6

HERA SLID down the ladder. As she turned away from it, she found herself half waiting for Kanan to jump after her.

Her heart squeezed and she quickly averted her emerald gaze from the worn rungs. She had to avoid truly digesting that Kanan was gone - again - for as long as she could. But even then, more tears were building.

Hera hurried through the Ghost, heading straight for Sabine's room. She figured that was most likely where she'd find Tseebo. Normally, it instantly warmed her up inside whenever she thought about how sweet and loyal Tseebo was, constantly helping Sabine get better in whatever way he could - but Hera was much too distraught right then.

Just as the Twi'lek captain was scrambling into the cabin hall, however, the entire ship gave an enormous shake. Hera shrieked in surprise as she stumbled into the wall, then quickly pressed herself against it to remain steady as the Ghost quaked again.

She looked up, a scowl crossing her face.

Now, Hera definitely wasn't a Jedi, but she did have intuition.

And either someone had chosen a fine time to attack, or she was going to have to wring a certain teenage boy's neck.

***

Ezra could already feel her enraged thoughts squeezing around his throat.

Ezra had stolen the Phantom before, sure, but to say the least, the Ghost was a bit of a step up. He reckoned that Hera was going to kill him for this one, but he just hoped that he'd have sent them to hyperspace before then.

Ezra's eyes were stretched wide with panic as he fumbled at the controls. The Ghost shuddered violently as it slowly, clumsily jerked into the air.

Suddenly, Chopper burst into the cockpit behind him. "WRRRRRRR! WRR WRR WRR!?"

"Little busy!" Ezra yelped tightly, struggling to keep the ship steady. He heard a loud screech from outside as the Ghost rose above its docking area and winced. Yep, Hera is definitely going to kill me.

"WRRR!" Chopper zipped over, angrily waving his mechanical arms. "WRR, wrr wrr wrr!?"

"Will you shut up!?" yelled Ezra, growling as he managed to yank the Ghost higher and higher into the air. Then he shoved a lever forward and the ship surged forward, throwing Ezra back in his seat and sending a screeching Chopper sliding across the cockpit.

Ezra quickly raised his head and stared out the windshield: the Ghost was gliding smoothly by itself. He exhaled loudly in relief.

He did so too soon.

"EZRA BRIDGER SO HELP ME WHEN I GET UP THERE YOUR FUTURE GRANDCHILDREN WILL BE ABLE TO FEEL YOUR PAIN!"

Ezra flinched, cringing, then glanced over at Chopper. The droid was grumbling loudly as he managed to roll towards him again. "Uhhh... Chop? Do you think you could, I dunno... go down there and distract Hera for me?"

Chopper's reaction was startlingly lax, but still suspicious. "Wrr wrr?"

"I need to get the Ghost into hyperspace."

"Wrr wrrrr wrr wrr?!"

"Of course I won't kill us all! Have a little faith in me, Chop. Besides, I'm sure you've heard that Kanan's.." He suddenly choked. "-g-gone.. this is for him! Trust me, I have to do this. I one hundred percent believe that this is what I've got to do!"

Ezra stared at Chopper fiercely. His sapphire blue eyes burned.

"Wrr," Chopper buzzed, turning around and jerking one arm around. "Wrr wrr wr wrr. Wrr!"

Ezra sighed. "THANK you. And don't worry, I'll definitely be trying not to die."

As Chopper rolled out of the cockpit, Ezra leaned forward and carefully gripped the controls once more.

He let out a long breath, then began to steer the Ghost upwards. The ship shook and rattled as if it knew that he wasn't supposed to be flying it at all, whatsoever. Ezra winced at the unpromising sounds and prayed to the Force that this wouldn't end in disaster.

If only the Force was with him.

***