Erstwhile

Surrender

One minute, my hands had been steadily clenching the helm. My mind was focused on the task to come, and my eyes were forward, preparing for the blue realm of hyperspace to fade away.

But then everything went quiet.

For a moment, I was confused, but that was before my thoughts were struck down by a piercing sound. I immediately recognized it as a pained scream, and without even analyzing it, I knew from whose mouth it came from.

Ezra.

His strangled cry overwhelming the barriers of my mind, I gasped and slumped forward onto the helm. What felt like an eternity later, the scream stopped, and all that was left was a loud ringing in my ears. At the same moment, my mind in shreds, the Ghost emerged from hyperspace.

Even in my dazed state, fear still pierced my bones as I saw what was supposed to have been an 'abandoned' medical station. TIE fighters buzzed about, and cruising just above the medical station was a Star Destroyer.

Immediately, the comm system started blowing up:

"What the--" Zeb sputtered.

"Kanan, there's no way that we can fight all of them," Sabine interrupted. "What do we do?"

Still caught off guard by the Force surge from Ezra and now this massive Imperial display, I didn't reply.

"Kanan?"

Swallowing the fear that crawled up my throat, I opened my mouth to reply. Just before I did, I caught sight of a small, green planet that loomed just behind the station. Ezra's scream of agony replaying over in my mind, I zeroed in on the planet.

"We need to get on that medical station," I commented, my hands scrambling over the control board.

"So, what?" Zeb growled, "You just want us to surrender?" A moment after his question hit the air, a legion of TIE fighters surrounded us, their cannons poised and ready to fire.

"Ah, rebels," a sickenly familiar voice greeted, "I thought you might stop by."

"Kallus," I snarled.

"I'm so pleased that you remember me," he mocked, "Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, surrender immediately." Opening my mouth, I was about to release a defiant retort when the Imperial agent interrupted.

"Now before you reply, think about all that you have to lose," Kallus remarked, "We've already scanned your ship, and besides you, there are two other life forms. Would you really sacrifice your own comrades for the sake of your own selfish defiance?"

"Kanan, don't--" Sabine started.

"We surrender," I said flatly.

"For a rebel, you have a special gift of pleasing me," Kallus snickered before resuming his serious manner, "The TIE fighters will escort you in, but if there's an trouble..."

"I understand."

"Excellent," he sneered before ending the conversation. Around us, fighters closed in, and although it pained me to do so, I directed the Ghost away from the green planet and towards the medical station.

"What are you doing?" Sabine blustered as she came up behind me. "You know just as well as I do that being blown to bits is a much more merciful death compared to what the Empire will give us."

"What's your game?" Zeb demanded.

"Ezra is hurt," I explained and grimaced as I remembered his scream, "He needs immediate medical help."

"And how can we do that by surrendering?" Zeb asked, crossing his arms.

"Have some faith, Zeb," I jested weakly, "We've escaped plenty of times before, and what better place is there to get Ezra help than a medical station?"

Smirking, Sabine nodded. "They think that we've fallen into their trap, but really, we're about to rob them blind. Clever."

"I think I'm starting to second guess my involvement in this mission," Zeb muttered and scratched the back of his head.

"C'mon," I said and playfully punched him in the shoulder, "I've never known you to back down from a fight."

"I don't," Zeb insisted, "It's just the whole surrendering thing dents my ego."

"It's for Ezra," Sabine piped up.

"I know, but once we rescue that kid, he is going to owe me big time," Zeb grumbled.

"Enough," I interjected and pointed, "We're here."

Here's another chapter!! It was really fun to write, so I hope you enjoyed it. Don't forget to vote and comment!! Thanks!!
Julie :D