Rebel Scum

Chapter 7 - For the Best

"Give us a show, Sabine!" Hera calls.

"Gladly," we hear her reply. Suddenly the Ghost shakes and we see a colorful explosion of purples and pinks and yellows erupt from the side of the destroyer. Tons of TIE fighters and escape pods are sent into the space beyond the giant ship. But before the TIE's can come at us we escape into hyperspace.

As Sabine walks into the room she laughs proudly, "You just don't get tired of doing that."

"I'm sure that was satisfying," I say with a grin.

"Yeah it was," she replies. After a moment of silence she adds, "Let's go blow up another."

Kanan laughs and shakes his head, "How about we get away first."

I giggle shortly, but the Inquisitors words still linger in my mind. What if the Inquisitor was right. I mean, if they knew me, really knew me, maybe they wouldn't like what they saw. I agree with one thing, my heritage is definitely an interesting one. Maybe if they knew where I came from, what they thought of me would change and I would lose everyone I've grown to care for. She told me I had potential, she felt something in me, something I probably don't want. I can't let myself become what she did. I just can't.

Kanan seems to see I'm struggling and knows exactly what it is. So he puts his hand on my shoulder as comfort. "Don't listen to her, she wanted to cause doubts between us, to break us apart. Don't let her win," he says.

I bite my lip but nod in agreement. Saying is the easy part. Doing is another story entirely.

He smiles slightly and pats my shoulder. "You do good, remember that."

I wish I had his conviction, I wish I believed in me the way he seems to. Then another negative thought pops into my head, as if I didn't have enough. What about Ezra? Kanan and him were supposed to be okay because I left, but now I'm back. Ezra felt jealous of me... we can't both share Kanan. It wouldn't be fair for Ezra to have to share his master, Kanan is his master, not mine. I can't get in the way of that. My stomach was already in knots, now it felt like a giant knotted knot. If that makes sense. The thought weighs so heavily on me I feel like I'm about throw up.

"I can't stay," I say plainly.

All eyes turn to me, shocked, concerned eyes. Eyes I've grown to care for, eyes I don't want to leave, eyes I'll never forget.

"I left for a reason, and that hasn't changed."

"Soren, if this is about what I said–" Ezra offers.

"It's not," I lie.

"It seems like it is," he counters.

"Well it's not."

He nods slowly, but I can tell he doesn't believe me. "You don't have to go, we can make things work," he says hopefully.

I smile slightly and shake my head, "I don't think we can. But I want you to know I really appreciate your kindness. I didn't think there was still good people left in this galaxy."

Kanan looks at me, I can see the disapproval in his face, almost as clear as Ezra's. "I want you to stay, Soren. The Empire will be on the lookout for you from now on. And they know you have a connection to the Force so they'll stop at nothing to get rid of you."

I ponder this, it's true. But I might just be looking for an excuse. "I don't know..."

"An extra hand is always welcome," Hera adds.

"And a friend," Sabine says with a grin.

"Yeh and you might be slightly more tolerable than pipsqueak 'ere," Zeb smirks, gesturing a thumb to Ezra.