Our heroes have a new mission, and Kira meets with the Chancellor...
Two days later, the council of the Alliance leaders is assembled in the conference room. Chancellor Qi'ra stands behind a podium while the other council members are seated at the large, circular table.
"I have called this emergency council meeting to discuss the latest intelligence. We have received word that the Empire has sent two fleets to defend Kamino, and that the Emperor has placed all operations on Kamino under the command of the Grand Inquisitor. I agree with Generals Bridger and Tano that she must be dealt with, and that we should also take the opportunity to deal a serious blow to the Empire." Qi'ra says.
"Attack Kamino? With two Imperial fleets protecting it?" Kyle asks.
"That's correct General Katarn." Qi'ra answers.
"We can do it. A small team can sneak onto the planet, eliminate the Grand Inquisitor, and destroy the cloning facility." Ezra says.
"I agree. General Bridger, assemble whatever personnel you think are best suited. I advise that some Jedi presence would be ideal to deal with the Grand Inquisitor." Qi'ra says.
"You're right, chancellor. I'm figuring on at least two force users for the team." Ezra says.
"Very good. I have some former employees who owe me a few favors. I'll arrange for them to meet your team at Kamino." Qi'ra says.
"We could have a small fleet waiting in a nearby system in case things get out of hand." Sabine says.
"It seems to be settled then. General Bridger, I leave you to plan the particulars of this mission. Send your team as soon as it's ready." Qi'ra says.
"Understood." Ezra says.
"While this Kamino mission may succeed, we are still far away from winning this war. Our numbers are still too small. Unfortunately, we seem to have run out of potential allies. At least, at this time." Ahsoka says.
"We'll just have to make do with what we have." Hera says.
"We could attempt to...find some rebels." Ahsoka says.
"You just said there aren't any. At least, not at this time." Ezra says.
"Yes, Ezra. That is exactly what I said." Ahsoka says.
"I don't see how…" Hera says.
"Now, wait just a damn minute." Ezra says.
"We are out of options, Ezra. I will do what I must." Ahsoka says.
"I don't understand. What are you talking about?" Qi'ra asks.
"Chancellor, there is a means, using the force, to access different places and...times. Ahsoka is suggesting using it to go to the past and get us some help." Ezra answers.
"This seems a bit...outlandish. I have never heard of such a thing." Qi'ra says.
"Ezra used it to save my life, forty years ago. After that, we both agreed that it would be best if we didn't tamper with time anymore. It could have drastic consequences if mistakes are made." Ahsoka says.
"I see. What changes your mind now?" Qi'ra asks.
"Quite frankly, the Emperor cheats, so why don't we?" Ahsoka asks.
"You make a good point, general. Do whatever is necessary. Let's hope it brings us victory." Qi'ra says.
"This is preposterous, chancellor! We shouldn't be trusting our fate to tricks and illusions! I don't know what game these Jedi are trying to play, but I have had enough of it!" Senator Kalim says.
"I trust their word, senator. That should be good enough for you." Qi'ra says.
"Dev Morgan and Fulcrum are both criminals! They should be in holding cells, instead of serving in leadership positions!" Kalim says. Kira starts to stand up, and Qi'ra raises a hand. Kira changes her mind, and sits back down.
"I think that is quite enough. General Bridger, I think it's time to take action on that matter we discussed before this meeting." Qi'ra says.
"Agreed." Ezra says.
"What is going on here?" Kalim asks.
"Norrest Kalim, you are under arrest for treason. Guards, remove him!" Qi'ra says. Two armed soldiers approach Kalim.
"This is outrageous! I'm not a traitor!" Kalim says as the guards put him in binders.
"We have uncovered evidence that you have been sending coded transmissions to the Empire. That, I believe, is treason." Ahsoka says.
"Chancellor Qi'ra, I'm no traitor! This...woman has fabricated evidence so she can remove me from the council! I formally protest this farce!" Kalim shouts. Qi'ra stares at Kalim for a few seconds, then nods to the guards, who grab the senator, and start dragging him toward the exit.
"Save your protests for a judge." Ezra says. After Kalim is removed, he adds "If we ever get one."
"Now that that unfortunate business is over, I call this meeting adjourned. Commander Bridger, would you please meet me in my office in twenty minutes?" Qi'ra asks.
"Of course, chancellor." Kira answers.
Twenty minutes later, Kira enters the chancellor's office, which is a small, lightly decorated room, with a large desk, and several chairs. Qi'ra is seated behind the desk, reading a datapad. Kira waits patiently at the office entrance.
"Come in, Kira. Please sit down." Qi'ra says, as she looks up from her datapad. Kira approaches the desk, and sits down at one of the two chairs facing the desk. Qi'ra puts down her datapad, and says "I noticed that smile on your face when the guards dragged that bastard out of the council chambers."
"He's been a complete ass to pretty much everyone, and he was pretty much useless to the Alliance. The fact that he's an Imperial spy doesn't really surprise me." Kira says.
"You don't have to worry about him anymore, dear." Qi'ra says.
"Thank you." Kira says.
"Now, there's something else I would like to talk about. That's your training with your father." Qi'ra says.
"Of course." Kira says.
"I've been hearing that Ezra's training you and Ben pretty hard, and I know he's not giving you much free time." Qi'ra says.
"What free time? Besides all the things I'm doing for the Alliance, I also have saber practice twice each day, meditation for up to four hours a day, and reading the old Jedi texts with Ahsoka for two hours a day." Kira says.
The funny thing is, daddy hasn't been involved with my training ever since he became the supreme commander three days ago. It's understandable. He's busy. He's been having Kyle and Sabine run the saber practices. It's going okay, it's just...not the same. Kira thinks.
"That man works you and Ben too hard. I've already told him that. You young people need to enjoy life as much as possible. We only live once, after all." Qi'ra says.
"Some of us not for very long." Kira says.
"Sadly true. For as long as I've known your father, he's always been very strict with his students. I think that disciplinarian side of him is a byproduct of his time serving with Grand Admiral Thrawn in the Unknown Regions." Qi'ra says.
"Well, I wouldn't know since daddy never talks about Thrawn or the Unknown Regions. Do you know anything about what happened back then?" Kira asks.
"Very little, I'm afraid. Honestly, it's not my story to tell." Qi'ra answers.
"I can't believe my father actually served with an Imperial Grand Admiral for six years! I don't see how a good man like my father could possibly stand to work with someone like that! All the old Imperials were evil bastards from what I hear." Kira says.
"Your mother was an Imperial officer." Qi'ra says.
"Mama joined the Empire because she thought it was the right thing to do. Later on, she started to hate the Empire, but stayed because she felt trapped." Kira says.
"So did many others. Not all Imperials were evil. Good. Evil. It all depends on your point of view." Qi'ra says.
"What?" Kira asks.
"You believe yourself to be good." Qi'ra answers.
"Yes. I would like to think so." Kira says.
"You are good, because you believe that your own moral code is what is right, and that anyone who opposes your moral code is wrong, thus they are evil." Qi'ra says.
"I wouldn't exactly say that." Kira says.
"That's true. At least for you. You don't see things in black and white like most people do. That's why you were able to help Ben Solo turn from the dark side. You opened your mind to the possibility that someone with opposing views was worth helping. Honestly, the galaxy could use a lot more people like you." Qi'ra says.
"Thank you." Kira says.
"When it comes down to it, you and Ben weren't all that different. Even when he served Snoke." Qi'ra says.
"I'm not sure I follow." Kira says.
"You believed that what you were doing was right. So did Ben. Opposing sides both believing themselves to be completely right. This has been the cause of many wars. Especially between the Sith and the Jedi." Qi'ra says.
"You seem to know a great deal about the Sith and the Jedi. That's kind of odd for someone who doesn't use the force." Kira says.
"Galactic history is a longtime hobby of mine. The Jedi played a vital role in it. So did the Sith. I suppose that I sometimes let curiosity get the better of me, but I have studied both orders. In my studies, I have come to the conclusion that there isn't much difference between the two." Qi'ra says.
"The Sith are evil! Selfish! They think they're better than everyone else!" Kira says.
"And the Jedi don't?" Qi'ra asks.
"No. The Jedi are selfless. They put the needs of others before themselves. At least, they're supposed to." Kira answers.
"That's the key there. Supposed to. How would the galaxy be if everyone did what they were supposed to do?" Qi'ra asks.
"I...don't know." Kira answers. Qi'ra chuckles.
"Relax, dear. It's a trick question." Qi'ra says.
"Oh." Kira says.
"There is one fundamental flaw typical among the Sith. Overconfidence. Emperor Palpatine was possibly the worst in all of history. He was so certain that his plans would be successful, that he became complacent. This is what led to the old Empire's downfall." Qi'ra says.
"The Emperor's at it again though, so I wouldn't exactly say he's failed yet." Kira says.
"It appears that the Emperor is doing things much the same as he did before. Eventually, I think he will settle into his complacency once more, if he hasn't already done so. Now, if the Kamino operation is a success, then the Emperor will apparently have no more clone bodies. Perhaps someone will then be able to kill him for good." Qi'ra says.
"You seem to know a lot about the Emperor." Kira says.
"To defeat an enemy, you must know them." Qi'ra says.
"Makes sense." Kira says.
"Indeed. Now, before you go, I have a story to tell you. It is a tale of Sith overconfidence. One of my mentors told me this story a long time ago." Qi'ra says.
"What kind of story?" Kira asks.
"Have you ever heard the tragedy of...Darth Plagueis the Wise?" Qi'ra asks.