Ezra is alone, walking toward the Ghost, when Hera emerges from the freighter, and approaches him.
"Hera. What's up?" Ezra asks.
"Sabine just contacted us. The Empire just paid Mandalore a visit!" Hera says.
"So that's why Ahsoka left in such a hurry. Has she come back yet? I don't sense her." Ezra says.
"Sabine said that Ahsoka's with her, and they'll be here in about an hour." Hera says.
"Sabine is coming here?" Ezra asks.
"Yeah. She said she plans for Mandalore to join the alliance." Hera answers.
"Finally, some good news. We could use them. Leia's had me running recruiting missions, and, so far, it's not looking good. I've sent a few small groups throughout the outer rim, including Black Squadron. The reports I'm getting suggest that most of the people don't think we can win, so they can't be bothered to join up. Now, if Mandalore joins us, then maybe some of these people will change their mind." Ezra says.
"I hope so." Hera says.
"Did Sabine tell you how it went?" Ezra asks.
"The Empire got their asses kicked by Sabine's fleet." Hera answers.
"Good. Did Sabine happen to say why Ahsoka didn't just teleport back here?" Ezra asks.
"She said they fought Vastia Ren, and Ahsoka seemed pretty tired afterward." Hera answers.
"They fought Vastia Ren? Did they kill her?" Ezra asks.
"No. Sabine said that they left her mostly intact for you." Hera answers.
"Mostly intact?" Ezra asks.
"Sabine cut off her arm, and Ahsoka zapped her with lightning. Twice." Hera answers. Ezra laughs.
"Way to go, Sabine and Ahsoka. Teach that psycho bitch a lesson." Ezra says.
"Normally, I'm not one for revenge, but she took Juno from us, so, she deserves what's coming to her." Hera says.
"You'll get no arguments from me. By the way, where's Kira?" Ezra asks.
"She's with Artoo, Poe, and Finn, working on some old u-wing. On the other side of the hangar." Hera answers.
"My daughter, the mechanic. She'll probably make the thing faster than the Ghost." Ezra says. Hera laughs.
"Kira's good, but nothing's faster than the Ghost." Hera says.
"Not yet anyway." Ezra says.
"Keep dreaming, Ezra. Now, why don't you go find that kid of yours? I need to go meet with Leia." Hera says.
"Will do. I'll catch you later, Hera." Ezra says.
Kira is at the old u-wing with Finn and Poe. They are looking at a hologram being projected from R2-D2. Poe points at the hologram.
"So, x-wing engine pods and wings should be no problem. Lando has a few old x-wings that can't fly anymore. We still need to figure out weapons, hyperdrive, shields, and a computer core." Poe says.
"I think weapons and computer core are covered. I didn't see any hyperdrives or shield generators in the junk shop. Did either of you hear of any spares lying around somewhere?" Kira asks.
"Doesn't look like it." Poe answers.
"Damn. We'll have to go off base and buy them. Of course, we won't ever get permission to do that." Kira says.
"You could just ask the Mandalorians when they get here." Ezra says, from behind.
Damn. I didn't even sense him coming. I'm going to have to learn how to cloak myself with the force like he does. Kira thinks. Everyone turns to face Ezra.
"The Mandalorians are coming here?" Poe asks.
"Yeah. Looks like they're going to join us." Ezra answers.
"About damn time." Poe says.
"I've been hearing about this project of yours. Looks like it's coming along nicely." Ezra says.
"Thanks, general. I'm hoping this could be a good gunship for us. More heavily armed than a standard u-wing. Hopefully faster too." Poe says.
"Good idea. We could use something like that. However, I see one problem besides your lack of hyperdrive and shields." Ezra says.
I noticed it too. We won't have enough engine power. Kira thinks.
"Really? What's that?" Finn asks.
"Your engines won't have enough power. X-wing engines have 20 percent less power output than u-wing engines. Try using eight engines. That should solve your problem." Ezra answers.
"Yeah, you're right. I should have thought of that." Poe says.
"Glad I could help, commander. Now, I'm going to have to take Kira from you for a while." Ezra says.
What now? I thought I was free until 0600 tomorrow? Kira thinks.
"What's going on?" Kira asks.
"Go get Ben, and meet me at the Ghost in thirty minutes." Ezra answers.
Great. He wants me and Ben both. Probably surprise training. Hopefully not more damn cleaning. Kira thinks.
"Alright. He should be on the Falcon, unless he's with Kyle." Kira says.
"He's on the Falcon as far as I know. Now, get going. I'm timing you, starting...now." Ezra says.
A little pushy tonight. I wonder what's going on. Kira thinks.
"Alright, I'm going." Kira says. She walks away, toward the Millennium Falcon.
Man, he's kind of a hardass sometimes. I'm glad he's not my teacher. Poe thinks.
"You know, you could be a little nicer to Kira. She's been through hell." Finn says. Ezra looks at Finn, and raises an eyebrow.
Easy man. You've seen him pissed off. It ain't pretty. Poe thinks, as he puts a hand on Finn's shoulder.
Good man, sticking up for your friend. You don't understand what I'm trying to teach her. Maybe one day, you will. Maybe one day, Kira will too. Ezra thinks.
"She's not the only one who's been through hell." Ezra says. He walks away.
"Kira's dad's kind of weird." Finn says.
"He's got a lot on his mind. Cut him some slack, okay?" Poe says.
"I'll try." Finn says.
Kira enters the Millennium Falcon, and is promptly embraced from behind by Chewbacca. Kira laughs.
/Good to see you, Kira./ Chewbacca says, as he releases Kira.
"Hey, Chewie. How's it going here?" Kira asks.
/Always something that needs fixed. I've tried to convince Han to give this ship a proper overhaul, but he's...kind of cheap./ Chewbacca answers. Kira laughs.
"I hadn't noticed. I hear the Mandalorians are on their way. Maybe we could arrange for some parts for the Falcon." Kira says.
/You expect Han to ask Sabine Wren for help with his ship?/ Chewbacca asks.
"I know. I find it more likely that Emperor Palpatine will reform the Old Republic and declare his undying love for the Jedi." Kira says. Chewbacca laughs.
/You're probably right. So, what brings you here?/ Chewbacca asks.
"I'm here to pick up Ben. My father wants us both to meet him at the Ghost in thirty minutes," Kira says.
/I thought training was over for the day./ Chewbacca says.
"So did I. Is Han or Leia around?" Kira asks.
/No. Han's at the cantina with Lando, and Leia's in a briefing. I'll tell them you came by to pick up Ben./ Chewbacca says.
"Thanks, Chewie. Is Ben in his room?" Kira asks.
/He is. I think he's asleep. It's been pretty quiet for the past hour or so./ Chewbacca answers.
"Asleep? This early? It's only 1930!" Kira says.
/Ben's confined to the ship when he's not with a Jedi. There's only so much to do here./ Chewbacca says.
"Good point. Hopefully I don't piss him off." Kira says.
/I doubt you will. He likes you./ Chewbacca says.
"I know." Kira says.
Kira approaches the door to Ben's cabin, and lightly knocks. The door opens seconds later, and Kira is greeted by the sight of a shirtless Ben. Kira smiles.
"Hey, Kira. Want to come in?" Ben asks.
"Sure." Kira says. Ben steps aside, and Kira enters Ben's small cabin.
"Kira. What brings you here?" Ben asks.
"Father wants us both at the Ghost in thirty minutes." Kira answers.
"Okay. Let me get dressed." Ben says.
"I did say thirty minutes. So, we...don't have to go right away. If you know what I mean." Kira says.
Oh, yes I know what you mean, my beautiful goddess. Ben thinks.
"You sure? You really want to?" Ben asks.
"Of course I do. I love you, Ben Solo." Kira says. Tears form in Ben's eyes.
"I love you too." Ben says. The two kiss passionately, and are tightly wrapped in each other's embrace as they fall onto Ben's bed.
Forty five minutes later, Ezra is seated on the boarding ramp of the Ghost, meditating, when he senses Kira and Ben approaching. Ezra opens his eyes, and stands up.
I sense...something different. Their bond. It's even stronger now. Ezra thinks.
"Of course it is. They love each other. In my experience, love conquers all." A disembodied male voice says.
Any advice, Revan? Shall I...allow this? Ezra thinks.
"It is far too late to stop it, Ezra. This is what is meant to be." Revan answers.
"So, did you two enjoy your cup of caf?" Ezra asks.
"What? I don't understand." Ben says.
"You're both fifteen minutes late, so I figure you stopped for a cup of caf and lost track of time," Ezra says.
"No. Ben and I were...playing sabacc." Kira says.
Yeah, right. I know exactly what the two of you were doing. Does she even notice her belt is on backwards? Ezra thinks.
"Playing sabacc, huh? So, that's what they call it now." Ezra says.
"It? What's he talking about?" Ben asks, looking at Kira.
"It means he's smarter than the both of us, and knows exactly what we were doing." Kira answers.
"Yeah, pretty much. Well, you two can get back to…horizontal strip sabacc later. Right now, we have something to take care of." Ezra says. Kira and Ben laugh.
Horizontal strip sabacc? Oh, daddy, you can be downright hilarious when you aren't busy being a slavedriver. I much prefer this side of you. Kira thinks.
"So, what are we here for?" Kira asks.
"I've thought up a new training exercise for you. I would like to test this force bond of yours." Ezra says.
Great. More training. So much for being done for the day! Kira thinks.
"I thought we were done until morning." Ben says.
"I changed my mind. Master's prerogative." Ezra says.
"Right. So, what are we going to be doing?" Ben asks.
"I want see if you can use your bond to work as a team." Ezra answers.
"Sounds easy enough. We shouldn't have a problem with that." Kira says.
"We'll see." Ezra says.