Chapter 66 – Call to Action

Author's Note: In which... well things get chaotic. ;)

To Guest: It does not matter what canon says, okay? What matters is what's true in this story, and in this story, Vader is much stronger than Palpatine ever could be.

~ Amina Gila


The mood on the Ghost after the Trayvis incident is unsurprisingly low. He was one of their few supporters, after all, or one of the few people they thought was their supporter. Marr is hardly surprised when one of the next things they see on the news is how the Senator has decided to "realign" himself with the Empire.

Of course, because he couldn't keep luring rebels into a trap now that the truth about his real loyalties is out. Marr is almost surprised no one else noticed the warning signs before, or maybe it's that they did and never made it out to tell anyone. "Now that you've committed yourself to the Empire, will your followers do the same?" asks the annoying interviewer.

"Most will," he assures, "These were good people who simply wanted to make the Empire a better place – peacefully. But I'm afraid these insurgents have twisted my message." The hologram flips to show an image of all members of the Ghost crew, and Marr and Vizma.

"So much for keeping a low profile," he grumbles under his breath as he stares at the picture. It shows all of them far too clearly for his liking. And it's going to make doing anything here far more difficult, because there's bound to be Imperials who will recognize them now.

"Turn it off," Zeb growls as the Senator goes on to announce a reward for their capture.

"Still makes me sick to think that Trayvis is working for the Empire," Hera hisses.

"Every time we win, we lose," Ezra sighs.

"I know," Vizma mumbles, and Marr gets the immediate feeling that she's thinking about Satine again. Her death is something that continuously haunts both of them, and someday, Marr is content they will have vengeance.

"Well, I have a plan that just might even the score," Kanan says, a contemplative look on his face. "If Trayvis can do it, we can do it too."

"You're proposing we send out messages the way he was?" Marr asks. He can see where he's going with this.

"Some kind of inspirational type messages?" Zeb echoes, practically rolling his eyes.

"Exactly!" Kanan agrees, and Zeb freezes, wide-eyed

"Exactly!" Hera concurs.

"It's too late to try and lay low anyway," Marr points out, "They know what we look like now, and there's gonna be holos of us everywhere."

"Um... I don't get it," Sabine admits.

"Yeah, Kanan, what are you thinking?" Ezra asks, "We can't just send a signal. The Empire would track it in half a second."

"Other people have done it before," Vizma offers.

"The signal can come from one of their towers," Kanan says, sounding pleased with himself.

"Good thinking," Marr compliments, "It might work at something, at least."

"Ah, now I get it," Sabine murmurs, wary, but smiling.

"You want to take control of an Imperial communications tower and then use it to send a message to the people of Lothal?" Ezra asks, pacing across the room and turning around. He seems the tiniest bit overwhelmed.

"Not just Lothal. One of those big towers can reach a few systems."

"That's a crazy plan."

"That's why you like it," Kanan replies lightly.

"And what would we say in this message?" Ezra counters.

"I thought Zeb worded it as 'inspirational' messages?" Vizma chirps.

"Something the Empire never says – the truth," Kanan replies, "We have to let people know what it's really like out here. Now are you in?"

"Of course," Marr concurs. He has a surprisingly good feeling about this plan... Well, there's something not so good there too, but at the same time, he has the feeling that it's going to lead to something... far more positive than he's experienced in years. It's what they need to do, he thinks, even if it's dangerous.

**w**

The night of their plan comes quickly. Sabine goes in first, throwing a tank of rhydonium into the midst of the stormtroopers. It explodes in a blinding flash of light, and Marr instantly springs into motion, flying for the entrance of the building while Zeb handles getting control of the outside cannons. He shoots down the stormtroopers inside, landing behind the controls. Moments later, Sabine, Kanan, Ezra, and Vizma race into the room, with Chopper close behind.

"Alright, three minutes," Kanan says, throwing a quick glance around.

Chopper rolls to the port, immediately installing the spike, as Kanan comes to join Marr at the controls.

Something isn't quite right, though. Something is – He pauses, reaching out cautiously with the Force.

"What?!" Kanan exclaims, "They're here?! That's impossible!"

"They must've known we were coming," he realizes, grimly. Maybe. It's the best he can think of, though how that would have happened, he has no idea.

Ezra and Vizma race for the entrance, and he doesn't waste a second, running after. Three ships with spotlights are already incoming, as are several ground transports. Yes, they were definitely prepared for this, somehow. Maybe it has some connection to the probe droids that have been everywhere recently?

"Sabine, we have targets incoming. Let's move!" Kanan warns.

"You said I'd get three minutes!"

"Well now you get one, so hurry up!"

"We'll have to hold them off as long as we can," Marr decides grimly. Hopefully long enough for Chopper to get that spike in and then, they can get out with Hera. The Empire shouldn't figure out what they're up too until it's too late. They might not have time for a long message, but something short, at least. "We won't be able to escape the way we were planning to before."

"No, we won't. But I have an idea," Kanan replies.

Zeb spins his cannon around, opening fire on the incoming ships. But he isn't going to last long out there, and it's far from a good place to hide. It'll be way too easy for him to be shot. Kanan is obviously thinking the same. "Go get Zeb," he orders.

"I'm staying here," Ezra retorts.

"No, you're getting Zeb and then coming back here. Now go." The boy takes off at that, and Kanan calls Hera to tell her about the slight change of plans.

The transports are getting closer now and start shooting. Just as Ezra comes speeding back towards them with Zeb, the door slides open and Sabine sprints out. "Not this way," Kanan warns, "Back inside."

"What? Why?" Vizma protests.

"Are you crazy?" Sabine yelps.

"Take a lift. Hera will meet you at the top."

Yes, Marr can see what Kanan has in mind. "All of you go," he advises, "I can handle them while you get out."

"I'm not leaving you here alone!" Kanan retorts.

"I have a jetpack. I can fly to the ship." he offers.

"But –" Vizma protests, and he can feel her fear and desperation.

"Go!"

Kanan hesitates for another moment before he spins around, ushering everyone else into the building and letting the door slam closed. Marr withdraws the Darksaber, the blade hissing to life in his hands as the first transport closes in.

The door on one of them slides open, and the officer Marr keeps seeing everywhere jumps out, striding forwards, stormtroopers following him. "Now this is a familiar situation," he intones mockingly.

"Then I'm sure you already know you'll lose like last time," Marr replies calmly.

"I don't think so," the officer shoots back, glancing upwards. One of the ships flies overhead, and the Inquisitor he's seen multiple times here already leaps out, landing on the ground. Marr doesn't know how good of a fighter he is, but if he's here alone, he's probably more skilled than the two they sent after him on Mandalore. Either way, he's not going to take chances and overestimate his own abilities.

Spinning the Darksaber around, he plunges it through the control on the doors, sealing it closed. No one will be getting inside without cutting the door down now. Up above, he hears the sound of blaster shots from the ship. The others must've reached the top balcony, then.

"What did you hope to gain by coming here?" the Inquisitor demands.

Because for some reason he thinks Marr would be willing to answer a question like that? Or is he stalling for time? He doesn't care to stand around and find out. Marr lunges forwards, and the Inquisitor ignites his blade, hastily blocking him.

They exchange several blows, and Marr shoves him back. He swings for him, forcing to him retreat a few steps. The Inquisitor finally throws out a hand, throwing him back a distance in what looks like an effort to recollect himself. "There's someone who wants to meet you. If you surrender now, he might let your friends live."

"Right. I'm counting on it," Marr drawls, lunging at the Inquisitor again. They exchange blows in a furious blur of black and red, right as an explosion rings out overhead. One of the gunships crashes for the ground, as the Ghost flies into view. Finally.

Gathering the Force to him, he throws the Inquisitor backwards, into the middle of the stormtroopers. The officer immediately activates his electrostaff, lunging forwards. The Inquisitor climbs back to his feet, yellow eyes burning with anger as he charges for him again.

Enough of this. Activating his jetpack, Marr takes off into the air, only for all the stormtroopers to promptly open fire. A barrage of stunbolts crackle through the air around him, as he tries to keep up deflecting them away. Okay, being mid-air for this is a very bad idea, because the shots are coming from all angles, and he can't quite keep up with them.

The sparks are coming much too close for his liking, and his armor doesn't fully protect him from the shocks, even if most of the energy is blocked by the beskar. A shot strikes his jetpack, and the next thing he knows, he's crashing for the ground.

"Spectre-2, get out of here," he orders, scrambling to push the button his comm as he hits the ground.

"We are not leaving without you!" Hera argues.

He tries to push himself up, only for something to slam into his back, electricity jolting through him. It lets up moments later, leaving him struggling to catch his breath. The officer is standing over him, a smirk on his face. On his other side, the Grand Inquisitor moves his ignited red blade up to Marr's neck.

"Go now!" he yells, into his comm.

"Quiet, Jedi," hisses the Inquisitor, moving the blade a little closer, until he can actually feel the heat of it.

Marr glares back at him but stays quiet. There's no use upsetting him further. He breaths out a quiet sigh of relief as he sees the Ghost flying away. At least they listened.

The Inquisitor reaches out a hand, calling the Darksaber to him and Marr resists the urge to snarl at him. That is not his for the taking, and it's not like he won it fairly either.

The other stormtroopers move forwards, yanking his arms behind him, and snapping them into binders. Fear and unease twist inside him, even if he ignores it, staring defiantly at the others. He's never been captured by the Empire before, but he knows it's not going to be pretty.

**w**

"No!" Vizma shouts, sprinting for the opening in the back of the shuttle.

"Go now!" her father's voice crackles through the comm again, and Hera starts to fly the ship away from the base.

"Vizma, stop!" Kanan calls.

"No!" she yells again, activating her jetpack and flying for the closing ramp. Kanan catches her, dragging her back. "We can't leave him!"

"If we stay here any longer, we're going to be shot down! We'll go back for him," he tries to reassure her, but she doesn't care to hear it, because they're flying away and leaving her father behind. and there's stormtroopers everywhere. and there's no way he'll be able to escape without their help and –

"Let me out!" she yells, jerking away from him.

"Vizma, there's nothing you can do alone," Kanan repeats, and there's an obvious note of understanding in his voice, but it doesn't help.

Her father is gone, and she's going to be left here all alone. He's the last family member she has here, and she can't lose him. She can't. She's never hated the Empire more than she does in this moment. First, they take Satine, and she had to leave Mandalore, her mother, and everyone she knew there because of them, and now this.

Tears sting her eyes, but she furiously blinks them away.

Kanan reaches over, resting a hand on her shoulder. "As soon as this is over, we'll hack into an Imperial network and find out where they're taking him," he promises, "We'll have him back before you know it."

She wants to believe him. She wishes she could. But she's afraid it won't be that simple. Her father is well trained with the Force though. Maybe... it's unlikely but he might be able to escape on his own. Maybe. She doubts it though.

"Your father is strong. He'll be okay," Kanan promises again, though there's a look of barely controlled anxiety on his face.

Kanan leads her to the hold, leaving her next to Hera as Ezra begins speaking.

She's glad they were able to get the message through, but she can hardly think about it right now. She just wants her father to be here, and alright, and she has no idea if he is or what's happening to him, or when then they'll find him. "I could call my mother," Vizma speaks up suddenly, "She would help. Finding him would be easy, then. The Mandalorians would be furious if they knew the Empire was trying to hold their leader captive."

"No," Sabine objects, "I don't think getting Mandalore involved unnecessarily is a good idea."

She scowls. "Why not?"

"We don't want the Empire to take direct action against Mandalore for this," Hera explains, reaching over to touch her arm, "Don't worry, Vizma. We're going to find him. We won't stop until we do."

Whatever happens, she knows her father would go down as a warrior. He would be fighting, and he would never be forgotten. But that does little to help her right now. Okay, it makes her feel the tiniest bit better, but she wants him here with her. Both her parents may have taught her about death and letting go, but... after Satine, she can't. She can't.

**w**

The sun is rising as they shove Marr off the transport, pushing him to knees on the ground. A ship lands nearby, and a much too familiar figure steps off, striding towards him. Tarkin.

Marr would recognize him anywhere. The admiral who tried Ahsoka, who nearly had her executed for something she never did. Somehow, he's not even surprised that he's here. The man is a good strategist though, he has to admit, so that's likely how he was able to organize this ambush in the first place.

Does Tarkin remember him? He really doubts it, and for that, he's glad. He'd prefer it if the Empire never finds out his former identity as Theseus. "Well done, Inquisitor. These are the results I expected," Tarkin declares, reaching out to take the Darksaber from him, and now Marr wants to murder him more than he already did. He turns away, looking down at Marr. "So, you are one of the Jedi in question?"

"I don't know. What's the question?" he snarks.

The former admiral doesn't look remotely amused, not as if Marr was expecting him to.

"Sir, we have a problem," reports the officer, suddenly approaching.

"Explain," Tarkin demands.

"It appears the insurgents have gained control of the tower's transmitter." He holds out a comm, flipping it on.

It worked. The plan is working. Despite everything, a surge of pride runs through him as he hears Ezra's voice crackling over the line. "We have been called criminals, but we are not. We are rebels fighting for the people, fighting for you."

If the price they had to pay for this was him getting captured, it's worth it. The Empire won't be able to keep him forever, he's certain of that. He is worried about Vizma, though, because... she just lost the last person who was part of her family. For her sake, he needs to get away from here as soon as he can. He can only hope the others will be able to take care of her while he's gone.

"I'm not that old, but I remember a time when things were better on Lothal," Ezra continues, "Maybe not great, but never like this. See what the Empire has done to your lives, to your families, your freedom? It's only gonna get worse unless we stand up and fight back."

"Take him to the ship," an irate Tarkin orders, turning and stalking away. The stormtroopers drag Marr to his feet again, shoving him to the waiting ship and it flies into air, heading closer to the tower.

"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."

All the ships still in the air fire missiles towards the tower. "Stand up together," Ezra goes on, "Because that's when we're the strongest. As one."

It feels strangely poetic that the tower explodes right at that moment. But enough has already been said, enough to do damage. Where did the boy learn to speak like that anyway? It's extremely inspiring, especially for one so young.

Marr can feel Tarkin's fury, and he finds it far more amusing than maybe he should, given the situation. "You do not know what it takes to win a war, but I do," he seethes.

"Am I the first Mandalorian you've ever met?" Marr asks, feigning boredom. The statement would be insulting if it wasn't so amusing. Seriously, who does Tarkin think he's talking to? "What an ignorant, miserable life."

The former admiral ignores the comment, and much too soon, they're landing on one of the Star Destroyers orbiting the planet.

This, he is not looking forward to.

**w**

Okay, this is a million times less fun than he was anticipating – not that he thought otherwise – and it also happens to be the longest... torture session he's been through. Somewhere in the back of his mind – which feels frustratingly hazy – he can't help but wonder again how in the world Anakin was able to stand getting tortured so much by the Separatists.

Mind probes are the worst. The slightest thing hurts a ridiculous amount thanks to the drugs that are heightening his senses, and though he's been trained for this kind of thing, that doesn't make it easy. He stubbornly ignores all their questions, though, despite the pain.

He won't tell them anything about the others. He won't.

"It's only a matter of time before he breaks," the Inquisitor insists.

"You have wasted enough of my time," Tarkin retorts, and Marr's only half sure if he's talking to him or to the Inquisitor.

"You are no doubt unaware that Jedi are trained to resist mind probes," the Inquisitor muses.

"If he is the Jedi he claims to be," Tarkin retorts. The better question would be since when did he claim to be a Jedi in the first place? That does only happen to be their assumption. He keeps all comments to himself. It's not like he'd be able to make them even if he wanted too, anyway. "I take it you have a solution?"

"Pain," the inquisitor gloats, "A Jedi still feels pain. And pain can break anyone." He stalks forwards, raising a hand towards his head, and Marr feels it as the other's presence slams against his shields, clawing at his mind.

It would be easier to fight it off, if not for the pain he's already in, and the way his mind already feels frustratingly foggy thanks to the drugs. He struggles against anyway, trying to force him back out. "You will tell me where to find your rebel friends," the Inquisitor hisses,

Marr finds himself stuck with the sudden urge to give in, and he stubbornly keeps his mouth shut, resisting the Force suggestion. It's harder when the Dark Side is tearing into his mind, but he won't give in. He doesn't know how long it's been before the Inquisitor finally pulls back, releasing a frustrated snarl.

"You will tell me," he growls, "No matter how long it takes."

"Don't get your hopes up," Marr retaliates.

The yellow eyes narrow and the Inquisitor makes a motion. He hears the machine whir and looks up sharply, fear clenching inside of him as he realizes what's next. He's been electrocuted before – briefly – but he knows this will be anything but short.

He won't give in, though. He won't.

The device activates suddenly, and a burning pain rips through him, the unending agony consuming all his senses.

**w**

Even if after so many years she had started to doubt it, way inside, Ahsoka knew that she was going to hear about Theseus again, eventually. She just wasn't expecting it now, after so many years. Because apparently, he's with the Ghost Crew on Lothal, going under his Mandalorian name. Of all news she was expecting to get from Hera, it was definitely not that he was captured by the Empire.

It's been over fifteen years since she last saw him. Fifteen years, after they spent the first sixteen years of their life together so much more than they were with anyone else. It's hard to believe how much has changed since the days she was a Jedi.

She knew their paths were separating that day when she walked out of the Temple without looking back, but she never dreamed that they would be out of each other's lives like this for so many years. She's missed him so much, even if she's long since accepted it.

It was... a number of years after the fact that she'd briefly stopped by Odessen since she was already in the area. His house was long abandoned, and she wondered for years what happened to him.

She isn't even surprised, in the end, that he'd gone back to Mandalore, to his people and family there. What's he like now? It's been so many years; she's nothing like the person she used to be, and so she knows he definitely isn't either.

She wants to see him again, so badly, but now he's been captured by the Empire. She's long since grown used to pushing past her own emotions, and doing what needs to be done, but this is different. Her former best friend is in the Empire's hands, after the first time she's heard about him in so long. And they're likely doing Force knows what to him, in the hopes of getting information.

And the biggest issue of all is that the Ghost crew's frantic attempts to get him back are only endangering their own lives and putting their supposed-to-stay-silent mission at risk. To be fair, they kind of ruined that mission when they decided to broadcast that message.

At the same time, it's having results that she wasn't really counting on. People from all over those systems are responding, and more and more are starting to stand up against the Empire. But back to the problem of the Ghost crew. If they don't stop their desperate efforts, they are going to end up dead. For anyone else, she knows what she would tell them.

That they need to stop searching. It's far too dangerous, and –

But how can she just tell them that about Theseus, her best friend? She can't turn her back on him like that, but... No, if someone keeps looking for him, it's not something that the Ghost crew can afford to do.

Maybe there's something she can do, though. On her own. She can't sit back and do nothing while he's captured. Besides, apparently, he's the Mand'alor? And she has no idea how that happened, but personal feelings aside, for that reason alone, they can't leave him with the Empire. They need to get him back, and so long as she doesn't needlessly endanger more people's lives, she's going to do everything she can to make sure it happens.

But now, it's time to call Hera and tell her that her and her group need to stop, and then, Ahsoka can see what she can do on her own.

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