Star Wars Rebels: When Hope Is Lost

Chapter 22: Bring Them Home

He felt the tremor through the Force before the Second Brother had even entered the bridge.

"Lord Vader, one of our security troopers guarding Ezra Bridger's cell has reported the boy speaking to someone in his cell. I also sensed a variety of emotion from Ezra through the Force. I believe something is amidst in that cell." He said, after bowing in front of the black-armoured figure facing the large window at the front of the Executor's bridge.

Vader turned to the Inquisitor. "I sensed it as well. Though Ezra Bridger is dangerous and unstable, he is not mentally impaired. If he has been noted talking to someone in his cell, than he must have been. The question, is whom?"

"My Lord, I'm picking up something through cell 817's hidden microphones," a nearby lieutenant called.

The Sith marched over to the lieutenant's workstation, cape swirling behind him, heavy breathing echoing in the now quiet bridge. The female Imperial hit a switch and a familiar staticky voice came to life through a speaker on the console in front of her.

"Thanks, Kanan."

Then there was a short pause before the same speaker spoke again.

"May the Force be with you too.... Master."

"Kanan? As in, Kanan Jarrus? The boy was speaking to him?" The Second Brother asked, flabbergasted. "How is this possible?"

On the outside, Vader looked as calm and chilling as ever. On the inside, however, he was seething with rage. Red hot anger bubbled up inside him, ready to pour over. He was tempted to strangle the first person he saw; his fury at the obstacle known as Kanan Jarrus was so great. His hand clenched into a tight fist.

He exhaled. The Imperial crew was not to blame for this interference with his plans; Caleb or Kanan or whatever he called himself was. And the Emperor would not take kindly to Vader killing any more Imperial soldiers.... If they had done nothing displeasing, anyway.

"If two Jedi have a strong bond, they can communicate mentally with one another," he said calmly. "I did not know that these two in particular were capable of such a feat. But that doesn't matter now. What matters is that Kanan Jarrus has restored faith in the boy that I cannot allow to be rebuilt fully."

The Sith Lord began pacing towards the entry to the bridge, his cape sweeping behind him in an angry black flurry. "I have worked too hard for my plans to be undone now," he said. "I suppose it is time for more drastic measures to be taken.

"And the rogue Jedi will not get in my way again. Because by the time he tries something else, I will have Ezra under my control again. And if he attempts any sort of a rescue.... I will personally kill him and that crew of his, right before the boy's eyes."

The Dark Lord of the Sith stalked out of the bridge, promising himself that he would have revenge on the last remaining Jedi.... And that he would crush Ezra Bridger's little rebellion and all his hope into a burning pile of ash. Even if it was the last thing he did.

He needed that boy. He was the key to power–or to Vader's destruction. And Vader knew that he would be the perfect apprentice, if he could quell his rebellious spirit. All he needed was for doubt–and then the dark side–to take control of Ezra's mind fully. Then, he could use the boy to achieve everything he had ever wanted. Revenge for his mother's death. Revenge for Padme's death. He could even have revenge on the Jedi.... All he had to do for that was occupy Kanan Jarrus and kill him. Except Kanan still had a use for him.