Chapter 3

"Senator!" Hera called out to Mon Mothma. "We have huge news."

Mon Mothma nodded in compliance and guided them to the briefing center.

"How did they just drop dead?" Mon Mothma asked.

"We think their resurrection may have been connected to whatever spirit was possessing the sith." answered Kanan.

"Well, if he was forced to work for the Empire, but isn't anymore-" Mothma started.

"He should be our ally. We should bring him in." Admiral Raddus finished with his thoughts.

"That's too risky a move; he could be faking for all we know." Mothma countered.

"But whenever he became free of whatever it was that left him, his attitude towards the Empire seemed to have changed." Kanan piped in. "As a matter of fact," He continued, "When he became free, the Empire retreated."

Mon Mothma's brow furrowed. "Could they be afraid of something in him?"

"Maybe." Kanan answered. "Whatever was holding him could've been keeping his mind in a daze; all the while keeping whatever was useful to the Empire."

"If they're afraid of him, then we need him!" Raddus shouted again.

"I agree!" Ezra said, drawing eyes. "Admiral Raddus has a point. We could have a serious advantage with Bando on our side."

"Retrieving him could be your most dangerous mission yet. Taking a high-ranking Imperial straight from the capital is pretty much suicide." Mon Mothma said.

"Forced Imperial." Kanan corrected. "When we arrive, he'll know it. And the type of person he is, I'm sure he'll comply."

"Senator Organa will want a say in this." Hera said. "Where is he?"

The heads of the authorities struck down. Mothma and Raddus shared a glance before Mothma pressed a button and revealed a shocking announcement. And a hologram of Bail Organa.

Bail Prestor Organa

Born - 67 Years By The Galactic Standard Calender

Died - 0 Years By The Galactic Standard Calender

"He went to Alderaan to retrieve help, concerning the Empire's new weapon. He, he didn't make it off in time."

"In time for. . . what?" Hera leaned in dreadful curiosity.

"The weapon. . . it, destroyed Alderaan." Mothma told them.

"A whole planet?" Zeb growled after a long silence of reeling in the news.

"I'm afraid so." Mothma said quietly. "We're arranging a funeral for Bail; once done, you may go to retrieve this Bando character. We'll question him."

Hera nodded, while wearing a deeply saddened face.

Bando returned to the Imperial palace at the crack of dawn. To preserve boot jet fuel, he exercised a good distance. Once he arrived in the capital, he drew crowds away, which caught Imperials' attentions.

A squad of stormtroopers approached Bando and bowed. "My Lord, are you alright? We heard you were involved in a rebels attack upon your return."

"I have sustained little damage; my ship was left at the site."

"We will send a squad to retrieve it immediately."

"I require an escort back to my office. Rebels are on the loose."

"Yes sir!"

Bando sat at his computer machine in his office, researching his past for connections to his memories. Most of his memories had returned, but only in fragments; he had much to remember.

He hacked into the top secret files he uploaded to his computer and scrolled through, hoping the file codenames would ring a bell. Then as if it was bait, a file under 'Roscoe' seemed to impose itself.

Bando tapped into the file, but every file inside it was locked. Bando reclined in his chair for a second, wondering what he could do without triggering an alarm. Once he figured it out, he cracked his neck and his knuckles and hovered his hand over the device. Small bolts of electricity shot out from his fingers and into the circutry. Destroying the security firewalls, he opened the files with ease.

They were only video files to be seen, and the thumbnails concernced Bando a good deal. Bracing himself, he opened the first one.

He was beyond unsettled when he was finished.

Kanan found Hera in the cockpit, sitting by herself. He sensed unpleasantness within her, an emotion he was not unfamiliar with.

"I know you too well not to realize something's up." He said.

"I never actually agreed to this mission. This 'Bando' person almost single-handedly destroyed our fleet. If we go in after him, it could be a trap." Hera stood and faced him. "I can't lose you."

"And why would you lose me?" Kanan asked. "For once, I actually have a good feeling luck's on our side this time."

"I never took you as one who believed in luck."

"I have my moments." Kanan said, putting his arm around Hera. "Hera, I know we'll be alright."

"That's almost never possible, Kanan."

"It never hurts to look on the positive side. If you just relax, and clear your mind, it will have an amazing effect on your mind."

"What have you been watching on the holonet?" Hera laughed.

"It's just 'Jedi stuff.' " He exaggerated. "But. . . a little bit of yoga, too."

"That's a pretty picture." Hera said sarcastically.

"Laughter and amusement clears the mind of unpleasant emotion. How do you feel?" He asked, seemingly enlightened.

Hera lightly punched his shoulder. "A little better, Kanan. Thank you."

Kanan smiled.

The mission was on. The Ghost was in hyperspace en route to Lothal yet again. Everyone had disguises on to fit in with Capital City's crowd.

"Alright." Ezra exclaimed. "What's the plan?"

"It's pretty basic. Go in, grab the target, get out." Kanan said.

"That's a terrible plan." Hera crossed her arms.

"Our plans always work out, Hera." Kanan pointed out, slapping a hand on her shoulder.

"Besides, this guy seems not to have always been on the Empire's side. Without his full support in the strike against us, we should have an easy time with our misison."

"Ezra's right." Sabine concurred. "We have a bit of a strategic advantage with him on our side."

"Now, there's no saying whose side he'll be on. We still have to be careful." Hera said.

"Reports have said the Empire is no longer stripping Lothal of its resources; they could be devoting more troops to their cause against us." Zeb added.

"Exactly!" Hera exclaimed. "Thank you, Zeb." She patted his back.

. . .

"This mission's really got you on edge, doesn't it?" Chopper beeped.

"No, Chop. I just don't see many good outcomes."

"What's the difference?"

"Hera, it's okay that you worry. Just try not to let it cloud your better judgement. Be optomistic about this." Ezra said.

"Oh I'm being optomistic, believe me."

Ezra and Kanan still sensed something wrong. And everyone else did too.

"Hera?" Sabine called. "Are you okay?"

Hera could practically sense everyone's eyes on her; she chose not to face them, but she knew they wouldn't let it go.

With a sigh, she caved. "Being with the rebellion is a risk itself; but every time we take one of these missions, the stakes get higher. I'm worried that one of these days, they'll actually win."

"Hera, you know we won't let that happen." Kanan assured.

"But what if this nice act is a farce?"

"He was obviously under Imperial control." Sabine said.

"No." Kanan said. "It was something more."

"Hera. Just believe everything will be alright, and they will be." Ezra said.

An awkward but necessary silence erupted from there until they landed on Lothal.

'None of this makes sense.' Bando thought to himself. 'I did what I did because I hated the rebels. I haven't felt any change; but, I, don't remember ever having a reason to hate them.'

Spinning in cirlces in his chair, he tried putting the pieces together. 'What was inside my head? And why was that the one thing I couldn't find out about?'

At that moment, he sensed the same rebel presence arriving near the city. 'And what are they doing here again? They're risking a lot even after these recent events.'

He then got an idea and immediately stood to exit his room.

A devout Imperial spotted Bando leaving the facility on his own and instructed a probe to spy.

The Ghost crew spread out about the city with disguises. To retrieve Bando, they'd have to stealthily stake out and wait for him to appear in public.

"How do we know Bando's coming out any time soon?" Ezra asked Kanan through his comlink.

"I have a feeling he's gonna find us." Kanan replied.

Ezra hummed, then closed the channel. He then backed up behind an alley wall as he saw Bando conversing with some Imperials. Ezra spied with narrow eyes. "What's going on?" He mumbled to himself. He saw Bando stretch his arm outward as if pointing out directions, then the Imperials left; Bando remained.

Once the Imperials were far out of sight, Bando turned his head slightly to his side facing Ezra's direction; Ezra gasped when he did. Then a small, round object appeared in Bando's hand; Bando tossed it in his direction. It flew in the wind, then landed in the wall in front of Ezra's face. Startled, Ezra jumped back. He then watched as Bando slowly walked on as if nothing happened.

Ezra watched to make sure nothing else was happening, then pulled the round object from the wall. It appeared like a holodisc, but only displayed text instead. The words 'For Bridger's eyes only' caught his attention.

"Uh, Kanan?" Ezra commed.

"Ezra, tell me you have eyes on Bando."

"Well, yes, and no."

"What does that mean?" Hera asked with worry.

"Don't worry Hera, I only have good news. Our thoughts were correct. Meet back at the Ghost."

"Copy." Kanan said. He felt a small weight lift from his chest as he heard the news and when he heard Hera sigh in relief. "See? What'd I tell ya?"

"I admit it: you were right. But my point still stands." She said, pointing a finger under Kanan's jaw, then heading off towards the Ghost. Kanan chuckled, then caught up beside her.

The Ghost crew approached the Ghost; but cautiously, as they noticed Bando sitting in a meditative position in front of the ramp. They stopped once they were in a safe-enough distance to both hear him and evade any possible attacks.

"We don't have much time. The Empire has noticed I've been gone, and will disperse probes all over. They may have sent one as I left."

"Well that settles it. Let's go." Hera rushed as everyone quickly boarded.

Hera bascially teleported to the cockpit and lifted off as fast as she could.

Bando sat in the common room under Zeb and Sabine's watch. He glared at Sabine the whole time until he received a message from an Imperial.

"Sir, we have spotted a rebel craft leaving the system and are now in pursuit."

Bando jumped in shock; Zeb and Sabine heard the message and informed Hera.

"Can't you stop them?" Zeb asked.

"These guys are my top team. Stopping isn't a part of their agenda." Bando replied.

"Well can't you do something about it?" Zeb asked. Then the Ghost was rocking back and forth, shaking everyone around.

"Not for long." Bando answered. "Wait! What kind of guns does this thing have?"

"Over there!" Zeb shouted over the loud blaster fire. He pointed to the door that lead to the nose laser cannon turret under the cockpit.

Bando charged in and sat down in the chair, observing the guns. "No, no. This won't do." He looked around.

The guns of the Ghost were doing next to no harm at all to the special TIEs of Bando's squad. Everyone persisted at taking them down, but lost their shields.

"Ah! Our shields are gone!" Hera shouted from the cockpit.

"So is their luck." Bando shouted from below.

Bando opened his helmet, tore panels open from the controls beside him, and took the wires out and inserted them into open slots in his helmet.

"What are you doing?!" Hera shouted somewhat angrily from above.

"Giving this an upgrade." He replied, inserting a few more wires. Then the 'blueprints' of the upgrade downloaded and displayed into his helmet. "Oh. Yeah!" He then held back a super charge with the gun; when one TIE came into view, he let go. A long energy laser shot out, pierced, and decimated the TIE; another one tried turning away, but was too late. "Buy me some time! This has to recharge!" He told Hera, who was lost in a confused, shocked, and surprised trance.

"Oh. Right." She swerved around and above the other three TIEs, avoiding their shots. "I'm not sure how much longer we can last without our shields; so whatever you're doing, please do it quick."

"Take it up with the ship. Most you can do is convert power to this cannon, but it won't help too much."

"Fine! But don't criticize my ship."

"I may never have hated you guys in the first place, but this ship has been a pain in the Empire's side for a long time. " He retorted. 'It's ironic because an ex-Imp is making it a bigger pain.'

"What's the status?" Hera asked.

"Mostly charged. Just a few more seconds."

Hera kept moving around for a little while longer.

"NOW!"

Hera stopped flying, and the Ghost just floated. It was the perfect angle; Band lined up the shot and took out three birds with one stone.

"And they didn't suspect a thing, those reb- er, those, Imperials. My men." Bando became saddened at the thought of what he just did.

Hera heard his lowering voice and joined him down below. She placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "I'm sorry. You must have been close to them."

"A bit. We went through a lot together."

"We all lose people in war. It's, the sad, harsh reality we live in."

. . .

"Where are we going?" Bando asked.

"We just acquired an ex-Imperial. Our authorities will need further proof of your legitimacy."

"I'm as legitimate as legitimacy gets."

"They need more than words."

"Ugh. I'll just get it over with."

"Name?" Mon Mothma asked. She and Admiral Raddus assigned themselves to interrogate Bando.

"Bando Roscoe."

"Age?"

"Fifteen."

"Status?"

"Former status, I should correct." Bando replied. "Imperial Lord. Dark side user, but not a sith."

"Interesting. Care to emphasize on that?"

"Ever heard of Count Dooku?"

"Yes. He was the head of the Seperatist Senate back in the Clone Wars. I never saw him face-to-face, but he was an immense threat to the Republic."

"Mhm. I consider myself among his rank."

"Are you really a defect?" Raddus asked.

Bando looked down, then back up. "I have done much in my life that I regret. Most of it wasn't my choice. Something, I don't know what, was, controlling me. It was inside my head and making me do things I wouldn't even think of now. I lost people, I killed people, I. . . have done so much wrong in the name of Imperial justice." He sighed. "I now, hope, that I can undo what I have done. If you'll have me."

The Ghost crew, Aang, and Kallus watched from behind the one-way glass.

"Fifteen years old and he's that powerful. Can you believe that?" Ezra asked.

"I have never heard of this one in all my time with the Empire." Kallus said. "Where did he come from?"

"Good question. Did you have inside sources?" Kanan asked.

"Some. All the Empire was aware of all authorities, but this one has been vacant from any records.

"That is suspicious." Kanan concurred.

"Does it matter now?" Aang asked. "We have one of the Empire's best kept secrets on our side now. He can tell us a lot."

"Good point, too."

"Would it be too much to ask if you could remove your helmet?" Mothma asked.

Bando sat back in his chair, crossed his arms, and pondered the question.

"What do you think you'll see if I do?"

"Would we see anything other than the face of a man of war?"

Bando leaned forward. "You're karking right! The face of a tortured man of war. My life wasn't all Imperial. I hated my Imperial life, but I put up with it because it was paradise to the previous."

Raddus lowered his head. "We all have our fair share of hard pasts. Believe me, I do too. My home was a war zone, and it has haunted me since. I suppress it by being courageous and headstrong. Always eager for battle; it, helps me feel better. Being hepful for a time when I couldn't be."

Bando understood. He slowly reached up to take his helmet off. But he only brushed his fingers against it when the intercom went off. "Death Star approaching." It repeated.

"Uh oh." Bando said before bursting out of the room and outside the rebel base. He looked up in the sky and saw the gray moon station beside Yavin. "Did any of you know about this?" He asked the crowd gathering behind him?"

"Yes." Mothma said with a shaky voice. "We sent a team out to destroy it."

"Well if nothing happens in the next few seconds, we're doomed." He looked back up at the weapon. "This is the Emperor's crown achievement, and it's about to f-"

BA-BOOM

The station was replaced by an explosion.

"Well, never mind." Bando said. "Man, and to think I was involved in that." He only got partway into his sentence before the crowd hollered out loud screams of victory.

Ezra rushed inside and found Leia and General Dodonna over the holotable. "Who did it? Who won this for us?"

"Red 5 struck the blow."

"Red 5?"

"Yes. He was replaced by a new recruit. Luke Skywalker is his name." Leia said.

Ezra just inwardly laughed. "The force has its ways doesn't it?" He mumbled.

"This is a cause for celebration." General Dodonna said.

"Indeed it is, General." Leia agreed.

Ezra went out and celebrated with the others; he ended up finding Bando standing out away from the crowd, still staring into the sky.

"Hey. You're one of us now. Come celebrate with us." Ezra said.

"Regardless of whether you guys were so active or not, the Death Star would've been destroyed. If you weren't so active, I would've been on it when it blew. I was saved from a terrible fate, and for that I am appreciative."

"We do what we can to help all we can." They shook hands. "Welcome to the family."

The second-in-command Imperial officer on Lothal's base gathered the fleet inside the new dome to welcome the new faction leader. They were expecting a shuttle to arrive, but instead faced a single figure dragging himself with a cane across the pathway into the facility. The sackcloth on his torso covered old, dark robes which lagged behind him; his head was almost sealed by the garment. It was odd, but still he struck fear into the eyes of the Imperials present.

(See picture of Imperial stranger on Archive Of Our Own)

He halted in front of the secon-in-command officer.

An awkward silence passed, then the officer cleared his throat and said, "I presume you are the one the Emperor, personally, sent-"

The stranger's fingers seemed to extend in length, then they reached up and wrapped around the officer's neck. He squeezed a vacuum-tight seal around his neck, not even allowing the officer to gasp for air. He used the force to rip the air from his lungs and to stop the blood flow of his body, primarily aging his body decades in seconds. The officer's skin flaked up and his body went cold. The stranger reached up and pressed a finger to his forehead, then plain and simply, sucked the life force out of him. The quickly aged corpse was released from the supernatural grasp, fell to the ground, and shattered to pieces.

Everyone froze in silence.

After another moment passed, the newcomer simply waved his hand once, and every Imperial vehicle in the dome turned to the crowd and rained fire upon them. The room became a genocidal bloodbath, and ended with a huge pile of bones and flesh.

"Hail Bogan." The dark one said.