-ooo- Escape from Ren, 6 of 13 -ooo-

136 General Byzancy's Office – Int. 136

The room is medium size. Well lit. The office has two white Imperial flags each with a large red handprint over it. The desk is a simple black bottom with a white marble top. Finn and Poe are standing in front of the desk, along with Aeneas by the door. Behind the desk are two colonels on each side of their general, the portly late-middle-aged Peter Byzancy. The three are staring and smiling at Finn. Finn's discomfort with the spotlight greatly humors Poe.

GENERAL BYZANCY It is an honor to meet with you Finn. Honestly, we never thought it would happen. Welcome to the Red Republic!

FINN Thank you, sir.

GENERAL BYZANCY I apologize for the delay. The Empire has tricked us before, so we needed to verify the synoscan. Was the room to your liking?

FINN Yes, it was a very nice room.

GENERAL BYZANCY I hope our Private Aeneas was an adequate envoy for you.

FINN Uh, yes. He was very respectful.

Silence. The Red Republic men keep smiling.

GENERAL BYZANCY Well, I don't want to waste your time. If you have come back, something big is about to happen, yes?

Finn and Poe look at each other, then look back to the general.

POE You'll understand that is classified.

Byzancy looks at Poe, positively beaming.

GENERAL BYZANCY And if his loyal friend, the Republic Elite Captain Poe Dameron, says it is a classified mission, Finn has the Republic's power behind him for this?

Both Finn and Poe stay silent. General Byzancy is pleased that his conclusion is correct.

GENERAL BYZANCY Haha, this is wonderful! You have no idea how long we have waited for the Republic to involve themselves here. With your backing, we will return democracy to Coruscant!

POE May I speak as a concerned representative of the Republic Cluster of Planets?

GENERAL BYZANCY Of course!

POE A small rebel faction within Coruscant provides little strategic value to our side.

GENERAL BYZANCY This is only the main base. Our full number is fifty thousand.

POE Fifty thousand former soldiers... we weren't getting a single defector two years ago!

GENERAL BYZANCY I am willing to show you our entire staff catalog if to secure your faith in our ability.

POE I'd appreciate that...

GENERAL BYZANCY It gets better, Dameron: we are only one rebel faction. There are twenty-eight others our size as well. Not to mention the much smaller and newly defected.

POE ...Over a million soldiers. That's insane.

GENERAL BYZANCY Not anymore.

Byzancy looks back to Finn with a warm smile.

GENERAL BYZANCY (cont.) We have Finn to thank for that.

Poe looks at a staggered Finn.

GENERAL BYZANCY (cont.) You have no idea what it was like before. The Empire had supreme control of our lives. Then, a nobody, an unexceptional with only a serial number, stands up. He breaks away, he grows instant Jedi power, he saves the Republic, he defeats the strongest of Knights —Kylo Ren, and uses his engineering knowledge to destroy an entire Star Destroyer.

POE That was a long day.

GENERAL BYZANCY Indeed. And all it took was one stormtrooper to halt the Empire's total victory. It's over for them. They held control because we thought they had the power to stop us all. They don't even have the power to prevent one. Ever since that long day, defectors have been abandoning the Empire in droves. Bands like ours resist the Imperial Family.

POE Why not join all the bands together? An army of one million on the Imperial City of Ren should roll over them.

GENERAL BYZANCY Ren's shields are too fortified. But even before that... there are too many differences between the factions. Some too vicious. Suppose we had Cluster backing or one to lead us all... it's possible!

POE That's worth considering.

GENERAL BYZANCY Finn. Even after that long day, every soldier has seen you continue your fight against the Empire. You turn the tides wherever you go. After that constant retreat on Bezdize, you arrived and won the planet for the Republic.

POE He had some help with that.

GENERAL BYZANCY I don't doubt it! The name Poe Dameron was already a grand scourge to the Empire, and Finn bound you to him! An enemy! And once the Empire became his enemy, he has been similarly merciful: sparing every soldier in his fights. Private Aeneas was one.

Attention shifts to Aeneas.

AENEAS It wasn't much of a fight, sir.

GENERAL BYZANCY We understand, Finn. You do not want to kill the next "Finn" among us. You have been reaching out to us, begging for us to stand with you. And now we answer your call; we are ready to join under you.

FINN ...then you can start by helping our mission.

POE Finn—

FINN Poe... we don't have many other options.

GENERAL BYZANCY ...Private Aeneas told us you had to abandon your craft during our assassination of Augustus Cizero of House Tudorn. Bold to show up here in a Millennium Falcon.

POE Yeah ...it got people's attention.

GENERAL BYZANCY I take it this craft was critical. We can provide you any tool you need for your mission. Let us be of help to you.

POE We need a ship that can support dual hyperdrives, each with a class lower than one. (edited)

GENERAL BYZANCY That... we do not have.

POE We only have twenty thousand credits on hand too.

GENERAL BYZANCY That won't even buy a ship here. Let alone contraband engines.

POE It's what we need.

GENERAL BYZANCY We will see what we can do. It would help if we knew what the mission was, where it needs to be. How much time we have...

Poe takes a deep sigh.

POE We have a spy in the Imperial Family. We're meeting in the Imperial Graveyard on the Ides of Juzar, They may have information on the Modular Death Star Krannek. We have no means of communication. We could be evacuating them from a hot zone.

General Byzancy face lights up.

GENERAL BYZANCY Incredible! Finn, how do you keep reaching these heights? This can change the entire war, end the Empire!

POE That's the hope.

GENERAL BYZANCY A million times, yes! Whatever you need, we will find this ship. Not much time left, but... my word...

FINN I'll need some tools as well.

GENERAL BYZANCY Name them.

FINN I hid my lightsaber in an R2 unit back on our ship, I'll need something to replace it.

General Byzancy gets up in jubilation.

GENERAL BYZANCY We have just the thing for you, follow me!

The pudgy general heads off, Finn and Poe shrug and follow him.

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137 Red Republic Trophy Room 137

The warehouse stores 16 wrecked ships evenly spaced apart. On the wall opposite the entry door are some mounted weapons. The general opens the metal doors and guides them right to the weapon-mounted wall.

GENERAL BYZANCY This is our trophy room! More space to fill, as you can see.

Finn and Poe enter, the other three soldiers behind them. For such a large man, Byzancy can move when enthused.

POE Nice collection.

GENERAL BYZANCY Ah, and the crowning jewels are right here!

General Byzancy gestures to the many weapons once the group arrives.

GENERAL BYZANCY (cont.) The royal weapons wielded by Knights of Ren.

FINN You beat them without a Jedi?

GENERAL BYZANCY With luck and spirit, we manage.

FINN You're incredible.

Byzancy beams with pride.

GENERAL BYZANCY Thank you for that. It took much to get these... any you wish is yours now. Take your pick.

FINN Thank you... but some of these... what are they?

GENERAL BYZANCY Haha, the weapon designs the Imperial Houses make defy logic. They love it to be showy. For example, have a look at this lightsaber:

Byzancy points to a large chunk of metal barely resembling a hilt. He gestures to two soldiers, they strain to take it down and hold it.

GENERAL BYZANCY House Palpatine took five lightsabers and meshed them together.

Byzancy nods, the machine screams as the men turn it on. It begins with five bottom ignitions of plasma that blend into a wide, flat cleaver. The color is a blinding white, encircled by a deep red. Sustaining the beam takes its toll on the machine, its pained roar filling the room.

GENERAL BYZANCY (yelling) How's that!?

FINN (yelling) Way too loud!

GENERAL BYZANCY (yelling) Say no more!

The general has the men cut it off.

FINN It's awfully wasteful.

GENERAL BYZANCY Haha, that's the Imperial Family for you.

FINN ...would you mind if I took it apart? I can make a decent lightsaber from it.

GENERAL BYZANCY Change anything here to your tastes! Please, look at the others too.

The men place the giant hilt back on the wall —the general moves to a similarly massive rocket hammer.

GENERAL BYZANCY The Knight used this to knock a tank into another tank.

Finn and Poe look at each other, needing to hide Finn's weakness.

POE Finn's specialty is "finesse," he'd prefer it more... technical.

GENERAL BYZANCY Ah, uh, yes. Hmm. Well, next here, these are good for that.

Byzancy goes to the six black sheaths, pressing a button that opens the entire body, revealing a single bright blue blade —no handle— hovering in place.

GENERAL BYZANCY A matching set of six fixed-heat carbide alloys. Sears through all it touches. It can only be used by one with extreme power and skill. The Knight who used these was a monster. Gah! And here:

Byzancy leaves the floating unsheathed sword and shuffles to a metal suit of armor behind a wire mesh.

GENERAL BYZANCY High voltage armor. Pumps fatal shocks both inside and outside itself. It takes supreme mastery to wear the suit alone. While a Knight of Ren can never possess the deeper technique to shoot lighting, the one we fought could use the Force to bend the charges outward. Quite a sight!

Once again, Finn and Poe lack for an excuse.

FINN I'd want it... less lethal.

General Byzancy is deflated some.

GENERAL BYZANCY Oh, ah.. we don't have many... non-lethal weapons.

Finn spies a strange, polished breastplate that has two spiraling arms swirled over it.

FINN What about that?

Byzancy looks more ashamed of this one. He takes it down. Unfolding the elaborate harness reveals a chandelier of straps for the torso, crotch, and legs —the breastplate attached to a circular chrome backpiece. The spiraling arms originate from this piece and do not unfurl.

GENERAL BYZANCY This one we are not proud of. It's a jetpack. No manual option. It only operates by the Force. Poor thing slammed into everything. Finally crushed its own head into a wall.

Finn grows interested in this tool.

FINN ...May I hold it?

GENERAL BYZANCY Oh, Uh, sure,

Byzancy hands the jetpack to Finn.

Finn holds it, staring intently. The arches unfold like a flower, the jets pointed down and outward from Finn. He backs up to avoid people, and then with another thought, activates the jets with it still in his hands. It's hard to control, but Finn makes small, precise adjustments, and the jetpack stabilizes, hovering gently. He lets go; it stays in place. The crowd is impressed.

Finn makes a smile only made by the perfect fit.

GENERAL BYZANCY That is incredible.

FINN I like this one a lot.

POE It's flashy... but I think you pull it off.

Finn has the jetpack spin in place, then brings it back to him. He turns it off and folds it up, keeping it in his hands.

GENERAL BYZANCY Haha, it was made for you.

Poe notices another weapon and smiles.

POE Oh? I think that one was made for him too.

Byzancy turns around to see the gun shoes.

GENERAL BYZANCY Oh, THAT one. Yeah, House Lucreja filled that Knight with blasters, over fifty. Those gave us all a chuckle.

Poe sees another weapon.

POE That one of his too?

Byzancy walks over to the flintlock-sized pistol, stolidly stern.

GENERAL BYZANCY No. No, this is the most idiotic and dangerous weapon the Empire has ever made. Finn, try giving this one a look.

Finn hands Poe the folded jetpack and picks up the handgun. He examines it, unimpressed.

FINN It just seems like a slightly customized plasma pistol. No trigger, some container here—

GENERAL BYZANCY It's a protonium handgun.

Both Finn and Poe go rigid at the realization they are holding a nuclear bomb.

FINN What.

GENERAL BYZANCY Yes. About a gram is inside.

FINN That can destroy this base—- this entire city—

GENERAL BYZANCY Yes. We can't risk dismantling it. We know its containment is completely stable, so we keep it here for now.

FINN How does it work?

GENERAL BYZANCY Aeneas was around for it. He can tell it best.

Aeneas looks surprised to be mentioned and joins in.

AENEAS Ah, yes. It was a fight. The gun shot these tiny packets of protonium in special plasma shells. The plasma acted as an electric cage, then when the Knight of Ren dispelled the cage, the particles and anti-particles smash together and...

POE Boom.

AENEAS Like thunder.

GENERAL BYZANCY Can't even fire the thing without the Force. Can you give it a try, Finn? You can aim at one of the ships here.

Finn takes another look at it, very curiously. He aims at the furthest wrecked ship, then pictures the gun firing —a small, blue toothpick sails straight into the wreckage. The shot discharges tiny static across the surface, and then nothing; ship visually unchanged.

All the group but Aeneas flinch. Then they look at him when the explosion never comes.

AENEAS Oh, that's how it was. We couldn't see where he shot. But he would make a hand sign, and then boom.

Finn turns back to the ship. He points the handgun again. Then he flips the gun in his hand, pointing the barrel to the sky, but now his open palm faces the ship.

The explosion is quick —pure white light fills the room —sound shakes the foundations. The ship launches backward, concaved by the blast —the group amazed by the devastation. Finn quickly hands the handgun back to Byzancy.

FINN That's too lethal.

POE FINN NO IT'S OUR NEW BEST FRIEND!

GENERAL BYZANCY Hahaha you survived that, Aeneas?

AENEAS Haha, had to manage it.

GENERAL BYZANCY The ultimate anti-Jedi weapon made for those walking anti-Jedi weapons. Amazing.

FINN What do you mean?

GENERAL BYZANCY What do you suppose would happen if a Jedi thought that was a normal plasma bullet?

FINN ...they'd try deflecting it... with a lightsaber... disrupting the electric cage...

GENERAL BYZANCY Killing them as soon as they tried. They are conniving scoundrels... That's most of what we have here Finn, is there anything else you'll consider?

FINN No, the lightsaber and jetpack will be fine. Oh, Master Datas did say we would need the droids left on our ship.

POE I think she was just pawning them off on us, Finn. She's always trying to get rid of them. We don't need any droids for this.

Finn wordlessly concedes this point.

GENERAL BYZANCY Well then... we'll leave you to customize your new tools. Men, let's head out.

The two soldiers go. Aeneas lingers but leaves. Byzancy stays.

GENERAL BYZANCY (whispering) Poe, you said the Republic infiltrated a House connected to the MDS Krannek... I take it this is House Galencia?

Finn and Poe's faces betray them.

GENERAL BYZANCY (cont.) I see. Let us know of anything else you need.

Byzancy leaves while Finn and Poe look disappointed in themselves. Once gone, Aeneas returns.

AENEAS Finn... may I make a proposal?

FINN Of course, Aeneas.

AENEAS ...when you bring back your spy to the Republic, you will change the war, and it may be a long time before you return. I don't know if I'll still be alive. Would you permit me to join you? For at least one mission?

FINN Aeneas...

AENEAS It can never be unwise to bring assistance. We will follow any demand and regulation you ask!

FINN "we"

Aeneas blushes.

AENEAS ...me and a few others have wanted this for a long time.

Finn stares at Aeneas.

FINN The Ides of Juzar. No one brings a lethal weapon.

Aeneas beams.

AENEAS Of course, sir! Thank you, sir!

FINN No problem, private.

The man gleefully exits. Poe stares at the protonium handgun.

POE Finn, I need to learn some Force powers.

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