Captain Alexsandr Kallus mulled over the reports he was reading from AP5. Unlike the rest of the team, he didn't know anyone who would be useful to the mission. So instead, rather than just sit around and do nothing, Kallus had taken up a pet project once again.
Working on dismantling and studying the captured TIE Defender. He couldn't risk powering it up, in case Thrawn had yet another booby trap somewhere inside the fighter that he had yet to discover.
But that didn't stop him from removing the components, such as the weapons, and shield generator, as well as the hyperdrive.
His plan was to install them onto the Ghost, alongside the main weapon on the prototype B-wings that had been created. The combined firepower of both a B-wing's laser, and the armaments of the TIE Defender should give the Ghost a fighting chance against any large imperial ships defending the superweapon the empire had been building.
But that was his backup plan. Kallus had another idea, one that might the Ghost to sneak in undetected.
"Hey, Kallus!" A voice called from behind him. Turning, Kallus recognized two figures moving towards him. Fellow Fulcrum agent Cassian Andor, and his partner in crime, K-2SO.
"Cassian, what's up?" Kallus enquired once Andor was within hearing distance.
"I think rebel command is getting suspicious about what Ahsoka's up too. Bail's been trying to contact her, to no avail." Cassian spoke quietly, ensuring that no one else could overhear them.
The Massassi temple on Yavin Four was huge, but that didn't mean they couldn't be overheard.
"Karabast! I thought you and Sato were keeping them off our backs!" Kallus whispered in reply.
Behind Cassian, K-2 shrugged his shoulders as if insulted.
"You're welcome by the way. Honestly, no respect around this place."
Cassian turned quickly.
"K-2, shut up!"
"How rude! Do you speak to your mother with that mouth?"
"K-2, I'm being serious!"
"Oh that's a first!"
Kallus very nearly face palmed as the two descended into an argument, right in the middle of the rebel base.
Deciding that he didn't want to listen to another of their arguments today, Kallus decided to interrupt.
"Hey, focus. What's happening with rebel command?"
Cassian turned back, his face regaining his serious tone.
"Right. We've been keeping them busy testing that new fighter of theirs, the X-wing. But I can only delay so long Kallus."
Kallus nodded in understanding. Their window of time had to be precise for this mission to work. Attack too early and they would miss the chance to assassinate the emperor.
Attack too late and they would also miss that chance.
And the more they delayed, the closer Mon Mothma would get to finding out what Ahsoka was doing.
"We just need a bit longer Cassian." Kallus replied, turning back to his datapad.
Flicking to the right, Kallus brought up the plans for the new fighter that Cassian had spoken about.
The X-wing had been developed as a response to Thrawn's Defender prototype, constructed from data salvaged from the prototype, as well as old plans for an advanced fighter that the empire had turned down in favour of the TIE design.
The X-wing was designed to be fast, capable of going toe to toe with a Defender in combat. It had weapons that were reverse engineering from the Defender's, as well as a functioning hyperdrive and shield system.
And at the moment, only four existed. But they were planning to build more.
Flicking to the right again on his datapad, Kallus brought up the schematics of the Defender they had captured. The weapons and shield system had already been removed, as well as the hyperdrive. In fact, both were sitting before him, waiting to be installed onto the Ghost when it arrived. Hera had reported in that they were returning for repairs.
But that was not Kallus' sole plan. The captured Defender also possessed an imperial IFF tag, one that could possibly be installed onto the Ghost to fool the imperial patrols. With it, they might even be able to sneak aboard the superweapon without a fight, making their life significantly easier.
So he had ordered AP5 to remove it and bring it to him for analysis.
It was all Kallus could really do at the moment. He hoped it was enough.
"Oh no, here comes another me!" K-2 spoke up again, a surprising amount of sarcasm in his voice.
Kallus turned to look in the direction K-2 had pointed in.
"We are completely different models K-2SO, and I am vastly superior to you." AP5 spoke as he approached, a large box in his hands.
K-2's head seemingly reared back before he replied. Kallus sighed when he recognized what was about to happen. 'Here we go again.'
"No you're not!"
"Yes I am."
"You can't even fight!"
"My programming is based on logistics you malfunctioning fool!"
"Logistics? How boring!"
"Did Captain Andor reprogram you to say that?"
"How dare you!"
Beside Kallus, Cassian's mouth dropped in bewilderment at the argument. What was with these droids?
"My programming is superior to yours."
"No it's not!"
"Yes it is!"
"Can you fly a ship? Or fire a blaster? I can!"
"Did Captain Andor reprogram you to do that?"
From above, Yavin Four was beautiful. The lush green jungles, with tall spires of Massassi architecture, created a sense of home for Hera. As if everything was ok.
But right now she was not here to admire the scenery. The Ghost was in vital need of repairs after its run in with Skerris' TIE Defender.
Dropping just above the foliage, Hera passed on the access codes to rebel command, and began the descent.
Approaching a large open area, Hera saw four figures standing beside a collection of crates. She recognized the figures as Kallus and Cassian, as well as AP5 and K-2SO.
And it seemed like there was some sort of confrontation going on.
Landing the Ghost on the stone floor that acted as the landing pad, Hera rose from her pilot's seat and began to make her way off the Ghost.
Both her father and Miara were sleeping currently, and Hera chose not to disturb them.
Descending down the ramp of her ship, Hera approached the two Fulcrum agents, neither of which turned to face her. Instead, they just continued to stare at the two droids in shock, for reasons which Hera soon discovered.
"At least I chose to join the rebels. You were reprogrammed."
"You're just jealous!"
"No I'm not!"
"Yes you are!"
Hera shook her head, before addressing her two organic comrades.
"How long have they been doing this?"
Both Kallus and Cassian jumped in surprise, turning to face Hera, surprise on their faces.
Hera smirked lightly.
"Oh, hey Captain Syndulla. Not long." Cassian spoke first, a rogue smile on his face.
Hera's arrival seemed to break up the argument, as K-2 departed in what seemed like a tantrum, and AP5 continued his path towards Kallus.
"So what's all this stuff then?" Hera enquired, gesturing to the collection of crates by Kallus.
"Equipment for the mission. Heavy cannons from the Defender, as well as the shield generator and hyperdrive. Also a B-wing laser from that prototype you recovered. Thought we could install them on the Ghost, give us a better chance against the empire." Kallus spoke, gesturing to each crate in turn.
Hera nodded. They would certainly give the Ghost and extra kick. Shifting her head, her lekku swinging with the motion, she gestured to the box AP5 held.
"And that is…?"
"The IFF transponder from the Defender Captain Syndulla. We might be able to integrate it into the Ghost's systems, allowing us to sneak in and avoid any direct conflict." AP5 spoke, handing the box off to Kallus.
"Excellent work AP, let's see what we can do." Kallus replied with a smile, placing the IFF down next to the other crates.
Hera had to say she was impressed. Kallus and AP5 had clearly been busy in her absence. And if all went to plan, she would have one heavily upgraded freighter to fly for the upcoming mission. They would need every advantage they could get if they wished to survive.
Nodding, Hera went about organising repairs to her ship with Kallus and AP5, as well as the integration of the new equipment. They would need a team of people for the task. Hera hoped that Sato would lend a hand in that department, so as not to avoid raising too much suspicion.
It wouldn't be long now until they had to rendezvous at Raada.
And from there, they would launch what could be their final mission.
From the shadows of the Massassi temple, a figure watched the crew of the Ghost. The various collection of crates seemed to be housing something they intended to install onto the Ghost.
Which clearly meant they were up to something.
The question was, what?
Huffing quietly to themselves, the figure turned to head into the central chambers of the rebel base, heading directly for the command centre.
'Mon Mothma will want to know about this!' The figure thought to themselves.
Author's thoughts
Oh hi.
So I'm not officially back to regular uploads yet, (future chapters are proving nightmares to write), but because you were all so kind and willing to be patient with me, I wanted to post this short chapter.
As you can see, despite Kallus not having anyone to recruit, he is still vital to their success. I hope you enjoyed this brief look into what Kallus has been up to.
Also K-2SO is great fun to write.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this shorter than usual chapter.
Next time round a certain Lord of the Sith finally arrives on the Death Star, with some unexpected company.
As usual, comment and speculate at will.
Speaking of which:
WolveHulk: 'Enemy of my Enemy' is one of my favourite chapters... I just hope people like the direction it goes in.
FossilQueen1984: I'm glad you liked the return of Wolffe and Gregor. They are fun to write as they have very distinct personalities for clones. Maul's recruit is coming... just a little bit longer to wait.
LukeDude: I think you may be overcompensating a bit. 'Best rebels fanfic in the internet'? Well, thanks anyway, but I think there is better. :)
Maul is such a different person now, but he is still the same as well. I can't have him go completely nice can I.
Wolffe and Gregor bringing the heavy weapons makes perfect sense in my opinion.
Now, as for your questions:
1. Gregor and Hondo... wait and see. (To be fair, Hondo and anyone is great)
2. For the sake of this story, Gregor still has his old armour to use, just in the same sort of condition Rex and Wolffe's armour is in.
3. By this point, Saw is fully set up on Jedha with the base we see in Rogue One. I wonder why he's already there though?
4. Wookiees will appear. I sort of foreshadowed it in a previous chapter, as well as a future one.
5. I can't tell you who will say the phrase, but someone will, I promise.
6. Palps is not on the Death Star yet, nor has Chimaera arrived. Next chapter however...
7. For the sake of this story, anyone in canon that knew Palps was a Sith Lord still does. Tarkin suspects, but doesn't really care. But Thrawn already knows by this point. He's a smart man, he's probably already figured it out after all.
8. The Death Star's location is still secret at the moment. It would be a shame if someone on the imperial side told the rebels where it was huh?
jamese765: I'm so glad that the Maul question is still confusing people. Oh the reveal will be glorious.
Mysterious Guest number one: Glad you liked the return of the clones. Next recruit is coming soon.
Mysterious Guest number two: I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Maul's recruit is coming soon. As for who it is...
Travis Middleton: Thanks for your support and understanding. I'm glad you enjoyed the Rex/Maul dynamic. As you can see, Kallus didn't recruit anyone, but he is still vital to the mission.
Cranky Paws: I'm sorry the suspense is having a detrimental effect on your health. Get better soon. :)
Seriously though, thanks for your kind words. It means a lot.
SLE's fave guest: Be glad you missed the mistake. It was one of epic proportions that haunts me.
Rex and Maul have one thing in common, Ahsoka. That's the only reason they are working together.
Heavy weapons from the clones... what else.
We are not far off of Maul's recruit now though, and I'm not saying if anyone has guessed the identity yet.
Keep murdering those clones on battlefront! I used to have great fun back on Old Battlefront 2 as Grievous, slaughtering them. Oh the fun.