No Escape: Part 1

Kaz formulates a strategy aimed at the liberation of his comrades, while the First Order's ambition for dominance takes a sinister direction.

TIE fighters soar above the submerged Colossus. Only Doza Tower is visible above the water. Various glowing fish traverse the sunken station. Communicating via comlink, Commander Pyre assures inhabitants that the First Order is diligently working to resurface the station, and that the Resistance members responsible for sabotaging the platform remain at large. He instructs them to remain indoors until further notice.

Within the marketplace, Nod is filling a crate with pilfered items. The Arcona Garma approaches a pair of stormtrooper guards. Pyre cautions that any individual outside their residence is in violation of First Order regulations. He cuts off the intercom precisely as Captain Doza barges into his office to confront him about the detention of Jarek Yeager. He demands clarification on Pyre's intentions for Yeager. Pyre dismisses Doza's inquiry as irrelevant.

Captain Imanuel Doza argues that Pyre has overstepped his authority and seized control through fear and coercion. Commander Pyre retorts that the First Order's presence was by invitation. Doza refutes this, expressing doubt that the New Republic would approve of the First Order's actions. Pyre dismisses Doza's datapad and asserts that they are beyond the New Republic's jurisdiction. He adds that the New Republic is not beyond the First Order's reach, and commands his soldiers to apprehend Doza for insubordination.

Doza instructs 4D-M1N to incapacitate them. The security droid engages the stormtroopers, shooting two. Captain Doza engages in combat with a pair of stormtroopers, seizing a blaster. 4D evades blaster fire from a stormtrooper and hurls him at another stormtrooper battling Doza. However, Commander Pyre neutralizes 4D with three shots before aiming his weapon at Doza's head. He denounces Doza as pathetic and orders stormtrooper reinforcements to imprison him with his Aces.

Doza informs Pyre that the Republic will inevitably notice, and warns him that this is far from over before being escorted away. Pyre concurs, stating that it is only a matter of time before they capture Kazuda Xiono and his allies. Two stormtroopers drag Captain Doza away. A horrified Torra Doza observes from her concealed position above.

Within the engineering bay, Kazuda Xiono briefs CB-23, Neeku Vozo, Kel, Eila, Bucket and the Chelidae leader, utilizing a holographic projection of the Colossus. Indicating the map, Kaz believes that the First Order is holding Yeager and the others beneath Doza Tower. His intention is to liberate them before escaping via shuttle to Hosnian Prime.

Neeku remarks on the difficulty of this plan and reminds him that the Colossus is their home. He questions the fate of those trapped on the Colossus under First Order control. CB-23 deactivates the projection and murmurs in Binary. Kel inquires if they can rescue everyone. Kaz insists that they can and will. He hopes to secure reinforcements and liberate everyone. Kaz reveals that his father is a senator with connections to the New Republic Defense Force, and that he possesses evidence of the First Order's occupation.

Before Kaz can proceed, Neeku cautions that under stress, individuals may experience delusions of grandeur, doubting Kaz's claim that his father is a senator. Chuckling, Neeku suggests that Kaz was about to "joke" about growing up incredibly wealthy. Kaz postpones that discussion, emphasizing the need to bypass the stormtroopers. He pledges to free their friends.

Concurrently, Tamara Ryvora is enjoying a meal with Agent Tierny. The First Order Security Bureau Agent inquires about her satisfaction with the food. Tam expresses her delight, noting that she hasn't eaten so well in a long time. Tierny smiles and suggests that Tam deserves more than the station offers. She then shifts the conversation to her friend Kazuda Xiono.

Tam maintains that she disclosed everything about Kaz to Tierny and expresses her disbelief that he was a Resistance spy. Tierny redirects her attention to her employer, Jarek Yeager. Tam denies that Yeager was a spy, emphasizing that he sought refuge from the military. Tierny disagrees, presenting a holorecording of Yeager confessing to being the Resistance spy and absolving Kaz of any involvement.

Yeager asserts that he attempted to recruit Kaz into the Resistance and that he was responsible for flying the Fireball into the sector. Tam argues that Yeager is assuming blame to protect Kaz. Tierny counters that he has consistently aided Kaz because they are both spies. She alleges that Yeager withheld the truth from her, jeopardizing Tam's life under the guise of protection. Tierny urges Tam to reconsider whether Yeager genuinely cares for her.

Inside her bedroom, Torra retrieves Buggles and assigns her pet Voorpak an important mission: locate Kaz and bring him to her. Buggles scurries through the corridors of Doza Tower.

Meanwhile, within a control room, stormtroopers are inspecting the turbines. One notices that the turbines are unresponsive. Another suggests that the platform has taken on too much water and requires a solution to resurface it. Suddenly, the blast door opens, revealing a heavily burdened Chelidae mechanic. The stormtrooper CS-227 dismisses it as just another one of those "things," offering to handle it.

He exits the control room to confront the Chelidae. However, he is ambushed by the Colossus resistance. One of the stormtroopers inquires about CS-227's status. Just then, the blast door slides open, revealing the Chelidae. The two stormtroopers leave to investigate but are subdued by Kaz and Neeku. Kaz hopes this will buy them time, while Neeku hopes additional stormtroopers don't appear due to their difficulty.

Kaz asks Neeku, Kel, and Eila if they can use the controls to seal doors, including the external hatches. Kel explains that the shellfolk taught them everything, and that this room controls everything. Kaz announces his return to the Tower. When Neeku points out the flooded passages due to the Colossus' submersion, Kaz acknowledges the need to swim.

Kaz opens a hatch and descends into the sea with CB-23. Wearing a breath mask, he clings to CB-23, who activates her jet. As Kaz swims beneath the Colossus' decks, he asks Neeku if he can hear him. Objecting to the code name "Blowfish," Kaz instructs Neeku to open the Level 12 hatch. Neeku refers to Kaz as "Blowfish One," disregarding Kaz's instructions.

While Kaz swims past Aunt Z's Tavern, Al spots him and expresses alarm. As he nears the Level 12 hatch, he encounters a pair of First Order SCUBA troopers on patrol. The SCUBA troopers spot Kaz and CB-23 and initiate pursuit. Riding on CB-23, Kaz navigates through the Colossus structures. The stormtroopers fire aquatic blasters.

Glitch is serving Al a drink when the human notices Kaz being pursued by seatroopers. He takes a deep breath and tells Glitch that he thinks he is good. Meanwhile, Kaz and CB-23 dive deeper. Kaz tells Neeku to open the hatch on Level 2. Neeku is confused, but Kaz reiterates his request to open the hatch on Level 2. Neeku says it's not a problem, but has some trouble finding the button. Kaz manages to swim with CB-23 into the underwater corridor, but the SCUBA troopers follow in pursuit.

Concealing themselves in a corner, Kaz instructs Neeku to pressurize the corridor. He tells Neeku to do it just as the troopers spot him. Neeku extinguishes the lights, and Kaz seizes the opportunity to attack the troopers, ramming CB-23 into one. CB-23 employs her grappling hook to disarm a trooper and leads him on a chase.

Kaz grapples with a SCUBA trooper and again urges Neeku to pressurize the corridor. Neeku, Kel, and Eila continue pressing buttons. One of these unlocks doors in Doza Tower, while another activates the turbines. Kaz manages to disarm the trooper, but he breaks free and kicks Kaz with his flipper. Neeku tries more buttons, which turn the Doza Tower satellite dish and open a hangar door.

The second SCUBA trooper soon returns and grabs Kaz. Before the troopers can apprehend him, Neeku locates the button that activates the pressurizer. The troopers are expelled into the ocean, but CB-23 extends a grappling hook to Kaz, and he holds on long enough for Neeku to close the hatches. The seawater is evacuated from the corridor. CB-23 filters out water while Kaz hugs her. He is overjoyed to be alive, and tells the droid that together they are amazing.

Neeku asks if he is referring to himself or Neeku. Kaz thanks Neeku for the team effort and tells him to keep an open channel. Neeku promises to keep an open channel and tells Kel that "buddy" is a term of endearment in many cultures. He wonders what else they can control from down here. In response, Eila points at a large hyperdrive hanging above.

Within the corridors, Kaz and CB-23 race to the Office of Acquisitions. Kaz asks if Flix and Orka are inside. CB-23 and Kaz find the duo, their pet gorg Bitey and their droid G-LN hiding inside a crate. Kaz asks if they have weapons, but Flix and Orka say they don't have weapons because they are hiding in a box. Flix and Orka explain their plan to escape the First Order by arranging for the crate they're hiding in to be sent to Flix's mother on Talivar. Orka tells Kaz there's room for him, too.

Kaz points out that the station is underwater. Orka realizes that the First Order is not shipping them, and chides Flix for his stupid plan. Kaz reassures them that he is going to free his friends and liberate them from the First Order. He says they won't have to hide. Flix and Orka doubt that his plan will succeed and tell him good luck with that, retreating inside the box. Kaz tells CB-23 that they are about to head to Doza Tower when Buggles jumps on him.

Buggles licks Kaz, who asks what he is doing here. The Voorpak leads Kaz and CB-23 through the corridors. Kaz contacts Neeku, who tells him they have made an important discovery. Kel tells Kaz that this station not only has thrusters but a Class 2 hyperdrive. Kaz is astounded to learn that the Colossus is a ship, instead of a station. Neeku responds that technically, it is both. Kaz is delighted and asks Neeku if he can get them into the air. Neeku replies that getting ships into the air is his specialty. Kaz tells him to do it before switching off. Neeku admits that keeping them airborne is a problem.

Meanwhile, Yeager exits a turbolift with two stormtroopers. One of the stormtroopers hurries him by striking him with a blaster butt. Yeager is led down a corridor where he is met by Tam and Agent Tierny. Yeager cries out to Tam, but Tam responds that the First Order told her everything. She is angry that he lied to her about Kaz. Yeager tries to explain.

One of the stormtroopers orders him to move, but Yeager punches him in the head. The second stormtrooper grabs him from behind. Yeager tells Tam not to listen to the First Order because they are trying to manipulate her. Agent Tierny tells Tam to come along, while Tam angrily tells Yeager that he put everyone in danger. Yeager is thrown into a cell also containing Captain Doza, who greets him. Yeager tries to break out of the cell and attack the guards but finds that it is guarded by a force field.

Meanwhile, Buggles leads Kaz and CB-23 down a trapdoor where Torra is hiding. Torra is glad her friend is safe, and Kaz carries CB-23 down. Torra tells Kaz that her father and Yeager are locked up and that she has been coming up with a plan to free them. Kaz asks what she is thinking. Torra tells him of her plan to sneak through the incinerator ducts which will lead them to Doza Tower. Kaz agrees, provided they don't get incinerated with lasers like last time.

Torra giggles and reassures him that the systems are off. Kaz hears movement and lifts the trapdoor to see the First Order BB-series astromech droid MB-13A approaching. Kaz manages to lower the trapdoor, and the droid hovers over it. When they think the droid has passed, MB-13A opens the trapdoor and raises the alarm.

Kaz tells CB-23 to shut him up and she fires her grappling hook at the ceiling and jumps up. CB-23 slams herself into MB-13A and the two fight in the corridor. CB-23 manages to damage the First Order droid's visual processor. She then opens a lift door and tricks the First Order droid into falling down the elevator shaft. Kaz thanks CB-23 for her nice work and says that there is only room on this ship for one ball droid. Just then, they hear the voices of stormtroopers. Kaz lowers the trapdoor just in time as a stormtrooper patrol runs past.

Inside Doza Tower, Agent Tierny leads Tam and the stormtroopers through a corridor. They walk past a group of stormtroopers escorting Jace Rucklin and Lin Gaava. Tam asks if Agent Tierny has found Kaz, but she says unfortunately not. She asks Tam if she knows anything about Kaz's whereabouts. Tam confirms that she doesn't, and remarks that Kaz pretends that he is an idiot but that he is smarter than he lets on.

Agent Tierny tells Tam she wants to make her an offer, telling her that she doesn't want to see her potential wasted on this platform for the rest of her life. When Tam asks about the offer, Tierny asks about her dreams of becoming a pilot. Tam is amazed and says that she has always felt at home in the skies. Tierny promises Tam that if she comes with her, the First Order will make those dreams a reality.

Kaz, Torra, and CB-23 reach Doza Tower only to run into a stormtrooper. The trooper orders them to halt, but Kaz grabs his rifle. Following a struggle, Kaz manages to stun him. He takes offense when Torra describes the scuffle as "almost" impressive. Torra tells Kaz they need to find a place to hide him, so they dump the trooper down the shaft to the incinerator. Kaz remarks that the stormtroopers are heavier than they look.

Torra tells Kaz that the cells are to the right. She then tells Buggles to go back to her room as he pants. Buggles is hesitant, but she tells him to go on. They notice that the corridor to the cells is unusually quiet. Kaz thinks that luck is on their side. They hide behind two crates as two stormtroopers talk about an upcoming transmission. One of the stormtroopers remarks that Starkiller Base is finally operational.

Both Kaz and Torra are unfamiliar with the name Starkiller Base. Torra asks what it is, but Kaz doesn't know. He remarks that it sounds like the worst thing imaginable. Hiding behind some crates, they watch stormtroopers gathering around a holographic projection of General Armitage Hux addressing the First Order forces on Starkiller Base.

Hux announces that today is the end of the New Republic, which he denounces as a regime that acquiesces to disorder. As the stormtroopers on the Colossus watch, Hux claims that in a system far from Starkiller Base, the New Republic lies to the galaxy while secretly supporting the "loathsome" Resistance. Kaz and Torra sneak past the crates. Torra tells Kaz to move on while they are distracted, but Kaz insists on watching.

General Hux tells the First Order that the superweapon will bring an end to the Senate and their Republic fleet. He vows that all remaining systems will bow to the First Order and will remember this as the last day of the Republic. As the stormtroopers salute the general, Hux orders Starkiller Base's gunners to fire.

Kaz and Torra watch as Starkiller Base fires its phantom energy beam through hyperspace at a star system. Kaz watches in horror as several planets are obliterated. The stormtroopers raise their fists in triumph. Kaz quietly asks CB-23 what system was destroyed. When she tells him it was the Hosnian system, Kaz is devastated as he realizes that his homeworld of Hosnian Prime is gone and his family and friends are dead.