"Officer one, report to ground".

"Coming in on our flank. We need numbers".

"Pad 14. What's going on down there? Status please. All pads report in immediately".

Lian and Bodhi were stood bent over the controls as they listened to the imperial transmissions. Lian had the rebel comm in one hand. His side practically pressed to Bodhi's as they listened tensely to what was going on.

"Oh no! We have rebels every where. We're taking fire!"

"Pad 12. Pad 14 requests assistance".

Bodhi reached up and flicked a switch then snatched up the radio. "This is pad 2", he spoke into the mic. "Pad 2. I spot fourty rebels heading west on pad 2". Then he handed the comm to Lian. "Get on there and tell them you're pinned down by rebels on pad five".

Lian took the radio. "This is pad 5!" He cried into the mic. "We're being overrun! Help us!" Then he let go of the record button and turned to Bodhi with a smile. "Good enough?"

Bodhi grinned and nodded. "That should do it".

"Pad 12, pad 10, pad 8, respond".

"Get reinforcements down to pad 5 immediately!" Lian and Bodhi sniggered as they watched more squads of troops run in the opposite direction. Hopefully they could give the rebels out there a bit more time by delaying the troop response.

Then a cry came down the rebel comm. "walkers! Walkers coming in from the east! Look out!" Lian cursed and gripped his staff so hard that his knuckles were turning white.

Another cry, a different cry came from the imperial radio. "Rebel fleet incoming! Lock down the base!"

"Shit they're shutting the shield gate", Bodhi cursed. The two of them shared a look. They were trapped.

"Bodhi! Bodhi can you hear me?" Cassin's voice crackled. "Bodhi tell me you're out there".

"This is Lian", Lian announced into the comm. "Bodhi's right next to me. We're standing by. They've started fighting and they're locking down the base".

"I know. Listen to me. The rebel fleet is up there. You've gotta tell them to blow a hole in the shield gate so we can transmit the plans".

"Wait", Bodhi snatched up the comm. "I can't. I'm not hooked into the comms tower. We're not tied in".

"It's the only way they're getting out of here. Find a way!" Then Cassian's voice cut off. Bodhi gave Lian a wide eyed look. He glanced around, brain whirring.

"Right", he muttered. "Right". He turned in a full circle. "Come with me". Lian followed him down the ladder back to the main hull of the ship. Bodhi wave at Jul. "Get ready", he ordered. "We are going to have to go out there". He walked over to where the wheel of an extendable cable was stored and hefted it out.

"What are you doing?" Jul asked.

"They're closed the shield gate. So we're stuck here. But the rebel fleet are pulling in. We need to let them now that we're trapped down here. For that we need to connect to the communications tower. Now I can patch us in over here, the landing pad. But you have to get on the radio. Get one of the guys out there to find the master switch. Get them to activate the connection between us and that comms tower. Okay?" Jul nodded nervously. "Then go!" Jul hurried up into the cockpit and began hammering down the comm.

Lian hung back. "What do you need me to do?"

Bodhi looked up. "You stay here. I need someone to watch my back while I do this". Lian nodded and held up his staff as he crept over to the open door to the hull. He peered outside and waited, watching as a few x-wings soared over head. Their guns taking down the walkers.

"The master switch!" Jul called down. "What does it look like? Where is it?" Bodhi glanced up.

"It's like a giant leaver. Red maybe. Should be on a control console!" He called back up as he stood. He pulled the extendable lead on to his back. "Lian, come on". He waved and Lian nodded as they snuck out of the ship. There was no fighting in sight but they could hear the echo of blaster fire in the distance and see the smoke rising above. "This way", Bodhi hissed. They crept along across the landing pad, Lian gripping his staff.

Bodhi led him over to the nearest control box for the landing pad was stationed. "Keep an eye out", he muttered as he plugged in the lead. Lian turned around and watched out for any troopers. The x-wings shot past overhead again, chasing and being chased by a group of tie fighters. He watched one roll in the air as it fired. The tie fighter it was following exploding in the sky.

"Done", Bodhi announced. "Back to the ship". They crept back to the ship, Bodhi's lead training behind him like bread crumbs. They were only a few feet from the ship when Bodhi jerked. Lian turned and noticed with dismay that the lead has gotten caught. "Farrick", Bodhi cursed.

"I'll go and untangle it", Lian muttered. He quickly sprinted over to where the lead had gotten caught and dove to the ground. It had gotten wedged between some of the metal barrels on the side of the landing pad. He began pulling it up, grunting in frustration at the slowness.

"Halt". A mechanical voice made him freeze. "Identify yourself". Lian slowly stood, hands itching to where he dropped his staff. Behind him stood five troopers. All with blasters. He was just about to reach down and grab it when the trooper nearest to him fell back as a laser hit him in the chest. Immediately Lian dived down and pulled the cable free, before grabbing his staff and jumping for cover.

He peered over the boxes he was sheltered behind. Some of the rebels had come back round to the ship. They were firing on the troopers, keeping them occupied. Jul with them, a blaster in his hand. Nearer the ship, he saw Bodhi's worried face peek round the hull. Lian waved and gave him the thumbs up. Bodhi mimicked the gesture back and made a hurry motion. Lian stuck his head up only to quickly duck back down again. The path to the ship was blocked off by blaster fire. The rebels and the troopers had taken cover on each side and the ship was in the middle. Lian would have to run through it all to get there.

He took a deep breath in an effort to quell his frantically beating heart. "I am one with the force and the force is with me". He stood up and peered around. "I am one with the force and the force is with me". He took another deep breath and began walking. "I a, one with the force and the force is with me". A shot whizzed past, almost hitting him in the face. He cried out at it left a burning streak across his skin. He stumbled but kept walking, speeding up. Eyes on the destination and Bodhi's face. "I am one with the force and the force is with me and I fear nothing as it is all as the force wills it". Another blaster bolt clipped him on thigh and he stumbled in sudden pain. But he was there. He threw himself into the hull of the ship, landing in a roll at Bodhi's feet.

"Here", he panted as he handed Bodhi the cable. His face was on fire and his scarf was smoking. His thigh tingled and he glanced at it. Only a light flesh wound. The skin cauterised from the heat of the laser. From pain alone, he could tell that his face was worse but he had no way of dealing with them right now. He pushed himself to his feet and picked up his staff from where it had fallen.

"It's all plugged in", Bodhi announced. He picked up the rebel comm. Jul now busy outside with the other rebels. "Melchi. Melchi. I just need an open line".

"Hang on. We're pinned down here".

"We need that shield down!" Bodhi repeated. Through the comm Lian could hear fighting and blaster fire. Then came a cry.

"Chirrut! Come back!"

Lian felt his blood freeze. He could feel it and his eyes welled up. He pressed his fingers to his lips. "The force is with me", he whimpered. "And I am one with the force". A familiar presence drifting away like a summer breeze.

"Look in the force and you will always find me".

"The force is with me and I am one with the force".

"He got it!" Melchi cried.

"Yes!" Bodhi cheered as his screen came to life. "This is rogue one calling any alliance ships that can hear me!" Bodhi grunted in frustration and slapped the console. "This is rogue one, come in!"

"This is admiral Raddus rogue one. We hear you". Lian and Bodhi both cheered at the voice.

"We have the plans", Bodhi grinned giddy with relief for a second before falling back into business. "We have the Death Star plans. They have to transmit them from the communications tower. You have to take down the shield gate. It's the only way they're going to get them through".

"I have a plan. Stand by rogue one".

Bodhi sagged momentarily. "This is for you Galen", he breathed.

Lian suddenly frowned. Something was coming. The force was nudging him. He stepped towards the hull doors and saw it. A small round object flying through the air towards them. A small light on it's side was beeping. Lian instinctively gripped his staff and let the force guide him. He swung it like a bat hitting a ball and the wood of his staff hit the grenade, sending it sailing back out of the hull doors. "Bodhi! Down!" Lian cried as he turned. Then the grenade went off. He felt something burning then darkness.

"Lian!" Bodhi's voice was the last thing he heard.

——

"Chirrut". Lian could see him. There was no dark or light here, just the sense of being. The man was ahead of him. He turned and smiled and for once, his eyes weren't white with blindness but a dark brown. Lian felt tears well up. "Chirrut". He began running.

"Lian", Chirrut smiled as Lian caught him in a hug. He pressed his face into to other man's shoulder and sighed.

"You're dead", Lian stated as he lifted his head again. Chirrut smiled softly.

"Yes. Yes I am. But I am with the force now".

"Am I dead? The grenade got me didn't it?"

Chirrut shook his head. "You're injured but not dead yet. If you get medical help then maybe you can survive. I trust Bodhi to get you there. You saved his life and the lives of many others". Lian beamed at the pride in his father's tone. The tears still bright in his eyes with sorrow.

Chirrut stirred and turned away. He smiled at something and let go of Lian to hold out his hand. "Blaze". Lian turned as watched as Blaze approached. He smiled at them through his beard, walking with a lightness as if the weight of existing had been lifted from his shoulders

"You fool", he greeted warmly, with love. "Womp rat". Lian choked on a sob as a laugh caught in his throat.

"I told you", Chirrut chuckled as he turned away from Lian to greet his husband. "You couldn't last ten minutes without me". Blaze laughed then he turned to Lian.

"You shouldn't be here Lian". His eyes were proud and sad.

Lian nodded as the tears dripped down his face. "I know". He didn't want to say goodbye yet. Not yet. He didn't want to be alone.

"Go back", Chirrut smiled. "Look to the force and you will always find us".

"I'm one with the force and the force is with me", the two of them spoke together. Chirrut seeing him for the first time. The force around them flowing and glowing as their forms began to loose shape. Both of them smiling lovingly as they faded.

"I am one with the force and the force is with me".

Unedited

An: I always cry at the ending to rogue one.