Chapter 12: Gathering Intel

Angel Island Hangar, 20th October 3241, 9:30 am…

"I still think this is a stupid idea." Shadow remarked as he and Team Dark walked towards the hangar. It was time for the Freedom Fighters' monthly supply run.

"Stupid though it may be, we're in this together now, Shadow." Silver said as he and the self-proclaimed Ultimate Life Form headed towards the Empire's Bane, Blaze, Rouge and E-123 Omega in tow as well. "Besides, it actually isn't, if you think about it. Me and Blaze gather the supplies, while you and Team Dark acquire the intel we need."

"I never said what we're doing now is a bad idea, I'm saying that Roman's entire plan is a bad idea." Shadow protested.

"Regardless, if it means we can rescue Seth and reunite him with Ahsoka, then I'm up for that." Blaze replied. "It's certainly better than the alternative."

They soon reached the hangar, finding Ahsoka waiting for them.

"Morning." The pregnant Togruta said: "Ready to go?"

Shadow frowned. "Why on Earth would you risk discovery by going on this run with us?" He asked.

Ahsoka chuckled. "The whole galaxy thinks I'm dead." She replies. "Who would think otherwise?"

"Um, any keen eyed Imperials." Blaze replied as she came up, standing next to Shadow.

"Well, where we're going, there's only a small Imperial presence." Ahsoka said. "So with luck, no Imperials will show their faces."

"Well, where are we going?" Shadow demanded.

"Spagnonia." Ahsoka replied. "It's got a small Imperial presence, save for a small base, but other than that, we'll be fine."

"Unless the Imperials show up when we're in the process of loading the cargo." Shadow replied, getting a swift slap to the back of the head for his troubles.

"No more of that, Shadow." Blaze replied. "Besides, you and Team Dark have your own mission to be getting on with."

Shadow sighed. "I know that." Shadow growled. Stepping into the hangar, he turned to them and snarled: "Are we going or not?!" Before heading onward into the Empire's Bane.

"Yeesh." Ahsoka exclaimed. "What's his problem?"

"He's still smarting over what happened last night." Rouge replied as she made to follow Shadow. "When Roman forced him to stand down last night, it wounded his pride. He'll be like this for days now."

Ahsoka frowned. "Well, at least he's here and not sulking like a kid." She remarked. Looking around, Ahsoka said: "Well, better get on with the run." With that, she jogged onwards towards the Empire's Bane, with the others in tow.

Roman and Ashley's house, a few minutes later…

"Roman, Ahsoka just reported in. They're on their way." Ashley said.

Roman nodded. "Thanks, Ash." He replied, adding to his gratitude with a gentle kiss. "Still nervous about what we're doing?"

Ashley nodded. "It still feels strange, going against Sally like this."

Roman nodded. "Same here."

Ashley's eyes narrowed. "You mean you feel the same?"

Roman again nodded. "I've been under Sally's command for a while. And after a while, I've just gotten used to it. The best way I could describe how I'm feeling now is akin to how I felt when I killed my first clone after Order Sixty Six was issued. It just felt wrong then, and it feels wrong now." Looking up at Ashley, Roman added: "But I know that it's the only way I can get through all this with a clear conscience. Because though I did say to Sally yesterday that Seth's blood will be on her hands alone for this, but since yesterday, I've realised that unless I do something, Seth's blood will be on my hands, as well. And I can't bear that to be the case with one of my best friends."

Ashley nodded and lightly wrapped her arms around Roman's neck. "But now you're doing something, it won't be."

"Not me, Ashley. We." Roman replied. "We're doing something about it. I'd rather we did this together instead of just me alone. Because that'd just be selfish."

Ashley smiled and said: "Do you have any idea how corny you're sounding, right now?"

"Quite frankly, I couldn't give a shit." Roman replied. "Because it's true." He added to this with a passionate kiss.

Ashley returned said kiss as hard as she could, before breaking away and embracing Roman. "I love you." She said.

"I love you too." Roman replied.

Breaking the hug, Ashley said: "Even though our rebelling against Sally feels wrong, it's the right thing to do. Sally's not always right, even if she is quite smart."

Roman nodded. "Even the smartest people make mistakes, Ashley. Even people like Sally. I only hope she understands why I had to go against her."

"It's Sally, Roman. She always understands." Ashley said encouragingly.

Roman nodded, before returning to his seat. He had a lot on his mind.

Several hours later, Spagonia Spaceport, 13:30 pm…

"And we're here." Ahsoka said as she completed the Empire's Bane's landing. Turning to Shadow and Rouge, she said: "You two should get Omega and get on with the mission. Me, Silver and Blaze will handle things here."

"You sure you're going to be alright without us?" Rouge asked.

Ahsoka rolled her eyes. "I have a homicidal reprogrammed commando droid, a psychokinetic hedgehog, and a pyrokinetic cat with me. You bet I'll be alright."

Rouge nodded before she turned to leave, heading down to the main cargo hold, finding Shadow in the process of reactivating E-123 Omega.

"OMEGA, ACTIVATED. POWER: OPTIMAL." Omega bellowed as he turned to face Shadow, nodding.

Shadow replied with a nod of his own. "Let's go." Shadow said as the ramp lowered. With that, he and the rest of Team Dark jogged down the ramp and off of the Empire's Bane.

Once out, Rouge handed Shadow a comlink. "Ahsoka wants to keep contact in case we need to bug out fast." She said. "Since you're in command, it seems just about right that you're the one with it."

Shadow nodded before he keyed the comm. "Ahsoka, you there?"

"Am now." Ahsoka replied.

Shadow looked about their surroundings before asking: "So where exactly is the Imperial Base?"

"In the centre of the city." Ahsoka replied. "You'll need to find somewhere to hack into the system. Nicole's unfortunately not with us on this one, so you'll need to use your own skills."

"Understood. We'll contact you once we're in." Shadow replied before cutting the connection. Belting the comlink, Shadow turned to Rouge and Omega and nodded. "Get your hood up, Rouge. We'll be easily recognised otherwise."

Rouge nodded and raised the hood on the jacket she was wearing, as did Shadow. Now unless anyone asked them to remove their hoods, they would be incognito. E-123 Omega was not a known threat, and as a result, would not be attacked on sight.

Once their final preparations were done, Shadow gave a curt nod, and the trio set off for the Imperial Base. They had their mission, and they intended to complete it.

With Ahsoka, Silver and Blaze, The Empire's Bane…

Ahsoka smiled as she saw their usual supply service bringing up their food. "Right on time as usual, Cass." She said as she rose from her chair and headed out towards the cargo hold, calling: "Silver, Blaze, they're here."

Within seconds, Blaze and Silver emerged from one of the bedrooms, their clothes looking as if they had been hastily put back on.

Ahsoka shook her head. "You remind me so much of me and Seth before I got pregnant." She remarked.

Silver and Blaze looked at each other in relief. "We thought you'd just make a joke about it, like Roman does."

"Nope. That's Roman's job." Ahsoka replied. "Anyways, we've got some supplies to pick up." With that, the trio headed down towards the cargo hold, coming down the ramp to see several armed smuggler-type individuals unloading boxes from the landspeeder.

One of them, likely the leader, noticed Ahsoka, Silver and Blaze, and his face morphed into a smile. "Fulcrum!" The leader of the band of smugglers band said. "Glad to see you once again."

"As it is to see you, Cassian." Ahsoka replied. Turning to Silver and Blaze, she said: "This is Cassian Solus. He's an old friend of mine and the Mandalorian from the Clone Wars."

Blaze and Silver nodded. "Pleased to meet you." Blaze said.

"Pleased to meet you as well." Cassian replied with a smile. Turning to his men, Cassian gave an agitated wave. "What am I paying you for? Get this on their ship! They won't liberate Mobius on empty stomachs, you know!"

Ahsoka cracked a grin as they began loading, before turning to Cassian. "I'll ensure the appropriate funds are transferred to your account." She said.

Cassian waved it off. "I am rich already. There's no need to pay me." He said.

"Well, the Princess insists." Ahsoka said. "You already risk your own lives to ensure that the Freedom Fighters remain fed. She feels like it's her duty to repay any debts she may incur."

Cassian rolled his eyes. "Ah, what do I care? More money, I guess." Shrugging, he added: "It's purely a case of what I do with said money."

"Maybe get that woman you've been romancing something nice?" Ahsoka suggested.

Cassian nodded. "That's an option." He said. Seeing that the boxes had been loaded, he gave a wave. "Alas, we must part again. Until next-"

"What's going on here?!"

Ahsoka, Silver and Blaze, tensed, whilst Cassian and his band of smugglers turned around, hands on their blasters.

Approaching the small gathering was a small group of Imperial Stormtroopers, about an entire squad, led by an Imperial Officer.

A tense silence befell the gathered groups, which only seemed to annoy the Imperial officer.

"Well?" The Officer demanded.

Ahsoka and Cassian's eyes met, and they mentally went over their standard operating procedure if and when this happened.

Looking to the Imperial Officer, Ahsoka said: "Me and these gentlemen were simply going finalising a business deal."

"What type of deal?" the Officer inquired.

"A deal to link up our two teams of mercenaries, Officer." Cassian replied calmly. "We've often been hired to do the same jobs."

The Officer scoffed. "Mercenaries? None of you are sufficiently armed to be mercenaries." Looking to Ahsoka, he remarked: "And you don't seem to be in any condition to be taking mercenary work, alien scum."

Ahsoka felt a pang of anger at the Officer's remark, but forced it down as she replied: "I don't actively fight alongside my two friends here. They just employ me to broker agreements. They're the ones that do all the fighting."

The Imperial Officer smirked. "That still doesn't account for how lightly armed your friends are."

"Trust me." Ahsoka said. "They don't need weapons."

"That's a given." Cassian interjected. "I can vouch for both of my friends here." Cassian looked at his men, and said: "And with regards to us, we pride ourselves on being able to get a job done with as little resources as possible." He looked confident, but in reality, he was growing nervous.

One of his men was beginning to tremble, his hand etching ever closer to their blaster pistol.

The Imperial Officer noticed the trembling man, and cocked his head to one side. "What's wrong with your man there?" He asked.

Cassian looked and shrugged. "He's always nervous when it comes to Imperials. Especially since we had an unfortunate encounter with some overzealous Imperials a few months back."

"What happened?" The Imperial Officer asked.

Cassian made to reply, but his man, having lost all nerve, suddenly drew his blaster, shooting one of the Stormtroopers. Swearing under his breath, Cassian drew his own blaster and took cover, as did the others, as the Imperial Officer and his men doing the same, with the officer clearly calling for backup.

Ahsoka scowled and turned to Blaze and Silver. "Keep Cassian and his men covered. I'll get the Empire's Bane running."

Silver and Blaze nodded and took positions, whilst Ahsoka ran as fast as her swollen womb would allow her into the Empire's Bane. She needed to contact Team Dark, and she needed to do so soon.

With Team Dark, Spagonia Imperial Base, at the same time…

Finally, Shadow thought as he and Team Dark finally found a terminal they could hack into. Turning to Rouge, he said: "You're the best at hacking. Get to it."

Rouge nodded and proceeded to begin hacking into the terminal.

Shadow next turned to E-123 Omega, commanding: "Stand guard. If anyone gets too suspicious, you know what to do."

Omega nodded and turned, brandishing his weapons.

Shadow nodded and made to help Rouge when his comlink came alive, with Ahsoka's voice coming through:

"Shadow, it's Ahsoka! How are we doing with finding a terminal?"

"We just found one." Shadow replied. "The rest were heavily guarded."

A sigh could be heard when Ahsoka replied. "Just try and hurry. One of our supplier's men lost his nerve and started attacking an Imperial patrol that came across us as we were finalising things."

Shadow scowled. "We'll be as quick as possible." He said as he cut the connection, turning to Rouge. "Hurry up. Ahsoka and the others are under fire."

"Trying." Rouge said. "It's difficult… But I'm in, and now searching for anything pertaining to Seth's whereabouts."

Shadow nodded and knelt down next to Rouge, helping her look.

After several tense minutes, Rouge finally said: "Found something."

Shadow looked, and smiled. It was a medical report filed by a medical officer in Mobotropolis. The patient was Seth Kerran. "Download it." Shadow said quickly.

Rouge nodded and began the download sequence.

Shadow smiled when he heard Omega bellow:

"IMPERIAL FORCES DETECTED. ENGAGING."

"Omega, no!" Shadow shouted.

Thankfully, Omega obeyed, and held his fire.

Shadow watched as Imperial Stormtroopers filed out of the base and charged off, headed the way from whence Team Dark had come. Turning to Rouge, he saw she was in the process of packing her things. "Everything good?" He asked.

"Download's complete." Rouge replied. "The medical report only takes a little time to download fully."

Shadow nodded. "Then let's move." With that, they all turned and headed back towards the ship. They needed to get away.

With the Empire's Bane…

Cassian swore as he found his position pelted by Imperial fire. Turning to the man who had fired a shot, he growled: "Wexley, I promise you that when we're finished, this is coming out of your paycheque!"

"Sorry, boss!" Wexley whimpered. "I lost my nerve, that's all!"

"Regardless, I really hope Team Dark gets here soon." Silver muttered as he lifted a large crate and tossed it at several Stormtroopers, who were sent sprawling.

"Team Dark? You mean there were more of you?" Cassian asked.

"Yeah. Team Dark had its own mission, though." Silver replied. "One of our friends was captured, and we're trying to rescue him."

Cassian nodded. "They'll likely be coming through by the Imperial-" He was interrupted as a blaster bolt thundered into his shoulder, sending him back a few metres.

"Cassian!" Silver called out as he ran over to Cassian's side, lifting him via psychokinesis and levitating Cassian behind cover. "Stay there, I'll keep you covered!" Silver shouted as he lifted several objects and tossed them over towards the Imperials, taking out several more Imperials.

Blaze suddenly came to his side, and manifesting fire from her palms, she hurled it out towards the Imperials, catching several and cooking them in their armour. Their agonised screams as they burned to death haunted the air for the next few seconds before their charred, burnt out corpses toppled to the floors.

The Imperial Officer took note of this attack and pointed towards Blaze, calling out: "Focus your fire on those Mobians!"

Imperial fire soon turned almost completely onto Blaze and Silver.

Leaping in front, Silver threw up a psychokinetic shield, keeping himself and Blaze protected from enemy fire.

Only for one of the Imperial Stormtroopers to throw a thermal detonator.

It landed in front of Silver and Blaze, completely within their line of sight.

Temporarily lowering the shield he had erected, Silver just had enough time to shout out: "GRENADE!" Before the thermal detonator exploded, sending both Mobians sprawling.

Blaze got to her feet and saw Silver, her eyes widening. "SILVER!" she shouted, scooting over to where her lover lay, his body pierced with several fragments of shrapnel. Looking up, she saw a Stormtrooper making his approach:

Only for a green blade-like object to burst through his chest, sending him to the floor, his blood already beginning to stain the floor.

In the Stormtrooper's place stood Shadow and the rest of Team Dark, his crimson eyes ablaze with bloodlust.

Storming over to Blaze, he helped her up before looking at Silver. Scowling, he walked over and picked the grey hedgehog. Turning to Omega, he shouted: "Cover us!"

"AS YOU COMMAND!" Omega bellowed as he unleashed his full firepower upon the Imperial forces, an entire company now under fire.

Shadow carried Silver up the ramp of the Empire's Bane, beckoning Rouge aboard. Looking to Blaze, he saw she was getting Cassian's crew to come with them.

"Come on!" She called.

Maintaining cover fire, they did so, retreating back under cover from Omega, running up the ramp of the Empire's Bane.

Blaze made to follow, but she remembered Cassian, seeing the wounded smuggler now propped up against the crate Silver had set him down behind. Swearing under her breath, she sprinted over, under a hail of Imperial fire, until she was at Cassian's side, holding out her hand. "Come on!" She shouted.

Cassian nodded, and gripped Blaze's arm, hauling himself to his feet.

Placing one of Cassian's arms over her shoulder, she helped him up the ramp of the Empire's Bane, still under cover from Omega, who had fallen back to the ramp as well. Bounding up the ramp, Blaze set Cassian down, just as Omega followed, before keying her comm: "Ahsoka, get us out of here!"

Within a few moments, the Empire's Bane had lifted off and was on its way from Spagonia.

Finally allowing herself to relax, Blaze looked to Shadow, their eyes giving the same message: That was too close.

Later, on the way to Angel Island…

Blaze stepped into the cockpit just as Ahsoka had concluded speaking with Sally, whose image disappeared as soon as Blaze appeared.

Turning to Blaze, Ahsoka asked: "Everything alright?"

Blaze nodded. "Cassian and Silver are both okay. I've removed most of the shrapnel from Silver, but there's a few more still in there somewhere. He'll need surgery to remove the rest, then a stint in a bacta tank."

Ahsoka nodded, seeing Blaze's worried expression. "Sit down." She said, making sure her voice brokered no argument.

Blaze reluctantly obliged, as Ahsoka took her hands.

"Silver will be fine, Blaze. It wasn't too long ago that I was once fearing for Seth's life like you're fearing for Silver's." Ahsoka said comfortingly.

Blaze nodded. "It's just… This is the first time that I've ever been close to losing Silver like that."

"It won't be the last, Blaze. Not by a long shot." Ahsoka replied. "But right now, what you need to do is be strong. That's what I had to be when Seth was in a similar state to Silver right now. What I'm saying is that you've got to be as strong as I had to be. For Silver's sake as well as yours."

Blaze sighed before she nodded. "Okay." She replied.

Ahsoka nodded and drew Blaze into her arms, giving Blaze a warm hug.

Being hugged by Ahsoka was a big surprise for Blaze, given that most of the time, Ahsoka was usually a tough as nails, unaffectionate person, unless she was with Seth. Then she could be quite affectionate. It occurred to Blaze that Ahsoka's embrace was almost motherly, which was strange unto itself, especially given that she and Ahsoka were the same age.

Breaking the hug, Ahsoka gave Blaze a warm smile. "Just be strong, Blaze. Besides, your efforts today helped get me closer to getting my boyfriend back. Take heart in that."

Blaze nodded before she hugged Ahsoka again. She was right. Blaze had, in some manner, helped procure information that might just help get Seth back. And that was something Blaze knew she could be proud of.

Several Hours Later, Roman and Ashley's House, Angel Island, 17:30 pm…

"Two herniated discs in his back, stab wound to the back, heavy blood loss and a broken nose." Roman said as he read through the medical report. With a scoff, he remarked: "Seth always did have a weird knack for breaking his nose." Looking up, he frowned. "It still gives nothing on where Seth is." He added.

"Keep reading." Rouge said, an optimistic smile crossing her face.

Roman raised an eyebrow before he continued reading. "Before I had more time to examine the patient, I was confronted with the Grand Inquisitor, who commanded me to release him and prepare him for transport. When asked, I was met with an angry reply, which had something to do with Lord-"

His breath caught in his throat as he read the next word. Or rather, the name.

"What's wrong?" Ahsoka, asked, moving closer.

Looking up, Roman could see his fear reflected in Ahsoka's eyes. "Vader. They're taking Seth to Darth Vader."

As the implications of that became very apparent, everyone's eyes widened. It had been Darth Vader that had led the clone assault on the Jedi Temple. It had been Darth Vader that had murdered all the Jedi within the Temple, and it was Darth Vader who now served as the figurehead of the Empire.

"This isn't good." Tails remarked. "It's been several days since Seth was captured. What if-"

"Relax." Roman said. "The report was logged late yesterday afternoon, which means we're still good. Knowing the Grand Inquisitor, he'll be taking Seth to Vader via Star Destroyer. And I have it on good intelligence that Vader has some sort of homestead on Mustafar."

"You're not suggesting we attack that are you?" Ashley said.

Roman shook his head. "No. What I'm suggesting is that we attack the Star Destroyer while it's still in our airspace. It'll take time for all the preparations and arrangements to be made. And knowing Elias, he'll want to take some time before leaving to ensure that everything on the ground is secure."

"Which would mean he'd ask for another Inquisitor to do so. Which would take even more time." Ahsoka replied.

Roman smiled. "Exactly." He replied. "And I know for a fact that there's a Star Destroyer in orbit above Mobius right now. Which gives us the perfect window to plan the mission."

"Depends on whether I allow this to go any further."

Roman turned suddenly, seeing Nicole standing there, her form flickering. "Nicole. What brings you here?"

"Don't be stupid, Roman." Nicole replied. "I know you intend on rescuing Seth. Something I recall Sally giving you strict orders not to do."

"Fuck Sally." Roman replied. "Sally may be smart, but even she's not always right."

"I know that, but orders are orders." Nicole replied. "So I'm going to give you one chance to let this go before I go and tell Sally what you're doing."

Roman smirked. "Go on then. Tell her."

"You're not afraid of the consequences?" Nicole asked.

"No. Because I'm more afraid of what'll happen to Seth if we're sitting on our asses doing nothing." Roman replied.

Nicole was taken aback by Roman's words. She had to admit, Roman did have a point. By giving the orders to prevent a rescue for Seth, Sally had effectively doomed him to a slow and painful death. She gave the matter a little more thought before she nodded. "Okay." She said. Looking up, she smiled. "Count me in."

Roman smiled. "In that case, I'd like a hologram of the Star Destroyer in orbit put up, please. We've got a rescue mission to plan."

Looks like business is about to pick up.

I'm aware that some may say that Nicole is too loyal to Sally to take Roman's side, but think; Nicole is far too logically minded for her not to see Roman's point. She would realise that it's better to try and rescue Seth than do nothing.

With that said, thank you all so much for taking the time to read this chapter. If you enjoyed it, then leave a review in the appropriate section, and in the case that you really enjoyed it, then I invite you to favourite and follow this story in order to be notified as to when I upload a new chapter.

Anyways, thank you again, and I will see you tomorrow (Hopefully!) with the next chapter, which sees further planning on what is to happen to Seth Kerran, and a little bit of side plotting on the part of the Third Brother.

T-Rock14