Yes I am back and I am alive! I hope you all like the new chapter. If you don't you'd better... or else... I enjoy veiled threats. Review blah blah blah disclaimer blah blah blah Magic and voila a chapter. I'm actually updating on time which is strange and unusual for me.. I can't promise that something strange won't happen and I'll stop writing. I think I'm updating early in fact... not sure if I'm sick or if it's another dimension... Might be both. Well enjoy the chapter, I wrote some in Sabine's point of view I hope it doesn't suck to much or seem like invasion of the bodysnatchers. Hopefully Sabine will sound like Sabine. Heck hopefully all the characters sound like themselves
Ezra woke to a mraid of pains; both physical and emotional. Groggily looking around Ezra found himself in a darkly lit cell. It was small and completely bare being at most and empty 8' by 8' room. The sharp pains in Ezra's shoulder and leg made him reach his hands out to try to assess the exact amount of damge and what he might have to do to staunch the bleeding. To his surprise his cold fingers brushed soft white bandages. Seems the General wanted Ezra alive enough to question. The soldiers had wrapped both his shoulder and leg. However they had let his head alone determining he supposed that it wasn't life threatening. Dried blood had stiffened partially on his head and completely on his orange jumpsuit. Being dirty wasn't considered life threatening he guessed. A mixture of the sticky liquid had run down his forehead congealing and crusting to become irritating patches all along his scalp and head. Who knew bleeding could be so annoying.
Stiff, hurting and still woozy Ezra pushed himself up into a more upright position. Wondering despairingly about how the events had snowballed into a catastrophe Ezra ran a hand through his hair avoiding the injured and swollen part of his head. He huddled into the corner trying to save body heat and to help stymie the flood of emotions running through him. He tucked his head into his arm as feelings of hopelessness still assailed him. It felt too much like being on the streets hurt and cold curling into a corner for warmth when he had been to tired or injured to travel home. He'd failed as he had then except now it was more than just a loaf of bread or some fruit it was mission against the Empire where he had people that he cared about immensely depending on him. They made him feel less lonely and to let them down he feared would spell his ultimate banishment to being abandoned back on Lothal knowing that he wasn't wanted. He'd failed though and already he could see Kanan's face first filled with anger and frustration and eventually sadness and disappointment. Ezra was only doing too good a job at proving Kanan's words. He wasn't focused enough, not disciplined enough to be a jedi. The first time they entrust him with a solo mission he screwed it up. Ezra curled in tighter throat constricting. He squeezed his eyes shut. He was a complete failure. Tears began to well up against his will. Shaking his head he forced them back. Tears would get him nowhere. They only served to make fate kick you all the harder. Yet his mind couldn't help the unbidden images rising to his thoughts. Kanan shaking his head with disappointment, Hera frowning, scolding herself for making the mistake of taking Ezra in-for going back for him. The rest of the crew was harsher. Zeb's face snarling in contempt while Sabine looked on in disgust with Chopper mocking Ezra. Why did Ezra have to be so useless. Nobody wanted someone who was useless. No one wanted Ezra.
Biting his lip hard to keep the emotions at bay Ezra's eyes hardened. It was his fault he was in here so he was going to get himself out. Ezra unfolded himself and with effort forced his numb hand to look in his pockets. He had the nuts and bolts in one of them and a small multipurpose tool. On it was a laser cutter, small and weak but still capable of cutting through metal. An idea hit Ezra. He knew enough about Empire doors, he could figure out where the panel of circuitry was located. It may not be accessible on hi side of the door but maybe he could cut through and short circuit the opening system. Then it would be a matter of getting some leverage and sliding the door open. With a small smile and some hope restored Ezra dragged his battered and protesting body over to the door. Slender fingers quickly set to work trembling from the cold and exhaustion. Nothing would stop Ezra from fixing the situation. He would ensure the General was killed even if Ezra had to shoot the man himself.
Time had passed painstakingly slow but finally the time arrived. Everyone stood tensely in front of Hera knowing they were minutes away from the new and secondary mission.
"Alright everyone" Hera addressed them.
"I know we briefed earlier but I want to go back over it real quick. Ezra's injured. We don't know to what extent so make sure each of you has a basic medical kit. Extensive medical work won't be possible but since we don't know his condition it might be critical to his survival that some medical attention be given." Hera paused as a few terse nodds were given. Sabine stepped forward a little.
"How do we know he isn't already dead?" The room became silent as everyone refrained from answering the question weighing heavily on each of their minds.
"We don't" Hera said seriously "But we are going to find him and bring him back no matter what happened." Her eyes flashed with steel and determination. Sabine cast her eyes down to avoid the look from Hera.
"You guy's have half and hour. By then I will have TIE fighters on my butt and who knows what else. Go in, find Ezra, and bring him back."
Kanan, Sabine, and Zeb entered the dock area armed and ready. Anxiously they stood there waiting. Every passing minute almost seemed to grate upon their nerves. With every second Ezra could be closer to death. Kanan didn't have to look to see the serious expressions on his teams faces, it showed in the way they stood, their lack of speech. Ezra had been with them a while now and if personal ties weren't enough yet then the fact that Ezra was a part of their team was good enough. The only reason they survived was by having each others backs.
Approaching the base Sabine was anxious. She slipped her hand down brushing fingers lightly across her gun to check if it was there. Her bombs, her gun, they were what she depended on in battle and general life. With them she could save Ezra. She nearly smiled under her helmet. Weapons fixed everything for her; weapons and paint.
Hera's voice crackled over the comms
"Ready specters?"
The doors opened to the question revealing a 10 foot drop for Sabine, Kanan, and Zeb to make. Crouching Sabine watched Kanan jump and roll using the force to protect him from the impact. Zeb leaped forward his large body landing with a quiet thump. Breathing in deeply Sabine crouched launching herself from the ship. Gracefully she rolled popping back onto her feet.
Kanan turned to face them. "Alright rendezvous here. Make it 25 minutes. If you find Ezra call it in to us."
Sabine nodded in reply turning to run off without taking time to look back. She took off towards a door quickly beginning to hack through it's code. She thanked some higher being as she saw smoke rising for a part of another building. The troopers weren't anywhere near the detention center. All of them too worried about one little General. Not that Kanan had been any better. She'd never seen him push a mission that much. She wondered if the taught "Haste makes waste" in Jedi training. Kanan had probably missed that lesson. Sabine smiled in satisfaction as the door opened showing the per usual white halls that adorned every Empire building and ship. You'd think ruling the galaxy would've given them some sense of interior design or at least opened them up to the fact that there was such a thing as color.
Sabine blanched at the plain boring existence without color. White, white, white ... oooh some grey. And look at that, they got bold, it's a dark grey. Every time Sabine saw something to do with the empire she remembered why she had gotten away from it.
Sabine was about to turn a corner down the hall when she skidded to a stop, the sound of troopers pounding feet causing her to press up against the wall. She held her breath as they ran past oblivious of her. Likely headed off to the fire she thought. Letting the breath out she kept going. Finally she reached the area she was looking for. Numbered doors lined the hallway- all of them that she could see were marked empty. She walked slower, eyes trailing across each colorless door looking for a sign of a prisoner. She reached the end and paused. There it was the one and only occupied room.
"Specters one and four I've located specter six."
"Good job Sabine. Zeb and I will head over there now."
Tapping the control panel on the door Sabine frowned when it didn't respond. Was the door down. She knew it was still locked but for whatever reason the system was unresponsive. Biting her lip she tried again. Again the panel remained inactive. Frowning deeper Sabine smacked it with her fist. Nothing happened like she had thought. At least it was worth a try she thought. She fished her hands into a pocket. She had just the thing to break the unruly door. Pulling out a small waxy substance she placed it on the door panel. As she was about to pull the small explosive from her pocket she stopped. If Ezra was near the door he might get hurt. Stepping back a few feet she drew her gun. Firing several shots she prayed no one besides herself and Ezra would hear them. Eyes avoiding the new black scorch marks on the door she placed the small round marble sized explosive against the wax letting it adhere it to the door. She took a couple steps back and turned to avoid the flash.
Ezra had been working away but the tool had shortly given out only doing about half the ob. Without giving up Ezra started jabbing the point of the tool into the area he had cut through partially. It wasn't working. Frustrated Ezra slammed it into the area until it broke. With a loud cry Ezra slumped against the door. Curling into himself he wrapped his good arm around his stomach shivering as chills ran through him. He couldn't remember how it had gotten so cold. Ezra tried pushing it away. He felt so trapped, confined until someone came to beat him for answers to questions he didn't know anything about. Hera and Kanan had never seen fit to tell him anything about the mysterious fulcrum. He was going to die for something he didn't even know. Having exhausted himself and his motivation Ezra closed his eyes sleep causing them to grow heavy. He was very tired. Just as they slid shut he was jerked awake when he heard the distinctive sound of shots going off against his door. Surprised he flung himself to the far wall. Moments later there was an explosion.
Sabine turned back once the miracle had worked it's magic. Having blown off the control panel a small hole now stood where the faulty panel had. Peeking and eye through Sabine saw Ezra. He looked awful pale and covered in blood he was curled in a corner eyes wide and frightened staring at where the bomb had just gone off. Pushing the door open with effort Sabine practically ran into the room. She started to check over the boy in shock. He had two bandages already, one on his shoulder the other on his leg. Once the immediate dangers were gone Sabine looked up at Ezra.
"Ezra are you alright? Is there any pain anywhere else besides you head, shoulder and leg?"
Still stunned Ezra just stared at Sabine.
"Ezra" Sabine said his name frustrated. Finally coming to himself he answered.
He shook his head no.
"Can you walk?"
Ezra paused and again shook his head. Sighing Sabine frowned. That wasn't good she would have to wait for Zeb and Kanan. She'd been lucky so far in avoiding troopers but she wasn't sure she would keep up the streak. Looking at Ezra again she focused more. His eyes were glazed over and dazed. Putting two together she figured he must have a concussion. Mixed with his pale complexion and abundance of wounds he had probably lost quite a bit of blood. Standing up she looked out the room head turning both ways to check for troopers. So far so good. Now to keep and eye on Ezra.
Kanan was sprinting down the hallway head turning back every so often to fire at the pursuing troopers. Unlike Sabine he had been less lucky, a lot less lucky. Sabine's news was great. She hadn't said anything about how Ezra was but Kanan was just glad he had been found. Bursting out the door into the area between he saw Hera's ship already being pursued by TIE fighters. He cursed they needed to leave now. The door shut and Kanan took the opportunity of the troopers loss of vision on him by using the force to jump onto the roof. Landing he lay down to avoid their prying eyes. Several troopers burst out spreading out to find Kanan. He watched them run off only a few going into the building where Sabine was. He pursued them slipping through the door just before it closed. Drawing his gun he shot them both watching with satisfaction as they crumpled to the ground. He then sprinted off in the direction toward the cells. Rounding a corner he was surprised to see an unconscious Ezra draped in Zeb's arms with Sabine running by his side. He turned to begin running with them.
"How'd you get there faster then me?" Kanan asked eyebrow cocked.
"Your just getting slow Kanan." Zeb replied.
Bursting out the door all four of the specters were met by troopers. Dodging to the side they took cover and began firing.
"Specter two we have specter six. Come in for pick up." Kanan yelled into the comm. Seconds later Hera replied.
"Just give me a second."
Within moments the Ghost swooped down shooting at and eliminating the troopers. Opening the door the ship hovered there waiting for them to dock. All three of them ran to it sprinting with their lives depending on it. Once on the doors shut and Hera sped off.
Breathing harshly from adrenaline they all sank back leaning against the walls. Zeb looked down at Ezra and his face became serious. Kanan now being able to pay attention leaned in to examine his padawan.
"Why is he unconscious did you find him that way?" Kanan queried worry lacing his voice. Zeb shook his head moving towards the medbay.
"I got there when he was still awake. He ended up freaking out and threw up. " Zeb's voice sounded subdued.
"He passed out after that and I grabbed him."
Kanan nodded. Zeb laid Ezra down on one of the beds.
"It looks like they had him for days." Kanan whispered anger and sorrow welling up. The Empire was cruel and Kanan had failed Ezra. None of this would have happened if he hadn't rushed the whole thing. He had forgotten that Ezra was till a child. Looking at his limp form it hit Kanan hard. Sighing and closing his eyes he ran a hand through his hair. Zeb stood and watched face etched with a frown.
"We have him back now Kanan. That's what matters. We'll fix him up before you know it he'll be on his feet."
Hey y'all I hoped you liked it. Please review! As in leave me a review NOW! You know as I've looked over my chapters it seems like I have an obsession with breathing. I mean Ezra is always breathing because of this and that and all the rest of the crew is sighing. Maybe I have a subconscious interest in the respiratory system... hmmm the workings of the world are strange.
As I said before leave me tips I will listen, I may be lazy or not listen to them completely but I will listen and try to make the necessary changes. Hope nobody was to OOC. The throwing up thing is weird but Idk I would throw up after all that. Sometimes I just throw up because I had a test. Which reminds me I just took the SAT today and it was a nightmare. Three hours! Three stinking hours of sitting! I am ADD I do not like sitting unless I am writing or doing something else I like. Anywho thanks for listening to me rant hopefully I'll have a new chapter up soon!