A Princess on Lothal
The next day rolled around and it was the early morning when Kanan and Errol both contacted Hera with Ryder by their side. Ezra was outside the hut they're in when contacting her.
"How's he taking it?" Hera asked them through a hologram by Slick. The white Loth-cat peeked in from a hole of the hut and meowed.
"As you'd expect. We knew Ezra might not get the news he hoped he would about his parents." Kanan replied.
"Governor Azadi, we're grateful you stood by them for so long." Hera told Ryder.
"Not sure what good it did. Things don't seem any better here on Lothal." He told her.
"At the moment, maybe, but we hope to change that in the future. Speaking of which, Senator Organa heard about our losses on Garel. He's sending us reinforcements. His agent is coming to Lothal with three cruisers." Hera informed them of some good news.
"This'll be a good boost of help. This could be what Ezra needs at the moment." Errol stated.
"I hope you're right. We'll be there as soon as we can to help." Hera replied. Slick then cut off the hologram and the three walked out of the hut to Ezra, who was still coming to grips with the knowledge of his parents' death.
"Ezra, we're gonna miss our rendezvous. Let's go." Kanan told the teen.
"If you're going to Jalath City, be careful. The fleet may be gone but Imperial security is bound to recognize you." Ryder cautioned the Jedi trio.
"Dressed like this, yes. But who would notice an extra Stormtrooper, Scout Trooper and cadet?" Errol said, throwing the cadet helmet to Ezra.
"Great." He said, sounding unenthused. He then walked off and tapped the helmet against his head.
"They know our ship, too. Ryder, any chance we could-" Kanan was going to ask but Ryder cut in, knowingly.
"Borrow my bike? Take it. But I'm not getting involved any further." He replied.
"Ryder, I understand fearing to fight back against the Empire, but if you don't, then they'll keep taking over and they'll more than likely find you again. Might as well fight back." Errol tried to persuade the man.
"I won't go back to prison, Errol. Please don't ask that of me." Ryder shot back. Errol and Kanan sighed, seeing that he wouldn't budge.
The Jedi trio got into their disguises. Kanan with Stormtrooper armour, Ezra in a cadet uniform and Errol (because he's slightly taller than Ezra) into Scout Trooper armour. They then got on the speeder bike and made their way to the Jalath City Depot. They parked behind a stone fence and peeked out to see three Hammerhead Corvettes as they're about to land. As they did, Errol felt a very familiar presence and when he realised who it was, he smiled underneath his helmet.
"Those are our reinforcements? Some old transports?" Ezra questioned, disrespectfully.
"Those are Hammerheads, Ezra. They can pack a mean punch. So shut up." Errol scolded him.
The three ships then landed and the trio walked out and made their way in front of the Hammerhead in the middle as a ramp opened up. And then out stepped a woman, the same age as Errol and Ezra with long brown hair that was tied up and brown eyes, wearing a tight white jumpsuit. This is Princess Leia Organa.
Errol lifted the faceplate of his Scout Trooper helmet revealing his smile.
"Hi, Leia." He greeted her. She saw his face and gasped before hugging him tightly.
"Errol, it's so good to see you again." Leia greeted him back as they parted. Kanan and Ezra looked at each other in confusion before Ezra moved the faceplate of his helmet and Kanan took his off.
"You two know each other?" Ezra questioned.
"I know her dad, Senator Organa, it's natural that I know her, dummy." Errol teased him. Ezra rolled his eyes as he knew he was right.
"I'm Kanan, this is Ezra. We and Errol are a part of Phoenix Squadron." Kanan then introduced himself and his Padawan to Leia. Errol pulled the faceplate of his helmet back down.
"I know who you are. And unless you want the deck officer to know, too I suggest you put your helmets back on and keep your mouths shut." Leia advised them, and that got Ezra mad at her.
"Excuse me?" He asked coolly as she walked off.
"Do as the Princess tells you, idiot." Errol whispered as Kanan put his helmet on. Ezra groaned as he placed his faceplate back on. The four then walk up to three Stormtroopers, two of which are carrying a trunk.
"Deck Officer, I'd like to start distributing my relief aid." Leia told one of the troopers.
"Stand by. My orders are to inspect the cargo for contraband and detain these vessels until the lieutenant arrives. Scanning crew, move out." The trooper told the Princess and then his fellow troopers before walking past the four.
"Well, this plan's off to a good start." Kanan said to Leia.
"As a matter of fact, it's going perfectly. Where's the rest of your team?" Leia asked.
"They'll eventually get here." Errol answered.
"Good. Then you can steal my ships." She revealed.
"What?" Kanan and Ezra questioned in unison. Errol however, didn't.
An Imperial shuttle appeared and landed in front of them.
"I'll explain later. First I have to deal with the lieutenant. Follow my lead and try to keep up." Leia told them, looking at Ezra at the last point and then walked.
"Wait…. Why does she get to give orders? I don't get to give orders." Ezra whined.
"Two reasons: One, she's a Princess and daughter to Senator Organa. Second, you'd make all kinds of trouble giving orders from your lack of maturity. So shut up and do as she says." Errol reasoned as they caught up. They stood in front of two Stormtroopers who seemed to be escorting an Imperial Officer.
"You must be Leia Organa, Princess of the Royal House of Alderaan." The Officer greeted her.
"And aide to my father, Senator Bail Organa. I come with relief supplies for Lothal's needy who are suffering terribly as a result of the rebel insurgency here. Surely you don't want innocents to starve." Leia replied, putting on an act.
"No, of course not. Lothal has indeed suffered, as has Alderaan. From what I hear, your ships have an unfortunate habit of falling into Rebel hands. I assure you, that won't happen on my watch." The Officer told her. This was really bound to happen given her repeated methods. They looked and saw gravity locks, which would be a problem for them.
"What's that?" Ezra asked, not knowing what they were as one was clamped onto one of the Hammerheads.
"Gravity locks? This is hardly necessary." Leia butted with the Officer.
"I insist. Plus a trooper detachment, and for extra security…." He replied, open ended as they looked and saw an Imperial ship with a couple of AT-ATs attached and then they were dropped on the ground.
"Walkers will guard your ships from the rebel insurgency. All for your safety, miss." He added. Her back was facing him and she was worried that her plan would fail as she blindly believed that this would be easy.
"It's 'Your Highness'. As my ships are detained I will require your shuttle to begin my work." Leia told him, more cold and harsh than before.
"Oh? Um, my shuttle? Certainly, I could arrange for other transportation." The Officer was taken aback by her new tone and her request.
"No. Your shuttle. I need to leave immediately." She insisted, more harshly.
"You three, bring those supplies and escort me to the trauma area at once." Leia then ordered the Jedi trio.
"Yes, ma'am. Right away." Kanan replied, handing the blaster he held to Errol as he and Ezra pushed crates, with Errol leading them with Leia.
They then entered the shuttle and took off with Kanan flying the shuttle back to Ryder's location. And since they're not around Imperials, the trio took their helmets off.
"I hate to say it, but whoever came up with this plan severely underestimated the Empire's security." Kanan said, looking at Leia, who looked away, feeling ashamed and guilty.
"I'm sorry." She apologized.
"Don't be. It's not your fault." He tried to make her feel better.
"Yes it is. This was my plan." She stated.
"We need those ships. Why didn't you just hand them off to us in deep space?" Ezra asked her. This made Errol groan.
"This isn't as simple as you'd think. The Empire believes that Alderaan is on their side. So if they have proof that Alderaan provides ships to the Rebels, they'll be charged with treason and lose a seat in the Senate." Errol explained the rather complicated situation.
"Exactly. But if they're stolen on a planet controlled by the Empire…."
"Alderaan would be blameless." Errol finished for Leia.
"Have to admit, that was a good plan." Kanan commented.
"Well, now we need a new one." Leia stated. Then suddenly, beeping was heard and Slick was chattering.
"What is it, Slick?" Errol asked his droid on his comlink. He beeped back and Errol's eyes widened.
"Stormtroopers. Ryder!" He shouted.
Kanan flew back to the mountain range Ryder was hiding in and landed in a big enough space. There they saw a bunch of troop transports next to the Phantom, one trooper was watching Slick and a couple were escorting Ryder.
"Friends of yours?" Leia asked the trio.
"Not much longer by the look of things." Kanan frowned.
"What are we going to do?" Leia asked.
"This time, you follow my lead." Kanan told her before storming off. The three put their helmets back on and exited the shuttle with Leia. They saw Slick, who waved at them.
"This is a secure site. State your business." A trooper with a black shoulder requested as the four walked up to the ones securing Ryder.
"I'm taking the Princess Ambassador here on a scouting mission for possible refugee relocation." Kanan replied, sounding so forced with his acting, which somehow fooled the troopers.
"This is not a safe area for you. There's a high level of rebel activity happening at the moment." The trooper told them.
"Well, we're finishing our survey. We could take these prisoners back to Jalath for you." Kanan suggested.
"That won't be necessary. We have orders to terminate one of them immediately." The trooper shot that idea down, shocking the four with this news.
"Hold on, trooper. As a representative of the Senate I demand to know what this man has done." Leia requested answers, putting on an act, of course.
"He's a fugitive from an Imperial prison. Now depart immediately for your own safety. Where you find one Rebel, there are usually more." He answered her. Slick then suddenly acted a bit crazy, thankfully, the troopers couldn't understand him.
"Slick's receiving a signal. Hera's here." Errol whispered to Kanan and Ezra.
A shadow cast over them and they all turned and saw the Ghost descending and then fired at one of the troop transports, making it explode, making everyone run for cover.
"More friends of yours?" Leia asked them as they knelt when the dust kicked up.
"Yep. The pilot and captain being my girlfriend." Errol answered as they moved. Kanan runs over to Ryder and grabs onto him.
"You're coming with me!" He shouted at him, acting like he was a random Stormtrooper. They all ran behind a wrecked troop transport. Slick went off to the Phantom to get it back on the Ghost as the ship landed and the ramp opened up to reveal both Sabine and Zeb who started firing at the troopers.
"Your friends might shoot you wearing that armour." Ryder told the Jedi trio.
"That's not a bad idea, Governor. Take the Princess hostage." Kanan told him.
"What?" Ryder asked in confusion.
"If I'm seen escaping with you. I'll be labelled a traitor. You have to take me prisoner." Leia told the older man.
"Well, you better make it look good. I'll warn Sabine." Ezra said before signalling over to the Mandalorian. She saw and knew that he and the other two troopers were the three and company.
"We got two incoming." She told Zeb as they still fired at the troopers.
"What about Errol, Ezra and Kanan?" He asked her.
"They're the troopers on the left." She told him as they dodged a blaster bolt.
Ryder acted his part by shoving Kanan into the teens and grabbing Leia, running to the Ghost.
"Help! Help! Commander!" Leia cried out, acting as well. The trio then chased after them.
"Hold your fire! She's my responsibility! I'll get her back!" Kanan stepped in front of a trooper and got back to 'chasing'.
"Kanan's coming. He said to make it look good." Ryder told Zeb as he ran past him. Zeb decided to have a bit of fun with that advice and knocked out the Jedi trio. The Lasat chuckles in amusement as he and Sabine dragged the three into the ship, confusing the troopers as to why Rebels take prisoners.
As they got in, the ramp closed and the ship flew off with Slick piloting the Phantom and attaching it to the ship.
In the cargo bay, Errol groaned as he woke up and took his helmet off.
"That was not funny, Zeb." He glared as he took his helmet off. Ezra then woke up and took his helmet off. Zeb then took Kanan's off.
"Kanan. Wake up!" He said as the older Jedi started to wake up.
"Kanan! How's your face?" He then asked amusingly.
"Why did you hit me?" Kanan asked in annoyance.
"What? You had a helmet on." Zeb tried to make his action justified.
"But you didn't have to hit us so hard we'd be knocked out." Errol snapped as he stood up.
"Hey, you wanted it to look good." Zeb replied.
"Where's the Princess?" Kanan asked as he and Ezra stood up.
"In the cockpit with Hera." He answered.
Over at the bridge, Hera talked with Ryder and Leia and they exited once they finished.
"I owe you my life. You have my gratitude." He told Hera as she followed him out. Leia stayed back.
"It's the least we could do after leading the Empire right to you." Hera told him.
"We heard what happened. Sorry, kid." Zeb said to Ezra as he and the others tried to comfort Ezra after the sad news.
"Hey, at least now you know." Sabine added, placing a comforting hand on Ezra's arm.
"Yeah. I guess I just need some time." He said before walking to the bridge, past Leia. The others, except for Kanan, followed Hera and Ryder into the common room.
"Is he alright?" She asked Kanan.
"He's okay. He just lost some people close to him. It's a challenge being his age with so much responsibility." He explained.
"I know that feeling." She related.
"Maybe he could use a friend." He told her. She followed him into the nose gun and she saw him wipe tears away as he looked at the image of his parents.
"I know who you are. You're Ezra Bridger. I heard your transmission." She told him, making her presence known.
"Yeah? My parents heard it, too. But they're gone now." He told her.
"I'm sorry." She said, closing her eyes.
"It's just there's so much against us. Do you ever wonder…"
"If this fight is even worth it? Every day. But I'm still here." Leia answered.
"But you're a Princess. You don't have to risk your life doing this." Ezra said.
"I feel like because I can fight, I have to for those who cannot. And I think you might be the same way." She told him. Considering what she meant, Ezra now felt something swell in him and now got inspired. He turned the image off and stood up to walk out with his helmet in hand.
"Let's figure out a way to get your ships." He stated as they made their way to the common room.
They entered to see everyone looking at a hologram of the landing field. Sabine, Errol, Hera and Kanan sat around it.
"We did a scan of the landing field and looking at the Imperial security I just don't see us living long enough to get near those ships." Sabine said, thinking this is gonna be a really difficult problem.
"Two Walkers are a big problem." Zeb added.
"And there's still the issue of the gravity locks. As long as those are on those ships, we won't get them out of there." Errol stated the ultimate dilemma.
"Those defences are formidable. Why? Because the Empire doesn't underestimate you. They know how good you are." Leia explained as to why this is gonna be difficult.
"We might be able to get one out, but we'll never get all three. It's impossible." Kanan said. Everyone was silent, not knowing what to say.
"I know you need those ships, so don't tell me why we can't get them. Tell me how we will." Leia tried to encourage the crew more.
"Well, me, Errol and Kanan still have our disguises so we can get onto the platform. But to get close to the ships, we'll need a distraction." Ezra brought up.
"I can handle that." Leia said.
"The Ghost can act as air support." Hera stated.
"And I can use detonators to blast off the gravity locks." Sabine said, holding a detonator.
"Won't work. You can't forcibly remove the locks." Ryder revealed.
"You know this how?" Hera asked him.
"In prison I put those locks together so I know how to take 'em apart." He explained.
"Ryder Azadi, does that mean you're getting involved?" Kanan asked with a grin.
"Just this once. It's clear I can't stay on Lothal, so I'll help you, if you get me outta here." Ryder said.
They then cooked up a plan and once night came around, they kicked it into high gear. The Jedi trio and Leia flew on the Phantom to the landing field to make it seem like they managed to escape from the point of view of the Imperials. They landed in the field and exited to reveal themselves to the officer and some Stormtroopers who had their blasters aimed at them.
"I'd think you'd be pleased to see me safe and sound, Lieutenant." Leia remarked.
"Of course, Your Highness. Very pleased. Just, um, surprised." The officer replied, pushing the blasters to not be pointed at them. Somewhere else on the landing field, Ryder, Sabine and Chopper were busy trying and the gravity locks off.
"These brave troopers saved us both from those Rebels. They deserve medals." Leia said, pointing to Kanan and Errol before walking away.
Sabine, Ryder and Chopper got the first Hammerhead off from a gravity lock and Sabine got into the ship to fly it out of there while Ryder and Chopper continued onto the next one.
"As you can see, your ships are safe and sound right where you left them." The officer bragged, not noticing the Hammerhead starting to lift off the ground.
"If you're trying to impress me, Lieutenant, you're doing a miserable job of it." Leia frowned at him with her hands on her hips.
"What do you mean?" He asked, confused.
"You don't know?" She pointed to the Hammerhead, making him and his troopers turn around and look.
"I didn't authorise this! Who's piloting that ship?" He asked. One of the troopers spotted Ryder and Chopper by one of the gravity locks.
"Sir! Rebels!" He pointed out.
"Blast them!" The Lieutenant ordered and his troopers fired at the two. Sabine saw it all happen in the cockpit and decided to fire back with the Hammerhead's cannons, which got one of the AT-ATs to fire at the Hammerhead, damaging it and causing it to shake so much that Sabine fell off her feet.
Hera flew in with the Ghost and Zeb in the nose gun fired some devastating shots that managed to take the AT-AT down. This in turn gave Sabine the opportunity to fly the Hammerhead out of there.
On the ground, as the Lieutenant was about to fire his blaster at Ryder and Chopper, both Errol and Kanan knocked him and his troopers out, with Ezra jumping on the last one and beating his head in so that he's knocked out.
"Sabine's away, guys." Errol informed them as Ezra stood up.
"Alright. Let's get out of here." Kanan said.
"I'm not sure we're going anywhere." Ezra warned as the downed AT-AT got back up.
"Crud." Errol muttered as the Ghost flew back around and fired back at it and then the other AT-ATs started firing at the ship, causing Hera to fly out of there.
"You two secure the third ship. I'll handle the Walker." Kanan told Errol and Ezra before he bolted towards the AT-AT.
"Handle the Walker? How?" Leia asked in utter confusion.
"Don't worry, he knows what he's doing. Come on." Errol told her and the three ran for the last ship, while Kanan pulled out his lightsaber, running past Ryder and Chopper, who was shocked to see a Jedi with his own eyes. Kanan was able to slice two of the Walker's legs, which took it down for sure. One of the other ones fired at him and he ran to avoid getting hit.
Leia saw the whole thing and was shocked.
"Did you see that?" She asked Errol and Ezra.
"Just watch this." Errol told her as he turned and saw two Stormtroopers pointing their blasters at Ryder and Chopper. He then put his hands out and their blasters flew right into his hands. He threw them to the ground and then he reached out and Force Pulled the troopers who he clothes lined them on their necks.
"Nice." Leia complimented.
"Thank you." He replied.
Ryder had just then got the gravity lock off the Hammerhead and pulled it away.
"She's all yours, Kanan." He told the Jedi, who took his trooper helmet off.
"Two down, one to go." He said before he ran into the ship to pilot it out of there. Ryder and Chopper then made their way to the last Hammerhead.
Ezra decided to help them out as Errol and Leia saw a troop transport approach.
"I'll handle this." She told him and he nodded before hiding behind some crates as she faced a trooper who peeked out.
"Thank goodness you've arrived. The Rebels are stealing my ships." She said as three troopers came out and walked past her.
One of the Walkers fired at one of the Hammerheads, doing some damage.
"AT-AT 36, you have new orders, shoot to kill. Repeat, shoot to kill." The trooper in charge gave new orders that surprised Leia.
"No, you can't!" She told him.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness. We can't let your ships fall into Rebel hands. Destroy that ship now!" The trooper said.
The AT-AT fired a couple of shots until it got fired upon by the Ghost. Ryder and Ezra got in the last Hammerhead as Chopper got the gravity lock off as Hera piloted her ship to its side, kicking up dust and avoiding cannon fire from the Walker. Ryder then got right in front of it and started the engines, which blew it down on its side.
Errol ran to the last Hammerhead as Leia got back up and saw him. She then ran up to him.
"Well, time for us to go." Errol told her. She then held his hand and as she did so, Errol inwardly gasped because he felt a strong connection to the Force within her. She then started to yank his arm back and forth, he knew what she was doing.
"Stop that Rebel! He's stealing my transport!" She yelled out to the Imperials.
"Make it look good." She then whispered.
"I apologise in advance then." Errol apologised before he took out a blaster and stunned her before he entered the Hammerhead.
Chopper, meanwhile, attached himself to the Phantom and flew off with it, catching up with the others.
Once they all made it back to the fleet with the Hammerheads, Ryder and Ezra entered into the common room where everyone else was with Kanan, Sabine, Hera and Errol sitting around the holo-table.
"So, Governor, we need to find a safe place for you." Hera told the older man.
"I already know where I'm going, back home." He replied.
"So you finally considered what I told you, huh?" Errol questioned.
"You were right, Errol. With how they're taking over, I might as well fight. I couldn't see it before. But that and going to prison with the Bridgers started something. That something has grown bigger than I ever imagined. I owe it to them and I owe it to you to see it through to the end." Ryder told everyone and they all gathered around him, with Zeb placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Welcome back to the fight, Governor." Ezra said.
Shortly after sending Ryder back to Lothal, Errol met up with his parents to talk about his recent discovery about Leia.
"So what is it you wanted to tell us, Errol?" Dash asked him.
"It's about Leia." He said.
"Is she alright?" Ahsoka asked, thinking that something's wrong.
"Oh, nothing's wrong. It's just that… I've found out she's connected to the Force." He revealed, making his parents gasp.
"Are you sure?" They both asked.
"Yes. The moment we touched hands, I sensed it. And I don't think she knows." He explained.
"Well, this'll be an interesting conversation with Senator Organa. But for now, let's just keep it between us." Ahsoka said and her husband and son agreed.
With that over and done with, Errol walked back onto the Ghost and immediately went to his and Hera's quarters. Upon entering, Errol stopped in the doorway to see a naked Hera lying there with a sultry smile on her face.
"You wanna join me?" She asked him. He entered, took his clothes off in a blur and got on top of Hera kissing her hard with passion.
"Did you even have to ask?" He breathed out before the two continued on with their night of passion.
I should apologize for the long gap between chapters. I was busy dabbling with my other stories and was also busy transitioning back into college.