Hondo quits! That's it! No more! It's too much! There's no profit! Hondo tried but all those credits just sitting there! Hondo is not a saint! He is a pirate! And also a very affectionate uncle. My friends, the Treasury job did not work out. All those credits guarded by such lowly defenses! What's worse! Hondo knows its weaknesses. One charge at the right place and? And? It was too tempting what Hondo is trying to say. He loves his family but perhaps there is honest work elsewhere. Onto Season 2! The Siege of Lothal! Yes! Hondo knows you've been waiting for this one! The True Story! Now, roll the music! Dun-duh-dun-dun! Dun-duh-dun-duh! What do you mean that's not how it goes?
The Siege of Lothal: Part 1
"Don't suppose that caf is the way to a girl's heart?"
Han Solo returned from the small galley of the CR90 corvette (or Blockade Runner as it was commonly called these days) with a cold beer in hand, to see the Mandalorian Girl still in a conversation with Chewie, and doing everything possible to ignore the sullen kid sitting beside her.
Han was of three minds on this. First, few understood the Wookie language, fewer still were fluent in it. So he figured to let his best pal enjoy the opportunity. Two, he'd never heard Chewie ever talk about hair dye, although if Chewie ends up highlighting his hair like the girl suggested Han would never let him hear the end of it. And three, he didn't know what the kid did, but it was a look he'd seen on many men's faces.
He screwed up.
It was close, which was more entertaining, but Chewie running around with his bowcaster with pink hair won out as the more funnier.
Entertaining as these Rebels were, they wouldn't be staying much longer, anyway. Still, as he glanced out the viewport of the Blockade Runner, and all the damage that supposedly one ship could do to a squadron this size. Han couldn't help but wonder about what new toy the Empire had rolled out with.
His gaze drifted until his eyes focused on the boy, Ezra Bridger. The one the Empire was so hard for and how the kid sat next to the girl. He was in the doghouse, that was for sure. But Han picked up on the protective vibe the kid had for her. Or maybe something more?
Sure Han had looked, the girl knew how to flash that hair of hers. He didn't know spit about dying hair but thought her current look was just fine. But she was a little young for his taste. Maybe in a few years, let her grow up a bit more. But not now.
And while he didn't know about this Force stuff, the girl was clearly a walking arsenal of firepower. The last thing she needed was protecting. He could see why the Empire's bounty on her was so high. That the kid's was double hers. That was a bit of a shock to Han.
"You want to know," Ezra said as he glanced up at the smuggler standing beside their table.
Han wasn't sure what Ezra meant by that, so he played it smooth. "Way I figure it," Han said. "The less we know, the better," Han said and took a long sip of that frothy chilled beer. "But if you're in the mood for spinning a tall tale, knock yourself out."
Ezra looked uncertain, which made sense. The kid must be special, but he was still a kid. And one who had yet to learn what was too much to share with a mercenary like Han Solo. And the look on the kid's face. There were just some things you couldn't fake. Han sighed and glanced back at what remained of Phoenix Squadron. "One ship really did all that damage?"
"The TIE-prototype," Ezra said. "It doesn't look like other TIEs. So if you see it, run."
"No problem," Han said. "That's our usual MO when it comes to dealing with the Empire, anyway." Han then took up the chair across from Ezra and shifted until he felt just the right amount of comfort and easy access to his blaster. Meanwhile, the girl next to them continued to talk with Chewie in a language the kid didn't understand.
"Although," Han said and glanced out at the galley's viewport to look at his own girl. The one girl he loved most in the galaxy. "No one's told me yet how the Falcon got mixed up in all this. And we got time. Not going anywhere 'till you Rebels finish patching her up. And I'll never say no to learning about the latest and greatest the Empire has up its sleeve."
Ezra smirked at that, and as Han suspected, there was something juicy he was holding back on. "Tell you what," Han said. "Start wherever and if it looks like you're about to tell me something, I'm better off not knowing? I'll give yah a hint."
Ezra studied him and then seemed to come to a decision. "You're not like other smugglers I've met," he said.
"Give it time, maybe I'll surprise you," Han said with a cavalier attitude, but the kid picked up that that was Han's own way of joking and busting chop. So he smiled and nodded, okay with an arrangement like that.
"Okay. Well, it does start off with a space fight."
Han narrowed his eyes. "Against that TIE-prototype?"
Ezra shook his head. "No. That's the grand finale."
Han glanced out at the viewport and frowned. No fighter patrols. Hadn't seen a single one. "I thought you Rebels had A-Wings."
Ezra glanced too, only at a table at the far end of the galley. "We began with eight. Now we're down to… Less than eight. And I think that's all the pilots we have left." Ezra said with a nod to a far table with ten or so sorry looking pilots. But only two had actually fought. The rest had recently come off their shift. The only reason they were here now was they had no A-Wing to hop into, join the fight, and then get knocked out of the box by this legendary TIE that Han keeps hearing about.
"So this one prototype that took you out? Was it one at a time? Two at a time?"
"More like all of us."
Han blew out a long breath, trying to imagine such an impossible feat. "Okay, kid. You got my attention."
Ezra nodded. "So this was two cycles ago. Three Gozanti-class cruisers, their TIEs, and their cargo. Simple hit and run."
"Yeah," Han said and took another sip. "Only the Empire has increased its fleet out here. Don't imagine it'd leave three cargo ships all by their lonesome."
Ezra nodded and the boy's curious eyes fell upon Han's drink. The smuggler smirked.
"I see what you're thinking. Keep talking. Then maybe I'll see about sneaking you a cold one."
Ezra rolled his eyes.
"So a CR90, the A-Wings, and our freighter, the Ghost."
"I noticed her out there," Han said. "Nice ship. Reminds me of the Falcon. Can't say I'm too impressed by your A-Wings. Only thing crazier than flying a TIE fighter is flying one of those death traps."
"Not a fan of snub fighters?" Ezra said.
"Not a fan of a hyperdrive with no navcomputer or astromech to adjust headings. And those things are starved for power. The only thing they have going for them is-"
"The missiles." Ezra said and nodded. "Well, anything that can damage a Star Destroyer is okay in our fleet."
"Don't mean to rain on your parade, Ezra Bridger, but this is no fleet. And those guys over there?"
Ezra glanced at the table of surviving A-Wing pilots.
"You're either very brave or very stupid to fly those things. Especially without training."
Ezra frowned. "We train."
Han smirked and wagged his finger at Ezra.
"Not when fuel is being rationed for missions only. Meanwhile, those TIE pilots are getting their daily sorties in."
There came a Wookie growl and Ezra sighed, looking at Chewie and the girl.
"Han's right, Ezra," Sabine said, but didn't look at him when she said it. "Remember, only the best become TIE pilots and fuel is not a problem for the Empire. Not yet, at least. And the only A-Wings that survived were both flown by former Imperials."
"Bush piloting just isn't the same as fighter training," Han remarked, but made certain to keep his tone respectful. "Now about this Prototype to keep an eye out for?"
Ezra shook his head but began to let the friendly smuggler in on what was up. "Okay. But first the hit and run."
The Ghost swung around the ongoing space battle, Hera making certain to pick their fights - and to keep a special eye on Sabine who was in the Phantom by herself, waiting for her chance. Well, her and Aresix. It was a big responsibility for the teen and a milestone of how far she had come. But Hera was taking no chances when one of her space kids was involved in a task like this.
And it was only three Gozantis and their small compliments of TIEs, Hera had designated the Ghost to stay on TIE fighter patrol versus engaging in any of the cargo cruisers. From the looks of things in the nose gun and the jubilant tone on the comm, everyone was working well together. Like this wasn't only their third time out together with Phoenix Squadron.
Still, Ezra would expect nothing less of Hera to designate the Ghost to its role. Besides, he wasn't one to brag, but he had surpassed all but Sabine and Kanan in terms of gunnery accuracy. And right now they weren't running from TIEs, but seeking out ones that were vulnerable or were about to get an A-Wing in its crosshairs.
That was the one disappointing thing Ezra had learned about Phoenix Squadron. While they had guts, the Imperials just outclassed them. As Sabine had spelled it out for him, it was all about flight time and teaching. The TIE pilots had an entire Empire filled with Ace pilots from the Clone Wars. Phoenix Squadron just had Phoenix Squadron.
Which made Kanan and Ezra's skill in the turret even more important.
"Making for the freighter, keep the TIEs off our back," Hera ordered the rest of Phoenix Squadron.
Upon hearing her, Ezra watched the two A-Wings that had formed up on the Ghost peel away.
"Split formation, Phoenix-2. I'll cut across their axis." The A-Wing leader said across the comm..
Ezra watched as the A-Wings, with their superior speed, flew out ahead and knocked out a few TIEs that had yet to detach from their cruiser. Before they could come into Ezra's cannon range.
"Good shot, Phoenix-1," Ezra complimented. "Save some for the rest of us."
It was a friendly jab as seconds later, another TIE crossed the Ghost. And Ezra was right there, guns ready, and blasted it into little bits of space dust.
"Got another!" Ezra crowed. He could do this all day.
"On our six!" Kanan called out. "Can't get an angle!"
A sudden volley of laser cannon bursted the attacking TIE into little itty bits.
"Got you covered, Ghost," Phoenix-4 said.
"Phew." Hera said. "Kinda nice having Phoenix Squadron watching our backs."
"We always did alright on our own." Kanan was quick to reply as he continued to drop TIE fighters from the upper turret.
"True," Hera said. "But I prefer flying with our new fleet to flying solo."
"Oh," Kanan yelled back, his tone taking on sarcasm. "You were solo?"
Ezra rolled his eyes at the ongoing "debate" between the two. Then he refocused on the fight. Even with Phoenix Squadron around, that wasn't a guarantee this mission would be easy.
With Sabine taking the Phantom, that meant no rear cannon and leaving a blind spot for any sneaky TIEs that managed to sneak up on them. Which was weird because with Chopper plugged into the sensors he should've given Hera a heads up they were about to be in trouble.
Hera could outfly anything and anyone, but it was still important to keep an eye on their six, or point one-eighteen, as Sabine had lectured him long ago when he first came aboard.
Suddenly a TIE swerved, and it looked to hit the Ghost dead on in some sort of suicidal collision. But Hera was quick to pull the Ghost out of harm's way. Ezra made a note to keep an eye out for any TIEs that decided to try something like that again.
"I wouldn't mind getting my feet back on solid ground for a while." Zeb griped from the Cargo Bay as he hung onto the platform's railing for dear life.
"Come on, Zeb. What's your sense of adventure?" Ezra teased. The only response was thud as the purple furball lost all balance and fell from the platform and into the bottom of the Cargo Bay.
Ezra winced. But then refocused on the fight happening around them. It was a good thing too as another TIE made another close attack, but his aim with the turret managed to convince it to pull back.
"That was close! Good work, Spectre-Six," Hera said. "Keep it up."
'That's the other thing about Imperial pilots.' Sabine explained to him. 'Only the best get to fly the TIEs, right? So we're talking about people who gave up promising positions, like becoming an Admiral and commanding your own Star Destroyer. Or even higher. That's how much flying a TIE means to them. They are the best. Do not underestimate them.'
'Okay. You say that but a lot seem to defect. What's with that?'
'Well, there's a catch. Being a pilot is different. Because it meant access to Top Secret strategic information that the Empire keeps hidden from the rest of the galaxy. But being a TIE pilot is a backstage pass. Every single TIE pilot heard what you said in that transmission. A lot of them probably had doubts already. All you did was confirm those doubts. Not all of them are, but a precious few must be looking for an opportunity to defect at some point. Because they see what's happening too, and it's not the sort of thing that they were told when growing up with nothing but Imperial propaganda to listen to.'
She smiled and headed back to her cabin, but the unsaid part was clear. You did that.
"Chopper?" Hera said.
"Yeah, yeah. There's an opening!" the droid reported back in his native binary, none too happy about the wild flying and struggling to not fall over.
Hera keyed the comm. "Phantom, I'm moving into position."
"Copy, Spectre-Two. I'm on my mark." Sabine's voice came in loud and clear. Ezra smiled at the sound of it.
From their flank the Phantom, which Sabine had kept largely on the periphery of the battle, swooped in and penetrated the defensive formation of the three cruisers. With an unwavering focus and her eyes and crosshairs targeting the belly of the lead cruiser, she unleashed a massive volley of firepower from the Phantom's guns.
The unexpected attack broke through the cruiser's deflector shield and hit the vulnerable cargo shipment the cruiser was carrying, releasing it from the cruiser and spreading it out into space to drift. Just as planned.
"Cargo is liberated." Sabine reported. "Spectre-Two, you're clear for pickup."
With a sudden pull of the stick, Hera jarred the Ghost to its side as she artfully moved the freighter into position. And then it happened.
Two Imperial Arquitens class light-cruisers dropped out of hyperspace directly in front of them. Carrying not just more TIEs as they were like over a hundred times the size of the Ghost. And unlike these Gozantis, they actually carried devastating weaponry. Namely turbolasers.
And there were two of them.
"Imperial reinforcements have arrived!" Hera said, alerting all the other Rebels over the comm.
"Ah, Karabast!" Ezra said.
More TIEs were incoming, but a few blasts from Kanan in the top turret gave them something to think about. Ezra pushed aside the burst of anxiety and opened fire at the rest of the incoming swarm. They didn't get any, but the Imps would think twice before coming at them.
"Whew!" Ezra exclaimed excitedly. "Got real crowded all of a sudden."
While the Ghost was in fine shape, the same couldn't be said for the others.
"I need a little help." One of the Phoenix pilots said over the comm. "They're all over me!"
Ezra checked the scope. He had never seen so many dots before in his life. And he couldn't recall the voice of that Phoenix pilot or where he could be or even if Ezra was in range to help!
"Got you covered, Phoenix-1!" a voice said, answering the call.
Sabine.
What? Ezra thought. But Sabine was supposed to keep the Phantom at a safe distance and out of the fight. Nevertheless, he watched her dot enter the fray and somewhere out there began shooting.
All he could do was wait and hope, and take solace that she wasn't entirely alone. Aresix would back her up if anything happened. Like this. Because once Sabine made her mind up about something, there was no talking her out of it. And come to think of it Ezra didn't think he'd be able to stand by either.
As always, neither were very great at following directions.
A dot disappeared from where Sabine had taken the Phantom, and then sure enough her voice sang from the comm.
"Phoenix-1, you're all clear!"
"Thanks, Phantom! Pulled me out of the fire!"
"Ghost to Phoenix. Drag the TIEs beneath their capital ships. There are less turbolasers there. Corvettes keep your distance. You can't let yourselves get too close to those things!"
"I'm afraid it may already be too late for that. Diverting power from weapons to shields!" Commander Sato reported over the comm.
And to Ezra's horror, he watched as the cruisers with their speed close the distance and soon were able to begin raking Sato's CR90s with broadsides from turbolasers. Even with shields at full power, they wouldn't last long!
"They are targeting our shields. Ghost, we must withdraw!"
"Acknowledged, Commander Sato, but first we're getting what we came for."
"Phoenix Squadron form up on me," Sabine called across the comm. "Switch to missiles, raise your shields, and target the turbolasers on those cruisers. We'll buy you some time, Sato."
"A very clever delaying tactic," Skippy said, speaking from Ezra's wrist brace. "With high odds of success and survivability."
Ezra let out a breath he didn't even realize he'd been holding. "Thanks, Skippy," Ezra said as he squeezed the trigger and finally his cannon fire tore through one TIE fighter's thick armor and burst it into wreckage.
"My pleasure, Sir. Your accuracy had slipped by ten percent when Sabine first entered the fray. And now your Master is in the lead for most TIEs destroyed."
"Well, we can't have that!" Ezra said, and with renewed vigor from Skippy's little pep talk, soon blasted another TIE to pieces.
"Zeb, get ready to pull those containers aboard." Hera yelled loudly, loud enough so the Lasat could hear her from the cockpit.
"I've been ready, woman!" he shouted back. "I don't have a chair to strap into!"
"Chopper, compensate for the gravity projectors," Hera ordered.
With so many voices on the comm, Hera decided those on the Ghost would communicate the old-fashioned way in order to avoid any miscommunications. But still, the Ghost had been on its side for a while now as Hera worked to get the Ghost into position.
Ezra felt his body slump into a more natural position as Chopper adjusted the ship's artificial gravity field.
"Phantom reports turbolaser battery down!" Sabine said. "But the other cruiser is almost in range!"
"Zeb!" Hera shouted.
"Almost in range!" he said from his position at the Ghost's cargo controls. It felt like forever but finally Ezra felt the magnetic field whirl up and several tons of precious cargo were clamped aboard the Ghost.
"Gotchya!" Zeb shouted.
"Ghost to Phoenix Squadron, mission accomplished," Hera called out across the comm.
All around him, Ezra watched as A-Wings broke off their attack runs and headed for clear space. One by one they and the damaged corvette jumped until it was just the Ghost and Phantom left.
With a kriff-ton of angry Imperials.
"Spectre-five, bring it in," Kanan said.
"Already in the pocket. Five by one." Sabine confirmed. Which was good as Ezra had lost visual on nearly every TIE fighter, which meant their attention wasn't on the front of the Ghost but what was happening in the back!
He felt the Ghost lurch and then heard a loud thunk.
"She's home," Ezra said, much to his relief. And then smiled as he heard the Ghost's rear cannon instantly go to work to fend off the remaining TIEs.
"Chopper, compensate gravity," Hera said as the Ghost flew clear of the remaining ships and then leveled out, much to Zeb's relief.
"Punching it," Hera reported
Ezra leaned back from the gun controls and smiled as the millions of dots, each one a star, turned into lines and then the familiar blue safety of hyperspace. Mission accomplished.
Han Solo returned to the chair, this time with a second and third beer - only the third beer wasn't for him.
"Hey!" Sabine said. "Ezra, no! You're too young!"
"Hey, Paintbomb was it? They have you attacking Star Destroyers and they are so desperate to stop you they're resorting to slamming their TIEs into the ship to kill you all. I think the kid who waxed over a half dozen TIEs has earned one."
"First, only Ezra gets to call me that! And two. He's too young!"
"Wow," Han said as he looked from the fiery Mandalorian girl to the kid with the obvious crush on her. Uncertain of what to do. "Sorry," Han said. "But too young? Didn't take you for a stickler to the rules. Just thought if he's old enough to face something like that, and whatever else, he can at least try one.
Sabine opened her mouth for the retort, but nothing came. Han smiled and looked back at Ezra. "Go ahead, kid. You earned it."
To everyone's amusement, Ezra took the bottle and took a sip, then immediately spat it back out.
"Bleh!" Ezra announced.
And then everyone was laughing, including the girl. Which was good. He'd yet to see much of a smile, much less a laugh since being brought aboard. And this place could use a little positivity before he and Chewie made their exit.
"Maybe a different vintage?" Han suggested to Ezra.
"Get stuffed," Ezra said and passed the beer back to Han, who happily relieved him of it.
"So. You clobbered the Imps. For the third time with your new Phoenix friends. And even with the Empire spread out as they are, they'll still need a lot of luck tracking you down. Despite being the Empire's most wanted, it sounds like you had a good thing going. What changed?"
"Ezra!" The girl hissed.
"I'm not going to." The kid hissed back, drawing some snarky side commentary from Chewie.
"If this is about that Minister woman who died and the Empire pinning you as her assassins, I think that half the galaxy already knows that."
Han thought maybe he had the kid convinced, but in the end the boy slumped his shoulders and nodded. Han rolled his eyes but waved a motion with his hand to continue.
It wasn't easy, though. Especially since the girl had all but convinced him that he was missing something good.
"I'm thinking of this for my new primary hair dye," Sabine said and brought up a color catalogue from somewhere. "And this is for the secondary."
The kid looked at it and frowned. "Change? But your hair is great. And where's the orange? This is all blue."
Han rolled his eyes and looked back at the viewport to his ship, ignoring the bickering teens in the background.
The thought persisted. What was so important that this Ezra Bridger kid was sworn to secrecy?
Agent Kallus stood firmly next to the doorway leading into Minister Tua's office. It wasn't her fault. Not entirely. Perhaps if she could see the growing number of rebels that he himself saw every day with his ISB privileges, then maybe she'd understand.
But the spark to which Kallus had done everything in his power to snuff out since the day he arrived on Lothal? Well, it wasn't just a spark anymore. It was a galactic wildfire that needed to be stopped. Before any further damage could be done. The good news was it could still be contained and stopped. But it would take drastic measures.
Minister Tua was an administrator. During times of peace, she was very effective. But this was no longer such a time. And no matter how you trimmed her, at her core, Tua was of Lothal. Not the Empire. That was his assessment the day he met her and to this day he still believes it to be accurate. Yes, she tried to smuggle disruptors for them and worked with him and his plan to catch them with the false senator. But beyond that, she would go no further. And hence the problem.
The Empire was and war meant sacrifices, so long as they served a purpose. That purpose being the greater good.
"I've exhausted every resource to find information about the rebels, but there is nothing to be found! What more does Governor Tarkin expect?"
No, Kallus thought. Not every resource. Not nearly.
"He expects Lothal to be punished, Minister Tua." Kallus said and slowly began to pace across her office. "His own Star Destroyer was demolished by these rebels. He takes that somewhat personally."
"Well," the Minister said as she sat at her office chair. She shook her head and began to count off on her fingers. "I've double patrols, set up checkpoints, established curfews. I honestly don't know what else to do."
"Perhaps that is the problem." Darth Vader said from the middle of the doorway. "You lack imagination, Minister, when it comes to producing results."
The Dark Lord entered the office and began walking toward the small woman sitting behind her enormous desk.
"Lord Vader, with all due respect, you and Governor Tarkin are asking for miracles," the Minister said, her voice growing in pitch as the menacing legend strode ever closer. "If the rebel have left Lothal, then-"
"If the rebels have left, then we must draw them back." Vader said and closed his hand to form a fist. "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. I am merely a public official," Tua said and gestured about her helplessly. "I have no experience with such brutal tactics."
"You can explain that to Governor Tarkin when you visit him." Vader said and then with a swirl of his cape he turned to leave.
"Visit him?" Tua said.
"He expects you tomorrow, to account for your failure."
"But I, I am needed here!" She said and went into a panicked state. "I… I couldn't possibly get away!"
Kallus also moved to leave and took several measured steps before pausing in her doorway. "Not to worry, Minister. Lord Vader and I will manage in your absence. He then clicked a button beside her door, closing it behind him and sealing her fate.
He then rejoined Lord Vader.
"A most effective strategy, My Lord," Kallus said as they reached the lift and entered it side by side. "Your presentation was flawless."
"Yes," Darth Vader said. "But the target was yours, Agent Kallus. And I'm curious as to why you would have waited so long to act."
Kallus felt a brush of pressure on his neck, an odd feeling that he couldn't make sense of. Instead, he focused on Lord Vader. "While I made every effort to assist Grand Moff Tarkin while he was here, I often fell at odds with his decisions. The Communication Tower especially."
"You foresaw the chances of the rebels using it."
Kallus shook his head. "No. If I thought it possible for them to use it like that I-? I would've held Tarkin at blaster point and stopped him until he saw reason. Or die trying more likely."
Kallus's eyes widened when he realized what he had just said and to whom. But Lord Vader simply waved his hand in dismissal. He wanted Kallus to be honest, and so Kallus was doing his best to do just that. He disagreed with Tarkin and not only were several troopers killed because he refused to listen, but the memories of his men in the tower as it collapsed still gnawed at him. Not to mention the amount of Imperial lives lost on the Sovereign!
"I understand your anger, Agent Kallus." Lord Vader said. "I ask you to think clearly for the moment. There can be time for mourning after."
Yes. Of course.
"It doesn't require much thought." Kallus said. "As I said. The rebels hold Lothal in high regard. Its populace has divided loyalties and while Minister Tua has her uses, we need to do our best to not only deliver justice but to ensure the galaxy does not fall into yet another war."
"You are a loyal patriot to the Empire and do the ISB a credit with your service," Lord Vader replied as they continued to ride the lift. "Grand Moff Tarkin has many strengths, but his underestimation is a failing that can lead to blindness and mistakes. And given his position, when he makes mistakes. The effects are critical and devastating."
"Perhaps if we'd worked together, we could have foreseen them using the tower for its transmission," Kallus said. "And his strategy with the spy droids was good. They led us to discovering the tower as the rebel's target."
"But whereas you sought to defend it, he deemed it an acceptable sacrifice for his trap."
"Yes," Kallus said and shook his head at the memory. "The Bridger boy," Kallus said after a moment. "I understand why he fights."
"As do I." Vader said. "The loss of parents at such an age and for such a reason, the boy's logic is understandable and his drive admirable. And if his abilities are indeed as described, he could have been a great asset on Mustafar. But given his broadcast and the personal attack on the Sovereign? Some acts of defiance are too great to ignore. His death will send a message and assist in preventing this rebellion from growing further." Kallus nodded. He didn't know a thing about Mustafar. But he did understand why Ezra Bridger fought. And the boy had his own restraints. The avoidance in killing Imperials during their operations had earned Kallus's respect.
All of that went out the window with the destruction of the Star Destroyer and its crew. Though given who wrote the official report, there were certain inconsistencies in Tarkin's recounting of the events. Also, Kallus was glad not to have stayed overly long on Tarkin's Star Destroyer. Their leader often influenced a crew and there was a chilling ruthlessness that permeated every crewman he came across aboard that particular ship.
Though that was no excuse for the destruction and loss of so many lives. They had to stop this rebellion before it grew further out of their control.
Vader had determined that Ezra Bridger's death would cease the spread. But when Kallus pointed out that the rebels would twist his death into some sort of noble sacrifice, a martyr, well then, that would only backfire on the Empire. Vader listened and then nodded in agreement. And so the plan had changed.
First the boy must be discredited. And if his prediction with Tua was correct (after all, she had a front-row seat to what happened to the beheadings of Aresko and Grint) then she would only have one play left for her survival.
He could be wrong. It wouldn't be the first time. But he doubted it. Minister Tua exhausted many resources, but not every resource. There were still one or two last cards she was keeping hidden only to herself.
"Minister Tua, she loves this planet. Its people." Vader said. "I have met many ministers and even governors like her."
"And yet few are as infamous as Lothal when it comes to standing in opposition to the Empire. If she has not exhausted every possibility by now, then she is a hindrance and acts out of loyalty only to her people and not for the greater good. The good of the Empire."
"Indeed, Agent," Vader said as the lift came to a stop. "Indeed."
"I will have the shuttle prepared immediately, my Lord." Agent Kallus said and stepped off the lift.
"As you see fit, Agent Kallus," Vader said.
"Hey, Ezra greeted Sabine when they reached the airlock leading from the Ghost to Phoenix Home. "You look-"
"Like a mess?" Sabine said for him. She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "I haven't had a good night's rest since." Sabine's lips curled into a frown as she puzzled her way through to the answer. "You know I can't even remember," she said with a disbelieving laugh. "Probably since before we nearly lost Kanan. And now there's this scheduled debrief meeting over on their command ship. Just the sort of thing I want to do with my free time."
She shook her head and spread her arms out. "So while it's nice that Commander Sato is giving us and everyone else time to wind down after a mission like that before having a meeting. I'd like, I don't know, to wake up feeling refreshed from a full rest instead of this one stupid dream keeping me up all night?"
"Well," Ezra said. "To me you look-"
"Beautiful, gorgeous, amazing," Sabine shook her head. "New ruling. If you want to keep this going, Romeo, whatever you say better be pretty imaginative. Because lately my mental tolerance level has been on a steady down streak. And no asking your pretty lightsaber for advice either."
"The truth always slips out," Skippy said from Ezra's wrist brace. "Also, it goes against my programming to do such a thing."
"Big surprise since she helped write your programming," Ezra said with a roll of his eyes.
"I'd call 'help' as underselling it." Sabine said and lifted an eyebrow, daring for him to contradict her.
"Okay, okay," Ezra said hurriedly to assure her. "How about this? You look like you need a cup of caf. Can I grab you some caf?"
"Hmm… Okay, better than your usual lines. I'll give you that. But brew up an entire new pot of caf and be late to Commander Sato's meeting?" Sabine said. "No thanks. Things are tense enough at these meetings. Caf can wait until after. Although I will be sure to tell the others of your generous offer."
Ezra sighed, and the two fell into step beside one another. "Shoulda seen that coming."
"If I may inquire, Miss Sabine."
"If I may inquire?" Ezra said and shook his head in at the radical politeness and deference Skippy showed to Sabine versus himself.
"Manners can go a long way, Ezra," Sabine said, with no small amount of wit in her voice. "And of course, Skippy."
"You said you are not sleeping properly since we lost Kanan."
"Yup," Sabine grumbled as they reached the modified Pelta-class frigate otherwise known as Phoenix Home.
"And a dream was the cause of this."
"Well, many dreams I guess, though there is one that's the main culprit. It doesn't even make sense."
"Why is that?" Ezra asked.
"Because it's like the dream you described to me. The one of the Lambda on the landing pad. So not only is my mind so nervous with energy with what happened to Kanan and can't sleep, but it's also borrowing the dreams of others."
A long moment elapsed until Sabine sighed and shook her head. "What about you? You look like you could use some more sleep?"
"No, I mean, yeah." Ezra stuttered, his eyes wide as something huge looked to be weighing on him. "I think you and I should talk," he said at last.
"Talk?" Sabine said and then checked the chronos on her wrist vambrace. "Well okay. But it'll have to wait until after this debrief. Okay?"
"I guess," Ezra said. "But it's just-"
"Hey, kids!" Hera's voice said as she passed the airlock connecting the two vessels. "Debrief is oh two hundred - NOW. Let's go. Still no sleep, Sabine?" Hera asked as Ezra and Sabine fell into step behind her, single file. Like a mother duck and her two ducklings.
"Yeah, but good news! Ezra is caf-boy for us now!"
"Caf-boy?" Hera said.
"You know, like a water boy, only for caf at each of these meetings."
"Hey!" Ezra said. "I didn't agree to a standing role as caf-boy!"
Then both Hera and Sabine had a good laugh as they walked down the narrow corridors of the frigate. That's when it clicked for him that Hera was messing with him too.
Of course she would. She and Sabine have been really tight lately. When Sabine begins to mess with him, and he falls for it, Hera will be merciless and join right in with her. To which there was only one defense, getting it over with and waving the white flag of surrender.
"Funny." Ezra said. "Bravo to you both. Think some more caf in Kanan's diet would help? I'm used to his broodiness, but he always puts a leash on it when it comes to Jedi training."
They were nearly at the bridge now, but Hera had stopped in her tracks and looked at them both. "Sabine, tell Sato I'll be in. Me and Ezra just need a moment."
"Sure," Sabine said, and then gave Ezra a shit-eating grin. "You owe me a caf after this!"
Ezra sighed and watched as Sabine disappeared behind the big doors leading to the Bridge. "Don't suppose that caf is the way to a girl's heart?"
"It can help," Hera said, and almost looked wistful. "It's also the way to your Captain's heart if she's having a rough day."
"You didn't stop to talk to me about caf."
"No," Hera said. "It's about Kanan not acting normal with your training."
"I mean it's Kanan. He's family, but brooding is a default setting with him."
Hera sighed at Ezra's statement, but didn't say anything to refute it. "A Jedi needs to be calm and focused. The most serious of minds, especially when training."
"Master Kanan has said this approximately thirty-four times prior to being captured. He has not said it since," Skippy said, piping in.
"Yup," Hera said, and then shook her head. "I was hopeful that during Jedi training he wasn't acting like this. More like his old self."
"It's Kanan." Ezra reiterated. "Some days he can talk smack with the best of them. Other days you could put Zeb in a tutu and he still wouldn't crack a smile."
Hera smiled, leaned forward and hugged her adopted son. Ezra returned it and then the two pulled back. He couldn't get his Master to smile. And Sabine might be deadly serious about him getting her some caf after. But it was good to see his efforts had helped put Hera in a better mood.
One by one, the Spectres gathered at the holotable located near the center of the Bridge of Commander Jun Sato's frigate flagship of Phoenix Squadron, Phoenix Home.
Hera was almost immediately waved over to Commander Sato for a private one on one. Ezra could only guess about what. Logistics. Intel reports. They could be talking about space clouds for all Ezra knew. Though he understood exactly why Hera broke into a fit of giggles once Zeb lugged his way in to join them.
No one else was laughing, so the Lasat blinked, shook his head, then took a spot on the wall next to Sabine. A wise decision. Some things you really were just better off not asking.
Ahsoka was also already present, but her focus was on a datapad probably filled with Fulcrum-related reports. It was a little weird having this famous Jedi aboard who could teach both him and Kanan so much, but outside of that heated discussion about his "anger issues" they'd hardly said a word to the other.
And then there he was, his master, sprawled out atop a ladder behind Ahsoka. Staring at the deck and looking like he'd want to be anywhere else but here. Brood-mode set to maximum.
"Skippy," Ezra said as he took a spot at the holotable. "Power off."
"Acknowledged, Master Bridger. I hope your meeting is most productive."
Commander Sato looked over and nodded at Ezra with approval. Recording devices were not allowed at such sensitive meetings, at least not on his ship. Which meant so was Chopper. And Ezra had at last learned to turn Skippy off without prompting from the others.
With everyone gathered and present - more or less. Sato took a position at the table next to Ezra and began the meeting.
"You and your crew have proven invaluable to our fleet, Captain Syndulla," Commander Jun Sato said. "The fuel acquired in your convoy attacks has helped keep us one step ahead of Imperial patrols."
"Thank you, Commander Sato. I'm just sorry my intel about shield generators being on that shipment was wrong." Hera said from her spot opposite the table. She was being very respectful, but it was still a hard sell with Kanan looking like he was sitting at a bar and had enough drinks to be mad over anything. Seriously, what was Kanan's deal? He wasn't even trying to hide it, and Commander Sato struck Ezra as a very stoic and professional military commander. To act like this on Sato's own ship on his own bridge at an important meeting vital to their operations was just rude. Even by Loth-rat standards.
"Perhaps with your next attack, Hera," Ahsoka said. "My network has picked up on only a few media outlets spewing propaganda about the attack. They're downplaying it of course, but making sure others are aware. Which is exactly the news we are hoping for."
That was true, Ezra thought. As Ahsoka had explained at another meeting, a positive sign that all tracks have been covered. If the Imperial ISB had a trail they'd go silent on any reporting. But if they're grumbling (which was what it sure sounds like) then that means Ahsoka had done a great job of hiding her information-hunting trail in order for Phoenix to catch the Imperials completely off guard.
"Well," Hera said. "Then that means we still have the advantage of-"
Suddenly the door to the bridge opened and a chitter-chattering Chopper came wheeling in, completely disrupting the meeting between the Phoenix Squadron leader and the Spectres. Some of the expletive words he was saying didn't help either, at least not with Commander Sato standing right there! Aresix followed in as well, apologizing for not being able to hold Chopper back.
"What is the meaning of this?" Sato demanded.
Hera opened her mouth to smooth things over, but Kanan beat her to it. And not in a helpful way, as he spoke with a purposefully lazy and uncaring tone of voice. "An incoming transmission. Who from Chop? Ah, why don't you just play it."
If looks could kill, Kanan would be a dead man with the way Hera was looking at him. But then Kanan would have to open his eyes to notice, if he'd care at all. Still Spectre-One had spoken, and the last thing any of them needed was an argument here on the Bridge in front of Commander Sato!
"Uh, Chop, cloak us with a one-way transmission." Hera said, keeping her tone professional and diplomatic.
"You got it." Chopper chortled and from his holoprojector emitted a hologram of a very family Ithorian.
"Hey," Ezra said, his eyes widening in excitement. "It's Old Jho!"
"I can't see you, but I can hear you, my friends." Jho said, his voice and image coming in clear through the holotransmission. "Time is short, and there's someone here desperate to speak with you."
Jho opened his arms in exasperation. "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 said with a distinct note of pride in his voice. That tracked. This sounded like his kind of mission.
"Yeah," Jho said, with a distinct note of displeasure in his voice. "Well, this one's different."
With that, the older Ithorian barkeep stepped aside and Ezra couldn't believe who stepped into his place! Who was asking for their help!
"Minister Tua?" Hera said, astonished by what she was seeing.
"Oh, we can't trust her." Zeb said immediately. "She's an Imperial."
"Please, I beg you. All I ever wanted was to do what I felt was best for Lothal! And the same is true now, so please listen to my request!"
"End transmission now, Chop." Kanan ordered.
"Wait!" Hera said and held a hand up to stop the order. "Minister, what do you want?"
Ezra didn't trust her. But maybe? He kept his ears open, following her plea for help, but reached out to her through the Force. It wasn't too difficult given she was speaking directly to him, even over a holotransmission. And what he felt was accurate. It caught Ezra by surprise.
"My life is in danger." The Minister glanced over her shoulder for any onlookers. "I need you to give me safe passage off Lothal."
"You're not really considering this?" Zeb said and looked to Hera with a smirk, thinking the Twi'lek was just having a laugh at the Minister's expense.
"Quiet!" Hera ordered loudly, her volume of voice answered enough for any doubters.
"I assure you, my intentions are sincere," the Minister said as she rubbed her hands nervously. "To prove it, I will trade secret Imperial information."
"You're defecting from the Empire?" Sabine said, emphasizing the words slowly to make certain there were no misunderstandings happening.
The Minister closed her eyes, took a breath as if it were her last and then answered. "Yes, I am."
Ezra opened his eyes, certain now of what he felt through the Force.
"She's telling the truth," Ezra said and looked at Kanan. "I can sense her fear."
"Yeah." Kanan said slowly, his arms folded and voice still filled with doubt. "But fear of what?"
All three Jedi shared looks, coming to the same conclusion. As for Hera and the rest. Three Jedi lie-detectors were evidence enough that, for whatever her reasons, the Minister was being honest here.
"So what do you have to trade?" Hera said and peered at the Minister through narrowed eyes, equal measure of both distrust and distaste.
"A list of rebel sympathizers on Lothal," the Minister said and took a deep breath, as if preparing herself for something especially big. "And other nearby systems."
"How come these sympathizers have not been arrested?" Commander Sato said, speaking up for the first time.
"Some have powerful friends in the Senate. Imperial command watches them, but can do nothing."
Ezra thought of Senator Bail Organa, sitting Senator of Alderaan. He and his wife, the Queen, had practically built up this whole thing with his bare hands. He could just see his mom and dad working beside the Senator had they known they could have turned to him. And if there were others like him with similar power?
"I know you need allies." The Minister said. Ezra smirked, realizing she had practically read his mind. "Get me off Lothal, and I will give you the list."
Ezra looked to Hera and saw that she, Ahsoka, Kanan, and Sato were all exchanging glances themselves. They didn't get this far by turning down allies.
But Kanan shook his head and sighed, feeling disgust at the whole notion. "We shouldn't even consider this."
"It's obviously a trap," Sabine said. But Ezra could hear that not even she fully believed that. Not with all three Jedi confirming the Minister's sincerity. She truly believed her life was in danger. But then, her fear was genuine. There was no doubting that. But could it be motivated by failing to convince them to come to her aid? Convince them or die?
"There's something else. I've discovered the true reason the Empire came to Lothal."
"We know that one," Hera said and shared a knowing smile with her crew. "The Empire has a factory and they're stripping the planet's resources to fuel it."
"No. Close, but not quite." The Minister said and then lowered her voice so low they could only barely make it out. "But what I speak of now is another reason known only to a few and ordered by the Emperor himself."
And just like that the conversation and feelings about such a mission turned. The senior four members turned to talk with themselves and Ezra noticed that Sabine turned to Zeb. It was obvious the purple furball's feelings hadn't been moved, but information on the Emperor himself? Why the hell was Lothal so important to the Empire? And becoming ever more important?
There were his parents, sure. And Tarkintown. Unbiddenly Ezra's mind flopped back to that first day. The shame he felt when that Rodian thanked him for the jogan fruit when all he really wanted was the credits from that crate of blasters. The day that changed his life and set him on the path he was now.
He knew his planet was rich in resources, but so were a thousand other planets out there. Why was his planet getting personal visits from Grand Moff Tarkin? Why did they send an ISB Agent to track their particular band of rebels when all they were doing was smuggling weapons and providing food and medicine and other necessities?
His parents were the original rebels. He thought they had been killed for speaking out. But was there something more to it? Something that involved the Emperor himself?
Ezra stepped to the hologram. Kriff what the others may think.
"We have to do this," Ezra said.
"I agree," Ahsoka said, backing him up nearly immediately. Her willingness and certainty in her voice surprised Ezra. And then he was even more surprised when he heard Kanan.
"So do I," Kanan said, his voice also filled with conviction.
"All right," Hera said. "If Commander Sato approves the mission."
"I believe it could be worth the risk." Commander Sato answered.
"Minister, we'll get you out. Send us your coordinates." Ezra chirped, unable to hide the eagerness in his voice.
"Thank you." She said with a look of relief flashing across her face before she ended the transmission.
Determination on his face, Ezra walked away from the table and the others to look through the Bridge's forward viewport. Would he get answers? If not about his parents, then at least why his homeworld.
"Well," Hera said. "I guess we're on our way back to Lothal."
"I guess we are," Kanan said, his words echoing Hera's, but with a faint hint of displeasure. Something the female Twi'lek did not miss, nor the female Togruta standing next to her. Heck, it was clear enough that it drew Ezra's attention.
While Hera kept her eyes on the retreating back of Kanan as he left the Bridge, the rest of the assembled rebels traded similar looks. What the heck was up with Kanan?
The meeting apparently over, the Twi'lek wasted no time in trailing after him. Ezra knew that stride of hers and was intent on letting Hera be, but then a furry face filled his vision.
"So what's this I hear about you making a pot of caf for all of us?" Zeb asked.
"It was for Sabine," Ezra said and found himself making a hasty retreat to the Bridge's other exit that ran a parallel corridor to the one Kanan and Hera had just taken.
"That's not what I hear," Zeb called after, amongst the giggles coming from Sabine.
Exiting the Bridge, Ezra shook his head and thought that maybe he should just get it over with. One pot of caf, a onetime deal. Then he could focus on this next mission.
That was the plan, at least until Ezra heard Hera confronting Kanan. She had picked a partitioned section off of the main corridor. A small hallway that led from one long corridor to the one parallel which Ezra was in. Useful for when someone had to quickly get from the port side to the starboard side in an emergency.
And his adopted parents thought that was out of the way enough to have it out.
"You seem to be forgetting these soldiers helped save your life," Ezra heard Hera say as he stayed out of line of sight.
"And I'm grateful. But that doesn't mean I want to join their little army."
What? Ezra thought.
"When you and I started together it was, 'Rob from the Empire, give to the needy.' A noble cause. Now we're getting drawn into some kind of military thing. I don't like it."
"We are fighting a bigger fight," Hera said. "But it's still the right fight."
Unable to resist, Ezra peaked out from his cover.
"I survived one war." Kanan said with shoulders slumped, his voice filled with regret. "I'm not ready for another one. I saw what it did."
"To the Jedi?" Hera asked, speaking softly now.
"To everyone." Kanan said. The two shared a sigh and, without further discussion or even a decision, stepped back into the main corridor and continued on to wherever it was they were going. Someplace aft he supposed.
Ezra stepped into that corridor, watching their retreating backs, and frowned.
If he hadn't eavesdropped, hadn't overheard it. He'd never have believed it.
Ezra backed into the smaller hallway and took a seat on a small bench. He suddenly felt as if he was coming to a possible fork in the road. In his journey.
Would Hera cave and this be their last mission like Kanan wants? What about Sabine? And Zeb? He'd been with them for a year, sure but, this wasn't just some Moff getting interred in his home but the Emperor himself.
His parents died, trying to show Ezra to stand up and fight for others. And with Ahsoka here he imagined if he left the Ghost to fight in Phoenix Squadron she would take over his training. The way Kanan talks about her, her ability to dual wield lightsabers, Ezra imagined he could learn a lot and really become a threat to the Empire and however many of those Inquisitors they have. Wasn't that the right thing to do?
Ezra slumped in against the wall. He'd never been so confused before in his life.
"I didn't know that," Sabine said and Ezra felt her hand on his shoulder. Chewie gave what sounded like a sympathetic roar of some sort.
Ezra shrugged. "There was a lot happening, and it's not like we didn't have a discussion about it later. Kanan and Hera heard each of us out. Sorry, spoiler alert." Ezra said.
Han waved a dismissive hand as he finished his fourth beer, and then debated whether to get another or not. He'd have another
"Look," he said. "This is all very riveting emotional drama. But that still doesn't explain how my ship got involved in any of this. Also, it doesn't help you leave out half the names in your story telling. Aside from your ship's crew, all wanted by the Empire, all you provided were hints that there were other higher ups involved. You didn't even say what kind of ship this was. But I'm betting that Commander Sato guy was involved. Seems like he gets the final say on a lot of things. Like repairing my ship and when me and Chewie can get back to doing what we do best."
"Look, we're getting to your ship. And compared to what you've seen on the holo-net you must know by now that we're not assassins."
Han scoffed at the idea that this crew could pull off half the kark the Empire blamed them for. The Empire threatening the life of a Minister who wasn't getting the job done? Pacifying the population of a planet like Lothal? That he believed and explained how they'd gone from avoiding Lothal (the smart thing to do) to charging in to pull off this crazy rescue attempt.
"I believe you kids," Han said and gave Sabine a nod, as she had now included herself in this Ezra kid's story. "But could you speed it up a little? I want to know about the Falcon."
Sabine rolled her eyes. "We left the Ghost with Aresix as backup. And then used this stolen public transport to get past the blockade. That was when Ezra first felt the Cold."
"Cold?" Han frowned. "Why is that important?"
The kids shared a look, one of those looks where you could tell what the other was thinking. He and Chewie could do the same. It took them some time with him being a Wookie but they got there.
"We'll get back to the Cold," the kid - Ezra - said at last. "But Sabine. Maybe it'd be better if you explained this next part?"
Sabine frowned and went from supportive friend to ice queen in a second. "Why me? It's your story. It was your plan. And besides. I don't think you want to hear my version of how it went down."
"Whoa now," Han said and immediately picked up on all the hostility between them. "Something tells me this is about to get good!"
"It was a collaborative plan," Ezra said. "Kanan knocked out a stormtrooper to grab his armor and helmet as a disguise." Ezra paused here and looked to Sabine, who had suddenly stood up and away from the table.
The message was clear. She didn't want to hear any part of what happened next. Ezra sighed in defeat, then carried on.
"Kanan would blend in and make his way into the spaceport from the ground. Me, Hera, and Sabine would come in from above while Zeb and Chopper hung back to keep an eye on the shuttle." Ezra said as the memories hit him. "I've still never seen so many Star Destroyers over Lothal."
Han couldn't help but grin. Yeah, the kid was definitely getting to the good part! Hell, even Chewie was invested!
They say no plan survives first contact with the enemy. Ezra's didn't even make it to that. Kanan had slipped in unnoticed. Check. And Sabine had done some pretty amazing jumps to get to the rooftops near the spaceport, something that even Hera took notice of. Ezra decided it was best to continue to play dumb.
Forget Kanan, forget Ahsoka. He would do what Skippy said. The right thing and go directly to Sabine with his suspicions. He would sound like an idiot, of that he was certain, but after her description of what she was dreaming, there was no doubt about it anymore.
He and Sabine shared a Force bond, which meant only one thing.
On some level, Sabine was Force Sensitive.
But when they reached the coordinates provided by the Minister and saw the exact layout of the landing pad. The exact number of stormtroopers, very heavily guarded. How the shuttle was sitting at just the right angle. And even Kanan walking around like he belonged there in his stormtrooper outfit.
It was his dream. It even had him feeling the coldness of the Dark Side. Which was exactly what he felt on the way in as the commuter shuttle passed those Star Destroyers.
Shatterpoint, Kanan had told him. Key moments that can change a destiny, told to those talented enough with the Force. Things like that transmission he sent, only the Force gave him no indication that that was such an event. But it had been showing this to Ezra for weeks. This moment. It had to be important!
One of the things Ezra loved most about Sabine was her artist's mind. It could capture anything she sees. Unfortunately, in this case, she wasn't seeing something that inspired her. This was something she'd seen for quite a few sleepless nights.
Just like him.
"Whoa," he heard her over the comlink. "I've - I've seen this before. I've seen this every night!"
Ezra sighed and spoke softly into the comlink.
"I know."
And he knew then that it had clicked. And even though it had been some time, a second thing clicked for her.
"Ezra," Sabine spoke. Even through the comlink he heard it in her voice. It was almost childlike. But it was there, the suspicion. The fear. The anger. "The dream you told me about before we went for that morning run? Before Kanan's capture and your transmission. That dream that was keeping you up?"
"The shuttle," Ezra said and tried to ignore what was sounding like desperate pleas from Sabine. The Minister could be here any minute. "Spectre-One something is wrong with the shuttle."
For several nights now, The Force was trying to tell him something, something important. And now at this crucial moment he couldn't hear himself think over Sabine who was freaking out!
"Ezra, why are we sharing the same dream!"
Ezra sighed and found himself unable to ignore her any further.
"Because we are bonded. Through the Force."
But Hondo! This is not where the episode ends! Continue! Continue! Don't leave me here! My friends, much has happened in this chapter. Much to process. Hondo asks do you really want this… bombshell reveal and the Darth Vader confrontation in the same chapter? Hondo thinks no. There is a point in every chapter where one needs to stop and process, and then anticipate. Look forward to what happens next! Because next week A Rebel's Tale continues. Now wave bye-bye to our readers Mira! So precious she is!