Author's Note:

Dearest readers,

This chapter is dedicated to those who find a way to be brave every day that they can. For many, existence is resistance. And in a system where being who you are is an offense to those in power, staying alive becomes an act of protest.

This page and this story will always be a safe space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. You are seen. You are heard. You are alive. And now more than ever, we stay together and support one another. You have the right to exist.

Your non-binary author,

~ Sparks

ADVISORY:The following chapter contains sensitive material relating to: Trauma and violence. Remember to practice self care before, during, and after reading.

ACT V: A NEW HOPE

Chapter: 143 The Path

- ACCESSING IMPERIAL NETWORK -

IHC: Imperial high command to Coronet barracks.

Quandrin: This is Commander Quandrin. Go ahead.

IHC: Status report on the fugitive.

Quandrin: My troops have engaged them and are in pursuit.

IHC: Them? Elaborate.

Quandrin: Suspect has help. I repeat. Suspect has help.

"Don't just stand there!" Datya Vica scolded while returning fire. "Get in!"

It took a moment to snap Elsa from her astonishment while Tiana was already dashing for the door. "Come on!" the youth urged as Elsa lunged in after her.

Once the Skybolt doors sealed behind them, Datya turned to the driver. "Go, Hoff! Go!" she shouted as her husband accelerated. Blasterfire bombarded the speeder's heavy hull. Each fiery ting was more daunting than its predecessor. Unable to buckle up in time, Elsa and Tiana were thrown about in the backseats. Once the Skybolt leveled out, the duo was able to readjust.

Age might've slowed Hoff's reactions, but his heart remained steadfast. No matter how many years had passed, the Pantoran still sported his neatly-groomed mustache. "Everyone hang on," he spoke in a raspy tone. The airspeeder dipped and dove through Corellia's skylanes. While blasterfire lessened, alert sirens echoed from street corners. Datya kept watch as a speeder bike appeared in the rear view mirror.

"Bank left, dear." Datya urged as her husband followed suit.

"I see'em," Hoff growled as the speeder bike swerved after them. The shadow of a gunship loomed over them as Datya opened the dashboard. Gone was the luxury vehicle the Vicas had once debuted at an expo. The Skybolt had become a weapon of war, upgraded with multiple countermeasures. At the push of a button, Datya deployed a smoke screen from the speeder's ventral flaps. As if they'd done this maneuver far too many times, Hoff took the craft into a nosedive. While the flightpath had Elsa's stomach churning, it sent smoke clouds streaking up to the gunship.

The aircraft might've lost visual, but the speeder biker remained persistent. The scout trooper pulled up left to the Skybolt, drew his pistol, and opened fire on the windows. When his shots started to crack at the reinforced window, he accelerated closer. Hoff also picked up speed, trying to evade the shots. The scout trooper was relentless and fired again. His anticipation grew as the cracks intensified. And as the trooper prepared to fire once more, Hoff slammed on the breaks. The biker kept accelerating, having not been focused on the lane ahead. By the time he realized Hoff had set him up, the bike was already colliding with a skyscraper.

Elsa battled her nausea from the sudden stop while Tiana was just fine. The youth glanced over and watched the Jedi attempt to take deep breaths. "Blockade!" Hoff called out as he zipped through the lanes. Several stormtroopers had positioned themselves beside a ray-shielded barrier. As Hoff tried to back up, more Imperials flooded the four way intersection. They didn't hesitate to start shooting, amplifying cracks and prioritizing them.

As the Skybolt came under bombardment once more, the Vicas gave each other a knowing glance. While Hoff reached for the gears, Datya pulled a lever on the dashboard. Elsa and Tiana braced themselves when targeting controls extended to Datya's hands. Once the controls were gripped, a modified Z-6...rotary blaster cannon emerged from the speeder's underside. As the old clone weapon started spinning, so too did Hoff. His good trick had the Skybolt drifting in a circle, all while Datya fired the cannon at foes. A spray of overwhelming, blue lasers proved devastating to the unprepared troops. The cannon's high-pitched blasts combined with its energetic rumble made it all the more intimidating. Explosions ignited as Datya blasted one of the ray shield generators.

"There's our opening!" she yelled while continuing to blast away.

"On it!" Hoff hollered and zoomed them through the carnage. Elsa was still dizzy as she glimpsed the wave of stormtrooper bodies just outside the window. "We've got to lose this gunship," Hoff growled as the pursuit craft returned. Sirens blared in the Skybolt as sensors detected an incoming projectile.

"Missile," Datya said much too casually for Elsa's liking. With astonishing ease, Datya simply deployed flares for the rocket to follow instead. The ensuing smoke from impact coupled with Hoff's maneuver through an overpass left the gunship pilot in a daze.

The stormtrooper leveled out and scanned the blast site. "I've lost visual," he called in over comms. "Seal off the street."

By the time reinforcements would arrive, the Skybolt was long gone. It zoomed into a graffitied tunnel system just beneath the overpass. As Hoff dimmed the lights and decelerated, his passengers tried to breathe again. The tunnel's darkness was welcoming after the chaos of so much laserfire.

"Status report?" Hoff inquired.

Datya was quick to examine readouts on the dashboard. "Engines unaffected, power core is stable...hull integrity held together. We're just going to need some new windows before we see action again. She glanced back from the passenger seat to check on their VIPs. "You ladies alright?" Datya winced as her question was followed up by Elsa's vomiting. "Hoff, we're going to need the clean the backseat. Again."

Tiana tried to ignore the potent incident beside her and chose to focus on her window. She couldn't help but notice seawater dripping from the cracked duracrete above. "Where...are we?" she asked.

"It's an old smuggler's tunnel that leads out of Coronet," Hoff explained. "In the days of the Republic, the Corellian government humored an underwater transit system to connect their cities. It was long abandoned when costs were focused on the Clone War. At least, abandoned to the public."

Elsa slowly came to her senses as Datya offered a towel. "It's good to see you alive, Elsa Dellian."

"Is it...really you?" the Jedi asked while searching through faded memories.

Datya nodded. "You're both safe now." She smiled reassuringly at Tiana. "I promise."

"I don't understand," Elsa murmured through slurred speech. "How did you find us? Where are we-" Her eyes followed the seemingly endless tunnel as uncertainty bubbled within.

"You must have so many questions," Datya sighed. "And rightfully so. We'd been tracking reports regarding young Tiana over here. A bulletin was placed from base, calling for all available teams to keep a lookout from their respective worlds."

"Teams?" Tiana asked.

Datya gently shook her still sweating head. "You two have been through so much," she said. "Countless others have been in those seats."

"And been just as nauseous," Hoff quipped until his wife glared.

"What I need you both to know more than anything right now, is that you aren't alone. You never have been. You may be scattered and lost in the shadows, but you exist. You will always exist. The Path promises to protect you."

"Its network has only grown," Hoff added. "Everyday citizens, ex-Imperials...even Rebel cells have all united to ensure the protection of lost Jedi and Force-sensitives."

"I don't know what to say," Elsa uttered, still processing it all. "Thank you."

"Thank the Force," Datya insisted. "It brought us all together precisely when it needed to."

"The Force?" Tiana questioned again. "Force-sensitive? I don't understand. I'm not-" Elsa and Datya's concerned looks confused Tiana more. "I'm not a Jedi."

"You don't have to be one to channel the Force," Datya explained. Tiana peered down at her still-trembling hands. The Pantoran continued as she clasped them. "We read the report. The Empire doesn't just casually have an all-out hunt for a rogue cadet. Whatever you really did, they recognized your power."

"And it scared them," Hoff remarked.

"But I was fine," Tiana protested as the airspeeder exited a tunnel. "I don't know what came over me. How did this just-"

"Without proper guidance, many modern Force-sensitives don't realize what's happening to them." Datya said. "While children were often identified in the Republic, it's harder for abilities to surface now." Datya unbuckled as the speeder came to a stop. "The Empire tried to wipe the Jedi from existence. But it doesn't matter how many you kill, when the Force is immortal. The Path is our reminder to hope and trust in the Force."

As Elsa and Tiana disembarked, they followed the Vicas to a rusty, underground warehouse. As they entered, the group observed a vast assortment of markings along the walls. "What is this place?" Elsa asked.

"One of many crossroads," Hoff explained. "All of the Force users and their allies who pass through, leave their mark."

Elsa ran her fingers along one of the walls and let herself imagine how many had come before her. As her hand reached a poorly etched symbol of the Jedi Order, her walls dropped entirely. Sinking to her knees, Elsa wept while reaching for the wall. Tiana tried to make sense of it all as Datya placed a hand on Elsa's shoulder. "There were others," Elsa sniffled. "After all these years, there were always others."

"Many." Datya dropped to her knees beside her. "When the Purge began, it was easy to feel cutoff. So isolated from everything. Only this was just another shroud the Empire had placed over us. Look at me." Elsa continued to weep as Datya rubbed her back. "Look at me, Elsa." The Jedi gently peered up, scrubbing the tears from her face. Datya spoke through her own tears as she said, "The grief of it all is over. The Force has kept you alive to reach this haven. You were never alone, and the Path will make sure you'll never feel alone." She pulled Elsa into an embrace and let her cry against her shoulder. Stroking her hair as a mother would her child, Datya lowered her voice. "I'm sorry we couldn't find you sooner, sweetheart."

"I was about to give up," Elsa admitted grimly, both to Datya and herself.

"What happened?"

"I...let myself hope again."

Datya smiled softly. "And it is that hope we must keep alive. I'm glad you're still with us, Elsa. You matter."

Elsa scrubbed her nose as she calmed down. "I'm sorry," she lamented. "Sorry about-"

"I know," Datya said while Hoff hung his head. "We miss Tori every day. But she was committed to the Order until the very end."

"She's the reason for any of this," Hoff added. "When our daughter was listed among the 'Jedi traitors' eliminated by the Empire, pardon my Twi'lek but we knew it was banthashit."

"She may be lost-" Datya said. "But she'll never be gone. Tori lives on in our actions and with every Force-sensitive we save."

As Tiana tried to understand the extent of grief those around her felt, a comlink chime snapped her out of it. Hoff hurriedly answered his device as a gruff voice emerged. "Vica," the voice beckoned. "What the bloody hell's going on in Coronet? Imperial comm channels are going crazy."

"We have her, Kawlan." Hoff answered. "Tiana Roze is safe with us and we've found another Jedi in the process."

Kawlan paused, comprehending the magnitude of it all. "The Force truly does work in mysterious ways. Good work, you two. Bring our new friends back to base. Remember, two lightspeed jumps before you get here."

"We'll do three for good measure," Hoff quipped. "Throw the Empire for a loop."

"There's blankets in the corner," Datya told the fugitives. "Why don't you get some rest before we go offworld? Don't worry, we'll wake you when it's time." While Elsa slowly lurched towards the blankets, Tiana found herself staring at the safehouse's entry door. Datya had seen the teen's look one too many times and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "No one is coming to get you here. You're safe. I promise."

With a deep breath, Tiana relented and grabbed a blanket. She tucked herself beside Elsa along the wall and tried to calm down further. She noticed her doing the same and spoke up. "So you're...a Jedi?" she asked.

Elsa might've been in a dilapidated compound, but she hadn't felt so safe in years. "Yes," she answered confidently.

"Does that mean I'm one too?" Tiana asked.

An assortment of answers crossed Elsa's mind. But while fear gripped several responses, she managed to whisper, "No. That's really up to you. But we really should get some sleep. We'll need it for the journey ahead."

Heeding Elsa's words, Tiana rolled over and let the tiredness claim her...purrgil free this time.

Datya's voice was a soft and welcoming whisper. "Tiana," she said with a gentle nudge. "Elsa. Time to go."

While the nap was meant to strengthen Tiana, she almost felt worse. Grogginess gave way to body-wide aches from all the running she'd endured. Elsa's hair was mess of knots as she rose from the ground. Ever a mother at heart, Datya withdrew a brush and started freeing the Jedi's locks.

"This way now," Hoff called out and led the others deeper into the safehouse.

The further they went, the more comfort Elsa found in the rows of survivors' names on the walls. Hope cannot be killed, she thought to herself.

They passed into a shadowy hangar, of which contained a Vica Foundation shipping vessel. "You'd be surprised at how much the vigilant Empire ignores," Hoff jested. "Especially if you're wealthy." There was detestment in his tone as he opened the ship's ventral hatch.

"No matter how much it's hurt-" Datya sighed. "-keeping our foundation operational all of these years has earned the Empire's trust. It's also allowed our 'charity' programs to extend across the Core Worlds. They leave us alone to save face...meanwhile we can shroud our movements for the Path."

"Thank you," Tiana said while Elsa nodded beside her. "For all of this."

Datya gave Tiana a hug. "I know everything must feel so terrifying now. But I promise, all will fall into place when the Force wills it to."

Tiana's brows furrowed, still processing all of this "Force" talk. She boarded the vessel and was guided to a row of seats in the hold. Elsa buckled in across from her as Datya handed over a pack of flight sickness pills. Having been unable to find them for years, Elsa practically ripped them out of Datya's hands. The Pantoran's eyes were benevolent, yet pooling with sadness. While she carried her own grief, it pained her with every person the Path saved. Knowing how much people had suffered, she always wished she could save more.

Hoff powered up the engines and spoke over the intercom. "Make sure you're buckled in and this will be a smooth flight into the Outer Rim. We'll be making a few lightspeed stops to throw off any pursuers, so hang on tight. In the event that we are boarded and searched, the floor panel closest to the hyperdrive doubles as a hidden room. It'll be warm for a few moments, but better to sweat than be captured."

It wasn't long before Datya joined him in the cockpit and the ship was on its way. Ascending from a hidden silo in a separate city, they were soon airborne. Imperial transmissions beeped and crackled to the Vicas. With professional ease, the elderly couple stayed level-headed and answered any questions. As they flew beyond the Imperial blockade, lesser known ships were stopped and searched. Elsa and Tiana had never been so relieved to hear the ship make its first jump to hyperspace. No matter where they were heading, they could trust being in safe hands.

Ironically, it was easier to find sleep sitting upright versus on the safehouse's chilled ground. At least, Elsa managed to get some sleep. She awakened to find Tiana peering at her, hands clenched at her sides.

"You can let go," Elsa assured. "The Empire doesn't know where we are now."

Tiana slowly shook her head. "That's not it. The last time I jumped to lightspeed, I hit a space whale. It's how I crashed on Corellia."

"Insane," Elsa commented. "The odds of hitting a purrgil are slim to none."

"Well lucky me, I guess."

Elsa's gaze narrowed as a thought crossed her mind. "Lucky you indeed." Her comment had Tiana looking up as she continued. "You get struck by a purrgil while my companion takes me to get help. Both of us end up on Corellia."

"What are you getting at?" Tiana asked. "That this is some kind of fate?"

"The will of the Force," Elsa explained, even while Tiana rolled her eyes. "Before I found you, I felt this...tremor in the Force. It pulled me towards finding you." Elsa noticed Tiana's curiosity and pressed it further. "Did you feel something too?"

Tiana pursed her lips, unsure how to admit what she'd experienced. "It was something odd, that's for sure."

"We sensed each other," Elsa said. "The Force moves through all living things and brought us together. For what reason, I am unsure."

"Maybe it was just luck," Tiana murmured. "Or some kind of curse."

"I don't understand."

"That's exactly the point!" Tiana snapped. "How is anyone supposed to understand this? This Force is suddenly just what? In my blood or something?"

"Technically yes," Elsa replied. "But it's always been there."

"No way," the teen rejected. "I was just fine. Then all of a sudden this...thing started happening." Tiana frustratedly swished her hands. "I was fine. Everything was fine. I was training at the academy. Had a chance to prove myself to everyone. Then I lost control."

"How so?" Elsa sincerely asked.

"I...don't know," Tiana mumbled.

Elsa didn't let up, sensing her conflict. "You do. But unless you let yourself feel-"

"I got someone killed," Tiana interrupted. Her face scrunched as her fists shook. "I couldn't keep my emotions together. We were making an arrest and this agent was-" Tears puddled in her eyes as she pressed on. "The way she kept hitting him...It was just too much. And I...woke up. I threw my hands forward and...and-..."

"You took action," Elsa spoke kindly.

"I betrayed the Empire. My home. My family."

"The Empire is actively hunting for you. Us."

"Maybe I deserve it," Tiana grieved. "If I'd only done as I was told. I'd be back at the academy. My Mama wouldn't think I was some criminal."

"You're blaming yourself for the Empire's doings," Elsa said. "To the best of my abilities, I understand your pain. But in time, you will come to realize that the Force was always with you. Whether you just started showing signs or not."

"I wish it'd never happened," Tiana sighed and crossed her arms.

"In time, you will see a world beyond the Empire," Elsa persisted. "That there's so much more to this galaxy than what they were feeding you in that academy. If you see yourself as a criminal, than anyone of us who opposes the Empire is too."

"Then answer this for me," Tiana snarked. "There's no crime without consequence. For all I know you could be feeding me lies. What did the Force users do to be considered criminals punishable by death?"

Elsa paused before answering. She reflected on everyone she'd lost since the attack on the Jedi Temple. Elders...young peers...children. And as the pain swelled in her throat, Elsa released her answer. "Our crime was existing."

Tiana quieted and averted her eyes from Elsa. For a brief moment in the teen's frustration, Elsa recalled how Stel used to get just as upset. When those painful memories clawed at her from within, Elsa hushed herself as well. As the ship jumped between hyperspace quadrants, Tiana and Elsa spent the remainder of their long flight sitting in silence.

The Vicas' vessel rocketed out of hyperspace and descended towards a ghostly pale planet. "Prepare for landing," Hoff spoke over the intercom as their ship cut through a sea of whispy clouds. They glided over massive expanses of salt flats and landed at their designated zone.

Elsa was relieved to experience space travel without motion sickness again. Her and Tiana unbuckled and made their way to a viewport beyond the hold. The sunlight was blinding, to the point where following the Vicas was the only way to figure out where they were. Sunlight blazed across the cloudless sky as the group set off on a crunchy surface. As Elsa dragged a heel across the salt flat, its pale coating gave way to crimson streaks.

"Welcome to Crait," Datya said. "Far enough to isolate in the Outer Rim, but close enough to maintain a network with other worlds."

The salt flats seemed to stretch on as far as the eye could see. Without a ship or any proper guidance, a wandering traveler could get lost in its landscape forever. Yet in despite of such a flat world, a mountainous protrusion existed in their direction. A set of scarlet trenches and older turrets were the only obstacle towards a dark facility. Guarded by a massive metal door, this establishment offered minimal light while inhabitants echoed from within.

"The Rebellion was stationed here briefly," Hoff explained. "When they up and left, the Path decided to make use of this space. It has sheltered all who we've saved until they can be relocated."

"Rebellion," Elsa pondered. "Which one?"

"The one," Hoff chuckled. "There's so much you have yet to see. Rebel cells from across the stars have united into an Alliance to Restore the Republic."

While Elsa was still contemplating it all, she couldn't help but faintly smile at the thought of a larger rebellion. She and Tiana had barely been out in the sun and were already baking. Stepping into the cavelike facility offered much needed shade, while a distant breeze arrived from behind. Once their eyes adjusted indoors, the fugitives observed a vast assortment of rebels. Anything from armed guards to steadfast technicians operated throughout the cave. Among them were clusters of refugees, of which varied between all ages. Elsa couldn't help herself, and scoured the groups for any familiar faces. While she didn't find any among those saved, she found comfort in knowing that Force sensitives were being protected. Thanks to everyday people willing to do what was right, the Force had a future.

A bearded man advanced towards the newcomers. In any other setting, his deep glower would've proven intimidating. But knowing that he was part of the Path added another level of security to it all. "Elsa...Tiana-" Datya began. "This is Kawlan Roken. All we've built is thanks to him."

No matter how gruff Kawlan appeared, his tone was low yet inviting. "We're honored to have you both here," he said. "You must be starving. We have a makeshift mess hall further into the cave. The slop isn't much, but it will keep you alive." The thought of cooked food had Tiana realizing how long she'd gone without eating. She stepped towards Kawlan, but hesitated upon being directed further. Kawlan sighed. "I've seen that look plenty of times, young lady. I promise you are safe here."

"We can even come with you," Datya suggested as Hoff nodded behind her.

"They're friends," Elsa assured Tiana. "It's okay."

Although intermittently hesitant, hunger got the best of Tiana. As she followed the group, she couldn't help but ask. "You coming?"

"I will," Elsa replied. "I just want to have a look around." Elsa was indeed hungry, but she was more curious about the facility itself. She gave the groups another once-over, but still saw no familiar faces. Instead, she made her way to a tired Nikto. His thick goggles helped him scour countless readouts on a holopanel. He nodded to her and continued with his toil. "What's all this?" she queried.

The Nikto gave himself a brief break to gesture towards the machine. "Reports from across the galaxy. While many Imperial transmissions are encoded, we can still browse news reports from different planets. It helps us locate Force sensitives every now and then. Or at least if they make enough noise."

"I must admire your devotion to this cause. I hope you all realize how much it means."

"The meaning comes and goes," the Nikto said. "But the Empire destroyed my homestead and took my children prisoner. If I can help at least one life, it helps me feel like I'm fighting for them."

"I'm so sorry," Elsa whispered.

The Nikto's ensuing hum was grizzly. "You talk to enough people in the Path and you'll learn we're all hurting. Former Imperials who couldn't live with themselves. Victims who have lost family...or even their entire worlds. All of us looking for some kind of retribution through all of this pain. And that makes the days bearable."

"I-" Elsa paused as one of the flashing bulletins caught her eye. The Nikto worried when she didn't continue, and then traced her gaze to a Coruscant report.

"Voice of Coruscant" Dia Veritaz killed after treacherous speech and fierce standoff with authorities

"Like I said," the Nikto huffed. "Even those in service of the Empire just...wake up one day. And they realize that they can't live with themselves any longer. So they...well-" He pointed to the report.

"Dia," Elsa murmured. No matter how many years had passed, her former foe had finally taken a stand.

"Tosko," a woman called from behind, catching the Nikto's attention. "The Bespin job was a bust. Got anything new on the scanners? I could really use a-" The woman froze as Elsa turned to meet her. Their piercing gazes met with melancholic astonishment.

The woman's dark violet pants were studded with the crests of her people. Her taut, leather holster kept a clunky Bryar pistol in place. A pine green vest was buckled atop her white undershirt. Long raven locks flowed freely behind her. The pink bandana that she'd carried since childhood lay tied atop her head. Ever the witty freedom fighter, she couldn't recall the last time she'd been so stunned. For while those in the Path had come to know her as Esmeralda, Elsa would always call her-

"Ezzie?" Elsa stammered. "Is it...really you?"

The Rovani's emerald eyes narrowed as she sank into disbelief. "By the stars," Ezzie uttered. "Elsa?" The Jedi slowly nodded. "Elsa?" Ezzie blurted, this time with enthusiasm sparking within. Her long lost friend nodded even faster. "Elsa!" Ezzie practically screamed and lunged forward with open arms. The women hugged each other tight, letting their blissful chuckles become kindly whimpers. "I knew you were alive," Ezzie sniffled while rigorously shaking Elsa. "I knew it I knew it I KNEW it!"

"It's so good to see you again," Elsa said while wiping her tears. "Look at you. All grown up."

"Look at you," Ezzie quipped. "Um...old?"

"Hey..." Elsa teased. "It will happen to you too."

Ezzie laughed off her sentiment with a jest. "We've got to stop meeting like this. One of us on the run from something every time."

"Yes well I don't think you can smuggle me in a box this time," Elsa replied. "How long have you been with the Path?"

"Too long," Ezzie huffed. Her tone shifted as broken memories filled her heart. "The persecution of my people only grew with the rise of the Empire. Many of us are scattered to the stars now, but the Path helps me make a difference. After all, I owe my life to the Jedi." She drew her Bryar pistol, twirled it, and pretended to shoot. "And I get to strike back at the Empire while I'm at it."

"Thanks for never giving up on me," Elsa said.

"I won't lie," Ezzie added. "You had me concerned for a moment there. Back when reports about your sister crossed our scanners. I didn't hear you were with her, and I-"

"Wait," Elsa snapped. "Anna? What?...Where?"

"Avinaria," Ezzie answered and looked at Tosko. "Crossed our feed what?...A week ago?"

Tosko started to recall the name and zipped through datafiles. Ultimately, he downloaded a kill-capture report showing Anna's grainy figure. "The planet's become a war zone," Tosko said. "The Path only operates covertly and we haven't found a window to safely get there. Imperial blockades run a tight ship. No...erhm...pun intended."

Elsa pursed her lips. "So she could still be there."

"Most likely," Ezzie considered. "But hard to be sure when there hasn't been a single report on her since the kill-capture order. And things have only locked down further since the Imperial chain of command was broken. If your sister is still down there with those warbirds, looks like she really stuck it to the enemy."

Elsa's wild eyes were focused on the projections. "There has to be a way to get there," she pleaded. "I'll even go myself."

"See reason, ma'am." Tosko grumbled. "Getting her out of that war zone is a suicide mission."

"Wouldn't be the first time I've heard that," Elsa asserted. "And it won't stop me."

"Well hey," Ezzie snipped. "I'd take on that mission with you. It beats running supply trips for a month." She eagerly tapped Elsa's shoulder. "Go talk to Kawlan. If he approves, let's fly."

Elsa nearly flew herself to the mess hall, stopping herself only to say "It's good to reunite, Ezzie." The Rovani offered a salute as Elsa ran further into the base. She was practically tripping over herself by the time the scent of food reached her nose.

"Elsa!" Hoff greeted with a swish of his spoon. "Just in time to dig in-"

"Mr. Kawlan," Elsa persisted. "I need a mission approved."

"Already?" Kawlan answered as Tiana peered up from her meal. "Usually this is where Force sensitives take refuge."

"Not while my sister is still out there." With each passing word, Elsa's tone became more strident. "The Path has shown us that we aren't alone. But Anna has no idea. I'm aware of the risks beyond this world. Which is why I won't ask anyone to accompany me. Well, except Ezzie." she insisted. "But I implore you, let me bring another Jedi home."

Kawlan sighed. "Something tells me that you'd find a way to go even if I didn't approve the mission." He nodded when Elsa did. "Mhm. You know...I was married to a Force sensitive. Loved her with everything I had. Which is why it tore a hole through me when the Empire took her life. Leading the Path has only helped me heal so far. But still to this day I ask myself if I did everything I could to keep her safe. As I still search for that answer, I see the same fire in you. You'll do whatever it takes to find your sister and the Path will stand with you. You wouldn't be the first Jedi to give back to us."

"When I find Anna, I won't be the last." Elsa answered.

"You have my permission to undertake this rescue," Kawlan decreed. "However, remember that no matter what happens, the Path must remain a secret. If you are captured...tortured...you never saw any of this."

Elsa understood the risk and offered a bow. "With the Force as my guide, I will see this done. Thank you all, for everything."

Ezzie was cleaning her weapon when Elsa approached. "We're approved," the Jedi said. "You sure you're up for this?"

"No matter how much time has kept us apart-" Ezzie insisted. "-I'll always be a risk taker. Plus it wouldn't be the first time I've helped you save Anna." As Elsa realized how right she was, Ezzie glanced behind her. "She coming too?"

"What?" Elsa mumbled, and turned to see Tiana in tow.

"I'm coming with you," the teen said.

"Absolutely not," Elsa snapped. "This is far too dangerous. And after everything you've been through, you need time to process-"

"Process?" Tiana contested. "It doesn't matter where I am, everything I've experienced is just going to twist through me if I sit with it. Now I appreciate these folks helping us out, but I'm not about to stay and get pulled into another cause. But you-" Tiana sulked. "We had whatever that...connection was. And if it really does mean something, I feel safest with you right now." Elsa nervously bit her lip as Tiana continued. "Plus the academy taught me military protocols. Don't waste my knowledge."

"I mean...the kid has a point." Ezzie shrugged. "And if she wants to tag along..."

"It's too risky," Elsa scolded.

"Everything has been risky, Grandma Dellian." Ezzie quipped. "Taking a stand against the Empire. Even just surviving all of these years. The risk will never end. So if the kid wants to help, come on. We were her age once."

"And we should've known better," Elsa sighed and glanced back at Tiana. "But the Force did bring us together for a reason. It's taken us this far, so why stop now?"

"So...I'm in?" Tiana asked. She was as shocked as she was eager.

"Welcome aboard, kid," Ezzie said while Elsa took a deep and resigned breath. She nudged the Jedi soon after. "But you. No way you're saving anyone looking like that."

"This is all I have," Elsa murmured and gestured to her tattered, stained garbs.

"Well all you have smells like throw up," Ezzie snarked as Elsa glowered. The Rovani flashed a daring smirk and said, "You're back in the fight, Elsa. There's no need to hide who you are. You're a Jedi. A symbol of hope for those who have none. "So if we're taking on this mission, you're going to need some new threads."

The Frozen Force Behind the Screens Trivia:

1. The Hidden Path first made its debut in the Disney+ series "Obi-Wan Kenobi" (2022). However, this Underground Railroad for Force sensitives had an early conception. It was initially supposed to be a plot point in the video game "Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order" (2019). It was ultimately featured in the game's sequel "Star Wars Jedi: Survivor" (2024).

2. The Skybolt has seen some upgrades over the years. This heavily gadgeted and weaponized vehicle is based on James Bond's Aston Martin.

3. Esmeralda "Ezzie" made her story debut in Season: 1 Chapter: 10 "Ezzie." Anna and Elsa helped escape persecution as a young Rovani girl. Years later, she's embraced freedom fighting as an adult.

4. The Hidden Path's base of operations might seem familiar to some Star Wars fans. This outpost on Crait made its onscreen debut in "Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi (2017). Here, the Resistance would seek refuge during the First Order's attack. While this was the location's first onscreen appearance, its history deepens. Comics and novels like "" show us that the Rebellion had long used the base. It was a place of operations for Bail Organa. Rebels occupied the location until shortly before the events of Rogue One. Considering that the Rebellion is no longer there, I'll let you do with that information what you will ;).

5. Speaking of the Hidden Path. Kawlan Roken made his first onscreen appearance in "Obi-Wan Kenobi" (2022). After the events of the series, he continues to lead this movement to safeguard Force sensitives.

6. This chapter features two references to "Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace" (1999). When Ezzie says Elsa is a symbol of "Hope to those who have none," this is an homage to the same line Shmi Skywalker tells her son, Anakin. And when Hoff spins the Skybolt and performs a "good trick", this is a reference to Anakin's line "I'll try spinning. That's a good trick!"

7. When Hoff says "Pardon my Twi'lek" before cursing, this is a reference to the common phrase "Pardon my French." Twi'lek is specifically used because their accents are revealed to be reminiscent of French people.

8. The late Tori Vica once wielded a lightsaber with a comet keychain that was gifted to her. Your author is an avid Kingdom Hearts fan. In fact, the concept of visiting different worlds with Disney characters formed the foundation for "The Frozen Force." With the Star Wars canon being the main backdrop, Tori's lightsaber chain is reminiscent of the Keyblades characters wield in Kingdom Hearts. A small nod to a delightful gaming franchise.

Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading this week's installment of "The Frozen Force." I'll see you next Friday, November 22nd for Chapter: 144 - Heroes of Hell.

Long Live Imagination and May the Force be with you,

~ Sparks