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.

21. A Few Slaves More

A Few Slaves More

xxx

The Ghost crew made a daring return to Lothal a week after their Empire Day Massacre. They hid far outside any of the villages and major cities, utilizing the cliffs and tall grassy planes for cover. The Empire doesn't usually come out as far as they are. And if they do, they don't exactly do a thorough sweep. Rarely do they learn their lesson after being humiliated a thousand times. Good fortune for The Ghost Crew. They can relax, catch a breather, actually enjoy a gorgeous day like today, and then get back into their usual swing. Taking odd jobs, thwarting The Empire - that sort of thing.

In the meantime, Kanan was scouring The Ghost for Ezra. The time has come for Ezra to undergo a trial to determine if he's truly meant to be a Jedi...or if Kanan failed as his master. Their past encounters with The Inquisitor, Ezra's outbursts of uncontrollable force power - the universe cast its sign plainly and clearly. Was he ready for this? No. Not at all. Neither was his master, or the masters that came before him. No master is ready to see if they've succeeded or failed - both themselves and their padawans. It's the most nerve racking, and soul shattering trial there is.

Have I done enough? Kanan questioned himself in his waning resolve. There's more I can teach him, right? He's sure he's forgotten something. Force tricks, lightsaber techniques, adapting to dangers and situations? Maybe we should put it off? They've waited this long. What's wrong with an extra month or so? Ezra's a patient kid...sort of. If he doesn't even bring it up, Ezra won't bug him like he did with the initial Jedi Training. Ooh...The Jedi training. Kanan procrastinated on that too. For a LONG time. Always saying, yeah, Ezra, we'll do it. Or, later, Ezra, I'm busy. Everyday for months it was the same excuse. And all because HE wasn't ready. Kanan wasn't ready to be a master. He wasn't even expecting to ever meet another force sensitive being. EVER. Then again, he wasn't expecting to find his sister alive either. Guess the universe really has it out for him. Meaning...no putting this off. If he does, Hera and Katerina might punch him.

Katerina...a Sith's lightning surged through his veins, coiling to his muscles. A pain unlike anything he felt battered at his wavering heart. He needed some air. Desperately. Everything will clear itself up...for the umpteenth time since he discovered the truth. NO! NOT A TRUTH! It isn't true! None of it is true! She isn't a clone! She can't be! His fist pounded on Zeb and Ezra's bedroom door. He flinched at his mistake. A half asleep Zeb answered the door with bags under his eyes. "You need something?!" He snarled. A warning to Kanan that it better be good. He doesn't like being woken up.

"Sorry, Zeb! Didn't mean to wake you up!" Seriously, the last thing anyone should do is wake Zeb up. "Is Ezra in there?" Since he has him out there.

"Nope, no Ezra's in here." He tiredly, yet not without his usual sarcasm, replied. "Ask Katerina. She was with him in the kitchen." And he shut the door in Kanan's face. Ezra AND Katerina...ARE ALONE?! He slapped a hand to his forehead. He's actually panicking. Why is he panicking? Ezra's been alone with her tons of times. He's not in danger with her or anything. Or is he? Is she dangerous to him? Should he even go into the kitchen?

Kanan was so lost in his stupor that he didn't hear Hera clear her throat behind him. She had to smack him on the back of his head to get his attention. He turned around with a sneer, not appreciating the hit. She matched him with her own glare, able to hear his rampaging thoughts from the other side of the cockpit. "This is getting ridiculous!" She growled impatiently. "You've gotta talk to her, Kanan! Avoiding it isn't healthy for you, and it isn't fair to her!"

"I thought we agreed we weren't going to bring this up to her!" Kanan went into the cockpit with her, fearful Zeb would overhear. Not that the guy would hear a space cruiser if it drove right by. The man is a heavy sleeper.

"Maybe so. But I can see that this is hurting you." She softened her tone. Kanan tried to twist away. She cupped her hands to his cheeks, gently coaxing him to meet her solemn eyes. "Your own sister is...your clone."

There's that word again. He squeezed her wrists, causing a twinge of pain, and shoved her away from him. "We don't know that! Tseebo could be wrong! It has to be a mistake!" He fumed.

"And what if it isn't?" Hera challenged him. She won't let him live in denial if there is even the slightest chance it's true. Who is she kidding? There is no slight chance about it! Sabine confirmed it and Tseebo proved it. His implant has information about The Empire, and everyone that has the tiniest digital footprint. He found Katerina's. Kanan even knows she came from the Kamino system. What more proof is there? "What if Tseebo isn't wrong? Are you…" She approached him again, "Are you going to throw Riina away?"

"What?! No! I'd never do that! I love her!" Yes he does! He loves her! He's her everything! They've been through too much for him to throw it away. "Being a...a...grr…" It kills him to even think it. "None of this changes how I feel about her!" He swept a hand.

"But it does change something. For example," Hera was putting this out there for the sake of her own curiosity, "If she's a clone, how come Order 66 didn't affect her? And why was she there AFTER the Order was given?" She won't lie. She's been pondering this for the longest time since hearing their story. "What possessed her to even go to the temple THAT day? She could have stayed on Chandrila and been none the wiser?" Hera was taken aback in surprise. She saw in Kanan's face that he's been wondering the same thing for a while. At first, it was just him being curious, and he's managed to keep it back for a long time. But now, with this new discovery, it's driving him mad that...that he can't bring himself to ask.

"She doesn't even know what she is." Kanan moaned resignedly. "What will this do to her when she learns she's the same being as the ones who took our home from us?"

"You'll never know until you talk to her." No mystery has ever been solved without asking questions. Painful or painless. "You need to talk to her, Kanan. Don't tell her about her being a clone, or do. That's your choice." She touched a finger to his chest. By the end of the day, it rested on Kanan. "Just try to figure out why she came to the temple in the aftermath. Because I really need to hear that story!" She tried her best to joke. It worked. Kanan smiled partly. Part is better than nothing. Now then, if he heard Zeb right, Katerina was in the kitchen with his padawan.

xxx

"Hmm…" Katerina stared long, hard, and with a racked brain at her staff. It sat there on the kitchen table, mocking her, idling like it was so innocent. Katerina knew better. It was a weapon of mass destruction...that was losing its oomph. And she didn't have the first clue how to restore the power to its former glory. From what she's been able to ascertain, the conductive plasma maintains it's shape via the bulbs on either end, micro converters inside regulate and channel the charges, mercury thermoses ensure the staff doesn't overheat and blow up, and very intricate wiring and mechanics that give it its schnazy extending, butt kicking mode. And that's where the wonder in her mysterious weapon ceases. She may be an engineering genius when it comes to vehicles and power converters, but she's blank on her own weapon. That's mostly due to the fact that Kendril took it to his grave where he got it from. She'd ask Grim but she got it before she met him. "Maybe Sabine would know." She is the leading expert in weapons. "Right then." Katerina scooped up the staff, skipping for her good friend's room. The doors parted. She and Kanan bumped into each other. Her staff dropped, and he caught it. "Hey, Big Brother! Nice catch! How goes it?"

"It...uh...it goes…" He hoarsely retorted. He mentally smacked himself. Can he make it anymore obvious that he's hiding something? He gave her back her staff, pleased she didn't notice he was sweating. "Have you seen Ezra?"

"Yeah. He was feeling cramped in The Ghost so I asked him to skip on to the local market and pick us both up some Gungan Apu Fruit." Kanan cocked a brow. He didn't know Apu Fruit was sold on Lothal. "It's a seasonal item, and it's at its ripest this time of year." Kanan bobbed his head, finding that made sense. "He should be back soon."

"Good...good. Alright, uh, thanks!" He gave her two thumbs up, then proceeded to rub the back of his head. Katerina noticed he was acting weird this time. Any second now she was going to ask what's wrong. And he was either going to deflect, answer her, or flat out lie to her face. "Katerina," He choked on her full name, "Can you and I talk to you for a moment? Before Ezra gets back."

"Sure." She led him to the table. Katerina? She noted. She must be in trouble. Or he's going to talk serious talk. She sat close to him at the bench table."What's up?" She touched a hand to his shoulder. His shoulder flinching from her grasped stunned her. And the look in his eye when he touched her. Did he just retreat from me? That hurt.

Kanan sensed he wounded her. If he's going to act all flinchy with her, he might as well come out and say, HEY, SIS, guess what? You're a clone! Glad we had this talk. He needs to pull himself together. This is Katerina! His kid sister! She would never hurt him. "Umm...this is going to sound odd, but I think it's good payback for your question to me about how you made it to the temple." He's talking about her origin story. How do two people five years apart wind up at the same place? It was an awkward conversation that put him on the spot. Payback was rich. "Where were you during Order 66?"

There was this thunderstorm in her head. He didn't even hesitate. He was looking her dead in the eye, as if anticipating she'd try to avoid the question. Katerina may look like him, but she doesn't run from topics like he does. Besides, she isn't in trouble. She's just answering an honest question that's clearly been tearing at him for a while. But...why does it feel like she's in trouble? "I was on Chandrila. In the garage with Kendril. We were fixing faulty parts someone got from Power-Zone." Never order from Power-Zone. All your parts are from a petty loan. "What are you really asking?" She isn't stupid. She knows he doesn't care where she WAS. He wants to know what brought her to the temple.

Kanan sucked on on his dry lips, bobbing his head. He wasn't going to fool her. So he asked her directly, "How did you know to go back to the temple?" And she's on the mark again. Does she know her big brother or what. "What I mean is," He fumbled a little, wanting to be a little more unambiguous, "What made you choose that day to visit? Did something weird happen?"

Something weird? Okay, what is he trying to get at? And why does he sound so angry? Did she do something? If she did, he needs to come out and say it. She's a grown woman, not a kid. She can take the scoldings. "Kanan, is something wrong?"

"Please!" His bark came with a slam of his fists on the table. She yelped out loud, nearly jumping from the bench. He cringed at the fear he put in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Katerina, really!" He put his hands over hers. There was a pain in her chest. Katerina again? Why isn't he calling her Riina? "I just...really need to know what possessed you to come to the temple!" Possessed? Now he's asking if some entity took her over? "Did something strange occur? Did Kendril send you? What?"

Katerina shook her head. She doesn't know what he wants from her. So...there was no other choice but to answer him as best she could. There's just one problem, "Hmm...I don't...really know. Not that I can recall." The truth is, she doesn't know why she headed for the temple. She just felt she HAD to be there. "It's been…so...huh?" Something came to her. Like a festering egg just cracked on her head. "Actually...yeah. Something weird did happen." Kanan leaned in on the edge of his seat. His demeanor implored her to dig deep. "I was...in a dead sleep." She touched her head. These thick curtains were draped to the receded memories. For years she's subconsciously worked to bury that night far in the recesses of her wounded soul. For Kanan, though, the curtains were coming apart. In thin sheets, but they were parting. "This...really…" She shooked her curled palm, like she was clawing at her insides, "Nagging feeling brought me out of it."

"Nagging feeling?"

"You know when you get this really strong urge that you can't explain or fight?" Recalling it was causing her adrenaline to spike. "An impulse that the harder you try to ignore it the more it irritates you?" The edge in her voice had him agreeing. "That's what this was. And it told me to...to go see the Jedi. To go see you." Kanan touched a hand, silently saying, me? She said she arrived looking for him. He didn't think he was nagging feeling in the back of her mind. "I had to go to the temple. And the harder I tried to ignore it, the stronger it got." Her nails dug into the table, her fingers balling into tight fists. "I NEEDED to go to the temple. I would have gone mad." She dropped her head. Sounds like she did. Her heart was pounding. Her eyes were glossing with fury. She was biting on her lips, trying not to explode. I'm angry! I'm like back then! "I don't remember much from the trip except...except the closer I got...I felt REALLY-ANGRY!" She growled the last two words.

"Angry?" Kanan repeated apprehensively.

Her flat palms smacked the table. "Beyond angry! I was enraged! I felt like I wanted to kill somebody!" Not something Kanan wanted to hear. This urge to kill - her die hard desire to reach the temple - it had to have been the order. She must have heard it. The cracks in Kanan's spirit webbed further, chips falling from place. She is one. She's one of them. She's a clone. They're in danger. Kanan's hand was slithering for his lightsaber. Then she relaxed, completely boggling him. Her body went limp in her seat. She tossed her hands up, "But then once we reached Coruscant...and I saw the temple…" Her arms wrapped to herself, "That anger became grief, despair, hopelessness. And when I saw the younglings, fear gripped me thinking you were one of them." Kanan froze, utterly speechless. His mind drew a blank. Hold on. Her anger turned to sadness. That doesn't sound right. Just like that? This kill anyone to get to the temple attitude just fizzled out? "And that was it."

Kanan dropped in his seat. "That's it?" He squeaked. What a rip off!

"Yep. The clones found me, were about to kill me, Master Kenobi and Master Yoda found me, saved me, and then I escaped." She summarized the part of the story he already knows. "You know the rest of the story." She was raised by Kendril, living on the run from that day forward.

Kanan does know that story. But still...there's a chunk in there she wasn't even aware of. "Okay. Thank you." He mumbled. He slid to leave the table.

Katerina stopped him with a hand to his shoulder. This time he didn't jump. "Why did you ask me that?"

"No reason." He lied. He kissed her forehead. "Just pushing my opening up lessons from Ezra onto you." He brushed hairs behind her ear. "Jedi or not, you shouldn't keep stuff in."

"Yeah…" She groaned sickly. Kanan got up with a smile, taking his leave. Katerina sank into the bench, burying her shame in her folded arms on the table. "Yeah...I shouldn't hide anything, huh."

xxx

Ezra finally got back with the fruit Katerina sent him out for. She warned him that Kanan was looking for him. He wasn't looking forward to that trip. Ezra barged right into Kanan's room, interrupting him in the middle of his mediation. By the frown on his face, he was none too pleased that Ezra was not only late, but didn't knock. He didn't accept any excuses, or piss poor sorries from him. He was in no mood for his childish shenanigans. Ever since what happened on that asteroid, Kanan has been treading on thin ice on the idea that Ezra may have been touched by the darkside, and won't be able to shake it. Precisely why he was concerned if Ezra was ready for his next test. One that will determine his fate and Kanan's. Ezra was ready to prove himself to Kanan. To become the Jedi he see's in him - even if he doesn't see it in himself. He's willing to do anything for Kanan, if he lets him. Kanan stated harshly that he wasn't going to let Ezra do anything. This isn't entirely his decision. He told him to go prep The Phantom, and from there it would be in fate's hand.

Kanan watched Ezra race for The Phantom, doubts hanging on his head. "I might regret this."

"Said every master before you." Katerina retorted, walking up with Hera by her.

"You HAVE to do this, Kanan!" Hera urged him. "After what happened on the asteroid, you HAVE to help him!" Before he destroys himself.

"I hope I can." Honestly, Kanan isn't sure how to help someone who's had a taste of the darkside.

"I know you can!" Hera declared steadfast.

"So do I!" Katerina added. Kanan absorbed their confidence, giving them a nod. For Ezra, he'll do his best. Katerina's unshakable faith in him...it wounded him. Because he was losing faith in her. Hera and Katerina followed Kanan to The Phantom, seeing him and Ezra off. Those two would be back. But it doesn't hurt to throw out a prayer. Katerina gave Ezra a good luck hug, knowing full well he'll come back stronger. "You be good for Kanan." She softly warned. "And come back in one peace."

"I don't even know where we're going." He moaned, hoping Katerina did.

"That's usually part of the test in the Path of the Jedi." Was her cryptic response. Ezra doesn't care what anyone says, or if his knowledge of Jedi masters is limited - Katerina has the annoying enigmatic wisdom of a jedi. He wouldn't be shocked if she secretly was one living in denial. "Don't worry. Wherever you're going, trust in the force, Kanan, and especially yourself and you'll be fine."

"You and Kanan give me a headache." Was Ezra's snarky remark before he strapped himself in. Katerina giggled as she ruffled his hair lovingly. If ever she were to have a younger brother - or nephew - she's glad it was Ezra. She passed by Kanan, dusting off some nonexistent lint. "Come back in one piece, Master Dume-Jarrus."

"You doubt me?" He playfully retorted.

"No~. Never~." The two laughed. Kanan wrapped her in a tight hug, running a hand down her back. Katerina went to return the hug. The good mood was spoiled. She froze. There was this spike of fear that shot into her stomach. Katerina went slightly numb. This hug...feels off. Kanan broke the hug, patting her on the shoulder as he entered The Phantom. Katerina watched them dismount, and waited as The Phantom disappeared into the abyss. She touched her arm, rubbing the bumps making her hair stand on end. Caleb, what aren't you telling me? She asks this because, whenever there's an ice cold feeling in his hugs, it's because he's hiding something. The last time this happened was when he broke her prized Gyro Sprocket that she won in a fair with an engine that took her five months to construct. A newwave, environmentally friendly, durable, corrosion proof engine. He was practicing his force tricks and broke the thing. He felt so guilty about lying to Katerina that she felt an icy guilt coming off him. What are you hiding?

"Hey, Riina!" Hera pulled her out of her thoughts. "I just received word from Fulcrum that there is a slaver's camp here on Lothal." She didn't have to say anymore. Katerina practically dragged Hera into the cockpit. Sabine, Zeb, and Chopper were surrounding a three dimensional hologram of an electrically barb wired, towering plasma fenced concentration camp. Watch Towers on every corner, and very ugly Trandoshans inside. "The Camp is a heavily fortified area centered at a cave system just west of us." Hera touched the hologram, adding the cave on the far side of the camp. So, in reality, that fence was the crossroads to walking into what could be the last dose of sunlight slaves have. "When workers aren't forced to be mining the caves, they are sent into this outcrop of fields," The fields that are filled with feral cats and other large animals, "Neither condition is healthy." Hera added ominously.

"What are they forcing these people to do?" Sabie asked, horrified by this. Slavery on Lothal? Isn't The Empire bad enough? Even the Zygerrians got out of the slaving business.

"The caves around here are full of a mineral called Raritanium. Strongest metallic alloy there is." Chopper added the rigid edged rock. "Guaranteed to not break, bend, or sustain a single scratch." Chopper put a little shine on it for aesthetic, and to aggravate a half asleep Zeb. Poor guy was woken up a second time for this. He drew a large fist back to pulverize him.

Katerina wrapped her hands to that fist, pecking it into submission with kisses. He hates how she so easily quiets him. She giggled impishly. Hera couldn't resist a soft smile at Katerina. A clone sweetheart. Just like her brother. "Ace and I built that new TIE with some raritanium metals." Katerina borrowed the briefing. She tossed in an image of the newly destroyed TIE next to the raritanium rock. Bits and tabs taken from the rock attached to certain parts of the TIE. "The new TIE would have been impervious to most laser bolts, and - in theory - would have survived a crash of a particular impact." As an precaution, Katerina had an ejector seat rigged to shoot out the pilot when an immovable object of catastrophic size approaches.

"Knowing all this, where are they stockpiling the stuff?" Zeb asked impatiently.

Hera glad he asked. Chopper widened the radius, using a dotted mile scale that lead to a large building built in a very familiar plot of land. "Here, in a storage unit they made out of Mr. Sumar's old farm." Dread melted into their bones. Sumar's old farm was renovated into a slave trade storage facility? This would break his, Alyss, and Ezra's heart if they ever knew. If the Sumars weren't aware already.

"Why do I get the feeling Supply Master Lyste is heading up this operation?" Katerina groaned. She is his least favorite fan. The reverse is mutual .

"Actually, Riina, he isn't. No one from The Empire is running this operation." Zeb, Sabine, and Katerina felt this hand of disbelief just smack them across the face. Their blank expressions almost got Hera into a laughing fit. It's how she reacted when she found out too. "The person overseeing this operation is a Trandoshan named Quiizno." An ugly Trandoshan missing an eye. A two giant scars running diagonally right down his left eye. He was wearing a flexing, rubber insulated armor with shoulder pads sharp enough to cut through steel. Or sever a man's head from his shoulders. He held a posture of dignity, but it wasn't difficult to see the animal beneath. "Fulcrum identified him as a member of an old Trandoshan Hunting Party that captured and hunted people for sport. Particularly Jedi initiates." Katerina's stomach curled.

"I've heard of them." Sabine chimed grudgingly. "They look for anyone and everyone, and would let them loose on the Trandoshan Moon. Didn't matter if they survived or not, the hunters would find others to replace them." Zeb growled under his breath. He knows of that crew too. His people were often caught for that sport too. He wasn't too upset that they were wiped out. "The one who put a stop to them was a Padawan named...something Tano."

"Ahsoka Tano." Katerina jumped excitedly. "Kanan and I met her once." It didn't go unnoticed by her that Hera choked on her own breath at the name. Could be nothing? Yet he gut says it's something.

"No sense in asking why Fulcrum found this interesting." Sabine tossed her hands in the air. "But The Empire has to have a minor role in this." She pressed.

As usual, Hera underestimates how astute her team is. "Quiizno triples his profit by selling slaves, crops, and raritanium to the highest bidder." Ooh, an auction of frowned upon goods. Never saw it coming that The Empire might be involved with that. "More times than not, it's usually The Empire. And given Riina worked with raritanium at the academy, we know they're getting some."

"More than some! They had enough to outfit one squadron last time I saw it." Meaning it could have more than tripled since that operation in the Academy.

"So this guy has a full blown operation going!" Zeb pounded a fist in his palm. "Everyone profits except the slaves." He's going to enjoy ruining that guy's day.

"I'm guessing our job is to go in, save the slaves, stop the operation, and get out." Katerina summed up.

"Yep." Hera nodded firmly. And she had the plan all arranged. "Zeb, Sabine, and Chopper will take out the storage unit at Sumar's Old Farm."

"Well great. Stuck with this pile of junk." Zeb groaned. Chopper shocked his shins. "OW! Why you little-" Katerina scratched him behind the ear. He purred like a Loth-Cat.

"Katerina and I will save the slaves." Hera finished.

"And how do we plan to do that?" Sabine asked hesitantly. She isn't losing her nerve, but she prefers not to just rush in blindly - like they always do - and improvise on the spot - like they always do - and hope for the best outcome...LIKE THEY ALWAYS DO! Last time they did that, The Inquisitor nearly killed them and Katerina was a paraplegic. Oh yeah, and let's not forget when they tried to get that shipment from that Imperial Cruiser.

That's where Katerina came in with a very evil chuckle. "We have a Twi'lek with us, Sabine. We walk in through the front door." She strutted behind Hera, petting her head tails. Hera was scared she'd say that. "And it just so happens I have the perfect disguises for you and I."

"Oh man." Hera sickly moaned. She wasn't looking forward to this. Oh well, no sense in moaning about it. "We have our mission. Let's get started."

xxx

The dead of night - what better time to break up a slave trade operation. On top of it all, a mining operation that seems to benefit The Empire will be stopped, and they get to ruin a gaggle of scums' day. HAT TRICK! The Ghost Crew would be lying to themselves, however, if they said they weren't slightly uneasy without Ezra and Kanan around. Their Jedi powers, and Kanan's skills, have always been invaluable in getting them out of tight spots. This mission has a double hat trick. Learning to survive without a Jedi trump card. Which, if any of them would like to recall, they've done for years before meeting Kanan. That being said, Slave Traders are amongst the most hostile of illegal goods suppliers. Like vicious animals protecting their territory. And yes, they will tear The Ghost crew into bits if they aren't smart, careful, and stealthy.

The slave camp had more guards than what was presented in the briefing. Nothing out of the ordinary. There's always more muscle. The fenced off area around the cave system wasn't very large at all. Pretty cramped with all the crates of raritanium, and the large boulders with the stuff inside taking up the space. Gates bordered off the sides, creating a narrow entry way for small vehicles and people, but little much else. Works nicely. The workers - slaves - were smush beyond capacity on the other side of those bars, forced to load the crates, dig into the rocks with both their bare hands and debilitated equipment. They'd trip over each other and spill the merchandise, earning themselves a kick to the ribs, a crack of the whip, or a punishment that made them wish their last breath would come. Did they try to escape? Of course! Who doesn't? Though they'd never get far. This goes back to that narrow walkway. The sentry towers had spot lights that lit that place up as if the sun was out. Not even a rat can get in without being shot in the head. The front entrance was their only way out of there. The caves didn't go anywhere else. If they did, the Trandoshans blocked it. Slaves tried their hardest to run, only to end up with a laser bolt to the back. Some would escape just to get shot. It was a Hell that never stopped.

Just beyond some hilling, Hera and Katerina slithered on their stomach and poked their heads up enough to see the Hell on Lothal. Katerina handed her a pair of binoculars. The two zoomed in close on the camp, identifying that there are too many Hera had nausea induced bumps running up and down her body. And for good reason. As with any form of forced servitude, Twi'Leks were the majority of slaves trapped in those overbearing collars on their necks. Togruta, Mirialan, humans, and a couple of Nautolans were brothers and sisters in chains with them. Their bodies were just caked in filth, bruises on top of bruises, and scars that would never heal - emotionally and cosmetically. Hera wanted to blow the whole place to kingdom come. Watch the slavers writhe in agony. Unfortunately, the retribution will have to come later. Especially since she really doesn't want to fight in the humiliating outfit Katerina kept from her travels. Why she kept something like this was beyond her.

The outfit couldn't even be called that. It there was hardly enough fabric to cover her. There was a halter neck piece that just had this lone strip running down her front, spanning as a feeble top to at least cover her ladies, to the revealing, taut shorts. Four triangular gold plates on the sides, front, and back. Her upper arms had bands on them too, a gold bauble on imbedded in each one. Gold bands on her ankles, no shoes for her chalky feet.

"Seriously! Where did you get this, why do you have it, and please don't tell me Zeb has you dress in this?!" The last one is a solid beg. She might punch him. She felt really naked in this thing.

"Got it from a party Ken and I snuck into, kept it in case I ever needed to play a role, and…" A deep rosy blush took over her face, "He hasn't asked...yet." She wouldn't mind modeling it for him. "Stop complaining. You look great!"

"Says the one wearing more fabric!" Wearing a cloak over a bare midriff tube top, upper arm braces, and pants so tight she feels them pinching her butt wasn't what she'd consider better. Yeah, the cloak hid her guns and staff nicely, and the boots would shatter ribs if she kicks them hard enough. But she feels like she should be cracking a whip and demanding some guy call her mistress. "Where'd you get this one?"

"Vizago!" She growled. Hera needn't ask anymore. As Katerina is playing the role of Master over Hera, she had the only communicator. Not only can Hera not hide anything, anyone catches her with any sort of device and the mission is blown. She brought the com to her mouth, "We're here. Where are you guys?"

xxx

Sabine and Zeb nested on the ledge of a rock formation lengthy yards from the raritanium compound. Sabine kept a close eye on the not so big compound, watching the heavily armed guards intensely, and monitoring the snipers on the rooftop. If they spot them, this was going to get messy before they can go in clean.

Zeb was behind Sabine, watching the rear for anyone that decided to take a late night stroll. Katerina's call came in and he responded, "Just outside the perimeter. Not much security around here."

"Probably think they don't need it since no one comes out here unless they have to."

"That's their mistake." Sabine purred, tossing a bomb in eagerness to set their place ablaze. "When we take this place down, it's going to bring reinforcements." She chuckled.

xxx

"That's the plan." Hera spoke into the com, all the while fidgeting with her costume. "Once you guys take out the storage unit, the Trandoshans will send guards from here to go help." She counted the guards, estimating that maybe half of them will go to investigate. Hopefully more. "Riina and I will begin freeing the slaves…" Hera roamed the binoculars over the field. A smile spread to her cheeks. Armored transport tanks waited outside the camp. "And those transports will be their ticket home."

"Alright! See you guys back at The Ghost." Zeb cut the call.

Katerina tucked the binoculars and the com back into her cloak. She sighed heavily, rising to her feet. She dusted off the weeds and dust, scratching her stomach. "So, slave, shall we go meet our new friends?"

"Ugh…" Hera really doesn't want anyone to see her like this. Could be worse. Kanan could see her like this. She'd never recover. "Please tell me we will never have to speak of this again."

"I will burn your costume the second this is over." Hera reached over and kissed his forehead, swooning to her in a hug. "Alright…" This is where Katerina lost her nerve. She had manacles and a collar for Hera. She swallowed a large lump, her mouth running dry as she wordlessly sought permission to slap them on. Hera held out her wrists and tilted her head back. "Man, I really hate myself right now." She quickly slapped them on, wrapping the chains to her right forearm. "I'll melt these down too."

"You're too good a person for this world."

"Ha…" She moseyed along, trying not to drag Hera. Katerina's head hung in shame. If you only knew.

xxx

A Togruta male, aged to the brink of his final days, fell hard to the dirt, dropping his barrow of raritanium. A dried wheeze came from his withered mouth. His eyes blackened too heavy to remain open. He was finished. A Rodian girl and Twi'Lek boy tried to rush to help him. With one hand, and a menacing cackle, a Trandoshan yanked on seemingly innocuous hilt. A plasmic link shot to the collars and ripped them off their feet. Their backs hit the ground. The frail bones felt like they shattered.

"Well, well, well," The waning Togruta was hoisted viciously to his feet, then slammed into a mounted wooden post, "Looks like we got a lazy one!"

"What should we do with him?!" Another Trandoshan chuckled, drooling in anticipation of what fate would be administered.

"Well we are running low on fuel for the furnace."

"Ooh! I like that plan!" And that was the final word on the subject, and the aged man was dragged off. No one would see him again. The guards at the towers and at the front gates laughed a scathing prayer for their new fuel source.

Katerina, as she drew closer with Hera on the leash, was able to be objective in what she saw. In her eyes, nothing was more sick than what happened 15 years ago. However, she didn't need to turn around to be able to feel Hera's hatred burning into her back. So, while she may not be as irate, Katerina has a drive to see this mission finished and these monsters pay. She might even show Hera how to engrave your initials on your enemy's flesh. Yeah, sounds gruesome. But it's a good way to let off steam.

"You gonna be okay?" Katerina triple checked.

"No. Not in the least." Hera grumbled sick to her stomach.

Katerina would love to hug her right now. Too bad if she was seen it would ruin everything. Instead she hoped Hera would settle for her slowing down to place a hand to her shackled ones. The warmth of her palms reinvigorated the nauseated Twi'Lek, stunning her with how warm her hand was. The half smile she snuck to her - a ray of sunlight in what felt like the darkest night - imbuing her with confidence that all would be well in the end. "Don't worry, Hera. I won't let anything happen to you." Hera just felt this...pang in her chest. A shield comprised of the girl before her and her very arms safeguarding her as they neared this hornets nest. A tear was jerked when her hand had to leave. For the first time in a while, Hera felt safe with Katerina. With Kanan's...clone.

Spotlights blinded the two. "Halt! Who goes there?!" One of the guards at the gate bellowed. He and the others trained their blasters on the two women.

Katerina dropped her friendly nature, and out comes her cruel facade. Time for the fun to begin. "Who wants to know?!" She snarled, slapping a hand on her hip in defiance.

"The one with the gun! State your business or I shoot!" He threatened.

"Shoot me and you don't get this prime, lithe Twi'lek I just snagged!" She yanked on Hera's chains, and Hera did a good job pretending to fall to her knees before them. Hopefully that was pretend.

"Twi'Lek?! Why would we want a Twi'lek?!" The guard tried to scoff, adding in a little chuckle.

Katerina isn't stupid. Though she's pretty sure this guy took a page from Vizago. His lying in on par with his. And neither of them are good at it. "Don't play games with me! I know what this place is! Half my organization knows what this place is!" Katerina rifled inside her cloak, wanting to use something to validate her claim. She found what felt like a page and held it out. By their gasps and absolute awe, Katerina guessed what was on it was prestigious. Looking at it, turns out it was just an old trademark of the Trade Federation. Meaning the cloak Vizago gave her belong to some Neimoidian...at one point. "And who are you to turn down another helping hand?" She ran a hand along Hera's Lekku, getting her to shudder. She mumbled she was sorry. The guard turned to his superior that was standing behind him. It was a tense debate. Neither one was sure what to do. Hera caught that they were more interested in how Katerina even found them. That would be an awkward conversation. One Katerina was prepared for if they ask. The pair had eyed the woman questionably, but with a note of intrigue. The Superior trudged toward them with a reverberating growl in his throat. He started with Katerina, putting his nose to her hair and neck, inhaling the rich scent of dirt, weeds, blaster chars, and...is that ship oil? He can see the scars and bruises, so he assumed she wasn't a fake playing at a role. She's seen Hell and has walked out, but not unscathed. He chuckled darkly when he came round to Hera, running his fingers along her back. Hera controlled the shudder begging to bring bumps to her skin. He stooped down low, moving his hand lower. Hera was about to retaliate. Katerina took his finger and twisted it. A crack came with his pained yelp, and he was dropped to his knees. "Touch my property again and I'll take the whole arm." She sent him to the ground with a boot to the face. His men were dumbfounded still, kind of terrified that such an unassuming girl broke their second topped ranked superior's finger. Hera was with them on that. Katerina just got a whole lot scarier. "Now then, gentlemen," This unnerving glow came from her aquamarine eyes. Razor sharp gleams that made the blades hidden in their boots and armor dull, "Are you going to keep wasting my time and leave me to break more fingers," And just to prove her point, she broke the superior's second finger. Everyone flinched, "Or do I get to go in, do my business, get paid, and go home?!" Not really a question that called for an answer. The pained superior bobbed his head rapidly.

"Open the gate!" The guard bellowed his voice quivering. Hera and Katerina shared smirks. Four guards would be escorting them inside. The gates opened for them, and the attention they received on their way in was, miraculously, pretty flattering.

"So far so good." Hera mumbled.

"Now comes the hard part." Katerina added. This is where the rest of their plan falls into place.

"Fulcrum has a contact already on the inside." Hera cast her gaze amongst the rabble. One of them is the man they are looking for. "He's assured me they would be ready by the time we arrived."

"They better be." Katerina snarled. She doesn't want to be caught in this place when the fireworks start going off.

xxx

The Trandoshan hoard patrolling the outside of the facility was sluggish at best. Guards playing Zabak, pirates dice, some of them were on their fifth tankard of ale, and one guy was showing off his agility by doing a balancing act on the fencing a ways out. It's not used. It's just there and they haven't taken it down. Must get pretty boring guarding a shipment in a place no one knows exist. They don't even use the spotlights. Well, they use one to cover one side at a time. That guy was the unlucky one. They'd like nothing more than to go home for the rest of the night. Nothing was going to happen. But orders are orders, and their boss is convinced that all it takes is that one instance and everything they've worked for will be uprooted. Like that would ever take place.

And the very two guys that thought that were the first ones to have their heads bashed together. Zeb stood above them in victory, laughing as he savored the feeling of crushed skulls in his large palms. "That feels better than the bucketheads."

"Really?" Sabine sauntered up.

"Nah, but I take what I can get."

"Then let's GET inside and blow this place sky high." She went on ahead. Zeb hid the Trandoshans in a trash bin nearby.

Chopper was kept on standby somewhere in the hills. No offence to him, but a droid isn't inconspicuous. Least of all him. Sabine would call him when they would need him. Until then, he was asked to keep his channels open in case any uninvited guests were planning a visit. The last thing they need right now is an Imperial Visit, or reinforcements who heard their operation was in danger. The scary part - both are likely to happen. Which means they have to hurry. And as unorthodox as it sounds, they snuck in through the front door. Never go in through the front door! But they did. Imagine their surprise when they got in.

Sabine stopped suddenly, Zeb stumbling into her. Their faces fell. Not because of how much bigger the inside looked. Reminds them of a lobby at the flight terminals. Very extravagant, and seemingly impenetrable to attacks. Would explain why the guards outside are so lax. Immediately after the first yard was a military grade checkpoint. An X-ray and metal detector - a single one so that a number of deliveries can't try to sneak by with anything unsuitable to their operation. One way in, one way out, and one giant obstacle for Sabine and Zeb. After the detection process, guards waited at the end. A ragged Rodian had passed their detectors and was subjected to a thorough and very invasive search. Likely one of the slaves from the cave. For laughs, The Trandoshans knocked him to the ground and spilled the goods he was trusted with. Zeb growled animally, wanting nothing more than to rip their heads from their shoulders. All the more reason to ruin their night by destroying this place.

Before one more obstacle threw itself at them, the two ducked to the side, hiding inside a deep crevice at the wall. It was nice and dark, so no one walking by would see them unless they focused. That doesn't mean they can hide there forever. What they seek lies past that detector and those if they are this cautious at the front door, they have to assume the security gets tighter inside. Very misleading. Sabine approves very much. But her approval doesn't get them inside.

"So, we gonna do this sneaky like," Zeb crunched a fist in his palm, laughing hungrily, "Or can I crush some more heads?" Sabine placed a hand to Zeb's chest, wordlessly asking him to slow his rollers. Then she directed his attention to the guards ahead, and how they were logging their every action in the terminal inside. "See you point. Sneaky it is. How?" Sabine was still working on that. Their caution is going to be their biggest hiccup. That's when Zeb sparked an idea, "Gotta admit, they're pretty organized for a bunch of crooks." The man has sparks of genius every now and then.

"And that's how we're getting in." She purred.

"You lost me."

"Watch this." As luck would have it, another slave - a Nautolan - came in with a shipment. A large trolley overflowing with raritanium rocks, and with an undercarriage covered by a cloth. A special cloth that absorbs whatever chemicals spill from the rocks. A good precaution. Sabine knows enough about the chemicals in those stones. No one wants that staining their walls. That very cloth was begging her to act. Sabine was going to hate herself for this, but it had to be done. She moved in fast and silently, taking a grenade and a knife and sneaking one to the trolley, and the other to his belt. She returned to the shadows, already aware that Zeb didn't approve of what she's arranged for him.

The feeble worker walked up to be inspected, his trolley the first to pass onto the conveyer and was glided in the narrow slip of films. Zeb and Sabine flinched as the alarms immediately blared. The Nautolan jumped out of his skin. The guards saw in the X-Ray that he had more on him than just the shipment. He and his goods were ripped from the conveyor. The grenade and knife stripped off him. He begged them for mercy, swearing that those weren't on him. That they weren't his. Neither guard believed him, and they were going to savor punishing him for his treacherous acts. The two guards took him off to the sides, and dealt his punishment swiftly and painfully. So engrossed with their twisted sense of justice, Sabine and Zeb were able to climb past their metal detector and made their way into the heart of the operation.

For a place that's much bigger than the outside makes one believe, it was a pretty straightforward walk for the storage area. There were enough signs pointing in that direction at least. Zeb and Sabine literally had no trouble just walking there. Well, save for the few dozen guards patrolling the halls, searching the ground for any of their slaves that got a little too bold for their shackles. Yeah, it was already spreading that the guy at the front tried to smuggle in weapons. A real source of entertainment for these goons. Zeb and Sabine had to get a little creative with their detour. Sabine used the air ducts while Zeb took the long way around, ducking in and out of supply closets. The man's shoulders keep him from most narrow crevices. It was an arduous journey, a lot of hiccups that caused a bit of noise. Not that Zeb complained too much. Be the noise from him or Sabine, he got to knock Trandoshan heads together and stuff inside the closets. That just meant their window of time was closing faster. Because of those guys are radioed and don't answer...well...Hera wasn't going to be happy. Not in the least.

Zeb smacked nose first into the storage room's door. Was as loud as when Ezra, in all his grace, smacked into that door at the Stygeon Prime Prison. Sabine poked her head from a vent. Even through that helmet Zeb can see the deadpan glare. He shrugged with a weak smile, laughing nervously. "Found it."

Sabine groaned loudly, putting a palm to her head. "What does Katerina see in you again?" She droned, dropping down.

"My charm," He propped a palm under his chin, "Good looks," He smoothed the hairs on his head back, "My awesome bod," He flexed his muscles, kissing his biceps, "And she's told me she loves my accent."

"Guess she forgot to mention your modesty and big head." Zeb shrugged off her snide comment with a smirk. He's not perfect. But he's good enough for her. And she's good enough for him. Sabine touched a keycard to the door panel. Just a little something she lifted from the guards earlier. She knew it would come in handy. What the door opened to astonished them both more than a chain reaction explosion Sabine creates with her paint bombs. Yes, there were crates of raritanium lying all over the places, stacked as high as the ceiling. Chunks of the stuff scattered around. What was so shocking was that there was a bonafide greenhouse along with it. Exotic plants from every corner of the universe packed in this one room, and causing a rank stench of dying wilderness. Cannibalistic plants capable of swallowing a Gundark - if it tried. Thorny vines coming from a questionable patch of fruit dangling from the ceiling. And they were moving...on their own. One of the plants was secreting a strange ooze. Sabine really doesn't want to go near it. Especially when she saw it eating through a solid steel floor. And Zeb was all too wary of the plants in the corner that seemed to have eyes on him. Their long tongues dripping in a venom running over what looked like lips. This place was a regular miner/gardener's hut from Hell. Neither Sabine nor Zeb were even sure if the fruit they were seeing were actually edible...or real fruit. Should a Meiloorun by green and yellow? Or are apple skins supposed to ripple like that?

"I've never hated a smooth entry so much before." Zeb plugged his nose. He wished he could close his mouth. The smell in this place was stinging his eyes. He won't even describe the taste of it. It was knotting his stomach. He envies Sabine. That helmet comes with all sorts of filters. "So what's the plan? Blow the place sky high?"

"Raritanium isn't volatile like that. And this place could withstand any blast I come up with." She regretted to say. This just got slightly more complicated. "An explosion wouldn't be big enough to get others here. And we'd never get clear." It didn't go unnoticed to either of them that there weren't any windows in this place. The greenhouse was sealed up tight. Artificial lighting, misters, and small vents. No wonder the stench in their was so ripe. "The chemicals in the air make us live torches."

"Bet Riina would know how to put this into use." Zeb moaned, a little pout on his lips. He'd be fooling himself if he said he wasn't hoping to have alone time with her.

"Missing your girlfriend already?" Sabine playfully disparaged. Zeb wasn't too proud to admit he was hoping for some sort of alone time with his lady love. In the midst of her cackling, Sabine remembered an important memento from their briefing. "Actually, you just gave me an idea." She reached out to Katerina. "Riina, you there?"

"Hey, Sabine. What's up?" She whispered back. Sabine and Zeb can hear others around them. Their sense of timing really sucks.

"You've worked with raritanium, right? Any other way to use it besides an explosive?" She never dreamed she'd say anything that would keep her from creating a very nice boom

"Actually, raritanium doesn't explode. Even when reduced to a basic form." Zeb tossed his hands in the air. This is just peachy. If they can't blow it up, what good is infiltrating this place then? "But it does contain toxic fumes."

Zeb's ears shot up, curiosity twitching his lip up. "Toxic?" He chirped, sliding in closer to the Mandalorian. She'd appreciate SOME room. He isn't the best smelling Lasat.

"A friend of Grim's went brain dead from inhaling too much of the stuff."Zeb cringed and clamped his hands to his nose and mouth. He knew that pressure in his head wasn't good. Are those spots? He's seeing spots?! No he's becoming delirious! That stupid hamster song Ezra sings is starting to become catchy! Katerina gave Sabine the word to flick Zeb in the ear. She sensed from miles away that he was giving in to some weird paranoia. It worked. Zeb came right out of it, and he raised a fist that would be meant for both of these girls. Back to what Katerina was saying, "The fumes come from the other minerals that seeped into the raritanium. It's a solid resource that's a sponge for everything. Dousing it in fertilized oil should help you guys."

"Fertilized oil?" Sabine repeated dubiously. That isn't a real thing, is it? She's never heard of it. Knowing Katerina it's some crazy mixture she invented on her spare time back at her garage on Chandrila. "Tell me that means you mixed fertilizer and oil together on accident." She pressed a hand to her head. Katerina's laugh confirmed her suspicions. Now what terrifies her more is what need would she have for a mixture like that.

"Found some fertilizer." Zeb came in with the clutch. Two full bags of the stuff. "And I saw a tank of oil in the corner over here." Why there's a tank of oil in a greenhouse is a question they won't ask. It's not important. Very convenient and thoughtful though.

"You guys are set then. Just soak a piece of raritanium in the mix and give it a quick light. By the time the oil burns up the fumes will be released."

"How long do we have?"

"About five minutes."

"Okay. Thanks, Riina." Sabine quickly arranged a timer and cut the connection before she exposes Katerina or themselves. "Here, we'll need this then." She handed Zeb an O2 mask. Looked like his size.

"Where'd you get the gas mask from?" He admired the craftsmanship. He's gotta hand it to criminals. They get all the good stuff.

"The guy I framed at the door." Sabine impishly answered.

xxx

Normally, being outnumbered by heavily armed goons who probably can't tell their left from their right would unnerve the less experienced rebel. Not Katerina and Hera. Nuh-uh, nah, they live for this kind of stuff. It's just like having Stormtroopers on all sides. Except the Trandoshans are uglier...and bigger. But no! The girls weren't scared of these morons. No, what was scaring the pudding out of them was being stuck in a cave system lit with lanterns, being led deeper and deeper to who knows where. Hera and Katerina have seen this Holo-Vid before. This is where they are either killed by having their throats slit, or some weird monster that was once human jumps out and eats their bowels. Given the circumstances...the bowels thing sounded heavenly. If the guy behind Hera didn't stop trying to touch her, his bowels will join them.

Katerina kept Hera in front of her for the rest of their stroll. More of the slaves chained down here, using pick axes and drills that are on the verge of shattering in their grasp. They are hardly given any food or water. The paling in their faces says they haven't seen daylight in days. This was getting harder for Hera. She was honestly going to cry, but wouldn't so these monsters wouldn't mock her...or think they've gotten the better of her. The girls were brought to a solid metal door. It wasn't powered by an electronic lock. It was turn wheel like on old submarines. One of the guards knocked. His fist on the door resounded like thunder, vibrating in their ears. "Enter!" A baritone voice granted from the other side. One of the guards opened the door, allowing the ladies to enter. A whole lounge was built in this cave. Complete with the state of the art security monitors on one wall, velvet red couches on another, and a machine that spits out bourbon every hour on the dot. Ding. Whoop! Speak of the liver killing devil.

Katerina bumped into a rooting Hera. The Twi'Lek was snared in horror. A Trandoshan with a prosthetic arm, and one eye missing beneath scars running diagonally on it had a line of slaves at his desk. Must be Quiizno. He held a tablet up to the miserable faces of his merchandise, took a full face and retinal image, and then slapped a collar on them. On top of being forced into depraved labor, he checks them in and tags them like prized animals. "Now, just in case none of you were clear on the rules," Quiizno purred, hovering a finger above the tablet, "Any of you misbehave, or just do something that flat out irritates me," He tapped on the Twi'Lek girl he just registered. A signal was sent to her collar. A high pitched screech scared her. Thousands of volts poured from the collar and into her. Her shrill wails keeled the guards and Katerina to their knees, their hands clamping to their ears. Quiizno and Hera, on the other hand gazed on, not even flinching. Quiizno in sick delight of the girl's pain, and Hera utterly horrified. She turned away, unable to watch it anymore. The rest of the slaves cowered in a corner, screaming for it to stop, and for that to not happen to them. After what seemed like a half hour, Quiizno ended her suffering and cut the power. She hit the ground with a thud, smoking coming off her body. Labored breaths making her shiver. "Oh and, there's one more thing. In case any of you decide you want to run." Quiizno hummed with sick glee, reaching for a remote. Katerina, the slaves, and Hera braced themselves. Knowing Quiizno, this was going to blow her head off. Just another shock when he pushed the button and activated the fence. In turn, the collars became synced to it. "The fencing posts outside also act as an alarm. Try to run, and your final moments will be your charred to a crisp!" If that didn't kill everyone's spirit to run, Katerina and Hera aren't sure what will. Good thing they know how to inspire uprisings. Quiizno regarded his guests with a hungry leer. "Clear out! We'll finish up later!" He ordered.

"Yes, sir!" The guards bellowed. The slaves were all shoved out of the room. Their shackles waists kept them from trying to run off. After that display earlier, none of them were going to breathe without permission. As the door was beginning to close, one of the guards glanced back inside the room, catching the eye of Hera. He shifted a blink between his eyes, ending with a soundless kiss as the door closed. Hera's whole face was stripped by disbelief. He couldn't be. The only ones who remained were two guards, and they suddenly felt taller standing next to their boss.

"Well, well…" Quiizno approached the two ladies, rubbing his palms together and licking his chops. Katerina had to resist standing between him and Hera. "I've never seen a beautiful catch brought in by a beautiful catch." He reached his slimy hand to stroke Hera's head tail. She bared her teeth, prepared to bite him. She just might.

Katerina slapped his hand away. She may have to play a ruthless role, but it'll freeze in Hell three times before anyone here touches her. "Save the pleasantries! I want this one off my hands fast!" She pushed Hera behind her, getting as much in Quiizno's face as her two foot shorter stature would let her. "I won't settle for less than what I have in mind, or for what you want skimp on!" She spat. Quiizno was cocking brows at her, wondering if that sharp tongue can cut through steel. "Waste my time and I take my business elsewhere!" She warned. Seriously, though, she is ready to walk out of here.

"Ha-ha. This one has chops." Quiizno admired. HIs men had to bob their heads. She isn't shy about her terms. Even when outnumbered. "Let me see here..." Quiizno stalked Hera in circles, taking care to inspect her away from Katerina's whip like hands. He wasn't unaware that she broke one of his men's fingers. Hera's figure was pleasing. Toned muscle that complements her kind. Shows she isn't afraid of some labor. Her skin was a healthy tone. Not smooth, looked soft, but clearly has signs of hardship. A tough one. Her eyes have stared into the grim jaws of death several time, and have clearly scoffed at him. This is no ordinary Twi'Lek. She's a fighter, a survivor. He'll take her for himself. "How much are we looking for here?"

"I got this one from Royalty. Served Queen Moana of Motunui herself!" Hera rolled her eyes. Way to pick one of the most wealthiest dictators since the Queen of Zygerria fell, Riina. "I want at least 10,000 credits for her, and an extra 200 for having to drag her here!"

"10,200 credits?!" Quiizno gasped, sucking on the dry air.

"Why don't we make it 10,220? For the fuel I burned up getting here!" She pressed her luck. Quiizno cackling was really poking at her impatience.

"I take it this is your first time doing business like this. Allow me to clarify how this works-"

Katerina clamped her whole palm to his jaw. She jabbed her middle finger and thumb into the crooks of his jaw, keeping those flapping lips of his still. Hell, he moves wrong she can dislodge it. "Look here, Asshole, I'm exhausted from looking for you loser and I haven't had a decent drink in Jedi knows how long!" She put on a good withdrawals performance. Shaking, twitching, rapid speech and breath, and the ever popular agitation. It was working. "Either agree to my terms or I walk with my property!" Her brow furrowed and teeth bared at the two morons at the wall aiming their guns at her."And tell your dogs to stand down before I take their arms and beat 'em with them!" And she wasn't talking about the guns.

Now, Quiizno is no pushover. Not in the least. In fact if one of his men had this sort of brass with him he'd shoot them right in the brow and dump their body somewhere for scavengers to pick at. Instead he has a girl that's probably 120 pounds soaking wet demanding money from him. She has to be bluffing. Her Twi'Lek was sweating bullets - could be a possibility. Then again, the measly servants was sweating in terror because her owner lives up to her not so veiled threats. Meaning she might very well beat his mean with either their guns...or severed arms. This was...this was exciting! So exciting Quiizno held his taut stomach and threw his head back laughing. "I love a woman who can do business!" He roughly took her hand, shaking it so hard her shoulder almost popped out of place. "Our bargain is struck!" He wrapped an arm to her and Hera, leading them over to the two guards she just threatened. "Follow these gentlemen here and they will get your payment. They will inspect the goods," He undressed Hera with his gaze, "And you'll be one your way."

"Thank you!" Katerina curtly replied. Nothing made her and Hera happier than to walk out of there. The stench was starting to get to them. Both guards lead the way, confident Hera wouldn't try to run with her owner around. The two ladies put a little breathing distance from them, releasing that much needed breath of relief. "Okay, the hard part is over." Katerina mumbled, knowing that she was jinxing them. "Now we just need Zeb and Sabine to do their part."

"I saw our contact leave the room." Katerina gaped with glee. This might go in their favor after all. "Get this - it's one of the guards." And the hope just turned to ash in her mouth. Partial ash. What better contact than someone who's been on the inside. Doesn't mean Katerina trusts him. He's a Trandoshan working with slave traders and is also in league with the mysterious Fulcrum who Hera trusts blindly with no real rhyme or purpose. And why is Katerina going along with this merry band of untrustworthy cutthroats? Because she trusts Hera, and Hera hasn't done anything to betray that trust. "Once you get your pay, get to one of the transports. From there, our exit needs to be improvised."

"Plans improvised." She said sarcastically with a roll of her eyes. Surprise, surprise, surprise, the oxymoron lives on.

"With how many people are here, we're going to need a few of them." Hera added apprehensively.

"I can get three of them out without breaking a sweat." She shooed the worries away. Anymore than that might raise a few questions. All the more reason behind that depraved grin splitting her face in half. "And I can have fun with the other ones when Zeb and Sabine give their signal." She cackled darkly, rubbing her palms together. What beautiful music she can make with hulking transports.

"Not too much fun. We don't need this going sideways." Hera begged her. Just what this team needed. An older Sabine.

"Me? Make things go sideways? Perish the thought." Katerina feigned innocence. Hera will resist smacking her in the back of the head. Though...she had to smile. It doesn't matter what she is. She's Riina. For all the jokes, Hera knows she can count on Katerina when the dominoes aren't holding. If anyone can help her pull this off and get these people out of here in one piece, it's Katerina. I just hope, Kanan, you still see that too.

xxx

"9,000, 10,000, and 200. There!" A guard fitted the demanded credits into a suitcase, turning it to present it to a skeptical Katerina. "10,200 credits as promised." Katerina plucked one, eyeing it like a parasite. She sniffed it, licked it, and even bit it. The Trandoshans were insulted. Not that she cared. As authentic as The Inquisitor's numerous rows of sharpened teeth. A small blush came to her puffed cheeks. Those are pretty cool, she has to admit. If he wasn't trying to kill her and her friends, and if he didn't scare her to the core, she'd go so far as to label him cool. Moving on - she got her money, and Hera was in another room getting poked and prodded and otherwise vandalized by a couple of guards. She so feels sorry for those guards. Hera is no slouch when it comes to flipping people on their backs. But Katerina begged she would hold off. They've come this far. Besides, she wants to have a crack at them too. "If there is nothing else…" One if the guards opened the door. Her urged her to leave with a malignant snarl, ready to crack her on the head if she didn't walk out. Not that he could.

"Gentlemen, by your leave." Katerina have them a mocking bow, cat walking her way into the corridor. She was still walking, but she managed to lock grim gazes with Hera as she was walking out with her own Quiizno collar. She gave a slight nod, promising that this will go their way. Hera returned the nod before she was shoved the opposite direction. Guess Quiizno wasn't done with her. That's fine. Katerina wasn't done either. She still needs a ride or two. Let's just hope Sabine and Zeb are finishing with their little science project.

xxx

Zeb and Sabine were putting the final touches on the Raritanium bombs. Gotta give the Trandoshans where their credit is due. These guys know how to prepare for any situation, and have enough of the equipment to outlast an apocalypse. Enough provisions to feed their great grandchildren. Brr. That is a very scary thought. Scarier still is how they've managed to rebuild from their humiliating loss all those years ago. They've even survived The Empire's rule so far. Even profited off of it. Lady Luck must have a mad crush on The Ghost Crew. Because these profits are going to make one Hell of a show for them.

Sabine found an old drum she used to fill with raritanium chunks. Zeb did the rest of the heavy lifting with the fertilizer and oil, pouring every last bit of it into that drum. It was just like Katerina said - the tanium was acting as a sponge, taking in the fertilizer and oil. Imperfections in the mineral cracked in the veins. Likely where those fumes they need are nestled. Using a pair of Smith tongs, Sabine took each piece of soaked raritanium and placed one in random spots of the greenhouse. Zeb gave her a hand with the ventilation ducts. No sense in keeping the fun secluded to one spot. And he figured if the air was breathable in that greenhouse, those vents must do more than add to the decor.

"We even sure this is gonna work?" Sabine's doubts finally voiced themselves. She's never heard of burning a metallic substance for toxic fumes.

"Do you have a better plan?" Was Zeb's counter. To which Sabine remained silent. Zeb didn't have to comment.

Zeb put two in each vent, while Sabine arranged three in every corner. Normally, if these actually pan out and work, Sabine would keep a couple. But the mess isn't one she wants to deal with. Right as they were about to finish placing the chunks, their spines had chills run down them. "Time for our lunch break!" Oh great! For once can't the bad guys wait until they are finished before ruining their moment. Zeb and Sabine froze like statues, their hearts skipping beats at the voices nearing the front door. "Think we still got some of that Applepine left in there."

"Hope! I've been craving that all day!"

The locks at the door clicked. "Crap! Hide!" Sabine ditched her rock and dove into an empty crate. Zeb ducked near a large tree close to the door. The little hairs on it flipped the shavings on the trunk. A sweet aroma wafting from it, but not sweet enough to distract him from the four uglies who walked in. And lol and behold, to Sabine and Zeb's eternal misery, the first thing they spot is heir drum of oily fertilized raritanium.

"What's this doing here?"

"Maybe Marsh left it."

"For what reason?"

"Who knows with that one." They meandered cautiously closer to the drum. Needless to say, they were baffled by the concoction with their raritanium inside it. "What is this stuff?"

"I don't know. But we should tell Quiizno."

That was Zeb's cue. He crept up behind them, his claws reaching for their skulls. One of them turned right as he crept up, about to call their boss. "HEY!" Zeb's knuckles landed a blow to his snout, a sickening crack shooting pain straight into his head and throwing him onto his back.

The other three turned. Their blasters trained to his skull, chest, and stomach. "Move and you're dead, animal!"

"Whoa, Whoa, Whoa!" Zeb juggled his hands, absolutely dumbstruck. The hypocrisy is ripe in this one. "You're the over sized lizards, and you're calling ME an animal?" Trandoshans screeched at the implication! They are not animals! They are highly evolved reptiles. Meanwhile, as they pondered their lineage, Sabine had snuck a couple of taser bombs in their pockets. She'd have used real bombs but they'd draw attention too fast. She tiptoed away, taking cover under one of the tables. "You guys know what my people do with animals who can't behave?" He slowly backed away, keeping his hands where they can be seen. The Trandoshans sneered venomously, daring him to finish so they can shoot him. He cackled diabolically, taking a few steps back. "We drop 'em like they're hot!" He dove behind a massive fly eating plant. The Trandoshans gawked baffled, not realizing that Sabine activated the small bombs in their pockets. By the time either heard those beeps, it was too late. A flurry of electricity blossomed, howls of agony rattled the walls and plants. The three Trandoshans dropped to the cold metal floor, their charred faces frozen in terror. Zeb came out of hiding, liking the light show.

"Time to hurry this up!" Sabine urged aggravated. She zip tied those guys and put gags in their mouths. "Anyone comes looking for these guys, we're as good as dead."

"A good thing we're almost done then." Zeb was three on the positive spins. A handful were already put in strategic places, the rest can be put in the best spot possible. THE MIDDLE OF THE FLOOR! With an aggressive roar, Zeb kicked the drum over, spilling oil and rock chunks all over. The conscious plants in the room swarmed the vile gunk, lapping up the oil and fertilizer like they were candy. It was a thing of beauty to see. And slightly nauseating. Zeb cackled like a mad scientist, flicking on a lighter he lifted from one of the guards. The dancing flames ignited the crazy gleaming in his eyes, removing Sabine's nerves in one swoop. "Shall we get this party started?" Not really a question. He twisted his wrist, dropping the lighter. It fell in slow motion, the oil illuminated in the tyrannical glow. This was going to be good.

xxx

Guards throughout the deceptively large compound were patrolling the halls and taking inventory in their other storage areas. Some were having lunch, others were changing shifts, the rest were either outside watching the grounds or on the roof. It's a pretty boring job guarding a place no one really knows about, or comes out to see. Except when a new delivery is needed, and they get one of those pieces of trash from the camp. But they're getting paid, so they won't complain too much. And if the slaves aren't performing, they get to have fun with them. Or eat them.

In one of the corridors, two guards were meandering by, talking about the latest sports game they saw on the holonet and how it was rigged if the worst team in the league managed to get in a win. They passed a vent exhaling invisible strands of fumes. The next few gasped with the same fumes. An unseen cloud dispersing rapidly through that one corridor, coating it in a scent of chlorine, bile, and iron. What started as a thin sheet became thick, and snaked down their throats. "Hey...do you smell that?" One of the guard inquired, choking on the vile smell.

His partner sniffed the air, flying into a fit of coughs. "HO...ACK, COUGH-COUGH, WHAT IS THAT?! HEAVE!" He dropped his rifle, covering his nose and mouth as he dropped to his knees in wheezing coughs. His partner soon succumbed to the coughs next, only he collapsed from a lightheaded feeling. "CALL...HELP…" He rasped, straining to reach for his communicator. His lungs were closing up. His vision was blurring. This burning sensation in his chest felt like it would tear him open. And before his talons could so much as brush the communicator, he and his partner collapsed to the floor. Blood vessels in their frozen wide eyes broke, and that very blood spilled from their nostrils and eyes.

Another round of guards rounded the corner, laughing about a lame joke they had heard. "WHAT THE!" One of them gasped. They saw the dead two on the floor. They rushed to the pair, kneeling and touching their fingers to their necks. Not a single pulse. They were gone. "How did this happen?! When did-COUGH, COUGH, ACK, HRM!" These two were overcome by the same coughs, their lungs closing, and their chests tightening. And in seconds they collapsed onto the other two. The difference here, one of them was able to push the distress button on their communicator.

The signal spread to every com device within the storage facility, fellow guards stopping mid what they were doing and heeding the call. By the time anyone responded, racing to where the call came from, the toxic fumes had already spread far and wide. And the harder these stubborn Trandoshans tried to investigate the foul odor, the faster they dropped. One by one, vessels in the eyes and mouth burst, leaving them as rotting sacks. A handful were able to make it to the armory and grab some gas masks and O2 purification tanks. Alarms throughout the compound reverberated the walls, lighting up the night outside like a rave. And just as Sabine and Zeb planned, relief from the cave was called. Now for the real fireworks to begin. And where will Zeb and Sabine be? They'll be in the distance with Chopper, watching the magic happen live on his holoscreen, eating popcorn and sipping some sort of drink they swiped from the food storage.

xxx

"Alright, you!" A boot to the small of Hera's back sent her sloshing in the mud outside. Easy...easy...don't talk back! She warned herself. The worst part is the mud! These guys will get it! It really was. The Mud was slipping into that stupid outfit Katerina gave to for her. She is so burning it when this is over. "Get to work and don't cause anymore trouble!" The other slaves tried their hardest not to look in concern. The Trandoshans lording over them didn't need an excuse to crack their whips on their already grazed skin. Hera waved them off, assuring them she was fine. Though they could loosen the collar a little.

"You heard the man!" Another Trandoshan, the one with the scars over his eye, roughly dragged her onto her feet by the upper arm. "GET MOVING!" He shoved her along, following her closely. His buddies seemed excited by him personally escorting her. They were cackling enough. He must have quite the salacious reputation. In which case Hera will blow this mission sky high with a quick castration. "The absolute Center is known as the Fulcrum."

Hera's hostile feelings came to a crashing halt, a gasp hitching in her throat. She tried her hardest not to turn around to acknowledge what he said. She was still thinking she heard wrong. So she tested it. "And Fulcrum is absolute."

The Trandoshan chuckled menacingly. "When he spoke of you and your crew, he forgot to mention how unassuming you all look."

Hera had to laugh too. "Don't let it fool you. We'll take your hand if you're not careful."

"Your friend sure seems like the type."

"You have no idea." Hera pities the man who tries to touch her. The contact pointed her to a patch of raritanium yet to be scrounged up. She got down to know knee, grabbing one. She paused for a moment. It's heavier than it looks. Talk about unassuming. She managed to pick up three at a time to at least pacify the guys really wanting to come over and educate her on a better work ethic.

"Speaking of unassuming friends," The Contact scanned the immediate area surreptitiously, "Where are yours? It wasn't just you and that mechanic." He hoped.

"Nope. Everyone should be finishing their jobs right about now."

"Their jobs?" He heard nothing about this. Hera smirked at him. He didn't really think they came to his rescue without a sound plan of attack, did he? That's when his his communicator started to go haywire with a blaring whir. All of the guards, including a few curious slaves, stopped in their tracks in fret of the sound. What was going on, the slaves wondered. Did something happen? The slaves were scared. The guards, on the other hand, threw up red flags from the camp to the inner cave.

"YOU! FIND QUIIZNO AND REPORT!" The commanding officer ordered, sending his man to alert their boss of the emergency. "You three remain here," He ordered the contact and two others, "The rest of you are with me! The compound needs our support fast!" It was a regular stampede to get out of the camp and head for the transports.

The contact was astonished by how fast and easily the camp was cleared out. Save for him, the other two, the guys in the tower, and the handful still in the caves, the place was empty. Ripe for an ambush. "And that would be phase one taking effect." Hera purred.

"Phase two?" The contact shuddered to ask.

"Should be coming any second now."

xxx

Very animal like grunts, and unlady like curses fumed from Katerina. She didn't think this simple a task would touch such a sore spot. "Geez…The idiocy that comes from Trandoshans!" Katerina grumbled irately. "What shoddy work! They call this a patch? AND THIS! A fossilized liquid used as an oil replacement!" And don't even get her started on that weak ass fix to the radiator tubes. These bastards are begging to be sabotaged. Perhaps it is a good thing Zeb isn't here. She wouldn't want him to see the dark side of engineering.

One would think with such expensive, heavy duty armaments like transports and tanks there would be some semblance of HIGH END SECURITY. Like a dog, fences, round about security, or at least a thorny bush. Katerina was literally able to walk up, open the engine blocks, and cross a few wires. Just take the ignition and cross it with the fuel line pump. Loosen the oil caps, and fray a couple of chords with attached to the spark plugs. Spill a few liquids, and in less than 15 minutes she has herself ready to drive bombs. One or two should explode on ignition. The others...might get a bit of a start. She only hopes that she can do Sabine justice. What with the time and effort she took into teaching Katerina about the fine art of turning her average vehicle bombs into works of splendor and awe. Might not be as colorful, but the explosion should be big. She just has to hope that they take the ones she rugged. Taking the ones she hasn't would have taken too much time, and would have roused suspicions from the guards likely looking her way from the tower. On the plus side, she got some heavy artillery to help her with them should they prove to be a problem.

Not a bad night. Thwart a slaving operation on top of a toxic mining operation, cut off The Empire's minor access to one of the strongest metals in the known galaxy, and get paid not once but twice in the process - HAT TRICK! And it's not even midnight! Katerina was so giddy she was going to burst. Voices in the distance told her to get it together fast.

"HURRY TO THOSE TRANSPORTS!"

"MOVE IT, YOU DOGS!"

"QUIIZNO'S GONNA KILL US IF WE LET ANYTHING HAPPEN TO THAT COMPOUND!"

"What the Hell do you think even happened?!"

"Oops! Time to go!" Katerina closed the engine and dove into the tall grass. She poked her head from the top, watching with baited breath. One by one they smashed themselves into the transports, firing up those engines, charging up the weapons, ready to give Hell to whoever was causing problems for them. As much fun as it would be to watch up close, Katerina gathered her things and cleared the area. She doesn't want to be there when…

The engines turned over. KABOOM! KABOOM! RAW! That last one was Katerina roaring with satisfaction. Even had a pair of shades so she can safely enjoy the fireworks too. Two transports blew, cooking the Trandoshans inside. A fiery masterpiece erupted high in the night sky, basking the destructive glow for miles. Everyone at the camp saw it, and Sabine and Zeb even caught it from their binoculars. Sabine gave it a C+. Could have had a little more oomph in BOOM. But not too bad for an amature.

"WH-WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!"

"ST's One and Two just blew up!"

"BLEW UP?! HOW THE HELL DID THAT HAPPEN?!" The trandoshans were tripping over themselves, succumbing to full blown panic. Such a melodic sound. Katerina wondered if she can get some marshmallows and sausage links for the barbecue. "GRR! NEVER MIND THEM! We have to get to the compound!" What remained of the transports took off before more surprises happened. The only real surprise here, though she saw it coming, was that one of the transports she hadn't rigged was taken. That one made it far. The last ones stalled and exploded in the middle of the fields.

"Sabine, Zeb, I have four transports down, and two ready for pick up! One is on its way to you right now!"

"We're already cleared of the compound." Sabine called in. "We'll hijack the transport en route and meet you back at the camp!"

"We'll be waiting!" Katerina cut the call. "Time for Phase three…" She trailed off, grabbing one of the long range RPG's. Gotta hand it to smugglers, they get all the best toys. She climbed to a rock formation. Lying to her stomach, she propped the RPG on its struts and took aim. "One escape coming right up."

xxx

The slaves and remaining guards all saw the explosions. Their knees were knocking together. Neither party knew what was going on. Did the Trandoshans burn slaves alive for fun? Did their Transports blow? No one was able to get into contact with the transports. No answers were given. This was putting the Trandoshans in disarray. Either they were way behind on their regular maintenance, or someone's picking them off one by one. No matter the reason, Quiizno was full appraised of the trouble, and he was not happy.

Hera and her contact, Meelo, watched the dulling flames in awe. Meelo was just taken aback. Explosions that big from Transports - he didn't think it was possible. By Hera's gleaming smirk, she knew the capabilities of her saboteur and wasn't at all surprised. "Phase two done and with plenty of time to spare! Nice one, Riina!" Hera praised, getting really excited. "Now for phase three."

"Which is…" Meelo asked anxiously. He's really breathless by how flawlessly this is progressing. Fulcrum forgot to also stress how efficient these guys are.

"My friend is going to take out the watchtowers."

"Good. They power the fence that reacts to your tags." He tapped her collar.

"What about the remote Quiizno has?"

"Limited range." He shook his head. It's a glorified prop. "Within this field is where his range stays." He pointed to their freedom. "We get outside it, that remote and these collars are worthless."

Which makes perfect sense why the slaves are killed before they cross the fence. That one from earlier tried and was dropped a foot before crossing the line. "Okay. Now we wait." Hera kept on working before she got them caught.

"Your friend…" Meelo had to know, "How does she plan to take out the towers?" With those explosions from earlier, there's no way she can sneak back in here without getting shot on sight. And even if she does make it in, she'll be made as the saboteur and their whole plan goes to Hell. A muffled pop in the air, followed by a shrill whir, sent chills down his spine. He happened to look up. A rocket tore through the night, striking the farthest left tower. Slaves hit the ground, screaming in terror. It bursts into flames, coming down hard with its sniper burned alive inside. Meelo went pale. "Huh…?" He wheezed. He might have just loaded his pants.

xxx

Meanwhile, Katerina admired her handiwork, savoring that beautiful glow. And while the other towers are ripe for the picking, why spoil the evening so soon? This is the first time one of their plans has gone smoothly. No improvising - major, anyway - or their plan going sideways due to impatience, or bravado. They're being efficient. She wonders what the difference is here. Who knows. Anyway, she got on her speeder and rode for the camp. A good respite for the scrambling guards before their demise, and she can lend Hera a hand in getting everyone out.

xxx

"WHAT WAS THAT?!" Tower 2 screamed.

"RPG!" Tower 3 cried.

"WHERE DID IT COME FROM?!" Tower four roared.

While they pondered that, Meelo was trapped in a state of shock. "She...she blew it up. She blew up the frickin' tower! WITH AN RPG!"

"That's Riina for ya. Never doing anything halfway." Hera partially laughed. She needs to keep her and Sabine apart for a while. They're both bad influences on each other.

"WHAT ARE YOU ALL GAWKING AT?!" Even in a state of emergency, the Trandoshans hadn't forgotten to kick a slave or two. "GET BACK TO WORK!" In the meantime they made a fire brigade with what guards were left behind. "Grr! Someone find out what's going on!"

"We're trying! But we can't find...WAIT! I see someone!" One of the tower guards called. "I think it's the-" Before he could finish, a second RPG hit his tower, sending it crashing down. Then the next one, and finally the last one. That only leaves the two guards outside, and whoever was fumbling around inside.

"NOW!" Hera cried while everyone was distracted. Meelo tossed her a side arm and she let loose in no time. Two shots and she killed one guard instantly.

Meelo surprised the already frazzled second man and rammed his full body weight into him. He was smashed to a wall. Meelo pressed the barrel of his rifle to his skull and pulled the trigger. That was it. "CLEAR!"

"ALRIGHT! EVERYONE," Hera bellowed to the quaking slaves, "The fences are down! Get outside the camp and the collars are useless! GO!" She barked as she saw them standing them. She didn't have to tell a handful of them twice. They stomred out of the camp, running for their lives. With them, the rest started to run next.

Katerina arrived on scene as the stampede of slaves erupted from the camp. And she thought her taking out the towers was loud. "HEAD TO THE RIDGE! THERE ARE TRANSPORTS WAITING FOR YOU ALL!" She bellowed. "Sabine, Zeb, change of plans. Get to the transports just outside the camp and drive the prisoners out of here!"

"Roger that, Riina! We'll be there in two minutes!"

"Hera!" Katerina ran in with an RPG strapped to her back. "What's the situation?"

"Everyone's cleared out! Now we just have to get out of here!"

"Then let's not wait!" Katerina pat her and Meelo on the back. She figured that was the guy they were meeting. She jogged back outside the camp, heading for her speeder.

"Our rides are waiting for us!" Hera cheered.

"NO ONE'S GOING ANYWHERE!" Quiizno roared animally, storming out with five more guys at his back. There's the hitch in their plans they were waiting for. Not as bad as they thought, but Hera and Meelo weren't going to be stupid and try to get off the first shot. Not with so many scopes trained on them. Katerina kept low at the side of the entrance. She'll be their one last hope before this goes completely sideways. Quiizno bared his teeth at Hera, but his hatred was trained to Meelo. Was it purely coincidence that his men were dead, his camp in shambles, and half his transports are shot to Hell...and Meelo was standing their with the new slave, and not beating her into submission. No. No it wasn't. Especially since he saw the whole thing. "Well, well, Meelo! Never thought you'd betray your brothers for common trash!"

"The only trash is you, Quiiz!" He snarled venomously. "Abducting people for sport wasn't twisted enough?! You have to subject them to cruel labor too?!"

"I'll do whatever it takes to get us back on top!" Quiizno declared with a clenched fist. "Slavery, hunting, using them as fuel - The Empire will pay handsomely for it all!" He drooled crazily. "And they'll especially pay for a shot at torturing a traitor! Who knows? By the time they're done with you, they might convince themselves that you're one of those rebels mucking up their works!" Hera and Katerina had to fight laughing. If he only knew how on the mark he is. "Now both of you throw down your weapons!" His five men clicked their hammers back. Their blasters whirled to a full charge. "Or I'll turn you into fertilizer."

"I have a better idea!" Katerina boomed. There was a click and a high pitched whir. Hera and Meelo gladly stepped to the side. Quiizno and his boys lost their nerve at the sight of the RPG locked dead on to them. "You boys drop your weapons, and I won't leave you for the scavengers!" She put on her most depraved grin. She's already killed a few men tonight. Quiizno better not make the mistake of doubting she kill them.

"YOU!" Quiizno hissed disdainfully, salvia running from his jaws like poison. Certainly made the remaining grass in the area shrivel and die.

"Hey there." She winked impishly. "Just came back to tell you I want to renegotiate my pay." She cooed, bouncing the RPG and swaying her hips tauntingly. "I'll keep the credits," She motioned her head, Ushering Hera and Meelo closer, "And I'll also take these lovely folks with me!" Meelo and Hera kept their blasters on Quiizno and his men, not taking any chances.

"Riina, we made it!" Sabine came in. "We have the prisoners and are taking them to the rendezvous."

"Good work, Sabine! We're going to wrap up here and meet you there!"

"Roger that! Oh, and you littler raritanium fumes thing had a special surprise." She teased, making Katerina smile. "It didn't mix well with a piece of equipment. The whole compound went up in a blast!"

Katerina threw her head back in howling laughter. "Guess what, Quiinzo? Looks like your camp isn't the only spot up in flames!" She pointed in the general direction of the compound. Sure enough they saw it. A stack of smoke in the distant illuminated by the moonlight. Quiizno was going to lose circulation if he keeps straining himself to not scream. "So that's a slave camp and a goods storage down. Really isn't a bad night."

"You...YOU AIN'T NO SLAVE TRADER!" Quiizno snarled.

"Ooh, ya cut me to the quick, ya did." She feigned hurt, slamming a fist to her chest. "You're right. I'm not a salver." She raised the RPG. "I'M A REBEL!" Hera felt extreme pride in her decree, and was elated to watch the RPG fly. Quiizno ducked out of the way, but his men weren't as fortunate.

Quiizno was frothing at the mouth, starved for breath in the wake of this catastrophe. His operation was up in literal flames! His men and merchandise are gone! And it was all because of those three! "I'm going to enjoy killing you!" He swore. But before he could even take another step, Meelo proved he was the quicker marksman and shot him between the eyes. The light left his eyes, and he dropped to the dirt to rot.

Meelo drew his blaster barrel to his lips, blowing the smoke off. "Get in line!" He threw it down, kicking it and his whole experience in this camp away. He released a breath of relief, feeling his whole body relax. He gripped at his stiff shoulders, alternating them in circles. What a night this was turning into. He turned to Katerina and Hera, the two waiting for him on a speeder. "Let's get out of here." He urged, hopping on his own speeder.

"I couldn't agree more." Hera blurted. "But first," She gestured to her outfit, "We gotta get me out of this!"

"Already covered!" Katerina handed her a change of clothes. "You can rinse off in the pond a ways up and change."

"Riina, I swear, you are an angel."

"Tell a friend!" She revved the speeder and took off like a shot of lightning. I'll do more than tell a friend. Hera swore in her mind. I'll remind your brother.

xxx

The aftermath of the operation had to have been the most nerve racking. Because, as the morning sun was peeking past the eastern horizon, silence blanketed the fields. For hours...there was nothing. Just the rustling of the weeds, a whisper of a breeze, and the ringing in everyone's ears from the fire fight. The rescued prisoners were made to sleep in the transports until Meelo's team arrived to extract them in the early morning. The transports were nested near The Ghost where the team could keep a close eye on them throughout the night. In teams of two they watched over them the whole night, not leaving a single second to chance, and hoping the prisoners would be able to have a peaceful night. Not that any of them really slept. Their eyes were frozen open, fears making their minds run rampant. The anticipation of Quiizno, or one of his men, surviving and coming to steal them back into that Hell was too much to bear. A couple were on the verge of a full on meltdown. All of their fears were for naught. By the rising sun, Meelo's team arrived and had strict orders from Fulcrum to return all of them back to their homes. Needless to say, tears of joy started to flow. They were going home...after all this time...they were going home.

Katerina was with Chopper, doing as she promised and burning that heinous outfit. Zeb came over because he was curious about what she was cooking. Hera and Sabine spoke with Meelo as he and his team identified each prisoner and located where their homes were last known to be. "I plan to have these folks nestled in their own beds and in the arms of their loved ones within the next couple of days."

"Great!" Sabine cheered.

"Thank you, Meelo, for everything."

"No, thank you, Captain Syndulla." Meelo proudly shook her hands. "You and your small team make a magnificent impact in this war."

"We can just only hope that it's large enough to stop The Empire one day." Sabine mumbled disheartened.

"One day it will, Little One." Meelo reassured her. "As long as the good and brave do not roll over for the cowardly and evil, there is always hope." And he hasn't seen a better personification of the good and the brave than right here. Even if they are a little odd. And with those words of wisdom, he paid this merry band of rebels and took the rescued prisoners away in the transports.

Hera and Sabine watched in relief as their greatest work road away on a new dawn. They meandered back to the ship, arms wrapped to each other's shoulders in congratulations. Katerina, Chopper, and Zeb put out the small bonfire and met up with the girls at The Ghost's on ramp. "Can we please take a moment to be proud of how smoothly that went?!" Hera blurted. Zeb, Sabine, and Katerina shared wide grins. It was their best work yet. "A ragtag team of nuts who Lady Luck has a made crush on!

"Amen, sister!" Katerina pumped a fist.

"Speaking of crazies," Sabine snapped a finger in Katerina face, "Your boyfriend is crazy!" It was all she said before heading inside the ship.

"Huh?" Katerina titled her head confusedly. "What did you do?"

"I'll, uh, tell ya later." He laughed nervously, rubbing at the back of his head.

Hera approved of Sabine's blame place method and decided Katerina should join him. She snapped a finger in Zeb's face, "Your girlfriend is crazy too! And he taste in costumes stinks!"

"What?!" Zeb's ears shot up. He doesn't know what Hera is talking about. He like Katerina thief getup. Hera marched into the ship with Chopper before he could ask what she meant. "What did YOU do?!" He pushed a finger into her skull.

"I'll...tell you later!" She squeaked with red cheeks, folding her arms behind her back. The two had a small laugh. Zeb put his hands on his hips, throwing his head back. "I'm gonna be sore from this one."

"Why? You didn't have to do much?" If anything, she's the sore one.

"I'm older than you, remember? I got aches and pain in places that shouldn't exist." He bounced his brow at the hint. If he thinks he's getting a free massage from Katerina, he's going to be one sad Lasat. Katerina rolled her eyes at him. "Oh yeah! Got a call from Kanan last night." Katerina glued her attention to him. "He and the kid are on their way back."

"Both of them?!" She gasped hopefully.

"Yep. They even got a surprise for us!"

"Oh good!" She placed a hand to her chest. She can breathe again. Then she startled Zeb when she jumped up and squealed. "YES! That has to mean Ezra passed!"

"Passed what?" He doesn't get it.

"I'll tell you later." She promised him. "I don't want to spoil what I think the surprise is!" She has a good feeling Kanan won't be the only saber weidler in the family.

Zeb sneakily wrapped an arm to her waist, drawing her in close. "You know you can tell me anything right." He puckered his lips, wiggling his brow again.

"I know." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the nose. "But I'm still not telling." She slipped from his grip, skipping on inside.

Zeb blinked not even remotely amused. He cleared his throat and cracked his knuckles. "Young Lady," He tromped casually after her, "I have WAYS of making you talk!"

To be continued