Chapter 53
Secret Cargo
ALDERANN
Many Years Ago
A young Ahkilleon creeped through the hallways of the palace, he snooped through an old armory of ancient Alderannian armor and weapons, hunched over he was very careful not to make a sound when "BOO!"
Ahkilleon yelped as Leia jumped out from behind a suit of armor giggling as Ahkilleon stomped his foot "No fair, I'm supposed to find you."
"Yeah well maybe you shouldn't be such a scaredy cat." Leia said hands on her hips as she stood over him, already taller than the boy.
Ahkilleon pouted, "Hide in seek is boring, can we go ride speeders again?" Ahkilleon asked her.
The princess put her hands behind her back and thought "Hmm, no I've got a better idea, my father is meeting some friends today, we should spy on them."
"Spy, why?" Ahkilleon asked.
She shrugged "My fathers been meeting a lot of people lately, says it's all grown up stuff. But I'm mature for my age."
"But you're ten?" Ahkilleon asked, "And you're nine, so?"
Leia took his hand and led Ahkilleon out of the armory and down the halls of House Organa's palace into a hallway adorned with art and plants, she pushed a large pot out of the way to show a vent big enough for child to fit in, she pushed it open and beckoned for him to follow "We're going to get in trouble, Leia." Ahkilleon said, "Fine, stay here."
After a few nervous seconds of being alone, the young hybrid followed her into the center, crawling on all fours through the maze-like ventilation system, "Are you sure you know where you're going, Leia?"
"It's my house isn't it, I use these all the time to sneak around." They came to another vent and peaked out into a large meeting room, there Senator Bail Organa stood at a round table with multiple people neither children recognized, "I agree Garm, the last vote should have been more down the middle but the Senators are too afraid to move against the Emperor, but you re the representative of Corellia, surely that means something." Organa said as he spoke to a grey haired man with a mustache and soul patch, dressed in traveling clothes of brown and red.
The man scratched his mustache, "It does, the Empire has employed millions on Corellia to build Star Destroyers, the last war cost us much. And many of my people now have jobs, security, even if it is feeding a war machine I detest."
"You must show them a better way, Garm." a red haired woman said clad in white, "That's Senator Mon Mothma, and that's Garm Bel Iblis of Corellia." Leia whispered.
Garm grumbled, "I do not like this Empire anymore than you do, Bail, but the fact is after the end of the Clone Wars the people don't trust the Senate anymore, and for good reason so many of our fellow Senators are too eager to line their pockets."
"Not all of us, I believe if we continue to uphold the values of the Senate we can show them a better path." Mon Mothma said standing up, "And our… other organizations?" Baila asked.
Mothma sighed with reluctance, "Our latest recruits will be sent to the Rim in good order, managing all these cells we're lucky we have Axis in the core and Fulcrum in the rim."
"Can we truly expect the people out there to accept our 'cells', the last wore broke the Rim." Garm questioned as he leaned on the table, "There is not us or them, Garm. The Republic was for everyone."
Garm grunted, "Tell that to the people of Antares 4, to the Kaminoans, and all the other people who were part of the Separatists."
"The Separatists are gone, now it's just the Empire, our concern is making sure a war like the last one never happens again. Our cells will be able to show people the Empire is not a better option, with evidence they bring us, and aid to those in need." Mothma said.
Garm scoffed again, "Aid to those in need, the entire world is being conquered in the name of peace, the Empire is pushing the Rim, hoping, praying for a second Separatist movement, all to justify the war machine they've turned my system into. We have to be more aggressive."
"Peace my friends, Garm I know this is frustrating but there must be a way to end the cycle of war, it destroyed the Jedi. Let's not let it destroy us." Bail said. "We don't even nearly have thes strength to challenge the Empire, which is why we must do so through the courts, the Senate, we must-" "Bah the Empire owns all of it Bail, democracy has died you just don't know it, if you had just investigated Senator Amidalla's demise than maybe we'd have evidence to-" "Garm." Mon snapped.
Garm realized he had lost his temper and sat blacked own in his chair, "I'm… I'm sorry Bail, that was uncalled for."
"No, we all miss her light dearly, but we owe it to her memory to try and keep some semblance of the Republic alive, though it may take years it'll be worth it."
SALECUMAI
Fort Tuuk
The newly named Militia Citadel that had been founded by the Free Company of Admiral Tuuk and General Lok Durd was the bastion of power for the Militia on Saleucami, and under the new stewardship of General Kleeve, also a Clone Wars Veteran like the former owners. Kleeve stood on top of the ramparts of the citadel's main wall, Militia patrols flew overhead in Hawk Fighters and mechanized infantry drove over the roads built by the militia marching and tanks. Around the citadel and in the distance, droid factories built new war machines for the Militia. It was dusk and the General watched heavy mist flow out of Salecumai's jungles hearing footsteps behind him. He turned hand on his pistol under his coat when he saw it was Kalani, his aide-de-camp alongside a cloaked figure.
Kalani stood aside and the cloaked figure emerged pulling away their shroud, General Gererra of the Maverick's, "What's this all about Kleeve?"
The devaronian sighed "Kalani."
The droid nodded and walked off, "I'm sorry for the secrecy Steela, but we couldn't risk moving to Geonosis, it would arouse suspicion. Even with my men here, it could still be risky."
Steela folded her arms over her chest, "What is?"
"Where's Sawyer?" Kleeve asked.
Steela looked away, "With Saw, after the debacle with Asimov. Saw left, Sawyer begged to go with him, how could I refuse?"
Kleeve sighed in relief, "Not a fishing trip with her uncle though, you know something is up."
Steela leaned on the walls railing, "I do. There's a shift, the jedi would call it a disturbance in the force no?"
"More than you know, Tano is alive." Kleeve told her as he turned from the railing to lean on it, "How?" Steela asked him.
Kleeve scratched his horns, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you, but you may not believe this next part. It was Asimov who tried to kill him, after he used the Free Company and my fleet to kill Caliban, it was a set up."
"You have proof of this?" Steela asked.
"Tano is our proof, we recovered Caliban's body but the memory file was wiped. Asimov has been playing the Empire and the Militia, your familar with the Jed's new Prophecy, the one about their King?" Kleeve asked.
Steela drew silent, and fixed her jaw "Rumors, the New Jedi believe that Jedi King will lead them to defeat the Empire, to restore the Jedi to their former glory. It's the chosen one prophecy but a different name?"
"We knew Asimov thought it'd be his padawan, but now I think he wants that title. We have less than six days till the next Union vote. We believe with all the chaos and loss of an entire fleet, Asimov will vote to have more resources given to Vanguard, or worse."
Steela looked at him, "He's preparing for a coup?"
"My thoughts exactly, how fast would it take you to get your forces off of Geonosis to Raxus?" Kleeve asked her.
"We'd be risking giving up the system to the Empire, and Geonosis is providing enough ore to rival Jabiim?" Steela said "We couldn't risk it?"
"Steela, the fate of the Militia is at stake." Kleeve pointed out, "If it is, why isn't Tano here. If we go to the General now we can stop this before it goes any further."
Kleeve shook his head, "No, we'd risk letting Asimov escape, he'd take the Vanguard with him and disappear, the Vanguard are our best troops. As painful as it is to say, we have to bring down Asimov in the open or we risk Civil War."
"We're already at war." Steela replied "Which is why we have to be ready for when Ahkilleon makes his counter move."
"You act as if you think it all comes down to him?" Steela asked skeptical, Kleeve was silent for a long time, he looked out at lone Nexu prowling on the edge of the forest and back at her. "I saw him come back to Steela, back from death itself. I can't explain it, but yes. It will come down to him or Asimov."
GHOST
Somewhere in the Outer Rim
The Ghost hid in the shadow of two wrecked former Separatist warships: a Recusant-class destroyer and a Munificent-class star frigate. The skeletal remains of the old warships were shredded from long ago lost battles. Inside the Ghost's cockpit, Ezra, Hera and Zeb were watching a broadcast on the Imperial news network projected by Chopper.
The hologram played the Empire's main broadcast for state approved news, Alton Kaste a brown haired man with light skin spoke with an affluent accent "In zero-ten, I will discuss the dramatic events transpiring in your Imperial Senate, as the Empire calls for more loyal citizens to join their ranks and push back the barbarian horde, and their mechanized monstroci-" Zeb switched it off unable to hear anymore of the propaganda, even if it was about the Militia.
"Hope we're not going to be hiding in this can forever. There's only so much HoloNet I can take." Zeb muttered as Ezra got up "Well, I'd say they're late, but we don't even know when they're supposed to show up, or who we're meeting."
Chopper grunted in disapproval, Hera replied "Whoever they are, Senator Organa wants them to get where they're going, and he's trusting us to get them fuel."
"If he trusts us, why is he keeping us in the dark?" Ezra asked the pilot.
Hera calmly stated "You know as much as I do."
Ezra held his hands up and got up heading out of the bridge "No wonder Kanan volunteered for that supply run. I'm going to go check on Snips." Ezra left the bridge and headed to the ships lounge, their, Ezra found Akilleon with a plate full of three cooked breasts of poultry meat on his plate, that he was ripping into with his bare teeth chewing and swallowing with some blue milk.
Squeamish at the sight of Ahkilleon devouring it, "That's a… a lot of protein?"
Ahkilleon stifled a burp, "Asimov hit's like a hammer Ezra, I need to make sure he hits rock when he does."
"Yeah, but, is it worth the stomach cramps?" Ezra teased as he sat down across from him.
Ahkillleon chewed another piece, shrugging, "I always forget how different we really are Ezra, biologically that is."
"Huh?" Ezra asked "My mom, why didn't I inherit her montreals, lekku like Hera. I did get another piece of togrutan biology." Ahkilleon said, wagging his fork at Ezra hoping he would guess.
Ezra held up his hand pointing "I must have missed that biology class."
Ahkilleon snickered "I also forget you never went to school."
"Neither did you?" Ezra asked him "Home schooled, but fair, point is I have two stomachs." Ahkilleon said, swallowing another piece of chicken and gulp of milk, amassing a ton of protein "So, not only can I but I do need to eat more than an average human, being a hybrid." Ahkilleon said as he cut into another piece of meat.
Ezra rolled his eyes, "Alright carnivore, how about you come up and join us on the bridge. We've been watching the holofeed while we wait."
Ahkilleon grabbed the last leg of poultry and followed Ahkilleon to bridge, chopper had turned on the holofeed to a different channel to reveal a tall slender red haired woman in a white gown with silver necklaces, her hair was trimmed short but comed perfectly to a regal stature. "Imperial Senator Mon Mothma of Chandrila has shocked the Senate with her treasonous remarks against Emperor Palpatine." Kaste's voice said as the Senator began to speak "I name the Emperor himself for ordering the brutal attacks on the people of Ghorman. Their peaceful world is one of countless systems helpless against his oppressive rule." Ezra's face lit up hearing her words, imagining the woman speaking openly and definitely in the Imperial senate to thousands of Senators "This massacre is proof that our self-appointed Emperor is little more than a lying executioner, imposing his tyranny under the pretense of security. We cannot allow this evil to stand." She ended the speech before the hologram paused.
"Wow! Did she really say that about the Emperor?" Ezra asked Hera "I'm surprised she's still breathing." Zeb added, Ahkilleon leaned in the doorway, muscular arms folded across his chest, while Ezra had spoken to her Hera was looking at Ahkilleon whose face was blank of emotion.
"Lady's got guts." Zeb said before there was a loud beeping from the ship's radar, Chopper shut off the hologram of Senator Mon Mothma, as everyone looked out at the debris of the old warships.
Ezra looked out in the darkness, asking "Maybe that's our contact."
Sitting up in her captain's chair, Hera narrowed her gaze "I don't think so. Chopper, scan." Hera ordered, the droid began to whire and stir as they looked around the metal leftovers of the clone wars, Ahkilleon noticed one piece of metal moving ever so faster than the others, "There." He said walking between the seats stabbing a finger with his mechano arm, a small bulky chunk of metal slowly rotating in the debris field was giving off a faint cloud of exhaust that propelled it, like a blocky egg left to drift, "Tactical infiltration pod." Ahkilleon said.
Just then the metal egg hatched sending out an E-XD-series infiltrator droid, Chopper showed it to them on a hologram "A probe?" Zeb gasped seeing it.
"What's it doing out here?" Hera asked, Ezra listened in on the droids binary code as it scanned reporting back it's information "Speaks Imperial. That's bad. Let's blast it before it spots us." Ezra told them.
Hera was already thinking about it her trigger fingers itching "Ezra, get in the nose gun, but hold your fire. We don't want to attract attention if we can avoid it." Hera said as she started to switch the ship's systems off "I'll power down so it can't scan us, that includes you, Chopper." Hera crouched in front of the droid and started to turn him off despite the droids protests.
Zeb glared at the droid "Shush it. Nobody makes a move." They watched the probe droid from the cockpit window scanning the wreckage before it moved on.
"I don't think it saw us." Ezra whispered.
Hera sighed in relief but wasn't convinced "I'll be convinced when it leaves." Hera said as the droid started to drift away before it spun around it's red eye focusing on the ghost and getting closer at increasing speed.
"That doesn't look like leaving." Zeb said "It's headed right for us." Ezra said on the nose gun.
"Must be scanning for life signs." Hera declared.
"Well, that's just great." Zeb chuckled nervously "We can't shoot it with the power down."
Hera started to get ready to turn the power back on and the probe droid was getting closer and closer "Ezra, be ready."
"Just say when." Ezra locked in on the droid with the controls moving the gun ever so softly without power, "Move a bit closer. Just a little bit closer." the droid continued to beep at them, beep, beep, beep, closer, closer, beep beep beep.
"Now! Hera snapped, turning the ship's power back on. The droid recognizing it was a ship whirled, Ezra fired at the droid but it dodged. "Come on, kid, hit it before it transmits our location." Zeb barked, the droid flew away back to it's pod at startling speed "Thing's quick.
"I can't get a clean shot." Ezra said back, Ahkilleon saw the droid fly behind some wreckage, shutting his eyes he held up both hands, Hera and Zeb watched the debry of the separatist ship move just in time for the droid to lose it's cover. Ezra opened fire but out of nowhere a squadron of Y wings dropped out of hyperspace escorting a large freighter with no markings on it.
Ezra gapped "Whoa, who's that?"
Hera snapped him back to the matter at hand "Never mind. Stay on target."
Ezra kept firing but the probe was getting further and further away becoming a smaller target before it froze, Ahkilleon had his metal hand outstretched in a claw "Ezra…" He muttered before Ezra took the droid out with a single blast.
One of the Y-wings transferred a message "Phoenix Leader, this is Gold Squadron. We catch you at a bad time?"
"Sorry about that, Gold Squadron. Close call with an Imperial probe." Hera replied relieved but also worried.
Ahkilleon opened his eyes wide when he heard the name, Gold Squadron "Were you detected?" Gold Leader asked them.
"Chances are high, it called for reinforcements. Begin fueling immediately. We need to get out of here before the Empire arrives." Hera said as the bombers flew over to the Ghost, the freighter was getting in position to take on fuel.
Ahkilleon watched the Y-wings fly in closer to them, they had gold paint on their ships "That was close." Ezra said as he got up, "Ahkilleon you alright?"
He nodded, "Gold Squadron, my mother had one in her Battalion during the clone wars, at Bothawui and later at Anaxes. She use to tell me stories about the clone Aces in that squadron."
"Well hopefully they have some aces among them, in case the Empire shows up." Zeb said getting up.
Later the freighter and some of the Y-wings attached to the Ghost, the docking bay opened and a fair skinned man walked out in a long rounded blue and grey helmet, with a symbol on it with a chin strap, he wore a grey uniform with a faded blue vest and metal belt buckle around his waist. Behind him a tall man with light brown hair, light skin pale blue eyesand a orange flight suit entered. Hera, Zeb and Ezra were already waiting for them with Chopper bringing up the rear. Ahkilleon kept his distance in the doorway. "Captain Syndulla, I presume. I'm Erskin Semaj, Senatorial attache." the man in the helmet said, Ahkilleon cocked a brow at the man's title.
"And this is Captain Vander, he leads the Gold Squadron." Erskin gestured to the man beside him, Hera followed up with her own introductions of her crew, "This is Ezra and Zeb and Chopper." Ezra gave a smirk as Zeb gave a formal salute, and quickly mimicked as he could see Captain Vander was all soldier by his calm demure.
"So, what're ya transportin?" Ezra asked Erskin.
The Senatorial attache, darkened but softly replied "Please understand, due to security concerns, your crew will not be allowed to board our vessel."
"Typical." Ahkilleon muttered from behind them, Hera overheard him but before she could make the introduction Ahkilleon turned to leave. "Well, you're all welcome aboard ours. Let's get to refueling."
A few minutes later one of the Y-wings was docking with the Ghost under it's cargo hold a laser wall holding out the vacuum of space, Captain Vander was already starting to refuel it with Ezra's help, as Zeb secured the ship. Hera stood on the walkway above with Erskin, as a young woman with brown eyes, a flight suit and a blue and white helmet emerged from the Y-wing "We've heard a lot about you, Phoenix Squadron." She said after removing her helmet.
"You have?" Ezra asked.
"Yeah. You blew up the comm tower on Lothal, and Tarkin's Star Destroyer." the rebel pilot said.
"The tower wasn't us, but the Star Destroyer, guilty as charged." Zeb chuckled.
The woman wasn't paying them a compliment "You might think twice before you pull another stunt like that. The Imperials have tightened security throughout the entire Outer Rim as a result of the Militia War. Especially since you're working with them, you're making things harder for all of us."
"Well, we don't mind doing things the hard way, besides we've cut ties with the Militia." Zeb grunted back at her.
"Let's have this argument another time." Captain Vander said, stopping the argument in its heels "Your little encounter may have jeopardized this mission."
Zeb glared at Vander "Oh, you mean the probe. What did you expect us to do?"
Captain Vander gave them a martial reply "It would have been prudent to avoid detection, as ordered. This assignment is extremely sensitive."
Unhappy with his tone, she scoffed at "Yeah? Well, maybe you should have given us a few more details instead of being so sensitive about your assignment." Ezra said as Chopper added in some less than hospital remarks.
"Did your droid just insult us?" The woman, Gold Two, asked understanding binary.
Hera agreed "My crew did the best we could, but you didn't give us much information to go on."
"Look, that probe, it was probably looking for us, specifically." Erskin explained trying to be diplomatic "We are carrying cargo highly valuable to the Rebellion, and desperately wanted by the Empire."
The door behind them opened and Ahkilleon walked in, holding a crate "Got the tools you asked for Zeb." Ahkilleon said as he tossed them down to Zeb who set them down by where he was working. "Who's this?" Captain Vander asked.
"No one special." Ahkilleon said not wanting to talk, he headed back to leave the rebels to their business "Wait, your face, I've seen it before?" Erskin said.
Ahkilleon glanced at him but said nothing, "Wait… I do to, your the Demon of the Militia, your suppose to be dead." Gold Two said.
"I thought you said you were done with the Militia?" Vander asked them, "I did die, let's leave at that." Ahkilleon said before they alarm went off.
Suddenly one of the other pilots spoke into the coms "We have incoming! Gold Leader, we have enemy contact. Imperial cruiser and fighters." outside the Ghost and freighter an imperial light cruiser appeared unleashing a salvo of canon fire and TIE fighters at them.
"Move to intercept. I'm on my way." Vander said just as canon fire rocked the Ghost making Gold Two loose her balance and slam into the haul wall, knocking her out clean. Ezra rushed to help her.
Ezra looked to Vander "Gold Two is down. Zeb, get her to Medical, and then get on the guns." Ezra barked.
"What about our ship?" Erskin asked. "We need all the firepower we can get."
"You got anyone who can fly it" Vander asked about the Y wing "Yeah, me." Ezra grabbed Gold Two's helmet and hopped in the Y-wing just as Hera approved.
"He can do it. Just remember what I taught you." she said just as the ship was hit again with even more lasers, Hera ran back to the cockpit with Zeb, Ahkilleon leapt into the nose gun.
"We need to detach from the transport or we're all going down. Chopper, jettison the fuel pod and get ready." Hera said, Ahkilleon watched the fuel tanks unlatch from the Ghost and TIE's fly past them, before wheeling back around, he took out one but more were on their way.
Chopper gave a squawk and Hera repeated "The hatch is jammed? We'll have to detach it manually. Come on." Ahkilleon turned "No, I'll go." Ahkilleon said as he got up and headed to the docking port while Hera flew the ship.
Meanwhile the Y wings flew in a defensive formation around the Ghost, "Get everyone off the transport and on the Ghost, now." Hera ordered the freighter, Ahkilleon ran back to the manual latches for the docking clamps, his muscles bulged as he pulled one of the four latches loose. Just then another blast nearly toppled him over, exhaust rushed from the ports as the ship took damage and the freighter opened it's doors, three people came out one crew men, and another pair a tall red haired woman in white helping a man in a yellow rebel uniform, Ahkilleon turned "Let us be of assistance, Capt-" She froze when she saw Ahkilleon standing across from her, "You?" Ahkilleon said recognizing Senator Mon Mothma.
"Proper introductions will have to wait, I'm afraid." Mothma said as she gave them an she was helping over to the other crewmen "Right, get to the cockpit." Ahkilleon said as he yanked the next lever.
Mon Mothma glanced at him "Surely I can help here?"
"You're in the way, move." Ahkilleon said pulling another clamp free, Mothma followed his instructions up to the ship and got to the cockpit to Hera's surprise, "Senator Mon Mothma."
In a stern voice the Senator replied "How can I help?"
"Co-pilot seat, watch the radar." Hera said as she focused on getting them as far away from the cruiser as possible.
Outside the Y-wings attacked the cruiser Ezra sending a proton torpedo at the ship to disable it "How's the detach coming?" Hera asked Ahkilleon, "Got it." Ahkilleon said with the last latch being stubborn.
"Got-Detach complete." Ahkilleon grunted, pulling it free. Ahkilleon rushed to the rear window just in time to see Gold Squadron take out the cruiser, he sighed with relief and then turned around knowing just who was aboard their ship.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, Hera leaned back in her chair as Zeb came up from the guns "Senator Mon Mothma, this is my crew, Zeb Orrelios, and out there, in one of your bombers, Ezra Bridger."
"I know of young Mr. Bridger, and I thank you, Captain Orrelios." Mon Mothma said softly, Ezrza on the coms replied "We saw your speech on the HoloNet. You really let the Emperor have it.
"I only wish words had more of an impact." Mon Mothma said sadly, just as Ahkilleon came up from the rear of the ship "And this is Ahkilleon Tano."
Mothma turned and gave him a thankful nod, but something in her eyes showed she knew who he was too.
Erskin came in past Ahkilleon "Senator, let's forget this mission and get you back to Chandrila to a proper hiding place."
"No hiding. My presence at the meeting is not optional." Mothma said, that made Ahkilleon cock his brow.
"You mean the meeting?" Hera asked, "Erskin, I trust them to get me there." She told her attache before turning to Hera "We're in the process of building an alliance, uniting the various rebel cells across the galaxy. My challenge to the Emperor was a call to stand against the Empire. My hope is, all who answer it will see that they are not alone. I must be there to meet them." She explained, Ahkilleon rolled his eyes.
"Her involvement has been a secret, but the Empire will be attempting to track any ship that tries to leave this system." Erskin said as Hera was already coming up with a plan.
"I know a way to sneak you out of the sector. Senator, we'll get you to that meeting. Give them the coordinates to Dantooine, I know a shortcut." Hera said, Erskin looked to Mothma who nodded before he reached into his vest to pull out the coordinates in a code cylinder and gave it to Hera, "Zeb, Ahkilleon let's get to work on the repairs."
Zeb nodded "On it, Hera."
Ahkilleon gave a curt nod too and then headed to see what he could repair, eventually the ship was underway in the repairs. Ahkilleon was in the portside of the ship repairing some of the parts of the haul that had come loose. He had a splicer and was welding the haul back on when he heard footsteps, not looking back he knew who it was "I'd speak with you, young man?" It was Mothma.
Ahkilleon glanced back, "I'm busy."
"I can see that, I know who you are, Commander Tano of the Militia, our reports tell us you were killed in a skirmish with a rogue Militia fleet." Ahkilleon got up and turned around.
Ahkilleon locked eyes with her, "You don't remember me, do you?"
The Senator looked at him intently, "Yes… you were a ward at the Organas, the boy always trailing after Leia?"
"Haven't been a boy for a long time." Ahkilleon passed by her and grabbed another tool from a box, "I can see that, I was hoping to speak to you on the status of the Militia, all our attempts to make contact with your Faction have gone unanswered."
Ahkilleon stopped, eyes wide, "Attempts?" Ahkilleon asked, "What attempts?"
"We've sent a delegation of rebels to Raxus before, twice in fact but they disappeared?" Ahkilleon looked at her then shut his eyes, "Then they're probably dead, ." he said as he went back to work with a drill, the loud wiring noise of screws echoing in the hallway.
Mon Mothma didn't move, "Have I offended you somehow, Commander?"
Ceasing his work again, Ahkilleon glared at her "I'm not here to talk, you want conversation to go up to the cockpit. Your fan club will be up there."
Taking the hint, Mon Mothma started to leave "I just wanted to say I knew of your mother, I never met her personally but those who did said she was an extraordinary woman. I wanted you to know that." Ahkilleon sat their on the floor for a second then resumed his work.
Senator Mon Mothma made her way to the cockpit and sat down next to Hera, "Sometimes I envy pilots like you, traveling through the stars. You can always leave your problems far behind you."
"Can't imagine you running from your problems." Hera said to her "I've spent my life in the Senate trying to do good, to preserve the rights of the people."
"And we are grateful." Hera replied.
"Little good it's done, the Emperor has crushed freedom over the years, bit by bit. I've opposed him where I could, but I've begun to see that the fight cannot be won in the Senate. And now our worst fears, a second Separatist Movement, no one could have predicted it would be Jedi with them."
Hera shrugged "Those aren't real jedi, I've met them."
"Indeed, the ISB has flooded the holonets with propaganda of Jedi Sorcerers and their hordes of Barbarian minions." she said to Hera.
"The stakes are a bit higher out here on the front lines. Instead of being outvoted, you're outgunned. Life or death. It's a new experience, being on the run." Mon Mothma said "But if that's what it takes…"
Hera nodded in reply "Whatever it takes, this Rebellion is worth it. The Ghost began to approach a large flaming Nebula.
"The Archeon Nebula, there are stars forming in there. Get too close and you'll burn up." Hera told the Senator, "Best to avoid that, right, what about your pilot, Mr. Bridger?" Mon Mothma said.
"Mmm, Ezra can handle it. I taught him a few tricks."
As they approached the Nebula a single TIE approached them from a distance, "Incoming Tie,raise shields." Hera said, Ahkilleon curious stopped his work to come to the cockpit. It was a Tie but it had three solar wings instead of two.
"Attention, rebel ship, this is Commander Vult Skerris of the Imperial Navy." The Tie told them in a transmission "You are harboring a traitor to the Empire. Surrender immediately."
Captain Vadner had his reply "Gold Three and Four, send him our reply."
They watched two of the Y-wings fly toward the defender only for Ezra to recognize the ship "Get out of there, both of you. I know that ship. It's a prototype TIE Defender. It's armed with heavy cannons and shields." But it was to late the TIE Defender opened fire on the two Y-wings making short work of them.
"Go. Close formation. We might be able to lose him in the nebula." Hera said flying to ward the Nebula and into the flames, "Stay on the Ghost tight." Vander commanded the squad as two more TIE's joined the defender chasing them into the Nebula.
"And disable your proton torpedoes." Hera told them, "Why?" Ezra asked.
"They've been known to ignite the gas in clouds like these." Hera told them, as they flew into the nebula the flames of the gas and fire began to lick the ship burning at their shields casting an orange hue on the world around them, Gold Squadron and the TIE Defender did a dance of death in the nebula, the rebels blasts bouncing off the ships shields like they were pebbles off metal.
"Those shields are too strong." Ezra snapped watching one of the Y-wings try to avoid the Defender "He's got a lock on you!-We lost Gold Five." Ezra cried out.
"It's just us now-they're too fast….We can't outrun them…. Ain't over yet….Gold Leader, stay tight. We're going in close to that forming star." The coms rattled off, Ahkilleon turned around ready to end this, Ahkilleon walked back to the ship and looked out the port window, closing his eyes he sat down holding out his hands he took a deep breath, and started to look through the force. He could see the Ghost and the two Y-wings trying to outrun the three TIE's, chasing them like three metal sharks and with each hand he could see himself holding the ties pushing them, inward.
Ezra looked out his rear view window to see the TIE's starting to move closer, "They're tightening up in formation, if we could only use our Proton Torpedos?" Vander asked.
Ahkilleon could feel the TIE pilots trying to regain control, but this wasn't about control, it was life or death, us or them. Ahkilleon had made that choice long ago, beads of sweat were running down his forehead as the force of the three starfighters tried to pull away. "This is Skerris I can't break free, do the rebels have some sort of tractor beam?" he heard the TIE Defender say.
"We're going to collide." One of the TIE' said.
"Hold fast, we can't let these terrorists escape, open fire on the freighter, we have to stop them." Skerris said trying to shoot the Ghost but the ships shaking from Ahkilleons force grip made only one of the shots hit, the others opened fire too. "Remember your duty, keep shooting" Skerris said Ahkilleon heard the roar of the flames against their own shield, the cries of the ships engines till he slammed his his hands together his clap sinking with the explosion of the three TIE fighters smashing into one another in a fiery explosion.
"What the hell was that?" Vander asked when he saw the three TIE's explode in a triple collison, "Did the heat break their controls?"
"No, it wasn't that was it?" Ezra asked, Ahkilleon got up panting from the force drained from him, "I can see the end of the Nebula." the Ghost and the two Y-wings flew out of the nebula toward open space, and waiting for them were two massive Star Destroyers.
Ahkilleon groaned seeing them, "There's always a bigger fish." he muttered.
"Hera, got a new problem. Two of 'em." Zeb said seeing the Destroyers. Just then the Star Destroyers hailed them.
"This is Governor Pryce, you have been charged with treason against the Empire. Now, submit or be destroyed." Ahkilleon returned to the bridge to hear Pryce's demands, "Why is it always that bitch."
Both women looked back at him, he rolled his eyes "What, I can call a fascist but not a bitch?"
"Very well." Mothma said back to Pryce before she cut the transmission "She'll never keep her word." Hera said quickly.
"Hera, what's the plan?" Zeb asked, Hera was thinking, trying to come up with something but she was out of ideas, she turned to Ahkilleon, "Think you could do that trick again, even with Destroyers?" Hera asked him.
Ahkilleon was about to answer when Ezra came up with a new plan "Hera, do you read me?"
"Ezra, I'm afraid I've got some bad news." "Well I got an idea, Gold Leader charge your ion cannon and arm your proton torpedoes and fire at the nebula."
Gold Leader looked over at Ezra like he was insane "The nebula Of course."
"Remember what Hera said about firing torpedoes in the nebula?"
"I understand, Phoenix Leader get ready to jump to hyperspace." Gold Leader said before they flew at the Nebula, "Leave it Ezra to blow up an entire Nebula to escape." Ahkilleon sighed.
"Chopper, be ready on the hyperdrive." Hera told them, the rebels watched the Y-wings open fire on the Nebula and in one word it was a supernova level blast, as the entire Nebula caught fire and spread to the two Star Destroyers, making them take evasive action to save their ships from the fire.
"Make your jump now!"
LATER
Over Dantooine
The Ghost had fled the nebula for the Dantooin system, there the remaining members of Gold Squadron had docked with the Ghost, and we're finally getting a chance to breath.
"Phoenix Leader, that was some of the best fighting I've ever seen." Captain Vander said in the commons, "I could say the same, Gold Leader." Hera replied in kind, even Gold Two was warming up to the Specters.
"Kid, you can fly in my squadron any day." she said, Ahkilleon as always hung outside the circle of comradery.
The rebels then made their way to the Cockpit "We're coming up on the rendezvous point. Ready to transmit, Senator." Hera said as she got the ship ready to transmit "Let's just hope someone's listening.' Mon Mothma said, as she stood tall, shedding the humble Senator they had seen and becoming as if marble, then she spoke.
"This is Senator Mon Mothma. I've been called a traitor for speaking out against a corrupt Galactic Senate, a Senate manipulated by the sinister tactics of the Emperor. For too long, I've watched the heavy hand of the Empire strangle our liberties, stifling our freedoms in the name of ensuring our safety. No longer. Despite Imperial threats, despite the Emperor himself, I have no fear as I take new action. For I am not alone. Beginning today, we stand together as allies. I hereby resign from the Senate to fight for you. Not from the distant halls of politics, but from the front lines. We will not rest until we bring an end to the Empire, until we restore our Republic. Are you with me?
They were met with silence, and then a ship dropped out of hyperspace "Look!" Ezra pointed, "They came." Mon Mothma said as more and more ships were dropping out of hyperspace.
"Look how many there are." Ezra gasped in awe while Mon Mothma said "This, my friends, this is our rebellion."
Ahkilleon watched from the doorway, at the fleet of ships dropping out of hyperspace, there were Hammerhead cruisers, Corvettes, freighters, fighters, even the Phoenix Squadron carrier. This was what his parents had given their lives to, an alliance of dissidents and freedom fighters from all walks of life united to fight for one thing to defeat the Empire and restore the Republic
And it sickened him.
Shutting his eyes he turned away, unable to stifle anymore of it.
Hera noticed him go, and the look on her face of disappointment was noticed by Ezra. When he saw Ahkilleon wasn't there anymore to share in the moment, he got up to find him. He looked first in the lounge to try and find him but he wasn't. Ezra headed over to his and Zeb's room and found Ahkilleon on the floor doing pushups. Ezra leaned on the doorway "Everything alright?" he asked.
"Fine." Ahkilleon grunted, trying to deter his thoughts by forcing his mind to work his body.
Ezra shut the door to give them privacy, "It's me Ahkilleon, I think I know you well enough to know something is wrong. You've been eerily quiet ever since you found out we met Mon Mothma."
"Since you met her." Ahkilleon said stopping, and getting to his feet barely out of breath, "You met her before?" Ezra asked.
Ahkilleon gave a soft nod, "I was on Alderann hiding in the Organa's estate, mom was off on some secret mission again, I think I was nine. Mothma was visiting with some other Senators, Leia and I spied on their meeting, all this talk about the Republic, about moving people around. I still didn't know what it was about until later." Ahkilleon grumbled.
"That, out there this is good Ahkilleon, the Rebellion is more than just us." Ezra said smiling.
Ahkilleon gave him a sideways look of disapproval "She's a politician Ezra. That means she'll say whatever she needs to get what she wants."
"That's a little harsh Ahkilleon, you saw her openly challenge the Empire in the Senate, that has to count for something, right?" Ezra asked him, Ahkilleon was pacing now a clear sign he was getting frustrated.
He scoffed, shaking his head, "And you think that makes her our equal, you and I have been fighting the Empire for years. You've bled for this rebellion, given everything for it, she should be kissing your feet Ezra."
Ezra shook his head unsure, "I think Kanan would say we all have our part to play, right, the rebellion has never been about one person or cell, we could use a politician like Mon Mothma, someone who knows how to rally people like the ships out there."
Ahkilleon waved him off turning around hands on his hips "It's because of politicians like her that the Empire exists." Ahkilleon spat.
"This isn't about me or her, is it, this is about you. Talk to me Ahkilleon?" Ezra asked him, trying to cut through the bull. Ahkilleon looked at his friend long and hard, "You wouldn't understand."
Ezra rolled his eyes and flung his hands up "How am I to understand if you don't tell me what's wrong, look I know you believe in the Militia. But I believe in the Rebellion, you did at one point. Your mom did."
Ahkilleon shot him a look that could kill, "Oh knock it off, I miss Ahsoka every day. She was the coolest person I ever met next to Kanan and Hera, she wouldn't want to see you like this."
"Like what?" Ahkilleon asked, "Like a stubborn jackass who hides his emotions away from people trying to help."
Ahkilleon gritted his teeth, "Ezra, you don't understand what that fleet out there means to me. What people like Mothma are, what she'll risk, who she'll risk." Ahkilleon said putting both hands on Ezra's shoulders "I don't want to see you, Sabine, the others killed, just so you can be part of some political agenda.'
Ezra pushed his hands off "Political agenda, I accepted your choice to join the Militia even though it got you killed, but I'm not allowed to fight for what I believe in?" Ezra asked the frustration in his eyes
"No- that's not what I'm saying, but I can't trust- I won't trust anything that comes from Mon Mothma, the Senate, Empire or Republic. What does it matter if there are a thousand senators all in one place and none of them care about us?" Ahkilleon said hands up trying to grab hold of what he was trying to say.
"Is that Ahkilleon, or Asimov?" Ezra asked him, Ahkilleon went pale white "..." Ahkilleon tried to speak but nothing came out, Ezra sighed and shook his head "Ahkilleon, I'm sorry I don't want to fight, but at least when the Republic existed I still had my home, I had my parents, it wasn't the best I know. But it has to be better than the Empire." Ezra turned to the door opening it.
He stepped out, "It's because of the Republic, I lost both my parents and it's why I never had a home to begin with." He gave Ezra one long hard look "My home is the Militia and I will fight for it, my way."
Ezra glowered at him, seeing that Ahkilleon had raised his walls back up "And what will you have after you fight it your way, you heard Kleeve it'll be a civil war, what will you have after everyone in the militia is done killing each other huh?" Ezra hit the door control with his fist and stormed out, Ahkilleon held up his metal mechno hand and closed it into a fist, and whispered to himself "A kingdom."