Fandom Star Wars: Demesne [Closed]

[Lucyfer]

Adlai initially gave Skye a strange look for her instant defense of it – not that she could see his expression. ‘Oh right, Jedi…mood sensing thing.’ He wouldn’t respond until they were in the sewer, which they went to shortly after the Troopers had left the area.

Once the sewer was shut behind them, and they’d gone down the ladder, “Generally speaking, we prefer to operate without moving people around. There’s always the chance that Troopers moving to a new checkpoint will be questioned. We have some luck in they were expecting to be relieved soon.”

And if Checkpoint Five was indeed empty, all the better – though with someone like Tarkin here, he almost doubted that.

“With you as a Purge Trooper, we should be able to get in most anywhere on search and sweep missions,” he added, pulling his datapad to open up the map, “right now, let’s just hope we don’t run into anyone else down here….”

He would, in any case, take the lead down the path he knew they were supposed to go on.

~***~

Eli much preferred that plan. They would only get in an Inquisitor’s way, and if the Jedi had this much power, he really didn’t need to see what an Inquisitor could do on their own. “We should get back to the speeder, then.” Eli suggested, moving that way, “We’ll be able to head them off for sure.”

Perhaps they could just run them over, although he was starting to get the sense Thrawn might want some of them alive for questioning.

This operation was…unique.

Also out of their jurisdiction, like the Prosperina case, but Eli wouldn’t mention that. He didn’t imagine Tarkin was yet involved in this one. Then again…he wouldn’t be surprised.

~***~

“Do not worry about that,” Merrin said with a scoff, “I can manage mere Stormtroopers,” officers, anyone without the Force.

Inquisitors were something else entirely.

They both relied on the dark side of the Force, to some degree. At least, Cere and Cal called what she did the ‘dark side’. She did not think of it in such a way, it hardly corrupted her the way she had seen in Inquisitors and Sith practitioners. Yet, apparently, it was dark.

Jedi were strange.

~***~

The Inquisitor did not have much care about the others. Yes, of course, the Child was getting away, but killing Cal Kestis was sure to be smiled upon, even with failure to capture the Child. Cal had a reputation as an Inquisitor slayer, after all. No one wanted him to live; it was all quite personal.

And of course, his associate, Cere, master of Trilla – the one who betrayed Second Sister, fell to the Dark, and yet still fought for the Light, was not far behind. First Sister sensed her, and took a long jump back from Cal after a strike nearly knocked him off his guard when it collided with the lightsaber – she put much more strength behind that blow than the others, purposefully.

She shifted stance, lifted one hand, and caught Cere in the Force. “Still so afraid, Cere?” She taunted, but didn’t hold Cere long for an outburst. Cere was just as dangerous as Cal, perhaps moreso, she just kept it contained out of fear. She threw Cere to the ground, hard, dashing her head against the pavement, before she had to wheel around to block a blow from the Impersonator.

“And you.”

A blaster shot went off, unintentionally, from Cere’s blaster. Cere didn’t get up immediately, blood starting to appear on her head and the ground below her.

‘Not good.’ Ae’lia wanted to get to Cere, but there was hardly time for that. For her, or for Cal, as the Inquisitor was quick to step away from Ae’lia, and move herself closer to Cere’s prone form.

Well, now she definitely had their attention.

"You're no padawan, are you?" Not like dear Cal, even if he was now above that age. Even if Cere had 'knighted' him. He would always be padawan to the Inquisitors. “Who are you?”

“None of your concern,” Ae’lia spoke lowly, shifting her own stance as she tried to figure how to make sure to strike so Cere wasn’t harmed further – or how to get Cere out of there.

 

[cleopat]

Skye took Adlai’s words to mind, and she would remember them for next time. She was still getting used to working with a team, and with disguises.

In the past, it had been best to get someone far away from where she needed to be. By the time they came back, she was usually gone. But now she had to consider them, and what plan they had in mind, and what was best for them.

“I will remember that.” She was a Purge Trooper. If they only encountered other troopers, she should be able to get past them by command of authority. If anyone else…”There aren’t cameras down here, right?”

Just in case. She didn’t want to use any Jedi powers if possible, but Skye wanted to be prepared.

But so far, she couldn’t hear any other footsteps except for their own.

~~

Thrawn led them out of there and around the house to get back to the speeder. They encountered Tobias and Ortell along the way, who were told of the update in their plans.

As long as they weren’t expected to fight, they were happy. Especially Tobias.

Cora kept up alongside Eli, slight concern in her eyes. She saw how that...green creature just pushed him away with the Force, and it looked like it may have hurt or bruised him. Eli didn’t look like he was in any great pain though.

“How are you doing?” she decided to ask.

They boarded the speeder with instructions to stop by a small infirmary near the hangar. In the meantime, Ortell swiftly reached for the first aid kit and took out the bacta bandages to wrap around Tobias’ arm. It wasn’t enough, but it would be sufficient until they got to the infirmary.

~~

“This I do not doubt,” Lin commented. He saw what she could do with those powers of hers. Anyone would be foolish to stand in her way, except for maybe an Inquisitor.

Luckily they were getting further away from her to find that out.

“You would be foolish to do so,” Greez huffed, struggling to keep up with the pace of their running. He preferred to be piloting his ship, not running from Inquisitors.

“We should almost be there,” Lin warned. He turned a corner and then paused, before backing up around the corner. “Yeah, there’s about five stormtroopers around there.” He turned to Merrin. “Time to use that green magic.”

~~

Cal stumbled back from a particularly strong attack, and that moment of distraction was enough for the Inquisitor to attack Cere. He could only watch in horror as his Master was picked up and thrown harshly on the ground

Then the other Jedi made herself known.

But all Cal could see was the blood on Cere’s head dripping onto the ground. She needed to get out of there and get help soon.

Cal lunged and swiped at First Sister, intending to draw her attention away from Ae’lia. The Inquisitor turned to block, and he didn’t let up on his flurries of attacks on her. “Get Cere out of here now!” he yelled at Ae’lia, his eyes never moving from First Sister.

He could take on the Inquisitor, or at least long enough for them to get to the ship. He hoped.

First Sister sent another harsh strike on Cal, which he blocked. He could feel the anger in her strikes radiate up his arms as he continued to block, but he wouldn’t give up.

 

[Lucyfer]

Adlai shook his head, “Not that I know of,” he said, “We’re going to take them out of the city,” he told her as they continued walking. “Fulcrum has them in hiding right now, but they’re still here in Lothal, just staying out of sight,” by not bringing the ship anywhere near the Ghost crew, they were doing their job of keeping them hidden.

“Once we get out of the city, we’ll supposedly be met by a droid and Sabine Wren – she should also be in a disguise, she’s been running surveillance for the crew.” That was the last bit of information he had, anyways.

“If they’re not there within an hour, we’re supposed to move on to where they’re actually at,” and they would probably be seen in the guises and either shot, or told to halt. He’d have to deal with either outcome. At least the Stormtrooper outfit would protect him from any fatal shots, but he was likely to be out of it.

That wouldn’t be fun.

~***~

“I’m all right, don’t worry,” he’d struck hard, but he was okay. He might be a bit sore tomorrow, but the adrenaline was still coursing through him, making him feel okay for now. Later, he had a feeling he wouldn’t be.

He wouldn’t dare say anything about them being ‘lucky’ so far.

Or anything else.

Although he thought it. The Jedi who took their weapons hadn’t seemed interested in killing them, compared to the one who had harmed Tobias. If they had both wanted to kill them, Eli was certain their group wouldn’t have survived it, even with Thrawn’s intelligence and his own skills. The Jedi were…entirely unpredictable.

It was no wonder the Emperor had a force specialized to deal with them.

In the Speeder, Eli took his seat, but looked at Thrawn, “Any plan we should know about for the rebels?” He asked, adding, “especially if not all the Jedi are being held up by the Inquisitor?”

They all were.

Just not Merrin.

~***~

Merrin nodded, and clasped her hands together a moment, seeming to be pulled apart by those green lights – fading out of sight again – only to appear moments later around the corner, in front of the Stormtroopers.

Needless to say, the fight wasn’t long at all, and only a few blaster shots even registered, before Merrin was calling, “This area is clear!” to get Greez and Lin moving again. Next up would be the hangar, Merrin knew it was likely to be far more heavily guarded, and so she did wait for Greez, Lin, and the Child to catch up before she moved on.

“I may need assistance at the hangar, Greez. I imagine they will have many more than five stationed, and perhaps some above.” Snipers or some such.

In either case, more than she could handle all at once.

~***~

Ae’lia did not even consider Cal’s direction. For one, she knew Cere would not be happy for Cal to be left alone fighting an Inquisitor. Two, she could feel Cal’s frustration through the Force too easily. She didn’t want him to slip and make a fatal mistake. This wasn’t playtime. This was real – and this was what Ae’lia had trained for.

Fighting Sith.

Once upon a time….

Two on one was better odds, anyways.

Ae’lia rushed at the Inquisitor’s back. Her first blow was blocked, as First Sister quickly put herself into profile to keep Cal in sight, but her second saber struck the Inquisitor’s shoulder before she took note of the two blades. It was just a glancing blow, though. The armor absorbed it, the extra plate there making sure of it.

She spun the blade around suddenly, forcing Ae’lia to back away, before she lunged forward. Ae’lia stepped aside, only to see another blow coming. A quick pulse of the Force pushed First Sister back, only for her to throw the lightsaber at Ae’lia. She ducked it, unaware that First Sister was sending it towards Cal, and then Cere.

Though she did at least try to take the opening that was created by the absence of the blade, only to have First Sister step aside at the last moment, and for an elbow to be jammed hard into her helmet. It was enough to definitely start her head ringing. ‘She’s fast.’ Ae’lia really hadn’t anticipated this kind of speed.

 

[cleopat]

Good. No cameras. Skye was happy with that.

She nodded along with the plans. Seemed simple enough, but of course, that meant nothing with the Empire looming over them. “So we meet up with this Sabine or go directly to where they are.” That part did sound easy. It was actually getting them off the planet that may be trouble.

“Where are they actually at?” Skye asked more so out of curiosity. They would be going outside of the city, which meant fields for miles. Maybe they had a safehouse far from the city, and far from Imperial eyes?

Then, another question popped into her head from a name Adlai mentioned. “Okay, one more question. You mentioned a Fulcrum. Who’s that?” It wasn’t one she heard before, but if they dealt with both rebel cells, shouldn’t she know?

~~

Cora nodded with a soft smile. They all still had adrenaline rushing through them, and even Cora may find some bruises tomorrow that she didn’t realize she had.

And they still had to deal with the rebels heading to the hangar.

In the quick ride back to the hangar, Thrawn held similar thoughts to Eli, something he had started wondering back in the house. The masked Jedi had plenty of opportunity to kill them, and she didn’t. The other Jedi had no qualms in killing them, so he didn’t think it was a matter of Jedi principle.

But then that begs the question, why? Why would she spare them?

Thrawn looked to Eli. He wanted to say that their focus should be on the Dathomir witch, but he had seen her power. That could risk all their lives.

“I want to see the Purge Trooper captured,” he answered. “He isn’t a part of their intimate group, but he is still a rebel, which hints at another group reaching out to other cells. I want him captured and interrogated.” And if it was the only rebel they could get, then so be it.

If there was another Jedi with them? “If another Jedi is with them, then we shall hope that the Stormtroopers can keep them occupied long enough.”

~~

Lin and Greez watched Merrin decimate the Stormtroopers. Greez seemed unphased by it, but Lin stared with wide eyes. Never get on her bad side. He already had a taste of that power directed at him. He didn’t wish for it again.

At her call, they both started running again. The small creature started making little noises that in any other situation Lin thought would be cute. But not now. The baby wanted to see what was going on, but it would be ignored.

“That I can do,” Greez confirmed. His blaster was still in his hands, and he was prepared to fire on some troopers. They ran a few more blocks before stopping right out of sight to the main entrance. Indeed, more than five troopers were stationed all around the entrance, and they imagined more were also waiting inside.

“So, do you want me to just start shooting?” Greez asked, holding his blaster up to aim at the troopers. They would have to act fast to ensure their own safety.

~~

Ae’lia ignored Cal’s demands, but as she joined the fight, Cal found himself grateful. The Inquisitor was too much for him, but with the experienced Jedi helping, they both stood a better chance against First Sister.

Now they just had to keep her from attacking Cere, who was in no position to protect herself right then.

No matter how many Inquisitors he fought, Cal didn’t think he would ever get used to how they could spin the way they did. He moved his saber up to deflect the spinning saber away from him and Cere, and he didn’t waste a moment before he rushed to the Inquisitor.

As she struck Ae’lia with her elbow, Cal used the Force to push First Sister back. She stumbled back, but now her attention was on Cal, and he swiped at her again, with First Sister easily blocking it and retaliating with her spinning blade.

Cal had to jump back to avoid the blades, and once again he attempted the Force push to knock her off guard.

 

[Lucyfer]

“There within a grouping of rock formations outside of the Capital City,” Adlai answered. It wasn’t anywhere specific, or named, which was good. Anywhere ‘known’ for being anything would probably be searched by the Empire.

As for Fulcrum….

“I don’t know,” he answered, honestly. “It’s someone that Shay and Eira are working with, who is a part of Bail Organa’s group. I don’t know anything other than that.” He hadn’t been given a name, “They gave us the information on the other group, as well,” so they seemed to be an ally, with a particular interest in Jedi.

But their identity was, apparently, something meant to be a secret, even from him, for now.

~***~

The Purgetrooper hadn’t exhibited any fighting prowess thus far, despite the weapons he carried. Whoever had equipped him had done a good job at mimicking what a Purgetrooper wore – just a shame their actor might not have the actual skills involved.

“All right,” Eli consented. That was sane enough. Just capture the Purgetrooper, if no one else. “Then that’s how we’ll focus our efforts. Do you know if we have any access to flashbangs or nets here?”

Those had done well in the museum, and he could imagine at least making use of the net to get the Purgetrooper handled.

Perhaps the flashbang would also work on Jedi.

He didn’t really want to find out, but if he could disorient the rebels to capture one, that seemed like a good way to do it.

~***~

Merrin tossed Greez something of a disgusted look, “What else? Are we talking to them?” The Stormtroopers were already starting to level their blasters and aim.

Merrin was definitely not Cal.

There’d be no Jedi mind tricks, just sheer force, as she expelled the energy out in a wave to go through the Troopers standing. Some, of course, were able to move out of the way and scatter a bit, or find cover, but Merrin would make sure to track them down, as Greez would help to lessen their numbers even further.

~***~

This time, First Sister was prepared for being pushed. The push met a field of energy, “You Jedi are all the same,” she retorted, as Ae’lia was getting her bearings again. Before Ae’lia could rush the Inquisitor, a pulse of energy left her, and knocked Ae’lia from her feet and to the ground on her back.

First Sister was hoping it would do much the same to Cal, for it would be him she’d rush towards, swinging her blade at his neck.

Jedi were never good at striking to kill, or striking offensively enough to deal with Inquisitors. Cal and Cere were exceptions that needed to be taken care of, sooner than later.

Ae’lia pulled for Cere’s lightsaber as she rolled onto her side in the effort of getting up. She didn’t intend to take it into her hand – but she thought another spinning blade going into the air could be useful.

 

[cleopat]

Skye accepted the answer. Some nondescript place, while may be difficult for them to find without Sabine and the droid to help them, was the best way to hide from the Empire. If Sabine wasn’t there, then maybe Skye could be able to find them by searching for Caleb Dune. It was her hope.

Fulcrum was someone working with Shay and Eira, and someone who was a part of Bail Organa’s group. Immediately Ahsoka came to mind. Eira had mentioned they had talked to Ahsoka,and she was working closely with Bail. Was she Fulcrum?

She wouldn’t ask Adlai, as he had know idea. She wouldn’t mention the name for now. Identities may be kept from everyone for good reason, just as her real identity was hidden from everyone but Eira and Adlai. And Adlai still didn’t know her real name.

“So a secret for now. Got it.” And Skye wasn’t the least bit peeved with that conclusion. She understood. The Empire could make anyone talk, and so things within the group had to be compartmentalized for protection.

She wasn’t aware of how much time had passed down in the sewer. A lot of it looked the same to her. “How much longer?”

~~

Cora frowned and quickly glanced about the speeder. It didn’t seem equipped with any additional weapons, and Thrawn noticed the same thing.

“No, I’m afraid we don’t. We only have the weapons we brought with us, but if one of us can make it back to the ship, there’s a better arsenal of weapons to choose from, including flashbangs and nets.” That is, if one of them could sneak in and get to their ship.

“I could do it,” Cora volunteered. “I’m fast. I can make it to the ship and get those weapons.” And if everyone was distracted by the troopers and by Thrawn and Eli, she could easily make it without being seen.

Thrawn nodded as the speeder came to a stop. “Very well.” Meanwhile, Ortell would try and help Tobias to get to safety where his arm could be better treated.

Blaster in one hand, Thrawn exited the speeder. The rebels were indeed there, with the Dathomir witch working her way through the Stormtroopers.

~~

“Oh yes, invite them all for tea,” was the sarcastic response from Greez. Once the wave of green energy washed over the troopers, he opened fire on some of the troopers still standing, and a few went down.

While many went down, Lin needed a clear path to their ship. Aside from the electrobatons, he was weaponless due to the creature he carried in his arms. Unless this creature can do that Force push thing again.

Lin looked down at the Child with that thought. The Child’s large eyes peeked out at him. “Can you do that Force thing again? You know, take care of some troopers?” The green creature just smiled and made a light cooing noise, as if laughing at him. “Of course you would say that,” he mumbled.

But the troopers weren’t going to be their only issue with getting to the ship, as a speeder pulled up with Thrawn and his officers in it.

~~

Cal didn’t let himself get knocked over, and he took a large jump backwards to escape the blade aimed for his neck. If they wanted to bring down this Inquisitor, he and Ae’lia would have to work together in hopes of distracting her long enough for one of them to have an opening for the final blow.

And he really wanted to keep correcting First Sister on the fact that he hadn’t technically killed an Inquisitor yet. But she was beyond believing something like that.

Cal saw Cere’s blade spin through the air from Ae’lia’s efforts. He willed the Force to help guide the blade, spinning it in the direction of First Sister. Her attention would hopefully be diverted to blocking the blade, and Cal used the opening to face her back and deliver a blow.

He hoped to deliver a final blow before Cere could get any worse, or before Ae’lia could get injured, but the First Sister has proven the formidable foe in their battle.

 

[Lucyfer]

Adlai was relieved that Skye wasn’t offended to be left out of the loop. Perhaps the fact that he didn’t know, helped. Either way, Fulcrum was an ally. At least, he had to believe that. They were bringing so many rebel groups together, he didn’t want to consider it some elaborate plot by the Empire to get them all in one place.

But a side of him did think that.

Feared it.

They kept walking for a bit, thankfully not running into anyone else within the sewers. “We’re not far,” he said, rather than state how long they’d been walking for. He imagined an exasperated groan would have met that response.

“And here,” he finally stopped them under a ladder and gestured up.

~***~

For the most part, Merrin was able to absorb any shots into the energy fields she created, but she also continued the practice of phasing in and out of sight, drawing closer to the Troopers.

She was thus, fairly close, when the speeder pulled up, and the group they had escaped from earlier revealed themselves. Merrin let out an agitated noise, and brought both of her hands together, aiming a rather large blast at the speeder itself, intent to destroy it and let the explosion that would cause deal with many in the surrounding area.

Not to mention hopefully give Lin an opening in that general space.

Eli recognized this. “Shit,” he cursed, and dove for one of the pillars holding the hangar up to hide behind in case the vehicle did explode – or just to get out of the way of the energy.

At least from behind the pillar he could try to shoot at them.

‘Of course the witch is here. Of course.’ Eli was far from happy with this situation, not that he’d been happy to begin with.

~***~

Ae’lia was able to get to her feet, in time to see the plan had worked. The Inquisitor did block the blow, only to be dealt one in turn. Cal’s saber went through her back. Through her heart.

She stumbled forward a step, and then dropped to her knees a moment, clearly struggling with what had happened.

In a fit of rage, she did make one last attempt on Cere, to snap her neck, but Ae’lia felt it, and overpowered it easily enough, bending the Force away, as First Sister finally collapsed forward to the ground. Blood didn’t rush from the cauterized wound.

Ae’lia tried not to look.

Ae’lia gestured to Cere, “I can go ahead and make sure things are clear,” not far ahead, of course, but enough to try and keep Cal out of danger.

Her gaze still went back to the Inquisitor, ‘Who were you?’ First Sister had to have been a Jedi – Ae’lia knew this, given the number, the odds of her being someone recruited after the fact were slim. But who had been First Sister?

‘You don’t want to know.’ She told herself.

As she hadn’t really wanted to know what was in the factory all those years ago. Looking, questioning it, might make things worse. She might realize that someone she had known, was dead. Worse – was turned to the dark side.

She had to let it go.

“Follow me.” She would wait for Cal to get Cere before moving.

 

[cleopat]

Skye accepted Adlai’s answer. They weren’t far. Sewers weren’t the most pleasant place to be, and though she would not complain about it, she would rather be in the open air. Where it didn’t smell like a sewer.

Fortunately she didn’t have to wait much longer. Adlai gestured to an exit, and Skye didn’t hesitate to climb up first. Not just because she wanted out, but if there were troopers guarding the entrance, it would be better if they saw her first.

And indeed there was someone on the other side. Skye straightened as she got to her feet. It was only one trooper. Was it this Sabine person they were to meet? She didn’t know, but maybe Adlai would. As he climbed up, she would speak, warning him of potential danger. Just in case.

“We were performing a full sweep of the sewers.” Her clipped accent came back. “We must never be too careful nowadays.”

~~

Cora was just as equally pleased with seeing the witch as Eli was. She cursed as the blast came for the speeder and sprinted towards the hanger. Ortell and Tobias managed to get away in time, as did Thrawn, and they each ducked behind something sturdy to avoid the blast.

The ensigns hid behind a large shipping crate, and Thrawn followed Eli’s example and ducked behind another pillar that held up the hangar. Cora managed to make it inside the hangar as the speeder exploded, the shockwave sending her sprawling on the ground for a few seconds.

She was quick to move back on her feet, and Cora continued to run the rest of the way to the ship.


The speeder exploded, sending anyone near it flying backwards from the shockwave, if not lacerating them from the flying debris. Lin saw his opening, and gestured to Greez, “Watch my back!” He was still defenseless, and they didn’t know how many would be waiting for them inside the hangar.

Greez nodded, and Lin started running, arms tight around the bundle. Greez followed, his blaster at the ready for any of the troopers and officers.

~~

Cal looked down at the body of the Inquisitor, and an emotion he could only describe as sorrow crossed his face. Sorrow for what he had done. Sorrow for who First Sister may have been before she turned. Just like Trilla, no doubt this Inquisitor was someone once part of the Jedi Order.

But that was long gone.

And he had to keep going forward.

Cal moved to carefully help Cere up, mindful of her head. He willed the Force to help her move, so Cere could extend less of her energy than needed. He could only hope that the others were able to get a clear path to the ship and take care of the Imperials.

 

[Lucyfer]

Adlai did follow up after Skye, and took note of the single trooper in white there, as well. They were…short, he noted. Even though they were in the white Stormtrooper outfit, they didn’t stack up to the expected height at all. Nor the build.

“Who gave the order?” A woman’s voice asked, not so clipped, not so Imperial. That didn’t mean too much nowadays, but Adlai thought to take a risk.

If he was wrong, it just meant they killed the Trooper. “Fulcrum did.”

There was a cant of her head, and then an exasperated sigh before she took off her helmet, revealing a tan woman with wild hair tipped orange. Definitely, not an Imperial. “So you two are the back-up, huh?” She casually moved the helmet under her arm. “Let’s get out of here, then. I don’t need the Troopers I sent to Checkpoint Five coming back and realizing they didn’t have new orders.”

Adlai slapped his helmet with his palm, his exasperation obvious with Checkpoint Five brought up again.

“What? Ezra said it’s hardly used!”

~***~

Merrin knew she couldn’t exactly abandon Lin to his run. Even with Greez behind him, they would need help. Of course, there were still these officers to deal with.

Merrin knew one thing about the Empire: the one who looked different was likely in charge. She also knew the Empire wasn’t keen on aliens, so a blue alien in white definitely meant someone high ranking, someone who could potentially call this off if under enough of a threat.

Or a leader who’s death might cause his soldiers to withdraw.

In either case, Merrin made her target the man in white behind the pillar, as she again phased out of sight by the green lights, only to manifest once more behind Thrawn himself.

Eli saw, however.

Just barely. He’d watched Cora hit the ground and thought about breaking cover to go to her, but she was up soon enough. He let out a relieved sigh, but his heart was still beating in his throat.

It only went faster as he scanned the area, realized the witch was missing, and then saw the pillar nearby lighting up. “Duck!” Eli shouted at Thrawn, as he leveled his blaster at the Witch and let out a shot.

It would have struck her head, if not for that damned energy – but at the very least, it kept her from acting immediately against Thrawn.

~***~

The weight of grief that Ae’lia felt was softened by the sorrow that Cal felt, in the silence that fell after First Sister’s demise. All of her mockery, all of her violence, forgotten in the moment of sorrow.

Of guilt, for Ae’lia, as she wondered if she had seen under the mask first, if it would have made any difference.

If she had seen into the building first….

‘Don’t weep. Not yet.’

There was a part of Ae’lia that wanted to pick up First Sister as well, to take her away from this, to burn her as a Jedi ought to be burned, to take her home if she had one. To any loved ones that remained, if such a thing existed for a Jedi. For an Inquisitor.

‘You’re still a Jedi.’ The thought was for Cal. It turned itself back on her as she gave Cal a silent nod, and took the lead back towards the hangar, not at all hiding the glowing blades or what she was in the moment, save by hiding her face.

There was the sound of an explosion on the way back. ‘Not good.’ She glanced to Cal for only a moment, and found herself making a gesture from back in the Clone Wars, when she led armies, to signal that he should follow at a distance, before she called on that old speed to sprint ahead. Every force would be drawn to that explosion.

If he kept to shadows, and out of sight, he should be easily able to make it with the attention focused there.

Ae’lia would draw more.

 

[cleopat]

Skye was fully prepared for the Stormtrooper to be an actual Imperial trooper, and not the woman they were supposed to meet, but luck was on their side. Sabine removed her helmet, and although Skye knew nothing of the woman and how she looked, she did not expect the colorful hair at all.

She liked Sabine already.

And the woman thought to send the troopers to Checkpoint Five as well. With both hands set on her hips, she sent a triumphant smirk to Adlai. Oh, she really hoped Adlai could feel it. “See? I knew it was a good idea!” But with Sabine’s mention of her own plan, a slight issue was brought up.

“Okay, yeah, we should get out of here. I also sent some troopers to Checkpoint Five.” Once the troopers ran into each other, they would know something was up, and that gave them little time.

~~

Cora continued her run to their shuttle with no other diversions. No witch to appear in front of her and stop her. She ran into the ship and quickly made her way to a cabinet that held a few extra weapons, including the flashbangs and nets they needed to apprehend the Purge Trooper. A few she was able to clip to her belt, and the rest she could carry until Thrawn or Eli spotted her and came to grab some.

As fast as she could with the new equipment, Cora rushed back to the scene of the action. She could throw one of the flashbangs right then, but without warning Eli or Thrawn about the incoming attack, it would be useless.

Although pausing the scene for a moment would not be the worst idea.


Lin and Greez continued to run, but with the presence of the officers at the entrance of the hangar, Lin ducked behind a large container, and Greez followed him while shooting a few more Troopers.

“We may have to wait until the others arrive,” Greez said, taking deep breaths of air.

Lin wanted to agree, even if he felt utterly useless just standing and waiting for a clearing. Peering around the corner of the container, he looked at the scene. Merrin fighting Thrawn, an officer near his age saving Thrawn from Merrin’s powers, and then another one was coming from the hangar...with what looked to be flashbangs and nets.

Oh that won’t be fun.

“Merrin!” He yelled, before motioning to the female officer, who looked like she was about to set off one of the flashbangs.



Thrawn had a feeling of what the Dathomir had planned when she dematerialized out of sight. It was only confirmed when he heard a sound behind him along with a shout from Eli. He ducked and rolled out of the way, straightening back up with a tight grip on his blaster.

It would do no good against the Dathomir, but it could provide him some time.

He aimed at Merrin, and took a few shots. From the corner of his eye he could see Cora returning with the weapons. That would hopefully provide them the advantage they needed.

But in that moment, another voice yelled out a name, one he assumed belonged to the Dathomir. His head shot over to where he heard the voice, and it was that Purge Trooper, warning Merrin of Cora. Thrawn took a few more shots at Merrin, an attempt to distract her from his officer.

~~

Cal wasn’t far behind Ae’lia, following her example in keeping his lightsaber out and lit, with one arm supporting Cere. It would be more convenient in case they encountered trouble along the way to the hangar, and to better protect the Jedi leaning on him.

Then there was the sound of an explosion. His eyes widened slightly, thoughts trying to process what they might see at the scene. Ae’lia glanced at him, and made a strange gesture that Cal furrowed his brows at, but the meaning became clear.

He nodded, and once Ae’lia made her distance, Cal followed suit, sticking to the shadows and away from Imperial eyes. While holding onto Cere, they would be more vulnerable to any attack. It wasn’t like he could just drop her and fight someone.

Before he saw the hangar, he could already see the strewn bodies of Stormtroopers he assumed Merrin had taken care of, and by the singe of the armor on a few others, Greez as well.

 

[Lucyfer]

Sabine hadn’t understood the exasperation of one until the other spoke, speaking about Checkpoint Five and a similar decision. Although she sensed the problems with it, she still laughed aloud…only for Chopper to speak his irritation about the plan from the start, from his own hiding place.

“Oh come on, Chopper, it wasn’t bad. We didn’t know others were going to be there!”

“That’s exactly why it’s bad,” Adlai couldn’t believe he was agreeing with a droid.

“Well, it got you two here, didn’t it? And they’re not going to find us from there,” she added, and gestured, “So come on,” she stuck the helmet back on, mostly because she didn’t want to carry it, but she also wasn’t keen on losing it, “Somethings have changed since we called for aid, so I need to get you two caught up before you see Hera.”

She started to walk, and Adlai fell in step behind her. “What’s changed? We need to get you off Lothal.”

“Yeaaaah…but we can’t go without Kanan.”

~***~

Merrin wasn’t getting a chance to do as much as she’d like. These officers were clearly more than the rank-and-file, good at dodging and paying attention. Merrin was able to block the bolts as they came – but that didn’t really stop them from coming. Given, she could probably keep this up until they ran out of ammunition, she didn’t have that sort of time.

A shout and a glance indicated that, as she saw a woman preparing to set of something.

Merrin let out an irritated sound as even more bolts came from both Eli and Thrawn. She tried to step back and get behind a pillar so she had a moment to dematerialize, but Eli just moved from his own cover to keep her pinned, recognizing what Cora was doing.

If he had to go down a moment, so be it.

He might at least manage to shut his eyes in time.

Ae’lia had gotten close enough to see fighting, but not close enough to do much about it, by then.

~***~

Cere was starting to come to again, position awkward in leaning on Cal. “Ugh.” Her head really hurt, “Cal, let me go,” she spoke quietly, still aware that they weren’t on the Mantis, and so likely not really safe, but she was only going to slow Cal – and herself – down by this.

At least she was fairly certain the Inquisitor was dealt with, as she moved to straighten herself up, using Cal’s shoulder a moment to push up and get her bearings, noting the bodies that were in their path leading back to the hangar.

Merrin and Greez were never all that interested in letting people live, when they got in their way.

The Empire was not going to be happy. Not that they ever were happy with this kind of thing.

And that was when she noticed, “Where’s the child?” She could ask where the others were, but she assumed they were all ahead, somewhere. That Cal had stayed behind to deal with the Inquisitor.

 

[cleopat]

Skye looked over at the droid she just noticed the droid, an older series of an astromech droid. It seemed to hold the same sentiment as Adlai concerning their unknowingly shared plan. “It only turns into a bad plan if we get caught.” And they were certainly not going to get caught.

She followed after Sabine, falling in line right beside Adlai. A frown crossed her face with the unexpected news Sabine revealed. That was never a good sign, not with this delicate situation they were already in.

Can’t go without Kanan.

Kanan, their Jedi. Skye had a really bad feeling about this. She attempted to reach out, to see if she could feel him, but she couldn’t. Caleb Dune wasn’t there. Something else was though, but Skye couldn’t tell what it was. It wasn’t anything dark, which was reassuring, but there was the big issue of Kanan.

“Sabine, where is Kanan?” she asked, her voice steady. “What happened to him?”

~~

Eli and Thrawn kept Merrin distracted enough from Cora long enough for her to throw a flashbang. She covered her eyes in time for the blinding light to encompass the area and anyone looking onto the scene. Her hearing would suffer for a few minutes, but she didn’t need to hear to take out the net gun.

Lin wasn’t quite aware of what the female officer threw on the ground. He had first assumed it was a detonator, even if that seemed foolishly suicidal for the Imperial officers. So Lin was blinded and deafened by the flashbang when it went off. Shit.

Thrawn had managed to shield himself just in time for the flashbang, previously focused on keeping Merrin’s attention away from Suvan. He winced at the noise assaulting his sensitive hearing, but he pushed past it.

With her clear opening, Cora fired the net gun on Lin, and once again on Greez to slow him down from helping, who both couldn’t do anything in their blindness to stop the nets.

~~

Cal felt Cere stir beside him, soon to ask him to let go of her. “I don’t think so,” he responded, keeping his grip on her. She would be defenseless if he let her go, and he doubted she could get to their ship without help.

“I’m not letting go until I get you back on the Mantis and we can get your head taken care of.” No doubt she had a concussion, as Cal vividly recalled the noise of the crunch from the impact of her head against the ground. It made him feel sick.

He allowed Cere to straighten herself up, but he still kept an arm around her for support. “The child is with Lin. He, Greez, and Merrin were trying to make it back to the ship.” And judging by the troopers on the ground, they were succeeding.

They hadn’t quite made it to the scene of the battle just yet when a bright light and a loud bang went off. As they weren’t in the area, the light didn’t bother Cal so much as the noise did, his ears now ringing and drowning out any other noise.

 

[Lucyfer]

Sabine was prepared to answer Skye’s question. That was what she wanted to brief them on, after all. “We’re gathering information on that,” she said, “but he was captured by the Grand Inquisitor,” she said. “We believe he’s still on one of the ships above, but we’re attempting to confirm that.”

Chopper was on that mission, actually, but he’d gone with her to this, since they were expecting their back-up today or tomorrow.

Chopper did note he was working to gather information. He didn’t have it yet.

Adlai did suck in a breath. “That…does change things,” he understood more of why Shay wanted them out here so soon. Things were getting bad, quickly. This couldn’t have happened that long ago, so it was probable that Kanan was still up there…but they had to find out, and make a plan of action.

~***~

Eli had been able to shield his eyes, but not his ears, when the blast came. The others weren’t so lucky, not fully aware of what they were bringing out. Eli opened his eyes and tried to orient himself with the ringing in his ears. He saw Merrin stumble into the pillar, disoriented, and considered taking a shot, but decided that helping with the Purgetrooper was far more important.

Although he wasn’t sure how helpful he could be.

Except, he wasn’t able to.

Ae’lia had been far enough away to suffer only mildly, and nothing to her vision. She saw the net fall over Lin, and over Greez.

Her hearing was impaired, and her balance a bit, but not enough. As she saw Eli starting to move in that direction, she grasped him with the Force, and threw him into the woman who had fired the nets to prevent her from doing anything else, before she sped up to try and quickly cut through the nets over Greez and Lin.

~***~

Cere was irked by Cal’s determination to hold onto her, but there was little she could do for it. She understood why he would worry. She was pretty sure she needed to be seen by someone more professional than usual.

When light flared across her vision, she thought it might be a symptom, until she realized her ears were also ringing, and there appeared to be some stumbling and problems up ahead of them.

She wouldn’t hear herself even if she tried to speak, and she knew it. She wanted to tell Cal to just leave her – focus on the Child – and knew that would fail. So, instead, she just clung to him and sought out her lightsaber so she might at least have something to block a few blaster shots if they came their way as they got closer to the hangar.

Ideally, Cal could get her to the Mantis, and then go back and help the others.

 

[cleopat]

Skye faltered with the news of Kanan and the Grand Inquisitor. It had been mentioned he was on Lothal, and there was the possibility he could come into the picture, but he had captured Kanan? That meant she may have to face the Grand Inquisitor, if she was unlucky enough.

And she wanted to tell them she could help them figure out which ship Kanan was on, if they could get closer. But, that would expose her secret to them, and they already knew one Jedi. To know two? She didn’t want to risk it.

Skye would wait and see what happened.

“You can say that again,” she said in response to Adlai’s comment. Her voice held slight nervousness. But if they were to rescue Caleb Dune, then she would do it while looking the Inquisitor in the eyes. They couldn’t lose another Jedi to the Empire.

~~

Cora had started to move to apprehend Lin, but the masked Jedi appeared, and in the next moment a body collided with hers, sending her sprawling to the ground with a weight on top of her. “Oof.” The impact knocked out her breath for a few seconds.

Thrawn had noticed the movement of the Jedi, and of what she did to Eli and Cora. Merrin was hardly his concern anymore, not when this Jedi was currently trying to free the Purge Trooper. Slowly he stepped over in their direction, bringing his blaster from his side up to in front of him.

He was growing rather annoyed with these Jedis.

While the masked Jedi was focused on freeing the Purge Trooper, he fired three shots in her direction.

As Ae’lia started to free Lin and Greez, Lin looked up and noticed Thrawn’s glowing glare focused on her. “Umm, your blue friend is about to do something bad.”

~~

Cal pushed through the slight disorientation he felt as a result of the blast. He focused on using the Force to ‘see’ his way back to the ship, as his ears continued to ring relentlessly. He wouldn’t argue against Cere for taking out her saber. She needed to feel some sort of control in her injured state, and even with a head wound, he had no doubt she could still use the weapon with deadly accuracy.

Everyone seemed to be focused on Lin and Greez. While not exactly the best situation, Cal knew they could hold on long enough for him to take Cere to the ship and get back out there. Two of the officers were down, and Ae’lia could take care of the Grand Admiral. He hoped.

But where is Merrin…

And that was when he saw her, as he neared the entrance. Disoriented from the flashbang, she was out for a few minutes. “Almost there,” Cal muttered to Cere.

They still may have a few more troopers to face inside the hangar, instructed not to abandon their post in guarding the Mantis.

 

[Lucyfer]

Adlai could hear the nervousness. Despite their outfits, and the modulators, he still reached a hand out to place on her armored shoulder. “It’ll be okay. We’re here to help, and we’ll make sure to save Kanan.” Adlai wouldn’t indicate it was personal.

It shouldn’t be, and yet, knowing two Jedi, it was somehow very personal to him. He wanted to prevent the Empire from harming anymore of them, even those he didn’t know. He wanted to save this Kanan – this Caleb.

Sabine cocked her head back a moment, covered though it was, Adlai could still easily imagine the grin. “Maybe you two will fit in.”

They would see, and Sabine would lead them across the open spaces of Lothal, to one of its many rock formations, where Ghost squadron was resting and gathering information. Preparing. Chopper went on ahead to alert the others to their arrival, naturally.

He had to be the first to tell Hera and complain about Checkpoint Five.

~***~

The lightsaber made short work of the netting. Greez was free first, before Ae’lia turned to Lin. She had just started on his, when she heard Lin’s warning, and turned her gaze towards Mitth’raw’nuruodo.

How quick he was to fire!

He was truly a terribly efficient Imperial, but he had no idea how to handle a Jedi. Two blades made quick work of three blaster shots – one would have, really, given they were all focused on striking her body.

She didn’t waste time with continuing to free Lin. Greez could handle it from there.

She sprinted to close the distance between herself and Mitth’raw’nuruodo, sliding low in something of a feint, before slicing upwards to cut his blaster in two so he couldn’t do any further harm with it. The cut wasn’t meant for an explosion, of course – just to remove the front part to make any shot terribly ineffective and inefficient with the energy spread.

She wasn’t here to kill or maim – that remained true.



Eli could at least agree he wasn’t maimed, or dead – but he was hurt. It wasn’t the worst position to be in, but he wasn’t happy with the thought that he may have hurt Cora in the collision, as he managed to roll off of her, and sit up. “Cora?” He looked to her, when he knew he should have focused on Thrawn.

On the Purgetrooper, and the mission.

On Merrin.

“Are you okay?” He was starting to pick himself up, a bit wobbly since his ears were still ringing. He intended to offer her help up, once he got there himself.

~***~

Cere could tell they were making progress. She saw Merrin as they moved by, and dared to try and reach out to her with the Force. There was a response, a straightening up and looking around, even if she wasn’t well put-together, yet. She could feel Cere.

Cal.

And she focused on that sort of feeling, that sight, and turned her attention towards them, half-hobbling to follow after Cal.

She needed to get herself together, and it sounded like things were handled for a moment.

Felt like – Ae’lia’s presence in the Force was growing, brightening.

The Child also still felt alright.

The Mantis itself would be found with few guards…and those who still stood there were shaken by all that was going on. A couple even fled at the sight of Cal, Merrin, and Cere, though the others that remained were visibly shaking as they lifted weapons.

 

[cleopat]

Despite the layers of their armored uniform, Skye relaxed as Adlai placed a hand on her shoulder. She reached a hand up to place on his in a silent thank you, before lowering it back to her side. She wished to say in the moment how much his words and comfort meant to her, but she withheld her tongue.

One thing Skye knew was that she liked Sabine’s spunk, even if they haven’t known each other for very long at all. She could only imagine how the rest of the team would be like.

As they neared the Ghost, Chopped rolled ahead of them, making low complaints about Checkpoint Five. "That one is a cantankerous little sort, isn't it?" It seemed rather grumpy, at least.

"So," Skye started, her nerves dissipated for now, "have you guys already started thinking about a plan to get Kanan back?"

~~

As Ae’lia focused her attention on Thrawn, Greez turned to Lin to work on finishing freeing him from the net. It seemed that the Child also wanted to help, as it reached a small hand out to grab onto the net, more from childlike curiosity than anything else.

“No, no, let’s let go of that,” Lin urged, gently pulling the net away from the Child’s hand. The creature made a small noise of dissatisfaction and looked at Lin with wide eyes.

“This creature is going to be the death of us,” Greez muttered, pulling the rest of the net off of Lin. “Now let’s hurry, it looks like the others made it into the hangar.” He had briefly seen Cere and Cal, and he no longer could see Merrin anywhere, so Greez could only hope that meant good news for them.



The Jedi was quick to block his blaster shots, and Thrawn had a growing sensation that they would be leaving with nothing from Corellia. Not when their one chance at taking down a Jedi was gone.

This would require bigger firepower that he didn’t have access to right then.

She sprinted towards him, but Thrawn didn’t flinch. He didn’t even blink as she cut the tip off his blaster. No, she had no intention of killing him, and this he knew.

What he wanted to know was why.

The blaster now as good as useless, he tossed it aside. “You had every opportunity to kill or even injure me, and yet you choose not to.” His red glow of his eyes narrowed slightly. “Why is that?”



Cora felt like she could breathe much better once Eli was off her, not that she would mention that. She laid there for a moment, willing her head to stop spinning and pounding simultaneously.

Oh she is demanding a day or two off after this.

Cora didn’t recognize that Eli called out her name at first, but she caught the question he asked. “Yeah, I’m okay. I...I think I need a second.” To catch her breath. For her ears to stop ringing. For her head to stop pounding.

“What about you? Are you okay?” Cora looked over to see that Eli was already picking himself up, clearly not terribly hurt from their collision.

~~

Merrin wasn’t completely unscathed either. They would have to hurry and leave before any more Imperials could arrive, and they were outnumbered. And with Cere and Merrin staggering, they wouldn’t be able to defend themselves as well.

This was assuming everyone else was okay.

They wouldn’t have a hard time getting to their ship though. A few guards were standing by, but Cal could easily sense the nervousness in those who didn’t immediately run away at the sight of them.

Cal lifted his saber up, exasperation clear on his face. “Are you really going to make me do this?” A few more decided against staying, and they too fled. Two remained, and Cal lifted his hand. With a sweeping motion, he pushed them away from the ship. They were spooked enough that when they got back on their feet, the remaining troopers fled, and the Mantis was clear.

 

[Lucyfer]

“Yeah,” Sabine giggled a bit, “But we love Chopper,” she confessed easily enough, and motioned them on ahead, “and of course we have – but we still need more information to do that, which, we can check in with Hera.”

See if she had anything just yet.

Or Ezra, although Ezra probably didn’t know too much more. The kid had been disheartened by all that happened with the radio tower, and their feeling of being in this alone. Perhaps seeing that they weren’t in this alone would help them, so she did make a bit of a turn, “Hey, Ezra!” She called, as soon as she saw the kid that was, more or less, Kanan’s padawan.

Outside of Hera, he was the one taking this the hardest.

Hera was just better at hiding it, “Look who showed up!”

As Sabine said that, Adlai opted to take off his helmet.

~***~

It was obvious that Mitth’raw’nuruodo recognized he was in no danger. Despite all of his anger, he tossed aside the useless blaster when it was ruined, and didn’t reach for anything else. Ae’lia kept some attention on the surrounding area as she backed away regardless. She knew he was capable without a blaster. Ideally, the lightsabers would serve as a decent deterrent. ‘Hold….’ Perhaps she could hold them here until the last second.

It would be nothing for her to jump into the Mantis, if it were low enough in the sky.

She was fairly certain they weren’t going to be taking back their ship at this point.

The thought did occur to just run, but Mitth’raw’nuruodo had asked a question – and she wanted to answer. “I do not kill,” she told him simply. “It was never meant to be the Jedi way. Your Empire has told you nothing but lies about the Jedi, Thrawn,” she was able to stay in the role, at least, where voice and inflection were concerned.

Where not using his full name was concerned.



Eli certainly understood her needing a second. Of course, his own fall had been softened by her, so he couldn’t say he was that bad off from this one. The Child’s throw had hurt him more. He wasn’t comfortable with it in any case, of course. Being thrown by something he couldn’t see wasn’t exactly ideal.

He couldn’t defend against it at all.

‘Thrawn….’ He saw him out of the corner of his eye, the Jedi in front of him, but not attacking. Neither were attacking.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” he said. This wasn’t over, but he wasn’t going to leave Cora on the ground. Could they catch a Jedi? ‘No.’ No, the Jedi had already proven to them that wasn’t likely. They’d never manage to hit them with a stun blast; it’d just be blocked.

~***~

The path to the ship was cleared, and Merrin took a few steps ahead to make sure it stayed that way – staggering or not, she could make sure that Cere got in, “I’ll stay here,” she told Cal, speaking at a higher volume than usual. She still didn’t hear herself very well. She could defend the ship, and Cere, if he went back out to get the rest of their group.

Greez and Lin might need it.

So might the Jedi.

She could at least sense things through the Force, and her vision was starting to clear up, more and more. She would be well enough soon to help.

In either case, it was better than going back out there.

She did not like flashbangs.

Cere would find the couch and stay there a moment, before getting up to head towards the cockpit to get things moving.

 

[cleopat]

As Sabine called out for Ezra, a kid with black hair looked over at the approaching group. He couldn’t have been older than 15, noted Skye with some sorrow. Way too young to be risking his life in a rebel cell. But how old was she when the Clone Wars started? Around that same age.

Then that feeling from earlier happened again, stronger this time. Was it the kid? Skye would have to see if she could get any information on this Ezra.

Skye noticed Adlai removing his helmet, and she followed suit, tucking the helmet under her arm. Ezra seemed fascinated with the Purge Trooper helmet, and Skye raised one brow at him. “This is going to seem like an odd question, but is there any way I can have that helmet?” He looked a bit sheepish as he spoke. “I collect them.”

That wasn’t what Skye was expecting, but she chuckled. “After this mission? Sure, you can keep it.”

~~

‘It was never meant to be the Jedi way.’

Thrawn had met a Jedi once, a long time ago, and he was fairly certain that Jedi may disagree with the statement she offered. And he was sure that the other Jedi with the Inquisitor blades wouldn’t hesitate to kill. He didn’t know about the red head though.

“I am disinclined to quite believe you. Your friend, Cere, was it? She certainly looked like she was ready to kill all of my officers.” And she had been successful in injuring one of them.

But what the Jedi truly did or not was irrelevant. “Regardless, you are working directly with the rebels, and thus the Empire will put an end to this.” Maybe not today. He was without a weapon, and physically attacking would be foolish with her glowing blades a silent threat.




Cora nodded when Eli confirmed he was okay. “Good, good.” Not that she expected any different, as she took in the brunt of the collision, but he had already been tossed once before with the Force.

Finally catching her breath, Cora allowed Eli to help her up. Her head was pounding still, and she grasped onto Eli’s arm to steady herself as her vision spun for a few seconds. “I think we need to convince Admiral Thrawn to leave now.”

They weren’t going to win. If they continued to fight, they would only sustain more injuries.

Once she felt like she was stable, Cora let go of Eli’s arm. In a hushed whisper, she said, “We were way in over our heads with this.” She wouldn’t say that to Thrawn though, even if he may be thinking the same thing.

~~

Cal nodded at Merrin, and he helped Cere up the ramp and inside the ship. From there he allowed her to walk on her own, but he would be quick by her side if she started to stumble or asked for help.

BD-1 beeped at them, worried over the injured friend. “I need to go help the others get back to the ship,” Cal told his droid. “Help Cere with whatever she may need.” The droid chirped, and he ran back out the ship, past Merrin, and back to the scene of the action.

Things were quickly swaying in the favor of the Ghost crew, that Cal could see. The blue Grand Admiral was standing near Ae’lia, without any weapon in his hand. The two officers seemed like they realized there was no stopping the Jedi, not with their Imperial weapons.

Lin and Greeze had hurried across the scene and headed his way. Cal closed the distance between them with his saber ready, just in case of an unexpected attack, but none came. “Come on, let’s hurry. We can pick up Ae’lia on our way out.”

Lin looked back at the woman, and a slight frown tugged on his lips, but she was capable. She was a big girl. She could handle this. He nodded, “Alright.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Adlai smiled, “I’m guessing those aren’t too common,” no, they only showed up in areas with Jedi. “If you need others, let me know. I have a connection,” he winked, as Sabine also took off her helmet.

Sabine raised her brows, “I might need some,” she used them for art. “Who’s this friend of yours?”

“My leader,” he said, “not sure how much I should say about that just yet, but once we got off Lothal and get connected with the others, I can probably say a bit more. She’s good at getting all sorts of costumes, though.”

“Uh hu—wait, is it Eira?” Sabine said, “you were dating her, right? The actress?”

“Fake-dating, yes – and not exactly. Though yes, costuming departments are great for this,” and he suspected that was part of how Shay got these things.

“Geeze, what is going on out he—” Zeb came walking into the area, hearing the ruckus. He paused a moment at the sight of the three in uniforms, before sighing, “You all need to get out of those things, giving me a heart attack.”

“I didn’t really bring anything else,” Adlai noted, “we were hoping this might be a quick mission.”

“Have you seen Hera, Zeb?” Sabine asked.

Zeb grunted, which was enough of an answer for Sabine. “So who are these?”

“From Fulcrum,” there was some irritation in saying that, “Adlai and Skye.”

~***~

Ae’lia could see the others moving away. She even caught sight of Cal behind Thrawn, but she never looked directly at any of them. The Inquisitor helmet may have covered such a glance, but she wasn’t going to risk it.

For a moment, it was just her.

And she knew if Thrawn decided to rally things right then, it could be fatal. There was a reason the Jedi were exterminated. The numbers of clones were too many, and it was too sudden. Ae’lia was prepared, but not oblivious to the fact that the remaining Stormtroopers and officers were starting to severely outnumber her.

“Cere Junda,” Ae’lia confirmed. “Padawan to one of our great scholars, but she was a Knight through and through.” And, Ae’lia imagined, not so murderous once upon a time. “Things change – I am certain even you can recognize that without having the art to study it, that in times of near genocide, a people, and a culture, change to adapt.”

The Jedi were no longer who they were meant to be. They hadn’t been, since the Clone Wars, but especially now. What they were, was gone.



Eli certainly agreed with Cora, but he also knew there was little either of them could do right now. Approaching Thrawn wouldn’t be beneficial right now. He was talking to the stranger, to the Impersonator. He was likely gathering some information that way – at least, Eli hoped. Mostly, he didn’t want to spook the Inquisitor.

So far, the fake hadn’t shown themselves to be overly hostile.

That didn’t mean they couldn’t become that.

“I’m going to go back to the ship,” Eli said, “and let our forces above know that it’s likely the Mantis will be heading their way. I need to advise them to shoot to disable.” It was the main thing he could do try and get hostages. Perhaps they’d have to kill the Jedis, but the others, they could question.

“Stay here, and make sure nothing happens to Thrawn. Comm me if the situation changes.”

He would start to step back and away, much as he didn’t want to leave Cora or break from her hold, he knew they still had to act. This was the best way he could think to do that.

~***~

Cere was able to get the ship primed in the absence of Cal. Merrin stayed outside, but as she saw the others approaching, she was quick to start to wave them over hurriedly. She was doing better. The effects continued to fade.

“Where is Ae’lia?” She could not help but ask as she recognized one party member was missing.

Cere heard the question as they started to load up. “Probably drawing attention,” Cere said, looking to Greez, “so glad you’re here.” She could not operate this ship on her own. Not well, anyways. “She was a counsellor – she should be good at that.” In theory.

Of course, she was also an actress, so she had that going for her, too. “Greez, take over. Merrin, you good enough to get us out of here once we have her?”

Merrin gave a firm nod, knowing what Cere was asking.

“Good…I’m going to go ransack our first aid,” she got up from her seat, reaching a moment to put her palm to the wall as she did so. Yeah, this wasn’t good. “I’m getting too old for this….”

 

[cleopat]

Ezra perked up at the prospect of landing more trooper helmets for his collection. Not only the Purge Trooper, but others they didn’t see often on Lothal. It even made him temporarily forget his sorrow and frustration over Kanan being captured.

A new figure stepped out into sight. A Lasat. Skye recalled briefly that his file was one Adlai had been looking over the previous night. Sabine introduced them, and at her name. Skye gave them a small wave with a smile. “Now that we have those introductions out of the way, I think it’s time we need to be discussing how to rescue Kanan.”

Every moment he was with the Empire and the Grand Inquisitor was another moment he was closer to death.

Ezra had an almost excited look on his face. “So you’re really going to help us?” Hera, although upset with Kanan’s capture, insisted that they had to continue on. Rescue would be dangerous. But fortunately Sabine and Zeb had quickly agreed to his reckless ideas.

Skye nodded. “Of course we are. After all, our mission was to get all of you off of Lothal, and that includes Kanan. It just seems like we’ll be taking a little detour.”

~~

Yes, Thrawn could understand the need to reinvent oneself to blend in to a new environment, a new culture and society. He’d done it enough climbing his way through the ranks of the Empire, even if he never quite grasped the concept of playing politics.

But...the Jedi said something interesting. Thrawn canted his head, observing her as if he could see through the visor on her helmet. “You’ve done some research on me, haven’t you?” She mentioned his studying art, and it wasn’t something he hid, but not even everyone in the Empire knew of that, unless they met him or knew someone who did meet him.

People love to gossip.

But a Jedi, far removed from the Empire? This was interesting.

“It may not be today, but I will find out who you are.” This he vowed. There was a chance his TIEs could apprehend the Mantis ship, but he prepared himself for failure in the skies, just like on the ground.



Cora nodded with Eli’s plan. It sounded sane enough, and it was the last chance they had at apprehending the rebels and Jedis. “Be sure to stress that disable part. Some can get trigger happy with the kill shot.” And they needed hostages for information.

She would stay behind, and watch the odd exchange between the Jedi and Thrawn. They were just...talking. She had heard of Thrawn engaging in such tactics before, a way to truly get to know their enemy, but to see it in action was something else. Almost surreal.

But, if the Jedi remained distracted by Thrawn, Cora was at a great angle to stun the woman if she was caught off guard. She would risk it.

Blaster set on stun, she aimed at the woman and fired the shot.

~~

Lin heard Cere’s response to Merrin’s question, and he nodded. “Yeah, she’s distracting Thrawn for now. We can pick her up.”

Greez was more than happy to take over his ship, and he quickly got into the pilot’s seat to finish preparing the ship to leave the hangar.

Lin saw how Cere moved, still stumbling from the head wound. “Let me help,” he offered. The Child would be safe now. Carefully, he knelt on the floor and placed the green creature down. Once finally on the floor, the Child looked quizzically around the ship as if piecing together what was going on.

Meanwhile, Lin walked to the first aid and opened the box. “Let’s see, bacta bandages, something to ease pain...all of the above, or just something for the pain?” He looked back at Cere, scanning her body for any other potential injuries.

 

[Lucyfer]

Adlai also nodded to Ezra’s question, “I’m not going to see the Empire take down another Jedi,” he would allow it to be personal. He had a feeling that was going to help the kid, just as the offer of more helmets would. It was obvious to Adlai that Ezra was attached to Kanan the most in this room, and this was personal for him.

He’d made his mistakes in the Clone Wars, and he’d learned.

No matter how much he might have disliked the Jedi back then, he’d never wanted this fate for them. He didn’t want it now, either.

“Heh.” Zeb couldn’t help the small smile at that, “Well good. Sabine, you wanna go get Hera?”

“I thought Chopper was doing that,” she said, shaking her head, “but I guess he got distracted,” complaining, probably, “I’ll be right back,” if they were going to start planning, they needed all hands. That included Hera.

~***~

“You are an anomaly in the Empire, Thrawn.” Ae’lia acknowledged the bit of research with that. It ought to be response enough, he was aware he was the only alien in high command. Ae’lia was half-convinced he was the only alien in any sort of command, but she doubted that was entirely true. There might be a few others, scattered around in lesser command positions.

‘You already know me.’

Except, of course, he didn’t. Grasping her old identity, her true identity, had never felt easier, and sinking into it again was a relief. Feeling the Force so strongly again, and seeing good in her foes, hoping they, too, could see that good for themselves…but it couldn’t last.

She had to go back to Eira again, and bury Ae’lia in darkness.

The blaster shot was guarded against easily, and Ae’lia turned from Thrawn, to Cora, and rushed her as she’d done Thrawn to cut the blaster into two. As before, no harm was meant – just a cessation to the harm they were doing.

Of course, on reaching Cora, she was certain she heard a ship.

‘Soon.’

Just a little longer.

~***~

Eli had hopped back into their ship and gotten on the comms as quick as he could, ignoring the Mantis. Attempting to storm or delay it, would just end in him dead, he was certain. So, he got on the comm line, “This is Commander Vanto to All Forces, repeat, Vanto to All Forces,” he said.

He waited a few moments for voices to chime in, before he continued.

“The Mantis will be leaving Corellia. We need this ship detained. Shoot to disable and disarm it, do not shoot to destroy it. We need living prisoners. Confirm order.” Eli stated.

Several chimed back, indicating the order was heard.

~***~

Within the Mantis, Eli’s words would be heard as well through a comm device that BD-1 had been listening to in order to monitor Imperial activity. BD-1, unnecessarily perhaps, repeated the information.

“That’s…promising,” Cere supposed. Usually they’d still want all of them dead. She half wanted to be dead already thanks to her head. She took a seat on the couch as Lin volunteered to help, while the Child made his curious way over to her once she sat down, examining everything else around them.

“Both of those. Probably.” Cere supposed a bacta pad to her head couldn’t hurt, and as the Child struggled to climb up onto the couch, she reached down to help pull him up. “It’s gonna be okay, Greez and Merrin will get us out of here,” she told him, seeing that worried expression. Unaware the Child fully understood what was wrong with her.

Even as he made small hands to try reach for her head. She just set him down on the couch and he let out a whine.

 

[cleopat]

As Adlai made his vow to Ezra, Skye looked at him with full admiration, as he was determined to help someone he didn’t even know escape from the Empire. Only a few would so willingly put their lives on the line like that, staring right in the eyes of the enemy. Only a few weeks ago, Skye would back away from such a notion, but here she was, vowing to do the same.

Ezra seemed pleased with Adlai’s answer, with the edges of determination shining in his eyes. He won’t have to do this alone, and now they even had help to rescue Kanan. “Thank you.”

Skye smiled and nodded. “Of course.” Her eyes followed Sabine as the woman left to go fetch Hera. It was rather curious that the Twi’lek hadn’t come yet. Wasn’t she the leader of this rebel group?



Hera had been in the cockpit of the Ghost when the others arrived, but she had been deep in her thoughts, absentmindedly messing with the same panel for several minutes. They needed to hide, to get away from Lothal. That was the mission.

But Kanan.

They weren’t a complete group without Kanan. Hera was starting to fall into the same mindset as Ezra. They needed to somehow get Kanan back from the Empire.

An irritated beeping drew her from her thoughts, and Hera frowned as Chopper rolled into the cockpit. “What is it now?” It didn’t give her a straight answer, just complaining that some people will get them all killed one day. As it continued to ramble on, it rolled back out. With a sigh, Hera decided to follow Chopper.

She ran into Sabine halfway, a less than amused expression on her face, and hands perched on her hips. “Chopper seems to be annoyed by something. What did you do?” It was always either Sabine or Ezra. Sometimes Zeb if he was with Ezra. “Has our backup arrived yet?”

~~

The response gave Thrawn nothing. The masked Jedi remained a mystery for him, and it pained him to think how he would leave Corellia and return to the Chimaera with nothing to show for it. This was a failed mission.

Cora had shot at her, but as the Jedi did with Thrawn, she cut the blaster so it would be rendered useless. Cora gasped as Ae’lia came to her, and she had half expected the Jedi to use the saber on her, despite what she had seen had suggested that this Jedi did not like to inflict harm unless necessary.

She stared wide-eyed at the Jedi, hand shaking slightly with the blaster still firmly grasped. She was very conflicted on what to think of this Jedi, as she wasn’t keen on killing the officers as Cora was led to believe.

“Officer Suvan,” Thrawn said, his voice firm. Cora’s gaze snapped over to him as he began, “Find Officers Ortell and Tobias, and get back to our ship.” She slowly nodded, and she would first take a few steps backwards, away from the Jedi, before turning around to face forward and hurry to the nearby infirmary they had gone to earlier.

As Cora hurried away, Thrawn directed his attention back at Ae’lia. “What else do you know about me?”

~~

“Well, I suppose it could be worse,” Greez commented. Although, he couldn’t imagine that if they were captured, they would live very long. The Empire wanted questions answered, and after that, they would be disposed of.

Lin had given a glance to the Child as Lin took out the medical supplies from the first aid kit. Cal walked over to the couch and picked him up, placing him on his lap as he took a seat next to Cere. “Are you worried?” he asked, as if the creature could answer him.

The Child looked at Cal, then back once more at Cere, and more specifically, at her head. He made small hands again in that direction. Cal frowned, sensing that the Child wanted to do something. He could feel the Force radiating from the small creature; he was trying to do something.

As the ship started and began to leave the hangar, Cal lifted the Child and brought him closer to Cere. “What are you doing?” Lin was the one to ask.

“I think he wants to help,” Cal answered. The Child reached out a small hand towards Cere’s head and closed his eyes, focusing on the head wound.

 

[Lucyfer]

Adlai gave a nod to Ezra, mirroring Skye’s sentiments. Of course he would help. That’s why he was involved in all of this. He’d made his mistakes, but he was out to fix them, and fix the galaxy. He’d always wanted a better galaxy. He’d been in this fight since at least the Clone Wars.

Just like the Jedi.

He also noted Sabine’s departure, before he looked back to Ezra, “You’re Bridger, right?” Sabine hadn’t introduced with surnames, “I remember what your parents did,” he said, “I’m glad that you’re all right. Our leader is a fan of them.”

Given similar jobs, and her own reliance on radio. He knew that had been stopped. He knew it must have impacted Ezra, but he thought the kid might appreciate hearing that his parents had been heard, even across the galaxy.

Zeb at least smiled, before furrowing his brows, “How long have you been at this?”

“With my own group? A few years now, but I’ve been a pain in the side of the Empire since it rose. Politician,” he offered with a laugh, which Zeb clearly seemed to understand with his own chortle.

Pains in the ass indeed.



Not too far from the conversations, Sabine came to a full stop as Hera stood in front of her, posturing in a way that usually got her answers. Sabine smiled, but it was a touch nervous, “Yes, the backup from Fulcrum – Adlai and Skye. They know about Kanan. They want to help get him back, too.”

More on that side of things might convince Hera to act on that, and not leave him behind.

She figured answering that would get around answering what she did, which wasn’t anything, really. “Come on, you should come meet them!” Sabine urged. “Everyone else is there.” Which wasn’t much anymore, but still.

Well, besides Chopper, unless that’s where he was heading.

~***~

Ae’lia made no further intimidating gestures towards Cora. In fact, she stepped back and lowered her blades, though she never turned them off. They had to stay on for her own defense, if nothing else. It only took one well-placed blaster shot, after all.

At least Thrawn was clearing the area of his officers. Preserving life, making sure they were out of the way.

Ae’lia had no reason to follow, or hinder Suvan, so she did not.

She did shift so that she could see Thrawn once more. ‘Come on ship.’ If Thrawn was planning anything besides talking, it wasn’t obvious. Ae’lia knew that should worry her more than if it was obvious. He was still hunting for something.

What could she give him, that Ae’lia knew, but Eira didn’t?

“I know about Nightswan,” she answered, aware that it was something Shay told her, in their discussions. Something overheard on whispers, none louder than Yularen himself. “I know that you are playing two sides, which means your faith in one is not absolute.” And so she hoped it was his faith in the Empire that was the weaker. “I hope you are starting to see the Empire for what it really is, and that you are following a Sith Lord.”

~***~

Cere also gave Cal an odd look as he lifted the child to her head, repeating a similar question, “What are you doing?” which, of course, was answered soon enough by Cal, who seemed to think the Child was trying to do something with the Force. “Cal, he’s a baby.” He was probably going to pull her ear or something.

A baby that was nearly 20 years or so, but a baby nonetheless.

And yet, she felt warmth washing over her as the Child was able to put his hand over her wound. “Uh….” This…was not something Cere knew of. She felt the wound starting to knit together, and felt the pain beginning to fade, as it was restored internally and externally.

Even Merrin had to turn from her post at the open door and ramp, to look back and see what was going on. She was immediately startled, “It can heal?” How powerful was this thing? That…certainly explained why the Empire had been looking for him, ignoring the fact his species was terribly rare in the known galaxy. “Greez, look!” Perhaps not the best thing to ask the pilot, but Merrin couldn’t help it.

 

[cleopat]

Ezra nodded, his smile falling a bit at the mention of his parents. “Thank you, that means a lot to hear.” His parents had inspired so much hope in others to come together against the Empire, and their influence still lived on.

He could only hope to be half of what they were, and he tried. He tried to broadcast his message to the galaxy from the Lothal radio tower, but how many people heard it? How many were willing to listen and stand up against tyranny?

His mood was lifted somewhat when Adlai mentioned how long he had been at this, both as a rebel and simply against the empire. Ezra chuckled, and looked over at Skye. “What about you?”

She shrugged. “Been against the Empire since day one. But with his group?” She gestured towards Adlai. “Just barely a day.” And there she was, on Lothal and ready to rescue a Jedi from the Empire.



Hera sighed and shook her head at Sabine in faux exasperation. But her mind had already decided to agree to help save Kanan, and so a smile crossed her face. “Good, we’re going to need all the help we can get.”

She hoped Skye and Adlai knew what they were getting themselves into by agreeing with the plan.

“Alright, alright, take me to them.” Of course, she had heard of Count Adlai Malvern before, an outspoken opponent of the Empire, and what little she knew of Skye Vind came from the information sent to her from Fulcrum.

~~

Nightswan wasn’t hidden, but not many knew the details surrounding Nightswan and what happened on Batonn. She knew that he had ulterior motives that extended beyond the Empire, which was something no one else knew, to his knowledge.

Was that the Force at play? Was this Jedi someone he had actually met before?

His eyes narrowed as he focused on her. “I am fully aware of whom I am following. What I am curious to know is what is the other side you assume I’m playing?” And he hoped she would actually respond to the question, for it may help him determine who this woman could be.

And he hoped it was soon, as his earring picked up the whirring noise of the TIE fighters in the distance

~~

Cora ran into the infirmary, where Tobias was putting his uniform jacket back over his body. His arm was wrapped up tightly with bandages, and although his movements were stiff, he was in considerable less pain than before.

The medic droid that had been attending to him turned to her. “Do you require medical assistance?”

She shook her head. “No, no I’m fine.” The medic droid walked away, and Cora looked at Ortell and Tobias. “We need to get back to the ship.”

“Did we catch anyone?” Ortell asked, as he and Tobias started walking to the exit with Cora.

“No, unfortunately we did not. We’re still hoping for some aerial support, but I have a feeling we’ll be leaving this planet empty handed.” Which would not be a fun time for anyone, but she could hardly imagine the repercussions Grand Admiral Thrawn may face.

They weren’t even supposed to be there.

~~

No, the baby didn’t simply want to reach up to Cere to pull on her ear or her hair. Instead, he delicately placed his small hand on her wound, and they all watched as the wound began to disappear right before their eyes, leaving behind the dried blood on Cere’s skin.

“What the fuck,” Lin breathed, dropping the bacta bandages back into the first aid kit. “I didn’t know you guys could do that.” Could Ae’lia do that?

Cal shook his head. “No, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of someone being able to heal with the Force.” It was easy to see why the Empire wanted this Child. If he could do that, what was his potential with the Force? How great was it?

Greez could only look back long enough to see the Child bring its tiny hand away from Cere’s wound, or where the wound had been. “Wait, he just healed your wound like that, Cere? Do you still feel any pain?” The Force still mystified him, and even more so with the powers this child showed.

It was so tiny! It couldn’t have even been trained yet.

 

[Lucyfer]

Zeb seemed startled by the answer that Skye gave. “You’re sure—”

“Very sure,” Adlai cut in, “I’ll take personal responsibility for any mishaps on our side,” he added, though Zeb did not seem terribly pleased about that, folding his arms over his chest. His disgruntled posturing was still present when Sabine and Hera stepped into the area.

Sabine gave a grand gesture, “The lady of the hour, Hera!”

Adlai, keeping the helmet under his arm, did put a hand to his heart and offered a slight inclination of his body. The Syndulla family was well deserving of his respect – even the black sheep of the family.

“We have been briefed on the changes, Hera,” he greeted, “we’re prepared to help rescue Kanan. We’re at your command.”

~***~

‘I am fully aware of whom I am following.’

Well, Ae’lia was fairly certain there were no words that could have hurt her more in the moment. Mitth’raw’nuruodo knew what Palpatine was, and more than that – followed him. ‘Why?!’ Some of her cool wanted to falter at that, some indignation, some outrage wanted to follow it, but her posture held.

The mask hid any hint of a twitch on her face, any loss of hope in her eyes.

The one detail was that her hands clenched more tightly on the sabers, with the terrible thought that there were exceptions to the Code. The Sith, and their willing followers….

She shook it from her mind.

She wasn’t a killer. There remained hope. There had to. “I do not know the answer to that, Thrawn. I would imagine Csilla, but if you know what you are following, then I cannot believe you have the interests of anyone but yourself at heart.” She had to hope that he wasn’t aware of the full depths of Sith depravity, or that he was somehow hoping to trick it.

In either case, she heard the TIEs, too.

More than that, she heard the Mantis.

“May the Force be with you, Grand Admiral.”

A moment later, she turned, and ran for the edge of the hangar to jump into the Mantis.

~***~

“No,” Cere breathed, “I’ve heard of it, but I’ve never seen it in practice,” Cere agreed, surprised by it. “I’m not in any pain,” she confirmed to Greez, and looked to the Child, “Thank you.”

It just let out a bit of giggling, before yawning, and seeming to slump a bit in Cal’s hands. Apparently, that was quite the draining task.

There was a thud, and Cere turned and rose, to see Ae’lia on the ramp. Merrin had steadied her, reaching out even while two lightsabers glowed, and helped pull her in. Ae’lia stumbled a bit, but was soon within the Mantis.

Merrin shut the door, and ramp, behind, before she strode to the cockpit, the green aura wrapping around her and spilling out of her eyes as she began her work on cloaking the ship.

Cere was quick to head up as well, knowing Greez might have need of her until they were cloaked to bring down any opposition in the skies. “Let’s get out of here, Greez.” They had everyone, and everything.

They could figure out what to do with their two new tagalongs and the Child, once they were out of Corellia.