. The objects begin to lift off the ground and throw themselves at Kylo Ren. But, to her dismay, Kylo hardly seems to notice as his lightsaber flashes around him, cutting each object flying at him into pieces. Kylo continues to press his attack.

Miriam now realizes exactly why there have been so many warnings to the Jedi about engaging Kylo in a duel. The fallen son of Leia and Han is incredible duelist, and will not back down from any challenge.

Kylo now shifts his fighting style, shifting more into a Juyo style and doubling down in his attack against Miriam. Miriam decides she can no longer allow Kylo to gain any ground, and plants her feet firmly against the ground, determined not to move from this spot.

Kylo slashes at her again and again, but Miriam's saber flashes all around her as she adopts her Soresu style of fighting, the lightsaber form she is most adept with. Kylo growls angry as he shifts around Miriam, trying to get around to attack her from her side, but Miriam doesn't give him the advantage.

Kylo quickly begins to grow frustrated as he is unable to break through Miriam's defenses. Realizing he can't just rely on his saber skills to defeat a Master as accomplished as Miriam, Kylo reaches into himself to touch the Force. After a particularly fierce strike against Miriam to press her saber back a little, Kylo lets out a massive burst of Force energy from himself. Miriam is able to resist it pretty well, but it does force her to stumble back a little bit.

Kylo immediately presses his advantage, slashing at her leg. As Miriam brings her saber down to block Kylo's blow, he allows her too, then twists his saber around so that one of the two small blades of the crossguard cuts across her wrist. Miriam growls from the pain, but it is not enough to make her give up.

It is enough, however, to give Kylo the advantage he needs. Drawing back his saber first, he launches into a flurry of strikes aimed at her torso. Miriam manages to block them all, but the pain from the wound in her arm is wearing down the strength of her defense. Then, as Kylo strikes at her with a particularly fierce blow, he reaches out with the Force and picks up a number of supply crates and yanking them towards Miriam from behind. Miriam ducks and sidesteps to avoid them, but one of them manages to clip her in the side of the head.

Miriam is momentarily dazed for just a fraction of a second, and Kylo takes immediate advantage. He slashes at her waist, forcing her back before lifting his foot up and kicking her in the knee, forcing Miriam to stumble. As Miriam stumbles and falls to one knee, she tries to bring her saber to block a blow from Kylo. However, instead of striking her head on, Kylo leaps to the side, then slashes his saber upwards. His saber carves through her side and across her back, and cutting through her lower spine.

Miriam falls to the ground, pain exploding through her body. As she lies on the ground, she realizes with horror that she can't feel the lower half of her body.

Kylo stands over her, saber at the ready. After a moment, he says, "Your dedication to the light is your weakness." He then raises his saber, ready to deliver the killing blow.

Suddenly, both of them hear the sound of another lightsaber igniting. They turn their heads, and see a green bladed lightsaber flying through the air towards Kylo. Kylo easily blocks the flying saber and knocks it aside, but the saber halts in midair and then flies back through the air…right into the hands of an angry looking young man.

"Hania," Miriam mutters.

Major Hania Nez is one of the youngest members of the ASAT team at just 29 years old. He comes from Arizona, and is a Navajo, who had been discovered to be Force sensitive when he was 6. His parents initially wanted him to remain among his people and use his gifts for the benefit of the Navajo Nation, but after consideration, eventually decided to have him trained as a Jedi. When his power in the Force and skill with a lightsaber was made clear in his mid 20s, he was assigned to fill a vacancy in the ASAT team.

Hania had brought about some real changes in the ASAT team when he joined. Over his years in the Jedi, he had actually developed a new form of lightsaber combat, with inspirations drawn from Forms II, IV, and VII, and from ancient Navajo combat tactics and even Navajo tribal dances. The entire team had begun to learn this form from Hania, and found it surprisingly effective. The entire team had also learned to speak the Navajo language, which, similarly to the US in WWII, made it very easy to hide the meaning of their words during transmissions or even just speaking in the vicinity of enemies.

Hania spins his lightsaber once in hand, an angry expression on his face. Kylo hesitates for a moment, not sure what to make of Hania, who is wearing not only the standard combat uniform of the ASAT team, but also a turquoise necklace and a similar bracelet, and a bandana with traditional Navajo designs. Haia only returns the stare for a moment before charging towards Kylo.

Kylo charges to meet him, and the two meet with a fierce crackling of sabers. Hania attacks Kylo with a ferocity far beyond with Miriam could muster, forcing Kylo onto the defensive for a moment before the two become deadlocked, about evenly matched. Hania backpedals slightly to draw Kylo away from the fallen Miriam.

As Kylo is drawn away by Hania, Miriam hears a call of, "Master Walker! Master Walker!"

Miriam turns her head and sees several soldiers rushing towards her, one wearing the markings of a medic. In a moment, they swarm around her. Disregarding her words, they quickly get her onto a stretcher and take off back to the command center, desperate to get her medical attention as soon as possible.

As the soldiers rush Miriam into the command center, Hania and Kylo continue their duel. Kylo is getting increasingly frustrated that he cannot overcome Hania. It's clear to him that he is a far more aggressive dueler than Miriam was, and will not be so easy to best.

Hania slashes at Kylo's shoulder, but Kylo easily blocks it. He then brings his saber down to slash at Hania's legs, but Hania leaps backwards in a high backflip. Kylo tries charging before he can even land, but Hania dodges it with ease. Kylo slashes at him several more times, but Hania dodges them all with ease, almost as if he's dancing. Kylo only grows angrier, thinking Hania is trying to mock him, but none of his blows can touch Hania.

Abandoning his wild slashes, he tries a Force push before stabbing his saber right at Hania's chest. Hania declefts Kylo's blow upwards. Kylo tries to bring his saber back down, but Hania brings his saber up, blocking the blow.

As the two struggle against each other, Kylo growls at Hania, "You will never defeat me! I am the heir to Lord Vader!"

"Maybe. Maybe not. But whether I can or not, I don't have to," Hania says.

Kylo feels a bit confused before he hears the increased sound of engines. Glancing up, he sees a fresh swarm Mustangs coming down from orbit to engage TIE fighters in atmosphere. Only a second later, Kylo's earpiece comes to life and he hears the voice of General Hux, "Supreme Leader, a Terran reinforcement fleet has arrived. We cannot remain here. Return to the fleet."

Kylo refocuses on Hania, who smirks a bit at Kylo. "What's it gonna be, Ren?" he asks in a cocky tone.

Kylo's mind races through his options. He still feels confident he could defeat Hania given time, but by the time he could defeat Hania, his chance of retreat might be destroyed, and more reinforcements could arrive to restrain or capture him.

Finally, he makes his decision. Reaching out with the Force, he summons any object around himself to fly towards Hania. Hania is forced onto the defensive to protect himself from the onslaught of heavy objects. In the distraction provided, Kylo turns and hurries back to his shuttle. As soon as he is aboard, the shuttle takes off, flying back up to the fleet.

On the ground, Hania watches as the shuttle goes, feeling a sense of frustration he let Kylo get away. But, he feels some satisfaction knowing that he saved Miriam from him. And sooner or later, the Alliance will get to him.

(Hours later)

Lying on the examination table, Miriam looks up at the doctor who had just taken several X-rays of the wound on her back.

"Well, doc? Just hit me with it," Miriam says. She can see the look on his face and knows it's not good.

"Kylo Ren's saber cut through the bottom of your spinal cord and caused irreparable damage. We do not have the technology yet to fully restore your mobility. There are some cybernetics that will at least allow you to walk, but you will likely need a cane for a few years, and you will never be the same," the doctor says.

Miriam's face falls. She had expected an answer of this sort, but hearing it aloud from the doctor is still hard to deal with.

The doctor decides to leave her be to give her some time to process this and leaves the room. As Miriam sits there, wondering what to do next, she realizes just how much this is going to affect her life. She won't be fully independent for a few years, and her mobility will be affected for the rest of her life. The damage might even affect her ability to use the Force to some degree.

As she sits there, wondering about the future, Miriam comes to a decision. A decision that is incredibly difficult, but that she realizes is best not only for her, but also for the Jedi Council, and for her husband and children.

"My time in the Jedi has come to an end," she whispers to herself.

And, I'll end the chapter there.

I hope you liked this one and the two duels of Kylo Ren. I wanted to show how formidable he could be in combat, since we haven't seen that so far in the story.

Now, for him defeating and wounding Miriam. I decided I not only wanted him to achieve some success in this story, but I also wanted to raise the stakes for our main heroes with Kylo being capable of nearly killing an experienced Jedi Master (in case you forgot, Miriam was the first native Terran to become a Jedi is basically second only to Ahsoka within the Terran Jedi Order). And yes, as I said there at the end, due to her injuries, Miriam will be retiring from the Jedi Order so that she can recover and then live her life in peace.

Also, I hope you liked the introduction of another ASAT member, and that you liked this brief appearance of Hania Nez. He will appear again. I decided to make him a Navajo as I realized I haven't made any mention yet of indigenous peoples like Native Americans, Aboriginal Australians, etc., and I decided it was about time. And then when choosing exactly which race to feature, I decided on Navajo because they are one of the Native Americans tribes I'm most familiar with. Also because I have a lot of love and respect for the Navajo people, as I have met and gotten to know a number of Navajos, and they are some of the kindest, most hospitable people I've ever met, so I decided to feature a Navajo character. Also, I included Hania teaching the rest of the ASAT team the Navajo language as a nod to the Navajo code talkers of WWII.

Alright, next chapter will be up soon. Until it is, please leave a review, and stay tuned!