KASHYYYK

The trio had spent the last five hours climbing up through the Origin Tree's root system. BD had alternated several times from Cal's to Diane's shoulders before walking in between the two. At this point, Diane knew more about Bracca than she ever did as Cal shared the different places he used to frequent.

At the same time, Cal was nowhere closer to learning anything more about Diane.

"I think we're getting closer," she said.

Cal looked up and saw rays of sunlight shining through the giant holes in between the roots. BD crawled onto his leg and perched once more on his shoulder. They picked up their pace as they started walking upward on the slanted path.

"Beep boo trill boop?"

A sudden gust of wind shook the ground and Diane pulled Cal closer to her as they hid behind one of the roots. She risked a glance to look outside.

It was the giant white bird.

"Quiet BD," she whispered.

"Be-be-beep!"

Cal stood behind her and peeked over her head.

"That's what took down the Ninth Sister," he whispered.

Diane saw that the path they were on led outside. So she followed the bird thinking she could catch up to it but accidentally spooked the poor thing instead.

"Hey, Dee."

Diane looked over and saw the injured beast had crash-landed elsewhere.

"It's hurt. Think we could help it?"

The angel nodded, but before the trio even stepped foot on the fallen tree trunk that was in between, the beast was spooked.

"Well, at least we're getting closer to our destination," she said, hoping to lift his dwindling spirits.

Cal hadn't noticed that they were standing right in front of the center of the Origin Tree. Though he hadn't been able to help the bird with its injuries, at least he could have some success with finding Tarfful. But as they moved forward, he noticed something in the corner of his eye.

Diane watched as he flung himself over the ledge and ran after only to realize there was an extension of land underneath. She carefully examined him as he stretched his hand out and closed his eyes. His left eyebrow twitched as he pursed his lips.

"This bird," he started, "it's the last of its kind."

Diane sighed. She felt the connection he was forming with the beast. Him, as the last of the Jedi. Them as the last of their species.

The angel saw determination within his eyes and just before she could get a word in, time slowed until it stopped. Completely.

Diane felt a presence behind her. She turned and saw two familiar figures.

"Michael. Gabriel."

Michael and Gabriel stood together in identical white suits. The only thing that separated them was the different shades of grey their pocket squares were.

"You've caused nothing but trouble Diane," Gabriel spoke. "And it needs to stop."

Diane glanced back at Cal before shifting her focus back to the duo.

"I don't understand."

Gabriel tilted his head while Michael did his best to hide his amusement.

"There are so many angels. Some fell, others live their lives out here. I've seen it. Them."

She shook her head.

"Yet you come after me."

Michael could see the gears in her head turning. Something he hadn't seen since...

"Which means... I must be of value to Heaven."

Gabriel laughed.

"Or," she continued, "I know something. Something I'm not supposed to."

He stopped and Michael didn't dare take a glance at his brother, knowing he'd read right through him.

Of course, Diane figured it out. They always figured it out.

It's what made them the perfect strategist. Heaven's greatest problem-solver.

Gabriel laughed. "That's ridiculous."

"Is it?"

The two brothers took this chance to spare a glance at each other. But that was their mistake.

Diane realized that what she said must've been true. But she didn't speak of it...at least, not out loud.

"Diane," Michael started. "If you leave with us now, we will lessen your punishment."

The lower-rank angel did not respond.

"I will go with you," she said, slowly. "Once Cal Kestis has completed his mission and is brought to safety."

"And what would that be?" Gabriel asked, amused.

"To defeat the Empire."

Michael did not think to ponder over her words and before he knew it, his brother responded.

"Fine. Let it be known that the angel Diane has agreed to depart to Heaven after the mortal, Cal Kestis, has defeated the Empire and is brought to safety."

He snapped his fingers and the world resumed. The two Archangels were nowhere in sight.

Cal stood up and began walking along the top of the fallen trunk. It was only then that Diane noticed the fallen bird on another platform.

"Beep! Beep beep boop."

"We can help it," he spoke softly to the droid, "but we have to be careful. We don't want to spook it. Again."

The redhead approached the beast with his arms wide open as if greeting an old friend.

"Hey! It's okay. We're not here to hurt you. We're friends. Okay? Friends."

Diane followed BD as he scanned for injuries.

"Beep beep trill boop!"

Cal turned and saw a shard of the ship stuck inside its wing.

"That's from the Ninth Sister's ship," Diane said.

"This is gonna hurt, okay? I'm sorry."

The angel watched as he used the force to extract the piece from the beast's wing before BD tossed him a little green container that she'd seen only a few times. He placed it beside the wound and a 'whoosh' sound emerged before he let it fall to the ground.

The beast moved its wing before lowering its head toward the former Padawan.

It perched itself lower and Diane realized what it was trying to do.

"It's going to let us on its back."

Cal stared between her and the bird.

He laughed as he climbed onto the bird and didn't bother to extend a hand, as Diane seated herself behind him as soon as he found a spot.

"Ready?!" he yelled.

BD trilled and the trio took flight.

Below them were endless seas of clouds, hills, and mountains, and streams of water in between as they flew above the Origin Tree. Diane thought nothing but of how nature could provide such beauty.

"There's so much the Empire hasn't touched yet!" he exclaimed.

Diane laughed as he put his hands in the air when the bird dove. It had placed itself on the highest top and allowed the trio to find their way back to the ground. Once they did, the bird took off and Diane smiled fondly at their new ally.

"What do you think?" Cal nudged her.

She turned and saw small carved pointed ornaments dangling from the ceiling.

They trekked further in, allowing BD to scan everything as he pleased. They stopped in front of a tree trunk with symbols carved in them. Cal looked familiar with it, but Diane was not.

Suddenly, a hologram came to life from BD-1's eyepiece.

"At last," the hologram said. "I found my quarry."

"Cordova?" Diane asked, repeating a name from days ago (secretly hoping she was right).

"Yeah."

"The Astrium." Diane noticed the piece he was holding in his right hand. "Used by the Zeffo Sages millennia ago. I hold in my hand a piece of galactic history. Oh, I will never be able to thank Tarfful enough!"

He laughed. "Do you know what this means my friend? No need to return to Dathomir! The darkness clouded every attempt at finding the Astrium inside Kujei's Tomb, but the force... The Force has provided a new path!"

Diane felt Cal take a few steps back from them. He bore a look on his face. (One that usually meant he'd had an idea and it would most likely kill them both.)

"Kujet's Tomb."

"I don't understand, where are we going?"

But Diane didn't get a response. Only a smile.

"Oh for Heaven's sake," she muttered under her breath.

Their ally came back once more, but before Cal could reach the bird two lasers shot beside them. Cal yelled and reached out, thinking he could save their feathered friend. But Diane ran after them, allowing him to have to deal with the oh-so-familiar ship that had come after.

⸻╳⸻

HEAVEN - BUILDING THREE

Michael and Gabriel arrived back in Heaven. Gabriel was in high spirits.

"Well, that's taken care of. No need for Archon."

Michael shook his head. They had not taken care of it, for you see, the terms and conditions were that Cal Kestis was to complete his mission and to be brought to safety. If there was one thing that Michael knew, Cal Kestis was to never be safe. Anywhere. The angel Diane had chosen their side long ago.

They'd chosen the mortals.