Amid the desolate outskirts of the Jakku village at night, three Stormtroopers relentlessly fired their blasters, obliterating an X-wing in a fiery explosion. BB-8, a small droid, rolled across the sandy terrain, glancing back at the wreckage. In the darkness, red-eyed creatures observed as BB-8 continued its journey through the mysterious desert, emitting lonely and fearful beeps.
FINN
The trooper transport door hissed shut behind FN-2187, enclosing him in darkness. With urgency, he lifted his helmet, revealing a face marked by youth and fear. FN-2187, a mere 23 years old, grappled with a sense of terror and desperation in this pivotal moment.
As the oppressive silence settled, Captain Phasma emerged behind him. Trouble loomed, and FN-2187 sensed the weight of impending consequences.
"FN-2187. Submit your blaster for inspection," Captain Phasma's authoritative voice cut through the air, a command that demanded unwavering obedience.
FN-2187 offered up his blaster, its weight suddenly heavier in his trembling hands.
"Yes, Captain," he replied, the admission accompanied by a sinking feeling in his chest.
The metallic voice continued, each word striking like a blow.
"And who gave you permission to remove that helmet?"
FN-2187 swallowed hard, his gaze dropping to the helmet he held. It was a violation, a breach of protocol he couldn't afford. His response carried the weight of remorse.
"I'm sorry, Captain."
Captain Phasma's next words stung, directing the course of FN-2187's fate.
"Report to my division at once."
She marched away, leaving FN-2187 standing there, shattered and exposed. With a heavy heart, he secured the helmet back in place.
FN-2187 MADE HIS WAY towards Phasma's quarters, he stopped at the door and it hissed open.
Phasma keeps her back towards FN-2187, she stares off into the deep space, out her small circular window, "Your show of insubordinance is innacceptable. Explain."
"I- I- I saw m- multiple resistance fighters run off into the nigh--"
"False. Again."
FN-2187 sighs, his mask distorts the noise, "I- I couldn't."
At that, Phasma turns around, she walks around the cool metal table separating them, her hands firm around her back, she gets in FN-2187's face, towering over him menacingly. "Your lack of autonomy proves you have not been trained correctly. See to it that you meet with Weaponsmaster Tragg at the earliest opportunity."
SO FN-2187 DID. HE headed towards Traggs quarters.
FN-2187 stood rigidly as Weaponsmaster Tragg scrutinized him with a critical eye. Tragg, a seasoned veteran bearing the scars of countless battles, spared no niceties.
"Phasma sends you to me. What deficiency requires my attention, trooper?" Tragg's tone was a cutting blade.
"I... I deviated from protocol during a mission on Jakku. Captain Phasma thinks my training is lacking." FN-2187's quick admission hung in the air.
Tragg's eyes narrowed, and a cruel smirk played on his lips.
"Deviation? I knew you were a mistake the moment I laid eyes on you. What pathetic excuse for a stormtrooper must you be to stray from orders?"
FN-2187 felt the sting of Tragg's words, each insult a calculated blow to his resolve. Tragg's vile commentary fueled a newfound determination within him.
POE DAMERON
Shackled to a chair, beaten and bruised, Poe Dameron gradually regains consciousness. The harsh reality of his situation sets in as he becomes aware of his surroundings. Kylo Ren, a dark and imposing figure, stands before him.
Kylo Ren's masked face betrays no emotion as he addresses the Resistance's best pilot. "I had no idea we had the best pilot in the Resistance on board. Comfortable?"
Through battered lips, Poe manages a defiant response. "Not really."
Unfazed, Kylo Ren expresses his admiration. "I'm impressed. No one has been able to get out of you what you did with the map."
Poe, resilient despite his condition, offers a sarcastic suggestion. "Might wanna rethink your technique."
Without uttering a word, Kylo Ren extends his hand towards Poe. The air thickens with tension as Kylo Ren's power manifests. Poe flinches in the chair, anticipating the worst. However, instead of physical contact, Kylo Ren inflicts mental torment on the Resistance pilot. Poe writhes in agony, a silent scream etched on his face.
"Where is it?" Kylo Ren demands, his voice cutting through Poe's resistance.
Defiant to the end, Poe replies, "The Resistance will not be intimidated by you."
Kylo Ren's persistence intensifies. "Where... is it?" Poe, unable to endure the mental assault, succumbs to excruciating screams.
KYLO REN
The cell door whooshes open, releasing Kylo Ren from the chamber of torment. His dark presence fills the corridor as he strides purposefully towards General Hux, who awaits his report.
"It's in a droid. A BB unit," Kylo Ren reveals to Hux, hinting at the crucial information he extracted.
General Hux, a formidable figure in his own right, acknowledges the revelation. "Well then. If it's on Jakku, we'll soon have it."
Kylo Ren, having delegated the mission to Hux, delivers a final directive. "I leave that to you." The ominous air follows Kylo Ren as he retreats, leaving General Hux to execute their plans.
KYLO REN SITS IN CONTEMPLATIVE silence, the low hum of the ship's engines providing a backdrop to his thoughts. The room surrounding him, cold, and unforgiving.
With deliberate slowness, Kylo Ren eases into the chair, embracing a rare moment of respite.
His hands, free from the black gloves, trace patterns in on his cloak.
Kylo Ren closes his eyes, allowing the Force to envelop him. The echoes of conflict and the weight of expectations fade, replaced by a temporary serenity. In this private sanctum, he is not the Supreme Leader, nor the enforcer of the First Order's will; he is Ben Solo, whether he likes it or not.
REY
Rhythmic clinks of tools echoed through an upside-down, canted corridor, where a scavenger, obscured by goggles, face mask, and gloves, delicately extracted valuable mechanisms. These were dropped into a weathered satchel strapped to a backpack bearing a staff.
Scaling treacherous walls of machinery, the scavenger descended on a cable, landing harshly on rusty metal within the massive, sideways wreck. The satchel, now accompanied by another sizable find, was carried through the vast space of the vessel's larger chambers.
Emerging from the depths of darkness, the scavenger reached the engine area. Goggles and gear were discarded to reveal the face of Rey, a young woman of nineteen, her countenance marked by the wear of her scavenging endeavors.
Amidst the decaying remains of a Star Destroyer, Rey opened her canteen, coaxing the last drops into her mouth with a persistent tap. The distant echo of the canteen reverberated as she sat on a piece of sheet metal, sliding down a sand dune.
The epic engine loomed over her as she descended, the vastness of the wreckage contrasting with her minuscule presence. Settling next to her belongings, she gazed toward the distant salt flats below, where her speeder awaited.
With the sputtery engine ignited, Rey raced through the spaceship graveyard, a testament to the battles of another era. Passing Niima Outpost, a dusty town in the desert, she left behind traces of her passage.
REY, ALONE AND ISOLATED, sat on the fallen leg of an ancient AT-AT, donning a broken Rebellion helmet, an act almost instinctual.
A distant electronic squeal disrupted the silence. Swiftly, Rey rose, tearing off the helmet. Another beeping squeal reached her ears, prompting her to grab her quarterstaff and dash towards the source.
Upon ascending a dune, BB-8 came into view, ensnared in a net held by Teedo, a brutish desert tyrant mounted on a Luggabeast. Teedo yelled at BB-8, who beeped frantically, struggling against captivity.
Rey couldn't bear this injustice. With a resounding cry, she shouted, "Tal'ama parqual!" The Teedo and BB-8 fell silent, turning their attention to her. "Parqual zatana!" she added, asserting her presence.
In response, the Teedo issued a threatening yell, and BB-8's head swiveled between them, as if watching a tense tennis match. Rey, fueled by anger, drew a knife from her pouch and began cutting BB-8 free from the netting.
The Teedo, alarmed by Rey's actions, continued yelling, prompting Rey to stand and confront him. With fierce determination, she declared, "NOMA." The Teedo, interpreting her command, departed on his Luggabeast.
As the Teedo retreated, BB-8 beep-yelled provocatively, asserting his resilience. Rey hushed him, and the two observed the Teedo disappearing into the distance. BB-8, inquisitive, beeped a question.
Kneeling beside BB-8, Rey explained that Teedo wanted him for parts, emphasizing the lack of respect he had for others. Noticing BB-8's bent antenna, she straightened it thoughtfully.
Curiosity sparked, Rey questioned BB-8's origin, receiving a beeped response classified as a big secret. Gesturing toward the horizon, she pointed out Niima Outpost and warned of Kelvin Ridge.
In the fading light of the desert, Rey decided, "In the morning, you go." BB-8 beeped in response, expressing gratitude. The two figures vanished behind a dune.
UNDER THE HARSH DAYLIGHT of Niima Outpost, BB-8 gently touches the sand as Rey addresses him with a mixture of empathy and resilience.
"Don't give up. He still might show up. Whoever it is you're waiting for. Classified," Rey comforts BB-8, revealing a shared understanding of the weight of anticipation. "I know all about waiting."
In response, BB-8 beeps a question, prompting Rey to share her own story. "For my family. They'll be back. One day. Come on," she urges, attempting a smile that struggles to mask the underlying pain. BB-8, inquisitive and hopeful, beeps and follows Rey as she heads off.
Inside the Niima Trading Structure, Rey stands before Unkar Plutt with BB-8 by her side. Unkar appraises her salvaged goods, casting a quick glance at the droid.
"These five pieces are worth... Let me see here... One half portion," Unkar declares, casually evaluating Rey's hard-earned findings.
Rey, objecting, points out, "Last week they were a half portion each," expressing her discontent with Unkar's arbitrary pricing. The interaction reveals her deep disdain for him. Unkar leans forward, inquiring about BB-8.
"What about the droid?" Unkar asks, proposing to buy BB-8. Rey, conflicted but intrigued by the offer, stands in awkward silence.
"I'll pay for him. Sixty portions," Unkar suggests, presenting a tempting offer. Rey, drawn to the prospect of abundant food, contemplates the proposal. BB-8, however, vehemently beeps, expressing clear displeasure.
In a surprising twist, Rey, defying her hunger, declares, "Actually... the droid's not for sale," and ushers BB-8 away. Unkar, angered and determined, watches them depart, picking up a communicator with ominous intent.
"Follow the girl and get that droid," Unkar commands.
FINN
In the cold, metallic confines of a Star Destroyer holding cell, the cell door whooshes open, revealing a shackled and worn-out Poe. A Stormtrooper enters, accompanied by a Trooper Guard.
"Ren wants the prisoner," the Stormtrooper declares as the Guard unshackles Poe. The scene transitions to a Star Destroyer corridor where an exhausted Poe, now handcuffed, is led by the Stormtrooper at blaster-point.
In a narrow passageway, the Stormtrooper stops Poe and reveals his true identity by removing his helmet — A young man, sweaty, and out of breath. This unexpected twist leaves Poe bewildered.
"This is a rescue, I'm helping you escape. Can you fly a TIE fighter?" FN-2187, now unmasked, asks Poe, setting the stage for their daring breakout.
"I can fly anything. Why, why are you helping me?" Poe questions, to which FN-2187 responds, "Because it's the right thing to do." The realization dawns on Poe, and a heroic smile crosses his face.
As FN-2187 leads Poe through the Star Destroyer hangar, their plan unfolds. FN-2187, still masked, walks with determination, creating the illusion of escorting a prisoner. A group of officers passes by, unaware of the impending escape.
Inside a two-man Special Forces TIE Fighter, FN-2187 and Poe sit back-to-back in the cockpit. FN-2187 removes his helmet as Poe, still sore, removes his cuffs and jacket, ready for their daring getaway.
The TIE Fighter roars to life, and Poe, excited despite the circumstances, instructs FN-2187 on the ship's controls. The exhilarating escape begins as the TIE Fighter struggles to rise, cables attached to it.
In the hangar control room, alarms sound as the unauthorized departure is detected. The First Order Colonel orders, "Alert General Hux and stop that fighter."
Undeterred, FN-2187 and Poe navigate the TIE Fighter through the hangar, evading stormtroopers and strategic obstacles. FN-2187 opens fire, tearing up parked TIE Fighters and gun emplacements with precise laser blasts.
As the TIE Fighter bursts out of the Star Destroyer, Poe revels in the experience. "Woooahhh! This thing really moves," he exclaims. Their journey to freedom is just beginning, and Poe urges FN-2187 to target the ship's cannons.
In a thrilling sequence, the TIE Fighter maneuvers through the ship's opening, dives, and flies along its belly. Poe and FN-2187, now dubbed FN-2187 by Poe, celebrate as they successfully destroy a series of cannons.
In the midst of the chaos, Poe asks for FN-2187 name. "FN-2187!" Finn replies, "I'm not gonna call you that! FN-2187? Finn, how bout that?" Poe asks.
Finn laughs, liking the name, "Yeah! I- I like that!"
"I'm Poe. Poe Dameron," Poe introduces himself, and Finn, visibly moved, responds, "Good to meet you, Poe!"
"Good to meet you too, Finn!"
KYLO REN
In the cavernous expanse of the Star Destroyer's main bridge, General Hux surveyed the aftermath of the Resistance assault. Lieutenant Mitaka's urgent report echoed through the tense air.
"Sir, they've taken out our turbolasers," informed Lieutenant Mitaka.
"Use the ventral cannons," General Hux commanded, a hint of vexation in his voice.
As the command was relayed, the ominous figure of Kylo Ren entered the scene, his presence radiating anger and purpose. General Hux acknowledged Ren's arrival, divulging the unexpected assistance the Resistance pilot received from one of their own.
"Yes, and he had help. From one of our own," Hux admitted with an air of frustration.
Lieutenant Mitaka updated them on the ongoing investigation, but Kylo Ren, in a display of unsettling insight, revealed the identity of the traitorous Stormtrooper.
"The one from the village. FN-2187," Kylo Ren stated, leaving Hux perturbed by the implications of Ren's knowledge, a testament to the mysterious powers of the Force.
"We're checking the registers now to identify which Stormtrooper it was," Hux assured, trying to maintain composure in Ren's presence.
Ren, however, seemed undeterred by the unfolding drama, swiftly exiting the bridge with an air of determination. Left in the wake of Ren's departure, Hux ordered the ventral cannons to retaliate against the Resistance threat.
As the cannons unleashed their destructive force, the TIE fighter, piloted by the captured Resistance pilot Poe Dameron and his newfound ally Finn, skillfully dodged the onslaught. Blasts from the warhead launchers tore through space, creating a chaotic dance of debris from the obliterated turbolasers.
Executing a daring maneuver, the TIE fighter initiated a sharp turn, altering its trajectory back toward Jakku, the desert planet that held secrets both known and unknown.
FINN AND POE
Inside the tumultuous confines of the TIE fighter, Poe Dameron and Finn grappled with the urgency of their situation. Poe's voice cut through the chaos as he directed Finn's attention to an approaching threat.
"One's coming towards you. My right, your left. Do you see it?" Poe queried, his seasoned piloting skills guiding them through the imminent danger.
"Hold on! I see it!" Finn responded, the urgency evident in his voice as he braced for the impending encounter.
Poe commended Finn's aim as they narrowly avoided a laser onslaught. However, the respite was short-lived as Finn, suddenly alarmed, questioned Poe's change of course.
"Where are you going?" Finn demanded an explanation.
"We're going back to Jakku. That's where," Poe declared with determination.
Anxiety etched Finn's face as he vehemently objected to the perilous idea of returning to Jakku.
"No no no! We can't go back to Jakku! We need to get outta this system!" Finn argued, his concern palpable.
But Poe's unwavering resolve surfaced as he revealed the true reason behind their risky journey.
"I got to get to my droid before the First Order does!" Poe asserted, emphasizing the significance of the BB unit.
Finn, still grappling with the concept of risking everything for a droid, expressed his incredulity.
"What - a droid?!" Finn exclaimed, unable to fathom the stakes involved.
Poe, however, painted a clearer picture of the situation, revealing the crucial role the droid played in the grander scheme of things.
"That's right. He's a BB unit! Orange and white: one of a kind," Poe explained, hoping to convey the uniqueness and importance of their mission.
Finn, unswayed by the droid's color or rarity, vehemently opposed the idea of returning to Jakku.
"We need to get as far away from the First Order as we can! We go back to Jakku, we die!" Finn insisted, his fear of the oppressive regime evident.
Poe, undeterred, dropped a revelation that changed the narrative entirely.
"That droid's got a map that leads straight to Luke Skywalker!" Poe disclosed, injecting a sense of urgency and purpose into their perilous journey.
Finn, caught between the gravity of the mission and the immediate threat, could only exclaim, "Oh, you gotta be kidding me!!!" before their world was abruptly disrupted.
Without warning, their TIE fighter was struck, spiraling out of control and hurtling toward the surface of Jakku.