RUHLSAR000 Here! How's it going? I DO NOT OWN STAR WARS REBELS! ALL HAIL THE MOUSE! I apologize for errors, delays and long-winded author's notes.
D groans, her head collapsing into the pillow. It smelled funny. "Are we done yet?" She complains. "We've been at this for an hour. I didn't even know you could fit enough clothes to take up thirty minutes of changing into the closets."
"I haven't decided on an outfit yet." Marsha says, getting out a green and blue tie-dyed shirt. "You know Ebby far better than I do right now. What does he like? What does he find attractive?"
D sigh, pushing her head out of the pillow. "Substance. I don't think he pays attention to looks past the first ten minutes. Besides, you're watching movies. On a old couch. In an empty rundown rec room. Not exactly LBD material."
"True, but this is my first date. Ever. And I'd like to make an impression." Marsha says. "So, do you like this one." She holds up a long green skirt that looks more suited towards dancing than movies. "Or this." She holds up a pillow skirt. D groans. "Okay, just tell me what colors does he like?"
"Orange." D sighs, as she thinks of other colors. She remembers catching his gaze linger on her when she wore her favorite shirt once or twice. A burgundy one with an opening in the top with fabric woven through the neckline so it looked like three triangle. She doubts he even realized he was doing it. It did make her look great. Might have been the confidence that shirt gave her. "Burgundy..." She remembers him mentioning his sister's eye. The way he described him... "Green." She thinks of Talia, "Probably purple."
"So, what do you think of this?" Marsha holds up a green and blue tye-dyed dress and a whit knit vest.
"Great..." D says, not paying much attention anymore.
D collapses onto her bed. Sally looks up from a datapad. "So, excited?"
D looks up at her. "For what?"
"Your date." Sally rolls her eyes.
Zara enters, "Hey, ready for training?"
"Already? I thought we weren't training till later." D says, more confused than whiny. It just seemed a bit unusual. And apparently helping someone pick out clothes is very tiring.
"Well, you are going to be busy later." Zara smirks, knowingly.
"With what?" D asks, throughly confused.
"Your date?" Zara raises an eyebrow.
"What date?" Sage's voice causes Sally to jump, but neither D nor Zara are surprised. Zara leans against the doorframe allowing Sage and Willy to view into the room.
"Apparently I have a date tonight." D shrugs.
"With who?!" Sage asks, unusually startled and flustered.
"That's something I'd like to know." D says, looking at Zara and Sally.
Willy, Zara and Sally all share a look of confusion. "Ezra?"
D pauses, confused. Then, she rolls her eyes. "Well, that is going to be tricky considering he's got a date with Marsha tonight?"
Willy's jaw drops, "You sure?"
D rolls her eyes, exacerbated, "Considering I spent the last hour and a half helping her pick out an outfit for it, yeah, yeah I am."
Willy groans, "I have to go reassess the bets." He goes into his room across the hall.
"Well, good." Sage stutters. "I have to go... plan something..."
Zara arches her eyebrow. "D, come get me when your ready to train." She turns and follows Sage. "Hey!"
"Zara?" Sage turns back at her.
"I know you see D as a daughter. Kriff, I think the whole squad knows." Zara sighs. "And I know you aren't keen on her dating."
"That's ridiculous." Sage shakes his head. "D's just too young to be dating."
Zara rolls her eyes. "Marsha's younger than D. And both are more grown up than teens their ages. She's gone through more than most adults three times her age."
"If your going to say that is proof that she doesn't need someone look after her, don't." Sage snaps.
"I'm not. It means she needs it even more. But she is growing up. Try and accept that." Zara puts her hand on his shoulder. Sage sighs.
Sonya looks over the base diagrams she had pulled up. There is no way her Jedi and their rebels will pass up this, especially with the lies she leaked. It's all a game of wits and she always beat her brother at daijek. "Helmets on, troopers." Sonya closes her eyes in frustration. They are a well oiled machine in spite of only training together for a couple of weeks. She actually wonders if they are ready to take on the rebels, something she wasn't anticipating for at least another three months of intensive training. Yet, she still can't get them to keep their helmets on.
She shoots a look at Chance. He smiles, sheepishly, as he put the helmet back on. She feels his displeasure through the Force. "Need I remind you all, you are the first of your kind. Never before has a team been created to assist an inquisitor, to work closely with an Imperial Force user. I won't say if it is an honor or a pain, that is for you to decide. However, it does mean all eyes are upon you, especially my superiors. You must present yourself as more than professional."
"Right, Offee." Fisher groans, looking at her helmet.
"Offee is actually the least of my concerns." Sonya looks over to the girl. "She is merely an inquisitor. The eyes I worry about are that of the new Grand Inquisitor, his master, and his master's master."
"Who are they?" Torence shrugs. Mich looks over at her worried.
"The previous Grand Inquisitor was my former master who was killed in battle a year ago. The title is currently under intense competition, though the front runner is an inquisitor named Snoke, Offee and... a few others. However, because there is no current Grand Inquisitor, daily operation of running have transfered to the Grand Inquisitor's master, Lord Vader."
"That name sounds familiar." Mich says.
"Not to me." Raff says confused.
"You're all familiar with Lord Vader's master." Sonya says.
"Whose he?" Grace asks.
Sonya looks at the display. She is quiet for a moment. A small section begins flashing. The flies have entered the venus fly trap. "The Emperor, himself." Everyone chokes back a gasp. "And merciful to Force wielders, he is not. Helmets on, we have a job to do." Everyone slams on their helmets and files out. Chance pauses for a moment, and whispers, "Have you ever met him?" He doesn't need to specify who "he" is.
"Only enough to know I never want to cross him." Sonya says. "We have a job to do."
Chance nods.
Ezra kicks out the grate and drops in a knock out gas container. The officers within collapse quickly. Ezra double checks that his breathing mask is on before jumping into the room. He glances around as he makes his way to the control panel. He opens up his comlink twice, signaling the crew that he has made it to the room that controlling access to the base.
He unlocks the side gate onto the base. That should do. Now he just needs to wait and protect their exit point. Gives him plenty of time to ponder why this base has a room controlling the gates onto the base. It seems a bit unusual. Smart in some ways but-
Ezra's thoughts freeze mid-thought. The Force sings into his ears. He closes his eyes, letting the Force take hold of his consciousness and direct him. He sees Sonya marching down a hall followed by stormtroopers. He feels her not that far away and heading straight for his team.
He shove off the breathing mask, ignoring the slowly dissipating gas, and activates his com, "Spector 1! Sunny's heading your way."
Kanan's voice comes on immediately, "Roger that, Specter 6! Specter 5, hurry up."
"I can't find the data!" Sabine shouts back.
"Karablast! This whole thing was a set up." Ezra says, before coughing into his sleeve, muffling it. His sight blurs. Ezra shakes his head. Sabine hadn't been kidding when she said the stuff was nasty.
"It's beginning to look that way." Kanan says. Ezra can easily here the frustration in his voice. Ezra looks back at the screen. He double checks the control.
"Karablast! I am locked out systems!" Ezra says.
"Meet up with us." Kanan orders.
"Kay, Specter 1." Ezra says, turning off his com and breaking into a coughing fit. He burst out into the hall and gasps for fresh air. After a few moments, he straightens himself out and runs towards Kanan's Force signature.
He avoids troopers and officers as he rushes towards the crew. But he knows Sonya is rushing to them too.
He finally turns the last corner and see a sight that floors him. His team is actually struggling with these troopers. The troopers shots are far too close for comfort. Ezra dodges one sent his way. He sees Kanan going up against his sister with another trooper firing at them. One of the troopers shots skirts past Kanan's ears, barreling towards Sonya. Sonya jumps out of the way of the shot. Ezra uses the distraction to his advantage, jumping into the fray.
He glances at Kanan, who nods. Both strike towards Sonya's head, who spins out of the way. Kanan strikes up, Ezra strikes down. Sonya blocks them as she moves out of the way.
The stormtrooper raises his blaster to fire at the Jedi, only to be hit in the back of the head by a blast from Sabine. The trooper goes down hard. Sonya groans, "There's a surprise." She jumps out of the way of a lightsaber.
Ezra deactivates his lightsaber quickly and shoots a slightly large stormtrooper wrestling with Zeb. His lightsaber reactivates as the trooper goes down. Zeb throws the trooper into two troopers aim at him, knocking both out. Zeb runs over to Sabine who is taking on three troopers. Sonya nails his lightsaber with a powerful blow as he brings the lightsaber back up to block. The blow reverberates through his wrist, torquing it in a way it's not suppose to go.
Ezra glances at Kanan, who nods. They send out their hands. A powerful Force push sends Sonya flying into a wall. "Come on!" Kanan orders. The four run out of there.
Sonya stands at attention in front of her seven troopers, her seven stupid troopers, as they get chewed out by Offee. The worst part is that Offee is completely right. They fell apart out there and for the life of her, as little as she felt that was worth, she could not figure out why. Even Chance had missed the Jedi, Jarrus, and very nearly hit her.
"Your team's skills were pitiful" Offee says in a way that sounds like she is talking to stupid child.
"With all due respect, we have only been training for a short period of time. I was not even expecting to take them into the field for at least another month and a half-" Sonya snaps, but cuts off suddenly, surprising her team. Sonya's hand goes to her throat. Everyone, except Raff and Chance's heads snap to Offee, whose hand is out stretched in a Force choke.
Chance whispers to Mich. "What's going on?"
Mich looks at him shocked, "You've never seen a- Of course, you've never see an inquisitor choke someone."
"Guys, she's been doing it for a really long time." Grace whispers, worried.
"She's not going to kill the captain, is she?" Torence whispers. Chance pales, snapping his head to Sonya.
"She's turning blue..." Raff notices, worry lacing his voice.
Offee looks at them, glaring. Sonya falls to the ground. Sven grabs Chance's shoulder without breaking eye contact from the scene in front of them, before Chance even realizes he is leaning forward.
"Ma'am..." Fisher interrupts, softly.
Mich grabs Chance's other shoulder.
"Ma'am?" Fisher says a little louder.
Raff makes a fist in frustration.
Sonya starts making some funny noises that sets everyone into further panic.
"MA'AM!" Fisher yells, in desperation. Fisher is flung against the back wall.
Sonya gasps, as air refills her lungs.
"Do not talk back to me, Trooper." Offee snarls. Sonya bonds up quickly, stars flooding her vision as blood leaves her head. Her vision blacks out and her body feels like its about to collapse. She pushes through.
"Master, may I remind you discipline of my team rest solely under my jurisdiction." Sonya says, quickly.
Offee glares down at her. "I expect punishment, swiftly, Child." Offee turns and leaves.
Everyone visible relaxes. Sonya takes a more stable stance so she does not fall over.
Chance approaches her, ready to support her should she need it, "You okay, Ma'am?"
Sonya looks at him, "What was that out there?"
Chance tilts his head, "Huh?"
"You heard me, Sorayu." Sonya huff, "What. Was. That?" She looks over her team. "You guys sucked out there. It was like all our train did not happened."
"Not our fault, Ma'am." Grace says, "We couldn't see a thing."
"We've been training with our helmets off." Torence explains. "Our helmets severally limit our sight."
"Bantha Poodoo." Sonya deadpans, then grabs Chance's helmet from under his arm and slams it on her head. She pauses a moment, then looks left, then right. "Wow. I can't see anything." She pulls it off. "Alright then. I'll see what I can do about this." She pauses looking at the helmet. "Seriously, how did this come from clone armor? Clone armor is so much better."
"I have no clue, Ma'am. Even cadet helmets are better than those." Torence says.
Sonya rubs her forehead. "Right. Of course, they are. I hope you all realize we'll be training harder after this debacle and Fisher, Offee is expecting some kind of punishment for 'talking back'. Come talk to me in an hour about a suitable punishment." Everyone groans at this.
"Ow." Ezra groans, as Dr. Arlo wraps his wrist. "Hey, Doc, can this be over soon?"
"It will be done sooner if stop squirming." Dr. Arlo says. "Seriously, Kid, be more careful. You are here so much that the new nurse got trained on how to make hot chocolate just the way you like it."
"She did an okay job." Ezra takes a swig of his hot chocolate with his good robotic hand. "And I am careful."
"Need I remind you of the fact that your metal arm took three hours to clean before I could adjust it for your growth spurt?" Dr. Arlo says, rolling his eyes.
"Not my fault I got stuck in a swamp for two months." Ezra shrugs. "Are we done? I'm going to be late."
"Late? For what?" Dr. Arlo asks.
"His date." D's voice chimed.
Ezra's face lit up. "Hey D."
D smiles warmly back, pulling up a chair. "Glad to see it's only a minor injury that brought you here this time. With your reputation, I was actually worried."
"Har dee har har." Ezra rolls his eyes.
Dr. Arlo shakes his head, at the budding romance. "Done. Have fun on your date." He looks at both of them. Ezra completely misses the fact the Dr. Arlo is telling them to have fun. D however, being teased all day by her confused squad, does not.
"Yeah, Marsha's really excited." D smirks, subtly correcting the doctor.
"Oh, boy, now, I am worried." Ezra says.
"Be sure to complement her on her outfit." D says, knowingly. "And put on a fresh set of clothes and comb your hair."
"My hair is not that bad." Ezra rolls his eyes.
D reaches up, removes the rubber band holding back his hair, and ruffles it. She smirks, "Now it is."
"Alright, alright, you win." Ezra frowns as he pulls out the pine cone she shoved into his collar. "See you tomorrow?"
"Of course." D smiles, warmly. "Better hurry."
"Right, again. Bye." Ezra dashes out of the room. A quick change of cloth and hair brush later, Ezra sitting on the old couch in the smaller of the two rec room in the base. Marsha comes in smiling. Ezra stands, giving her a smile. She is in a flowing green dress and a brown vest.
Ezra remembers what D said. "You look great."
"Thank you." Marsha smiles brightly, then holds up a thermos and a tin, "I brought kaff and cookies."
"Great." Ezra smiles, even though he isn't overly found of kaff. It's more than he thought to bring. "What type of movies do you like?"
"I heard Gone With the Blossoms was on tonight." Marsha smiles.
"I have no clue what that is." Ezra admits.
"Oh, its a classic." Marsha flips on the holonet. As the credits roll, she pours them both cups of kaff. Ezra smiles and graciously accepts, struggling to recall all the manners his mother tried to nail into him. They chat during the commercials, laughing at the particularly ridiculous ons. Some times Marsha would regale him with stories of their childhood, and if he remembered he'd chime in adding something that made them laugh. However when the movie starts again, Marsha starts tearing up over the movie and Ezra is clearly bored out of his mind. After the movie hits the two and a half hour mark, Ezra turns to Marsha, "How long is this movie?"
Marsha, who had changed her position to be lying across a large portion of the couch and is sniffling into a tissue, "It's an old classic. They are a lot long and much more dynamic than movies made now."
Ezra holds back a groan. He likes Marsha, but he can safely say that whatever romantic chemistry feels like, he is not feeling any of it with Marsha. He did feel a friendship forming though.
About fifteen minutes later, Ezra catches himself nodding off. Not surprising since they had just returned from a mission earlier that day, one that involved Sunny... Those always left him drained. Maybe he could just meditate for a moment...
Sometime later, Marsha looks over at Ezra. He is fast asleep. Marsha shakes her head. Then shesees the time.
Marsha goes over and shakes his shoulder, "Hey," Marsha says, as Ezra pr eyes open. "I think we should call it a night."
"I'll walk you back to you ship." Ezra smiles throw a yawn, picking up the empty thermos with his good hand.
Marsha gets up and grabs the tin and turning off the movie. "Thanks, I had a great time... You're a good friend." Marsha says, summing up the chemistry she felt between them, that of friendship. She hopes she isn't hurting him, but there isn't any chemistry, or at least what she imagined chemistry is...
"Glad to be." Ezra smiles, relieved, as they leave the rec room.
Writer's Corner: SpaceBlueberries
Thank you time! Thank you Midnight Luna for reviewing. I will be updating weekly, unless I am updating another story. (Obvious subtlety is obvious. I have another story in the works, that I may be publishing next week. Thank the finale for that). Thank you Jedi Jelsa777 for reviewing. Glad to give you the feels. Plot will be returning next week though. Thank you Paint the Fangirling UniWolf for reviewing. I think everyone cried at one point or another. Thank you Skypeoplephoeniz732 for reviewing. The reason Ezra goes on a date with Marsha is because it happens in real life. No one expects to meet the love of their life on their first date. And yet we never see that in media. So, I put it in here. Ezra will date and he will have heartbreak before he finds happiness.
Question Time: What do you think of Kanan's blindness.