Chapter 7: Family

Hera was sifting through information on her datapad when Kallus walked into the Ghost's cockpit. "I figured I'd find you here. You spend more time here than your quarters."

"Something on your mind, Kallus?" asked Hera.

"Clearly something is on your mind," replied Kallus.

"Alright, I'll go first," said Hera. "I want to recruit the Exiles into the Rebellion."

"I would think you foolish not to," said Kallus taking the copilot's chair. "Katrina alone could be a tremendous asset. That woman sees things differently than the rest of us. Her linguistic background allows her to approach the art of slicing with a creativeness that no droid or computer could ever match. The Rebellion needs people like her if we are going to stay one step ahead of the Empire and the ISB."

"You see very taken by her," inquired Hera.

"Yes…professionally. As a former ISB agent, I would have recruited…or," Kallus looked down in shame. "Or conscripted her into service for the Empire. Now, I would rather offer her a chance to join our noble cause willingly."

"Do you think you could do so?"

"No," said Kallus. "She used to be one of Chanla Neeyutnee's most loyal and trusted servants. She will still follow her queen wherever she goes. The same goes for Quilow Pom and the Gungans. If you want to recruit the Exiles, you need to recruit their leader."

"I agree," said Hera. "I gave a soft pitch to Chanla. She seems interested, but unconvinced. I need to show them the advantages to belonging to the larger Rebellion."

"You have a plan already, don't you?" asked Kallus.

"The beginnings of one," answered Hera. "But what about you? What's on your mind?"

Kallus sat back and crossed his arms. "The communication the Exiles intercepted was between a Star Destroyer captain and an old acquaintance of mine from the ISB."

"Go on," encouraged Hera. She could see that Kallus was concerned. And if Kallus was concerned, Hera was concerned.

"His name is Maxsis Aargant. We graduated the Academy together. We were trained to recognize patterns. He was an expert on data analysis. His ability to dig into the most minute details and yet keep the big picture in view was unrivaled in our class. I only edged him grade wise through my tactical prowess. All that, tied in with his ambition and the opportunities of advancement in the ISB makes him a very dangerous opponent. If he is tracking us, then we best be careful."

"Noted," said Hera. "I don't want another Thrawn trying to track me down."

Kallus laughed a bit. "Oh, he's no Thrawn. I saw Thrawn's work firsthand. Thrawn was patient and calculating. And Thrawn was a tactical genius." Kallus paused. "But the two of them share the same attention to detail."

"Then I guess we need you to stay sharp," said Hera. "If it comes to a showdown between you and him, I'm betting it all on you."


Maxsis Aargant continued his study of the data from the Cato Neimoidian incident. There was little to gain from the sensor data of the Imperial forces in the area. He could clearly see the two freighters, the Ghost and its companion working together during the heist. Clearly the Ghost was the superior combat craft, challenging the Imperial forces while the other freighter was left with the weaker Neimoidian freighter. However, Aargant was able to spot something no other Imperial did. A small Clone Wars era shuttle that slipped through the chaos and picked up a piece of equipment. It was most likely the probe droid that the Rebels had used to expose the Neimoidians' bride. And the shuttle was undoubtably the Phantom, an auxiliary vessel that could dock with the Ghost.

The fact that they were stealing a bride implied that the freighter's crew was not yet members of the so-called Rebel Alliance. But General Syndulla was clearly trying to recruit them.

"Agent Aargant, the information you requested has arrived," said the same underling as before over the comm.

"Send it to my quarters, Ensign," said Aargant. He received the new information. It was from the Neimoidian freighter that had been robbed. Aargant had been insistent with the local Imperial governor that he needed that information. He had implied that he could help the governor when the Imperial higher ups challenged his rule over the Neimoidian Purse Worlds. Aargant had no intention of helping the governor. Anyone so incompetent to take local bribes without hiding them sufficiently should be removed from his or her position. When a high-ranking Imperial fell, it made more room for people like Aargant to move up. And moving up was high on Aargant's priorities.

Aargant displayed the information and did a first cursory run through it. He noted that the boarding party was a mix of crew members from the two ships. Cara Dune and the mysterious older woman were there, as well as one of the female sharpshooters and several of the aliens. Notably missing was Alexsandr Kallus, Aargant's old rival. Aargant pulled up an audio recording of the sharpshooter's blaster. It made a unique "who'amp" sound. Aargant noted it and set the audio file aside for later examination.

Then he focused on the aliens. They were cloaked and never pulled off their hoods. Their hoods rather than resting on their heads seemed to be suspended above their heads. That implied some sensitivity on the tops of their heads like a head tail, or maybe a sensing organ like an ear or an olfactory nerve, or maybe eyeballs on stocks. Even so, that didn't narrow down the list enough. It was madding that Aargant couldn't identify the alien species.

Aargant listened to an audio recording of the conversation outside the freighter's bridge. The main speakers were the Neimoidian captain and the mysterious older woman. At first Aargant was trying to identify the woman, but then one of the aliens spoke.

"Yousa are valuable. Wesa usen you for ransom."

Aargant became excited. New information! The linguistical pattern of the way the alien spoke Basic. To the untrained ear it would sound like the alien didn't know his Basic very well or that he lacked intelligence. But Aargant knew the alien was intelligent and knew Basic. His verbal speech patterns contained grammatical word ending from the alien's native language. He was using vocabulary of Basic, but language structure from his mother tongue. That implied that he was from a race that rarely left their home.

Aargant was about to begin a species search when he remembered the sharpshooter's blaster pistol. He pulled up the visual images of the weapon and the sound it made when firing, that "who'amp" sound. He ran a search through known weapons. On the top of the results list was the ELG-3A blaster pistol. A variety of that pistol plated in reflective chrome was used by Naboo Royal Security Forces. This supported Aargant's theory that the sharpshooters were once diplomatic bodyguards.

Aargant then looked up native species of Naboo and found a primate alien race that lived alongside the Naboo. He pulled up information on their native language and their Basic speech patterns. There was a 98% match between the database and the alien on the Neimoidian shuttle. A visual image revealed that most of these creatures had eye stocks on top of their heads.

The aliens were Gungans!


Hera was still in the cockpit of the Ghost. "Chopper, have you set up a secure transmission to General Rieekan yet?" The droid responded with a gurgling/growling noise. "Well, if I don't keep asking, you'd never get anything done." Chopper was equally upset at that comment, but he gave Hera and affirmative. "Good, let me know if the General responds." It only took a few minutes before Chopper beeped again. Hera gave him a nod. "Alright, put him through."

Chopper projected the hologram of General Carlist Rieekan. "General Rieekan, thank you for taking my call," said Hera.

"General Syndulla, it's been sometime since your last report. Did you successfully recruit Dr. Rolanga?"

"Yes, General, with a little more excitement than anticipated. The Empire suspected that we were coming. Local troopers and an ISB agent were waiting for us. We also had another surprise."

"What is that, General?"

"An independent Rebel cell known as the Exiles."

"I've never heard of them," stated Rieekan.

"They began operating in the Core and Mid Rim less than a year ago." Hera added, "I believe this crew would be valuable to the Rebellion."

"You wish to recruit them?"

"Yes, General. We've already conducted a joint operation successfully. We went along with one of their plans. I think I can convince them to come on one of ours."

Rieekan gave a curious look. "What are you suggesting, General?"

"Do you still have my list of attack plans?"

"Yes. We've implemented only a few so far."

"Have you used the Palimina plan?"

"No," said General Rieekan. "General Dodonna and I agree that operation is not feasible. The Imperial facility you propose to hit is too well fortified. Its lies on strategic ground. Your assault plan has merit, but the Rebellion has neither the equipment nor the time to train an amphibious assault team."

"I already have an amphibious assault team," said Hera. "Or more accurately the Exiles do. If I can convince them to help me hit the facility, I in turn will show them the advantages of working in a larger Rebellion."

"Attacking an Imperial facility in the Inner Rim will attract attention. The local Imperial Naval respond will be quick," said Rieekan.

"That's where I'm hoping for your help."


Rex waited in the Ghost's common room. The cockpit was locked, which probably meant that General Syndulla was using the comm to contact Rebel Command. The door from the cockpit opened, and Rex saw Hera walking with her attention on the datapad in her hands. "Planning the next operation?" asked Rex.

"You know me. I'm not one for sitting still," said Hera barely even looking up from her work. She blindly navigated her way to the bench near the hologame table.

Rex was tempted to ask more about the operation, but he was trying to keep a low profile. "Requesting permission to use the comm."

This time Hera did look up. "Who would you be calling?"

"Wolffe. I asked him to look into something for me before we left Lothal. I want to see how he's progressing."

"That's fine. Just make sure to use the proper encryptions. Kallus thinks there is an ISB agent after us. We don't want the Empire to make a connection between us and Lothal."

"Of course, General," said Rex, and Hera returned her attention to her work. Rex walked into the cockpit. Before he sent out his transmission he checked to see if anyone was below the cockpit in the chin turret. His conscience ate at him. He hated keeping secrets from his general.

The comm responded to his call. It took a few minutes for the operator at Lothal's capital to route the call, but soon the old clone trooper with an artificial eye appeared on the view screen. "Rex, good to hear from you."

"Wolffe, I hope things are well on Lothal."

"All is well here. The Loth-Wolf Pack's training is coming along. You?"

"We've made a few more friends. Hoping to keep them around." Rex looked at the viewscreen at his brother. "Have you been able to track down the medical items I was looking for?"

Rex saw Wolffe lower his head. "No, we haven't been able to find a phase five atomic level scanner or any equivalent device. Such things are hard to come by, and you know that Lothal doesn't have many connections. We're on our own out here."

"I know," said Rex. As much as he had built up hope, he knew this was the likely answer.

"You're the one with the connections, Rex. There's got to be someone in that Rebellion of yours that can get a hold of such a device."

"That would require me to go through General Syndulla. I am defiantly not going to go around her," said Rex.

"You still haven't told them?" asked Wolffe, digging deeper into Rex's sore conscience. "They will find out eventually," added Wolffe.

"I know," said Rex. "I was hoping to have a solution by that time. We need to get that chip out of Kat's head, but I don't want to alarm anyone. Let's give it three more weeks, then Kat and I will go to General Syndulla together."

"Alright, brother," said Wolffe. "How is Kat doing? Fitting right in?"

"More or less," answered Rex. "She and that young Miss. Dune are getting along quite well. And she happened to have met one of our new recruits back in the Clone Wars. But there is one person she's not getting along with."

"A former Separatist?" guessed Wolffe.

"Nah, someone with personal history," said Rex.


Kat was with General Syndulla when she presented the assault plan to Chanla and her Exiles. Kat knew that the General wanted to recruit this new team, and Kat suspected that the General had brought here along because Chanla Neeyutnee, the leader of the Exiles, remembered Kat from the Clone Wars. It didn't bother Kat any. In fact, it got her off the Ghost, which she greatly desired.

More specifically, Kat needed to get away from Carter Rolanga. She had been avoiding him, and he had been avoiding her. The tension between them was too much. There was no need for the rest of the crew to feel it. But the Ghost was a small ship. It was inevitable that they would bump into each other. So, being on the Nonnah with Chanla and her team was a welcome change.

"The attack I propose is on the Imperial Supply post on Palimina," began General Syndulla. "A hit and run mission. Not going to hurt the Empire too much in the long run, but it will hamper the Imperial Navy's activities between the Core and the Mid Rim for a time."

"Palimina?" asked Sel Pamma, the Chandrilan woman. "I don't know it."

"I do," said Rike Kleiner, the Nonnah's owner and pilot. "A swamp world. Barely any dry land to park a starship. It is minimally developed. A little off the beaten hyperspace paths. But with only a few slightly inconvenient jumps you can find yourself on the Corellian Run at Spirana."

"Sounds like a good place for pirates, or those who want to hide something," said Sel Pamma.

"But the Empire beat them to it," guessed Chanla.

"Not the Empire," corrected Kat. "The Republic. Palimina was set up as a supply base during the Clone Wars to prevent the Separatists from disrupting supply lines in the Inner Rim and Expansion Region. The Empire merely inherited the base."

"Whatsa the defenses of thisa here supply base?" asked Quilow Pom, the leader of the squad of eight Gungans.

General Syndulla had her droid Chopper project an image of the base. "As Mr. Kleiner said, the planet is mostly marsh land. The supply base is located on one of the few solid rocks available. Most of the rock is covered with the complex itself, leaving only one landing pad. And it is only big enough for one shuttle or a light freighter such as the Nonnah or the Ghost."

"How do they get supplies on and off if they can only haul it one light freighter at a time?" asked Katrina.

"From the docks," said Syndulla. "Literally, docks over the water." Chopper zoomed in on the docks. "Large freighters can land on the floating docks using them as platforms in the water. But the base can submerge those docks whenever they wish, depriving any pirates a landing pad. In addition, the docks have an intensive antiair defense system. Any ship that decides to hover on their repulsors over the docks will be shot down in short order."

"So, how do you propose we attack?" asked Sel Pamma.

Syndulla answered, "The conventional strategy would be to attack at the shuttle platform. It is higher on the rock, so a ship like the Nonnah or the Ghost should be able to fly under the defenses and land. Taking the platform wouldn't be too hard either. But once inside the complex, the defenders have the advantage." Chopper pulled up the schematics of the complex's interior. "You're evaluation, Kat?"

Kat was surprised to be called upon. "You want my advice?"

"I left Rex on the Ghost," said Syndulla. "You have the most experience of anyone here in such tactics."

Kat looked at the schematics. "With the numbers we have, impossible. Right next to the landing pad is a long corridor that would act as a choke point. If we surprise them, we might be able to take it before they do. But advancing beyond that point would be suicide."

"But we could hold the corridor for a time against the defenders," said Syndulla.

"Defenders hold positions," said Kat. "Those on the attack must advance."

"Who said that we would be attacking from this direction?" said Syndulla.

Kat looked at the Twi'lek woman then back at the schematic. The landing pad was on the opposite side of the complex from the docks. "You plan on attacking the docks? The landing pad team would merely be a diversion." Syndulla gave Kat a raise eyebrow. Apparently, this woman wasn't a general for nothing.

"But I thought the docks were impossible to assault," objected Sel Pamma.

"From the air, yes," said Syndulla.

"But not from the water," finished Kat. Syndulla nodded and both of them looked over at the Gungans.

"Wesa see-en your point," said Quilow Pom. He approached the hologram and looked at it. He moved his head to the side on his flexible neck. "Yousa droppen us off far away, and wesa swim to thes-en docks."

"I take it we won't be raiding the supplies," said Katrina. "There's no way we can move them off site through the water."

"Agreed," said Syndulla. "If we cannot have the supplies, at least we can deny the Empire the supplies."

"How are Pom and his Gungans going to destroy the supplies?" asked Sel Pamma.

"They won't have to," said Syndulla. She pointed to the hologram. "If we can take out the docks, the Empire won't be able to move the supplies off planet."

"And supplies stuck planet-side are worthless supplies." Chanla smiled at the idea.

"Exactly," said Syndulla. "The Nonnah will drop Captain Pom and his Gungans in the swamp. They will have to swim to the docks. Then the Ghost and its crew will take the landing pad, which will pull the Imperial ground forces away from the dock's. With the Imperials distracted, the Gungans will blow up the docks and escape back into the swamp. The Nonnah can picked them up on the far side of the complex where it can fly under their guns."

Kat noted a flaw. "How is a team of eight Gungans going to take out those docks?"

"With explosives," said Syndulla. "Lots of explosives. Sabine's going to be sad she missed this."

"You have such explosives on the Ghost?" asked Rike Kleiner. "Because the Nonnah doesn't."

"No, I do not. But the Rebellion does," answered Syndulla. Kat nodded her head. Chanla and the Nonnah did not have a supply line, but the Rebellion did. This was another recruitment effort by Syndulla. She was demonstrating the resources of the Rebellion. "I have already requested the explosives. They will be shipped to us as soon as I know that the Nonnah and its crew is on board with the plan."

Kat watched as Chanla and the others exchanged glances. Rike Kleiner and the Gungans seemed excited. Sel Pamma, the sceptic of the group, wasn't as excited, but at least she didn't look disapproving. The exchange between Katrina and Chanla was completely unreadable. As former queen and handmaiden, the two of them had a form of communication that couldn't be deciphered.

"We would like to review these plans more extensively, before we make a decision," said Chanla.

"I understand," replied Syndulla. "Chopper, give them all the information you have on Palimina and our attack plan. I will be on the Ghost."

"Do you mind if I borrow Kat for a time?" asked Chanla.

"Not at all," said Syndulla. She turned to Kat. "Let me know when you've returned to the Ghost." Translation: Kat was to report to the General whether or not the Nonnah crew wanted the job.

"Of course, General," responded Kat. It still seemed strange to address someone who was not a Jedi as general. But getting use to not having the Jedi around was something Kat needed to do. Not that she wanted to encounter a Jedi after what she did.

Syndulla left the ship. Katrina and Sel Pamma took Chopper to their computer terminal to download the attack plans. After the download, the droid left to follow his master. Captain Pom and one of his other Gungans joined them. Rike Kleiner went about the ship checking its systems. Chanla waved Kat over to a couch. "Kat, come and join me," said Chanla.

Kat took her seat next to the former Queen of Naboo. Not that Kat had known that she was a queen when they had first met. Chanla and one of her handmaidens pulled a switch. "Why did you ask for me to stay?" asked Kat.

"I want you unguarded opinion on this operation, of course," said Chanla. "But I also wanted to catch up. It has been a long time."

"I would like that," said Kat. "It has been long indeed." She looked at Chanla. When she had first met the woman, she was a girl in her early 20's, but that had been twenty years ago. The years had been mostly kind to Chanla. But Kat couldn't say the same for herself. "I imagine I look quite a bit different than I did all those years ago."

"Yeah, but you're still the same," said Chanla. "I still remember when you and Streak decided to trick me by not telling me which one of you was which. The handmaidens always prided themselves on being indistinguishable, but we were not genetic twins."

"Be happy your face is unique," said Kat with a smile. Kat hadn't told the Ghost crew that she was a clone, but Chanla already knew.

"Speaking of unique, where are your tattoos? I thought you were going to get them put back on after we removed them."

"I did, but I removed them after the War," said Kat. "Things didn't end the way I wanted them to."

"What happened?" asked Chanla.

"I don't want to talk about it. It is enough to say the Emperor made me do something that I didn't want to do. So, I left the Grand Army."

"I'm sorry," said Chanla. "To think of all we did on Naboo to protect him when he was just the Chancellor."

"I've thought of that many times," said Kat.

"Whatever happened to Streak? Did she survive the War?" asked Chanla.

"She was wounded, blinded in fact. But she survived only to be killed on Alderaan."

Chanla dropped her head. "Fate is cruel. I'm sorry to hear about it."

"It's not all bad. Streak got married and had kids."

"Did she? I didn't think clones could do that. Have children, I mean."

"We can't," replied Kat. "Streak's husband already had two children with his first wife, a civilian causality of the War. Streak became their mother."

"I suppose they died on Alderaan as well," said Chanla.

"One died, but the other lives. He's over on the Ghost right now. Carter."

"Carter?" asked Chanla. "Dr. Rolanga? He's Streak's son?! Why aren't you with him now?"

"He doesn't want me around him," said Kat. "It's a lot easier to avoid him over here."

"You're family to him," said Chanla.

"He blames me for abandoning his mother. And he's not wrong. After the War, I cut all my connections, including Streak. I've been out of his life this long. Why should I enter it now?"

Chanla was quiet for a time. Then she spoke. "I've spent some time with your General Syndulla. She was caring for her child. It's Jacen, right?" Kat nodded. "He's such a cute little boy. With his green hair and blue eyes. It makes me think."

"Think about what?" asked Kat.

Chanla's voice entered a nostalgic mode. "When I was a little girl, I use to dream about getting married and having children, lots of children. Maybe five or eight of them. But when the Trade Federation invaded my home, I gained a new dream. I followed my hero Queen Amidala into politics. I wanted to be a great queen just like her, and I tried my best to do so during the Clone Wars. After my time as queen was up, I continued my dream of politics until the Empire destroyed that dream. Now, I am just surviving and helping others to survive. I've given up my dreams, including the one about having children. Yet there is Hera Syndulla: Pilot, Rebel, General, and mother."

"Why don't you pursue your dream?" asked Kat.

"The obvious answer, responsibility. I am responsible for the crew of the Nonnah. That and my clock is ticking. Who knows how long before I'm no longer capable of bearing children?"

"At least your clock ticks at all," said Kat. "Mine was broken from the start."

"But you have Carter," said Chanla. "Streak was your sister. That makes him your nephew. He's family, Kat. You might have lost your chance with Streak after the War. Don't waste your chance with her son."

"He doesn't want an aunt," said Kat. "There's nothing I can do about it."

Chanla nodded. "Maybe. But he might come around. And if he does, I hope you don't waste your opportunity."

Kat nodded. She looked down the Nonnah's ramp in the direction of the Ghost. Family? Kat hadn't had family since she left her sisters. Could she have family again?


Chanla gathered the Exiles. "Well, what do you think?"

"The plan is good," said Sel Pamma. "A bit dangerous for the crew attacking the shuttle pad." Sel was always the more cautious member of the Exiles, noted Katrina.

"Wesa ready to striken Imperials," said Quilow Pom. His Gungan squad also looked eager. For months they had been training how to fight will blaster weapons and to operate the Nonnah's cannons. Katrina could see how much they appreciated an attack plan tailored to their strengths. It was a brilliant idea on General Syndulla's part.

"What does your soldier friend think of it?" asked Rike Kleiner. He tipped his head to Kat, who was sitting out of earshot of the conversation.

"She pointed out the risks to the shuttle pad team," said Chanla. "But she was confident with the right strategy they will be alright. I think we can even those odds if Sel and I join the Ghost crew."

"No," said Katrina. "I'm a better shot than Sel. I will come with."

"I disagree," said Chanla. "You will be more help to Rike here in the Nonnah." Katrina was about to object again, but Chanla interrupted her. "I know you don't like me going into combat without you, Katrina. But I'm not a queen anymore. My life is no more valuable than anyone else's on this ship. You on the other hand are the secret to our success. Your ability to slice into Imperial computers is second in value only to Rike's piloting skills."

"I agree," said Sel. "I should be the one to go." Sel didn't look excited by the prospect. She didn't like blaster combat, but Katrina had seen enough of the Chandrilan woman in such combat to know that her courage was sufficient.

"Besides," added Chanla. "I'll have Kat with me. You remember how well she defended us back on Naboo."

"Very well, I yield," said Katrina.

"So, we're agreed?" asked Chanla. "We help the Ghost on this mission."

Chanla got nods from everyone except Katrina. "Sure, on this mission. But what about the next mission?"

"What do you mean?" asked Chanla.

"You know exactly what I mean. Surely, you've seen it," said Katrina. "First General Syndulla helps us on one of our missions. Then she asks us to help her with a mission perfectly tailored to our crew, with might I add some explosives from the larger Rebellion. They're trying to recruit us. They want us to join their Rebellion. That ex-ISB Kallus has practically be drooling over my slicing capabilities. If we don't join, I will better a hundred credits that he tries to recruit me personally. My question, is this something we want?"

Chanla nodded her understanding. Of course, she had noticed. She extended her hands to invite a response. "Thoughts?"

"General Syndulla and the Ghost liberated Lothal," said Rike. "That earns my admiration and trust."

"Wesa like being on wesa's own," said one of the Gungans. "Wesa liken family. Wesa no known thesa Rebels."

"But wesa do good for Rebellion," said another Gungan. "Wesa give them bombad underwater team."

"Wesa havena the liveplay with Queenie Neeyetnee. Wesa goen where she-a go," said Quilow Pom definitively, and Katrina saw Chanla flinch. She knew her friend did not like the blind loyalty the Gungans gave her in payment of their life-debt to her.

"I missed my chance to join Mon Mothma's Rebellion once," said Sel. "I must admit getting a second chance to do so is appealing."

Chanla paused the discussion with a wave of her hand. "We don't actually have to decide now. As Katrina pointed out, General Syndulla is showing off. She wants us to see the advantages of joining the Rebellion. I say we let her do just that. I expect after this mission she will openly ask us to join the Rebellion. Then we can make our decision."

Chanla got nods all around, including from Katrina. She turned and spoke across the common room. "Kat." The older soldier joined the circle. "You can let General Syndulla know that the Nonnah and her crew will join her in the Palimina assault."


Commander Bowmen stood in the briefing room just aft of the bridge. Agent Aargant had a holographic map. "I've narrowed down likely sites of a Rebel attack to nine. Six of them are outside the Assailant's patrol. I've alerted the appropriate sector commands. But these three are possibilities."

Bowmen looked at the map. "I can position the Assailant here at Abednedo. From there we are only two hyperspace jumps from two of your targets and only three from Palimina."

"That's good," said Aargant. "But I list Palimina as more likely of a target than the other two. If you position you ship at Spirana, that will cut down on your hyperspace jumps without compromising on the other two location. I would request that the Assailant keep a low profile. I don't want to scare off our prey."

"You do realize that moving an Imperial Star Destroyer on a whim is no small action," said Bowmen.

"It's not a whim," said Aargant defensively. Bowmen's words were carefully chosen, and Aargant reacted as predicted. But Aargant regained his composure. "It is a hypothesis based on much analyst. I ask you to trust me, Commander. The Assailant's time and resources will not be wasted."

"Understood, Agent Aargant. I will instruct the bridge to make for Spirana." Bowmen had been prepared to follow Aargant's hypothesis either way. He had to push back against the agent just to let him know the Assailant was Bowmen's ship, not Aargant's. However, the agent had correctly predicted the Rebels would recruit that doctor on Chandrila. As long as Aargant's predictions continued to be accurate, Bowmen would follow his advice. He knew the agent was ambitious and trying to make a name for himself. It wouldn't hurt Bowmen and his crew if the Assailant's name also made it onto good reports.


Cara watched as Kat returned to the Ghost and Carter ducked out of the common room. Cara shook her head. Those two had been avoiding each other since they first met, and Cara was growing sick of it. Whatever was between them, they should work it out and not make everyone around them feel awkward.

"General Syndulla," said Kat formally. She came to attention but stopped short of saluting.

"Go ahead, Kat," said the General.

"The Nonnah crew wanted me to let you know they are willing to join us on the Palimina assault."

"That's great!" said General Syndulla. "In that case, I have to make a call to Rebel Command. Then we can get things moving." The general left for the cockpit, and Kat went down to the cargo hold.

As soon as they left, Carter reappeared. "Really?" said Cara. "You're going to just leave whenever she enters the room."

"You don't understand," said Carter.

"Then help me understand," said Cara. "Kat seems like a good person to me. I actually kind of enjoy the Old Timer. I suppose you're going to tell me that I shouldn't train under her."

"No, I would never tell you that," said Carter. "If you're looking for a teacher to make you into a soldier, then she's one of the best there is. She trained my mother and the whole of Divergent Company. If half the stories my mother told of Kat are true, then you should stay close to her and learn all you can."

Cara was surprised at the endorsement. "Then what's your problem with her?"

"It's personal."

"I'd say," Cara said sarcastically. "So personal that you cannot even be in the same room as her."

"It's painful to see her. She reminds me of my mother."

"They were sisters, right?" asked Cara. "Did they look that much alike?"

Carter's face revealed surprise. "Of course, they look alike. When I see Kat it's like looking at my mother. Except it is really strange to see her looking back at me." Now it was Cara's true to be confused, but Carter explained. "My mother was blind, lost her eyes in the Clone Wars. Most of the time she wore a linen mask over her eye sockets."

"Wouldn't seeing you mother's face give you found memories?" asked Cara.

"It would, if the person whose face I looked upon didn't betray my mother," replied Carter.

"Betray seems like a harsh word."

"Maybe so," admitted Carter. "But if she didn't want to be in my life before, why should I let her in now?"

Cara's mind went to her own father, grandfather, and brother. "I left home because of a disagreement between my father and me. He, like much of Alderaan, was a pacifist, but I disagreed. When I left, it was on bad terms. We hadn't spoken in over a year. Then the Empire came and…" Cara stopped. A tear formed in her eye, but she blinked it away. "Now I will never get to speak with him again." She looked at Carter. "Don't make the same mistake I made, Doc. Kat's your aunt. Do you really what to be at odds with her?" Cara stood up and looked down at Carter. "And remember, we're at war. Tomorrow may be too late."

Cara turned and climbed down the ladder to join Kat in the cargo hold, leaving Carter to his thoughts.


Hera and Zeb stood in the clearing between the Ghost and the Nonnah as a ship appeared from over the forest tree tops. To her surprise it was the Corellian YT-1300 she had fought alongside during the evacuation of Yavin. What was the name of that ship? Hera couldn't remember.

"Isn't that…?" started Zeb.

"Yep, it is," said Hera.

The ship settled down between the Ghost and the Nonnah. The ramp lowered and a human male walked down. He wore black vest over a shirt that was an off-white color. His dark blue pants had red piping down the legs. His blaster, a DL-44, was strapped in a low, quickdraw holster. As his eyes fell on Hera, she noticed him straighten a bit and adjust his vest. Hera squashed her anger. Twi'lek women had a reputation that Hera didn't appreciate.

The man approached Hera. "I trust you are General Hera Syndulla."

"Yes, I am. And this is Captain Garazeb Orrelios. And you are?"

"I am Captain Han Solo."

"Does 'captain' refer to your rank in the Rebellion or to your ownership of this ship?"

"Both," said Solo. "This is the Millennium Falcon."

"Ah yes, I remember," said Hera. "We fought together in the evacuation of Yavin Base."

Solo looked over at the Ghost. "A VCX-100?" asked Solo.

"Yes, that is the Ghost," replied Hera. Solo looked over it but didn't seem too impressed.

Then he turned to the other ship, and his look of distain was clear. "What is that?"

"That is the Nonnah. It belongs to an unaffiliated Rebel cell. They're working with us, and I hope to recruit them into the Alliance."

"You want that ship?"

"You know we can never turn down a ship," said Hera. "But what's more valuable is the crew." Hera changed the subject. "Do you have my cargo?"

"Yeah, I have it," said Solo.

"Then open the cargo hold, and we will start unloading," said Hera.

"No, not the cargo hold. Come on inside." Solo led the way with Hera and Zeb following after him. Greeting them inside was a tall Wookie. "This is my first mate, Chewbacca," said Solo. "Chewie, did you unlock the boards?" The Wookie roared his answer. "Back here," said Solo.

They were walking inside what seemed to be the main corridor inside the ship, when Solo tapped the floor panels. To Hera's surprise they popped up, and Solo pulled them off to reveal a hidden compartment.

"A smuggler's hold?" said Hera.

"Previous occupation," said Solo. "They've come in handy more than once." He looked down. "Here are your explosives. Compact, but with enough power to blow the top off a Star Destroyer. What are you planning on hitting?"

"An Imperial supply dock. Will these work underwater?"

"That's what I'm told," said Solo. "But I would trust them more above the water."

"Understood," said Hera. "Zeb, start unloading the explosives. I'll send Rex and Kat. They're Clone Wars veterans. I'm sure they know how to handle explosives."

Hera left Zeb. Solo walked with her. "Did General Rieekan say anything about my other request?"

Solo answered her. "Yeah, he told me the resources you requested will be at their designated position."

"Good. May the Force be with you, Captain Solo."

"And with you, General," replied Solo awkwardly.

Hera left the Millennium Falcon. She had the explosives, and she had the team. Now came the planning, training, and coordination of the attack. And once they were ready, Hera and her new recruits would strike a blow to the Empire.


"Commander, the Assailant is arriving at Spirana. We will reenter real space at your designated coordinates in ten seconds," said the navigation officer.

"Good. Proceed as planned," replied Commander Bowmen. Aargant stood next to the ship's captain. He nodded with approval, although Bowmen didn't seem to care. But Aargant knew that he was on good grounds with the Star Destroyer captain. As long as Aargant's predictions proved true, then the captain would continue to trust the ISB agent. But Aargant didn't plan to remain with Bowmen much longer. He was looking upwards: perhaps working with admirals or grand admirals trying to locate and destroy the Rebels. Or maybe even working beside Darth Vader. The possibilities were open before Aargant, but they started here, with destroying this Rebel cell.

The Star Destroyer dropped out of hyperspace near Spirana. The location was insignificant except that it was an important jump off point of the Corellian run, a major hyperspace lane. From there the Assailant would be able to reach most of the locations on Aargant's list of suspected Rebel targets.

"Helm, take us into orbit around the designated moon," ordered Commander Bowmen. That particular moon was in the outer orbits of a gas giant. Aargant had requested a location where the Assailant wouldn't be noticed. He didn't want the presence of a Star Destroyer to discourage the Rebel attack. Bowmen had chosen this moon as it would hide the Assailant from most prying eyes and would allow them to reenter the hyperspace lanes with minimal time wasted at sub-light speeds.

"Commander, the Assailant is in position," said the helm officer.

"Good, put the ship sensors on passive mode," ordered Bowmen. He turned to Aargant. "Now we wait, Agent Aargant, and see if your predictions come true."

"They will, Commander, they will." Aargant walked to the observation post at the front of the bridge and stared into the starfield of deep space, as if he was staring at his opponent.

"Your move, Syndulla. Your move, Kallus."