Star Wars Rebels: The Rise of the Rebellion

Chapter 18: The Mystery of Chopper Base

Following the discovery of Atollon, the Phoenix Squadron has established a base on the planet. The starship Ghost departed the rebel fleet's Quasar Fire-class cruiser-carrier to deliver a shipment of power generators to Rex, who was supervising the establishment of the base. After contacting Rex, Hera Syndulla, and Sabine Wren entered the cargo hold where Ezra Bridger and his master Kanan Jarrus were sparring with lightsabers.

The lightsaber training session ended in a draw with Ezra pointing his blade at Kanan's neck and Kanan pointing his blade at Ezra's chest. When Kanan lectured Ezra that there were no such things as ties in combat, Ezra responded that they won by killing Inquisitors. Kanan then replied that they won by surviving. Ezra expressed annoyance when Sabine said that he was getting better since he took it as sign that he was not as good as before. After Hera reassured Ezra, Kanan reminded his apprentice not to turn his back on his enemy. The two Jedi then continued sparring.

Back at the base, Hera's elation at establishing a new rebel base was dampened by her awareness that Kanan and Ezra would be leaving with Ahsoka, Darrel and Zalo to travel to Malachor. Kanan tried to reassure his companion that the Jedi knew what they were doing. He stressed that the Jedi had to continue with their mission so that the rebellion could succeed. Meanwhile, Sabine and Rex received a report that Lieutenant Dicer had not returned and that they were receiving no communication from her. Hera dispatched Rex and Sabine to take the Phantom to the northern perimeter to find Dicer.

Later, Rex, Sabine, and Zalo embarked on the Phantom, heading to the designated location where the missing rebel pilot was supposed to be. As they arrived, they scoured the area, searching for any signs of the pilot. Sabine attempted to establish communication with the pilot using her comlink.

"Specter 5 to Phoenix 6, do you copy?" Sabine called out, hoping for a response. "Dicer, come in!" However, there was no reply, only eerie silence.

Rex picked up the pilot's abandoned helmet, examining it closely. "Whatever happened, it happened after she deployed this sensor," he mused, a sense of concern creeping over him.

Zalo couldn't shake off a foreboding feeling. "I've got a bad feeling about this," Zalo voiced, his instincts warning him of imminent danger.

"Someone's here," Sabine alerted the group, her senses on high alert.

"Or perhaps something else," Rex added, his veteran experience allowing him to consider alternative possibilities. "Behind you!"

The two young rebels swiftly turned around, only to find a seemingly ordinary rock emerging from the ground. But upon closer inspection, they realized it was a krykna, a menacing and hostile creature. Sabine swiftly drew her blasters, while Zalo ignited his lightsabers, ready for a confrontation.

"Do you think they're aggressive?" Rex inquired, assessing the situation.

"I'm not waiting to find out!" Sabine declared with determination. She and Rex began firing at the krykna, but their efforts proved futile. Soon, they found themselves surrounded by even more of the creatures, their numbers growing rapidly.

"More incoming!" Zalo shouted, maintaining a defensive stance.

"Get back to the ship!" Rex ordered, realizing the urgency of the situation.

The young rebels hurriedly attempted to reach the safety of the Phantom, but the kryknas blocked their path, preventing their escape.

"Specter 5, we're under attack! We need backup!" Sabine urgently relayed the distress signal, hoping for reinforcements. However, before she could finish, a krykna lunged at her, striking her with force and rendering her unconscious.

"I'm fine..." Sabine weakly uttered, her voice filled with pain and concern, as she watched one of the bugs snatch Rex away.

"They've got Rex!" Sabine exclaimed, her worry evident in her voice.