Ghosts

Chapter Seven: Always More Questions Than Answers, There Are

"Our men have receieved word of Imperial activity spiking at their compound in Sector 9." Commander Sato pulled up a hologram displaying a model of the compound in question, the buildings built into a crater made by the planet's natural geography. "This region hasn't had much activity in the past, which means this spike is concerning."

"Our intel believes that this spike could indicate a surge of information being transmitted to the officers there." Ahsoka added. "However, without any concrete information, we're only speculating."

"We are assigning a duo on a surveillance mission to scout out the happenings of the base." Sato pressed a button on the holotable, and the hologram zoomed in on one of the cliffsides overlooking the compound. "The two assigned will watch from this vanatge point, where they will be out of the range of Imperial patrols but close enough to keep an eye on the happenings of the base. Captain Syndulla has selected our duo for this mission."

"Thank you, Commander." Hera nodded at Sato respectfully. "This mission calls for two skilled individuals, both with wit and with weapon, if so required. It will require patience, keen eyes, and the ability to go undetected for a long period of time. This being said, I have chosen Kara and Ezra for this mission." The two perked up upon hearing their names. "Ezra, you have proven yourself multiple times over to the Rebellion, and your stealth is unmatched. Kara, while you are a recent recruit, you have proven to be a valuable ally and friend, and I anticipate you will exceed our expectations."

"Thank you, Hera." Kara smiled appreciatively, and Ezra echoed her. "We won't let you down."

With that, the meeting was concluded, and Ezra and Kara followed Hera to get a more in-depth briefing of the mission. Kanan lingered from where he leaned against the wall, and Ahsoka moved to him. Nobody took notice of the pair as they exited the bridge together without a word spoken between them.

And, while Hera was too busy briefing the pair of teenagers on the mission, and while Sabine and Zeb were debating which type of explosive was best, only Chopper, who warbled to himself alone in the cockpit of the Ghost, noticed the Phantom detach from its mother ship, carrying Kanan and Ahsoka with it.

———

The streets of Lothal were busier in the daylight, all the citizens going about their day, generally ignoring the occasional Stormtoopers patrolling the streets. While the Imperial presence had definitely increased since the rebel activity gained more attention, Lothal's citizens tended to ignore the Imperials, and the Imperials did the same.

The ignorance allowed Kanan and Ahsoka to slip through the crowds unnoticed, keeping their eyes trained on the ground as they slipped between people. Kanan used the Force to trick a few minds of Stormtroopers whose gazes came to close to spotting the rebels, making them look the other way so he and Ahsoka could remain undetected as they slipped out of the crowd and down an empty street.

While Kanan wasn't as familiar with these side streets as his Padawan, the elder Jedi recognized the familiar buildings, becoming more run-down as they moved farther from the city's center. Finally, Kanan and Ahsoka rounded the corner, and Kanan recognized the building where Ezra used to reside.

"Time hasn't been kind to this place," Ahsoka murmured as she took in the scenery. The Bridger residence, like the buildings that surrounded it, had boarded up windows, grafitti plastered on the walls, and cracks in the foundation. It seemed that, after the Bridgers had been arrested, the Empire had allowed this sector of the city to become desolate and unkempt, caring more about the newer buildings closer to the Imperial base in the center.

"Ezra said he and Kara had been neighbors growing up." Kanan looked around, taking in the other buildings. "If we can figure out which house was hers, we may be able to find some traces that could tie her to the Inquisitor. The only problem," Kanan sighed frustratedly, looking at the houses across from Ezra's, "is that all of these places look the exact same."