Saga of the Bridgers-Year 4

Chapter 11: Jedi Night

"Jari, we'll be taking a huge risk just saving Hera, if we..."

"If we don't stop the factory, Ezra, then it will be all over!" Jaral said with a firm tone. "The TIE Defender is pretty much complete; they might start to produce it extensively, and if that happens, the Federation won't be able to invade before the Rebellion gets crushed."

Ezra could not say anything against that. Jaral was now fully focused on the main objective and she would always find a way to justify her logic. Ezra understood, though: it would be meaningless to save Hera, in the long run, if the factory was still standing.

"All right, then we better move and fast." he said.

Jaral nodded and the two accelerated their pace toward the camp.

The mood in the camp was less than stellar, but everyone looked at the Jedi when they appeared.

"Gentlemen, I know you think that everything is lost," Jaral said loudly. "but as long as we breathe, we will always have a chance. We have the weapons and we have the wish to see our home free. My brother and I will lead an operation to free General Syndulla, the rest of you take a breather and get ready, because I have a couple of ideas on how we can turn the tide. Are you with me?"

All stood up or turned toward her and cheered or yelled some approving sentences.

"Good." she said. "Dad, Sabine, load up a couple of speeders, we're going on a recon mission."

"Yes, ma'am." Sabine said with a smirk while Jordan nodded with the same expression on his face and they headed out.

Ezra put a hand on his sister's shoulder. "You see? This guys still trust you, as do I. But...do you really have an idea, already?" he whispered.

Jaral turned her head toward him. "More or less. I still have to define them, but one thing I understand, is that against Thrawn and Iulius we must be unpredictable."

Ezra chuckled. "Then I say we have a chance."

No more than an hour after, the four were traveling toward the tower. Ezra and Sabine on one bike, Jordan and Jaral on the other. It took them three hours of travel to reach their old tower, which, despite being abandoned for years, was still standing.

"Home, sweet home." said Ezra as they approached the door at the base of the tower.

"I still can't believe you guys managed to hide in here for so long." Jordan commented. "I mean, did anybody else ever tried to take shelter here?"

"Well, we hosted Darvos for a time..." Ezra said with a knowing tone.

"Oh, yeah?" Jaral replied in tone, and decided to drop the bomb. "And what about Moreena, then?"

She could feel Ezra's heart froze like it was put into carbonite, as they took the lifter up to the top of the tower, Sabine took took her helmet in her hands and gave Ezra a suspicious look.

"Who's Moreena?"

Ezra stammered a bit, before conjuring some real words. "Moreena Krai...she and her family helped us for a time...but then they left for Alderaan and...and..." he grunted. "Look, there was nothing between me and her, all right?!" he said desperately.

The girls exploded laughing.

"Calm down, Ez'ika." Sabine said after giving him a light punch. "Jaral told me about her a long time ago."

Ezra gave his sister a boiling face.

"I swear, if we survive this..."

But Sabine stopped him by giving him a peck on his cheek. "Oh, take it easy, Ezra. In our situation, you have to find any chance to laugh a little bit."