Kanan paced back and forth inside the cave. Hera and the Ghost was long overdue to pick himself and Rex up from Naboo. For hours now he had been sensing a disturbance in the force, one that had caused him to nearly abort his mission. She had taken the crew for a quick run to Corellia for supplies and was supposed to be back over 12 hours ago. He couldn't reach them through the comm, nor could he sense them in the Force.
"Still nothing Gener, err Kanan." Kanan started with a jerk then relaxed. He must remain patient, not let his emotions show. Turning slowly he faced Rex, who wore a concerned expression on his face. "Thanks Rex. We might need to try and secure alternative means off Naboo." Rex nodded, careful not to mention anything about what he saw or thought about Kanans emotional state. "I knew Senator Padme during the Clone Wars. Her family is still around and has some clout. Maybe they could help us get off this planet." Kanan nodded briefly. "Better than sitting here worrying about them." Turning he gathered his backpack and followed Rex out into the Naboo night. He was troubled and disappointed in how the mission had played out. Drawn to Naboo by the Force, a sense of desperation and nightmarish evil had surrounded his vision. Rex had volunteered to come help, and with his connections it had been easy to land unannounced and traverse without worrying about imperial problems. As much as he hated to admit it, the old clone knew what he was doing. Turning to look one last time over the tranquil lake, he shouldered his pack and moved on towards the city. His vision would have to wait.
12 hours ago, between Corellia and Naboo
"Hera, stop the ship, I sense a gravity well!" Hera reached for the controls to bring the Ghost out of Hyperspace, even seconds could result in millions of miles. As her hand reached the lever, the Ghost shuddered and spun madly as it was ripped out of hyperspace by an imperial Interdictor. Ezra looked up beside her, his faced in a tight grimace. Sabine burst into the cockpit with a look of awe and fear on her face. "It's beautiful" she whispered under her breath. Hera slammed the yoke forward and engaged the engines again, trying desperately to break free. "Sabine, fire a torpedo in front of us, now!" Hera commanded. "Sabine hopped into the co-pilots seat as Ezra raced for the gun controls. Patiently Sabine watched the display, launching the torpedo when the gravity field overlapped the launch tube. With a distinct *whump* the torpedo left the tube, and accelerated madly towards the gravity well. A brief explosion indicated the gravity well had been destroyed, and Hera angled the Ghost away. Engaging hyperspace, the stars began to stretch, when they abruptly slowed down as two more Interdictors moved into range. "Everybody, arm yourselves!" Hera yelled over the intercom. Sabine merely lowered her helmet, always armed she was ready. Zeb entered the cockpit, his favorite weapon on his back.
Hera powered down the Ghost, allowing it to be taken inside. "Once we land, we will hold the bay. Sabine and Ezra, take out that generator." They both nodded in agreement and moved to the back of the ship.
Once inside the hull, they opened the bay door and charged out, blasters blazing. Ezra firing his modified lightsaber and Sabine firing both blasters at the same time. Stormtroopers began to file into the hanger, and Ezra popped his lightsaber out, deflecting bolts as Sabine picked them off. Zeb and Hera joined in, and in moments the first squad of troopers was down. Without pausing, Ezra grabbed Sabine around the waist and Force leapt to the upper level. In seconds Sabine had spliced the door open and they charged down the hallway. Hera climbed into the Ghost, and ascended to the top gun, ready to fire. Zeb knelt behind some canisters, blaster rifle to his shoulder, eyes darting everywhere. A side door opened, and out walked two inquisitors. With scant hesitation, Hera and Zeb opened fire on their location, only to be met with a barrage of returned blast. Taking cover Zeb ducked as his own blast peppered the area he was hiding in. Raising his head slowly, he found himself staring at the belly of the 5th brother. A lightning quick blow from the inquisitor felled Zeb. The brother looked over to the Ghost, and saw the sister lugging Hera out of the Ghost. Together they smiled and dragged the two unconscious rebels towards the detention center.
Ezra and Sabine raced forward through the corridors, acting in perfect unison. Ezra blocking bolts, Sabine returning fire with deadly accuracy. Upon reaching the control room, they turned the corner and skidded to a halt. A tall figure in black robes stood in front of them, silently. Two red lightsabers extended slowly from the arms of the robes. Ezra paused. Every inquisitor had pretty much the same setup. This was different. But irrelevant. Nodding at Sabine, he blurred forward as Sabine opened up with a blindingly fast attack. Shooting at the head, feet, and arms, she tried to make the figure open up their stance or become off balanced. Moving just enough to dodge the blast, the figure waited patiently. Ezra approached in a blur, lightsaber moving down. With scarcely any energy expended, the dark figure twisted its wrist and deflected Ezra's attack. A flick of the figures arm sent Ezra hurling back into Sabine. As they passed into unconsciousness, Ezra glimpsed just a small outline of a Mirialan face.
Ezra awoke to the bouncing sensation of a ship docking. Opening his eyes he saw Sabine and Zeb unconscious on the floor beside him. Hands cuffed together, he closed his eyes and began to draw on the Force to unlock the cuffs. A suffocating constriction around his throat broke his concentration and forced him to begin gasping for air. "None of that now, young Padawan," whispered a voice he never before had heard. "Who are you?" A pause followed Ezra's question, and he began to think he wouldn't get an answer. Finally, a cracked whisper emanated from the cowl. "One who lost too much, and made hard decisions. One like Ahsoka who was betrayed by those she fought for."
"You are nothing like Ahsoka" Ezra raged. "Perhaps. Perhaps not. Regardless, I have a job to do, one that many have failed to do." The figure stood slowly, turning around. Effortlessly it raised its hands and Ezra, Sabine and Zeb floated off the ground. Motioning, the dark figure left the shuttle, with the three rebels floating close behind. "Welcome to Moraband." Confusion entered Ezra, along with chills from the dark side. Moraband? Where was that? What was that? Where was Hera?
Coruscant
Hera ached in pain. The 7th sister floated Hera along behind herself. "Where am I?" Pausing the sister turned. "Oh, you are awake. Just as well, you are about to meet a very important person." Hera began to feel fear in her belly, followed by a sense of wrongness. Two doors slid open, and before she saw anything, she heard it. Mechanical breathing. The Sith Lord.
"What is this, Inquisitor?" Hera struggled to contain her fear. Vader. Instantly the Sister went to one knee. "My Lord, here is the rebel pilot responsible for the destruction of several destroyers, the one always seen with Kanan Jarrus." Silence stretched on. "Where is the rest of the crew? Where is the Jedi and the Padawan?"
"My Lord, they are with your operative." Silence lingered. "My, operative?" At that statement, stretched out like it was, the Sister raised her head. "Ye…yes my Lord. She, she said she was from you, and we were to help her with your plan." A gasping noise emanated from the Sisters throat, as Hera tumbled to the deck. Watching in horror she viewed the Sister floating off the command deck, struggling in air. "Do I ever send word to you by any means other than myself?" Frantically, the Sister shook her head. "Who was this person, and where are they now!" Released, the Sister hit the deck. "Moraband" she rasped out. Suddenly, the Sister rose again, and was thrown through the door. "Leave" commanded Vader.
Hera looked around, but Vader was paying her no attention. Slowly she stood, and began to back out the door. With a whisp, the doors closed behind her. "This may not have been my plan, but I will find out the location of Jarrus from you. You will accompany me to Moraband where we will retrieve the rest of your crew from this imposter. At which point, somebody will give up the location of Jarrus and Tano. But you, I will leave you alive until Jarrus comes, at which point he will watch you be torn apart."
"I'll die before I give up anything to you." Hera said, standing up bravely. "Perhaps. But is your affection for Jarrus stronger than your affection for your entire crew? Are they as strong as you? Perhaps the Mandalorian or the Padawan will feel differently once they witness the other dying, suffering, being torn apart by the Force!" As Vader marched past, he reached out and grabbed her physically by her Lekku, dragging her down the hall. Please Kanan, stay away, she whispered in her head.