Star Wars STAR WARS: EPISODE XII: LEGACY OF THE FORCE

IC: Wedge Antilles
Chimaera

They had arrived, returned in-system.

Most of the minefield had been cleared, and at least half of the Remnant Star Destroyers had paid for that. The Tho Yor were crippled, some completely destroyed, and the missing forces of the Adumari attested to that - as did the wreckage of the moon base. However, the missing Onager had brought his heart to his throat.

As Daala regrouped with Vice Admiral Poinard, who reported on the state of the remaining handful of Remnant Destroyers, and that her three Maw Destroyers were intact if battered, and Remal ordered them to head to the Megador, Wedge himself hailed Aryan Graul - unsuccessfully - then Vitor Reige, then Rhoen Aquilla.

By the time he had done that, he came back to Daala, who knew some things he already did.

That Aryan and Lyz and Darth Krayt were missing.

That Thrawn had scooped them up and his Resurgent-class was now being repaired...

On the Second Starkiller Bases surface.

Wedge swore that the Onager had fled, but the arrival of Starkiller Base had given him a strange swelling of hope.

It had arrived a short moment after they had, and they had apparently arrived a short moment after Trec and the Onager fled.

By the time Wedge rushed back to the bridge, Remal shouted out.

"We've gravity well generators filling the entire system, ma'am!"

Of course Starkiller Base had a gravity well generator.

Of course it included Celestial technology.

Snoke didn't need the Tho Yor.

He had everything he needed here.

So while Wedge and Daala had knocked out his Hyper Cannon, Snoke had simply come here to finish them.

A hundred thousand turbolaser batteries.

At least a million TIE Daggers.

The Resistance gave the Starkiller Base a wide margin, but Snoke seemed content to just hold in orbit.

Wedge grimaced as the surviving ships gathered together; he could see the One Sith Dragon listing to the edge of the battle, but ignored it. They had the Scythe, the crippled Errant Venture, the four-Destroyer Maw Fleet, the Megador, four Remnant Star Destroyers, and enough fighter aces to fend off a thousand TIE Daggers.

It would simply have to do.

"Natasi, we're not out of this yet, I promise."

Vice Admiral Poinard was already requesting they dock aboard the Megador.

TAG: @Lady_Belligerent (combo), mention only for @HanSolo29, @galactic-vagabond422, @darthbernael

 

IC: Supreme Leader Kylo Ren
Crash-site; heading towards

Snow.

Snow, for everywhere and everyone to see.

A memory would flicker in the mind of Kylo Ren.

Well, of Ben Skywalker.

He had been repressed again by the Emperor, sent to solve the final problem.

A Jedi and Sith strike force.

It had crashed.

Here.

His command shuttle flew across the tundra.

Three Shadowtrooper laden transports escorted him - twenty in each, for a total of sixty soldiers. Phasma commanded besides him, inside the command shuttle.

Kylo Ren tiled his mask as the wreck neared.

The Millennium Falcon was here.

The crash landing had been, well, a crash.

Ennis was still elsewhere, entirely so, meditating or dwelling or... it wasn't clear.

The rest, well, they were in various states of disarray.

Chewbacca lifted his lolled head and winced at the pain in it. The inertial compensators had saved them, but only just. He reached for the belt holding him in, breathed a sigh of relief as it withdrew, no longer digging into his fur -

Zeseem would come to outside the ship, having been thrown out and through the cockpit -

Vestara was unconscious, a deep blank in the Force.

Atin-Kot was suddenly awake, lolled at an uncomfortable angle in the cargo hold; the cold had woken him; the rear of the Falcon was exposed to the elements; he'd been thrown to the very back of the YT-1300 transport from the front -

Ap'lek was awake, the harness having secured him, though the transparisteel that had been keeping him safe from vacuum was gone; it had lasted long enough. But through the jagged view, with his gun impossibly still attached, he would see the black-command shuttle and trio of Stormtrooper transports approaching -

Kylo Ren squeezed his fist.

"Order our rear-guard forces to abandon formation for speed," he heard Phasma say. "We shall need all assets. At my word, TIE Daggers are to bomb the Falcon into smithereens."

The pilot hesitated. "What about our troopers?"

"What about them?"

Kylo Ren looked at him.

The man gulped.

"Yes, sir."

"These Jedi and Sith have come to kill our Emperor. We shall disabuse them of the notion that such a thing will be acceptable."

TAG: @Mitth-Fisto, @darthbernael, @Silvertough (combo) and @Mistress_Renata (mention only, please see subsequent TAG)

GM OOC: Please do recall that Ben Skywalker is Kylo Ren, at Snoke's command/brainwashing.

 

IC: Darth Vader

Just as suddenly, they were in a rocky world and place.

Vader's breathing was all that they would hear.

Then a snap-hiss.



"You are nothing but fools."

His fist slammed into his chest.

"This is my story, not yours. You are mere spectators."

He regarded Ahsoka Tano and Barriss Sunrider.

"You cling to my legacy. My tragedy."

He gestured.

"And it all began here."

A flash of memory; one that Ahsoka once had, one that Barriss did not.



"This is where Darth Vader was born."

They were inside Mortis.

He'd taken them to the evil heart of Snoke's master plan.

Peer as they might, they would not find any of Anakin in him.

Anakin was absent.

Gone.

Elsewhere.

Only Darth Vader stood before them.

TAG: @CosmoHender (combo)

 

IC: Anakin Skywalker
Between

He left one conversation, and headed to another.

Someone was diving deep into the Force.

Seeking an answer; a solution to the very dark side itself.

A Jedi.

An Old Republic Jedi.

Ennis.

All of a sudden, he was there.



"Ennis?"

The man who, she would know, had fallen to the dark side, caused Order 66, and became Darth Vader.

"You're dying, Ennis... how?"

TAG: @Mistress_Renata (combo with GM)

 

IC: Seha Dorvald
Aboard the Sith Dragon

The danger seemed to recede, but the sirens and keening did not.

The enemy had withdrawn, seemingly separately of their actions.

But Tahiri was awake, and Seha opted to count her blessings, and to squeeze Talon's hand as they sprinted through the corridors; each was limned with red lights - emergency power existed. There were no bodies, just a seemingly growing absence of Sith.

"We did it."

"Lovely," Tahiri said, not entirely without dryness to her voice. "Now can we get off the Sith ship?"

"Takaris Yur gave us sanctuary, helped us break into your psyche -"

"I'm sure he did it out of the goodness of his heart."

They turned and reached the hangar, and found the Sith.

They were clearly all members of the Lost Tribe of the Sith.

Each were beautiful in their own right, even if for some, they hid their attractiveness beneath disfigurement borne of war, of dark side abuse. There were only thirty left in their dark armour, and all were on their knees.

High Lord Takaris Yur turned to face them.

He was standing in-front of someone, who themselves stood in-front of a Imperial Remnant shuttle, crimson for it's import and well prepared.

"I am sorry," he said, genuinely. "The TIE Daggers attacked, and in our distraction, he returned."

"Who?" Seha said, dread in her voice.

A crimson blade burst from Takaris Yur.

"Me."

As the last High Lord of the Lost Tribe of the Sith crumbled to the deck, Darth Krayt stepped forward.

"Greetings, Darth Talon. I see you have been cutting the chaff from the One Sith for me in my absence."

TAG: @CosmoHender (combo)

 

IC: Admiral Aftab Ackbar
Aboard the Scythe, Jakku

The Third Battle of Jakku was over.

A quartet of Tho Yor wrecks and a minefield scattered; dozens of TIE Daggers broken, and the remainder on the retreat; the Resurgent-class flagship of Thrawn now in dire need of repairs.

The Resistance had launched its feint, and Snoke had come for them. The surviving ships were on the retreat, regrouping together.

Ackbar tallied their losses, most of which had been to their forces abandoning the engagement.

The Onager was gone, ditto the Adumari forces offered by Trec. With a grimace, Gial Ackbar's son wondered how the old Mon Calamari had kept their forces together against repeat impossible odds.

The Megador was heading their way, with an escort of seven Star Destroyers; three Maw, two Remnant, two Chiss. The Chimaera was en route too, complete with Wedge Antilles and Natasi Daala.

Aryan Graul, Lyz Graul, Lord Sabel, Trec, and others, they had escaped.

But now Snoke was here.

The Second Starkiller Base had lost it's Hyper Cannon, but it had plenty of guns and TIE Daggers.

For the moment, the First Order was happy to watch them scurry about.

Ackbar bristled his barabels at the offence.

Snoke had been playing with them for months.

Poe was on his way up with K'Kruhk and T'ra Saa, the last two Jedi Masters on the surface. Apparently a group of Jedi and Sith had commandeered the Millennium Falcon and were even now aboard the Second Starkiller Base, somehow.

He doubted Chewbacca had allowed the Falcon to be stolen.

Poe was simply playing the two Jedi Masters, and they likely knew.

A huff, and Ackbar paid attention instead to the fighters returning to the dock.

They had a decent amount of fuel, but a vast amount of ordnance, left by the Adumari to them before they fled. Corona, Rogue and Black Squadron survivors, including Stele, Syal and Val, as well as Zara and Tiber, would be promptly refueled.

However, there was apparently some consternation in the hangar bay.

A location request for Zara and Tiber's newborn children?

Ackbar wondered what was so urgent about locating them?

They were still trapped, moreso than before now the Second Starkiller had ramped up it's Celestial gravity well generators - there was no urgency or danger.

Was there?

TAG: @Adalia-Durron, @darthbernael (combo to escape the Battle, no doubt) mentions for @adaml83 and @galactic-vagabond422 only

 

Emperor Snoke
Throne Room, the Second Starkiller Base

The Emperor had a secret.

It wasn't known to anyone but his true apprentice, and he would rather have kept it even from Darth Traya, but needs must.

It was why he was running so many angles, so many plans, so many schemes.

He was trying to secure the future, wrestle it from his own past; from Palpatine, his progenitor, though Snoke was a mere malformed duplicate.

A snort, and his four guards flinched.

Snoke waved them to calm themselves.

He was in control.

He always was.

Fidgeting with the ring upon his hand - the one made of Mustafarian rock, and neuranium gold, and etched with the symbols of the Sages of Dwartii - of the Epitaph, of the simple truths of this galaxy, Snoke withdrew the jewellery from his gnarled finger and merely regarded it.

He didn't need it any more.

He was the last.

He no longer needed to share memories with another ring, wore by another Snoke.

For there had been many Snoke's, not merely one. Not a hive mind like the ancient Darknesses of old, no, but many differing minds, different Snokes. Collaborating; scheming; all seeking to perpetuate the future of the Snoke line. Every Snoke dead had been irreplaceable. Unique. Their own entity.

But soon, he - the very last Snoke - would be immortal.

The AGENT program had been a key component of his Grand Design. The fates of the particular Imperials that Dr Gast experimented on were irrelevant. The cloning projects had been mere feint, designed to distract his enemies into believing he had achieved a mere echo of Palpatine's Essence Transfer. No, Snoke sought something much more.

Genetic survival.

Encoded into the very DNA of all, like a living, breathing, virus.

Just like Abeloth, who used a medium of black ichor to transfer herself to another body, pumped into a shell and then she would fillet it out with herself. Abeloth could command multiple bodies simply because she spread herself across multiple bodies. The death of one avatar hurt the rest, but that singular death meant nothing. She was physically immortal.

He needed to win, yes, but he also needed to survive.

He was close to that immortality.

Palpatine had started such research, as an alternative to constructing a true body to perform Essence Transfer, but all the notes Snoke found confirmed that he was years away from such a breakthrough. The capture of an Abeloth corpse had assisted, of course, but he had already spent decades trapped in one decaying form. His survival was linked to that of Rey, and so, he died.

Snoke delighted in reminiscing about how he had sabotaged the scientists from inside his own cloning tank, waiting to be decanted when another Snoke died, commanding the First Order as proxy for Palpatine. Working with Lumiya to distract the Emperor had been ingenious, and Vergere had proven time and time again to be his true apprentice. Not the mewling Kylo Ren or even candidates like Ben Skywalker and Jaina herself.

It also pleased Snoke that Palpatine had discarded Vergere. He had chosen Darth Tyranus instead, and then Darth Vader. What a fool, not seeing the true power of Treachery wielded by masters like Snoke and Vergere.

A dry chuckle.

Snoke refocused.

His guest had arrived.

The gravity well generators had been activated in response to him settling on the surface, and the officer who had brought him being elevated to Admiral and given the latest fleet from Fondor.

Snoke leered as the man - the nonhuman; the near-human, was escorted in.

For he was an Unknown Terror.

A Tof.

TAG: @Mitth_Fisto (combo), mention for @Lady_Belligerent

 

Begin again, my friends, and a Merry Christmas!

 

IC: Tiber, Zara, remaining Black Squadron - escaping, with Addie and Sinre
Jakku, the Scythe, and beyond

When his fighter touched down in the even more empty hangar of the Scythe Tiber ran through the shut down procedure before he slumped against his harness. His head nodded forward, the brow of his matte black flight helmet almost touching the control panel as he did so. His breathing was harsh, ragged, and he truly did not want to step out of the fighter.

Around him he could hear the rest of Black Squadron dismounting, gathering, so that they could decide what the next step was. Given that the Onager had disappeared, that ships were escaping Jakku, he hoped they too could escape this six month long hell of battle. But, the appearance of that massive station, a planet really, had lowered their odds dramatically. He, as their commander, was the one who was going to have to make that ultimate decision though, but one thing was paramount, whatever happened Zara and the twins needed to escape.

He knew, his aching heart knew, that she had decided to stop flying, to take care of their children, which left…left him having to rip himself away from them to try to ensure they survived. Reaching under the visor his glove covered hands rubbed his face wearily before he finally sat back. With a shuddering sigh he hit the quick release on his harness at the same time that he pressed the stud to open the canopy.

Zara had touched down heavily, not her usual style, but she didn't care, as she ripped her harness off and pulled at her helmet. Her cockpit was opening, but not fast enough for her as she stood and began to push at it. She pushed so hard she heard a cracking sound as one of the hinges seemed to break at her exertion. Jumping out onto the ladder, she slid down, her feet either side of it before starting to run to their quarters.

Then she skidded to a stop and spun.

Where was he? Why wasn't he desperate to be with their children? Her head began to turn from one direction to the other, torn between her husband and her new born children. In a handful of seconds, the children won as she turned back and began to run again. Tiber would find her and them soon, she knew that.

When he finally exited the fighter Tiber looked over at his wife’s bird, seeing the bubble tilted slightly to the side. His Twi’lek wife, however, was nowhere to be seen. As the others closed in around him he heard a voice.

”Uncle, Zara took off out of the hangar as soon as she landed.” Jeanfra told him.

His face took on even more of a defeated look as he pulled off his helmet. Rubbing his face after he threw his gloves into the helmet harder than he’d planned, he looked over at her, ”Get the Squadron to the ready room. I’ll get her, and the kids.” his tone weary as he spoke.

With that he turned on his heels, hearing her calling out to the others, as he headed for the same exit he was sure that his wife had taken.

She was running full pelt, skidding around corners and running up the backstairs two and three at a time, her only focus was Lavender and Logan. Finally reaching their door she used her hand to print to get in, barging and pushing the door open. "Where are they!?!?" She called as she entered.

”Shhhh!!!” came from the woman who had approached the door as soon as she’d heard the pounding feet. Wyrock had her finger to her lips before she dropped it. ”I just got them both to sleep after the recent bouncing of the battle.” she went on in a low tone. ”They’re both fine and are little angels.”

"I want to see them" Zara began to push past Wyrock. "I need to see them."

Wyrock shook her head, the Twi’lek seemed over the edge, the crew chief thinking that as the other woman’s push made her rebound off the bulkhead. ”They’re in their cribs.” she got out after catching her breath. It was only a few moments later that she heard hurried but measured footsteps in the hall, through the still open hatch, certain they were those of the boss.

She'd rushed into the room and now stood over the sleeping forms, Logan's tiny mouth moving and she smiled, he must have been dreaming of drinking, he was hungry in his sleep. Her finger traced along the boy's cheek gently as in the next cradle, Lilac made a soft gurgling sound. Turning she smiled down at her daughter as she heard someone approaching, she knew the footsteps.

”What’s going on, bossman? Is everything copacetic?” came from Wyrock by the door.

Stepping into their rooms, seeing Zara bending over the cribs further inside, Tiber barely heard the question. Pausing for a moment, ”Yes…and no…” he muttered. Shaking his head, ”Gather everything you can, especially for the twins, and get to the briefing room. Tell any of the other crew chiefs and our people you see on the way to do the same.”

Moving around Wyrock as she set to action, Tiber walked back to where his wife was, ”They’re sleeping…” he said with a sigh. ”Doubt they will be soon…we need to take our chance to escape, which means getting them on a shuttle. And with as many of our people as we can.”

She spun to him, "we?" Her heart was racing now, "together?"

”What?!? You think I’d leave you here, even with the twins, try to get our people free and not you?” he asked, confused and hurt at the question. Turning away, stumbling to the bulkhead and leaning against it, ”Of course I’d find a way to get my wife and children out of here if there is a chance of it.” he said quietly.

"No, I thought you'd send us away.....and I was ready to knock you out and drag you along." She stated firmly.

He was even more confused now, wondering why she’d think he’d let them be separated. Already knowing she wouldn’t be flying at his wing again he didn’t understand why she’d think he’d send her in a shuttle that could be compromised, without him or the others there to protect them. ”Never…but…” he shook his head, ”I know you won’t fly again…” he almost whispered. ”but I will be flying, the others and I protecting the shuttle, to get you out of here.”

"All of us, out of here, for good....home?" She asked, stepping closer to him.

Looking up to meet her gaze, ”We’ve done more than enough, lost too much in the last six months, not to do everything we can to…get home and leave this to others, only make sure our home is safe.” he told her.

She surged forward to him, dragging him up into her arms and kissing him deeply. "Have I mentioned I love you lately?"

”It’s always wonderful to hear, love.” he said softly.

From the other room, ”Found a shuttle, boss. Got your stuff on there. Hope it’s big enough, most of the crew are waiting, along with you flybeings.” Wyrock stated.

She turned to the cradles, "if you're flying escort......do I fly the shuttle?" She asked.

”Get them to get the birds rearmed with whatever’s left and refueled and then on board the shuttle. With enough space for Zara and the twins.” he called out to Wyrock, hearing her dart out of the room afterwards. Turning back to Zara, ”Thought that last was the last time you ever flew…” he said in a pained whisper.

Their comlinks chimed.

It was Ackbar.

He was summoning them to the bridge.

Zara looked at the summon and snorted, "it was....in battle....are we still taking orders?" She asked her husband.

Tiber snorted, ”The entire squadron, techs, crew chiefs, and all are in the hangar or the ready room. All that is left are the twins and we’re gone. Do you really think we’re listening?” he countered, walking over to the cribs, reaching down to gently lift the sleeping Lilac into his arms.

"Copy Lead." She smiled as she reached down and picked up her sleeping son, "we're going for a ride Logan, you'll love it." She whispered.

When they exited their now former quarters Tiber found that Wyrock hadn’t listened, not fully, to his orders. Instead, as they stepped out, a pair of techs moved in front of them as Wyrock herself and another moved behind them.

”No one will stop us, pretty boy.” she said, the group heading quickly for towards the briefing room.

The comms beeped once more. The Admiral was being rather insistent, but of course, they could - and were - ignoring it.

Logan, for his part, nuzzled into his mother, and slept even more deeply. Lilac was a floppy sleeper, and her arms dropped down, mouth askance.

Tiber gently lifted Lilac's arms back into place, trying not to wake her as he did so, wrapping her blanket around her again. Her short lekku were still dangling but waving independently of his walking motion. Hearing the beeping of the comm Tiber shook his head, knowing the Admiral wouldn’t wait that much longer before he sent out a party to find them.

Thankfully, they were already approaching the ready room, their ‘guards’ peeling off to stand just inside the door of it as he and Zara entered with their twins. He guided her to the front of the room, ”Okay Blacks, it’s time to go home. We’ve done more than ever expected, here, and we need to get back to our people.”

Lt Daniel Messina looked up, he'd been staring at his boots. He was tired, tired of the war, tired of fighting, tired of not knowing what each day held, tired of adventure. He just wanted to settle down, wanted to convince her to settle with him, a farm maybe? He didn't know but when his Lead spoke, that spark of hope flickered in his heart, but he had to ask. "For real?"

Chrystella sat at a desk behind him and laughed, "when did he ever lie to us doofus?"

Zara stood silently holding the soundly sleeping Logan against her chest, that feeling only a mother had surging in her body and the milk that fed them felt as if it would flow. She needed to fix that, and soon.

”If uncle says we’re going home then I am.” Jeanfra muttered. ”But it sounds good that I don’t have to drag you along by your hair, dear.” she said with a grin at Dan.

Tiber shook his head, ”Enough, people. The techs and crews will take the shuttle Z and the twins will be on. The rest of us will protect the shuttle so we can jump, the Imps are certainly going to try to stop us.” He glanced down at his baby daughter and then at his wife, ”No questions, we don’t have time, the Resistance is already wanting us back in action so we need to slip away.”

Across the tannoy it came out; the announcement, not a moment before they reached the hangar.

They were being officially summoned to the bridge.

Stopping at the ramp she looked back at Tiber, her expression asking if they kept going, at that moment Logan stirred, gurgling and she was pleased as her need to feed one of her babies was strong now.

Dan was more than happy to get the kriff out of this mess, as was Chrystella, and they were soon in their cockpits ready for launch.

Hearing the announcement Tiber’s face turned grim. He was the last of the Blacks still not to their fighters or the shuttle yet, he felt it his job to make sure they all made it. Looking over at the shuttle he saw Zara’s look, her expression. His face set in the determined yet grim look he nodded. He’d had to give up Lilac to one of the techs, who was standing beside Zara, as she couldn’t go with him in his fighter and that hurt already.

The last six months, it felt, had aged him a dozen years and this moment was aging him further. But they needed to go. ”This is it, go, go go!” he called out before slamming his helmet over his head, bounding into the cockpit of his fighter and running through the startup sequence with an unconscious ease.

He'd moved so fast she'd not even gotten a single kiss in. Turning she started up the ramp, looking back as he called out, her heart twisting. This was going to be rough, it was going to be dangerous but they had to do it, she knew it as she turned back as the ramp began to lift. Checking on Lilac as they boarded, she found a place to sit and feed her children, it would distract her while they made their escape.

As his fighter lifted from the deck he glanced over at the shuttle. Guiding his bird with a deft touch he brought it close to the larger craft. His eyes widened in momentary shock. She’d said she’d be flying it but she wasn’t in the cockpit. Keying the mic, ”Blacks Ark, yes that’s your callsign now shuttle, tell my wife we’re all departing now and that her husband will make sure she and all the others aboard get out safely, that I love her.”

“Wilco, Black One, the message will be passed immediately.”

Touching the controls again, his fighter surged forward, a third of the squadron close, a third in tight to the shuttle, and the remaining third pulling rear guard on the shuttle. Even more odd than Zara not being at the controls of the shuttle was that she was not on his wing, it felt…wrong.

Sitting near the back of the shuttle, Zara found her flight suit very unsuitable for feeding a new baby, having to undo it a considerable amount and removing her shoulder to get the boy to 'latch on'. Looking around she tried to find something to toss over herself to conceal what she was doing and spotted an oily rag, it was better than nothing so she reached over to get it and covered the child and herself carefully as she checked on Lilac beside her. There was no division and so when a young man approached he gasped and held his hand to his eyes, "sorry ma'am, I have been trusted with a message from our Lead."

Zara's heart sang for a moment as she smiled at the boys embarrassment, "and that is?" She asked.

His eyes still covered, he tried to remember what was said word for word, "he said to tell his wife that we’re all departing now and....." he paused to recall it all, "that her husband will make sure she and all the others aboard get out safely, that," he paused, "and that..... he loves her." His cheeks flushed a vibrant red.

"I am not sure you will speak to him again, but tell him I needed to feed our son....he will understand and that I love him too, and thank you....I know this.....and that was difficult for you."

"Following orders ma'am, and I will be sure he gets your message....and I'll find you a cleaner cloth for....that." He didn't wait for an answer, turning sharply and leaving them alone.

Zara looked down at Lilac, "daddy loves us," she turned to Logan, "did you hear?"

Tiber knew they had to get the ships out of the hangar before Ackbar closed it and kept them from leaving. His nerves were on edge, worried that just that would occur, as he brought his fighter to hold station above the others, right at the screen keeping the atmosphere inside the hangar. With each ship that passed through that barrier, with each that exited, the tension changed from that about them getting off the ship to the danger that waited outside.

As the shuttle was departing the tension went down fractionally, as he received the relayed message from Zara. He thanked the crewman and told him to make sure they kept her safe as the tail of the shuttle exited.

Finally he was the last aboard, making him look around. They were, once again, leaving the Resistance, and again for family. He had, they had, fought for so much, paid such a price, and he knew, as Zara did, that they just wanted to return to their homes and simply protecting their families, not to be drawn into galactic conflicts. That thought drifted through his mind as he exited the hangar and took his spot in the formation once more.

”Blacks, eyes open, there are plenty of unfriendly folks out here who would love to keep us from leaving.”

The doors were closing, and then, they closed, just as they escaped the ship.

The comms were open, and ion cannons were promptly painting them.

They weren't going to make it without at least talking to Ackbar.

For the moment, they had escaped.

Starkiller loomed, in the very distance, gravity well generators cranked to maximum.

But what would keep a capital ship pinned would not stop a shuttle or a handful of fighters.

They could do this.

The fighters and the shuttle stuck close to the hull of the Scythe, to confuse both the enemy weapons pointed at them and the ones that were pointing at them from the selfsame ship.

”Lead…I don’t think they want us to leave…” Jeanfra called out, only a slight nervous edge to her tone.

Tiber was sticking close to the shuttle but was well aware of everything going on around them. His comm continued to chirp from the Scythe and he knew he’d have to respond at some point or they’d have both friend and foe firing at them as they left. His niece’s call only added to that.

He couldn’t see into the body of the shuttle but he drifted back slightly, looking over at it, where he thought his wife and their twins would be sitting. With the sensors screaming about the cannons seeking them, the enemy craft in the near distance, and his comm continuing to chirp he stayed right there for several moments, just peering at where he hoped she was.

Finally, he sighed, shook his head, then thumbed the comm, ”Black One to Scythe, we’d appreciate you not killing us. There are noncombatants along with the flight. But…we’re taking the opportunity to return to our people.” Polite…polite but definitive, they were leaving.

Zara was feeding Lilac now as Logan began to fall asleep beside her, around them all hell seemed to be breaking loose. She'd moved to the floor so there was nowhere to fall from and right now she had Logan under her bent legs with Lilac in her lap. The shudders and rocking of the ship seemed to lull the sleepy child right off to the land of nod. As her hand rested on the boy's chest to keep him in place she smiled, "not half your father’s boy, are you?" Checking on Lilac she leaned her head back against the bulkhead and sighed, "I just hope he can get us out of here in one piece."

Admiral Ackbar, the son to the legendary man who had made that title famous, came across the comms.

"I don't understand," the young Mon Calamari said, clearly in a private room from the backdrop. "You're leaving us, now?"

The weapons did not fire, but did not cease targeting them, tracing their path as they went further away.

Once again, Tiber felt weary, drained from the months of constant warfare. ”You can see the planet that just arrived. I may not have Force ability but even I know who must be there.” he replied, the weariness in his tone. ”We have fought and bled to assist your fight against him but…” he glanced at the shuttle again, ”we are united in this decision, my wife and our children need to get them away from this deep evil and our people would not remain without us. So, yes, we are all departing.”

Switching frequencies, ”Blacks, whether our last allies fire on us or not, prepare to evade. We must get slightly further out before we can jump.” He said to the squadron.

Zara could hear everything, it seemed whoever the pilot was had decided she needed to hear it all now. Would their own allies fire on them? That'd be murder! No one was forced into this war, they were all volunteers! How could that even be an option?

Ackbar hesitated. His words were forlorn. "I understand. I lost my father to this war, and he fought in all the wars before to avoid me having to fight them." Indeed, Gial Ackbar fought as a young Mon Calamari in the Clone Wars, as a rescued slave and then Admiral in the Galactic Civil War, and the master strategist behind the New Republic triumph in the Yuuzhan Vong War.

And yet, his son still fought.

Mon Calamari was still enslaved.

"Go, my friends. May the Force be with you."

The guns turned away, and they were free to go.

Well, free was relative. A set of TIE Whispers was on the way - thirty of them.

They would reach them long before they avoided the gravity wells -

Then the Scythe opened fire, its ion cannons disabling more than half, and in a second there were only eight TIE Whispers between them and freedom - war, they were all volunteers! How could that even be an option?

Sighing in relief, Zara sat back, a hand on each of her offspring, "that's one barrier..." She knew there were more, this was no skip through the garden.

Tiber sagged in relief at Ackbar’s words, his reply. It meant they wouldn’t be facing every ship at Jakku to get away. When the targeting systems of the Scythe switched away from them, he wanted to wipe his face but, with his gloves and the visor down he refrained, simply sighing.

The bleat of the sensors brought him out of the small reverie that he’d fallen into. A full 30 TIEs, that was big trouble indeed. Before he could have Black Squadron react, the Scythe began a firing pattern. Within moments the numbers were whittled down from that large amount to a mere eight.

Their protector had to then focus on other assaults against them so they were left to deal with what was before them. The sigh that came now was resigned, ready to do what was needed to ensure his wife and children escaped.

Keying the mic, on the squadron frequency, ”Black Two,” he said to Jeanfra directly. ”Take five others and protect the shuttle. They must escape, even if none of the rest of us do. All other Blacks, follow me, we must clear the road.” his tone was soft, flat, knowing that not all of them might escape.

”Roger Lead.” Jeanfra replied, the tone almost a goodbye as her group settled around the shuttle.

Once more, he looked at the shuttle, where he believed his wife was sitting. With a simple nod, eyes hooded, he turned back, advancing the power levers, his fighter surging forwards as he caressed the controls to bring the first TIE into his firing line.

Zara sat up again on the floor where she'd set herself up, her heart skipping a beat. "No...." she breathed, her face etched with horror and pain as she slowly shook her head. She was torn now, her heart desperately wanting to be out on his wing and watching his back and doing what she'd done for so long, but with her hands on her sleeping babies, her soul was here with her babies. Leaning back as tears pricked at her eyes, she whispered, "please come back, please come back.....we all need you."

The TIEs were thick and fast, and advanced versions, taking bolts on their shields and dishing out damage.

Suddenly, in the middle of it all, Tiber took a hit, and didn't have shields.

Or fine motor control; the stick was responding sloppily.

The rest of the squadron was engaged, and the TIE Whisper responsible was on his tail -

Lt Chrystella Stein, Black Four, had just taken one of the TIE's out, having chased it down, and was now bursting through it's wreckage causing her own shields to weaken a little. It was then she saw it, their Lead was in serious trouble and that was so out of character for him. Tiber had never really got himself into this sort of situation, he was one of the best, but today was different, he was flying alone. Pulling hard on her yoke she brought her craft around, "Three, see it?"

"See what?" Asked Lt Daniel Messina, Black Three.

"Lead is going down!" Chrystella cried as she saw the ship on his tail as debris broke from his damaged craft.

"On my way!" Daniel knew the price that would be paid if Tiber was lost. The first time he goes into battle without his wing Zara, and he bites it. That couldn't happen. Gunning his engines, he followed the 'blip' on his screen that was their Lead, but he knew he was too far away even as he leaned forward willing his craft to go faster.

Chrystella was closer and within seconds she was on the tail of the TIE Whisper that was pursuing Tiber, "I got you now you filthy piece of....." Her droid began to scream at her and a quick glance at her screen told her she'd picked up her own tail. "Kriff it." She snarled as she began evasive maneuvers while now taking hits on her rear. "Shields double back!" She snapped to her droid as she focused on the ship in front of her, she could take the hits till she got this buggar, she knew it.

Dan could see what was going on, "faster..." He muttered as his eyes took in what he was able to see from his distance, but unable to help.

Having fired off a few shots, she knew this was never going to work with her having to dodge and weave like she was, she decided a torpedo had to be shot and on this buzzing annoyance before her, so as soon as she got tone, she let it go. At the same time she did that, her rear shields failed.

The TIE Whisper on Tiber six, never expected a proton to impact its own six, and it exploded and a fireball, as the heavily damaged X Wing tore through the debris, with no shields, it joined the TIE in exploding, doubling the fireball.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Dan screamed into his comm.

His wingmate of the last 15 years, was gone.

As Tiber fought the now sluggish controls the remainder of the squadron took on the TIE Whispers that were keeping them from fleeing the system. They’d seen their Lead take fire and how his fighter wasn’t responding. Pulling an old maneuver the longer serving members of the squadron knew well, they fired at their targets, all but Dan scattering in a starburst then diving back on their foes.

Well…all but one. Jeanfra saw Dan’s fighter leaping forward. Her head swung, following the path he was on. A whispered ”No!!” escaped her lips. Her hands jammed the power levers forward, her fighter leaping faster than his after his. All she could do, though, was catch up as Chrystella’s attack occurred. Her heart wrenched at the scream from Dan, her anger blossoming. She pulled her fighter alongside his, ”Stay on my wing, don’t you dare budge from it.” her tone harsh and grief stricken.

Tiber was in a situation he’d only been in once or twice. He was fighting the lag of loss of control, trying to get his fighter to maneuver at all. The movement only served to give him an immediate view of what followed. His hands slammed against the control panel as he caught the massive explosion in his sight. The scream on the comms made him curse, trying to get his busted bird to do anything.

He was shaken, hard by Chrystella’s death, she’d been a friend, family, for many years. But he had to do something. His head swung around wildly, thinking hard. And then he saw the shuttle. Varying the movement of the sluggish controls and the power levers, he inched his way across space to the aft end of the shuttle. ”Black Shuttle…I need…assistance…pair of troops with grapples in vac suits…at the aft…hatch…” he got out.

The message was received in the cockpit, the intercom calling out for volunteers. Wyrock and one of the crew chiefs hit the quick releases on their seats, leaping up, and racing to the back of the shuttle. Closing the hatch behind them, they worked quickly to suit up and grab a pair of grapples. Once suited and ‘armed’ Wyrock hit the aft hatch release. She growled as she saw the damage to Tiber’s ship, waving an arm so he saw her.

Tiber nodded his head at the gesture, took a deep breath, and nudged the fighter as close as possible to the shuttle. With one more breath he yanked the eject handle, feeling the kick as the cockpit ‘cocoon’ burst from the fighter’s frame. In his grief and exhaustion from fighting the controls he’d misjudged slightly and the cocoon rocketed up, almost flying past the aft end of the shuttle.

Thankfully, Wyrock and her help had seen and reacted quickly. As soon as they’d seen him reach for the handle they’d aimed and fired their grapples. The magnetic ends latched onto the cocoon and played out rapidly as it disappeared from sight. Hitting the stops, the cocoon yanked violently on the grapples’ wires before they could reel it in. Stepping back into the cargo space, they pulled it in, Wyrock hitting the hatch closure once it was inside. She paled when she looked into the cockpit, seeing Tiber’s head lolling.

Hitting the outside release, the one crew chiefs used when trying to open a pilot’s canopy in need, her artificial arm strained, almost ripping the canopy off. She leaned in, slumping when she felt his pulse. Using the quick release, she leaned back as she pulled, the other crew chief taking Tiber’s lower legs. Between them, they maneuvered him out of the cockpit, slowly through the hatch, and into one of the seats before they got out of their vac suits.

Wyrock’s face was grim as she passed Zara, walking up to the cockpit. At the comm station, she pressed the stud, ”Blacks, Black Lead Bravo, Jeanfra…you’re in charge for now.” she called.

”Roger…” came the slightly shaken reply.

Her eyes downcast as she listened to the engines of the shuttle, Zara looked up in surprise as Wyrock strode past, a crew chief trailing her, "what's going on?" She asked, only to be utterly ignored. Getting to her knees, not wanting to leave her precious babies, Zara could only watch in silence as she was locked out of whatever was going on. Sitting back on her haunches, she put her hands back on the babies, one on each, just needing that connection as she was missing it from her husband.

Sounds, echoes mostly, but Zara was listening, unsure as to what it all was she had no choice but to wait. Eventually the door opened again and once again Wyrock entered, her expression dark, "tell me! What's going on!!!" Zara demanded, as once again, she was ignored and all that did was instill a painful stabbing pain to her heart. Why was the woman ignoring her? Had something happened to Tiber?

She felt sick.

Coming back into the cabin, Wyrock heard the almost shouted question. ”He’s alive, safe, but unconscious.” she admitted. Nodding to the back of the cabin, ”He ejected just behind us, almost got away but was knocked out as we caught him. He’s there, strapped in.” she told Zara as she pointed to where she’d nodded.

Zara's eyes widened, her utter soul torn. She started to stand, then crouched back down, and then stand again, her head turning in the direction Wyrock had indicated and back to her children. Finally she turned to the woman, "please?" It was almost begging.

Dan heard Jeanfra, her voice, the passion and the underlying fear, and did as he was ordered, "Copy." The agony he felt was laced heavily in his voice, a single word that spoke volumes. He'd lost her, they'd been flying together for so long he didn't know how he'd ever fly again without her.

”You think I’d stand between a woman and her man?” she asked, getting out of the walkway between the seats so that Zara could do so.

The copilot called out, “We’ve less than a minute to the jump, got Bakura locked in for now.”

---------------------

Parsecs away, Seatos, Earlier

The discussion, the tension in the air, filled the conference room. Everyone had gathered, preparing to depart from Seatos and Adalia wasn’t entirely pleased that she’d been chosen to lead the peoples of the exodus. Bernael thought it was a wise decision and was sitting, calmly, as they waited to jump, knowing it was only a minute or so off.

His pad vibrated and he looked down to see a message from the Fury’s AI. Contingency Five Alpha, sir. The group you’ve been monitoring is preparing to leave the war zone. Orders?

One talon lightly tapped the table before him, looking around the room for a moment, before he typed a quick message, ’Bring them here. And enact rear guard procedures.’

The message sent moments before the jump began, leaving one ship and one set of the framework for the intergalactic jump behind, the ship having received orders to await any stragglers, unaware that stragglers, of a sort, had been diverted to Seatos.

----------------------------------

Jakku

”Blacks, slave your hyperdrives to the shuttle, they’ve got the coordinates and…” Jeanfra fired at another TIE to keep it at bay, ”...we don’t have time to do so.”

The copilot saw as each of the fighters followed the order the new Lead had given. Once they had, he glanced over at the shuttle’s pilot, “Ready to jump.”

The moment's distraction of doing so meant he didn’t see as the nav display fluttered for a moment, a new destination appearing for a moment before it returned to showing an apparent destination of Bakura once more.

Only a few moments later the pilot called out, “Squadron, jumping…Now!” In only a few seconds Black Squadron finally left Jakku, seemingly for Bakura but, due to what was considered needed meddling, headed somewhere completely different.

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @Adalia-Durron

 

Combo post with @Sinrebirth, thank you for the fun!

IC: Jaina Fel, Vergere, and others.
Starkiller Base, near Jakku

Stumbling into the caverns suddenly felt wrong.

Jaina sighed heavily over doing even one thing that Vergere had suggested, now she was probably cornered down here. Kriff!

She leaned her back against the cavern wall to rest a moment and to look around.
There was no escape from the nagging feeling of being someone’s prey, they were being hunted.

From now on she wouldn’t trust anyone except Jagged, if they ever see each other again. Jaina’s hands caressed the infant in her arms, Jag’s son. He was the only reason she didn’t give in and challenge Vergere… to fight for her cousin’s life.

They needed an escape, she pushed off the wall and scurried across to explore possible ways out while trying to avoid the beings she had seen from a distance.

Jaina recognized their bodies before she saw faces, her brother and Rey were laying there. They were breathing, but she wanted nothing to do with them. For all she knew it was another trap, or she could be hallucinating again.

Nothing mattered but Roan, Jaina thought as she ran.

Vergere watched her run.

Jaina, the Sword of the Jedi, was abandoning her responsibilities.

Vergere looked over Rey and Ren, and the cavernous city of Arkanians.

It was a good start, but it wasn't enough.

The Force pulsed at her, from another direction.

The same direction Jaina was running.

Vergere's crest flared orange in trepidation.

Jaina would feel it; the winding led to an adjacent hangar, and there was already a ship there, coming to land!

Three people... one was a Force user.

An angry Force user.

She caught a glimpse of lighting that indicated a hangar. An exit!

Her presence in the Force was dampened, but she was worried that Roan would be obvious to anyone Force sensitive. It was a risk she’d have to take to get her baby away from Snoke.

She slipped in and glanced around for a place to hide. Roan twitched, and she stopped and soothed him before he started crying. “It’s okay, we’re going to find your daddy,” she whispered into his soft hair.

They ducked behind stacked crates, ready to run if approached.

Down the ramp came a pale man in black, but also an aging woman with blonde hair, and another woman -

The infamous Rose Tico.

"So, we made it inside without being found."

The man, Galen Marek, who Jaina would know from her studies as Starkiller, her grandfathers former apprentice, looked around.

"And yet we're not alone."

Vergere hissed in Jaina's ear; she had hidden with her. "The Dark one."

Indeed, Starkiller did feel angry.

But Rose Tico was a renowned Resistance officer…

“Get away from me,” Jaina hissed back at Vergere.

She didn’t care who was on the ship, instead she saw it as a means to escape, unless Vergere ruined that too.

The row of crates was wide enough for her to slip away to another row, where she found a vantage point to watch. As soon as the new arrivals left the hangar she was going to make a dash for their ship.

They didn't leave, unhelpfully, they were arguing amongst themselves.

"Look, we made it aboard, we should focus on sabotaging the base, rather than hunting trouble," Rose was arguing.

"No," Starkiller said, waxen skinned and eyes burning yellow for a moment. "Snoke is continuing Palpatine and Vader's plans; convincing good people that they are clones, and twisting them up."

"Galen," the blonde said, using a name that Starkiller turned to. "The Skywalkers and Solo's are here, you say. Let them deal with Snoke. We need to do as much damage as we can."

"You're leaving," Galen said, firmly. "With the Rogue Shadow." He indicated the sleek ship. "Now, Juno."

Rose sighed.

Juno reddened. "I know you're worried about the baby. But I'm worried the baby won't have a father."

Rose responded, startled.

"Exactly. And I'm worried the baby won't have a galaxy to live in. Rose, you do what you like. I'm going to destroy everything between me and Snoke." He turned to go. "Juno, take the child, but this is my responsibility." The woman, she did shine in the Force. She was a little gnawed at the edges by loss, by the war, but she was probably the brightest person that Jaina had seen since she came to this Force-saken place. Even Rose shone, though not as brightly.

Juno and Rose were good people.

That was an absolute.

Vergere had given Jaina some space, but was vexed. She did, however, agree with Galen. "See? They just want to get their babe's away and deal with their responsibilities. You should do that. Do both, even."

Her voice was silky. "Do you really think you can trust Rey and Ben and Ren and this Galen? Do you think just running will mean your son is safe? When will you admit that to be a Mother, you must be the Sword? And to be the Sword, you must put aside your role as Mother, until your son is safe?"

A sniff. "If they fail here, the Sith will rule eternal, and you will, inevitably, eventually, lose your son. Even if you keep him safe for a few days or months, it will not last."

A slight sadness to her voice.

"Everything I have just said is the truth, Jaina Solo Fel, Master Jedi."

Jaina squeezed her eyes shut in frustration.

“I told you to get away from me,” she said through clenched teeth.

“Stop calling me that, and leave me alone.”

The truth was that Jaina currently didn’t care about any of them. She had one objective, to get Roan safely to Jagged. Then she could decide if she would come back and face everything here… and to destroy that torture device that haunted her.

Sure there was guilt in the back of her mind, but the weight of her son in her arms balanced that. His safety came first.

And Jaina would see to it. Not a bodyguard or droid, she thought of how it felt as a child to rarely see her parents, always being handed off to guards. She didn’t want Roan to feel that, and if Jaina had any say he wouldn’t be shoved off while she was across the galaxy. He wouldn’t have to worry that she wouldn’t come back.

“I’m serious, Vergere, you need to leave me be,” Jaina sighed.

She chose to take a risk. Hopefully this wasn’t some elaborate set up, because she couldn’t face being captive again.

“I need help,” Jaina said softly as she stepped around the crates.

They all looked over, and Rose hesitated. "Jaina Solo?"

The woman, Juno, looked aghast. "A baby?"

Starkiller's electrical aura vanished. "Oh, no. Are you okay?"

Vergere melted away as they rushed over to attend to her. Apparently she had chosen correctly.

"PROXY get out here!" Juno shouted.

Suddenly a lanky, wire-coated droid stepped down the ramp. "Oh my," he said. "Activating medical subroutines!"

“What was I thinking?” Jaina growled and turned and ran. The first time she asked for help and the response was shouting and hovering. She was a loner and should’ve known better.

The fools called attention to her.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered to Roan. It was foolish to think they would wisk her and Roan out of there, but she never would’ve imagined them shouting.

The four of them stopped, didn't follow her. "Wait, wait, we want to help!" Rose shouted.

None of them made a single move to stop her from going.

"I'm pregnant," Juno said. "I want to help, mother to mother."

PROXY whirred as Galen told him to stay. "I just want to tend to the injured child. You can see clear evidence of lacerations."

"Shush," Galen said, firmly. "Let's not panic Jaina Solo. Her grandfather beat me bloody. I'm sure she's more powerful than him, too."

Vergere was gone, though. Or, at least, impossible to see.

Roan was looking at Juno curiously. As if, he could see something that wasn't visible.

The Force sensitive baby; a little girl, actually, reached back, and something calm settled over Roan, and then Jaina, through him.

Jaina pursed her lips then turned back to the little group and softly spoke, “I’m not coming near you if the shouting doesn’t stop now, because you clearly don’t understand the dangers here.” The words spilled out and ended on a sob.

She cradled Roan and glared at Marek, “my power far exceeds anything my grandfather ever imagined, so don’t test me, not today… not ever.”

Jaina was far too private to utter a word of what she had been through, and she was thankful for her own rigid discipline that she now used to get her emotions back in check. These people had no idea what happened, they couldn’t know that her infant had been brutally ripped from her body, all while she was delirious from torture. They also had no idea that she had sacrificed Luke Skywalker’s son to save her own.

”I need you to get me out of here, I must get to Jagged Fel immediately,” she said when she had better control, “don’t touch me or my son. All that matters is that I get a message to Jag in person.”

"I'll go straight there," Juno said, soothing. "You're the Sword, I know you've lost so much already." There was an absolute Force certainty to Juno, as if she was a solid as they came.

PROXY backed off, looked apologetic, somehow, for a droid. "Very sorry, Master Jedi."

Galen pressed his lips together. "I'm staying, and hunting Snoke."

"And me too," Rose said, waving slightly. "I need to sabotage this thing."

Roan turned to look at his mother, and for a moment he could not have looked more like Jagged. His gaze narrowed, as if piercing Jaina.

There was a vision, of him growing to become a noble man, with his own son, both ornately dressed in fine purples and gold. They were at ease, and two Skywalker-looking boys were laughing along, both sandy blondes. All four of them had lightsabers, and the two lads were fencing, one blade of blue, and one blade of yellow. Lowbacca was there, looking much older, arms folded in his Jedi robes and giving them instructions.

Roan, with his teenage son, smiled at each other and drew blades. Roan a blade of blue, the boy, a blade of silver-white. Jaina wasn't there, but neither was Snoke. Indeed, everything seemed... peaceful. Playful, even. An older Jedi approached, and Lowbacca whined at him. A smile, and the man placed a hand on the Wookie's shoulder, leaning on a cane. Lowbacca's voice grew sad.

"I miss them too, Lowie. Jaina, Zekk, Raynar, Tekli, Tesar..." He smiled. "They were the best."

Turning from his son, Roan bowed. "Grandmaster."

"No need for that, Roan. Your mother saved me many, many times over." A smile of softness. "Did I tell you about the time she came back for me, when I became Kylo Ren?"

"Yes, Dad," said one of the boys.

The other grinned. "You've told us a dozen times."

"Well, Nat, Kol, I'll tell it to Roan Junior here."

"I've heard it to," the younger Roan grinned. "About how she entrusted me to Aunt Juno, and she saved you, and so too saved herself from the dark side."

"Of course you have," Ben said, softly. "But she did, and she saved me, and all of us. Everyone. Not Rey, not Ren, not anyone else. It was Jaina who ultimately defeated the dark side."

"That was fifty years ago, wasn't it, Grandmaster?" Roan Junior said, softly.

Roan Senior - her son - looked to the distance, as if unfocusing. "I don't remember much of it, but I never forgot how sad she was. How despairing. It was complete and utter pain. As if, she was caught between saving me and losing me." His eyes narrowed, and suddenly, he was looking through his own, baby eyes, into her dirt-smudged face. "Mother -"

The vision ended.

Baby Roan fell asleep, as if exhausted by the moment.

Juno, Galen, PROXY and Rose were all looking at her, concerned.

"Master Jedi?" PROXY queried.

“Why… why are you doing this to me…” Jaina asked in a whisper as she sank to the ground cradling her son. She stroked his silky soft hair, and traced his pouting lips with her finger. Time stood still for her while she held her baby close. “Tell your dad that I love him,” she finally said, touching her forehead to Roan’s.

Jaina slowly stood and gently placed Roan into Juno’s arms saying, “keep Roan with you at all times. Do not leave him for a moment,” her voice had changed. It had an edge for it that left no room for arguing.

”Take him directly to Jagged, and tell him… tell him that this is our son. Mine and Jag’s son, I mean.” She cursed under her breath, hating that she was exactly what her own mother did. It was what she promised to never do, and here she was breaking that promise. “Once you give him to Jag tell him to keep Roan with him until I return… after I deal with Snoke.” Once she had given Juno her orders she said “Galen, I need weapons,” she said, “because I’m staying with you.”

Juno's eyes widened. "Are you sure?"

She couldn't imagine handing her child to a stranger.

But then, Jaina Solo Fel was a hero.

For the first time in her life, Juno understood, truly, what that meant.

Her awe, and Rose's, and even Galen's stony surprise, filled the Force. Rose actually covered her eyes, suddenly wet with emotion. Even Galen brushed aside a tear from his eye as he handed her one of his two lightsabers.

“Yes,” Jaina whispered to Juno, “I’m sure.” She swallowed a sob and spoke to Galen, “thank you.” The hilt felt strange in her palm, it had been a long time…

A breeze flowed through the caverns giving Jaina a chill, and she remembered her state of dress. “Do you have a spare flight suit, or really any clothing?” She asked. “I’ll take anything, really.”

She was emaciated from months of being tortured by Vergeres embrace, she’d have to get her body acclimated to eating again after all this was over. Jaina would have a great deal of living to do… if she survived this.

When there was an opportunity she stepped close to Juno and spoke shakily to the woman, “please tell Jagged that I’m done after this. I have to stay and do this for our son, but this is it. I’m going to be a mother to my son,” Jaina sobbed softly. “I need Jag to understand why… I,” she sighed and wiped her face. “Thank you, I’ll never be able to thank you adequately for this.”

PROXY produced a black flightsuit, fairly chique and comfortable, too. He also made quick work of her abrasions and wounds, as well as gave her a stim shot. She'd be awake, and feeling better than she ever had.

Juno hugged Jaina, carefully, with Roan in the middle. "May the Force be with you, Jaina. I'll make sure Roan gets to Jagged safely."

"And I will remain with her!" PROXY said. "I am a high-end droid, with sophisticated self-defense routines. I used to spar with Master Marek many years ago."

Galen smiled, placed a hand on his shoulder. "Yes, you did, and I have the scars to prove it." He kissed Juno goodbye, and nodded to Jaina.

"Let's go and kill Snoke."

Rose checked the charge on her paired blasters, one on each hip, and her various slicing accruements.

"And blow up a Superweapon, Rebel-style."

Jaina looked into Juno’s eyes and solemnly said, “make sure you give Jagged my message, all of my message.” She caressed Roan’s cheek gently before she swallowed hard, then she turned away before becoming emotional again.

Her presence in this Force was still hidden, but it was likely Snoke could still find her if he wanted. Suddenly she just wanted Roan as far away as possible.

She nodded to Galen that she was ready to go, and Jaina ran. It was time to trust the Force to guide her back to the place that she had recently fled, and that she hated.


TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

Combo with @Sinrebirth, thanks again for the opportunity to play characters that I love!

IC: Admirals Daala and Antilles, with a cameo by Sistros
the Megador

“Wedge, I’m going to be your next wife if you can get us out of this disaster… in one piece,” Daala said dryly.

“Starkiller is a bit too close for me, do we have a combined number of fighters to take on what Snoke has?”

Daala admired the silhouette of the powerful Megador through the viewport. It would be an excellent addition to her fleet. If they survived this battle…

“I want to know if Krayt is still on the Megador before we even consider docking, Wedge.”

Wedge would have laughed if he wasn't in mortal peril.

"Krayt's left the Megador." A slight pause. "Aryan and Lyz have too. A fair amount of the crew has moved to supplement the Remnant and Chiss Star Destroyers as well... the ones that are left." The two hulks of destroyed Tho Yor testified as to the terrific battle that had taken place.

He hesitated. "We shouldn't engage Snoke yet. We need to regroup, pull back, work out what we've got left. Then I'll command the final attack." He regarded her directly. "This is our Endor moment. We destroy Starkiller, and Snoke, and we win."

Natasi’s mouth opened, poised to explain that ‘Endor moment’ was damned offensive since the rebels had destroyed the second Death Star, but she decided this wasn’t the time. Her mouth snapped shut a moment before she spoke up.

“It seems they’ve left us the keys to the Megador, let’s take possession of it and regroup, as you suggested…” Her lips twitched, “I’m choosing to ignore the Endor reference.”

Wedge smiled drily. "Second Death Star, Second Starkiller. It writes itself." But he shrugged. "I thought the liberation of the Empire from the Sith would be a selling point for you?"

The Maw Fleet formed up, three increasingly battered looking and aging Star Destroyers. Conversely, though some capital ships were missing, the Remnant and Chiss Star Destroyers were freshly armed, with modern weapons displayed, oddly. The Megador for it's part was looking increasingly barebones, but the big long range weapons - worth five Chimaera's on their own - were still tracking just fine.

Remal muttered. "Well, the sooner we can dock, the better."

As the Chimaera berthed, Wedge led him and Daala to the turbolift. "Y'know," he said almost cheekily, "I had more luck commanding Super Star Destroyers than I did. Are you sure you want the Megador?"

Stepping into the lift she answered, “Wedge, the Chimaera has been my flagship for a long time, and I’m too set in my ways to change that…” she gave him a very slight smile. “However, I plan on adding the Megador to my fleet, unless your nephew has an issue with it. Then I believe I might suggest a game of chance to see who commands it.”

Wedge snorted. "A game of chance, you say."

The Chimaera docked, lightly, and Remal granted authority for access.

When Daala and Wedge made it to the hangar, all manner of repair crews were moving, and heavy lifters were transporting turbolasers to the hull of the Chimaera to replace those damaged in the months go by.

But before they left the hangar, a little tug occurred on Daala's leg.

It was a pyramidal holocron, complete with spider legs.

When she glanced down she recognized the thing, it was Aryan Graul’s. It had tumbled from his jacket once, and she had picked it up. Was it some sort of droid?

“What is it?” She asked. Was this strange model even capable of speech?

Wedge looked down at it, and paled slightly.

It was a deep, Sith red.

"A Sith Holocron. Luke showed me one once."

It did, however, activate.

A Black Coat appeared, with Aryan's voice.

"I'm delivering a message, don't throw me."

Wedge glowered. "I'd smash it."

"Absolutely don't do that, Aryan Graul sent me."

Daala looked at Wedge, her eyes wide, and asked, “a Sith, holocron?”

She knew Wedge wouldn’t be making this up, it must really be a Sith device. What the hell was Graul doing with it? That’s what she would like to know.

“Why would Graul send you?” She asked. “Why didn’t he use his comlink?” Her voice was razor sharp, there was no mistaking how angry she was.

This was just one more red flag, right behind leaving her locked in a cell instead of in the medbay. Her eye twitched at that memory.

“Because, well, he's indisposed, and kinda doing something he needs to keep on the so-called down low." A slight shrug from the man. "I don't think he'd want me to tell Mr Antilles here, either."

Wedge glared. "Then I want to know. If he's sabotaged the Megador -"

"Not at all, I promise," he said. "Look, my descendant has a difficult political vision to follow, but he isn't a technical wizard. He couldn't damage a Super Star Destroyer if he tried." His voice sounded fairly earnest. "But my instructions were to deliver the message to you, Admiral Daala. It's up to you if he's here or not."

Wedge was now looking at her expectantly. The turbolift was open, ready to let them out, or seal them - or one of them - for privacy.

Daala didn’t hesitate. Her unlikely alliance with the rebel Admiral had not yet gone bad, and it would be in bad faith to cut off his intell at this point… especially since he had witnessed the odd device speaking. Graul could’ve chosen a more discrete method of contacting her if the message was some big secret.

”You will give me this message immediately,” she said, “and Admiral Antilles will certainly stay for this as I consider it vital intelligence for this ongoing battle.” Her voice was laced with a hint of disgust as she detested anything related to the spoon bending Force users.

A slight bow. "Certainly, Admiral. I was told to trust you by Chancellor Graul."

"Chancellor -" Wedge said, surprised.

"Indeed, Chancellor Graul and Lady Graul have returned to the First Order to take back their positions of power."

He sounded a little smug, like a tease.

"That's a huge Intel leak, Natasi," Wedge said, his voice was strained, concerned.

The hologram regarded her, expressionless behind that cloak.

Daala stared at the vile device, furious that after all Aryan had been through as a hostage of Snoke’s he went back. Was the man completely daft?

“Did he at least take Abeloth with him?” Daala asked angrily. “Oh, nevermind, you did say that Lady Graul was at his side.”

She glanced at Wedge and said, “I’ll give you the honor of spacing this thing since it appears that’s all it has to report.”

Yes, she was definitely still bitter.

“Wait, wait, wait," the Holocron said, waving his hands. "It's a ploy. He knows that the First Order is going to lose, that Snoke is going to die. It's inevitable. But he's willing to risk his own life to take power so he can surrender. Phasma, and whoever, if they survive Snoke's death, they'll keep fighting."

Wedge hesitated. "He wants to be the one who signs the peace accords?"

"Yes, to end the war. He knows the Resistance can win it, but end it? That needs someone to hold the pen, not the sword."

Daala looked over to Wedge, and then back to the hooded figure.

”How do we know this isn’t an elaborate set up?” She asked aloud. “Darth Krayt and Abeloth were here,” Daala glanced back at Wedge, “I’m hesitant to trust what this thing says.”

The truth was she wanted to know why Aryan had a Sith holocron in his possession. Had he been under Krayt’s thumb, or was it something Snoke had given him?

“You referred to Graul as your descendant,” Daala glared at the figure, “explain to me exactly what you mean by that?”

"Krayt's left the Megador, he's still in-system, I reckon, no, wait," he paused. "He's gone." A frown was heard in his voice. "Gone, gone. That's weird. Either way, the One Sith have spent the last six months in-fighting, so that seems to be over."

He looked back to Daala. "Literally. His family tree takes him back to Nouane, where I was recorded. So I'm his great-great-great-etc-etc-etc grandfather. Looking out for him." The cloaked head tilted to Wedge. "Pyramidal Holocrons didn't always belong to the Sith. They took the iconography for themselves from the Sages of Dwartii thirty thousand odd years ago. Long story."

"I suppose you could say its entwined with the last time Abeloth escaped the Maw. But Aryan isn't involved with that, Daala." A shrug. "I don't know what I can say and do to convince you of my sincerity. But suffice to say, Aryan and Lyz are hoping to be in a position to end the war, and you can carry on with whatever your plans are to win it."

Daala’s eyes narrowed. She wasn’t keen on being told what she could do.

”I’m relieved that we have your permission,” she said. “Wedge, we’ve given enough time to this matter,” she pointed to the control panel, “I believe we need to get to the bridge.”

Natasi would need to hear Aryan’s reasoning for going back to Snoke directly from him to believe it. How could he forget that he was walking straight into Hell? Her thoughts spiraled, maybe there was something she’d missed in all of this. Perhaps Aryan didn’t completely trust her, that would explain Daala being locked in a cell while Lyz had state of the art medical care. She would need to ask Remal a few questions about what had happened in the time immediately after Abeloth had appeared, once Snoke was dealt with.

For now she would have to trust that Aryan Graul knew what he was doing to help rid the galaxy of Snoke.

Her opinions on the information relayed to them would wait. There was quite a bit she needed to think about, but for now she was sure they had to take care of urgent business.

“Maybe you should brief me on our plan now?” She asked Wedge.

“I’ll do better than that,” he said slyly. “I’ll show you.” He took her to the nearest command center, avoiding the miles of traversing to the bridge.

TAG: @Sinrebirth @HanSolo29

 

OOC: The following is a combo with Sinrebirth – thank you!!

IC: Chancellor Aryan Graul, Arek Graul, Lyz Graul, Emperor Snoke, and Grand Admiral Thrawn
Aboard the Second Starkiller Base

There was nothing Aryan Graul could do to prepare himself for the scene that awaited them aboard the Starkiller. It was both unexpected and awkward; he had not anticipated his son to personally receive them upon their arrival. The younger man’s presence immediately altered his perceptions of the meeting and their plans for the mission itself. Once again, he felt the seeds of doubt churning in the pit of his stomach, reinforcing his belief that they had made a mistake by coming here. Where he once thought it pertinent to rescue Arek from Snoke’s clutches, he now found himself at the mercy of his son’s wrath.

But it didn’t make sense.

What had changed between them?

He thought Arek had always supported their efforts to vanquish the First Order and restore peace. And yet, he could clearly perceive the younger man’s anger, represented in the Force by a red aura that encompassed his physical form like an astral sheath. It was almost unnatural; it was unbecoming of the boy he knew.

Aryan glanced sideways at Lyz at this discovery, silently evaluating her expression when the Shadowtroopers sharply raised their weapons. They had acted on Arek’s command, though Aryan did not convey any outward emotions. He merely remained calm and inclined his chin to meet his son's gaze. He would not be intimidated by a flagrant show of force.

"Is this how you greet your old man after your mom and I risked our lives to cross the gauntlet?" His voice was firm as he leaned back on his cane and gestured with his free hand at the Chancellor’s escort. "We're unarmed; we escaped from our bondage and only wish to deliver a message."

Arek shifted his gaze to the other's present, but Lyz trusted her husband. It was likely, in her eyes, Arek was being forced to act this way, but she would not pierce the illusion if so.

Their son regarded them quietly, and as the guards' blasters whined to charge up, he held up a hand. "I cannot see what message you have that would satisfy our Emperor; to allow your treason to go unpunished."

A tilt of his chin. "Speak your message, Father, to the Chancellor of the First Order."

Aryan narrowed his eyes, noticing the change in his son’s demeanor. He was more formal, perhaps even bordering on pompous. This behavior contrasted sharply with Arek’s usual gentle disposition. It was a ruse; a theatrical display with his son playing a pivotal role to maintain appearances before Snoke and his cronies.

That revelation helped Aryan to understand and find focus. His son was not lost; it was merely part of the game. It was now his responsibility to ensure that he played his part to see this mission through to fruition.

"The Emperor would not perceive it as treason if he understood why we fled," Aryan said tersely, shifting marginally to express his disdain. "Admiral Daala served as our means to escape and infiltrate the heart of the Imperial Remnant. From there, I was able to gain their confidence and trust; I became integral to their plans for a counterstrike against the First Order fleet around Jakku."

He shuffled forward, his cane scraping across the floor for emphasis. "I think it will be prudent for you to re-evaluate your intelligence on the hyperspace laser. The allied forces have pulled an Idiot’s Array to sow confusion in your ranks. The Onager is not equipped with that sort of advanced technology; it was all an illusion."

A predatory smile spread over his features.

"I suggest you focus your efforts on the Chimaera. She was the one who slipped silently into the system and fired upon the fleet."

Arek's eyes widened. That was a true piece of information.

"Hold," he said, firmly. "I shall be taking this critical intelligence asset to the Emperor."

The troopers all stood down, and Lyz released a breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding.

"Sir -"

"I know this man, I know when he is lying, and when he is telling the truth," Arek hissed. "The Emperor himself will know."

Turning on one heel, he gestured, and the troopers moved instead to behind the two, to prod them to follow him to the sizeable turbolift.

Aryan pressed his lips into a thin line, his gaze shifting between Arek and Lyz as he tried to assess the situation. He had stunned his son by stating facts; that much was evident through the subtle shift in his facial expressions. Clearly, he had expected him to devise a false narrative, but that would have never held up under the Emperor’s scrutiny. There was nothing more concrete than the truth.

In that sense, he felt confident in his decision—however, it had always been difficult to analyze Snoke. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t know for certain whether his plan had worked until he stood before the throne.

Setting his jaw, Aryan reached across to squeeze Lyz’s hand before shuffling forward to follow Arek into the turbolift. The only sound was the steady cadence of his cane tapping against the polished deckplates.

The troopers were left behind.

Arek pulled out a comlink and with a sudden twist of a setting, and a buzz sounded. Lyz raised her eyebrows.

"Yes, mother, it’s a jammer. We can talk properly here."

"I did hope the threat to shoot us was cover," Lyz smiled slightly. "But we are going to see Snoke, yes?"

Arek pulled a face. "Yes, we will be." A purse of his lips. "But why did you come back? It’s dangerous." A slight sigh. "I can handle myself, I promise."

"Arek, listen, I know you can," Aryan replied firmly, his expression sobering as he hobbled forward to stand between them. Receiving validation of his son’s true intentions helped him to physically relax, but there was still a hint of tension in his voice. "I’m not disputing your abilities. That’s not the issue."

He sucked in a wavering breath and glanced sideways at Lyz, exchanging a wistful look with his wife. It was a silent acknowledgment of the burden he was about to bear; there was no turning back at this juncture.

"Snoke will not survive this conflict; his death is inevitable," Aryan continued solemnly, lowering his head to seek his son’s gaze. "And when that happens, we need someone to assume command of the First Order." He pursed his lips slightly. "Someone who can bring the various factions to the table and negotiate a peace treaty before the radicals can seize control of the fractured portions and prolong the war."

Leaning heavily on his cane for support, Aryan reached over and squeezed Arek’s shoulder. "There are a lot of reasons why I’m the best choice for this. I can’t allow you to make that sacrifice." He exhaled slowly, his eyes shining with the onset of tears. "I need you to remain behind and pick up the pieces when this is over. For now, this is my part."

Arek hesitated, and then he, too, exhaled, with relief, shuddering. Lyz drew him into a hug, but it was brief, as Arek stepped free. "We can't be caught embracing. Snoke barely trusts me -"

"I know, I know -"

"I'll do this with you, Dad, support you resuming the position of Chancellor -"

The doors opened, and Phasma, somehow, was already evident. "Follow me."

She turned, with a sweep of her cape, and stormed off. Lyz took the initiative, helping Aryan move along.

They were led straight into the throne room.



The chair turned, and he smiled.



"My boy," he crowed.

Arek dropped to one knee. "Your Majesty."

A gesture, and Arek was yanked up, and Aryan tugged right towards Snoke, within an inch of his face. Lyz gasped and then covered her mouth.

"Chancellor," he sneered. "Such a pleasure to see you again."

The sound of Aryan’s cane clattering to the floor in mid-flight accentuated the raw power behind the Emperor’s gesture. That same power extended to the Chancellor’s body, which now hung suspended above the throne. He could feel the pressure bearing down on his chest, making it difficult to breathe. It was natural for him to reach desperately for his throat to ease his discomfort—but he found himself unable to move his extremities. The only thing he could manage was a soft grunt as he clenched his teeth to project his fortitude.

At that moment, he also remembered Sistros’ lessons. Those months spent in solitude studying the ancient Holocron’s teachings were about to pay off. Aryan opened himself to the Force, filling his mind and spirit to bolster his strength and shield his thoughts from Snoke’s probing intellect.

"M–My Lord," he acknowledged as he inclined his chin, his words coming with great effort. "I was… always destined to return. It’s… m-my duty to you… as Chancellor. In my q–quest to reform myself, I–I was able… t–to infiltrate the enemy and earn their trust. I am proud to say that my efforts have produced results. I–I have obtained invaluable information that I now wish to pass on to you. You are free to use it as a test of my fealty."

A snort and Snoke threw him to the ground, but Arek rushed over and caught him. Just.

"Information," he sneered. "I could tear it from your psyche, but I fear that your aged mind would shatter."

He gestured with a finger and Lyz was drawn to his clawed hand. "Or shall I kill your wife?"

Arek tried to get up from under his father. "Your Majesty -"

Snoke's free hand flicked a finger up and his jaw clacked shut.

"I do not mind self-interest being the reason you serve me," hissed Snoke. "But treachery is not to be allowed."

He regarded Aryan. "Tell me what you know, and I will judge whether all three of you leave alive."

It took all of Aryan’s willpower to not cry out, either in protest or fear, when the Emperor threatened Lyz. He merely stared at her from where he lay sprawled on the floor, his lips set in a thin line, silently pleading for her to remain calm and not provoke Snoke further. Despite his own physical ailments, including the terrible pain that pierced his lower back and legs from the fall, he shared some of his energy by pushing forth with the Force to provide her with strength.

With his eyes still focused on Lyz, he took hold of Arek’s arm for support and nodded his consent. "T–The… Onager," he sputtered weakly, inwardly cursing his voice for failing him at such a crucial moment. "I–It does—"

He paused to forcefully clear his throat and tried again.

"The Onager is not equipped with a hyperspace laser." Aryan inclined his chin with renewed confidence. "What you witnessed was a carefully forged scheme designed by General Antilles to sow confusion. It was all an illusion; a decoy. The source of the attack came from…"

He hesitated, aware that he was about to expose Daala to Snoke’s wrath—but he had no other choice. It was all part of the plan. Hopefully, Sistros had delivered his message and informed her of the implications. It was her only chance of surviving the inevitable counterstrike.

"It came from the Chimaera. She slipped into the system and fired upon the fleet."

Snoke hesitated, and both Lyz and Arek fell from his grasp. "You were right," he crooned. "This was indeed worthy of my time."

A gesture of his hand sent all three of them tumbling to the floor. "You have my attention." He folded his hands upon each other. "What do you want?"

Arek spoke up. "The First Order is suffering with the consolidation of our focus here. We need to send parts of our bureaucracy elsewhere. Otherwise, we will lose the war.”

From the shadows emerged a figure. "I happen to agree, your Majesty." It was Thrawn. "We need a tremendous amount of resources to maintain Starkiller Base, let alone repair it. As you are aware, we have lost all of the Tho Yor, save for Mortis."

"And your tactical analysis?" Sarcasm from Snoke as he lazily tugged the three Grauls to their feet as if a marionetter.

"I would propose that we shift all but yourself from the Battle of Jakku, so we might consolidate our political power elsewhere." He indicated the family. "With your Inner Council on, say, Coruscant, you can command the Empire and they can simply enact your will. Sending Captain Phasma and a detachment of the Praetorian Guard would enable you to ensure their…" Thrawn’s eyes blazed. "Behaviour."

Snoke huffed. "I can see their minds. They are no threat to me." A finger raised, and Thrawn’s expression tightened. "One of you four will need to remain."

The Chiss regarded Aryan directly. "I shall. The Grauls’ skills do not translate to combat."

Snoke turned his eyes knowingly to Aryan. "Well, Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, First Lady…" A sneer. "What say you to the Grand Admiral’s impeccable analysis? Do you agree that Admiral Daala must die first among these Rebels? Do you believe that from Coruscant you can manage my Grand Design?"

Confusion clouded his expression as if he could not recall his own Grand Design, and Snoke fell silent. Thrawn’s eyes flittered to Snoke, and then back to Aryan. Snoke refocused and spoke in a more reptilian tone. "Show no mercy, Chancellor. Do what must be done."

A chuckle. "Only then will you be powerful enough to save your family from certain death."

Thrawn’s eyes narrowed, but it was in Aryan’s hands. Should he misspeak, the capricious Snoke may kill them. Should he overplay, one of the Graul family may not leave here.

Coruscant.

The Chancellorship.

The First Order itself.

Aryan was so close.

As the Emperor hauled them to their feet, Aryan staggered and reached for Lyz for stability and support. Upon regaining his balance, he quickly straightened and stood to his full height to mitigate any outward signs of weakness. He could not afford to appear vulnerable before Snoke, not when he was so close to achieving his goal. However, he still had a lot to process.

Clenching his jaw, the Chancellor glanced between Arek, Lyz, Thrawn, and finally the Emperor. He had to toe a fine line between compliance and insubordination. If he went too far in either direction, he would forfeit their lives. This required discipline and patience; an astute strategy and a cunning political mind.

Was he up to the task?

At the very least, it would help to keep him young.

"Your Grand Design will be realized, Your Majesty," Aryan said firmly, offering a slight bow of reverence. "Even now, the Rebels believe they have achieved victory; they have become complacent as their fleets scatter. From my understanding, the Chimaera has also come home to roost among the other command ships… including the Megador. If you intend to remove General Antilles and Admiral Daala from the equation, then you will find them there."

With those words, he knew he had sealed his fate. At this point, all he could do was trust Sistros and hope that he had kept his promise to warn Natasi. If she responded by taking the necessary precautions, she should remain safe.

"In the meantime, we will take our leave to Coruscant," the Chancellor continued, approving the proposal to relocate the Inner Council to the Core. "However, if I could make a suggestion, don’t you think it may be a little too obvious to install the executive arm on the former capital? The vestiges of Hux’s Order remain on the surface, including pockets of insurgents who would jump at the opportunity to disrupt our proceedings. Perhaps it would be prudent to choose a more isolated world; still a member state and within proximity of the Core, but with the luxury of space."

Aryan allowed himself to smile. "I have a facility that could serve our purposes on Nubia; I inherited it from my father."

The Emperor regarded them, pausing, visibly pleased. "Excellent. I agree, my friend. Take the Praetorian Guard, and they will keep you safe." His tone was amused. "And which of the four of you do you suggest remain?" He indicated the family and Thrawn.

"Which would be best for my Empire?"

Aryan felt his stomach drop when the Emperor assigned the Praetorian Guard to their protection detail, but he wisely kept his expression neutral. Nevertheless, that did not prevent him from exchanging a silent glance with Lyz. He did not want Snoke’s armored sentinels to have free rein of their home; that was a problem they would need to contend with once they eradicated the First Order.

For now, the Chancellor hardened his resolve and focused on the Emperor’s recent inquiry.

"I believe Grand Admiral Thrawn was very perceptive in his analysis," he nodded to the Chiss with a wan smile. "In order to win this battle, you will require the best strategic minds; someone who understands military precision and a true genius in combat tactics. Only Thrawn himself qualifies for such a position, so I fully support the recommendation that he stay behind to serve you."

The Chancellor gestured with his free hand to indicate the entirety of the Graul Family. "That absolves us from any undue burdens to focus solely on the political landscape."

Snoke folded his hands together. "So be it."

"Chancellor, you may take my personal shuttle to Nubia, and rebuild my Empire." His golden eyes narrowed. "I shall join you when the Resistance is destroyed - and we shall together end the war itself."

The situation wasn’t ideal, but Aryan obeyed nevertheless. Their survival hinged on their ability to maintain composure and poise. "Very good, Your Majesty," he acquiesced with a slight nod. "I look forward to your arrival and our imminent victory."

This was only a temporary arrangement, assuming everything went according to plan. There would be no victory for the First Order in that ideal scenario; Snoke would be dead and unable to arrive on Nubia to reap his rewards. The galaxy would be free… and his family would be safe.

That was the hope Aryan clung to as he turned to depart.

TAG: @Sinrebirth; @Lady_Belligerent (mentions)

 

STARKILLER BASE

SURFACE

The silence dragged, punctuated by the not so distant rumble of the walkers feet, as the Stormtroopers scattered and vanished through the treeline, careful to be invisible. Of course, to the four Force Users, that was not possible… though seemingly the Force was being used to keep them from seemingly something.

But that didn’t mean they couldn’t be surprised. A powerful Force blow caught Ap’lek mid-air and threw him hard into a tree; a blade briefly ignited through the undergrowth and the tip stabbed into Atin-Kot’s shoulder before vanishing; Zeseem would feel his side burn as a shadow slipped by, only illuminating the snow in the red glare for a moment.

Vestara called out as Kylo Ren appeared from the treeline and threw out a palm at her face, sending her tumbling. Besides him came Phasma and four Shadowtroopers, and they began to fan out to look for the Jedi and Sith.

But Kylo Ren paused, reached up for his helmet, and threw it aside… revealing Ben Skywalker’s red hair. Vestara’s expression melted, and he held out a hand to her, to help her up.

Phasma went to speak and he threw her, causing the silver-armoured trooper to crash to the ground besides Zeseem. Meanwhile, Ap’lek would come face to face with temptation; Kylo Ren’s mask landed in the snow before him, staring him in the air, and voice intoning for him to pick it up, to become Ren. The Stormtroopers converged on Atin-Kot, lifting strangely designed rifles to their shoulders -

Ben Skywalker embraced Vestara Khai.

“Let’s go,” she breathed.

“You have a ship?”

“I have Ship.”

The meditation sphere that had saved Ap’lek aboard the Sabaton some eight months ago… Vestara had never been trapped here. She had used them.

“What about your friends?” Ben asked, concern in his haggard voice. “Or Snoke? And Jaina? Or Rey?

In the Force, she called out, and her pet Ship answered. She placed a hand on his face. “Just us two. We only need us.” Ben hesitated, and a moment later, the Force pulsed; he dropped to the snow, unconscious. “I’m leaving this sorry mess of a war.”

The massive walker was in-range; it fired on the Millennium Falcon, and suddenly its cockpit was gone, exploding into flame and debris that pocked the snow.

Another surge in the Force and the walker tumbled, headless, after a sudden snap-hiss of a blade. When the head landed, atop it was a man.

He held a green blade.

It was Finn.

And all hell broke loose.

TAG: @Mitth_Fisto, @darthbernael, @Silvertough (combo)

 

STARKILLER BASE

DEPTHS

The Rogue Shadow left, cloaking the moment it took off. Rose and Galen took point, giving Jaina a chance to watch the ship go, and sense Roan leave.

He was asleep, dreaming of his mother.

It wasn’t a good moment, but Rose understood it - Leia had once spoken of the pressures of being so important to the fight, and yet having children. Jaina was already facing this, and Rose couldn’t feel worse.

Galen, for his part, ensured Jaina had a lightsaber, and had twin blue bladed weapons he held pointed behind him whenever active. He was relatively taciturn, preparing himself mentally for a fight.

Suddenly, Rose called out. “Rey!” Just as quickly she rushed into the shadows to hug her. They crushed each other in their arms, and Ben was there too.

Of course, they had to retrace Jaina’s steps to reach Snoke… which meant they were going to come across the city-cave of Arkania. Galen ignited his blades, and Ben watched him, before solemnly looking back at his sister.

“I wouldn’t blame you if you let him kill me, to be honest.” He seemed so sad. But now Jaina wasn’t terrified for Roan, she could sense the dull light within him, and the bond between him and Rey, which reverberated like the connection she had once had with Jacen, and Tahiri had once held with Anakin.

The dyad had existed for her family all along…

TAG: @Lady_Belligerent (combo)

 

THE MEGADOR

It was very obvious what had been done to the ship, when Daala saw the sensor record that Remal sent to her urgently - just as the Chimaera docked. Clamps secured her in place, and in the cavernous hangar, the other three ships of the Maw Fleet were evident - her Victory Star Destroyer, Venator and Acclamator. All clamped in, all mid to being repaired and massive Turbolasers craned into the upper hull.

Turbolasers that should have been adorning the Megador. Wedge, who had taken the ramp across the clamp to the gangway, leaned on his cane and looked back at Daala. “I’m sorry, Natasi, but the Megador already has a mission.”

He indicated with his free hand a variety of cargo craft, all of ornate design; Adumari. “They’re full of the munitions. They were brought here to keep us supplied, but Trec has fled so I am using them how I want.”

She would work out what he was doing, undoubtedly. A set of Imperial Stormtroopers in Remnant colours, as well as a tangle to Resistance military police, were on the concourse; four of each. There was one final person there, who Wedge had spoken to before now and summoned to meet him as he left the Chimaera. He knew that the Onager had already abandoned them, but loss was less of a blow; with Aryan Graul having defected, for whatever reason, the secrecy of the fake hyperweapon was out.

But that meant they had less options to keep Snoke in-system.

He would need Natasi’s help.

He looked to Rhoen, acting General of the Resistance in the absence of Finn. “Admiral Daala, we need your help to create a galaxy where Force Users don’t rule our fates.”

He let the words hang.

TAG: @galactic-vagabond422, @Lady_Belligerent (combo)

 

THE DRAGON

The One Sith capital ship was crippled.

Listing, badly. The sole remaining shuttle had been taken, and the entire crew was dead.

The three of them had done it.

In the distance, from the hangar, they could see the new planet that had arrived - an immense Starkiller Base, a single black Resurgent-class Star Destroyer in orbit. The nearby Mon Calamari Star Cruiser and huddling of minor ships - including a red Imperial Star Destroyer - looked pathetic in comparison.

Slightly further out the wedge of the Megador hung, escorted by considerably less Imperial Remnant ships than when they had first crashed on the One Sith flagship. But there were also welcome sights; four hulls of Tho Yor, clearly broken - defeated.

As they watched, though, Darth Krayt’s shuttle was escaping. Tahiri seethed, and Seha was actually crying, clutching Talon’s hand. However, the Force did not speak of fear; only hope.

They were enveloped by it, and suddenly the sight to the shuttle was blocked, and then, opaqued to reveal a Jedi TwinTail. It had three more tethered to it, and a gesture with the Force and landing jets brought them to the hangar floor without issue. The canopy of the lead TwinTail popped open, and Zekk leapt out.

He sketched a salute. “I am so happy to be out of that cockpit.” The Jedi Master quickly explained that the Jedi wing had been surprised by the ambush six months ago but of those that had managed to survive, they and hidden, shutting down their craft and placing themselves into Jedi hibernation trances. Until now.

“Your Force exertion woke me,” Zekk said. “Tesar, Lowbacca and the others are here, though Masters K’Kruhk and T’ra Saa are on the surface. We’ve not been able to pick them up without exposing ourselves.”

He turned to look at the shuttle, receding in the distance. “I guess Darth Krayt is aboard. Did you want to pursue?”

Just as suddenly though, a glow of white appeared and consumed the shuttle. It hung there, like a portal, and Zekk hurriedly pulled out a comlink. “Lowie, what am I looking at?”

A rumbling.

“A miniature hyperspace wormhole,”

Zekk repeated, incredulous. “Where is it going.”

Another rumble.

“Yes, I guess out-system,” he said testily.

A shorter quip.

“To Mortis? You’re sure?”

Zekk looked back at them.

“Mortis is still under Snoke’s control, as far as I’m aware. I can spare these TwinTails, but it’s up to you. We need you here, but the idea of Snoke and Krayt teaming up is just as concerning as Snoke escaping and repairing Starkiller.” He bit his lip in frustration. “What are you going to do?”

Seha, having mopped aside her tears, looked to Talon. Tahiri was already squeezing her lightsaber hilt, knuckles white with the tension.

TAG: @CosmoHender (combo)

 

MORTIS

The spirit Anakin stood with Barriss and Ahsoka in the Between.

He had explained to them that the World Between Worlds existed inside Mortis as much as it didn’t; there was a pathway through the monolith, but it was locked by the Ones millennia ago. Other ways into the World Between Worlds on worlds such as Lothal, Mustafar and Coruscant existed, but most had been sealed behind Keys - spiritual equivalents in various artefacts, the Staff of Sistros, Sceptre of Ragnos and Ahsoka’s wooden white cane among them.

There was a great shadow across this place; the malevolence of Snoke commanded the Celestial technology, the realm obeyed him. At present, they knew that Mortis was consuming the last of the resources it had taken from Mimban, converting it into components to be sent to the Core.

But Anakin understood what they needed. Trace squeezed one hand, and Ahsoka the other. She looked ready. “Get ready.”

Suddenly, he was there.

Darth Krayt.

He turned, surprised, and drew a pair of blades; each crimson.

Ahsoka readied her blade; she had her paired white ones now. Trace readied a blaster. Anakin vanished; he could not be apart of this.

“Explain.” His mismatched eyes spread across them each. “I gave you my lightsaber so you might lead me to the Hidden Temple. I was ruined by Kenobi and Skywalker, just like you, Barriss.”

He pointed a blade. “Join me. Rebuild the Sith and avenge yourself upon the galaxy that ruined us.”

“We can end the cycle by destroying it.”

TAG: @CosmoHender (combo)

 

NUBIA

A Core World in the Corellian Sector, Nubia had been untouched by all but the final violence of the First Galactic Civil War. Imperilled by the Yuuzhan Vong, and within First Order territory for the last fifteen years, it nonetheless had only indirectly suffered.

The great hyperlane of the Corellian Run went through Nubia, connecting it to the very Outer Rim. Beyond the Inner Rim, that trade route was a patchwork of factions, warlord states and separatist movements. Indeed, that line between civilisation and chaos was drawing closer to Nubia once more. Tinnel, Loronar and Byblos, to Denon, where the Hydian Way bifurcated the Run. When Denon fell, the way to Nubia would be open - and the way to Corellia and its immense shipyards.

The First Order Fourth Fleet - twenty star cruisers - was holding position at Nubia, but even further down the Run, Milagro was occupied by huge armies of droid Dark Troopers, TIE Droid swarms, immense minefields, gravity projectors, protected by planetary shield generators, as well as orbital defence weapons… a Fortress World.

As such, Nubia was well positioned behind First Order lines, and not key to a military target like Corellia, Kuat, Coruscant or Fondor. A world that could be just a capital, and not just a component of the war machine.

Peaceful, even - relatively.

And, as such, the Graul Estate was waiting.

The entire family made itself present.

The children, the grandchildren, even the great-grandchild would be there. They were afraid, but refused to not be present.

This was a momentous occasion.

The Graul’s were now one of the most powerful family in the galaxy. The Imperial Family, some whispered, as word spread.

Beyond the territory of the First Order, the title of Emperor was claimed by Jagged Fel, the Judiciary and Galactic Court had settled upon Serenno, and capitals on Eriadu, Mon Calamari and Adumar were claiming to be bring their own brand of peace, if not oppression - the Calamari were under the foot of the Sun Guard, Eriadu was a Separatist hotbed, and the Adumari were leading an aggressive campaign against slavers and Unknown Terrors…

… the First Order relationships would be the province of the Chancellorship.

Of Aryan Graul.

But first, their black immense command shuttle came to the ground, eight Praetorian Guards stepping down the ramp and providing a corridor of safety for the three Grauls.

Aryan, Lyz and Arek.

TAG: @HanSolo29 (directly), mentions only for @darthbernael, @adaml83, @Kahn_Iceay, @Kev-Mas_Colcha, @Mitth_Fisto

 

STARKILLER BASE

OVERBRIDGE

It was coming together.

The Sith Empire.

The Emperor was sure of it.

Sure that he was close.

But he had no desire to do everything, so he needed a military, and a bureaucracy. Not a tangle of Moffs and admirals, but a more direct form of control.

The Praetorian Guard he had sent to manage the Chancellor. The Knights of Ren were no more. The Royal Guard had betrayed and failed him. Instead, the Sovereign Protectors now stood around him; eight of them.

They were fodder, but his enemies outnumbered him.

Inevitably, they would come here, and he would destroy them all. Together.

He had entwined others in his schemes, and Thrawn had commanded the overall strategy… here and elsewhere. Triage was the name of the war until they had what they needed…

… until they had…

… what?

Snoke frowned.

A body for him, yes. A vessel. For he had inherited the problems that Palpatine had, with the loss of his Kaminoan facilities to Rey. His attempts to clone a powerful Force user had failed too, and having been unable to convince Ben that they were a clone, he hadn’t ultimately been able to control his apprentices…

Now Starkiller Base had been damaged…

But Daala’s weapon was the threat.

Destroy her, destroy the Resistance’s last cruiser, and then kill the leaders on the planet. The New Jedi and One Sith would be undone here. The Sith Empire would be restored with his victory here; the Adumari, Tofs, Sun Guard and the rest of the galaxy would collapse when he turned his eyes outward.

The withdrawal of the First Order into the Inner Rim was nothing to the Force.

Jedi strike teams, treacherous Knights of Ren, Dark Lords, Chosen Ones, Dyads and Imperial Admirals, scheming politicians… they were nothing to him.

Nothing to his total victory.

TAG: @Lady_Belligerent, @CosmoHender, @darthbernael, @Mitth_Fisto, @HanSolo29, @Silvertough, @Mistress_Renata, @adaml83, @Kahn_Iceay, @Kev-Mas_Colcha

 

The Next Chapter Begins…

 

OOC: A very fun combo with @Sinrebirth as everyone except Jaina Fel. Thanks!

IC: Jaina Solo Fel
Starkiller Base

Jaina slowly shook her head.

She had avoided those two earlier, and it’s too bad she couldn’t avoid them now.

”I don’t have time for this,” she said to Galen, “you can stay and have a reunion if you want, but I’m not.”

This place was massive, and it would take time to get back to Snoke. Jaina was also worried that Vergere would show back up, so she was hiding her presence in the Force.

Galen shrugged. "If you don't want to strike down the man who got your mother, father and uncle killed, then I'll leave it be." He deactivated his weapon, while Rey and Rose watched.

Ben took a step after Jaina.

"I am sorry," he said. "I didn't fall like Jacen, but I did fall, and I know it was wrong." He swallowed. "I need to know what I can do to make this up to you - if I can even do so."

Jaina held up her hand to stop him and said, “there is no time for emotional displays,” she scoffed. “I have a mission,” she looked at Galen, “Snoke first, then I will sort out the rest.” She looked over at her brother and added, “if I have been stabbed in the back by then.”

She needed to eliminate Snoke, only doing that would secure Roan’s future.

Ben smiled, slightly, as Rey went to speak. "I deserved that," he said, softly.

Rey frowned. "I don't understand."

"Jaina is the Sword of the Jedi," Galen explained. "She is here to get it done."

Rose turned to look at the various Arkanians that were readying makeshift weapons - tools, kitchen utensils, and so forth. "And what about them?"

At this Rey smiled. "They're here to help us take back their home."

Looking back to Jaina, Rose spoke up. "You okay with the natives contributing?"

It was unspoken that this could get very messy.

She cringed at Galen’s use of that title, why did that always come up?

Now there was a consequence to this ridiculous reunion. Jaina was not at all happy that the delay had allowed the Arkanians to join, now she would have to worry about their protection too.

“No, I’m not okay with it,” Jaina snapped, “but this is their home and I won’t insult them by refusing.” She sighed, and then added, “maybe they know of a shortcut we could take.”

One of the Arkanian’s stepped up, white haired but spirited. “I am Serifa Altunen.” She bowed to them present. “I was once a Jedi, and I left the Old Order.” A wry smile. “I have helped my people against the Empire, the Vong, and now the First Order. I know ways to the surface, but they will bring us up in the main areas.”

“The most heavily patrolled ones,” Ben said.

“Yes,” she said, simply. “So we will need a diversion.”

“One which will get many of your people killed,” Rey pointed out.

“I’ll stay with them,” Rose piped up.

“As will I,” said Galen, uncomfortable with innocents dying on a feint.

Serifa slipped a datapad from her pocket and passed it to Jaina. “My place is with my people. The tunnel is narrow, so a small team is all you can send.”

Rey stepped up to Ben and squeezed his hand. “Two or three?”

Serifa looked apologetic to Jaina, sensing the family drama. “Three.”

Galen nodded. “You three are our best hope, Jaina.” He sounded gruff. “I’m old.”

“When you get to the tunnel exit, check in, and we’ll launch our attack,” Rose said. “Most of the troops will come down, and you’ll have a clearer path to Snoke.”

“It’s a plan, but my sister is the one in-charge.”

Rey looked confused. “Because she’s a Jedi Master?”

“Because Uncle Luke told me he would have asked her to be Grandmaster one day.” Ben said this with openness in the Force.

Jaina didn’t agree with Galen’s decision, “and Snoke is what you’d call young? Age isn’t a factor here, Galen.”

Her decision didn’t matter, they formed the plan around her, but she didn’t care. They would listen if she spoke up, but she had no interest in being mission leader, and Ben’s comment did nothing to help her mood. She wanted to punch him in the face for even speaking of their Uncle.

She touched Serifa’s shoulder and spoke softly, “thank you.” There was more Jaina wanted to say, but she couldn’t get the words out. She swallowed hard and instead said, “may the Force be with you, Serifa.”

Walking away before they could see how angry she was over having Ben and Rey dumped on her. She felt as comfortable with them as she would having to partner with Snoke and Vergere.

Rey and Ben took the hint and kept quiet as they headed up the access tunnel. It was more direct than the winding path they’d all taken down to the depths, but Jaina’s mood carried.

Eventually, bless her, Rey spoke up. “Jaina, we can’t carry this into battle. Snoke will use it against us. We need to be at very least on the same page to some extent…” her voice was pleading, if a little naive.

Ben was quiet.

She’s not wrong, apprentice, came a voice, wry.

Mara.

Jaina stumbled and stopped in her tracks.

”I’m not carrying anything into battle,” she snapped. “Why would I be so stupid as to give Snoke something so obvious to use against me?”

Where the hell had Mara been when Vergere was torturing her? Or when they took her son from her body?

“I want this over… I need this to be over,” Jaina said to no one in particular. “I’ve lost so much time with my son, and I cannot even be there when his father sees him for the first time… or even if I will see them both again.”

It was vexing enough that she’d been all but abandoned when she needed help the most. It was another reminder to Jaina that she was better off working alone, getting attached to others never ended well.

Then it dawned on her, maybe this would work well after all because she held no feelings of attachment to Ben or Rey, she could honestly care less about either of them.

She pointed at Rey and asked, “you wouldn’t be following me if we weren’t on the same page, right?”

Jaina had no patience left and was tired of wasting time. “I will be fighting without feeling, but can you do that?” She asked glaring at Ben and Rey. “Perhaps you’re the weak link here, because I don’t believe for a moment you’ll be able to keep Snoke from using your feelings for each other against you,”

Rey and Ben exchanged a look. Rey was the one who spoke again. "I don't know you very well, Jaina. If anything, I've heard you always fought with emotion. You fell to the dark side, or very nearly did, once, and have done your fair share of necessary things, within the strictest lines of ethical behavior." She shrugged. "I just... worry, that you're carrying all of those feelings and losses with you, and putting up a wall. It's not dealt with, it's buried, and Snoke, well, trust me," Rey shuddered. "He can get right inside your mind. He'll unlock anything you're holding onto, and use it."

Ben spoke up. "With Rey and me, we feel what we feel, and we keep it surface. We trust each other, and that strength is going to destroy Snoke."

Jaina closed her eyes a moment, she knew that she was making the exact expression that she had seen on her mother’s own face years ago. Leia would say that she was praying for patience so that she didn’t send her children off to the spice mines of Kessel.

“I’d like to point out that I’ve spent around nine months here in this hell hole,” Jaina said through clenched teeth. “So, I’m pretty kriffing aware of what Snoke and his pet bird Vergere are capable of.”

She glared at Ben and asked, “if your girlfriend is done with the family therapy session, I’d like to get on with this?”

Jaina had been suspicious of Rey since she had known of her existence, and she’d been very wary of how the girl latched onto Leia. Was she infatuated with the Solo family?

It really didn't matter if she was since it was just herself and Ben left… and Jaina didn’t care if Rey had him under her thumb. If Jaina survived this she was going to spend what time she has left with her son and husband, and not being a Solo.

Ben looked faintly amused, and Rey shot him a glare. "Rey, leave it. Jaina knows herself best, and she'll do what needs to be done." His eyes met hers. "And then what? Leave, with the baby, and never return?"

His voice was soft. "Rey is pure of heart, and yes, she's desperate for family, because Palpatine killed hers."

Rey looked solemn for a moment as she remembered the vision of the knifing.

"But if you're going to fight in your way, Jaina, she is going to fight in hers."

At that, he squeezed past, and took point.

Rey lingered behind, looking at the floor.

Jaina rolled her eyes at Ben, pure of heart? Did he seriously believe that rubbish?

”I’m not telling her how to fight, Ben, so maybe she could leave me alone?” Jaina asked as her brother walked away.

She sighed and turned quickly to face Rey, “your poor me act might work on him,” she gestured in the direction Ben had taken. “But that won’t fly with me, Rey. Ben claims you’re desperate for a family, if that was the case I should think that you would understand that I want to by with my infant son.” Jaina was angry, and she was still angry over how her mother had doted on Rey. “If you want a family then you might want to consider the track record of the Solo’s and Skywalker’s. They send their kids away to places of safety which translates into them ending up being dropped on Abeloth’s doorstep, or the kids get resourceful and fight off the kidnappers themselves.”

This was Ben’s fault… and it was Rose’s fault too. Why did she have to act like they needed to involve these two. Jaina growled through clenched teeth and followed the direction Ben had taken. It was fine by her if Rey wanted to play the victim and stand around pouting.

There was work to be done, and that didn’t involve anyone taking over and being the know it all.

Rey paused. "I want what's best for everyone, Jaina. I think you've done more than enough to be allowed to leave, and live happily ever after. Ben and I, we have things still left to do, but in this moment, we need you." She looked unhappy about it. "I'm sorry, Jaina. I really am. Leia only spoke of you in a positive light." A little smile. "You sounded so heroic. I would have loved to have met you under better circumstances, to have brought your son a gift, to have gotten to know your husband and thank you for everything you've done."

Her lips pursed. "But instead we're fighting this fight." Rey's voice grew firm. "Let's go kill Snoke so that you can get back to your son."

Tag: @Sinrebirth