Jyn’s A-wing approaching an ocean world. The craft speeds towards one of the larger islands, and lands on a small civilian spaceport. Jyn lands here because she has no time required for the red tape required for the security clearance of her new passenger, Dio (previously called Finn. It’s pronounced like in Dionysus, not the metal musician.)
Jyn contacts Kappa, an old friend, and asks that they meet at a favorite watering hole, the Safe Harbor. It’s informal, but it's the only way they can quickly get all three in a room talking.
(Finn has taken off his armor, and somehow has access to clothes that fit him. I can’t explain this part just yet. When I think about this stuff, I get like Abed in that one Halloween episode of Community, where they all tell ghost stories)
They meet at a table and introduce themselves. Commander Kappa, a dashing man with olive skin and dark hair in his 30s, starts:
“So, what will everyone be having? I’ll buy you all a round.”
“I’m afraid all three of us might need to be at full readiness for the next day at least. But we’d like to take you up on that at another time, if we could. It’s a shame, because I’d love nothing more than a Tatooine Sunrise.”
Jyn explains what happened, and the urgency with which they need to reach out to the Jedi Temple. She explains Dio’s role and why they can trust him.
Kappa is mildly skeptical. Jyn was wondering about this, but Kappa was not only her contact among the New Republic military, but a good friend. They’d fought in many battles together. But Kappa has always had a hard time trusting defectors, even though there were many in the loyal service of the New Republic.
“Where are you from, Dio?”
“Nar Shaddaa.”
At this, Kappa’s expression turns from skeptical to extremely war and on edge.
“Me too. The Empire really moved in on Nar Shaddaa during the chaos created after Jabba’s death. They brutally massacred my entire family, aunts, uncles, and cousins included, for the crime of being pro-Republic, as part of their quest to liberate the planet of crime and disorder. We’re lived there for generations. I learned to fight the Empire at an early age. Hard to imagine how someone from there just decides to don an Imperial uniform.”
At this, Dio looks uncomfortable. He feels ashamed, but he can think of nothing to say. His family was not just Imperial, but what was one of the leading Imperial families. His father, in fact, was an officer who gave the order for that very massacre that killed Poe’s family. Dio joined because he thought it was the right thing to do, and he wanted to see the galaxy. But the longer he served, the more he had doubts he had about what Empire and what it stood for.
Jyn steps forward in Dio’s defense, “We don’t get to choose how we’re raised. I know that better than anyone. What Dio did, the way he broke himself out of that level of indoctrination, is something very few beings in the galaxy can do. People need to be given a chance to prove themselves, and to make a difference. We both have to give him that; he’s committed himself this far, why would he go back now? “
Jyn decides to change the subject, “So, how’s Tallie doing? Last I heard, she was looking at a transfer to Wraith Squadron.”
“Yes, she did, and they accepted the application. But they insisted Tallie switch from A-wings to X-wings, and that was unacceptable for Tallie. Reminds me of someone else I know.”
“Like you’d give up your B-Wing for a Y-wing.”
“You’ve got me there. But Y-wings don’t have—”
At this, a warning klaxon breaks out.
“Well,” Jyn says, “This is earlier than I expected. Sounds like the work of some annoying noob Sith.”
They had for their craft, and blast out of the atmosphere. Yes, this was certainly not the time for drinks.