Minister Vandor stood to greet her when she entered the meeting room. She accepted his outstretched hand.

"Master Skywalker," he said. "Good of you to come. Sit down, sit down. We have much to discuss."

"Thank you," said Rey.

Finn had been leaning against the wall, hands in pockets. He welcomed her with a hug. "Glad to see you, little sister."

"That's Master Rey to you," she said, poking him in the ribs. She lowered her voice. "What's happening here?"

Before Finn could answer, Poe entered, his face grim. "Let's start."

Poe didn't look at Rey. Her heartbeat quickened. Was Ben right?

"Kylo Ren's identity was not widely known," said Poe. "I believe everyone in this room is aware of it, either by happenstance or because the Resistance or General Organa shared that information."

Maybe the helmet had been a good idea.

"Yes, yes, we know who he is," said a pinched-faced woman. "Get on with this. I don't know why we're even wasting our time meeting. Is there really any question about what should be done with him?"

"I agree with Casia," said Minister Vandor. "There is no question. We need to decide, as a body, how to proceed."

Rey opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. She had never liked Vandor. Now she hated him.

"Master Rey, can you confirm the prisoner's identity?" said Poe. He still wouldn't look at her.

She pressed her lips into a thin line, crossed her arms over her chest, and glared at Poe. Finn placed a warm hand on her shoulder.

"Master Skywalker," prompted Minister Vandor.

She didn't like his tone. Too much demand. Too much authority. She placed her hands on the table, palms down, and took a deep breath.

"The man in the holding cells below is Ben Solo," said Rey. "Not Kylo Ren."

The pinched-faced woman, Casia, flicked a dismissive hand at Rey. "One and the same. It doesn't matter what you call him. He was the leader of the First Order. He must answer for his organization's crimes. The voices of the dead in the Hosnian Cataclysm demand justice."

Why had she brought him back? Why had she thought that it mattered one bit to anyone but her that he was no longer Kylo Ren? She was a stupid, naive girl. And while she had power - more than all of these people combined - hers was not the kind of power that could sway justice. But she had to try.

"Is there no path for redemption?" asked Rey.

"You're kidding," said Vandor. He squinted at her. "Has that salt water gone to your head?"

"You will treat Master Skywalker with respect in these Halls, Minister," said Poe. "She is the head of the Jedi Order."

"I want to take Ben Solo back to Ahch-To," said Rey. "He is a talented Force user who would be an asset to the Jedi."

Another minister barked out a laugh. "Loose him on the galaxy again? Knowing what he has done? Master Skywalker, surely you jest. How can you be so sure he won't return to his former ways?"

He's different. He changed. He's been tested by the Force. He has suffered. He understands that he was wrong. He was a victim, too. He saved my life. I love him. None of those things would matter to them.

"Will he use the Force to defend himself?" asked Vandor.

"Has he yet?" snapped Rey.

She hated these people. Every last one of them. Well, not Poe and Finn, but they certainly weren't being very helpful at the moment. She had struggled in the past to put herself in the shoes of Jedi long gone. Jedi who had opposed the political machines of their time. Now she thought she understood them. To have so much useless power was infuriating. It might drive a person to make unwise choices. It might create a Darth Vader, or a Darth Sidious.

"Ben Solo has shown no inclination to use the Force in any way since his capture on Exegol," said Poe. "Can he use it, Rey?"

"Yes," she said.

There was no way she was going to tell them how weak he was. Let them be nervous. Let them wonder if he would revert back to Kylo Ren and kill them all if they came near him.

"That's enough of a reason in itself to convict and dispose of him," said Vandor. "All those in favor?"

Dispose of him. Like rubbish. That was all he was to these people.

"That's it?" said Rey. "No trial?"

"This Council doesn't need a trial," said Casia, her face even pinchier than normal. "We all know what he's done. You know it as well as we do. This is a formality. He has violated every rule of law."

"Are acts committed during wartime not considered differently?" said Rey. She was grasping at straws whilst she drowned.

"Certainly," said Casia. "But not for leaders. There cannot be leniency for those who direct others to engage in atrocities."

"He helped me defeat Palpatine," said Rey.

"In the balance of the scales of justice, that does not defray his other crimes," said Vandor. "It is to his credit. But his debt is too high."

"Enough of this," said Casia. She looked at each person sitting around the table. "If you do not support this execution, say so now."

Rey sat very still, trying not to hyperventilate. She didn't say anything. Her one, pitiful voice wouldn't matter. No one else said anything, either. Finn tried to place an arm around her shoulders, but she shook him off. Poe said nothing. Bastards.

"Let him choose the method," said Poe. "For his help in defeating the Sith."

Grumbles arose, but no one openly objected.

"When?" said Vandor.

"Get it over with," said one of the men.

Rey's ears were buzzing. She would not cry in front of these people.

"I can take you back to Ahch-To," said Poe.

She looked up and realized the room had cleared.

"No. I'll stay. I can't let him die again thinking he is unloved, surrounded by these horrid people." Poe opened his mouth to speak, but she held up a hand. "Don't you dare apologize. And don't ask me to understand. I'm not stupid. I just hoped there was a chance for him at real redemption."

She was going back to Ahch-To, and she was never leaving. She'd come full circle. She should have stayed last time and let the galaxy burn.