No Place Safe

Kaz makes the decision to fully commit to the Resistance and confront the First Order. However, it's possible they've already located him.

Krakavora soared above the shores of the planet Aeos Prime alongside Ace Squadron pilots. The Colossus remained suspended over the water, while Bo Keevil and Torra Doza maneuvered their Yellow Ace and Blue Ace racers in circles around it.

At the same time, Captain Imanuel Doza and Jarek Yeager were guiding the Aeosian Queen and a pair of her guards on a tour of the Colossus marketplace. He expressed his hope that the marketplace would thrive once more, now that they had discovered a new sanctuary. Doza offered his gratitude to the Queen. Bolza Grool then introduced himself to the Aeosian Queen, extending an invitation for her to sample a gorg. The Queen examined the gorg, acknowledging his kindness. The Ugnaught vendor observed from a distance.

Grevel remarked that he had never been in the presence of a Queen before. The Queen commented on the impressive size that gorgs could attain. Grool laughed softly as Doza led the group onward. Yeager noticed Kazuda Xiono standing on the deck, gazing out at the ocean. Noticing Xiono's somber mood, Yeager inquired why he wasn't racing with the other Aces, something he had always desired. Kaz replied that he had been contemplating it, but felt he couldn't remain idle while the fight raged on. Xiono expressed his belief that it was time for him to depart from the Colossus. A look of sadness crossed Xiono's face.

Later on, Kaz made contact with Norath Kev using a holoprojector, informing him of his imminent departure to join him. Kev expressed his delight and instructed him to arrive within two rotations, if possible, so they could rendezvous with the others. Kaz confirmed his immediate departure. Kev responded by saying that he would transmit the coordinates via a secure channel. Kev eagerly anticipated seeing his friend again, emphasizing that the Resistance needed every skilled pilot they could find.

Following the conversation, Captain Doza engaged in a discussion with Kaz, acknowledging his impending departure. Kaz conveyed his understanding of Doza's reluctance to engage in combat. Kaz further mentioned that his father would have preferred he stay out of the war, but that it simply wasn't in his nature. Doza responded with respect, recognizing Kaz's character and wishing him well. Kaz thanked Doza, expressing his hope that Aeos Prime would indeed become the safe haven they sought.

In the meantime, out in space, the Thunderer deployed multiple spider probe droids. Commander Pyre instructed the bridge officer to provide hourly reports on any findings, emphasizing that no detail could be overlooked if they were to locate the Colossus.

Inside the Thunderer's hangar, Jace Rucklin playfully chided Tamara Ryvora ("DT-533") for not wearing her helmet. Rucklin inquired about her presence there. Ryvora expressed her restlessness from the waiting and questioned when the First Order would allow them to fly again. Rucklin mentioned hearing that the probe droids were actively searching, expressing his hope they would soon discover something.

Rucklin voiced his satisfaction that the First Order had secured most of the major systems and expressed his belief that they would soon dominate the entire galaxy. He reassured her that he and Ryvora would make significant contributions. Feeling uncertain, Tam replied that she only wanted to get back out there.

Returning to the Colossus, Kaz packed his belongings while observed by CB-23 and Bucket. Neeku Vozo was visibly upset and kneeling. Bucket muttered in Binary and rolled away. Kaz explained to Neeku that he had to do this, pleading for his understanding. Neeku responded that Kaz was his closest friend and that he would miss him dearly. To comfort Neeku, Kaz gifted him his lucky trophy, considering it his most cherished item. A tearful Neeku pledged to treasure the damaged but symbolic trinket forever. Kaz reassured Neeku that he would always be his "bestest" friend. The two then embraced.

Synara, having realized Kaz was leaving, and Torra also arrived to bid him farewell. Torra expressed her disappointment at Kaz's departure, reminding him that he was an Ace and Aces stay together. Kaz understood, saying that he would miss flying alongside her. Yeager instructed everyone to leave so he could speak with Kaz privately. Before departing, Torra playfully punched Kaz in the chest, admitting that she would miss him as well. Neeku hugged Kaz before exiting the room.

When Yeager asked Kaz if he knew his destination, Kaz informed him that he was heading to a rendezvous point near the planet Batuu, providing the coordinates. A saddened Yeager offered Kaz the use of the Fireball, much to his delight. Bucket expressed shock, while Kaz expressed his gratitude. Bucket grumbled, but Yeager instructed the droids to go and blow a servomotor.

Yeager explained that the Fireball was old, but would serve him well if treated with care. Kaz thanked Yeager, and they shook hands and embraced. Yeager cautioned Kaz to keep her safe and to be careful out there. CB-23 beeped, and Kaz promised to keep the ship in good condition. Yeager remarked that Kaz had changed considerably since arriving on the Colossus. He told him that he was not the same kid that had come here, and he was proud of him.

CB-23 approached Kaz, and they both boarded the Fireball. Yeager watched from the hangar before walking away. As he left, Kaz sadly watched the Colossus. As they flew into space, he reassured CB that they were making the right decision. They flew past Aeos Prime and its ring but were detected by a probe droid, which trailed them.

Before CB-23 could calculate the jump into hyperspace, she spotted the First Order probe droid scanning them. The probe droid launched several homing missiles, forcing the Fireball to take evasive maneuvers. However, Kaz devised a plan to lead the homing missiles back to the probe droid. He charged at the probe droid, initiating a gun battle. The homing missiles struck the probe droid, destroying it, but the Fireball sustained damage and began to short-circuit. CB also lost power.

Despite the destruction of the probe droid, its head managed to transmit a signal back to the Thunderer. The bridge officer informed Commander Pyre and Agent Tierny that one of their orbital probes had transmitted an image of Kazuda Xiono and the Fireball.

Tierny recognized Kaz, while Pyre deduced that the Colossus was nearby. Tierny remarked that Aeos Prime was inhabited by a group of people who had previously collaborated with the Rebel Alliance. Pyre expressed regret that they hadn't been eliminated and vowed to rectify the mistake. He declared that they were moving in with full force. Pyre instructed the bridge crew to set a course for the Aeos system and to order the pilots to their fighters. The Thunderer jumped into hyperspace.

Meanwhile, Kaz was left stranded in the Aeos system. He recalled Yeager's words that the pilot's best mechanic was himself. Kaz rerouted the emergency power cells to jumpstart his astromech droid. CB-23 came back to life. He told the droid that the comlink was fried and that they had to restore power to the thrusters. CB-23 used her grappling line to leap out of her socket onto the wing.

As the Star Destroyer traveled through hyperspace, Ryvora was repairing her TIE fighter when klaxons began sounding. Rucklin informed her that they needed to scramble because the Colossus had been located, and they had orders to destroy it. Ryvora was shocked but donned her helmet.

CB-23 successfully repaired the Fireball's systems, earning Kaz's praise. Kaz decided against meeting with Norath, fearing that the probe droid may have alerted the First Order to their location. Kaz decided that they needed to warn the others and fired the Fireball's engines.

Back at Yeager's repair station, Yeager, Neeku, and Bucket witnessed the Fireball descending with a trail of smoke. Kaz managed to land the disabled ship. Neeku was overjoyed that his best friend had returned and embraced him. Neeku inquired if he had forgotten his plasma wrench, to which Kaz apologized, explaining that he had no time but had to warn Captain Doza. Kaz headed to a holoprojector and told Doza about his encounter with the First Order probe droid while Neeku continued hugging him. Doza soon found that their long range scanners had picked up a First Order Star Destroyer.

The Star Destroyer emerged from hyperspace and deployed numerous TIE fighters and TIE/se Bombers towards Aeos Prime. Doza lamented that they had spent months searching for the perfect location for their new home. Xiono apologized and says that they needed to leave. Doza admitted that Kaz was right and ordered the Aces to scramble their fighters. He also instructed 4D-M1N to prepare their laser cannons. Yeager allowed Kaz to take his ship but told him to take Bucket, as well.

Meanwhile, Captain Doza informed the Aeosian Queen that the First Order had found them and that they had to evacuate. He advised her people to seek cover. The Queen refused, citing Doza's provision of medicine and healers for her people, reminding them that there was still light to be found in the "dark times." She offered their assistance in their escape. Captain Doza expressed his gratitude to the Queen.

In the air, Lieutenant Galek instructed Rucklin and his TIEs to prevent the Colossus from escaping and to disable it by any means necessary. Rucklin asked Tam if she was with him. After a delay, Tam confirmed she was ready as the starfighters descended onto the Colossus.

In response, Hype led the Aces into combat. He explained that their mission was to hold back the TIEs to allow the Colossus to jump. Kaz flew Yeager's racer with Bucket, reassuring the droid that he had gotten the hang of things. Griff Halloran and Bo Keevil warned that there were bombers incoming. The Aces shot down several TIEs.

Tam managed to avoid being shot down and spotted Yeager's racer. Kaz warned that the bombers were coming. Hype sent Torra and Griff to flank the fighters. The bomber pilot reported that they were ready to deploy their load. 4D warned Captain Doza and Yeager that the deflector shield was weakening from enemy fire.

Before the First Order bomber could return for a second pass, it was attacked by several Aeosian warriors riding a winged krakavora beast. The aliens jumped from their steeds and pierced the bomber with their vibroblades, causing it to crash into the sea. The warriors also took out a TIE fighter with their javelins. Hype laughed that he loved these new guys. The Aces and their Aeosian allies fought a fierce dogfight against the TIEs.

With the Aeosians holding off the TIEs, Yeager told Doza that it was time to launch. Doza issued orders to launch. Meanwhile, the Thunderer entered Aeos Prime's atmosphere. The bridge officer informed Commander Pyre and Agent Tierny that their fighters were facing heavy losses. Pyre ordered their gunners to shoot the Colossus's engines and take out their hyperdrive. The Thunderer began to bombard the departing Colossus.

Hype told Kaz that they wouldn't get far with the Thunderer attacking. Kaz proposed attacking the Thunderer, but Hype thought Xiono's idea was crazy. Torra supported Kaz and said that they should keep the Thunderer distracted while the Colossus prepared to jump.

Rucklin informed Tamara that the Aces were taking the Thunderer head-on. Tam replied that Yeager would not do something that reckless. She realized that Kaz was piloting the ship. Agent Tierny informed Pyre that the Aces were trying to attack them head-on. Pyre dismissed the Aces as pathetic and ordered them to intensify forward deflectors and open fire.

The Thunderer dispatched more TIEs, which led Torra to say that they had gotten the First Order's attention. She asked what they should do. Kaz told his fellow pilots to give the Colossus more time. Hype seconded his plan.

Meanwhile, one of the Aeosian Queen's guards told his Queen that the Colossus had ascended beyond their reach. The Queen said that they had done all they could for them and issued orders for them to retreat below the surface before the First Order returned.

As the Colossus ascended into Aeos Prime's upper atmosphere, 4D reported that shields were at fifteen percent. The Aces continued fighting TIEs around the Star Destroyer, shooting down several. Tam pursued Kaz in Yeager's racer and locked onto it. Bucket warned Kaz they were in danger, but Kaz was determined to reach the bridge of the Thunderer. Kaz fired a missile, which forced Tam to abandon her attack and take out the missile before it could take out the command bridge.

Bucket grumbled and Kaz said that they almost had their target. He remarked that they were dealing with a skilled TIE pilot. Ryvora's TIE was damaged but she managed to land her fighter back in the hangar. Commander Pyre, who had been watching Ryvora, told Lieutenant Galek that she was an impressive pilot and asked who she was. Galek responded that is DT-533.

As the Colossus ascended into space, the Thunderer continued its pursuit. 4D-M1N told Doza and Yeager that shields were at five percent. Doza ordered the Aces to return to their mother ship. After the fighters returned, Captain Doza took the Colossus into hyperspace.

Aboard the Star Destroyer, Agent Tierny told Commander Pyre that General Hux would not be pleased with their failure. Pyre responded that General Hux is not who he was concerned about before walking away, leaving Tierny on the bridge.

Back in the Aces' hangar, Neeku and Yeager approached Kaz. Yeager said he hoped that Kaz enjoyed flying his ship and said that it wouldn't happen again. Bucket beeped in Binary while Neeku said he was sorry that Kaz did not get to meet with his Resistance friends again. Kaz says it was fine and said that he had realized that he was needed most at the Colossus.

Kaz told Yeager that he thought that he encountered Tam out there and that she was the one who locked onto him during his attack on the Thunderer's bridge. Kaz said that if he had not shot that missile, she would have taken him out. Yeager said that he knew that Kaz cared about her and that they all did. However, Tam had turned her back on all of them. Yeager understood that Kaz didn't want to hear the hard truth but said that they were going to have to do the same to her. Kaz sadly agreed with Yeager.

Back aboard the Thunderer, Tam was resting in her quarters. She was visited by Agent Tierny and Lieutenant Galek. Tierny informed Cadet Pilot DT-533 that they were impressed with her skill and bravery and that she had been promoted to Second Squadron Commander. Tierny congratulated Miss Ryvora before leaving with Galek. Tam saluted her commanding officers.