“Jedha, Kyber, Erso”

Cornered

In the safe house, a despondent Kleya Marki expresses reluctance to accompany Cassian Andor and Ruescott Melshi to Yavin 4, believing she will not be welcome there. Andor reassures her that she will be safe there, while Melshi asks her to tell the Rebel Alliance what she told them about the Death Star.

In the Imperial Security Bureau’s (ISB) control room, an ISB technician informs Major Partagaz that they are experiencing trouble connecting with the ISB shuttle. The technician asks her colleagues if they are reporting similar issues. Static can be heard on their transmitters. Inside the shuttle, a bloodied ISB tactical agent lies on top of the ship’s communication console while K-2SO walks out through the rear ramp.

Meanwhile, ISB Team One, led by Sergeant Gharial, exited the lift lobby on Level 27 and made their way to the safehouse. Gharial peers ahead while the others wait behind. Gharial tells the others, including Supervisor Heert, that there are no comms. Heert is growing impatient and insists on proceeding with the raid. The ISB tacticals activate the torch lights on their blasters. Inside the safe house, Andor destroys the portable fractal radio with a blaster, while Melshi hands Marki a blaster.

The ISB team approaches the corridor leading to the safe house, which is lined with plastic. Gharial and two tacticals move forward while Melshi exits through the front door. He finds himself facing Gharial and his colleagues, who order him to raise his hands. Melshi instead flees back into the safe house and alerts Andor and Marki. Gharial orders the group to surrender or risk being killed. Andor advises Melshi against closing the door since that would trap them. Andor radios K-2SO for help.

“Droid ex machina”

Meanwhile, K-2SO enters the lift lobby. He body slams an ISB tactical officer and hurls Sergeant Benzi into a turbolift. Melshi shelters in an alcove while Gharial hurls a stun grenade into the apartment. The stun grenade’s wave knocks out Andor and Marki, but Melshi is unscathed and fires back at the ISB tacticals from his shelter. Andor gets to his feet and reaches for Marki’s blaster. He uses his body to shield her from the ISB blaster bolts.

K-2SO exits the turbolift with a blaster on Level 27 and heads towards the safe house. Major Partagaz asks a technician which reinforcements they can send. However, most ISB units are bogged down enforcing the infectious disease order. Partagaz expresses frustration. Meanwhile, K-2SO ambushes the ISB tactical team, taking out an ISB tactical officer and Heert. K-2SO uses the fallen Heert as a human shield against Gharial’s blaster bolts. Andor takes out the remaining soldier in the safe room while Melshi falls back to join Andor and Marki.

K-2SO hurls Gharial against a wall at the doorway of the safehouse, killing him by breaking his neck or head. The rebels are relieved to see K-2SO. The rebels exit the apartment complex with Melshi carrying Marki. Andor gives one final look at the building before joining the group. The rebels escape aboard their U-wing, flying past three approaching police gunships. Melshi tends to the unconscious Marki while Andor joins K-2SO in the cockpit. K-2SO says that any doubts about his loyalty have been erased. Andor mouths in agreement before setting the ship’s navigation computer for a course back to Yavin 4.

Rebel High Command

At the Great Temple’s hangar bays, mechanics and ground crew work on parked X-wing starfighters while other crew work on scaffolding. Meanwhile, in the command center, Mon Mothma, along with General Davits Draven and Senator Bail Organa, has a conference with Saw Gerrera, who is speaking via holoprojector. Mothma objects to the Partisans hijacking Imperial transports on Jedha, which she regards as undermining the Rebellion. Gerrera objects to the Rebel Alliance’s interference in his domain, but Mothma counters that the Galactic Empire has dispatched an Imperial Star Destroyer to Jedha.

Gerrera says that Mothma doesn’t understand what he is facing and objects to Rebel Alliance spies and infiltrators in the Partisans. Mothma tries to convince him that the Empire is their true enemy and not the Rebel Alliance. Gerrera accuses Mothma of being a better liar than a fighter before terminating the connection. Organa thinks that Gerrera is crazy, but Draven confirms that Gerrera’s Partisans have established an active operation on Jedha.

Lieutenant Poyle arrives in the command center with news about the missing U-wing from Admiral Raddus. He informs the rebel leadership that the U-wing is approaching and requesting landing coordinates. Draven says he will be right there. When Draven asks if this is Andor, Organa says he thinks the U-wing is carrying Andor since it is a stolen ship sent on an unsupervised mission. Draven exits the command center, leaving the two politicians. Mothma remarks that managing Andor makes the Imperial Senate look easy.

A tense homecoming

In the flight control center, Admiral Raddus orders the flight crew to scramble three starfighters and to put two on stand-by. Draven arrives and steps beside Raddus, who says that he is lucky the trigger-happy Merrick is not on duty. Draven hopes that military force will not be necessary. Aboard the U-wing, Andor and K-2SO wait for the flight control center to respond. Melshi asks why they are not responding, while Marki begins to stir. K-2SO is worried that they will be shot down.

Two X-wing starfighters approach the U-wing from behind and warn they will open fire if the ship deviates from their instructions. At the hangar bay, Wilmon Paak dons a tool and joins several rebel ground crew and guards in gathering at the landing field. Armed rebels surround Andor’s U-wing. Andor confirms that it is only he, Melshi, K-2SO, and the injured Marki aboard. After Andor says that Marki needs medical attention, General Draven sends two soldiers to escort Marki to the infirmary.

The debriefing

While a soldier leads Melshi away, Draven orders K-2SO to exit the ship and power himself down. He then orders Andor to accompany him into the command center for a meeting with Mothma, Senators Organa, Tynnra Pamlo, Nower Jebel, and Admiral Raddus. When Organa asks what drove Andor to violate every rule they live by, embarking on an unsanctioned mission, Andor admits that he went to save Luthen Rael, whose death he confirms. Andor says that he discovered something during that mission and that Rael’s assistant Kleya Marki has something important to share. When Pamlo asks where Marki is, Draven confirms that she has been taken to the infirmary.

When Senator Organa asks Andor about what Marki shared with him, Andor explains that Rael had an informant in the ISB, a Supervisor named Lonni Jung. Jung told him that he had learned that the Emperor’s secret energy project was the cover story for a superweapon. Pamlo and Organa are familiar with the energy project and say that the Senate has been funding it for years. Mothma clarifies that the project has not undergone detailed scrutiny or inspections. Raddus asks what kind of weapon they are talking about. Andor admits he does not know the full details of the weapon, while Pamlo expresses impatience.

Mothma asks Pamlo to let him finish. Andor says that Rael was told that there was a connection between the Ghorman destruction, the kyber crystal mining on Jedha, and an Imperial engineer named Galen Erso. Pamlo asks how this is linked to the Emperor’s energy project. Andor responds that he is just reporting what Marki told him. Jebel dismisses Andor’s account as a “paranoid fantasy,” while Pamlo inquires about the verification of this information. Organa questions Andor’s objectivity given his relationship with Luthen.

When Andor vouches for Rael, Pamlo describes Rael as a “thorn in their side” while they were building the Rebellion. Andor counters by asking if the other leaders in the room besides Mothma have any idea about how much they owe Rael. Organa is dismissive, prompting Andor to say that he knows both the good and bad aspects of Luthen Rael. Andor credits Rael with his decision two years ago to join the Rebel Alliance. Andor admits that he cannot vouch for the accuracy of Rael’s information but criticizes the rebel leaders for spurning Rael’s contributions to the Rebellion.

Organa asks Andor when he last spoke to Rael. Andor confirms that he spoke with Rael last year when he rescued Mothma from the Imperial Senate. Organa and Mothma exchange looks. Organa stands up and suggests that Rael may have been the target of an ISB disinformation operation and criticizes Rael’s paranoia, secrecy, and inability to collaborate with other rebels. Organa says that Rael has sewn webs of doubt, making them question his credibility. Mothma disagrees with Organa, while Raddus suggests waiting for Merrick and General Jan Dodonna to return tomorrow night.

Andor counters that the information he has received is active intelligence, prompting Pamlo to dismiss it as speculation. Organa says that they will follow up tomorrow night with a full session. Organa orders that Andor be barred from touching his U-wing and confined to quarters. Draven prepares to escort Andor out of the room. Andor eyeballs Organa fiercely. As Draven rises to escort him out, Andor requests permission to visit Marki in the infirmary, which Mothma quickly grants. Mothma looks sidelong at Organa, who unhappily takes his seat.

Grounded

On the way to the village, Draven tells Andor that his contact, Tivik, has sent three urgent messages from Kafrene in the past ten hours. Andor tells Draven that Gerrera is on Jedha, but Draven reminds him that he is in no position to make suggestions. Andor visits Marki’s tent, finding her on a bed where her face has been stitched up. A medic secures a monitoring cuff around her forearm that is hooked up to a machine. As the machine exits the enclosure, Marki makes eye contact with Andor, who apologizes for the lack of a hero’s welcome. He explains that the rebel leadership is struggling to process the information he shared and says he will do what he can to assist them. Marki gives a forlorn expression.

Later, Mothma washes her hands inside her cabin. Her cousin Vel Sartha visits her. Mothma informs Sartha that Rael has died and that Andor has been grounded. Sartha remarks that Andor should stop saving people and tells Mothma that she needs something. Mothma tells Sartha that Andor has brought some “curious information” but that she won’t share it because she is hoping that Andor will tell it to her. When Sartha suggests spying on Andor, Mothma asks her cousin to help her believe in him. The two look at each other as thunder rumbles above.

Meanwhile, Andor reunites with Paak in the village and pats him on the back. Andor informs Paak of Rael’s death and puts his shoulder on Paak’s orange vest, telling him that Rael’s death was worthwhile. The two men embrace. Meanwhile, a technician informs General Draven that they have received a transmission from their contact on Kafrene, who insists on only speaking to Andor. Outside, rain pours down on the jungles of Yavin 4. Andor pours a drink of revnog for Sartha and the two toast several fallen comrades, allies, including Rael, Gorn, Karis Nemik, Taramyn Barcona, Cinta Kaz, the Ghormans, Ferrix, Andor’s mother, Maarva Carassi Andor, and the Aldhanis.

Following a long, solemn gulp, they retreat inside Andor’s hut. Andor says that he heard people claim they were there when it happened. Sartha vows to kill anyone who says that, which Andor agrees. While Andor refills his glass, Sartha says that Mothma wants to know if the Luthen story is real. Andor says that Rael died for the information despite his flaws and shortcomings. Andor says that the Rebellion would not exist without Rael. He says that Marki would not lie about the information regarding the Death Star. The two drink more revnog while Sartha asks Andor to tell her what Rael said.

Flames of Rebellion

Later, Marki sits up and unclamps her tubes in the infirmary, reflecting on passages from Nemik’s manifesto, “The Trail of Political Consciousness.” As Nemik discusses the growing insurgency and the armies of people who are unaware that they have already enlisted in the cause, a lone Major Partagaz listens to Nemik’s words. A figure steps into the ISB conference room as Nemik discusses tyranny, noting that it is something difficult to maintain. Partagaz turns to face the visitor, who turns out to be Supervisor Lagret. When Partagaz asks if he has heard Nemik’s manifesto before, Lagret replies that he has heard “bits and pieces.”

Lagret admits the Rebellion has been hard to contain, and when Partagaz asks, ‘Who does he think it is?’, he tells Partagaz that he has been ordered to arrest him. Partagaz requests a moment to gather his thoughts. Lagret exits the conference room to inform the two stormtroopers outside. Partagaz breathes deeply and sits at the front of the Imperial crest behind his desk. He retrieves a blaster from a drawer and shoots himself. Outside, the stormtroopers and Lagret hear Partagaz’s gunshot. The troopers move to enter the room, but Lagret signals for them to stop. He bows his head.

Marki’s despair

Back on Yavin 4, Marki walks through the rain away from the rebel settlement with a woeful expression on her face. Meanwhile, Sartha dons a poncho at Andor’s place. Andor stands at the entrance to his tree house. Sartha advises Andor to reconnect with Bix Caleen. Andor asks if she is safe. When Sartha confirms that Caleen is safe, Andor replies that Bix will not be safe with him. Sartha replies that Caleen might disagree. Andor says he may be willing to reconsider when the conflict settles down. Before leaving, Sartha counsels Andor not to wait too long, leaving Andor to reflect on his own.

While walking through the rainy forest, Marki encounters Sartha, who gives her another poncho. She leads her through the rain-soaked rebel encampment into her dwelling. Sartha expresses her condolences for the death of Rael. Marki says that she did what had to be done. Sartha asks if it gets tiring saying that. Marki responds that Rael advised her to know her way out before she goes in. She says that she does not know where to go now that Rael is dead. Sartha replies that “she has friends everywhere,” adding that Marki is here with friends. Sartha heads out to find her cousin while leaving Marki to rest at her table.

A change of heart

Meanwhile, Melshi and K-2SO are released and join Andor at his tree house. When Melshi claims that they were kicked out, K-2SO counters that is not true and informs Andor that General Draven is waiting outside. Andor exits the living area and meets Draven outside on the deck. Draven tells Andor that Tivik is on Kafrene and insists on only meeting with Andor. When Draven asks if Andor trusts him, Andor replies that “he tries.”

Draven tells Andor that an Imperial Star Destroyer is orbiting Jedha and that they had tried to tell Gerrera to tone down his activities. Draven says that he sees a connection between Imperial kyber crystal mining on Jedha, the ISB mole Lonni Jung, and Rael dying to get them in motion. With Tivik calling them, Draven remarks that this is a brilliant way to spring a trap. Andor asks how he will get to Kafrene. Later that night, Mothma and Draven visit Senator Organa, telling him to hear them out.

A new assignment

The following morning, Andor has a dream of his lost sister, Kerri, standing at the border of their jungle encampment. K-2SO wakes Andor from his sleep and issues an apology. K-2SO informs him that Senator Organa is back. Organa asks to speak with Andor privately. After K-2SO leaves, the two men chat about their troubled sleep. Organa tells him that General Draven has approved of sending Andor on a mission to Kafrene and tells him to make contact with his contact. When Andor asks about Organa’s change of tune, the Senator replies that he wants to go down swinging against the Empire. Andor replies that he and Rael would have gotten along. Organa wishes that the Force will be with him.

Later, Andor attaches a blaster to his holster and dons a leather jacket. He waters his plants on a wooden shelf. While rebel troopers, including Pao and Melshi, go for a jog, Andor walks through the forest, crossing paths with the trainees. Meanwhile, Paak and Dreena share breakfast. Approaching the Great Temple, several rebel pilots have breakfast at a long table. Mothma and Sartha join them. Andor walks through the rebel encampment.

Meanwhile, on Coruscant, Perrin Fertha rides in a limousine airspeeder with Runai Sculdun. The two share a bottle of alcohol, with Fertha drinking from a mug. Back on Yavin 4, Marki wakes from a deep slumber on a military cot. She watches several rebels carrying supplies on poles. Elsewhere, Dedra Meero sits in a white and orange prison uniform on a bunk at an Imperial prison. She buries her head in her knees and weeps.

Andor leaves the jungle village and walks through the airfield. He makes eye contact with the female Force healer and gives a foreboding look. Elsewhere, Gerrera peers at a Star Destroyer through a circular window on Jedha. Andor boards his U-wing and joins K-2SO in the cockpit. After K-2SO asks about their flight plan, Andor tells him they are traveling to the Rings of Kafrene. The U-wing levitates over the airfield and rises into the skies, spreading its wings. Meanwhile, Director Orson Callan Krennic gazes out through a Star Destroyer viewport at the Death Star, which is in its final stages of construction.

Elsewhere on Mina-Rau, B2EMO has a playful game with an astromech droid. Several local villagers, including Talia, pack up for the evening. The camera follows Bix Caleen walking through a field of grain. She is carrying a baby in her arms. As the baby coos, she looks to the horizon and comforts it. Caleen gazes at the blue-grey sky.