Yellow Eyes And Still A Threat

Chapter 3

  "Wow", Ezra gasped as he walked out of the ship. "I never thought Naboo would be so.....beautiful."
  "Too bad it's inhabitants can't enjoy it", Sabine muttered, following him. "This place is Empire infested. No one here can live in peace without stormtroopers breathing down their backs."
  "Which is why we should be on our guard double time", Lux encouraged. "Let's try getting in and getting out in about an hour or less."
  "Copy that", Sabine said.
  Lux turned his attention to Ezra. "Try to find them, Ezra. We'll follow you."
  Ezra took a deep breath. "Alright, captain." He closed his eyes. C'mon Ezra. You're just finding somebody with powers like you. No pressure or anything. Nope, just- wait. Is that...yes! I've got one!
  Ezra opened his eyes. "This way", he pointed.
  "Of course", Sabine said sarcastically. "They have to be in the main city."
  "Well then let's get moving", Lux sighed.

  "Mind if I join you?", Kanan asked Hera, slipping into the cockpit.
  Hera chuckled. "Not at all. I could use the company. Besides, we haven't really had much alone time for a while."
  "I know", Kanan agreed as he found a seat next to Hera. "At least this mission gives us a chance to just talk."
  Hera nodded, but didn't say anything right away. She stared at Kanan, her green eyes studying him for the upteenth time. Well, it's now or never.
  "Kanan", she started slowly, "how are things between you and Ezra going?"
  "Great", Kanan answered. "He's been excelling in his training. I don't think there's much else I can teach him."
  "So that's it."
  "What's it?"
  "The reason behind why you've been acting off lately."
  Kanan blinked in surprise. "I have not been acting off."
  "Kanan, you haven't been yourself the past two months. Everyone has noticed it, including Ezra. And now I know why."
  Kanan chuckled. "Alright Hera, tell me. Why have I been acting off?"
  "You're not ready to let go of Ezra."
  Kanan swallowed the lump in his throat. "What are you talking about?"
  "Kanan, you know very well what I'm talking about." Hera placed her gloved hand on Kanan's. "You don't want Ezra to become a jedi knight. You love him as if he were you're son."
  Kanan didn't say anything. His pale, dull eyes stared down at the floor. "I love Ezra just as much as you", Hera continued. "But a bird can't hold on to her babies forever. Eventually, Ezra must become a knight and make his own decisions with the force."
  Kanan sighed. "If only it were that easy."

  "There!"
  Ezra pointed to the large, stone building in front of them. "That's where one of them is."
  "You've got to be kidding me", Lux muttered.
  "What?", Ezra asked, raising an eyebrow playfully. "It's just a really big building."
  "Ezra, this is the royal palace", Sabine said, placing her hands on her hips. "The queen of Naboo lives here."
  Ezra looked back up at the building. "Oh. Um.....well, this is where the force led us. And the force is never wrong."
  Lux sighed. "This won't be easy."
  "Hey, we're rebels", Ezra said playfully. "If an old castle can beat us, then the galaxy is doomed."
  Sabine sighed. "Can't argue with that."

 

  "Thank you for inviting us to your home, your majesty", Senator Bail Organa thanked as he walked beside the queen of Naboo.
  "Thank you for coming", the queen replied pleasantly. "You and your family bring me much joy when you visit."
  "We do our best to please you, your highness", Mrs. Organa replied.
  The queen's smile grew as she turned her attention to Bail Organa's daughter. "You've grown since the last time I saw you, dear. How have you been fairing?"
  But the girl didn't answer. She just stared forward as the group walked down the long hall. The queen tilted her head in concern. "Leia", she called out gently, "are you alright?"
  Leia blinked in surprise at the sound of her name. "Oh- er, sorry, you majesty", she stuttered, bowing slightly. "I haven't had much sleep recently and am....out of sorts."
  Bail blinked in surprise. "You didn't tell us you weren't sleeping well, Leia."
  The girl shrugged her shoulders. "I just haven't got around to telling you."
  "If you are out of sorts", the queen said gently, "then by all means, please go to one of our guest rooms and rest yourself. You may join us when you are ready."
  Leia bowed. "Thank you your majesty." Then she hurried off with one of the handmaidens.
  "I apologize, your highness", Bail said quickly. "If we had known she wasn't well-"
  "It is perfectly fine", the queen replied. "Times are hard on Naboo. You have been busier than most senators. I understand that you cannot always be there for your family."
  Bail was about to reply when a guard stopped them in the middle of the hallway. "Your majesty", he said, bowing. "Two groups wish to speak with you. One is from the Empire. The other is a group of cargo pilots. Both say it is urgent."
  The queen stared at the guard for a moment before answering. "Bring the pilots to the throne room. And escort the imperials to the dining hall for lunch. I will meet with them after."
  "Yes your majesty", the guard said, bowing before leaving the queen and senator.