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.

13. Waiting in the Dark

Waiting in the Dark

Told you!

Moving on.

xxx

Beep, beep, beep, beep - A torturous sound. Yet the sole means to assure those around that death has not claimed a loved one. Toned frequencies resonating at a unique hert signaling the life still beating within Katerina's breast. Kanan hated that sound. He wanted it to end. Not with a solid tone, announcing her passing, but to show she was awake and lively. Liquid anesthetic was dripping into a bag, fed through a tube connected to her veins. Over her mouth was a mask feeding her a sleep inducing gas. Alyss informed her team of her violent outburst. Frankly, the machines and gases and anesthetics are a godsend. What the doctors were obscuring was something straight from the bowels of Hell. Katerina's cut open body.

With the exception of Hera and Sabine, this method of healing completely eluded The Ghost crew. Surgery is self explanatory, but their naive minds were hoping that Katerina would be spared being treated like a product of science. From the middle of her chest to her naval was an incision. Clamps pried the incision open, holding it in place. The internal bruning wasn't as bad as presumed during the X-Ray, but would prove hazardous should it not be treated with the utmost care. To say healing her would be tricky would be similar to underestimating a gun fit as a means to blow off steam. Lightsaber wounds aren't foreign to Alyss or her team, they've worked on a few with these injuries. Some in much worse shape than Katerina. Nevertheless, those who survive never SEEM recover. The damage dealt by a lightsaber is different from an ordinary sword, or a laser bolt. From the damage, they can assume the saber was inside of her for a good while before being boorishly removed. That's how the damage to the spine and ribs came about. The burning was an added consolation. Their first step is to cut and peel away at what is burned, and then work on the damaged bones last. Complications sure to arise in between will be dealt with accordingly.

Kanan's entire stomach was flipping, eating away at itself and his pained heart watching the doctors cut and dig into her. This operation's been going on for an hour now. Soon to be two. She's no better than a corpse being ravaged by vultures, and other scavengers. In his heart he knew they would save her. But that stubborn mind of his wanted to bash in their skulls for touching her. Exposing her shamelessly. It's necessary, but...but...DAMN IT! "I hate seeing her like this." Kanan pressed his forehead to the fist smashed to the window. All of those wires and machines hooked up to her, the sole devices keeping her alive by the thread she was clinging to. And it's his fault. "She's meant to bring life into machines! Machine's shouldn't be pumping it into her!"

"Kanan…" Hera reached for his shoulders, cuddling up close. "Come on. Mr. Sumar and Norio made us tea. Let's let them work." She motioned to the others. They herded up the stairs, taking one last look at Katerina, wishing her well. Kanan lingered a while, scared to leave her side. There's nothing he can do for her, he knows that. He can't leave her. Not again. Ultimately he gave in, and followed Hera upstairs.

Sabine closed the basement door. Alyss and her team were going to need their full concentration. The team gathered in the family room. It wasn't the shutters being partially closed creating shadows of dismay in the room. The last day or so left them pretty beaten up. The past couple of hours dragged them to exhaustion. Zeb and Ezra were collapsed on the couch, leaned to their knees with their heads hung. Hera slumped in a lounge chair, Kanan standing beside her. The two interlaced hands, finding strength in each other. Sabine and Chopper rested on the floor, propped to a wall. Right now, a hardwood floor felt wonderful.

Sumar and Norio handed The Ghost crew freshly brewed mint and honey tea. Good for helping the body relax, and removes the tensions of the day. The two were thanked for the tea, for agreeing to house them, and for saving their friend. Even between the whole crew, they would never be able to repay these kind folks. They're welcome to try, but Sumar won't hear of it. The old farmer clapped his hands, dispersing the sour mood from the air. Heads lifted, if only spirits would. That would come later.

"In spite of the circumstances," Sumar gripped Ezra's shoulder, relishing that he wasn't dreaming, "It's wonderful to see you again, Ezra. I wasn't able to properly thank you or your friend for saving me and my family." He pat Norio. He thanked them in his native tongue.

"No big deal." Ezra played it cool. Kanan taught him to show humility, even if he does feel like he's wearing a cape. Zeb, on the other lack of humility hand, was basking in the glory. "Happy to help, Mr. Sumar."

"And we're happy to help you." He freed them of any doubts. Sumar sucked on his lips, seeming to internally wager on how to word the question he's dying to answer. The way he was staring at Ezra, and then to Kanan, pins and needles prickled their skin in anticipation of what it was. "Are really…? I mean, I've heard the stories and rumors but…" He stooped to a knee, hand still firmly gripped to Ezra's shoulder. A new light gleamed in his eyes. That sickly man gazing upon a vial containing a cure to a long drawn out plague. "Are you...really...a Jedi?" The room noticeable stiffened. Might as well have dropped a nuke. Ezra stammered nervously, flipping his hands to coax an answer.

"He's training to be one." Kanan responded gruffly, surprising Sumar and Norio. "I'm...helping him...to become one." He choked on his words. He doesn't feel like much help to anyone lately.

Norio whispered animatedly to Sumar, too timid to ask himself. Language barrier notwithstanding. "Is your friend one too? A Jedi?"

"No! But she can stand toe to toe with one!" This brought on Kanan's first smile in 24 hours. "She's a mechanic. Best around."

"A mechanic who can fight! Impressive." Sumar stroked his beard. A Jedi, pilot, Mando, Lasat, a droid, and a mechanic. Throw in a tavern and they'd be the start of a good joke. "Truly an amazing group you've come across, Ezra."

"Egh...more or less we found each other." That's a very long story Ezra isn't sure he has the time to tell.

"And we lost the receipt to exchange him!" Zeb snorted. Ezra elbowed him.

Kanan was last to the rhetoric, consumed in the maelstrom of guilt spiraling inside of him. Ezra and Katerina sucked in the vortex, Kanan trapped in the center and unable to save them. Well, both of them. "Kanan?" Hera called, reaching up for his shoulder.

His fist slammed to the wall. "I should have been looking out for her!" Hera retreated at his snarl. He clawed at the weight bearing on his shoulders. It's killing him. "I'm responsible for her! Ezra! All of you! She never should have gone on that mission! She's not meant for this!"

"Kanan, none of us were meant for this!" Sabine cynically inserted. No one's ready for battle. "None of us asked to have guns in our hands, or lightsabers, but they found their way there." Subconsciously, hands moved to the weapons they've come to depend on. These have been instrumental in their survival, but it doesn't erase the mild disgust. "This life was forced on us! On her! And standing there telling yourself different is delusional."

"Good thing you aren't a nurse, Sabine, because your bedside manner sucks!" Kanan spat. Must be the Mandalorian in her. "I'm not pretending, I'm not delusional - HELL! - I'm crazier than everyone here because, if you remember correctly," He stormed towards her. Hera and Norio tried to intervene. Kanan shoved past, coruching with a scatching glare, "I'm the one who roped you all into this circus! I roped Katerina too! Her brother came back from the dead, and she wanted to be there with him!" Sabine bit back a retort. He's not wrong, but not entirely right either. Zeb kept silent about his involvement in her recruitment. "Katerina could have said no! She could have stayed on Chandrila, avoided all of this, but no! She...she believed we can make a difference...and came with us." He threw a hand up, stomping to a far corner.

"Hold on!" Ezra shot to his feet, earning the floor. "That's what someone says when they're about to give up!" Kana's shoulders tensed. He's not giving up, though what he's considering isn't far from it. He didn't have the courage to look him in the eye. Ezra saw it a mile away, sputtering before Kanan began justifying himself. "You're not giving up! You can't! When Riina wakes up, and hears you quit, you know what she'll say! BRR! What she'll do?!" He shuddered. That won't be a fun conversation. Katerina's clam, mother-like demeanor is a fraud.

Kanan was at a loss. That stubborn part wants to argue and tell Ezra he's wrong. He would only be making excuses. He can't sit there and say he isn't scared of what tomorrow will bring. Especially when yesterday was such a disaster.

"Kanan..." Hera bridged the gap, turning him to face her, "We all followed you because we believed in a cause greater than The Empire and Jedi. Riina included." She cupped his cheeks, preventing him from looking away. Those harsh green eyes have a way of implanting themselves. "But if you give up, what has it all been for? The danger we endured, the suffering, the friends and family we've lost - everything will turn to ash in our hands, and be for nothing!" He knows that. Kanan has never taken what he's done and those who have rallied behind him for granted. Gold was nothing more than colored rocks compared to his team. And it's because he cherishes them that he doesn't want to put them in that sort of danger again. Being rebels obsessively hunted by The Empire, that's asking a lot.

xxx

Two Imperial Transports used the steep hills outside of Sumar's farm as planned. Lyste obstained approaching the homestead until a thorough search could be completed. No sense in reaching the finish line and having insurgents blindside him last second. Troops filed out and lined up on their stomachs, utilizing the tall weeds and rocks as cover. Scopes were locked onto the two story home and the barn. No movement was detected. The speeders and wagon parked outside confirmed there are people inside. Lyste was given the go ahead to approach.

Three armed guards escorted Lyste to the front porch. He cast a scrupulous eye side to side. He hummed pensively. If memory serves, there is Sumar, his wife, and a servant living on the farm. Ragged footprints in the dirt suggested more. Fairly recent given they weren't covered by passing winds. Lyste commanded the troopers stop with a raise of his hand. "There may be more. Keep your eyes peeled." He whispered, moseying casually onto the veranda. The three troops set up a perimeter. Lyste fixed his uniform, checked his breath, and then classily banged a fist on the door. "Morad Sumar! This is Supply Master Lyste of The Empire! Open your door at once!" Subtle, sweet, and to the point. He liked it.

xxx

The family room rapped as The Rebels shot to their feet, drawing their guns - and slingshot - taking a defensive position. Zeb and Sabine checked the windows near them, finding no troopers surrounding them. That didn't mean they weren't setting up for an attack.

"How the Hell did they find us?! We were sure they couldn't follow!" Zeb snarled, just begging for a buckethead to pop up. The Phantom's cloaking is second to none. Unless it was breached somehow, The Empire shouldn't have found them.

"They called for me, so they may not even know you're here!" Sumar motioned his hands for everyone to stay calm. More knocks came, with a another demand for the door to open. Imperials aren't the patient type. "You hid your ship in the barn, correct?" He asked Hera.

"Yeah! If they knew we were here, they'd have busted in by now!" By some slim chance they may escape this without a fight.

"Mr. Sumar! Answer or we shall invite ourselves in!" Lyste warned for the last time.

Suamr lost one farm to these people. He may lose this one and more. "Alright! You all stay in here and keep quiet!" He raced for the door. Kanan, Hera, Sabine, and Zeb pressed themselves to the walls of the entryway. Chopper hid behind the couch. He extended his radar.

"I'll warn Alyss!" Ezra hurriedly tiptoed, Norio behind him, ensuring the door didn't so much as click when it closed.

Sumar placed a hand over the panel, taking a breath to steady his nerves. There's still a chance for him to grab his rifle and shoot the man. Nope. Better to be cordial. The door opened with a swish of air. Lyste smiled smugly. Sumar growled venomously. "Mr. Sumar, a pleasure." He pinched his hat, bowing his head. He pretended to marvel at the rustic home. "It is wonderful to see you had a home to return to. All things considering." He couldn't hide the grin.

"You mean considering how you and your goons destroyed my last one!" Sumar barked. He answered the door, but he won't roll over like before.

"Water under the bridge. And do try to watch your tone." He snuck a glance inside, spying the holo photo of him and his wife. "You and your family are fugitives. I have every authority to arrest you."

"We were pardoned! And there are regulations against double jeopardy!"

"Mr. Sumar, please…" Lyste took two steps closer, lowering his voice to a menacing whisper, "Would I be here if I could not make a case against you?"

The not so idle threats. Lyste wears a uniform, but he isn't one for combat. The same isn't said for his bodyguards. "What do you want, Lyste?!" Sumar grudgingly demanded.

Lyste chuckled in victory. Sumar's a man with sense. "The reason for my visit is one I'm sure you're familiar with. The lands your multiple farms occupy are prime real estate, and the Empire wishes to purchase them." The same song and dance. The tune is adjusted for his pardon. "Given our past grievances, you may wish to consider my generous offer this time."

"I don't care if you arrest me now! I will never sell to the Empire!" He declared, folding his arms in an immovable barrier. "And you can destroy this farm and with my family in it! You won't change my mind!"

"Careful what you say." Lyste snarled hungrily. Clicks sent chills down Sumar's spine. Blaster scopes had him dead to right. He wouldn't waver. Lyste's attention diverted to a dark stain on the floor. It was faded, and tinted by the green, but he saw it was red. The pungent scent of a powerful cleaner suggested...blood. "Have you recently injured yourself, Mr. Sumar?"

"Not that it's any of your concern! Why?"

"There is quite a bit of blood on your floor." Sumar's poker face shattered, beads of sweat dripping down his brow. He gaped at the stain, cursing himself for not thinking to cover it. Kanan and the others felt their hearts skip a beat. "Is there someone in need of medical aide?" Lyste attempted a step inside. Injured persons equals probable cause for a search.

Sumar slapped a hand in his path. "That would be the blood of an animal my wife killed on a hunt this morning!" He edged himself, driving him back out onto the porch.

"Your wife hunts?" Lyste quizzed skeptically.

"She does. I'm tending our fields, and she's making sure our livestock isn't eaten by predators." Sumar put on his craziest grin, leaning in, "You should watch her skin and Loth-Pig! Only takes her ten minutes!"

"That is...quite alright!" Lyste had an acid reflux. A crazy woman like that - he's overstayed his welcome. "Nevertheless, destroying this land holds no interest to me! But I highly recommend you come to a decision!" Sumar wasn't aware one was permitted. "I was being generous with my first offer, and now I am being extra generous again!" He motioned a hand, bidding the Troopers leave. "If you refuse me again, you will consider it a mercy what became of the...pig. I shall return tomorrow evening for your reply!" He bowed shallowly, then turned on his heels.

"You might as well stay home!" Sumar smacked the panel, slamming the door.

xxx

Lyste's nose scrunched. How like the peasant folk to spurn generosity offered on a silver platter. "I came with open arms, and was turned away. Now my arms are closed, and I will be taking what is owed me." He rumbled to his escorts. He tapped his comlink. "Officer! Rally a scouting party. Search every inch of this farm. Report back what you find. Reconnaissance only." He ordered. He isn't buying that the blood came from an animal. The footprints outside confirm more are within the house. And seeing as Sumar was rescued by rebels..."Come tonight, when they are snug in their beds and dreaming of a sweeter tomorrow, we strike hard and take this land for The Empire!" He decreed to his bloodthirsty squad. And he will mend his wounded pride.

xxx

"Why does he want your land so badly?" Kanan interrogated Sumar heatedly. Hera helped the wounded man sit in the lounge chair.

"The farms I own are scenically located. We aren't too far from neighboring towns or villages." He was handed his own cup of tea. He needed it. "If the Empire can build in these locations, they will have even more of a free run across Lothal. Rest stations or communication towers - you name it, they'll build it!"

"They destroyed the last one when he refused." Zeb informed the others. "No doubt they'll do the same here, but they won't take prisoners."

"And I don't plan to let them!" Sumar vowed. "This time, if the Empire wants my farm, they're going to have to kill me to get it!" Kanan and his crew wished Sumar would be more mindful of his words. The Empire has a way of granting wishes.

xxx

"Come on! We have to be getting close!" Caleb charged, raised saber lighting the way. He and Katerina missed the intruder by 30 seconds, they can't have gotten too far ahead. Katerina's protests of chasing this person went ignored and she gave up. She silently followed her idiot brother, the dark tunnel whisking by. The further in they ran, the greater Katerina felt a frightening air snaking to her skin. Someone or something was inside that cave with them. Save for the phantom they were chasing. Eyes all around them. How is it Caleb doesn't sense it? Is she being paranoid?

The cave ended at a fork. And, much like before, there wasn't a trace of whoever or whatever they were chasing. Caleb hissed curses through gritted teeth, dart to and from the two tunnels and the one they came from. "Is there any point in me asking?" Katerina picked at her nails.

"There's gotta be a way to find out where he went!" Caleb knelt to the ground. Ask as stupid question.

"You're the Jedi! Sense them out!"

"It doesn't work like that!" But it wasn't a bad idea. Maybe if he focuses enough.

"Uuugghh…"

Caleb and Katerina's blood ran cold. Their little eyes frozen in terror. "Tell me that was you." She eyed his hand.

"No force trick in the world does that." Caleb slowly retracted his hand, wrapping his gloved fingers to his saber. Katerina inched behind him, pressing hands at his back.

"Hhheeee…" Came that moan again. It was closer now. "Nnnuuuhhh…" Katerina grabbed onto Caleb's arm and he held her tightly. The voice was coming from all around, yet it sounded like it was in their ear. "Ruun...Talaya…" A man's voice hummed directly in their ears, causing bumps on their skin. 'STEP-STEP-STEP-STEP,' Rapid footsteps from the right tunnel jumped their hearts. They were steadily growing louder, rampant whimpering breaths screeching. Caleb prayed it was Katerina. She was too frightened to move let alone speak. Caleb ignited his blue saber, stretching a protective hand in front of Katerina. He took on a stance, refusing to give in to the shivers beckoning him to run. He could feel Katerina quaking behind him, wheezing into his tunic. He wrapped his arm around her, holding her close. She was counting on him. She needs him. He won't let whatever's coming go anywhere near Katerina.

"KASIIM!" The shrill cry of a woman erupted from behind. Katerina and Caleb spun. Mist thicker than the dark emerged, towering taller than the both of them. A powerful energy past through them, robbing them of their breath. Caleb lost grip on his saber, the cave being consumed in an abyss. He and Katerina succumbed to panic, scampering around desperately to find it.

"Ta...lay...a…" The previous voice moaned again. By a strange miracle, Caleb found his lightsaber. He cast the blue beam to the tunnel. The two whipped around, gaping in terror of the mist shaping in the right tunnel. Glowing white eyes pierced the darkness, a full figure taking form. Disappeared moaned reverberated their bones, buzzing their nerves like a hive. Caleb and Katerina inched away. A slit tore in the black, rows of teeth showing. Threads of shadow stretched, shaping to a boney hand. "TALAYA…!" An emaciated ghoul shot forth, stomping clumsily and bouncing itself off the walls.

"AAAHHH…!" The two children screamed. The figure moaned animally, lunging for them with long bony arms. "RUN, KATTY, RUN!" Caleb grabbed Katerina's wrist and dashed back into the tunnel they came through. The figure dispersed hitting the ground. Caleb had Katerina's hand in an iron vice grip, racing in a mad dash for the exit. The cave turned on him, scratching up his arms and bruising his hands, doing everything in its power to make him lose Katerina. She struggled to sprint with him, tripping over every erect rock that suddenly decided to impeded her run. Caleb hoisted her up onto his back, squeezing her legs as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"TALAYA! TAYALA…"

Katerina looked back. "AAAHHH…" He was back! Piercing glowing eyes and rows of teeth. The creature crawled on its belly at olympic speeds, screaming for this Talaya. Long, slender arms dragging half a corpse, looping from ground to ceiling, howling ravenously. "C-Caleb! CALEB!" She shook at his shoulders.

"JUST HOLD ON! WE'RE ALMOST THERE!" He had no clue how close or far they were. But he'll be damned if he fails Katerina. 'Hold on! Hold on!' He dug his feet, took in a huge breath, and broke into a second sprint, leaving the spectre in the dark. A rock hooked the front of his boot. He and Katerina bounced out of the cave, rolling into the cavern before the entrance. The narrow slope might as well be cast in holy light.

"TALAYA…" The figure clawed at the tunnel, thrusting itself into the cavern.

"GO! GO!" Caleb shoved Katerina into a run. There was no time to reach the slope. He propelled his arms, sweeping his hands up. Katerina was launched high into the air, half her body grappling onto the ledge. Caleb poured his strength into a jump, flailing his legs in a hazardous landing. Katerina started to slip, her tiny hands gripping desperately at the wet rock. Caleb reared around, pulling her up by the arms.

"TALAYA!" The figure howled from below, slashing at the air.

Caleb pushed Katerina into the narrow crevasse first, slinking in after her. The ghoulish cries of the monster follow close behind them. Air slashed at their backs. Katerina was at the exit, her waist stuck between the rocks. Caleb pushed on her back as she pushed on the walls. She couldn't get loose. A pair of hands grabbed her by the biceps and pulled. "AH-AH-AH…!" She shrilly screamed, thrashing wildly, scratching at the face of the person holding her.

"KATTY!" Caleb dropped low and charged out. "GET OFF HER!" He tackled a person to the ground, punching blindly at their face.

"KATERINA! CALEB! IT'S ALRIGHT! IT'S US!" A third person wrenched the two off their victims, pinning them by the shoulder to a wall. They pried at the hands, kicking and shouting profanities. "CALEB AND KATERINA DUME! STOP!" A tan skinned woman hissed, boring her dark brown eyes into the frantic children.

Caleb and Katerina panted heavily. The terror blinding them gradually cleared, revealing three masters standing over them. "Master...Master Billaba?" Caleb breathed. He glanced at the other two. "Master...Mundi and...Unduli?" Luminara hissed at the scratches Katerina left on her. She has quite the claws. Mundi, however, moaned at the punches that were landed. He defended a couple, but the ones that landed left a bruise. "What are...where...oh man! We're outside!" Caleb dropped to his butt in relief. "We're outside, Katerina...we got...away…" The trembling girl registered his words. The fresh air wafting to her nose, and the Masters standing around them, brought her out of her stupor. Her muscles grew heavy, her knees caving under her, and she toppled onto Caleb's lap. The Masters were dismayed by their bruises and scratches. The hole in the temple wall made them scowl. Caleb lightly stroked her head, coaxing her to sleep. "It's alright, Katerina. We're going to be alright."

Alright...we would always be alright...right, Caleb?

xxx

Waiting. How they hate waiting. By the time anyone bothered to look outside again pitch black flooded the sky. Nine o'clock, it be stranger if it wasn't dark. Explains why Sabine and Ezra were out cold on the couch, Chopper powered down beside them. Norio was tending to laundry to distract himself and wound up falling asleep lopsided on his bed. As a precaution, Sumar extinguished the lights, casting the house in the full blanket of night. If he knows the Empire, he's ready for an assault. They are nothing if not prideful fools. When they think all is calm and quiet, they will strike. Sumar will be ready. As will his friends. Zeb paced from the veranda, marching to the sides to peer around, to different sections throughout the house. Rifle fully loaded, bo-staff fully charged. He focused sharp eyes on the horizon. A new moon is both an advantage and hindrance. He'll have to make it work. Hera and Kanan checked and re-checked their guns. They shared Sumar's paranoia, and were as ready as they could be for an attack. Sabine already had explosives ready, hiding them under the cushion she lied on. Ezra...Ezra will improvise where he can. Chopper is Chopper. From here on all anyone can do is brace themselves, and go down fighting.

The creaking basement door simultaneously stiffened their spines. Ezra, Chopper, and Sabine were ironically stirred by the sudden silence. Heads like rusted screws slowly turned, eyes petrified open. Alyss was the only one to emerge. The change from ambient light to pitch black tripped her briefly. Sumar opened his coffee table, snapping three glow sticks one. She nodded appreciatively, tossing her mask and bloodied gloves in the trash. She was allowed to breathe fresh air before being swarmed by Kanan and his friends.

"Well?!" Kanan blurted.

"How is she?" Ezra came up under him.

"Too soon to tell." Was her straight answer, her shoulders bouncing with uncertainty. Sickly perplexed stared shared amongst them. "The operation went well enough. We've fixed up her ribs, the damage to her spine was reversible, and the burns were cleaned. She'll be walking, clapping, and fixing ships again." Great news. Too great of news.

"But?" Hera voiced the elephant in the room.

"But…" Alys nibbled hesitantly on her lower lip. "It's better if you come and see." She opened the door. The Ghost crew wasn't sure they wanted to see. Kanan steadied himself with a deep breath and entered first. The rest soon followed.

Beep, beep, beep, was the first sound to greet them. Kanan truly despised that sound. Alphonse and the other doctors were outside the surgery space, cleaning Katerina's blood off their tools. The amount of red soaked gauze being thrown away. All that blood...so much blood. It was washing down the sink. "This way." Alyss' tender voice reared them to the propped door. One at a time they entered, cringing at the bright light. An all white room is hazardous to the eyes.

A makeshift hospital bed was wheeled in so Katerina wouldn't be forced to lie where she was cut open. She lied there in a seemingly peaceful slumber, dressed in a nightgown one size too big. The oxygen mask was gone, and her vitals were at normal levels. On the surface...she looked worn out. Healthy and alive, but worn out. Kanan moved a hand toward her. He was scared to touch her, fearing she would chip or have an episode like Zeb described. Once his fingers brushed her cheek, Kanan felt his heart tearing. She was so warm, and yet so cold. She didn't even flinch when he touched her. Kanan rested a hand on her forehead, heaving on relief, anger, sorrow. She was alive! But...why isn't she waking up?

"We have anesthesia pumping into her so she won't be in pain." Alyss cleared the haze, wanting to ease into it. "She's breathing on her own, which is a good sign. Everything is normal by medical standards." She wasn't going to degrade them by making them address the 100th BUT of the day. "The sedatives we provided...wore off a while ago. We've been trying to wake her up." Short of throwing cold water on her or electrocuting her. Wink-wink. A terrible inside joke.

"Is...is she…" Sabine's throat clenched. She couldn't bear to say it.

Alyss quickly drew their attention to the brain scan. The waves were adamantly fluctuating."The is ACTIVE brainwave activity, just no evidence of consciousness."

"What does that mean again?" Zeb wanted her to pretend he was stupid and dumb it down.

"It means Katerina's not brain dead. But it doesn't mean she'll wake up." Hera grimly responded.

"Correct. If anything, these waves show her subconscious is highly functional. She's in a dream of sorts." Katerina proved her theory by mumbling incoherently. Show off was heard, followed by a weak smile. Hearing her voice overwhelmed them with glee. "By the looks of things, she's having a good dream."

"Will she wake up?" Ezra asked hopefully.

"I honestly don't know." It ashamed her to admit. "Wounds from a lightsaber weren't uncommon for me. I helped during the clone wars." She gazed upon Katerina, watching her take in breaths and exhale on involuntary habit. The very fact that her brain is allowing simple functions such as breathing and speech to proceed means she is fighting. Any variables preventing her from awakening can be in play. Alyss' train of thought was sidelined by Kanan. His face intrigued her. A second look at Katerina, then back to Kanan, and she gasped. "You look just like her. Or does she look like you?" She doesn't mean to change the subject, but it would bug her if she doesn't know.

"Uh...whichever. She's my little sister." Kanan sputtered, clearing his throat.

"Then you are the one named Caleb!" She sparkled. Kanan's face twisted confused. He wordlessly darted a finger from her to his team and to Katerina. "She's been calling that name here and there. Seems she depends on you. That's good." Kanan's self doubt was close to choking him until she said that. Alyss pat him on the shoulder. "That means you'll be her strength to carry on." Kanan was lost for the proper words to thank her. He pat her hand, gracious for her words. Seeing she was no longer needed, she escorted her associates upstairs, wishing to see them off as they return home. The Ghost crew thanked them as they passed. Now the real test of patience begins.

xxx

Silent and still was the night. The new moon served the encroaching Empire well. The monstrous engines of three imperial Transports barely whirring as they took up three positions around the Sumar home. Stormtroopers armed to the teeth loaded their blasters, packing spare cartridges and grenades. Grenades as a last resort. The mission is to deal as minimal damage to the farmstead.

Lyste, holding a briefing in his transport, was approached by the leader of the scouting party. "Sir, our scouts found something interesting!" He handed Lyste a tablet with a finished thermal scan. "An Auxiliary Ship has been detected within the barn. It matches the description of the ship used by the Rebels to attack Stygeon!"

Lyste matched up descriptions from eyewitnesses surviving that stain on The Empire. The Inquisitor must be kicking himself. He inwardly scoffed. From stem to stern to the rust on the cannons, this was indeed the ship they were searching for. "Naughty, naughty, Sumar. Lying to me like that." He crooned. So much the better for him. "Gentlemen, advance!"

xxx

Cloaks were draped around Caleb and Katerina, hot honeyed tea in their hands to ease their shudders. Bandages covered the scratches they earned during their escaped beneath the temple. Thankfully the minerals on the caves sharp rocks hadn't infected their cuts. They'd heal with time. The bruises - to their skin and ego - would take a little longer. Billaba, Luminara, and Mundi sat the troublesome duo in the lounge, frowning disappointed at their risky and foolish venture. Caleb and Katerina weren't selling their nonchalant sips of their tea. They're gliding eyes were desperate to not meet the furious masters. Eye contact wasn't necessary for the verbal lashing they were about to get.

"I bet you both are wondering how we knew to find you there." Billaba broke the awkward silence. Caleb and Katerina locked their eyes to her. "A protocol droid was in the garden and spotted you both vanishing." 'Stupid droid!' Caleb growled under his breath.

"What were you two doing in there?!" Luminara scolded first. Her harsh snarls like knives. "Do you have the slightest idea how dangerous it is in those tunnels?!"

"We saw someone sneaking around!" Caleb blurted. "He ran inside the tunnel and-"

"AND, once again, Youngling," Mundi severely chided, "You took it upon yourself and thrust yourself into a situation without a single forethought!" He shot a finger in Katerina's direction, "Endangering the life of your sister in the process!" Caleb opened his mouth to protest, then felt his tongue tie itself. Mundi trapped him in a box there. Katerina sank inside the cloak, hiding shyly behind her cup. The Master sighed irked, shaking his head. "I expected this sort of action from, Caleb. But YOU, Katerina? Why did you not come for us?!"

"I...I…" She glanced from them to Caleb and back to her tea. She wants to defend Caleb, but doesn't want to get in trouble too. In spite of already being deep in it.

"She wanted to, Master Mundi." Caleb admitted with noteable contrite. Katerina was stunned. "She kept begging me to go to one of you, but I wouldn't listen.I was being...stupid." He wrapped his hand to hers, hanging his head apologetically. "Then those...THINGS started appearing and...and...Katty, I'm so sorry!" He sniffled, squeezing her hand tighter. Katerina set her tea down, placing a hand over his.

The three Masters shared perplexed glances. 'Things' began appearing in the tunnels. "What sort of things?" Billaba questioned. "What did you two see that possessed you to go further in?"

"A person." Katerina responded. "A man about...yay high...we couldn't tell who it was…" She was mulling over motions for the interrogation. Recounting every instance she can up to the moment they ran out of the cave. "The cave was...weird. Like it was watching us. The shadows started to move! Voices came from nowhere!" She pressed a hand to her throbbing head. The Masters watched her closely, absorbing her words like sponges, in awe of the tale. "Then these shadows came at us. Two of them! One was a girl, the other a guy!" She shook her head. The pain making it hard to think.

Caleb pat her hand, assuring her he would take over. "The girl ran past us. It was like being hit by a wall." He can still feel it as if it was on a constant loop. "But the guy...he started to chase us…" His legs were throbbing, the muscles vibrating. Katerina's figure was fresh on his back from carrying her to safety, completing a 20 mile sprint in order to escape the ghosts. "They were...they screamed for each other. Ta...Talaya and Kasiim! That's what they called each other!" For the first time, The Masters were taken aback, gasping in shock. They exchanged familiar eyes. They knew those names. "What we saw...those weren't…" Skepticism held his tongue in place. There's no way what they saw was...that of the next world.

"Did we see ghosts?" Katerina voiced. The Masters released held breaths, shoulders sinking. Caleb fought the urge to scoff. Those couldn't' have been ghosts. It was just their minds playing tricks on them. Maybe Caleb's powers flared out of control and created them.

"Not ghosts, in a sense." Mundi answered impassively. Caleb and Katarina's eyes widened, their expressions speaking volumes of their doubts. Many a weird things happen in the temple. They've seen things, and witnessed events that even skilled authors couldn't capture in their works. But ghosts? What they saw were...ghosts? It's not possible. "The temple is thousands of years old, the bedrock it rests upon older still. The history and stories within it are abundant, and active." He added the last bit with a smile, enjoying Caleb and Katerina's captive stares. "The two you saw were likely the spirits of Kasiim and Talaya Hansuu - brother and sister. The sister was older and a Jedi. The younger brother was a diplomat who fought alongside her."

"Talaya and Kasiim…" Katerina muttered their names.

"A jedi...and Diplomat…" Caleb mumbled empathetically. He and Katerina looked at one another. "The brother wasn't a Jedi?"

"No he was not. But he fought like one, and he died beside his only family." Luminara answered, unable to not cast a comparative look.

"The Twin Jedi, they were known as." Billaba leaned back, crossing her legs. Adoration for the encroaching tale glazed her features. "During a siege, invaders used the tunnels you were in to breach the temple. The Jedi were stretched thin across the galaxy. One or two left at the temple." The returned, disapproving stare straightened the pair's back. "We aren't sure how far you made it, but much of the tunnel was collapsed, burying the invaders inside...and ultimately Kasiim and Talaya." Their mouths fell in shock. The pause allowed them to think on whether or not they noticed the walls. Surely enough, flashes of rupturing cracks flooded their minds. Evidence of seismic activity, or a resulting collapse. "The invaders were coming too fast and in too great of numbers. Talaya and Kasiim fought bravely, but knew neither would survive if they lingered. Kasiim sent Talaya away, begging her to survive. Kasiim had set off a charge, and was crushed. He wasn't going to make it out, and he told her to run ahead. She wouldn't. She stayed by him." Kasiim was crushed. Caleb and Katerina wondered if only half of him was crushed. And if Talaya had come back for him, then she was the one crying his name. "Not all of the invaders were killed, and he stabbed Talaya in the back. She died beside Kasiim, but not before taking the invader with her."

"Whoa…" Caleb and Katerina gaped, sitting closer to one another. Woeful tears traced their eyes. Those two died together - with the one they loved - with one final act of bravery and selflessness to save everyone. Suddenly, Caleb began to mentally cursed himself for his choices. The spirits aside, learning the cave was unstable exposed Caleb to the death he was leading himself into. Leading Katerina! The cave held on, but it very well could have come down on them. "Katerina...I'm so sorry." He wrapped an arm around her, holding her to his chest. He kissed her forehead, vowing to never put her in danger again. "Masters, if you're going to punish anyone, punish me. Katty...had nothing to do with it."

"So there was somebody there! I was right!" "IN-YOUR-FACE!"

"Okay, fine! You were right this ONE-TIME!" "Pure luck, that's it! And I'm not superstitious, so ghosts don't bug me!"

"Face it, Caleb. You're going to need me!"

"Katerina, my dear deluded sister, it's who will need me!"

Master Billaba was enthralled by Kanan. While other masters would chastise him for his rough demeanor, Depa would encourage it while smoothing him out. She saw Kanan as rough clay that she would mold into a warrior. I have to admit, I was jealous.

"Jealous?"

Yeah. Caleb gets to be the great warrior and peacekeeper of the galaxy. I'm stuck as the mechanic. My one consolation was knowing I'd be able to serve beside him one day. In the meantime, I stood by him during his training. I must have watched him stumble more times than feasible by a youngling. He'd stand up and come back stronger than ever.

"Do the same, you must. Rising from where you lie, return to the world another day stronger."

I...I can't.

"Why not?"

Because...I'm not a fighter. I'm not a soldier, a Jedi...a Rebel - nothing. If I had been… 'Blood soaked to a black shirt, spilling through closed fingers, dripping to beige pants,' Maybe I wouldn't be dying right now.

xxx

Kanan and the crew hadn't left Katerina's side since Alyss allowed them to visit her. He rhythmically stroked her forehead, soothing the savage mind she was trapped within, coaxing it to free itself from its death defying cage. Hera and the others looked on soberly, waiting and hoping for Katerina's eyes to open. It's almost hard to accept. Katerina stuck in a hospital bed after one gone wrong mission. Hearing how she survived the past decade and a half, and watching her take on The Empire - invincible seemed to describe her. Seeing her now...none of them knew what to think. This may very well could be one of them in the near future. And that scared them.

"This is my fault." Kanan mumbled. He took strands of Katerina's hair, holding the soft locks to his nose. Oil and grime, just as he'd expect. "You told me it was dangerous. You told me someone was watching. But I didn't listen. Just like before."

"Kanan…" Hera moaned. She held her tongue knowing nothing she'd say would alleviate him of the guilt. He's a Rebel, but he's an older brother first and foremost.

Kanan snickered under his breath, nostalgia washing over him. "She's always been like this, you know."

"Like what?" Zeb's ears tilted quizzically.

"Intuitive. No one was ever able to explain it - Katerina has...a sense for people. Whether they are watching her, or lying to her face." Sabine, Zeb, and Ezra were struck by realization. She's caught them in lies, but this explains how she just KNOWS. "This one time she caught Master Yoda watching us spar because she felt someone laughing at us when we got into an argument." He snorted to stifle the hearty laugh. That was a great moment. "And another time… when I lead her into a cave under the temple…she kept telling me someone was there. That something wasn't right." He looked to Katerina, brushing the backs of his fingers to her cheek. "That was the first time Master Billaba met us. The first time she...took an interest us." Inevitably, Kanan would become her apprentice, and Katerina the mechanic sister. "Till this day, I never listen. No matter how many times Katerina was right, I never listened. I was the Jedi. Not her. She was right again. Now look at her."

"You can't keep blaming yourself!" Zeb huffed, growing tired of the pity party. "Maybe not at the prison, but anywhere the Empire lurks DANGER and DEATH aren't far behind!" He accepted what he said was harsh, but he didn't care. He folded his arms, standing tall with a firm stare. Then he dropped the stare to Katerina. "Any one of us can be in this bed right now. It just happened to be her." Zeb's stomach knotted. And we couldn't prevent it.

xxx

Alyss lied sprawled on the couch, drowning in a hollow sense of failure. She should be proud. As a nurse, she is aware of the uncertainties in the medical field. Some live, some die - simple. Katerina is alive. She may not be awake, but her heart is pumping, and her mind is fighting. All she can do now is wait, and perform regular checkups. Even still, the medic in her wonders if there is more she could have done. And how Ezra will feel should Katerina's treatment take a turn for the worst. He brought her to me. He had faith in me. She draped an arm across her despondent eyes, unable to meet the world debating keeping this girl with them.

Sumar strolled into the living room, heartbroken by his exhausted wife. He gently propped Alyss up and sat, lying her to his thigh. He lightly stroked her hair, humming under his breath to sooth that guilt he knows is twisting her. He wishes he can say it will all be okay. He doesn't want to risk getting her hopes up. He relaxed into the couch, exhaling as he circled his head. The cracks in his neck felt amazing. Sumar peered out the window beside the trophy hutch. Trophies from before The Empire made success a death sentence. The night was abyssal made radiant by the twinkling stars. His eyes grew heavier, closing inch by inch. Then a shadow darted past the window. Alyss felt him stiffen under her. She propped up on a hand, gawking at his austere stare.

"What is it?" She whispered, following his gaze.

Sumar stayed quite, silencing his breathing and deafening all other sounds. His eyes began adjusting in the dim living room light, peering into the darkness. Two more shadows ghosted by. "Someone's outside!" He shot to a switch, cutting off the living room lights, then pressed his back to the wall near a window. Alyss remained absolutely still on the couch, straining to hear or see who was out there. Sumar poked his head around. Multiple figures obscured in the field raced left to right in uniform. "Warn the others! I'll get Norio!" Alyss unhesitantly raced into the basement. Sumar grabbed the rifle behind the couch, darting upstairs.

xxx

The basement door crack on its slot slamming open. "Kanan! Hera! There's trouble!" Alyss blurted out of breath. Sabine, Ezra, and Zeb were scared out of a deep sleep. Chopper laughed at Ezra hitting the ground with a thud.

"What's happening?!" Hera replied urgently, shooting to her feet with Kanan.

"There are people outside! A lot of them!" Sabine and Zeb glanced up at the ceiling, half expecting bits of dirt to sprinkle. "They're circling the house! Morad's getting Norio right now!"

"The Empire?" Sabine quizzed heatedly.

"Without a doubt!" Kanan gruffly said. Guess he shouldn't be surprised. They aren't know for accepted no as an answer. "Ezra, you use a gun before?!" Kanan clamped a hand to his shoulder.

"Once or twice!" He juggled his hands nervously. He shouldn't mention it was on accident.

"Here's Riina's guns! Take care of those!" He warned and slapped both pistols in his palms. Ezra admired them. Katerina's pride and joy these were, and he's being trusted with them. They're heavier than they look. "You and Chopper watch Katerina! Warn us if there's a change!" Chopper saluted with a prong, Ezra stood on the side that let him see the door. "We're counting on you guys!" The crew ran upstairs. Chopper nested beside her, running his own monitor on her vitals.

Ezra ogled the guns, then to Katerina, doubting he can wield them like she can. But, come Hell or high water, he won't let anyone get close to her. "Katerina...we could really use your help right now."

xxx

"You don't need me, Ezra…" Katerina curled herself into a ball, hiding her shame into her knees. Her numbing body sinking deeper into the void her spirit cast itself in. There was no light in this void. No sounds, no smells - Katerina drifted aimlessly, letting herself fall, ignoring the pieces of her gradually fading. "You never needed me. You were all doing fine on your own. Then I join your merry band...and here I am holding you all back. Holding you back, Caleb. Again." Her body flickered between being translucent and whole. Almost like a dying light striving in vain to stay lit. The tips of her toes unraveled first, ribbons of her person coming undone, disappearing in the void. Her fingers clawed at her legs, arms wrapping tighter so she wouldn't open to the lonely darkness.

"Being too hard on yourself, you are." Katerina's head lifted a short ways. It's the voice that's been talking to her. It sounded familiar. "Risks, there are, in battle. In abundance are injuries. How they affect you, determined by you, it is. Either rise or lie down. Simple and complicated it is."

"More complicated than you realize." Katerina scoffed.

"How so?"

Katerina curled fingers at her stomach, opening them again to reveal a cup of blood in the palm. "Because, in that moment, when The Inquisitor's lightsaber pierced my back…I understood."

"Understood what?"

She let the blood trickle from her palm. The crimson liquid stretched into a winding stream, taking on the form of The Inquisitor and Katerina. The red beam sprouting from her torso, the same beam that has tormented her, changed into an electrified lance head. Her stiff body held at the mercy of The Inquisitor transformed into a young boy, The light vanishing from his eyes.

"What it means to have a monster rob your life from you."

xxx

Norio and Sumar stampeded downstairs as Alyss returned with the others. Heavily loaded rifles, and spare side arms strapped at their ankles. Sumar tossed his wife a rifle and sidearm. She stooped to a knee, checking the chambers and ensuring she had enough rounds to stand her ground. Depending on her accuracy, and how many troops are outside, chance of victory bordered on 49%. The remaining 51 is guaranteeing she'll give them Hell if they set foot through that door.

"Where are they? How many?" Kanan asked urgently. The Ghost Crew scooped up their weapons from the family room, double checking the arsenal for the firefight inevitably to come.

"They're scuffling around outside! Two dozen by the sounds of it! Possibly more!" Sumar cannot say definitively. Not like they'll sit still long enough for him to count. "No doubt the Empire. They're going to be using those hills for cover, and the darkness to advance!" Of that he was certain. He loaded the chamber, daring one of them to show their faces in the window. Lyste didn't take Sumar's rejection as well as they hoped.

Sabine checked her wrist computer, running a scan for the surprises she prepared. She nodded approvingly. They were up, ready, and itching to be blown. The color will be amazing. The factor determining if it works is where the troopers are standing. Anything to prevent them from getting in. Zeb practiced changing his bo-rifle between modes, upping the speed each time. Kanan wielded his gun and saber in unison, holstering them again.

Hera lacklusterly checked her gun, her mind drifting far from her current situation, to the barn outside. "Is there a way to escape?!" She watched the windows intensely. They can't risk a firefight now. Katerina's in terrible shape, vitals only stable due to amicable conditions. If The Empire breaches those doors, or decides to blow the place sky high, Katerina would never make it. The stress would kill her instantly. And Sabine's explosions will only stun the advancement. "A way to reach The Phantom? A tunnel - anything?" Sumar regretfully shook his head. The only way was outside past the troops.

"It's too late to escape." Zeb grimly announced. He caught a few shifting shadows himself. "We're being surrounded!" He grit his teeth. "And I think a dozen is just the start! More are making those weeds move!" He clicked his rifle, bracing himself to charge. "They're priming to attack."

"Then we set a perimeter!" Kanan declared. They stand and fight. "No matter what, they don't get into this house!" Firm nods in agreement bobbed. "Zeb, Sabine, Norio - upstairs, man the windows! Be our eyes in the skies!" Norio urged the two with him, showing them to the three bedrooms. Zeb in the Master bedroom at the forefront, Sabine in an office on the side, and Norio in his room on the other. "Mr. and Mrs. Sumar, you take the front room!" Alyss and Sumar took up position at the front windows. "Hera, you and I have the back!" She wouldn't have it any other way. Hera and Kanan stooped to a crouch off to the sides of the back windows. They exchanged scowling nods, breathing rampantly as they prepared for the coming onslaught. More waiting.

xxx

Lyste's lips stretched wider in a sinister grin. Lights flicked off one by one in the home. As he predicted they would. Rule number one of fending off invaders in the night. Give the illusion no one was home, or that they were tucked away in their beds. Or, in this case, erase possibilities of their positions being exposed. Sumar is fully aware of their presence. Lyste bid his troops make their presence known. A minor method for causing disarray and unease before they lay waste to the home.

The transports were stationed beyond on the hills, ready to intercept the little rats who would try to run. Stormtroopers crouched lower than the tall weeds, stalking closer to the home. A handful lied on their stomach, angling their long range blasters for the windows and doors. Others slid to the foot of the hills, kneeling to a knee, covering all sides. Lyste received word from his troops that they were in position, and ready to strike on his command. He only needs one final report, and they would be ready to begin.

"Sir, we detected movement inside. Definitely more than three people." An officer announced.

"A party, eh? And we weren't invited?" He crooned maliciously. He grabbed the radio mic, holding it close to his smirking lips. "Let us voice our outrage."

xxx

It was quiet. Too quiet. Hammering hearts rang louder than the old house settling. None were foolish enough to believe they picked up and left. Shapes are only able to be discerned while they moved. The second they went still they were gone. The windows were popped open half an inch, allowing cool air and the sounds of rustling weeds to enter. Snap...rustle...crunch...Fingers wrapped to triggers, spines stiffened, and legs prepared to spring. Hurried footsteps muffled by dirt and twigs were racing from the front to the back. Grinding in hardened dirt sent chills across their skin. Orders likely being fed solely through helmet coms from sources out of earshot. They're out there. Lurking, waiting, and itching to pull those triggers. The perfect excuse being for The Rebels and Sumar's family to cave under their apprehension and fire first. A signed death warrant of an action. Zeb and Sabine being hotheaded, that wasn't too far off from happening.

Sumar and Alyss glared harshly into the darkness. Their fingers drummed on their rifles, stretching for the trigger and to the barrel. Hera counted the idling seconds as a nervous tick, trying to keep calm under the slow rumbling of the calming storm. Kanan closed his eyes, quieting his mind. In unison his senses spanned beyond the home, slithering the dirt and up the overwhelming number of bodies waiting for them. Sabine, Zeb, and Norio maneuvered their heads, attempting to peel the layers of night.

Sabine went for the night vision function on her helmet. The second she turned it on, blinding pockets of light spawned virtually from nowhere. Sabine wailed loudly, tearing her helmet off. The brightness of a thousand sun pierced her eyes. Painful spots clouded her vision. Kanan, Hera, and the others shied from the windows, squeezing the haze away. Zeb snarled and batted his eyes heatedly. The lights bobbed in mid-air, spanning in a circle around the house. Spotlight droids - not as dangerous as their probe counterparts, but equally annoying in a battle and hazardous to the enemy's health. The Ghost crew braved the windows, cringing at the zealous odds. Three transports in a triangle shined their own lights, leaving no corner in the shadows, and nowhere for Sumar and his cohorts to hide.

"Found them!" Sabine sarcastically, and irately, announced. Everyone rolled their eyes. She loves stating the obvious.

"Mr. Sumar, hello again!" Lyste's chortle howled from a microphone. Sumar frothed at the mouth at his smug tone. He saw this coming from a mile away.

Ezra and Chopper heard him from the basement, and propped open a small window. He winced at the Stormtroopers standing close by. Chopper propelled himself to the top of the stairs, opening the door a small ways.

xxx

The Imperial Supply Master chuckled with premature triumph. A little posturing to make the rats squirm. "After hours of soul searching deliberations with my superiors," Sumar couldn't help snorting at the ridiculous claim. Soul searching? Really? That's the best he could come up with, "I am afraid we cannot leave a blood stain on the floor go unchecked!"

Again, the blood is sticking it hard to them. "That's what this is about?! A bit of animal blood?!" Sumar forced his best laugh. "Hell, boy, if it bothered you that much I'd have cleaned the damn thing right in front of ya!" He sent a signal to Alyss with his fingers. She nodded comprehensively, sliding open a floorboard by an end table. A series of wires surrounded a large switch.

"Now, you see, that is where red flags begin to raise! I've done my research! " He took up a tablet, scrolling through a rather extensive list. "Unless you killed one of your farm animals, and decided from poor judgement to bring them into your home," He tossed it aside, shrugging with mockful bewilderment, "There isn't a creature within 20 miles of you that will leave so much blood. Or persuade you to drag it into your basement." The stress on basement roote Ezra and Chopper to the ground, horrified glances twisting to the unconscious girl. Kanan's heart started to pound. Sumar's cottonmouth told Lyste he still had control of the floor. "That's right, Sumar! I saw the trail leading into your home! It is mere educated guessing you are hiding someone in the cellar. One of the Rebels who aided you, no doubt!"

"Alright, Lyste! You got me!" Sumar swallowed a massive lump. A bomb went off in his stomach. "Earlier this morning we saved a poor, lost soul who was grievously injured. Her wound opened and left that blood!"

"And yet there was no blood anywhere to be seen outside!" Lyste smoothly countered. Time for him to show his full hand. "And you've yet to account for the Rebel ship we discovered in your barn!" Sumar, Alyss, and The Ghost Crew turned to statues, strong shivers close to making their guns hit the deck. The game was up. There's no way they can dig themselves out of this. More sullen silence, proof Lyste has won the debate. "The time has come to give up, Mr. Sumar! You're trapped with nowhere to run! If my men and I have to storm your home, rest assured there will be more blood." So be it! There's more riding on this than their lives. If they die here...they die on their feet. "I'd prefer to avoid this sort of unpleasantness if we can. Surrender the Rebels, and you and your family will have no harm brought upon them." Lyste motioned a hand.

Stormtroopers in the hills crawled on their bellies, drawing closer to the house. Sabine, Zeb, and Norio spotted the handful of troopers setting up a close knit perimeter. Blasters aimed for the first and second floor, no holes in their defenses.

"All these men for a farm?!" Kanan snarled venomously.

"No, no. They wouldn't bring this many numbers for a takeover!" Zeb rumbled forebodingly. The stain on the living room carpet flashed in his mind. He spat in disgrace of their lowered guard. "They knew Sumar was hiding someone in here from the get go! Your hunting wife schtick wasn't convincing enough!"

"I'm a farmer, not a performer!" Sumar hissed. Though he was wishing he'd kept his performing arts class in school.

"Sabine! Talk to me!" Kanan frothed on the coms. Now wasn't the time for jokes. Although some levity was necessary so they wouldn't make rookie mistakes. The approaching Stormtroopers were making him claustrophobic. He clicked the hammer back. "What do we have?"

xxx

Sabine lowered her helmet's viewfinder, cautiously activating the night vision sensors. The blinding lights coming for the droids floating around, and the Transports creating irritating blindspots. The sensors miraculously detected thermal charges imbedded beneath the Stormtroopers' feet. She stealthily traversed the second story, inspecting the position of the Troopers to the fullest. She cackled menacingly, licking her lips hungrily. The fools were standing right on top of them, just begging to be blown to Hell.

"Bucketheads are standing on the mines I set earlier! Just waiting your word!" She confirmed, rushing back to her spot.

"This is your final warning!" Lyste bellowed again. "Surrender your criminals, and we will leave without incident!" Sabine was ready with her charges. Her thumb hovered above the trigger on her gauntlet.

xxx

"Mr. Sumar…" Kanan trailed off. The decision was his. This was his home, his livelihood. As much as he would prefer to avoid a fight for Katerina's sake, if the Empire has their way and makes it inside, they and Katerina will be dead either way.

"Right…" Sumar grimly rumbled. Alyss reluctantly nodded. She braced herself, looming her fingers to the switch in the floor.

"Mr. Sumar! What is your decision?!" Lyste asked for one final time, slowly raising his hand. In waves did the Troopers tensed, releasing the safeties off their blasters.

Sumar released a grudgingly held breath. He gripped under the window. Zeb, Hera, Ezra, Kanan, and Sabine steeled their nerves, quieting their doubts, unhinging their reservations. Sumar snapped open the window, smirking at the jumpy soldiers flinching back. Lyste smiled mockingly,saying for those delicious words of surrender. Below the window sill, Sumar released the safety. Every impulse in his body begged him to throw the gun outside, raise his hands, and spare his friends and family the nightmare that would ensue.

"LYSTE!" Sumar's too volume roar cast eerie silence amongst the troops. "GO TO HELL!" Sumar thrust the rifle into the window. Before a Trooper had a second to breathe, laser bolts pierced the helmets of three soldiers, dropping them like swatted bugs. In turn a barrage of scarlet bolts shrieked, tearing into the home for top to bottom. A war zone erupted on Lothal once again.

The windows were the first to be destroyed. Everyone plastered themselves to the floors, sinking lower and lower as the enraged fire drew closer. The Stormtroopers left not the slightest wiggle room for retaliation. Shattered glass sent hurtling at across the rooms, impaling floorboards and nearby cloth. Zeb flopped on his stomach, cursing out loud at their swift trigger fingers. He swallowed nervously, fearing he'd look like the bottom bed post. These guys weren't playing around tonight. Laser bolts struck pillows, sending feathers fluttering everywhere. Norio stayed far to the corner as he could, spotting troops standing just behind the light. He managed to shoot two, only to have four more replace them. Alyss and Sumar curled to balls on the floor, shielding their heads from glass and pieces of appliances flying everywhere. The intense heat of the bolts made them disperse in all directions. Sabine, Kanan, and Hera tried to reach their pistols around the corners, taking random shots in hope they would hit someone. Not a single one was landing a hit. The Stormtroopers were dancing side to side with no urgency, mocking their childish pot shots. Enemy fire narrowly grazed their arms, pinning them down. The supports at the front porch were taken out, bringing the entire awning crashing down. A saving grace in disguise. Added protection, but a block keeping them inside.

"ALYSS, NOW!" Sumar roared. Alyss threw the switch.

The whirs of an engine reverberated the house. The start of the basement generator startled Ezra and Chopper. Jostling tubes siphoning the power fed to the next floor, snaking their way in and out of the walls. Appliances plugged into the walls began to go haywire. Bulbs bursting, fans smoking and dangling by chords, the kitchen going dead in a breath. A red light flashed on from rod erected in the center of the roof. One or two troopers saw the light, tilting their heads in confusion. A thin stream of light flashed, and a ray shield fanned open, cutting off the troopers and their onslaught.

"WHAT ON KIROS!" Lyste cursed. He snapped his glare at the men futilely shooting at the shield, not making so much as a dent. They edged closer, increasing the impact. The shield easily absorbed the blasts, standing tall and proud against them. "CEASE FIRE, YOU IDIOTS! CEASE-FIRE!" He honestly can't believe he had to tell them to stop wasting bullets. These morons were trained to face shielding. It should be a no brainer. They must have shared in Lyste's skepticism of the shield. There was no mistake. His mind wasn't playing tricks on him. Sumar's home is equipped with a ray-shield. "How do these backwater farmers have a ray-shield?!"

xxx

"HOW THE HECK DO YOU HAVE RAY-SHIELD, MR. SUMAR?!" Ezra shouted over the coms. He was amazed at the stroke of luck. Chopper crudely voiced his outrage as to why he hadn't activated it from the start.

xxx

"Well, you know, you tend to stumble on things out here." Sumar laughed at his zeal, eyeing Alyss as she smirked boastfully at him. "And a voice of sound judgement told me we'd be sorry if we didn't have one this time around." Alyss winked at him, reminding him again why he married her.

"Then this shield just gave us the edge we need!" Hera declared. The barn is a short ten yards away with half a dozen troopers in between. "Ezra! I need you up here with me! We're going to make a run for The Phantom!" Kanan, Alyss, and Sumar gasped at her. She was dead serious. The Phantom was their only hope of surviving, and Ezra is the only one on the team without a proper weapon. "Sabine, when I give the word, bask this place in color!"

xxx

"You sing the song of my heart!" Sabine doesn't need to be told twice. Her fingers were ready to dance on her gauntlet.

xxx

"On my way!" Ezra set Katerina's pistols under her bed. He placed a hand on Katerina's forehead. "I know Kanan asked me to watch those for you, but it wouldn't feel right using them!" He grabbed the edge of the wall, throwing himself up the stairs. "Chopper! Watch her! We're counting on you!"

"^I know! I know!^" Chopper sarcastically remarked, bending his prongs at his sides. What does Ezra take him for? A protocol droid? Pfft. Humans have no respect for astromechs.

xxx

Katerina aimlessly wandered the void, the luminescent glow of her body barely registering as a speck. Her boots clacking on nonexistent ground the sole sound preserving her senses. Hands in her pockets, she strutted with her head hanging. Her tanned cheeks paled under despair, aquamarine eyes dulling to abysmal grey. Long, voluminous chestnut hair free of its tie swayed side to side, wiry and knotted, brittling as she pressed onward. To where? She had no clue. She was a lost spirit wandering between life and death, searching for peace or salvation from her torment.

The voice from earlier had stopped talking to her. Sullen, ominous silence was her companion again. They may as well be the best of friends. If she had the strength, she'd find it funny how the voice inside her head stopped talking to her. Maybe that's the proof she needs. Proof that the wound in her belly would be what takes her from the mortal coil. Crimson red droplets showed in the blackness, leaving a trail - a long, drawn out trail - to the eternal place waiting for her. Perhaps it is poetic justice. After all, it was by her own hands that she robbed a life in its youth. That sin aside, this is the price she is being forced to pay.

"You're a fool, Katerina Dume." She cursed herself.

What business did she have challenging a Sith, or Inquisitor, or whatever he was? Whatever he called himself! He's a killer of Jedi...and all who stay loyal to them. He had the bones of Luminara Unduli as a cheap decoration. She died during the fall of the Republic, spared facing that demon but not from being killed by her own troops. Who knows what he's done to Jedi he's actually faced. She's not a Jedi! She's not a fighter, period! She's good at self defense against Stormtroopers, Kallus, and can wield a wrench better than most veteran mechanics! She should have cowered behind Ezra, or stayed put on the ship with Hera. Because of her, the job at Stygeon nearly cost the lives of Kanan and the others. She just HAD to prove she can stand toe to toe against someone who can muster a power beyond her comprehension. She pretended, she consorted, she did everything to feel part of the Jedi.

"Caleb's the Jedi…" She rasped. Empty tears spilled down her cheek. "I'm just...his mechanic."

"Planning on staying here then, are you?" There he is. And here she was thinking he'd left. "Giving up before you truly begin?"

She closed her eyes, hanging her head in shame. "I can't go back to him. I don't deserve to be with him." She continued forward.

"Why not? Because you are not a Jedi?"

"Because I wasn't strong enough!" She whipped around. No surprise. No one was there, but she wasn't above yelling at thin air. "I almost cost Caleb, Ezra, and everyone their lives! He wanted me on the team because he thought he could depend on me!" Her shrill cries cracked her voice. She laughed scathingly, throwing open arms up at the foolish Jedi she knows was standing over her. "Congratulations, Caleb! You've allowed me to prove you wrong again!" "They were doing just fine without me! He...was doing fine without me." She turned on her heels, meandering on her way. "He can do wonders when I am gone."

"You really believe that, don't you, Katty?" Katerina stopped abruptly, electricity at her dead spine. Shock glazed her eyes, the returning voice rejuvenating her melancholic soul. Grey was washed away, replaced by the vibrant aquamarine. Shakily she turned, glossy eyes flaring so wide they may fall from their sockets. There stood a figure, basked in a light ten times brighter than her own. Emerald green eyes like jewels, long fiery red locks tied back to his neck, a thick wooly beard masking half his rugged face. He was dressed simply. Like a mechanic, only he had the arms to tear a fuselage in half with his bear hands. "Never thought I'd hear quitter talk from you."

"Kendril…"

xxx

Hera and Ezra crouched at the back door. Stormtroopers paced aimlessly back and forth, at a loss as to how to pass the shield. Lyste hadn't anticipated a ray-shield on the home. His plans were thrown aloof before they'd barely begun. This confusion was ideal, but speed and timing are going to be the deciding factors in their victory.

Hera and Ezra poked their heads up, studying the movements of the troops for sprint room. The barn was dead ahead, and The Phantom inside. She hovered a hand by the door panel. She exhaled heavily, bobbing her head for Ezra to be ready. "Sabine, whenever you're ready, let loose!"

xxx

"Hold that thought, Hera!" Sabine scanned the field. Those lights on the droids and transports are a huge problem. The explosions would leave gaping holes, but Hera and Ezra will have nowhere to hide when the dust settles. "Zeb, Norio - take out the lights!" Sabine shot down two droids. She sighed with relief hearing them hit the ground. Zeb and Norio extinguished as many lights as their positions would let them hit. Not too shabby, but not enough. At least they wouldn't be able to pick them off like bugs.

Kanan, Alyss, and Sumar caught on to her plan. They shot out the next few lights, allowing the night to swallow the farm. The ray shield was all that stood out for miles around. The clock was ticking faster. Sooner or later, should a TIE pass overhead, the entire farm was going to be swarming with Stormtroopers.

xxx

"THEY'RE TAKING OUT THE LIGHTS!"

"FIRE BACK!"

"WE CAN'T BREACH THE SHIELD!" Doesn't mean they weren't going to stop trying. The Stormtroopers opened fire, tracing the shield for weak points. Panic fit on to the Imperial foot.

Lyste didn't bother telling them to cease fire. This works in his favor. While his men mindlessly shoot at an impregnable shield, the Rebels and Sumar are all the more distracted. Leaving him an opening to exploit. He trailed sly eyes towards the rod generating the shield. An old piece of tech that pumps out power equal to a small power plant. But it very fragile when under stress. He moved to the com to execute an order.

xxx

"WATCH THE COLOR!" Sabine howled. She entered a code. Beeping caught the troopers ears. They looked down. The last thing they saw was a flash. Sabine's charges exploded in random bursts, skipping from left to right, front to back, keeping the troopers guessing. It was entertaining to watch them run around like rats, trying to escape their messy end. Craters left in their wake as they were sent flipping across the farmland, colliding with their allies and lying dead or unconscious. A loud BOOM startled Lyste off his transport, dropping him on his butt. One of his men indented the hull of the transport.

Suamr, Alyss, and Norio were ensnared in awe of display. Never could they imagine explosion being so beautiful. Kanan, Hera, Zeb, and Ezra were wishing they had snacks to enjoy the show. If being a Rebel doesn't suit her for long, she'd be a wonder at fireworks. She's left too sour an impression on the art world. Though it wasn't too far off from being her next calling.

Thick, colorful clouds stacked to the sky, carried across the land by a gentle breeze. Scrambling troops gradually became invisible, as did the barn. Hera and Ezra locked their sights to the barn, dug in a foot. "GO!" Hera slammed the door open. Ezra broke into a sprint with Hera on his heels. Kanan watched them run into the smokescreen until he could no longer see them.

xxx

Explosions and screams echoed throughout the home, the last of the bombs laying waste to the grounds. Hera and Ezra coughed on the smoke entering their lungs. The backdoors of the barn hit their shoulders hard. Ezra fumbled breaking the lock, shoving himself inside. Hera covered him, closing the door behind them.

"Whoops…" Ezra laughed nervously, his hands raised above his head. Hera ogled him strangely, then gaped at the blasters aimed directly at them. She slowly raised her hands, sneaking her blaster behind her back. Stormtroopers snuck inside to escape the explosions. Dirt was clinging to their armor. They covered all sides of The Phantom, "So, now what do we do?"

"I'm working on it." Hera grumbled.

xxx

"Sabine, I don't suppose you have more of those lying around!" Kanan huffed, returning fire on the disoriented troops.

"Negative! The rest are in The Phantom!"

Kanan growled under his breath. Their luck working true to form. Waiting around for Hera and Ezra would backfire horrifically. Hiding in the house wasn't going to do them any favors either. It was time to take the fight to them. Buy Hera and Ezra time to get the ship ready. "Chopper! How's Riina?!"

"^Holding steady in spite of the house rocking!^" That's one bit of relieving news. Chopper neglected mentioning her mumbling in her sleep. She's been doing that off and on all afternoon.

"Things are about to get even rockier!" Kanan warned. "Norio, Mr. and Mrs. Sumar, cover us from the house!" The three raised fearful brows, scared of what he was about to say. "Zeb and Sabine, we're going to use the smoke! We're taking the fight to them!" Zeb and Sabine groaned loudly, throwing their heads back. Another one of his suicidal plans. "We've got three transports, and have a dozen troopers between them! Either way, we aren't letting these guys take this farm!" Not with so much at stake. "Are you ready?!"

"Do we have a choice?" Sabine scoffed.

"Even if we did, you know you'd pick this one!" Zeb chuckled. He knows Sabine so well.

"On three, we jump! THREE!" Kanan smashed through the window, switching his pistol to stun. He swept his hands apart, breaking the smokescreen in half. Four troopers stopped in their places, turning too late to intercept. Four stun rings launched from the pistol, dropping them in seconds. He dove behind a tractor, trading his blaster for his lightsaber.

Zeb and Sabine launched from their windows, breaking into a charge. Zeb's plan of attack was simple, elegant, and guaranteed to leave the buckets whimpering on the ground. He roared like the animal he favored being and swung his bo-staff wildly. He cracked the helmets, smiling at the anguished moans howling before they hit the ground. He can sing a tune and dance to the beat of their drops. Unfortunately he had to dive into the tall weeds, bringing an end to his fun. Currently.

Sabine utilized a bit more tact in her methods. Silent, and ten times as deadly. She used her helmet's thermal scan to weed out the obscure troopers. She stunned the troopers in her way, launching a knee into the face of one who tried to tackle her. One snuck up behind her, hooking his arms under hers. Sabine curled her feet up, flipping up and over him. She wrenched her arms free, planting her hands to his shoulders. She poured her weight as she darted down, slamming the trooper onto a rock. He groaned dazedly, his blaster falling from his hands. Sabine dove into the weeds, racing for the transport closest to her.

Meanwhile, as the dust began to thin, Norio, Alyss, and Sumar moved about the house, each one covering a Rebel immersing themselves in the fray. Norio found Kanan ducking behind the tractor. Alyss, going into the office, spotted Sabine stealthily racing through the weeds. Sumar found Zeb idling, waiting for the troops to stumble upon him. The way to the transports was heavily guarded. Stealth is a fleeting factor in their pursuit. Scopes lined with the respective Rebel, and followed the trail, trigger fingers waiting for a Stormtrooper to so much as step in their path.

xxx

"Where did those explosives come from?!" Lyste snarled at his officers.

"Mines, sir! Our scanners missed them!"

"OBVIOUSLY!" Lyste twisted a fist back, batting the officer aside. His head cracked on a nearby console. He smashed a hand to his drenched face. He does not need this level of incompetence on top of what is currently transpiring. "Are the heavy duty cannons ready for launch?!"

"Charged and ready, sir!" Another officer answered with a shake in his tone. Blood trickling from his comrade's skull churned his stomach.

Lyste manually set the targeting systems to the rod, sharing the designation with the other transports. "Attention! Your target is the rode generating the shield! Do not relent! I want that shield down!" He growled venomously.

xxx

Katerina's feet tripped over each other. Her butt hit the invisible floor with a loud THUD. Her mouth was hanging open, starved for words at the burly man laughing at her. It was Kendril Mothma! Not Master Yoda! "Hold on! Wasn't I just hearing a backwards talking Jedi?" She screeched.

"The mind plays tricks on you when you're on the brink of death, Katty." He approached her, placing both hands to one of her arms. "You hear the voices of those you miss, and those you want to revive your hope." He hoisted her to her feet, dusting her off. "The one you heard is someone you do miss. But me…" He opened his palm, showing off a black hair tie. He winked at her, "I've always been the one to get you off your butt, haven't I?"

"What hope? Gods, I am tired of people saying that word." She allowed Kendril to bring her hair back, wrapping it into a stylish, yet messy, bun. She always wore her hair like that when she was working. Her skin tingled at his touch, warmth pooling inside of her. Sadness and joy gathered tears to her eyes. She'd forgotten how gentle those rough hands could be. "Hope this, light that! I'M NOTHING! I became nothing after leaving Chandrila!" She stepped away, nodding thankfully for the tie. Her hair was bothering her. "All of this talk of doing for the greater good, or bringing hope to the universe - A FAIRYTALE! Everything is a damn fairytale!" She sobbed. Master Yoda was wrong about her. She's no light. She's just a little girl with an electrified staff and very violent tendencies.

"You don't believe that." Kendril hummed. He placed a hand at her bleeding stomach. Sharp prickling closed the wound, stunning Katerina. "Otherwise you would have succumbed to your injuries. Something inside of you is telling you that it is not a fairytale." He traced the hand up, stroking his palm to her cheek. "You want a happy ending."

"Don't you get it? There are no happy endings!" She shoved his hand off, staggering away from him. How like Kendril Mothma, always trying to find that silver lining in dark grey clouds. "There's only pain, suffering, and the screams of those dying for a cause that will never leave the ground!"

"And yet you still fight."

"I'm done fighting!" She declared. "I can't even protect myself! What business do I have fighting for others?"

"Because you have heart, Katerina." She rolled her eyes, throwing her hands in the air in defeat. Yep! This is Kendril. Ever the dead optimist. She stormed off, growing aggravated by his trailing after her. "No, you don't stand a chance against those of the force. Yes, pain, blood, and misery will spread like a plague, consuming everything in its path. And yes, happy endings are only as real as we make them." Finally sense comes from his mouth. But there's a rub on its way. Kendril never agrees with someone without an ulterior. "But you…" He stepped into the abyss, reappearing in her path, catching her by the shoulders. He stroked strands of hair from her soft face, "You've always beaten the odds. Because, within you, there is a fire that wants to burn that plague, eradicate it from this world!" A fire burning a plague from the worlds. Sounds familiar. The plague being Jedi...innocent people...and everyone who despised the rising Empire. "15 years ago, or now, you could have lied down and died. Instead you fought! You're still fighting even as you lie here, wandering around waiting for death to take you. Do you know why?" She waited 'anxiously' for his response. "Because there is a light you fight for. Several of them." He snapped his fingers. Grim, Davey, Kanan, Zeb, Dominique, Hera - those who Katerina has come to know, love, and forge an unbreakable bond with appeared around her. She meandered to Kanan, cupping a hand to his cheek. She moved to Ezra, Sabine...Zeb. Jedi she has lost, friends she has not seen in quite a while. Everyone was there. "And they are the ones who will prevent the darkness from taking you."

xxx

Hera growled under her breath, glaring daggers at the They don't have time for this. Hera knows the ins and outs of ray shields. Its holding up flawlessly now, but it won't take Lyste long to discover the weakness in the shield. She analyzed the odds, concocting a counter. One, two...six Stormtroopers, an empty barn - save for the ship - and tons of tools long overdue to be put to good use. A bucket off to the side caught her eye. To the other side was a ladder leading to the second level. Crude...and yet...if utilized properly, completely effective. "Ezra, on my signal, get to that ladder." Ezra shot a confused stare to her, about to question what's going through that head of hers.

"HEY!" A trooper barked. He jerked his blaster, driving Ezra's head back forward. "STOP TALKING!"

"NOW!" Hera kicked the bucket as hard as she could. The bucket rebound off a trooper's head, sending him staggering against a support column. Ezra found that as a good signal, and her darted for the ladder. He swung himself around it, climbing at lightning speeds to the second level. Two troopers aimed for him. Hera retrieved her gun, shooting both in the elbows. They wailed in pain, dropping their guns. Two of the remaining three opened fire on her, driving her behind one of the pillars. The last one She tucked into a roll behind the disoriented trooper. Stray laser bolts trailed his armor, adding him to the growing pile of bodies.

Ezra rolled onto his stomach, spitting up hay that clinging to his sweaty mouth. The ladder rubbed on the boards. A trooper was climbing up for him. Ezra scrambled for anything he could use, anything that would knock him down a peg. Or take down the whole ladder. Seeing bales of wrapped up hay off to the side, he decided to settle for knocking him down a peg. Ezra ran behind two bales. He poured strength into his arms, slamming his feet, inching them along. The soldier snapped a hand on the ledge, pulling himself up. The first hay bale smashed to his face. His hands and feet slipped, and he came crashing down with both bales landing on him.

The heavy fire at Hera ceased, both troopers gaping in dismay of their comrade. Ezra stormed across the support beam, drawing their attention up to him. Hera used the distraction. She ran in front of one, thrust her elbow into his head. She twisted his arm behind his back, shoving him into his partner. When they hit the ground, they noticed a large net of tools suspended precariously over them. And Ezra was by the rope, smirking with a set of sheers. They groaned nervously. Ezra snipped the rope, the troops closed their eyes, and the tools crushed them. Hera and Ezra will feel bad for the cruel method later. Right now they need that ship before it's too late.

"HOLD ON!" Hera stopped Ezra, inhaling through her nose. There was a strong smell of fuel in the air. Distinct trickling noises tickled her ear. She followed the scent and the smell, crawling on her hands and knees. As she feared, there were several leaks underneath the ship. Puddles of fluid soaking the hay scattered to the ground. "Great! And Riina's out cold!" She brought her com to her lips. "Kanan! The Empire punctured our fuel and oil tank! Possible another fluid tank I can't name! The ship isn't moving!" They were grounded, almost out of ammo, and running out of options.

xxx

Lyste checked the scanners. All three transports had their cannons trained to the rod. "OPEN FIRE!" Three round volleys screeched shrilly, slicing the night sky to ribbons. Too high and too low, several shots missed the target. The shield's curvature made a direct hit impossible. The laser bolts trailed the areas closest to the rod. The shock absorption caved the shield, flicking the rod, rebounding to a smooth shell. The rod jolsted in its place, streams of electricity snaking it top to bottom, battering the inner circuits and stressing the rod. "DO NOT RELENT! FIRE ALL YOU HAVE! BREAK THAT SHIELD!"

Sabine, Zeb, and Kanan ogled their blind shooting, raising baffled brows. Ray shields can't be penetrated, they of all people should know this. So why are they wasting firepower?

xxx

Dying whirs moaned in the house, sending chills snaking down Sumar, Norio, and Alyss's spines. The pitch rose and fell, the shakes escalated from mild to objects breaking on the floor. Alyss listened intently to the volumizing, catching a strained squeak that glazed her in abject fear. "OH NO!" She dropped her rifle, running on the walls to reach the bottom of the stairs. She scrambled on her hands and feet to the ray shield's control panel. A meter next to the switch read the output levels of the shields, testing for stress or deficiencies whenever a shot lands. The Empire's unyielding fire was stressing the power output to its max limit, and beyond. "Kanan! We have a problem!"

"What else is new?!" He frothed from his place at the tractor.

"Lyste is overwhelming our ray shield! The controls are overheating!" It hit them like a bolt of lightning. The ray shield isn't military grade. At least not an up to date version. Hit it in the right spot - close to the rod - and the shield will dissipate on its own. "I might be able to increase the output, but it won't last much longer! You have to do something about those transports!"

xxx

"CONSIDER IT DONE!" Kanan ignited his lightsaber. He shuffled to the back of the tractor. Stormtroopers surrounded the transports, cheering for the shield to fall and for the transport to increase power. It disgusted Kanan to hear them cheering, but it provided him the cover needed to get in close. He dragged one down by the head, beating him unconscious. The next two he crashed their heads together. The last one he hit with a stun ring. He boarded climbed onto the hull, cutting the cannons in half. The troops on the inside howled angrily at their systems failing. They made the mistake of looking outside. Kanan plowed feet to their skull, snickering as they moaned in pain. "Now I see why you like that sound, Zeb. It feels nice."

xxx

"Told ya!" Zeb chuckled, holding one stormtrooper in a headlock and another under his foot. Kanan's transport was out of commission, but the other two were delivering heavier damage to compensate. The ethereal white was gradually being tainted by searing red. Stream whipped out in every direction, sparks breaking from the shield. "You and I can swap feelings in a couple seconds!" He picked up the trooper under his foot and bashed his head to the other. More troops emerged from the tall grass, aligning their scopes to Zeb. Demands for him to surrender He picked up his staff, holding it like a jousting lance. Zeb smirked at the meager offense. With a mighty roar he charged. The troops opened fire. Zeb swept his staff, robbing the feet under three of them. The next two were jabbed in the stomach by the ends, thousands of volts surging into their suits. The last tried to run away. Zeb picked up a rock, threw it high into the air. A loud PLUNK echoed, followed by a muffled THUD! Zeb chuckled, dusting his palms. This was almost too easy. Ooh, he shouldn't say things like that. He cast his premature victory gloats to the back of his mind, marching towards the transport. He knocked on the door. A trooped poked his head out. "Hi there." Zeb lunged inside. The transport bounced wildly, the troops violently thrashed to the dashboard and doors. A couple seconds later, the cannons died down. Zeb whistled with triumph, swinging a few wires he liberated from the console. "That's a more entertaining sound." He chuckled. The cannon on the last transport increased its firing power, delivering all it had to the shield. Electrified red rippled the shield, sparks flaring more harshly. It was about to go. Sabine was taking her sweet time. "Hey, Alyss! How's the shield coming along?!"

xxx

"I'm almost done!" She panted, crossing wires and changing plugs. She rerouted power from solely the generator to an alternative power source wired within the house. Appliances, air conditioning, anything that they can live without for a day or two. The endurance of the shield caused friction in the wires. Intense shocks pricked her fingers. She shook it off, going back to work. She was nearly finished. The sweat on her brow was stinging her eyes, but she wouldn't be deterred. Just a couple more plugs, and she has to turn the shield off for a couple seconds, then back on.

Meanwhile, Lyste learned his two other transports were sabotaged. Half his forces subdued. He swallowed a large lump in his throat, ordering his men to increase fire power.

Alyss finished the reconfiguration. She braced herself, took a deep breath, and threw the switch. Closing circuits caused a powerful jolt, plugs blowing out and frying. Alyss howled in agony as hundreds of volts shot up her arm. Sumar and Norio heard the scream, rising to a foot. A sudden burst threw her hand off, tossing her to the cold hard floor. Smoke wafted off her skin, her body going limp.

xxx

Sabine was nearing the final transport. Supply Master Lyste was at the front, admiring the fireworks, and waiting for the shield to finally break. She clicked the hammers back, aimed for Lyste and the soldier beside him. Then her blood ran cold. The shield around the house died. The rod on the roof split different ways, excess voltage sparking uncontrollably.

"Perfect…" Lyste purred. "All units move in!" Whoever was left, that is.

"NOT HAPPENING!" Sabine shot to her feet, pulling the trigger. By the skin of his teeth, Lyste ducked to the ground. Two of his officers took the brunt of the shots. Sabine pried the weeds apart, darting for Lyste. Two Soldiers appeared from thin air, tackling her to the ground. "NO! GET OFF ME!" She wrestled viciously, jabbing knees and elbows in their sides, heads, anywhere she could reach.

Lyste used Sabine's ambush, making a mad dash to the house with his pistol off to the side. The collapsed awning was at an angle at the front door. He squeezed himself in, kicking planks and sheets of metal out of his way. He shot out the door's control panel, smiling at the door opening smoothly for him. He chuckled menacingly, rising to his feet at a relatively empty home. The Rebels were preoccupied outside, and the Sumar's were nowhere to be seen. He had the run of the place.

"The biggest mistake of combat. Leaving your base unattended."

Lyste smirked at the unconscious wife near his feet. He nudged her with his foot. She groaned dazedly, turning onto her back. How easy it would be to put a bolt between her eyes. Too easy. He's not an opportunist like Kallus. Besides, his interest was in the kitchen. Very specifically, the door leading into the cellar. That is where Sumar's little secret resides.

xxx

Zeb and Kanan raced back towards the house. Stormtroopers encroaching on the house caught wind of them. The two wasted not a single second on them, dropping them fast and hard. Zeb spread his arms, ripping a pair of soldiers off their feet on each arm, smashing them into trophs. Kanan ran up one trooper, unleashing a split kick to the next pair. He twisted around, punching the last one to the ground. The two panted heavily, boring glares into the writhing troopers. This was getting too close for comfort. Sabine was pinned down, and Hera and Ezra are trying to fix the ship. They're on their own.

"KANAN!" Sumar called from the second window. "I'm glad you're alright, my boy!"

"Mr. Sumar! What happened to the shield?!" Kanan's absolutely confused.

"The Empire fired at the rod, overloading its circuits!" Zeb and Kanan's eyes widened in horror. Their erratic aiming made perfect sense now. The rod was split down the middle, ruptured circuits sparking heatedly. "Alyss went down to try and save it! I haven't heard from her since!"

Zeb and Kanan exchanged unnerved glances. "Where are the controls for the shield?!"

"The living room!"

The pair ran back inside, Kanan gusting the spilled glass aside for Zeb's bare feet. They aren't fragile, but broken glass doesn't feel too great. Storming into the living room, Zeb and Kanan slid on their knees, propping Alyss up onto Kanan's knee. She was still breathing, just knocked out. The riled circuitry from the floor panel must have given her a good shock. On the count of three they carefully lifted her up, carrying her into the kitchen. Zeb cleared the entire table, dumping everything on the floor. Alyss was tenderly set to the table, a cloth folded under her head and another blanketed over her.

"Mr. Sumar, we've found Alyss!" Kanan breathed over the coms. "Looks like the controls shocked her good, but she should be fine." Kanan tested her breathing and pulse to be sure. They don't need two bodies down in the basement. Incidentally, Kanan and Zeb's eyes diverted to the basement door. Ice flooded their veins. The basement door was broken open.

"Alright! I'm on my way down!" Sumar confirmed.

"Please hurry! KATERINA!" Kanan howled.

"DAMMIT!" Zeb snarled.

Without thinking the two charged inside, riding the wall and rail to the bottom. Please no! Please no! Kanan mentally begged. Katerina was fine! She's out of harm's way! The Empire wouldn't harm someone unable to defend themselves. Zeb was frothing at the mouth. The urge to roar at the top of his lungs, to break through these metal walls to be at her side reeled at him. Don't you dare...He vowed in his mind. Don't you dare be dead! He swears now, if Katerina is dead he will plunge into the afterlife, pull her back, and kill her himself. She's not allowed to leave them! None of them! Not Kanan, not Ezra...not him! You can't leave me!

Coming to the bottom of the steps, Kanan and Zeb stumbled on the stop, gasping in horror. Chopper lied offline at their feet, fresh new dents in his dusty frame. Nausea strangled Kanan, sending his head into a spin. The strength vacating his trembling legs. Zeb growled animally, unrelenting rage beaming in his flaring eyes. His claws dug grooves into the metal wall. Chopper was guarding Katerina in Ezra's stead. If he's lying there...then Katerina is...

Zeb and Kanan jumped over the droid, rushing inside Katerina's room. A click stopped them instantly. "That's close enough." Lyste purred, pressed the barrel of his pistol to the side of her skull. Several beats skipped in Kanan's chest, fear stricken eyes darting from Katerina to the gun at her head. Zeb's fingers cracked as he balled them into tight fists. Rows of razor sharp teeth gritted together. "Such a lovely girl. A shame she is in such a fragile state. Wouldn't you agree, Jedi? "Lyste chuckled triumphantly. He hungrily licked his lips, savoring the twitches of anxious muscle. How they wanted to attack him, tear him apart, but can't for fear of what will become of his little hostage. He teasingly tracing the gun to her cheek, propping her by the chin. Kanan and Zeb reached for their blasters. Lyste fired a warning shot, grazing the top of Katerina's forehead. Her vitals spiked to dangerous levels. Ice encased Kanan and Zeb, rooting them in place. "Now, now, no call for that. I'd hate for anything unfortunate to happen to this lovely creature." His demands were obvious. One hand raised, the two slowly lowered their guns, and lightsaber, warily standing and kicking their weapons away. "Good boys. Now contact your people and tell them to stay where they are."

xxx

Sabine snarled venomously, hoisting an unconscious Stormtroopers off of her. Her blaster smoked at the barrel, a fresh scorch mark at the limp trooper's waste. He was stunned, but he wouldn't be waking up in a few hours from that range. She choked on his body odor. One would think with how much these guys are paid they can afford a shower. The bodies scattered around her, covered in dirt, they would all need a shower after this.

"Specter five...six...two, you guys there?" Kanan waveringly called.

"Yep!" Sabine tore her helmet off, spitting up the smell that touched her tongue.

"We're here! What's happening?!" Ezra panicked.

"Don't come into the house! Just stay where you are!" He begged. Sabine blinked in shock. Ezra and Hera shared perplexed glances. "Lyste has Specter seven!" Their hearts skipped a beat.

xxx

Lyste was pleased to see they knew how to listen. Hardcore Rebels with hearts of gold. A weakness they would soon regret. "So this is the urchin Sumar was trying to hide. He's always had a soft spot for the weak and helpless." He brushed the back of his finger to her cheek, boiling Kanan's blood. "So...lovely."

"DON'T TOUCH HER!" Zeb roared. Kanan moved in front of him, preventing him from ripping Lyste's head off. "I swear if you don't take your hands off her, you won't have it the next morning!"

Lyste chuckled tauntingly, fluttering his fingers as he lifted his hand away. He savored the rage pouring from the Lasat, the steam huffing from his flaring nostrils. He can hardly believe what he is seeing. "There is a joke about Beauty and The Beast here, but I will abstain. Especially when she is about to be added to our body count outside." His finger tightened to the trigger.

"Please! She's not a rebel!" Kanan stretched his hands out, stopping Lyste's finger. He swallowed anxiously. "She's just a mechanic! We found her while we were on our way...and we brought her here!"

"Come now, what do you take me for?" Lyste was almost insulted. Such an obvious lie wouldn't fool a damned idiot. The fight these rebels put up for this home, their zeal to get down those stairs. Lyste can see she is no mere mechanic. "Try again. And convince me, or she dies."

xxx

"Whats all that noise?" Katerina wiggled a finger in her ear. Crashing, things blowing up, and this strange pressure at her temple. She rubbed it to assuage the sensation. It wouldn't disappear. An unnerving feeling gripped at her chest. Something terrible was raging in the outside world. "What's happening out there?"

"That would be the sound of your friends protecting you." Kendril assured her.

"Sounds right. I always need protecting." Katerina kicked at the ground.

"Why do you keep doing this to yourself? Because of that boy you killed?"

"Because its the truth! I've always needed to be protected!" Big, bad, mouthy, snarky Katerina Dume. Great in a debate, horrible in a fight. "By the Jedi, by the clones, by you...I never would have survived all these years without you!"

"And yet you have. You are." He slipped fingers past her cheek, massaging fingers into the back of her head. His thumbs massaged into her temples. "Katty, none of us are an army. We can't always defend ourselves. Sometimes we become so worn out, that we slip." He calls what happened to her a slip? She considers it a step off a cliff. He flicked her forehead, stopping her self loathing from battering her. "But when all odds are stacked against us, that's when we shed our old selves and become someone new."

"Are you saying I'm different?"

"I'm saying you're growing!" He tapped the side of his fist to her strong chest. "Perhaps not the way you envisioned, but definitely the way seen by everyone." He pressed a finger at her wound. "This...this is not proof you are weak! It is proof that you are willing and able to fight for what you love!" He guided her attention straight up with a large finger, reminding her of the world still reaching out to her. "And right now, what you love needs you!"

"I don't…" Her neck clenched. Her hand wrapped to his, trying to find the courage he believes she has, "How can I help?" How can she do anything from inside her mind.

"For starters...WAKE UP!" Kendril slapped her across the face.

xxx

Dry grunts wheezed from Katerina's throat, her face scrunching. Slowly her eyes opened, a blurred world steadily coming into focus. The haze in her mind dissipated as she studied the all white room around her. Less than comfortable cushions were shaped to her back. Pillows were propped under her head. How did I get here? She pondered. She doesn't recognize this place. It's not her room on The Ghost, or any room on the ship. And that beeping. Her neck was too stiff to turn, but she would swear it was a heart monitor. A swell of pain in her abdomen answered why she'd be hearing one. She was stabbed...by The Inquisitor...dying in Kanan's arms. She's alive. Congratulations, her ability to identify the obvious was ripe. The smell was a dead give away too. Then this room...is a hospital room. After that...nothing. Everything went black.

"Please…" Caleb? She brought her gaze down. Her breath hitched in her throat. Kanan and Zeb stood against the opposite wall, their hands raised above their heads. She followed the trail of their horrified stares. That...pressure returned to her temple. Without moving her head an inch, Katerina's eyes found a man dressed in an Imperial uniform stood to her right. The barrel of his gun was pressed to her skull. She's never been more grateful for anesthetics pumping into her veins. The monitor would give her away. What the Hell's been going on? "We're the ones you want! She's not one of us! She's just a mechanic from the capital!" Kanan's voice cracked.

"And yet she is precious to you. Both of you." Lyste countered smoothly. Kanan sucked on his lips, mentally cursing his inability to lie. Zeb shied his glance to the wall. "She is being harbored by known fugitives of the empire. Not to mention, you and your friends trapped yourselves within this shabby home in order to protect HER." He jabbed her head. Katerina bit her lip hard, refusing to cry out. She was going to break his arm when she can walk again. "All for the sake of this mechanic!"

It took all Zeb had not to pleasantly react to Katerina's open eyes. He thought he was seeing things. When she winked at him, that erased all doubts. He surreptitiously elbowed Kanan who followed Zeb's stare. He wasn't as disciplined, and widened his in gleaming relief. Katerina shook her ever so slightly, warning him not to jump the gun. Big brother, what have you done now?

Lyste laughed at their expressions, mistaking them for despair. "A Rebel Mechanic got the best of Kallus. No wonder he was furious." A plate of medical tools was connected to Katerina's bed. A syringe full of liquid was amongst them. Likely left in the fray that brought this Imperial into her room. Katerina's elbow inched back. Her fingers walking like a spider. "I'm curious, Jedi. What is it about this girl that has you and this monster ready to get on your knees? Hmm?" He crooned tauntingly. Her arm slid onto the cold railing of her bed. The plate glided under her forearm, the syringe rolling into her fingers. "Do I detect a triangle of love in the mix?" Katerina froze, her eyes shooting to Zeb. He coughed on the air, cheeks tinting to bright pink. Kanan raised a brow at him. Not the best time, but he was moderately stunned. "What a shame, gentlemen, that she will not survive for either of you to tell her."

They don't need to! Katerina hiccuped a sharp breath, the wind electrifying her atrophic muscles. She latched onto Lyste's elbow, lunging her body upward, driving his gun and the misfire to the floor. Lyste, caught off guard by the grab, brought a fist around. Katerina stabbed the syringe into his bicep, her thumb injecting him with what little medication was inside. Lyste howled in outrageous pain, tearing his hand free, white hot agony snaking into his veins and muscles. In a fit of rage he grabbed a fistful of her hair. The syringe was stuck in his arm, tearing his muscle further. He dragged her off the bed and slammed her back against the wall. Her wounds ruptured, blood erupting from her mouth. Blood smeared the wall as she slid down, and fell unconscious to the ground.

"YOU LITTLE BI-"

"DON'T," Zeb and Kanan connected full brunt fists. Lyste flew into a medical table, falling into a daze on the floor, "Call her that word!" Kanan finished. "I really hate that word!"

Zeb stooped to Katerina, cradling her in his arms. He smoothed a hand to her sweaty head, drawing her long hair out of her face. She was breathing! The blood on the wall...no more of it was leaving her body. Two good signs. Now for a third. "Come on! Come on!" He pat her cheek, bringing her back from the brink. "Wake up, Katerina! Don't you dare do this to me!" Her coughing startled him. Her aquamarine eyes steadily bounced open, shakily gliding to the panicked Lasat.

"...H...Hi…" She whispered, smiling weakly. Zeb coughed on his relief, clamping a hand to his mouth. He squeezed his eyes closed, pushing back the tears. He never thought he'd miss her voice so much. She mustered some strength, lifting her hand for his cheek. Zeb slipped his palm to his, leaning into her warm palm. So soft… "You look...terrible…" She forced a dry laugh.

"Ha! Still a lot better than you." He scoffed. She shrugged. She could say that the backside of a pig was preferable to him. She didn't want him to drop her. Her hand went to his broad chest, her ear pressing to hear his hammering heart. She wanted to stay in his arms for a little while longer. Zeb folded his legs, sliding her onto his lap as his embrace tightened around her. The smell of her hair in his nose, the soft feel of her skin against him, and the strong beats of her golden heart echoing in his ears. She's going to be okay. By the spirits of Lasan, Katerina was going to be alright.

Lyste grunted dizzily, snapping his hand to the syringe. He ripped it out, throwing it aside. His breathing became labored, eyes growing heavier with each blink. His mind was fading between states of consciousness. He stared miserably at the syringe, able to guess what it is Katerina injected him with. Defiantly she stared, bearing her teeth as she struggled to regulate her breathing. Her waning strength spilled beads of sweat down her brow. Katerina relished in Lyste succumbing to the tranquilizer. There's a joke here about much needed medicine. She isn't strong enough for cheap cliches.

"He's going to have a nasty headache in the morning!" Kanan snorted. He knelt to Zeb and Katerina. She drowsily glanced to him, stretching her lips into a tender smile. He itched his nose, sniffling the wrenching glee knotting his insides. "Has anyone mentioned how terrible you look?" She and Zeb pointed at him. Kanan bobbed his head, sad that he was late. "Good. Because, as a lady, you should take pride in your appearance."

She was strong enough to roll her eyes. Those are words she'll never escape. Good. "How is it...you can never...stay out of trouble?" She rasped.

"It follows me, Riina. You know that." He shrugged impassively. He ruffled her hair. He's spent enough tears on her. He's going to smile and take pride that his little sister will be on this earth with him for another day longer.

Riina. She loves that childhood nickname. She loves it so much. Her vision blurred again. Her body was growing heavy. "You know what…?"

"What?"

"I can't...remember...why I...ever hated that...name..." Her eyes weren't able to stay open any longer, and she peacefully fell asleep in Zeb's arms.

"Neither can I...Riina." Kanan kissed her forehead. "Neither can I."

To be continued.