Danny P.O.V.
"We're making for the freighter; keep the TIEs off our backs!" Hera ordered the fighters that were following her.
"Understood. Split formation Phoenix 2." Phoenix 1 ordered his companion. Ahsoka and I were in our ship, the Memory, also following the Ghost.
"Shade, Fulcrum, cover us." Hera ordered Ahsoka and me, calling us by our codenames.
"Copy that Specter 2." I responded with a smirk. Ahsoka was piloting, I was shooting. I shot at a couple of TIEs that were headed towards us.
"Good shot Shade. Save some for the rest of us." Ezra quipped.
"Maybe if you were a better shot, I wouldn't have to, Specter 6." I teased back.
"Stay focused you 2!" Ahsoka and Kanan hissed in unison.
"We are focused!" Ezra and I shot back, chuckling a bit afterwards.
"Shade to Ghost, you're path is clear!" I called to Hera through the com.
"Thanks Shade! Nice having you and Phoenix Squadron around." Hera commented.
"We always did alright on our own." Kanan protested.
"Maybe true, but I prefer having a fleet over flying solo." Hera responded.
"Oh? You were solo?" Kanan remarked as the Ghost dodged a TIE coming for them.
"Phantom, you're up!" I called into the com.
"Copy that Shade." Sabine responded from the Phantom. She flew the ship a little faster towards the cargo we were after.
"Firing... Now!" She exclaimed and shot the magnetic locks. The cargo that was magnetized to the Imperial cruiser fell into the abyss of space.
"Specter 2, you're up!" I commed Hera as I shot more TIEs.
"On it!" She responded as she flew the Ghost to the cargo. As she neared the cargo, 2 Imperial ships came out of Hyperspace.
"Imperial reinforcements have arrived!" Hera yelled.
"Aw Karabast!" I heard Ezra exclaim.
"Whoa! It's all of sudden really crowded here!" I called to Ahsoka as we were suddenly being chased by TIEs.
"I need help; they're all over us!" Ahsoka yelled into the com.
"I got you covered Fulcrum, Shade." Sabine responded and shot the TIEs from above.
"Thanks Specter 5! I owe you a sweet flatcake." I said to Sabine through the com.
"Don't get my hopes up." Sabine responded with a giggle, making me chuckle as well.
"We're losing Hyperdrives! Ghost, we must withdraw!" Commander Sato yelled through the com.
"Acknowledged Commander Sato. First, we get what we came for." Hera responded and sped up the Ghost.
"Specter 1, behind you!" I yelled to Kanan's com as I saw TIEs approaching the Ghost. He turned the Turret gun and shot the TIEs, destroying them.
"Thanks Shade!" He said to me with a salute as Ahsoka flew our ship over the Ghost. The Ghost shot past the floating cargo, and locked it into the magnetic seal.
"We got the cargo! Mission accomplished!" Hera commed all the ships, who jumped into Hyperspace, sans the Ghost, Phantom, and Memory.
"Specter 5, we got your back, go!" I called to Sabine. She did as I said and docked the Phantom onto the Ghost.
"Alright! Let's go!" I called to Ahsoka. She slammed the hyperdrive switch, making our ship jump with the Ghost.
"You and your crew have proven invaluable to our fleet, Captain Syndulla." Commander Sato complimented Hera.
"The fuel you acquire in your convoy attacks has helped keep us one step ahead of Imperial patrols." Sato said gratefully.
"Thank you Commander. I'm just sorry my intel about there being shield generators was wrong." Hera said grimly.
"Perhaps with your next attack Hera." Ahsoka said comfortingly.
"Yeah, there's always a next time." I added. Hera smiled at us gratefully.
Suddenly, Chopper rolled into the Command centre, beeping erratically.
"What is the meaning of this?" Sato hissed.
"It's an incoming transmission. Who from Chop? Meh, just play it." Kanan said with a roll of his eyes and a sigh.
"What's up with him?" I thought in my mind. Hera cleared her throat and shot a small glare in Kanan's direction.
"Chopper, cloak us with a one-way transmission." Hera said with crossed arms Chopper beeped in understanding and displayed a holographic image of an alien, an Ithorian.
"Hey it's Old Jho!" Ezra said with a wide smile.
"I can't see you, but I can hear you, my friends." Jho started.
"Time is short. There's someone here desperate to speak with you." He said.
"I told her I couldn't find you, but she wouldn't take no for an answer. She needs your help." Jho finished.
"We're always ready to help someone in need." Kanan said to Jho.
"Hold that thought." I said.
"The new voice is right, this one is different." Jho said and stepped aside, allowing for a woman to take his place in the transmission.
"Minister Tua?" Hera asked in shock.
"We can't trust her! She's an Imperial!" Zeb exclaimed.
"Please! I beg you! Listen to my request!" Tua begged desperately.
"End transmission now Chop." Kanan ordered the droid.
"Hold the phone! Let's hear her out." I said, stopping Kanan. He sent a slight glare in my direction, but complied.
"Thank you. My life is in danger; I need you to give me safe passage off of Lothal." Tua explained. She seemed very scared.
"We're not really considering this, are we?" Zeb asked.
"Quiet!" Hera hissed.
"I assure you, my intentions are sincere!" Tua assured us.
"To prove it, I will trade secret Imperial information." She bargained. Sabine and I shared a look.
"You're defecting from the Empire?" Sabine asked with disbelief.
"Yes." Tua answered, looking at the ground.
"She's telling the truth. I can sense her fear." Ezra said.
"So can I." I added.
"Yeah, but of what?" Kanan asked.
"So, what have you got to trade?" Hera asked.
"A list of Rebel sympathizers on Lothal and other nearby systems." Tua answered. Commander Sato pinched his chin in thought.
"How come these sympathizers have not been arrested?" He asked Tua with narrowed eyes.
"Some have powerful friends in the Senate. Imperial Command watches them, but can do nothing." Tua explained.
"I know you need allies. Get me off Lothal, and I will give you the list." Tua said. We all looked at each other with questioning looks.
"We shouldn't even consider this." Kana spoke up.
"It's obviously a trap." Sabine agreed.
"There's something else!" Tua said quickly.
"I've discovered the true reason the Empire came to Lothal!" She said. Hera narrowed her eyes and put her hands on her waist.
"We know that one. The Empire has a factory and they're stripping the planet's resources to fuel it." Hera said, glaring at the transmission of Tua, even though she couldn't us.
"No, there is another reason, known only to a few, and ordered by the Emporor himself." Tua whispered, fear evident in her voice. Everyone started to discuss the situation amongst themselves, but Ezra and I stayed quiet, looking at the transmission.
"We have to do this!" Ezra spoke up to the group.
"I agree." I said.
"As do I." Ahsoka added.
"Same here." Kanan surrendered. Hera nodded at him.
"Alright, if Commander Sato approves the mission." Hera said, sending a glance towards Sato, who had his chin in his hand, deep in thought.
"I believe it could be worth the risk." Sato said, nodding at Hera.
"Minister, we'll get you out. Send us your co-ordinates." Ezra said with a smile.
"Thank you." Tua responded with a bow and cut the transmission.
"Well, I guess we're on our way back to Lothal." Hera said.
"I guess we are." Kanan sighed and left the room, Hera following.
"I want you to go with them." Ahsoka said as she approached me. I nodded.
"No problem. May I ask why though?" I asked.
"We're not working alone anymore Danny. You need to get used to working with a team like this." She explained. I nodded in understanding.
"Understood Master." I said with a smile, which she returned.
The Ghost crew and I boarded an Imperial transport shuttle which was stolen from the Empire, with Chopper at the helm.
"So, we're not taking the Ghost, and we're letting Chopper drive?" Sabine asked Hera with raised eyebrows as she and I sat beside one another in the back of the shuttle.
"After our stunt on Mustafar, there's a good chance the Empire will be able to track it." Hera explained, earning a groan from Zeb.
"Great mission so far." He mumbled sarcastically as Chopper sent the ship into Hyperspace.
"So, what's the plan?" Kanan asked as he twirled his blaster western style.
"OK, so Minister Tua is scheduled to meet Governor Tarkin tomorrow. She leaves via shuttle at 1800." Ezra started.
"We wait at the hangar, steal the shuttle, and take her to safety." I finished for him.
"Ezra, Danny, I hope you 2 are sure about this." Sabine said with worry in her voice.
"Besides, after all the trouble she's caused us, why should we help her?" Zeb asked, crossing his arms.
"Because that's what we do." I responded.
"Help those who can't help themselves." Ezra added, earning us an approving smile from Hera.
"Not to mention her list will be beneficial to us." I added, earning amused chuckles from the group.
A little while later, we approached Lothal, and Chopper sent in the security codes.
"Shuttle 593, this is Lothal Control, you are clear land." a voice said through the com and Chopper took us into the atmosphere. Out of nowhere, an unpleasant cold feeling started to make it's way into my bones, and I don't think I was the only one. I was about to speak up, but Ezra beat me to it.
"I didn't think I'd miss it but..." he trailed off.
"What is it?" Kanan asked with concern in voice.
"Do you feel that? I feel so cold..." Ezra replied with a slight shiver.
"I feel it to." I spoke up, earning looks from everyone, sans Kanan and Ezra.
"I'm usually comfortable in the cold, but this... this is not a good feeling." I said as we landed in the Hangar bay.
We exited the shuttle, Ezra looking sad as he looked at the sky, seeing all the Star Destroyers.
"You OK?" I asked him.
"I've never seen so many Star Destroyers here before. It's gotten worse." He said forlornly. I put my hand on his shoulder and smiled at him comfortingly, which he returned gratefully as the others approached.
"Alright Zeb, Chopper, you stay with the shuttle in case we need a quick exit." Hera instructed. Chopper beeped in affirmation.
"Tua's leaving for Bay 23, let's go." Kanan said as he walked out, the rest of us following.
We stopped just around the corner from the Bay and Hera and Kanan took a small peek around said corner.
"We'll need a distraction." Hera said.
"I got this one." Kanan said as we all backed away.
"I'm gonna go a make some new friends. When Tua arrives, I'll keep'em busy while you all drop into the hangar from above." Kanan instructed.
"Make a few friends?" Hera asked with a raised eyebrow.
"It'll be fun." Kana responded with a smirk and crossed arms.
"Fun?" Hera asked, raising her eyebrows more.
"Don't worry, General Hera." Kanan said with a fake salute.
"Just be ready to move." He said and walked to a nearby Stormtrooper, earning a glare from Hera.
"Hey, didn't we meet in basic training? You look familiar!" Kanan said to the trooper dumbly before knocking him out and dragging him out of sight. A minute later, Kanan came back into view, wearing the Trooper's armor. He sent us a wink and a salute and placed the helmet on before marching to where the other Troopers were.
"Kanan's gone full Bucket-head!" Sabine said with wide eyes.
"I don't believe this." Hera mumbled, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"It's a good look for him." I joked.
"I'm kinda jealous; I only have the helmet." Ezra added as we approached a pile of boxes to climb to the roof.
"Ladies first." I said with a mock bow to Sabine.
"What a gentleman." She said sarcastically as she put her helmet on and started climbing.
"I do my best." I said with a chuckle as I placed my own helmet on my head and climbed up behind her. Hera and Ezra followed. We headed towards the Hangar and hid from view until Tua arrived.
"Here she comes." I said as i saw her speeder approaching.
"She's got company." Ezra added.
"What kind of company?" Hera asked. I turned the antena on my helmet till it hovered in front of my right eye. I saw the man whom Tua was with.
"Blond male human, mid to late thirties." I described him.
"Oh fantastic, Agent Kallus." Ezra groaned as he used his binoculars to look at the man.
"OK, new plan. Sabine, Danny, you 2 distract the troopers, we'll get the Minister." Hera said.
"Got it." I said.
"Noted." Sabine said as we crawled towards the area behind the troopers. We jumped to the ground and pulled out our blasters.
"Hey!" We called in unison. The troopers turned to us started shooting, as we did.
"Minister! Take cover!" Agent Kallus yelled to Tua, who ran into the hangar. Suddenly, one of the troopers hit the contol panel, closing the hangar doors, separating the Agent from the troopers.
"Kanan." Sabine said, probably smirking under her helmet.
Sabine and I ran toward the speeder, shooting as we did so. We each took out a trooper and jumped into the speeder.
"Up we go." Sabine said as she landed in the driver's seat and hit a button on the control panel. The speeder went straight up and stopped as it reached the same altitude as the roof.
"Let's go!" I exclaimed to Sabine as one of the speeder's engines got shot. We jumped out of the speeder and landed on the roof of the building right next to the Hangar. We ran to the edge of the Hangar ceiling, just in time to see Tua run into the shuttle. But, just as the others were about to follow her, the shuttle exploded, pushing them back.
"Oh god." I whispered in horror.
"Minister Tua..." I heard Sabine whisper.
"You did this!" Agent Kallus' voice yelled to the others as a camera probe hovered beside him. The hangar doors opened and more troopers entered and started shooting at the others.
"Zeb, we need a pick up, now!" Sabine yelled into the com.
"On my way!" Zeb responded. After a few minutes, the shuttle we arrived in landed behind the others.
"Come on!" Zeb yelled as he opened the door. The others ran into the shuttle as it took off. It hovered in place just long enough for Sabine and I to jump aboard. Mere seconds after taking off, we were hit by something, a Walker I would guess, given the force of the hit. We plummeted for a few seconds before hitting the ground. The alarm started going off like crazy.
"Come on, come on! Get up everybody! We're moving!" Sabine yelled as she kicked the door down and ran out. The rest of us, having regained our posture, followed her.
We took shelter in Ezra's old home, in the secret room hidden under the table. Sabine tuned a holo-radio and an image of a man appeared.
"A beloved citizen of Lothal, Minister Tua's life was cut short by this criminal band of Rebels." the man said as his image turned into an image of Hera, Kanan, and Ezra standing in front of the Minister's blown up shuttle. Before he could say anything else, Hera deactivated the device.
"They did this to turned Lothal against us." She said with her hand on her head.
"We can't do any more here; we have to leave, for good." She declared.
"We can't just run! The people have to know the truth!" Ezra protested.
"I don't think the Empire is giving us much choice." Sabine said as she stood up.
"Besides, we can come back another time to fix this." I added, placing a comforting hand on Ezra's shoulder. He sighed and nodded sadly.
Suddenly, we heard Chopper beeping loudly in fear.
"We're in trouble!" Ezra and I said in unison as we reached the top of the ladder. We all quickly went out the back door and climbed to the roof. I cringed when I heard an explosion come from Ezra's home.
"If they know about this hideout, they'll know about the rest." Ezra said as we gathered in a circle.
"There's no more hiding. We need a ship; maybe we can try one of the local Imperial airfields?" Hera suggested. Using the device on her wrist, Sabine made Chopper display a holographic image of the city we were in.
"They're locked down. Besides, we'd never get outside the capitol." She pointed out.
"The Empire's looking everywhere for us." Zeb added.
"We better think of something fast. We only have so much time before they actually do find us." I said.
"I agree with Danny. There's one place they're not looking though." Kanan said and pointed to a tall building on the map.
"The Imperial Complex? Are you crazy?" Hera asked Kanan with wide eyes.
"Does anyone ever say yes to that question?" Kanan shot back sarcastically.
"I have." I answered him with a grin, earning a few chuckles from Ezra, Sabine and Zeb.
"Kanan is right though." Sabine spoke up.
"Deploying troops to block every city exit has spread their forces rather thin." I said in realization.
"Exactly; it sounds crazy, but the area with the least troops would be here." Sabine said, zooming in on the map.
"Near the factories, there are landing platforms outside these hangars. They're our best of finding a shuttle." Sabine finished.
"I'm already dressed for the part." Kanan said, holding up his Stormtrooper helmet.
"And with my new stealth tech, I can slip in unnoticed." I added. The gang gave me weird looks. I smirked at them, though it couldn't be seen through my helmet, and pressed a button on my vambrace. I was surrounded by a field of energy and disappeared from sight, startling everyone. I pressed the same button again and reappeared.
"Artificial invisibility." I said with another hidden smirk.
"Whoa." Ezra and Zeb said in unison.
"Jedi always get the cool stuff." Sabine mumbled with a slight pout.
"I'm no Jedi." I said as we all balanced across the wires in between the ceilings to the next building. Halfway through, Ezra stopped in front of me and looked at his house.
"Guess there is no going home." He muttered as he put his Imperial Cadet helmet on and continued.
"Don't worry Ez, Lothal will be fine." I assured. He gave a slight nod in gratitude and we continued towards the Imperial Complex.
Kanan was disguised as a trooper, Ezra was disguised as a Cadet, I was in stealth mode, and the rest of the gang was in the crates that Ezra was pushing. We neared the entrance to the Complex, but the guard stopped us.
"What's this?" Said guard asked.
"Power cells in need of recharging for the Rebel pursuit." Kanan replied. As we were about to continue, the guard stopped them again.
"Hold on, I need to check inside." He said. As he was about to open the first crate, Ezra stopped him.
"You do not have to check inside." He said sternly with a wave of his hand.
"Did you just try and give me order, Cadet?" The trooper hissed and shoved Ezra. Kanan stepped in at this point.
"No, he just said, you do not have to check inside." he said with a wave of his hand.
"I do not have to check inside." the trooper mumbled like he was in a trance. I raised my eyebrow as I got the strangest feeling of déjà vu.
"Where have I seen that before?" I thought to myself as we continued inside.
"I wish that worked for me." I heard Ezra mutter in disappointment as we walked.
"I wish it worked on you." Kanan deadpanned.
"I wish Ahsoka would've taught me that sooner." I added.
We continued walking until we reached a storage room. We entered said storage room and closed the door. I dropped my stealth tech at this point. Hera and Sabine slwoly creaked their crate open, but Zeb just pushed right out of his crate, gasping loudly.
"Zeb! We need to be quiet!" Hera hissed.
"What? I need to breathe! Have you smelled me?" Zeb asked as he held his throat like he was choaking. I rolled my eyes.
"Huh, looks like it doesn't matter if you're noisy there's nobody here." Sabine pointed out.
"This might've actually been a good plan." I added.
"Of course it was good plan; we came up with it." Kanan quipped as he took the Stormtrooper uniform off, revealing his normal clothes.
"This way!" Ezra called out to us. We got chopper out of his crate and followed Ezra. We ran into 2 Stormtroopers, but Zeb knocked them out by smashing their helmets together.
We made it to the exit, and Chopper opened it, revealing the Landing Platform. We ran past a few empty TIEs, and found a shuttle.
"There's a shuttle, what'd I tell ya?" Kanan asked with a grin.
"You did good." Hera told him with a soft smile. We continued towards the shuttle, but Sabine an I noticed something.
"Hera!" Sabine whispered loudly.
"Shield generators." I told Hera as she approached.
"Military grade!" Sabine added as Hera's eyes widened.
"Let's takes as many as we can." She ordered. Sabine and I nodded and activated the anti-grav on the shield generators and pushed them towards the Shuttle while Hera ordered Zeb and Ezra to do the same.
We kept on towards the shuttle, but Kanan, Ezra and I stopped at a familiar cold feeling.
"Guys? You feel that?" I asked them. They nodded in response.
"The cold." Kanan whispered. We turned and saw a man, clad in black, wearing a black helmet with what sounded like s respirator inside it, and a black cape. The man was strong in the force, I could feel it. He ignited a red lightsaber and stalked towards us, troopers following him.
"Sith." I whispered with wide eyes. Kanan, Ezra and I ignited our own lightsabers and got into battle stances as the Sith lord neared us.
To be continued. ;D