The Resistance worked late into the night to get everything packed and ready to go. They had to take apart every tent, every computer, load every ship to its full capacity and get the entire Resistance on board those transports. No one slept a wink as they felt the urgency of their departure. Ben Solo told General Dameron about his conversation with Rey after it happened. He was confused, but reluctantly listened. Poe was almost overwhelmed with all of the knowledge he had about the Force. Between Finn and now Ben, he realized there was so much about this world that he had never even fathomed, no matter how much he hated to admit it. Things that seemed impossible to him were almost second nature to people like Finn and Ben. As much as Poe was still reluctant to trust Ben, he was proving to be nothing but an ally to the Resistance. The first transports had already arrived on Crait and said there were no signs of the Final Order or anyone else. Poe was grateful for Ben's help; if it weren't for him, they might not have survived this war.
The camp was nearly entirely packed up by the time Poe made his final rounds to make sure everything was gathered. He entered the now vacant cave to make sure all of the rations and tables were accounted for, only to hear voices of contention echoing off the walls. Poe followed the noise to see Leia and Ben talking in one of the "rooms" off to the side of the main cavern where a few more crates and boxes were located. "Is everything alright?" He found himself asking after they both noticed he was there.
"I'm staying here after you leave. I'll keep a ship behind and meet you at Crait." Ben said sternly, making Leia look at him with concern. "There is no need for you to stay, Ben." She argued. "There is no way we are going to be able to get all of these things on board the ships with all the people safely before she gets here. If there is a fight I can handle myself. Someone needs to stay behind to make sure you are safe." Ben said stubbornly. Leia looked to Poe, silently pleading with him to be on her side. "He may be right." Poe began. "Look, I know it's dangerous but she could be on her way right now. We need to get these people out of here first, and then worry about the stuff. But there is so much to do I'm not sure we could do it before morning comes. It's a few hours trip from here to Crait. Even if we wanted to make a second run, we still need more time." Poe explained further. "We can keep some volunteers with him to help defend the place. But you need to get on a transport to Crait now."
Leia looked conflicted as she watched the two men. Poe looked hesitant to agree with her son, but the fact that he did made her question her opinion. It was true-- there was still much to do and they had only a few hours to do it before the Final Order descended on their camp. They needed to be gone. "Rey wants you, Ben. It's a trap." Leia warned. Ben shook his head. "Exactly. She wants me. She also wants to kill Finn. Finn needs to be gone and I'll serve as a distraction so others can escape." Leia's eyebrows swooped up in concern. "What if you get hurt? I can't lose you, Ben. Not again." Leia pleaded. Ben's eyes filled with guilt as he looked at his mother's face as he wrapped his arms around her. "I'll be fine. I promise." He murmured. Leia and Poe were both shocked at the gesture. The man was always so stoic and closed off. He was quiet and composed most of the time. This act of affection warmed Leia's heart as they both pulled away from the embrace.
"You need to get on the transport with Finn. You both need to be safe from all of this." Ben said sternly as Leia nodded. She turned her attention to Poe. "Are you staying with him or coming with us?" She asked. Poe fell silent for a moment before he answered, thinking over the options he had. Slowly, a confident smirk formed on his lips. "You once said that I was the most skilled pilot in the Resistance," he began, looking at Ben, "I think you might need me to get you out of here in one piece." Ben looked at the man as he almost mocked their first encounter when he was captured above Jakku. Ben fought a smirk as he nodded his head in agreement. "It's settled then. I'll stay here with Ben and set everything up to leave and hold off the attack until everyone is gone safely. Then, we'll fight our way out and meet you guys on Crait."
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Star Wars Episode IX: Duel of the Fates
Fanfiction(AU) Luke is gone. Kylo Ren is the new Supreme Leader. The Resistance is all but decimated. Now, all responsibility falls on Rey to balance the Force and bring an end to this war. But as a relatively untrained Jedi, she will not be able to find bala...
