Star Wars Rebels: Between Eras Part 4
(Authors Note: I changed the Title so do not be alarmed if it moved from one place to another. It is mostly to make it easier to separate from my other stories. So that I can post more chapters or parts. It is now called: A Star Wars Rebels: Between Eras)
Lothal: Bad News
Three months had passed since Sabine and the others stole the Three Corvette Cruisers, thankfully they were the newer more advanced Models and could be run with a Skeleton Crew of Thirty. Sitting in the Headquarters for the Defense of Lothal, at a table with the others she held a Data Pad. It was a report on the Modifications for the Imperial TIE Interceptor Plant. The Manager and almost one hundred Engineers had finally completed the changes needed to produce X-Wing and Y-Wing Fighters instead of the Interceptors. It had taken them two months to complete the changes and modifications. Now they were about ready to start constructing Fighters. "So how many do they think that they can construct per day?" Ryder Azadi asked her as she looked at the Data Pad for reference.
"Gal Fortano thinks they can get Ten Completed per Day, if they rush. I told them not to, we want good Fighters not Junk that does not pass the inspections." Sabine replied as the others nodded. Even eight per day was more than the TIE Interceptors. Of course those that worked at the Factory for the Empire did not do the work effectively or with too much hurry. Putting out perhaps four Interceptors per Day per shift. Then half that number failed inspections or could not actually fly at all.
"The problem we face is that we really do not have enough pilots to actually fly them." Hera chimed in as she frowned seeing the others nod with understanding. There was a constant flow of Volunteers that were willing to help with the Defense of Lothal. The problem they faced was Lothal was not a largely populated world, not like some of the others throughout the Galaxy. The last tally put the population just over one Million sentient peoples lived and worked on Lothal. The best and brightest of those had already been drafted into Imperial Service years ago. "We are testing as many as we can to see if any of them can be Pilots." Hera told the War Council. She had been working long hours conducting those tests. When the door burst open everyone glared at Mart Martin as he rushed into the room.
"This just came in!" Mart said excitingly as he thrust a Data Chip into the reader. The Holonet was abuzz with images and news. "There has been a major incident on Alderaan! The Empire is claiming that it was a Natural Disaster that has destroyed the whole Planet of Alderaan! Billions have died!" He stated as everyone stared at the Media Reports. All that could be heard was the heavy breathing from those within the room.
The Strikefast: Devastation
Sitting behind a desk, Ezra was listening to Thrawn talk about the recent encounter with the hostile Marauders from the nearby Solar System. Then without warning he heard Screams of Billions echo through his mind and the Force. With a wordless cry, Ezra stiffened and dropped to the floor. The Screams were deafening and as he convulsed on the floor. Feeling as though he had been physically attacked. Placing his hands over his ears he tried to block out the screams, then as suddenly the screams were cut off. Silenced. Red hot tears ran down his face as he tried to recover from the disturbance that had just assaulted him. He did not even hear Thrawn as he Moved from around the desk and knelt besides him, gripping his shoulders to stop Ezra from thrashing about. "Bridger!" Thrawn yelled into Ezra's face. "Are you alright?" Tapping his communicator, Thrawn called down to Medical. "I need a Medical Trauma Team in my Office! Now!" Thrawn said sternly into his device. Ezra reached up and grabbed Thrawn's right wrist on his shoulder.
"No. It will pass. Just give me a moment." Ezra gasped out as Thrawn rescinded his orders for a Trauma Medical Team. Breathing in and out slowly, Ezra felt himself slowly become coherent. Sitting up, he weakly tried to rise and with Thrawn's help was able to retake his chair.
"What happened?" Thrawn asked with concern as he handed Ezra a glass of water, standing besides him to ensure that he did not fall to the floor again. Ezra took the glass in his shaking hands and sipped the water. Ezra did not know if he could put it into words, it happened so fast and it had hit him so hard. Inhaling another shaky breath.
"There was a great disturbance within the Force, so powerful that it overwhelmed me. Billions had just screamed and died instantly." Ezra said as he closed his eyes and concentrated on keeping himself upright. Thrawn swallowed and he suspected what had just happened. The Empire had finally finished construction of the Death Star and had used it against a planet. He had disagreed with the very notion of such a weapon, it was dishonorable and too destructive. Defeating an enemy did not include total destruction and death of a planet. "I think I better go and rest. Right now I cannot concentrate and I need to fully recover." Standing Ezra wobbled on his feat.
"Yes, I think that would be best. Do you require assistance?" Thrawn asked as Ezra shook his head negatively, then left walking slowly out the door. Thrawn watched him then tapped the Comm, asking Parrck to join him in the Office. As he waited for Parrck, Thrawn accessed the High Command Imperial Network. He wanted verification of what he suspected. The Imperial Holonet Media would put out some bullshit that would dissuade the populace of what actually occurred. Typing in his security code he read the report. Successful Test of the Death Star Weapon. Target Alderaan. Complete Destruction. Follow up reports available for authorized personnel only. Thrawn read the follow up reports and closed his eyes. "Fools! Psychopathic Fools! What the hell were they thinking?" He said as Parrck entered the office.
"Is there something wrong Sir? I just saw Ezra Bridger and he looked terrible." Parrck asked as Thrawn gestured for him to sit. Thrawn grimaced as he peered across the desk at Parrck.
"Our illustrious Emperor and Empire has destroyed Alderaan. Completely and without mercy. Billions dead, no survivors." Thrawn said softly to Parrck who stared across the desk wide eyed, his mouth gaping open. "i believe Ezra felt all those lives scream through the Force and die. I fully do not understand it myself, but it would appear that such an event is emotionally and physically harmful to him." Parrck did not know what to say as he finally blinked.
"How?" Parrck wheezed out, then blinked again. "How Sir? it would take all of the Fleets combined Firepower to even accomplish such a thing." Parrck just could not imagine that the Empire would actually do something like that. Completely destroy a planet. Thrawn realized that Parrck did not have the security clearance to know about the Death Star. So he told him anyhow.
"Why the hell would they construct such a monstrous thing? It is immoral and unethical." Parrck was in shock and did not know if he could serve an Empire that allowed such a thing to happen. Thrawn basically felt the same way. He had vehemently argued with Grand Moff Tarkin about building the Death Star. After a few moments Parrck was once again in control of his emotions.
"Are there any of our Soldiers or Personnel from Alderaan?" Thrawn asked Parrck who shrugged. The Captain usually did not know the Planet of System of origin of any of the Crew. But now it was proper to do so. Just so that Parrck could inform them about the Natural Disaster that had destroyed their home world. They could not tell them that it was the Empire that had destroyed Alderaan. It would severely damage Morale on the Strikefast.
Kneeling in his Quarters, Ezra tried to focus on Meditation. He wanted answers and he hoped he could gain them in the Force. But he could not focus, his thoughts kept going to Lothal and if it was next. He seemed to know that the Empire was responsible for what had just happened. Saw Gerrera had told him and Sabine that the Empire was up to something that was devastating and would be a clear threat to the Galaxy. Saw believed that completely and would do anything to prove it. At the time Ezra thought that Saw was irrational and perhaps insane. But now he did not know. Closing his eyes he began to regain his focus and concentration. The disturbance happened Five hours ago and he finally felt better. Standing he decided that perhaps he just needed to rest. Going into his bedroom, he laid down and instantly passed out. Nine hours later he felt a Minor not so devastating Disturbance in the Force. More people had just cried out in despair through the Force and Died. This time it jarred Ezra out of his slumber and he sat up. "No. How can this be happening?" He muttered as he put his right hand over his eyes. Another Large Number of People had just cried out into the force and just like before the voices echoed through his mind and then they were silenced. Shaking his head he felt tears flow down his cheeks. Though this time felt different. There was not a feeling that a Planet had died as well, just something that had a vast population. This confused Ezra, before when the Billions Died. He could feel that also a Planet had been destroyed as well. But this time it did not feel the same. No planet, just people. Closing his eyes he concentrated hoping to feel something, anything that would provide him with an answer. None came.
Lothal: Celebration
Word spread across the Planet instantly. The Rebel Forces on Yavin had successfully destroyed the Death Star, taking with it Grand Moff Tarkin. The whole planet was in celebration. Sabine smiled as she looked at the Tactical side of this victory. Right now the Imperials would be preoccupied in stabilizing the other Worlds and Systems and would not have the resources to conduct an attack on anywhere. That was a reason to Celebrate. Thought Sabine as she sat behind her desk, rereading the current Status of the defenses on Lothal. Five Turbo Laser Batteries had been restored and ready to blast any Imperial Capital Ships that happen to come into orbit. She doubted that they would last long, even with the new Shield Generators that would protect the batteries and the Cities on Lothal. She knew once the battle started the Imperials would send down ground forces and overwhelm all ground defenses within a few days. But right now Time was on their side. Most likely the Empire would begin to look for those Rebels on Yavin and hopefully those Rebels would give the Empire something other then Lothal to think about. Sabine had not noticed that Hera had entered Sabine's small office. Hera looked at Sabine woefully as the Twil'ek sat across from her. "I will be leaving soon, I want to join the Rebellion and fight the Empire. The Destruction of the Death Star was a Major blow, I want to do more to support that." Hera dictated as Sabine shook her head. Then pointed at Hera's stomach.
"What about that, do you think it worth the risk to go fight when you are pregnant?" Sabine asked her mentor and friend. As Hera looked down at her growing Stomach. Only the closest trusted friends and family knew who the Father was and none of them would outwardly say anything. Rumors from others that were not trusted spread that Hera had sex with some stranger in a moment of loneliness and despair and she did not know who it was. Actually at first when Hera would not tell anyone including her Friends and Family who the Father was. Sabine accused Hera of having sex with Ezra and was to ashamed to tell Sabine the truth. Hera then confided in Sabine that it was Kanan and that she would never do that to Sabine. Of course Sabine played it off that she had no romantic feelings for Ezra, that he was just a friend and comrade. No one actually believed her. Now as Sabine looked at Hera she could see the conflict within her. Hera wanted to fight the Empire and was tired of waiting for the Empire to come to Lothal. "Hera at least wait until you have your and Kanan's baby. I know you are feeling impatient, we all are. It is like waiting for something to fall off a shelf when you know it is going to fall. But we have to be patient." Hera laughed.
"I cannot believe you are asking me to be patient. You, the young Mandalorian Girl that has everyone you know out searching for Ezra and if they do not report weekly you are ready to take a ship and hunt them down for not calling." Hera said as Sabine closed her eyes, nodding. It was true, she had once almost commandeered one of the new X-Wings to go hunt down Ketsu for not contacting her last week. Just because Ketsu reported before that she might have a source that could tell her about where Thrawn was. It was Ketsu's belief that if they could locate Thrawn then they might also find Ezra. Even now Ketsu had not reported in and Sabine was once again ready to go find her friend and find out if she had been successful.
"Okay well I can be patient, I have not gone yet have I." Sabine said in frustration, she missed Ezra drastically as she continued to try to convince Hera to remain for at least long enough to have her child and then a couple of months or even a year to not risk leaving her baby an orphan.
Naboo: The Grasslands
Setting the Shadow Caster down, Ketsu began to shut down the engines. Off to the North about a mile away was a small complex, Four prefab Buildings sat tranquil by the Large Lake behind them. Ketsu had not responded to the Twenty Three messages from Sabine. It had only been 10 days since she last contacted Sabine and she knew that she should have called before now. But she wanted information first and it had taken close to three Months to finally locate Talon Karrde. The Smuggling Chief had a habit of moving about and not leaving a forwarding address. As she peered across the Grassy Field she saw two Speeder Bikes and one Speeder racing towards her. As they neared her she identified each of the riders. Aves, Dankin and Faughn. Removing her helmet, she threw it up the ramp of the Shadow Caster. Then waited for the three to arrive. When Aves pulled closer he grimaced. "Shit, what the hell are you doing her Ketsu. You know Karrde is not exactly happy with you?" Aves said as Dankin and Faughn arrived, stopping 10 meters away. Ketsu smirked and made no provocative moves.
"Yeah I know, well it will teach him not to hire a Devaronian that sucks at playing Sabacc." Ketsu said as Dankin and Faughn laughed. Aves did not, since it was him that had to tell Karrde that Dorka Vogoso the Devaronian Pilot that Karrde had hired to fly the Glittersham lost it and it's Cargo to Ketsu. "I want to talk to Karrde." She demanded and Aves shrugged.
"Climb on with Faughn and we will see if Karrde wants to talk to you, or shoot you for taking the Glittersham." Aves said and Ketsu walked over to join Faughn in the Speeder. Racing back to the four Prefab Buildings. When the Speeder arrived Ketsu saw Talon Karrde waiting. The Smuggling Chief was glaring at her as she hopped out of the Speeder.
"Hey Karrde, hire any more Devaronian's?" Ketsu asked smugly as Karrde winced at her. Then seemed to relax, slightly.
'What do you want Ketsu? I hope it is that you are going to give me back my Ship." Karrde said calmly as Ketsu chuckled. Shaking her head.
"Nope sold that piece of junk and the Cargo was not even close to what Dorka lost to me." Ketsu stated and Karrde frowned. "Listen before we get into whatever this is. I want information." Karrde stared at her then started laughing.
"I doubt you have the money to pay for any of the information that I have. But I will humor you, what do you want to know?" Karrde replied and Ketsu pulled out an one Credit chip, tossing it to him. He let it drop to the ground.
"All I want to know is, Where is Grand Admiral Thrawn nowadays?" Ketsu asked Karrde and the Smuggler laughed even louder. Then saw that she was serious.
"How would I know and if I did, I would not tell you?" Karrde retorted, kicking the Credit Chip back to Ketsu. "I take it that this is actually about Ezra Bridger and not really Thrawn." Ketsu knew instantly what Karrde wanted. He wanted confirmation that she was actually looking for Ezra Bridger. "I also suspect that it is not really you that wants to know, but a certain Mandalorian Young Woman with the last name of Wren."
"So what if it is, all I want to know is where Thrawn might be at now?" Ketsu stated and Karrde had his answer. Then became stern.
"Sorry Ketsu, I have no idea where Thrawn has gone off to. The rumors I have collected are not really confirmed and I do not trust unconfirmed Rumors." Karrde shrugged then exhaled. "Most of the Rumors say he got on board the Strikefast and went off into the Unknown Regions. But I would not trust them." Ketsu nodded then tossed Karrde a Data Chip.
"Thanks Karrde. You will find the Glittersham on Shili at the long term storage facility called Rundo Asheek. That is the claim ticket." Ketsu turned to leave and Karrde stopped her.
"One more thing and this is free Ketsu. That friend of yours, Sabine Wren. There is hints that there is a huge Bounty for her capture and what is strange is that it is for her unharmed and alive." Karrde said as Ketsu spun around to stare at him.
"How Huge and Why unharmed?" Ketsu asked now concerned. Karrde shrugged slightly.
"One hundred thousand Credits and whoever put it out is using intermediaries. No direct link to anyone. From what I heard it is not official yet. These intermediaries are just putting feelers out, seeing if anyone is interested. I thought you would like to know." Karrde said as he now turned and went back inside the Prefab Building. Waving at her as he entered. Ketsu stood there wondering who and why would someone put a Bounty on Sabine and why it was for her alive. Most of the Imperial Docket Bounties were for her dead or alive. Preferably Dead. This made no sense to her and she continued to think about it as she returned to her Ship. Launching she keyed in the Communications Codes, deciding that she needed to warn Sabine. One Hundred Thousand was a very tempting amount and any self respecting Bounty Hunter would not pass on that much Money. Regardless the risk.
The Strikefast:
Captain Voss Parrck looked at the report from his subtle Intermediaries that he had contacted. There was considerable interest from some of the Bounty Hunter Guilds and Groups. Parrck made sure that the Intermediaries stressed that Sabine Wren will be captured Alive and Unharmed. If by accident she is injured or killed then that Bounty Hunter better put a blaster in his mouth and pull the trigger. Because the next Bounty would be on that person and it would be for that person's death. He told Thrawn it would take time to set this up properly and Parrck was determined to ensure that the right Bounty Hunters were contacted. Not some trigger happy moron that would disregard the orders that Sabine Wren was to be taken alive and unharmed. Sending the orders to his contacts he visibly relaxed. The Bounty had been set.
Lothal: Ezra's Tower
Sabine had cleaned and put Ezra's belongings lovingly away. Keeping most of his treasured items out so when he came back he would see them. She had brought a new Cot for her to sleep on. She had tried to sleep on his, but she could not fall asleep. She would spend the night thinking about him, especially since his pillow and bedding smelled like him and it stirred physical and emotional feelings within her. So sleep was impossible. It was more so now. After talking to Ketsu and learning that there was a Bounty for her out there made her nervous. Especially since from what Ketsu told her, it was for her to be captured alive and unharmed and the amount of the Bounty was outrageous. But her real concern was it took her an hour to convince Ketsu not to follow the Rumors and go into the Unknown Regions in search of Ezra. It was far to dangerous. She knew that she had not fully convinced Ketsu, but she hoped she did. Looking once more at Ezra's cot, she felt herself become upset. She wished with all of her heart that he was there on his cot. Well actually she wished that he was next to her on her cot. She wondered at the time of his Sacrifice if he would have been so willing if they had spent at least one night together. Like Hera and Kanan had. She doubted that Ezra would have self sacrificed himself if he knew or suspected that she did love him. She was now determined if she ever saw him again she would tell him, then before anything else make him take the Vows. No matter what Ezra Bridger would be hers. Sabine did not know how much longer she could remain here on Lothal, it was killing her not to be out there searching for Ezra and staying to aid in the defense was getting to her. She could feel the impatience grow within her each day and night. If the Empire did not attack soon, she was going to contact Ashoka Tano or Ketsu to come pick her up. Closing her eyes, she felt her exhaustion soon take over and she drifted off to sleep to dream of Ezra. "Gods I miss him." She muttered just before she passed out.
To be Continued