Good morning everybody. I suppose I owe you all an explanation. So this past February, my grandfather died of pancreatic cancer and I fell into a depression. I didn't emerge from my depression until May. Then I had to find a job and prepare for the next semester, but I also have another reason why I struggled to finish this chapter.

See, I've had time to digest the Last Jedi in its entirety and to watch reviews, of those who praised it and those who didn't. I tried my best to hear both arguments. So I'll just say it, I'm firmly in the camp of those who hate the Last Jedi. I don't hate TLJ for the character assassination of Luke Skywalker, or the numerous plot holes created by the hyperspace jump or the fact that Rey didn't need training to do what she did on Snoke's flagship. I hate it because it made me not care about the Star Wars universe anymore. I didn't go to see Solo, because I didn't care. I don't plan on seeing Episode IX, because I don't care. And that's why I hate TLJ. It felt like it was made by someone who hates me, by someone who didn't respect all of Star Wars that came before it, by someone who really doesn't deserve to be a director. The Last Jedi turned me off from Star Wars. So I retreated from Disney Star Wars, I buried myself in my EU books, at least whenever I felt like doing something with Star Wars, I played Star Wars Battlefront II (the 2005 edition, I am a man of culture after all), I went back to the Star Wars that was fun. So yes, I did abandon this story for a bit, but I'm back and I honestly don't have a clue how I'm going to fix the mess that was Episode 8. But I'll think of something. I owe it to you, my readers, to at least see this through.

The following is a non-profit fan-based fanfiction. Star Wars and all its affiliates are all owned by Lucasfilm and George Lucas. Please support the official release.

Chapter 17: The Agamar Challenge

A gentle buzz in the back of Mara's mind roused her from her slumber aboard the Jade Shadow. The first of the twin suns of Ahch-to was rising over the horizon, casting an orange-purple pallor over the cloudy skies, as seen through the viewport in Mara's cabin. The Jedi Master rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and began to tend to her messy red-gold hair. The humidity on this planet wasn't helping matters, but Mara managed to get her hair under control. It wouldn't do to not look the part of Jedi Master, especially when beginning the training of someone so powerful. Rey was still bitter at being lied to, that much had been made evident last night, but she was also looking to reign in her burgeoning power. With Luke now a desolate hermit trying to find a way to die, that left it up to Mara to train her adoptive daughter. R2-D2 rolled into her room and let loose a string of whistles and beeps at Mara while she changed into her outfit for the day.

"Rey's awake?" Mara asked. She got a confirmation beep. "Good. The sooner we can get started the better. We have a long day ahead of us." Another series of whistles and beeps as she pulled on her black shirt. "Luke will get your message Artoo. You have my word on that. Hell, you can leave the door open if it means that much to you, just know that you'll be dealing with those birds if any get on board." A series of whistles that sounded much like laughter to Mara. "You know I'm not messing around Artoo. Now go get Rey and bring her outside, it's time to begin her training." A whistle of affirmation and Mara heard the old astromech droid roll out.

She sighed as she pulled on her form-fitting leggings. Her discussion with Obi-Wan Kenobi the previous day had given her much to ponder about, especially since it didn't seem like she was going to be getting back to her home dimension anytime soon. She paused, wondering just how her Luke was taking it. It had been two standard galactic days since she'd arrived in this alternate universe, which for all she knew could be several lifetimes back home. The theories of time travel were wide and varied, which was why she rarely paid attention to such a concept. Mara was a practical woman, and only gave pause to theorize if it applied to her current or soon-to-be current scenario. A logical path back home would be to recreate the events that had brought her here in the first place, but that was fraught with risk. Not only had they barely survived the trip, but there was no guarantee that it would bring her home. For all she knew, they could've been flung into a universe where Anakin never became Vader or Palpatine had emerged victorious at Endor. Mara decided that she would let the Force guide her, and if they were to get back to their own dimension, then they would, but until that time came, she would do her level best to help this dimension. She pulled on a black tunic, gave herself another once over to ensure she didn't look like she'd just climbed out of bed, then left her room, several items in tow that would help with training.

Ahch-to Shoreline

Rey had always been an early riser. As soon as the first light of the twin suns of this planet came creeping up over the shoreline, Rey had risen from her bunk in the Jade Shadow and dressed for the day. She'd seen too many people surprised by other scavengers in the morning, not that she wanted to remember those unfortunate beings. Despite her recently recovered memories, many of which were rather hazy to begin with given they'd occurred what felt like a lifetime ago, she still felt rather jaded about the world. It was difficult for her to open up to other people, and Mara's recent admission that she'd lied to her about being her birth mother, never mind how glad she was to finally have a family again, had stung. Even with those negative emotions threatening to bring her down, Rey was still optimistic about the future. She was going to control these powers of hers. She was going to make a difference. She was going to belong. Artoo rolled down the ramp and beeped a question at her.

"About as ready as I'll ever be," Rey responded. Years on Jakku had taught her the gist of Binary, as it had proven invaluable when an old droid was proving stubborn while scavenging on a Star Destroyer. The astromech droid whistled happily and rolled to the edge of the impromptu landing platform for the Jade Shadow. He couldn't get up the steps without expending his little rockets fuel, and there were too many steps for the droid to get up there anyways. So Artoo watched and waited. Luke Skywalker needed to hear his message.

Rey watched Mara exit the Jade Shadow and let her approach. "Are you ready?" the Jedi Master asked.

Rey hesitated, wondering if there were layers to the question. Decided that Mara was genuine in her query, she merely replied "Yes."

Mara nodded. "Then let's begin. Take a seat by the edge of the cliff. Before we get into combat, you need a basic understanding of the Force."

Once seated, Mara watched over her adoptive daughter. "Tell me Rey, what do you know of the Force?"

"It's what gives a Jedi his power," Rey responded automatically, "It's what binds the galaxy together, made of every living being." Even years later, she remembered what her father had taught her before that one tragic night. "It's why we can lift rocks with our minds and make people think differently."

"You're partially right," Mara said. This would be a bit harder than she thought. "There's so much more to the Force than lifting rocks. Now I want you to close your eyes and reach out with your mind."

"What am I reaching out for?" Rey asked, looking up at Mara.

"Nothing," Mara began, getting an incredulous look. "And everything. Just reach out and feel the Force, feel it flow, feel the life it brings. The Force is powerful, yes, but there's more to being a Jedi than power. We are keepers of the peace. We defend those who can't defend themselves. We do our best to bring about the best possible outcome for both sides. We are supposed to be scholars and teachers for those who would seek our knowledge, as well as guardians of the peace." The Jedi Master paused, wondering how much teaching she had done since earning the title of Master compared to fighting, be it the Yuuzhaan Vong, Imperials, or other villains. Filing it under thoughts for later, she turned her attention back to Rey. "Now close your eyes and feel."

"Yes Master," Rey said, a little bit of sarcasm in her tone. She didn't like being bossed around. She'd had enough of that on Jakku from Unkar Plutt. Still, the former scavenger did as she was told, and cast her mind out. It wasn't that hard to feel the pulse of life on this planet. It was everywhere.

There was a bright spot next to her, lightly tinged with darkness. Rey remembered how her mother had been brought up in darkness, but had been brought to the light by her father.

There were less bright spots all over the island, the alien caretakers who kept the temple from falling into complete ruin.

There was a very tight bright spot near the top of the mountain, her father carefully reining in his Force signature, not allowing anyone to contact him. He was a vessel of sadness, grief, regret, and fear. It wasn't enough to turn him dark, but it was preventing him from using the light properly.

She felt a rush of power flow into her. The Force had felt her reach out, now it was reaching out to her.

"That's it," Mara whispered, not ever sure if she was reaching Rey, so deep she was sinking into the Force. Small rocks began to rise up from the ground around her. Mara felt a tinge of pride watching her connect with the Force. Rey was a true natural, a prodigy. If only Kylo Ren hadn't turned against Luke, Rey could've been trained for so much longer, she'd have been among the Jedi's best. She still would be, if Mara had anything to say about it, but rebuilding the Jedi Order again was not an easy task. "Feel the Force."

Rey barely heard Mara, she was hearing whispers. Whispers of power, whispers of tenderness, whispers of light, whispers of dark, of life, death, pain, and healing. She saw images. Images of two men fighting with lightsabers over a river of lava. Two men fighting a Zabrak wielding a saberstaff on a catwalk. They were replaced by images of a man and a woman, both wielding red lightsabers, fighting one another. The man took a fatal blow, then turned into dust, flying over to the woman, trying to take her over. The image faded and revealed a Jedi woman wielding a blue saberstaff facing a man eerily reminiscent of Vader, red saber flashing as the two clashed in a forest. Another fade to black before she saw a woman have her red saberstaff knocked out of her hands by a man using a blue saber. They shared words before the man embraced the woman, Rey realizing she was turning back to the light. She heard a voice. Rey. She ignored it. She wanted to see more. She saw a young woman on a planet, so much like the one she was on, vibrant and full of life, full of the Force, meditating, parts floating around her, connecting one by one. "Rey!" The parts came together, forming a cylinder. A lightsaber. It was so ancient looking compared to the one she was using, but it was a lightsaber nonetheless. The young woman grasped it tentatively, eyes lighting up as the bright blue blade hummed to life.

"REY!"

Rey was jerked out of her trance, feeling as though she were coming out of a deep sleep. There were several reverberations along the ground as several boulders and a slightly panicked astromech droid came thudding down to earth. She didn't feel alarmed or concerned. She felt at peace. "What was that?"

"You went so deep," Mara said, unable to hold back a proud smile. "For your first try, that was astounding. I had to stop you before you lifted the Jade Shadow off the ground."

Rey was shocked. "I did that?!"

"You're the daughter of two Jedi Masters," Mara pointed out, "You were destined to be strong in the Force, now we need to work on your control."

"So that's it?" Rey asked, "A few meditation lessons and we're good to go?"

Mara snorted. "You of all people should know that people don't master the Force overnight. Coruscant wasn't built in a day. You're powerful, yes, but anyone with a decent amount of training would still defeat you. Think of it as water. You can unleash the power of the Force without training, but it will be wild, uncontrollable, a raging rapid of power that anyone with the right skill can cut through. Look at the ocean's waves. Right now, you are like the waves, full of energy, powerful, and even over time you might wear down the cliffs we're standing on like those waves will over the next several hundred years. But anyone with proper training can take a few of your waves easily before defeating you. If you were to take that raw power of the ocean waves and hone it, control it, turn it from a wide raging wave into a jet stream from a pressure washer, you could destroy those cliffsides much sooner. Understand?"

Rey nodded, a little hesitantly. She knew of pressure washers, sort of like the air blasters she'd seen some people use when getting sand out of their engines on Jakku. Still, Mara was right. Rey sighed. "Yes. What now?"

"You have potential Rey, but we need to hone that potential." Mara held up her lightsaber and ignited the bright blue blade. "So it's time I evaluated your abilities. I want to see how you'd fare in a fight. We don't have years available to train you, not with that karking First Order out there. So we're going to do the best we can with what time we have, and if we can bring Luke back with us, great. If not, we're going to get you as proficient with that blade as possible."

"Are you sure?" Rey asked, holding up the lightsaber given to her by Mara. "I don't want to hurt you by accident, and I don't think you want to hurt me."

Mara smiled disarmingly. "Don't worry Rey, you won't hurt me. Now come!" The Jedi Master held up her blade in a defensive stance. "Try to tag me."

Rey ignited her lightsaber hesitantly. "Alright." With a half-hearted lunge forward, she swung at Mara. In the span of a second, she found herself disarmed and on her back.

"Pick up your lightsaber and try again!" Mara snapped, holding her lightsaber in the classic Soresu opening stance. Rey looked up at Mara, slightly infuriated at how easily she'd been knocked down. She resolved not to let it happen again as she grasped her lightsaber. This time she managed to swing her blade thrice before she found herself face first on the ground.

"Come on Rey, show me what you've got," Mara challenged, holding her ground. "Make me move my feet. I won't even use the Force this time."

"I'll make you regret that," Rey growled, getting to her feet again. She lunged again and Mara blocked. She was watching Rey closely, even as she flailed away at her. It was clear she had no saber training whatsoever, and the way she kept moving her hands on the lightsaber. made Mara wonder. With another riposte, Mara disarmed Rey again and caught the lightsaber before it hit the ground.

"You can't let your anger get the best of you," Mara chastised, sensing the rising emotion in Rey. "It'll only make you sloppy and weak. You need to remain calm in combat." She handed the lightsaber back to Rey. "Again!" Rey would grow to hate that word.

Agamar

Hera tried to fight the wave of nervousness that had come over her. They had arrived in the Agamar System without any delay, but being surrounded by the needle-like Separatist battleships was enough to make anyone nervous. The once barren rocky planet was covered in technology compared to the last time she'd seen that planet. Kalani had been successful in transforming it into a safe haven for droids. The comm on her dashboard crackled to life.

"VCX-100 Light Freighter, this is Unit Four One Three Three you are trespassing in Agamar airspace. State your business or be destroyed," the mechanical voice of a droid informed them.

"Well they didn't waste any time," Sabine commented dryly.

Hera rolled her eyes. "To be fair, it's been a hectic few days in galactic politics." She thumbed on her own mic. "Unit Four One Three Three this is General Hera Syndulla with the Resistance, representing the remaining leadership of the New Republic. We're here to discuss the terms of a possible alliance with your leader."

A pause, no doubt the droid conferring with its superiors. "General Syndulla, you are cleared to land in the Agamar capital. There will be an escort that will guide you. Do not deviate from your course."

"Well that's a good start," Dan noted. "They're letting us in. How much faith do you have that Kalani would join our side?"

"Enough," Hera responded confidently. "He's seen what's happened with the Empire, he has no reason to join the First Order. And with you here, showing the promise of the return of the Jedi, he knows that whatever Force advantage the First Order had has been countered with the arrival of Master Skywalker and you and your friend."

"Cat," Dan whispered, his thoughts turning to his best friend briefly. He wondered how she was doing. "Well then, sounds like this should be an easy enough task." He readjusted his robe, making sure he looked the proper Jedi.

An indicator on the control panel beeped. Sabine looked at the readout. "Something's coming out of hyperspace." Hera pulled up a viewscreen so they could see behind them, and with a ripple of realspace, they saw a First Order Star Destroyer emerge from hyperspace.

Hera swore in Twileki. "They would show up now."

"Scans indicate they're arming weapons," Sabine warned.

"How good are the shields on this bird?" Dan asked, mildly concerned. He sensed danger emanating from that ship, not in just its weaponry, but by how the dark side of the Force swirled around that ship. There was a Force user on there.

"They're good enough," Hera said. "Chopper, make sure the shields are running at full power." The old astromech droid grumbled a response. "No backtalk. I'm not taking any chances."

"The droid ships are moving to intercept," Sabine reported. They watched as the Star Destroyer found itself quickly swarmed by a half dozen Providence class Separatist battleships.

Dannard chuckled. "Well, if they try anything, they sure as hell won't get far."

"Nice to see Kalani still respects the galactic standard rules of warfare," Hera said as a swarm of Vulture droids formed up around the Ghost. They guided the ship into the atmosphere. "Now we just have to convince him that joining the Resistance is the logical course of action."

"Shouldn't be too hard," Sabine commented. "Logic is that droid's greatest strength and weakness."

The Graveyard, Alderaan System

Several ships of varying classes were gathered outside the asteroid cluster that had once been the planet of Alderaan. It was an annual tradition for the survivors of Alderaan to gather around the Graveyard and pay their respects to the once great planet. Tyrian Amnael had been six standard years old when his home planet had been destroyed. He'd been in live contact with his mother when the Death Star had struck its devastating blow. He didn't remember much, just the look of shock and terror on his mother's face before the connection was lost. His father had joined the Rebel Alliance immediately, and had perished in the Battle of Endor. Tyrian had grown up in an era of relative peace, one of many orphans created by the Galactic Civil War. Now that the First Order had risen and destroyed the Hosnian System, Tyrian and many other Alderaanian survivors were gathering to join the Resistance. They'd seen one too many systems destroyed by tyrannical regimes.

"Never again," Tyrian vowed. "General Organa, your call had been heard. We're ready to join the fight." His sentiments were echoed by his companions, men, woman, and aliens of varying genders all eager to put down the First Order.

Hyperspace transit en route to Illeenium System

Kylo Ren paced his quarters. He was ready to attack. He wanted to do something. He had to keep moving. Having time to think only gave him time for his thought to turn towards the light. He could hear it in his sleep, all the Jedi he'd slain when he'd led that assault on the Temple. Then there was the vision of Mara Jade cutting him down, again and again in his sleep. It burned him up that he had been so outclassed. He was a true Skywalker, born of the bloodline of greatness. Mara was nothing more than some lucky bitch who had caught Luke's eye. She wasn't going to stop him. The Master of the Knights of Ren clenched his mechanical hand in rage. The dark side gave him power, and he wasn't going to stop now just because of a few bad dreams. He'd made his decision years ago. Luke wasn't going to stop him, Mara wasn't, and certainly not that Rey girl. He wondered why she felt so familiar to him. Something had happened at the Temple, he knew it, and it was affecting his memory somehow, but what? Why had he been so fixated on her? Was it her immense potential in the Force he'd sensed back on Takodana? Or was it her relationship with Luke Skywalker. He'd made that connection back when she'd invaded his mind on Starkiller Base. She was related to Skywalker somehow. Kylo wasn't sure if it was by blood or as a master/apprentice relationship, but something existed between the two of them. He resisted the urge to bring out his lightsaber to slash the console in front of him. Such outbursts wouldn't help now, not in front of his apprentice. Tave was growing as he was, both master and apprentice growing stronger together, but would it be enough? Kylo wasn't sure. He sensed a great test ahead of him. The First Order demanded he rose to meet that challenge.
Agamar

The meeting room was spartan, no decorations, nothing that couldn't be put to use laying around. It was a standard negotiation room, with the old super tactical droid seated at the head of the table. Hera, Sabine, and Dannard were escorted into the room, the Mandalorian instantly taking stock of the surroundings. Dan froze at the sight of the security droids flanking Kalani. According to the history briefing he'd gotten from Lieutenant Connix, the Yuuzhaan Vong had never appeared in this dimension, yet here were four Yuuzhaan Vong Hunter droids, looking as though they were fresh off the Tendrando Arms factory line, wielding the laser cannons that Dan had grown to give a healthy respect towards, other armaments on their being for various scenarios.

Kalani took notice of the young Jedi's reaction. "I see you are impressed with my B4 Omega Battle Droid."

"Yeah," Dan said, trying to avoid a stutter. He'd faced off against a YVH droid as part of a training session. It hadn't been fun. "Very impressive."

"General Syndulla," Kalani greeted, tilting his head towards the Twi'lek.

Hera mildly wondered when the droid had installed some protocol programming. "Commander Kalani. It has been awhile."

"Approximately twenty-four point six eight four standard years since our last encounter," the droid recited. "When you invited Agamar to join the New Republic."

"I see your memory is as impeccable as ever," Hera complimented. "We've come to ask for your aid again."

"Yes, the rise of the First Order and the destruction of the Senate has made galactic politics very interesting," Kalani said, eyes flickering as he processed some incoming transmission. "I would ask that you wait a moment longer. We have more guests that I will entertain."

Hera blinked. Her green eyes widened as she realized what that probably entailed. "You would have us debate the First Order representative?"

"I have something better in mind, but I will hear your opening statements," Kalani told her. "The First Order is very much like the Empire, and yet it is similar to the Rebel Alliance. Given the last time we saw such an encounter, we saw the smaller faction prevail, I would hear both sides of the argument before choosing a side."

"I'd be shocked if the First Order gave a damn about droids like yourselves," Sabine commented. Dan realized she was playing a bit of mind games with the droid, planting that seed of doubt. Given how the Empire had been human-centric and the First Order was very much like the Empire, Dan saw that their odds of actually convincing Kalani onto their side was very high indeed.

"We shall see," Kalani said emotionlessly. His gaze turned towards Dan. "Do you claim to be a Jedi?"

"I do," Dan replied coolly, meeting the droid's gaze. "Why do you ask?"

"Jedi are exceptionally rare in the galaxy," the super tactical droid observed. "I have not seen a Jedi since Luke Skywalker vanished. My spies have told me that you and two other Jedi have surfaced recently. Where have you been?"

"Training, mostly," Dan replied, not sure whether to mention he was from a different dimension altogether. That was need-to-know information, and he decided only to reveal it if it would make Kalani joining their side a certainty, and with those YVH droids standing there, he really wanted to be certain they had the droids of Agamar on their side. "I've only recently been Knighted."

"Interesting," Kalani said. "Are there more Jedi in training that I don't know about?"

"I know of one more that's off training," Dan admitted. "It may be slow, but we're making a comeback."

The super tactical droid appeared unimpressed. "I've heard that before." Any further conversation was interrupted as the doors on the far side of the room slide open. In stepped a small squadron of super battle droids escorting five First Order stormtroopers, a sixth stormtrooper in golden armor towering above the others, and a shorter robed humanoid figure in a mask. Dan narrowed his eyes as he felt the Force presence of this being. The dark side was a suffocating presence, centering itself around the cloaked being. A small beep in his ear got his attention. Sabine had handed him a small earpiece beforehand, designed to blend in with the human ear, so that he could maintain communication with her even with her helmet on.

"Human female," Sabine whispered, feeding Dan information that her helmet fed her. "Sixty-five kilos, replacement right leg, severed at the knee. Several knives and grenades hidden on her." Dan didn't look at Sabine, but nodded in understanding. This woman was dangerous, the saber hanging on her hip told him that much. He idly wondered how much a good set of armor cost in this dimension. Maybe Sabine could hook him up with some beskar armor. Casting aside such wishful thinking, Dan focused instead on the here and now.

"And goldie?" Dan murmured, knowing Sabine's helmet could pick it up despite it being quiet.

"Human male, eighty-eight kilos, appears to be a chemical expert given all the volatile fluids my sensors are picking up," came the quick response.

'Great, something my lightsabers have trouble blocking.' the young Jedi thought grimly to himself. Of course there'd be anti-Jedi weapons.

"Now then, since everyone is in attendance," Kalani said, beckoning at the First Order troops to sit. "Let us open the negotiations."

"There won't be negotiations," came the altered voice from the mask of the short robed figure, apparently the one in charge. "You will send these rebels away and you will join the First Order."

"She didn't waste much time," Sabine noted, a little bit of humor entering her Force signature. Dan couldn't hide a smirk.

"And if I don't?" Kalani asked, as visibly amused as a droid could be. "You do not make demands from a position of inferiority and you certainly are not in a position to threaten someone you are trying to acquire as an ally."

"You are aware that the First Order is currently the primary power in the galaxy," the First Order woman pointed out. It was not a question. "You are aware that we are about to crush the remainder of the Resistance leadership and seize control of the galaxy. So why do you refuse to back the winning side?"

"The winning side has yet to be determined," Kalani retorted. "The Empire was one major offensive away from breaking the Rebellion many times over, and yet despite the astronomical odds against them, the Rebel Alliance prevailed. Logic would dictate to not go against the side of the Jedi. You have yet to present a convincing case where joining the First Order would be beneficial for the droids of Agamar. You claim yourself a Knight of Ren, Khai, but the word of a Ren so far has proven worthless when pitted against the word of a Jedi."

"Then allow me to prove it by gutting this so-called Jedi right here and now," Khai Ren practically snarled, placing a hand on her lightsaber. The Omega droids flanking Kalani (it took a lot of willpower from Dan to not think of them as YVH droids) instantly had their weapons up and pointed at the Knight of Ren. She froze, realizing what her actions could potentially bring upon her. The super battle droids had their arms pointed at the stormtroopers, who looked to their leader for guidance.

"You may yet get your chance," Kalani began, looking unconcerned. "General Syndulla, what have you to say about this."

"I would say that joining the First Order would be very counter-intuitive to the best interests of Agamar," Hera began, choosing her words carefully. She had to appeal to the droid's logics. "As I recall, the Empire did its best to snuff you out, yet it was the help of General Organa that you and your small platoon of droids managed to survive the Galactic Civil War and return to Agamar, able to claim it for your own thanks again to General Organa. You could say you owe your current existence to General Organa, would you not agree?"

"I do not deny Organa's past assistance rendered," Kalani said simply. He tilted his head at first the Knight of Ren, Khai apparently, then Hera. "I have evolved beyond a simple super tactical droid. I am now the ruler of an entire planet. I do what is in the best interests of my planet. So tell me General Syndulla. Why should I join the Resistance? What assurance do you have that my droids simply won't be left to burn as your war chews through resources? You have seen that we are well fortified against any assault, and that was merely the planetary defense fleet." He looked to Khai Ren. "And while I have no doubt that your First Order is powerful, you can hardly spare the resources needed to take Agamar according to my calculations, if you even have the necessary numbers. So you cannot afford to have us as an enemy, and yet you cannot let such a powerful piece on the galactic chessboard remain neutral. I've seen how the Empire and the First Order operates, you seek power wherever you go."

Khai spoke first. "You droids always think you have it all calculated. All the battle droids in the universe wouldn't help you against the First Order. We have the tech. We have the resources. We have the Force. We are superior. So logically it would behoove you to join the side most likely to win."

"Most likely to win doesn't mean it's a certainty," Hera pointed out. "And since I know Kalani doesn't make empty boasts, whichever side he joins will certainly tip the war in their favor."

"Correct," Kalani agreed. "Which is why I have a proposition for both your parties, one that would be in both your best interests to participate in."

"Participate?" Hera repeated, looking at Kalani curiously. "Go on."

"You will choose two from each of your group and will participate in an exercise I have just devised," the super tactical droid began. "I need to test my army's combat capabilities against the forces of both sides. Therefore, whichever four enter the testing grounds will be assaulted by one of my armies. I will not send overwhelming troops, seeing how few there are, but if you make any mistakes, you will die."

"Oh that's reassuring," Dan quipped.

Even though he was a droid, Kalani still managed quite the fierce glare. "Let the droid finish," Sabine told him through the earpiece. She sounded interested in the battle.

"Thank you Mandalorian," Kalani said, getting a noticeable start from Sabine. "Your encryptions were most amusing to break. Now then, assuming I'm not interrupted any further, your task will be to reach the landing bay at the far end of the testing grounds. Whoever reaches the shuttle first will be declared the winner of the exercise. If all four of you die, then I shall remain neutral. I will determine which side I will back upon the winner of this exercise. You have two minutes to determine which will represent your group in combat. Once you have, you will enter through this door and be transported to the testing chamber. I shall be watching and observing." With a nod of his head, he turned and left the room, three of the Omega Battle Droids following while the fourth took up a post by the door Kalani had indicated. The super battle droids remained at the other six doors, a low rumbling the only sound after Kalani had left.

"I think Kalani knows exactly who we're going to pick," Hera commented as she looked at Dannard and Sabine. "For all his talk about evolving beyond a super tactical droid, he still follows some of the old programming. He ran a similar exercise for Kanan and Rex."

"You seem like you're familiar with his bodyguard droids," Sabine said, using her helmet speakers for the first time. She glanced over at the First Order group, where Khai Ren was talking with the golden stormtrooper. They weren't close enough to overheard the others conversation, and that suited Sabine just fine. "But this is the first time I've seen such a droid."

"That's because I've fought such a droid back in my dimension," Dan explained, glancing over at the OBD (he still had to resist the urge to call it a YVH droid). "They were called Yuuzhaan Vong Hunter droids, and they can give anyone, even a Jedi a hard time. Steer clear of 'em when you can, if they're anything like the ones back home, they'll be more of a challenge than that Knight over there."

Sabine took that in silently, no doubt reading what her scanners told her about the droid in her helmet. Hera touched Dan on the shoulder, getting his attention. "If they're as dangerous as you say, then that means we can't fail here. You and Sabine can beat whatever exercise Kalani has created."

"Of course we'll beat it," Sabine said nonchalantly. "When have I ever let you down?" Hera raised an eyebrow, prompting the Mando to add "In recent memory?"

Dan closed his eyes, taking a second to clear his nerves. The Force didn't give him any visions of what was to come, but it was reassuring to feel its power flow through him. He was going to need to be on his A game here. Time to show the First Order what he was really made of. "You're right Sabine. We can do this." He opened his eyes, letting them see his determination and took off his brown cloak. "Hera, keep an eye on this for me please. I happen to like that cloak."

The Twi'lek folded it neatly over her arms. "Just come back in one piece." Dan smirked. Hera felt like the mother he'd lost long ago sometimes. It just came to her naturally.

He glanced over at Sabine, who nodded. "Let's go." Together, the Jedi and the Mandalorian stepped passed the OBD and through the door, followed not to far behind by the Knight of Ren and the golden stormtrooper.

"May the Force be with you both," Hera whispered.

Coruscant

Moth was absolutely pissed. Hours spent on a stakeout had just been wasted by another bounty hunter who had tried to steal the prize. Now here he was chasing the Duros he had been asked to capture alive by the Crimson Dawn syndicate on foot on the streets of the once-great city. Coruscant had once been the center of the galaxy, where all the politics of the galaxy happened. Once the New Republic moved to Hosnia Prime, Coruscant had deteriorated over the years. No longer the place to be if you wanted political power, Coruscant was well on its way to becoming like Nar Shaddaa. None of that mattered to Moth at the moment though. He had prey to catch. He was a bearded human male, with long dark hair tied back so as not to interfere with his vision. His red with gold highlights Mandalorian armor glinted in the streetlights of the undercity, several weapons designed for apprehending a bounty attached to his belt. His helmet was back in his speeder, several blocks away and completely useless to him at the moment, and so Moth had to keep his sharp eyes on the Duros. Why Crimson Dawn wanted this dullard was beyond him, but he needed the credits. That damn Selonian just had to try and take the Duros when the bounty was most alert. Moth had followed his prey to the nightclub, where he was waiting for the Duros to get his usual sloshed self and he would ambush him then, but that Selonian just had to get in there and blow everything.

"Karking furballs," Moth growled to himself. If there was any consolation to this, it would be that the Selonian wouldn't be interfering with any more bounties in the future. A single shot from his Verpine rifle had taken care of that. Those bugs sure did make a good gun. The Duros had fled as soon as the Selonian had dropped, which meant Moth had to chase after him. Many passerby on the streets barely gave him a second glance. It wasn't the first time they'd seen a bounty hunter chasing his quarry, and it wouldn't be the last. They all had mouths to feed, one way or another, First Order and New Republic be damned. Their politics didn't matter down here. Only survival. And so Moth ran on, coming closer to the Duros with every footstep, determined to survive in this hellhole they call a galaxy.

Ahch-to

Thud. That was the sound of Rey hitting the ground once again, lightsaber ripped from her hands by another expert parry from Mara Jade Skywalker. The ground was soft, the grass caressing her form as she lay there on the ground for a moment. Mara was the best swordfighter she'd ever seen. Granted, that list amounted to her father, her mother, and Kylo Ren, and given Luke's regression, it didn't amount to much. Every trick she'd tried was met by the blue blade of her mother's lightsaber. She was getting better. She'd lasted longer than ten seconds that last round. Rey waited for the command. Her shirt was soaked with sweat. This was a far more rigorous workout than she'd expected. Rey waited another moment. There was the sound of a lightsaber extinguishing. Curious, Rey looked up. Mara was looking at both lightsabers in her hands, then she glanced at Rey's staff, leaning up against the Jade Shadow.

"I think it's time we gave the lightsabers a break," Mara said, much to Rey's relief. The past fifteen minutes had been the longest of her life. Mara placed both lightsabers on her belt and used the Force to call Rey's staff and an old electrostaff from the interior of her ship to her hands.

"What?" Rey began, pushing herself to a sitting position, barely catching her staff as Mara tossed it at her.

"I have a theory I want to test," Mara said. She left the electrostaff off, but held it up in a guard position. "Now come at me!"

Rey growled at that, then pushed down her anger. Anger wouldn't help her. Her hands naturally found the reassuring grip of her staff as she rose. Now that Mara was challenging her with a weapon she was very familiar with, perhaps she could finally land a hit. With a twirl of the staff, Rey attacked. Mara parried again, nodding approvingly as she felt the force behind it. She took a step back to avoid another swing from Rey, who had her staff up instantly to block Mara's counterattack.

"Better," Mara said as the two stepped back from one another for a second. "Now let's see how well you defend yourself." Mara attacked, forcing Rey back. The two women dueled by the shoreline, R2-D2 watching all the while, the clack of their staffs mingling with the sound of the waves. Rey's proficiency with the staff was on full display, turning aside Mara's blows with relative difficulty, but given the vast wealth of experience Mara had to draw on, it was only a matter of time before Rey slipped up.

The staffs locked for a moment, Mara and Rey pressing against one another. Mara saw Rey say something to herself before closing her eyes. The Force surged. The Jedi Master gasped when she felt the Force flow into Rey, guiding her actions as she opened her eyes and broke the staff-lock. Mara was surprised to feel herself being forced back. The swings of the staff from Rey were being amplified by the Force, and Mara felt it reverberating along her own staff. Given no other choice, Mara opened herself to the Force as well, using it to leap backwards five meters and put some space between her and Rey. Rey charged forward, spinning her staff in yet another maneuver. Mara let the Force guide her, allowed Rey to push forward, conceding ground, defending herself until the opening rose. Then, for the barest moment, there it was and Mara pushed, with her arms as well as with her mind. Rey slipped on a rock, slick from the ocean spray, and went down, Mara using the opportunity to pin Rey to the ground with her staff.

Rey looked up at Mara, disappointment and fury in her eyes, but in the back Mara could see that Rey felt a bit of pride. She had put on a wonderful display of skills with the staff, and the Jedi Master came to the realization of what weapon Rey could wield. She had the tools on her ship to help Rey construct her own lightsaber, but none of the materials.

"Stang," Rey cursed, rolling out from under Mara's staff when the Jedi Master eased up on the pressure.

"Rey, you were magnificent," Mara complimented, causing the young woman to look up in surprise. "You're a master at the staff. Once we get you trained to open yourself to the Force in combat, perhaps then you'll be able to give me a run for my credits."

"I tried to do what you told me to do," Rey said, groaning a little as she sat up. "I tried to feel the Force, and I did feel something. It was telling me where to strike, where to dodge, and-"

"Yes Rey," Mara interrupted. "Once we hone your combat senses and overall mastery of the Force, you'll be ready."

Rey blinked. "Ready for what?"

"Whatever the First Order has to throw at us," the Jedi Master replied, thinking quickly about several items. Sensing a watchful presence, Mara looked up to see Luke Skywalker at the top of the hill, watching, observing, possibly waiting. She only hoped that the last Jedi would see the fruits of Rey's training in time. It would be one thing to have Rey properly trained, it'd be a whole new story if she could get Luke Skywalker back. Luke merely shook his head, turning to head back up to his hut.

R2-D2 beeped excitedly. He saw his master. At long last he saw his master! He rolled forward as fast as he could, beeping in both joy and frustration as the droid couldn't get up the stairs. He squealed to try and get his master's attention. Luke paused, hearing the squeals of his one-time droid. He glanced back at the astromech, who wobbled excitedly on his wheels. With a sigh, Luke turned and trudged up the hill, getting a few angry beeps from Artoo before he ended with a sad whistle as Luke crested the horizon.

"Don't worry Artoo, he'll come around," Mara reassured the droid, patting it on the dome. She turned her attention back to Rey. "Rey, I think it's time we got you a lightsaber that you can work with."

I'm trying. Really, I am. I know, I know, Yoda's scowling at me right now, I'm doing my best. I'm really sorry that this took so long. I'm struggling with dealing with the fact that TLJ was objectively the worst Star Wars film to date. I can't bring myself to care for any future Star Wars movies. Any movie that was designed to be divisive is horrible for a franchise. I can't even bring myself to be excited for the Clone Wars returning, and don't even get me started on Resistance. I'm not watching a second of that. I really don't want to spend more time writing about it, for anyone who wants to know a more in-depth look into why I have come to hate The Last Jedi, check out Mauler's Critique of The Last Jedi on YouTube. It's nearly five hours long, but it's such an objective and comprehension dismantling of that horrible movie. You will not leave disappointed.

I promise I will not take nearly a year to write the next chapter of this story. I'm not sure how long it'll take, but it will be less than 3-4 months. I hope. I just don't know if I should ignore everything that happened in The Last Jedi after the brief clash at DQar (which means coming up with my own plot points) or try to fix the mess that was the space chase…which is as monumental as coming up with a new script. I don't know what I'm going to do.

I am sorry for those reviews who I didn't respond to, my depression was a little too much at the time. I will respond in a more timely manner for this and future chapters. And speaking of guest reviews, I will no longer be responding to guest reviews. If you want a response from me, make an account. I've dealt with one too many trolls on here. It's not that hard to make an email address to sign up. I do apologize for any inconvenience, but if I could turn off guest reviews, I would.

Thoughts? Questions? Comments? I do appreciate reviews. I like interacting with my audience. I just can't be bothered to deal with guest reviews anymore. I also welcome any constructive criticism, as I'm always looking to improve as an author.

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Until the next chapter my friends.

From your Nutty Buddy,

The Eagle Nut