With both hands holding onto a ten-gallon cooler, I continue my trek back to the golf cart after filling up these coolers.

Oh great…

Sabine's soccer coach appears on the sidewalk, right where I'm going before he barks out "Who the hell parked this golf cart here?!"

"Football did sir."

"My team's equipment truck is on campus and will be turning here any minute! I want this thing moved RIGHT. NOW!"

"Coach Weber sir, the athletic trainers and support staff aren't working today. They're utilizing a local student worker. We'd appreciate some patience, I'm sure he's working as fast as he can."

I am. I've filled up six of those coolers already. These are the last ones.

I pick up the pace a half step before the sloshing of the ice and water inside the locked coolers gets Sabine's coach to turn and make a face.

Yeah, I'm here. Yeah, I got it. I'm moving. Message received.

I release I Force probe as I close in—

She's here. They're all here.

I guess he's going to distribute things as they come in.

Wonderful.

"Excuse me, sir." I say, turning sideways to slide past him, still carrying the completely full coolers.

The Force surges with Weber's surprise before he moves to give me more room. "You carried both of those all this way? You got it?"

Yes. The workouts I do regularly would turn your athletes into puddles of sore muscles and complaining. I've been killing football and a couple of basketball players. I think I got it.

"Yes sir." I monotone out while arriving at my golf cart and—

The entire golf cart shakes as I rotate my shoulder and heave one cooler into the last open slot in the back of the cart before proceeding to do the same with the other cooler.

Now back to the practice fields.

Without a second glance, I pull the keys to the golf cart out of my pockets and hop back in. Pausing only to check that the coast is clear, I get a half-second glimpse of USC's women's soccer team before I drive out onto the road and back to where I'm supposed to be.

Weber really is insufferable. Maybe it's because of his introduction to me, but the man seems to always be on a hair-trigger.

The lens on my sunglasses pop up a notification message from the Jedi Temple, prompting me to take one hand off the wheel, pull my headphones out of my pocket and insert the left headphone into my ear.

"What's up Twos?"

"Ezra." Twos' calming voice reaches me. "I thought you were busy at football practice."

"I'm running an errand right now," I reply as the information on my glasses begins popping up. "Left lens only please, I am driving."

Twos shifts everything to a compact display on the left lens of my sunglasses. "Master Tano was just contacted by your contact over in China, your friend Aubrey. The Order requests your presence as soon as you are free from your obligations at USC."

"What'd she have to say?

"Double checking…" Twos replies while probably moving to search her database for more intelligence. "I don't believe she wanted to debrief until you got there. I believe the conversation got as far as her learning that Cayle is out of reach and you're offsite currently."

That's not going to work for very long. She might be able to get away with it today.

"Okay. Let Master Tano know that I'll go straight from here to the Temple. Practice ends at 11:30 today, so…12 noon? Maybe a touch later depending on traffic."

Traffic's gotten so much worse just this week, let alone compared to earlier this summer.

I miss being able to get anywhere I wanted without having to tack on a whole bunch of extra time because I'm sitting in traffic.

"Master Tano says that will work. She does ask you to drive safely, that time is of the essence but not at the expense of your personal safety."

"I will," I say, rounding the bend as the practice fields hone into view. "Gotta go Twos."

"Disconnecting."

A small click indicates that Twos has ended the call, and I pull into the parking space next to the chain-link gate.

Great…local media's already here. Wonderful.

Killing the golf cart, I hop out and grab the two coolers I just set into the back of the modified golf cart they had me drive before toeing open the gate and walking thru.

Off in the distance, the sharp sound of a whistle blowing tells me that stretching is still going on as I make my way past the PR tables without a word and navigate my way towards the benches, where stations for the coolers are already set up.

Just waiting for me to do my job.

"…Bridger!" One of the linebackers calls out to me before I'm even two steps inside the locker room. The same call rings out a few more times as guys are at their lockers, changing out of their pads, pants, cleats, or whatever piece of gear they've been wearing throughout practice.

A few guys extend their fists for me to bump, which I do before sliding beside Matt as he heaves off his pads and hangs them up. "Yo dude."

"Hi. Thanks again." I smile at him while simultaneously taking off my shoes.

Get these socks off me. They're disgusting.

Accidentally stepped in a drainage hole halfway thru practice. Didn't hurt or anything, but got really smelly mud halfway up my calf. Washed it off with a hose, but my left sock in particular is…

Immediately after I get both socks off, I throw them directly in the trash. Somebody in the background follows up by yelling 'KOBE!' while the music continues bumping.

The vibe in here's a lot better than it was out there.

Not a great day, not a bad day…I think everybody at least on Matt's side of the ball is pissed at their coaches.

"Yeah, good call." Matt agrees with me.

"Can you get me another pair? I hate to ask, but those are ruined."

Matt nods as I glance back at him. "Yeah, I got you."

"Thanks. Appreciate it."

"Nah, least he can do bro." I hear behind me as I move towards taking my shirt off.

Trey.

He daps me up, then pulls me in for a quick hug. "We appreciate you coming in to help us, man. Know you're not getting paid, but stopped by anyway. Plus all the summer stuff…"

"If he don't got you, somebody will." Another player, a fullback states simply.

"I got him, I got him. I ain't Tate." Matt declares.

Everyone, myself included laughs before I peer around.

I think Tate's off behind the bend in this massive locker room. And it's not even their main one. I mean, it's not even the one they use for gamedays and Matt has a spare locker that he's letting me use.

Trey affectionately ruffles my hair before returning to his own locker. Normal conversation resumes before I take my shirt off with my back to the room.

Make it quick, make it quick.

As soon as my back is exposed, the Force notifies me of the eyeballs on me.

It's not the first time this has happened…but they always notice.

I slip on the plain grey t-shirt I wore to practice and move towards changing pants before somebody breaks the ice.

"Yo Ezra…what exactly happened to your back bro?" An offensive lineman nicknamed Flem asks

"Looks like it hurts like shit." Somebody else adds.

"Nah." I say, looking at the nameplate of Matt's extra locker. "Bike accident when I was a kid. Wasn't wearing a shirt, fell off. Had to go to the ER. My parents nearly killed me."

"I bet they did." Matt tries taking the heat off me.

…

…

"That's such a lame story though." Trey comments, causing me to glance across the room towards him.

"The truth's pretty lame." I shrug at him. "Unless one of you guys wants to come up with a cooler story."

I can't help but laugh at my own joke, and a few others join in before the topic begins being discussed.

"It should be cooler."

"Lowkey it looks badass."

"It looks like it hurts like shit!"

Yup. This is a topic of conversation.

"Nah." I divert the flow of things. "Doesn't hurt at all anymore."

"Bet every girl you take home asks about it though." Gos, a walk-on presumes. Everybody who is listening in laughs loudly, allowing me to join in and blend right in.

"You have no idea." I joke, getting more laughter.

"Seriously, we need a better story. Like you were on some work mission—"

Shit.

Well, I knew they knew that I'm Jedi-adjacent.

To their credit they don't seem to care, or don't bring it up. Either way, I appreciate it.

"—and some crime boss with a badass name told you to talk. You didn't, and he had to torture you. Leaving your back how it is."

"That's way too badass for me." I laugh as I'm saying it, only for multiple players to shake their heads.

"Cementhead!" Trey proclaims. "Say he's from like South Florida or something. Drug-related. Dangerous."

"What is he, DJ Khalid?"

"Bro you know he never ran shit. He just talks like he's King of Miami."

"You've been watching way too much NCIS Smoke." Matt says to Trey, using his old high school nickname.

Multiple people laugh at that statement before Trey defends himself. "NCIS is a great show, and I don't care what any of y'all say."

"The idea's a bit over the top though." I shrug as I'm changing into my jeans.

"I like it. Concretehead—"

"I thought it was Cementhead." Somebody quips.

"Cementhead, concretehead, same thing…"

Definitely not the same thing. Cement can be an ingredient in concrete.

The conversation continues as I sit down in the locker and begin pulling on my shoes. Matt slips on his shirt before I ask him "Party tonight right?"

"Yup. You thinking of making it out?"

Sabine'll probably be there. So…yeah.

"Yeah. I gotta go to work here in two seconds, but I should be able to make it out. You mind?"

"Hell no dude, you're always invited."

"Always." Flem reminds me. "Don't ask."

"One of us." The walk-on whose name escapes me begins chanting slowly. "One of us, one of us…"

The topic quickly gets changed by one of the upperclassmen, who happens to have long blonde hair and light eyes steps out of the showers. Immediately, the ribbing and catcalling begins.

"Oh look who it is!"

"Sunnnnnsshiiiinnneee!"

"Mama look! It's Sunshine!"

Ruthless. Absolutely relentless.

I smile at Matt, who is laughing to himself before he daps me up and I step aside to slide out the back door close to where I parked my car.

Another benefit of being Matt's guy.

(12:02 PM)

My Force Probe into the strategic planning room comes back to me indicating that Masters Dooku, Tano, Kenobi, and Jarrus are all waiting on me, prompting me to pick up my pace and hastily walk into the room.

Holo's already going.

"Sorry Masters, thank you for accommodating me." I announce myself, getting everyone to turn, as well as Master Skywalker and Aubrey, who side by side, patched in thru different feeds.

Master Skywalker must still be in Ilum.

"We're pleased you could make such good time." Master Kenobi counters. "Traffic must have been light."

I shrug then reveal "I took a few shortcuts to cut back on the time."

"Nice."

"Thank you for that." Aubrey replies.

"What time is it there?"

"3 AM. But this is as good as ever a time. Nobody's likely to be up and listening in to the conversation on my end." Aubrey reasons.

"The line's encrypted on both ends. Alexandre will tell us if somebody attempts to join the call." Master Skywalker.

Aubrey nods, then…just looks at me for a moment before turning to Master Skywalker. "May I begin?"

Did she just stare me down?

"Of course. Whenever you're ready."

"Wonderful, thank you." Aubrey smiles then turns back to me. "Well Ezra, I imagine you read/heard what I told Cayle last time: Elias is here in Liuzhou. I found out in the middle of my last job and have been working to get concrete proof of just that."

"And how's that been coming?" Master Dooku asks pleasantly.

"Unsuccessful so far," Aubrey replies. "There hasn't been another incident of Force Lightning that blatant like the one I caught on camera and passed along. I have only heard things thru my sources at the construction site and inside the Gray Star cell. That's what Maul and Elias' power base seems to call themselves."

Gray Star.

"Likely alluding to the Red Star, symbolizing the communist belief system." Dooku offers up. "Have you seen any sword and/or sickle imagery?"

"No." Aubrey shakes her head. "That imagery is tightly controlled by the state government, as well as all Christopher Robin materials."

Well, we know Zhou doesn't like that.

"You seem to have gained more sources since the Order last spoke to you: Can you elaborate on that?" Ahsoka placidly asks.

Aubrey nods. "This last job was a rather lucrative one and gave me another opportunity to endear myself to the local crime syndicates. The Black Sun and a Hutt named Taborro are the true power brokers here, and I made myself invaluable to them. In return, they've begun to tell me everything."

Dad taught me that: Once they think they need you, they will begin to tell you anything you need to know. Probably taught her that too thru a proxy like Laufey.

"Such as?" Master Kenobi tees her up.

"The Hutt runs things from a base of power, set comfortably enough away in Hong Kong. Black Sun has bought off the local government, allowing them and Taborro's people to essentially run the city. If they don't like something? They make it illegal. If they do?"

"They make it legal." Master Skywalker catches the gist.

"Precisely." Aubrey nods. Gray Star seems to have embedded itself inside of Black Sun, using a good share of their man power and resources, which I believe is how they have access to the soccer stadium."

"Back to Maul, I fought him over a decade and a half ago, he's not an easy man to bring down. I advise caution with him in such proximity." Master Kenobi informs Aubrey.

"Word here seems to indicate that Maul isn't so close anymore. A shipping vessel named The Nightbrother left and set sail towards Hong Kong and eventually America. Rumor has it that he's returning to 'finish the job'."

Me.

"He's coming back then." Skywalker nods solemnly.

Ahsoka adds "I'll begin a search for the Nightbrother and where it could port. We can catch him before he even sets foot back in the country."

What could have tipped him off enough to induce him to come back?

Maybe my Instagram, because I popped my head back up, showed my face.

…feels too easy though.

"Maul's attack has had ripple effects here as well, before it slips my mind. I haven't mentioned it in any reports because I've had a hard time nailing it down but I've seen some Mandalorian merchants asking around about beskar thefts from a mine in the country. Do you know anything about that? I figured it's a front to look for the beskar Ezra lost."

"Correct me if I'm wrong." Kanan finally speaks up. "But no, we haven't heard anything from the Mandalorians about this. If they're doing that, it's on their own."

I knew that the Chinese would use their contacts…maybe that's what this is.

Or this could be another party, the fourth coming into play.

"I didn't know there was a beskar mine even in China. Apparently, it's up near the Kazakhstan border." Aubrey admits.

"Young one, do you know where it is?" Dooku turns to me.

No.

"No." I shake my head. "I just know it's there."

"I expect the location is a tightly guarded secret, especially since you surprised the Chinese President and his Security Commission by even knowing it existed."

"Wait what?" Aubrey turns to me.

"Palpatine sprung it on me." I answer her. "We…are working on an alternate way of finding Elias on our end, and he brought in President Zhou and a large contingent of his Security Commission."

"The Security Commission isn't his exactly, it's run by the CCP. You're going behind my back to find him?"

Aubrey—

"We were extended an opportunity and took it. It's not a slight towards you at all." Master Skywalker correctly reads Aubrey's deepening frown.

"If you've got another avenue, why am I even here? The work I'm doing isn't exactly risk-free you know. Close quarters, spycraft shit." Aubrey asks.

"Because you're our most trusted eyes and source on the ground." Master Kenobi appeases her. "We need you in Liuzhou, both to look for Elias as well as take down Gideon and what we are coming to know as the Gray Star cell."

Gray Star cell.

Aubrey intakes Master Kenobi's words and mulls them over for a moment. "Well like I said, still haven't found him. I have seen Gideon, he seems to have moved from Geylang here to Liuzhou for the time being."

"Any idea why?" Ahsoka queries.

Aubrey shakes her head. "No, outside of the quickening pace of construction at the stadium and the growing pile of bodies they hurriedly take away daily. The local authorities turn a blind eye, but the people have taken notice."

So they're speeding up efforts. For a stadium that isn't due…for years.

Makes no sense.

"I wouldn't imagine people say much about it." Kenobi presumes.

Aubrey nods. "There's a pirate operation that operates on the dark web that recently said something on the topic. But other than that no."

"Dark web?" Master Skywalker prompts her.

"It's a site called Truths of the Holonet—"

Oh.

"We're aware of it." Ahsoka says coolly. "It's been in our sights as well here recently."

"Because of the Sidious rumors?"

—

Of what?

"You didn't know this?" Aubrey follows up due to the expression on my face.

"No—" Kanan begins as I try to bank my shock and frustration.

"I haven't asked, in fairness." I give a blanket excuse.

I've been too damn busy looking thru Insight's chosen targets when not living life and doing my duties as a Jedi. I haven't given Dad a second thought. He's off the board.

And trying to whittle down where Maul could be.

Even though it sounds like he's also being based out of Southeast Asia as well.

"There's been word on Truths of the Holonet that Sidious himself was livid after he heard of Maul's attack on the Jedi Temple, the one that injured you, Ezra." Aubrey begins to explain.

"How in the hell does he know that?" I ask the room. "He doesn't have access to news."

"He does when he's taken to eat." Master Skywalker corrects me. "Last time I toured the facility I believe there's a TV that plays. I suspect that is where he learned of the attack."

"Why? The TV isn't turned off?"

"The prison houses about a thousand or so individuals. Your father is inside the most secure wing of the prison, designated a BlackSupermax site. Overall, the prison has a 5-1 guard to prisoner ratio."

I don't give a shit about the ratio.

"That prison's sprung a leak if his words are getting out of there."

I want it stopped.

"Ezra, you're overreacting." Kanan looks at me. "There's been little corroborating evidence to suggest that any of this is true. Truths of the Holonet is a conspiracy forum and message board mostly. If there was any substantive proof, we would have brought it to your attention."

"Why didn't you before?" Aubrey fires off at him.

"Because I've been too laser-focused on Maul." I defuse Aubrey's argument.

And Sabine.

I…

I've got to get her out of my head. I've got way too many important things on my plate to be focusing on her.

I've got to get her out of my head.

"I don't like your tone." Aubrey declares.

"Miss Morris." Skywalker says curtly.

"I saw Sabine's post. About Lollapalooza. You can't tell me that hasn't been bothering you as well."

—

…

"You are good." Kanan comments as the rest of the Masters stay silent.

"I knew him before he learned to lie. I like to think I know most of his tells and can read him decently." Aubrey says, a note of pride in her voice.

"Sabine doesn't matter. Especially in light of Maul's movements, plus Elias, plus now my father learning of current events." I point out. "I…"

Dammit.

I pop up off the table I've found myself perched on and round it before I can't contain my frustrations anymore and clap my hands once, loudly. "Sorry Masters."

DAMMIT!

EZRA!

"Nothing has happened yet." Kanan reminds me. "This is the first you've heard of this."

"Frustration is an acceptable emotion."

"You currently have more on your plate than at any time since you joined the Order." Ahsoka reminds me, turning her back on Aubrey to look at me. Be patient Ezra…you're doing great."

Ahsoka smiles at me before I move to return to my perch.

Why am I busier than ever yet still somehow feel like I'm not doing my job?

"What else has he said?"

"Very little, but anything coming from your father is considered to be big news: there's been basically nothing for years now." Aubrey replies to me, turning to give me her full attention. "The only real noteworthy thing was a compliment to you."

"Which is?"

Aubrey answers me once more. "He was surprised Maul was able to injure you. The quote I read was secondhand, so I don't know the exact quote but basically, he believed that Maul pulled some underhanded trick because Maul cannot defeat you."

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED!

I can't stop myself from leaping to my feet again and pacing.

Unbelievable. Of course he said that.

"That's what you've said." I gesture to the Jedi Masters before me, but specifically Dooku.

They all said that I beat Maul, but he held back his other blade until the opportune moment.

He tricked me.

"Because that's what happened. You defeated him, but he handicapped himself the entire fight just to lull you into a false sense of security."

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HE JUST SAID!

"That's exactly what Sidious was rumored to say." Aubrey points out as if she read my mind.

They're underestimating him. They think they've got Sidious locked up good and tight, where he cannot harm anybody and here he is.

Well informed as fucking always.

Of course he is. He's Lord Sidious.

SHUT! UP!

"All due respect Masters, you're underestimating him." I cannot restrain myself from pointing the fact out.

"There's no tangible proof to your point." Master Skywalker counters.

"Well then maybe work on getting tangible proof." Aubrey points out.

"Miss Morris, your advisory role and position here does not extend to Lord Sidious." Master Kenobi reminds her.

Aubrey doesn't so much as blink. "I stand by my point."

"We should get transcripts of every word he's said for the last month and have them analyzed." I think aloud.

See if there's actual smoke and fire here.

"We…can discuss that another time." Master Dooku ends the point there. "The High Council is in charge of all decisions regarding Lord Sidious, and it will remain that way."

I'm not saying it shouldn't be.

"Unless there is any more pertinent evidence that cannot be properly conveyed in your report…?" Master Skywalker turns to Aubrey.

"I'll submit it once I get some sleep and can look it over once more. Should I hold off on taking another job until things die down a bit?" Aubrey replies.

"For now, that is likely the best course of action." Master Kenobi nods once. "Is your station and position secure enough to do that?"

"Yeah." Aubrey says before her eyes flash over at me.

She's worried about me.

I'm fine. Just…

Frustrated.

"Hang back and perform reconnaissance. If you see Elias or hear anything more about Maul and his plans…reach out."

"I will." Aubrey nods once before turning to me. "Ezra."

I pop my head up to look at her fully.

"Be careful."

…

I nod silently, and Aubrey responds by killing her feed. Popping right to my feet, I run my fingers thru my hair and try to calm myself.

Use the Force.

...

"How is my father?"

He can't be that bad if he's being...him.

In his element.

"Pretty much the same." Master Tano informs me, a touch of sadness in her voice. "His cancer hasn't progressed since last you looked into it."

That was...a while ago. Longer than—

Fury flares up inside me at the outrage of it all before I stride right to the wall and calm myself in time to placidly lay my head onto it.

He's been in this same state longer than Mom's entire diagnosis. She was dead by now.

That's so wrong...and unfair.

That's bullshit.

"You okay Ezra?" Master Skywalker calls out to me as soon as I have my back turned to them.

I release my frustrations out into the Force and take a steadying breath before answering. "Yeah. Just…thinking. he's been stable with his cancer longer than Mom's whole fight with it. It's...it's not fair."

He should be the one to die right away, and Mom should have been able to fight it!

IT'S NOT FAIR!

Master Tano gently lays her hand on my shoulder. "You're right. It's not fair."

I exhale heavily before trying to release my anger at the injustice of the situation into the Force.

"Why am I busier than ever yet still somehow feel like I'm not doing my job correctly?"

"You are doing your job correctly." Master Kenobi corrects me. "The Council ordered you to keep a low profile following Maul's attack. Fall into your normal routine and regain your strength. Which you have done."

"You seemed fine until she mentioned Sabine." Kanan boldly states.

"Sabine doesn't matter." I spit the words out. "Especially not when you think about what Aubrey just said."

A moment passes before Ahsoka says "I understand that she flew back in two days ago?"

Yes. Her car is still en route, her parents chose to have it shipped to her this time instead of driving all the way like they did in May. They're shipping most of her belongings that she took back home as well.

"I apologize for letting my emotions get the best of me."

"There's nothing to apologize for Ezra." Master Skywalker says in a gentle tone. "You had one moment of frustration, which is human. You're allowed that."

"If you need to channel your anger, channel it at me." Dooku says, causing me to pivot and look to him. "I was the one who decided to withhold the information and rumors about your father."

"Why?" I ask him, a pleading tone bleeding into my voice without my meaning it to.

"Because Master Kenobi is correct and…I didn't want to give you one more thing to think about."

'—I must confess…that I rather thought…you had enough responsibility to be going on with'

…

The Dumbledore quote bounces around in my head for a moment before Dooku's age shines thru to me just for a moment.

He meant well. And sometimes the best of intentions can backfire.

I exhale thru my nose as conversation strikes up between the Masters. "—raise the threat level back up to four. If Maul is inbound, we need to be ready." Master Skywalker says.

"I'll double-check with Alexandre and Zeb, make sure Ezra has his tac suit, mask ready, and prepped in his car as well as his apartment." Kanan affirms.

"It's still in my car." I pipe up.

Underneath the back seat. Has been since I got my car back.

"Either way, I'll treat it as a new set-up. Unpack, full diagnostic, repack." Kanan decides, and none of the other Masters argue the idea.

I need to go clear my mind. Mull this all over in my head.

Maul's coming.

"I'm going to go meditate." I inform the room. "Unless any of you need me for something else."

Every Master shakes their head that no, they don't need me before Skywalker asks "I hate to ask, but somebody has to so I'll be the bad guy: Has Vader had anything to say about this?"

This…

"This? No. Sabine…yes." I confess.

He's trying to use Ryan as a fulcrum to piss me off enough into giving him control.

One more reason Sabine…doesn't matter right now.

"Which is why I'm trying to set her aside and focus. I imagine I'm still on to let Vader out before classes start?" I ask everyone.

"You're prescient as always, young Bridger."

We haven't discussed letting Vader out, but we did the week before class last year.

Can't believe it's almost been a year.

Talk about flying by.

Without another word, I bow respectfully to my Masters, all of whom return the gesture before I exit the room and start towards one of the spires to meditate.