Ch 12
After the mission, Ezra tried to sleep but he couldn't.
The rebels did get the coaxium but another one of their friends was lost.
He was still reeling from Kanan's death.
Now Shae's death made things even worse.
They both reminded him of another time when he had lost a friend way before he joined the Ghost crew and became a Jedi.
Ezra had been helping Cal Kestis' crew on several missions and this one retrieve info and deliver it to Saw Gerrera.
He had also hooked up with one rebel in particular who was the sarcastic slicer Gabs.
She was both funny and dark but in a good way and they became fast friends ever since they met.
Cal told him and Bode Akuna that Gabs was once trained by the Syndicate but got on the wrong side of her employers.
She's got a checkered past just like me. Ezra thought.
That was one thing they had in common.
"I just bet the twins that the Senator had you in there stuffed and mounted." Gabs said and slapped a palm full of credits into Lizz's hand.
"Hey, I want a cut of that." Cal said.
"Hey, if you die, I get the Mantis, right?"
"Sorry, Gabs. Not mine to give."
"Hmmm."
"You could have my speeder though." Ezra offered.
"Thanks, but I'll pass." Gabs replied with a chuckle. "Never rode one in my whole life."
"It's pretty easy once you get used to it." Ezra smiled.
"So, what's the plan?" Bode asked as Bravo turned on a schematics holo.
"The Senator has the military intel on his personal terminal." Cal said. "Problem is, cabin's secured with blast doors. Even the twins can't pry those bad boys open."
"So how do we get in?"
"You fellas get the yacht down, jetpack. Then I'll work my slicer magic." Gabs replied. "With my lovely assistant."
BD happily hopped off Cal's shoulder.
Beep boo!
"Then I'll grab my transport." Bravo said. "Be back before you know it."
Cal leaned down and BD hopped back onto him.
"Let's do this." he said with confidence.
After Cal and BD had brought the shuttle down with the help of the twins, Gabs and BD sliced open the shield panel and the entry door opened.
The rebels learned that the Empire had control of most of the galaxy which shot their hopes down a little but they were still never going to give up.
"I've changed my mind." Gabs said. "We should always target the Empire."
"Yeah, feels good to make a difference." Bode grinned.
Ezra and Gabs shared a knowing look.
"What, no! They're loaded. Filthy rich. Makes the Hutts look clean by comparison."
"Yeah, and they probably just gamble away their money at casinos anyway." Ezra added. "That's why they've got those fancy ships."
Yep, they were helping the galaxy but it never hurt to get some dough a long the way and Ezra was morally good with it since wealth distribution was a thing.
Gabs nodded.
"I bet the Senator has more credits stashed up his -"
Then a barrage of blaster bolts blew the rebels back many feet.
"What took you so long?" Sejan complained. "While you've been chasing shadows, I've been -"
A red Inquisitor lightsaber flew through the air and impaled Sejan right in the chest.
"You've been caught harboring a traitor." a familiar voice said.
The Ninth Sister was back.
"Kestis! Open fire!"
The two Imperial gunships let loose a torrent of blaster fire.
Cal deflected some of the bolts and Ezra took cover.
Some of the bolts still hit and Koob's dead body flew through the air.
Bravo and Bode pelted one of the gunship with blaster fire and it spun out just as Gabs pushed Ezra and Cal away.
"Gabs, thanks for the-" Cal started but stopped when he saw the blaster bolt-sized hole in her chest and there was no pulse.
"No." Ezra whispered in shock.
Cal looked at Gabs then sadly at Ezra.
Did he know?
Ezra never had the chance to ask him after that.
Then Cal charged with rage but a crashing Imperial gunship blasted both him and Ezra into a dark hatch as their world blacked out and Ezra woke up from his nightmare.
Ezra remembered Gabs' death when it was yesterday.
Their plan was to settle down on a faraway planet after the war and hopefully start a new life together.
Now that was taken away.
Ezra would never let his friends' sacrifices be in vain.
He would continue the fight no matter what.
Kanan and Gabs would always be remembered.