The Galactic Republic had fallen into chaos with the onset of the Clone Wars. From the time that Order 66 was issued, many Jedi were eradicated at the hands of Prophecy, while many others went into hiding. Only a glimmer of a New Hope remains, but destiny waits for no one. Out of the Empire a fledgling rebellion has begun, and an upheaval is about to take place the likes of which has not been seen since the Jedi/Sith War of so long ago. Now a former Padawan and his Master defy all the odds to see freedom restored to the Galaxy.
"We barely escaped this time Master. We cannot keep evading the Empire for long."
"Trust in the Force, Andros. It will guide us. Every day the Rebellion grows stronger, and soon it will challenge the Empire and the Jedi shall once again become the Guardians we once were."
For Jedi Master Jase Togar and his apprentice Andros Garfull, the fight must never end. Only a secret mission to the Outer Rim kept them alive in the aftermath of the Jedi Purge. Sadly, the order was decimated before Andros could be confirmed as a Knight, after having passed his trials. For fourteen years they have traveled the Galaxy, acting as smugglers, or as refugees. They took on whatever identities they could to avoid detection by the Emperor and his enforcer, Darth Vader. But a chance encounter with a Rebel Crew out of Lothal would reveal that they weren't the only Jedi left.
"Kanan, I'm detecting a small freighter off our port bow. Read-outs suggest they've sustained heavy damage, and life-support is almost gone."
"Can you hail them; Hera?"
"No, their communications arrays have also sustained heavy damage."
"Then there's no other way. Tell Ezra and Ahsoka to meet me in my quarters. Three Jedi will stand a better chance than one at detecting possible hostiles."
"Ezra isn't ready, you know this. If he taps into the Force, it could…,"
"Lead the Sith right to us. This is risky, I know. But we have no other choice. We've become one with the larger force that is the Rebellion; it is our duty to help these people if they aren't enemies."
Within five minutes, Kanan, Ezra and Ahsoka were joined together in the Force. Through their connection they encountered a presence none of them could expect. Ezra wasn't sure what to make of the feelings he was getting, but for Ahsoka and Kanan, they knew the other two meant them no harm. Through the Force only Kanan spoke, he wasn't yet ready to reveal his Padawan or the presence of Ahsoka, even though the survivors on the other vessel surely knew of them.
"Master Togar, Andros? You survived your mission?"
"We did, your presence feels familiar, but your identity is shrouded in shadow. I warn you, if this is a Sith plot, I will not hesitate to defend my ship. Identify yourself."
"Master, I met you in the Temple when I was apprenticed to Master Depa Billaba. My name is…,"
"Kanan? Kanan Jarrus, I remember you. You were just beginning your apprenticeship when I was conferred the level of Jedi Knight. Knowing you survived the Purge is…,"
The name of the other Jedi is instantly familiar to Andros as well. As with Master Togar, Kanan was granted the level of Jedi Knight the day Andros became a Padawan.
"Master Togar, what assistance can I provide you and Andros? We stand ready to assist you."
"Our ship has sustained heavy damage. We barely escaped. Only by launching our spare parts did our enemy believe we had been destroyed."
"Then they need to keep believing it. Do you have a shuttle?"
"If it hasn't been damaged as well, yes."
"Stand by; I'll open our docking bay doors."
Kanan cuts his connection with the Jedi Master, and speaks briefly to Ahsoka and Ezra. Ahsoka remembers Jase, he and Obi-Wan had been as close to friends as the Order would allow, both of them took on apprentices at the same time. She was introduced to Jase and Andros through Anakin, who had developed a rivalry with the other Padawan.
"Kanan, are you sure you can trust them? How do we know that this Togar isn't another Inquisitor?"
"Because I know his Force signature; Ezra. As you progress in your training, you'll learn to distinguish friend from foe as well."
"And I can vouch for them as well. I met Master Togar several years ago when I was on a mission with Master Kenobi. Having a Jedi Master with us will help with your training, Ezra."
With the discussion finished Kanan again contacts Hera, this time letting her know what they've discovered.
"Hera, open the docking bay doors. We need to prepare for the arrival of two very important guests."
"Who are they Kanan? Are you absolutely sure you can trust them?"
"They're Jedi, Hera. A Master and Knight. I know them from years past. Ahsoka does as well."
When the doors open, a small shuttle makes its way inside the Ghost. Three of the crew members await their guests as the ship completes docking. When the hatch opens, the two Jedi emerge looking very ragged and worn from battle. But the first of the crew members to greet them is a sight for very sore eyes.
"Master Togar, Andros Garfull, welcome to the Ghost."
"It has been far too long Kanan. You seem to be doing well for yourself."
I am Master; the Rebel Alliance has done very well for us. Andros, I haven't seen you since our days sparring."
"I know, and I am glad to know other Jedi survived the Purge."
As Jase and Andros take in their surroundings, another member of the crew steps forward and her presence is a complete shock to both of them.
"Ahsoka Tano?! You have…you have grown up. The last time I saw you was the day you left the Order. Knowing that you are alive brings warm feelings to my heart."
"And to mine for your safety as well. Masters Kenobi and Skywalker always spoke very highly of you."
"Anakin, yes. It is a shame that the Chosen One was eliminated by the Sith, though he is now one with the Force."
A fleeting look of sadness enters Ahsoka's eyes. She knows the truth of what happened to her former Master after the escape from Lothal. If Jase and Andros noticed, they didn't say anything. Instead, Hera comes forward and introduces herself.
"Welcome aboard the Ghost. My name is Hera; I'm the Captain of this vessel. Master Togar, I have already begun preparations for quarters for you and your Padawan. But we have more pressing matters to attend to."
"And those would be what, Captain," Andros asks.
"The matter of your ship. A small Corellian freighter with the damage you've sustained would be easily recognizable to anyone looking for her."
"You're quite right. Even if our enemies think our ship was destroyed, someone will spot her eventually. They may think we're dead, and Kanan said it best. They need to keep thinking that. You have weapons?"
"Master; no, what if we need a means of quick escape?"
"Our ship won't be able to provide that Andros, and you know it. Captain, if you don't mind a little extra company for a few days, you have my permission to destroy our vessel."
Andros still isn't sure about this move by his Master. He does believe there is a way to repair their ship, and he's hesitant to part with the very vessel where he learned to be a pilot.
"Come, you must need some rest from your journey. And I'd very much like to know who attacked you."
"All in good time, Kanan. Do you have somewhere we could eat?"
Hera leads Kanan and their guests towards the bridge where they watch the damaged ship go up in flames. While Jase will also miss his ship, he knows its destruction was for the best. With that unpleasant task complete, the quartet makes their way to the small galley, where the Jedi Master senses another Force user.
"You have begun training a new Jedi, Kanan?"
"I saved his life from the Empire after he stole some of their cargo from them, and me. He was…"
"Strong in the Force. I can feel it."
As they walk in Ezra looks to the entry point, also having felt the presence of the Jedi with Kanan. When he catches sight of the two men, he can instantly tell they have been to war. Some of the battles, he can feel that they barely escaped from.
"Ezra, come here and greet our guests. Master Togar is most anxious to meet you."
"Ah-ah-ah, remember your training Kanan. A Jedi is never anxious. He is at one with the Force at all times."
Ezra hides a laugh behind his hand, even with the brief amount of training Kanan has given him, to hear his Master admonished for such a simple tenet of the Jedi code intrigues him.
"And you would do well not to laugh Ezra Bridger. You have much to learn before you attempt to face another Inquisitor, or Sith Lord."
"How did you…,"
"This is not the time to question Master Togar, Ezra. These are the lessons I have been trying to impart on you. The Force enables us to see into the thoughts of others, but it must always be used to help, and not hurt. Taking control of the mind of another is a path to the Dark Side."
"You have remembered your lessons, Kanan. Master Billaba trained you well. I should expect nothing less from the Master trained by Master Windu."
"Of course, but as you requested, there will be time to reminisce later. For now you must eat, and regain your strength."
For an hour Jase and Andros eat while meditating on the Force. They can both feel the questions burning in the minds of their hosts, but the time for answers will come soon enough. When they finish, Kanan leads the others towards the meeting room on the Ghost. This is where Jase finally begins telling his tale.
"We were just passing Hoth when the attack came suddenly, and unexpectedly. We attempted to communicate both our intentions and our assumed identities. But the Empire did not believe us. Somehow, I think there was a Sith Lord with them. I felt a presence through the Force warning me of danger."
"There was no doubt it could have been a Sith, Master. As you mentioned, Ezra and I encountered one just recently."
"While Jedi do not believe in luck, you should consider yourselves very lucky to have escaped with your lives. And I am indeed aware of the irony in my statement young one."
Ezra was about to speak regarding the use of the term luck as it pertains to the Jedi, but again Master Togar surprised him, knowing what he was going to say before he said it.
"So what will we do next? There is a Sith out there, and he knows of our presence. Having five Jedi on the same vessel will lead him directly to us."
"Of course you are right, Kanan. As I said before Andros and I will only be with you for a few days. We are on a journey. Before we were attacked I had laid in the coordinates for our next destination."
"And where was that, Master Togar?"
"Tatooine. We're going to Tatooine."
The destination was a shock to the crew of the Ghost. Tatooine has never been part of the former Republic, and it is widely known that the Hutts have a strong presence there, second probably only to Nal Hutta. The only saving grace is that the Empire has a limited presence on the planet in Bestine. And if Jase and Andros can avoid detection, they stand a fighting chance of completing whatever mission they're on.
"If you are serious about going to Tatooine, we will take you. But we can't stay there."
"I wouldn't expect you too, Kanan. The Rebellion needs strong commanders like you and Hera."
