Chapter Seventeen
The fleet jumps out of hyperspace near the base on Utapau, euphoric with their crucial victory over the Empire. The fleet circled the planet and a few hours later, the Council meets together to discuss the victory.
"According the transmissions intercepted by us, we have found out that Imperial Star Destroyer production has dropped by 30%." Master Windu said. "This is good news, because the Empire is stretched thin and building military products is of utmost priority for them.
"The Empire will also look to be searching for our base, so we must be on guard, as Vader's fleet could've tracked our trajectory here."
"It's also important to look for more surviving Jedi hiding on other planets. With another victory, more should come out of hiding." Obi-wan said. "This meeting is over. The Council is adjourned."
-o0o-
Meanwhile, thousands of lightyears away, Desmond Chang and his family were packing up to leave Earth, the planet they and several other Jedi escaped to. They had seen the Rebellion's success at Yavin 4 and Kuat, so they believe maybe it's time to come out of hiding. A few hours earlier, Desmond had been addressing to his fellow Jedi, which includes his former Padawans and family.
"Cadena, Kandra, Cody, Alex, Suki, Sky, Jake, and Sara," Desmond read off of his list. The Jedi sitting at the seats nodded. "You all know why we went into exile, correct?"
They nodded again.
"As I have just saw out there, the Empire is struggling. More so, there are more Jedi that hae survived the Purge!" Desmond exclaimed, "I'm 60 years old now, but I'm not senile enough to know that our exile is now at an end!"
"Finally!" Kandra said. "Let's give 'em what for!"
"Master, do you know where the Rebellion is stationed at?" Sky asks.
"Good question. I had tracked a few Rebel ships to Utapau. I believe they set their base there. Now everyone, get your families and pack up to depart." Desmond said. The former Padawans nodded and stood up and filed out of the room. Two young boys ran up to Desmond and looked up.
"Grandpa, will there be other kids there?" They asked. Desmond chuckled.
"I don't know," He said, "But why don't you play with your friends here?"
"Oh… Okay. At least we are getting off of this boring planet." One said. The other nodded in agreement.
"Alright, Jack and Destin, go find Mom and Dad and get ready to go." Desmond told his grandchildren. "I don't want Suki to go after my hide because you want to play with me."
"Will Uncle Wedge and Aunt Tori come?" Destin asked.
"Yes. Now go. I must make an important call." Desmond said. His grandchildren nodded and left the room. Desmond dialed a number on his comlink and waited for the recipient to pick up.
-o0o-
Obi-wan's comlink started beeping as soon as he got to the mess hall.
"Hello? Who is this?" Obi-wan said.
"Hey Obi-wan! It's me! Desmond Chang!"
Obi-wan almost dropped his comlink when he heard his old friend.
"Desmond! You're alive!" He exclaimed, "I thought you perished in the Temple."
"I managed to escape with your's and Anakin's old Padawans. We need you to pick us up."
"How many?"
"Hold on." Desmond said, thinking about how many Jedi were with him.
'There's me, Sera, Astoria, Wedge, Garen and his wife Suki and their kids, which makes eight. There's Cadena and Jim with their kids, Desereé and Carter, which is twelve. Then Cody and Alex with Rex, Lancer, and Jules, that is seventeen. Sky and Eliza is nineteen. Kandra and Chase with John and Alexander are twenty one. Jake and Sara make twenty three.' Desmond calculated.
"There are twenty three of us awaiting pickup." Desmond finally answered. This development surprised Obi-wan. How did that many Jedi escape the Purge in the Temple? Obi-wan had a vague feeling that Anakin did not see him or the other Jedi.
"Alright, we are sending in ships to pick you up." Obi-wan replied.
"That would be lovely." Desmond said before hanging up. Obi-wan went to the Council to report his findings. Luke and Sami, who sat on the Council to fill seats, were replaced by two Masters found elsewhere.
"I have found a group of Jedi on a distant planet. There are twenty three of them, our biggest find yet." Obi-wan stated. Master Windu raised an eyebrow.
"And who is their leader?" He inquired.
"Master Desmond Chang."
Master Windu put his hands to his head and sighed. He hoped Desmond was too old to be pranking anyone. But then there was his son…
"Alright. The best thing we can do is to send three cruisers to the planet where the call originated and pick them up." Master Windu said.
"I have already informed Desmond of this. Siri and I will lead the expedition to the planet." Obi-wan said. "The Council is adjourned."
-o0o-
But this task would prove to be more difficult than originally thought. The Empire has managed to intercept the call between Obi-wan and Desmond and had traced it to its origins.
"Lord Vader," An officer said, "We have found something."
"Report." Vader ordered. The officer gulped and handed the Sith Lord a paper.
"Twenty three Jedi hiding on this planet in the Outer Rim. The Rebellion have sent ships to pick them up." The officer reported.
"Set course for that planet. The Rebellion must not retrieve the Jedi." Vader said. The officer nodded and relayed the order to the fleet. Moments later, they jumped into hyperspace.
-o0o-
Three Venators of the Rebel fleet jumped out near the red planet near Earth. Obi-wan and Siri stood at the bridge, gazing at the planet ahead. Suddenly, an alarm was sounded in the bridge.
"General Kenobi, Imperial ships are jumping out of hyperspace in sector four!" A Rebel officer shouted.
"How many?"
"Fifteen Imperial-class and one Super-class Star Destroyers."
"Turn the ships around! We can't face Vader's fleet alone! Quickly! Contact Desmond immediately!" Obi-wan ordered. "There's no time to waste! Move! Move!"
There was a flurry of activity as the ships turned around and headed behind the gas giant beyond the system's asteroid field. Obi-wan and Siri went to the holotable, where Desmond's image appeared.
"Desmond, Vader's fleet has jumped out of hyperspace and is preparing to invade the planet you're on." Siri stated. "If the planet has any sort of militia, now is the time."
"Bloody hell! He must've intercepted our call. I will get the planet to mobilize their armies. There is a billion troops in active service of each state here." Desmond said. Both Kenobis couldn't help but gape.
"A billion!?" Obi-wan exclaimed, "Get them mobilized now! I will send for reinforcements for the space battle."
Desmond nodded and the call ended. Obi-wan then dialed Mon Mothma. Her image appeared.
"Mon Mothma, we require immediate reinforcements. The Empire has intercepted our message and Vader's fleet has managed to arrive just as we jumped out of hyperspace. We must not lose that planet and the Jedi on it." Obi-wan said frantically. The stress has briefly overwhelmed him.
"I understand the severity of the situation. I will send more ships to your position. Please stand by." The Rebel leader said.
"Hurry! Time is running out." Obi-wan said. He disconnected and watched as Vader's ships descended on Earth.
-o0o-
"All of the soldier from America to China, we are under the threat of invasion from the Empire. You must stop them from taking our home, or all that we stood for, however conflicting to our personal interests, will be gone. We must fight against the tyranny and keep our freedom, or die trying!" Desmond shouted in a moving speech to the UN representatives and the armies of each country around the world.
"We must raise our arms to fight against an Empire who sees little reason and who has murdered many innocent civilians just for fun! If this is World War Two, so be it! Let's give 'em what for!"
People watching around the world cheered as well as the UN, who issued an executive order to mobilize the armies of every single able country for war. Differences were forgotten and the small conflicts (such as Syria and Ukraine) around the world stopped abruptly. Everybody now paid attention to one conflict, and it was the one against the Empire. One of the Galactic Civil War's most important campaign was about to begin…
TBC…