Thank you to Sakura245, Begoogled, BuruPlays2, Superherotiger, AliveO, GrackleDragon, Midnight Luna, Firehawk720, AzulaBlue92, Ichichi05, and nuyen236 for leaving feedback on the last chapter, and thank you to those who reviewed previous chapters after the acknowledgements!

"I don't like it."

"Kanan, sit down. You're making me anxious."

"Five days, Hera! This was supposed to be an overnight op!"

"We knew it could take longer. Sabine has signaled me every night. They're fine."

"I still don't like it."

"You're pacing like a nerve-wracked parent. Sit down, Kanan, before Chopper starts fussing about lovers' quarrels."

"I am not pacing, Her – Chopper is what?"

Hera rolled her eyes behind her datapad. "You're as oblivious as your padawan. Sabine has been snickering behind my back for two years."

"Sabine!" Kanan yelled.

"Oh, you are as jumpy as a womprat on claing." Tossing the datapad aside, Hera dragged Kanan to the bench. "Rest your leg, help me finish my report, stop worrying."

"I'm not worrying, Hera. I just want to be sure –"

"Ezra can take care of himself. You, on the other hand…."

"I what?"

Oh, those green eyes could snap when he was teed off. Hera smirked and retrieved her datapad.

"Well, love, as many times as you've rescued me, I tend to return the favor."

Kanan paused to dissect the comment and then smiled crookedly. "Am I really that tense?"

"Hm, you're a little neurotic. Relax. The kids have this under control."

"I know." Kanan lounged back, forcing his mind to settle. The Force niggled incessantly and he slipped into it, searching for a caveat.

Nothing.

Something was off.

"Cadet Jahba, you will report after classes for.…"

"Cadet Jahba, you will report after the evening meal for…."

"Cadet Jahba, you have been assigned to 'fresher duty for…."

"Cadet Jahba…."

"What exactly did you do?" Sabine railed on Ezra before he cleared the hall.

"Gah! I didn't do it!" Ezra exclaimed, dropping an armload of 'extra materials' the teachers had kindly bestowed on their 'wayward student'.

"What do you mean? Extra homework and now 'fresher duty? We can't afford to mess this up! Do you expect me to do all the work while you –"

Ezra quickly looked over his shoulder and yanked Sabine to the side. "I didn't slack off! Honest, Sabine! Kanan must have registered me in the wrong level. I was supposed to begin classes two weeks ago."

The ire left Sabine's gaze and she cringed in pity. "They dumped this on you for being late?"

"I swear Kallus had something to do with it," Ezra said gloomily. Please, Vader, if I ask nicely can you just kill him next time?

Sabine sighed. "This is really going to delay the op. Kanan's getting worried."

Startled, Ezra whispered loudly, "You've contacted him?"

The Mandalorian shrugged. "I know where to find the security bugs. I've been signaling Hera every night."

"And you didn't tell me?"

Sabine looked perturbed. "Well, you and Kanan have the force bond. I have to use normal communication."

Ezra waved her aside. "Fine, I get it – just – let me talk to him next time, okay?"

Sabine's frown deepened. "Ezra… I know it's been tough since … since you and Kanan were separated. But you've been terse with everyone lately."

Had he? Ezra swallowed thickly. He knew he had been snappish before the mission, but that had seemed … normal.

In the Mustafar sort of way….

Wincing, Ezra said quietly, "I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me."

But he did. It was still crawling inside of him; that curdling darkness imprinted by his own father.

He's not my dad.

Stop lying to yourself.

"You're right, Sabine," Ezra said, forcing a lighter tone. "I'll get it together; promise."

"It's okay, Ezra." Sabine assured, squeezing his shoulder. "You know we're here for you, no matter what."

No matter what….

"Yeah…" Ezra trailed off uncertainly. "Thanks."

You have no idea what you're saying, he thought as Sabine turned away.

But when she smiled at him despite her uncertainty, forcing herself to trust, Ezra suspected she knew. He looked down at his helmet, almost seeing himself through visored, emotionless lenses.

You shouldn't trust me so easily.

A few more days on Mustafar, and he might have killed them all.

Darth Vader had waited for this time.

Doubtful.

Unguarded.

Susceptible.

Wavering despite his master's call.

Ezra was ready.

The force reeled, shrieking to Kanan, battering the shields Vader had wound around the Jedi. He shuttered it with the dark side, muting the warnings. He had invested too much in his son for Kanan to rip him away from the Imperialists now.

The information on the holodisc was falsified; the upgraded regiments a mere sham. There was nothing to be found at the academy. The children had plunged into their final net.

A pity the girl had to involve herself; Vader might have spared her.

One less rebel to inspire Lothal.

Transmitting his final warning, Darth Vader prepared to encroach the academy. There was to be no interference. The boy was to be left unharmed. No drugs, no mind alterations.

The Mandalorian was disposable.

You are a threat, Darth Vader echoed to his son. They believe in you. They expect you to save them.

Had they delayed any longer, you would have killed your own master.