Star Wars: Legends Never Die

by Black' Victor Cachat

Luke and Mara (and R2) were just heading back to the New Republic to announce their engagement, when they find themselves a galaxy where they never met, history has changed, & all they fought for threatened to be undone by something called the First Order. They'll deal with that after they get off this dustball 'Jakku,' and—is that the Millennium Falcon? Legends meets movie-verse

10. Won the Battle, Not the War

I do not own Star Wars. If I did, different people would be doing the scripts for the films.

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Beta read by the wonderful lincoln time, Jeda31, and BlantonM. Could not have done it without you guys!

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Star Wars: Legends Never Die

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Chapter 10: Won the Battle, Not the War

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Seething, Supreme Leader Snoke stared down at the world before him, the drapes of his throne room aboard the Supremacy drawn away. The fact that he was too furious to enjoy what was about to happen only stoked the black rage in his heart.

Yavin IV.

Where it had all turned against the Empire, and now hosting a growing, thriving city, populated by many former terrorists of the so-called 'Rebel Alliance.'

Other worlds had been secured by his fleets, prioritising any troublesome Core Worlds and key industrial worlds loyal to the New Republic, and any troublesome Core Worlds. Many of those worlds discoveringwhom had their defences sabotaged by his agents. Yavin IV, boasting only a pitiful 'defence force,' had always been intended as a symbolic victory, and to prevent a resurgence of the dead Resistance.

Only Kylo Ren and Hux's unmitigated failure had undermined all that!

Snoke was to triumphantly emerge from the shadows as the Supreme Leader of both the First Order and the galaxy as a whole after a string of implacable and unstoppable victories. Instead, he had suffered the loss of Starkiller Base, while Organa made herself hoarse, whipping up the mob and her collaborators. Skywalker lived, fat upon his triumphs, and with the seeds of a new Jedi Order.

Hope still lived in the galaxy!

Consequently, rather than his glorious reveal, he was now revealed as part of a demonstration of the First Order's continued might. How losing a single battle had not cost them the war by any measure.

Compelling Snoke to stoop to conquest himself to snuff it all out.

What was supposed to be an act of pleasure, correcting an old mistake, was not supposed to be a job!

Clearly he had been far too lenient with both of them. He had given them everything: purpose, glory, power, worth, and how had they repaid him!?

It was only Hux's continued potential scientific value which spared his life, and from now on he would be treated like any other officer. His next failure would be his last, and someone more worthy would replace him.

. . . No. Too hasty. That was Snoke's anger ruling him.

There was indeed a sharp mind there, and for all that he could be a rabid cur, pitting him against his rival had always brought out the best in both of them.

Or at least it had until now.

After his next mistake, the boy would have a single chance to explain himself, or how he would very promptly rectify the situation. However briefly.

As for Kylo Ren.

Kylo.

Kylo.

Kylo!

Such promise. Such power, with his full potential remaining untapped. Snoke had always felt more than just the boy's teacher, and more like a father to him, more than Solo or even Skywalker had ever managed.

Now though it was time for him to learn there were consequences for his actions. That playing around, and letting his own ego blind him to his responsibilities was inexcusable! Taking rogue action!

Failing to kill Skywalker in a duel was . . . unfortunate, if understandable. Even if one overlooked the amount of time and effort Snoke had poured into Kylo's training. That he had chosen to confront his uncle on his own without telling anyone was another thing. Not even the vaunted Jedi would have survived being swarmed over by legions of stormtroopers!

Moreover, however much he knew the young fool denied it, the decision to cut down Solo had unbalanced his soul in a way that not even his hatred of Skywalker could fully overcome.

Doubtless he would try and shift blame upon his teacher for it, that Snoke had not taught him enough of the Dark Side.

Disdain curdled within Snoke. As if he were ready for it.

No. Clearly Snoke would have to tear Kylo down to expose more of that raw potential first.

Encouraging his connection to Vader had become a crutch. Driving him to throw away that ridiculous mask would be for starters.

Finding him a deserving target to vent his hatred, letting it simmer and grow and boil over as he rejoiced in it would be the next step. Preferably the Resistance if they could be found.

And also . . .

Snoke could sense Kylo Ren's continued obsession about that girl.

Yes . . . That'll be the angle I'll use.

I'll bring them closer together, let them form an attachment to one another, and then he will kill her.

Mercilessly. Ruthlessly. Cementing within his mind who and what he truly is. How the only one who matters in his life is me. Leaving him all the more desperate for whatever scraps of affection I throw at him.

Hrmm, and maybe afterwards I'll find him some other girls for him to enjoy. Get those hormones out of him as he enjoys the pleasure of the flesh or whatever between whatever campaigns his duty sends him to. He'll have to kill them too of course after he has had his fun. Can't have him expecting anyone there to be anyone else in his life aside from myself or hated rivals.

Still, getting ahead of myself there, as there's also some family of his to prune.

Well, them or the girl, whoever is available first.

On his screen he could see snubfighters rising from the surface of Yavin IV. Their defiance was insulting, and a symptom of the destruction of Starkiller, making this all the more necessary.

A flicker of his power, and a com channel was open to the bridge. "Execute," he ordered.

"As you command, Supreme Leader."

The mobile capital of the First Order fired literally thousands of turbolasers at the surface, while its escort fleet of thirty Resurgent-class Star Destroyers did the same.

Only not at the attacking fighters.

Oh no.

A cage of green death circled them and the city . . . and slowly constricted.

To keep anyone from fleeing and surviving . . . and to prolong the inevitable.

Grasping reality at last, the terrorists started trying to fly through minute gaps in the turbolasers, only to burn.

A few still had the gall to try to fly up to attack the Supremacy, hoping for some symbolic victory maybe. Or more likely, just fear reducing them to nothing more than beasts lashing out against the inevitable.

"Have this broadcasted as an example," Snoke ordered. "With a warning that this and worse will happen to whatever world offers sanctuary to the terrorist organisation known as the Resistance."

"As you command, Supreme Leader."

He turned it off without acknowledging them, and turned back to his throne. There were more status and intelligence reports to sift through.

Yes, exactly as I command. And soon I shall have it all.

/ * * \

* * * Legends Never Die * * *

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Raddus

"Master Skywalker!"

"Good day Master Skywalker!"

"Jedi Jade, how are you?"

"How are your accommodations?"

"We're so blessed to have you!"

"I just wanted to thank you for saving us!"

A few days had passed since the fall of Starkiller Base, and already Luke was remembering why he liked to disappear to an abandoned former Sith Temple in the middle of a forest filled with vicious wildlife.

"Everything alright?"

"The First Order doesn't stand a chance!"

"Thanks again!"

The naked adoration from everyone in the Resistance, the expectation that he would find a way to save them all, was definitely starting to wear him down. If anything, the belief that he would step up to save them all while waving his lightsaber was worse than back home.

At least he had Mara with him.

Especially as her mood —and his, truth be told— had seen a marked improvement by finally having a proper sonic shower.

When they were not being 'badgered' as she put it.

A sharp scowl from Mara drove back the surprised crowd for a moment, and he swiftly said, "Mara's not used to crowds."

"Cram it, Farmboy," she grouched. "We're at war, and they've got better things to do."

Taking a chance, he poked her in the ribs. The casual familiarity, and that she did not retaliate, a pleasant surprise for him. "Not everyone's as disciplined as you," he chided.

She huffed at him, while saying nothing more to the befuddled crew.

"We do have a meeting to get to," he improvised on the spot, and he felt Mara's amusement as she immediately figured out he meant between each other. Especially since aboard this ship there was no real privacy as they had more personnel than private quarters, with all the bedding in use. It was either share a room with two officers, or sleep on the floor of an office on thin blankets; and after days of sleeping in a cave on Nirauan, regardless of their respective training and experience with uncomfortable sleeping conditions, neither of them was in the mood of passing up on a civilised night's sleep. Especially as they had been moving non-stop since crash landing onto Jakku.

"Master Skywalker." The different tone there, the inherent sense of command which came from years of leadership, made him pause and turn around.

"Vice Admiral Holdo," he said politely, recognising her from the earlier meeting on D'Qar. He was also curious about a friend of Leia's who to his knowledge did not exist back home.

"Please, call me Amilyn," she said with a small smile, none of the resentment he had felt before. In her arms was a rather large package. "I was hoping to have a private word with you? Unless you're going to be late for that meeting?"

That little tilt of her eyebrow was probably her way of subtly saying she knew full well he was using a half-truth there. Thankfully she seemed willing to play along.

"Unfortunately yes," he said, hoping he properly conveyed his gratitude.

"Well then, before you go, I had this made up for you."

Curious, he accepted the gift she offered. Mara stalked up beside him, and after throwing a quickly assessing look at Amilyn, helped him unwrap it.

Jedi robes.

Two sets of the classic design so synonymous with the Jedi Order of old. Even the material was appropriately rough so as to be an ongoing test in mental discipline against the discomfort of it all. Darker than his preference, yet something he could see many lifeforms imagining him wearing.

Or his counterpart actually wore it.

"Thank you," said Luke, projecting his sincere gratitude, even as he knew he had to take control of this situation. "These will be perfect if we have a chance for any formal occasions in the future."

Surprise flashed over the purple-haired woman's face, and she visibly glanced down at the plain jumpsuit he was still wearing.

"Much appreciated," said Mara sweetly, with a perfect curtsey as befitting the Imperial Court. She hooked her arm around Luke's, and led him away.

Amilyn Holdo gave them a politician's smile and an Alderaanian bow in return, as befitting a friend of Leia's. Within the Force however, he could sense the storm of conflicting emotions moving like a whirlwind through a mind he could tell was sharp, innovative, and very dangerous.

I wonder what that was about, he projected to Mara. In response, she sent back her humour and a sense of a mental snigger, which made him put it together and feel the urge to facepalm. Oh. She figured out we're a couple.

Yep, she said, falling back into her familiar teasing of him. And from what I've overheard, various men and ladies aboard are lamenting you're a celibate monk.

That . . . annoyed Luke more than he expected. Without faltering in his pace, he assessed those emotions, and realised it stemmed from his frustration at beings making presumptions upon his private life. Followed by his own assumptions they would react poorly to learning he was with Mara. Curious. He had never felt that way when with Callista or his other previous lovers. Although, they had never been public about it either.

It was irrationality built upon his pre-existing frustration with everything, no, most things, in this universe. Starting with his counterpart's absence, and all through the seemingly casual collapse of the New Republic.

Aware now of those feelings, he released them into the Force.

It was not a proper solution, yet would suffice as a short-term one so he could properly focus on solving the causes of those emotions.

I'm sure they're thinking the same of you, he cheekily retorted, and basked in her indignation and hint of humour at the reminder. Adjusting to that status change was still too new for her.

What mattered overall though, was that it was Luke's life to choose and act as he saw fit. And that included sharing it with Mara.

Through whatever they may face together.

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* * * Legends Never Die * * *

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Exegol

The Dark Side screamed and roiled in tune to Sidious' own black hatred at the defeat dealt to him. Right upon the cusp of his ultimate victory!

Feeling it swell within him, hungering for a target, even as he knew he had to keep it carefully leashed let it overwhelm him.

Still, he could afford to let it vent out of him a little at the sheer magnitude of this setback.

None of the multitude of futures he had witnessed had shown such an outcome.

None!

His latest visions still showed paths to victory for the First Order, and yet in many of them the Resistance survived long enough that unveiling his trump cards became necessary. Which was unfortunate, as while destroying more worlds would be euphoric once more, it would be better if the galaxy accepted the rule of the Sith willingly, as opposed to solely fear.

There would of course be fear regardless; it was merely that a successful governance would be simplified if the rabble embraced it as their salvation.

Thankfully, progress was being made in that direction already, as many systems had instantly capitulated in exchange for the security the First Order promised. Conquests of strategic worlds had gone largely unhindered. Sidious had not even needed to take possession of Snoke to initiate that.

No, it was Skywalker and his new nascent, latest Jedi Order which was the true threat. Despite everything, Sidious' plans continued to be unravelled by the naïve fool!

Why, they still had no idea how he had even managed to bypass all of Starkiller Base's defences to lower the shields! Some new trick of the Force? Similar to his newfound youth?

Skywalker's apparent ignorance of his crimes against his nephew were also puzzling. As much as Sidious wanted to assume the sanctimonious Jedi had purged his memories of any flaw in himself, he could sense there was more to it than that. Especially with the fact he still had no explanation for the atypical behaviour at Takodana.

No. He was flailing at shadows, and now it was time for that to stop.

Skywalker would die, and in the same strike any hope remaining in the Resistance would perish with him.

And Sidious knew just how he would do it.

For starters, the Line of Bane's corruption of the Force still held upon the galaxy. It would keep Sidious hidden from Skywalker's vision, and limit any guidance the Jedi could receive.

For going onto the offensive, Snoke and Kylo Ren would lead a multi-pronged assault against Skywalker. In practice it would be a modified, and unfortunately reduced, version of what they had originally intended before Starkiller was lost. Instead of destroying planets Skywalker was sighted upon, it would have been fleets of the First Order razing them. With the worthless Knights of Ren dead, Kylo Ren would have to be supported by members of Snoke's Praetorian Guard, which would be simple enough to have his puppet command.

Hmm, and maybe with some improvements. There's beskar left over to outfit them with. As well as some squads of my Sith Troopers for covering fire, and to overwhelm Skywalker's new students. Of course they'll all need an appropriate cover so he doesn't pry into their minds. None of which is an issue.

Meanwhile the full might of the First Order will endlessly hound him.

At the same time I'll turn the underground against him, depriving him of his little friends there. A massive bounty none of the cartels or syndicates will be able to pass up on, to say nothing of the independent hunters. A price not only on his head, but for anyone remotely associated with him. No stipulation for conclusive proof they're actually connected to him is necessary, as it'll further scare the mob away to isolate him further.

Realistically, they would not amount to much, and likely amount to a large waste of credits from false claims, yet the point was to wear Skywalker down and leave him vulnerable. Moreover, Sidious could not discount the possibility of someone's gutter tactics pulling it off.

He also had the schematics for various assassin droid designs, and would have the First Order manufacture them in large numbers for a similar purpose.

Yes, Skywalker would be facing overwhelming numbers from all sides . . . all the while blind to the real threat of the Sith.

For at the same time, while the Jedi and Resistance were all distracted by the threat of the First Order, they would be blind to agents of the Final Order infiltrating them. Circling them for weaknesses.

His multitude of loyal Sith Eternal agents and assassins would be unleashed for this task, all of whom would kill themselves before capture, and all blame would rest upon Snoke. They would gather for their true master the necessary information for him to deduce how to best eliminate their prey. A vulnerability left unchecked.

All the while Sidious peered into the myriad of new futures to uncover the opportunities necessary to achieve total victory. At the same time, he would uncover how Skywalker had rid himself of those vulnerabilities inflicted upon him years ago, and reapply them—albeit by ensuring Snoke appeared the culprit.

It was a . . . satisfactory plan, if lacking the panache of his greater schemes. Such as being the Chancellor sitting right before the fools of the Jedi, luring in the Rebel Alliance to the Second Death Star, goading Windu into pushing Anakin Skywalker into taking the final step of becoming Darth Vader, and other fond memories.

Still, best not to start with something simple and practical, and in the meantime he would uncover far greater opportunities.

Confined within his Ommin harness, Sidious directed it to take him to his medical facility. He would receive treatment earlier than scheduled, and one tailored to allow him to work for an extended period to maximise results. The familiar burn of this humiliation strengthened his resolve.

Perhaps the sole silver-lining in these unforeseen challenges was how they, and Sidious' solutions, would affect Kylo Ren's development.

Hah! The Dark Lord did not even have to check upon his little puppet to know how he would react to this. To say nothing of how it would burn all the worse once Sidious had 'Snoke' plying Kylo with his inferiors to hunt down the man he feared most of all.

The boy had been lured in by the childish promise of a warm, replacement father figure, and strung along by mysterious hints of power. With this failure however, Snoke would revert to being cold and cruel in his disappointment, making Kylo grovel for that familiar affection once more.

Only it would not take much for that love to turn to hatred, ending in Kylo cutting down Snoke like a true Sith. In doing so he would prove he had the wits and resolve to master his destiny, opening the way for him to become what Vader was always meant to be.

Not the weak shadow dangled before the foolish boy to lure him around with promises of a sense of purpose, a false ideal to live up to. But the titan of strength and ruthlessness for whom there were no limits to what he would do to accomplish his mission, no measure of violence beneath him. Infinitely relentless and resourceful as he crushed all before him beneath an unquestioning fist.

With that singular act, Kylo Ren would wield the power and conviction necessary to end the Jedi once and for all, relishing in casting aside the last of his chains as he indulged within every passion he so desired upon his lessers, leading him to the highest pinnacle of the Dark Side imaginable.

For a time.

Sidious still needed that healthy young body, but only once its current host had properly saturated it in the Dark Side. In the meantime he could keep the boy busy pruning away the Sith Eternal's enemies.

Yeeeeesssss.

Soon though, very soon, he would lure Vader's grandchild here to meet his destiny.

A destiny where Darth Sidious ruled over the galaxy forever as the one true Sith Lord.

As it should be.

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* * * Legends Never Die * * *

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Raddus

As soon as the door closed behind them for the private office Mara had reserved for them, they turned to one another to exchange a long kiss.

At last.

Cautious, probing, learning to know one another, and growing in passion.

Breaking apart for breathe, he enjoyed the sight of the warmth which covered every part of her face. Something he knew was reserved only for him.

"Hey," he managed, mentally kicking himself for failing to think of anything else. He had not been this bad before! What sort of stuff had he said to Callista?

. . . Actually, maybe best not go there.

Picking up his embarrassment, she snickered at him. "Hey," she repeated teasingly.

The door chime sounded.

Expressions falling, they turned to it.

"We can just ignore it," she said icily.

Stating the obvious, he said, "It's Leia."

"We haven't had a moment in private since killing a doomsday weapon. We deserve some time alone."

Except even without the Force he could tell her heart was not into it. For them, duty was not something they could lightly set aside. Especially when the Resistance, and the Republic as a whole, were in such a vulnerable state.

Releasing a sigh, Luke stepped back and she let him go. A few weeks ago he might have just used the Force to open the door, only now he went over to do it himself. Plus it gave him some childish satisfaction to stall a little.

Seeing the unamused eyebrow already raised, he said, "Leia."
"Luke. Jedi Mara."

"Do please come in," said Mara with sparkling eyes, and cheer which went only skin-deep, and she had no hesitation in projecting as such through the Force.

"We've a lot to talk about," said Leia, closing the door, and moving to take a seat. Watching her move, Luke could appreciate the gravitas she maintained even at her age. However he also worried how much of her slow, steady movements were by choice, and how much the restrictions of age.

My sister will hate it if I come back checking how much she's exercising to keep fit.

I'll get Han to do it.

"We've talked about stuff already," pointed out Luke. They had had several conversations over the last few days since Starkiller Base was destroyed after all. Albeit rushed and hectic ones. Abandoning a base on the fly, handling the aftermath of a pitched battle to destroy a superweapon, and all the other thousands of little minutia unavoidable in running an insurgency, were inevitably distracting. "Is this about Rey's training?"

"No, we can visit that later. There's a few more pressing matters to attend to. Particularly in regards to some differences between our two universes."

"Well, I guess we should start with the bantha in the room," said Mara, with calculated airiness, her expression becoming more genuine in its shrewdness, jade eyes cooling. "My status as the Emperor's Hand."

"Well yes," said Leia with her trademark dryness. "However, first I wanted to ask about your comment about Palpatine, or someone claiming to be him, returning."

"Oh, Force willing, you should be fine," reassured Luke. "He only waited six years last time, and I doubt he'd manage this long. Just in case though, we'll give you the coordinates to the world he holed up in in our universe." He was . . . intimately familiar with Byss' coordinates, and Mara gave him a cutting, jade look at his hesitation. "Uhm, yeah. It should be easy to confirm that way."

"Alright," accepted Leia. "And yes, I doubt he'd be that patient."

Deciding to be heard, Luke added, "As Mara said before, she killed no Jedi. Her actions have been instrumental in saving my life, my families' lives, and the Republic, time and again."

"It's just surprising that one so close to such evil was not corrupted in turn. Or managed to serve the Empire without committing evil themselves," said Leia archly.

"Oh, I did commit evil."

"Mara!"

"Farmboy. Luke. We're not repeating that conversation again."

During this exchange, nothing escaped Leia's politely curious expression, and implacable self-control.

"As best as we can figure, because my reasons were selfless, I wasn't corrupted by the Dark Side. Why he didn't want me using the Dark Side we can only speculate. At best, Palpatine didn't want to risk the competition, nor having an agent suffering the mental effects of the Dark Side." Something flickered in Leia's eyes at that. "Especially when he had plenty of others to fill that role." Now Mara grimaced, "Especially as they wouldn't have embraced as fully the illusion that the Empire was about order and justice. So long as I believed it like a fanatic, then when I went around carrying out his orders, others would be more likely to believe they existed in turn."

"And I'm pretty sure the Emperor found it hilarious to have his followers believing in virtues like that, while really they were adding to the corruption and evil, miring themselves ever deeper in it," contributed Luke.

"Yes, Corran passed that one on."

"Did you like it?"

"I can see why you like it."

"Oh dear," said Leia with her lips twitching into a smile. "You're bantering."

Sensing a trap, Mara deflected. "Until recently, I've also been working as a Master Trader. Official recognition as a Jedi's pretty new really."

Cocking her head in curiosity, Leia said, "A trader?"

"It started out as a way to survive and lay low, only to grow on me. Let's me travel, see the galaxy, solve some interesting challenges, and have a sense of independence, while still having a good boss."

Unfortunately, Leia was not one to be distracted for long. "So the two of you are a couple," she said.

"It's something we're still figuring out," offered Luke, hinting he wanted to leave the matter alone. Or even that she would leave them alone altogether.

Like sisters throughout history however, she ignored the suggestion.

"My Luke was celibate, like the original Jedi Order," said Leia with careful nonjudgement.

He refused to fall into that multi-headed trap there though. His utter refusal to set aside all his attachments aside, he had spent literal years debating the matter with lifeforms even before he had first met Jem Ysanna. The importance was understanding the potential dangers in them, and recognised when it had become tainted with obsession.

To say nothing of how if he and Mara had still not figured out exactly what their relationship was, and how they were going to work, there was no way they were going to discuss it with someone else. Especially someone who might look like his sister, and be very, very similar to her, but not actually the woman who was the other half of himself, and also very familiar with Mara on top of that.

Moreover, this Leia here likely already knew all that, and just wanted to see what his reaction would be.

"Indeed," he said neutrally.

Hanging unspoken between them was the matter of Ben Solo or Kylo Ren, and how Luke's counterpart had apparently failed horribly in training him as a Jedi. It had been Chewbacca who had informed Leia what had happened on Starkiller Base, and they were all procrastinating on the subject.

For better or worse, they had more immediate concerns than someone who would still be in a bacta tank right now.

. . . Unless radical medical improvements were something else the future had here.

Thankfully there was a safe and relevant topic to change to. "How many other Jedi were there? Adults, not students." He cut himself off from saying anything more lest he accidentally refer to her son.

There was the briefest moment of hesitation from Leia before she decided to accept the change. "Only my brother. He trained me, but I stopped before finishing my training." Something else Luke was not touching right now, especially given how it would compare to his sister. "Although there were several sources of information available to him. Why?"

"Just a guess. From how the sentients out there focused more on me as their saviour, and the only Jedi. I think . . . I think that's one of the differences between me and him. Your brother. There were other Jedi available to help me figure things out, and give their own perspectives. Or in the case of beings like Mara, call me out when I start making mistakes."

While her face never twitched, by the intensity of Leia's eyes, Luke knew she was only dropping the topic temporarily. It might have seemed cruel to touch upon both her brother and son like that, yet he felt it was important to help highlight that he was a very different Jedi Master.

For better or worse.

"How is it going, rallying the New Republic?" Luke asked, as this was not turning out to be as safe a subject as he had hoped. Still important to ask about though.

She released a long breath. "Not as well as I like, but probably better than it could've been. Holonet access is still sporadic, but we're getting word out more and more that Starkiller's gone. It was a strong show that we're not done yet. Several worlds are quietly sending us resources and ships on the down-low, or helping us steal them. The First Order's pressing hard though." For an instant she looked like she was going to say something else before turning to the viewport. Her face was impassive, yet he could see her throat tightening.

After about five seconds, she said with unnatural calmness, "We just got word of two more worlds conquered by the First Order. A grand show of terror to make them roll over and surrender. Made a big display of it, with their ships in the sky, and saboteurs taking down the planetary shields. Only Lorena was nowhere near the Core, and Gatalenta is famed for its tea, meditative retreats, and lengthy, erudite poetry. Nothing special about them. Except their senators were key members of the Populist movement, and good friends of mine. Both of whom were off-world when Hosnia Prime. . . was destroyed, and now publicly executed."

"I'm sorry to hear that," said Luke softly, projecting his grief for her to feel.

"Thank you." A beat, a deep inhale, and she was her old self again. She would grieve for those she loved later. "Also, those ships I mentioned are from system fleets. It doesn't look like any of the Republic Defense Force survived the subsequent assaults after Hosnia Prime was destroyed. If any did, and we're hoping they reappear in those friendly systems. I've got some beings on it."

A sense of horror rushed over Luke at the concept that those worlds which had pledged their lives to the defence of the Republic would break with their oaths like that. As well as those populations failing to have learnt from the lessons of the past war, and the need to band together.

It had been called the Rebel Alliance for a reason!

Although there was a lot about this New Republic which left him with only more questions.

Truthfully, Luke was still pretty behind in playing catch-up. In good part because not only was there little time for research, there was so much he needed to learn about thirty years of galactic history, and it was easy to get sidetracked trying to wrangle out some details. Something which had been further complicated by the fact the holonet appeared widely unavailable here in the Outer Rim, meaning he had to resort to what materials were available aboard the ship.

For instance, he had started out trying to figure out how it was feasible for the Republic to have had the vast majority of its fleet stationed at Hosnian Prime before its destruction. He had been reading up on the emphasis for encouraging the development of planetary system militias and outright fleets—which, granted, was something they had back home, to the point there were conflicts sprouting out from those ships being used to terrorise their neighbours— when he had been distracted by the realisation of just how different the constitution was.

Now, Luke was no politician, and not afraid to admit it.

However, his sister unequivocally was. So guess who she had called up at all sorts of hours to discuss things with when they were first starting to draft their own? Especially when Han was unavailable? To say nothing of how several friends of his had also been directly involved in writing the Charter of the New Republic, or assorted politicians who had sidled up to their only Jedi to get his opinion, only to discover he had been practising the art of saying "no comment" while buried under Jedi proverbs. Ergo, he had absorbed quite a few bits about the hows and whys of what had gone into their constitution through osmosis if nothing else.

Moreover, he was the first freeborn Skywalker, so there was no way he was going to be uninformed about this shiny new government that he could actually vote in.

Therefore, yes, he had read the Charter of the New Republic. He made his students memorise parts that might particularly affect them, and you could bet at some point Rey would do the same, no matter how many hours it took. Servants of the Force or not, even if it required withholding lightsaber training classes, he would make sure everyone he taught knew their legal rights and responsibilities. Including all the reasoning behind his decision to keep the Jedi ultimately independent of the New Republic government, even back when it had been trusted figures like Leia or Mon running the show.

In contrast however, this version of the Charter of the New Republic was completely different from the one he knew, and frankly confounded him.

Going through it had taken exhausting hours, but what he had been left with made no sense to him. Not with the galactic history and society he was familiar with.

If Luke was interpreting it right —which was supported by points from some copies of speeches Leia had made against their constitution— the government had been left no real actual executive authority, nor did he see signs of a strong legislative or judicial branch. Including a lack of the detailed safeguards back home to help prevent single political parties from dominating the senate. Which was . . . an invitation for disaster.

Multiple disasters even.

With all that on top of a massive demilitarisation and decentralisation of their armed forces, this led to his private conclusion that the New Republic was meant to be as opposite from the Empire as possible. To the point it stripped itself of any of the actual strengths of that (genocidal, enslaving, totalitarian, and fear mongering) system.

For all that the Provisional Council and later the Senate routinely bickered or outright fought one another, he had a strong feeling that one and all they would be appalled by this whole version of the constitution, before dismissing it entirely as too weak to survive.

As guilty as he felt about it, he had very mixed feelings hearing confirmation that this version of Mon Mothma had died on Hosnian Prime.

Not that he was going to outright ask this Leia about such a highly sensitive topic.

Or at least not until he had a lot more context and information. In fact, he had already put off too long assigning Artoo the task of sorting through the reams of data to make heads or tails of the recent galactic history, and make his own comparisons and conclusions. As well as condense it for later perusal when Luke found the time.

As this raced through his mind, the two ladies continued the conversation.

"So we're just playing the waiting game for now?" Mara asked. "Getting a sense of what's happening before we make our move? Finding a good base to lay low in?"

Certainly if they showed up at any inhabited world, the First Order would promptly show up in overwhelming strength. Especially since apparently hyperdrives in this universe or future were ludicrously faster than they were back home.

On the list of things Luke had to research, was how this impacted interstellar warfare. Because being able to move one's ships and outright fleets around so quickly would have serious consequences.

Also copies of schematics to bring home with them.

Followed by very carefully sitting on them to figure out how they would be released and revolutionise galactic society.

"Yes. One with enough power to get a signal out to our allies in the Outer Rim. For now, things are being sporadic, passing messages from system to system. There's some beings in particular we're waiting to hear back from," acknowledged Leia. "For instance, despite the time lag bouncing messages, Ackbar's been in contact with his homeworld. However, I'm more interested in what you are planning to do."

"Us?" blinked Luke.

"Good, you said 'us'," said Mara with a light elbow to his side. "And come on, Farmboy. There's a band of Imperial warlords conquering their way across the galaxy. You're going to do something once you've had the chance to properly regain your balance and have gotten a lay of the situation, and everyone knows it. The only question is how impulsive you will be about it."

"Well, I—"

Leia's com chimed a familiar, priority alert, and she pulled it out to answer on reflex.

"Yes?"

"General Solo," said Admiral Ackbar. "You're requested on the bridge as soon as possible."

"On my way."

She shot them a look, and Luke and Mara reluctantly nodded to say they were coming too.

/ * * \

* * * Legends Never Die * * *

\ * * /

In short order they arrived upon the bridge, and Luke took a moment to enjoy the familiar design of a Mon Calamari ship.

"Admiral," said Luke cheerily.

"Skywalker," the Mon Calamari nodded happily. "Jedi Knight Jade." Turning serious, he regarded Leia. "General, as you know, Commander Dameron took his squadron to escort a friendly fuel transport to us."

The slight emphasis there was confusing for Luke. Obviously fuel was a serious concern, only it had never factored as high as others matters during his time with the Rebel Alliance. Of course, it could just be that a mistake was made, and some of it had been among the things accidentally forgotten back at their abandoned base. Still, something else he would have to follow up on.

Much higher hyperspace speeds in exchange for equally high fuel consumption would make sense.

"He signalled us that he had important news to deliver upon his return," continued the admiral, "and requested your presence on the bridge when he came out of hyperspace. Which should be shortly."

"Very well," said Leia.

Taking it as a dismissal, the former military commander of the Rebel Alliance and the New Republic Navy turned his attention to a datapad a subordinate handed him. While they waited, the general led her Jedi guests to the viewscreen in a bubble of calm.

"Quite the flyboy to go request his highest superior officer show up like that," murmured Mara.

"Hmm," conceded Luke. That might, might, have flown during the earlier days of the Rebel Alliance, yet a lot of Leia's officers were clearly former veterans of when the group had evolved into a more formal and disciplined military.

"Poe's got a lot of potential," said Leia softly back, a touch defensive.

And he's the one you trusted to go get the map to my counterpart, thought Luke. An involuntary glance around the room confirmed how old most of her senior officers were. You're mentoring him for higher rank, to be the next generation of leaders.

"Incoming jump," someone reported.

Before them, a series of light and movement flickered before the star field, which Luke recognised as X-wings.

"Black Squadron all accounted for. Incoming message."

A screen lit up to show a familiar, brightly grinning face. "Commander Dameron here with a little Lifeday present for you all!"

Behind him, a whole squadron of capital ships burst out of hyperspace.

Whirling around, Luke took in the holotable displaying the newest arrivals. None of them were ones he recognised, although the six frigates were of a similar design to the Nebulon-B's, and similar to the holoimage of one of the ships in the Resistance fleet. Eight unfamiliar corvettes, two Mon Calamari ships comparable to the Raddus, and a battleship shaped like a hatchet. There was also what he would wager was a military supply ship, and one he would wager was a civilian fuel vessel. Signs of battle damage could be seen on them all.

"Eight Raider-class corvettes, six Nebulon-C escort frigates, two MC85 Star Cruisers, and a Starhawk Mk. II!" cried out an exuberant Lieutenant Kaydel Ko Connix, whom Luke had noted carrying out vital tasks for Leia.

"The New Republic Defense Fleet!" breathed out Ackbar in awe. "Which vessel is the flagship?"

"Transponder says it's the Indomitable, sir."

The aging being barked out a laugh. "Of course it is! Hail them!"

On a screen, the image of a male Duro in the uniform of a full admiral of the New Republic Defense Fleet lit up.

"Admiral Gar Stazi, you reprobate!" cried out Ackbar. "Too insufferable for even the First Order to want to deal with you, eh?"

"Careful you old fish," Admiral Stazi smirked back. "I'm not some fresh-faced ensign you can put on cleaning duties anymore." Becoming more solemn, he then said, "And you were utterly right about your fears about the First Order."

Ackbar made a sound which was a Mon Cala dismissal, full of the storm of his younger days. "Unlike other officers I messaged, you were listening. And your desire to remain with your task force to be in a position to oppose the First Order directly was not something I could deny. We grossly underestimated the true nature of this threat. We've lost too many already, but I'm glad to see you got out alright."

"It was a close call. I might not have without a certain message which was pinged across the Outer Rim and into the Republic itself." He nodded his bald head at Leia. "Your message was heard, General Organa Solo."

/ * * \

* * * Legends Never Die * * *

\ * * /

RNS Indomitable

"—considers disagreements and discussion to be chaos and anarchy, instead of efforts by beings from all over this galaxy to come together in the name of their right to be free and decide their own destiny."

The red-eyed individual considered the holomessage of Leia Organa Solo's message carefully.

"The First Order relies upon fear to survive, to create the illusion it is stronger than the rest of the galaxy despite being such a minority. By tomorrow its superweapon will be destroyed, proving the inevitable futility of its vision of tyranny. To the rest of the people of the Republic, I say this:

"Resist.

"Be patient. Be strong. Fight back where you can. Their war machine shall fall apart one gear, one gun, one stormtrooper at a time just as the Empire did. The Republic is not dead, and it is coming to help you finish the fight."

"Not bad," complimented Captain Jaius Yorub beside him.

"She reused one of her old speeches," Admiral Gar Stazi retorted, blue skin tightening around his eyes as he thought.

"It's doubtful they had much time."

"True. Regardless, our course is clear, Captain. Inform the fleet to prepare for lightspeed."

/ * * \

* * * Legends Never Die * * *

\ * * /

"That's good to hear," said Leia with a touch of relief.

"Some of their ships were called away," continued Admiral Stazi, "presumably to help secure Starkiller Base, well done there by the way, very well done. But anyways, we still might not have known what to do if not for your message. The reminder to withdraw to fight another day."

"Your aid is most welcome," said Admiral Ackbar.

"Might we welcome you aboard?" offered Leia.

"It would be most appreciated. And yes, Commander Dameron briefed me about the Jedi."

"Good," grinned Leia with humour, as she dryly said, "makes for a shorter meeting."

"Always something to be appreciated," said Admiral Stazi back.

It could have been the quality of the transmission, yet Luke was not sure the man's humour truly reached his eyes. Regardless, it cut out shortly after.

A beat of silence, and then the bridge erupted into more cheering as they celebrated.

Not Luke or Mara.

Not as they saw silent contemplation descend upon Leia.

Suddenly at her elbow was Vice-Admiral Holdo, offering her General a steaming mug of caf.

"You're a lifesaver, Amilyn."

"You know it," the purple-haired woman smiled back with easy familiarity. "Now we've got a fighting chance as well."

Taking a long sip, Leia cut her eyes to Indomitable. "Yes. Yes we do."

/ * * \

* * * Legends Never Die * * *

\ * * /

Steadfast

A part of General Armitage Hux almost felt like humming in satisfaction. Maybe even whistle a little song.

Obviously of course that was beneath his dignity as a military officer to behave so capriciously, and yet he could not help feel the urge to express his satisfaction in some way. Beyond a self-satisfied smile that is.

Unquestionably, the loss of Starkiller Base was a heavy blow, whose loss greatly imperilled their war effort. However, Phasma had died with the installation, and Kylo Ren had both had the blame dumped upon himself for that disaster, and was still occupied in recovering. Ergo, both Armitage's principle rivals were absent, while he was free to secure the conquest of the New Republic, and collect all the glory of it.

Yes, granted, the Supreme Leader had finally emerged from his shadows, and yet Armitage would still be able to arrange for everyone to see him as the one orchestrating galactic peace, and be the old man's only natural heir and successor.

As a demonstration of his authority, he had usurped Admiral Enric Pryde's flagship from him, claiming the Steadfast for himself. As befitting for a man who still clung to the glory days of the Empire, unable to appreciate how the First Order had already surpassed it.

Of course, upon taking possession, and reassigning Pryde elsewhere, Armitage had immediately buckled down to work.

Because thanks to Kylo's treasonous negligence in failing to raise the alarm, and gross incompetence in failing to handle the outnumbered intruders, the First Order had to readjust its entire grand strategy. One without the threat of Starkiller Base to quash any opposition from anywhere.

To say nothing of the incredible amount of wealth, resources, troops, and fighters and capital ships which had been lost along with it.

Including his (and Phasma and Kylo's) flagship!

Victory remained inevitable of course. It was only a matter of ensuring it was done efficiently.

Because above all else, Armitage knew that deep down the mindless beings of the galaxy were welcoming them. Grateful for what the First Order was providing them.

It was a matter of pure math, as the number of sentients within the galaxy outnumbered the core of the true First Order by billions upon billions. If they truly believed in their vaunted 'freedom' and 'democracy,' those nerfs would rise up and overwhelm them by sheer numbers.

Except they did not.

Except they never would.

Armitage, and the rest of the First Order, were only opposed by the odd thug, and terrorist who hungered for the return of the authority and privileges they had enjoyed under the corrupt, and treacherous 'New Republic.'

Because deep down, no matter how much you wrapped it up in words like 'laws,' and 'honour,' 'rights,' or 'order,' the absolute truth of the matter was that beings wanted to be led. To be told what to do.

To submit to the rule of the strong.

And there was no greater proof of this than the Republic itself. So pathetically cowed by the mere threat of conflict. For all its 'enlightened values' and other claims, it had ultimately amounted to nothing more than a historical footnote. A blip in the transition from the Galactic Empire to something greater.

And Armitage Hux would pave the way for the First Order to prove its right to command the galaxy by displaying its might for all to see.

An era of peace and prosperity which everyone would thank them for!

All of which merely required the crushing of a few remaining criminal elements.

Once we locate the Resistance again, we'll end the last vestiges of the Republic for good.

Granted, for that to happen, the foremost step was Armitage providing the proper direction so the First Order could accomplish as such. Hence all the reports he was working through on the state of the remainder of the Republic's military.

As expected, the survivors have been folded into the militias of several systems. Inevitable given their absurd approach to spreading out the Republic's strength like that, keeping none for their actual government. Plus, I guess the constraints of fuel expenditure. Regardless, they are too dissipated, disorganised, and outright distressed to serve as any threat.

They will be dealt with in good time. For now though, our spies will keep a sharp eye out to see if any of the Resistance show up begging for aid. If they do, then we'll bring the hammer down, and their children will make fine fodder as recruits for our forces.

Actually . . .

He broke off his train of thought to flip through some files to confirm that conscription operations on Outer Rim worlds formerly aligned with the Republic were firmly underway. Excellent.

That settled, he went back to finishing pouring over reports about the remnants of the Republic's military might.

. . . Although . . . it appears some elements have not been accounted for. Or at least reports were not submitted.

He scowled at the reminder. It was entirely feasible after all that the reports had been filed to Finalizer, and with its loss he was left unaware until the senders clued in.

Moving on. Some senators also unaccounted for, but our agents will doubtless catch up to them. Others though are being tracked, and may lead us to Organa Solo. Good.

Next. Logistics are holding steady as expected. Although those officers are likely padding their reports. We weren't anticipating this type of speed and breadth of conquest being so necessary at this stage.

Hmm, and maybe move some of my planned projects to be developed at Kuat?

It would be a good way to reward their loyalty in leading the swell of systems who had seceded from the Republic to join the First Order even before Starkiller had fired. Plus the practicality of moving their shipbuilding to a loyal Core World.

Yes, it was all befitting the right side of this conflict. The winning side.

His side.

And if Snoke did not properly acknowledge Armitage's talents and accomplishments in all this?

Well . . .

The old cripple could always disappear, just like Grand Admiral Sloane and the other original leaders of the First Order had.

/ * * \

* * * Legends Never Die * * *

\ * * /

Raddus

Admiral Gar Stazi passed through the corridors of the Resistance flagship to much aplomb, applause, and raucous cheers.

He marched tall and with steady, grim purpose, giving acknowledgement to them all.

Alongside him, almost comical in the difference in their sizes, was his trusted flagship captain, a Sullustan by the name of Jaius Yorub. He remained professionally silent, yet clearly alert.

Joining in the celebrations like a conquering champion for bringing in the admiral, Commander Poe Dameron drank it all up and encouraged everyone else in the same turn.

It was blatantly obvious to a discretely observing Mara as to why Organa Solo had her eyes on the young man, as that much natural charisma needed to be properly harnessed.

She also suspected Dameron was too naïve to realise this was not going to go the way he expected.

Wearing a simple engineering uniform, she broke away from the crowd to slip away. A few access tunnels later, and she reappeared in her usual jumpsuit outside the meeting room Luke, Organa Solo, and Ackbar were waiting at. To help diminish the impression of a power move, while the admiral was shuttling over, Organa Solo had commed to explain she needed to handle some last-moment issues, and would not reach the hanger in time. Privately, Mara figured it was more to avoid the crowds, and in anticipation of what she expected to follow.

Entering the room without signalling, Mara took her seat, and less than a minute later, the door chimed, and Stazi and Yorub stepped in.

She caught a glimpse of Poe's face full of surprise at being excluded, Vice-Admiral Holdo interceding. Yes, likely for the best.

"Welcome, Admiral Gar Stazi," began Organa Solo.

"General Leia Organa Solo, thank you again," he returned. A warm smile graced his previously stony face as he offered his hand to Ackbar. "It's good to see you well my friend. I was gravely concerned at those rumours you'd been kidnapped."

"My rescue was a near thing, yet the Force was with me that day," was the gravely reply. "Thank you for your concern. And I'm glad to see you swam to safer currents."

"Indeed," and now Admiral Stazi's eyes turned bitter. "Unfortunately far too many other flag officers failed to take proper precautions. And even then, well, you can see the damage to my ships."

"Well, we're glad to have you with us against the First Order."

Despite his self-control, the Duro's posture still stiffened slightly. "Ah, there, I'm sad to say, we're at something of an unfortunate impasse."

"Are we?" challenged Organa Solo lightly.

"Yes. As far as we know, our two groups are the only ones refusing to show our bellies and beg for mercy. However, my task force is a legitimate part of the Republic. The Resistance never was. It's a paramilitary group with no legal authority."

Ackbar stiffened beside them, and Luke briefly stirred. Thankfully Mara had taken a moment to pass on her own suspicions of what was in play, and why Organa Solo had appeared less enthusiastic than the rest of her group.

"You're asking me," said Organa Solo levelly, and yet the entire compartment seemed to chill, "to give up responsibility for an organisation which I had to piece together myself with blood and tears to save the Republic when too many dismissed the threat. To step aside for a stranger who waltzes in with no idea who those good beings outside are, or what they've accomplished against impossible odds, again and again."

Undeterred, with steel in his spine, Admiral Stazi said, "Only a fool would dismiss what you've done. You fought the necessary fight when too many of our superiors closed their eyes to the truth. Moreover, everyone aboard is ready to keep doing so even when much of the galaxy has chosen to surrender.

"What I'm offering is for the members of the Resistance to reenlist, or enlist if they weren't already part of the military, under my command. As the highest ranking survivor with legitimate authority of the Republic. Yourself included. I can't legally appoint someone my superior, but definitely still the person they answer to." His red eyes narrowed. "'General' isn't a rank you earned in the war."

A twitch from Ackbar heralded his offence on her behalf, before regaining his demeanour of calm.

For an instant it looked like the Duro was about to say something more, before something in Organa Solo's eyes cut him off, and she leaned slightly forward. "And how do I know you'll listen? That you won't lead all of my people to their deaths?"

A glare escaped Captain Yorub before he could repress it again.

Instead of taking the bait, Admiral Stazi placed his hands on the edge of the table and bent towards her in turn. "The real question is: are you indispensable to beating the First Order? Are any of us?" Not giving her a chance to, he answered his own question. "No. None of us are. I'm not asking you to relinquish the weight of the fight against these Imperials in shinier boots, I'm asking you to share it."

Despite herself, Mara was impressed. She knew how Leia back home could have trouble relinquishing control, and Organa Solo here was no different. Moreover, she had been the one leading the fight against the First Order from the start; seemingly the only senator to truly recognise the danger, with everyone else rallying around her. Taking up the role of Mon Mothma —who Mara had read with mixed feelings, was also presumed dead on Hosnia Prime— to stand up against tyranny.

Only, as a former Emperor's Hand, she knew better than anyone that a movement could not be about one person.

Or at least not appear to be that way.

Especially since she could see how physically and emotionally exhausted the older woman was. Which was perhaps the real reason she seemed so much older than she should be, and seemingly physically incapable of personally inviting Stazi aboard her flagship. The man had the sense not to start this conflict of leadership right there in front of everyone after all.

Silence stretched out.

Extending her focus, Mara glanced at Luke. His eyes darted back and forth between the figures, yet kept his peace.

Thankfully, he knew this was not his place to intervene. If he spoke up in support of Organa Solo, then at best her authority would be solely dependent upon the word of a Jedi, and at worst would seem to be his own play for political power.

For Stazi's sake though, Mara hoped the admiral was not planning on brushing the ex-senator aside. Even from the brief time she had known her, it was clear that this woman remained enough of their Leia in the ways that mattered. Able to inspire, command, and lead her people. Saying what was necessary to them to get the results they needed as she brushed aside their doubts, and repeatedly reignited the spark within them into a blazing furnace.

It was those qualities which also made their own Leia a fine Jedi.

Except one of the most important parts of being a Jedi, the last stage in Mara's own path to becoming one . . .

. . . Was learning when to let go.

Releasing a long breath without ever breaking their staring match, Organa Solo nodded. "As galling as it is, and you are, you're also right. This, all of this, can't be just a Resistance, but a true war for the Republic to beat back its invaders. So," she arched a regal eyebrow, "how do you intend to go about it?"

Unseen to the military officers, the Force quivered with the eruption of emotions the woman released into it.

"While I have some general ideas, I fully acknowledge your information will be more up to date. I recommend we start with a public display of unity and sharing intelligence. Reasonable?"

"So long as you don't forget to listen."

"No one, General Leia Organa Solo," and this time he sounded sincere about the title, "would ever assume you'd go unheard unless you wanted to be."

He raised his hand, and she clasped his forearm in a gesture of solidarity with a hint of warning, which only seemed to encourage him. Then she took her hand back to throw him a sharp salute, "Reporting for duty."

"As am I. Admiral Ackbar reporting for duty!" said the aged Mon Calamari, finally speaking up as he trusted Organa Solo to handle the politics here. "Although I suspect I've some seniority over you by this point."

"I checked," said Admiral Stazi with a touch of teasing. "Due to some technicalities upon when you formally became part of the Republic's military, I inched you out by a few months."

Satisfied, the Duro chose to next address the other Bantha in the room as he finally gave his attention to Luke and Mara. "General Solo, while I'd prefer to keep you on intelligence and SpecOps matters, I admit that for starters I've no idea how to handle Jedi."

"I'd be happy to discuss it," demurred Luke. "For now though, we'd probably best address the crew aboard here, and your plans as a whole."

"There are serious matters we need to discuss," added Mara. "Particularly regarding one Kylo Ren—" Organa Solo gave no reaction to the name "—but again, they can wait a cycle or two."

"I see," said the man steadily, yet appeared unconvinced.

"So long as you aren't unreasonable and expecting the two of us to win the war for you single-handedly, we won't be unreasonable in turn and expect you jump and move fleets about at orders from us based upon unsubstantiated feelings," said Luke, putting just enough humour into his tone and smile as to not give offence.

"That is indeed reassuring," admitted the admiral, his sincerity ringing through the Force. "I only met your . . ." he trailed off with his first hint of awkwardness.

"We use 'counterpart' generally."

"Counterpart. I only met him on a few occasions, and while I respect what he could do, from what I've learnt about the Old Republic, one of their flaws was overreliance upon the Jedi." He held up a palm to forestall any arguments. "Obviously that is a gross oversimplification, but still something I worried about regarding his students and the future."

Luke could not help the snort of amusement which escaped him, and Mara's own eyes crinkled in humour. "We're not laughing at you, Admiral. It's just that after a few days of hero worship over helping destroy Starkiller Base, some scepticism is actually appreciated."

/ * * \

* * * Legends Never Die * * *

\ * * /

They held the meeting an hour later, the time in between spent shuffling around the members of the Raddus so as many members of the soon-to-be-former Resistance were present in the large hangar bay, as well as more of the officers from the neighbouring ships and Stazi's own. Clearing aside the fighters enough so everyone could see had also taken some improvising.

"It's a shame Finn's not here for this," said Rey excitedly.

"You know what they've got him doing," reminded Mara. "Debriefing him can save lives."

"Plus he's still not sure if he wants to join or not," added Luke. "Best not to pressure him."

"Right," she winced contritely.

"It's no shame to want your friends to be with you," he reassured, which made her brighten back up.

All three of them were at the back of the crowd, which had earned them a few strange looks, yet Luke knew it was for the best. Meanwhile Mara found it better for taking measure of the crowd, as they and others nearby were standing on some boxes to get a good look, and thus could see the rest of the audience without seeming to draw attention to themselves.

"Master Skywalker," Rey whispered to Luke, if not as quietly as she may think she was, "why aren't you up there at the front, working with the Admiral and General to make up plans? You're a Jedi."

From Luke's periphery, he caught the shifting of one of Stazi's officers, a Weequay starfighter commander he did not know the name of. Certainly not a coincidence the man was there, and even better, he suspected the being was doing so on his own initiative. Two of his subordinates, a dark-skinned Human woman, and Dug, were doing a poorer job of being circumspect.

A perfect opportunity to hit two womp rats in one go.

A quick assessment of the situation made clear that Stazi and the other officers were still working out the preliminary greetings with Leia's top officers, so he figured he had time.

Carefully modulating his voice so it was even and would carry, without being actively loud, he said, "Because I wouldn't be much help, and I'm not sure I should."

"What?" Rey asked in confusion.

"One of the most important things for a sentient, Jedi or not, is to accept that they're not good at something. Those men? They're experts at military command, planning, and logistics, and up to date. Me? I'm a fantastic fighter squadron commander, a decent task force commander, and extremely adept at high-risk, high-reward infiltrations with small strike teams or on my own. On D'Qar, when planning to hit Starkiller, that last bit is what we so badly needed, and, hmmm." He stroked his chin. "For your homework, we'll include you having to come up with six ways our mission against Starkiller Base could've all gone horribly wrong."

"But it worked!" she protested.

"Results don't justify the means," he warned her. "It could've also ended horribly. Too often people use the ends to justify the means." Which would be a nice segue into the Dark Side for later.

"Anyways, for here and now? I'm nothing special at grand strategy, and I'm not receiving any prompts from the Force. I'd just be getting in the way of the ones who know what they're doing. When they need someone to contribute about Dark Force users, including the First Order's leadership, helping carry out major missions, or even diplomacy, I'll be happy to help."

Mara snorted. "Or whenever you've got a new, insane plan to propose."

Giving a chagrined chuckle, Luke ruefully scratched his head, and did not deny it. "In the meantime, I've got some catching up to do on recent politics, military technology, and other stuff."

"Oh. Alright," said Rey. Nonetheless, he could see she was not entirely convinced. What mattered though was how she was clearly thinking over his answer, expanding her mental horizons, and that was what he wanted most of all.

Soon after, Leia spoke up before the assembly, introducing Admiral Stazi formally, and how the Resistance was becoming a formal part of the Republic's military with the Duro in charge of their group.

". . . Poe's not very happy about this," noted Rey.

Indeed, the younger man was practically glowering at the newcomer.

"He's very loyal to Leia," said Luke. "However he also trusts her judgement, so he's going along with it." Briefly he considered adding that all of Leia's most senior officers were also endorsing this, before dismissing it. The young man was certainly more focused upon his former top leader than the rest of her staff. A possible consequence of the attention she had been giving him.

Stepping forward, Admiral Stazi took control.

"My fellow lifeforms," he declared, "as the good people of the Resistance tried to warn us, the First Order has shown itself as foul as the Empire. However, they've also proven their measure by trying to intimidate us into submission. What they fear above all else is the galaxy rising up against their oppression. Our mission, our singular mission, is to showcase to the galaxy how hope still exists. That the First Order can be broken!

"You started this at Starkiller Base, and now we will continue it. Not as part of a terrorist cell as they would label us, but the legitimate and oath-bound members of the Galactic Republic Military, fighting for the irrepressible rights and freedoms of all sentients!"

Admiral Stazi's piercing gaze roved over his audience, and closed his speech with, "May the Force be with us."

Applause erupted, and while it was half-hearted from a minority, it was still there and very real.

"Short and sweet," said Mara approvingly, lightly clapping in turn.

"Yes." Deciding to put words into action, Luke turned to the Weequay. "Jedi Luke Skywalker," he said, offering his hand.

"You don't say," huffed the man after a moment's surprise as he returned the gesture. "Lieutenant Jhoram Bey. A pleasure."

"Don't suppose you can bring me up to date on starfighter tactics?"

Raising a brow of his leathery-skin, Lieutenant Bey admitted, "I'd never have thought I'd be doing so for a 'fighter-jockey legend."

"You can help me drain out some of the flyboy ego," smirked Mara, even if she was just as interested.

"Well, guess I'll start at the basics." Which he did, and it was quickly evident that Luke had chosen the right Weequay for the job given his detailed summation of starfighter tactics and technology.

Rey actually managed to be even more captivated than her mentors, hanging onto every word to learn more about piloting.

Bey's comrades, Andurgo and Lieutenant Anj Dahl, tried to butt in, but backed off at a look from their superior.

It was almost amusing for Luke to be taught like this, until—

"Wait, wait. Go back," he said, utterly baffled.

"Sir?"

"You . . . just fly up to a ship? What about the particle shields?" The bane of all starfighter-tactics, usually only brought down with concentrated missile barrages.

"Uh, they're only for stopping small stuff, like micro-asteroids."

"Not missiles or full-blown starfighters?" clarified Mara with wide eyes.

"No," he said, feeling like he was trying to explain things like his civilian brother-in-law all over again.

"So," Luke went on, just to be sure, "what's to stop a pilot from flying right up to a capital ship, hug the hull, and then start taking out its cannons, shields, and other necessities?"

Beside him, Mara was stunned speechless by the implications.

"Well, other 'fighters, Sir. And their own guns. But I wouldn't—"

Luke Skywalker, respected and venerable Jedi Master, living legend and hero of thousands of worlds, giggled.

It grew to a snicker.

Later he would blame it upon the stress, especially with the edge of hysteria laced into it, but once he started, there was no going back, and Mara followed suit.

They each clasped a hand over the other's mouth in a last ditch attempt, before throwing back their heads to howl with laughter. Everyone around them nervously edged away in fear their Jedi had gone insane.

The First Order had no idea what was going to hit them!

/ * * \

* * * Legends Never Die * * *

\ * * /

A few hours later

Having, eventually, calmed down, Luke later found himself taking up the role of a teacher once more. Meanwhile Mara was putting together some search parameters with Artoo for that history briefing.

"For starters, I'm going to tell you upfront that we're only going to be covering the basics," Luke lectured.

"Today?" asked Rey in surprise, sitting cross-legged before him. "And here?"

They were back in Raddus' hanger bay, which had been returned to its usual purpose, and had occupied a corner of it, with starfighters laid out all around them. Engineers and pilots kept throwing them curious looks as they went about their business. Overshadowing them was the Millennium Falcon, where they could hear Chewbacca and the local Artoo working on bringing the ship back up to standards.

"Here because there's not a whole lot of wide-open space aboard," said Luke. "As well as helping you learn to get used to crowds who will be watching you all the time as a Jedi."

"I—" she cut herself off by biting her own tongue.

"Yes, it's unpleasant, and a challenge. A way to help teach you to put aside distractions. However," and now he looked at her sternly, "if it does become too much, please let me know."

His student bobbed her head obediently.

Good, he thought with mixed feelings. She's too eager to please anyone who shows her basic kindness. It'll be a process to help lead her to being independent, but doable.

"And I mean that the most of what I hope to teach you overall will only be the fundamentals of being a Jedi."

Rey looked too aghast to say anything, jaw dropping even, so he continued on.

"For me, I see becoming a Jedi as more of a self-journey. I teach those who attend my Praxeum basic skills, useful tricks like levitation, meditation, mindfulness, and an understanding of the Force. The sort of Jedi they will grow up to be is entirely up to them."

"Oh, alright," said Rey, sounding a little lost, yet generally sold on the idea in theory.

"Except of course this is also at a time, for me back home, when the war with the Empire is largely over. I trust the New Republic to handle any large threats. Jedi are not considered a part of large conflicts, nor are they under major threat."

. . . Although given that close call with Daala, and the fact the Jedi Academy here was wiped out, we might want to revisit that.

. . .

. . .

Did I really completely forget to fully consider the implications of how vulnerable Yavin IV was because I was so distracted by Callista leaving me!?

. . . Oh boy.

"Master Skywalker?"

Blinking, he brought himself back to the present. "My apologies," he briskly said. "My words made me consider something I'll have to meditate on later. My point is, by being associated with me, and as one of the next generation of Jedi, the First Order will target you. So my goal is to provide you with the tools so you can make for yourself a firm foundation to safely fall back on. So while my intention is still for you to find and learn your own path, I'll also be teaching you more how to defend yourself."

Rey lit up at that, and thankfully without the same sort of blind, naïve ignorance Luke himself had shown when he had been that age, hungering to be a 'great warrior.'

Even if he could not hear them, he was certain Obi-Wan and Yoda were laughing at him right about now.

"Also there will be academic studies."

At that she briefly froze. "You'll, I, what?" she went quizzically.

"Reading, languages, engineering, mathematics, all sorts of things. Again, you can choose where you want to dedicate yourself." To an extent, as for their own good there was no way he was letting someone illiterate in Basic or incapable of simple multiplication out into the galaxy. Not that he was assuming that Rey, a former scavenger, was incapable of that; only that he had been surprised before at the lack of education his students had. "Of course, first we'll need to do an assessment later today so I can tell where you're at."

Which would be complicated, including acquiring the actual educational materials, given how sparse access to the holonet was out here in the Outer Rim.

"You'll teach me that too!?" gushed Rey.

"Yes," he smiled reassuringly, relieved to see she was so eager to learn, clearly resisting the urge to jump for joy. He would wager she had been one of those self-educating themselves as best as possible.

"For now though," he went on, "we'll start by working to help you reach out to the Force."

It was something he had helped his students through time and time again. Usually he would prefer something richer in life than a spaceship, except that was another reason to be here in the hangar where so many people were running around. Besides, he had a suspicion . . .

Closing her eyes, Rey started to use the advice he had given her only days ago, and he could feel her touching him and everyone around them.

Very good, he thought approvingly. Not even Kyp got it that fast. Now then—

Stiffening in surprise, Rey shot up with a grin as she looked towards one of the fighters.

Unsurprised at there being distractions, Luke turned the same direction, and a moment later Finn came around the fuselage. Alongside of him was a sturdily built, muscular woman despite her grey hair and the lines around her face. A tattoo of a solitary teardrop was under one eye, and he was intrigued to catch an Alderaanian accent.

"—never learnt a thing," she said contemptuously. "If little furballs with rocks can kill you, you'd think they'd learn."

"It's not just how weak it is," said Finn, fuming with anger, "it's how it makes you a blinding target! The people saying they want their enemies to see stormtroopers coming and be afraid aren't the ones up front being shot at!"

"It never is. So these Mandalorians—"

"Finn!" called out Rey, a little dismayed he had not noticed her yet, only to be reassured at the surprise and joy which lit up his face when he saw her.

"Rey! What're you doing here?" Then he staggered back as she ran forward to give him another hug. "They've got me on break from debrief."

The older woman gave them a surprised look at that, raising an eyebrow. When she glanced at Luke he gave a gesture which he hoped conveyed it was less romance between them, and more two lonely souls having found someone in their lives. Given how her expression shifted to something more solemn, he felt she got the gist.

"Oh, this is Cara Dune. She came on the last shuttle of volunteers."

"Not too old to kill Imps, and I admit I was itching for a good scrap," Cara said sardonically, drawing back her lips a touch ferally. "Master Skywalker," she added, bobbing her head at him.

"Hello," he said.

"We interrupting anything?"

He shrugged. "It's good for Rey to see a friend, and it was always a possibility in such a crowded space."

A touch of red dusted Rey's cheeks at the words, and she quickly decided to deflect attention. "So how'd you two meet?"

Cara grimaced. "My wife's acting as an intelligence operative for the Resistance, or Republic again now, and I wanted to confirm something for her. Even if the kid's supposed to be on break."

"Who is she?" asked Rey.

"Asyr. Used to be a pilot, but too old for it now."

The name tickled at Luke's memory, and he asked, "Asyr Sei'lar?"

Startled, Cara gave him a puzzled look before nodding. "Yeah. Asyr Dune now. She ain't a big fan of her folks. How'd you know?"

"Long story," he demurred. "Short version is, I heard about her from other pilots." As well as how the Asyr he knew of had received some training in intelligence as formerly part of the Bothan Spynet before joining Rogue Squadron. He was glad to know she had survived and married in this universe.

"She wanted confirmation that the stormtroopers and most other members of the First Order are made up of conscripts," Finn said earnestly. He wanted, needed, for the Jedi Master to understand. "Raised and brainwashed from birth."

Luke glowered at the news, even if it was unsurprising. The Empire had been going that way for years since Endor. Although starting that young was new. It fit though with how the First Order had spent decades preparing for their move.

Although if the majority were taken as children, where did they get them from? No, steal them from? Even the Outer Rim should've noticed something on that scale.

In addition to that mystery for later, this information added another bitter touch to how many they had killed at Starkiller Base, all on top of the over one million he had killed on the First Death Star.

"That's unfortunate," Luke said. "Even more so since we can't start fighting them so long as they remain following orders." Seeing the obvious conflict upon Finn's face, he hurried to add, "However, that doesn't mean we won't show mercy where we can. While right now Admiral Stazi and his people are still working through all the intelligence we have, it doesn't mean you can't pass it along by yourself."

"But . . ." With everyone's attention on her, Rey briefly faltered before finding her resolve. Once more full of questions. "We have to stop the First Order though, don't we? They're evil. Why else would everyone fight for it? Finn left, so why can't they?"

"That's—" Finn aborted whatever he meant to say, and turned to his elders.

"Nope," said Cara flatly, raising both palms. "Not touching that one."

"It's more complicated than that," said Luke. "If anything, you should talk to Mara about it later."

"Alright," accepted Rey.

"Mara, that the red headed Jedi?" said Cara.

"Yes."

"Lotta interesting gossip going around 'bout her. Heard how she's branching off from sticking with those lightsabers. Don't get me wrong, they're pretty handy, 'cept maybe something to hit them farther away?"

As a demonstration she hefted off her back a massive light repeating blaster which practically screamed an eagerness to mow down entire squads at a time.

"A bit bigger than her preference," said Luke, a touch amused.

Personally, he had no issues against Jedi using blasters. Even when one reached the point where one no longer needed it as they had the Force as an ally, you never knew when some skill with them could come in handy. Although he still preferred a lightsaber, due to not only the symbolism involved, but also that it could defend others.

Plus if he ever found himself needing a blaster, he could just take one off of whoever was trying to kill him.

"Ah no worries," reassured the Alderaanian. "I've got some other designs which might interest her."

"More weapons is a good thing," said Finn fervently with the experience of a trooper who had been dumped in the trenches. "Especially if you're fighting a war."

That . . . also caught Luke off-guard.

Because again, unlike the conflicts he had been involved in since resigning his commission with the New Republic military, this was a galaxy wide conflict he could not sit out on.

What was the role of Jedi during war?

Well, it's not like we're ever going to have another galactic war back home, right?

Jedi Master Luke Skywalker's gut clenched, and he concluded that at minimum that was hubris.

Certainly his counterpart had once thought the same, and now look where he had ended up!

Especially given how close his own New Republic had been to open civil war last he saw it.

Belatedly, he realised he had spaced out once more long enough for the others to notice. "Sorry," he said ruefully. "I'm still trying to figure out what my role in this war will be."

A half-truth, yet a sufficient one.

Maybe the Force had sent him here not just to help out this galaxy, but to also learn things to help his own Jedi?

Well then, let us see what I have yet to learn.

/ * * \

* * * Legends Never Die * * *

\ * * /

Supremacy

Deep within the bowels of the Supreme Leader's flying capital, the most advanced medical facilities in the galaxy were at work putting back together the man's student.

Refusing painkillers, Kylo Ren lay within a bed, fresh from his bacta treatment, taking in the pain to focus himself. To remove any and all distractions.

Any thoughts of how he had committed himself to killing—

He sucked in a shallow breath at another wave of agony, banishing the useless shot.

A slower breath, and then he reapplied himself to the task at hand.

On a datapad in his hands, he was slowly compiling a profile on Master Skywalker's —a raging dark hatred rose up within him before he leashed it once more— latest apprentice. Pieced together from glimpses of her recovered from stormtrooper helmet recorders, while using imagery software to touch it up with his own vivid memory of her.

Her.

This nameless woman was the key to it all.

For now he did not know how —he did not even know her name— but he knew it with an unquenchable certainty.

That he had lost to her teacher would make it harder to convince her of the absolute truth of the Force, of that man, but Kylo would still do it. For her sake, and for the rest of the galaxy.

Together.

Because it was no mere delusion on his part, he could feel something through the Force leading him to her.

It was unquestionable that she was a gift to Kylo from the Dark Side itself . . . and mayhaps he to her in turn.

"Master Kylo Ren," a medical droid interrupted his thoughts as it wheeled over. "We're ready to begin your surgery. Are you sure you don't want to be sedated?"

His hand twitched with the urge to throw it with the Force across the medical bay before he got a hold of himself. That was his own anger and pain speaking for him, and would only cause a pointless delay.

"Yes," he rasped out instead.

First his recovery. Afterwards, under Snoke's guidance, he would resume his hunt for the Resistance, and find her.

Then all would be well.

Forever.

/ * * \

* * * Legends Never Die * * *

\ * * /

Author Notes:

Snoke is angry because the toy he had spent years grooming is not performing according to expectations, all the while unaware of what a toy he is in turn.

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I don't know why all y'all thought that was Thrawn in chapter 7. Honestly, just assuming blue skin and red eyes automatically equals a Chiss sounds incredibly speciest. You lot should be ashamed of yourselves!

X-P

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For those unfamiliar about Admiral Stazi, there is a whole bit on the wiki about him. The succinct version is that he is from the Expanded Universe, when years after Luke died, the Imperial Remnant and a new Sith Empire conquered the Galaxy. Admiral Stazi however escaped destruction with his task force, and much like France's General Charles de Gaulle, established a government in exile. Introducing him seemed a good way for me to expand the story beyond just the Resistance cast, which honestly includes too many Skywalker-Solo Clan fanboys/girls. Plus of course adding some non-Humans to the mix.

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Next Chapter: "Calm Before the Storm"

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Please Review, and I will get back to you!