The Thrawn Initiative: Part 1
Sabine knelt behind a half dozen metal cargo crates, Ezra knelt beside her. Both grimaced at what had happened. It was supposed to be a simple reconnaissance mission to obtain intel about a new type of Photon Torpedo. Sent in with three others, she and Ezra were now trapped. Cornered by a Legion of Stormtroopers, the three other Rebel Members had run off as soon as trouble occurred leaving Ezra and Sabine alone.
"We are so screwed." Sabine stated as she returned fire against the overwhelming numbers, that were slowly and methodically blasting the metal cargo crates that protected them, turning them into melted slag.
"Ok, I will draw their fire, you use your Jet Pack and get out of here." Ezra ordered her with determination. Raising slightly to shoot back at the approaching Stormtroopers.
"How will you get out?" Sabine asked as she too shot.
"I won't. Sabine, you have got to go and leave me. This many and we are doomed, there is no way for both of us to escape." Ezra stated as he gazed over at her, seeing her frown at him. Taking her free left hand in his, he held it. "You have to go, I cannot see you get hurt or killed, I can't."
"You can't ask me, you can't make me." Sabine said sadly as she squeezed his hand. Not letting him release her hand.
"There is no possible outcome that we can survive, Sabine please you have to go. I love you and I can't watch you die." Ezra replied with grief as he peered into her eyes. Seeing her stare back with shock. Releasing his hand, she grabbed his shirt front and pulled him towards her roughly. Kissing him hard, locking her lips on his. Parting them as she slipped her tongue inside his mouth to lick the inside of his lips then wrapping her tongue around his. Closing her eyes, she felt him respond. As they kissed she felt a thrill course through her. Separating she saw him smiling broadly at her with shock and hope.
"I love you too and I am staying. If you die then I die." Sabine stated putting her helmet back on, reaching down to unholster her other blaster. "Now consider this, if we live through this you can expect more than just kissing, later. So, think and believe that we are going to make it." She smiled at him and could see that he realized what she meant. She silently cursed herself that she did not tell him before the mission, she did not relish the idea of dying a virgin. Especially since she now knew she loved him and he loved her.
As the crates continued to disintegrate, she knew that the end was near. Ezra reached behind her and smiled, then turned on the Emergency Jet Pack Thruster, snapping the switch on.
"I am sorry, Sabine. I cannot let you die." Ezra said quickly as she felt herself rocket straight up, faster than any of the Stormtroopers could react. He watched Sabine soar several hundred feet, in seconds. Hearing her scream "No" as she went.
"What have you done?" She protested over the commlink.
"Goodbye Sabine, remember I love you." With that the commlink died as Ezra crushed it.
Sabine could do nothing from her vantage point but fly towards the camp, she looked down to see Ezra activate his lightsaber and charge the incoming Stormtroopers. As she watched he stumbled and fell, then stood and fell. Not moving. Screaming, she flew away, with tears stinging her eyes. Determined to get help and return.
Landing at the Rebel Camp, she felt her knees shake so she dropped to the ground. She watched as Kanan and Hera ran up to her, as did the three men that deserted her and Ezra.
"Where's Ezra?" Kanan asked with concern.
"It was a trap. We were abandoned by those cowards." Sabine said with anger as she glared at the three men.
"What could we have done, there were over a hundred Stormtroopers. I see that you got out." The lead man said as he leered down at her. "Leaving him behind, just like a Mando would."
Jumping up, Sabine punched the bigger man. Then did a round house kick into the man's stomach. As he fell, she straddled his chest and started to hit him repeatedly. Screaming at the man with pure rage. Until she felt strong hands clasp her arms and pull her off the man.
"Calm down Sabine." Kanan ordered her as he pulled her away from the man.
"I will kill him, let me kill him!" She screamed as she kicked at the down man.
"What, it is true isn't it. Mando's only care about Mando's". The man said as he started to get up and reach for his blaster, but stopped when Zeb grabbed his hands and glared down at him.
"Kanan, you know that it is not true. We must go back for Ezra. He may be alive." Sabine begged as she looked back at him.
"No, if he is only hurt we do not have the numbers to effect a rescue and if he is dead then he is with the force." Kanan stated as he lowered his head.
Twisting her arms loose she stomped to her tent, inside she replaced the Jet Pack fuel cell, picked up some explosives and blaster packs and stepped back outside. "I am going to get Ezra, don't try to stop me!" She said with anger as she ignited her jest pack and flew off. Hearing the others protest as she streaked back to where the ambush had occurred.
Ezra awoke, which confused him. Even more so when he noticed that he was not shackled or in a holding cell. Instead he was seated in a small room, with a table and another chair opposite him. Looking down his eyes widened when he saw his lightsaber and blaster on his belt. Not knowing what to make of this, either the Imperials were idiots or they wanted to see what he would do. Glancing up he saw two unarmed Imperial Navy Troopers watching him. Both stood loosely and without any aggression or alertness. When the door opened they snapped to attention as Grand Admiral Thrawn entered. "Leave us." He ordered and the Troopers left without a word.
"I must apologize for the measures taken to have you here at this meeting, but I could not think of any other way to have you here. Of course, I also expected to have Sabine Wren here as well." Thrawn stated as he looked at Ezra.
"I do not understand." Ezra said as he gazed at Thrawn. "Why did you not just kill me, and why would you let me keep these?" Ezra asked as he put the blaster and lightsaber on the table.
"So, you would trust me. You see I have made an extensive study of you and your Rebel Cell. I am impressed by you and Sabine Wren, Ezra Bridger. You see, I allowed for the leak of information about the New Photon Torpedo knowing that Sabine Wren would take an interest in it. I also knew that you would accompany her on such a mission. She should be arriving soon to attempt your rescue." Thrawn replied as he leaned forward on his chair to put his hands on the table.
"What do you mean?" Ezra asked shocked. "She will not risk it, neither will the others."
"Ah, but she will. I believe you are important to her, after studying you and her, I have seen a deep romantic connection between you two. I believe the term is love." Thrawn smiled, seeing the slight facial expression on Ezra's face.
"How do you know that?" Ezra asked.
"I have viewed all the video images and read all of the intelligence reports. Subconsciously you two seem to always be together. On missions and when you separate from the other Rebels, you two seem to be together. I have also noticed that on several occasions missions that any other Rebel member would undertake would have failed, but you and Sabine Wren seem to accomplish and succeed in those missions." Thrawn stated. "I find that interesting that you two works so well together."
"Why did you want to meet with us?" Ezra shook his head and thought about what Thrawn had just relayed to him. It was true somehow, he and Sabine always seemed to work well together, even when they were at odds about different things.
"Because I want you to join me, well join something I am putting together." Thrawn replied as he saw Ezra stiffen.
"I will not join the Empire and neither would Sabine." Ezra said angrily as he glared at Thrawn, not imagining ever joining the Empire and its evil ways.
"No not the Empire, let's say a faction of the Empire that is under my direct command." Thrawn stood. "Come with me please, I believe that Sabine Wren has arrived and she will be more inclined to speak and be more reasonable if she sees that you are alive and unharmed."
Ezra stood and followed Thrawn outside onto the landing field that they had attacked earlier, all the Stormtroopers were gone. On one of the two Shuttles, he could see Sabine.
"Do not worry the Stormtroopers have returned to the Capital. We are alone except for the loyal crews of those shuttles." Thrawn said as he looked up at Sabine. "Please Sabine Wren, come down I wish to speak with you. As you can see I am unarmed and you have my word that if you decide; you and Ezra Bridger may leave."
Sabine stood on top of the Lambda Class Shuttle and glared down at the Grand Admiral not quiet understanding what was happening. When she saw Ezra unharmed and alive, she felt relieved. Not caring if there was a legion of Stormtroopers waiting she jumped down and stared at Thrawn.
"You are quite safe, I assure you." Thrawn stated as he held his hands out to his side showing that he was in fact unarmed.
Sabine walked up to Ezra and punched him knocking him down. "You ever do that again and I will kick your ass!" She yelled down at Ezra then hauled him up and kissed him roughly, pulling him tightly to her. Tears welled up in her eyes and she decided that if Thrawn was going to kill them now she would not care, she got to have one more intimate moment with Ezra again.
"Most interesting." Thrawn said as he remained standing still. "If you are quite finished I would like to speak with you. Perhaps we could sit and have a refreshment." Leading them onto the Shuttle and having one of the pilots bring them a drink.
"Ok, you have pipped our interest. Admiral. Neither Sabine or I was expecting a Grand Admiral to go to such links to talk to us." Ezra said as he drank the Spiced Bantha Milk. Figuring it was safe since Thrawn could have just had them shot and not using poison to kill them.
"I have quite a tale to tell." Thrawn said then told them about his Household Phalanx and with the support of some Imperial Officers were preparing to be ready for a threat that could devastate the Galaxy including the Chiss Ascendency. How he was gathering essential personnel and that he believed that Sabine and Ezra were crucial to the operations that he was conducting in the Unknown Regions of space. When he was done he drank some of his own drink and smiled. "I believe that you will want time to discuss this in private, so I will await your decision outside." Standing Thrawn left and led the two pilots outside so that Ezra and Sabine could discuss it.
Sabine and Ezra watched him leave and Sabine leaned over. Ezra though she was going to whisper in his ear, but she grabbed his shirt and kissed him. Slipping her tongue again in his mouth and wrapping hers around his. When they parted she smiled at him, then reached up and touched his face.
"So, since we are both alive. I take it that later we are going to be together tonight." Ezra smirked as she smiled back at him.
"Count on it." Sabine replied giving him a seductive look. "Until then, what do you think of Thrawn's offer and explanation."
"I do not know, it sounds incredible. If it is true." Ezra said as he clasped her hand holding it. "Of course, this is a day for incredible things to happen."
"That there is a greater threat to the Galaxy then the Empire and he wants our help to prepare for it with a group of his people and some Imperials." Sabine repeated basically what Thrawn had told them. "So, do we except or ask for some type of proof?"
"I think or I sense he is telling the truth. I will accept only if you do. I finally have you and I do not want to lose you." Ezra said as he looked at Sabine lovingly as she smiled at him.
"Then I say we accept, there is something about him. Sure, in the few times that we have encountered him he was out to destroy us. But I think he was testing us, all of us. You, me, Hera and Kanan." Sabine stated as she thought about those times that they had fought against Thrawn and his Imperials. "But what do we tell the others?"
"Well, they believe I fell and am dead. I am sure by now they think that your suicidal mission to rescue me has ended with you being killed. I think we should just let them believe that we are dead." Ezra decided as he stood, pulling Sabine up to him. He was somewhat worried that she just had reconciled with her Family and now leaving or having them believe she died would really hurt her and her family. "Of course, there is your family."
"I can let them know I am safe and alive, later. Also make them promise not to tell anyone that I am alive or you are for that matter." Sabine replied, then nodded and the two walked out of the Shuttle. Seeing Thrawn waiting patiently.
"We accept. So, what happens now?" Ezra asked as he saw the Blue Skinned alien smile proudly at them.
"Lieutenant Marcel and Doniva will fly you to meet with an old colleague and ally, then he will transport you to one of our bases to begin your work. They will also instruct you in the Chiss language so that you can understand my people better. So, by the time I return you will know for certain you have made the right decision." Thrawn said as he gestured to the Two Pilots that walked up and introduced themselves. "Both Marcel and Doniva are members of this so they understand about your status. I thank you and wish you a pleasant journey." Turning Thrawn walked over to the other shuttle and stepped aboard.
As Marcel started the engines, Doniva led Ezra and Sabine to their guest quarters on the shuttle. Informing them that if they needed anything to let her know and she would get it for them. Leaving them alone in the bedroom, Doniva closed the door.
Ezra laid down on the soft bed, while Sabine removed her armor and weapons. As she sat on the bed she looked down at Ezra and frowned.
"Oh, that is so wrong." She protested as she noticed that Ezra had passed out and was sleeping. "Here we finally have the chance to have sex and he falls asleep. Well in about three hours, my love you better be rested because I am going to wake you up." She said to the sleeping Ezra as she to laid down and slowly drifted off to sleep, noticing that Ezra had put his arms around her and was holding her tightly. She did the same and smiled as she fell asleep.