"And that is your mission, Ghost crew." Sato finished, eyeing each of them patiently.
"Seems simple enough," Kanan said, rubbing his chin. "Can't be too hard, when do we leave?"
Hera and Sato eyed each other, making Kanan and the others worried. Maul raised an eyebrow, "Are there any complications?"
They seemed to have a silent conversation between eyes, before Hera seemed to relent and bowed her head. "The complication...is that Kanan isn't leading the mission, and neither am I."
Kanan seemed taken aback by it, "Then who's leading it?"
Sato and Hera made eye contact again, before Sato spoke, "We are giving young Bridger a chance at command."
Everyone one of the crew felt their eyes bulge at that info, Kanan especially. Slowly, they turned to Ezra, who had no small amount of nervousness in him, held still and nodded. "I'll do the Rebellion proud."
"Woah, wait a minute." Kanan tried to but in, but Hera cut him off.
"Kanan," She said, a little stressed. "I know what you're going to say, but Ezra wanted a chance to prove himself."
"I did," Ezra added, not making Kanan any more calm.
"But what if-"
"Do you not trust your padawan?" Maul said, not accusing, turning to him.
"Of course I do!" Kanan quickly shot back, but had no heat behind it.
"Then trust me on this, Kanan." Ezra pleaded, eyes begging, as he looked at his master.
"I hate to go against you, Kanan," Zeb finally spoke, looking a little hesitant. "But if anything the Honor Guard taught me is that everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves."
"The same for the Mandalorians." Sabine added, but still nervous of her past. Seeing he wasn't going to win, Kanan bowed his head and looked at Sato, suddenly tired.
Sato gave a nod, turning to Ezra. "Then I suggest you get your crew ready, Captain Bridger."
Trying to push his fears down, Ezra saluted to Sato, "Yes sir."
"Dismissed." Sato said, arms crossed behind his back. Sabine and Zeb quickly strolled out, followed by Ezra who was trying to calm himself. Hera sighed, sitting in a nearby chair, knowing that one of her crew would stay behind. Surprisingly, Maul stayed behind as well, arms crossed as he watched the scene about to unfold. Sato watched Kanan, calm and stoic as ever, "Something to add, Captain Jarrus?"
"This is a risky move."
"Whenever have we been known for not taking risks?"
Kanan looked at Hera, and felt himself crumble. "He's too young."
"And how old were you when the Jedi order was destroyed?" Maul asked, making the others tense up.
"That was different." Kanan growled out, but Maul didn't back down.
"You were closer to his age," Maul spoke, knowing he was on thin ice. The Clone Wars had been a tough time for him as well, but this was low for him. "When the world crumbled. You learned quickly that you had to look out for yourself, and prove to yourself that you could survive." Kanan's hands gripped a rail, starting to turn red from pressure. "And now look at Ezra. He lost his parents young, and had to learn to survive himself. So why should he not be able prove to himself when you did many years ago."
Kanan was barely able to restrain himself, flashed of the war and his last seconds with his master testing his composure. His hands were shaking, and the force was starting to crack near him. A hand on his shoulder made him jump, turning to see Hera by his side, and Maul right behind her.
"We all need to grow up, Kanan." Hera softly spoke, looking at him with peaceful eyes. Maul did the same behind, and Kanan felt his composure return and the force calm.
"I just hoped to give him some more time," Kanan felt a little part of him break, knowing his padawan (whom he had come to love like a son) was becoming an adult. "More time than I had."
"And there would be time for that," Sato spoke, showing a little bit of human to his general side. "But we don't. By helping him grow and help fight the Empire, we will help future generations by making them not allowed to learn what we did."
It was silent in the room, a tense one, before Kanan bowed his head, "He's becoming a proper rebel, isn't he."
"One of the best." Hera smiled.
"Learning from the best." Maul added.
"And he will help us," Sato went back to his usual stance, returning to his general with human eyes. "And save the galaxy."
Kanan finally smiled, "Then let's get him going."
Ezra day on his bunk, foot tapping nervously, as he thought of the mission soon, worried about all the details behind it. Of course a part of him was excited at the opportunity, and the chance to help the rebellion as best he could, but they were putting people's lives in his hands, his own crew as a matter of fact. He always followed them, and had his own plans at different times, but this was entirely different. Now he was the one giving orders, and had to lead them, even if it's a simple grab-and-go mission. The door suddenly opened, causing Ezra to jump a little and look up. With worried eyes, Kanan looked down at him, and saw the nervousness in his stature, plain as a Hutt on Naboo. Closing the door behind him, he didn't say anything and sat next to Ezra, sensing his worry in the Force.
"You need to calm yourself, Ezra." Was the first thing Kanan said, getting a dry chuckle from Ezra.
"Easy for you to say," Ezra bit back, palms sweaty, arms heavy. "You're not the one with lives in your arms."
"What do you think me and Hera do every other day with you guys?" Ezra felt a little bad for saying it now, remembering all that Kanan and Hera do DAILY for them. "Listen. Just stay calm on the mission, another routine grab and run op. Nothing stressful and nothing out of the ordinary, minimal security. You'll do fine."
Ezra sighed, still a little tense. "It's still a lot to handle."
Kanan looked at his padawan, and felt himself relate to him. Straightening himself, he spoke softly. "During the Clone Wars, the Jedi were used as the generals for the clone troopers. We commanded and led them to victory or defeat, but we did it together. One day, me and my master were leading a squad on some outer rim planet, and she got separated from us."
"Naturally, the clones looked to the next ranking Jedi...me in this case. Imagine that, a padawan suddenly becoming the general of a group. I was beyond nervous, as they looked up to someone shorter than them. It was the. I grew up a little, and had to make an example for them. I led them towards the droid outpost, and helped win it over. Soon, my master arrived and saw me, leading clones like a true commander, and I never forgot the smile she wore that day, the pride in her eyes."
Ezra listened, hanging on each word, to Kanan's story, and felt his own moment arrive. This was his chance to learn like his own master, and to grow up a little as well. A part of him was nervous, but a much greater part of him was encouraged, ready for the chance. His nerves finally washed away, leaving behind a burning flame of determination and confidence. Smiling, he looked to Kanan, reflecting the unwavering confidence in him.
"This is your chance, Ezra," Kanan spoke, smiling with pride. "Lead on, Captain Bridger." He threw a mock salute, which had Ezra chuckling.
In a quick flash, Ezra wrapped his arms around Kanan, hugging him closely. "Thank you, Kanan."
Kanan mirrored his smile, holding him close. "Your welcome, Ezra."
"Are you sure you've got everything planned?"
"Kanan," Ezra sighed, tired of hearing it for the hundredth time. They were just about ready to go on to the mission, having their "borrowed" (How do they keep doing that?) transport ready and prepared, but Kanan was still being his usual self. They had been delayed fifteen minutes with his questions, all of which were replied with solid and well thought out answers, which served to only frustrate Kanan each time. The others, although they knew it was because he cared, were tired of it as well, and wanted to get the overbearing Jedi out of the way.
"He'll do just fine, Kanna." Hera piped up, shaking her head. Stubborn Jedi, even if the order prohibited this type of emotions, she loved him for it.
"Bridger is ready for the task," Maul said, standing beside Hera. He wasn't trusted to go out on a mission without either Kanan and Hera, so this was him sitting out as well. He also knew it wouldn't help for him to be on the mission, meeting an old friend like they were would only hurt him.
"Easy love," Hera held his shoulder, making him sigh. With a nod, and a quick hug (which served to make Maul smile a bit) the reluctant master allowed his padawan to go on into the ship, ready for the task. Standing in the hull, Ezra turned and gave a two finger salute, much like Kanan would, as the ramp closed.
Sighing, Kanan watched the ship lift and turn away, heading for the sky of Atollon. Even those without the force could feel his worry, and his care, and it was understandable, if not relatable. He had been with the kid for a long time, forming a close bond with him, and the last thing he wants is for him to get hurt. With a heavy heart, Kanan turned from the ship, hearing the split second of the engines, then nothing.
"He'll be fine Kanan." Hera reassured, smiling at him. She understood his worry, but Ezra had to learn on his own at times as well. Those lessons are the ones that stick the most: ones you learn on your own.
"It is a simple operation," Maul added, smiling gently. A part of him longed for someone to care for him as Kanan did for Ezra, but he would help the man now before he found his own friend.
"Then I don't see why you shouldn't have gone?"
Maul chuckled, "As much as a mission would help my inaction, I don't think your superiors would agree." Kanan chuckled, a little dryly. "Besides, I would only do the mission harm."
"How so?" Hera asked.
"The person they are going to get doesn't like me very much." Maul sighed, thinking back on his memories of lust and power. Dark times. "I wasn't very..friendly to him."
"What could you have done to him?"
"Trust me," Maul said, eyes like steel, "The history of me and Hondo Ohnaka shouldn't be revealed."
