Revenge Leads to Pain

Ambush

"Where's Sabine and Hera?" Ezra asked Kanan. They were in the bay of the Ghost. Kanan was having Ezra practice lifting supply crates. Zeb was leaning against the wall nearby, cleaning his borifle.

"They're picking up some fuel," Kanan said. His communicator began beeping, and Ezra and Zeb both glanced up.

"That'll be them now," Kanan announced, accepting the transmission. For a moment they could hear nothing except static. Then Sabine began speaking.

"Kanan, we need some help," Sabine said.

"What seems to be the problem?" Kanan asked. Sabine didn't speak for a moment. Ezra began to feel uneasy.

"Sabine?" Kanan asked.

"Hera's hurt," Sabine said. "I'm afraid to move her. And there's danger everywhere. Please, be careful."

"We're on our way. Stay put and watch out," Kanan told her. The transmission ended.

"We've got to go help them," Ezra said.

"I know," Kanan said thoughtfully. "But something isn't right. It's not like Sabine to be afraid."

"She might be if Hera was really hurt," Ezra pointed out.

"If Hera's hurt, why are we standing around here?" Zeb demanded. "We've got to get down there and help!"

"I agree," Ezra said.

"I'm not saying we shouldn't, I'm just saying we need to be careful," Kanan told them.

"I'll be sure to be careful when I'm pounding on stormtroopers," Zeb said sarcastically. They grabbed their weapons and headed into the nearby town where Hera and Sabine had gone. It was strangely quiet. Any shopkeepers or other citizens melted into the shadows as the rebels passed. Kanan fingered his blaster.

"I don't like this," Zeb muttered.

"I don't blame the citizens for hiding if the Empire is about," Kanan said. "The fuel that Hera and Sabine were supposed to be picking up is nearby."

The three rebels halted before a closed door. They took deep breaths, Kanan raised his blaster, and they charged inside.

The warehouse was dark. Ezra couldn't see details until his eyes adjusted fully. There were several supply crates stacked against the walls. A dark form was sitting in the center of the room.

"Sabine?" Kanan called softly, having trouble seeing. Zeb's eyes were the first to adjust. He recognized the situation for what it really was. Sabine was the form in the center of the room. She was gagged, and her hands were tied behind her back.

"It's a trap!" Zeb shouted, but he was too late. Trandoshans stood from their hiding places behind supply crates, or dropped from the ceiling. Zeb attempted to fight them off, but he was subdued by three Trandoshans. Ezra activated his lightsaber and turned to fight, but a Trandoshan grabbed him from behind, forced him to release his lightsaber, and grabbed his throat with a scaly claw, slowly chocking him. Kanan raised his blaster, but he was vastly outnumbered. A single Trandoshan stepped forward. He was an orange/brown color, and in his claws he held a rifle.

"That turned out to be easier than I expected," the Trandoshan said.

"Where is Hera, and what do you want?" Kanan demanded.

"You are not in any position to be making demands, although I suppose I will tell you," the Trandoshan said. "Your Twi'lek is in our capable claws, back on our ship. Your friends have been captured. Come along quietly, and you will have little to fear. Fight us, and your companions will die one by one. Starting with your apprentice."

Kanan turned to look at his padawan. The Trandoshan holding Ezra tightened his grip on Ezra's throat, growling threateningly. Kanan dropped his blaster.

"Good," the leading Trandoshan said. "I always love it when prey cooperates. It's almost as fun as when it runs."

"Who are you?" Kanan asked, turning his attention back to their captor.

"Don't you recognize me?" the Trandoshan asked. "After all, it is my son you killed. The very same person who captured your apprentice in the first place."

The Trandoshan laughed at the shocked looks on Ezra and Kanan's faces.

"Yes, I am Gekrish Veesch, and I intend to make you suffer for what you did to my son," the Trandoshan growled.