Chapter 67 – Fire Across the Galaxy

Author's Note: Rescues and reunions. :)

To Guest: Thanks!

~ Amina Gila


"We might be able to try accessing more Imperial data here," Sabine muses, as she, Kanan, Ezra, and Vizma sit around a hologram map of Lothal, that includes a little about the new Imperial reinforcements. They already tried getting the information from a walker by hacking into the Imperial network, but it didn't seem to do any good. They can't find where Marr is being held, or if he's still on the planet.

"I hate to say it," Zeb points out, "But how do we know he's even still here?"

"He is still on planet," Kanan answers, firmly. He can feel it, in the Force, even though his presence is very shielded and distant. "He's in one of the cruisers." But what he doesn't know is where, and they'd never have time to fly up at there long enough to try and find him before the Imperials spotted them. They need a plan on where they're going, and he doesn't know what to do.

None of this is working, but they can't give up. They have to get him back. He throws a sideways glance at Vizma where she sits next to Ezra, a determined look on her eyes as they look over the hologram. He's just glad she's not currently having a breakdown over her father's absence but rather, is focused on trying to find him. She's not taking it well, not that he's surprised about that. She's only twelve after all, the same age he was when Depa died.

Just then, the door opens and Hera steps in, expression grim. "Not this time," she says.

"What?" Kanan frowns.

"I talked to Fulcrum," Hera explains, "We can't. We can't keep looking for him like this."

"What?!" Vizma shrieks, jolting upright.

"What are you saying?" Kanan demands, crossing his arms. She can't seriously be implying –

"We're putting ourselves and the mission at risk, for just one person," she explains, "Fulcrum said they can try to do something on their own, but –"

"He's not just anyone! He's our friend!" Ezra protests vehemently.

Kanan knows what she's saying, far too well. Only right before the mission he was talking to Ezra about it, trying to explain that sometimes you have to be willing to let people go, to do what's right. But that doesn't mean he's willing to give up on Marr.

He's the only person Kanan has met from his past, who's become something of an older brother. That's what he was before, and still is now. Sometimes it feels like he's holding on too tight, like the tighter he holds on, the more people are going to be torn away. He's lost so much already, and in the end, all he can do is keep moving.

But Kanan can't just let Marr go, not if there's a choice. He's snapped out of his thoughts at Vizma ranting.

"I don't care! If you won't do anything, I'm calling my mother!"

"Vizma –" Hera begins, and she only glares at her.

"I understand what you're saying, Hera," Kanan declares finally, "But we can't just give up on him. We do need to take a moment and think about this logically. There must be somewhere we can get information from, because right now, we are senselessly putting ourselves in danger. I say we try one more plan and take the time to think it through first."

For a moment, everyone looks at each other.

"Alright," Hera concedes at last, "But it has to be something good."

Ezra perks up, looking between the others. "I have an idea."

**w**

She's been on Mandalore since he left. She stayed there with Anastasia and the rest of those who were brave enough to continuously fight for the Mand'alor despite not openly fighting against the Empire. She stayed, without Marr, to grieve for him and their daughter and her sister.

Bo-Katan is well-accustomed to not dwelling on her emotions. She is a warrior. Always has been, and always will be, and thus, emotions are a weakness that enemies can exploit. She misses her family anyway, and the days where their life was more peaceful. She's been a warrior her entire life, but that feeling of family is something she wants to keep.

Satine is gone. She died as a warrior, something Bo had long thought her sister would never be again.

For years, all she's been able to do is hold onto the hope that her husband and their child are alright and alive, out there in the galaxy. She never thought she would feel it if something happened to him, to either of them, but she held hope.

And now... She knows something is wrong. She can't say how she knows it, but from somewhere far across the galaxy, Marr is in trouble. She can feel it in every fiber of her being, and she aches to find him.

He's in pain, and she can feel it. He needs her help. Her first instincts say to go find him, to take whichever Mandalorians will come and track him down. But... he's the Mand'alor. Which True Mandalorian could refuse to help him? Therein lies her problem. If she were to find him, to free him from the Empire – Bo has little doubt that's what happened. They both knew the Inquisitors would catch up to him again. That's why he had to leave – it would mean dragging all of Mandalore into war with the Empire. The dangers of that are too great.

Finding him would take more than a handful of warriors, and the public would most assuredly revolt entirely if they knew the Empire exiled their Mand'alor. Bo understands the dangers of directly taking action against the Empire. She has little doubt they would find a way to destroy the entire planet, knowing how ruthless they are. It is not a risk she's willing to take.

Bo loathes waiting, knowing her husband is in pain and there's nothing she can do for him. They had both known it when he left, that they would be separated for the indefinite future. She doesn't know when they'll be able to see each other again, but she misses him. It hurts so much to know she's unable to help him when that's all she wants.

They knew the risks, and she knows Marr understands why she can't come, too, but that doesn't mean she likes it.

She loathes it, and she really, really wants to take a flamethrower to the nearest Imperial building...

Maybe that's not such a bad idea, actually.

**w**

Vizma doesn't ask how Kanan and Ezra charmed Vizago into agreeing to help them because she doesn't need or want to know. All that matters is that the Empire has apparently started using droid couriers to transfer messages. Sabine gives Chopper a paint job which she is far too gleeful about before they send him up to the Imperial Star Destroyers over Lothal.

It works, luckily.

"I think we found something," Sabine declares, looking over the information. "Marr is on Governor Tarkin's Destroyer, the Sovereign."

"What a name," Vizma huffs. "I wonder if he named it himself. He sounds so stuck-up." Inside, she's more relieved than she has been in her life, but she knows it might not last long.

"It's still here above Lothal, but it's scheduled to leave soon," Sabine declares.

"Leave?!" she cries, fear sparking to life inside her.

"Where to?" Hera demands.

"The Mustafar system?" Sabine replies with a frown, "Never heard of it."

Kanan instantly stiffens.

"What?" Vizma demands, panic rising.

"I don't know much about it," he replies, slowly, "But from what I do know, all the Jedi who are captured by the Empire and taken there never come back. It's the place they go to die."

No. No, no, no – "We have to find him!" she cries.

"And we will," he promises.

She wishes she could believe it was that simple.

**w**

The only thing that keeps Vizma remotely sane is that they immediately get down to discussing the details of a plan. "The transport you stole will get us close to the fleet over Mustafar. We know they have Marr on Tarkin's Star Destroyer. And it's surrounded by a bunch of other Star Destroyers," Sabine declares.

"I should be able to figure out which one he's on," Kanan offers.

"But there's still enough that we'll need to a distraction to cover our entry," Hera adds, "Sabine?"

She looks down at the holomap of the resistance they're expecting. "Engine room's here," she murmurs, "All the power for the ship. If we could get inside the docking bay, I could rig something, black 'em out."

"Our ship is too big. That's never gonna work," Vizma objects.

"We just need something small enough to get into the hangar bay. Too bad we blew up all the TIEs at that base," Hera adds unhappily.

"There has to be something," Kanan murmurs.

Vizma frowns. She doesn't know where they could get a TIE from, since they can't just walk up and steal one so easily, except – "Well there's one left," Ezra pipes up, "But it's not at the base."

Right. So much for this staying a secret. Not that she could care at this point.

Zeb frantically waves his hand in a best, least suspicious imitation of a 'no' gesture.

"Look, this is serious, Zeb," Ezra argues.

"We don't have a choice," Vizma agrees firmly.

"Fine," he groans.

"What's going on?" Hera asks in a borderline scolding tone. Kanan is eyeing them with a similar expression, though Vizma can't help thinking he already knows what's going on.

"The TIE we stole a while back?" Ezra begins sheepishly, "We... didn't exactly crash it."

"You kept it, didn't you?" Kanan asks, and she's pretty sure he's pretending not to be amused.

"Yeah!" Ezra grins, "We hid it."

"You all knew about this?" Hera demands, crossing her arms.

Vizma just gives the other three a half-guilty smile. What else can she say? She has been criminally helping Sabine paint it, after all.

"I should be angry with you for disobeying a direct order like this, but right now, I'm just grateful that we have it," Hera sighs.

"There... might be one small problem?" Vizma offers.

"What do you mean?" asks Kanan, almost warily.

"Why don't you just come with us and see for yourselves?" Sabine offers.

They take the others over there immediately. There's no time to waste.

"This is awful," Zeb complains as they stop a short distance from the practically rainbow-colored TIE fighter.

"Hey, it's beautiful!" Vizma protests, though she doesn't care enough to be offended right now.

"It's one of my best pieces," Sabine agrees readily.

"Well, there's no way the Empire isn't going to notice this," Kanan declares, eyeing it.

"We could... repaint it?" Ezra offers.

"No time," Hera objects.

"Thee Imperials only scan it," Sabine points out, "And it will still appear the same. By the time they see it, it will be too late."

Vizma can only silently hope that this is going to work. It's their only chance to get her father back, and she can't forget what Kanan had said about Mustafar. The very thought scares her more than she could say, and she doesn't want to think about it. They will get her father back. They will. And if something goes wrong, she can rest assured that the Empire will have all loyal Mandalorians out for revenge.

**w**

Mustafar looks like a raging red and orange orb from space, and Vizma can't help thinking it's appropriate. It looks every bit as sinister and deadly as Kanan says the planet is, and it scares her. She doesn't know if this will work, and while she thinks it will, she also has a bad feeling about this. Something is about to change dramatically.

This... they can't make a mistake. It's their only chance to rescue her father. Closing her eyes, she reaches out with the Force, trying to feel for him. "He's there!" she exclaims, a wave of relief washing through her, and she lets out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. He's here. He's alive. He's alright. And for once she truly believes that maybe this is going to work out.

The Empire is stupid enough to let the TIE land – not that they would have a reason not to – and Vizma watches with no small measure of satisfaction as the entire ship goes dark from Sabine's bomb to knock out the power. As soon as it's all clear, they land the Ghost on the side and clammer out into the ship.

The emergency lights are on throughout the ship, and all the stormtroopers are slumped over on the floor, temporarily stunned. "These guys will wake up soon," Sabine warns.

"Then let's get moving!" Vizma advises.

"Come on, this way," Kanan urges, and they take off running down the hall.

They don't get far. A group of stormtroopers rounds the corner, and Kanan, Vizma, and Ezra immediately draw their lightsabers to deflect the blasts away as they spin around, taking off the other direction down the hall. Ezra stabs his lightsaber into the control of the door, ceiling the stormtroopers out and successfully blocking off the exact route they need to take to get to her father.

Her gaze falls on a small vent in the ceiling before she raises the issue. "I can go that way," Vizma realizes, "And meet back up with the rest of you somewhere?"

"You are not going alone," Hera declares.

"I can go too," Ezra offers, "We're the only ones who can fit."

"Go ahead, then. And be careful," Kanan warns.

"When are we not?" Ezra chirps.

"I think that made him feel worse," Vizma points out, nudging him.

Ezra ignores the comment, darting forwards and reaching up to pull the vent off, clambering inside. She follows, practically holding her breath. She has no doubt that this will not be easy for her, either in regards to the battle or emotionally. She can only imagine what condition her father's in, but so long as he's alive – and in one piece – they will make it out fine.

The hall to the cells is empty, which makes things a little easier. Presuming this isn't a trap, because there's no way the Empire doesn't know what they're here for.

Cautiously, she approaches the door she can feel her father behind, pushing the button. The door hisses open, to reveal the dark interior of the prison cell. He's strapped something that she gets the serious feeling is a torture device of some kind, and it fills her with a boiling rage.

They've been hurting him, and –

"I won't even ask what you two are doing here," he declares, smiling faintly. He does not look good, even if she can't see many visible injuries. But she also doesn't think she's been this relieved in her life, and there's nothing she wants to do more than throw herself into his arms – which is quite impossible at the moment.

"You seemed in need of a rescue," Ezra replies with way, way too much cheer.

Vizma scurries over to the machine, opening the restraints. He stumbles forwards, nearly losing his balance, but Ezra quickly moves forward to catch him.

"I assume the others are waiting for us?"

"Yup, let's hurry before the rest of the ship wakes up," Vizma advises.

"I'm not leaving without my armor," her father objects.

His armor, is, thankfully, close enough by that they can find it, though putting it back on takes way, way too long in Vizma's opinion. She is not appreciative of this any more than she is of the entire situation. She really, really wants to find everyone involved and strangle them to death with her bare hands.

**w**

Marr can't deny how relieved he is that he's finally getting out of here, even if he's not appreciative of his daughter being in this situation. It shows she's more than capable of handling herself in situations like this, though, so he's also proud.

He can feel a dark presence nagging at the edge of his senses, though, as they head down one of the halls, toward another room. The Inquisitor. He's here. He's –

They step into the room, and a far-too-familiar figure steps out of the shadows, striding towards them. "At last, a fight that might be worthy of my time," the Grand Inquisitor intones.

"Stay back," Marr warns the other two, reaching down to take his old lightsaber from Vizma and stepping forward, igniting the purple blade. He narrows his eyes when he sees the Darksaber still hanging from the Dark Sider's belt. Now isn't the right moment, but he will take that back before they leave.

The Grand Inquisitor laughs darkly, activating his blade. Marr knows full well he's in no condition for an extended duel, but he won't risk the other two being hurt. Ezra abruptly whips out his lightsaber, firing blasts of energy from it – it's other function. The Inquisitor deflects his attacks and dodges the rest, lunging towards them. Marr runs forwards, meeting him halfway, and their blades clash.

He slashes repeatedly at the Inquisitor, forcing him a few steps back, but the Inquisitor ducks the way of his next blast, kicking him in the stomach. Marr stumbles a step back from the force of it – only because he's rather unstable thanks to being electrocuted. The beskar shielded him, so it didn't hurt – he's only unsteady. The Inquisitor instantly uses the chance to try and take off his head, but Ezra appears out nowhere, blocking the blow.

Marr lunges at the Inquisitor again, shoving him back. He yanks the Darksaber off his belt, and it flies to his free hand before attacking the Inquisitor again. Marr forces him back as they fight furiously along the walkway, Marr's now using both his old lightsaber and the Darksaber. He's inexperienced at using two, but he knows how to, and he won't risk losing either blade. Ezra and Vizma thankfully stay a short distance away from him, out of danger, as the other two duel.

Purple, black, and red move in a furious blur, and he's forcing the Inquisitor onto the defensive now. He won't allow himself to underestimate the Dark Sider again. Finally, he slashes downwards, cutting the Inquisitor's blade in half. He drops one half of it, swinging the other up to block the next blow. The dropped lightsaber falls down, into the engine of the ship. Not good.

Finally, Marr swings lower than the Inquisitor can block, stabbing him in the side. He staggers a step back and then falls, off the edge of the platform. He isn't dead yet, but he will be soon enough.

"Let's go, come on," Marr calls, spinning around and taking off again, the other two at his side. He would have flown except he needs a replacement jetpack. They need to hurry though. He might be exhausted and in pain, but the urgency of the situation is as clear as day. The ship is blowing up, and they need to run.

Kanan contacts Ezra as they run. "The stormtroopers are all waking up. We're finding another way out. Do you have Marr?"

"I'm here," Marr calls cheerfully through the boy's comm, "We'll find our own way off. You go ahead."

"Are you sure?" objects Kanan.

"Go on. We're right behind you," Marr promises, and this time, he means it.

By the time the three of them reach the hangar, all the other ships have been evacuated, except one lone TIE. "We can take the Inquisitor's TIE!" Ezra offers. "We know he's not gonna use it."

"Then let's go," he says, and they run for it.

Marr settles into the pilot's seat, flying out of the hangar. TIE fighters blast out after, closing in on them almost immediately. He shoots at their pursuers, as he speeds along, trying to catch up with the TIE fighter where the others are. He knows even without asking, because why else would it be painted mostly yellow and orange? Though he has some serious questions on how they managed to get ahold of the thing. And it's a screaming target, which is exactly what they don't need right now.

Danger flares in the Force behind him, and once glance to the side shows dozens of TIEs closing in. They can hold out for a while, but... not that long. Not when Chopper seems to have disappeared with the Ghost, so they don't have any way of jumping to hyperspace.

"I just want to say it was really nice getting to know all of you!" Ezra yells out as a barrage of laser blasts nearly strikes their ship.

"Stop being dramatic!" Vizma calls back, though she looks almost equally panicked.

Almost as if in response, a group of ships jolt out of hyperspace in front of them, immediately firing on the TIE fighters. The Ghost is among them – Chopper came back, and it seems he brought friends. They're not Mandalorians though, so who are they?

Marr doesn't worry about it though.

The TIEs latch onto the transports and take off into hyperspace moments later.

BD is the first to greet Marr when he climbs out onto the ship. He runs towards him beeping loudly.

Marr smiles, leaning down to pick up the droid. "I've missed you, buddy."

BD continues beeping, about how he and Vizma were seriously discussing bringing in the entire Mandalorian army to break him out. The droid hops up onto Marr's shoulder and perches there, apparently deciding it's the safest place right now, which is probably true with so many people around.

Now that they're finally safe, Marr takes the time to turn to the others. Vizma throws herself into his arms, armor and all, completely uncaring that they're being watched. He holds her close. He knew she would come, but he feared she would get herself killed, or worse, in the process.

"Thank you," he says, "Even if that was unbearably reckless and dangerous."

"Most of what we do is," Vizma argues. "Especially staying behind alone to fight with an Inquisitor! That's what happened with Satine you know."

He knows, and in a way, that's why he'd done it. He knew there was a high chance if he didn't stay, the others wouldn't make it out alive, and if he hadn't made the choice he did, someone would have died. He survived, too, even if he will take time to heal, both physically and mentally. "We'll be okay," he promises, and for once, Marr can believe that. There is a bigger rebellion out there, which means Rex and Ahsoka's work must have paid off.

"I miss Mom," she mutters.

His heart twists. More than anything – almost anything – he wishes she was here too, that she was able to come. She didn't know though, and that was the point. Maybe... maybe it's time that they can go back. Soon. "Me too."

"I'm glad you're okay," Kanan says, moving forwards.

Marr nods. It's a bond only the two of them share, formed between Jedi who survived when the Order fell, who lost everything. They may have changed and matured since, but the fact that they came from the same place gives them a sense of familiarity only each other can understand. "You knew the risk that if we both were lost, there may be no Jedi left, but you still came. Thank you. All of you."

The one thing Marr misses most about being on Mandalore, and being a Jedi, was that he was constantly surrounded by people who would help and support him. In his time with Vizma after leaving Mandalore, it was... different. He was working with a group of rebels, yes, but they weren't so close. They weren't like a family.

"Anytime," Ezra shrugs.

Chopper rolls towards the group, beeping wildly and waving his arms.

"If Chopper was on this transport ship, then who was flying the Ghost?" Hera asks, confused.

The droid starts playing a message from someone as the crew scrambles to assemble themselves presentably in front of it. "Hello, my friend. It is good to see you again," the man says, and – oh. It's Senator Bail Organa. Marr recognizes him.

"I don't understand. I met you once, for a few moments. I don't even know your name," Kanan replies.

"His name is Senator Bail Organa," Marr answers. "I remember him from before. He was one of the only Senators who was truly loyal to the Republic."

"And the crews of the blockade runners?" Kanan inquires.

"Members of other rebel cells," Bail replies, before the hologram turns off.

"We're a cell?" Ezra whispers loudly, then leans over to Zeb, "Wait. Did you know we were a cell?"

"No," Zeb replies.

"I did!" Vizma chirps. "Sort of. We worked for another group before coming here, so it was an educated guess."

"We weren't supposed to meet. That way, if captured, we couldn't reveal the other rebels to the Empire," Hera explains. "That was the protocol."

"The protocol has changed," a so, so familiar voice calls out, and someone climbs down the ladder from the cockpit. Time around him suddenly feels meaningless, stilling entirely. She's much taller now, and her markings have shifted, grown, like before they met again for the Siege of Mandalore. She's older, and her presence is different, but it's still so clearly Ahsoka. "Ahsoka," she says, "My name is Ahsoka Tano."

"Why did you come here?" Kanan asks.

"Because of all of you, many in this system and beyond have heard your message. You gave them hope in their darkest times. We didn't want that hope to die." She hasn't changed at all, Marr can't help thinking. She's every bit the leader she once was. She's learned so much from Anakin. He can see so much of him in her, and somehow, that hurts even more. They spent fourteen years apart, not knowing if the other was alive. Without him, she's trying to become everything he used to be.

"So, what happens now?" Ezra asks.

"I don't know. One chapter has closed for you, Ezra Bridger. This is a new day, a new beginning."

Marr steps forwards to the front of the group.

For thirteen years, they had been best friends, had known each other better than anyone else. It's been so long they don't know each other anymore. They've grown and changed. Logically, Marr knew he would meet her again, but he has no idea how to act. He's not really Theseus anymore. He's a Mandalorian, and he's not a Jedi. She's not, either, but she's still clung to their ideals.

After a painfully long awkward pause, he pulls off his helmet. It's better to have this reunion face to face, if possible.

"I knew you were out there," Ahsoka says, her voice admirably steady.

"I didn't expect this to happen right now. Right here." Not so soon after meeting Sabine again, and Kanan. Somehow, it's like everyone in his lost family is slowly piecing back together. (Anakin and Obi-Wan can't come back though. And... his mother probably won't, either.)

They move towards each other, and Marr realizes – much to his horror – that Ahsoka is taller than him now. "I guess I'll have to get used to not looking down at you."

"I told you so." Her arms twitch before she suddenly dashes forwards, flinging her arms around him.

He's momentarily startled, but wraps his free arm around her, holding her close. It's been so, so long, but in this moment, it feels like it's been no more than a moment.

"We need to talk," Marr requests. "It's been a long time, and I want to know what happened to you."

"I want to know when and how you got a daughter," she declares. "We'll get settled down, and we'll talk later."

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