'Hope has been a long time coming, my friends. But today, after the death of the Emperor during the battle over Endor, the Empire has fallen. Today, we taste sweet liberty. Today, we are free. It has taken decades but today the Alliance that was born on the same day as the Empire is victorious. But this is no victory of one man, nor of a select few. This is a victory for every being in the Galaxy. Today, the New Republic is born.

It may be some time before the New Republic becomes what the Old Republic once was. We still need to liberate many worlds and cities, including the Senate House on Coruscant. But today it begins. For those worlds already free, elect your Senators. For those worlds yet to be freed, we are coming. Hope is here for a swift end to your trials. Be strong and rest assured that we are coming.

Finally, to the forces of the Empire that was I say this; join us. Serve the Republic. You are not bad men, though you have long been in service to a bad man. Surrender and you will be treated honourably. Continue to resist, and we will not hesitate in our determination.

And at the last I say this.

May the Force be with you.'

'Darys! Did you hear that! There's a New Republic! The Empire as gone!'

'I did. It rather explains what that disturbance was we felt those hours back. A great stain has been lifted from the fabric of the Force.'

'Can we check in on Hera? If there's been a battle I am sure she'll have been there. I want to see if she's safe.'

'Course we can, Kid. Want to check in on your girlfriend at the same time?'

'For the last time, Darys!' Ezra was half shouting out of exasperation, 'she's not my girlfriend. She's. She's just a good friend is all. And no thank-you. I want it to be a surprise.'

'Alright kid, patching through to the Ghost now. Well. That's something. We have a connection. The ship is intact at least.'

'Beep-Bzkak! Nureek! Rtut! Hnugunga! Squeeee-lunkel!'

'Hey Chop! It's Ezra! Is Hera about? Could you fetch her?'

'Nureek!'

'Thanks!'

There was silence on the line, but Ezra didn't mind. Hera was still alive.

'Ezra! Chopper said you were phoning. Heard the news I take it?'

'Yeah, I'm glad you are OK! How about everyone else?'

'Rex survived too! Zeb's with Kallus on Lira-san. It's been tiring work here. I'm taking Phoenix Squadron on recouperation leave pretty soon. Need a few weeks to sort out logistics. We escaped pretty lightly to tell you the truth, a fair few of the capital ships were wrecked by the Death Star in the battle, including the medical frigate. First aid supplies have been pretty tight, so you can gues whose beautiful ship got sent to collect more.'

'We always were good at supply runs.'mEzra said, chuckling.

'We were, kiddo, we were. Anyway, how are your supplies? Last time we spoke you were running low on fuel.'

'All good.' Darys interrupted, Don't know how he did it, but the Kid managed to get a tonne of grade one rocket fuel out of the Mandalorians. Mind you, the fact his girlfriend is a daughter of the clan in question probably helped.'

'For the last time, Darys, Sabine is not my girlfriend!'

'Oh Ezra, if she isn't now, she soon will be.' The voice of Hera said.

'Wha-what? Not you too Hera?'

'She's been moping on you planet for over four years just because she thinks you want her to defend it. I am fairly sure she loves you, Ezra. Are you going to tell me you don't love her?'

'I do. But...'

'But me no buts, young man. You have it in your power to wound Sabine more than the entire Empire ever could have done. So watch it! If you don't love her, fine. But if you do, and you break her heart out of some sort of misplaced Jedi pride, then so help me I will hunt you down, Ezra Bridger. I will hunt you down, and when I have finished, Chopper will teabag your corpse!'

'By the Force, Hera. That last one is a bit strong, isn't it?' Darys interjected.

'Not at all. I would do the same for Ezra too. Just. Don' t be the emotionless prat your Jedi brother is Ezra. Be like Kanan.'

'OK, Hera. I will. Anyway, it should be another, what? Four weeks until we get to Lothal?'

'Yeah, sounds about right.'

'Yeah, four weeks. Much faster than we expected to be honest. The Countess was amazingly generous with the rocket fuel. Compared to the sludge this thing was designed to burn, well, we are going like bantha-dung off a shovel.'