Chapter 35
Location: Epsilon Station
System: Epsilon Solar System
Date: 5 ABY, Month 2, Day 2
...
"General Bridger, you are needed in Command."
I tap on my wrist comlink. "On my way."
"Wish I could just come with you," Sabine says.
She gets up and puts her blaster on the table next to her. We were practicing our sharpshooting and as always, she beat me.
"You're welcome to join me," I say with a smirk. "Maybe there's something Hera wants to say."
"On second though, I'll just stay here," she replies. "Don't get me wrong, I love Hera, but I don't want my ear chewed out on reports."
"Aha, so you're just going to make me go deaf to spare your ears?" I joke.
She punches my shoulder. "Very funny. Now get going, General. Whatever it is, it might be urgent."
"Ow! Okay, I'm going," I say, laughing. I head out the door and sense Sabine's eyes on me as I go.
She's really changed since... well... everything. Since we met, all our adventures before Yavin, and even after. She's really grown to care, hasn't she? Not that she hasn't ever, but more than normal. It's good to see this from her, though sometimes I forget she's Mandalorian.
I take several turns and take a lift up to the command tower. As soon as I step out, Rex calls me out.
"Ezra, over here!"
"Hey Rex. How's all the training?" I ask.
"Still reminds of Kamino sometimes, though I'd rather be out an fight. But these old bones can't do too much fighting anymore," he says.
"Ah, you'll beat all of us here," I say with a grin.
He laughs. "Yeah maybe. Anyway, Hera's in her office. She'll be out in a minute."
I sense Kanan over in the corner and walk over to him.
"Master," I say.
"Ezra. Have you been keeping up with your Jedi training?"
"Hard not to," I say. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm still not fond of being in a sort of military. All this is reminding me of my old master. I'm not stuck in my past, I just don't want to be much part of it. Not to mention I'm blind."
"But you can see through the Force," I say.
"That I can do, yes. But I can't see myself being much of a leader. That's Hera's specialty. I do advise her on certain topics. Rex and I still remember some old tactics and strategies that we can use against the Empire now that we have our own fleets. Speaking of Hera..."
Her office door opens and she emerges from it. She looks around for me and approaches once she finds me.
"Ezra, sorry for making you wait. Lots of mission reports needed filing," she says.
"You're fine. How are things?" I ask.
"We've got heavy fighting in multiple fronts but we're gaining ground," she says. "The war is in full swing and since the Death Star was destroyed the Empire could no longer deny we're a threat to them again. This was a long time coming and it's all thanks to you and Sabine. That's why I made you two generals of the highest rank. It's too bad she turned in her rank and accepted a demotion though."
"She seemed unsure of it for a while, I admit. Though she never talked to me about it until right before she saw you," I say. "But it was for the best, or at least that's what she says."
"Right. However, that's not why I called you up here," Hera says. "Your temporary command of Sentinel is finished. You're being reassigned to your new flagship. It was completed just a couple days ago and has gone through several tests. It's ready for service. We've got more currently being constructed very rapidly, alongside more Avenger class star destroyers."
"How's our Legacy production going?" I ask.
"Kristinal is keeping up his contract," she says. "I had Han send him one last year so he shouldn't worry about how many he needs to send us at a time. Also the Terrans have found something in a nearby star system. It's unknown to most people in the galaxy but there's a legend in the days of the Old Republic, older than the one we're fighting for, there was this station known for utilizing the dark side to produce countless ships."
"I've heard that old legend," Kanan says. "It was destroyed in a devastating war. Did the Terrans find another one?"
"Not quite but it's similar. Instead of using the Force, however, it uses the energy from its star to convert the energy into materials."
"How did they find it?" I ask her.
"They detected a beacon and sent a fleet to investigate. They claim it wasn't there before but it is now," she replies.
"So we can produce ships?" I ask.
"Well... no," she says. "But it can produce all the materials we need to build the ships and in large quantities."
"Well that's still helpful. Is that why we're producing even more ships?"
"Yes. It was a recent find and the Terrans are guarding it and sending the materials to us. Now, back to your new flagship, you're to assume command immediately."
"Any shuttle waiting?" I ask.
"Not this time. Tenith has something for you in Hangar 4. You'll be taking that to your ship."
"Understood."
What about Sabine. She's supposed to be under my command still, right?
"And you're probably wondering about Sabine?" she asks me.
"Umm... yeah..." I manage to say. My face burns a little.
Hera smiles. "She's still under your command. Your XO will be present should you want him as well."
"Thanks, Hera," I say.
"Go ahead to your ship, general. You'll be once again free from command unless instructed otherwise," she says.
...
I get to the hangar and see Sabine and Tenith standing by a pair of fighters. Sabine looks over her shoulder and smiles at me as I approach. I smile back at her.
"General," Tenith says politely.
"Hey Tenith. What do you have here?" I ask.
"Your new fighters are finally ready to go. T-70 X-wings. Faster, more agile and maneuverable than the T-65s. The first full squadron is already aboard your ship and many more on the way," he says.
"He's planning on replacing all the T-65 X-wings by the end of the month," Sabine says.
"What about our pilots on the front lines?" I ask.
"Oh we'll have the new fighters shipped to them," Tenith replies. "Courtesy of Quasi Hydra Manufacturers, of course."
"That's a risky move," I say. "But if anyone can get them shipped out it's them."
"I shouldn't keep you two waiting," he says then. "Good luck, sir. You too, ma'am."
"Thanks Tenith," I say as I climb up the ladder to the new fighter. An astromech droid is sitting up in its socket and starts beeping at me.
"R3-D2, huh? Nice to meet you, R3," I say. I climb into the cockpit and pick up the flight helmet. It's all painted in orange with a red Rebel insignia on the front. I turn it over to put in on and see something written on the inside: Cyar'ika.
Must be Sabine's handiwork, especially since it's written in Mando'a. I forgot how to read it a long time ago so I'll have to ask her about it later.
"Ready to go, Lothcat-1?"
"Lothcat-1? You're giving me nicknames again?" I ask Sabine.
"It's your callsign now, dummy," she replies.
"I'm not going to be called Lothcat-1," I say.
"Whatever you say, Lothcat," she says with a laugh.
I roll my eyes. "Just follow me out, alright?"
"Yes sir."
I flip more switches and the engines roar to life. "Ready to go R3?"
He beeps a reply.
I bring the fighter up off the hangar floor and retract the landing gear. I start moving out the hangar and the station's flight control officer starts speaking to me.
"You're clear of obstacles, General. Proceed to heading 110 to Resolute."
"110, copy that. You hear that, Sabine?"
"Got it."
I pilot my X-wing towards the brand new warship. My new command ship, the Resolute. Valiant-class star destroyer.
"General Bridger, this is Resolute flight. We've got you under our jurisdiction. Fly straight for our port hangar, slow and steady."
"Understood Resolute."
...
"General on deck!"
The entire bridge crew stands at attention and our admiral is in front of us by the holotable.
"At ease, everyone," I say. "Status report."
"All systems functioning at peak efficiency, general," the admiral reports. "Just had the crew give me one a few moments ago."
"Good," I say.
"Would you like a tour of the ship, sir?" the admiral asks.
"That would be nice. I've noticed things look different compared to the Avenger class," I reply.
"Indeed. I'll show you around myself, if that's alright, sir."
"Whatever works for you, admiral."
...
"You've seen the port hangar already. Starboard isn't much different and it all connects with the ventral hangar. The bow hangar is separated by a few corridors but it's easy to navigate. The rest of the ship isn't as simple but it all leads to something important."
The admiral leads us to a corridor near the lift to the bridge. "Your quarters are right over here. Commanders and commissioned officers stay on this level. The rest of the crew's quarters are one deck below us."
I look at the name plate by one of the rooms and it's got my name and rank on it.
"Go ahead, sir. It's all been prepared for your arrival," the admiral says.
I open the door and the first thing I see is a cozy room. There's a single bed by the far wall, a desk on the opposite side of the room, and a small holotable near the foot of the bed.
"Not too bad. But it's missing something..." I glance at Sabine.
"Would you like me to paint it?" she asks.
"Since when did you have to ask," I say with a small laugh.
"You're absolutely right. I can't stand plain rooms," she says.
"Your quarters is right down the hall, Commander," the admiral states. "Just right over there."
"Is the one next door empty?" she asks.
"That one over here," he points to the right from my door, facing in. "Is my room. That one though is still empty."
"I claim that one," she points to the left one.
"Are you sure?" he asks.
"It'll be fine, admiral," I say.
"Yes, sir."
He gives us a tour of the rest of the ship and we return to the bridge for one more thing.
"Last but not least, and in hindsight should've started with this one," he starts. "You have a spare quarters up here sir, by the rear of the bridge."
He leads me to the back and a small lift takes us down one level.
"This is technically your main quarters, but ultimately that's your choice."
"It looks more like an office room to me," I say.
"It's what it's supposed to be for mostly," he replies. "But there is a bed in one of the walls."
He presses a button on the desk in the room and the wall opens up and deploys a bed.
"I may come down here if I'm too tired to go further down," I say. "Not a bad room I suppose."
"Yes sir."
"If anything I could just give you this room since you're the admiral," I say.
"Are you sure, sir? This was meant for you."
"I'm sure. After all, we can't have all of our command staff down there in case something happens and we're needed right away."
"You're absolutely right, sir."
"For now, I'm going to head to my quarters down there. The ship is yours, Admiral. If you need me call me up," I say.
"Yes sir, I will," he replies. He gives me a salute and I return it before going back up through the bridge and heading down to my quarters.
When I get there, I find Sabine in the middle of painting my room.
"Already?" I ask her.
"Yes, sir, already. What are you doing down here?"
"Tired. Left the bridge to the admiral," I say. I notice a small doorway in the corner of the room. Entering my room it's on the wall to the right.
I walk over to it and press a button. The door opens to reveal a refresher. Not large by any standards but not necessarily small either. A shower on the far wall and a sink to the left with a counter spanning the entire left wall.
"I think I'm going to take a shower, okay Sabine?"
"Go ahead. I'll stay in here and paint. But I'll probably use it when I'm done," she says.
"Not a problem."
I walk in and shut the door. I undress and hang my uniform up on the wall before getting in the shower.
...
Not too long later, I finish up my shower and get dressed in a clean pair of pants and a black undershirt. I don't bother putting the uniform shirt on so I set my rank pins on the counter before stepping out of the refresher. I walk over to the bed and sit on the edge. I then notice that Sabine isn't here anymore and my entire wall is painted. I study it from my spot. It's me with my lightsaber drawn and Sabine by my side, wearing her Mandalorian armor. In the background there's what looks to be the rebel army in their combat armor, all following me into battle. Above our heads the wall goes from a sunset orange to space black, dotted with stars. A fleet of our ships fills the space with "7th Fleet" painted above all of it. I look down the wall again towards the floor. It looks like rocky ground but on those rocks are words. The fighting spirit of our fallen comrades lay the foundations of our new Republic. I take a closer look at the rocks and find names written in the rocks. Names of our fallen. I spot Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa among the rocks, as well as Mon Mothma, Admiral Ackbar, and so many other names and callsigns.
I smile sadly but proudly at the mural when the door opens. I look over and see Sabine walking in. She's got her bodysuit on but the top looks a bit loose.
"Hey," she says.
"Hey."
"What do you think?" she asks.
I look back to the mural. "It's incredible. Some of the best work I've seen you do." I look back at her.
She stands next to me and smiles softly, taking my hand in hers.
"I'll have to replicate this on another wall in Epsilon Station. I feel like this needs to be over there," she says.
"This looks like a lot of work. You sure you could do it?"
"Why not? I did it here so of course I can do it again," she says.
She moves so she's in front of me and I feel her arms wrapped around my waist. She rests her head on my shoulder.
"Um, Sabine? Are you okay?"
"Mhmm..."
"You sound tired," I observe.
"Very perceptive," she jokes.
"Want me to help you to your quarters?" I ask.
She says nothing.
"Sabine?"
"Mmm... what?"
"Want me to help you back to your quarters?" I ask again.
She groans and pushes me towards my bed until I fall onto it. She stays right next to me. "I'm already there."
"This is my quarters," I say. My face burns.
"Our quarters now," she says. "I don't care that I'm a lower rank. You're not changing my mind. Not tonight. Tonight this is our quarters."
"Alright then," I say.
She sighs softly and slowly grows more relaxed until I'm certain she's asleep. Instead of moving her, I end up falling asleep as well.
...
I wake up to my comlink going off so I sit up and grab it off my desk using the Force.
"Bridger here," I manage to say.
"You're needed on the bridge, General."
"Right... I'm on my way," I say.
I turn off the comlink and get up to get dressed. As I put on my uniform, I feel arms around me. I look over my shoulder, expecting to see Sabine, but instead, it's a cloaked figure. Somehow I know it's the person's arms around me, yet he or she is standing across my room.
"You're needed on the bridge, general..." the figure says. It's a man's voice.
"Who are you?" I ask, suddenly alert.
And why didn't I sense you?
The figure points at the mural on my wall and it starts to change. The colors all mix and changes until something takes shape. A planet.
"You're needed on the bridge," the man says again.
The "arms" around me tighten and I get thrown into the wall, only... I go through it. Just... as if I was thrown into water.
Water...?
I feel like I can't breathe and realize I'm now in water. I swim to what I think is the surface and after coughing and clearing my eyes, I look and see the cloaked man standing on a kind of bridge going over the water with two islands on each end of it.
"You're needed on the bridge, General Bridger," the man says.
"What do you mean? Where are you? What bridge?"
The man doesn't answer. He just repeats the words "You're needed" over again.
Suddenly, it's as if I'm falling...
And falling...
And falling...
...
I sit up suddenly, breathing heavily. I clutch at my chest and feel my heart beating. I start feeling around me and I touch someone next to me and I jump away and grab my lightsaber, igniting it.
Sabine jumps up startled and stares at me.
"Ezra? Are you okay?" she asks me, worried.
I breathe heavily and look around. There's nobody else here. I look to my left and see the mural. Just as it was when I fell asleep.
"What...?" I breathe. I turn off my lightsaber and fall to my knees, my lightsaber rolling away from me.
I feel hands on my shoulders and I look up at Sabine.
"Ezra, what happened?"
"I... I don't know... It must've been a vision of some kind... or... no... somebody was... calling to me," I say.
Sabine looks into my eyes before pulling me close.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Give me a minute..."
"Yeah, take your time," she says.
She helps me back up to my bed and gets me a cup of water. After I calm down, I tell her everything I saw.
"That's one freaky vision," she states.
"It was more like someone was calling to me... I don't know what it means," I say.
"Well clearly someone wants you to go to some bridge on some planet," she says.
"Yeah but I don't know where."
"Are you going to tell Kanan?" she asks me.
"Yeah. I should do that right now."
...