Invaders of Darkness

Chapter 17 - Journey to Malachor

Author's Note: Well, I'm sure you can only guess what's coming. Since Obi-Wan and Luke are going to Malachor with the other three and, of course, Vader is still gonna show up... ;)

~ Tirana Sorki

And enjoy the cliffhanger! :D

~ Amina Gila

Kanan stands with his arms crossed, watching as the other rebels work on putting the fence into place around the new Rebel base. Finally, they managed to find one that the Inquisitors didn't track down first. The planet was already inhabited by a large, spider-like species which immediately tried to overrun the base, and it took a while before they were able to figure out how to block them out.

"I think your fence is gonna hold," he comments, looking over his shoulder at Sabine who's leaning against a pole, watching.

"You'd better go talk to Hera," she replies, her voice subdued.

Kanan frowns, following her gaze to where Hera's walking a distance away. "Why? What's wrong?"

Sabine groans dramatically, facepalming. What is he missing? "Kanan, wake up!" she exclaims, "She might agree with your mission, but you're still walking out... and taking Ezra with you."

Oh. Oh. So that's what this is about. When he spoke to Hera about what they were planning to do, he knew she wasn't the happiest about not being able to come with them, but... Well, he never really thought about how she was probably feeling about it.

He turns, heading across the area over to the Twi'lek. "Hera..."

"I told the Commander the site is secure, and operations can resume," she responds, barely looking up. Always busy with her work, as usual.

"We're going to be okay, you know that, right?" he asks her softly.

She looks up, sighing quietly. "You realize I know when you're lying, right? Whatever you're facing, I wanted us to face it together."

"We'll see each other again. I promise," he murmurs. Hera steps forwards, wrapping her arms around him. He wraps his arms around her in turn, and they stand silently together. He wishes peaceful moments like this could last forever. There's been few and far between moments like this since before what happened to Ezra where everything actually feels like it might be okay eventually, and he never wants them to end.

But of course, it will. Because within the next few days, they're leaving for Malachor. He has no idea what's going to happen then, but something tells him that it's going to change everything forever. Again. And he's not entirely sure if it's in a good way or a bad way. Only time will tell.

***

"Once we drop out of hyperspace, we'll be going dark." Ahsoka is sitting off to the side, speaking over the comms to Rex.

"Are you sure about this?" Rex asks after a moment.

She nods firmly. "Yes."

Ezra watches the exchange in silence, uncertainty suddenly nagging at him. He has no idea how this is going to turn out, but it's what Master Yoda told them to do. There's got to be a reason for it.

"Ahsoka, you don't have to go to Malachor alone. I could be there in two rotations," he says quietly. Ezra can practically feel how worried he is, although he's not sure he totally understands why. Yes, the Inquisitors might be here, but Ahsoka was able to handle them before and now there will be five Jedi against the two of them.

"I'm not alone, Rex."

"You know, I could have ordered you to take me along."

Ahsoka laughs softly. "You don't exactly outrank me anymore."