Redemption Story

Last Mission

"Ezra?" Kanan reached out with the Force as he exited the Ghost. "Where is that kid?"

"Try checking out by the sensor markings." Zeb was fixing something on the roof of the Ghost. "He and Sabine have taken to combat training there."

Kanan nodded, leaving the Lasat to his repairs. Ever since the incident with the darksaber, Ezra and Sabine had become closer. Before, the Mandalorian and Padawan had been quite a formidable team, training together constantly. But now, in the wake of Sabine's confession, something was different.

Ezra's crush on Sabine was the worst kept secret on Chopper Base, but the underlying rule was that no one talked about it. When Ezra had first joined the Spectres, Kanan was convinced that within a week, Sabine would murder him.

Now he wasn't so sure. Not just about his Padawan's impending death, but about the unrequited feelings. The Jedi could sense a bond between Ezra and Sabine. The bond had begun when Ezra joined, but nothing had really happened until that Empire Day. From that day on, their bond grew. With each successful mission, and even the failures, Ezra and Sabine had grown closer. Had come to trust the other's ability in combat completely. What Kanan found humorous was that Ezra trusted Sabine in combat more than he trusted Kanan. Not that he didn't trust Kanan, but there was something about Ezra and Sabine that clicked.

Kanan found the teens out by the sensor markings, sparring. Ever since that night, Sabine had dragged either him or Ezra out for practice. Kanan usually made sure it was Ezra versus Sabine for a number of reasons. At the top was Ezra needed someone else to spar against. Not that he was close to besting Kanan, but the Jedi knew that fighting against one opponent all the time would limit your ability.

The sparring also brought the teens closer. Kanan could see how tight their bond was. It was nigh unbreakable now. Perhaps even stronger than the one he and Ezra had.

"Keep your blade up." Ezra dodged a swipe and parried. "It's easier to lower your blade than raise it."

Sabine engaged a saber lock. "Do you have any words of advice of your own, or are you just going to repeat Kanan?"

Ezra grinned. "I put my own twist on things."

Sabine used her repulser to push Ezra back, then ducked under his blade and put him in a head-lock. "So do I."

Ezra twisted out of it and Force-Pushed Sabine back, grinning. "Yeah, well, guess I'm just better."

Sabine smirked and charged, swinging her darksaber in a vertical swipe, which Ezra blocked. "Ha! Ezra, we both know that I'm better than you at this."

Ezra increased pressure on the lock. "You're lying."

Sabine nodded. "Yep." She kicked Ezra's ankle, grabbing his arm and twisting him to the ground. "I did lie."

Ezra grunted from his position on the ground. "I always know when you lie."

Kanan stepped forward. "Do you two always mix lightsaber combat with physical?"

Sabine let Ezra go and looked at the Jedi. "It keeps things interesting. I've managed to teach Ezra some new things."

Ezra nodded. "It's an even trade."

"Right." Kanan turned away to head back. "Hera wanted me to find you. We have a mission briefing."

Hera looked at her family. "Our mission is simple. We're to attack an Imperial Shipyard over Raxus Prime."

Sabine frowned. "Raxus Prime? Isn't that the junkyard world?"

Kanan nodded. "Strategically speaking, it's a smart move. All the debris on the planet would form a nice barrier from attacks."