I don't own Star Wars Rebels or it's characters
I own only Lisa Skywalker and my other OCs
Enjoy!
Sparks of Rebellion
Chapter 39: Zero Hour Part 1
In the Defender Class Light Corvette...
Ferus was talking to Garm Bel Iblis, the Senator who represents Corellia via hologram.
"Garm, are you sure about this?"Ferus asked. "Mon Mothma has almost got arrested, if it weren't for the Lothal rebels."
"The Emperor can do anything he wants to me, can take anything away from me that he will."Garm responded. "I'll still fight him because it's the right thing to do. Period."
"Very well then."Ferus answered. "Good luck."
Garm nodded in respond.
Ferus ended his conversation with Senator Garm as Zack came in.
"Hey dad."Zack greeted. "What's going on?"
"Senator Bel Iblis decided to give us a few soldiers to help the rebellion free Lothal."Ferus replied.
"Well that's helpful."Zack commented.
"I guess so."Ferus replied with a frown.
"There is something that is bothering you."Zack admitted. "I can sense your frustrated."
Ferus let out a sigh before responding.
"It's Lisa."Ferus answered. "She is doing a remarkable job as Queen of Naboo and helping the Rebellion, but I am worried that something bad might happen since I am not with her."
"Dad, Lisa is a good person and has a tough attitude."Zack reminded with a smile. "Kids like me and her can take care of ourselves, if you just show us a little trust and not worry too much."
"I guess your right, son."Ferus complemented smugly.
Ferus and Zack walked out of the ship to meet up with Gwen.
At Chopper Base...
Ezra marvelled at Hera's success in rallying the Rebel forces for a strike on Lothal.
"She did it."Ezra said with a smile. "Hera really did it. Look at everyone. I can't believe they're all gonna help Lothal."
"It wasn't just Hera."Kanan reminded.
"Oh, I know."Ezra assured. "You, too, Kanan. And Zeb and Sabine. Chopper less so."
Kanan let out a small chuckle.
"No."Kanan responded. "That's not what I meant. I meant you."
"Kanan, I-I didn't do any of this."Ezra answered with a sad frown. "If not for you guys, I'd be back on Lothal, just waiting to be rescued like everyone else."
"Ezra, you have never been like everyone else."Kanan commented. "Hera always saw something special in you and so did I. At times, I was afraid. Afraid that I couldn't teach you everything you needed to know."
"But you did."Ezra said. "I've learned so much."
"And so have I."Kanan admitted. "We all have. In fact, sometimes I wonder if I have anything left to teach you."
"No."Ezra replied. "That can't be true."
"My own Jedi training was limited."Kanan said.
"I don't mean about the Force."Ezra responded. "I mean about life, about being a good person. That's what you've taught me."
Hera walked up to Kanan and Ezra.
"Hey, you two. The time to talk is over."Hera stated. "Let's help out. General Dodonna and the Massassi group will be here any minute."
"General Dodonna?"Ezra asked. "That name sounds familiar."
"It should."Kanan complemented. "He got those Y-wing bombers we stole. He commands one of the largest rebel cells I know of. With him and his fleet, we have a real shot at taking out the Imperial factories on Lothal."
Above Atollon...
Commander Sato was on the bridge of the Phoenix Nest.
"Commander Sato, there are several ships emerging from hyperspace."A rebel soldier reported.
"At last, General Dodonna's fleet has arrived."Commander Sato remarked.
General Dodonna's fleet of EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigates and CR90 corvettes exited hyperspace.
A hologram of General Dodonna appeared.
"Phoenix Nest to Vanguard."Commander Sato said. "Welcome to Atollon, General Dodonna."
"Thank you, Commander Sato."General Dodonna responded. "This day has been a long time coming. Hopefully, we can finally deal a blow to the Empire and show the rest of the galaxy what we're capable of."
Meanwhile on Lothal...
Agent Kallus rides a speeder bike to the tower that once served as the home of Ezra Bridger.
The rebel agent switches on a transmitter which projects an image of Fulcrum's symbol.
"This is Fulcrum with an urgent message."Agent Kallus warned. "Thrawn knows about..."
Kallus notice the signals were being jammed and Thrawn appears holding a jammer.
"By the light of Lothal's moons."Thrawn said. "That is your code phrase, isn't it, Agent Kallus? Or would you prefer I address you as Fulcrum? I'm afraid your rebel friends won't receive your warning."
Kallus charged at Thrawn, but the Grand Admiral punches him.
Thrawn and Kallus began doing a fistfight.
Then Thrawn throws Kallus to the floor.
"Your technique is good, but limited by your training in the Imperial Academy."Thrawn answered. "Predictable."
Kallus flinged a stormtrooper helmet at Thrawn, and the Grand Admiral catches it, distracting him long enough for Kallus to knock Thrawn to the ground and stomp on his jammer.
"You talk too much!"Kallus scowled.
Following a second round, Thrawn kicked Agent Kallis out onto the balcony, where Kallus gets arrested by two Death troopers.
"You have the heart of a rebel."Thrawn admitted.
"I'll take that as a compliment."Kallus muttered.
The Death troopers drag Kallus inside the tower.
Inside the Tower...
Kallus was held by the Death Troopers and his hands were cuffed.
Thrawn shows a holographic chart displaying the trajectory of General Dodonna's fleet and the trajectory of Kallus' Fulcrum transmission.
"You may have transmitted your warning, Agent, but in doing so, you've given me the last piece of the puzzle."Thrawn stated. "Now, this is the trajectory of General Dodonna's fleet, and this is the trajectory of your Fulcrum transmission. Taken separately, they mean nothing. But together..."
"Nothing. There's no planet there."Kallus retorted. "The rebels are smarter than you give them credit for."
"A pity you do not study art, Agent Kallus."Thrawn answered. "There is much it can show you, if you know where to look. Such as, a system which does not appear on Imperial charts but is represented in the art of the ancient people of this sector. I believe they call this "Atollon," now the home of your rebel base."
A shocked look appeared in Agent Kallus face.
"Admiral Konstantine, deploy the fleet to these coordinates."Thrawn ordered. "We will join you shortly."
In Atollon...
Hera informed Ezra, Kanan, Ferus, Zack, Gwen, Ryder, Commander Sato and General Dodonna via hologram that they have received an urgent transmission from Fulcrum.
"We've just received a new transmission from Fulcrum."Hera reported.
A hologram of Fulcrum's symbol appeared.
"This is Fulcrum with an urgent message."Fulcrum warned. "Thrawn knows about..."
Then the transmission cuts off.
"Thrawn knows?"Kanan asked. "Knows about what?"
"About the attack on Lothal?"Ezra said worriedly.
"Something's happened. Most of the Imperial fleet left the system."Ryder commented. "What does it mean?"
"Thrawn knows where we are."Ferus answered with a glare.
Zack and Gwen looked at each other with shocked expressions.
Hera looked at a rebel pilot.
"All ships, battle stations!"Hera ordered.
The alarm sounds started going off around the base.
General Dodonna looked at Hera and Ferus.
"How can you be certain?"General Dodonna asked.
"The last time this happened, the Empire ambushed us on Garel."Ezra admitted.
At the Phoenix Nest...
"Commander Sato, we have Imperial Star Destroyers incoming."A rebel pilot reported.
Five Imperial Star Destroyers entered the Atollon system.
"Phoenix fleet, set defense formation Aurek-one!"Commander Sato ordered.
In Atollon...
"Alert Rebel Command!"Commander Sato ordered.
Suddenly Ryder's hologram disappeared.
"What happened?"Ezra asked. "Where's Ryder?"
"The Empire is jamming the long-range transmissions."Gwen replied. "That means we can't contact Ryder again."
"We have to scrub the mission."General Dodonna admitted.
"We were so close!"Ezra scowled in annoyance.
"Evacuate all ground staff."Hera ordered. "We're getting outta here!"
"All personnel, Code K-one-zero!"A rebel officer said. "Evacuate immediately."
Rebel pilots started heading inside their ships.
In a EF76 Nebulon-B Escort Frigate...
"All craft, jump to hyperspace."General Dodonna ordered. "Regroup at rally point Nova."
"I still have people on the surface."Commander Sato reminded.
"If we wait, they'll cut us to pieces, Commander."General Dodonna reminded.
"Go."Commander Sato instructed. "We will cover you."
General Dodonna looked at a female pilot.
"Signal the other frigates to jump."General Dodonna ordered.
One of the frigates tried to escape but suddenly got torn out of hyperspace.
"Something's pulled them out of hyperspace."General Dodonna stated.
"If that is true, there will be no escape for us."Commander Sato admitted.
Meanwhile...
A crew member aboard the interdictor cruiser informs Admiral Konstantine that the gravity wells are engaged.
"Gravity wells engaged, sir."An imperial member said.
"All batteries, open fire."Admiral Konstantine ordered.
The interdictor cruiser open fires and a Nebulon-B frigate that attempted to jump into hyperspace just as Thrawn exited hyperspace aboard his command ship, the Chimaera.
In the Chimaera...
A captive Kallus was present and restrained by two Death troopers.
Governor Pryce looked at Thrawn.
"What of Governor Tarkin's prisoners?"Governor Pryce asked.
"General Dodonna is known for his courage."Thrawn replied. "He wouldn't be aboard the first vessel to flee. It's crew is therefore irrelevant."
In Atollon...
Thrawn contacts the rebel commanders via hologram.
"General Dodonna, Commander Sato, Captain Syndulla and Ferus Olin."Thrawn said. "At last, we meet in this theater of war, however briefly. There is no escape, and your forces are badly outnumbered. This, uh, rebellion ends today."
"We'll never surrender to you, Thrawn."Hera stated with a glare.
"You misunderstand, Captain."Thrawn admitted. "I'm not accepting surrenders at this time. I want you to know failure, utter defeat and that it is I who delivers it crashing down upon you. Now, let us proceed."
Then the hologram of Thrawn vanished and the diagrams of the ships appeared again.
"We don't have the strength to meet Thrawn head-on, but I will get us to safety."Hera assured.
"How do you propose we break his blockade?"Commander Sato asked.
"Thrawn believes this is the entire rebel fleet, so we just need a big enough opening to get one ship through."Hera explained. "Once clear of the jamming, they can call for reinforcements to attack the Empire's flank."
"That should divide their forces and enable us all to escape."General Dodonna said.
"The Ghost stands the best chance."Commander Sato commented. "We'll make an opening for you."
"Not for me."Hera answered. "Ezra and Kanan will take the Gauntlet."
"No way."Kanan argued. "I'm not leaving you!"
"This is our fight, too."Ezra commented.
"There's no time to argue."Hera reminded. "As Jedi, you have the best chance to escape and there's no one I trust more to get the help we need. You're going. Chopper, too. That's an order."
Gwen and Zack looked at Ferus.
"What are we going to do, father?"Gwen asked.
"Gwen, I need you and KT to pilot the Corvette to assist the A-wings."Ferus instructed. "Me and Zack will deal with the platoons of death troopers that are coming."
"Got it."Gwen replied.
Gwen headed to the corvette with a complaing R2-KT strolling behind her.
"No regrets."Ferus commented simply.
"Quit complaining, KT."Zack scowled. "She pilots better than I do."
R2-KT let out a sarcastic beep as she followed Gwen.
Chopper headed to the Gauntlet as Kanan talked to Hera.
"Hera, I can't leave yet."Kanan stated. "There's someone I have to warn about this, out in the wilderness."
"What?"Hera questioned. "Kanan, no! I need you and Ezra to go get help."
"That's what I'm doing."Kanan assured.
"You mean from him?"Ezra asked.
"Hey, I'm a persuasive guy."Kanan responded.
"Who are you talking about?"Hera said.
Kanan let out a sigh.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."Kanan answered. "But I need you to trust me.
"Don't keep me waiting long."Hera reminded and looked at Ezra. "Ezra, the mission is yours alone."
"Good luck, kid."Kanan complemented.
"May the Force be with me."Ezra said quietly.
Ezra headed to the Gauntlet while Zeb and Rex were in the Ghost.
Inside the Ghost...
"Still glad you got mixed up in this rebellion, Rex?"Zeb asked.
"Ah, it beats slingin' for joopas."Rex commented.
"Does it? They sure do taste good."Zeb chuckled.
"Ah, they do, don't they?"Rex agreed.
In the Phoenix Nest...
"Launch fighters!"Commander Sato ordered. "All command, spearhead formation. Frigates and corvettes, protect the transports."
"We'll take point, Commander."General Dodonna answered.
Aboard the Chimaera...
"Sato is employing a Danaan tactic. Bold. But I'd expect no less from the best commander to ever come out of the Mykapo system."Thrawn said. "Reinforce our center and send in the fighters."
A swarm of TIE Fighter headed towards the rebel ships.
A hologram of Admiral Konstantine appeared.
"Yes, Grand Admiral?"Admiral Konstantine asked.
"Konstantine."Thrawn said. "Keep your Interdictor cruiser back until I order otherwise."
"Why not just attack now with overwhelming force?"Admiral Konstantine questioned. "I could..."
"Because I know these rebels. I've studied them."Thrawn responded. "They will, no doubt, defy convention and attempt something unexpected. We will be prepared for it. As long as you do exactly as I say."
"As you wish."Admiral Konstantine answered.
Then the hologram of Admiral Konstantine vanished.
"Fighting over glory?"Kallus mocked.
"I do not require glory, only results for my Emperor."Thrawn replied.
In Space...
The Ghost, the Defender Class Light Corvette and the Gauntlet travel with the A-wings of Green Squadron.
"Phoenix Squadron, keep those fighters busy."Hera ordered. "Green Squadron, attack the lead destroyer."
"Copy that."Wedge replied. "We'll clear a path."
The Corvette, the Ghost and the A-Wings fire at the TIE fighters to make a clear path for the Gauntlet.
"All wings, arm proton bombs and follow me."A pilot ordered.
The Y-wings manage to bomb a Star Destroyer with proton bombs.
Green Squadron dives in for a second sortie, but the rebel fighters were taken out by TIE fighters.
Gwen angrily made the cannons of the Defender Class Light Corvette to destroy the TIE fighters that wiped out the rebel pilots.
In the Gauntlet...
Ezra and Chopper see a CR90 corvette go up in flames in front of them.
"I hope Kanan's having better luck."Ezra admitted.
In Atollon...
Kanan rides his speeder bike past several large rocks to the krykna nest that is the haunt of his friend Bendu.
"Bendu!"Kanan called out.
Bendu emerged from the ground.
"Bendu, we need your help."Kanan admitted.
"You have brought war to my quiet world, Kanan Jarrus, Jedi Knight."Bendu retorted. "And I will have no part of it!"
"Wait."Kanan begged. "Bendu, hear me out."
"No!"Bendu snapped. "I am the one in the middle. I take no side."
"So you're just gonna let us die?"Kanan asked. "You think the Empire won't kill you, too?"
"I am beyond your worrying and wars."Bendu responded with a frown. "I am unseen, unknowable, like a rock in the river. Do you think it chance this world was so difficult for you to find, eh?"
"No."Kanan answered. "But maybe we were meant to find it and meant to find you. For what purpose?"
"I was here long before you and will be long after. - I am the Bendu, the one -
"In the middle."Kanan finished. "So you keep saying. Look I tried to live that way once. Told myself the galaxy would go on with or without me. But when I saw innocents harmed and knew I had the power to do something about it, I couldn't just watch it all burn down around me! Some things are worth fighting for."
In Space...
"Phoenix Squadron, we've gotta keep those TIEs off our cruisers!"Hera ordered.
"This is Massassi group."General Dodonna stated. "We're taking heavy fire. We need help."
"Don't worry, General."Gwen assured firmly. "We're on our way!"
"Too many ships to protect!"Zeb growled.
Then two rebel cruisers explode nearby.
Thrawn's TIE fighters were inflicting serious damage and the red-painted P2 Sphyrna-class corvette was their next victim.
"All ships, charge the blockade!"Commander Sato ordered.
The rebel ships charged forward.
During the charge, another Nebulon-B frigate was destroyed, the Vanguard was hammered by TIEs and a Dornean gunship goes up in flames.
General Dodonna watched the carnage with stunned horror, while Sato learns about the destruction of the Orion.
"Commander, they destroyed the Orion!"A pilot protested.
In the Chimaera...
"Capital ships, hold your position."Thrawn ordered. "Their cruisers will have to come to us."
In the Gauntlet...
Chopper beeped to Ezra that the Imperials were cutting them off.
"I see it!"Ezra snapped. "They're cutting us off! No, no!"
A stricken Y-wing gets shot down before it can crash into a Star Destroyer's hull.
"Hera, I can't get through as long as those Interdictor cruisers are cutting us off."Ezra said.
"Stay sharp, Ezra."Hera instructed. "We'll find you that opening."
"I know, just..."Ezra said and another bomb hit the Gauntlet. "Hurry!"
In the Phoenix Nest...
"Commander Bridger, go to heading 221 and prepare to jump."Commander Sato ordered and looked at the pilots. "All hands, abandon ship and make for Atollon!"
"We're staying, Commander."A rebel pilot admitted.
"Very well."Commander Sato answered. "Man your stations."
A few rebel pilots left while the others remained with Commander Sato.
In the Defender Class Light Corvette...
Gwen sees the Phoenix Nest flying towards the Imperial fleet.
"What is he doing?"Gwen whispered.
In the Ghost...
"Hera, I think Sato's evacuating the carrier."Zeb commented.
In Admiral Konstantine's Interdictor Cruiser...
"That's a command ship."Admiral Konstantine stated. "Move to intercept!"
"But sir, Admiral Thrawn ordered us to maintain our position."An imperial pilot reminded.
"Move to intercept!"Admiral Konstantine snapped. "I will not be denied the glory of this kill!"
"Konstantine, return to your assigned coordinates immediately."Thrawn ordered.
"I've had enough of your games, 'Grand' Admiral."Admiral Konstantine retorted.
In Space...
Konstantine's interdictor cruiser broke formation to intercept the Phoenix Nest.
In the Gauntlet...
"Hera, what's Sato doing?"Ezra asked.
"He's drawing that ship out of position."Hera admitted. "Get ready to jump! Prepare to engage gravity wells!"
In Space...
Admiral Konstantine smirked as Phoenix Nest comes under Imperial fire.
The Phoenix Nest changes course and charged at the interdictor.
"Sir, he's changing course!"An imperial pilot warned.
"No!"Admiral Konstantine panicked. "Take evasive action!"
In the Phoenix Nest...
Sato closed his eyes just before the Phoenix Nest rams Konstantine's interdictor, destroying both ships.
Hera, Gwen and Thrawn watch as the two ships go up in flames.
Kallus also watched with a mixture of shock and admiration at Commander Sato's sacrifice.
In Space...
Ezra takes the Gauntlet into hyperspace.
"Ezra, now!"Hera ordered.
In the Chimaera...
"Sir, one rebel ship escaped the blockade."An imperial officer reported.
"Konstantine was careless."Thrawn replied simply. "Let's hope he did not undermine my efforts. Press the attack. Force them to ground."
In Space...
The TIEs destroy General Dodonna's frigate Vanguard causing the pilots to escape in the pods and get launched out of the burned frigate.
In the Defender Class Light Corvette...
"All ships, return to the base."Hera ordered.
"Understood, Hera."Gwen answered and sighed.
R2-KT let out a sad beep.
"Yes, KT."Gwen agreed quietly and frowned. "But let's go. This fight is far from over."
In Atollon...
"You can feel it, can't you?"Kanan asked. "My friends are dying."
"Such is the fate of all living beings."Bendu responded.
"Not like this, crushed by overwhelming evil."Kanan argued. "Help us survive, Bendu. Help us fight."
"I will not fight your petty battles."Bendu answered.
"You'd rather hide."Kanan scoffed. "Like a coward."
"I will not be called a coward by the likes of you, Kanan Jarrus!"Bendu roared in anger. "Perhaps it is the will of the Force that the Jedi and all your kind perish and I serve the will of the Force!"
Bendu summons the storm and disappears.
"Bendu?"Kanan shouted. "Bendu!"
Meanwhile in Hyperspace...
Ezra petitioned Mon Mothma to send reinforcements.
"Senator, there must be someone you can send or something you can do."Ezra suggested.
"I wish I could help you, Commander Bridger, but I can't."Senator Mothma responded sadly. "Doing so would play into Thrawn's hands and he would wipe out all we've worked to build."
"I know."Ezra answered with a frown. "He planned this."
"Senator Organa was right."Senator Mothma said. "It was too soon for open warfare against the Empire. I promise you, we will do our best to negotiate fair treatment for the prisoners."
"What if there are no prisoners?"Ezra questioned. "I'm not ready to give up yet."
"You have courage, Ezra."Senator Mothma admitted. "May the Force be with you."
The hologram of Senator Mothma vanished as Chopper beeped.
"No. We can't go back. Not without help."Ezra reminded. "And I think I know where to find it."
Chopper let out a curious beep.
"Sabine."Ezra admitted.
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter:)