Star Wars: Son of Skywalker | Book II: The Last Jedi

Chapter IX: A Personal Mission

As every pilot, soldier, and admiral that have survived the attack, along with C-3PO and BB-8, stood around the whole center, some were sitting on the seat, Commander D'Acy stood in front of them all. Jacen sat on the chair next Poe, BB-8 was behind them.

"General Organa, Leia, is unconscious, but recovering." D'Acy informed. "That's the only good news I have...Admiral Ackbar, all of our leadership, are goners, Leia was the sole survivor." D'Acy revealed, as Jacen looked down, feeling responsible for the tragic attack.

"Oh dear, oh dear." Said C-3PO in sorrow.

"You should have taken the shot Skywalker." Said one of the pilot's behind Jacen.

"Hey buddy, you mind doing us all a favor and shut up?" Poe responded, defending Jacen, as one of the pilots harshly nudges the pilot into paying attention.

"If she were here, she'd say 'save your sorrow, for after the fight'." D'Acy quoted. "To that end, the chain of command is clear as to who should take her place, Vice Admiral Holdo of the cruiser Ninka." D'Acy announced, as a woman steps in where D'Acy stood.

"Thank you commander." Said Holdo, now in front of the Resistance Army, or what's left of it. She had a grayish purple dress with sleeves on it and covered her neck, her hair was pink, short and wavy with a small silver halo on it. "Four hundred hours, on three ships. But we're not alone." Said Holdo, as the whole room paid attention to her. "We are the spark, that will light the fire that will restore the Republic. That spark, this Resistance must survive. That is our mission." Said Holdo. "Now to your stations...and may the Force be with us." Holdo finished as almost every one walked out of the command center to their stations, some have stayed behind.

"That's Admiral Holdo?" Asked Poe, as an Abednedo Pilot C'ai Threnalli answers his question. "Not what I expected." Poe sneered as he walks toward the Vice Admiral, leaving Jacen all confused as he turns to BB-8.

"Who's Admiral Holdo?" Jacen asked, as BB-8 chirps away as he answers his question. "She was a friend of General Leia?" Asked Jacen, finally understanding the droid through the Force, as BB-8 beeps more information about Holdo. Since she was a friend of Jacen's aunt, maybe he can trust her. "Thanks little buddy." Said Jacen as he pats BB-8's small domed head as he sees Poe and Holdo having a silent argument. It didn't look like they were on good terms. "Excuse me, Vice Admiral?" Asked Jacen as Holdo turns to him.

"Commander Skywalker." Said Holdo. "Nice to finally meet you."

"You've heard of me?" Asked Jacen.

"I'm pretty sure everyone has heard of you at this point." Said Holdo. "I'm sorry to hear about what happened to your aunt, but I'm happy to know that she's okay."

"Thank you Vice Admiral." Said Jacen. "In order to escape the First Order we're going to need a strategy. Do we have a plan?"

"Funny, flyboy over there asked the same question." Said Holdo, referring to Poe.

"Poe can be a little reckless from time to time, but he's still loyal to this Alliance." Said Jacen.

"Still a flyboy." Said Holdo. "Just like Han Solo." She said, as Jacen starts thinking about that sentence, taking that as an insult to his family.

"With all due respect Admiral, Han Solo was a little...unpredictable, I can give you that." Said Jacen. "But nonetheless, he's a hero to us."

"I think people like him are the last thing we need right now." Said Holdo, as she walks away from the conversation, triggering Jacen to a defensive position.

"Han Solo died destroying Starkiller Base." Said Jacen, as Holdo stops walking, slightly turning her head towards him. "Where were you then?" Jacen asked.