Revenge Leads to Pain

Possession

Kanan approached the shelter he and Ezra were temporarily inhabiting. In his arms were some plants, roots, and berries that he had found edible. He wished that he had found more, but this would have to do for now. Kanan glanced around one final time before entering the shelter. There was no sign of any Trandoshans. He went inside.

The interior was dark. The fire Kanan had made was completely burned down. The building was as cold as the snowy air outside. Sticks and twigs were scattered across the floor.

"Ezra?" Kanan called softly, glancing around. As his eyes adjusted, he spotted the still form on the ground near the back wall. Kanan dropped the food he had bee carrying and rushed to his side.

"Ezra! Can you hear me?" he asked, lifting Ezra slightly. The boy was cold to the touch. For a heart-stopping moment, Kanan thought he was dead. Then he felt the gentle rise and fall of his chest.

"I've got to get you warned up," Kanan said. He quickly got a fire started and pulled Ezra closer to it. Before long the building was warm once again, but still Ezra did not wake up. Kanan knelt on the ground beside his unconscious padawan, unsure of what to do.

"Wake up, Ezra," he said. "You need to wake up."

---

"Let go of me!"

Sabine's shout pierced through Hera's mind. She jolted awake, glancing blearily around the cage. Two Trandoshans had grabbed Sabine's arms and were dragging her away.

"You have an appointment to keep," another Trandoshan, one standing beside the door, hissed. Hera climbed to her feet and moved to stop the Trandoshans, but the one by the door pointed his blaster at Sabine. Hera stopped midstep.

"Eager, are you?" the Trandoshan asked. "Your turn will come soon enough."

"Stay strong, Sabine!" Hera said as the cage door closed. "Stay alive!"

The Trandoshans and Sabine vanished through the door which slid shut behind them. Hera carefully tested the cage door. It swung open. In the chaos of dragging Sabine away the Trandoshans had forgotten to seal it. Taking a deep breath, Hera stepped out of the cage and opened the door.

The hallway beyond was empty.

"That's your second mistake of the day," Hera said softly. "Maybe I should keep count."

Hera slipped through the halls like a ghost, keeping both eyes open for Trandoshans. The ship appeared to be deserted. Dimly Hera wondered where they all were.

As she passed an open door Hera heard voices. The guttural growls of the Trandoshans along with the voice of Sabine. Hera pushed open the door and stepped onto the balcony.

The balcony was made of metal grating, allowing a view of the floor far below. Sabine was strapped to a chair in the center of the room. In front of her was a panel with softly pulsing lights of various colors. Several Trandoshans were working around the room, typing on panels.

"You can't force people to do whatever you want without using the force," Sabine snapped.

"Your screechy voice is setting my scales on edge," one of the Trandoshans hissed. "So I'd suggest you be quiet."

"It's ready," a second Trandoshan announced.

"About time," the first grumbled. "It didn't take this long for the Lasat."

The Trandoshans backed away from the chair Sabine was strapped to. Hera edged closer to the balcony railing, staring downwards.

The pulsing lights began blinking in patterns. Hera saw Sabine relax, staring at the mesmerizing lights. Hera was tempted to do the same, but she forced herself to close her eyes.

"All finished," one of the Trandoshans said. "Now for that Twi'lek."

Hera backed away from the railing and back into the hall.

It was time to go.