After Jyn and her fellow trainees complete their simulator training, they are sent back to the briefing room, where Hera is waiting for them. She is standing behind a podium, reading a datapad.
"Alright, everyone, take your seats." Hera says. Jyn and the other pilots do as instructed. Hera does her best to not look at Jyn.
This is harder than I thought. I can barely even stand to look at Erso, or Thana, I guess. Damn her! Calm down, Hera. Just do the job. Our sith spy will be taken care of soon enough. Hera thinks.
I sense...great anger from someone in this room. Hmm. General Syndulla? Interesting. What could anger you so much? No matter. I have other concerns at the moment. Jyn thinks.
"I've gotten your simulator scores from Colonel Tekren. I must say, very disappointing. The only one of you with decent scores was Captain Erso, and it's her first day! She managed to score kills on all of you! Only two of you even scored hits on her! I should fail all of you right now, and have you reassigned to sanitation!" Hera says.
Interesting. She's angry about the performance of her students. Her reaction is very much like that of an Imperial instructor. Failure is weakness after all, so this earns her some respect from me. Still, she is a traitor to the Empire, and will die for her crimes! Jyn thinks.
"General, permission to speak freely?" Celchu asks. Hera rolls her eyes.
"Go ahead, lieutenant." Hera says. Celchu stands up.
"Ma'am, with all due respect, the captain's flown fighters before, and most of us never have. Some of us came from infantry or maintenance. Hell, I'm probably the only one here besides Captain Erso to have a decent amount of flying experience, and I only flew TIEs for less than a year before I left the Empire! Do you really expect us to be able to keep up with someone who's flown for several years?" Celchu asks. Hera stands in silence for several seconds.
Celchu's right. I'm being too hard on them. I'm letting my anger toward Thana interfere with my job. She completely outperformed the other pilots in every category! She's probably flown TIE fighters for years! Hera thinks.
"You're right. Vader taught her, and you know how good he is." Ezra's disembodied voice says.
Ezra… Hera thinks.
"It's alright, Hera. Relax. Just get through the class, then, you'll be done with her for the day." Ezra says.
Okay. Thanks, Ezra. Hera thinks.
"You have a point, lieutenant. Captain Erso's more experienced than the rest of you. That means that all of you should learn from her performance, and use it to better yourselves." Hera says.
"Yes, general." Celchu says. He takes his seat.
"Captain Erso, you're talented, no doubt about that. I'd like to know, why weren't you placed with a squadron when you were with us on Yavin?" Hera asks.
"I've flown several types of ships, starting when I was twelve years old. Shuttles, freighters, and yes, starfighters. Granted, it's been five years since I flew in combat. As for why I wasn't placed in a squadron when I was with the alliance before, well, the reason is I didn't tell anyone I could fly a fighter, and, to be perfectly honest with you, I wasn't planning to stick around at the time." Jyn answers.
"What about now?" Hera asks.
"I'm staying this time, and I'll use all of my skills to help the rebellion." Jyn answers.
I doubt you'll use all of them, sith. Hera thinks.
"Thank you, captain. I appreciate your...honesty. I'm not going to lie to any of you. This war we fight, we face overwhelming odds. We've only properly defeated the Empire at Scarif and Yavin. We have a long way to go. It can be scary at times, and many who fight for this cause have thought of giving up, me included." Hera says.
"You, general?" Jyn asks.
"Yes, captain. I used to have a crew that I was really close to. We seemed to be unstoppable. Then, I lost two people I cared about a great deal. After that, I asked myself if this was all worth it anymore." Hera answers.
"I have...faced the same situation. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring it up, general." Jyn says.
"It's alright, captain. I admit, for a time, I had doubts about our cause. Then, we won at Scarif. That showed me that the Empire could be beaten. We just have to believe in ourselves, and each other." Hera says. The pilots start clapping.
"Yes, I agree with the general. I am no Jedi, but I believe in the force." Jyn says. The other pilots quiet down.
Damn right you're no jedi! Hera thinks.
"The force is a part of all things. I come from an order called the Church of the Force, as my mother did. We believe that the force has a will, and works through us to carry out that will. I'd like to believe that the force will not allow the Empire's evil to last forever. I believe that we will defeat the Empire, and the Jedi will return to once again be the symbol of hope for the galaxy." Jyn says. The other pilots cheer.
Nice speech. Did she rehearse this, or is she just that good of a liar? Hera thinks.
"Yes to both." Ezra's voice answers.
Damn. I'm ready to get her out of my sight before I blast her head off! Hera thinks.
"Calm yourself, Hera. Please." Ezra says.
I'll dismiss the class early. We're just wasting time anyway. Hera thinks.
"Alright, everyone. I know we're supposed to have another thirty minutes, but, there's really nothing more to cover that can't wait until tomorrow, so, I'm going to go ahead and dismiss you for the day. I'll review your scores, and decide squadron assignments for tomorrow. Dismissed!" Hera says.
The pilots stand up, and exit the briefing room, with Jyn leaving last.
Good riddance! Hera thinks.
"Hera, I know you hate her, but you're going to have to play along for now." Ezra says.
Dammit, Ezra! She killed you! I can't just let that go! Hera thinks.
"You should go spend time with your son. Forget about your work for a while." Ezra says.
I need to warn command about Erso. They need to know we have a spy on the base, who happens to also be a sith lord! Hera thinks.
"When they ask you how you found out that Jyn Erso was Darth Thana, would they believe it if you said a ghost told you?" Ezra asks.
No, they wouldn't. I need to be able to prove it. Damn. What can I do, Ezra? Hera thinks.
"Contact Sabine. She might be able to help." Ezra answers.
What can she do? Hera thinks.
"Sabine can do just about anything she sets her mind to. She should be able to dig up some information about Thana." Ezra answers.
Sabine misses you, Ezra. I'm pretty sure she has feelings for you. It's going to break her heart when she finds out what happened to you. Hera thinks.
"She already knows. I've spoken to her. She...didn't take it well when I told her what happened to me. She needs you, and maybe, you need her." Ezra says.
I'll ask her to join us here. She'll be with friends and family again. Hera thinks.
"Sounds like a good idea, Hera. Now, take it easy. Go spend time with your son." Ezra says.
Okay, Ezra. You're right. Hera thinks.
"Take care of yourself, Hera. We'll talk again soon." Ezra says.
Done with her duties for the day, Jyn heads to her quarters. Once inside the small, undecorated room, Jyn sits on the floor, in a meditation position.
Now, to search for this crystal. Abeloth said I should be able to hear a faint song through the force. Jyn thinks. She hears nothing for several minutes, then, suddenly, hears a faint, ethereal song, sounding reminiscent of a choir performing in a near whisper.
That's it! Now, to focus on the song, and track it to its source! Jyn thinks. She concentrates on the song, and it gradually grows louder.
There you are! Interesting. Not too far from here. Just over an hour on foot. Jyn thinks. She leaves her meditation, stands up, and exits her quarters.
An hour later, Jyn is outside of the rebel base, walking in a dense forest, filled with various types of trees and plants.
There seems to be little animal life on this planet. Mostly birds and insects. I wonder if there are any predatory species. It would certainly be entertaining to use the force to unleash a horde of gundarks or nexu upon the rebel base! The crystal's song is even clearer now! I am getting close! Jyn thinks.
Jyn walks for several more minutes, until reaching a cave entrance.
I feel it. The crystal is within this cave! Jyn thinks.
"Yes, Thana. You are very close! Now, I must warn you. The crystal is extremely powerful, and if not contained properly, its power will kill you." The voice of Abeloth says.
"Is this why no one has used the crystals for thirty thousand years?" Jyn asks.
"Essentially, yes. The previous user came to fear the power, and wasn't willing to fully embrace it, so, he separated the crystals, and had them scattered throughout the galaxy. If you are to successfully acquire the crystal on this world, you must use the force to dominate it, bend it to your will." Abeloth answers.
"What will this crystal do for me?" Jyn asks.
"Each of the crystals will grant you a different ability. The crystal that you now search for will grant you greater wisdom and intelligence. It will also enhance your natural force abilities, making them more potent than they would otherwise be." Abeloth answers.
"Interesting. What about the other crystals?" Jyn asks.
"All in good time. For now, it would be wise of you to focus on your immediate goal." Abeloth answers.
"Of course." Jyn says. She enters the cave.
Sorry folks. Only a one chapter update this time. I wasn't able to devote as much time to writing this last week thanks to a nearly two day power outage.