I don't own Star Wars or its characters, but Nadia Aomori and my other OCs I own only.
Enjoy!
Fire of the Rebellion
Chapter 17: The Siege of Lothal Part 1
Inside the Tantive IV, Nadia chuckled in joy as she hugged Hal and Maybelline.
Hal Corak was a 35 year old man wearing a high collar sleeveless indigo shirt, black pants and dark brown boots. His dark platinum blonde hair was now a little bit spiky.
Maybelline Horn was a 22 year old woman with long sandy brown hair that was styled in a braided ponytail with a rouge pink ribbon. She wore a shin-length pale pink dress that buttons up the front with a cherry red bolero zip-up jacket and brown boots. Around her neck was a flower necklace with a pearl in the center on a leather ribbon and a trio of bracelets (gold, silver and bronze) on her wrists.
Small tears of joy appeared on Nadia's eyes, feeling happy to see her step-brother and her younger half-sister after so long.
"The last time we saw each other was when Zack and Gwen were still toddlers."Nadia remarked as she broke the hug."Seriously. Where did the time go?"
"They don't need babysitters still, right?"Hal questioned.
Nadia smirked at Hal.
"Nope."Nadia answered and glanced at Maybelline."How have you been doing, May?"
"Still single if you're wondering."Maybelline remarked smugly."Hal's gaze is keeping admirers away from me."
A frown appeared on Hal's face.
"Meibe. Alderaan may be a peaceful planet."Hal commented."But that doesn't all guys are gentlemen."
Maybelline folded her arms.
"I kill their ass if they try anything, Hal."Maybelline retorted."I'm not a little girl anymore."
Nadia snorted her laugh while Hal simply rolled his eyes.
"Oh. That reminds me."Nadia sneered."How is Stellar doing?"
"Stellar is fine."Hal exclaimed with a smile."We're having another baby. So I actually wanted to your approval on the name we chose for the child."
"Since when did you need my approval on anything, Hal?"Nadia chuckled."I always did the opposite thing that you usually would do."
Maybelline nodded in agreement.
"That's true, big brother."Maybelline agreed.
"Anyway."Hal responded with a stern tone before going back to the main subject."Me and Stellar have decided to give the child the name of somebody close to us."
"Which is?"Nadia asked.
"Jayden."Hal admitted.
A surprised look appeared on Nadia's face.
"Jayden?"Nadia repeated."You want to name your kid after my late older brother?"
"I think it is a cool name, big sister."Maybelline replied as a gentle smile grew on her face."His nick name could be 'Jay' or 'Den'."
Nadia gave a bittersweet smile in respond.
"Though he never had a chance to start a family, I am sure Jayden wouldn't mind having a step-nephew named him. I guess he would be happy."Nadia complemented."You have my permission."
Hal hugged Nadia in appreciation.
"Thanks, Dia."Hal thanked.
Maybelline gestured her head to the exit of the room, earning her older half-siblings' attention.
"Shall we head off?"Maybelline requested."Another adventure awaits us."
Nadia chuckled slight while putting her arms around Hal and Maybelline's shoulders as the three of them left the room together.
On Lothal, Minister Maketh Tua and Agent Kallus of the Imperial Security Bureau discuss the steps that Tua was taking so the planetary government can locate the rebels.
"Agent Kallus, I've exhausted every resource to find information about the rebels, but there is nothing to be found!"Minister Tua argued."What more does Governor Tarkin expect?"
"He expects Lothal to be punished, Minister Tua."Agent Kallus replied sternly."One of his own Star Destroyer was demolished by these rebels. He takes that somewhat personally."
"Well, I've doubled patrols, set up checkpoints, established curfews."Minister Tua stated as she sent down on her seat."I honestly don't know what else to do."
"Perhaps that is the problem."
Minister Tua became nervous as Darth Vader, the Dark Lord of the Sith and the Emperor's top enforcer, entered the room.
"You lack imagination, Minister Tua, when it comes to producing results."Darth Vader declared.
"Lord Vader, with all due respect, you and Governor Tarkin are asking for miracles."Minister Tua admitted."If the rebels have left Lothal-"
"If the rebels have left, then we must draw them back."Darth Vader replied."And if they are here, we must draw them out. We will squeeze Lothal until someone reveals the whereabouts of these traitors."
"I'm sorry, my Lord."Minister Tua responded."I am merely a public official. I have no experience with such brutal tactics."
"You can explain that to Governor Tarkin when you visit him."Darth Vader answered.
Minister Tua become nervous at the Governor of the Outer Rim Territories being mentioned.
"Visit him?"Minister Tua asked nervously.
"He expects you tomorrow, to account for your failure."Darth Vader stated.
Darth Vader then left the room causing Minister Tua to become more frightened.
"But I'm needed here to fill in for Governor Pryce!"Minister Tua protested."I couldn't possibly get away!"
Agent Kallus gave Minister Tua a smirk.
"Not to worry, Minister Tua."Agent Kallus assured."Lord Vader and I will manage in your absence."
Agent Kallus then walked out while Minister Tua covered her face in worry.
The Governor of Lothal remembered the memory of Tarkin's execution of Cumberlayne Aresko and Taskmaster Grint, who had also failed on various occasions.
It seemed now she was going to share the same wretched fate as they were.
Inside the Phoenix Home, Nadia smirked smugly as she watched Maybelline tackle Kanan with a hug and kiss on the cheek causing Hera to become silently irritated.
"Caleb. I can't believe it's really you."Maybelline remarked happily."I missed you so much. Did you miss me?"
Kanan gave Maybelline an awkward smile.
"Y-Yeah."Kanan answered, not knowing what to say."I missed you too."
Hera frowned and cleared her throat causing Maybelline to go over to her.
"Oh. You must be the pilot of the Ghost, Hera Syndulla."Maybelline stated kindly."Your Eleni Syndulla's daughter, right?"
"That's right."Hera responded, he expression softening a bit."Are you one of Kanan's friends?"
"I've known him since I was a kid."Maybelline answered."Though I can tell I am not the most important girl in his life."
Maybelline then simply walked away with Hal and Nadia as Kanan noticed Hera glaring at him.
"What?"Kanan said in confusion.
Afterwards in the command center of the Phoenix Home, Nadia, Hal and Maybelline met with Ahsoka and the rest of Ghost Crew to attend a meeting.
Commander Sato smiled at Hera.
"You and your crew have proven invaluable to our fleet, Captain Syndulla."Commander Sato praised."The fuel acquired in your convoy attacks has helped keep us one step ahead of Imperial patrols."
"Thank you, Commander Sato."Hera replied."I'm just sorry our intel about shield generators being on that shipment was wrong."
"Perhaps with your next attack, Hera."Ahsoka suggested.
Then Chopper came into the meeting room while beeping at the group.
"What is the meaning of this?"Commander Sato demanded.
"An incoming transmission."Kanan answered and looked at Choppper."Who from, Chop? Ah, why don't you just play it?"
Hera cleared her throat and glared while Kanan smiled smugly at her, making Maybelline to cover her mouth to silently giggle.
The Captain of the Ghost Crew looked at her droid.
"Uh, Chop, cloak us with a one-way transmission."Hera ordered.
Hal and Nadia glanced at each other with smirks on their faces as Chopper showed a hologram transmission of Old Jho.
"Hey, it's Old Jho!"Ezra remarked.
"I can't see you, but I can hear you, my friends."Old Jho stated."Time is short and there's someone here desperate to speak with you. I told her I couldn't find you, but she wouldn't take no for an answer, she says she needs your help."
"We're always ready to help someone in need."Kanan remarked.
"Yeah, well, this one's different."Old Jho admitted.
He then moved away and Minister Tua walked forward.
"Minister Tua?"Hera said in shock.
"The Governor of Lothal?"Hal assumed.
"Aw, we can't trust her."Zeb muttered in annoyance."She's an Imperial."
"Please, I beg you."Minister Tua begged in fright."Listen to my request."
"End transmission now, Chop."Kanan ordered.
"Wait!"Hera suggested and looked at Minister Tua."Minister, what do you want?"
"My life is in danger."Minister Tua admitted worriedly."I need you to give me safe passage off Lothal."
"You're not really considering this."Zeb retorted.
"Quiet!"Hera snapped.
"I assure you, my intentions are sincere."Minister Tua responded."To prove it, I will trade secret Imperial information."
"You're defecting from the Empire?"Sabine questioned.
"Yes, I am."Minister Tua responded.
"She's telling the truth."Ezra commented."I can sense her fear."
"Yeah, but of what?"Kanan asked.
Ahsoka and Nadia looked at each other.
"So what have you got to trade?"Hera asked.
"A list of rebel sympathizers on Lothal and other nearby systems."Minister Tua replied.
"How come these sympathizers have not been arrested?"Commander Sato asked.
"Some have powerful friends in the Senate."Minister Tua answered."Imperial command watches them, but can do nothing. I know you need allies, get me off Lothal and I will give you the list."
"We shouldn't even consider this."Kanan admitted.
"It's obviously a trap."Sabine agreed.
"There's something else."Minister Tua stated."I've discovered the true reason the Empire came to Lothal."
A scoff escaped from Hera's mouth.
"We know that one."Hera said simply."The Empire has a factory, and they're stripping the planet's resources to fuel it."
"No."Minister Tua commented in fright."There is another reason known only to a few and ordered by the Emperor himself."
This caused the rebels to look at each other.
A suspicious look appeared on Nadia's face since she sensed Minister Tua's fear as well.
But the source of fear seemed very familiar.
"We have to do this."Ezra insisted.
"I agree."Ahsoka answered.
"So do I."Kanan said.
"Me too."Nadia stated.
"All right, if Commander Sato approves the mission."Hera said.
"I believe it could be worth the risk."Commander Sato responded.
"Minister, we'll get you out."Ezra remarked. "Send us your coordinates."
"Thank you."Minister Tua thanked.
Then the hologram of Minister Tua went off.
"Well, I guess we're on our way back to Lothal."Hera said.
"I guess we are."Kanan replied.
Kanan walked out of the command center followed by Hera.
Maybelline walked up to Hal and Nadia with an unsure look on her face.
"Something doesn't feel right about this."Maybelline stated.
"I know, May."Nadia replied."Which is why I'm going with them."
Hal raised an eyebrow at Nadia.
"Nadia, are you sure about this?"Hal questioned."This is not where you charge into a battle fighting Separatist droid armies."
A frown appeared on Nadia's face.
"I'm well aware of that, Hal. But I am not a stranger to take risks."Nadia complemented."Since Ferus and the kids are safely in Chandrila, I should stand by with Kanan and his crew in case anything happens."
Maybelline smiled lightly as she gave Nadia a hug.
"Just be careful on Lothal, big sister."Maybelline stated.
Nadia gave Maybelline a kiss on the forehead and shared a nod with Hal before leaving the command center to go join the Ghost Crew.
On Lothal, Minister Tua leaves her office in the Imperial complex which was located in the planet of the Capital City.
Unknown to her, Agent Kallus, suspecting her treason, ordered a probe droid to follow her and record her movements.
The rebels boarded a Star Commuter 2000 shuttle that was docked with the rebel fleet, choosing to leave the Ghost behind under the assumption that the Empire can track it after it was involved in a battle with the Empire over the planet Mustafar.
"So we're not taking the Ghost and we're letting Chopper drive?"Sabine asked with a smile.
"After our stunt on Mustafar, there's a good chance the Empire will be able to track it."Hera replied.
"Great mission so far."Zeb praised sarcastically.
Chopper beeped a response.
"So what's the plan?"Kanan asked.
"Okay, so Minister Tua is scheduled to visit Governor Tarkin tomorrow."Ezra exclaimed."She leaves Lothal via shuttle at 1800, we wait at the hangar, steal the shuttle and take her to safety."
"Ezra, I hope you're sure about this."Sabine stated.
Zeb glanced at Ezra as he folded his arms.
"After all the trouble she's made for us, why should we help her?"Zeb questioned.
"Because that's what we do."Ezra replied."Help those who can't help themselves plus, her list will help us out."
"Shuttle 593, this is Lothal Control."An imperial officer declared."You are cleared to land."
Nadia narrowed her eyes as she suddenly felt cold as the shuttle headed to Lothal.
It was an old but familiar presence which was something she haven't felt since the Jedi Purge and-
A disturbed look appeared on the raven haired woman's face upon realising the source of the unbearable coldness.
The female Jedi Knight came out of her thoughts when she heard Ezra speak up.
"I didn't think I'd miss it, but I..."Ezra started.
Kanan looked at his apprentice.
"What is it?"Kanan asked.
"Do you feel that?"Ezra questioned."I-I feel so cold."
"So do I, rookie."Nadia admitted with a frown."There is something waiting for us."
"Which is?"Ezra said.
Nadia didn't respond to Ezra's question and simply looked back at the planet in front of them.
The rebels soon arrived on Lothal and the shuttle was given clearance to pass the heavy presence of Star Destroyers in orbit.
"I've never seen so many Star Destroyers here."Ezra complemented."It's gotten worse."
Kanan glanced at Zeb and Chopper.
"All right, Zeb, Chopper, stay with the shuttle in case we need a quick exit."Kanan ordered."Tua's leaving from Bay 23. Let's go."
The crew make their way towards the rendezvous point, where a number of Imperial stormtroopers are guarding the shuttle.
"Huh."Hera responded."We'll need a distraction."
"Well, I'm gonna go make a few friends."Kanan replied with a smile."When Tua arrives, I'll keep them busy while you drop into the hangar from above."
"Make a few friends?"Hera asked.
"It'll be fun."Kanan remarked.
"Fun?"Hera questioned.
"Don't worry, Hera."Kanan assured as he walked away."Just be ready to move."
Nadia smirked as Kanan began assaulting one of the soldiers and stole their armour.
"Kanan's gone bucket head."Ezra chuckled.
Nadia looked at Sabine.
Never expected to see that."Nadia praised, remembering how different Kanan was as Caleb Dume."Does he usually do this?"
"Nope."Sabine replied.
Hera folded her arms.
"I don't believe it."Hera complemented.
"I'm kinda jealous."Ezra remarked."I only have the helmet."
Kanan then waited in position while Hera, Ezra, Nadia and Sabine head to the rooftops, where they can attack the Imperials from above.
Minister Tua soon arrived along with Agent Kallus.
"Here she comes."Ezra murmured as he looked through his macrobinoculars."But she's got company."
"What kind of company?"Hera asked.
"Oh fantastic, Agent Kallus."Ezra said with a hint of sarcasm.
Sabine them jumped down and took out her blasters to use them to distract her enemies.
"Hey!"Sabine called out.
The stormtroopers and Agent Kallus began to fire back at Sabine.
"Minister, take cover!"Agent Kallus ordered.
Kanan made his move as well, closing the door and shooting the control panel.
"Surprise!"Kanan remarked.
"Rebels!"Agent Kallus scoffed in annoyance.
Agent Kallus fired at Kanan as he rolled away, hiding behind a barrier.
Ezra, Hera and Nadia then jumped down and land behind a few crates.
Agent Kallus takes notice and fired at them.
Once the three rebels land, Nadia pulled out her lightsabers.
Agent Kallus rushed up behind the crates and opened fire at them.
Nadia activated her blades in response, blocking the shots headed to her friends' way as Hera and Ezra retreated towards Minister Tua's position.
Agent Kallus' eyes widen in surprise before glaring at Nadia angrily.
"Jedi!"Agent Kallus scowled.
Agent Kallus fired his blaster at Nadia.
Nadia backed up towards the rest of the group, blocking the laser blasts with her lightsabers as Kanan fired back with his own blaster.
Ezra glanced at Minister Tua.
"Minister, get to the shuttle!"Ezra ordered."We'll be right behind you!"
"Right!"Minister Tua replied.
The rebels attacked the Imperial troops and Minister Tua runs for the shuttle followed close behind by the rebels.
But once Minister Tua was aboard, the shuttle exploded, sending the rebels flying backward.
"Minister Tua."Ezra said in shock.
Nadia opened her eyes and became horrified to see Minister Tua killed.
The raven haired woman then looked up, only to froze in terror when she saw something above the landing pad.
High above the landing pad was Darth Vader was staring down at her and the Ghost Crew.
"Anakin."Nadia thought with a hurtful tone.
"You did this!"
Nadia snapped out of her shock state and quickly used her lightsabers to deflect Agent Kallus' laser blasts as she went to hide in the crates with his companions.
"Don't you mean yourself, imperial scum?"Nadia retorted with a glare.
Kanan contacted Zeb on his comlink.
"Zeb, we need a pickup."Kanan ordered in his comlink."Now!"
"Copy."Zeb replied."We're on our way."
The rebels continued fighting Agent Kallus and the stormtroopers until the shuttle showed up.
"Come on!"Zeb shouted while firing with his rifle."Come on!"
The rebels board their shuttle in order to escape from the imperial forces.
As the shuttle flew away, it was shot down by an All Terrain Defense Pod and crashed in the city street.
Seeing neither of the Ghost Crew members injured from the crash, Nadia immediately gestured them to leave the shuttle.
"Up, everybody!"Nadia demanded."We need to move!"
From above the landing platform, Darth Vader stared at the burned shuttle that contained Minister Tua's corpse.
The rebels had took the bait.
But to his surprise, Nadia had as well.
However, since he knew her since she was Obi-Wan's Padawan, his former friend was always eager to help people.
No matter how risky the mission was.
The Dark Lord of the Sith brought his attention on the transmission from Agent Kallus.
"Everything has happened as you predicted, Lord Vader."Agent Kallus reported.
"Now inform the populace the rebel assassins hide in their midst."Darth Vader ordered."Lock down the spaceport and make it known any ship attempting to leave will be destroyed."
"Right away."Agent Kallus replied.
The rebels went to one of their safe houses, the former home of Ezra and his missing parents;
Nadia rubbed her forehead as she thought about seeing her former friend.
"It all makes sense now."Nadia thought with a hint of annoyance and her arms folded."He used Minister Tua to lure the Spectres back to Lothal."
Nadia bit her lip a bit.
"Good thing I didn't allow May to come with me."Nadia thought firmly."The last thing I want her to know that her big hero fall to the Dark Side."
Nadia then brought her attention on Kanan, Ezra, Hera, Sabine, Zeb and Chopper, who were watching the report of Minister Tua's death.
"A beloved citizen of Lothal, Minister Tua's life was cut short by this criminal band of rebels. If you see them, summon Imperial authorities immediately."Journalist Kastle announced."Trooper corps have been mobilised in an extensive sea..."
Hera puts off the radio and looked at her companions.
"They did this to turn Lothal against us."Hera declared."We can't do any more here. We have to leave for good."
"We can't just run."Ezra reminded."The people have to know the truth."
"I don't think the Empire is giving us much choice."Sabine admitted.
The stormtroopers soon find them causing Chopper to zap one of the stormtroopers and close the door.
"Open up in there!"
"We need to get out of here!"Kanan demanded.
The rebels escaped just before the stormtroopers set off a thermal detonator and destroy the house.
Nadia glanced at Ezra.
"Hey, kid."Nadia spoke up."If they know about this hideout, they'll know about the others that you have."
Hera shook her head.
"There's no more hiding, Nadia."Hera responded."We need a ship. Maybe we can try one of the local Imperial airfields."
Sabine showed a hologram of the Imperial airfields.
"They're locked down."Sabine informed."Besides, we'll never get outside the capital."
"The Empire's looking everywhere for us."Zeb commented.
"Not everywhere."Kanan stated.
Kanan pointed at the Imperial Complex, earning a scoff from Hera.
"The Imperial Complex?"Hera asked."Are you crazy?"
Kanan looked at his other companions.
"Does anyone ever say yes to that question?"Kanan questioned.
Nadia let out a sigh.
"It looks rather risky in my point of view."Nadia complemented and thought uncomfortably."Especially, if he is waiting for us to go there."
"Kanan is actually right, Nadia."Sabine agreed, earning a small surprise look from Nadia."Deploying troops to block every city exit has spread the garrison thin. It sounds crazy. But the area with the least troops will be here, near the factories, there are landing platforms outside these hangars. They're our best chance if we're gonna find a shuttle."
"I'm already dressed for the part."Kanan said as he placed on his stormtrooper helmet.
Afterwards, Kanan wearing his stormtrooper disguise and Ezra impersonated an Imperial cadet, allowing them to enter the facility with crates containing the rest of the crew.
A stormtrooper was guarding the imperial complex.
"What's this?"A stormtrooper asked.
"Power cells in need of recharging for the rebel pursuit."Kanan replied.
The three disguised Jedi began to move forward with the crates, but the stormtrooper stopped them.
"Hold it right there, cadet."the stormtrooper demanded."We have to check inside."
"I got this."Ezra replied and waved his hand."No, you don't have to check inside."
"Did you just try to give me an order, cadet?"the stormtrooper questioned.
"No."Kanan responded and waved his hand."He just said, you don't have to check inside."
"I don't have to check inside."the stormtrooper repeated.
"Well, then, as you wish, trooper."Kanan replied with a salute and looked at Ezra. "Cadet, let's move, hurry it up!"
Kanan and Ezra successfully went inside the imperial complex.
"I wish that worked for me."Ezra sighed.
"I wish it worked on you."Kanan admitted.
Kanan and Ezra went inside a helmet room to open the crates, revealing Nadia, Hera, Zeb and Sabine inside.
"That was a close call."Nadia murmured.
Zeb let out a loud groan.
"Zeb, will you be quiet?"Hera demanded.
"What? I need to breathe."Zeb complained."Have you smelled me?"
Sabine checked the hallways and saw no one was around.
"There's nobody around."Sabine stated."This was a good plan."
"Of course, it was a good plan."Kanan replied with a smirk."We came up with it."
"This way."Ezra instructed.
Ezra waved at his friends before Chopper let out a few beeps, alarming the rebels.
Nadia smirked. "No rebel left behind."
"Zeb, get Chopper."Hera ordered.
Zeb frowned and took Chopper out of the crate.
The rebels then make their way to the Imperial Complex's hangar and found a shuttle to steal.
Kanan smirked at Hera.
"There's a shuttle."Kanan sneered."What'd I tell ya?"
"You did good."Hera remarked.
"Hera, over here."Sabine whispered.
Hera walked up to Sabine and saw a number of military-grade shield generators.
"Shield generators."Hera said.
"Military grade."Sabine added.
The two began to move the shield generators to the shuttle.
"Zeb. Ezra. Grab all we can carry."Hera ordered."These might help turn this day around, the fleet could sure use them."
Nadia began to move a shield generator to the shuttle, but then stopped as her ruby red eyes widen in shock causing Kanan and Ezra to do the same.
"Do you feel that?"Ezra asked.
Kanan frowned and looked to the doorway.
"The cold."Kanan responded.
Nadia slowly turned her head, already knowing who was behind them.
There standing in the doorway was Darth Vader, who let out a mechanical breathing and activated his blood red lightsaber.
The Dark Lord of the Sith then began entering the hangar to confront the rebels as a squad of stormtroopers appeared behind him.
See you all in the next chapter and have a wonderful day!