Summary: Ezra's awake and the plan to retake Lothal is set in motion.
As annoying as it could be at times, Hera would forever bless Kanan's access to the Force for granting them advantages like this one. Of being forewarned of a family member's return to consciousness allowing them to be by that person's side, ready and waiting to provide anything that would ease the no doubt unpleasant transition.
"Ezra?" Kanan asked in a low tone, sitting on the edge of his bunk. "That's it kid, come back to us."
Ezra's eyes cracked open then slammed shut again. Hera quickly reduced the cabin lights to minimum before Kanan coaxed Ezra back to awareness again.
"Kanan? You're really here?"
The adults exchanged a worried look.
"I'm here kiddo. I'm not going anywhere."
"It worked?" Ezra whispered, almost whimpered really.
Kanan's brow puckered at his son's tear filled eyes. "What worked?" He carefully wrapped an arm around the boy, helping him sit up. "What happened in there buddy?"
Ezra shook his head, burying his face in hands, breathing deeply.
Hera couldn't take it anymore. Crossing the room, she knelt on Ezra's other side. "Hey, hey, easy now." She murmured softly, gently taking his hands in hers. "Talk to us sweetheart. You're safe here. We can help you."
"There's nothing you can do." Her child answered, quietly but firmly. "Not when it comes to the temple. We have…I have to think. How long have I been out?"
"About 30 hours." Kanan answered.
Ezra nodded slowly. "We don't have a lot of time. Are Wollfe and Gregor still on Seelos?"
"What? Oh, yes. I believe so."
"We'll need their help. Who else do we know? I can get a hold of Hondo. He'd do anything for me. Melch too if they're still together. Jai and Iron squadron are already here." He fell quiet for a while, leaving Kanan and Hera desperate for answers but afraid to disturb whatever strategy was rapidly forming in their kid's mind. "We could use at least one more person. Sabine?"
"You're awake!" The mandalorian's voice sounded eager through Ezra's com.
"Yeah. Listen do you-?"
"Hold that thought."
Footsteps were soon heard racing through the crew cabins. The door opened and Sabine rushed into the room, Zeb and Kallus on her heels.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
Zeb grunted "Uh huh. What happened in there?"
Ezra shook his head, shrinking back against the wall. "If I could talk about it I would. But right now I have a planet to liberate. Now are you or are you not still in touch with Ketsu?"
Sabine blinked in surprise. "I am."
"Good. Send her a message asking if she can reach Seelos within the next 72 hours. Kallus, have you and Rex fixed up the Ghost with those new jamming codes?"
"As best we can."
"Alright. Hera do you feel up to running the blockade to go pick up our allies?"
"I can run a blockade but-"
"Good. Take Rex and Kallus, I'll get Hondo to meet you there."
"Just a minute-"
"Kanan you should go too actually. Easier to pretend you're dead if you're off-world."
"ENOUGH!" The whole room jumped and a thread of guilt wove its way through Hera - particularly when she saw Ezra rub his head from where he'd whacked against the bunk above him.
"I'm sorry honey." She said in a softer tone, sitting next to him and taking his face in her hands. He pulled away, not unkindly, but it still left her eyes prickling irritatingly.
"I know I'm not being very fair, but I can barely make sense of what's going to happen. And some of it…" he shivered, rubbing his hands up and down his arms.
He's scared. She realized suddenly. Kanan must have also as he tightened his grip around Ezra's shoulders.
"We'll focus on what we do know for now," her other half murmured. Ezra leaned against him gratefully for a moment before clearing his throat.
"What I know is that what the empire - what the emperor - wants with Lothal is far worse than any of us anticipated. It has never been more important to get them off this world. And we can't do it with the forces we have. Every person I just named needs to be here. I can't tell you they'll survive this, or even why we'll need they're help specifically. I only know I need you guys to trust me," he met each of their gazes. "Even if it's for one last time."
"It's a solid plan, Ezra," Ryder regarded the young Jedi seriously. "But even with your additional allies, there are too few of us. If the rest of the Rebellion won't come-"
"I'm counting on them not coming."
"But-"
"We don't need them Governor, we can't afford to need them. Lothal can't afford it."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you remember when I was little, how I was always climbing up on the roof of our old house?"
"Yeah, you'd get caught up in chasing Loth-Cats and sooner or later one always led you up there. More often than not you'd get stuck. Then your father would have to come and get you down."
"Well once when I was maybe five, he saw me up there and told me to get down on my own. I asked him why and he said one day he might not be around to help me get out of trouble. That being able to count on people was good, but that if you always depended on them to solve your problems, you'd never learn to do that on your own. He said he knew I was strong enough and smart enough and I needed to know it too."
"Odd thing to tell a child."
"Yes but in this case he was right. Lothal has to be freed by Lothal. If the rebellion came in and drove the empire out we would forever be counting on them to interfere when we had problems. We'd always be looking for someone else to save us. How long would it take for 'someone' to become 'anyone'? We'd be right back where we started, under the control of the empire or a force equally as bad. Now is our chance to eliminate that threat of dependence.
"The empire's forces aren't infinite, they can't be everywhere at once. We have to show other worlds that they can be beaten. Not by "The Rebellion", they've tried to liberate us twice, and they've failed. This isn't about showing the galaxy what we are capable of. It's about showing them what they are capable of. That the path to freedom isn't achieved by other people sweeping in and saving the day, but by the people who are already here. Who are willing to stand up and say 'this is my home, and you can't have it.' Well Lothal is my home. Is it yours?"
The old governor beamed, tears shining in his sky blue eyes. "Lothal is my home till the day I die."
"It's mine too," Jai spoke up.
"And mine," Marida added softly.
Ezra took a long look around the cave, meeting the eyes of each person present. A nod or smile was given by each in return, a pledge to follow and support no matter the outcome. At last he turned to the Ghost crew. The people who'd become the family he'd once refused to need.
'This isn't your homeworld,' his gaze said. 'I'm not assuming you'll help just because of me. But it's time to choose.'
"In or out?" he asked out loud.
The group hug he was promptly yanked into was all the answer he needed.
"Are you ever going to say anything or are you just gonna stare?"
Hera startled slightly, a chuckle escaping her lips. Stopping at the base of the Ghost ramp she looked a minute longer.
"I guess I'm still trying to get used to the people my kids are becoming."
Said kid's face flushed brightly. He reached up to rub the back of his neck. "Still learning who I am myself," he muttered.
"Well I'm proud of you regardless." She told him warmly.
"Hmm." He pulled her into a tight hug. "Promise me you'll be careful."
She smiled as they parted. "You too."
"You need to be more. I think…"
She cocked her head at his quizzical frown. "Hey it's alright. We'll be back before you know it."
Ezra nodded quickly. "Right, I know. Just…be careful," he repeated, something in his expression that she couldn't read.
Before she could ask what he meant Kanan approached, pulling his apprentice aside. Their words were indistinct, but from the soft expression on his face and the worried glances Ezra threw her direction, Kanan was clearly trying to provide some last minute reassurance.
Footsteps sounded behind her and Hera turned to see Sabine striding down the ramp.
"Supplies are loaded. You should have everything you need to equip our extra little band."
"Thank you."
Sabine nodded in return, then glanced down. "Nerves getting to you?"
Hera followed her gaze, quickly jerking her hand away from where it was pressed against her stomach.
"It's nothing." A purple eyebrow raised in disbelief. "I've been getting heartburn, that's all."
"Heartburn?"
"I can't figure out why, it only started a couple of days ago. Nothing's really changed in my diet. Must be a sign of stress."
"Or hair."
"What?"
Sabine shrugged casually. "If you believe my mother. She had wicked heartburn both times, and told my father it meant the baby'd have lots of hair. I did, my brother was bald. So you know, take it with a grain of salt."
Hera gaped at her, momentarily forgetting how to speak.
"So I am right. Huh. Got ahead of one of your secrets at last." Sabine's grin was all tease but Hera saw the real happiness sparkle in her eyes.
Swallowing hard, she managed a small smile in return. "I guess you have."
Sabine's expression softened. "Don't worry, I won't say a word until you're ready to talk about it, but…Kanan does know, right?
"He does. We're both half terrified, but we're determined to see this through. How do you feel?"
The younger woman scoffed. "I hardly have any right to comment."
"You're family. And this is a big change. We want everyone to be okay."
"I'm more than okay." Sabine smiled eagerly. "It's been long enough since we had a new Spectre join us. I should start sketching ideas of what they'll look like."
Hera couldn't help the laugh. "Only you."
"Hey gotta get inspiration where I can."
"Inspiration for what?" Ezra asked.
"Art nincompoop. The Loth-Wolves refuse to sit still long enough for me to get the detail I want."
"Loth-Wolves…'Bien you're a genius."
"What do y- oof!" She jerked away from the raspberry-like kiss he smushed against her cheek, though He was out of reach before she could react any further, dashing back to the cave.
"Good luck Mom and Dad!" he called over his shoulder to the astonishment of Hera and Kanan and the eternal amusement of the young mandalorian.
Their faces in this moment were most definitely the subject of her next drawing.
Reminder that although I am happily binging on Sabezra week, the two of them are like brother and sister in this storyline. The kiss on cheek is meant to be seen in that context.
Optional Reading Ahead:
Saving yourself (or your planet in this story) by yourself is a great theme in fiction and to a certain extent is necessary and empowering IRL. BUT it is a true fact that there are going to be things in your life that you can't always solve on your own and - to whoever may need to hear it - That's Okay! It's okay to reach out for help, and if it's offered, give serious thought before rejecting it. Just because you might be able to survive on your own doesn't mean you should have too. And just because your inner circle doesn't provide the love and support you need doesn't mean others won't. Anyway that's just my two cents. Have a great week everyone! 3