Child of Balance

Old Enemies

There was no sign of any Imperial Star Destroyers when they reached Kashyyyk. Ezra switched on the scanners as Ania pulled the ship down. Several Wookiee gunships as well as repurposed LAAT's flew past. They guided the Titian towards a landing pad. Ania set the ship down gently and stood.

Kit and Ezra followed her off the ship. A few of the Wookiees barked greetings to them. The Rebel fighters among them quickly stepped forward. "My name is Reema," a young woman said, shaking Ania's hand. She glanced at their lightsabers. "Three Jedi? Your kind is becoming a more common sight again. What brings you to Kashyyyk?"

"One Jedi, actually. Kit and I aren't really Jedi," Ania said. "I'm Ania. That's Ezra and this is Kit." Reema nodded to the two boys. "We're here to find someone. He was here years ago, back when Saw Guerrera was active on Kashyyyk."

"That's been a while, then. Saw hasn't been here in a long time and he won't be coming back."

"What do you mean?" Ezra asked.

"Saw was killed in the destruction of Jedha," Reema replied.

"That's terrible," Ezra replied.

"He was a valuable soldier to the Rebellion, but he was tired of running," Reema said. "Now, who is it you're looking for? We might be able to help you find him."

"Commander!" Another Rebel officer came running, waving his arms.

Reema turned towards him. "What is it?"

"There's been another Imperial attack on the southern village," he panted. "The old compound there is being occupied."

"What are we looking at?"

"Walkers, rocket launchers, everything that we stored in the compound."

Reema glanced towards the three of them. "I'm sorry. I wish I could help, but this is too important to risk losing."

Ania nodded. "Don't worry about it. We'll help you guys out. What do we need to do?"

Reema's eyes lit up. "Get the squad ready and let's get moving," she said to the officer. "You three seem to know what you're doing. Help me come up with a plan to take back that compound." They nodded and followed her over to a group of officers. The platform around them became a bustle of activity as the squad prepared to move out.

One of the officers switched on the holotable, casting a glance at Reema as they approached. She quickly introduced them. Ania moved over beside Reema, eyeing the schematics that were displayed. "The gunships should be able to hit the walkers from above," the man said. "Assuming they don't get shot down by the troop transports."

"What if you get a small ground team to the compound to take out the transports and gun turrets?" Ezra suggested.

"They can plant charges on every other one. The blasts will knock out three at a time that way," Kit added.

"That could work," Reema agreed. "Raze, get it done." The man nodded and sprinted off.

"The walkers could still be a problem to the ground team. If the gunships can't reach them in time, they'll overwhelm the team," another woman said.

Reema turned to Ania. "If I get you three up high, can you handle the walkers until the gunships arrive?"

"Of course." Ania crossed her arms, watching the schematics. "If you fly the Titian Dawn in as well, you'll have additional air support."

"Fly your ship into the fight?" Reema raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"She's sturdy and her guns are strong. We three will go onto the hull and redirect any shots that come your way. Once we're over the walkers, we'll jump and you clear the way for the gunships," she explained.