Hera waited in the Ghost, docked on the side of the Star Destroyer. Though she was trying to tamp down her fear, her anxiety was getting the best of her.

The crew made a point of avoiding Star Destroyers at all costs, because they usually didn't bode well for anyone. Well, except the Empire.

Only a few of their missions that included the massive flying weapons had been successful, but that seemed to be to Ezra's credit.

Ezra.

For so long it seemed she hadn't even let herself think about him, to avoid the pain.

In such a short time he had endeared himself to them all, and when he
died--no. He didn't die. Kanan was getting him, and he'll be back and everything will be fine.

"Ugh, it's taking too long!" Hera tried her com, but it was jammed. "Oh no. Zeb and Chop haven't made it to the control room yet."

Just then, her com buzzed to life. "Eh, this is...Captain Meiloorun. We're on schedule."

"Oh, wonderful." Answering the Com, "Spectre One, Spectre Five, you got Ezra yet?"

A long pause of just static, and Hera caught her breath. Her hopes came crashing down. Then the comlink crackled, and Kanan's voice came across. "We got 'im. Almost to rendezvous. Meet you there, Spectre Three."

Hera let out a burst of air that sounded like a deranged but relieved laugh.
"Copy that, Spectre One. We'll beat you there." Zeb sounded the happiest he had in months.

She quickly detached from the Star Destroyer, and pulled away. It was time to gather some attention.

~//~

Zeb and Chopper were waiting for them when they got to the Phantom, and Zeb's joy at seeing Ezra with them faded quickly into anger at the sight of his scars. "Karabast! Kid, what did they do to you? I swear I'm gonna--"

"Later, Zeb!" Kanan cut in. "We gotta get to the Phantom and rendezvous with Hera."

"Ugh, right."

Zeb stepped forward, and quickly took Ezra from Kanan. "I'll carry 'im. We'll be faster, that way."

They took off running, and Kanan noticed Sabine looking over at Ezra with something...unexplainable on her face. He pushed it from his mind. As he said to Zeb, later.

They made it to the trash compactor with a little trouble, and Kanan jumped down inside. He turned back to the chute, and Zeb lowered Ezra down to him. "Can you grab him already? He's heavy!"

Kanan smiled slightly, and relieved him of his burden. When Sabine had jumped down beside him, he turned to the door. "Chopper? Can you get the door?"

Chopper whirred from above, and the door slid open. "Thanks, Chop."

Kanan carried the unconscious Ezra to the back of the Phantom, and placed him on a seat.
Sabine and Zeb entered a second later with Chopper in tow, and Kanan closed the airlock, disengaging from the massive ship.

"Spectre Two? We're clear. Meet you at the rendezvous."

"Copy that, Spectre One. See you soon."
Just before the calculations for the hyperspace jump were complete, Kanan glanced back to see Sabine caring for Ezra, and looking at him with something odd on her face.

He pushed the lever, and streaks of blue light replaced the black of space as the Phantom disappeared.