Once the Ghost and the x-wings of Red Squadron and Ghost Squadron land in the hangar of the Rebel base, Hera, Rex, and the x-wing pilots leave their ships behind, and head to the briefing room.
Once everyone is in the briefing room, Hera heads for the podium at the front of the room, with Rex standing at her side.
"Alright, everyone. Commander Rex has been grading your performances, and has now given me your final grades. Overall, you're the best trainee group we've ever had. Some of you actually gave our best pilots a decent fight. That being said, a few of you aren't quite ready to pass this class. Also, there is one person that I would like to address at this time. Ensign Valani, stand up, and come to the front of the room please." Hera says.
The young woman who flew with the callsign Ghost Eight stands up, and walks to the front of the room. Hera crosses her arms, and looks at her.
"Do you know why you've been called up here, ensign?" Hera asks.
"Yes, general, I do. I disobeyed a direct order from a superior officer." Valani answers.
"Yes, you did. That leads to an automatic failing grade for you. I am sending you back to basic training, where you will retake the entire course from day one. You will not be allowed into advanced training until I am satisfied you are ready. Unless you would prefer to go back to infantry, and have a reprimand entered into your service record. The choice is yours." Hera says.
"I would...like another chance, if you'll...give it to me, general. I'll...take the...basic training again. I'll...do whatever I...have...to do." Valani says, now on the verge of tears.
"Very well, ensign, I'll give you one more chance. Be back here at 0700 tomorrow. You may leave the briefing room, now." Hera says.
"Thank you, General Syndulla." Valani says. The young woman leaves the room.
"Ensign Talvis, Ensign Naremo, and Lieutenant Jelam, please stand up." Hera says.
The pilots who flew with the callsigns of Ghost Ten, Ghost Nine, and Ghost Seven stand up.
"The three of you have also failed this course. You will be required to take it again in order to qualify for piloting assignments. Class starts again in one week. The three of you may now leave the briefing room." Hera says.
The three pilots leave the room.
"Alright, the rest of you, stand up, please." Hera says.
Jyn and the other pilots stand up.
"Congratulations. You've all graduated, and will now be qualified to fly all classes of starfighters. You'll receive your postings as squadron assignments become available. At this time, I'm going to turn things over to Commander Skywalker, who would like to have a few words with you." Hera says.
Luke stands up, and walks to the podium. He shakes hands with Hera, who then stands aside.
"Well done, all of you. Each and every one of you belong in a cockpit, right now. That's why I've gotten permission from command to merge Red Squadron with yours." Luke says.
What the… Thana's going to be in the same squadron as Luke? I don't like this. Hera thinks.
"It'll be okay, Hera." Ezra's disembodied voice says.
"However, it won't be Red Squadron anymore. I've received permission from General Dodonna to change the name, and I've decided on Rogue Squadron, named in honor of Rogue One, whose sacrifice allowed this rebellion to earn its first victory against the Empire. We are fortunate to have the leader of that team with us today, and I'd be honored to have Captain Erso as my second in command." Luke says. The pilots start cheering.
Very soon, Skywalker, you will call me...master. Jyn thinks, with a smile on her face.
"Thana! I must speak with you! It is of great importance! Someone has found two of the other crystals!" Abeloth's voice says.
What? Who else would know of the crystals? Jyn thinks.
"I do not know. They are strong enough to shield themselves. They are like a shadow in the force. I cannot see who they are, and I cannot see where they are. Also, I do not know exactly when the crystals were taken, or where they are now. I can only sense that they are no longer in their hiding places. This is most disturbing. Not many are strong enough to completely obscure their force signature." Abeloth answers.
It could be my master. Jyn thinks.
"Possible. We must be cautious. If you encounter this individual, you would very likely lose a confrontation with them, for they have the power of two crystals. Or three, if it is indeed your master." Abeloth says.
I must find who this is, and destroy them! I will not allow someone else to take the power of the crystals! Jyn thinks.
"I will leave you now, for you are surrounded by mundanes, and I would not wish to make them suspicious of you. I will do my best to determine who has taken the two crystals, but I cannot guarantee success. You may be able to find out who it is, if you enter into deep meditation, but, I cannot guarantee success with this approach either." Abeloth says.
I will do as you suggest. Jyn thinks.
"Very well, Thana. We will speak again when I have more information for you." Abeloth says.
Jyn returns her focus to Luke, who is still speaking from the podium.
"I'd like to formally welcome all of you to Rogue Squadron, so, you're all invited to the officers lounge. Drinks are on me!" Luke says. The pilots start cheering again. Luke yields the podium to Hera.
"I'm proud of all of you. Well done. You're all off duty until tomorrow. Enjoy the free time." Hera says. The pilots celebrate for a moment, then, one by one, leave the briefing room.
Hera and Rex remain at the podium after all the pilots have left.
"Rex, I want a crew meeting, on the Ghost at 1800. I have some information for all of you." Hera says.
"That's only two hours from now. Wolffe has a training class, and Kallus is in a meeting. I don't know if I can get everybody." Rex says.
"If you can't that's okay. I can fill them in later, but I would like everyone there if possible." Hera says.
"Copy, general. I'll tell the others." Rex says.
"Thank you." Hera says.
A few minutes later, Hera enters the Ghost, and heads to the cockpit. She sits down in the pilot's seat, and presses several buttons on her console. Soon, a hologram of Sabine Wren appears.
"Hera! I was just about to contact you! You're not gonna believe who's here!" Sabine says, barely able to contain the excitement in her voice.
"Good to see you too, Sabine. Now, calm down. Take deep breaths. Then, you can tell me all about it." Hera says.
"Right. Sorry. It's just...incredible. I thought she was dead." Sabine says.
"Who?" Hera disappears, and the hologram a woman wearing a hooded cloak appears.
"Hello, Hera. It's been a while." The hooded woman says.
"Ahsoka?" Hera asks, despite already knowing the answer. Ahsoka smiles.
"Good to see you too. We have some catching up to do. I hear you have a little Sith problem." Ahsoka says.
"It's looks like somebody already told you about it." Hera says.
"Yeah. You can thank Ezra for that. So, let me get this straight. Darth Thana is on your base, pretending to be an x-wing pilot?" Ahsoka asks.
"That's pretty much it. There's more too. We have a force sensitive in our ranks. Thana's just been assigned to his squadron. I'm worried about him. I'm worried she'll try to influence him." Hera says.
"I know about Anakin's son. Ezra told me. If Thana's as strong as I think she is, she could probably even brainwash him, make him obedient to her." Ahsoka says.
"I won't let it happen. I'll kill her if I have to." Hera says.
"No, Hera. Ezra asked you not to, and for good reason." Ahsoka says.
"What good reason? I'm not going to let her destroy Luke's mind!" Hera says.
"I will deal with Thana myself. Sabine and I will be there in three days." Ahsoka says.
"Thank you." Hera says.
"Hera, please, promise me, that you won't confront Thana. Wait for us to get there." Ahsoka says.
"Okay. I promise." Hera says.
"Thank you, Hera. I'll be back shortly. I'll let you and Sabine catch up for a bit." Ahsoka says. She disappears, and Sabine's hologram returns.
"How've you been, Sabine? We haven't gotten to talk much over the last couple of months." Hera says.
"It's been rough, Hera. All this time, waiting for Ezra to come back, then, last week, I hear his voice, telling me he was dead. I didn't believe it at first. I thought it was just my imagination. Then, I realized that he was telling the truth. It broke my heart. I loved him, Hera. I never got to tell him, until it was too late." Sabine says.
"I'm so sorry, Sabine." Hera says.
"Thanks, Hera. I know that at least a part of him and Kanan are still alive in the force. They're still with us, but not really. I'm sorry. I'm not making much sense." Sabine says.
"No, Sabine. You're making perfect sense. Has Ahsoka said anything, about what she's been up to the last four years?" Hera asks.
"Ahsoka was stranded on Malachor for most of the time. Once she finally got off the planet, she started searching the galaxy for secrets about the force. She also went looking for Ezra when she found out that he'd disappeared. When she found out what happened to him, she started hunting Thana. During her time away, she found some old books, along with some kind of weird kyber crystal. She also found this staff, that she carries with her all the time. Haven't really gotten an explanation on that yet. I'm not really sure what these things do yet, but Ahsoka says they're very old, and very powerful." Sabine says.
"The staff is an ancient weapon, which can channel the force into blasts of energy. I carry it with me, because it is a useful weapon, and too valuable to simply leave it lying around." Ahsoka says, as she reappears next to Sabine.
"Don't you still have your lightsabers?" Hera asks.
"Yes, I do. I can use those, and the staff at the same time." Ahsoka answers.
"What? That's impossible! You'd have to have three arms to do that!" Sabine says.
"I can carry the staff in my hand, and use the force to control my sabers. Let's just say that I have learned a few things during my travels." Ahsoka says.
"That's an understatement. I've seen her teleport, and make a copy of herself!" Sabine says.
"I've never heard of anyone being able to do any of those things before." Hera says.
"The Jedi didn't know everything about the force. They just thought they did." Ahsoka says.
"Looks that way." Hera says.
"Unfortunately, the Jedi paid the price for their arrogance. Let us hope that the next generation does not repeat their mistakes." Ahsoka says.
"If there is a next generation." Sabine says.
"I think there will be...something in the future. It's...too soon to tell if it's a new Jedi Order, or something else, but there will be a new generation of force users, and Luke Skywalker will play a significant role. This is all that Ezra has told me so far." Ahsoka says.
"Then, let's hope Ezra is right." Hera says.
"Indeed. Sabine and I will be leaving Lothal soon. It will be best if we maintain comm silence unless absolutely necessary. I will contact you, as well as Alliance Command when we are on approach." Ahsoka says.
"I'll tell them to expect you in three days." Hera says.
"Thanks, Hera. Hang in there. I will deal with Thana. You'll just have to keep playing along like Ezra asked you to." Ahsoka says.
"Okay. I think I should tell command about Erso's true identity." Hera says.
"No! Ezra asked you not to!" Ahsoka says.
"Please, Hera! Don't tell them! They'll want to move against her! She'll kill them all!" Ezra's disembodied voice says.
"Ezra's right. She'll wipe the floor with just about anyone. She makes an inquisitor look like a friendly lothcat." Ahsoka says.
"Alright. I'll trust your judgement. I guess I'll have to play nice for now." Hera says.
"You could try avoiding her." Sabine says.
"I suppose I could stay in the Ghost, or my office as much as possible. I just don't want to make her suspicious." Hera says.
"That's for the best, Hera. Just do what you would normally do, and pretend that nothing's wrong." Ahsoka says.
"Alright. I'll do my best. I need to get going. I have a meeting in thirty minutes." Hera says.
"We'll see you soon, Hera." Sabine says.
"Indeed. Remember, the force will be with you. Trust in it." Ahsoka says.
"I will. See you guys in three days." Hera says. She shuts off the ship's comm, and gets out of her seat.
Okay. I'll go check on Jacen, then it's back to work. Hera thinks. She takes a deep breath, then leaves the cockpit.