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After several minutes of waiting, Ezra called Daxar to back to the cockpit.
- I'm guessing you've already decided about my joining - Daxar said.
- Yes, we decided... I'm sorry Daxar. We received an order to leave you on the closest planet without Empire's regime - Ezra said reluctantly.
Daxar was so disapointed, but he wasn't angry at them. He hoped for join the rebels after leaving the Empre, but... He knew that he wasn't credible after what he was doing.
- *deep sigh* I understand. I will not question your decision - Daxar said emotionless.
- We'll give you a communicator, we don't want to leave you with nothing - Sabine said.
Fengris didn't even listen her.
They flight on the planet, where Daxar could hide from the Empire. The shuttle landed next to a city, there were meadows around. Daxar left the ship resigned. He was never put in the situation, when he absolutely didn't know, what to do.
- Wait, take the communicator - Ezra said giving him the device.
- I don't need it - Daxar answered, without any emotion.
- You can't know it - Ezra replied.
Daxar after a few seconds approached Ezra and took the communicator from him.
- Good Bye. I wish you luck in the fight against the Empire - Daxar said, faking smile.
- Good Bye. I hope we'll see each other again - Ezra replied, trying to cheer him up.
The former lieutenant turned towards the city and walked away. The ramp closed and the ship fleed away.
Daxar was walking through the street looking at people. There were so many diffrent spieces. In the Empire he never saw a soldier or official, who wasn't human. He never understood racism in the imperial army. When he could see somebody, who wasn't human... that was Kerrick's prisoner.
He found an alley, where he could sit and get rest. He always thought he didn't do anything bad. He only received orders and passed them on, that was his job. He had to support his family, there was nothing personal, however, he helped the Empire, which wasn't too good for people on many worlds.
During interrogations he was observing prisoners' reactions and made reports about it, but that job was horrible for him. "We are doing this for the glory of the Empire, Daxar. You're doing it to make the galaxy safer for your family", his best friend always repeated those words when Daxar had doubts. After the tragic message he got from Kerrick... There was "Look what they are able to do, we must punish them! We cannot let anyone more to experience something like that".
Suvan knew his friend so much and he always knew how to manipulate him to do what he wanted to. Without it, Daxar would leave the Empire much earlier.
Serving the Empire never was that, what he wanted to do. He wanted to be a police officer, catch criminals, do something for people. In the Empire, he arrested... people, who Emperor called criminals, but they weren't...
Daxar lifted his Lieutenant's sign and looked at it. 'Joining the Empire... was a mistake' He thought and throw it on some trashes next to him.
- This is Sabine Wren of Ghost crew, I am asking for permission to land - Sabine said to the controller of the rebel base.
They got permission after a several seconds.
- I'm getting sick we left him on that planet. This isn't safe place - Ezra said a little angry, crossing his arms.
- Well, we didn't have time to looking for best planet for Empire's trators... - Sabine replied, sarcasticly.
- Save it this time. He have no food, money or nothing else what can help him to survive...
- ...Why are you so worried about him?- she asked inquisitively.
- Sabine, I had to live on the street, when I was 7 years old... You don't know how terrible it is - he replied reproachfully.
His words saddled Sabine, she looked away. Sabine knew that those years of Ezra's life were very hard for him. He told her about how he had to steal food to survive, he never had too much money. Without his selfishness, he wouldn't be able to survive. He had to believe, that his parents are dead. But for Ezra those things weren't the worst. The worst was loneliness.
- Ezra... I know how you feel - Sabine said softly, looking at him - I remember your stories about that... unhappy part of your life, but you heard Hera's order.
- *sigh* I trust Hera, but it isn't easy for me - Ezra said downcast - I seriously don't want to let him experience that for even one day - Ezra added.
There was silence for a few moments.
- Why Hera ordered us to do it?... - Ezra asked sadly.
Sabine set autopilot and turned to Ezra.
- Ezra, you know better than anyone, how to survive, especially in a town, so answer me: is he able to deal with it for at least one day? - Sabine asked.
- I don't know him that much, it's difficult to say - Ezra replied hesitantly.
- Tell me what your intuition tells you - She said, putting her hand on his shoulder and looking into his eyes - Can he deal with this for one day?
Ezra thought for a short moment:
- ... He cannot - Ezra answered confidently.
- Well, you'd answered your own question then - Sabine replied certainly, then she returned to piloting the ship.
Kerrick Suvan was in his office in 'Wyvern'. He walked around the room mad at the whole situation that had taken place, he was even shouting with anger. Daxar knew exactly how to take revenge on his ex-friend, to enrage him. Catching these two rebels would be a huge success in their careers. In addition, Kerrick have for a long time tried to impress his superiors by practicing extracting information from prisoners. Only now he realized that Daxar's note during the interrogation was only to help them escape. Maybe electrocuting the Mandalorian girl was a risk, but the chances were half and half. Or she wouldn't stand it and stop her heartbeat, or Bridger would break and reveal the location of the base, perhaps he'd have tried to lie, but in the long run he'd have to give up.
Suvan sat behind his desk, when a imperial officer went into the room. The captain tried to not show the subordinate his nerves.
- Did you find any information, where they can be? - Kerrick said in low tone.
- I am so sorry, Sir, but we cannot track them. The device enabling this was removed from the ship they escaped - the officer said, fearing the reaction of your supervisor.
- Kriff! - Kerrick shouted, hitting the desk with his fist.
The officer swallowed, fearing that the captain might want to take out his anger on him, he never did it, but the captain's character was sometimes unpredictable. Kerrick stood up.
- Go away! I have to think what to do... - Kerrick said, pointing the door.
Officer nodded and immediately ran from the office. The captain sat on his seat and put his hands under the chin.
'Uhhh... Okay Daxar, you always said, that emotions are not good advisors... so now I will use that knowledge against you' Kerrick thought determined.
He closed his eyes and began breathing deep. He had to calm down...
After a minute, he started to think about fugitives.
'OK, let's start from the beginning, who they are...' Kerrick thought. He turned on his projector and showed Sabine's and Ezra's imperial records about them.
He looked at Sabine's records. 'Mandalorian, Clan Wren, House Vizsla, explosives' expert, ex-imperial cadet... nothing important for now', then he looked at Ezra's one. 'His parents were arrested when he was 7 years old, they died during revolt. He's using lightsaber, Jedi...' The last words cought his attention.
'Jedi... I heard even before my command on 'Wyvern' that not all of them died' he thought intrigued 'So, if I cannot track them myself and I want to save my carrier, I am forced to ask for help'.
Requesting for help in that moment was admission of failure, but he had no choice if he wanted to catch them again. Kerrick set the communicator in his computer. After a several seconds the figure of an elderly man appeared in the projector. Kerrick stood at attention, hiding his hands behind his back.
- What is it, captain? - the man asked.
- I am so sorry for bothering you, Grand Moff, but I must report you about something - Kerrick replied, Tarkin hated having someone contact him without a need.
- I think you wouldn't contact me without a good reason.
- Yes, Sir. A few hours ago I captured two well known rebels, Sabine Wren and Ezra Bridger. Unfortunately, they... escaped because of treason in my personel.
- This is a great loss on your part, however, it seems to me that this report is not the main goal of our conversation.
- You're right, Grand Moff. I cannot track them and have no idea where I could find them, but Bridger is a Jedi... and I wanted to request for help people... who knows how to hunt down Jedi - Kerrick said certainly.
Tarkin thought for a moment about his request.
- So be it. I'll contact Lord Vader and tell him about it. You should get help soon, captain - Tarkin said.
- Thank you, Grand Moff - Kerrick replied nodding.
The ship with Sabine and Ezra on board landed in the rebel base on Yavin IV. Hera with a first-aid kit, Kanan and Zeb were waiting for them. When the two left the shuttle, Hera approached them with the rest.
- Finally you arrived. Are you hurt? I brought first-aid kit - Hera said impatiently.
- Thanks for caring, Hera, but we've already dealt with my wound - Ezra said calming her down.
- Suvan did it? - Hera asked agitated.
- No, it was my inattention - Bridger replied, shaking his head.
- *Deep sigh* at least you've got the data. Did you leave Daxar?
- Yes and we gave him the communicator as you asked - Sabine answered.
- Wait a second - Kanan broke in - I think you didn't tell me about someone... - he said to Hera.
- Really? Oh I'm sorry, it looks like I forgot to tell you - Hera replied - Ezra and Sabine are free thanks to imperial officer, who betreyed the Empire. We couldn't trust him at the beginning, so we left him on the planet without imperial regime and gave him communicator with long-range wiretap.
- Why did you order them to do it? - Zeb joined the conversation too.
- To make sure that he'll not call the Empire for help. It could be a game. Sabine, did he contact someone with the communicator?
- I watched the transmissions from the device, he didn't even use it - the Mandalorian said.
- OK, keep watching it. If he'll not call his friends for help to the next day, then we can trust him to some extent and start implementing him into the Alliance.
- It was a little brutal... - Ezra said distressed.
- *sigh* Ezra, I understand you don't like that idea, but you know we have to be careful - Hera replied softly.
- I know... - Bridger replied.
- OK guys, let's go to the base, we have to make some reports - Sabine said.
Everyone nodded and went towards the rebel base.
-|The next day, morning|-
Daxar woke up realising what a mess is around him. He stood up and brushed off his clothes.
He already realised how much luck he had. He was too caught up in yesterday's situation to notice that wearing an imperial uniform drags a threat on a planet like this.
He was hungry and thirst, so he decided to find something. He had the communicator, he could sell it for money, however, he never was in that situation, he didn't even know, where he should looking for buyer.
He walked across the street, slightly hunched, trying not to attract attention to people passing by. Suddenly, he noticed a building with the word "electronics shop".
'I guess this is the place, where I can sell the device' He thought.
He went inside, he noticed a toydarian behind the counter and two weequays standing by him, they were probably bodyguards.
- Welcome in my shop. How can I help you? - Toydarian said in a pleasant voice.
- Hello, I came here to sell you something - Daxar approached him and put the communicator on the counter.
- Is it a communicator?
- Yes. How much can you offer me for that?
The toydarian looked closely on the device.
- Nothing.
- What? Why "nothing"?
- It is worthless.
Daxar argued with the shopkeeper for a long time until shop's owner lost patience. The ex-lieutenant was thrown out of the store and got hit with the communicator on back of the head, it hurt a lot.
'It's hopeless... How can I get some money in that kriffing town?' He thought.
He was kneeling when he noticed the three people standing in front of him. A trandoshian, a human and a weequay.
'I'm guessing that it isn't the end of my problems' Daxar thought.
- Well well well, what do we've got here? - The human said .
Daxar stood on his feet holding the back of his head.
- What do you want? - Daxar asked.
- What an imperial scum is doing here? - the weequay asked.
- I'm not here for pleasure.
- Oh, I know you are not sssss, I will guarantee you this-sss - The trandoshian said with snaky voice.
- Guys, I'm not looking for trouble - Daxar replied.
Suddenly the three grabbed their weapons and aimed to Daxar. Ex-lieutenant reached his belt and noticed that he didn't take his weapon from the ship.
- Please, violence is unnecessary - Daxar said raisinig his hands and trying to hide his panic.
"I agree"
Daxar heard someone, the female voice was familiar to him, the person, who said it was behind bandits.
They turned away and let Daxar see who said it.
Fengris was surprised, it was Sabine Wren.
She was aiming to them with her blasters.
- Boys, put your weapons away - She said mockingly.
- Because? - the human asked with a sneer.
- 'Because' you don't want to make Mandalorian angry - She said nastily.
Daxar began to move away.
- Are you serious! You are outnumbered, girl - the human said menacingly.
Suddenly, an invisible force jerked their weapons from their hands.
"I think you are outnumbered now"
The three looked shoked at the person, who scoffed them. Those words said Ezra Bridger, bumping to Daxar.
The bandits looked at them panic, they didn't know that had happened. Without weapons, they moved away slowly and after a few steps they began running.
- I am... glad to see you, but what are you doing here? - Daxar asked hesitantly.
- You passed our test - Ezra said smiling.
- Your 'test'? What are you talking about? - Daxar aksed confused, Sabine approached them.
- I placed a transmitter in your communicator to know your location... and a wiretap - Sabine replied.
After a several seconds:
- Now I understand... You wanted to check if I'm not a imperial spy - Daxar said.
- Exactly - Sabine and Ezra said, then both chuckled when they noticed that they said it at the same time.
- So... will you take me from here? I hate this place so much - Daxar asked with hope.
- Of course, we have some fresh food and water for you on our ship. Let's get out of here - Ezra said cheering up Daxar.
Everyone came aboard Phantom. Ezra pointed food for Daxar, he took it at once. First of all he drank some water, then he began eating a sandwich. Daxar sighed with relief, when they flew out from an unfriendly planet.
- I forgot to say. Thank you... for saving me from those bandits - Daxar said gratefully.
- You're welcome - Ezra said smiling.
Of course they still couldn't take him derecttly to the base. They transported Daxar to the rebel CR-90, where he had to be introduced to the Rebellion. Daxar thanked them for everything and they said goodbye. Sabine and Ezra backed on Yavin IV.
Ghost crew had free time that day. Zeb was in the canteen in the base, he talked with Kallus on the occasion.
Ezra, after eating the meal in the canteen, he left the room and went in the direction of the Ghost. He hoped Sabine would be in the ship. He liked spending time with her, talking, pranking someone, or watching Holonet, however, Kanan stopped him. The master reminded him that they still hadn't completed the daily Jedi training. The young Jedi was aware of the fact that Kanan wasn't going to give up. Of course, he tried to get out of his responsibility, but to no avail. Bridger was grumbling, but after a short time he realised that the training wouldn't take them all day. In addition, he felt the need to talk with Kanan. About what happened during the mission, because they didn't tell too much about it. He also wanted to talk about his feelings for Sabine, the interrogation at 'Wyvern' shook Ezra. The master and the apprentice borrowed two speeders from the maintenance crew and they drove off deep into the jungle.
Sabine was alone in the common room, watching Holonet. She hoped Ezra will come soon. She tried to forget about yesterday's events, and being bored wasn't conducive to it. She liked spending time with Ezra. Last time, when they were bored, they leaded Chopper into a "trap" and they painted him in magenta, he wasn't happy about it. The droid went to Hera to complain when Ezra and Sabine almost cried with laughter. Zeb joined the two, when he recongized what they did. Hera was laughing too, but then she ordered teenagers to paint him like he was before. On the start Kanan wasn't laughing too much, sometimes be blindness is problematic, however, happiness of the rest made him laugh with them, even if he couldn't see what they exactly did.
The Mandalorian girl heard the footsteps of someone entering the ship. She hoped it was Ezra. She waited impatiently for him. When Sabine heard opening door, she instantly smiled and looked at the person, who opened it.
Her smile faded a bit when she noticed that it was Hera. The Twi'lek pilot noticed her disappointment.
- ... Hello Hera - Sabine said with little enthusiasm.
- Hello Sabine. Are you waiting for someone? - Hera asked her, knowing the answer.
- No... Ehm, I mean yes - she answered, correcting quickly.
- For Ezra? - Twi'lek asked directly.
- Eh, yes... How did you know? - Mandalorian replied surprised.
- Who else could you wait for while sitting alone and watching Holonet in the common room? - Hera replied with slightly grin.
- Seriously it is that obvious? - Sabine asked embarrassed.
Hera only smiled wider, narrowed her eyes slightly and raised her eyebrows, giving her that way an obvious answer to her trivial question. Sabine blushed slightly when she recognized the Twi'lek's gaze.
- So... Do you know where is Ezra now? - the Mandalorian asked.
- Kanan probably took him on their daily training.
- Oh... Do you know where? I'd like to see how they train - Sabine asked with a hint of impatience.
For Hera it was clear, that Sabine saying "they" meant "Ezra", but she decided to keep it for herself.
- I'm sorry Sabine, but Kanan decided to make today's training deeper in jungle. He didn't tell me where exactly - Hera replied Sabine softly.
Sabine looked down disapointed, she was waiting for Ezra for nothing. The Twi'lek pilot noticed that and wanted to make her feel better somehow.
- Sabine... Do you want to help me with the calibration of the Ghost's weapons? - Hera asked her encouragingly.
Sabine loved to deal with the weapons of the ship, she always enjoyed it. Sabine knew, that to do that job you don't need two people, but she cheered up hearing Hera's proposition, they could spend time together, by the way she wanted to talk. She couldn't stop thinking about Ezra. In addition, she knew the young Jedi well enough to notice that yesterday's events imprinted on him.
- Of course - Sabine answered enthusiastically.
A/N: That's it! I hope you liked my work :D
I am so sorry for any mistake I could make in that chapter.
Have a nice day!
