Chapter 10: The Exiles

Hera listened as Chanla Neeyutnee made her pitch: a raid on an Imperial supply storehouse on Commenor. She was in the Redemption's briefing room, a round room with a single bench around the perimeter. In the center was a tactical table, which had holoprojectors along the side and a retractable holo-ring in the middle for more detailed holograms. Gathered around the table was Hera, Chanla, the captain of the Redemption, and Dr. Matonui, the ship's chief doctor. Seated on the bench were Dr. Rolanga, Kallus, Rogue Squadron leader Luke Skywalker, and Katrina. Sitting farthest away from Hera was Rex. Present via hologram was General Carlist Rieekan and Princess Leia Organa.

"The storehouse's primary defense is anonymity," said Chanla. "The doors are likely to be secured, and plain-clothes local security hired. Undoubtedly the local Imperial garrison would respond quickly to any attack, so that will have to be considered."

"As will the Imperial Navy response," said Princess Leia. "Commenor is practically a Core World. The Empire will not tolerate Rebel activity in its backyard."

"Agreed," said Chanla. "But you forget, we are the Exiles. We've been operating for over a year within the Core, the Colonies, and the Inner Rim. It's dangerous, but if done right we should be able to get in and get out before Imperial reinforcements."

"Lady Neeyutnee, how do you propose stalling the Imperials?" asked Rieekan.

"That is the easy part," said Chanla. She waved Katrina forward into the tactical table's holographic display. "May I introduce my companion, Katrina. Former linguistical expert and presently our team's slicer."

"Generals, Princess," addressed Katrina with the professionalism of a diplomate. "I have already sliced into the storehouse's systems."

"Which systems?" asked the female captain of the Redemption.

"All of them," said Katrina. "I can tell you the storehouse's full inventory, security, and layout. I can also slice into the local garrison and cut their communications temporarily. They will restore comm control eventually, but every minute counts."

"That's a tall order for any slicer," said the Redemption's captain.

"I have witnessed this woman's slicing ability," said Kallus from the observation bench. "I believe she can do what she says."

"You said you can see the inventory," stated Dr. Matonui. "And you implied that there would be medical supplies. May I see this inventory?"

"Sure," said Katrina. "All I need is access to the holonet."

"With your permission, Captain," added Chanla quickly. Katrina might have professionalism, but Hera could see that she was eager to use her skills. Chanla had to reign her companion a bit.

Hera also saw other problems with Katrina's eagerness. "I'm not sure we should allow that. Slicing activity can go both ways. We can't let the Empire know about this ship."

"The Empire won't trace me. I promise," said Katrina. This time her eagerness was clear.

"I believe it is worth the risk," said Princess Leia "I would also like to see this inventory,"

"As would I," added General Rieekan, and Hera yielded.

The ship's captain gave Katrina access to the ship's comm, and she worked right from the tactical table. Hera watched as holographic text images appeared and disappeared. Some were written in Galactic Basic, others in computer code or droid languages. Katrina worked them all. She soon had narrowed herself to Commenor and then to the storehouse. She pulled up a holographic map. "This is the layout of the facility. It is highly organized." As Katrina began to explain of the various items in the storehouse, holographic lists would appear, and a corresponding part of the holographic map would light up. "Foodstuffs, food synthesizers, agricultural equipment, educational resources, and here: medical equipment." Katrina sent the list over to the Redemption's doctor. The ship's captain also leaned in to read the list.

"No weapons or ship maintenance supplies?" asked Rieekan.

"No," answered Chanla. "The Empire doesn't let any supplies that could build up a war machine collect dust on a self. They either destroy them or use them themselves."

"So, this is a warehouse of uninteresting items," said Princess Leia. "Things the Empire stole from common citizens and forgot about."

"That's right," said Chanla. "The Empire takes what it wants when it wants, and sometimes they forget that they ever wanted it. Like a greedy little child." Chanla turned to the Redemption's captain and doctor. "Would any of these items be of use to your medical frigate?"

"Absolutely," said the captain.

"Indeed," replied Dr. Matonui. "I also happen to notice that there is a phase five atomic level scanner on the list." The doctor raised his eyebrows. Hera on the other hand dropped her arms from their position across her chest, and her lekku twitched angerly. So, that was what this was all about!

"I planned all along to propose this plan to the Rebellion," said Chanla. "But I admit the atomic scanner is the reason why I bring up this plan now."

"And I missing something?" asked Princess Leia.

Dr. Matonui answered. "We have a patient on board who is suffering from…delusions. I cannot say more in mixed company or over the holonet. She is a danger to herself and others. The only way we can treat her is for a high-level brain scan that this equipment could provide."

"We cannot base an entire mission on the needs of a single warrior," said Hera recrossing her arms.

"We would not be," countered Chanla. "The medical supplies would benefit more than just Ka… the patient in question."

"How do you plan on removing the supplies from the storehouse?" asked Rieekan.

"That is the hard part," said Chanla. "The storehouse is not well guarded, but it is a decent distance from the space port. The time it would take to transfer the supplies to our waiting ships would be considerable. As I said earlier, we can buy time by slicing the security alarm. But the storehouse doors cannot easily be opened. In order to get the time we need to move the supplies, we would have to devise a way to open the storehouse without alerting the local Imperials."

"So, you don't have a plan to actually enter the storehouse and get the supplies," said Hera with a disapproving voice.

"There's a reason my team hasn't tried this operation on our own. I was hoping that some of the tactical experts here might have some ideas that we have not thought of."

Katrina enlarged the hologram of the storehouse's layout. Rieekan and Princess Leia were no doubt studying the holograms in front of them. Kallus and Skywalker were looking. And Rex approached as close as he dared without being invited. He stroked his white beard. "There's more than one way to open a door, or a wall for that matter."

Hera saw the exterior wall near a wider than average alley way. "You're proposing breaking and entering? Don't you think that will alert the Imperials quickly?"

"It could be done with some stealth," said Kallus. "And if Katrina could redirect the alarms, we might get the time we need to load up and leave."

"And if Rogue Squadron times a hit-and-run attack in a nearby sector, we could draw away the Imperial Navy," said Skywalker.

"You would help the women who tried to kill you?" asked Hera of the Jedi pilot. She saw the hologram of Princess Leia flinch. Did the Princess know of Skywalker's secret? Probably.

"This ship's captain and chief medical officer say they could use these medical supplies. I would be helping more than just her," replied Skywalker. "But since you asked: Yes, I would help her."

Naïve boy, thought Hera. But then again, the Rebellion was built on idealism, Hera decided she shouldn't squash the boy's rationale. Instead, she spoke, "In the absence of an actual plan, I say we table this mission, and give it to the strategy teams."

Chanla looked shocked. "Strategy teams?!"

"They can look at your plan and your schematics, and they can come up with a better strategy," said Hera.

"For my part," said Dr. Matonui. "I have to say that we could definitely use those supplies, and the sooner the better."

"And we don't know how long the Empire will let these things sit," said Kallus. "They've already been there at least a year. In a month or two, they might be gone."

"Or, the Empire may randomly upgrade their software, and I could lose my backdoor into their system," added Katrina.

"Either way, without a plan there is no mission," said Hera.

"Then let's come up with a plan," said Katrina with an annoyed voice.

"Katrina!" barked Chanla, this time obviously reigning in her eager companion. However, the woman turned towards Hera with the same question on her face.

"General Syndulla," said Rieekan. "You've worked with these people, and you're the general on site. It's your call."

"My decision is made," said Hera. "Table the mission. Send all the information to Rebel Command, and we can possibly proceed at a later date."

"Very well, General," said Chanla. She turned to Katrina. "Give them the information they want. Then return to the Nonnah." Chanla silenced Katrina's objections with a look.

General Rieekan's and Princess Leia's holograms disappeared, and everyone filtered out of the room. Last to leave was Rex. He looked at Hera, but she looked away. When she looked back, he was gone.

Katrina got back to the Nonnah. "So, how'd it go?" asked Rike Kleiner.

"Terribly!" shouted Katrina. "We laid in front of them a great plan, one that would solve their current dilemma. And they rejected it."

"Rejected? On what grounds?" asked Rike.

"That we didn't have a tactical plan to enter the storehouse and remove its contents. But anyone of them could come up with an idea. Kallus or Rex, or General Syndulla herself. But Syndulla single handedly vetoed us."

"Syndulla vetoed? That doesn't sound right," said Rike.

"I know. I thought she'd be on our side."

"Whatsa wesa gonna do?" asked the Gungan leader Quilow Pom.

"I don't know. Chanla gave up."

"Where-en Queenie Neeyutnee?" asked Quilow.

To her great surprise, Katrina didn't know. Serving as one of Chanla's handmaidens when she was queen, Katrina would have never left her friend behind. It would have been inconceivable that she would not know where the other woman was. But that was exactly the situation Katrina was in now. Where was Chanla Neeyutnee?

"Doctor? How is Sel?" asked Chanla.

"She's still healing," answered Carter. "She has a long way to go, but she should be fine."

"And Kat?"

Carter shook his head. "We can't keep her sedated much longer. Without a way to remove her chip, we will have to put her into an induced coma. I don't know when we will be able to wake her."

Chanla stirred a little. "Tell me, Doctor. You've seen the Redemption's facilities, supplies, and equipment. If I gave you an inventory of the storehouse on Commenor, could you make a priority list of things that would help here?"

"Sure, but so could Dr. Matonui. Why ask me to do it?"

"Ah, no reason. Well…" Chanla seemed indecisive.

"I take it the Rebels didn't go for your plan," said Carter.

"No, General Syndulla vetoed the plan."

"I see," said Carter. "Why would Hera Syndulla veto a plan to save Kat?"

"She's angry, angry that she didn't know Kat was a clone. Specifically, she's angry at Rex. But there is something else." Chanla paused as in thought. "Maybe there is a connection between her and this pilot Kat almost hurt, or maybe it's something else. But General Hera Syndulla is taking this very personally."

"I know little more than you do, but what little that is I cannot divulge."

"I understand, Doctor."

"So, you want me to examine your list? I think I can do it tomorrow," said Carter.

"Actually, I was hoping you could do it now," said Chanla.

Carter stepped back from the woman. "You're going to proceed without the Rebellion! Are you sure that is wise?"

"Wise or not, it's the right thing to do," said Chanla. "The Rebellion needs those medical supplies, and Kat needs that scanner. What I need to do is clear. How I'm going to do it is not clear. The first step is getting you to prioritize my list." Chanla handed Carter her datapad. He took it.

"If you're going rogue to help Kat, then I'm in," said Cara Dune as she emerged from behind a doorway.

"How long have you been there?" asked a startled Chanla.

"Long enough. Kat taught me that to always take a stealth option when there is one available. You can gain ground, create the element of surprise, or even gain some knowledge before your attack." Cara Dune crossed her arms and smiled. "Sounds like you're going to need some muscle on this job."

"You would be leaving the Rebellion," said Chanla.

"Haven't signed on any dotted line, yet," said Cara. "I'm in the same position as you, an uninitiated recruit."

"I did sign on with the Rebellion," came another voice from behind the doorway. Out of the door emerged Rex, with his clone helmet under his arm. "When I took my oath as an officer, I swore allegiance to the Rebel Alliance." Carter looked at the clone, then at Cara, and finally at Chanla. The Nabooian woman stood still like a child caught by a parent.

"But I have other allegiances too," continued Rex. "Allegiances to my brothers and to my sisters. If you have a plan to get Kat the help she needs, then I'll help."

Chanla released a sigh of relief. "I have the beginnings of a plan. But I could use your military experience. Are you sure that you wish to leave the Rebellion?"

"I'm not leaving it," said Rex. "General Syndulla wants me off her ship, and I don't have a new posting yet. I'm just taking some much needed…vacation."

Chanla smiled and turned to Carter. "How long before you can return that list to me?"

"I can easily work on it while we are in route," said Carter.

"Doctor, I am not asking you to come with us," said Chanla.

"No, I'm asking you to let me come. If what you told me of this mission is true, then you will have to be working fast. I can identify the equipment faster than anyone else." Carter added with emphasis, "You need me."

"You would leave this?" Chanla spread her arms to indicate the whole ship they were in.

"The medical frigate? I've love to stay. Butif this works, I hope they will take me back. Besides, like Cara, I haven't signed up yet. And I haven't taken an oath with the Rebellion."

Chanla gave in. "Alright. I want everyone to meet at the Nonnah in two hours. We will be leaving then. If you're not there, I understand."

Hera was once again sitting in her rocking chair. This time the rocking was more for her own comfort than the baby's. Jacen was playing by himself in his crib. Hera just rocked next to him.

The door opened and Chopper entered the room. Jacen squealed as he saw the droid. Surprisingly, Chopper was good with Jacen. Sometimes he would pick up Jacen with his head appendages and spin him around. The child loved it. But this time Chopper rolled up to Hera and issued some angry beeping.

"What do you know about it?" demanded Hera. Chopper replied. "How do you learn that?" Chopper replied. "The Redemption's computer! You're not supposed to be in there, Chop," said Hera.

Chopper issued more arguments. "It wasn't a good plan. It was barely a plan." Chopper continued. "What do you mean, it was better than most of ours?" Chopper made a low buzzing noise. "Ohhhhh, so you think Kanan would have approved." Chopper continue. "Yeah, I know Ezra would have approved, but he… What? You think I would have approved of it a few years ago. Maybe, but now I'm a general."

Chopper issued a few more beeps followed by a buzzing noise. "Hey! You watch your language around the little one!" demanded Hera. Jacen giggled as he grabbed his feet. He seemed to think this was all a big game between Hera and Chopper.

Chopper issued a few more angry sounds before turning around and leaving the room. "You better leave, before I pull your battery," said Hera to the empty doorway as it shut.

Hera sank into her chair. She turned her head towards Jacen. "What do you think, Love? Do you think Chop's right? Have I gotten soft? Isn't that what everyone wanted for me when they asked me to pull out of major conflicts?"

But in her heart, Hera knew that wasn't it at all. She looked again at Jacen. She was doing this to protect her son.

"Is the Nonnah ready?" asked Chanla of Rike Kleiner.

"She is as warm as I dare, given that I don't want to attract attention," answered the pilot. "How are you going to get clearance to depart?"

"Katrina's working on that," said Chanla. "Katrina?"

"I've sliced into the Redemption's computer, but the Rebels don't mess around on this ship. Their security is top notch. They really don't want the Empire finding them." Katrina tried something else. "Darn. I can't sneak past them."

"You can't dislodge the docking clamps and airlock?"

"I could, but that would require me to drop subtly. I don't know what the Rebel response time is like. They might be able to grab us in a tractor beam before we even get twenty meters."

"Keep trying, Katrina. We need to get out of here," said Chanla.

"I know," said Katrina. Chanla was pushing her without trying to stress her. Katrina had worked with the former queen so long, they knew each other's sensitivities. "Almost…What?!"

Over the Nonnah's speakers came a series of loud beeping and booping noises. "What's going on?" asked Chanla.

"We've been counter-sliced," said Katrina. "That pesky little rust bucket!"

"Is that a droid's voice?" asked Chanla as the beeping sounds began to impersonated laughter…maniacal laughter.

"Chopper!" said Rex.

"He's the sealing the airlocks and unlocking docking clamps," said Katrina. "He's letting us go."

"So, the General is on our side," said Chanla.

"I wouldn't count on that," countered Rex. "Chopper has a mind of his own."

"I take back my insult. That rusk bucket can join me any day," said Katrina. She sent a thanks to the droid in a binary language. The droid responded with triumphant beeps.

"Don't count on that either," said Rex. "Chopper might be helping us now, but he's Hera's droid. Don't make any mistakes about that."

"I'll take whatever I can get," said Chanla. "Capt. Kleiner, let's get out of here."

"Already on it. The Nonnah is away."

Hera stood on the bridge of the Redemption. She was talking to the holographic Princess Leia. "Are you sure that we shouldn't reconsider the Exiles' plan?" asked the Princess.

"I…"

"General!" shouted the captain of the Redemption. "Did you authorize the Nonnah's departure?"

"No," said Hera.

"Well, they're gone." The Captain pointed out the window. Hera looked just in time to see the Nonnah jump to hyperspace.

"I am so excited to be here," said Rike.

"Lothal? What's so exciting about Lothal?" asked Katrina. "They're not known for their culture expression. It's a mining and agricultural world."

"It's the planet that fought off the Empire!" said Rike. "I heard the entire Seventh Fleet was taken down. How did you do it, Rex?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," said Rex. "I don't even believe it myself at times. But, hey, we have to keep a few secrets."

"Ah, you're as tight lipped as that man Kallus," said Katrina.

Rex merely shrugged his shoulders. But it was an unspoken rule among the Ghost crew never to speak of Ezra or Kanan. Even if Rex was no longer part of that crew, he would keep the Jedis' secrets. All the more now that he has seen what a few misspoken words did to Kat. He should have never pushed Skywalker for details on his father. That's what started this whole mess.

The Nonnah landed in a circle of rocks far from town. Rex stopped the others before they came down the belly ramp of the Nonnah's central hull. "Let me handle this. The Defense Minister and I are acquainted."

"Very well, Rex," said Chanla. "We will wait here."

From around one of the rock pillars came a woman in very colorful Mandalorian gear. "Sabine," said Rex. "Glad you came."

"I couldn't turn down a friend," said Sabine. "Especially when it involves explosives."

"Rex!" said a man behind Sabine. "Glad to see you, brother."

"Glad you're here too, Wolffe," said Rex to his fellow clone.

Sabine asked. "So, where's Hera and the Ghost? Preceding you to your objective."

Rex scratched the back of his head. "Ah, no. Hera, the Ghost, and the rest of its crew are back with the Alliance."

"Are you telling me this is not an Alliance sanctioned operation?" Sabine crossed her arms.

"That's right," answered Rex.

"What has Hera got you doing?" asked Sabine.

"Hera isn't having me do anything," said Rex. "I'm no longer a member of her crew." Rex looked down. "She kicked me off her ship."

"What?!" said Sabine. "That doesn't sound like Hera. What did you do? And should I be helping you? What is this all about?"

"It's about our sister, isn't it?" asked Wolffe.

"You two are clones," said Sabine. "You can't have a sister."

"We have brothers," said Wolffe. "Why can't we have sisters."

"Are you saying there are female clones?" asked Sabine. "I'd like to meet one."

"You already have," said Rex.

"Ah, that older woman, Kat, right? You said she was a Clone Wars vet. You didn't say she actually was a clone?"

"No, I didn't. And that's part of the problem," said Rex. "But right now, she's not doing so well."

"What's wrong?" asked Sabine.

"The same thing that was wrong with all of us." Rex pointed to the scar on his head. "Did Kanan ever tell you about what happened at the end of the War?"

"Not really, but Ezra filled me in," said Sabine. "So, Kat has a chip, and you want it removed."

"I need it removed."

"Need?" said Wolffe. "What do you mean?"

"Her chip is active, Wolffe, and I can't do a thing about it."

"Active?! Who could have possibly…" Sabine paused. "No, not Jacen!"

"No, Kat knows nothing about Jacen's heritage. It was someone else, but I can't tell you who. However, now you know why Hera kicked me off the Ghost."

"I said it was not like her, but for Jacen…" Sabine shook her head. "I have to ask: Should I even be helping you? I don't want to go against Hera."

"Sabine, I'm begging you," said Rex. "I have to rescue my sister, even if it's from herself."

"Minister, if you please, this is important to me as well," said Wolffe.

Sabine gave a sigh of resignation. "Alright, I just hope I don't regret this. Let's meet the rest of your team."

Chanla saw Rex and the Mandalorian woman approaching. She waved her team down to meet them. "Whoa, that's a different look," said the Mandalorian, referring to the Nonnah.

"You don't like it," spoke Rike with an angry note in his voice.

"Oh, it's not bad," said the woman. "I could give it a paint job if you'd like."

"No thank you," said Rike.

"Please do," countered Katrina.

"Please excuse my associates," said Chanla. "I am Chanla Neeyutnee. This is Rike Kleiner, captain and owner of the Nonnah. This is Katrina, our slicer. And this is Quilow Pom and his Gungan warriors." The Gungan gave a slight bow, while his warriors stole at attention. "We are the Exiles."

"I am Sabine Wren, Defense Minister of Lothal. And this is Wolffe, one of my military advisors." One look at Wolffe and Chanla identified him as a clone trooper.

"You've already met Cara Dune," pointed Rex at Cara. "And this is Dr. Carter Rolanga."

"Good to meet all of you," said Sabine. "I hear that you are going to hit an Imperial storehouse and need some help and advice."

Chanla dropped a holographic puck on the ground. A 3D schematic of the warehouse appeared. "This is the target, and the medical equipment here is the objective. We can disable the security systems. The local guards shouldn't be a problem. But physically breaching the building isn't going to be easy. Our slicer cannot open the doors remotely. And blasting our way in would make too much noise. We would never be able to move the goods before a security team from the local Imperial garrison arrives."

"That's because you're thinking of a loud boom," said Sabine. "A controlled blast could take out a section of wall with minimal noise. I could get you the explosives you need."

"You want to make an explosion without a bang?" said Rex. "That doesn't sound like you."

"I'll find a way to make it me," said Sabine. Chanla didn't know what she meant by that, but she got the impression the woman was smiling wide under her helmet. "But such explosives are expensive. Are you sure that's in your budget without the Alliance's resources?"

"I'm sure we can cover it," said Chanla.

"An Imperial governor was kind enough to let us have a generous bribe meant for him," said Katrina.

"That will make my supplier happy," said Sabine. "I'll put in the order. And I will draw up instructions on how to plant the explosives."

"You mean you're not coming with us?" asked Cara. "We could use your expertise, and I've seen you in action. You're good in a fight, Mando."

"No, I have duties here on Lothal," said Sabine. "Besides, I'm helping for the sake of my friendship with Rex. But if you're on Hera's bad side, I don't want to stick my neck out too far."

"I also hope that I can get back on General Syndulla's good side one day," said Chanla. "I have been very impressed with her. But this is a mission I must do. I appreciate your help, Minister Wren, even if you're not able to personally accompany us."

"Then we're agreed," said Sabine. "Now, let's see this plan of yours."

"We can begin with assignments," said Chanla. "Rike's the pilot and cargo receiver. He will stay on the Nonnah."

"Fine with me. Last time I was in a blaster fight, I got shot," said Rike.

"Quilow, you and your Gungans are the forward strike team. Your task will be to stun local security without too much noise. Then rendezvous back at the storehouse for cargo duty."

"Wesa do our-san part," said Quilow.

"The rest of us are the infiltration team," said Chanla. "Specifically, Dr. Rolanga, your job will be to identify the atomic level scanner and the other equipment most important to the Rebellion. Katrina, you of course are the slicer. Once you disable security and locked out the Empire, your job will be to guard Dr. Rolanga."

"Don't worry, Doc. I used to be a queen's bodyguard," said Katrina.

"I'm flattered," said Carter in a flat sarcastic voice.

"I'll be there as well," said Cara Dune. At that Carter smiled.

"I guess that leaves you and me, Rex, as the demo team," finished Chanla

"And me," said Wolffe. "I handled my fair share of demolitions during the Clone Wars."

"I thought you were retired," said Cara.

"For my sister, I'll come out of retirement," said Wolffe. "Sorry, Minister, but you will have to do without my services for a time."

"Just make sure you come back," said Sabine. "I don't want to lose you to the Empire, or the Rebellion."

"Alright, Rex and Wolffe on demo duty. Cara and I are there to deal with any surprises." Cara lifted her eyebrows and gave a wicked smirk. Chanla rolled her eyes. Kids! She turned her attention to the hologram. "Now, let's go over the details."

Agent Aargant searched the databases for possible targets for Rebel attack that included medical supplies. Unfortunately, there were too many possibilities. He needed some bit of information that could narrow down the possibilities. Sometimes it only took one fact to put a picture into focus.

Aargant looked up previous encounters with the Ghost for ideas as to how General Syndulla would proceed. He also pulled up information on former Agent Kallus. But something told Aargant the answered wouldn't be there. Aargant thought about the Palimina attack. The key to that attack was the amphibious assault. Aargant reached out to his holodisplay but paused. No, neither Syndulla nor Kallus would try the same thing twice in a in a row. The Gungans were from the other light freighter. What other advantage could that freighter or its crew provide?

Aargant opened the file on the Cato Neimoidia. How did the Rebels know the bride was on that particular freighter? Did they have an insider? They couldn't have accessed the Neimoidian security, could they? The Neimoidians would protect their assets better than that. But what about the governor? Aargant probed the governor's palace. It had standard Imperial security in place, formidable against slicing, but Aargant knew that Imperial security wasn't prefect. A skilled slicer could find a way in. That would be beyond Aargant's skill, but fortunately for him finding evidence of slicing was easier than the actual slicing.

There! He had found it. The Imperial security on Cato Neimoidia had been breached. The Rebels had full access to the governor's entire system via a backdoor created by a slicer. This evidence would even further bury the governor. Aargant would add that to his report, only because it made him look better. It didn't bother him the least that his success would come at the expense of a disgraced Imperial governor.

But the capture or destruction of a high-profile Rebel cell would be worth so much more. All Aargant had to do was find an Imperial medical supply with the same backdoor slicing. Then he would have his prey.

The Nonnah landed in a spaceport on the planet Garel. While Chanla and Rex were waiting to get the explosives from a contact of the Mandalorian woman, Wolffe was giving himself a tour of the Nonnah. He found the doctor in one of the cargo holds. He had a data pad and looked to be directing the loading of imaginary equipment into the hold.

"Planning how you're going to fit everything?" asked Wolffe.

"Something like that," said the doctor. "Some of the equipment we are hoping to find can be sensitive. I don't want to go through all the effort just to damage it in transit."

"Your name is Carter Rolanga, right?"

"Dr. Carter Rolanga, yes. And you are Wolffe?"

"That's right," said Wolffe. He sat on a crate. "What made you join the Rebellion?"

"My parents," said the doctor. "They were altruists. Always going about the galaxy trying to do good, even during war."

"You mean during the Rebellion?"

"No, during the Clone Wars. My father and mother followed Senator Organa on many relief and humanitarian missions. My birth mother was killed in the First Battle of Christophsis."

"I'm sorry to hear that. And your father?"

"Died in the destruction of Alderaan."

Wolffe lowered his eyes. "I'm sorry. You are trying to follow their example?"

"Yes, I wish to be a healer like my parents. But my motives are not as pure as theirs. I chose to be a doctor for the Rebellion in order to get back at the Empire, a bit of revenge I suppose."

"Nothing wrong with that," said Wolffe. "But why this mission?" asked the clone "What's your stake in this, Doctor?"

"My father remarried, and my stepmother was the only mother I ever knew. She was a veteran of the Clone Wars, a female clone of Divergent Company."

Wolffe felt his eyes widen. Rex had told him once of a clone who deserted the Grand Army, married a Twi-lek woman, and became father to her children. It was the only example he knew in which a clone had a family. "What was her name?"

"Streak. Did you know her?"

"No, I never got to know any of my sisters," said Wolffe. "I only heard about them from Commander Cody. Was your mother…?"

"…on Alderaan?" finished Dr. Rolanga. "Yeah. She died with my father and brother."

"And Kat?"

"Kat was my mother's best friend. She's like my aunt."

Wolffe got off the crate and put his hand on the young man's shoulder. "We'll get the equipment we need to help your aunt. On my honor as a clone, a soldier, and a brother."

"Thank you, Wolffe."

Chanla waited at the foot of the ramp as three figures approached. One was a Weequay male with a helmet/hat. He was old, and his white chin hairs were long. With him was a Ugnaught with tattooed face and a red helmet.

Lastly was a human woman with short dark hair on the top of her head, but the sides and back of her head were shaved. She wore a body glove augmented by armor on her chest and shoulders and a blaster hung low on her hip. A large orange Rebel symbol was painted on her left shoulder plate. Most striking were her purple eyes.

"Can I help you?" asked Chanla.

"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes," said the Weequay. "I believe we have business to conduct."

"We have the supplies you want," said the woman matter-of-factly.

"How do I know you're the ones I want to deal with?" asked Chanla. Out of the corner of her eye, Chanla saw Cara Dune move into a defensive position.

"Oh, they're the ones alright," said Rex. "Good to see you again, Ketsu. You too, Melch. Hondo, not so much."

"My clone friend, what has Hondo ever done to you?" asked the Weequay.

"Do you have the merchandise?" asked Chanla.

"Of course, my dear," said Hondo, getting a little too close to Chanla for comfort. "Melch, show the lady the merchandise." The Ugnaught opened a crate. Inside were several small explosives.

Chanla picked up one. "How do I know these will meet my very specific needs?"

The Weequay spoke a bit too loudly, "Hondo guarantees all his deliveries. Ask anyone who does business with me. Well, except for…" Hondo started counting on his fingers. "… Vizago and Azmorigan and Calrissian and…"

The woman named Ketsu gave a more reasonable answer. "I'm an old friend of Sabine's, and I know her taste in explosives. I filled out her order exactly. But I can't stay. My Rebel superiors don't like when I take non-Alliance jobs."

"Hence…" Chanla pointed to Hondo.

"Yes," replied Ketsu with distain.

"Ladies, you wound me," said Hondo. The Ugnaught spoke in his squealing language. Chanla heard Katrina stifle a laugh behind her, apparently understanding the Ugnaught. "Laugh if you want, Melch. You'd be nothing without me." Hondo straighten up from looking down at the Ugnaught. "Now, it's time for payment. Hondo does not work for free."

"That much has been clear in the past," said Ketsu. But she nodded to Chanla. Chanla turned to Katrina who had a case of credits.

"Normally I like payment in spice, but credits will do fine," said Hondo. He took the case. "Yes, yes, this will do just fine."

"Follow Sabine's instructions," said Ketsu. "These are very specifically crafted explosives."

"We will," said Chanla. Rex and Cara took the crate while Chanla and Katrina watched Ketsu, Hondo, and Melch leave. Once they were gone, Chanla asked, "What did the Ugnaught say?"

"He said that Hondo couldn't tell a thermal detonator from a proton bomb."

Rex made sure that the explosives were stored in the cargo hold. There he found Wolffe and Carter talking. Cara Dune had followed Rex, and soon the two Alderaan survivors were talking. Rex sat next to Wolffe. "You ready for this, brother?"

"I was born ready," said Wolffe.

"You've always tried to avoid action after the War. Why jump into this fight?" asked Rex.

"It's not about the fight," said Wolffe. "This is about our brothers and our sisters."

"Yeah, it's the same for me," said Rex. "I'm not doing this for the Rebellion. I'm doing it for Kat and for all my brothers and sisters."

"Then what do you say we look the part, brother."

Cara Dune was talking with Carter in the Nonnah's common room just behind the cockpit. Katrina was sitting at a computer console. The Gungans were readying themselves for battle. Chanla walked in from the cockpit. "ETA to Commenor is twenty minutes. Is everyone ready?"

"We're ready," came a voice from the cargo hold.

"Whoa!" said Katrina in response, and Cara turned to face the voice.

There she beheld Wolffe and Rex. Both were wearing beat-up armor. While it looked like stormtrooper armor Cara could tell it was much tougher and older. Neither had a complete set. Rex had the chest and back plate plus the shoulder pads and gauntlets. But he lacked an abdomen plate, the leg armor, and various other pieces. Even through the scrapes and scratches a blue paint scheme could be seen on the shoulder pads and gauntlets. Under Rex's arm was his helmet, complete with its blue lined 'T' shape visor and several tally marks on both sides.

Wolffe's armor was similar, although he was missing his left shoulder pad. But on his right shoulder pad overtop the grey paint scheme was the white head of a wolf. Wolffe had his helmet on, and the wolf's emblem could be seen on the helmet, a white face with grey down the middle and teeth on the sides and a white beard on the chin. Both clones looked tough and mean. Cara liked it.

"I haven't seen that armor in a long time," said Chanla.

"Today we fight for our sister," said Rex. He put on his helmet and its filters modified his voice. "Today, we are not Rebels. Today, we are clones."

Commander Bowmen entered the quarters of Agent Aargant. "What is it this time?" said the Star Destroyer captain. While he had respect for the ISB agent's skills, last time Bowmen followed one of Aargant's leads he lost an entire squadron of TIE fighters. He couldn't just let that go.

"I know where the Rebels will strike next," said Agent Aargant.

"You know? You mean you have a list of possibilities?"

"Not a list. One particular place."

"Show me," said Bowmen.

Aargant pulled up an image of a planet. "This is Commenor, a major spaceport on the hyperspace lanes."

"I know about Commenor," said Bowmen. "Why would the Rebellion strike there?"

"The Empire operates a storehouse on Commenor to house various confiscated items which the Empire currently has no use for."

"If the Empire doesn't have a need for these items, why would the Rebels?"

"Because, amongst these items is medical equipment. And according to my studies of Rebel behavior, they are gathering medical equipment, enough to run a hospital."

"You think they are trying to supply a new base?" asked Bowmen. He had just become very interested. If they could get a lead on the Rebel's new base, the Empire could do real damage, perhaps even destroy or capture the Rebel leadership.

"Yes, I believe so. Either these supplies are meant for a new base or for a medical ship of sorts. Either way, we have the chance to capture Rebels who might possess valuable information."

Bowmen calmed himself. As exciting as finding the new Rebel base was, this was still just in the imagination of an ISB agent. "Why Commenor? There has to be several Imperial facilities with this medical equipment."

"But none of the others has a backdoor sliced into its security systems," said Aargant. Bowmen leaned forward as Aargant's hologram zoomed in on the security systems of the storehouse. "With this backdoor, the Rebel slicer can access the inventory and the alarm."

"Can you back trace the slicer's program?"

"Not likely. Any slicer with this skill would be able to prevent such tracing. At the very least it could not be done without the slicer noticing. Then we would scare off our prey."

"If this slicer is so good, how did you find his backdoor?"

"Most backdoors are hidden from the untrained eye. But when someone knows what to look for, they can be found."

"And you started searching on a hunch?"

"An educated hunch. The governor's palace on Cato Neimoidia was similarly sliced."

Bowmen studied the hologram. He didn't understand all that was in front of him, but he understood enough. "Do you have any idea, when the Rebels will attack?"

"No, but I will know once the slicer has accessed his backdoor. With a proper alert to the local Imperial garrison, we might catch them in the act."

"A proper alert to the garrison and the proper placement of the Assailant?" asked Bowmen. The ISB agent certainly could contact the garrison on his own authority. And Aargant wasn't particularly courteous, so there must be a reason he wanted to discuss this with Bowmen.

"Yes, if I might suggest…"

"You might suggest a few things. But you are not Navy. I will position the Assailant appropriately. Cato Neimoidia will be close enough."

"Yes," agreed Aargant. "Plus, there is a good reason for a Star Destroyer to be positioned there while the governor is on Coruscant answering for his foolishness."

"Let me know the moment there is activity on Commenor," said Bowmen. "The Assailant will move at once."