After an extensive search of the planet the 501st finally locates the Jedi starfighters. However the clones are surprised to find two Rodians flying the ships instead of the two Jedi. After a few hours of interrogation an update is given to Darth Vader that the Jedi sold the two fighters to the Rodians. Further interrogation by Vader himself discovered that the Jedi had mentioned buying passage off of Coruscant. The 501st are immediately dispatched to the starports to commence a search for the information they require.
Finally Vader is pleased to hear good news from his subordinates when the clones discovered a possible trail leading to Dantooine based off the questioning of several witnesses. Vader immediately orders the Jedi Hunter I to plot a course there, in addition he requests several other Star Destroyers to his command to search nearby systems. Vader knows the Jedi could be on any of the planets in that system. He wants a tight net formed around the entire system, if they are indeed there they would not escape. Of course Vader knew all to well that there would be a loophole to his plan of attack. The Jedi may have already vacated the system.
On board the Arawak, Gleim holds the ship in orbit as Ishisz's flight droid sends him information through his armband.
"So, they're headed to Dantooine." Ishisz says receiving the data from his droid.
"How does your droid know how to do all that?" Gleim asks.
"I made my own special modifications. It can fly my ship, hack into security and com channels and even prepare my meals!" Ishisz says sarcastically as he punches more commands into his armband. As the JH1 begins to alter its course so it can make the jump into hyperspace, Ishisz's ship which remains cloaked locks on to the JH1. "Set course for Dantooine Gleim!" Ishisz orders as he watches the JH1 disappear into hyperspace.
Gleim makes the calculation for the jump and pulls the stick initiating the hyperdrive.
Jori brings the speeder to a halt back at the rental shop.
"So what's your plan for getting off world?" Ranik asks.
"Well I hate to do it this way but we've got no choice." Ryaan walks up to the first freighter pilot he finds and asks him for passage to the Alderaan system.
"Sure for five thousand." The humanoid says.
"For three people I think fifty credits sounds better." Ryaan says holding up the credits in his hands.
The pilots begins laughing at the insult. "Don't waste my time, I've got better things to do."
Just as he's about to walk away Ryaan waves a few of his fingers from the same hand he holds the credits. "You said fifty would be enough."
"I did? You're right I did. Alright my ship is this way, when would you like to leave?"
"Immediately." Ryaan adds.
As the humanoid leads them to his ship Ryaan keeps his mental hold over the him until they make the jump to lightspeed. After which Ryaan places his hand on the pilot's head putting him to sleep.
"You like that new trick don't you master?" Jori says helping Ranik to move the humanoid out of the pilot's seat.
They lay him down on one of the bunks inside the ship and Ryaan places the fifty credits on the man's chest.
"You're actually gonna pay him?" Ranik asks.
"At least he'll get something out of it." Ryaan says walking back to the pilot's seat. "We should be at the Alderaan system in an hour or two."
When the ship emerges from hyperspace Ryaan pilots the craft to the moon designated by the instructions sent earlier. As the ship draws closer the com device begins receiving a hailing signal, Táj flips on the comlink and answers.
"Master Jedi I presume?" the voice says.
"Yes that's correct." Ryaan replies.
"Good, we're sending you landing coordinates now, Welcome to the Alderaan system." The voice says.
Ryaan lands the ship at the instructed area; before following his companions outside he places his hand on the pilots forehead once again. This time he gives the man a simple suggestion to leave the system once he awakens. The pilot remains sedated as Ryaan exits the ship.
After regrouping with Jori and Ranik, Ryaan spots the beautiful woman whom he spoke with through the holocom.
"Master Jedi, it is a great gift to meet you." Sheltay says greeting the trio. "We had feared that the Empire had extinguished the light of the Jedi for good. I'm very happy to see that at least two of the Jedi have survived."
"Three!" Ranik puts in.
"Excuse me?" Sheltay says.
"Three Jedi have survived." Ranik adds making himself more clear.
Sheltay's expression shows her confusion easily. "I was told there were only two Jedi that had escaped from Rhen Var."
"Oh there were, allow me to introduce the third member of our party. Jedi Master Ranik Solusar." Ryaan says after introducing himself and Jori.
"I don't understand, how did you escape the Empire?" Sheltay asks.
"I was banished from the Jedi Order fifteen years ago."
Before she can respond Ryaan jumps back into the conversation and suggests that they focus on their reason for being here.
"Yes of course, this way please. Your host will be here momentarily, he was delayed during a meeting with an important faction member."
"Speaking of which who is our host?" Ryaan asks.
As Sheltay continues to lead them through moon outpost she informs Ryaan that she cannot reveal that information just yet.
"Our session will be held in a secure room, totally soundproof and no recording devices whatsoever."
"Do you suspect a spy in your midst?" Ryaan asks.
"These are troubling times Master Jedi, republic loyalists like ourselves all believe that the Empire will do more harm than good. Many predict that there will be dark times ahead for years to come. For that reason, all loyalists are taking any precautions they can to protect their true identities and ideals." Sheltay explains.
Once they arrive in the circular room the doors slide shut behind them. Before entering all communication devices are collected and locked up until the session is over.
"Now that we are safe from possible eavesdroppers your host, Senator of Alderaan Bail Organa, will be here shortly."
Although Ranik does not recognize the name Ryaan and Jori are shocked to hear the Bail Organa is actually part of the resistance. "Bail Organa is head the resistance?" Ryaan asks.
"Not exactly but he is a leading member." Sheltay replies.
"How do you fit into this?" Jori asks.
"I'm his senatorial assistant."
"What's the deal who is he?" Ranik asks.
"Bail was one of the few senators who was strongly against the Clone Army creation act." Ryaan explains.
"One of?" Ranik asks.
"Well Senator Amidala was the leader of the opposition but she wasn't on Coruscant when the vote was decided." Jori puts in.
"Why not?"
Sheltay explains to Ranik that there were several assassination attempts on her life.
"I'd heard that Master Kenobi was leading the investigation but I don't know much else. Jori and I were on Mon Calamari trying to negotiate terms with the Quarrens to back out of their plans to secede from the Republic at the time. It wasn't much longer after that we received a coded message for all Jedi to return to the temple immediately. It stated that war had broken out between the Separatists and the Republic." Ryaan explains.
A few moments later the transparent doors slide open as Bail Organa enters accompanied by another man dressed in Alderaanian attire. "Ryaan Táj, it's good to see a Jedi alive." Bail says shaking Ryaan's hand.
"We've never met before Sir but it's good to see you too. This is my Padawan Jori Kai and my former master Ranik Solusar."
As Bail greets Jori he also is amazed to learn that a third Jedi had survived.
"Your assistant was also surprised as well, I suggested we wait for your arrival so I can explain the situation to both of you." Ryaan says.
"Before you do let me introduce you to another native to Alderaan, Major Rieekan" After all introductions are made everyone takes a seat as Bail first asks Ryaan about the events of the last few days.
Ryaan retells the story again starting from their isolation on Rhen Var and ends up explaining how he had sought out and found his old master on Dantooine. "Ranik has not been in the Jedi order for over a decade but he is still a Jedi and a good man. He's even begun to teach his son the ways of the Force." Ryaan says.
"Where is your son?" Bail asks.
"I left him at home, he's safe there." Ranik replies.
"I hope so, there's nothing more important than family. My wife I recently adopted a baby girl and we take her everywhere." Bail says.
As Ryaan and Jori offer their congratulations Ranik responds by reminding the group that his parental decisions are not the subject of the meeting.
"No but the Jedi are Ranik, I still think you should've brought him." Ryaan replies sharply.
Bail and his companions remain silent for a few moments as Ryaan and Ranik finish their discussion. Jori quickly notices things not going the way they should and jumps into the middle of the two.
"Master Ryaan we're guests here, shouldn't we behave as such."
Although mildly ashamed that his own Padawan had to discipline him, Ryaan is once again amazed by Jori's maturity and sense of presence. Constantly he becomes more and more proud of her.
"Excuse me, you're absolutely right Jori." He says as he flashes a look of humility to Jori.
As Ryaan collects himself Ranik begins to realize that the rift between himself and his former Padawan is still present. Ranik never denied that he caused the rift but after their reuniting on Dantooine he had hoped that things might be mended back together.
"You were going to tell us about the resistance movement." Ryaan says to Bail.
Bail begins to explain the political events that took place over the last few months, most especially the Declaration of 2000. Finally Bail explains how during one session the loyalists decided to implant spies among the Imperial ranks. It was no secret the Empire was recruiting humans for Imperial officers. The head of the loyalist committee, Mon Mothma, had organized the operation.
"It was then that we realized that we were no longer merely loyalists trying to preserve a fallen Republic but a rebellion trying to restore it. That next week we had gathered several dozens of senators who remained loyal to the Republic. It was that day that we formed the Rebel Alliance." Bail explains.
Although still in secret and without any military force or power the leaders of the Alliance set out plans for the future. Rebel spies were sent out to apply for positions in the Imperial ranks with orders to gather and send any intelligence to their Alliance contacts. For the time being this was the Rebels primary operation. Each month the Alliance leaders would meet in secret on a different planet. During one such meeting the main subject was finding the means to build a military force large enough to counter the Empire. Of course everyone knew this would be their most difficult feat.
"For the time being our entire Rebellion will rely mainly on intelligence, subterfuge and sabotage." Mon Mothma had replied. "We have no means to attack the Empire head on."
Before continuing Bail informs the Jedi that one such spy had actually aided them in their escape from Rhen Var. Immediately Ryaan and Jori realize who Bail is speaking of.
"I thought something seemed off with him; how did he know it was us? We were dressed in clone trooper armor." Ryaan asks.
"He knew your so called orders were false." Rieekan jumps in.
"Then how come fighter craft were sent after us once we left the ship?" Jori asks.
"Because he had to protect his cover, his name is Major Garan. He had told us that after you left the ship he'd acted as if he'd been under some kind of mind influence. He ordered the ships to go after you so it wouldn't draw attention to himself." Rieekan adds.
"I see, well tell him we said thank you." Ryaan says.
"I'm sure he'll be glad to hear your still alive. He said there wasn't much he could do when they'd caught up with you at Vergesso. That ship Garan is stationed on is called the Jedi Hunter I, its been sweeping through the galaxy in search of any surviving Jedi." Rieekan explains.
"So that's why they attacked the temple on Rhen Var." Ryaan says.
"Right, the Empire knew that there was an ancient sanctuary on Rhen Var." Rieekan adds. "It was just next on their list I suppose."
"I'm guessing they got the information from the Jedi Archives." Ryaan says looking over at Jori.
Bail continued as he told the Jedi that eventually it had been agreed upon that the Rebellion must begin to procure weapons of any kind.
"We may not have an army but even if we are to attack from within we must have weapons!" One senator had stated.
Several planets had their own security forces such as Naboo did but everyone knew if every rebel homeworld were to begin accelerating their manufacture of weapons the Empire would surely notice.
"Then it must be done in secret like everything else." Another senator had suggested.
In the end of the meeting Mon Mothma had suggested they take things one step at a time. She proposed that a group of rebels would be assigned to gather a stockpile of weapons. She picked the man for the job herself, a native of her own homeworld Chandrila. The man's name was Jass Arkton, after being appointed for the mission he met with the Alliance leaders. Each Alliance leader transferred funds to a secure account from which Arkton could use to purchase weapons off the black market. Smugglers would be their method of making the transaction and each purchase was to be made at a different location.
"By now Jass has built quite a stockpile of weapons, they're kept at a secure location in the outer rim." Bail says.
"So what are the plans for the immediate future?" Ryaan asks.
"Right now we're just making preparations, it's still too soon to be thinking large scale." Bail replies.
"Then we must make plans for small scale attacks from within like you said." Ranik jumps in.
"He's right and I think the first target should be the Jedi Hunter I." Rieekan suggests.
"I agree but right now it's too dangerous, the Jedi would be wise to lay low for awhile then arise later on when their help would be of more use." Bail says.
Suddenly Ryaan begins sensing something from Bail, although he cannot place it he feels the senator is hiding something.
"The Empire must be put down but if we are the last of the Jedi I have to agree with Senator Organa, we must preserve the light of the Jedi." Ryaan says as he eyes Organa questionably.
Sensing Ryaan knows something is off Organa asks Major Rieekan and Sheltay to leave the room. Although the request is abrupt Rieekan and Retrac leave the room as requested by the Senator.
"You know more than you're telling us don't you Senator?" Ryaan asks.
"Yes but for all of our sakes what I'm about to tell you does not leave this room!" All three Jedi nod their heads in agreement as they anxiously await to hear what Organa is about to say. Bail takes a deep breath then speaks, "You three are not the last of the Jedi!"
"What? How do you know . . . . who?" Ryaan and Jori say in sequence.
Bail hesitates to give the answer as he knows it will raise many more questions from the Jedi trio. But ultimately realizes they have a right to know.
"Masters Yoda and Kenobi are still alive."
The Jedi nearly go into shock at hearing two of the most powerful Jedi Masters have survived the purge.
"Yoda and Obi-Wan." Ryaan says to himself smiling.
"We must contact them!" Jori suggests.
"Impossible." Bail says sharply.
Again a shocked expression is shown on the Jedi's faces.
"Why?" Jori asks.
"They're in exile, separately of course." Bail says.
"But you know where they are." Ranik says offering his insight.
After another deep breath Bail reveals that he does know the location of Obi-Wan Kenobi. "I honestly do not know where Yoda has gone."
"There's more isn't there?" Ryaan asks.
"You know sometimes that Jedi insight of yours is a curse." Organa says.