All feelings of celebration quickly died down throughout the republic fleet when the news of Han's death was broken out to them. Ben had felt his passing in the force but didn't know it, passing it off as spontaneous moment of weakness.

Ben sat by Rey's bedside on board the medical frigate staring at a wall, letting unpleasant thoughts in.

There was significant scarring to Rey's face as Kylo Ren's saber had cut into into it and destroyed her left her. The medical droids were able to reconstruct most of the damaged areas but the eye was lost forever.

"She was very brave," his mother had said to him. "Her spirit rivals mine and your uncle's."

"Only a few days ago she was just a simple scavenger," Ben had replied. "It was like she was meant for the cause."

Still, Ben was full of regret for dragging Rey into it all.

"Ben?" Rey asked, weakly.

Ben shot out of his seat. "Don't move your still recovering.

"My face feels like brittle clay," said Rey.

Ben swallowed hard. "The medical droids did the best they could but..."

Rey gently touched the bandages that covered her left eye. "I see."

"We dealt a heavy blow to the First Order today," said Ben. "The fleet is currently holding position but will return to Coruscant soon. That's not where we're going though. I'm taking you to see my uncle, Luke."

Rey sat up in her bed. "Your taking me to see Luke Skywalker?!"

Ben nodded. "But first there is something I need to see to."

A tear went down Ben's cheek and he looked down.

"I'm sorry Ben," said Rey. "Your father's death is my fault. If I hadn't gotten myself caught..."

"We still would have went after the younglings," said Ben wiping his eyes. "I wanted to give this back to you by the way. You may not be a Jedi but the saber did call to you."

Ben took the old lightsaber out of his pack and handed it to Rey.

"I'll help you fix it when we go to Dantooine," said Ben.

Rey frowned at him while handling the lightsaber. "What's on Dantooine?"

Ben smiled. "Only the temple of the New Jedi Order. We'll go after Corellia. The birthplace of my father."

As Kylo Ren's star destroyer sped through hyperspace, he made contact with his master, Snoke.

"The seed of the dark side is planted," said Kylo to his master's hologram. "But forgive me. I was unable to bring the girl herself."

"It is of little consequence," said Snoke calmly. "You have brought the presence of the dark side to Skywalker's doorstep. You have done well already to bring so many younglings. It is time for you to led the Knight of Ren once more."

From behind Snoke's hologram materialized six figures in robes and helmets similar to Kylo's in design.

"They will rejoin you on Mustafar."

With that Snoke and the Knights of Ren's holograms faded away.

Han Solo's cremation ceremony was held at one of the largest cities on Corellia. It was the safest choice given that the former smuggler spent much of his life moving around the galaxy.

Thousands of republic officials and freedom fighters attended and a squadron of x-wings flew over the funeral procession as a demonstration of respect for the legendary starpilot.

Chewbacca was named the new captain of the Millennium Falcon. There was no question about it.

As Ben watched the body of his father burn in the town square his mother put a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"He was so proud of what you've become," said Leia.

"Yeah I know," said Ben stiffly.

Leia smiled warmly at him. "You felt it?"

"No," said Ben with half a laugh. "He told me before."

They continued observing the cremation process.

"I made a choice son," said Leia quietly. "It was not my destiny to defeat Kylo Ren."

"I know you did what the Force guided you to do," said Ben. "Kylo is just another one of Snoke's pawns. Like Vader before him his mind was filled with delusions of grandeur regarding the sith. Snoke is the real enemy."

Leia nodded. "Then we must be patient in drawing him out. I have a feeling he still is holding his best cards close to the chest."

Ben's eyes followed the smoke up into the starry night sky of Corellia. He could almost picture his father teasing him from the void beyond this world.