Saga of the Bridgers-Year 2

Chapter 1.1: The siege of Lothal - Part 1

The Specters were in the bridge of the Phoenix Home, part of a debriefing after another successful raid against imperial forces.

"Your crew's contribution to our last missions has been invaluable, Captain Syndulla." Sato said with respect and gratitude.

"Well, I'd say some of us has proven to be very much cut for the job." Hera looked with a knowing smirk toward Jaral, who just rolled her eyes.

"I'm just doing what I can, Hera." the girl almost sounded annoyed in her humility. "Besides, the last attack had been almost useless." she lamented.

"Just because we didn't find the shield generators we hoped, doesn't mean that it was useless." Ahsoka reassured her.

"She's right, sis." Ezra said with an encouraging smile and lightly punching her on the arm.

"Better luck next time."

Jaral simply smiled and took a quick look at her brother. He had definitely grown in the last year. When they left Lothal he was a scrawny 168 cm kid with a hot-headed temperament. And while the last part wasn't completely gone, he was now 174 cm where she was 176. His body had developed well-toned muscles, no doubt regular meals and training worked a miracle for that.

The scar on his left cheek was now more visible than ever, after he had taken the step of cutting his hair short just a few day before. Still, he wore that scar with pride, no doubt because Sabine had praised it.

They were all interrupted when Chopper opened the door and ran into the bridge speaking binary and waving his handlers with an air of urgency.

"What is the meaning of this?" Sato was indignant.

"An incoming transmission." said Kanan as if he couldn't care less. The Jedi was sitting on the few steps separating the floor of the room from the gangplank of the control station.

"Who from, Chop? Ah, why don't you just play it?" he asked looking away and leaning his head on a hand.

Hera cleared her throat while frowning heavily at him. Kanan didn't budge.

Then she turned to the droid. "Chopper, cloak us with a one-way transmission."

Chopper complied and a moment later, he projected the hologram of a familiar hythorian.

"Hey, it's old Jho!" Ezra said with a bit of surprise.

The hythorian was looking around confused. "I can't see you, but I can hear you, my friends. Time is short, and there's someone here desperate to speak with you. I told her I couldn't find you, but she wouldn't take no for an answer. She says she needs your help."

Jho almost seems preoccupied to present them with such a person.

"We're always eager to help someone in need." Kanan had sprung up from the steps and moved toward the hologram.

"Yeah, well, this one's different." he said, rubbing the back of his long neck, before stepping off.

The person coming next with a very anxious appearance surprised everyone.

"Minister Tua?!" Hera exclaimed.

"Auntie Maketh?" Darvos said, and this time everyone turned toward him.

Tua seemed as surprised as everybody else.

"Darvos? Is that really you?"

The young lieutenant immediately fast paced around the holo-table and went in front of the hologram, as to better distinguish who he was talking to.