5 BBY - 3rd person POV...
Lothal - Lothal Sector
Near the small Lothal village in the dead of night, two people down the street watched on as a Stormtrooper captain kicked a man to the ground, pointing his blaster at him. The man looked up in fear as the trooper spoke.
"Move along. This is a restricted area!" the captain ordered.
The citizen looked up at him with wide eyes before scrambling to his feet, rushing off as fast as possible. The Stormtrooper Captain watched him leave before continuing his patrol, however he wasn't the only person in the area. Watching from the rooftops was a girl clad in custom painted purple and orange armor. Once the captain was gone, she jumped down to the ground and quickly rushed to a nearby wall to take cover. Pressing herself against the wall, she activated her comlink.
"Spector 5 to Ghost," she said.
"This is Ghost. We are in position and awaiting your diversion," a female voice replied.
"Copy that. This is gonna be fun," the Mandalorian said eagerly.
Closing off the transmission, she jumped up and climbed on top of the wall, revealing an Imperial Compound full of TIE Fighters. Several pairs of stormtroopers patrolled the area, and underneath her helmet she smiled.
"Very fun."
Jumping down, she raced across the open area towards a stack of crates to take cover. Peeking out, she waited for the two troopers to move on before racing over, stealthily making her way across the courtyard, eventually hiding behind the wing of a TIE Fighter. Peeking her head out, she observed three troopers and the Captain walking around the area. Grinning fiercely, she pulled out a spray paint gun and turned towards the TIE Fighter.
Two Stormtroopers continued on with their patrol before a noticeable spraying or hissing sound caught one's attention. He stopped and turned to his companion. "You hear that?"
The other turned to him in confusion. "I don't hear- wait yeah. What is that?" he demanded.
"This way," his companion whispered. They rushed over in the direction of the sound, gearing themselves for a possible firefight, and found the most bizarre scene.
"What the..." one asked in bewilderment.
Behind the wing of a TIE Fighter, the Mandalorian was spray painting a symbol of the Rebel Ghost crew in purple, not giving any indication that she noticed their arrival.
"W-What do you think your doing?" one demanded, regaining his senses.
"What does it look like? Art!" she replied sarcastically, continuing to spray paint the wing.
"Well, stand down!" he ordered, raising his blaster.
"Or we shoot!" the other added.
She finally turned to them and shrugged her shoulders uncaringly. "Ok, shoot!"
Both troopers glanced at each other with a quick nod and raised their blasters, ready to pull the trigger... only to find the girl had disappeared. the two were stunned in silence before a loud knocking got their atention. Turning around, they saw the girl at another Tie Fighter, leaning against its wing and immediately opened fire. The Mandalorian quickly rushed to the side, dodging the hail of red laser fire before coming to a stop between a ladder and a wing.
"You call that shooting? I think you boys need a little more time on the practice range!" she taunted, giving them a salute before disappearing again.
One trooper raised a hand to his helmet and activated his comlink. "This is TK-626, there's an intruder on sight!" he called in.
"On our way," the Captain's voice replied.
Both troopers rushed after the girl, but she was nowhere to be found. "Where did she-"
"OVer here bucketheads!" she called out behind them, running between the shadows. They quickly fired after her, but she disappeared, only to reappear behind them on top of one of the TIE Fighters. "You guys are too predictable!"
"There!" They fired again...
"Always by the book! I read your book!" she calls again, off to the side. "It's a short one!"
They fired after her, but the girl once again disappeared by the time the Captain showed up.
"What have we got?" he asked.
"An intruder in Mando gear. Still at large," the trooper reported.
Up above, the Mandalorian teenager watched the troopers split up in search of her on top of another TIE Fighter. Once they were all separated, she leapt back to the ground and quickly returned to the original ship that she painted her symbol on, frowning.
"There's something missing..." Placing something on the symbol, she added another quick splash of purple and smiled. "There! Perfect."
"Hands up!" a voice behind her ordered sternly, the trooper approaching with a blaster aimed at her head, ready for stun. "You rebel scum."
Before he could react however, she suddenly turned around with a sweep kicked and knocked him off of his feet. He cried out in surprise, shooting several stun blasts before landing on the ground, hitting his head.
"Too slow!" the girl laughed, running away. Having heard the commotion, the rest of the squad showed up as he got to his feet, and the Captain glared at him.
"Intruder was headed your way!"
"I had her!" the stormtrooper said defensively in irritation. His buddy looked back at the TIE Fighter, noticing the purple symbol on it. "Isn't this where we started?" he asked, approaching the painting.
A beeping noise started to go off and the rest looked over, noticing something stuck to the wing of the ship. The trooper looked closely at it before widening his eyes in terror, realizing what it was.
"Oh oh," he said glumly, slumping his shoulders at the realization that they couldn't get away in time. The rest of the squad shared his sentiment.
The girl jumped back over the courtyard wall as the thermal detonated exploded in a wide array of purple, blasting apart the TIE and sending the Sotrmtroopers flying. Nearby, a Corellian fighter took off into the sky.
"That was quite the diversion Sabine. You can see the explosion from here," the pilot of the ship said into Sabine's comlink.
Sabine took off her helmet and brushed aside a loose strande of her hair, looking back at the explosion.
"Forget the explosion... Look at the color!" she said happily with a triumphant smile on her face.
In the compound, the squad of stormtroopers all lay on the ground, groaning as they attempted to get up. Their armor was covered in purple paint, with the TIE Fighter in pieces all around them.
Ahch-To Island; Jarik POV...
The sound of clashing lightsabers was intense, as much as the duel going on. Mara slashed out her lightsaber, but it was quickly blocked. Seeing that, she pushed both blades to the side and went for a kick, but missed, and was shoved back, where she rolled along the ground. She moved to get up, but stopped upon seeing the lightsaber right next to her neck, letting out another disappointed sigh.
"Aww poodoo," she said, and Ahsoka grinned down at her.
"You're getting better at it sweetie," she complimented, deactivating her lightsabers and pulling Mara to her feet. "Jar'Kai is a touch form to fight against."
"Yeah I noticed," she said sarcastically, but smiled as well, deactivating her own lightsaber. "I like the reverse handgrip at times though, it's fun to use," she admitted.
"Shien," I called out from the side, where I was sitting on a rock, reading a book. "Reverse Shien handgrip, usually less preferred amongst most people."
"Doesn't make it any less cooler though," Ahsoka challenged, hands on her hips.
I shrugged. "Eh, just stating the facts."
"What about Makashi? You use that a lot right dad?" Mara asked me.
"Yeah, more so for dueling then blaster deflections, that's why it was developed," I told her, finally looking up from my book.
"So, if it's for dueling, then does having two lightsabers make it easier or harder? You also use two, but not Jar'Kai," she pointed out.
"Usually I use my regular blue blade. The other I use when it gets tougher. Also it, used to be Ahsoka's old lightsaber so I've kept it." I replied.
"Why'd you give him your lightsaber?" she asked Ahsoka.
"Well it was... complicated. I had to leave it behind during my escape from Mandalore if you remember," she recalls, and Mara nodded, having heard our war stoires from us years when we were putting her to bed. She'd always demand a story before sleeping. "And then Jarik picked it up during his search for me."
"Aw that's so romantic!" Mara awed, and the two of us glanced at each other with a blush on her face; well lekku in Ahsoka's case.
"Yeah I- *cough* yeah I guess it is?" I admitted, although more of as a question.
"Romantic couple! You two should kiss right now! I think you guys are great together! I love you! How can you be my parents if you aren't married yet?!" she quickly asked, although I could tell these weren't innocent questions. No she was deliberately asking all of this to make us uncomfortable. And she was succeeding.
My face was getting slightly redder as I looked away nervously, and Ahsoka's lekku were a very deep purple now, her gaze averted elsewhere as well.
"Ok ok ok, no more questions!" I exclaimed, and Mara shut up, although still haven't that wicked grin on her face. I sighed in relief at the silence before noticing a Terrible Terror on the rock beisde me, looking up with wide eyes. I could almost see the hint of mischeif in them, as if he understood what just happened.
"What are you looking at?" I demanded, and he flew away in response, squawking joyfully.
"You little rascal," Ahsoka muttered, rushing over to Mara and quickly grabbing her, hoisting her off the ground. She yelped in surprise at the sudden attack, and Ahsoka threw Mara over her shoulders with a smirk, marching over to the ledge. We were standing in the area which was dubbed 'the Saddle,' which made sense.
"You gonna stop now?" she said, dangling Mara over the ledge. She shrieked in protest before quickly nodding her head, grabbing onto Ahsoka's shirt. Satisfied, she put Mara back on the ground, and said twelve year old pouted at her.
"You're mean!" she accused.
"Yeah yeah, you still love me," she retorted, waving her hand.
"More then dad anyway," Mara replied with a shrug.
I looked up from the book and frowned. "Hey!"
Both of the snickered in amusement, and I rolled my eyes, returning back to the old book in my hands, which was apparently the Prime Jedi's personal journal. The caretakers gave us permission to read and study the old Jedi texts as long as we didn't abuse or damage them, which we readily agreed too. Despite having an actual journal written by him, there was no name yet, but tn this section the Prime Jedi had written down a few people he had come into contact with and considered an ally.
'A good friend of mine, more ally really, helped me on my crusade to create the Jedi Order from what was left of the Je'daii. The Sith have begun their advance across the galaxy since their birth two centuries ago, and he has been a wonderful advisor. Ruling a kingdom of nine worlds himself, he is one of the most powerful beings I have ever known. He is both noble enough to not abuse it, yet powerful enough to enforce order. And beyond that, he is an immortal being, several thousands of years old, even older then our own Je'daii Order in fact-'
I would have read more, but Ahsoka had sat down beside me, getting my attention. Mara was gone, probably headed off to her hut. "So, how's it coming?" she asked.
"How's what?" I replied.
"Work," she said simply.
I nodded in understanding. "Oh. Well, recently a new rebel cell has popped up on the planet Lothal in the Outer Rim. I think they'd be good to remain in contact with," I told her. "They're kind, smart, and have an eagerness to fight against the Empire from what I've read."
"Anything else special about them?" she asked.
"Yup. The pilot of their ship is Hera Syndulla, daughter of Cham," I said.
Her eyes lit up in recognition. "Really? Wasn't expecting that. He usually keeps his fight stationed exclusively on Ryloth."
"Yeah well, the two had some sort of disagreement and Hera struck out. I don't more, since it's their own private life."
"Fair enough," she agreed.
"Also, there's another one on their team called Kanan Jarrus," I said. "I've looked a little bit into his past, and he was a smuggler for a few gangs for some time, although his records seemed off, so I did some prodding and uncovered his secret identity as Caleb Dume."
Ahsoka frowned. "Should I recognize that name?" she asked.
"Yeah, he was a Jedi," I stated bluntly.
Hey eyebrows raised up in surprise. "Seriously? That's incredible!" she breathed out. "Another survivor."
"I think I might've met him before," I admitted. "Like once or twice during the Clone Wars at the Temple."
"What a small galaxy," she commented."
"Yup," I replied. After a few moments I stood up, closing the book. "Well, I'm off to the hut for a nap, I'm exhausted."
I started to walked towards the stone pathway leading back to the Village before Ahsoka launched herself at me. She jumped onto my back, wrapping her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist, putting her head on my shoulder with a mischievous grin on her face. I stumbled in surprise from the sudden addition of a person attached to my back before eyeing her in exasperation. "Really?"
"Yes really, I'm tired to. So carry me," she demanded.
"You know we're gonna hear it forever if Mara sees this," I pointed out.
"Then you better be stealthy about it. Now start walking or else I'll bite your ear off!" she demanded sternly, smirking deviously and showing her fangs intimidatingly.
"You wouldn't dare," I said with narrowed eyes.
"I'm a carnivore silly! I very well can, so start walking!" she says, hugging herself around me tighter and I sighed, lifting her up with my arms holding her legs. I started trudging down the hill with a beautiful Togrutan lady holding on to me like a backpack while smiling happily. Sometimes I had to wonder if she ever truly lost her streak of snippiness that Anakin loved to call her out on so many times.
Judging by how she had a firm grasp on me I'd say not.
Lothal - Ezra's Tower
3rd person POV...
Ezra looked at the lightsaber in his hands in interest, entering his home again. Those guys definitely offered a fun adventure, and that girl Sabine was definitely beautiful...
He glanced around at all the stuff lying around in his room, from Stormtroopers helmets to dusty crates and sighed sadly. Guess he's back to living the life of a street-rat, stealing and selling on the black market to survive... but then he sensed something behind him. Somehow, he just knew that Kanan was standing there, but he wasn't doing anything. Ezra decided to stop running and finally confront Kanan for real. "What's the force?"
"The force is everywhere. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together. And it's strong with you, Ezra. Otherwise, you'd never been able top open the Holocron." Kanan answered immediately, and Ezra frowned, not yet turning around.
"So, what do you want?" he asked.
"To offer you a choice. You can keep the lightsaber you stole, let it become just another dusty souvenir." Kanan said, and Ezra grimaced nervously. Apparently he wasn't as good of a pickpocket as he thought, or maybe the fact that Kanan was a Jedi had something to do with it.
Still, Kanan continued. "Or you can give it back and come with us, come with me and be trained in the ways of the Force. You can learn what it truly means to be a Jedi."
Ezra turned to look at Kanan inquisitively. "I thought the Empire wiped out all the Jedi."
"Not all of us," he replied with a small smile.
Imperial Star Destroyer - Classified location
3rd person POV...
On board an Imperial Star Destroyer, a private meeting was taking place between two powerful individuals. Within a dark room, a figure kneeled before the hologram of their superior: a person of remarkable strength and power. He stayed in a kneeling position as his Master spoke, his mechanical voice echoing around him. Any normal man would flinch in the presence of such power, but not him.
"The Jedi Knights are all but destroyed, and yet your task is not complete Inquisitor. The Emperor has foreseen a new threat rising against him, the Children of the Force. They must not become Jedi," the voice of Darth Vader said firmly. The hologram showed a massive image of his mask, further displaying his dominance and position.
"Yes, Lord Vader," the kneeled figure said respectfully.
"Hunt down this new enemy and if they will not serve the Empire, eliminate them along with any surviving Jedi who will train them. This is my Master's command," Vader ordered.
"And so it will be done," the kneeled figure said again.
"And if the Jedi Knight Jarik Shan reveals himself, you will send the message to me. Failure to apprehend Shan will result in worse punishment then your previous attempt, which I will deal out. Personally," Vader promised coldly, the threat all too clear.
The kneeled figure scowled at the reminder of his humiliation from the hands of Shan years ago. This time it would be different.
"I will gladly make sure Shan pays dearly for his actions Lord Vader," he promised, and the transmission ended.
Grand Inquisitor frowned heavily before opening his eyes, which glowed an evil and angry yellow. He would not fail again, and if he encounters another Jedi, or Shan, then he would make them suffer. He would not fail Lord Vader and the Emperor a second time.
The holotable started to beep again from another incoming transmission, and Grand Inquisitor stood up, accepting the call. Appearing in the hologram was the ISB Agent Kallus in the Lothal sector.
"Excuse the intrusion, Inquisitor. But in the course of my duties, I have encountered a rebel cell. The leader of that cell made good use⦠of a lightsaber." Agent Kallus reported.
Grand Inquisitor smiled. "Ah, Agent Kallus. You did well to call."
Well the Ghost Crew has finally arrived in the story, and now they're ready for some action! Also get some more fun family time from the three hooligans on Ahch-To. Oh Mara you teasing little rascal, she knows exactly how to embarrass her parents. And then there's Ahsoka getting more affectionate with Jarik, going as far as to leap onto his back for fun. Wonder when they'll finally get married... :)
More and more easter eggs constantly appearing throughout the duration of "Jedi in Exile" which are fun to add in for future events. With there being so little known about the Prime Jedi, Ahch-To, and Snoke I can expand upon it however I want, which is fun to do! :D
