Taking In An Orphan

Chapter 32

Sabine watched as Zeb sauntered up to the troopers with a box he had grabbed in an alley. The plan was foolish and would be a miracle if it worked, but as long as they got Ezra back and Hera never found out about it, they would be fine.

"Could I offer you some fruit? Fresh out of the orchard today. It's on sale for anyone loyal to the empire," Sabine heard Zeb say.

"Move along, citizen. Take your sales somewhere else."

"But you troops look hungry. Couldn't you use a small snack? I'll tell you what. Buy one get one free."

Sabine watched as the few other troopers near the tie fighter started to move toward Zeb. She held her breath, hoping Zeb's foolish plan would actually work.

"Leave immediately. You are not allowed to sell in this area."

"Don't you want a nice juicy melorun? Or two?"

Sabine and Zeb had agreed that "melorun" would be the signal. When Zeb said that, he would have distracted all the troops in the clearing. Sabine continued to listen as she crept toward the tie fighter. Thankfully, the troops and Zeb were now arguing over seller's licenses.

Sabine saw Ezra's limp body in between two of the troops Zeb was talking to. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that he was still breathing. She climbed onto the top of the tie fighter. Then, working quickly, Sabine shot the hatch so it would open. She heard yelling from below as the troops realized what she was doing. Then she hopped in and stared at the controls. She quickly started to lift the tie off the ground. Below, she saw Zeb grab Ezra as the troops were distracted. She quickly flew low again, sending a shot into the area where some troops stood, away from Zeb and Ezra. Then she opened the hatch. Zeb gave a leap and luckily made it into the hatch.

"I've got, 'im, Sabine. Let's go."

Sabine flew up, sending a few more shots at the troops down below. Once she was flying steadily, Sabine spared a glance at Ezra.

"Zeb, is he okay?"

Zeb was gently prodding the kid's face, trying to get him to wake up.

"Ezra? Wake up, kid." Ezra gave a soft groan before shooting straight up, blinking around at his surroundings.

"Where am I?"

"We're in a tie fighter, flying back to the Ghost."

"In a real live tie fighter? Like a bad guy ship?"

"You bet." The three smiled, happy that their plan had worked. Then they heard the com go off.

"Spectre four, five, and six, what's your position?" Hera's voice came over the coms.

"Uh..." Zeb was at a loss. "Sabine, you answer."

"No, you do it, this was your idea."

"But you're the one that actually stole the tie fighter."

"We're in a stolen tie fighter coming back to the ship 'cause I got kidnapped and 'Bine and Zeb saved me," Ezra said through his com.

"You're WHAT?" Hera asked. "You stole a tie fighter? I cannot send you two on any mission. Ezra got kidnapped again? Why didn't you com me? Get rid of the tie fighter and get back to the ship now."

"Why is mama mad?" Ezra whispered once Hera had left the com channel.

"Because Zeb and I didn't follow orders. Don't worry, she won't yell at you."

A few minutes later, Zeb grumbled.

"What?"

"Y'know, I think we might wanna save this tie fighter."

"And disobey Hera's orders again? I don't think so," Sabine said, rolling her eyes.

"But y'never know when we're gonna need something like this. It migh' come in handy havin' this around. We don't have to tell Hera...And you could paint it."

This gave Sabine a pause. She glanced at Ezra.

"Do you promise not to tell Hera about keeping the tie fighter? We have to keep it a secret. If you promise, I'll let you help me paint it." Ezra looked unsure.

"But won't it make mama mad?"

"Not if you don't tell 'er," Zeb said. He felt bad about making the kid lie and he could tell Sabine felt unsure about it, too. But they wanted to keep this tie fighter.

"Okay. I won't tell mama," Ezra said.

"Okay, but this is the only thing you get to keep from Hera. And don't tell her we made you keep secrets. That would definitely make Hera mad."

Ezra nodded in confirmation.

Sabine landed the tie fighter and the three jumped out.

"We're a little ways away from the ship. Ezra, I bet you can get Zeb to give you a Lasat-back-ride."

Ezra jumped up and down, letting Zeb pick him up and sling him around his back. The three walked back to the ship, leaving their stolen, secret tie fighter safely hidden in case the ever needed it again.