A Rebel's Destiny

The Occupation

The Ghost flew through hyperspace after yet another successful mission Ezra rested in the chair next to Sabine who now had darker hair she looked to the hunter whose helmet rested under his arm she gave a small smile seeing the always battle-ready man venerable like this, she remembered back when he first joined it seemed like he never slept and kept his helm on she didn't think about it much then but now that she knew his quirks she could just surmise it was the hunter's paranoia. Sabine gave a suppressed chuckle before turning back to the console infront of her as The Ghost exited hyperspace "we're coming up on Yavin-4. Sabine, transmit the clearance codes." Hera ordered making the mando nod "roger that." She said doing as she was asked suddenly the hunter next to her collapsed from the chair with a gasp as he pulled out Ace aiming it straight ahead "no!" He shouted as he hyperventilated his eyes darting from person to person "Ezra?" Kanan asked worriedly as the hunter sighed lowering his aim and looking down "sorry." He stated holstering his cannon and putting a hand on his head "I saw things... I heard Ryder." The hunter said before looking up "I think they're in trouble." Ezra finished Sam popped out scanning the man who's heartrate was now beating up to 102 BPM "we've talked about this, Ezra. It's just your anxiety about Lothal." The blind Jedi stated making the hunter groan out of frustration "it's not that Kanan, besides it's never in the briefings anymore. No one even mentions it. We promised Ryder we'd go back." The hunter expressed his displeasure "and then Thrawn ambushed our fleet." Hera said making Ezra shake his head "A hunter's promise is a guarantee Hera. Besides they are suffering." The hunter added the pilot turned "everyone is suffering, Ezra. You need to be patient." She said making the hunter groan "patient and hunter are two conflicting things." Ezra said leaving the cockpit his helmet still on the seat as they went to land. Sabine walked closely behind the hunter after being promised to be taught how to use Void before someone stopped him "Commander Bridger, Senator Mothma has requested your presence." He said making the hunter roll his eyes before he looked back to Sabine "sorry Bine looks like Void training is postponed." He said walking towards the command center making the mando groan out of annoyance as she watched Ezra move.

A little later...

The hunter walked into the command center coming up to the console where a certain warlock and Senator were "Commander Bridger." Mothma said as Ezra nodded stopping a few paces away "we recived this transmission two days ago." The senator informed playing the holo message "the empire is beginning trials on a new version of its TIE defender. Intel from our spies in the capital reveals the upgraded fighter is..." the message played before it cut out the Ghost crew stood around "what happened?" The hunter asked looking to the Senator "Ryder Azadi's transmission from Lothal was cut off, and we haven't been able to contact him since. I have witnessed the threat of the TIE defender first-hand. If there's been a new development with these fighters, the rebellion needs to know." Mothma said making the hunter look down at the knife he had in hand "I also know how important Lothal is to you, Commander Bridger. I'm looking for volunteers." She finished Ezra holstered his knife and stepped forward "when do I leave?" He asked as Hera put her hand on the hunter's shoulder "when do we leave?" She corrected making him look to the crew "we're all going." She said "I understand, Captain. Your squad does work best together, but by all reports, the occupation of Lothal has become a complete lockdown. Even if you make it in, there's no guarantee the Rebellion can extract you if things go wrong." Mothma said as the hunter nodded "I've had a long time to think about this. We'll get that intel, but I'm going there to fulfill a promise. Which means I'm there to stay." He said determined making the rest shocked.

A little later...

The Ghost jumped out of hyperspace to a nearby ship Kallus walked forward "this friend of yours, Cikatro Vizago, is a criminal. He can't be trusted." He said making Sabine roll her eyes "yeah, we used to say that about you." Sabine said making the Hunter chuckled "yeah, and besides, Vizago has a legitimate business on Lothal now." The hunter said standing up and following the Mando "and who told you that?" Kallus asked making the hunter chuckle "Hondo." He said making Hera groan "Sam." She stated skeptically "trust her. Vizago'll get us through the empire's blockade. He needs the money." The hunter said as the ship docked causing the rest of the crew to migrate to the docking port. When the door opened it revealed the man looking at them with greed in his eyes "ah. Do you have them?" He asked looking down at the hunter "come see for yourself." The hunter said ushering him in to the cage where a pig like creature was the pirate gasped looking at them "I can't believe it. You actually found some." He said happily "smuggle us through the blockade with your imperial permits and the puffer pigs are all yours." Ezra said hands on his hip "Calrissian made a fortune with these rare beauties. The Mining Guild pays a very inflated price for them." Vizago said pinching his fingers together as if he rubbing two coin together looking up to the hunter. The hunter smiled as him and Sabine hauled a crate into the pirates ship "Stars having this enhanced strength is really something." The mando said happy with her new found strength making the other hunter chuckle "yeah the Traveler's light is really something isn't it." He said as The Ghost was undocked from the smuggler's ship which jumped to hyperspace.