Hey, everyone! Hope you liked the last chapter. I hope that you guys like the one I have to come your way this time. Also when I have Ezra and the Pantoran talking, I use the term BBY just as a reference for the reader. And also due to me not knowing what year they would have used.
Attolon base five days later
As soon as they had dropped out of hyperspace over Attolon, Hera had warned the ground crews to get the emergency med-station ready for a female Pantoran. This turned some heads. Mostly because of the Pantorans, while no friends of the empire, still were pretty happy with their position within the Imperial Senate. This was mostly due to the minor resources that the planet had thus forcing imperial disinterest, along with a relatively powerful place in the Senate. Along with the fabled Pantoran massacre, something the Empire had stated was a terrible accident where a rogue unit of stormtroopers went on a killing frenzy. It was happening to coincide with a time of Pantoran Nationalism, and minor rebellion was pure coincidence.
Despite all of this the members of the Ghost crew and the Starkiller's had in fact gotten into a bit of a rhythm with the Rogue Shadow being repaired, while they were on the Pantoran op, and able to provide support and run for supplies. Sabine and Ezra were getting ready for their 'date' as the rumor mill around the base had dubbed it, despite the two stating they were just friends. This wasn't helped by the fact that whenever they were seen together, they were either holding hands, or Sabine would be sitting in his lap, but the two still tried to insist that they were 'just friends.'
Ezra had also been acting a touch strange, and not just to the Ghost crew. When Kanan had approached Galen about his seemingly odd behavior concerning the Pantoran, all Galen could say is that he and Ezra did take several solo missions. And that this must be one of the ones that are coming back to haunt him. During this time Ezra would either be training with Galen, eating with Sabine in the mess hall or meditating outside the Pantoran's room. Despite Sabines almost constant complaints that she wanted to do blaster practice. This wasn't helped whenever a nurse or a med-droid would come along and try to move him. Only for him to glare the offender down before they could utter a syllable.
Finally, the woman woke up from the medically induced coma after five days only to be thoroughly confused as to where she was.
"Where am I? Who are you, people? And where is my niece?" She called out, immediately she heard some shuffling in the hall and saw a handsome young man wearing an orange jacket with a set of brown pants and some flight boots.
"It's okay. You're safe now. They can't hurt you anymore." One of the nurses cooed as she checked the woman's vitals, "You seem to respond to the treatments well and won't have to spend any time in the bacta tank. But I must stress that your injuries were pretty severe, and we don't want you to overdo anything for right now."
"Please don't patronize me. Now answer my questions. Where am I? Who are you, people? And where is my niece?" The Pantoran stated in a cool voice. Her accent was betraying the anger she was starting to build. Only to have the young man cut off the nurse.
"Don't worry; I can handle the questions." He stated, before looking the Pantoran in her eyes, "My name is Ezra, and you are currently on a secret base for the Rebel Alliance to Restore the Republic. These people are the ones who have been trying to treat your injuries. Now could you answer a question of mine? Who are you?"
"You didn't answer my last question, and I won't say anything until someone does. Where. Is. My. Niece?" She said, sweat starting to form from the exertion from just speaking as she leaned back and tried to catch her breath. Looking at Ezra, she could see him glance down and seem to contemplate his answer before she choked out, "Please, she is my sister's only daughter. I have been searching for her ever since the massacre, three weeks ago."
This caused Ezra's head to snap up, "When did you get taken by Imperials?"
"I can't answer that, what year is it?" the woman spoke,
"It's four BBY, the Pantoran massacre happened over six years ago, do you not remember anything about your torture?" Ezra said, looking at the ground again, the woman noted that he seemed to be struggling with the answer. She looked him over in shock; she had been kept captive for six years? How was that possible? Sinking lower into the bed, she tried to come up with anything to answer. But she was left speechless by the revelation.
As her eyes started to tear up, she looked over to Ezra and saw the sympathetic look on his face as he reached out and took her hand. Trying to lessen the blow and stress, but in fact doing very little. The Pantoran then started to shake and convulse with sobs. She couldn't believe it. Six years, her niece was more than likely dead, and she let it happen. If only she hadn't gone poking around, she wouldn't be in this mess.
"Can I at least know what to call you?" Ezra asked, looking at the woman in concern.
"Chuchi, Riyo Chuchi, formerly of the Republic Senate," Chuchi responded, looking at him, trying to gauge his reaction. He looked far too young to have any significant recollections of the days before the empire.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Chuchi, I am. I will try to get someone here who can help. Maybe Senator Organa would be able to help you." Ezra started letting go of her hand and standing up to leave.
"Senator Organa? Is he still around? I would have thought that the empire would have had him killed by now." Riyo gasped,
"Well, sort of. He is officially censored in the Imperial Senate. Only able to vote on issues. And not able to serve on any committees or lobby for any action. At least that is how it was explained to me by his daughter, who does most of the work in his stead." Ezra told while looking down at her. Seeing her eyelids get droopy Ezra tucked her arm underneath her blanket and sat back down. Staying with her until he was sure she was asleep before rising and going out to talk to the Bendu.
Once he arrived at the depression in the ground where he had last spoken with Bendu before the Pantora mission. Ezra knelt down and began meditating, knowing that Bendu would show himself when the force deemed it right. And if that meant spending the rest of the day and all night in deep meditation, then so be it.
He, however, wouldn't need to worry about this though, for as soon as he began meditating, he felt another familiar presence come in from behind him and kneel down. Breathing out Ezra tried to go deeper into the force. But Kanan wouldn't let him, even if he wasn't talking the amount of unbalance in the Jedi was enough to cause concern.
"What do you want?" Ezra said, frustration leaking out into his voice, it was harder to achieve balance when someone was out of balance beside you.
"I want to talk about Sabine," Kanan sighed out after a few moments, "Look, Ezra, I can't be one to talk about the whole be careful in relationships. I used to be the one who was the heartbreaker. The one that women threw themselves at. But as soon as they were asleep I would leave, leaving them in an empty bed and with a hangover."
"And how does this apply to Sabine and me?" Ezra stated, his anger cooling,
"So you at least admit that you two feel something for each other?" Kanan responded, hoping to get the former Sith to talk. But was instead stonewalled by Ezra who tried to dive deeper into his meditation before Kanan sighed, "I don't know how to say this lightly. But please be careful, Hera and I just got her out of her shell. We don't want her to go back to that, okay?"
Standing and facing the Jedi Knight Ezra saw that the expression on his face was of one of real worry, wanting nothing more than the best for his semi-adopted daughter.
"I will do my best, but-, this isn't something that I am familiar with. And it does seem kind of quick. I was raised to be a weapon which only obeyed my master, and I don't know what to do concerning a relationship." Ezra admitted after a few moments of contemplation, looking at the ground in embarrassment.
"Kid, it isn't something to be ashamed about, you got a tough lot in life. But you have been given a rare chance to make it right. Don't screw it up. Speaking of screwing. If you two do decide to do anything like that, please be careful. Hera doesn't want to become a grandma anytime soon." Kanan finished with a smirk as Ezra's face turned bright red, thankfully saved by a loud laugh behind them that echoed off the walls of the valley they were in.
"Ah right, you two are once again in balance. I was wondering when this talk would happen. Now, what did you seek young Je'daii?" Bendu asked after a few moments taking in the sight before him.
"It has to do with the Pantoran, Riyo Chuchi; I wish to tell her the truth. But would this not turn her to the side of the Imperials?" Ezra asked, kneeling down and getting comfortable.
"Ah, so your past has reared its head again. And what has the force stated for you to do? Are you not supposed to follow it's guidance?" Bendu responded crouching down looking at Ezra with an intensity that he had never felt before. Sighing he restarted his meditation, looking into the force for the answer.
"I can sense something, almost like it is just beyond the horizon." Ezra said as he focused harder. Thus starting to see what was being shown to him he saw a flurry of images, most of them with Riyo's shocked face. But instead of guilt, Ezra felt peace, balance, something that had eluded him for so long on Tython. But as he came out of the vision, the feeling went away. Knowing what he had to do, he turned to the Bendu and Kanan and said goodbye before taking off towards the rebel base with Kanan and Bendu watching him go.
"I hope he found the answers that he was looking for," Kanan said before leaving after saying goodbye, only for Bendu to directly reply to be heard softly.
"As do I Kanan Jarrus, Jedi Knight."
Imperial Palace on Coruscant
"Ah, Lord Vader. I see that our experiment was successful?" Palpatine stated as he swiveled around from the view of the skyline.
"Yes my master," Vader said as he kneeled before the Sith Lord, "It appears that they have become much stronger, more so than our contingency plan can handle. I suggest letting me deal with them."
"No, the contingency plan was put in place if they ever became too powerful. It does not matter it's likelihood of success; it will suffice." Sidious responded.
"Master-," Vader protested.
"Silence, I have just about had enough of your insolence. It already is a tragedy that you must be in that suit. Because of your arrogance, you lost much of your power, now two beings you took and trained against my will are powerful enough together to destroy what we have built. Therefore if I say the contingency is sufficient. IT is enough!" Palpatine finished with a shout. His glowing eyes boring holes into the stoic mask of Vader.
"Yes, my master," Vader said with a reserved tone looking at the ground in shame. He hated it whenever his master brought up his failure against Obi-Wan on Mustafar. But he was reminded of it every day that he woke up in the nightmare of his suit. Rising he turned to leave but when he reached the door before turning and telling his master, "My last reports indicate that it will be roughly three to six years before the contingency plan is ready. What shall I do in the meantime?"
"I will decide that now leave," Sidious said with a tone of finality as he turned to the work on his desk before him.
Attolon
Ezra strode towards the Med-Station but ran into a well-known explosives artist, "Oh, Hey Ezra, I was just looking for you. I wanted to know when would be best for the trip to the art exhibit on Corellia we talked about."
Shaken out of his musings he had to go over what Sabine said two or three times before it registered that he needed to answer and he had only a blank look on his face.
"Umm, well, when does it open?" Ezra asked, hoping it wouldn't be soon. He needed to talk to Senator Chuchi soon.
"Well, the main opening ceremony starts tonight, but I figured since it was a one day travel we could leave this evening, go in for the day showing and spend the night, then come back the following day." She replied, with a bit of a sultry look.
"So we would be alone for…" Ezra counted off his fingers; numbers weren't something he was splendid with, however, under Juno he and Galen were catching up on the studies that they missed in their early years, "Three days. Are you sure that is the best idea? I am sure there are already rumors flying around. Wouldn't this just justify them?"
"Well, I say let them think what they want." Sabine retorted.
"Okay, and what about your crew? And a ship?" Ezra asked again; they had started walking toward the Ghost. Once onboard Sabine answered him, "Simple, Hera is letting me use the Phantom."
"You mean, the one person who is more protective of their ship than my brother's wife is going to let you use it?" Ezra asked in an astonished voice. He wasn't sure the rebellion would let them use one of their scarce ships. And he didn't want to ask a pregnant Juno to shuttle them there and back.
"Yeah, pretty much. You shouldn't be so surprised. She likes you and your brother. She teases Kanan constantly that you're his new padawan." Sabine said with a laugh remembering the older Jedi's reaction to his wife saying that.
"Huh, always thought she liked Juno the best," Ezra noted as he followed her to the hallway leading to the living quarters.
"Yeah, shocker. You two have gained your reputation also. 'The dark and mysterious type that the Jedi doesn't like.' At least that is what Wedge told me. " Sabine said as she entered her room and waved him inside. Ezra hesitated before looking both ways and following her inside. Once he passed the threshold, he was awestruck by the sheer beauty of her artwork on the walls of the room.
"You like them? Told you that I painted the walls of the Ghost." Sabine said as she looked at the piece that Ezra was admiring. While he didn't have much knowledge regarding artwork, he did know that each piece was supposed to have a meaning. And each artist had their way of showing, or hiding said meaning.
"What do they mean? I mean, the landscapes are pretty self-explanatory, I think. But what about this one? With all the swirls?" Ezra stated as he tried to decipher it.
"Well, the landscapes are of places that we visited often. And the one with the 'swirls' is incomplete." Sabine said with a bit of laughter. The talk of art brought Ezra back to their original conversation they were having before he got distracted. And being back on that train of thought it brought out another question that he wasn't sure how to broach other than being blunt. But that seemed to be something that Sabine liked.
"So, about this art exhibition, what should I wear?" Ezra asked, hoping it wasn't some high society function and they would need to be dressed impeccably. He had crashed a few of those while with Vader, and from what he saw they were stuffy and didn't look all that fun. But if Sabine were enjoying herself then it would be worth it. At least that is what he told himself.
"Wear whatever you want. Just leave your lightsabers on the ship. We don't want anyone getting the wrong idea." Sabine said as she moved to start packing a few clothes into her suitcase. Taking this as his cue to leave Ezra turned to go only to be stopped by a hand on his shoulder.
Looking back he saw Sabine standing there with the same questioning look she had when she had seen his scars. An almost pity/sympathetic look, that held the galaxy's questions.
"I have meant to ask you. The Pantoran? Is she special to you?" Sabine asked as she tried to fight the jealousy down. Might as well be shot down before takeoff than to allow yourself to believe something could happen.
Sighing Ezra tried to think of how to answer the question, because while yes she was special to him. She hardly knew him, and worse yet. What he had done. So he instead chose to just answer with a half truth. "She is, but not in any romantic way. I met her family once. The force guided me to her." Ezra explained, hoping she would take it and not ask any more questions.
"Really? Because judging by how you acted-" Sabine started before she was cut off by an annoyed Ezra, "She is way older than me. Trust me; I don't feel that way about her. I only feel that way about-" But he stopped himself from saying anything more as his face started to warm up from nearly saying how he felt about Sabine, and he prayed she didn't notice the slip-up.
"You only feel that way about who?" She asked closing the distance between them, looking into his dark indigo eyes. Piercing them with her light brown ones. Praying to the gods that she would get him to answer her.
"I-I, I only feel that way about, you," Ezra admitted after several minutes of intense staring, the last word only coming out as a whisper. As he said it, he closed his eyes and prepared himself for being slapped or thrown out of the room. What he didn't expect was a soft pressure against his lips. After a few moments of not knowing what to do, he started to move his lips against hers and wrapped his arms around her. Several seconds later Sabine withdrew and leaned her head against his shoulder and wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Took you long enough, Jetti," (Jedi) Sabine said into his shoulder with a smile.
"I don't understand Mandalorian. But I do know that you called me a Jedi, not a Je'daii," Ezra teased leaning his forehead against hers and closing his eyes.
"Oh, shut it. There is no word in Mandalorian meaning Je'daii, so Jetti will have to suffice." She laughed as she felt his arms slide down and rest on her waist. Sighing Sabine closed her eyes and imagined her ancestors looking down at her in shame. Not only did she dishonour her clan, but she fell for a force user. The sworn enemy of the Mandalorian people. But she didn't care, all she wanted was to freeze time and hope that it was never restarted.
Their moment was ruined by the sound of a camera shutter going off. Causing both of them to separate and turn to see who had snuck up on them. Only to catch the binary of Chopper gleefully taking off to collect his pot winnings. That was twice he had won. The first time being when Kanan and Hera finally admitted their engagement. Sabine then took off towards the droid leaving an awestruck Ezra standing in the middle of the room. Shaking his head, he walked out before he stumbled into Zeb who was walking out of his room to see what the commotion was.
Looking down at the young man Zeb's keen eyes had narrowed before he called on his strength to grab Ezra by his shoulder with one hand and lift him up and slam him into the wall.
"Listen here kid, and listen good. I don't care that you and she are together now. But know one thing. Human guts make a great substitute for oiling a Lasat bo-rifle. And it just so happens that I am all out of oil right now. You understand what I am saying?" He snarled, face millimeters from Ezra's.
Ezra meekly nodded. Before Zeb set him on the ground and turned to leave before calling over his shoulder, "One last thing, I don't care about you or your brother's past. But Sabine does. She will take it personally if she doesn't find out from you." Zeb said before leaving and then shouting, "Oh and by the way. You have lipstick on your lips. Might want to clean that off!" Before breaking down into uproarious laughter. Causing Ezra to wipe his lips multiple times and even go into the fresher to make sure he got it all. As he was leaving, he ran into Hera.
"Oh, I was just looking for you. Congrats on the relationship. But we have a new training module, and Sato wants to see you and your brother in action in it." Hera said as she pulled him along.
Okay, guys! That is chapter 11 hope you like it. Next chapter will include the training module and should, depending on how long it is. Include Sabine and Ezra's date. Also, who else was pleased with who the Pantoran was? Or was it obvious? Oh well. Until next time.
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