Rebuilding the Resistance

A perilous undertaking is launched by Venisa Doza's fighter group and the Aces: to guide Resistance recruits to a secure location.

The episode commences with Venisa Doza's Jade Squadron, consisting of four Resistance X-wing starfighters, emerging from hyperspace and heading towards the Colossus. Kazuda Xiono, Neeku Vozo, and Jarek Yeager observe the X-wings as they touch down in Yeager's hangar. Xiono inquires about their presence, to which Yeager responds that he is unsure but anticipates trouble.

Venisa Doza, the mother of Torra Doza and spouse of Captain Imanuel Doza, is the first pilot to exit her craft. She asks Yeager if they can park there. Yeager says he thinks they can make some room for Venisa. As Bucket rolls out, Xiono asks if that is Venisa Doza. Torra Doza rushes to embrace her mother. Captain Doza arrives, expressing his relief at Venisa's safe arrival, to which Venisa responds teasingly, and Captain Doza smiles.

Yeager jokes that Venisa's X-wing has seen better days. Yeager then introduces Kazuda Xiono as their newest Ace pilot. Xiono responds that Torra has told him a lot of good things about her after hearing Venisa say she heard a lot of good things about him. Xiono comments on the ship's character. Suddenly, a piece of the starfighter falls, just missing her astromech droid Torch. Bucket and Torch have a joyful reunion.

Torra notes Torch's happiness to be home, and Venisa expresses the same sentiment before kissing her daughter. She informs Torra that their visit is not purely social. Captain Doza clarifies that they are assisting Venisa's squadron on a Resistance mission.

Later, Kaz and CB-23 examine the carbon scoring on Jade Squadron's X-wings, noting the intense battles the ships have endured. A human man named Hugh Sion playfully tells him not to drool on his ship. Kaz is thrilled to see that his former New Republic squadron mate and old friend Hugh is now a pilot for the Resistance. Hugh is accompanied by the Duros agent Norath Kev, who was another ally of Kaz. When Hugh asks about Kaz's encounter with Major Elrik Vonreg, Xiono mentions that he took care of him.

Norath states that Poe Dameron has a different account but Kaz asks the pilots what brings them here. Norath explains the dire situation. They have been scouring the galaxy for individuals willing to oppose the First Order, but some systems prefer surrender to war. He explains that Commander Doza needs help. When Kaz asks where is the rest of the squadron, Hugh tells him that they are what is left of Venisa's squadron.

Simultaneously, Captain Doza meets with Commander Doza, who has informed her husband about her mission: Resistance recruits require an escort to evacuate Dantooine, which is now under First Order control. Venisa confirms this and requests temporary relocation of the recruits to the Colossus until a new location is secured, as the First Order has compromised their rendezvous coordinates. Captain Doza consents to his wife's request.

Venisa expresses surprise at her husband's lack of argument. Captain Doza explains it's not the case this time because they tried running and hiding but clearly that did not work. He agrees to allocate three Aces for the mission but says that the rest he needs for defense. Just then, they hear a thud on the turbolift. Kaz and Torra enter Doza's office and volunteer for the mission. Venisa is pleased that they have two volunteers.

Doza voices concerns about their daughter's safety. Torra insists on her readiness for the mission. Venisa assures her husband that their daughter is among the best on the station and that's saying something. She says they have one more spot to fill and says that she knows just the pilot.

Later, a cheerful Hype Fazon joins Venisa and her pilots. Venisa questions his readiness, and Hype boasts about his "superior" flying skills, irritating Hugh and Norath. When Hugh asks what is with this guy, Xiono asks how much time does he have.

Venisa directs Torch to project a Dantooine hologram. She explains that the First Order has seized control of the planet, establishing a blockade and severing long-range communications. Three shuttles carrying Resistance recruits are attempting to escape. She explains that their mission is to escort the shuttles safely back to the Colossus without the First Order catching on. Venisa hopes to avoid any engagements but says there are no guarantees.

She reminds them that the recruits are like them. Some have lost everything because of the First Order like Kaz while others want to fight to protect the ones they love like Venisa. She says that to protect these recruits is to protect their future. Venisa concludes by emphasizing their shared purpose and expressing her honor to fly with them, wishing them good luck.

As Torch leads the team down the corridor, Yeager comments on Venisa's continued ability to deliver inspiring speeches. Venisa informs Yeager that she encountered Tamara Ryvora. Yeager got shocked that Venisa did and asked how was she, Venisa says that considering she was the one stuck in a cell Tam was doing fine. When Yeager asks her if Tam is conflicted, Venisa confirms that she is but that she needs to sort things out on her own. She advises him to give Tam time.

In the hangar, Torra apologizes to Torch that Bucket cannot come with them because the latter is needed here. Commander Doza orders Jade Squadron to move out. Torra tells her mother than she went through the pre-flight checks with Torch and that Venisa is good to go. Venisa advises Torra to stay on her wing. Torra dons her helmet, and the Resistance strike team boards their fighters and departs. After they have left, Yeager reassures Doza that everything will be fine because when Venisa and Torra are together, they're unstoppable. Captain Doza knows this but says it still doesn't make it any easier.

Jade Squadron, including the Fireball, Blue Ace, and Green Ace, exits hyperspace in the Dantooine system. Venisa instructs Torch to monitor for enemy presence. Torra asks her wingmates if they spot anything on their scanners. Kaz says nothing yet but Hype is preoccupied with gossiping with Hugh, having learnt that Kaz almost got thrown out of the Academy. Hugh admits that Kaz almost did a couple of times but Kaz interjects that they were just misunderstandings. Hype offers to buy Hugh a drink at Aunt Z's Tavern for making his day but Kaz responds that he and Norath are trying to concentrate. Norath doesn't mind because he regards this as the best entertainment he has had in weeks.

Venisa reminds them to focus on the mission as they approach Dantooine. Norath reports to Commander Doza that there are multiple contacts at 104. Venisa identifies a scouting squadron of TIE fighters and orders Torch to jam their communications upon approach. As the TIEs converge on Jade Squadron, Venisa orders them to break into pairs new and tells Torra to accompany her.

Torra executes the Doza Dive at Venisa's urging, initiating a chase with the TIEs. Torra eliminates the TIE pursuing her mother, and Venisa reciprocates by destroying the TIE targeting her daughter's ship, Blue Ace. Venisa compliments her daughter, who says that she learned from the best.

Meanwhile, Norath and Hugh take out two TIE fighters. When Venisa checks on Kaz and Hype, Kaz replies that they only have a couple of TIEs left. Kaz pursues one TIE fighter in the Fireball. The enemy TIE pilot manages to call Commander Pyre for back up before Kaz shoots him down. Hype is being pursued by the remaining TIE but can't shake him off.

Kaz instructs him to maintain the enemy fighter on his "six" and promises to intervene. When Hype asks what is the hold up, Kaz tells him to bank down on his count. Hype complies and Kaz takes out the last remaining TIE. Hype cheers over the coming and says that a pilot needs a wingmate watching their back. Venisa thanks Jade Squadron for their work and contacts the Resistance shuttles, which depart a spaceport.

Meanwhile, aboard the Thunderer, First Order Security Bureau Agent Tierny informs Commander Pyre and Lieutenant Galek of reports indicating recent Resistance activity on Dantooine and the attempted departure of recruit-laden shuttles. Second Squadron Commander Ryvora is also present. Pyre acknowledges the loss of contact with the patrolling TIE squadron and orders Lieutenant Galek to set a course for Dantooine. He adds that her squad is being activated. Pyre wants the convoy to be found and their ships destroyed.

When Ryvora asks if those transport shuttles are unarmed, Galek asks if that is a problem. Ryvora says no and the Lieutenant suggests that DT-533 to keep her ears open and her mouth shut. Galek dons her TIE fighter pilot helmet as the Thunderer enters lightspeed.

Ryvora is subsequently summoned to a meeting with Agent Tierny in her office. Tierny inquires about Tamara's well-being, noting her agitation. Ryvora denies this and asserts her satisfaction, citing her promotion to second in command. Tierny presents Tamara's comlink, asking if it looks familiar to her. Tamara recognizes it as her comlink from the Colossus.

Tierny states that she initially doubted Ryovra's loyalty until she turned the comlink over to her. She commends Tamara's wisdom in resisting Xiono's "lies" and says "that those who betray us." Ryvora finishes the line by saying "become our enemy."

Tierny reveals her pre-First Order past, marked by survival under the New Republic. She opens a drawer and puts the comlink inside. Tierny says that she knew that she was meant for more and that she brought Ryvora to their organization because she saw the same potential in her and that Ryvora has surpassed all her expectations. Tamara expresses her gratitude to the First Order Security Bureau Agent. Tierny instructs Ryvora to continue exceeding expectations and to avoid disappointing her. Over the intercom, Galek orders all squadrons to prepare for launch. Tierny dismisses Ryvora.

Jade Squadron flies to meet the Resistance transports in the upper atmosphere of Dantooine. Venisa compliments her daughter for holding herself well against those TIE fighters, saying that she has come a long way since her first flying lesson. Torch reminds her that Torra ejected him. Venisa responds that Torra just was a kid and did that by mistake. Torra admits that she did that on purpose because Torch kept being a backseat pilot.

Kaz reports visual confirmation of three Resistance shuttles to Commander Doza. Venisa contacts the shuttle captain, who confirms visual contact with Jade Leader. Venisa instructs them to maintain close proximity and informs Jade Squadron of their readiness for convoy formation. She tells Torch to transmit the coordinates because they are getting out of here. As Jade Squadron enters convoy formation, the shuttle captain confirms receipt of the coordinates and readiness for departure. Before they can return to the Colossus, Torch detects approaching First Order forces. Venisa delays the order and warns of incoming company.

The Thunderer arrives and disgorges several TIE fighters. Kaz reports an overwhelming number of TIEs, precluding a hyperspace jump. Venisa responds that they will thin them out. She orders Kaz and Hugh to come with her and tasks Torra, Hype, and Norath with protecting the shuttles. Torra and the others fly into formation over the shuttles.

Venisa instructs Kaz and Hugh to maintain a defensive line, while she and Torch engage the TIEs head-on. Kaz and Hugh receive her orders.

Venisa launches her X-wing toward three TIE fighters, eliminating them with missiles. Kaz is impressed but narrowly collided with Tam's fighter. Tam is surprised to see her former friend flying the Fireball. Meanwhile, Jace Rucklin receives orders from Lieutenant Galek to destroy the shuttles. Rucklin remarks contemptuously that the Aces are colluding with the Resistance and says that his day got a whole lot better.

Tam struggles with having to shoot down Kaz and the Fireball, remarking that he shouldn't be here. She aims her targeting computer at the Fireball but Hugh spots her and shoots at the back of her fighter, causing it to spin out of control. Kaz thanks Hugh for watching his back.

As they ascend higher, Venisa instructs Jade Squadron to initiate a hyperspace jump upon reaching escape altitude. As Venisa shoots down another TIE, Tam struggles to pilot her stricken ship. Hype shoots down another TIE but Shuttle two is hit in the rear, damaging the hyperdrive. Torra takes out the pursuing fighter and asks the shuttle's Captain his situation. The Captain reports that his ship's hyperdrive has been hit and that they have to jump without his ship.

Torra refuses to abandon him. She instructs him to restore the hyperdrive while they provide cover. The two squadrons eliminate half of the TIE squadron. Ryvora contacts Lieutenant Galek and suggests they fall back but her flight instructor insists on finishing the mission.

As the dogfight continues, Xiono is pursued by Lieutenant Galek, who attempts to finish him off. However, her TIE is ambushed and destroyed by Venisa's X-wing causing the squadron commander to be killed. Xiono thanks Venisa for saving him while she says that Kaz did a nice job playing bait.

Meanwhile, Rucklin informs Tamara over the intercom that Lieutenant Galek is gone and tells her that she is in charge now. Rucklin asks what they should do. Rucklin spots an opening in the shuttle convoy and says he is going for it. Tam tries to order him not to. Tam manages to restart her TIE and returns to the dogfight.

Torra asks the shuttle pilot for an update and he says that they are almost finished. Kaz tells Torra that they need cover on Shuttle three because they have one TIE inbound. Rucklin pursues the stricken Shuttle two. Torra dispatches Norath but he is unable to stop Rucklin from shooting down the stricken shuttle's left engine, causing it to plummet to Dantooine's surface. Kaz screams in despair while Rucklin shouts with triumph.

Venisa orders the remaining shuttles and fighters to jump into hyperspace. The convoy escapes but a devastated Kaz stays behind on the Fireball. Kaz is distraught by the loss of innocent lives. Regaining his composure, he jumps into hyperspace. Meanwhile, Tamara orders the surviving fighters to return to base.

Aboard the Thunderer, Agent Tierny meets with Tamara, whom she addresses as DT-533. Despite the mission's failure, she assures Tam that one of the Resistance shuttles was successfully destroyed under her command. Tam is upset. Tierny acknowledges this but emphasizes Lieutenant Galek's sacrifice and the opportunities created by her failure. Because they have one less cell of the Resistance to worry about thanks to her, she tells Tamara that she is now promoted to Squadron Leader.

Tamara thanks Tierny, who departs. Rucklin however is jealous and believes that he deserves to be Squad Leader instead of her because he destroyed the Resistance shuttle. Tam says that she did not ask for this but Rucklin grumbles that she got it anyway. He angrily comments that it is funny of how it always works out for her before storming off to relax.

Back at the Colossus, the Resistance shuttles land in the hangar. A distraught Kaz tells Torra and Hype that the Resistance was counting on them. Kaz and Torra think they have failed and blame themselves for not stopping the TIE. Hype laments that he was too cocky and says that he should have been watching the shuttle.

Venisa addresses the group with Yeager and Captain Doza present. She emphasizes the inevitability of loss in war, regardless of their efforts. She reminds them that they only truly fail when they lose hope. Yeager adds that those recruits made it out because of them and that counts as a victory. Xiono remarks that it still doesn't make it easier knowing what the First Order is capable of. He wonders if Tam was in one of those TIEs.

Venisa cautions against assumptions and expresses hope for recognition of the First Order's true nature by those in similar positions. Captain Doza asserts that giving up on people is the easy way out and that they are better than that. Torra agrees that the adults are right and suggests they turn their attention to giving their guests a proper Colossus welcome.

Captain Doza compliments Venisa's way with words. Venisa replies that they are more effective on some than others. She acknowledges the First Order's numerical advantage but emphasizes their resilience. Venisa accepts that the mission was a "big ask" but thanks him for his help. She promises to have the recruits off the Colossus within a few days.

Doza, however, decides to extend their stay to Jade Squadron and the recruits. When Venisa asks what about the people of the Colossus having a say in the matter, Doza replies that he cannot force people to join them but this is his ship. He pledges the Colossus' support to the Resistance, declaring an end to their flight from the conflict. Venisa is pleased and says that it is good to have him back. She and Doza go to welcome the new Resistance recruits.