"This week has been a helpful one for President Palpatine on the campaign trail, with his dogged focus on foreign policy for the majority of the cycle finally paying dividends." The podcast in my ear drones.
13…
Resetting my legs on this leg press, I exhale and push onward in my workout.
"—thanks to the Jedi Order's—" Palpatine's speech is lightly interrupted by boos. "—preparations as well as UN and local security forces, the attack in Turkey was an unsuccessful one. But it is a continued reminder, that although the attacks on freedom might not be on our home soil, we must remain diligent and fight them wherever they are to be fought."
Light applause rings out before I complete my 14th rep. In my ear, the audio cuts to Senator Organa. "While yes, I am glad that the attack in Turkey was unsuccessful, my concerns remain about the Jedi's involvement and scope. I do not want us to be drug into yet another forever war, sacrificing our blood and treasure for their ancient conflicts—"
Applause rings out, followed by cheers loud enough for Organa to stop his speech for an instant "—because the Jedi have proven themselves capable of fighting their own battles."
15.
Setting my legs into the start position, I shift out of my position here in the leg press and swing my legs over and gasp for breath.
"Organa's troubles this week have come from within, with Senator Amidala's comments last week in support of the Sith Lord, Darth Vader coming under closer scrutiny. Here's South Carolina's Senator Keith on the Senate floor."
"—as the great Abraham Lincoln once said, 'A house divided against itself, cannot stand.' And I believe President Lincoln's words. He himself, it has long been rumored, accepted Jedi aid in order to combat the evils of slavery and win the War of Northern Aggression. Somewhere along the line between then and now, the Jedi have been led astray by their ambition. And I hope that Senator Organa's, the Alliance's, and my own meetings with her bear fruit, and she can see the error in her words and deeds supporting Lord Vader."
OH COME ON!
I spring out of my seat and pace absently as the clock to my right displays 6:18 AM here in the empty Rec Center.
Absolutely unfair and ridiculous.
"—Senator Amidala's marriage to famed Jedi Master Anakin Skywalker has also come into question. Senator Amidala's office refusing to comment as well as to the surprise of no one, the Jedi Order's press liaison refused to comment on the situation at their weekly briefing at the Capitol."
To the surprise of no one…
Popping my right earbud out, I wander my way over to the railing that overlooks the rest of this massive facility meant for all of USC's student body to use. A rock wall looms directly in front of me, while beyond lies the swimming pools, private workout areas—"
Multiple whistles sound out in my general direction, and I jolt up and peer around before spotting a crowd below me, many of which immediately wave hello.
Oh shit. Sabine.
"EB!" A few football players, Matt amongst them call out to me before a couple of them wave for me to come say hello.
Might as well…
Turning back, I press pause on my podcast and walk back to the leg press to grab my water bottle before taking the circular stairs, descending to the ground floor.
"What are you all doing here?" I ask as way of a greeting before Gos, who is the closest of the group smiles and moves to hug/greet me.
"Here for early morning hot yoga bro. We should be asking you that." Gos replies as I greet Football, most of whom are foggy-eyed before they clear the way for soccer.
Sabine wraps me up in a hug, adding "Hi."
"Hey."
"I told you." Matt jokes to Trey.
Trey in turn looks to me. "So you just don't sleep huh."
"I sleep." I laugh while passing off Sabine and in turn getting a welcoming hug from Jaicey. "I just woke up a little earlier than normal today."
The Force informs me of Sabine's suspicions before I pivot a few degrees to put some distance between us. "Well hey, I won't keep you guys waiting. I'll catch you all tomorrow?" I peer to Matt and the rest of football.
"See you tomorrow my guy."
"Should be a shorter one today." Matt reveals. "I might text you."
I nod and make sure to smile. "Sounds good. You guys have a good one."
"Bye Ezra!" Jaicey calls out to me, just before most of football does the same.
Shouting down Sabine's farewell. Whatever.
Rounding the stairs again, I take them two at a time up just like I did coming down while pulling out my phone to look at the remainder of my workout plan.
I think Battle Ropes will be a good change of pace. I don't want to do more legs right now.
(Sabine POV)
"—go first, get things warmed up." One of Matt's football players volunteers.
One of said football players turns to us soccer players. "Unless you ladies have another idea?"
"No, that's fine." Jaicey answers for all of us.
"I'll go." Austyn volunteers cheerfully.
Okay…
The four of them walk a few steps, then turn and disappear down the corridor, leaving the rest of us to kind of hang out.
I really hope that he was planning on working out today and that he didn't have more nightmares.
He's…well I don't want to say that he's lied to Hera and Kanan about that, but they've asked him, point-blank before if he's had nightmares because apparently those were an issue even before he moved out here.
He does have them. He had more of them last fall than he did in the spring. But he did have them.
Sometimes he even left in the middle of the night, and by the time I was awake again he'd clearly come here to work out, showered, and was working on homework or cooking breakfast.
"Sabine." I hear somebody say.
"Huh?" I blurt out, blank.
Jaicey looks at me before waving her hand in front of my face. "Earth to Planet Wren, come in Planet Wren."
"Stop…" I bat her hand away.
"I asked if he always comes to work out this early in the morning." One of Matt's football players asks me.
"Sometimes." I shrug. "I think he does it because he never has time afterward."
That's really the only time I've heard him complain. He never has enough time.
Because the Jedi use him like a common garden hoe.
"Why doesn't he come work out with us boss?" Trey looks to Matt. Matt shrugs in response.
"Never asked him about it." He replies while typing out a quick text on his phone.
"Is he with us today?"
No—
"Nah, it's Thursday. It's his teaching day." Matt tells the group before somebody makes a revelatory noise.
"Looks like he's moving on."
Jaicey follows up. "Are those…battle ropes?!"
Damn Ezra!
"Yeah, that's intense for him. Sheesh."
"I don't know." Emma comments. "Did you see his legs just now?"
His legs?
How about you stop ogling him!
The football players don't hesitate in teasing her before Ryan defends herself. "—no, I just saw how big and strong they were—"
"Uh oh…" Trey teases me.
Stop it.
I bat Trey's teasing away before I hear "Here we go."
Turning in time, I see that up above, a decent distance away from the ledge, Ezra begins alternating his arms up and down, creating a wave in the rope that stabilizes after a few seconds.
That's better than how I can use battle ropes.
Those things can be heavy as hell.
…
Our group stands and watches Ezra's workout for a minute before, as one, everyone comes to the same conclusion.
Stop Ezra.
You're going to hurt yourself.
…
Ezra just keeps on going and going, the rope remaining completely taut with the wave not oscillating from its perfect—
"He's gonna hurt himself." Jaicey declares.
Yeah.
"I'll go stop him." I volunteer.
He is going to hurt himself.
I don't catch the others before I hurry over to the stairs and start climbing.
You're not supposed to use them continuously. It's meant to be a 20-30 second workout, followed by a break.
He's going to hurt himself.
Typical guy, trying to be all tough and macho.
Probably because we're all here. Ezra always wants to belong and fit in.
He hates standing out.
Arriving at the top level, I catch the eye of the attendant at the desk. "Can I help you?"
"No." I smile politely. "I'm just his friend, I, uhh play soccer. He's using those wrong."
The attendant, who is scanning their phone, takes their feet off the desk. "I know, but he's always done that and hasn't hurt himself yet."
"Always?"
"Yeah." He nods. "He's in here daily, doing his crazy ass workout. Guy runs, lifts, grinds circles around everyone. I think that's why he does it so early, so that people like you don't get on him."
I—
Whatever.
Ignoring the attendant, I start over to Ezra before taking a slight turn to get into his peripheral vision.
Be nice…be kind. Don't tell him what to do or how to breathe. He knows how to work out.
I mean, just look at him.
Ezra comes to an abrupt stop befo—
(Matt POV)
"That's not good." Trey mutters to me as Sabine makes her way, stiffly down the stairs.
Dammit…
I think he mind tricked her.
EZRA!
I thought you were in a good mood!
"He's fine." Sabine returns to us, a glassy expression in her eyes.
Very similar to how she looked on that balcony.
"What do you mean?" Jaicey demands of her. "You're not supposed to use those ropes like that!"
"He's going off a workout plan the Jedi gave him." Sabine reports like she is echoing Ezra's thoughts. "He said he's done it before. He's fine."
Flem looks to me. "That's a Jedi workout plan?"
"No wonder he wore our asses out. He was sure as shit tougher on us than Wylie was." Trey comments.
Yeah, and the guys with us this summer lasted longer at Clemson than everyone else did…
"I guess if the Jedi say it's fine…" I shrug, then glance down at the text I just sent him.
"Hey, today's probably not the right day. But one of these days, can I come to the Temple with you and see you be, you know…you? I want to get to know that Ezra better."
(Ezra Bridger POV)
Opening the door from the locker room out into the Temple at large, I adjust my robes—
"Ignoring advice can also be considered ignoring those who put you in the position you are in." I hear, while simultaneously I get something large and heavy thrown at my head.
Catching the item while moving my head to duck out of the way, I turn to my own hands and see that I've caught a spare set of dark brown robes before turning and seeing Dooku leaning against the wall, arms crossed.
"Master." I bow respectfully. "I don't ignore you, or your advice."
Dooku only frowns before a simple motion pulls my phone right to him. A few taps later, he turns the screen to face me.
My podcast.
"On the contrary. Myself, as well as the Council have instructed you to focus less on the criticism and opinions of those outside of the Temple. And yet you stubbornly maintain your determination to seek it out."
"Can I explain why?" I request, only for Dooku to stand up off the wall and begin walking.
"Enlighten me."
"First of all, Cayle showed me that podcast. He believed it gave a fairly balanced summary of the day's news without slanting it to one side of the other."
Dooku doesn't reply, leaving my only choice to carry on. "Secondly, I don't live in a bubble. I need to have a general awareness of what's going on in the world."
"We send you daily briefings for that. You are in the center of perhaps the greatest intelligence operation on the planet, young one."
"Yes." I nod in agreement. "And lastly, I do need to hear the opposing viewpoint. It's healthy for my own opinions, and if I ever want someone to listen to me I need to be willing to listen to them."
Dooku doesn't reply as we walk for a moment or two in complete silence. "The rationale for your defiance has evolved. Where did you pick up on the idea to listen to others' opinions? It's not one you had before attending USC."
"Sociology."
"Hmm." Dooku strokes his beard. "That class seems to have made an impact on you."
"Dr. Followell did a good job teaching the class, Master." I explain. "From how he explained it, you can understand a lot about an individual's motivations by examining the whole and how groups affect the individual. And by focusing on the larger picture, you can avoid many of the biases that a closer examination might fall prey to."
…
…
The silence seems to stretch on and on before a tiny smirk appears on Dooku's face. "Your actions may be unhealthy, be your reasoning is at least sound. I'll inform the Council of this development."
"Did the Council ask you to come speak with me?"
"The actions of the Council are not for you to question, young Bridger." Dooku reminds me, throwing in a knowing look before continuing. "They only act out of concern for your wellbeing. The times have only become more exciting the longer you attend school out in the real world."
That's true.
"I appreciate the concern for me, Master. I…you know the story. It's the same one as last semester."
Dooku nods in understanding. "A course over the Christmas holiday should help ease the academic load on you in the Spring. The Council is already formulating plans for you to take a trip abroad during that period, giving you the requisite time to concentrate."
Okay.
"Yes, Master." I respond before we round a corner.
I wonder if that means I'll be going to the dueling tournament this year. It's in London and—
Uh oh.
"Master." I speak up, my eyes falling upon the scene at the security checkpoint. "Is…everything alright?"
"Why yes." Dooku turns to me. "I have it on good faith that he asked to see more of this side of things today, and the timing of things worked out to our advantage."
Matt's rigorous pat-down by the Temple Guards continues before I look away from him and back to Master Dooku. "Today?"
"Yes, today." Dooku nods. "He will be departing on yet another trip early tomorrow. And the Council believes, as do I that the more allies you have, that know who you truly are, can only be a good thing."
So they're letting him in.
"I must add, on a personal note, that Miss Wren's failure on this little detail is perhaps her biggest sin in the Council's eyes. You care for her, and yet she does nothing to allow you to welcome her into your world, truly."
Ouch.
I—
I…don't quite know what to say to that.
Before something comes to my mind, my phone lights up impetuously with one, then two messages—
Three—FOUR?
"Uhh." I mumble, then point to my phone which has caught Master Dooku's attention as well.
"I'll investigate this. You go speak to young Cayle and acquire your friend."
Being left with no other option, I nod before starting over to Cayle as he fiddles with Matt's keys. "Hi." He turns to me and smiles.
"Whose orders were these?"
"Dooku and Yoda's. They like the idea of increasing the number of people you can trust."
I roll my eyes and counter "That's extraneous."
You're adding to the number of people I have to worry about.
"We're crossing Sabine off that list for now, and things aren't going to stop coming. Hell, maybe if Sabine can ever get her head out of her ass—"
"Cayle!" I mutter as Cayle's language catches the eye of one of the Guards, forcing me to smile in embarrassment.
"—you can have two people at USC that know who you are. What?"
"Watch your language." The nearest Temple Guard scolds Cayle, who seems to almost dismiss the Guard before focusing back on me.
"Seriously…just think of it as a safety valve. The more people in your corner, the better."
"The more people I can get hurt."
Cayle shakes his head. "Don't look at the downside."
"Don't look at—there's nothing but downside!" I point out. "You weren't here, Maul found Sabine somehow and came to kill her. Because of me!"
"Because of the beskar. I read the briefings. You won, by the way in case you forgot."
"Vader did. I was…indisposed at the time." I point out. "If the briefings happened to mention that."
Cayle frowns at me. "They did, they said that their independent investigation concluded that she slapped you—"
"I moved into it."
"She thought she slapped you. Jaicey ran her ass because she did, and I don't know if she's been happy with her since!" Cayle points out.
"Jaicey's been mad at Sabine for—"
Before I can finish the thought, both Cayle and I's heads get forcibly turned around to face the Guards, and Matt, who are all watching Cayle and I argue.
"Young Bridger…your charge."
Right.
"Thank you." I nod, then extend the robes Dooku threw at me to him. "Here, put that on."
"They'll help you stick out less."
Matt wordlessly begins sliding the robes over his dark t-shirt and jeans before Cayle turns back to me. "Point is, she's not doing herself any favors. So…" Cayle motions to Matt. "Reinforcements."
"Thank you. I appreciate it." I smile at Cayle. "But really, I'm fine."
Cayle only crosses his arms. "Then why was he telling me a story about how he saw you at six AM, working out?"
"Because I needed to work out! I have to keep up my physical fitness!"
"You can do that after your class today! That's what you've been doing!" Cayle points out.
I counter "I can pivot and practice my lightsaber techniques."
'Do both of you always argue this much?'
Matt's thought comes through loud enough for both Cayle and I to detect, and for him to smile—
You know what?!
Impulsively I Force Push Cayle away a few feet, causing Matt to chuckle and for Cayle to come to a sliding stop before walking back over.
"You know…I did miss you." Cayle comments.
Matt smiles. "He missed you too."
"I know he did, I've spoken to multiple Masters who have said that Ezra bristled at the secrecy of my mission."
"I complied with it." I remind Cayle before turning and putting Matt into my crosshairs.
You know I can push you too? And you wouldn't be able to catch yourself like Cayle just did.
"Don't." Cayle instructs me.
"I wasn't going to!" I turn and frown at him.
"Don't what?" Matt queries.
Cayle replies "Use the Force on you."
"I, I probably can't stop it." Matt deduces. "Just please don't hurt me."
"Never." I roll my eyes at Matt before Cayle nudges me with the Force to start back towards Master Dooku.
The three of us walk back to where Dooku is peering at my phone before extending it to Cayle. "Mister Saracen, welcome."
"Thank you, Master Dooku sir." Matt bows his head respectfully. "I appreciate you inviting me back into the Temple."
"It is an invitation you have earned—" Dooku replies before the Force reverberates with Cayle's surprise and displeasure.
Slinking around Matt, I work my way to Cayle's left shoulder. "What?"
Cayle's response doesn't even reach me as I peer down at my phone screen and see Ryan kissing Sabine on the cheek, with Sabine smiling at the camera.
That's an Instagram story. They're IG official now…
An indistinct buzzing fills my ears before Dooku gently prods for my full attention.
He's right.
Slipping my phone back into the pocket of my robes, I round Matt again in time for Dooku's focus to turn to Cayle. "If you will, please go acquire the snacks for Ezra and the younglings, as well as our guest here."
"Sure, absolutely." Cayle smiles, then turns to Matt. "What kind of a drink do you like?"
Matt clearly is taken aback before blubbering out "Doesn't really matter. Whatever would work."
Cayle only smirks before saluting me and turning to fulfill his mission, leaving my best option to turn back to Master Dooku.
"Proceed with your day, as scheduled. Acquire your class of younglings and teach them today's lesson as best you know-how. Afterward, we will go from there. Is that understood?"
I nod and reply. "Yes, Master."
Dooku smirks, then turns and starts off the other way, leaving Matt here with me, waiting for me to move.
Okay then, let's go.
I walk back out into the corridor Master Dooku just led me down, this time with Matt in tow before releasing a breath.
I thought it was weird that we were going in the exact wrong direction.
"So that's it huh?"
I laugh at Matt's statement. "Lot less glamourous than it seems, isn't it?"
"Yeah." Matt agrees. "What's today's lesson?"
"Similar to what you saw last time. I'm drilling the basics of Form I into them."
"Form I, is that one of the lightsaber forms that guy on TV was talking about?"
I smile and nod. "If Master Dooku was here, he'd compliment you on your listening skills."
"I try to pay attention, even though more than half of it is Greek to me."
Greek?
"Huh?"
Matt turns to me. "You've never heard that expression?"
"No."
"It means that I don't understand it. It's completely foreign to me."
Then just…say that?!
"Thank you for letting me watch you by the way. I wasn't thinking today, but I guess it worked out though."
I smile and keep it moving. "Work trip tomorrow?"
"The other end of a buy game. Played SDSU last year, here and now we have to go play down there. Shouldn't be too bad as long as we focus."
"When are you leaving?"
"Meetings, then busses at noon. I was going to come with you to Bio and get my soul caved in, then bounce." Matt elaborates, causing me to chuckle. "By the way, how is that guide looking? I haven't been able to make myself put it together."
You've been busy.
"Almost done. It should be ready for that test next week."
Matt proclaims "We're all going to die."
"Probably, but you, me, and Sabine should be better prepared than everyone else. I don't think many other people are doing it."
Matt makes a face while, in the Force, his thoughts betray him. "By the way, what did Sabine do that made everyone grab your phone?"
"I—" Anger surges through me before I shake my head. "—she and Ryan are official now."
"What?" Matt blurts out. "How?"
"Instagram."
Matt makes a disgusted noise. "I…I don't see what she likes about him. He's such a frat guy. He's so Frat Ryan."
"Stop." I command him.
Matt dispenses a frown and replies. "No. It's true, and if Cayle thinks it's enough to push you on it, then I will too."
"You're not him."
"I'm trying to be." Matt reveals, which causes me to turn and for Matt to smile warmly at me.
Really?
"I might not have the superpowers or the incredible ability to get under people's skin, but I do know what buttons to push with you. You like her."
"She's proven herself unable to be trusted with the important things. She can't be here." I point out, gesturing around us.
Matt replies "I'm not arguing that. I—"
I can't do this right now. I need to focus and mentally prepare for my lesson.
"I—I'm not doing this right now." I cut Matt off. "I need to mentally prepare for my lesson."
Those younglings know me well enough to know when I'm distracted.
"You can multitask, hold two thoughts in your head." Matt counters just before the sound of a typewriter sounds out in my pocket.
That's—
"Uh oh. I don't like that different ringtone." Matt proclaims as I pull out my phone.
"Dooku must have accidentally hit the ringer…" I mutter while unlocking my phone and checking my messages.
Tommy — 1 New iMessage
Jon — 1 New iMessage
Alyssa — (5) New iMessages
Padmé — 2 New iMessages
Bypassing the texts from my White House friends, I navigate to Padmé's texts. Inside is a link to Sabine's IG story.
'Uhm…WHAT?!'
'I know you're busy today teaching. Call me when you can. Love you.' – Padmé
The Force rings with Matt's surprise beside me, causing me to gently put space between us. "No offense, but…take a step."
"That's cool." Matt says, understanding before taking the step back. "You're on a texting basis with her too?"
"Yeah." I mutter while typing.
She's out here publicly defending me and getting a ton of flak for it, it's the least I can do…
"I will, today's even busier than ever though. Thank you for defending me this/last week. You didn't have to do that & make your life so difficult." I send off, then stow my phone into my pocket.
"That's so awesome. How do you know her? Through her husband?"
"Initially, yeah. But she was one of the first people to fight for me." I clarify before starting up the stairs.
Matt's surprise registers both visually and through the Force. "Because…is there like a file on you or something? It had to have been pretty convincing."
"Yeah, there is. I wouldn't know, I've never read it."
"Can I read it?"
No.
I shake my head. "Not…right now."
There's a lot of things that he won't understand, a lot that requires a lot of explaining.
"That's cool. I understand man."
"It's not that I don't trust you." I clarify while, at the far end of the corridor, Master Trebor's class comes into sight. "There's just a lot of things out there that aren't true, and a lot you wouldn't understand."
When I turn to glance at him, Matt is biting his lip. "That's why you think JJ's a bit of a conspiracy nut."
"Sort of. It's Daisy that's the bigger problem. JJ's just curious."
"Curiosity killed the cat." Matt quotes Jaicey.
"Thanks Jaice." I quip before taking a moment to exhale.
Okay…I got this.
"Not Jaicey. That's another idiom. You really don't know many of those do you?"
I—don't care.
Unconsciously, I raise my hand and silence Matt. "Not right now…I have to be Master Bridger right now. Okay?"
"Okay." Matt snaps to it. "Yeah, of course. Do I just follow you?"
Yes.
I nod and continue leading us down the corridor, catching the end of Master Trebor's lecture to the younglings before I slide into the doorway just in time for him to conclude.
"Good timing, as always." He comments as the younglings turn and realize that I'm here.
"Hello, Master Bridger!"
2,3,5.
In near synchronization, the younglings raise their blades and block a lone bolt from their probe droid and reset.
2,3,5.
The process repeats itself as the younglings block their bolt, then take a step back and realign themselves, some using the Force, which courses all around us.
2,3,5.
—
Kendar missed.
That's okay. We're just about at a stopping point.
2,3,5.
This time Kendar blocks his bolt, but Erin and Liam both whiff their bolts. In response, I reach out and pause their probe droids just as they reset.
The droids beeping causes many of them to raise their helmets. The rest follow when I speak up. "Okay everybody, let's take a breath, grab some water. We're doing great today."
A few of the younglings murmur their understanding, but for the most part they shuffle off towards the water station, Jacen included.
In the back of the room, Cayle's face scrunches in surprise.
Yeah…
I fire off a smile in his direction as he, Matt and Mira are all sitting beside Mira's playpen before I feel Cayle probe out into the Force.
Which reacts the same as it has for the last 30-40 minutes.
Cayle, I assume in response, pops right to his feet and casually makes his way to me. "This is new. How long has this been going on?"
"Just today." I counter.
It's tense.
It feels like they're…I don't know.
Annoyed.
"It feels like they're frustrated. Why does it feel like they're frustrated?"
Casually, I slide my phone out of my pocket and unlock it to disguise Cayle and I's conversation. "I don't know."
"They're doing great. Amazing Ezra."
I know.
JJ — 1 New iMessage
Alyssa — (3) New iMessages
Tommy — (4) New iMessages
They really don't like this Sabine thing.
"Ezra."
"I know they are. I don't know what's wrong."
Cayle seems to consider this before I glance up and he replies. "Maybe you should ask them."
Maybe.
"I was going to see if they snap out of it."
I'm feeling it out.
"Feeling it out, I get it. But they've…never done this before?"
They're not really doing anything. They're doing exactly what I tell them to like they always do.
Their joy and enthusiasm just isn't there right now.
"Maybe it's a bad day." I hypothesize.
Cayle moves to nibble on his thumbnail. "Everybody has bad days."
Silently, the younglings continue filing thru, getting water and sipping it while drifting back to their positions.
Not with a ton of enthusiasm though…
"Do you remember what you said about your training as a kid? How you said you wish somebody had listened to you?"
Dad.
"Yeah?"
"Maybe you should try it out. Get them to talk to you, and listen to them.".
…
That makes sense.
I turn and glance over at Cayle, only for him to shrug in my direction while nibbling on his nails. Looking away, I see the younglings are almost done getting their water, with most of them back in position.
Worth a shot at least.
Taking a few steps forward, all eyes follow me as I stride to the front of the class, then come to a stop. "Younglings…"
Dutifully, everyone jumps into position, only for me to clip my lightsaber to my belt and smile at them. "May the Force be with you."
"May the Force be with you, Master Bridger." The younglings reply as one, just before I smile and move to sit in front of them.
"Sit down, we need to talk about something."
Multiple younglings look confused, and their emotions are reflected through the Force as portions of them do as I ask as move to sit.
They don't understand.
"I'm sure many of your other Masters have told you this. But my power through the Force is far greater than yours."
Okay Ezra…
Don't screw this up.
"So I can feel what's in the air today. Something's wrong. You guys aren't taking to the lesson as enthusiastically as you normally do."
The tension both in the room and in the Force instantly ratchets up before I add. "Why? Talk to me guys."
That's it.
Talk to me.
Nearly all of the younglings break their eye contact with me, and many shift around on the floor uncomfortably.
Come on.
Please don't make me start guessing.
Looking from Kendar to Ari, to Sergio, to Aryn, and finally to Jacen, the Force rattles anxiously before I feel Cayle inject some confidence.
Jacen.
Deliberately, I keep my eyes off him as the Force proves correct, and Jacen begins slowly raising his hand.
They want him to say it. He knows me the best.
They all know Kanan's my Master, and they're his kids.
"Yes Jacen?"
"We…we've done the same exercises for a while now. We…I'm bored."
"Why are we doing the same thing over and over again?" Niv'e pipes up, supporting Jacen.
Oh.
"Because practice makes perfect. I'm sure you guys have heard that one before."
All of the younglings, eyes back on me, nod before I smile.
"I'm not trying to be strict and boring guys. I'm just trying to drill the basics of Form I, Shii-Cho into you. You know that right?"
"Yes Master Bridger." The class confirms for me.
I smile and nod before continuing. "Well, the way I learned and from what I've read, is that the best experience is practice. Over and over again until you do it without thinking about it."
A small hand belonging to Kendar raises tentatively. "Yes Kendar?"
"But…does it have to be every week?"
No.
"No, I'm just trying to get you ready for the day that you won't need me to drill you on it anymore."
They want a break.
"Do you guys want a break? We can do something else."
Multiple heads nod fervently before Kailea raises her hand. "Yes Kailea?"
"I want you to drill us with lightsabers. You do it better than all of the other Masters."
"Yeah!" Dipitka follows up.
I'm just doing it too much.
"Thank you. I will, but if you guys are tired of it we can take a break."
We can try meditation or something.
I've focused more on the lightsaber training because everyone's aptitude with the Force increases as they grow older.
I don't want them to be like me and have it extracted out of them.
I feel Cayle take a step behind me and I turn. "Go ahead, Master Cayle."
Cayle smiles down at me, then steps even to me and looks out to the class. "He's not trying to be strict guys. He's trying his best to teach you in the best way he knows how. But I know why he keeps on drilling you."
Oh, do you?
I raise my eyebrows toward him just before he looks to me. Sarcastically, I gesture for him to carry on then lean back.
Go ahead.
"You all know I was gone for a while, right?" Cayle begins
"I heard you were in Turkey, Master!" Elliot, another youngling pipes up before multiple younglings giggle.
Yeah, Turkey's a funny name.
"I was." Cayle returns the smile to them. "And in Turkey…I met a Sith. The ancient enemy of the Jedi."
"A—what?" Dalton asks, then raises his hand.
Niv'e follows up. "I thought we weren't supposed to say that word."
"That's another word." Cayle chuckles as I can't hide a grin.
"What is a…Sith?" Liam asks innocently.
"A Sith is, like I said the ancient enemy of the Jedi." Cayle begins. "Now, tell me guys, what do Jedi do?"
"They help people!" Kailea volunteers.
"We protect people!"
"Learn about the Force!" Lisa offers up.
Cayle nods and gives them another smile. "Yes, all of those are correct. But the Sith do the opposite. They don't help people. They don't protect people. They use the Force for their own gain."
"Why do they do that?" Aryn asks Cayle.
I jump in and say. "That's a hard one to answer."
There's a lot of reasons.
"There are a lot of reasons a Sith does what they do. To control people, to hurt them, for their own personal gain. The easiest way to put it guys is that the Sith use the Force to help themselves. The Jedi use the Force to help others."
Jacen's hand flies up into the air. "Jacen." Cayle points to him.
"Why'd you meet a Sith?"
"I didn't mean to guys. I was…translating some books from one language to another and he barged in to try and stop me."
"Why?"
Cayle smiles at Kailea's interruption. "I don't know. We're working to figure that out."
If he'd talk about it.
Liam raises his hand again and Cayle points for him to speak. "Did you beat him?"
"I did." Cayle smiles at the class, only for everyone, including Matt in the back to light up in surprise.
"How'd you do that?"
Cayle's smile lingers for a moment. "That's what I'm trying to explain guys. The reason Ezra keeps running you through these drills, is because I did the same thing when I was your age. I was you, practicing Target Zones one, two, three, and so on, then deflecting droid shots. I did it, again and again and again until Master Tano chose me as her Padawan and started teaching me my own personal lightsaber style."
Multiple hands fly up into the air, and Cayle points to Lisa.
"What style is that?"
"Form V, Shien. It's a variant of Djem So." Cayle smiles. "Now…"
Cayle takes a moment to draw all of their attention, which is rapt before continuing. "I tell you all this, to say that when I fought that Sith, just a few weeks ago, I couldn't beat him with my style. I had to adapt. Adapting is an important aspect of being a Jedi."
He used the Force.
"I adapted by using the Force, and the basic form, Form I, Shii-Cho."
The words trigger all of the younglings, and the Force ripples before Cayle continues. "Master Bridger isn't trying to be harsh or mean. He only wants you to be as good as he is. He won't tell you this but he's one of the best lightsaber duelists we have in the Jedi Order."
Cayle.
I turn and frown at him, only for him to look back and smile at me. "That's why the Council chose him to be your teacher." He continues. "Using a lightsaber is what he does best."
Jacen's hand pops right up. "But he's really good at using the Force too! We've seen it."
"Yeah!" Dipitka chimes in.
Embarrassment flushes through me before I smile at the class and Cayle continues. "Yes, but sometimes we forget we're good at things because we focus too much. I'm sure that next week Master Bridger will adapt and come up with something with the Force to teach you."
"Yeah, I—." I start before the magnitude of the younglings' focus on me causes me to stutter. "I…The Force comes to everybody differently guys. I was lucky, I could use it really easily really early on in my life."
Younger than you.
"But everybody's not me, and I've been trying to give everybody time to grow. I don't want to put too much pressure on you guys."
Like me.
"He's doing the best he can." Cayle follows through on my point for me. "It's his first time doing this too guys."
Jacen blurts out "Really?" and I can't help but smile and let out a laugh.
"Yeah…" I admit, then turn to Cayle. "They're not supposed to know that."
I was told not to, so that they'd respect me regardless.
"Be quiet, Master Bridger." Cayle sticks his hand out at me, getting the entire class, plus Matt and Mira in the back to laugh. "Now, as I was saying—"
Three gentle knocks off to my right are followed up with a tug at me through the Force, causing me to turn and see— "Hello Master Dooku!"
"Hello." Dooku gives the entire class a warm smile. "I see that Master Cayle has jumped back into teaching I see."
"Advising really." Cayle tweaks Master Dooku, who breaks off eye contact with him.
"In any case, can you take the reigns for the remainder of the class? I need to borrow young Bridger. An urgent matter has arisen that requires his attention."
Oh.
I quickly get to my feet as all of the younglings are fascinated with what Dooku means before the man gestures for me to follow.
Okay—lightsaber—.
I hurry behind Dooku, pausing long enough to pull my lightsaber to me through the doorway and catch it before clipping it to my belt. "What is it, Master?"
"Not now. We are still within earshot of anyone who does not have clearance."
Clearance…
Together, we walk back down the corridor once again before arriving at—
This is the elevator that leads to the Council's chambers.
Sensing my questions, Dooku motions for continued silence, which I observe as we both wait for the lift to arrive.
…
…
I have a bad feeling about this.
…
The elevator arrives, and Dooku steps into it first, leaving me to follow before the doors close.
"We found him."
We found—
"Where?" I blurt out.
"Right where you said he'd be."
Liuzhou.
I was right.
"How…do you know?" I ask, then add. "Master."
Dooku doesn't respond, only adjusting his robes as the elevator rises all the way up to the top floor, where the Council's chambers are. The elevator doors open, and Dooku leads me to the massive double doors, which swing right open.
The scene inside instantly falls silent, with multiple holos going at once.
That's—
My feet take me towards the center of the room, where a black and white security camera photo is being displayed of a person with a buzzcut, dimple in his chin, slightly protruding ears, and puffy-looking cheeks.
Elias.
…
Something's not right.
The expression on his face looks like a grimace. Not that I was expecting him to be smiling but…
"Young one." I hear Master Windu call out to me, and I look away from the holo.
"Master." I bow my head respectfully.
"Visitors, we have." Master Yoda motions beside me.
Turning to my right, I see President Palpatine, along with Tarkin, Thrawn, and multiple other suited individuals sitting at an impressive wooden desk.
That looks like the Situation Room.
"Mr. President." I greet the President, before nodding respectfully.
Palpatine, who is examining a document, looks up before he smiles warmly. "Dear boy…it is so good to see you."
"Pleasure to see you as well sir." I nod again, then turn back to my left and see a similar setup of suited men at a table, albeit fewer visible men—
But an interpreter.
"President Zhou, sir." I greet him as well, then give him a deep bow.
Zhou's expression doesn't change, but instead turns to his right-hand man, who translates his word. "A pleasure to see you again, young man. We hope the time finds you well."
"Very well sir, thank you." I nod, then finally turn back to the Council.
Okay okay okay…
I've got to find a way to make this work.
"Sorry to pull you out of whatever you were doing." Palpatine apologizes to me. "The Jedi have informed me that you are no less busy than you were in the Spring."
Wait…I need to give time for the interpretation to happen, and another beat.
"Yes sir. As busy as ever, but going well." I reply, adding a smile on at the end.
Windu takes a moment, then speaks up. "As you can see, young Bridger…it would appear that we have found your brother."
Yeah—
"Half…of him." Tarkin comments from Palpatine's end of the line.
Glancing back at the security camera, I see that it is a static image, indeed of only half of Elias' face. "Half now is more than none earlier." I point out the bright side. "Where is he?"
Windu motions to my left, and the Chinese delegation begins speaking. "Right where you believed he would be, in Liuzhou."
Zhou turns and adds something, and I hold my reply until the next part comes. "The President would like to both thank, and congratulate you on your successful intelligence."
"Thank you…" I accept the compliment with a nod. "Do we have an exact location as to where this was taken or…?"
"We do." Director Kallus speaks up. "A street in Liuzhou, caught on camera around seven hours ago."
"The majority of the time since then has been spent trying to improve the quality of the image."
Is that—?
Turning, I see that Alexandre has been allowed into the session, albeit along the back wall while looking very uncomfortable before Palpatine asks "Who was that?"
"One of the Order's best and brightest scientists." Master Skywalker gives him no detail.
"Thanks." I smile at A, who seems to relax a bit before I add. "Do we have the original image?"
I would imagine there are other shops, businesses, or landmarks that we can use to narrow down exactly where he is.
A jumps into action, extending a tablet to me, which I take with a smile before peering down at the screen.
Looks like a…regular street. Normal businesses, shops with canopies and tables outside selling goods or something else. There's a food vendor in the corner of the image and people every which way, walking.
I can see Elias though.
They did only get one side of him though.
"Looks like he's walking in somewhere." I zoom in on Elias' who is on the left-hand side, near the top looking like he's slipping inside a door with a sign over the top of it. "Do we know what that is?" I turn and ask my Chinese counterparts.
"We've been—" Tarkin begins before Palpatine asks for silence as, on the Chinese end of the call, conversation has broken out.
"The shop that it appears he's stepping into is a street clinic." One of Zhou's people volunteers. "The sign that you see displayed advertises services ranging from pain relief to arthritis to dental work to x-rays for broken bones."
It does look like he's in pain.
"If I may sir." I hear on Palpatine's end of the line.
Tommy.
Palpatine gives him the go-ahead before I hear. "Ezra, looking at the photo we've got, I know it's only one-sided. Do you…see anything that stands out to you?"
Yes.
Silently, I look to Masters Windu and Yoda for approval to speak. Windu silently nods his head, giving me the go-ahead.
"He looks to me like he's wincing. His whole expression is a grimace."
"Explain." Master Dooku requests.
I nod, then let out a steadying breath. "Elias' natural…I don't know how to say it. His resting face is pretty neutral. Maybe a slight frown. But that picture—" I point to the zoomed-in, enhanced photo. "—it just seems more than normal."
Although that could be just how he looks now I suppose. He's—
Holy crap.
Elias is eighteen now. Nearly nineteen.
I'm nineteen. Coming up on twenty.
My attention is drawn to the Chinese end of the holocall once more, and I turn and wait for their discussion to conclude before the translation comes. "We were discussing this point when you arrived, young one. I believe the Jedi have one of their own health staff on standby?"
"We were." Master Windu confirms before motioning to my right again. Turning, I see a Master, clearly wearing the robes of the MediCorps wing of the Order.
"Master." I turn and bow.
The Master returns the gesture. "If I may…"
"Please." Master Yoda gestures for him to speak.
"Now I'm only diagnosing off of a picture here, so I could of course be incorrect. But given the known age of Elias Bridger, alias Lord Tyranus, I believe that the ailment that has driven him to this street clinic in Liuzhou is a wisdom tooth extraction."
Ooh.
"And the basis for that is…?" Palpatine asks him.
"Swollen cheeks and puffiness around the jawbone." The MediCorps Master steps forward and circles Elias' indeed swollen jaw. "When the wisdom teeth have fully erupted, the visual evidence is impossible to disguise and can be quite uncomfortable. He has likely been dealing with this for some period of time."
On his own.
"For how long?" Master Dooku asks.
"Anywhere from a few weeks to as long as six months." MediCorps Master replies. "Any longer and the likelihood that they become impacted and cause more serious health issues."
Jeez…Elias…
Your stubbornness has really done it to you this time you dumbass.
"You look concerned." Kanan calls me out, and I raise my head to see the entire Council observing me.
"Well yeah." I can't help but laugh. "This Council knows I got my wisdom teeth out, pretty early on in the process a couple of years back. And that wasn't fun. And now he's over there, in Liuzhou, all alone and probably in a lot of pain?"
Yeah! I'm concerned!
The China end of the call instantly starts up again before I hear. "It would appear that he isn't entirely alone."
Huh?
Zhou says something to his translator before he speaks once more. "Does the CIA have the latest image we sent? The one they claimed to begin enhancing?"
"Yes." I hear Tommy confirm before Alexandre moves to take the tablet back from me.
We have another one?
"It's about like the first one, needs a lot of cleaning up. Came in about…two hours ago." A tells me, then hands the tablet back.
—
Similar scene. Crowded street.
But with a black car pulled up to the curb, right in front of that same clinic, with…
Elias being guided out by two separate people, looking drugged.
Like he just got operated on.
Great…
I had to live off applesauce and milkshakes for four days after I got my wisdom teeth out. And mine weren't all that bad.
My jaw felt tight, I said something to Cayle. Cayle told Ahsoka who got me sent to the MediCorps. MediCorps x-rayed my mouth and the next thing I knew I was being told they were taking out four wisdom teeth.
It wasn't fun.
"I don't suppose we know who the guys that are leading him out are." I ask everyone, generally before probing out into the Force.
No. We don't.
"No, but we're working on clarifying the image as quickly as we can." Kallus informs me.
"Great." I turn and smile at him, on that end of Palpatine's call. "Thank you, for doing all of this."
This is a lot of work, on no notice for a lot of people.
And none of it can get out. Otherwise…
Silently, I turn back to the latest shot we've got and take a closer look.
They've got him by both of his arms/shoulders. He's…
"—don't mention it. It's our job."
"It is a relief, however, to have finally made some progress." Palpatine comments, after his long period of silence. "My thanks to you, President Zhou. This couldn't have been discovered without your cooperation."
Yeah.
"Thank you, sir." I turn as well, then bow to Zhou. Zhou seems to smile, then return the gesture to me.
"Indeed." Windu speaks up, as I notice the Council's increased eye on me. "We would not be here without your help. Thank you."
Conversation breaks out on Zhou's end of the call, silencing everyone else. "Masters Jedi, President Zhou knows that there is much work that lies in front of us. But he requests that when the Jedi move to extract Lord Tyranus, that his brother be there."
Yes.
I need to be there.
I hear Windu inhale before Master Kenobi speaks up. "Not to speak for the Council Mr. President, but young Ezra's schedule is quite full. It would be quite difficult to extricate him long enough to get to Liuzhou."
"It is very hard to get him anywhere without notice." Palpatine quips.
Zhou visibly frowns at what he hears before he turns and gives his reply. "The President is aware of all of this, including the logistical challenges of it. He is more than willing to do what is necessary in order to get him here. I daresay that he is the only one of your Order that the President trusts to do this right."
O…h.
Not knowing what else to do, I bow my head while a surge of embarrassment flows through me. "I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only head of state who holds young Ezra in such high esteem." Palpatine comments.
"Thank you." I pipe up while keeping my eyes down.
I guess I made a better impression at that meeting than I thought.
"Just speaking of the practicalities of everything, it would appear likely that Lord Tyranus has a support system, probably in Liuzhou. He—" Master Dooku points to me. "Cannot take them all and extract Tyranus at the same time."
"It is likely that a significant strike force will be needed." Tarkin comments.
Instantly, Zhou erupts and starts barking—
Oh jeez.
That didn't go over well.
Keeping my eye on the translator as Zhou bites his poor head off, he barely squirms before saying. "The President is staunchly opposed to an American strike force landing down in his country to capture Lord Tyranus."
"What about a joint operation?" Windu proposes.
"Perhaps, one with a Jedi, leading it?" Yoda offers.
Zhou says only a few short words, then points at me.
Oh boy.
"President Zhou wants Ezra to lead it."
"I—" I open my mouth, then quickly shut it.
You are not in charge right now. I'm not really even in a place to speak.
Zhou instead continues talking, before his translator adds. "The President wants to know what he has to say. It appeared that he cut himself off."
"I did." I confirm.
SHUT UP EZRA!
"Go ahead…young one." Dooku nods to me.
Okay.
Swallowing the sudden lump in my throat, I speak up and say "Getting him into custody without making a massive scene will not be very easy. I'll need more help."
Zhou gives his reply. "More help can be agreed upon. The President is not altogether opposed to American assistance as well. But this matter must be Jedi-led, and done with great care."
Yeah, I would imagine that he'd have a hell of a time explaining things if things went south and he has to explain now why HE allowed a famous Sith Lord into his own country.
"Tell President Zhou that we will do all we can to take proper care and precautions for this potential operation." Palpatine speaks up.
Good.
Zhou…does NOT trust him very much.
"It's settled then. We can reconvene soon to start discussing the particulars of this potential operation. A Jedi-led strike force, perhaps multiple if those are needed. In the meantime…President Zhou?"
Zhou nods to Windu before Windu continues. "I would assume that you have had your security apparatus follow that black car to its final destination?"
…
"Yes. The answer on that, for now, is classified. We will disclose it as soon as we have concrete details we can give you." Zhou's right-hand man answers Windu.
That's not great.
"Excellent. On behalf of this Council, please continue to monitor the situation and keep us appraised of any new developments."
Zhou nods, and Windu thanks him before I interject. "Thank you, sir."
"You are welcome." Zhou replies, in English before the Chinese end of the call is ended, on their end.
I…guess that's it then.
"Well, that was certainly productive." Tarkin comments, a hint of sarcasm in his tone before I turn back to look at him.
Can you keep that damn snarky tone out of your voice for FIVE MINUTES?!
Immediately, in response I feel multiple Masters tug on me to turn back and face Windu—
No. I'm fine…I'm okay right where I—dammit.
The combined force of their will turns me back to face Masters Windu and Yoda, both of whom look slightly displeased.
Oh whatever.
"There is much work ahead of us if we are to get young Bridger to Liuzhou in any sort of reasonable time." Master Kenobi says.
Palpatine nods. "When is the next school break? I would imagine that would be an easy time to sneak him out of school and across the Pacific to China."
"About three weeks." I blurt out. "Sir."
"Not a lot of time." Thrawn comments.
Palpatine's expression hardly changes. "We'll have to make it work. It is imperative that we get him over there without everyone, namely Elias himself, knowing that he is coming."
That's going to be really hard…and require a lot of trust between the Jedi, the Chinese, and the US.
And they don't exactly love each other.
"I…agree." Yoda comments.
"I'm sure that you have many thoughts on the matter Ezra." Palpatine tees me right up.
Yeah, but—
"Yes, but I need some time to sort out those thoughts sir." I reply honestly.
Palpatine seems to accept this. "I completely understand. If the Jedi haven't already informed you, you're more than welcome to contact me at any time. I know your schedule is as busy as ever, so time is not something easily come by."
Despite myself, I can't help but laugh. "Yes sir. Thank you very much. For…everything."
"You're most welcome dear boy. We'll speak again soon I'm sure." Palpatine nods, before motioning off to the side and his end of the call goes dead.
We found him.
We found Elias.