Chapter 11

28 0 0
                                    

Any repairs to the Ghost were minimal. They were completed when the Phantom had returned. The occupants exited and were quickly met by the crew.

"Well," Thrawn said, "it seems that Cipher is no more. What shall we do now?"

"Now, I guess we all return," Hera said, "you to the Empire, us to the Rebellion."

"We sure that's a bright idea?" They all heard coming from the Phantom comms.

"Yes, Chop. This alliance was only temporary." Her attention returned to Thrawn, "But we won't forget. If you have any reservations about the Empire, please. We could use someone like you."

"The offer is appreciated," he responded, "but if the Rebellion wins, if they somehow manage to destroy the Empire, they may still not have the strength that the Chiss need."

Hera and Kanan raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"I thought you were completely devoted to the Empire," Kanan said.

"I am. But my people are facing a threat that could be devastating to the entire galaxy that only the strength of the Empire could possibly repel."

He extended his hand toward Hera.

"Until we meet again on the field of battle."

Hera took his hand and the shook.

***

"Calculate the jump back to Lothal." Thrawn said on the bridge of the Chimaera.

"What about the field of comets, planetoids, and asteroids?" A crew member asked.

"Navigate through, and jump immediately."

The stardestroyer flew toward the belt and through the Force barrier. As soon as they were through, almost everyone had a second long delay in any form of function. Thrawn looked around in mild confusion, only for it to melt away in the glow of hyperspace.

Back on the planet, Ezra and Kanan sensed it. Something had happened when Thrawn exited the system. They both meditated and only seconds had passed when they figured it out. They assembled everyone.

"We have some bad news," Kanan said, "Thrawn has forgotten what happened here."

"How?" Hera asked, "He was here with us all week. How could he have possibly forgotten?"

"The barrier," Ezra said, "as soon as he passed through it, all memories of Bill, this planet, everything that happened, left and were replaced by something else."

"Does that mean--" Soos began.

"You won't remember anything that happened here as soon as you leave?" Wendy interrupted.

"Yeah," Ezra said.

Everyone had different responses. Zeb and Chopper were more than happy to forget, Stan and Ford were pretty indifferent, Wendy and Soos were confused as to how it was even possible, Caesar didn't really care, Hera and Kanan were pretty sad, and Ezra and Sabine... it was almost heartbreaking.

"What about dissolving the barrier?" Wendy asked.

"If we did that," Kanan said, "you would no longer be hidden. And the Empire would come and take over without regard of Thrawn or what happened here."

"Could you dudes just stay?" Soos asked.

"No," Ezra said, "this is your home. It's free. Ours aren't. We have to go back, fight, and free them."













Okay, two more parts and it's over.

Star Wars Rebels: Sanity's EndWhere stories live. Discover now