Beyond the Borders: Unknown Regions Part 9
The Past near the Present: The Chimaera
After making a small modified report about what had occurred Thrawn asked Ezra to follow him bellow. Walking into the Secondary Hanger Deck, Thrawn approached a Smaller Lambda Class Shuttle.
"I thought perhaps you would like to see this Shuttle, it has been fully stocked with enough fuel and supplies for six months." Thrawn informed Ezra, then stepped aboard the Ship going to the Cockpit. "As you can see, it is on permanent standby and is ready to go at a moments notice." Smiling slightly at Ezra then continued the small tour of the Shuttle.
Ezra saw the slight hints of something other than Thrawn showing him the Shuttle. "It is interesting that it is only a couple of decks from my Quarters."
"Yes is it not, quite interesting. I believe that if and when we return and make contact with the Empire's Imperial Forces, someone that needs to escape capture should be able to use this to escape." Thrawn stated. "Oh, that is just a scenario that I thought you would find interesting. Of course, if and when we finally get home. You are expected to surrender to me and the Empire." Thrawn gave him a wry smile. Not telling Ezra that when that did occur, all of the Crew and Stormtroopers would be assigned elsewhere on the ship, far away from the corridors and the Secondary Hanger Bay. "Shall we return to the Bridge?"
Ezra followed Thrawn and knew what the Grand Admiral had in mind. When they were finally almost home, Ezra needed to escape and get away. Otherwise his life was not worth a Old Republic Credit. Any number of the Crew or Stormtroopers, Even Thrawn would be duty bound to take him captive. Thrawn was providing him a way to leave and Thrawn was still doing his duty. "Yes and thank you Sir for showing me the Shuttle."
"It is nothing Captain, just a small diversion from our normal duties." Thrawn walked on towards the Bridge.
Ezra remained behind for a moment, shaking his head he smiled. Then went to his quarters to get some well deserved rest. At the doorway Lara was waiting.
"Are you alright, Sir?" Lara asked him with some concern. Keeping her hands behind herself and trying valiantly not to throw herself into his arms and then dragging him inside for a few hours of passion.
"Yes, just really tired and need of rest. Thank you for your concern Ensign." Giving her a sly smile, he knew what she wanted to do and he also wanted to. But both of them had decided not to do that anymore. It was destined to be a disaster.
"That are what friends are for, Sir." Smiling slightly herself, with as much will power as she could muster, she turned and left.
He was grateful that she did not attempt to hug him or kiss him, it would have put them right back into the situation that both of them wanted to avoid. He knew it would be easy to do so. He saw the urge she had to throw caution to the skies and return to having a sexual relationship. Feeling even more exhausted he entered his Quarters and did not bother removing his uniform and climbed into bed. His immediate thoughts went to Sabine, he missed her. When he was alone at night, his thoughts and feelings went immediately to her.
The Present: Approaching the Edge of the Nova Cluster
"Is that the Edge of this thing?" Sabine asked waving her hand in the air with frustration. It had taken several months to come this far, even with the aide of the updated Charts that Talon Karrde had provided. She often wondered why the Purgills had traversed the Nova Cluster. Was it to cause her aggravation or just to take her Ezra away from her.
"Yes, it would seem so. Maybe we can use one of the Navigation Probes to chart a way through so we do not have to go to the end of the Cluster?" Ashoka suggested, knowing that they only had two of the Probes and if it did not work they would waste a valuable resource.
"I am a little impatient, but lets wait until we are sure that the gravity and heat of the Cluster does not destroy it as soon as we launch it." Sabine replied. Inside she was not just a little impatient, she was close to a nervous wreck. She fidgeted and wanted the "RED" to go faster. This close, but then she realized that this could only be the beginning. They might have to traverse the whole other side to where the Purgills dragged the Chimaera through the Cluster and then begin to search the other side. It could take years and there was no guarantee that they would even find Ezra. Depression hit Sabine and she almost wept.
Ashoka noticed and felt her colleague and friend sudden dip in emotions. "Sabine we are going to find him. Sooner or later we will find him." She told Sabine giving her a small smile.
"I know, I just miss him so much that sometimes it hurts. I want him here." Sabine stated sadly pointing in front of her, then reaching up to wipe a tear from her eye. Silently cursing that she never told him or let him know in a more physical way how she felt. Fearing that it was too late or that he would never know. Returning her attention to the scanners, so that Ashoka could not see her crying.
The Past: Near the Present
"Is that a certainty, Ensign?" Thrawn asked as he leaned forward looking out the front View Port. Trying to maintain his own baring and stance. Inside he was a turmoil of impatience, he did not know what was happening in the Empire and he did not like that.
"Yes Sir, we are coming to the Edge of the Nova Cluster. I can detect the other side." Lara replied staring at the Sensor Boards and Scanners.
"Can we Hyperspace jump across to the other side?" Ezra asked glancing around at the different Crewpits and wondering if perhaps he should excuse himself and leave on that Shuttle that Thrawn had prepared.
"I would not recommend it, Sir. The readings are not certain and with the Hyperdrive the way it is, we might end up stalling in the midst of the Cluster." Lara advised then looked back at Ezra. Silently telling him to "Go, Leave."
Ezra noticed that Thrawn was also looking at him strangely. Noticing, Ezra stood. "Perhaps I better go see if Lieutenant Drasko can get the Hyperspace Engines to exceed the Thirty Two Minutes. Sir."
"Good idea Captain." Thrawn said as he turned his seat away from him. Wanting to thank him, and to say goodbye. But if Thrawn had done that then everyone on the Bridge would know what was happening. "Ensign Marcell, can you check the Secondary Sensors to ensure that they are accurate?"
"Yes Sir." Lara stood and followed Ezra to the back of the Bridge to the Secondary sealed area. Once the door was shut, she stood before Ezra. "Well this is goodbye, Ezra." She said as she pursed her lips and gazed at him fondly.
"Yes it is, can you tell Dillon goodbye for me? I do not think I have the time to actually go to the Engineering Deck." Ezra said feeling upset that he may not see, Lara or Dillon ever again. With a hint of regret, Ezra reached out and hugged Lara. Turning his head to kiss her one more time. Their lips met and for a moment, Ezra was tempted to ask her to forgo the Empire and leave with him. Their relationship could be more, if only.
Parting she smiled at him, reaching up to wipe a tear. "You better go, if only things were different. If you were not a Jedi, not a Rebel or me not being an Imperial." Lara let him go and closed her eyes. "Go, hurry. Before I do something that I would regret." Not wanting to see him leave she turned towards the Secondary Sensors and she heard the outer door open and close. "Goodbye Ezra, I love you." She whispered then sat and began to cry.
Ezra ran down the corridors, ignoring the Crew and Stormtroopers. Entering the Secondary Hanger Deck he was surprised to see Dillon waiting, holding a bag. "What are you doing here, Dillon?" Ezra asked the older man.
"I have been an Imperial Engineer most of my adult life, long before you were born. I doubt that the Empire will ever let me retire, so I am defecting." Dillon smirked and shrugged.
"We do not know if the Rebellion succeeded or failed. The Empire might still be in power. It is a huge risk." Ezra told Dillon.
"Life is a risk. Shall we go, Sir?" Dillon stepped up the ramp and waited. "You coming?"
"All right, but I fly the shuttle and stop calling me Sir." Ezra climbed the Ramp and closed it and headed for the Cockpit. While turning on the Pre-Start, he exhaled and glanced upward. Silently and with a small mental thought he projected to Lara. "Goodbye Lara, I love you." Raising the Shuttle he angled out the Hanger Deck and activated the Thrusters.
On the Bridge. "Sir, a Shuttle just departed the Secondary Hanger." Lara reported slowly, trying to give Ezra time to get away.
"Deserters, Ensign Folster target the Shuttle with Turbo Lasers Twenty two and Twenty Three." Thrawn ordered, then waited a moment, tapping the inboard communicator. "Lieutenant Perkuns we have an unauthorized Shuttle Launching, you need to send out Fighters to intercept."
On the Communicator, Thrawn heard Perkuns reply. "Sorry Sir, it seems that we are conducting maintenance on the First Reaction TIE's. It will take fifteen minutes to move them out of the way."
"Ah, no rush Lieutenant." Thrawn closed the link and looked over at Folster's confused expression.
"Sir, Twenty Two and Twenty Three are manual turrets. It will take the Gunners Ten Minutes to get there and power them up." Folster reported.
"Oh, it would seem that I made a mistake. As soon as they can Ensign." Thrawn gave a small wry smile. Then whispered more to himself then to those around him. "Goodbye Ezra Bridger, perhaps we will meet again. Hopefully still as friends." Closing his eyes he waited for the report that the Shuttle had jumped into Hyperspace.
On the Shuttle, Dillon looked at Ezra confused. "This is strange that the Chimaera has not launched TIE's to pursue us, or that the Chimaera has not fired on us yet."
"It is just Thrawn giving us a chance to get away and not be accused of treason for letting me go." Ezra replied, the coordinates were ready. Pulling the Lever he shot the Shuttle into Hyperspace.
On the Bridge of the Chimaera, Lara tried not to sound happy or relieved. "The Shuttle just Jumped into Hyperspace, Sir." She reported with a small but unnoticeable grin.
"What a shame, Ensign. I would fathom that due to our limited Crew and Resources, we were unable to stop the Shuttle or its occupants from leaving." Thrawn said as he tried not to give a small chuckle.
"Yes Sir." Lara replied. "Sir it would seem that the occupants of the Shuttle are Ezra Bridger and Lieutenant Drasko. Both are reported missing." Lara said, turning her seat around to face Thrawn. She noticed that several of the Bridge crew gave subtle smiles.
"That is also a shame, well I still need a Second Officer. Ensign Marcell, I promote you to Temporary Lieutenant Commander until we reach home. Now Commander set course for the other side of the Cluster, even if we need to completely circumvent the Cluser." Thrawn ordered then stood. "I will be in my office, inform me as to what course we will be taken once it is calculated."
"Yes Sir." Lara replied and looked over to Folster to begin the calculations. While Thrawn left the Bridge.
The Present: Contact
"Oh shit!" Ashoka said as she glared out the front Viewport of the Cockpit.
"Ashoka, I never heard you swear before." Sabine said in shock as she gave a short chuckle.
"Sorry, is that a Imperial Shuttle?" Ashoka asked pointing towards the edge of the Cluster. Reaching over to arm the weapons and raise the shields.
"Yes it is. I agree, oh shit. it is one of those armed and armored types. The "Red" might be able to disable it but it would be difficult." Sabine stated looking at the scanners.
"What should we do? I doubt it has detected us yet." Ashoka asked, letting the Force flow towards the Shuttle trying to detect the pilot's intent. Her eyes widened and she smiled. "Ezra is on that Shuttle!"
"What are you sure?" Sabine asked smiling broadly, jumping out of her seat and looking at the approaching Shuttle.
"Yes, I can feel him. That is Ezra and I think one other." Ashoka replied happily.
The Present: Ezra's Shuttle
Staring at the Sensors on the Shuttle he pointed to something that was detected. "There is a ship out there, just within sensor range. Funny thing is it is colored completely Red." Ezra said to Dillon, who peered over and looked at the readings.
"That is not an Imperial, I can contest to that. Unless some Commander is color blind." Dillon commented. "Maybe it is a smuggler or pilot."
Ezra exhaled then reached over to raise the shields and arm the weapons, stopping when he felt something. No someone, and it was familiar. "Ashoka." He whispered then smiled. "Contact them, open communication." He ordered Dillon excitingly.
"Do you know who it is?" Dillon asked as he tapped the communication system to transmit.
"Yes, I do. Ashoka Tano this is Ezra do you hear me?" Ezra asked with hope and feeling happy.
"Yes Ezra, we hear you. Sabine calm down or you are going to pee your pants." Ashoka said cheerfully over the comm. "Sabine wants to talk to you and the way she is acting it almost looks like she has to use the refresher."
"Ezra, it is Sabine." She said over the comm, her voice cracking with happiness.
"Sabine, it is wonderful to hear your voice." Ezra said his voice filled with the same happiness. "I am adjusting course towards you, we should be there in about an hour."
"Yes, so are we. Do not turn of the Comm, go to somewhere where we can talk privately." Sabine ordered as she stood to move back into the back of the Cockpit, picking up a headset.
"As ordered." He replied. Taking a headset himself. "Can you fly this thing Dillon?"
"Yes, go talk to your Sabine." Dillon gestured for Ezra to leave then took the pilot's seat.
The hour pasted slowly for both of them, they talked almost non-stop. Several times they both cried and both felt impatient to see each other. When the shuttle docked with the "RED". Sabine stood at the port and felt the impatience as the seals adjusted then turned green. Throwing the access open, she glared ahead and saw Ezra. Not waiting she ran into his arms to hug him. Tears flowing down her face.
Reaching up, Ezra wiped the tears off Sabine's face with his hand. "So did you miss me?" Ezra teased her as she glared at him.
"Of course, you idiot." She replied sternly, then without pause she leaned forward and kissed him roughly. Pulling him tightly against her, moaning as he returned the kiss. She did not want the moment to end, to let it last forever.
Ashoka smiled and looked past the couple to the older man in Imperial garb standing idly behind the Couple. "Hello, since Ezra is occupied. I am Ashoka Tano."
"Dillon Drasko, ex-Imperial Engineering Lieutenant." Dillon said with a chuckle. "I would shake your hand, Ashoka. But they are blocking the access tube."
Ashoka chuckled as well. "Give them an hour or so and they might come up for air or pass out."
The young couple ignored them, Sabine parted slightly then stared at Ezra. Taking his hand she led him inside the "RED" to the private bedroom. She needed him and nothing was going to delay what she had decided that she should have done years ago. Dragging Ezra into the room, she sealed the door and stared at him with a wry and seductive smile. "Take your clothes off." She ordered removing her own.
"Are you sure?" Ezra asked reluctantly watching as Sabine took off her boots and dropped them to the floor. Unbuttoning his shirt as he watched her.
"Yes, now get naked or I will rip your clothes off." Sabine stated sharply. Grabbing Ezra and throwing him onto the bed. Sabine noticed that the first time, hurt but it was a good hurt. Not really satisfying as she gave him her virginity. The second time was good, the third and fourth was wonderful. Laying besides him several hours later she twirled her fingers on his heaving chest. "I feel much better now." She said breathing just as hard.
"Happy to hear it, what does this mean for us?" Ezra asked taking her hand and holding it.
"It is simple, Ezra. I love you and now you are mine." She smiled over at him, squeezing his hand tightly. "If not you have dishonored me and my whole Clan will hunt you to the ends of the Galaxy."
"What? But you seduced me!" Ezra replied with pretended confusion.
"Does not matter, I will tell my mother that you took me and now do not want to be wedded to me. She will have to send out hunters to bring you back to Knownest and under threat of death be forced to marry me." Sabine informed him, smiling.
"I do not need to be forced to marry you, I love you Sabine. I always have and will forever." Ezra said leaning closer to kiss her again.
"Good, now are you rested enough for another round?" Sabine asked with raised eyebrows.
"No problem." Ezra continued to kiss her and held her tightly.
In the Cockpit, Dillon and Ashoka discussed what they would do. The Shuttle was something that they would have liked to take back with them but it was slower than the "RED". So it had been decided that they would take it to one of the nearest outposts and sell it for Fuel, Supplies and Credits. While Dillon piloted the Shuttle, Ashoka set course and allowed the Shuttle to depart first. She doubted that Sabine or Ezra would come out of the Bedroom for another couple of days, not that she needed either of them to pilot her ship.
To be continued: The Conclusion
