Chapter 3: Arrival, Decisions and Declaration of war
When the Resolute finally arrived back into the Republic reality, the entire ghost crew weren't feeling so good. Zeb got the worst of it. He ran over to one of the corners of the deck and threw up. "We apologize for the turbulence". Anakin told the ghost crew. "It's just that we have never gone into another reality before and that was our first time doing it". "That would be my fault general". Tech announced as to Anakin. "I forgot to put in some calculations to make the trip back into our reality a lot less rugged". Anakin just waved it off knowing that Tech didn't mean to let it happen. "It wasn't your fault Tech, you couldn't have known what would have happened once we returned back to our reality".
At that moment a clone officer came onto the deck of the Resolute and said to the Anakin "Sir we've returned back to our realities Coruscant, Republic ships have detected us and Chancellor Organa and the Jedi council have contacted us to ask how have we returned back to Coruscant so quickly". Anakin sighed as he said to the officer "Tell them that I'll tell them of everything that has happened and also tell them that I'm bringing over some company". The officer nodded and went back to the holo counsel to relay Anakin's message to the Jedi council and the chancellor. Anakin then turned to the Ghost crew (who had recovered somewhat) and the Bad batch and said to them "Well let's get going, we don't want to keep the council or chancellor waiting". The Bad Batch and Ghost crew both nodded as they both got up from their seats and walked with him to the hagnar.
As they walked the Ghost crew was still getting salutes from the clones that they passed along their way to the Resolutes hanger. "You know, it's kinda nice to have the regs not give us all the attention now considering they like us now before they did during the clone wars". Wrecker said to the Ghost crew. Zeb then asked him jokingly "What, are we taking all of your glory or something"? Hunter looked at him and said to him "No it's just that we're not used to so much attention from the reg, because you see before the end of the clone wars the regs didn't really like us because of two main reasons, one: we were defective & two we did things differently during battles and since you've already seen what we're capable of in a fight then you already know". The Ghost crew all nodded as they entered a grav-lift that took them down to the hangar.
As the group entered the hangar, Sabine got a good look at all of the galactic republic machinery, vehicles, and weapons. Sensing her happiness and anxiety at seeing beautiful machinery, Anakin turned to the young mandalorian and said to her "If you want, after the meeting, I can let you meet the top engineers and you can give your ideas on how to improve our weapons and vehicles". Sabine looked at him with a gleeful smile and said to him "I think I'll take you up on that offer". As the group entered a LAAT Kannan asked something that had been bugging his mind. "Is Master Depa Billaba still around"? Anakin turned to him and said to him "Yes she is, why do you ask, were you her padawan at one point"? Kannan looked down at the floor for a few seconds and then said "In a way I was". After that everyone got quiet after hearing what Kannan said on the flight down to the senate building. Once they arrived, they were greeted to the sight of the Jedi council, Chancellor Organa, and a few other senators.
"Skywalker, clone force 99 good to see you it is". Said a voice that was all too familiar to Kannan. "Master Yoda"? He asked. The ghost crew turned to see who Kannan was talking to and to their great interest they saw what they could only describe as a small wrinkled elf-like creature with big eyes and pointy ears. Yoda looked at Kannan and asked him "Know of you and your friends I do not". Kannan then introduced himself and his team. "My name is Kannan Jarrus and this is my team, the Ghost crew". "Then Kannan Jarrus, an honor it is to meet you and your team". Yoda said to them "Thank you Master and I'm glad to see all of you masters that are still alive, but there is something you all must know something". Kannan said, taking a deep shuddering breath. "My real name is Caleb, Caleb Dume, I changed my name after the empire rose up". After he said that everyone including the Ghost crew just stared at him in complete shock at hearing him revealing his deepest secret. Then a middle aged woman stepped from the group, walked over to him and stared at him in great astonishment.
"Caleb"? She asked, raising a hand to touch his face. "It's me master". Kannan said to her silently crying. "It's really me". At that moment she hugged him for what seemed to them like an entirety. After a few minutes passed by, Anakin cleared his throat and said to the entire group "As much as I like this reunion there are certain things we still have to address". The two then broke apart from each other and whipped away the last of their tears and started to follow the group into the Jedi temple. Once they arrived at the council chambers, the Ghost crew began to tell the Jedi council and the senators every detail about their reality and how the Empire rose up. Kannan first told them about how the war ended, how the clones were used like slaves with their inhibitor chips forcing them to obey order 66 and exicuting their brothers at arms. Then the rest of the Ghost crew went on to tell them about what atrocities the Empire had done from learning about what had happened to Zeb's people to learning about what the Empire used Sabine's inventions for.
"To know what has befallen in your reality, dreadful it is". Yoda told the Ghost crew sincerely. Everyone nodded in agreement with what Master Yoda had said. All of them including the Bad Batch were outraged at what the empire had been doing in the ghost crew's reality. The Bad Batch were especially outraged at the fact that Palpatine had gotten away with using their brothers as tools to kill the jedi. "Well after hearing what you have now told us about the galactic empire, even though we haven't come to a vote yet, I can guarantee you right now though the galactic republic will aid you in your fight against the galactic empire". All of the ghost crew seemed shocked at hearing this while the Jedi order and clone force 99 all started to all nod their heads in agreement. "Are you sure you want to help our reality? What happens when the empire comes into this reality and starts trying to take over it as well"? Hera asked them.
"I will personally have republic scientists and engineers to create something to either stop the empire from coming into our reality or detect them. But for now all of you should rest up and stay awhile here while I and the senate have a discussion about how to help free your reality". The ghost crew all nodded as they and the senators and clone force 99 left the council chambers. But before Ezra or Kannan could leave, Anakin stood right in front of them and asked them "Will you stay here for a moment, there is something that I and the other council members wish to discuss with the both of you, mainly you Ezra". Both Kannan and Ezra looked at each other and shrugged, seeing that it couldn't hurt to hear what the council members had to discuss with them.
Meanwhile Bail had called an emergency session of the galactic republic. "My fellow senators, as you have probably heard the news that when Jedi master Anakin Skywalker was sent to Alderaan to put down civil war, unfortunately he didn't reach his destination, but where he did arrive at is very concerning". Bail then went into the details about the alternate reality that Anakin and the 501st had traveled into, how Palpatine was alive and became the emperor of that reality and the atrocities that the Empire had committed. Once Bail had finished the report, the entire republic courtroom erupted into roars and shouts of anger and fury. "HOW CAN THAT MONSTER STILL BE ALIVE"! One senator from Umbara asked/shouted in anger. "WE CAN'T JUST LET HIM AND HIS EMPIRE RULE OVER THAT ALTERNATE REALITY"! Another senator from Geonosis shouted in outrage. It took about a few minutes for Bail to get order back in the court.
"I understand your reaction as we all remember what he did during the clone wars. That is why I have called you all here, to come to a vote on whether or not to help this alternate reality. If we vote yes, then I promise all of you here in this court that the people in that alternate reality will be freed, if we vote no I will still find a way to support those who rebel against the Empire". As soon as Bail finished his speech all of the other senators muttered and nodded to themselves as they casted their votes on whether or not to declare war on the Empire. Meanwhile back at the Jedi temple the council was talking with Kannan and Ezra on what they should do with Ezra as Kannan's apprentice. "Afraid, are you not"? Yoda asked Ezra. "No I don't think so sir". "Are you afraid to give up your life"? Mace Windu asked him. "I don't think so." Ezra told them honestly. There was a moment of silence until Aniken asked him "You're afraid aren't you"?
Ezra looked at him confused and asked him "What do you mean"? All the council members looked at each other before answering him. "What Anakin means is that we can tell that you're afraid of something or you're possibly worried about someone that's close to you are you not"? Obi-Wan asked him. Ezra looked down for a moment, And looked right back at the Jedi Council and then told them honestly "I'm worried about my family, I don't know what happened to them and honestly I don't think they're ever going to come back". All of the council members looked at each other with mixtures of uncertainty and sadness. "Ezra I'm going to tell you this, I lost my mother a long time ago and I know what it's to feel lost and confused". Anakin told him in sadness. "But what I also learned is that you can always start a new chapter and create a new family". Ezra looked at him and nodded with a small smile starting to form on his face. "Before we end this meeting there is something that you and Kanan should know". Obi-Wan said to the both of them.
After hearing that both Ezra and Kannan looked at each other un-easily wondering what was wrong. "Ezra as a Jedi we have the ability to see into the future, and right now we cannot see your future for it is clouded". Ezra looked at them un-easley and asked them "Is that a good thing or a bad thing"? Shaak-ti answered him "It is neither good nor bad, it means that your future is undecided. But we all can guarantee you right now that we will do our best to help you with your force abilities and to help you become a Jedi". " Kanan Jarrus, take young Ezra bridger to become your apprentice do you not"? Yoda asked him. Kanan looked at Master Yoda and said to him "I do". Yoda nodded and said to him proudly "Then agree with you, the council does. Your apprentice, Bridger will be". Both Ezra and Kanan looked at each other happily as they were going to be master and apprentice.
meanwhile back at the Senate everyone had finished casting in their votes. When all of the votes were now finally casted Senator Chuchi said to the court "All of those in favor with this vote please raise your hand". Every hand from every senator in the court raised their hands in approval. "And those who do not"? She asked them. Not one senator's hand could be seen in objection of the vote. "Then it is settled". supreme chancellor Bail Organa said in approval. "The Galactic Republic has now declared war on the Galactic Empire, we will send republic aid to any planet who resists the Galactic Empire and it's tierney over the alternate reality and we will help restore the republic in that reality no matter what the cost is"! All of the senators clapped and cheered as they we're ready to free all of the citizens of the alternate reality from the empire.