Ezra woke up two hours later, finding Sabine gone and the room empty. What that all a dream? His hand grazed a data pad and put his doubts to rest as he played the recorded message Sabine left him.

"Decided to let you sleep, luv. I'm out with Hera corralling people. Just use the comm I left by this data pad to tell me when you're up."

Her voice faded and the message ended.

He smiled and put the data pad in his pocket and picked up the comm.

"Hello?" Ezra asked into it.

"Oh hey, Ez." Sabine answered, almost immediately into the comm.

"Where you guys at?" He asked. "And did Eights and Ahsoka tell you what is going on?"

"We are at the north hanger and yes they told us, but for now we have to figure out how to get all these people home."

"I'll come and meet you." He said, getting up and heading her way.

***

"I told you you'll need help with politics." Pyrce said, as she turned and faced Thrawn.

"Yes thanks again, Governor Pyrce." Thrawn said and smoothed down his tunic.

"Any time, Grand Admiral Thrawn." She said as they walked down the hall of the imperial palace.

"Mind if I asked why you helped me?" The chiss asked, red eyes glancing at Pyrce as they walked to the transport that would take him back to the Chimera.

"I didn't question your methods when you took the entire population of the planet which I was governing into custody, the reason is the same as now. I have high hopes and hold you in high respect Grand Admiral and I would be pleased to pull a few strings to get you stationed back on your command again. Also a Grand Admiral owes me two favors now." She smiled, knowing she played her cards right in this one.

"Thank you, Governor." Thrawn said again, a little flabbergasted at the turn of events. "Do you need anything?"

"If I could borrow your death troopers that would be great."

"I'll send them to you."

"Thanks, now if you don't mind I have to go deal with my planet." She turned and walked down another hall that would take her to her transport leading back to Lothal.

I'm sure, Eli is having an easier time than me. He thought of his old aide, and made his way back to his ship that would take him back to his place in the high command of the Empire, knowing now he had to prove himself loyal, if not to the Emperor himself but to the other officers.

***

"A ship is coming in." Hera said, nervous.

"Oh kriff." Circuits cursed and shot Jessica a worried look. (They were apparently not dead because Chopper lied)

"It's Imperial by my scans." Sabine said, a feeling of dread creeping in her stomach. She gave Ezra a worried look.

"I can take them." Ezra answered, coldly.

"Let's think about it for a moment, if we let the imperial's deal with this we can get back to the rebellion base and help out there." Mouse piped up.

"They could just turn the chips back on, Mouse." Ezra snapped.

"Maybe a civil conversation is in order then." Eights said.

"I'll talk to them then."

"No, Ezra you can be backup." Sabine said, as kindly as she could. "I think Eights should talk to them."

"Talk to them about what?" Eights asked.

"I say we talk to the imperials about the plan for all these people. If they want to  turn the chips on, we kill them, if they don't and just want to get these people back to work, we leave."

"We need all the help we can get." Jessica protested.

"Not if the help takes this much work." Vent grumbled.

"Some of these people were rebellion fighters." Jessica protested some more as Circuits starred at her lovingly.

"Let's take a vote, then." Ahsoka suggested. "All in favor of Eights speaking with the imperials say 'I'"

Eights looked a bit flustered and frowned.

"I." Sabine said with a glare at Ezra.

Ezra ignored her and didn't say anything.

"I." Hera said.

"I." Vent said.

"I." Mouse said.

"I." Roe said.

"I." Cane grumbled.

"I." Ahsoka said herself. "That's 7 to 4, guess that settles it."

"ButIdon'twanttotalktoanyimperials." Eights complained, but it was too late to argue as Pyrce's ship landed in the hanger bay with them.

"Everyone hide." Jessica hissed as they all ran off to hide behind crates, expect for Eights and Ezra.

"Ezra get back here." Sabine whispered.

"I'm back up." He whispered back and stood beside Eights.

"Thanks." Eights said, gratefully as the ramp opened and Governor Pyrce with a squad of death troopers ascended.

"Don't go any further." Eights warned, even more grateful to have Ezra by his side than before."We just want to talk." He added as he saw the troopers raise their blasters.

Pyrce assessed the two boys, eyeing Ezra's hand on his lightsaber hilt. "Talk about what?"

"What you are going to do with all these citizens, Governor Pyrce." Ezra said, firmly and Eights was startled by his sudden change of attitude. Ezra was in officer mode now. "Excuse my counterpart, but he isn't very good at manners." Eights felt hurt.

"What am I going to do with all these citizens?" She restated his question. "I'm left to clean up Grand Admiral Thrawn's mess, once again."

"By doing what exactly?"

"Get those horrid chips out of their necks and get them back to work." She answered as this was just an everyday problem. "Why do you ask?"

"Umm-"

"Because we were just passing by on our ship and found the place a wreak and now since the proper authorities are here you wouldn't mind if we left." Eights covered for Ezra.

"As soon as we see your identification."

It took all of Sabine's restraint not to go punch Pyrce in the face right then.

"I'm Eights and that's Ezra." He said and started to walk away.

"Ezra Bridger and GN-9888, you are wanted by the Empire." The troopers pulled their guns again. "Take them in."

Before anyone could act Ezra force pulled their blasters out of their hands flying them over by the crates and had his lightsaber at Pyrce's neck.

"Give me one reason not to slit your neck now." He growled.

"That escalated quick." Mouse observed and grabbed one of the death troopers gun.

Sabine rolled her eyes and handed the guns out to the others.

"I'm the Governor." Pyrce said, with a glare. I've been in worse than this. She thought, observing her captor. "And I can get you off the imperial database, Ezra Bridger would never exist."

She was lying and he knew it, but he let her go anyway.

"We are leaving then." He muttered and walked into the imperial ship. "Eights you are flying." He force pushed Pyrce and the troops away.

"What?" Eights asked, confused, but followed him anyway, sitting down in the pilot's seat.

"What are you doing?" A panicked Sabine spoke though his comm, as the ship began to rise.

"I need to collect my thoughts."

"Ezra... I'm coming with you." She said, not wanting to lose him.

"Just stay." He said, his heart breaking a little. "I can't deal with all of this. I'm afraid I'll hurt people just let me go. I need some alone time."

"You'll be back, right?" 

"I will." He said and leaned back in the chair. "Just pick a random planet, Eights."

"Why?"

"You'll see"

"You promise?" Sabine's voice said though the comm, getting fainter as the ship began to fly into the atmosphere.

"I promise." He answered, just as they jumped to hyperspace.

***

Sabine was shocked Ezra just took Eights and flew off to who knows where.

"THAT MOOF MILKER!" She cursed, angrily.

... so another chapter