I take another bite of my nutrifruit porridge and survey the scene around me.

It's a mix of the base's staff, plus the training class that just got out of a class led by Rex and Echo and supervised by Mr. Bonteri.

Several people have referred to him as the "Insurgency Specialist". Which would make sense if he's been fighting most of his life.

He fought with Rex, Echo and Ahsoka in the Clone Wars all those years ago, and here he is now.

My lesson, the first since we got here is in a half hour or so.

And I've got until then to try and center myself.

I have done a pretty good job since I yelled at Kanan.

I'm far enough away to realize that yeah, Ahsoka only said that I couldn't use the Force only heavy objects and that I couldn't propel them at him.

She didn't say that we couldn't use it.

I still think that he did fight dirty. I can't move him, but he can toss me around all he wants.

I haven't gotten a chance to say sorry for yelling at him. I've seen him when we've all gone into town and picked up supplies for the base, but no real chance to apologize.

Sabine's been really nice though. We've watched movies on the Holonet the last few nights, and had some sort of pop snack.

I never had it before then.

Sabine said that she and her family used to make some over the stove before a big swoop race.

It was good. I probably won't put the spice she put on it.

She likes things a lot hotter than I do.

I'm not really looking forward to her giving me a hard time today. I fell asleep during the movie last night, and when she woke me up before she left, she said that I was snoring.

Which is super embarrassing.

I'm not like Zeb, who can almost raise the dead, but I'm embarrassed.

This isn't helping me.

I need to focus.

I know that Rex and Echo are going to say something to that effect. How you need to always maintain your own calm.

Control what you can control and all that.

I finish off my porridge and take it over to the dish disposal area and put my bowl and glass on the moving conveyer belt.

As I'm walking towards the tunnel that leads into the jungle, where the martial lessons are, I feel a familiar figure pop out of a hallway a few feet behind me.

I recognize it right before it calls out to me.

"Hey." I smile at Sabine.

"I was worried you weren't going to turn around. I thought you were somewhere else mentally."

"No, just trying to figure out who was behind me."

Her eyebrows furrowed. "How'd you know somebody was behind you?"

"The Force."

"Can you always do that?"

"Yes." I tell her calmly.

I don't think she likes it.

"What else can you do?" She asked, looking at me suspiciously.

"Get the feel of a room, see what people are thinking, if there's da—"

"You can read people's thoughts?" Sabine's eyebrows snapped down, looking mad.

"Not their thoughts, but general stuff. Like their mood—"

"Have you used it on me?" Sabine said, stopping me in my tracks.

"I…once?" I say nervously.

She immediately looked furious.

"WHAT? WHEN?!"

"Sabine—"

"Stop making excuses and talk!" Sabine growled, hitting me in the chest with an open fist.

I'm so shocked I take a step back.

"Couple of days ago when you showed me your new hair. I felt that you didn't come just to show off your new look." I say flatly.

Jeez.

Now she's hitting me?

"You little chakaar! besom shabuir osik!" She scowled at me, then made another move to hit me.

I sidestep it.

"What does that even mean!" I ask.

"It means that you should stop getting so freaking excited! Haar'chak Ezra!" She yelled at me.

Excited?

I…

That's it.

"That's below the belt. Let me know when you grow up and start letting go of things I did in the past. Okay? I've already said sorry. I'm tired of it." I snap at her, seeing her face bloom into shock, then storm away from her.

It took her a few seconds to catch up.

"Ezra, stop. We need to talk ab—" She said, face full of regret.

No we don't.

You've said more than enough.

I need to learn some Mandalorian. That way when she yells at me next time I'll know what the hell she's saying.

I block her out.

Calm Ezra.

I'm about to have a blaster in my hands, more than likely.

I can't be angry with a weapon in my hands. Something bad will happen.

"Ezra, I'm sorry. Come on. I got—"

Mad.

I hope we don't do hand to hand combat. I'm not sure I'll be able to keep my anger out of my blows.

I've kept lifting weights and stuff. So I'm getting sort of strong.

I kicked Kanan away from me without having to put everything into it.

"You know what, I give up. Be stubborn. I'm sorry I got mad. Okay?"

I ignore her and step in front of her as we reach the combat area.

There's a fair number of people here.

I'd say 50 or so.

I dismiss the eyes that immediately fall on us.

If I can avoid being ashamed on the streets on Lothal, when I'm openly stealing, then I can do this.

Most of the eyes fall on Sabine.

Have at her boys.

She's too big a handful for any of you too.

Believe me.

"Alright. Everyone is here." Rex said, gaining everyone's attention.

I glance over to the side and see Echo talking to Bonteri.

Bonteri nonchalantly waved his hand in greeting, causing Echo to look over and do the same.

I give them a half smile and raise my hand also.

"Everyone, these are two new recruits from Lothal. They've been in a scrap or two, but everyone can use more training." Rex told the group, gesturing to Sabine and I.

"Grab your weapons and move to the range." Bonteri called out.

I look over to Sabine, and she's already about ten feet away.

And still walking.

I turn away and find the shooting range.

Trying to ignore Sabine's Force signature among all of the guys, I slip into the last stall available.

It's the end stall, with the stone wall on my left and everyone else to my right.

About 30 feet away is a target.

Rails?

The target that's up is on a platform.

It must be a movable target. Closer for short range weapons, farther for a sniper or something.

Bonteri instructs us to grab the rifle on the platform separating us from the range, and to open fire.

My first few shots stray to the left. I compensate with my feet, and my next shot is right down the middle.

Bullseye.

I hear a mechanical whirring sound, then see the target jump back around 10 feet.

Okay.

I readjust, and hit the bullseye again.

The target moves back again.

I barely let it reset before I fire off two quick shots.

Bang Bang.

The Force let off a subtle alert before the target jumped up and to the right.

I adjust and take another shot.

Bang.

To the left.

Bang.

I feel it start to move down, and I arrogantly fire as its moving.

And still hit the mark.

The target powered down, and moved back to its original position.

I lower my blaster and glance to my right.

Everybody is looking over at me.

Most of them looked stunned.

I see Sabine's head among about 5 boys', and I look back to my target.

"Get back to work!" Rex called out loudly, startling everybody.

The sounds of blasters firing start up again, and I turn to see Echo and Rex smiling widely while walking towards me along with Mr. Bonteri.

"That was quite the show. Ezra right?" Bonteri said, moving to shake my hand.

"That's me."

"Good shooting kid." Echo told me.

"Thank you. Am I done?" I ask.

"This part yes. You made all the shots we preprogrammed into the target. Once everyone hits them, we'll speak to them for a moment then—" Rex told me, but was cut off by the sound of yelling and shots being fired.

"YEAHHHHH!" The guy next to Sabine yelled, and then shot his blaster in the air.

What an idiot.

Is he trying to blow our position?

Beside me, Echo sighed.

"He's an idiot, that one. And a bully." Bonteri told me.

"And the thinks he's a lot better than he actually is." Rex said.

That statement is backed up by the fact that almost everyone is done.

"Why is Sabine over there?" Echo asked. "People would have moved for her to be next to you." He looked at me.

"You didn't see her walk away from him? She's mad at him I'd bet." Bonteri immediately said.

I turn and give him a glare.

Thanks.

"Mad? We saw you two laughing it up two nights ago leaving dinner? She looked so happy. I thought you guys were past this?" Rex looked at me.

That gets Bonteri's attention and he asked "They've had problems? I thought they were dating!"

"They're done." Was Echo's reply. "The group, that is." He added hastily.

Rex led the three of them back into the middle of the staging area we're in, and began to speak.

"Alright everyone, good work. Remember that it's not a speed run. It's about hitting all of the targets with the least amount of shots. You must be in control while firing this weapon, both before and after use. You are holding a deadly weapon in your hands. People's lives can depend on where you place a blaster bolt. If you are not under control, then I have no interest in teaching you." Rex said simply.

Control.

Of course.

"Return to your stations. Next drill is 10 shots. Try to hit the middle of the target with each shot. Each shot is equally important, so don't let a good or bad shot affect the one after it, both ways." Echo ordered.

I turn and start back to my station.

Hera. And Kanan and Ahsoka.

They're here.

That doesn't matter.

I've got shots to take and a target to pepper.

Well, a bullseye to pepper.

I retake my spot, and grab my blaster.

"When have you been practicing?"

Sabine.

I don't look over at her.

"I thought you were with your friends on the other end? Shooting at the sky." I say flatly.

Sabine let out a laugh. "Yeah, no. I know the difference between being friendly, and having ideas of taking me back to their place."

"Too exciting for you?" I ask sarcastically.

Immediately I feel her hurt thru the Force.

"…Yeah, something like that." She said quietly.

I hear Echo call something out, and people begin firing.

Stupid.

Bang.

Stupid.

Bang.

Girl.

Bang.

If she wants to go and flirt with complete jerks, then she deserves what she gets.

Bang.

Exciting.

Bang Bang.

She deserves everything she gets.

Bang.

Being nice gets you nowhere with her.

I quickly take my last three shots, finishing my perfect round and place my blaster on the ledge while ignoring more stares.

I need some water.

I walk over to the fountain and take a drink.

…

"So you just are gonna walk in and show us all up huh?" I hear a voice call out to me.

I ignore it, but stop taking a drink of water.

"Hey! I'm talking to you! Turn around!" The voice said, then a hand on my shoulder spun me around.

Revealing the idiot that was firing into the sky.

I gently shrug his hand off my shoulder. "Calm down man. I'm just feeling it today." I say simply.

No need to get mad.

This isn't meant to send a point to you anyway.

"Yeah, sure. You and your little girl friend just had to come in and make me look stupid!"

"No, that would be you doing that." I tell him.

I don't control you.

Moron.

"No. You don't get it. You and that girl came in, you shot perfect, she was a bitch and—"

WHAT

"What did you just say?" I say quietly.

He did not just call Sabine that.

Stay calm Ezra.

"I didn't say anything."

"What did you call her?" I demand, getting right up in his face. "She's the best fighter here!"

I'm mad at Sabine, but nobody, NOBODY calls her that.

"Get out of my face boy. I didn't say nothing." He said dismissively.

"What did you call her?" I repeat myself.

Then I get hit in the ribs.

I take a half-step back and gain my bearings.

His arm is half extended.

He hit me.

I've had enough.

Before I can make a move, he's already moving to punch me in the face.

I block it with my forearm.

He tries a punch with his other hand to my ribs.

I duck down and block it.

Nope.

Let's let him punch himself out.

I don't need to fight him. Just block.

I could use some practice.

I take a step back, and the crowd that's suddenly around us scrambles to make room.

Punch. Block.

Kick. Duck.

Counterpunch. Deflect it to the side.

I keep it up, trying to bait him into exhausting himself.

I don't think this guy is dumb enough to do that.

So I've got to bait him.

Which is something I can do.

Think.

It's supposed to be my specialty.

Block.

Duck.

I block a counterkick with my knee and dodge a punch.

To counter, I spin awa—

BAM!

I hear my face crack and my head snapped back.

He got me.

With a full kick to my face.

I stumble back, and try to regain my footing.

I feel something warm start running out of my nose.

My nose is bleeding.

Screw this. I'm going on the offensive.

Technically, the counter offensive.

He throws a wild punch, which I barely have to try and dodge.

"C'mon! Fight!"

I duck another kick, then immediately throw a punch where his head should be.

Unfortunately, it's only a glancing blow.

I hear the crowd let out a gasp, and press my advantage.

He lets out a kick fly, and I duck under it and land a body blow.

He's favoring that side.

I spin around him and punch the opposite shoulder.

He yelped, and punched directly above my head.

"Nope!" I taunt him, popping back up.

You want to play?

Let's play.

I read about a tactic used by Sith called Dun Möch that is used to undermine and demoralize an opponent.

It's all about using mental tactics to make your opponent less precise and effective.

Lets see if it works against a non Force user.

The principles should still apply.

He lets loose a barrage of kicks and punches that I evade and don't even have to block.

I spin away and spread out my arms. "Thanks for the breeze!"

He lets out an enraged scream, and fakes a punch, only to try and get behind me.

I spin and meet him halfway with an elbow to his face.

Which sends him right to the ground.

The air came right out of him, and he immediately let out a loud, high pitched noise.

Before I can move, I get shoved away by someone.

I blink and see that it's Ahsoka.

"GET UP. HOW DARE YOU."

I don't hear his reply, but I feel somebody put the arm on mine firmly.

I turn and see it's Kanan, looking down at the guy on the ground.

Uh oh.

I might be in some trouble.

"TELL EVERYONE WHAT YOU SAID! TELL HER!" Ahsoka yelled, pointing to my left.

I turn and see Sabine looking shocked.

The guy is silent, still holding his face.

"Fine! You know what! Be a coward. Spineless wimp. No wonder Ezra made you look like a fool."

Hera nodded to Rex, then Kanan grabbed my shoulder and started leading me back towards the tunnel.

I hear Rex and Echo start to reorganize things right before we walk into the tunnel.

When we get in, I can't hear them anymore.

"You're just having a bad week, huh?" Kanan smirked at me.

I sigh. "I guess so."

"Did he really say what you thought he said?" Hera asked Ahsoka.

"He did." Ahsoka replied firmly.

Hera let out a breath. "You should have hit him harder Ezra."

"I didn't want to hit him!" I tell her quickly.

"We know. We saw everything." Kanan said calmly.

"You chose to be on the defensive, and were doing a great job of it until you spun at the wrong time." Ahsoka said. "How is your face?"

I shrug, and then notice the warmth on my face.

I try to wipe it away, and my hand comes back red.

Dang it.

"I think it's a nose bleed. Not a broken nose." Hera said, turning to get a good look at me.

"Try to breathe thru your nose." Ahsoka instructed me.

I do as she said, and immediately it feels like I tried slicing it off with my lightsaber.

"Ahhh!" I yelp, crouching down and grabbing my face.

THAT HURT.

Almost more than the kick to the face.

"I take it back." Hera said simply.

I take a deep breath and try to calm down.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you. You were right." I say to Kanan.

Kanan, to my surprise smiled.

"It's alright Ezra. You were caught up in the moment and got mad. You're human."

"It's not good that you yelled, but it's okay." Ahsoka said.

Hera added "You did bend the rules though."

Kanan grinned. "I knew that Ezra would think that the Force in general was off limits because we told him that he couldn't lift that crate. And I knew that I'd be able to take you by surprise. So, I guess you're right."

I roll my eyes. "That's what I thought this morning."

"You got some perspective after the heat of the moment. As long as you're strong enough to let it go, then there isn't a problem Ezra." Ahsoka said, putting her head on my shoulder.

"But today is different." I say sadly.

I got in a fight.

A FIGHT.

And won, but that's almost beside the point.

"Yes. You were right." Ahsoka said simply.

I stop abruptly and turn to her.

"What?"

"You were right Ezra. He shouldn't have said that."

"I'm not going to let anybody say that about Sabine, but I got in a fight." I say.

"He deserved to get put on his back though Ezra. You had Sabine's back, and that's the important thing." Hera said.

"You always need to have her back" Kanan said.

"She'll have your back. She's already proven that she does. I'm sure she will too."

Yeah.

Sure.

I roll my eyes, and Kanan stops with his foot on the first step into the base.

"What?" Hera asked.

"She's already mad at Ezra."

"What?" Hera said incredulously.

"I'm not saying a word. She'll get mad at me for talking." I tell everyone.

"I have no problem finding out for myself." Kanan said.

Leaving the method unspoken.

By using the Force.

"And you already know part of the reason why." I say simply.

…

"Seriously?" Ahsoka asked, as Kanan is looking at me strangely.

"I don't understand it. She's just mad. As always." I say. "Can somebody show me where to get my nose fixed?" I ask tiredly.

Kanan and Ahsoka look to each other, then Hera said "I'll take him. Go straighten her out." Hera ordered Kanan.

Kanan nodded, then he and Ahsoka went back the way we all just came.