AN: Back in the groove now. Hopefully I'll be able to write and update mire often, It really depends on work schedule. Also I know this chapter is a little short. I was going to add a fight scene but I thought it would ruin the mood I'd set; so next time!

Index-

"Speaking Basic"

"(Language) Speaking Alien"

"Sign Language/Morse Code"

Scene Change/Flashback

Vision/Dream

Vision Quest

Chapter 3

Mikal gave a heavy sigh as he stood up and sadly looked over at the vent. "Okay fine, I get you don't want to come out and talk to me face to face. I understand that, but you can't stay in there forever." Mikal frowned as no reply came from Ezra. "I can be just as stubborn as you can kiddo." Mikal finished as he crossed his arms over his chest and stood his ground. An annoyed groan was heard from Ezra. The vent opened as Ezra jumped out and gave his brother a stubborn look. Mikal raised an eyebrow as Ezra mirrored his stance of stubbornness. "Well?"

"Why?" asked Ezra; as his stubborn look melted into one of betrayal.

"You have to understand that I never meant for this to happen." Mikal started. "Working as tradesman doesn't pay well. Back then mom and dad both worked, so the little amount in my paychecks weren't that big of a deal. It got hard after they were… you know. Suddenly those little checks were the only means to provide for us. Even when I picked up extra shifts that still wasn't enough. I was lucky enough to be able to ensure you had something to eat every day."

Mikal paused his explanation to observe Ezra's expression. "One day I was asked to go off-world, Zeltros to be exact, for a simple trading job. When I approached by my now boss' second-in-command, they need a new pilot for one of their ships to transport some important cargo. Of course that cargo happened to be stolen Imperial data. After the job had finished I was offered to work with them full-time. I was very reluctant to agree with after finding out that I would be traveling all the time." Mikal hesitated in continuing his story was he eyed Ezra's worried expression. "I did turn them down at first, but I learned the hard way it was too late to say no."

Flashback

"I'm sorry I can't work for you." Mikal said as he started walking away from a middle-aged tanned human male. "I don't spend enough time with my brother as it is."

"I can pay very well." Replied the unnamed male*. "I doubt that trading job of yours pays the bills."

"I said no." Mikal spoke in a firm tone, as he headed toward the space port.

As Mikal entered the port he felt like he was being watched. He discreetly glanced around as he pretend to check his pockets for his ticket. However Mikal didn't notice anyone that stood out of the crowd, he shrugged his shoulders and he kept walking. When he approached the shuttle to Lothal a blaster shot went off just to the right of Mikal. The crowd yelled as they dispersed in panic. Mikal quickly turned towards the direction of where the shot came from.

The shooter was a young human male ISB agent. He was holding an E-11 blaster rifle; which was pointed at Mikal. "Can I help you?" asked Mikal as he raised his hand in surrender.

"Where is it?" the agent asked as he threatened Mikal.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"The data! I know you work for them. Where is the stolen data?" asked the agent again as he stalked towards Mikal; who has a look of realization on his face.

"Look, I don't know where you get your information from, but I don't work for them. It was a one-time thing. I don't where the da-" Mikal was cut off as the ISB agent hit Mikal in the face with the stock of the rifle. Mikal stumbled back and fell on the ground holding his now broken nose. The agent stood near him as the blaster rifle was pointed right at Mikal. "You have to believe me." Mikal began as he removed his hand from his bleeding nose. "I don't know anything." He continued as he raised his hands over his head. "I was just hired to transport some cargo."

The ISB agent charged his gun as he prepare to shoot. Mikal grabbed a metal pole next to him and swung with full force at the agent in panic. A loud shot was heard in the port

Both Mikal and the agent had a look of shock on their face, as they starred at the agent's now empty hands. His face changed from shock to anger instantly, as Mikal quickly dropped the pole and stood up. The agent grabbed his communicator for his waist. "This ISB-602 I'm bringing in an insurgent for treason." 602 seized Mikal as they were leaving the port.

"No wait! I didn't mean to! I just panicked, that's all!" Mikal said in alarm as he was be lead away.

The ISB agent was bringing Mikal to a different port. What was waiting for them made Mikal's heart stop. There located in the port was an Imperial shuttle with two Stormtroopers standing at attention.

As Mikal was being brought on abroad a blaster shot came from behind, and hit the Stormtrooper on the left. Said trooper fell down instantly as both 602 and the other trooper drew out their weapons. Another shot rang out, seconds later the other trooper was on the ground. "Show yourself!" shouted the agent in distress.

A shadow leaped down from the top of the shuttle as 602 was facing the opposite direction. The shadow came right behind the ISB agent and tapped on his shoulder. As 602 turned around a fist shot out and knocked him unconscious.

Mikal stood shock as he tried to process what just happened. "You…"

"So…" said Mikal's savior, "About that job."

End Flashback

"That one job I did on a whim, I made enemies with the Empire. And it wasn't just the Empire but others. Others more dangerous than the Empire." Ezra opened his mouth to speak as Mikal raised his hand. "More dangerous than the Empire? Sounds crazy I know. Trust me kiddo, there are those worse than the Empire. Which why I ended up with me having a target painted on my back. Going back home to Lothal, to you, would put you in danger too. And I couldn't risk your safety.

"So I agreed to work with them. I trained in combat and many other things under the man who saved my life that day. He was my teacher, my "Sensei" if you would."

"So now you know." Mikal said as he finished his story. "Just understand that everything I had do was to protect you." The younger Bridger brother wore a look of consideration. The older of the two produced a hefty sigh. "Dilly dally, shilly shally**."

"What did you just say?" Ezra asked completely stunned.

"I said, dilly dally…"

"Shilly shally." Finished the younger as his face slowly melted into a smile. While Mikal face also broke into a smile.

"I remember."

Flashback

A 5 year-old Ezra Bridger sat on a rock with a cute pout on his face. As his 20 year-old brother Mikal Bridger leaned over him with a slight grin on his. They were just outside the city where they lived, while a loth-cat sat next to Ezra as it gently rubbed its face against the younger brother's leg.

"Come kiddo we have to go." The elder of the two said.

"No!"

"I know you want to keep it but we can't take it home. Mom's allergic to loth-cats, you know that."

"But I want him!" replied the 5 year-old as he stubbornly looked away from his brother. Mikal gently took his brother's hands into his own, as he got to eye level.

"I know. I know. I wish we could take him home with us, but we can't." Ezra scooted away from his brother. "How we go out for some of your favorite custard?" the younger turned to Mikal and gave the puppy-dog eye to go with that cute pout. But alas the 20 year-old would not cave, as the 5 year-old realized he was beat, Mikal let out a huge smile on his face as he picked up Ezra and carried him off.

The two sat in the local cantina and ordered their custard. Mikal noticed Ezra's disheartened look as the younger poked at his food. The elder let out a small sigh and softly said. "Dilly dally, shilly shally."

"Huh?"

"Dilly dally, shilly shally." He said in the louder voice.

"What that does means?"

End Flashback

""You loved your loth-cats." Mikal stated with a massive smile on his face as he remembered the past. "You remember what it means right?" asked the elder as the younger now stood in front of his brother. Mikal's face changed to surprise as Ezra hugged him suddenly.

"Dilly dally, shilly shally." The 15 year-old muttered into his 29 year-old brother's chest. The older of the two gave a sad smile as he wrapped his arms around the younger.

"Dilly dally, shilly shally."

* This character is actually one of my favourite characters from The Clone Wars. Also he's not the Director, just their second-in-command, but like the Director he will be revealed in time. (Hint: this character is also briefly in Episode III

** I didn't make this saying up. It's actually from the Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (English Dub) movie, and I thought it was cute.