In another part of the city, Luke Skywalker is with Ezra Bridger, Leia Organa, Sabine Wren, Anakin Skywalker, Rex, Wolffe, and R2-D2. The group of rebels are hidden in a small, unlit building with a view of the nearest street. Anyone passing by would be unable to see the people inside.

"So, what are we waiting for? Why aren't we out there busting heads with Ahsoka and the others?" Sabine asks.

"We'll get our chance soon enough. We just have to wait a little longer." Ezra answers.

"Wait for what?" Leia asks. Ezra's comlink starts to beep, so he answers it.

"This is Spectre Six. Go ahead." Ezra says into the comlink.

"Fulcrum to Spectre Six. Phase One complete. Shadow and I are ready for Phase Two." Ahsoka says over the comlink.

"Understood. Good luck. Spectre Six out." Ezra says.

"Phase Two? What's that?" Luke asks.

"Ahsoka and Barriss are leading the Knights of Ren to the Imperial Complex. They'll be taking care of the local moff and any other command staff. That will bring an end to the slave trade in this sector." Ezra answers.

"Slave trade? Isn't this supposed to be a vacation planet?" Luke asks.

"On the surface, yes. However, there are many dark secrets here, including a black market that deals in slave labor from the Outer Rim. the moff and most of his senior officers are involved." Ezra answers.

"I've always hated slavery. Even when I was Darth Vader. I wanted to burn this planet to ash when I found out what was going on here, but… the Emperor wouldn't allow it. He claimed that slavery was necessary for the good of the Empire. As his apprentice, I was forced to accept it." Anakin says.

"And what do you think now, Vader?" Leia asks.

Oh, my daughter, how I've failed you! I wish I could take it all back! I wish… we could have been a family. You, your brother, me, and… your mother. My foolishness… destroyed that chance. At least… my children live. What happens to me… doesn't matter. Anakin thinks.

"I want to see every person in this galaxy free, no matter what it takes! No one deserves to live their life as someone else's property!" Anakin answers.

Well… imagine that! Darth Vader and I actually agree on something! Luke accepts him so easily, but… I can't. I just can't. The mask is gone, but he's still Darth Vader. What he's done… there's no forgiveness. Leia thinks.


A few minutes later, Second Brother and Fourth Sister enter a narrow alley, leading twenty stormtroopers. The two darksiders wear the standard Inquisitor uniform. However, Second Brother, a human male with long black hair, wears a red cape, and the lower half of his face is covered by a black mask. Fourth Sister, a blue skinned twi'lek, wears no mask.

"The Jedi are near! I sense them!" Fourth Sister says.

"Yes… soon, we will destroy them!" Second Brother says.


In the unlit building, Ezra spots the two Inquisitors walking on the nearest street.

"Okay. There they are. Sabine and Luke, with me. We'll handle the Inquisitors. The rest of you… take care of the troops." Ezra says. He unclips one of the lightsabers from his belt, and tosses it to Sabine.

"Thanks, Ezra." Sabine says.

"We should get out there before the Inquisitors get too far away." Ezra says.

"Watch out for Second Brother. He's stronger and faster thanks to his cybernetics." Anakin says.

"Understood." Ezra says.

"You know, we could use your help in this fight. You're a lot better with this than I am." Luke says, as he offers his lightsaber to his father.

"No. I don't deserve to hold the weapon of a Jedi. That's yours now." Anakin says.

Didn't you have another saber, when you were…" Luke says.

"It's gone. I burned it, and Darth Vader's armor along with it. From now on, I'll make do with this." Anakin says, glancing at the quarterstaff in his hand.

"Your father's made his choice, Luke. We have to accept it." Ezra says. Luke nods.

"Be careful, son. Remember your training." Anakin says.

"I will." Luke says.

"Good luck." Anakin says.

"Thanks." Luke says.


The rebels emerge from the building, and stop several feet behind the two Inquisitors, who are walking away.

"Well… didn't realize the circus was in town." Ezra says. The Inquisitors and their stormtroopers immediately stop walking, and turn around. The Inquisitors activate their lightsabers.

"Ezra Bridger. We will keep you alive for Lady Thana. The rest of you… will not be so fortunate." Second Brother says. Luke, Ezra, and Sabine activate their lightsabers.

"Bring it on." Ezra says.

Luke, Ezra, and Sabine engage the Inquisitors. Ezra seems to handle Second Brother well enough on his own, leaving Luke and Sabine to deal with Fourth Sister. Despite not having the force, Sabine is well trained in the lightsaber arts, and is also equipped with traditional Mandalorian armaments. She uses a combination of her saber skills and the various features of her vambraces to keep the twi'lek Inquisitor guessing her next move. The inexperienced Luke manages to hold his own, although he is mostly in a support role, letting Sabine handle the more direct attacks.

Man, that Inquisitor's fast! Ezra warned me about the spinning lightsabers, but… this is insane! Luke thinks.

Meanwhile, the others fight the stormtroopers, who stay true to the stormtrooper tradition of not being able to shoot anything. However, two troopers are armed with tripod mounted repeating blasters, which cause the rebels to take cover behind a nearby fountain.

"Great! They have two E-Webs! Now we're pinned down!" Leia says.

"Yeah, but they're still stormtroopers." Rex says.

"Those blasted shinies couldn't hit the broadside of a Star Destroyer!" Wolffe says.

"Yeah, but if they keep shooting this way, we'll lose our cover eventually!" Leia says.

"I'll take care of the E-Webs." Anakin says.

"With all due respect sir, you don't have a lightsaber!" Rex says.

"I don't need one." Anakin says. He closes his eyes, then stands up, and throws his quarterstaff. The metal staff flies toward the nearest E-Web, and lands directly in the weapon's barrel, causing it to explode and kill the trooper operating it.

Lucky shot, Vader. Leia thinks.

"There's still one more out there!" Leia says.

"A thermal detonator ought to do the trick." Wolffe says.

"Nobody could throw a detonator that far." Leia says.

"Actually, they can. Wolffe, you throw, I'll give it a push." Anakin says.

"Yes, sir." Wolffe says.

Wolffe throws the thermal detonator, and Anakin gives it a push with the force. The explosive lands directly on top of the E-Web, and the weapon is destroyed, also killing the trooper operating it.

"Take that, you shinies!" Wolffe says.

"Good job, commander." Leia says.

"Thanks, princess… but that was mostly General Skywalker." Wolffe says.

"There's no general here, commander. Just a defector who's in charge of nothing." Leia says.

"Princess Leia… I know that you two have history, and I respect that, but I can tell you one thing... This man right here is not Darth Vader. He's my general, who has… somehow come back to us." Rex says.

"Believe what you will, Commander Rex. It changes nothing. Now, let's finish the job!" Leia says. The rebels return to fighting the stormtroopers, and quickly take out the rest, with Rex and Wolffe getting most of the kills. The two old clones stand in silence, looking at the dead stormtroopers.

The armor… it's so much like what our brothers used to wear. I wonder… Rex thinks.

"General… " Rex says.

"What is it, Rex?" Anakin asks.

"Are… any of our brothers… still out there?" Rex asks.

"As far as I know, they're all senior officers or retired. There aren't any clones left in the trooper ranks." Anakin answers.

"So, some of our brothers are still alive." Wolffe says.

"Do you know how many?" Rex asks.

"I have no idea." Anakin says.

"I'm sure we can find that out later! Right now, the others need our help!" Leia says.

"Have you ever fought an Inquisitor, princess?" Rex asks.

"No." Leia answers.

"I've got a tip for you... Best leave it to the Jedi." Rex says.

"We might as well stay back and be on the lookout in case any reinforcements show up." Wolffe says.

"Fine." Leia says.


Meanwhile, Luke, Ezra, and Sabine continue their fight with the Inquisitors. Eventually, Sabine manages to sever Fourth Sister's left hand, and Luke scores the killing blow when he stabs the twi'lek through the chest.

"Good job. Now let's go help Ezra." Sabine says.

"Right." Luke says.

Luke and Sabine make their way to Ezra, and help him fight Second Brother. The male Inquisitor proves to be much more challenging than Fourth Sister due to cybernetics enhancing his speed and strength. He also attacks with much greater precision. Ezra, due to his unique role as Eye of the Force, is able to instantly call upon centuries of knowledge, enabling him to match the Inquisitor, move for move.

I could probably kill this guy on my own, but I've seen that Jyn Erso will be the one to end him, so… I'll just toy with him until she gets here. Ezra thinks.

Ezra notices that Luke and Sabine have now joined the fight, and says "Luke, back off. I've got this!"

"Don't you need help?" Luke asks.

"You're not ready to fight this one! Sabine and I can handle him!" Ezra says.

"Okay." Luke says. He backs away, and shuts off his lightsaber.

"Sending him away won't matter. I'll just kill him after I kill both of you!" Second Brother says.

"I don't think so!" Ezra says, then, switching to the Mandalorian language, he says /Sabine, use your flamethrower… aim for his head./

/He'll just block it with his saber./ Sabine says in Mandalorian.

/Yeah, but that will leave his legs open to my attack./ Ezra says in Mandalorian.

/Okay./ Sabine says in Mandalorian.

"Now!" Ezra says.

Sabine fires her flamethrower, aiming for Second Brother's head. He raises his saber to block the fire, allowing Ezra to slice through the Inquisitors legs, severing both of them above the knee.

"Aargh!" Second Brother screams as he falls to the ground.

"Now let's finish him!" Sabine says.

"We won't need to." Ezra says.

"What… " Sabine says. She stops speaking when Jyn Erso appears, accompanied by Kamron Varr, chief-of-staff Salja Turon, two royal guards, and several stormtroopers.

"Troopers... hold here! Do not engage without my order!" Jyn says. The stormtroopers stay where they are as Jyn, Kamron, and Salja approach Ezra. The two guards follow Jyn, remaining several feet behind her. Ezra shuts off his saber, and walks toward Jyn.

"Darth Thana." Ezra says.

"Ezra Bridger. I see these incompetent fools were no match for you." Jyn says, as she takes notice of the the dead Fourth Sister and legless Second Brother, who is now leaning against a nearby building.

"Your highness, I…" Second Brother says. He stops speaking when Jyn takes out a previously concealed lightsaber, and ignites its red blade.

Second Brother… More kills than any Inquisitor, save Grand Inquisitor Jerec. A sadistic, cruel bastard who deserves no mercy. Jyn thinks.

"Failure… will not be tolerated." Jyn says, as she throws her lightsaber toward Second Brother. The saber decapitates the wounded Inquisitor, then returns to Jyn's hand.

Second Brother's death was just as I foresaw. Letting Erso kill him will allow her to report to the Emperor that she executed the Inquisitor for treason since the Emperor believes him to be Vader's secret apprentice. It will make her look better in the eyes of the Emperor. She has to play the part of Sith Lord for just a little bit longer. Ezra thinks.

"Your highness… look. The bald man." Salja says.

"I see him." Jyn says.

"It's… Anakin Skywalker… I thought he was killed in the Jedi Purge!" Salja says.

"That would seem to not be the case." Jyn says.

"We should call for reinforcements!" Salja says.

"We don't need them." Jyn says.

"Milady?" Salja asks.

"HK-47, come in." Jyn says into her comlink.

"Acknowledgement. I am here, master." HK-47 says over the comlink.

"Acquire… special target, and stand by for my command." Jyn says.

"Statement. Special target acquired. Query. Do I have your permission to terminate this meatbag?" HK-47 asks.

"Proceed." Jyn answers, in a low voice only heard by Salja.

"Special target? Milady, what is going… " Salja says. She doesn't finish as a sniper shot hits her between the eyes, killing her instantly.

That takes care of that problem. One less spy to worry about. Jyn thinks.

"Troopers, to the rooftops! Find that sniper! The rest of you, with me!" Jyn shouts. The stormtroopers leave the area.

"Your highness, we need to get you to safety!" One of the royal guards says.

"No! The enemy must be dealt with!" Jyn says.

"Yes, your highness." The guard says.

In this case, I'm speaking of you and the other guard… assigned by the Emperor supposedly to protect me, but also… to spy on me. Jyn thinks.

Jyn closes her eyes, and the two guards dissolve into dust in a matter of seconds. Sensing no Imperials nearby, Jyn shuts off her lightsaber, and puts it away. Leia cautiously approaches.

"What the frack… was that?" Leia asks.

"The ancient knowledge I've gained has given me access to abilities that have been… forgotten." Jyn answers.

"So, with just a thought, you turn your enemies… to dust." Leia says.

"You… object." Jyn says.

"Killing… like that… just doesn't seem right." Leia says.

"Maybe it's not, but those two guards… were spies of the Emperor. They were assigned to protect me, but they were also assigned to report on all of my activities. So, their deaths were necessary." Jyn says.

"Maybe you're right about those two, but… I have to ask… how many more deaths… are necessary?" Leia asks.

"A lot more, I'm afraid. I hate it too, princess, but… this is the only way. This is how we will win." Jyn answers.

"I… guess you're right." Leia says.

"Not always, but I try my best." Jyn says.

It seems like she's trying to be a decent person. Maybe Luke's right. Maybe I should trust her. Leia thinks.

"So… the Inquisitors are dead. Now what?" Leia asks.

"We should get into one of the buildings. I don't want a stray probe droid catching me talking to you." Jyn says.

"Right." Leia says.


Jyn and her allies make their way to a nearby empty building. Now out of sight of surveillance, they are able to speak freely. They are also joined by Barriss, Ahsoka, and their team, who have completed their mission.

"Now that we're done here, it's time for me to take care of the Ruling Council." Jyn says.

"That reminds me. Your rhydonium has been delivered to the prearranged coordinates." Barriss says.

"Thank you, Barriss. I'll take care of the rest." Jyn says.

"How long do you think it will be before you can… take care of the council?" Barriss asks.

'Tomorrow. Once it's done, I'm coming to Rhen Var, in person. We'll make our final plans to deal with the Emperor. Then… we end him." Jyn says.

"You really think you can do all of this in a day?" Luke asks.

"I have to. The Empire will be in disarray, and the Emperor will be at his most vulnerable. That is the moment to strike." Jyn answers.

"Makes sense." Luke says.

"Thank you." Jyn says.

"Maybe I should… come with you." Luke says.

"No. I can't allow that." Jyn says.

"You could tell your crew I'm an Imperial spy." Luke says.

"There would be too many questions asked, and it might draw the attention of the wrong people. I'd rather not put you through that. I'll have Kamron and HK-47 with me as my backup. I'm still hoping to potentially secure some Imperial allies, but I'm not certain how that will go." Jyn says.

"Most of those officers serve the Empire because they have no choice. If you actually give them a good reason to serve, they'll support you." Ezra says.

"Bridger's right. The Imperial forces are nearly sixty percent conscripts. Most of them just do their best to not get killed by their superiors." Anakin says.

"Such as you, Vader?" Leia asks.

"Princess, he is not Darth Vader anymore." Jyn says.

"He is to me. All of you are trying to accept him as one of us. I can't. What he's done… I can't forgive that." Leia says.

"I've done many terrible things too, and you seem to accept me." Jyn says.

"You're different. You were brainwashed to serve the Emperor. Vader joined him willingly." Leia says.

"The princess is right. I made a choice. The wrong choice. She has every right to hate me for it." Anakin says.

"Your hatred for him is strong. I can feel it." Jyn says.

"He's Darth Vader! Of course I hate him!" Leia says.

"It's only natural to hate him for what he has done, but trust me when I say… you don't want to feed that emotion. Anger, hate, and fear… they lead to the dark side. All who use the force must be mindful of this." Jyn says.

"You were Darth Thana for most of your life. Is it really that easy to just… switch off the dark side?" Leia asks.

"Oh no. Not easy. I struggle with it everyday, but I'd like to think I've found a nice middle ground in the force. Emotions are a part of us, but we must not let them control us." Jyn says.

"You sound like Ezra or Ahsoka." Leia says.

"Even if you don't want to be a Jedi, I suggest you learn from them. At the very least, you need to understand the power that is within you." Jyn says.

"You're right. You've… given me a lot to think about." Leia says.

"Glad I could be of some help, princess." Jyn says.

"So, what's our next move?" Ahsoka asks.

"I will return to the command ship and make final preparations to deal with the Ruling Council. I suggest all of you get off this planet quickly." Jyn answers.

"What about the other Inquisitors? Don't we need to deal with them?" Sabine asks.

"The Grand Inquisitor is a member of the Ruling Council, and will be taken out with the rest of the council members. As for the other Inquisitors and Hands… I will contact Barriss over the Fulcrum network and give her their locations. They are less experienced than Second Brother and Fourth Sister, so they will be much easier to deal with." Jyn says.

"We'll take care of them." Barriss says.

"I appreciate that. I would like to thank all of you for your contributions to this mission. You work very well together. I could not ask for better allies." Jyn says.

"You're not so bad yourself." Ahsoka says. Jyn chuckles.

"I have my moments. Now, if you will excuse me, I had better be going." Jyn says. She heads toward the building's exit, and Luke approaches her. Jyn briefly embraces Luke, then hesitantly separates from him. The two exchange smiles, then Jyn turns away, and heads for the door.

Next… the council. Then… the old man dies. And I'll be free at last. Jyn thinks.