The next morning, Jyn enters the main conference room, which is a small room with a large, circular table in the center.
Already at the table is Princess Leia, along with several generals, commanders, and captains, including Hera, Rex, Kallus, Zeb, Wolffe, and Wedge. Luke is already seated next to an empty chair. He spots Jyn, and offers the seat to her. Jyn approaches the table, and takes the offered seat. Soon, a few other pilots enter, and take their seats.
"Alright. Now that everyone is here, I would like to go ahead and get started. Mon Mothma and Admiral Ackbar are currently off base, and have asked me to represent high command at all senior officer meetings and briefings until their return. General Dodonna, I'll turn this briefing over to you now." Leia says. General Dodonna, an older man with a thick, white beard stands up.
"Thank you, your highness. Now that Rogue Squadron is assembled, I'd like to assign them to a patrol mission." Dodonna says.
"We're ready, general." Luke says.
"Glad to hear it, commander. I know some of you are newly graduated, so this will just be a simple patrol in the Arkalia system, which is uninhabited. It's closer to Utapau than we are, so Imperial forces could make an appearance. If they do, retreat. Do not engage them. That is a direct order." Dodonna says.
"Understood." Luke says.
"Commander Skywalker, you have a go. May the force be with you." Dodonna says.
Luke, Jyn, and Wedge stand up, and leave the room.
One hour later, the pilots of Rogue Squadron are assembled in the hangar. The group is gathered near a row of x-wings, and surround Luke, who is speaking to them.
"This is going to be a basic patrol mission. For some of you, this is your first real mission, so command felt something simple would be best. We're not expecting Imperials to show up, but if they do, we are under orders to retreat immediately." Luke says.
"Where are we going anyway?" A young woman with bright red hair asks.
"Good question. We're headed to the Arkalia system. It's only six hours from here. A small, uninhabited system. Our mission will be to fly there, and patrol for the next eight hours. After that, we return to base for debrief. Anymore questions?" Luke asks.
"So, do we all get x-wings, or are we just getting whatever ships are available?" Lieutenant Celchu asks.
"Celchu, isn't it?" Luke asks.
"Yes, sir. Tycho Celchu." Celchu answers.
"Well, the good news is, we have enough x-wings for the entire squadron. The ships you flew on the training mission have been permanently assigned to you. They've been repainted to have the markings of Rogue Squadron, just like the ships behind me." Luke says. He points to the x-wings near the group, which are painted with red and black hull markings.
"So these are our ships?" A male mon calamari asks.
"That's right. They have your callsigns painted on them as well, just below the hatch on both sides of the hull. Now, if there are no more questions, let's get to our ships." Luke says.
The group breaks up, and the pilots head to their ships, except for Jyn and Luke.
"Luke, a moment please." Jyn says.
"Yes, Jyn?" Luke asks.
"This sounds like it'll be a pretty uneventful mission. I would like to take the opportunity to contact my droid. He has a special comm frequency that only I know. If he hasn't been destroyed, he'll receive my transmission." Jyn says.
"You want to comm your droid?" Luke asks.
"He's a commando droid, but I've modified him to include protocol functions as well. He's really more of an everything droid. Does whatever I need him to. I think he'll be a nice addition to the alliance. I can tell him to meet us somewhere neutral." Jyn says.
"We'd have to tell command and get permission. It's the only way we can get cleared to go off world." Luke says.
"Not necessarily. I can tell my droid to go to the space station in orbit of Gandrel. Then, you could get our squadron assigned to patrol that system. We could...discover my droid while we're there, and bring him back with us." Jyn says, subtly waving her hand.
"Yeah, sounds good. I can request a patrol of the Gandrel system, and we can pick up your droid while we're there." Luke says.
All too easy. Jyn thinks.
"Thanks, Luke." Jyn says.
"Anytime." Luke says.
"One more thing. While on the mission, we can speak to one another with the force. We can discuss things that aren't meant to be heard by others." Jyn's thought voice says.
"Alright. Can you hear me? I've been practicing, like you said." Luke's thought voice says.
"Good. I heard you clearly. Although, I suggest more practice. You don't want to accidentally broadcast your thoughts to someone else." Jyn's though voice says.
"Right. I'll work on it." Luke's thought voice says. Jyn nods her head.
"Alright, Luke. I think we're good to go." Jyn says.
"Yeah. Let's get to our ships. The others are waiting for us." Luke says.
"Of course." Jyn says.
Jyn and Luke head for their x-wings. Shortly after, the x-wings of Rogue Squadron take flight, and leave the hangar of the Rebel Base for their patrol mission.
Six hours later, the twelve x-wings of Rogue Squadron reach the Arkalia system.
In the cockpit of his x-wing, Luke checks his sensors.
"Alright, squadron. Looks like we're all here. I'm not picking up anything yet, but stay sharp. Group leaders check in." Luke says.
"Rogue Two here." Jyn says over the comm.
"Rogue Three here." Wedge says over the comm.
"Rogue Four here." Rogue Four says over the comm.
"Alright. Hobbie, I want your group to check out the sixth and seventh planets, as well as all of the moons for both planets. Wedge, you take the large asteroid field and the fifth planet. Jyn, you have the smaller asteroid field, the fourth planet, and all seventeen of its moons. I'll take the second and third planets, as well as the old Separatist space station in orbit of the third planet. We'll stay away from the first planet. It's too close to the sun, and we'll get cooked if we go there. Now, let's split into our groups and get this job done with so we can go home." Luke says.
The x-wings split into four groups of three, and the ships head to their assigned areas.
Jyn reaches the fourth planet, a gas giant, surrounded by moons.
In the cockpit of her x-wing, Jyn observes the fourth planet.
"Rogue Six, Rogue Seven, start with the moons. If the Empire has anything here, it'll be hidden in a moon or a large asteroid." Jyn says.
"Copy, Rogue Two." Rogue Six says over the comm.
"I'm going to do a full atmo scan of the planet. Now, I might drop out of contact for a bit due to interference. Don't worry about me unless I miss check in." Jyn says.
"Understood. We'll start scanning the moons, captain." Rogue Six says over the comm.
"Very good, lieutenant. I'll leave you to it." Jyn says.
Jyn observes as the other two x-wings fly away.
Now, to take care of that blasted astromech in back. I don't want him to hear me calling HK. Jyn thinks. She uses the force to shut off the astromech droid behind the cockpit.
Good. All alone at last. Jyn thinks. She presses several buttons on her console.
"HK-47. this is master. Verification code...Star Forge." Jyn says. There are several seconds of silence.
"Statement. HK-47 reporting. Verification code...slaughterhouse." HK-47 says over the comm.
"Code confirmed. HK-47, Report status." Jyn says.
"Statement. I have been carrying out missions for the Emperor, who seems to understand my purpose as well as you do. Since our last conversation, I have terminated twenty seven meatbags. Currently, I am aboard my personal shuttle, en route to Coruscant." HK-47 says.
"Good. Glad to see that the Emperor is putting you to use. I have new orders for you." Jyn says.
"Observation. You have been out of contact for thirty nine days, master. Query. Have you been damaged?" HK-47 asks.
"No. I'm good. Just wasn't safe to call you until now. I need you to inform the Emperor that I have successfully infiltrated the rebellion, and I have also made contact with the pilot that destroyed the Death Star. I am still working to earn his trust, and have only just been assigned to my first mission." Jyn answers.
"Observation. Perhaps you need the assistance of a droid capable of various functions, including, but not limited to: infiltration, translation, torture, and dismemberment." HK-47 says.
"Of course I could use you. Are you familiar with the Gandrel system?" Jyn asks.
"Answer. Indeed I am, master. I traveled there with Revan, centuries ago. I understand that there is now a space station in orbit of Gandrel Prime." HK-47 answers.
"Correct. How soon can you get to the Gandrel station?" Jyn asks.
"Answer. I can be there in sixteen hours, master." HK-47 answers.
"Good. Make your way to Gandrel station at once. I will meet you there as soon as possible. Just a heads up, I may have rebel pilots with me. I've already mind tricked my squadron leader into getting a patrol assignment to Gandrel. We'll show up for our patrol, then, we'll encounter you. That reminds me, you will need to pose as a commando droid of Separatist origin. The cover story will be that I found you in a junk pile, rebuilt you, and reprogrammed you to serve me." Jyn says.
"Observation. You did find me in a junk pile. You rebuilt me, and programmed me to serve you. Although, I do find the notion of being a commando droid to be insulting." HK-47 says.
"You're just going to have to deal with it for now. We will pick you up, and take you to the rebel base. It won't take much to convince the rebel leadership that you will be of use to them." Jyn says.
"Statement. I am programmed to serve in any capacity that you see fit, master. However, I should remind you that I prefer killing inferior meatbags to anything else." HK-47 says.
"I know, HK. Don't worry. You will get your chance soon enough. Once I have completed my infiltration, we will kill everyone on the rebel base, with one exception." Jyn says.
"Query. An exception, master? Which meatbag have you seen fit to grant mercy to? Are we going to torture him instead?" HK-47 asks.
"It is the pilot that destroyed the Death Star. Which reminds me, execute emergency protocol...Thana 6." Jyn says. There is nearly a minute of silence.
"Statement. HK-47 now recognizes Darth Thana as his one true master. All other meatbags are inferior. Observation. Master, you have successfully deleted all programming installed by the Emperor. I will no longer obey him unless you order it." HK-47 says.
"Glad to hear it. The pilot who destroyed the Death Star is very strong with the force. I have already begun to train him, but at the moment, he believes that I am a Jedi Knight, on an undercover mission. I intend to turn this man to the dark side, and take him as my apprentice. I am also searching for a group of ancient kyber crystals which will enhance my power. Once I have done this, I intend to eliminate Vader, and the Emperor. Then, I will take my place as Empress, and destroy all those who oppose me. I will bring peace and order to the galaxy." Jyn says.
"Observation. Ambitious goals, master. Of course, I support you, and would be pleased to serve at your side once you rule the galaxy. Should you need any tactical advice, do not hesitate to ask." HK-47 says.
"Good. Your insights are always appreciated. I must break contact now. I am on a mission for the rebellion, and I'm due to check in soon. See you at Gandrel, HK." Jyn says.
"Statement. I will follow your instructions precisely, and will eliminate any meatbag that attempts to interfere." HK-47 says.
"I know you will. Thana out." Jyn says. She deactivates the x-wing's comm, then uses the force to reactivate her astromech, who utters a series of confused beeps.
"I know, R3. Magnetic storm. The whole ship lost power for almost three minutes. Do a diagnostic of all systems." Jyn says.
Gullible little trash can. It'll believe anything I tell it, and the logs are easily faked. Jyn thinks.