"And she also sketched an entire standard interior layout of an Imperial Star Destroyer," Hera added. It turned out Second Sister was a treasure trove of classified information. She knew of secret Imperial supply bases, Imperial Security Bureau sting operations, and other priceless bits of information. Sister might be a more important source of information then Zeebo was and he had terabytes of classified information on his cybernetics.
"Unbelievable," whispered Fulcrum. For once, he or she actually seemed to be speechless.
"Our Inquisitor has turned out to quite the viable investment," remarked Hera.
"More than you might think," Fulcrum stated. "Your suspicion about Senator Travis turned out to be justified. Every cell that has met with them has had a rash of accidents and disappearances occur to their members afterwards. It was never all at once and because the Imperial Security Bureau has devised more ingenious methods of tracking down dissidents, we never put the pieces together."
"He's bait designed to lure out insurgents and identify them. Travis leaves and the rebels are monitored to find more members or allies. Once the Imperials are certain they can't get any more information from surveillance, they dispose of their targets," Hera said.
"Word has spread across the HoloNet of Travis's true allegiance. No rebel cell will fall for his trap again," Fulcrum nodded.
"They'll just come up with another one," muttered Hera.
"One thing at a time. For now just finish debriefing your Inquisitor and then send her on her way. The longer she remains onboard, the greater risk she poses to you and your crew," Fulcrum warned.
"So far she's been surprisingly cooperative. It's almost unnerving," admitted Hera.
"That could change in an instant. Be careful," Fulcrum replied. The hologram faded as the communication cut out.
"Why does he always end his transmissions so dramatically?" asked Kanan as he stepped into the cockpit. "He's as bad as one of those holo-dramas that always end on cliffhangers every episode."
"He's just concerned," shrugged Hera.
"Well I'm starting to think our Inquisitor friend isn't interested in killing us. Otherwise why bother putting up with us for the past two weeks?" stated Kanan.
The cockpit opened as Ezra came rushing in. "Senator Trayvis is on the HoloNet. You've got to see this to believe this," he said.
The three of them headed into the commons area, specifically to the holochess board where Zeb and Sabine were watching a holographic picture of Senator Trayvis speaking with HoloNet News anchor Alton Kastle. HoloNet News was nothing more than Imperial propaganda and anytime Kastle's face was on a holoscreen, lies and distortions would follow the second he opened his mouth.
"And now that you've recommitted yourself to the Empire, will your followers do the same?" Kastle asked.
"Most will Alton," Trayvis replied. "These were good people who simply wanted to make the Empire a better place peacefully. But I'm afraid these…"
The picture changed to images of the five rebels. "…insurgents have twisted my message into something violent and frightening. Of course I can't abide that so I'm personally offering a reward for their capture."
The image returned to Trayvis who held up credit chips to emphasize his point. "Karabas. Turn it off," grumbled Zeb.
"I can't believe I used to look up to him," growled Ezra.
"Yeah well you can thank Sister for this. Had she not told us, there's no telling how many more rebels across the galaxy could have fallen into Trayvis's trap," Hera pointed out.
"Yeah but it feels like every time we win, we somehow lose," sighed Ezra.
"Well I have a plan that might just even the score," Kanan stated. "If Trayvis can do it then we can do it too."
"What? We're going to send out some kind of inspirational type messages?" Zeb asked, rolling his eyes.
"Exactly," smiled Kanan.
"Exactly," agreed Hera.
Major Risar Velken stood at attention alongside the Grand Inquisitor, Agent Kallus, and Minister Tua inside the Governor's office. The room belonged to Governor Price but Grand Moff Tarkin was using it in her absence. For the past few weeks, Tarkin had personally taken charge of all the day to day operations of Lothal, putting their production quotas back on schedule and putting down any copycats inspired by the rebel insurgents. But one thing alluded the Moff and that was the rebels themselves.
Velken and his Darkstars had been sent to several locations across the planet, killing and capturing numerous suspected dissidents. Truthfully such police actions were beneath his team but they needed to keep busy on Lothal until their real target emerged from hiding. The rebel cell had been quiet ever since their escape with the Inquisitor traitor. It was possible that Second Sister killed them and used their ship to escape to parts unknown but that was unlikely. The more logical explanation was the rebels were laying low until the Imperial dragnet loosened.
For the moment, the Grand Moff was dealing with other matters and this one he wanted everyone involved in the manhunt for the rebels to attend to. Two Imperial officers named Commandant Cumberlayne Aresko and Taskmaster Myles Grint. The two of them were commanding officers in the Lothal Imperial Academy and had been personally taking command during situations involving the rebels, probably hoping the capture or deaths of the insurgents would look good on their resumes. Instead they looked like fools and they knew it.
The two officers entered the office and introduced themselves. "Gentlemen sit," Tarkin encouraged, seated at the desk.
Myles and Aresko nervously sat down in the two chairs provided. "I understand the two of you have had dealings with the insurgents," Tarkin stated.
"Uhh yes sir," nodded Aresko. The Inquisitor slowing walked along the side of the desk and came to a halt behind Myles and Aresko.
"And your efforts have been less than successful?" Tarkin said, more of a statement then a question.
"Well…" stuttered Aresko. "…I wouldn't say."
"Commandant if your efforts had been successful, we wouldn't be having this conversation," Tarkin pointed out. "Now when was the last activity reported?"
"Sir ever since the insurgents escaped with the fugitive several weeks ago, there have no sightings of them," reported Myles.
"I see," Tarkin said, leaning back in his chair. "I've been going over your reports over every one of your encounters with the insurgents and I've been noticing a recurring trend."
"Trend sir?" asked Myles.
"Major Velken," Tarkin said, indicating for the Darkstar CO to speak.
"The two of you have made multiple infractions of Imperial regulations. Your patrols have been slack with many of your men diverting from their assigned posts for personal reasons and without requesting someone to take their place. Your security protocols surrounding military installations had multiple violations regarding the lack of probe droids and minimum required number of security officers. Your academy had churned out some of the worst officers I have ever seen this side of the Outer Rim," Velken spoke with contempt in his voice.
"That is slander Major!" protested Aresko who rose to his feet.
"Sit down," Tarkin ordered, his voice just on the edge of professional and contempt. Aresko gulped nervously and sat back down.
"What you have committed gentlemen is failure," Tarkin took over. "Failure to enforce Imperial law on this backwater world, failure to implement Imperial policy within your own ranks, and failure to capture this insurgent faction. Because of this, talk of these rebels is beginning to embolden the local populace and could threaten to undermine the Empire's authority over this world. Your repeated failures have turned this rabble from vagabonds into martyrs. Failure to the Empire is treason gentleman and the punishment for treason is…"
Tarkin nodded and the Inquisitor drew his lightsaber, severing both Aresko and Myles's heads. Tua and Kallus gasped, horrified by what they saw but not Velken. What he just witnessed was Imperial efficiency. Not tolerating bungling fools like the Old Republic, ruthlessness and ambition were rewarded within the Empire and that allowed people like Velken to advance to positions of power that they deserved.
"Make no mistake. From now failure will have consequences," Tarkin announced as he turned to Tua and Kallus, making sure they got the point.
A chime broke the solemn silence that followed the executions. Tarkin glared at the door, probably annoyed that someone was interrupting an important meeting. "Enter," he called out.
A man rushed in, dressing in an Imperial Security Bureau uniform. He gasped at the sight of the two headless corpses on the floor. "What do you have to report?" Tarkin demanded, irritated by the agent's stunned silence.
The agents quickly took a deep breath and composed himself. "Governor Tarkin. We've just received a report from one of our probe droids. Three individuals matching the descriptions of the rebels were spotted just outside the main communications tower," he reported.
"The com tower?" gasped Tua, starting to get over her own shock of witnessing Aresko and Myle's executions. "If they managed to destroy that, communications will be crippled across the entire planet."
"It's the perfect target for the rebels. I'll double the garrison with gunship patrols," said Kallus.
"And in doing so, the rebels will merely change their target to something else," remarked Velken.
"I agree," nodded Tarkin. "Let them believe they have the element of surprise. Lure them in and we shall be waiting."
The team went over last minutes details of the plan. Chopper would upload a data spike into a terminal inside of the Imperial Communications Tower on Lothal while Kanan, Ezra, Sabine, and Zeb covered him. After Chopper the done, the team would get picked up by Hera via the Ghost. Normally they'd use the Phantom for quick pickups like this one but Hera was uneasy about leaving Second Sister all alone on the ship. Ezra knew that if she wanted to break out of her makeshift cell, she already would have by now. Though if the Ghost was deserted, the former Inquisitor might just reconsider her plan involving the rebels and take the ship for herself.
The plan wasn't without risks but everything seemed good. Security at the com tower wasn't heavy so get in and out shouldn't be a problem. And yet Ezra couldn't help but feel something wasn't right. He couldn't say why he felt that way, there wasn't a single reason why Ezra felt so strongly about this. It was more of a gut feeling than anything else. He tried to convince Kanan to back out but his Master was dead set on this. Ezra was afraid since his parents spoke out against the Empire with their secret broadcasts and know they were gone. The last thing he wanted was the same thing to happen to his new family.
Ezra needed another perspective on the matter and he also had a promise to keep. He entered his quarters and climbed up into the ventilation system. He crawled through the narrow metallic tunnels to Second Sister's room. The Inquisitor was seated in meditation almost in the exact position the last time Ezra spoke to her. You'd almost think she hadn't move since then.
"If we keep meeting like this people will talk," Sister quipped, sensing her guest. She glanced up at the vent where Ezra stared down at her.
"Brought you something," Ezra said as he pulled out the blood scanner from his pocket and dropped the device through the vent cover. Sister held up a hand and used the Force to slowly lower it onto her palm.
"Any luck with your exercises?" she asked.
"No. I'm still having trouble," Ezra answered honestly.
"Did you actually try using your emotions?" Sister inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course I tried," grumbled Ezra.
"I don't believe you," smiled Sister.
"Believe whatever you want," Ezra fumed, losing his patience.
He was about to crawl away when Sister said, "I don't believe you because I couldn't do it at first. There's no off switch to remove all that Jedi training and lectures inside your head."
Ezra knew she was probably a Jedi or rather trained to become a Jedi but this practically confirmed it. "So you were a Jedi?" he asked.
"No and I never will be," Sister replied coldly. Cryptic as usual.
"What happened to you? What made you hate the Jedi so much?" Ezra inquired. Sister stared at the wall as if unpleasant memories were boiling to the surface.
The platoon was camp on a ridge overlooking a small valley that contained their objective. The Umbarans were using a nearby airbase to supply and reinforce the capital city. Taking it out of commission would cripple Umbaran resistance within the capital but that would be no easy feat judging from what Varra could see with her binoculars.
"There's a base there alright and it's heavily guarded. At least three tank divisions plus guns," Captain Rex observed.
"Heavy artillery along with probably an entire squadron of fighters and bombers in the hangars," Varra added.
"Taking that won't be easy," commented Sergeant Appo.
"We'll advance along the central gorge and engage their forces in a full frontal assault," Master Krell stated. His subordinates, including Varra, stared at him in disbelief. That route was probably the most heavily guarded route to the airbase. They'd be attacking the Umbarans right where they expect to be.
"The gorge is narrow sir," protested Rex. "We'll only be able to move our platoons in single squads."
"Master we can send a few recon teams along the edge of the gorge. Maybe they can find alternate routes…" Varra suggested.
"Obi-Wan and the other battalions are holding off the enemy right now while they wait for us take out this base. We don't have time to look for a more secure route," Krell said, shaking his head.
"Yes Master," Varra sighed. Rex and Appo weren't happy but didn't protest the decision.
Varra and Krell remained on the ridge while Captain Rex led a battalion through the narrow gorge. As expected, the clones ran into an ambush of Umbaran troops and tanks. The instant the battle started, Varra wanted to send reinforcements but Krell refused. His reasons were that he wanted to draw out all of the Umbarans tanks and armor from the safety of their airbase. An airstrike would then be able to decimate every last one of them. The problem was Krell's request for air support was taking too long and the clones were being slaughtered.
Yet somehow through sheer will, bravery, and adaptation the battalion managed to fight their way through and take the airbase. Varra complimented troopers Hardcase and Fives for their ingenuity for hijackings several Umbaran fighters from the base and destroying every last Umbaran tank and artillery in the area. Krell used the airbase's communications tower as his base of operations while the 501st got some much needed rest from battle.
But things were far from improving for the invasion. Master Kenobi managed to get a transmission through enemy jamming to report that the attack on the capital was failing due to repeated missile attacks that were being supplied via a ship in orbit. With an entire Separatist fleet guarding it, all attempts to destroy it have failed. They lost Kenobi's message soon after.
"Have those containers searched and weapons prepped and loaded," Krell ordered to nearby troops as he, Varra, and Rex exited the tower.
Master Krell turned to Rex and ordered, "Have the battalions ready to move out in twelve hours. We're advancing on the capital."
Rex and Varra shared an incredulous look. Krell's strategies had been reckless but he did manage to obtain quick results, something desperately needed if the invasion was to be a success. But this could be the most reckless decision yet.
"Master, with all due respect without air cover to shield us from missile attacks or cutting off the Umbaran's missile supplies, we won't survive long enough to get close to the city," protested Varra.
"Sir perhaps I should try and get a message to General Kenobi? Shouldn't we coordinate our attack especially in light of the recent threat?" suggested Rex.
"And contact Admiral Yularen and request air cover," agreed Varra.
"General Kenobi and Admiral Yularen have their hands full and the enemy is jamming our transmissions. Reestablishing contact will take too long. We need to throw everything we have at them now!" said Krell.
"We'd be marching into a blast zone sir," protested Rex.
"More like kill zone," muttered Varra. The ground shook at the darkened horizon lite up from Umbaran missile attacks as if to emphasize both her and the Captain's point.
"Blasted insurgents," Krell grumbled at sight. "I realize you both haven't agreed with all of my strategies Captain but you are smart enough and loyal enough to obey my orders."
"What if we use one of the Umbaran vehicles as a courier between us and General Kenobi? It might take a little time but…" Varra argued.
"Enough Varra!" snapped Krell. His padawan was stunned into silence. Krell had never been a kind-hearted master though Varra respected the Besalisk for not coddling her and pushing her to her limits during training. It made her far-more prepared for battle than most other Padawans when the Clone Wars broke out but he's never acted this harsh before.
"Captain get your troops prepared," Krell ordered. The clone captain wasn't happy but he saluted and walked off.
Krell now turned his eyes to his padawan, "Don't ever question my orders in front of the clones again," he said with an angry tone.
"I…yes master," Varra stuttered.
"Doesn't matter what happened," replied Sister, staring up at Ezra who was peeking through the vent cover. He wasn't surprised she didn't give him a straight answer. The Inquisitor never seemed to ever give one.
"What are you going to do once we go our separate ways? You just going to keep running?" asked Ezra.
"That's my business," answered Sister.
"You know the Empire is just going to keep on hunting you," pointed out Ezra.
"Is there a point to this conversation?" sighed an annoyed Sister.
"Yeah. Have you considered maybe fighting back?" Ezra inquired.
Sister threw him a look and seemed to understand what he was saying. "You want me to join your little band?" she scoffed.
"I'm not saying we become bunk mates. I'm just saying you'll need all the friends you can get and we've got plenty of friends but not many willing to fight back against the Empire," replied Ezra.
"Let's get something straight. I'm not sitting on your ship because I like it here. Your crew is a matter of convenience at best. You and Kanan are nothing more than an investment to draw the Empire's eye off me for a while. I don't care about freeing the galaxy from tyranny, liberating the slaves in Hutt space, or feeding the hungry orphans of Lothal. I only care about making sure I survive another day and that won't happen joining a bunch of idealists with delusions of grandeur. The only thing you people are going to accomplish is either getting yourselves killed or wasting away inside an Imperial prison. If that's what you want then so be it but I'm not jumping into the proverbial Sarlacc Pit with you. Do I make myself clear?" snapped Sister.
"Crystal," grunted Ezra. He wasn't trying to start an argument here but the former Inquisitor wasn't exactly a people person. Maybe being cooped up in this room for so long was starting to get on her nerves.
Ezra started crawling away just as he noticed Sister rolling up her sleeve. He was moving through the shaft when he could hear the Inquisitor cursing. Ezra considered crawling back and asking her what was going on but he just knew deep down she wouldn't tell him the truth. Second Sister guarded herself and her feelings very tightly. Being a part of some crazy Force assassin cult probably had a lot to do with it but Ezra suspected there was more to her then just some bloody thirty killer. When they were treating her injuries after getting her onboard the Ghost, he saw Sister use the Force the same way Kanan did. After screaming in pain, she took a deep breath and calmed herself. That was not something Ezra ever saw the Grand Inquisitor or his goon Sixth Brother do. Sister used the dark side but also the light. There was far more to her then what she appeared to be.
The attack on the tower started off perfectly. Sabine approached the area on a speeder carrying a fuel canister. Once she was in visual range of the guards, they knew she didn't belong there and opened fire. The Mandalorian aimed her vehicle at one of the Imperial's turbolaser cannons and jumped off. The speeder rammed into the cannon and exploded, destroying both. Sabine then pulled out her blasters and fired back at the Stormtroopers, distracting them long enough for Zeb to sneak up to the other turbolaser cannon and take control of it. With a few shots, the Lasat managed to quickly eliminate the rest of the Imperials to secure the area.
Kanan and Ezra arrived soon after on their own speeders along with Chopper. Sabine entered the communications tower and blasted the two troopers stationed inside. They had already raised the alarm but that was expected. If all went well, they'd be long gone before reinforcements arrived.
"Okay Sabine three minutes," Kanan said as he entered the room and shut off the alarm. This team was lucky Sabine and Chopper were as good as they were because hacking into this system in three minutes was asking a lot.
"Chopper install the spike," Sabine ordered the droid. The astromech plugged in a data cylinder into a computer port which began uploading the program that would allow them to take control of the tower for a limited time.
"What? They're here? That's impossible," gasped a stunned Kanan who was checking on the sensors.
"Already?" Sabine called out as the ex-Jedi rushed outside. So much for three minutes. The Mandalorian quickly rushed to the main console and tried her best to speed up the process. Unfortunately, there was little she could do.
"Sabine we've got targets incoming," Kanan reported.
"You said I'd get three minutes," protested Sabine.
"Well now you get one so hurry up!" snapped Kanan.
Chopper complained with a series of grunts and beeps. "Yeah you and me both," Sabine agreed.
Thankfully the data spike quickly finished and the astromech removed the cylinder. "Okay I've got a signal. It worked now let's go," Sabine reported, verifying their program was working.
The two rushed for the exit but Kanan blocked them the second they stepped outside. "Not this way. Back inside," he said.
"Are you crazy?!" snapped Sabine.
"Take the lift. Hera will meet you at the top," Kanan instructed in a tone that meant this wasn't up for debate.
"Wait. What about you?" protested Ezra.
"I'll take the next one," promised Kanan. Sabine and the others quickly rushed back inside as Kanan shut the door behind them.
"C'mon kid let's go," Zeb said, trying to grab Ezra along who wasn't happy about leaving his Master and friend behind. The four rebels entered the turbo lift at the back at the control room and took up it to the observation room on the top floor. Hera better get their fast because there was nowhere else they could run to up here.
The four exited onto the maintenance deck outside but realized it was a big mistake. Six Stormtroopers dressed in black armor and skull shaped helmets landed onto the deck via jetpacks. Four landed on the deck on opposite sides of their targets while two more landed on the tower superstructure above everyone, using the elevated position for cover. Sabine didn't know who these guys were they were definitely not your standard military unit judging from their armor and equipment. They looked more like Arc Troopers then Stormtroopers.
"Don't move," one of them ordered.
"Slag that," muttered Zeb. He suddenly charged into two troopers, tackling them both to the ground. Sabine used the chaos to quickly pull out a grenade and toss it at the two troopers on the opposite side of the deck. They quickly jumped off before the grenade could explode and activated their jetpacks. Sabine grabbed Ezra and quickly shoved him backside. She turned to see Zeb wrestling on the ground but suddenly screamed as his two opponents jabbed him with stun rods. Electricity coursed through his body before knocking unconscious.
"Zeb!" Ezra shouted but Sabine held him back. Chopper quickly joined them inside before the Mandalorian shut the main door and blasted the controls.
"What are you doing? We can't just leave him!" screamed Ezra.
"If we go back out there we're dead," snapped Sabine. She didn't want to leave Zeb but they were outnumbered and going up against a group of soldiers far better equipped and trained than the typical Imperials they were used to fighting. Sabine quickly examined the room for another exit. Sparks ignited from the exit as the troopers outside were starting to cut their way inside.
Finally Sabine found something. There was a maintenance hatch that led directly up to the antennae on the roof but she wasn't naïve enough to think it wouldn't be guarded. In fact she didn't see any way out for them that would end well. "You think we can climb that to the roof?" Ezra asked, noticing the ladder as well.
"Hold up. It'll be guarded," Sabine warned.
"Would you rather stay here?" complained Ezra.
"No but I'd rather get out of here alive," replied Sabine. She pulled out her com link and contacted Hera. "Spectre 2 where are you?"
"I'm…a little busy," Hera reported with the sound of explosions and energy fire in the background.
Hera was swerving and diving her baby all over the night sky. At least two squadrons of Ties were swarming the area around the tower and the Ghost wasn't designed to take on so many fighters at once. She tried multiple times to get close only for the Imperials to try and attack. The Ties seemed more interested in just keeping the Ghost away from the Communications Tower rather than actually chasing the ship down.
"There's no way I'm going to be able to get close to the tower. I need to draw the fighters away and then come back around. Hopefully I'll have just enough time to pick you all up," Hera said.
To her surprise, she could hear the cockpit door open. The Twi'lek turned around to Second Sister standing inside with an irritated look on her face. "What's going on?" the Inquisitor demanded.
Sabine knew they didn't have time for Hera's plan. The Imps were almost finished cutting open the door and once they got through, they were all as good as dead. The maintenance shaft was their only hope but it was sure to be guarded and even if they get up top, they'd have nowhere else to do and be vulnerable to the troopers with jetpacks on. The Mandalorian knew there was only one thing left to do.
Ezra readied his lightsaber as Chopper prepared his stun blaster, both ready to make a last stand. Sabine wasn't going to let anything happen to them. They were family and nothing's more important than family.
"Ezra, Chopper. I'm going to open the maintenance hatch and tossed a flashbang through it. That should disorient anyone guarding the exit long enough for you two to escape," Sabine said.
"Escape? How?" asked Ezra.
"Chopper will fly you out of here. His flight systems can only hold one of us, not both. The second my grenades go off, I want the two of you to fly outta her like Mynocks out of a Sarlacc Pit," Sabine ordered.
"No way. I'm not leaving you," protested Ezra. They didn't have time to debate this. Sabine set her blaster to stun and shot Ezra. He was going to furious when he wakes up but at least this way he has a chance of survival. Sabine then dragged him over to Chopper and used her supply of grabbling line to tie him securely to the astromech.
The whole time Chopper beeped and moaned in protest, refusing to leave without her. "I'll miss you too and tell Ezra I'm sorry," Sabine told the droid.
The Mandalorian readied her grenades and pressed the open button for the maintenance hatch. The door on the rooftop opened and Sabine tossed up two flashbangs through it. The second they exploded, Chopper's rockets ignited and he flew with an unconscious Ezra up through the hatch and outside. It wasn't a moment too soon before the Imperials cut through the door and tossed in several grenades. Sabine closed her eyes as they detonated. Instead of feeling a quick death from an intense explosion, she felt a sudden jolt of energy. Sabine screamed in pain as she realized they were stun grenades, jolting her body with volts of electricity before everything went dark.