(Warning: the flashbacks for Varra are going to get dark from this point on and I mean very dark.)
Sister waited in the Ghost's supply closet that had doubled as her room and cell when she first met the Lothal rebels. They had certainly come a long way since then. What had originally been just a small band of people victimized by the Empire had turned into something larger. They had gone from raiding supplies to blowing up Imperial Star Destroyers. From fighting to stay alive to slaying the Grand Inquisitor. Okay Sister helped on that last thing but she'll admit maybe there's more than just luck when it comes to these people. Maybe they stood a better chance against the Empire then she originally thought. With Ahsoka Tano and the larger rebellion, the odds were still against them but it was the closest anyone's ever come to challenging the Empire.
After escaping from Vader, the Ghost rendezvoused with the surviving rebel fleet which wasn't in the best condition. They had just lost two capital ships such as Phoenix Home along with another other ship that had engine troubles. The rebels were forced to scuttle it and wipe its computer systems before abandoning it. Add to the loss of Phoenix squadron and the rebels were incredibly vulnerable. Right now a couple of Imperial Corvettes would slaughter the entire fleet if engaged.
Sister's inner thoughts were disturbed when the door to the closet opened and the Togruta Jedi stepped inside. "Mind if I come in?" asked Ahsoka.
"You just did," muttered Sister. She was hoping for some solitude away from the crew. Things were still tense with them after what went down on Lothal but Sister was no means going to apologize. That would imply she was sorry for what happened and she wasn't.
Ahsoka just smiled at that. "I wasn't sure if you'd still be around when I woke up," she commented.
Sister heard that the Togruta tried to use the Force on Vader during their last space battle. Didn't end well for her as she fell unconscious. It was a stupid idea and Sister would have told her so had she been on the bridge with her at the time.
"No flights to Nar Shaddaa at the moment. Apparently the fleet needs the Ghost since they lost most of their ship-to-ship fighters," grumbled Sister.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say the crew wants you to stay," joked Ahsoka.
"Oh believe me they would love nothing better than for me to get out of their hair especially after Lothal," protested Sister.
"Everyone except Ezra," pointed Ahsoka.
"That kid is so naïve, so incredibly…" muttered Sister.
"Like you were at his age," Ahsoka interrupted. That hit a nerve and the Togruta knew it from looking at Sister's face.
"But enough about that. I wanted to talk to you about Vader" Ahsoka said as she sat down on the floor.
"There's nothing to talk about. I don't know who he is or where he came from. I don't know if he was a Jedi turned to the dark side or if he's always been a Sith his entire life. All I know is wherever he is, it's the last place in the galaxy you should be," replied Sister.
"Well that's the problem. He's coming after all of us," pointed Ahsoka.
"All the more reason to get as far away from Imperial space as possible," said Sister.
"It doesn't matter how far you run. He'll still come for you, me, Kanan, Ezra, and everyone else," Ahsoka spoke.
"Tell that to Master Yoda or Kenobi. Those two have been missing ever since the fall of the Republic and there hasn't been a single sighting of either one of them. If they're still alive then that proves someone can hide from the Empire and Vader," pointed out Sister.
"A part of me hopes they're not because I'm not sure I can understand why either one of them could just stand by and watch the galaxy suffer. After I left the Jedi, I tried to run away from it all. But no matter where I went, the Empire was there. I hide in a small village on the planet Raada. It was insignificant and peaceful and yet the Empire came anyways so they could force the local villagers to harvest crops used for Imperial rations. Didn't matter that the plants killed off the farmers crops, they just came in and killed anyone who fought against them. I managed to get the villagers to safety but that was when I realized that nowhere was safe from the Emperor's reach. The Empire would take worlds by force even if it didn't make any rational sense. They just want to conquer and control everything, that will eventually include Nar Shaddaa," explained Ahsoka.
"So your solution is to fight them right? Ask Phoenix Squadron how well that worked out for them," scoffed Sister.
"You're right. We're doing this wrong. We need to fight smart and to do that we need the right kind of soldiers. Ones with experience on how to defeat a strong enemy with limited resources," Ahsoka replied.
"I hope this isn't some subtle form of flattery to get me to stay. Killing my master and getting betrayed by the Council was my specialty, not battlefield command," remarked Sister.
"Wasn't talking about you. I've been looking for an old friend ever since I joined the rebellion. His name is Rex and he was a captain in the Republic Army during the Clone Wars," Ahsoka said. Rex? That name sounded familiar but Sister couldn't remember why.
"And you think an Imperial officer will just defect to the rebellion because of you?" frowned Sister.
"He's not an officer anymore. Last I heard he retired and went off grid. I finally got a lead on where he's staying but so far he hasn't answered any of attempts to communicate with him," explained Ahsoka.
"Sounds like he's made up his mind then," shrugged Sister.
"Or he's unable to receive any transmissions or respond. Either way I think it's a solid lead and I've convinced Hera to take her team to the Seelos System and find him," replied Ahsoka.
"They're too busy to drop me off on Nar Shaddaa but have enough free time to go play hide and seek with your friend!" snapped Sister.
"Don't worry. If you go with them, they'll drop you off afterwards," shrugged Ahsoka.
"I'm starting to think I need to hijack a ship if I ever want to get away from you people," grumbled Sister.
"I can't go with you. I've got a lead on Vader and need to check it out on my own," Ahsoka said as she got to her feet.
"You're what?!" shouted Sister, rising to her feet. "You actually want to find him! He will kill you or worse, drag you to his psychotic funhouse on Mustafar."
"I'm not planning on facing him anytime soon. I just need information though I appreciate the concern," smiled Ahsoka.
"Don't look too deep into it. You can get yourself killed for all I care," scoffed Sister.
"Well I don't plan on dying anytime soon. Just help Ezra and the others find my friend. I think the two of you might have more in common than you might think. After the mission, the Ghost crew will take you wherever you want to," Ahsoka suggested before leaving.
"Why is she coming with us?" grumbled Zeb. The Lasat's been in a sour mood ever since he found out their favorite ex-Inquisitor was coming along for another mission. After their losses fighting that Sith Lord, the rebels needed more fighters and more importantly a base. They needed a safe haven to effect repairs after missions without constantly jumping from one system to the next which wasted precious fuel. Ahsoka suggested fighting an old friend of hers who knew the Outer Rim better than anyone she knew. She couldn't guarantee he would help but it was worth a shot.
The fleet was still suffering a shortage of fighters so the Ghost would stay behind along with Hera to pilot it with Sabine and Chopper to main the turrets. So Ezra, Kanan, Zeb, and Second Sister would take the Phantom and find this soldier and hopefully recruit him. Ahsoka strongly urged Hera that Sister join the mission though she didn't say why. Ezra knew that the former Inquisitor wanted to leave as soon as possible so they were to drop her off at Nar Shaddaa after the mission was over. It seemed a little strange that the Togruta insisted Sister tag along.
"Look on the bright side Zeb. After this mission, she'll be out of our hair for good," Kanan pointed out from the pilot's chair.
"She saved our lives from that Sith Lord back on Lothal," Ezra reminded them, a little annoyed how quick they were to just discard Sister. Sure Ezra wasn't naïve to think she was fighting the Empire for the same reasons as they were. She fights for revenge with the Ghost crew fights to protect people.
"After she ran away to save her own skin!" snapped Zeb. "She only came back because that shuttle we took was the only way for her to get off planet."
"Then why did she come with us to Lothal in the first place?" frowned Ezra.
"Uhh…" Zeb stuttered, needing more time to think that one over.
The shuttle's rear hatch opened and Second Sister stepped in. Everyone went silent as she took a seat and strapped herself.
"Just so we're clear, I'm heading to Nar Shaddaa directly after this mission. If you don't drop me off there before you get back to the fleet…," Sister warned.
"Yeah yeah you'll disembowel us or something. We get it," grumbled Kanan.
"What is taking so long? Vader's associate should have been here by now," complained Admiral Konstantine. Agent Kallus had to listen to the Imperial officer consistently complain over the past hour. They had been ordered by Vader to await the arrival of one of his agents and that she would be taking over the hunt for these rebels. Konstantine was probably irritated because he wasn't assigned as the lead. Kallus, on the other hand, was happy to let someone else take command. He's seen the price of failure for Imperial officers so better the axe fall on someone else's head then his own.
"Sir a shuttle just dropped out of hyperspace…they're transmitting a clearance code and informing that Lord Vader's specialist is onboard," reported the com officer.
"Well then we had better greet our new arrival," commented Kallus.
The two made their way quickly with an honor guard to the hangar bay where an Imperial Lambda shuttle was landing. Such a vehicle was often used to transport high valued officers or government officials. The fact that this specialist was riding something like that implored her importance. Konstantine tried to fix minute details on his uniform as the shuttle's landing ramp lowered to the floor.
Kallus had expected to see someone large and imposing but was surprised a female figure covered in armor walked down the ramp. She was smaller than both imperial officers but her armor implied looks weren't everything. Vader's agent wore the armor of an Inquisitor. Kallus knew there were more than one after his encounters with the Grand Inquisitor and Sixth Brother but how many was a complete mystery. The Inquisitors revealed nothing about themselves or the rest of their mysterious order. All Kallus knew for certain were that they hunted Jedi.
"Welcome aboard Inquisitor. My name is…" Konstantine spoke.
"I know who you are Admiral Konstantine and you Agent Kallus," the Inquisitor interrupted. She approached the ISB agent and handed him a datapad.
Kallus quickly skimmed through to see it was a list of names. "What is this?" he asked.
"A list of known associates for Ahsoka Tano. Have the Imperial Security Bureau run surveillance and monitor all their communications. Ahsoka didn't survive this long on her own, she had help from at least one of these people," explained the Inquisitor.
She walked past the officers and heading towards the exit. "Inform me of any findings."
"Can I at least have your name sir?" requested Kallus.
"Third Sister," answered the Inquisitor.
When the Phantom arrived at Seelos, Ezra plugged the head of an old Separatist tactical droid into the navi-computer. Ahsoka said these things were great at tracking people down so the idea was that it could hopefully find this commander.
"This whole planet is just one giant desert. The only people who would come to a place like this either crashed or they wanted to hide," Sister commented.
"For once I actually agree with her," replied Zeb. Sister didn't acknowledge the Lasat in any way, both of them just preferring not to speak to one another.
The droid head began beeping with its eyes lighting up. It spouted letters and numbers in different sequences with Ezra having no idea what they meant. That was until he glanced at the navi-computer. "It's homing in on something," Ezra commented.
"Let's take a look," said Kanan, piloting the shuttle towards the coordinates. Zeb and Sister got up from their seats and glanced over Kanan's seat to get a better look.
"There up ahead," Zeb pointed into the distance. Ezra could make out something moving on the desert surface. It looked like some kind of four legged machine with a crane and smoke spewing out of exhaust ports at the top. As they got closer, Ezra could tell the machine was old and a long of the parts attached to it had either been replaced or jerry-rigged onto it. The crane didn't look like it belonged to it and neither did the landing pad on the machine's back.
"That's an AT-TE…or at least it used to be. I haven't seen one of those since the Clone Wars," Sister realized.
"Yeah," agreed Kanan, sounding a little nervous. The tank came to a halt, obviously the passengers noticing the shuttle passing over them. Kanan brought the Phantom down gently directly in front the tank. Ezra hoped its guns were decommissioned or this trip could get very ugly if whoever's controlling that tank decides they don't want visitors. Fortunately, none of the rebels were shot at as they disembark from the Phantom.
"Ezra be on guard," Kanan warned his Padawan. Something had him on edge but Ezra just kept his mouth shut and nodded. He noticed that several ammo clips were hanging on the tank's balcony, banging together like wind chimes. The balcony door opened as three men stepped outside. To Ezra's surprise, they all looked the same. Aside from some difference in hair style and beards, the three of them could have been triplets.
"It's just a bunch of old geezers," scoffed Zeb.
"What do you want?" one of the 'old geezers' called out.
"We're looking for someone," answered Kanan.
"Well that's too bad because there's nobody out here," the 'old geezer' replied.
"That voice…I've heard it before," whispered Sister.
Ezra threw her a look and then back to the triplets. "Hey does the number 7567 mean anything to you?" he asked.
"What did you just say?" the 'old geezer' demanded. Clearly that number meant something to him and his friends judging from their reactions.
"Uh…7567?" repeated a confused Ezra.
"Well I haven't heard those digits since…that's my birth number," called out the main geezer.
"Clones!" hissed Kanan, igniting his lightsaber. Sister grabbed her own saber and ignited it as well, activating its spin function.
"Kanan wait! Stop" pleaded Ezra.
"Jedi! They've come back for revenge!" one of the geezers shouted. He raised his blaster rifle and opened fire but Kanan easily deflected each one aside.
Zeb pulled out his bo-rifle and was about to return fire. "Drop the blaster old man!" he shouted.
"Don't try it boyo. I'll gun you down!" the third geezers retorted.
"Stand down troopers! Now! That's an order soldier!" shouted the main geezer, commanding his two comrades to cease fire.
"But they're Jedi! A Jedi!" pleaded the second geezer pleaded, not sounding very mentally stable.
"Don't call me that!" warned Second Sister.
"They weren't the ones who betrayed us. Remember Wolfe, remember," the main geezer spoke to the second, calming him down.
"Kanan, Ahsoka said to trust them," Ezra urged his master.
"Uhh…sorry about the…um…weapons malfunction," the main geezer tried to laugh off what just happened. "My friend here is just a little defensive. See we haven't seen a Jedi since…well's it been awhile."
"Next time there's a weapons malfunction, they'll be some accidental decapitations," warned Sister. Ezra cleared his throat and glared at her. She gave him an annoyed glance but deactivated her lightsaber. Kanan did the same while Zeb lowered his rifle but no one let go of their weapons.
Ezra stepped forward. "Well my name's Ezra. This is Kanan, Zeb, and….Second Sister," he introduced everyone. He was also careful not to mention Sister's real name.
"Second Sister? What kind of a name is that?" frowned the third geezer.
"What kind of a name is CT-7567?" retorted Sister.
"Actually my name is Rex of the…" the main geezer said.
"Captain Rex?" gasped Sister. "Of the 501st Clone Battalion?"
Rex frowned, staring at her. "I don't believe it," he gasped then smiled. "It's good to see you again Commander."
Second Sister was kicking herself mentally over not realizing it sooner. A famous military commander named Rex, how could she not have remembered him? It's true she hadn't seen him in over fifteen years but she should have figured it out sooner. There was one person however who did and that was Ahsoka. She had to have known that Sister and Rex knew each other. Why else would she insist on Sister joining this mission? Though it begs the question what did Ahsoka think would happen if the two meet again? Sister didn't know that answer so how could that Togruta know?
The Clones led the Ghost crew into the control room of their tank. The walking junk pile was more than just their ride, turns out it was also their home. To call it a dump was being generous. Sister wasn't sure how this thing hadn't fallen apart let alone still lumbering around in a desert. There was a reason the AT-TE was replaced by the AT-AT. The newer four legged walker might not be as robust as the older model but it was larger, more firepower, and far better armored.
"Whoa," Ezra gasped, picking up an old clone trooper helmet like a little kid picking up a new toy.
"Hey. Easy with those son," protested Rex.
"Oh yeah I might move the dust," chuckled Ezra who set the helmet back down.
"So Commander Tano sent you? How is she?" inquired Rex.
"Uh well, in need of help. We all are," explained Ezra. "Look we're trying to fight the Empire but we're outnumbered, overmatched, and taking a beating. We could use your help."
"And some of us are just hitching a ride," grumbled Sister. Ezra, Kanan, and Zeb all glared at her.
"Just being honest," shrugged Sister.
"Well I'm not sure I'm much help to anyone these days," sighed Rex. "Didn't you hear? The Emperor said the clone army has out served its purpose and retired us. Now we spend our days telling stories and slinging for joopas."
Well Captain Rex certainly sounded miserable. He was born for one purpose and that was to fight. Now he and his brothers won that war and were cast aside by the Empire. Not all the clones were shelved, some went onto prominent positions such as members of the Emperor's Royal Guard. But Sister could understand Rex's anger. He fought for a government that cast him aside once he was no longer useful, same as the former Inquisitor.
"This was a wasted trip," groaned Kanan. "You heard the clone. He's not interested."
Now Hera's favorite Jedi sounded miserable and Second Sister had an idea why.
Kanan turned to leave as Ezra said, "Wait. You don't like the Empire do you?"
"Well the Empire certainly isn't the Republic but you can't do anything about that," answered Rex.
"My sentiments exactly," chuckled Sister.
"You could fight. Both of you," Ezra said, glancing both at Second Sister and Rex. Sister gave him an annoyed glare. How long was it going to take that kid to figure out she wasn't staying?
Rex shook his head. "Sorry son. My days as a soldier are over," he said.
"Well okay then maybe there's one thing you can help us with. We need a base," Ezra said almost sounding desperate. "Ahsoka said you knew all sorts of secret locations in the Outer Rim."
Rex thought it over for a moment then glanced over at Gregor who nodded in approval while Wolfe shook his head. "Well my memory isn't what it once was but there are a few spots I never bothered to report to the Empire," Rex spoke.
He placed a hand on Ezra's shoulder, ushering him towards the door. He also motioned for Zeb to do the same. "Look why don't you wait outside and I'll put together a list of coordinates," Rex offered.
Second Sister didn't move an inch towards the door. Something about the way he talked made her suspicious. The man may claim to be a friend of Ahsoka but was it true? They hadn't seen each other in nearly ten years. A lot can change in that time.
"Commander if you could just step aside for a…" Rex encouraged her.
"I think I'll stay. It's too humid outside," Sister said with a smile that openly expressed her distrust. She glanced at Zeb and Ezra, motioning for them both to leave. They just nodded and headed outside. Staying with them long enough fostered a little bit of trust.
"Alright then," Rex replied. He waited until the doors closed before saying, "It's been a long time Commander Kayne. It's been what? Ten years since Umbara?"
"Feels like a lifetime ago," commented Sister. It was hard to tell if Rex was genuinely happy to see her or just acting.
"Another life," agreed Rex.
"You and you friends are in trouble aren't you?" accused Wolfe.
"They're Jedi and clones should know better than anyone how much the Empire wants them all gone," remarked Sister. She wasn't telling them what they didn't already know. That's why she was staying in the control room to make sure the clones didn't decide to sell them out to the Empire.
"I knew it. We can't help them Rex. If the Empire finds out we aided Jedi, they will come after us," Wolfe warned. He wasn't wrong. Aiding and abetting known terrorists was enough to get you send to a forced labor camp or simply lined up in front of a firing squad.
"Oh relax Wolfe. We got the situation under control," chuckled Gregor. Sister had a funny suspicion his mental status wasn't entirely sane.
"Control? What if the Empire finds out?" snapped Wolfe.
"They won't unless you tell them," remarked Sister, narrowing her eyes. The clones picked up on her subtle accusation.
"You think we'd just betray all of you and call the Empire here?" frowned Rex.
"The thought did cross my mind," remarked Sister.
"Uhh…you know what. I think now would be a good time to go slinging," Gregor said, immediately heading out the door. Wolfe joined him after eying Sister.
"I know we didn't serve much time together during the Clone Wars but I never once betrayed a friend. After what happened with Krell, I made sure never to allow mindless orders to jeopardize lives ever again," protested Rex.
"Until Order 66 then you followed mindless orders to kill the Jedi?" countered Sister.
"No!" snapped Rex. "I was on Mandalore when that happened. We were given the order by the Chancellor to kill Ahsoka Tano. I protected her and had to kill my own brothers to do it. We faked our deaths and went our separate ways after that."
"How? The clones had control chips," Sister frowned.
"You remember Fives? He found out about the chips and it cost him his life. After that I had mine removed. Once I linked up with Gregor and Wolfe, I helped them get rid of theirs as well. We all have a choice," explained Rex.
Sister didn't have anything to say to that. She didn't like talking to the former Captain. It made her feel too vulnerable. He knew who she was, he knew about her old life and Sister couldn't stand it. Rex still saw her as that naïve Padawan who blindly followed her treacherous master. He still thought of her as Varra Kayne. Sister turned to leave.
"I heard about what the Jedi Council did to you," Rex spoke. His words stopped the former Inquisitor in her tracks.
"Me and the rest of the 501st issued a formal protest to the Republic High Command. I even got General Skywalker to ask Senator Amidala to petition Chancellor Palpatine to have you released but nothing came of it. I'm sorry I didn't do more," Rex said, sounding apologetic.
"Well it worked out in the end. The Jedi Council is dead and I'm alive. That's good enough justice for me," grunted Sister.
"Because you helped hunted them down?" asked Rex. Sister's neutral facade was replaced with shock, having been caught completely off guard. How could he know about the Inquisitors? Most Imperial officers still thought they were nothing but tall tales.
"I heard rumors about a secret organization within the Empire," Rex answered her thoughts. "Specialists who were sent in to deal with Jedi who survived Order 66. I take it you were one of them."
"How did you know?" whispered Sister.
"Call it a guess. The Empire attacked the Jedi Temple and killed nearly everyone in it. So either you escaped during the chaos or they decided not to kill you. And the only reason they wouldn't do that is because they wanted something from you. What better person to hunt down Jedi then someone who was a Jedi," explained Rex.
Second Sister held on as the transport descended down the large shafts that served as highways and air vents to the lower levels of Coruscant. It was said the lower you went into the planet, the worse it got. Below level 1000, the planet was considered a giant cesspit of crime, poverty, and violence. It was also the perfect place to go if you wanted to hide.
"Local gangsters provided a tip of several high valued targets," explained the Grand Inquisitor. He held up a miniature holo-projector that displayed the layout of a large warehouse. "Jedi Master Tera Sinube was spotted along with multiple Jedi Padawans who were confirmed to have escaped the purge of the Jedi Temple."
"Why haven't they tried to escape Coruscant already?" asked Third Sister.
"Security has their faces plastered on every spaceport and transport hub on the upper levels. They also probably don't trust any smugglers to get them off planet," answered the Grand Inquisitor.
"Smart. For the bounty on their heads, it would set up any criminal for life," commented Second Sister.
"Local authorities are surrounding the building. We'll use them as cannon fodder and go in first, revealing any surprises the Jedi may have ready. Third Sister, you will enter via that West entrance while Second Sister will enter through the East entrance. I will handle the primary entrance. Lord Vader wants Master Sinube dead but the fate of the padawans is at your discretion. If any one may be considered useful take them alive but if they resist, terminate them," ordered the Grand Inquisitor.
Second Sister cut her the door of the West entrance open with her lightsaber and cautiously stepped inside. The warehouse was used as storage for a shipping company that had long fallen into bankruptcy. Now the building was in legal limbo with no one officially owning it. It was actually quite common for such structures on the lower levels to remain like that for years or even decades. Usually they were stripped bare of anything useful by scavengers and used by the occasional squatters. Only this time the squatters were among the Empire's most wanted.
Second Sister could make out blaster fire. The local authorities must have made their move. Getting those idiots to go in first was actually quite easy. All the Grand Inquisitor had to do was promise to reward them with the bounty for the Jedi if they killed or captured any. They would fail of course but they made a good distraction. Second Sister leaped onto a stack of cargo containers, getting a bird's eye view of the room.
Coruscant Underworld Police engaged with multiple young Jedi padawans that was incredibly one-sided. The Jedi were easily thrashing their opponents with ease, flinging them around with the Force or slashing the police's blaster weapons. Second Sister could make out at least eight younglings and an older Jedi that she recognized as Tera Sinube. The padawans she recognized consisted of a young human male named Petro, a male Wookiee named Gungi, a female Tholothian named Katooni, an male Ithorian named Byph, a female Rodian named Ganodi, a male Nautolan named Zatt, a female Mirialan named Krona, and a male Sakiyan named Adonis. This was going to be the biggest coup yet for the Inquisitorius. Eight Padawans and a Jedi Master all in one day.
Petro easily knocked down a cop and held his lightsaber to the man's throat. He was certainly more aggressive which might make him more suitable to be an Inquisitor. Second Sister labeled him as a possible candidate. Most of the others fought to either disable their opponents or render them unconscious. Jedi concepts of the value of life still infected their minds. Most of them were hopeless and either wouldn't accept the dark side or simply be too weak to survive the training.
"Petro enough. He is beaten," commanded Sinube. The old Master had his lightsaber crane out, energy blade ignited. Petro lowered his blade and then kicked the cop in the face, knocking him out. How disappointing.
"Besides. I believe we are about to have far worse adversaries to deal with," the Jedi Master spoke. He turned his attention towards the main entrance as the Grand Inquisitor calmly stepped inside with a squad of Stormtroopers.
"Master Sinube. How good to finally see you again," smiled the Pau'an.
"Torvis. It seems you've changed since the last time I saw you," grimaced Sinube.
"I have changed you senile fool. I no longer serve old men who clung to outdated morals and traditions even as their foundations rotted from within," mocked the Grand Inquisitor.
"You claim to not serve old men and yet you serve an old man and his empire," countered Sinube.
"Better to be an accomplish then a victim," smiled the Pau'an.
"You have taken your last victim," warned Sinube. "Children flee! I will deal with him!"
The Grand Inquisitor ignited his lightsaber and the two Force wielders clashed. Second Sister ignored the fight as she concentrated on the younglings. She leaped down from her perch and landed in front of the younglings, catching them by surprise.
"Lower your weapons or die," Second Sister warned. She ignited her lightsaber to prove her point.
Most of the younglings backed away, except for Petro who showed no fear. "How can you serve the Empire after everything they've done to the galaxy and the Jedi?" he snapped.
"It's because of what they did to the Jedi that I joined them," chuckled Second Sister. Petro lunged at her with a forward slash. His technique was good…for a beginner. Second Sister easily parried the attack away then raised a clenched fist. Petro gasped as his neck was constricted by the Force, his body levitating into the air.
The other younglings looked like they wanted to help but never got the chance. A lightsaber ignited behind Gucci, cutting through the Wookie's chest and killing him instantly. Third Sister kicked the body away and then struck down Byph who was caught completely by surprise.
"Run!" Katooni yelled. The younglings scattered as Third Sister pounced on Ganodi and stabbed her through the back. The Rodian was dead before she hit the ground. Petro's face was turning pale but it was clear he was horrified by the death of his friends. He suddenly hurled his lightsaber directly at Second Sister but she easily swatted it aside with her own. The boy certainly had a lot of fight in him.
"Last chance to give up kid," Second Sister warned. She released her telekinetic hold on the boy's neck but still had him suspended in the air.
"I'll die before I surrender to you," spat Petro.
"If you insist," shrugged Second Sister. She pulled him towards her with the Force and impaled him with her lightsaber. She shoved the body to the floor and caught the ending of the Grand Inquisitor and Master Sinube. The Pau'an countered a move by the Old Jedi by sidestepping a downward thrust and stabbed the old man directly through the head. The Jedi dropped to the floor, lifeless as his dead students.
"Find the rest of the younglings. Do not allow them to escape!" ordered the Grand Inquisitor.
Second Sister said nothing upon hearing Captain Rex's words. The way the clone spoke didn't sound like an accusation but it still stung nonetheless.
"I'm in no position to judge you Commander. I watched good men and women; brothers and fellow Republic officers, all join the Empire willingly. Admiral Yularen, Commander Cody, so many good people and they gladly pledged allegiance to Palpatine. A man who didn't deserve their loyalty," sighed Rex.
"And how many of them killed innocent people? Even children?" asked Sister, not interested in hearing sympathy or that she wasn't a bad person when she was.
"Too many. It was my brothers who shot the Jedi and their padawans in the back," Rex answered.
"They had chips in their heads remember?" pointed out Sister.
"Those things could only make you do so much. My brothers betrayed our Jedi generals but yet they just accepted after it was over without question," said Rex.
"If you're trying to make me feel better then you're wasting your time. I didn't need a chip in my head to get blood on my hands," replied Sister.
"General Kenobi once told me that where you're going is more important than where you've been. I never understood most of those Jedi platitudes but he told me this when I found out he worked with Asajj Ventress when fighting Darth Maul and Savage Oppress. That Separatist witch killed countless people including clones and Jedi and yet she saved his life. Later she helped us rescue a Jedi named Quinlan Vos. I'm not saying I would want to share a beer with her but she came through for us and in the end, died to save Vos. The Jedi always talked about how evil Asajj was because she was of the dark side and yet she chose another way. The dark side didn't force her to stay evil and she chose to become a better person. I guess that's all anyone of us can do," explained Rex.
Sister had nothing to respond to that. She never explained her feelings regarding herself so she wouldn't admit this to anyone but Sister thought of herself as gutter trash. She was the last face countless people saw before their death but it wasn't the worst part. It was on Mustafar that stood the monument for her worst crimes. Vader's Castle was a death factory, killing countless people the Empire wanted to pretend never existed. There was so much death there that it practically screamed pain and suffering in the Force. Second Sister helped her former Master in keeping the victims coming with nothing but pain and death awaiting them.
Third Sister stood on the bridge of the Star Destroyer Relentless, having commandeered it from Admiral Konstantine who now reported to her. The Imperial officer was furious but his response was predictable. Most officers were whenever Third Sister arrived, giving out orders with an official letter stating that all Imperial military officials must obey her commands as if they from the Emperor themselves. That was how much authority was granted to the Inquisitors with only a few officials such as Moffs and Grand Admirals having superior authority over them.
Third Sister was going over a list of reports with Admiral Konstantine and Agent Kallus before she was approached by Lieutenant Yogar Lyste.
"Sir we've received a binary transmission from an old clone unit on Seelos. Something about a Jedi," reported Lyste.
"That system is remote," commented Kallus.
"Haven't all the clones been decommissioned?" sighed an annoyed Konstantine.
"Yes and while the clones number checks out, he's had a record of calls of delusional distress," answered Lyste.
"I wouldn't take him too seriously," Konstantine replied.
"What's the clone's name?" asked Third Sister.
"CC-3636," Lyste spoke.
"His name not his number," Third Sister scoffed. The officers exchanged looks but kept their thoughts to themselves.
"He called himself Commander Wolfe," answered Lyste.
"Wolfe. He was Master Plo Koon's favorite commander during the Clone Wars," Third Sister thought out loud.
"So?" frowned Konstantine.
"Plo Koon was also quite close with Ahsoka Tano," replied Third Sister. It was a lead but she couldn't just jump an entire Star Destroyer on a simple hunch. She would look like a fool if it turned out to be nothing. Still Third Sister was confident this was a thread that could lead her to the Togruta Jedi.
The Inquisitor turned to Lyste. "Send a probe droid to investigate," she ordered.
Ezra had a million questions running through his head the instant he realized that Sister and Rex knew each other. The others might have had them too but Sister refused to answer anything regarding the clones. Ezra knew she had a one on one conversation with Rex inside the tank. Later Sister emerged and has exiled herself to the top of the Phantom which was now parked on the AT-TE. It was obvious something was bothering her. She was quiet and staring off into the distance.
Ezra, however, knew better then to think he was going to get any answers from her. Captain Rex, however, might be a different story. Ezra approached the clone who was operating the crane controls. Zeb was helping the clones hunt something called joopas which for some reason involved him being attached to the crane via an magnetic line.
"So how do you know Second Sister?" Ezra asked.
"I don't know how she got the name Second Sister but during the Clone Wars, her name was Varra Kayne," replied Rex.
"Yeah you might want to avoid calling her that, she really doesn't like it," shrugged Ezra.
"Then I'll call what she was. Commander," chuckled Rex. "She was as brave as any soldier I have the honor of serving with."
"Ahsoka told me a few things about her. I know her master betrayed her during the Clone Wars and that she killed him which is why the Jedi Council imprisoned her," stated Ezra.
"Pong Krell betrayed all of us and he would have remained a dangerous threat to the entire Republic had he been allowed to survive. What the Commander did was necessary, regardless of whatever the Jedi Council thought," commented Rex.
Ezra noticed an explosion of sand off in the distance.
"Alright full stop," ordered Rex.
It was when the tank came to a halt that Ezra started realizing something was off. Why did they need Zeb on a safety line? Was he in danger of falling into a sinkhole?
"Uhh…why exactly is Zeb hooked up to that thing?" asked Ezra.
"To make sure that worm doesn't swallow him up," answered Rex.
"Wait a minute…swallowed! He's the bait?!" yelled Ezra.
Rex frowned, "Didn't Gregor tell you about that?"
"No!" yelled Ezra. He rushed to the railing and yelled, "Zeb get out of there!"
The Lasat didn't have time to get away before the ground underneath him cracked and a pink tendril shot up and wrapped itself around him. He disappeared under the sand, his magnetic line tugging on the crane.
"We've got a big one!" cheered on Gregor like a lunatic.
The line was stretched as whatever was underground tried to get away. Whatever this thing was, it was big and it was also fast for something of its size.
"What just happened?!" demanded Second Sister who joined along with Kanan joined up with Ezra.
"No time. Commander you and Kanan take a few electric poles and hit the magnetic line swings around. It'll zap that oversized worm and force it up to the surface. Ezra you keep an eye on the regulator. The line could overheat and shut down. No line, no Zeb," ordered Rex.
Sister and Kanan exchanged irritated looks but the two did as they were told while Ezra kept an eye on the regulator. The line swung around close enough for Kanan and Sister to zap it. The whole tank shook in response. That joopa certainly wasn't happy and even less so when the two hit the line again.
"He's running! Hit that line and bring him up! Wolfe full stop! This is where we finish the battle!" shouted Rex. The regulator started vibrating with the magnetic line blinking in response, a sigh it was starting to weaken. The tank stopped but the joopa was so strong that was it was latterly dragging the AT-TE slowly across the sand. Second Sister couldn't reach the line so simply leap up onto the top of the tank and hit the magnetic line from where it emerged from the regulator.
"Here!" shouted Kanan. He tossed his electric pole up to Sister who caught it with her free hand then stabbed both of her poles into the line. The ground shook violently before a massive worm-like creature shot out of the ground. Its massive head opened up a mouth comprised of several mandibles and then released an ear piercing roar.
The tank fired a round directly into the creature's mouth, exploding out through the other side of its head. The joopa screamed in pain before it collapsed to the ground lifeless. Ezra and the others quickly rushed across the tank's balcony to get a closer look at the joopa's head. It didn't move but then the mandibles started moving. Zeb forced his way out of the mouth covered in green slime.
"What a smell," the Lasat grumbled.
"Way to go Zeb!" shouted Ezra who was just grateful his friend was alive.
"Wait a second, what's he going in there?" asked Sister who had no idea what was going on.
"Now that was impressive!" laughed Gregor who climbed down and rushed over to help Zeb.
"Impressive? You almost got my friend eaten!" snapped Kanan.
"I was in that thing's mouth!" screamed Zeb who shoved Gregor away from him.
Sister turned to Ezra. "Ok what's going on?" she demanded.
"Uhh…well turns out Zeb was the bait to catch that thing," Ezra said, breathing a huge sigh of relief.
Sister suddenly burst into hysterical laughter. Ezra was almost stunned. He's never seen the former Inquisitor laugh like this before. Sister leaned on a railing, nearly in tears as she struggled to catch her breath from laughing so hard.
"That's not funny!" Zeb shouted up to her.
"This just made this entire trip worth it!" exclaimed Sister who continued laughing.
(The interaction with Rex might seem minor but it was actually the most important conversation with Second Sister yet. Everyone else was trying to convince her that she should fight for the rebellion out of revenge or to be a part of something that could help protect. Rex is the only one who was telling her that she could change who she was as a person. Also i felt the flashback perfectly summed up Third Sister's character. She slaughtered younglings indiscriminately while Second Sister only killed the one who fought back)