Chapter Text
Yavin is just as hot and sticky as he remembers, the temperature and humidity readings flash on the ship’s console. Poe hovers over the green planet for a moment taking it all in. He hasn’t returned home for years--not since he left for flight school. He flips a few switches to initiate the descent onto the planet and continues to reminisce. He has no clue as to why he has been sent to the Jedi academy, but if it’s for Leia he’ll do it.
As he descends onto the landing pad at the far edge of the temple grounds he sees the figure of Luke Skywalker. Poe hasn’t seen the old man for some years--not since he was a teenager. He recalls that Leia did not speak of him much after that last time and stars forbid he would ever mention the man to Ben. Poe opens the hatch of his ship and hops out.
“Luke Skywalker!” Poe walks up to the Jedi master with his usual charm.
Poe reaches out his hand to take Luke’s.
“Poe.” Luke gives it a firm shake. “Or is it Commander Dameron, now?”
Poe flashes a smile, he stands taller, full of pride at his new position.
“Yeah, it sure is!” Poe says.
Luke smiles. He has always liked Poe. He has a good spirit, even if it can get him into trouble.
“Welcome home, kid,” Luke says.
Luke leads Poe to the heart of the temple. Poe looks at the trees creating a perimeter around the ancient pyramid. Then he looks to the Pyramid itself. Poe doesn’t understand what goes on here, but the place is old and the crones living in the colony not too far from here tell stories of the Jedi.
“Place hasn’t changed much,” Poe says.
“Old things rarely do,” Luke says. “We do get new faces here every now and then.”
The pair stroll for a time through the hot forest in an uncomfortable silence. Poe figures it’s best to discuss whatever Luke needs in private but he is itching to know why he is here. The temple is peaceful. He can hear the sounds of birds filling the air and water somewhere off in the distance. This is what he imagines when thinking about the Jedi--not that often does.
He notices pockets of students training here and there. Most of the groups are small and have older kids, but there is one group with a bunch of younglings. They sit in a semi-circle around a very animated teacher, his green robes swishing as he flails his arms. A man with dark skin, coiled hair, and a brilliant smile tells a story to the children. They are enraptured--and apparently--so is he. Poe has no clue what the story is about, but the man telling it has a way to reel you in. Poe jolts in surprise hearing Luke’s voice.
“Ah, that’s Finn, one of our newest Knights.” Luke sidles up next to Poe. “He is a gifted storyteller, that one.”
Poe is at a loss for words for maybe the first time in his life. He turns his focus back to Luke.
“Sure is! Wish I had a teacher like that when I was a kid.” Poes laughs awkwardly. “Would’ve probably paid attention more.”
Luke nods politely and they carry on to the temple interior. They enter a private stone room and Luke directs him to sit.
“So...Skywalker, I have to ask.” Poe shifts in the small wooden chair. “Why am I here?”
Luke goes to a cupboard in the room and rifles through the contents. Poe starts getting antsy. This is why no one wants to deal with you guys.
Luke is quiet as he goes through the cupboard.
“Luke, I don’t need tea or anything, just please give me some answers,” Poe says.
Luke retrieves what he is looking for. Poe sees a small glowing cube.
“Do you know what this is?” Luke asks.
“Can’t say that I do,” Poe says.
Luke places the cube on the table.
“It’s a holocron. The Jedi used these to store information.” Luke activates the holocron. “This one is from the library on Coruscant, before the purge of the Jedi. It holds the names of force sensitive children.”
Poe listens but is confused as how this relates to him.
“Okay-”
“There are several more like them. Some were destroyed or stolen by the empire. I received a transmission about stolen holocrons located on Batuu.” Luke continues.
“Batuu!” A voice that belongs to neither men in the room exclaims.
“Finn, would you like to come in?” Luke asks.
Finn shuffles in awkwardly.
“Master, I’m sorry for eavesdropping,” Finn says.
Luke waves off his apology. Poe needs to know why he is going to haul himself all the way to the edge of the galaxy for a bunch of names.
“Who and why are they stealing these?” Poe points to the holocron. Who gave you this information?”
Luke starts to answer as Finn goes to get a closer look at the holocron. As soon as Finn reaches for its blue glow turns red and the images flicker.
The three men jolt back in surprise. Feedback of their voices echoes through.
“Shut it down,” A modulated feminine voice says calmly.
“What was that?” Poe asks.
Luke pales. A holocron can’t do that. It's a storage device. It can’t be tapped into or bugged, right? His focus turns to Finn who looks like he will be sick. Finn stumbles back and Poe catches him. A firm click sounds through the Force. Like a door opening.
“I know that voice,” Finn says.
Finn’s head begins to throb.
“Whoever that was can do something that is not possible.” Luke gathers up the holocron and secures it. “Poe, you need to get to Black Spire as soon as possible.”
“Who am I looking for?” Poe asks all business.
“As a precaution I won't say a name, but you’ll know him when you see him,” Luke says.
Poe rolls his eyes in frustration.
“Master, let me go too,” Finn says.
The pain in his head did not subside.
“Finn, I can’t-”
“Master Skywalker, I know Batuu. I know that voice! Please I can help,” Finn says.
“Kid, I found you wandering around dazed and confused and if one voice could trigger your power in the Force like it did.” Luke runs a hand through his hair. “I need you here.”
“I could use the help. I know next to nothing about this-” Poe gestures to the air. “Force shit.”
“I happen to know a thing or two about the stuff,” Finn jokes.
The tension in the room does not subside and Luke contemplates.
“I already have Rey gone and letting you go is just...I consent. Knight Finn, I charge you with investigating the smuggling of Jedi artifacts on Batuu.” Luke says.
Finn bows with all the decorum of a Jedi, but is a little too happy to go on this adventure. A bad feeling settles in the pit of Luke's stomach. Something is happening and he does not know what.
Poe claps a hand on Finn’s back and goes to shake Finn’s hand.
“We weren’t properly introduced. Poe Dameron.”
Finn gives Poe’s hand a firm shake.
“Finn.”
“Nice to meet you, Finn,” Poes says with a smile then turns to Luke. “I’ll get fueled up and we’ll leave by tonight. Should visit my dad while I’m here too.”
Luke nods and sends the pair out of the room. Darkness is rising and it’s his fault.
Somewhere far away a ship sits idle, hidden by towering stone spires and green foliage. A small crew works silently as a tall woman clothed in purple and black leathers pace the bridge of her ship. She is waiting for orders.
“The Supreme Leader wants to speak with you,” a comms specialist informs the woman.
Her heels click on the floor leading to the communications terminal on the ship. Tapping a few buttons a hologram of a misshapen humanoid face flickers into view.
“Supreme Leader,” The woman says.
She takes off her helmet. Her dark hair is braided close to her scalp in long rows and coiled into a bun at the nape of her neck. She is human: young, with dark skin, full lips and wide eyes. Her posture is poised and rigid as if she has military training.
“Inquisitor,” The voice of Supreme Leader Snoke rasps out. “Have you felt it?”
The Inquisitor nods.
“Your plan worked, sir. We can draw out the Jedi one by one.”
“Yes,” Snoke says pleased. “But alas, you are already compromised.”
The Inquisitor’s face drops for a fraction of a second.
“Sir?” she asks.
“You need to cover your tracks better, Inquisitor.”
Pain fills the Inquisitor’s body, but she stands strong only wincing.
Snoke laughs.
“Jannah, your past comes to find you. Will you stand in the dark?”
“Under your tutelage, I have grown. I shall bring glory to our new order.”
“Another once said the same thing. Then she stole something from me and now her bones lie in the sand.”
The inquisitor remains silent.
“Conclude your business here and make your way to the Core Worlds. There are prizes I seek there. Use your talents to acquaint yourself with one of the members of the council.” Snoke says the words with dark amusement.
“Yes, Supreme Leader,” Jannah says.
“It will be easy to find him.” Snoke pauses. “The rabid cur he is.”
Jannah bows as Snoke chuckles at his cruel joke. The hologram fades and the Inquisitor places her helmet back on. She felt him--her family--the ones that failed to save her so long ago. The hollowness in her heart that is always present pulses. She hopes she never sees him. If she does he will never come back.
She plots a course to the core.
Finn is a madman packing his things. Clothes are an easy thing when you are a Jedi, but books--books and data pads are an issue. He files through all the datapads for his lesson plans for the younglings; someone will have to teach them while he is gone. He groans at the thought of someone else teaching, he can see all the bored looks his substitute will get. Maybe he should gather the children up and explain what’s happening. He ponders the idea, finally deciding it would take too long. Finn has to trust in the Force that his students will be the best they can be while he is gone.
As he finishes packing he settles on a few datapads and one bound book--all of them having something to do with holocrons. It’ll be a long trip and he can familiarize himself with as much information with holocrons as he can.
Night falls and Finn makes his way to the landing pad of the Praxeum. On the way, he meets up with Poe.
“Finn! You ready to go, buddy?”
Finn likes Poe, he is kind and has a way about him that makes Finn feel comfortable--like you’re always worth his time. It was different from Rey’s quiet surly demeanor, even if she did have her good moments.
“Yeah,” Finn says with a smile. “Master Skywalker gonna see us off?”
“I should be asking you that. It seems the events of the day have been… a lot,” Poe says.
Finn nods.
They walk towards a Tandem X-wing Starfighter. Finn’s never seen a ship this nice.
“We’re flying in that?” Finn asks.
Poe looks at his ship with pride.
“Hell yeah! She’s a beauty. Fast, stealthy, and mine,” Poe says wistfully. “Could be a bit cramped for a long ride.”
“Oh don’t worry, I’ve shared a tent with Rey on an expedition once. Total bed hog.” Finn says.
“Rey?” Poe asks.
“She’s my friend. She’s on Coruscant right now.”
Poe nods his head feeling relief at the word friend. Then thinks and puts some pieces together.
“I think I actually might have an idea on who that is,” Poe says.
Finn looks at him with excitement.
“Really? Did she make it okay?” Finn asks.
Poe smiles softly.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to meet her, but I know where she is and who she is with. She’s safe.”
“Good.” Finn takes a deep breath. “I should call her.”
Poe’s tension returns.
“It shouldn’t be too late there now. Let’s get going and I’ll set up the communications array,” Poe says stiffly.
Poe opens the hatch to the X-Wing and helps Finn inside. He hops in and begins preflight checks. As the ship’s engines roar to life Poe takes a final glance at his homeworld then back at Finn.
They leave the atmosphere and zip into lightspeed. Another knight leaving the safety of the Praxeum once again.