Jyn and Luke observe as Ahsoka and Sabine approach them.
"Where did Hera run off to?" Luke asks.
"Probably to get more SIth spies to help fight us. For the moment, it's a fair fight. Two against two. You take the Mandalorian. Be careful. They're trained to fight Jedi." Jyn says.
"Looks like she has a lightsaber." Luke says.
"I noticed. Be extra careful. She'll fight dirty. You see those vambraces on her wrists? They're equipped with grappling lines, repulsor blasts, and flamethrowers. Defense is the best strategy until you can get a direct hit on her, then, you take it." Jyn says.
"You mean kill her." Luke says.
"Yes, Luke. Kill her, or she'll kill you. Training's over. This is real life now. Most saber fights are to the death." Jyn says.
"Okay." Luke says. Jyn takes Luke's hand.
"You can do this, Luke. We'll take care of these two, then, we leave." Jyn says.
"Leave? You mean quit?" Luke asks.
"I'm afraid so, Luke. It's not safe here. The alliance is compromised." Jyn says.
"Where do we go?" Luke asks.
Good question. I'll have to think about it. Jyn thinks.
"We can discuss that later. Here comes Thana and her servant. Be ready to attack when I give the word." Jyn says. Jyn releases Luke's hand, and they both turn to face their opponents.
Ahsoka and Sabine stop about twenty feet from Jyn and Luke.
"I see you have trained your servant to use a lightsaber. It will do her no good. She will fall. Then, so will you, Thana. Your Sith tricks end here." Jyn says.
"Funny. I was about to say the same to you." Ahsoka says.
"So, we are still playing that game. You continue with your lies." Jyn says.
"You are the liar, not me. You are the one who was manipulated Luke into serving you." Ahsoka says.
"Don't listen to her, Luke. Sith lies." Jyn says. Ahsoka scowls at Jyn, then, looks at Luke.
"Luke, she is Darth Thana. I can prove it. She has used powerful force suggestions to make you trust her." Ahsoka says.
"Jyn's my friend. She's never lied to me." Luke says.
"See how she works, Luke. She is trying to turn you against me. Manipulation is a common Sith tactic." Jyn says.
"Shut the frack up, you lying Sith whore!" Sabine shouts, igniting the green blade of the lightsaber in her hand.
"Where did you steal that saber from? A Jedi that your master had you kill?" Jyn asks.
"Frack you! It's Ezra's, and you damn well know it, you psychotic bitch!" Sabine shouts.
Ezra? Ezra Bridger? Did this Mandalorian know him? Luke thinks.
"I don't know, Luke. We can discuss this later." Jyn says through the force.
"So rude. Typical Mandalorian. Perhaps you need to be taught some manners." Jyn says.
"You're welcome to try!" Sabine shouts.
"I think not, Sabine. I have trained Luke for this. He will...take care of you." Jyn says. She glances at Luke, and says "now!"
Luke ignites his lightsaber, and charges toward Sabine. He attacks the Mandalorian aggressively, but she is able to block his strikes.
Damn, he's good. Lucky me, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Sabine thinks.
Sabine backs off, and shoots her flamethrower at Luke. The fire catches him by surprise, but he is able to jump away in time to avoid getting burned.
Didn't see that coming. I need to remember defense, like Jyn told me! Luke thinks.
Nearby, Jyn and Ahsoka stare at each other. Jyn now has both blades of her lightsaber ignited, while Ahsoka still holds her staff in one hand, with an inactive lightsaber in the other hand.
"You have certainly been busy, Thana." Ahsoka says.
"So have you. Not so dead as Vader led us to believe. I wonder, did he intentionally spare your life at Malachor?" Jyn asks.
"What do you mean?" Ahsoka asks.
"Come now, Tano. I know who Darth Vader used to be. I think you made some sort of deal with him. Perhaps you are going to help him betray the Emperor? Vader on the throne, with you as his apprentice? Is that your plan?" Jyn asks.
"If that is what you believe." Ahsoka answers.
"That is not her plan, and you know it. I do not understand what you are trying to accomplish here." the voice of Abeloth says.
I know that's not her plan. She's no darksider. My plan is to enrage her to the point where she gets stupid, and becomes more likely to make a mistake. Jyn thinks.
"I see. You are playing a dangerous game, Thana. Let us hope you prevail." Abeloth says.
"Did you enjoy your encounter with your old master? I bet it was most...educational." Jyn says.
"My master is gone. That...thing is not Anakin." Ahsoka says.
"You are lying to yourself if you really believe that. Your master was turned so easily. His son will be no different." Jyn says.
"Palpatine took Anakin from me! I will not let you take his son!" Ahsoka says.
"He's already mine!" Jyn says.
I will not allow this. I know Ezra's plans for Thana, but if I have to kill her, I will. Ahsoka thinks.
"Will your precious father allow you to train him, or will he take Luke for himself, and cast you aside?" Ahsoka asks.
She's right. That's exactly what the Emperor would do. He would replace both me and Vader. I am such a fool for staying in his service! I won't let him have Luke! Jyn thinks.
"No! Luke is mine! The old fool won't even know of his existence until it's too late! We will destroy Vader! We will destroy Sidious! Then, the galaxy will be mine!" Jyn shouts.
"Is that so? Do you really think you can defeat the Emperor?" Ahsoka asks.
"I know I can! Soon, I will be stronger than him! I can overthrow him! The secrets of the force will be mine, and I will shape this galaxy into what I want it to be!" Jyn says.
So damned arrogant! It just makes me want to...No! I need to stay focused. There is no emotion. There is peace. There is no emotion. There is peace. Ahsoka thinks.
"We shall see if you are as powerful as you claim." Ahsoka says.
Dammit! I just can't seem to make her angry enough, no matter what I try. It's like she believes she's going to win. Jyn thinks.
"Your strategy seems to have failed, Thana." Abeloth says.
So it would appear. No matter. I will end her. Jyn thinks.
"We shall see." Abeloth says.
Jyn leaps several feet into the air, then aims for Ahsoka with a diving strike, only for her lightsaber to be blocked by Ahsoka's staff. Jyn backs off.
What the hell? Her staff can block my blade? Jyn thinks.
"I see you weren't expecting that. This is no ordinary staff. It is an artifact of a long forgotten era, before the first lightsabers, when force users created weapons using other means." Ahsoka says.
What does she mean by that? No matter. I can investigate the origins of the staff once I take it from her corpse! Jyn thinks.
"Interesting. I guess I'll have to add it to my collection after I kill you." Jyn says. She engages Ahsoka once more. This time, she is blocked by the staff, as well as Ahsoka's now activated lightsaber. Jyn strikes several times, quickly and aggressively, but is blocked every time. Jyn backs off again.
Impressive defense. I'm going to have my hands full with this one. Jyn thinks.
"Now, my turn." Ahsoka says. She aims her staff at Jyn, and it fires a beam of green energy toward her. Jyn is barely able to block the beam with her lightsaber.
What the frack is this? It's taking all of my strength to keep this beam from hitting me! It looks like...a blast from the Death Star's main weapon! That staff...I think it's a...kyber weapon! Abeloth might know. Jyn thinks.
"Indeed, I do. That staff contains one of the crystals of power. I sense it so clearly now." Abeloth says.
"Say hello to the Crystal of Judgement. Also, look closely, and around her neck, you will see a necklace containing the Crystal of Life." The disembodied voice of Ezra Bridger says. Jyn looks closely, and notices Ahsoka's silver necklace, with a white crystal in the center.
Ahsoka Tano found two of the crystals? Frack! Jyn thinks.
"The Crystal of Judgement, and the Crystal of Life. Most unfortunate. I strongly advise retreat." Abeloth says.
"She's right. You should run. While you still can." Ezra says.
"For once, I agree with the Jedi." Abeloth says.
No. I will not run. That power belongs to me! It will be mine! Jyn thinks.
"So be it, Thana. Let us hope you have made the right choice." Abeloth says.
Nearby, Hera is gathered with Rex, Zeb, Kallus, Wedge, and several rebel troops. They observe the fight between Jyn, Luke, Ahsoka, and Sabine. Wedge notices Jyn with a lightsaber, fighting Ahsoka.
"Captain Erso's...a Jedi?" Wedge asks.
"No, Wedge. She's a Sith. Basically an evil version of a Jedi. She's Darth Thana." Hera answers.
"Darth Thana? The emperor's daughter?" Wedge asks.
"The same. She's been spying on us, and it looks like she's brainwashed Luke." Hera says.
"Brainwashed? Is that why he's fighting Sabine?" Wedge asks.
"Yeah. Sabine's trying her best to knock him out." Hera answers.
"We should go help." Wedge says.
"No, Wedge. Thana would kill us." Hera says.
"Statement. My master is not the only one capable of killing you." HK-47 says, as he enters the hangar. The ancient droid aims his weapon at Hera.
"So, do you expect us to just roll over and let you kill us?" Hera asks.
"Observation. I expect nothing of the kind, meatbag. Your puny efforts to fight me will make killing you so much more...fulfilling. Mocking query. Shall we dance?" HK-47 asks.
He's blocking the only escape, and we don't have much cover. If he's a good shot, we're...dead. If there was any time where we needed a Jedi, this would be a good time. Hera thinks.
HK-47 fires his blaster at the rebels. However, every single blaster bolt freezes. The droid continues to fire, only for every single blast to freeze several feet from its intended target.
What the frack? It's...the force! It has to be! But who? Ahsoka's busy. Hera thinks.
A figure in a brown hooded cloak appears with one hand outstretched, toward the incoming blaster fire. The figure walks toward HK-47, who aims at the newcomer, and fires several times. Each blast is frozen, just like the others. Hera looks at the hooded person.
It's a Jedi! Thank the force! Ahsoka did say she found some help. For whatever reason, she wouldn't say who. Maybe we'll get to find out now. Hera thinks.
Hundreds of red blaster bolts are suddenly thrown backward, toward HK-47. The ancient droid is hit by every single blast, and explodes. Wires and burnt fragments of the droid fly in several directions, and his head lands near Hera, who watches as the droid's red eyes go dark.
Good riddance. Now to thank whoever just saved us. Hera thinks.
Hera looks at the hooded figure, who turns to face her. The person slowly lowers their hood, revealing the face of a young man with blue eyes. Tears form in Hera's eyes as the man smiles at her.
"Ezra..." Hera says.