Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
Let's get to it.
Chapter 82- Vision of Ancestors
(February 11, 2053)
Above Naboo, the Millenium Falcon drops out of hyperspace. Per usual, a nearby Star Destroyer trains its guns in the Falcon's direction until sensors confirm its identity, the guns then returning to their normal position.
In the cockpit of the Falcon, Kyle Katarn looks out of the viewport with a smile as the planet approaches. "Wow. It's been such a long time since I saw this place," he says.
"Well, wait until you see the people you haven't seen in just as long," Ben says as he starts the descent into the atmosphere.
Ben flies down towards Theed, heading down the hangar attached to the palace, where he had called ahead and asked a few people to meet them at. It doesn't take long before Ben carefully guides the Falcon into the hangar, setting it down on the floor of the hangar before shutting down the engines.
"Alright, Chewie. Give the hyperdrive a quick check and then get to work on that fuel pump that was shaking," Ben asks of the Wookie as he, Rey, and Kyle all get up to leave the ship. Chewie gives a few growls and grunts to confirm he will do so, and heads off to find his tools as the three humans head for the boarding ramp.
Ben hits the button to lower the boarding ramp as they reach the ramp, and together, the three walk down the ramp. As they reach the bottom, they find waiting for them Jaina, Jonathan, and Leia, with Leia having arrived on Naboo the day before to be able to better coordinate with Jonathan.
Both Jaina and Leia get looks of astonishment on their faces as they see the guest that Ben and Rey had brought with them. "Master Katarn?" Jaina asks, not sure if she can believe what she's seeing.
"Well, well. If it isn't the other Solo. You certainly have changed a lot," Kyle greets his old student, a big smile on his face. He then turns to look at Leia, and greets his old friend, "Well. General organa. It's good to see an old friend once more."
"Kyle. You're back," Leia says in surprise.
"Yeah. You can thank your nephew for that. I ended up having to come save him from your son on Pasana, and he brought me back," Kyle says.
Leia walks over to greet her old friend. As she reaches him, she places her hands on his shoulders. "It is so good to see you, Kyle. I feared I would never see you again," she says. She then adds after a moment, "Oh, Luke and Kelly will be so happy to see you again."
"I look forward to seeing them again," Kyle says with a grin.
Kyle then looks back over at Jaina. "Well, Jaina. You've definitely not turned out exactly as I expected, but I can't say that it's for the worse," he says.
"Thank you, Master Katarn. Your lessons helped me well, especially during my time with the Mandalorians," Jaina says, bowing her head respectfully to her former master. Luke had spent more time with Jacen during their training, so Kyle had ended spending more time teaching Jaina.
"Kyle showed up out of nowhere on Pasana to help us against the Knights of Ren, and he's promised that his days of hiding are done," Ben pipes up.
"Thank you for helping them, Kyle. And more than that, thank you for returning. With the return of the Emperor, we are in a critical situation, and we need all the help we can get. Will you join our efforts?" Leia formally asks her old friend.
Kyle smiles confidently at Leia. "Of course, Leia. I'm back for good, and I'm not just gonna leave you hanging. I may not be a match for the Emperor, but I will do anything I can to help the Resistance," he says with an air of confidence.
"Aunt Leia, Rey and I really need to go spend some time with our daughter. Will you excuse us?" Ben asks.
"Of course. We can have a discussion with Kyle and catch him up to speed without you. Go to your daughter," Leia says with a smile.
Ben nods thankfully, and he and Rey make their way out of the hangar hand-in-hand. As they leave the hangar, Ben looks over at his wife. Although he of course did want to see Vestara, he knew that he and Rey needed some time alone to discuss what they had learned about her from Kylo Ren.
"You want to talk about it?" he asks her.
Rey knows exactly what he's talking about. "I just….to hear something like that, to finally get closure about what happened to my parents…it doesn't feel as good as I hoped it would. I suppose that's simply from learning that they were killed on Palpatine's orders. I felt so angry when I heard that…I wanted to destroy Palpatine, and not for the right reasons."
Ben just remains quiet, waiting for her to just get out everything she needs to get off her chest. Rey is quiet for a few moments before she continues, "And what he said…about my ancestors…why? Why did Revan not tell me? We spoke with him, and Bastila, and Satele. Why did they keep this from me?"
"The old masters told us from the beginning that there were some things they just couldn't share with us, because to do so would be counterproductive, or because we needed to learn it ourselves. I suppose this was one of those things. I know that they must have had their reasons," Ben says, trying to put her worries at ease.
Rey is still quiet for a moment before she asks another question, "But what does that mean for me? Both Revan and Bastila fell to the dark side, and you know what happened to Revan later in his life. What does that mean for me?"
Ben physically stops Rey in her tracks and turns her towards him. "Rey, what happened to our ancestors doesn't affect what we will do. Just because my grandfather became a Sith doesn't mean that I will. And in case you've forgotten, your ancestors have saved the galaxy from the Sith many times over. And now, together, we are going to do the same. We make our own destiny, and I intend to protect the galaxy with you by my side," he says firmly.
Rey smiles at him gratefully. Even though part of her knew she was being silly to worry about such things, hearing such words from someone she loves helps put her worries at ease.
"Thank you, darling," she says with a smile, and they share a quick but passionate kiss.
(That night)
As night has fallen over Naboo, in their apartment in the city, Ben and Rey have gone to bed, Vestara sleeping in her crib in the next room. Ben is sleeping rather soundly, but Rey is having rather restless dreams.
As Rey dreams, she suddenly finds herself in a sea of mist. And standing before her is the form of her ancestor, Revan.
"Revan," she says in shock.
"I supposed that it would be best to speak to you briefly once more," Revan begins.
"I'll say," Rey says before she asks, "Why didn't you or the others tell me?"
"Because you did not need to know at the time. Knowing your ancestry would have served only as a distraction to you at a critical time in your life. The time since has prepared you to know your ancestry," Revan responds.
Rey is quiet for a moment before she says, "But why me? If what Kyle Katarn said is true, the Force has been absent from our family for millenia. Why did it return in me?"
"Because, Rey, you are critical part of the history of this galaxy. You and Ben were meant to come together, and together, you will save the galaxy from a darkness that even now is more dangerous and powerful than you realize," Revan responds. He pauses for a moment, then says, "And not just that. It was the will of the Force that you and Ben would come together, because your children will be crucial to this galaxy's survival. Your daughter, Vestara, holds power in the Force unlike anything seen before. And there will come a time when she will be the only one standing between this galaxy and utter destruction."
"What is going to happen?" Rey demands.
"I cannot tell you, for I am restrained by the will of the Force. I can only say that in the not-too distant future, this galaxy will face a foe more powerful than anything you have seen before. And Vestara will be the key to survival," Revan responds.
The two stand in silence for several moments before Revan smiles slightly, speaking again a moment later, "Rey, you have done me and your ancestors proud. You have become a great Jedi in only a very short time, and you will continue to grow. You have brought honor to our family, and you will continue to do so. I am proud to call you my descendant."
A bright smile crosses Rey's face as she hears this. To hear such praise from Revan himself is not something she takes lightly. "Thank you," she says gratefully.
"I do not know if I will speak to you again. But know that you have done our family proud, and if you hold true to your family, you will accomplish incredible things. Goodbye, Rey," Revan says, and then his spirit fades away, along with the dream, fading away into more pleasant dreams.
As Rey is smiling in her sleep following this dream, in an apartment within the Alliance Naval HQ, Kyle is still up and in the midst of a holo-call with some very old friends.
"It really is so good to see you again, Kyle. And thank you again for protecting our son on Pasana. And, I suppose, our daughter in law for most of her life," Kelly says, her brilliant smile visible even in a hologram.
"It's good to be back, old friends," Kyle says with a smile.
"Has Leia been able to catch you up on the current situation?" Luke asks his old friend.
"Yes. And Grand Admiral Page joined that discussion as well. I'm aware of the territory we now hold, as well as the intel they've gained about this new development with the Emperor," Kyle responds.
"Kyle, I have to ask: during your travels the last 2 decades, have you learned anything that could potentially help us to find Exegol? Our best chance at stopping the Emperor is to find Exegol and strike at him before he's ready to begin his attacks," Luke says.
"I'm sorry, Luke, but no. I have searched for Exegol during my travels, and all I've been able to figure out are areas of the Unknown Regions where it isn't," Kyle responds.
"I see. Well, that's a start, I suppose," Luke responds.
"However, I do have some news that I suspect will be pleasing to hear. During my travels as a smuggler, I've kept my eyes open for Force sensitive individuals, just in case there came a day when it was safe for the Jedi Order to return. I've managed to find 15 individuals that one day we might be able to return to and train in the ways of the Jedi," Kyle says with a grin.
A look of true happiness crosses Luke and Kelly's faces. "Really, Kyle?" Kelly asks excitedly.
"Yes. I've kept records of them and where they can be found," Kyle says.
"Kyle, we owe you a great debt for this," Luke says gratefully.
"No, you don't. I only did what was my duty," Kyle says.
"What do you intend to do now?" Luke asks his friend.
"I'm going to be joining Leia's command structure. Leia thinks my knowledge and contacts from my time as a smuggler could be a big help in rallying the galaxy ahead of the Emperor's coming attack," Kyle responds.
"Good. I know you can be a big help there," Kelly says.
"Keep in touch with us, Kyle. We may not be the ones to bring back the Jedi Order, and if Ben and Rey take that role, they will need your help," Luke says.
"You can count on me, Luke," Kyle says with a smile.
And, I'll end the chapter there. Hope you guys liked having a double upload day.
Next chapter will be up tomorrow, and it's gonna be a big one. Until it's up, please leave a review and stay tuned!