Sulit [ Ben Solo ]

I.

CHAPTER ONE
[ the transmission! ]

A REBELLION WAS STIRRING. Asteria Rhyos felt it in her heart, felt a deep shake in the Force, as if light and dark were to shift power once again. And she would know of rebellion, know of change. She had been alive since Darth Vader was nothing but a slave boy on Tatooine.

She and her people had hidden themselves once more since the darkness rose again, as they had for the first time so many years before. The people and the planet of Areathya were always to be kept secret, especially in times of peril.

Asteria had not seen anyone who had not lived on Areathya when the darkness rose since that fateful day, and missed her friends dearly. Leia would be fine, she had no doubt about that. It was the other two she worried over. Han and Luke did stupid things when Leia was not there.

Areathya had always been closed off, kept secret. But before the darkness, before the Empire and before the First Order, the people of Areathya had been free to communicate with outside worlds, had been free to leave. Now, after the Republic fell, communication was limited to those of high rank, and no one was allowed to leave.

The sun rose over the horizon that morning, shining down on a still-sleeping city. The city of Naelyé was the largest on the planet, covering almost the entire thing. But for a few surrounding towns, villages and islands, it was where all on the planet lived.

Areathya was a rather green planet. It was mostly water, except for the city streets and areas they'd barricaded off. Around the castle were rivers that wound around each curve of stone. Waterfalls were the backdrop to the castle, flooding into the rivers and spilling out over the side into the lake that surrounded the whole castle, towers, keeps, bridges and all, just before the gates that opened up into the city.

Trees grew where there was land inside of the city. Where the cobblestone streets were laid, nothing grew, but in the yards, in the farmlands, outside of the bustle of the city, everything was green. Green and surrounded by masses of water. Oceans as far as the eye could see, stretched around land masses.

A gorgeous planet, yet she'd always wanted more. And to be less wet all of the time.

Asteria stood on the balcony in her bedroom and stared out at her city. Below, outside the castle gates, in town there were shop owners just opening up for the day and townspeople were just beginning to stir. Soon, they would wake and hit the streets for work, shopping, and other things.

Her day would begin soon, too. But for a few precious minutes, she was alone. She was not Queen Asteria Rhyos, Jedi Knight. She was simply Asteria, an Areathian girl who dared dream of something more.

A knock on her door tore her from her peace. Salōmē entered, Nascha and Valda behind her. Asteria's closest friends, her sisters. Her military leaders.

Valda commanded her ships, from transports to the X-Wings and Y-Wings, and was the best pilot she'd ever known. But for, perhaps, Han Solo. Nascha commanded the many warriors on Areathya, and lead all of the training, especially that of the young children who wished to learn. She herself was an accomplished warrior, one of the best. Salōmē lead Asteria's personal guard, and was easily the most loyal person she'd ever met.

"Highness," Salōmē said, getting her attention. She turned to face her friends, her lips pulling into a smile. "Good morning."

"Good morning," she replied. "What news?"

"The Resistance, Highness," Valda answered. "There was a transmission this morning."

"From who?"

"General Organa," Nascha told her.

Leia. "Take me," she breathed, still in shock.

They did as she asked, Salōmē leading the way, Asteria following and Valda and Nascha bringing up the rear. They took her to the communications room on the far tower in the castle, and played the transmission.

Leia's face popped up in front of her, smiling kindly. "Asteria," she began, "I don't know how much you know, or how much you've been told since you went into hiding, but it's gotten worse out here. The First Order has tightened its grip, and just yesterday took one of my most talented pilots.

"I tried not to contact you unless I had to, but the Resistance needs a Jedi right now. Luke is gone, and we can't find him. We need your help not only to find him, but to defeat the First Order once and for all.

"I'm asking for your help. I'm asking you to come to us, to help us. To help me. I need you, Asteria. We all do."

Leia disappeared, leaving the four women in silence. Asteria pondered her options. She could either stay and hide, or go and fight. All the times before she'd chosen the latter, and it hadn't gone well. But, she couldn't hide like a coward either. Luke is gone. Leia needs me.

"Highness? What do you want to do?" Valda asked.

"I have to help them. We have to." She turned to look at the three women behind her. "Another rebellion is here. Areathya must be part of it."

"Give us our orders," Salōmē said. "We will prepare."

"Valda, ready the squadron and our warriors. Nascha, collect weapons, make sure they are cleaned and ready. Salōmē, with me. I have to send Leia a transmission."

Valda and Nascha left the room, and Salōmē pressed a button on a panel on the table, which began to record her.

"Leia," she began, "do not apologize for asking for help. I am happy to give it. It's time we come out of hiding. Send me your location, and we will be there as soon as we are able to be."

She stepped away, and Salōmē turned it off. "Highness," she said, "you should sleep. All of us will be awake all night."

"There are things to do—"

"— I will take care of them," Salōmē interrupted. "Please, Highness. Rest."

Her face softened, and she nodded her head. Salōmē was right. She hadn't slept all night. The shake in the Force had kept her awake and wondering what it meant. "Wake me an hour or two before it is time to go."

"Yes, Highness."