"Despite what the others say, war is inevitable..."-Mon Mothma

Yavin IV, Base One

The cold blue images of Cassian, Ryder, and Kallus hovered above the massive table placed in the center of the main control room.

The downtrodden look on Ryder's face indicated the worst... Kallus's report only confirmed it.

"Our attack on Lothal is unfortunately improbable... I'm afraid our operations on Lothal have been discovered by the Empire... We were forced to evacuate from our camp when they sent tanks and a walker to blast us away."

Mon Mothma frowned upon hearing the news... General Draven told her that the mountains Blue Squadron had scanned for Ryder acted as a natural shield against sensors.

"How could this happen? Is there some change in their tactics that revealed their location?" She turned to the two Generals and Senator Organa.

"I've received intel stating that the Empire's been improving their communication ships... The ship above Lothal apparently has been replaced with a modified Republic Star Destroyer... Venator-class..." General Draven reported, telling the Rebel leader everything he knew about this... Not very much... "I have no intel on the reason behind the use of a communications vessel, despite the fact that the tower used by the late Bridger to send his message has since been rebuilt..."

Dodonna began to consider the possibilities... Using old republic ships certainly seemed more effective, due to their massive size.

"Gerrera's reports were true... The Empire is tightening security in that sector... But why would they do such a thing?"

Ryder provided an answer to the General's question... "It seems to be that the Empire is converting the planet into a massive shipyard... or something. They've started mining the entire southern continent. All the inhabitants of that area have been pushed out of their homes and sent to mines and factories."

"I may have an idea on what exactly they're building..." Kallus inserted, "Lothal is the site on which the TIE Defender prototypes were constructed. Sienar Fleet Systems may have been authorized to convert the planet into a massive TIE Fighter factory. After the destruction of the facility orbiting Nar Shaddaa by a newly surfaced Rebel cell."

"The Rebel cell participating in that attack was led by a Jedi Master called Rahm Kota. I've heard that he was injured by a new Inquisitor." Senator Organa added... "I haven't been able to find or contact him since..."

"Speaking of Jedi... Where is Kanan?" Ryder asked... Kanan was usually present at these sorts of meetings.

"He has been sent to Mandalore with Captain Rex. They've been instructed to assist the Mandalorian Rebels led by Clan Wren." Mon Mothma politely answered... "I've agreed to help them liberate their world."

MANDALORE

Rex stared at the facility from afar... It seemed to be extremely secure, with the light turbolaser cannons mounted on each level...

"Exactly how sure are you that you're father's in there?" The captain said inquisitively... There seems to be something... off about it.

"Well our spies in the Capital said that he was here... and they've been right so far." The young Mandalorian reasoned. The intel given by Clan Ordo in Sundari has been fairly accurate so far, meaning that the information is trustworthy...

The two hid inside the trench to avoid detection. Sabine reported her findings via comlink. "Rau, I've got a squad of stormtroopers in front, plus multiple turbolaser cannons."

The Journeyman Protector's reply coincided with a high-pitched beep from the comlink. "Copy that, Spectre 5. Moving to your right flank..."

Rau lead his team up their right flank, attempting to find a position that would keep them within the blind spot of those turbolaser cannons.

During the march, Kanan voiced his own concerns on the mission itself. "Sabine, doesn't it seem suspicious that the Empire would move your father so far from the Capital...?"

"My father has many friends. He's not just important to me..." The wielder of the Darksaber replied, "The Empire probably moved him out here to prevent people from doing what we're about to so..."

Rau chimed into the discussion, while analyzing the defenses. "That may be true, but I'd put nothing past these Saxon Clan traitors..."

He took cover and gave the all clear... "We're in position Spectre 5..."

"Copy Rau, over..." Sabine looked up at her cousins from Clan Wren, as well as warriors from lesser Clans in service of Clan Wren. "Alright, Clan Wren... Check your fire for the captive... We're going in the front door, on my lead."

She turned to Rex as the Wren warriors got into formation. "You sure you can fly that thing?" She gestured to his jetpack.

"Ohhhhh believe me, I was using one of these babies fighting during the Siege of Mandalore... Maul's supercommandos were pretty tough nuts to crack though... That beskar armor is pretty tough..."

"You're right. I've heard it's s strong enough to resist hits from lightsabers... We should probably get going..."

Sabine climbed out if the trench, making herself visible to the Stormtroopers guarding the prison.

One of the troopers, once it caught sight of her, pointed at her... "Target acquired!"

Another, a lieutenant, reported to the commander of the prison. "Sir, we have a single target approaching from the North."

Sabine pulled the Darksaber from one of her holsters, and lifted it into the air. When she activated the blade, it would be visible from afar. This was their signal... Clan Wren and Rex began the charge.

"Correction. We have multiple targets! We have multiple targets!" The lieutenant reported. The guards now had to take action in defending the prison.

Sabine yelled at the top of her lungs. "FORWARD!"

Her signal in place, Sabine and Clan Wren charged forward, taking off on their jetpacks. Rex was slightly slower, but gained momentum once in the air... followed closely by a very grumpy Chopper.

Rau and Kanan ran from their section, not far behind...

Jump troopers began launching from the tower to engage Mandalorian forces. They would provide a sufficient distraction while the turbolasers systematically shot the enemy down one-by-one. A trio of them moved to engage Rau and Kanan, who seemed to be much easier targets...

"I'll handle it!" Kanan joked as they approached. With a single large leap, Kanan was on the back of one of the troopers. The jedi cut into the jump pack, sending the trooper flying into another next to him. Another jump and the third was also falling from the sky...

Rau watched them fall, muttering to himself... "Showoff..."

Meanwhile, Sabine was dodging slow turbolaser shots easily, and using the darksaber to cut down stormtoopers in her path...

The commander opened a channel to Tiber Saxon. "As you anticipated, Sabine Wren is leading the attack..."

Tiber's eyes shot with delight at the news... He had a chance at improving the weapon. "You may do away with her allies, commander... But I want her alive..."

However, the commander seemed to be distressed at the orders... "Lord Saxon, I-I cannot even guarantee we can hold the tower!"

Saxon grinned... "I know how stubborn Clan Wren can be... Which is why I dispatched reinforcements to help you..."

Two Gozanti-class cruisers from the nearest garrison began to lower into drop height... One was carrying a pair of All Terrain Scout Transports (AT-STs), and the other carried a pair of Armored Assault Tanks (AATs). The Empire made infrequent use of its own versions of Separatist tech, using Imperialized versions of AATs, MTTs, and Umbaran Artillery.

"We got four new hostiles..." Rex pointed at the AATs specifically. If the Imperialized version is just like the CIS model, then there's going to be a lot of explosions from their heavy laser cannons...

Sabine watched the four armored vehicles advance... "Well this certainly got more interesting..."