"You can't be serious. So that's it?! You're out, just like that? When we're so close to victory?" Jules yelled from the hologram call. Lee shifted back and forth in the small Hologram booth in the corner of the hotel bar they had been staying in Lothal.

"Of all people, how can you give me grief? I'm taking care of my family, Jules. I backed you when you left, remember? And when you returned I welcomed you back with open arms, no questions asked," Lee was disappointed with Jules's reaction to his news. He knew she wouldn't approve of him leaving the rebellion to settle down but he thought she would be a little more understanding.

"That was different, and you know it. We've got the Empire on the run. We cut out now and we'll never get the same momentum back. This is our chance," Jules slightly softened her tone. She knew Lee was only trying to do what was right, but she was also adamant on not losing another good fighter, especially since Rya was perfectly capable of looking after herself. "Lee, come on."

"Come on and what?" Lee leaned into the booth and tried his best to shut the door. It was old and rusted and remained ajar. He looked up and saw Denz anxiously tap the side of his glass as he waited at a table in the corner.

"You're not like Rya and Denz." Jules said full heartedly. "They don't know the horrors you and I have endured. They don't know half of what it means to bring down the Empire."

"They've both been in the rebellion for over a decade so I don't know where you're going with this Jules," Lee defended.

"I'm not saying they haven't been crucial to the cause. But we're different. You and I need to see this through. For all the people we've lost. For all the promises we've made to those who couldn't fight. For everything they've taken from us. I know you want to," Jules pleaded. She wanted Lee to fight alongside her. He was one of the few people she fully trusted. She also knew her chances of surviving were better when he was with her. Her new assignment was rumor to be the mission that would end the Empire. As much as that thrilled her it scared her as well. She needed all the help she could get. "Where are you anyways?"

"Hotel bar hologram booth. Look, you know I want to see it through. But I also I don't want to be my father," Lee admitted. He had taken the news of Rya's pregnancy with joy but felt a shock once they landed on Lothal. He didn't want to repeat the mistakes of his father. He wanted to be there for his child and for Rya. He wasn't ready but that didn't matter. What mattered was being by Rya's side.

"Kids come into this galaxy everyday. Don't you want your kid to come into a place of freedom?" Jules argued. Lee waved at Denz who was motioning to him to hurry up. Rya had just joined the table. "Fine, get settled, but when you change your mind, give me a call."

"I won't." He said sternly and hung up without saying goodbye.

Lee shoved open the door nearly stumping out of the booth. He joined Rya and Denz at their table frowning as he noticed Denz had his hand placed on Rya's. Denz had become more protective and attentive over Rya in her current condition, and while it seemed endearing, it was beginning to worry Lee which gave him another reason not to leave. He trusted Rya, but he knew some things never changed, and one of those things was Denz would always love her.

"So what's the story?" Lee asked, as Denz leaned back, removing his hand. The two looked at one another awkwardly. "What now?"

"Ry just came back from the housing authority department, " Denz started.

"And?" Lee was supposed to go but had decided to stay behind to take Jules's call. Rya slid her data pad toward him on the table with a document opened. It was the deed to Lee's family property, the Matno farm. Under ownership a name was listed: Lenore Tersu.

"Lenore came home," Rya said. Lee gripped the edges of the device with a rush of emotions. Lenore was alive and had returned to Lothal.

"You ok there buddy?" Denz asked.

"Just taking it all in," Lee admitted as Rya reached over and touched his arm. "Strange, I had a feeling she'd still be alive but I never imagined she'd come home. She hated it when we were kids."

"Maybe she had a change of heart," Rya suggested. Lee took a deep breath. He was glad Lenore was alright but he was not ready to see her. "Lee it's time."

"What if she hasn't forgiven me?" he asked fearfully.

"You won't know until you ask her," Rya said softly.


The three took a local transport and were dropped at the edge of the property. Making their way toward the main house, Lee looked around and realized how much the farm had changed. The grass was more lush, yet the buildings and equipment were old and rusted. It would take a multitude of repairs to restore it to its prime. As they reached the door, Lee felt a wave of anxiousness fill his stomach. Would Lenore be happy to see them? Would she turn them away? Or would she be there at all? As they stood in front of the door, Rya nudged him to knock.

"Lenore?" Lee said, knocking. "It's me, Lee."

There was shuffling behind the door as they heard the keypad active and slide open. Toja stepped out.

"Lee?! Is that you?" the old Rodian asked, squinting. Lee nodded as Toja smiled, taking Lee into an embrace. "Oh my boy, you are a sight for sore eyes."

"Toja," Lee greeted and hugged his old friend's father tightly. He was happy to see a friendly face even though it wasn't the one he had hoped for. Toja was thinner than he remembered and his face had aged. "I'm glad to see you."

"Likewise my boy, likewise. It brings me great joy to see that you've survived. And have made friends." Toja looked over at Rya and Denz.

"Rya this is Toja. He's an old friend of the family. Rya is my wife," Lee introduced Rya, who stuck her hand out politely for a shake.

"Wife? You surely are all grown," Toja smiled and hugged her instead. "Congratulations, welcome to the family."

"This is Denz, my best friend," Lee said awkwardly.

"Best friend. Now that is an honor," Toja said and shook Denz's hand looking him up and down, sizing him up to the memory of his son Stobo. For a moment he wondered if Lee and Stobo would've remained best friends if he had lived. "Last person to hold that honor was my son many years ago. I hope you take it to heart."

"Toja, where's Lenore?" Lee asked.

"Ah yes, why don't you all come in. I suppose I have some explaining to do," Toja sighed and walked into the main house. Lee had a bad feeling about Toja's avoidance.

"Once the Occupation ended, there was a scramble to establish a new government since the Civil War is still technically on," Toja said as he poured tea for the group. "About a year ago they began to redistribute old farmland to the families that had been evicted. I was able to secure the Matno farm because of this."

Toja handed Lee a document listing Toja as Lenore's beneficent for Imperial Service stipend.

"Lothal Housing was not happy it was an imperial form but they honored it just the same."

"Lenore came to see you?" Lee asked, surprised.

"She came looking for you but you had already left for the rebellion. She was beside herself. Never seen Lenore like that. I know she felt horribly how things had ended between you two after your father's passing. Anyways before she left for the academy, she insisted someone benefit from the whole mess. With the monthly stipend, I was able to help a majority of Tarkintown. That is until they became suspicious of the funds. Then I decided to save it thinking something might come up. Had quite the nest egg before the payments stopped."

"Do you know why they stopped?" Lee wondered.

"No," Toja said. "I assumed she either had come to her senses and left the empire, or perhaps she had perished with the battle station the rebellion destroyed."

"Hopefully not the ladder," Denz remarked.

"I figured the land should be in her name since she paid for it. I hoped eventually one of you would follow your feet home at the very least," Toja continued to explain. "But no Lee, I have not seen or heard from Lenore."

"Thanks Toja," Lee said gratefully.

"Only wish I could do more, my boy," Toja smiled. "Now I know the place doesn't look like much, but I can make my delicious stew for dinner. How's that sound?"

"How about some spice rolls?" Denz asked for his favorite.

"That goes without saying," Toja said. "That's if you want me to stay and cook. This is your home and I understand if you'd like some privacy to settle in."

"Of course," Lee exclaimed. "This is your home just as much as ours. Please don't leave. We'll need help with the repairs."

"Well I don't know how helpful I'll be with those in my old age, but thank you. I will stay," Toja stood and began to prepare dinner. Rya smiled and looked over to Lee. She could sense he was disappointed not seeing Lenore.

"Everything alright?" Rya asked.

"Yeah," Lee lied. "Just tired."


"Open up. Open up in there." Lee looked out the main house front door. Through the peephole were two armed stormtroopers.

"Rya! Quick, we need to evacuate!" Lee called out.

"Lee, take your sister and hide in your room. Don't come out until I say." His father Riv said from behind him. Lee, shocked and confused, turned around and saw Lenore at the age of eight standing in the center of the room. He walked over and took Lenore's hand but she yanked it away.

"Lenore, come on! Not this again," Lee scowled her. She was as difficult as the day they were evicted.

"Why don't you just open the door?" Lenore asked, staring into his eyes.

"Be quiet Lenore. Go with your brother." Riv's voice quivered as he attempted to sound brave.

"Don't worry. I got you," Lee said, reaching his hand out to her again. "Come with me."

"This is it, isn't it?" their mother Prisa asked. "It's all over."

Lee whipped around to see his mother. She was young and scared. He approached her slowly and hugged her.
"Mom," he said, clinging tightly to her. He hadn't seen her since she left Tarkintown. This wasn't really happening. Lee realized he was dreaming. "I've missed you."

The door blasted open and smoke filled the room. The two stormtroopers fired their blasters as they entered the home.
"Don't shoot! I beg you! There are children here!" Riv pleaded. Lee reached for his blaster pistol and shot the troopers in the chest. They fell to the floor. Lee walked slowly toward the bodies as Lenore reached down and removed one of the trooper's helmets revealing herself older.

This was no longer a dream. It was a nightmare. The young Lenore took the stormtrooper helmet and held it out to Lee. "Let this be a lesson. This is what happens when you don't comply."

Lee was fixated on the older Lenore's lifeless body. He had killed her. She was dead. It was his fault. No this wasn't happening. He needed to wake up.

Lee gasped for air as he sat up in bed. He looked around the old room that had once been his parents. Rya had not woken. She had become a heavier sleeper these days. Lee reached over and kissed her forehead softly and caressed her belly. She slightly shifted and turned away and continued to sleep. Lee was restless from his dream and decided it would be best to get some air. He walked out of the main house and into the side yard toward the largest tree on the property. There nailed to the tree trunk was a small plaque that read Stobo. Lee smiled and touched the plaque.

"I'm home, friend," Lee said as if Stobo could hear him. "No, I haven't seen Lenore. But I have a feeling she might show up sooner or later. If any one of us would, it would be her. Right?"

The branches began to rustle as though Stobo was answering from the beyond. Lee chuckled knowing it was nothing more than his imagination. As he looked up at the sky and admired the stars. He couldn't help but think of his father and the first night the family had spent in Tarkintown:

"I am going to make you a promise. And I want you to promise me something in return. I promise you I will get back everything the Empire took from us. But you must promise me two things. One you will never lose hope and two you will never comply with the Empire. A life without hope is meaningless. The Empire knows how to crush hope and therefore should not have your allegiance."

As always his father was unable to keep his promise. Lee sighed heavily realizing it had taken him many years and a war to see what Lenore had when she was just a child. But what he found most ironic was that Lenore had lost hope and complied with the Empire, and in doing so was the one who had retrieved the farm. The galaxy was a strange place to say the least.

He stood under the large tree stargazing, Lee wondered what Jules and the other rebels would face. He felt guilty leaving them behind and returning to safety. But how could he leave Rya? As he struggled with the situation on hand the tree branches rustled stronger and Lee swore he could hear Stobo's last words to him before he died in his arms:

"Go."

Jules was right. He was a rebel and he needed to finish what he started. He had to see the Empire come to an end. He wanted to know it could be done and his child would have a chance to live a free life filled with opportunity and possibility.

He began walking toward the main road. He would never admit to himself that in all his efforts to not repeat the mistakes of his father that he had forgotten not to repeat the mistake of his mother. He left.