Hey everyone! This chapter introduces an OC of mine. I think that I am slowly going past where Season 3 would be, but no matter! (If you don't like my OC, that's okay. I don't think you're supposed to.)
Just this once, I am going to do review replies, just to see how it works. This is something I will only do once in a blue moon though.
Rebels-lover: Now the question is, is that kind of wait possible?
cassturn93: I'm not so sure about the name changes, but I am certain that Ezra is going to be a changed person. I also think he's going to be rather emotionally unstable, much like he is in this series.
Disney Syndulla: If you think that was sad, just wait. :)
Midnight Luna: *grins evilly* I'm already ordering the virtual blankets and hot chocolate. You'll need it in a few weeks. :) The feelsies are going to get even more realsies.
501andFriends: I honestly hope Ahsoka's alive and that they'll give us some kind of hint as to where she is. I am sure she is alive because in the final scene of Twilight of the Apprentice, if you look closely right before they cut to the Ghost, you can see her walking into the temple.
Summary: In wake of Ahsoka's disappearance, the higher-ups from Alderaan send in a replacement.
To say Hera was nervous was an understatement.
Today, Senator Organa contacted her and informed her that they were sending a replacement for Ahsoka.
Ahsoka's disappearance was devastating, and it didn't help to know that the higher-ups listed her as deceased. Hera was in no way ready for a replacement. She had known Ahsoka for years before Kanan's rescue. Hera paused at the memory of the crew meeting Ahsoka for the first time when her crew merged with Pheonix Squadron nearly a year ago.
Now everything had changed and they would be under the command of someone nobody knew.
Everyone was present to meet this new general. The anxiety in the air was so intense that when the ship landed, you could hear a pin drop.
Hera could hear her heart pounding. Kanan, who was next to her, took her hand and squeezed it. The motion brought her a little comfort. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Ezra shifting closer to Kanan. Sabine and Zeb had stoic impressions, but Sabine was trembling slightly and the worry was evident in Zeb's eyes. The only truly passive one was Chopper. Rex stared on with a nervous expression on his face. Sato was...angry? Why would Sato be angry. Nervous and a bit distraught was one thing, but angry? Was there something about this replacement that Hera didn't know about?
The ship's ramp slid down and the bay doors opened. A Nautolan man with yellow skin and black beady eyes emerged from the ship. He looked around the base with disgust before proceeding to Sato.
"Commander Sato," he began. "It is a pleasure to see you again."
Sato hesitantly shook the man's hand. "General Vartoc," he stated with a hint of bitterness in his voice. The man, Vartoc, glared at him before proceeding towards Hera. "So you're the Pheonix Leader I've heard so much about."
Hera saluted Vartoc. "I am. My name is Hera Syndulla."
Vartoc nodded, looking over Hera and the crew. "I am Ser Vartoc, but you will address me as either Sir, General Vartoc, or just General."
"Understood sir," Hera replied, a bit taken back by this man. Her heart leapt into her throat as the man approached Ezra. "A bit young isn't he?"
Ezra took a nervous step back, and Kanan instantly laid a protective hand on his shoulder. "What?" Vartoc added. "No hello? Did you not teach this child respect?"
Hera knew immediately that she did not like this man.
Vartoc, of course, could not shut up. "And this man here? Jarrus, is it?"
"It is," Kanan replied calmly.
"Captain Syndulla," Vartoc snapped. "Why do you have a blind man on your crew?"
Kanan just stood there in pure shock. Ezra gave the Nautolan man a look of disgust in a rare show of emotion. Zeb's fist clenched. Sabine acted like she was about to say something, but was stopped by Hera shaking her head. "He's a Jedi," Hera explained. "He uses the Force to see."
"Now that I think about it," Vartoc began, "the mission that General Tano perished on. Jarrus was on it and so was the one called Ezra Bridger, who, I believe, is the one responsible for Tano's death, Jarrus's injury and the release of a criminal into the galaxy."
"Hold on," Kanan snapped. "None of this was Ezra's fault. The whole thing left him unable to speak. It's bad enough he blames himself! Leave him alone."
"Watch your tongue," Vartoc snapped. He then turned to Sato. "Commander, why hasn't this boy been put in front of the firing squad?"
The entire crew tensed up and Hera unconsciously stepped in front of Ezra.
"Why would I do that?" Sato replied. "Ezra has done nothing wrong. Aren't we supposed to be fighting the Empire, and not imitating it?"
Vartoc sighed. "No matter." He then raised his voice. "Now listen up, all of you! I am in charge now. You will obey my orders to the letter or there will be consequences! Now get to work!"
The rebel pilots scrambled away. Vartoc began moving towards the Liberator. "Captain Syndulla, Commander Sato? Might I have a word?"
Sato and Hera exchanged looks and they followed Vartoc to the Liberator. "Go back to the Ghost," she told the crew. "Hopefully this shouldn't take long."
Vartoc was already on the bridge by the time Hera and Sato reached the Liberator. The Nautolan was an outright piece of bantha fodder in Hera's mind, but he moved fast. Hera took this opportunity to question Sato. "Commander, do you know General Vartoc?"
"Unfortunately," Sato replied. "Between you and me, he's unfit for the rank of General. In fact, sanitation may be too good for him."
"Did something happen?" Hera asked.
"Vartoc is a double agent, pretending to work for the Empire while secretly supporting the rebellion, much like Senator Organa. However, he's not the most honorable person out there. He's been known to abuse his power, whoch eventually got him courtmartialed about eight months ago. Unfortunately, he holds so much power on his homeworld that they couldn't completely throw him out of the Rebellion because of the damage he could cause. Instead, he was suspended for a year and demoted. His suspension just ended and now he's here."
"I don't like him," Hera sighed, "but I trust Senator Organa. What I have a problem with is the fact that he threatene one of my crew."
"If Vartoc means to execute Ezra, I will do everything in my power to stop him," Sato promised. "Even if that means reporting him to Senator Organa."
"Thank you," Hera replied, relieved.
As they entered the bridge for the meeting, Hera took a deep breath.
Things were going to change even more drastically.
Holy crap! Did I create a jerk or what?
Next time, things will really escalate so stay tuned.
The following is just based off of my calculations to this is definitely subject to change. If we get the Season 3 premiere around the same time we got the Season 2 premiere, then I think we are looking at an October 12 date. Keep in mind that this is only a hunch! If my calculations are correct, then that means there may be only fifteen oneshots left in this series if I don't update twice one week. I have eight requests written down. I have a reason I am waiting! I might combine two of them, making that seven. I also have a few ideas I want to use myself. Therefore, I will be cutting off suggestions within the next few weeks. I will start doing the suggestions I have already after this arc, so keep an eye out for that!