Kanan's Bane:

D201/5 BBY, The Ghost

Hera

After making a quick trip around the Lothal system in hyperspace, the Ghost resumed normal space, with the planet Lothal back in sight. The door to the bridge opened, and Zeb dragged in a protesting boy. "Let me go. You can't keep me here. Take me back to Lothal."

"Calm down. That's exactly what we're doing," I told the boy.

His striking blue eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait. Right now? With Imperials chasing us?"

"We lost the TIEs when we jumped, and the Ghost can scramble its signature so they won't recognize us when we return," I said, proud of my ship.

"Oh, that's pretty cool," exclaimed the boy. "Is that Lothal? I've never seen it from space before. It's beautiful."

I looked at the pretty blue and green planet we were approaching with new eyes. "Yes it is. I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Hera Syndulla. You can call me Hera. I see you've already met Zeb."

"Yeah, we've met." I could hear the disdain dripping from his voice. Those two were not off to a good start. I hope that didn't cause problems in the future. I had a feeling the boy was going to be sticking around for a long time. "My name's Ezra, Ezra Bridger. Thanks for picking me up, but I should be on my way. So just drop me and my blasters outside Capital City and..."

The door opening fortunately interrupted him. "They're not your blasters," said Sabine.

"And we're not going back to Capital City. The job's not done," added Kanan.

"What do you mean? I stole them. They're mine!" Technically, he was right. But we needed the credits more. And I was going to keep him anyway, so he wouldn't need those blasters for his own survival. My mothering instincts were going nuts with every desperate word he spoke.

I'd only seen him for maybe a minute, but I could tell by his somewhat ill-fitting, patched, and stained clothes that he wasn't well off. And was, in all likelihood, homeless. There was a slight gauntness to his face that indicated he wasn't particularly well fed, which just made me want to sit him down in the galley and make him the biggest plate of pasta he could stomach.

I also had the urge to hug him from now until the end of time, because there was a slightly broken look in his eyes that I just wanted to heal. I may not have the Force like Kanan, but I could recognize the look of hunger and loss from a lightyear away due to the almost constant war on Ryloth when I was growing up. This boy... he looked like a survivor of a war. Someone who'd lost everything but was still trudging on because he refused to give up.

There was no way I was letting him go back to the streets.

My (somewhat peeved at said boy) mate had continued on the discussion, oblivious to my introspections.

"And we stole them back," said Kanan, a bit too smugly in my opinion. "We already have a buyer for the blasters." Then Kanan looked at me. "Oh, Hera, I looked in the other crates. Most of them are full of fresh fruit. More than we can possibly eat before it goes bad."

Now that was good news that I could get behind. We exchanged knowing grins.

"That works out well." I said before turning my attention back to piloting the Ghost. "Tarkintown is close to Visago's meeting spot. I'm sure they would love some fresh fruit."

A couple minutes later, I landed the ship on the opposite side of the planet from Capital City. Tarkintown was visible at the bottom of the hill. It was still dark on this side of the planet but dawn was just about to break. Kanan left the bridge as I was powering down the Ghost. I told Chopper to mind the ship while we were gone. "And Zeb, watch Ezra. But no more closets." I laughed quietly when both Zeb and Ezra groaned. We all made our way down to the cargo hold to catch up to Kanan, who had the crates organized. As soon as I opened the ramp, Ezra was off the ship and out into the open air. I guess he was feeling somewhat imprisoned in here. Poor kid.

There were three crates of extra fruit. Zeb and Sabine took those, while Kanan and I went off in a different direction with the two crates of blasters to meet with Visago.

Sabine

As we made our way off the ship, pushing the anti-grav crates, I saw Ezra standing in the grass looking a bit lost. Feeling sorry for him, I said, "Grab a crate, pull your weight." Okay, that sounded better in my head. Oh well.

I wasn't sure if he was actually going to come help, but a few moments later, he ran up and took Zeb's second crate. As we entered the little tent village Ezra and I looked around in wide eyed interest and dismay at the depressed and downtrodden people. "Lived on Lothal my whole life. Never been here." Ezra said. Neither had I, but I'd heard of it. Zeb and I explained how these people had been kicked off their farms by the Empire. Specifically by Grand Moff Tarkin, the Governor of the Outer Rim.

We made our way to the center of the little village, where Zeb pulled the lid off his crate and called out, "Who wants free grub?"

The hungry people were very grateful for the food. When one of them thanked Ezra personally, I saw his expression fall. "But I didn't do anything," he protested. The sorrow on his face was painful to see. Then he turned and left for the ship. I couldn't really blame him for leaving. It's hard realizing that your life isn't quite as fulfilling as you thought. This was my first charity run with my new crew, and I understood how he felt. Everything I'd done before had been for my family, or the Empire, or myself. This really was a big wake up call. I hoped I lived up to Hera and Kanan's standards. They were such good people.

Ezra

I walked back to the ship, sank down onto a rock near the ramp, and had a really good think about my life. It seemed so empty and meaningless all of a sudden, but I wasn't sure if there was a way to change it. What could I do as a penniless street rat? Nothing. I was a nobody and barely educated. Technically, I was only one step up from those poor needy people in Tarkintown, since I actually had a home of sorts. My tower wasn't exactly a palace, and I was basically living there illegally, but it was better than a tent.

And I had a lot more hope and enjoyment in life than these people. The sense of despair had literally wafted through the air in the 'town'. It was kriffing depressing.

I suddenly remembered something my parents were always saying when I was little. It was the job of the more fortunate to help those less so. It should be the goal of all intelligent livings things that EVERYONE had a comfortable standard of living. That we should all RISE UP and fight for what we believe in.

They had been arrested and probably killed for fighting for what they believed in with their anti-Empire broadcasts, but at least they had gone out doing something useful. Aside from pestering the odd Imp on occasion, I realized that I had done NOTHING to continue my parents' cause.

And now I felt like a failure.

Shoulders slumping, I drew my knees up and hugged them, watching blindly as the sun rose over the mountains in the distance.

I realized then that if there was a way for me to be useful, my life would have to change in some drastic fashion.

I just didn't know how.

Sighing forlornly, my eyes closed defensively as the sun shone directly into them, but I didn't have the energy to turn my head away. So I sat there and felt sorry for myself, all curled up uncomfortably on a rock.

That was when I heard it. Something was singing a most beautiful song like I'd never heard before.

Feeling hypnotised, I followed the sound that reverberated through my mind into the ship, up the ladder, through the bridge, and stopped in front of one of the cabin doors. I almost felt bad for snooping, but the music in my mind was louder now; enticing, entreating, almost begging.

I tried the button for the door, but it was locked. That wasn't enough to stop me. I dug my trusty multitool out of my backpack and picked the locking mechanism. The door opened for me and in I went to a bare necessities room. Based on what I knew of the four people who lived on the ship, I was guessing it belonged to the man I still didn't know the name of.

Maybe I'll just call him Mr. Cranky Pants, since he seemed to be in a perpetual bad mood. The mere thought of calling him that to his face made me chuckle to myself. I was so doing it. I dare myself.

The singing was practically rejoicing now. I followed the sound to the bunk and sat on it and then had a moment of confusion before I realized there must be drawers under it. Reaching down, I felt for a ledge or a catch and found one. A drawer opened and I rushed to kneel in front of it.

Just like the room, the drawer was almost empty. Except tucked into the back of it were two items; a shiny blue cube of some kind and a long cylindrical object. I pocketed the cube, ignoring the little jolt of electricity that ran through my fingers upon touching it, thinking it might be worth something, and the man obviously didn't care about it if he kept it buried at the back of a drawer.

Then I picked up the cylinder.

The singing in my head was pretty much at all out hallelujahs now.

Seeing a little switch on the cylinder, I flicked it. A blue energy sword emerged from what I now knew was a hilt with a snap and a hiss, throwing blue light around the room. Holding it up, I stared at the sword in wonder as the song quieted to a contented hum in my mind.

This had to be the coolest thing I'd ever seen.

Is it possible to fall in love with a person and an object on the same day?

Kanan

We waved goodbye to Visago as we left his little hidey hole in the unique mountains of Lothal. He absently waved back, too caught up with his new toys to pay much attention to our departure. As soon as we were out of sight of the devilish looking devonian smuggler who inspired an almost constant niggle of warning from the Force in the back of my mind Hera grabbed my hand and threaded our fingers together. I looked down at her with a gentle smile which she returned wholeheartedly. "Well, we didn't get all the credits we should have, but his intel on the Wookies sounds good."

"We'll have to leave right away if we are going to rescue them. There is a very short window for this op. The boy will just have to come with us," Hera said as straight faced as she could manage, but I wasn't impressed with her cunning. (Okay, maybe a little impressed, but more in the way of how determined she was over the subject matter.)

"Aw, come on, Hera, can't we just leave him here? Maybe he can get a job with Visago. I'm sure they deserve each other."

"No, we are not leaving him here!" She pulled her hand from mine and poked me in the chest with a finger. "That boy is special, and you know it. Probably better than I do!" She looked glorious in her fury, emerald eyes shooting sparks at me. Is it bad to admit that I sometimes create arguments just to see her like this?

I heaved an exaggerated sigh. "I do know it. He positively glows with the Force. But maybe he's safer not knowing what he is. The Empire is still hunting Force users. They would turn him to the Dark side or kill him if they found him. You know I've hidden who I am for years. There's a good reason for that, Hera. I don't want him to have to live like I did; always on the run. As a street rat, he's just a nobody they would never look twice at. If he joined us, he'd be in danger all the time. Should we really do that to him?"

She gazed at me imploringly and I knew then and there that I was going to cave. (I never could deny her anything she wanted.) "Can we really afford not to? The Empire might find him anyway. He could be such an asset to our team. Especially if you trained him."

"But I don't know how to train anyone!" I cried. "I was just a young Padawan when my Master died." The anguish in my voice was painfully obvious even to me.

It must have been to Hera too, cause she pulled me to a stop and wrapped her arms around my waist. "I'm sorry Kanan. I shouldn't have pushed you. How about we take the boy with us for this one mission, and you can decide what to do with him after that? Give you time to meditate on it." She looked up me with a tentative smile, her chin propped on my chest, hoping I would return it.

I stared back down at her, standing stiffly in her arms as a million doubts and warnings flashed through my mind. Eventually a shaky smile crossed my face and I stuck my chin on top of her head. The tension left me as I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her close. "You always could talk me into anything, darling, with those great big emerald eyes of yours." I said softly with my eyes closed as I drank in her reassuring and calming aura. "You are my greatest strength, aannd my biggest weakness." I chuckled mockingly at myself, hugging her tighter for just a moment. "Alright, let's go save some Wookies with the brat in tow."

"Thank you, love." She whispered, pulling back a little and looking up at me with soft eyes. I knew what those eyes meant. I was about to be rewarded for giving in to her wishes in the best possible way with one of her soul stealing, heart pounding kisses. I lowered my head towards hers, looking forward to the coming moments with every atom in my body.

Then her wrist comm beeped. "What timing," she grumbled and I mentally agreed with her. She gave me a quick peck, then answered the comm. I groaned internally at missing my reward and vowed to get it at the earliest opportunity.

Chopper beeped out in excited binary, "The young crate stealer just broke into Kanan's room!"

"He did what?! Why would he break into your room?" Hera asked me.

I thought for a moment before the proverbial light bulb went off. "My lightsabre and holocron are in there. He probably sensed them." I heaved another exaggerated sigh. "I might let him keep the holocron for now, if he takes it. If he can open it, then I really will have to decide what to do with him. We better go before he kills himself."

We both took off for the Ghost that was just visible in the distance. I was sprinting for it, worried for the brat's wellbeing, when I realized I was probably going faster than Hera could keep up with. I glanced back, saw her far behind but running with grim determination, then slowed down a bit so she could catch up and keep up. I knew she would want to see what the (still nameless) brat was doing. I supposed I should find out what his name was if he was going to be staying with us. It was only polite after all. I don't think it would go over very well if I addressed him as 'pain in my backside' for the foreseeable future.

But I sure wished I could.

When we finally reached the ship, my poor Hera was gasping for air, but recovered quickly once the run was over. Chopper met us at the ramp, chirping at us to hurry up. Rushing up to the living quarters, I opened my door, and there was the brat, waving my lightsabre around like it was a toy. "Careful, you'll cut your arm off," I warned him dryly.

He spun around, eyes wide at being caught. "Look, I know you're not going to believe me, but it's like this thing wanted me to take it."

"You're right, I don't believe you. Now hand me the lightsabre." Hera gave me a squinty eyed look for lying, but I chose to ignore it. She could yell at me later if she wanted.

He looked at the weapon with awe inspired wide eyes. "Lightsabre? Isn't that the weapon of the Jedi?"

I didn't bother to answer. "Give it to me and get out." I really wasn't happy with the boy. I felt like I was being pushed in a direction I didn't want to go.

I'm sure Hera thought otherwise. She probably thought this boy was exactly what I needed to really return to my Jedi roots, as opposed to the half assed playing I'd done with some meditation and occasional cheats with the Force on missions. Perhaps it was time for me to be a Jedi again, but I still wasn't entirely convinced. It's possible the Force brought the boy into our lives for a reason, but it or Hera couldn't make me like it. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

The boy slapped my lightsabre into my waiting hand and shot me a glare. "Whatever, Mr. Cranky Pants," he muttered as he walked past me and down the hallway towards the common room.

I snarled at his retreating back. "Watch the attitude, Pain In My Ass."

He raised a hand with a single finger pointing at the ceiling. Why did he remind me of Chopper now? Oh, that's right. The murderbot had the exact same habit whenever I told him to behave. (But only when Hera wasn't around, because he knew better.)

The Brat had so much potential but I really wished I could leave him to the life of a street rat. It was probably safer for my sanity that way.

"Ezra! Kanan!" Hera said in her 'you have been very bad' mom voice and we both froze. It's safe to say we finally knew each other's names now. "There will be no name calling on my ship and you two will respect each other whether you like it or not."

Ezra turned around and nodded respectfully to her. (He ignored me.) "Sorry, Hera. It won't happen again."

Hera smiled beatifically at Ezra. "You're forgiven. Why don't you go find something to eat in the galley? There's protein bars in there somewhere if you want a snack."

Ezra beamed at her and spun back around, a new bounce in his step. "Thanks, Hera!" he called over his shoulder just before disappearing into the next corridor.

Hera turned her no longer smiling face at me and raised a brow in disbelief. "And how old are you?"

I shrugged and winced. "I think that kid brings out the worst in me. Are you sure you want him?"

She just raised her eyebrow higher.

"Sorry, Hera," I mumbled, gazing at the decking like it was suddenly fascinating. "I promise I won't call him any more names." I peeked up at her and found her staring at me with an amused expression and I relaxed a little. "I suppose that moment we were having outside couldn't be continued now, could it?"

Hera snorted. "Keep dreaming, love."

I smiled despite her sarcasm, because she'd called me 'love' so I knew she wasn't mad at my childish behaviour anymore. Things were looking up.

"Did he take the holocron?" she asked suddenly, as I contemplated the lightsabre in my hands. It was singing to me again. I hadn't heard it sing for years. The boy really had woken up the Kyber crystal inside with his presence. A little place in my heart woke up in that moment as well as the bond between my lightsabre and I snapped back into place and another corner of my broken soul healed.

"Yes," I said absently as I sorted through everything happening inside me at the moment. "I felt it leave with him." Knowing there was no way I could make myself put my lightsabre back into its drawer, I instead broke it down into two pieces and hung them on my belt. I turned my attention back to Hera, resignation and a flutter of hope settling in me. "Now we'll see."