Chapter Text
14 years later…
“This is Cal Kestis of the Mantis Two to Rebel Intelligence, requesting landing for me and the Millennium Falcon for a drop off.” Cal said briskly, BD and Merrin flipping buttons and switches on their dashboard as they broke though the atmosphere.
“ All clear, Commander Kestis. Landing bay four is ready for your drop off. Welcome back home, Cal. ” A familiar voice said, their clipped tone full of emotion. “ Welcome back home, big brother. ”
“I’m glad to be back, ‘Mega,” He sighed, bringing his ship down for their landing. “Hope dads haven’t been too much of a pain in the ass.”
“ Right. Well, Rex is still overworking himself as per usual ,” They complained, the sound of caf cups moving around, then a soft snort. “ Also, Cal, Saw's in a meeting with General Mothma and the Council so he won’t be there to meet you. ”
“Now that’s too bad. Will I be seeing you on the pad with Jyn and Rex at least?” Cal asked next, starting up the landing sequence for his ship.
“ Yeah, I’ll get them now, Big Bro. ” They said briskly before the comm cutting cut off. The base looked as it usually did, wonderfully full of life and noise. Yet the Force felt on edge, as if the Force knew what was about to happen, like the Force knew danger was lurking nearer.
“Can’t believe how much more activity there is now.” He heard Merrin mutter, her grey eyes looking over the ships and people as they landed. Three figures were coming near, that sky blue helmet making clear who was with his siblings. Soon he was walking down the ramp, with Jyn hugging the daylights out of him as Omega played with his hair.
“It’s good to see you, Commander.” Rex said, walking towards him with his hand out for a handshake. He just pulled the old man into his arms, hugging his father as if they haven’t seen each other in years. “I’m glad you’re alive, kiddo.”
“You too, pops.” He returned, his eyes watery with tears. They all just held each other on that pad, tears and hugs shared until the pressing matter of the Death Star plans and Luke Skywalker.
“… Gerrera, we can’t fight right now; it’s still too early.” Mothma sighed out.
“It’s never too early, Senator. I’ve been fightin’ for years against the Empire and they’ve been losing more planets everyday,” His father gritted out, pacing around as he talked. “Right now is the only chance, we have to-”
His buir coughed to get the two’s attention, his face in an easy smile. Saw just turned to face his husband, smiling kindly at the other as Mon just stayed quiet.
“Commander Kestis and Leia Organa have something important that needs to be said.” Rex explained, pushing Organa and him towards the Rebellion’s leaders. He was thirty-one, not nineteen all over again, at his first mission briefing with his fathers staring at him with kind eyes.
Not like the actual nineteen year old actually pressing the Death Star’s data card into a port, explaining to a paling Mon and horrified Saw about that weapon. Rex next to him looked as if he wanted to gag, disgusted at the imagined battle stations but the Force around him was filled with hope. Saw’s emotions in the Force weren’t as clear, but even though the fog, he was filled with determination.
“We have to fight and we have to fight now , Senator!” Saw growled, already making his way out of the meeting room, turning around at the last moment. Eyes blazing even in the low light. “And if you don’t; I will get this whole base to fight with me .”
Yeah, that was the man he saw 14 years ago on his mission for the Holocron.
The man who had adopted him after the Mantis was destroyed.
Saw Gerrera, a man so much more than what he appeared to be.
Rex followed his husband quickly, them both disappearing into the hall. Mothma just sighed, bringing her palm to her forehead.
“He’s going to get himself and his husband killed.” She whispered to herself, walking out of the room herself after his headstrong fathers.
Cal just laughed at that, the young princess turning to him.
“What?” He wheezed, smiling at her lazily.
“Are you going to fight? To destroy the planet killer of myth you saved me and the other Jedi from?” She asked, brown eyes full of thought and emotion.
“He needs training first, but he really doesn’t need training until after we win today’s battle, then, until tomorrow’s battle begins, I can.” Cal sighed, pushing off the wall as he strutted towards the door, pressing the panel to open it.
“Commander Kestis,” He turned around towards Leia again, the Force around her shining so brightly it hurt to look at her. “May the Force be with you.”
“And with you, Princess Organa.” He gave back, stepping out of the glowing meeting room with an incline of his head towards the sky, hoping to catch Omega before they had to say goodbye to their girlfriend.