Snowy Misfortune

Mend

PREVIOUSLY:

A moment of silence passed,

and finally the trooper snapped

his fingers in realization. "You're the droid who

collaborated with Dev Morgan to sabotage the Imperial Academy."

Kneeling down, the trooper took off his helmet to show his face. Reaching his gloved

hand forward he spoke clearly, "Hello. I'm Zare Leonis." A couple hesitant chirps were his reply.

"You're a member of the rebels Morgan works with. Is he helping in the rescue of the captured Padawan?"

Another moment of silence passed before Chopper caught on to who the young trooper was referring too, when he remembered

their mission a month prior. Deciding to project an image of Ezra, Chopper beeped in frustration. Slowly the boy deciphered the tones, and shock appeared across his face.

"He's the one!"

Shock appeared over Leonis' face as he thought back to his friend. Recalling that Dev had mentioned he was a force user made him wonder even more what was going on.

Looking at the droid then, he asked, "Do you know how how he is? I-I can help!"

Just then the comm in the Phantom went off, "Spector 3! We're on our way. Be prepared, Spector 6 isn't in his right mind. We'll help you hold off until Spector 1 manages to accompany us. He's buying time."

As the message cut, Chopper grumbled. "Leave it to Spector 1 to play hero." Rolling over to the communication device, he decided to update Hera on their situation.

"Spector 3 to Ghost. Spector 1 is buying time as the rest retreat with Spector 6. Spector 1 will arrive as soon as he can, then we'll leave."

A moment passed before Hera replied with a sigh, "Copy that."

Glancing at the young trooper still in the cabin, Chopper called again, "Oh, and one more thing...a storm trooper is familiar with Spector 6 and wishes to assist."

The communication link to Hera was still online, but the only sound coming through was silence. "Hera?"

"CHOPPER! HOW COULD YOU LET A STORMTROOPER ENTER THE PHANTOM?!"

Zare, having also heard the message gave a laugh. And deciding to speak for the droid himself, he said, "No worries, I'm not your average trooper. I'm Zare Leonis, a friend of one of your crew members. I recall your plan to sabotage the Imperial Academy and to take Kallus' decoder."

After hearing that, Hera sighed. "Okay. So, assuming you acknowledged the trouble of your help will cause for you and the Empire, you won't mind becoming a criminal? If so, then your help would be very much appreciated."

"Yes, I'm aware. And knowing a mutual friend is at stake, I can not stand-by without assisting in ways that I can."

"Thank you."

"Karabast! Ezra's burning up! He must be sick."

Zeb grumbled in worried frustration as he held fast to the squirming boy in his arms.

Sabine looked over her shoulder as she ran and saw that Ezra indeed looked ill.

The boy still resisted the hold Zeb had on him, but his struggles became futile as the sickness in him once again lured him back into the inebriate stupor of unconsciousness.