On the Ghost, Ezra and Kira enter the cockpit. Hera is in the pilot's seat, while R2-D2 is at one of the rear consoles.
"There you are!" Hera says.
"Sorry, Hera. We had to take care of the two Knights of Ren that got left behind." Ezra says.
"So, you killed them." Hera says.
"No. Just knocked them out. They'll wake up in about fifteen minutes." Ezra says.
"We'll be gone by then. At least we should be." Hera says.
"How are we doing?" Ezra asks.
"The turret gun and the rear gun are working, but the nose gun is still offline. It'll take at least a day to get it working. I've got Jacen on the turret gun, and Chopper's going to be on the rear gun. R2 will run maintenance as needed. Ezra, we've got your console set up to remote pilot the Gauntlet. Kira, I need you at co-pilot." Hera says.
"Me, co-pilot?" Kira asks.
"Han Solo says you can fly. That's good enough for me." Hera says.
"I figured you'd have Ahsoka do it." Kira says.
"Ahsoka's in her cabin, resting. That saber trick of hers wore her out." Hera says.
"Oh." Kira says.
"Go on, kid. You've got this." Ezra says, putting a hand on his daughter's shoulder. Kira looks at her father, and nods. She approaches the co-pilot's chair, and hesitantly sits down. Ezra takes his seat at one of the stations in the rear of the cockpit.
"All stations, check in!" Hera says.
"Sensors and shields at 100 percent. Navicomputer is online. Comm's online." Kira says.
"Remote pilot system ready." Ezra says.
"Turret gun ready." Jacen says.
/Rear gun ready./ Chopper says.
/Environmental systems and engines at 100 percent./ R2-D2 says.
"Kira, signal the Falcon." Hera says. Kira presses a few buttons.
"You're on." Kira says.
"Ghost to Falcon. Do you read me?" Hera asks.
"Loud and clear, Hera." Han says over the comm.
"We're ready to launch here. Just waiting on Leia's signal." Hera says.
"Standby, Ghost." Han says. Several seconds pass.
"I'm here, Hera. You take point. The Falcon and...Poe's ship will follow you." Leia says over the comm.
"Understood. We'll have the Gauntlet fly in front of us. Hopefully it can distract the Imperials long enough for us to escape." Hera says.
"Good plan, Hera. I have no doubt we'll pull it off. Launch when you're ready." Leia says.
"Understood." Hera says.
"Good luck, and may the force be with us." Leia says. Hera signals for Kira to shut off the comm. Kira presses several buttons.
"Comm's off." Kira says.
"Alright. Let's do this!" Hera says.
The engines of the Ghost ignite, and, for the first time in several years, the old freighter leaves the surface of Lothal. The vessel slowly ascends into the sky, with the other ships following it, as the ghostly figures of Kanan, Revan, and Bastila observe.
"So it begins." Bastila says.
"What?" Kanan asks.
"The beginning...of the end." Bastila says.
"So, the apocalypse." Kanan says.
"Not quite yet. But soon. Your family will face many trials in the days to come." Revan says.
"They'll be alright. I believe in them." Kanan says.
"So do I, Kanan. It is a pity that they must leave the peace of this world. Unfortunately, war calls to them once more." Revan says.
"Wars do not usually make one great. However, this victors of this conflict will achieve greatness, for they will determine the shape of the galaxy for many years to come." Bastila says.
"Kira Bridger and Ben Solo are powerful, but with great power, comes great responsibility. If our young friends are successful, then, this war will be the last great war." Revan says.
"War has shaped the galaxy for so long. The names change, and so do the lines on a map, but all wars are ultimately the same war." Bastila says.
"What does that mean?" Kanan asks.
"I speak of the spiritual conflict between the light and the dark. That is at the very heart of all wars." Bastila answers.
"I think I understand. That's why Kira and Ben must achieve balance. That's why the Jedi and the Sith must end." Kanan says.
"Yes, Kanan. You are beginning to understand. The three of us will be guides for Kira and Ben. We will show them the way. They are the chosen ones. They will be tested. They will face trials." Revan says.
"They will either succeed, or they will fail. I have seen all of the possible futures. Millions of potential outcomes." Bastila says.
"In how many of these futures do the good guys win?" Kanan asks.
"Three." Bastila says.
"Karabast." Kanan says.
"Karabast, indeed. Let us hope that Ezra Bridger's luck is hereditary. Young Kira will need it." Bastila says.
On board the Imperial command ship, General Hux stands at the front of the bridge, looking out the forward viewport. Vastia enters the bridge, and approaches Hux. She stands next to him, and he turns to look at her.
"Ah, Vastia. I see you have returned from the surface, but where is Kylo Ren?" Hux asks.
"Ben Solo is a traitor. He aided the Jedi in battle against us. Honestly, this is no surprise to me at all." Vastia says.
"Emperor Palpatine and Supreme Leader Snoke never fully trusted him. With good reason it seems. Now, I understand you returned alone. Where are the death troopers and the other knights?" Hux asks.
"The troopers are all dead, as is Kelbar Ren. Marek and Talon were captured by the Jedi." Vastia answers.
"General! Detecting four vessels leaving the planet! Three are confirmed rebel vessels. The fourth is a large freighter of unknown class." An officer at a nearby console says.
"Launch fighters to intercept!" Hux says.
"Belay that!" Vastia shouts.
"What are you doing?" Hux asks.
"Remember, our primary objective here is to capture Kira Bridger. We can deal with the resistance later. I will attempt to find out what ship the girl is on so we can capture it." Vastia says.
"We should use this opportunity to crush Organa and the rest of her pathetic band of misfits!" Hux says.
"They're a broken people. Insignificant. Focus your efforts on capturing the girl. Do not launch fighters unless I command it." Vastia says.
"I am in command here, not you, General Vastia. Besides, you have no fleet command experience." Hux says.
"I am now the Grand Inquisitor. I outrank all fleet and army personnel, save Grand Admiral Sloane. You would do well to remember your place." Vastia says.
"Grand Inquisitor? No one has held that rank in over thirty years! Besides, the Emperor would have told me if he had appointed you to such a position." Hux says.
"Would he? The Emperor appointed me to the position shortly after his meeting with you and...Solo on Korriban. I was ordered to tell no one, until the proper time. I have orders to assume command of the Knights of Ren, and this fleet, in the event Kylo Ren betrays the Empire, or proves unable to carry out his assigned task, which has now happened. It now falls to me to complete this mission." Vastia says.
"How do I know you're telling the truth?" Hux asks.
"Would I lie to you about something like this?" Vastia asks.
"Yes, you would. I've known you for years. You're ambitious. You want my fleet. Maybe even the throne itself!" Hux says. He suddenly feels a burning pain in his chest. Hux clutches his chest, and stumbles. The pain lasts for several seconds, before suddenly stopping.
"Relax, Armitage. It wasn't a real heart attack. It just felt like one. Merely a force illusion, but I can do far worse. Now, will you carry out my orders?" Vastia asks.
"I will, 'Grand Inquisitor'." Hux answers.
"Good. Now, do not disturb me. I must concentrate if I am to sense where our prize is." Vastia says.
The rebel ships leave the atmosphere of Lothal, with the remote controlled Gauntlet in the lead.
On board the Ghost, Hera observes as the Imperial ships orbiting Lothal seem to not react to the rebel ships.
"What are they doing? They haven't even launched fighters!" Kira says.
"I don't like this." Hera says.
"It could be a trap of some kind." Kira says.
"You're right. They're busy. Trying to determine where you are. Their objective is to capture you, and deliver you to the Emperor." Ahsoka says, as she enters the cockpit. She slowly moves toward the empty seat behind Kira, and sits down.
"I thought you were resting." Hera says.
"I'll rest when we're in hyperspace. Vastia Ren is trying to sense Kira's location. I'm going to turn her own power against her." Ahsoka says.
"You need to regenerate. I'll take care of it." Ezra says.
"I appreciate the offer, Ezra, but how are you with force projections?" Ahsoka asks.
"Not that great. I can project up to a few hundred meters for about a minute or two." Ezra answers.
"Unfortunately, that won't be enough. I have to fool Vastia long enough for us to escape. I know exactly what to do. However, my power is not at full strength. I will need Kira's skill with battle meditation to give me the strength to do what needs to be done." Ahsoka says.
"I don't know how much help I can be. I've only had two lessons in battle meditation." Kira says.
"You'll do fine. Just believe in yourself, and trust in the force." Ahsoka says.
"Hera, will you be able to handle things without me for a bit?" Kira asks.
"I'll be alright. I can have R2 handle co-pilot functions from his station. Do whatever you need to do." Hera answers.
"Thanks, Hera." Kira says. She turns her chair around to face Ahsoka, and asks "What do you need me to do?"
"Meditate with me. Lend me your strength. I'll take care of the rest." Ahsoka answers.
On board the Imperial command ship, Vastia stands at the front of the bridge, in deep concentration. General Hux stands at her side.
"Where is the girl?" Hux asks.
"I am...having trouble. I think someone is blocking me." Vastia answers.
"We do not have much time." Hux says.
"I know. Wait. I...think...I have her. Yes! She's on the Mandalorian ship!" Vastia says.
"Are you sure?" Hux asks.
"Yes. Disable the ship, and bring it aboard. The other ships don't matter. We'll get them later." Vastia says.
"As you wish." Hux says.
The star destroyers begin attacking the Gauntlet, and completely ignore the other rebel ships.
"They're attacking the Gauntlet, and ignoring us?" Hera asks.
"Hera! Jump...into hyperspace, now! I can't...keep this up for long!" Ahsoka says.
"Right. R2, signal the Falcon and the Deathbringer to execute emergency jump!" Hera says.
The Ghost, The Millennium Falcon, and the Deathbringer jump into hyperspace, leaving the Gauntlet behind. The unmanned ship is caught in a tractor beam by the command ship, and pulled into a hangar.