Chapter Text
Chapter 17
Kylo struggled through the rubble strewn rooms of what was once the senate building. His only concern at that moment was getting as far away from Luke Skywalker as possible. He made it back to his shuttle. As he was about to enter he looked up and saw the New Republic 5th fleet arrive in orbit above the planet from hyperspace. As he entered the shuttle he received a communication. He sat down and let it through.
Grand Admiral Pride’s image appeared on the screen. He appeared startled by Kylo’s disheveled, helmetless appearance.
“What!?” Kylo growled.
Pride composed himself, “Rebel reinforcements have arrived in orbit. We could potentially still win, but we can’t risk taking heavy losses among our Omega enabled vessels. So since we have largely accomplished our objectives anyway we will retreat as soon as you and your knights are back on board your ships.”
“What of the other troopers?” Kylo asked.
“Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” Pride responded.
“Fine,” Kylo responded, his voice dead. Pride’s image disappeared as the communication ended and Kylo turned and barked at his pilot, “Get me back to my ship!”
“Yes sir!” The pilot responded and took off. As the ship rose from the ground Kylo looked down at the ruins of the Senate building, the site of his ultimate failure.
*********
Shortly after the New Republic 5th fleet, commanded by Wedge Antilles, arrived on Coruscant, the Imperial fleet disappeared just as suddenly as it had arrived. Large forces of stormtroopers remained on the ground. Most surrendered, some fought to the death, and many more disappeared into the lower levels of Coruscant, ready to make trouble for the New Republic another day.
Coruscant was devastated. The government, military, financial, and industrial districts had practically ceased to exist. Tens if not hundred of billions of people were dead. Many more were wounded. All of the hospitals on the entire planet were stuffed beyond capacity and a great many more wounded would die before they were able to get the treatment that they needed. Yet more would die from the shortages and supply line disruptions caused during the battle. It was a tragedy on a truly unfathomable scale.
Due to the impossible issue of security at most hospitals, Chancellor Belvedere, Leia, and Chewbacca were being treated at Leia’s apartment. It was relatively isolated and secure as far as Coruscant goes. The Chancellor’s own home had been destroyed in the attack. Thankfully her family was away from home at the time of the attack.
“So this is war…” Rey said miserably to Luke. Nobody that was involved was ready to discuss what had happened with Kylo Ren. In some twisted way, the resulting tragedy of the battle seemed less horrible than that.
“Yes, yes it is,” Luke said as they looked out over the burning cityscape.
“Is it always going to be this horrible?” Rey asked her Master.
“I don’t know,” Luke said, “This might be the worst of it, but I have a bad feeling about what’s to come.”
Then Leia woke up with a start, “BEN! BEN!” She shouted, then she saw Luke and looked at him expectantly, Luke shook his head. Leia cried, “Where’s Han? I want to see my husband!”
Luke broke down and cried again.
“I’m so sorry,” Rey said to Leia.
“No… no…” Leia cried, “Not him too!”
Rey then wrapped her arms around Leia and comforted her in a very similar way to how Leia had comforted her after the fall of the Temple. The group just cried together there.
****One Week later****
Leia Organa walked into the Chancellor’s office in the makeshift Government Center in a commandeered office building. In spite of her injuries Chancellor Belvedere had worked tirelessly to construct something resembling a functioning government after the devastation of the attacks. The Senate was unrecoverable. Only a handful of senators had survived. There would have to be new elections once things settled down. Until then Belvedere had appointed a temporary emergency council to govern the Republic.
Coruscant was still devastated. The death toll continued to rise as more and more people succumbed to the economic and infrastructural effects of the attack. However the situation was stabilizing as aid poured in from around the galaxy. The Empire had launched several more attacks in the following weeks, but nothing near the scale of the attack on Coruscant. But what was left of the military intelligence simply predicted that the Empire was building up towards more concerted offensives.
All of this was on Leia’s mind as she sat in the chair across from the Chancellor, wondering why she had been summoned.
“Greeting Ambassador Organa,” Belvedere greeted her.
“I resigned from that position,” Leia said.
“So you did,” Belvedere continued, “Would the title of minister suit you better?”
So that’s why she was brought in, “Minister of what?”
“Defense,” Belvedere responded.
“I thought that you appointed Wedge Antilles the new minister of defense?” Leia asked.
“Only temporarily because you were grieving,” Belvedere answered, “His talents are much more suited to individual fleet command than the big picture stuff. You on the other hand have more than enough capability and experience.”
“I’ll accept,” Leia said.
“Good,” Belvedere said, “I’ve assigned you an aid to get you caught up on the state of the military. They’ll meet you outside. I’d like to see the feasibility of a counteroffensive in the near future.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea Madame Chancellor,” Leia said.
“Regardless, it needs to happen,” Belvedere replied, “The people are furious. If they don’t see some sort of vengeance against the Empire, then our government will appear weak and lose popular support and we can’t afford that right now.”
“I’ll see what I can do Madame Chancellor,” Leia responded.
“Even if you can’t organize one, we still have an ace up our sleeve,” Belvedere said, “although I’d rather not use it unless we have to.”
“An ace?” Leia asked.
“Don’t worry about it minister,” Belvedere responded, “I’ll brief you on it later. For now we both have a lot of work to do.”
“Certainly Madame Chancellor,” Leia said, “May the force be with you.”
“May the force be with you,” Belvedere responded in kind as Leia left the room.”
********
Kylo Ren walked into the Imperial Palace with a brand new mask covering his face. Whereas before the mask was a means to intimidate others and isolate him from his former self, now it served to hide his shame. He walked into the throne room. It seemed to take an eternity of walking past the praetorian guards before reaching Hux’s throne. He kneeled before the Emperor.
“Rise, Kylo Ren!” Hux commanded. Kylo stood and the Emperor continued, “Though the attack on the rebel capital was a great success, it comes to my attention that your part in it was a great failure. Not only did you allow Luke Skywalker to escape, but he also bested you in combat! I am quite disappointed in your performance. And so is HE.”
Kylo shuddered.
“Speechless?” Hux asked, “I certainly hope that you manage to find the words to explain yourself.”
Kylo began to open his mouth but Hux interrupted him, “No Kylo, you don’t need to explain yourself to me, you need to explain yourself to him. He has asked to see you in his chamber. Now go!”
Kylo turned around and walked out of the room. He turned into a narrow hallway and walked down it. After several twists and turns he came to a dead end, but using the force, Kylo revealed a hidden entrance. He walked through and it closed behind him. The passageway that Kylo found himself in seemed to get darker and darker with step he walked, until he found himself at a pitch black door.
Gathering his courage, Kylo reached out and opened the door. Then he took a deep breath and walked inside. The door immediately closed behind him, leaving the appearance of a black void.
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