CH.9: Rescuing Hera

Sabine had snuck aboard the sail barge and sure enough Jabba and the rest of his cohorts, including that Mandalorian Armor wearing grunt Boba Fett were there. Hera was chained for now and kept close to Jabba and that wormy tongue of his, eww. The ship was slow moving and it gave her a lot of time to look it over, schematics of the vessel came easily and it wasn't too complicated to learn how to pilot it or say…blow up certain parts of it.

However she couldn't do any of this until she had Hera back in her arms. The ship's slow crawl across the desert dunes of Tatooine made her bored. So as she wondered about she listened to the tales the Bounty Hunters told, her armor painted a different color from some unused paint cans she found. Thankfully no one took too closely to her so she could pass as one of their own, even learning intel about things she had no knowledge of. They spoke of some hermit who lived out far in the desert who kept to himself and could elude Sand People without so much as batting an eye, assuming he had any for he wore these deep trenched robes that hid most of him away.

She didn't plan on returning here for a long while and visiting some hermit to see his connection to those dreaded people who shot at her…no thanks. Looking out over the rail she didn't even hear the clank of footsteps nearing her till he was practically on top of her. Boba Fett was standing there looking out at the sand dunes himself, however he did not seem to catch on she was the same person who had tried to get Hera out of there.

"I hate this planet. The sand is always finding ways in my armor…and the heat is unbearable. Every time I am called to this planet I am reminded of how much I miss home. Someday I hope to go back there…but too much keeps me away. What of you?" He asks.

"Oh…um…Mandalore." She says softly figuring some truth can't hurt or reveal too much about her.

"Ah…your armor speaks much of that place. My armor also comes from there…perhaps someday-." The sail barge came to a slow stop and whatever he was about to say was lost and he just up and walked away.

"Up close he doesn't sound that old," she notes, "I always thought he was a man under there. I wonder how many people really know him at all." Following after Fett she sees a ramp being extended out to a Desert Skiff.

"I can walk on my own…no need to hurry this up any." Hera says with a snarky attitude that makes Sabine smile inside.

"The prisoner will keep quiet…lest she wants to reconsider where her loyalty stands." The guy saying this was crude looking and how close he stood to her made her want to fire her…oh right she left them behind in the Rancor pit.

"I'd rather kiss a Bantha…on the lips." She spat in his face and jumped onto the skiff avoiding the swipe the man would've made at her. Sabine gripped the rail tightly and as she took a breath…she felt the pain shoot through her.

"I forgot…my injuries…" She looked around and watched as Jabba moved a pudgy like hand at his translator and sent his droid close to the edge.

"Today let all bear witness to the execution of the Twi'lek who dare defy him. Others who do so will find themselves in the same predicament. Take the Skiff out a bit."

Sabine watches as the Skiff moves out of range and even if she wasn't hurting she wouldn't be able to make that jump. Down below she catches her first glimpse of the Sarlacc, a monstrous row of teeth encircle a pit that leads down deep into its belly. There are hisses coming from it and she notes the thrill of all those around her waiting for the Twi'lek to be pushed in.

She needed a plan and at the moment she was out of them. Hearing footsteps she thinks she is found but a reassuring hand is placed on her shoulder making her think against it. "You have lousy timing you know that?"

"We came back as fast as we could…unfortunately we got delayed when Zeb had a deal he couldn't get out of." Kanan's voice was good to hear…however she felt slight guilt over what had happened between her and Hera.

"Hey it was worth it. So…any plans or do we just do it like we usually do?" Zeb was in the shadows and she could understand why due to his large presence, he was like a Wookie in that sense.

"Whatever we do we can't reveal our lightsabers to Jabba. Also I hear Hutts are immune to the force, something to do with not a lot going on in there…or so I have heard." He cracks a smile and then returns his attention to Hera.

Sabine takes a sigh as she bows her head. "Kanan there is something I need to-."

"Sabine you are alright…I mean…hey your safe cool." Sabine shakes her head hearing Ezra behind her. She slowly turns around and notices that Zeb is giving her a look.

"Ezra…walk with me…please. Kanan there should be a Bounty Hunter nearby you can get a jetpack from, though knock him out…don't be too rough on him." Again Sabine wasn't sure this was the right move as Boba Fett was a bad guy, but, there was torture in his voice and it reminded her of that Rancor so pent up inside that pit.

"Are you going soft Sabine?" Zeb jokes but soon regrets it as she shoves her helmet into his gut.

"So…um…what have you been up to? Last time I saw you was back when you and Zeb went to deliver the cargo." Ezra climbed up the stairs to the second level and she joined him with a heavy heart.

"Ezra…a lot has happened since we parted ways last…since our time aboard the Ghost together. The truth is…I like girls…and that is partly the reason why I have avoided us getting close." She stared out at the sand and down where Kanan was knocking out poor Fett and 'borrowing' his jetpack. If Kanan used a big force jump he would be found out. As it was to those who witnessed the lightsabers chances are they were hidden away for good measure.

"I like girls too…but…oh wait are you meaning…oh." Ezra looked away and she could tell he was disappointed, even a bit…weirded out.

"I should've told you sooner…I just didn't know how. I also did not falling in love with Hera and-." Sabine felt her cheeks darken and she realized that part came out faster than she had hoped.

"Wait…you and Hera…when…how?" Ezra forgot his hurt for a moment as this new tidbit of information caught him by surprise.

Laughing lightly she moves a hand through her hair; yes in need of a shower, but still smooth to the touch as she runs a hand through it. "Back on the Ghost before we came to Tatooine…when she gave me a chewing out. I'm in deep Ezra…and with Kanan and Hera-."

"Nothing really is happening between Hera and Kanan, I mean yeah it looks that way but Kanan is always telling me the rules of the Jedi Order and one of them forbids romance. I'm not exactly into that rule but apparently Kanan says love clouds one's judgement and can be used against them. I'm glad you told me…even if it is just as we're reunited."

"You aren't disappointed?" Sabine notes as she stands up looking at the young Jedi to be. He looks so calm and mature…even though she knew he would go back to messing with Zeb and Chopper once back on the Ghost.

"Part of me is and what could have been between us…but…I also realize you deserve to be happy. Come on let us help Kanan…just wait and tell him about Hera after the rescue…we don't want him falling in." Ezra hurries off and Sabine follows behind.


Hera stands there looking down at what could be her new home for the rest of her life. It does not sit well with her and yet what choice does she have…none, so, why fight the inevitable? If she could get her hands on the controls she could fly herself out of there and make her way to town, perhaps hook up with this Biggs and Luke Sabine had spoke of.

"Push her in!" That was the chant that was going around. Hera wanted to yell back but was caught off guard as she was pushed onto the plank. The hiss down below made her yelp a bit and the person behind her laughed.

"I'd hold your tongue if I were you…this is no laughing matter. Have you no shame, no moral grounds for which to help you see how wrong this is?" She waited but the guy just pushed at her again and she nearly lost her footing.

Taking a breath she turns to face her fate when she hears a jetpack behind her. The thud of boots on the deck make her want to turn around but she isn't allowed as she is inched over to the edge, only one more push and that is it. Her heart is racing and her thoughts go to her dead partner, her love and what could have been. Suddenly grunts are heard and she looks over her shoulder chancing a glance and sees Kanan combating one of the guards and sending him over the rail into the Sarlacc's mouth.

"Kanan…when did you…behind you!" Hera made her way back onto the Skiff and rolled along the ground picking up a weapon and bringing it to bear on his chin before flattening him down on the deck with a plop.

"Nice to see you didn't spend your time lying around waiting for rescue. Hold onto me…we're getting out of here." Hera didn't need to be told twice and holding onto him they jet back over to the barge as fighting ensues on there.

Screams are heard and she spots Zeb bashing two people's heads together and slumping them together in a hug. He waves at her and she waves back glad to see him up to his usual work. As they continue on they watch as Ezra dodges a few skiff guards and knocks them out with his weapon of choice, his sling shot that slings particle energy.

"We all came to save you Hera. Now let us leave this party while Jabba is still reeling from the scene stealers, us." Kanan hurries off with Ezra and Zeb close behind. Hera spots Sabine as she walks over and the two exchange a look. Nothing could be done here so they race off the sail barge as Jabba's frustration builds up in volume. While her rescue was a success…there was still something she needed to do before this could be called a day.

Authors note: Ezra knows but Kanan doesn't. In the final chapter Hera must reveal to Kanan, one of her closest friends what has happened. Will Hera and Sabine have his permission or not? See you all there.