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THE REPUBLIC HAS FALLEN (AGAIN)
The music was loud, and it was madness within the castle. There were so many people. People who gambled. People who drank. Who danced. Who schemed, argued, negotiated.
"Han Solo!" a loud voice booms through the castle. Familiar to Ceren. Everyone goes silent and the music stops.
"Oh boy," Han says under his breath, but loud enough for Ceren to catch. Then louder Han tells Maz hi, "Hey, Maz!" After Han tells Maz hello, the music turns back to normal and once again the madness booms.
"Where's my boyfriend?" Maz asks Han.
"Chewie's working on the Falcon," Han laughs.
"I like that Wookiee," Maz says smiling to herself, "I assume you need something...desperately. Let's get to it." Maz walks off and the group follows closely behind her. As the group walks past a table, Ceren looks at the people sitting there, and she gets a bad feeling.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Ceren whispers to Han.
"We have nothing to worry about," Han tells her, shrugging her concerns off. The group reaches a table, and they all began to sit down. Maz turns to look at all of them before sitting down when she notices Ceren.
"Ceren?" Maz asks adjusting her goggles, "Is that you?"
"It's been a long time Maz," Ceren says confirming Maz's suspicions. Maz pulls the girl into a hug.
"How are you?" Maz asks.
"I-I'm okay," Ceren tells her, she's been trying to convince herself that she was okay for a long time now.
"I can see right through you, Ceren," Maz says giving her a sad smile. She notices Ceren's injured leg and shakes her head knowingly. She sits down at the table and Ceren sits down after her.
"We have a map to lead us to Luke Skywalker," Ceren tells Maz, going straight to business.
"A map to Luke Skywalker himself?" Maz asks before turning to Han, "You're right back in the mess."
"Maz, I need you to get this droid to Leia," Han explains to Maz. She has a thoughtful look on her face before responding to his request.
"Hmm...no," Maz denies Han, leaving Han taken aback, "You've been running away from this fight for too long...Go home, Han."
"Leia doesn't want to see me," Han admits to Maz. Ceren knew there was more to it than just the First Order tracking the Falcon down.
"Please...we came here for your help," Finn pleads. Ceren shoots him a look because Han told him not to talk during this.
"What fight?" Rey asks curiously.
"The only fight...against the dark side," Maz begins to explain, "Through the ages...I've seen evil take many forms...the Sith. The Empire. Today, it is the First Order...their shadow is spreading across the galaxy...we must face them. Fight them. All of us."
