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 MasterPrince713. I could not have done it without you guys!
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Guest Review answers :-D
Zero
Too many Humans, or repeating the same old aliens -_-
Cara was an awesome character, and indeed sad she is gone. I can understand why Disney did that after what the actress did, but still disappointing on so many levels.
Uh huh, I recommend watching on YouTube "The Mandalorian but 23% smarter" by The Warp Zone. It provides a scathing but also hilarious critique of how Disney reinvented Luke's character.
Yes, Ben Solo/Rey could work, but never Kylo/Rey for just those reasons. Historically I am sure there are some successful Sith couples, but very much in the minority given how the Dark Side frankly makes you emotionally unstable. Now, will Ben emerge again? Wait and find out ;-)
LOL yeah, Snoke and Kylo Ren are in for an interesting time . . .
Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D
Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D
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Gary
Sorry for the delay, but real life and my other stories got in the way. No fear though, I have the story largely planned out, and I am giddy to show you all what I have in store! ;-D
Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D
Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D
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Guest (please choose a name/nickname next time)
Awesome to hear how much you are reading this! Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D
Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D
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Star Wars: Legends Never Die
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Chapter 11: Calm Before the Storm
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Previously:
An unexpected surprise interrupts Luke's ongoing training of Rey, as Admiral Stazi of the New Republic Defense Fleet arrives along with his own task force. Determined to see to the restoration of the Republic, he incorporates the Resistance under his own leadership with the reluctant acceptance of Leia, as it solidifies their legitimacy.
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Raddus
Luke pressed the chime to Rey's door, and smiled as a few seconds later the beaming young woman opened it.
She was wearing a sleeveless, loose green tunic which someone had apparently rustled up for her, and she had found some dark-green wraps for her forearms, which appeared to be her preferred fashion choice. Cream-coloured, warm-looking pants, and loose shoes completed the ensemble, and despite being cramped, her room already had a cozy if isolated air to it. She clearly loved it, while also having been shut in perhaps a bit much.
"Sorry, Master Skywalker, I lost track of what time it was." Despite her words, and how disheveled she looked, her brightness never dimmed.
"No worries at all," he assured her. "Studies going well?"
"Yes!" she practically cheered, hurrying back to her desk to come back with datapads and flimsies to practically shove in his face.
Cocking an eyebrow at her enthusiasm, he skimmed through them and was unsurprised to see she was indeed progressing well. In fact, she was drinking up astronavigation like he did with hot chocolate.
"You're doing fantastic," he praised, and somehow her smile widened further. "There's more to being a Jedi than just the Force, meditation, and a lightsaber, and you're doing phenomenally well."
Shockingly well, really. For all her background as an orphan apparently living on her own in the desert, she was astonishingly intelligent, and he had never had a student learn at such a pace. Even Kyp, prodigy at the Force he may have been, had needed to slow down to learn this sort of thing. As for the Force itself, well, even there she was surpassing Luke's former student.
Mara had wondered if this is what it had been like for Obi-Wan and Yoda to teach a young and brash Luke.
Hopefully Rey would not make the same mistakes as he had.
"I had some help," she managed with a slight stammer. "I mean, I'd been studying how to fly before."
"There's a difference between learning how to fly through space, and how to make functional hyperspace calculations. Don't sell yourself short; you're a very intelligent young woman."
"I—uhm—thanks? No, yes, no, I mean—"
As joyful as she was, he still caught the hesitation; her insecurity of how honest he was really being. Well, that came with being a teenager, and she clearly had little previous experience with positive reinforcement.
Nothing that a little time and genuine praise would not solve.
"Take your time," he smiled, as reassuringly as possible.
"Thank you, Master Skywalker," she hedged weakly.
Not pushing it any further, Luke changed the topic. "Have you had any chance to talk to Finn lately?"
"Oh, no," Rey said with disappointment. "I mean, I get it, that he's doing important work."
"Maybe send him a comm to see when his schedule's free. I'm sure he'd appreciate it," he offered. "Even if he doesn't stay on to fight with the Republic, you're still his first friend, and that means a lot to him. He also doesn't have much experience socialising with people who aren't stormtroopers, so just be patient. Reach out if you have any questions."
Once more she lit up, seemingly not connecting how she herself had barely any experience with social interaction.
The most difficult part about mentoring Rey was how tragically vulnerable she was.
It was unquestionable in a straight up fight she would fight for what she believed was right with an almost feral intensity. Go to any lengths necessary for those she cared for.
Except at the core of that there remained a desperately lonely young woman.
Bits and pieces teased out of her, and a lifetime of experience, including with slaves, freed or not, made it clear she had lived most of her life in indentured servitude, friendless, and parents who had left her behind while young without ever coming back.
He would not pass judgement upon those parents, yet he had to acknowledge it was a conscious effort to place aside his own assumptions about them.
Fortunately, Rey was not his first difficult case, and not all of them had ended in total disasters.
To begin with, compassion and kindness, while making it clear to her she deserved to be treated that way.
Encouraging her to make friends, and teaching her how to maintain them. As well as making sure she stood up for herself.
Last but not least, teaching her to make her own choices. Because Luke had an uncomfortable suspicion Rey had a gnawing need to be part of something 'greater' than herself. A desperate urge for a connection which left her frighteningly vulnerable to signing up for the first cause to reach out to her.
How much of her desire to become a Jedi, risking her life against the First Order, was born solely because she believed the first people to show her basic decency wanted her to?
So, helping her not simply discover, but self-discover independence without driving her away; especially since life as a Force Sensitive like her, could become tragically dangerous if she went out unprepared.
These were all points which his Jedi Praxeum already worked hard to teach their students. Because instead of regimented classes, Luke and his fellow Knights and Masters taught more about how to be yourselves, and live your life in whatever way felt most natural to you, and stepping into choosing to become a Jedi once they better understood what they were embracing.
There was a reason Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin were all still living with their parents, despite how powerfully Force Sensitive his niece and nephews were.
And no, not just because Leia would have shot him otherwise.
Regardless, if they wanted to grow up to be a full-time Jedi, he would be proud of them. If they wanted to be Jedi and something else like their mom, or Cilghal who was a Jedi and ambassador, or Mara who was a Jedi and . . . whatever she was right now, he would still be fine. If they did not want to be Jedi, then he would still love them as much as ever.
Probably not a political career however, even if having their mom as a mentor would put them in good stead. Jaina and Anakin loved mechanics too much, and Jacen cared more for animals than stuffy meetings. Of course, they might surprise him with whatever they chose.
Granted, if they ever chose to become smugglers (who were not working for Karrde) and/or bounty hunters, he would be standing aside while their parents got a hold of them.
"You really think Finn will be okay with that?" Rey asked.
"I do." She glanced away as she thought it over.
Switching topics again, Luke asked, "About your Force Vision from Takodana, when you touched your lightsaber. Do you want to talk about it some more?"
Instantly she closed up, but he waited patiently as he could see her working through her thoughts.
"It—it was . . ." Sucking in a deep breath, Rey then transitioned to a calming exercise he had taught her. After a few relaxing breaths, she grounded herself and said, "I saw my past. Part of it. Some stuff I don't fully understand. And . . ."
She looked away at a wall for half a minute, before she mustered up the courage to look back at him. "I saw Ben Solo," she said defiantly.
Keeping any signs of surprise from his expression, Luke evenly said, "What did he look like?"
Wincing, she admitted, "He was wearing black armour and wielding a red lightsaber. But that doesn't mean—!"
Cutting herself off, she glanced away with shame.
Shame, because Rey was afraid Luke would take it poorly. Especially after hearing about what had happened on Starkiller Base.
"Let's sit down," stalled Luke, taking the lead to getting down on the floor cross-legged.
An insanely bright Force prodigy of his, now making inquiries about the Dark Side early into their lessons. Oh by the Force did he hope this was not history repeating itself.
No, I'm just jumping to the worst conclusions. I've sensed nothing like Exar Kun around her, nor would there have even been the opportunity for anything like that.
Although . . . there was a remaining lingering . . . taint to the galaxy still. Something muting his connection to the Force, which had not eased as he had assumed with the destruction of Starkiller Base. Thus he had to assume Snoke was somehow responsible; Kylo Ren had been too much of a blunt instrument to be the culprit.
It was not enough to truly impede him, yet noticeable all the same.
Most definitely concerning though.
Being a Jedi revolved around the present however, and here and now he had to show he had learnt from his numerous mistakes in teaching.
"Ben's alive, and there's still Light within him," she began, stubborn as a bantha.
"I certainly hope so," said Luke, and gave a sad sigh at the shocked expression she shot him. "Everyone, no matter how Dark, still has some Light in them. That doesn't necessarily mean they'll listen to it though. Before I get into that, for starters, what are your reflections on what I already told you about the Dark Side of the Force?"
She squared her shoulders back, eyes looking for something before she started; at first it was more mechanical, before growing in passion. "That it is one of the duties of the Jedi to oppose it, as it involves using the Force for your own purely selfish ends, especially to hurt others. Like using Starkiller Base to blow up worlds, and it's what Ben's using now. It's corrupting and hurting him, except it can be rejected, turned away from! People can come back from using it!"
An oversimplification, but perfectly satisfactory for someone only a few days into her studies. Plus, he already had plans on how to broaden her horizons.
Her eyes narrowed. "He can come back like your father did. Like Mara did."
"Mara's a complicated case," he deflected. "For whatever reason, for reasons neither of us understand right now, the Emperor did not want her using the Dark Side. Moreover," a mischievous glint entered his eye, "she also spent years revering Palpatine after his death, and planning how to kill me."
He allowed a moment to enjoy Rey's horrified expression, doing nothing to hide his amusement. "So," he said airily, "I wouldn't use her as an example. Also, she's still likely to hurt me later just for telling you that."
"Uhm, right," she squeaked, coughing once to compose herself. "But I still mean it about Ben."
"I see," he said, reasserting his look of Jedi serenity.
Internally though, he was becoming more and more confused.
What is her fascination with Kylo Ren? Or Ben Solo? Is it because of the kindness Han and Leia have shown her? Because she sees him as my nephew? Saving him as a way of repaying us?
No, I . . . don't think so.
His hesitation must have slipped up onto his face, as she closed off more.
Whatever it is, she feels very strongly about this.
In direct contradiction to his earlier thoughts of her.
Very, very curious.
"Do you feel a connection to him?" he asked outright.
Squirming a little, she looked away. "Something. I—when we were on Takodana, when he was escaping, our eyes met, and . . ."
Once more she trailed off, refusing to look at him for a minute. Two. Finally in response to his patient look, she bit out, "I haven't had anything more about him since then though."
A lie, yet it did not feel like a major one.
Giving a little hum, Luke did not press the matter, merely saying, "Just remember what I said about visions from the Force, and how they can be misleading."
"But it's the Force!" Rey blurted out in disbelief. "How can it be misleading!?"
A chuckle escaped Luke, and he waved a hand as reassuring as possible at her offended look. "Welcome to being a Jedi. Or any other member of all the various Force practices. Visions are a prime example of this. I once had an image of my own decapitated head within Darth Vader's helmet." He had a brief if guilty moment of enjoyment at her stunned expression before he more seriously said, "And a short time later another vision led me right into an Imperial trap set by my father.
"Above all else, the Force is beyond simple understanding, and always in motion and changing. Even the most experienced practitioners may be misled or just misunderstand something. Because, above all else, while the Force is everywhere and in everything, binding us all together, it is not a controlling presence. It merely influences and guides, and we do not always understand what it is trying to say. Because all of us, from the newest initiate to the most venerable of Jedi Masters, are fallible people when trying to receive and interpret that guidance.
"Moreover, while the Force chooses who can wield it, it has no control over what they do with it."
Sobering, he took the natural set-up he had left to himself to return more to his originally planned topic. "And that's how so many still end up Falling to the Dark Side. We're all fallible lifeforms. All of us. Too many people embrace the Dark Side to save those they care about, only to lose everything to it." Internally bracing himself, he took the plunge, "And I speak from personal experience; I Fell to the Dark Side years ago."
Jaw dropped, Rey could only stare at him in horror.
Not the stunned shock from learning about Mara, but the look of her world uprooted, and a trace of fear.
Mournfully, he nodded at all the unspoken questions, statements, and outright accusations she must have running through her head.
"I was young and arrogant, but even that doesn't excuse the recklessness I committed," he said bluntly. "I thought I could control it, understand it without any of the repercussions. Step back whenever I wanted; only I underestimated how corrupting it can be. How it twists your mind. I rationalised what I was doing; how the ends justified the means. Only to be wrapping myself up in an entire philosophy of unabated evil.
"At one point I imagined I had saved myself thanks to the presence of Leia and the others, except I was deluding myself. It was only later that I managed to truly break free from its influence Thanks to Leia. Thanks to the Force flowing through me.
"Ultimately, in the end, it was a choice, but more akin to a spice addict having to swear off without another touch. Each and every day waking up choosing what kind of person I want to be. It was in all frankness an incredibly difficult act on my part, and one which despite my best efforts still tainted my thoughts and actions for years afterwards. My experience . . . led me to making . . . too many poor decisions on how to handle matters. Ones which I deeply regret.
"Only very recently—" too recently "—and especially with Mara's help, have I begun to move past that."
In emphasis, he leveled his most serious expression onto Rey, "Do not take my example as a guarantee it can be done, however. I've known others, too many others, who couldn't bring themselves to make such a choice. For them, the lure of power, and the fear which drove them, mattered more. And even now, I'm greatly over-simplifying what happened, because you still don't have enough experience with the Force for context."
Gulping, Rey whispered just barely loud enough to hear, "So I can ask you more later? About what happened?"
"Yes," he said heavily with self-regret.
Truthfully, this part of Luke's life was not something he really discussed with any of his students in the past. Something he was rather grateful of now in hindsight after Mara had spelled out to him just how blind he had been. Granted, most of them had already known to some degree about him working for Sidious as it had been made public enough, although they had never asked.
However, after Dolph, or rather Kueller, the man he had become, Luke had known a more individual approach was necessary to raise the issue of the Dark Side. Moreover, despite how clouded as it was in this galaxy, the Force was still nudging him to be open about this to his newest student.
Not wanting to dwell on this anymore, and wanting it to sink in more, Luke told her, "We can definitely revisit this more later. And we have plenty other things to discuss about the Force and being a Jedi anyway. Things far more pleasant for that matter."
"I—thank you," Rey managed, clearly shaken by this whole experience.
Grimacing, Luke said, "I'm sorry for burdening that much on you." He raised a hand to forestall her protest, "I'm not calling you weak. Not in the least. But I am giving you more to shoulder, and faster, than I would've back home at our Jedi Praxeum. Unfortunately, we're in trying times here, and I believe denying you answers you seek would do more harm than good."
Reluctantly she seemed to accept this with a few shallow nods.
"How about we do some meditation?" he offered. "Help settle us both?"
"Alright," she said, some of her earlier cheer returning. "I—I like feeling the presence of the Force during that."
"It truly is a blessing," he agreed.
Despite how much of an active and energetic woman she was, Rey quickly relaxed herself into a quick meditation like a veteran Jedi Knight.
Inhaling. Exhaling. Feeling the Force and lifeforms around her.
Across from her, Luke relaxed into that same flow, releasing all his tense, unhelpful emotions from that discussion, and settled in to reflect upon their source. His thoughts and feelings from it all. Even while a part of him studied anew the sense of how his connection to the Force was still being partially muted. Most curious.
Disturbing too.
A sense of motion and touch of the Force drew him out of his meditation. There was no sense of danger and thus no rush, yet their identity made him curious, which spurred him on.
Looking up from where he sat cross-legged, he took in the sight of this universe's Leia, the fire in her eyes banked even higher than ever right now. Moreover, it was from hope rather than from the latest crime of the First Order.
"Good news, I take it?" Luke said with a grin.
"Yes," Leia said fiercely. "One of the Republic senators has arrived, and wants to join in. They're heading for Stazi's flagship."
"Really?" said Rey eagerly, having also come out of her trance.
"Really," confirmed Leia firmly. "This'll mean a lot."
"Well then, let's go see them," said Luke cheerfully. He looked to Rey, who looked pensive, if trying to hide it. "Do you want to come?"
He waited while her face scrunched up in thought, before she admitted, "I'd rather stay here if it's all the same. I'm not so sure how I'd handle it right now."
"As I said, I've placed a lot on you."
"Plus I've still got more of my studies," she added, glancing at the chrono. Grimacing, she added, "I've also got to get some of those diplomatic 'pads to read as well."
"Be sure to brush up on your mechanical engineering now that we're on a Republic ship," he added, which instantly cheered her up. "And don't forget to comm Finn."
"I won't!"
"So," he said to Leia as he stood up. "Who's the senator? Anyone I know?"
"Senator Jacen Syndulla."
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* * * Legends Never Die * * *
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There was little time for more conversation as Luke and Leia descended into a flurry of activity to reach the Indomitable.
When Admiral Stazi had shown up to take charge, and fold the Resistance back into the New Republic Defense Fleet, it had been decided that there was no point in Leia's senior officers, or the Jedi, leaving the Raddus. They were already settled in there, and there was not much room available on Stazi's ship, so if he had actually insisted they come over, it would have amounted to a power play. Of course, now when they wished to hurry over there on a shuttle before the senator docked himself though, it made things inconvenient.
Alerted by Luke, Mara had run aboard said shuttle just before the ramp started to close.
As they settled into their seats, with Luke allowing someone else to pilot them over after the look Leia gave him, they were allowed a moment of reprieve before they had to step back into their duties.
Of course, Leia only permitted him the briefest one.
"So," she drawled, "what is it that has you in a snit?"
"Hmm?" hummed Luke.
"Oh," she said with a wave of her hand, "I'm not talking about whatever Jedi business played out between you and Rey. Although if you upset that young lady, I'll tan your hide."
She was apparently making the most of how she was clearly now the older twin.
"Speaking of which," he began, "and yes, I know you won't let me deflect you, but have you got any news about . . . ?" He trailed off with a vague gesture.
"Yes, he's on his way."
"Good."
"For his own sake at least," grunted Mara.
"Indeed," agreed Leia. "Now that, as you said, I'm not letting you distract me. Something about the senator upset you."
Sighing at his failure to keep a secret from any version of his sister, he simply said, "We know someone by the name Jacen back home we're close to. Hearing that name was a surprise is all."
Mara nodded in agreement.
A smirk escaped him, "And it's not like I haven't met all manner of lifeforms named Leia over the years since Endor."
"Or Luke," teased Mara.
"Ugh," Leia grunted with an exaggerated roll of her eyeballs as she let the matter drop.
Overall though, it did help him from becoming irrationally caught up in meeting another young man by the name of Jacen.
"So who exactly is Senator Jacen Syndulla?" asked Luke conversationally.
"One of the good ones," answered Leia with satisfaction. "While I was managing all my contacts, I discovered he was visiting Lothal for a personal matter when Starkiller fired, and I urged him to get off-world as fast as possible. Sure enough, we later got word First Order assassins attacked his home, but I wasn't sure until now he'd gotten away beforehand."
Something dark flickered through her expression before she squashed it. "His mentor and predecessor, Senator Jai Kell, was not so lucky."
"Lothal?"
"Hmm, I guess that's another difference between our galaxies. Lothal was the very first world to throw off the Imperial oppression. Before the Battle of Yavin even."
"Before—?" Mara paused and then it clicked together as she sourly said, "Palpatine was planning to use the Death Star on them."
"That's our guess," agreed Leia. "When that failed, Lothal was too inconsequential, especially with a planetary shield up over the primary city, to justify a more conventional assault. Not when the rest of the Rebel Alliance was a far greater threat. Still, they became a symbol; a rallying cry. After the war, they used that achievement so that basically they were the main Outer Rim planet people actually had to listen to. His parents were instrumental in the liberation, with his mother, General Hera Syndulla, becoming a highly decorated member of the New Republic Defense Force before she retired.
"As for Jacen himself, he was on several key committees, and supported me in my opposition of the First Order. Never enough to justify him being pressured to resign, while still enough to be heard."
The Jedi Master opened his mouth to comment, before hesitating, peering closer at Leia.
"Luke?" asked Mara quizzically.
"I've got this strangest sensation?" he said levelly. "Like when I'm watching my Leia laying out a verbal trap to ensnare someone, only now I'm the one about to blindly waltz into it."
A smirk and single chuckle escaped the grizzled, older woman, before she bobbed her head in acknowledgement. Suddenly her grin sharpened into something dangerous and testing. "He's also Force Sensitive."
"Enough to be a Jedi I take it," concluded Luke.
"Interesting," allowed Mara. "Given how Kylo Ren was supposed to have killed all the Jedi—"
Luke winced at that barb. Clearly Mara took offense to this whole situation. For her part, Leia gave no reaction.
"—shall we take it this senator never studied to be one?"
"He wanted to when he was younger, like his father was before him," said Leia lightly, completely closed off even within the Force to what she thought of their reactions. "As he got older, he came to feel this was a better path for him to help people."
"That doesn't mean he still couldn't be a Jedi," said Luke. "My sister is both a Jedi and a politician."
A flicker crossed the woman's face this time, and he honestly could not tell how much she had allowed it to.
Using their Force Bond, he intervened before Mara could say something. This was better left to him, and maybe not right now either.
"So we can be confident he'll oppose the First Order," concluded Luke instead. "That's good to know. Hopefully his example will help encourage others to stand up as well."
"And if not," said Mara dryly, "if people aren't actually willing to fight for their democracy, then there's still that Skywalker monarchy plan."
"Please don't joke about that," groaned Luke. Thankfully Leia seemed irritated by the concept and not entertaining it.
"We're coming in for landing," yelled the pilot.
"Thank you," called back Luke.
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* * * Legends Never Die * * *
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Senator Syndulla had beaten them there.
However, he was also clearly waiting for them, while Admiral Stazi and his senior officers and many more of the crew were also standing at attention within the Indomitable's hanger bay.
Luke's immediate impression of this man was:
A scoundrel.
Unlike for most people however, this was not a criticism. A surprising number of his close friends, associates, and an outright in-law, were scoundrels; while hiding their ultimately good-natures under it all.
In his mid-thirties, Jacen Syndulla walked with a confident swagger and cocky grin, yet he was immediately clocked as a trained fighter. Intelligence gleamed in those eyes, and he fell short of seeming actually fact that his beard, and the long hair pulled into a ponytail, were green, as well as the sharp angles to his face, also hinted to non-Human heritage in his past.
"Leia!" cried out the senator, sweeping over with wide arms to fold her into a hug, which she allowed. His words were conveniently heard throughout the crowd. "If not for you, I'd be dead for sure! Thank you, my dear friend."
"We've already lost too many," she said, her own tone carrying a clear acknowledgment of shared loss, and unwavering in her defiance of it.
"Indeed we have," he said reservedly. His attention turned to Luke, only for him to pause quizzically.
Giving a little bow of his head, Luke said, "There's been a little confusion. I'm not exactly the Master Skywalker you've been expecting. The senior officers of the fleet are aware however, and we'll be glad to brief you."
The roguish senator studied them a moment more, before loudly saying, "Well regardless, it's truly a relief to see you, Master Skywalker."
"I aim to please," said Luke grandly in turn. He knew the importance of keeping moral.
"As do we all," said Admiral Stazi, coming up beside them.
"My apologies, Admiral," said Senator Syndulla with a light-heartedness which still indicated no offense had been meant. "Seeing Leia first was deeply personal for me."
"Completely understandable," said the Duro. Leaning in, adjusting his body so none could see his lips, he softly said, "As the most senior surviving member of the Senate, by law, political authority falls to you here now, not me. Are you willing to take up that responsibility?"
"That burden?" said Senator Syndulla equally quietly back. "For the sake of the Republic, for the sake of what my father died for, yes, yes I am."
"May the Force be with you," said Admiral Stazi with a touch of pity.
The former leader of the Republic remnant clapped the senator on the shoulders, and loudly proclaimed for all to hear, "Senator Jacen Syndulla, words cannot fully express how much of a relief it is to see you here." The emotional display was unexpected from the generally taciturn man, yet it was wholeheartedly sincere. "While too many other surviving politicians have run home with whatever fleet units they can steal, you came here with what you could to make a stand for this Republic we all so very love."
Stepping back, he snapped a perfect salute, and in a wave the rest of the Defense Fleet members present emulated him.
"Legally it is my duty to do this, but for you it is my pleasure to do what follows. In light of the murder of Chancellor Lanever Villecham and the majority of the Senate of the New Republic, and in acknowledgment of the only one of the survivors to be actively opposing the First Order, as the most senior member of the New Republic Defense Fleet left alive, I recognise you as Chancellor of the New Republic.
"What are our orders?"
Despite having expected it, the man before them still needed a split-second to brace himself against this development amidst the heavy hush which had fallen.
Sucking in a quick breath, the green-haired man projected as clearly as possible across the hanger bay. "You can start by calling me Interim Chancellor of our provisional government. Be assured that one of the primary goals will be setting a date for proper elections to resume once we can safely do so," said Chancellor Jacen Syndulla.
Regarding the eager young faces before him, and the holocams doubtlessly broadcasting this across the fleet, he said to them, "The First Order think us beaten, when in reality it has demonstrated its weakness. It depends not upon legitimacy or the support of the people, but raw and pure intimidation. All to hide how it's a hollow shell of a nation. Throwing around words about 'protection' while masquerading as the Empire reborn, and hoping no one stops to think about how they're the ones to cause the very chaos and misery they say they want to save us from!"
Slashing his arms to the side in emphasis, he prowled before them like Lolth-wolf.
"Their professed 'peace' is them being able to imprison whomever they wish! Their 'control' is suppressing whatever voices they don't want to hear!
"No.
"I say no to their tyranny! Too many of us have fought and died over the years in the name of freedom, our indelible rights, for real peace, to squander their sacrifices now! We will fight on, and prove to the galaxy, to the Republic, that hope still lives!
"Are you with me!?"
A roar echoed throughout the hanger bay.
"I SAID ARE YOU WITH ME!?"
The defiant detonation of volume seemed to shake the whole space, and in answer Interim Chancellor Syndulla's smile was as eager to fight as any other lifeform present. Do or die, there was no doubt they were all here to fight and win a war.
As the enthusiasm continued to spread, the various officers turned to each other to further fuel their dedication. Fists were raised, promises were made to one another, or they just embraced the moment together.
"Nice speech," Luke faintly overheard Leia whisper out of the corner of her mouth.
"I was practicing something like it on my way over," Interim Chancellor Syndulla discretely returned. "Although I was assuming I'd be saying it as a senator. It wasn't until I actually got here did I learn just how bad it was that I might end up in charge of it all."
"Your mom will be proud."
"You kidding? I just got named Chancellor and she wasn't even here to see it! She'll sic Chopper on me for this!"
Even if Luke did not know who this Chopper was —beyond a sensation they should never meet Artoo— he and Mara still smiled at the good humour.
Louder, Interim Chancellor Syndulla said to Stazi, "But for starters in tearing down tyranny, how's about we get ourselves sorted to face off against an even greater evil: meetings and debriefings."
Ignoring the attempt at another joke, Admiral Stazi grimly nodded.
/ * * \
* * * Legends Never Die * * *
\ * * /
"Well," said Interim Chancellor Jacen Syndulla as they all sat around the briefing room. "I did not see that coming," he readily confessed, peering intently at Luke and Mara. "Alternate realities, huh? Sounds like a poor space tale, really."
"It's been a bundle of surprises all around," sighed Luke.
"And headaches," said Mara sourly.
More senior officers from the Raddus, and from other ships in Admiral Stazi's fleet, had joined them, and many gave the newcomer commiserating looks.
Taking a sip of caf, Leia Organa Solo discreetly assessed how all the various lifeforms were handling the revelation. Thankfully, the majority appeared willing to accept the tale.
She was also grateful to see how their numbers had swelled in the passing rotations. More and more loyal members of the New Republic had arrived.
So long as even a few were still willing to fight for what was right, she knew victory was possible.
"First of all, Chancellor," said Admiral Stazi, and there was reluctant hesitation in his voice, "while we've acknowledged you as the rightful leader of our Republic, there are certain . . . realities to consider."
"Interim Chancellor. And you mean like how we're fighting a war, and I've never served in the military," said Jacen drolly, crossing his arms and leaning back.
Which was not to say he could not fight. Leia was well aware that none of the older Spectres would have let him out of their sights otherwise.
"No worries there. While I expect to be informed and involved, I've no compunction on delegating how to actually fight the war to you and Admiral Ackbar."
An approving stir went through the officers, and Gial humbly accepted this honour. Beside him, Colonel Aftab Ackbar, another pleasant surprise who had arrived two rotations beforehand, patted his father on the back in congratulations.
The Twi'lek-Human hybrid followed up by giving a bow of his head towards Leia. "And you Leia, well, you're pretty much the only other statesmen I've got, so I've definitely a load of work for you if you're interested."
"Always the charmer," Leia said dryly, unsurprised by this.
Of course in reality she no longer had her people's support as a senator, so that was going to be interesting.
He had also deftly sidestepped the conundrum of her rank by addressing her so personally. Granted, they were friends enough for him to get away from it, except she had been the general and leader of the Resistance before it had been folded back into the New Republic. Now she had no civilian title, while still effectively being promoted, while attaching her legitimacy to his own.
For all his conviction, Jacen remained a cunning, savvy man when properly motivated. Along with all the underhandedness befitting a family of Rebels.
Nonetheless, Leia was glad to see him all the same. She was much more comfortable putting herself under his authority than Admiral Stazi, even with Gial vouching for the Duro.
"I recommend that Admiral Ackbar oversee the grand logistics," said Admiral Stazi, "and train up future recruits, while me and my task force focus more upon direct combat."
Which was what the Mon Calamari had essentially already been doing. A predictable if imminently rational decision, given how both Gial's age, and his priceless expertise, were currently too valuable to carelessly risk in a frontline command.
A description which described far too many of her own officers, herself included. Too many of the old guard who had recognised what was coming, and trusted her enough from their old days in the Rebel Alliance. Or they were still young enough to be full of burning passion and belief in a better galaxy.
It was a shame Poe was absent, but it was not her place to pull him into this. If anything, her doing so would damage his reputation in the long run; it would be too easy for people to dismiss him as too rash, and advancing solely upon her nepotism, rather than his own talents.
"I agree if you give me Vice-Admiral Holdo," said Gial. "Her unorthodox approach will be necessary."
"Granted."
"Pleasure to be working with you, Gial," smiled Leia's old friend. Amilyn's purple hair and dress, very much out of place amongst all the uniforms, yet she had always indeed been an unorthodox one. Knowing she would be away from the fighting was a guilty relief for Leia, even if she knew Amilyn was privately disappointed.
"Very good," smiled Jacen. "Now, for starters, what can you tell me about the war, and our preparations?"
Obligingly, a hologram of the First Order's pre-Starkiller territory was brought up, with the three-dimensional image also displaying the New Republic and what territories were directly under First Order control.
"As things stand," began Gial, "without concentrated opposition, the First Order will control all major systems within weeks. However, I am skeptical to believe they can maintain this for long. Given what intelligence we do have about the First Order, they can't have the logistical base or population to truly maintain covering the entire galaxy in fleets like they claim."
"A lightning strike to seize the Republic in a single, short campaign, while presenting an air of invincibility," said Admiral Ushos O. Statura as it all clicked together for him. No surprise given he was Leia's former head of procurement and logistics. "Every military desires that, but you're implying they're dependent upon that."
"Precisely," nodded Gial. "A more prolonged campaign, with us targeting key strategic points, should hopefully grind their entire offensive to a halt. How this will pay out in practice, we'll have to just see."
Given the man's own strategic expertise, everyone in the room was confident he was at least mostly correct about it.
"Thank you, Admiral Ackbar," acknowledged Jacen. "Where do you want to start with this debrief?"
"Well, to begin, recruitment is small, if still constantly trickling in," said Gial, as another gesture brought up an order of battle of their available fleet units.
"Mostly light units and snubfighters," said Aftab, picking up his cue, "but also some MC95 Star Cruisers." The young colonel had in fact, with his father's support behind him, been instrumental in that.
"Using contacts, we've also acquired several Rebellion-era Nebulon frigates, and similar craft, from various defense fleets.
The massive and greatly lamented demilitarisation had left a lot of military-grade, if aged, hardware kicking around.
"Mostly X-wings, I see," noted Jacen, and there was that familiar glint in his eye.
Luke, this Luke, clearly recognised it as well. "They're amazing," he grinned. "Jedi don't do attachment, but I might make an exception for those designs. Especially for how many more torpedoes are put aboard."
"Ah, you're indeed a true connoisseur," lit up Jacen. "One of the best parts of being on the military committees was being able to justify letting me and my mom fly all the latest models with all their new bells and whistles to try them out. For the good of the New Republic, obviously."
"Obviously," agreed the Jedi Master with an air of serenity absolutely nobody present believed. Some more reluctantly than others, yet given how hard Mara was rolling her eyes beside him it was undeniable.
Such an interesting relationship there.
Coughing into his fist, Admiral Stazi took back control of the meeting. "On a related note, several squads of snubfighter units are so new they're straight from the factories. We haven't been able to do as much as we'd like against the First Order yet while they're recovering from losing Starkiller, but we managed at least to liberate those." He smirked. "After all, we did pay for them. Even if that was the least we could do. Although I'd like to touch upon that broader issue later."
"I see," acknowledged Jacen, a tad abashed. He raked another lightning-quick yet experienced glance at the display; as befitting a child who had literally grown up aboard Home One itself. "And these?" he inquired, gesturing at what looked like light freighters, except they were not grouped in the logistics category.
"A little project of mine," said Luke, shooting the images in question a lingering look. That had been an unexpected contribution of his, with him citing his version of Wedge getting caught up in something called the 'Bacta War.' "One of the raids we've managed up to now left us with a surplus number of proton torpedoes and launchers, which we've installed upon those freighters."
Seeing the concern on Jacen's face, Luke acknowledged the obvious, "They're not as fast or defended as a proper military vehicle; they're all punch with nothing left for themselves. However, with their missiles locked to a snubfighter's targeting system for concentrated fire, they can deliver a heavy punch. Their crews are small, and their objective is simply to get the missile ships to the battle, and then evacuate in shuttles. We're still working on programming together the droids who will take over afterwards, including for the actual missile launch."
"That's . . . a surprise from you," said Jacen, tone carefully guarded.
In response, Luke shrugged apologetically. "I don't really like it either, and we'll probably lose a lot of them. But unlike when a friend of mine used this tactic, we don't have a lot of trusted pilots available. Maybe later, if it works, we can adapt to something different."
The piloting issue was not what had caught Jacen's attention though, Leia knew.
He's surprised to see you taking on that sort of role in the military. It's not what my brother would have done; not after he resigned his commission. It's closer to that of the generals of the Clone Wars.
No one elaborated further however, and Gial and Admiral Stazi took back up the thread.
"Scouts under Major Ematt have been sent out to several proposed worlds to reconnoiter them for future bases."
Several old Rebel Alliance places were being put to work for that, their locations never officially being put on file. As a precaution. Something Leia herself had been guilty of, such as the world Crait which she had provided Admiral Stazi.
She was still keeping Ajan Kloss in reserve.
More and more information unfolded, as other officers presented their respective fields of expertise.
During this, Leia continued to assess everyone present, even as long experience allowed her to effortlessly soak in all the facts being laid out. It seemed that for all that Luke was paying close attention, Mara was doing the same as she was.
"Forgive me, Admiral Stazi," Jacen interjected with a frown after the meeting had lasted about an hour. "While I'm very glad to hear what preparations have been made to strengthen the Fleet, I haven't truly heard anything about going on the offensive yet. Nothing about an intended target."
That was a mistake, Leia mentally sighed, as the entire room crackled with sudden tension.
Frustration showed upon Admiral Stazi's face as he bit back whatever he was about to say. Discipline held firm however, as he said, "I'm aware of that, sir. Just as I'm aware of how many worlds are flocking to show their bellies to the First Order, or deserting each other to flee to supposed neutrality despite how if they had any sense they'd know what that'll eventually lead them to. All the while taking in as many of the remaining Fleet units they can to defend themselves, instead of supplying and unifying those very ships to defend the Republic as a collective whole!"
Some of his inner feelings still leaked through. Moreover, Leia could sense the sheer titanic rage within the man.
Releasing a sigh, Stazi shook his head and with some struggle pushed away as much of it as he could manage. "I appreciate that too much of the galaxy is sick and exhausted of war. To the point that they'll embrace peace at any price, even if it's just that in name. And that there are those who are simply unsuited for fighting."
Gaze hardening in an unspoken challenge towards Jacen, he said unflinchingly, "But that's why we have soldiers."
A rumble of agreement echoed through the room.
Leia, Luke, and Mara faded into the background, carefully noncommittal.
"I do understand, sir, that we need to strike back. To prove hope is still alive. So as to keep us from losing more systems and sectors, and bring more back into the fold. However, that said, if we engage their key fleets or task forces at this stage in pitched battle, we'll be throwing the lifeforms under my command to their deaths. Which will not inspire the rest of the New Republic to rise up."
". . . My apologies for any offense I gave," said Jacen solemnly into the heavy silence. "I let my inexperience and impatience get the better of me."
". . . None taken, sir. It's been a trying time for all of us. And," a rueful look settled upon the Duro, "I admit part of the problem we're having is choosing a target."
"I beg your pardon?" asked Jacen, now a little confused.
Releasing a sigh, Admiral Stazi adjusted the holoprojector to bring back up the map of the First Order. "We're not sure where to hit them exactly. Part of the problem is intelligence hasn't yet pinned down the best target, and the other is the consequence destroying Starkiller Base has had on their hierarchy."
"You're saying there's too much chaos on their end?" hazarded Jacen. "You're not sure who's in charge so we know who to kill?"
"Something like that. Among their casualties was Phasma, the head of their Stormtrooper Corps, and apparently one of their leading triumvirate directly under Snoke. With her death, what will the repercussions be to their leadership? Especially as it appears there is no clear successor to her."
A fact which Leia admittedly made her biased into suspecting was deliberate on Phasma's part, to ensure none of her own subordinates became ambitious.
"Their morale appears intact though, despite such a devastating loss," continued the admiral. "In the meantime, we've acquired—"
"Rescued," interrupted Leia.
". . . Yes, rescued, a stormtrooper formerly assigned to their flagship, and our first real insight into their military structure. It's slow going there though, as he's still overcoming his indoctrination. An astromech unit also made a massive download of their databases from Starkiller Base; so massive in fact, and so unorganised on their end, that the sheer volume is preventing us from properly sorting through it, even with Droid assistance."
Nonplussed, Jacen said, "Your problem is that you have too much valuable intelligence."
"It's not valuable if you can't use it. Yet," said Leia. This was her field now. "Especially since we've yet to identify any major First Order bases of operations we can use to our advantage. We can hit their fleets to some degree, but we need to guarantee our first public battle's a victory. We know of worlds like Kuat and other key Centrist worlds of course, except if we hit them . . ."
As she trailed off, Jacen rubbed the bridge of his nose. "It'll seem like a retaliatory strike for them leaving, against civilian targets, rather than hitting a plainly obvious military objective."
"As I noted," said Gial, "the First Order should've over-extended itself by striking as it has to cover as much of the Republic as possible. They cannot have the industrial capacity to maintain this in the face of further losses. Especially not with Starkiller Base, and the resources it must have taken to build, and how pivotal it was to their strategy. However, we know nothing of their bases of operations aside from those Centrist worlds. Whatever they possess within the Unknown Regions is a mystery to us."
"I see." Jacen pushed aside his feelings on the matter thanks to what Leia recognised as a Jedi technique, and focused upon both her and Stazi; eyes bouncing back and forth while intently assessing them for the slightest tell. "And then what of the simple solution: Snoke? Cut off the head and see the beast die like the Empire did. What about simply killing him?"
"Oh, if I knew where he was, nothing would give me more pleasure," ground out Admiral Stazi. "Well, maybe putting him on trial."
"I'll just kill him," said Leia, and she took a trickle of smug pleasure at how many hardened veterans flinched at whatever they heard in her tone.
Also ruffled, Jacen looked at her intensely. "Well then, I guess my first question should be, who is this Snoke?"
"What precisely do you mean?" she asked. Not stalling, merely wanting to narrow down the topic.
"Anything," he said flatly with a raised eyebrow. "As far as I know, Republic Intelligence had nothing on him, and he was a total unknown. From what I know of the period of the Empire's collapse, I would've imagined the First Order being led by someone like Grand Admiral Sloane. Instead we have someone who was apparently also entirely unknown to the Empire itself, except all the old loyalists to it, or the newer generation, rallied to him."
She knew that Admiral Stazi was staring at her as well, having previously caught her reticence on the subject.
Squeezing her eyes shut for a few breaths, Leia finally and bitterly admitted, "I don't know."
"You—"
Opening her eyes, the youngster cut himself off at whatever he saw inside them. "I've devoted every resource I can imagine, and I don't know who he is beyond the two facts that he's Force Sensitive, and that he somehow ensnared my son."
Through the Force she knew Ben had survived the destruction of Starkiller Base.
". . . I beg your pardon?" managed a stunned Jacen. "What do you mean about your son? Ben Solo?" Comprehension snapped into place, and the scoundrel retreated before a politician's mask. Or perhaps a gambler's one. "Kylo Ren. The man walking around like he's Darth Vader reborn."
She blinked. "You didn't know?"
"There were rumours, but I'd dismissed them," answered Admiral Stazi instead. Murmurs circulated around from those new to her, while the members of what had formerly been the Resistance maintained a stony, loyal silence.
"Same here," said Jacen. Peering at her, "I'm sorry, and I don't mean to drag out more . . ." He trailed off as even his politician's reserve deserted him.
"Given how my reveal as Darth Vader's daughter cost me my seat and career," she said with a touch of humour which was entirely false. "No need to dance around it. The unfortunate truth is that there's no avoiding it any longer; you need to know what you're facing."
Plus . . . as much as it galled her, Leia was unable to deny the degree to which silence and secrets had given rise to this tragedy which was her family. Or at least some of those secrets.
Brows furrowed, Leia said, "I can only speculate that certain parties covered that up within the Republic. Because they should've known."
As further speculation was pointless, she continued on with, "My son, Ben, was born extremely strong in the Force. What I've determined in hindsight unfortunately, was that from a young age, Snoke was whispering within Ben's mind. Quietly and seductively, corrupting him. When Ben went to study with Luke, this was negated, but then the reveal about Darth Vader was released."
She took no shame at grimacing at this, and various winces went around the room.
"Beforehand, we'd always told him that Anakin Skywalker had been a hero, and so he took the news poorly. It damaged the trust between us."
"Because it was a truth from a certain point of view," said Luke neutrally, except she still felt the judgment from him, however hidden, through the Force.
Furious indignation burned through her at the unspoken accusation.
How dare he!?
Howdarehecomehereallholierthanthou—
None of her thoughts were allowed upon her face, as she quietly said, "Yes."
Luke leaned backwards, studying her. Everyone else in the room caught the awkward air there, even if they knew better than to comment.
Using a lifetime of practice, Leia set aside her anger so she could channel it properly.
She had made mistakes; there was no doubting that. Some she regretted more than others, but they had all in their own way contributed to her son's downfall here.
Although, how had her counterpart handled similar circumstances?
A Vision had made her decide to stop her Jedi training, yet what if that had been a mistake? What if it had been inaccurate? Luke, her Luke, had tried to argue that the Force was always in motion, what you saw was never guaranteed. While in the end he had accepted her decision, how might things have gone if she had been a proper Jedi?
Being both a Jedi and a politician had honestly never truly occurred to her. They had always been two separate things in her mind.
More importantly, given that knowing look on Mara's face, Leia would wager that the younger women had caught Leia's careful omission after all.
That she had sensed Snoke reaching out to Ben before he had gone to Luke.
Sensed and known . . . and told no one.
Because she was too concerned, no, afraid, of how people would judge Ben for it when already they did that for all his emotional outbursts with the Force. Making people more afraid of him would have made things worse!
Except it had also left Luke unprepared, and Han unaware of the true peril of things.
Meeting the couple's judging looks, she raised a challenging eyebrow, and neither pushed her further on the subject.
For now at least.
To the room at large, she simply said, "For me, I wanted nothing to do with the spectre of Vader, and Bail and Breha Organa had always been my true parents. Bringing up the full truth of Anakin Skywalker involved too many painful memories for me to want to delve into."
". . . I see," said Jacen awkwardly. "And Starkiller Base—" he began, only to abort it. From the ruffle of air she knew someone had made a sharp gesture to stop him. A bubble of indignation was subsumed by her cold weariness at the knowledge of what had happened there.
She did not want to think about it.
"Ah, so," rallied Jacen, "should we take it then that Snoke's a very powerful wielder of the Force, and that Ben, or Kylo Ren as he now regards himself, is his heir?"
"Yes, and most likely. Or at least Ben believes he is," said Leia, feeling grateful to be back on firmer ground, even if she knew how temporary it could be. "The death of Phasma means that he and General Hux are the next senior-most members, and from everything we've gathered, the First Order's rife with the same internal strife of the Empire, meaning we can expect conflict between them. Probably Snoke playing them against each other. But again that's speculation; for all Snoke's power and authority, too much of him remains shrouded in shadow. I doubt even the majority of the First Order's own leadership knows anything about him."
"Hmm, that very secrecy might be something to exploit," offered Jacen. "Fermenting paranoia and dissent based upon their ignorance of him."
"Especially since that's most likely correct about the First Order's leadership," threw in Mara, contributing more for the first time. "Too many greedy and ambitious officers, with Snoke pitting not just his two top lieutenants against one another, but effectively all of them. Telling them it keeps them sharp, while really it's to keep them from rising up against him. In the case of Kylo and Hux though, they're probably trying to recapture the competitive if still cooperative nature of Vader and Tarkin's relationship."
"Precisely," agreed Leia. Ah, how she wished she had met this woman in kinder times; she had a feeling they would get along splendidly.
Something else to be admittedly jealous of the other-Leia about.
"It does raise the question of how responsible Solo is for his actions," said Stazi's flagship captain, Jaius Yorub. Visibly concerned, at the questioning looks he received, looking at Leia specifically, he elaborated, "If he's been effectively groomed like that from such a young age . . ."
"The way that the Dark Side can twist one's perceptions of things, including memories, hardly helps," said Luke sadly.
Not the sort of support she was looking for, but she could still use it.
"I daresay though that after years of sweet words, he's suddenly going to discover Snoke out of patience after such a failure," said Leia carefully. "I rather imagine that faced with true failure for the first time, my son's being confronted with the bleak, painful truth of the Dark Side and those who follow it. Hopefully that will make it less enticing to remain."
"We also have to consider the consequences if the First Order reveals his identity," said Amilyn with a worried frown. "It could cause further scandal."
Without inflection, Leia said. "We'll have to release that ourselves for the sake of damage control."
"Yes, we will," said Jacen, rubbing his face, "but first we're going to return to his own crimes, and his degree of guilt." Lowing his hand, he stared Leia, a living legend who was like an aunt to him, head-on and said, "He's twenty-nine and not a child anymore. You understand that we have to treat him like an enemy combatant."
It was not a question.
"We'd all prefer he was brought in alive, but even then, he'll have to answer for his culpability for Starkiller Base for starters. To stand trial. There though, the nature of his circumstances would certainly be considered."
"I see," said Leia, still giving nothing away.
Or so she hoped.
"To say nothing of how he was always a priority target," continued Jacen, "only now it sounds like he's more of Snoke's heir."
"Given the nature of the Dark Side, that's likely true," agreed Luke.
"And we'll also need to understand the role the Jedi will play in this conflict," said Leia, ruthlessly changing the subject.
Many caught what she had done, yet they remained too curious themselves about the answer to contest it.
Which was all she could hope for right now.
To see how things developed, and how she could save her precious, baby boy.
Even from himself.
Unamused, Luke nonetheless nodded in agreement, straightening slightly in his chair. "Truth be told, because I feel that full honesty is necessary here," he paused, spreading his hands apologetically, "I don't know."
A fragile, bitter silence fell.
"I—what?" asked a confounded Jacen.
"I don't know what role exactly the Jedi will play in this war. When I fought for the Rebel Alliance, I did so more as another pilot, and then a commander. A gifted one, or gifted pilot at least, but less as a Jedi," elaborated Luke. "That said, I also didn't really know what it meant at the time to be a Jedi either. Eventually, back home, I resigned my commission and stepped back to focus more on being a Jedi. I started up my Praxeum to teach others to be a Jedi after the war with the Empire was largely won, leaving the rest to the New Republic military."
There was something about the implied timing there which Leia had to be careful not to be distracted by. She would work it out later.
"In later conflicts, I only intervened when Dark Side users were involved. But even then, they only ever had a fraction of Palpatine's pre-Endor strength and resources. Plus, I knew where they were, how to get to them, which made things . . ." he trailed off as he sought the right word.
"Uncomplicated," supplied Mara. "Or they were genocidal lunatics like the Yevetha who just needed to be stopped. Again, uncomplicated."
"Exactly," agreed Luke softly. "This will be far more than that; a galaxy spanning civil conflict, where even if we win, we risk seeing civilization as we know it torn down. I know how to handle that as a Rebel and later Republic officer, and that's how I've been acting. But how to act during this war as a Jedi, well, I'm still trying to figure that out myself."
Giving a long exhale, Mara shook her head with her arms crossed. "And given Snoke, one way or another to some degree there's going to need to be a Jedi response."
". . . I appreciate your candidness," said Jacen eventually after he had processed that. "I confess, we were probably all hoping you'd take up a role like the Generals of the Clone Wars. My father was a commander then."
"One of the very first things Obi-Wan taught me was, 'For over a thousand generations the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic.' Except—" and here Luke's smile turned rather sardonic, "those aren't things readily found in war, are they?"
Unspoken as well was how things had turned out for the Jedi the Clone Wars as well.
"But what about the Master Skywalker of this reality?" interjected one of the ship captains whose name Leia had not learnt yet. Sternly, the Muun elaborated, "What would he do?"
"I don't know; especially as a Jedi," said Luke apologetically, and even sounded genuine. "We're two very different people, with very different experiences. For instance, I was able to find surviving Jedi and records from the Old Republic, but it appears he had to rediscover a lot of it on his own."
"I see," said Jacen sagely without actually saying anything.
"For now though, if it's alright with you, I'd like to continue in my present role helping Admiral Stazi with his snubfighter pilots, and training Rey. With us exploring the matter further at a later date?"
"That sounds entirely fine to me," said Jacen with renewed joviality. "And you, Jedi Mara?"
Bright-green eyes glittered, and her smile was slightly too sharp, as Mara said, "I'm currently working with Intelligence."
"You've previous experience?" asked Jacen, a little surprised.
"I served the Empire before it fell as one of Palpatine's agents," said Mara, ignoring the predictable exclamations of surprise. "Despite being Force Sensitive, I didn't handle anything your Inquisitors did. When I found myself out of work, I ended up working for a freelance intelligence broker as his second-in-command," Her good humour dimmed, as she sardonically said, "A few years away from my old life gave me a new perspective, as did my encounters with Luke. One thing led to another, and here I am as a recognised Jedi."
"An intelligence broker?" gasped one of the various officers who had been fawning over her this entire time as a Jedi.
"The best," said Mara proudly. However, Leia took note of how thin her smile was at the insinuation. "And someone who helped save the New Republic more times than you'll be comfortable hearing."
A rueful chuckle escaped Luke in acknowledgment of the jab. "True. True."
"We'll want a more detailed briefing about your past," Admiral Stazi sternly informed her.
"It's fairly common knowledge with the New Republic government back home, so why not," she said lightly back. Not that anyone here could truly verify her story, and she knew it.
"Regardless, those do indeed sound like solid credentials," said Jacen with good cheer, to which everyone else made obligatory sounds of agreement.
Some were obviously still skeptical despite this, yet Leia could see the brimming confidence in the pair.
She had to admit, as much as she had mixed feelings, very mixed, about what they represented, she was also very much looking forward to whatever they pulled off next.
/ * * \
* * * Legends Never Die * * *
\ * * /
Supremacy
Pt-ting*
Pain seared up and down Kylo Ren's side with every step. Mostly in the knee which his prosthetic foreleg was freshly attached to, yet the raw nerves carried it upwards as well. The medics had warned the aching would continue for some time until his body adjusted.
Pt-ting*
From his lessons, he drew strength from that fiery sensation as he burned away weakness. Harnessed it for greater power and commitment to the cause he had dedicated himself to; a mere taste of what he imagined his grandfather must have once endured.
Pt-ting*
The prosthetic itself was . . . cruder than he had anticipated; shaped to resemble a skeleton's foot. Undeniably a punishment from the Supreme Leader. It was surely no coincidence that his new leg was formed so he could not put a boot over it, making his every movement ring with the sound of metal against metal on these decks.
Pt-ting*
Another challenge for him to overcome.
Pt-ting*
As was the fact that due to the difference in measurements, when he took his sole boot off, one leg was now longer than the other, producing a new limp as he had to walk on an angle. Even when he is free to relax, and after his body will eventually have properly healed, there will be no escaping the reminder of his failure. Forever.
Pt-ting*
Of what hesitation had cost him.
Pt-ting*
At last he reached his destination: his proper place before the Supreme Leader himself.
The difference in weight, and the strain of putting that leg down, made kneeling uncomfortable. A rippling, raw feeling of phantom knives trying to tear off his new limb; altogether different than the previous pain, obliging him to adjust his Force technique.
Staring at the ground through his helmet, he waited to be acknowledged. As was Snoke's way, he was not kept waiting. Master Skywalker would have kept him waiting, claiming it was to teach patience while really a childish attempt to exert authority over his nephew; a nephew he feared.
"How's your wound?" asked Supreme Leader Snoke, and despite everything, Kylo felt his heart unclench —however slightly— at the demonstration of concern. It reminded him of when they had first met face to face.
"It's nothing," he assured him.
"Hmm," grunted Snoke. Through the upper peripheral of his visor, Kylo watched Snoke's feet as he pushed himself up from his throne. He envisioned the man towering over all the Humans in the room, face scarred and back hunched from wounds Skywalker had dealt him years ago. Nonetheless, the sheer commanding presence left no doubts as to whom the Supreme Leader was. A reminder of how much more Kylo had to learn.
Everything shattered apart from there.
"The mighty Kylo Ren," said Snoke as he stepped forward down the pedestal. "When I found you, ahh, I saw what all masters live to see. Raw, untamed power. And beyond that, something truly special. The potential of your bloodline." As he came to a stop just a few steps away, Kylo caught a glimpse of Snoke gesturing at him as he proclaimed, "A new . . . Vader."
Unease settled though. This . . . This was not like their previous conversations.
Through the Force he could feel the disappointment and contempt radiating from the powerful alien who was not yet done.
"Now, I fear . . . I was mistaken."
Gut clenching at the condemnation, Kylo dared to raise his head and stare his master in the eye.
"I've given everything I have to you," voice distorted by his vocabulator. "To the Dark Side."
Ignoring him, voice low and dangerous, Snoke commanded, "Take that ridiculous thing off."
Under that glare he only briefly hesitated in complying, disengaging the locks to remove his helmet and set it aside. He knew how sallow his appearance was, the bags under his eyes, and shamefully kept his gaze downcast.
"Yes, there it is," said Snoke softly. "You have too much of your father's heart in you, young Solo."
At that accusation, that insult, Kylo snapped his head up to angrily say, "I stabbed Han Solo. I would've killed him." Dismissively, Snoke turned away, so he threw in, "When the moment came I didn't hesitate."
"And look at you," snapped Snoke, whirling back around with rising fury. "The attempt split your spirit to the bone. You were too focused on Han Solo that you missed the man who betrayed us both, and when you fought Skywalker you were unbalanced! The Knights of Ren were abandoned by their leader and slaughtered around you! Instead of taking your rightful vengeance, your weakness and insecurity may have cost us everything! Reduced you to nothing!"
Shock and betrayal pushed Kylo to his feet, his rising anger making it a smooth motion with no concern for the agony in his leg. Cloak cast aside to fight.
To which he was met with ample demonstration of why he remained only the learner.
In a casual display of power, Force Lightning erupted from Snoke's fingers despite still being held relaxed at his sides. The blue lighting ricocheted off the floor to bowl Kylo off his feet and helpless onto his back. Stunned surprise kept him still, the hot pain itself inconsequential, with just the slight sizzle of burning fabric.
A warning to know his place.
Distantly he noted the red-armoured figures of the Praetorian Guard brandishing their weaponry.
"Skywalker lives! The seed of the Jedi Order lives, and already, he's replaced you!" At another gesture, Snoke's protectors relaxed and resumed their posts as he went back up his daises, while Kylo pushed himself to sit upright. "So long as he and his new Jedi persevere, hope lives in the galaxy. With your dear, precious mother scurrying around in the shadows, doing all she can to fan the flames of it, rallying beings to her side."
Sitting down upon his throne, the Supreme Leader was weary, disappointed, and still angry. "I thought you would be the one to snuff it out. Alas, you're no Vader. You're just a child . . . in a mask."
All Kylo Ren could do was sit there, struggling to keep his emotions contained, well aware he was still shaking in the struggle to repress them.
"We've no idea where they've hidden themselves," continued Snoke with a sneer. "But when we do, you'll be given another chance to prove yourself otherwise. In preparation, you'll be given support to aid you in killing Skywalker when we find him and the other Jedi. Elite troopers to overwhelm them. While waiting, with Phasma gone, prove to me you can at least train them up further.
"Go."
At the brusque dismissal, Kylo pulled himself up as gracefully as possible to make his leave. As he headed to the elevator, his helmet shot from the floor to smack into his hand by his side. Surprised, he fumbled for it before holding on, and did not look back.
Pt-ting*
As soon as the door closed, he automatically set for another floor, trying to breathe through the choking sensation he felt.
How—!? Why—!? He'd done everything Snoke had ever asked of him! He had always been the only one to understand him! Even when he was pathetic Ben Solo!
It was Skywalker! To survive that monster was an accomplishment!
Especially when my training's incomplete! Instead of offering more of it, of trusting me to handle Skywalker, he insults me by dumping a bunch of mundane grunts upon me! What good will the likes of them serve except as a meager distraction against a proper Jedi?
Releasing a long breath to center himself, he held up his helmet, molded after his grandfather, to study it.
Shifting his grip so his fist was inside, he punched it into the wall with a grunt of rage. The only way he had to express, release, his feelings.
Gazing a long moment at the dent from the single, he then resumed it.
Again and again until all that was left of it and what it represented was a pile of scrap.
The doors swished open, and the officers waiting for him snapped to attention.
"Bring every bit of intelligence about the Resistance," he snapped before stalking away.
Pt-ting*
Especially about the girl.
Pt-ting*
She's the key to it all.
Pt-ting*
I'll find her. Save her from Master Skywalker.
Pt-ting*
Show her the power of the Dark Side. Show her the lies of the Jedi.
Pt-ting*
Then we'll kill Skywalker together, and the First Order will be triumphant.
Pt-ting*
We'll go before Snoke, and the Supreme Leader, and I'll show him he wasn't wrong in showing me the truth of the Force. The Jedi. He'll remember I'm not a mistake.
Pt-ting*
A voice whispered in his ear too much like Han Solo, "If you fail him again, what'll he do next? He's using you."
Pt-ting*
No! raged Kylo. Snoke was never wrong! Never!
Except even he could tell that he was not as confident in that belief as he had been before this disastrous meeting.
Pt-ting*
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* * * Legends Never Die * * *
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Author Notes:
A minor error I made from an earlier chapter I feel like acknowledging:
That nobody in the Resistance recognises what an E-Wing is, but Ahsoka shows two of them. As none of them appeared in the films, even when they would have been expected, I will just say they had not reached much service.
.
Jacen Syndulla's role has been an evolving one for me.
I had long planned for there to be a senator to pop in to take the reins of the remnant of the New Republic government, but it took a while for me to consider him. Because for me, one of my only real peeves about Stazi is how he was never shown actually returning the power of the state back to a democratic institution, so still really a military dictatorship over the galaxy. The main difference being that the power now being shared with an Empress, and the Jedi Order who do make up an extreme minority. One of the ongoing flaws about the Star Wars franchise, regardless of continuity aside from scant few Expanded Universe authors, is we see people fighting and dying in the name of democracy, only to utterly fail in actually upholding it. Repeatedly. To the point it appears less about opposing dictatorship, and more about opposing SITH dictatorship . . .
I chose Jacen in the end largely because of some fun fanart by carrinth on DeviantArt about him as an adult which got me thinking about him. Granted, this got a little complicated when Ahsoka showed up, but given the future plans I already had set in place for him, I chose to play around that. He wanted to be a Jedi as a kid, and definitely had some potential, but as he grew older he chose instead to change the galaxy as an honest politician; fix the things the rest of the Spectres would gripe about.
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Q: Where are Ahsoka and Ezra in this story?
A: Wherever the movie-verse has them to explain their perpetual absence during the Sequel Trilogy.
While I may change my mind down the road, I currently have no plans for them.
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Next Chapter: "Tension and Loss"
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Please Review, and I will get back to you!