Ara's POV (Ar-a)

Even though the streets weren't too swarmed, I kept to the allies. I didn't like drawing attention to myself, not even in a place as simple as market. Looking around me, I quickly climb to the roof of the nearest building. I carefully scan the crowd below for anything that might stand out. I jumped at the familiar crackle of a storm trooper's voice. I crawled away from the edge, but I stopped to listen to their conversation.

"I've been hearing that a small group of rebels from Lothal has been causing a lot of trouble toward the Empire." The first said carefully.

"Do you think this group is the same one?" The second asked.

Rebels? Here? I wondered.

"No. Couldn't be-" The first trooper stopped mid sentence as I ventured to peek over the edge, and they both stopped walking.

"Enough talk, there's a report of one somewhere in this area. Let's go." Both troopers carried on to find this so called rebel.

I looked back, checking that the alley was clear. I was about to get off the roof when I saw a flash of orange, blue, and brown out of the corner of my eye. Too curious to pass it up, I quickly scrambled to the next roof. I had to climb onto the next roof over to get closer to the person who was running through these maze-like alleys. They had stopped at a dead end, and leaned over to catch his breath. Oddly enough I thought he looked familiar. He started to talk into a com link, but I was too far away to hear anything. I glanced to the other end of the alley to see the two troopers I had eavesdropped on earlier. It would take them a few minutes to get over to this end. I looked at the boy, who looked to be no older than I was.

They must be looking for him, I thought.

I carefully moved to another roof.

Once I got to the end I was basically next to him. Once I fully saw his face, my eyes widened. As my feet hit the ground, I tried to think of when I made the decision to come down from the roof. I was about to turn around and go back to the roof before the boy noticed. But I had to open my damned mouth.

"Ezra? B-Bridger?"

Shit. Too late. No turning back now. How could I be so stupid? The boy, Ezra, turned around surprised. Then I heard the clicks of the troopers' boots getting closer.

We're out of time, the words rang through my head.

"Play along," I quickly muttered.

Ezra looked confused, and was about to say something until I interrupted him.

"Where have you been?" I asked sharply. "Dad's been waiting for you. This little stunt will throw him behind schedule. Again!" I barked.

Ezra looked over my shoulder, but I already knew the troopers had turned the corner. I turned around and scowled at both troopers, then I looked over my shoulder at Ezra.

"Now what did you do?" I scolded through gritted teeth.

Ezra sank down a little, and swallowed hard.

I hope he's just acting, I thought feeling a little guilty.

I looked over at the troopers, almost completely dropping my scowl. They stood like statues. I got the feeling that whoever Ezra talked to, meant we needed to hurry up. I started to tap my foot, tapping it louder, and faster with each passing moment.

"So are you going to tell me what he did, or are just going to stand there and waist my time?" I snapped.

Then the two troopers bolted back to life.

"A data chip." One answered. If I didn't know any better it sounded as if his voice was shaking a little.

I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep myself from smiling. I took in a deep, frustrated breath, and turned back to Ezra.

"You were sent, to buy supplies for dad, and you steal?" I growled as I turned. I put my hand out. "Give it. Now." I ordered.

There was a distrustful look in Ezra's eyes, as he hesitantly raised his hand, and dropped the chip into mine. I pointed an accusing finger at him, and narrowed my eyes.

"I'm done covering for you." I grumbled.

I kept my expression, but I winked. I know Ezra caught it. I let my hand drop down to my belt, as I slowly turned to the troopers.

"Here ya' go. Sorry for any trouble." I kept my expression serious, as I dropped a chip into a trooper's hand. Then, I reached back and grabbed the back of Ezra's shirt collar. I dragged him past the troopers when one interrupted. "Wait -"

"Don't worry about him. He was lucky I found him. He won't be that lucky once we get home." I growled.

The same trooper turned around toward us as we took a few more steps away.

Damn it! I don't have time for this, I thought. And neither does he, I silently added in the back of my mind.

"Hey remember we have to help L.G. T.H.O.O.H with his B.E.S.W.O, will you see if he's coming this way?." I said the first thing that came to mind.

"Okay." Ezra sounded confused, but as soon as he did what I asked, I raised my hand. And looked at the trooper who was turned to us.

"You both can leave now. Thank you for your cooperation." I whispered, and the trooper repeated.

Ezra turned back even more confused, I grabbed his shirt collar again, and started to drag him out of the alley.

"What was that?" He asked surprised.

"Us leaving before he changes his mind." I muttered to him as we swiftly was led out of the alley. I dragged Ezra into the crowd, and let go of his collar. I looked at the ground, as I started to sense something. Ezra angrily walked away, and I started to walk next to him.

"L.G. - whatever? -" Ezra started angrily.

I leaned toward him more so no one would hear me.

"I like to think of it as 'Let's Get The Hell Out Of Here Before Empirical Stupidness Wears Off." I smiled as I started to softly laugh, I knew my gloves hid the chip well. The chip pressed into my palm as I pointed down to my lowered hand.

"who are you?" Ezra asked me.

I opened my mouth, but I stopped myself.

It may have been a long seven years since I've seen him. But damn it, Ara, he doesn't remember you.

"My name is Ara Cath."