The Unchronicled Adventures of Ahsoka Tano, Book Eight

Chapter Forty-Three: Blue Squadron Takeoff/ Vader's Discovery

KANAN JARRUS

Kanan shoved the last crate of the supplies he was ferrying into his X-Wing Fighter slamming the lid to the compartment down. He didn't want to run, to flee back to the base on Morvolo. He wanted to stay and fight. He wanted to do the title of 'Jedi' proud by fighting to the last soldier standing. But Saw's orders were final.

He didn't fully understand how, but over the last couple of months, he had changed. For better or for worse, or if it was permanent, he couldn't tell, but he had changed. And it was all because of the group of people that had saved his life a little less than a year ago on a barren, frozen world.

He had always preferred being on his own, but now he didn't actually mind working in the small group that he had been assigned to. There was a sense of family to the whole operation that he hadn't felt since he had been a youngling with his classmates. And now, this family had accepted him as one of their own.

Suddenly, Janira ran over. "Kanan, what are you doing? We have to move quickly, or we risk a bucket-head attack!"

"I know," he replied, hoisting himself into the pilot's seat. "I get that. I'm part of the last fighter squadron leaving the planet. We're covering the New Hope."

"Okay." He prepared to close the canopy and seal it for space travel, but she stopped him. "Wait. Just... Be careful, all right? We can't afford to loose you now. So... may the Force be with you, Kanan."

He was surprised that she knew the old Jedi salutation, because few who weren't Force-sensitive used it anymore. But, he still replied in turn, "And may the Force be with you, Captain."

She grinned, clapped him on the shoulder, then pulled the ladder away from the fighter so he could take off. Priming the engines and doing a last systems check, he eased the fighter forwards. It responded smoothly to his practiced touch, gliding easily out of the hangar bay. Secrecy in terms of their location didn't matter any more, now that the Empire already knew where they were.

As he took off with Blue Squadron and the Hope, a volley of laser fire from the Imperials stationed on the ground and a few incoming TIE fighters flew towards the ships. He reported in with the rest of the squadron to their leader, and then had his R5 unit flip his cannons backwards to answer the attacks with one of his own. The other fighters did the same.

"All right, soldiers, let's get this party started!" came Saw's voice over the comm system. Kanan smiled. He had forgotten that his commander was going to be the one leading this particular squad.

"Yes sir," he answered quietly, as they left the atmosphere. Now it was time to use all the new toys waiting for them in at the base on Morvolo.

DARTH VADER

Darth Vader strode down catwalk of the bridge of his flagship, the Executor, crossing his arms as he arrived at the window. He heightened the setting of his ocular apparatus, taking in every detail of the rebels' escape. Some of the smaller ships had even taken to attacking the closest Star Destroyers to divert their attention from the larger and slower transports.

"Lord Vader, and the Rebels appear to be fleeing the system," an officer reported with a smart salute. "Should we follow?"

"No. Continue your attack, but hold this position." He turned towards the man, his cape swishing. "My Master the Emperor wishes to know if this rebel cell is an isolated one, or if it is working in league with any others."

As he continued to watch the ships' progression across the solar system, he was suddenly confronted with another possible outcome for this little skirmish. He stiffened, because his theory was proving correct.

The Rebels were heading for Morvolo, another planet in the system.

"Lord Vader, should we...?"

"No." He turned around quickly. As walked back towards the exit, he said, "Simply monitor their transmissions and any other communications made. Now, set an orbit around Morvolo. The rebels may have won today, but it will not happen again."

*The Rebels have fled to the nearby planet Morvolo... But how long will they be safe from the Empire, and Lord Vader, who is tightening his grip on the system little by little? And when will Ahsoka decide to tell Lux about her pregnancy? Because after all, she's eight months pregnant, and who knows what could happen when the big day arrives...? You'll find out in the next amazing chapter of The Unchronicled Adventures Of Ahsoka Tano!

Hey guys! Sorry I haven't updated in a while... But it's that lovely time of year when teachers are pushing you to your limits and exams are either here or on the horizon. I'm still writing, but the time I have to do it has decreased greatly. BUT THEN IT WILL SPEED UP BECAUSE IT WILL BE SUMMMEEEERRRR!!!

Okay, I'm going to work on the next chapter now. Bye.

Discover a planet that was manufacturing clone soldiers for the Republic and may the Force be with you,

Sharron