Episode 2 – Specters and Ghosts Part 1
Rahm Kota! The Jedi Master and General from the Clone Wars and the Rebellion, killed at Yavin at the start of the war! His presence is missed by his fellow Jedi including his friend and former Padawan: the Jedi Master X2! Unknown to X2, a secret that predates the Rebellion kept by Rahm Kota is about to be revealed!
Yavin System
Aboard the Jedi Cruiser: Tantor
The Tantor was an MC80 Home One Type Cruiser that had been refitted to serve more of a carrier role than as a front-line warship. The Cruiser acted as a waystation between the old Jedi Temple on Yavin IV and the new one on Ossus. Messages and cargo meant for the Jedi would go to Yavin first where it would be transferred to different transports and sent to Ossus via long and sometimes confusing routes. This was to help prevent the Sith's discovering the new temple on Ossus until the new temple on Coruscant could be finished. Then the majority of the Jedi's operations would be moved there, with Ossus returning to a fallback location.
In his quarters, X2 was meditating quietly to himself. Sensing the many forms of life moving throughout the vessel from stem to stern. He could also sense his Padawan, the Kaleesh: Ronderu Laj Sheelal, quietly dining in the mess hall. As he meditated, he sensed an oddly familiar presence in the Force.
"X2…" he heard a voice call.
"Master?" X2 asked, mildly confused as to how he was hearing the voice.
"X2." He heard the voice say again.
"I hear you Master. Where are you?" X2 asked, his eyes still closed in mediation.
"X2, open your eyes, boy." The voice said again. X2 finally did as instructed and was shocked as he saw the spectral visage of a smiling Rahm Kota, sitting on the bunk in front of him.
"Master? Is it really you?" X2 asked, Rahm giving a nod.
"Your eyes aren't playing tricks on you, boy. It's me." Rahm said as X2 climbed to his feet.
"I'd heard rumors of force ghosts and accounts from many great Jedi of having seen them but…I never imagined I'd ever see one, much less for that ghost to be you." X2 said as Rahm chuckled.
"It's good to see you too. But I'm not here to catch up on old times. There is a request I have to make of you. One final assignment from your old Master." Rahm said as X2 gave a bow.
"Of course." X2 said as Rahm stood up.
"After the fall of the Empire, I began a mission to bring closure to the Rebel Cells we lost track of or were captured and dismantled by the Empire. I succeeded in this mission, save one. One cell evaded my search. A cell we codenamed the Specter Cell." Rahm explained.
"Specter? I don't recall any cells by that name." X2 replied.
"This was an old cell, X2. They predated Galen's involvement and the Rebellion as we knew it. They were the source of the Empire's suspicions of Rebellion and what eventually led them to send Galen after us to try and round up our leaders. These cells, they were the Rebellion's Juvenal stage. Galen just brought us into adulthood. You remember what it was like. Stealing Imperial military supplies, interrupting arms shipments, vandalism, reallocating Imperial foodstuffs for those who had suffered at the Empire's hands, anything to prove the Empire was weak or to encourage others to join our cause." Rahm said as X2 gave a nod, quietly thinking back to those days.
"I remember. It's how I first met Shara." X2 said, quietly smiling at the memory of his late wife.
"I remember. But this cell, the Specter Cell, was unique. Without their knowing it, Specter had one thing that we desperately kept hidden from the Empire: a Jedi." Rahm explained as X2 furrowed his brow.
"As I recall, Galen killed all but one of the Rebellion's Jedi before he was redeemed and then joined the Rebellion, you being that one Jedi." X2 said, Rahm nodding.
"That's what I thought too but Galen didn't start hunting Jedi until two years before Yavin. This cell was in operation before that. They disappeared after being forced off of Lothal. They were going to join the fleet at a secret base on Dantooine but never made it to the system." Rahm explained.
"Were they captured? Killed?" X2 asked but Rahm smiled slightly.
"I don't know. That's why I'm asking you to find them." Rahm said, surprising the old clone.
"Me? But where would I begin?" X2 asked.
"Ask Ronderu. She will know where to look. But the members of the cell did not become one with the Force. That I can tell you. Where they are now, is anyone's guess." Rahm said as X2 arched a curious eyebrow.
"Really? For some reason I thought you suddenly gained a wealth of knowledge when you became one with the force. A sort of all-knowing spirit." X2 said, earning a laugh from Rahm.
"No one ever said that death was the gateway to special knowledge. I for one am satisfied being able to watch over the ones I cared for in life. You've done wonderfully with Ronderu in my stead and I foresee she will become a great Jedi in her time. Her great-grandfather would not be pleased." Rahm said as X2 gave a nod.
"Before you go, Master. I have one question for you." X2 said, almost hesitant to ask the question but Rahm raised a hand, motioning to stop, but smiling nonetheless.
"Shara misses you too, X2. She asked me to pass along a message. She's waiting for you but urges you not to hurry up and join her. She's with you even though you may not feel it." Rahm said as X2 nodded.
"Shara, I'm not the one to be concerned about. Be with our son. He misses his mother more than anything. It may comfort him to know his mother's spirit is with him even when she cannot be there in the flesh." X2 said, Rahm giving a nod.
"May the Force be with you, X2." Rahm said before disappearing, leaving X2 alone in his quarters. As he stood contemplating his late Master's instructions, he sensed Ronderu approaching his quarters. He immediately opened the doors just before Ronderu could even so much as knock. She quietly entered, her hunting mask on her face and a look of consternation in her eyes.
"Master, forgive my intrusion, but I sensed something just now." She said as X2 nodded.
"You sensed the spirit of your late Master. Rahm paid me a visit. He has a mission for us." X2 said, surprising Ronderu.
"He came to you in spirit? What is his mission?" Ronderu asked.
"He wants us to locate a missing Rebel Cell from the early years of the Rebellion. He said you'd know where to look." X2 said as Ronderu blinked slightly before nodding.
"I believe I might."
On Yavin IV's surface…
A Lambda class shuttle with the insignia of the Jedi Order on the top wing flew over the ruined temples that once housed the Jedi Order, the wreckage of the battle that forced the Jedi to Ossus still visible. The area around the temple was not nearly as overgrown as it once was prior to the fight. The entire jungle around the temples seemed to be dead or dying, giving the temples an eerie if not spooky feeling. The shuttle touched down in a clearing just outside of the temples, X2 and Ronderu disembarking and heading into the temple.
"The Dark Side is strong here." Ronderu said softly.
"Several Jedi died here along with their defenders and many of their killers. The spirits of the dead still linger here." X2 said as they quietly made their way towards the dormitories.
"Was it this way in the Temple on Coruscant after the purge?" Ronderu asked. The question slightly unnerved X2.
"At first it was. But after Palpatine died, it was different. I suspect the Jedi killed during Order 66 finally found peace knowing that the Sith Lord who ordered their demise had met his own." X2 replied.
"I'm surprised. I thought Jedi did not seek revenge." Ronderu said but X2 shook his head.
"No, not revenge. Palpatine's death was a sign that the dark times had ended, that the Sith's efforts to wipe out the Jedi had failed and that the Light Side of the Force had prevailed. Knowing that, the Jedi who died during the Clone Wars were able to find peace." X2 explained as they both walked through the deserted halls of the dormitories, heading for Master Kota's old quarters. As they arrived, they found the door controls had no power, all generators and power sources having been destroyed, shutdown, or removed during or after the battle. Ronderu quietly closed her eyes and used the Force to pry the doors open, the doors opening with a groan. The two proceeded to step inside, looking around curiously. Rahm's old quarters were rather Spartan. They consisted of a bed, a footlocker for his armor, a second footlocker for extra clothes, a desk with an old blaster propped up on a display, and little else. The Jedi had removed everything from his quarters that they could. The footlockers were all empty and the desk had been emptied of any documents. Only the blaster remained for some reason.
"What are we looking for?" X2 asked.
"When Master Kota's implants were beginning to fail him, he asked me to help him adapt. He told me that, despite years between his days in the Rebellion and now, he still couldn't shake the habit of hiding things in secret compartments." Ronderu explained as X2 deduced what she was saying.
"Ah so somewhere around here is a secret compartment." X2 said as Ronderu nodded.
"Yes. He said, to open the one in his quarters, I had to 'watch my six.' I fail to understand what that means though." Ronderu explained as X2 noticed the blaster on the desk. He then noticed that an old analogue chronometer had been etched into the desk surface but it had been etched into the desk sideways, with the 12 pointed at the desk's left edge.
"I think I understand it. Didn't Rahm ever try and train you to use a blaster?" X2 asked as he approached the desk.
"I am familiar with how to use one but I feel the weapon to be uncivilized. I will still use one if necessary." Ronderu replied as X2 picked up the blaster off the desk, smirking at her for a moment before placing the blaster back onto the pedestal only in the opposite direction. When he did, they heard a clicking sound coming from inside the desk before a square shaped panel popped out from the side. X2 immediately opened the panel and pulled out a data-disk.
"That is what Master Kota hid?" Ronderu asked.
"You sound disappointed." X2 said as he searched the compartment but found nothing else inside.
"My disappointment is only surpassed by my curiosity. What is on this disk, Master?" Ronderu asked as X2 smiled towards her.
"Let's find out." He said as he motioned for her to follow.
…
Back on the shuttle, the two sat down at the controls of the shuttle, X2 plugging the disk into a datapad. The pad immediately lit up to show numerous files. X2 read through the data for a moment before Ronderu finally spoke up.
"What is it, Master?" she asked.
"It appears to be the results of Rahm's investigation into the fates of the various Rebel cells that existed prior to Galen's rallying the cells together. According to this, Rahm, along with Jedi Master Shaak Ti, and Senator Bail Organa, the adopted father of Leia Organa Solo's, all worked in the utmost secret, acting as a single individual named Fulcrum, to coordinate different groups of Rebel Cells across the galaxy. All the Cells were autonomous and only one member of any cell was to be in direct contact with Fulcrum or even aware that there were other cells out there. It was to reduce risk of exposure if caught by the Empire. I remember being part of those cells back in the day. I was the leader of the Grey Cell which would later become Grey Squadron after the Rebellion was actualized by Galen. I reported directly to Rahm and even then I wasn't aware of other cells out there until Galen came along." X2 explained as Ronderu furrowed her brow.
"I'm not quite sure I understand, Master. Why go through all this trouble to find that disk if there isn't any useful information on it?" she asked.
"Oh there's information on here alright. It's what isn't here that's important." X2 explained.
"What is missing then?" she asked.
"According to this, Rahm spent most of his life after the founding of the New Republic, tracking down every cell, determining their fate. Some survived to join the Rebellion proper, some were captured by the Empire, and some simply disbanded for various reasons. The cells that were captured were either freed by other Rebels or executed for treason by the Empire. But out of all the cells, only one simply vanished without a trace. The cell referred to as Specter." X2 explained.
"So we are completing Master Kota's mission." Ronderu deduced as X2 nodded.
"That's right. That is what he asked of us. To find Specter and determine their fate. Do they still live? Are they all dead? Did the Empire capture them? That is what we are to find out." X2 said as Ronderu pondered.
"What are your thoughts, Master?" she asked.
"I have no theories that haven't been already stated. The cell was last seen leaving Lothal after the Empire put the squeeze on Lothal in retribution for their actions there. They were headed for Dantooine but never made it. The 'Fulcrum' they reported to was Master Shaak Ti who, according to this, personally assisted with the rescue mission to help the Rebels escape from the Empire after the leader of the cell, a Jedi, had been captured by the Empire and sent to Mustafar. Shaak Ti assisted the Rebels in rescuing the Jedi." X2 explained as Ronderu gave her master a suspicious look.
"Master, I sense there is something about this cell you're not telling me." She said, X2 raising a hand in apology.
"Any omissions on my part are not intentional. But you're right, there is something about this cell. They became infamous throughout the outer rim when they made an illegal broadcast, imploring the citizens of the Empire to look around and recognize the oppression the Empire had brought upon them, to fight against it. The message was recorded and relayed to countless systems, probably across the whole Empire. Rahm's notes call it the most valued motivating tool for encouraging rebellion until Alderaan." X2 explained as Ronderu seemed contemplative.
"Interesting. But there is more, isn't there?" she asked as X2 nodded.
"The main drive behind Rahm's searching for this cell, is because one of their major members was a Jedi." He said, Ronderu's eyes widening beneath her mask.
"A Jedi?" she asked.
"Yeah." He replied as Ronderu blinked.
"So where do we look? Where does Master Kota's trail leave off?" she asked.
"That's the problem. Rahm searched for years but his last entry in regards to the search reads 'Only time will tell.' Not sure if that's a sign that he gave up or not." X2 replied as Ronderu pondered.
"I don't believe so. If that were the case, then Master Kota would not have entrusted you to finish his work." Ronderu said as X2 smiled and gave her a nod.
"Alright then perhaps we should return to the temple. This requires far keener minds than mine." X2 said as he turned to the controls, starting the shuttle's launch sequence.
Later on Ossus…
X2 and Ronderu were in the archives, speaking with Master Tionne who was looking the data over.
"I'm sorry, X2 but I don't recall anything that might relate to your missing cell. It was the same for Master Kota when he asked me a few years ago." Tionne said as X2 gave her an appreciative bow.
"Thank you anyway Master Tionne. I appreciate your help regardless." He said as Tionne pondered for a moment.
"Wait, there is one thing that might help. I doubt it will lead you to your cell but it will help you identify them and perhaps give you some measure of guidance." Tionne said as she started typing into the holo-display of a nearby archive terminal.
"Any piece of information will help." X2 replied as Tionne pulled up some old Imperial documents, all of which were marked classified by Imperial Intelligence.
"These files were acquired at the outbreak of the war. They were stored on a datapad that was recovered from the Emperor's vaults circa the Battle of Endor, acquired by a man who later became a Mandalorian and handed the pad over to Boba Fett who then turned it over to the Chancellor and the Jedi after the Fall of Yavin. They're records regarding the arrest, interrogation, execution, defection, and in some rare cases, escape of Jedi from during the purge. It includes several Jedi Masters including Luminara Unduli and Depa Billaba, several Knights, a few Padawans including a Pau'an Padawan that later became one of the Empire's Inquisitors. If the Empire did capture and kill the Jedi from the cell you're looking for, it would be in here." Tionne said, X2 nodding.
"This is the first lead in years. I'm beginning to see why Rahm gave us this mission now." X2 said as he sat down at the archive terminal, searching the records. Ronderu remained silently at her Master's side, looking over his shoulder. Tionne was making the effort to look busy but her curiosity was obvious as she would occasionally glance over X2's shoulder. After a moment, X2 found what he was looking for.
"Ah, here's something. A Jedi identified as Kanan Jarrus, confirmed to be an alias for Jedi Padawan Caleb Dume, former Padawan of Depa Billaba. Apprehended by Grand Moff Tarkin on Lothal circa five years before the Battle of Yavin. He was interrogated at Mustafar but was rescued by a band of rebel insurgents and escaped. Last sighted fleeing Lothal in 5 BBY. Whereabouts unknown. No further records exist of him though." X2 said.
"So he could still be alive." Tionne said as X2 nodded.
"Yes but why is it that he hasn't been seen or heard from in over thirty years?" X2 asked.
"Perhaps the Sith Empire found him?" Ronderu suggested.
"I don't think so. He'd have been recaptured by the Empire if he was caught and they'd have had a record of it." X2 said.
"Perhaps searching for the Jedi is not the route to take." Tionne said, sitting down at a terminal next to X2, picking up the datapad with Rahm's records in the process.
"Then who do we search for, Master Solusar?" Ronderu asked as Tionne sifted through the information on the datapad.
"In my experience, when searching for one specific subject one can easily get distorted accounts. For instance why only examine the life of Nomi Sunrider without also hearing it from her daughter Vima's point of view? You should consider the other members of the cell. Look for traces of them as well." Tionne said as she turned the pad around towards them, showing a list of the cell's members with grainy profile images for each that had been cut out from twenty year old surveillance holos.
"Kanan Jarrus, Garazeb Orrelios, Sabine Wren, C1-10P, Ezra Bridger, Hera Syn-…Hera?" X2 asked, mildly surprised.
"You know her?" Tionne asked as X2 looked at a profile image of a green skinned Twi'lek woman.
"I met her once, back during the early Rebellion. We ran a mission to pass along some important data about Imperial Fleet movements amongst the other cells. We rendezvoused at Dantooine, where my Cell was headquartered, met briefly, exchanged information, went our separate ways. In terms of personal contact, we only ever exchanged our names. She was one of the few people I ever gave my real name to. I had to. It was vital proof that she could trust me." X2 said as Ronderu furrowed her brow.
"What is your real name?" she asked, earning an amused smile from her Master.
"X2. I used the alias Xavier Grey for a long time. It's where my son got his name." X2 replied.
"Would you know where they could've gone?" Tionne asked but X2 shook his head.
"No. I didn't know her that well. We met only briefly. I suspect that Lothal would be the place to look but my instincts tell me not to." X2 said.
"With good reason. I understand that Lothal is in Sith controlled space or very close to its borders." Tionne said as X2 rose to his feet.
"Master Tionne, do you know if Luke is here?" X2 asked as Tionne nodded.
"Yes. He's here." She replied.
"Thank you Master. If I find any new information, I'll let you know." X2 said as he and Ronderu headed for the exit.
…
"This is quite a mystery on your hands, X2." Luke said as he and X2 sat across from each other in one of the temple's meditation rooms.
"I feel like I am failing my old Master. I've not found anything to help me learn more than we already know. No leads that could point to the missing cell's fate. Knowing who they are is one thing, knowing where they are is another." X2 said as Luke pondered for a moment.
"I sense your frustration, X2." Luke said.
"I'm more relieved you believe my story of being visited by Master Kota's spirit." X2 said as Luke smiled.
"You're not the only one that's been visited by a force ghost, X2. Even old Ben used to visit me periodically after his death. Galen's been visited by force ghosts too, even spoke with my own mother's spirit once. Even my father's been known to commune with the spirits of Jedi who have become one with the Force. I fully believe Rahm gave you this mission. However his timing is quite…peculiar." Luke said as X2 arched a curious eyebrow.
"In what way?" X2 asked.
"As you know, the force sometimes grants us visions of the future. It's hard to decipher or see the meaning of these visions even after the events they foretell have come and gone. Rahm denied that becoming one with the force grants the spirit a wealth of knowledge, which I believe is true. However, becoming one with the force might grant the spirit greater clarity and understanding. It is rumored that the prophesy of the Chosen One, the one a few Jedi of the old order considered to be my father, was discovered through this method." Luke said as X2 gave a nod.
"No disrespect towards your father, Luke, but I don't think he is the Chosen One." X2 said.
"Regardless of my father's destiny, the prophesy remains. My point however is that I believe Rahm knows their fate may be revealed soon due to his being one with the Force. Have you had any visions regarding the cell's possible whereabouts? Have you tried looking to the Force for guidance?" Luke asked as X2 took a breath.
"No, I haven't. I suppose now is as good a time as any. Will you join me?" X2 asked as Luke smiled and nodded.
"I would be honored." Luke said as they closed their eyes, entering a deep meditative trance. X2 cleared his mind of all distractions, soon finding himself standing within the great void of the Force, a light fog of white clouds around his feet. Luke wasn't there but he could sense his presence.
"What do you see, X2?" Luke's voice echoed. The void was full of stars.
"I see the stars…they seem familiar somehow." X2 said as he looked around.
"Familiar how?" Luke asked as X2 began to recognize the constellations and stellar patterns.
"Oh, I know where I am. This is the night sky of Dantooine. I remember analyzing the stellar patterns as a hobby to relax after the day's work had been done. I was a farmer after the Clone Wars and only later joined the early Rebellion after meeting my father. I'd remember these stars anywhere." X2 explained.
"Good…what else do you see?" Luke asked. X2 looked and saw a single star that seemed out of place.
"Something's different. One of the constellations has an extra star that wasn't there before, it-…it's moving!" X2 said as he noticed the star in question was moving slowly across the sky, leaving a trail of sky blue light behind.
"A moving star?" Luke asked.
"A comet perhaps?" X2 asked back. He then began to hear the echo of laser cannon fire, the screaming of TIE Fighters.
"We've got to make the jump now!" a man's voice echoed.
"But the hyperdrive-…" a gruff man's voice interrupted.
"Do it!" a woman's voice replied before hearing the familiar sound of a hyperspace jump but he could tell there was something seriously wrong when he heard a loud screeching sound when the ship jumped. At this, he saw the comet flash and glow even brighter. The vision came to a stop and X2 opened his eyes, Luke sitting across from him.
"What is it?" Luke asked.
"I heard voices. It might've been from the cell, their final moments. I'm not sure." X2 said as Luke seemed contemplative.
"This comet you saw. Describe it." Luke said.
"It was small but bright enough to be seen with the naked eye. It left behind a tail the color of the sky." X2 explained.
"I don't know enough about stellar phenomenon like this I'm afraid. Perhaps you should consult the Academy of Astronomy on Coruscant. They catalogue and record comets, rogue asteroids, black holes, and other stellar phenomenon. They're likely to know something about this comet." Luke said as X2 rose to his feet.
"I will. Thank you for your advice, Master." X2 said as Luke gave a nod.
"I'm happy to be of service. Anything I or the Order can do to help bring closure to this mystery." Luke said as X2 headed for the door.
A few hours later on Coruscant
A Jedi Starspeeder touched down outside the Republic Academy of Astronomy, a large towering structure with an array of advanced scientific astronomical analytical devices dotted around the edges or attached to different wings of the building. It was night as X2 and Ronderu disembarked the speeder, a silver plated protocol droid waiting for them.
"Greetings, I am TL-H1, protocol droid and tour guide to the Academy of Astronomy. How may I assist you?" the droid asked.
"I was wondering if you would know who I might talk to regarding identifying a comet." X2 said as the droid gave a nod.
"Of course sir. We have the galaxy's largest and most comprehensive database of stellar phenomenon. If you are seeking to identify an existing comet or report the sighting of a new one, then you have come to the right place. This way please." The droid said before turning and leading them into the building. The first room they entered was a large chamber with numerous models and holo-displays of various stellar phenomenon, including holo-images of the various black holes around the infamous Maw Installation. The droid continued to lead them into the room where a Twi'lek man with cyan colored skin, one of his lekku worn around draped his neck, wearing a lab coat, approached.
"Ah, Master Jedi. I received your message." The Twi'lek man said in basic but with the usual Twi'lek accent.
"Dr. Panval, I presume." X2 greeted as the Twi'lek man smiled and bowed to the Jedi.
"Professor Panval actually. This is a place of learning after all. I understand that you are looking for a comet specifically, one supposed to be near Dantooine perhaps?" Panval asked as X2 nodded.
"That's correct." X2 said as Panval gave a sad smile.
"I'm sorry Master Jedi but there are no comets around Dantooine. Won't be for at least another decade." Panval explained.
"But there will be a comet near Dantooine at some point, correct?" X2 asked as Panval gave a nod.
"That's correct. In approximately ten years, give or take a few months, Delan's Comet will pass close to Dantooine. It's the smallest and fastest comet we have on record." Panval said, X2 looking curious. Something about this comet seemed peculiar to him.
"Delan's comet. Tell me more about it." X2 said as Panval motioned to follow.
"I can do better than that. I can show you." He said as he led the Jedi to a terminal, activating it and quickly calling up information on Delan's Comet. He then motioned to the terminal.
"Delan's Comet, first sighted near Malastare circa year zero by the Gran astronomer Hith Delan. Recorded to be the fastest comet ever spotted as well as the smallest. Delan's Comet travels at remarkable speeds which gives rise to the possibility that it's been propelled by some form of explosion." Panval explained as X2 looked the information over.
"How many times has it been sighted?" X2 asked.
"Seventeen times. The most recent sighting placing it near Ithor as of this time last year." Panval explained as X2 started entering information onto the terminal, causing the screen to display a map of the galaxy and small blue blips to appear at various points in a slightly curvy line, leading from Malastare to Ithor. A small pinging blue blip just near Ithor denoting the Comet's current estimated position.
"It can't be." X2 said to himself, tracing the blips.
"Master?" Ronderu asked.
"Professor, doesn't the trajectory of the comet seem a little strange to you?" X2 asked as Panval rubbed the back of his head with a clueless shrug.
"I must confess Master Jedi that I have not performed as in depth an analysis of the comet as some of my peers. But from the looks of it, the comet's trajectory doesn't seem that peculiar if you account for gravitational pull whenever it enters a system." Panval said but X2 seemed stunned, although not at the doctor. He then quickly plugged in a data-stick and downloaded a set of coordinates to the stick before pocketing it.
"Thank you Professor you've been exceedingly helpful. Come, Ronderu!" X2 said as he and Ronderu started rushing for the door.
"Master what is it?!" Ronderu asked as X2 let out a loud cheer upon exiting the building, literally jumping into the air with joy, pumping his fist up once as he did.
"Hope you're smiling old man! I think I've solved the mystery of our missing cell!" X2 said as they boarded the Starspeeder.
"What?!" Ronderu asked as X2 initiated the launch sequence with the Starspeeder.
"Ronderu, the comet is flying a near perfect flightpath used typically by hyperspace navicomputers to avoid gravitational anomalies that could cause them to drop out of hyperspace. Only a ship would have that! When I meditated, I saw that comet near Dantooine. Now I realize what it is! I need to get in touch with Republic Fleet Command." X2 said as the Starspeeder took to the Coruscant skies. X2 quickly turned to the communications console and began entering information. Within seconds, a familiar human General appeared via hologram.
"Hey, if it isn't X2! Haven't seen you in a while!" General Lando Calrissian said with one of his winning smiles.
"General Calrissian, I'm glad I got through to you. I could use your help. I need an Interdictor ship. Preferably one near Dantooine." X2 said as Lando gave a curious smile.
"Dantooine? It just so happens that there happens to be an interdictor ship near Dantooine. Part of your old Command if I'm not mistaken. Only recently assigned to the group. We're using Dantooine as a staging area for an attack on a neighboring system. Can't mention it right over unsecured channels. You understand right?" Lando explained as X2 nodded.
"Understood. Thanks for the tip, General." X2 said.
"Hey if you're heading out to Dantooine, I've been asked to bring an extra interdictor cruiser to the party. I've got plenty of cargo space. You're welcome to tag along." Lando offered.
"Much appreciated General. If you would forward docking instructions, we'll be with you shortly." X2 said as Lando grinned.
"Looking forward to it. Forwarding information now." Lando said as X2 brought the Starspeeder into orbit, following Lando's instructions but when he and Ronderu saw the ship, his eyes widened.
"Calrissian that's no mere cruiser! That's a full blown Star Destroyer!" X2 said as they approached an old Imperial Interdictor Class Star Destroyer. The ship was covered in yellow markings including a yellow Republic Starbird on each of the gravity well spheres.
"Nice isn't it? Not much of a fleet commander myself but I offered to run this baby over to Dantooine to give my goddaughter a hand. Anyway, I'll meet you on the bridge." Lando said as the Starspeeder came in to dock in the comparatively smaller hangar of the destroyer.
…
On board the Destroyer, X2 and Ronderu arrived on the bridge where Lando was waiting for them. The two Generals shaking hands.
"General." X2 greeted.
"General." Lando greeted back before noticing Ronderu, flashing a suave grin.
"Hel~lo what have we here? I'm Lando Calrissian, Republic General and former Rebel, at your service miss…" Lando greeted as Ronderu blinked in surprise.
"Ronderu." She replied, unsure of how to regard the General.
"Kaleesh. Most enchanting." Lando said, kissing the back of Ronderu's hand.
"She's not even half your age, Calrissian. She's also my Padawan." X2 said with a warning glare as Lando grinned towards him.
"No reason I still can't be civil. Always helps to make a good first impression after all. I assure you X2, my intentions are anything if not pure." Lando said, both Jedi sensing sincerity within him. He truly was just being friendly.
"Your reputation speaks for itself, Lando." X2 said with a light smirk.
"Oh come on, when have I ever given you reason to distrust me?" Lando asked as X2 arched an eyebrow.
"Well there was that one time during the war when you sold Han and Leia out to the Empire. Didn't exactly earn you many friends right off in the Rebellion." X2 said as Lando shrugged.
"Yeah but I made up for it in due time." Lando retorted as X2 chuckled
"Relax Lando I can tell you didn't mean any harm." X2 said as Ronderu glanced towards her Master.
"Did you?" she asked, dubious of her Master's senses at the moment, X2 nodding in response.
"Anyway, enough with the pleasantries. I understand that you need this ship for something." Lando said as X2 gave a nod.
"I'm trying to track down a missing Rebel cell that's been missing since five years before Yavin. I have a hunch of where they are but I need this ship to catch them." X2 said as Lando arched a curious eyebrow.
"Kind of a long time to be in hiding." Lando said as X2 gave a nod.
"Like I said, only a hunch. Does Grey Squadron know this ship is on its way?" X2 asked.
"The squadron won't need us for at least two rotations and we're way ahead of schedule. We've got some time to spare between now and then. Where do we need to go?" Lando asked as X2 stepped towards a holotable, bringing up a galaxy map and pointing towards a spot near Ithor.
"There's a comet that we need to stop. It was last sighted near Ithor. If the calculations I got from the Academy of Astronomy are correct, we can get ahead of the comet, activate the gravity wells and intercept the comet. With any luck, it will reveal the location of our missing cell." X2 said as Lando looked at him confused for a moment then looked towards Ronderu.
"Do you have any idea what he's saying?" Lando asked but the Kaleesh Padawan shook her head silently.
"Alright but I doubt deploying a gravity well will do anything to that comet." Lando said but X2 smiled.
"Trust me on this, Lando. The force is with us. It hasn't let us down before." X2 said as he headed for the turbolifts.
…
A few hours later, the Destroyer dropped out of hyperspace in an empty section of space. There were no planets within range, only stars and a faint blue light several thousand kilometers away but moving fast towards them. X2's Starspeeder then deployed from the Destroyer, flying around to face the comet. X2 and Ronderu were in the Starspeeder, X2 at the controls while Ronderu sitting behind him in the passenger area.
"Alright Lando we're clear, cast the net." X2 ordered.
"On it." Lando replied. The Starspeeder's onboard sensors started beeping soon afterwards, warning of a gravity well being activated and warning against using Hyperspace.
"Master, the comet isn't stopping." Ronderu said as X2 kept his eyes trained on the comet.
"Patience, Ronderu. It hasn't hit the gravity well yet. It will in a few minutes." X2 said before sensing a sudden disturbance in the Force, an imminent danger. Ronderu sensed it too, looking out of the viewport.
"Master?" she said.
"I sense it!" he replied just as the hyperspace alarms started going off. Suddenly a small fleet of Sith Warships dropped out of hyperspace in front of them. X2 barely had time to pull up in order to avoid colliding with a Sith Corvette.
"WHOA!" he yelped, the Sith still not firing yet.
"Why aren't they attacking?!" Ronderu asked just in time for the Sith to start firing at Lando's Destroyer.
"They weren't expecting to drop out of hyperspace! I think we just intercepted them on accident!" X2 replied as he guided the Starspeeder to evade incoming fire.
"Lando! Send out a general distress! There's too many ships for your destroyer to take out on its own! Grey Group should be able to hear us!" X2 ordered.
"Way ahead of you!" Lando replied, several Republic fighters launching from the destroyer although there were barely more than a dozen fighters up against four corvettes, two frigates, a light cruiser, a single Destroyer, and a swarm of Sith fighters. X2 was guiding the Starspeeder around, firing at the Sith Fighters with the Starspeeder's laser cannons. The Sith were quickly gaining the upper hand in the fight. Within the first few minutes, half of the Republic fighters had been destroyed and Lando's Destroyer was taking a beating. Its shields were barely holding.
"General! We can't take much more of this!" one of the bridge officers reported to Lando.
"Divert all power from the engines to the other systems! We've got to buy X2 more time!" Lando ordered.
"You need time, General? You've got it! Grey Squadron lock s-foils in attack position, accelerate to attack speed, and fire at will!" Jaina Solo ordered over the comms as Grey Squadron and its capital ship escort dropped out of hyperspace, the group's two Nebula Class Star Destroyers ripping apart three of the corvettes in seconds.
"Jaina, am I glad to see you!" X2 said as a live feed of Jaina in her cockpit was transmitted to the Starspeeder's internal monitors.
"We got your distress call and we got here as fast as possible! What's going on though?! Why are you here?!" She asked.
"I'll explain later! For now keep that destroyer's grav-wells online!" X2 ordered.
"You've got it! Grey Ten, Grey One, form up on Grey Master!" Jaina ordered as X3's X-Wing and Rex's Headhunter flew up alongside of the Starspeeder.
"Grey One to Grey Master, would now be a good time to ask what in the name of Mustafar are you doing here?!" X3 asked as they came around to face the comet which was still inbound.
"Following a hunch, no time to explain!" X2 replied as the Starspeeder's astromech started beeping, displaying a sensor overlay on the internal monitor of the comet and the edge of the gravity well field, the comet gradually getting closer to the edge of the field and a countdown timer indicating the amount of time before impact, the timer showing at least one minute left.
"Grey Master to Grey Leader, we're about to have a priority escort target in approximately one minute!" X2 said.
"Say again? Priority Escort?" Jaina asked.
"Standby!" X2 replied as the timer neared the end. As the timer approached zero, the comet started to glow brighter, as if the edge of the field was already effecting it, the light from the comet then began to shrink until it began taking a more streamlined form, the form of something mechanical.
"BRACE!" X2 yelled as the timer beeped zero, the comet suddenly letting off a large sky blue shockwave of energy and disappearing, the shockwave causing all of the fighters hit by the wave to briefly lose control, luckily none of them crashed…even the Sith Fighters survived the wave. The larger craft were unaffected. X2 looked and saw the Comet was gone and had left something most unexpected behind! A VCX-100 type freighter, spinning out of control.
"What the-…where did that freighter come from?!" X3 asked, astounded.
"No time! Quick! Protect it at all costs until we can get a sensor reading!" X2 ordered as the astromech started beeping cheerfully.
"Five lifeforms? Are they alive?" X2 asked, the astromech beeping affirmatively. X2 grinned excitedly and opened comm channels.
"Ghost! Ghost come in! Can you read me Ghost! This is X2! Repeat this is X2!" X2 said into the comms. After a moment, there was a response.
"X2?! What's going on here?! Where'd these destroyers come from?!" a woman's voice asked.
"No time to explain! I'm sending you docking coordinates! Under no circumstances are you to use your hyperdrive! Follow the Starspeeder!" X2 ordered as he flew in to escort the freighter, the freighter following after it, its turrets opening fire on the attacking Sith fighters.
"Master! That ship! I sense a disturbance in the force!" Ronderu said as X2 grinned.
"It's them! Specter Cell!" X2 said, bringing the Starspeeder around in time to see the two Nebula Destroyers, having finished off the rest of the Sith Fleet, turning their attention to the Sith's lone destroyer, the destroyer taking a severe pounding.
"The Destroyer's shields are buckling! They're finished!" Jaina reported.
"Grey 6 to Grey Leader! I've got a clear shot at her bridge!" Porky reported.
"Take it!" Jaina ordered. The astromech on the Starspeeder then displayed a live feed of the Sith Destroyer on the internal monitor, showing Porky's Y-Wing approaching the bridge tower of the Sith Destroyer, firing off a Proton Torpedo and then flying away just as the torpedo pierced the bridge, causing a chain reaction which ripped the entire tower apart.
"All craft get a safe distance from that Destroyer!" X2 ordered, the ships all scrambling away from the destroyer just minutes before it exploded in a colossal explosion.
"The Sith Fighters are attempting to flee! Switch to ion cannons if you have them and take them down!" Jaina ordered.
"Gold Leader to Grey Leader. We've got this. Thanks for the save." One of the Republic Squadron Leaders said.
"Is Specter still behind us?" X2 asked. The astromech beeped a cheery response, the internal monitor switching to a live feed of the beat up old freighter.
"Good. Open a transmission to them." X2 ordered.
"X2, what's happening here?! We're seeing Star Destroyers with the starbird all over them!" a woman's voice said.
"Trust me when I say that we've got a lot to discuss. We've been looking for you for a long time. I'm forwarding docking coordinates to you now for the Falon Grey. It's the big destroyer with the surplus hangar space. Welcome back." X2 said before turning towards Ronderu who was blinking in surprise.
"Master?" she asked.
"All in due time, my Padawan, in due time." X2 said as he brought the Starspeeder towards the Falon Grey.
…
A few minutes later, the Starspeeder and the freighter had landed in the hangar, with the fighters of Grey Squadron disembarking their fighters and gathering near the old freighter. X2 and Ronderu approached just as the boarding ramp to the freighter opened up, allowing a green skinned Twi'lek woman in a jumpsuit, a tall human man with brown goatee, a young human boy with dark hair in orange, a Lasat in green carrying a Bo-Rifle, a teenaged human girl in purple hued Mandalorian armor, and an orange domed C1 Astromech to disembark, each of them looking around confused. X2 started to approach them, his hood over his head.
"Hera Syndulla. It's been far too long." X2 greeted, the Twi'lek looking at him curiously, recognizing his voice.
"X2? What's going on?" she asked.
"You're not likely to believe me when I say that you've been listed as Missing in Action for a long time. A lot has changed since you left Lothal." X2 said.
"What are you talking about? We just left a few minutes ago!" Hera said but X2 took a breath.
"Hera, you and your cell have been MIA for over thirty years." X2 said, startling Hera and her companions.
"Thirty Years? What is this, some kind of joke?" the man with the goatee asked. X2 looked towards him and took notice of the lightsaber at his side.
"I assure you Padawan Dume, this is no joke." X2 said as the man blinked. The Lasat then nudged him in the shoulder.
"Who's this Dume guy, Kanan?" the Lasat asked with a gruff voice.
"How did you know my name was Dume?" Kanan asked X2.
"Same way I know you're a Jedi." X2 said as he removed his hood, revealing his face. Kanan recognized it almost instantly.
"Falon Grey?" he asked.
"Close. My name is X2. I'm his son, a clone. Falon Grey was my father, and like my father before me, I am a Jedi. Fret not Caleb Dume, former Padawan of Depa Billaba. You are by no means the last of your kind." X2 said as Hera stepped towards him, awestruck at his face.
"X2 is that really you?" Hera asked.
"I told you, it's been thirty years since we last met, Hera. Perhaps the lot of you should come with me. Don't use your ship until your hyperdrive's been replaced. That's probably what caused this in the first place." X2 said as the crew of the Ghost looked at each other.
"What is happening? You mean to tell us that we've been propelled thirty years into the future?" Kanan asked but X2 looked towards Hera.
"There was something wrong with your Hyperdrive, wasn't there?" X2 asked as Hera gave an unsure nod.
"Yes. We were attacked by TIEs shortly after leaving Lothal. We took a few hits and the hyperdrive diagnostics indicated some damage and…oh no." Hera said as horrid realization set in.
"Hera?" the Mandalorian girl asked, worriedly.
"I think what he's saying is the truth. That we've been missing for thirty years." Hera said, confusing the others.
"How?!" Kanan asked, confused and increasingly frustrated.
"We need to check the hyperdrive, now!" Hera said as she rushed back aboard the freighter.
"Jaina! We could use your mechanical experience!" X2 ordered.
"Coming!" Jaina called as she over towards them from her X-Wing. As she passed, Kanan noticed the lightsaber at her side and blinked in surprise.
"Kanan, what's happening?" the boy asked.
"I'm not sure Ezra, not sure at all." Kanan said. Onboard the freighter, Hera was unscrewing a panel in the engine room, pulling it aside and looking inside with an illuminator. Jaina entered and knelt down next to her.
"Master X2 thought I might be of some assistance." Jaina said as they both looked inside the panel at the machinery.
"Master?" Hera asked.
"Well he is a Jedi Master. Jaina Solo's my name. Commanding Officer of Grey Squadron and Jedi Knight. At your service." Jaina introduced as they both examined the machinery. Hera regarded her curiously but then saw something inside the components that made her freeze in shock and awe.
"No…" she gasped softly, reaching in and pulling out a small round device that had been heavily scorched to the point it was inoperable. Jaina recognized it almost instantly and her eyes widened.
"Is that the Relativistic Shield Emitter?" Jaina asked as Hera stood up, her hands shaking in shock as she stared at the device.
"Where are we?" Hera asked.
"A few lightyears from Ithor, why?" Jaina asked as Hera's eyes widened in alarm.
"Ithor?!" she asked as Jaina furrowed her brow, confused.
"Where did you think you were?" she asked but Hera didn't answer, instead rushing out towards the ramp where Kanan was just coming back aboard.
"He's telling the truth, Kanan! Look!" Hera said as Kanan looked the device in her hands over but shrugged.
"What am I looking at?" he asked.
"The Relativistic Shield Emitter. It's damaged. When a ship enters hyperspace, this shield emitter is supposed to activate and protect the ship from passing through time faster or slower than it should, to keep it in real time while traveling thousands of lightyears at a time. The slightest damage to this shield, and it could send you-…" "Into the future." Kanan said, realization dawning on him.
"So we've been sent thirty years into the future." Hera said as Jaina stepped into the doorway, listening in on their conversation with pity.
"How did this happen?" Kanan asked as Hera sighed heavily.
"Those TIEs that attacked us after we escaped Lothal…they must've damaged the hyperdrive. The failsafe mechanisms on the hyperdrive must've failed to keep this from happening." Hera said as Kanan swallowed hard before looking towards Jaina.
"What year is this?" he asked.
"28 ABY. Although from the sounds of it, you'd know it by the old Imperial Calendar as…47 ISC, that's assuming year zero is the year the Clone Wars ended which is 19 BBY by the new calendar." Jaina said soberly as Kanan swallowed hard, hesitating to ask his next question.
"Then can you tell me what happened to the Jedi?" Kanan asked as X2 and the rest of the Ghost's crew came aboard behind him.
"Multiplied tenfold. We aren't back up to the numbers we had before the Clone Wars. The New Jedi Order is still young but we're alive, and we're growing." X2 said as Kanan and Hera looked towards him.
"And what about the other Rebel Cells?" Kanan asked as X2 smiled warmly.
"They grew into a force to be reckoned with. You may not believe it but, ten years after you went missing, the Empire was toppled, the Emperor himself: killed. The Rebellion won and we owe it in no small part to you." X2 explained as the Ghost crew looked at each other in surprise.
"The Empire is gone?" Kanan asked.
"Yes but don't assume that they're gone for good. The New Republic is under siege by the descendants of the old Empire. This new Sith Empire seeks to undo all that has been done within the past twenty three years of freedom and bring back the tyranny of the Empire. The Sith were the ones that you saw us fighting earlier. We intercepted one of their fleets by accident." X2 explained.
"Karabast! Just when I thought I'd never get to bash those bucket heads together anymore." The Lasat, Zeb, remarked with a grin.
"Wait, you said that you owed the victory to us. How did we do anything when we were trapped in hyperspace for thirty years?" the boy, Ezra, asked as X2 produced a small audio emitter.
"Sound familiar?" X2 asked, hitting the button on the device which started playing a slightly static filled audio recording of a familiar voice saying…
"We have been called criminals, but we are not. We are rebels, fighting for the people, fighting for you. I'm not that old, but I remember a time when things were better on Lothal. Maybe not great but never like this. See what the Empire has done to your lives, your families and your freedom? It's only going to get worse…unless we stand up and fight back! It won't be easy. There will be loss and sacrifice but we can't back down just because we're afraid! That's when we need to stand the tallest. That's what my parents taught me. That's what my new family helped me remember. Stand up together! Because that's when we're strongest! As one!" Ezra's voice had said.
"You have a recording of that?" Ezra asked, surprised.
"Nearly every Rebel knew it by heart. The Lothal Transmission was the first cry of Rebellion to spread across the Empire. The Empire tried to clamp down on it and block it, but the message was passed along from planet to planet, system to system, person to person. Within a week of the transmission, there was hardly a soul in the Galaxy that hadn't heard it. To even own a recording that wasn't authorized by the Empire was grounds for arrest and possible life servitude on Kessel. But that only further showed the Empire's tyranny and fanned the flames of unrest. For five years, this message rallied thousands to the Rebel cause. The Lothal Transmission kept the Rebellion alive. Had it not been for this message, I don't know what would've happened. We might easily have died in infancy. But you, Ezra, your words of hope, sparked a fire that spread across the Galaxy." X2 said as Ezra seemed taken back.
"Whoa wait a minute, you mean this kid's the voice in the Lothal Transmission?" Jaina asked as X2 nodded.
"That's right. You're in the presence of the Rebels that made it all happen." X2 said before turning to the Rebels.
"I know this is all a lot to take in. Losing thirty years is not something that can be taken in just overnight. But believe me when I say that you made a difference." X2 said as the Rebels exchanged looks.
"There's a lot of questions we have to ask." Kanan said as X2 gave an understanding nod.
"And we will answer them as best we can, but for now, allow me to be the first to say…" X2 said as he stepped towards Kanan, extending a hand.
"Welcome to the New Republic."X2 said.
…
A few minutes later, X2, Jaina, and Ronderu were showing the Rebels onto the bridge of the Falon Grey. The ship and its escorts were already traveling through Hyperspace back to Dantooine.
"An entire planet? You have to be joking!" Hera commented.
"It's no joke. Alderaan was my mother's homeworld. All I've ever seen of it are asteroids and a few historical holograms." Jaina said.
"The Empire's destruction of Alderaan was the biggest rallying cry since your transmissions five years prior. Entire systems rebelled, especially after the Rebellion destroyed the Death Star shortly after it destroyed Alderaan. If you don't believe us, you can certainly check Alderaan's coordinates and see for yourselves." X2 said as Sabine, the Mandalorian scoffed.
"I'll take that bet. There's no way anything could destroy a whole planet, not at the level of destruction you're implying." Sabine said.
"It can wait. For now we need to get moving. This fleet needs to return to Dantooine immediately. Admiral, is that transport to Coruscant ready? Their hyperdrive still needs to be replaced." X2 said as Admiral Toba saluted.
"Yes sir, General. We've already received word. The Star Destroyer Fearless will be waiting to take you to Coruscant when we arrive in a few minutes." Toba said as X2 gave a nod.
"Thank you Admiral. General Solo, I hereby relinquish my temporary command of Grey Squadron." X2 said as Jaina bowed with a smile.
"May the Force be with you, Master X2." Jaina said as X2, Ronderu, and Kanan returned the bow, Kanan more out of instinct.
"And you as well, Jaina." X2 said before heading towards the turbolifts, the Rebels in tow.
"Sure are a lot of Star Destroyers in this New Republic by the sounds of it." Zeb mumbled, still a little suspicious of the new circumstances.
"The Rebellion captured a large number of their ships after the Empire fell. We've even continued their production to some extent although you'll be happy to see color on those big arrows instead of a dull gray." X2 said as they stepped onto the turbolifts.
"Well I'm satisfied. Kinda anxious to see these 'colors' for myself." Sabine commented.
"Most of the old Destroyers are used out of habit. Many former Imperials defected to the Rebellion during and even after the war. We abandoned TIE Fighters for the most part since they're good for little more than committing suicide in, but we keep using some old Imperial tech since, frankly, it works." X2 said as they reached the hangar.
"Any bucket heads?" Zeb asked.
"One whole Legion of Imperial Stormtroopers defected to the Rebellion and are still permitted to wear the old body buckets albeit with permission, nay encouragement, to customize their armor. They're the only 'Republic' Stormtroopers you'll find though. They're all clone troopers that want to 'mend bulkheads' as it were." X2 said as they approached the Ghost. They could tell through the hangar bay doors that they'd dropped out of hyperspace.
"What about the Ghost? What'll happen to it?" Hera asked.
"Nothing except give her a new Hyperdrive. She appears to still work aside from that. I had the techs take the hyperdrive offline as a precaution until we can get her in and get her hyperdrive replaced. Besides, she's your ship." X2 said as Chopper rolled out from the hangar, wubbing something in his unique form of Droidspeak.
"Who's on board?" Hera asked the droid.
"Oh nothing but an old friend who wanted to make sure you got the best treatment possible." Lando said as he disembarked, a suave grin still on his face. The Rebels recognized him instantly.
"Calrissian?! You're still alive?!" Hera spat, her hand twitching near her blaster.
"I take it you two have met." X2 deduced.
"Oh we go way back. Miss Hera and her cell helped me with a potentially lucrative business venture back on Lothal thirty years ago. Too bad I have nothing to show for it." Lando said, reaching to kiss Hera on the back of the hand only for her to shove her blaster into his face.
"Oh you've definitely met." X3 commented from the sidelines as he approached, his arms crossed over his chest.
"Hera, he's with us. Despite being something of a scoundrel, he's also a decorated Republic General." X2 said as Hera begrudgingly put away her blaster.
"Guilty as charged." Lando said, his hands raised as he backed away, still smiling.
"So is there a reason he's here?" Kanan asked.
"And can we hurt him severely?" Zeb mumbled.
"We're giving him a lift. He's needed back at the Command Center on Coruscant. Relax, Ronderu is in charge of keeping him alive and away from you if necessary." X2 commented, earning a dubious look from his Padawan.
"Since when?" she asked in Kaleesh. X3 then snickered.
"Hate to interrupt but Admiral Toba wanted me to inform you that the Fearless is waiting for you to arrive and to make it quick." X3 said as X2 nodded.
"Thanks son. May the Force be with you." X2 said, placing a hand on his son's shoulder for a moment before heading to the Ghost, climbing aboard as X3 nodded.
"Right." X3 said before noticing Ezra.
"Hey, is that a lightsaber?" X3 asked, approaching the Padawan.
"Uh, how'd you know?" Ezra asked, holding his uniquely designed lightsaber up. X3 quietly took it and examined it.
"Combination stunner and lightsaber. Real solid craftsmanship. You did good work kid. You've inspired me." X3 said as he handed the lightsaber back, tousling Ezra's hair.
"Thanks…I think." He said in minor annoyance.
"Hey Ezra! Come on, we're leaving!" Kanan yelled.
"Coming!" Ezra replied as the Ghost hummed to life.
…
A few minutes later, the Ghost had departed the Falon Grey, headed for an Imperial II Star Destroyer with blue triangular markings on the hull. It was only X2, Hera, Kanan, and Sabine in the cockpit at the moment.
"Hard to believe. It feels like only hours ago we were trying to sneak aboard one of those to rescue Kanan from an Inquisitor and Moff Tarkin. Now we're being welcomed aboard it as our only ticket to Coruscant." Hera remarked, noticeably apprehensive.
"It was just a few hours ago. I've still got the bacta patches to prove it." Kanan groaned as Sabine leaned forward in her seat.
"Look at the color. Reminiscent of the old 501st Clone Battalion colors from the Clone Wars intermixed with the Open Circle Fleet Insignia and that Starbird I use all the time." Sabine said as X2 arched a curious eyebrow towards her.
"As a matter of fact you're right in more ways than one." X2 said with a nod.
"What do you mean?" Sabine asked.
"Remember that Legion of Stormtroopers that I mentioned had defected? That Legion was the 501st." X2 replied.
"Whoa-whoa-whoa back up! You mean to tell me that the same legion of bucket heads that stormed the temple on Coruscant and slaughtered countless Jedi are the same that joined the Rebellion to stop the Empire?" Kanan asked, clearly miffed at the thought.
"That was the 501st of at least two generations ago, five if you're going by Clone generations. Times have changed a lot since the old days, Kanan. Former enemies have become friends, former friends have become enemies. On that you'll have to take my word for it." X2 said as they continued their approach to the Fearless.
"Kanan, love, I thought the Jedi embraced second chances?" Hera asked.
"Yeah but this is still hard to process." Kanan said as Hera sighed slightly.
"I know. It's hard to believe for me too." Hera said as they began to touch down in the Fearless's hangar. As they looked out into the hangar, they saw a few uniformed 501sts in Stormtrooper gear but they were accompanied by deck crews of mixed races, all operating together with hardly any animosity. As the crew of the Ghost disembarked, Lando amongst them, one of the 501sts approached X2.
"Welcome aboard General X2 sir." The soldier greeted with a salute.
"Thank you vod. Inform the Captain that we're aboard and ready to get underway." X2 instructed.
"Yes sir. General Skywalker is waiting for you on the bridge." The soldier said as X2 gave a nod.
"Thank you. Best not to keep him waiting." X2 said as the trooper saluted again before turning and hurrying off.
"Did that trooper just say a 'General Skywalker' was waiting for us?" Kanan asked curiously.
"That's right. You recognize the name?" X2 asked, not sure of how Kanan would react.
"There was a Jedi from the Clone Wars by that name. Anakin Skywalker, the Hero with no Fear. Is this General Skywalker any relation to Anakin Skywalker?" Kanan asked as they headed for the turbolifts.
"It's the same one actually. Skywalker survived the Clone Wars. The Skywalker name is something of a big deal these days. His son Luke is the Grand Master of the Jedi Order and his daughter Leia is the Supreme Chancellor of the New Republic. The leader of Grey Squadron, Jaina Solo, is his granddaughter. Luke and his sister are both heroes of the Rebellion. Luke destroyed the Death Star even." X2 explained as they entered the turbolifts which started moving quickly towards the bridge level.
"How did he survive?! I'd heard he'd died!" Kanan said in surprise.
"He didn't exactly walk away from the Clone Wars unscathed. There's something about him you don't know and it's something that will be a hard pill to swallow." X2 said as the Rebels looked confused.
"What do you mean?" Ezra asked.
"Does the name Darth Vader sound familiar?" X2 asked softly, causing all of the Rebels to exchanged confused looks.
"Not really. Who was he and what did he do to Skywalker?" Kanan asked as the turbolift came to a stop at the bridge level. X2 bit his lip with a concerned expression, unsure of how to reply.
"It's…a long story." X2 said as the turbolift doors opened, revealing the towering visage of Anakin Skywalker stood at a holotable, facing the turbolifts. The second the Rebels saw Skywalker, they immediately drew blasters, Kanan activating his lightsaber.
"YOU?!" Kanan exclaimed but froze as the 501sts pointed their blasters at them.
"Lower your weapons! Now!" Anakin boomed but not at the Rebels. He was yelling at the 501sts who obediently lowered their weapons. Anakin then turned his attention to the Rebels.
"I see Master X2 has not yet disclosed my past to you, Caleb Dume." Anakin said.
"I was about to, Master Skywalker." X2 replied as he, Ronderu, and Lando exited the turbolift, the stunned Rebels still inside.
"What did you just call him?" Ezra asked.
"My name is Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Master and member of the Jedi Council." Anakin replied as Kanan lowered his lightsaber but didn't deactivate it.
"Skywalker? If you're Skywalker then why are you wearing that mask? That was the mask of the Sith Lord we encountered on Lothal!" Kanan said as Anakin lowered his head.
"X2 never told you what happened to me after the Clone Wars." Anakin said as Kanan and the Rebels started cautiously exiting the turbolifts.
"He told us enough. He mentioned a Darth Vader. I assume he did something to you?" Kanan said but Anakin shook his head.
"No, I was Darth Vader." Anakin said as the Rebels looked on in shock as the Fearless flew through hyperspace.
To Be Continued…
End Episode 2
We're going to assume that Fulcrum, as explained above, was not Ahsoka Tano but was a combination of Shaak Ti, Rahm Kota, and Bail Organa. Everything else in Rebels (at least season 1 & part of Siege of Lothal) is Canon as far as this universe goes.
And before you start crying foul as to how they're so far into the future, from a scientific standpoint and from an in-universe standpoint a hyperdrive malfunction is a very plausible method of time travel. In virtually every sci-fi universe that includes interstellar travel, hyperdrive fundamentally works the same way. To travel past the speed of light would warp you through time but most franchises also include special devices on their hyperdrives to keep ships grounded in real time, to keep them from time traveling. It's even happened at least once in the Legacy Universe.
Also, I've uploaded images and bios for various ships, events, and individuals from the Shadow Wars universe on my DeviantArt profile. Same username. I also would like to provide you with some visuals for the Sith Star Destroyer and Sith Assault Ship. The Deviant Artist AdamKop has two images specifically that fit the bill perfectly for these ships. To find these images, simply go to my deviant art favorites gallery and look in the folder marked "Inspiration." In there you'll find images of what the Sith Star Destroyer (Image: Imperial Star Destroyer) and the Sith Assault Ship (Image: Star Wars – Imperial Star Destroyer Commission) look like. There is also an image of what an unmasked Ronderu looks like (image: Daughter of the General by Yula586). I do not own these images but I do reference them with permission from the artists themselves.