Out of Darkness

"Out of Darkness" is the seventh episode of the first season of the animated television series Star Wars Rebels. It is the seventh episode of the series overall.

The episode was written by Kevin Hopps and directed by Steward Lee. It was released on WatchDisneyXD.com on November 3, 2014 and made its television debut on November 10.

The episode centers around Hera Syndulla and Sabine Wren undertaking a mission to an old Grand Army of the Republic asteroid base, where they intend to meet an informant named "Fulcrum"&mdash;who Syndulla has been in frequent contact with for information about the Galactic Empire&mdash;and to pick up crates of supplies. Wren, who did not know about "Fulcrum," feels that she is not trusted. After surviving against deadly fyrnocks on the base, Wren is able to overcome those trust issues, with Syndulla asking her to have faith in their growing rebellion.

Official description
Their relationship strained over trust issues, Hera and Sabine team up for a supply run but find an unexpected danger waiting.

Outrunning the Empire
The episode opens with the VCX-series auxiliary starfighter Phantom being pursued by several TIE fighters in the canyons of Lothal. Sabine Wren asks if they should be firing back but Hera Syndulla tells her to "stay calm because it is all part of the plan." When Ezra Bridger expresses doubt, Hera tells him that he should know better. Hera uses the Phantom rear turret to blast a TIE fighter out of the sky. Hera boasts that no fighter in the Imperial Navy can outrun her. Hera says she is reluctant to teach Ezra how to fly her ship. Just then, the three remaining TIE fighters close in on the Phantom.

As the Phantom takes enemy fire, Sabine tells Hera that she has gotten them into a "fine mess" and questions the reliability of their intelligence source "Fulcrum". Ezra tells Hera to focus on not getting them killed. In exasperation, Hera tells her subordinates to hang on as she flies the Phantom through a narrow ravine. One of the TIE fighters crashes but the Phantom steering vane is damaged. As the Phantom leads the two remaining TIEs on a chase, Sabine demands to know what was in that convoy and why it was so important. Sabine curtly replies that Fulcrum's intelligence is provided on a "need-to-know" basis. Sabine is not satisfied. Hera uses the Phantom rear turret to blast a nearby mountain. The resulting cloud of debris causes the two remaining TIE fighters to collide with each other. Despite their escape, the Phantom has sustained damage to its fuel tank.

Sabine's doubts
After returning to the VCX-100 light freighter Ghost, Hera reunites with Kanan Jarrus. Hera tells Kanan she and her crew are fine but that the Phantom has sustained some damage. After bantering with Kanan, Hera tells Garazeb Orrelios to ready the Phantom for another of Fulcrum's supply runs. She tells him to fix the ship's steering and to run a diagnostic scan. Hera also assigns Ezra and the C1-series astromech droid Chopper to help Zeb. While Ezra and Zeb bicker, Sabine sulks.

Hera takes the Ghost into hyperspace. In the cockpit, Hera discusses her previous mission with Kanan. Despite the reliability of Fulcrum's information in taking out the target, Hera remarks that they underestimated the Imperial defenses. Kanan replies that it is getting harder to anticipate the Empire's moves. Sabine interrupts to ask Hera and Kanan why they are relying on Fulcrum's intelligence. Kanan replies that it is Hera's job to find missions that create havoc for the Empire and "profit for them." He defends Hera's decision to trust Fulcrum.

In response, Sabine counters that she was taught not to ask questions while studying at the Imperial Academy and that it did not work out well for her. She reiterates that this is why she joined the Spectres. Kanan compliments her for her services but Sabine expresses frustration. She tells Hera that she is coming on the next supply run to meet Fulcrum. Hera replies that Sabine can be "pretty frustrating too."

Mischief aboard the Ghost
Meanwhile, Zeb expresses frustration at the length of the Phantom diagnostic scan. Ezra is almost finished repairing the steering. Zeb orders Chopper to purge the filters. The droid obliges but releases the contents onto an unhappy Ezra. Check the computer, Zeb reports that the steering and life support are back in order. Ezra coughs from the dust but Zeb laughs at him. Ezra is not amused with Chopper's prank and leaps on top of the mischievous droid. While Ezra and Chopper squabble, Zeb tells them that the diagnostic scan is not yet finished.

A cheeky Ezra tells the Lasat to fix it himself. Zeb runs after the two and ignores the computer, which reports a fuel leak on the Phantom hull. As they exit hyperspace, Zeb tries to restrain the squabbling Ezra and Chopper. Just then, Hera and Sabine enter the engine room. Zeb and Erza report that the steering and life support have been fixed. A mischievous Chopper runs over Zeb's foot with one of his ambulatory struts. Zeb and Ezra pursue Chopper while Hera and Sabine depart on the Phantom.

Faith and trust
Hera and Sabine depart on the Phantom. During the journey, Sabine asks if Fulcrum is just another smuggler like Vizago and why the need for secrecy. Hera responds that it is no secret they are fighting the Empire and need as many allies as they can get. Sabine expresses frustration at Hera's evasiveness. Just then, the intercom rings and Fulcrum contacts Hera. Sabine defiantly tries to talk to Fulcrum but Hera reasserts her authority. Fulcrum relays her instructions and Sabine reiterates her demand to speak with Fulcrum.

Fulcrum asks "Spectre Two" what is the problem. Hera reassures her that the situation is under control and explains that "Spectre Five" decided to help with the supply run. Hera curtly tells Sabine her help is not appreciated while Sabine sulks. The Phantom lands at Fort Anaxes on the asteroid PM-1203; one of the remnants of the shattered planet Anaxes. Upon landing, Sabine demands to know where Fulcrum is with Hera suggesting that maybe Fulcrum did not like her attitude. As they exit the Phantom, fuel starts to leak from the shuttle's hull.

Hera and Sabine begin loading crates. Unknown to them, they are being watched by a Fyrnock. While loading the supplies, Sabine apologizes for her difficult attitude and expresses her concern that things are getting more dangerous. Sabine tells Hera that she and Kanan can trust her. Hera reassures Sabine that she trusts her but that they have to maintain secrecy in order to protect the whole crew in the event that one of them is captured. Sabine disagrees but Hera counters that the Imperials have a way of making everyone talk. When Sabine responds that this is why she needs to know, Hera counters that Sabine already knows what she "needs to know" and implores the Mandalorian to trust her.

Sabine finds it hard to trust anyone due to her experiences as an Imperial cadet on Mandalore. Sabine says she followed orders blindly and that it was a nightmarish experience. While loading, Sabine tells Hera that she wants to know that they are making a difference. Sabine expresses doubt that they can take down the Empire on their own and reiterates that she does not want to walk into another nightmare. Hera tells Sabine to have faith that the rebels have a long-term plan that is bigger than them, Lothal, and the entire Outer Rim. Hera tells Sabine to have faith in her and Kanan.