ME: Time for a little bit of Maya, but first let's see Chopper Base on Atollon.

The Helghast have always been oppressed by outside forces. First, the Vektans forced us into exile. Then they tried to starve us to death when we fought back against their imperialism. Now the Empire controls Helghan, claiming it has our people's best interests in mind. But Palpatine is merely the latest foreigner who has the audacity to dictate to us, and the Visaris have forsaken the self-determination of the Helghast people in exchange for the scraps he tosses to them! However, some of us refused to lay down and die while their homeworld bled solely for the benefit of an outside power. Join the Justice Action Network, for we are the black hand of true justice! Join us, and together we can destroy the oppressors of Helghan and the collaborators that enable their rule over your home!

(Minister of Information Vladko Tyran, spokesman for the Justice Action Network, speaking in a recruitment video directed towards disillusioned Helghast)

A mesa on Atollon now hosted Chopper Base, an installation established to service Phoenix Fleet. Commanded by the newly-promoted Colonel Frederic West, who had escaped the fallen Liberator in an escape pod, the Rebels were grateful for their good fortune and sought to make the base as functional as possible.

"Finally!" AP-5 said impatiently as Kanan and Ezra pushed a repulsorcart weighed down by an outdated hyperdrive down Ghost's loading ramp. "I've been waiting for these hyperdrives for approximately two days, twenty-three hours, fifteen minutes, and thirty-five seconds."

Doctor Simon Tam, a young man in his twenties, frowned at AP-5. "Droid, I can think of no logical reason why you've ordered all these outdated hyperdrives and electrical conduits," he said. "We have fusion reactors, you know, which are far safer than all forms of hypermatter-using technology."

AP-5 groaned audibly. "These hyperdrives may be outdated by modern standards," he said, "but they are still capable of producing electricity, Doctor Tam. More importantly, they may need energy to be activated but once they're online they require no fuel, unlike fusion reactors. So they will lessen Chopper Base's dependence on outside fuel sources, which will have the nice side effect of reducing the risk for our cargo transport crews. For a surgeon, you're not very smart, Doctor."

Simon's eyes widened. "I'll have you know my sister is the only person I can think of that's smarter than me!"

Kanan, Hera, Kal Skirata, Malcolm Reynolds, and Master Altis all proceeded to the command center, where they met up with Colonel West and Rex. "Good news, everyone," Colonel West began. "First off, the techs are almost done installing the communications equipment here."

"Second off," Rex added, "the Seabees have set up vaporators and are trying to tap into an aquifer. This may be a hot, dry, and unpleasant planet, but at least nothing's trying to kill us."

"Mayday, May-AUGH!" someone said via comlink.

"Sender on this net, please identify yourself," said a comms operator, who managed to keep her voice level. "Over."

Rex sighed. "I may have spoken too soon."

*CUT TO: ISB PLANETARY HEADQUARTERS, PYRRHUS CITY, HELGHAN*

"Intel from both the VSA and the HSF indicates that the JAN are operating in the vicinity of the Shipping Complex," said General Sinclair. "They're smuggling contraband both in and out of the city that way."

"Indeed, General Sinclair," said Kallus. "Lieutenant Visari will be tasked with locating Tyran in the city and neutralizing him and any other high-value targets she finds. Captain Brek will be assigned a platoon of Death Watch troopers and will launch a diversionary assault to draw attention away from Visari's infiltration."

Maya nodded. "I'm honored to be entrusted with such a mission, sir," she said.

Kallus put a hand on her shoulder. "You've proven yourself, Lieutenant," he said. "You're the most courageous young woman I've ever met, and I'm certain you can handle Tyran and his fellow terrorists. Now go."

The half-breed ISB officer clicked her heels. "Right away, General."

Maya was not fond of Pyrrhus, even if it was her hometown. Outside of Corinth Square, the city just felt sterile, dominated by industry and austere housing blocks. Sure, things had improved greatly on Helghan with the end of the sanctions imposed on the planet by the ineffectual Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum and the rise of the Empire (or at least that was what Maya had been taught growing up), but she still felt uneasy about the design of the city.

Grandfather always did talk about the decadence and frivolity of Vektans, in contrast to the discipline and frugality practiced by us Helghast, Maya reflected as she proceeded deeper into the city. He said it's even reflected in how our homeworld's capital compares to Vekta City. But is it really that bad to have a city that doesn't have a dreary atmosphere?

The young Imperial agent shook her head and did her best to stop thinking about the nature of Pyrrhus City; it would be a needless distraction that would only get her killed in a dangerous environment.

Before too long, Maya came across two JAN operatives on sentry duty. One of the terrorists was likely a Helghast, given how he was wearing outdated gear used during the Gyre War. The other one was clearly a Twi'lek, wearing an old Neimoidian helmet that had been modified to accommodate her lekku.

"So, what's the attitude of the people here towards the Empire?" asked the woman.

"It's terrible," said the man. That's a local accent, now I'm sure he's a Helghast, Maya thought. "Nowadays Visari is nothing but just another puppet for Palpatine, but the majority of my people still love the karker, so they go along with the idea of the Empire being good for us. I swear, I wanna be the one to put a bull-."

Maya squeezed the trigger of her suppressed blaster rifle, sending a particle bolt to the back of the male terrorist's head. The female JAN member gasped in surprise and turned to face Maya, but it was already too late. One shot later and the Twi'lek terrorist was collapsing to the floor, a cauterized wound marring her corpse's forehead.

"Overwatch, this is Agent Visari," she said. "Come in, over."

"Copy, Lieutenant," replied Kallus. The older ISB agent had gotten closer to her since the failed operation in the Geonosis system, but he still tried to appear professional in dealing with her officially. "Go ahead, over."

Maya: "General, be advised: I just killed a Twi'lek JAN operative. I say again, I've terminated a hostile Twi'lek. Looks like Tyran's isn't limited to Helghast recruits anymore, over."

"Copy that, Lieutenant. Hold your position, I'll order Captain Brek to begin the diversionary assault momentarily. How copy?"

"Copy, sir," replied Maya, "but I request that you hold off on the assault. Say again, please do not launch the diversionary assault yet."

There was a pregnant pause before Kallus replied by saying, "Care to explain why I should do that, Lieutenant?"

"General Kallus, I don't think Tyran's forces know I'm here." Maya had thought it over in her head, and her idea seemed sound. "Launching an attack will just cause the enemy to go on high-alert, and that could very well just lead to him fleeing."

"Understood, Lieutenant, but that means that if you get discovered, you'll be on your own and have a higher chance of getting killed. Are you willing to accept such a risk?"

She nodded, even though there was no way Kallus could see her do so. "It's essential I do so for the sake of the mission, General."

"Acknowledged, Lieutenant. Proceed with caution, good luck."

Maya engaged her cloaking device just as the male terrorist's comlink beeped. "Ekland, come in. State your status, over."

Kriff... she thought.

"Ekland, what is going on?" There was a pause that lasted for seven more seconds, then, "Ekland, if you can respond, do so immediately."

Maya proceeded further into the depths of Pyrrhus, while Tyran got on the terrorist channel. "Everyone on this channel, Ekland and his partner are not responding. Go on high alert while we find out what's going on, over."

"Shit," the ISB agent muttered to herself. On one hand, her cloak would render her virtually impossible to spot. On the other hand, now all of the local JAN terrorists would be fearing a security breach.

Maya then realized that anyone who discovered the corpses would be able to alert Tyran and risk letting him get away, but it was too late to turn back and dispose of the bodies properly (and she doubted she could do that in her current situation anyway), so she settled for alerting Kallus.

"Visari to Overwatch, be advised," she began. "The enemy may be aware of my infiltration, say again, hostiles may be aware of the breach. Do you copy, over?"

"Solid copy, Lieutenant," the General responded. "Do you require backup, over?"

"Negative, sir." Maya now had at least five JAN operatives in her sights, all armed and on the lookout for her. "Just please have Captain Brek and his platoon on stand by, I think I'm gonna need their diversion, General."

Suddenly the JAN comms frequency exploded with chatter about two dead bodies. One of the terrorists put a hand to his head before barking orders at his subordinates.

"You need that diversion now, Maya?" Kallus said.

While it was a breach of protocol, the young Helghast woman appreciated the sincere concern Kallus was showing her even if he had become more uncharacteristically affable lately. "Affirmative, General Kallus. Looks like they're onto me, sir."

"I'll give the order, then. Good hunting,

Two of the JAN operatives were approaching Maya now. Readying one of her sidearms, the young and deadly Imperial decided that, in her current situation, the best defense would be a good offense.

The Helghast agent surprised the nearest terrorist by charging him, shoving his rifle aside before he could get a shot off, grabbing onto his chin firmly, and twisting it violently to the side. The second terrorist yelled, "DIE, CHAKAAR!" and raised his weapon, only for his aim to be thrown off when Maya shoved his dead comrade in his direction.

"I don't rob graves," Maya said dryly as she opened fire with her blaster pistol, ending the distracted man's life.

"Minister Tyran, we have an infiltrator in our midst!" said the lead JAN terrorist after he and the others opened fire while Maya scrambled to cover. "I repeat, we got an infiltrator! We need reinforcements!"

"Just one infiltrator?!" Tyran snapped. "Then deal with him on your own, the Kyr'tsad have come to the aid of their lackeys!"

Maya found a grenade on one of the two dead terrorists and threw it over towards the surviving trio, killing all but one of them. Luckily enough, the survivor turned out to be the leader.

"I'll never talk!" the wounded JAN operative proclaimed as he held his bleeding leg. "I won't rat to an enemy of the revolution!"

Maya simply punched the man in the torso, breaking one of his ribs, before putting weight on his bad leg. As the terrorist screamed, she said, "Tell me what Tyran is up to, and things will be less painful for you."

"NEVER!" spat the JAN operative, who then literally spit on her.

Maya punched the man, furthering damaging his ribcage, before resting a crushgaunt-strengthened hand on his bleeding leg. "Are you sure about that?"

"Wait, I'll talk!" the terrorist pleaded.

"Then start talking," she said curtly.

"Tyran doesn't even show to meetings most of the time now that he's a big shot with the Network, but I've heard he was meeting with some Devaronian from Lothal in order to get his hand on T-Eight disruptors from that backwater! It's doubtlessly true, my source is very trustworthy!"

The man was clearly on his way out, but Maya didn't have time to waste patching him up and continuing the interrogation, so she simply finished him off with a blow to the head that cracked the terrorist's skull. Scum like him who endangered innocent civilians didn't deserve mercy, but to leave even a dying terrorist behind would be to risk getting shot in the back, so it was the smart choice.

"General Kallus, do we have any available air assets?" Maya asked as she fought her way through the JAN operatives. "Because I think Tyran might try and escape via starship."

"Unlikely, Lieutenant," said Kallus. "Tyran's smart enough to know that taking off would get him blown out of the sky, so he'll stick to the ground. A lot of JAN are falling back towards a building, it could be his hideout. Coordinates transmitting; stay frosty, Agent. This could be a trap."

Eliminating what resistance she encountered, as Maya proceeded towards the waypoint Kallus had sent her Captain Brek contacted her. "Lieutenant Visari, this is Captain Brek," the older ISB junior officer said. "Visari, do you copy?"

"Copy, Captain," she replied. "Go ahead, sir."

"Visari, we're pinned down by an E-Web guarding the front entrance to the target building. If you can get in close and disable it with a grenade, we can advance and finish them off. Got it?"

"I'm on it, Captain," Maya said. Earlier she had retrieved an old but still functional EMP grenade off a dead JAN operative, figuring it would come in handy if she encountered terrorists with better technology. "Stand by."

Maya concealed herself before engaging her cloaking device again. Due to its power consumption, she had little choice but to deactivate it whenever stealth was no longer feasible.

The JAN building was an ugly one, even by the standards of Pyrrhus City's architectural style. In addition the E-Web gunner, there were a number of terrorists equipped with small arms also firing on Brek and his Death Watch platoon and posing a challenge to anyone who would attempt to flank the E-Web position.

Unfortunately for the terrorists, Maya was not nearly as visible as their usual opponents.

"Captain, this is Visari," she said. "Do you read me?"

"Affirmative, Lieutenant!" came the brusque reply. "Where the hell are you?!"

"I'm in position, sir," said Maya as she armed the EMP grenade. "I've got an EMP grenade ready, stand by."

"Standing by, just get it done!"

"Tossing now!" Maya said as she threw the grenade.

The JAN terrorists noticed the grenade as it flew through the air and landed at the feet of their E-Web gunner, but it was too late to do anything about it. The EMP grenade went off, disabling the repeating blaster.

Now Brek and his men seized the advantage, charging the terrorists' position. Maya shot one of the JAN operatives in the head, further adding to their woes. Within seconds all of them were dead.

"Visari, get over here," Brek ordered.

As Maya ran to join her fellow Imperials, the ISB Captain contacted Kallus. "Overwatch, this is Brek," he said. "We're about to commence the assault on the target building, sir. Do you copy, over?"

"Copy, Captain," replied the older ISB officer. "You may commence the assault at your discretion. Be advised: I want Tyran alive, but if you can't capture the bastard, shoot to kill. Got it?"

"Acknowledged, sir," Brek responded. "I'll update you after securing the building. Brek out."

One of the Death Watch soldiers placed a breaching charge on the blast door then set the timer while her comrades prepared smoke grenades and flashbangs. After the door was blown inward, bullets and energy rounds raced through the opening, only to taper off if only briefly after the flashbangs went off.

Brek and Maya rushed into the room, gunning down multiple terrorists. Maya's rifle ran out of ammunition, prompting her to stun one JAN member by hitting him in the head with the butt of her weapon before punching him in the throat, breaking his windpipe. Brek, on the other hand, drew two batons and ended up stunning a handful of terrorists.

"Don't shoot, please!" A Devaronian stumbled into the open, hands raised above his head. Remarkably enough, half of one of his two horns appeared to have broken off. "Please don't kill me, I'm not a terrorist!"

Maya noted his green skin tone. Combined with the broken horn and a briefing she remembered Kallus giving her, and the ISB agent immediately trained her newly-reloaded rifle on his head.

"Cikatro Vizago?" she asked.

To his credit, the Devaronian criminal tried to play dumb. "How-."

"I see you're still selling to Rebel scum," stated Maya, cutting him off. "You're under arrest for crimes against the Empire, Vizago. Turn around and place your hands on your head."

Vizago complied. "This is a mistake, they-."

"-were buying weapons from you," interrupted Brek. "Now why don't you tell me where Tyran is before I try and get clearance to summarily execute you right here, right-."

A burst of laughter broadcast via the building's PA system cut off Brek. "It's remarkable what you can do with voice modulation software nowadays," said the haughty announcer. "You idiotic dogs have been led away from Tyran, not to him. Now die!"

Suddenly Maya heard a distinctive beeping. "It's a trap!" she said, shoving her Captain down. "Get clear-."

The explosion blew Maya off her feet and sent her flying into a wall. All she could feel before losing consciousness was pain and disbelief.

*CUT TO: CHOPPER BASE, CORAL MESA, ATOLLON*

After hearing of the discoveries made by Spectre Team, the Marines of Phoenix Base stood guard, weapons at the ready, while technicians worked to establish a perimeter defense of sensor beacons. The kryknas-spider-like predators that were resistant to blasterfire-had proven to be quite dangerous, but their avoidance of sensor beacons had led the Alliance leadership to make a logical conclusion.

"Good thinking on the beacons, Sabine," Kanan said. "We need this base, but having to fend off those creatures all the time would just be a drain on the troops."

"Thanks, Kanan, but you really need to talk to Hera," said Sabine.

"Huh?" he asked. "What's wrong, Sabine?"

Sabine sighed and even slapped her forehead before looking Kanan in the eye as best as she could. "Kanan, wake up! You're not a di'kut, so you should know better than anyone else how Hera feels about you leaving with Ezra. She may agree with the mission, but that doesn't mean she likes it."

Knowing Sabine's words were as truthful as any statement about Hera's feelings, Kanan sought out his wife and found her near one of the two remaining Hammerheads. "Hera, I know how you feel about me going out with Ezra and Ahsoka without you and the rest of the team," he said.

"I know you've got a job to do, Kanan," Hera said, sounding more tired than she had in a while. "But I want us to face it together."

"I'm grateful you feel that way about this," Kanan said, "but I don't want you and the others getting killed by the Sith or their Inquisitors."

Hera shook her head and lowered her eyes. "So you're content with just yourself, Ahsoka, and Ezra dying, then?"

Kanan put a hand on her shoulder. "That's not what I meant at all. It's just that we have the Force and you guys don't, so that'll no doubt be the difference necessary for our survival. But you and everyone else can help get this base operational, and that's just as important. I promise you this, Hera-we'll see each other again."

The two hugged and kissed, and Hera walked with Kanan to wear Phantom was parked, meeting up with Ahsoka and Ezra on the way. Diana stepped out of the fighter dressed in coveralls.

"General Tano," she greeted Ahsoka. "Phantom is fixed up, fully fueled, and ready for takeoff. Actually did a check myself, ma'am. She's good to go."

Lucas handed a datapad to Ahsoka before saying, "Ma'am, all the relevant intel I could find for your mission is on this pad."

Admiral Ackbar stepped forward. "General, on behalf of Phoenix Fleet and the entire Alliance," said the Mon Calamari naval officer, "thank you so much. If it wasn't for your actions, our fight to free the galaxy would have been doomed to fail from the start."

Ahsoka nodded. "If not for the bravery and commitment of ordinary beings like yourself and your troops, Admiral," she said, "there would be no fight to restore freedom in the first place."

She then bowed before the assembled enlisted Rebels and their officers, who saluted in turn.

Altis clapped Ahsoka on the back as she walked to get onboard Phantom. "May the Force be with you, my young friend," he said. "You will doubtlessly need its blessing."

"Indeed," replied Ahsoka. "We all could use it right now."

Rex nodded. "But you three will need it the most, Ahsoka. If my gut's right, you'll kick the Sith's shebse back to whatever dark corner of space they crawled out of and be back in time for Life Day. I can't wait to have you back."

Etain spoke up next. "Tell you what, Ahsoka," she said. "You all come back in one piece, Clan Skirata'll bake you up some uj'alayi. Trust me, you three will have earned it if you've taken down the Empire's Dar'jetiise by the time you get back."

Ahsoka nodded her appreciation. "Thank you, everyone. There will be time for celebrations when we get back. Until then, stay safe, stand with your fellow Rebels, and trust in the Force. Good-bye."

Ahsoka, Kanan, and Ezra all boarded Phantom and took off. The assembled Rebels-be they Jedi, Mandalorian, clone, or ordinary, naturally-born people-kept looking up into the sky until the fighter disappeared from view.

ME: I figured a team of technicians or Marines would make more sense for placing a sensor dish than using an A-wing pilot for it, though there is stuff like being able to fly out (though would an A-wing have cargo space?). Granted, the Rebels used speeder bikes on Atollon.

Does anyone else not like how it turns out Sabine was apparently trained to be a weapons designer? I honestly guessed that the Empire was making her a Kallus-type at most, I don't think of Sabine as a Mary-Sue but that kinda stretched my suspension of disbelief. However, I do appreciate that she did get some nice development.

I focused on Maya because I figured it'd be more entertaining and more original than adapting all of The Mystery of Chopper Base. If you guys think Vizago was cowardly, bear in mind that he was facing a bunch of Imperials, the majority of whom were Death Watch, with no thug droids backing him up. Given how I've had Hondo and Ezra steal Vizago's own ship and any droids he happened to have aboard, he probably would be desperate to recoup his losses.

Now it's all but certain that I'll use Maul for the next chapter, for better or for worse. I wonder who the Imperial villains should be...maybe have this story's Grand Inquisitor show up? I do have one surprise up my sleeve, though.

In case everyone's wondering why Altis, his Jedi, and the Clan Skirata Jedi didn't go with Ahsoka, Kanan, and Ezra, I couldn't really fit them in, especially since I don't have as much experience writing them. In-universe Ahsoka doesn't want all the Jedi to be wiped out and figures leaving behind some at Chopper Base or throughout the galaxy is a better idea.

Anyhow, this may be my last update for a while, guys, though I'm honestly feeling better about school now. I hope this didn't suck.