Hello fans of Star Wars Rebels!
I want to apologize for the long wait, but please get used to my random updates. School has been nothing but quizzes, tests, more tests, mid-terms, and even more complicated tests. I'm pretty sure that everyone can relate to this predicament, and I guarantee you that the struggle is real.
But besides that, I hope you all like this chapter. It's a very important one, so please make sure that you read everything.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars Rebels, but if I did then I would marry Ezra.
Chapter three: A call of insurance
The next day, the family of three were in the kitchen eating breakfast. Mira had made some of her famous meiloorun porridge, and the pot that she had prepared was almost empty. The meal was filling, yes, but the flavor was addicting making you gorge the food until it was all gone. It was sweet enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, but it thankfully wasn't enough to make you sugar high. If the porridge was, then it would cause Ezra to be overly hyper.
"You've out done yourself this time", said Ephraim leaning back in his chair rubbing his stomach. "This is the best porridge you have made in a while."
"I agree", said Ezra mimicking his father's movement. He leaned back in his seat, but came out short as he laid flat. Instead of being against the back of the chair, he was laying flat on the black cushioned seat.
Mira chuckled at her son's failure to copy what his dad had done. He was Ephraim's child, alright.
Ezra scooted back into a sitting position, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He had always hated how his height was short for his age. So far he was about five inches off from his classmates at school. Every once in a while he would be picked on by the older kids, but other than that his height wasn't a problem. Being short had its ups and downs, but Ezra still preferred to be a bit taller. Hopefully, his seventh birthday would help with that.
"I'm glad you boys enjoyed it so much", Mira wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Though, I am a bit surprised that the whole pot is almost gone. It was supposed to last us for at least three days."
"Yes, but think of it as a complement", replied Ephraim. "It would have been an insult if we didn't eat it all. Right, Ezra?"
Ezra nodded, patting his tummy. "Besides. Dad said that if I wanted to grow big and strong, that I'll have to eat all of my nutrients."
"Nutrients", repeated Mira in amusement glancing at Ephraim, who gave her a sheepish smile in return. "And what has your father told you about them?"
"He said that they are vitamins that are good for you", explained Ezra. "Some of them keep your organs healthy and there are others that keep you bones strong." He bent his arms upwards and sat up tall, showing his 'muscles'. "One day I'm gonna be strong like daddy, and I'll be able to defeat the Empire with my bare hands."
"Woah, woah. Don't get ahead of yourself, son", said Ephraim sitting up in correct posture. "Let's get those nutrients before you start messing with the imperials."
"But I'm going to be just like you and mama when I grow up", declared Ezra putting his arms down. "I will speak out and fight against them."
"And that's great and everything, but hopefully in the future you won't have to", said Ephraim. He stood up and grabbed his bowl heading over to the sink. "Your mother and I are doing everything we can so you can have a peaceful life when you get older."
"I know dad, but is speaking out against the Empire really doing anything? Shouldn't we actually fight against them, and make them suffer for everything they've done?"
"No", Mira said sharply. She was surprised at her six year old son's mature proposition. Sure, they talked about their rebellion around and even with him, but never has Ezra proposed such an act of violence.
"But mom, the universe is only going to get worse if we don't fight."
"That's enough, Ezra", Ephraim warned, as he put the plug in the sink.
"But..."
"Not another word", Mira replied sternly. "If we physically fight the Empire, then we are as good as dead. Never has violence solved anything, but result in death. What we are doing contains just as much of power as violence does. Maybe even more. The only difference is that no one ... has... to... die..."
She trailed off at the end; her voice barely above a whisper.
She had grown up with the moral of non-violence, unless it was necessary, and she was determined to get Ezra to understand it as well. Normally, in this situation it would be the perfect time, but right now with their heads wanted by the Empire, perhaps fighting and Republic inspirational messages were about the same.
"What mom is trying to say, is that violence is bad", said Ephraim taking a different approach. "That's the difference between us and the imperials. We give people hope to stand up against them. If we just start attacking, then we are pretty much guarantied death. Do you understand?"
"I think so", said Ezra pushing his bowl away. "Fighting is bad, but what we're doing is good."
"To an extent, yes", Mira confirmed. "But don't you worry about it, okay? You are too young to be trying to figure out this stuff. It's me and daddy's job to worry. Not yours."
"Okay, mom", Ezra sighed.
"Good. Now, why don't you go play in your room, while we wash the dishes", she suggested.
"I can play space adventures", said Ezra with a new found bright energy, quickly abandoning their previous conversation! He jumped out of the chair and sprinted out of the kitchen.
Mira let out a breath, thankful for their son's child-like nature. It didn't take much to distract a kid sometimes.
"Well that was interesting", Ephraim commented drenching a cloth in the water. "He's never asked us anything like that before."
"True. But we should have seen it coming." Mira stood and began to clear the table. She first stacked the remaining bowls and them filled the top dish with silver-wear. The sound of Ephraim spraying his bowl filled her ears, as a thought occurred to her.
Were they saying too much around their son?
"Ephraim", Mira said getting her husband's attention?
"Yes, honey."
"Do you think Ezra is following the right path?"
Ephraim paused, a bit taken- aback by the question. He had never questioned their influence on their son before. They have always taught Ezra the stand up for others in need, and to never give in to the Empire's treacherous ways. Sure, there were pros and cons to their actions, but their little boy was indeed on the right path.
"I do", he said lightly dropping the bowl in the water. "Without a doubt."
Mira silently nodded, grabbing a napkin to clean some of Ezra's spilled porridge. Ephraim was right. They were raising their child, like good parents should, in Lothal's darkest days. Ezra would one day be free, and Lothal would be a better place.
"Breum! Breum! Breum!"
Ezra made blasting noises, as he waved his toy space ship in the air. The air-craft was a similar shape to a hexagon, but the sides were more slanted. It was grey in color and had a blue horizontal stripe around it.
"There is no escape, imperial scum. No one can out run Air Bridger."
The space ship swished through the sky, hot on the tail of a model of a Tie.
"Surrender now or get blasted out of the sky."
"You don't tell me what to do, Republic lovers", he depended his voice. "The Empire will never give in!"
"Then you leave me no choice."
Laser blasts from the Tie hit the front of Air Bridger rattling the ship.
"Mwah, ha, ha! Taste the wrath of the Empire."
"Not today."
Ezra jumped up from his spot and began to run around his room.
"Breum! Breum! Breum! Breum! Breum!"
It was time for the next phase of Space Adventures.
In the hole, Mira and Ephraim were getting ready to call Gall Trayvis. He was the only one they knew that could solve their problem completely, and they trusted the Senator with their lives. Trayvis was the first person to contact and help them continue their messages to the world. He knew their identity as well, just like Tseebo and the Sumars. The Senator was like family.
Ephraim put the small satellite dish on top of the transmitter and took a deep breath. "You ready", he asked as a pit of nervousness settled in his stomach?
"It's either now or never", Mira replied. She reached over to the machine and flipped the call switch.
The small space soon filled with a deep pitched ring, and a moment later a holo Gall Trayvis appeared in front of them.
"Hello, Bridgers! To what an honor do I have to receive a call from Lothal's famous peace speakers?"
"It's good to see you too, Trayvis", Mira greeted. "But unfortunately we come with bad news."
"The Empire is searching for the insurgents responsible for the transmissions", said Ephraim getting straight to the point. "There is a reward for their arrest."
The once pleasant expression on the Senator's face turned serious. Even a wave of fright and regret passed through his features, but as quickly as it came, it went. "Oh... I see."
"We were hoping that you could help us mask our signature more", said Mira. "You have a lot more resources than we do, and only you are capable of sending special frequencies our way. If you could help us, then we would be eternally grateful."
"I don't know if I can", he said with sorrow in his voice.
"Of course you can. You've done it before", argued Ephraim. "If distance is the problem then can you at least try to get closer to our location."
"But, I..."
"Senator please", Mira begged. "You're our only hope."
Gall Trayvis looked between the two, and he could see desperation. Both of them seemed worn with exhaustion, but strong at the same time.
"For our son", urged Ephraim.
With a sigh Trayvis gave in. "Alright", he said. "I'll send a cloaking signal to your cordinets. You should receive it by tomorrow at dawn. There will be a blue glow shining in the place of the green transmitting light, the next time you turn on the machine. That way you'll know all of your broadcasts are secure."
Mira put a hand over her heart, sighing in relief. "Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to us."
Nodding, Ephraim gave the Senator a grateful smile. "We are extremely fortunate to have a friend like you, Trayvis. I wish there was a way we could repay you, for everything you have done for us and our son."
"Do not concern yourself with such pity matters", Trayvis waved off. "Both of you have done enough, by just giving hope to the people of Lothal."
"We are truly humbled", said Mira. "We will leave you to your work, now. I'm pretty sure that a traitorous senator has a lot of things that need to be arranged."
Gall chuckled at the humerus joke. Mira always found a way to brighten up even the most darkest of situations. "I'll talk to you soon my friends. And maybe next time, you'll have some good news for me."
Ephraim smirked. "We can't promise better news, but we will talk to you again. Good bye."
The senator waved, and the call was ended.
"Well", Ephraim said taking off the satellite. "We have nothing to worry about anymore. By tomorrow, we don't have to stress out over the Empire finding out it's us, and we'll finally be able to be one hundred percent safe. Our only focus will be on Ezra."
"And it's all thanks to Trayvis", Mira added wrapping an arm around his waist, and planting a small kiss on his lips. "Without him, none of this would be possible."
Gall Trayvis released the breath that he had been holding ever since the communication was switched off. The Bridgers had no idea what horrible fate they had just sealed. Why couldn't they just except that the Empire ruled everything and everyone? Why could they live under the imperials control? What was so hard to just obey and give in? Their battle could not be won. A few uplifting messages won't change anything. Their efforts are pointless.
"You've done well, Senator."
Trayvis jumped, startled at the sound of Agent Kallus' voice.
"I'm positive that you have found where our rebel scum are located, and the names of them. Unless, you have failed to complete yet another easy task."
Gall swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. His last objective was to get the insurgents identity, which he had already known for a while, but there was something that prevented him from ratting out the peace speakers. Maybe it was the last spark of hope that he held in his heart.
"I'm waiting", Kallus warned.
Should he? Should he betray the so- called- criminals that he dare say called friends?
The agent walked up to him, his expression calculating. His eyes stared into the Senator's soul, and Trayvis backed up away from the man.
"You know. Don't you", Kallus narrowed his eyes. He grabbed Trayvis' shirt collar and held it in a vice grip. "If you don't talk, then I'm sure that a session in the interrogation room will no doubt break you."
"No! No, that won't be necessary. I... I have the information you need", Trayvis said quickly! "Their names are Mira and Ephraim Bridger. I... I have their cordinets saved on my data pad. We can pursue them any time you like. They will suffer for everything they have done, and I promise you that they won't get away."
A menacing grin spread its self on the face of Kallus, as he listened to the Senators' rambles of information. The man was too easy to manipulate and use. "Thank you for your cooperation", he released his grip. "But next time I will not be so nice. In the future, don't you dare think for a moment that you can hide vital information from me. Understand?"
"Yes. Yes I do", he responded.
Kallus eyed him one more time, before leaving the Senator on his own.
Gall Trayvis watched as the door slid closed, and all he could think about was the punishment that the Bridgers would endure once the Empire got a hold to them.
And this is the conclusion to chapter three!
I hope that everyone understood the development of the plot. I wanted to show the pros and cons of Ezra's parents teachings to him, and also predict on how I think the Empire found out it was his parents who were pirating the transmissions. I honestly don't think that Gall Trayvis was completely loyal to the Empire at the beginning, but became a loyalist as time went on.(This might/might not be true, but I only have information based on Star Wars Rebels)
Please review!
Question: Did any else get mad when Ezra's face got messed up, and then a few seconds later decided that he looked cuter than ever?
#Fire Across the Galaxy
~Debra101
