Hera Syndulla briefs the Spectres, Rex, and members of Phoenix Cell on a windy day at Chopper Base on the planet Atollon. Hera is discussing a recon mission in preparation for their planned strike against the Imperial factories on Lothal. They need only a small unit, not the full squadron.
Even though we still have some preparation to do before we strike the Empire's factory on Lothal, I want to do a thorough recon trip to update our intel." Hera said. "There's no need for the full squadron. A small unit should be able to handle this. Ezra and Zalo, I'm assigning you the mission."
"Ezra...Zalo..." a voice called out.
The young Jedi heard someone call their names and turned to each other, exchanging puzzled glances.
"Did you hear something?" Ezra whispered.
"No," Zalo replied. "Did you?"
"Maybe we're just imagining things," Ezra whispered back, trying to dismiss the voice as a figment of their imagination. They refocused their attention on Hera, who was leading the briefing.
"Ezra...Zalo..." the voice repeated, growing more distinct.
Once again, the boys felt a mysterious presence, and their eyes scanned the area. A dark figure caught their attention a few feet away.
"Boys!" Hera called out, bringing their focus back to the briefing.
"Huh?" Ezra responded, momentarily distracted.
"What?" Zalo echoed, his attention divided.
"Care to join the briefing?" Hera asked, noticing their distraction.
"Sorry about that," Zalo apologized.
"Thought we saw something," Ezra explained, attempting to brush off their earlier distraction.
Hera resumed speaking, and both Jedi tried their best to concentrate on the mission details.
"Ezra..."
Ezra's gaze darted around, catching a glimpse of the dark figure that resembled Maul. A shiver ran down his spine, but he tried to dismiss it.
"Sensing something wrong?" Kanan inquired, placing a reassuring hand on Ezra's shoulder.
"No," Ezra replied, attempting to downplay his unease. "I thought I saw something, that's all."
"Zalo..."
Zalo scanned his surroundings, catching sight of the dark figure lurking within the base. A sense of apprehension washed over him.
"Hey, are you okay?" Tyra, his girlfriend, asked, noticing his distraction.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Zalo assured her. "Just thought I saw something."
"Ezra...Zalo..." the voice called out again.
The persistent voice and sightings of the dark figure began to unnerve the Padawans. A growing sense of fear gripped them.
"What's happening, guys?" Kanan's concerned voice broke through.
The Padawans didn't respond, their eyes fixated on the unsettling presence that seemed to surround them.
"What's wrong with you two?" Tyra asked, worry lacing her voice as Zalo sensed the dark figure behind him.
"Tyra, behind you!" Zalo exclaimed, pointing in a direction that the others couldn't see.
"What's behind me?" Tyra asked, her concern deepening.
"You both seem off," Hera remarked, her voice echoing slightly.
"Ezra, what do you see?" Kanan inquired, his voice carrying an unsettling echo as well.
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Star Wars Rebels: The Rise of the Rebellion
FanfictionThe Clone Wars had come to an end, and after the Jedi Order fell, the Republic became an Empire. Ahsoka and Darrel went into hiding after the Battle for Mandalore. Time passed after these events, Ahsoka and Darrel had a son named Zalo Tano, and a Re...
