The Ghost came flying towards their base and connected to the ship. Exiting the Ghost, they entered and saw Sato, Sabine, Rex, and Peter waiting.
"We got the supplies, but we were fortunate to get away," Kanan said.
"Yeah, they had fun making it difficult for us." Peter sighed as he rubbed his shoulder.
"The Empire's making our travels around the Outer Rim tougher all the time." Kanan sighed.
"Yes." Sato agreed. "We need a new hyperspace route in and out of the Lothal sector."
"I may have a perfect shortcut." Sabine offered. "The system of Concord Dawn." She then pulled it up on the map. "It's a Mandalorian colony and not an Imperial territory yet."
"Why not? They've grabbed up just about every other place." Ezra said.
"Concord Dawn is known for its elite warriors," Rex admitted. "They were brought in to train clones back in the war. Bet even the Empire thinks twice about a fight with them."
"The question is, who are they loyal to?" Sato asks. "The Empire does occupy their home world of Mandalore, so Imperial influence could be a factor."
"Years before the Clone Wars broke out, the Mandalorians were already at war with each other," Sabine said. "This group calls themselves the Protectors."
"A bit egotistical if you ask me," Peter muttered to himself.
"They like to make up their own rules." Sabine continued.
"Sounds familiar," Hera said.
"So we go in with strength, scout the system for defenses to see what we're up against," Sato said.
"Or why not try diplomacy?" Kanan asks. "Ask permission to use their system as a shortcut."
"Diplomacy? Warriors like these only understand strength." Sato stated.
"He's got a point," Sabine admitted.
"Ditto, there." Peter also agreed.
"But we shouldn't make an enemy if we don't need to," Hera said. "If we get permission to fly through their space, the next step could be recruitment. To grow the rebellion, we need friends like these Mandalorians. We could have our route and a powerful ally as well."
Sato seemed to consider it and shrugged. "Very well, Captain Syndulla. The mission is yours."
"Okay if I tag along?" Sabine asks, knowing her knowledge of Mandalorians will help.
"I was hoping you'd ask," Hera said as they left.
"Hmm. Looks like diplomacy won the day for once." Ezra commented.
"There was a time when it always won the day," Kanan informed him,
As Hera and Sabine departed, Peter stood by a large viewport, his gaze fixed on the spacecraft as it roared into the star-speckled sky toward Concord Dawn. The engine's thunderous blast reverberated in his chest, but a heavy sigh escaped his lips as he turned his attention back to the dimly lit emptiness of the corridor. An unsettling feeling crept over him, a nagging sensation that something ominous lay just beneath the surface.
"You have got to be kidding me," Peter muttered in disbelief, his voice barely above a whisper as he caught sight of Mara Jade materializing before him. Though he recognized this was not her true form but rather an intrusion borne from their peculiar bond, irritation surged through him. "I don't wanna be doing this again."
Mara Jade, her fiery red hair cascading over her shoulders, surveyed her surroundings, momentarily disoriented. "Why is the Force connecting us?" she inquired, finding herself in a room that was distinctly her own yet felt detached from the chaotic reality where Peter stood. "I've interrogated dozens of people, and this has never happened before. It's like a… splinter in the fabric of the Force."
"I don't care about your theories," Peter replied tersely, frustration evident in his voice. "I just want you to stop this—now. I'm sick of you rummaging through my mind like it's your personal playground."
With a challenging glint in her emerald eyes, Mara stepped closer, narrowing the distance between them. "What are you so afraid that I'll uncover?" she pressed, curiosity igniting her determination. "Will I discover the location of your hidden base? Do your allies know of our secret link? Are they keeping you at arm's length?" She leaned in even closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Do they know about the monster you've been hiding inside? I saw what you did to that man."
Peter's jaw clenched, anger igniting a fire within him. "You only know half the story, Mara. If that's all you've seen, then you're far from understanding the truth. Now... leave me... alone..."
Just as Mara seemed poised to probe deeper, their connection was abruptly severed, a sudden void swallowing her presence. Peter watched helplessly as she faded from view, frustration mingling with exasperation. Rubbing his temples, he realized he needed to find a way to completely sever this unwelcome link between them before she stumbled upon secrets that could jeopardize the rebellion they fought so desperately to protect.
That was when he looked back out the window and saw the ship Sabine left on. "Sabine!?"
Sabine gasped as she removed her helmet as she panted.
"Sabine, what happened? We picked up a distress call." Kanan called.
"Kanan, we didn't have a chance," Sabine said in terror. "These Mandalorians work for the Empire, too."
That was when a second ship returned, this one looking much worse and even sparking. "Hera. Hera, can you hear me?"
"I see her," Sabine said, looking out her window and saw Hera was injured. "I see her, Kanan. It's bad. You've got to hurry. Please hurry!"
They got Hera back onto the ship and into the medical wing where Hank McCoy was looking over her. Hera had her headgear removed and most of her limbs were in bandages.
"How is she?" Kanan asked.
"Her vital signs have stabilized," McCoy assured them. "She is going to make it. But she does require rest."
"This is my fault," Sabine said in horror. "I shouldn't have left her."
"There's nothing you could have done," Peter assured her.
"He's right. I'm just glad you're both back in one piece." Kanan said with a sigh. "Commander Sato wants the details on what happened."
"Yeah, I'll be right there," Sabine said as he left. Peter stood with Sabine as she walked over to hold her hand. "I'm so sorry, Hera. They're going to answer for this."
Peter was going to try to talk to her when that odd voice came back. "Kill." That got Peter to look around. "Kill them..."
Peter rubbed his head and groaned, feeling like his connection with Mara Jade might be causing more problems than he thought.
"Hey," Sabine called, getting Peter to snap out of it. "You okay?"
"Yeah, sorry... guess this mission just isn't sitting well with me." Peter sighed, looking over to Hera. Ever since he landed in this world, she was like a mother figure like May was. Two people who were almost taken from him. He clutched the end of the bed and tried to calm his anger. "You ready?"
"Yeah, let's go," Sabine said as they headed off to the briefing room. She opened the doors and stormed her way inside. "Fenn Rau, the Protector of Concord Dawn. That's who did this. That's who we're up against."
"Rex, does that name sound familiar to you?" Kanan asks.
"It sure does," Rex said as he pulled up a Mandalorian file. "Fenn Rau was a fighter pilot instructor for the Grand Army of the Republic. He also served-
"At the Battle of Mygeeto. I know." Kanan recognized it. "I was there."
"That was a long time ago," Sato said.
"So I guess that negotiations have been taken off the table?" Kanan asks.
"Yeah? You want to negotiate?" Sabine asked in anger. "Let's negotiate, by destroying their ability to attack us. I tracked them from Concord Dawn's third moon. They must have a base there."
"If they scan our fleet approaching, their fighters will cut us to pieces," Sato warned them.
"Then I guess we'll have to hit 'em before they take off," Kanan said.
"You think you can infiltrate their base?" Sato asks.
"If Peter's new suit can cloak the Phantom, I believe I can," Kanan said.
"Ha." Peter chuckled. "Never tried that one before... now I wonder if this thing can survive space," he looked down at his hand, enveloping it around the Symbiote. "Something to consider testing."
"We can take out their fighters, all of them." Sabine got the talk back on track.
"It's risky, but I approve," Sato said.
"Well, I don't," Kanan said. "This is a solo mission, and I'm taking it with only Peter."
"Not really a solo mission, but..." Peter muttered to Ezra.
"Kanan, I know the Mandalorians." Sabine defended. "You need me on this mission."
"No way."
"We're a team. You can't go without us." Ezra said.
"All right. I'll take Chopper with us." Kanan said. "But that's all. And this is not open for further discussion."
"Come on, Peter, Chopper," Kanan said as they headed off.
"You heard the man, BD," Peter said as BD was following but was shocked to hear him.
BD chirped as he turned to Gwen who shrugged.
"Sorry, man," Gwen said as she saw she was also staying behind.
Chopper was less than pleased as he and Kanan used the Phantom to make their way.
"I can hear you." Kanan told Chopper. "And, yes, I know what I'm doing. Just program the nav-computer."
"Why do I have the feeling that you didn't tell everyone the full truth?" Peter asks Kanan.
"I may or may not have," Kanan admitted as they separated from the Ghost. "I figured to bring you along because you're likely not to start a fight first chance you get."
"Don't be so sure about that..." Peter whispered.
"KILL THEM..."
Peter watched the ship blast into Hyperspace. As he did, he heard something shift underneath them. He chuckled and smiled, not giving away he knows who's down there. He should have seen that coming. They came out of hyperspace
"Chopper, load up the intel Sabine gathered. We can pinpoint where their base is." Kanan said.
That was when the hatch opened, and Sabine stepped out of it. Peter chuckled as Chopper responded.
"What do you mean, 'Just ask her'?" Kanan asks.
"He means I'm standing right behind you," Sabine said, approaching Kanan. "Better jam those scanners."
"What are you doing here?" Kanan asks.
"You must have been distracted if you didn't see me stow away," Sabine commented.
"Peter, did you know?" Kanan asks.
"I had my suspicions," Peter shrugged. "Her armor clanks in small spaces."
"And you didn't say anything?" Kanan asks.
"Like I can control her," Peter scoffed.
"So, what are you really up to?" Sabine asks.
"You heard Sato's orders," Kanan said. "I'm gonna destroy those fighters before they take off."
"I know you better than that," Sabine replied. "Also, I heard what you said to Peter."
Kanan sighed and saw there was no point in hiding. "Fine. I'm going to finish Hera's mission. We need to recruit the Mandalorians to join the rebellion."
"The Protectors almost killed Hera." Sabine reminded him. "What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking we can still offer them a chance to change," Kanan said. "Everyone deserves a chance."
"Should we send that same regards to Mara Jade? The Inquisitor? That evil robot Sith Lord who stabbed me!?" Peter asked sarcastically.
"He's right." Sabine agreed with Peter. "This Jedi philosophy stuff doesn't work for everyone."
"That's why we're at war," Kanan stated as they flew in.
Abandoning the Phantom, Chopper flew off with Sabine, and Peter leaped off and landed with Kanan following. They approached the base in the shadows while Peter morphed the Symbiote around him. Sabine used her scope to look around while Peter used his suit's enhancements to scope the area of everything.
"Well? What are we up against?" Kanan asks them.
"Including the two starfighters on patrol? Eight ships total." Sabine reported.
"But they're spread out, so it's gonna take me a while to plant charges," Peter warned him. "You take half, and I take half?"
"Sounds like a plan," Sabine said as she passed off some of her explosives to Peter. "I think I brought enough explosives."
"You always bring enough explosives," Peter said, almost like he was flirting with her.
"Hopefully, you won't have to use 'em," Kanan said, noticing an Imperial shuttle approaching. "Now get down."
They ducked into the rocks to not be spotted as the ship came in and landed. They watched as the ship flew into the base and a few Imperial troops exited the ship and one carrying a container of credits.
"They got company."
"Looks like the Empire bought their loyalty," Peter commented.
"See the Mandalorian accepting the credits?" Sabine asked them. "That's their leader, Fenn Rau."
"Here is the payment for the next rotation." The Imperial said.
"This arrangement is working to your benefit." Fenn Rau said. "I encountered a squadron of rebels."
"The rebel fleet?"
"Not an entire fleet." Fenn Rau said. "A couple fighters. But my men and I took care of them."
"If they return, be sure to contact us."
"Sounds like your negotiations are gonna go great," Sabine said sarcastically.
"What's the plan? I mean, if diplomacy doesn't work." SAbine asks Kanan.
"You give me a chance to recruit the Mandalorians," Kanan told them. "If that doesn't work out, then you get to blow up their fighters. We have a deal?"
"KILL!" That voice came back into Peter's mind.
"Fine." Peter tried to ignore the voice, but it was becoming tempting.
"But not just the ships," Sabine said. "Rau has to pay for what he did to Hera."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Kanan said as he walked downward to sneak onto the base.
"I hoppe it does," Peter snarled as he followed them onto the base.
"Two rebels burned. The rest fled. He wants us to stay on guard." One of them said.
"Plant your bombs, but wait for my signal," Kanan told them.
"All right," Sabine said as they headed off.
"Hey. I trust you." Kanan reminded them.
"Yeah, yeah," Peter sighed as he leaped above one of the huts.
Sabine began to plant the bombs over the ships around the base. Peter used his tendrils to create diversions by knocking over some supply crates, or even knocking out some of the Mandalorians to give Sabine an opening.
Sabine was thankful for that as she then activated the bombs and placed them on the ships as they came around. One Some were coming in for a landing, and others were sitting around refueling. She sneaks her way around, waiting for an opening or letting Peter make her one. She placed the bombs on one, and she saw one farther away than the rest of them. She sneaked backward when she saw two Mandalorians walking but, accidentally hitting her head against one of them.
"Ow!"
"What was that?" That was when two tendrils came down, wrapping around their necks and yanking them upward. "Yah!"
Peter then showed himself as he landed beside the ship. "You're welcome."
"I could have handled them," Sabine said as she walked out from underneath. "I just didn't want to get spotted."
That was when a dozen Mandalorians came out and aimed their blasters at them. "Well, you are doing a splendid job at that," He said sarcastically.
"How's it going, boys?" Sabine asked, holding her blasters as they looked at the dozen or so Mandalorians.
"Where did you steal that armor from, bounty hunter?" One of them asked.
"Bounty hunter? Not lately." Sabine proclaimed as she leaped on the ship, Peter quickly following as he didn't want to be around them. "I forged this armor with my family."
"Family? That's a bold claim." Another said. "What's your house?"
"I'm Clan Wren, House Vizsla." Sabine proclaimed.
"House what?" Peter asked, this being the first he's heard about Sabine's backstory outside the Empire.
"House Vizsla? She's Death Watch." Another Mandalorian said. "Traitor!"
"My mother was, but I'm not," Sabine stated. "I came here to settle a score, and I invoke the code to seek justice through single combat."
"No one has invoked the code since the Empire took over."
SAbne leaped off the ship, leaving Peter as he stayed on the hood. "Well, who's in charge here? The Empire or Mandalore?"
They rushed to get Fenn Rau and Kanan as they exited out of the hut and saw dozens of Mandalorians and Peter. "Guys, I thought we had an agreement," Kanan said.
"They started it." Sabine defended.
"More or less." Peter shrugged.
"Your house is an enemy to the Protectors," Fenn told Sabine. "Call out your opponent for combat to the death."
"I thought you'd never ask," Sabine said, removing her helmet. "I call out you, Fenn Rau. You're gonna pay for what you did to Hera."
Rau sighed as he circled around Sabine. "Just like I said, you rebels fight battles you can't win. I assume Hera is the pilot I shot to pieces earlier. I guess she didn't make it."
"She's alive." Sabine corrected. "Barely."
"I got to admit this is an interesting development," Fenn admitted. "One of you came here to befriend me, the other came to kill me."
"We can't let you attack our fleet." Peter proclaimed.
"Kill!"
"But we'd rather leave here as friends." Kanan tried to deescalate.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"From what we can see, he's already the enemy." Peter retorted.
"Sabine, you know this isn't what Hera wanted." Kanan told her. "She didn't want to create enemies and she wouldn't want you to die."
"I'm not planning on dying." Peter stated.
"I'm afraid the only way you're getting out of here alive is if she kills me, and that is not going to happen." Fenn stated.
"Oh my- Are you serious?" Peter asked, putting his hands on his head in frustration. "Gah! What is it with you Mandalorians, never knowing how to solve anything except through the end of a blaster? I mean, what is this, the Wild West?"
"I beg your pardon?" Fenn asks.
"It's complicated." Kanan sighed. "Sabine, you do this, and you're no better than him."
"You guys have to trust me," Sabine tells him.
"Sabine, you make this choice, and win or lose, the Empire is going to be all over this system and the fleet." Kanan tried to warn her.
"Kanan, you need to stop talking now," Sabine said, standing in her stance to draw her blaster.
There was a standoff for a good moment before Fenn made his move. But Sabine was faster as she shot the blaster out of his hands. "There are alternatives to fighting."
Sabine grabbed her helmet and put it on, setting off the detonators. Peter leaped out of the way, the explosions going off around him. He screamed as his suit felt the heat of the explosion and began to malfunction. Sabine rushed over and grabbed him, running into the hut to get out of the open. Fenn Rau took off, running towards his shuttle to alert the Empire. Kanan flipped the table while the Protectors kept shooting at them.
"Yep, this is just like the Wild West." Peter groaned, letting his suit heal for a moment.
"Are you feeling better now? You've got to blow stuff up." Kanan told Sabine.
"I thought you'd be happy I didn't kill anyone," Sabine stated.
"Actually, I'm thrilled," Kanan admitted.
"Well, here's the bad news: Rau's fighter is at the far end of the field, and we weren't able to set the charges on it before they captured me." Sabine warned him.
"You're saying we should go after him?" Kanan asks.
"Yes! For the first time today, we agree on something." Sabine stated.
"Fine. But we are still not killing anyone." Kanan warned them.
"You love making this hard for me." Sabine cried.
"I'll clear a path; be ready!" Peter said.
Using all of the power of the Symbiote, Peter leaped into battle, his suit turning into a pile of goo around him as he swarmed his way over and tackled the Mandalorians. He then made it outside, spitting out all of the Mandalorians, sending them flying and giving Kanan and Sabine a chance to escape. Kanan chased after Fen's ship before it took off, and Peter was attacking the Mandalorians with tendrils sprouting from his hands. He latched onto them, raising them into the air and slamming them into the ground.
"Come on!" Peter screamed, leaping into the flames, using another Mandalorian to punch and send flying. "You're Mandalorians?! I've dealt with Stormtroopers who fought better than you!"
"Peter, I think we're done here," Sabine said, seeing he defeated the Mandalorians easily. "Chopper? Come get us."
Kanan was crawling upside the ship Fen was attempting to break through the atmosphere. "Still think we can't win?" Kanan asked, seeing the Phantomf lying upward towards them. "Our ride's here."
Kanan drew his saber, slicing the engine. "No!"
Kanan leaped and sliced off the hull of the ship and leaped into the Phantom. "When you set your mind to something, you're kind of frightening." Sabine admitted.
"How do you feel?" Kanan asks Fenn.
"Like a prisoner." Fenn scoffed, his comm beeping.
"Better get that," Kanan said.
"Are you crazy? You can't let a prisoner receive outside communications." Sabine stated.
"Just answer it," Kanan told him.
Fenn nodded and answered. "Sir, are you all right? We're marshaling our reserve starfighters for pursuit."
"Stand down. There's no need." Fenn sighed.
"But, sir, if the Empire finds out about your capture-"
"You're not gonna let that happen," Fenn said.
"And the rebels?"
Fenn sighed as he didn't have a choice. "Until I give the word, there is to be no mention of the rebels. And their ships are to be granted safe passage through our system."
"As you wish."
"Welcome to the Rebellion," Kanan said with a smile.
"Not really how I wanted this to end," Peter admitted to Sabine.
Gwen was currently in a training module room that Peter had begun working on with the other scientists. It's a training module that would help other members of their rebellion with powers training to use them and figure out how they worked in safety. Gwen was testing out her bio-electricity, trying to figure out the limits and how far they could actually go. She, however, was beginning to feel drained as she began to cool down.
"Wow," Someone said, getting Gwen to look over to see a pilot with long blonde hair in a ponytail. "So, this is where heroes go to train."
"Oh, hey," Gwen greeted her. "Yeah, my... I guess he is the Master to my Apprentace... said I should keep training. Said I can never be too prepared for something. Keeps my mind off of things..."
"He is right," She agreed as she entered. "But I also learned that it's important to cool down and try and not push yourself too far."
"Who trained you?" Gwen wonders.
"My brothers," She admitted. "Raised me to survive in the rise of the Empire. When I got old enough... I joined the Rebellion."
Gwen chuckled. "Well, I was raised differently. Raised in the height of the Empire. Was given a first row seat to their cruelty."
"And now you are here." She shrugged. "Seems like it led you down the path you were meant to."
Gwen chuckled. "Guess it did. Name's Gwen. You?"
"Omega." She introduced herself with a smile. They then heard an incoming ship. "Seems like they're back."
Gwen rushed out and wanted to see how things went. She was there to watch as Fenn was being walked off as a prisoner. "So... did things go according to plan?"
"More or less," Peter shrugged. "I would have liked to knock one of his teeth out. But... victory is a victory."
"Sabine. Kanan. Hera is awake." Ezra rushed towards them. "Hera wants to see you."
Sabine looked at Peter. "Go. She wants to see you." Sabine nodded and walked off. "Hey." She looked back. "Killing him wouldn't have made you feel better. Take it from someone who understands the pain."
Sabine nodded as she walked off to meet Hera. Gwen, however, was confused. "What does that mean?"
Peter smiled as he patted her on the shoulder. "Maybe one day I'll explain..." He then walked off, leaving Gwen confused. "Come on, rookie!"
Gwen chased after him, seeing they were going back to training.
Mara Jade was still in her room meditating, trying to see what else she could glean from this connection with Peter. She felt something through the Force and tried to sense what he was hiding.
"I'll pick you up later, kid. Have fun."
"Peter, something happened..."
"You murdered my uncle!"
Mara Jade gasped when she felt his pain over what had happened. She had only glimpsed into it before being pulled out, making her wonder what else he was hiding.
(A/N) So the next few episodes don't have much for me to change, so what do you guys say to me jumping to the "Homecoming" chapter, where I have something planned to change?