"How's it coming?" Riq asked as he leaned over Denz who was under a control panel fiddling with the wiring. They had been at the Dantooine base for a few days and were already preparing to leave. He was trying to remove as many data chips as possible that may contain alliance information the Empire could use if they ever came to search the base.

"It's coming," He rolled forward on the dolly he was laying on to sit up for a break.. "Any update on the cold front?"

"Nope. If those two keep freezing each other out, Dantooine will start to look a lot like Hoth," Riq joked as he referred to Lee and Rya's standoff. It was true. The two had not spoken much since they landed unless it was official alliance business.

"Ha, that's a good one," Denz took a sip from his canteen and offered it to Riq. He took a swig and realized it wasn't water but strong alcohol. "Has a bit of a bite don't it? Just like most Lothalites."

"Might as well be drinking jet fuel," Riq said, handing the canteen back to Denz who tucked it away in his vest. "You think Rya should still be in charge?"

"Choose your next words extremely wisely Riq. We're already fighting one rebellion and you will lose the second one if you suggest we rise up against Ry. I'd personally see to that, " Denz warned.

"Don't get me wrong, she's done a lot for the rebellion. But her judgment is compromised when it comes to Lee, don't you think?" Riq pointed out cautiously.

"We're all compromised by something or someone?"Denz countered.

"Yeah but those compromises don't land me on an Imperial Base," Riq pointed out. "You'd think being the niece of Governor Pryce would warrant a more cautious perspective of what's at stake."

"Who told you that?!" Denz snapped and stood to meet Riq's eye level. Not many knew of Rya's family life, only those that were close to her and she trusted with her life. She hadn't disclosed that information to Riq.

"Relax Denz," Riq took a step back, startled by his reaction.

"Listen here, I don't know how they do things on Naboo, but on Lothal we don't stick our nose where it doesn't belong unless you want to lose it,"Denz warned. "Rya Dax has never been a true Pryce. Sure she was born to privilege, but even when we were kids she knew the Imperial Occupation was wrong. She's the fiercest woman I know and would give her life for any of us."

"Dax? Don't you mean Tersu?" Riq asked, confused by Denz's impassioned speech. He could sense Denz respected and cared for his Lieutenant but also thought there was more behind his words then he was letting on.

"Really? That's your take away?" Denz chuckled, taking a seat back on the dolly and rolled under the control panel and continued to fiddle with the wiring trying to remove the data chips.

"I didn't mean anything by it Denz,"Riq apologized. "Before I came here, I had done a few jobs that didn't pan out the way they should have. Lost a lot of good people. When Cassian told me there was a spot among a rebel crew I asked for a full disclosure. And with Cassian, well he doesn't leave any stone unturned when digging for information."

"Let's hope he digs up Tersu's buckethead sister and gets more intel," Denz muttered.

"Did you know he had a sister?" Riq asked to change the subject.

"Nope," Denz remarked, finally removing the data chips. "Never knew much about his past other than he was from the encampments. He joined the cause after his father and best friend were killed. I figured Rya picked him up cus he was a fighter. Didn't know she picked him up for a husband as well."

"Does that bother you?" Riq ventured, noticing Denz's sarcasm was sharper than usual.

"What?!" Denz said, rolling from under the control panel and marching over to his tool box and placing his tools away. He examined his wrench fully knowing he had given his feelings away. It wasn't that he didn't like Lee, he just thought the two were too different to make each other happy. But even with his personal feelings, he'd hoped he was wrong. Truly he just wanted Rya to find happiness. "Nah, maybe in the beginning, I tried to muscle him out. I had my chance with Ry when we were kids, I was a bit of a scoundrel back in the day. By the time I realized what I wanted Tersu had entered the picture. Then it was too late. But no use crying over spilled blue milk, right?"

"That's big of you I guess," Riq said, acknowledging his new partner's confession. "Especially since Tersu can be quite the nerfherder."

"What you two so chummy about?" Lee asked as he entered the room.

"The villagers," Riq quickly responded, worried that Lee had heard him. "They've got some strange customs don't you think?"

"What does it matter? Don't be such a 'nerfherder'," Lee said, sarcastically letting Riq know he had heard him. Denz tried his best to hide his amusement at Lee's remark but chuckled as Riq looked away embarrassed."We're leaving tonight."

"Rya said we wouldn't move out for another two weeks. There's no way I'll be able to move all the data chips and packs, let alone the power converters by tonight," Denz complained.

"No need. Just spoke to Jules. Her and the Revenant crew will collect the remainder of the base. They're just leaving Kafrene with a new crew member," Lee answered.

"Why the rush?"Riq questioned.

"An Imperial tracking device was found on one of the supply shipments. We destroyed it but Bail and Mon don't want to risk the Empire discovering our presence here," Lee said. "We depart at six. Don't stray too far, Rya may need us to head out sooner."

"Where we headed?"Denz curiously asked.

"That you'll have to ask the Lieutenant," Lee said sternly and left to go find his wife who he was barely speaking to.

The two had not spoken of Coruscant or Lenore since their escape. But with things escalating quickly Lee could feel the inevitable force of war coming. He had overheard Rya's conversation with Mon when they first arrived:

"Andor was able to gather information that has directed him on a new mission," Mon said to Rya via hologram."Best to move your crew to Yavin 4. Our strength is in our number now."

"Mon, did Andor say where he got his information?" Rya asked, wondering if he had located Lenore.

"No," Mon said. "But an Intelligence agent of his caliber should be able to decipher what is tangible. Do you have concerns, Lieutenant?"

"No," Rya said reluctantly. "I wished we could have helped more on our mission to Coruscant."

"No need for regret Lieutenant. Count your blessings that you and your crew escaped unharmed. There will be plenty to do on Yavin."

"Where is everyone?" Denz asked as they entered the base of Yavin 4. The shipyard was full with a number of different squads but no one was in the entryways or common areas of the base.

"Must be in a briefing," Rya said and led the way toward the briefing room. As she reached for the door, out stormed a woman with short brown hair who was clearly angry followed by a dark complected man with goggles on his forehead. They pushed past Rya and the rest of the crew as the meeting let out.

"Seems we missed something," Denz said as he saw Andor emerge.

"Cass!" Riq called out to him excited to see he was still alive. Cassian Andor turned and nodded to him and followed the angry woman. "That's not good."

Beep beep beep beep, sounded a familiar droid. It was Chopper from the Ghost crew. He rolled over to Lee and nudged him affectionately and continued to speak to him. The droid was happy to see his fellow Lothalite. It had been a few years since the two had crossed paths.

"Hey Chop," Lee said with a smile. It was the first time he had smiled since their escape. "Nice to see a friendly face."

"Stargazer crew," said Hera Syndulla as she joined her droid and greeted them. "Wow it's been a while since I've seen you. Not the same group it seems."

"Hello Hera. You are a sight for sore eyes," Rya leaned over and gave her a hug. They hadn't been particularly close but she reminded Rya of Lothal and she had suddenly become extremely homesick. "Seeing you makes me feel like we're back on Lothal. We're the rest of the Ghost crew?"

Hera sighed and looked away. Rya knew the look well. It was a look of loss and will to endure. It was strength with a hint of suffering. She regretted asking the question until Hera finally spoke.

"We're still in this. Even if the council doesn't want to fight," Hera remarked. "I can't believe after all we've done, after all we've sacrificed, they don't want to take the risk. If the Spectres and I had left liberating Lothal up to a committee….well we'd have gotten nowhere."

"Liberating Lothal?" Lee asked.

"Yes," Hera confirmed. "We pushed out the occupation. Lothal is free."

The crew exchanged looks in disbelief. They each had dreamt about this day, but hearing it being a reality was hard to fathom.

"You all didn't know did you?" Hera was surprised the crew had no idea. "You have been away for a while, haven't you?"

"What of Governor Pryce?" Riq asked while Denz elbowed him in the stomach.

"Loyal to the Empire until the end," Hera said. "But it costs her."

"What of the rebellion now?" Rya asked sharply. "Seems everyone is packing up to leave. Is that it?"

"Looks that way, Dax" Hera shook her head. "Guess you all can go home. Shame others can't."

"Does the counsel not realize that the storm isn't over? We're in the eye of it, a false sense of safety, but not for long. Something is coming to force everyone to their knees and then Palpatine won't be able to be stopped ," Rya remarked as she saw pilots gathering around their squads in the hangar waiting for orders to move out.

"I completely agree. Seems you should be on the counsel Ry. You'd talk some courage into the others. Nice seeing you all," Hera patted Rya on the shoulder and walked away with Chopper. "Oh by the way. Congratulations."

"Congratulations?" Rya asked, confused.

"Yeah, didn't you two tie the knot?" Hera motioned to Lee and Rya.

"Yes, thank you," Rya said sadly.

If it had been a month before, Lee and her would have been flattered by the salutation. But the past month was rough, not only for the rebellion but for them as a couple. Lee placed his arm around her waist hoping to comfort her. She moved away. She was still angry with him but knew they needed to figure out how to make their relationship work. Perhaps Cassian had a point about them being too close to continue to working together. Rya did have a talent for debating and with the rebel counsel on the verge of disbanding perhaps she needed to change her position to help keep the fight alive.

"What now?" Denz asked. "Do we just go back to Lothal?"

"What say you Lieutenant ?" Lee asked as affectionately as he could. He could tell Rya was struggling with something. He just wished he could reach her like he used to.

"It's over," Rya said with defeat in her voice. "You all can make your own calls from now on."

She walked away. Lee looked at Riq and Denz. "Don't go far. I'll talk to her."

"Lee," Denz said, "give her some space."

"Thanks for the advice but I think I know my wife,"Lee sharply said and followed Rya before crossing Cassian Andor's path, "What no hello?"

"What do you want Tersu?" Andor said shortly and looked more impatient than usual.

"Nothing, just would have been nice to know you made it off of Coruscant alright," Lee complained.

"If you haven't noticed we're a little busy," he countered.

"Busy? It's over," Lee answered. "Everyone's going home."

"I thought you were in this?" Andor pressed. "It may be over for them but some of us have fought too long and too hard to walk away now."

"What can we do? The counsel said no." Lee asked bewildered.

"Are you a rebel or not?" Andor smirked. "No rebel I know would let a counsel decide his course of action if he knew better. You're a good fighter, Tersu, but you need to look up from your blaster once in a while and see the big picture."

"Cassian!" a man called to Andor. Andor patted Lee on his shoulder.

"You should forgive your sister," he said abruptly and ran to join a small group forming at the end of the hangar. Lee stood paralyzed wondering what was brewing. He felt small just like when he discovered his father had been gambling their family earnings away, when he saw Stobo shot, but not as small as he had when he shot Lenore and left her behind.