Something I've been wanting to do for a while now. Continuation of "The Ace Pilot Race" Enjoy!

It was a week after the great race between Hera, Val, Hobbe, and Wedge, and word about it still lingered around the base.

I think that race really motivated the other pilots to be at their absolute best. Plus, it was a big stress reliever.

Walking around the base, I noticed that it was really quiet.

A little too quiet for my taste...

There was no one in sight. Going to the ship docks, I saw that all the A-wings weren't there. Checking the storage depot, the only person, or droid I should say, was AP-5 doing inventory.

"Hey, AP. Why is it so quiet? Where is everyone?" I asked.

"Oh. I believe everyone is trying out the race track you and the others made a week ago." AP-5 said.

Should've expected that. I mean, who wouldn't try out that racecourse?

Thanking the droid, I walked over to the cliff near the Ghost and saw many pilots used the racecourse for their own fun. Smiling, I sat down at the edge of the cliff and watched the pilots enjoy themselves.

Even though I don't like how quiet the Empire has been, I'm glad we can use this time to let loose and relax for once.

My smile faded at the thought.

Why has the Empire been so quiet? With Thrawn in charge, I expected more noise than silence. Whenever the Empire's this quiet, they're usually working on something big, but what is the question...

Even after shrugging off the thought, it still lingered in the back of my mind.

"Commander June to the command center for priority message." said a man over the PA.

Standing up, I walked to the command center in a hurry.

"Message from Diella Pierce of the Starbreaker Brigade, ma'am." said one of the workers.

"Put her through." I said.

At my command, the worker activated the hologram and a holographic image of the Starbreaker Brigade symbol appeared.

"Greetings my dear friend. I bring you urgent news from a planet that you may be familiar with," Diella said.

"Maitlyn?" I asked.

"No. Lothal."

I pulled back in surprise.

"What's going on there?" I asked.

"My brigade and I were scouting the planet for any Empire activity. Of course, there were, but something felt... off when we arrived on Lothal. Like, something was... missing," Diella explained.

"Missing how?"

"I cannot go into detail, for I do not know. I will keep you posted if I discover anything. Diella out."

Once the symbol disappeared, I was left in concern and worry.

What could have happened on Lothal...?

Letting out a deep sigh, I walked back to the cliff and watched the pilots zip around the course. Wanting to clear my head from all the concern and uncertainty, I began to meditate. The sound of the pilots' joyous cheers made a small smile form across my face. The thought of what could've happened on Lothal still lingered in the back of my mind. Breathing out a sigh, I opened my eyes and sat upright, letting my legs dangle over the edge of the cliff.

I hope everything's all right...

"Commander June!" cried a voice.

Turning around, I saw a worker running up to me.

"Is everything all right?" I asked, rising to my feet.

"Urgent message from Diella Pierce!" he said frantically.

Feeling my heart clench up, I sprinted towards the command center. On my way there, I felt a disturbance in the Force. My heart started beating rapidly when I heard a familiar voice cry out my name.

"ZELARA!"

No... Don't let it be so...

Activating the hologram, the brigade's symbol appeared.

"Zelara, I know what's going on." Diella said.

"So do I..." I regrettably said.

My breathing became quick and sharp; I felt like I was going to pass out.

"Diella, what you were about to say... is it true...?" I asked.

Diella's silence was all I needed to know to answer my question.

That's why the Empire was so quiet these past few days...

"Zelara, are you okay...?" Diella asked.

"I'll... I'll be fine. Thank you, Diella. When you get the chance, please send me everything you've gathered on the Empire's recent activities on Lothal." I said.

"You have my word. Diella out."

When all was silent, I gripped the large, round tabled, feeling the metal bend in my grip. Breathing out a shaky sigh, I stumbled back to the Ghost. Upon my arrival, I saw the rest of the crew. When Ezra looked over, I saw a look of concern and worry.

"Zelara, what's wrong?" Ezra asked, rushing to my side.

I averted his gaze and sighed. Looking up, I saw the rest of the crew around me.

"We need to go to Lothal... now." I said.

"Why? What's wrong?" Sabine asked.

I couldn't bring myself to say why. I felt a storm brewing inside of me, and I felt my heart tighten; my fists trembled in anger.

"We just need to go there..." I said, my voice a night sky.

Hera nodded and ordered us to board the Ghost. Walking into my room, I let out an agonizing yell. Dropping to my knees, I let out a sob and watched my tears fall on the metal floor.

Please don't let it be so...

Once I felt the ship land, I quickly got up and sprinted down the open ramp.

"Wait! Zelara!" Ezra shouted.

Not turning back to acknowledge my Padawan, I sprinted over to the Loth-wolf den as fast as I could. Upon my arrival, I didn't feel anything. Walking in the den, it was quiet. Looking around every stone pillar and boulder, there was no life in sight. Walking back to the entrance, I clenched my fists so tight, I felt my nails dig into my palm.

They're not here...

"Zelara!" a voice cried out.

Looking up, I saw the rest of my crew coming towards me. Once they were in front of me, I felt the tears stream down my cheeks.

"They're gone... All of them... Strucker, Striker... Atlas... Gone..." I sobbed.

When Kanan walked up to me, I wrapped my arms around him and cried in his chest.

"That's why the Empire's been so quiet. Whatever they were working on, it involved the Loth-wolves." Sabine said.

I pulled away from Kanan when a familiar blue light jumped out of my chest. In an instant, Aralez appeared.

"Ara, the wolves... They're..." I began.

"I know. I... felt it. I heard Atlas's voice just as clear as you did... I sorry..." Aralez said before embracing me.

Breathing out, I melted into her embrace.

"We have to find them. Their purpose here on Lothal is too great." Kanan said.

"But how? We don't even know where the Empire has taken 'em." Zeb commented.

"We might be able to help with that." said a voice.

Looking over Kanan's shoulder, I saw Diella, along with Nerezza and Kayla.

"Diella, Nerezza, Kayla..." I said.

The three of them smiled at the sound of their names.

"Diella told us what happened. We are so sorry, Zela." Kayla said.

I sighed and nodded.

"It's a good thing I didn't leave. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to give you this." Diella said, handing me a data pad.

Wiping away my tears, I took the data pad and I scrolled through the manifest. My eyes widened at what I read.

"The Empire took the Loth-wolves... to turn them into weapons," I said.

"That doesn't make any sense. The Loth-wolves are already living tanks." Ezra said.

"Yes, and from what I've heard, you can't control a Loth-wolf, nor can you convince it to join you." Kayla commented.

"No, you can't. But what I'm reading here, it looks like the Empire developed some kind of mind-controlling helmet... It's saying that it's like the Jedi mind trick, only stronger and more powerful; able to bend the hearts, minds, and wills of anyone and anything, and have them completely under your control whether it is a friend or foe..."

Silence fell between us.

"Does it say where the Empire is taking them?" Nerezza asked.

Scrolling through the manifest, I stumbled upon the location.

"It says that they're transferring them to... Crumore..." I said.

You've got to be kidding me...?

I felt my emotions darken.

"Well, we should start heading there now. We'll take my ship. Its hanger can hold the wolves once we rescue them." Kayla volunteered.

"Perfect. What says you, Zelara? Zelara?" Aralez asked.

My breathing became quick and heavy. Through anger and rage, I snapped the data pad in half. Dropping the broken pad, I clenched my fists tighter and tighter.

"Zelara, calm down. Don't let your anger get the better of you." Aralez warned, placing a hand on my shoulder.

Growling under my breath, I grabbed Aralez's hand and watched as she turned into light blue particles. Once they hit my chest, I felt my ears and tail form.

"Let's get going." I hissed.

I walked past my friends and made my way to Kayla's ship.

"I've never seen Zelara act like this before. It's almost... frightening; especially with that power spike of hers." Kanan said.

"Did you see how she just took in Aralez? She must be REALLY mad." Ezra commented.

"Let's just hope that her anger and vengeance doesn't cloud her vision. Atlas and the other Loth-wolves mean the world to her, so I can understand her being upset. But now knowing that the Empire is controlling them, what's going to happen when she has to face them?" Kayla asked.

The next part of this is right after this one. I do hope you enjoyed this first part. I've had this idea for a while now. Suggestions are forever open and appreciated. May the Force be with You!

💎DiamondJedi18⚔