I think the most important thing is establishing D-O has the poop on Exegol. And something that has enough of a kick to be a compelling transition to Ach-To.
First of all, I started cracking up at this; thank you, Hal. (I also started cracking up at your summary of the novelization. God, what a mess.) Secondly, why does it matter that D-O has information on Exegol? They get the navigation coordinates by tracking Rey; it can be implied that she also transmits data on the atmospheric conditions of the planet once she gets there. Honestly, that was my impression the first time I watched the film anyway.
Just to be clear on the current trajectory of Ascendant: the film will be structured around the idea that Palpy has always wanted Rey dead? So we cut out Finn’s and Sheev’s lines about “He’s/I’ve always wanted her alive.” Does Palpy ever offer any explanation why he would change his mind for the finale though? How is that going to play out?