"We have to do this." Arion looked up to see Ezra, who had been tense since Tua's transmission 10 seconds ago.
"I agree," Ahsoka said softly, her arms crossed.
"So do I," Kanan added.
"I... third." Eli drew out a breath, leaning against the holotable. Arion fidgeted with Larry, weighing the situation and the possible outcomes. Imperials could hardly be trusted- after all, just look at Senator Trayvis, who led many rebels to their deaths with his facade, or the numerous amount of Imperial spies who'd ratted out the Hidden Path in various systems across the galaxy. And now this... Minister Tua from Lothal was defecting from the Empire...? For all Arion knew, she was just another mole whose aim was to draw out the Rebellion like a Wookiee to the slaughter.
But on the other hand, if Ezra truly sensed Tua's sincerity, then how much time was there to waste any further? After all, the Rebellion was fighting for those oppressed for far too long by the Galactic Empire, with the objective of liberating worlds from its iron fist. No matter how barbaric and unorthodox some groups were compared to others, the core value in all rebels was freedom. So why wouldn't the same apply to Tua?
"All right, if Commander Sato approves the mission," Hera said, shaking Arion out of his thoughts.
Sato stroked his chin. "I believe it could be worth the risk."
Ezra turned back to Tua's holoimage. "Minister, we'll get you out. Send us your coordinates."
Tua smiled in relief, giving an affirmative nod. "Thank you."
"Well... I guess we're on our way back to Lothal," Hera quipped after Tua hung up.
"Yeah," Kanan muttered before heading for the blastdoor, with Hera following close behind. "... I guess we are."
--
"Is Kanan okay-?" Arion's asked, getting Eli's attention. "He doesn't seem real happy about the situation."
Eli shook his head, sighing softly. "Clearly not. I think all the recent events are stressing him out right now."
"I'll go check on him," Ezra offered before taking his leave. Eli glanced at him, then at Arion, Ahsoka, Rai, Kendall, Sato, and Rampart. Something was off about this coming mission... and it wasn't just Tua.
"Suppose it is a trap," Kendall spoke up, her arms crossed in thought. "Wouldn't we need to send Jedi reinforcements in the event that the Empire sends Vader to intercept the Spectres-?"
"Pfft, there's no way they'd send him." Jack waved a dismissive hand. "Probably an Inquisitor at most."
"I don't know about that, buddy," Haja replied nervously. "My girlfriend and I have gotten chased plenty by Vader."
Kendall raised a brow. "So you're not married yet-?"
"Well..." Leda chuckled nervously. "We're planning on it... after we get rid of the Empire."
"Yet you nearly had a baby last year," Ivan pointed out, indicating her flat midsection.
"What happened-?" Arion asked.
Haja sighed, sadness evident in his eyes. "It's... a long story, kid."
Eli raised a brow, wondering just what had happened to Haja and Leda's baby. Had Leda miscarried? Or was the baby forcibly aborted? In any case, he felt bad for the couple, married or not. He'd seen what a miscarriage did to a woman's self confidence when it happened to his own mother in the summer of 2012. Despite the cause being developmental issues, it had taken 2 years of grief, paranoia, and postpartum depression for her to finally conceive the 2 nutcases known as Peter and Penelope in December of 2014.
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Earthlings 3: RISE
Fanfiction"Oppression breeds rebellion." For more than a decade, the Galactic Empire has had the galaxy in its iron fist. Any traces of the past Republic have all but been erased, and all opposition has been suppressed. Or has it...? After the death of Eliez...
