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.

18. Merry Empire Day

Merry Empire Day

Okay, okay, I'm back, now stop crying. (Someone blows nose) HEY! I said stop crying!

Moving on.

xxx

Empire Day. A day for pause, remembrance, and abundant gratitude for the unyielding service The Empire has blessed to the universe in the past ten and a half decades. 15 glorious years ago on this very day, The Republic was demolished and it's era of travesty and tyranny was brought to a fiery end. No trace of it, or those oppressive Jedi, remain to threaten their way of life, or to continue taking away the peace they so hypocritically protected. From those ashes rose the The Galactic Empire, and in its birth did it pave the way to a brighter future. A future that is headed by none of other than the benevolent Emperor Sheev Palpatine. Through his guidance and under his rule, the sorrow and pain that plagued the multiple galaxies beyond the rim and back became undying devotion of the Senate to see that Imperial controlled regions can live for years in peace and prosperity. A long battle, but one they fully intend to remain ahead in. The Empire intends to honor their promise of a better tomorrow. And come Revolution, Treason, or Rebellion, they will see the sun rise on their flag and set on the corpses of their enemies. Yes, sir. Today is a grand day to be alive and appreciate what has been gifted to you.

Yeah...not really. That's the propaganda that The Empire grills into the starved and battered people's heads to intensify the fear they've plagued the galaxy with the past 15 years. A number of insurgents have come and gone in an attempt to uproot The Empire and weaken their grasp on the universe. But the harder they fought, the greater The Empire's numbers grew, and their grip has literally choked the life out of planets. Races gone extinct, planets left uninhabitable, families and friends lost - dead or arrested. And every year on this day is a constant and painful reminder of their heinous crimes. Most disgusting of all is how everyone, Senator and soldier alike, have fully convinced themselves they are the righteous, and everyone else are insects to be stepped on. They rub that salt in the wound by making attending the parades that are held on the various Empire controlled planet mandatory, and play the Imperial Holonet channel. All a written law. It's an offense punishable by life in prison to not even raise a glass in honor of Empire Day. The cells tend to fill fast on this day. Executions are pushed to 24 hour slots to free up space. To call this holiday a yearly nightmare is similar to labeling a hurricane on Kamino a summer shower. But rain or shine, The Empire isn't going to scare The Ghost Crew away. In fact, they'll be more than happy to attend the parades. What's a parade without a bit of fireworks.

The Ghost Crew paid a visit to a small spaceport town right in the midst of Lothal's fields. Incredibly small compared to the metropolis counterparts. Can't fit more than a thousand people. Possibly 1500 depending on if families or singles live in the area. An old contact of theirs, Old Jho, runs a popular cantina and is a plethora of intel for his rebel friends. No one talks better than a bunch of drunkards at Old Jho's Pit Stop. As an Ithorian, The Imperials and other ne'er do wells regularly ignored him, granted him a wide berth form their usual bullying. The one catch is that he's forced to wear a translator. Not many Troopers are bilingual. Don't have the patience for it. Hera, Zeb, and Sabine entered the bar as common patrons, ignoring the Stormtrooper presence patrolling the streets. Why they were out so far and in so many numbers perturbed them. Meanwhile, Kanan and Katerina were taking Ezra's training to the next level. And, for some reason, the young would be Jedi wasn't into it.

The trio stayed out in the hills for some privacy. Also because Ezra's seemed really distracted today. The peace and quiet should do him some good. For this part of his training, Ezra needs to be in an environment where he can cast a wider net with the force. Make connections with those who he would otherwise keep at a distance.

"Another one of your zen master's lessons, guys?" Ezra droned sarcastically. "You gonna teach me to go with the breeze next?" He raised a hand to the gentle breeze.

"No, Doofus." Katerina shoved his head down, playfully messing. "Today you're going to learn tact with your abrasive habits." Ezra didn't get what she was saying. "Up until now you've used the force to lift objects, push people, and make incredible jumps. And you've seen it choke the life out of people." She stroked her own neck. Ezra shied away, unnerved she can talk about that so easily. "Today you're going to learn to connect with others, rather than push them away. The force is meant for more than just battle or bringing harm to another person."

"It is?"

"Yes it is!" Kanan gruffly retorted. He's angry his student would even ask something like that. "The force was never meant to be a weapon. In the best scenarios, it brings people closer and builds trust. Something you're not too keen on." Ezra scoffed insulted. He has to be the most open person he knows. If anyone has trust issues it's Kanan and Sabine. "You're very guarded, Ezra. Whether you realize it or not, you've built this wall around yourself. You don't trust anyone, and you don't let them get close." As he was in the middle of a lesson Katerina resisted calling him on his hypocrisy. Ezra rolled his eyes, motioning a hand for Kanan to get to the point. "You need to step outside of yourself. Make a connection with another being."

"Guys, seriously, can we do this another day?!" He impatiently demanded.

"We can do it now!" Kanan pressed irately, picking up a rock. It's taking all his willpower not to hit Ezra with it.

Ezra folded his arms, taking a step back. Katerina calls that his secondary guard. The first is this flippant, sarcastic attitude he's showing off lately. He's being very fidgety today. Keeps trying to wander off in any given direction. Like he's trying to escape. "You have somewhere to be, Ezra? You seem like you're in a hurry."

"I'd like to be anywhere but here right now!" He replied scathingly. Katerina scowled with no love for this new attitude of his. Ezra realized he sounded like a jerk and sighed remorsefully, "I'm sorry, Riina, really. I'm just...today's not a good day." He timidly rubbed his arm, turning away from her.

"The sooner you complete this lesson," Kanan tossed the rock up and down, "The sooner you can go brood on your own."

"Just throw the rock!" Ezra grouchily conceded. He took to his less than fortified stance. Feet sloppily parted with his toes pointed the wrong way. Lazily outstretched arms hanging like wet noodles. The tension in his body was making Katerina stiff. She tried to relax and fix him only to have him shrug her off. She glanced to Kanan, wondering if he know what was eating him. He shook his head solemnly, motioning his head sideways for him to give him space. He threw the rock into the tall grass. THUMP!

"Reearrgh!" Feral ears sprouted. A Loth-cat leapt from the brush. Sprawled on its haunches it snarled rabidly at the unnerved Padawan, bearing its teeth dangerously. Katerina cringed at the swelling lump near its left ear. He's not a happy camper.

"I...don't think he wants to connect." Ezra backed away. The Loth-cat's ears folded back in fear. He raised his hind, tail fully erect, snapping his jaws in a threat to attack. The small paws belied the sheer clawing power of his nails. He dragged jagged grooves, cutting into smaller rocks. Those beady little eyes and razor sharp fangs itching to eat his face off.

"You're resisting! He can sense it!" Kanan reprimanded.

"He can SENSE IT?!" That measly little furball can SENSE things? "What is he? Like a Padawan cat." The Loth-cat hissed heatedly. He didn't appreciate the joke.

"He's absolutely adorable is what he is!" Katerina cooed in baby talk. She pranced past Ezra, giggling out of control with rosy cheeks. The teeth and posturing aside, that Loth-cat is the most adorable thing she's seen in weeks. She crouched low, opening her arms. The Loth-cat retracted into itself, hissing and snapping his jaws. "Sshh...it's okay. You're alright. The mean man and his boy aren't going to hurt you." She spoke softly, relaxing herself so he wouldn't see her as a danger. The cat planted his front paws, tail darting side to side.

"Riina! I don't think you should-huh?!" Ezra was dumbstruck. Kanan, on the other hand, was very impressed. The cat that was hissing, snarling, and ready to eat his face off not even five seconds ago was...cuddling Katerina. She had that evil thing purring in her lap while she made these weird faces and noises. Unbelievable! "Seriously! Come on! She's not even a Jedi!" Ezra blew up his hands, his mind blown by this. Kanan snickered with a hand at his knee. Ezra's envy was adorable. "Why is that thing so attached to her already?!"

"She's always had a way with animals." Kanan placed hands at his hips. "Just goes to show she's able to step outside herself and connect." He gave her an OK as a congratulations. Katerina chortled impishly.

"Explains why Zeb likes her so much." He not so discreetly jabbed. He and Kanan snorted under their breath, nudging one another. Kanan had to admit that was a good one. The pair stopped in a sweat, gulping nervously.

Katerina was glaring off into space, hand stiffly running down the back of the cat. The cat meowed woefully, rubbing its head to her chest. "Aw. Thanks…" She seemed to cheer up. The melancholic traces didn't escape Kanan.

"Whoa…" Ezra hummed. The cat was reacting to her. He felt confident in this whole connection thing and tried to give it another shot. When he got closer the cat was on his haunches again, snarling with two rows of razor sharp teeth. "OH COME ON! REALLY?! WHAT DID I DO?!" He stamped impatiently. The cat snarled, snapping at Ezra's final mistake. "Uh-Oh!" He dug in his claws and pounced, tackling Ezra straight to the dirt.

"You...don't seem to be getting it!" Kanan replied, direly trying not to laugh. He raised a smirking brow to Katerina who was doubling over stifling a laugh.

"I GET THAT THIS FURBALL IS TRYING TO KILL ME!" A grand battle to behold. Jedi vs Loth cat! Loth Cat vs Jedi! The Loth-cat unleashed the terror of its tiny claws, swatting at Ezra's face and shoulders. Those tiny little fangs vying for his flesh. Ezra wasn't going to give up so easily. He wrestled with the surprisingly large feline, holding it off by its stomach. He managed to lift the deceptively heavy animal from him. The Loth-cat was nothing if not relentless to peel Ezra's face off. He thrashed violently to escape the hold, hissing, growling, and occasionally spitting in his face. Ezra threw the cat off. It annoyingly landed on its feet, ready for round two. "Gimme your lightsaber and I'll make the connection!"

"Excuse me?!" Kanan leered warningly.

Ezra mentally cursed himself. He snapped again. "Sorry. I just...don't see the point of this." He folded his arms in that barrier again. Katerina studied him concerned. Kanan was the same way when he was Ezra's age. He's doing more than guarding himself. He's hiding something.

"The POINT," As Ezra so eloquently put it, "Is that you're not alone." Kanan relaxed himself, reaching a gentle hand to the agitated Loth-cat. "You're connected to every living thing in the universe." He closed his eyes and was swaying the hand, riding the jaded waves of the Loth-cat's unease. Unknown to the creature, it to was feeling his way to Kanan. "But to discover that...you have to let your guard down." Kanan's whole body relaxed at once, the barriers he kept in place disappeared. "You have to be willing to attach to others." Ezra sneered at this lame lesson of Jedi wisdom, finding it to be crap. He was dumbfounded by how tame the cat was, meowing lovingly at the elder Jedi.

"And what if I can't?!" Ezra questioned anxiously. What if I WON'T, is what Katerina heard.

"If you hang on to your past, if you always try to protect yourself, you'll never be a Jedi." At that would wound Kanan more than he'd ever admit.

"Then maybe I'll never be a Jedi." Ezra dismally concluded. Katerina's spirit drained. You're not the only one. She hugged her elbows in shame.

"Kid, whatever's going on with you, you need to spill it."

"I'm sorry, Kanan, I don't mean to wear you out. And, Katerina, I don't mean to bite your head off." She shook her head, already rolling it off her back. "Today's not a good day. It's never a good day."

"Today?" Kanan was unsure what today was.

"Empire Day." Katerina mumbled. A foreboding cloud hung over them. The darkest day in history for the universe. The Loth-cat himself growled with animosity. That's because TIE fighters zipped across the sky, scaring him back into hiding. "They came out further this time!" Katerina gasped. The farthest she's seen Imperials out on Lothal was Lecosta, and their numbers were ridiculous. Even for Imperial standards. "They have to be looking for something!"

"And that spells trouble!" Ezra sprang into a sprint, racing for the bar their friends were at.

Katerina was about to chase him down. Kanan placed a hand in front of her. "And whatever's going on with you too, you need to spill it."

Her brow furrowed. She moved his hand away. "I'm no Jedi. I'm allowed to have some guards." And she was gone after Ezra before Kanan could get in another word.

xxx

By the time the trio reached Old Jho's Pit Stop the front entrance was blockaded by the TIE's. They took the back entrance, casually entering the stark abysmal cantina from a flight of stairs. Kanan remained lax. Ezra and Katerina tensed to throw the first punch. Three Stormtrooper pilots were wandering the cantina, guns lazily lowered at their sides. An arrogant display that they do not fear resistance of any kind from the rabble in the bar. Their daunting black clad uniforms scared patrons out the front door. They'd walk past someone and cause them to have an acid reflux. Odd though was that they didn't chase anyone running. Whatever brought them there, so far it had nothing to do with those who left.

Ezra slowly moved a hand to his sling shot. Kanan stopped him. "Not unless we have to." He and Ezra moseyed casually to the bar.

Hera and Zeb seated to a booth on the far side watched intently, making no obvious reaction that would raise suspicions. Zeb and Katerina unintentionally met eyes then shied away, frowning sourly. She nibbled on her cheek, he scratched at his arm. Ezra sat with his back to the pilots. He brewed a storm to block them from his thoughts. Just knowing how close they were was making his skin melt. His hand unconsciously clutched at his slingshot. Kanan shifted to a side, hiding the hilt to his lightsaber under the bar. Sabine was leaning to a wall near the cantina's inventory room, her helmet clutched under her arm. She had a full view of the bar, and everyone that was coming and going. She'd be in the prime location to strike if any of the pilots started shooting. She pretended not the notice Katerina taking a seat on the other side of the room's arch, lazily folding hands behind her head. The staff at her back and her pistols were hidden, but she'd be able to whip them out before anyone knew what way was up.

A pilot stopped in front of Hera and Zeb's table. It wasn't difficult for the two to not visually acknowledge him. Unless their shape sights are needed, Hera and Zeb trained themselves to selectively block the unwanted from their sights. Besides, if Zeb looks at his he might strangle him with his respiratory tube. "Over here!" One of the other pilots called. This pulled everyone's attention. Two of the pilots yanked a frightened Rodian to his feet.

The one pilot held up a wanted digi-poster of a yellow skinned Rodian to compare to the turquoise skinned one. Aside from the skin color, nothing about these Rodians was the same. The one on the poster had emerald green eyes. A row of tiny tails ran down the middle of his skull. Plus he was scrawny. Not that it stopped the Stormtroopers from not bothering to make a distinction. Rodian, Neimoidian, Geonosian - they all look the same dead or alive or behind bars. Why bother with the extra effort?

"Tseebo…" Ezra gasped, recognizing the wanted Rodian.

"What?" Kanan tilted his head.

"N-nothing." Ezra shut down. That can't be him.

"He's not the one!" The pilot snarled. Another dead end by the sounds of it. The Rodian was shoved back into his seat. The already irritated pilot stormed to the bar, wanting nothing more than to take his frustrations out on the owner. "The Imperial Holonet channel," He slammed a fist. Old Jho responded with a quickly made drink, "Should be playing here AT ALL TIMES!" The drink was swatted to the floor.

"No one's requested it for...well...EVER." Jho responded dismissively.

"It's-the-LAW!" The pilot replied through grit teeth. Jho shrugged and flicked the large screen on above the bar.

"...because today is Empire Day!" The announcer's mid report blared. Everyone lost their appetite for a drink. "Celebrating the 15th anniversary of the galaxies salvation." Ezra's electrified blue eyes glowed with unbridled hatred. 15 years of salvation, that announcer said flamboyantly. 15 years of misery and a gaggle of sore losers looking to recover from whatever loss they suffered while the Jedi were alive. "When our great Emperor Palpatine ended the clone wars and founded our glorious Empire." Hera, Sabine, and Zeb suppressed the urge to vomit with stone faces. Kanan and Katerina scoffed at the abject lie. The Clone Wars weren't ended. The Clones were just decommissioned and scrapped. "On Lothal, Governor Price has commissioned a parade!" The announcer said with joy. Must take real guts of steel. Oh well, at least Kanan had a plan that would make this parade enjoyable for all.

"You heard the man!" Another one of the pilots raised his gun to the patrons. "Raise your cups!" Cups shot up. "To Emperor-"

"CITIZENS!" The holonet feed was hijacked by the Rebel's favorite sympathizer. "This is Senator in exile Gall Trayvis! I bring you more news The Empire DOESN'T want you to hear!" The Ghost wanted to hear this. This is their first breath of good news since Empire Day started. "I urge you to boycott ALL Empire Day celebrations to protest the ongoing injustices of The Imperial Regime!" Nods of agreement and smiles were shared throughout the bar. Without threat of violence and in so few words, Gall Trayvis lifted the spirits of everyone who listened and brought on a breath of courage no one dared dream they had left in these 15 years.

"SHUT THIS OFF!" The pilot demanded.

"Can't. It's-the-LAW!" Old Jho sarcastically and smoothly threw his own words back at him.

"We're done here!" The pilots escaped on their choking pride. Inaudible cheering mocked the existing pilots. They couldn't escape that embarrassment faster. The pilots retreated in their TIE's and the mood in Jho cantina skyrocketed. The topper being when he turned off that idiotic broadcast.

Sabine and the rest of the crew joined Kanan and Ezra at the bar. "TIE pilots on search patrols?" Kanan whispered cautiously. Just because the Empire isn't present doesn't mean there aren't ear and mouth pieces waiting to report back. That aside, pilots don't usually perform patrols. They're strictly shoot to kill glory hounds. "What's going on?"

"The Imperials have locked down the ports and put destroyers in orbit." Jho grimly replied, feeling an Imperial sickle at his leatherneck. "It's a full planetary blockade."

"They're after a Rodian." Kanan glanced back at the Rodian who was hassled by the pilots. He was pretty shaken up. "Seems pretty odd."

"Not really. Now that I think about it," Katerina sat to the bar, tapping her chin. She knit her brow, recalling a run in she had while trapped in her hover chair, "The Empire was looking for a Rodian in Lecosta too several weeks ago." Dayve picked up the chatter during his run from one of Vizago's friends. Imperial's were looking for a Rodian and were swarming with a heavy arsenal. Incidentally, Katerina ran into a Rodan with some odd headgear. Presence was as heavy there as it is by Jho's. "There was a full scale invasion of troopers. I wonder what this Rodian did." Ezra's brow scrunched heatedly. Tseebo.

"Just be glad they aren't chasing us for once!" Sabine found her silver lining.

"With what we got planned for today's parade, they'll be after us tomorrow!" Kanan can hardly contain himself.

"Does it involve blowing up my baby?" Katerina whined. Last time she checked, the whole reason she was even at the Imperial Academy, save for Aresko blackmailing her, was to sabotage the fine piece of ordinance she helped Hardlight put together. She became very attached to her creation.

"Sorry, Kiddo." Kanan reached past Ezra, patting her hand. "It's gotta be done." Sabine tossed one of her trademark grenades up and down.

"Jho, make it a triple with a twist and step on it!" Katerina hoarsely begged. Jho already the stirrers and shakers out. She buried her sobs in her arms, mourning the inevitable loss of her child. Zeb was about to pat her sympathetically on the back. Katerina saw him raise the hand in Jho's back mirror. She lit up. Heat flushed under her skin. Then he stopped inches before contact. This look of guilt turned him green as his eyes. He curled his lips in, ears and eyes drooping somberly, and his hand balled up and lowered to his side. Katerina felt something in her crack. Her eyes glossed and her head fell. "Add a second twist." Jho slapped a big mug with two yogun slices on the rim.

"I promise we'll be gentle." Kanan placed a right over his chest and raised his left.

Jho slid the drink across the bar, she caught it without raising her head. "Sabine is never gentle with her artistry!" The Mandalorian smirked, having to agree with her on that. Save for Zeb, the crew's expressions ranged from stunned to cringing by Katerina practically inhaling that mug. She heaved for a breath, finding clarity and resolve in the fumes. She took Sabine's hand, batting glossy, pleading eyes at her. "Can you paint me a picture of what will be obsolete?"

"I'll even use my best colors." Sabine promised tenderly.

"You're the best!" Katerina cried into her stomach, earning pats on the head.

"Well you're gonna have to do it without me." Ezra announced. Katerina's sobbing came to a crashing halt, subsiding to shock. The way he hunched his shoulders, he was guarding himself again.

Sensing the impending interrogation, Ezra spun off his chair, meandering for the door. "Where do you think you're going?" Kanan called to him.

"I just need to be alone. Today's...brought back some memories." And Ezra left his reason there, taking his leave before his worried crew had a chance to ask him more questions.

"I'll go talk to him."

Kanan was kept in place by Katerina's hand at his chest. "Leave him be." She requested tenderly.

"But-"

"Kanan, the one thing Ken did for me that I appreciate to this day was letting me have my space." And if he knew what she had been mixed up in, he'd be giving her a planet wide berth as well. "Today really bothers Ezra. More than anyone else." She gestured to everyone treating this day like any other. Maybe carrying a irked chip on their shoulder or two. But Ezra was coming apart at the seams. Verbally lashing out, failing the simplest Jedi training techniques, and his guard is up in arms. "He hasn't been on the team as long as it feels. He's not ready to let his guard down. You of all people should know what that feels like."

Hera bobbed her head in snarky agreement. It takes a tooth, nail, and hair to drag what Kanan has on his mind out. Kanan bashfully massaged the back of his neck. His own sour memories of his youth came on. "I guess...I should let him breathe?" He doubled checked.

"Good man." Katerina pat him on the cheek. All Ezra needs is space to wrap his head around things. And when he's ready, he'll come to them. Forcing it out of him will just make him shut down. THAT is something Katerina sympathizes with all too well.

"Now this baby of yours…" Hera returned the conversation to their intended mission. "Any chance this is going to make an appearance today?"

"Very perceptive, Hera." Katerina was glad she asked. She drew the team into a tight formation. Jho inconspicuously set up menus that just happened to barricade her back. She held her holocom out, projecting a full image of the new TIE fighter she was working on. Sabine and Hera were drooling. "This is the new model of TIE that is going to be unveiled at the parade." And the unveiling it will be. "High density alloy wings and body capable of withstanding missile fire. Mag 10 shielding complete with rebound coating. Rows of propulsion engines running on hydraulics for added speed and fuel efficiency." She rotated the image for the full tour, sparkles shimmering in the eyes of her friends. This was pure art. Zeb whistled at the pretty toy. Stainless, pristine, and molded with love. Classic Katerina. "Nice work, Grease Monk-er...um...Katerina." Katerina's fingers tensed, jolts shooting up her arms. "You, ugh, you do good work. Like always...yeah..." He sank under his stupidity.

"Thanks...so do you…" She sheepishly retreated to the bar, asking Jho for a drink. Zeb's ears drooped. He rubbed at that knot in his neck. Scowls automatically appeared on the other Ghost Crew members' faces, shifting between the shying pair. There it was again. None of them could make heads or tails as to how or why, but Zeb and Katerina have been acting awkwardly around each other for days. They barely talk anymore, they can barely make eye contact, and neither can stand to be in the same area as the other for very long. When they do interact it ends on a very uncomfortable note and they run away. Like now. Zeb trudged on his way, hiding to a corner booth where someone else's pitcher waited. He'll buy them another one. "The grandest of sabotages and morale crippling comes on auspicious unveilings." Katerina quickly recovered. "Sabine, the new TIE's design was meant to defend flawlessly from explosions. A tweak here and there, and a sneeze will destroy it." That she ensured before her hasty departure. And she's sure Hardlight hasn't found it.

"Have I mentioned you're my favorite?" Sabine sat flirtatiously to one of her legs, wrapping an arm to her shoulders.

"Yeah well just make it quick." Katerina took a deep breath through her nose. "And spotless…" Her voice cracked. Asking for spotless in an explosion. The irony.

"You're going to cry, aren't you?" Kanan droned.

Katerina dragged him in by the collar. "IT'S MY GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT!" She bawled into his chest, coming apart. She hates having to scrap projects. Willfully destroying her greatest creation was too much. Kanan massaged her back, cooing softly, assuring her all was well. This was depressing, and she's sure if she orders a second drink she'll black out. So Katerina composed herself and slid off her chair. "I'mma head back to the ship and clear my mind with some repair work. Chopper thinks something's up with the sister coils. I need to make sure he hasn't broken something." Knowing that Mech he's destroyed the entire ship.

"Mind if I tag along?" Hera volunteered. "There's something I want to ask you about."

"Sure." Katerina doesn't mind the company. Hera seems to have a bit on her mind.

"We'll call you once the parade has started." Kanan promised.

xxx

Ezra returned to his hideout in the outskirts of the Capital's fields. His one sanctuary he knew The Empire wouldn't bother with. He's always loved the view from his tower. The rising and falling hills and the capitol in distance. The feel of the wind blowing all his troubles from his tiny shoulders. Sometimes he felt like he could fly. He could see all of Lothal and beyond from there. That bit of freedom was intoxicating. From above, should he choose to never leave again, he'd never think his home was being torn apart by The Empire. If only it were solely The Empire's increased presence that was bothering perhaps he's be able to take in the solace.

Back in the cantina, those pilots were looking for a Rodian who Ezra knew from long ago. Tseebo was his name. He was a good friend of Ezra's parents. The last time he saw Tseebo was when his parents disappeared. Since then he's been on his own and hasn't heard a peep from Tseebo since. Until now. "Why are they looking for Tseebo?" He said his name with revulsion. Why would anyone want that slimy...abandoning Rodian? Tseebo's without a spine but he's never done anything to have The Empire chase him. Ha. Maybe The Empire will do him a favor and have him pay for abandoning a child and his parents. Yeah right. Like The Empire cares who has been wronged.

Standing outside wasn't bringing him any sort of clarity in the least. Ezra hid away inside, hoping to clear his mind in the dark he's grown accustomed to. It's sad when he thinks about it. Being comfortable in darkness. What would my folks say if they were here, He thought. The ever faithful in a better tomorrow parents who dated on him like a prince, and would swear from the highest mountains that tomorrow would bring a brighter sunrise. Members of the dying few who firmly believed The Empire would lose the war they started. "Hm." On his workbench was an old chest. He caressed the small chest lovingly, almost bracing himself as he opened it. Grief bombarded him like a chain reaction of thermal grenades. He wanted to drop to his knees and cry his eyes out. A driver caked in rust was nesting inside. He put the drive to his heart, clogging the hole that only grows wider every year. The last remnant of his parents.

"Ezra..."

"MOM!" He jolted. He searched the room. That voice was definitely his mom's. He'd know it anywhere. She was right in his ear. But no one was there. Ezra sighed dismally. This isn't the first time he's heard his mom's voice. Felt as if she was standing right beside him. And that one delusion that she and his dad would come walking through that door...and they'd be a family again. Like Kanan and Katerina. "I've never been more envious of you two." In that envy prickled a resentment. 15 years of separation, maybe not even in the same system once, and somehow - against all odds - those two find each other again. "Why do they get to have each other? Why do I have to be alone?!" He growled. "It's not fair! IT'S NOT FAIR!" He slammed both fists to his table, tears welling in his eyes. What does he get after all these years? A stupid drive from his past!

"Ezra!"

"Dad…" He moaned. He didn't look for him. He knew he wasn't there.

"Ezra, we HAVE to stand up for those in need. ESPECIALLY those in trouble with The Empire." Ezra must have heard his father say that everyday at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A favorite mantra to keep hope burning bright in their home. His mom and dad firmly believed everyone was at their strongest when they stand as one. But sometimes, in order to stand as one, that first person needs to raise their head and has to be the voice that speaks over the tyrannical thrall. From there, even if it feels as though no one heard you, your words will echo far and wide, slowly the people will rise.

"Tseebo…" That gave Ezra an idea. "I know where he is." It's a long shot, but it's all he has.

xxx

Very animated grunting vibrated from the The Ghost's hatch on top of the ship. The sister coils Chopper feared were on the fritz go a long way in taking stress off the ship's pulley belts. Those belts are crucial to the ship's energy flow running smooth and keeping the mechanism from taking on too much exertion. If one set starts to wear or fails, the next set will be overwhelmed and the ship could be left spiraling out of control. And being left drifting in space was not on anyone's bucket list.

Chopper and Hera lingered leisurely outside, becoming increasingly concerned by Katerina's colorful language. Whatever was going on inside wasn't the sister coils. Katerina exasperated dramatically sprouting from the engine's hatch, throwing half her body to the floor. She lifted her goggles off. There was a not so flattering outline from the fumes. "Told you nothing was wrong. Though," She handed him two blocks with piping and motherboard chips sticking out of it, "These converters could use an internal scrub." Chopper was on it, but he wasn't going to enjoy it. Scrubbing converters is worse than cleaning the piping. And no one wants to do that when Kanan, Zeb, and Ezra have their gut buster contests. "Aside for the converters, the sister coils are right as rain. I just need to loosen them a bit and we should be golden."

"That's good news." Hera finally relaxed. On top of everything else, the last thing they need are ship failures. "How long will the loosening take?" She crawled to the hatch, admiring Katerina's diligent work.

"No longer than five minutes."

"Good, good…" She trailed off. She drummed her fingers awkwardly, nibbling on her lower lips. Her eyes darting left to right meant she had no small talk left, but clearly had something on her mind.

Katerina didn't have to look away from her work to ask, "Come on, spill it. What's wrong?" Hera was taken aback silently. "There's obviously something on your mind you're dying to know. You can ask." Katerina used a tiny wrench to open the thin sheet metal housing the one set of coils. They were wound tight. A left and right turns should fix it.

Hera's lisp stretched into a tender smile. She forgets Katerina and Kanan are related. She has his same innate sense for inner turmoil. "Okay. No banter. What's up with you and Zeb?" She rested on her elbows and folded arms.

"What do you mean?" She arched a brow. She carefully unwound the first coil. She spotted tiny abrasion in the copper band. Easily mended with an adhesive in her kit.

"The awkward silences, the way you two shy at eye contact, and then there's the way you brush each other off." Need Hera go on.

Katerina's cranking paused mid turn. Shock was hidden behind her goggles. They haven't been brushing each other off...have they? And they aren't shy at eye contact. They just...meet weirdly. And the silence is from losing conversation topics. Nothing strange about that. "There's nothing wrong. Zeb and I...are...always like that." She tossed her shoulders, hurriedly getting back to work. She mentally cursed herself for that weak retort.

"Come on, Katerina. You two haven't spoken a word to each other in days."

"Not true." The coil was loosened enough. She dabbed a brush into some liquid ad ran it around, sealing the imperfections. We just spoke in the bar."

"You know what I mean!" Hera huffed. She doesn't appreciate the sarcasm either. Or that she's dodging the question. "Everyone's growing concerned. You two are so close and our best team up. What's wrong?" She pleaded.

"NOTHING!" She jerked her hands, steadily losing patience with her own equivocating. Katerina moved to the second coil and was finished with it in seconds. It didn't need any adhesive. Now she can climb out of that hole, and stand before Hera and her dodging questions. "And I'd appreciate it…" She snapped the goggles off, throwing them to the hull, "If you'd drop it and tell me the real reason you followed me here!"

Hera's brow knit ferociously, her green eyes shimmering like sharpened daggers. That irritating trait again. Alright! Katerina wants to know what's on Hera's mind, she'll show her. She whipped out a projector. The push of a button and the still image of a Senator Bail Organa materialized. Katerina inadvertently scrunched her nose, which didn't go unnoticed by Hera. "Do you know this man?" She asked crutly.

"Yeah. He's Senator Bail Organa of the The Imperial Senate, and King of Alderaan. Why?" She answered swiftly, folding her arms.

"Do you KNOW him? I think you do!" She shoved the image closer. And Katerina better not deflect with her typical snarkiness. "Kendril Mothma was the cousin of SENATOR Mon Mothma! Both of whom are leading figures of The Imperial Senate."

"I'm aware of who Ken was related to, and I know who Mon works for! The guy raised me, remember?" She spread her arms, scathingly showing her teeth. She sneered at Organa's picture, her heart skipping 20 beats a second. Bail was good friends with Kendril and Mon, always watching their backs whenever the Empire was close to putting a barrel at their backs. Katerina lost touch with Organa 10 years ago, completely forgetting he even existed and ultimately forgetting him and the two droids he usually has in tow. It wasn't until the incident with the disruptors that, by some strange twist of fate, was Katerina reunited with Organa. Why is she asking about you, Bail? A knot formed in her stomach. He wanted her to divert the conversation should he ever come up. But what brought him up in the first place? This is out of the ordinary even for Hera. "That aside, I never met the guy. Only seen him on the holonet, or when he'd make random appearances and preach about peace."

"You sure?" Hera pressed. "Because Kanan said you acted strange around him when we returned his droids."

"Where is this going, Hera?"

"Nowhere, obviously." She rolled her eyes.

"Then maybe you should stop steering in circles." Please stop asking. Please. Not so long ago, Zeb and Katerina took a short trip to Pantora for some R and R. Zeb desperately wanted to put the disruptors, the weapon behind his people endangerment, behind him. Meanwhile, Katerina was asked by Organa to meet him for a brief chat between friends. That conversation took an escalated and frightening turn when he urged her to never speak of him or their meeting again. Not even to her friends. It was during this talk that Organa swore that he would detain Katerina if she cannot do this. She gave her word she'd never tell. And that she would dodge the subject when it comes up. She feels the cell closing around her.

"I'm just saying it's a little one sided that you find out about Fulcrum in MY corner, but you won't show who's in yours!"

"Because there's no one IN my corner, save for Kanan, and I found out about Fulcrum on accident!" Ten minutes into routine maintenance behind the Captain's chair in the cockpit, and Hera and Kanan decided to have one of their famous marital disputes about Fulcrum and how dangerous his jobs are becoming. Hera spilled her tea and it seeped through the floor and onto Katerina. Exposing her and her unintentional eavesdropping, and leaving her at the mercy or a third degree from mom and dad. "And don't talk to me about fair!" She waved a finger in her face. "Sabine told me all about your little roundabout dance to discourage her from prying about Fulcrum! Asking her to trust you without giving up a single bit of intel!"

"Fulcrum is vital to our cause! The less that know who he is, the better!"

"Which I greatly accept and respect for you, the mission, and whoever it is you answer to!"

"Who I answer to?" Hera pressed finger on her chest, pretending to be insulted.

"Playing dumb isn't your strong suit." Katerina posed with hands on her hips. "I don't dig in people's backgrounds, but we don't get this sort of intel without a higher power being involved!"

"Wanna talk higher power?" Hera slammed a tablet into her chest. Here's where the rock and hard place start to set. "Here's your higher power!" Katerina humored her and took a glance. Her insides turned to mush, but her expression hid it well. On Imperial documentation was a recently posted photo of Katerina. Consuming the rippling page next to the photo were solid white lines. Her name, her age, her home planet, not even a punctuation mark were visible. "Your heavily redacted file has become a topic of interest lately. How does that happen?"

There's a snide remark about which one was she talking about. Her redactions or The Empire interests in her. Katerina chose to be the bigger person and kept it to herself. "As you said: Ken is Mon's cousin. As such would have special clearance into the senate as well as special permissions. He probably had that arranged when I wasn't looking." She marched past Hera. "I don't pay attention to what Imperials do."

Hera latched a hand to her arm. "Maybe you should pay attention now!"

Katerina hooked a hand to her collar, bringing Hera in the electrified storm of her aquamarines. Hera was impassive to the rage brewing, in spite of her trembling at the inhuman glow. "Or maybe you should stop while you're not ahead!" She warned in a low tone.

"Why would I when I seem to be getting somewhere?" Hera tested in a disgruntled tone.

"It's just another circle that will take you back to where you started. Nowhere!" Katerina ripped her arm free. "Let it go, Hera. It's better for you." Katerina ignored the ladder and simply jumped down to the grassy field.

Hera took a deep breath through her nose, wrapping her arms to that buzzing in her stomach, and released a long arduous breath from her mouth. It's done, it's over, it's not resolved, but it is now calm. She hummed to herself, running her hands up as she inhaled and smoothing them down on her exhale. That ugliness between her and Katerina is over. It will blow over in the next few hours. She tossed it all over her head and away. She rolled that hostile situation off her back. Regrettable words were avoided, stayed where they were meant to be, and both ended their argument on mutual ground. She climbed down to the cargo hold ramp, trying very hard not to glance in the general direction of the mechanic pretending to take inventory.

Chopper was coming back with freshly cleaned convertors, catching the electrical streams shooting between the two women. He bleeped quizzically about what ruffled their skin. "Leave it alone, Chop!" Hera snapped, climbing into the cockpit. Chopper flinched at the slam, and was frozen by the ice coming from Katerina. Seriously, what's going on around this ship?

xxx

Hera relaxed into her captain's chair, massaging the migraine in her brow. Her adrenaline was still running on all cylinders. This urge to go out there and punch Katerina was intoxicating. She'd likely be laid out flat before the punch even connected. Not that Hera would willfully punch someone responding in tandem to being accused of keeping secrets. Katerina wouldn't do that either. Still doesn't take away that she wants to take her anger out on someone. She accessed the holonet on a secure channel, shaking off the buzzing. She felt like bees were in her nerves. She yanked her head tails, snapping them into her face. This is the longest dial tone she's ever had to endure. The call made it through nice and clear, a pleasant trill affirming connection. No image was transmitted, applied by the contacted party, the sounds of shuffling confirming someone was on the other end.

"It's me." She responded monotonously. She lenaed in closer, lowering her voice. She glanced around paranoid, ensuring that Chopper and Katerina weren't listening. "She didn't reveal anything in her words, betray or contradict herself in her body language, and no matter how hard I pressed she never changed her tune." Saying that aloud, Hera couldn't help smile in admiration of her. Her sharp tongue flies for miles, but her lips seal with molten metal. "Up until I came at her with this she's never once mentioned you, or spoke about that day with your droids. She passed the first test." She hummed proudly.

"Ha-Ha. I knew she would. What did she say about her file?" An accented gentleman cooed.

"She wasn't surprised by the redactions, but was scared that The Empire was snooping." As anyone hiding from The Empire would. In Katerina's case if it's learned Mon Mothma has connections to her that will land another Mothma in the ground. Likely anyone associated with her will join her. Katerina would be devastated. "She definitely knows you. I'd ask but I get the feeling you'll be as tight lipped." She partially joked. The man chuckled again, adoring Hera's foresight. "So what now? Should I conduct another test? Or do we leave this alone?"

"Test her to your content." The man permitted nonchalantly. She's never allied herself to someone that she can't trust unconditionally. Those are the ones who prove themselves saints in this cause. That's why he knows he can rely on her judgement in situations like this, and bringing another into the fold. "We will leave the final decision to you. Like we always have." No pressure or anything.

"Hera!" Katerina pounded on the outside door. Hera nearly jumped out of her skin. "Kanan called! They're getting ready."

"Okay. I'll be there soon!" She replied controlling the shaking.

"Go ahead without me. I have somewhere to be."

"Somewhere-" Hera paused before bolting out the door. "I'll call you back!" She promised her contact and ended the call. "KATERINA! WAIT!" She bellowed, peeling the walls sprinting. By the time Hera made it out of the cockpit and into the cargo bay, Katerina was already on a speeder and was gone. Hera deflated somberly at having missed her.

Chopper felt a strong gust on that exit. "^Where's she off to in such a hurry?^"

Hera leaned to the railing, her head hung in misery. She rubebd the back of her neck, feeling the onset of new knotts. "Putting as much distance between me and her." And whatever sour nerves I just struck.

xxx

The parade was going to start in an hour and Ezra stuck hoofing it through thick Lothal weeds on a hunch that might not pan out. Granted, The Empire is looking for an old family friend in his hometown. Where else would Tseebo go in order to hide. It's sure the last place Ezra would think to look. Again though, it was just a hunch. Sure, Kanan says to trust his instincts and find answers in the force. But Ezra hasn't had The Force as long as he has. So to ask him to blindly trust it, like with that maniacal furball that tried to eat his face, was asking too much. Not that any of this will matter if he doesn't beat the checkpoint security and parade march. He won't get within two feet of where he needs to be at that point. He's really regretting walking to his old hideout.

"EZRA!" Ezra turned at his name. He lifted an arm, blinded by a speeder's headlight. The speeder pulled offside, bringing a very ragged and dirty Katerina into view. He has to admit, she's a sight for sore eyes. "Need a lift." She thrust a thumb to the space behind her. Ezra was already on. Katerina wheeled the speeder round and they were on their way to the least wanted Parade since The Clone were born.

"How'd you know I'd be out here? I never told you about this place."

"Hera told me about your hideout. Said you make trips here when you want to be alone." Ezra deflated somberly. He wants to be alone a lot lately. He hugged at her torso, resting his cheek at her back. "Everything okay?"

"I really wish people would stop asking me that." He mumbled pleadingly.

"We aren't going to. We care too much."

"That's what makes it hard." He rumbled. Katerina dropped her gaze briefly, Harder than you'll ever know. She's never felt this connected to anyone before. Certainly not someone eight years her junior. She revved the controls twice, launching off a hill and onto The Capital's entry ramp.

xxx

The Imperial March orchestra echoed through the very building's of Lothal's Capital. A roaring crowd, under duress or voluntarily, cheered on the AT-AT walkers and A5 Juggernaut tanks peacocking down the main street. It cannot be denied there was an element of glamor to these super weapons. The craftsmanship was to die for. And how flawlessly those trudging walkers can mosey without tripping after two arduous steps was awe striking. Drones circled the sky, casting a vibrant array of spotlights to the progressing parade. And cameras running facial recognitions for any non supporters or criminals happened to be scanning the crowds. The priority target being an elusive Rodian.

Minister Maketh Tua and Commandant Aresko awaited at the end of the parade line, welcoming the arsenal and the guest star pilot with a flamboyant applause. The turnout was better than she ever anticipated. Doesn't hurt that the parade was named mandatory, and that there were stormtroopers ready to blast anyone trying to be absent or leave. The hype of the crowd increased due to nervous ticks. What could be more nerracking than three heavily armed squads of stormtroopers bringing up the parade's rear. Regardless of the mixed vibe, Tua and Aresko patted themselves on the back for this marvelous turnout, and marveled in awe of what their glorious Empire has achieved in their short 15 year reign.

As the parade drew to its conclusion, Aresko moved in close to Tua. "Minister," He bowed, "I am honored Governor Price allowed me to arrange this spectacle."

Tua's face twisted with insult. "This is no SPECTACLE, Commandant!" She spat disgust. Limiting this grandiose of occasions to the same category of street performing. The idiocy. Tua moved herself into the spotlight, prompting the orchestra to lower the volume. Her mic on her collar tapped into the PA systems throughout the bazaar. "Citizens, I am Minister Maketh Tua!" Her announcement echoed down the spine of the forced attendees. For those unable to see her from the nosebleed seats, jumbo screens across the bazaar projected her presence. She honestly looks good on the big screen. "Governor Price sends her regrets, but she was invited back to Coruscant to celebrate with EMPEROR PALPATINE HIMSELF!" She chortled exaggeratedly, emphasising the true honor the Governor was granted. In the midst of Tua's grandstanding, Grint was bullying citizens into cheering, and Agent Kallus was conducting a search for the fleeing Rodian Tseebo. He must have terrified the guts out of a dozen Rodians, none of them matching Tseebo's description. He'd wish them a shallow Empire Day, bringing them to enjoy the parade, and would return to his search. Never in his career has locating one Rodian been so irritating. He's still wondering how the Hell he even escaped. And, also, unbeknownst to the Minister and ISB Agent, their favorite merry band of Rebels were lurking within the audience, all amped up to begin the festivities they have planned. "Lothal is an important to our Empire as ANY world in the galaxy, and she wanted me to show you why." The Rebel took up their positions, arching brows by how Tua planned to win over everyone. By her cocky stance, she had something up her sleeves. "Citizens, I present you with the latest vessel from our Imperial Shipyard! The Sinar Systems Advanced Star TIE Fighter!" The elegant fighter was coasted into the centering spotlight on platforms. The crowd, even Hera herself, had to applaud it. That was a pure work of art.

"Pretty, isn't it!" Kanan cooed mockingly. Though it did have a luring shine.

"Yeah. I almost feel bad about blowing it up." Almost being Hera's operative word. That ship would be amazing in their arsenal. "Riina must have poured her heart and soul into it!"

"I sense we'll need to make a quick getaway."

"From the parade or Katerina?"

"Where is she anyway?"

"Went to get Ezra. She said they're in the city."

"Then let's get started." He and Hera went their separate ways, while Zeb and Sabine moved into position. This would be the highlight of Sabine's bomb making career.

xxx

Katerina and Ezra ditched the speeder in an abandoned garage several blocks back. A ban on any vehicle not part of the parade was strictly put into effect. The last thing either of those two need are cuffs and a long interrogation as to why they were disrupting the parade. Knotted their stomachs on the mass amount of people attending. Must have something to do with the blasters at their backs. Minister Tua was already nearing the end of her long winded speech about Governor Price, Lothal's contributions, and the presentation of the TIE fighter she worked so hard to help build. Ezra had to drag her so she would start bawling again. She really has no self control when it comes to her toys.

"Now where is that idiot brother of mine?" Katerina bounced on her tiptoes. She hates being mid five foot range. Zeb and Kanan never let her live it down. That aside, Ezra and Katerina were baffled. The parade's energy can't spike any higher. Tua presented them with the new TIE and has even announced the name of the pilot, Baron Von Rudor, who was going to take it on its first maiden voyage. The timing won't be anymore perfect for a frontal assault. There isn't sign or hint of The Ghost Crew anywhere.

"They have to be somewhere." Ezra insisted. He wasn't having better luck peering between the condensed bodies. "If only we had a sign."

Flashes of colors filled the night sky. The crowed oohed and awed, bursting ardent cheer. The parade's energy spiked to an all new level. Ezra and Katerina blankly pointed to the sky and said, "Found them!" Tua was impressed beyond word, commending Aresko for a job well done. Governor Price would be impressed. Aresko took the credit, but was seriously unnerved by unplanned fireworks. Ezra and Katerina had to assume the fireworks were Sabine's artistry. The girl knows how to build a bomb, and knows how to bring her art from paper to life. Ezra and Katerina spotted Sabine with Zeb on the other side of the street. Zeb launched something into the air, and a second array of fireworks filled the sky. Ezra and Katerina would enjoy the lights, but their observational lessons from Hera obligated them to notice that everyone - pedestrian and stormtrooper - were distracted by the flashing lights. And with everyone's heads up...no one was watching the ship.

"There…" Ezra spotted shadows shifting nearest the ship. "Come on…" He guided Katerina along the long route to Kanan. Staying behind the cover of the gawking crowd and staying low so anyone not entertained wouldn't spot them. "Whoa!" Katerina bumped into him. She was about to ask why he stopped. Ezra shushed her, pointing to a familiar ISB agent skulking about. He was preoccupied with the crowd, sneering at the fireworks. No real surprise that he's here, but did he have to be in their general area. "This way!" Ezra took her around an apartment complex, coming out at the end of the crowd to the other side of the street. In their race they lost track of the team. If they kept heading straight, surely they'd spot one of them.

"YOU THERE!" The unmistakeable bark of a stormtrooper sent jolts up their spines. His balster was trained to a not so sneaky Jedi. "This area's off limits!"

Again, the pair blankly pointed and uttered, "Found him."

"DID YOU SEE IT?! It's SOOO beautiful!" Kanan flew into a random character. He sounded like a drunken patriot. "ALL THE COLORS! It's like a...a...like a rainbow!" He flourished his arms, hugging at the sky. All the while his hands were moving for his blaster.

"Ready, Mom!" Ezra charged in.

"I thought Hera was mom!" She followed his lead.

"Dad, what are you doing?!" Ezra ran in, hand to the ansty trooper's gun. Kanan's hand left his gun.

"We've been looking everywhere for you, Babe!" Katerina threw herself into his arms, kissing his cheek. Kanan masked his stun in his dorky persona. Then her lips went to his ear, "Nice job, twinkle toes."

"Sorry, Mister!" Ezra batted his big puppy eyes. "My dad is just SO patriotic!" It's sickening.

"EMPIRE DAY! I LOVE IT!" Kanan pumped a fist, drawing Katerina in closer by the hips. "ALL HAIL OUR GLORIOUS EMPIRE!"

"WOO-HOO! LONG LIVE EMPEROR PALPATINE!" Katerina hooted. The siblings swallowed their judgement, apologized mentally, and planted one long, passionate kiss on one another. Ezra had to use every mantra in his head to not puke. The one on his mind, Parents...parents...parents...

"Yeah well…" The trooper couldn't' take much more. "Move along." They didn't need to be told twice.

The trio waited till they were out of earshot, and Katerina handed Kanan a breath mint. "You kiss Hera with that mouth?"

He humbly accepted with a charming chuckle. "Always knew you loved me." He winked, popping the mint in his mouth.

"Unconditionally." She hugged his arm. "Not a bad kisser either."

He smashed a palm in her face. "Thank you both for coming. Where've you been?"

"Making some connections." Ezra's shoulders dropped. Kanan raised a brow to Katerina, wanting answers. She shook her head. It wasn't time. "How's the plan going?"

"Just watch." That smile of his can't get any bigger.

Katerina's body went catatonic at the rapid beeps coming from the TIE. "I can't bear to look." She turned her back, closed her eyes and ears. A powerful explosion flipped the TIE, and blew Tua, Aresko, and Rudor off their pedestal. A gaping hole blew the TIE wide open, shrapnel shredding the immediate area to tatters. Cheers turned to cries of terror. None so heart wrenching as Katerina's returned sobbing. "MY BAABY…!" Ezra held her close, consoling her.

Kanan inhaled through his nostrils, standing at attention with his hands behind his back. "At twenty-two hundred hours on the 15th anniversary of Empire Day," He bowed his head, placing his right hand over his heart, "We take a moment of silence to remember Katerina's Baby not as the war machine that it was," He extended a palm, "But as the beautiful creature she helped bring into the world." He faked a sniffle, clutching that fist.

"Are you done?!" She roared.

"Can't I rub it in a bit more?" He pinched his fingers.

"Only if I get to kick you in your male parts!"

Kanan blocked those male parts. "I'm done!" A wise decision.

The Ghost crew scrambled with the crowd and stormtroopers. Tua was peeled off the ground, seeing more stars than she'd care to. "WHO...IS...RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS?! FIND THEM!" She bellowed.

Kanan, Katerina, and Ezra ran through the back streets, meeting up with Zeb and Sabine. "Nice of you to join us, Kids!" Zeb mocked.

"Where were you?" Sabine panted at Ezra.

"Why?! Did ya miss me?" He smiled debonaire.

"YEAH RIGHT!" Zeb guffawed.

Stormtroopers flooded the parade grounds, running a full sweep of anyone not running from the bombing. Hard to tell who's running and who's just ogling in this mess. The fire was spreading faster than it can be contained. The smoke was too dense to recon the area. The Ghost Crew came to a steady halt outside the smoke. Minister Tua and Aresko aside, key players in The Empire hierarchy are present. Agent Kallus stalked on scene next, completely unawares of his quarry. Leaving now will deny them the greatest opportunity that's landed in their laps in ever.

"Been spolin' to finish things with Agent Kallus!" Zeb pried his rifle off his back. The ISB Agent's skull was in his sights.

Katerina wasn't going to object. She has a score to settle with him too. "Hm?" A figure was coming from the smoke by her destroyed TIE. "UGH! No..." Katerina's aquamarine eyes glossed in pure terror. A dauntingly familiar numbness overtaking her legs, rooting her plastering to a wall as a golden pair of eyes shown in the night. Out of the smoke, rising like a phantom of a nightmarish past, of the destroyed TIE, emerged The Inquisitor. "He's here!" She whimpered hoarsely. She fumbled to grasp at a pipe, her wobbling legs keeling under her. Sabine and Ezra tried to catch her and missed. Her knees hitting the ground didn't resound in the slightest discomfort. She trembled in the frigid aura of his presence. In every direction his toxic energy flowed, choking the life from the quaking mechanic and the entire bazaar. "He's here...he found us! He's here!" She screeched hysterically, tears falling down her paling cheeks.

Kanan's hatred for The Inquisitor boiled his blood. Seeing him wandering the yard, vulnerable to an attack, tempted him to crush that monster's neck from where he stood. Too bad he was dead scared of losing respect for himself and his master's teachings to stoop so low. "Zeb, if you wanna take someone out, take out that guy!"

Zeb didn't argue with that logic. He happily changed targets, aligning for his chest. "You wanna try and take my girl from me?" He muttered under his breath. Katerina's body tensed, warmth pooling into her. "Take this!" Zeb fired twice. The Inquisitor dodged last second. The demolished TIE was blown to pieces. More smoke blanketed the area. The Inquisitor narrowly evaded death. Like a cockroach.

"Nice shot! Come on!" Kanan and the others ran to hide. Katerina remained on the ground. Unable to move, unable to run, unable lift her head. He's here! He's back! He here! WHY IS HE HERE?! Her mind crumbled. "Katerina! Come on! We gotta go!" Kanan yanked on her arm. Katerina shook out of her stupor, twisting around and pushing up. Kanan led her by the hand. Her hand slipped out of his. Solid weight dragged her back down hard, bracing her fall on her elbows. "Katerina?!"

She growled through gritted teeth, trying again to push up. When she tried to bring her leg under her...she froze in terror. A terrifyingly familiar numbness poured from her hips down. "No…" No tingling. Her toes won't wiggle. She can't even feel that decreasing bulge in her stomach. "Please no…" The harder she tried to move, the heavier her body felt.

"Riina! Get up!"

"I can't!" She droned grimly, languidly shaking her head.

"What?!" Kanan ran back to her, placing a hand at her back. He knelt and was taken aback by her petrified expression. She was lost in a daze of sorts. "Talk to me! What's wrong?!" He pleaded.

"I…" Her shaking increased. "I can't walk!" Kanan gawked in horror. He glanced down. She gripped at her pant legs. She pulled up by the pipe beside her, grunting loudly to lift her own weight. There's a joke about not being as light as she looks, but her sense of humor ran with her hip functions. "My legs! My legs won't move! They're dead!" "Run, Caleb! Don't let me slow you down again!"

"You? Slow me down? Never!" Kanan tossed her onto his back. "You're the reason I'm at top speed." He used the force on a crumbling building, bringing the rest of it down near The Inquisitor. The dust created the perfect cover for him to escape. The Inquisitor saw his prey run like the cowards they were. They will pay for this insult.

xxx

"Where are Kanan and Riina?!" Sabine paced the street of the housing units. They were right behind them. How could they have lost them so soon.

"WE'RE HERE!" Kanan burst on scene, panting heavily as he fought to keep Katerina on his back. "No offense...but ya might wanna cut back on the choco-butter puffs!" If she could kick him she would. She should tear his ponytail off.

"What happened?!" Zeb panicked at the piggyback ride.

"Riina can't walk!"

Zeb's heart sank. He glanced at her, pleading for answers. "I don't know what happened! My legs just stopped!"

"Might be a side effect from your injury!" Sabine proposed. "Alyss said those would happen if you weren't careful!"

"Medical talk later! We need to go!" Kanan broke into a run. "Specter 2, we're en route to the rendezvous!" Kanan blurted in the coms. Katerina had to hold it for him. Zeb, Sabine, and Ezra ran ahead, keeping the streets clear.

"Negative, Specter 1! The streets are blocked!" Hera warned. Likely the troopers controlling where people run. They're blocking them in. "I cannot - I repeat - cannot make it to rendezvous!"

"I know a place we can hole up until things calm down!" Ezra voiced. "But Shoulders here might have a problem taking my route! And I don't think you'll fit with Riina on your back." There she is slowing him down again.

"Then we need another route!" Kanan demanded.

"It's fine! Hand her here!" Zeb pried Katerina off Kanan and flipped her onto his back. She blushed madly being flush against his broad back. And his fur brushing on her arm is softer than she realized. And he has A LOT of muscles. She wonders what's under the armor. Oh man, I think I have a type! She buried her red cheeks in his neck. "Sabine, tie her legs!" Zeb wrapped her legs at his torso. Sabine found some old ropes and tied her ankles. Meanwhile Zeb's mind wandered at the female amenities rubbing on him. "I'll take Riina and take the high road. Specter 2, can you make it to the old market?"

"Affirmative."

"We're on our way!" Zeb acknowledged. He felt Katerina shaking. His large hands smoothed to hers. "Don't you dare let go." He warned her tenderly. She swallowed a lump, bobbing her head. Wouldn't dream of it. Zeb leapt to the wall, digging his claws in. One paw after the other he climbed for the roof.

"Get back to The Ghost!" Kanan urged. Ezra lead them down the road. "We'll signal the new rendezvous when we can!" Kanan raced after him.

Katerina made the mistake of looking down to see her brother vanish, losing her nerve in the height. She squeezed tighter, closing her eyes. "Trust in me, Riina. I'll never let you fall." He swore.

xxx

Ezra ducked Sabine and Kanan into an alley, snickering under his breath about Zeb and Katerina. "Hundreds of troopers after us, including The Inquisitor and Kallus, and those two find the perfect reason to be alone!" He shook his head. Even Sabine was on the verge of stitches. "They picked the worst time. But on the bright side, at least they're talking again." He tossed his hands in the air.

"And getting along!" Sabine threw in there. "I was getting sick of their separation anxiety." It was making her anxious.

"Anyone wanna explain what was up with them?" Kanan demanded impatiently. He's really lost.

Ezra and Sabine screeched to stops, cringing with unease. "Umm…" They both hummed. Is this even their business to tell? Is there a delicate way to tell him this? Not that he'd be too furious...right?

xxx

"THEY WHAT...what...what!"

Zeb had a foot on a roof ledge when his ear erected at the shout. Katerina spun in search of the voice. "Was that Kanan?" The man has a set of lungs.

"I sense a disturbance in the force." Katerina recited nervously. "Last time I heard him that mad was when one of the Younglings said he had a crush on me." Zeb was thrown off balance, bracing himself on the ledge. He muttered anxiously under his breath, wanting to redirect the conversation. She blushed regretfully. "Sorry."

"Let's just get to the market." He rumbled. He got in a running start.

Katerina braced herself. Zeb made a miraculous leap to the next roof, stumbling to all fours to stay in his run. He grasped a flag pole, swinging himself around and vaulting to a nearby wall. His claws tore grooves in the stone. He climbed back up top, returning to his run. He lunged over the clueless troopers heads, making it from one rooftop to the other. A few may have spotted a shadow darting by. They either ignored it, reacted with blasters raised, or ordered troops to the rooftops. Katerina could see the old market drawing closer. Another few jumps and Hera would be taking them home.

A cruiser emerged from the blue, spotlights flooding the rooftops. "KARABAST!" Zeb dove behind a rooftop shed. The light passed by their location. Zeb shrank lower and lower, minding to not crush Katerina. The pair didn't move, breathe, they even made their minds go blank. Anything to make their presence invisible. The lights were lowered and the cruiser moved on. The engine's whirr died on the wind. Zeb and Katerina released a breath, pumping fists with dry laughter. "You alright?"

"Yeah. Thanks to you." She whispered.

"Good, good." He reached around, patting her on the head. He peered around the shed, cursing under his breath. Cruisers blockaded the market. The Ghost glided by out of the crosshairs, returning to the cover of the clouds. Doesn't look like Hera was making the pick up. "Let's wait till the heat dies down." It's not ideal, but it's the best cover they have for now.

"Okay. Sounds good." She breathed. Zeb untied her ankles, then propped her to the crook of the wall and shed. "Thanks." He bowed his head. He put her pistols in her hands, assuring her she'll need those.

Zeb rolled to the roof wall, taking up a sniping position. So far none of the troopers directed attention to their position. They're in the clear for now. But those troops weren't leaving the market any time soon. "Specter 2, Specter 7 and I are pinned down on the west side roof top 50 yards from rendezvous."

"Copy that, Specter 4. Sit tight and I'll find a way to extract you." She promised.

"Roger. We won't move a muscle." Zeb groaned hearing shuffling behind him. Katerina dragged her half dead body to the corner, her small pistol ready to fire. "Making me a liar now?"

"You're too honest to lie." She crooned suggestively. More honest than me. Zeb blushed honored at her words. She stared up at him with flushed cheeks, like he was an angel. Zeb clammed up, turning beet red. He spun around, coughing anxiously. He scratched at the back of his head, mumbling nonsense to shake off this rather...tender moment. It wasn't working. Katerina deflated gloomily, folding her hands in her lap. "Zeb...we really...when the time is better…" What the Hell are you trying to say?

"Yeah. We need to talk." He murmured meekly. He sighed resignedly, propping his gun to the wall. "Right now, let me say this," He meandered to her, kneeling in close. He closed a fist, forming his sentences correctly before he spoke. "I didn't say what I did to hurt you. But this awkwardness is what I was trying to avoid."

"Mission failed." She wrapped her hands to her chest, suddenly feeling exposed.

"Abnormally so." Zeb scoffed disparagingly. He subconsciously reached for her shoulder. She unintentionally shifted away, making him aware of his actions. He retracted the hand, ears drooping. "I don't...want things like this between us. I want us to go back to the way we were."

"We can't do that." She breathed regretfully, eyes closing. She bowed her head. Things can never be the same between them.

"Why not?" He moaned.

"BECAUSE I LOVE YOU, ZEB!" Thousands of volts concentrated in a single thunder strike pierced him through the chest. Hisb rain went completely blank, jaw slackening open, and his eyes just void of anything. There's a ringing trapped in his ears from where her words entered. Katerina was fresh out of breath, feeling like she just screamed at the top of her lungs. She moved a hand over her parted lips, her mind not able to fathom what the heck she said. The three most powerful words. She needed to say something - anything - else. "I...I mean-"

"ACK!" Zeb was choking on air. He clawed at his neck.

"Zeb?! What's-" Zeb gagged in a heave, eyes bulging out of their sockets. His feet thrashed as they left several feet off the ground. He wriggled like a fish on a hook. "ZEB!" He was sent flying, skipping across the roof. He rebound off a wall, falling dazed and rasping for air. "Zeb! Hold on! Dammit!" Dragging this dead weight was seriously irritating her. Why would they stop so suddenly? That was moot. She had to get to him. She pulled herself on her elbows, calling his name. "I'm coming! Don't worry!" A foot stamped to the small of her back, smashing her and her feeble efforts to reach her friend. "GRAH! GET OFF ME, ASSHOLE!" DAMN THESE LEGS! Whoever is on her she'll gut them like she did that cadet.

"Well, well, well, the reports spoke true." From her muscles to her marrow, Katerina's entire body went into a vicious arrest. No...it can't be. He couldn't have found us! An accented voice acidic to her ears cooing charismatically in demented victory. The foot left her back. Her arms folded under her. Her balled fists throbbed from lack of circulation. He's not here! He's not! Her head was hanging low, refusing to lift and see the creature meandering in front of her. "At first I thought it merely an inane mistake by these foolish soldiers. They see so much and make amature mistakes." Leather boots clopped into her view. Grey clad panted knees knelt before her. "It pleases me the reports were correct." Hands in a crushing vice clamped a hand to her neck, craning her head by the jaw to force her to meet the gaze of The Inquisitor. With a toothy smile, swallowing her in his golden leer, he purred, "A very Merry Empire Day to you...Ms. Stark."

xxx

"DANG IT! COME ON!" Hera punched at the ship's instruments, growing more and more frustrated by the growing number of Imperials. She was on her fifth loop of Lothal's Capital, scouring direly for any location remotely near Zeb and Katerina's position to lift them from.

The old market and their previous rendezvous are blocked, and everywhere else had anti-air tanks ready and waiting. She lost track of Zeb, Kanan, and the others having to take the detour. And on each round the appearance of troopers increased. This is pure chaos. "Dammit, Empire! Why are you sending so many troops out?!"

She'd breach from the clouds, unhinged by the flashes of blaster fire scattered across the city. Fires broke out in hectic intervals. Chain reaction explosions, coupled with condemned buildings within a ten block radius were bringing the city to its knees. "This can't all be for us! Or that Rodian from the poster! What are they looking for?!"

Either Hera found Zeb and Katerina and made for the new rendezvous now, or someone on the ground is going to be wise to her. And then there would be no escaping. She feared making contact with her team right this moment. Coms may be jammed or intercepted. She had to wait for their signal. She hates waiting. But right now this is the best thing she can do for now. "Come on, you guys! What's going on down there?!"

xxx

Zeb snarled animally at the spinning in his throbbing skull. He'll be feeling what's battering his body in the morning. Good thing The Ghost has such a good heating system. He rubbed his neck, frothing in skull crackings he'll give to the buckethead that got the drop on him. And that was tall enough to remotely make him stand on his tip toes, let alone lift him off the ground. Was it even a trooper? "What the Hell got me?" He mumbled. In the haze remembered a paralyzed Katerina hiding near the shed. He scrambled in terror to find his rifle, forgetting her left it on the other side of the roof. Must not have been able to grab it when he got tossed. "No matter! No buckethead can-" Zeb flipped onto his stomach, huffing fumingly as he pushed up. He was rooted to a dead halt. "No!" His green eyes flared wide in abject horror. There, across the roof from him and just a spit's pace from Katerina, was The Inquisitor. "How?!" He found them! It's total chaos down below! How the Hell did he know where to find them? Or did Zeb pick the wrong roof to hide on? Maybe he's been following them since the grounds and picked the weakest link. The paraplegic. "Karabast!" What a rookie move! Zeb knows better! He should have searched for a tail. Now Katerina was at his mercy...again. And he put her there. "Hold on...Riina! I'm coming!" If his lungs can just get in a second wind he'll be ready to tear The Inquisitor's head off. He won't do nothing like last time.

Katerina's palms scraped raw shuffling panicked to lug her half dead body. The Inquisitor, towering over her, drank in the fear pouring vehemently from her. He chortled at her feeble attempts to escape. Too scared to even walk. "The Rebel Mechanic does live. To think I underestimated the tenacity of the common folk. How very foolish of me." Katerina felt this blizzard ensnare her when her back met the wall blocking her from running any further. DAMMIT! She screamed in her mind. He was taking purposefully steady steps towards her, torturing her with his time taxing approach. She reached behind for her pistol, firing four shots that he easily weaved between. Not even a...stitch of uniform out of place. "I'll be mindful and actually watch you die this time."

Get away! Get away! He's getting closer. THEY were getting closer. 'The clones...they were getting closer...The Inquisitor is getting closer...she had to run...she can't move...' Not again. This can't be happening again. She can't freeze. The Younglings….The Jedi...That boy...she couldn't move. Zeb! Zeb was in trouble. He'll die if she doesn't do something! She doesn't stand a chance against The Inquisitor like this. Not now. She has to run. Run...Katerina! She clawed at her legs. Run...run...RUN! Ten thousand volts fired from her brain straight into her hips. That five fingered vice was felt. Katerina's brow knit. She shot at The Inquisitor again, not surprised when he dodged. Her legs curled in, the balls of her feet digging into the roof. She slipped on the take off but made it into a sprint for Zeb. She twisted around, blindly shooting at him. He drew his saber, deflecting the bolts elsewhere, but was ultimately irate by this pathetic escape attempt.

"RIINA!" Zeb brought his legs under him.

"Zeb! Hurry!" The Inquisitor feasibly flourished a hand. Katerina's feet left the ground once more. Horrific flashes of that night filled her mind. The scar in her abdomen pulsated. Not again! She was yanked back hard. She closed her eyes, waiting for the finishing saber stab. The Inquisitor grasped both her wrists with one hand. He pinned them above her head, her back meeting a solid wall and the wind leaving her lungs.

"As entertaining as it is to play our little game of cat and mouse," He pressed the hilt of his saber under her chin. Her neck pinched on the tilt to meet those hideous golden eyes, "You and I have much to discuss, Miss Anastasia Stark. The perfect topic: a very clever alias for a clever mechanic." He traced the saber down her neck and up to her cheek.

Katerina prayed from the bottom of her quaking soul that he can't feel her heart pounding through his saber. She swallowed the lump in her throat, mustering what little courage she had. She defiantly glared at him. "Aresko or Kallus give that up?" Her snarky retort earned her a dark smirk. She took mild triumph in that twitch in his brow. He expected her to be flustered. She lives to displease. Who else would blow her Anastasia Stark cover? Like an inquiry after The Academy fiasco wasn't conducted. "Credits from across the galaxies are funded to you guys and the best you can do is tell me what I already know! I'm really shaking!" She spat. Yeah you are!

"Smart mouthed even in the face of death." He chuckled.

"I've met death before! He asks that you give him his schtick back!" The Inquisitor buried a fist between her ribs. Wind and saliva erupted from her throat. White hot pain splintered her abdomen, traumatizing the wound in her stomach. Her legs buckled. The Inquisitor let her fall to her hands and knees. She dry heaved in pain.

"I would advise against further obstinace." He circled her predatorily. "Your sabotage of our latest weapon has left me in a foul mood."

"Can't take...all the credit…" She spat up blood, grinning at him with a red stained jaw, "My friend is amazing with bombs."

"Yes, the Mandalorian girl you employ." He emphasised Sabine.

"Still not impressed. But keep trying." She hissed at hot prickling in her ribs. "It's cute how you try to get a reaction from me!"

The Inquisitor shook his head disappointed, but chuckled menacingly all the same for her refreshing stubbornness. "Then this will be adorable for you." He went behind her, yanked her upright by a fistful of hair. He lined his saber to the side of her neck. "Tell me who you ally is in our senate, and I promise to not make you suffer."

"Get away from her!" The Inquisitor twisted and gaped aghast. He forgot about Zeb and had a rifle aimed at him as a result. Zeb shot at him twice. The Inquisitor tossed Katerina down, igniting his saber. The bolts rebound into nearby windows. Zeb encroached in steady strides, pouring on the heat and easing The Inquisitor away from Katerina. Disdainful golden orbs spotted the girl crawling away. Her legs were fumbling under her like wet noodles. The Inquisitor made a move towards her. "Don't you dare touch her!" Zeb shifted to the bo and charged. The Inquisitor skipped backwards on the first strike, bobbing and weaving between Zeb's boorish swings. He grasped the bo at the shaft, drawing Zeb's stomach into his foot. He jabbed Zeb's face and body with both fist and saber, ending with a spinning heel kick to the side of his head, knocking him to the ground.

"Hey!" Katerina launched a punch. A breeze was felt on his nose on the narrow miss. She twirled her staff, striking the lanceheads to life on the roof. The Inquisitor was in no mood for this posturing. Before she could even swing it he moved in close. He pulled her by the collar and belt to his back and flipped her into a toss into discarded package crates.

"Very disappointing. The both of you." He dusted their futile attempt off in disgust. He sneered at Katerina. "You showed greater promise back on Stygeon Prime." Katerina spat venomously at the crates, growling animally. "Such a shame." He approached her.

"I SAID…" Zeb coughed, pushing up on his staked bo, "Don't...touch...her!" He hunched his shoulders, struggling to drag himself to stand. Nauseating spinning attacked his head, bringing choking to his knees.

For the first time, The Inquisitor broke his atypical austere demeanor and was genuinely shocked. He glanced from one groaning rebel to the next. Their gazes shifting from him to each other, a softness on their flushed cheeks. It was too pathetic to even remark. "How admirable. And rather romantic." The Inquisitor moved from Katerina and kicked Zeb in his side, flipping him on his stomach. "The beast has a soft spot for you. Seems willing to do anything for you." He placed a foot under Zeb, flipping him onto his back. He placed the tip of his saber at his neck. Zeb raised his hands in surrender. "Tell me, Creature. Would you die to save her?"

"NO! Please don't! Not him!" Katerina begged, suck in the crates. She reached a hand, wishing to the heavens the force would miraculously pull him away from Zeb. "Anyone but him!"

"And the surprises do not cease." The Inquisitor mocked. They could write novels about this. "She cares for you too, Lasat." He touched the tip at his chin. The searing was followed by a howl of pain.

"Please stop! I'm the one you're interested in! Leave him be!" She poured her heart to him, scrambling on her hands and knees. Humility, shame, absolute revulsion in herself curdled her inside, but she ignored it. She had to. The Inquisitor...he's gonna kill him. "Your Empire's been looking into me! But you can't read my file! Someone in your senate redacted it because they're keeping me hidden!" They what?! Zeb's mind screamed. The Inquisitor was intrigued. He removed the saber, then moved from the panting Zeb. Someone in the senate. He coughed. That doesn't make any sense! Is she bluffing? Wait a minute! That guy on Pantora! The rich looking guy at that villa. Katerina rose to her feet, refusing to beg to this monster on her knees. She can't have Zeb see her like this. Zeb blinked in awe. Is he...a senator? "Let him go, and I'll tell you who it is! I'll tell you what my file says!" The Inquisitor's glare darkened the closer he got. When he towered over her, his saber still drawn, Katerina relaxed resignedly. "But please...just don't hurt him."

"Riina...no!" Zeb reached to stop her. His side was killing him.

"Speak, child!" The Inquisitor commanded. He extinguished his saber, folding it behind his back. She winced as he crushed her shoulder in a grip. He poured his weight on her leaning in. She'd never wanted a roof to collapse so badly. "Who is the turncoat in our glorious senate?"

"The traitors…" She turned her head, wearing utter shame. "The traitors are…" Her hand went inside the pack at her waist. She grasped a tool. Her eyes turned to dagger, catching The Inquisitor off guard. "Are you and your Emperor!" Prongs jabbed in The Inquisitor's stomach. Thousands of volts poured into him. Music to her ears were his howls of pain. She eased him up, shoving her taser prongs deeper into his stomach, then sucker punched him across the cheek to the ground. She'll have to thank Sabine for that taser. "Time to go!" Katerina lugged Zeb onto his feet. The two swung onto a ladder, dropping back into the street.

The Inquisitor snarled like a rabid animal, running jagged fingers across the smoking holes in his uniform. The blemished flesh beneath seared at his touch, boiling his blood. His cheek was throbbing. He massaged the swelling lump in his cheek. He gazed at his fingertips, seething in unbridled rage. The humiliation at falling for such a simplistic trick. He got on the comlinks, calming the hissing through his teeth. "This is the Inquisitor!" He sauntered to the roof's ledge, watching the shadows of his escaping quarry on the walls. "Two rebels - an adult Lasat male, and an adult human female - are escape west toward the living district! Track them down and bring them to me immediately!" He'd add dead or alive, but he isn't one for the dramatics.

xxx

"You heard the man! They went this way!" Stormtrooper units knit into a tight formation, dashing down the main streets and alleyways.

"Triple time it! They can't have gotten far!" Half a dozen ran down each street, knocking in doors and kicking over trash cans, and even going so far as to look under speeders. Anything that moved was shot, anyone that was sleeping on the side of the road was hauled in for questioning. No mercy, no escape, no chances.

Zeb and Katerina waited for the next wave of troopers to sprint by then climbed out of a dumpster. Katerina gasped for fresh air. Well, as fresh as it can be in Lothal's current state. She wasn't sure if it was the dumpster or Zeb, but that smell wasn't leaving her nose for a while. "Guessing the Market is out!" Zeb helped her out. "Time for plan B!" Zeb ran opposite of where the troopers headed.

"There's a plan B?!" Katerina knew nothing of this.

"HERA! We need another exit! And fast! The market place is swamped!" Zeb urged, keeping strictly to the back roads. Katerina was losing steam trying to match his speed. For such a big guy he can run like a champion.

"Love to help, Zeb, but I can't land anywhere! The streets and ports are all barricaded! ANd those tanks will shoot me down if I get too close!" Zeb grunted through gritted teeth. The city was on the verge of a lockdown. If they don't get out soon, Zeb doubted even the sewers would help them.

"Then use the parade route!" Katerina blurted. She lunged and dragged Zeb down an alternate street. "Hera, would The Phantom fit down the street where the parade was held?" Tanks and walkers made it down. Why wouldn't The Phantom?

"Not sure, but no time like the present to test it out. See you there."

"We'll be there in 10!" Katerina and Zeb nodded to one another. They just have to hope none of their friends doubled back to the scene of the crime.

xxx

"Chopper, take over! I have a pick up to make!" Hera rapidly ordered, flying out of the cockpit.

"^WHY DO YOU ALWAYS LEAVE ME WITH THE ICKY JOBS?!^" He grudgingly plugged into the ship's guidance systems.

"BECAUSE YOU'LL JUST DROP THE PHANTOM ON ZEB AND RIINA!" Hera roared, simultaneously buckling in and firing up The Phantom. Chopper cackled evilly. She knows him so well.

xxx

The aftermath of the parade bombing set in as a blackened stain, forever blemishing Minister Tua's illustrious career. In Governor Price's stead she was chosen to oversee Empire's Day's first parade march on Lothal. Commissioning the planet eternally in service and allegiance to The Empire. The new TIE's first take off would have been the crown jewel of this alliance, drawing in new recruits and staff hands from miles around. Now it is nothing but a smoking pile of memories that will never get off ground. Not tonight at least.

Tua was consumed in despair of the spreading flames. Nothing from the new TIE was salvageable. Kallus strained attention away from the destruction, giving the troopers new marching order. "I want schematics on the city's ventilation systems, sewers, everything!" If the saboteurs are still in the city, they will not get far. The Inquisitor rejoined his fellow officers, looking more disgruntled than usual. "Inquisitor! You were gone for a while. Have you found the culprits?!"

"The Rebel Lasat, and Mechanic. They've gone into hiding somewhere in the city. They will not escape." He swore. He placed a hand to the unflattering wound in his stomach. He won't' let them get away with what they did to him. He raised his com to his lips, "Lock down the city!" He thundered. Rodents of the tiniest family will not be able to scurry away.

"These REBELS have RUINED Empire Day!" Tua frothed at the mouth. "They must be punished!" And she will gladly punish them. This is a disgrace that goes beyond The Empire. Divine Retribution would be too great a mercy to these insurgents.

"We all want that, Minister." Kallus pacified in his usual patronizing way. "But our first priority is STILL the Rodian." He reminded his comrades.

Unbeknownst to the brooding trio, Zeb and Katerina darted behind the parked tanks and TIE's. Staying within the shadows proved to be harder than expected. The glow of the dying flames cast enough of a light to expose them. And as their luck was working true to form, the two people they hoped wouldn't be in one place...WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET! Or, as it should be, their escape route. Minister Tua is just an obnoxious mouth piece. Incidentally, the unwanted guests aren't the main subject of their attention.

The pair peeked from behind a tank. The Minister and company lowered their voices, coming up with another plan. The rodian was brought up here and there. Other than that there was too much background noise to hear the rest. "They're fussing over that Rodian again." Zeb rumbled.

"Wonder what he did to get them riled up like this." Katerina was scared to know.

"Maybe he has a redacted file too." Zeb huffed sarcastically, folding his arms reproachfully. Katerina's skin pickled in sweat, a large lump dropping like a bomb in her stomach. "That file he mentioned. What's that about?"

"N-nothing. Just a bluff." She mentally cursed how unconvincing she sounded. Ezra wouldn't even buy that. Zeb hummed with a criticising brow lifted. "And that's not the issue right now. Those morons are in our way, and Hera will be here soon."

"And we can't exactly go back the way we came." He murmured perturbed. They're trapped until Hera gets there, and they're dead if they can't make it past Kallus and The Inquisitor. There's only one thing to do. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Mad dash?"

"Mad dash!"

They'd better get on their marks. Because The Phantom was en route and closing in fast.

xxx

Whirring engines reverberated the decimated parade grounds. Kallus, Tua, and The Inquisitor peered up to see which cruiser was passing by. They tilted their heads baffled by an unfamiliar ship coming in from their 11 o'clock. And it was coming in fast. "Isn't that…?" Kallus hummed. He might recognize that ship. He put on his binoculars, zooming in close. "It's a ship belonging to those rebels! They're escaping!" The Phantom was pulled to a narrow 90 degrees. A gust of wind ripped down the street, nearly blowing Tua and Kallus off their feet. The Inquisitor faced the aggressive breeze impassively. The trio hissed virulently. The ship veered in a sharp U-Turn, heading back for them.

"If the rebels are escaping then why is it coming back?!" Tua roared.

The Inquisitor heard rapid footsteps behind him. "THERE!" Zeb and Katerina sprinted at breakneck speeds, not looking back as they knew they were spotted.

"The Lasat and Mechanic?!" Kallus growled murderously. He's been waiting for a second shot at those two. The rebel ship flew along the route's gap, decreasing speed as it pulled ahead of the pair. It was a tight squeeze but the pilot of that ship was going to wiggle the ship in and scoop them up. "ALL UNITS CONVERGE ON MY LOCATION! STOP THOSE REBELS!"

Blaster fire came from every direction. Zeb and Katerina protected their heads, bending only so low that they wouldn't fall on their faces. Seven...eight, nine...13 troopers so far came out of the woodwork, opening fire on the fleeing rebels. Zeb and Katerina alternated returning fire on the encroaching troopers, running in zigzags to evade the shots. No sense making this easy for them. Zeb wordlessly apologized and shot the engine of an abandoned vehicle. Before the troopers could react they were blown ten feet in the air, riddling the street with the rest of a debris.

"Nice shooting." Katerina praised.

"Thanks. Think you can do better?"

What a question to ask. Unfortunately, it will involve a very long and awkward explanation to Sabine about what happened to the taser she gave her. She fiddled with the wiring, linking the cables to the power source instead of the prongs. With nowhere for the charge to disperse to, this will make for a lightshow even Sabine would appreciate. Katerina whipped around to a slide halt. She pressed the taser, opening the channels and overwhelming the circuitry. Hundreds of volts surged inside. She tossed the taser to the rampaging troopers. Zeb was bewildered by why she didn't shoot it. She foxily grinned, counting down on her fingers. 3...2...1 - A trooper stepped on the taser. Blue and white streams blossomed in a frenzy. The trooper howled coiled by the volts, and dropped unconscious, their muscles spasming.

"Alright. Not bad." Zeb shrugged. Katerina grinned impishly, showing two fingers in victory. She's proud of that.

Hera found wiggle room to lower The Phantom into the street. She cringed tearing a chunks out of the buildings. "Sure hope they have insurance!" She pushed on the handles, bringing the ship down lower. She uprooted the pavement, really praying now Lothal's tax dollars can pay for the damages. She dropped the ramp, easing in closer.

Katerina and Zeb skipped across large chunks of rubble. Swinging off street lamps, running along fire escapes, and a hop, skip, and jump across banners and tarps. Zeb took one final leap from a disabled tank and landed to The Phantom's ramp. He held onto the ramp's barx extending a hand. Katerina used her staff as a pole vault, grabbing hold of Zeb's hand and swinging on board. "Welcome aboard."

"Thank you, sir."

xxx

Kallus, Tua, and The Inquisitor growled mortified, watching grounded as their prey escaped into the clouds. Cowards the whole lot of them, but their wit has saved their miserable lives from justice once again. "Did we seriously just get outmaneuvered by a mechanic and her pet?" Tua snarled.

"For now!" Kallus hissed. Beep-beep-beep. Kallus irately answered his comlink. "This is Agent Kallus!" He shouted. There had better be good news.

"Sir, we have a problem!" Kallus murdering that trooper will be a severe problem. "One of the tanks in sector Tango-49 was stolen by the rebels! A Rodian was with them." Kallus felt his irritation just melt away. A grin stretched to his lips. Tua and The Inquisitor drooled at the delicious entree that was platted perfectly for them. The rebels have never made their jobs any easier.

xxx

Katerina was exasperated. She collapsed with a thud and started making angles. She's never missed The Phantom so much. "Thanks for the quick save." She dreamily swooned.

"My pleasure. You guys okay?" Hera guided the ship for The Ghost. Hopefully Chopper hasn't moved.

"A few cuts and bruises. Nothing we won't heal from." Zeb showed off his invulnerable muscles. Nothing but flesh wounds. "Any word from Kanan and the others."

"I sent the coordinates for the new rendezvous to Sabine. Haven't heard anything yet. And stormtroopers are getting restless." They noticed. Overkill doesn't begin to describe the assault. Kanan and the guys might not really have a breath to contact them. "Even with this attack they shouldn't be up in arms like this."

"It has to be for that Rodian." Katerina suggested.

"No Rodian is worth this much trouble." Zeb scoffed.

"Trust me. When Imperials wants someone, they'll blow up planets to get them." The garage she called home is a perfect example. "But we have bigger problems. The Inquisitor and Kallus are on planet and looking for us." Hera's green skin got greener. She ogled Katerina's legs, noticing they were shaking. Kanan mentioned she couldn't walk for a time. "Whatever the Rodian did they'll put it aside to come find us. We kind of blew up their holiday." How often can she say that?

"Then we need to find the others before that happens." Hera got on the communications, tuning the channel to an obscure frequency. Static abrasively crackled on The Ghost's frequency tapper. "If the guys can't reach us, maybe The Empire can help find them for us." Sabine and Chopper rigged a specific channel on The Ghost to transmit a white noise signal that can - for the time in theory - hack into Imperial chatter. No better way to test a theory than with a field test.

"Commandant Aresko!" Kallus' unmistakable drawl barked through the coms. Theory proven. And here Chopper was worried they'd intrude on private conversations. "An Imperial Troop Transport has been stolen from the lower city." The trio shared puckish smirks. "I'm on my way now! But DO NOT let it pass!"

"I think we found them!" Katerina joked.

"Back to the lower city we go." Hera docked The Phantom to The Ghost. She barreled past Zeb and Katerina. A miracle that Chopper didn't move the ship, but she really doesn't want him getting too comfortable. "Thanks for the hand, Chop. I got this!" She flew back into the pilot seat, veering the ship for the lower city. "Get ready, you two. We're in for a fire fight when we find them."

"When aren't we?" Zeb tossed his hands up. If there's been a time they weren't on the run, he'd love to be reminded. He leered suspiciously to Katerina as she retreated into hers and Hera's room. He tromped after her, leaning to doorway. She gave her staff a second charge, and doubled up on her pistol ammo. She wasn't feeling to secure without that taser though. Mostly because Sabine will kill her. "Now, about that bluff of yours."

"Oh my-A bluff! Nothing more!" She impatiently snarled. She can't believe he's still hooked on this.

"A bluff he firmly believes. And I don't know the guy very well, but he doesn't seem the type that's easily fooled." Neither are you, it seems! Katerina fumed mentally. "And don't think I've forgotten about that friend of yours from Pantora!" Katerina paused after shoving a new magazine into her pistol. Her muscles went stiff as wood. Zeb's most irritating trait is how deceptively observant he can be. The man is a selective sponge. "What was his name? Bail something?" Zeb toyed with the name.

"SSHH! Not so loud!" She begged, waving her hands frantically.

"What's wrong?! Afraid another one of your dark secrets will be heard?!" He purposefully threw his voice up the hallway. He silently enjoyed watching her squirm.

She planted hands to his mouth. "Zeb, stop it! Please! We can't talk about this!"

Zeb wrenched her into his room, closing and locking the door. He trapped her to the wall, slamming a palm beside her head. He towered over her, leaning in with glowing eyes. A bead of sweat trickled down the side of her face. His teeth bared scared her at the idea he'd eat her face. He was more terrifying than the Inquisitor right now. "Kendril Mothma, cousin to Senator Mon Mothma. That Bail guy who might be a senator himself. That cadet you killed. And now a redacted file." The list just keeps growing by one with her. Makes him seriously rethink trusting her. He wasn't sure that throbbing in his chest were his rampant feelings or the unrequited urge to punch her. "All of these connections, all of these secrets - all coming unveiled as the threads come undone! Do you think I'm so stupid that I wouldn't ask?"

"I don't...think that at all." She muttered defeatedly, shrinking with her arms behind her back.

"Then what do you think? No, better question. What am I supposed to think?" He stressed, pressing a palm to his chest. She needs to stop being selfish and realize what all of these secrets are doing to him. "You shouted on that rooftop that you loved me! But last I checked you don't lie to someone you love! I know I haven't lied to you!" A spark shocked the back of her head. She gazed at him in awe. Did he...say he loved me? Is she hearing things? Her thoughts were halted by Zeb jabbing a finger in her chest. "Who are you, Katerina? Can you even answer that?" Her pulse stopped, her back caving into the dropped her head. "I didn't think so."

"Before you disparage me, ask yourself this. Can you even answer to who you are?" She had to pour her weight in order to push him off. She might as well have sent him flying. Zeb was spiraling at her question. "The one thing all of us have in common on this team is that we're all running from something. Don't pretend like you aren't!"

Zeb growled vengefully, balling his fists. He can floor her before she even blinked. Instead he exhaled from his nostrils and stated woefully. "This mission today...has made it abundantly clear. Whatever love I feel for you is purely superficial." Katerina blinked baffled. Her entire body went limp. The fury scrunching her face peeled to despair. "The girl that's inside…the one who trampling others to run away," He sluggishly trudged away, opening the door, "I can never have feelings for that person."

Katerina's hands grasped at her elbows, her arms desperately squeezing to stop the shaking. Knives shredded her insides, ribbons of her soul spilling from her gaping glossy eyes. "You know what? That's perfectly fine." She moaned emotionlessly. She didn't say another word. There's no need. She moseyed with her head hung, draped matted hair obscuring her broken mask.

Zeb let her pass, not so much as giving her a sideways glance, and shut the door behind her. He fell against the wall, sliding down under the torturous weight bearing on his chest and shoulders. He rested his forearms to his knees, scoffing derisively at the universe's famously twisted sense of humor. He thought, with it just being that boy, he'd be able to handle whatever Katerina threw at him. Turns out...she's carrying too much and clearly doesn't trust anyone enough to share her burdens. "Guess...I'm really not meant to have anyone. Forever meant to be alone."

Unknown to him, Katerina didn't make it for before slumping on the other side. "Guess...The Empire stole more from me than I realized." Here she is teaching Ezra to let his guard down while embedding hers and building it thicker. What a hypocrite she's become.

xxx

News of Rebels activity spread across the capital on a trail of gunpowder. Every stormtrooper that heard Rebel Activity mounted up and ready to terminate the next person or droid that presented itself an enemy to their cause. Or that was still dirty from their catastrophic bombing in the parade grounds. Blockades and checkpoints at all of the city exit ramps had been manned by officers of the highest rank. Tanks, speeders, walkers, foot soldiers - the whole nine yards of their arsenal were stationed. A trooper in a walker with an itchy trigger finger shot a rat trying to reach its den. Yeah. He was ready to kill someone.

Aresko's unit at the Lower City exit ramp stood fast and firm, tingling with anticipation of those rebel mongrels. Let them try to get past him. He'll love to see their efforts, and the tank that they stole, blow up in their faces. "POSITIONS!" He bellowed. Walkers, tanks, and blasters were armed and ready. Troopers leapt to their speeders, ready to fire.

The stolen tank ricocheting on a sharp turn, speeding straight for the blockade and its destruction. "That's far enough, Rebel Scum!" Aresko disdainfully declared.

xxx

The Ghost arrived as the tank encroached on the tunnel at breakneck speeds. No doubt about it. That's the tank they're looking for. No troopers could be seen on the strip, only meaning that tank was in for a nasty collision somewhere in that tunnel. "A blockade?!" Hera asked Chopper.

"^Gotta give The Imperials credit for bravery.^"

"Or whoever's driving that thing marks for stupidity! Zeb, Riina, you two ready!" She shouted over the intercom.

"Born ready, Hera!" Zeb shouted back from the cargo bay, charging his rifle.

Katerina twirled her pistols, fingers staying on that trigger. "Just give the word!"

xxx

The tunnel was getting closer. The tank wasn't slowing down. "STOP!" Aresko extended a commanding hand. The tank operator did no such thing. They only increased speed. "FIRE!" Barrages of blaster fire poured onto the tank. The shields deflected the lesser laser bolts. The blasts coming from the walker jostled the tank violently, nearly throwing it off the road. The tank returned fire, weaving its best between the bolts. A few knicks at the sides but at least the shots weren't hitting them dead on. The tank just kept coming. Hera upstairs waiting for the impact. "STOP, I SAID! I-I SAID STOP!" Aresko lost his nerves in this overwhelming game of chicken. He and the troops dove out of the way. One of the walkers stamped a foot in the tanks path. That leg, and the two tank blocking the exit, were bowled over with ease. Nothing but another smoking mess for The Empire to clean up. Speeders and the one operational tank took off after them.

xxx

Hera deadpanned and groaned, "Sabine's driving." She's fearing the body count right now.

"Good! Then we know they'll make it!" Katerina grinned. This might be a smooth exit.

"This is Agent Kallus! ISB Agent 0-2-1 calling The Inquisitor!" The terminal crackled.

"Don't be so sure! Kallus is making another call!" Hera projected the hack communication throughout the ship.

"The Rebels are through the main gate and headed south!"

"Their ship will be waiting!" The Inquisitor hissed. "Slow them down! We're on our way!"

Zeb and Katerina cringed. They hoped he'd take a backseat. "Think he's still mad about the taser?" Katerina groaned.

"Nah, you just rub people the wrong way." A half joke half insult she'll willingly accept. "Hera! We need a code 3 on that code 3 pick up!"

"We're almost there!" She pushed on the handlebars, bringing the ship in close.

xxx

Sabine almost had them home free but The Empire was gaining fast and they were going to hit hard. Today is a really sour chord for them. The tank kept the rear in the event of a double back by their quarry. The speeders pulled up along the driver's side. The lead nodded to his buddy, commencing with their breach. He placed a discharge mine to the door, disintegrating the heavy metal obstacle with ease. Ezra, safeguarding a disoriented Rodian, shielded them from the sparks and smoke. He braced himself for an attack. Instead he was baffled by a speeder driving itself at mach speeds. He went to the door, wondering if the idiot trooper blew himself off his speeder.

"GYAH!" The missing trooper swung into a kick from the roof, knocking Ezra off his feet. "THE RODIAN!" He snarled exhausted.

Kanan ambushed the soldier, pinning him with an elbow to the neck. Ezra watched helpless as Kanan battered the soldier. He socked him continuously in the kidney, edging him for the door. The trooper broke free and hammered his elbow on the back of Kanan's neck. He jabbed his abdomen with a knee, leaving the Jedi to the mercy of the second speeder trooper pulling in. A blaster was aimed for his head. Kanan shot upward. He opened his palm. The trooper near Ezra was pried off his feet and sent flying into his comrade. The speeder, off kilter by the sudden weight ground to the street, and was sent flipping to a crash. The trooper never to serve their empire again.

The tank Kallus was in opened heavy fire, trying to hit the tank's main propulsion systems. "Get me closer!" Kallus commanded murderously. He'll take out these rebels himself. The driver concentrated all power from weapons to the engine, ramming into the enemy tank. Sabine and the others were jostled but not deterred. They weren't gonna stop until Hera picked them up. Kallus climbed onto the hull, drawing his bo-rifle. He waited for the tanks to come closer again and he made the daring leap onto the rebel tank. There was nowhere for them to run now.

Kallus's victory was interrupted by the screeching engine come from above. Much to the fleeing rebels' relief, The Ghost had finally arrived. The ramp opened with Zeb ready and eager to paint the streets with Kallus's blood. "REMEMBER ME!" He fired at the agent, sending him cowering to the turrets for cover. "This is going to be a rough pickup!" To say the least.

"On the bright side you guys finally made it!" Sabine chortled. Better late than never.

"TAKE THEM DOWN!" Kallus bellowed. The turrets turned on The Ghost's rockets. The shields held against the blasts but they won't last long under this sort of fire. Katerina and Sabine really need to upgrade those later.

"Guys, I really need that transport taken out!" Hera implored. "Chopper, you got this?!" Chopper was already on the back turrets. If there's anything he hates more it's pushy tank drivers. A buy one get one free oil massage coupons that expired the day after he gets them. Chopper's first round of shot grazed the top and sides of the encroaching tank. The driver held it steady, unleashing the full wrath of the tank on the ship. Chopper had enough fooling around. He landed several direct hits to the cockpit, bludgeoning the heavy weapon mercilessly. The tank was wobbling under the fire. The driver was losing control. The tank swerved too hard left and driven right, on the verge of hitting the barriers. Chopper landed one final shot underneath the tank. Like a foot in way the tank was sent hurtling into the air, looming over the rebel tank. Sabine poured on the speed, narrowly escaping the tank as it crashed and burned. And luckily blocked the road from anymore tanks or speeders following. And that's a win for Chopper.

Kallus's patience for this gaggle of vermin had official run dry that night. "Come out, you cowards! Face me!" He bellowed, challenging them with his bo.

Katerina on handedly swung off the ramp. Kallus caught her two pronged kick on his bo, repelling her into a backflip landing. "You're the last person who should be calling ANYONE a coward!"Her yet to be activated staff in one hand she charged. Time to really break her legs in. Kallus powered the prongs of his bo, meeting her head on in the charge. He thrust the bo. She used a trick from The Inquisitor and grasped the shaft. She pulled him stomach first into her foot. She unleashed volleys of punches, sending Kallus bouncing with a high footed kick to the chin. He grasped at the turrets, narrowly escaping what would sign his termination from service.

"Says the girl hiding he identity!" Kallus mocked.

"I don't hide, Kallus!" A flick of the wrist brought the staff to life. Her staff glowed in the night, rings dancing as she twirled her staff to the ready position. "I outsmart!" Kallus came in from the left, sweeping for her legs. Katerina angled her staff, stopping the premature and obvious strike, then swung a swift straight kick. Kallus weaved back in the nick of time. Katerina shifted into a backheel kick, flourishing her staff around into a jab. Kallus countered with an artful swirl, diverting her staff off side, then bulldozed in closer. He rammed her with the brunt of his bodyweight. Katerina dug in her feet. Kallus nearly bowled her off her feet but she held strong. Her arms folded to the staff she fended the abrasive Lasat arm, metal and metal scratching viciously. She waned under his impressive strength. Her arms and legs going numb from the stress. Kallus saw the wince in her brow. Briefly he eased, baffling her. Then her latched to her staff, wrenching it and her arms up. In one motion the staff was a gun again and the barrel was plunged into her stomach. Katerina choked on air and saliva. Kallus bat the butt of the rifle to her forehead, throwing her onto her back. She was seeing double, and those doubles were about to shoot her. "ANYTIME!" She begged. She knows that they like seeing her get beat up, but now's the time for that getaway.

Zeb came round from The Ghost ramp, shooting Kallus into a full retreat. He leapt to the back of the tank, hanging on for dear life. "All clear!"

"This is gonna have to be a scoop job!" Hera warned. "I'm reading multiple TIE's incoming!"

Once Katerina's head stopped spinning she saw the TIE's herself. When time runs out for them it really goes for the kill. She got back on her feet as Kanan climbed on top. He cringed at that nasty knot on her head. "Looks worse than it feels." Unless that's the adrenaline talking. Kanan knelt to the edge. Ezra boosted a Rodian up and was pulled onto the roof. He lost balance and fell. The giant piece of hardware stuck to his head saved him from a concussion. "Hey! You're that Rodian!" She helped him up.

"The one on the wanted poster."

"Also the one I literally ran into in Lecosta!"

"Really? You sure?" Kanan gasped.

"I'd never forget headgear like that!" She knocked on the machine. Looks uncomfortable.

Once Ezra and Sabine were on board it was another hop, skip, and a jump to safety. "This thing is on autopilot. She'll run until her fuel is gone." Sabine reported. The Rodian suddenly blurted something random, poking at Katerina's very sensitive head lump. "I see you met Tseebo." She joked.

"The pleasure is so not mine!"

Hera brought the ship in as close as she could, extending the ramp just above the turret. "GET IN!" Zeb urged. Tseebo was sent on board first with Katerina spotting him. Zeb pulled them both on board.

Kallus pulled himself back up to see both of his prizes making their escape. He roared loudly, blindly shooting in hopes to hit something. Kanan shoved everyone on board and the ramp was closed. Hera pulled the ship up and made a mad dash into space. Hot on her tail were The Inquisitor and his squad of TIE fighters, a relentless barrage of laser bolts bombarding her ship.

"The shields aren't going to hold up under this barrage!" Hera growled. Tseebo was plopped to the booth, secured snug so that he wouldn't knock around too badly.

"Get to the guns!" Kanan ordered. "We've gotta shake these guys!" Zeb and Kanan went for the rear and act guns. By any means necessary, they have to out distance between them and The Inquisitor.

"Guns won't matter if our shields are taken out!" Hera stressed.

"I'll see what I can do!" Katerina moved over some spare scrape she and Sabine had been trying with. Beneath was the hatch for the main power converters, and the shielding operator. "Don't expect a miracle!" She warned, jumping inside.

"Aren't those her specialty?!" Ezra joked to Sabine.

xxx

The hatch passage was a hot mess. Literally. Katerina broke into a dead sweat the second she closed the hatch. She choked on the fumes and smoke exuding from the overheated tubes and pipes. Sparks shot in Katerina's face, bulbs bursting unable to sustain the stress. The ship was firing on all cylinders, sparking out of control. Hera's fancy flying was pushing it to its limits.

Katerina stumbled over her own feet reaching the shielding tech. Her goggles did little to nothing helping her navigate through the smoke. Her perspiring fogged them constantly. She clumsily felt around, looking for something that was shaped like a tuning fork but with a rod's bulb on the bottom. "Got it!" She tossed her goggles aside. She's going in blind and furious. She pulled the forks down then shoved the bulb in, giving them a key like twist. A port opened beside her. A fusion box with two dozen tiny chips surrounding three vial shaped plasma charges was inside. The energy was flailing out of control. A stray stream ghosted to her cheek. It was tingly. The three vial tubes were pulsating blazing violet. A bad sign. Anymore stress and they would burst. Then they'd really be dead. "Okay! This is easy! Just gotta-" The ship took a hard hit, quaking it off side. Katerina was thrown aloof, her head cracking on a protruding price of metal. She hit the floor, consumed under the fumes, her breathing smothered by the smoke.

"Riina! What's going on down there?! The shields are down!" Hera bellowed. Rolling from her relaxing grip was one of the shielding tubes. "Riina? Riina, are you there?! KATERINA?!"

To be continued.