I walked out of the caverns into the snowstorm, feeling empty. It was all an illusion; there was nothing left. Tooka followed silently next to me noticing I didn't come back with anything. When we got to the ship and took off into space, I was sitting in my cabin contemplating what I had seen, and then my mind wandered to the Rebellion. My mission was over, I went through every possibility I could think of and came up with nothing in the end.

I took the beacon out of my pocket and looked at it thoughtfully. After a moment, I decided to press it and it expanded in size, illuminating the room with a map of the galaxy. I called to Tooka and he came in a moment later.

"Tooka, plug in these coordinates. We're going back to the Rebellion."

"On it," he replied, taking the beacon and heading back to the cockpit.

After he left, I sank onto my bed and fell asleep.

...

When I woke up again, Tooka was just docking the ship next to Ahsoka's. By the time we got to the door and got off my ship, rebel fighters were already positioned ready to greet us. It felt strange to be walking through the stark white hallways. We emerged into the command center with Ahsoka waiting for us. She nodded in greeting.

"I'm glad you came back, Estrella," she said, a relieved look on her face. "And that you decided to take my offer."

"It wasn't easy," I confessed. "But here I am."

"Good," she replied, with a smile. "Then I have your first task."

I looked at her questioningly. She seemed to sense my confusion and began to fill me in.

"All you and Tooka are doing is a scout mission. There's imperial activity on Lothal and we need to figure out what their plan is for it. There is a rebel cell there that may need our help in the future. Are you up for the challenge?"

"Scouting?" I pondered, then decided it wasn't that bad. "Shouldn't be too bad. I'll do it."

"Great," Ahsoka replied. "Take Tooka with you, you might need him."

And with that, I left the command room for the second time and boarded my ship. Sitting in the cockpit, I looked back at Tooka as he took his usual seat.

"Ready?" I asked.

"Ready," he replied, excitement showing in his eyes.

And with that, the stars stretched before us and we launched into hyperspace.

...

Landing on Lothal a little ways from town, I stepped out into the tall grass, Tooka right behind me. I looked around, taking in the sights. I was surprised to see that there wasn't a huge imperial presence like I previously thought. I spoke too soon, however, because suddenly a Star Destroyer thundered into view overhead, moving slowly toward the capital.

"That doesn't look good," Tooka observed, eyeing the Destroyer closely.

"No, it doesn't," I agreed, looking in its direction. "But that's why we're checking it out."

Tooka sighed and followed me down the grassy hillside, knowing that I always follow danger. We reached the outskirts of town a few minutes later, looking around to see the usual bustle of a town. Humans and humanoids roamed the streets with Imperial banners and more floating overhead. Clearly the Empire has made their mark here so I needed to be careful.

"What's the plan?" Tooka asked, looking around at everything.

"I'm not entirely sure to be honest," I replied. "I guess just act natural and try to fit in."

That wasn't exactly the best thing to say, especially for me but I had to. We wandered around for quite some time, keeping our eyes and ears alert for any possible sign. We decided to turn down a street that is hidden but very close to the capital, when I heard a small noise. Just as I was about to take another step, a boy dressed as an Imperial cadet came into view, and I put my arm out and slammed Tooka and I against the wall out of sight. He looked in our direction, then the other way as if looking for someone. Seeing no one, he walked away in the opposite direction and disappeared. I signaled Tooka and we walked on ahead. Suddenly, I sensed him come back and stand behind us.

"Hey," he called as I whipped around, seeing him standing with his arms crossed. "You know this is a restricted area right?"

Not knowing what to say to a cadet, I just replied, "I'm aware" and turned around to continue walking.

However, he stopped me again. "Who are you?" he asked, "you must definitely not be around here."

I sighed. "Smart kid. Now will you let us through?"

"No! Wait," he faltered. "Do you need help getting in? I can help with that."

I was taken aback. An Imperial cadet, just asked us if we need help sneaking in. I looked at Tooka then back to the cadet.

"Who are you??" I replied. "You're definitely not a real cadet if you just asked me if I need help."

He seemed uncomfortable at my question but he decided to answer anyway.

"My name is Zare Leonis. My sister was taken here but mysteriously disappeared and I'm here to find her. If I help you, will you help me find her?"

I was hesitant to say yes, but I did anyway.

"Great," he said. "Now come on, I know a place where you can sneak in."

He gestured us to follow and I looked at Tooka. He looked back and shrugged and proceeded to follow Zare. Deciding he was innocent, I also followed Zare into the darkened alleyways. After a while of walking, I caught up to him and we began talking.

"So... what exactly happened to your sister?" I asked, but doubted he would answer.

He sighed. "She, she enlisted in the Empire a while back. Top of her class. She was so excited to be there. Then... she disappeared. We tried everything to find her but it was like she didn't even exist."

"I'm so sorry," I replied. "The Empire has caused too much misery for everyone. I hope you find her."

"Me too," Zare agreed.

We walked along farther, Tooka bouncing beside us when Zare pulled us behind a pile of crates. I looked around the side behind him and saw stormtroopers positioned outside of the complex.

"Stay here," Zare told us and walked out from behind the crates to talk to the troopers.

I couldn't make out what they were conversing about, but the troopers moved away and he beckoned us toward him. As I stood up to follow him, I heard a gun cock behind me and I stopped dead in my tracks.

Swarms of stormtroopers flooded into the open area surrounding Tooka and I. Tooka stepped closer to me in fear and I glared at Zare in anger. I watched as two stormtroopers grabbed him and pushed him into the surrounding wall of troopers.

"I can explain!" he cried, but I cut him off.

"We can deal with that later," I yelled back. "Time to deal with these assholes."

My lightsaber flew to my hand, igniting and I charged at them knocking down any who stood in my path. Tooka jumped into action behind me and it wasn't long until they were unconscious or fleeing to get reinforcements. My blood boiling and my mind clouded, I suddenly turned on Zare my eyes flashing neon green. He inched back in fear as I stalked toward him my lightsaber ready.

"Please I can explain!" Zare cried. "I didn't know it was a trap! Please you have to believe me!"

Tooka rushed to me, grabbing my jacket sleeve and trying to pull me back but I shoved him off and kept stalking toward Zare. He stumbled back in surprise and confusion and ran to pull me back again. My mind barely registered he was doing that, I was so consumed by untapped anger. Before I could strike Zare, cowering in fear, Tooka tried one last attempt to stop me. He ran and stood between us, stopping me in my tracks and suddenly my mind wasn't so clouded.

"Stop, Estrella!" he cried, his big watery eyes stopping my trance completely.

Zare took the opportunity and scrambled away, never to be seen again. Breathing heavily, I lowered my lightsaber and I seemed to forget everything that had just happened.

"Who... are you??" Tooka asked, distraught about what had just happened.

"Tooka..." I started to say but couldn't find the words. I don't know what had gotten into me.

"Stop," he said, tears forming in his eyes. "I don't know you anymore... you're not the great hero I thought you were. What happened to the person who saved me when I needed it?"

I suddenly felt very weak and strangely vulnerable. Losing Tooka would break me; I couldn't lose someone else.

"I stopped myself, Tooka! All because of you. He's gone; I let Zare live."

"It doesn't matter!" he cried, the tears more visible than before. "I don't know if I want to follow you anymore."

Now tears started to form in my eyes as well. The last time I felt this way, was when... well it had been a long time. I tried to reach out to him, but he stepped away.

"Where will you go?" I asked. "You don't even have a ship!"

"I'll figure it out," he replied. "I just... I can't follow you anymore."

Tears running down his cheeks, he turned around and began walking away, leaving me standing there motionless. That was the last time I saw his face.