They all rushed to the Command Center in time to see Rex, with Wolffe, Gregor, and the commanders standing before the holo-projector table and conversing with Saw Gerrera.
"—someone insisted." Saw said. "And he might have some urgent news about the General."
Another person, a young man in Senatorial apparel stepped into the holo-transmission's scope of vision. Everyone in the Command Center gasped in surprise.
"Senator Bonteri?" Rex shook out from his daze.
"Captain, we don't have much time," Lux spoke up. "I know what Ahsoka did. I—" He faltered.
Kanan could tell Lux was upset when he found out about it. And judging from the hoarseness of his voice, nope, it's not because of the static in the frequency or the jammed signals, Lux had been worried sick and probably hadn't slept well. At that, he actually understood how Lux really feels about Ahsoka. He cares for her so much that if given a chance to trade places with her right now, he'd do it without hesitation. He just wants her safe and away from danger. It's the exact same way he feels about Hera.
"Do you know where she's being held, sir?" Rex asked.
"She's here on Onderon, for now," Lux confirmed. "But from what I've heard, they're going to move her someplace else."
"Where?"
Lux sighed in frustration. "I don't know."
They were going to move her someplace else, but where? Then it dawned on him. Ahsoka was also a Jedi who survived the purge, like Kanan himself. She is also currently in the rebellion, like him. And among the people in the base, he could put his shoes on Ahsoka's situation. He might have an idea where they're taking her, but then again, it's basically a guess.
"Oh, no," Kanan exclaimed. "Not again."
Darius turned to him. "What do you mean, again?"
"When I was captured by the Empire," Kanan started to explain. "The Inquisitor mentioned one thing when they interrogated me on Lothal. If they're unsuccessful interrogating a Jedi, they'll take them to a place where he said it never failed to unravel secrets from them. Like what they almost did to me."
Ezra's eyes widened. "Mustafar." He blurted out. "They're taking her to Mustafar?"
"And I'm going to guess," Lux said. "She specifically ordered you not to rescue her."
Rex sighed. "She made that pretty clear."
"Well, I'm not having that," Lux stated. "You need her, we all need her."
"I agree," Kanan spoke up. "Ahsoka isn't just our general. Through her efforts, this rebellion was made possible. She represents Hope. Not just for us, but for all those who are helpless against the Empire."
"Kanan's right," Ezra agreed. "We have to get her out. They're going to torture her to get information about our whereabouts, whatever it takes."
"But we don't have enough intel," Rex pointed out. "And Onderon is hot on the Empire's eyes right now."
"Oh, don't worry, Captain," Saw Gerrera assured. "My men and I will take care of that." He promised. "We'll send you a holo map of the facility and identify the weak points of their defenses."
"I wish it were that easy, Saw," Lux countered. "Her prison cell is very heavily guarded and is under the supervision of Grand Moff Tarkin himself. And two inquisitors."
"More inquisitors?" Ezra shrieked. "How many are they out there?"
Darius frowned. "Inquisitors?"
"The Empire tasked them to hunt down and kill Jedi who survived," Kanan explained. "Several of them were on our tail until Maul and Ahsoka took care of it. And now, there's two more."
"I was barely able to enter," Lux continued. "And it wasn't easy."
"Yes," Saw glared pointedly at Lux. "And going there in the middle of the night is practically suspicious."
"There's no other way of saying this, Senator," Kanan said. "But Commander Gerrera is right. It is suspicious. The Empire's bound to ask you about it."
"That's what I told him." Saw said.
"It may be risky," Lux insisted. "But I'd do anything for Ahsoka. I'll try to find out more information."
Saw turned to Lux. "Hmm, maybe find out when they're planning to move her," He suggested. "Our spies could never be that deep into the Imperial intel. That way we'll be able to intercept them when they take her off the planet and before they make the jump into hyperspace."
Lux nodded. "Very well," He agreed. "Oh, another thing," He then took a deep breath before speaking again. "She gave orders that you should evacuate Atollon."
Everyone started talking at once, obviously confused.
"With all due respect, Senator," Commander Jun Sato interjected. "We had just settled, sir. We can't just—"
"I hear you, Commander," Lux interrupted. "But the general has a point. It's only a matter of time before the Empire finds you. You need to leave."
"But where will we go?" Jun Sato asked.
"She said Captain Rex knew where to relocate," Lux blurted out. "In case things got out of hand."
Rex thought for a moment like he was hesitating. But Kanan knew that Rex trusted Ahsoka's mandate, no matter how dangerous and hard the consequences were. He finally sighed and nodded. "It will be done, sir."
Once the holo-transmission was over, there was a moment of silence. Then Rex spoke up. "Well, you all heard them. We need to evacuate the base and save the general."
Everyone was still frozen, not sure what to do.
"Well, what are you all waiting for?" Rex barked. "Let's move it!"
That's when everyone collected themselves and started moving.
Kanan approached Rex. "So, where are we heading, Captain?" He asked.
Rex turned to him. "Yavin System," He revealed.
. . .
Tarkin was frustrated. They had captured a prominent Rebel figure, but they could not make her talk. The interrogation chair and the mind probes were not working on her, so they had to think of other alternatives.
As he was deep in thought, the two inquisitors came in with Agent Kallus.
"Well?" Tarkin raised an eyebrow at them.
"She still would not cooperate." Agent Kallus reported.
"However," One inquisitor, the Third Brother, stepped forward with a datapad in his hand. "We found something…interesting."
Tarkin took the datapad from the inquisitor. "And what is it?"
"The Jedi received a visitor the night before," The other inquisitor, the Fourth Sister informed. "In the dead of night." She pointed to the datapad. "That is him."
Tarkin glanced at the datapad and saw a blurry holo-vid of Lux Bonteri arguing with an Imperial officer outside the prison cell before being let inside.
"The senator?" Tarkin exclaimed in surprise. "What did he want with her?" He asked.
"We're not sure, sir," Agent Kallus replied. "There were no holo-cams inside the cell. But according to the Imperial Officer stationed by the cell, he was very persistent."
The two inquisitors exchanged looks before one of them, the Third Brother, spoke up. "We're sensing that the Senator has possible…ties with this Jedi."
Agent Kallus turned to the Third Brother. "How can you be sure?"
The Fourth Sister glared her pale eyes at the Kallus. "Why else would he insist on seeing her at night?"
Tarkin thought for a moment. "Hmm, you might be on to something, Inquisitor. If there's one way we can make her talk, the Senator is our best chance." He smirked. "Very well," He turned to the Third Brother. "Fetch Senator Bonteri from his home and escort him here. And if he refuses, tell him it's under my orders."
The Third Brother bowed before leaving the room.
Tarkin turned to the other Inquisitor, the Fourth Sister. "You, go back to the prisoner," He ordered. "Find out more about the Senator's ties with the Jedi. Taunt her, if you must. Just get me something."
The Fourth Sister sneered and nodded before heading to the prison cell.
Tarkin then faced the only other person left in the room. "Agent Kallus, set your weapon to stun," He instructed. "And fire at the senator on my signal."
Kallus' eyes widened. "Sir?" He asked as if he'd misheard.
"Fire at the senator on my signal," Tarkin repeated.
"But, sir—" Kallus started to protest.
Tarkin glared at him. "I believe you heard me right the first time."
"I did, sir," Kallus said. "But the senator—"
"Is potential bait against this Jedi." Tarkin interrupted. "But first, we need more information on that matter. Our prisoner may not reveal anything, but perhaps he will make her. Hmm, who knew? The answer to our problem was right under our noses the whole time."
. . .
The following day after Lux paid a visit to Ahsoka in her prison cell, one of the Inquisitors came to see him in his estate.
Saw Gerrera was right. The Empire never took it lightly, and now they're at his doorstep. Sure, he did put himself in danger and the hot zone, but he couldn't stand seeing Ahsoka in pain. He had missed several years of her having no one to console, and he didn't want it to happen again.
Lux gulped when he saw his guest, but he retained his composure. "Um, hello," He acknowledged. "This is quite unusual. How can I help you, Inquisitor?"
The Third Brother retracted the faceplate of his helmet and regarded him with his red eyes. "Greetings, Senator," He said. "Your presence is requested at the Imperial Military Compound immediately."
Lux raised an eyebrow. "Requested?" He repeated. "By whom?"
"By Grand Moff Tarkin himself." The Inquisitor replied. "He sent me to escort you there."
Technically, Lux cannot refuse as it was under the Grand Moff's orders, and there's not a chance that he'll go against an Inquisitor. "Very well," He said, having left with no choice. "Let's not keep him waiting."
He boarded the shuttle with the Inquisitor to the Imperial Military Compound. The whole trip was silent, and it made Lux nervous, like the calm before the storm. Who knows what's in store for him when he faced Grand Moff Tarkin and asks certain questions that might reveal stuff between him and Ahsoka.
Lux was lead to an office by the Third Brother. Wilhuff Tarkin was sitting on the chair by the table. The other Inquisitor, the Fourth Sister stood behind him, with her arms crossed. Agent Kallus was also behind Tarkin, but he left his post when Lux and the Third Brother walked into the room.
"Ah, Senator Bonteri," Tarkin greeted. "Please, have a seat." He gestured to the one chair across from him by the table.
Lux reluctantly sat down on the chair provided. "So, I was told my presence was needed here." He recalled. "What can I be of assistance, Grand Moff?"
The Third Brother went to stand behind Tarkin, while Lux was aware of Agent Kallus standing by the door, blocking the only exit.
"Senator," Tarkin started. "How long have you represented your home planet in the Imperial Senate?"
"Since the last years of the Republic," Lux pointed out. "Amidst the Clone War."
"And wasn't Onderon under the Confederacy of Independent Systems?"
"Yes, Onderon aligned with the Separatists," He recalled. "And my mother represented it in the Separatist Parliament until her death. I took her place until I found out her death was staged by Dooku to stop the passing of the peace initiative bill."
Tarkin nodded, then placed a handheld holoprojector on the table and a holo-image of Saw Gerrera popped up. "Do you recognize this man?" He asked.
"Apparently, yes," Lux replied. "Saw Gerrera, Resistance Fighter."
"Oh, he's more than that," Tarkin raised an eyebrow at him. "You knew him. You sought his help to oust the Separatist occupation from this very planet."
"He served in the Royal Guard of Onderon once we sided with the Republic. But he defected when the Republic became the Empire."
Saw is still a good friend of Lux's and they're still in contact, but Tarkin didn't need to know that.
"Nevertheless," Tarkin folded his hands on the table. "You never won your planet's civil war alone. If I'm not mistaken, you had help. Specifically, the Jedi."
Lux remained quiet, not knowing what to say.
"Oh, yes," Tarkin continued. "I've done my research, Senator. You said so yourself. Onderon was liberated with the help of Jedi." He huffed. "Peacekeepers, they call themselves. Hmm, it's sacrilegious, if you ask me." He turned back to Lux. "Tell me, Senator. Do you remember the names of the Jedi who helped your cause?"
Lux took a deep breath. "Kenobi and Skywalker." He revealed.
Tarkin narrowed his eyes at him. "I seemed to recall that there were three Jedi?" His tone came like a question.
"There were three people," Lux corrected. "The other one was a clone captain."
Tarkin turned to one of the Inquisitors.
"He lies." The Chiss Inquisitor said.
Then Lux felt a sharp shock of pain struck from behind him, making him fall off his chair. It took him a second to realize Agent Kallus had shot him with a stun gun.
Lux wanted to turn and face Kallus, but he couldn't move. "How dare you stun an Imperial Senator?" He demanded.
Tarkin stood from his chair. "As I've said, Senator," He said. "I've done my research. And it's within our right to defend ourselves from Jedi sympathizers such as yourself."
"I don't know what you're talking about," He grumbled as he tried to stand, but fell back to the floor. "And you can't prove anything."
He pressed a button on the handheld holoprojector and another holo-image appeared. It was of Lux himself and Ahsoka, but they were younger. They were standing back-to-back and they seemed to be in the middle of a battle since he held a blaster while Ahsoka had her lightsabers drawn.
Tarkin walked towards him. "Really, now?" He said. "Let's try this again. Three Jedi aided you in gaining your planet's independence from the Separatists." He stood over him. "One of them was assigned as your bodyguard. And this Jedi is the same one we captured in the tractor beam." He pointed at the holo-image. "And the same one you visited last night. So why?"
"I didn't know she was alive," He admitted. "I just went to see if it was really her."
"So you admit that you know each other," Tarkin sneered. "I remember her too, Senator. Ahsoka Tano, a mere padawan, back in the day. Believe it or not, she too had saved my life more than once." He admitted. "But for their crimes against the Emperor, the Jedi are considered traitors and enemies of the Galactic Empire. The likes of her are too dangerous to be kept alive, and should, therefore be executed."
Lux managed to look up at Tarkin. "If you're going to execute many innocents for the mistake of one guilty," He protested, gritting his teeth. "Then you're no better than the Separatists."
Tarkin made a tsk sound. "Fortunately for your Jedi friend," He said. "The only thing keeping her alive is the information she refused to give us. And now, you."
Lux flinched as another stun shot hit him. Now, he was struggling to stay conscious. He had tried to get up to his knees, but he was too weak and fell to his face on the floor. At the same time and unbeknownst to the other people in the room, Lux was able to activate his wrist comlink making the call to Saw Gerrera, hoping whatever he'll record will get to the Rebels on Atollon.
Tarkin continued his rant. "She will come to despair that her refusal to say anything will only injure those around her. And I know the Jedi cannot stand seeing a defenseless person being harmed."
You will never get away with this, Lux wanted to scream, but he can't move.
"Cuff the Senator," Tarkin ordered. "He will be the key to get what we need from her. And sedate the Jedi. We have to take her to Mustafar before nightfall."
Lux made one last move by deactivating his comlink before he lost consciousness.
