CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN (Coda)

Leia gazed out the small window of her quarters, wondering where, amid all that silent space, her son and Rey wandered.

Cast out. Hiding. Hunted.

At least they're together, she thought. At least he's no longer alone. Rey as well. She needed him as much as he needed her, I know it.

Leia hadn't dared to send another message via BB-8, although Poe Dameron had told her that the droid traveled with the two refugees.

Two mortals, despite their powers. Fleeing both the Alliance and the First Order.

It was a dangerous game they played, a deadly form of hide-and-seek. Although Leia refused to aid in the search, she knew that other Alliance generals were determined to capture the former Supreme Leader and the girl they now labeled a traitor.

Yet the Alliance was nowhere near as determined as General Hux, the new Supreme Leader, and others in the First Order, who she was sure would slaughter them both on sight.

Although, perhaps not. Leia sighed, knowing there was another danger, based in tales bantered about over drinks in dark rooms. Rumors about the terrible weapon that might be obtained if the two could be forced to combine the power they drew from the dark and light sides of the Force.

Leia knew the truth of this, from Poe, but she had never shared it with anyone else. Trusting that Poe Dameron had not betrayed the secret, she was unsure how others had learned of what had happened on that remote planet. Although she supposed that the evidence was there—in the glassy gash cut across that beach. The First Order, if they had returned for their shuttle, or even the wreckage of their burnt-out ships, would have realized that the weapon was not of their creation. It would also be simple enough for Hux or his minions to deduce that it was not from the Alliance, since if the rebellion controlled such a weapon, they would've used it on the First Order by now.

Leia turned away from the window and crossed to her desk, determined to get some work done. She still had to lead her forces in the ongoing skirmishes against the First Order. While the Alliance was gaining traction in the fight, it was too soon to let down her guard.

She slumped into her chair and flicked her hand to turn on her monitor.

Something crackled into life above her desk—a wavering image.

As the hologram came into focus, Leia leaned forward, gripping the edge of her desk with both hands.

The face of a man stared back at her. Dark hair and eyes, as familiar as her own. Pale skin marred by a jagged scar.

Then she heard a voice. One she hadn't heard in far too long, except in her mind.

A dark, beloved, voice.

"Hello, Mother—

It's Ben."

THE END – for this tale

THE NEW BEGINNING – for their story.