~Part Three~

The shield was up in seconds and they all let out a small breath of relief, even though they still had too many TIE’s and an impossible number of storm troopers to deal with. Hopefully the First Order hadn’t brought tanks.

Chopper scanned through the city’s security feed to find the areas where the fighting was most concentrated and Ezra, Jacen, and Sabine grabbed speeders and headed there immediately. The New Republic Soldiers were fighting well but they were vastly outnumbered. Thankfully, 2 Jedi and a Mandalorian were enough to even the score. The three of them fought seamlessly, making their way through the ranks of Storm Troopers. They had significantly thinned out the herd when they heard an explosion right above them. It appeared chopper had commandeered the Phantom and had decided to act as air support. Jacen rolled his eyes and continued fighting.

Soon enough, the First Order’s forces had been routed. Most were either passed out or dead and the rest were fleeing. It didn’t seem like their re-enforcements were arriving anytime soon. Ezra sighed and made his way back to the command centre. He wanted to know what was going on.

The Governor informed them that all communications had been jammed and that their distress signal didn’t make it out. He also said that the First Order cruisers were maintaining position over the capital but had not yet fired. It seemed like they were setting up a blockade and just didn’t want anybody leaving. This was absurd, but maybe the message they’d received from the Resistance had something to do with it.

“Jacen,” Sabine said, “Play that message you got from the Rebel base.”

Jacen obliged, and a holo of General Organa bloomed to life.

“Rebels,” she started. “If this message has reached you, we need your help. Our fleet is lost, and the First Order is upon us. We have fought till our last breath and are hanging by a thread. We are hiding in an old Rebel base on the mineral planet Crait, but we won’t be able to hold out for much longer. If this resistance falls today, all our years of struggle will have been for nothing. All we’ve fought for, all our parents fought for, will be in vain. Remember why we fight. Remember all you’ve lost, and join us now so that we do not lose any more. This is our most desperate hour, you’re our only hope.”

It felt as though time had slowed down. None of them could believe what they were hearing. The First Oder must have known that the Resistance would call for help and sent their fleet to every system they knew they had allies to stop them from getting it. To make them feel abandoned…

Jacen was distraught. “We have to go,” he said desperately, “We have to go right now. We would take them by surprise. It could be just what they need to escape!”

“Is there any way we can get passed those cruisers?” Ezra asked.

“They’re blocking the hyperspace lanes,” Sabine said, “I don’t know.”

“We have to find another way.” Jacen insisted, “let’s work on getting our communications back up.”

Sabine nodded and without a word they got to work. They would find their way home. 

To be continued…

Photo Credits: Star Wars The Last Jedi