Chapter 5: Healers and Exiles
"Blaster combat is different from physical combat. You don't simply approach and engage. You have to plan strategic positions. Find a location with adequate cover or one that allows you to have a good angle of fire."
"You sure speak a lot about angles, Old Timer," said Cara Dune to Kat.
Kat shrugged her shoulders. "I picked it up from a friend of mine." Fond memories of Trig, the only male member of Divergent Company, came to Kat's mind. He had helped Kat train the clone women, but he wasn't here anymore to help Kat. Instead, she had Rex and Wolffe, although Wolffe would be staying on Lothal. But Kat could do this. She had done it with the women of Divergent Company, she could do it with the men and women of the Rebellion.
"Alight, let's run the course again," said Kat.
"You sure you don't need a break, Old Timer?" responded Cara. Kat tried not to reveal her weariness. This was a lot harder than when she was with her sisters on Kamino. Cara used the term 'Old Timer' as an insult to Kat's age but simultaneously as a term of affection. She and the young brawler had bonded over combat and training. But that didn't mean that Kat was going to look weak in front of the very strong and fit young woman who seemed to have unlimited energy.
"I still have enough fuel in the tank," replied Kat.
"But what you don't have is enough time," said Sabine, the Mandalorian woman. "Hera just called. The Ghost is leaving in four hours, and she wants everyone back."
"Then let's pack it up, soldiers," said Rex.
"Unless you want to stay," said Wolffe to Cara. Kat knew that to other ears the two clone men sounded exactly the same, but Kat could tell them apart no problem.
"Yeah, I'm going to stick with the Rebellion." Cara produced a wicked smile. "More of a guarantee of action."
"That's our lost," said Wolffe. "The Loth-Wolfpack could use you." Wolffe turned to Kat. "We could use you too, Kat."
"Your offer is tempting," said Kat. "But somebody has to teach these kids how to fight a war."
Wolffe slapped Kat on the shoulder. "I can't think of anyone better." He gave her a hug, and in the privacy of that moment whispered. "Good luck, Sis."
"You too, brother," replied Kat. Rex and Wolffe shared a parting, then Sabine Wren took them on an airspeeder out of town.
After Sabine had dropped them off at the Ghost General Syndulla called them into the common room. They gathered around the hologame table. Displayed was the image of a young man.
"Are you guys recruiting him?" asked Cara. "He doesn't look like much of a fighter."
"He's not fighter," answered Syndulla. "But we are trying to recruit him. He is a fellow Alderaan survivor. And he's a doctor. The Alliance desperately needs more medical experts."
"Not everyone can be a hitter," said Kallus.
"Yeah," agreed Zeb. "They can do their healing and leaving the hitting to people like us." Zeb gave Cara a playful yet strong punch to the shoulder. She returned the favor by hitting him in the shoulder. Even though she put some effort into it, she knew the Lasat's thick shoulder muscles would absorb the hit. It was fun having someone around who could handle her strength.
"Where is this doctor?" asked Kat of the General.
"His last known location is at a Chandrilan hospital where he is practicing medicine. Dr. Rolanga received his medical doctorate almost a year ago. He…"
"What did you say?" asked Kat in an alarmed voice. Cara looked over at her new mentor to see that her face had gone white.
General Syndulla spoke slowly as if she too was trying to figure why Kat was alarmed. "I was saying that he only recently became a doctor."
"His name, what was his name, his full name?"
"Dr. Carter Rolanga," said Hera.
"Any relation to Collin Rolanga?" asked Kat.
"I'm not sure," answered Syndulla. "Do you know this man?"
"Possibly," said Kat. "I met a Dr. Collin Rolanga from Alderaan. He ran the field hospital during my time on Christophsis."
"I remember him," said Rex stroking his beard. "He was part of Senator Organa's relief effort on Christophsis."
"Princess Leia Organa did mention that Carter Rolanga's father was a companion of her father," said General Syndulla. Cara was briefly awed that the General had been in contact with the Princess of Alderaan.
"Then maybe it is his son," said Kat with a relaxed voice, but Cara knew there was something she wasn't saying.
"If you knew his father, then maybe you should come with me on the recruitment mission," said Syndulla.
"Yeah, Kat. Your recruitment speech is not so bad," said Cara.
"No," said Kat a bit too quickly. "Rex knew him too. Have him come with. I can't do the all the work here." The humor was a bit too fake. What was Kat hiding?
"Very well. We're heading to Chandrila," said General Syndulla. "Rex and I will handle the recruitment. Kallus, I want you to scout ahead of us in the Phantom.
"Remember, the Phantom is a former Separatist shuttle," warned Rex. "Chandrila was firmly on the Republic's side during the Clone Wars. It would be best to keep her out of sight."
"Understood," replied Kallus.
Syndulla continued. "Take Miss. Dune with you if she is willing. It will be a good experience for her."
"Sleuthing with an ex-ISB agent?" said Cara. "I can think of worse things."
"Very funny," said Kallus.
"What about me?" asked Zeb.
Syndulla frowned. "Unfortunately, a Lasat on a Core World like Chandrila would attract attention. It would not take the local Imperials long to figure out the who you were. You will stay with the Ghost and keep her warm in case we need a pickup. Kat you will stay with him. I trust Rex showed how to operate the Ghost's turrets."
"He gave me the tutorial," responded Kat simply.
"Then it's settled," said General Syndulla. "Everyone, get what they need. We are going to the Core."
"What do you think of the new recruits?" asked Hera. She and Sabine were sitting on the ramp of the Ghost. Jacen was siting between Hera's legs in front of her, playing by himself.
"I like them," said Sabine. "Cara is a fighter. I fear for any Imperial that gets in her way. And I saw Kat on the training course and on the hovertrain. She might be old, but there is still a lot of fight left in her. And she has an intelligence in the battlefield that the Rebellion needs. She's almost like a female version of Rex."
"I'm glad you approve," said Hera. "We will have to see what they can do in a real mission."
"Yeah," agreed Sabine. "What was with Kat and that doctor? She was acting strange in the briefing."
"I noticed that too. I will ask Rex to inquire," said Hera. "Did she say anything to you when she was with you in the capital?"
"No. She was either spending time with Cara and me on the training course or talking with Rex and Wolffe."
"Did Wolffe know her?" asked Hera.
"He seemed to know her, or at least know of her," answered Sabine. "How much do you know about her?"
"Only that she served in the Clone Wars," said Hera. "Rex vouches for her. That's enough for me."
"It doesn't sound like it," said Sabine. "Sounds to me like you are having doubts."
"Cara Dune is a blank slate," said Hera. "We know her history. Kat has much experience, but I don't know her background. I don't even know her home planet."
"I wasn't very forthright about my past either," said Sabine. "Maybe she needs time to feel at home with her new family."
"Maybe that's all she needs," said Hera. Her commlink buzzed with an update.
"I'm guessing it's time for you to go," said Sabine.
"It's not right of us to stay too long on Lothal. It will attract too much Imperial attention." Hera shook her head at the excuse. "You know I would stay longer if I could, but…"
"But the Rebellion needs you," finished Sabine. "I understand. You know there's always a home for you on Lothal."
"I know, Sabine," said Hera.
"You weren't going to leave without saying goodbye?" asked Zeb as he descended the ramp. Chopper rolled along beside him.
"Um, you're the one leaving, Zeb," said Sabine with attitude. Then she softened and gave the Lasat a big hug. "Take care of yourself big guy."
"You too, Sabine."
Sabine came up to Hera and Jacen. She bent down to the child. "I'm going to miss you too, Spectre 7." Sabine wiggled her gloved finger in front of Jacen who reached out to play. "Take care of your mommy for me." Sabine gave Hera a hug.
Hera stood on the ramp and watched as Sabine got on her airspeeder. The Mandalorian waved as she took off. Always a member of Hera's family even if she was no longer a member of her crew.
Hera turned around and ascended the ramp. She had a new crew to take care of now.
Cara Dune took the co-pilot's seat next to Kallus in the Phantom. "Why doesn't Kat like this ship? It's roomy enough."
"This was once a Separatist shuttle," answered Kallus. "Kat used to fight the droids that piloted these things."
"I suppose that makes sense," said Cara. "What about the briefing? What's got Kat in a twist?"
Kallus paused. "I'm not sure. There is something about this Dr. Rolanga that disturbs her. I did some extra research. His father and mother served as relief workers under Senator Bail Organa. His mother was killed in a Separatist bombing when he was just a toddler. His father remarried. Both father and stepmother are presumed dead on Alderaan."
"Any connection to Kat?"
"Not that I could find," said Kallus. "But she did say her unit fought in the one of the battles on Christophsis. Perhaps she knew the doctor's birth parents?"
"That would explain it," said Cara, deciding to put it behind her. "So, what's our mission?"
"We scout ahead, and then we watch their backs when they arrive."
"Are we expecting the Empire to notice us?"
"We are heading to the Galactic Core," said Kallus. "The Empire has more of a presence there. Plus, Chandrila is known to have many Rebel sympathizers like Senator Mon Mothma."
"Yeah, I know how that ends," said Cara. "Suspicion of Senator Organa got my home world destroyed."
"Then you know how careful we need to be."
Kat sat in the topside gun turret. The swirl of hyperspace passed by her. It was so much quieter traveling in the Ghost than on a Republic Cruiser. And the gun turret gave her a much better view of hyperspace. The peace she felt up here was similar to when she stargazed with Stella on the top of one of Kamino's domes.
And just like then, she had a lot on her mind. Kat shook her head. Dr. Collin Rolanga's son!
"May I join you, Sis?" asked Rex from below her.
Kat wanted to be alone, but Rex was her brother. "There's not really room for two up here, but if you wish." Kat flipped up the gun controls and tucked her feet under her chair. Rex climbed up the ladder. He only got his head and shoulders into the turret, so Kat had to look down at him.
"It's quiet up here," said Rex. "A good place to come and think."
"Yeah," was all that Kat said.
"So, are we going to talk about what happened down there?"
"What are you talking about? I met Dr. Rolanga during the War. So did you. It's not a big deal."
"It is to you," said Rex. "Don't lie to me, Sis. What's going on?"
Kat sighed. "You never met my second-in-command Streak, did you?"
"No, but I read about her when I was researching Divergent Company. She was quite the soldier I heard. She was medically discharged after she was wounded."
"She was shot in the head," said Kat. "The blaster bolt permanently blinded her. Dr. Rolanga took a personal interest in her care. He took her to Alderaan with him. After living with his family for about a year, she and he were wed. She became stepmother to his infant children. Their mother was a civilian casualty of the War."
"So, this Carter Rolanga…?"
"Is Streak's son," finished Kat. "Streak was my best friend. But I lost contact with her after I…after the War. I don't want to face her son."
Rex paused as if trying to come up with an answer. Then he looked up at Kat and said, "I imagine Streak would want you to meet her son. It might be difficult, but then it might just be worth it."
Kat let out another sigh. "I don't know. Maybe you're right."
"I'll leave you to your thoughts," said Rex. "But you know where to find me if you need to talk."
"Thank you, Rex."
"Yes, Agent Aargant. Do you want me to inform the local garrison?" asked the Star Destroyer captain.
"No, Commander Bowmen," replied the ISB agent. "Just relay my message to the local ISB office. I want them to assign a tail to Dr. Rolanga. Have him check in every hour."
"Every hour? Is that standard ISB protocol?"
"No, but I have reasons for the added precaution. I am boarding a transport and will rendezvous with the Assailant in ten hours."
"We await your arrival, Agent Aargant."
The two holographic images faded. "That's it. That's all I could get," apologized a human woman operating the console. "Sorry, I couldn't get more."
"Intercepting an ISB secured transmission to an Imperial Star Destroyer, that's an impressive feat! Don't apologize for that, Katrina," responded a human male.
"So, the ISB has taken an interest in a Chandrilan doctor," mussed another human woman. "Why?"
"Well, he's not Chandrilan. According to the hospital personnel records, he's from Alderaan," replied the first woman named Katrina.
"Perhaps the Empire is hunting down the survivors," spoke the man.
"If thesen Empire wants to followen doctor, yousa beingen sure itsa bombad," said an amphibious male alien.
"Then maybe we should form a tail of our own," said the second human woman. "I want to know what the Empire wants with this doctor."
Hera parked the Ghost in a commercial hanger bay. The Ghost was a known Imperial threat in the Outer Rim, but Hera had outfitted the ship with a signature modulator. Here on Chandrila the Ghost was just another Corellian freighter.
"We look a little too Outer Rim," commented Hera as she stepped off the Ghost. "If you would have cleaned off the Ghost's exterior like I asked, we might look a little more Core pristine."
"Ah, yeah, I meant to get to that," said Zeb, scratching the back of his head.
"Take care of her while I'm gone. And stay close to your comms. If I call, I expect a speedy pick up."
"Will do," said Zeb giving a casual salute. Next to him stood the old soldier Kat. The two of them walked up the Ghost's ramp. Hera and Rex walked out of the hanger with Chopper and Jacen's stroller pod following.
"Are you sure it is a good idea to bring your son on a mission?" asked Rex.
"As I told Sabine, no one would suspect a mother with her child of being a Rebel. If anyone askes, you're a Corellian trader in business with your son. This is your grandson, and I am your daughter-in-law."
"That might work," said Rex.
"I bet you didn't do much undercover work in the Grand Army of the Republic," said Hera.
"I infiltrated a Zygerrian slave market once," said Rex.
Hera shuttered knowing that many of her species had been sold in slave markets. "How did that go."
Rex made a noise of causal dismissal. "I got caught."
"That's not reassuring," said Hera. "I've been meaning to ask you, what was with Kat during the briefing? She was acting strange when we talked about Dr. Rolanga."
Rex became visibly nervous. "Ah, Dr. Rolanga was on Christophsis at the same time as Kat's company. He might have treated her wounded."
"Did he treat Kat herself?" asked Hera.
"Not that I know of, but Divergent Company was very close. Kat held every woman in that company like a sister. Dr. Rolanga probably treated many of them."
It wasn't the full answer, and Hera knew it. She was beginning to get uncomfortable with this Clone Wars veteran that she knew so little about. It was also unsettling that Rex was being so dodgy when it came to questions about Kat. She made a mental note to get a more complete report of this woman's past.
They arrived at the hospital where Dr. Carter Rolanga supposedly worked. Hera approached the front desk and spoke in her native Ryloth accent. "Excuse me. I am looking for a Dr. Rolanga. I worry about my son. My husband told me that he would know how to treat an interspecies child."
The woman at the front desk looked with thinly veiled distain at Hera and Jacen. The Core Worlds were populated mostly by humans. Some of them looked down on alien species, especially ones with a shady reputation like Twi'leks, whether that reputation was deserved or not. To see a child who was the product of a human and an alien would be repulsive to some.
"I'm sorry, Dr. Rolanga does not take appointments. You may check at our clinic. It's two buildings to the South," said the woman.
"Could we at least leave a message," said Rex. "I just want to make sure my grandson is all right. The least you could do is let us access the directory."
"There is a terminal over there," said the woman. She seemed glad to be rid of them.
They made their way to the terminal. "Chopper, plug in. Let's see if Dr. Rolanga still works here," ordered Hera. The droid accessed the data terminal and started his search. He beeped out a positive response.
"What did he say?" asked Rex.
"He's found Dr. Rolanga in the directory," said Hera. "I'm surprised you don't understand astromechs."
"During the War, I tried to avoid droids. No offense, Chop." Chopper gave an angry buzz. "No need to translate, I got the gist of that one," said Rex.
"Can you access a work schedule? If we can find Dr. Rolanga's work schedule, we can confirm that he is still on planet." The droid beeped affirmative. A work schedule appeared on the monitor. Hera looked it over. "Aha! He's here. And he's just wrapping up a twelve-hour shift."
"Then we wait for him," said Rex.
They waited over an hour at a food court across the plaza from the hospital. Finally, they saw Dr. Rolanga walking across the plaza. He was a young man, not too far into his 20's. It was impressive that he had been able to earn his doctorate in such short time. Hera and Rex walked up to him.
"Excuse me, Dr. Rolanga?" asked Hera.
He stopped and faced them. "Do I know you?"
"No," said Hera. "But we had a mutual friend, a colleague of your father's."
The young man's face fell. "My father is dead."
"So is our friend," said Hera. "So are a lot of our friends. We would like to talk with you."
Carter Rolanga studied the two of them for a bit. "Okay, shall we sit in the food court?"
"Let's go somewhere less public," suggested Rex.
"Follow me," said the doctor. Hera was surprised that he was so trusting. It made her a bit nervous.
The walked a few blocks to a diner. They sat down in a booth, and Dr. Rolanga ordered a hot beverage. Hera and Rex did the same. Hera took Jacen out of his pod and set him on her lap. He reached out and grabbed the booth's table with both hands.
"He's half human, half Twi'lek?"
"Yes," said Hera. "This is Jacen. His father was human. My name is Hera. You will forgive me if I don't say my family name just yet."
"I don't think I have a choice," said the human doctor calmly. Was he always this calm? Or was he emotionally dead after the destruction of his home world?
Dr. Rolanga turned towards Rex. "And you are a clone." A look of surprise came to Rex's face. "Am I wrong?"
"Ah, no. You're not wrong. How did you know?"
"I've learned a thing or two about clones. My father used to provide medical care for them during the Clone Wars. Why is a Twi'lek and a clone asking to speak with me?"
Hera decided on the direct approach. "We are looking to give you a job."
"I'm afraid that I cannot practice medicine in the Empire without first finishing my residency," replied Rolanga.
"This job offer is not from the Empire." This was the risky part. Hera lowered her voice. "This offer is from Princess Leia Organa herself. We are asking you to join the Rebellion."
Dr. Rolanga sat back in his booth. It was as if he was both surprised but also expecting this. "Princess Leia Organa is alive? And her mother and father, the Queen and the Senator?"
"I'm afraid they perished when the Empire destroyed your home world," said Hera. Maybe it was cruel to mention Alderaan's destruction, but she was hoping that anger or a sense of justice would motivate the young man.
"I am not a soldier," said Rolanga.
"We're not asking you to be one," said Hera. "We are asking you to be a doctor."
Rex took up the argument. "Your father assisted Senator Organa in the Clone Wars. I met him on Christophsis. He helped a great many of my brothers."
"Did you meet my birth mother as well?" asked Carter Rolanga. Rex was silence, and the young man continued. "I didn't think so. She was there at the battle too. She was killed when the Separatist commander, an Admiral Trench, ordered a bombing run on Senator Organa's position. She went to heal, yet she died in battle. And now, thanks to Senator Organa and your Rebellion, my father, my brother, my stepmother, and my whole planet are dead. Why should I die as well?"
Hera was speechless. How could she answer that question?
But Rex wasn't speechless. "Your father and birth mother were healers. They saw pain and suffering, and they responded. Your stepmother was a soldier. She saw war and injustice, and she fought to end it. They saw a problem, and they were in a position to do something about it."
Hera looked at Rex. How did he know this man's stepmother?
Rex continued. "Senator Organa was one of the most caring persons I ever met. All he was concerned about was helping the people of Christophsis, and then the people of Ryloth after that." Hera remembered when the Senator secured food and supplies for her home world. She remembered being painfully hungry as starvation threaten to end her life. The supplies Senator Organa sent had probably saved Hera's life.
Rex continued, "When his beloved Republic turned into an Empire, he fought to restore justice. He died doing what he could. You more than anybody know that the Empire is evil. What are you going to do about it? What would your father, your mother, or your stepmother do about it?"
Dr. Rolanga gave a slow nod. Rex's great speech aside, Hera got the impression that he had already made up his mind. "You said that Princess Leia requested me herself?"
"She knew your father through her father," said Hera. "She pointed us in your direction."
"Then a bit of Alderaan still lives," said Carter Rolanga. "What would my duties include? Would I be a battlefield medic?"
"Possibly," said Hera. "But as a fully trained doctor, we would find better uses for you. For one, we need someone to train those medics you mention. Secondly, since we are currently without a base, we are trying to convert one of our frigates into a medical ship. It would be good to have as many medical experts as possible for that project."
"You want to help establish a medical frigate?" Carter Rolanga rested his chin on his hand. "How many doctors and nurses do you have?"
"Not enough," said Hera. "We also lack supplies and medical droids."
"Most places that try to recruit me tell me about their state-of-the-art equipment and personnel."
"Then they don't know you very well," said Rex. "You want to go where you're needed and where you can serve a noble cause. I challenge you to find a place where you are needed more or a cause that is more noble than the Rebellion."
Carter smiled. "And there's the added bonus of revenge."
"Yeah, there's that too," said Hera. "Can we count you in?"
Carter nodded. "If you're the real deal, then yeah, you can count me in."
The ISB agent saw the doctor leave the hospital. He was intercepted by two strangers, an older human male and a Twi'lek woman. Surprisingly, the woman had a child with her! Clearly they were not Rebels. But the agent had been tasked to follow and report. He would obey his orders.
The doctor and his new acquaintances walked several blocks. The agent followed. But after only a few minutes, the agent realized that he himself was being followed. He turned a corner, went down an alley, and drew his blaster. He waited for his moment to turn the tables on his pursuers.
A dark-haired woman came around the corner. She jumped back in surprise. The agent smiled. He had gotten the jump on her. He aimed his blaster and prepared to fire.
He felt pain in his back like a fire burning within him. He fell forward and landed face first on the ground. And he moved no more.
Cara Dune looked down at the man with a smoldering hole in his back. She looked up at Kallus. "I thought the plan was for me to knock him out?"
"It was, until he got the jump on you," said Kallus. "A lesson, the hunter can become the hunted real quickly." Kallus kicked the man over and made sure he was dead. "Don't feel bad. He found us out much quicker than I expected. I failed to anticipate that." Kallus searched the man's pockets. "And here is the reason why." Kallus pulled out a small tube.
"What's that?"
"That is a covert ISB code cylinder. It's not obvious, but it would give his identity to any Imperial database."
"The ISB is on to us!" said Cara in alarm.
"Possibly," said Kallus. He looked upwards as if searching for an answer. "If they are not after us, then why would they be following the doctor? Is it possible that they are watching survivors?"
"I don't like the sound of that." Cara looked down at the man. "At least we got this one. Will he be missed?"
"Not for a while. ISB agents operate with a certain amount of freedom," said Kallus. He began digging through the rest of the man's pockets.
"Good," said Cara. Kallus opened up the man's wallet and emptied it. "What are you doing?"
"Funding is hard to come by in the Rebellion. Plus, the more this looks like a robbery the better. Let's get back to Hera and Rex."
"We will attempt to contact the Princess from our ship. Hopefully, that will convince you," said Hera.
"That would go a long way," said Dr. Rolanga.
Rex walked beside the doctor. On the other side was Hera. Baby Jacen was riding in his hover stroller pod between her and the doctor. Chopper followed behind. Rex's memory of Dr. Collin Rolanga wasn't good enough to see a resemblance in his son. But Rex was convinced that this man wasn't a decoy. Thus, Rex focused his attention outward as they took a less obvious route back to the Ghost.
It was about five blocks from the café when Rex noticed a situation. "Ah, Spectre 2, I think we have a problem."
In the matter of a few seconds they went from being alone to being surrounded. There were five of them: two human females, one human male, and two hooded figures that were clearly not human. All of them had blasters.
"Hold it right there," said one of the women. She was holding a silver blaster pistol. Rex recognized it immediately. It was a Naboo blaster. Senator Amidala used to use the same model. And the aliens, they wore hooded cloaks over their heads, but their hoods were suspended above their heads by some sort of cap, as if they didn't want the hoods to rest on top of their heads. A look under those hoods and Rex understood why. Above their billed faces was the shine of eyeballs raised up on stocks. If the hoods laid flat on the tops of their heads, they would cover their eyes. It was enough information for Rex to conclude that these mysterious aliens were Gungans from Naboo.
"Easy there. No one wants any trouble," said Rex.
"I believe that when I see it, Imperial," said the second woman.
"You think we're Imperials?" asked Hera. "I assure you that we are not."
"And why shouldn't we think you're the Imperials?" asked Kallus as he and Cara Dune stepped out of the shadows, blasters drawn. One of the Gungans and the human male turned to face them. "I'd be careful with those," Kallus said. "I already killed one ISB agent today."
"You did what?" asked Hera.
"You were being followed," said Kallus.
"I don't think so," said the second woman. "You're Imperial through and through."
"Ah, Sel," said the first woman. "When's the last time you saw an Imperial agent bring her child on a mission?" The woman pointed at Jacen in his pod.
Hera positioned herself between Jacen and the woman. "You've better be careful. If that child is hurt in any way, then Imperial or not, you're going to have a problem."
"You're in no position to…"
"Sel!" shouted the first woman. "It's a child!" She holstered her silver pistol and turned to Hera. "Who are you? And what is your interest in Dr. Rolanga?"
"We are looking to hire his medical services," said Hera.
"And it's just a coincidence that the ISB is watching him?" asked the man.
"Wait!" said the first woman in alarm. "Did you say you killed an ISB agent?"
"Yes," said Kallus. "He was tailing either my friends or the doctor here."
"How long ago?" asked the woman.
"Ten minutes or less."
"Chanla, do you think he didn't report in, that he missed his interval?" asked the second woman, Sel.
"ISB agents do not have to report at regular intervals," said Kallus.
"This one does," said the woman named Chanla. "We intercepted a transmission between the ISB and a local Star Destroyer. The tail was supposed to report hourly. We thought you were that tail."
"If you are all trying to act in my best interest," spoked Dr. Rolanga. "Then you're doing a horrible job. As the third party here, I demand that you tell each other who you are. At least the short version."
Hera relaxed a bit, coming down from her defense mother mode. "I am General Hera Syndulla of the Alliance to Restore the Republic. This is Alexsandr Kallus, Imperial defector; Cara Dune of Alderaan; and Rex of…" Hera looked at Rex. He nodded. "…of Kamino."
"You're part of Mon Mothma's Rebellion?" asked the woman named Sel.
"Yes," said Hera. "You know who we are. It's your turn."
"We are the Exiles," said the woman Chanla. "We are from various Core or Mid Rim worlds. We tried to advocate for change, but the Empire decided to eliminate us instead. So, now we save who we can and fight where we can."
"That's all nice and dandy," said the human male. "But how can we prove they are who they say they are?"
Rex was trying to find a solution when the solution found him. "Drop your weapons and surrender," said the filtered voice of a stormtrooper. A squad of the white armored soldiers came down an alley.
"I hate that helmeted voice," said the human male.
Rex shrugged his shoulders. "Could be worse. Could be the voice of a battle droid." In one fluid motion Rex drew both his pistols and fired on the troopers. Two of them went down. The man across from Rex also took out another. The woman with the silver pistol hit another. But the remaining three stormtroopers hid behind cover.
Hera had taken Jacen behind cover. The woman Chanla was with her as was the doctor and Chopper. Kallus was with the two Gungans, each of whom were firing their blaster rifles. Everyone was dug into position and firing, but Rex knew from experience it was only a matter of time before someone was hit.
Where was Cara Dune? Rex looked around but he couldn't spot her. He hoped that she hadn't been wounded, or worse, killed. But then he saw her, hanging out of a second-story window behind the stormtroopers. She drew her blaster pistol, took aim, and fired on the troopers exposed rear. All three remaining troopers were killed. Cara dropped to the ground and walked forward, blaster pointed up and away from everyone. "See, angle of fire. Just like the Old Timer said."
"I see you listen to your training," said Rex. He looked at the whole group. "Can we now admit that we're on the same team?"
"Imperials don't value their soldiers," said the man. "This could still be a trap."
"I believe them," said Chanla. "And in the interest of self-preservation. I say we get out of here."
"Agreed," said the man. "Doctor, you should come with us on my ship."
"Hold on here," said Rex. "The Doctor is coming with us."
"No, Rex," countered Hera. "We will go with them. We need to earn their trust. We will leave on your ship. My ship will cover our escape. We can then rendezvous somewhere safe to settle our stories."
"Agreed," said Chanla.
"Kallus, take Cara and Chopper to the Phantom," ordered Hera. She grabbed her commlink. "Spectre 2 to Spectre 4. Get airborne and lock on to my comm signal."
"You need a pickup, Spectre 2?" asked Zeb through the comm.
"No, an escort. We're getting off planet in another ship." Hera returned her commlink to her belt. "Rex, you're with me. Doctor, this is your last chance. You can stay behind if you wish."
"I don't really think that's an option anymore," said Dr. Rolanga. "I suggest we move."
"This way," said Chanla. Hera, Chopper, and Jacen in his stroller pod followed Chanla. The woman named Sel along with Dr. Rolanga and the yet unnamed man were in the middle of the group. Rex and the two Gungans took up the rear.
As they turned a corner in an alley, a squad of five stormtroopers appeared just ahead. The front of the group was already behind cover. Sel and her male partner fired briefly before getting Dr. Rolanga behind cover. It was up to Rex and the Gungans. Rex fired both his blaster pistols. The Gungans fired their rifles. Gungans were usually unwilling to use technology from other species, but the way these two used the blaster rifles took Rex they had made the necessary adaptation. The stormtrooper squad was cut down.
Rex caught up with the rest of the group. They were just standing there. "What's the hold up?"
"That," said Hera pointing to a large open plaza.
"Our ship is in that hanger," said Chanla. "We have to cross this plaza to get to it." Rex understood. So far, they have stay in the cover of buildings and alleys. Now they would have to enter the open space.
"Let's not wait any longer," said the unidentified man.
"Negative," said Hera. She grabbed her comm. "Spectre 4, what is your ETA?"
"ETA is sixty seconds," came Zeb's voice over comm.
"We wait until…"
"There they are! Blast them!" A squad of troopers came from their right.
"Too late! We need to go!" said the unidentified man. He jumped out of cover and began firing. Chanla too ran out and fired, her silver blaster pistol firing green blaster bolts and making the telltale "who'amp" noise of a Naboo blaster. Again, Rex and the Gungans took up the rear. More troopers came from different directions. It became a desperate race across the plaza.
They were halfway across when a blaster bolt from behind narrowly missed Rex but hit the human male in front of him. The bolt caught the man in the back of his left shoulder. He dropped to the ground. Rex shouted to the Gungans, "Cover me!" Rex swooped down to the man, grabbed his uninjured right arm, and threw it over his shoulder. "Let's go, soldier. We need to get to your ship."
"It would be better to leave me," said the man.
"I never leave a man behind," said Rex. "Now shut up, and let's get going." The man started walking with Rex, but they were too slow. The Imperials were almost upon them.
A whirlwind hit the plaza as the Ghost dropped below the buildings and hovered in place. The Ghost's chin turret open fired on the stormtroopers. The weapons fire was pinpoint accurate, which told Rex that Kat was operating the guns. "Rex, Hurry up! The Ghost can only cover us so long!" shouted Hera.
As Rex got the injured man into the hanger the Phantom joined the fight, strafing the stormtroopers.
Hera was used to running under fire, but she was not used to doing it with her son in the line of that same fire. Now, she understood why everyone was pushing her so hard for easier missions. She just hoped that this understanding didn't come too late to save her son's life.
Hera ran across the plaza as stormtroopers came from multiple directions. She mentally counted the seconds since she had called the Ghost. Zeb should be here any second.
As if on cue the Ghost appeared over the buildings at the edge of the plaza. It took a position over the two groups, and its chin turret was firing at stormtroopers. If Zeb was flying, then it must be Kat who was operating the turret.
As soon as Hera reached the door of the hanger, she sent Jacen's stroller pod through the door. With her son inside, Hera spared a look behind. She saw Rex helping Exiles' human male. The two Gungans were providing cover fire. "Rex, Hurry up! The Ghost can only cover us so long!"
A group of stormtroopers attempted to flank the Ghost. The chin turret tried to hit them, but they kept advancing, only to be gunned down from a different direction. The Phantom flew down in a strafing pattern. While not the fighter craft the original Phantom was, they had outfitted the Phantom II with a pair of blaster cannons.
Rex and the Gungans finally reached the door. Hera led them inside, finding Jacen's hover pod on the way. She navigated a hallway before emerging into the open-air hanger. There she beheld the Exiles' ship.
It was a light freighter, a little bigger than the Ghost. It had a central hull which included the ship's cockpit and presumably its central systems and living quarters. It had a pair of secondary hulls on each side which contained the cargo bays. The cockpit potion of the central hull stuck out further like a nose. The cargo pods extend back further than the center, with the engines in the rear. It looked rather like a very large Y-wing.
The weaponry that Hera could see included a turret on the top-front portion of the cargo pod. Hera imagined there was a matching turret on the other side. On the under belly of the main hull near the rear was another turret. The turrets were very similar to the Ghost's own dual cannon turrets. There wasn't much flashy about the ship, but Hera imagined it was sufficient.
"The Nonnah gets the job done," said the man Rex was helping. He was clearly reading Hera's expression.
"Rike!" shouted Chanla. "She's warm and ready to go. We need you in the cockpit."
"This man is in no condition to fly," said Rex. "Doctor, I think we have your first patient."
Dr. Rolanga went right to work. "Let's get him inside. I will need whatever medical supplies you have."
"Katrina, the woman inside, will get you set up," said Chanla. The woman ran into the ramp which extended from the ship's front underbelly. Hera followed. Once up the ramp, Chanla turned and ran to the cockpit. Hera noted another woman who vaguely resembled Chanla as well as more Gungans on board the ship. Hera reached the cockpit as Chanla took the main pilot's seat.
"I take it Rike back there is your pilot," said Hera.
"It's his ship. He would hate for anyone else to fly it," replied Chanla.
"But you are also a pilot?" asked Hera.
"Not by trade," replied Chanla. "But I can fly." Chanla hit various switches as she powered up the main systems, including shields and weapons.
"What do you normally fly?"
"I was trained in a Naboo N-1 starfighter."
"A starfighter?" asked Hera in alarm. "But you don't fly freighters much."
"Can't be that different can it?"
"Let me fly," said Hera. "That ship that covered us in the plaza is mine. It's the same general class. I can handle this."
Chanla yielded the pilot's chair and took the co-pilot's seat. "Rike will never forgive me. But if you can keep us alive, I can live with that."
Hera jumped in the seat and did a quick survey of the ship's controls. They had been modified into a typical Corellian setup, not much different than the Ghost. She hit the internal comm. "Buckle up, everyone. It's time to get out of here."
"Ghost, this is Spectre 2 on board friendly freighter Nonnah, we're leaving. Pack up the Phantom and follow us out."
"Copy that Nonnah," replied Zeb over the comm. Cara stood impatiently behind Kallus. She could see the Ghost hovering in place. Another freighter than looked like it had seen better days was rising out of a hanger bay. Kallus flew the Phantom towards the docking port between the Ghost's top two engines. Kallus turned the smaller ship around and docked backwards into the larger ship. Glad to be reconnected to the Ghost Cara gladly followed Kallus into the larger ship.
Kallus ran immediately to the cockpit. "Glad you're here," said Zeb. "I'd rather be in the turret."
"Go, I can take it from here." Kallus took Zeb's position, while the Lasat ran back to the top turret. "Sit there and help me."
"I'm not a pilot," said Cara.
"Do what I say and only what I say. I'll take care of the rest."
Cara sat in the copilot's seat as the Ghost climbed out of the atmosphere of Chandrila. The other ship apparently called the Nonnah was in front of them. A monitor beeped in front of her. She looked down at it. "It that what I think it is?"
Kallus glanced over at the display Cara was pointing to. He called out on the comm. "Stay awake, Nonnah. The local TIEs have come to play. We have six inbound."
"We see them, Ghost," came General Syndulla's voice from the other ship. Cara wondered how strange it would be for the General to call to her own ship.
Cara watched the sensor display as the two ships left Chandrila's atmosphere and entered open space. "They're gaining on us," she said. "Here they come."
The TIEs broke into pairs. One pair targeted the Nonnah, the other two pairs targeted the Ghost. Cara braced herself as their green blaster bolts hit the Ghost's shields. But as the four TIEs appeared in front of Cara out the cockpit's windows, one of them erupted into a spiraling ball of flames. "Ha ha!" shouted Zeb over the comm. "One down."
The three remaining TIEs curved in front of the Ghost. No longer in pairs, the three fighters attacked as individuals. The Ghost's chin mounted cannons fired but missed as the fighters hit the Ghost's forward shields. "Ackk! Darn fighter jocks! Stay still!" Cara followed the voice with her eyes to see Kat at the turret controls below her.
"I thought you were a soldier, Kat," taunted Cara.
"I was infantry; not navy!" replied the veteran.
"Keep focused on your targets," said Kallus. "They will be back for another pass."
"Nonnah to Ghost," said an unfamiliar female voice. "We are calculating a jump to lightspeed. We will transmit the coordinates to you soon."
"Understood Nonnah," replied Kallus. He pointed one of the Ghost's instruments to Cara. "Watch that display and tell me when we have the coordinates."
"Got it," said Cara. It wasn't much but at least she was doing something. Kat was right. Boots on the ground was much better than this. Cara looked out at the Nonnah. Two TIEs were coming from behind and above. The Nonnah began spiraling. Just as the two fighters shot at the freighter, its bottom cannon had a shot. One of the TIEs had to pull up, but as he did the Nonnah continued her spiral, exposing the top portside cannon. The dual cannon obliterated the TIE.
Over the comm Cara heard various droid noises that sounded grumpy. She and Kallus had not had the time to get Chopper out of his astromech position on the Phantom II. "Yes, Chopper, I see them," said Zeb. Cara watched the sensor display and was pleased to see another TIE signature blink out.
The last two TIEs roared in front of the Ghost. One slipped a bit to the left, but it exploded. Cara heard Kat shouting from below. "Got yah, flyboy!"
There was a beeping on the console in front of Cara. "We have the coordinates from the Nonnah."
"Moving into position," said Kallus. The Nonnah banked to the portside to lined up for their jump. At the same time, the Nonnah presented a perfect shot for the portside cannon to pick off their last TIE. The Ghost followed the Nonnah's maneuver. The final TIE came in from below them. "Zeb get ready," said Kallus.
"Always ready," replied Zeb. Kallus spun the Ghost on its axis, swapping top for bottom, the undefended belly for the topside turret. Zeb took his shot, and the TIE exploded.
"Nonnah, we are clear. Preparing the hyperdrive," said Kallus, as he realigned the Ghost with the Nonnah.
To their starboard a large vessel exited hyperspace. "New contact to starboard!" shouted Cara as she looked out the window. It was a full-sized Imperial Star Destroyer!
"They're too late to stop us," said Kallus. "Hyperspace in three, two, one." Kallus pulled the lever, the stars streaked, and the Ghost and the Nonnah both jumped out of the system.
Commander Bowmen watched as two light freighters escaped into hyperspace just seconds after the ISD Assailant entered the Chandrila system. The remains of various TIE fighters floating in their wake. "Plot possible hyperspace routes on their last known vector," ordered Bowmen. But he knew it was futile. Any Rebel worth their salt wouldn't jump straight to their destination but would make multiple jumps to confuse their route.
"Let me see the data the sensors recorded," said Aargant, the ISB agent who had recently boarded Bowmen's Star Destroyer. The sensor chief pulled up the data. Agent Aargant leaned over to view the info.
"Is it the Rebels you are chasing?" asked Bowmen.
"Yes, this freighter matches the description of the Ghost. It is the same ship that sprung Cara Dune out from prison. They are trying to pick up survivors of Alderaan."
"Why?" asked Bowmen.
"An attempt to sway the galaxy in their favor. By parading survivors of the destroyed world, they will attempt to gain sympathy. It is also possible that they are recruiting new members into their alliance. Cara Dune is a fighter, and Dr. Carter Rolanga is a medical expert. Both are useful in a Rebellion."
"What about the other freighter?" asked Bowmen.
"I am not sure," said Aargant. "But I will know soon enough. I think it is time to pay a visit to the local governor. You may join me if you wish, Commander. A little pressure from the Imperial Navy will hopefully encourage him to strengthen his local security."
"I would gladly oblige you," said Bowmen. Both he and Agent Aargant knew that Chandrila was one of the Core Worlds supposedly loyal to the Empire, but it had a strong sympathy to the Rebellion especially since their former senator Mon Mothma had publicly denounced the Empire and the Emperor himself. In that way they were not unlike Alderaan. Seeing Alderaan's fate was enough to make the local governor nervous. The Empire would not tolerant a rebellious Core World. Aargant and Bowmen would go and remind the governor of that.
After that they had some Rebels to catch.
