A risky, but yet necessary action to be taken, and to show their care for their allies, Chopper was ordered to set The Phantom orbit the perimeter of the cavern build up and facility, with Ahsoka, Kanan, and Ezra inside, instructing him on where to go based on epiphanies they may find within the Force to search for the four.
They needed to make haste before they were to be apprehended if the Empire decided to pay a visit their facility and find not only rebels, but Jedi and high ranking rebel officials as well. They wouldn't let go without a fight, and if the time needed to come, they would take their life to keep their secrets from falling into the Empire's hands and protect their friends, even if the pain would be excruciating.
Based off their experience, based off what they have seen, what they have fought, they knew what the Empire was capable of, but their four new allies that seemed to drop in on them unexpectedly are still lost without their guidance. Out of the three, the burden was heavily placed on Ahsoka the most. There was a slight feeling of guilt that was reminiscent in her mind.
She authorized the Ghost crew for that mission.
She retrieved the 935 base information.
She allowed for those men to come aboard. They would have been lost or killed without them. That was what Ahsoka did not regret. To her, those four felt like her responsibility.
What she hoped to do, was to continue to assist in expanding their comprehension on the galaxy they were now confined to, and understand what forces she and her rebellion was going to confront, while ceasing the opportunity and privilege to learn even more of their world as well. But first, she needed to fulfill her obligation to them. She needed to get them out.
"…Takeo…" Ahsoka winced, letting out a sigh as she realized the fate that met the man.
"I think I know where they are. They went back to those pillars." Kanan mentioned based off his own results in searching.
"I guess they found the crystals…" Ezra implied. "But I'm only sensing three of them…" He then let out a sigh and mumbled in an incomprehensible matter. "Those crystal resonates through the Force…" He reflected. "Uh Kanan…?"
"Ezra?"
"I also sense something…something…" Ezra shivered.
"What?"
"It's so fuzzy right now…I can't really tell what it is…" Ezra sighed.
"Ahsoka…?" Kanan looked at her with concern, noticing the dismay in her frown.
"We lost one…" She murmured.
"…What…?" Kanan wondered.
Ahsoka shifted from her frown to a sharp glare. "HE WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY." She snapped. "The Inquisitors…they have him."
"Uh oh…" Kanan mumbled.
"O-o-okay…" Ezra stuttered. "But I think there are three that are still down there but the fourth..."
"TAKEO!" He and Kanan gasped simultaneously.
The energy of his spirit had been challenged so intensely that he could feel the weight of his body shift as if he could feel himself descending into an abyss of emptiness. Unfortunately, Takeo Masaki, honorable servant of the Japanese Emperor, met his match with the devious Seventh Sister and was overwhelmed, which ultimately led him to being dragged onboard an Imperial Cruiser, left in the custody of Stormtroopers.
The Galactic Empire would soon decide his fate, using his short affiliation with the Rebel Alliance to punish him accordingly. Not the death Takeo would humbly welcome or accept and he feared that the spirits of his ancestors would not welcome it either.
With no means of escape, and most of his equipment confiscated, Takeo began to contemplate in the large open cell in which they placed him. His own conscience began to remind himself of the superstition he had for Dr. Richtofen. When fighting the un-dead, when they were in The Giant, Takeo remembered what information he had shared.
"Last night I had a dream, I dreamt of a house... A house with, children."
"Yes... hold on to that thought, Takeo. In time you will come to learn the significance of your visions."
He could not understand. Many secrets, behind that dazzling smirk and assurance of the German scientist he had put his trust and contempt towards. But without him, there may be no truth to reveal itself in time as he would have kept promising. In the hopes of the future, of the mission he's shared with his allies in regards to the shadow of Group 935, Takeo prayed desperately that his actions are not the fuel of a notorious plot for Richtofen to exploit.
As he was engulfed within his own thoughts, Takeo became aware of the cell he was being kept in open, and became aware of his foe in which was responsible for supervising his captivity. A man in gray attire, armor strapped around his chest, and to mark his tenacity, his deep, dark, brown eyes, along with his blonde beard, met the eyes to that of Takeo Masaki's.
"Remarkable." The man murmured in compliment, lightly nodding. "I am Agent Kallus of the Imperial Security Bureau. You must be Captain Takeo Masaki of the rebel alliance…more importantly, Captain of the Imperial Army."
The fact that this man knew the faint details of Takeo's identity did not startle him in the slightest.
"I am not impressed." Takeo frowned. "A man such as yourself, would align himself with the evils that threatens the future of all. You are a disgrace to my vision."
"I do not need to know what pleases you rebel. Your co-operation with the Empire will guarantee you a fair trial and re-instatement." He offered.
"How DARE you try and distill my position as to whose army I am to serve!" Takeo exclaimed. "I only serve one!"
"I am offering you your rightful place Captain." Kallus retorted. "I am simply giving back your privileges that you have been reprimanded from for some time. It would be wise if you plead your allegiance to our Emperor."
"If I am to refuse?" Takeo wondered, raising an eyebrow.
Kallus' glare tightened as he locked his fingers, placing them behind his back, and bending down slightly to look him straight in the eye, while invading breathing space. Kallus could only really guess the loyalty that gave Takeo the will to spit in the offering of an oath to the Galactic Emperor would also keep himself true to his own intentions.
"I will get that key." Kallus assured. "One of you are going to assist me and when I do get it, I will be sure to keep it in the most capable hands."
Even if the intimidation did not phase Takeo, the agent walked out of the cell feeling satisfied and motivated to fulfill his orders. Kallus greeted two Stormtroopers that stood guard, and simply ordered them to continue their guard shift until notified otherwise. The door slid shut as Kallus left and Takeo was left to once more, ponder on the goals that Richtofen sook, and the influence that Element 115 had on the galaxy he was present in and...
If the Emperor he once swore allegiance under the name of his country had forgotten about him…
There was much anger and confusion that soon arisen amongst the rebellion. Those feelings were first secluded within the small detachable ship from the Ghost that soon spread like a plague. One of the most important and specific things that caught the attention of the three Force sensitive individuals was, the possession of the artifact their doctor possessed, along with the unfortunate feeling of returning, missing an ally. The other two subordinates shared the same concerns.
Edward Richtofen's possession of the Summoning Key confused the three at first, but as soon as they started connecting the dots and making the connections with uncertainties manifested from darkness that they were sensing previously on Ilum, then the picture began to unfold. They did not require any hints to be dropped from him.
As the more mature and experienced channelers of the Force, Kanan and Ahsoka preferably wanted to understand why Richtofen would possess such an artifact? What was its purpose? Where did it originate? What language was inscribed on the object? Why would the Empire be possibly interested in obtaining this artifact in relation to the 935 research?
Ezra seemed to possess a different point of view. Despite the curiosity and eagerness that made him develop the will to develop an interest of learning new things, he felt as if the item needed to be disposed of immediately, as if he felt that the rebellion should not have anything to do with it.
The presence of his master would convince him that it may be uncomfortable to look at it, but they still needed to know what it was, and Richtofen was going to tell them one way or another, in time...or as he promised by the time their ship was docked in with the Ghost. Richtofen seemed to be the first to climb down into the ship to greet the Captain, but before he did, his haunting blue eyes met Ahsoka's blue tender and tense blue eyes.
"I need Takeo alive." He told her.
This left for a momentary stay within the Phantom for the remaining passengers to inquire.
"He's never told you two anything?" Ezra questioned.
"Richtofen is man of secrets." Nikolai spoke up. "It would be a miracle if he were to explain his own actions."
"I hate it when he does that…" Dempsey snarled. "But you know what…?" He let out a sight, putting his foot on the latter. "We're going to need to plan out a way to get Takeo back. No way are we leaving him out to dry like that!"
"Tano, there is way we may be able to track our lost comrade no? We have to do so from here no?" Nikolai begged the question.
"Uh…-"
"We'll think of something." Ahsoka nodded anxiously as she interrupted Kanan's allegation.
"I think you already know the solution Commander! You too! Yeah you, Kanan!" Dempsey accused. "Whenever you're ready to brief me in, tell me."
After a wink, and a small click-click replicated from the tongue, Dempsey climbed down the latter into the Ghost, for the remaining four to eavesdrop on yet another battle cry greeting between Tank Dempsey and Zeb Orrellios.
When Nikolai took hold of the latter and descended step by step, he crossed his arms and turned around to see that Dempsey and Zeb were taking a break from the 'mano' display, and instead engaged in a more solemn and civilized talk.
"So…? You liking the space travel so far?" Zeb asked. "Ye explore anything interestin'?"
"It was a cold hell on that planet." Dempsey nodded. "I was almost convinced your leader decided to just leave us to die. For a moment anyway…On second thought, forget I said that."
"Believe me when I say it, Kanan will take the blast for us if he has to." Zeb assured. "Did you all make it back safely?" He then asked shifting his head, squinting over to see Ahsoka, Kanan, and Ezra climbing down. "That's odd…where's number four?"
With shame hanging over her and persistent thoughts of guilt coursing through her mind, Ahsoka walked out of the common room towards the sleeping quarters while with a heart-heavy effort, show that her composure was not easily manipulated for display.
"Just give her a minute." Kanan advised.
"WHERE'S? NUMBER? FOUR?" Zeb repeated his question in a worrisome matter.
When the door slid open and she went inside to go and have some privacy momentarily there came walking in, Sabine Wren. Right after, Dempsey and Nikolai decided to take a seat within the round table, which then, Kanan and Ezra responded by moving closer to the center of the room, and closer to Zeb.
"Hera's talking to Edward." She said. "How did the mission go? Ezra…? Kanan…? Anyone…? Nikolai? Tank?"
"…Uh…" Ezra began to hesitantly murmur.
"Takeo's M.I.A. and we were unable to secure the site." Dempsey announced.
"The Inquisitors got him." Ezra added.
"Oh no…" Sabine frowned.
"Well that man…" Zeb contemplated. "Well…I'm not going to let any soldier go down without any fight or…well…not without getting' the opportunity to fight with 'em first."
"I think we're going to get that opportunity soon boys." Sabine claimed. "And if I didn't know any better, when I see Takeo, I see Kanan a little bit."
"Oh yeah…?" Kanan grinned, crossing his arms.
"We are going to save him right?" Sabine questioned.
"We can't just jump right into a rescue mission!" Kanan nervously disapproved.
"Ahem…" Ezra nudged Kanan's arm.
"Ah, so you are no stranger to rescuing comrades from despair no?" Nikolai questioned.
"Not that I wouldn't want to!" Kanan shrugged, trying to fend for himself and cover up his own pessimistic view on the situation. "But it's just that we might not be able to any time soon."
"I would have hope that no matter the obstacle, Nikolai will put all his wits forward to conquer that obstacle." Nikolai proclaimed. "Enemies we once were…I believe we should keep it that way but yet..."
"For the past couple years chasing him…" Dempsey continued for Nikolai. "Richtofen's been keeping a lot of things behind our backs, but I really don't have a choice. I can't go home and I can't go die and...Yeah Richtofen's stuck with us and we're stuck with him…sorry."
"Well don't be sorry." Kanan encouraged.
"American, you are very interesting." Nikolai commented. "One moment from the other, you go from fighting and epicness, then to empathy and reflection."
"Well you're not so bad yourself Nikolai." Dempsey nodded, acknowledging his compliment. "Maybe I'll share a drink with you once we're done running around with the Doc."
"I will keep that thought to heart Dempsey. Mark my words." Nikolai confidentially assured.
"You're all welcome to come as well." Dempsey offered the rest of the crew. "But…" He concurrently turned his gaze from Ezra to Sabine. "Make sure you're of age first."
"Okay, okay, more positives, moving away from the negative." Kanan murmured with a smile. "Uh…You guys still have those crystals right?"
"Right here." Dempsey showed off the blue crystal he obtained.
"It like Ezra's crystal all over again…" Zeb remarked.
"Mine is the flaming soul of Mother Russia!" Nikolai cried as he showed the red crystal.
"Red crystals don't form on Ilum." Kanan said with a glare.
"So this is an unnatural color?" Nikolai questioned, looking at his crystal. "So this is not of Jeddy color standard?
"Jedi." Kanan groaned, rolling his eyes.
"My mistake…"
Nikolai did not mind that the others in the room had to try and relieve themselves of the struggle to laugh at his pronunciation.
"All forgiven."
"So who is oppositional force to you?" Nikolai asked.
"Just remember, they're called the Sith." Kanan answered.
"Jedi…Sith…Hmm…" Nikolai repeated to himself. "Jedi, Sith, Jedi, Sith, okay I think I got it."
"As much as I'd like to ask for a history lesson, I still want to get to Takeo." Dempsey emphasized.
Bit by bit, information was slowly beginning to unravel itself from the depths of the German's twisted and conflicted mind. There wasn't really any better person to turn to other than the Ghost's captain and pilot, Hera. For Richtofen, sitting eye to eye with the green Twi'lek seemed to arise a familiar, long gone essence that was once part of him. Even before his enrollment into Group 935, he was a man with many hopes and many dreams…
Like many in their childhood and youth, there was two people a young man like Richtofen could have the privilege to turn to for encouragement…A mother and a father. But at this point, he was way past his dependence and reliance on his parents, and superiors in general…He was his own superior…or so he would believe himself to think.
Even if Edward's parents have been deceased within the course of his early scientific career in Group 935, there was one parent figure whose influence has stretched out as far as the present, shaping the thoughts of the doctor in a world with different rules altogether…Dr. Maxis.
Now there was new opportunity for the motherly guide to sprout so it may possibly begin to take part in Richtofen's encouragement once more. A good mother would listen to her son just as a good son may listen to his mother.
When Hera could only begin to scratch the surface of the mysteries behind Edward Richtofen, she would soon be aimlessly wandering about trying to make sense of the words and pleas. He allowed her to hold the Summoning Key in her hand whilst Richtofen spoke of the many confusing and intriguing experiences he's had in order to obtain it.
"So you have traveled through multiple universes? And you have seen many different versions of history in your world?" Hera asked, allowing the information to sink in. "Why did you not tell us this before?"
"I warned you…" Richtofen growled, springing out of his seat, snatching back the key. "This is a task that no other can accomplish, that no other can comprehend or understand. You and your rebellion have to trust me. I am doing the right thing…for everyone. This key...the blood..."
Hera could only exhale and only imagined the level of pain, grief, and the burden that was weighing down on this man as he began to become more jittery and cautious of what he was saying. She began to develop a deeper admiration for Richtofen's ability to endure. She knew that she could continue to help him in any way, and if it was for the future of all worlds, she too would persevere. Now she stood up and she was not hesitant to stare directly into his eyes while saying what she had to say in her assurance and encouragement so that easing up the tension could be possible.
"Don't worry Edward, I trust you. Just remember that you're part of our crew now and we will continue to help each other."
"Last night I had a dream, I dreamt of a house... A house with, children."
It was a house…It was with a house filled with children, but they were very far from children. Ahsoka was beginning to follow the in the footsteps of the dream that Takeo Masaki experienced before…and it was far from cheery, but not without a hint of happiness that was quiet.