A/N: Shout out to Mistress Malicia for encouraging me through this writer's block (You're the Best)!. I know it's been a while, and in honesty it is less action more insight. I hope everyone enjoys
It was dark, it was night, and he was running. The buildings were passing by him in a haze as his speed increased down the littered alley.
"Give up punk!" yelled a gravelly accented voice behind him. He could hear a group of footsteps behind him, and they were getting closer. That was when he saw the fire escape and grabbed the ladder and climbed. He could hear voices yelling below him getting further away from him. In that moment of relief though, he didn't see where he grabbed the edge of the building. He quickly retracted his hand, only to see a massive cut on his hand bleeding all over.
That was when everything turned a bright white, erasing everything in his sight.
Kanan shot up in bed in a panic, heavily gasping for air as cold sweat poured down his face.
Brushing his down hair back out of his face, he recalled he was in his room. He looked out the window to see the city line shining in the night. Kanan had to control his breathing to steady his rapid heartbeat.
Kanan made his way to his bathroom sink to splash his sweaty face with cool water. As he gazed at his own reflection, he couldn't piece together why he was so frazzled. The voices in the dream he had never heard before, and the hand in the dream, wasn't his…
Kanan then understood that he wasn't seeing the dream through his eyes. They were…, "Dammit," he cursed as he slammed his fist against the side of the sink; at not himself, but at the kid.
Kanan made his way to the window where he saw the city lights of Lothal. Leaning his head against the cool window helped ease his pounding head ache from the stress of the nightmare he had.
"Better be okay kid," Kanan quietly prayed. After all, he didn't risk his life just for the kid to wind up dead.
Twelve alley turns, one roof climb, several roof hops and Ezra was got away from Vizago and his gang. Ezra fell to his knees in exhaustion as he began gasping for air as his lungs burned for oxygen. He looked down at his hand that stung; the cut was across his right palm and was bleeding quite a bit. Ezra tested his hand to make sure it was nothing too serious and once he moved his fingers and wrist, was able to confirm that the cute was only shallow and suffered no nerve damage.
Ezra looked around to check if anyone had followed him. Once he saw he was completely alone (like always) he got his backpack off and dug in to get a bottle of water and a roll of bandages. Once he washed out the cut, he wrapped his hand up to stop the bleeding.
As Ezra sat on the roof, he tried to wrap his head around what had just happened.
After dropping off the bag for Orellios to bring to Tarkintown, Ezra had tried collected some more bottles and met with trouble in the form of Vizago and his gang.
Despite the gang being non-imperial, they were scary to have as enemies. When Vizago spotted Ezra, he tried to have his guys corner him; only for Ezra to sense what they were up too and ran for it.
He remembered hearing Vizago shouting 'The Empire will pay a fortune for the brat, dead or alive.'
"What did he mean by that?" Ezra questioned himself in utter bewilderment. He knew the empire had a few hundred credits over his head. Was Vizago and his gang desperate for money? Were they willing to risk one of their transporters across town to get a few hundred credits?
His thoughts on the matter were cut short when the cold wind send a shiver down his spin.
As he tried to warm himself up in his sweatshirt, he looked down the city line. Amongst the bright yellow lights, he saw red and blue ones going on different blocks. Ezra was no fool, he knew the Empire was probably trying to find him after what happened at the motel.
Knowing it would be dangerous to make it back to his tower, he decided to make the roof his crash place for tonight. Leaning against the roof wall edge, he was able to block some of the wind off him and used his backpack as a make shift pillow.
With an empty stomach and injured hand, he began to doze off for a bit. As many questions swarmed his foggy mind the constant one was still about the cop, and why he had saved him.
Kanan had struggled to fall asleep again. So naturally just as he was about to get a little more shut eye, his phone went off; not the clock alarm, but someone was calling. That person calling was Zeb.
Kanan answered his phone in a grunt, "Zeb, I don't need to be up for an hour so this better be good."
"Get to the station," Zeb told him, "Kallus called, the station got vandalized.
Kanan was now awake, yet again.
"What? How, Who?" Kanan questions blurted out in confusion.
"Just get here!" the older cop shouted, and with that Zeb hung up.
"huh, great," Kanan complained out loud as he got up. After a quick shower, he got dressed and drove the phantom down to the station. Once he got there he saw why Zeb sounded so frustrated on the phone.
The station was painted in an array of colorful insignia's and interesting choice of words. Some windows were even broken from some rocks being thrown at them. It looked almost as bad as the condemned buildings of Lothal.
As Kanan enter he saw numerous imperials on the phone, some helping to clean up the mess in the station of turned over desk and tossed piles of papers on the floors. He also heard the loud commotion of numerous officers on the phones, mumbled words like 'the city is safe' or 'rest assured we will find out who did this'.
Kanan was trying to figure out for himself what had happened when reached his and Zeb's desks, Zeb on the phone like the other's.
"Yes, I understand ma'am. Rest assured we are taking care of things. Have a nice day."
Zeb then hung up the phone throwing his head back in exhaustion when he got a glimpse of his partner's baggy eyes and dazed look.
Zeb took the time to pick on Kanan, "What did you do after we dropped you off, party?" Zeb chuckled at the comment
Kanan was rubbing the tiredness form his face as he responded, "Nah, just had a hard time sleeping. What's up with the insanity today? When did is happen."
Zeb, remembering why he called Kanan, plopped Lothal's newspaper on his desk.
What Kanan saw shocked him. The headline read LIPD LOSING CONTROL? TO THE GANGS AND HOMELESS?' Kanan saw a picture of Zeb, Kallus, and himself, putting Grint into the back of the police car yesterday.
"Kallus is pretty sure one or more of the gang's decided to take out their revenge of the station. Pay back for arresting some of their buddies and one of their inside drug dealers."
Kanan looked up in shock, "Grint was selling too?"
Zeb nodded as he continued to explain, "At the motel they found a list of people his was selling items too; mostly drugs or illegal weapons. Grint won't say anything, but I'm pretty sure he had some unhappy customer's that their business partner got arrested.
Kanan continued to look at the paper when he noticed on the side showed a blacked figure with a question mark on the figure's face, reading, "Wanted for possible imperial intervention and robbery of officer. Suspect is believed to be 12 with dark hair. By most called 'The Specter' is also believed to be armed and dangerous. Reward: $15,000 by LIPD.
Kanan was in shocked when he realized who they were looking for; what the hell made the newspaper think the kid was dangerous.
"Who gave the newspaper such a piece of-," Kanan began to ask Zeb before…
"JARRUS!" Kallus shouted, "My office, now!"
Kanan groaned to himself as he made his way to Kallus's office, he was too tired to deal with Kallus.
Zeb gave him a sympathetic look that screamed, 'be careful'.
Kanan took a deep breath as he entered Kallus office. His plan was the same plan he went with whenever he was in a sticky situation; play dumb.
Once in Kallus office, Kanan saw what was once a well-organized office turn into an array of paper all over the office; though he could tell it wasn't vandals who wrecked it
"Close the door." Kallus ordered coldly.
Kanan did so slowly. Waiting for Kallus to freak out. For what Kanan didn't know yet.
"Jarrus, tell me. Do I look like I was born yesterday?" Kallus sneered through gritted teeth
Kanan was at an actually lost. "No…?"
Kallus then turned around and like Kanan, showed signs of sleep deprivation with red shot eyes above heavy bags.
"Yesterday when I was questioning Grint on why he would risk everything for an old habit, Grint told me something rather interesting about your two's encounter yesterday."
Kanan was silently cursing at himself when Kallus spoke again.
"He told me of the third party in the shootout. The little street rat Grint mentioned."
Kanan heart steadied again, Grint didn't recall what Kanan did. But he did see the kid.
"What, the punk kid?" Kanan asked dumbly, "Didn't think he mattered."
"Bull Shit!" Kallus called out, "You know that the Empire has been trying to take that waste of sidewalk space into custody, and you don't even mention that he was right under your nose!" Kallus looked like he was about to turn redder then a tomato.
"I was being shot at by a fellow officer whom was higher than Polaris," Kanan defended confidently, "I was more focused on not getting shot! I'm sorry that the insanity of that day caused me to forget about some punk in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"That 'punk' is accused of stealing something from Grint?"
"What?" Kanan questioned suspiciously
"Not sure. Grint wouldn't tell me, just that it was taken" Kallus explained in annoyance.
Kanan was a little skeptical, "No offense Kallus, but is it wise to take the word of a junkie who just went on a while shooting rampage? Especially from someone associated with this gang that is scaring the whole city, the same gang that trashed the station."
Kallus seemed to regain his composure, "Grint refuses to admit he is part of the gang, and for all we know it was one of several gangs. This city is littered with them"
Kanan found the matter comical, "Imperial logo's where he began his rampage, he has to be part of their ranks. Yeah, the other gangs could have done it but they have no direct motive to target the station but this 'imperial gang'.
Kallus slammed his hand against the desk, jumping Kanan a bit.
"The evidence is circumstantial. The other punks aren't talking either. So, without any cooperation the evidence isn't enough to prove any involvement.
"If it's circumstantial then Grint's stuff shouldn't have been downstairs, right?" Kanan questioned coldly.
Kanan gave Kanan an evil glare before he continued.
"Look, right now Grint is guilty of use and possession of an illegal substance and attempted murder on a fellow officer. But Governor Tarkin called me personally about a silver lighting in all this; at least now we have enough to make that kid an official imperial fugitive."
"That's-," Kanan was going to say how ridiculous that was but was interrupted by Kallus raising his voice.
"A reward of 15,000 credits have been placed on him, The Empire has declared him dangerous to the city. The LIPD's number one priority will be to find this kid and put him in prison where he belongs."
Kanan was livid, "Why? He hasn't hurt anyone!" Kanan spat out.
Kallus gave him a serious look, "Excuse me, are you defending the miscreant?"
Kanan took a deep breath, "From what I've heard about this kid, he steals the minimal. Not one person has said the kid was dangerous to anyone. Just feels like an unnecessary use of our time to be chasing a child.
Kallus took a dep breath before he continued, "Jarrus, can I level with you?"
"I guess?" Kanan replied,
"Lothal is falling apart."
Kanan was silent for anything 'earth shattering' before Kallus continued.
"I know Lothal has been a mess for a long time; drought, famine, pollution, all have been going on for over a decade, long before the Empire.
"But in recent years the country has had an increase in drug trafficking, gang violence, not to mention the unemployment rate is through the roof along with the homeless community.
Kanan could sense his frustration, "Their kind are growing in number's. Get enough of them and they start talking, plotting.
Kallus sighed, Kanan knew he hit the nail on what was eating Kallus.
"There are just too many of them, to many for Lothal police to apprehend, control. The international Police force has already agreed to send reinforcements within the next few months. So, we must maintain the image. That despite the limited number's we run this city; and having some punk street rat mocking the LIPD by committing these petty crimes makes us look bad, laughed at. He needs to be arrested and punished." Kallus said this all firmly and darkly
"More like made an example of." Kanan speculated before he continued.
Kallus then sat down and pondered. "Perhaps, but I do have a duty to make sure to keep the people in line. Therefore, I must bring him to justice, and I have the necessary means to deal with the boy."
Kanan didn't like what was in store for the kid, but he had to play it cool, "Can I go now? This place needs to get cleaned up."
"Just one more thing Jarrus," Kallus spoke coolly before he continued, "The boy is quite small, was caught in quite a sudden attack in the motel. How do you suppose he evaded Grints peerage of firing and attacks?"
Kanan just shrugged his shoulders and replied, "He probably is just fast."
Kallus just hum in acknowledgment before he nodded his head, "Or perhaps some rumors of him are true?" Kallus questioned mostly to himself before he waves his hand dismissively, "Alright then. Close the door on your way out."
With that Kanan left the room in relief. Not aware of what was going through Kallus's mind.
Once Kanan left the room, He dialed his phone and made a call.
Kallus only spoke into the phone darkly, "Sir. You asked me to call if there is something to be taken care of. I have found a matter that seems to need your elite's attention.
Once the interior of the station was cleaned up, Zeb and Kanan went to do their rounds, drinking much needed coffee in their car.
Kanan had just explained to Zeb what Kallus told him.
Zeb sighed in despair, "I hate to say it, but I do see his point."
Kanan eyed him in a mix of shock and slight betrayal.
"Hear me out," Zeb requested, "the sad truth is the with growing number of the unemployed, dark times can turn the nicest of guys into criminals when they are desperate enough. Those who can maintain their cool though begin talking, giving each other hope. Hope that maybe they can knock the 'great empire' down a peg or two."
"So, all this despair that the Empire has created here has ultimately fueled what they fear now; a possible uprising, a threat to one of their countries.
"Not just any country," Zeb pointed out.
Zeb saw Kanan's puzzlement at his comment. "Don't you know? As of last year, this whole country has become completely run by imperial politicians. First country to do so too.
Kanan shook his head at the stupidity.
"That's why Kallus has been under such stress, Governor Tarkin assigned him to maintain the city to insure it was a well-oiled imperial country."
"They need to get the city under control. All eyes on Lothal to see if it breaks, and if it does…"
"More talk, more hope that the Empire isn't all that and a bag of chips, and more sparks of rebellion to come to those who realize the Imperial system falls apart."
Kanan was silent for a bit thinking intently of the trouble the kid now faced, which Zeb could figure out as well.
"Kid is smart, he'll lay low for a bit before doing anything too reckless."
"But you admit he will try again," Kanan pointed out before he a thought of a question, "Has Kallus been so dedicated to taking in this kid?"
Zeb had to think for a moment before came up with an answer, "I suppose so. Like I told you before, when I first joined, Kallus made it clear he would love to see that kid behind bars. The kid and the LIPD have had this little dance going on for a few years now; he steals something or vandalize something related to the Empire, trooper cops try to catch him, he escapes, Kallus send more to find him, kid goes missing until next time. But from what you told me, Kallus is tired of this dance and is ready to end it permanently. Just hope the kid won't get found."
"Sounds like a hopeful wish," Kanan pointed out, "But with more imperials coming this way, it's only a matter of time before the kid gets into serious trouble," Kanan then began to think cunningly, "Unless someone steps in."
Zeb then began to start the car to begin their patrols when he asked Kanan with a grin, "So you think we should do something about it?"
Kanan smiled as he looked out onto the city, looking at where the kid could be, "Kallus wants the kid to be found…but didn't specify by who.
"We find the kid first, we can figure out who he is, maybe even help him." Kanan suggested with some confident optimism.
Zeb nodded his head and replied, "The best way to find him is to ask around, and I think I know where to start." With that the two drove off to investigate Lothal's biggest mystery; who was this kid? Hopefully, before someone else unpleasant found him first.
A/N: What will Kanan and Zeb find out, will they find out allies' secrets, and who are the "elites" that Kallus called in? comment theories and stay tuned.