Authors Notes
Okay soooo sorry about this but for some reason it only saved some of the italics and bolds so i had to resubmit it. Sorry if some parts didnt make sense before.
Please leave a comment
The next morning Hera walked into Sabine and Ezra's cabin to find the mandalorian sitting on her bed cleaning her blasters. "Hey Sabine, have you seen Ezra, I just want to make sure he's ready for what's about to happen'' asked the mother of the crew. "Oh hey Hera I think he's in the roof turret" she replied to the Twi'lek. "Thanks" she said to Sabine walking towards the turret where she heard her adopted son talking "Mom, Dad I know what i have to do" Hera moved under the ladder to see Ezra holding a data pad with the holo-pic of him, Kat and their parents. "But I'm scared, not for me, but for my new family because something could happen on this mission. I wish you guys could have met them, especially Sabine, I know you guys would have loved them just like you loved Kat and I. I miss you." After he was done Hera knocked on the ladder causing him to look at her, "Ezra, they're bringing her down."
Outside of the ghost Kallus and Rex were bringing Pryce down to the landing platform where Kanan was watching Kat go through lightsaber forms who had a lightsaber for barely a year. "You're getting better but on form 4 you swing too hard leaving yourself vulnerable." Said the jedi knight. "So that's why it takes longer to bring up to form 5" replied his apprentice as she shut off her white saber and clipped it to her belt. The two of them turned to see Pryce who was watching the two of them and asked Kanan "how are you alive Jarrus, i saw you perish in the flames."
Kanan answered her question with ease "I told you, Ezra saved my life, after the force healed my eyes."
After hearing his answer she scoffed and side eyed Kallus saying "i will never understand why you, such a high ranked ISB agent, left the empire and sided with these sorcerers and traitors," "because i saw the errors of my ways and corrected as many of my mistakes as i could" replied Kallus in his low and quiet voice.
"Just like you will" said Ezra walking down the Ghost's ramp followed by Hera and Sabine. "What are you going on about now Bridger?" Questioned the Governor.
Ezra walked up to her and stopped about a foot away and said, "as your last act of being governor you will do the right thing and free your homeworld."
"I will do NO such thing"
"All right, suit yourself," said Ezra as he backed away and whistled, causing the white loth-wolf that no one knew was there, to show its teeth as it walked toward the woman, causing her to back away and get pinned by the wolf.
"All right, ALL RIGHT, I'll just do it, call off your dog." Said Pryce causing everyone to laugh.
While the others were prepping the transports Ezra and Sabine were in their cabin putting on their scoot trooper armor. "Here let me help" offered Ezra seeing her struggle with her back armor. "Thanks" said Sabine as she turned back towards him and the two hugged each other. "I hope this works" said Ezra as the two separated and sat down on the bed. "Ezra it WILL work, and do you know why,"
"Why" sighed the jedi as he looked to his right to look at his girlfriend.
"Cause you have been working on this plan for the whole time we've been here, which is what, almost 2 weeks." The two embrace again and Ezra whispers in her ear, "I don't know what i would do without you 'bine"
"Same here Ez," said Sabine as the Jedi felt a wave of guilt hit him. I'm sorry Sabine but if the plan works then you might have to find out how to go without me. Ezra thought to himself
On the way to the capitol in one of the transports Gregor questions Ezra's plan saying "trust me rex i'm all for crazy plans, but this is a little crazy even for me" but Rex places a hand on his brother's shoulder and tells him not to worry because Ezra's a jedi. Meanwhile in the other transport Sabine sees Ezra lost in thought and asks him "you okay?"
"I know i can always count on you" said Ezra dodging her question
"Alright, what are you up to?" She asked him, but was interrupted by Hera "we're coming up on capitol city"
"Thanks Hera, head for Platform Zero Delta," replied the artist.
"Your planning to take the dome, a stupid and foolish plan" mocked Pryce. "Not stupid, bold" countered Ezra. "Creative," continued Sabine. Kallus took the comm of his belt and handed the small object to Pryce, "now about those landing codes, and remember I'll know if they're right."
The governor grabbed it and said "gladly, because the sooner I do, the sooner you are my prisoners."
She pressed the button on the side and said "this is governor Pryce transmitting Executive landing code 627311" and was met by an imperial officer's voice "welcome home governor, head to platform zero delta and security will take the prisoners."
After hearing the comm Hera and Kat piloted the transports to the platform and let the others out. Ezra and Sabine in their scout trooper armor led the others to the security squad while Kallus, dressed in a black imperial officer outfit, held a gun to Pryces back.
"We'll take it from here," said the stormtrooper commander to Ezra.
"Their all yours," the Jedi said as he slightly backed away so that Zeb could pretend to shove him out of the way and run past the troopers toward the bulkhead door that was slowly closing. "GET HIM," shooted the lead trooper but was interrupted by Ezra cutting the barrel off of all three troopers' guns and pushing them with the force. After Ezra cleared the path for them Ketsu, Sabine and Kat ran towards the door that Zeb was holding open and jumped through. "Get the doors open and jamm their comms" Kat called to Ketsu as she and Sabine fired shots at the troopers. "Got it" called the bounty hunter allowing the others to enter while Hondo ordered Melch to get into position. "Hondo, are you ready?" Asked Ezra through the comm. "Yes we are ready, right Melch?" said the Weequay and was answered by a squeal allowing Hondo to give him the signal. Upon seeing it the Ugnaught ran as fast as he could toward Zeb, stepped on the Lasats hands and was launched into. Upon seeing his friend go sky high and towards the imperial command window Hondo raised his arms as if praising Melch.
"They CAN fly!" Said the pirate.
The entire command center had their blasters pointed at the doors ready for when the rebels came through but instead they heard a thud on the window and turned to see an Ugnaught waving through the reinforced glass. "FIRE," called the officer, causing all of the troopers to fire at the glass. Hearing the blaster fire on the other side of the doors Ezra gave the signal to Ketsu who opened the doors allowing them to make quick work of the imperials inside. After taking control of the command Hera, and Kanan, who were waiting in the transport not wanting to blow their cover, followed Rex and Ryder taking a cuffed Pryce to the command.
Having locked the imperials away in the storage room Pryce mocked them saying "it is only a matter of time before you are discovered and there is no chance of you defeating the Empire."
Sabine laughs to herself and say's "our plan isn't to defeat the Empire," before Kallus walks over and says "the true plan is to lure ALL imperial forces on Lothal back to the Dome using Protocall 13."
Hera then joined the conversation explaining "the Empires new order to summon all forces back to base to initiate a full retreat of the planet." "Exactly," said Kallus as he snapped his fingers "Ryder's plan is to launch the Dome with all the imperials inside thus ending their rule on Lothal" finished the ex-imperial.
Hera walked away from them and grabbed the comm link on her belt, pressed the button on the side and spoke clearly into it "Wolffe we made it to the point of interest so get ready for a pick-up."
The old clone pressed the communicator on his wrist and said "alright, thanks for the heads up general, we'll be ready." After hearing the news he turned to his comrades who were loading a container onto the imperial transport. "You know Ezra gave ME a special mission," said Mart as he sat on the container he was moving. Visago moved to look at the teen better, "what do you.. LOOK OUT!" The smuggler called as he fumbled to pull his blaster out. Mart looked at him confused until he felt something slam into the back of his head. "MART!" Called the old clone as he pulled the creature that had led the assault on the base the day before off of Visago and into a headlock. Ruhk slammed the back of his head into the clone's face, dazing him. Seeing his chance Ruhk took it, grabbing Wolffe's arm and threw him at Vizago knocking the both of them unconscious. Seeing Mart on the ground he picked up a blaster and took aim at the teens head, until he heard a low growl and the white wolf leapt out of the bushes at Ruhk, who was able to roll out of the way and get into the transport and took off towards capitol. Ruhk pressed a button on the ships dashboard and was met by Grand Admiral Thrawn's Hologram and low voice "ah Ruhk, I request an update on the attack" "Grand Admiral, Pryce failed and was captured by the rebels," the Noghri replied. Thrawn thought for a moment and sighed "I knew Pryce would fail but I did not know she would fail this horribly."
"I am currently en route to the capital. Once I arrive, what am I to do?" Ruhk asked.
"Deactivate the planetary shield before the rebels lock down the dome and wait for my arrival, I am currently en route."
"Yes Grand Admiral."
Ezra was looking around at the others. I have to do this Kanan Ezra said to Kanan through their force bond. I know but… started Kanan but was interrupted by Sabine and Katherine shaking the Jedi out of their meditation. "Kallus is ready to start the next phase," said Sabine, staring at her boyfriend.
Ezra looked at the ex-ISB and said "You're all clear Kallus." After hearing Ezra, he cleared his throat and pressed the button on the desk and spoke clear as day "Attention all imperial forces, Protocol 13 is in effect as of now, I repeat Protocol 13 is in effect, assume your assigned positions." Everyone smiled at the fact that the plan was working until they heard an imperial officer's voice over the comm, "who is this, what is your identification number?" Kallus cleared his throat and continued "this is Imperial Security Bureau Colonel Wulf Yularen and I am executing Override Code Base Gamma Zero." Everyone waited for the officers reaction and let out a breath no one knew they were holding "very well sir" said the officer slightly reluctant about it but let it go in fear of the ISB. Kallus turned to the others smiling since he impressed everyone in the room with the ruse. Meanwhile in the hangar bay as imperials enter the dome, so does Ruhk in his transport.
Back in the command center Kallus keeps saying orders into the comm to the imperials while Ezra tells Hera and Kat to start the launch cycle and Sabine to start the self-destruct sequence. Ezra looks across the room to see Hondo starting to freak out.
"Hey Hondo, you good?" Ezra asked the pirate. "Yes Ezra, but I have one question: how are we going to get off this thing?" the Weequay asked nervously. Before the young Jedi could respond, Hera said calmly "the Ghost should be here to pick us up any second now."
Kanan and Zeb walked closer to the Ghost crew, the latter saying "then let's get the 'ell out o' 'ere." Ezra felt a tingling in the back of his head and the rest of the conversation flowed in and out of his focus. "These thru… no no no… in years" barely hearing what Kat had said. He felt panic build in his chest until Pryce of all people pulled him back to reality. "You're too late," said the governor quietly chuckling to herself, as Thrawn's personal Star Destroyer, the Chimaera, came out of Lothals atmosphere and stopped above the dome.
Upon seeing the star destroyer Hera immediately tells the girls "abort the launch cycle!"
Ketsu, who had been guarding the door to let the others know when the imperials would get through the blast door, spoke up, "WHAT, Hera are you crazy."
"No I'm not Ketsu because if we launch now then we will crash into Thrawn and destroy half of the city or more."
Ketsu immediately looked away to hide her stupidity. "Karabast" said Zeb from behind Ezra who was looking out of the window towards the Chimaera.
"Chop," said the jedi as the rolling menace came over to him, "what is it organic," "I need you to patch me into the Chimaera."
Ezra was met by several "WHATS" and a few "ARE YOU CRAZY"'S, he ignored all of them and waited for Chopper to connect him to Thrawns ship. When the hologram of Thrawn appeared in front of him he cleared his throat and said "Governor Pryce is our prisoner, we have control of the Dome with every trooper, pilot and officer on Lothal trapped inside. And if you leave Lothal then we will let the imperials go before we blow up the Dome."
"Are you quite finished?" Said Thrawn, shocking everyone in the room on both the Command Center and the Star Destroyer. "If you truly want to save Lothal Ezra Bridger, then the only thing that can save your homeworld is your immediate and unconditional surrender."
"And why would I surrender when I hold your entire army captive." "You misunderstand, you have simply moved my soldiers to a safe location so I can order an orbital bombardment of your home and not risk any imperial casualties." Ezra froze hearing Thrawn's words, barely recognising Sabine's voice "Rex raise the planetary shields!" "The generators are offline" the old clone called back
Inside the generator room an imperial technician disables the shield at Ruhk's orders.
Back in the command center Sabine starts to come up with a plan to get the generators back on line, barely listening to Thrawn as he explains to them "...are under my control. Charge the main batteries you may fire when ready." Everyone watched in horror, especially the siblings, as Thrawn fired upon the city destroying dozens of buildings, and injuring and killing hundreds of civilians.
"Stop, STOP, I'll do it," said Ezra as he cracked from the pressure.
"I await your arrival Bridger, come alone and unarmed or i will not hesitate to destroy the city and your family," said Thrawn in his cool and deadpan voice.
Chopper shut off the holo-call and grabbed Ezra's lightsaber when it was handed to him as the Jedi walked past. "Ezra" Hera called as she tried to stop him until she finally placed a hand on her son's shoulder, "Ez you can't go up there."
He turns to look the Twi'lek in the eyes, "I have to do this Hera or else people will get hurt and people will die, i have no choice, there is no other way." She squeezed his shoulder and said "there is ALWAYS another way." As she walked away towards the holotable Kat pulled a hologram of them and Thrawn. Zeb was the first to say anything remotely close to a plan "I say we charge up the Dome's cannons blast 'im out o' the sky."
Before he could say anything else Kat spoke up saying, "we can't because if we do shoot him down then his ship will destroy the city, if anything it's worse than letting him kamikaze…" Ezra had stopped paying attention and focused on what he was going to do, then he saw Chopper at the terminal where one of his robotic claws was spinning rapidly in the port and the other pointed in an upward position. Ezra looked up per the old droids orders seeing the vent door above him open. One last time Ezra thought to himself until he saw Sabine looking at him and a single tear down running down her left cheek. The two of them looked at each other for only a second or two but it was enough time for them to have a silent conversation about what to do next.
"Hera over here," said the artist as she walked towards the wall where a layout of the bases' schematics were. She looked at her boyfriend until Zeb had walked in front blocking her view and when he had passed from her sight so had Ezra. Sighing, she started to talk about how they could take back the generator room.
Once he made his way out of the vent Ezra landed exactly where he wanted to be, the landing pad, the young Jedi ran to one of the transports until he felt a familiar presence. Crap he said to himself as he turned around and saw Kanan walking up to him.
"Don't try and stop me Kanan," the teen said as he continued towards the transport, "I know what i have to do"
Ezra jumped when he felt his fathers hand on his shoulder "I'm not going to stop you," the older jedi said bluntly
"You… you're not?"
"I was just going to say… be careful," said Kanan as he pulled Ezra into a hug.
"Kanan, if something happens to me up there, i-i want you to know..." said Ezra as he began to break in his dads arms.
The two separated and Kanan said "i know kid" before Ezra got into the transport and flew towards the Chimaera.
In the command room, they had created a plan to get the generator back on, but Zeb spoke up and said "the only bad side is that we trapped hundreds o' troopers between us an' the generator."
"That's never stopped us before," said Kat, trying to be optimistic. Hera continued off of her daughter's statement, "she's right, we just need a diversion, Ezra do you have an idea?"
After not hearing his voice everyone started to look until they heard the sound of an engine and saw one of the transports leaving the base on its way to the Chimaera.
"EZRA" Hera almost yelled into the comm "what the hell do you think you're doing?!"
"What I was meant to do." Said the teen right before he shut off the comm link.
Hera turned to walk out the door followed by Rex and Kat wanting to get him back before he did any other stupid things. But were stopped by Sabine and Kanan, "Hera, please stop," Sabine pleaded with the Twi'lek. "Why?" the pilot asked. Kanan placed his hands on his wife's shoulders, and said "because we have to trust our son," and pulled her into a hug as she began to cry out of fear for Ezra. As Kanan calmed down the pilot Sabine walked back to the schematics and said, "if we split up into two teams then we can take both power terminals at the same time, Ezra gave us our chance, we HAVE to take it."
Hera separated from Kanan, wiped her tears and said "Sabine is right, we have to do it right now."
From the other side of the room Chopper who was watching the security monitors warned them that troopers are on their way. Pryce smiled, hearing the astromech, and said "it looks like my troopers have decided your little incursion is over."