I don't own Star Wars Rebels or its characters, but my OCs I own only.
Enjoy!
Sparks of Rebellion
Chapter 32: Steps into Shadows
On Planet Naraka...
Ezra, Sabine and Zeb threw down the stormtroopers that were walking around the prison cell bridge.
"Gotta hand it to you, kid."Zeb commented. "This was a pretty good plan. You've been on a roll."
"Hey, I'm just getting started, buddy."Ezra remarked. "Now come on. Let's move."
The three rebels hid as an imperial sensor light went past them.
"Okay, Chopper."Ezra said in his comlink. "Jump."
Chopper was above the cliff and beeped.
"No rocket. It's too loud."Ezra reminded. "Now jump!"
Chopper reluctantly obeyed and narrowly avoids falling through a sensor light when Ezra halts his descent by using the Force.
Zeb catches the astromech droid and placed him on the walkway.
"Chop, get this door open."Ezra ordered. "Hurry."
Chopper let out a complaining beep.
"You're welcome."Zeb responded.
Chopper opened the door to the prison and the rebels rushed in.
The group arrived to a prison cell with the numbers '6609'.
"6609."Ezra said. "This is it. Sabine, you're up."
Sabine sighed and started pressing a few buttons.
"I still can't believe we're here to break this guy out of prison."Sabine scowled.
"Trust me, we need the information he has."Ezra assured.
"You heard the boss."Zeb agreed. "Open the door."
"Don't encourage him."Sabine stated.
"He is in here because of us."Ezra commented.
Sabine scoffed. "Keep telling yourself that, Ezra."
After unlocking the cell, the rebels see an Ugnaught and Hondo.
"Who's the pig?"Zeb asked.
"Purple guy, Mando girl and Ezra Bridger."Hondo remarked. "My, look how you have grown. Ah, I knew you would not let your old partner, Hondo, rot away in this prison."
"Hondo, it's good to see you."Ezra complemented.
"Not really."Zeb stated.
"You better have the intel you promised."Sabine warned.
"Yes, we do."Hondo said.
"I'm sorry, 'we'?"Zeb questioned.
"Yes. Me and my business associate, Terba."Hondo responded. "You wouldn't believe the secrets he knows."
"You're right."Zeb agreed. "I wouldn't."
Terba spoke in ugnese and snorted.
"What fun."Sabine mumbled. "Now we're rescuing two people."
"Hey, twice the fun."Ezra chuckled.
Two stormtroopers started firing at the rebels.
"Look out!"Sabine shouted.
"Over here!"A stormtrooper called out.
A firefight quickly broke out and the rebels flee through the corridor.
"Spectre-6 to Ghost. Change of plans."Ezra reported on his comlink. "We need a 44 scoop at the landing platform."
"On my way, Spectre-6."Hera answered.
The rebels went inside a turbolift.
Sabine hands Hondo a Mandalorian blaster.
"Here."Sabine said. "Make yourself useful."
"Oh! Mandalorian!"Hondo chuckled. "I can get a lot for this on the black market."
"You will be giving it back."Sabine warned.
The rebels went out the turbolift and fired at a few stormtroopers.
"Oh! I'm keeping it!"Hondo admitted.
"No, you're not."Sabine argued.
"Come on!"Ezra ordered. "This way."
Ezra charged through several stormtroopers and cuts them down with his new green lightsaber.
"Is that really Ezra?"Hondo asked.
"Most of the time."Sabine replied.
Alarm sounds wailed through the prison as the rebels ran from the stormtroopers.
Terba spoke to Hondo.
"No, you cannot have a double share, you greedy little pig."Hondo retorted.
Terba spoke to Hondo and started running quicker.
"What do you mean, the deal's off?"Hondo asked.
"No! Terba, wait!"Ezra protested.
"This is not good business!"Hondo called out.
Terba flee through the entrance to the prison only to be blasted to death by an AT-DP walker.
"No!"Ezra shouted.
"Well, I guess the deal is off."Hondo said simply.
The AT-DP walker started firing at the rebels, who fired back with their blasters.
"Get down!"Ezra ordered.
The group hid behind a bunch of crates.
"Karabast!"Zeb muttered. "We're cut off!"
Sabine threw a detonator at the stormtroopers that were coming out.
Chopper shuts the door.
"We need to make a move or we're never going to!"Sabine shouted.
"Don't worry, Sabine."Ezra assured. "I got us into this, I'll get us out."
Ezra used the Force to take over the AT-DP driver's mind and used him to take out the remaining stormtroopers.
The pilot drived his walker over the edge of the platform, presumably killing himself.
Zeb, Hondo and Sabine stared at Ezra with surprised looks.
"When did Kanan teach you that?"Sabine asked.
"He didn't."Ezra responded coldly.
The rebels get attacked from behind by stormtroopers emerging from the prison.
"Get ready to jump!"Ezra reminded.
"Jump?"Hondo asked. "What does he mean, jump? Jump where?"
"Means our ride is here."Zeb responded.
The Ghost flew beneath the bridge.
"Now!"Ezra ordered.
Ezra, Sabine, Zeb, Hondo and Chopper jumped on the Ghost.
Lisa fired at the TIE fighters approaching using the top gun turret of the Ghost.
Then the Ghost flew away from Naraka.
Inside the Ghost...
Zeb, Ezra and Chopper went inside the cockpit.
"Was that Imperial walker helping you?"Hera asked.
"Yeah."Zeb answered. "Ezra used his Jedi mind trick on the pilot. Pretty wizard, eh?"
"I guess you've been doing some special training."Lisa suggested.
"I did what I had to do."Ezra replied simply.
Sabine and Hondo went inside the cockpit.
"Ah, Captain Syndulla and Miss Olin."Hondo commented. "I appreciate the rescue. And of course, I expect full payment even though Terba tried to betray us."
"Wait."Hera said. "Who's Terba?"
"Hondo's former cellmate who almost botched the mission."Sabine explained. "He didn't make it."
"Ezra, did you know about this?"Hera asked.
"Not exactly."Ezra replied. "But Hondo and I had a deal."
"Ezra, when it's your mission, you are responsible for all of the details."Hera reminded with a frown.
"I was responsible for what I knew."Ezra stated. "We went to get Hondo and here he is."
Ezra let out a sigh.
"I'm sorry about Terba."Ezra apologised and left the cockpit.
A look of worry and concern grew on Lisa's face.
"Ah, the fiery spirit of youth, eh?"Hondo asked as he sat down on a seat.
"It's not all bad."Hera answered with her arms folded.
In Ezra's Room...
Ezra angrily returned to his room.
"I knew the details of the mission."Ezra complained. "Terba got himself killed. It's not my fault."
Ezra took out the Sith holocron that hid in his cadet helmet.
"They never would have succeeded without me."Ezra said. "Don't they know that?"
"Your anger gives you strength, gives you focus."Presence said. "You can see things clearly your friends cannot. Now, what else do you desire?"
"They can't see."Ezra agreed. "If they can't see, I must become stronger, more powerful. I will never let my friends get hurt again."
Meanwhile on an Imperial Star Destroyer...
Governor Arihnda Pryce entered Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin's office for a private meeting.
"Governor Pryce."Moff Tarkin said. "How are things proceeding on Lothal?"
"Lothal is secure, Moff Tarkin."Governor Pryce responded. "But I am here about the recent rebel attack at the prison on Naraka, which I believe is only the beginning of a larger rebel threat."
"I am inclined to agree."Moff Tarkin complemented. "Although Lord Vader and Lady Shade has dealt with the insurgency's Jedi leadership and holding Ferus Olin in their custody, these rebels have proven particularly stubborn. How do you intend to solve this problem?"
"I want the Seventh Fleet."Governor Pryce responded.
"I see."Moff Tarkin said. "And what of Admiral Konstantine and his fleet?"
"Huh. Admiral Konstantine is more politician than soldier."Governor Pryce commented. "I need someone who sees a bigger picture."
"Very well."Moff Tarkin replied. "You shall have the Seventh Fleet."
"Thank you, Moff Tarkin."Governor Pryce answered.
Then Governor Pryce left Tarkin's office.
On Atollon...
The Ghost crew were gathering around the holotable with Lisa, Rex and Commander Sato.
"So, so, so, how much do you insist on paying me for this intel?"Hondo asked.
"Being rescued from that Imperial prison wasn't payment enough?"Hera questioned. "What do you want?"
"Ah, what good is a pirate without a ship?"Hondo remarked. "You know, the Ghost is a very nice ship. I could probably-"
"Forget it."Hera, Sabine, Ezra and Zeb interrupted with annoyed looks.
"I'm kidding, of course."Hondo chuckled. "But I do need a ship. Nothing too fancy. Just something with a roomy cargo hold, hyperdrive, shields, weapons. I am a wanted man, after all. Very popular."
"If your information is as good as you claim, then we have a deal."Commander Sato said.
"I give to you the planet Yarma."Hondo stated and showed a hologram image of Yarma's station and ships. "And hidden in its cloudy heavens, Reklam Station, a secret Imperial salvage yard where thousands of Republic starfighters are being dismantled for scrap. My former friend Terba worked on the line there before he was arrested for trying to escape."
"Y-wings? Kinda old."Hera said and looked at Rex. "Can they fly?"
"Those bombers may be old, but they were solid in combat operations."Rex explained.
"I've studied these sort of ships."Lisa complemented. "They are heavily armed and are quick on flight."
"If we could steal a squadron's worth..."Hera started.
"They would be key to building a strike fleet, one capable of our next objective, the destruction of the Empire's factory on Lothal."Commander Sato finished.
"Then what are we waiting for?"Ezra asked confidently. "Let's go get 'em."
"Not so fast."Hera said. "We need to scout it first. Confirm Hondo's intel and recon its defenses."
"You still do not trust Hondo, given our history together?"Hondo asked in disbelief. "You wound me to the quick, madam."
"Ezra Bridger, I trusted you with the last mission, and your success has not gone unnoticed."Commander Sato admitted. "You will lead this mission as Lieutenant Commander."
"Lieutenant?"Ezra asked with a smile. "A promotion?"
Rex chuckled. "You earned it, kid."
"And try keeping it."Lisa stated with a wink.
"Way to go."Sabine commented.
"Well done, young Jedi."Zeb responded and patted Ezra's shoulder.
Hera walked up to Ezra.
"Congratulations, Ezra."Hera remarked. "Kanan will be proud of you."
"Yeah?"Ezra questioned. "Well, he has a funny way of showing it, considering he's never around."
Ezra walked away causing Hera to look down sadly.
Meanwhile...
Kanan meditated at the outskirts of Chopper Base near the sensor beacons.
A few dokmas went around Kanan.
Suddenly he hears a voice calling out to him from the wilderness.
"I see you."
"I see you."
"Come to me."
Lisa walked up to Kanan from behind.
"Kanan?"Lisa said. "How are you doing?"
"Alright."Kanan responded. "I hear Ezra's doing well."
"Yeah, but you should talk to him."Lisa admitted. "Recently he has been acting moody since what happened on Malachor."
"I will try to."Kanan replied.
Lisa nodded and walked away to go back to Rex and the others.
In Ezra's Room...
Kanan entered the room to speak to Ezra.
"Kanan."Ezra responded. "Uh, hey, what are you doing here?"
"I think it's time for us to talk."Kanan said.
"Really? Uh, now is not a good time."Ezra commented nervously. "I've been promoted and assigned a really important mission."
"Yeah, I've heard."Kanan replied.
Kanan senses the Sith holocron on the table and picked it up.
"The Sith holocron?"Kanan asked. "You opened it?"
"Yeah, I opened it."Ezra retorted. "So what?"
"Ezra, you know only someone who uses the dark side can open this thing."Kanan reminded.
"The things I've learned from it have really helped me."Ezra admitted.
"You're using it?"Kanan demanded.
"Maybe you should, too."Ezra argued. "You might actually learn something."
"Ezra, do you have any idea how dangerous this path is?"Kanan questioned.
"Everything I've learned has helped me win one battle after another."Ezra stated. LI'm using it for good.l
"Acting out of anger offers quick results, but it's a trap!"Kanan protested.
"Not for me!"Ezra shouted.
Kanan sighed. "I can't let you keep this."
Kanan turned around causing the doors of the room to open.
"Fine. I don't need it."Ezra responded rudely. "Just like I don't need you."
Kanan doesn't say anything and walked out leaving his padawan by himself.
In Space...
Ezra and his fellow rebels including Rex and Hondo travel to Reklam Station on the Phantom.
Inside the Phantom...
"We can't jump directly to Yarma from here."Sabine said. "We'll have to drop out of hyperspace at the Sereeda Waypoint and plot a new jump."
"Do not take too long."Hondo warned. "That is Mining Guild territory. If they spot us, they'll alert the Empire and jeopardize my payment. I mean, our mission."
"We'll be there and gone before they know it."Sabine replied. "Right, Chop?"
Chopper beeped in agreement.
In Space...
The Phantom jumped into hyperspace.
Back in Atollon...
Kanan was meditating outside Chopper Base when the same voice told him to come closer.
"I can help you."
"Where are you?"Kanan asked. "Who are you?"
"Come to me."
Kanan took the sensor beacon to ward off the kryknas around him.
Back in Space...
The rebels exit hyperspace at Sereeda Waypoint only to be cornered by a Mining Guild space patrol.
Inside the Phantom...
"Okay, Chopper, you're up."Sabine ordered. "Program those coordinates fast before..."
"Attention, shuttle craft."the Mining Guild Captain said over the communicator. "You're trespassing in a Mining Guild claim zone. Identify yourselves. State your business."
"Uh-oh."Chopper beeper.
"State your purpose."the Mining Guild Captain instructed.
"Please excuse the intrusion, Captain."Ezra said. "We'll be on our way as soon as we calculate our hyperspace jump."
"We will not authorize any such jump until you've registered with the Empire and paid the hyperspace toll."the Mining Guild Captain commented. "Prepare to transfer credits. If you do not slow your speed, we will open fire."
"Sabine, get us out of here."Ezra ordered.
In Space...
Two TIE Mining Guild starfighters started firing at the Phantom.
On Atollon...
The voice leads Kanan to a series of mesas in the wilderness.
"This is the place. Hello?"Kanan called out. "Are you there? I can sense your presence."
A massive creature known as Bendu rose up from the ground to look at Kanan.
"Hello."
In Space...
The Phantom was flying away from the TIE mining guild starfighters.
Inside the Phantom...
"Imperial prison is bad, but where the Mining Guild will send us is worse!"Hondo panicked.
"Hang on!"Sabine shouted. "Brace yourselves."
Chopper and Sabine shoot down the TIE fighters with laser cannons.
"Chopper, we're clear."Sabine reported. "Charge the hyperdrive."
"Wait, we should destroy the transport before they contact the Empire."Ezra stated.
"They probably already have."Sabine said.
"No!"Ezra argued. "We're not leaving any witnesses."
"This isn't our mission, Ezra."Lisa reminded with a small frown.
"She's right, Lieutenant."Rex agreed. "The important thing here is to proceed with our mission."
"Fine."Ezra said in defeat. "Make the jump."
"Hyperspace, here we come."Sabine commented.
In Atollon...
"Ah. You heard my call."Bendu commented. "Good. Your imbalance woke me from a deep slumber."
"Imbalance?"Kanan asked.
"Your presence is like a violent storm in this quiet world."Bendu explained.
"You're a Force wielder."Kanan said as he bend down. "But you're not a Jedi."
"Wielder? Hmm."Bendu said. "Jedi and Sith wield the Ashla and Bogan, the light and the dark. I'm the one in the middle, the Bendu. What do you call yourself?"
"I am Kanan Jarrus, Jedi Knight."Kanan responded.
"You carry conflict with you, Kanan Jarrus, Jedi Knight."Bendu stated.
"It's this."Kanan said and took out the Sith holocron.
Bendy chuckled. "Ah. Interesting."
"Careful. It's..."Kanan started and sighed. "...dangerous."
"How so?"Bendu asked.
"It's a Sith holocron, a source of evil."Kanan explained. "My student's been using it, and I'm afraid it's changing him."
"An object cannot make you good or evil."Bendu responded. "The temptation of power, forbidden knowledge, even the desire to do good can lead some down that path. But only you can change yourself."
"Not always."Kanan complemented.
"A-ha! Your conflict becomes clear."Bendu said. "That device in the ground, why do you have it?"
"It keeps the spiders from attacking me."Kanan admitted.
"May I see it?"Bendu asked.
Kanan gives him a nod.
Bendu picked up the sensor marker and destroyed it.
"Hey, hey!"Kanan argued. "What did you do?"
"I am helping you."Bendu answered.
"It was the only thing protecting me from those creatures!"Kanan protested.
"You believe that, but you must learn to see things differently now."Bendu instructed.
"Look, I can't see anything, not anymore."Kanan said with a sad frown.
"No. You are unwilling."Bendu commented. "Are you saying there's a way to restore my vision? Your sight cannot be healed, but I can teach you to see if you're willing."
Kanan removed his small mask to reveal his eyes.
"What must I do?"Kanan asked.
In a Star Destroyer...
"I'm certain Governor Pryce is overestimating how organized the resistance is."Admiral Konstantine suggested. "While it's true there are pockets of rebellion, there has never been any evidence of a larger scale, galaxy-wide operation."
"And I would like to keep it that way, Admiral Konstantine."
Thrawn and Governor Pryce walked up to the three imperials.
"Grand Admiral Thrawn."Moff Tarkin responded.
"Grand Admiral?"Admiral Konstantine said.
"The Emperor recently promoted me after my victory at Batonn."Thrawn stated.
"Civilian casualties outnumbered the insurgents at the time."Agent Kallus replied with a frown.
"Acceptable margins, Agent Kallus, for there are no longer rebels in that sector."Governor Pryce complemented.
"Well, Thrawn, what do you think of Governor Pryce's theory about the rebels in the Lothal sector?"Moff Tarkin asked.
"This is a pirate our rebels rescued from Naraka prison, Hondo Ohnaka."Thrawn replied showing a hologram of Hondo and then the Planet Yarma. "Within the last hour, the Phoenix Squadron destroyed Mining Guild ships using the Sereeda Hyperspace Waypoint. Taken separately, they may seem unrelated, but Ohnaka's cellmate was a laborer at our starfighter reclamation plant in the Yarma system, one jump point away from the Sereeda attack."
"Grand Admiral Thrawn believes the rebels intend to raid the plant and steal fighters for their fleet."Governor Pryce explained.
"Every ship they add to their arsenal increases the threat to our own armada and the Emperor's plans."Thrawn commented.
"I trust you have a solution?"Moff Tarkin asked.
"I will start my operations here and pull the rebels apart piece by piece."Thrawn stated. "They will be the architects of their own destruction."
In Space...
The Phantom arrived to the Yarma system.
"No Imperial traffic on the scopes, but no sign of the station either."Sabine said.
"It is down there, my friends."Hondo complemented. "And those ships are ripe for plunder."
"There's no telling what we're flying into."Sabine commented.
"Let's find out."Ezra suggested. "Take us down."
In Yarma...
The rebels see the Reklam Station beneath the clouds.
"There it is."Sabine admitted. "Reklam Station."
"It looks so small from above here."Lisa said.
"Chopper, get a count on those bombers."Ezra ordered.
Chopper beeped a respond and showed a hologram of the station.
The group see the Y-wings being dismantled and see there are fifteen starfighters left.
"There! Y-wing light bombers."Ezra said. "Looks like they're in decent shape, too."
"Yeah, but according to Chopper's scan, there's only 15 left."Sabine responded. "Correction. There are only 14 left. Looks like they're being destroyed. We need to move in now."
"There won't be any ships left if we wait."Ezra reminded.
"Hold on."Zeb said. "Our orders are to recon the station, not go after ships."
"We should advise Captain Syndulla."Rex suggested.
"What if the Empire detects our transmission?"Ezra questioned.
"Ezra, if our transmission was detected there would be a bunch of star destroyers showing up."Lisa commented.
"I was given command of this assignment."Ezra argued. "I know what the objective was and I am changing it. We're going in now. That's an order."
Rex glared in disproval while Lisa, Zeb and Hondo looked on in silence.
"Yes, sir."Sabine replied with a frown.
Sabine moved the Phantom down the station in quick mode.
"Hurry!"Ezra ordered. "We're losing ships!"
"Well, Lieutenant, what's your plan to get 'em out of there?"Sabine asked.
"Here's what we're gonna do-"Ezra started.
"Look out!"Rex shouted.
The Phantom bumped into an Imperial DTS-series Dismantler Droid
"What the heck was that?"Lisa questioned.
"Oh, right, right."Hondo replied. "That is probably a dismantler droid. Forgot that Terba said there might be some guarding the station."
"When were you gonna share that information?"Zeb demanded.
"Well, of course I just did."Hondo answered.
At the Reklam Station...
An Imperial officer informed Commander Brom Titus about the perimeter breach.
"Commander Titus, we have a perimeter breach."An imperial officer reported. "Dismantler droids have been activated."
"It could be the rebels Governor Pryce warned us about."Commander Titus said.
In the Sky...
"Chop, get it!"Sabine ordered.
A dismantler droid closed in on the Phantom but Chopper shoots it down with the ship's rear cannon.
"Right, I'll handle those clankers."Rex stated. "Hold on tight!"
"Where are you going?"Hondo asked.
"Outside."Rex replied.
Rex opened the rear exit and fights with another dismantler droid.
The old clone captain almost falls out but Zeb grabbed his ankle and pulled him back into the ship.
Rex managed to destroy the dismantler droid.
The Phantom is hit and the ship lost power and began plummeting into the depths of Yarma.
"Okay that's not good!"Lisa shouted.
"Brace yourselves!"Sabine protested.
"Chopper, get the engines back online!"Ezra ordered.
Chopper beeped in respond.
At the Reklam Station...
"The rebel ship has suffered considerable damage."An imperial officer reported. "They've lost power."
Then the Phantom disappeared on the screen.
"Where'd they go?"Commander Titus demanded.
"We've lost them in the storm, sir."the imperial officer replied.
In the Phantom...
"Hang on!"Sabine ordered. "I'm gonna lock onto the station!"
Ezra, Lisa, Rex, Zeb and Hondo held onto their seats.
Outside the Reklam Station...
Sabine regained control of the ship and docked beneath the station.
Ezra and his fellow rebels park the Phantom beneath a platform and board the station.
"We gotta shut down the conveyor before they're all slagged."Ezra instructed. "Come on."
The rebels rushed toward the factory and encountered several Ugnaught workers.
"Ugnaughts."Zeb said.
"Get out of the way."Ezra demanded with a frown. "I don't want to hurt you."
"Wait, wait, wait, wait."Hondo instructed as he walked forward. "Every situation has the potential to be profitable."
Hondo cleared his throat and started speaking Ugnese to the Ugnaughts.
The Ugnaught workers gave positive responds to Hondo.
"Yes, yes, yes."Hondo said and looked at the rebels. "I told them Terba was my friend and we've come to liberate them. I think that's what I said."
"Liberate them?"Zeb questioned.
"Fine."Ezra said. "They can help us liberate the ships. Hondo, get them to shut off the conveyor.l
"Uh, very well."Hondo answered and started speaking Ugnese to the Ugnaughts.
Melch pulled the lever to disengage the conveyor.
"Laborer 429, why have you disengaged the conveyor?"Commander Titus questioned.
Melch responded to the commander.
"It's malfunctioning?"Commander Titus questioned angrily. "Well, get it repaired, miscreant or I'll have you thrown off the station!"
"This plan of yours better work, Ezra."Lisa stated.
"It will."Ezra responded. "Let's just get our ships and get out of here."
"Well, Lieutenant, first we have to refuel them."Sabine commented. "Their tanks will be empty. Bet you didn't think of that when we walked into this."
Sabine and Lisa rushed to refuel the y-wings tanks.
"Not the first complication."Rex said. "Won't be the last. Let's get to work."
"You know, Kanan would've loved this mission."Zeb complemented and walked away.
Back in Atollon...
"So, tell me, how do I restore my sight?"Kanan asked.
"You must be empty."Bendu responded. "There is only the Force. Now, turn and walk forward."
"I'm not sure this is such a good idea."Kanan disagreed.
"And why not?"Bendu asked.
"Because those spiders are out there, waiting."Kanan replied.
"How do you know this?"Bendu asked.
Kanan sighed. "I hear them."
"Good."Bendu said. "Keep walking. Sound relates them to you. What else?"
"I can feel them in the ground, their vibrations when they move."Kanan answered.
"Indeed, you are perceptive."Bendu commented. "Are they close?"
"No."Kanan replied.
"Continue on then."Bendu instructed. "How else do you relate to the spiders?"
"Before, in the caves, a foul smell."Kanan replied. "It was old, decayed."
"Ah, a fascinating description."Bendu complemented. "You see much for being blind."
"Well, I know what they look like."Kanan stated. "I saw them when I had my sight."
"Then picture them in your mind."Bendu ordered. "Are they close?"
"No."Kanan replied.
"Are you certain?"Bendu asked.
Kanan realised he was surrounded by the two krykna but they do not attack him.
"What should I do?"Kanan asked.
"What do you want to do?"Bendu said. "Hmm?"
"Run."Kanan sighed. "But there's another one right behind me. You are beginning to see."
"Ha!"Bendu chuckled. "Now, be empty and continue onward."
"Why aren't they attacking?"Kanan asked.
"It is not in their nature."Bendu answered.
"Well, it has been, in my experience."Kanan said.
"Because you do not see them."Bendu complemented.
"You mean, see them for what they are?"Kanan suggested.
"Look closer."Bendu instructed.
"Hmm. There's nothing."Kanan replied. "I can't sense them."
"Look within."Bendu ordered.
"I see...fear."Kanan admitted.
"In the spiders?"Bendu asked.
"Ezra!"Kanan gasped.
"Ah, your thoughts dwell on your apprentice."Bendu said.
"He's in danger."Kanan panicked and activated his lightsaber. "No! No. It's not Ezra or the spiders. It's...It's me. Fear, grief, anger, that's how they see me."
Kanan sighed and deactivated his lightsaber.
"That's how I see myself."Kanan commented.
"Ah, your sight returns."Bendu chuckled.
"I distanced myself from everyone."Kanan complemented. "From the Force too."
"Your connection to the Force allows you to see in ways others cannot."Bendu explained. "If you can see yourself, you will never be truly blind, Kanan Jarrus, Jedi Knight."
"I understand."Kanan replied and walked away.
"Where are you going?"Bendu asked.
"Ezra needs me."Kanan said. "They all do."
"What of the spiders?"Bendu questioned.
"I can see them, so there's nothing to fear."Kanan stated.
"And what of this, hmm?"Bendu said holding up the Sith holocron.
"Keep it, as a gift."Kanan suggested.
"Oh."Bendu laughed.
Meanwhile...
Back at the Reklam Station, the rebels have refueled the remaining Y-wing starfighters.
"Last two and then we're outta here."Sabine said.
Inside the Reklam Station...
"Sir, the rebels, they're alive and they're trying to refuel the old bombers."the imperial officer reported.
"Get a squad down there."Commander Titus ordered. "Override the conveyor and activate the magnetic locks."
Outside...
"Looks like they found out that we're here."Lisa said with a frown. "They're locking the ships down."
"Uh, perhaps my associates can assist?"Hondo suggested and spoke Ugnese to the workers.
Melch gives a respond to Hondo.
"My friend says all systems have been overridden by the control tower."Hondo replied.
"Zeb, you and Sabine finish refuelling."Ezra ordered. "I'll take care of the tower. Rex, Lisa, you're with me."
Rex and Lisa followed behind Ezra.
Chopper let out a complaining beep.
"Stop your complaining."Sabine ordered. "This is the last one. Then we'll leave."
Then Chopper was ambushed by a dismantler droid and hurled onto the canopy of a Y-wing.
The dismantler droid leapt onto the Y-wing that Sabine was standing on and caused her to lose her balance.
"Zeb!"Sabine shouted.
Zeb managed to grab onto to Sabine while holding a rope.
Sabine and Zeb exchange fire with the dismantler droid but it began to shake the fighter.
"Rex, Ezra, look!"Lisa protested in shock.
Rex and Ezra see the dismantler droid that was targeting Sabine and Zeb.
"Go help 'em!"Ezra ordered. "I got this."
Lisa and Rex rushed passed Hondo and the Ugnaught workers.
"Yes, yes, you go help them."Hondo remarked. "We will look for a ship. I mean, help Ezra."
Hondo and the Ugnaughts follow Ezra into the complex.
Ezra climbed a ladder and discovered a Sentinel-class landing craft insider a hangar.
The Bridger boy was soon attacked by several stormtroopers and started fighting back using his lightsaber.
In Atollon...
"Ghost to Spectre-6."Hera said. "You missed check-in. Where are you?"
"Hey! Still in the Yarma system, Hera."Ezra replied. "Yeah, no. Getting some great recon. So busy. No time to talk. Bridger out!"
"It appears Commander Bridger's recon mission has turned into a recovery operation."Commander Sato stated.
"Sir, we had better mobilize the fleet."Hera suggested.
"Indeed."Commander Sato replied.
Hera went inside the Ghost and saw Kanan inside.
"Kanan?"Hera said in surprise.
Hera sat next to Kanan in the cockpit.
"Ezra's in trouble."Kanan admitted. "Let's go."
Hera chuckled.'"It's good to have you back."
The Ghost departed from Chopper Base.
Back at Reklam Station...
Rex used a crane to lift the dismantler droid.
"Oh! You want some more, you lousy clanker?"Rex questioned. "I'll show you more!"
Lisa used the Force to carefully lift the Y-wing and her friends back to safety.
"Are you guys okay?"Lisa asked.
"We're good, thanks."Sabine responded.
Chopper let out a grumpy beep.
Rex continued fighting the dismantler droid.
"That tears it!"Rex snapped. "Get off!"
Rex uses the crane to trap the dismantler droid against a metal container.
Lisa activated her lightsabers to slash the droid and throw it into Yarma's depths.
The dismantler droid exploded into flames and landed in the planet's volatile gas-filled depths.
Meanwhile...
"Partner!"Hondo called out. "I will stay here and guard the shuttle in case we need a quick escape."
"You do that."Ezra said.
Ezra headed to the command center.
At the Reklam Commander Center...
"I assure you, Governor, we will capture these rebels momentarily."Commander Titus said.
"I hope so, Titus, but know I will be there soon to reinforce you."Governor Pryce responded.
The screen turned off.
Ezra stormed the command center and takes out Titus' stormtroopers.
"You?"Commander Titus said in surprise.
"You? Last time we met, you were captain of a top-secret Star Destroyer."Ezra commented. "Now you run a junkyard?"
"Your capture and execution will mean my return to ranking status."Commander Titus said with a glare.
"Yeah, get ready for another demotion."Ezra said smugly.
Commander Titus fired Ezra with his lightsaber.
Ezra uses the Force to destroy Titus' blaster and then disarms the Imperial officer.
"I'm asking nicely."Ezra replied. "Unlock those bombers now."
"Sorry, but I've sabotaged the control unit."Commander Titus responded. "The only way to unlock the bombers is to cut power to the entire station."
"Okay."Ezra said simply.
"Wait!"Commander Titus protested. "If you disable the power, this station will drop to a fiery destruction. You would doom us and your friends for a few old ships?"
"I believe in my friends. They'll be fine."Ezra commented. "You, not so much."
Ezra uses his lightsaber to cut power to the station.
"Better get going."Ezra ordered.
"Evacuate now!"Commander Titus shouted through the speakers.
Outside...
"The bombers are unlocked."Zeb said.
"Spectre-5 to Spectre-6."Sabine replied in her comlink. "What was that blast?"
"I had to cut the station's power."Ezra answered. "Get in those bombers and get out of here!"
"What about you?"Sabine asked.
"I'll take the Phantom."Ezra responded. "Now get going. That's an order!"
Lisa sighed. "Let's hope he makes it out."
"Chopper, tap into the relay navigation system."Sabine ordered. "I need you to remote-pilot those four ships."
Chopper beeped in respond.
"Yes, you're getting in a Y-wing too."Sabine replied.
Chopper continued complaining.
"Zeb!"Sabine shouted.
Zeb shoved Chopper into a Y-wing's astromech socket.
"Come on!"Zeb retorted. "Get in there!"
Inside the Station...
Ezra sees Hondo and the Ugnaught laborers escaped in the Imperial landing craft.
"Hondo, I thought you were guarding the shuttle in case we needed to escape."Ezra reminded in his comlink.
"And I am. We are making our quick escape now."Hondo said. "Or at least Hondo is. I will see you again soon, partner! Another successful adventure!"
"Well, I better get moving, too."Ezra said and rushed out.
Outside...
Lisa, Sabine, Zeb and Rex went inside the Y-wings.
Chopper continued complaining.
"Stop complaining and focus."Rex stated. "You've gotta get those bombers in the air"
Chopper muttered angrily and beeped.
"Detach bombers from the dock."Rex ordered.
Chopper remote-pilots the Y-wings which flew into space.
"Nice work."Rex complemented. "Now keep 'em steady."
"Chop, set the coordinates in the navi-computer."Sabine ordered.
"Wait."Lisa said nervously as she checked her Y-wing. "There are no hyperdrives!"
Chopper beeped in agreement.
"They must have removed them."Rex suggested.
Then Star Destroyers showed in front of the rebels.
One of the Star Destroyers released a swarm of TIE fighters.
"Karabast!"Sabine cursed.
"My thoughts exactly."Zeb complemented.
"Spectre-6. The Empire is here in orbit."Sabine reported. "We are in big trouble."
Back at the Station...
Ezra tried to reach the Phantom but the platform broke apart and falls down with the Phantom into Yarma's volatile depths.
"I'm in trouble too!"Ezra commented.
The blue haired boy tried to contact Sabine but cannot reach her.
"Spectre-5?"Ezra asked. "Spectre-5, come in! Can you hear me? Sabine, come in!"
Ezra let out a sigh.
"This is wrong."Ezra said sadly. "It's all gone wrong. Kanan! Where are you?"
In Space...
Lisa and the other rebels engage in a dogfight with the TIE fighters.
"They're trying to drive us toward their tractor beam!"Sabine complemented.
Then the Ghost and the Quasar Fire-class cruiser-carrier Phoenix Nest emerged from hyperspace.
"They're here."Lisa stated with a relieved smile.
"Ghost to bombers."Hera said. "Get your ships on the carrier. We'll cover you."
"Copy, Ghost."Sabine answered. "We are glad to see you."
The rebels get their Y-wings aboard the fighter carrier.
In a Star Destroyer...
"They fight so hard to gain so little."Governor Pryce responded. "Contact Grand Admiral Thrawn immediately."
Agent Kallus nodded in respond.
Meanwhile...
"Ghost, any sign of the Phantom?"Sabine asked. "Spectre-6 should be up here by now."
"Ezra's not with you?"Kanan asked.
"No."Sabine responded.
"He must be still in Yarma."Lisa commented worriedly.
"The station."Hera said in realisation.
"We better hurry."Kanan complemented.
The Ghost headed to Yarma.
"There's something on my scanner."Hera stated. "I'll try to get as close as I can."
Inside Yarma's atmosphere, the two adults spotted Ezra clinging on for dear life.
Kanan goes to the rear hangar bay to rescue the boy.
"Ezra, I'm right here!"Kanan shouted.
"Kanan? I can't reach you!"Ezra called out. "It's too far!"
"It's okay. I've got you."Kanan instructed. "Go ahead. Let go."
Ezra reached out his hand and Kanan grabbed him before taking him inside the Ghost.
"Got him!"Kanan responded.
The Ghost flew away as the station crashed into the depths of Yarma and exploded.
In Space...
The he rebels fight with the Imperial fleet.
Inside the Star Destroyer...
Agent Kallus, Admiral Konstantine and Governor Pryce watched the battle from the bridge of their Star Destroyer.
"We have the admiral."Agent Kallus said.
"Put him through."Governor Pryce ordered.
Thrawn appeared via hologram.
"Update me on your progress, Governor."Thrawn said.
"The situation is proceeding much as you anticipated."Governor Pryce reported with a smirk. "The rebel fleet, composed of three star cruisers, have come to the rescue."
"That is not the rebel fleet."Thrawn stated. "Break off your attack and allow them to escape with their meager reward."
Admiral Konstantine and Agent Kallus looked at each other.
"Very good, Grand Admiral."Governor Pryce replied.
The hologram of Thrawn vanished.
"We're letting them get away?"Admiral Konstantine asked in confusion. "I don't understand."
"I know you don't, but rest assured, Thrawn has a much larger objective in mind than the capture of a single rebel cell."Governor Pryce said.
Inside the Ghost...
"I can explain everything."Ezra said.
"Save it."Hera responded with a frown. "Commander Sato, everyone is accounted for."
In the Phoenix Nest...
"Get us out of here!"Commander Sato ordered.
In Space...
The Ghost and the Phoenix Nest jumped into hyperspace.
Back at Chopper Base...
It was night time and the rebels returned.
"I'm sorry."Ezra apologised. "Okay? I messed up."
"As a leader, you've a responsibility to Phoenix Squadron."Hera reminded. "You almost got your team and yourself killed. And-"
"I know."Ezra replied. "Okay? The Phantom is gone. But we're back in one piece and we've got five new Uh, or old bombers."
"You disobeyed orders."Hera retorted. "I have no choice but to suspend your command."
"You suspend him, you should suspend all of us."Zeb suggested. "We went along with him."
"Your loyalty is admirable, Zeb, but this was Ezra's mission, not yours."Hera commented.
"At least we got the Y-wings?"Sabine suggested.
"They're not for us."Hera said. "We have orders to deliver these bombers to General Dodonna's unit. They're part of a wider rebellion we're working to build. It's growing every day."
"That's amazing."Lisa complemented softly. "If we're going to defeat the Empire, we'll need all the help we can get."
Afterwards...
Kanan and Ezra stood next to each other.
"I should have told you I was using the Sith holocron."Ezra said. "I wanted to believe it could help us."
"Well, we don't need that thing."Kanan commented. "We'll find another way."
"Um, what'd you do with it anyway?"Ezra asked.
Kanan chuckled. "It's safe."
"Ah. Oh, um, one more thing."Ezra stated with a smile. "I wanted to thank you for coming back."
"I'll always come back."Kanan answered.
"I know."Ezra replied.
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter:)