The Siege of Lothal
The Inquisitor is dead, and now, things have changed.
The Ghost crew now are no longer by themselves against the Empire. They are now a part of a larger rebellion and are joined up with Phoenix Squadron.
Speaking of the squadron, they are flying with them in space on a mission to grab some cargo from Imperial transports.
Both the 15 year old Jedi, Errol Flynn and his now 20 year old Twi'lek girlfriend, Hera Syndulla are both piloting the Ghost with a couple of A-Wings by their side while the rest of the squadron fought against TIEs.
"Making for the freighter. Keep the TIEs off our back." Hera ordered the two A-Wings.
"Split formation, Phoenix-2. I'll cut across their axis." One of them said to the other A-Wing and shot one of the TIEs that were attached to one of the transports.
"Good shot, Phoenix-1. Save some for the rest of us." Ezra remarked in the nose gun. He has gained two scars on his left cheek from the Inquisitor's lightsaber.
"Phoenix-1 to Ghost, we've cleared a path for you."
"Phew, it's finally nice to have some help with us, wouldn't you agree, love?" Errol asked Hera with a smile.
"Yes, dear. It makes things easier." She replied with a smile as well.
"Hey, we always did alright on our own." Kanan, the now 29 year old Jedi told the two of them as he fired with the cannons on top of the Ghost.
"True, but I prefer life with our new fleet to flying solo." Hera replied, with both Chopper and Slick nodding in agreement. Slick has a new paint job where he is now green and blue.
"Oh, solo, huh?" Errol teased. Hera was about to fire back when both droids yelped and they saw a TIE flying right towards them.
"Whoa!" Errol exclaimed as he and Hera barrel rolled.
"I wouldn't mind getting my feet back on solid ground for a while." Zeb said as he struggled to keep balance.
"Come on, Zeb. Where's your sense of adventure?" Ezra asked in a cheery tone but then the Lasat fell over the railing and landed on the cargo bay in pain.
"Phantom, we're moving into position." Errol told Sabine who was piloting the shuttle.
"Copy, Spectre-6. I'm on my mark." The 17 year old Mandalorian replied as she flew towards one particular Imperial ship as her targeting computer beeped.
"Firing now." She told them as she fired her cannons and the cargo on the ship got detached and floated in space.
"Cargo is liberated. Spectre-2, Spectre-6, you're clear for pickup." Sabine informed the piloting couple. They flew right to the cargo but then two more Imperial ships arrived.
"Seriously?!" Errol questioned in annoyance before they were peppered with cannon fire.
"Imperial reinforcements have arrived!" Hera updated everyone as they maneuvered away.
"Ah, Karabast!" Ezra cursed. Two TIEs then chased after them.
"Whew! Got real crowded all of a sudden." Ezra pointed out.
"I need a little help. They're all over me!" Phoenix-1 proclaimed.
"Got you covered, Phoenix-1." Sabine got his back and took down the TIE chasing the A-Wing pilot.
One of the Imperial ships' cannons fired at one of the Rebel ships, damaging it.
"We're losing our deflector shields! Ghost, we must withdraw." A member of the Rebellion ordered. He is Commander Sato.
"Acknowledged, Commander Sato, but first we're getting what we came for." Hera replied. Kanan fired at two TIEs and destroyed them back to back.
"Hey, Zeb, get ready to pull the containers aboard." Errol reminded over the comms.
Zeb pressed a button and a panel came out of the wall and he got ready.
"Almost in range." He said.
Two more TIEs fired at the Ghost, causing the ship to shake violently.
"Um, anytime, Zeb." Ezra said, getting worried.
"Come on, come on." The Lasat muttered to himself as he aimed for the containers and he eventually aligned.
"Ah, yes." He grinned and the containers were grabbed with the magnetic lock.
"Gotcha!" He cheered.
"Ghost to Phoenix Squadron, mission accomplished." Hera informed as Slick and Chopper cheered.
"Let's get out of here." Errol added as all the Rebel ships entered Hyperspace. Kanan fired at another TIE.
"Spectre-5, bring it in." He said.
"I'm in the pocket. Five by one." Sabine said as she attached to the Ghost.
"She's home." Ezra said and then they all got into Hyperspace.
"*sighs in relief* That went well. You fit being a leader quite well, sweetheart." Errol said as he kissed Hera by the lips and she kissed back for a few seconds before parting.
"And you are proving to be a great pilot, hun." She complimented him.
"Well, you can thank my parents. And you, of course." He replied, stroking her cheek, which she nuzzled against his hand with her eyes closed.
Everyone joined back up with the Rebel fleet and the Ghost was attached to the command ship.
The whole crew, minus Chopper and Slick were around a holotable, except for Kanan who sat on a small ladder. With them were Errol's parents, Ahsoka Tano and Dash Flynn.
"You and your crew have proven invaluable to our fleet, Captain Syndulla. The fuel acquired in your convoy attacks has helped keep us one step ahead of Imperial patrols." Sato congratulated everyone.
"Thank you, Commander Sato. I'm just sorry our intel about shield generators being on that shipment was wrong." Hera said, holding Errol's hand for slight comfort.
"Perhaps with your next attack, Hera." Ahsoka assured her. Dash noticed that Kanan seemed a bit distant that he had a frown on his face.
"Are you alright?" He asked him.
"Yeah, just swell." Kanan said with slight hostility, which didn't go unnoticed by the Jedi family and Hera. They were gonna ask him more until both Chopper and Slick barged in with Chopper waving his mechanical arms about, beeping.
"What is the meaning of this?" Sato required, annoyed by the sudden interruption.
"An incoming transmission. Who from, Chop? Ah, why don't you just play it?" Kanan said as though he didn't care at all. Hera cleared her throat and looked at him, sternly.
"Jeez, what farted in your face to be this cranky?" Errol asked which garnered laughs from nearly everyone and a glare from the older Jedi.
"Uh, Chop, cloak us with a one way transmission." Hera ordered. He then activated a hologram, which showed Jho.
"Hey, it's Old Jho!" Ezra said, stating the obvious, for the umpteenth time.
"Oh, the obviousness is strong with this one." Dash teased and that garnered his wife, son and even Hera to giggle. Ezra glared at him, thinking how him and Errol are so much alike.
"I can't see you, but I can hear you, my friends. Time is short, and there's someone here desperate to speak with you. I told her I couldn't find you, but she wouldn't take no for an answer. She says she needs your help." Jho told them all.
"We're always ready to help someone in need." Kanan said.
"Yeah, well, this one's different." Jho said and then he left for Maketh to show up!
"Maketh Tua?!" Errol was taken aback, as were the whole crew.
"Oh, we can't trust her. She's an Imperial." Zeb firmly shot down, with his hands on the holotable.
"Please, I beg you. Listen to my request." Maketh pleaded.
"End transmission now, Chop." Kanan ordered.
"Wait! Minister, what do you want?" Hera asked her.
"My life is in danger. I need you to give me safe passage off Lothal." The Minister replied.
"You're not really considering this?" Zeb asked, not believing a word she said.
"Shush, Zeb!" Errol barked at him.
"I assure you, my intentions are sincere. To prove it, I will trade secret Imperial information." Maketh explained. This was surprising considering her stance in the Empire.
"You're defecting from the Empire?" Sabine questioned.
"Yes, I am." Maketh answered. Ezra, Errol and Kanan sensed something about her that seemed off.
"She's telling the truth. I-I can sense her fear." He said.
"Yeah. But fear of what?" Kanan asked. The Jedi family looked at each other as they may know. Because there was only one thing someone from the Empire would be afraid of, and it was something they had a connection to, long ago.
"So what have you got to trade?" Hera asked Maketh.
"A list of rebel sympathizers on Lothal and other nearby systems." She told them all. Sato put some thought into this.
"How come these sympathizers have not been arrested?" He pointed out.
"Some have powerful friends in the Senate. Imperial command watches them, but can do nothing. I know you need allies. Get me off Lothal and I will give you the list." Maketh said, with her voice cracking in the end. Hera looked at Errol and he shrugged, saying that he didn't care what decision they made, so she then looked at Kanan.
"*sighs* We shouldn't even consider this." He said.
"It's obviously a trap." Sabine glared at the Minister.
"There's something else. I've discovered the true reason the Empire came to Lothal." She said.
"We know that one. The Empire has a factory, and they're stripping the planet's resources to fuel it." Errol stated.
"No. There is another reason known only to a few and ordered by the Emperor himself." Maketh revealed, which changed everyone's mood. And they all chatted about this while Ezra stepped up.
"We have to do this." Ezra told everyone.
"We agree." Ahsoka said, for herself and Dash.
"So do I." Kanan said.
"With the Emperor behind this, no choice really." Errol said.
"Alright, if Commander Sato approves the mission." Hera reminded everyone.
"I believe it could be worth the risk." Sato said, giving them the permission to go ahead with the mission.
"Minister, we'll get you out. Send us your coordinates." Ezra said.
"Thank you." She said and then the transmission ended.
"Well, I guess we're on our way back to Lothal." Hera said.
"I guess we are." Kanan said with a frown and walked out. Both Errol and Hera knew that something's up so they followed him out.
"Kanan! What is wrong with you?" Errol asked him as they walked through the corridors.
"Yeah, do you have any idea how inappropriate that was?" Hera added.
"Actually, no, I don't." Kanan shrugged and turned to walk but the couple grabbed him by the shoulders.
"You can't just tell Chopper to project a hologram in a secret debriefing without authorization." Hera scolded him and that pushed certain buttons.
"Not to mention ordering him to cut it off." Errol stated.
"Authorization, procedure, that's what's bothering me." Kanan snapped at them, pointing his finger at them.
"Alright, talk to us." Hera soothed.
"*sighs* After this mission, I want us to go back on our own. Fighting alongside soldiers isn't what I signed up for." Kanan requested, which got Errol annoyed at him and so he shoved him up against a wall.
"You listen to me, Jarrus. These soldiers, even my parents saved your life." Errol spat at him..
"And I'm grateful. But that doesn't mean I want to join their little army. When we started, it was 'rob from the Empire, give to the needy'. A noble cause. Now we're getting drawn into some kind of military thing. I don't like it." Kanan told the two.
"We are fighting a bigger fight, but it's still the right fight." Hera told him. The three didn't notice that Ezra walked past and started listening to them.
"I survived one war. I'm not ready for another one. I saw what it did." Kanan stated.
"So did my parents, Kanan. And they're here, ready to fight another war." Errol reminded the older Jedi, who just sighed and walked away from the couple.
"Why doesn't he see the big picture?" Errol asked, wrapping his arm around Hera's shoulder.
"He just doesn't want to go through it all again." She replied, placing her head on his shoulder.
The crew boarded a Star Commuter 2000 with Chopper acting as pilot.
"So we're not taking the Ghost, and we're letting Chopper drive?" Sabine asked in confusion as she, Hera, Errol and Zeb entered the commuter. Hera and Errol sat next to each other.
"After what happened on Mustafar, the Empire may be able to track it." Errol reasoned as Zeb sat behind him and Hera.
"Great mission so far." Zeb sarcastically said. Sabine then sat as Chopper warbled. Slick then warbled in fear.
"Hey, don't worry, buddy, it'll be alright. I won't let any Imperial goons get to you." Errol comforted his droid. Chopper then piloted the commuter and entered Hyperspace.
"So what's the plan?" Kanan asked as he spun his blaster in his hand.
"Okay, so Minister Tua is scheduled to visit Governor Tarkin tomorrow. She leaves Lothal via shuttle at 1800. We wait at the hangar, steal the shuttle and take her to safety." Ezra said with confidence.
"Ezra, I hope you're sure about this." Sabine told him in concern.
"After all the trouble she's made for us, why should we help her?" Zeb asked, folding his arms.
"Because that's what we do, help those who can't help themselves." Ezra reminded him, which made Hera smile.
"Plus her list will help us out." He added. It seemed that what he said made both the Mandalorian and Lasat smile, knowing that he's right about their role.
They eventually reached the planet of Lothal in orbit.
"Shuttle 593, this is Lothal Control. You are cleared to land." A man said over the comms.
"I didn't think I'd miss it, but I…." Ezra trailed off. Errol noticed and then he sensed it. Not just the cold. But also anger, pure anger.
"What is it?" Kanan asked.
"Do you feel that? I-I feel so cold." Ezra revealed.
"I feel it too. But also anger. There's something wrong." Errol stated and grabbed Hera's hand, wanting some comfort from the cold.
They flew into Capital City, which has a lot of Star Destroyers over the city and landed in the docking bay.
"I've never seen so many Star Destroyers here. It's gotten worse." Ezra said, looking up at the sky as everyone exited.
"Alright, Zeb, Chopper, Slick, stay with the shuttle in case we need a quick exit." Hera ordered the three.
"Tua's leaving from Bay 23. Let's go." Kanan told everyone else. Sabine and Errol put on their helmets.
They walked through the city and stopped at an intersection where Kanan and Hera peeked around the corner and saw some Stormtroopers.
"Huh. We'll need a distraction." Hera commented. They then looked back at the teens.
"Well, I'm gonna go make a few friends. When Tua arrives, I'll keep 'em busy while you all drop into the hangar from above." Kanan told them.
"What do you mean make a few friends?" Errol asked.
"It'll be fun." He replied with a cocky grin.
"Fun?" Hera frowned.
"Don't worry, General Hera. Just be ready to move." Kanan said, with a mocking salute and then walked off. Errol's jaw dropped.
"What is wrong with him?" Errol asked, genuinely shocked at his behaviour. They watched as Kanan walked up to a Stormtrooper Commander and knocked him out and then dragged him out of sight. Everyone was a bit surprised to see that.
Kanan then walked out, wearing the armour, saluting them and walked off.
"Kanan's gone buckethead." Sabine said in surprise.
"I don't believe it." Hera mumbled.
"I'm kinda jealous. I only have the helmet." Ezra admitted. The four then climbed up the building next to them and made their way to the hangar and stayed low to prevent being spotted.
"Here she comes." Ezra said. A speeder then showed up but there's something off….
"But she's got company." He added.
"What kind of company?" The Twi'lek asked, making her way over to him. He pulled out binoculars and looked to see a familiar nuisance.
"Oh, fantastic. Agent Kallus." He said dryly. They watched as Kallus and Maketh talked and then Sabine jumped down.
"Hey!" She shouted, getting their attention and fired her blasters at them.
"Minister, take cover!" Kallus ordered Maketh. Kanan then closed the bay doors when all the troopers were on the other side.
"Surprise." He said to the Agent before shooting the controls.
"Rebels." Kallus said with disgust as he fired at Kanan, who took cover behind some crates.
Ezra, Errol and Hera then jumped down and made their way to Maketh, who was hiding behind some crates.
"Minister, get to the shuttle. We'll be right behind you." Ezra told her as Kanan met up with them.
"Right." She said and ran for the Imperial ship. Sabine, who used the speeder to get on top of the hangar saw her run into it, with the others catching up.
But, however, the ship exploded, killing Maketh and throwing the four back.
"Someone in the Empire planned this." Errol said in realisation.
"You did this!" Kallus spat at them, and they noticed the droid with him. Errol connected the dots: They knew all along and planned this so that they can make the Rebels seem like terrorists.
He then fired his blaster but they all got up and ran to cover.
"Zeb, we need a pickup. Now!" Sabine said through her comlink.
"Copy, we're on our way." Zeb replied.
Zeb and the droids flew the commuter into the docking bay.
"Come on!" Zeb called out and laid out covering fire. They all ran in and Chopper ascended, with Sabine jumping in and then flew out of there but got instantly fired at by an AT-DP Walker, damaging the shuttle, causing them to crash in the streets.
"Come on! We gotta go!" Errol barked at everyone, helping Sabine lower the ramp and everyone ran for their lives into the alleyways.
They made it to Ezra's former home and all got into the bunker, except for Chopper and Slick.
Sabine pressed a button on the holoprojector and Alton popped up.
"A beloved citizen of Lothal, Minister Tua's life was cut short by this criminal band of rebels. If you see them, summon Imperial authorities immediately. Trooper corps have been mobilized in an extensive sea-" He informed lies before Hera shut it off.
Errol punched the wall in frustration.
"Bloody Empire. They planned this, they somehow knew she was planning to defect so they cooked this up to make us look like terrorists and turn Lothal against us." Errol hissed.
"We can't do any more good here. We have to leave, for good." Hera then told everyone, explicitly to Ezra.
"We can't just run. The people have to know the truth." Ezra replied.
"I'm sorry, Ezra but the Empire isn't going to give us a choice." Errol talked him down. They then heard a commotion going on above them.
"We're in trouble." Ezra said as he and Zeb climbed up the ladder. Needing to get out of there, they all snuck out through a secret passage to the roof.
"If they know about this hideout, they'll know about our others." Ezra realised.
"There's no more hiding. We need a ship." Hera stated.
"Perhaps we'll try one of the local Imperial airfields." Errol suggested. Slick then showed a holomap of the city. Errol upgraded Slick so that he can do more than his Imperial counterparts.
"They're locked down. Besides, we'll never get outside the capital." Sabine shot that idea down.
"The Empire's looking everywhere for us." Zeb said. Kanan however came up with an idea that just may be super crazy.
"Not everywhere." He said, pointing to a particular building.
"The Imperial Complex? Are you crazy?" Hera questioned his intelligence.
"Does anyone ever say yes to that question?" Kanan asked.
"Mmm. He's right. Deploying troops to block every city exit has spread the garrison thin. It sounds crazy, but the area with the least troops will be here, near the factories. There are landing platforms outside these hangars. They're our best chance if we're gonna find a shuttle." Sabine explained in detail how it actually made sense.
"I'm already dressed for the part." Kanan pointed out.
With this plan, they walked on wires across to the other building and the droids flew to the other side and went ahead with the plan.
Both Kanan and Ezra got into Imperial attire while the rest got into some crates. Zen and the droids got in one, tightly, while Errol, Hera and Sabine got in the other. It was really tight, fitting three people in and while Errol enjoyed being up close with Hera, this wasn't one of those times.
When they encountered a trooper, Ezra tried a Jedi Mind Trick, which didn't work as expected but Kanan handled it and then they got inside and stopped in a closet full of cadet helmets.
The trio got out of their crate with Errol and Sabine stepping out. Zeb, however, shoved the lid off his and gagged loudly.
"Shush! Are you trying to get us caught?!" Errol quietly hissed at the Lasat.
"What? I need to breathe. Have you smelled me?" He asked.
"Huh. Don't think it matters if you're noisy. There's nobody around. This was a good plan." Sabine said as Errol helped get the astromechs out, nearly gagging from Zeb's scent.
"Of course it was a good plan. We came up with it." Kanan bragged, taking his helmet off.
"This way." Ezra said, with his helmet off and he and his Master took their disguises off.
They made it into the corridors and Zeb knocked out two troopers. They then made it to a door and Slick opened it to the hangar.
All of them then made their way through, stealthily until they spotted a shuttle.
"There's a shuttle. What'd I tell ya?" Kanan stated.
"You did good." Hera complimented him.
Sabine and Hera managed to find some military grade shield generators and so they asked Zeb and Ezra to grab some more for the fleet.
But as things seem to go fine, it all flipped when the three Jedi sensed something.
"Do you feel that?" Ezra asked them.
"*exhales* The cold."
"And anger." Errol whispered in fear as they all turned to see a figure, all in black standing there, breathing mechanically. He then ignited a red lightsaber.
The Sith Lord. Darth Vader.
Errol was shaken up because he also knew that he was once his mother's Jedi Master, Anakin Skywalker. A corps of Stormtroopers then showed up.
The three Jedi ignited their sabers and were ready to fight for their lives, knowing that a Sith Lord is more powerful than an Inquisitor.
"Hera, go! We'll cover you!" Errol ordered, not taking his eyes off Vader. He swung his red saber to Kanan who blocked it. The troopers were busy shooting at the crew, who fired back at them.
Vader used the Force to push the three Jedi back.
Errol got up to his feet and tried to strike Vader but he parried and deflected the saber with ease and pushed him back onto the ground. Kanan then tried to attack and thrust his saber but Vader grabbed his hands and held him by his wrists, squeezing them, and then threw Kanan away, crashing him into a crate. Ezra then attempted but Vade threw him back against the leg of a Walker.
"Your Master has deceived you into believing you can become a Jedi." Vader mocked Ezra and moved his lightsaber slowly towards his neck. Ezra was straining hard but wasn't strong enough.
Errol got back up and Force Pushed Vader, making him stumble and Ezra's hand was free and moved his saber away from his neck.
"Stop feeding lies, Vader. It's not healthy." Errol shot at the Sith Lord and both he and Kanan swung at him but were blocked. Vader then stepped to the side and made them stumble forward. Ezra then attacked but was slapped away, thrown back again.
Kanan then attacked and he and Vader kept blocking each other.
Both Sabine and Zeb threw some thermal detonators at some Walkers at the same time Kanan got hit in the shoulder by Vader's saber. Then the detonators exploded and the tops of the Walkers fell.
"Now!" Errol shouted and the three Jedi pushed Vader back and the Walkers fell on top of him.
But as they walked to the shuttle, the Walkers were lifted up with ease by Vader, shocking everyone with that display of power with the Force.
"We just made him more angry." Errol muttered in shock.
"Run!" Kanan yelled and the three got aboard the shuttle as it lifted off.
Sabine fired some shots at the Sith Lord but he deflected them like it was nothing, back at Sabine where she wasn't covered in armour. They then flew out fast as if their lives were on the line.
They all flew out, away from the city. Ezra and Kanan were sitting on one side of the shuttle, while the rest were on the other.
"Zeb, make sure they can't track us." Hera ordered as she examined Sabine, making sure she was okay.
"Consider it done." He said with utter seriousness and went to check.
"You alright?" Hera asked the Mandalorian as she took her helmet off.
"*sighs* Yeah, I'll live." She answered. Errol too, took his helmet off and he looked shaken up by what happened.
"Kanan, Errol, what was that? Another Inquisitor?" Ezra asked.
"No. Something worse." Kanan said, grimly.
"What?"
"That was a Sith Lord, Ezra. The ancient enemy of the Jedi. And what makes this one worse is that he was once a Jedi himself." Errol revealed, shocking the teen, and even Kanan.
"How do you know?" Hera asked, shocked to hear this herself.
"My dad. He had visions that foretold of a Jedi who was turned to the Dark Side by Emperor Palpatine." He explained.
"Are you saying that Palpatine is a Sith Lord himself?" Ezra asked. Errol just nodded.
"Well, how do we fight this Sith Lord?" Ezra then stammered.
"Fight him? Ezra, we were lucky to survive." His Master said, stressing how powerful Vader is.
"Then that settles it. I'm going to make for orbit so we can jump away." Hera said, heading for the cockpit.
"No, Hera. Vader will have a blockade of Destroyers waiting for us. That's how smart he is." Errol stopped her.
"And this shuttle is slow, with barely any weapons or shields. *scoffs* We're gonna have to smuggle ourselves off Lothal for a change." Sabine then added.
"Mmm, that's not a bad idea." Hera stated.
"What are you thinkin'?" Kanan asked.
"I'm thinking we know the right man to smuggle us off world." Hera said and then climbed up to the cockpit. The three Jedi knew who she meant and cringed at the idea of him.
"Not him!" They all shouted in unison. Errol then ran into the cockpit with Hera.
"I am going to make sure he doesn't try to hit on you." He told Hera.
"Alright." She just said as she contacted Lando Calrissian, who showed up on a hologram, thanks to Chopper.
"Well, hello there, Captain Syndulla. This is a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?" He greeted the pilot in his usual charming manner, which had Errol hold back a growl, which Hera noticed and wanted to settle things first.
"First off, don't try and flatter with me, I'm in a relationship with Errol. And this ain't a social call, it's business." She told the smuggler.
"Yeah, we need your help to smuggle something off Lothal. Past the Imperial blockade." Errol then told him.
"Well, firstly, congratulations for the two of you. Secondly, if the Empire learns I got involved, it'd be all over for me. I'd be taking an awful big risk." The smuggler said, clearly implying something.
"Alright, what do you want?" Errol asked.
"What have you got?" Lando asked.
"Imperial shield generators. Military grade." Hera revealed.
"Ooh. Now that's merchandise I can move. How many are we talking about?" Lando asked.
"Two."
"Two? You are no gambler, Hera. Offering me two means you've got at least six, so I think, three is probably fair." Lando suggested.
"Really? You really think we're gonna give you half of them, of which they're for the Rebel fleet?" Errol asked in pure disbelief.
"Those shields won't do you much good if you're dead." Lando pointed out. While Errol didn't like it, he knew he wouldn't budge.
"Fine! You get three, we have a deal?" Errol told him.
"While I'm not on Lothal at the moment, my droid is. Go to my operation, and he'll set you up with everything you need." Lando replied and then was cut off.
"At least he didn't flirt with you every three seconds." He said.
"I know. Nearly ruined our friendship." Hera said.
"Which would've prevented us from falling in love." Errol smirked and then they kissed for a few seconds.
Morning arrived and they reached Lando's establishment where his droid waited for them.
"You must be Lando's droid?" Hera asked as everyone got out.
"Yes, ma'am. Welcome. I have prepared everything according to Calrissian's instructions. Is one of you a mechanic?" The droid said in a monotone voice.
"Oh, that must be me." Sabine said, pointing at herself. Chopper beeped.
"Definitely not you." She told him.
Errol noticed something in the corner of his eye so he turned and saw a horrible sight. A plume of smoke in the distance. And it was from where Tarkin Town was.
"Guys! Look!" He shouted, pointing at the smoke. They all turned and were just as shocked and horrified as he was. Ezra then ran to a speeder bike and rode it towards the smoke.
"Hey, kid!" Zeb called out.
"Just let him go, Zeb." Kanan told him and then got on one and followed after his Padawan.
As the two were gone, everyone else handled everything as they had these transponders that they can use.
After a while, the two Jedi came back.
"What happened?" Errol asked.
"The Empire burned Tarkin Town." Kanan told them all, and were saddened to hear this.
"Did anyone survive?" Sabine asked.
"The population's been taken captive." Ezra revealed.
"*growls* Let's go bust 'em out. Where's my rifle?" Zeb said.
"No. He'd be waiting." Kanan talked him out of it, referring to Vader.
"You were right. We have no choice. We have to leave." He then said.
"For the good of Lothal." Hera said, looking to Ezra.
"So what's the plan for gettin' out of here?" The teen asked.
"Well, Lando had some transponders lying around. Sabine will tune their signature codes to match the shuttle's." Errol explained.
"Sounds like a lousy Lando plan." Kanan joked, nudging Zeb's stomach.
"No, it's Lando's gear. It was my plan. With these transponders beaming out the same signal as the shuttle, we should be able to slip by unnoticed." Sabine said.
"Ooh, sounds like a lousy Sabine plan." Zeb joked, nudging Kanan's stomach.
"Better than Lando's." He admitted.
They traded the shield generators and then they took the transponders aboard the shuttle and flew up towards space.
They then lowered the ramp and let out the first transponder in the sky, which caught the attention of the blockade in orbit. And then another, somewhere else, and then two more elsewhere.
"Would you look at that? They're taking the bait." Errol noticed as he co-piloted with Hera.
"Alright, then, let's make our run." Hera replied and they reached into orbit when a new development happened.
"They figured it out. Though too late." Errol smirked as Hera entered the shuttle into Hyperspace.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm thankful we let Lando live." Errol admitted, which made his girlfriend smirk knowingly.
"Don't push it, Syndulla." He then playfully said, in response to her smirk as they joined the others.
"Never thought I'd say this, but thank you, Lando Calrissian." Hera told them all. Chopper and Slick beeped.
"So if we can't go back to Lothal, where are we going?" Kanan asked an important question.
"What are you talking about? We're part of the Rebellion now." Hera said as though the answer was obvious.
"Are we? Are we all sure about that?" Kanan asked.
"Maybe we could just grab the Ghost and lay low for a while." Sabine expressed her opinion.
"I like fighting with Phoenix Squadron. Reminds me of the Honour Guard. Besides, they're counting on us. Wouldn't be right to abandon them now." Zeb stated, wanting to be with the Rebels.
"Well, my parents are a part of this, so I'm in regardless. And I'd rather help others than just hide from the Empire." Errol said.
"Ezra, what do you think?" Hera asked.
"We can't help Lothal now, but I think the Rebels can help us get stronger, so we can go back and change things. I think we should stay with the Rebel fleet." He answered. Even though Kanan wasn't fully for it, it looks like he'll just play his part.
The couple made it back to the cockpit as they reached the fleet.
"Phoenix Home, this is Ghost away team. Clearance code 1-2-1-8-1-5." Hera said over the comms.
"Your clearance code checks out. Welcome home, Ghost team." Someone replied. They flew to the command ship and attached. The crew, minus Zeb walked through the corridors and Chopper caught up, beeping about something.
"Chopper said a transmitter activated on our shuttle moments ago." Sabine informed them and both Hera and Errol ran, knowing that the Empire just tracked them to the fleet. Everyone else caught up as they entered the cockpit.
"Commander Sato! We need the fleet to jump out of here. Our shuttle was tracked." Hera informed.
"And they'll more than likely send their Sith Lord to us." Errol added, shocking his parents, as they instantly knew it was Vader.
"Commander, I'm scanning a ship entering our sector." A technician brought up.
"It's the Sith Lord." Errol muttered.
"We're tracking one target. No other ships have entered the system." The technician said, showing a map.
"Move Phoenix Squadron to intercept." Sato ordered.
"Sato! Our pilots are outmatched against Darth Vader, it'll be a massacre." Dash warned him.
They all watched and listened as Vader made short work of Phoenix Squadron.
"He's heading right to us." Ezra saw and Vader fired at their ship, making it shake.
"How can one fighter best our entire squadron?" Sato asked in disbelief.
"Because it's a Sith Lord, Sato! What more of an answer is there?!" Dash shot at him.
"Meaning your pilots are outmatched, Commander." Hera said before running out of the room.
"Uh, what are you doing?" Kanan asked.
"Getting involved." She told him before running to the Ghost.
"Not without me, you're not." Kanan said, chasing after her.
"Let's go." Sabine said to Ezra and Errol.
"Ezra, Erro, come on!" She called out, running out of the room.
"Alright if we tag along?" Ahsoka asked her son, for herself and Dash.
"Only one answer for that." He said and all four caught up and joined up in the Ghost.
Errol, Hera, Ahsoka and Dash ran into the cockpit, with the young couple in the pilot seats. Kanan was on the turret, Zeb on the tail gun and Sabine the nose gun.
"Everyone, check in!" Hera ordered.
"Tail gun, check!"
"Turret, check!"
"Nose gun, check!"
"Alright, kids, do Mom and Dad proud." She then said.
"Here he comes!" Kanan pointed out as Vader's TIE was heading right at them and attacked the command ship.
"Ghost moving to engage." Errol informed as they detached and chased after Vader.
"I'm on him!" Kanan said and fired but narrowly missed.
"Who is this guy?" Sabine asked in shock at how good the Sith Lord is. Ahsoka felt the familiar presence of her old Master.
"Phoenix Home to Ghost. We can't withstand another attack from that fighter." Sato updated them.
"Copy that. Phoenix Squadron, form up and focus fire." Hera ordered and all the ships chased after him.
"The Force is strong with him." Ahsoka pointed out, shocked that Anakin is still powerful.
"Dash, let's find out how strong." She then said. He nodded and the couple closed their eyes and held hands as they tuned into the Force.
Ezra fired but Vader still evaded fire.
"The cold." He muttered, confirming for sure that it is him. The couple reached out but as they did, they felt fear, anger, hatred and Vader sensed them. Ahsoka opened her eyes and had a look of fear knowing for sure that it was Vader, but also formerly Anakin.
Dash felt a pain in his head again and he heard Palpatine's voice.
Henceforth, you shall be known as Darth… Vader.
"The Apprentice lives." Vader noted and he caused a wave so strong that it made Ahsoka scream before falling unconscious.
"MOM/AHSOKA!" Both father and son yelled in worry as Dash grabbed her before she fell.
Vader this time didn't fire at the command ship.
"Captain Syndulla, whatever you're doing, keep it up! The fleet can recover!" Sato said. Hera saw how distraught Dash was and even Errol couldn't focus properly because of his mom.
"No! You need to get the fleet out of here, Commander!" Errol snapped at Sato.
"I will not abandon our command ship." Sato butted heads.
"YOU HAVE NO CHOICE, SIR! YOU HAVE TO ABANDON SHIP!" Dash bellowed angrily at Sato, clinging onto his wife.
Star Destroyers suddenly appeared and Vader shot at the Ghost, making it shake.
"Come on, Commander, it's now or never!" Errol told him.
"I regretfully agree. You have to keep that fighter occupied." Sato said.
"Don't worry, sir. We seem to have his attention." Hera replied as she and Errol were spinning the ship to dodge the blaster fire from Vader. Zeb was firing back.
"Suddenly, there's a lot to do back here." He commented.
"Sorry to spoil your fun, Zeb, but I'm ordering Chopper to divert all power to the Hyperdrive, including cannons." Hera told him and Chopper handled that.
"Hera, what are you doing?" Sabine questioned her.
"I think I know." Ezra said as they flew right towards the Star Destroyers.
"Ghost crew, the escape pods are secure. Fleet, commence Hyperspace jump." Sato informed them over the comms.
"Copy that, Commander. We'll meet you at safe haven." The Twi'lek replied and then the A-Wings and Rebel ships entered Hyperspace.
"The fleet is away! Get us out of here!" Kanan told them.
"Hang on, guys!" Errol proclaimed.
"Slick, angle all deflectors astern. Those Star Destroyers aren't firing at us." Hera told Errol's astromech and he did so without beeping back like Chopper would.
"Come on, come on…." Hera muttered as the Destroyers were getting closer.
"Gotcha." She then said as they entered Hyperspace, leading Vader into a tractor beam.
The Ghost crew rejoined with Phoenix Squadron and both Errol and his dad were in the cockpit with Ahsoka, who is now awake.
"Are you sure you're alright, sweetheart?" Dash asked her.
"I'm fine, don't worry." She assured him.
"In case you forgot, being your husband means I have to worry." He reminded her and squeezed her hand. She smiled and Errol was just glad that his mom was alright.
Suddenly, both Ezra and Kanan entered.
"Ahsoka, Hera said you wanted to speak with us." Ezra said to the Togruta.
"Please, come in." She told them and Ezra sat in the only seat remaining.
"Are you okay?" He then asked her.
"I am, thank you." She replied.
"We wanted to talk about the Sith Lord you three encountered on Lothal." Dash then said.
"You know we encountered an Inquisitor before, but this was nothing like that. The fear, the anger, the hate. You felt it. I haven't sensed a presence like that since…" Kanan explained.
"The Clone Wars." Ahsoka finished.
"Yeah."
"Ahsoka, Dash, do you know who or what he is?" Ezra then asked the former Jedi couple. They looked at each other, and then to Errol and he nodded, saying that they should know.
"A former Jedi named Anakin Skywalker." Dash revealed. Kanan gasped because he heard of him.
"But- But I thought he was the Chosen One. To bring balance to the Force." Kanan said.
"Yeah, well Palpatine manipulated him over the years, making him more seduced to the Dark Side of the Force." Dash further explained.
"Errol said you saw visions foretelling this." Ezra said.
"Yes. I didn't want to believe them but I had accepted the hard truth and even told Ahsoka right before we left the Jedi Order." He said looking at his wife.
"Either way, he'll be coming. They'll all be coming now." Ahsoka said.
"Then we've got to be ready to fight." Ezra said, wanting to get back at Vader.
"We must find the strength to fight, but the greater courage is knowing when not to fight." Errol recited a Jedi proverb that his parents told him. As he did, Hera, Sabine and Zeb showed up.
"And we'll be beside you either way." Hera replied to him and everyone smiled, knowing that they're together, as one. As a family.
Alright, now as you saw, Ahsoka, Dash and Errol, and now Kanan and Ezra know of Darth Vader and that he was Anakin Skywalker. This will tie to a subplot for my Clone Wars story.