Thrawn’s P.O.V.

Thrawn examined the lizard-like creature before him, feeling wholly transfixed by it.

“How is it faring?” he asked the lab tech standing nearby.

“Much better, Grand Admiral,” came the reply, “The nutrient frame is operating exactly as intended. So long as the specimen has access to the nutrient-dense materials—I believe a refill every few weeks should suffice—then we should be able to keep it alive indefinitely.”

“Excellent. And what did you say these creatures were called?”

“Ysalamiri.”

“Ysalamiri,” Thrawn echoed, tapping a forefinger on his chin.

The sound of a door shifting open caught his attention and he turned to see the Atoan Inquisitor making her entrance.

“You sent for me,” she said stolidly.

“Ah, yes, if you would be so kind as to indulge me for a moment. We’re conducting an experiment—” Thrawn gestured to the lab tech. “—And I believe your particular talents could lend us some valuable insight.” He stepped aside, allowing the Ysalamir to enter the Inquisitor’s line of sight. “If you would step forward, please.”

The Atoan advanced a few paces, her dark eyes flicking toward Thrawn in expectation of further instruction.

“Could you give us a demonstration of your telekinetic abilities?”

The Atoan nodded, her gaze settling on an empty container sitting on a nearby table. She outstretched a hand, lifting the object into the air before depositing it back onto the table.

“Thank you. Now, if you could come a little closer.”

A few more steps forward, then the Atoan halted rather abruptly, her eyes widening slightly. Thrawn watched her closely, his mind replaying Callyn’s frantic words.

“It’s gone it’s gone it’s gone it’s gone it’s gone…”

“Another demonstration, if you will,” he said.

The Inquisitor seemed to take a moment to compose herself, then reached out once more. Nothing happened.

“My connection to the force appears to be greatly diminished in proximity to this creature,” the Atoan explained, an almost imperceptible tremor in her voice.

Thrawn was impressed by her resolve. Despite being robbed of something so central to her person, she was mostly able to maintain her cool.

Quite unlike Callyn.

“You may step back.”

The Inquisitor seemed more than happy to oblige, retreating hastily beyond the reach of the Ysalamir’s force-suppressing bubble.

“That’s remarkable!” the lab tech exclaimed, “Something like this would certainly prove invaluable in the hunt for the remaining Jedi. Perhaps even Lord Vader could make use of these creatures in his newly restored Jedi prison on Stygeon Prime. We’ll put the Inquisitors out of business, I daresay! Ah…no offense,” he added to the steely Atoan.

The tech’s evident surprise made his thoughts all too clear.

“How fortunate this expedition turned out not to be a waste,” his inner voice no doubt exulted.

Thrawn’s mouth turned down.

They fail to see what they deem insignificant.

Nothing could live so long as the forests of Myrkr without holding fascinating secrets. Originally, Thrawn had felt drawn there through a curious little mystery concerning the Jedi. Despite the planet’s abundant criminality, the self-proclaimed peacekeepers had seemingly avoided it, even before their attention had been fully claimed by events such as the Clone Wars. The interesting properties of the olbio tree, able to naturally disrupt scanning devices, had been a pleasantly surprising secondary reward for his investigations. And while he still fully intended to explore that area of his research, he now had the much more promising results he had been looking for.

Callyn initially thought my efforts on Myrkr to be wasteful as well. How ironic then that it was thanks to her that I was able to prove my suspicions correct. Ultimately though, she was right about one thing. Most among the Empire’s ranks are ABOMINABLY shortsighted.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Thrawn chided the lab tech. Turning, he addressed the Atoan once more, “One final demonstration, if you please.”

The Inquisitor showed zero hesitation, easily lifting and lowering the object of her choosing.

“Thank you.” Thrawn shifted his gaze to the Ysalamir. “These creatures were initially found grouped together, yes?”

The lab tech nodded. Thrawn paused, eyes narrowing fractionally.

“This creature only seems capable of extending its influence up to a few standard meters. Yet when I first witnessed its effects, it seemed to be over a greater area. So it follows that these creatures must be able to combine their efforts to create a wider radius of force suppression. Make sure more specimens are retrieved at once,” he instructed the tech.

“Yes, Grand Admiral.”

Of course, there is at least one threat that will not be hindered by the abilities of our little friends.

General Grievous. At the thought of him, Thrawn brushed a hand across his ribs, still sore from when the cyborg had struck him.

Yes, he’d sought to learn from Grievous once, but upon encountering him…

A disappointment, truly—able to be whistled for like a mere pet.

Callyn had far fewer notable accounts on her from the time of the Clone Wars, but what accounts Thrawn had been able to procure all told the same story.

Juvenile impetuousness.

It was true that her tactics had seemingly matured as she had, but Thrawn was able to identify the General’s strategies often bleeding through in their rebel incursions.

Rebels have no worry of politics or regimen as I did when rising through Imperial ranks. The lack of apparent reason is…confounding.

Thrawn subtly shook his head. Given Grievous’ evident ruthlessness during the Clone Wars, he was loath to contribute his subservience to any possible sentiment.

No matter. Such perfect obedience may well work in my favor in future.

Returning his thoughts to the present, Thrawn zeroed in on the Inquisitor, “You. What is your name?”

“I am Twelfth Sister,” the Atoan answered, bowing her head.

“But that is not your name,” Thrawn insisted quietly.

“No, Grand Admiral. My name is Soleil.”

“Soleil,” the Chiss echoed, “I’m glad the Grand Inquisitor could spare you on such short notice. I believe your assistance will prove invaluable over the next while. Now,” he added, turning on his heel and making for the exit, “I’ll be in my quarters.”

It’s time for the Emperor to hear of my latest results.

Ezra’s P.O.V.

“Dropping out of hyperspace,” Ahsoka announced, easing back on the lever that would return them to cruising speed.

Ezra watched as the light streaming past them reduced to distant points of luminescence. Myrkr snapped into focus, preceded by an Imperial Star Destroyer, but the rebels were well-prepared for just that moment. Beyond the reach of the dreadnought’s sensors, their ship was nigh undetectable.

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The only way we’d be noticed is if someone on the bridge of that Destroyer has insanely good eyesight, which…well, let’s hope that’s not the case.

“Cloaking now,” Ahsoka said, pressing a sequence of keys.

A shimmer effect rippled across the ship, rendering them invisible to the enemy.

“So far so good,” Ezra declared satisfactorily, interlacing his fingers behind his head in a relaxed manner, “Myrkr, here we come.”

Picking up speed, they approached the planet, passing the Imperial Destroyer at a comfortable distance.

“So what exactly are we looking for again?” Ezra queried.

Kanan groaned, running a hand over his face, “Did you not pay attention during the briefing?”

“No, I did, but we just didn’t seem to have a lot of info on what we were looking for. Just something about research and trees.”

Ahsoka laughed, “Don’t worry, Ezra, I’m sure we’ll know it when we see it.”

“Remember,” Mira prompted, “This is a stealth mission. We don’t need to be taking any unnecessary risks.”

“Remember, Mira,” Ahsoka added, her voice hardly concealing her venom, “I’m still in charge, and I will give whatever orders I see fit.”

She aimed a pointed look at her fellow rebel, who merely frowned in return.

Ezra suppressed a sigh.

They’ll never get along at this rate…

He was glad Mira could come, especially after learning that Ahsoka tried to exclude her from the mission. Ultimately, the Togruta had been overridden by Sato, who had insisted she give Mira another chance. But this constant tug of war between them was becoming very tiresome…and concerning. Kanan maintained his stance on taking a backseat, claiming that whatever the issue was, it needed to play out on its own. All the same, Ezra wished he could help somehow.

I just…don’t know how.

His gaze lifted, settling on the viewport. Immediately, a warning bell went off in his head, his brows furrowing in confusion as his mind tried to process what he was seeing.

“Uhh, guys, why is that dreadnought turning toward us?”

The others turned their heads to look, appearing equally puzzled by the sight.

“That’s odd,” Ahsoka muttered.

Then a gasp from Mira, “They’re targeting us!”

“That’s impossible—” Ahsoka began, only to be cut off as a sizeable blaster bolt tore past them.

“How can they sense a cloaked ship?!” Kanan shouted.

But no one had an answer for him. Instead, Ahsoka yelled back “Hang on!” and veered left, throwing everyone off balance. Ezra stumbled against Kanan, his master catching him by the shoulder in an attempt to help steady him.

“What if someone sensed us through the force?” Ezra asked, his thoughts frantic, “It could be Vader!”

“There are no Sith or Inquisitors here!” Ahsoka snapped.

“Our intel may have missed something!” Mira said.

Another blast rocketed by, passing so close to the ship that it shook violently. This time, Ahsoka swerved to the right, but her efforts proved futile. There was a deafening bang and their vessel plunged downward, heading straight for Myrkr’s forested surface.

“This is going to be a rough landing!” Kanan shouted.

Ezra didn’t doubt it.

Mira’s P.O.V.

Mira had no idea how long she was unconscious, but when she awoke, she felt a dull throb in her head. A quick inspection revealed she was bleeding from her temple, though not too badly it seemed.

“Is everyone all right?” Ahsoka’s voice cut through the silence.

“I’m okay,” Mira answered.

Kanan sat up slowly, uttering a groan. “I’m good. Ezra?” His eyes fell to his padawan, widening in fear. “Ezra!”

He moved for the youngling just as Mira did, grabbing him up and giving him a shake.

“Ezra, wake up!”

Mira closed her fingers around Ezra’s wrist, trying to feel for a pulse.

“He’s alive,” she announced, feeling a wave of relief as she said it.

“Oh, thank goodness. Ezra!”

Kanan gave his padawan one final shake in an attempt to spur him awake, and his efforts were rewarded by the sight of Ezra’s eyes slowly opening. The boy blinked a few times, taking in their surroundings.

“Did I miss it?” he asked hoarsely.

Kanan laughed, enveloping his student in a fierce hug, “Yeah, buddy, I’m afraid you did.”

“We all did, Ezra,” Mira assured him warmly.

Ahsoka tittered mockingly, “Who do you think made sure we didn’t get into worse of a wreck?”

No one bothered to reply. Kanan helped Ezra to his feet while his padawan, evidently put off by his master’s fussing, repeatedly insisted he was fine. They filed off the ship before pausing to take in their surroundings as well as gather their thoughts. They’d landed clear of the trees, thankfully, and by the look of it, weren’t more than a few miles from Hyllyard City.

But we’d have no hope of making it there before the Imperials find us, Mira thought despairingly.

As if on cue, the hum of engines caught her ear and she looked up, spying an enemy vessel headed straight for them. Kanan’s grip on Ezra tightened. Ahsoka’s face twisted into an expression of angry defiance.

We could try running for the trees, but we’d most likely be shot down before we ever reached them. No…our only option is to surrender.

Ahsoka stepped forward, throwing up her hands just as the shuttle drew near. Mira felt the pull on the force, causing her to turn with a surprised look toward the former Jedi.

“Ahsoka, what are you doing?”

“Help me!” the Togruta snapped in response.

Kanan immediately obliged, placing a hand on Ahsoka’s shoulder and channeling his own force connection through her. Ezra quickly followed suit, and Mira saw the shuttle slow to almost a standstill while it creaked and groaned in protest. Releasing a short, sharp breath, she reached out, lending her power to the others. The Imperial vessel stopped dead, its engines shrieking against the invisible force that held it. Then suddenly its ramp began to lower, admitting a dark figure to view.

“Ahsoka—” Mira gasped, cutting her own words short as the stranger plummeted from the ramp, executing a gravity-defying landing at the last moment.

An Inquisitor.

Ahsoka released the ship, going for her lightsabers instead. Kanan mimicked the movement, but Mira stopped him, her face betraying her grave outlook. Kanan seemed to understand immediately, his gaze shifting to the enemy ship which had just alighted a stone’s throw away from them.

Ezra is injured, we’re outgunned, soon to be outnumbered, and we have a Jedi-hunter to reckon with besides. There’s simply no sense in fighting.

But clearly Ahsoka didn’t share her conclusion. She had her dual sabers drawn, her body coiled like that of an animal preparing to pounce. Yet the Inquisitor seemed largely unfazed.

“I’ve been instructed to take you in alive,” she said, her tone almost purely monotonous, “Will you surrender, rebels?”

Several Imperial troopers spilled off the shuttle, forming rank behind her. Still, Ahsoka refused to back down. Mira knew better than to try to talk her down, but Kanan evidently felt compelled to make an attempt. He reached out, placing a gentle hand on the Togruta’s shoulder.

“Ahsoka,” he said, “It’s over.”

Ahsoka shrugged him off, hissing, “No, it’s not.”

Mira’s face flushed with anger.

“Your arrogance could get us killed!” she said hotly, unable to contain herself any longer in the face of Ahsoka’s selfish abandon.

“Then stay back,” Ahsoka ordered, “I’ll handle this on my own.”

For the first time in her life, Mira felt like grabbing the person before her and giving them a hard shake, but she resisted the urge, instead gesturing to Kanan and Ezra to distance themselves from the former Jedi as per her instructions. Mira then followed suit, watching and waiting for the inevitable duel to come. The Inquisitor remained unperturbed, her dark eyes taking note of every minute movement enacted by her prey.

“Your companions have surrendered,” she pointed out levelly, “Yet you still refuse?”

“I am more than a match for you and your men,” Ahsoka answered darkly, “And I’ll see to it that you regret challenging me.”

“Very well.”

The Inquisitor freed her cloak from her shoulders, letting it fall to the ground. But she refrained from going for her lightsaber, assuming a ready stance with her hands empty.

“I believe you’ll be wanting your lightsaber, Inquisitor,” Ahsoka prompted.

“I was trained to fight worthier opponents than a failed apprentice such as yourself.”

“You know who I am? Then you’re more foolish than I thought.”

“We shall see.”

Silence stretched between them while they stood still as stone. Then the tension snapped as the Inquisitor shot forward at surprising speed. Ahsoka remained unmoving until the last second when she swung full force. The Inquisitor leapt over her arcing blades, using an almost imperceptible hand movement to tap into the force and throw the Togruta’s aim askew. Then she smashed her boot into Ahsoka’s chest, effectively knocking the air out of her. The two went down, the Imperial landing on top of the former Jedi before hastily kicking away her weapons. Then she dug her heel into Ahsoka’s throat, threatening to suffocate her.

“Ahsoka!” Ezra cried in horror.

Kanan had to hold his student back to keep him from darting to the rescue.

“Enough!” he shouted, “You’ve won, now let her go!”

Instead, the Inquisitor leaned down so she was face to face with her victim.

“I heard the account from Fifth Brother and Seventh Sister,” she said, “And it is clear that the Jedi’s overconfidence is doubly manifest in you. You should not have assumed that your encounter with them was indicative of every Inquisitor’s capabilities.” She leaned more heavily on Ahsoka’s throat, prompting some frantic scrabbling from the Togruta. “Even if you had battled with the Grand Inquisitor, you would not have faced the strongest among us.”

“Stop!” Mira protested, chancing a step forward, “Is this what you want?”

The dark eyes fixed on her, revealing a curious light in their depths.

“What I want?” she echoed.

But before she could ponder the question further, Ahsoka threw up a hand, making a final desperate attempt to force push her attacker off. The Inquisitor dodged before rendering a sharp kick to the side of Ahsoka’s skull, subsequently forcing her into an unconscious state.

“No!” Ezra shouted, straining against Kanan’s hold, “Get off her!”

The Inquisitor obliged, briefly surveying her work before suddenly turning her gaze on Mira. They locked eyes for a moment, the connection only broken once the Imperial addressed her men.

“Take them,” she said.

And the troops closed in.