Chapter Three
The Chopper Base command chamber was packed full of Rebel personnel, a complete reversal from the previous meeting held there mere hours ago. At the center of the room by the holo-pod were Sato and Hera, the former looking serious but with a touch of optimism on his fair features. Ezra stood to the far side of the holo-pod, just far enough to make it clear to all assembled that he wasn't a part of their group any longer. Still clad in his dark garments, the young man was the subject of numerous perturbed glares from the Rebel troopers that were lined up against the walls of the room.
Ezra wasn't sure if Sato was trying to intimidate him with the dozen armed men, or if he wanted to make sure Ezra behaved himself. Either way, he felt little concern over their presence in the room. He'd given the Rebels an irresistible prize. Sato was a smart enough leader not to forgo that over a few injured troopers and some broken pride. Still, he couldn't help but reach his right hand down to brush against the black hilt of his lightsaber, drawing some reassurance from the weapon's physical presence on his belt.
Sabine noticed his subtle gesture from where she stood beside him and bumped her shoulder against his lightly. Ezra allowed himself a brief grin at this. Unlike Zeb who was still glaring at him from his position against the far wall or Hera who refused to even look at him, Sabine hadn't shown any fear or anger towards him. That one of his friends still had faith in him warmed Ezra's heart in a way that only Kanan's return could have matched.
Sato began speaking and Ezra turned his gaze to the greying commander, listening carefully.
"Lieutenant Commander Bridger has brought us some valuable intelligence that will be key in achieving our primary objective," Sato said.
He touched a key on the holo-pod and the image of the crashed Separatist supply ship appeared in ghostly blue highlights.
"This derelict vessel contains several crates of proton bombs," Sato went on, "Commander Bridger has brought us verified data on this ship's location and condition, and I have decided to proceed with his intelligence. A retrieval team has been assembled, consisting of Commander Bridger, Captain Rex and Captain Orrelios. Several of the troopers arrayed against the walls looked confused and Sato held up his hand to forestall their questions.
"Some of you may be wondering why you have been called to this briefing for a mission you will not be a part of."
He paused for a moment, letting the question resonate for all those present.
"You are all here to see this," he gestured at the hologram, "And to understand that there are to be no hard feelings towards Commander Bridger for his actions on the landing field today."
A few of the troopers grumbled amongst themselves and Zeb slammed a large purple fist against the durasteel wall behind him.
Sato turned a stern look on them and continued, his voice filled with the steel of command.
"That is an order, Phoenix Squadron!"
He swept his gaze along the line of troopers, looking each one of them in the eyes.
"With Kanan Jarrus's departure, Commander Bridger is the only Jedi we have left. He is an extremely valuable asset and we will not be turning him away. There are to be no attempts at retaliation or revenge against him."
When none of the troopers replied, Sato frowned.
"Is that clear?" he barked, putting more than a touch of command authority into his voice.
Reflexively, the troopers all came to attention and saluted.
"Clear, sir!" they replied as one.
Zeb remained slouching against the wall, his vivid green eyes drifting from Ezra to Sato. For a moment, he regarded the Commander with annoyance, then he gave a small, grudging nod. Sato seemed to accept this acquiescence and turned back to the holo-pod.
"The retrieval team will take the Phantom to Agamar," Hera said, taking over the operational details of the briefing.
"Captain Rex will pilot and be in overall command of the mission," she continued, her pale green eyes staring at the grizzled old soldier.
Ezra raised an eyebrow at Hera's pronouncement, but didn't contest it. He'd meant it when he told Sato that he wasn't part of Phoenix Squadron anymore. Beside him Sabine stirred, stepping forward.
"Hera, I want to be on this mission," she said in brashly, "I'm a better pilot than Rex and I studied old Separatist combat tactics when I was at the Imperial Academy."
Hera gave the Mandalorian girl a searching look, then nodded wearily.
"Go ahead then, Sabine. You'll pilot, but Rex will still be in command."
Behind her, the bearded captain gave a grunt of assent and pushed off the wall, striding towards Ezra and Sabine. After a moment, Zeb left his repose and joined them, his fierce green eyes glaring at Ezra again. The young man met Zeb's stare with an equally fierce one, not backing down an inch.
As he locked gazes with Zeb, Ezra heard Sato dismissing the rest of the squadron. As the others filed out of the room, Hera approached them, still wearing that grave expression on her face.
"Sabine, the Phantom's all fuelled up and Chopper's already aboard."
Sabine nodded once, "Okay everyone, let's get going."
"You go ahead," Ezra put in, "I'll be taking my ship to Agamar. I'll meet you at the crash site."
Hera frowned, her smooth features twisting with discomfort.
"Ezra, I wanted to talk to you about that," she said with a hint of apprehension.
"We need all of the operational starfighters we can get. For the good of Phoenix Squadron, I need to take that A-Wing back from you."
Ezra felt a sudden burst of hot anger rise in his stomach and he stood up straight. He had spent months modifying and tweaking out that fighter. It was his, more than anything else in the galaxy was.
"No way," he growled, glaring at Hera.
"That ship is mine."
Zeb tensed beside Hera and took a step forward bringing his face closer to Ezra's.
"It's the squadron's ship, kid."
Ezra clenched a black-gloved fist and stared back unflinchingly.
"It's my ship," he retorted, his voice going very cold.
"And if you want it," he continued, "You can try and take it."
His hand dropped to his lightsaber and a look of fear crossed Hera's smooth face and she took an involuntary step backwards.
A sudden pang of regret stabbed through Ezra's heart at that sight and a cold chill crept into his stomach, chasing away his anger in an instant.
"Fine," Hera said in a distant, frigid tone, "Keep the ship."
Her eyes went hard and all emotion departed from them.
"Sabine, you and the team get going."
Without another word, the Twi'lek turned and strode away, her brisk strides taking her out of the command center in seconds. Ezra watched her go, regret and remorse for his outburst welling up in his heart. His blue eyes grew misty for a moment and the rigidity bled out of his posture.
"Ezra," Sabine said, touching his arm a bit forcefully. He turned to face her, blinking the moisture out of his eyes quickly.
"Let's get going," she said, giving him a quizzical look.
Nodding sharply, Ezra turned and followed her and the others out of the briefing room, his cool confidence back on display.