Star Wars Rebels: The Other Path Taken (Short Story) Part 2

Characters: Original Star Wars Characters may or may not be in Story. (Harem)

Ezra Bridger

Shei Ghavaria-O.C.

Nagna Klara-O.C.

Jen Tegga-O.C.

Sabine Wren

Hera Syndulla

Jacen Syndulla

Ashoka Tano

Luke Skywalker

Leia Organo Solo

Han Solo

Chewbacca

Arrival:

Over thirty hours according to the Nav-Computer was a generous guess, for Ezra believed it was a guess or an estimate. Because from what he could tell it would take at least another ten hours after that to even enter the Neighboring System. Laying down on the Pod Cabin Floor with a Thermal Blanket underneath him and one covering him. When he looked over towards the rear of the Pod to see that Shei was doing the same thing. They both were essentially exhausted, fully expecting to have at least came to the edge of the Neighboring System. But according to the Sensors they were at least ten to twelve hours from reaching even that point. Later that night, he awoke feeling a strange weight on the right side of his body. Opening his eyes he looked over and gasped. The strange weight that was on him was Shei. She had joined him and now was basically cuddled up onto him. He immediately began to panic. Extremely tempted to use the Force to levitate her off him. But at the same time, he found it nice and comfortable. In fact he liked it. This was something he wished and dreamed Sabine would do. He found it really disconcerting that he was beginning to no longer fantasize about Sabine as much. In fact he was finding himself becoming attracted to Shei. When she suddenly pulled herself even more against him and moved her head more upon the right side of his chest. He sighed out with an exhale. Realizing that he was falling for her.

Thirteen Hours and forty seven minutes later, the Pod had reached the outskirts of the System. Of course the Nav-Computer or the Computer itself on the Pod, had no information about the Planets or even what they were called. The only good thing was the Sensors detected a lot of Communication Traffic. From the Fifth Planet, Several Moons, Three Space Stations and over a couple dozen Ships. "Let's see if someone is willing to help us." He said and reached for the Communicator. Sending out a plea for assistance to anyone. When the Planets Civil Control replied and told them that a Ship was being dispatched to get them. Ezra slumped with relief in his Seat. Shei stared out the front watching everything with keen interest.

"A lot has changed. In my time...Yes the Aggodie had Star Ships. But not this many. At most perhaps a half dozen midsized Cargo Ships that would come to trade with us. Though they stopped when my Uncle killed an entire Crew for no other reason other then he could. Well that is what he told me. At the time he kept trying to impress me on how powerful he was." Shei told him as she watched a Large Cruiser enter Hyperspace. When a Shuttle arrived it simply engaged a tractor beam and then took them to one of the Space Docks. Where it set them down on one of the Landing Pads within the Hanger. The Captain contacted them and told them that they needed to see the Officer in Charge of the Docks. If they did not require Medical Attention first. The Shuttle then soared over a dozen pads to the right and landed itself.

Thankfully Ezra had a couple of Credits with him. There was a Visa Fee and an since neither of them had Local Identification Papers. That was another Fee. By the time they left Customs, he was broke. Luckily they were able to sell the Pod for about Seven Thousand Local Credits. The Blasters they sold to a Pawn Store for Two Thousand. So with Nine Thousand Credits, it gave them some Money to not only get a Room at the Inn. They also could eat anything other then Rations. He really wanted two Rooms, but the Inn only had one room available.

Then There Was Three:

"I checked at the Space Port. Sure there are a good many Ships coming and going. But none of them are heading towards home...well my home." Ezra said as they finished eating Breakfast at a Diner.

"So what do we do?" Shei asked and Ezra looked over at her.

"Are you sure you want to come with me Shei. I mean I could give you half the Money and you could remain here. Perhaps start a new life here and find out what happened to your People." Ezra said and Shei shook her head.

"By now no one would know and since the Aggodie generally don't keep any Records of the past. I doubt I could learn anything here. If you will let me...I would prefer to remain with you." Shei smiled warmly and fondly over at him. Causing him to shift uncomfortably in his seat. He was not used to having a girl look at him that way. Generally Sabine would roll her eyes at him or give him one of those looks that told him to take a flying leap off the Ghost at a mile up. Shei looked at him differently and he could actually feel her emotions towards him. He could not help but like it. So he smiled back at her.

With it agreed that Shei would accompany him, Ezra suggested they go to the Space Port and see if there were any Commercial Transports that they could book passage on. If no Commercial then perhaps one of the other Ships departing would take them on as Passengers or even as Temporary Crewmembers. As they walked through the small City, they entered the Shopping Plaza. It was a buzz of activity. Shops and Stalls were everywhere. Selling just about anything. Nearing the center, Shei stiffened and pointed at a raised podium where a Bothan Male was selling Slaves of different Races. Some Ezra knew while others he did not. He wished he could do something and he could tell that Shei did as well. But if they tried anything he suspected it would not be the Slavers that would be incarcerated but them. He suspected that Slavery was subtly influenced by the Empire. Since it was widely done on most of the Imperial Worlds. Nearing the crowd that gathered there to bid on the Slaves, he felt a strange stirring within him. Looking over at the caged Slaves that were soon to be sold. His eyes locked onto what at first he thought was a Togruta. But the Girls coloring was wrong and her Montrell's were mixed with human hair. "A hybrid." He whispered, knowing that either the Mother or Father was a Human, while the other was a Togruta. For some reason the lighter orange and white skinned Girl reminded him of Ashoka Tano.

"Something wrong Ezra?" Shei asked and Ezra could not stop staring at the Hybrid Togruta Girl. It was not just that she reminded him of Ashoka. There was something else about her. When the Girl was brought up on the Podium, the crowd there voiced their displeasure and he could not understand why. Yes the Girl was a Hybrid. But she was rather attractive. Young and attractive.

"I wonder why it seems no one likes her?" Ezra asked Shei who shook her head. Not knowing why. But she also looked at him curiously and before she could ask why Ezra seemed so interested.

"Most do not like cross breeds." A Man said from the right of them, answering Ezra's question. He then shook his head negatively with disgust. "YO AUCTIONEER! TAKE THAT...THING BACK AND GET ON WITH IT!" The Man yelled towards the Bothan who grimaced visibly.

"Yeah send her to the Mines and be done with it." Another Man said and Ezra winced. He suspected that the Mines here were no different then any of the other Mines where Slaves were used. Basically it would be considered a death sentence.

"Do I have any offers for this...Slave?" The Bothan asked, not really pleased at the prospect of not being able to sell the Hybrid Togruta and forced to send her to the Mines. Where he would make nothing on her. Ezra raised his right hand.

"Two Hundred Credits." Ezra said and the Bothan smiled.

"Sold! Take her...She is yours." The Bothan said eagerly before Ezra could change his mind. He suspected that the Bothan would not even care if Ezra tried to stiff him. He just wanted the Girl gone.

"What are you doing Ezra? I would not think or believe that you would want to own a Slave." Shei stated crossly at him. Ezra shook his head.

"Actually you are right. I wouldn't. But...I got a feeling about her." Ezra said and Shei took another look at the girl. She frowned and wrinkled her brow. He instantly picked up her jealousy. "No it is not like that. Yes she is...well she is pretty. But there is something familiar and I just can't let her be sent to the Mines." He quickly tried to explain and moved over to pay. He found it interesting that the Bothan at the Pay Counter did not even count the Credits. Thrusting the attached leash at him along with the ownership Data Chip. Returning to the Inn and their room. Ezra removed the Girls Collar. The Girl dropped basically prone on the floor. Almost begging him not to punish her.

"No we are not going to do that. Please get up, okay. My name is Ezra...this is Shei." Ezra introduced himself and Shei to the the Girl looked at him completely shocked and confused.

"But you are my Masters." The Girl said softly.

"Yes and no. Yes we or rather I bought you...but that was because..." Ezra said and then noticed that Shei was closely listening to him.

"I would like to also know the reasons why you bought her." Shei commented with a small frown and Ezra felt beads of sweat begin form on his forehead. Other then not wanting to see the Girl sent to the Mines. He really did not have a valid reason to buy her. The tingles or stirrings really were not that he suspected that like Ashoka, this Girl might have Force Potential. No the stirrings were more of familiarity.

"Uhm...Do you have a name? Please call me Ezra and her Shei and not Master." Ezra said trying valiantly to change the subject, though he suspected that later he would have to think of a reason that made sense and did not piss Shei off. For now he was clueless. When he looked over at Shei she was partially glaring at him. At that he knew that he had failed in not wanting to piss her off. For she did not like that he had not answered her question and tried to change the subject.

"My Mother and her Clan named me...Nagna Klara. Though after I became a Slave the Slavers called me Crossbreed." Nagna replied sadly, small tears streamed her eyes. Then they learned how Nagna ended up being sold as a Slave. Her Mother raised her until she was fifteen years old among her Clan. Then one day her maternal Father a Human arrived with several Armed Men. Took Nagna away from her home and when her Mother tried to interfere. The Man murdered her Mother, along with any of the others of her Clan that tried to intervene. She had learned later, that the Man was a high placed Official that was trying to be Elected Governor of his Homeworld. If anyone learned of his indiscretion of having an affair with a Togruta and had a Togruta Human Hybrid Daughter. Then his Political Career would be over. So to make sure that did not happen, he needed to erase his mistake by making Nagna and her Mother disappear. She also learned that he had not planned on killing her Mother. Just sell them into Slavery.

"Nagna...We both are sorry." Shei said and then smiled at her. "I see bad things happen no matter the Century. So Ezra what are we going to do with her?" She asked him and Ezra did not have any real idea.

"I guess we could free her." Ezra said and Shei finally smiled at him.

"I am sorry Mast...Ezra. You can't...I am listed as a Slave and marked as well." Nagna raised her rags of her Shirt on her right arm to show where she had been branded. "Even if you do free me...any Slave Trader can retake me and resell me." Ezra let out a deep sighing breath, looking over at Shei who gave him a resigned smile. She then noticed Nagna's eyes and grumbled silently. The Hybrid Girl was looking at Ezra with a lot of admiration along with something Shei had for him as well. Fondness bordering upon affection.

"Wonderful! She just meets him and already she is smitten. This is all I need." Shei thought as she shook her head. "That means she will have to remain also with us. At least until we find some way to remove that brand." Shei said out loud and Ezra nodded. "For now...I think you Ezra should go get her something more appropriate to wear. Those Rags are...they are what I would barely call clothes. While you are doing that. I will see to...her taking a bath." Ezra nodded and after a second departed gratefully. Once the door shut and she was certain Ezra was no longer close enough to overhear her. "One thing Nagna." She said as she led the Girl towards the Refresher.

"Yes Mistr...Shei?" Nagna said and Shei smiled at her coyly.

"Do not get any funny ideas. Ezra is mine. He does not know it yet. But he is mine. Okay?" Shei asked her and Nagna slowly nodded with understanding. Then smiled just as coyly and Shei suspected that her warning was not going to be obeyed.

Two days later the three left Aggodi on a Civilian Transport and arrived on Tsilatta. Which from what Ezra had been told had more Commercial Traffic that may or not go to the Core Worlds or Outer Rim. Since it was a Major Space Port Hub and a much larger World. What he was not told was that the Planet was eighty percent covered by Water and most of the Population was Aquatic. That over three quarters of the Space Ship Traffic was designed for Aquatic use. Which meant that a good portion of the Ships that were indeed going towards The Rim Worlds or the Core. The three of them could not travel on. For one none of them could hold their breaths long enough to reach one of those Systems.

And THen There Was Four: Sort Of

Shei discovered one thing about Ezra that did annoy her to no end. He seemed to attract trouble. She believed it might be a Jedi trait to somehow get into trouble or find something that was troublesome. It was in her mind bad enough that Nagna was with them and due to that they had limited Credits. The three of them had to share a room. Where Shei wanted Nagna to sleep and be in another room entirely. Or better yet in another Inn. The only good thing about the Hybrid Girl was that she seemed to be a naturally talented or gifted when it came to Vibro Throwing Knives. Being able to throw one with perfect accuracy at a target and hit the bullseye every time. What was bothering Shei at the moment was that Ezra was in the midst of completely pissing off one of the Local Criminal Groups. Which she believed they did not need to do. So as she and Nagna ran towards where they had believed Ezra had gone, she swore to have a long intense discussion with him later about this whole debacle.

The Morning Prior. Leaving Shei and Nagna at the Inn, Ezra made his way to the Local Temporary Employment Offices. The idea was for him to find some type of Maintenance Job that paid daily. They only had about one thousand Credits left and they needed another Two thousand for them to pay for passage to some other System. He had at first tried to inquire about becoming a Temporary Crewmember aboard one of the departing Ships. He soon discovered that was impossible since there were a few hundred others that had the same idea. Also some of those willing, were not agreeable to allow Females on their Ships under any circumstance. So that left him to look for some type of Employment. Shei and Nagna volunteered to also work, but Shei was three hundred years behind and Nagna really could not work for Credits. That left it up to him. As he walked towards the Five Story Building that employed Temporary Workers, he accidentally bumped into a large Man with a Scar on the left side of his face. 'Watch it!" The Man growled angrily, reaching down to grip the hilt of a mean looking Curved Knife.

"Sorry Sir." Ezra quickly said stepping back. The Man smirked at him and then walked away. Not so much walked but strutted.

"You need to be careful young man. Daris there is with the Sea Tide Syndicate." A Blonde Bearded Man said, from the line waiting to go into the Employment Building. "They are not so much a Syndicate...but a bunch of ruthless bloodthirsty Criminals." The Man informed Ezra.

"Yeah they are known to kill first and ask questions later." An Older Woman with Greyish Brown hair said. "I heard right now they are into smuggling Mermagains."

"What are Mermagains?" Ezra asked, he had never heard of what they were. The two looked at him weirdly and the Man shook his head.

"What are Mermagains? Are you serious?" The Man asked and then gave a soft chuckle. "They are like the most revered Race of the Aquatics that inhabit the Oceans. Hell I am surprised that the Sea Tiders risk it. For if any of the other Races out there ever caught them...they would bloody them and let the Preds out there eat them alive." Ezra still did not understand. The Woman noticed his confusion.

"You see the Mermagains are Amphibious. They can breath both Water and Air. What makes them Revered and sought after is that in the Air...they can See, Smell and Hear better then anything alive. They make perfect means for finding all sorts of valuable minerals or Gems." The Woman explained. "Problem is that the Sea Tiders know they cannot get Adults to do any of that. What I heard is that they will attack a Village of them, kill all the adults and take the little ones. Then sell them to any idiot that is willing to pay."

"Which is not smart. Because if that same idiot is caught with one of the wee-ones. He or She could be sent to Prison or...Executed by that fashion I mentioned earlier." The Man said and then the line started moving. So the other two stopped talking to him and focused on getting inside.

Grunting with frustration, Ezra scrubbed the Hyperdrive Coolant Filters with what once was a Wire Brush. The Meter high and four inch thick Filters were caked with mostly dried sludge. Telling him that the Ship that used these Filters did not clean them enough and used substandard Coolant. But he did not complain too much about that or the fact that he had also reattuned the Lateral Thruster Jets. He was being paid five Hundred Credits for this. Well actually Six, the Employment Agency was collecting one hundred for finding him this Temporary Job. He knew that a Normal Maintenance Technician at a Repair Facility would Charge close to fifteen hundred Credits for the same job. So it made sense that the Owner Slash Captain of the Ship wanted it cheaply done by anyone that could do it. Oh Ezra could do that and a few more tedious jobs. All thanks to losing bets with Sabine. While he scrubbed he found it weird that he had not thought about Sabine since he had met Shei and now Nagna. "Aren't you done yet? I got a Schedule to keep!" The Captain asked and Ezra looked back at the potbellied Man.

"Would be done sooner if I had a better Scrubber Brush." Ezra informed him brandishing the Brush that only had about half of the corrosive bristles on it.

"Well those things are expensive. Get that done already and stop complaining. I am paying you to do the job. So do it and be quick about it." The Man said impatiently, suspiciously glancing about. He then went inside the Midsized Corellian YT 1760 Cargo Ship and Ezra thought it strange how nervous the Man seemed to be. So after finishing, he decided to find out what the Man was so nervous and anxious about.

"Curiosity sometimes is a curse for a Jedi." Ezra remembered that Kanan had told him that a couple of times. Inside the Cargo bay he discovered why he Man acted the way he did. There in a small clear tank was an even smaller girl. One with pointed ears. He suspected that she was a Mermagain. The Girl he suspected was about three years maybe four years old. She had bluish green hair, bright orange eyes and had extremely light bluish gray skin. She was also crying and he could sense how saddened she was. She looked at him and Ezra decided that he could not stand by and do nothing. "Don't be afraid. I am here to help you." He said to her and then used the Force to rip the top of the Tank off. The Girl stared at him in shock then panic when she saw the Man behind Ezra.

"WHAT THE BLAZES ARE YOU DOING?" The Captain yelled at Ezra angrily, gripping a Blaster Rifle in his Hands. Ezra calmly smiled and palmed his Lightsabre that was hidden up his right sleeve. As two others joined the Older Large Man. A Rodian and a White colored Twil'ek with an eyepatch over his left eye. Both were also armed.

"I am freeing and taking her with me." Ezra said calmly, not turning to even look at them. The Captain laughed.

"Oh really and what makes you think I or my Men will let you do that?" The Man said still laughing, pointing his Blaster at Ezra. His two men were also laughing. Right up to the point they all heard the Snap Hiss of a Lightsabre being ignited. Then the three were no longer laughing. "Wait...that is impossible...you are not a...?"

"I am a Jedi. Now you have two choices. Drop the Blasters or I make you drop them." Ezra slowly turned towards the three men with his Green Lightsabre blade right in front of him. The Three opened fire and Ezra easily deflected the Red Beams. "Bad choice." He said as he sent two consecutive Bolts into the Captain and then cut down the Rodian and the Twil'ek. Deactivating his Lightsabre, he turned back towards the cowering young girl. She looked up at him with wide eyes. "It is alright. Like I said I am here to help you. I am Ezra." He pocketed his Lightsabre and eased himself closer. When he reached down to pick up the small girl, she basically lunged into his arms and started to cry. He found out between her cries that her name was Jen Tegga. She continued to cry even after he left the Ship and he made his way to the Port Authority. Where he told the Officers there what he had discovered aboard the Cargo Ship.

To be continued