02) Commanders of the lost era
The day after the rebel's command ship was destroyed Dante and Ahsoka were dueling in their own personal training room. Dante unsheathed the longsword from his back and lunged at Ahsoka in which she parried with her lightsabers. They clashed continuously.
"You're distracted. It's not my dashing looks now is it?" Dante asked with a smirk.
"I'm fine" she replied sternly, continuing with a range of swipes and kicks.
"Doesn't look it"
Ahsoka didn't respond, instead she frowned, and Dante knew what the problem was.
"You're thinking about Anakin, aren't you?" He asked, sheathing his blade as Ahsoka did the same.
"It's my fault" she said. "If I stayed I-"
"Would've been killed" Dante quickly interrupted. "Ahsoka it's not your fault. neither of us knew this would happen. Plus, we aren't all powerful"
"I know..." Ahsoka said with a sigh. "so says the "Almighty Demon""
Dante chuckled. "You got me. So… Should we tell Keanu?"
"Tell him what?" Ahsoka asked. "That Anakin Skywalker, the man we grew up with, is now the Sith lord hunting us?"
"Good point..." Dante said. "I'll find a way to get him back, even if I have to kick his ass back to the Clone war."
Ahsoka giggled before they both hugged each other. "I know you will…"
Later, in a Rebel shuttle, the Ghost crew were in the command center long with a hologram of Commander Sato. They looked to the opening doors, revealing Kanan and Ezra.
"With the destruction of our command ship it'll more difficult to fight the Empire in this sector" Sato said briefly.
"So maybe we don't fight … Commander Sato… sir?" Ezra spoke up, with an awkward salute. "When things got tough for me on Lothal, I'd try to find a place to hide"
"You are never shy about your opinions Ezra Bridger, but establishing a base is a good idea"
"Problem is, the potential bases we know of don't have the technical advantage and we need to protect what's left of our fleet" Hera said. Kanan then approached the holotable.
"Or the nearby systems are suffering from imperial impression" the Jedi stated but it acted as more of a suggestion.
"We can't help others if we can't help ourselves Kanan" Hera expressed. "If only we had more allies"
"I know someone… who might be able help us" Ahsoka said. "a great military Commander, with a vast knowledge of the outer rim, he could assist us in finding a base, and his experienced leadership could make him a powerful ally"
All the rebels looked confused amongst themselves. Dante pondered but realized who she was talking about
"And how do we recruit this leader?" Sato asked curiously.
"That's the problem" Ahsoka said "Dante and I lost track of him a long time ago, all of our transmissions have gone unanswered "
"We can find him" Ezra said "lets us try"
"Well there is one option I haven't attempted" Ahsoka said
"But do you know we can trust him" Hera asked
"We trusted him with our lives many times. I still do" Dante replied.
Later in the ghost, the crew along with Keanu were waiting in the cockpit before Dante and Ahsoka entered, accompanied by a droid head.
"Is that… the head of an old tactical droid?" Kanan asked stunned, as Ahsoka handed the droid head to Sabine.
"These droids were great at finding things" Ahsoka said. "And at calculating. Found us and our masters a few times when we didn't want to be found"
"Oh, how I miss scrapping them" Dante said smiling.
"How in all the galaxy is that droid gonna find your friend" Ezra asked followed by a grumble from chopper.
"Well I heard he was last seen in the Selios system" Ahsoka said. "you can start there."
"You two aren't coming with us?" Ezra asked, stopping the two in their tracks.
"We have something else to attend to Kid" Dante said, crossing his arms.
"The Sith Lord" Kanan said gravely.
"There are questions that need answering" Ahsoka said.
"In the meantime, Keanu will tag along" Dante said, as Keanu kicked his feet up.
"I wish we could go with you and help" Ezra said
"We know Ezra " Dante said to the younger Jedi. "but you have your mission and we have ours"
"Kanan" Ahsoka said, grabbing the Jedi's attention. "If you find our friend, you must trust him"
"If he's all the things you say I can't afford not to" Kanan said.
"TRUST him" Ahsoka said sternly as the hatch closed in front of the commanding officers.
Ezra then turned to Keanu and Kanan. "what was that about?" He asked with a nervous chuckle.
"I have no idea" they both replied.
"I've never seen her act like that before. Guessing its serious. " Keanu said as Hera detached the ghost from the rebel shuttle and took off into hyperspace.
Later, the Ghost arrived at the Seilos system but there was one problem...the hyperdrive was broken.
"WE JUST ARRIVE IN THE SELIOS SYSTEM AND NOW YOU TELL ME THE HYPERDRIVE WASN'T COMPLETELY FIXED!" Hera exclaimed at Chopper who was wailing like a maniac, attempting to fix it.
"You handle the important jobs?! How would you defy important?!" Hera asked.
"What's the problem?" Kanan groaned, entering the cockpit.
"Chopper and I are staying here!" Hera said. "To clean up his mess! Take the phantom and hopefully we'll be ready by the time you get back".
With that said, Kanan returned to the rest of the crew who were already in the Phantom. They quickly undocked and headed towards Selios. As the entered the atmosphere, Sabine sat next to Keanu, who was meditating.
"So, do you know who this military commander is?" The Mandalorion asked, breaking his concentration.
"Just as clueless as you guys" He replied. "But if what they said about him is true, he could definitely be helpful"
The phantom had been flying around for what seemed like hours and in that time, Sabine managed to get the droid head working.
"Alright let's fire this thing up" She said, placing the head in front of Kanan… but nothing happened.
"I think it's scanning for a signal of some kind" Sabine suggested, retrieving a groan from Ezra.
"Well can it hurry up; we could get lost out here" Ezra said.
"Dude, be patient. It is searching like the entire planet. Its gonna be difficult." Keanu said calmly.
"Maybe that was the idea" Zeb said. "What if this great commander doesn't want to be found?"
But Just then, the droid's head activated. "7567" the droid said repeatedly.
"It's homing in on something" Sabine said as the droid started steering the phantom towards a certain direction. A few moments later they spotted something.
"There! Up ahead" Zeb informed, pointing to a faraway object. As the ship got closer it revealed to be a rundown walker, only it wasn't imperial and looked like a walking house.
"Now that… is a work of art" Sabine said in awe.
"It looks like an old republic tank" Kanan said. "Used during the clone war…"
The walker then stopped in its tracks as the Phantom landed behind it.
"Be on your guard, I have a bad feeling about this…" Kanan warned as the group approached the ancient vehicle. The back door to the tank opened and three old men walked out. They looked almost identical.
"It's just a bunch of old geezers" Zeb said.
"Well armed old geezers" Sabine corrected.
"What do you want?" the man in the middle asked, leaning on the railing above the ladder.
"We're looking for someone" Kanan replied, stepping forward.
"Well that's too bad" the same man said. "Because there's nobody out here"
"Hey, does the number 7567 mean anything to you guys?" Ezra interrupted.
"What did you just say?!" The man questioned, whilst the other to his left loaded his rifle.
"Uh I said 7567" Ezra answered nervously.
"I haven't used those digits since...well that's my birth number!" The man said.
"Birth number?" Ezra asked
"They're clones!" Kanan exclaimed, igniting his saber and stepping in front of the group.
"Jedi!" The man to the right said. "They've come for revenge!"
The clone aimed his rifle and started firing at Kanan but the Jedi deflected the bolts.
"Drop the blaster old man!" Zeb demanded, as he and Sabine raised their blasters. The man in the middle grabbed the barrel of the rifle and pushed it aside.
"Stand down troopers, now! That's an order, soldier!" The clone in the middle said.
"But he's a Jedi! A Jedi!" The clone to the right said.
"I know, I know! But they weren't the ones who betrayed us" the lead clone said. "Remember Wolffe, remember".
"Kanan my mother said to trust them" Keanu said stepping in front of the Jedi.
"Sorry about the… weapons malfunction. My friend here is just… a little defensive" the lead clone said "we haven't seen a Jedi since…well it's been a while"
"I could tell" Keanu said whilst Ezra approached.
"Well my name is Ezra" he said before introducing the rest. "This is Kanan, Zeb, Sabine and that's Keanu"
"Keanu?!" The lead clone asked before Keanu stepped forward. "Yeah? You know me?" The hybrid asked.
The lead clone leapt off the balcony of the tank and walked up to Keanu, closely observing him.
"It's been so long and now Look at you, all grown up" the clone said. "You have your mother's eyes and your father's looks. How didn't I see it?"
"You know my parents?" He asked.
"I do"
"Well its nice to meet you… 7567" Ezra said.
"Actually, the Name's Rex" the clone said. "Captain of the 501st Clone Battalion. Meet Commanders Gregor and Wolffe. I fought with your parent from the battle of Christophsis to the siege of Mandalore. A friend of hers, is a friend of mine. "
After their meeting, The Clones invited the Rebels into the Republic tank.
"Eh you're a big one, aren't you?" Gregor said to Zeb
"Bigger than you!" Zeb replied, towering over him. Ezra and Keanu looked around before discovering three old clone trooper helmets. Ezra picked one up.
"Easy with those son" Rex said.
"Oh yeah I might break the dust" Ezra said sarcastically as Keanu turned to Rex.
"I can't believe I'm actually meeting you! My parents always told me stories about how you all fought together. I even studied your blaster training sessions." Keanu said with awe. Rex laughed.
"Ha, I forgot all about those. But look at you, I can't believe you're all grown up. How are the Commanders anyway?" Rex asked
"They're ok, but in need of help" He said
"We're trying to fight the Empire, but we're out numbered and taking a beating. We need your help" Ezra pleaded.
"I'm not sure if I'm much help to anyone these days" Rex said "Didn't you hear? The Emperor says the clones have served their purpose. They retired us, now we just spend our days telling stories and slinging for Jupers"
"Ugh this was a wasted trip, you heard the clone, he's not interested" Kanan growled as stormed out.
"Wait, you don't like the Empire, do you?" Ezra asked
"Well the Empire certainly isn't the Republic" Rex Replied. "But you can't do anything about it"
"You can fight" Ezra said
"Sorry son" Rex said "my days as a solider are over"
"Then can you at least help us find a base?" Ezra asked. "Ahsoka said you knew all kind of secret locations in the outer rim"
"Well my memory is not what it once was but there are a few spots we haven't reported to the Empire. Why don't you all wait outside, and I'll put in a list of coordinates" Rex suggested as the rebels then stepped outside and waited. Ezra spoke up.
"So that's him?" he asked Keanu.
"Looks like it" the Hybrid answered. "I was told that he was one of the greatest troopers they ever fought with. Loyal to the end."
As Keanu told Ezra of the stories he was told, Gregor stepped out and confronted them.
"You know I was thinking… since we're providing possible bases for you, maybe you can help us out"
"No thanks" Kanan said swiftly. Ezra ignored him and went with his own answer.
"Sure" Erza said happily. "What do you need?"
"Out there… deep in the wild are wild Juper. When we're lucky to sling one, they'll feed us for a whole year"
"OK… so what do you need from us?" Keanu asked
"Him" Gregor said pointing at Zeb. Zeb turned around and saw that everyone was looking at him.
"What?"
Later the Republic walker was on the move again, but Zeb was walking out in front, connected to a large energy wire. Kanan was in the phantom on top of the walker, working on his lightsaber before Ezra came to check on him. Sabine and Keanu were spotting Zeb before a large eruption struck from the sand.
"Over there!" Sabine pointed out.
"Alright full stop" Rex ordered as Wolffe stopped the tank.
"Go on! Just a little bit more!" Gregor called out with a nervous but manic laugh.
"Oh really…" Zeb mumbled in annoyance as he continued walking.
"You know, we really appreciate this" Gregor said "I mean, we should do really well with your friend here"
"Yeah well, Zeb packs quite a punch" Ezra said
"Oh, I'm sure" Gregor said laughing like a maniac.
"I'm sure but Jupers supposedly love Lasats" Gregor said, observing Zeb from the balcony.
"Uh what do you mean by love them?" Sabine asked.
"Well they love the smell...and the taste" the clone said nervously. "Or maybe its about the texture?"
"Wait, Zeb's not the hunter… You're using him as bate!?" Keanu exclaimed
"Oh well, hunter, bait, it's all the same" Gregor said with another manic laugh.
"No, it's not!" Kanan protested from the top of the tank but All of the sudden, giant holes started forming in the ground. "Zeb , get back here now!"
"Zeb run! You're the bait! Its going to eat you!" they all exclaimed as Zeb looked to the cracking floor beneath him.
"Oh Karabast" Zeb groaned before the floor collapsed beneath him, then out of nowhere, a large pink tentacle clutched his body and dragged him downwards, disappearing. But the line Zeb was attached to started moving under the ground, leaving a trail of debris behind.
"This could be him, the big one!" Gregor cheered as Wollfe drove the walker towards the retreating Juper. Rex looked down to Sabine.
"Hey! I bet you know a thing or to about mechanics" Rex said as Sabine ran to the main cannon. "Keep an eye on this regulator. The line could overheat and shutdown. No line, no Juper, no Zeb!"
"Got it" Sabine confirmed as Ezra and Kanan then turned to Rex.
"What about us?" Ezra asked whilst Gregor approached them with to staffs.
"Well you got the best job of all!" Gregor said with another mad laugh. "When the line swings around, you charge it with the electro pole by hitting it with the rod, sending a bolt of energy down to the juper! Hit it hard enough and… it will rise to the surface!"
Ezra grabbed his rod and placed himself to the left of the balcony. Gregor extended his hand with another rod to Kanan. "One for you General!"
"Don't call me that!" Kanan warned. "I was never a General!"
"Oh, my mistake, sorry Commander"
"NO, ITS NOT…." Kanan groaned before taking the rod and placing himself to the right side of the balcony. Rex used the cannon to control the jupers movement before aiming it into the air.
"Hit it, now!" He called as the two Jedi struck the line, causing a massive surge of energy to strike the juper. It sped up but remained under the ground.
"Ooooooo , he didn't like that! HIT IT AGAIN!" Gregor cheered as they continued to strike the line. Then Sabine noticed that the regulator was failing.
"We're losing the regulator!"
"Hit that line! This is where we finish the battle! Wolffe, full stop!" Rex ordered as the struggle increased but Ezra and Kanan couldn't reach the line.
"I can't reach it!" Ezra called as he looked back to see Sabine working on the regulator but The walkers feet started to sink into the ground, due to the pure stress it was enduring. Ezra was now balancing on Kanan's shoulders, reaching with both staffs but it was till too far. But Kanan felt himself being lifted into the air. He looked down and saw Keanu, using pure strength and will to lift them both.
"Need a hand or… better yet… A BOOST!" Keanu exclaimed as Ezra struck the line with both rods, watching the Juper shoot out of the ground. Then with one powerful shot into its mouth, the Juper fell dead. The group all ran to the side balcony and observed the colossal creature, scouting for any sign of Zeb. Then the Jupers mouth opened, revealing the Lasat, covered in saliva.
"That stench!" Zeb cried, removing himself from the belly of the beast.
Oh Zeb, I'm so glad youre ok buddy!" Ezra called
Gregor cheered and laughed insanely before running to assist Zeb. "That was impressive!" The old clone said
"Impressive!?" Kanan yelled angrily. "You almost got my friend eaten!"
"I…WAS IN…THAT THINGS MOUTH!" eb exclaimed but Gregor turned him around.
"But look, you brought down the big one! Our biggest catch ever!"
"I did?" Zeb questioned before acting all heroic. " I mean yeah, it wasn't so bad Kanan! I knew I had the beast from the beginning!"
Rex then climbed down from the main cannon and walked over to Ezra, Kanan and Keanu.
"You are naturals!" Rex said with a laugh.
"I know right. Like, look at that thing!" Keanu said with awe.
"We held up our end of the bargain captain, now give us those coordinates so we can leave" Kanan said.
"I'll get them, but you might consider staying for dinner" Rex said as they looked down to the Juper.
"Who would turn that down?" Keanu said but Kanan avoided all attention.
Later as the sun set, Keanu, Ezra and Sabine were looking out into the horizon.
"Ok so, what's up with the hair?" Ezra asked curiously. "Like Sabine changes hers almost every day-"
"I do not!" Sabine protested.
"Well I don't actually know myself. I just consider myself special, y'know? If I wanna kick ass, at least I do it in style" Keanu said smoothly before they all started laughing.
"Agreed" Sabine said before Rex came outside to where the teens were.
"I've listed some potential bases and some clearing codes that the Empire still use. It should be able to help" the Captain said.
"Thanks Rex" Keanu said.
"They're on our main computer but you'll need- "
"Data tapes? I got this" Sabine said as she walked past Rex and to the main computer. Ezra followed.
"You were brave today son; your parents would be proud" The clone said, placing his hand on Keanu's shoulder.
"Thanks Rex. It means a lot" The hybrid said.
"A great Jedi once told me that the best leaders are made by example and you do that very well" Rex said proudly.
"Thanks. I've only got this far because I've learned from great Jedi's too. My Mother, my Father and even Kanan." Keanu said as they both looked to the Jedi, who was observing the horizon.
"Y'know, I don't think he likes me, or ever will." Rex said. "Can't say I blame him. The war left its scars on all of us."
"I wish you would join us" He said.
"I wish I could too but after the war, I questioned the whole thing. All those men died and for what?"
"I guess what they thought was right."
Rex was then in deep thought before an idea struck him. He turned to his right and opened a small crate. Inside were weapons from the Clone war. He then grabbed two blaster pistols from within the pile and presented them to Keanu.
"Here Kid. I don't have any use for these anymore."
"Woah…" Keanu said with awe, aiming the two pistols.
"Meet the Negotiator and the Vigilance, DC-17 hand blasters, specially plated with Chronium. Its compact with a capacity of 50 shots from each with a high rate of fire. Take care of them and they'll take care of you."
Keanu then spun them round in his hands before planting them into his new holsters before Sabine came storming out of the tank.
"The clones sold us out!" Sabine said, "they informed the empire we're here!"
"What!?" Keanu asked feeling betrayed.
"You're mistaken" Rex said. "We would never do that!"
"Oh? I found the transmission to the empire and the ones Ahsoka and Dante sent you. Yet you never answered them" Sabine said.
"What!?" Rex asked looking at the message board. "I never got any messages from them!"
"I knew it!" Kanan said approaching "I told you they couldn't be trusted!" Ezra stopped his mentor from going any further
"Kanan wait! Is this true?" Ezra asked Rex but the Captain turned to Wolffe, who was avoiding all contact.
"Wolffe what did you do?" Rex demanded.
"I contacted the Empire ok!?" Wolffe exclaimed "If they found out we were helping Jedi they would wipe us out"
"And you fought that when they got here, they wouldn't do it anyway!" Keanu shouted.
"Sabine go warn Hera" Kanan said as Sabine ran to the Phantom. "Tell her to scan for incoming ships!"
"I wanted to protect you guys!" Wolffe said to Rex "protect us all!"
"The war is over!" Rex exclaimed. "We're free men, we can't live in fear of the Empire!"
"I'm sorry Rex" Wolffe said. "You're right, they're not our enemy. I'm sorry."
"KANAN!" Sabine called as The Jedi jumped to the next level. But then he was almost shot by a Probe droid. The droid weaved throughout the tank, blasting at anyone and anything before reaching Zeb and Gregor.
"Look out!" Gregor called.
"Not Probes, I hate probes!" Zeb groaned before they both ducked to avoid the incoming fire. Kanan leapt of the balcony and attempted to shoot it down with his blaster pistol but the probe was too far for any damage.
"Rex, you gotta make this right" Ezra said, tossing the rifle to the Captain. He raised the rifle, aimed and fired, destroying the probe droid with one well put shot.
"Yes!" Ezra cheered.
"Nice shot Captain!" Keanu said as Rex smiled.
"Haha! Rex got him!" Gregor laughed.
"Probe deserved it" Zeb said with a chuckle.
The Rebels and clones walked up to the destroyed droid and examined it.
"How long has this thing been following us?" Ezra asked.
"Long enough to know we're here" Keanu replied. "how's the Phantom Sabine?"
"Well… the engine took a direct hit. We're not going anywhere until I fix it" Sabine said
"I'll help assist" Keanu volunteered "I know a thing or two about engines"
"Wait you mean we're stranded?" Zeb asked
"Yep" Rex said "the Empire is on its way…"