Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
So, this one will be one I think you'll all enjoy.
Guest DCDGojira: Death Squadron is Darth Vader's fleet from Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Round 2 will come eventually
Guest: They didn't launch all of their fighters.
BlackWatcher1234: Kind of.
Chapter 28- Friends Reunited
(August 12, 2014)
Hera watches her display screen, which is displaying the time they have left until they reach Earth. She and the rest of the crew of the Ghost had been visiting the base under construction on Hoth when they received a message saying that their presence had been requested on Earth. Apparently, there was someone who wanted to see them on Earth. Hera took the chance, feeling it was about time she paid a visit to Earth. Many of the rebel leaders had by this point made at least a brief visit to Earth. Sabine and Zeb were on board, as was Rex.
The door opens behind her and Sabine walks into the cockpit. "Are we getting close?" she asks.
"Looks like we're just a few minutes away," Hera says.
Sabine sits down in the co pilot's seat. "Why do you think the Terrans asked for us?" she asks.
"No idea. But it has to be important if they asked for us specifically," Hera says.
The two sit in silence before the beeping comes. Hera moves her hand over to the hyperspace throttles and says, "Alright, cutting to sub-light engines in 3, 2, 1." She pulls back on the hyperspace throttles, and the Ghost drops out of hyperspace.
Immediately, the planet Neptune comes into view off to the side. Neptune and Uranus are generally where starships come out of hyperspace in the Terran system.
"I still find it so interesting that there are so many different kinds of planets and moons here in the Terran system," Sabine says. While they've never been to the system, they've read about it in briefs.
"Well, let's move on," Hera says.
They fly smoothly through the system. It's not long before they're passing Saturn.
"That's a beautiful planet," Sabine remarks.
"Saturn. I remember the name," Hera says.
They continue flying towards Terra, passing Jupiter, and then passing through the asteroid belt. As they come through the asteroid belt, they pass a pair of London class Star Destroyers stationed as sentinel ships.
"Those Terrans design some beautiful ships," Sabine remarks as they pass the two ships.
They continue past Mars, and then slowly approach Earth. As they approach, Earth is mostly hidden by the Moon.
Finally, they pass the Moon, and Earth finally comes into view. Their eyes widen as they catch their first glimpse of not only Terra, but also the 158 remaining ships of the Terran Home Fleet.
"Wow. The Terrans have really built up quite the starfleet if this is just their defense fleet," Hera says.
"I wonder where they got the materials and manufacturing power to build all these ships," Sabine remarks. The existence of the Terran Star Forge is still a secret outside of the Terran Alliance. Nobody in the Rebellion knows about the facility.
They continue towards Earth, watching as they pass several ships. Then, the Freedom comes into view up ahead, and their jaws drop.
Right then, Zeb walks into the cockpit, and the first thing he sees is the massive ship. "Karabast. That's huge," he says.
"The Terrans have a Super Star Destroyer? And it even looks bigger than the ones the Empire uses," Hera says.
They pass under the bulk of the massive ship. As they do, they see motion off to the side. Hera looks to the side and sees an Su-36 pulling up alongside the Ghost. Then, over the radio, they hear the pilot say, "Ghost, this is Commander Alexander Duncan, flying the fighter right off your starboard side. I'm here to escort you to your designated landing site. Follow me." The Flanker pulls ahead of them, and Hera follows the fighter as they dive down into Earth's atmosphere.
Commander Duncan leads them down towards the United States. As they fly down towards the East Coast, Duncan leads them to West Virginia, and finally to the site of the Terran Jedi Temple.
As he circles the Temple, Hera, Sabine, Zeb, and now Rex look down at it. "It looks like it's design was partly based on the Jedi Temple on Coruscant," Rex says.
Right then, Commander Duncan's voice comes over the radio again and says, "Your instructions are to land on the landing pad outside the Temple. Have a good day." He then pulls up and begins climbing back up out of the atmosphere.
Hera guides the Ghost down to the landing pad. As soon as the ship touches down, a number of ground crew swarm towards the shuttle.
"Alright. Let's see why they had us land here," Hera says, and the four of them turn and head for the ramp, which Hera has already lowered.
The ground crews are already at work inspecting the ship and refueling it. Hera is privately impressed with their speed and efficiency.
Then, Hera's attention is drawn by a young man approaching them. As he gets close, he smiles and says, "Welcome to the Terran Jedi Temple. I am Padawan Ryan Belliston. Please, come with me. Someone is eagerly awaiting your arrival."
The four rebels exchange a look, but follow Ryan as he walks towards the nearest entrance into the Temple.
As they reach the Temple, the massive doors slide open. The crew follow Ryan as he leads them into the Temple.
As they walk in, they look around, admiring the Temple's architecture. Then, they see a group of four people ahead, talking. They all have lightsabers hanging at their belts, so the crew correctly assumes they are Jedi.
"Master Bridger. Your friends are here to see you," Ryan says.
One of the Jedi stands up a bit straighter, then turns around. And the four rebels' mouths drop open as they see that the Jedi is Ezra.
Ezra looks at his old friends, then smiles slightly as he says, "Hi, guys. Long time no see."
The crew stands there for several moments before Hera runs forward and embraces Ezra. Ezra smiles as he hugs her back.
"We all thought you were dead," Hera says, still hugging him.
"I don't die that easily," Ezra says.
Sabine then runs forward and hugs Ezra too. Ezra smiles, but soon says, "Okay. You two are squeezing the air out of my lungs."
The two step back, beaming at being reunited with their old friend. Then, Zeb walks up and asks, "How are you still alive, kid?!"
"When those purgills jumped to hyperspace, they travelled through the wormhole that connects our galaxy and this galaxy. After that, they ended up here in the Terran system. The Terrans captured Thrawn, and then offered me the chance to settle here and join their Jedi Order. I took the offer, and I've been living here in West Virginia ever since," Ezra says.
"Why didn't you come back?" Sabine asks.
"I knew the Terrans were going to be going to war against the Empire before long. I wanted to use my knowledge of the Empire to help them prepare. Plus…I wanted a bit of the simple, peaceful life. Admittedly I've still been very busy. I've been working with the Order's anti-terrorism team. But still, it's been a good life so far," Ezra admits.
Hera smiles and nods understandingly. "I understand. It's just good to see you again," she says.
"Rex?"
Rex perks up a bit at that familiar voice, then turns around to see Ahsoka standing in an open door, staring at Rex in surprise. Rex stares back at her for a moment, shocked, then brings himself to parade rest and smiles slightly as he says, "Colonel."
Ahsoka smiles at him before she walks up to him. Rex keeps smiling as he says, "You got old."
Ahsoka chuckles and says, "Had to happen sometime, Rex." She then embraces her old friend and says, "I'm so glad you're alive."
"You too, kid," Rex says.
As they pull apart a few seconds later, Sarah and Jacob come hurrying out of the room Ahsoka just walked out of. "Mommy, when are we gonna go see Auntie Lindsey?" Sarah asks.
Ahsoka smiles as she bends down and picks up Jacob, resting him on her hip. "Don't worry, sweetie. We'll go soon. Maybe in an hour," she says.
"Aw. I wanna go now," Sarah complains.
Ahsoka laughs, then notices Rex's expression as he looks at Sarah and Jacob. She smiles, then says, "Rex, I want you to meet my children, Sarah and Jacob."
Rex looks stunned between the two kids and Ahsoka. Finally, he focuses on Ahsoka, and slowly starts to smile. "Well, I gotta admit…I never expected to see you as a mother," he says.
"Neither did I," Ahsoka says with a chuckle.
"Mommy, who is this?" Sarah asks curiously.
Ahsoka smiles as she looks down at her daughter. "Sarah, Jacob, I want you to meet my old friend, Rex," she says.
Sarah smiles at Rex brightly. "Hi, Mr. Rex. I'm Sarah," she says excitedly.
Rex smiles back at her. "Hi, Sarah. Nice to meet you," he says.
Then, Dakota walks out after his children. "Where did you run off to?" he says mischievously as he grabs and tickles Sarah from behind, making her burst out laughing.
As Dakota straightens up, he sees Rex. "Hey, honey. Who's your friend?" he asks cordially.
"Dakota, this is my old friend, Captain Rex," Ahsoka says as she looks at her husband. She then turns to Rex and says, "Rex, I'd like you to meet my husband, Dakota Hall. I'm sure you remember his older brother, Tyler."
Rex looks a bit surprised for a moment, then smiles. "You married Colonel Hall's brother?" Rex asks, and Ahsoka just nods with a grin.
Dakota extends his hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Rex. Ahsoka has always spoken incredibly highly of you," he says.
Rex smiles. "And I'm glad to meet the man who won her heart," he says.
Dakota smiles as he says, "What can I say? She's an absolutely amazing woman." He then leans over and gives her a kiss, which Ahsoka happily returns.
Rex laughs a bit. "Never imagined I'd see the day where I learn Ahsoka Tano is married with children," he says. Ahsoka laughs with him.
"Who's this, Rex?" Hera asks, still confused as to who Ahsoka is.
"This is Ahsoka Tano. I served and fought by her side from the Battle of Christophsis to the Siege of Mandalore," Rex says proudly.
"A pleasure to meet you all. Ezra has spoken highly of you," Ahsoka says.
"A pleasure to meet you too, Ahsoka," Hera responds.
Ezra then speaks up and says, "Why don't you guys come with me? I'll show you around the Temple, and maybe we can catch up a little."
(Naval Station Norfolk)
Grand Admiral Roughead slowly walks through the hallways of the main headquarters at Naval Station Norfolk. As the Terran Starfleet grew larger, Norfolk had become the headquarters for the Starfleet, and had taken on some additional roles in supporting the Starfleet as the US Navy went through a downsizing following the Clone Wars.
Roughead had recently been promoted to the new rank of Grand Admiral. It had been decided, mainly at the request of Thrawn, that he be allowed to keep his Imperial rank of Grand Admiral. In response, in a political move to ensure Thrawn was not the highest ranking member of the Terran Alliance Armed Forces, The Alliance had created the new, six-star ranks of Grand General and Grand Admiral, and had promoted High General Dempsey and Roughead to those ranks.
Now, Roughead is on his way to a meeting of the Admiralty. Following behind him is Thrawn. Thrawn is now wearing a customary Terran Starfleet officer's dress uniform, with the six-star rank insignia on his shoulders instead of Imperial rank plaque on his chest like he used to.
Roughead reaches the meeting room where the Admiralty is gathered and opens the doors. The eleven current Admirals and Fleet Admirals in the Admiralty turn and rise to attention as Roughead walks in.
"At ease," Roughead says, and the members of the Admiralty take their seats.
"Gentlemen, as you know, following the retirement of Fleet Admiral Vysotsky, we have intended to replace him as the Chairman of the Admiralty with a bit of an unusual candidate. Now, I am here to introduce to you the new Head of the Admiralty: Grand Admiral Thrawn," Roughead says. He then steps aside to allow Thrawn to enter the room.
The men nod respectfully towards Thrawn. All of them knew about this appointment beforehand, and while not all of them had been the most supportive of the idea, they had accepted it, knowing that while Thrawn was technically the Head of the Admiralty, they were also tasked with keeping him under control and watching him for any suspicious actions.
Roughead and Thrawn take their seats at the table. While Roughead, even though he's technically the ultimate commander of the Starfleet, doesn't usually attend meetings of the Admiralty, he felt it was necessary to attend this meeting.
"Now. I wish to bring up a topic with you that has been discussed among the Joint Command the last few days. We recently conducted a raid on an Imperial facility on the planet Orinda. While there, we recovered the technical readouts of a new variant of the TIE fighter known as the TIE Phantom. This fighter is more dangerous than any other model of TIE fighter, and is also equipped with cloaking technology. If it could enter mass production, it could prove a challenge for even our best fighters," Roughead says.
Several glances are exchanged. Roughead then continues with, "As it turns out, Grand Admiral Thrawn was involved in the initial design work on the fighter, and he knows where the designated construction site is, as well as its defenses. We in the Joint Command are in agreement that the factory needs to be destroyed. We want you to plan an attack."
"Grand Admiral Thrawn, what do you know about this factory and its defenses?" one of the other admirals asks.
"The factory is well defended, and one of the Empire's Super Star Destroyers was intended to protect the factory. That ship must be destroyed is an attack is to succeed," Thrawn says
Several glances are exchanged. "Should we deploy the Freedom?" another admiral asks.
Thrawn shakes his head slightly. "I don't think that will be necessary. I have already studied your military and doctrine. And I believe there is a better way," he says.
"What do you propose?" Roughead asks.
Thrawn gives the smallest of smiles before he begins to explain his plan.
(Terran Jedi Temple)
"Wow. Sounds like things have been crazy since I disappeared," Ezra says.
"Yeah, you could say that," Zeb says.
Ezra turns to Hera. "I can't believe that Kanaan became a father," he says.
Hera smiles proudly. "He really is perfect, Ezra. And he looks so much like his father," she says.
Ezra smiles as he says, "I look forward to the day I get to meet him."
"Do you think you'll ever come back?" Sabine asks.
Ezra is quiet for a moment before he says, "I'll be helping the war effort as much as I can. But, once the war is over…I think I'm going to stay here on Terra. I've felt more at peace here on Terra than I ever have in my life."
Hera nods. "We can respect that. But we'll miss you all over again," she says.
Ezra smiles. "I won't be a stranger. I'll still try and visit from time to time," he says.
"Ezra Bridger."
The group turns around and sees Grand General Dempsey approaching. Even though they've never been to Earth, they know who Dempsey is thanks to a briefing given to Rebel leaders on key Terran officials they need to know. Hera, Sabine, and Zeb snap to attention.
"General Dempsey. Good to see you," Ezra says.
"You as well. And I'm glad your friends are here. It's good they hear this as well," Dempsey says.
The three rebels look a little confused at Dempsey's wording. Dempsey looks between them before he says, "General Syndulla, something you and your friends may not be aware of is that, for the last 2 years, the Terran Alliance has had the Imperial Grand Admiral Thrawn in custody. The purgills brought his Star Destroyer to Earth, we found both Ezra here and Thrawn aboard, and we took Thrawn into custody. For almost 2 years he has been imprisoned at a maximum security military prison on the island of Diego Garcia."
Dempsey pauses to allow them to take that in, "However, over the course of those 2 years, we have been able to see evidence of Thawn's genius, as well as his wavering faith in the Empire. We came to know that Thrawn joined the Empire in order to help protect his own people, as he considered the Empire the best ally for his people. However, over the last few months, we have been able to convince Thrawn that we are a better alternative to the Empire. The Executive of the Terran Alliance General Assembly, Barack Obama, recently offered Thrawn his freedom in exchange for his loyalty. Just today, Thrawn began his service as the Head of the Admiralty of the Terran Starfleet."
The four of them look shocked. Ezra recovers the quickest, and nods simply.
Hera is the first one to speak up. "How could you trust Thrawn?!" she exclaims.
Dempsey looks at Hera. "We do not necessarily trust Thrawn. He is under heavy supervision, and for the time being, he will be remaining on Terra. We have elected to give him the chance to serve in the Starfleet because we feel that his genius for strategy and tactics will give us an edge against the Empire that we still desperately need. I recognize you and other members of the rebellion will be hesitant to accept our choice, but recognize that we believe it a necessary step in gaining an advantage over the Empire."
Hera feels otherwise, given how much she and the Phoenix Cell had suffered at the hands of Thrawn. However, she also knows she can't argue with the Terran Alliance. And, perhaps, maybe having Thrawn on their side could give them the advantage they need.
"We in the Joint Command wish you to carry this information back to the Rebellion when you return," Dempsey says. Hera just nods in response. Dempsey nods in return, then turns and walks away.
The four friends turn to each other, and Zeb says, "You really think it's a good idea for the Terrans to be trusting that guy?"
"I guess time will tell," Ezra says.
I'll go ahead and end there. I didn't want this chapter to get too long.
So, Ezra has finally reunited with his old friends. And Ahsoka finally reunited with Rex. I hope I did the reunions well.
So, Thrawn has assumed his new position as Head of the Admiralty. That mission they were discussing, to destroy the TIE Phantom factory, will be happening within the next few chapters.
Next chapter will feature the return of some old favorite characters who haven't shown up in this story for a while. It'll be up soon. Until then, leave a review, and stay tuned!