Star Wars Rebels: The Rise of the Rebellion

Chapter 26: Hera's Heroes

On the plains of Ryloth, the Ryloth rebels Cham Syndulla and Numa are riding blurrgs while being pursued by scout troopers on 614-AvA speeder bikes and an Imperial Troop Transport. When Numa asks how the Galactic Empire found them, Cham replies that the Empire is getting better at anticipating their moves. Numa throws a grenade which destroys two of the speeder bikes and their riders are thrown to the ground. Cham tells Numa that they are heading for a pick-up with his daughter Hera Syndulla, the captain of the Ghost.

Numa's blurrg is hit by a laser blast but continues running. The scout trooper tries to shoot her but Cham uses his blurrg to knock him aside. Numa's blurrg grabs the forward laser cannons of another speeder bike and yanks the rider aside. The two Twi'leks and their steeds approach a cliff. At that point, Hera contacts Cham to tell them that they are closing in on their position. Cham tells them that they are running out of time to land. In the Ghost's cockpit, Hera replies that she is not landing and tells Cham and Numa to turn around and head south. Kanan Jarrus and Gobi Glie appear behind Hera.

Numa is skeptical of Hera's idea but joins Cham in turning their steeds around and heading south. The Ghost strafed the Troop Transport and the remaining speeder bike, knocking the former out. Cham and Numa leap over the burning transport and follow the Ghost. The surviving scout trooper pursues them on his speeder bike. Hera lowers the forward ramp of the Ghost and Cham and Numa ride their blurrgs aboard the ship. However, the surviving scout trooper follows them into the cargo bay only to be confronted by the gun-wielding Numa, Zalo, Cham, and Garazeb Orrelios.

"Yeah, you didn't think that through, did you?" Zalo asked.

Zeb approached the frightened soldier, then looks up to Ezra above.

"Hey kid, you got this helmet?" Zeb asked.

Ezra smirked, "Nope."

Zeb chuckled, "Sorry, the kid wants your helmet."

Zeb proceeded to knock the solider unconscious.

In the social room of the Ghost, Hera embraced her father, Cham, feeling a mixture of relief and concern. "You've arrived just in time," Cham said gratefully. "Thank you for making the supply run."

"It was challenging to evade the Imperial blockade," Hera replied. "But we managed to deliver the much-needed provisions."

Cham's expression turned somber. "I wish I could have been of more help. The Imperials have taken control of the entire Tann Province."

Hera's eyes widened in fear at the news, while Chopper emitted his usual array of droid noises. Zalo, intrigued by the mention of the Tann Province, voiced his curiosity. "What is the Tann Province?"

Kanan, always knowledgeable, answered Zalo's question. "It's the region where Hera spent her childhood."

Hera turned to her father, seeking more information. "What happened, Father?"

"I underestimated their commander, Captain Slavin," Cham explained with a touch of regret. "His previous attacks were reckless, but this time he was efficient and relentless. He has made our home his headquarters. I'm afraid I couldn't salvage anything when I escaped."

Hera's voice trembled slightly as she asked, "Not even the Kalikori?"

Ezra, unfamiliar with the term, sought clarification. "What's a Kalikori?"

Numa, an experienced Twi'lek, stepped forward to answer. "It's a totem that is passed down through generations of a Twi'lek family. It serves as a symbol to honor all those who have come before us."

Zalo, drawing connections, interjected, "So it's Hera's birthright."

Cham nodded, acknowledging Zalo's observation. "Indeed, young one. Each parent contributes to the artwork on the Kalikori, adding themselves to the family's legacy."