It is a dark time for the Rebel Alliance. Although the first Death Star has been destroyed, Alliance Intelligence has uncovered schematics for a new armored battle station, capable of equaling the damage of its predecessor.
Bothan spies, operating from a hidden base, have stolen the plans for the new Death Star, and have, at great cost, made their way to the Alliance Fleet massing at Sullist, to deliver their vital information to Rebel High Command.
"We have to get onto that moon, Ma'am. The problem is we have no means of doing so. Any ships we might have would be detected and shot down on sight." General Crix Madine's voice is dire, and he looks into the supreme commander's eyes with a pleading sort of expression.
"The time to fight is now!" The voice of the young woman echoes in the senator's mind. It's been years, but she can't help but remember.
"Yes, I know," Mon Mothma says quietly.
"Are you alright?" General Madine asks. "You seem to be thinking about something."
"Thinking about old friends, and the cost of this war," Mon Mothma replies, but her attention is not on Madine. Instead she whispers a set of names through her mind.
Merrick. Draven. Erso. Andor. Raddus. Rook. Malbus. Imwe. They gave their lives so that we might have a chance to defeat this. Every moment we hesitate buys the Empire more time to finish this new battle station. They'll have learned by now.
She shakes herself. Now isn't the time to get sentimental, or to lose track of the present.
"Ma'am? Are you alright?" Admiral Ackbar repeats Madine's words, and she can't help but picture Admiral Raddus standing in the Mon Calamari's place.
"I said I am fine, Gial," she replies.
"You're thinking about them, aren't you?" Madine adds. "About Rogue One?"
"I'm afraid so," Mon Mothma admits. "If only Jyn Erso were here. She and her little Rogue One team would be perfect for this sort of operation."
"What did you say, Senator?" asks Madine.
"I said that we could really use Rogue One about now. They would have been perfect assets for this operation."
"There's always the shuttle _Tyderium _ we captured a few months ago," Madine offers. "Erso's plan was executed without authorization over Scarif, if I recall, but if we implemented a similar strike team, with proper planning and execution..."
"It won't work," Mothma replies. "They'll be expecting it. I don't think Vader would allow his master's prized station to fall to the same tactic twice."
"The Bothans used such a plan to get the schematics for this station," Ackbar counters.
"And how many died to bring us those plans?" Mon Mothma asks. "Need I remind you, Councilors, the mission over Scarif, as well as the Bothan attempt to steal the plans for this station, were costly affairs. This Alliance cannot afford such losses, not at this hour."
"And how many, Milady, will we lose if this station becomes operational?" Madine counters. "I didn't defect from the Empire to forget the tyranny of Palpatine's regime. Nor, for that matter, did I seek to defect without reason. No, Ma'am. I joined your Rebellion because of one reason and one reason alone. Because I felt we had hope to defeat the Emperor."
"What are you proposing, General? We cannot risk the success of this operation on a fool's gamble, as Erso did. Besides, no one in this Alliance is insane enough to lead such an attack."
"Then I will lead it myself," Madine replies. "For Rogue One... and for the Alliance."
"Why would you make such a rash decision? You're no better than General Draven..."
"General Draven died for the Alliance cause, Senator. If this is the cost we must pay to end the reign of Palpatine's new battle station, I am more than willing to give my life as well."
"You're a madman, General Madine. I would have thought a trained Imperial officer would easily be able to see the folly of such a plan."
"Oh, you’re right,” Madine replies. “My Imperial training knows this is folly. But this is a rebellion, isn't it Admiral?" Madine asks.
The others nod.
"Then it's time to rebel."
Mon Mothma can't help but smile as she continues the briefing.
