Two hours later, Hera takes her students to the flight simulators, which are in a large, open room. Jyn is now dressed in a dark blue flight suit, with a black helmet in her hand.
"These are our flight simulators. They're designed to resemble the cockpits of every type of starfighter used by the rebellion. Most pilots qualify for all types of fighter so we can assign them to whatever ships are available. For the next week, this class will be flying graded combat flights in the simulators. In one week, those of you that score high enough, will be allowed to fly actual ships on training missions. The current record for highest marks is held by Commander Skywalker. I expect you to do better." Hera says.
Commander Skywalker? Surely this is mere coincidence? Jyn thinks.
"If I may ask, who's Commander Skywalker?" Jyn asks.
"Really? Where've you been?" Lieutenant Celchu asks.
"Prison." Jyn answers.
"Oh, sorry. Luke Skywalker's the pilot that blew up the Death Star. Leads Red Squadron. His dad was Anakin Skywalker, the clone wars hero." Celchu says.
The child of Vader lives! My master will be most pleased to hear of this! Perhaps Luke Skywalker can use the force. In that case, I will spare his life, he will turn to the dark side of the force, and he will become my apprentice! Jyn thinks.
"Everyone, remember, Captain Erso's been out of circulation since Scarif. She hasn't yet been briefed on everything that's happened. It's up to all of us to help her get caught up." Hera says.
"Yes, general." Celchu says.
"Now, everyone, I want each of you to get into an a-wing simulator. We'll start with those, since the a-wing is the most common type of fighter we use. I'll step out for now, and leave you with the sim instructor, who will give orders and grade you." Hera says. Jyn and the other students put their helmets on, then, each of them head for an a-wing simulator, as Hera leaves the room.
Hera walks down a corridor, being met by salutes from several soldiers and officers. Hera salutes in return, then, continues on her way.
"Don't trust her, Hera." A disembodied masculine voice says.
That sounded like Ezra! That's impossible! I'm hearing things! I need to get to my office so I can take a break! Hera thinks.
"You're not hearing things, Hera. It's me." The voice of Ezra Bridger says.
What? Are you talking to me...with the force? Hera asks.
"I suppose you could say that." Ezra answers.
Where are you? Tell me, and I'll ask command to authorize a rescue mission. Hera thinks.
"Sorry, Hera. I...can't come back." Ezra says.
Why not? What's wrong, Ezra? Are you okay? Hera thinks.
"No. Not really. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but I'm...dead." Ezra answers.
Dead? Is this some kind of joke, Ezra? Because, it's not funny. Not at all. Hera thinks.
"It's not a joke, Hera. I'm talking to you from the afterlife. I'm...a spirit. I think that I might be able to appear to you, in time, but, for now, this is the best I can do." Ezra says.
Hera walks in silence for several seconds.
"Hera? Are you there?" Ezra asks.
Can't talk now. I'm headed for my office. Be there in a minute. Hera thinks.
"Hera…" Ezra says.
Not another word, please. I'm trying my best not to suddenly burst into tears. Hera thinks.
"Sorry." Ezra says.
A few minutes later, Hera reaches her office, and takes a seat at her desk.
Alright, Ezra. I'm alone now. Are you still there? Hera thinks.
"I'll always be here for my family." Ezra says.
Thank you, Ezra. So, you're really dead? How? Was it Thrawn? Hera thinks.
"No. It was Darth Thana. She tracked down Thrawn's fleet, and killed everyone." Ezra answers.
Darth Thana? I'm sorry, Ezra. I should have been looking for you. Hera thinks, as tears form in her eyes.
"Don't blame yourself. You were where you needed to be. You had a son to take care of." Ezra says.
Thana's always been a mystery to the alliance. She's never engaged us directly, and what little bits of intel we could find were vague at best. You...actually saw her? Hera thinks.
"Fought her too. There's more. She's on your base right now." Ezra says.
On our base? You don't mean… Hera thinks.
"Yeah. Jyn Erso is Darth Thana." Ezra says.
That's why you said don't trust her! I'm going to kill her, right now! Hera thinks.
"No, Hera. She's too strong. You wouldn't stand a chance." Ezra says.
I have to do something! I'm not going to let her get away with what she's done! Hera thinks.
"She'll kill you if you try. She could kill half the people on the base before anyone even gets a hit on her. She's as strong as Vader, maybe stronger. There are no Jedi to fight her." Ezra says.
We have one. Luke Skywalker. He was trained by Obi Wan Kenobi. Hera thinks.
"Luke Skywalker is barely trained. He has no understanding of the force, and he can barely use a lightsaber. He wouldn't stand a chance against Thana. He's no Jedi. Not yet." Ezra says.
You...know about Luke? Hera thinks.
"I see all that the force allows me to see. I see you, in the rebel base on Valdar IV. I see Sabine, on Lothal, protecting its people from the Empire. I see Ahsoka, alone, searching for answers. I see Luke Skywalker, a skilled pilot, who has already become a celebrated hero, like his father once was. I see Darth Vader, searching for the rebellion. I see Emperor Palpatine, in seclusion, studying the secrets of the dark side, and I see Darth Thana, on your base, among your pilots. I don't know her plans yet, but it can't be good." Ezra answers.
Ahsoka's alive? Hera thinks.
"Yes, she is. She escaped Malachor about a year ago, and was looking for me until my death. Now, she's hunting Thana, hoping to avenge me." Ezra answers.
We could use her help right now. She'd be a good teacher for Luke, and she could deal with our sith problem. Hera thinks.
"Ahsoka is strong, but even she can't take on Thana alone. She'll need help. I don't know what's going to happen yet. I don't know how things will play out with Thana. What I can do, is tell Ahsoka where you are. Then, she can come to your base, and maybe take care of your guest." Ezra says.
So, you don't know everything. You can't predict what Thana's going to do. Hera thinks.
"No. I'm sorry, Hera. I wish I could be more help to you." Ezra says.
What can I do? Hera thinks.
"For now, nothing. Act like there's nothing wrong. Try to figure out why Thana's infiltrated the rebellion again. Just, be careful. She's skilled in deception. Don't underestimate her." Ezra says.
I need to get my son away from her! He can't fight! He's not even two years old yet! Hera thinks.
"Jacen is in the safest place he can be. With you. He won't be safer anywhere else. Just...don't let her be alone with him. She'll sense his force connection, and probably try to kill him, or, take him for an apprentice." Ezra says.
He...has the force? Hera thinks.
"Yes, Hera. Not as strong as me or Kanan, but strong enough that he could one day become a Jedi. Or something else if Thana gets her hands on him." Ezra answers.
I won't let that happen! Hera thinks.
"I know you won't." Ezra says.
So, you can talk to me from the afterlife. Can Kanan talk to me too? Hera thinks.
"Not yet. He's working on it. It's something we had to learn how to do. Even in death, we're still learning." Ezra answers.
So, I'll hear him, one day. Hera thinks.
"You can bet on it." Ezra says.
What was that? I felt...something on my shoulder. Like...a...hand almost. Hera thinks.
"That's Kanan. He's with us now." Ezra says.
Kanan… Can he hear me? Hera thinks.
"Yes, he can. Go ahead, talk to him." Ezra says.
"I miss you, Kanan. I'm sorry that I didn't do more for us. I'm sorry, I didn't let you in like I should have. I love you." Hera says.
"He loves you too, Hera. Maybe someday, you can hear him tell you so." Ezra says.
I love you, Ezra. I should have said those words when I had the chance. You were more than just a crew member or a friend. You were my son, in every way that mattered. Hera thinks.
"I love you too, Hera. Thanks for everything. When I had nothing, you gave me home, and a family." Ezra says.
Ezra… Hera thinks.
"I know. I wish I could come back. I wish things didn't happen this way, but they did. I'm sorry. I...have to go now. I'll be in touch." Ezra says.
"Ezra?" Hera asks. After several seconds of silence, Hera collapses to the floor, sobbing.
It seems that Jyn now knows who destroyed the Death Star. Apparently some guy named Luke...