Ezra listened to Kanan and Hera's transmission with ever increasing interest as he exited the spaceport. It was concerning that there was a second Inquisitor but it sounded like the crew didn't have to worry about her joining the Imps in hunting them down. Ezra kept pushing his grav pallet even after he was out of the facility until he could find a spot to ditch it unseen.
"She just took off in a shuttle," Kanan stated.
"Then she's probably heading off world. Good, the last thing we need to deal with is another one," remarked Hera.
"I'm heading to the rendezvous point. Spectre 1 out," Kanan said before the transmission ended.
Ezra heard thrusters overhead and glanced up to a shuttle soaring into the sky. That must be the ship the Inquisitor stole to escape. Well Ezra hoped she got away. It'd be nice to know there's other people in the galaxy causing the Empire grief. Turbolaser fire coming from the spaceport's AA cannons lite up the sky trying to shoot down the shuttle. The shuttle tried evasive maneuvers but the screen of fire was just too much. A blaster bolt impacted the ship's thrusters, causing its engines to falter.
The shuttle was unable to maneuver effectively and more turbolaser bolts hit their target. One of its wings was blown off and the ship dropped from the sky. Ezra quickly realized he needed to move as it was heading right towards the street he was on. He rushed into a nearby alley as the shuttle crash landed violently on the street. Bricks exploded into the air from the ship partially clipping the side of a building. The shuttle let loose a loud screech as metal impacted pavement sliding down the street and bouncing from a building on one side to the other, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Ezra emerged from the alley as the shuttle came to a halt. Smoke nearly obscured its entire form probably caused by internal fires. Now Ezra knew Kanan wouldn't approve of getting involved. This was an Inquisitor after all, there was no reason the crew should stick their necks out to help someone like that. But there was something telling Ezra to get closer. It wasn't the Force but rather just gut instinct. It could just be his stomach was getting hungry but Ezra felt he couldn't just walk away from this. He might end up regretting all of this but he headed closer to the chaotic scene.
Fires began to flare up out of the ship. If the Inquisitor didn't hurry, no amount of ability in the Force would protect her. Ezra removed the uncomfortable helmet and pitched aside before working his way around the wreckage to find the off-loading ramp down and the main doors open. The Inquisitor survived the crash but couldn't have gotten far from a landing that bad. Ezra checked around but didn't see any clue on where she went.
"Blast her!" someone shouted nearby. The sounds of blaster fire soon followed along the sound of a lightsaber all coming from a nearby alley. Ezra made his way cautiously towards it, grabbing his lightsaber. It had a stun blaster added to it, allowing Ezra to use it without using the energy blade and attract unwanted attention. The blaster fire continued then suddenly everything went silent. Something told the young Jedi that things didn't end too well for the Stormtroopers.
He was starting to reconsider getting involved with this. If the Inquisitor saw him, she probably wouldn't hesitate to kill him especially since Ezra was still wearing his stolen cadet uniform. The sound of barrels and crates falling onto the ground broke his hesitation. Kicking himself for being so stupid, Ezra headed into the alley to find the corpses of six Stormtroopers. Several had cauterized wounds on their bodies but others had blaster impacts on their armor. The Inquisitor must have deflected their blaster fire back at those ones.
But there was also a seventh figure in the alley as well. A being in black armor with a circular disc holder on the back and an enclosed dark helmet was lying face down on the ground. The Imperial crest was stamped on both of her shoulders just like the Pau'an Ezra and Kanan fought several times before. Ezra thought at first this one was dead just lying motionless on the pavement until he felt a feeling in the back of his mind. The same feeling he felt just before the cargo freighter landed.
Ezra realized the figure was playing dead as she activated the lightsaber she had hidden underneath her chest and swung it around at Ezra's chest. He had a split second to activate his lightsaber which he managed to activate just in time to block the incoming crimson blade. The Inquisitor's face was hidden behind her mask but Ezra could tell from her body language she was surprised. Ezra jumped back, ready for her to get up and attack him. Except the Inquisitor didn't rush him at all. Instead she slowly got to her feet.
That's when Ezra realized that the Inquisitor had multiple blaster marks on her armor, including her knee. Apparently the warrior didn't emerge from her previous battles unscathed. The wound to the knee must have been bad because she seemed to have trouble standing on it.
"A lightsaber? You're no cadet," the Inquisitor said, referring to Ezra's stolen uniform.
"I'm not," Ezra replied.
"Who are you?" the Inquisitor demanded.
"Me? I'm just a concerned citizen with a laser sword," Ezra remarked. "Now just take it easy. I don't want to hurt you but I will if you don't…"
The Inquisitor held up her hand and suddenly, Ezra's lightsaber went flying from his hands and to her's. The young Padawan gasped, kicking himself in thinking this other Force user was somehow weaker just because of some injuries. Even barely standing, the Inquisitor disarmed him with no effort whatsoever.
"Well go on. Don't spare any detail. What are you doing to do to me?" the Inquisitor mocked. Ezra considered running but doubted he would get very far. The Inquisitor could either use the Force to stop him or hurl a lightsaber at him.
"Children shouldn't be playing with toys like this. The Empire has executed people just for possessing a lightsaber," she added.
"I'll add it to my rap sheet," Ezra retorted, trying to keep up a brave facade. The Inquisitor suddenly hurled Ezra's lightsaber right back at him. Caught off guard, Ezra lifted up his hands and stopped the lightsaber in mid-air. Regaining his composure, he snatched the weapon and reignited the energy blade.
"I thought so. You're one of those Jedi rebels giving the Empire problems on this planet," remarked the Inquisitor. Well the loth-cat was out of the bag. She knew exactly who and what he was now. Ezra just knew Kanan was going to be furious when he found out about this. Stay invisible and don't let anyone know you're a Jedi. Otherwise it would bring unwanted attention.
"Down there. I thought I heard something," a voice could be heard down the alley. Instantly whatever problem Ezra and the dark sider had with each other was forgotten as seven Stormtroopers rushed down the alley.
"There she is! Wait a minute there's one of the rebels! Shoot 'em both!" the lead Stormtrooper shouted. Instantly the alley lite up with blaster fire as the Inquisitor activated her sphere-shaped lightsaber and activated its automatic spin function, forming a defensive shield to block any incoming bolts of energy. Ezra quickly took cover behind a cargo crate. Unlike the Inquisitor, he didn't use his lightsaber but the stun gun addition he installed into it. With two shots, he dropped two Stormtroopers. The five still standing took cover.
"Heads up," the Inquisitor shouted to Ezra. She lifted up her free hand, focusing and two Stormtroopers suddenly floated into the air from behind cover. Ezra understood what his unlikely ally was doing and quickly blasted both helpless troopers. The Inquisitor dropped them then motioned with her hand again, lifting up a multi-ton garbage bin that the three remaining Stormtroopers were using for cover. Ezra fired away, taking two of them down but the final one opened fired and forced the young Jedi to take cover. The Inquisitor levitated the garbage bin directly over the final Stormtrooper who was too busy firing at Ezra to notice. She lowered her hand and the large bin dropped directly on top of the soldier, making a disgusting sound as his body was crushed to death.
"Should have told him heads up," Ezra muttered, not feeling any sympathy. It was hard to feel anything for someone who willingly joined the Empire. No one forces you to put on that armor and commit the atrocities the Imperials are known for.
To Ezra's surprise, the Inquisitor started limping away. Despite all her injuries, she was still pressing on. Ezra had to admit she was relentless. "Hey! What do you think you're doing? You're in no condition to go anywhere," he called out to her.
"Get lost boy," the Inquisitor warned him, not bothering to turn around to speak with him.
"The Imps will have this whole area locked down and flood every street and alley with troops. You won't last an hour with those injuries," explained Ezra.
He must have made his point because she stopped and turned to face him. "And just what exactly do you think you can do little Jedi?" the Inquisitor asked, almost mockingly.
Ezra hesitated. He knew he could get the Inquisitor out of this mess but the real question was if he even should. Sure she helped him deal with those Stormtroopers just now but that was for survival. Ezra had no reason to trust her and for all he knew, she could very well turn and kill him any second. Yet this was also an opportunity he couldn't pass up. Here was an Inquisitor, someone clearly strong in the Force and someone who was probably high up in the Empire's ranks. Ezra didn't know how long she'd been a part of it or what terrible things she might have done but she had to know things. Now that the Inquisitor was on the run, maybe she'd be willing to trade such information for assistance.
"I have a grav pallet nearby. If you can hide in a cargo crate, I can use my cadet uniform to smuggle you out of the area and to a safe house. Somewhere the Empire won't come looking for you and has medical supplies to treat your injuries," Ezra answered.
"And why should I trust you?" demanded the Inquisitor.
"Do you have a choice?" remarked Ezra.
It was clear even with a mask on, the Inquisitor wasn't happy. Someone as powerful as her couldn't be thrilled with the idea of having her life depended on anyone, let alone someone she considered a child. "Make it quick," she finally relented.
Ezra rushed back towards the street where he left his pallet. It got knocked over during the crash but fortunately it wasn't damaged. He reactivated the engine and pushed it back towards the alley, picking up his dropped helmet along the way. They didn't have much time as another patrol could arrive any second. The Inquisitor was impatient when he got back. She was still standing, clearly ready to run or fight the second she sighted a bucket head though she was in no condition to do so.
Ezra opened a nearby cargo crate and dumped it over, spilling out its contents of spare mechanical parts. The Inquisitor used the Force to levitate it onto the pallet before she climbed up into it. Ezra could hear the grunts of pain from his unlikely ally as she sat down inside the crate. Though with the injuries she had, it was miracle she was even able to get inside of it by herself. Ezra shut the lid on top of the crate. He put his helmet back on then started pushing the cart out of the alley and into the street.
By now, dozens of Stormtroopers had arrived and were breaking up into units to patrol the alleys and search the nearby buildings. All Terrain Defense Pod vehicles lumbered down the streets, their cannons trained on the various alleyways while Gunships roared overhead scanning the rooftops. Ezra couldn't remember such an intense search on Lothal but maybe it was inevitable. After his crew's numerous successes against the Empire, it only made sense that Imperial military would escalate their presence on the planet. Thankfully no one seemed interested as he passed by. Ezra looked like just another automaton in the Imperial war machine.
"Hey you!" someone shouted behind him.
Ezra gulped as he turned around to see a Stormtrooper approached him. He could try running for it but he wasn't so sure how far he would get with so many troops and machines flooding the streets.
"What are you doing here? This entire sector is under lockdown," demanded the Stormtrooper.
"I was supposed to transport supplies to the outpost. Then that ship crashed and in the chaos…I got lost sir," Ezra asked, feigning embarrassment. Hopefully no one would think twice about a dumb cadet. Ezra could only imagine what the Inquisitor was thinking right now since she could easily hear what was going inside that crate. Probably had her fingers ready on her lightsaber.
"Cadets," the Stormtrooper grumbled under his breath. "Follow the main street back that way and turn right at the third intersection. Now get out of here."
"Yes sir," replied Ezra who pushed the pallet briskly down the street. He'd go faster but that might look suspicious. Minutes seemed like hours as he passed more and more troopers along with more AT-DPs. All it would take is just one of those bucket heads to get curious and check inside the contents of the box Ezra was pushing along and it would all be over. He couldn't believe he was actually risking his life to save an Inquisitor. Granted he had no idea there was more than one before today but he never imagined he would actually be trying to help someone like her and Ezra knew what kind of person she was.
He could sense the dark side radiating from her. It was the same feeling Ezra felt from this morning and whenever he was close to this new Inquisitor. If she was trained in the dark arts like the other one, she could not be trusted. The dark side was evil. Kanan drove that point into almost every training session. You give into it, you open yourself up to terrible things. While Jedi resisted such things, the first Inquisitor Ezra encountered was the complete opposite. He delighted into torturing and killing. He laughed during their last encounter as he taunted a frightened Ezra about his impending death. Ezra managed to summon a creature to fight him but in doing so touched the dark side for a short time. That experience left him feeling cold for days afterwards and it wasn't a feeling he wanted to feel again. So to meet someone else who not only accepts that but embraced it couldn't be a good person.
Still this Inquisitor was on the run and desperate. Just maybe Ezra and the others could make some kind of useful intel out of her. If she was just like the other Inquisitor in terms of rank within the Empire then she was probably the highest ranking officer the rebels have come across who was willing to barter with them. That didn't mean that Ezra was going to trust her and especially not take her to the Ghost. But he did need to get her someplace safe along with medical supplies to treat her wounds. He couldn't afford to go to someone he knew on Lothal and put them at risk which left only one place.
Ezra was relieved when he found no one around his old home. The building had been abandoned since his parents were taken by the Empire but Ezra still came back every now and then especially when he needed to lay low. He glanced around to make sure no one was following him then headed towards the front door. Ezra used the old key card his parents gave him years ago to unlock the door and push the pallet inside.
"Alright we're clear," Ezra said.
The lid flew off the crate and the Inquisitor slowly climbed out. She nearly tripped in the process, groaning in pain every time she moved her injured knee. Yet she refused to stop and was somehow able to stay on her feet once she was out.
She glanced around, taking in her surroundings. "Not exactly the 500 Republica," the Inquisitor commented, referring to the most exclusive residential tower on Coruscant.
"Beggars can't be choosers," replied Ezra. He headed towards the trapdoor hidden underneath a cargo crate. "I'll get the medical supplies. Take a seat and I'll be back in one second," he said.
Ezra shoved the crate aside and pulled the trap door open, climbing down to the basement below. His parents used to transmit messages across Lothal here, speaking out against the Imperial occupation. They learned the hard way that talk accomplishes nothing against the Empire. He was checking through the supplies when he heard a thud behind him. He turned to see the Inquisitor had dropped down into the basement and somehow landed on her feet, bad knee and all.
"I said I would be back," Ezra grumbled.
"I don't trust you," the Inquisitor stated bluntly.
"The feeling's mutual," Ezra replied.
The Inquisitor snorted in amusement and limped over to a wall to lean against before sitting down. "So where's your master?" she asked.
"You don't want to know. He'd probably want to kill you regardless of whether you were injured or not," Ezra said.
"Doesn't sound very Jedi to me," scoffed the Inquisitor.
"He does what he has to," Ezra said. Maybe by playing on the idea that Kanan could be ruthless could be another incentive on keeping the Inquisitor at bay should she have any funny ideas. He retrieved a kolto pack and some bandages.
"Alright you need to remove that armor," Ezra stated.
"A Jedi and a doctor too?" the Inquisitor chuckled.
"Hard to treat skin that's covered up," Ezra sighed, getting irritated by his guest's endless mocking. The Inquisitor reached up and tapped the side of her helmet. The face guard covering her face retracted. Underneath was the face of a young human woman with pale skin and yellow eyes. The same kind of yellow eyes the other Inquisitor had. She unhooked the bottom locks on her helmet and pulled it off, revealing jet black hair in a short bob cut style along with a big bruise on her forehead. Ezra had to admit that even though she was a dangerous Force trained assassin, she was very attractive.
"I thought there was only one of you," remarked Ezra.
"Did you really think the Empire would have only one Inquisitor to handle a galaxy full of Force-sensitives?" she laughed.
"Well then how many are there?" Ezra spoke.
"You'll sleep better not knowing," replied the Inquisitor. Well she certainly was the talkative type, not revealing anything she knew.
"You got a name?" Ezra asked as the Inquisitor began unhooking her chest plate armor.
"That's the first thing they take from you and I'll dress my wounds myself," she replied as she pulled off the chest plate. Underneath was a black skin suit that seemed more for comfort than anything else. She moved onto her arm and leg plates, quickly detaching their locks and pulling them off. It was clear the Inquisitor's armor was meant to be worn for hours on end but also easy to take on and off.
Ezra frowned as he handed her the medical supplies. "How can someone take your name?"
"Easily," remarked the Inquisitor. She applied kolto to the bandages and wrapped them around her blaster wounds.
"Then what do you call yourself then?"
"Second Sister," the Inquisitor replied.
"What kind of a name is that?" asked Ezra.
"One you should be glad is no longer a part of the Empire. Otherwise you wouldn't still be alive," she answered.
"I'd keep the threats to yourself if I were you. You wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for me and you still need me if you want to get off this planet," Ezra shot back.
"And I suppose you're doing this all from the bottom of your charitable heart?" the Second Sister asked mockingly.
"No. The Inquisitor I keep running into seems pretty high up in the Empire and I'm guessing you were too." replied Ezra.
The Second Sister smiled, "You want to know what I know. Now that is a motive I can believe."
"Spectre 6 come in," Ezra's comlink chimed with Kanan's voice.
"I'm guessing you haven't mentioned me to your friends," commented Second Sister.
"Just let me talk to them. They'll understand," Ezra told her. He climbed up the ladder and out of the basement for a little privacy. Thankfully the Sister didn't try to follow him.
"This is Spectre 6," Ezra answered his com.
"You missed the rendezvous point. Everything alright?" Kanan asked.
"Yeah. I had to make a detour," Ezra said, trying to think of a way to presenting his Master with what just happened gently. Hopefully he wouldn't freak out too much.
"What kind of detour?" Hera responded. Great, now he was going to have to break this to both Kanan and Hera at once.
"Uhh…remember that Inquisitor who stole that imperial shuttle in the spaceport?" asked Ezra.
"Yeah," Kanan said and it was clear he did not like where this was heading.
"Well her ship crashed and one thing led to another annnnnddddd….I'm helping her," Ezra groaned.
"WHAT?!" Hera and Kanan both screamed into the com.