Redemption

Subversion

"This could go very badly," Kanan said.

"Yeah, just like every mission we go on," Sabine responded.

"Oh, come on, we're just stealing a bunch of fighters, what could go wrong?"

"Ezra, I hate it when you say that," Zeb called from the galley.

Ahsoka chuckled at their casual banter. They really were like a family.

"Hera, what do you want me to do?" Ahsoka asked.

"Hm. Honestly, we only planned this for five people, but I guess you can try distracting the office administrators. They're the ones responsible for sounding the alarms."

"Okay, I will. Telos is under Imperial rule now, but they had originally sided with the rebels before the Empire attacked and forced them to their side. I think I can plant the seeds of doubt in the minds of these guards," Ahsoka mused aloud.

Everyone stared at her, even Hera.

"What?"

"You are as intimidating as you are impressive," Ezra said unthinkingly.

"And you are the same as ever, kid."

"We're almost there. Ahsoka, I'll drop you off near the base and you can do your thing. Everyone else, you know what to do."

Ahsoka put on her coat and mentally prepared herself for the brutal cold of Telos. She waited at the airlock to jump out.

Hera had dropped her off only a few blocks away from the office. It didn't take her long to find the building. The doors opened automatically and she breathed a sigh of relief as she walked into the considerably warmer room.

"Whoa, an alien!" the administrator exclaimed as Ahsoka approached him.

"You know, technically, we're all aliens. Unless, well... I don't suppose you were born on this planet."

"...no, I'm from Dantooine."

"And I'm from Shili. I'm just not human."

"Sorry, I've just never seen anyone who looked like you before."

"That's okay. Most of my people are slaves, actually. The Empire refuses to admit it, but they use slave labor. It's how they built this base, I'm sure. They're also incredibly xenophobic so I doubt they'd ever reveal that nonhumans contributed to their glory."

The guard frowned. "That... actually makes a lot of sense."

"Indeed. I can't imagine working for people who condone slavery."

The guard sighed. "This is the only way to support my family."

"I understand. But there is a way to work against the Empire and still make a living."

"What do you mean?"

"You can give information to the rebellion. We'll teach you ways to encrypt the data and stay under the Empire's radar. This way, you keep your job and support your family while helping us take down the Empire."

"You're a rebel! I should report you." His hand hovered over the emergency lockdown lever.

"Probably. That's what the Empire would want you to do. Are you a tool for them or are you your own person?"

The guard stared at her, wide-eyed. He withdrew his hand.

Ahsoka's comm beeped. Time to go.

"Here. You can use this as a normal data pad or you can use it to communicate with the Rebellion. I hope you make the right choice."

Ahsoka knew he would. She could sense it when he caught the datapad she'd tossed to him.

"How do I know we'll succeed?"

Ahsoka reaches under her cloak and took out one of her lightsabers. She used the Force to suspend it in midair and spun it around a few times.

"Because the Jedi aren't as dead as you think," she said as she grabbed her lightsaber from the air.

"You're a Jedi?"

"Not anymore. But there are others. Never lose hope."

Another spy. Another Fulcrum. Another rebel. And soon, another mission.

Ahsoka climbed to the rooftops and waited for Hera to pick her up.