The Rebellion was in disarray. It had been days since the Battle of Scarif and Leia hadn't arrived with the Death Star Plans. Everyone feared the worst. That she had been captured and executed and the sacrifices at Scarif were all for nothing. Her father, Senator Bail Organa, had left to return to Alderaan, but was worried sick.

Alliance High Command was splintered. After Raddus and Hera left, the remaining leaders didn't know what to do. Many of them still didn't believe the Rebellion should go to open war, and a few still thought the Rebellion shouldn't be fighting at all. Those who did were fools and Ezra knew it. They didn't see the cruelty of the Empire firsthand, watching friends and family die right in front of them.

He had agreed with every word Jyn Erso had said. That they didn't have a choice, that the needed to attack Scarif if they wanted any chance to fight the Empire. After all, when Lothal was suffering it wasn't politicians who helped free it. It was the Ghost and the rebels who were willing to fight for it, not argue about what to do at some table. It took sacrifices to help save it, sacrifices like Kanan's. If anyone thought they could avoid war, they clearly didn't realize they were already in it.

It was why he wanted to go to Scarif so bad. Their leaders wouldn't do anything, so he felt he had to. Even if it cost him his life. Freedom was worth any price. But Sabine. She was the reason he had decided to go with Hera in the fleet rather than Cassian in the complex. Everyone who went knew they may not come back, but Ezra wouldn't commit himself to a suicide mission. She had lost so much already, he didn't want to be one of those if he didn't have to. He figured if he went with Hera on the Ghost or in a starfigher he may not be able to help as much, but he would still be helping the Rebellion.

But the way she begged him to stay with her, and how she cried. The last time he had seen her cry was when she thought her weapon had killed her mother and brother. They had said that they loved each other before, but only now did he really realize what that meant. That it wasn't just being willing to die for someone else, but being willing to live for them too. To spare Sabine from losing him the way they lost Hera.

He didn't regret his decision. Even if the plans were lost forever and the Rebellion crumbled, he wouldn't regret his decision. He did it for Sabine.

He started looking for her. On his way, he went by the Hangar. It seemed so empty now without the Ghost or most of the fleet. The remaining pilots were practicing. They knew that they'd be called to action soon and it'd be the biggest mission of their lives. The soldiers around him were talking, saying something big was happening, but he ignored it.

He decided to look for Sabine in their little sanctuary when he felt something. Like the world was burning around him. As if he heard millions of voices were crying out and banging around his head. He looked around himself, everyone was okay nothing was happening. The screaming stopped, but he just lay there. What was that? He had never felt something like that before. It was just an instant, but it was so overwhelming.

He doesn't know how long he was there, all he remembers was Sabine holding him. "Sabine, something's wrong. Something big just happened."

She looked at him and said, "I know. Ezra, the Empire, they did something terrible." She explained that new intel had just arrived, that a massive object had appeared above Alderaan. That it destroyed it. That their worst fears had become reality. That the Battle of Scarif was in vain, that the lives they lost were worthless. The Empire had their Superweapon, destroyed Alderaan, probably killed Princess Leia and retrieved the Death Star Plans, and was likely hunting them right now.

Things seemed hopeless. Little did they know, their hope was arriving on the Death Star as they spoke. That an old friend of Ezra's was training the galaxy's last hope, the one who would destroy the Death Star and bring balance to the Force.

Back on the Rishi Moon

"Chopper how're those blasters doing?!!" Hera yelled as she took another step back. A massive eel like creature was slowly edging towards her, looking very hungry. Kallus and Zeb tried to slow it down with their blasters, but it was undettered.

*Beep Boop Beep Boop*

"Well hurry up!! We could use a little backup against this thing!!"

Rex had left some time ago to scavenge some more equipment. The Ghost was in better shape, but still pretty badly damaged. Most systems were operational, but the engines and hyperdrive still needed a few more parts. The guns however, were working perfectly. That's why Hera was still being chased around by an eel while Chopper was making rude comments while fixing them.

Just as the giant worm-like monster was bearing down on her, the guns flared to life and unleashed a barrage upon the beast. Hera breathed a sigh of relief, "Thanks Chop. That was a close one."

The attacks were rare, but that didn't make it any easier. They weren't easy to deal with, though with the guns back online hopefully that will change. "Now that that's over, Zeb go with Kallus to see if Rex needs any help. With the guns operational again Chop and I should be safe here."

"Right Hera. Come on Kallus, I think Rex went this way."

As they were walking away Zeb said, "So what do you think Kallus. Still don't regret defecting even if we're stranded on this rock."

"Give me some credit, Zeb. I've been in worse situations than this. And it's not like we'll be here forever. If Rex found the correct parts, we could be gone within the next cycle."

"Yeah, but I'm a bit worried about how the Rebellion's gone without us. We left in a, let's say, tense situation. Best case scenario everyone thinks we're dead. Worst case scenario and there is no more Rebellion."

"You worry too much Garazeb Orellios. We've only been gone a few days, I'm sure the Empire hasn't won the war already. Though we will have a story to tell when we get back."

"Yeah, the kid'll be impressed with this one," Zeb said with a chuckle.

"After he recovers from the shock of finding out we're alive."

"Oh the look on his face when someone tells him. Wish I could see that."

As they kept walking they finally saw Rex. Zeb was about to call out to him when Kallus stopped him. Rex was standing salute in front of a particularly large pile of rubble, with a half destroyed Phase I clone armor helmet with burns on top of what looked like a makeshift grave.

Rex stood there a little while longer then turned around and said, "I found the hyperdrive components from a few destroyed Separatist ships. Looks like Hevy's still saving my hide."

"Is that for him?" Kallus said while pointing at the grave.

"Yeah, he died bravely defending his station and homeworld from Separatist attack. There were few braver soldiers in the Republic's army."

He stayed silent a moment longer then said, "We should probably head back soon. It's getting dark, and I think we finally have everything we need to get back."

"Perfect," Zeb said. "Let's finally get off this rock."

A couple hours of repairing later

"Okay, get ready. Activating the engines in 3, 2, 1." Hera held her breath as the Ghost very slowly, but surely, began to start its engines. Hera breathes out a sigh of relief. "Ok everyone, we're all set. We can't make any long jumps, but this should be enough to get us back to Ukio where we can make proper repairs."

As they flew off, they looked onto the HoloNet to figure out what they had missed. They were devastated at what they found. Alderaan had been destroyed. The entire planet and everyone on it was gone. No news on Leia, but Bail Organa was probably dead. He was heading back to Alderaan as they left for Scarif, and it was unlikely he received the news in time and escaped. They were silent the whole ride.

Author's Note

Okay so next chapter is a big one. Literally the entire reason I'm writing this fic is because of the next chapter. I love all of you, but I hope that it breaks all of your hearts into a thousand pieces.