A Star Among Planets (Star Wars Rebels Fanfiction)

Chapter 92: New Bonds

(Moons Later)

    Swifttail stood erect with his tail positioned over his back. He leaned forward and his whiskers nearly touched against Ezra's leg. He had tried to halt, but a Stormtrooper shoved him from behind and he hissed as he skipped forward, ignoring the feeling of anger that made his fur prickle along his spine. He muttered something under his breath so that no one could hear him. He didn't want to have to be scolded for his attitude.

    There was a gulp from beside him as Keen turned his head to look at his friend, worry shinning in his eyes. "What are they going to do with us," he panicked as he gazed at Swifttail.

    Swifttail stretched out his tail and rested it across Keen's shoulders. "It's alright, Keen. No one is going to hurt us, trust me," he growled as he glared up at the Stormtroopers, who were leading them down the halls of the largest ship that Swifttail had ever seen.

    It had seemed just a few heartbeats ago that they had been pulled out of hyperspace and forced aboard this ship. Swifttail would have thought that if they had more sense that they would have killed them instead of just bringing them aboard. However, he wasn't in control and he didn't want to be. He probably would have hated what he would have done to himself.

    "Don't worry, I've got captured numerous times," boasted Ezra as he puffed out his chest in pride.

    The commander turned to Ezra. "That doesn't exactly instill confidence."

    Ezra shook his head in embarrassment. "Well, I've escaped a lot of places as well. Don't worry, this place will be a synch!"

    Swifttail rolled his eyes as they made it to the command center. As soon as he saw the commander of the Imperial fleet, he growled. The commander sneered down at Swifttail and motioned to another Stormtrooper. The Stormtrooper kicked his foot against Swifttail's haunches. Swifttail collapsed easily as Keen kneeled down and touched his nose to his ear. Swifttail grumbled as he rushed to his paws and shook his head to clear it.

    "What do we have here," he asked as he turned to Ezra, Swifttail, and Keen. He kneeled down and picked up Swifttail by the chin and forced him to look up. Swifttail's lip began to curl in hostile, but he quickly diminished the feeling, allowing it melt inside his heart. He couldn't snap at him or he knew that he would be punished. "I recognize your eyes and your build. Not to mention your attitude. You're Halftail's son."

    Swifttail took a step back, ripping his chin away form the Commander. "How do you know my father," he choked out. He knew that his father had been a padawan when he was younger and now he was helping lead a fleet, but it was still strange that he knew who Swifttail was and who his father was.

    "I knew him a long time ago," answered the Commanded as he turned to Keen. Keen struggled not to cower as a Stormtrooper placed a blaster against his head. Tears leaped into Keen's eyes and he gulped as if a stone was lodged in his throat. "And who might you be, wolf?"

    Keen opened his mouth to answer, but Ezra shot him a glance. His eyes flashed as he looked up at the Commander in defiance. "Zero the Hutt," he answered smartly, with his lip somewhat curling.

    The Commander knew that he wasn't going to get anything else out of Keen or Swifttail. He then turned to Ezra and his eyes blazed. "And who are you?"

    Ezra pointed his chin up at the commander. "Jabba the Hutt," he answered as he looked down at Keen who gave a tiny snort of laughter.

    That was enough for the Commander. He raised his hand, poised to strike, and narrowed his eyes to unforgiving slits. "Take them to their cells, keep them separated from each other." He pointed at Ezra, Swifttail, and Keen as the Stormtroopers ushered them away. Swifttail looked behind him and cold hatred surged through him. He just hoped that they would be able to get out of this one.