Author's note: The following story is a squeal/spinoff of my previous Star Wars: The Clone Wars story Divergent Company. It features a few characters from the story, most notably a Clone Wars veteran named Kat. However, this story is still a coherent story that can be read without previously reading Divergent Company. Most of the other characters in this story are from the Star Wars: Rebels TV series which originally aired on the Disney XD 2014-2017 and is currently available on Disney+. Cara Dune is a character pulled from The Mandalorian streaming television series.

Spoiler alert! This story contains major spoilers for the Star Wars: Rebels TV series as it takes place after the conclusion of the show. As such, it reveals the fate of many of the show's characters. If you intend on watching that series, I recommend you do so before reading this story.

This story also contains some spoilers for Star Wars: The Clone Wars series including season 7. But these spoilers are lesser. Lastly there are some very minor spoilers for The Mandalorian, but I do not believe they will ruin your experience of that show.

Canon: This story attempts to follow the Disney canon of Star Wars, especially as concerns the movies and the television/streaming series. However, there is likely some conflict with novels and comics. Eventually, someone in Star Wars productions will provide a more thorough back story to Cara Dune, which most likely will contradict this story. Lastly, I've taken some inspiration from Legends material, in particular from the 1998 Nintendo 64 video game Star Wars: Rogue Squadron. Fans of that game will recognize one of the missions. But as that game is no longer canon, I have taken some liberties.

Please enjoy.


Star Wars: Rebels

Recruits


"Coming out of hyperspace in three minutes!" shouted Hera Syndulla. "Everyone to your stations! Check in."

"Top turret, check," said Garazeb Orrelios, the Lasat warrior who had been a member of the Ghost crew since Hera and Kanan had begun the Spectre unit.

"Nose gun, check," said Rex from the turret which was right below the cockpit. Rex was an old soldier, a veteran of the Clone Wars. But for a clone Hera found him to be surprisingly unique.

Hera heard the low-pitched beeps and bops from her astromech, C1-10P. "Glad to hear it, Chopper. Just get ready. We don't know what we're about to jump into."

"My guess is an Imperial blockade," said Alexsandr Kallus as he took the co-pilot's station to Hera's right. Hera looked over at the former Imperial agent. While he was a solid warrior, Hera deeply missed having Kanan sitting next to her.

"That would explain the communications black out," said Hera. "We haven't heard from Senator Organa in over two days."

"We haven't heard anything from Alderaan," said Kallus. "If the Empire has blockaded the planet, they may be jamming communications."

"Agreed," said Hera. She didn't like it. If the Empire had discovered Bail Organa's aid to the Rebellion, it could spell disaster upon the good senator's home world. It was why Senator Organa had been so careful to hide his actions. "Coming out of hyperspace in five seconds. Everyone, stay sharp."

Proximity alarms sounded as soon as the Ghost dropped out of hyperspace. "What is this?!" shouted Kallus.

"Hold on!" replied Hera as she dropped the Ghost below an asteroid. She then banked around another. "Chopper! Where did these rocks come from?"

The cantankerous droid bopped out his response.

"What did he say?" asked Kallus.

"Chopper says there is not supposed to be any asteroids in this area of the Alderaan system. Chopper, recheck our coordinates. We must have come out of hyperspace in the wrong area." Chopper made another series of noises and sounds. "Are you sure?" asked Hera.

"He's sure," replied Kallus. "I just double checked. We are at the exact coordinates of Alderaan."

"Then where is it?" asked Zeb with some attitude in his voice.

Hera looked out in horror at the rock pile they were flying through. Rex was the one who put into words what Hera could not. "It's all around us."

"What do you mean?" asked Zeb.

"He means that Alderaan is gone," said Hera almost in a trance.

"Planets don't just disappear," said Zeb.

"They do if the Empire wants them to," said Kallus. "Looks like they finally have a weapon powerful enough to do it. Perhaps this is the weapon that we feared when we attacked Scarif."

"That's impossible. No weapon has the power to destroy an entire planet," said Zeb.

"What about the Senator?" asked Rex.

"Let's hope he got off planet in time," said Hera. But in her heart, she knew Bail Organa was lost. "Chopper, search the area for survivors, for ships, or any distress beacons."

"There won't be any," said Kallus. "The Empire will have made sure of it."

"We have to try," said Hera. For the next hour they searched the rumble that was once a thriving planet, with life and culture and good people…innocent people.

Finally, Kallus spoke. "General, we have to go."

"I agree, General," said Rex. "We can't do anymore good out here."

"I'm ready to leave this graveyard," said Zeb. Even Chopper chirped his agreement, adding a somber note at the end.

"Alright, let's leave. General Dodonna will need to know of this."

But before Hera turned the Ghost around, she took one last look at Alderaan, the planet the Empire destroyed. She then closed her eyes and fought back the emotions of anger and sadness. The Empire had to pay, and she would find a way to do it.


Star Wars
Rebels


Chapter 1: New Hope…

The Ghost dropped out of hyperspace. "We're here. Preparing to orbit Yavin." Hera turned to Kallus. "Do you think we were tracked?"

"No, and that's what confuses me," answered Kallus. "If I were still in the Imperial Security Bureau, I would have left probe droids behind and a ship nearby to track potential Rebel sympathizers. But we scanned nothing back at Alderaan."

Chopper beeped and chirped urgently. "What is it?" asked Kallus.

"Another debris field ahead!" interpreted Hera. "Everyone, to your stations!"

"Don't tell me the Empire has destroyed Yavin Base," said Zeb.

Chopper let out a set of relieving chirps. "No, Yavin 4 is still there," said Hera with her own sigh of relief. "Chopper, scan the debris field." Chopper replied with a set of interesting beeps. "From a ship?"

"Impossible," said Zeb. "No ship is that big. Not even our entire fleet could make that much debris."

"Chopper didn't say it was a Rebel ship," replied Hera.

"You think it was Imperial?" asked Rex.

"I don't know, but let's get down to Yavin Base and find out." Hera piloted the Ghost away from the debris field and took the ship down to the moon's forested surface. The Ghost glided over the treetops until Hera found the pyramid like structure that was the Rebel Base. She brought the Ghost to a landing just outside the hanger bay.

When the Ghost crew exited the front ramp, they saw that the base was as busy as a hive of angry insects. Rebels were running all over the place. Transport carts were busing people and equipment to transport craft. "They seemed to be in a hurry," said Rex.

"Looks like an evacuation to me," said Kallus. "My guess is the Empire knows we're here."

"Perhaps," said Hera. "We need to find, General Dodonna. If the Empire has a weapon capable of destroying an entire planet, the Alliance needs to know." Hera led her crew.

"Ah?" mused Zeb. "I seem to recall there being more fighters in this hanger last time we were here."

Hera looked around. Zeb was right. They had lost the entirety of Blue Squadron in the Battle of Scarif, but there still should have been about thirty starfighters at Yavin Base, X-wings and Y-wings. They were here before the Ghost had left for Alderaan. Now all Hera could see was two X-wings and one Y-wing. But there was also one other ship that Hera hadn't seen before.

"Look at that hunk of junk," said Zeb.

And Hera did. "It's a YT-1300 Corellian freighter, or at least it used to be. Somebody has clearly been upgrading it." Hera took special note of the quad-guns on the top and bottom of the ship which were superior to the Ghost's dual-cannon turrets.

"Listen, your Worship, I'm not letting some strangers on board my ship. Chewie and I can handle it," said a male voice near the ship that Hera didn't recognize.

"Like you handled our previous escape? What if there is a second tracking beacon?" responded a female voice that sounded a little familiar. Both speakers were hidden behind the Corellian ship. Hera couldn't see who they were.

"No one is tracking my ship. I've gotten away from the Empire more times that I can count. Chewie will fly, Luke and I will take the guns."

"Luke is flying an X-wing. But we can put gunners on your ship."

"No way. This is my ship, Princess."

"I don't have time for this." The woman emerged from behind the freighter. Hera recognized her immediately. It was Princess Leia of Alderaan, the daughter of Bail Organa. Hera wasn't looking forward to delivering the bad news to the young woman.

But before she could offer any condolences, she had to give her report. She walked quickly to the command center. There she found the Rebel general in command of Yavin Base. "General Dodonna!"

"General Syndulla, it is good that you are back. We will need the Ghost to assist in the evacuation."

"General, I have a terrible news about Alderaan," said Hera.

"We know, Hera," replied Dodonna. "It was destroyed by the Empire. Senator Bail Organa along with the planet's entire population are lost."

"How did you know?"

"A ship came shortly after you left. Princess Leia, Bail's daughter, was on board. She brought news to us of her home world's fate."

"What could have caused such destruction?"

"A massive battle station called the Death Star. It was the weapon we've been fearing these past couple of weeks. It was also responsible for the destruction on Jedha and Scarif."

"If the Empire has a weapon of that magnitude, then the Rebellion, no, the whole galaxy is grave danger," said Hera.

"Fortunately, they no longer have that weapon," said Dodonna.

"What do you mean?" asked Hera.

"Princess Leia was able to deliver the plans for the weapon that we stole from Scarif. We used the information to stage a counter offensive. It costed us nearly all our fighters and pilots, but they succeeded in destroying the battle station before it could destroy us."

"The debris field orbiting Yavin," said Hera with realization. She took a moment to be relieved. A great danger had been destroyed. But then Hera drew the next logical conclusion. "But that means the Empire knows of Yavin Base. How much time do we have?"

"We hope several days. But we're not going to wait that long. General Rieekan's fleet is due to arrive this afternoon to assist in our evacuation." said Dodonna. "The Empire was overconfident in their new weapon. Our hope is that the Imperial Fleet is a long way off. And it might take them a while to mobilize considering their loss of leadership."

"Loss of leadership?"

"Our last report was that both Grand Moff Tarkin and Darth Vader were on board the Death Star."

"Vader and Tarkin are dead?" said Hera with surprise. Tarkin was governor of the entire Outer Rim. His death would cause chaos throughout the Outer Rim. Vader's position within the Empire was ambiguous, but Hera knew from personal experience that he was an extremely dangerous agent of the Emperor. "That sounds too good to be true," said Hera. "How long ago was this recent report?"

"Not even a day old when the Death Star was destroyed," said the female voice Hera heard earlier.

"Princess Organa, it is good to see you alive," said Hera. "I'm sorry for your loss. But how do you know that Vader and Tarkin were on board the Death Star?"

"Because I was their prisoner," said the Princess. "They forced me to watch the destruction of my home planet. And they were still on the station when I escaped."

Hera was tempted to ask how Princess Leia could escape the combined clutches of Vader and Tarkin, but she decided that was a story for another time.

"We don't have time to think about the past. We need to start thinking about the future." said Leia. Hera couldn't believe her ears. This woman had just lost everyone she loved, and yet she was putting aside her own needs and was thinking of the Rebellion.

"The first priority after the evacuation will be finding a location for a new base," said General Dodonna. "General Syndulla, I believe your droids were instrumental in finding Chopper Base. Might they be able to help again?"

"Chopper will help as long as he can stay on the Ghost. AP-5 will be even more willing." Hera suppressed a smile. AP-5 was an Imperial inventory droid before Chopper had befriended him. He had been a navigator droid for the Grand Army of the Republic before that. The droid was very useful, but he had a superiority complex that made most Rebels avoid working with him.

"Good," said Dodonna. "We need a new base as soon as possible."

"It may take some time to find a new base," said Hera. She remembered how hard it was to find Chopper Base. Now both Chopper Base and Yavin Base were known to the Empire. It was getting harder to stay one step ahead of them. "What are we going to do in the meantime?"

"What do you mean?" asked Dodonna.

"I mean, what are we going to do to take the fight to the Empire?" replied Hera.

"Take the fight to the Empire?" repeated Dodonna in surprise. "We are retreating, General."

"At moment, yes. But once we are away with General Rieekan's fleet, we need to up our activities. We need to keep the Empire on its heels."

"Are you sure that is wise?" asked Dodonna.

"It's what we have to do," said Hera. "The Empire just destroyed an entire planet. But we were able to retaliate by destroying their best weapon. The galaxy has even more reasons than ever to hate the Empire. We need to show them that there is another way. We need to show them that the Rebellion is strong."

"But we are not strong," objected Dodonna.

"Then we fake it until we make it," said Hera. "If we show the galaxy that we are capable of standing up to the Empire, more will come to our cause. With Grand Moff Tarkin gone, the Outer Rim is without leadership. We cannot waste this opportunity."

"I agree," said Leia. "The galaxy needs to see that Alderaan's sacrifice was not in vain. Or else the people will slide back into fear."

Dodonna seemed to reluctantly agree. "We will need to be smart about this. First, we need to get off Yavin. Then we need to gather supplies. We cannot strike the Empire if we cannot fuel our ships or feed our people. General Rieekan might have some ideas about that. We can discuss this further when we are with his fleet. General Syndulla, right now we need you and your ship to assist in the evacuation."

"Of course, General."


Hera left the command center and walked back to the Ghost. She wanted to get her crew working before she took time for a very important personal errand. Fortunately, both errands had come together, as she saw Chopper making funny noises at Zeb, whose back was to Hera. Chopper pointed to Hera with his head appendages, and Zeb turned around…holding a little infant.

"Somebody missed his mommy," said Zeb.

"Come here, Love," said Hera as she took the baby boy into her arms, Jacen Syndulla. Not even a year old and Hera could already see the resemblance of his father, Kanan Jarrus. Hera bounced the child in her arms as he giggled.

"The nurse droid said he behaved well," said Zeb. "But it's not easy for a child to be away from his mother."

"You think it's easy for a mother to be away from her child," said Hera with a hint of anger.

Zeb waved his hands in front of him. "Ahh. I didn't mean anything by it, Hera. It's the nurse droids. They're just not the same."

Hera decided ignore Zeb's comment. She knew that she needed to get her crew going. She began ordering them to load supplies into the cargo bays. There were also a few shipping crates that could be magnetically latched to the bottom of the Ghost.

"General Syndulla!" came a voice approaching Hera. Still holding little Jacen, Hera turned to face the voice.

"Wedge! I am glad to see you alive. With all the fighters gone, I feared the worse."

"I'm not that easy to kill," said Wedge jokingly, but then he turned serious. "Although it was close. Red Leader and Gold Leader were both killed during their trench runs."

"Trench runs?" asked Hera, as she shifted her hold on Jacen.

"Our target was a two-meter-wide exhaust port at the end of a long trench. We had to get a pair of proton torpedoes in there. Both Gold Leader and Red Leader tried, but they were killed by a trio of TIE fighters. Luke ordered us to go full throttle to avoid them."

"Luke?"

"Huh? Oh, the new guy. Incredible pilot. He had never touched an X-wing before the battle, but he handled it like a veteran. Red Leader put him in charge of the final trench run. Biggs and I went with him. I had to pull out, and Biggs…didn't make it. Fortunately, Luke got help at the last minute from a friend flying that Corellian freighter. I thought for sure that special TIE was going to get him."

"Special TIE?" asked Hera. "What did this special TIE look like?"

"It had bent wings just like a TIE Bomber, but only one cockpit. It was fast, really fast! And whoever was piloting it was extremely good. Red Leader was unable to shake him, even in open space."

Hera's heart stopped at the description of the Imperial fighter. She had seen it once before, near Lothal. At that time, it had decimated Phoenix Squadron, destroyed Commander Sato's command ship, and nearly destroyed the Ghost. That was before Wedge had joined the Rebellion. And Hera was fairly certain she knew who had flown that TIE. Hera grabbed Wedge by the shoulder and pulled him towards her face. "Wedge! What happened to that fighter?!"

"I not sure, I guess…"

"Wedge! This is important!"

"The Corellian freighter shot down some of the TIEs. I think I saw the special TIE fly out of the trench. Just a few seconds later, Luke fired his torpedoes down the exhaust port."

"The TIE! Was it destroyed?!"

"Maybe, maybe not," answered Wedge.

Hera left Wedge without another word. She didn't even hand Jacen off to another Rebel or a droid. She returned to the command center with the child still in her arms. As she entered, General Dodonna, Princess Leia, and several others were leaning over the tactical table. Hera didn't wait for anyone to notice her, but she spoke aloud to the table of leaders.

"Darth Vader is still alive!"

General Dodonna looked at Hera somberly. "We know." He stepped aside, and Hera could see the tactical table. "He's here."

Hera looked at the tactical table. Besides displaying the gas giant Yavin and the moon with the Rebel Base, it also displayed a fleet of over a dozen Star Destroyers. Dodonna spoke, "The Imperial fleet has arrived. It is far sooner that my most dreaded fears."

"We cannot wait another moment," said Princess Leia. "We must begin the evacuation. All supplies not yet loaded must be abandoned."

"I agree, with the Princess," said Hera. "If we go now, we might be able to escape before their blockade is in place."

"General!" spoke an officer. "We have incoming signatures. Enemy TIEs and light assault craft are coming."

"Begin the evacuation," said Dodonna. "General Syndulla, we have lost almost all our fighters. We could use the Ghost to cover the evacuation."

"You can count on us," said Hera.

"Do you wish your child to be taken on another ship?" asked Princess Leia.

Hera had forgotten that Jacen was in her arms. "And trust him to another ship and pilot? Not on your life. Jacen here is getting out on the Ghost." The little boy made a delightful squeal at the prospect.

Hera ran as fast as little Jacen in her arms would allow. Before she got to the hanger, she heard the loud voice over the base's speakers. "Begin the evacuation! All pilots to your fighters! All personnel to the transports." The voice repeated several times and issued more orders besides. Hera already knew what she needed to do.

As Hera hurried through the hanger, she saw all the supplies that were being abandoned. All the work that had gone into Yavin Base now lost. It was like Chopper Base all over again. Hera just hoped this time they wouldn't lose so many lives.

"No, no. We can't just leave these things," said AP-5, the black bodied former Imperial inventory droid.

"If you want to stay with them, you're welcome to," said Zeb to the droid. "Otherwise get on board with Chopper." Zeb turned to Hera. "Hera! What's going on?"

"The Empire's here, and we're leaving. Whatever is not loaded, we leave behind. Get the Ghost ready to fly. I'll get Jacen settled in and re-start the engines."

"On it," said Zeb. Kallus and Rex were already working as fast as they could. Hera ran into the Ghost. She climbed the ladder from the front cargo hold to the cockpit. She never regretted the Ghost's design before, but now that she was carrying a child, she wished it didn't require so many ladders.

Once in the cockpit Hera flipped a few switches to prep the Ghost. Then she settled Jacen in his seat right behind the co-pilot's chair where Hera could still see him over her shoulder. It had been specially redesigned to hold him securely and had been painted with images of flying ships and colors, a special gift to Jacen from Sabine Wren.

The comm buzzed and General Dodonna's voice came through, "General Syndulla, the advance wave of fighters is coming. We will need you and our fighters to cover our transports."

"Yes, Sir," replied Hera. "Is everyone on board?" asked Hera into the internal comm. She got the replies from Zeb in the top turret and Rex below her in the nose turret. Kallus came into the cockpit with Chopper rolling behind him. The droid plugged in, while Kallus took the co-pilot seat. AP-5 took the last seat behind Hera.

Hera got the clearance for takeoff, and the Ghost rose on its repulsorlifts. As Hera turned her around, she saw the hanger entrance. Two X-wings and a Y-wing left the hanger and preceded the Ghost. Hera followed them out.

"That Corellian freighter is following us," said Kallus. "Its IFF code identifies it as the Millennium Falcon."

"Let's hope it can hold its own," said Hera. The Corellians knew how to build their ships. The Ghost itself was a testament to that.

All five ships flew out above the forest tree tops. Hera spoke into the comm. "This is General Syndulla on board the Ghost. All wings report in."

"Red 5 staying by," said an unfamiliar voice.

"Red 2 staying by," came Wedge Antilles' voice.

"Gold 3 staying by," said the female Y-wing pilot whose name Hera couldn't recall.

"YT-1300 freighter, Millennium Falcon I presume, are you fleeing or covering the evacuation?" asked Hera.

"The Princess has convinced us to help cover the evacuation," said the freighter pilot, although he didn't sound happy about it.

Chopper made a few noises, and Hera looked at her sensors. "Alright everyone. We have TIEs inbound. We need to keep them away from the transports. Red 2 and 5 stay together. Gold 3 stay close to the Ghost. Millennium Falcon, you will have to be by yourself. I hope those quad-guns aren't just broomsticks," said Hera.

"The Falcon hasn't been beaten by the Empire yet," replied the pilot. Hera thought she heard the sound of a Wookie's howl in the background. Confidence was good, she thought.

A full squadron of TIE fighters were coming. "Stay close, everyone. We'll break through their formation. Then split up and take your targets," ordered Hera. The Ghost was in the lead. The Millennium Falcon was below, the Y-wing was above, and the X-wings were on either side. The TIEs were getting closer. "Shields double front, and cannons blazing on my mark." Hera watched her scanners as the distance between them and the enemy ticked down. They came into maximum range, but Hera waited. The TIEs didn't, and green bolts came raining down on them. Some of them splashed across the Ghost's forward shields. Finally, Hera gave the order, "Fire!"

Rex and Zeb let loose their turrets. The X-wings also fired. The Y-wing led out with a blast from its ion cannon, then followed up with its cannons. The Millennium Falcon fired from its topside quad-gun. Hera was pleased to see six of the twelve TIE fighters burst into flames, while another one spiraled out of the sky, disabled by the Y-wing's ion blast.

"Split up and take it to them." The X-wings, by far the most maneuverable fighters present, banked hard left. Hera picked a pair of TIEs in front of her and pushed the Ghost to pursue. The Millennium Falcon burst forward as well with surprising acceleration. But Hera couldn't worry about either that ship or the X-wings. She had to deal with the TIEs.

Rex fired at the two fighters in front of the Ghost. One listed a bit to the left. The other one flew straight up in a loop-de-loop, attempting to get behind them. "They're splitting up!" said Hera.

"I've almost got him," said Rex, as Hera pursued the first TIE. She watched as Rex missed twice, but hit the TIE on his third shot, snapping off the fighter's left wing and causing it to spiral into the forest canopy.

"Zeb!" called Hera.

"Tip us left," replied the Lasat warrior. Hera obeyed. The second TIE was coming from behind and to the left. By tipping the Ghost Hera exposed the TIE directly to Zeb in the top turret. A second later Hera's rear sensors registered an explosion. "Got 'im!" cried out Zeb.

"Good work back there," said Hera. She turned the Ghost to see how the other pilots were doing. One TIE was hit by the Y-wing's disrupting ion cannon. Another TIE was following one of the X-wings, but it was destroyed when the two X-wings flew head-to-head and past each other, the second one shooting the TIE off the other's tail. "A Corellian slip? Looks like they've done that before," commented Hera on the two pilots' skills. Apparently, Wedge was right. The new kid was a natural.

Hera looked for the final TIE. She found it pursuing the Millennium Falcon and firing on the disk shape freighter's dorsal hull. The light freighter was simply not designed for dogfighting. Hera moved the Ghost to intercept.

The Millennium Falcon tipped her nose upward. The disk-like shape of the Corellian freighter had significant atmospheric drag when it exposed its bottom side. The freighter dropped backwards relative to the TIE fighter. The TIE had to pull up to avoid a collision, and it overshot the Falcon. The Falcon tipped its nose down and leveled its flight. At the same time, it fired its engines, releasing blue fire out of its rear jets. In just a few moments the Millennium Falcon went from being pursued to becoming the pursuer.

The TIE pilot realized his mistake and tried to bank left. The Falcon couldn't make the turn quite as tight, but it accelerated through the turn. Even though it made a wider turn, it still remained behind the TIE. The TIE pilot tried to make a bank to his right, but before it could change direction it was blasted into dust by the Falcon's topside quad-gun.

"I see somebody else has been upgrading their Corellian freighter," said Kallus from the co-pilot seat beside Hera.

"Yeah," said Hera sarcastically. "I'll need to see it do a few more tricks before I even consider putting it in the same category as the Ghost." Hera looked over the scanners. She didn't like what she saw. "Heads up everyone, we're not done yet. Another squadron and several landing craft are approaching."

"Looks like they're splitting up," said the female Y-wing pilot. "The TIEs are coming for us. The landing craft are heading back towards base."

"We can't have that. All units move to point 09 and hold position."

"You're putting us between them and the base?" said Wedge in a half-question.

"That's right, Red 2."

"We can't deal with both the fighters and the landing craft," said Zeb.

"Yes, we can, if we do it right," said Hera. "The Falcon and the Ghost can occupy the fighters, while Red and Gold group hit landing craft. That should buy us more time. Hopefully the fleet arrives soon."

Hera brought the Ghost to a halt, hovering in position on it repulsorlifts. The Falcon did the same. The fighters flew a circle pattern behind the two freighters. Hera watched as the TIE squadrons came closer. She nudged the Ghost forward. "Same maneuver as before, except the fighters continue on to the landing craft. Take them out as quickly as possible. We're going to need your help."

"Copy that Ghost," said Red 5.

The ships lined up again just as before. The Falcon was below the Ghost, the Y-wing above, and the X-wings on either side. The whole formation slowly moved towards the TIEs. "Ready for full speed," said Hera. She leaned forward in her pilot's chair. "Ready…Punch it!"

The Ghost lurched forward, as did the other four ships. They blasted their way through the first squadron. This time only 3 fighters were destroyed in the first blast. The Falcon and the Ghost veered off and attacked the squadron. The X-wings and the Y-wing continued on to the landing craft. But the two Corellian freighters were sorely outnumbered against the TIEs.

The battle continued for several long minutes. A few TIEs were destroyed, but there was still too many. A few transports had taken off, but now the fighters were all over Rebel Base, and it was too risky to launch with all the TIEs around. The Ghost's shields were weakening. Hera wondered how the Millennium Falcon was doing. In addition, Hera knew it was only a matter of time before even more fighters showed up. In fact, she was surprised that more hadn't already come.

"Ghost, turn to point 60. We'll cover you," said a voice over the comm. Hera didn't know who it was, but she had no choice but to trust them.

"Falcon, follow me," said Hera. She turned the Ghost in the direction the voice indicated. She saw nothing on her scopes, but she hoped someone was there, because all the TIEs were following. Hera scanned with her eyes but couldn't see anything. However, Rex who had a better view from below gave a triumphant shout.

Several TIEs were destroyed as five A-wings fired from below. They were flying dangerously close to the forest canopy, but it hid them from the scanners. "We got a few of them, but you're not clear yet, Ghost. I hope you can handle as we're heading to the temple to assist the transports."

"We understand," said Hera. "Who do we have to thank?"

"We're Green Squadron. General Rieekan has arrived with our fleet. They're holding position in orbit, but they can't hold out against the Imperial fleet for long."

"Understood." Now Hera knew why more TIEs hadn't come. They were busy in orbit. If Yavin Base could evacuate in time, they might be able to get out of this.

The battle continued. First wave of landing craft had been destroyed and the two X-wings from Red Squadron and the single Y-wing from Gold Squadron had rejoined the fighter battle. The TIEs had been reduced in numbers, but the tiny fighters were hard to hit. They flew quick hit and run strikes against the fleeing transports. Hera saw one transport crash in flames. She hoped the surviving crew could get back to the temple in time to flee on another ship. Eventually the final TIEs were destroyed.

"We are evacuating the command staff now," said General Dodonna.

Hera breathed a sigh of relief, as she saw a Corellian Corvette, with its massive rear engines fly away from the temple base. Hera flew the Ghost over the front clearing of the temple hangar. She spotted some shipping crates. "Kallus, get to the magnetic locks. We will take everything we can."

Kallus slid down the ladder into the cargo hold. Hera flew down, and Kallus attached the shipping crates to the under belly of the Ghost. The Ghost then followed behind the remaining transports and fighters. As they reached the orbital battle Hera saw several Rebel ships dead in space. The fleet had sacrificed a lot to ensure the evacuation. One Imperial Star Destroyer was in flames, but Hera knew it was repairable.

With the General Rieekan's fleet covering their escape, Hera pulled the hyperdrive lever on the Ghost, and once again she abandoned a Rebel base.


Hera learned all about their loses from Rebel command at the fleet's rendezvous. She learned even more as AP-5 droned on about the supplies left behind. Hera finally convinced the inventory droid to stop, claiming that Jacen needed silence for his nap. In reality that baby could sleep through a battle if he wanted.

The Ghost was docked on the side of General Rieekan's flagship, a Nebulon-B frigate. Hera was waiting for her meeting with General Rieekan and General Dodonna.

There was a knock on her quarters. Hera opened her door to find Zeb. "We have a guest on board." Hera took Jacen with her. She found Princess Leia Organa seated at the holotable in the Ghost's common room.

"Princess." Hera did a half bow.

"I'm not really a princess anymore," said Leia. "My home world is gone."

"I am sorry," said Hera. Hera sat across the game table from Leia.

The Princess got down to business. "I didn't come here to talk about losses. I wanted to hear more about what you were saying to the General Dodonna back on Yavin. I hope to have a better idea of what you are proposing before we meet with Dodonna and Rieekan."

"Wait," spoke Zeb. "What did you say to the General Dodonna?"

"I said that we need to keep up the offensive against the Empire," answered Hera. She saw Kallus, Rex, and Chopper were also in the room.

"It makes sense," said Kallus. "If there was one thing the Empire feared in my days with the ISB it was an organized Rebellion. If we put forward a good face, we might win more to our cause."

"I don't know," said Rex. "I'm used to fighting wars when you already have an army. You're suggesting that we attack and hope an army follows after us."

"They will," said Hera. "To answer your question, Your Highness, I have a few ideas in mind. Most of them were small scale; just for the Ghost and her crew."

"Nah ah," said Zeb. "You can't lead the Ghost into dangerous battles. Not now."

"Zeb, we've taken the Ghost into countless dangerous battles. Why would now be any different?" asked Hera.

"I thought that would be obvious." Zeb pointed at the baby in Hera's arms. "You can't keep bringing a baby into battle."

Hera looked down at Jacen. He was cooing and looking up at her. When Hera raised her head, she saw Leia looking at her. She looked uncomfortable around the child. "I'm not asking you to personally lead the missions," stated the Princess. "Perhaps a more tactical role for you, General."

"Or maybe you could go to Lothal with Sabine," said Zeb. "At least until little Jacen is a bit older."

"No," said Hera. "I maybe a general, and I maybe a mother, but I am also a pilot. I belong on the Ghost."

"There's always a risk in war," said Rex.

"Are you sure you want to expose your child to that risk?" finished Kallus.

"And don't even think about leaving him behind," said Zeb. "We know you couldn't do it. And if something were to…" Zeb bowed his head. "That child has already lost his father. I don't want to see him lose his mother too."

Chopper rolled up a made some slow understanding beeps and boops. "Not you too, Chopper? Are you all against me?" Hera was surrounded. It was like some sort of intervention. "I cannot and will not sit out this war!" said Hera forcefully.

"Maybe we can find another way," said Leia. "A way in which we can use your talents, minimize the danger to you and your son, and sway the galaxy to our cause."

Hera sat in silence for a minute. The only sound was Jacen blowing bubbles with his lips. She had been fighting with this Rebellion for so long. Ever since she had left Ryloth, and since she had been recruited by Fulcrum.

Hera's mind lit up like a light panel. "That's it!"

"What's it?" asked Zeb.

"Our family was a smooth functioning Rebel cell," said Hera. "You, me, Chopper, Kanan, Sabine, and Ezra were a formidable team."

"I can certainly testify to that," said Kallus.

"But before I was a team member, I served the Rebellion in another role," said Hera. "I helped Fulcrum in finding and recruiting new Rebel cells. I found Kanan. Then he and I found Zeb and Sabine. And…well Ezra found us."

"And we recruited Kallus and Rex here," added Zeb, catching Hera's drift.

"And Antilles and Wolffe and Gregor and Ketsu and Hondo," continued Kallus. "The list goes on. And it all started with you and Kanan."

"If I could do it once, I can do it again," said Hera.

"You want to become a recruiter?" asked Leia.

"Why not?" replied Hera. "I have a ship that can sneak through Imperial and Outer Rim worlds. I will recruit who I can and build up the spirits of the people who cannot join us." Hera continued, "I can also scout places for the supplies the Rebellion needs. And I can keep Jacen with me."

Leia gave a small smile. She looked around at Hera's crew, who all approved. "Very well. We can tell the Generals at our meeting. I will see if General Rieekan can come up with any possible recruits for you to investigate, particularly from the survivors of Alderaan."

"And I will submit my assault plans to General Rieekan. If the Ghost cannot complete them, maybe someone else can."

Leia turned towards the airlock but stopped. "Thank you, General. If your new recruits are as good as your last, then you will be helping us more than you know."