Chapter 26

Ezra approached the house and jumped off the speeder. On his way back from the temple, he felt a big disturbance in the Force, which really made him worry.

"Sabine?" he called out as he burst through the front door.

No answer.

"Sabine are you here?" Ezra called out again.

"Ezra?" Jax asked as he ran into the room.

"Jax, where's Sabine?" Ezra asked.

"Headquarters ordered everybody to return to the base. I stayed behind to make sure you were alright," Jax explained.

"Why wouldn't I be alright? What's going on?" Ezra asked.

"The Empire. They're here," Jax said. "And they brought their new toy."

The color drained from Ezra's face.

"We need to go. Now!" he said.

"I'm with you," Jax said as they two ran out the door and boarded the Starbird.

...

"Sabine, I've ~~~"

"Jax? Jax!" Jill shouted, trying to get the comms active again.

"The comm station must be powered down. We can't contact them," Keith said.

"Seriously?"

"They need to focus every amount of outbound transmissions to our strike team," Keith said.

"Haar'chak. They're strengthening their signal to the fighters so the Empire can't jam it!" Sabine said.

"Exactly what I was thinking," Keith said. "Her way of saying it makes much more sense."

"Maybe he got Ezra," Max guessed.

"That or he's got trouble," Jill said.

"That's not helping, Jill," Sabine said.

"Sorry, I'm just stating a possibility," she defended.

"We're almost there guys," Coren said.

"How close?" Sabine asked.

"10 minutes out," he said.

"Come on Ezra. Hurry up," Sabine said quietly.

"He'll be here soon enough," Jill said then.

"I hope so," Max said.

...

"We can't go to orbit. If we do we could become a target," Jax said.

"If that superweapon is here then we already are a target," Ezra said as he brought the Starbird higher in altitude until they left the atmosphere. It was then they got to see what the Death Star really looked like, or part of it anyway.

"I'm guessing that's it?" Jax asked.

Ezra nodded grimly, "I think so. It's almost fully around the planet."

"If it gets a clear shot at us we're done for," Jax said.

"Why's that?" Ezra asked.

"I've seen the schematics. It's got a superlaser. It fires from a safe distance, usually a bit farther than a normal lunar orbit," Jax explained. "That's only because if they destroyed a planet too close to themselves, the debris could deal some considerable damage if not cripple their battlestation."

"We can't lure them in... so we're going to them?" Ezra asked.

"Yup. A strike team of Y-wings and X-wings have already engaged them."

"Great. Sabine's safe, right?"

"She should have arrived at base by now," Jax said.

"Well, let's head back down then," Ezra said as he pushed the throttle to max and began reentry.

A few minutes later, Ezra landed the Starbird on a landing pad and ran down the boarding ramp. Outside there were rebels running everywhere, preparing for the worst.

"Commander!" a hangar officer shouted. "Everybody's in the command center!"

"Thanks," Ezra said as he began running to the center, Jax not too far behind him.

...

Ezra ran into the command center and found everybody standing silently around the holotable. A few flight control officers were helping direct the X-wings and Y-wings. He thought he heard one of them say there was another group of signals heading their way.

"Kanan," Ezra whispered to his former master as soon as he saw him.

"Hera's not in here right now. She's with Sabine," he answered.

"Where is she?"

"Safe. They're safe, both her and Mira."

Ezra sighed in relief, but that relief was short lived when they heard the pilots voices running through the comms.

"I can't see them!" one pilot said.

Later, they heard Wedge, "I can't stay here."

"You just get back to base," another pilot said. Never heard him before.

"Sorry," Wedge said. Ezra glanced at a tracking console and saw Wedge's X-wing departing from the battle.

"You did your best, Wedge," Ezra murmured.

He just stood and listened to the chatter. As far as he could tell there was only one fighter left on some straightforward course.

"Luke, you switched off your targeting computer. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm alright," the pilot replied.

"Luke..." Ezra said in wonder.

"New guy. He's Force sensitive," Kanan answered.

"He is?"

Kanan nodded.

Something happened that grabbed everybody's attention again.

"You're all clear kid now let's blow this thing and go home!" an excited voice shouted over the comms.

...

"It's in! Everybody back to base!"

...

Sabine was just looking out the window of her room. She thought she saw the Starbird landing, but now she couldn't see anything. Suddenly there was a bright flash and a little while later, a really loud boom.

She had to cover her eyes to avoid going blind and soon the light faded. Where the Death Star once was...

Was now empty space.

Everybody cheered and celebrated. Rebels hugging, giving high fives, some couples sharing kisses as well. The first X-wing arrived, smoke pouring out of the stabilizers. The canopy opened and Wedge jumped out to meet Katherine, who tackled him.

She felt a few kicks and Sabine teared up.

"We're dreaming... We have to be..."

Suddenly she heard her voice being called and turned around. A blue haired guy flanked by Mandalorians ran up to her.

"Ezra!" she shouted as she threw her arms around him. "Where were you?"

"I got here as fast as I could, but they wouldn't let me leave the Command Center," he said. "You're not upset are you?"

"How can I be? We won didn't we?"

"I think so."

A bunch of the remaining X-wings and Y-wings appeared along with an old, modified YT-1300 freighter. All the ships made it into the hangar bays and the pilots were immediately swarmed by an army of very happy rebels. One particular guy with blond hair jumped out of his X-wing and began buddying up with Wedge and Leia, along with some other guy he's never seen before.

"Who's that over there? Are they new?" Ezra asked.

Hera nodded, "The blond kid is Luke Skywalker. The brown hair is Han Solo, a smuggler who I thought wasn't coming back. I guess he changed his mind."

"Really?"

Luke looked over at Ezra and blinked.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Leia asked him.

"Something about that guy over there," Luke said, gesturing to Ezra.

"Him? Oh, that's Ezra Bridger. He's been with us pretty much since the start. Ezra why don't you come introduce yourself!"

Ezra walked over, "Ezra. You must be Luke. My master's mentioned you earlier."

Luke's eyes widened, "Wait... your master... Kanan Jarrus?"

Ezra smiled, "That's him."

"Then your his apprentice?" Luke asked.

"I uh... not anymore actually," Ezra said.

"What exactly do you mean by 'not exactly'?" Sabine asked.

"Who's this?" Luke asked.

"This is Sabine Wren. My wife," Ezra said with a smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Luke, but I'm afraid my blueberry is avoiding my question," Sabine said with a smirk.

"Your blueberry?" Ezra asked.

Everybody was laughing.

"You have blue hair don't you? So you're my blueberry," Sabine said. "Now spill it, what do you mean?"

"Oh right. I just finished my training just today actually. I'm officially a Knight of the Jedi Order," Ezra said, repeating the words of the Temple Guard.

"You did it?" Sabien asked excitedly.

"Yeah... I did," Ezra said.

"Master Jedi," Luke said. "Just like Obi-Wan..."

Ezra could sense the sadness then, "What happened to him?"

"You knew him?"

"I met him once..."

Luke nodded, "He faced Vader and sacrificed himself to save us."

Ezra's face fell, but Luke said something surprising.

"But... I heard him while I was flying. Just before I fired the shot that brought that Imperial monstrosity down I heard his voice."

Ezra looked back, "Kanan said he spoke to him just today."

"Impossible, he was with me all day," Luke said.

Ezra thought for a moment. "That clever man."

"What?" Luke asked.

"Nothing. Congrats on destroying that superweapon. The Rebellion is eternally grateful," Ezra said then. "Obi-Wan's sacrifice was not in vain."

"Thank you. I appreciate it," Luke said.

"So, Jedi Knight, huh? About time," Leia said. "Congratulations to you, Ezra Bridger, Jedi Knight." Luke and Leia left.

"Ezra Bridger, Jedi Knight. Has a good ring to it," Sabine said.

"They never bothered to introduce me," the smuggler said. There was a wookie standing next to him.

"Let me guess," Ezra began. "You're Han Solo."

Han blinked, "That's right now don't you forget it. If it weren't for me nobody would be here."

"I don't doubt it for one second. I'm sure you'll get a reward for your help," Ezra said.

"This is my partner, Chewbacca. Chewy for short," Han said and Chewy growled in approval.

"It's nice to meet you, Chewy," Sabine said. "You wouldn't happen to know Wullffwarro, would you?"

"Raaargh," Chewy growled.

Sabine smiled, "He could have mentioned us to you then. We're the ones that saved him and his son from that spice mine on Kessel."

Chewy growled happily and hugged Sabine. He knew she was with child so he was gentle, but as for Ezra he wasn't so gentle.

"Ow!" Ezra yelped. "I... Yes, you're very welcome."

Chewy put Ezra down then.

Han chuckled, "Come on Chewy. Let's catch up with the others. Nice meeting all of you."

Han and Chewie left and caught up with Leia and Luke. Sabine curled her left arm around Ezra's right arm and rested her head on his shoulder.

"You alright?" Ezra asked.

"Mmhmm," Sabine hummed. "I'm just tired. This entire thing got everybody worked up, the rush is gone now."

"Adrenaline crash... fun," Ezra said making Sabine laugh.

"We were so close..." she said then.

"Hm?"

"This was the closest the Empire's ever been to ending all of this," Sabine said.

"Let's just hope this kind of thing never happens again," Ezra said.

"For real," Jax said.

"Yeah I think you speak for everyone when you say that," Max said.

Wedge walked up to them then. "Hey guys, Command is ordering everybody to the big room."

"I think I know why," Coren said. "I hate these things."

"What?" Ezra asked.

"Luke and Han are being awarded for their service," Wedge said.

"Basically a big, boring ceremony?" Ezra asked as they all walked.

"Yup."

...

After the celebration

"All hands prep for evac!"

The automated voice kept repeating the same thing over and over, it really got on Ezra's nerves.

"I never thought we'd have to leave Yavin 4," he complained.

"Well the Empire knows where we are. It's only a matter of time before they get here now that their big toy is gone," Sabine said.

"Late in the sixth month, huh? I can't wait any longer. This is starting to stress me out," Ezra said.

Sabine laughed softly, "You think you're stressed out? What do you think I'm going through?"

"You have a fair point," Ezra said as Sabine gave him a quick kiss.

"Hmm... I love you, Ez," Sabine whispered.

"Love you, too, Bine," Ezra replied.

"That's adorable and all, but we really need to get going," Max said.

"Right, sorry," Ezra apologized. Sabine giggled and continued packing.

There was a chime at the door.

"Come in!" Ezra shouted.

The door opened and Luke walked in. "Hey guys. I was wondering if you needed any help moving things."

"They're fine..." Max began but Ezra interrupted.

"Actually we could use another hand. Thanks," Ezra said.

"There's a crate of supplies that's ready to go right now actually," Sabine said. "Do you know which ship is ours?"

Luke shook his head.

"It's the one that kind of looks like a giant blue bird," Ezra said.

"That one's yours?"

Ezra nodded.

"That's a very impressive paint job. Whoever painted it is really talented," Luke said.

"Thank you," Sabine said with a smile.

"Wait... what?"

"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention this Mandalorian right here is also the galaxy's best artist," Ezra said.

"No way. You're joking!" Luke said.

"It's true," Ezra said. "Just check out her room in the Ghost."

"Don't actually go in there. She will kill anybody that walks in without her permission," Max whispered.

"That's also, kind of, true," Sabine said with a shrug.

"Okay then..."

"Alright I think that's enough. We're weirding the guy out," Ezra said.

"No it's no problem, really," Luke said with a smile.

"You sure?"

"Yeah. Much more exciting than Tatooine."

"I suppose."

...

They loaded their last crate and boarded the Starbird, but Ezra stood on the boarding ramp talking to Luke.

"You sure you don't want to come with us?" he asked.

"I have my own crew in a way," Luke said.

"You mean Han?" Ezra asked.

Luke nodded, "Yeah. He got me off Tatooine so might as well stick with him. That and he saved my life up there so I owe him."

"Alright, suit yourself. Take care and may the Force be with you," Ezra said.

"You too," Luke said as Ezra boarded his ship and closed the ramp.

He got into the cockpit and began the startup sequence.

"Deploy when your squadron does. We need to stay organized here," the flight controller said.

"Acknowledged tower. Standing by," Ezra said through his headset.

One by one, several squadrons departed for space. Before they knew it, it was Phoenix Squadron's turn to leave and Ezra piloted the Starbird up alongside the Ghost. The Kom'rk his squad flies pulled up next to Starbird in perfect formation.

"Alright guys, check spacing. We're getting close to each other here," Wedge said in his comms from his X-wing.

"This is Red 5 checking up with Phoenix Squadron. How's everything holding up?"

"We're all looking good, Luke," Hera said.

"Good to hear."

"Red leader to all wings. Form up on me!"

"That's my cue. See ya around guys," Luke said as he flew past everybody and formed up with the remaining fighters of Red Squadron.

"This is Phoenix Leader to all squadrons, we'll be the last ones out." Hera said.

"Copy Phoenix leader."

The first few squadrons jumped to hyperspace to the new rendezvous point at Polis Massa.

"I'm picking up multiple ships inbound from hyperspace, General!" Wedge said.

"Here they come! All defense wings protect the transports," Hera said.

Several Imperial-II Star Destroyers appeared from hyperspace and immediately they launched fighters.

"This is Spectre 6, I'm picking up several TIEs on my scopes bearing 2-6-0!"

"2-6-0, copy that. I see them!" Wedge said.

"I've got one on my tail!" an A-wing pilot said.

"I see you, I'm on my way," another said.

"Commander Bridger, you've picked up a couple TIEs!"

"I've got them," Ezra said as he put the Starbird in a barrel roll.

The weapon lock alarm beeps rapidly and Ezra deployed flares just before the missiles hit, narrowly missing.

"Haar'chak, Commander. Just what did you and Sabine do?" Keith asked from his fighter.

"It's called a ton of upgrades, Keith," Ezra said. "T6 get those TIEs off me!"

Ezra's astromech droid, R2-T6, plugged into the access port and remotely began using the rear turrets to take out the two TIEs.

"Nice shot T6!" Wedge shouted through the comms. "I saw that from here!"

T6 beeped happily and spun his dome.

"I understand you're excited Trix, but we're not out of this yet," Ezra said. He looked over to another wave of departing transports. Get out of here!

Several TIEs swarmed the transports just as they jumped to hyperspace and Ezra breathed a sigh of relief.

"All fighters, clear a path for yourselves!" Ezra ordered.

Hera had already jumped to hyperspace with the last set of transports so it was up to Ezra to lead everybody out of there.

The rebel fighters clashed with the Imperials and just when everything was beginning to look clear to jump, a couple Star Destroyers cut off their route, forcing them back into the action.

"Commander! We won't last long against all these TIEs! What are your orders?" Jax shouted.

"All Mandalorians do what you do best. I'm authorizing use of your warheads," Ezra said.

"Really?" Max asked excitedly.

"Yes just do it!" Ezra said.

"You heard the Commander! All Mando'ads form up on me!" Jax said as he turned his Kom'rk fighter towards the two Star Destroyers blocking their path.

Ezra dropped an EMP bomb on the Star Destroyer to disable its shields and flew off quickly to avoid the incoming strike.

"Shields down, go! Go! Go!"

The strike team launched their warheads at key weak points at the SD and as soon as they hit, the entire ship exploded in a ball of fire. It wasn't destroyed completely, but it was engulfed in flames.

"Reminds me of those two SDs by that nebula," Wedge said, referring to their first encounter with a TIE Defender.

"I couldn't agree more, Wedge," Ezra said. "Let's get out of here!"

The rebel fighters had their opening and they jumped to hyperspace.

"All wings call in," Ezra said.

"Phoenix 2-5 report in," Wedge said.

"Weren't you recently assigned to Red Squadron, Wedge?" Keith asked.

"Yes, but I wanted to help out here," Wedge replied.

"We appreciate your help," Ezra said. "Let's hurry up and catch the rest of our group. What are our casualties?"

"We lost Greens Leader and 4, four Y-wings also didn't make it in time, and 2 X-wings," Wedge reported sadly.

"Udes o'r naak," Coren said. (Trans: Rest in peace)

"We can mourn later," Ezra said. "Anybody being tracked?"

A couple minutes passed before everybody reported clear. T6 rolled up and said they were clear as well.

"Well that was fun and all, but let's not do that again," Max said.

"Agreed. We can't let them get this close to ending all of this again," Ezra said.

The Nav computer beeped and Ezra, along with his entire squadron, dropped out of hyperspace in front of Polis Massa. Communications were immediately established.

"Commander Bridger, were you or any of your pilots tracked?"

"Negative, we are clear," Ezra replied.

"Acknowledged. Proceed to Bay 4," the flight controller said.

Ezra landed the Starbird in the hangar and met up with Hera, who was waiting for him.

"Is Sabine safe?" Ezra asked.

"She's sleeping right now. We gave her normal quarters so she doesn't feel like she's in a hospital," Hera said. Dawn was stumbling around her feet.

"I see Dawn's happy," Ezra laughed.

"She's walking a little bit. It's only a matter of time before she starts figuring out how to lift things and all that," Hera said.

"Yup. Can't wait to see that," Ezra said.

Everybody was called to the makeshift command center and went through a debriefing. Afterwards, Ezra found Sabine's quarters and steps inside.

"Sabine?" Ezra whispered.

"Hm... Ezra? You're here!" Sabine said, excited, but tired.

Ezra knelt next to her bed and held her hand, "You look tired."

"Everything was just too exciting for me," Sabine stated.

"It's all over for now. We got away," Ezra said.

"But for how long?"

"I don't know. But we have proven the Empire can be defeated," Ezra said.

Sabine smiled.

...

News of the Rebellion's victory at Yavin spread like wildfire. Footage of the Death Star in action was made public to the galaxy and outraged many people. Riots and protests broke out on several core worlds, including Coruscant. People began rallying to the Rebel cause, even forming cells on their homeworlds. Imperial Loyalists and Rebels alike clashed. The war has officially begun.

Thanks for all the positive reviews. I wouldn't have gone this far without all of you.

For those who may be wondering, and those who are asking, this is not even close to the end of LITR. It is not planned to end anytime soon so don't expect a story finale.

There is a slight problem that I'm currently planning to get around: All my writing is done through a school device and I am unable to keep said device over the summer so any chapter updates may be severely delayed. If I can sync everything through my phone I can try something through that, but if that doesn't work I'll have to use my parent's PC.

And there is a new story under development: Embers of the Republic. It takes place after the Battle of Yavin, though in this AU the Rebellion was defeated at Yavin, reducing their numbers to only a handful of pilots and ground forces; both of which are dwindling each day. That's all I'm going to say about this new story until it's released. I already have two chapters prewritten and I apologize if it seems to be rushed. It will be released after Conflicted Galaxies chapter 13.