“What a Festive Evening”

Andor’s debriefing
At the maritime Port Steergard, Cassian Jeron Andor in his “Varian Skye” disguise meets with Luthen Rael aboard his parked Fondor Haulcraft. Rael tells him that he is late with Andor explaining he had a pre-flight inspection before leaving Ghorman. After speaking with the ship’s computer, Rael flies the starship and sets a course for Coruscant. After entering hyperspace, Andor changes back into his clothes.

Rael exits the cockpit and asks Andor for his assessment of Ghorman. Andor advises Rael not to get involved. Rael tells Andor that the Ghormans informed him that the meeting did not go very well. Rael agrees that the Ghormans are impatient because they started late. Andor thinks that the Ghormans are not ready and tells Rael that the Galactic Empire is building an armory in the centre of Palmo. Officially, the Empire claims it is a new complex office, but everyone knows otherwise.

Andor thinks the Ghorman Front is not prepared for an insurgency and explains that they plan to hijack a transport to prove the Empire is building an armory. Andor is critical of the plan. Rael says the Empire would care about the heist. Andor thinks the Ghormans are doomed if they attack the Empire. Rael chides Andor for his risk-averse approach to Ghorman, regarding the planet as a new front against the Empire. He criticizes Andor for thinking like a thief and urges him to think like a leader. Rael asks him to imagine a wealthy and privileged planet like Ghorman in rebellion. He believes it would light the flames of Rebellion. Andor disagrees and refuses to get involved.

The contingency
Meanwhile, on Coruscant, Kleya Marki serves an alien customer in red robes with antennae. She hears a beeping sound from the backroom. Marki excuses the customer and walks to the transmitter. In a cryptic conversation, Rael reveals that Andor’s mission to Ghorman failed and requests a second “shipment.” Marki confirms that the shipment is en route to Ghorman.

Later, Vel Sartha sits casually on the steps of the Palmo Plaza, wearing a duffel bag. Dilan meets her under the pretext of tying his shoes. He asks if she is visiting friends. Skartha replies that she has friends everywhere and allows him to pick up the duffel bag. Sartha shoulders a backpack and walks into the plaza.

Homecoming
Back on Coruscant, Andor walks through a corridor lined with apartments. He knocks on the door of a unit in the corner and rings a bell. He puts his ear to the door and reaches for his coat. Andor enters the safe house with his blaster drawn. He discovers the apartment has been tidied up with a vase of flowers on the table. Bix Caleen says she is expecting him, and the couple kiss and embrace each other deeply. Andor compliments her for cleaning up the apartment. Caleen says she decided to make the best of their living space. She is dressed in a singlet.

She tells him the flowers were expensive but worth it. When Caleen asks about his trip, Andor tells her that he went undercover as the fashion designer Varian Skye. The two kiss as Andor recounts his cover as a fashion designer. Caleen heads to the kitchen to prepare food. When Andor asks if Ghorman was dangerous, Andor says this was not the case, but described the visit as a waste of time. He says that Rael was frightening.

Caleen tells Andor that Rael visited to request a weapons appraisal. Andor expresses shock and anger at Rael for visiting Caleen alone. Caleen says he changed his mind. Andor is upset that Rael did not disclose this meeting with Caleen. Andor is upset with Rael for keeping secrets from him and says that Rael does not do anything without a reason. Caleen suggests that Rael wanted to waste their time talking about it. She gives him a comforting hug.

Coruscant high life
Elsewhere on Coruscant, Perrin Fertha scrutinizes a guest list consisting of Senators Rhodi, Plada, and Danascar, sitting in the passenger seat of their limousine airspeeder alongside his wife, Senator Mon Mothma. Exmar Kloris is driving the airspeeder. Fertha suggests skipping the Girvan Banquet. Mothma says that they cannot leave Davo Sculdun’s investiture banquet early. Fertha suggests making the function the last one they attend for tonight.

Fertha admits tiring of the large number of banquets and functions they have to attend, counting 80 new senators hosting 80 “investiture banquets.” Fertha grumbles about squeezing so many functions into three nights. Mothma unclips a heavy necklace and says that he will figure things out. Kloris takes the limousine down towards the surface. Airspeeders fly through the night sky.

The confrontation
Later, Andor confronts Luthen Rael at the Galactic Antiquities and Objects of Interest gallery. When Rael chastises him for the debacle on Ghorman, Andor expresses anger at Rael for meeting Caleen behind his back. Rael remains unmoved and continues with his task. He offers Andor a Darvian Medallion as a consolation for the perceived insult. Rael says that this is the second time he has disappointed him today. Andor counters that Rael should have known that Caleen would tell him about his visit. Rael responds that both he and Caleen disappointed him by disclosing the visit.

Andor takes offense at Rael’s cavalier attitude, but Rael says he is more concerned with their “Cause.” He reminds Andor of his actions on Ghorman and his remarks that Caleen is too vulnerable. When Andor counters that he has given him everything, Rael is not satisfied and chides Andor for his explosive anger, lack of self-control, and breach of protocol. Rael says that Andor is being dismissive of Ghorman and too protective of Caleen.

Andor counters that he and Bix are not droids. Rael counters that they are not the same people they were before they joined this cause. He tells Andor that Caleen will have to pull herself together or she will become a liability. Andor disagrees, promoting Rael to say that he wants a strong and reliable Caleen. Andor says he would be better alone and tells Rael to work things out with him alone rather than involving Caleen. Rael thanks Andor for the medallion and the visit. Andor eyes the box with a scoffing look before leaving. Rael closes the glass sliding door to his gallery.

Heert’s new assignment
The following day at the ISB Central Office, Major Lio Partagaz strolls through the corridors and encounters Supervisors Lonni Jung and Heert. He tells them that he wants to meet with them. Partagaz tells them that Doctor Gorst has been reassigned to Coruscant after Military Intelligence convinced the Emperor to share Gorst’s knowledge and expertise with other branches of the Imperial government and military. Gorst will be heading a new Imperial programme.

The Imperial Navy has donated a facility on Coruscant and tasks Jung and Heert with keeping watch on Military Intelligence, whom he derides as “idiots.” When Heert describes this assignment as an honor, Partagaz tells him it is merely an assignment and not a cause for celebration. In private, Jung tasks Heert with taking the lead on the Gorst assignment. He tells him to brief him after reading the brief. Heert reacts with shock while Jung walks away.

Reunion on Ghorman
At the Palmo Caf House, Sartha waits for her Ghorman Front contact inside the busy cafhouse. Through the circular window, she sees a figure in the dark approaching. The figure turns out to be a disguised Cinta Kaz. Sartha says she likes Kaz’s new hairstyle. When Kaz asks about the gear, Sartha confirms that the “kid” took it and gets down to business. Kaz says she was briefed that the Ghorman Front do not know what they are doing. Sartha replies that they have settled for a simple mission.

Kaz confirms she has brought the fuses for the mission and pauses as someone walks past. Sartha confirms they will be meeting with the crew to discuss the mission tonight and will withdraw if they do not think it will succeed. Sartha tells Kaz that she only took the assignment if Kaz was involved. Kaz responds that she accepted the mission because of Sartha. Kaz discloses she had an accident but is reluctant to talk about it. She says that she had to rest for a while and had some time to think. A waiter in a white suit approaches them.

Plans in motion
On Coruscant, Supervisor Dedra Meero briefs Major Partagaz about developments on Ghorman. She tells him that they have an ISB field agent and believe an attack is imminent. Partagaz warns Meero that she walks a very thin thread and that Syril Karn must never know what this is all about. Meero agrees.

At the Ghorman Front’s headquarters, Vel Sartha and Cinta Kaz meet with the group’s members to plan their operation. The group pores over a mock-up of the street. They estimate that Imperial security forces will respond within six minutes. Sartha advises them to take only what they need. When Samm says they should get all the weapons they need, Carro Rylanz warns him to be quiet. Samm says that he wants to send a message to the Imperials, but Sartha puts him in his place, warning him to leave if he cannot follow orders.

The Axis network operatives and their Ghorman allies conduct a nighttime reconnaissance of the street. At Sartha’s prompting, Leeza provides information about local civilians, including families and children. Capso tells the group about an empty building in the area. Sartha asks if they control the rooftops. Dilan says that they control most of the rooftops and can arrange to lock some doors.

Sartha also asks the rebels to prepare alternative escape plans. Sartha speaks to a blonde woman named Dreena, who has been designated as the getaway driver, instructing her only to move her vehicle when she receives orders. Dreena is reluctant to follow orders from a foreigner, but Carro pleads with her to listen. When Dreena protests, Kaz backs Sartha up by reminding the rebels that preparation is useless if nobody follows orders.

Enza Rylanz also shows them a stowaway tunnel near the street. Sartha praises the choice of location for the raid, saying that nobody needs weapons and everyone has a way out. However, she reminds them this is just a plan since they have never staged such an operation before. Sartha emphasizes the importance of respecting the chain of command. For the raid, only Sartha and Kaz will carry blasters. Sartha says that they will drop the carrier and cover the rebels for six minutes.

Following the briefing, Sartha warns everyone to obey orders and that those who cannot should leave immediately, glancing at both Samm and Dreena. Dreena asks if they should leave before she and Samm submit to the plan. Rylanz asks when they are planning to do the raid. Sartha recommends launching the raid tomorrow night, saying that intelligence gets stale. Sartha warns they may be too late. Rylanz makes eye contact with his daughter and nods, consenting to the Axis agents’ plan.

Lovers reunited
Elsewhere on Coruscant, Caleen retrieves a vial from a pouch hidden in the ceiling and consumes a drug. Andor wakes up to find Caleen out of bed. He finds Caleen staring out the window and picks up a pair of macrobinoculars. She says that whatever the mission, they will find her. Andor comforts her and hugs her.

In private, Sartha and Kaz discuss the mission. Sartha says they can walk away if things don’t go right. Kaz thinks that the getaway driver, Dreena, should be with them at the top. When Sartha asks if Dreena said something, Kaz says she doesn’t feel comfortable with Dreena being given a crucial role. Sartha suggests finding another driver.

Kaz looks at Sartha mournfully and apologizes, saying she was confused. Sartha says that Rael should have told her that Kaz was in trouble. Kaz says that she wasn’t thinking right when she accepted the mission. Sartha is angry at Rael for endangering her lover, but Kaz says they are worth more to him separately than together. Sartha says they will need to speak with Rael. Kaz approaches Sarth, and the two women embrace each other. The two embrace each other and then kiss, their romantic affection evident.

The life of a Senator
In the Imperial Senate, the alien Oathkeeper delivers a prayer in celebration of the Empire before an enthusiastic crowd. A tense Senator Mothma watches before exiting to her private chambers. Erskin Semaj struggles to keep up as they approach a waiting airspeeder. Meanwhile, Rael and Marki, elegantly dressed, depart on a waiting airspeeder.

Elsewhere, Mothma and Fertha arrive at a luxurious two-storey plaza. Mothma is dressed in an ornate silver gown while Fertha dons a tuxedo with lapels. The two of them walk arm in arm. They are greeted by Senator Bail Organa, who says that he and his wife, Breha Organa, are covering different investiture banquets. Organa departs the function, saying this is the last investiture banquet he is attending for the night.

Inside the building, Mothma and Fertha greet Davo and Runai Sculdun at the investiture party. Davo asks about their children, Leida Mothma and Stekan Sculdun, who are visiting the Mothma Estate. The Sculduns escort them through the building, which is packed with guests.

The investiture banquet
Elsewhere in the party, a thick-handed alien named Strang examines Rael’s ring, which he deduces to be pre-Carvian, dating back to the third millennium. Rael concurs and believes the rings date back to the Lost Empire. When another guest jokes about the value of the ring, Rael teases them about tempting thieves.

Marki also speaks with Sculdun’s art curator, Mishko, about the forgery incident. Marki lies about not telling Rael about the forgery incident. She sips a drink. Also present at the party are Jung, Heert, and Supervisor Lagret. Jung says that Partagaz had an emergency and gave them his invitations. The three men drink Kali Coolers.

Rael greets Mothma and gives her a playful kiss—the two move to a private space near a glass window. Mothma tells Rael that she has not heard from her cousin Vel Sartha. Rael claims she is being careful. Mothma tells Tael to tell Sartha to check in on her. Runai and Fertha arrive. Fertha tells Mothma that the Sculdun Collection is about to be unveiled. Runai informs the guests that they are gathering the chosen for the exhibition.

Marki catches up with Jung, telling him that she had recently met up with his wife. She pretends that they are flirting and tells Jung to do everything she says, and they will be fine. She steers him away from the party.

The extraction and debate
Davo introduces his select guests to his collection. He thanks Rael for helping them secure his latest addition to his collection. Davo then introduces Director Orson Krennic, who Lagret, Heert, and another Imperial official flank. Davo introduces Senator Mothma and her husband, Perrin Fertha, to Krennic, who has been a guest at several of her committee meetings. Mothma greets Krennic, who quips that this meeting has become a festive evening.

Fertha asks about the Lost Tairn, the showpiece artefact. While Davo briefs his guests, Marki steers Jung into the collection room. She tells Jung that she covets a certain fountain-shaped artifact, which she regrets was sold by Rael. Meanwhile, Davo explains that the Lost Tairn was a relic left behind following the Battle of Carmeen. He adds that there is an altar depicting three identical stands at the Grand Carmeenian Forest. Marki enlists Jung’s help in retrieving the listening device from the fountain-shaped artifact by arranging for him to block the view.

While Marki explains the history of the Tinian Codex, she instructs Jung to move into position, then unsheathes a tool hidden inside her brooch. She begins turning the tool beneath the codex, which starts to move. As the guests shuffle around Krennic, who begins talking about the Battle of Carmeen, Marki says that the Tinians believed all language could be reduced to touch while she continues unscrewing the device.

Mothma debates the events of the Battle of Carmeen, describing it as a mass execution. Krennic counters that criminals love to lie and that nobody wants to die for “lawless ineptitude.” Marki tells Jung that her tool has hit a snag. Jung starts to panic as the guests approach the codex, but Marki tells him to stay and move to the right.

Mothma critiques Krennic’s perceived obsession with power. He counters that words have meaning. When Mothma suggests that the Carmeenians wanted to be left alone, Krennic counters that they skin people alive. When Mothma asks if that was what they did, Fertha explains that it was done a long time ago. Mothma says they had their code of conduct. Krennic replies that she is arguing that my rebel is your terrorist before chuckling.

Marki tells Jung to grip the rounded codex while she starts to turn the bolt. As the group approaches the Tinian Codex, Krennic asks Marki why the artifact is so special to her. Marki struggles to answer, but Jung explains that it is a book that you read based on touch, using your hand. He says that it is from a planet where blindness is considered a gift. Krennic quips about blindness while Davo invites his guests to touch the codex. Each of the rings contains an intricate codex.

The raid
Elsewhere, Major Partagaz orders staff to exit a control center while the ISB conducts a security sweep. A tense Meero stands. Back on Palmo, a delivery speeder drives through the street where the Ghorman resistance plans to strike. Sartha shines a torchlight through the spillway gate. Dilan responds with his light. He and another Ghorman rebel open the doors to a transport carrying the other operatives.

Karn spies the street with his macrobinoculars. He contacts Partagaz and Meero, who are in the control centre, and confirms that things are proceeding according to plan. Back on the streets, Kaz meets with Sartha, who confirms the Ghormans are on time. Sartha warns Kaz to be careful.

Samm shuts off the lights of his hover-scooter as an armored carrier passes behind him. Sartha and Kaz stand by in the alley, communicating with Enza via walkie-talkies. The Ghorman operatives, including Deedra, assume their positions—Sartha and Kaz plant explosives on the street. Unknown to the group, they are being watched by Karn.

Sartha holds the remote control for the explosives. Kaz watches from a parapet. As the convoy approaches, Sartha retreats into an alley while the carrier passes with its cargo. She ignites the E-mag mines, which causes the carrier’s repulsorlifts to malfunction and crash onto the cobblestones below. Kaz leaps from the parapet and lands on the roof of the carrier’s cab. She uses an ion charge to knock out the driver and electrocute the vehicle’s systems.

Watching the operation, Karn relays information about the attack on the carrier to Partagaz and Meero on Coruscant. Helpers then pull the crates from the disabled carrier. After checking that they have weapons inside, they shove them down the spillway gate into the chute. At the bottom, helpers load the crates into the speeder van. The Ghorman Front continues the unloading of the crates while Sartha keeps watch for Imperial security forces.

Karn continues to relay information to the ISB, stating that the Ghormans have unloaded six crates using the spillway tunnels. Dreena ushers an elderly woman away from the crash site. By this stage, there are just two crates left on the carrier. Most of the crates have been loaded into the getaway vehicle. Meanwhile, the heist encounters an unexpected problem when one of the Ghormans reports that Dreena is missing. Sartha goes to search for their comrade.

The tragedy
Samm tries to persuade a male pedestrian named Lezine to walk away, but the moustached man pushes him aside. Samm points a blaster at a surprised Lezine and tells him to go home. Lezine thinks Samm is bluffing, and the two engage in a tussle. Samm accidentally fires his blaster, which hits an unsuspecting Kaz. Karn reports that a shot was fired. Undaunted, Lezine approaches the crash site. Sartha and Dreena approach the scene and find a mortally wounded Kaz. Sartha cradles the fallen Kaz while the Ghormans speak in their language.

Lezine volunteers to carry Kaz. Karn reports the incident to Partagaz and Meero. Partagaz orders him to summon Imperial reinforcements. Sartha watches Lezine and the helpers carry Kaz’s body into the getaway vehicle as sirens ring above. She stands frozen with grief until Dilan ushers her into the vehicle. Karn watches the scene while emergency vehicles respond to the heist—the escape vehicle drives along a canal. Sartha watches as Samm grieves over his role in Kaz’s death. The other Ghormans look mournful.

Sartha confronts Samm, who cannot bring himself to face her. After she repeats herself, he turns to face her. Sartha tells him that she doesn’t have to remind him of this because he will live with the consequences of his actions. She tells him that he is taking Kaz with her for the rest of his life. Sartha says that Kaz was a bloodied, fearless warrior and someone whom he aspired to be. Sartha adds that Kaz will be mourned in ways he will never understand. Sartha rebukes Samm and tells him that he does not deserve to cry for Kaz. Dilan and Enza watch silently.

A night to remember
Meanwhile, Rael and Marki exit the party triumphantly. Marki is pleased that her plan to remove the listening device from the codex worked. Rael quips about killing Krennic before they depart on their taxi airspeeder.

Elsewhere, Doctor Gorst walks through a hallway and takes the turbolift up. At the Imperial Naval facility, he passes through an intricate door consisting of four panels. He puts a cupcake on his keyboard table. Gorst is ambushed by a gun-wielding Caleen, who was hiding inside the room. He recognizes her. Caleen forces him onto a chair and restrains him with straps. She also gags him and forces him to wear a headset.

She goes to the console and exposes him to the same recorded screams that he subjected her to on Ferrix two years ago. He screams in fear and terror. His body convulses in fear and terror. A hooded Caleen then shoots a security guard as she exits the building. After crossing a bridge, she meets with Andor. He activates a remote detonator, causing an explosion at the Imperial Naval facility. Caleen flashed a vengeful smile as the two walked into the night.