I told you this mission was dangerous!
I don't know where Commander Dameron is,
but he'll be here. I know it.
Sure, he'll get here.
I just hope that we'll be here long enough to see him!
Lock it up, you two.
Let's get out of here!
We can't retreat.
New Republic Command says we have to deliver
the intel to the Resistance.
We don't even know what this intel's about!
Well, we're being shot at,
so it seems pretty important.
We can't even touch him!
Fine, I'll deliver the intel.
You guys report back to base. That's an order!
Promise you'll be right behind us.
I've got this.
Our First Order friend here...
He'll wish he never met me.
Now!
Ah!
Did they make it?
Did they jump to hyperspace?
All right! Great!
Power's down?
Well, how long's it gonna take to get it back?
C4?
How long?
C4!
You're too young to die?
I'm too young to die!
And they can't put me back together!
Come on!
Whoa! Poe Dameron!
Hold tight, kid. I got you.
I know, BB-8.
I can't believe the kid's still in one piece.
This TIE's a real ace,
but I'll take care of him.
No, we can't just sit here.
If you can't get the engines back on, give me the weapons.
I've got an idea.
Commander Dameron!
Kind of busy right now, kid.
I've got an idea. Bring him this way!
I've got a surprise.
I see what you're thinking.
Just say when.
Now!
Whoo-hoo! That got him.
Next time. We'll get him next time, BB.
Great work, kid. What's your name?
- Kaz. - Well, thanks, Kaz.
Come on board, and we'll patch up your ship.
On board?
On board what?
Whoa.
It's unbelievable.
I never thought I'd see one of these,
let alone be on board.
It's a classic.
This old girl saw action,
from the Battle of Scarif all the way up to Jakku.
I-I can't believe I'm really here
on a Resistance ship with Poe Dameron!
You're the pilot everybody talks about back home!
You're a pretty good pilot yourself.
You scored a hit on that red TIE.
No one else has ever done that...
Except me, of course.
Well, it's a... It's a lot easier
when you've got good teamwork.
You know, we could use a pilot like you...
Someone who improvises.
Ever think of signing up?
Signing up?
For the Resistance.
Wow. I mean, yeah.
I thought about it... a lot.
But... my father wouldn't approve.
He's a senator.
Has this whole plan for me.
You sure about that?
I've got an eye for this sort of thing,
and whatever that thing is, you've got it.
Commander Dameron,
General Organa requests your presence immediately.
General Leia Organa?
The one and only.
Hey, how about that intel?
That was the whole point of all this, right?
Tell the general that I...
I think she's the bravest person
in the whole galaxy.
Yes, she is.
Also, tell her I said hello.
"Tell the general I said hello"?
Ugh, Kaz.
What were you thinking?
Cut the commentary, you two.
Just... just show me where the refresher is.
Hey, C4, where's BB-8?
He went to talk to Poe?
Hmm. Which way did he go?
Fine, then stay here.
I'm just gonna have a look around.
Shh!
I think it's her.
She's right behind this door!
Ah!
General!
Were you spying on me?
Me? Spy? Never.
Look, this is all gonna come at you pretty fast,
so listen up.
That intel you gave us...
That was a message from a secret source.
It confirms what we've been afraid of...
The First Order is planning a full-scale attack
on the New Republic.
Then we have to do something.
We have to stop them!
My orders are to find out where that attack
is going to come from and when.
And I'm gonna help.
Whatever the job is that you give to ace pilots.
You know, the ace pilot job.
Can you believe this kid, BB-8?
Yeah, he believes me!
BB-8 knows the Resistance needs Kazuda Xiono!
Please, Poe.
I've got whatever that thing is!
You said it yourself!
And I grew up in the New Republic.
It's my home. It's everything I know.
I want the chance to fight for it.
Okay, Kazuda Xiono.
You want in, you're in.
I've got a mission for you.
Yes! All right.
Uh...
But first, I have to contact someone,
if that's okay.
We have to scramble the signal
so it can't be traced.
Good luck.
Yes, who is this?
Father.
It's Kazuda.
Kazuda?
Where are you?
Why can't I see you?
I had to scramble the signal
because I'm with the Resistance.
The Resistance?
Those extremists?
What have you gotten yourself mixed up in this time?
I'm not mixed up in anything.
I was on a mission, and we got attacked
by the First Order.
I need to ask you something.
As usual, you always need help...
My help.
I help you get into the Academy,
I help you get into the Navy,
I help you get everything you wanted.
So what is it that you want this time?
Nothing, Father.
I think I need to do this on my own.
I'm in.
So what's my mission?
We know the First Order has got a hidden base
somewhere out in Wild Space.
If they're building up their military,
they need fuel and supplies.
Sources tell us that somebody on Castilon
is helping them.
Castilon?
We're on the edge of nowhere.
You'll blend in
and get to know everyone out here, earn their trust,
find out who's loyal to the good guys and who isn't.
Wait, like a spy?
I-I'm gonna be a spy?
But I'm a pilot!
Trust me, kid. You'll be both.
There.
The Colossus.
It's one of the few supertanker fuel depots
left from the old days.
The Colossus.
I-I've heard stories about this place.
It's... it's a hangout for star pilots.
Ex-Empire, ex-Rebellion, pirates...
Anybody who wants to go fast.
That's right. Some of the best pilots
in the galaxy are here,
racing, gambling, just waiting to get into trouble.
Somebody here is working for the First Order,
and we're gonna find out who.
No, wait! I'm sorry. I'm sorry!
I-I changed my mind! I'll race! I'll race!
Ah!
- What was that? - What was what?
The throwing and the falling over there.
Don't think about it.
Got to find my contact.
If anybody asks, you're a wannabe pilot
looking for a job as a mechanic.
Got it?
Got it.
Wow! Look at them go!
Like I said,
the best.
When I was a kid,
that's what I always wanted...
To be the best.
And in my mind, that's what I was...
Kazuda Xiono,
the best starfighter pilot in the galaxy.
Hello, Kazuda Xiono,
best starfighter pilot in the galaxy.
It is so nice to meet you.
Hello, Poe Dameron.
It has been a lengthy amount of time
since I last encountered you.
Right. Great.
Kaz, this is Neeku.
Neeku, this is Kaz.
He'll be hanging around for a while.
From what exactly will he be hanging?
He, uh...
Yeah, okay, never mind.
We're headed to Aunt Z's.
Come on.
Best starfighter pilot.
Yes, he is the best pilot around,
better than all of the other racers here.
Top pilot in the Western Reaches.
Famous in 15 systems.
Best pilot in the Mid Rim.
Why, he's the greatest pilot in the known ga-a-laxy, Bolza!
Hmm, never heard of him.
Well, if it isn't
the greatest pilot in the galaxy.
Oh, Aunt Z, there's no need for that.
I didn't mean you. I meant him.
Uh... thanks?
Ah, this is Aunt Z,
proprietor of this fine eating establishment.
Aunt Z, we are looking for my boss,
Jarek Yeager.
Poe Dameron.
Yeager.
You showing up always means trouble for me.
I knew you missed me.
Whatever it is you need, I'm not interested.
Oh, that's so sweet.
Yeager, this is Kaz.
Oh, I think just about everybody here
already knows the best starfighter pilot
in the galaxy.
Hello.
Yeah, sorry about that.
That's, uh, just a misunderstanding.
I think Poe's the one who has the misunderstanding.
Okay, let's have a little talk.
Kaz, stay here and stay out of trouble.
BB-8, keep an eye on him.
What the...
Oh!
Kazuda, that is not a seat.
Ow! All right!
Ow! Okay, all right, all right!
Ugh.
Maybe we should just go stand over here,
away from everybody.
How about a game?
That will kill some time while Poe keeps me in the dark
about everything.
So what are the stakes?
How about 100 Republic credits?
Ah! 500 says I crush you, nerko!
You're on!
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! Hold on! Hold on!
Triple the bet says you can't make
another perfect shot.
Well, too bad I'm out of darts.
Oh, here, use mine.
Fine.
Ha!
Well, technically, that's a bull's-eye.
This should be good.
You, kid.
Greatest pilot in the galaxy.
How about we talk this over like rational people?
Or not.
We go back a long way, you and me, but I told you,
I don't want to get involved with the Resistance,
and I don't want anything to do with some spy mission.
That's why I brought Kaz.
He can work for the Resistance so you don't have to.
You never change, do you?
Always fighting for a cause.
The Empire's long gone, Poe.
I'd leave them where they belong,
in the past.
I'm not fighting for the past, Yeager.
The First Order is real,
and it's a threat to the whole galaxy.
I'm fighting for the future.
Well, I'm done fighting.
Pay up, kid.
That's 1,500 creds you owe me.
Well, I don't have that much on me,
but if I could contact my parents...
Step aside!
I've fed people to the fish
for less than that!
Oh, and I believe you.
Look, I'll pay for the jacket,
but if my head is crushed,
I can't exactly transfer the money, right?
But you still owe me 1,500...
I said step aside!
Ah!
I'm not asking you to get involved.
Just help Kaz out.
Give him a place to stay.
I promise you, he won't be any trouble.
Oh, no.
Who started this? Let me guess.
Hi.
Enough!
Everyone calm down!
Aunt Z, you couldn't stop this?
Stop it?
I was too busy taking bets
on how fast that kid would get his head squished.
Bolza, what happened here?
This skinny gorg
threw a dart in my back end!
Look, I can explain.
This all started because Neeku
told everyone I was the best starfighter pilot
in the galaxy, which just isn't true.
Allow me to fathom this, Kazuda.
Am I correct in realizing
that you are not the best pilot around us?
You took what I said and just...
You ran with it.
I did not run anywhere.
See? You're doing it again.
I'll just be outside,
pondering the weight of your deception.
You said he wouldn't be any trouble, Poe.
Neeku, listen, I wasn't...
I wasn't trying to mislead you.
I mean...
maybe I'm not the best pilot around here,
at this particular platform.
Or, you know, maybe I am.
We don't know.
I mean, I haven't raced anyone here,
so it's within the realm of possibility
that I'm the best.
Yes, of course.
You deserve a chance to prove it!
Then you won't be lying!
Prove it?
Wait! Hold up!
Everyone, everyone, attention!
Kaz wants to challenge in tomorrow's race!
I do?
A new challenger?
Indeed. I have fixed your problem.
You can prove, once and for all, to everybody,
that you are the best pilot in the galaxy!
I never said that,
not like you heard it, and I'm not here to race!
But I believe in you, Kazuda,
and if you say you are the best,
then I believe you are the best,
and then everyone will know what you and I know,
when you fly in the great race tomorrow...
That you are the best.
All right.
Who's betting against the kid?
So how do I get out of this?
There's no getting out of it.
You challenged, you race.
But there's got to be a way to explain.
Explain it to Aunt Z.
She takes bets on every race.
You don't race, she doesn't make money.
She doesn't make money, she has Bolza Grool
throw you over the side.
Um, yeah.
I think I saw that part.
Kaz, you got a weird way of blending in,
but, hey, maybe making
a big, crazy spectacle of yourself
is the best way to get to know everyone.
I'm out of here. Let me know what happens.
What? You're leaving me here?
Hey, hey, just do what we talked about.
Send me those reports.
Yeager will put you up.
I haven't agreed to that.
Great.
Look, I meant what I said.
You've got something special.
I see it, and eventually, Yeager will, too.
This race might be
your opportunity to prove yourself
and get in good with these pilots.
And how exactly do I do that?
Just try not to, uh, crash and die.
The rest will work itself out.
I'll do my best.
I know you will.
No.
Keep an eye on this kid, BB-8.
I think he's capable of big things.
Well, I think so, at least.
Neeku, why did you sign me up?
I don't want to be in this race!
I am trying to help you, Kaz,
to prove that you truly are who you claim to be...
The best pilot around this platform.
But I never said that!
It was... it's... it's just- it's a dream,
something I've always wanted.
Then this is your chance to make that dream come true!
I don't think it works like that, Neeku.
I believe in you.
You are going to change our lives...
for the better.
Me?
Change your life?
I can't keep my own life on track.
How could I possibly help you?
Because we have a common dream.
You want to be the best...
I mean, a pilot?
No, of course not,
but I do want to be on a team
with the best pilot in the galaxy,
because if you are the best,
then you will be one of the Aces,
and when you are one of the Aces
here on the Colossus,
that pilot, you,
and their team, which includes me,
gets to live in Doza Tower!
And that's a good thing?
Oh, yes,
a very good thing.
The food is better,
the hallways are cleaner...
You might not realize it,
but the rest of this platform
is largely a mess,
a disaster, even.
But with you,
all of that could change.
Nice job keeping a low profile.
I guess your strategy is to be so visible
that no one would even think you're a spy.
I'm sorry, Yeager.
I'll find a way out of this. Then I'll be gone.
You still have no clue where you are, do you?
You don't get out of anything, not here.
When you say it like that, it kind of reminds me of home.
Well, tomorrow you get to prove
what you're made of.
Who knows?
You might become a star around here,
or you might go out in a ball of fire.
- Who's in the lead? - That's Hype Fazon...
One of the best pilots on the platform.
Wow, he is fast.
Whoa.
And the winner yet again... Hype Fazon!
There's got to be a way to back out of the race
and not look like a total numnoid.
I told you... you don't quit a race on the Colossus.
You drop out, they'll drop you off the platform...
head-first.
There are big things
that live under the water, Kaz.
Big things that eat little things, like you.
Look, uh,
if I could just talk to whoever's in charge,
I could straighten this mess out.
Captain Doza's the boss, and he's not gonna
let you back out.
Trust me on that.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Hype Fazon!
Don't forget... We have a new challenger
for tomorrow's one-on-one sky race.
And there he is...
The self-proclaimed best pilot in the known galaxy!
There's that phrase again.
I never said "known galaxy"!
That's right, the known galaxy!
What's your name, challenger?
Kaz. Kaz.
Kaz? Kaz?
Well, Kaz-Kaz,
you get to choose your opponent.
You get to pick the racer.
You get to select the instrument
of your own fiery destruction!
Hype Fazon,
Griff Halloran,
Freya Fenris, Bo Keevil,
and the newest and youngest of our Aces,
Torra Doza!
Five. I'll pick five.
Torra Doza!
What? Was that bad?
Tell me that wasn't bad.
All right, Kaz's odds of winning now
are 387-to-1,
with the odds of him exploding
into tiny bits of debris, 2-to-1.
Drowning and getting eaten by fish?
Haven't thought of that one,
but run those numbers for me, will you, Glitch?
I mean, I don't even have a ship!
What am I supposed to do, flap my arms and fly?
We have a ship you can use.
You get the "Fireball."
"Fireball." That sounds fast.
Yeah, fast to explode.
It's called the "Fireball" because it has this habit
of bursting into flames.
Only when you accelerate
or shift or steer or land.
What? Even when you land?
Occasionally, yes, sometimes.
It's actually a good ship if we had time
to get it up and running.
We can make it ready. I know we can.
That's the "Fireball"?
That thing looks like an explosion with wings.
How many times has it blown up?
Only three times.
Four.
That thing's a disaster.
Disaster?
You've never flown
a better ship than this one, kid.
Kid?
Did... did she just call me "kid"?
This is Tam Ryvora, one of my mechanics.
Tam, meet our new employee, Kazuda Xiono.
Another mechanic?
We're barely scraping by as it is.
I'm loaning the "Fireball" to him
as a favor to someone.
You said if I get the ship back in the air,
I could have it.
It's not in the air yet, is it?
You know, I'm gonna take my break
before I say something I seriously regret.
Get out of my way.
Maybe it's not so bad. It looks sturdy enough.
She just needs a few bolts,
some laser cutting, a little paint,
touch up the gloss.
This is gonna take a lot of work.
Bucket!
Ah!
Back off, you box of bolts!
That's my co-pilot, Bucket.
Bought him when he was already 100 years old.
That old tech was built to last.
Right, Bucket?
The name fits him perfectly.
Oh...
All right.
What do I need to get this old rocket fired up?
Ten aux generator rings,
30 spools of tri-cable,
five frequency alternator servos,
static discharge coupling, four heat sinks...
Anything else?
Seven hypernodes,
three new power converters,
wiring for the flight computer.
Wow, that's a lot of parts.
Hey, everyone!
Oh, hello, Torra Doza.
We never see you down here.
I just wanted to stop by
and wish my competition good luck
on tomorrow's big race.
Luck?
I don't need luck.
I've been in plenty of races in my time.
Oh, whoa!
I'm sure you have.
Just be careful, and don't explode
when you hit the first marker.
Almost everyone does the first time.
- Good to know. - Don't worry.
I'm sure it'll all end quickly and painlessly...
one way or another.
Nobody's survived racing against me, but who knows?
Maybe you'll be the first to walk away.
Yeah.
Thanks?
Bye!
Hate to be in your boots right now, kid.
Torra's the daughter of Captain Doza,
who runs this whole place.
That makes your chances of winning, slim as they are,
nearly impossible.
But... that means you think
I still have a chance, right?
A slim chance.
Don't be a hotshot.
You don't need to win.
You just need to survive.
Poe sent you here on a mission,
and right now part of that mission is not to die.
I-I think not dying's
a very important part of the mission... always.
You three go down to acquisitions,
get this list to Flix and Orka.
This way, Kaz.
Orka and Flix will have everything we need.
Hello, Flix. Hello, Orka.
Heya, Neeku. What can we do for you?
We are here to obtain parts for one of Yeager's ships.
Uh, it's not the "Fireball," is it?
Yes, yes, it is.
The "Fireball"!
Neeku,
you are one funny son of a sleemo.
Oh, he's being serious.
Well, that's completely unfortunate.
Goodness, yes. It is the "Fireball."
This is quite a voluminous list of parts.
Everyone...
step back.
Yep. All right, one of these...
Yep!
Static discharge coupling.
Four heat sinks.
Seven hypernodes,
three new power converters...
Five frequency alternator servos...
So I guess Yeager's paying for all this stuff, right?
Do you have his credit disk?
Yeager's credit disk?
Of course not.
You are the pilot.
You will have to pay for these parts.
What? Me, pay?
But I lo... I lost all my money! I don't have any more credits.
What, you can't pay?
Ah, no credits, no merchandise...
No exceptions.
Please, you have to help me out.
If I don't fly tomorrow, they'll drop me
off the platform... head-first.
Well, maybe I'll wager 100 credits
that a sharvo fish eats you whole.
200.
Orka, you and I have been friends
for a long time.
Please, help us.
Look, we can, um...
we can give you some secondhand parts,
I suppose, you know,
but they're, uh... They're not worth much,
but, uh, just go grab us some lunch, okay?
How about a nice, fat, juicy gorg, you know?
And... and then we'll call it even, okay, pal?
Thank you, friend Orka, thank you.
One gorg, coming right up.
I hope.
Sponsored by Flix and Orka's...
Hype Fazon's acquisition of choice.
Uh, Neeku, what exactly is a gorg, anyway?
Oh, they are tiny creatures
that are considered delicacies on many planets.
I personally have developed quite a taste for them.
Think of them as the womp rats of the sea.
Um, excuse me.
Sir?
Mm?
You!
Best pilot in the galaxy!
Me? Huh?
What? No!
I just got here.
No, he is right, Kaz.
It's the guy you threw darts at, remember?
I knew it!
Wait, wait, don't squish me.
I'm here to make you a deal.
When Hype isn't competing,
he likes to race over to Aunt Z's tavern.
You like to make money, right?
Everyone here does.
How about you give me a gorg now,
and I'll put your logo on my racer?
That way, if I win,
you win, because your business will be booming!
Hmm...
All right.
Deal.
You know, you ever have a problem
because these things are just so cute?
Who wants to eat them?
I mean, look at this ador...
Gah!
Little snapper.
I'll take this one.
Oh, Flix! Orka!
Here you go.
Lunch is... served?
Wait, you already have food?
What? You took forever.
I mean, we'll take that gorg anyways, though.
And we already wrapped up your parts.
Okay, you'll need these, and you'll need this,
and, uh, you probably need a crate of these.
You know, you'll definitely need some of this.
- Ah! - And this, uh...
I don't even know what this one does.
You know what this does?
Thanks.
Appreciate it.
Ugh!
Uh, what's with the parts?
You're gonna fix my ship with this junk?
We're gonna have to reinforce all of these stabilizers
before we can even get started.
Well, I...
This is an absolute mess.
Do you know what it took to get this stuff?
Ugh, even when I do something right,
I do it wrong.
I thought I could handle anything.
Things just keep getting worse and worse.
My dad always did everything for me.
He thought he was giving me the life I wanted,
but it was what he wanted for himself.
He never asked me what I wanted.
Never gave me a choice.
But tomorrow it's all me.
And I'm gonna win, no matter what it takes.
I'll be right here
on the other end of this comm.
And let me give you a piece of advice.
Even though you have to race, you don't have to win.
You have a mission here for Poe... remember that.
Thanks, Yeager, but I think I got this.
All right!
Time to start the big race!
Whew. Okay, all right.
You know what you're doing, Kaz.
All right, you ready for this?
Ready as I'll ever be.
Okay, here's what's going to happen.
You'll see a series of metal rings.
Fly through them as fast as you can.
The winner is whoever makes it through the final hoop first.
Ready to launch.
In five...
Four...
three...
two, one...
go!
Hit the jets! Hit the jets!
Okay, you're coming up on the first ring.
Get ready.
Yes! Not bad, right?
Just got to push it faster.
- Be careful.
Torra won't hesitate to take you out.
I think I can catch her. I can do this!
You're doing great, Kazuda.
Don't do anything stupid, Kaz.
Remember what I told you.
Survive.
She's good, but I'm better.
Stay with her. She's gaining air.
He might actually win.
Come on...
He's got her!
Go, Kaz!
Don't do it.
Kaz, if you push it any harder,
the "Fireball" is gonna live up to its name.
I know what I'm doing!
You have a choice, Kaz.
You can push the engine and die or live to start your mission.
- He backed off. - Look.
Yeager, you were right.
I didn't back off soon enough! I'm going down!
Steady it, Kaz. Steady it.
Ah!
Whoa!
Ugh, what...
What?
- What happened? - You survived.
With barely a scratch.
You truly are an amazing pilot, Kazuda Xiono.
I... I've won?
No, you definitely didn't.
You lost, but you lost well.
I'm so glad you didn't explode, Kaz.
I think it's time we talked.
Before you say anything,
I just want to thank you.
Without your help, I would've gotten thrown over the side.
Head-first.
It's a tough place.
I'm not sure I'm cut out for it.
I'm not sure either,
but Poe thinks you are.
Look, Poe and I go way back,
I trust his judgment, and as a favor to him,
I'll give you a place to stay.
You can work as a mechanic on my team,
earn your keep like everyone else,
but when it comes to your mission as a spy,
I don't want anything to do with it.
Understood.
Looks like I got my work cut out for me.
If the First Order is here,
we'll all have to make some difficult choices
in the future.
Transmit clearance code.
Transmitting now.
Code approved.
Welcome home, Vonreg.
Acknowledged, Starkiller Base.
Inform Captain Phasma I have returned.