Star Wars Rebels: Between Eras Part 7
Lothal: Three Years
Boredom was started to have an effect on everyone. Sabine had noticed that almost immediately that morning as she watched the Seven Squadron of X-Wing Pilots lounge around and not conducting mock training flights. She had also noticed it with the Ground Soldiers that instead of keeping themselves occupied with going to the Blaster Ranges or keeping up their fitness were preoccupied with going to the Taverns and spending times wandering the Capital City. It was happening all over Lothal, waiting for the Empire to finally attack was getting to them all. Thankfully other events had occurred that made the Boredom interesting. General Bel Iblis had donated two Nebula Class Frigates to Lothal and at the moment several Hundred Militia were now on board those Frigates learning all about them. But that still left the Six Thousand Nine Hundred and Forty Two Soldiers and Pilots to have basically nothing to do. The Leadership could only have so many exercises or mock battles. At times Ryder and Zeb wanted to take the small Fleet of One Light Cruiser, Two Frigates and Three Corvette Cruisers to one of the Imperial Bases and attack them. But Sabine and visiting Hera and Rex convinced them that it would only cause problems. Hera and Rex had returned for Two Months on leave from the Alliance of the Rebellion. Basically the whole Rebellion was on standby awaiting the Leaders of the Rebellion to come up with a battle plan of some sort. Not wanting all of the Rebels together, they sent one third either home or elsewhere. Sabine could understand that, if the Empire should happen upon the Rebel Fleet it could decimate the whole Rebellion in one big battle. Seeing Hera playing with her Two year old son Sabine walked over to them. Hera saw her and smiled. "So Hera how is the Rebellion going?" Sabine asked as she sat down on the bench watching Hera guide Jacen down a slide. The play area was outside the City proper and it had a great view of the Plains and Ezra's Tower.
"It is growing everyday, but I needed to come back to see Jacen for awhile. Right now Mon Mothma and Admiral Ackbar are planning something big and until they have all the details worked out they do not need to have all the Bantha Herd." Hera said as she lifted Jacen and put him back on the top of the Five Foot Slide. "So is Lothal fully ready for the Empire to attack?" She asked as Sabine winced.
"If they do not attack soon, I doubt that we can be. You know that it is not just Ryder and Zeb that want to attack the Empire, most of the Militia wants to also. Personally I feel like I am wasting my time here." Sabine said in frustration. "I should be out there with Ketsu or Ashoka searching for Ezra. Not here waiting for the Empire to make up its mind and attack us already." She threw her hands in the air and paced back and forth. "Two years and three months, I have been stuck here and we have no idea where Ezra is!" Hera stifled a chuckle with her right hand as she watched Sabine pace.
"They will find him." Hera informed Sabine and saw the young woman spin and stare at her. Sabine's eyes began to moisten.
"When?" Sabine asked sadly. "It has been over three years and everyday I pray that they find him! Hondo Ohnaka and Cikatro Vizago have given up! Ketsu found out that Thrawn had gone into the Unknown Regions and no one has any idea if he took Ezra with him or if Ezra is in some prison somewhere! Only Ashoka is searching now!" She stated tears began to streak her face as Hera released Jacen for a moment and hugged Sabine tightly. Sabine began to cry while Hera stroked her back reassuringly. "I want him here so badly, I miss him so much!" Sabine wailed as Hera muttered to her that it would be alright. Though Hera did not know if that was true or not, but Sabine needed to be comforted.
"Perhaps you should go and search for him." Hera advised. "Being here is not doing you any good." Sabine closed her eyes and shook her head.
"No, until the Empire is not a threat I need to be here. I will give it some more time and if nothing happens here then I will contact Ashoka and go." Sabine said as Hera released her and they both looked over at the giggling Jacen on the ground. He was petting the snoot of the White Loth-Wolf. Jacen was cooing happily as the White Loth-Wolf sniffed him. Hera's Lekku shuddered in fear as she was about to lunge towards her son and pull him away from the large White Loth-Wolf. But Sabine held her back. "No it is alright." Sabine said to Hera as the White Loth-Wolf laid down and Jacen continued to pet it. "I guess there is no denying that Jacen is Kanan's son is there." She said to Hera as she slowly released her. Both moving slowly over to Jacen and the White Loth-Wolf. Sitting down on next to Jacen and the White Loth-Wolf.
"Mommy, He nice. He say Ezra okay." Jacen said as he stroked the fur of the Loth-Wolf as it closed it's eyes and began to snooze. Sabine's own eyes widened and she moved closer to Jacen.
"What else did he say Jacen? Please it is important, does he know where Ezra is?" Sabine asked the eighteen Month old, desperate to know. The little boy giggled again and smiled.
"No, Auntie he just know Ezra okay. Come home someday." Jacen said then yawned and laid down with his head on the Wolf's shoulder. In seconds Jacen fell asleep smiling. Sabine was tempted to wake him and ask him more about Ezra but Hera shook her head. Sabine understood, the Loth-Wolf only knew that Ezra was alive and he would return to Lothal one day. But Sabine wanted him home now, not some day in the future.
The Planet of Nirauan:
Entering the Orbit of Nirauan, Ezra felt something as he peered from the observation deck down at the Planet. Thrawn had told him that the Planet did not have any sentient Lifeforms just several flocks of Mynock like Creatures, but Ezra could feel subtle echoes of intelligence down on the Planet and it was not the Chiss Soldiers that were part of the Hand Of Thrawn. No it was from somewhere else. Ezra was tempted to disobey Thrawn's orders and go down to the Planet to verify the feelings and impressions he was receiving. But instead decided not to press the issue. In truth he was reluctant to fall prey to another type of instance that he had fell under with the Mind Call two and a half years ago. Memories of that still plagued him. The Mind Call was narcotic and could easily become addictive. "So what do you think?" Thrawn asked him as Ezra did not turn to face the Grand Admiral.
"It is definitely in the middle of nowhere. So this is where you are going to set up the Headquarters for your Hand of Thrawn?" Ezra asked as Thrawn moved closer and stared down at the Planet of Nirauan. Ezra noticed that Thrawn seemed distracted since he had read over that mornings Imperial Secure Reports.
"Yes, it is in a perfect location. Only a few know of this Planet's location and a Fortress should be easy to construct here." Thrawn said as his thoughts went to the earlier Secure Information that he had read. The Emperor in his dillusions of controlling the whole Galaxy was building another Death Star. Thrawn still thought the concept was foolhardy. But the Emperor was convinced so they had begun construction on another one. Thrawn had thought that since the last one had been destroyed then that would be the end of that. What also disturbed him, was the fact that the Bounty Hunters knew where Sabine Wren was but have not had the opportunity to capture her. The Bounty Hunters reported to the contacts that it would be impossible with Lothal at a heightened state of awareness, to sneak in and capture Sabine Wren.
"I guess that is necessary, now that you sent the Two Frigates back to the Empire." Ezra said and Thrawn noticed the subtle interest in why the Frigates had been sent back. So Thrawn decided to tell him.
"Both Frigates had Imperial ISB agents on board them. I did not want them to interfere with what I am attempting to build here." Thrawn said. Ezra was surprised that Thrawn had told him. He still did not fully trust Thrawn's motives, there had been no sign of the impending Threat that they were essentially preparing for. What really surprised Ezra was the almost constant flow of Cargo and Troops that seemed to arrive every couple of days the past three weeks. All of it diverted to different Planets where Thrawn had set up Bases, Space Construction Yards and Garrisons. "Very soon all support from the Empire will end and we must be ready for when that occurs. In the meantime I am sending the Strikefast to Goloshii, for some reason they have not conducted last scheduled check in. I must remain here for the time being." Turning Thrawn left. Not telling Ezra that the reason he was remaining was to meet with Baron Soontier Fel, possibly the greatest Pilot ever to fly a Fighter.
Deep Space:
For the past couple of years Ashoka Tano followed the traces of the Force that she felt. She actually had no idea where she was, letting the Force guide her in her search for Ezra. She did know she was still in the known Galaxy but that was all. She also knew that soon she would return to Lothal. Meditating she could feel someone rising within the Force, she could feel a new Jedi and he was the focal point of changing the balance within the Force. At one time her Master Anakin Skywalker was believed would bring balance to the Force. But that was a misconception. No who she felt was the one that would bring balance. Opening her eyes she moved back to the Cockpit. It was time to return to Lothal.
Goloshii Outpost: Destruction of the Strikefast
From what Ezra understood Goloshii was just a minor Outpost that Monitored the space lanes from Minnotak Asteroid Mining to Morgagni Prime. He also knew that Parrck had strict orders not to enter the Morgagni System no matter what. Arriving he made his way to the Bridge, noticing the reduced crewmen and Stormtroopers that were on board. Two Thirds of those assigned to the Strikefast were now on Nirauan helping with the construction of the Fortress. Arriving on the Bridge, he spotted Parrck sitting in the Captain's Chair. "We are about to arrive." Parrck said as the Ship came out of Hyperspace, entering the Goloshii System. Ezra stared out the front Viewport at the Small Planet that seemed to be just barren rock. What bothered him was he could not sense anything, no life. Nothing. A minute later the Sensor Officer reported the same thing. "Wait there was Two Hundred People stationed here." Parrck stated as he waited for the Sensor Officer to recheck the readings.
"There is no life down there." Ezra whispered as he closed his eyes and concentrated. Not feeling anything. Someone or something had wiped out all those stationed on Goloshii. Suddenly without warning the Strikefast bucked under them. Knocking everyone including Ezra off his feet.
"Sir, incoming!" One of the other Officers yelled with terror and excitement. The Strikefast was struck again by weapons fire. "I have two Ships, unknown Spherical configuration to Port. Shields are at twenty percent." Again the Strikefast was hit with some type of weapons fire.
"Return Fire all Batteries!" Parrck ordered as Ezra helped the older man off the deck and onto his Command Chair.
"Half our Turbo Lasers are not functioning. Enemy is targeting them mostly." The Weapons Officer reported calmly as he tried to get the remainder to fire upon the attackers.
"Sir, I am detecting Four Transports being Launched from the Two at our Port. I think they are going to try to board us." The Sensor Officer said in panic as pointed towards his screens. Parrck exhaled and hit the command communications for the whole ship.
"All hands prepare to repel boarders! Helmsmen get us out of here!" Parrck ordered as he looked over at his damage control boards. The attacking ships were systematically destroying the Turbo Laser Batteries. "Launch all Fighters." Minutes later Three Squadrons of TIE Fighters streaked out of the Strikefast. "Contact the Squadron Commanders to Target those Transports. Then send an Emergency Request for Assistance." Parrck glanced up at Ezra. "Any Jedi insight would be appropriate at this moment." He whispered towards Ezra.
"All I can feel from them is aggression and hostility. That and they are not human." Ezra whispered back, reaching into the hidden pockets for his two halves of his Lightsaber. "I do know they mean to take the Strikefast, intact." Parrck chuckled firmly.
"I already got that impression, otherwise they would have targeted the Engine Room and the Bridge." As Parrck watched the TIE Fighters converge upon the Transports destroying one. "Sensor Officer, focus the scanners on the debris. How many occupants are on that one and if you can try to get a Holo-image of who they are." Though Parrck knew the last part was virtually impossible. Feeling the Strikefast wobble as it tried to leave the combat zone. The Unknown Ships began to fire at the Engines.
"Sir this is impossible, the Scanners indicate that there are about Three Hundred bodies on that transport. If the others have that number, then we will be..." The Sensor Officer could not finish his observation as Parrck did.
"We will be seriously outnumbered." Parrck finished for the Officer as he watched Ezra turned and walk towards the Blast Door, gripping his Lightsaber tightly in his hand. A determined look on his face.
When Ezra reached the Hanger Deck, he saw Stormtroopers setting up barricades and getting ready to Repel any boarders. Imperial Navy Crewmen were being issued sidearms and Blastech Rifles as they soon joined the Stormtroopers. From what Ezra could tell there were only about two hundred defenders present as he made his way to the Stormtrooper Commander, who immediately reported to him. "Sir, I have squads of Stormtroopers taking positions to defend critical areas of the Strikefast. What others I could rally are here." The Stormtrooper said, wanting Ezra to verify the tactics.
"Good, but send an additional squad to the Bridge and to Engineering. The enemy wants to take this ship so they will probably concentrate their forces after they land." Ezra knew that the few here would not be able to stop the numbers of invaders on those transports, at most delay them.
On the Bridge Parrck made a decision as he watched the Engines flame-out and die. One that he really did not want to make. "Abandon your posts. Have all crewmen report to Corridor Twelve." He ordered as he reached down to his Command Chair armrest. Touching a switch. Then turned the Timer to Two hours. Setting the self destruct. Tapping the direct communication to Ezra. "Lieutenant Commander, move your forces out of the Hanger Deck and put them to defend the Crew Rendezvous areas of Corridor Twelve. I am having all Crewmembers report there. After the Invaders come on board let them go to the Bridge and Engineering, unmolested." Not waiting for verification, Parrck stood and followed the Bridge Crew off the Command Deck. "If they want the Strikefast so badly they can have it. But only as long as the Self Destruct blows them all to hell." He muttered as he led the Stormtroopers and Crewmen down to Corridor Twelve.
Ezra met Parrck at Corridor Twelve, which led mainly to the living quarters and nonessential parts of the Ventor Class Star Destroyer. "So what are you planning?" Ezra asked Parrck as he looked down the Corridor seeing the whole crew waiting. Parrck exhaled and closed his eyes briefly.
"I set the self destruct. After the invaders move out of the Hanger Bay. We will board the Lambda Class Shuttles and depart. Try to get far enough away before the Strikefast explodes." Parrck told him as Ezra nodded with understanding. They did not stand a chance against the thousand or so invaders that were soon docking within the Hanger Deck. Not with only a couple hundred Stormtroopers and Crew. Listening they heard the Transports land and the Invaders began to fire some type of projectile weapons. Ezra strained his hearing and he could hear the weapons going off, and solid thumps of the projectiles striking the defense positions that had no defenders. Soon the firing stopped and he heard a strange language that seemed to be have a double sound to it. He could also feel them; pure hate, rage and anger. Swallowing he gripped his Lightsaber tighter. The Darkside emanated from the Invaders. Not that any of them could use the Force, but he could feel the evil that flowed around them.
"Whoever they are, they left a rear guard. I can sense about fifty of them." Ezra whispered over to Parrck who grimaced.
"Commander, we need to get to those Shuttles." Parrck said to the nearby Stormtrooper Commander, who stood taller. Ready to lead his Stormtroopers out into the Hanger Deck and attack. Ezra with his eyes closed reached out, placing his hand on the armor and stopped the Stormtrooper. Opening his eyes he shook his head.
"No, I will take care of this." Ezra said sternly, taking his blaster out of the holster and handing it to Parrck. Then walked down the Corridor towards the Hanger Deck, Calmly. Holding his Lightsaber in his right hand as the Stormtrooper turned towards Parrck.
"Sir, if there is fifty of them in the Hanger Deck. How is Lieutenant Commander Ridger going to defeat them. He does not even have a blaster." The Stormtrooper asked.
"That is classified. Right now just wait." Parrck ordered as he watched Ezra turn the corner. Then he heard a sound that he remembered from the past. A Lightsaber being activated.
Walking out from the Corridor and cover. Ezra activated his Lightsaber. He could see the short Invaders stare at him, their double mouths full of teeth grunt and growl something. Moving the Lightsaber up to hold with both hands he exhaled and felt the Force flow through him. "Leave and you will not be harmed." He said both vocally and through the Force. One with some type of band around his shoulders, pointed the strange weapon at Ezra and fired. The Projectile streaked towards him and with a simple flick of the wrist, Ezra deflected it away with the Lightsaber. Other shots soon joined the first and Ezra used the Force to slow and hold them in midair. Then with a thought sent them back towards the ones that had fired. The oval shaped shots struck the Invaders in the head and chest. "Go. Leave you cannot defeat me." Ezra pleaded as some of the Invaders pulled out long bladed weapons and moved towards him. Exhaling Ezra swung the Lightsaber around and as the first of the Invaders reached him. He began to cut them down or use the Force to fling them with crushing speed against the walls, the Invader Transports or the Ceiling. Slashing and stabbing others. Bodies, arms and legs fell around him. As he fought through them. More and more attacked and soon the fight was over and all of the Invaders were dead or dying. Tapping his comm. "It is clear Captain." He reported, deactivating his Lightsaber as Parrck and the Crew rounded the corner. All the Imperials were looking at the dead and dying alien bodies that littered the Hanger Deck.
"Board the Shuttles, we need to escape." Parrck ordered as the Crew quickly boarded the Fifteen Lambda Class Shuttles. Launching and within seconds they were being escorted by two of the Surviving TIE Fighter Squadrons. Angling away from the soon to be doomed Strikefast. Watching as the strange Spherical Ships move towards the Strikefast and attach themselves to it. When Three other Ships arrived, these more angular and silver in color. The Spherical Ships began to move away with the Strikefast. Attempting to flee with the prize. Tapping a comm switch Parrck spoke in a strange language and the Three New Arrivals moved closer to the Shuttles putting themselves between the Strikefast and the Shuttles. "Those three are friends." Parrck explained. "They are Chiss Attack Cruisers."
Ezra stared at the three ships and marveled at them. They were about the size of a Frigate but seemed to be as heavily armed and shielded as a Light Cruiser. The Invaders pulled the Strikefast further away, they began to fire their weapons at the Chiss. Who fired back. Reaching a certain point Parrck smiled and seconds later the Strikefast exploded taking both of the Spherical Ships with it. Then Ezra heard a strange voice that reminded him of Thrawn's talk in the language Parrck had spoken over the speakers and Ezra heard one word that he could understand. "Vaagari." Deciding to ask Thrawn and Parrck later about why when he heard that word he felt something within the Force that sent a chill down his spine. Then without any further discussion the Chiss Cruisers jumped back into Hyperspace and away.
To be continued.
