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.

19. A Very Merry Unbirthday

A Very Merry Unbirthday

Moving on.

xxx

My head...it's pounding. I can't move. My body feels heavy for some reason. It's dark. Very dark. I don't...I don't like the dark. The dark is where...monsters reside. (Bzzz-bzzz-bzzz) Muffled...buzzing...vibrating against me. Hard to breath. There's coldness against my cheek and shoulder. But it's hot. Why is it so hot? And where's this buzzing coming from?

"... … x."

Hn...wuh…? Did someone say something?

"E… … ...x...edi…"

I don't...under…stand. Who's there?

"Ex... … … six...ill… ...j...i…"

X...six? What's that?...Familiar…sounds...very...

"Riina! Katerina! Wake up!"

"Ez...ra…?" His voice breached the encompassing barrier. And with it came a plethora of deafening sounds. The A blinding light appeared.

xxx

Ezra propped the dazed Katerina to a wall. He coughed on the thickening smoke, fanning it away from him and Katerina. He cast a few force pulses, chasing it back a few seconds, and then was smacked in the face by clouds thicker and more suffocating than the last. "Aw man! We won't last long down here!" He slouched Katerina low so she wouldn't choke. He touched the swollen gash on her forehead, cringing at how big it was. Two blows in one day. It's a miracle she isn't brain dead. "Katerina! Please wake up!" He shook her vigorously, patting her cheek roughly. "Come on, Katerina, snap out of it!" He barked.

"Hrm...grr…" Katerina's face scrunched. Her eyes fluttered open. The blazing red hue of the alarm hurt her eyes slightly. Her vision was wobbly and blurred. Her head tilted up. Ezra, staring down at her fretfully, split into three hazy apparitions. "Ezra?!" Everything came back into focus. She was in some sort of passageway. And it was really smokey. An alarm she hadn't heard before was blaring in her ears.

"Thank goodness you're alright!" At least something was going right today. First Tseebo, then the Inquisitor, and now the hot pursuit on their tails. A warning came over the coms about Hera about to do a roll. Ezra braced Katerina between him and the wall, grabbing hold and twisting himself to protruding bars. The ship did at least two rolls, diving head long at a near vertical drop. Ezra's stomach almost went on Katerina. Her brain sloshed in her skull, the pressure from the flip unbearable. Once the ship leveled out, the two collapsed. "Oh man...that wasn't fun." He choked on a baby barf, clamping his mouth closed.

"Where are-GRR...my head!" Pain split her skull down the middle. What hit her in the head now? It wasn't Kallus again, was it? She will seriously kick him into space! BOOM! "AAHH!" Katerina yelped as Ezra toppled onto her. Something big just hit them. And from the smoke and that damn alarm, it wasn't good. "What's happening? Where am I?" She feels like she lost a chunk of her brain in that crash.

"Short version!" Ezra took a big breath. "We're on The Ghost, the shields are down, we're outgunned and about to be overrun, you came down fix the shields to buy us time, and then I was sent down to help you because the shields suddenly went down!" He remembered to breathe after that. He's pretty sure he didn't miss anything. "Oh yeah! And that loud boom you felt is us getting hit from behind!

"The...shields?" She paused, roaming her gaze across the passageway. That's right. She's on the ship. This is the hatch to the power converters and shielding controls. An object was pressing to her palm. Opening it, she was holding a strange power tube. A cathorb tube. Dazedly she trailed her gaze up. The hatch to the shield's main power was opened. Two tubes were a hot violet, and one was missing. The one in her hand. That's not good. A missing tube would bring the whole shielding mechanisms dow- "OH MAN!" THE SHIELDS ARE DOWN! THEY'RE FLYING NAKED AND VULNERABLE WITH TIE'S ON THEIR ASSES! "Crap! THAT'S-GRR!" She slapped a hand to her forehead. Her head pounded painfully. "Dammit!" She peered through a wincing eye. Her vision was blurring again. The room was spinning. She's pretty sure that's just the ship, but that didn't take away the vertigo. "I can't...see straight…" She grunted. "There's no way I can work like this!" But if something isn't done soon, the ship is dead in space. That leaves only one option. "Ezra...you have to fix it!" She handed the tube to him.

"Me?! But I…" He looked at the tube and then to the open panel. All those tubes, switches, and flashing lights. "Riina, I can't! I don't know a thing about engines! That's your department! You're the engineer!"

"Then I guess you get two teachers, Ezra." Katerina smirked confidently. "You get a crash course in engineering! Tube swapping!"

"Katerina, I can't! I'm not an engineer! I know nothing about tubes!"

"And I'm no Jedi, but I fight better than one." She grinned impishly. Ezra groaned with a sideways glance. Seeing as there are only two Jedi - who ALWAYS go easy on her - she can't say she' better than them all. Ezra could beat her. Maybe. "Ezra, you can do this!" She cupped a hand to his cheek. "I have faith in you."

Ezra was astonished. He closed his hand around the tube, then nodded firmly. "What am I doing boss?"

She was glad to hear him say that. "Tube swapping. See those ones flaring violet?" Ezra saw them. "Those tubes are what link power to the shields and they are being strained to bursting. We need to switch those out with other tubes of the same make." She directed attention to the tube in his hand. "What you have is a cathorb tube. Find the three to swap places with those." Ezra shook his head baffled. All the tubes looked the same to him. Then he took a closer look and gasped. They weren't the same. Some had grooves, others were smooth. One had numbers labeled on the side, another was labeled with words. The violet tubes looked like chemistry beakers...with tiny holes speckled up and down. There are three other tubes just like that. "Good. Now get to work."

xxx

For once - JUST FOR ONCE - Hera would really appreciate it if plans would go, well, as planned! They were just supposed to blow up the new TIE fighter, ruin the Empire Day celebration and a few Imperials' moods, and then take off into the sunset. Instead they've picked up a straggler, have half the Empire's forces hot on their tails, The Inquisitor decided to join in on the fun, and Katerina decided to shut down the shields while they are under heavy fire. Can anything else go wrong?!

"Two Imperial Cruisers just came out of Hyperspace!" Zeb bellowed over the ship's coms.

Hera slammed her forehead to the dash. Sometimes she really hates how the universe answers her every rhetorical question. She already had TIE fighters at her tail covering all possible exit routes. She'd weave left, three would appear form nowhere and ram her back into the center crosshairs. She pulled an immediate dive that lead into a very sharp up curve. More TIE's came from the endless blackness and veered her into a rampant barrel roll, driving her closer to the cruisers. "GAH!" The ship jerked. Another bolt hit their wing. It was holding, but she wasn't too hopeful with that smoke coming out of it. More and more TIE's were opening fire on her. She did her best to evade them, but was taking damage all the same. Nicks and grazes slowly opening into larger wounds to the hull. Anymore of this...and they were done.

"What the heck is going on with my shields?!" She frothed at the mouth, pulling the ship's nose up. Was able to go into a looping dive, putting some distance between them and the cruisers. Those TIE's, though, weren't going anywhere. Least of all the one with The Inquisitor in it.

"Quit barking and count to three!"

"Katerina Dume, where the HELL have you been?" Hera said between furious and relief.

"COUNT-TO-THREE!" Katerina snarled curtly.

"Grah!" Hera rolled her whole head. This stupid game of hers. She is so kicking Katerina in the shins when this is over. "ONE…" She scoffed sarcastically. The volleys of lasers bolts grazing her hull, she closed her eyes and prayed for a miracle. "TWO, THREE!" Katerina snapped her fingers, giving Ezra the go ahead. He flicked a switch and adjusted the power rod. A sheer glaze guided by electrical streams coated the ship. Laser Bolts fired upon them. The newly revitalized shields absorbed the shots like a sponge, putting The Ghost back on track to coming out of this dog fight alive. "Ohmigosh!" Hera knew it wasn't the time, but she had to collapse with relief on that one. That was too close! "Katerina...I don't know if I should kiss you or ask what took you so long?!" She put her hands back to the handlebars.

xxx

"Do both when we get out of this!" Katerina grunted between laughing, Ezra looping her arm around her neck and hosting her to her feet. She activated the fire suppressant systems. A white clouds was exhausted from the ceiling, flooding the hatch, and then was sucked out the piping at the back. That cleared the smoke, and hopefully things will cool down for a while. "The shields should hold longer and stronger than before. Great job, Ezra. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks, Riina. Can you walk?"

That question. It sent shocks down her spine. Can I walk? Of course I can! "Yeah. I can make it." She reassured him. Ezra slowly let her go. Katerina balanced herself to the wall. Her legs aren't as shaky as before. She hopes the spinning in her head follows suit. She nodded to him, urging him back topside. Ezra bobbed his head in acknowledgement and sped up the ladder. Thump-thump. An object fell from his pocket. "What's this? A data drive?" She gently picked it up, curious as to what was on it and why Ezra had it. The ship being bombarded by TIE's, and her taking her umpteenth tumble of the day, reminded her that they are in the middle of a dog fight and she needed to move. NOW!

xxx

The shields might be back online, but The Ghost was FAR from in the safe zone. The Empire had their long sought prey right in their sights. Not only do they have the arrogance to attack and disrupt Imperial Operations, they also possess the sheer audacity to strike out at their Empire Day celebration. The Ghost was not going to be allowed to escape. These rebels will not live to see another day. Right here, right now, they will be made part of the space dust, and their corpses a reminder to anyone and everyone who dares trifle with The Empire.

The Ghost was being knocked around by incoming TIE fire. No matter what direction they veered The Empire was three steps ahead and cornering them. Hera was calling on her every top notch piloting skill in order to evade and counter the attacks. Kanan and Zeb mounted up on the top and rear gun, returning in kind to these Imperials what they've been dishing out. Albeit in a lesser capacity and reload, but they won't go down without a fight. Hell, they don't plan to go down at all.

Sabine was in the lounge with Tseebo, bracing herself against the rocking. Tseebo, however, was a limp noodle bouncing off everything within arm's reach. Sabine caught him and secure him to the curved seat. She checked on him, finding no real damage, and then checked his cybernetic implant. That was in tact too. No offense to Tseebo, but that Implant is their main objective for the duration of his stay. Keeping him alive is a secondary priority.

The door whisked open. Ezra and Katerina barged in. "How are things up here?!" Katerina shuddered to ask.

"Ten TIE's on our tail, Imperial Cruisers likely on the way, and the Inquisitor in one of those ships. Oh, and Chopper's down!" Sabine snarled abysmally, pointing a thumb at the smoking C1-P Droid lying in the middle of the hallway. Zeb shoved him out when he took over the rear guns.

"So, bad. Got'cha." Katerina gave a thumbs up. She ran and dragged Chopper into the lounge area. She choked on the black smoke coming from him. Whatever hit Chopper wasn't merciful. Save for the fact that he's already a junker, he doesn't look too bad. She'll be able to get him up and running again. "Okay, Rustbucket, just let me-" The ship was knocked around again. Tseebo was sent staggering, throwing his hands up in a spin. "WHOA! WATCH IT!" He collided hard with Katerina. Ezra and Sabine cringed on that loud boom. She hit the floor for the second time, thankfully not with her head. She's starting to get the feeling something likes her on the floor. "Man! Will someone get this guy?!" Her patience for today and The Empire is GONE!

Ezra pried Tseebo off, grunting curses at how heavy that headgear made him. It wasn't helping that he was no better than a walking noodle. He kept bending and twisting as he was hoisted onto his feet. Tseebo's eyes circled his sockets, a very loopy smile whirring from his throat. Ezra seriously wants to know what's up in this guy's head. The way he's acting - been acting - is like someone gave him one too many zaps to the head.

"Hera needs me on the nose guns, we're being overrun! Can you watch, Tseebo?" Sabine requested more than asked.

"Might as well!" Ezra hissed. He spun Tseebo around and grasped him at the forearms, holding him steady as Hera plunged the ship into another one of her fancy tricks. The shaking jogged Tseebo back to his senses. His massive green eyes, blurry and hazy, fell on Ezra.

"EZRA BRIDGER!" He gasped breathily. His whole person lit up like a supernova. He exclaimed something in Rodian, absolutely flowing with pure joy at seeing Ezra. He touched his face, head, shoulders, and torso, almost unable to believe it was really Ezra standing in front of him. Ezra backed away from him, laughing nervously and telling Tseebo to back off. But Tseebo didn't listen. "Ezra Bridger!" He repeated, then spoke more obscure Rodian.

Sabine audibly gasped, startling Katerina. Her eyes were darting side to side. Transparent is it that her brain was processing and digesting whatever it was Tseebo had said. Tseebo went on and on about Ezra, swarming him with lanky hugs and tears down his cheek. Katerina and Ezra don't speak Rodian, but he kept repeating the same phrase over and over. Sabine's eyes lit up, her jaw slackening. "Oh...my...gosh."

"Sabine, what is he saying?!" Katerina pressed, kneeling to Chopper.

"He said…" She trailed off, her tongue going into knots. Part of her wants to be wrong, but the other part is sincerely hoping she translated correctly. She glanced towards Ezra. Her glossy orbs unnerved him. Her whole closed off persona was pouring out to him. "Ezra...he said...he knows what happened to your parents." Ezra just froze.

xxx

Meanwhile, in the dog fight on the outside, The Inquisitor savored the pathetic resistance the rebel mice were putting up. He and his squadron came in from the sides. Green bolts trailed the engines. He was moderately surprised to see the shields returned. He was rather enjoying their lack of defense. Oh well. He will get over it. Just as he shrugged off their meager fire against their barrage. For every TIE they shot down, two-three-four more will take their place. Committing an act of terrorism on their most sacred of days, and topping off their arrogant jaunt by absconding with their Rodian Property. All of Lothal's forces are up in arms to bring them down. Let them fight for as long as they wish. It will amount to naught by ash in their mouths, and the corpses freezing in the blanket of space. He will relish as their lungs burn for oxygen, collapsing and crushing in on themselves. Their skin blistering and boiling, the veins bursting. It makes him drool just thinking about it.

"Open fire! Their shields won't hold indefinitely!" He encouraged his troops. Whether or not the Rodian dies is irrelevant. They can recover his implant and spare any secrets it contains from being made public.

xxx

The Ghost took on more heavy fire. They were dead unless they made an exit for themselves. "Sabine, I need you on the nose guns!" Hera shouted into the intercom.

Sabine hesitated on her orders. What Tseebo said piqued her curiosity. And it made her worry. Ezra...he looked like he was trapped in a time warp. Being mangled and gnarled by vicious vices, reeling in a perpetual motion that battered him constantly. Tseebo knows what happened to his parents. Claws mangled his insides, boney fingers tying him in unmanageable knots. An unbearably heavy veil wrapping to his skull, crushing him. His eyes darting side to side screamed that it wasn't possible. That it can't be possible. He doesn't want it to be possible.

"Sabine!" Katerina broke the two teens out of their trance. "Go to the guns and give us cover fire! I'll deal with things here!" She's too banged up to be any real help. She might as well support the two mental cases here.

"Alright! We'll talk later!" Sabine raced for the guns, all the while answering Hera's question as to why the whole crew is suddenly so popular.

Katerina turned to Tseebo, then to Ezra. He was losing his balance. The problems just keep pouring on. Tseebo was just fading from reality. Ezra was having a mental trip. And now...she has Chopper smoking at her feet. "Dammit!" She dove to Chopper. She has to help him first. She can't do that without knowing how he was taken offline. She opened a cushion in the lounge couch. She pulled a spare data pad she and Sabine hid in case of emergencies. Such as firefights when hooking Chopper to the main ship systems is dangerous. She opened him up, connected the data pad, and began running a test on his main circuit board. "One problem down." Back to the wavering Ezra and the wobbling Tseebo. "Tseebo!" She snapped. "Are Ezra's parents alive!"

She went for the jugular, exciting an animalistic rage from Ezra! He grit his teeth, eyes narrowing to practically dots. "My parents are dead! Have been for eight years!" ANd he won't let her trick Tseebo into saying otherwise. "Aren't they?!" He shook the Rodian by the shoulders. "My parents are dead! Tell her Tseebo!"

"Ezra…"

"They have to be dead! Why else would they not have come back?!" He threw a hand out. She wasn't at his home, but she's been to his tower. She's seen it. His parents haven't been around for years.

The cybernetic implant on Tseebo's head bleeped wildly. He went stiff as a board. Flashes in his eyes triggered responses in his brain. "Back...came back…" Tseebo mumbled. Ezra and Katerina glanced to him. Bolts struck in his eyes. "Never came back! They couldn't come back! THEY WERE COMING!" He succumbed to panic, gripping his skull.

"What's he on about now?!" Ezra scoffed impatiently.

"Shush, Ezra!" Katerina ordered with an erect finger. She moved him aside, gently turning Tseebo to her. "Talk to me, Tseebo!" He mumbled in his language. The bleeps from the implant changing his mental channels erratically. "Tseebo! Focus! Who came back?! Who didn't come back?!" Ezra snarled venomously, gripping her by the shoulder. Ezra twisted his hand, preventing him from getting in her way. Eight years. He said they've been dead for eight years. "Tseebo, what happened that night eight years ago?!" Ezra ripped his hand free, about ready to strangle her if she kept asking.

"My parents are dead! Why won't you-"

"Troopers and troopers! Millions in fright!" Tseebo screamed. Ezra's tirade dried up in his mouth. He gawked at Tseebo, his heart pounding to the point of bursting. "All through the night we heard them! Getting closer! Just keep getting closer! Nowhere to run! Tried to hide!" Ezra relaxed in a sense. He edged closer to Tseebo, unable to turn away. The Rodian was slipping into a psychotic break, flying into a rambling episode. The night his parents went missing...the night he lost them...coming to bear in front of him. "Hear their guns...their breath in the helmets...coming...THEY'RE COMING! RUN! YOU MUST RUN!" He implored Ezra.

"What are you saying?! What happened?!" He pressed. He looked between him and Katerina.

"The Empire was closing in on your home!" Katerina elucidated. This is a guess, but it was her best. "They were closing in, coming after your family! But...they couldn't run!"

"They had to hide…" Ezra finished. He will never forget that night. "They told me to hide. Then...then they…" He doesn't know much past them telling him to hide.

"Hide...hide…" Tseebo went on again. "They have to hide!" He begged, facing Ezra. "The Bridgers should hide! The troopers came! They took Mira and Ephraim Bridger away!"

Katerina's eyes widened. "They were arrested!" Ezra;s heart skipped a beat. "Ezra, your parents were arrested! Not killed! Not...right away…" She adjusted her conclusion.

"Arrested...taken...WHERE?!" He blurted, clawing at Tseebo. He has to know. After all these years he has to know. "WHERE DID THEY TAKE THEM?!" Where are his parents?! Are they alive?! "ANSWER ME, TSEEBO!"

Tseebo hyperventilated, his craze dying down in slow, uneven breaths. "Ugh...no, no, no…" His thoughts were catching up with his conscious mind, bringing him to a more lucid plane. "Forgive...Tseebo. Forgive him…" He breathed dazedly.

"FORGIVE YOU?!" Ezra boomed. He wants him to forgive him?! Is he serious?! He was ready to tear his head off.

"Tseebo...failed…" He choked. "Tseebo was afraid. Tseebo could not raise Ezra bridger." Katerina's heart broke with Tseebo spirit. She was beginning to understand.

"COWARD!" Ezra shoved him into the wall. "You could have stopped them! Why didn't you stop them?!" Katerina was rooted in place. Ezra was being unreasonable. Stop who? The Empire or his parents? If it is the former, Ezra's detached nature is finally backfiring on his rationality. Tseebo whimpered as his implant drilled into his skull. "TSEEBO!"

"SHIELDS DOWN!" Hera alerted the crew. Of all the bad news today, Katerina ironically found comfort in this one disaster. Yeah, it means they'll likely blow up. But poor Ezra. "Ezra, Katerina, I need one of you up here! The nav-computer is fried!"

"Wish I could, Hera! I took too many knocks to the head! I couldn't crank a shaft." And all this flipping around isn't helping her recover. A light chime came from Chopper's diagnostic run. She scrambled to the pad. Chopper's accessing ports and override sequencers took a hit. Less damage than she expected, but bad if she doesn't work fast. "Besides, I'm working on Chopper. He took a bad hit." On top of everything, his powerlines are compromised. He won't come back on unless that's fixed. "Ezra, get up there and help her!"

"That isn't my area!"

"Neither was tube swapping! Go!" She boomed.

"Yeah...yeah, on my way!" He acquiesced. It might be for the best. It will get him away from that coward wobbling there. "FORGIVE YOU? My parents trusted you, and you betrayed them! Betrayed ME!" He shoved Tseebo. Katerina caught him. "I will NEVER forgive you!" Ezra rushed for the cockpit, putting Tseebo and that whole conversation behind him.

"Oh, Ezra…" Katerina moaned, setting Tseebo down. She can't be too surprised by his reaction. If anything, she'd be more worried if he was composed. "Grr...my head…" She pressed a calm to the throbbing in the side of her skull. Tseebo glanced up at her in another one of his dazes. That headgear of his was twisting his brain. "Try to relax, Tseebo. We'll have you safe and sound in no time." Tseebo blinked blankly. Katerina was baffled by his expression, then felt something running down her forehead. She touched it. Blood was on her fingers. Her wound opened. "Damn. I need to clean this-" Tseebo touched her wound, scooping a trace of blood to his finger. He dazedly reached to the side of his implant. A slot opened and he slipped the finger inside, pulling it out clean. Katerina felt her heart skip a beat. "DNA sample acquired. Katerina Joyce Dume, born 23 years ago in October on...Planet Kamino."

Katerina whole form just went to pieces. She backed away from Tseebo, ensnared in this fear similar to what she feels when The Inquisitor is around. She started shaking. "How...how can you access my information?" No one - not the Empire, or anyone - should be able to find a trace of her. Least of all her birth records. Kendril - Mon - made her disappear. Yet Tseebo, a head case with very fashionable headgear, accessed one portion of her file. Save for the Jedi bit. But her name - her full name? And...wait? Did he say Kamino? "I was born on Coruscant! What do you mean Kamino?!" Unless what Tseebo accessed is a false story generated by the redactions. A unique failsafe should anyone manage to read past the redactions. The down side, Katerina doesn't know her official story. I need to talk to Mon. She might have answers. All she knows is that when she's looked up, someone somewhere get's a warning. And then...now...they tell Hera. And there's only person she can currently think of who would tell Hera. What are you up to, Bail? Here's one thing she is aware of, "I'm not from Kamino. I'm from Coruscant!" She barked at Tseebo. She's from Coruscant just like...Caleb. "Huh…" Now that she thinks about it, she doesn't know how she came to be united with Kanan. He never really talked about it. All she remembers is being with him. She never once asked how twins five years apart wind up at the same temple. Does he even know?

xxx

The Inquisitor was finding himself strangely in awe of the rebel crew's ship. It has taken a beating that would leave most TIE's crippled in their flight pattern. But this massive hunker won't keel under its wounds. If anything it was standing its ground and increasing its fortitude with every strike it is dealt. More remarkable is that The Inquisitor and two other TIE's are all that is left of the squadron that was launched after this rag-tag team.

"Quite a ship." Quite the crew too. He cannot afford to lose this ship. It will be invaluable to The Empire. He launched a tracker beacon, attaching it to the rear hull of the ship. Now, should they actually escape, he will know precisely where to find them. Two Imperial Cruisers came out of Hyperspace in their escape route. The Inquisitor snickered at this fortune. He might have just wasted a beacon.

xxx

Katerina peered out the windows, able to see the cruisers in their way. "Dammit!" This is getting way too out of hand. And for what? Yeah, sure, they wrecked their precious holiday. But to be coming at them full force like this? No way. Not for that. Are they seriously after the Rodian with the bad headgear. "Tseebo?" He was gone. He was heading for the cockpit. "TSEEBO! Where are you going?! GRR!" She got up too fast. Her head was throbbing. The back of her heel knocked into Chopper. She stumbled to her butt, groaning irritably. Everything was spinning. 'Ex...or...ix...di...' "What...is...that…?" She moaned deliriously. Her vision was blurring, shrouded by swaying shadows.

Whhirr...chills scaled her spine. She heard them outside. The TIE's drawing closer and surrounding them. HE was getting closer. That one TIE dancing around, mocking them as he effortlessly thwarted their escapes. The cruisers ahead training their crosshairs directly onto them. This can't be how it ends. After all they've done, they can't die in space and be left to the dust. Hera, please, I know you can do this! She prayed. Hera is the best there is. No one can outfly her. NO ONE! The odds are always worse than this, and she proves to be their master. Hera...go...NOW!

Hera must have heard her. Katerina's shroud cleared. She shook off the buzzing. As she peered out the window, she saw the stars stretching and distorting. Electric blue and white lights enveloped The Ghost, and it was flung into hyperspace. To safety. "Oh...man…" She voluntarily let herself fall this time, relaxing with her head propped at the wall and her legs over Chopper. They escaped...by the skin of their teeth. "Good girl, Hera. Good girl." She panted.

"Uhh, it wasn't me." Hera humbly declined the praise. She and Ezra pushed Tseebo inside, sitting him down. "Tseebo remotely activated the hyperdrive. In spite of the nav-computer being shot."

"Tseebo...remotely…" Katerina wagged a finger, wrapping her mind around it. That thing on his head. "So...I've been out done...by a hat. That's great. Just peachy…" She rasped, collapsing in jealousy. "Wake me up when the universe makes sense again." She massaged her brow. Blood trickled to the side of her forehead. "Or when this stops bleeding. Either one will work." She waved off. Hera shook her head, laughing at how dramatic she was being.

xxx

The calm after a near victory left a sour taste in The Inquisitor's mouth. Yes, he successfully attached a homing beacon to the rebel ship. But to not be able to claim their lives, to lay waste to their tyrannical defiance and see them dead, left him yearning for...revenge. Retribution. Perhaps the greatest loss was the Jedi and his Padawan. The two who pose any real threat to him. And, should he place a hand to where he was met with that little taser, he supposes coming face to face with the mechanic girl would be a delight as well. But the Jedi. Yes. It is the Jedi he craves. For without them, these rebels would have no chances of victory. None of them - not even the Jedi - have the skills or fortitude to match The Inquisitor. Without them, they would lose heart, morale, and spirit, and slowly decline. And The Inquisitor will be standing over them, removing their heads from their shoulders one at a time, as they sit on their knees and plead for the end.

For now, he must refuel his TIE, lick the wounds of his comrades with salt and iron, and regroup on their next move. The Rebels will be wanting to clean their wounds as well. They are distracted, frazzled, and antsy. With the beacon they will catch the rebels whilst they are still recovering. And then they will strike again.

The Inquisitor adjourned to the bridge. The staff ceased their muttering and work in waves, gluing awed and fearful gazes to the Pau'an strolling the bridge. Admiral Constantine speedily stepped aside. The Inquisitor peered into the black vastness, knowing that, beyond those stars, his quarry are limping. "We are receiving a signal from the beacon." Constantine reported. "They won't be able to elude us for long."

"I still sense the Jedi and his Padawan within my grasp!" He rumbled, clutching a fist. Their throats in his palm. The beating of their hearts making his blood pump. He senses their fear, their strong desire to not meet with him. Good. That will be the noose by which he strangles them with. That one cruiser was flung into hyperspace after the rebels, whilst the other secured the way into Lothal. Should the rebels return, they will not get within a hair's distance of the planet.

xxx

The atmosphere in The Ghost was far from tranquil. There was anxiety soaking into the walls. The paranoia that a weapon from The Empire will ram them out of hyperspace. Impossible, yes. Still, Zeb was constantly bracing himself. They needed to calm themselves down. The Empire IS going to attack again, and they need to be at their physical and mental best. The ship on autopilot allowed the crew to recuperate from what was sure to be a disaster. Who are they kidding? It was a disaster. Sabine and Hera distracted themselves by trying to bring Chopper back online. Katerina showed them the diagnostic and from there they were able to work. Zeb was pacing, working on his speed in shifting his bo-rifle between modes. He almost hit Kanan in the head a couple of times. He apologized, but kept working on his form. He also kept an eye on Ezra and Tseebo. The Rodian was gone somewhere in that scrambled head of his. The kid looked like he wanted to kill him. There's history there. Bad history. Sabine was concerned too. Before she went to the nose guns for support, Tseebo said he knew what happened to Ezra's parents. Not much was said afterward.

Kanan was seated to a stool across from Katerina, meticulously working a needle and thread to her head wound. The antibiotic cream he applied cleaned the wound, and eased the closing. What it didn't do, however, "OUCH," Was take away the pinching as the needle pierced her skin. Still hurt less than the migraine. "Ow! Easy!"

"Will you stop moving?!" Kanan snapped, planting a palm on her forehead. Holding that head of hers still is harder than keeping Ezra focused on his training.

"Sorry, but it hurts!" She replied sarcastically. Kanan flicked her forehead. "YOUCH!"

"Don't be such a baby!"

"Why don't I split your head open and stitch you up?!"

"Tempting, but you left me a nice scar on my left leg, remember?! Happy ninth birthday to me!"

"Hey, I warned you about stepping on my tools!" Kanan's brow knit. He tugged the thread. "OW!"

"Oops! Hand slipped. Sorry." He grinned puckishly. Katerina is going to love splitting his head open. "Not to worry though, I'm finished." He slapepd a bandage on it. "Want me to kiss it and make it better?" Her glare warned him he'd lose those lips. He laughed putting the stool away.

Katerina stayed put at the lounge's couch. Sitting still felt amazing. The subtle rocking of the ship to sooth her. She turned to Tseebo, hearing him hum to himself. "So this thing on Tseebo's head has half of The Empire's secrets on it?" She reached up and touched it. And now has my DNA inside of it.

"Yeah, and they want him back badly." Sabine breathed, finding that to be an understatement considering what they went through.

"This explains why The Empire loved us so vehemently today." Sort of hurt they weren't after them for ruining their precious holiday. Oh well. They can't be the center of attention all the time. "Glad Vizago didn't recognize him when we found him in Lecosta."

Kanan waved a hand in front of Tseebo. It was creepy how he would just stand there. Ezra joined Katerina at the table, slouching with an elbow to the table. "So now what do we do with him?" Keeping him as a pet doesn't sound that great.

"We have a few ideas." Kanan answered. "But," He moseyed to Ezra, placing his hands to the table. Ezra felt himself trapped in a corner, "You're the one who has history with Tseebo. What do you think we should do?" Another test from Master to Apprentice. Needless to say, it didn't stay a secret about Ezra's parents, his home in the city, or that he and Tseebo go way back. Ezra's been running from this for a long time. It was time to face it.

"Don't know…" Ezra faced it by putting one of his Cadet Trooper helmets on, "Don't much care!" The perfect mask to hide behind. Katerina felt that headache again. She respects that Ezra is angry, but the helmet was just childish.

"Ezra, you'll never advance as a Jedi if you can't be honest! With yourself anyway." Kanan added sounding slightly regretful.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" A rhetorical question. Ezra didn't care what it meant. He got up and started heading for his room.

"It means Tseebo matters to you." Kanan ripped the helmet off. "You do care what happens to him." Ezra folded his arms in a barrier, glaring away from him. "No matter how angry we are at someone, we don't stop caring about them." Zeb and Katerina cast shy and grim glances to one another, then turned away sighed dismally. He hit the nail on the head there.

"Why should I?!" He snarled. "He did NOTHING to save my parents!"

"Ezra, be reasonable!" Katerina had to step in. "You know there's nothing he could have done against The Empire!"

"And besides, look at what he's done since!" Sabine added herself flamboyantly. She went up to Tseebo, fussing over his Implant. It's crude, but pure work of art. "The Imperials encourage these implants. They aren't mandatory yet. He must have volunteered, uploaded their secrets, and ran!" That was her best guess. "He must be trying to make up for letting you down! Why else would he take on The Empire alone?" Ezra heard what Sabine was saying. But to acknowledge that a noodly coward like this did something so heroic and selfless? No way, pass! Tseebo's implant activated again. He educated them in his native tongue. "He said...The Empire can track the Ghost!" She translated eerily. So much for relaxing.

"Oh please!" Zeb scoffed incredulously. "The Imperials can't track us through hyperspace! Uhh...can they?" He glanced to Katerina, her being the grease monkey and all. She threw her hands up, shaking her head.

Tseebo spoke Rodian again, a holographic image of a tracker projecting in the middle of the room from his implant. Sabine gave him a firm slap on the head, breaking him into plain english. "Imperial XX-23 Estar tracker was developed by Synar Systems to track ships through hyperspace to destination." He sounded like a brochure.

"Hold on!" Katerina approached the projector. "I saw those when I perused the academy. Cadets were taking classes and learning about them." She caressed the virtual image. That was a machine of pure beauty. So sleek and smooth. "They weren't supposed to be put into use for another month. Guess the field test was upped. They must have hit us while we were fighting."

"Won't know till we found out for ourselves." Hera interjected, fastening Chopper's dislocated satellite dish. She finished putting the little droid back together, securing little parts. She flicked him back online. Chopper's systems came back to life one at a time. His head oscillated side to side, his processor absorbing surrounds phasing in from a very unnerving white light. He flew into a hostile rant, prongs drawn and his circuits on overdrive. His head spun out of control, startling everyone back. He want to kick butts, take names, and leave unflattering bruises on the ones that left him for scrap. "WHOA, WHOA, CHOP, YOU WERE OFFLINE FOR A FEW MINUTES!" Hera screamed. Offline for a second was damaging to Chopper's ego. "Listen, we need you to scan The Ghost for that." Chopper saw the tracker, and argued that he was just barely brought back from oblivion and now he has to work.

"Stop grumbling and find that tracker, you rustbucket!" Zeb ordered. Chopper went on his way, but he swore not to enjoy it. Zeb paused briefly catching Katerina staring at him. She darted her gaze away, feeling her shame peel her skin. Zeb's ears sank, and he tromped on his way.

Ezra was also not in the mood to see faces and he escaped into his room. Kanan was really fed up with his teenage emotional constipations. He was going to straighten him out. Katerina latched a hand to his wrist. "Leave him alone."

"Why are you coddling him?" He questioned agitated.

"Tseebo just told him there's a slim chance his parents could be alive. AFTER he's spent the past eight years believing they were dead!"

"And, while I feel for him, he needs to learn to own up to what he's feeling if he's ever going to become a Jedi." Katerina rested her lower back to the table. Kanan leaned in close, hand planted at that table, locking a stern glare with her defiant leer. "So, again, why are you coddling him?"

"Caleb," She licked her lips frustrated, "I KNOW you and I aren't about to have this conversation." She warned him with a low hum. "Especially when we thought the other was dead for 15 YEARS." She spat the time at him. Kanan grunted in the back of his throat. The sternness wavered, he inched away. He hasn't forgotten, but he can't have that loom while training Ezra. "Kanan, Ezra does need to learn to drop his guard. Unfortunately, maintaining his guard is how he's stayed sane this long. How he's survived." She would never step on his toes with training him. But she will step up when she sees he's taking diverting to an ill avenue. "Ezra isn't you, and he isn't me. He didn't have teachers or a family to help him through this trial of his life. He's been alone." She stressed. "He's in a very fragile state. Push too hard and you will break him."

"Then how would you get him to lower his guard?" He quizzed her curtly. He doesn't mean to be hostile, but if baby sister is going to have answers they better be good. "How do we proceed from here?"

"The same way I got you to lower your guard." Katerina reached into her back pocket, pulling out the drive. "By making him realize that not everything is in his control." She tapped his head with the drive, meandering on her way. Kanan blinked perplexedly, waving a finger between what she said and how he feels like he lost an argument...again.

"You're older, right?" Sabine teased.

"Shut it!"

xxx

Ezra lied on his bed with his hands behind his head. That ceiling had never been more fascinating. Three knocks pulled him from his thoughts. Katerina sauntered in, hands folded behind her back with a warm smile gleaming in the depressing lighting. "I don't think I told you happy birthday yet." Ezra arched a brow. "Sabine."

Ezra snorted. He should have known. "Funny, right?"

"Hilarious." A birthday on Empire day. Woof. She extended the drive to him. "You dropped this. I didn't look at it." Ezra was shocked, searching himself. He didn't even notice. He took it back, holding it close to his heart. Whatever was on it, it's precious to him. It made him sad...angry. He turned over, putting his back to Katerina. He didn't want her to see him. Not like this. He didn't want to talk. He wanted to be alone. Katerina, instead, sat to Zeb's bed, hands folded in her lap. She took a deep breath. "I'm in love with Zeb." She heard the bed creak. She caught his attention. "I just...put it together when...he confronted me about our kiss, and just before The Inquisitor found us." She laughed at herself, shaking her head decisively. "We've had a falling out due to the fact that I'm not entirely open," She should slap herself for that egregious understatement, "And he feels that he can't trust me. It hurts. That hasn't stopped me from loving him. Just makes me love his integrity."

"Why are you telling me this?" Ezra flipped over the edge. He's really missing the point here.

"To show you it hurts less when you let your guard down." She blurted passionately. "To admit that, no matter how badly we want something to not be what it is, that is how it's ended up." She doesn't want to be in love with Zeb. She doesn't want to have all of these secrets. She doesn't want to be the sister of a Jedi. That's just how it is. And no matter how much she wants to change it, it cannot and will not change. She touched the drive. "Whatever it is, I know you'll come to us about it when you're ready. And we won't judge you." She swore to him. Who are any of them to judge? All of them have secrets. Katerina pecked a kiss on his forehead. "Just know you don't have to be scared."

"What makes you think I'm scared?" He blushed, wiping off his forehead.

"Because whether you like it or not Kanan is rubbing off on you." She stood up. She put a finger to his forehead, walking while lifting Ezra back onto his bed. "Making you an open book to me." She winked. Ezra scrunched his nose. Katerina left him alone, Wish I could follow my own advice.

xxx

Glistening morning light flooded a large penthouse office space. Freshly lit incense combined with the breeze of the outskirt forest circulated the room. Bliss and relaxation were painted into the walls, furniture, and added life to evergreen plants. A data pad with a full, undoctored, page of Katerina Dume's biography was placed to an oak wood desk. A slender hand lovingly caressed the image, tracing fingers along the edges.

"I heard she was being investigated. I didn't want it to be true." An accented woman remarked, placing a hand to her fretting heart. "Is she still safe?"

"Safe and sound with our trusted rebel friends. And quite happy." A man assured her with his authoritative, yet charismatic, voice. "Captain Syndulla confronted her when I presented her with this. Katerina did not falter."

The woman released an edgy breath. A comfort that came with unease. "It honestly hurts that we can't directly help." She meandered around her desk in her Chandrilian traditional robes. "Both of these women work for us, both of them carry intelligence that can either cripple The Empire or empower it." She stared out the spanning horizon, feeling the weight of the planet just collapse to her shoulders. "Yet they have to remain separate in order for our plans to not be unhinged."

"Katerina knows about Fulcrum, but won't ask further. Hera knows Katerina is protected by The Empire, but refuses to dig deeper." The man stroked his black beard, itching at his tan skin. "These two are aware the other is not who they merely pretend to be. And both sense there is a danger to prying." He locked chocolate orbs to the red haired woman. "The question is, Senator Mon Mothma, when will the danger become so great that they will unveil their secrets?"

"That is a question for the far future, Senator Bail Organa." She faced the man with an austere brow furrowed. "A future I want our Rebels to see."

xxx

Chopper and Hera gathered everyone in the cockpit. Sabine and Kanan had to pry Ezra out of his room. Chopper projected a full image of The Ghost and Phantom. Crosshairs centered to the back hull of The Phantom. The tracker Tseebo displayed right on it. "So they DID tag us." Sabine gasped impressed. And to think they never would have picked up on it if Tseebo's implant didn't catch it.

"Yes, but the good news is the tracer is on the hull of The Phantom." Hera spun on a positive note.

"How is THAT good news exactly?" Zeb huffed.

"Because someone has a plan to detach from The Ghost and lead the Imperials away." Katerina crossed her arms, casting an accusing gaze to Kanan. "Someone who hasn't had enough brushes with the Grim Reaper today."

"I know it sounds crazy." Kanan admitted. And he's a little alarmed Katerina guessed what he was planning before he even said it. There's merit to twin telepathy. "But The Inquisitor is going to follow Ezra and I regardless if there's a tracker." She of all people knows the force grants him special skills that allow him to pick out Jedi from a crowd. "This way, with The Phantom detached, we can lure The Imperials away from you guys and Tseebo."

"WHOA, WHOA, WHOA!" Sabine put the brakes on this craziness. "You wanna detach The Phantom while IN hyperspace?! Do you know how incredibly dangerous that is?!" Breaking into Stygeon Prime is a lot safer.

"Not as dangerous as what I plan to do with The Ghost." Kanan hinted impishly.

"Can't wait to hear this." Zeb retorted snidely. Katerina leaned to his shoulder. This sounded interesting and stupid.

"I checked our current trajectory." He turned to Hera. "If you can modify the hyperspace coordinates-"

"I...could…" She responded cautiously.

"Then we can pass by the asteroid field where the old clone base is."

"You mean the base with the nasties who live in the shadows." Sabine relived a very not so fond memory.

"Wait, what?!" Ezra gasped. Katerina tapped her chin. She heard about this mission from Sabine. Nasty business. "Why would we wanna go down there?!"

"He's right, Kanan." Hera protested. "Why not just drop The Phantom into our trail and let the Empire chase their tracker?"

"Because it's like he said." Katerina inserted herself. "The Inquisitor can find Ezra and Kanan. His abilities with the force are terrifyingly supreme." She doesn't mean to diminish their skills, but this is a cold hard fact all of them need to grasp. "Ezra and Kanan can hide on the most remote planets or within a crowd of millions. The Inquisitor will find them, and kill anyone in their way to get to them." Kanan gestured to her valid point. And it's the precise argument that gets those two into The Phantom. "Besides, he's in such a bad mood right now he'll probably take his time."

"Why's he in a bad mood?" Hera rumbled. As if they don't enough problems.

Zeb cackled maniacally. "Katerina hit him with a taser during our escape." He held his stomach.

"YOU WHAT?!" Kanan, Hera, and Sabine cried. Katerina blushed madly, rubbing the back of her neck.

Ezra's head did a 360. "You...tased...The-" He threw himself at her, laughing hysterically, "YOU ARE THE COOLEST PERSON EVER!"

"Told you that taser was a good idea." Sabine patted herself on the back.

"Yeah...about that…" Katerina laughed nervously. This is what she was hoping to avoid. "I kind of turned it into a land mine and…" She parted her hands and spread them into the air.

Sabine went blank, then in a blur tackled Katerina to the ground. "YOU BLEW IT UP?! KATERINA DUME, I'LL THROW YOU INTO SPACE!" She shook her violently.

"PLEASE HAVE MERCY OH WISE AND BELOVED SABINE WREN!"

"YOUR PLIGHTS FALL ON DEAF EARS!"

Kanan diverted attention from the catfight with a clear of his throat. "As long as Ezra and I are on board, we're jeopardizing Tseebo's escape."

"So I gotta leave The Ghost," Ezra backed up as Sabine flipped Katerina onto her stomach, tying her in a headlock, "To a Nasty filled asteroid as favor to Tseebo?!"

"As a favor to all of us." Kanan corrected the selfish statement. The two girls tumbled to him. He pulled them apart by the collar, planting one hand to Sabine's forehead and using the other to pin Katerina to a chair. Sabine clawed for Katerina, cursing her to Hell. Katerina was a disheveled mess thinking she saw the fabled white light. "And don't worry. I'll be right beside you." He pushed Sabine along. Hera escorted her out, laughing at how frazzled she was. Ezra's shoulders sank defeatedly. He isn't complaining his way out of this one. He'd still rather be doing anything else besides helping Tseebo. He scoffed under his breath, throwing his hands at him and leaving. He needed a snack. "Yeah...this is going to go well." He grumbled. Zeb would mock him in skepticism, but Kanan's already aware how dumb his plan is. He left the cockpit for a nap. Kanan was about to follow.

"Kanan, can I borrow you for a second?" Katerina led him into hers and Hera's room.

Kanan instinctively locked the door behind them. He sensed much weighed on her mind. "What's up?"

"So, um," She fiddled nervously with her fingers. Her teeth nibbled on her lower lip. She isn't sure how to start, so she eased into it. "This is...sort of out of the blue. Tseebo's information is accurate, right? The stuff he's told you up until now." She ran her hair anxiously down her neck.

"According to Sabine, it is." And given that he remotely activated The Ghost's hyperdrive and spotted a tracker on the hull of The Phantom, Kanan was inclined to believe her. "That implant even gives him access to information thought lost."

"Even...birth records?" She winced.

"He knew when Ezra was born. So yeah. Why?" He arched a brow, growing more wary of her timid behavior. Katerina released a reluctant breath. Her stomach was in tatters. She went to the bed against the furthest wall, sitting with her head hung. "Riina…" Kanan sat close, resting one hand to her lap and wrapped the other to her shoulder. "What's the matter?"

"Bear with me." She pleaded. Her stubbornly iron will was failing her. She never thought this topic would twist her so much. Her adrenaline was pumping. She's scared. Scared of what he might say, or think. "You were there when I somehow made it to the temple, right?" He nodded with a puzzled expression. "How did you know I was your sister?" He was taken aback, then sank dismally with a breath. He curled his lips, turning slightly. Katerina bunched into herself, hugging her knees close to her chest. "I mean, we never met our parents. It's weird we'd end up at the same place a few years apart. Or that you'd take at face value that I was related to you." "For that matter, how did I even end up at the temple?"

"Where's this coming from, Riina?" He rumbled perturbed. She was scaring him.

"Please...answer me." She quaked. She hid half her somber face behind her knees. She was shaking, on the verge of tears. This feeling. She isn't scared. She's terrified. What if...after all these years...it's all been a lie? They aren't brother and sister. They aren't even related. They just happen to look the same. That, in reality, they've really been alone.

"Okay…I'll tell you." Kanan acquiesced, moving himself to the wall. "Truth is…" He pulled her back with him, hugging her close by the waste. He shook his head, training his gaze anywhere but to her, "I didn't accept you as my sister at first. I couldn't." Katerina inched from him in utter shock. Kanan wasn't about to let her slip away. His tightening hold urged her to listen. "Our parents abandoned me and I was taken in by the Jedi. For the first five years of my life, I was alone in the universe. No one waiting for me, and no one wanting me." Almost like Ezra. Explains how those two are so remarkably alike. "One day, the Masters pulled me from youngling training and told me they found a baby a couple of months ago that shared a familial match with me." He touched a hand to the aghast swell in his chest. Katerina saw it pooling from his eyes. There was joy and sadness. "I thought to myself, No the Hell they didn't! There's no way! Sure enough, there you were." He jerked a hand at the bed, imagining a crib with a bundle of newborn joy sitting there. "Same eyes, skin tone, hair color - in every sense, the doctor's called us twins." That also explain how their Rebellious Twins name spread across Coruscant. "I asked the docs to do a test for my own sake. Results came back the same every time." He shook her proudly, finally able to look at her. "You were my flesh and blood! My little sister! And, for all purposes, I was meant to protect you."

"Did they say where they found me? Why they would bother running a DNA test on you?"

"Yeah, um...you were...found by one of the clones. I don't remember which one." "The other younglings and I were taken on a field trip to Kamino to be introduced to the soldiers we'd be fighting alongside." No need to go into detail on how fast that plan went sour. "I wasn't paying attention and I slipped. Cut my arm on a tool." He showed her a light scar of a gash on his forearm. Katerina traced her fingers to it. Electricity surged through her fingers. "And you know Kaminoans. They're obsessed with DNA. They kept my blood sample. They've done it before with other Jedi before me." Katerina bobbed her head. She heard about that. Kendril and Mon offered up a sample to Senator Burtoni. "Anyway, how you were found was the clones were running a routine op on…" He racked his brain, snapping his fingers. He knew this, "Planet Kalio!"

"Kalio?" She gasped.

"Yep. New Clone troopers would be sent on practice missions there. And that's how you were found."

"Why Kalio?" How does Kalio tie to Kamino? Her mind was drawing blanks here.

"Well you know The Clones were made on Kamino, and Kalio is in the Kamino System." Katerina was struck by a bolt of lightning. She rummaged through a map in her head. Since she trained with clones she was forced to endure long lectures of the Kamino System. Not that she would ever be able to go there. She thinks the clones just wanted her to know the pride they feel in a place they call home. Planet Kalio...wasn't too far away. "Is something the matter?"

"Tseebo...he…" Her throat went dry, "He said I was born on Kamino." She answered in a daze.

"He must have meant the Kamino System. The only thing coming from Kamino were their people and the clones." All traitors to the Jedi.

"But why would our parents be all the way out there? And why leave me?" She stressed.

"I don't know. I honestly think it's amazing you were even alive." His shoulders bobbed, half laughs rapsing from his throat.

"But...no…" Katerina wiggled frustrated from his embrace. She sat to her knees, clawing at the air - at him - for that nagging sense that there's a giant plot hole. And there is. "How did they know to bring me to the temple, though? And how did that lead to you and I being siblings? WHO NAMED ME?!" She blurted rapidly.

"One question at a time!" He gripped her wrists, holding them down. Holding her still, and taming that wildfire fuming from her mouth. He understands her frustration. He can see it in her eyes. Her sense of self always in question, the idea that she doesn't belong anywhere, and the fear that there will be no one waiting for her with the arrival of the morning sun. It's exactly how he feels every single day. "They brought you to the temple because you came with a note. This note." He reached into his shoulder plate. A strange, withered, and aged fabric.

Katerina cautiously took it in both palms. She unfolded it. Written in symbols, she deciphered the word, "Dume…" Warm tingles filled her. "Your name."

Kanan cupped both his hands to hers. "Our name." He pressed their foreheads together, inhaling a wealth of happiness and sorrow. He'll never forget that day, or this feeling. The day when his family grew by one. "The Kaminoans' ran a name check, found me, did a DNA test, brought you to Coruscant, and that's how you and I met." Cut and dry in summary, elaborate and poetic on the long pages. "But I won't lie to you, Riina, in spite of the test..." He shook his head regretfully, "Every part of me tried to deny that you were my sister. I...I didn't want you." He slipped from her.

"Why?" She placed a hand to his cheek.

"Because my parents abandoned me. It left me empty, angry, and torn. I didn't want any family, any attachments." He smoothed a hand, drawing that line in the sand that was trampled on dozens of times. Besides, Jedi frowned on attachments. He could ill afford them. "And seeing you, an infant left to harsh elements on a planet far, far away...I wasn't ready. I was angrier than before." Angry that two people are actually so cruel they'd abandon a baby - for the second time - in a land of strangers. "I was ready to walk away. Then…" He closed his eyes. In a distant memory he heard the wailing of an infant. "You started crying." Katerina blushed. "It scared me at first. I had no idea what was wrong. Were you hungry, sick, scared, what? When I came in closer...you stopped. And you smiled." He chuckled.

"I smiled?!" She guffawed.

"A big, starry eyed, lack of teeth smile!" He cooed in baby talk, pinching her cheek, at how cute she was. "That smile...filled me with such warmth, such happiness. It lit up a room. You were left abandoned somewhere and still you smiled like nothing could ever hurt you." There are times where she still smiles like that. It hasn't gone unnoticed by Kanan that her smile carries of hint of falsehood. "That's when I knew, no matter what, I had to be by your side. I would protect that smile of yours." He brushed hairs from her face. "That's when I named you Katerina. According to Master Billaba, it means Shining Nova."

"Aww...big brother…" She snuggled to him, her arms embracing him tightly. Tremendous weight evaporated from her. The worries, fears, and restraints that have been choking her just went away. Save for one...that she HAS to keep to herself. "I don't know what I'm so scared of. I guess I could have been born anywhere."

"Yep. And you and I still would have found each other." Of that he is certain. "Now I have another pain in my ass to help through his issues." And there's another hitch in Katerina's plans for a smooth day. Kanan and Ezra leaving to draw The Inquisitor away. "Hey, hey, take that look off your face. You'll make me lose heart before we start." He teased. "Can you hold down the fort?"

"Yeah. Just make sure you come back." She warned. It isn't impossible for her to come find him and beat his ass beyond the grave.

"I promise." He placed a hand to his heart and raised his right hand. She hates that fake scout's honor code. But his word is his bond. So she has to accept it.

xxx

Damage control was successful on Lothal. Much from the catastrophe was stricken from the parade grounds. Though the scar that was left by the rebels will never heal, The Empire will rise from these ashes with a newfound vengeance. And Agent Kallus will be the one leading that charge. Minister Tua and Supply Master Lyste offered their servitude in seeing his goal achieved. Minister Tua was front and center when the devastation hit. This was an attack on not just The Empire, but an irremovable blemish on her and her prestigious record. All of Lothal will snicker and taunt her for her inability to prevent a rebel assault. Lyste, though he was not present during the attack, felt the pangs and arrow pierced his pride as well. He helped arrange the parade. Supplied the munitions and troops to see that this Empire Day on Lothal would be one for the history books. Instead all of his hard work was turned to ash in his mouth by the same rebels that made fools of him on several occasions. The Inquisitor gets to have his Jedi. Kallus, Tua, and Lyste will have their revenge on the rebels that wronged him. And no one will stop them.

The trio arrived to the cruiser guarding the planet. They marched onto the bridge, splitting the personnel down the middle. A couple leapt off the bridge into the staff working area, cowering under chairs. A torrential storm amassed between the three of them. Admiral Yovan, a young woman with chocolate skin and stunning brownish gold eyes, felt a lump lodge in her throat at their approach. Her pokerface held, but the beads of sweat down her brow spoke for her rising fear. "Minister Tua, Agent Kallus, and Supply Master Lyste - thank you for joining us." She greeted shakily.

The trio stood at the forefront of the ramp. Kallus was the point, glaring daggers to the starry abyss before them. "What news have you on The Rebels?"

"They escaped into hyperspace as we arrived, but are being traced by a tracker The Inquisitor planted on them."

"How long ago was this?" Kallus asked strictly.

"A couple hours ago."

"These Rebels are not so foolish." Tua grudgingly announced. "They will have picked up on the tracker and will undoubtedly concoct one of their tricks to elude us!" That ringing from the bomb was back in her ear she was so frustrated. "We must devise a means of cutting them off before that happens and they escape!" The Rebels haven't been this close in their grasp since The Academy.

"Their ship sustained significant damage and lost the use of its shields." Yovan stated. "They will need to fix their ship, refuel, and recharge. They won't get far with the damage they took."

"Yes…" Lyste stroked his chin pensively. He retrieved a data pad from Yovan. He inspected the damage recorded be the surviving TIE pilots, and the cruisers. The wings, portions of the engine, and yes the shields. All damaged. They won't get far. Even in hyperspace. If anything it will stress the ship to tearing itself apart. "It is difficult to say if they will leave the system or not. Even if they do, it is inevitable that they will have to find a port." He wagged a finger, fueled by an epiphany. He remotely activated a projection on the bridge. The Lothal System and the reach beyond. A handful of ports stood out. "There happen to be fueling ports on the trajectory they took. Knowing The Rebels they will choose the most inconspicuous and out of the way port."

"Then set a course and send out scouts!" Agent Kallus barked. He's tired of these inactive plans. He wants action. He wants revenge. "These rebels can run, but we will not allow them to hide!" He vowed. "One way or another, we will turn these rebels into martyrs!" A message that will strike fear into the hearts of millions. "Their deaths will remind these hopeful radicals who the supreme power of the galaxy is, and it will quash any ideas of ever challenging us again."

xxx

It is do or die time. It will be repeated as many times as necessary. Until the day comes when an operation is as smooth as Porcavian Sheep Butter. Which is exceptionally smooth. However, currently, the situation is as rough as Devonian Sandpaper. Ask Vizago about how rough that one is. The Ghost Crew ruined Empire Day, embarassed Minister Tua, The Inquisitor, and Agent Kallus, absconded with a Rodian wearing an implant with Imperial Secrets, and made an absolute mockery of the security forces on Lothal. They have always been public enemy number one, but now they are yearned for as pelts on a wall. The next few hours will determine if The Ghost Crew will come out whole or not. Kanan and Ezra were all set to leave. The Inquisitor has their scent firmly lodged and is coming for them like a ravenous anooba. Arranging an ambush for him at the old clone base in the asteroid field from Hera and Sabine's fuel run is as perfect a plan as they can concoct given the circumstances. No. By no means is it wholly supported by the team. Hera and Katerina especially. Yes, Ezra has reservations. But they are mostly geared in bitterness to the fugitive Rodian Tseebo - a family friend who was unable to raise or protect Ezra after his parents passed away. Hera and Katerina...their reasons were as personal as they come. They were scared. Terrified that Ezra and Kanan wouldn't come back. Being alone with a Jedi Hunting Monster with no chance of back up arriving? The same monster that came dangerously close to killing the both of them and Katerina? No. They don't want this. The Ghost is in no shape for another fire fight, and The Phantom was not enough to save them. By no means are Kanan and Ezra's skills doubted. But the reluctance - the fear - is there. The Crew - Hera and Katerina - cannot lose them. They...they love them too much. It would devastate them. Unfortunately it has to be done. If not, then - along with the tracker on The Phantom - The Inquisitor and the whole Empire will be hot on their jet trails, drawing closer and closer until they either capture their rebel quarry or turn them into space dust. Given the options...they'd rather be space dust. But if they can help it, they will be reunited when the smoke clears. They have to be.

Kanan went to fetch Ezra. Delaying their departure will only make it harder on both them and their friends. Best to leave now while everyone's resolve was hardened. He overheard Ezra and Sabine in a heated conversation about why Ezra refuses to learn more about his parents. Information Tseebo has in his cybernetic implant. Allowing himself to believe that they were alive, that they would come and save him, only would have destroyed him. Or so he felt. Kanan can sympathize. As can Katerina, and everyone else on the crew. The difference here is, Ezra doesn't want hear what Tseebo has to say purely because he blames Tseebo for everything. Hopefully, by the time this mission is over, Ezra will have cleaved that resentment, and will begin healing the chip on his shoulder.

"You ready?" Kanan asked the startled boy. Ezra glanced to Sabine who wordlessly urged him to stay and talk to Tseebo. But he wouldn't. He faced Kanan, turning his back on Tseebo for the final time. "Okay. Let's get going." Kanan said with a quizzical inflection. He senses Ezra irresolution conflicting with his wish to know. It'll only make things worse if he presses. As he and the boy meandered to The Phantom, Katerina, Hera, and Zeb were there to see them off. Long goodbyes didn't need to be said. All those two needed to know was that the crew would be waiting for them. Ezra shrugged in a moody thanks, making Hera scoffing lightly. Kanan bowed his head thankfully, touching Zeb's shoulder on the way out. Kanan went to enter The Phantom. He was stopped by a tug. Latched to his hand, shaking uncontrollably, was Katerina's. In her glossy eyes he saw he begging him not to go, and it killed him. Hera went to remove her. Zeb stopped her with an extended arm and a shake of his head. Katerina was scared. Really scared. Kanan put on his bravest and warmest smile, placing his hand to hers. The shaking subsided. "I'll be back, Riina. I promise."

"I know…" Her voice cracked. "It doesn't make me worry any less."

Kanan lightly pecked her forehead, then rested his to hers. "Don't think I'm not scared too." He countered with a lighthearted, mildly weighted, smile. Katerina could see it too. He was scared of what would come next. "See you soon, Little Sis."

"May the force be with you, Big Bro." Their hands gradually slid apart. A small jolt surged through their fingers as they parted. Hera and Zeb came in close, helping the younger sister to remain grounded and stand tall. As her brother closed The Phantom's hatch, and it broke free of The Ghost, Katerina felt an enormous pressure on her chest. She watched from the window as The Phantom broke out of hyperspace. She placed a hand to the window, closing her eyes. Come back, she pleaded.

Kanan rested his own hand to the window and closed his eyes. I will. He's never broken a promise to her. Never. He doesn't intend to now. Besides, the easy part was exiting hyperspace while in the center of it. They came out without barely a scratch. Now if the rest of their mission goes as smooth, Kanan will take everyone out for ice cream. Ezra will hold him to that.

Back on the Ghost, Katerina took in a long, empowering breath through the nose. That bit of drama flew off her shoulders as she exhaled. She eased from Hera and Zeb, thanking them for comforting her. She'll be fine. She always is. With Sabine and Chopper in tow, the crew went to bridge and confirmed on the instruments that The Phantom left hyperspace and was on its way to the old clone base. "Alright ladies and gents, the boys are on their own now." Hera tried to put a funny spin on it.

"The Inquisitor will pick up on that in seconds." Katerina warned her, leaning to the cockpit doors.

"They'll be alright." Hera assured her. Mostly herself.

"I know, I know. I just-" She pushed forward. From the waist down her muscles seized up. "WHOA!" She dropped like an anchor, saving herself on her hands. "Dammit! Again!"

"Riina! You alright?!" Sabine rushed to her side. Zeb shot to his feet, ready to dive.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine!" She lied. She moved with Sabine to stand. Her legs locked, a pinch at the base of her spine sending a wave of pain down. Katerina snarled animally. She punched viciously at her hips and legs, spouting degrading profanities. This was getting old fast, and she refuses to be trapped in a chair again. She won't let this overcome her again. She threw herself upright, forcing a leg up and her foot planted. She released a boorish breath of relief, shakily managing to stand again. Sabine kept her hands latched to Katerina in case she fell again. "I'm fine, Sabine, really. Just...really...need to sit down!" She threw herself into a chair, sliding low. Sabine sat beside her, watching her closely. Zeb, however, sat back down with a self loathing grunt. "So, how's the Ghost looking?"

"One of our wings was badly damaged." Hera read a diagnostic she was running. "Needs a patch job fast, and our fuel tanks took a shot." They were leaking fuel in the middle of hyperspace and they were leaking fast. That gauge was impossible to take her eyes off of. Hera feared if she batted away for a second they'd be dead in the water. "I'd wager we have about an hour or less before we're sitting ducks."

"Riina, tell me you can fix us?" Zeb begged. They just escaped a fire fight barely by the skin off their teeth. The enamel hasn't even had time to grow back yet.

"Do you mean while in hyperspace where I can be shredded, or while we're flying at normal speeds and the Empire gains on us?" She quizzed ominously.

Zeb curdled at the answer. She's got a point. "Well we've gotta do something! Or we're dead either way!"

"Maybe not…" She rebuked, pensively stroking her chin. It's a long shot, but she might be able to make it work. "I've gotta make a call." She cautiously rose and excused herself into Hera's driver's seat. "Head to these coordinates in the meantime." She input a new destination in the nav-computer. "We should get there in 15 minutes." Hopefully Hera is confident in that fuel timeline of hers. She turned to leave.

Hera ogled the coordinates, referring to her mental map of the galaxy. Her brow furrowed. "Katerina, that's going to take us to Borialis System in the Aurora sector." She stated edgily. "There's nothing out there but a bunch of rocks and condemned depots."

"Exactly!" Katerina winked impishly and was gone to her room before Hera could further protest.

Sabine raised her lip, scowling suspiciously. "You ever get that feeling she knows more than she lets on?"

Hera and Zeb deadpanned, "Don't get me started," They droned. Then they gaped shocked at one another. Sabine and Chopper exchanged glances, convinced they're being kept out of a loop of some kind.

xxx

Several minutes had passed since The Inquisitor departed with a small team. Before Admiral Constantine was able to report it, The Inquisitor was already attuned to the Jedi, as well as the planted tracker, leaving hyperspace. He left almost immediately to go hunt them down. He refused to let them escape him once again. He will relish in their capture. He will kill them slowly - starting with the Padawan, and force his master to watch and listen as the boy pleads for mercy. Constantine remained on their trajectory, awaiting The Inquisitor's return.

Admiral Yovan, who was escorting Agent Kallus, Minister Tua, and Supply Master Lyste, received a communique from Constantine about The Inquisitor's chase after the Jedi. It isn't unknown The Ghost Crew has a detachable smaller ship in their employ. By all likelihood the diverting tracker signal is coming from that smaller ship. Meaning he was now flying blind in the hopes he finds the rebel ship. Yovan reassured him that he will be able to remain on standby for The Inquisitor to return. They already had a trail that was leading them in the general direction the rebels fled in. With any luck they will come across them within the next few hours.

After Tua, Kallus, and Lyste boarded her cruiser, Yovan subsided the malignant coils strangling her as she was pressured to yield results in this chase. The rebel ship sustained a significant amount of damage during the previous fight and would HAVE TO seek repairs. Yes, initially they gave The Empire the slip when they finally made it into hyperspace. But escaping through hyperspace doesn't erase the bread crumbs the prey often leaves behind. Yovan's cruiser has all sorts of new toys she's been dying to test out. One in particular can scan the particulates floating aimlessly and ageless within the vast abyss of space. In every sense, a literal trail of breadcrumbs would never mold and would lead them to the bakery it came from. In this case, as Yovan's staff discovered, The Ghost ship left behind a trail of liquid in their escape. A few pieces of their ship here and there as well, but that liquid gave her high hopes. If it's what she thinks it is, not only will she be helping bag the biggest nuisances to The Empire, The Minister might promote her right there and now.

Tua, Lyste, and Kallus hadn't left the bridge for a single moment. Not that Yovan minded too much. After the past hour or so. The ice at her back numbed her to their glares. Whatever The Rebels did down there on Lothal has really irked this trio of superiors. And The Inquisitor involved in this affair as well. Just who are these people? "Admiral Yovan!" A member of the staff below beckoned. "We've analyzed the liquid traces found in our initial scans." She's gotta love her toys. She waited a second, ensuring the eyes of her superiors were all on her. She nodded her head for him to continue. "It's just as you anticipated, Ma'am. The Rebel vessel is leaking fuel." This made her smile widen. Kallus, Lyste, and Tua tensed. "By how much we're finding, they won't be able to go far."

"I assume by your tone you've discovered more." Yovan pressed, relishing in this string of successes.

"Much more." The soldier purred. He stroked a few keys, displaying a 3D hologram of their current location and drawing a dotted line to the next closest sector. "This is the Aurora sector of the Borialis system. A popular stop and go for travelers within this system and Lothal's."

"I have heard of this sector." Tua interjected, approaching the hologram. "Isn't it just a glorified graveyard now?"

"Yes, Minister. But it isn't uncommon to find at least one port or two for a ship to refuel at." Yovan elucidated. "We've actually come across a good handful that are still operational."

"Correct, ma'am." The staffman remarked. "Even if we lose the trail, The Rebels will undoubtedly be seeking refuge at one of the ports here." He drew a rather large, and confidence killing, circle. "We've narrowed our search to active, and recently active sites. They won't get far."

"They had better not, my good man." Kallus rumbled in a monstrously low tone. His glaring brown eyes cleaving him to the bone. "Or you won't get far either." The soldier and his fellow trooped gulped hard, working vigilantly. Kallus will not allow this vermin to get far. He will twist the very fabrics of fate in order to drag them before him. And he will make each of them watch as he kills them one by one.

xxx

The Ghost ship arrived at the coordinates Katerina inserted. Hera was nervous to pull out of hyperspace in what could potentially become their grave site. But, at the moment, she trusts Katerina. She counted to five, held her breath, and pulled the ship from hyperspace. Imagine the look on her face when she saw a station that was clearly in service. From the strength of the homing signal it was transmitting, it's been operational for a good while. Six lengthy platforms constructed from refurbished solar panels being fixed up by a handful of workers. The station was as long as an Imperial cruiser. Just as wide too. Beneath was a secondary add on. Sort of like a bunker but large enough to be an underground base. All those windows and platforms, was likely the main support for the power around there. It was like a city in the middle of space. Hera's been expecting a spot with nothing but space rocks for miles around. Ships are actually docked here. This took her breath away.

"What the Hell?!" Zeb gasped in absolute awe. He could hardly believe it.

"This was never here before, right?" Sabine questioned, walking in behind him.

"Not prior to almost two months ago." Katerina impishly stated. The gawks from her friend demanded she explain. "The call I made was to Grim. He and Dom found this outpost and they've made into a base."

"Why didn't they go back to Chandrila?" Hera asked.

"Turns out Aresko called ahead and warned Imperial forces to be on the lookout for her and her employees." While Ezra, Katerina, and Chopper were undercover in the Imperial Academy, Aresko was having Dominique and he crew be watched to ensure Katerina behaved herself. Thanks to Vizago, everyone was able to escape from The Empire that day with hardly a scratch. As a result, going back home wasn't a viable option. "Dom didn't want to risk leading them back home. Grim and Dayve caught wind and are helping her set up shop out here for the time being."

"You guys make a home everywhere you go, don't you?" Zeb remarked partially insult and praise.

"It's the one thing Kendril prepared us for before he died." She tilted her head back, remembering those good times. "Always find a place to hang your wrenches." Wise words from a wise man. Enough reminisicng for now. They have a ship to fix up. Katerina once again excused herself intruding on Hera's pilot seat turf. She sent out a series of beeps in code to the station. Sabine translated the beeps as a request for entry and added jerk to the end. She was baffled by that considering the station was wide open for entry. Or so she thought. Katerina urged everyone to wait a few seconds. Coded beeps returned to The Ghost. A thin glaze of shielding clouded in, peeling away at the main access runway. Hera, Zeb, Sabine, and Chopper were impressed by the clever shield. Invisible to the naked eye, and impervious to unwelcomed guests. "Alright, we're clear to enter."

"You're just full of surprises." Hera joked, easing inside the stations shield. It closed as they cleared it.

"Is there anything else we should know?" Sabine asked playfully.

"That's a story for another time." Katerina giggled. Zeb and Hera knit their brows. "Right there." On one of the platforms, Grim and Dominique waved glowing orange sticks, motioning for The Ghost to station itself there. Hera eased her baby into a landing. Amazing with the wing how it is, but she did it. She and the others left the ship, greeted warmly by the two and Dayve. "Grim, Dom, Dayve!" Katerina leapt into their arms, hugging them so tight she never wanted to let go. "I'm so happy you guys are safe!"

"You aren't the only one in a marathon sprint from The Empire." Katerina knelt to Dayve, giving him a load of kisses. Zeb pursed his teeth, grunting irately at the showering love. Stupid droid. Tseebo tripped on a flat surface, bouncing down the ship ramp. Eveyrone winced, hissing as they felt those lumps he would be sustaining. "And...who's this?"

"This is Tseebo." Katerina hoisted the dazed Rodian to his feet. "We're looking after him for a while."

"Is that a cybernetic implant?" Dominique couldn't resist asking.

"You know about these?!" Sabine gasped.

"I know about him!" She retaliated animatedly. She made sure to lower her voice. "The Empire stations are buzzing about an escaped Rodian wearing this fashion nightmare." She touched the obviously painful implant. "I'd ask how you wound up with him, but I know better than to question the people who saved me a few times." And she was willing to leave it at that. Much to everyone's releif.

"How are you all doing? Where are the Jedi?" Grim asked.

"We're doing fine, all things considering." Sabine replied, showing off the minimal scars, and her sore fist from her hasty punch to a buckethead. "Kanan and Ezra are on a separate mission."

"Understood." Grim nodded firmly, catching the hint full fisted.

Dominique whistled impressed and shocked by The Ghost. It was spat out from some sort of Hell. "I'm going to assume whatever did this isn't far behind." The crew was embarrassed to admit it, and really shamed they have to drag Grim and the others further into their mess. They don't deserve this. "Let us look at your ship and get you in and out asap."

"We can't begin to thank you enough." Hera poured her heart out. "I just wish it wasn't while we're being shot at."

"It's honestly what we signed up for." Grim assured her.

Katerina rolled her eyes fretfully. He isn't wrong. She gave him, Dominique, and Dayve the quick tour of the damage. It's a lot uglier than she imagined, but not as severe. Those holes in the fuel tanks were stained from profusely spilling fuel. Dark spots were on the platform from the landing. The fact the tanks weren't leaking right now meant the fuel was lower than the holes. They would have stalled in space in another five minutes had they not come here. The hyperdrive took a few nicks. Easily fixed with some plaster adhesive. The wing had a nasty, scorched hole in it. The rest of the body was brutalized by laser bolt holes and grazes.

"Whoa, what a mess." Dominique inhaled the starchy stench of barely made it. She plugged her nose, fanning the fumes. The spot where The Phantom usually is even has some damage. Looks like typical wear and tear. She had a quick look inside, following Katerina's directions to the maintenance hatch Ezra found her unconscious in. Thankfully the damage outside didn't stress much inside. "You guys really know how to rack up a tab." She marveled.

"Can you fix her?" Zeb pleaded.

"You kidding?" Katerina guffawed at such a ridiculous question. Can they fix the ship? Has he forgotten who he's talking to in the last few hours.

"We can have her up and running in a couple hours." Grim reassured Zeb. Using his superior height, he leaned on his arm to her head, shoving her downward. "One if the stuff we ordered arrived on time today."

"You guys are lifesavers. Thank you." Hera shook their hands. She can never repay them. Grim saluted her with two fingers. He'll do anything for the people that brought Katerina to a new life. He was elbowed in the stomach. Katerina leered with red cheeks. She hates being short as it is, she doesn't need him adding to it. Grim raised his hands in mock surrender, laughing as she play tapped her fists on him. Zeb was really getting irritated with all this mush. Stop loving them so much. He folded his arms, growling in the back of his throat.

Katerina caught the growl, arching a brow. Zeb saw her staring, turned red and faced in the other direction. His ears and shoulder drooped. Katerina bit on her lower lip, dropping her gaze to the floor. "Uh...Dom, Dayve, let's get a record of the diagnostic Hera ran and get started." She implored. She took off for the ship. Dayve and Dominique had to sprint after her. "Grim...uh...give 'em a tour!"

"Sure." He replied simply. He pretended not to notice the awkwardness between her and Zeb. The Lasat was already meandering in any given direction, leaving skid marks in his wake. He smiled lightly. So that's how it is.

xxx

"Admiral Yovan! We have something!" An underling raced up to her on the upper deck. He handed her a tablet, shying back as Tua, Lyste, and Kallus huddled in. He was close enough to guide her through the list he provided. "Ports in this sector give off signals to alert ships that they are near. Right here is a list of the ports that have been operational for six months to a year." She nodded comprehensively. She's actually frequented a couple. "But right here…" He hummed gleefully tapping the lastest and newest addition, "This station has been offline since your inauguration Minister Tua." Tua gaped amazed. That was years ago. "Only, just a little over a month ago - nearly two - it was brought back online and is in regular operation. And it isn't exactly the closest one." In other words, The Rebels are taking a risk with a damaged fuel tank to go to a station leagues away, instead of the two spitting distance. Did they know the operators? Or are they merely trying to buy time? Either way, they won't have anywhere to run.

"Then that's where they'll be." Kallus decreed. "And that is where we will corner them." He crushed his fingers into a vengeful fist.

xxx

The station was impressive to say the least. Living quarters, a marketplace with freshly delivered goods on a tight schedule, medical stations. A small city in the middle of space - appropriate title. Chopper stayed with Dayve to help Dominique and Katerina with the repairs. Their prayers were answered for the parts needed, and both droids made a detailed log of what was there. It would expedite both girls' work. And speed is exactly what they need right now. Chopper had a tendency to lash out at Dayve for being too...meticulous. All he needed to do was keep a list of what was needed there and now for the ship and not worry about anything else. Dayve insisted that it was prudent to have every item on his inventory list logged and at the ready so that he can keep a strict list of what is used, what's needed, and what they will need to send a second order for. Chopper accused him of having a stick up his tailpipe. And Dayve called him a chop shop washout. Katerina and Dominique put their welders on high to drown out their arguing.

Sabine and Hera took Tseebo to one of the medical stations. The implant's been locking him in a dazed, almost out of body, trance too often. And whenever it decided to slap him with another fact about the lighting, or what model the sink was, the pain was so excruciating that he was nearly passing out. A Twi'lek doctor was thrilled to help Tseebo. The poor man was on the verge of dropping dead if someone didn't look after him. Sabine wanted to remain on hand to help with the implant. She's been studying the implant closely since Tseebo joined them, and researched them. She might be able to help prevent any neural damage to Tseebo. Hera would be close in case the implant causes...aggressive behavior.

Zeb? Zeb was...in the kitchen of the main compound. Grim and Dominique's base of operations and home away from home. He was drowning his woes in his second six stack of waffles smothered in blackberry syrup, whipped cream, and multi-colored sprinkles. He choked it down with a large ale mug of some Moo-Cow milk. A lot was on his mind. As it should be. Or he was just over thinking and putting too much pressure on himself. Either way, he was lost in such deep thought he didn't hear Grim come in. He'd cut halfway into the stack then get lost in thought. He'd lazily push them around and apart. The oozing syrup did little to not remind him how down he's feeling. She really loves Grim and Dayve. She's able to run up to them and smile like that. He...he really hates it when she smile like that at other people. That smile should...it should only be for him. She used to do that. Beam with such adulation any time he walked into a room, be eager to work alongside him, and doesn't have to shy away from him. All of that was possible. Before he said he wanted to be friends, and long before he said that...that...he couldn't trust her. Not with all the secrets she's carrying. I'm pushing her away. He declared miserably. I don't want to. I really don't. But I...he really can't trust her. Still it makes him want to run to her and taker her in his arms.

Click. Zeb snarled animally. He whipped around suddenly, drawing a fork back. "WHOA, WHOA, WHOA! Easy there, soldier!" Grim threw his hands, and the coffee pot he was holding, up in the air. "It's just me!"

Zeb cringed contritely, dropping the fork and his spirit. "Karabast! Sorry, Grim! I'm just a little tense." He rubbed his neck bashfully. Tense is really putting it mildly.

"Understandable." Grim finished pouring himself a cup, stirring in about seven sugars. Zeb didn't scold him for how unhealthy that it. Seeing as how he is shoving six waffles down his throat. Grim watched him inhale those rather impressed. He joined the gorged Lasat at the table, sitting right across from him. He was silent for a while. Using his sweetened black coffee to buy him some time from the awkward silence. He studied Zeb closely, ignoring that he too was trying to avoid the awkwardness with what little scraps were left of his plate. He was desperate to find any way of avoiding whatever was sloshing around in Grim's mind. Too bad for him that Grim's curiosity outweighed his courtesy. "Zeb, do you mind if I ask you a question?"

"Sure. Shoot." Zeb replied rapidly. Anything to get him to stop staring at him.

Grim braced himself, taking a few extra seconds to properly word his question. "How are you and Katty getting along?" Zeb choked on the last bits of waffle he was about to swallow. He hammered a fist on his chest, choking the waffles loose. He shoved his plate aside, dropping to the table with heavy pants. Grim arched a brow at the rather dramatic, and entertaining, reaction.

Zeb managed to regain a second wind, wiping his mouth dry. He scowled hard. "Why...WHY are you singling me out?!" He heaved heavily with bloodshot eyes

"Because you're in love with her." He stated point blank and simple. Zeb's eyes fell out of his socket, his mouth slacking. He went red as a nova. Zeb might as well admit that he's in love with her. Grim saw it before, and he saw it outside. There's a tension between those two. An unrequited sort of tension. "My friend, you might as well come clean since you aren't denying it. I mean, it's very obvious."

"What?! Are you stupid?! You've gotta be-! No it's not! I've been keeping my distance and-" Zeb bit his tongue spouting one lie after the next, then finally tripping himself up. Grim's smug grin widened. He dared Zeb to deny it now. He couldn't. "Karabast…" He sighed defeatedly. He slumped back, sliding in hopes he would phase through the floor. It's obvious, Grim said. Zeb knows it is. Why else would he care so much that she's showering love to other men. Family or not. "You're right. I do. I just…" He hissed the last part, unable to bring himself to say it aloud.

Grim closed his eyes. "You can't trust her because of the redacted file."

Zeb stared at him compeltely stunned. "Okay, seriously are you psychic? How do you know that's the issue?! How do you even know about it?!" He stressed.

"One of the quirks you develop while being a mechanic is being able to spot idiosyncrasies in both people and parts." Being unable to spot a crook with a vehicle is the sure fire way to get yourself wrapped up in very shady deals. "The way you look at Katerina tells me you're very fond of her, but you can't fully trust her." He'd lie if he said he wasn't mildly angered. Katerina has secrets, that doesn't make her unworthy of affection.

"But how do you know about the redacted file? Did she tell you?"

"She didn't have to." Grim set a tablet to the tablet. A couple taps and he revealed the heavily redacted file in question. A giant WARNING label flicked on and off across it. At the bottom of the file was a message urging the receiver to act fast...and warn her. Grim was supposed to warn Katerina. But she was already aware so he didn't have to. Her own network of snitches, plus a cruiser load of secrets. Zeb's seriously beginning to wonder who the Hell Katerina is. And who her friends are. "I know what you're about to say. I beg you to not think ill of her. It was pertinent that she be made to disappear. And even more important to warn her when she's brought up."

"Because of the incident with that Cadet?" It was Grim's turn to go pale now. He furrowed his brow. "Riina told me she killed a kid cadet years ago."

Grim was honestly in shock. Katerina has been tight lipped about that for years. Yet she told someone she's only known for a few short months? "She must really care for you if she told you that." Grim relaxed, laughing to himself. She's finally shaving the barrier around her heart. "She's kept that to herself for years. Dayve doesn't even know." Zeb folded his arms on the table, leaning in intently. He silently pleaded Grim to explain. If he's going to poke at Zeb's feelings for her, he's going to damn well explain who it is he's about to fall head over furry heels for. Grim raised a hand, nodding resignedly. "Kendril arranged it with his cousin, should anyone come looking for Katerina, accessing the redacted file will trigger a warning. And with that warning we tell Katty someone is looking for her so she can take proper measures."

"From there she will respond by making herself obscure." Zeb scoffed resentfully, throwing his hands up. He sat back, sneering at the ogling Grim. "She'll just run and run, keeping everyone at a distance…" His ears and eyes dropped, "No matter how she feels about them." He added hurt.

"Zeb, listen to me!" Grim stopped his ill feelings before they boiled over for no true reason. "Kendril Mothma is the cousin to Senator Mon Mothma."

"I know this. Riina told us this."

"Then you know how much danger he and Katerina were constantly in just being associated with her! The man actually had to deny for years that he's related!" It still angers him to this day. Zeb can imagine was sort of troubles a Senator related to a mechanic harboring a criminal can bring. "Thankfully Mothma is a very common name on Chandrila and no one ever made the connection!" Yet. No one's made the connection YET. "If Katerina's past and present crimes were ever discovered, if it's discovered she and Senator Mon Mothma have a connection, it will endanger the lives of all those that are relying upon her!"

"Relying on Katerina? For what?"

"There is much Katerina can say, but even more that she cannot." He replied cryptically. "Like what Kendril took to his grave, the secrets Katerina carries are vital and numerous. People, places, operations - many are counting on her obscurity."

People are counting on Katerina? Really? "I...I didn't know." How could he know? Why would he even believe it unless someone other than her told him.

"No. No one does. Except for me, you, and Senator Mon Mothma." He leaned in with him grimmest of stares. Zeb was ensnared, dripping in nervous beads of sweat. "And we need to keep it that way."

"I don't know much." He swore.

"Neither do I." Grim shrugged. "But what we do know is that SHE really needs your support." Zeb felt a great burden rest on his shoulders. He placed a hand to himself in confusion. "Yes, she has her brother. But, Zeb, in the end, she will need you more than anyone else."

"W-Why me? What makes me more special than Kanan?"

"I can't honestly answer that." He regretted to say. "All I know is that she values you. The question is, can you value her knowing what you'll learn in the future?" A rhetorical question though it may be, Zeb can't help but answer with, I don't know.

xxx

Yovan's cruiser emerged from hyperspace, ten minutes away from the newborn port station in the Aurora Sector. She meandered to the end of the deck with a wide, evil grin. "And here we are." She purred.

Kallus, Tua, and Lyste moseyed on in, all drooling at the prospect of the career advancing capture they are all about to make. And the revenge that will follow it. "Have we come the station?" Kallus asked.

"Yes, sir!" Yovan responded. She had her crew display a close up image of the port to the fore window. A clear, perfect image was zoomed to the max, earning ahh's of approval from the crew. It was impressive, they will give it that. "What little rats are capable of when they are desperate."

"Indeed." Lyste hummed darkly. And guess what he noticed? Right there on the port side of the station was the ship they've been searching for. And it was in the middle of refueling and repairs. Much to Lyste's enjoyment, he the cameras spotted that run of the mill Astromech and Anastasia working on the ship. "It would seem our rebels don't have any means of escape. What a shame. And I was so enjoying the chase." He licked his lips.

"The Rebels are not the only ones trapped." Tua inserted. She directed everyone's attention to the several other ships docked and fueling. Meaning there are other people docked at this station.

Kallus chuckled darkly. "Passersby looking for a place to kick up their feet. And now their heads will roll." The perfect incentive to ensure the rebels behave themselves. They're so weak hearted for the helpless. "Let's allow them a while longer to relish in their relaxation. We will end this little hunt of ours when their guard is at its lowest."

xxx

Dominique was able to seal the holes in the fuel tanks. Her own special blend of sealant was plastered across. A few bursts from her welding torch, then a coating of liquid nitrogen, both ensured there would be no leaks and reinforced the tank. She slapped some extra sealant on the armor around the tanks. Better safe than sorry. Katerina just finished up patching the wing. Wasn't as bad as she thought. She and Dominique beat their intended time by a half hour.

"That should do it." Katerina proudly wiped the sweat from her brow. She slide off the wing, dropping beside Dominique. "We just need to fill her up and we can be out of your hair. Montrals, as the case may be."

"You know we don't want you to feel like you have to leave, right?" Dominique tenderly reassured her.

"I know. I just feel guilty."

"I sort of miss those days when you told your conscience to go f-"

Katerina slapped hands to her mouth. "Dom, that sort of profanity is not approved!" She scolded. Dominique blushed deep red.

"Ahem. Hello, Riina." Zeb interrupted was appeared to be a very close call. He waved with a smile, rather sheepish in his stature. He kept one of his arms folded behind his back as if to keep him standing straight.

"Hi, Zeb. Is something the matter?" He was sweating. He seemed nervous about something.

"Not really. Can I talk to you for a minute?" He gestured a thumb to the compound.

Nothing's wrong and yet he needs to talk privately. Dominique assured her she can wrap up things here. Katerina excused herself and went with the Lasat inside. Dominique giggled under her breath, turning to Chopper who was under the ship. "How long have those two been a thing?"

"^Depends on how long they've been pretending to ignore one another.^"

xxx

Zeb took her into an office nearby, locking the door behind them. Katerina tensed up, having deja vu to a similar moment like this. Only then Zeb was telling her he can't trust her and that he just wants to be friends. What more can he say? "What's up?"

Zeb took a deep breath, reconstructing his lost fortitude. He pointed a finger at her and came out saying, "You're hiding people."

"Huh?" She gasped. Okay, now she was really confused, and really scared.

"Your file. By you being hidden, you're protecting others." Katerina's whole face just fell in shock. Her heart was pounding. He...he knows?! How?! She panicked. Zeb saw she was shifting her body. Ready to run again. Or just avoid the conversation. This time...he wasn't upset. Grim was right. Katerina will go to any lengths to protect others. He placed hands to her shoulders. He wasn't trapping her, just assuring her that she has no reason to run. "No one knows you knew the Jedi - save for us, no one knows you were adopted by Kendril - save for Grim and the others, and no one knows of how you're linked to the Imperial Senate - save for me." On that one...he felt special. "And by you remaining tight lipped, you're ensuring those around you never suffer."

Katerina she...she was flabbergasted silent. He knows everything. The inconspicuous, enigmatic stuff, that is. She felt the wall she's built just crumbling around him. She knows she hasn't told him much beyond what he twisted her arm for. That means there's only one person who could spill ¾ of the can of beans. "Grim…" Her eyes partially lidded somberly.

"Don't be mad at him. I pushed him to answer me."

"I'm not mad. I'm relieved." She promised him. Doesn't mean she wasn't a little sad. Zeb tilted his head to her, urging her to go on. "You asked me who I was. If I knew. The truth is I don't know." Zeb remembers a conversation like that. He feels even worse now than he did then. "I don't know who my parents were, where I was born. I was always told Coruscant." She didn't believe it then. Never knew why. She just always had a feeling she was being lied to. After what Tseebo said, and what Kanan revealed, she wasn't wrong to be suspicious. "I don't know if I'm meant to fight, work shops, or be something else entirely." She's become an unintentional jack of all trades. "But I know that...that I would never have kept these secrets if they were going to hurt you." She swore. She hugged at her elbows regretfully. "Guess I hurt you either way." Her lowering head draped hairs before her shame filled eyes. "What else did he tell you?"

"Only that…" He rubbed the back of his neck, "I'm a real idiot for thinking you're a sleamo." He shyly reached for her. Katerina's heart skipped a beat. She swallowed a large lump, moving in. His large, fuzzy palm brushed to her cheek, his nails running down her neck. Soft. His hands are so soft. Zeb's spirit lifted. She's soft. And she's warm. "I'm sorry, Riina."

"It's okay." She brought him into a hug. Zeb wrapped his large arms to her, placing a hand to the back of her head. He snuck his lips to her neck, teasing a light kiss. His tongue brushed on her skin. She tastes so sweet, He moaned. She giggled and tensed in his arms. "What?" He snickered.

"Sorry. Your fur tickles."

"Ooh...ticklish?" He bent her neck slightly. "Right here?" He started nibbling.

"ZEB! STOP IT! COME ON!" She wrestled in his tightening embrace. He trapped her to the wall, digging his nails into her side. It sent her over the edge. "HA-HA-HA! STOP IT!?

"Afraid I can't. You're so cute." He purred.

"THE EMPIRE IS HERE!" Someone screamed outside the door.

Zeb and Katerina broke apart, both shouting, "WHAT?!"

xxx

Yovan's cruiser coasted right over the station. It's malefic shadow blanketed the station, like a dark storm cloud just waiting to unleash its torrential tempest of TIE's. Kallus, Tua, Lyste, and Yovan snickered triumphantly. The scrambling masses debating between running for their lives and remaining on the platforms to see what is about to happen. Yovan and her crew have been on such a long journey. How nice of these peons to make it easy.

"Admiral, we're detecting a high magnitude deflector shield." A worker below announced.

"A shield, eh? How precious." She cooed. "Show them how we deal with shields."

xxx

Grim was already outside with Dominique, Dayve, and Chopper. He grimaced at the massive cruiser just a stone's throw from being able to crush them and the entire station. Zeb and Katerina, followed by Hera and Sabine stayed close to the compound, out of sight of the cruiser. TIE's took off from the hangar, darting straight for the station. Grim and Dominique held high hopes for their shields. The TIE's circled the whole station, running the length and soaring under and over the massive width. Three TIE's gathered near where The Ghost was parked. A green, cone shaped recognition scan ran up and down the ship. The three pulled back, hovering idly. No doubt the pilots were reporting back.

"Damn! They know we're here!" Sabine hissed. She glared at The Ghost. The fuel pump was still pumping. "And we're not going anywhere any time soon!"

"How did they find us?!" Hera cried.

Katerina's heart skipped a beat, her skin losing color. "Dammit! We were leaking fuel!" She shrieked. "Since nothing really decays in space, some cruisers can pick traces of fuel from leaking tanks."

"A breadcrumb trail right to us! Dammit!" Zeb snarled.

"I'm sorry! I should have accounted for this!" Katerina clamped a hand to her forehead. All these knocks to the head. She spent the most time in the academy, always able to sneak away and learn what The Empire has in its toy box. Devices to detect and analyze trace elements in space - similar to facial recognition, or DNA testing - were within the top five of installments meant to make it into Imperial Ships. But they were still working out the bugs last time she saw it. She should have accounted for this! "I can't believe I let this happen!"

"Don't kick yourself, Riina! We can still pull out of this!" Hera reassured her. No way they can fight. They're going to have to run. And that means running on whatever's in their tank. "We have to get to the Ghost and fast!"

"Fat chance! Look!" Sabine directed attention to the TIE's rounding back. Grim and Dominique glared at the pair lightly teasing their shieldings by running their bodies across it. Testing the waters, it would seem. They can test all they like. No one gets in that shield without permission. And there was no way in Hell Grim was granting them access. Not that he had to. He, Dominique and the others paled by new additions to the turrets. Pixelated fiberglass fashion by carbon cables. Dominique, Katerina, Sabine, and Grim had a bad feeling on what those will do. "Those don't look good." Fusca laser bolts flooded the glass and wide, almost cubic blasts shrieked in quadruple volleys. The shielding was absorbing it like it would any other shot. Only this time searing red was burning into it. White smoke was wafting from it. "That's worse!" The oppressive shield literally melted where it was shot, allowing a few of the TIE's to enter. More were on the way, strapped with their new shield melting toys. They soared above the station, scaring the residents out of their wits. TIE's were landing on each platform. Two took up position around The Ghost. Hopefully it was filled up because the pilot ripped the pump right out. Magnetizing boots were clamped to the landing gear. "And things have now gotten worse."

"We can't let them get any worse!" Zeb roared at Sabine. "Remember, we have two Jedi that are counting on us to pick them up!"

"And my contacts are waiting for Tseebo at another location!" Hera stressed. She doesn't need anyone forgetting that they have a wanted fugitive hiding in the infirmary. "If the Empire gets their hands on him we'll lose our only advantage over them!"

"Not to mention that implant of his might cause him to spill the beans about us!" Katerina shuddered.

"Then the plan is clear!" Grim approached with Dominique, Dayve, and a handful of others in tow. He faced his fellow mechanics, all of whom were ready and itching to stand their ground. "We need to get these guys out of here and abandon the station."

"No!" Katerina stomped in. "You're not abandoning this place!"

"Katty, be reasonable."

"I am!" She screeched. "My actions cost Dom her place, and made our garage on Chandrila unsafe."

"The garage isn't unsafe." He reassured her, laughing at how silly she was being.

"Eventually it will be!" And Katerina has been through too much to not believe in what will surely be. "Grim, please! We brought this to your door! We aren't about to ask you to clean up shop and get out! That isn't fair!"

"Life isn't fair, Katty. And don't get such a big head." He flicked her forehead. "You know damn well we all had brushes with the Empire long before you." Katerina opened her mouth to protest, then sucked in defeated air. Hera, Zeb, Chopper, and Sabine ogled her curiously. Aside from what happened on Chandrila, none of them ever thought upstanding people like this had an Imperial Criminal History. By how Katerina was flushed, these guys know how to keep their heads down. Seriously. What is Katerina hiding?

Katerina ran a hand down her face in frustration. Looking around to the determined mechanics, she was clearly outnumbered. And she knows better than to try and out muscle people who haul industrial parts for a living. She groaned resignedly, throwing her head back. She glanced to Hera, hoping for a final say on how ludicrous this is. Hera and the others bobbed their heads, in on what Grim had planned. Katerina is surrounded around nutcases. "If we plan to stand our ground, we're going to need to be able to take out the TIE's." The cruiser will have to come later. Her acquiescing made Grim and the others smile. "Do you guys have spare ships?"

"Gifts from some very thankful customers." A Twi'lek mechanic, Mizuno, piped up. "But they aren't going to be enough to handle that cruiser. Or save us for very long." Katerina knit her brow, looking around for anything that would change their odds.

"Then we really are sitting ducks." Zeb moaned dismally.

"Maybe not!" Katerina exclaimed. The radio tower caught her full attention. Steam was whistling from her ears as the gears ran on overdrive. A geyser of calculations, possible modefictations, and a series of adjustements erupted. "That tower sends out a signal to attract ships, right?" She cofnirmed with Dominique. "Sabine, if we tweak that signal - adjust the frequency of the radiowaves and reverse the polarity of the of the flow, we can increase the output of the signal-"

"And can turn it into a giant EMP rod!" Sabine beamed. "That should work!" She turned to Dominique.

"The frequency will have to be 100 million megahertz, and the output will need to be condensed and focused to about 15,000 kilowatts with a discharge velocity of 200 feet per second." Dominique warned.

Hera was dizzy trying to keep up. "I have NO CLUE what any of that meant." She wobbled.

"It means we need to create a pulse that can take out a large city!" Katerina dumbed down for the engineering inept. "In this case: a cruiser!"

"Riina, we'll leave that to you!" Hera declared. "Sabine, I need you in the air with me!"

"We'll come too." Grim volunteered himself, Dominique, and the others. All of whom were eager to send The Empire packing. "We may not be an army, but we aren't about to back down."

"Besides, we're engineering geniuses." Dominique boasted. "They don't stand a chance against us."

"Alright! Dayve, Chopper, I'm gonna need your help." The astromech pair beeped vehemently, saluting her with their prongs.

"Don't need to speak droid to know they're ready!" Zeb hooted.

"Go to it! Good luck, guys." She wished. Hera and Sabine took off with the other mechanics to the hangar. Dominique diverted off, going to meet the pilots and others who decided to park on her turf. Katerina turned around, finding Zeb standing their with his rifle ready. "What about you?"

"I'm sticking with you. You'll need someone to watch your back while you work."

"Okay. Thanks." She blushed.

"I just hope everyone can hold them back until we're in the clear."

"They'll have to!" Katerina raced to a small lot with speeders. She and Zeb took one, claiming a droid in the side cars. "If we can't push them back, then everyone here is dead as a doornail."

"Then let's burn turf and get moving!" Zeb revved the speeder to the max, taking off in a wheelie for the tower. Katerina followed his lead, praying the speeders are faster than The Empire's trigger fingers.

xxx

Imperial pilots surrounded The Ghost, regularly monitoring the magnetizing boots. Minister Tua was accompanied by Admiral Yovan who was eager to complete her field training. Being an admiral doesn't necessarily mean they are field operatives. Admiral Constantine rarely - as in almost never - leaves his cruiser. Yovan was a bit more zealous. She wanted to be front and center when the most notorious and wanted of scum were brought to their knees. The ship's back was forced open, pilots coming in and out in pairs with no sign of their rebels. But from the traces of warmth on the engine, the pump that was attached to the fuel tank, and the evidence of recent repairs, they were safe assuming the Rebels intended to pack up and leave soon. Meaning they were still close by.

"HEY! Yeah you, morons!" Tua, Yovan, and a couple of pilot went rigid as Dominique stormed over to them with two wrenches in hand. She was fuming. The pilots were ready to fire. Yovan denied them with a raised hand. "Who the Hell are you, and what do you think you're doing?!" She roared. "My clients spend oodles for my services, and you come in here and start wrecking everything."

"Good evening, ma'am." Yovan responded with formal decorum, folding her hands behind her back. "Please pardon the intrusion, but we are on the search for criminals."

"Go look in the mirror then and get the Hell off my property!" Minister Tua leered hard with a raised brow. "What are you looking at hag?!"

"Just that - and correct me if I am wrong," She approached in steady strides, glaring hard, "According to a report, back on Lothal there was a Togruta female who owned a repair shop that surreptitiously housed Rebels."

"Yeah? So?! What of it?" Dominique's adrenaline wasn't the only thing making her heart race now.

"There is a rebel ship at a new repair station, and you are a Togruta."

"Congratulations! Your sight hasn't left you!" Tua was getting dangerously close. Grim, please, hurry! "As for that ship, we take anyone that needs help! We don't discriminate!"

"And I commend you for your sense of duty." She halfheartedly praised. Tua came in closer, "We also spotted two Rebels working hand in hand with you on this ship." Dominique's brow knit, her ears catching the distinct sounds of rifles aimed in her direction. "And you all seemed so chummy." Dominique was surrounded. She was losing ground fast. "No more smart remarks? That's fine." She motioned her hand at the pilots. They came in with cuffs ready. "You can explain more in the detention cells."

A canister leaking fumes launched from the start of the platform, rolling to the feet of Tua and and the pilots ogled it strangely. Dominique dove underneath The Ship, raising several red flags. Tua, Yovan, and the pilots glanced back to the canister, gasping in horror as it inflated. "TAKE COVER!" Tua cried. She and Yovan were already cleared behind some crates. Canister exploded with pressurized air. A couple of the pilots took the brunt of the blast while the others were knocked off the feet. Some were hanging for their lives from the platform.

"ATTACK!" Came a battle cry. Yovan and Tua were ambushed by some workers, the pilots still in a daze as they were tackled to the ground. Wrenches beat into and cracked helmet visors. Pilots scrambling to climb from the dangling drop were meant with blind kicks to the head. Needless to say, someone got thrown off. One was tossed and managed to grab hold of their pilot. The sudden weight increase caused them both to fall, never to be heard from again. For the pilots that made it back to solid ground, they were met with cracking knuckles and seriously ripped mechanics ready to pound them into paste. The pilots weren't deterred. In fact, they welcomed the blatant challenge. They threw their weapons aside and met their opponents head on.

Yovan flew into a backhand spring, kicking a short Mirialan male - Aruturo in the chin and sending him staggering. She stooped into her fighting stance, daring him to come at her. Arturo unsheathed a long welding pen from his belt. The tip lit to a searing red and orange. Yovan drew a knife from the strap on her leg. The two charged for one another. Yovan unleashed very agile strikes, utilizing her whole body into each blow. Meanwhile the Mirialan man made valiant counters with his boorish punches and kicks.

Tua drew her pistol with inhuman speed, already taking out two workers in seconds. The Twi'lek man from before latched onto her wrist, driving a knee into her stomach. Tua was lost for breath, choking on her saliva. She came back quick by twisting the Twi'lek's arms and sweeping his feet. She flipped him onto his back, robbing his lungs of air. She aligned her gun with his head. He shocked her by swatting er hand, driving the shot to the platform. He shot into a crouch and dove into her, slamming her hard to the ground. She wrestled viciously with him, hammering her elbows and fists into him to get him off. The smell of fuel and oil was going to ruin her uniform. Why all mechanics had to be tenacious was beyond her. It will be their doom.

xxx

Grim and his group found their way to the fighters in the hangar. They're older models. Post-clone wars by the grade of the turrets. Old N-1 starfighters, Delta-7B Aethersprite-classes, couple ships from Mandalore - Kom'rk class fighters. Their maneuverability against TIE's isn't nearly up to snuff, but they would have to do. Like Dominique said, this a class of high caliber mechanics. Their one trick of the trade is maneuverability where there is none. If they're going down, they will go down fighting and they'll take every Imperial they can with them. Good thing Grim and his team learned how to fly growing up. Otherwise this battle would be done and over with at that monster Cruiser's hello. "Everyone ready?!" Grim called over the radios.

"As I'll ever be!"

"Waiting on you!"

"Locked and loaded!"

"On your signal, bossman!"

Grim nodded firmly and proudly. He glanced over to Hera and Sabine who partnered up in a two seated BTL-A4 Y-wing assault starfighter. The bombs on that fighter will come in handy. Hera took the pilot seat, and Sabine on the guns. They gave him thumbs up, telling him they're ready to go. "Then let's give them Hell!" Grim pressed a button, opening the hangar. Those in the slimmer, smaller fighters took off right when the doors lifted, taking a scrape or two on their launch. Grim, Hera, Sabine and the rest waited for the doors to fully open and out they went. Their engines reverberated the station. The shrieks rattling the bones of the fray below.

xxx

Tua and Yovan, regaining ground in their tussles, gaped stunned by the variety of fighters taking off. Yovan ducked past her Mirialan opponent's blind punch, dealing her own two fist blow into his stomach. He choked on his own spit, dropping to his shaking knees. She frothed at the mouth at the fighters breaching the shield, taking on their squadron of TIE's waiting to bomb the station to Hell. "Be advised!" Yovan bellowed over the radio. "The Rebels are now airborne! They have a small ragtag team of pilots! Shoot them down!"

xxx

Yovan didn't have to tell them twice. The squadron opened fire, volleys of lasers bolts howling in a piercing barrage. Grim, Hera, and the others split off, each taking a group of TIE's on their tails. Grim in his N-1 and a Neimoidian girl - Leesa - in a Delta-7B swayed between the laser bolts of two TIE's. It wasn't hard for the Imperial Pilots to identify amateurs at the wheel, making this all the more hilarious for them. They locked onto their engines, raining holy hellfire onto them. Grim pulled up hard, rocketing up in an almost straight line. The pilots behind gawked as he barrel rolled in a flip behind them, aligning himself with their own afts. Grim cackled maniacally and unleashed his own barrage. He hit the one of the right, sending it hurtling into a fiery explosion. The second one pulled out to the side, wanting to come about and take them both out swiftly and with a vengeance for his friend. Leesa came at him straight from his side, pouring her arsenal into the cockpit, and pulling up as it was consumed in a blast. Grim and Leesa hooted loudly. This might go their way after all. Premature to claim with more TIE's replacing the two on the way, but nothing was going to kill their vibe.

A Korun man, and another Mandalorian girl drove the kom'rks, their jets under heavy fire from four TIE's. The Korun was being nicked from all sides. No matter how hard he tried to shake his tail they'd only return madder and closer. He can feel the ship coming apart around him, mere taps on the wrong side that will leave him floating in oblivion. His partner, the Mando, tried to take out his posse. She must have skipped target practice because her shots weren't even grazing the TIE hulls, let alone saving her pal. Tried as she might, she was too late. The TIE's took out her friend, sending him to join the family he lost years ago. She screamed like a banshee, slamming a fist to her dashboard. In a firy she went after TIE's that were gunning for the station. She poured out her laser bolts, taking each one out with blind accuracy. She just kept firing, even when the ships were destroyed. Ultimately she ran out of ammunition. The same TIE's that took her friend got her in the four way pincer, charging their turrets to fire. She dared them to come. She'll meet her welcome with dignity.

Hera came in from on high, hurling the bomber into a diving spiral. Sabine kept herself steady and released a rapid fire storm upon the TIE's, striking the tops of the ships. They didn't divert off course, but they did slow down in the attack. The Mando girl in the center took her ship down and made a run for it. Hera dove the ship right through the center of the TIE's, Sabine leaving behind a counting down present for them. The TIE pilots grimaced at the bomb reaching its final counts and closed their eyes. A ring of a shockwave spanned from the powerful explosion.

"Thank you...thank you so-"

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" Sabine roared at her fellow Mandalorian, making her flinch. "Losing your head like that costs you allies! Just like it did now!" As if the weight of her friend's death wasn't burdening enough. "Get back to the station, reload, and then get back out here with a game face!" She ordered. The Mandalorian offered no argument and returned to the station.

TIE's flew right by Hera and Sabine's ship, close enough that they can see through one another's windshields. One of the pilot got on the radio, reporting to his squadron. "This is Imperial Pilot ASR-012, reporting in. I have confirmation on the Mandalorian girl, and a Twi'lek woman amongst in the bomber!" Tua, in her last brush up, was the first to warn The Empire of who make up their elusive Rebel Crew. Kallus and Lyste went on to further confirm with their violent encounters. That being said, every pilot on standby was drooling at the chance to take these guys out. "The rest are unidentified." In other words, they were superfluous.

"Blow them out of the sky! Let's show them the folly in challenging us!" Yovan authorized to her crew's enjoyment.

xxx

Kallus driving a TIE with Lyste in the backseat, the pair overheard the order for all out war and could hear the explosions. What an exhilarating fight it must be. A shame they and a small team had other matters to take care of.

"The Rebels have a crackshot pilot, don't they?" Lyste recalled.

"That is the rumor." Kallus replied. "Seems like the pilot and Mandalorian child are partnering up in this dogfight."

"We have two rebels in the air, two Jedi on the run from The Inquisitor…" Lyste counted off, finding there were gaps in the attendance roster. "We are missing the Lasat, droid, and mechanic." Now that he has a chance to think about it, he didn't see them out there on the landing platforms. In fact, no communications between them or the others have been heard. "They must be in hiding here somewhere. Likely attempting to pull a last second, desperate act out of their hats." With the numbers The Empire has, Lyste will eat his boot if The Rebels come out unscathed.

"Okay…" Kallus exhaling softly, lining up his thoughts. "You are a blundering, washed up warrior, an obsolete droid model, and a smart-ass mechanic. Where would you go if not to the fight?"

The Mechanic...Lyste pondered. "Aresko said the girl is quite accomplished in her field, correct? Able to make the impossible possible."

"Yes. Engineer Hardlight confirmed as much."

Lyste's smile widened. That mechanic isn't the only one with a few smarts in reverse wiring. "Well if I were on a station that relies on a signal tower to lure in patrons, and I was unable to adequately fight back a cruiser that's come..." He had to laugh, "I would look for a more creative - if not desperate - way of dealing with my problems." He directed attention to the blinking signal tower.

"The tower? What of it?" Kallus asked impatiently.

"With a little rewiring, and enough time, Agent Kallus - Our Rebels intend to make a giant EMP."

Kallus's eyes widened. His head darted between Lyste and the tower, absolute skepticism pouring from his slackening jaw. "An EMP?! From that?! Is that even possible?! Will it even work?"

"Do we really intend to idle and find out?" He quizzed teasingly.

xxx

Katerina, Zeb, Dyave, and Chopper made it to the tower's main control compound. But not before they were horrified by the losses they were sustaining. Their patchwork team wasn't much to begin with. But if things go on like they are...Grim, Hera, everyone will be lost. They had to hurry. They have to make it out alive. Caleb, give me strength.

"We're getting our butts handed to us out here! How's that EMP coming?" Hera urged.

"Working on it now!" Katerina was already in the main power room, prying off small door to the mechanisms controlling it. She whistled impressed. There was a lot more to this puppy that she gave it credit for. Hopefully it's enough. She turned off her com, needing all her focus on that panel. Zeb was outside guarding the door, watching all three corridors that left them open to ambush. At the same time he was listening to the chatter, getting the play by play. Dayve and Chopper were hacked into the terminal, downloading the tower's maximum power capacity and working on the adjustments Katerina would need. "Okay! Woo!" She can do this. Just has to follow the plan. "Just gotta adjust this here…" She tweaked a couple dial, decreasing one output flow to increase the flow elsewhere. "Cross these wires with these cathorb tubes here…" She twisted colored wires beneath tubes, giving the pearl white electrics a violet shade. "Reverse the plasmic power flow from here to here…" That flow was inside glass dome bulbs. She made minor adjustments underneath them, causing that power to collapse into itself like a tesla. The pressure, temperature, and speed transmitter readers were flying off the charts. "Dayve, Chopper, calibrate the flow output and send it up the tower no!" They already beat her to it. The tower was receiving that energy, absorbing it like a collasual sponge. The dismal grey plating hummed shrilly. A pearl and violet outline traveled top to bottom, turning the tower into a true beacon that could be spotted from Lothal.

"Riina, I just got word!" Zeb leaned inside the room. "Three TIE's have landed outside! Soldiers are breaching the tower!" He can hear them breaking down the doors and storming their way inside. "Tell me you're almost done!"

"Nope! I am done!" She closed the panel. She went to the terminal, taking over for Dayve and Chopper. A red bar on the screen was filling torturously slow. It might only seem that way because their window is closing. She worked with the dorids to shift the tower's satellite dish, guiding the blinking rod - that was slowly becoming solid - toward the cruiser. "It just has to charge and then we nail the cruiser!" The rod would build to a fiery red, then die out instantly into abyssal black. It would repeat this rhythm over and over, steadily lingering lightened longer each time. "If we've done our jobs right, that cruiser will be down. I can't say for how long though."

"As long as it's long enough that we can hightail it out of here and never look back!" Zeb drew that line then and there. "Rule number three of combat - you don't have to win. You just have to make sure you can win another day."

"I thought it was: don't try to win, just try not to lose."

"Are you seriously arguing semantics with me now?!"

"Right, right, sorry! We'll talk more later!" She turned her com back on. "Grim, Dom! Wait for the signal and get everyone you can and get back home!"

"You got it!" Grim replied. Hopefully the Imps won't chase them.

"Hera, Sabine - same for you! Meet us at The Ghost and get ready for a jump!"

"What's the signal?" Sabine asked.

"You'll know it when you see it!" Katerina ended the call. "I just hope that cruiser doesn't change course any time soon." Chopper nudged her hard, directing her attention to a little modification he made. "Smart work, Chops!"

"What?!" Zeb pressed.

"He set the tower to auto target lock. Even it the cruiser moves the beam won't miss." She pet the old C-1 droid. "And he made it so the beam will fire automatically after charging! We don't have to stay!"

"How long is this going to take?" Zeb doesn't like that the guage was barely a quarter full.

"Longer than what we have!" Katerina snuck near the door. She can hear Imperials closing in on them. "Dayve, get to Grim and get out of here! Chopper, go get those boots off our ship!" The droids beeped excitedly and were out the door. Dayve stopped at Katerina, begging her not to take too long. He doesn't want her to get hurt. "Don't worry, clanker. I'll be right behind you." She kissed his head, and off her went. She whipped her pistols from her holster, spinning them with the hammers drawn back. "Zeb, let's kick some ass!"

"Now you're talkin'!" He cheered.

xxx

The Tower's control center was much bigger than the outside deceived. But not big enough. Kallus and Lyste sent teams of two down each corridor they passed, only to have them be rounded back to their position. Each room was checked, every trash receptacle kicked over, no refresher left unchecked. Or unused. What? Being a pilot works the bladder. Thus far their search wasn't yielding any sort of results. That wasn't going to discourage them. They know the Lasat, the droid, and the mechanic were in here somewhere. The lit tower proves Lyste's theory. They intend to make an EMP as a desperate escape plan. And the only place they could have done that from is the control room.

"Be alert…" Kallus whispered. The bo-rifle he acquired from a Lasat long ago was firmly in his hands, her brown eyes not letting an inch of that hallway pass him without a thorough check. "This silence. They are close." The silence that comes in nature when a predator is close by. In this case two predators. Rebels and Imperials. It will be the Empire that becomes the apex predator.

"Kallus!" Lyste beckoned. Straight ahead was the control room for the tower. From there Lyste can see evidence of the door being tampered with. Lyste and Kallus nodded to one another. Kallus signaled to the other pilots to take the two other corridors. Four broke off into each, their rampant steps fading. Kallus and Lyste covered one another, stalking further down the corridor. A straight path. Never a good situation. Only two exits. But with their numbers, they have no doubt they will be triumphant.

"OOF!"

"AGH!"

"GAH!"

"GRR! HA!"

Kallus and Lyste were rooted by screams of pain from their neighboring corridors. The distinctive sounds of fists meeting bodies, heads cracking on walls, and bodies dropping sent chills down their spines. Blaster fire rang out, piercing their ears straight to their necks. The ringing was deafening. The attack has begun. The question is, from which direction will the next onslaught come from? The bodies of the trooper pilots were thrown before both ends of the corridor, piling one at a time and riling Kallus and Lyste. The one stack of bodies was piled at the malfunctioning control room doors.

Zeb stepped out into that corridor, dusting his palms. He locked glares with Kallus, lightning surging between them. Wearing a prideful grin he folded his arms, barring Kallus and Lyste from entering. "Sorry, boys, can't let you in without proper authorization." Katerina entered from the opposite end, her fully drawn staff crossed behind her back. She wasn't smiling. She wasn't even amused. She wanted blood for what they have done to her friends. Her family. "I'm afraid we're gonna have to ask you to leave."

"We take orders from no one except our Emperor!" Lyste declared. He raised his pistol to Katerina. "You and your Rebel friends will finally be brought to justice and made to pay for the humiliations you've inflicted upon our forces! UPON US!" e frothe at the mouth. His arm still stung with a vengeance from her stabbing him with the syringe. Kallus will forever despise the one Lasat that evaded his genocide of his race.

"You two and The Inquisitor really should see a therapist!" Katerina spat. "You guys hold too many grudges!"

"Bringing you to your knees is all the therapy that I'll need!" Lyste charged blindly for Katerina, bleeding his pistol dry of laser bolts. Katerina met him at half the speed, twirling her staff and deflecting his bolts. She gracefully dodged between the bolts her staff missed, immune to the blistering heat breezing past her cheek. As they drew closer, Lyste lowered his guns and threw a punch. Katerina narrowed her eyes. She sheathed her staff to her back. She guided the punch right past her, bashing her elbow into his nose, then swept his feet from under him with a leg. He hit the floor on his shoulder, growling rabidly at her.

"Get over yourself, Lyste!" She spat. "You don't stand a chance against me!"

"That's where you're wrong!" He surprised her with his own two footed sweep. Katerina saved herself on her hands. "I'm more than a match for you!" Lyste brought his feet beneath him and thrust a foot to her face, sending her skipping back a ways. Zeb was aghast beyond words. That squeaky little man can fight? Kallus was pleased by the reactions. Lyste rose to his feet, dusting himself off with a pleased grin. Katerina propped herself on her palms, seething at the man. "Remind me, Mechanic, who is full of themself."

"Still you!" She curled her legs in, springing onto her feet. She raised loosely curled fists, spreading her feet into a stance. "Lucky shots do not make you a fighter, or my equal!"

"Then come, Child!" Lyste dared, mockingly motioning his hands. "Prove to me what the false Jedi is capable of!"

Indescribable rage boiled her blood. Her pupils narrowed to dots. She ground her teeth. I'm...no...JEDI! In a flash she was within a foot of Lyste, dealing a blow to his stomach that robbed him of air. He lurched forward, holding his stomach. Katerina looped a leg up and brought it down hard on his head. The hallway echoed as his skull met the floor. "The Jedi...ARE NOTHING COMPARED TO ME!" She roared. Zeb was, again, at a loss for words. Almost scared.

"She has quite the temper, doesn't she?" Kallus grinned menacingly to Zeb who had his bo-rifle fully extended.

"You ain't seen a temper yet!"

"Then come at me, beast!" Kallus extended his own bo-rifle. "Show me the fury of you mangy kind!" Zeb roared like the animal he was. He stormed headlong at top speed, his bo jerking back and forth. Kallus charged with his bo diagonally guarded to his torso. The pair drew their bo-rifles back, and the metal clashed viciously with an electrical storm webbing throughout the hallway. The streams rebound off the walls and ceiling, surrounding the grudge engaged warriors in a dome. In their eyes did the storm brew, neither willing to kow to the other. Zeb had the superior strength, but Kallus had the drive to win. And the spine to kill. Kallus pushed off Zeb, jumping a few feet back. Zeb wove forward, swinging his bo with all his strength. Kallus bent backwards, feeling the breeze as the rifle missed. He bent all the way to his hands, flailing his legs like a propeller. Feet that gunned for the ribs were effectively blocked as Zeb angled his rifle parallel to his side. Kallus winced at the pain shooting up his legs. Zeb scooped Kallus up on his bo, lifting him up and over. He slammed him hard onto his back. Kallus felt white hot pain shoot from his back to his chest, but remained vigilant. Beating off the shakes he wove himself out from under Zeb's bo, flipping him to stand on top of it. Zeb launched a punch. Kallus crossed his wrists, stopping it. He flipped over and behind Zeb, drawing his pistol. He pressed it into his back.

"Hey, Kallus!" He turned and was met by a thwack in the face by Katerina's staff. His postil left his hands. His rebound off the wall, maintaining his stance. "That's for the butt to the head!"

Kallus snarled through gritted teeth. He glanced to Lyste who was out cold. Again. He needs more training. "That stab about being a false Jedi really hurt your feelings, didn't it?" He taunted. "Does the little girl want to be a Jedi?!"

"DON'T MOCK ME!" She ran in with her staff lined up with his chest. Kallus snickered at how easy that was. He let Katerina get in close. So close he could feel the tendrils of static tickle his armor. He slipped to the side last second, latching to the staff with one hand. He yanked it out of her hands, sending her tripping over her own feet toward him. Kallus threw the staff aside, then clamped a palm to her face, slamming her skull to the ground.

"KATERINA!" Zeb howled.

"You're losing your touch." Kallus slipped a knife from his boot. Katerina stared terrified of the blade through his fingers. "And now you lose your life."

"GET YOUR HANDS OFF HER!" Zeb marched in.

"Careful, Lasat." Kallus yanked her upright, spinning her around with his arm wrapping hers to her side. He put the knife to her neck. "I'd hate to make the poor thing suffer." He chuckled.

Zeb froze in dismay, taking a step back with his hands in the air. "Kallus, please, I'm begging you, not her! It's me you want!"

"How precious. The beast is in love." He cooed with noteable disgust.

"You're damn right I am!" Zeb admitted without hesitation. Katerina went wide eyes with a red blush. She thinks her heart stopped. "I'm in love with that girl! And I would appreciate it if she would stop being a damsel and kick your ass already!" Kallus's face twisted confused.

"Oh fine." Katerina pouted. And she wanted to hear him confess more. She showed Kallus a little canister she'd been holding on to. Her fingers held the deadman's switch. She's had it the whole time. Wanted to wait for the perfect moment. Kallus panicked and shoved her away from him. "TOO LATE!" She threw it at him. Zeb scooped her up and took cover in the next corridor.

Kallus threw himself to the floor. The canister blew up, but it was just an innocuous - if not really loud - can of smoke. "WHAT?! NO!" He slammed a fist to the floor. He heard footsteps running past him. He blindly reached out and grabbed hold on Zeb's large ankle. The Lasat swung his leg, kicking at him. Kallus pulled himself up in a last ditch effort and her plunged the knife all the way to the hilt in his side. Zeb howled in pain, bashing Kallus's face in with a fist. The ISB agent fell unconscious. Zeb pulled the knife out and dropped it. He was on the run, clutching at his side. Blood dripped behind him.

Unknown to anyone in that corridor, the tower was nearly at full capacity. The rod had stopped blinking a while ago.

xxx

Katerina and Zeb made it outside. She gaped in horror of his wound, but he forbade her from worrying about him. This fight went south while they were playing with Kallus. Grim, Hera, and the others were suffering heavy losses. Chopper and Dominique managed to get the boots off The Ghost, but Hera and Sabine couldn't make it back without TIE's coming in after them. Katerina turned to the tower. It was about to fire. Lingering at the station was only going to get them killed.

"Get to The Ghost and patch yourself up!" She ordered Zeb. "I'm grabbing Tseebo and we're gone!"

"You got it...ugh!" He toppled to a knee.

"Hey…"

"No!" He raised a hand, stopping her in her tracks. "Get that Rodian and get to the ship! Don't lose your nerve for me!" He will never forgive her for it. Katerina reluctantly nodded and raced for the Rodian.

xxx

The number of TIE's was insurmountable, and quickly outnumbered those of the Mechanics. For every one TIE that was destroyed, the cruiser would spit out three more in its place. The only ones left were Grim, Hera and Sabine, and the Mandalorian girl. As the odds continued to stack against them, the more winded they became. They felt helpless, the pressure crushing them. One more blow and they would be crushed. If a miracle was waiting to happen, they would love for it to happen now.

"Hera, look!" Sabine gasped. From the bomber she saw the tower was reaching maximum power.

Hera knit her brow pensively. She brought their ship around to view the station. She saw The Ghost freed from its boots, Zeb and Chopper boarding the ship. Katerina was sprinting the landing strip with Tseebo in hand. "That's the signal! Everyone pull out!" Hera veered the bomber away from the TIE hoard, taking off in any given direction. Grim looked below and saw Dominique, Dayve, and others taking off in the reserve ships they had. They all knew where to meet up, and he hoped he would see them again. He and the Mandalorian girl pulled out, racing for the blackness of space.

xxx

Yovan and Tua were left with what remained of their small squad battered and with prides bruised to the core. They saw the Rebel ships and the mechanic rats attempting to flee for their lives.

"NO!" Tua roared animally. "All units stop them! Do not allow a single one of them to escape!" She frothed at the mouth. The TIE's already out went after their prey. The reserves on the cruiser were gearing up.

xxx

Katerina was able to get The Ghost up and off the station, while Zeb was busy with a half baked wrapping job on his wound. Tua and Yovan were blown off their feet by the jets. With Chopper on the rear guns, he and Katerina shot down any TIE's they could, and joined up with Hera and Sabine. Hera positioned the bomber underneath The Ghost. Katerina opened the hatch, connecting the air locked tunnel. Hera and Sabine abandoned the bomber in space, climbing inside as fas tas they could. Katerina handed the driver's seat back to Hera, relieved that these two held on for so long.

"Hope I didn't keep you two waiting long." She giggled.

"Nah. We had 'em on the ropes." Sabine grinned.

"Your take off was a little shaky though." Hera playfully remarked. Katerina shrugged. The moment was spoiled by the sounds of TIE's gaining on them. Grim and the others weren't anywhere to be seen. That's a good sign. Maybe. The cruiser's turrets were aiming for The Ghost, charging up to take it out for good. "Riina, isn't there supposed to be a grand finale here?!" Hera begged.

"Actually…" She turned to Chopper. He had a counter projected, coming down to zero, "Yep!"

xxx

The tower was fully charged, the instruments beeping and screeching out of control. Fervent streams of electricity snaked the tower to the rod, swirling at the tip. Yovan and Tua were rooted in fear of what was about to happen. By the time Lyste and Kallus woke up and made it outside, they nearly passed out again. A pearl beam woven with violet streams howled from the rod, splitting the cosmos asunder. The beam struck the cruiser with such a ferocity that it knocked it from place. Ribbons of rampant energy diving and tangling into the cruiser. Crew members jumped out of their skin at furnaces bursting. The floors were torn from their bolts. The lights, the engines, and soon the whole ship went dead in the middle of space. The turrets with it.

Hera laughed aloud, slapping her knee. Sabine and Katerina slapped double high-fives. Their plan worked. Without further delay, Hera sent The Ghost into hyperspace, leaving more salt for The Empire to lick from their wounds. .

Yovan and Tua were completely devastated. It just isn't real. What they saw...that was an EMP blast. But the station doesn't have anything like that?! How could they pulled off such a feat. "Impossible!" Kallus gasped. Impossible though it may seem, it happened right before his eyes. Even as he listened to Tua and Yovan make futile attempts to raise someone on the ship. "It worked...it ACTUALLY worked!"

"Two Jedi…" Lyste rumbled, "A death evading Lasat, an artistic demolition Mandalorian, a daredevil pilot, and a puppeteering engineer." Lyste gave himself chills. "This is quite the team of Rebels we've stumbled upon."

"Yes it is." Kallus growled. He picked up the bloodied knife he stuck in Zeb, glowering at the failed attempt to bring at least one Rebel down. "And it is time we cease underestimating them."

To be continued