Chapter 20: Light and Darkness
Everyone on the bridge breathed a sigh of relief.
"Losses, Captain?" Ezra asked.
"We'll have to check in, sir, but I actually think we have been pretty good. We've managed to keep the cloaking device until the last very second and destroyed their launch bays when their ships still hadn't raised the shields. From there, our fighters were uncontested." Riccardi explained.
"Uh, impressive." Ezra said admired.
"What about your trip down on the planet? Was it worth it?"
Ezra took out the small memory crystal and showed it to those around the holo-table. "Guess we'll have to find out." he simply said. "For now let's gather our forces then make another jump to be sure the imperials are not on our tail. Me and Luke are going to use the holocron to see what this thing is hiding."
"Very well, sir." the officer concluded and got to work.
Ezra finally dematerialized his armor. Luke was about to go out and get his own removed when Leia stepped into the bridge and was relieved to see her brother alive and well.
"What happened down there?" she asked, probably sensing that Luke had been in great danger.
"We faced off what seemed to be an acolyte of the Sith. I honestly thought we were done with that kind of people after the Inquisitors." Ezra replied calmly.
"An acolyte?"
"Yes." Ezra turned toward Luke with a proud smile. "And Luke has proven that his training with the lightsaber has paid off."
"Really?" Leia asked pleasantly surprised.
"Ezra's teachings paid off." Luke said with humility.
"Don't downplay yourself, kid." Jordan said encouragingly. "I saw you swing that saber, that wasn't something you improvise."
"Right…" Luke said a bit embarrassed, then decided to change the topic. "Hey, where's Han?"
Leia rolled her eyes. "The Falcon took a couple hits during the fight."
"So he's freaking out?" Luke said a bit amused.
"Obviously." Leia chuckled.
"General Bridger." an operator on the bridge called out. "We're receiving a transmission from Lothal. It's your sister."
Ezra turned toward the twins and handed the crystal to Luke. "Keep it safe, we'll take a look once I'm done."
"Aye aye." Luke concluded, allowing Ezra to enter the room of the holo-projector.
He lightened up his omni-tool and accepted the call that was being relayed by the operator. A few moments later, the hologram of his sister, wearing her civilian outfit and with her lightsaber pending from the belt, appeared and instantly gave him a radiant smile that Ezra returned totally.
"Hi, sis." he said happily.
"How you doing, Ez?"
"Eh, you know. Sailing across the stars, liberating the oppressed...facing bozos with red lightsabers."
Jaral didn't seem all that surprised when she heard the last part. "I thought I felt something unusual through the bond...can you describe this guy?"
Ezra did just that, giving a quick recap of the mission, submitting her the recording of his fight against the dark-sider so she could study it and also telling her about the memory crystal.
"A memory crystal? Inside an ornament?" she asked baffled.
"If somebody deemed necessary to keep it out of a holocron...I almost don't want to look into it."
"You don't have to, if you don't want. It's good enough that you got it out of Palpatine's clutch."
"Yes I have. We still know dangerously little about the Sith's true goals. If this holocron can give us a hint, I have to take this chance. Maybe it will help you for your mission on Korriban."
"Right. Speaking of that, I'm going to delay that for a while."
"Why that?"
"The intelligence has confirmed that Vader himself is leading a huge fleet up against us. He's probably pushing toward Lianna in order to prevent us from launching the assault on Korriban. Alliance Command has asked me to stand-by. They want my Battle Meditation available if we get down to a decisive battle."
Ezra hummed in thought. "Makes sense. But you think it's enough? I thought you hadn't used it in a while."
"Yes, but I've added that to my routine training. The Ordo Quaeris is especially interested in this ability, so the fleets and armies here on Lothal are graciously allowing me to make practice with their drills. I learned how to manage a whole skirmish force, yesterday." she replied quite proudly.
Ezra chuckled. "Always finding something to brag about."
His sister smirked. "Now that's the Quacta calling the Stifling slimy."
"All right, all right." concluded the young man. "Me and Luke are going to take a look at the crystal. I'll send a report once we understand what's in there."
"Sure, but before you go." Jaral halted him with a gesture of the hand right when Ezra was about to close the call.
Then she turned her head on her left and tilted it, signaling someone to take her place as she steppe outside of the field of view of the camera. A moment later, Ezra's heart jumped into his throat as he saw who that was.
"Hey, Ez." she said with a swelling tone but a smile on her face.
"Sabine…" Ezra murmured.
He was caught completely off-guard. Ever since she had to leave on a rush for Mandalore they've only exchanged a couple messages, and it had been two months and a half. The necessity of keeping the communications to a minimum had prevented them from actually talking.
There were so many things that he wanted to tell her. How he would've wanted to be with her in the time of need. He knew that she had gone through a hard time after the death of Ursa and the destruction of Mandalore, and he just wasn't there for her.
"I...It's...good to see you." he eventually said timidly, smiling.
Seeing that side of him again had her chuckle. "You haven't changed a bit." she quipped.
Ezra made a lopsided grin. "Why would I? This is how you like me the most."
She shook her head lightly, feigning to be fed up, but Ezra could see through the Force that her heart was rife with joy at seeing him again. However, when she was done laughing, an awkward silence fell as neither of them knew where they could start, especially considering they didn't have much time to talk.
So Ezra decided to be the first and say the thing that was pressing him the most. "Sabine...look...I'm sorry I wasn't there when...after Mandalore. I wish I was."
She smiled benevolently and shook her head. "No, Ezra, don't. Your mission is vital to win the war, you don't have nothing to be sorry for."
That, however, didn't help Ezra entirely. "Yeah, but...I mean...your mother…"
"She died a warrior, Ezra. Like she would've wanted. I'll honor her by putting an end to the Empire. Now all it matters is that I still have Tristan, Father, and my clan to rebuild." she explained with no hesitation.
Ezra made a silent sigh. "Sure thing, cyar'ika."
Sabine then straightened herself a bit and crossed her arms on her chest. "Look, there's another thing I have to talk you about, and it's about work."
"Go ahead."
"Jaral has insisted on having me aboard the Ghost until we repel the imperials. But since she doesn't want us to go with her on Korriban, I decided that once the battle here is over, I should rejoin you."
Ezra was taken by many conflicting feelings, though mostly positives. He retained his composure, though. "You sure about it? We might have liberated a few planets, but it's not easy to get around this region."
"Please, you really think that would be a problem? Besides, I'll be traveling alone, so it'll be easier to slip past any hindrance."
"Alone?"
"Yes. Hera is needed at the frontline here and is better that at least Zeb and Chopper stay with her." she hesitated to say the next words. Even through the mono-color of the hologram, Ezra could see that she was blushing. "Besides, I want to see you again…"
Ezra couldn't hold back a chuckle, but in the end he smiled and got closer to the hologram. "I'll be waiting for you." and raised a palm toward her.
Sabine smiled timidly but raised the specular hand which passed through his, as if they were trying to cross fingers in a quick show of their love.
"You better. I'll contact you when I'm on the way."
"See you soon, Sabine." he said tenderly.
"Wait for me." she quipped before closing the transmission.
July 12.
Another report came in. Iulius almost didn't want to read it but he had to. After sighing in resignation he tapped the terminal and the document appeared on the screen and he started to skim it.
In the last rotation, the offensive in the Outer Rim had costed at least fourteen Star Destroyers in a single battle! This brought the total casualty list of just this kind of ship to 139 in barely 20 rotations. It was clear that the offensive was already a complete disaster, and yet Vader was still going on, thinking that his advantage in numbers would be enough.
But if Vader's Death Squadron was performing quite well, all the others were showing how unfit for a real conflict the sloppy and corrupt crews of the Core were. Proof to that was that many of those Star Destroyers were not even destroyed by enemy ships: they had been boarded and captured!
Now more than ever it was imperative that he made preparations for an enemy counter-attack, as if the entire situation wasn't already giving him sleepless nights.
At that point the door of his office on Naboo opened and Qathora stepped in. "Hey." she said quite urgently. "There is an angry Gungan lamenting that the Naboos have polluted the water right above his house, would you like to come and find a way to make him stop blabbing?!"
Iulius grunted. While he had granted both communities of Naboo enough autonomy to resolve their own problems, there were still petty disputed that required his mediation as acting Governor of the Chommel Sector and he preferred not to have unrest behind his lines.
"All right." he said with resignation and stepped up, following the Togruta who led him outside. Iulius was so tired that he didn't notice that she was leading him into a dark room, and only when they were inside he realized.
"Hey, aren't we in the…?"
The lights suddenly went on and a rumble took Iulius by surprise.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
A pretty big crowd that included most officers and some servicemen of the Admonitor rose empty glasses at him and he suddenly remembered that today was the day he turned 25. To remind that, one of the persons in the first row was Sekta, who walked forward with a big smile and hugged her son.
"You guys can't be serious." he murmured despite having a grin stamped on his face.
"Oh, come on, sir." Nash said suddenly as he approached him and handed him a glass of liquor. "You clearly need a break." he said pointing at the two small but visible bags under Iulius' eyes.
"Precisely." the voice of Fel also came as he approached the group. "If you want to win the war, you need a healthy, rested mind."
Iulius slightly shook his head, but in the end he agreed. He took a look around the room, spotting even the Inferno, Cody and the officers of the command bridge in their parade uniforms. It seemed impossible to him that they had taken the burden of organizing a surprise party for him.
Eventually he sighed in defeat. "I have no words, my friends...except that I'm proud to command the greatest soldiers the Imperial Navy has to offer. Now, let's have some fun."
"Hail Iulius!" the crowd boomed. By now, those two words had become quite common among the 101st. Then alcohol started to pour into the glasses.
Iulius quickly drank his own and enjoyed the joyous atmosphere for a bit, realizing how much he actually needed to get off the reports and maps for a moment. And while he was easing up, Fel went to his side to speak with him.
"Ah, Grand Admiral. Now that we finally managed to get you out of the office, there is someone I would like you to meet." he said, gently pushing Iulius in a specific direction.
The Lord-Protector was taken a bit by surprise, but he was only given a couple seconds before Soontir showed him the people he wanted to meet.
"This is my family." Soontir said proudly, and Iulius nodded.
On the left there was none other than Wynssa Starflare. Looking at her incredibly fair and clean skin, those azure eyes and the long blonde hair, Iulius recognized immediately the woman who, it was said, broke a billion hearts when she married Fel.
On the right, holding hands with Starflare, there was a kid who barely reached his mother's waist and had some traits clearly taken from Soontir. That was Jagged Fel, who was looking at him in absolute awe.
For now, Iulius respected the formality and turned to Wynssa first. "Lady Starflare. The holo-dramas don't make enough justice to your beauty." he said in lighthearted tone.
The woman chuckled and showed the hand, which Iulius gently took and lightly put his lips on in a flawless movement. "And the HoloNet didn't warn me how gallant you are, Lord Tanis." she replied in tone, making a respectful bow.
Iulius then turned toward the kid, stepping in front of him. "And this must be young Jagged." he said before kneeling to speak at the same height with him. "Hello." he presented with a friendly face.
The kid however hesitated, his mouth closed and he went to hide behind his mother's skirt. Wynssa gently turned toward him.
"Come on, Jagged. At least say hi."
The kid at first bumbled a bit, squirming around as he struggled to find the words. But then, with an energy that took Iulius by surprise, he dashed in front of him and stood rigidly at attention.
"Sir, Jagged Fel, sir. Honored to meet you!" he yelled as if he was in training camp.
Iulius couldn't hold back an amused huff. "I didn't know we were recruiting men so young." he quipped.
"When I grow up, I will be a pilot like my father! And I want to serve with you, Admiral." Jagged proclaimed loudly.
The enthusiasm amused the entire room. Iulius made a smirk and talked in a patient tone. "You know, Jagged, I don't take just everyone in the 101st. If you really want to serve with me, one day, you have to become the best."
"I'll do it!" Jagged proclaimed, waving his fists. "I'll become the best soldier of the Empire."
"That's the spirit, young man." Iulius encouraged him. "For now, though, be a good kid and always listen to your mother while I have your father fly around the galaxy, all right?"
"Yes, sir!"
The Fels chuckled, then Wynssa patted her son on the back. "All right, soldier. We need to go now. Say goodbye to the gentle Admiral."
"Bye, Admiral." he said waving a hand as he walked away. "Bye, Dad." he added to Soontir.
The officers waved back at him and Iulius stood up again. "He has energy to spare." he commented to Soontir.
"I warned you he is a fan of yours." Fel quipped.
They walked back to the party and Iulius went for the counter to lean against it and near Qathora. He put the glass down and turned around, taking a good look at his crew as they simply laughed, drank and simply had a great time together, in a show of camaraderie that, until last year, would've been prohibited under the insane discipline enforced in the imperial ranks.
He had made sure to loose the grip on the soldiers and they had repaid him by becoming incredibly cohesive units, ready to follow him to the end of the universe. And as this thought came to his mind, Iulius smiled reassured. If things were going down, he knew that he had the people he needed to set things straight.
August 20.
Over the orbit of Rhen Var, Jaral was sitting in the room that had been prepared for her aboard the Home One, the flagship of Admiral Ackbar. Or more precisely: Grand Marshall Ackbar.
The news had been officially given on July 7. Jaral remembered for a moment when she stood in front of the Senate of the Republic and announced her resignation. Everybody had thanked her for all she had done with a standing ovation, which she had appreciated. Now, with her recommendation, Ackbar had been elected Grand Marshall by the Joint Military Committee, the organ that was used by the various Ministries of Defense of all UACT signatories in Andromeda.
As Jaral predicted, the other nations had appreciated that the next Grand Marshall wasn't a citizen of the New Republic, which despite having been deserted by many, was still the uncontested major partner of the Coalition in the galaxy. The New Republic had already put up an efficient industry and Research Departments that came up the 'New Class Standardization Project'. New snub fighters were being tested and some, like the E-Wing, were starting to see service, and there was hope that they would be able to go on par against the TIE Defender, which right now was the only thing threatening the superiority of the Coalition in the Starfighter department.
Fact was, that ever since she had relinquished the duties of a high-level military leader, Jaral had felt much more at peace with the universe. She had never wanted that role but had put up with it as long as the situation required it. Now the New Republic was solid. Lothal was safe. It was time for her to leave the job to the professionals and instead focus on an equally important matter that she also found more compelling.
Nonetheless, she was still a General of the UACT, so when the Grand Marshall asked for her help in the upcoming battle, she didn't hesitate to answer the call and had rushed to the frontline.
Ackbar had come up with a plan to inflict one major defeat to the Empire and force them to fall back: he had stationed the Home One over Rhen Var with just a small escort, making sure that the imperials noticed that there was a weak point in the allied defense line that they could capitalize on.
While the two sides were still fighting heated battles over many worlds between the Hydian Way and the Perlimian Trade Route, Ackbar knew that Vader and the imperial Admirals wouldn't be able to resist: Rhen Var was situated on a secondary hyperspace route that would allow the imperials to bypass Columex and go straight for Lianna. And if that juicy opportunity wasn't enough, Vader would probably feel the presence of the Jedi who had played him by the nose twice. In that case, Jaral was sure that his innate thirst for revenge would compel the Sith Lord to attack anyway.
At that point it would be up to her and her Battle Meditation to hold the line and draw the imperials in order for an Asari reserve fleet to come out of hyperspace and trap them.
Her omni-tool suddenly beeped. She was being called on the command bridge. She stood up from the bed, hanged her lightsaber to her belt and walked off into the corridor.
In the times of the Rebellion, even a Mon Cala ship would be filled with Humans, but now, since her species finally had the means to build capital ships on their own, the MC80 was now entirely manned by Calamari and Quarren. Every single one of those people still saluted her as they kept walking, because they knew the important role she and Ezra had played in liberating their homeworld.
She thus reached the bridge, where she found Ackbar and several officers, including Hera, around the holotable over which there was the deployment of the allied fleet.
"Sir." she saluted.
The Calamari nodded respectfully and Jaral took position next to Hera. "Situation?" she asked.
"We detected the imperial fleet jumping to hyperspace. They shall be here in seven minutes." Ackbar calmly reported. "Let's go over the general plan once again. As you already know, Vader's fleet has not been provided with TIE Defenders, meaning that our defense must revolve around our carriers." he said pointing at three of those ships waiting behind the line of battle ships.
Specifically, there were two Quasar-class light carriers, which the New Republic had decided to build on its own, but there was also one of the new Liberator-class carriers, one of the ships of the Project. The New Republic had, in fact, taken inspiration by the Humans of the Milky Way and decided to focus their fleets' power around carriers with loads of those fighters that were infinitely better than the TIEs. The Liberator had four hangars, which made her capable of bringing along even more fighters than the Venators of the Old Republic.
"While the Home One and the fire group holds the line between this field of asteroids, our fighters and bombers, led by Rogue Squadron will gain air superiority and aim at the Star Destroyers' shield generators, giving us a better chance.
"Now remember, this is only the general direction I'm giving you. When the turbolasers start flying around, we don't know what will actually happen, so stay sharp and react accordingly to the situation." he recommended and turned toward Jaral. "Master Bridger, we will count on your guidance for this."
Jaral nodded. "Then I shall get ready."
"Good. Prepare your ships. And may the Force be with us." Ackbar concluded.
The holograms of the other officers disappeared one after the other. While Ackbar went to sit on his chair in front of the viewport, Jaral walked away, heading for the meditation chamber that she had requested. Hera accompanied her.
"Hey, just for curiosity…" the Twi'lek asked lightheartedly. "Does your ability mean that you'll take control of our minds?"
Jaral made a lopsided grin and shook her head. "If you really want to know, I already used the Meditation on you and the guys. Ever noticed that?"
"Wait, really?"
Jaral nodded affirmatively. "I don't take control of your minds. I simply tell directly to your subconscious what's the best course of action. You people then simply do it at your best and more in sync with the rest of the fleet."
"Oh…" Hera said impressed as they entered the last corridor before the chamber. "Then I guess we can say you always watch over us." she quipped.
Jaral smiled. "Was there ever any doubt?"
When they reached the door, Hera said goodbye and headed for the nearest hangar, where the Ghost was parked. Jaral entered the room, which was empty, dark and silent. Exactly what she needed to focus all of her energy into the meditation.
She sat down with her legs crossed and closed her eyes, quickly reaching the Force and starting to expand her senses. By the time the imperial fleet came out of hyperspace she had done it: the entire republican force over Rhen Var was under her influence, now, and the Force allowed her to have a complete view over the battle.
The main line of defense of the Republic not only relied on the Home One, which already was the biggest ship of the allied fleet. There was also a new type of line ship: a Nebula-class Star Destroyer. While it was actually half the size of the imperial ones, the Nebula packed the same amount of firepower.
In reality, this was the first prototype, so the outcome of this battle would determine whether other ships of the same kind would be built or not.
There was also a Dauntless- class heavy cruiser, a Sullustian luxury vessel now transformed into an impressive combat ship by volunteers of this species who now manned it.
Aside from that, there were two assault frigates, an MC75 cruiser, three Nebulon-B, some CR-90 to defend the ships against TIE Bombers, all of them bottled into a small corridor between two asteroid fields over the frozen planet.
Vader's Death Squadron arrived with five Star Destroyers (including his own Devastator) and twenty of light cruisers and frigates, mostly Acclamator, Gladiator and Victory classes. All accompanied by that unmistakable cold that always followed the Dark Lord, but now Jaral was able to simply ignore that feeling, especially after the training of Master Barrioca.
The first move was imperial. The light cruisers were sent forward to probe the defenses. Ackbar immediately ordered the launch of all fighters on the Home One, which were deemed enough for the moment. Among them was the Ghost.
In fact, the combined firepower of the Nebula and the Home One was enough to destroy five of those cruisers in the span of a few minutes, forcing the others to pull back.
At this point, the imperials made an all-out attack, but Jaral easily noticed that a Gladiator was trying to flank the republican formation through the asteroid field, probably trying to reach the carriers. As she sensed that, she had Wedge and his squadron immediately take off and go deal with the cruiser along with a squad of Y-Wings, and they accomplished the task flawlessly.
Meanwhile, in the heat of the battle, Jaral also managed to maneuver the Dauntless to make its own flanking maneuver: an ISD had been forced to expose her port side, leaving her back more vulnerable. Sensing this weakness, Jaral increased her influence on the crew of the Sullustian ship, which was on the right wing of the republican formation and brought her to hit the Destroyer's engines and command bridge, along with an escort of fighters.
It was at this point that Jaral felt pull out of her meditation violently. But it wasn't somebody on the ship shaking her: it was someone in the Force.
Immediately, an endless stream of hate and anger were assaulting her mind, along with an unmistakable mechanical breathing. Vader had found her and was trying to knock her out.
"Give up." the voice of the Sith commanded.
But despite the immense strength exerted by him, Jaral remembered her training and set up her defenses, withstanding the power of the Sith Lord, letting him wear out in his aggression while she saved her energies.
When the attack of the Sith started to lose momentum, Jaral gathered her power and released it all like a small bomb in the Force that invested Vader's mind like a wave.
It was a technique that the psionics called 'Backdraught'. When an enemy tried to take on your mind, there was a chance of turning the attack against him, maybe even damaging his brain into an irreversible state.
Jaral wasn't nowhere strong enough to do that, but she did manage to push back Vader's influence and chase him out of her mental space. She could tell afterward that Vader was now furious at her defiance.
Proof was when Vader ordered another mindless attack, putting every ship he had against the allied fleet. In that tight space it was such a bad move that one of the Star Destroyers, trying to avoid collision with other imperial ships, entered into the asteroid field on the left flank of the Home One, suffering damage and exposing itself to a broadside from the Calamari cruiser.
Nonetheless, the allied forces suffered casualties. The CR-90 corvettes were eventually destroyed, so was a Nebulon-B and even the Dauntless was overwhelmed by the Devastator and another Star Destroyer focusing their fire on her.
But the plan worked. The imperial fleet was unable to break the line, and fifteen minutes into the battle, the Asari fleet emerged from hyperspace.
The fleet was coming from Galidraan, and the actual positioning of the battle meant that the Asari were exactly on the right flank of the Imperials.
Vader had to retreat fast or his squadron would be completely enveloped in a mortal trap. The new fleet had four dreadnoughts, meaning that it was impossible for Death Squadron to win in that situation.
The Sith Lord ordered the minor cruisers to cover the retreat while he retreated with the remaining Star Destroyers first. This meant that the light cruisers were badly mauled and when it was their time to retreat, the Asari fleet had crossed the system and opened fire upon them. Only two Acclamators managed to flee into hyperspace.
The battle was won. Jaral's mind returned to the real world and despite a minor headaches, she was very satisfied with the results: before, she had never used Battle Meditation on an entire division in battle, only a single vessel or at best a very small squad of small ships and fighters.
She left the room and marched back to the command bridge, being cheered and applauded by every sailor she met along the way. They all probably felt her influence more in the most heated moment of the battle. When the imperials were throwing everything at them, the morale of the republican fleet was actually very close to collapsing. Jaral had had to pour her own willpower directly into the men under her influence in order to have them stand their ground, instilling a fanatical resolution in them.
She gently waved at them as she sped toward the bridge, finding Ackbar waiting for her.
"Master Bridger. I don't know exactly what was going on, but I know that we couldn't have done this without your help. You have my thanks."
"I only did my duty, Marshall." she humbly replied. "Any news?"
"Good ones, I dare say." the Calamari said with a note of satisfaction, summoning a galaxy map on the table. "Our counter-attack has taken the main imperial force at Columex by surprise. Their front is collapsing rapidly."
Jaral nodded. "If that's the case, Marshall, I request permission to go back to Lianna and prepare for my mission."
"Granted. Thanks again, General. I would wish the Force to help you, but it's clear that I would just sound redundant." he quipped.
Jaral chuckled. "I appreciate the intention, anyway." then she made the salute. "See you soon, Marshall Ackbar."
The Calamari returned the salute and Jaral reached the hangar where the Ghost was refueling after suffering no damage to the hull during the battle.
"You were quite right." Hera said merrily. "I almost didn't notice that."
Jaral made a lopsided grin. "Was that so bad?"
"Not at all. Well, it's definitely better than an interrogation droid."
"I was able to aim the turret before I even spotted the target." Sabine commented impressed.
"Yeah. Good job, girl." Zeb said. "Now let's get you back to Lianna."
Jaral nodded and they walked up the ramp of the freighter. While Zeb and Sabine went to their posts, Hera halted in the hallway of the cabins.
"Jari, there's...something I would like you to have, before we go." she said with a serious tone. She gave Jaral no time to answer before entering her cabin.
The young woman looked at her Twi'lek friend as she knelt down to reach a drawer and take out a wooden box with a rectangular shaped. Jaral immediately sensed what that was and looked a bit hesitant as Hera walked back to her and opened the box, revealing Kanan's lightsaber.
"Please, take it with you." Hera asked.
"Are you sure about it?" Jaral asked calmly.
"If you're going to fight an entire planet of people like Vader, you're going to need it. I'm sure Kanan would want it as well." Hera replied.
Jaral accepted and took the saber gently from inside the box. As she inspected it briefly, she felt incredibly attuned with the weapon of her Master. Clearly, Hera was right about Kanan wanting her to take the saber for the mission on Korriban.
"I'll make sure to bring it back." she promised.
Hera nodded and closed the now empty box. "All right. Let's do this." she concluded and they both headed into the cockpit.
Hello there.
Just here to announce that we're now entering the final arc of this book. While we will finally see Ezra and Sabine reunited and living some other adventures with OT gang, the main focus will be Jaral and Iulius.
With the Empire's military now on the brink of collapse, what can the last Grand Admiral do to save the people and the State he swore to protect? And what will Jaral find on her mission to eradicate any presence from Korriban and the ancient Sith worlds?
I hope you will stick around to find out the answer to this and other questions in the final chapters.
May the Force be with You.
Ganel750.