Empire at her Door

Let's press on with twins.

xxx

The door's to an Imperial Cruiser bridge parted open. "AGENT KALLUS!" A fleet commander raced across the narrow walkway. The man he beckoned scrunched his brow. The awe inspiring view of space he found serene would have to be ignored for a moment. "Pardon my abrupt entry, sir!" The commander saluted.

"Admiral…" Agent Kallus acknowledged the panting officer with a nod. The hairs of his wild sideburns prickled in sync to his irritation. "I trust you have good news." You better have good news, is what the Agent meant.

"Yes sir!" The Admiral handed Kallus a tablet. An image projected from screen. A 3D image of a ship rotated. "Intelligence reports spotting a ship matching the description of the Rebel Ship from Kessel in the Bormea Sector."

"The Bormea Sector?" Kallus repeated perplexed. An out of the way sector from Kessel. And not even remotely on course with Lothal, the planet Kallus is sure Rebels used as a base of operations. "How certain are they on the description?"

"They said 70% certainty." The Admiral understood the lack of confidence the number bred. "From their word of mouth, they said this one was had the best resemblance."

The Rebel Ship from Kessel, which was also spotted on Lothal, has eluded Kallus for the better part of a month. Desire to find this ship was borderlining on an obsession. Recent aggressions initiated by the rebel scum revealed two Jedi in their midst. And while a professional trained for the elimination of Jedi was on his way to join the battle, Kallus preferred capturing them for the sake of his own pride.

"Where in the Bormea Sector were they heading?" Kallus proceeded with intrigue.

"They would have been following the Prelemian Trade Route. And there's something else." Kallus arched an interested brow. "The ship seemed to be cradling damage. Meaning they would have to land."

Kallus smiled hungrily. "On their route, what was the closest planet?"

"Chandrila."

Kallus pondered his next action in matters of time and resources. Chandrila wasn't off their course by much. In fact, if Kallus were to estimate, their plotted course will take them near the planet. Where he will be in position to assemble teams to investigate. The rub of this plan being Chandrila is big. Narrowing the search to known and unknown Auto Repair shops would be costly. They could escape right out from under their noses. And for all he knows, this ship could be a look alike like the dozens of others. On the other hand...if the Rebels are there...can he afford to pass on this opportunity. As it stands, they would be sitting ducks.

"Shall I tell the crew to press on?" The Admiral sheepishly asked.

"Set a course for Chandrila!" Kallus commanded the bridge personnel. "Full speed ahead!"

"YES SIR!" The personnel bellowed. The Admiral received his answer.

xxx

Dave balanced a tray full of cups of tea on the prongs extending from his head. He set the tray to the coffee table in the middle of Katerina's work office. Katerina showered 63 hours of work off under scalding hot water, and dressed in baggy khakis, work boots, and another midriff sleeveless top. Grim pressed a button near the large window spanning to the far side of the office, turning it into a mirror to block the work from the warm reception unfolding. He indulged in a shower too, throwing on apparel similar to Katerina's. The difference being he like overalls. Kanan and Katerina sat closely on the couch with Hera. Zeb was comfortably leaned to the corner of the room with Chopper parked beside him. Sabine and Ezra sat on the other couch. Grim picked the lounge chair, and was joined by Dave when the tray was set.

"I'm not sure where to begin!" Kanan exuberantly broke the animated silence. He thanked Dave for bringing the tea and helped pass cups around.

"I do!" Grim lifted his cup in the air. "To Kanan and Katerina - reunited and spared the eternal separation. May they make up for lost time."

"Cheers to that!" Zeb raised his cup. The others lifted their cups with a HERE-HERE.

Kanan and Katerina blushed both honored and beyond grateful. Honestly, they both can hardly believe either one was sitting beside the other. The urge to constantly pinch one another to make sure they weren't dreaming itched their fingers.

"I don't even want to think about the odds of you winding up at our doorstep." Grim was freaking out just thinking about it. "I mean...you both said you thought the other died, right?"

"That's the story we told ourselves." Katerina shrugged. She cursed herself for not trying harder.

"We couldn't find each other. It was all we could assume." Kanan added with a note of self loathing. "I guess…" He touched her hand, "It was easier to assume that than...you know…"

"Going to look only to find a corpse." Katerina reluctantly finished his thought. She clutched his hand. "That terrified me too. I wouldn't have been able to handle it."

"Me neither, Riina. Nightmares of finding you...gone kept me up at night." He ruffled her hair lovingly. "I can't tell you how silly I find those nightmares now."

"They weren't silly." Of that he can be certain. "Now enough talk about death and nightmares! Let's catch up on lost time!" She immediately looked at Ezra. "So you're a Force Sensitive Child too?"

"Yep! Kanan's agreed to train me to be a Jedi."

"You as a Master." That's a concept she never dreamed would forge. "I remember a time where you swore off taking on an apprentice. Said they cramp your style."

"And he does! He doesn't sit when I tell him! He's always mouthing off! Oh, and he won't stop stealing my stuff!" Kanan pounded the couch arm. Ezra didn't appreciate being treated like a housepet.

"Oh dear lord!" Katerina slapped a palm on her face. "The force bred a second Kanan!"

"WHAT?!" Kanan bellowed.

Hera slapped her knee laughing. "She's got you there!"

"She does not!"

"Come on, Kanan!" Katerina stifled her laughter. "Apprentices emulate their masters to a Tee. Ezra sounds just like you when you were his age."

"I didn't steal!"

"You stole from me!"

"That's different! You made it too easy to pass up!"

"Which is why I shaved your head when you were asleep."

Zeb choked and spat his tea on Chopper. "YOU DID WHAT?!" He hooted.

"CHANGING THE SUBJECT!" He clamped Katerina's mouth, erecting a finger to his lips. "That's final!" Katerina raised her hands in mock surrender. Zeb and Ezra felt their day dim. When Kanan's back was turned, Katerina mouthed, I'll tell you later, and stretched a pinky promise. And the day brightened. "I was hoping you would explain something to me." Kanan abruptly requested.

"Of course!"

"How did you escape? How did you survive all these years?"

"You have Master Kenobi and Master Yoda to thank for that." Katerina folded her knees to her chest. That day holds terrible memories, but she'll never be able to thank them for their help. "I came back to the temple just as the flames were beginning to set. I..." She choked on a growing lump, "I broke at the sight of the dead Jedi Younglings. I saw Masters dead as well. I was about to join them." Glancing from the ogling crowd to Kanan, Katerina detected that he was appreciating her keeping quiet who was behind that massacre. "Master Kenobi and Master Yoda saved me. Told me to go back to Chandrila and live. That...one day...I'll draw others to me. That my battle wasn't over." Her cynicism after all these years was expected.

"Master Yoda was rarely wrong." Kanan reminded her.

"You don't have to tell me twice." The debates she'd lose against the Grand Master. "Kendril decided to adopt me when her heard about what happened."

"Can we move on to: Have you been on Chandrila this whole time?" Ezra broke the ice first. Kanan was the first to mention he lost track of Katerina after the Clone Wars, and that she was an apprentice mechanic on Chandrila. It wasn't a too farfetched question. To be honest, Kanan would like to know that too.

"Not the whole time, actually." Katerina had think for a moment. "Ken and I hid on Pantora, Florum, and even Tatooine when the Clone Wars...took a sour turn." A sour turn. That's the most demeaning phrase she can come up with. "For the first six years we were running and hiding. Only able to stop on Chandrila for a short couple of weeks at a time."

"Why would you be hiding?" Sabine questioned. "You or Kendril?"

"Many of the Senators and their families from the Republic were hunted like dogs. Mon Mothma and Kendril included." Katerina thanks the gods everyday that Mon Mothma was alive and well. "Either join the legion of the Empire, or be killed as a traitor. And it wasn't exactly a secret that Kendril's apprentice was related to a Jedi."

"They think you were a Jedi?" Zeb asked.

"A half and half belief. Enough to make the Empire want my head on a spit." She shook her head. "Ken hated running. But we didn't have a choice." Her legs hurt recalling how often they picked up shop and ran. "And for 15 years, continuing our lucrative Auto Repair business wherever we may be, we outsmarted the Empire. They eventually left us alone." She brought Grim into the fold, "I met Grim a year after we returned to Chandrila."

"I was caught trying to steal parts for scrap." Grim laughed at himself. "Katerina chased me a mile before we wrestled over a muffler." Suffice it to say, she shared in the beating before Kendril got involved. "Ken broke us up, and offered me a job in place of going to jail. He had enough video evidence to charge me with grand larceny." The humiliation of it all. "Needless to say, I've been here for every unveiling, to the Empire deciding they'd like to rear their heads for a random visit. They never bothered us, though. Seemed to forget Ken and Katty existed."

"Glad they did." Kanan relaxed. He faced Katerina, "And I'm glad Kendril and Grim were there when I wasn't." He nodded to Grim, "Thank you. You've no idea how grateful I am."

"My pleasure." Grim bowed. "I'd do it all over again."

"You're not the only one who appreciates good company." Katerina looked around to the crowd Kanan surrounded himself with. Not your average run-of-the-mill friends you meet in school or passing by. They're fighters. Like Kanan. The weapons and armor not serving as the dead give away. Though...only Ezra was the Jedi in training. Just who is it Kanan has fitted himself to? "I'm glad Kanan found people who care about him." "Thank you all for taking care of him."

"It wasn't easy!" Hera wiped imaginary sweat off her brow. "He's a handful."

"I'm the handful?!" Kanan doesn't like it when the pot calls the kettle black. "Do I need to regale everyone on the trouble YOU'VE gotten us into?" Hera feigned innocence, touching hands to her chest. She's never heard of anything so outrageous.

"You know, I am curious, Big Brother," Katerina hugged his arm, "Just what have you been up to?"

"Well-"

"Boss…" A Twi'lek woman knocked on entry. Kanan dodged a bullet. "So to interrupt, but there's someone here to see you."

"Another unsatisfied customer?" She sarcastically remarked. This wouldn't be the first time he team accomplished work worthy of kings only for cheapskates to claim unsatisfactory work and get a full refund. Too bad for them Katerina doesn't believe in the customer is always right.

"No. Um...an Imperial." Kanan, Hera, and the entire Ghost crew froze like statues.

Katerina noted their welling apprehension, and pressed, "Does this Imperial have a name? Or told you what business he has here?"

"All he said was that he was from the Imperial Security Bureau, and demanded to speak to who's in charge." Zeb and Ezra bit their lips, exchanging nervous glances. "He's in the main garage."

Katerina moved to the large window on her office wall. The window was actually a two way mirror. Via the control panel on the left, the window can be transparent, or one way. The reflection being on the outside. She pressed the red button with an arrow pointed up. The window tinted a shade of grey. To her chagrin, Katerina spotted the ISB Agent in question. A man in his middle ages with a quaft head of golden hair accompanied by rather impressive sideburns. Dressed in full black body armor, and his helmet under his arm, the Agent was obviously a man on a mission. His entourage of Storm Troopers frightened her workers to tiptoe while working.

Kanan and Hera meandered warily on either side of Katerina. The two tried to get a good look, but fear coming too close and being spotted. "It's one way. So you won't be seen." Katerina reassured them. The pair braved a couple steps. Dread paled their skin. "I take it he's a friend of yours." Katerina commented, using the term friend very loosely.

"Agent Kallus of the Imperial Security Bureau!" Hera snarled disdainfully. "As calculating as he is depraved! Not someone we're proud to have met!"

"How'd he find us?!" Was all Sabine cared about. "No one from the Empire followed us!" Chopper assured them of that. They spent the better of a month drifting between sectors. Landing at random locations, circling back, and a growing list of evasive maneuvers they are confident Bounty Hunters couldn't follow.

"I'm almost scared to ask what you guys did to get someone like this on your tails." Katerina sternly put hands on her hips. Kanan and Hera pursed their lips, folding their hands behind their backs. Sabine, Zeb, and Ezra nonchalantly coughed, read magazines, and muttered to assure - THEMSELVES - that it wasn't anything major. Katerina sighed irkly. "Another mess for me to clean, Big Brother?" She partially played. Kanan shrugged in mock guilt. What can he say? Trouble loves him. "Wait here. I'll get rid of him."

"NO-NO-NO!" Kanan hooked her by the arm. "I can't let you do that!" He won't let her do it. "Kallus is here for us! Once he see's us leave-"

Katerina put a finger on those flapping lips. He went quiet instantly. Her deadpan expression captured his full attention. "The Empire isn't robbing me of you twice." The declaration slacked Kanan's mouth. He wanted to protest to change her mind. Then he released a resigned breath. Once Katerina sets her mind to something, torture won't change it. "Give me ten minutes?" She earnestly requested.

"Nine more than you'll need?" Kanan smirked.

"Nine and 30 seconds." She winked, strutting for the door. Grim and Dave were on her heels.

"I'll hold you to that!" Kanan beckoned as the door closed behind them. The bravado was sucked from him. Panic made his heart rate spike.

"You aren't really going to let her meet him alone, are you?" Zeb argued, stunned Kanan just let her walk out. "He's dangerous!"

"I know that. But…" Kanan scathingly watched Kallus meander aimlessly, scaring the workers.

"You don't want her to know you're a Rebel." Hera put the pieces together. Kanan squeezing his eyes closed answered her inquiry. "Kanan...she won't think less of you."

"It's not her opinion that concerns me."

xxx

Agent Kallus stamped his foot, growing impatient the longer these low class workers pretended not to notice him. "EITHER ONE OF YOU BRINGS ME THE OWNER, OR I'LL SEARCH FOR HIM MYSELF!" He roared at the top of his lungs.

"No need to shout, good sir!" Katerina kat walked to him, hands on her hips. Grim and Dave kep to her heels, huddling close when the Storm Troopers darted to Kallus. "The owner you're looking for died a year ago. So you'll have to settle for me!"

"You're in charge?" Kallus scrolled incredulous eyes up and down the young frame.

"You got a problem with that?" She challenged.

"Not at all." He snorted. "I am Agent Kallus of the Imperial Security Bureau." He bowed out of respect to the lady. "To whom do I have the pleasure?"

"I'm known as Katty by my friends. You may address me as Ms. Dume." She curtly replied.

"Very well." Kallus admired her quick wit. He found there to be entertainment during these talks. "Ms. Dume, allow me to first apologize for our abrupt entrance. I hope you and your workers were not disturbed."

"Heavily armed men storming a humble garage in the middle of our heaviest work day, and taking up a perimeter that is frightening our paying customers out that door?" She bounced her shoulders. "We're just peachy, Agent Kallus."

Kallus found it would wise, and productive, to digress from the pleasantries and jump into business. "Then permit me to be blunt so we may depart expediently." Katerina crossed her arms in a minor barrier, minding Kallus to maintain their gap as he spoke. "Our intelligence revealed that a ship bearing similarities to a suspected Rebel Ship was seen entering the planet at 1300 hours."

Rebel Ship? Katerina cast a glance to Dave who displayed a holographic clock. Seven hours ago. Right around the time…Kanan said they arrived a few hours ago. Must have been while she was out working on the cruiser with the faulty windows. Kanan's a rebel? That couldn't be right. "And how, Agent, has that brought you and your troopers to my door?" She asked with a note of impatience.

"Our intelligence also revealed that the ship was suffering damage." Kallus braved his quarry's harsh defense and closed their gap by one pace. He carried a menacing smirk, "There are 14 locations bearing the Mothma Moniker where they can seek repairs." Mothma's garage isn't just famous for the excellent service. Before Kendril's death he established numerous locations where those trained under him ran their own Auto Shops. "And, it goes without mentioning, that YOUR location is named as the best of the best. The Elites of Auto Craftsmanship this side of the Bormea Sector." The praise doused with hidden messages prompted him to take two more steps. Katerina refused to falter or lose eye contact. "Naturally, our investigation brings us here."

"Though flattered I am that you admire our work, Agent Kallus, I am confused how you came to the assumption Rebels would come to a famous place such as this." She hoped seeing the counterproductive nature in choosing this particular garage would discourage him. In spite of him being right on the mark. "Chandrila isn't as shiny as it seems. There are underground shops that house rebels constantly."

"Be assured I have men scouring those locations as well. I am not singling any one place, or person." He bent at the hip. Katerina kept eye contact even as he stood barely an inch away. Those golden brown eyes peering into the darkest recesses, scouting for contradicting or uncomfortable shifts in body language, or the slightest sideways glance to giveaway secrets she undoubtedly held. "Now, if we may return to the previous conversation, would you happen to have seen this very ship?"

Katerina's attention diverted for the first time. Kallus's com projected a hologram of The Ghost Ship. Katerina biting the inside of her cheek went unnoticed. Her nails curled to her skin. That's Kanan's Ship! Her mind screamed. Kanan's...a rebel? That didn't make a lick of sense. How does a Jedi turn into a Rebel? More importantly, why isn't she more surprised?

"I'm afraid you've come to the wrong garage." Katerina declared firmly, and without hesitation. Kallus arched a brow when she returned her glare to him. "And because of the fact that you're asking, you didn't see that ship anywhere in my yard, did you?" Not that he would. Katerina had the ship in one of the sub level workshops

"Rather defensive." Kallus mocked, standing erect to respect each other's space. "These are mere inquiries. No one is in trouble."

"I never assumed we were." She replied more curtly. "You said your investigation - you inquiries - brought you here. Which means you and your men did a quick sweep before landing." Kallus's lifting lip confirmed her allegation. "Not seeing this ship, you couldn't leave empty handed. So you show up here, in mass with weapons, hoping - if someone did see the ship - they'd clam up and tell you."

"You think so ill of me." Kallus touched feigned hurt hand to his chest.

"Do you see the skylight that is our roof?" Kallus glanced disinterested to the impressive roofing. "That was installed two years ago after the Empire's last inquisition. We're still in the midst of repairing the west side, where the most damage was dealt." Katerina strutted closer, not caring about the Troopers watching her like a hawk. "They too came here under the assumption we harbored Jedi, Rebels, and others the Empire has placed on their most wanted list." And that is a long list that keeps growing. "We told them the same thing we told you! But because our business draws all from near and far, they attacked us and left nearly a ruin where this building stands!" She bared her teeth in a venomous growl. "So yes, Agent Kallus, you'll have to forgive my cynicism towards you and everyone that serves under you! You've all rubbed me sourly for the past 15 years!" By the way her employees were gathering, threateningly bouncing wrenches and other blunt objects in their palms, they were foolishly sharing in her bravery. They seemed to refrain from advancing. Withdrawing from their primal instinct to strike. "No evidence, no warrant, no rhyme and or reason," Katerina stood on her tiptoes, brought her nose to Kallus's, knit her brow and uttered, "Get-out!"

Kallus scrunched his nose and brow. His hands balled into fists. Grim and Dave growled, moving closer. Analyzing the situation, and the enclosing circle of workers creeping on the anxious Troopers, Kallus went with an amiable solution that would help him with a later problem. "As you will." He acquiesced. "MEN! Pull out!" He whirled a hand. The Troopers scooted, and vacated without hesitation. "Till we meet again, Ms. Dume." Which he is certain will happen.

Katerina's nerves buzzed like ten hives. Her stomach wanted to spew the tea she ingested on the floor. A close call doesn't begin to describe this. "ALRIGHT! Close up!" He barked to the spectators. "Everyone goes home for the week! GO ON!" She's tired of them staring at her like a nut. "You guys too." She pat Grim and Dave. "Go home. I'll see you next week."

"Take care, Katty. Don't go starting fights." Grim winked.

"Yeah. Fights…" Just one last problem to sort out.

xxx

Kanan, Hera, and the rest of the crew blew on the heat seeping from the garage. They felt Katerina's fire all the way up there. Too bad Kanan and the crew couldn't celebrate too heartily. The door opened with a woosh. A ragged Katerina wobbled in. The door closed at her back. She released her long held breath, plopping against the door. Her brow furrowed grimly. "Rebels, huh?" Katerina crossed her arms.

"Riina…" Kanan opened his arms. He doesn't know how to explain. A proud Jedi becoming a Rebel. "Uh...I…I can-"

"Save it! I don't want to know!" Kanan's shoulders slumped. In seconds everything was falling apart again. "At least not tonight." She ended the awkward tension with a warm smile.

That flew over the Ghost Crew's head. She was just upset a second ago. Likely wound up by her encounter. Now she's smiling. Quite the misleading faces she wears. "What do you mean?" Kanan wasn't following.

"I just chased off a cat who more than likely took offense to my blatant disregard for his authority." Disregard? She flat out disrespected him in front of his troops. Called him out and made him look like a chump. He won't let that slide. "That same cat brought you and I together. Whatever you've gotten mixed up in…" She worked her fingers in his stiff shoulders, "I'd love to hear about it in the morning. Happen to have spare rooms in the compound if you're interested."

"Seriously?!"

"Do I look like I'm joking?" She's offended he doubted her. "You six are staying here tonight. End of story."

"No arguments here!" Hera slapped Kanan on the back.

"Good to know." Sabine released a sigh of relief. She was too tired to run tonight. "By the way, Riina…"

"Yeah?"

"That...was...so...AWESOME!" Sabine squealed. "I've never seen anyone talk back to the Empire straight to their face!" She was getting chills just thinking about it.

"And the way you said GET-OUT," Ezra hooted in his deepest, Katerina boss voice, "I'm freaking out!"

"Thanks…" Katerina replied out of breath. "But I'm sure it will come back to bite us in the butt later." Kanan smushed her cheeks, twisting her head side to side. "Can I help you?!" She sputtered.

"When did my beautiful baby sister turn into a scary boss?" He faked being heartbroken. He never dreamed the time would come when she could make such a scary face, or sound so threatening.

Katerina removed his hands, cupping them together. "Around the same time my first boyfriend decided to cheat on me."

"Boyfriend?! Cheated?" Kanan's brow shit up. Katerina expected this reaction. She stuck her tongue out. She wouldn't tell. Kanan put cross hands to his hips. "Did you tell him your big brother would reduce any man's brains to jelly if they hurt you?"

"Nah. Something scarier."

"Which is?"

"I told him the photos of him in lady's clothing would leave my sight if he left Chandrila."

Zeb flew into a fit of laughter, holding his stomach and leaned to the wall so he wouldn't fall. "LADIES CLOTHING?! THAT'S A GOOD ONE!" Ezra, Hera, and Sabine snorted. "Gotta say, that's pretty evil of you, Katerina!"

"Call me, Riina, please."

"Not Katty?" Hera raised a brow.

"Katty is the nickname Kendril gave me to describe my attitude."

"Katty it is then!" Kanan slapped her on the back.

"That's it!" Katerina stormed into the hall. "You're sleeping outside!"

"Aw! C'mon! You can't kick me out!" Kanan chased her.

"Just did!"

"I object!"

"Overruled!"

"Oh yeah…" Hera admired impishly, leaning in the doorway. Zeb, Sabine, Chopper, and Ezra snorted at Kanan and Katerina continuing their long winded argument. "That's the love of a brother and sister alright."

xxx

Binoculars zoomed in on the favored garage. The lights on the perimeter and on the inside slowly died one at a time. Agent Kallus smirked wolfishly, setting his binoculars to the rooftop edge. Less than a mile from his current position, Rebels and their associates are hiding like the rats that they are. The little grease monkey may have thought her poker face was pristine. She's 20 years too early to be matching stone faces with Kallus. The Rebel Ship is in that garage, and thus the Rebels are inside or nearby as well. He will uproot them, and eliminate everyone that dares to impede him.

Kallus brought his wrist com to his lips. "Hold your positions, and await my command."

"Copy that." A Trooper reported. West, North, South, and East - All four sides of the garage were monitored and covered by Storm Troopers. Air support waited in the distance.

Kallus chuckled darkly in the anticipation. "You've run as far as the edge of the map." He folded hands behind his back, ogling his target. A shield he aims to bring down on his enemy's head. "And it is here you will perish!"

To be continued.