Artist & Jedi

Chapter 23

Ezra , Jaina and Fennec were on the bridge of the Clan Bridger cruiser. The Jedi summoned the lieutenant to his side. Jaina - a young red-haired girl stood next to her leader pawing over his shoulder. Grey approached Bridger with an angry look on her face.

"Fennec," Ezra began. "Explain your behavior to me please."

Grey looked at him. She clenched her hands turning them into fists. "Jaina fucked up completely sir. She had a chance to kill the Sith , who tortured me and Alex. Shooting didn't help. I wanted to get him but I couldn't."

"But , that doesn't mean you can punch her in the stomach," Bridger said. "You have no right to take it out on our soldiers. I turn a blind eye to a lot of your bad behavior , but this passes everything you've done. Apologize to Jaina. Apologize to her for what you did."

Fennec approached Jaina and slapped her across the face. Ezra blocked her next attack and knocked her to the ground. Jaina grabbed her cheek and started massaging it. Grey quickly got up. Ezra summoned two soldiers to his side.

"You  stupid , kid," Fennec growled. "You had a chance to kill one of the most dangerous men in the Empire and you didn't do it. You bring shame on all of us."

"He had a lightsaber and deflected every blaster shot I took." Jaina defended herself. "Besides, I threw a bomb under his feet and saved you."

Fennec headed toward the door. "I don't want to hear it." After those words, she walked out, leaving everyone on the bridge.

A few hours later, the cruiser came out of hyperspace over Concordia. The gunships and Shuttles landed. Fennec ran out and headed for the base. Jaina and Ezra exited the ship slowly walking inside.

"It's not my fault," Jaina began. "I wanted to help her. Something told me in my head , to do it."

Ezra put his hand on her shoulder. "I know, Fennec is having the last hard time in his life. Do you know what happened to her?"

"No."

"Fennec and her best friend Alex were tortured by the Imperials. I sent them on a mission to destroy the factory. That was my biggest mistake. Alex is in a coma. Fennec is shattered. I made her life a pain."

"I'll talk to her. Maybe we can get along with her and explain the situation."  After these words, Jaina walked away from Ezra and headed to the base.

Fennec was in the medical wing and, as she always did, she held the hand of her beloved. Medics were working on other things or patients. Grey squeezed Alex's hand , as her tears fell to the floor. She was angry with herself. She should thank Jaina for saving her. If not for her , she might have died and Alex would have been left alone. She kissed Morgan on the forehead and stood up. 

Then Jaina appeared at the doorstep. The lieutenant approached her. The redhead looked at her.

"Excuse me." She began. "I know , you are angry with me. I just wanted to help," she said. Now I know how you hate this guy. I'll help you beat him."

Fennec put a hand on her shoulder. "No. I'm the one who is sorry. It's hard for me in my life. Alex is in a coma and .... I don't know what to do next. I am so badly lost. I yell at everyone for no reason. I am sorry , that I hit you. Do you know what it's like to see people who are dying or close to death before your eyes?" 

"I know." Jaina began. "When I was little my parents were murdered by bandits who broke into our apartment. That's when I ended up in foster care. At the end of the Clone Wars, my new family was killed by Droids. Then my foster brother Robbie took charge of me. Years later, the Empire took control of our planet. Robbie was killed by stormtroopers. I ended up in a labor camp. I was tortured by the Imperials. Worked hard. I was beaten , whipped and used as a sexual object. But , I finally broke free when I was older. After my escape I ended up with the Mandalorians." A tear escaped from Jaina's eye.

Fennec hugged Jaina. "I'm sorry. I also come from a terrible home. My father was a tyrant. My mother died. I lost my older sister. I also joined the Bridger Clan years ago. Ezra and Sabine changed my life and I am grateful to them. I'm sorry Jaina."

"I forgive you." The redhead said. "Why don't we go somewhere?

"Let's go to a bar." After those words, they left the medical wing.