The Rebel Twins

by GradGirl2010

For 15 years I was alone. Fixing spacecrafts to numb the pain. The Clones' betrayal of the Jedi stole my brother from me. At the time, it seemed as if it would be forever. Reunited through this war of Imps and Rebels, Caleb...huh...Kanan wants me by his side again. The problem is...the idea of fighting again terrifies me. The screams...they won't stop.

7. Looks Familiar

Looks, Feels, and Sounds Familiar

Moving on.

xxx

(Flashback)

Chandrila's crystal canyons. Caverns stretching farther than the Great Walls of Schina. Glittering gemstones as far as the eye can see that are the envy of the billions of stars. The hollow whispers of air coursing through the tunnels singing in tandem to the shimmering hums. A ways into the caverns, going well below what would be considered sea level on tropical planets, was a reservoir illuminated in an otherworldly glow. A glistening aurora of aquatic arrays reflecting off coasting mist and the crystals.

Aggressive grunts, and boorish roars echoed off the high ceilings. An electrified lancehead barely brushed the still pools, making them ripple. Feet skipped and pivoted, feasibly maneuvering around the uneven, moist cave floors. Short brown hairs clung to a sweaty face. Fierce aquamarine eyes glowed in the radiant lighting. A staff flourished almost flawlessly, fumbling in the hands of the barely experienced 11 year old girl. Boulders that eluded her attention cracked on the staff, impeding completion of combative executions. Her footing would go ignored and she'd fall into the pools. Worst case scenario, hands would forget their placement and either touch the lanceheads, or would smack their owner in the face with the staff. No matter how badly the girl fumbled, she picked herself up, raised her spirits, and continued training. Ready for when the Empire decided to rear its ugly head in hers or Kendril's direction.

"Never again!" She snarled to herself. "I'll never freeze again!" She spun in a fury, striking for the imaginary enemy. Shockingly, a hand caught the staff in a full swing. The girl froze, eyes widening as if a ghost stood before her.

A bearded man in a hood chuckled warmly at the child. "I see you've come a long way since your broom swinging days." The man removed his hood, smiling gleefully to the young lady.

"MASTER KENOBI!" The girl dropped her staff, wrapping her arms to him in a tight hug. "You're alive! I can't believe you're alive!"

"Hello, Katerina!" He stroked her head. "It pleases me to see you in good health."

"What are you doing here?" Katerina beamed up to him. "Is Master Yoda with you?!"

"Sadly, he isn't. But he wished for me to convey that he's proud you're doing well for yourself." Katerina would ask how Yoda knew she was doing okay. Then she remembered, Master Yoda knew everything. "As for me, I've come to check up on you. I heard you were doing well, and had to see it for myself."

"What about Caleb? Did you find him?" She squeezed his hand, praying Obi-Wan found someone from Coruscant.

"I'm afraid not." Katerina shouldn't have been surprised. It's been three years. If Caleb was still alive, he would have come for her by now. He was dead. Just like the rest. She was...alone. And once Kendril chose on a whim that they would leave Chandrila to hide on another planet, she'll be isolated. Again. She loves him. Don't get her wrong. But she hates running.

"Not that I'm not happy to see you…" She rasped dismally, "But why are you here again?"

"For you."

(Flashback End)

xxx

Stormtroopers patrolled The Dreadnaught corridors, marching in filed rows with their blasters at the ready. Honestly, in the minds of more than half the men, the high level of security was a wastrel of resources. No one would be dumb enough to attack or board an Imperial Dreadnaught. It's a suicide mission. The extra man power would be better spent patrolling elsewhere. Maintaining security in regions where the Empire's thrall was at its strongest. Walking around a cruiser in the dead of space was a death sentence on the affliction of boredom. It was a nightmare.

"You two! Come with me!" A Commanding Stormtrooper ordered two others. "Our sensors indicated there's a ship docked on the underside of the hull!" He adamantly announced, attracting two more of his comrades. "The Admiral wants a team to investigate!"

"Yes sir!" The team of five raced for the hangar.

Unbeknownst to the small squad, the doors to the latrine opened. Kanan, Sabine, and Katerina poked their heads out. Recently, The Ghost crew received word that the Empire confiscated a shipment of supplies from a gaggle of Pirates on Felucia. Food, medicines, and supposedly some credits were in the mix. Items they desperately needed. They overestimated the expectancy of their less than bountiful spree on Lothal. They needed supplies fast, and this was the fastest plan they had. Boarding an Imperial Cruiser was the easiest option to them. Go figure.

The coast was clear. For now. They need to take advantage of the minor disarray while they can. The ship reported to be detected was The Phantom. Zeb was sitting on it, waiting to peel out when things got hairy. Following just beyond the cruisers sensors were Hera, Ezra, and Chopper in The Ghost.

"We need to move fast!" Sabine urged. "Once we have the shipment, we need to get back to The Phantom ASAP." They'll need another rendezvous beside the hangar. It's going to be monitored due to the sensory alarms being triggered.

"The confiscated shipment should be in cargo bay below us." Kanan whispered. "We get there, and Zeb can come around and get us." He pushed the girls back a bit. Troopers passed by in the adjacent corridor. "The elevators will be guarded."

"Then we go through the floors." Sabine declared. She checked the hall, then crept to the wall across. She worked on the vent grate while Katerina and Kanan stood guard. Every second intensified the paranoia of being caught.

"I can't believe you talked me into this!" Katerina rolled her eyes. There she was minding her own business, when she's swept up into an infiltration. A lot happens in a few hours.

"Hey, you're the one who complained The Ghost was getting stuffy." Kanan snorted, nudging her. Sabine worked wonders and removed the grate.

"My idea of fresh air did not include boarding a military cruiser." Katerina hissed.

"Picky, picky, picky!" Kanan jerked his head, crawling in first. Katerina went in after him. Sabine went last, secured the grate, and went after them. Kanan unclipped his communicator. "Specter 1 to Specter 4. Come in."

"Specter 4 here! What's the situation?" Zeb replied, sounding anxious.

"The Imperials detected The Phantom. Make yourself scarce." Zeb won't be able to out maneuver the Imperials for long. As Sabine said, they need to work fast. "Meet us near the cargo bay area in ten minutes."

"Roger that."

Kanan clipped the com back to his hip. "Nine minutes and fifty seconds, ladies." He partially joked.

"Not another second later." Katerina picked up the pace.

Sabine acquired the schematics of the Dreadnaught on her wrist com. She acted as the guide through the vents, leading Kanan and Katerina to the fastest drops to the cargo bay. They slowed down or froze when they heard voices above or near them. They may be crawling around a military grade cruiser, but the walls weren't built to deafen sound. Sabine's heart skipped a beat when a Trooper said he heard something. Thankfully what he heard was two Troopers training too rough near by. Still, the trio aired on the side of caution. If they get caught now, they're as good as dead.

The cargo bay was right below them. Kanan plowed both feet had on the grate below, dropping less than quietly to a stack of crates. He cringed bashfully, laughing weakly to the girls. Sabine and Katerina rolled their heads. General Grievous himself would be proud of his subtly. Katerina and Sabine swung in. The shipment they sought was on the far side of the room. Plenty more merchandise at their feet where that came from. Unfortunately they and The Phantom can only hold so much. And a second trip was out of the question.

"Two minutes…" Sabine warned. The cargo bay was huge - as expected. Their saving grace was the shipment wasn't difficult to find. The launch zone was ray shielded, easy for Zeb to pull in and whisk them away.

"Don't worry!" Kanan activated the hover pads, passing the crates to the girls. "We'll get away with the shipment without a hitch." He reassured them. Why did Sabine and Katerina get a nagging feeling karam was going to be evil to them?

True to form, karma was harsh. The cargo bay doors opened. Stormtroopers meandered in just as Sabine, Kanan, and Katerina started pushing the shipment along. "YOU THERE! HALT!" A Trooper roared.

"BUSTED!" Katerina and Sabine hollered. Kanan grit his teeth.

"DON'T MOVE!"

"HANDS IN THE AIR!"

"Well which is it?!" Kanan scoffed, firmly planting his hands to his crate. Her jerked to feign being confused by the orders. "Hands up or don't move? We can't do both!" Katerina couldn't help snorting. Smartass.

"KEEP QUIET!" The Troopers agreed on something. "GET YOUR DAMN HANDS IN THE AIR!" Kanan and Katerina shrugged, raising their hands shoulder height.

"Don't worry! All according to plan!" Kanan whispered.

"Which plan are we on again?" Katerina snidely responded. Kanan lost track but curled his nose as if to say you don't need to know. In other words, as Katerina surmised, he was winging it.

Sabine crouched behind, contacting Zeb on her wrist com. "Specter 5 to Specter 4! Time's up!" She whispered urgently.

"YOU THERE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! HANDS UP?!" The Trooper nudged his gun. Sabine cut the call, rising with her hands in the air. She moved in close to Kanan and Katerina.

"Well?" Katerina whispered to her.

"Wait for it…"

"You two! Stop talking!" A Trooper ordered. Sabine and Katerina curled their lips in. "Contact the Admiral! Tell him we found the source of the outgoing communications!" The time window was closing, and the inside of a cell was opening.

Another Trooper was about to act. He touched two fingers to his helmet, about ready to signal for reinforcements and an escort. A whirring engine made him freeze. Kanan, Katerina, and Sabine smirked victoriously. The Phantom descended and broke through the shielding. The weapons charged to fire. "GET DOWN!" A Trooper roared.

The Rebel trio were way ahead. They dropped to their stomachs, holding their heads. The Troopers barely had a second to twitch. Zeb opened fire on the cargo bay, howling in maniacal laughter as he blew up fuel cylinders, and a few crates of cargo. Sabine approved of the colorful explosions, but not when the aftershock of the blasts blew their intended shipment from their reach. Zeb's chaotic shooting scattered chased the Troopers back out the doors. Soon enough the alarms were raised.

"TIME TO GO!" Kanan jumped to his feet, running for The Phantom.

"What about the shipment?!" Katerina protested. She might be able to get one.

"No time now!" Sabine ran, jerking her arm. Troops rushing into the cargo bay proved her point. They fired on The Phantom and the Rebel trio.

"Dammit!" Katerina ran from the returned fire. Laser bolts narrowly missed their backs. Zeb opened the ship while dealing the growing number of troops a beating. Kanan launched Sabine and Katerina inside, and they helped pull him in. "GET US OUT OF HERE, ZEB!"

"You don't have to tell me twice!" Zeb wrenched on the wheel. The ship spun so fiercely a wave pulsed from the engines, blowing a few Troopers off their feet. Zeb poured on the speed, darting for the rendezvous with Hera.

"DEPLOY THE TIE FIGHTERS!" The Commanding Trooper bellowed over the cruiser's coms. "SHOOT DOWN THE ENEMY SHIP!"

xxx

"Where's the shipment?!" Zeb growled.

"We didn't get it!" Sabine informed breathlessly, prying her helmet off.

"WHAT?!" Zeb's bellow broke their eardrums. He grabbed Kanan by the collar, smashing his nose into his cheek. "Do not tell me I circled this blasted cruiser three times for ten minutes just to go back empty handed!" Kanan winced at his breath.

"No…" Katerina slipped her arms in and spread the pair, "You didn't circle around to go back empty handed." Zeb knows humor when he hears it, and he was second from feeding her her own lips. "You circled three times to go back with them!" Katerina gestured to the radar. Green bolts shrieked too close for comfort past The Phantom. Zeb gaped at the radar. TIE fighters and the Imperial Cruiser were coming up on their tail fast. By the look of the numbers, they weren't too happy about Zeb's wanton destruction.

"You've got to be kidding?!" Zeb hammered on the communications. He was expecting retaliation, but nothing like this. "Specter 4 to Specter 2! Requesting immediate pick up! We've got TIE's on us!"

"On my way!" Hera announced. "Hang tight!" Not much else they can do.

The TIE fighters aimed for The Phantom's engines. Dead in space or just dead, the Empire wasn't letting the Rebel Trash get away with the humiliation they dealt. The TIE's enclosed on them in a pincer attack. Two TIE's would fly in hard behind, unleashing rapid fire that would purposefully miss and drive them in a particular direction. Zeb drove the ship downward, spinning on the dive. He nearly fell into the three way ambush. TIE's appeared from the darkness like true phantoms. There was no room for pulling up, and pulling out to the side was not an option. Zeb warned for his team to brace himself. He threw the ship into the spiral. The three TIE's charged hard and fast, streaking laser bolts for the encroaching ship. Everyone closed their eyes, braced for the explosion. Zeb broke through the pincer. The TIE's collided, disintegrating in a fiery explosion.

"WOO-HOO!" The four hooted victoriously. Kanan hooked Zeb by the neck, rubbing knuckles to his scalp proudly. Hera would be jealous of that stunt. Sabine and Katerina clapped palms. That had to have been the best rush of their entire day. And here they expected a boring mission. Silly them.

The fun was reaching its end, unfortunately. The Ghost emerged from hyperspace on a head on collision with the enemy Dreadnaught. On reflex, Hera threw the ship into a 180 loop, cruising mockingly on the starboard side, and rocketing for the fleeing Phantom. "DOCK THE SHIP AND LET'S GO!" Hera and Zeb danced The Phantom and Ghost aorund one another, expending the enemies bullets for a brief gap/. Zeb began activating the landing gear, slipping to the slot, and securing the magnetic locks. Metallic clicks of the grounding locks confirmed their landing. The four piled into the Ghost, stampeding into the bridge.

"WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED?!" Hera roared, barrel rolling between the shots.

"KANAN DID IT!" Sabine and Katerina pointed fingers. Zeb tossed his hands in the air, not expecting anything less.

"DID NOT!" Kanan childishly protested, scaling to the top gun.

"YOU JINXED US!" Katerina shouted up at him.

"NOT ON PURPOSE!" Kanan locked on target, and wildly returned fired. Katerina began powering the hyperdrive. A quick exit was in order.

The time for joking was past. TIE fighters were hot on The Ghost's trail, and an Imperial Dreadnaught wasn't far behind. Kanan closed one eyes, glaring hard through the scope to lock on target. He'd have a TIE in his sights for maybe two-fifths of a second and then lose them in a scramble technique. Kanan fired relentlessly in hopes of hitting at least one of them. Luck left them at the cargo bay. Hera tried her hardest to keep the ship steady so he'd be able to aim accurately. The Empire wasn't known for its cooperation.

"I DON'T HAVE A SHOT!" Kanan warned. He kept firing nonetheless, showing he wasn't willing to grant the Empire an inch.

Katerina checked the diagnostic and earned a green light. "Hera! We're good for the jump!"

"Chopper! Do you have the coordinates?!" Hera corresponded. Chopper, in his usual grumpy tone, responded back.

"What did he say?" Zeb asked nervously.

"He said HELLO Hyperspace!" Hera animatedly crooned.

"That's not what he said!" Zeb pouted.

"You don't understand him?" Katerina raised a brow. "You seemed to before."

"Lucky guesses!" He winked.

Hera activated the hyper jump sequence. The stars stretched around The Ghost, hugging to the hull in a vice. Just as the TIE's closed in, The Ghost was launched into Hyperspace, vanishing in the blink of an eye. And the chase was over. The TIE's dispersed, returning to The Dreadnaught for a debriefing.

xxx

The Ghost's bridge echoed with sighs of relief. It was a welcomed respite. The drumming of hyper hearts was in their ears. Barely escaping by the skin of their teeth is not what they had in mind when they chose to hijack a stolen shipment. A commonality with any strike against the empire. Regardless of how big or small. But they needed this one to pan out. It all turned to ash before them.

Kanan strutted into the bridge, wearing pride on his shoulders. "Told you we'd get away." He jested.

"WITH the shipment!" Sabine stressed impatiently. "YOU SAID we'd get away WITH the shipment!" Kanan shrugged his hands, mouth gaping. He's been wrong before. No sense throwing it in his face now.

"Kanan," Katerina inserted herself before needless arguing ensued, "We're low on everything." She informed gravely.

"Food." Ezra started.

"Explosives!" Sabine stressed her need for explosives.

"Fuel!" Hera pressed. Possibly the next most important after fuel. "We need to make some money, or we might as well put The Ghost in storage." A cold fact in place of a threat. Using the Ghost consumes most of their income. If The Ghost goes into storage, The Rebels will be stranded on Lothal, or any planet of their choosing, until they can afford to fly her again.

"Oye, Monkey Wrench!" Zeb beckoned Katerina. She's starting to find the inane nickname endearing. "Didn't you - or rather, Anastasia Stark - acquire a place of business about a week ago?"

The place of business he gruffly mentioned was, of course, the storage facility she was having being turned into an auto shop. Vizago oversaw the refurbishment, and ensured The Empire's dogs didn't try to sabotage it. All out of the goodness of his heart - and the credits in his purse. The hoops Katerina and the others had to go through to make it happen made losing the shipment seem like a cakewalk. Using a pseudonym of someone who's an insane asylum patient added to the risk.

"There isn't going to be a formal grand opening, but its nearly ready to be opened." The cleaning on both the inside and outside, and remodel were finished. Structural weaknesses in the beams and pillars were being addressed. The generator and backup generator were undergoing extensive maintenance. It'll be a little more time before it's ready for business. "Plus I need to find someone to run the place while I'm out with you guys. Luckily I have the perfect candidate in mind."

"That doesn't really help us right now." Zeb snidely huffed, rolling his eyes.

Kanan effortlessly held Katerina's wrist so she wouldn't smack Zeb. Tempting as it was to let her. "There's always Vizago's job." He announced. He always seems to have easy money lined up. Albeit a scuffle or two before the credits exchange hands.

"Vizago's an employer too?" Katerina's face twisted confusedly.

"If you saw the man's resume…" Kanan whistled in awe. A man who can pull a new identity and occupation straight from a hat. He struck Katerina as someone to be mindful of crossing in the future.

"Oh! So we're arms dealers again?!" Zeb snarled in revulsion. Arms Dealers?! Katerina gasped.

"More like arms...redistributors." Kanan's sly tongue strikes again. The Ghost Crew was starting to understand where Katerina gets it from.

"Hold on!" Katerina threw her hands up. The Ghost crewed ogled her pensively. "Arms dealing? Weapons?" She crossly turned to Kanan, putting her hands on her hips. "What exactly is it that you've been up to the past 15 years, Big Brother?!" She demanded to know.

"If I tell you…" Kanan matched her stance with his own dismissive smirk, "Would you be more willing to help out?" The note of doubt she would rang in his tone.

"I'd be more willing if I knew who Vizago was going to give the redistributed weapons to." Redistributed. Pah! Wrap it in pretty paper and slap it with a bow, no one would be the wiser. A commonly practiced ideal. "I barely know Vizago, but are we going to regret doing this job?" A valid concern seconded by Zeb and Sabine. Katerina won't pretend to be holier than thou, or ignore that she's being hypocritical, but she's met those like Vizago. Has accepted aide and jobs from people like him in the past. Karma like that comes around fast and bites hard.

"I'll give you that. Vizago's not a trustworthy guy." Kanan bobbed his head, wrapping an arm Katerina's shoulders. "But you trust me, don't you?" The chink in Katerina's armor. Kanan knows she trusts him unconditionally. Her resigned breath confirmed his win. "That's my girl."

"Come on!" Zeb huffed, throwing his head around. "We don't even know what type of weapons we're talking about here!" If they can help it, Zeb would prefer it if they don't haul anymore questionable weapons. That kind of heat isn't one Zeb wants to be burned by. Besides, Vizago's likely to throw them all in the furnace if the right pressure is applied.

"Hey," Ezra threw himself in with his usual optimism, "If it puts food on the table and frees up time for some - oh I don't know - Jedi Training, then I'm in!" His zeal and hint didn't go on deaf ears.

Kanan strutted to him and shoved him by the head in his seat. He turned to Hera who held onto her doubts. "You in?" He quizzed.

"Say I am. What then?" Not necessarily a no. More of an indecisive counter.

"I already know the mission. Let's head to the Spaceport."

"While you do that," Katerina stretched her arm up, and bent back. Cracks up her spine relieved aches and tensions from the long day, "I need to talk to someone about the shop on Lothal."

"This person you have in mind. Is it Grim?" Hera asked, genuinely curious.

"No. But someone equally capable. She's long overdue for a promotion." Katerina excused herself. She tapped Chopper, wanting him to follow her. Hera was intrigued. Kendril Mothma accumulated a talented gaggle of mechanics. Each individual with three skills partnering to their main nich. Katerina is a nice enough person, but she doesn't seem to vest trust in others lightly. Whoever this person is, Katerina trusts her wholeheartedly.

xxx

Katerina stopped in the lounged, sitting on the table to gather her thoughts. "Hey...Chopper…" Katerina feigned being meek. The irritable droid spun abruptly, chirping heatedly at her mousy voice. "Think you can help me send a cloaked transmission to a place on Chandrila?"

"^Why should I help you?!^" He scoffed. He jerked his stunted body and waved his prongs at her. "^You're a capable person! Do it yourself!^"

Katerina youthful instinct was to roll her eyes and smirk bitterly at his habitual abrasiveness. Use her clever wordsmithing to make him feel ridiculous. Unfortunately, she also found his resentment towards her slightly endearing. An unspoken - if not aggressive - attraction to her. Or so she deludes herself so she doesn't pry his circuits from his chassis.

"Because the person I need to reach happens to be the best I know at Astromech maintenance." She knelt to him, rubbing his flat head with a snarky smirk. "And Sabine tells me you've been dying for an upgrade to your booster." Chopper paused. Hard to tell if he was thinking, or ignoring her.

xxx

"CAREFUL! CAREFUL!" A female Togruta bellowed, waving her lime skinned arms to guide in a transport cruiser. The cramp space for which she and her team were trying to fit it past was being very uncooperative. The doorway was almost the same shape and size of the cruiser. This will take a steady hand and a Hell a lot of luck. "Okay! To the left!" The backing in cruiser eased left a bit. "No! Your other left!" The cruiser jerked and darted the other way. "Okay...okay...you're good...you're good…" She backed away. The Cruiser's hull scraped the sides, making others cringe. Fingers were crossed. Breath was held. "And…" The cruiser was inside, minimal complications, and in center floor above a hatch, "STOP!" She lifted work goggles from her magenta eyes, grinning proudly. She clipped her front tails behind her head. A Transport Cruiser bearing the moniker of the old Confederacy of Independent Systems. The Separatists. "Alright, Gents…" She strutted in her full brown and green jumpsuit, "Let's take her apart and salvage what parts we can! There's much progress we can make from the old guard!" Music to her team's ears.

"Dominique!" A human man ran up to her. "There's a cloaked transmission coming in for you. She said...how's the weather?" Dominique gawked, then threw her head back laughing. The number of times those living in Chandrila's canyons have been tempted with that stale joke. Many question why anymore would construct civilization in those canyons. Aside from the dangers, the weather in unbearable there. But the resources available are too valuable and plentiful to risk every so often visits. "Do you know her?"

"Indeed I do!" She undid her tails, marching for the office. "And her jokes are as old as Count Dooku himself!" The man snorted. That was old.

Dominique secured herself in her office. A light was flashing on the large holo projector. She pressed the button, greeted by the warm smile of Katerina. "As I live and breathe!"

"Hey Dominique! How's it going?!" Katerina replied cheerfully.

"We're doing great! You look good. Rebel life has unfurled those curls." She teased. Katerina mimicked her, sticking her tongue out. Rumors and gossip spread like they would in school. Katerina wouldn't be surprised if Mon Mothma herself knew she joined Rebel. "Grim's just next door if you need him."

"No! Actually, I'm glad you answered." Dominique arched a brow. She sat to a couch, bracing her elbows to her knees in curiosity. "I found a place to make a new shop on Lothal in Capital City. Because I'll be traveling, I'll need someone to look after it when I'm gone." A shop on Lothal? That's the farthest Kendril's operations have been spanned. To expand from there would open new borders. "You've always been a great help whenever Grim isn't available. What would you say to be the head over there?"

"Wha-me?! Really? Running a garage?" Dominique lost wind in her sails. Being in charge for a short amount of time was one thing. But being in charge of an all new location. Responsibilities resting solely on her shoulders. Kendril, Grim, and Katerina made it look easy. But Dominique isn't one for captain's seat. "Katty...I don't think I'm-"

"You're the next best mechanic I've got, besides Grim and Dave! And those two are busy trying to rebuild what the Empire destroyed." Grim and Dave held up at the second location for a while until they rebuilt strength in their feet. Since then, they've been working tirelessly to refurbish the first garage, and encourage the employees to return. Both a long and difficult process. "It was thanks to you that we were able to rebuild what the Empire destroyed the first time. Your imagination and ingenuity gave us a more secure workplace." Despite having it be attacked again. Minor damage compared to before. But spirits towards Ken's Garage weren't exactly high. Many avoid crossing the Empire like they would the plague. Fools are the ones that return. Those fools inspire more fools, and so on, and so on. "I need someone with a vision like yours to help build this new place from the ground up. Someone who Ken found building tesla coils in a disgusting alley five years ago." Katerina is prone to exaggerate. Dominique didn't build Tesla Coils. That's silly. She was building an alternate conductive power source with tuning forks and wires. Supposedly, they'd draw power from gases in space, conduct them, and utilize them. Currently in the process of being tested. "I need you, Dominique. Will you come to Lothal?"

Who was Dominique kidding. She was on pins and needles the moment Katerina mentioned a new shop. Being asked to look after it...it's what she's wanted for years. She just never imagined she'd get the chance. There are names on one hand she can name would have twice the experience as her. Who should have passed her up for the promotion. "Yes! Yes of course!" She burst with glee. "I'll make you proud!"

"Don't live up to my expectations. Or anyone else's." Katerina dissuaded. The easy way is to use predecessors to light one's goals. Kendril believed in setting one's own goals and dreams to light the fire in them. "Create a place where those like us can feel like we belong."

Dominique understood. The new shop on Lothal was to be hers. A place where she can make it her own, and rebuild. An announcement she couldn't quite make out caught Katerina's attention. She nodded, almost ready to go. "What's happening now?"

"That would be the sound of our next exciting trip." The vague clarification told Dominique it would be best if she doesn't know too much. "Call me once you've reached Lothal."

"Will do!" The call ended.

xxx

"We almost to Lothal?" Katerina asked Zeb who waited patiently near the door.

"Ten minutes away." He confirmed. Katerina was glad to hear it. Chopper, as of that moment, rendered his services and ran over Katerina's toes on his leave. She hissed and cursed him. Perhaps she was wrong to think him endearing. He's a pest she tolerates with no choice. "He'll grow on you. Don't worry." Zeb snickered. Like a parasite! Katerina hissed in her mind. "Those like us? What's that mean?"

"Those of us with particular skills that are disregarded or simply ignored because combat is a second or third resource." Being able bodied and possess the traits to wield weapons of mass destruction was considered the most valuable. Anything else, any alternate choice was seen as weakness and folly, and cast away. Stomped on like insects. "Ken taught every last one of us that we're special in our own ways, and threatening in another." She was warmed by her thoughts of Kendril. The day he took her in, gave her clothes on her back and a place to call home. The hours he spent helping her rise from the ashes of her grief with what she loved to do most. "Ken made us feel special. Like we had a purpose when we seemed to lose it."

"You shouldn't need someone to tell you you're special." Zeb found it touching, but at the same time ridiculous. Needing another to help you feel special. To him, that shows that person needs a crutch to walk two feet. "You're already special in your own way. You should keep reminding yourself of that."

Katerina's cheeks tinted pink. "Th...thanks, Zeb." Her stomach fluttered.

"Hey, I have my own particular skills as well." Zeb strutted over, leaning over her with a charming grin. "Flattery." He winked with a chuckle. Katerina's pink cheeks shaded to red. "Great work today, Monkey Wrench. Let's keep it up." Zeb pat her on the back. She choked on her held breath, frazzled by the Lasat. He went to join the others on the bridge. Katerina staggered following him, puffing her cheeks angrily. Smarmy little...

xxx

The Lothal Spaceport. Located on the skirts of Capital City's coastline, hundreds of transports landed and departed every other minutes. From Coruscant to Lothal to Mandalore - no planet was too far for the ports. And never do they know a moment's rest. Their motto, which constantly changed like the weather, specifically advocates the spaceports are a tireless service, dedicated to their passenger satisfaction.

An announcement echoed on the intercoms throughout the landing bay. A shuttle designated a SD-45 bound for Garel was set to disembark in a short time. Last minute passengers filed in, claiming seats they found to their liking. It was always a race for good seating. First come first serve always rules. Sabine and Zeb were amongst the crowd, taking the seats second to the front. As a gentleman, Zeb permitted Sabine to enter first. As he started to sit, Chopper came speeding in, nearly running over his toes.

"How RUDE!" Zeb barked in a haughty tone. Chopper bleeped mocking laughter. Ezra stormed behind Chopper and punched him. He sat on the opposite side of the aisle, propping his feet to the seat in front of him. Other passenger were easily irate at the disturbance.

"This way Mr. Wabo…" A well aged woman in Imperial garb entered the shuttle. Trailing after her was a male Aqualish. Zeb and Ezra shared stares. Their sights were set. "We have seats up front." The woman stated rather proudly. She and the Aqualish Wabo sat in front of Zeb and Sabine. So far so good.

"Grahs tuu-tuu rahm ree soh shtuu." Wabo spoke to his escort.

To her annoyance, she hadn't the first clue what he was saying. Her luck she is charged with the ONE Aqualish who doesn't speak the common tongue. "Where is that translator droid?!" She bellowed.

"COMING, MINISTER!" A golden protocol droid with mismatched legs waddled on board. "Come along, R2!" The protocol droid urged the blue and white astromech which responded sarcastically to him.

"Shuttle SD-45 bound for Garel is clear for departure." The final announcement was given.

The shuttle door was rising. Kanan succeeded in a mad dash, leaping onto the ship just as the door closed. Slyly exchanged glances gave wordless confirmation. Pieces were in place. Kanan was careful to avoid Ezra and Chopper wrestling in the aisle. He sat behind them, preparing for what will be a long trip.

"Sentients!" The pilot droid grabbed the passengers' attention. "Prepare for take off!" The pilot spun with glee. Take offs were his favorite part. No real rhyme or reason. He just enjoyed them. The shuttle rose vertically, then moved diagonally, jetting off into space. Almost immediately the shuttle thrust into hyperspace, and Garel was a matter of miles away.

The space voyage had barely begun. Already the passengers were growing restless. Clattering in the cargo hold was becoming annoying. Someone didn't get the window seat they wanted. And many other common petty irks that come with shuttle travel. Chopper humored himself by poking Ezra. The boy's failed attempts to ignore him added to the entertainment. Others pretended to be transfixed by the passing hyperspace to keep themselves mellow. It wasn't really working.

"Lo briim Garel, Tua." Wabo attempted to start idle conversation with Tua to break the barrier. The Minister, known as Tua, turned to her protocol droid.

"Amda Wabo says he is most pleased you are joining him on Garel, Minister Tua!" He was swept up in the gratitude. "And, um, if I might add a personal note…" Tua furrowed her brow scathingly. She didn't care for what he had to say, but can ill afford to look unfavorable in front of Wabo.

"CUT IT OUT!" A commotion at the right time. Ezra was shoving on Chopper. The stubborn Astromech grounded himself so he wouldn't budge. "You have plenty of room! Stop crowding me!" Chopper shocked him twice in retaliation, dropping him on the floor.

"HEY KID!" Kanan leaned over the seats. "How about you get that rust bucket under control!" Chopper threatened to shock him next.

"Mind your own business!" Ezra barked back. Chopper wasn't down with his fun and shocked Ezra again. "WILL YOU KNOCK IT OFF?!" Ezra kicked him.

"Don't have me scrap him!" Kanan warned.

"OYE!" The cargo area doors flew open. Katerina stormed on scene, wearing helmet similar to the pilot's and a shuttle craft vest employee vest. "Is there a problem here?!" She marched to the rowdy trio, locking a gruff leer.

"Mind your own business!" Ezra barked again, relentlessly kicking at Chopper. A silent amusement for her.

"I'm in charge of ensuring safe passage for the people on this craft! Therefore," She grabbed Chopper and Ezra by the scruffs and wrenched them apart, "This IS-MY-BUSI-NESS!" She jabbed a finger in his nose.

"Security?! You?!" Kanan threw his head back with a scoff. "I bet you can't guard binary bulb!"

"I'm adept at subduing dim bulbs like you!" She brought her nose to his, lowering her voice to an ominous growl, "Care to stand toe to toe with me, SWEETHEART!"

"Sentients!" The pilot wailed direly. "Please! Calm yourselves!"

"I'll calm down, when that mech and this HARPY get out of here!" He shoved Katerina into another passenger. "There's a rule about Mechs and animals in the passenger area right?!"

The pilot sighed in defeat. "I am sorry, Sir. But you Mech must move to the BACK of the shuttle."

"What?! No way!" Ezra protested. Chopper voiced similar outrage.

"I'll leash you later!" Katerina flicked Kanan's nose. "As for you, Tin-Toy, back of the ship!" Katerina kicked him.

"Nuh-uh! I'f my Astromech is banished, then those Astromechs are banished too!" Ezra demanded, pointing to the Minister's mechs.

"Astromech?! Me?! I have NEVER been so insulted!" The Protocol droid repeated, disgusted by the disrespect. "I'll have you know that I am a protocol droid fluent in over six million-"

"Pilot!" Tua interrupted before her droid bored her to the brink of exploding, "These two droids are wil me! I am on Imperial Business."

"I don't care if you're delivering the Emperor his custom made slippers!" Katerina bombarded to her. "Send your Mechs to the back of the ship before I dismantle them!"

"You can't dismantle my droids!" Tua shot to her feet, challenging the disrespectful girl. "They are Imperial property!"

"And it is IMPERIAL LAW," She flicked and extended a prod, "That grants me the right to shut them down if they are a problem!" She taunted the Minister with two surges. The Minister grit her teeth. The young one was right, and she hated it.

"It is also Imperial Regulations that mechs be in the back." The pilot threw in his last two-sense before returning to the voyage. Tua, sensing the corner she was in, fell back to her seat. She knit her brow, juggling her options.

"Minister, please!" The protocol droid begged. "This is-"

"I can't risk an incident disrupting negotiations!" Things have fallen apart to significantly with this latest disagreement. "Go!" She ordered. The Astromechs and the Protocol droid shuffled reluctantly along.

"Thank you for your continued service...Minister Tua!" Katerina berated her name and title, earning a twisted scowl in return. Tua will savor bending that girl to her knees.

As Katerina strutted with broad shoulders, she smirked and winked to Kanan. He acknowledged with a nod. Sabine and Zeb readied themselves when they heard the doors opening in the back. Katerina held the doors while the mechs piled in. Zeb was volunteering Sabine to be a translator for the Minister. She then locked the cargo doors, rather pleased with herself.

"If I didn't know better, I'd think I was watching a play." Hera praised. Katerina yanked the stuffy helmet off. She doesn't understand how Sabine can stand it. "A very convincing performance."

"Stay tuned. You may get an encore." She whispered while quickly fixed her hair. "Once Sabine learns where the shipment is held, it's going to take some dancing to get in and out."

"Hopefully not too much dancing. I don't think even Sabine can buy us that much time."

"She'll buy us enough, but we'll need to move fast."

"That young creature can't POSSIBLy replace a fully programed protocol droid such as myself!" He voiced in absolute humiliation. Being passed over for a human. It's every protocol droid's nightmare. Katerina twisted to the gathered mechs. Now that the air has settled, Katerina felt a nagging sensation in the back of her mind. And it was because of the Protocol Droid and R2 Mech. They look...familiar… "The odds of our mission becoming a complete debacle are-" The R2 unit rammed into him, telling him to shush and stop complaining. Katerina was distracted from her thoughts. "Don't you shush me! It hardly matters to you what they're saying!" Chopper, sick of the haughty R2's attitude, bumped into him, demanding he stop being rude to the protocol droid.

"HEY!" Katerina barked, waving her prod around. "If you three don't learn to calm down, I'm selling you for parts!"

"How DARE you!" The Protocol droid roared. "I am a C3-PO protocol droid! I am versed in six million languages, and forms of diplomacy!."

"Congratulations! There are dozens more like you!" Katerina pushed him to the wall. "No one will notice you missing!" She warned him. The Protocol droid threw his hands up, giving up on these uncivilized people.

While the 3-PO droid muttered his outrage to Chopper, Katerina's stare hardened on him and the Astromech. That nagging feeling was like a small bird drilling in her skull. She can't place why. Why do those droids stand out so much? SOMETHING about them irked her.

Why do they look so familiar?

xxx

(Flashback)

There he stood. After three years of living in solitude, hiding from the deadly gaze of the Empire, Master Obi-Wan Kenobi found me in my favorite training place in all of Chandrila. How he knew to find me there was a mystery to me. Perhaps the guiding hand of the force brought him to me. I never considered the force would tie to me. Perhaps the teaching of the force being within everything and everyone was more than pretty words the Masters spoke.

Nevertheless of how he was there and by what means. What mattered to me was the why. He said he wished to train me. My mind spun in a black hole's vortex. On occasion, one of the masters would take me aside to show me proper forms. But never would they travel so far to come and offer to be my private tutor. He should have gone searching for other Jedi the universe knew to be alive. Yet he came to me.

"You..came to train me?" I questioned him as if he was touched in the head.

"Yes." He nodded simply. He seemed humored by my question.

"Why?"

"You've always had potential. Even as a child." He elucidated, seating himself to a rock. "I can train you to be a formidable foe. The rest, however, will be up to you."

"But why train me?" That's what I want to know.

He and Master Yoda helped me escape with my life all those years ago. Thanks to them, I was able to return to Chandrila and be raised by Kendril. Sure they left me with encouraging words, but that was it. Or, at least, it should have been. I'm just a mechanical prodigy with a propensity for dealing critical blows when pushed too far. I'm ordinary.

"I'm not a Jedi!" I protested.

"Perhaps not." Kenobi leaned forward, clamping a hand to my head, lovingly ruffling my hair. "But not all hope lies with the Jedi."

(Flashback End)

xxx

The shuttle docked in Garel's spaceport. The cargo bay was the first door to open, then the passenger area. Katerina escorted the droids off, sending them in their respective directions. Passenger's started to leave the shuttle, flooding the landing bay. Stormtroopers, no doubt awaiting the Minister and her companion, patrolled the area, monitoring just arrived persons closely. A squad of ten waited at a corridor, scanning the crowd with a fine toothed comb for the Minister, Wabo, and those uninvited.

Katerina moved around to the shuttle's power panel on the far side, running her hands over the buttons and screens to appear to be running a diagnostic. Stormtroopers ignored her. She's amazed they didn't hear her pounding heart. They were way too close. Ezra, Kanan, and Chopper already disembarked, spreading out fo not to arouse suspicions. Kanan bolted past the waiting Stormtroopers at the corridor, passing by with no troubles. So far all was smooth. So far.

"My dear, you've done great service for your Empire today." The Minister's voice hummed to Sabine. "Now be sure to focus on those level fives."

"Oh I will, Minister!" Sabine sardonically promised, hands to her heart. "It's been such an honor! Thank you!" Zeb pushed her. She was laying it on way too thick.

The 3-PO droid and R2 unit rejoined their master with their security detail. Kanan was waiting in the corridor for them to move first. Afterward, he and his crew would be free to begin their assault. The Minister ordered her waiting detail to take them to Bay 17. Kanan hid within the corridor, watching them head for the entirely wrong area. Sabine walked past Ezra and whispered the true location of the shipment to him before putting her helmet on. She then whispered the location to Katerina.

"Bay 7."

Katerina smirked. Skulking alongside the transport, she spotted Ezra leaning near crates. He casually gestured a thumb upward to the rooftops. That's how he planned to reach the bay. Katerina surreptitious gestured her head to a manhole. Tunnels underneath should take her to the same place. The pair exchanged nods. Ezra climbed crates to the ventilation duct, and Katerina dove inside sewers. A poor choice on her part.

The sewers weren't too rancid in smell, but the filth staining the walls isn't something novelists would write about. The rapidly flowing air from grime caked grates brought in semi fresh air from above. Doesn't quite eliminate the after smell just beneath. Graffiti, some manner of muck, and the water. Katerina prayed that wasn't a hand she saw drifting in the water. Ever the glamorous work of a rebel.

"Hey, Hera. Have you heard from my friend Dominique?" Katerina whispered, plastering her back to the walls.

"She left a message saying she was leaving Chandrila. That was an hour ago."

"Glad to hear it." Katerina scanned the tunnels. Echoing voices made her skin crawl. It was hard to discern if they were in the tunnel or above it. Wouldn't be the first time Troopers patrolled underground.

"You sound like you were worried."

"Just paranoid." Katerina brisking walked, following the markings left by caretakers long ago. "I'm worried Kallus will hold to his threat." Katerina cut the coms short in time so Hera didn't hear her yelp. Three rodents the size of small dogs raced by, carrying the carcusses of smaller rodents in their mouths.

"Don't worry, Riina. If Kallus wanted to hurt them, he would have." A small comfort, but not enough to ease her. Kallus is a tamed dog with no leash. He'll bite when it suits him.

"Speaking of making good on promises!" Ezra obnoxiously interrupted. Katerina strained her ear as she climbed a ladder to another level. "Kanan hasn't made good on his to start training me to be a Jedi!" Katerina paused at the top of the ladder.

"Like I told you earlier, just get to the shipment, we'll get paid, and be gone with time to spare." Katerina partially lided her eyes at the circle talk. She rolled her eyes, breaking into a run to get back on schedule.

"And I told YOU earlier, that I already know how to steal to survive! This isn't anything new to me!"

"Can you two argue about this AFTER we get the cargo?!" She snarled. Those two gave her such a headache it's not even funny. If she's being honest, she's slightly disappointed Kanan hasn't started training him yet. There's been plenty of time in the past. Why was he waiting so long to start? "And Kanan," Katerina came under a narrow tunnel. By the markings, it should bring her to the bay. Or possible just beneath it. "When you make a promise, you keep it!" She climbed on a grating, and used old bars on the ceiling to swing to the tunnel.

"What?! When have I ever broken a promise?!"

"Want that alphabetically or chronologically?" Katerina strained grunts wriggling inside the narrow hole. The lumps she saw were actually imperfections in the tunnel. She was glad. She didn't have the stomach for waste on her.

"You have the worst bedside manner. You know that?"

"No I don't. I just don't sugarcoat!" She popped up into another tunnel. Markings on the wall near a ladder were the bright light. As she suspected, she was right underneath bay 7. "Rabbit hole to wonderland…" She muttered victoriously.

"You there! Stop!"

"Uh-oh…" Katerina groaned. She turned around. Bright helmet lights flashed in her eyes. Just her luck. Stormtroopers were patrolling the sewers. "I'll call you back."

"This area is off limits! What are you doing down here?!" The Commander demanded answers.

There wasn't time for them. And they've no doubt assumed she's there to cause trouble. "Look, if I promise not to hurt you guys, will you just let me go on my way?" In normal circumstances, Katerina would be laughed off. This time, the Troopers raised their guns to her. "The hard way. Of course."

xxx

Ezra, the slippery and nimble roof hopper he is, found himself at bay 7 before he knew it. Aside from the amazing leaps of faith her executed, and nearly colliding with oncoming vehicles, the trip was pretty smooth. He had to crawl his way through another ventilation shaft to reach the bay. All in all, he had the easy job.

"Okay! I'm at bay 7." He whispered. And the coast was clear. The shipment he was looking for was in a neat little pile in the center of the room. He pulled himself free, and landed on his butt from the staggering drop. He scrambled to his feet, triple checking no one was around to hear him fall. "I don't see Riina anywhere though." They left roughly the same time. She should have been there by now.

Thoom-thoom-thoom! Ezra nearly jumped out of his skin. The floor vibrated. Thoom-thoom-thoom! A manhole near to large bay door jerked. Ezra ran and unhitched the latch holding the lid in place. The lid weighed a ton, but he and Katerina managed to move it off.

"Is this where I can get secret cargo?" She joked.

"See any huge reptiles down there?" Ezra joked back.

"No. Just a few rats." Unconscious Stormtroopers lied at the bottom of the ladder.

"As long as you had a good time." Ezra helped her topside. "I'll let the guys in."

"Okay!" Katerina ran to a nearby control box. If she's right, that box should share components that hook to the security feeds. "Yes. Here it is!" She worked some of her magic.

"What are you doing?!" Ezra whispered, working on opening the door.

"Making sure security has something to watch during our escape." She dusted her palms. Camera feeds running on loops should give them something to enjoy. A nifty trick she picked up from Dave. Might have gotten her in trouble once or twice in the past.

Coincidentally, Ezra had opened the doors for the others. Sabine, Kanan, and a sarcastically applauding Zeb sauntered leisurely inside. "Well done, Kiddos. Ya pulled it off." Zeb's doubts towards their skills was disturbing.

"Was there ever really any doubt?!" Ezra snorted.

"YES!" Sabine and Zeb chuckled. Ezra pouted his lower lip. Always underestimated by his peers. It never ends.

Katerina pat his shoulder, feeling his pain. "No respect for the wicked." She twisted a timeless philosophy. Zeb and Sabine dragged Ezra to go handle preparing the shipment to be moved. Katerina, in the meantime, poked Kanan hard with two fingers, playing like she was angry with him. "Can't believe you called me a harpy!"

"I can't believe you threatened to leash me!" He countered, equally offended. Kanan and Katerina were experts in playing a crowd, but they tend to go overboard.

"Maybe whatever's in those crates can help me do so!" Katerina spun on her heels to help prep the cargo.

Kanan rolled his eyes. His sister was the most impossible person he knew. Always had to have the last word. He darted for a panel across bay 7's corridor. Hera should have already landed in the docking area. When Kanan opened the door, he was pleased to see The Ghost and the cargo doors open for their latest acquisition. Hera was starting to grow impatient waiting for him. She thought he'd never get the door open. Kanan tends to set the bar on not disappointing his friends.

"What's in these crates that Vizago wants, anyway?" Hera asked over the ship's coms. The million credit question.

Zeb piqued everyone's curiosity by opening the crates. He went white as a moon. He dropped the lid, staggering into Kanan and Katerina's arms. "Karabast…" His voice trembled. His yellow-green eyes wide in unadulterated terror. He continued to edge away, lifting his hands to keep the evil in those crates back.

"Zeb…? Hey…" Katerina shook his arm. The Lasat was beside himself. He stumbled woozily to stay standing. Zeb's said karabast before in cursing others or the situation. Never has he said it with such fear. She doesn't think she's seen him scared before. He's always seemed unshakable. "What's wrong?" Zeb;s jaw quivered. Croaks of what should be words gurgled.

"WHOA…" Sabine fawned over the shipment. Reaching inside, she supported a rifle as long as her on her shoulder. "These are T-7 Ion Disruptors! They were banned by the senate!" She sounded like she admired the illegal armament. "They're said to be able to shortcircuit an entire ship!" An exaggeration or a truth. Katerina's never seen one used before. By how terrified Zeb is by them, she probably doesn't want to.

"That's not why they were banned…" Zeb mumbled under his breath. Old nightmares flashed in his horrified orbs. His heart skipping beats as it fought to not leap out of his chest.

Kanan threw the lid back on. That was enough ogling. "Get 'em aboard before company shows up!" He urged. Sabine sent them on a red-herring in the other direction. It won't be long before they wise up.

"Chopper's handling that, right?" Last time Katerina checked, Chopper parted from the group to make sure Tua and her detail went to bay 17.

"Which is why we need to triple time it and get going!" Kanan started loading the shipment to pallet jacks. Ezra was already lifting one onto the hovering dolly. Kanan doesn't - completely - doubt Chopper, but the calls are too close. Most likely Tua and her detail should already be to bay 7 by now. It won't be long until they think something is amiss.

Sabine and Katerina moved to help the boys load the cargo. Katerina forze and saw Zeb staring frightened into space. The disruptors held him in their trance. His body quaked beyond his control. Sabine went on her way to hustle for him. "Zeb! Snap out of it!" Katerina bellowed, smacking his arm. He blinked confusedly, darting his head to recall where he was. He met Katerina's eyes, feeling the world return from its blur. "C'mon! The sooner we load them, the sooner we can get rid of them!"

"Right...and they'll just end up in someone else's hands…" He mumbled despondently, "Eradicate anything that moves, and leave a barren wasteland." Katerina was taken aback by the dreary thought. Dreary? Try utterly horrifying. Before she could ask what he meant, Zeb was tromping over and lifting the crates on the jacks.

"Zeb…" Of all the people she's met, Zeb is the toughest of them all. Anxious for a fight, wise at rare moments, and - in a way - he is inspirational. Today, however, the shadow of another was looming.

xxx

Meanwhile, in Bay 17, Minister Tua was aggravated and perplexed on a whole new level by the empty space. She was assured by a reliable resource that the T-7 Ion Disruptors she traveled from Lothal to Garel to retrieve would be there. A whole lot of traveling for an empty space. Her security detail was just as confused. Then again, they weren't told much beyond that they would be securing Tua's passage.

Amdo Wabo darted to Tua, whipping her around in a fury, hollering in his obscure language. Tua does not need to speak Aqualish to know he was perturbed. Thankfully, her 3-PO protocol droid and the astromech arrived in time to translate. The Disruptor they had come to collect are on bay 7, not 17. 3-PO assured Minister Tua that any amature in linguistics can mistake 7 and 17. It's as common as dust in the air.

Much to everyone's chagrin, they began their trek for bay 7. Minister Tua was willing to forgive the mix up for a fellow level 5 academy student. But this mistake has put them gravely behind schedule. Not by enough, apparently.

Chopper warned Hera that Tua and her detail were on their way for Bay 7 and they were marching in a hurry. Hera ordered him to stall them. Kanan and the others hadn't even gotten the shipment to the hallway yet. They needed just two more minutes. Chopper ran his usual obnoxious interference, ramming full force into the R2 unit. He played it off as if R2 hit him, growing infuriated with the old model. 3-PO was horrified by R2's profane responses the well mannered C-1 droid. Chopper and R2 started bumping chassis, blurting curses and other profanities most would shudder to hear. Unfortunately, Chopper's aggressive interference came with a price.

Minister Tua recognized him. He was the droid in part responsible for her translator being moved to the back. Therefore the Mandalorian was given the opportunity to...It was all making sense now.

"BAY 7! DOUBLE TIME!"

xxx

Chopper almost broke Hera's ears warning her that Tua and Stormtroopers were on their way. And they were moving fast. Tua saw through the rouse with ease when she put the pieces together. Kanan was on the ship to hear the bad news. Sabine and Katerina, Zeb and Ezra were just now entering the corridor with their loads. Coincidentally, Minister Tua and her team were nearing their position.

Sabine and Katerina crossed the intersection, on the home stretch to the ship. Zeb and Ezra weren't far behind, but no one was close enough. Kanan slid down the ship's dock door, grasping a bar to stop. "HURRY! WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF-"

"TIME'S UP!" Ezra shouted, stopping in the middle of the intersecting corridor. He and Zeb saw Tua and her Stormtroopers racing to their position, guns drawn and ready to fire. Katerina and Sabine cringed. The speed of the Empire is their one boasting right. "We're busted!"

A squad of nine Troopers filed into a V-Formation in front of Tua and Wabo. When the commanding trooper bearing the orange shoulder pad stopped, his team halted and they raised their guns. "HANDS UP!" The commander ordered.

Ezra, Katerina, and Sabine tightened their grip on their loads. Fight or make a break for it. Either way, those blasters were going to start marking the corridor. For now, Ezra played it cool and crossed his arms as if he was bothered by their presence. Katerina and Sabine stayed absolutely still, Kanan near them if the Troopers turned their sights on them. Zeb surprised everyone by putting his hands in the air and approaching the squad.

"What are you doing?!" Ezra cursed in a hush. Kanan would like to know that too.

As Zeb encroached on the Troopers and Tua, the gun hammers clicked back, the sights locked on the Lasat. Tua put her hands behind her back, posturing that she did not fear the approaching Lasat. "There a problem here?" Zeb's nerves and twisted humor loosened a chuckle.

Wabo pushed past Tua and the Trooper, roaring in his tongue to Zeb and back at the Minister about the crates. 3-PO interjected, providing a clear translation. "Amdo Wabo says those crates contain HIS disruptors!" Tua and Wabo furrowed their brows.

"Must be some mistake." Zeb protested, feeling them growing warmer. "Can't possibly be disruptors in there, 'cause they're illegal, right?" Zeb smirked smugly to the Minister and Wabo. Shame on two public figures for dabbling in black market items.

Kanan caught wind of Zeb's plan. He was buying time. He signaled with a hand for Katerina and Sabine to load the ship. The two raced their portion of the shipment onboard. In the meantime, Kanan drew his blaster and went for cover near Ezra. They needed to time it just right if they wanted to escape with their skin in tact.

"THAT'S irrelevant!" Tua declared. She will not have the light of blame be shifted to her. These thieves will be made to pay if what's in those crates belongs to the Empire. "We're going to search YOUR crates!" She was no fool. She knows full well what is in those crates. She just wanted to catch them with their pants down, and their hands in cuffs.

"Be my guest." Zeb permitted. He stepped to the side. He had nothing to hide.

"Forward!" The commanding officer ordered. Two Troopers marched forward. Sabine was securing the cargo while Katerina was sent back into the corridor. She pressed her back at the corner, furrowing her brow when the Troopers passed Zeb.

"On second thought…" Zeb purred. He grasped the Troopers by the collars. Whirling around, he hurtled both Troopers, bowling over three troops at a time.

The commander staggered at his forces being so easily subdued. Tua and Wabo ran for cover. 3-PO and R2 followed their lead, hiding on the other side of the hallway. Before he could retaliate, Zeb was already on the charge. He maybe got off two shots at least. Zeb pried his blaster clean from his hands, vaulting him up and down the hall. The disoriented Troopers wobbled climbing to their feet, blindly shooting in Zeb's direction. The idea being one of them would hit him. A few braved the gap, furiously firing at his feet and chest. By any means were they going to bring him down. Zeb cracked the blaster on one Trooper's head. He whipped around and head butted the next. The next two foolish enough to get close were taken down by powerful punches. Ezra, Kanan, and Katerina were rooted in place. He roared like an animal released from his cage. His fangs bared, hungering for blood.

"YOU WANT DISRUPTORS?!" Zeb extended the bo-rifle. The raging electrical tips flaring fiercely. "YOU'RE GOTTA COME THROUGH ME!" A sudden burst darted Zeb in one direction, and he'd reappear from another. Zeb was too fast for the Troopers to pin. He swung his bo like a club brutishly, cracking the Troopers on their skulls. "NEVER AGAIN! YOU WANT TO SHOOT ME? YOU'LL MISS!" Zeb's primal instincts made way for his years of combat expertise. He flourished his bo gracefully, jabbing the surrounding Troops in their stomach. The voltage spasmed their muscles, dropping them like rag dolls. He spun from one, and touched the one behind him in the ribs. The Troops managed to collect themselves, and were rushing for another round.

"GET THOSE CRATES ABOARD SHIP, NOW!" Kanan ordered Ezra. That was enough sightseeing.

"UH! RIGHT!" Ezra almost forgot about them. While he ran them on board, Kanan provided cover fire for him and Zeb.

R2 and 3-PO were pinned in their corner, at a loss of where to go. Then R2 saw Chopper rolling for the ship and decided to follow. Not wanting to be away from him, 3-PO followed, dreading the idea of being trapped with brigands on their ship. Minister Tua and Wabo watched as their men were being beaten like novices. These were no ordinary Rebels. Could these be the Rebels Agent Kallus mentioned? Tua thought to herself.

Troopers darted from cover at the walls, locking on to Zeb's back. He was so engrossed with bashing his primary targets' heads in, he never noticed them approaching. Kanan couldn't lock on to them from his position. Katerina hopped, skipped, and jumped up crates lining the walls. She grasped a pipe, swung into a flip and drove a kick to one Trooper, who toppled to the next. The reflexes caused them to squeeze the triggers. Zeb was shocked by the narrowly missing shots.

"SPECTER 4! We have to go!" Katerina urged him.

"NO WAY!" Zeb cracked his skull to a Trooper. He flung his bo around his neck, nicking approaching Troops in shoulders and back. "NOT BEFORE I CLEAN THIS TRASH!"

"ZEB!" That Lasat was going to hurt himself. Or worse. A Stormtrooper was advancing on the distracted Zeb, locking for that vital spot between his shoulder. "ZEB, LOOK OUT!" Katerina tackled him to the ground. The Trooper tricked her and shot the ceiling. Wires were cut. Crates being stored above started to fall. Zeb threw himself over Katerina. The crates broke on his back, but didn't deter him. One smashed on his head, rendering him delirious and collapsing him on Katerina. "Zeb! Wake up!" A foul odor wrinkled her nose. Man! Ezra was right! He does stink!

The Stormtrooper who trapped them chuckled. He meandered torturously slow to them, pretending to be occupied with reloading. If that helmet wasn't on, she'd love to see that smirk...so she can knock it off his face. He was getting closer. Her fingers brushed one of her pistols beside Zeb. She wriggled wildly to reach it. Her fingertips barely brushing the grip. The Stormtrooper was upon them. He chuckled darkly. His blaster was lined for Zeb's head.

Katerina drew her pistol and fired. A laser bolt pierced his chest. Katerina turned to stone. Horror froze her expression. The Trooper was gasping. His knees kindling under him. Agonized gasps for air choking in his throat. Stun! The gun should have been on stun! She wasn't supposed to...to...please no! As if someone had cut strings to a ragdoll, the Trooper toppled lifelessly. Katerina was shaking. Her breath hitching in her throat. Loud drumming or her heart deafened in her ears. Blood pooled under his corpse. The image engraved in Katerina's aquamarine eyes. For an instant, the Trooper - his body and the face he hid - transformed to that of a child. Frozen, dead eyes open in horrified confusion.

'AARRNNOO...' A woman's voice screeched.

"RIINA? RIINA! WAKE UP!" A hand slapped her across the face. Katerina was brought back, being shaken by Kanan. "HEY! WE GOTTA GO!"

"UGH…" She was just being crushed by an animal like humanoid. The man in question was being helped along by Sabine and Ezra to the ship. The Stormtroopers were down, and the way was clear. Minister Tua seemed to retreat as well. "RIGHT!" She was dragged by her wrist.

Hera hovered The Ghost off ground, gradually rising anxiously to escape. Kanan and Katerina pulled themselves aboard. Hera closed the hatch, tumbling them inside. Without further delay, The Ghost and Minister Tua's disruptors were in the vast reaches of space, on their way to meet Vizago on Lothal.

Katerina collapsed against the door, striiving to recover her breath. Her heart was racing like a speeder. Her adrenaline made her nerves buzz like an engine. As her senses returned, she noticed her shaking hand was squeezing her pistol. The lack of circulation made her palm throb. Opening the palm, the grip left impression. She was squeezing it for a while. The barrel was still hot from...from…

I killed someone...Her mind replayed the Trooper dying. Over and over she saw him fall. I killed someone...again!

"What happened to you out there?" Kanan's voice broke her from her trance. He was starting to get worried. This is twice now she's zoned out. Both times she looks like she's seen a ghost. And she was in a dead sweat.

"I...I don't know…I just…" Her mind was in a rut. She smashed palms to her face, rubbing her sore eyes. She knew exactly what was wrong. Killing that Trooper, THAT SCREAM, she was frozen. Just like that time at the temple. She froze. Too scared to move. Too...horrified by what she had done. By what the Empire has forced her to do again. "I'm fine now." She mumbled walking for the cargo bay.

"Are you sure?" Kanan didn't buy it. She was shivering. She almost tripped on the climb up. "Because you look like something's bothering you."

That's Kanan for her. With or without the force, he's been able to read her like a book. Often times she's grateful. Right now, she really wished he'd let it go. He wouldn't, though. "Well...now that you mention it…" She scrunched her nose at 3-PO and R2, baffled by them being on the ship. "What are they doing here?"

"Chopper made friends." Sabine sarcastically commented.

"Joy! Imperial Droids! Nice work, Rustbucket!" Katerina was in no mood for being cordial at the moment. Chopper muttered to himself, caring very little for her tone. She didn't care. She didn't care much for anything, right now. What she really wanted answered was WHY oh WHY do those droids keep nagging at her. "Hey…" She tapped Kanan's shoulder, "Do they look familiar?"

"I don't think so. What's up?"

"These two look...familiar…" Its like that itch you can't scratch, and it grows worse by the minute. She approached the two droids, staring hard to decipher the familiarity. "Have we met before?"

"I can assure you, MADAM, I am not affiliated with your lot!" 3-PO huffed. R2 stayed quiet. "Neither myself nor my companion have met you!"

Katerina rolled her eyes. The protocol droid may be right. There's no way she knew anyone like them. But still. She stopped Kanan as he climbed the ladder, "Are you sure they don't look familiar?"

"Pretty sure. Why?"

"I don't know." She rubbed the back of her neck. "I just can't shake the feeling I've met them before."

"Maybe in passing?"

"Maybe."

xxx

Word spread like wildfire throughout Imperial forces. Rebel affiliates ambushed Minister Tua and stole crates containing the disruptors Amdo Wabo so graciously bartered to them. Though, given current circumstances, that deal might go sour if the disruptors can't be recovered.

In light of the recent run of bad luck, Minister Tua found a silver lining. The Rebels who attacked possessed a level of tact that would impress military strategists. That is if they weren't hardened criminals, and rough around the edges in execution. The number of mistakes in their plan Tua saw was staggering. It was amazing their plan went as well as did to allow them to hijack the shipment.

When she identified the Rebels as conspirators, they raised red flags in her mind. She'd intercepted warning of Rebels bearing similarities to those she encountered. Warrants issued by Agent Kallus were held as top priority. Therefore, Tua found it prudent to inform him of her findings.

Kallus cleared the staff from the briefing room when intercepting a communications from Tua. The jury was still out on how the news affected the good Agent. "Describe the thieves." Kallus asked the hologram of Tua.

"I identified six. An adult male and female, a juvenile male and female, a C-1 Droid," She paused momentarily, becoming amazed with herself, "And a LASAT!" Kallus beamed like a sun light. A twisted grin split his face down the middle. The Lasat, he salivated. "Honestly, AGent Kallus, I didn't think there were any Lasat's left."

"Only a few, Minister!" Kallus boasted hungrily. "Only a few."

xxx

Kanan confirmed the drop off location with Vizago. No surprise. They were to meet him at his base of operations, the exchange will take place. Katerina hid in the lounge, lying on the couch with an arm draped across her eyes. A few times she heard the Protocol Droid and the Astromech arguing. Eventually she tuned them out. Only for her thoughts to be overrun by them again. She couldn't get past it. Those droids were nagging at a part of her brain worse than that deja vu feeling. She knows she's seen them before. SOMEWHERE. But where? And when? They don't seem like the sorts you forget about. Maybe they just remind her of other dorids she's seen. Maybe Ken fixed them for someone. Or maybe...Imperial Droids. She hummed. I wonder...the Republic comes to mind.

"Hey Riina," Sabine tromped on her train of thought. No real harm done. She was a welcomed distraction. "Do you know what's up with Zeb?"

"Zeb? No." She shot up. "Is everything alright?"

"He just booted Ezra out of their bunk. Not that I blame him," Katerina bobbed her head. Ezra is an acquired taste, "But it's odd given what happened today." Katerina wasn't the only one who saw it. Zeb was acting weird today.

"A lot's happened today." Katerina sank in the couch. She and Zeb both seem to be out of sorts. The mission was far from over. If either one blanks again, it could cost their friends their lives. "I'll go see if I can't talk to him."

"Please. I'm worried about him." Katerina pat her shoulder. The worst that can happen is Zeb telling her to take a hike.

Katerina wasn't sure if it was the lighting, but the hall outside Zeb and Ezra's room seemed darker than usual. There was a strange, brooding feeling stifling the air too. Katerina took a deep breath. She lightly knocked on the door.

"I TOLD YOU TO STAY OUT, RUNT!" Was Zeb's response. Katerina heard Ezra hammering at the door earlier. Zeb must think he came back to get in.

"It's me…" She spoke softly. Zeb seemed to go silent. But Katerina can tell he was considering the tone he just used. "Zeb...can I come in?" More silence was her answer. She'd planned to wait a bit to see if he would answer or not. She did tell Sabine she'd TRY. Trying implies there is a chance of failure. That failure seemed imminent, and Katerina turned to leave. A click made her pause. The buttons on the panel changed color. She approached and it opened. She didn't think it was possible, but the inside was more dreary than out. When the door closed, she was enveloped in darkness.

Zeb was lying in the bottom bunk with his back facing his. His hand cradled the back of his head, keeping him from rolling off. His piercing green eyes glowed gloomily in the darkness. He bit on his lip, and clawed at the sheets. He tensed and loosened, as if struggling to meet Katerina's gaze. Keeping his back to her felt easier. He didn't want her to see him in this pitiful state. He was sure she can see it already.

Katerina maintained a comfortable distance. Zeb needed to make the first move before she does. Else he shut down and dismiss her. It works wonders on Kanan when he shuts himself from the world. Zeb is a stranger to her, though. She can only wing it right now.

"What do you want?" Zeb grumbled. Katerina felt sort of relieved he broke the silence. Though she wasn't entirely sure what to say. "Well?"

"Sabine was worried about you. Asked me to check up on you." Katerina approached in steady stride. Zeb curled anxiously, feeling her grow closer. "Quite frankly, I'm worried about you too."

"What's to be worried about?" Zeb huffed, shrugging off the unwanted concern. "We got Vizago's disruptors, we're about to get paid for those and those blasted droids we picked up! It's all all around great day!" Great is not the word she would use. Fortuitous, or opportune maybe. Great is for when they are on a beach, sand at their toes, swimming the day away. THIS was NOT one of those days. "Look! Clearly I'm fine! I'm just tired! So if you don't mind…" He motioned a hand for her to leave.

Katerina wasn't letting her get away that easy. She locked the door, perking Zeb's ear. She marched back to him, leaning against the top bunk to see his retreating eyes. He truly didn't want to look her in the eye. He was...too ashamed. Katerina released a dismal breath. It's her turn to break the vow of silence.

"Do you...want to talk about why the Disrupters terrify you?" She tried to be gentle. Zeb's reaction convinced her otherwise.

"They don't terrify me!" He roared.

"Well they don't make you feel warm and fuzzy, do they?" Katerina snapped back, not backing down from him.

"What do you know?!" Zeb whirled around. " 'EY!" Katerina staggered back as he stood. His face kept within inches of hers. Her back bounced on the wall. "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU KNOW?!" Zeb slammed both hands on either side of her. She flinched then was snared in his glare. Rages burned in them like a supernova. "What do you know about terror? Loss? Nightmares that never cease?! What can YOU possibly know about something so horrifying that it quakes you to the very core?!"

A fire lit in Katerina. She bared her teeth, absentmindedly shoving Zeb away and off his feet. "More than I care to admit! And you are already aware of the losses I suffered!"

"WHAT?! KANAN?" Zeb shot to his feet and returned her shove. "YOU GOT HIM BACK! So what are you heartbroken about!" He shoved her again. She stumbled over something, then regained her balance.

"NOT JUST KANAN, YOU MORON!" She rammed her shoulder in his stomach. They both crashed against the bunks. Katerina pulled her face from his chest. She was sitting on his waste, pouring her menial weight to her palms on his chest. "Kanan, The Jedi, Kendril - the Empire took everything from me, Zeb! When I wasn't fixing vehicles, I was crying myself to sleep! Screaming in the middle of the night from recurring nightmares! I almost admitted myself to an asylum I was so mad with grief!"

Zeb was astonished. The water glossing her eyes told him she wasn't making up scenarios. Those nightmares...they still haunt her. "I...I didn't know." He sank sadly, dropping his arms at his sides. "I didn't know...I'm sorry."

"Why would you?! I don't talk about it!" She barked, sliding her hands to his stomach, sinking in her own depression. "I bottle it all up in the hopes nothing will make them rise. There's no such luck for something like that."

Zeb snorted under his breath. He'll testify to that. No matter how hard he tries, or how deeply he buries it, Zeb will never be able to forget. Ever. He was about to apologize again for his arrogance. He was about to apologize again, when he finally noticed their rather suggestive position. He lightly cleared his throat and pointed. Katerina turned 50 shades or red. She rolled off him, shooting to her feet as she tried to shed it off. Zeb laughed at her reaction. It was better than he'd hoped. Honestly, it made him feel better. Katerina found solace in his smile. Her mission was a success. He sat to his bunk, offering the space to Katerina. She joined him, letting their moment soak in a bit.

"Zeb...I haven't known you for very long." She turned to him, pleading for him to confide in her. "But I've met many suffering from trauma to know the signs." Zeb shrank in his shoulders. His ears drooped somberly. "I saw you when you opened the crates. The way you went after the troopers." To say it frightened her is an understatement. "What is it about these Disrupters?"

Zeb sighed defeatedly. He dreaded talking about it. But Katerina wasn't going to let up. He was kind of grateful. Deep down, he needed someone to talk to. "They caused a near mass genocide of my entire planet." The words slid from his lips, pelting Katerina in the chest. "Years ago, when the Empire was flaunting its newfound influence and wanted to excite fear in the galaxy, they targeted my planet, Lasan. T-7 Ion Disruptors were their weapon of choice!" He snarled hatefully. "For days and nights - so long that I lost count - I heard the screams of my people as the disruptors were turned on them! One by one my people were slaughtered! The disruptors practically obliterated them from the inside out! Those unlucky enough to escape were barely recognizable by their families!" Katerina sat in absolute silence. She'd forget to breath every no and again, imagining hundreds - thousands - of Lasat's, women, children, and elders alike running for their lives. The Empire making sport of hunting and killing them like rabid animals. "The Wookies were great friends to my people. So many of them sacrificed themselves in order to help us! In the end...Lasat was abandoned. And my people…" Zeb choked back the tears, squeezing his eyes closed. He can see them now. Dying around him. Friends and family dying in his arms. His lush planet turned desolate, and rotted by the blood of enemies and friends. "There were hundreds of thousands of us once. Now...We're probably in the hundreds." He dropped his head. So ends the tale.

"Oh...Zeb…" Katerina didn't know what to say. What CAN she say? There was nothing anyone could say when the Jedi and half the Republic were killed. What made her think she can console him. She rested a hand on his lap, "I'm so sorry…"

"Don't be…" He appreciated her compassion. "It's not like you did it." He wrapped his hand to hers. "And it won't bring them back. None of them." Zeb tensed when he felt Katerina lean against him. Her head resting to his broad shoulder, and her arm wrapping to his, Zeb was dumbfounded. And slightly pink. "Riina…"

"It may never bring them back," Katerina made that abundantly clear, hugging his arm tighter, "But always carrying them in your heart is the best way to keep them alive." She touched her heart, able to feel Kanan and other Jedi around her. "It's all we have when we feel alone."

"Not all we have." Zeb smiled charmingly. He pat her head. "Sometimes, when people listen, it eases that loneliness." Katerina smiled, her cheeks flushing. He nodded thankfully. He was feeling better. But there was still much on his mind.

"I'll...let you be alone." Katerina slowly rose. "You should get some rest before we reach Lothal."

"I'll do that." He promised. Katerina nodded and strolled for the door. "And, Riina, I saw you too, you know?" Katerina paused unlocking the door. She lifted a curious brow at him. "When you killed that Trooper, you went pale as a ghost." Her eyes widened. "I can see trauma from a distance, as well. When you're ready to talk…" He pat on her spot on the bed, "I'll be here."

"Th...thanks…" She rasped, and then took her leave. Zeb sank in the dark memories of his people. The disruptors in the cargo bay haunting him.

xxx

(Flashback)

"Katty...Katty…" A voice as soft as the nudges to my shoulder roused me from a deep sleep. My blurred vision evaporated, bringing the smiling face of Kendril Mothma to view. I've been telling him for months to shave those ridiculous sideburns leading to a mustache. But, hey, it went nice with his hair. Even if that strawberry blond head of hair is a signal to outer space. "Time to wake up, Darling. We have to go."

"Kendril?!" I strained, stretching out on my bed. A stitch pinched my side as I tried to sit up. I felt the swollen area, and cursed myself for that tumble I let Master Kenobi send me on. "What's going on? Where are we going?" I pelted him with question after question. This isn't the first time he's woken me up to take me on the run. We've been running ever since I returned from the massacre at the temple.

"The Empire has come to Chandrila!" He grabbed my pack from my closet, starting throwing essentials into it. "Apparently they received word that a Jedi was seen here." My blood turned to ice. 'Master Kenobi.' "They must think its you! It wasn't a secret that you and Caleb were related."

"But...I'm not-"

"I know you aren't a Jedi. Mon and Bale know it too." Kendril took me by the shoulders, cupping my cheek so I would listen closely. "Unfortunately, in the eyes of The Empire, you are. And their perception is all that matters." The Empire was hunting anyone who stayed loyal to the old Republic or to the Jedi. Before the clones were forced into retirement, a handful of them always miraculously recognized me as 'The Sister Jedi,' or 'The Jedi's Sister.' To describe how much Kendril has put on the line for me would take too long and I would still never do him justice.

Somehow during Kendril's packing fray, I was able to escape to the crystal canyons where Master Kenobi was hiding out. But when I arrived, I was stunned to see him waiting for me at the entrance. A grim expression furrowed his brow. He tried to assuage me with a gentle smile, to appear pleased to see me and not wish to start the day awkward. Too late. I was 11 at the time. Not stupid. I knew what was about to happen, and HE KNEW that The Empire was forcing him to do it.

"You're leaving?!" I voiced in outrage.

"The Empire has picked up my scent here." He meandered steadily to me, hands folded inside his cloak sleeves, "No one will be safe if I stay."

"No one will be safe? If you're here everyone will feel safe again!" That was the most idiotic thing I've ever heard a Jedi say. Clearly he had forgotten how safe everyone felt when the Jedi were around. "The Jedi need to come out of hiding! Just because The Empire fears you doesn't mean everyone does!"

"Perhaps not. But Jedi have been branded traitors, and are slated for death on sight. Anyone harboring a single one of us risks sharing that fate." He cast a gaze to me, then looked in the direction of the metropolis. Thousands, millions of lives in danger because he chose to brave the danger. Only to be forced back into hiding like a rat. How far the Jedi have been forced to fall. It makes me sick. Master Kenobi sensed my disdain for the reality. He put on his charm, "Do you wish for our return so direly that you would put millions in danger?" That was a trick question. He knew I wouldn't stake anyone's life on a gamble like that. But...I couldn't bear the thought of him leaving. I was hoping that he would stay. Help Kendril and I rebuild, forge a new order and senate that would chase The Empire out. I guess my dreams are to remain a fantasy. The Jedi are to remain part of that fantasy.

"Where will you go? Will I ever see you again?" He was dead set on leaving. I might as well earn some closure.

"To both questions...I cannot be sure. But know this, Katerina," He knelt to me, "No matter how far I go, or how long I stay away, I and the others of our Order will always walk beside you." He put a hand to my chest. My heart and veins vibrated as this energy flowed through me, filling every muscle and fiber with new strength. Invisible ribbons from every direction gently wrapped to me. Sounds from miles around heightened in my ears, smells I've never noticed filled my nose, my vision pierced the clouds and saw what lied beyond. Faces of those who have long been lost to me greeted me in the stars. Those ribbons bonded me to them. This was the force I was feeling. The power my brother was blessed with. "So long as your light shines bright in this darkness, others will be drawn to you, and will walk beside you." When he removed his hand, I was so overwhelmed by the euphoria that tears were falling down my cheek. And in that moment...I felt...I felt those who were thought dead...still lived. "Remember your training. And take care, Katerina." And just like that, Master Kenobi walked out of my life. For how long? And to where? I don't know. And maybe, when I got older, I would come to think it's for the best.

"You too, Master Kenobi."

(Flashback End)

xxx

Master Kenobi, after three years of living in secret, found me and helped progress my training. He laid the basics and refined my hands for my skills to grow to where they are today. He entrusted me with the knowledge and wisdom of his Order, in spite of me not being a Jedi. Those skills, the abilities I developed, they became a drug to me. A madness of power afflicted me. I was drunk on it. No longer would I be that scared little girl weeping at the corpses of the dead whilst blasters are pointed at me. I enjoyed it. I loved it. I hungered for it. I wanted more. Until...one day...that power made my blade go astray, and someone died that shouldn't have been part of this madness to begin with. I can never tell anyone what happened. No one. If they knew…

xxx

Katerina rested her back to Zeb's door, placing a palm over her eyes. Zeb's words rang in her mind, robbing her lungs of breath. 'You went pale as a ghost when you killed that Trooper.' Katerina began to think back on the dead Trooper. Zeb was presumed unconscious. He remained just conscious enough to see her shoot. And in that briefest of moments, a boy named Arno flooded her mind. A woman crying for him, draped over his dead body, fists pounding in vain to jolt a second breath of life. That breath would never come. The boy would never awaken.

"Riina." Katerina blinked, bringing her mind back to reality. Hera stood across from her, a very serious stare furrowing her brow. She recognized that look. Someone was in trouble. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

Everyone seems to want to talk to her today. She should start charging by the hour. "Sure, Hera. What's wrong?"

Hera escorted her to their bedroom, wanting some semblance of privacy. Those two droids, Ezra, and Zeb are lurking in close proximity. Mostly, it had to do with a certain Jedi choosing to hide in his room. "First, how's Zeb? Sabine told me you went to talk to him."

"As good as anyone can expect him to be." She shrugged, not too sure how to answer. She hugged her elbows, "He told me what the disruptor can do. What the DID to his people." She shook her head, "I was complacent in believing Kanan and I were the only ones to suffer a nightmare. I was...mildly pleased in believing that. Suddenly I feel selfish. Inconsiderate."

"Not at all." Hera reassured her. "You're a good person, and a good person doesn't want to think anyone else can suffer worse." Katerina doesn't feel like a good person right now. Right now she just wants to bury her head in the sand. The conversation of good people digressed, "Are you aware Kanan hasn't begun training Ezra?" Hera jumped right into it, folding her arms crossly.

This wasn't news to Katerina. If anything, she knew more about it than anyone else. "I know he's been trying to get around to it, but-"

"No, Riina." Hera stopped her from inadvertently defending her brother. It wasn't a matter of being too busy, or being distracted. And she won't Katerina insult her or herself by pretending he is. "Ezra told me Kanan either changes the subject, or dances around the issue by pretending to be busy. Or he just won't talk about it." She pointed an accusing finger, "You've noticed it!"

Katerina's eyes partially lidded. She released a breath, sinking her shoulders in defeat. "Yes, but I deluded myself to believing it was because of us being in tight fixes lately." They have been. Several times in the last couple of days. But there have been twice as many opportunities for Kanan to begin training Ezra. Their conversation during the heist spoke volumes of Kanan's intentions. Be he aware of them or not, the fact Kanan is blatantly procrastinating on his promise to Ezra aggravated her. "I don't know what to tell you other than Kanan may not know where to start, or how to start. But if he's really avoiding the issue, this can't be left alone."

Hera was in full agreement. "Normally I would speak to him. But he might think of it as a lecture from me." Position wise, Hera is the mom of the crew. Kanan being the dad. Zeb...he might be Uncle or Grandpa, depending on his grouchiness level. Katerina is the Aunt other go to for unbiased advice. Sabine and Ezra take the spot for the kids - brother and sister duo. And Chopper's the pet. The very grouchy, obnoxious, aggressive pet. "You're the only one here who knows him better than I do. Think you can get through to him?"

"I'll give it a go. Don't expect a miracle."

xxx

As expected, Kanan hid himself in his room, meditating for the duration of the trip. He confirmed the rendezvous with Vizago, and the exchange was practically in motion. Until then, speed was the key. Lothal was another hour or so away. Rest was a wise option. Between now and when they make the drop, any contingencies can strike them. He wanted to be ready.

Kanan registered the door to his room opening, but secluded himself in his meditation. Katerina respected his diligence to his training and silently meandered around to him. She joined him in his meditation. Sitting with her legs folded, placing hands to her knees, Katerina closed her eyes and let her mind go blank. The force radiating from Kanan interwove with Katerina, taking her to the same plane of mental peace Kanan ascended to. The pair inhaled deeply, and then slowly released the breath. Their stresses faded from their shoulders, weaving a tender cape down their backs.

"You had something you wished to discuss with me." Kanan mumbled, eyes still closed to the world.

"Hera told me you're avoiding Ezra's Jedi Training." Katerina started gently, not wanting to dilute the inner peace quite yet.

"I'm not avoiding it. There just hasn't been a good time."

Katerina broke her focus. Kanan's followed when he sensed her incredulity. Her twisted glare said she didn't buy that for a second. "There was that time after we left Chandrila! We docked on Zuri's Port for three days!" She named on one finger, and then the next, "We were on Lothal for a while, basically twiddling our thumbs shopping! And then there was that time BEFORE we went on a suicide mission for shipment we lost."

"What's your point, little sister?" Kanan knit his brow, not caring for her tone.

"My point being, big brother, is that there have been plenty of opportunities. But you've squandered them."

"Why are you making me sound like I'm leading him on?" He snapped.

"Because that's what it looks like! To Hera and to Ezra!" Kanan opened his mouth to rebuke her words. That irritating rational part of his mind told him she was right. When he looks back, he saw where it would be perceived that he's leading Ezra with breadcrumbs. "Kanan, I've asked Ezra to be patient with you. But lately, I've noticed whenever he mentions training, you sneer as if it's a bother." Her voice grunted irately. "Weren't his force powers the original reason why you brought him along?"

"It is...but…" He trailed off. Honestly, he doesn't know why he hasn't begin training Ezra yet. Or he does know, but can't bring himself to admit to it.

"Caleb…" She used his real name. The situation was serious. "Are you having second thoughts?"

"NO! No, I'm not! I just…" He looked at his hands. The hands that have wielded his lightsaber so many times, and have known combat since the day he could walk. Those hands felt empty. "I don't know where to begin. I was barely named a Padawan Learner when my Master died. I'm still a Learner in the eyes of the Order."

"You're also a self taught Learner with the skills to be a Knight! Master Billaba would have granted you that title in a flash is she were still here!" She cupped his cheek, making him look her in the eye. "And you're also all Ezra has."

"He has you too, you know?" He praised her. "You were there to help me when I was training." Katerina hasn't forgotten. Kanan was no virtuoso when it came to force tricks. Half the time Katerina spent fixing up the library, the gardens, and his room because the force blew up in his face. "I'd never be able to lift a cup, or push boulders if it weren't for you."

"And I wouldn't know the first thing about hand to hand combat if you weren't there for me." A symbiotic relationship between a Jedi and Mechanic. One aids the other in their shortcomings, both rise to new heights together. "The difference being my experience in the force is less formal. All I know is what I heard, and what I witnessed. It was just a matter of meshing them together."

"A skill you're practically flawless at." Katerina sees something once, puts a theory into practice, and VIOLA miracles happen. Kanan envied how easy she made things look. "I don't know if I have the skills to teach Ezra. Or if I'm worthy."

The truth comes out when it's too late to turn back. "It's not about being worthy. And whether or not you have the skill is something you'll have to discover." Something he'll have to discover. Last time Kanan checked, he was the one graced with the wisdom of the Jedi. Yet here Katerina is schooling him. "You know as well as I do that there were Jedi whose powers grew to incredible feats. Sometimes beyond what they could control, and they went mad from the power." Katerina slowly rose, letting her sleeping legs wake up. They had the right idea about sleeping. "With or without you, Ezra's powers will grow. On accident or on purpose."

"You don't think I know that?" Kanan snarled as she meandered by.

"You might, but you aren't taking it seriously."

"How do you know I'm not taking it seriously?" Kanan shot to his feet, following her to the door.

"You wouldn't have waited this long." She shot back, tying his tongue in a knot. "I won't force you to train him now or in the future. Just don't deny Ezra the one glimmer of hope in this age of darkness." Katerina left him to ponder what she's said.

"A glimmer of hope…" Kanan scoffed. "What hope?"

xxx

Lothal emerged on the receiving end of hyperspace. A welcomed sight, seeing as how The Ghost Crew didn't have the option of going anywhere else. Vizago isolated all business transactions to two places. Lothal and his ship, The Horn. Plenty of desperate people live on or travel to Lothal. Desperation breeds money, and money makes Vizago the happiest Devonian of his kind. Though his business ethics left much to be desired, he paid handsomely for what he's provided, and inflates the price when he sells them again.

Kanan, Hera, and Katerina joined the others in the cargo bay. Katerina stopped again when she saw the two droids they inadvertently picked up. She can feel that obscuring veil lifting. They are jumping out at her. But it was still hazy. That aside, Ezra and Zeb huddled the shipment together, preparing it for transport. Sabine was guarding the droids in case they tried to make a run for it. Not that they'd get very far. But one headache beats two. Or three, depending on how you want to count.

Now that everyone was together, R2 nudged Sabine, urging her to confer a message he relayed. 3-PO pushed on her back too. "Oh, right. This R2 says its real mission was to stop the disruptors from reaching The Empire, and that his master will pay handsomely for their return."

Kanan stroked his beard. This master may or may not be an Imperial, but is obviously someone of stature to have two droids in pretty immaculate condition. "I'll think about it," Was his final answer.

Zeb hated this plan more than ever. "So we're NOT selling the droids, but we're selling the T-7's?" He can't be the only one who see's the horrible repercussions in that plan. Kanan's plans always had a steep downside. "We don't even know who Vizago's buyer is?"

"We know it's not The Empire." Kanan replied as a bright side. "And besides, I already made a deal with Vizago! So let's get these crates off the boat."

Zeb felt a strong urge to strangle Kanan. Katerina rested a hand on his shoulder. She motioned a hand for him to try and put it out of his mind. Once the T-7's are gone, Zeb can hopefully rest easier. Doubtful, but it was a start in some direction.

xxx

Meanwhile, Agent Kallus monitored Imperial Operations in the Garel system from the Dreadnaught Syndicate. Minister Tua's report of the thieves stealing her shipment from under her aroused a sense of victory. For weeks he's been scouring the Outer Rim tirelessly for the rebels who have shamed him before his Empire, and his men. Left him in a humiliating state in the infirmary to be poked and prodded, examined in his bare skin, and made the laughing stock of those who held him in high regard in court. The Inquisitor, unnerving and passive aggressive individual that he is, granted Kallus a long, if not suspense filled, reprieve due to his recovery. Demanding that he follow any lead, heed every whisper, and maintain the slightest scent of their elusive rebel group. Lest, of course, their next visit be to discuss his severance pay. And in one holonet call, all his worries were pushed back a day. Now there is just a matter of wading the waters.

"Sir…" A bridgeman called to Kallus from below, "A distress call to Governor Price has been rerouted to your attention."

Kallus meandered to the communications box off to the side of the bridge. Two more bridge hands synced to the frequency and connected the call. "This is C3-PO - human-cyborg relations!" Kallus recognized the title, and the serial number of the droid speaking. "My counterpart and I were abducted on Garel by thieves, villains, OUTLAWS!" He panicked.

Protocol droids, so famous for making a drama out of everything. Nevertheless, the philosopher who advocated good things to those who wait must be awarded a medal. "Remain calm, my friend." Kallus soothed him. "Tell me your location."

"I'm sending our coordinates now!"

"Have no fear. Help is on the way."

xxx

"My Dearly Beloved, Katerina! Or should I call you Anastasia?!" Vizago purred lecherously, wiggling tentacle like fingers as Katerina and the others dismounted their cruisers. He strutted to her, sweeping one hand behind his back and bending in a bow, "Welcome back!" Vizago snatched her hand, kissing the top of it. Katerina laughed back her shudders. Zeb, Ezra, and Kanan growled in the backs of their throats. "I counted the seconds before I could lay eyes on your beautiful face again."

"And I'm counting the number of baby barfs you've managed to erupt since I saw you." She took her hand back, and stomped a foot. Vizago yelped and cringed when she stamped on his toe. She ground her heel in, savoring his agony. Sabine and Hera liked her style. "Now, about our business deal."

"QUITE RIGHT! SHALL WE?!" He squeaked a few octaves. Katerina so kindly removed her foot. Vizago limped for the shipment, groaning at the idea she might have broken his toe. Kanan, Zeb, and Ezra relished in his pain.

Kanan removed the lid from one of the crates. He and the others stepped back to let Vizago have an uninhibited look over his merchandise. "Ooh…" Vizago drooled on his inspection of the merchandise. So pristine, so flawless, so beautiful. It was enough to make him cry. The feel of them when he picked one was surreal. Smooth, firm, and the weight of it was perfect. "I can make some beautiful music with these." Vizago licked his lips.

"THEY'RE NOT THAT KIND OF INSTRUMENT!" Zeb howled from his place well enough away from the disruptors. Truthfully, being on the opposite side of another planet wasn't enough distance.

"You just have to know how to play them." Vizago countered, then snuck a sly glimpse to Kanan, "And how to play those who want to buy them."

"You have to buy them from US first!" Ezra declared.

"FINALLY!" Vizago pressed a finger to Kanan's chest, "Someone on your crew who understands business."

Kanan swatted his hand away. "Let's just get this over with!" He huffed.

Vizago's droids had already begun unloading the shipment. Their business was nearing its conclusion. Then a whirring of another craft caught Vizago's ear. A ship was approaching their location fast. "What is this?" He peered through the scope of a disruptor. The ship was of imperial design, and carrying walkers. "YOU WERE FOLLOWED!" He roared.

"THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE!" Hera argued.

"Tell it to the Empire!" Sabine, Zeb, and Katerina's eyes shot wide. Sabine used her helmet's binocular to see for herself. To her horror, Vizago was right. The Empire found them. "Leave the rest! We're out of here!" Vizago was about to jump ship and make a run for it.

Kanan wrenched him by the arm. "You haven't paid us!" He snarled.

"Cikatro Vizago doesn't pay for half a shipment!" He snatched his arm back, climbing onto his vehicle. "And he DOESN'T pay for trouble with Imperials!" Far from the deal that was made. Take what you can and give nothing back - popular philosophy of pirates and smugglers. "My friends, I hope you live to bargain another day! And if you don't..." He shrugged his shoulders indifferently as he drove off, waving a disruptor mockingly.

"I suddenly despise him." Katerina crossed her arms.

"You always were a fast learner." Kanan praised. Leaning fast doesn't help that an Empire cruiser was delivering a two walker payload. How The Empire found them was moot. It was a question of how they were going to escape them.

"Shouldn't' we be going too?" Sabine didn't mean to sound like a coward, but she'd rather not be found in a smuggler's den.

"We can't let these disruptors fall into Imperial hands!" Kanan declared. "Sabine, destroy those guns!"

"Now you're speaking my language! I'll go get my gear!" This is the highlight of Sabine's day. Taking weapons out of circulation, and doing so with a bang. A very big bang she's going add to a special spot in her video logs.

"R2-D2, STOP! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" The cacophonous, whiny voice of the protocol droid yelled. Whatever impulses the droids run on, 3-PO and R2 decided to leave the ship to enter the encroaching fray. Chopper all but stopped them, intrigued by what the R2 unit had planned. R2 summed up what he had in mind. "Joining the crew?!" 3-PO has never heard such a ridiculous idea.

R2 ignored 3-PO's protests. Bigger issues were approaching at mach speeds. He pulled Sabine aside, quickly explaining a fast means of disposing of the disruptors. And possibly taking a couple of Imperials with them. "OF COURSE!" Sabine can't believe she didn't think of it sooner. "Overload the disruptors and BOOM! Good call, Little guy!" She pet him on the head. "You can join our crew anytime!"

That's the best game plan The Ghost Crew had. With little time to concoct a plan B, it was time to make their stand. "Hera, help Sabine open the crates!" Kanan ordered. Hera pried the heavy lids from the remaining crates. "Zeb, Ezra - line 'em up!" Kanan reached and tossed a disruptor to Katerina. They're heavier than they look. "Riina, you and I are dealing with The Walkers!" She nodded firmly.

The Imperial Dropship released The Walkers. Their flat sole, three pronged feet quaked the earth. Their less than expedient approach coaxed a state of unease in The Rebels. A ruse for those who would attempt to flee. The blasters mounted on the forefront made up for their lack of speed. Laser bolts devastated the ground beyond the rocky spires, throw earth and ash alike into the narrow space. Each blast felt more powerful than the next. The ground itself ruptured. The spires started to crack at their base, threatening to tip over. Evey two shots one bolt would hit inside, narrowly missing The Rebels.

Hera, Zeb, and Ezra ran to a nearby spire at the entrance for cover. Hera held her gun at the ready for when Troopers started to march. The Walkers aren't enough for the Empire. Sending their dogs to finish the job would send a stronger message. Kanan sprouted from his hiding places. He locked on target and pulled the trigger. The kickback was no sneeze. The plasma ball that launch was equally fierce. It hit The Walker at the neck of the underbelly. Circuits inside and out fried in seconds. The knobby legs crippled, and The Walker was rendered to no more than a pile of scrap. Katerina sprouted beside Kanan to fire next. The second walker was quicker on the trigger. It shot the ground just inches from their feet, blowing Kanan and Katerina skipping across the ground. The disruptors slid from their grasp.

Hera flanked the remaining walker from the left. Her fast trigger finger landed three shots on the hull, the crank of the leg, and near the neck. None of which so much as scratched the surface. The Walker turned on her. Hera scrambled into a sprint. She jumped feeling the Walker's bolts at her heels, using the aftershocks to gain distance. A dense cloud of dust and smoke flooded the air. She tucked and rolled behind a boulder, eluding The Walker just as the dust cleared. Zeb and Ezra helped Kanan and Katerina to their feet, dragging them to cover. Their ears were ringing something fierce.

The Imperial dropship touched down. A platform lowered, releasing a squad of Stormtroopers. Agent Kallus led them from the rear. "ADVANCE AND FIRE!" He commanded. He care little for the casualties. He wanted those rebels' heads on spikes. They won't escape him again.

Ezra, Zeb, and Katerina hissed through gritted teeth. Agent Kallus was starting to become an annoying pattern in their business. Turn ten corners and he'll be there leading a charge against them. The trio were anxious to flank around and end him. Do that and the Troopers will run in the opposite direction. Kanan extended a hand, staying their itchy jumps until the time was right. When that time will be is another guess. They were outnumbered, and with Kallus there, outmatched. They'll need to be smart.

"Thank goodness you've arrived!" 3-PO baffled everyone as he hobbled to the approaching Troopers. "I told my counterpart you would come for us. He's so distrustful of Stormtroopers." R2 can be so silly at times. The Troopers took up position at the gap and opened fire. 3-PO screamed bloody murder, wobbling as fast as he could to go hide. "WAIT! STOP! YOU'RE HERE TO RESCUE ME!"

Katerina shook off her delirium and tackled 3-PO to the other side of the gap. She pressed him against a rock, frothing at the mouth. "YOU CALLED THEM?!" She roared at the top of her lungs. Hera is not only an ace pilot, but she's a master at remaining undetected by the enemy. Not that they could find a lightbulb in a sea of them. Katerina shoved 3-PO between two rocks, stomping on him so he'd stay put. "STICK AROUND!" She warned him. He moves, she won't feel guilt about putting one in his chest. Hera managed to maneuver her way to her position, loving being able to catch her breath. "The Protocol Droid ratted us out! We'll be sitting ducks if we wait too long!"

"I here you! Chopper!" The stunted droid whirled his oscillating head to Hera. "Fire up the ship! We're leaving!" Chopper put his wheels on triple speed, racing for the ship.

The Stormtroopers traded positions to reload as they inched ever so closer to The Rebels cover. Kanan and Zeb returned fire but were having little luck in hitting one of them. They were getting closer, and reinforcements were waiting on the dropship to replace those lost. Katerina and Hera drew their guns to help Kanan and Zeb return fire. As Katerina clicked back her hammer, she saw from the corner of her eye another squad of Troopers racing around the outside perimeter. She followed their trail. They were heading for The Ghost and CHOPPER!

"RIINA!" Hera reached as she bolted into a run.

Katerina sprinted at her top speed. The Stormtrooper on the outside were matching her speed. Chopper was ascending the slope, almost inside the ship. But not before the Troopers ambush him and claim their only means of escape. She grasped her staff, flicking it to full length. She aimed a pistol. It was set to stun. The first Stormtrooper emerged, barely catching sight of her. He shifted to eliminate her. Katerina pulled the trigger. The Trooper was hit by a stun ring, dropping and tripping two of his brothers. The still standing four spun baffled by the surprise attack. Chopper stopped suddenly, taken aback by Katerina's save. Katerina pole vaulted a flying kick, bowling two troopers on their backs. She twisted the staff's center, igniting the lanceheads. The Stormtroopers shot at her. She flourished her staff. The ends absorbed bolts instead of deflecting them back. She whisked her pistol and stooped low, shooting two troopers. The third scrambled for cover. Katerina leapt in a cartwheel in his path, letting him run into her staff.

Chopper was astounded that she had saved him. She threw herself in the line of fire for him. "Chopper! Let's go!" Katerina cut his gawking short, pushing him up the ramp.

"LASAT! FACE ME!" Katerina heard Kallus challenge Zeb, then disappeared inside the ship with Chopper.

Katerina practically rammed the door down to the bridge. "WE HAVE TO HURRY!" She pressured Chopper. Normally he would respond sarcastically, but in this case he shared her panic. Chopper warmed up the engines, and readied them to take off in overdrive. Katerina was inputting coordinates to a system the Empire wouldn't think to go looking for them. For the time being, anyway.

At least on a note that wasn't dealing with their current predicament, Dominique left Katerina a message on the ship's communication array. If only the time were better.

"RRAAAHHH..." A demon's roar sent chills scaling Katerina's skin. Peering out the window, Kallus and Zeb grudge match had begun. And Zeb seemed to be winning. He had Kallus on the ground. But it was short lived. Kallus rolled around, propelling his legs to swing back on his feet. He landed a kick to Zeb's shin, then combined an uppercut to his chin.

"ZEB!" Katerina threw herself to the front window. She watched Zeb and Kallus go back and forth. She couldn't place it, but something was off about the fight.

Kallus was dancing circles around Zeb. And the weapon in his hands. It was the same as Zeb's. Two men furiously flourishing bo-rifles, unleashing their full strength in their swings. Feet skipping forward and back. Electrified ends swirling rings as they were swung. One block led to a parry, and a thrust was met with a side step and swing. Katerina was getting dizzy trying to keep up with them. Kallus, however, was the more controlled of the fighters. He proceeded to withhold his attacks, blocking and evading as needed. Zeb was out of his mind in a rage. The rifle was no more than a club in a wild man's hand. He roared like an animal. Kallus kept his hard glare trained, spinning the bo and diverting Zeb's uncouth attacks in random directions. He effortlessly wove his body, gracefully escaping Zeb's reach. Zeb brought the bo down like an axe. Kallus caught the strike with his bo, lifted both high and connected a foot in Zeb's stomach. Once Zeb lost his footing, Kallus rammed the head to his chest. Electricity surged through him. Kallus flipped over him, jabbing him in the ribs next. Zeb's fury only increased, and he continued with his onslaught.

"Chopper, get this ship going!" Katerina darted out of the bridge.

"^WAIT! RIINA!^"

xxx

The battle was shifting to one side. A battle? This fight had the making of a massacre written all over it. The Stormtroopers replenished their ammunition in a breath, and would substitute the wounded for the able bodied. Kanan was running out of ammo, and was fresh out of plans to prolong the fight. Ezra's slingshot was all but useless against the Trooper's armor. Sabine and R2 were making excellent headway with overloading the disruptors, but it was difficult to focus when they are nearly being hit by stray gunfire. And Zeb? It was impossible to say. Things weren't looking up for him.

Kanan pulled Ezra aside, holding him behind cover. "THAT FOOL LASAT IS GONNA GET HIMSELF KILLED!" Kanan growled. Ezra wanted to run and help. He'd never get past the heavy fire, or make much of a difference against Kallus.

Kallus easily repelled every one of Zeb's strikes, countering with his own and landing successful blows. Zeb's fury grew as hot as the sun. His blood boiled, and the veins in his head burst. The jaded motions of his bo-rifle showed his faltering focus. Each swing was less precise than the last. Pure entertainment for Kallus as the monster futilely attempted to subdue him. But the game was growing old. And Kallus was on a deadline. Zeb thrust his bo-rifle. Kallus grasped the body and pulled, springing his helmet into Zeb's chin. The jolt rattled his brain. He stumbled dizzily. Kallus twirled the rifle and swept Zeb's feet clean from under him. He landed on his back. The wind left his lungs. Kallus cackled maniacally, raising his bo-rifle above Zeb's chest.

"GET AWAY FROM HIM!" Katerina flipped over Zeb. Her lance drove for Kallus's skull. He sprang back. The dirt took the brunt of the hit. Katerina flourished her staff around her, steeping into her stance. She released a breath of relief. A second later, and Zeb would be amongst his brothers.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the non-Jedi." Kallus taunted impishly. Of all the nicknames, that one will be the one to rankle her. "You know, when I say it aloud, you're not so threatening."

"And yet you're standing a mile away, planning the number of ways to defeat me!" She spat back.

Kallus grunted under his breath. She's not easily ruffled. He'll have to strike lower. "So my little mechanic menace, slumming it with the traitors again, are we?"

"You must have the wrong place! The only traitors I see are the ones in white, and their leader!" Zeb coughed as air filled his lungs again. Katerina snuck glances, trying to keep Kallus in her sights. He's faster than he lets on. "Zeb?"

"I'm...fine…" He wheezed. She's glad to hear it.

"Come to defend the Lasat, have you?" Kallus continued to mock her. "What? Do you see a kindred spirit in him? Or is it more?" He batted his eyes teasingly.

"If you're honestly asking why I'm saving a friend," Katerina dug in the balls of her feet, "Then I won't waste my breath answering you!" She launched forward.

Kallus reacted by stepping back. Katerina spun on her foot, driving her staff back. Kallus repelled the strike, and then the next when Katerina spun from the other direction. Her foot shot for his chin. Kallus titled it just from her reach. He grabbed and shoved her foot away, thrusting his bo-rifle. Katerina bent back, planting a hand to the ground. Kallus stabbed down. Katerina rolled out of the way, strafing back to Zeb's side.

"Is this truly the best you have, Girl?!" He mocked. "My defeat on Chandrila must have been a lucky break for you!"

"Says the man who only found us because a DROID told on us!" She threw the staff.

Kallus weaved sideways. The breeze of the weapon grazed his cheek. The staff pierced a wooden plank. As Kallus leaned to regain his posture, Katerina darted forward. She came within a foot of him. Kallus reacted with a blind punch. Katerina bent all the way back, fluttering both feet in a two pronged kick to the chin. Kallus staggered to stay standing. Katerina sprang from a crouch and lunged two punches in his stomach, ending with a roundhouse heel kick to the side of his head. The other side met one of those boulders.

"Why would you want to save an extinct race?" Kallus derided her attempts to protect Zeb. "You might as well let me finish him since I couldn't send him with the rest of his kind!"

"Send him with the rest?"

"Oh! You weren't here for that? Well let me sum it up." He crooned. "I was the one who turned Lasan into nothing more than an empty dust ball, and it's people a memory on the wind!" Katerina gaped in horror. "I wasn't able to rid the universe of the Jedi! They were a fabulous consolation prize." Zeb bared his fangs, clutching his searing side. Kallus mockingly displayed the bo-rifle. "This bo-rifle of the Lasan Honor Guardsman is my reward for that glorious victory!"

"YOU...BASTARD!" Kallus repelled and dodged her boorish strikes. He laughed as she continued to miss. "How can you stand there and laugh about killing so many people?!" She screeched, ignoring that Kallus was evading every one of her attacks.

"Simple!" Kallus spun past her and elbowed her in the back, knocking her on her stomach. "I stand here, recall the victory, and let out a hearty HA-HA-HAA!" Katerina roared loudly, lunging for him. Kallus thrust a hand, clutching Katerina by a wrist. "I've waited to do this again!" He pulled her and jabbed a fist between her ribs. "All good things, they say!" Katerina choked on blood, losing strength in her legs. Kallus lifted her by the neck, crushing the air from her. "I thought killing the Lasat like I did his people would grant me pleasure!" He whipped around, throwing her to one of the spires. "Ending you might prove to be more delicious!"

"DON'T YOU TOUCH HER!" Zeb poured his weight into tackling Kallus. Sickening crunches of bones being broken was heard.

Ezra tapped Kanan's shoulder and made a run for Katerina. Kanan provided cover fire, drawing the Stormtrooper's attention to him. Ezra slid on his side, propping Katerina on his lap. "Hey! You still with us?" He partly joked.

"I think I saw mome raths after I hit the ground." He dizzily remarked.

"Yeah! You're okay!" Ezra winked. Katerina rolled her eyes. Zeb's animal roars dismayed them.

Zeb hammered wild fist to Kallus's smug, arrogant face. Kallus's head jerked side to side. His neck was on the verge of tearing from his shoulders. Zeb cupped his hands together and smashed Kallus's face so hard his helmet started to bend and crack. Blood was splattering to the ground.

"ZEB! STOP! YOU'LL KILL HIM!" Katerina pleaded.

"HE DESERVES IT!" Zeb kept on punching. "FOR ALL HE'S DONE! HE DESERVES IT!"

"ZEB...PLEASE…" He was going to kill him. Zeb was going to take someone's life. Hatred and rage guided his punches, and would force him to steal breath from another. "DON'T DISGRACE YOUR PEOPLE!" Zeb's next punched stopped within a hair of Kallus's bruised features. Green eyes wide, breath raspy and heavy, Zeb trembled at he sat there, frozen. "Don't...tarnish the memory of you people...with more death! It won't bring them back!"

"Riina..."

xxx

Diverting from Kallus and his one man army against Zeb and Katerina, Hera and Kanan held their line for as long as they could. Pressing their attack even as they were losing ground. The Stormtroopers and that blasted Walker were only growing closer. Soon they would breach and have everyone either in chains or in the ground. They were out of time, and out of plans. They needed a miracle now. And Sabine was their girl.

Sabine and R2 finished calibrating each of the disruptors for their overload. She ever so gently - as if handling active fusion bombs - re-placed the disruptors in their crates. Six in each crate were set to overload. That was more than enough to create a chain reaction and amplify the power behind the blast she couldn't wait to see. This is going to be her finest work.

"Okay! We're ready!" Sabine announced. Music to their ears. Kanan and Hera grabbed the first payload, bringing it around and charging for the Stormtroopers. Sabine freed 3-PO from the rocks for the extra muscle. "Everyone! Push!" R2 and 3-PO helped Sabine push her load to the approaching walker.

Rapid beeps alarmed from the disrupters. Their barrels and grips seared from the inside out, the circuits heating up like the insides of ovens. Kanan and Hera poured all their strength into a push, then ran in the opposite direction. R2 and 3-PO parted early to get a head start in their retreat. Sabine dug in her boots and lunged into her push. It was going to be close. The disruptors reached critical mass. The Walker was on top of one load. The Stormtroopers were baffled by the second. 3...2...1-KABOOM! The remaining disruptors erupted in an all consuming blast, swallowing the Troopers and the Walker in a fiery shrapnel demise. The force of the blast blew everyone off their feet.

xxx

The very ground quaked uncontrollably, throwing Ezra and Katerina about, and weakening Zeb's position on Kallus. The Agent twisted and bucked Zeb off. He scooped up his bo-rifle and boorishly jammed the electrical pike in his chest. Coils of electricity constricted Zeb's arms and legs, his insides numbed to noodles. He saw blue-white spots, collapsing to his knees. He was done. Too weak to keep fighting. All the energy within him, the stamina for another round, depleted with those punches and taken by the blast.

Kallus towered over Zeb. The pitiful creature on his knees before him. Head hung in failure. He raised his bo-rifle above his head. Victory was his to claim. Ezra gazed in dismay as his friend stay stagnant under the mercy of Kallus. Zeb looked Kallus defeatedly in the eye. The Bo-rifle came down.

Ezra threw his hands out, "NOOO…" As if a gust of wind caught him, Kallus was thrown off his feet, sent bouncing to a painful collision with the rocks.

Kanan and Katerina stared in absolute awe. Their heads turned to Ezra, eyes filled with disbelief. In desperation to save his friend, Ezra marshalled the force, unlocking a talent new to him. The strength behind that push. The power emanating from every pore in his body. The pair ogled at Ezra who was scared witless by what he had done.

By accident or on purpose.

"Specter 7, can you walk?!" Kanan broke the trance.

"Uh...yeah! I'm good!"

"Then you and Specter 2 get the kid on board!"

"Right!" Hera nodded. She and Katerina grabbed Ezra by the wrists, leading him to the ship.

Sabine pushed the two droids on board, almost overwhelming their rotors. Hera bellowed harshly, commanding everyone to triple time it before Kallus or the Empire mount for another strike. Kanan picked up a delirious Zeb, cradling him on his shoulders and helping him on board.

By the time Agent Kallus awoke, The Ghost was already leaving Lothal, and another failure and defeat loomed over his head.

xxx

Kanan carefully ste Zeb on the floor of the cargo hold. He spread everyone out to give him space to breathe. He heaved heavy, starved for a second wind. His crew and the droids gazed upon him fretfully, heartbroken by his choking. "Is he going to be okay?" Sabine voiced what everyone was thinking.

Zeb released a couple more cough, clearing his airways. "Yeah...I'll be fine." Relieved breaths hummed. Regardless of what transpired, today was the greatest of victories. They were going to enjoy it. Kanan helped Zeb to stand, work the strength back to his legs. "Thanks, Mate. Appreciate the save."

"Wasn't me." Zeb stared incredulously at Kanan, the glanced to Katerina. She waved her hands, shaking her head. "It was Ezra." Kanan proudly cast the spotlight. Ezra's cheeks tinted to pink feeling the praising smiles turn to him. Zeb was astonished Ezra was the one that saved, but nodded gratefully nonetheless. He was in the boy's debt. Katerina cleared her throat, elbowing Kanan in the ribs. He bobbed his head, knowing what she wanted. "And Ezra...your FORMAL Jedi Training starts tomorrow."

Two victories in one day. The Ghost crew was on fire. Tomorrow can't get there fast enough. Luckily, there's one more stop that needed to be made that would surely pass the time.

xxx

R2-D2 loaded the coordinates of a rendezvous point with his and 3-PO's master. The mystery man on the other end of the holonet was gracious enough to formally welcome The Rebel's aboard, wanting to thank them in person for caring for his droids. The exception of a couple of dings and scratches. They can be buffed out.

The Ghost linked with another Starship larger than itself. Kanan bridged the gap with the two droids in tow. He was met by an older gentleman. A very soft expression for someone who appears to come from power and influence. The greys on his sides and in his full, trimmed beard were quite distinguishing. Kanan spent a short moment admiring him before accepting the golden credits set in his palm. It was more than he expected to receive.

"That's very generous of you, Sir."

"Well, I'm very fond of these droids." He pat 3-PO and R2 on the heads.

"Then I'm glad we could return them." Kanan won't deny being paid double what Vizago was offering wasn't too bad consolation either.

Hurried footsteps interrupted the two gentlemen. Katerina came racing on scene. "Hey, Kanan! We're all set to head for-" Katerina froze, taken by surprise by the regal man standing by Kanan. "Bale?!" She gasped. The man stiffened. Katerina glanced between him and the two droids. "Wait! They belong to you?!"

"You know him?!" Kanan gasped. He couldn't place the man for the life of him.

"Yeah! He's…" The man known as Bale wordlessly shook his head with a furrowed brow. A finger to his lips told Katerina to allow him this anonymity. "He's...an...old friend of Kendril's. A business partner." The man, Bale, beamed in recognition of the name Kendril. Katerina steadily approached, tucking hairs behind her ear. "How are you doing, Bale?"

"I am well." He bowed his head. He studied Katerina, taking in her presence. "It is Katerina, isn't it?"

"Y-yes…"

"I almost didn't recognize you. You've changed since I last saw you."

"What's 10 years?" She shrugged. Seeing her old friend Bale, and attaching the droids to him, the haze finally cleared on where she's seen those two droids before. "These droids were with you when you visited Ken all those years ago!" The load lifted from her shoulders. The universe is small.

"He told me he's very fond of them." Kanan wrapped an arm to Katerina.

"Then I'm glad we got them back to him."

"The simplest gesture of kindness can fill a galaxy with hope." Bale recited eloquently.

"Isn't that...a Jedi saying?" Kanan raised a brow. Katerina bit her lip, inwardly smiling.

Bale chuckled, patting Kanan on the shoulder. "Safe travels to you both, my friends." He moved to Katerina, holding her by her hands. "And keeping lighting the galaxy."

Katerina blushed lightly. She nodded to Kanan, telling him it was time to go. Kanna had to agree. Bale didn't seem to want to reveal too much about himself. "Safe travels." Kanan bowed to him. He and Katerina sauntered for their ship. Kanan was lost in a whirl of questions, while Katerina seemed to be silently giggling at her own thoughts. "I don't think you've ever mentioned him before."

"I haven't seen him in years. I kind of forgot about him." She shrugged. A cat like grin split her lips. "You really didn't recognize him." She commented in shock.

"Should I have?" Kanan tilted his head.

"No. I suppose not." Katerina bounced her shoulders. She increased her stride, pulling ahead.

"Wait! What's that supposed to mean?" Kanan gruffly quizzed.

"Nothing. Just forget I mentioned it." She waved a hand, humming to herself.

"Hold on! What are you not telling me?!" Kanan jogged after her.

"So much, Big Brother! So much!" And by Bale's reaction, it would be beneficial for her to keep her lips buttoned. Katerina then felt something in her pocket. It was a long range communicator. There was a designated ID preset into the device. Bale Organa. She smiled sweetly. Senator Organa. Ever the sly dog.

To be continued