Invaders of Darkness

Chapter 8 - Planning

Author's Note: I'm going to try and write some stuff from Zeb's POV in this chapter. We'll see how that goes, I guess. It's probably going to sound nothing like him. -_-

~ Tirana Sorki

An emergency meeting is called as soon as they get back to the base. All the present Rebel pilots are called to attend, as Command explains the plan for destroying the battle station. The urgency of the situation gives Kanan something else to focus on, but his mind keeps drifting back to what he saw back on the planet. Ezra is alive. He can still hardly come to terms with it. He's been mourning him for long, only to suddenly find out he's still alive. It's hard to stop so quickly, especially when he's still reeling from shock.

But any relief at what he found is mixed with a sickening horror over what's been happening to Ezra. They have to save him from the Inquisitors, no matter what it takes. They have to. He's never going to let them hurt him again. He's not going to fail his son again. Kanan is going to bring him back home, even if it's the last thing he ever does.

And... he needs to tell Luke about what happened. Kanan doesn't know which of the Inquisitors killed Luke's aunt and uncle, but regardless, he should know about what happened with Ezra. Especially considering that he's going to be coming back to stay with them as soon as possible. Kanan isn't going to rest until he does. Ezra's parents need to be told what happened too, but he doesn't have time to talk to any of the three of them right now.

In a way, he's almost relieved. He's not sure how he'll even be able to bring himself to tell Luke this, and he's not ready for a long emotional talk with the Bridgers about it, not when he's still shaken from the revelation himself.

So, for now he turns his attention to listening to the plan for destroying the Death Star. A group of Rebels are being sent down to the moon Endor to destroy the shield protecting the Death Star, thus allowing the Rebel fighters in. Several squadrons of fighters will be ready and waiting, and will immediately penetrate the defenses to blow up the station. Hera will be in the air with Phoenix squadron. Kanan will be leading the crew down to the surface.

As everyone begins to disperse, Kanan heads out into the hall and runs straight into Luke, who's in the middle of a conversation with Leia Organa, the Princess of Alderaan. Artoo and Threepio – her droids who they met once before on a mission – are with her.

"Hi!" calls Luke.

"Hey," Leia greets as he approaches.

"I didn't know you were going to be here," Kanan comments.

"Had some things to take care of here," she answers vaguely. Not that he's surprised. It would be risky if anyone knew how much Leia and the Organas are involved in the rebellion.

"She's giving me Artoo for my fighter," Luke announces with a grin.

"Wait, you're going to be flying your own fighter?"

"Yup!"

"You can take Threepio with you if you want," Leia says, looking to Kanan.

"Sure, he might be of use at some point," Sabine replies, appearing behind Kanan. What use would a protocol droid have on a mission like this? But something is telling him that bringing the droid is a good idea, so he doesn't comment. It shouldn't hurt anyway, unless the droid starts getting in their way.

"Well... I have places to be. I'll see you after the battle then," Leia declares, turning to head off, leaving the droids behind.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure Sabine returns Threepio to you still golden and not rainbow striped," Luke calls after her.