Zaniel's starfighter was the last, of what comprised the remainder of Sabre squadron, to come out of lightspeed over Rugosa. Just an hour after sunset, he enters the coral moon's atmosphere headed for the coordinates of the Rebel supply cache. With his mind fixated on his brother he begins to unknowingly veer off course, lost in his despair. After making several attempts to inform him R9 finally takes control of the ship, steering them back towards the cache.

Zaniel finally is torn from his thoughts when he hears someone hailing him on comms. He waits for them to repeat the message, having not fully heard it the first time, as he spots the lights ahead.

Over the course of the last three years, Garan had several hidden supply depots established throughout the outer rim. Six in all, each cache housed a small temporary barracks for twelve, weapons, food, medical supplies and communications equipment for any Rebel team that found themselves in need. In the interest of the fighter squadrons the caches were also all equipped with a small payload of proton torpedoes for rearmament and a small transport retrofitted as a tanker for refueling.

As the lights grow closer he hears the hail again realizing it's not even that, just comm chatter from other Sabre pilots announcing their approach vectors for landing.

"This is Lt. Zaniel Brath, I'm coming in on the west side." He states.

Upon reaching the site Zaniel notices a corvette sitting in the distance as well as several Sabres scattered in front of it. Behind it rest some of the escape craft, shuttles, freighters and other transports, that were able to escape during the attack. Giving R9 control he does a quick count of the Sabres, estimating seventeen sitting on the ground.

Not even a full squadron. He thought.

As R9 brings the ship in to land Zaniel takes a closer look at the corvette; based off the markings he assumes it's the Pride of the Jedi.

Good. If anyone would be even remotely open to organizing a rescue, it would be Balek.

Of course Zaniel knew right away that it would be a long shot, just to go after his brother. Once again he was distracted from his thoughts as he noticed Tosch and several others from his squadron waiting for him as they touch down.

"I was starting to worry you hadn't made it." Says Tosch once Zaniel opens his canopy. "I'm sorry about Zaph."

Summoning his resolve Zaniel removes his helmet, placing it on the console, and crawls out of the fighter.

"Where's Captain Balek?"

"On the bridge, I believe he's conferring with Alliance Command now." Explains Tosch. "He was looking for you, told me to have you report in forthwith when/if you showed up."

Zaniel doesn't say anything in response, he just pulls off his flight gloves as he breaks into a run across the field for the Pride. He bounds up the open ramp onto the Pride and brings himself to a halt in front of the turbolift. When he exits on the command deck Zaniel walks in finding Balek already briefing a holo of Mon Mothma and Colonel Rieekan.

"Excuse me Captain." Interrupts Commander Kaeon as he spots Zaniel.

Balek looks over his shoulder, seeing Brath, then turns back to the holoprojector. "My apologies Colonel, Senator. My flight leader just arrived, give me a moment please."

Zaniel steps forward meeting Balek just outside of range of the holofield.

"Brath, it's good to see you. What can you tell me?" asks Balek.

"Not much sir, the base fell under attack by a single Star Destroyer. Zillo and Sabre squadrons did what we could to cover the transports as they tried to escape. Many of them were shot down or destroyed in the process, we were heavily outnumbered." Explains Zaniel. "My brother was shot down and captured during the fight sir."

"I'm sorry to hear that, do you know if Major Garan evacuated in time?"

"No idea, I know he left the control sphere at some point because Sgt Grahm was the one who transmitted the abort code." Replies Zaniel. "What do we know so far?"

"Not much, aside from the other eighteen pilots that made it here we only have one report from Chromia team that the base was under attack."

"Eighteen?"

"Plus yourself, that's all that have returned thus far." Adds Balek. "We assume the rest were lost."

"What about the report from this Chromia team?"

"The team's security officer contacted us from Takodana, apparently he was in contact with the other half of his team on Zutu base when the attack began. That was the first we'd heard of it, only himself and his pilot, someone called Juraxis, are left there."

"Tero Juraxis?" Zaniel says surprised.

"Yeah, you know him?"

"I recruited him."

Vaguely remembering now Balek turns his thoughts back on the situation at hand. "Right, well unfortunately that's the extent of our intel. Wait one." He says returning to the holofield. "Colonel, Senator. I've just debriefed Sabre leader, however we still have no new intel except that the Empire has taken at least one prisoner. There are likely others but we just don't know extent of the situation right now. I strongly suggest sending a scout ship to recon the planet, then potentially Zutu base itself."

"I think that's unwise Captain, that Star Destroyer could still be in the system." Replies Mon Mothma. "You'd only endanger more men."

"With respect Senator, Utapau is ringed with moons providing more than enough cover for us to get eyes on the planet."

As Balek continues negotiating for a recon mission the comms tech discreetly notifies Kaeon that they are receiving another transmission from Lt. Webt.

"Reiterate to Webt that the captain advised him to standby for further orders." Kaeon says quietly to the tech.

"Sir, I think the captain needs to hear this." Replies the tech as he listens to Webt on an audio channel. "Webt is saying they went to Utapau!"

Kaeon immediately walks over to Balek and whispers something in his ear, interrupting Mon Mothma and Rieekan yet again. However the two on the opposite end wait patiently knowing that Balek is likely receiving new intel on the situation.

"Forgive me Senator, Colonel, a recon mission may already prove useless. I have an officer on the other channel reporting in now."

"We assumed as much Captain, proceed." Says Rieekan.

"Thank you. Put him through Commander." Balek says to his XO as the images of Mothma and Rieekan are swapped out for Lt. Webt. "Lieutenant, I'm going to ignore the fact that you disobeyed my orders for a moment and hope you have some new information for me."

"Yes Captain." Replies Cale.

"What's the situation on Utapau?"

"When we arrived we found the Star Destroyer was still In orbit, with the help of Tero's astromech we sliced into their frequency and eavesdropped on their comm chatter. Through our link we overheard a shuttle transporting prisoners to the Star Destroyer; Major Garan's name was mentioned as one of the prisoners sir."

Balek can't help but drop his gaze at hearing Garan confirmed as a prisoner of the Empire. "Understood, do you have anything else?"

"Yes Captain, they also mentioned they have in custody an unidentified female which they listed as a high profile target. We're not certain but we think that could be Chromia leader, also we heard the name of the Star Destroyer transmitted over open comm, she's called the Exactor." Adds Cale.

Kriffing hell. Balek thought as he leans over the station.

"Did you say the Exactor?"

"Yes Captain, and unfortunately I have more bad news, worse news actually."

"Go ahead Lieutenant." Balek says not knowing how much more bad news he could take.

"Shortly before she jumped into hyperspace, the Exactor bombarded the site from orbit." Explains Cale. "But we were able to plot her trajectory and follow them. She's in the Chommell sector, a few parsecs from Naboo. So far they're just sitting out there, we're keeping an eye on them from quite a distance but they might spot us if they send out patrols."

Balek ignored, for the time being, the devastating news that Zutu was now a smoking crater. How many lives were lost as a result, how many rebels were still down there when Vader ordered the strike. Balek knew it would haunt him but there would be time for that later. What puzzled him now though was why Vader was just sitting in the middle of the Chommell sector.

"Listen to me Webt, I want you to stay where you are and keep eyes on the Exactor as long as you possibly can. At the first sign of detection or movement on their part, get outta there and report back immediately. You copy?"

"Yes Captain, understood."

"We'll get back to you shortly." Balek says giving Kaeon the signal to kill the transmission.

As the feed of Mothma and Rieekan comes back up Balek begins to fill them in on the situation. Even presuming her response, Balek briefly suggests the notion of a rescue mission. Having witnessed the report from Webt and watching the exchange now between Balek and Mon Mothma, Zaniel takes this as his opportunity and volunteers to lead said rescue mission.

Balek looks back at Brath, angered by his disrespectful interruption, but realizes his own brother was now one of those prisoners aboard the Exactor. However before he can say anything Balek hears Mothma listing the many reasons why they can't sanction a rescue mission.

"Senator, with all due respect we are talking about Major Garan and potentially Lady Harke and who knows how many others." Replies Balek. "We can't just leave them to their fate."

"I sympathize Captain, I truly do." Mothma replies genuinely after exhaling deeply. "I know I don't have to remind you that we're fighting a revolution; with very little resources, even less now with Zutu base destroyed and a volunteer army. Of which we have an insignificant number of at this stage, we simply can't sacrifice what little we have left to rescue a . . . . even a shuttle full of people, despite their importance."

"I understand." Balek says solemnly.

Remembering Zaphael's contingency Zaniel attempts to speak up. "Captain, Senator, I have a . . ."

"Quiet, Lieutenant!" Kaeon says.

"No, sir wait, I may have . . . . "

"Quiet, Brath!" Balek snaps, nearly fuming.

"Sir, the Exactor is just sitting there, if you'll just listen I have a plan."

"Commander, get him off my bridge!"

Kaeon snaps his fingers, summoning another officer to assist him; they take hold of Zaniel's flight gear and drag him off the bridge, struggling.

"My apologies Senator, Colonel. His brother was shot down during the attack and is likely one of the prisoners." Balek says.

Mothma nods her head in understanding. "There's no place for that kind of behavior, especially from a flight leader but try to be lenient Captain."

"Yes Senator. Colonel, in light of the circumstances we've missed our window of opportunity at New Cov. What are your orders?"

"As long as you deem it safe, stay on Rugosa for now, there could still be stragglers that are trying to make their way there. Meanwhile we'll convene with the other leaders of the Rebellion, we'll need to reorganize after today." Rieekan replies.

"Yes sir, Pride out." Balek says frustrated as he rubs his hand down his face.

"No go on a rescue mission?" Kaeon says returning to the bridge, knowing he needn't have even bothered to ask.

Balek simply shakes his head, doing his best to hide his despair from the rest of his crew. "Clear the bridge, on the double, and get me Brath!"

A few moments earlier Tosch watches as his friend is forcibly removed from the turbolift by Commander Kaeon and another officer.

"What happened?" he asks.

"He's lucky we don't have a brig on board, he might find himself in it!" states Kaeon as he steps back aboard the turbolift.

"Zaniel?"

"They received new intel confirming that Major Garan was taken prisoner, I was trying to suggest a rescue mission but they wouldn't let me get a word out." Explains Zaniel as they step off the ship into the cool night air. "In retrospect I shouldn't have butted into the captain's conversation but what they don't realize is I have a way to track Zaph."

"What, how?" asks Tosch.

"It's a long story but it only works as long as we can get close to the Star Destroyer that took them; which for the time being we do."

"Brath!"

They both turn around spotting Kaeon standing at the top of the boarding ramp.

"Come with me, now." Orders Kaeon.

"Oh bantha balls." Zaniel says under his breath as he looks at Tosch. "Here we go."

Zaniel follows Kaeon back onto the bridge finding Balek alone.

"Front and center, Brath." Balek says as Zaniel stands toe to toe with him. "Your behavior earlier was disrespectful and grossly insubordinate for an officer, to say nothing of the fact that you're also a flight leader."

Knowing he could potentially face a court martial, Zaniel decides to take his last shot for his brother's sake.

"I know you're upset about your brother but what in the blazes . . . ."

"Sir, I can track them!" Zaniel interrupts.

Stunned to silence Balek studies him for a moment assuming he must have heard him wrong. "What!?"

"Shortly after Ryndori, Zaphael and I injected ourselves with an experimental bio-rhythm tracker." Zaniel says explaining how it works based on his limited knowledge. "We have the Exactor's current location, as long as she stays there we can determine my brother's location on board. He and the other prisoners are likely being kept in the same area, we organize a rescue party and pull them out."

"As much as I'd like to rescue Major Garan and the others, you only have half a plan Brath. Not to mention the fact that we wouldn't be executing an incursion onto just any Star Destroyer. This is the Exactor we're talking about, Vader's personal flagship. He will be onboard and would be wise to any distractions we throw at him while we try to free our people." Replies Balek.

Although he knew Balek was right there had to be a way; Zaniel wouldn't stop until all options had been exhausted, maybe not even then.

"Unless . . . " Balek says suddenly getting an idea.

"What is it, sir?"

"The only thing that would occupy Vader's attention enough to draw him away from Garan would be a Jedi."

Suddenly Zaniel realizes that might just be possible. Although even if he could find and convince Jori to do it, he knew it would mean putting her in great danger. That, he wasn't sure he could do but what other options were there, he couldn't simply leave his brother to his fate.

Reluctantly, Zaniel decides to pursue the option. "That might be possible."

"What, how?"

"I . . . .I might have a way to find Master Kai."

"You're just full of surprises aren't you Brath." Balek says. "Even if you can find her, that's a hard sell."

"I know sir, one I really don't even want to attempt but he's my brother and we're out of options."

Balek exhales deeply weighing the situation, even if Brath could enlist Master Kai's help they would still be facing impossible odds. Yet impossible odds was something the Rebellion was more than familiar with; plus he wasn't ready to give up on Garan.

"What's your plan exactly Lieutenant?"

"I don't have one sir. I just have the tools, I was hoping you might handle that." Replies Zaniel.

"You realize I could lose my command for even entertaining such a notion."

"I do sir."

Balek exchanges a look with Kaeon, both knowing that Garan would do the same for them if the situation was reversed.

"Do what you can to locate the Jedi, we'll get to work."

"Yes sir." Zaniel says heading for the turbolift. Once inside he contacts R9 on his comlink. "R9, pull up the data you sliced from the Arrow, I'm on my way."

When he steps off the ship Tosch has a simple look of inquiry upon his face. Zaniel says nothing though as he runs towards his ship.

"Well, hey wait up!" Tosch says beginning to follow.

"Stay put, I've got work to do." Zaniel says leaving him behind.

When he arrives at his ship R9 has the data already up on his display inside the cockpit, Zaniel hops in and asks the droid what he's got so far. The droid explains that the refueling logs from the Arrow didn't go back past two years, however the interesting thing about it was that it didn't even refuel once in those two years!

"She was in exile, once she left Naboo she found someplace else and didn't leave once throughout the last two years." says Zaniel basing his theory on the limited details Jori had told him. "So where was the last place she refueled before going back into exile?"

R9 brings up the data on the screen in response.

"Ketaris in the Oplovis sector." Zaniel says reading the data. "She could be in a dozen possible locations in that sector alone."

Suddenly he felt how truly daunting this task would be, it almost seemed futile.

"Okay, we know she's hiding from the Empire." he says aloud. "R9 remove any Imperial controlled worlds as well as any with known Imperial presence. While we're at it eliminate all worlds controlled by the Hutts or any other planets known to be frequented heavily by any crime syndicates, smugglers or bounty hunters. Then widen the search to extend to all bordering sectors."

Once the droid makes the necessary adjustments Zaniel is still left with nearly a hundred potential worlds in only nine sectors.

This is gonna be impossible. He thought. Why did I think I could find her with just her refueling logs.

"Wait a minute." Zaniel says suddenly having an epiphany. "The ship wasn't used for two years, which means it would have been shut down. I've been going at this the wrong way. R9, do the logs show when the ship was reactivated after that two year span?" Zaniel asks.

Having been shut down for an extended period of time Zaniel realizes that the refueling computer on the Arrow would have been rebooted during the ship's restart. It was common by modern standards in ship manufacturing, although certain variables could come into play which might disprove his theory. Depending on the tech and the date of the Arrow's manufacture, plus Zaniel remembered that Jori had mentioned that the ship had once belonged to a bounty hunter so there was no telling whether or not this angle would pan out. As R9 searched for the answer Zaniel sat there impatiently.

Finally the droid whistles bringing up the timestamp of the ship's, and its refueling computer's, restart. Zaniel then asks the droid if the location of the ship was stamped in the records as well during said restart. A second later R9 brings up an image of the planet and it's name below it, Xagobah!

"Yes! Thank the Force." Zaniel says excitedly as he begins to study the data on Xagobah. "Wait a minute, this planet's atmosphere is toxic to humans, she couldn't survive ther . . . . ."

Zaniel suddenly realizes the brilliance behind Jori's choice of exile. No one would suspect a human would choose Xagobah to reside in, it was brilliant indeed.

"Get me the Pride, R9."

A moment later he's connected to Balek on comms.

"Captain, I think I know where she is."

"Alright you have clearance to leave but be aware, something's come up." Says Balek.

"What's going on?"

"We just received a report from Cmdr. Kesaro, he got word from Ryndori that there Is an Imperial light cruiser patrolling their sector."

"What does that mean, do they know Ryndori's involved in the Rebellion?" asks Zaniel fearfully.

"We don't see how they could but thus far we simply don't know. Per Ryndori they've had no contact with the cruiser yet, they just picked it up on scanners." Explains Balek. "Kesaro is monitoring the situation closely, in the meantime we're going to move forward with planning the rescue mission. I just wanted you to know that certain circumstances, various ones at that, might prevent us from even initiating this plan."

"I understand Captain, I will report back as soon as I can." Zaniel replies.

"Good luck Lieutenant."

"Let's go R9." Zaniel says putting his helmet on.

R9 closes the canopy just as Zaniel lifts the ship off the ground, as he points the fighter skyward he attempts to make contact with Ryndori. With R9's help he encrypts the channel and soon finds his mother's image displayed via the small holoprojector on his console.

"Zaniel is that you?" says Fiora says noticing the black and blue pained flight helmet.

"Mom I have to make this short so listen carefully."

"What's wrong?" she says sensing the urgency in her firstborn's voice.

"Mom, Zaphael was shot down in combat." Zaniel says seeing the worry in her expression. "He's alive but he's an Imperial prisoner."

"W . . . . what, where . . ."

"Mom listen, we're putting together a rescue mission to go after him and some others but there's more. My superiors just learned that there's an Imperial cruiser over Ryndori."

"What, why?"

"Focus mother, I can't stay on this channel long." Zaniel says hating to have to interrupt her. "I want you to get some stuff together and get to the cabin in Rhewi right away. Don't linger, get up there as soon as you can and don't contact or tell anyone about what I've just told you, do you understand?"

"When will I hear from you again?"

"Mom, I need you to acknowledge that you understood me, get to Rhewi as fast as possible!"

"Yes I understand, just tell me when will I hear from you?"

"I don't know mother but no matter what happens stay at the cabin until I contact you, understood?"

"Yes, yes I will, I promise. Both of you come back to me please." Fiora says now in tears.

"I'll do my best, I love you mom."

"I love you too, son."

"I have to go now, I have to find someone who might be able to help me rescue Zaph."

Fiora nods her head in her distress and says, "Be safe."

As soon as the holo fades Zaniel looks out upon the stars as the fighter breaks through Rugosa's atmosphere, praying that that conversation wouldn't be his last with her. Returning to the task ahead of him Zaniel asks R9 if he's laid in their course to Xagobah, to which the droid whistles an affirmative in response.

Zaniel reaches for the hyperdrive lever and says, "Okay then, let's do it."

This chapter's title came to me easily as I was training someone to do tracking/tracing at my job. Seemed appropriate given that Zaniel had methods to track down both Jori and his brother.