Thanks to dssax000, Guest and hellothere209 for the Feedback!
dsax000: I have at least one arc featuring the Mantis crew. Cal's usage of psychometry is a fun power to write about, specifically as it applies to Ezra and everything he's hiding.
Guest: Thanks for your review! I never actually thought about that. Thanks for the suggestion!
hellothere209: I needed something big to get Ezra to Dathomir, so I figured a sacrifice would do the trick. Out of everyone, Mart was the least expendable, so it had to be him.
Enjoy!
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History lessons from long ago rang through Sabine's mind, and she took a step back. "ARC Trooper Echo?" She asked in disbelief. "How are you even still alive?"
Echo shrugged, the one arm that bore a computer-interface arm clanking slightly. "During the War, I was captured by the Techno Union. They removed my inhibitor chip, fearing I would be able to somehow contact the Republic. So I didn't turn on my General when Clone Order 66 was issued."
Tristan lowered his rifle. "All Clones age at twice the rate of humans." He looked at Echo. "How are you not the same age as Captain Rex?"
Echo chuckled. "During the final months of the War, I was rescued from the Techno Union by Rex and General Skywalker. After, I joined an experimental unit of clones, but the Techno Union kept on searching for me. They eventually found me, and put me in stasis freezing. I only recently got out."
Sabine nodded and holstered her pistols. "So, why are you on Krownest?"
Echo lowered his head. "Rex rescued me from the bunker the Techno Union stashed me in-a bunker now controlled by the Empire. He got me out, but was captured by Vader."
Sabine whirled and ran towards the Compound. "Come on! We have to call Ezra!"
. . . . . . . . . .
Ezra slid underneath Cal's feet, swinging his lightsaber at the other Jedi's back, nodding as Cal blocked by pointing the hilt down his back. "Nice lightsaber."
Cal grunted as he pushed Ezra back, then rolled to the side. "It was my Master's."
Ezra raised his arm to strike, but was suddenly aware of the fact his arm was moving slower than normal. After a moment, it wore off, and Ezra slammed his off-hand into the ground, pushing Cal back a few feet. Taking a moment to focus, he ducked as one saber split into two, and Ezra used the Force to throw Cal into a tree. "You have two sabers."
Cal nodded as he stood. "Cere gave me her old one. One half is hers, the other half is my Master's. Unchanged." He charged Ezra, using the Force to slow the other Jedi down.
Calling on the Force to break through, Ezra locked sabers with Cal and twisted, positioning himself so his blade was at the others throat. After a moment, they switched off their lightsabers, and Cal laughed. "Nice one. Caleb Dume taught you well."
Ezra nodded. "He did." He grabbed his mask and held it in his hand, looking at it. "He taught me almost everything I know." His comlink beeped, an Ezra raised his arm. "Spectre Five?"
Sabine sounded out of breath. "Rex was captured. Vader took him to Mustafar."
Ezra's eye widened and he glanced at Cal. "I'll see if we can head over there now." He paused. "Stay safe, Sabine."
The call ended, and Cal nodded. "We can assist you." He began moving towards the Mantis. "I'll let my team know."
Stopping to briefly hug the Nightsister, Cal slipped inside, and Ezra smiled at her. "Thank you for dealing with Kei. He has been a problem for my crew for many months."
The Nightsister smiled back. "I am aware of such pests. My home was once besieged by such a scourge."
"Oh?" Ezra leaned forward. "How did you deal with that pest?"
Cal laughed as he rejoined the woman outside. "The same way she dealt with Kei." He kissed her cheek. "She's protected us for years." Growing more serious, he faced Ezra. "We'll help you. But it will take a while to chart a course to Mustafar that avoids Imperial Patrols."
The Nightsister nodded and stood. "Come, Ezra Bridger. I wish to see if you can truly fight."
Ezra frowned as he stood. "You want me to fight you?" He glanced at Cal, who was chuckling. "What am I walking into?"
Cal smirked. "If you haven't fought a Nightsister yet, you're in for a surprise."
Ezra hesitantly returned to the sparring field, and Cal used the Force to reach for the other Jedi's mask. The muted green didn't match with the rest of his orange attire, and that tipped Cal off. Merrin had agreed to distract Bridger so Cal could figure out if he was genuine, or just another Malicos.
Heading to the couch inside, he briefly stopped to sense where Bridger was, then sat down. Slipping into the Force, Cal tried his hardest to ignore his Master's shouts, the clones firing. Finding the light that matched Bridger, he pulled, letting a wave of memories wash over him.
Kanan, he blames himself for what happened.
Well, I don't.
I never blamed you, Ezra. It's time for you to forgive yourself.
There was a bright spot, and Cal gravitated towards that.
Kanan. I know what to say now. I love you.
It must be the truth serum.
No. It's me. All me.
This is the last time we're working with Maul!
Cal's eyes snapped open and he gasped, the mask falling the ground. A moment later, Cere was beside him. "What happened?"
Cal shook his head and moved Ezra's mask to where he left it. "Ezra and his Master once had a run-in with Maul. It looks like they worked with him."
Cere scowled. "Maul." She shook her head. "Did you find anything else?"
Cal stood and grabbed his lightsaber. "Well, he's no Malicos. His Master, Kanan Jarrus, did train him in the Force."
Cere's scowl deepened. "I don't know that name."
"It was an alias." They turned to see Ezra leaning against the doorframe. "My Master was Caleb Dume before Order 66. After that, he took on a new name. Kanan was the name I knew him by." He grabbed his mask with the Force. "And as for Maul," he turned his eye to Cal, "how do you know him?"
"A Nightsister? Oh, how intriguing."
"Merrin! Let her go!"
"Is this love, I sense? I thought such a thing was forbidden by the Jedi. Are you still a Jedi, Cal Kestis?"
Cal shook the memory away. "We fought him a few years ago. He captured Merrin."
Ezra frowned. "The Nightsister?" Slowly, he nodded. "Makes sense. He said Dathomir was his home."
"So how do you know Maul?" Cere sat down and looked at Ezra. "You don't seem the type to work with him."
Ezra lowered his head. "I don't want to talk about it." He turned towards outside. "But it wasn't willingly."
Once he was gone, Cere turned back to Cal. "Cal?"
He nodded and grabbed the mask, closing his eyes.
Where's Ezra?
You mean, my apprentice?
Kanan!
Cal opened his eyes momentarily. "Maul did something to Kanan."
He's not your apprentice.
Yet…
"Maul was trying to turn Ezra, but Kanan was his rock."
Look, I can't see anything! Not anymore!
No! You are unwilling.
Are you saying there's a way to restore my vision?
Your sight cannot be healed. But I can teach you to see. If you're willing.
Cal sighed and lowered the mask. "Kanan was blinded by Maul. And-"
"Maul blackmailed us to assist him." Ezra used the Force to grab his mask. "I don't recall allowing you to touch this."
Cal stood. "I'm sorry, Ezra. But we've had run-ins with fallen Jedi before. Wanted to make sure you weren't one."
Ezra sighed and glanced at Cere. "Are we ready to head to Mustafar?"
She nodded. "Better strap in."
Cere and Cal returned to the cockpit, and Ezra pulled out his comm. "Spectre Five, we're on our way to Mustafar. We'll meet you there." He was silent for a moment. "And bring Kanan's lightsaber with you. We may need it."
. . . . . . . . . .
Sabine nodded. "Okay, Six. We'll synch up with Zeb and Kallus." She paused. "Love you."
"Love you too. Spectre Six out."
After informing Ursa about the plan, Sabine headed over to Hera's quarters. In a show of gratitude for saving Sabine's life, Ursa had given Hera temporary quarters, something rare for any non-Mandalorian.
Sabine was about to knock on the door when she heard voices. "-I don't know what to say, Senator. I'm so sorry."
"At least a piece of Han will live on." It was Senator Organa. But why would she be contacting Hera? "I was wondering if you had any advice?"
Hera sighed. "Honestly, Senator, I'd recommend stepping away from the Rebellion. Stress is not a good thing at this time."
"Thank you, Hera. I have to get back to work, but-"
"Anytime."
Satisfied the call had ended, Sabine knocked on the door. "Hera, we have a mission."
. . . . . . . . . .
Chapter Notes!
I). I know we don't know everything about ARC Trooper Echo's story, but it seems likely to me that the Techno Union removed his inhibitor chip. It just doesn't make sense for one of the final arcs of the Clone Wars to be about rescuing a trooper, only to have said trooper turn on the Jedi six months later.
II). Something I've noticed is that Cal Kestis seems to be a very offensive fighter, while Ezra Bridger is more defensive. After all, Kanan was pretty good at Makashi; you'd think he would practise with Ezra. Defence usually beats offence in Star Wars (ie: Obi-Wan vs Anakin)
III). Come on, there is no way Cal and Merrin never met Maul. The last Nightsister, who grew up to hate the Jedi, and the Nightbrother who lost his whole family to the Sith, and who has a strong hatred of a certain high-ground loving Jedi. They had to have crossed paths at some point. And I can't imagine that Cal got along with Maul.
IV). So, Leia called Hera. About...?
Thanks for reading!
Judge
