On the surface of Knothole Nigel and Mina were both on lizard creatures running three troopers on Extreme Gear and a transport. Mina looked surprised "How did they find us?" "The Empire is getting better at anticipating our moves" "This will slow you down". Mina took out a grenade and threw it back and managed to destroy one of the troopers' boards. Mina then took out a clone trooper pistol and fired on them as Nigel took out his commlink "Max, where are you? We need a pickup now!" "We're not far form a ravine. We can lose them in the maze". Nigel shook his head "No good. Max said they mined the pass" he fired back taking out another trooper. They ran to a cliff edge when Nigel heard a familiar voice "Father, don't worry. We're closing in on your position" "Sally, is that you? Good timing. We are running out of room" "We're coming in from the north". He saw the Hurst flying towards them "There's no time for you to land" "We're not landing. Head south" "Sally, there's not time" "Just turn around! We'll take care of the Empire". Nigel and Mina both stopped "Is she serious?" "My daughter is always serious" "Ha. Runs in the family". They charged back and the Hurst flew over them and destroyed the transport. The remaining trooper chased after Nigel and Mina when the Hurst then flew over the two of them "I'm opening the ramp. Jump aboard" "With the Blurrgs" "Yep. Blurrgs are welcome, too". The Hurst opened the ramp and thy both jumped on boarded but right after the final trooper jumped on board right before the ramp closed. He took out his pistol "Halt" he then saw Nigel, Mina and Tex pointing their blasters at him "You didn't think that through, did you?". The trooper lowered his blaster "Uh". Tex looked up "Hey, kid. You got this outfit?" "Nope" Tails said from a railing above them. Tex stepped forward "The kid wants your helmet. Sorry" he punched the trooper out cold with a punch.
They all entered the common room including Max. Nigel hugged Sally "You arrived just in time. Thank you for making this supply run" "It wasn't easy getting past that Imperial blockade". Nigel's face dropped "Then I wish I had better news. The Imperials now occupy the entire Azure province". Sally gasped in surprise and G-merl beeped angrily. "What's the Azure province?" Tails asked, "It's where Sally grew up" Sonic answered. Sally was clearly upset "What happened, Father?" "I underestimated the commander. Captain Onishima. His previous attacks were clumsy, but this one was swift, precise, unlike him. He's made our home his headquarters". He sat down looking regretful "I'm afraid I couldn't save anything when I escaped". Sally kneeled down in front of him "Not even the computer" "Computer?" Tex said confused. Mina turned to him "Each family of Knothole has records of their history. They are passed down to honour those who come before. The Acorn's are saved on a computer". Max nodded "Every generation adds to the records to add themselves to the legacy". Nigel sighed "Sally would have inherited it" "And I still will. Those records were important to my mother. And I'm not ready to give it up yet". Nigel smiled "Max, Mina and I are coming with you" "We'll help, too" Wave said with the others nodding. Sally stood up "This wasn't meant to be a personal mission. I can't let you take this risk with me" "You'd do it for us" Sonic said. Nigel stood up "Come, daughter. Captain Onishima's defences".
G-merl was projecting a hologram of the base to Sally, Wave and Nigel "All right, Gem, you'll sneak in with me here. The rest of you will work on a diversion to draw the troops away". Nigel nodded "Done. But there are few of our people left in the Azure province. Getting you in unnoticed won't be easy". Tails entered wearing a trooper uniform and helmet "They might notice her, but they won't recognise me".
Tex and Sonic were hiding in a gorge and saw and Imperial patrol coming. Sonic turned back to Tails and Sally who were on a board "You two wait here until we draw them away. Then you can slip by". Tex signalled Nigel and Max who were opposite them with a group of hidden Blurrgs. They then signalled Wave and Mina on the top of the gorge. Nigel and the Blurrgs charged and fired on the patrol. Wave and Mina threw grenades down. Tex and Sonic ran out and drew fire away form Nigel. They all then jumped don the Blurrgs and escaped except for Mina and Tails who sped past the patrol. They made it to a cliff edge and Tails was amazed to see a city built into a mountain "That's your home. It's beautiful" "Yes. Even more so before the Empire showed up". They sped to the entrance of the city where a trooper stopped them "Hold it there. Where did you find her?". Tails cleared his throat "I caught this insurgent on patrol" he grabbed Sally's arm who pretended to struggle "Let me go, you Blurrg dropping!". The trooper moved out of the way "Take the prisoner inside for processing. The transport will come pick her up later. They went down the city streets and stopped in front of a Knothole building with troopers guarding it "The Empire's certainly made themselves at home". There was a crashed Y-wing nearby with a gizoid painted black next to it "There's, G-merl". G-merl however was staring at the Y-wing not paying any attention "What's with him?" "That Y-wing crashed during the Clone War. My father left it as a memorial. It's also happens to be the ship I pulled G-merl out of, so he still has issues with it. He'll be along". They entered the building and Sally subtly guided Tails through. They eventually made it to a room full of crates and there was a painting of a younger Nigel, Sally and female chipmunk who looked a lot like Sally. Sally started looking around "This was my father's office. He said the computer would be in here somewhere".
Tails examined the painting "Is that your mother" "Yes, it is. I'll give you one guess who the little girl is". She then found the computer "Here it is". She smiled down at it. Tails shrugged "Well, that was easy" "We're not out of this yet. Come on. Let's go". They ran out into a large hall but then hear a lift door about to open and they hid behind a column. Mogul, Onishima, who was a human with black hair and a light brown coat entered. Onishima turned to a trooper "Stand guard. No one in or out". Sally and Tails snuck back into the office as Onishima turned to Mogul "Well, I have increased security per your orders, Grand Admiral. But I don't quite understand why. The Freedom Fighters are far from here" "It's closer than you think, Captain". Tails and Sally were back in the office "Who was the mammoth?" "I don't know" "Well, how're we gonna get out of here?". Sally pondered "There's a secret exit on the lower level" "Do you think they know about it?" "I doubt it. There was never any reason to come down there except to sneak some fruit from time to time". The sneaked out a different door ad headed to the lower levels. They opened a door and saw that the room had been turned into a command centre "I've never seen so many rats down here before" "I don't think they're down here for fruits". They went through another hall and they saw G-merl waving at them from a corner "Gem! Am I glad to see you. We could use some help getting out of here" Sally stepped forward and petted his head.
The others were on Blurrgs riding through the gorge "Did we lose them? I think we finally lost them" Tex said. Nigel chuckled "Nobody knows this land as well as we do". A light was suddenly shined behind them revealing a walker "looks like they're learning fast!". They ran but two troopers shot the Blurrgs Wave and Sonic were riding on causing them to fall off. Sonic ignited his lightsaber and gave Wave cover as she fired. The others stopped "Max! Rocket launcher!" Nigel yelled. They charged forward and Max fired a rocket but instead of hitting the walker it hit the rock wall causing it to collapse on the walker and the troopers. Sonic turned to Nigel "Any word form Sally" "No. Something must have gone wrong" "We've got to help her!" Wave said. Sonic nodded "We will. Come on" they both got on a Blurrg and ran through the gorge.
Sally, Tails and G-merl were hiding and watching the exit to the building "Gem, we'll need a diversion". G-merl saluted and ran out towards the trooper. He started beeping and the trooper stared at each other "Is that thing talking to us?" "Maybe it's malfunctioning". As they were staring at him Tails and Sally snuck behind them and through the door. Tails stayed hidden behind a column to cover Sally but just as she got close the door opened revealing Onishima and Mogul "Out of the way, servant!". G-merl ran out of sight and Tails got behind the column. Sally looked down at the floor timidly as Onishima stepped closer to her "You are not permitted on this floor. I've told you people, restrict your movements to the kitchens". Sally pretended to look scared "Yes, sir. Sorry, sir" she walked away but "Just a moment. Guards, bring her here" Mogul ordered calmly. Tails quickly walked out before the other troopers got to her and pushed her back to Mogul. Mogul looked down at her "May I see that", Sally handed him the computer. He seemed to recognise it "I'm a visitor to your world. It occurs to me it might be beneficial to hear what you have to say about our imperial occupation". Sally continued to look down at the floor "I don't think I could be of any help to you" "Oh, I disagree. Bring her to your office for questioning. G-merl watched them leave the room.
Sally was put on a chair in the office. She clasped her hands together as if begging "Please! I am a poor refugee". Mogul held up the computer "Captain, do you recognise this?". Onishima took it "Yes, it, it was here, in my office" "I thought I could sell it for food. My family is starving" "No excuses. You shall make a valuable example to others" he said angrily. Mogul took the computer back "She's far more valuable than you realize" "How do you mean?" "To defeat an enemy, you must know them. Not simply their battle tactics but their history, philosophy, art". He walked over to the picture of Sally's family before opening the computer and searching through it. Tails was watching him from the wall silently. Mogul turned back "So I will ask you again, Captain, do you know what this is?" "Primitive technology by the looks of it". Mogul turned the computer around showing different paintings, writings and dates "This computer contains the history of a Knothole family. A revered heirloom passed from parent to child through generations, worthless to outsiders, priceless to a family. So why would this servant want to steal it?". Sally's face turned blank trying not to clue him in. Mogul stared down at her "War. It's al you've ever known, isn't it? You were so young when you survived the Clone War. No wonder you're as equipped in spirit to fight as well as you do. War is in your planet. I study the art of war, work to perfect it. But you". He leaned in close to her "You were forged by it". Sally façade broke "It doesn't matter where we come from, Admiral. Our will to be free is what's going to beat you". Onishima was surprised "You… You dare!" "Onishima, please. You embarrass me in front of our host" "Host, sir?". Mogul gestured to the wall mural "May I introduce Sally Acorn, pilot, Freedom Fighter and military leader. Daughter of your nemesis, Nigel Acorn". Tails quickly raised his blaster to shoot Onishima, but he was suddenly hit by a stun blast. He groaned in pain before falling to the ground. Sally turned to Mogul who was holding a pistol and then looked down at Tails. "How did you know?" Onishima asked, "Because Freedom Fighters have friends always rushing to the rescue".
Sally helped Tails as they were thrown into a cell. Mogul stood at the door "An unexpected pleasure to meet you, Captain Sally Acorn". Sally put Tails on the floor and made sure he wasn't hurt "Wish I could say the same, Admiral" "It is a pity our first encounter might well be our last. I will keep your records in a place of honour". Sally angrily glared at them "If I knew you'd take it, I would've smashed it when I had the chance". Mogul hand the computer to a trooper who put it in a box "You surprise me. Is your history worth so little to you?" "My family legacy belongs to us alone. It's not for some collector's curiosity". "What did you say?" Onishima asked angrily but Mogul raised his hand "Forgive him. I thank you for your hospitality" he left, and the cells doors closed. "Have the computer transported to my ship" "We should just destroy that piece of Knothole junk". Mogul suddenly grabbed him and growled angrily. Onishima looked scared but Mogul released him "My apologies, Captain Onishima. I forget not everyone is able to appreciate culture as I do. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm conducting an experiment that requires my attendance. I leave it to your command to finish the job" "And so I shall". Tails finally woke up in the cell clutching his head "Mmm. Ah, what'd I miss?".
The group were taking cover behind large rocks as large rocks but there was suddenly silence "They've stopped firing" Mina said. They heard a voice over the transports speakers "Nigel Acorn, I would have a word with you. It concerns your daughter". The transport projected a hologram of Onishima in front of it "It concerns your daughter" "Where is she!" "I have your precious Sally. And the boy, Miles Prower. They'll face my blaster squad unless you surrender to me". Nigel sighed and rested his head against the rock "Captain Onishima, what assurances will you give me that my daughter and the boy will be released?" "Only that if you do not arrive for the exchange by sundown, they will both be terminated". The transport then left with the troopers. Wave wand the others walked out "Could the trap be more obvious?" "We know. And I am counting on all of you to use my sacrifice to save Sally and Tails".
Sally and Tails were sitting in their cell with the former looking guilty "I'm sorry, Tails. It was selfish of me to go after my computer. I put you and everyone else in danger for a personal mission" "But we wanted to help because it was important to you". Sally sighed "But we weren't ready for that admiral. I should have known better" they suddenly heard a knocking. Tails walked over and put his ear against the door trying to hear it, but the door suddenly opened and G-merl ran into him "OW!". G-merl quickly stood up and beeped to Sally "My father's actually surrendering?" "To free us" Tails said standing up. He shrugged "Well, they can't make a prisoner exchange without prisoners. Let's go". Sally shook her head "Not yet. We won't make it out. There are too many guards. We're going to go through with this exchange, but on my terms. Gem, I want you to raid the Imperial armoury and get as many explosives as you can". Tails stared at her surprised "You're… You're gonna blow up your house?". Sally smiled and stood up "My home is my crew and family". G-merl saluted and exited the cell. After a few minutes Onishima entered and pointed a pistol at him "Time to say goodbye to your father".
Mogul was in the office of a Scarship examining the computer "Alright, Captain Acorn, let's see how you respond". He watched the Hurst fly towards a landing platform at the city where troopers and walkers were waiting. They landed and saw Onishima with Tails and Sally in front of him. Sonic and Nigel exited, Onishima smirked "Acorn. At last, we meet face-to-face. Step forward, alone, and turn yourself over as promised". Nigel stayed where he was "Not until you release them" "We'll make a simultaneous exchange. Start walking". Sally and Tails slowly walked towards the Hurst and Nigel walked the other one. G-merl then exited the building and walked towards the Hurst confusing Onishima "Gizoid! What're you doing?". Sally and Nigel stood in front of each other "I'm sorry, Father" "It's alright, Sally. Even I have been captured before" "No, I'm sorry about the house. G-merl!". G-merl revealed a detonator in his hand and pressed it. The building suddenly blew up throwing everyone forward. Nigel stood up looking in shock at the house "What… You were serious". They all ran back to the ship "Stop them!" Onishima yelled. Remaining troopers and the walker fired on them. Sonic gave them cover, a trooper fired a rocket launcher, but Sonic grabbed it with the Force and hit the walker as the Hurst took off.
Mogul watched "Hold you fire. They've earned their victory". A hologram of the injured Onishima appeared "Admiral, the Freedom Fighters are getting away!" "Oh, not to worry, Captain. I've found this whole experience to be very enlightening".
Nigel was sitting at a table opposite Sonic and Sally "I've earned not to underestimate you. Fortunately, the Empire has not" "At least not yet". Sonic turned to Sally "I'm sorry about the computer, Sally". Sally smiled "I thought I needed it to keep my mother's memory alive, but I have you, I have my father and I'm surrounded by my family every day. As long as we hold on to that, she'll live on". The three of them held out their drinks in toast.