Chapter 3
The ghost crew, along with Phoenix squadron were in the middle of an raid. They had intel on shield generators being transported by Imperial freighter.
Piloting the Ghost was Hera, as she made her way towards the freighter with two Phoenix squadron A-wings. "Heading for the A-wings, keep the TIE's of our backs." requested Hera, through the Ghost's comms.
"Split formation" ordered Phoenix leader, "We'll cut across their axis." The A-wings broke off from the Ghost with one of them firing at the TIE's still attached to the Gozanti-class cruiser.
"Good shot Phoenix one" said Zeb, from the Nose gun. He slammed his thumbs down on the triggers and fired at a TIE, It exploded immediately.
The A-wings broke off from the attack and headed back to the command ship. "Phoenix one to Ghost we've cleared a path for you."
Hera let out a sigh, "It's nice having Phoenix Squadron watching our backs"
"We always did alright on our own" stated Kanan, from the turret.
"True but I prefer flying with our knew fleet than to flying solo"
"Oh, you were solo?" asked Kanan, a smirk lining his face.
Chopper interrupted their ribbing off each other with loud whirring noises and crazy waving motions with his robotic arms. Hera looked up with wide eyes upon noticing the TIE heading straight for them and yanked on the joystick, spinning the Ghost into a barrel roll.
Down in the nose gun Zeb fell out of the seat and hit his head against the wall. "I wouldn't mind putting my feet on nature ground!"
"I'm moving into position Phantom!" stated Hera
"Copy, I'm at the target" replied Sabine.
Sabine maneuvered the Phantom towards the freighter and fired the turbolasers at the magnetic lock holing the crates. The lock exploded into dust and crates fell from the freighter.
"The cargo is ready for pick up Spectre two"
Hera moved the ghost towards the cargo with Zeb getting out of the nose gun and running down towards the cargo bay to control the magnetic lock. Suddenly, however two Acclamator-class assault ships appeared out of hyperspace. Hera had to hustle the Ghost out of position to prevent the Ghost being hit by the turbolasers.
The Phoenix leader moved his head, looking over his shoulder, "I need help, they're all over me!"
"I've got you covered Phoenix one" replied Sabine. She turned the Phantom around and lined up behind the TIE's, opening fire, destroying the two behind the A-wing.
Over at the command ship, Sato was holding onto the holo table trying to keep himself upright. The ship was shaking from the constant beating, the Imperial Assault Cruiser were unleashing on them. "We're losing our deflector shields, we must withdraw!"
"Acknowledged commander Sato but first we're getting what we came for." replied Hera.
Hera speed the Ghost over to the Cargo with Kanan giving covering fire from overhead turret, eliminating two TIE fighters.
"Zeb, get ready!" ordered Hera.
"Almost in range" The ship rocked from the TIE fighters. "Come on..yes!" Zeb locked onto the cargo and pulled the lever, connecting them to the underside of the Ghost. "Got them!"
"Ghost to Phoenix squadron, mission accomplished! Time to go." said Hera.
The Command ship along with the A-wings jumped to hyperspace, leaving the Ghost behind.
"Spectre five, bring it in" ordered Kanan.
Sabine flew the Phantom towards the Ghost, folding the wings up and locking the Phantom into place.
Hera flew the Ghost around a star destroyer and entered hyperspace, setting the destination for the fleet.
Ezra was back inside the workshop, sitting at the workbench with box from his father. In front of him was his hybrid lightsaber, he had decided to make a new one, one that was more fitting to his lifestyle.
Closing his eyes, Ezra emerged himself in the force, going into a meditation and causing the lightsaber to float. In his mind Ezra could see the lightsaber as if he was using his eyes and focused onto each component. Each component slowly started to disassemble from each other, twisting and unraveling from its original form. Every part was now floating mid air, not one piece touching another.
Ezra used the force to move the Kyber crystal away and lowered it to the workbench. Then he moves the disassembled components to the other side of the workbench. Ezra lets out a breath and opens his eyes, coming out of the meditation.
Going back to the box, Ezra removes the all the components and lays them out on the workbench.
Closing his eyes, Ezra concentrates on the force and starts meditating again. Using the force, he lifts the components off the workbench and starts to forge a new hilt for his lightsaber. The components twisted and assembling themselves into a standard sized lightsaber with three spiked blade guards at the top of the hilt, protecting the blade emitter and a thicker spike coming off the bottom of the hilt.
Ezra gently lowered the hilt down to the workbench and opened his eyes. Picking the hilt up in his hands, Ezra gives it a look over. He liked the feel of it in his hands, the lightweight of the metal making it ideal for combat. The spike at the end of the hilt made a nice surprise for the unsuspecting and the colour, black and gray, went well with his armour.
Now he knew what the hilt looked like, he needed to install the Kyber crystal into the hilt. Ezra once again closed his eyes and entered meditation. Using the force Ezra lifted the hilt off the workbench and disassembled the components, keeping them in the air as he floated the Kyber crystal off the workbench and into the centre of his creation. Once the crystal was in position, Ezra reassembled the hilt, the metal closing around the crystal and connecting back together. Lowering the hilt back down to the workbench, he opened his eyes.
Picking up the now constructed lightsaber, Ezra got out of his chair and moved to the middle of the room. Pressing the button on the hilt, a blue blade appeared and Ezra spent several minutes spinning and twirling the blade around in his hands getting a feel for it.
Happy with his creation, he deactivated the blade and clipped it to his side. Walking back over to the workbench, he collected his stuff, placed it in the box and closed the side. Picking the box up he left for his quarters, while thinking about what saber form he would practice.
Inside Minister Tua's office, Agent Kallus was currenting pacing back and forth in front of her desk, whilst pretending that he cared or was listening to what see was saying.
"Agent Kallus I've exhausted every resource to find out information about these rebels but there isn't any! What more does Governor Tarkin expect?"
Agent Kallus narrowed his eyes, "He expects you to have results and to punish Lothal. His own Star Destroyer was destroyed, he takes that personally."
"I've doubled patrols, setup checkpoints and established curfews" She sat in her chair with her head down in defeat. "I honestly don't know what else to do."
"Perhaps that is the problem" said a deep, modulated voice.
Minister Tua looked up to see Darth vader himself standing in the doorway.
"You lack imagination Minister, when it comes to producing results." Vader walked forwards his heavy breathing intimidating the young Minister even more.
Minister Tua leaned back against her, trying to make herself as small as possible. "Lord vader with all due respect, what you and Governor Tarkin are asking for are miracles. If the rebels have left Lothal then..."
"If the rebels have left, then we must draw them back and if they are here, we must draw them out." Vader clenched his fist, "We will squeeze Lothal until someone reveals the whereabouts of these traitorsā¦"
"I am sorry my Lord, I am merely a public official, I have no experience with such brutal tactics."
"You can explain that to Governor Tarkin...when you visit him." Vader swiftly made for the exit.
"Visit him?"
"He expects you tomorrow, to account for your failureā¦"
Agent Kallus followed Vader out the door, his hands still behind his back.
"But I'm needed here, I couldn't possibly get away."
Agent Kallus turns back around to face her. "Not to worry Minister, Lord Vader and I will manage in your absence." Leaving Kallus presses the button outside the door, shutting it.
Minister Tua sat back in her chair defeated, her hands went to her face as she felt tears start to fall.
