Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

(Rey)

Leia Organa, former Princess of Alderaan, now general of the Resistance, and my mother, stands in a jungle clearing on D'Quar. A throng of officers and crew members stand on either side of her, their hands clasped and heads down. But she, Ben, and I can see them stealing looks at her, and to each other. War is coming, and they know it. We all do.

They're worried that in her grief, she's forgotten. This has to greatly offend her since she's known about pain and loss longer than most of us have been alive. For five decades, war and grief were her only faithful companions. And they've yet to prevent her to do what needs to be done.

The funeral for my father was not her decision. She knows it won't be long until the First Order attacks us again. She agreed to let the funeral happen as long as it wouldn't hinder the evacuation, but she didn't want to be a part of it. As I'm the only one who can normally get through to her, I was elected to talk to her.

"He was a hero." I said "He needs to be honored like everyone else we lost."

"Why do you care?" She asked "You always said you hated him for abandoning us."

This put some lift in my eyes. I wasn't expecting her to bring that up. It's not exactly a lie though. After being let down by him over and over again as a child, I guess you could say a bitterness rose up within me. Even getting to where I took my mother's biological maiden name instead of his.

I didn't let her see my reaction. I pushed down my emotions, guarded my expression, and said:

"This isn't about me, mom. This is about you. Resistance needs to see you. They need to know that you aren't giving up on them. If you break, they will too."

She gave me a look I've never seen before. In her eyes, I only see pain and vulnerability, "Maybe I have, I just don't know how much longer I can keep this up." She said

"What would Jacen do?" I asked

She ponders this for a moment, then gets out of her chair and faces me. There's a conspiratorial look on her face.

"Alright." She replied

The first part of the ceremony involves her reading off the names of all the people who died during the assault. Giving a moment of silence for each of them. Eventually, we all follow her to the edge of the jungle for the second part of the ceremony. A large tree with a small, triangle-shaped hole in it's center. As we don't have his body to burn, we each give up something he gave to us.

My mother places a small, golden, chain with a die on each side into the hole. I pick up a small figurine he gave me as a child. He'd made it for my mother on Endor. When she caught him, he said it was supposed to be some tribal warrior princess, but my mother knew it was really her. He gave it to me shortly after my birth. After examining for a moment, I place it into the tree. My mother signals BB-8, who lights the tree on fire.

….

(Finn)

It's been close to a year since the evacuation of D'Quar. The republic has provided us with multiple resources including Hammerhead Corvettes, U-wings, and Y-wing bombers. The First Order hasn't attacked us since D'Quar, but they're coming. They just need to find us first.

I think knowing this is what's kept me awake for the last few nights. That...and the nightmares. They're always the same, they're about the family I lost when I was barely old enough to remember them. I can remember very few things about the night I was taken, and my nightmares make up for what I can't.

I'm being held tightly by my mother as a stormtrooper stands across from us: Phasma. She and my mother are talking, and I can hear my mother's voice breaking with every word she says. It's at this moment I notice my sister at my mother's hip opposite me.

The conversation ultimately leads to Phasma saying "Since your family served the empire in the old wars, you are given the opportunity to keep one."

"Ex...excuse me?" My mother says

Phasma takes a step toward her with two stormtroopers forming behind her. "You may keep one of your children, the other must come with us and serve the First Order."

My sister holds onto my mother and begins to sob quietly. This causes me to do the same. "No…..no, I can't!" My mother cries

In a firm tone, Phasma says "if you do not choose, they will both be taken."

My mother begins to sob hysterically "Please, no. I can't choose! I can't choose!" She says as she holds us closer to her

"Take them both!" Phasma orders to her troopers

My sister is strong enough to get out of their grasp, but I am not.

"TAKE HIM….TAKE MY BOY! Take my baby boy!" she sobs as I'm ripped from her arms and taken away. I don't even remember what my mother looked like, or my sister, they're just shadows to me now.

Realizing this is going to be another sleepless night, I sit up on my bed and turn to my left where I see Ben asleep in his bed a few feet away from me. Due to the base on Crait being much larger than the previous one and the fact that we have much smaller numbers compared to the Rebellion, there are enough living quarters where nobody has to share rooms, but Ben looked horrified at the idea of being alone so I offered to live with him.

Not wanting to wake him, I grab my boots and wait to put them on until I get out the door. I've been told by a few people that taking a walk around the base to tire myself out.

He wouldn't exactly mind being woken up, but due to the rigorous training he's been going through these past few months he deserves a good night's sleep. Unlike me, he can fall asleep the second his face hits the pillow. He and Rey to a certain extent are the only people I feel I can talk to. Everyone else is still a little cagey around me; not that I blame them, I'd feel the same way in their position.

I hope this changes someday though. I want to find a way to prove to everyone, and furthermore myself, that my past doesn't define who I am. Yes, I was a stormtrooper, but not anymore. I am done with the First Order, and I would rather die than go back.

Chapter Text

(Finn)

I walk around the dark and mostly silent base. I’m not going in any particular direction, my ultimate intent is to keep walking until I feel I can’t stay awake anymore and try to get at least a few more hours of sleep.

I continue walking for an unknown amount of time before I hear music in the distance. It sounds like it’s coming from a hallikset. It’s a song I haven’t heard before. I think I know who’s playing it, and the thought of it brings a smile to my face.

I listen more intently as I get closer. Whatever the song is, it sounds rather sad. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t undeniably beautiful.

Eventually I see her. Playing the hallikset while sitting on a bench in front of a small fire. She’s alone and I take it she doesn’t want to be bothered, so I hide behind a nearby supply crate.

She slows down her song and eventually sets the instrument next to her. She then turns her head in my direction.

“You’re not that sneaky, Bucket-Head.” Rey says

I jump to my feet.
“Sorry” I say as I start to walk away

“Trouble sleeping?” She asks

I turn around and walk back to her
“Yeah” I say “You?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” She replies

“I guess.” I say as I sit on the bench across from her. “I mean, I’ve never seen you use that before.”

She glances at the hallikset and then back at me, almost as if she’s deciding what to reveal and what not to.

“It’s… just something my dad taught me when I was little, during one of the times I actually got to see him for longer than a day.” She says “He taught me all kinds of different songs that he knew. Everything from folk songs to love ballads. He was a terrible singer though.”

Then it hits me as I see what appears to be tears in her eyes: “It was one year ago today, isn’t it?” I ask

“Yeah.” She says “As of three hours ago.”

“Must be nice.” I hear myself say “To have something to remember him by, I mean.”

She doesn’t say anything, she just continues to stare intently at the fire. Once again, I open my mouth without thinking.

“I don’t remember anything about my parents, I don’t remember what they look like, or even my real name.” I say

I’m backing away as she continues to remain silent. “Okay, well I’ll leave you alone now. Good night.” I say

I turn around and I’m walking back to my room when I hear: “Hey, Finn”

I turn back and see Rey on her feet with the hallikset in her hand.

“Yeah?” I say

“Do you want to hear the rest of the song?” She asks

I feel the grin forming on my lips, I don’t resist it. “Sure.” I say

I sit back down as she goes back to the bench across from me.

“Try not to laugh, ok?” She asks

“Okay.” I reply

“I’m trusting you on this.” She says

She takes a deep breath, and begins:
“I have been waiting, waiting from afar
In the somber shadows of the towers drab
In the somber shadows of the towers drab

In the somber shadows of the towers' spray
You will see me waiting forever
You will see me waiting forever

One day it will come again
Above the seas, over the lands
Over the lands, above the seas
The spring's breeze will return
To revive, my broken heart

I will be drawn away by its breath
Far away within its flow, its worthy wishes
The determined desires, far from this world
That is between the sea and the stars”

“Wow.” I say “Your dad taught you that?”

“No.” She chuckles “I wrote that.”

I don’t know why, but I’m taken aback by this to the point that I’m at a loss for words.

“Well...it was….good, really good.” I say

“Yeah, I could tell about halfway through.” She says with a smile

“There was something in my eye.” I say “All this salt on the ground can get into your eyes if you’re not careful.”

She laughs and so do I. A few minutes later, we both get up and return to our quarters. And no matter what I do, I can’t wipe the smile off my face.

(Unknown)

I find myself waking up in a bright room. I don’t know how long I’ve been out for. Months? Years? I hope not. All I feel is Ben, I feel darkness coming and I don’t know if he’s strong enough to face it yet.

I can’t move anything other than my eyes. I look around and all I see is a blinding white light. I close my eyes to shut it out. And then I hear a voice:

“Ready yet, you are not.” It says

I try to speak, but the words won’t come out.

“Rest Luke. The answers you seek, in time they will come.” Master Yoda says

Time? That’s a luxury I don’t know if Ben has.

Chapter Text

(Ben)

Training has become a lot easier over the past year. While I still end up sore at the end of the day, I can feel myself getting stronger with each session. My legs can carry me for distances I never would have imagined, and my arms are strong enough to where I can shoot a blaster rifle with little effort and wield my lightsaber as if it were a small twig.

Due to Kyle and Chewie being off on a mission, I’ve been assigned to work with a training droid when it comes to mastering a lightsaber and working with the other recruits when it comes to everything else. I quickly grew to prefer working with them rather than Kyle due to the other recruits being closer to my age.

Due to the unorthodox conditions we’re in, many Resistance soldiers are given multiple duties. Rose Tico for example is usually a medic in the field but is also a drill instructor, my group’s to be exact. She fills the position incredibly well, she can seem kind and gentle one moment but the moment the training sessions start she turns into a total brute; screaming in your ear when you trip while running or missing your shot during target practice and screaming obscenities that even R2 would find shocking. It paid off though as I’m slowly becoming a better shot than Rey who I should add has a higher score than anyone.

Today however is an off day, it’s the one day a week where recruits can relax, not for me though. I’ve found myself to be the kind of person who likes to stay busy. Finn, Rey, Leia, and I know it’s only a matter of time before the First Order finds our base, so we put all our energy into either preparing or finding distractions. Rey and Finn for example have been using this time to practice fighting with electro-batons which every soldier is required to carry in the field.

I however spend my time with the training droid. I carry it to the northeast side of the base since that’s the least populated section, once I’m sure I’m alone, I hit the button to activate it. The first shot is fired before I have time to unhook my saber from my belt. I dodge the blast and reach behind my holstered pistol to grab my saber and ignite it all in one motion.

I realize now that I forgot the helmet with the blast shield back at my room, so I’m unintentionally relying on my eyes a lot more than I’m supposed to. The droid fires again with the shot aimed at my head, I raise my saber at just the right time and it deflects back at the droid, causing it to fly away for me to chase it. I close my eyes and listen for it, eventually I can faintly hear it in the distance and I sprint for it.

It spots me before I see it and the next shot it fires grazes my left arm. I shout at the sudden jolt of pain as the droid retreats further into the cave. The blasts can’t kill you, but they certainly sting when you’re hit as it’s meant to replicate the sensation of actually being shot. I take a deep breath and then I’m running again. I spot the droid the same time it spots me, so this time I deflect the shot as it’s fired, causing it to hit a wall.

It fires again and again and again, each time I dodge or deflect it until the tip of my saber blade hits it. Then it retreats even further to where I can’t see it. Saber still ignited, I begin searching for it. All the while, I’m feeling a presence, one I haven’t felt in a while. A dark, burning presence that feels like it could drain the light from everything and everyone surrounding it.

I eventually make my way to the deepest part of the base. There’s very little light where I am other than the bright red crystals and blood red dirt. I look to my left and see a switch for a few light posts left over from the rebellion, I flip the switch and find the training droid only a few feet away. I walk over to it, and that’s when I feel the presence again. I turn around to walk back to the barracks, and that’s when I see Kylo Ren standing before me.

He’s dressed all in black like the last time I saw him, the only real difference is that you can see the outline of his robotic hand in his glove. His mask is on and it looks even more menacing than I remember. Everything about his appearance looks lifeless, as if anything that gave him an identity has been stripped away and all that’s left is a mindless puppet.

I don’t realize I’m shaking until I ignite my saber. I look into the visor on his mask and I can see my reflection. So I know what he sees before him. I don’t deny it, there’s only a scared child in front of him and he knows it.

“Hello cousin” he says, almost affectionately

I don’t respond to him, I just back up with my saber drawn. How is he here? There’s no way he could’ve gotten into the base without being seen. My first guess is that they’ve found us and his forces are here engaging the Resistance.

“I’m going to make you an offer, one that I rarely make. The Supreme Leader is a generous man and will greatly reward you under two conditions. One, you’ll tell me where you are, and two, you’ll join us” he says as he approaches me

“No” I manage to let out

“You’d be committing suicide.” He says “We have the power to wipe you and the Resistance out of existence as if you were nothing more than an insect”

I move into an attack stance, gripping my saber with both hands. Almost grinning, I respond: “Go to Hell!”

“So be it” he says coldly, before he ignites his saber

He swings his saber down at me and I raise mine just before he hits me. He’s stronger than I remember and the impact nearly brings me to my knees. I do a shoulder roll which causes the blade from his saber to pierce the ground, leaving a notable mark there. Can he see where I am?

I rise to my feet and prepare to attack again when he says “tell me, does Rey know about me?”

We circle each other, waiting for the other to strike. I don’t respond, but he has his answer looking at my reaction. “I thought not” he says

“It would just break her heart wouldn’t it? What do you think will be worse for her? Finding out I’m alive, or realizing that everyone kept it from her.” He says “Believe me, I can reach out to her whenever I want, tell me where you are and she’ll never have to know. But if you refuse, I will tell her, and make no mistake, I will turn her.”

With that, I lunge at him. I swing my saber at his head and he knocks me back on my side. The training droid reactivates it and fires at him. He deflects the blast to where it hits a crystal above his head, and that’s when it hits me: those crystals can only be found on Crait.

I have to get it out of his hand, he could take it to the lowest level scanner and it’ll lead them right to our doorstep. I swing wildly at him, he counters each of my attacks before he kicks me in the knee which knocks me down. The pain is excruciating, I don’t even try to get up, I know the bone is broken.

Kylo examines the crystal before looking down at me. “See you soon, cousin.” And then he vanishes. I press the button on my communicuff which transmits my location to the medical unit. And that’s when everything fades to black.

Chapter Text

(Ben)

I don’t recall much about when I was brought to the medical station.  I know Finn and Rey found me almost immediately after I pressed the transmitter, everything else is a blur.  There may be periods of unconsciousness but they’re hard to make out.  My vision is blurry, like everything is doubled.  Even the colors feel as though they’re fading in and out.  I try to tell them what happened, that Kylo and the First Order are probably on their way here, but I can’t form any words.  It’s as if whatever connects my brain to my mouth has been blocked by something and all that it results in is my mouth hanging open.

Then, I feel my clothes practically torn off my body and in their place is a light hospital gown.  Seconds later, I feel a quick but sharp pain in my left arm that dulls almost instantly.  And then every bone in my body feels like it weighs a ton, and all goes quiet again…

(Finn)

It felt like absolute torture finding Ben and see him in the state he was in.  I felt like someone punched me as hard as they could in the chest before ripping out my insides.  His knee looked like a bolder had landed on it, leaving it flat and mutilated.  He’s barely conscious once Rey and I are at his side, he tries to talk but it just comes out as a groan.

“Just hang on, bud.” I say as Rey informs command that we found him

I hand her his lightsaber which she hooks onto her belt before I pick him up.  He lets out another groan, this time I know he’s not trying to say anything.  Rey’s face turns pale once she’s able to get a better look at his knee as it looks like his foot is about ready to fall off.

“Go find Leia” I say “I’ll bring him to the medical station.” She nods and we both run to our respective destinations.

It’s a long way to the medical station, and it doesn’t make much of a difference when I’m running as it still takes forever to get there.  My mind becomes more aware as I run.  I feel sharper and more focused than I ever have before.  All that I can think about is that I can’t let anything happen to him, I won’t.

(Ben)

I’m awakened by a faint beeping noise a few feet away from me.  I lay in the bed confused for a moment before it all comes back to me.  I begin to feel the dull, aching pain in my knee and—Kylo!  I open my eyes to see the dimly lit hospital room.  I jolt up and see Finn waking up at the same time. “Tell the general he’s awake” he says to someone at the door I can’t see.

“Kylo!” I say as the beeping beside me increases “He’s coming, he knows where we are!” 

“Ok ok, just relax.” Finn says as he places his hand on my upper arm “Leia’s on her way, she’ll be here any minute.”

And then the realization hits me, how am I supposed to explain what just happened?  Everyone here will think I’m crazy since I have no way of proving that we spoke.  Leia might believe me, but how could that convince anyone else? It would be our word against theirs.

Moments later, Leia does show up with Rey following behind her.  There’s concern I sense in her, but she does what she can to bury it by remaining as stoic as she can.  Before I have a chance to say anything, she orders Finn and Rey to leave and she seals the door once they’re out of the room.

“What was that?” I say “I saw him as clearly as I’m seeing you.  It was like he was really there with me”

She sits down on the chair beside me and bows her head “I honestly don’t know.” She replies “I’ve never heard of something like this.  The most I’ve seen is the ability to share one’s thoughts and emotions through the Force, but not the ability to project yourself at someone else’s location, let alone interact with the other person’s environment.”

“The night before my father…” I say, not wanting to say the word.  Even a year later, it still doesn’t feel real to me “he said that each generation of our family was more powerful than the last.  Is it true?”

“We can’t know for certain if that’s true or if the opposite is.” she says “Your grandfather was the first of his kind.  From what information we have, his mother was still a virgin when she gave birth to him.  And when he was brought to the Jedi Order, they theorized that he was conceived through the Force.”

“How is that possible?” I say

“No one knows, a lot of records were destroyed during the purge.” She replies “Even now, I can only assume that it’s because of our more direct connection to it that we may inherit powers that others can’t.”

“What about Kylo?” I say “It’ll only be a matter of time before he gets that rock analyzed and brings his army here.  We’re in no position to fight him, we have to evacuate the base as soon as possible.”

“I know” she says “I’ve ensured that we’d have enough fuel in our ships in case of an emergency and we’re going to have volunteers aid the sick and the wounded to the ships while those who are in fighting condition will distract the enemy for as long as possible.”

“I have to help them!” I say as I sit up, and immediately I feel dizzy and like I’m about to vomit.  Leia gently lays me back down in the bed.

“You’re not going anywhere.” She says “You need to rest, nearly every bone below your knee was shattered like glass so we had to have them rebuilt.”

She lifts up the sheet by my knee, revealing a white cast wrapped around it with a small hole in the middle with a clear tube protruding from it injecting some form of medicine.

“You were lucky you were found so quickly” she says “from what I’ve heard, they nearly had to amputate your knee altogether.”

“How long do you think we have?” I ask

“Hard to say.” She replies “A day, maybe.”

(Rey)

Finn and I stand on either side of the door with our ears pressed up against the wall.  Unfortunately, due to the thickness of the door and all other general commotion we can barely hear anything.  Only one thing stands out to me, the mention of Kylo Ren, the bastard who murdered my brother…and my father.  I hope he and the First Order do find us eventually, because when they do, I am going to kill him.

No matter what happens, no matter what it costs: I. will. kill. him.

Chapter Text

(Finn)

Leia steps out of the room a few moments later. She takes a look at me, then at Rey. I don’t know exactly what she’s trying to convey. But it seems somewhere between disappointment and amusement. She begins to step away from us, before turning on her heel to face us.

“I don't know what you two overheard, but if I hear either of you whisper a word of it to anyone you’ll be spending the next week in a holding cell.” She says “I don’t want to be responsible for a panic.”

“Understood, General.” Rey and I say

The truth is, neither of us could hear much of the conversation. My first choice is to talk to Ben and find out what he knows. I turn and walk back towards the door to his room when I feel Rey’s hand on my shoulder.

“Let him sleep.” She says before leading me away “Come on, I’m starving”

Neither of us have had the chance to eat today, so we head to the mess hall in silence. It’s slightly crowded now, but nothing compared to when the sun comes up. You could be waiting in line for close to an hour and by the time you’re at the front, you’re told that the stew is out and that you have to wait 15 minutes so the cooks can make more.

That’s what our meals mostly consist of. It’s usually some form of stew that’s made from the plant life scattered throughout the planet due to animal life being practically non-existent here. It usually tastes terrible, but eventually you don’t care.

We happen to see Poe sitting at a nearby table once we arrive. Rey immediately puts down her tray and runs over to give him a hug. We’d met shortly after Ben and I arrived on D’Quar. Once we left for Crait, he and his squad had to ship out to scout nearby systems for classified reasons.

From what I’ve gathered, he and Jacen were best friends growing up, practically inseparable. Since his mother and father died when he was a teenager, The Solos became his new family, albeit unofficially. From what Rey tells me, he took it pretty hard when Jacen left to train with Luke.

He barely said a word for several weeks and would make whatever excuse he could to be alone. From what Rey remembers, he would often go to the lake where he and Jacen would swim. At night, he’d stare up at the stars, hoping that wherever Jacen was, he could see the same thing.

The topic of Jacen still seems to be a sore subject for Poe as he seems distracted whenever he is mentioned. Poe will go from his usual talkative mood to incredibly distant. I asked Rey about this a few weeks ago, but she couldn’t come up with an answer. “I have no idea.” She said “I was only 5 when Jacen left so I don’t remember much. I don’t remember much about my brother t all if I’m being honest.”

Rey and Poe talk to each other quietly. I briefly consider joining them, but my growling stomach propels me to get back in line. Once I head back to the tables with food for myself and Rey, I see that Poe is gone. I take my seat across from Rey, the smile she had when she saw Poe is gone, now I see only worry in her eyes.

“What is it?” I say, nudging her food bowl to her

She picks up a spoon and plunges it into her stew, but she stops before putting it in her mouth. She stares at the spoon full of food and then looks back at me.

“Poe had his team scouting the system.” She says “They spotted a probe droid circling the planet.”

This puts some lift in my eyes. The way the new probe droids work no longer involves having to actually enter a planet’s atmosphere. It can scan an entire planet in just a matter of hours and it’s too small to be picked up by radar. The only way to actually see it is in person while it’s locking onto a target’s exact location so it can be transmitted to any star destroyers in the area.

“If you had to guess…” I say “how long do you think we have before they show up?”

“Five, maybe six hours.” She says

I try to remain neutral as I look around at the few people still in the area. They’re not paying attention, but the last thing I want to do is get in trouble with the General.

I lean in “We need to get Ben off planet.” I say “It has to be now, before the rest of the base evacuates.”

Rey leans her head into her hand and sighs. “Dammit.” she mutters

We both know it would be too dangerous to have him leave with the rest of the base. The First Order will target every ship that leaves the planet as it departs, so we need to leave before they arrive. A fleet can’t hide, a single ship can.

“Get a ship ready, I’ll get Ben” I say, keeping my voice low enough to where only she can hear me.

“And how exactly am I supposed to do that?” She says “It’s not like transport ships are just available to everyone.”

I pause for a moment. Without even thinking, I say “Would Poe be of any help?”

Rey shrugs “Are you kidding me?” She says “Poe is one step away from being promoted to Commander, he’s not going to risk losing that by helping me.”

“Then what do we do?” I say

“Just go get Ben. I’ll figure something out.” She replies

Without a second thought, we both leave the room in the pursuit of our objectives. I find myself running once I’m out of the mess hall, nobody says a word to me. I don’t have a problem with this today. Every second counts and I can’t be distracted.

Once I’m out of the mess hall, I slow down and catch my breath. A few people are looking at me as I head for the stairwell. I try my best to guard my expression as best I can to avoid any commotion. Maybe some people mutter to themselves or each other what’s going on, but I’m still yet to be stopped.

I reach Ben’s room minutes later. I open his door to find him asleep in his bed. Once I’m in, I seal the door behind me to prevent anyone from coming in.

It’s only when I get close enough that I remember the tube sticking out of his leg as it visibly protrudes from underneath his blanket. And that’s when I realize that getting him out of here undetected will be next to impossible. If I remove the tube now he’d be in agony so the only option would be to keep him sedated which would mean I’d have to carry him out of here. And that wouldn’t be possible earlier due to how easily he’ll be recognized.

I sit down on a nearby chair, weighing my options when the door opens. One of Leia’s guards walks in, with his hand hovering over the gun holstered at his hip. “Soldier” he says firmly “the General has requested you accompany me.”

“Why?” I say

“I’m not at liberty to divulge that information, sir.” He says “I was just told to escort you or stun you if you refuse to comply.”

I get up and follow him to what turns out to be Leia’s office. When I get there, I see Leia at her desk, and Rey hanging her head across from her. Without missing a beat, Leia turns her attention from Rey to me. She stands up only to lean forward and place her hands on her desk, her face only inches away from mine.

“I always thought you stormtroopers were supposed to be smart, I guess I was wrong.” She says

Admittedly, that hurts. I’ve spent the last year desperately trying to prove to everyone that I’m not one of them. But if I can’t convince her, how am I supposed to convince the rest of the galaxy? I do my best to guard my expression, but I must not be doing a good job at it as she pulls back, her face softening considerably.

“So…” she says “You steal a ship and fly Ben away from here before the evacuation… and then what?”

Rey and I look at each other, both of us coming to the same realization. “I don’t know” I say “I just know we need to get him out of here before the chaos starts.”

“And if you’re spotted by a First Order star destroyer, then what?” She says “No ship in the hangar bay has the capability to outrun or out gun a star destroyer, let alone an entire fleet. You go out there alone and you’re dead before you have the chance to blink.”

She looks at both of us, ensuring that she has both of our full attention. “And that’s if you’re lucky. If Snoke or his apprentice are on any of the ships in the fleet, they’ll capture and torture all three of you until you’re begging to die” she says “especially Ben”

“I don’t understand.” I say “What does the First Order want with Ben? If it’s just because he's related to Luke Skywalker, then wouldn’t Rey be just as big of a target?”

Leia slumps back into her chair, her hands clasped together. She looks at me and then turns to Rey. With a slow wave of her hand, Rey leans back her chair, her eyes closed.

“She’ll be fine.” Leia says before I have the chance to react “She’s just unconscious but she’ll be up in an hour or so with no memory of the last few minutes.”

“Why did you do that?” I say

“Because what I’m about to tell you is something very few people know, and I don’t want that list to include my daughter just yet.”

This puts some lift in my eyes. Leia never publicly refers to Rey as her daughter and vice versa. Every time they address each other it’s usually by rank like everyone else.

“What is it?” I say

“From what I know, Luke had been assembling recruits to rebuild the Jedi Order.” She says “One day, he met a woman and they fell in love. Eventually they got married and some years later she became pregnant.”

She stands back up, folds her hands behind her back, and faces a wall. “One of Luke’s students, one of his best I might add, grew angry and disillusioned with the Jedi. Calling them a pack of self-righteous hypocrites and that Luke was just dooming the order to the same fate it had when fell the last time.”

She looks back at me and I think I notice a single tear glide down her cheek. She continues “The student told Luke that the only way to stop this was to do so before it starts. He told Luke that for the order to survive, the child had to die before it was born. When Luke refused, the student gathered six others to aid him. They were ordered to gather as many followers and kill whoever resisted.”

“Kylo Ren and his knights.” I say

“Yes” she replies “but before that night he was known by another name: Jacen Solo.”

What comes out of my mouth next is obvious, but I can’t stop myself from saying it.

“Kylo Ren is your son.” I say

She inhales deeply before speaking. I would venture to guess this isn’t a subject she brings up often. She looks at me tentatively and finally, she says:
“Yes, he’s my son.”

Just then, sirens consume all other sounds on the base. Leia and I exchange a look at each other. We both know what this means: they’re here.

Chapter Text

Finn:

I'm sitting in the back of one of the transports, feeling the hum of the engines beneath me. I glance over at Leia, who's sitting across from me, and then to Ben who seems okay despite his leg injury

"Where are we going?" I ask Leia.

She looks at me with a small smile. "Somewhere safe," she says. "Somewhere where we can regroup and plan our next move."

I nod, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. We made it out of there alive, and that's all that matters.

Rey:

I'm in my X-wing, leading the squadron with Poe at my side. I can feel the G-forces pulling at me as we dodge blaster fire from the First Order. I focus on my breathing, trying to keep my nerves in check.

"We've got incoming," Poe says over the comm.

I glance at my radar and see a group of TIE fighters heading straight for us. "Copy that."

We dive and weave through the barrage of laser fire, our X-wings firing back. Suddenly, I hear a loud explosion. I turn my head and see that one of our ships has been hit. "Poe, check on them," I say, feeling a knot form in my stomach.

He nods and breaks off to go check on the damaged ship. I continue leading the squadron, but my focus is split. I can't shake the feeling that something's not right.

Finn:

I'm still in the transport, trying to keep my mind off things by talking to Ben who’s still a little loopy from the painkillers given to him before we left.

Suddenly, I feel a jolt. The transport shakes and rattles. "What's going on?" I ask, looking around for answers.

Leia's already on her feet, looking out the window. "We're being targeted," she says, her voice calm but urgent.

The transport shakes again, and I hear blaster fire hitting the hull. Panic sets in, and I look to Leia for guidance.

"We have to abandon ship," she says, grabbing a backpack from under her seat. "Everyone, grab what you can and follow me."

I nod, grabbing my own pack and following her out of the transport with Ben and everyone else. We make our way to the escape shuttles, just as the transport explodes behind us.

Rey:

I'm still leading the squadron, but I can feel my heart racing. Something's wrong. I glance at my radar and see that the transport ship is missing. "Poe, where's the transport ship?" I ask over the comm.

There's a long pause before he responds. "It's... gone, Rey," he says, his voice heavy.

My heart sinks. "What do you mean, gone?"

"It was hit. There's nothing we could do."

Suddenly, I hear a voice in my head calling to me. "Rey," he says. "I know you can hear me. I can feel your thoughts."

I try to push it out of my head, but it's like it’s stuck there. "Leave me alone," I say, gritting my teeth.

"Fifteen years, Rey," Kylo Ren's voice echoes in my mind. I fight to block out his voice, focusing on the battle at hand. But his words linger, stirring a storm of conflicting emotions within me. Fifteen years? What is he talking about?

As the battle rages on, I maneuver my X-wing, doing my best to keep my squadron together and protect our remaining fighters. Poe's voice breaks through the commotion, filled with urgency. "Rey, we've lost too many ships. We need to retreat. Fall back to the rendezvous point."

Reluctantly, I acknowledge his command. With a heavy heart, I guide our squadron away from the chaos, leading them towards safety. But even as we make our escape, I can't escape the truth that now weighs upon me.

Kylo's voice resonates in my mind once again. "Rey, I can offer you answers. Meet me. Let me show you the truth."

“Get out of my head!” I say through gritted teeth

And that’s when my ship is hit with an ion blast. The sudden shift in momentum makes me hit my head, I feel like something is tugging on my ship. I struggle to focus…..on something, anything. And then everything fades to black.

Finn:

We emerge from hyperspace in an unknown system, the silence of the cockpit broken only by the soft hum of the ship's engines. The shuttle is small, each one can only hold up to a hundred people, but it’s not a comfortable fit. Our numbers were close to 5,000 only a few hours ago, now we have a tenth of that, at best.

Leia stands nearby, her eyes filled with weariness and determination.

"We made it," she says, her voice laced with a mix of relief and sorrow. "But our losses... They’re irreplaceable."

I nod, feeling the weight of the fallen soldiers and the uncertain fate of Rey pressing upon my shoulders. But Leia's words remind me that our fight isn't over, that hope can still be found in the darkest of times.

"Leia," I say, my voice filled with concern. "Rey... Do you think she's still out there?"

Leia's gaze softens, she can act as tough as she wants, but she can’t deny that at the end of it all, she’s still a mother. "She’ll be fine, Finn." she replies

The resistance may be battered, but we're not defeated. We'll rebuild, we'll find our footing, and we'll continue the fight against the darkness that threatens the galaxy.

As we set course for our new destination, I can’t take my mind off Rey. And deep down, a part of me hopes that she'll find her way back to us….back to me. I know I should focus on the present, but my mind keeps drifting back to her. I hope she's okay wherever she is.

Suddenly, Ben speaks up from the other side of the transport. "Leia, where are we going?"

She turns to him, a small smile on her face. "We're going to Takodana. We have an ally there who can help us regroup."

Ben nods, but I can tell he's still worried. "What if the First Order finds us?"

"We'll have to be careful," Leia replies, her tone serious. "But for now, we need to focus on getting to Takodana safely."

I nod in agreement, relieved that we have a plan. We may be battered and broken, but we're not defeated yet. We'll keep fighting, no matter what.

Rey:

I don’t know how long I’ve been unconscious for, I don’t even know where I am. My eyes feel like they’re glued shut. I can’t move my arms and legs either, when I do, I feel a tight metallic grip on them. I finally find the strength to open my eyes, everything is blurry.

There is one thing that catches my attention, a masked figure draped all in black. The figure removes it’s mask, revealing a pale white face underneath with unkempt long dark hair. It’s a face I think I remember, one I haven’t seen in years.

Finally, he speaks:
“Hello, sister”

Chapter Text

(Rey)

My heart skips a beat as I stare at the figure before me. The voice, the face, it's all too familiar. "Jacen?" I manage to whisper, my voice filled with disbelief and confusion.

He smirks, his eyes filled with a mixture of amusement and something darker. "Yes, Rey. It's been a long time."

I try to free myself from the restraints, panic and fear coursing through my veins. "What have you done? Where am I?"

He chuckles, the sound sending shivers down my spine. "Don't be afraid, Rey. You're safe, for now. As for what I've done... well, let's just say I've been busy."

I look around, taking in my surroundings. I'm in a dimly lit room, secured to a chair with restraints. The walls are cold and metallic, and there's a sense of foreboding in the air.

"You're a monster," I spit out, my voice filled with anger and defiance. "What do you want from me?"

Jacen's eyes narrow, and in a sudden burst of rage, he slams his hand onto the table beside me. The force of it makes me flinch. "SHUT UP!! You know nothing!"

His sudden outburst catches me off guard, but I refuse to show my fear. "I know enough," I retort, my voice steady. "You've abandoned everything we fought for, you abandoned our family."

Jacen moves in closer, his eyes burning with an intensity that sends a chill down my spine. His hand hovers dangerously close to my throat, but he refrains from squeezing it. "You think you understand!? You think you know what's best for the galaxy!? Or anyone for that matter?! You are such a child, Rey."

A surge of anger rises within me, and I meet his gaze with unwavering determination. "Maybe, but at least I am not the one who murdered our father."

Jacen's features contort with rage, and before I know it, I feel his hand smack my cheek. The impact stings, and I taste blood. But I refuse to let it break my resolve. I turn around and spit the blood onto his face. His sudden bursts of anger unnerve me, but I can't let it weaken me. He leans back, his face twisted in a mix of fury and something else, something almost like pain. "You think I can’t see what you feel? You think you can save me? You’re pathetic. It's too late for that, Rey. Soon, I will bring you to the Supreme Leader. If you won’t cooperate, he will teach you a new meaning of agony."

I take a moment to gather my thoughts, my mind racing with memories of the past. I remember the day Jacen left, the day he turned his back on our family and everything we held dear. I remember being five years old, crying and begging him to let me go with him as he held me close. I remember him handing me off to our father, the way he looked back at me before he got on the ship that took him away from me.

In that moment, I realize that deep down, I'm still waiting for my brother to come home. I'm still holding on to the hope that one day he'll realize the darkness he's embraced and find his way back to the light.

Jacen's words echo in my mind, challenging my belief in redemption. But I refuse to believe his words. I refuse to let go of the hope that lies within me.
"It's never too late, Jacen," I say, my voice filled with determination. "I've seen people change, even when all seemed lost. Our grandfather was one of the most evil men in the galaxy, but Luke knew that there was still good in him and he brought him back."

His eyes lock onto mine, filled with a mixture of hatred and a flicker of doubt. Out of nowhere, he begins to laugh, a high pitched, maniacal, laugh. "You're a fool, Rey. You always have been."

A part of me wants to break free from the restraints and confront him, to fight back against his twisted words. But I know that patience and understanding may be the key to unlocking his true self.

So, for now, I choose to bide my time, to endure his outbursts of rage, and to search for any glimmer of the brother I once knew. I won't let his darkness consume me. I won't give up on the belief that there is still good within him.

(Ben)

As the days pass, my leg heals to where I am finally able to walk without any assistance or discomfort. We’re hiding out in an old castle run by Maz Kanata. Until now, the castle had been a smuggler’s den for pirates such as Han and Lando. Now it’s our primary base of operations.

Leia departed shortly after we arrived in order to speak before the senate. While they’ve been more than helpful, it’s all been under the table. Her goal is to convince them to stand by us, officially. This would inspire those too afraid to fight that victory against the First Order, this rebuilt Empire, is still possible.

I stand alongside Finn as we receive our mission assignment from Commander Ross, a seasoned officer known for his strategic brilliance and unwavering dedication to the cause. His stern yet compassionate gaze meets ours, and he begins to outline the details of our next operation.

"Skywalker, Finn, we have a crucial extraction mission on the planet Sullest," Commander Ross says, his voice commanding attention. "Our intelligence indicates that a high-ranking First Order officer, Lieutenant Hux, has expressed a desire to defect. However, we need to make it appear as though he is being captured to maintain his cover."

Finn's eyes widen with anticipation, and I can sense the excitement building within him. "Lieutenant Hux wants to defect? That could be a significant blow to the First Order's operations."

Commander Ross nods, his expression revealing a mix of determination and caution. "Indeed. We have reason to believe that Lieutenant Hux possesses vital information about the First Order's future plans. We cannot let this opportunity slip away."

Rose, our skilled medic, joins us "Sullest has been a war zone for decades, I don’t see how four will be enough for this mission.”

I nod, absorbing the gravity of the mission. Our success could not only provide valuable intel but also inspire other disillusioned individuals within the First Order to question their allegiances.

Commander Ross addresses us once more, his voice firm "Four soldiers can hide and blend in when necessary, four hundred can’t. Use your training, trust each other, and execute the mission flawlessly. The Resistance is counting on you. So don’t screw it up."

Together, we make our way towards the hangar bay, where our ship awaits, fully equipped for the mission ahead. The weight of our task hangs in the air, something tugs at me though. Like we’re being dragged in front of a firing squad for our execution.

I notice my left hand fall to my lightsaber hooked onto the side of my belt. I wrap my fingers around the grip, just below the activation button and I squeeze it. Images of my father and grandfather cross my mind. Despite the countless books I’ve read about their adventures over the years, I still feel like there’s a lot I don’t know. This saber has been through decades worth of battles, I wonder if it’s previous owners ever felt the way I do now.

I look to Finn as he looks ahead. “I have a really bad feeling about this mission.”

He looks over to me and pats my back “I know, me too.” He says