The third episode of the Star Wars television show Ahsoka is "Time to Fly". Dave Filoni penned the script, while Steph Green took on directing duties. It premiered on August 29, 2023.
Huyang and Sabine Wren engage in a training session aboard Ahsoka Tano's T-6 shuttle. Wren uses a wooden blade to defend against four hologram blades wielded by Huyang. According to Huyang's evaluation, Wren's proficiency with a lightsaber is subpar. Wren believes her skills are adequate, but Huyang disagrees. Huyang believes Wren isn't ready when Tano suggests she try Zatochi. Huyang then exits the training area.
Tano observes that Wren relies on her Mandalorian gear for her abilities when they are alone, but she cautions that this won't be enough to defeat their adversaries. Tano emphasizes to Wren that she must not only train her body but also open her mind, and that mastering the Force requires a greater dedication. Wren inquires about how to do this, and Tano responds that she must discover it on her own. Wren informs Tano that Huyang considers her to be the worst Jedi candidate he has ever encountered. Tano is irritated by this, but Wren is unconcerned.
Tano presents Wren with a blast helmet and a wooden bokken sabre following the session. Tano responds that she wants her to see with more than just her eyes when Wren says she can't see through the blast helmet. She instructs Tano to remain still and use her voice to find her. Wren guesses that Tano is next to Huyang on her first try, but Tano points out that she is actually in front of her. Wren responds, "Not if I could see you," when Tano warns that she would be dead in a real battle.
Tano instructs Wren to lower her visor and concentrate. Tano advises Wren to sense her presence and follow her voice as Wren strikes a pose with her wooden blade. She also instructs Wren to sense her intention. Wren is unable to counterstrike as Tano taps her repeatedly with her bokken. Wren then launches a fierce attack on Tano, but she easily deflects her blows. Tano then sweeps Wren's foot out from under her. Tano warns that while anger and frustration can quickly grant power, they also throw you off balance after the lesson. Huyang is keeping an eye on the situation. Tano invites Wren to another round.
General Hera Syndulla proceeds down a corridor aboard Home One to attend a meeting with Chancellor Mon Mothma and a number of senators. She is requesting backup to look into the cargo transport that escaped to the Denab system. First officer Vic Hawkins cautions her that Hamato Xiono is one of the senators present before she enters the conference room. The senators and Chancellor Mothma are attending the meeting using holoprojectors.
Syndulla suggests that her son is playing with Chopper when Mothma inquires about the well-being of Syndulla's son Jacen Syndulla. Senator Xiono insists that they get down to business after exchanging pleasantries. Syndulla clarifies that her inquiry into the attack on the Vesper brought her to the Santhe Shipyards on Corellia, where she was assaulted by Imperial loyalists working for Morgan Elsbeth. Senator Rodrigo attests to the devotion of the majority of former Imperials employed at various levels and sectors within the New Republic government. Syndulla responds that they are not looking for the kind of loyalty that involves people saying "long live the Empire."
Mothma states that she understood the loyalists had been apprehended and the facility had been closed pending further investigation. Syndulla acknowledges that this is the case, but she thinks it is part of a larger scheme involving Grand Admiral Thrawn. Xiono implies that Syndulla is exaggerating the situation, while Mothma is taken aback that Thrawn is still alive. Syndulla is convinced that Thrawn is still alive and requests permission to lead a task force to the Denab system to look into the matter.
Xiono objects to her rejections and implies that Syndulla is using the New Republic's forces for her quest to find [Ezra Bridger](/article/ezra_bridger] for her own convenience. Syndulla retorts that Bridger vanished while battling Thrawn. Xiono accuses her of using the convenience of Thrawn's return to obtain resources that could be used for a more practical purpose, such as assisting the Republic's citizens. In response, Syndulla inquires as to whether Xiono participated in the Galactic Civil War, to which Xiono replies no. Syndulla inquires as to whether Xiono was waiting by the fence to see who would win.
Senator Mawood assures Syndulla that he and his colleagues appreciate her service and contribution to the restoration of the Republic. Mawood claims that he and his fellow senators represent the people of the New Republic, who want no more conflict. Syndulla responds that Mawood acts as if he has a choice, prompting Rodrigo to argue that the Imperial remnants and their scattered fleet no longer pose a threat to the New Republic. Syndulla warns that Thrawn's return would alter the situation. Xiono requests that she state her case.
Syndulla warns the senators that Thrawn is not a typical Imperial officer, stating that he killed friends, including people who were like family to her. Syndulla claims she has spent the majority of her life fighting a war and wants to persuade them to assist her in averting a new one. Xiono believes Thrawn and Bridger perished during the Liberation of Lothal. Syndulla begins to get angry, but Mothma tells her to give her a moment to speak with the other senators.
Syndulla, Hawkins, and a Mon Calamari officer leave the conference room and are met by Jacen and Chopper. Jacen inquires of his mother whether it is true that "Aunt" Sabine will become a Jedi. Jacen claims that Chopper told him when Syndulla asks where he heard that. Chopper grunts in Binary, and Jacen tells his mother that he wants to be a Jedi. Syndulla touches his shoulder and assures him that she is aware of that.
In the meantime, Tano praises Wren for being a quick learner in the sparring class. Wren admits that she excels with weapons but struggles with everything else. Wren inquires as to whether Tano could expedite her training due to the situation. Tano responds that it is not how it works. Wren admits that she does not experience the Force in the same way as Tano. Tano responds that the Force is present in all living things, including Wren. Tano responds that talent is a factor when Wren asks why not everyone can use it, and that training and focus determine success. Tano claims that not everyone possesses the discipline required to master the Force. Tano sets her cup on the table and advises Wren to start small. Wren promises to put in her best effort.
Huyang informs Tano in the cockpit that he has not heard from Syndulla regarding reinforcements from the New Republic. When Huyang inquires about Wren's progress, Tano responds that Wren is frustrated and continues to find it difficult. Huyang emphasizes that they both knew it would not be easy. The droid retorts that he was only speaking the truth when Tano brings up Huyang's statement that Wren had little potential. He defends the Jedi standards and claims that the Jedi Order would not have accepted her.
Tano retorts that she does not require Wren to be a Jedi when Huyang points out that few Mandalorians have become Jedi. She requires her to be herself. Huyang observes that Tano comes from a long line of unconventional Jedi and that she would fit in perfectly. Wren, meanwhile, ponders Tano's assertion that the Force is all living things and attempts to use the Force to summon a cup in the lounge. Tano speaks over the intercom and informs Wren that she has received word from Syndulla.
Wren enters the cockpit and joins General Syndulla's holo-conference. Syndulla regrets that neither she nor the New Republic Defense Fleet will be able to meet them at Seatos. Syndulla explains that the Senate Committee rejected the mission's approval. The transmission is cut off before Syndulla can finish. Huyang informs the others that they have entered the [Denab system](/article/denab_system], where all comm transmissions are being jammed. Huyang takes the ship out of hyperspace at a considerable distance from the planet at Tano's prompting, in accordance with Jedi mission protocol for approaching an unknown situation. Tano clarifies that this is part of Huyang's programming when Wren inquires.
Huyang reports that his most recent scan indicates that the runaway transport was orbiting Seatos' far side. He also reports a second object with an unknown signature. The proximity alarm then sounds. Six starfighters, including Shin Hati and Marrok, converge on Tano's T-6 shuttle. Syndulla dispatches Wren to man the ship's tail gun as Huyang identifies the "hostiles." Hati dispatches starfighters "two" and "three" to shadow Tano's ship. Wren instructs Tano to hold the ship steady over the intercom as the starfighters harass the T-6 shuttle. Tano advises Wren to learn to anticipate.
Wren returns fire, but the enemy starfighters are too nimble for her. Tano inquires about the object with Huyang, but he offers some theories. Tano responds that now is not the time. Hati is pursuing Tano's shuttle. Tano inquires as to what Wren requires. Wren instructs her to move on her signal, and the two coordinate their next move. Tano takes the ship on a dive and drives a wedge between the two enemy squadrons, working together. Wren is successful in shooting down one of the enemy starfighters.
Hati responds by instructing Two-Six to fly with her. The remaining enemy fighters enter formation. Wren manages to shoot down two more starfighters while working together. Huyang manages to spot the unidentified object, which he believes to be a Hyperdrive ring. Tano states that she would like to investigate and flies towards the ring. Hati informs Morgan Elsbeth that the intruders are approaching the Eye of Sion. Elsbeth is disappointed in Hati for allowing the intruders to get so far, but she vows to deal with them. She instructs Hati and her starfighters to stay away and orders the pilot droids to prepare the turbolasers.
Hati, meanwhile, instructs Marrok to form up on her wing and await her signal. Huyang instructs Tano to keep the ship steady as the fighters break off while he attempts to scan the Eye of Sion. Elsbeth orders the turbolasers to fire on Tano's ship when the navigator droid informs her that they are ready. Tano's ship avoids the fire. Wren enters the cockpit and mans the deflector shields while Huyang scans the hyperspace ring. Huyang instructs Tano to fly the ship closer despite the intense enemy bombardment. Wren warns that the deflectors are at ten percent.
Huyang completes his scan just as Tano's ship is struck. The ship and Huyang lose power. Wren is concerned about Huyang, but Tano instructs her to concentrate on the ship. Hati, meanwhile, confirms that Tano's ship has lost power and informs Elsbeth that she and her remaining starfighters will discuss the situation. Wren informs Tano that their back-up systems are operational, but that their hyperdrive and cannons are inoperable. Wren also warns Tano about the approaching enemy starfighters. Tano exits the starship in a spacesuit with her white lightsabers while Wren works to restore the systems.
Marrok and Hati spot her on the wing of her shuttle and open fire. Tano dodges enemy fire during the first round as Wren works to restore the ship's systems. Hati and her squadron mates return for a second run. Tano uses one of her lightsabers to slice through a fourth starfighter, causing it to explode in space. Tano is swept into space and asks Wren if she has finished. Wren manages to restore the ship's systems and uses the shuttle's wings to pick up Tano. Tano flees inside the ship before Hati can shoot her. Wren then takes Tano's ship into the planet's atmosphere with Hati and Marrok in pursuit.
Wren and Tano lead their pursuers through the stormy clouds of Seatos. They come across a pod of purrgil and fly around the massive space whales. Hati and Marrok continue to pursue Tano's ship. Tano and Wren use the massive beasts' hulk and tentacles to make it harder for their pursuers to catch them. Tano and Wren fly their ship below the clouds towards the sea after losing their pursuers. Huyang reboots due to his back-up system and asks what they missed. Tano and Wren inform him that they nearly died several times.
Tano and Wren fly the ship over the red forests and land in a clearing. Wren shuts down the ship and Huyang in accordance with Jedi protocol, despite the latter's protest. They then wait for the enemy starfighters to fly over them. Hati inquires as to whether there is any sign of the enemy. Marrok claims he is unable to see them. Hati believes their enemies are hiding in the forests and decides they should regroup. Tano switches Huyang back on when the enemy passes. Tano inquires as to Wren's well-being. Wren explains that she hasn't seen purrgil since the day Bridger vanished.
Huyang informs Tano and Wren that the enemy structure is still under construction. He clarifies that there are six hyperdrives in place, with the final one being installed. Wren infers that the structure is a hyperspace ring. Huyang notes that he has never seen a ring built on this scale before. Based on the ship's engines and configuration, he estimates that it would be capable of a hyperspace jump of astonishing speed and distance. Huyang responds that this could theoretically work if one knew the coordinates and navigation when Tano inquires as to whether a hyperdrive ring like that could travel to another galaxy. He recalls that the Jedi Archives mentioned intergalactic hyperspace lanes between galaxies that once followed the migration patterns of purrgil.
Baylan Skoll, meanwhile, assembles a task force consisting of HK-87 assassin droids and Scout guards. He commands them to track down the Jedi who have sought refuge in the forest.