CF Chapter 6

Disclaimer: see first chapter.

Zaria convinces the team to watch soaps with her. So this chapter is going to be more focused on Zaria interacting with the Rebels.

A easy going chapter before the next three. So enjoy just the Zaria oneshots.

I have been swamped at work. But who thinks Season 2 is freaking awesome?

I am loving it!

So upper T rating, the imperial officer really likes his job of cutting people up.

Chapter 6

Zeb

Scum and unwashed sentients packed the bar. As Vizago's hologram flickered, Zaria let her head fall back with a groan.

"Gods of the Bogan! Why does this have to take so long?"

Zeb grunted in agreement.

"If you don't want the job, Jarrus. I have plenty more who would." Vizago's hologram folds his arms over his chest and examines his nails. Zaria stood next the crew as Kanan negotiated with Vizago.

"Okay, deal." Kanan and Vizago nodded at each other, the deal being met.

"Finally!" Zeb exclaimed.

He shifted his bo-rifle on his shoulder as he threw up in his hands in relief.

Kanan waved the rebels to him.

"Okay, this job only needs four people. Hera and I have decided that Zaria and Zeb deserve a rest. So you guys can watch Chopper." Kanan outlines the plan.

"Sabine, Ezra, Hera and I will go pick up the goods on Jukka and then deliver them to Vizago. Any questions?"

Zaria scowled.

"I want to come! Why do I have to stay behind? Is this punishment because I was too 'violent' with those brats?"

"Yes." Hera and Kanan say together.

"Zaria, you pulled out your vibro sword and threat to cut of those kids' legs because they kept kicking their ball at you." Hera scolds.

"I was joking. . . . . mostly. And those brats deserve it." Zaria pouted.

"Why am I being punished?" Zeb's ears lay flat against his head in peeved manner.

Kanan exchanged a look with Hera.

"You and Zaria need to get to know each other better." He says quickly.

Zeb narrowed his eyes.

"Sure it is. It's because I'm too noticeable, where you're going isn't it?"

Hera nodded.

"With so few Lasats left you would be noticed. The slavers would be very interested in you."

"Fine." Zeb set his bulky shoulders.

This is a line break.

Zaria leaned on a wall as Zeb bartered with shopkeeper for Lai purple bovine meat.

Zeb had taken one sniff when they entered the market place and all but ran towards the stall. Zeb paid for his meat and was tearing into it in a savoring way.

"I haven't had Lai meat since I escaped Lasan." The Lasat ate the food with reverence.

Zaria sniffed under her headdress.

"Smells pretty good." She shrugged.

Zeb gave her a considering look.

"Most don't like the pungent smell of the meat."

"I have a good sense of smell. It smells delicious to me." Zaria inhaled again.

Zeb ripped some of the meat and handed it to the surprised Zaria.

"You don't have too." She protested.

"Just eat it." Zeb ordered taking another bite.

Zaria checked to see if anyone was paying attention. No one was. Zaria pulled down the cloth enough that she could put the strip of meat into her mouth. Zaria chew and savored the flavor.

It was tangy, and had a vinegar like taste.

"I like it!" She swallowed a grin on her face, she pulled her head dress back up.

They wandered around the market.

The markets of Yuda a small moon of a gas planet had lots of exceptional weapons and clothing.

Zaria stared at the clothes stalls with longing. Zeb rolled his eyes.

"Go on then. Meet me here at the fountain around mid morning." Zaria didn't look behind as her feet carried her to the stalls of silks, and bright colored cloth.

This is a line break.

Zaria had resisted the urge to buy the five beautiful dresses she had found.

Zaria grinned as she saw the large purple form of Zeb by a weapon stall. She pounced playfully and it was too late as she sensed that this was not Zeb. The Lasat threw her off. Zaria was pinned to the ground a heavy foot on her airway. The Lasat had a jagged scar that ran down the side of her face. Her sharp fangs bared at Zaria. She had dark gray fur with lilac stripes.

Her hair was done up in a mohawk. It gave her an intimidating appearance as if the knives and blasters were not enough. Her acid green eyes burning into Zaria's gold ones.

"You're dead meat kid." She growled pressed down harder on Zaria's throat.

Zaria couldn't breath. A roar and the female Lasat was pulled off of her.

Zeb helped her up.

"You alright?" He asked gruffly.

Zaria nodded.

"Oh great! It's you." The female Lasat hissed as she brushed off the trash she had landed in.

"Palila Trod." Zeb narrowed his eyes, his ears flat against his head as he rumbled the name.

Palila smirked.

"It's been a while, Garazeb of the honor guard. Still can't resist playing the hero I see."

Zeb snarled at her.

"What are you doing here?"

Palila's eyes lost their amusement.

"My business is my own, Captain." She spat. Zaria soothed her aching throat with the force.

"It's my fault Zeb, I thought she was you for a moment. I tackled her and realized too late she wasn't you."

Zeb gave her a flat stare.

Palila's lip curled in indignation.

"I am a thousand times better looking than that goodie two shoes!"

Zeb snorted.

"You haven't changed a bit from the arrogant youngling that used to cause me so much trouble."

"I'm twenty-five now. I'm not a little girl anymore. You haven't changed a bit. Still a old stuck up bastard. But you know what has changed?" Palila's tone was cutting.

"You're not a honor guard anymore."

Zeb flinched.

Palila smiled darkly at them.

"In fact you're a criminal now just like me. Oh I've heard the rumors of the purple Lasat who works with Vizago. Who is suspected of rebel activity. How's it feel to be just like me? The great Garazeb Orrelios who sat by watching as our people slaughtered. If the council had taken my father's words to heart. Our people might have survived." She was face to face with Zeb now.

Zeb shoved her away.

He looked to be ashamed.

Zaria hadn't know he was a member of the honor guard. It must be hard living how he is now compared to what he once was. It shown how much she didn't know about him.

Palila looked ready to continue to egg Zeb into a fight.

"Enough!" Zaria's voice was laced the command with the force.

"Keep talking and I will be forced to shut you up. Come on Zeb." Zaria grabbed his arm and lead him away.

This is a line break.

The bar was smoky and crowed.

Zeb was in a fowl mood. Zaria knew of the genocide of Lasan but she had never spoke of it with Zeb. Zaria sipped her drink.

"Who was she?"

Zeb's knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists.

"That was Palila Trod. She was nothing but trouble her and her father. Bounty hunters, they stole weapons from the royal vault while I was on duty. They killed for money and worked for the Separatists in the Clone wars. They put our world in danger of losing our neutrality at risk." Zeb slammed a fist on the table.

"So they weren't upstanding citizens on Lasan. I sensed Palila was in some sort of trouble." Zaria tells him.

"Doesn't surprise me. Little brat always did have a habit of running her mouth. Wonder where Puggles Trodd is?" Zeb knocked back his drink.

"Puggles Trodd is her father, I assume?" Zaria drinks the last of her only drink.

Zeb had already had five.

"Let's get back to the hotel." Zaria stood up.

"You drink any more you are going to have the worst hangover tomorrow."

Zeb grumbled but let her lead him out.

The hotel room was small. Zaria took the couch. Zeb was too big, so he got the bed.

Zeb's snores turned into whimpers and sobs. He muttered pleads in his native tongue.

Zaria didn't need to know what Zeb was saying the meaning was clear in the force.

Zeb's grief, guilt, rage, and horror beat against her mental shields.

Zaria look at the night sky through the foggy glass window.

The Stars shone brightly. After Zeb's nightmares didn't die like she hoped they would. Zaria crept over to Zeb.

All she had to do was calm his thoughts and nightmares with the force like her parents had done for her.

Zaria hesitantly put her hand on Zeb's back. She choked on the smell of melted flesh.

Bodies and melted goop surrounded her.

She felt Zeb's pain.

She could see the puddles of what was once his teenaged nephew, his wife, his parents, his sister and her husband.

Imperials invading Lasan. It was sickening to see what the Empire had done to these people. Zeb taken as a slave. Zeb was filled with rage as he smashed the imperial slave owner. Crushing his skull.

The Wookies coming to rescue others but Zeb left behind in solitary confinement. Whether it was because too much was going on or if the others had been frightened of him he didn't know.

Kanan opening the door.

Zeb's life force close to death.

Zaria chocked this time it was because of Zeb's large hands around her neck. She couldn't breathe. She molded the force around Zeb's hands. She squeezed them.

Zeb dropped her to the floor. He tackled her. His fist slammed into her face.

His eyes were savage and wild. He was still lost in his nightmares. Zaria put as much force influence as she could into her voice.

"WAKE UP!"

Zeb reeled back howling as he put his hands over his ears in pain.

Zaria panted, she put a hand up to heal the damage from Zeb's punch.

Zeb looked at her with haunted eyes.

"I did this." Self loathing dripping from his words.

"Palila brought back memories for you. I understand, I have done the same as you before." Zaria got up off the floor.

Zeb wouldn't look at her.

Zaria sighed.

"You want to know the real reason Ezra didn't live with me back on Lothal?"

Zeb looked up at her from his slump.

"Why?"

Zaria took a deep breath.

"We did, until Ezra was nine. I saw a woman in the market that day that reminded me of my mother. It made all of the memories, my nightmares come rushing back. I was reliving a memory one night." Zeb pulled his knees to his chest and listened.

"Ezra the idiot. . . . . .the kind boy that he is tried to comfort me. I was still in the dream. I force choked Ezra. I nearly killed him." Zaria's voice broke.

"He didn't remember anything when he woke up. And I was too ashamed to tell him. I hated myself, I stopped using the force. I didn't sleep, I was afraid if I did I would hurt Ezra."

"How did you fix it?" Zeb asked.

"I didn't, I still have them. I had nightmares after fighting the Inquisitor on that abandoned clone base. He helped hunt down my parents with Lord Vader. I just remembered what my parents taught me." Zaria looked far away.

"If I let all of the dark memories consume me. I will forget the ones full of light and love. You are going to have to find a way to deal with it too."

Zeb's broad shoulders shook.

"What if I don't know how?"

Zaria paused.

"I don't know. That's up to you to figure out. But in the meantime." Zaria pulled some capsules out of her bag.

"I use these to sleep sometimes. They put you out but not enough that you won't sense any danger coming your way."

Zeb took them from her gratefully.

"Thanks."

The night was long.

This is a line break.

"We still have a few days until the others come to pick us up." Zaria looks at Zeb.

"Want to go watch people beat each up in the underground fight club? And eat junk food?"

Zeb's ears perked up at that.

"Eat snacks while watching people's teeth get knocked out? Count me in."

Zaria knew that would cheer him up.

Zaria and Zeb critiqued the fighters. Laughing when they lost, cheering when they won. Zeb munched on the food. Zaria kept buying the fruit smoothies.

"So this guy, is so going to lose." Zaria snickered at the fearful looking human gazing up at the horned Zabrak.

The fight ended quickly.

They chatted about the fight.

Zaria strategizing about what she would have done in the fight.

A shadow flitting above the rooftops made Zaria lookup. Palila was graceful as she bounded across the rooftops.

Zeb narrowed his green eyes.

The force was pushing her to follow Palila.

"Let's follow her." Zaria took off after the smaller gray Lasat.

Zeb sprang up after her.

Following Palila they were led to an imperial compound.

They stuck to the shadows.

The female Lasat hissed as she stepped forward to the Imperial officer waiting for her. Zeb growled under his breath.

"Do you have anything of use to trade this time? Last time I was not impressed." the rat faced human sneered.

Palila smirked.

"Oh I've got something to trade."

The human folded his arms in front of his chest.

"And that would be?"

Palila pulled out a blaster and fired a shot at her fellow Lasat's head. Zaria acted fast she didn't have time not to. She pushed the male out of the way. She bared her teeth under her headdress. The shot had gone messily through her right upper arm.

She gritted her teeth and began to focus on stopping the bleeding. The smell of burned flesh made her sick. Zeb covered her body with his own. The female Lasat had climbed up to the roof and had her blaster trained on Zeb.

"These two Lothal system rebels should be enough to trade for my father. Consider the prestige, Falco. You could bring a cell of rebels in all by yourself." she called down to the imp. The imperial officer rubbed his hands together in greed.

Zaria's gold eyes reflected the stun blast sent her way.

This is a line break.

Zeb bellowed at the enclosed walls in rage.

"Where is she?! She needs medical treatment!" He felt everything start to close in. The cell was an exact copy of the isolation cell he had been placed in back on Lasan.

'Zaria took that shot for me.' Zeb's nails dug into his hands.

'I have to find her. I need to get out of here.'

The door unseen before it opened from above. A bloody Palila fell through.

His nostrils flared. He pounced on her, his hands on her neck.

"You little Sculag!"

She clawed at his hand. She was slowing her struggles.

Zeb let go with disgust at himself.

'You can't go back to that dark place. You are better than that Zeb.' he scowled himself.

"I-I deserve that." the female coughed.

His lips curled.

"So the Imps betrayed you! Big surprise." He scoffed.

Palila's ears went flat against her head.

"They have my father. Falco said if I found any useful Intel he would let us go. They took my father in because he stepped in between two troopers from doing something to a lady Twi'lek."

Her green eyes were dull.

"Falco has been lying to me. My father's been dead since the night they brought him in." It was against his better judgment but Zeb felt some pity with the younger Lasat.

Her shoulders shook.

He placed a comforting hand on her head.

"You gonna help me get out of here?"

Palila sniffed and wiped away the tears and snot.

"What?!" she cried.

"I just gave you up, and all the things I did before all this. And you are just gonna help me?"

He considered his words.

"Before the empire, I always had enough to eat. I had a good paying job, I was blessed with a loving family. Over the years I can understand some of the things you and your father did to survive."

Palila burst into tears.

"But kid, there are far too many of us gone. So let's start over." He held out his hand.

"My name is Garazeb Orrelios. Survivor of the genocide on Lasan. Former member of the honor guard, and rebel, I hope you can forgive me."

Palila took it.

"I'm Palila Trod, smuggler, con-artist, warrior and spy. I am daughter to Poggle Trod. Survivor of the genocide on Lasan. I used to be a cocky brat, but I met this guard who told me I could change my fate."

"You remember that?" He shook his head.

"It was the only time you fell for my innocent little girl act. Then I robbed you blind." She grinned.

"Come on let's show them, they made their last mistake by putting us in the same cell."

Zeb grinned back.

This is a line break.

"What an interesting specimen." Falco yanked on Zaria's chin tendrils. Her body was sore and bleeding from the shallow incisions he had made on her.

She snarled at him. She rattled her restraints.

"I will kill you, slowly."

The human wasn't intimidated by her threat. "I have never seen a species quite like you. You know I have orders to hand you over to the grand Inquisitor. But I'd quite like to hand you over after extensive testing. I am a scientist, I would love to cut you up and see how you tick. Of course that male Lasat will be first. Then the female. I never get matched sets you know." He had madness in his eyes.

"You love the feeling when you cause someone pain, you love the power to cause that pain." she narrowed her eyes at him from the table she was strapped too.

"Oh I do." the human licked his lips.

Zaria drew the force to her voice.

"Well if you like pain so much." her voice was pleasant and compelling.

"Why don't you take that scalpel to yourself. I want to see your blood soak the floor."

She really, really did.

The human's eyes glazed over.

"Why don't I take that Scalpel? I never thought to cause pain to myself. This will be fascinating." He pick up a scalpel and stabbed into himself. He cut himself with glee. Zaria was sick at the practiced and precise slices.

'How many times had this man done this to others? How many people had he cut up?'

He was laughing now.

She used the force to undo her binds.

She floated her bag over to her.

She ignited her red lightsaber.

Zaria couldn't watch the man use his laser scalpel anymore.

"It was really meant more as an ironic punishment. You sick Seelmo. I can see you're having too much fun " she swung her laser sword.

His head went flying.

His body crumpled on top of her.

Flashes of what he had done, made her very glad she had decapitated him.

"What a twisted bastard!" She flung the body away from.

Zaria put her headdress back on.

She marched over to the control panel.

She laughed as she saw the two Lasat out of their cell and causing misery for the Imps. She gathered her things and left the room taking down any of the troopers in her way.

"So nice to see the two of you getting along.

Who wants to help me blow up this base and make it look like a fuel malfunction?" she called to the two.

They looked up at her.

"I know where they keep the good stuff. We should raid this place before we blow it." Palila suggests. Palila shot a trooper who fell dead to the floor.

This is a line break.

Palila unlocked the door and let them in.

"Good haul today. Ship fuel, medical supplies, food, wine, credits, weapons, speeders. I know what I'm doing with my share."

"What?' Zeb looked at her.

"I'm going to go search for more of our people and a planet we can make our own. There are others out there and I'm going to find them all." the female Lasat motioned for Zaria to sit down.

She began to examine Zaria's wounds.

Zeb blinked.

"You don't want to join us on the Ghost?"

Palila looked up from taking care of Zaria.

"No, not right now. But I plan on starting my own Rebel crew."

"Our paths will cross again." Zaria assured Zeb.

He nodded.

"If you ever need anything, me and my crew will do what we can to help."

"Let go watch the fights underground." Palila helped Zaria lean on her shoulder.

"Come on."

"I will miss watching people beat each other up for credits." Zeb grinned.

This is a line break.

Zeb and Zaria exchanged glances at each other. The looks on Hera and Kanan's faces were priceless.

"Where did you get all of this?"

"Oh you know the usual." Zaria shrugged.

"Yeah, we got a great bargain." the Lasat wrapped an arm around the Sith pureblood's shoulders.

"Are these Imperial supplies?" Hera put her hands on her hips.

"They were, before Zeb and I blew up the base and stole everything." Zaria answered flippantly.

Kanan groaned and rubbed his temples.

"I don't even want to know. Let's just get back to Lothal."

Zaria punched Zeb's arm.

"Think we should mention, the crime ring of dangerous Twi'lek ladies we took on?"

The Lasat shook his head.

"Nah! They wouldn't be able to handle it."

"Crime ring?!" Hera shouted.

"Dangerous Twi'lek ladies?!" Kanan's jaw dropped.

Zeb snickered, Zaria slapped him on the back.

"Hey, Zeb want to want Galamore the warrior princess with me?"

Zeb cocked his head at her.

"What's it about?"

Zaria eagerly began to rant about the holo drama.

Kanan shook his head.

Next one shot will be about Zaria and Ezra's first meeting. This took so long to get out. Work has been so crazy lately. But season two is really off to a good start, I love what they are doing.

Not as long as my usual chapters, anyway hoped this was entertaining to read, let me know what you think.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed, favoritedo, followed my story.