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An Oasis in a Sea of Hate

Chapter One

The Ghost Gets a Mission

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(All named characters are the property of Disney.)

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The crew of the Ghost were waiting in the city of Aldera, the capital of Alderaan. They always enjoyed being on that planet, with its wonderful views and peaceful forests. While they were waiting for Hera, they decided to visit the city and look around and at least get a decent bite to eat somewhere. That lead them to a small café near the Epicurium that was run by one of the graduates who decided to try her luck running her own place, although she was highly sought after by the management of Latli's. As could be imagined, the food was stupendous, but a bit expensive. However, it was worth it after all that time on spacer rations.

Now, after having eaten and feeling very satisfied, they were waiting for Hera to get back. She had gone towards the Embassy area to meet with Bail Organa. Zeb was drinking the rich, dark coffee; Ezra and Sabine, the teenagers, were having sweet sodas; and Kanan, being Kanan, was drinking the city's delicious, cold water.

They didn't see any Imperials, which was a relief. There were not many days that that happened. Miraculously, Zeb and Ezra were getting along. That was a rarity in itself. Kanan was relaxed. Only Sabine seemed dissatisfied. Perhaps because there was nothing to blow up and it wouldn't really be good manners to rakugaki a friendly planet. They all wished this peace could last—except for Sabine. It must be a Mandalorian thing.

Later, they didn't see Hera coming up to them until she was close. It was easy on other planets to spot her easily, she stuck out like a sore, whatever that is on your hand, that is, if you have a humanoid hand. But on Alderaan, there were many non-humans, a rarity in this non-human despising Empire. Many Twi'leks and similar Togrutas, Zeltrons, Mirialans, and many others who survived long enough to make it to a safe planet made this one their home. So, she was harder to make out in a crowd.

"All right guys, we've got a new mission," Hera started as she came up to them. "We need to pick up a passenger on Tatooine and take him to another planet."

"Ugh," said Zed, "not Tatooine again. It's too soon after the last time we had to go to that dustball."

"Just one man?" Sabine asked. "He must be pretty important."

"I don't know who he is," Hera answered, "but the request came to me from Bail Organa himself so either he must be important or the mission must be. I can tell you that the pay is really good. It could keep us in fuel for a long time."

"What other planet would that be?" Asked Sabine.

"I don't know. And moreover, I don't think Bail knew either. Apparently, we will know when our passenger tells us somehow."

"I don't like it," said suspicious Zeb. "And besides, how are we to tell who he is in all that flotsam and debris of sentient life forms on that dirtpit of a planet?"

"According to Bail, he will contact us. But if it's from Bail, we won't be swindled or turn-coated."

"Well," said Ezra, "Tatooine might be controlled by the Hutts but at least there aren't any Imperials there. Or at least not that many. But, why couldn't we have met him here?"

"Bail couldn't say," replied Hera.

They thought about it for a short time. They didn't like the conditions, but the money, like Hera said, could put them in fuel for a long time—that is, if they made it out of this mission. That was not always a guarantee.

"Well then," said Kanan, always the practical one, "Tatooine it is. Let's get on with it."

Nobody objected so there was accession by silence.

The ragtag crew of the Ghost then headed towards their ship—and their home. It was to be a sad journey leaving this planet.

As they headed towards the Ghost, they were greeted by Chopper in his usual, sophisticated way. "/$?#€%?+=~," said the droid.

"Where does that rust bucket pick up that language?" Hera thought out loud. "What, did he get a chip from Level 1313 put in him or something?"

"Not from me," Ezra quickly put in.

"Me either," Sabine almost shouted.

"Certainly not from me," Kanan said. Everybody then looked at big Zeb.

"Well," said Zeb and then paused, "What do you expect. You know how well we get along." Now everyone knew where Chopper got his dirty—whatever mouth thing droids have.

"Well, let's get going," Hera said somewhat exasperated. "We'll have to try to fix him later on. There's no time now." With that, the crew entered the ship from the rear ramp. Everyone got to their seats. Hera slid into the pilot's chair as if she was born to fly the Ghost. The others were seated in their usual places but Sabine went back to her quarters to check her weapons and explosives and her rakugaki pistols. With some regrets leaving the planet and loud noise from the engines, they lifted off from the beautiful, but, as yet unknown to them or anybody, doomed planet. Hera smiled as she set the navicomputer for the destination. One thing in this life she loved was piloting the Ghost—and it showed.

Hera guided the ship away from the spaceport. "Take a good look guys," Hera said. "It may be the last time we see anything like this for a long time." Sabine had returned and everybody turned to a viewport to take a last look.

It was beautiful enough city from the ground, but from this height, it was spectacular. They could see the white spires of the city jutting out from the lush, green island in the middle of a lake that seemed to be a part of heaven transposed to the terra of Alderaan. They looked at the city all the way until they could see it no more. The crew of the Ghost then went into hyperspace, headed for no one with a rancor's sense went to willingly.

They were going on a new mission—one that was going to change them for many years.