Chapter 11- Baby Bridger
Ezra waited patiently for Han, Luke, Mara, and Leia to finish their argument. Han seemed determined that Atollon was the best place to take a stand.
"They'll think we're falling into a black hole. They won't know what hit'em."
Mara had different ideas. "And once they figure out 'what hit'em' what are we going to do? Hide in the jungle? Agati is the key – we need to eliminate him before he can get his proposal passed. Then maybe you can call a real Senate meeting, Leia."
"I'm afraid not. Agati is very clever. He's poisoned enough minds that one of his committee members would undoubtedly pin the assassination on us, even if we could do it. It would just be more fodder for the fire."
Han tried again. "Hey, why don't we just blast the whole committee? Slip into Coruscant, zip over the Senate building and blow up their meeting room. Problem solved!"
The others just stared at him.
"I was thinking," Leia said as if Han had not spoken, "that I should contact the old Alliance leaders – Admiral Ackbar, Mon Mothma, Hera, Admiral Bwua'tu, maybe more. The Bothans already have Agati under surveillance. Nek Bwua'tu has apparently had suspicions for some time. I know the Alliance will gladly join us. Together, we can issue a statement condemning the proposal and laying down an ultimatum. Perhaps Agati will back down. If not, we'll make him come to us and we'll choose the place."
"I know our friends would gladly help us," Luke put a hand on his sister's shoulder, "but this is not their fight – it's ours. Master Ezra, Bendu, do you have any insight to have share? Or any of you?" he added, addressing the Padawans, younglings, and Clones.
"Master Luke?" Dev clasped his hands as he stood to speak, "I know this proposal concerns Force-sensitives primarily, but we know the Force binds all living things together. So, in some way, it concerns everyone in the Galaxy."
Kyp clapped his friend on the back. "Good point, Dev. And Agati is a ruthless liar. I wouldn't put it past him to say people were Force-sensitive just so he can lock them up. I'd feel a lot better if we could ask for help."
Luke furrowed his brow. "You boys are right. Yet I'm not sure our friends would truly understand our fight. They might not be able to help us, but they might still be killed. Master Ezra, we could use your clarity. What do you think should be our next step?"
Ezra closed his eyes, reaching out with the Force. Their path was becoming clearer to him. The next step was quite plain. But would the others listen? He searched the Force for the right words. The Force brought an image to his mind. He saw Rex sitting beside a stream in the jungle. He was holding Ahsoka, gently petting and rocking her. The Togruta's enormous eyes were closed as she rested against her Clone captain, the picture of contentment and trust. That was the key. It didn't matter if the others liked what he had to say. It only mattered that they trust the Creator of the Force. He opened his eyes.
"We must go to the planet Kyber."
The Jedi looked confused and Sabine sighed.
"The planet Kyber? I don't think I've heard of it." Luke said slowly. "Are you certain?"
"It is the Will of the Living Force. We must trust the Creator of the Force," Ezra explained.
"Look," Han stood and began to pace. "I believe in the Force. I really do. But that doesn't mean I'm going to follow you Jedi to a planet that I've never even heard of and that probably doesn't even exist. I bet you don't even know where it is."
"The Force will guide us."
"Are you serious? What, you just close your eyes, type in some coordinates and hope it works?"
Leia's comm pinged and she stepped aside to answer it.
"Ezra," Luke intervened, "did you see this planet in a vision?"
"Yes. I have seen it all. I don't understand it all yet. Our first step was coming here. Now our second step has been revealed."
"I think we should trust the Jedi on this one," Rex offered, walking back with the sleeping Ahsoka in his arms.
"Thanks, Rex."
"Sure thing, Ezra. But what about our friends? I think we should call the old Alliance. A would-be dictator is trying to take control of the Galaxy. That's as much their business as it is ours."
"Leia wants to call on them, too." Luke ran a hand through his hair. "Ezra, do you think they should come with us to Kyber?"
Ezra pursed his lips thoughtfully and called on the Force. "It would be good to have them by our side. I agree with Luke that part of this fight is ours alone, but I sense that our friends have a part to play as well."
Leia hurried back to the group. "Senator Belden has just informed me that Republic troops landed on Lothal about two hours ago and ransacked your home, Ezra. They questioned anyone who might know you, too, apparently trying to find you."
Ezra silently thanked the Creator that he had brought his family and his two students with him. If he had left them on Lothal, they would likely be prisoners or worse.
Leia continued, "The Coruscant Guard raided my apartment at 500 Republica and troops are currently searching Corellia and several locations where they believe Luke and Mara might be."
A sudden sharp gasp escaped Sabine and Ezra realized she had been strangely quiet for some time.
"Bine, are you okay?"
"Not exactly," she whispered.
Rex peered curiously, then chuckled. "No, she's not quite all right, but she will be. Take it from an old married man who's seen that look … several times."
"Do you have medical facilities on your ship?" Luke asked.
"Yes," Ezra lifted his wife and turned towards their ship.
"Do you need anything?" Leia asked.
"We've got a medical droid and we've done this before." Ezra looked sheepishly at the group. "Sure wish Hera was here, though."
Rex leaned over and whispered in Ahsoka's montral. She stirred and opened her eyes. Rex smiled.
"No Twi'leks here, but how about a Togruta?"
"I think I know a bit about childbirth," she assured the Bridgers with a playful grin. "Of course, humans are a little different from Togrutas, but between the three of us and the medical droid, we'll figure out something."
Sabine started to smile back at her then gasped instead.
"Easy, Coco Bean." Ezra pulled her close and nuzzled her hair. "Let's get you on the ship."
"Mama! Daddy!"
Violet-Meadows ran to the ramp, her little arms outstretched and her lips quivering.
"Hold on, youngling," laughed Rex, catching her up in his arms. "They're not leaving you! It's time for your mama to have your baby brother."
"Baby come?" The toddler's brown eyes went wide with wonder.
"That's right. And Ahsoka and your daddy are going to help her."
Ezra leaned over to kiss his daughter. "Don't worry, Sweetheart. You stay with Rex and the boys and you'll get to meet brother soon."
"I love you, Violet-Meadows," Sabine called out as Ezra carried her into the ship.
Glancing over his shoulder, Ezra saw the "the boys" -Jacen Dume and Pypey- join Rex and Violet-Meadows.
"Ezra," Sabine murmured, "do you think you can get a signal off world? I'd like to have my mother and Hera on the comm."
Ezra closed his eyes and felt the Bendu's agreement. "No problem, Bine."
Ahsoka sat next to the bed in the Bridger's cabin. On the other side of the bed, Sabine leaned against Ezra while he gently rubbed her back. A comm center stood nearby with Hera and Lady Ursa Wren flickering above two portable comms.
"You're doing just fine, Sabine," Hera coached. "Just keep breathing."
"If everything is so fine, why do you two look so worried?" Sabine grunted.
"That's not why we're worried," admitted Ursa Wren. "Ezra, I know this is hardly the time to discuss the situation, but I want you to know Clan Wren stands with you and the Manda'lore offers his support as well."
"Thanks, Mother," Sabine caught her breath and cried out.
Ezra carefully slipped an arm around her middle. "You are doing great, Coco Bean. Everything's progressing right on schedule."
Ahsoka raised her eyebrow markings.
"On schedule? You sound just like Rex." She looked down at Sabine. "Don't worry about any schedules. The important thing is that you seem to be entering the second stage and Baby should be here in an hour or two."
Ezra pursed his lips. "About sixteen hours all together. Wonderful!"
"Really, Ezra? Your wife is in labor and you're rating her performance?" the holographic Hera scolded.
"You can time her later," Ahsoka stood and bent over the young Mandalorian, a hand on her own pregnant stomach. "I need you to get fresh bedding and towels. Things are getting serious!"
Ezra followed Ahsoka's gaze. He hurried to get fresh bedding as his wife screamed again.
"Ezra! Ezra! Ezra!"
"I'm right here, Bine. And I'm not going anywhere."
An hour and a half later, a baby's cry filled the room. Ahsoka clamped and cut his cord, then placed him in Sabine's arms for a well-earned snuggle. After his mother and father fussed over him for several minutes, they reluctantly surrendered him to Ahsoka for his first bath. She swiftly washed and dried him, then returned him to his parents.
"Cerulean-Skies," Ezra murmured as he placed the baby boy on Sabine's bosom.
"That's a beautiful name," Ahsoka smiled. "Now if you two are all right, I'm going to find Rex and finish my nap."
"Thanks, Ahsoka. I don't think I could have done it without you." Sabine kissed her son's soft blue hair.
"He's perfect and you'd better let me hold him soon," Hera gushed as Ezra brought the baby to the projector so she and Ursa could have a closer look. Ursa beamed and cooed at her grandson while Hera continued. "And please tell Leia to comm me and tell me what the old Alliance can do. You still have friends all over the Galaxy. Nek Bwua'tu has already refused to support or even acknowledge Agati's illegal government. He's moving his naval headquarters off Coruscant. We're part of this fight, too." The Twi'lek's lekku twitched with intensity. "After all, my son is one of you."