"You're going to look out for one another this time."

"It's fine, Kanan! I've got this under control."

Sabine rolled her eyes and lightly punched Ezra's back. "Don't worry, Kanan; I'll make sure he gets home."

"I'll bring Sabine back safely," Ezra corrected.

"I don't care who drags whom back to the Ghost – just don't get caught." Kanan rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Never mind – just finish the op and contact Hera as soon as possible."

"We'll be careful," Sabine promised. Kanan glanced sharply at her and Sabine nodded. I'll take care of him.

"It's going to be easy, Sabine," Ezra said as he slid on his helmet. "I've done this before. I'll teach you all the tricks for hoodwinking the officers."

"Not to brag, but I was in the academy long before you joined the crew," Sabine reminded. "You're great at undercover, but this time you should probably follow my lead."

"I'll follow you anywhere!" Ezra said cheerily, right before his foot latched in a Loth-rat hole.

Sabine huffed. "And while you're at it, try scrubbing the grass stains off your helmet; they don't tolerate sloppiness at the academy."

Shaking his head uncoordinatedly, Ezra scrambled up to follow.


"I don't like it."

"Kanan, he's almost sixteen. You can't hide him from the Empire forever."

"Who said anything about hiding? I'm just not sure he's ready for this."

"We've sent him on solo-ops before. Frankly, I think you're pushing it by insisting Sabine accompany him."

"His face is posted on every holonet channel. Remind me why we're sending him directly into Imperial territory."

"Because you know he can handle it." Hera nudged Kanan reassuringly. "Besides, they'll only be at the academy for one day. Two at most. He'll be fine, Kanan."

"That's what you said before." Kanan shifted uncomfortably, scratching his neck. Something felt off.

"And he was perfectly fine before," Hera drawled. "And the time before that, and the –"

"All right, you've made your point."

"The kid's seen five missions since Mustafar," Hera reminded quietly. "He knows how to look out for himself."

"That's what worries me." Kanan peered after the two figures, straining his eyes against the rising sun. "He doesn't know when to retreat."


Ten months.

Ten of the most erratic months of Ezra's life. Ten months of training and preparation, of meditation that only temporarily impeded the dark side, of learning to work as master and padawan team again, trusting that he wasn't evil, until Darth Vader was no more than a predatory figment lurking two steps behind.

Ten months and he still checked the bond halfway through the night, making sure Kanan was alive.

Relax. It's a simple op. Worry about Sabine – better still, make sure both of you don't die.

And to think he used to be nervous about botching a supply run. Holding the others back. Failing.

Ezra Bridger had kiddie problems. Ezra son of Vader had a family to protect.

Everywhere they went, Darth Vader's presence lingered. He was a hunter that could afford to wait. The Fulcrum had cut them from the intelligence roster days after Kanan had been captured. The Spectre cell was reliable, but recent events had proclaimed them too unstable. The less they knew, the less Vader could extract if – when –as soon as he tired of frivolous chases and hunted them down. Ahsoka's rebels had protected the Ghost thus far. Supplies, medical assets, fuel replacements; Kanan still marveled that they no longer had to steal everything. All the same, their communications with the rebel fleet were scant.

No one trusted a wanted cell.

It was limiting. Humiliating. A blow against Kanan, even though he never admitted it. Ezra complained enough for them both.

The Spectre team would just have to take down the Empire alone.

In a way the idea was thrilling; as though they had never lost the old times. Ezra was a cadet and Sabine was his partner, and if he ignored the darkness at the back of his mind he could pretend there never had been a Sith lord or his offspring. Just the Ghost team, focusing on another mission. Fun times.

"Spectre Six and I are approaching the target," Sabine said into the com.

"Your profiles have already been listed in the databanks," Kanan responded. "There are fifteen new students already enlisted; you should fit right in."

"Copy that."

"Spectre Six… be careful out there."

Ezra didn't need to hear the worried tin in Kanan's voice. He could sense his master's apprehension.

There's something different about this mission. I don't like the feeling. Watch yourself!

"Copy that, Spectre One," Ezra said.

"And don't let that dye wash out of your hair!"

"Yeah, yeah," Ezra said, rolling his eyes. "And it's red, not purple."

"Whatever. Rendezvous within forty-eight hours."

Who would have thought it would take two weeks just to find the stupid holodisc.


Commander Kallus. He may as well have been a private. Kallus twisted his fingers, gloves scuffing noiselessly. Pity the sleek finish had been worn away.

Reports. Data records. Desk work. For ten months Kallus had tracked the rebel squabble, documenting sabotage and possible supply routes. The officers hunting them down were apathetic; always sending the stormtroopers to do their work while they fretted over how little was accomplished. Little wonder Darth Vader had disposed of two guards in the last month. He was behaving like a toddler who had just lost his favorite pet.

If Kallus had had a hand in things, that pet would have been delivered straight to the Emperor. Jarrus would have been incinerated; no interrogations required. The remaining followers would have scattered, and that would have ended the Lothal rebellion.

Sipping his stim-tea, Kallus leaned back and examined the new academy schedule. Fifteen new – he frowned. Seventeen students? Narrowing his eyes, Kallus flipped through the roster. He had updated the attendance himself. There should only be….

Cadet Kaner Jahba.

Cadet Synda Garzeb.

The blond girl was an aspiring level five student, renewing her training. Last minute admittance had put her at the bottom of the list. The mistake was acceptable.

Level three students had begun their training two weeks ago, however.

Either there was a glitch on his immaculate list, or Cadet Jahba was skipping classes.

Kallus did not tolerate slothfulness.


Thank you to Midnight-Luna, Rebels-lover, Valkyrie-Sythe, Firehawk720, Ichichi05, heartbreakerninja, AzulaBlue92, BuruPlays2, and nuyen236 for leaving feedback on the last chapter! :D