Kanan sat in a chair, enjoying the cool night air. The house Hera had acquired was remote and large. Even a small hanger for the Ghost to park in, one that Rex assured them was properly shielded from any unwanted scans. Even though they had liberated Lothal, it had come at a horrible price. Then, shortly after Lothal was the battle of Scarif, which resulted in more losses for the rebellion. He wondered if they were doing any good.
He felt Rex sit down across from him, a brief disturbance in the force. Focusing inwards, he "saw" Rex as he appeared in the Force, and could read concern in the old clones posture. "Just got back from Alderaan. Or rather where it used to be. Gone. Just debris," Rex said quietly.
"Have you told Hera yet?" Kanan inquired.
"Yeah, she got that look on her face."
Kanan nodded briefly. His mind pulled up the images of Hera's face. A faint twinge resonated through his chest as memories flowed through his mind. Shaking his head, he reached for a drink and passed it to Rex. Quietly the two friends sat, sipping their drinks. Kanan felt Hera's anxious step as she walked out on the porch. He felt her hesitate, felt her settle in his lap, her arms around his neck. He didn't talk, he just held her. She knew he was keeping something, yet he couldn't tell her yet. He couldn't tell her of the force visions he had been having. Strange ships attacking strange planets, strange aliens, strange weapons, and one very familiar Grand Admiral. As Rex departed with a mumble good night, Kanan sat and held Hera close, as if he never would again.
Thrawn was studying yet another transmission from Vanto, this one of strange ships attacking various outpost. The ships could not be identified by either the Chiss ascendency or the Empires database. His door chimed indicating Captain Faro had arrived. He left the vid from Vanto running on a loop and admitted the Captain.
"Sir, two hours to Lothal orbit. But, I scanned our orders, we were ordered to proceed to the shipyards at Corellia, Sir." He watched as her eyes darted between his face and the projection.
"Do you know why I allied myself with the Empire, years ago? There are threats in Wild Space and beyond that make the Clone Wars and this Rebellion appear as nothing. I used my skills and connections to the Empire to help eliminate as many threats as possible, train as many of those under me as I could, to deal with these threats. I requested the Emperor not invest heavily in a battle station that could not be only in one place at once, but in a heavily armed and mobile fleet. We had agreed to stand as one against all threats, internal and external."
Pausing, Thrawn adjusted the holoprojector. "Tell me Captain, what do you make of this recording?" Captain Faro studied the recording for two loops, interacting with it at various points to change the angle, enlarge a ship, or change the speed.
"Fast, organized, deadly. Those ships they are destroying are older tech, but still, they knocked them out pretty quick. Is an invasion starting?"
"Thrawn smiled a little, her analytical skills improved daily. "Only a few minor skirmishes far from the outer rim. We estimate nearly 4-5 years for them to penetrate even to the outer rim. Of course, if they were dealt some losses, it could slow them substantially. There are too many variable.."
"Grand Admiral Thrawn, Captain Faro, emergency transmission from Yavin!" squawked the communicator.
Thrawn pressed the button and was rewarded with the image of a large scale space battle underway, ending with the spectacular destruction of the Death Star. Closing the video he looked at Captain Faro. "The variables have changed. The Empire will fall in less that 2 years, 3 at the most," he intoned. Captain Faro nodded.
"Which is why we are going to Lothal, you are looking for assistance to go with us to Wild Space."
Thrawn nodded, turning slightly, his hands behind his back. "We can be in Wild Space and out of the reach of the Empire before they know. The problem is with any on board who might find grievance with what we are doing."
"Sir, what exactly are we doing?" Faro asked.
"Attempting to save the universe." Thrawn replied. Faro nodded, turning to walk out. Pausing she turned back, her shoulders squared, her head held high. "At your command, Grand Admiral." Clicking her heels together she turned and walked out, a spring to her step, slight excitement radiating off her. As she left, Thrawn pulled up the two videos, the Death Star and the incursions. His red eyes radiated anger at the pointless waste of life, technology, and time.
Kanan was startled awake by Choppers excited chirping. He felt Hera come awake beside him, as Chopper began projecting a video feed. He heard Hera gasp, and begin to sob gently.
"They did it Kanan, they destroyed the death star. The young Jedi Luke blew it up." He felt her arms around him as she hugged him tight. He returned her hug, and kissed her gently on the cheek. Smiling he said, "Go, I know you want to communicate with them as soon as possible." She returned the kiss, then she leapt out of bed, pulling on clothes and shouting commands to Chopper.
Kanan moved a little slower, not out of blindness, but because he felt the shift in the Force. He knew what was about to happen, and he knew what was going to be required of him. He moved out into the hall, nearly running into Zeb, knowing what he was about to say before he said it. He raised his hand, stalling Zeb in confusion. He adjusted his face shield and placed both hands on Zebs shoulders. "Zeb, tell Hera and Rex we are about to have company, and we need to trust them." Zeb, looking baffled nodded anyway, and ran off to where Hera and Rex were deep in communications with Rebel command.
Turning he walked to the door, opening it without hesitation. He sensed a brief moment of dry humor, followed by the voice he never wanted to hear again, but knew he would.
"Master Jedi, might I have a moment of your time?"
Kanan bowed his head briefly. "Of course, Grand Admiral."