Erstwhile

Loyalty

Stealing the Ghost was easier said than done. It was one of the rebellion's more valuable ships in that it could scatter the Empire's sensors, but I knew I had to take it. If something had happened to the Phantom, a fighter wouldn't be able to hold more than one person.

And if my feelings were correct, something had indeed happened to the Phantom, and, more importantly, Ezra. Of course I was still concerned for Ashoka too, but I had a stronger connection to Ezra. Even as I started up Ghost, I could feel him breathing, in and out.

Startling me, a voice spoke from behind me, "Who knew it was so easy to sneak up on a Jedi?" Gasping, I twisted around and spotted Sabine and Zeb standing in the doorway of the cockpit.

"What are you two doing here?"

"Hera told us what you were doing," Zeb explained and cracked his knuckles, "We want in."

"It'd be better if I went alone--"

"I'm sorry, Kanan," Sabine interrupted, "It's not up for negotiation."

"If Ezra is in danger, we're coming with you, no matter what," Zeb agreed and smirked, "I can't wait to see what trouble he's gotten himself into."

"This isn't a laughing matter," I remarked, "It's hard to explain, but whenever I think of Ezra... It's like I'm freezing slowly, from the inside out. If something has happened to him--"

"Don't worry, Kanan," Sabine whispered and laid a hand on my shoulder, "We'll find him." At her words, I almost smiled. Not completely, for the ice inside was still too piercing, but almost. Even so, Sabine's and Zeb's loyalty touched me, melting a corner of my heart.

"So, what's the plan?"

"Well, we know where Ezra and Ashoka were headed, so we'll go there first."

"Sounds good," Sabine said and nodded.

"I'm going to be piloting, but you two need to man the guns," I continued, "I have a feeling that there's much more to that abandoned medical station than meets the eye."

"We'll be ready," Zeb assured me and strode out of the cockpit.

Once he was gone, instead of following, Sabine lowered her voice and took a step closer to me. "Do you really think Ezra's in danger?"

At his name, the cold growing inside intensified. "Yes," I gasped.

Dropping my gaze, she chuckled uneasily. "He's really good at that." She paused. "I miss him."

"Me too," I agreed, remembering Ezra's ever-mischievous smile, "Me too."

***

Hera's word held true, and soon I was successfully able to maneuver the Ghost into hyperspace with no resistance from the rest of the fleet. As we cruised through hyperspace, I found myself subconsciously reaching for my light saber. Perhaps it wasn't just my mind that could sense the approaching danger. Perhaps my body could sense it too.

Maybe I wasn't going completely crazy.

As these thoughts crossed my mind, my feeling of inadequacy soon followed. What kind of Jedi was I pretending to be when I couldn't even keep track of my own Padawan? My Master had never been so careless.

Disrupting my jumbled memories, a small bell chimed, signaling that we were about to exit hyperspace. In a few moments, we'd arrive upon the medical station. Ezra would be there, or he wouldn't be; either way, I'd be one step closer to finding him.

And I was never going to lose him again.

Hope you liked this chapter! Please comment and vote!!