Secret Cargo

In zero-ten, I will discuss the dramatic events transpiring in your Imperial Sen (BEEPS) Hope we're not going to be hiding in this can forever. There's only so much HoloNet I can take. Well, I'd say they're late, but we don't even know when they're supposed to show up, or who we're meeting. (CHOPPER GRUNTING) Whoever they are, Senator Organa wants them to get where they're going, and he's trusting us to get them fuel. If he trusts us, why is he keeping us in the dark? You know as much as I do. No wonder Kanan volunteered for that supply run. - Heh. - Imperial Senator Mon Mothma of Chandrila has shocked the Senate with her treasonous remarks against Emperor Palpatine. I name the Emperor himself for ordering the brutal attacks on the people of Ghorman. Their peaceful world is one of countless systems helpless against his oppressive rule. This massacre is proof that our self-appointed Emperor is little more than a lying executioner, imposing his tyranny under the pretense of security. We cannot allow this evil to stand. Wow! Did she really say that about the Emperor? I'm surprised she's still breathing. Lady's got guts. (BEEPING) (HISSING) - Maybe that's our contact. - I don't think so. Chopper, scan. (WHIRRING) (SPEAKING IMPERIAL) (CHOPPER GRUNTING) A probe? What's it doing way out here? Speaks Imperial. That's bad. Let's blast it before it spots us. Ezra, get in the nose gun, but hold your fire. We don't want to attract attention if we can avoid it. I'll power down so it can't scan us. (POWERING DOWN) That includes you, Chopper. (CHOPPER GRUNTING) ZEB: Shush it. (POWERS DOWN) Nobody make a move. (SPEAKING IMPERIAL) I don't think it saw us. I'll be convinced when it leaves. (SPEAKING IMPERIAL) (BEEPING) That doesn't look like leaving. It's headed right for us. Must be scanning for life signs. Well, that's just great. (CHUCKLES) We can't shoot it with the power down. - Ezra, be ready. - Just say when. (BEEPING) Move a bit closer. Just a little bit closer. (BEEPING) (SPEAKING IMPERIAL) (SPEAKING IMPERIAL) Now! (SPEAKING IMPERIAL) Come on, kid, hit it before it transmits our location. Thing's quick. (CONTINUES FIRING) I can't get a clean shot. (SPEAKING IMPERIAL) (RESPONSE OVER COMLINK IN IMPERIAL) (SPEAKING IMPERIAL) Whoa, who's that? Never mind. Stay on target. (GRUNTS) (SIGHS) PILOT: Phoenix Leader, this is Gold Squadron. We catch you at a bad time? Sorry about that, Gold Squadron. Close call with an Imperial probe. Were you detected? Chances are high, it called for reinforcements. Begin fueling immediately. We need to get out of here before the Empire arrives. Captain Syndulla, I presume. I'm Erskin Semaj, Senatorial attache. And this is Captain Vander, he leads Gold Squadron. This is Ezra and Zeb and Chopper. So, what're ya transportin'? Please understand, due to security concerns, your crew will not be allowed to board our vessel. Well, you're all welcome aboard ours. Let's get to refueling. (HISSING) We've heard a lot about you, Phoenix Squadron. - You have? - Yeah. You blew up the comm tower on Lothal, and Tarkin's Star Destroyer. The tower wasn't us, but the Star Destroyer, guilty as charged. (CHUCKLES) You might think twice before you pull another stunt like that. The Imperials have tightened security throughout the entire Outer Rim as a result. You're making things harder for all of us. Well, we don't mind doing things the hard way. Let's have this argument another time. Your little encounter may have jeopardized this mission. Oh, you mean the probe. What did you expect us to do? It would have been prudent to avoid detection, as ordered. This assignment is extremely sensitive. Yeah? Well, maybe you should have given us a few more details instead of being so sensitive about your assignment. (GRUNTING) (SCOFFS) Did your droid just insult us? My crew did the best we could, but you didn't give us much information to go on. Look, that probe, it was probably looking for us, specifically. We are carrying cargo highly valuable to the Rebellion, and desperately wanted by the Empire. (ALARM BEEPING) We have incoming! Gold Leader, we have enemy contact. Imperial cruiser and fighters. Move to intercept. I'm on my way. (LASERS FIRING) (ALL GROANING) (GROANS) Gold Two is down. Zeb, get her to Medical, and then get on the guns. What about our ship? We need all the firepower we can get. - You got anyone who can fly it? - Yeah, me. He can do it. Just remember what I taught you. (POWERING UP) (LASERS FIRING) We need to detach from the transport or we're all going down. Chopper, jettison the fuel pod and get ready. (GRUNTING) (LASERS FIRING) (CHOPPER GRUNTING) The hatch is jammed? We'll have to detach it manually. Come on. Form up a defensive perimeter. We have got to protect our transport from that cruiser. (LASERS FIRING) MAN: (OVER PA) Transport's lost shields. Get everyone off the transport and on the Ghost, now. (THUMPS) Let us be of assistance, Captain. Senator Mon Mothma? Proper introductions will have to wait, I'm afraid. Right. If you could help my droid, I'll get us out of here. (LASERS FIRING) Gold Leader, we need a diversion. - Copy. Gold Squadron, follow my lead. - I'm right behind you. GOLD LEADER: Take your shot, kid. (BEEPING) Whoa! What was that? GOLD LEADER: Ion cannon. Disabled their shields. - (GRUNTS) - HERA: How's the detach coming? We almost have it. (GRUNTING) Detach complete. Finish their cruiser. (LASERS FIRING) Hit 'em, Gold Three. (LASERS FIRING) Senator Mon Mothma, this is my crew, Zeb Orrelios, and out there, in one of your bombers, Ezra Bridger. I know of young Mr. Bridger, and I thank you, Captain Orrelios. We saw your speech on the HoloNet. You really let the Emperor have it. MON MOTHMA: I only wish words had more of an impact. Senator, let's forget this mission and get you back to Chandrila to a proper hiding place. No hiding. My presence at the meeting is not optional. You mean the meeting? Erskin, I trust them to get me there. We're in the process of building an alliance, uniting the various rebel cells across the galaxy. My challenge to the Emperor was a call to stand against the Empire. My hope is, all who answer it will see that they are not alone. I must be there to meet them. Her involvement has been a secret, but the Empire will be attempting to track any ship that tries to leave this system. I know a way to sneak you out of the sector. Senator, we'll get you to that meeting. Give them the coordinates to Dantooine. The rebel squadron defended their transport vigorously, but we thwarted their attempt to refuel. A scan of the vessel before it was destroyed revealed no cargo aboard, and only a small crew. Their cargo was something prized, a certain Senator, I suspect. Senator Mothma? Her capture is a priority. If she escaped aboard the Ghost, where is she now? Not where you'd expect. Captain Syndulla will be creative in avoiding your blockades. She will brave the unlikeliest path to transport her passenger out of the sector. There, the Archeon pass, a favorite of Outer Rim smugglers. Through the nebula? Our capitol ships can't follow her. Precisely. So I've readied my new prototype and our best pilots to hunt down and capture this rogue Senator. Grand Admiral, allow me the honor of silencing her. Very well, Governor. Take Admiral Konstantine to the far side of the nebula and wait there. When our fighters flush the rebels out into the open, you'll be in position to capture Senator Mon Mothma alive. She could be our key to locating the true rebel fleet. As you wish, Grand Admiral. Sometimes I envy pilots like you, traveling through the stars. You can always leave your problems far behind you. Can't imagine you running from your problems. I've spent my life in the Senate trying to do good, to preserve the rights of the people. And we are grateful. Little good it's done. The Emperor has crushed freedom over the years, bit by bit. I've opposed him where I could, but I've begun to see that the fight cannot be won in the Senate. The stakes are a bit higher out here on the front lines. Instead of being outvoted, you're outgunned. Life or death. It's a new experience, being on the run. But if that's what it takes Whatever it takes, this Rebellion is worth it. (SHIPS WHIRRING) The Archeon Nebula. There are stars forming in there. Get too close and you'll burn up. Mmm, I can handle it. Hera taught me a few tricks. She's the best around. Fighter inbound. Looks like a TIE of some kind, closing from point one-nine. GOLD LEADER: Since when do TIEs have hyperdrives? Oh, no. (SHIP WHIRRING) Attention, rebel ship, this is Commander Vult Skerris of the Imperial Navy. (SHIP WHIRRING) You are harboring a traitor to the Empire. Surrender immediately. Gold Three and Four, send him our reply. Get out of there, both of you. I know that ship. It's a prototype TIE Defender. It's armed with heavy cannons and shields. (SHIP WHIRRING) (LASERS FIRING) Go. Close formation. We might be able to lose him in the nebula. (LASERS FIRING) GOLD LEADER: Stay on the Ghost tight. - HERA: And disable your proton torpedoes. - Why? They've been known to ignite the gas in clouds like these. (LASERS FIRING) Those shields are too strong. (BEEPING) (CLICKS BUTTON) (BEEPING SILENCES) He's got a lock on you! We lost Gold Five. It's just us now. (LASERS FIRING) They're too fast. We can't outrun them. Ain't over yet. Gold Leader, stay tight. We're going in close to that forming star. Put all power in your deflector screens. (LASERS FIRING) This is our only chance. (CONTROLS SIZZLING) (SHIP WHIRRING HEAVILY) (ALARM BEEPING) You got one! (LASERS FIRING) Oh, no, you don't. (SHIP WHIRRING) (LASERS FIRING) Break off, kid! Break off! (LASERS FIRING) Hera! We're burning up. (ALARM BEEPING) (EXHALES) He'll be back. And that star took its toll. We're losing power. We'll hold off the Defender while you get the Senator out of here. GOLD LEADER: He's right. Go now. We've got this. Hera, got a new problem. Two of 'em. Chop, get me emergency power. (GRUNTING) (SHIP WHIRRING) They've sustained damage to their core systems, and it seems Commander Skerris has dealt with their Y-wing escort in the nebula. Hail the rebel ship. (ON COMLINK) This is Governor Pryce. You have been charged with treason against the Empire. Now, submit or be destroyed. Very well. (BEEPS) - She'll never keep her word. - I know. I'm stalling her while you figure out a plan. (CHOPPER GRUNTING) I'll take what I can get. Keep working. Look out! He's on top of us. (LASERS FIRING) Uh, he's coming around. Gold Leader, I'm bringing him right to you. Be ready with that ion cannon. He's too fast. I'll never hit him. Sure you will. Just fire when I tell you. (LASERS FIRING) PRYCE: That is an impressive list of demands, Senator. You must understand, I cannot allow others to pay the price for my actions. (CHOPPER GRUNTING) (SOFTLY) Charging the hyperdrive. Just another few moments. - They are in range now, Governor. - Activate tractor beam. Your requests are denied, Senator. Prepare to be boarded. (CHOPPER GRUNTING) (SIGHS) Chop, divert all power to the engines. (CHOPPER GRUNTS) Get ready! I'm gonna fly right through your sights. What if I hit you? He can't, so you won't either. And Fire! (CHUCKLES) Oh, you got him! He'll recover from that ion blast, but you bought us some time. We've got to get out of here and find the Ghost. GOLD LEADER: You take the lead. (SHIPS WHIRRING) Hera, what's the plan? We're not going to be able to break free. I'm sorry, Senator. I'm going to have to shut her down. - EZRA: Hera, do you read me? - Ezra? (SHIPS WHIRRING) HERA: Ezra, I'm afraid I've got some bad news. Oh, great. Admiral, two rebel fighters have exited the nebula - and are moving to attack our flank. - Well, shoot them down. They're too little, too late. (LASERS FIRING) We're caught in a tractor beam. Can you break us free? GOLD LEADER: Kid, charge your ion cannon and arm your proton torpedoes. Proton torpedoes? Negative, do not attack the Star Destroyers. Fire at the nebula. The nebula? Of course. Remember what Hera said about firing torpedoes in the nebula? GOLD LEADER: I understand, Phoenix Leader. We're going in. You think this will work? (BEEPING) We'll know in a minute. Chopper, be ready on the hyperdrive. (CHOPPER GRUNTS) (SHIPS WHIRRING) (LASERS FIRING) (ALARM BLARING) We've lost the tractor beam. We're free. Make your jump now! Phoenix Leader, that was some of the best fighting I've ever seen. I could say the same, Gold Leader. Kid, you can fly in my squadron any day. We're coming up on the rendezvous point. Ready to transmit, Senator. Let's just hope someone's listening. This is Senator Mon Mothma. I've been called a traitor for speaking out against a corrupt Galactic Senate, a Senate manipulated by the sinister tactics of the Emperor. For too long, I've watched the heavy hand of the Empire strangle our liberties, stifling our freedoms in the name of ensuring our safety. No longer. Despite Imperial threats, despite the Emperor himself, I have no fear as I take new action. For I am not alone. Beginning today, we stand together as allies. I hereby resign from the Senate to fight for you. Not from the distant halls of politics, but from the front lines. We will not rest until we bring an end to the Empire, until we restore our Republic. Are you with me? Look! They came. Look how many there are. This, my friends, this is our rebellion.