Hello! Sorry for the wait, I've been pretty busy lately. I'll try to get back on track and I promise the next chapter will be a bit longer. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

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Chapter 9 – Waffles

Kallus looked down in awe at the sight. The decoy factory was ablaze, the burning orange flames spreading their arms across the jungle, reaching out to embrace every tree. The smoke rose into the night sky, erasing the glowing stars. He smiled at the sight. They were having no luck locating the rebels in the jungle, despite one being injured, and Lord Vader was becoming frustrated. Kallus did not want to be on the receiving end of his force choke, and this fire was the perfect way out of it.

"Order all troopers to evacuate the area, and tell all TIE pilots to open fire around the radius," Kallus ordered. He watched from the communications tower as the TIE's took off. The tower stood tall above the trees, a beacon in a world of flame. His plan would force the rebels out of the fire and lure them to the landing station he was at.

When they came seeking refugee from the fire, there would be no escape.


Zeb ran through the darkness of the jungle for what felt like years. His breathing was shallow and his legs burned, but he did not stop. If there was a chance that he could find his team, he was determined to do so. To try and fill his lungs with more air, he inhaled a deep breath through his nose, planning on releasing it from his mouth. But instead of smelling the fresh air, he only smelled a rancid order. Zeb came to a halt, coughing as he recognized the smell.

Blood.

He looked up, searching for the source. His nose guiding him, Zeb walked towards a dip in the jungle landscape. He leaned over the edge, holding onto the base of the nearest tree for support, looking down. Despite the darkness, his eyes allowed him to pick out the dark liquid that was smeared across the dirt ground. He ascended the slope, focusing on controlling his foot placement.

He was halfway down when he noticed that something was off. To his left, a cave protruded from the side of the slope. Curious, Zeb began shuffling towards it, noticing the smell of blood growing stronger.

He pulled himself into the cave, panting slightly from physical exhaustion. How long had it been since he had eaten? His stomach's growl answered that question. Although there was nothing in the cave, the smell was still strong. Zeb rubbed his hands, mindful of his sharp claws, over his face. He let his thoughts wander, but they always came back to how hopeless the situation seemed.

He sighed, about to stand up when a small moan chilled him to the bone. He glanced around, seeking the source and hoping that it was not something that would try and kill him.

"Who's there?" he asked, hoping someone would answer.

"Zeb?" The voice was weak, but it was clearly Sabine's. He called out to her again. "I'm over here," she responded. Zeb honed in on her voice, finding her entangled underneath low hanging vines. Her hiding spot was impeccable, even with his advanced eye sight. He carefully slid her out, Sabine letting out a small hiss of pain.

"Sorry," he grumbled, frustrated at the ISB agent who had done this to her. Once she was in the clear, Zeb assessed her injury.

The shot had taken its toll on her. It had stopped bleeding, but looked like the wound had been opened a few times before. Dirt was mixed in with the blood, and Zeb knew that it was not a good sign. He knew little about human anatomy, but he knew enough about injuries. He had to, being an Honor Guard. If it was not cleaned soon, it would become infected.

"Come on, Sabine. We 'ave to wash off your wound. I saw a river a little way's back." He helped Sabine stand, although Zeb was the one keeping her that way. With one arm holding Sabine upright, and the other climbing down the slope, Zeb began walking back the way he came.

"Zeb?" Sabine asked, sounding confused. "Wow, you're strong. Verrry strong." Karabast. The wound may already be infected.

"Don't talk. Save your energy," he ordered.

"Okay, okay. Someone didn't have their waffles this morning." Zeb's stomach growled. What he would not give for some waffles. Following the noise of the rushing water, they arrived at the river bank. He eased Sabine down, careful not to upset the injury.

"This may sting a little," he said, cupping water into his large hands and pouring it over the wound. Sabine showed no signs of pain other than a slight wince. She was completely out of it.

"Did Ezra steal your waffles?" Zeb ignored her, focusing on the wound. "There he is – go tell him that you want them back." Sabine pointed over her shoulder, and Zeb followed her gaze. It was hard to tell in the poorly lit night sky, but out on the river a small piece of cloth was wedged in a crevice of a rock.

It was the exact color of Ezra's jumpsuit.

Zeb stared at the cloth, a million thoughts jumping and latching onto his mind. All of them depicted a situation where Ezra was either dead or barely alive, and neither sat well with the Lasat.

He broke his gaze with the cloth, returning his attention to Sabine. There was nothing he could do for Ezra at the moment. He needed to focus on helping Sabine, who seemed to be more aware than before.

"Zeb?" she asked, her eyes focusing more than they had before. He splashed water on the wound, finally satisfied that it would not become infected. But if it already was, at least it would not become worse.

He stood, his knees aching, and scanned around for something to tie the wound with. Neither he nor Sabine had extra cloth that they could rip off, like Ezra. Zeb shook his head. Now was not the time to worry. He had to stay focused – for Sabine's sake.

He came back to the Mandalorian with an abnormally large green leaf. Washing it off in the river, he wrapped it around Sabine's midsection, tying it the best he could. It was not perfect, but it was something.

"Zeb." He looked over at Sabine, whose voice sounded alarmed. "The sky's on fire."

His eyes followed Sabine's outstretched hand, pointing above their heads, finding that Sabine's words were true. The tree tips were ablaze, the fire snapping branches off of the trunk to fall to the forest floor. It was an unnatural sight, as only the trunk and lower part of the group of trees was not being burned to a crisp.

Zeb stared curiously as a familiar noise sounded from above. He looked up, seeing the unmistakable silhouette of a TIE fighter. It soared by them, Zeb clenching his fists as he deciphered the Empire's plan.

They would either be captured or burned to a crisp.

He opted to neither.

Helping Sabine stand, who seemed to have more strength than before, they made their way away for the river, hoping to outrun the burning trees.

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R & R

~ Kavella ~