Surveillance sucks. Like really sucks.

Trying to track a rouge Jedi on a planet with billions of people was not an easy task, and that's what we've been doing for the past three weeks. Getting to Coruscant safely wasn't the biggest issue after all.

Finding this loth-rat Ezra is.

There was really no good explanation as to why he would just up and leave like he did. Much less start a crusade against the Empires highest ranking officers.

He's been dealing with a lot though. And there's no telling what someone will do while being succumbed by emotion.

That's something my father taught me. Patience is an extraordinary talent when it comes to dealing with the likes of others. Especially those you trust, and trust you in turn.

I feel like a damned spy.

Searching for a singular person in the slums of Imperial City was in no way, shape, or form of easy. And on top of that, stormtrooper patrols were everywhere.

Shit. I jinxed myself.

Tucking behind a large trash compactor in the alley, I flip the internal display on my helmet to infrared. There were only two bucket heads, walking and mingling and doing a shitty job of keeping an I out for any sort of criminal activity.

I guess I would fall under that category.

Watching the heat signatures disappear down another alley, I wait a beat then turn off the infrared scanner and ride to my feet.

Wonder how the others are doing.

After hunkering down for about a week, we decided our best bet to find Ezra was to split up among the core of the city. Hera wanted to find him fast, due to him still being a threat to himself and others.

He would draw way too much attention if he just lashed out at the first Imperial post he could find.

So as a protective parameter, we split up. Zeb and Kanan went to the entertainment district, while Hera went off the talk to some higher ups. Apparently there was a group of senators that didn't take a liking to the Empires reign.

And here I am, in the lower levels.

Ironically, the worst thing about working alone in a foreign place is, well . . . being alone. I have my blasters and my armor, but in no way shape or form do I feel anymore comforted.

I also can't shake this feeling that I'm being watched.

The feeling has resided for days now, sometimes when she was roaming the streets, and sometimes when she was hunkering down someplace to rest.

It doesn't help that I'm walking on the Emperors streets. My former employer.

But the sensation of being stalked resides unfortunately. It could be the Empire, kriff it could be off-world smugglers looking to strike a bargain on a nice set of Mandalorian armor.

But now, it's much worse.

Glancing back I catch a figure keeping her in his peripheral vision. He was looking into a store as if he was window shopping. But his guise tells all.

Wearing all black and a hood? That's a rookie mistake.

Without a wasting anytime, I slip out of the narrow alleys and into the large street making a straight beeline for the nearest speeder bus platform.

Hopefully he'll lose my tail in the crowd.

Maintaining a steady waking pace, i glance into the nearby storefront windows. Through the transparisteel window, the man makes his way through the crowd.

Karabast.

Sticking with the crowds, I contemplate hailing a taxi or to just divert to a nearby alley.

Oh now he's shopping? Give me a break.

While he's temporarily occupied rifling through garments on a storefront rack, I slip into an alley.

Quiet and safe. Good. Just keep walking.

. . .

How the kriff did he get in front of me?

I continue forward while simultaneously dipping my head and laying a hand firmly on my blaster.

Anddddd . . . now!

Drawing my blaster, I back him up against a wall and level the barrel with his head. His eyes widen in shock before a hand shoots out and grabs his throat.

"Just because you're following someone, doesn't mean you're not being followed." a low voice whispers behind me.

The hand drops from my stalkers neck revealing a small blade lodged below his chin. He hits the floor with a thud before I'm spun around.

Seriously?

My eyes widen, "Ezra?"

"You found me." he deadpans.

Short as always, sorry. Hope to be more consistent with updates. Thanks for sticking with me!