Sabine opened her eyes and saw Ahsoka smiling widely at her.
"What?", the Mandalorian asked with a raised eyebrow.
The Togruta Jedi chuckled and knelt down, placing a hand on Sabine's shoulder. "My theory was correct. I think you'll like what I have to say. You and Ezra... well, you're a dyad." Sabine's expression of confusion didn't change. "I have noidea what that means."
Ahsoka stood her Padawan up and brought her to a seat at the galley table. "It's best that you sit down for this. I'm not that knowledgable about this concept but based on what I've learned, I can confidently say that a dyad is an instance when two people share the same presence in the Living Force. Think of it as two people who are bonded to such a degree that they share a soul."
"You're saying that Ezra and I...?"
"You're one soul in two bodies."
Sabine's eyes widened. "I... I don't know what to say." Ahsoka smiled again. "I'm sure it's a lot to take in. But based on the emotions I'm feeling from you, you're not displeased."
"Is it that obvious?", the Mandalorian said as she stopped trying to contain her smile, "I'm ecstatic."
Ezra finally made it back to the tower and sighed as he opened the door to find Murley curled up on the cot that had been Sabine's bed for the past decade. He walked over and lightly rubbed the Loth-Cat's head. "Hey, buddy. You miss your Mama?" The creature purred and nuzzled Ezra's hand. He chuckled and sat down beside him. "I miss her, too."
Suddenly, the sunlight from the window reflected off of something on a nearby shelf, catching Ezra's eye. He walked over and saw that it was a holotransmitter. When he touched it, the Jedi immediately felt an echo in the Force, and he knew what it was.
"Oh..."
He cringed at the memory of when he recorded that message for Sabine, one line in particular making him feel like an idiot.
"We're not really family, but you're like a sister to me."
Ezra groaned and facepalmed. "You karking idiot", he scolded himself. When he made that message, he had pondered what to say for hours before settling on... a lie. He had been trying to spare Sabine's feelings, since he didn't know how she felt about him, and saying she was like a sister to him was the only way he could convey how much he trusted and cared for her without telling the truth. Now, a decade afterwards, he regretted not just telling Sabine exactly why she was the person he was counting on.
Meanwhile, many systems away, Grand Admiral Thrawn was standing on the bridge of the Chimera as it sat in orbit above Dathomir. He was speaking to the Imperial Shadow Council, their holograms projected in a circle around him.
"Grand Admiral, it is an honor to have you back with us", Captain Pellaeon said respectfully, "Now we will be unstoppable." The Chiss merely looked at his second-in-command with a deadpan expression. "Hubris is every man's downfall, Captain. The Emperor believed he was infallible, to the point that he allowed the Rebellion to acquire the intelligence which led directly to his demise. I was defeated originally because I underestimated my adversaries. I assure you, I will not make that mistake again."
"When shall we form the fleet, Grand Admiral?", Brendol Hux asked impatiently, "We must strike now while the New Republic is weak."
Thrawn raised his hand and Hux stopped talking. "You will not be joining the fleet, General. Your instructions are to remain with the Eclipse. However, you may inform Grand Admiral Sloane that I request her presence on Dathomir within three rotations." Hux was obviously burning with rage but he refrained from having an outburst. "As you wish, Grand Admiral."
"Patience, gentlemen", Thrawn said as he looked to all of them, "When the time is right, we shall remind the galaxy who rules them. This New Republic is nothing but a footnote in galactic history. Long live the Empire."
"LONG LIVE THE EMPIRE!!!!"
