"Ship's manifest verified thru SSA Mexico." A voice I don't recognize says over the holo feed. The primary screen, one of about ten being displayed here in the Council's strategy room is beaming footage from a drone of five black vans driving up the 805.

"Call Secretary Kaine," Palpatine speaks up as I take a bite of my chicken and rice to occupy my hands. "Have him contact our counterpart in the Mexican Port Authority. I want access to every single crate on that ship. Nothing gets off."

"Yes sir." Tarkin replies before footsteps sound out, indicating that Tarkin's leaving the Situation Room.

"What does the manifest say?" Palpatine calls out.

"Mostly bulk freight from SAIC and Czerka Corporation Mr. President."

I pipe up "Both of which have operations in Liuzhou." Which silences the DC end of the call.

"You seem to be excessively focused on Liuzhou, with all due respect." Kallus observes.

"We have evidence that seems to suggest that the city is the power base for Maul and multiple former Sith Empire figures." Windu covers for me.

"Evidence." Mas Amedda replies simply.

"Yes."

Windu doesn't budge as I glance around the collection of holo screens.

One on my apartment complex, one on Hera and Kanan's house. One on Sabine's house, one on the port. The others are drone shots of various points of interest agreed upon by the Order and Homeland Security, including the vans that are still making their way up the 805.

They're closing in on Carlsbad now, which puts them at about an hour and fifteen minutes away from Los Angeles city limits.

I'm going to have to leave soon.

Pushing my dinner aside, Master Yoda who has sat beside me since dinner arrived gives me a placid glance before I feel him reach out to me thru the Force.

"Let's get back to the where. Ezra?" Palpatine calls out. "Can I get a camera on him?"

One of the holo screens switches to a camera in the board being controlled by Alexandre, which he blocks out on our end, leaving one black box and nine squares of activity. "You said that party invitation is good?"

"Yes sir."

"I like the plan of securing his Master, wife, and their children." Palpatine declares before I can't help but glance at Kanan.

He's here, while Hera, Mira, and Jacen are at home watching a movie. There are two security vans in the driveway with another three stationed within three minutes of the house.

"I assume the Temple is secure?"

"On full alert." Windu replies silkily.

It's after dinner and all Padawans have been ordered back to their quarters. Temple Guards are pacing the corridors on all levels, eyes on every entrance and exit as well as the sewers.

In the event that Maul decides that he's coming here and wants to get back in how he got out.

"And we still haven't figured out what the trigger could be?"

"No," Thrawn speaks for the first time in a while. "Maul's intentions are a mystery to us."

"That's him though." Kallus points out.

Six men escorted a sealed crate from that ship, parked in Port Ensenada directly to the third van in the convoy we're tracking.

"Maul's strike team is an hour and fifteen minutes out from Los Angeles sir." An unknown voice informs him.

"Ezra, what do you think?"

I shrug, then peer at the screen for Sabine's house. "I don't know sir. Maul is still too far out to discern what his target is."

"His quote, 'finish the job' would suggest that he is aiming to complete the mission he left undone, purposefully from when he attacked in early June." Thrawn thinks aloud.

"Any idea what that would be?" Palpatine lobs it to me.

"Me."

"Or young Mira. Or Miss Wren." Master Kenobi adds on before I pull my phone back out of my pocket.


(Hours prior)

"You coming to this party tonight?" – Sabine

I reply "Yeah, that's the plan. Why, what's up?"

"I'm not going to let myself get distracted by Ryan and his Greek friends tonight. I wanna hang out with you. I miss you."

(End Flashback)


My mistake of making Sabine my home screen and Mira my lock screen continues to haunt me.

Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I try to ignore the social media notifications that have been staring at me all day.

Radio silent. All day. For all intents and purposes, I don't exist today online.

In the event that that's how Maul's tracking me and is planning his attack.

"Remind me why we're monitoring this fraternity house again?" Palpatine says, something like disgust in his voice.

I sigh and lean back, disguising it as a stretch before Windu answers. "Young Bridger's friend, Miss Wren has been interested in a man who lives in that house."

"Is Ezra interested in Miss Wren?"

"What I want doesn't matter. And besides, she's mad at me for losing her beskar."

"I didn't get a chance to discuss that with you Ezra when we saw each other last, but I'm sorry she yelled at you. It's wrong and she was out of line. You did everything in your power to stop Maul."

Still got beat.

"Thank you, Mr. President."

"We're not closing the door on the idea that Maul has a social media mole and is using that to track Ezra and his closest friends."

Palpatine's social media czar speaks up. "I've reached out to Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit executives. They've swept all the accounts you gave us on that list: They didn't find anything suspicious."

They could just be stalking me thru burners.

As much as I hate to admit it, I don't know everyone who follows me. I don't accept everyone, but I do most USC students, friends from football, soccer, etc.

Not to mention Sabine and her thousands of followers because she's Ms. Popular.

"—can be disguised online." Alexandre volunteers for maybe the first time.

Palpatine counters "Who is that?"

"The LA Temple's R&D head, Alexandre." I elaborate for him, causing A to turn back.

I smile at him before Palpatine observes "Ahh, excellent."

The box where Maul's convey is still driving on the 5 pops up another small white box.

1:00.

I'd better get going.

It's going to take time to get dressed, get to my car, and drive to the house. It's out near Calabasas.

"Masters…I should probably get going." I speak up, voice coming out even before the room looks to me and I see the holo screens move as well.

"Very well then." Windu turns as he replies. "You know the timing of this better than anyone."

"We'll be monitoring you from our end. LAPD, multiple strike teams as well as three of our battalions." Master Tano looks to me.

I know Rex and Zeb are in on this somehow, haven't had time to look into it. And if it gets to that point they'll personally get involved and answer questions later.

"If anything meaningful changes, we will notify you." Master Plo adds.

"Thank you, Masters. If I may, I'd like to request you add the flexibility for one of my contingency plans. Whichever one you think is appropriate."

The majority of the Council's focus intensifies on me before Palpatine asks "Contingency plans?"

"We can explain in a moment." Windu answers shortly.

"Do you think that will be necessary?" Master Jinn asks without judgment in his voice.

"Not sure Master," I reply honestly. "But if I cannot keep my head when I see Maul again…we should probably be prepared."

The room falls silent, broken up only by the speaking of A's chair as he turns and types something rapidly into a keyboard and the chatter on DC's end of the holo feed.

"We'll begin preparations. Go, we'll decide which one is most appropriate." Windu orders me.

"Yes, Master." I nod, then bow my head. "May the Force be with you."

"May the Force be with you…young Bridger."

"And good luck!" Kallus calls out to me.

I smirk at the gesture and intent behind it, then turn and start out the door towards the corridor and Temple at large.

Go. Go, go, go.

Don't waste time, don't do anything unnecessary.

Focus…you're on the clock.

This may be a party…but I'm working.

My footsteps echo in the completely deserted corridor, sans a lone Temple Guard armed with his lightsaber. Allowing me to pass, I only get a solemn nod and no words before I continue on my path.

My clothes and shoes are already hung up in my locker downstairs. I—

My phone vibrating in the pocket of my robe induces me into pulling the phone directly into my hand.

Tommy – 1 New iMessage

"Hey, got a message from the boss for you. It'll be incoming after you respond to this."

I type back "okay" and continue walking, taking a turn and starting down the main staircase—

Tommy – 1 New iMessage

"Ezra. In the event that all of this bears no fruit, I hope that you can enjoy yourself at this party tonight. You deserve a night of relaxation and rest. But if it is not…I want you to know that myself as well as my entire administration stands behind you. As does this country, if they knew what was unfolding currently. Your discretion would be very much appreciated if this situation does go south. Do not hesitate in your efforts to stop Maul and his associates from accomplishing their goal. Trust your instincts, your feelings, and your judgment. From the way the Jedi speak of you, that is part of what makes you special: Utilize that to your advantage. Tact and stealth would be ideal, but do not consider the outside consequences if this gets out to the public. The concern isn't me, or my campaign, or any of that. It is your health and safety, your friends, and that of those around you. Good luck…we'll be rooting for you on this end."

I exhale deeply, then attempt to release more tension out into the Force.

Keep going. Almost there, then I can change and get to my car.


(Thirty-Five Minutes Later)

The indicator on the map on the left lens of my glasses displays Maul's location as just having passed Commerce as I—

Rubber on pavement and the sound of a car driving by pulls my attention for an instant before I reach out into the Force—

Don't feel him.

I release my tension out into the Force, which accepts it readily before I take a breath and cross the street and close in on the house where the party is already going.

Nice house. Three stories, and looks like a closed backyard. There are many ways in on this end and in the neighborhood beyond a fifteen-foot high fence past the backyard of the house I'm headed to, as well as the neighboring houses.

The building plan seems to have created an alley beyond some of them, starting with an open plot of land five homes down.

Party music pitches up as the front door opens, casting the group on the porch into sharp relief for an instant before the door closes again.

I cast one more glance at the information on the lenses of my glasses, disguising the motion by slipping behind the parked cars in the driveway before pulling the glasses off and hanging them in the 'V of my v-neck t-shirt.

Breathe.

Exhaling, I steel my nerves then start sliding in between the parked cars before taking the left onto the sidewalk and towards the house.

Taking the middle stair, the group on the porch parts as one of them is playing guitar and singing along—"Excuse me."

"All good bro." A guy I don't recognize says a moment before I pull open the door and step inside.

Red cups, electronic club music, and people everywhere greet me as I toe the door closed behind me. The song playing on what must be multiple speakers sings of bottles, models and—

"Bridger!" Somebody yells, and I glance that way and spot somebody from football who gives me a wave.

The living room is relatively open. That's good, stairs are—

"Bridger!" Another calls out and I smile, sliding past the stairs that lead to the upper portion of the house. Probing out, I detect Matt, Jaicey, and Sabine here on the ground floor, deeper into this party.

At least it's not so packed that you can't move. I've been at those parties, they're lame.

You end up just standing there, making casual conversation and vogueing with those around you while feeling increasingly self-conscious.

At least I do.

Somebody else calls out my name, inducing another turn and smile outta me—"There's my son! Hey!" Trey yells as I drift over.

I know what he's doing.

The ping pong ball in question gets flipped to me as Trey informs his counterparts across the table "—community shot, he's got me." He then turns to me. "You got me?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" I make a face at him then pivot, line it up and yell "Kobe!" before letting it go—

Yup.

My shot finds all water and Trey's foe can't finger the ball out in time before everyone surrounding the table lets out a cheer.

"KNEW IT! MY BOY!" Trey exclaims, coming in for a bro hug. "Good to see you."

"You too Smoke." I return the hug.

"Heyo, you two are retired." Flem appears, blonde hair flopping everywhere while also smiling. "What up EB?"

"Just got here." I smile at him before he massages my shoulder affectionately.

"Already bailing me out." Trey amends my statement before turning to somebody I don't know. "No offense."

"None taken." He replies as I extend a fist for him to bump, which he does. "I can't hit shit right now. Thanks, man."

"My pleasure." I nod in his direction. "Drinks in the kitchen? I forgot to bring mine."

"All good, softball made jungle juice." Trey nods, and I turn to slip into the kitchen. "Oh, and she's outside."

Flem sends an elbow my way that I dodge, then smirk Trey's way to indicate that I heard him before his partner clanks another shot—

"4-3!" The opponents call out the score as I duck past a group of gossiping girls I don't know.

There we are. Ice, jungle juice, and some water I can disguise myself with…

Grabbing a cup, I scoop up two-third ice then tuck my cup underneath the water dispenser built into the kitchen as one group enters thru a small entrance to my right. They're replaced by the same number, keeping the crowd here in the kitchen around the same size.

I don't know where the cameras could be. I know they're somewhere though, I'm not stupid.

I reach out using the Force and feel Matt, Jaicey, and Sabine all out somewhere in the backyard before I grant myself enough freedom to slip around the beer pong table and out the door to the backyard.

Nice backyard. There's a group playing cornhole, some others mingling near an extinct fire pit. A rope swing with a tire hanging from it is accompanied by a hammock—Incoming.

Feigning a turn, I see Sabine as she comes my way smiling. "Hey."

"Hey yourself." I tease her, just as she comes within hugging distance. Sabine doesn't reply, instead opting to bury herself into my arms for a hug before squeezing me, but not too hard.

"Missed you. Good to see you. How are you?"

We've seen each other a few times. But each one has really been dominated by Ryan.

Met him last week when she first got back, then she got swept away at a party a couple of nights ago. So although I've seen her, she keeps on being accounted for.

"Good, chilling." I say, then sip my water and probe out. "How'd practice go?"

She's relieved I'm here.

"Fine, Weber's concerned about everyone's conditioning but mine. Benefits of being a camp counselor all summer—"

There's Matt.

Matt concludes his conversation across the backyard and— "Hey, let's get a picture. I don't have one of you and your hair. I'm so glad you grew it out."

You've already said this. You only have so many beats to go to right now.

So you keep playing them.

"Okay." I fake giving Sabine permission as her phone's already halfway out for the selfie of the two of us.

Sabine shuffles around, tucking her hair behind her ear as I line myself up in the shot and smile—

No, go goofy.

"Smile!" Sabine orders me, an instant before I flip and stuck my tongue out. The flash goes off, and—"Ezra!" Sabine laughs before putting her head into her phone, presumably to post the photo.

"Nice photobomb." Matt jokes once he's within earshot. "Getting yourself is a new one."

"Nah…" I shake my head, then dap Matt up. "How goes it?"

"It goes." Matt shrugs before Sabine types something and her head pops back up. "Glad to see all is right with the world again."

Implying Sabine and I, together at last.

"Right?" Sabine agrees with Matt before looping her arm around me and peering up.

Don't fall for it. You felt her at those other parties. She's interested in him.

The song switches in the background as I roll my neck to release some of my tension before reaching out with the Force.

"So where's Jaicey and JJ?" I question Matt, keeping Sabine's eyes on me before sliding my hand into my pocket.

Probe.

Picking up the same, subtle change in the Force "—upstairs playing Beerio Kart. She won her first game but JJ called and pulled her off the sticks."

"He's not here?" I ask just before my phone—"Sorry."

Shit. I jumped at my phone vibrating.

"All good." Matt brushes off my movement. "No, he had a bad shooting day at the gym. So he got some more shots up before going to catch a shower. He'll be here soon."

"There's no line for cornhole." Sabine suggests to me.

No. I need to see what that's about.

I probe and conceal it by pulling my phone out of my pocket and rotate it while the song switches and an electronic beat drops, oscillating before talking about how 'this woman is my destiny'. "In a minute," I reply to Sabine. "I want to go see Jaice's next race."

Mario Kart is one of the few games she plays. There's a reason JJ keeps a GameCube at his house.

Sabine's expression drops as the song goes on about shutting up and dancing with me before Matt volunteers "That'll be a trip."

Jaicey never goes hard at parties, she's usually the one taking care of one of us, if not somebody on soccer.

"Yeah." I say then throw in a laugh before smiling at Sabine "I gotta see this. I'll be right back."

"Okay!" Sabine replies, cheer injected into her reply to the point that it's noticeable before I turn away.

I fist bump Matt then start towards the house as Sabine's disappointment is nearly tangible thru the Force. As I walk back towards the house, I casually look at my phone.

Ahsoka – 1 new iMessage

"Diverted off near Echo Park. Back on the highway, going NW."

Towards me.


(Twenty Minutes later)

Another turn.

The crowd surrounding Jaicey and somebody from baseball I think that came in way too cocky continues supporting both drivers. Meanwhile, on my phone, the little blue dot keeps on progressing.

They took the Valley Village exit and just passed Sherman Village. They'll be coming up on…

I swipe on my phone before glancing up for a half-second and seeing Jaicey still in the lead. "You got this Jaice…" I call out before probing the Force again.

Tighter.

"Remember! You gotta finish your beer before you finish the race!"

"I told you Sherbet Land was a great choice!" A girl supporting Jaicey says as the baseball guy gets smushed by one of the floating rock things with faces, causing Jaicey to drop her controller and—

Everyone in the room cheers as Jaicey takes a huge draft of her beer then sets it down and continues in her race.

She's in the lead.

My phone vibrates in my hand, pulling my attention back to it.

"Passing Westfield Fashion Square now."

"Verified by multiple LAPD cars. Loose, quiet follow."

This cannot be happening.

The race on the TV continues as Jaicey hits a series of turns perfectly, followed by her opponent driving right into a snowbank.

"—go go go go go!" The room chants at Jaicey as she drinks more then picks her controller back up.

If they turn at Castle Park I have a problem.

I remember flying by that exit on my way here. There's a high school football field with its lights shining nearby, almost obscuring the Whole Foods sign that's right off the highway.

Which is saying something.

I'm not ready for this.


"I've taught you all I can, for now. You are ready, my son. Before you, they don't stand a chance. You cannot lose, as long as you maintain concentration. Remember:—"


Dad's words from my very first assassination bounce around my head.

This is happening. Focus.

But how? What could have possibly tipped Maul that he should come here? Not just California, but causing him to leave the safe harbor that protected him as the entire world is—

My phone vibrates again before Jaicey mistimes a drift and—"SHIT!" She exclaims loudly before seizing upon the momentarily black screen to down more beer.

Breathe.

I exhale, the breath coming out steady before I shift on the couch and probe out.

Tighter still. But nobody in this room is paying any attention to me.

I might as well be invisible.

1 New iMessage

"332 Company en route to Northridge. ETA fifteen minutes." – Rex

"Car is still secure." – Ahsoka

Fifteen minutes. Castle Park is twenty minutes out from this spot.

I peer back down at my phone as the dot continues moving closer and closer—

Yeah. They're taking that turn.

They're coming here.

I've got to go.

Urgently, I get to my feet and wave my hand to disguise the room to my movement. The action works a little too well as Jaicey—"DAMMIT!"

Her opponent drives off into a lake as Jaicey picks her car up out of the snow trap and begins driving towards the finish line.

Lap 2/3. Homestretch.

My phone lights up again with a message notification. "Excuse me, I'll be back." I say blankly to somebody who is watching the race and standing in the doorway. The person, who I don't recognize mumbles a reply before my seat on the couch is stolen by two softball players, one of whom sits on the other's lap.

I'll lie and say I'm getting another drink.

I exhale, then rotate my wrist and feel the Force continuing to constrict itself, very slowly all around me.

I need a visual. I need high ground.

I saw a porch that overlooked both the backyard and was high enough to see over that massive fence.

I'll go there.


(Matt Saracen POV)

Reaching the second-floor landing, I poke my head into the game room and see—

No Ezra.

Jaicey is chatting with somebody on the couch, pink in her cheeks before spotting me and giving me a smile and wave.

Hi.

Distracting Jaice with a smile, I peer back and hear footsteps—

"Is Ezra in there?" Sabine asks, making her way up to the same landing.

"No, I bet he's in there." I point across the hall to where some people are playing slap bag and darts.

Wyatt's in there. He'll know Ezra.

"Wyatt!" I cross the landing and poke my head into the room. "Is EB in here?"

"Nah." The offensive lineman shakes his massive, square head. "Think he went out to the porch. He was looking at his phone."

Sabine makes an impatient noise I ignore before smiling at Wyatt. "Thanks!"

"Where's the porch?" Sabine asks, peering around.

There are like four hallways leading off the stairs.

"Think…this way." I guess, then start down the right hallway that would logically lead to the outside before finding a bedroom—

Sabine darts right past me and pulls at a glass door that leads out to the porch. The door doesn't budge, only for Sabine to grunt out a nasty swear word before pulling at the door again, unsuccessfully before pulling back the plastic shades and knocking pointedly on the glass door.

Damn Sabine, you really must want Ezra to play cornhole with you.

Sabine smiles widely and waves before motioning towards the door. "Can we come out?!"

Ezra must say yes because Sabine smiles and steps back before Ezra comes into view for a split second—

Something's up.

He's standing too straight.

"—just get that car here. I'll get things handled here then move out." Ezra's voice floats to us after he opens the door for us.

"Why are you hiding up here?" Sabine asks as I step onto the porch overlooking the backyard.

Great view.

The warm summer air buffets me as Ezra replies "Sorry, work called. Had to take it."

"No you don't…you're at a party, Ezra." Sabine gently chastises him, stepping forward and smiling at him.

Yeah, she's still walking on eggshells around him.

She knows that he's still pissed at her. As he should be.

He's played it chill, being civil and polite with Ryan. Even driving them home from the last party we were at.

"Can't ignore a work call. Besides, I need to talk to you about that."

Talk about what?

Sabine repeats back my words back to him before Ezra replies "Well, I'm sure you know I'm supposed to protect you? After…the attack?"

Uh oh.

"Mom said that the Jedi assigned you to me as my bodyguard and protector when I got here though—wait, is that why you've kept your distance?"

Protector?

"No, I've been in a crappy mood." Ezra sighs and looks to the sky for an instant. "I'm trying not to take it out on you. Anyway, Sabine—"

"Ezra, you gotta trust me enough to be mad at me!" Sabine cuts him off. "You avoiding me isn't going to fix things between us. And I told you—"

"That doesn't matter right now Sabine!" Ezra cuts her off right back as the door opens again and Jaicey steps onto the porch.

"Hey, what's going on."

"—shouldn't say this, but I've been tracking some of the same people that attacked in June. They're close, I think they're coming here." Ezra explains. "Now I called you an Uber, I need you to—"

"I'm not going anywhere, Ezra! If you're in danger, I'm facing it with you. Together."

"What danger?" Jaicey asks, looking completely lost.

"Not not Jaicey!" Ezra snaps at her, his face beginning to show his frustration at Sabine. "Sabine, now isn't the time to argue with me, I can explain everything later. I just need you to listen to me right now."

"Of course I'll listen to you, Ezra—"

Jaicey forcibly gets my attention by grabbing my shoulder. "What the hell's going on?"

"I dunno, Ezra said—"

"—I'm not giving them the chance. They're closing in and there is a small window in which I can sneak you out of danger. So I'm doing it. They're either coming after you or coming after me."

So he's making them choose him over her.

"You're sacrificing yourself?" Jaicey blurts out.

Ezra turns and has an expression I've never seen before, almost insulted. "I'm not sacrificing anything. I'm removing her—" Ezra jerks his head to Sabine. "—from the board."

"You can't order me around Ezra!" Sabine frowns at him. "I'll do what you want me to if you really think it's right but you're not my parents. You can't boss me around."

Ezra lets out a very heavy breath then pointedly turns away from Sabine and glances at the sky while rotating one hand and brushing his hair back with the other.

He's stressed the hell out.

"Sabine, maybe you should listen to him." I throw out, to try and break the suddenly forming ice between Ezra and Sabine.

"Where's all this coming from?" Jaicey adds. "What the hell?"

"Ezra said he's been working on this for a minute." I fill Jaicey in.

That's why he keeps dipping out to go downtown. To 'work'.

For the Jedi.

"—I'm sorry but this is not a democracy Sabine," Ezra says, frustration still seeping into his voice. "I've got a job to do, and the first step of that is keeping you safe."

"Ezra—" Sabine counters before Ezra pivots and peers out, past the fence separating this neighborhood from the next. "You sound like you did before…that whole UCLA thing. And I can't bear the idea of you out there again by yourself—"

"I won't be by myself." Ezra bluntly answers. "I'm afraid this whole party's gonna get wrecked." He looks to Jaicey and I and say "I'm sorry. I really am."

"You're putting too much pressure on yourself, Ezra! The whole world doesn't fall on your shoulders!" Sabine chastises him, causing Ezra to roll his eyes, then his neck, and bend down to tie his shoes. "Please, come downstairs and play some—"

Sabine motions with her hand right as Ezra moves his head and the two collide—

OH—

"Sabine!" Jaicey yelps as Ezra—

Ezra's shoulders lock right up, just before I see the muscles in his forearms go rigid and his jaw set.

Uh oh. She pissed him off.

"I didn't, it was an accident! I was just making a motion—" Sabine says, sounding desperate as Ezra is stock-still for a moment, then blinks and ducks his head down and begins—

Oh. She didn't piss him off. He's okay.

Ezra begins tying his shoes at a lightning pace

Jaicey is still bitching out Sabine, as Sabine is looking at Ezra. "I'm sorry Ezra, it was an accident. I didn't—"

Ezra inhales audibly, then stands…

Whoa. Hey now.

Ezra rises up to his full height and exhales before taking a single step, looking furious, and glowers down at Sabine.

Sabine falls silent as Jaicey is still going on about the accidental contact between she and Ezra before—

Or…maybe she did piss him off.

Ezra stares right thru Sabine, their height difference comical before Ezra almost snorts like a bull and shoots Jaicey and I—

Whoa, what happened to his eyes?!

They looked—yellow-tinged.

That's not right, his eyes are blue.

Pivoting hard, Ezra stalks away from Sabine and strides right to the edge of the balcony, pulls his sunglasses off his shirt, and slaps them onto this face.

"No." He says, seemingly to no one. "I'm fine. Status?"

"Who is he talking to?" Jaicey asks.

Ezra either doesn't hear her or ignores her before turning enough for me to spot an earphone in his ear. "Thermal."

"Ez—" Sabine finally snaps out of it and makes a move for him before both Jaicey and I stop her.

"No, he's working right now. He's fine, he's alright."

I think so. I think he is okay.

I think Sabine pushed him violently into Jedi mode. That's all.

"What are you doing?" Jaicey asks as Ezra grips the balcony ledge tightly.

"…Leading." He says, a dark note in his voice before turning away from us fully.

"Looks like they're getting ready." He says to whoever is in his ear before pointing out into the darkness. "Two teams…it's the smart play. One team to extract the person and the other to extract the team as well as insurance."

Person?

"Insurance?" Jaicey asks weakly, causing me to glance back at her restraining Sabine.

Sabine isn't trying to get away, instead looking petrified before I hear "—That's Maul."

"That's who?!" I blurt out and whip back around to see Ezra looking out at one spot in the darkness.

"We're out of time. I'll get them going then move to intercept." Ezra states to whoever is in his ear before whipping his sunglasses off and turning back to us.

"We're out of time. They're coming, and she's gotta go." Ezra informs Jaicey, leaving no room for questions before turning to me. "Matt, I need you to escort her to the car downstairs and make sure she gets out. Then—"

I—

"I can't—" I fumble out while my heart is suddenly violently trying to escape as panic starts to set in before I feel a cold wind hit me.

I can't do this!

"—get your big ass offensive and defensive linemen. Get everybody inside the house. Don't let anybody go out, especially if all hell breaks loose."

"I can't—!"

Ezra closes the gap between us, grabs me by the collar, and lifts me to his height. "Listen to me you're a soldier now!"

"I need you to get her downstairs and everybody inside this house. Or a lot of people could die." Ezra states before heavily dropping me.

His eyes are yellow.

"Get inside." Ezra collects us in one fell swoop and pushes us towards the glass door. "Oh! And Sabine?"

Jaicey and I both turn back, as well as Sabine who looks like she's trying to find words to say. "Cheer up!" Ezra barks at her. "I'm sending you to Frat Ryan's house, where you two can consummate things and live happily ever after. You don't have to be afraid of me, or your feelings for him anymore. You love him, I already know."

What—

"Go." Ezra puts his hand in my back and forcibly moves all of us inside the threshold of the house before slamming the door and somehow locking it from the outside.

Footsteps thunder up the stairs before Flem, another one of my offensive linemen shows up at the foot of the stairs.

"Hey Matt, Sabine. Your car's here and waiting for you." He says.

Instinctively, I shove Sabine. "Get her into that car, and don't let her get out. That's an order, please bro." Flem nods once before guiding Sabine down the stairs.

What in the hell is going on?

Jaicey turns to me. "What's happening? What the hell was that?!"

"I don't know," I reply honestly. I've seen this before, at football practice. Sometimes you have to push people to get to a place. And I think—I think she shoved him there."

"I don't think I like that Ezra." Jaicey replies. "I'll start up here, you go talk some fucking sense into him out there. The hell was he talking about?"

I shrug helplessly at her while stumbling back towards the glass door.

What the hell am I going to say that's gonna stop him from—

"Hey Ez…"

What the—hell?!

The porch is completely deserted, with nobody standing up here at all as the music from the bags games below continues.

No idea. They have no clue.

Despair overwhelms me as the chilly wind hits me again before Jaicey's head pokes thru the open door. "Wha—Where the hell'd he go?"

I have no idea.

(End Matt Saracen POV)


"Gushhh…shhhh…"

With an effortless Push, I stride out of my car, tucked away from the street and dart behind a fence to keep out of view.

They're here. Fanning out to secure their victory.

That's not gonna happen.

Information continues streaming down the sides of both lenses of my mask before I catch my own mechanical breathing, feeding me with oxygen before I feel one of Maul's associates nearby.

Quick and quiet.

The first one dies, simply for Maul daring to try this.

Keeping my profile low, I cover multiple lots and homes while doing the mental math.

Six men can fit in the back of those vans. Another one, plus the driver. Thirty-five, plus drivers.

Plus Maul.

With any sort of luck, the Jedi Strike Teams can take out a few of them, allowing me a modicum of wiggle room.

The first two of Maul's men, dressed in dark clothing and standard rifles come into my sights, footsteps lit up like the fourth of July thanks to the night vision capabilities of my mask.

Go time.

Looping around the last house, I outflank these first two as they slowly attempt to advance towards the audible house party—

Impaling the first one, the other one turns back in time to get knocked out cold before I grab them both with the Force and tuck them behind a pair of trash cans, out of sight.

"Two down." I report.

"332nd inbound. Go go go!" Rex's voice finds my ears.

Now, who is next…?

Reaching out with the Force, the next signature sings to me about thirty or so feet away, bordering the fence and the alleyway.

You're next.

Casting my gaze at the light across the street, the bulb goes dark ass if controlled by somebody before I dash across the street towards my new prey.

"Careful now…we're close." My aural sensors pick up, and Twos transcribes their words in real-time.

"Team Two what's your status?" The other of the duo asks.

They're gone.

"Team—Aauugh!" I leap in, slicing off the radio hand of the operator before knocking him out. His companion moves to fire on me, raising his weapon before I snap my wrist and the gun butts up against his forehead, knocking back before I stab him I the chest, dropping him.

Should be out of—

"Did you hear that?" Another voice asks.

You.

Across the fence.

"Stay right where you are dammit. I—" Another one of Maul's men orders…someone as I leap into the air and clear the fence with ease.

Hostages?

I slice the first one and cut thru the second before he has a chance to harm the innocent homeowners who just—

No no…don't scream…

I wave my hand at the family of three, whose lives I just saved. "Shhh…go inside." I say, then snap my fingers and wipe their memories of the entire ordeal.

You don't need to know that.

The family silently obeys my commands as I say "Mark Two, family, in the backyard. Can we jam all radio transmissions?"

"On it." I hear Alexandre's voice say before waving open the gate.

Oh hey, there's a black van.

With an easy Probe, I deem the van empty before slicing the two tires facing the street before—"Hey!"

Shouldn't have yelled.

The yelling one freezes up as I'm on the follow-through before I pull my dagger out of his throat and back into my sheath effortlessly as the Force rewards me with a rush of pleasure.

So right…So…natural.

"Hey Ov—" Maul's next man starts before I cleave him and he falls to the ground, dead. Tucking both bodies beneath their black van, I Probe out again.

He's close…shit.

The Force answers with a Probe of Maul's making. Inhaling, I enmesh myself into the Force and evade the Probe…

Yes.

Maul's questioning follows, flowing thru the Force as I go after his Force Signature.

"Maul one click away. Standing by to engage." I inform the Temple.

C'mon.

"Engage when ready. 332nd and Strike Teams capturing Maul's forces now. LAPD is securing the Northridge neighborhoods." Master Windu's voice drifts into my ear.

I'm ready.

Been waiting for this since I got out of the bacta.

Maintaining stealth, I sidle in between two houses on the next street over. Their occupants' life signs flow right to me as they continue going on with their night as I also detect Maul, and one other—

"Tell all forces to hold position." Maul's voice drifts to me.

A higher-pitched, male voice replies. "Copy, but wouldn't that…" A small beeping sound chimes out, loud enough for my sensors to pick up. "We're being jammed."

"We're being what?"

Now!

Stepping out into the alleyway, I pull Maul's feeble imitation of Alexandre to me and catch him by the back of the throat.

"When you get jammed up…" I call out to Maul as his associate squirms desperately.

Oh stop it.

I snap my fingers dismissively and drop Maul's attendant, causing him to fall right to the concrete. "Don't mention my name."

You're lucky I want him alive. I want to know how you did this.

"You…you have a party to attend, young one."

"Something else came up." I call back. "The girl's gone. Sent away. It's you…and me."

Maul's face tenses before I allow myself a moment of triumph.

He was going after Sabine.

"I see that the Loser Sith Lord…needs one final lesson." Maul muses, hood still obscuring most of his features before pulling his 'cane' into his hand.

"I'm pretty good at lessons…this won't last long."

Maul's eyes bore into my mask before he grits his teeth. "You…have ruined my delicately laid plan."

"I like ruining things." I taunt him while pulling my lightsaber into my hand and activating it, blade down.

"Tell that to your so-called friends…and their corpses!" Maul screams before leaping out at me.

Bad move!

Reaching out, I grab something random from the closest yard and fling it at Maul. The item catches him in mid-air and sends him flying directly a fence.

"C'MERE!" I yell before detecting that the house is empty and running right at him. I unleash a heavy two-handed chop that staggers Maul before he gathers himself in time to get punched in the face.

That felt good.

Urgently, Maul flashes his lone blade up to stop me and I counter with a simple poke at his defenses. Maul windmills his blade around and—

"AHHHH!" He yells, clutching at the top of his head, where the remnants of his horns are now smoking and lopsided.

No mercy.

Straightforwardly, I close the gap to the downed Maul and punt his stupid head as hard as I can, sending him airborne into the house in question, breaking the living room window, and causing an alarm to start loudly blaring.

I hand Maul the time to pick himself out of the glass and strut into position to block him from advancing. "You might want to use your extra blade this time. Final warning."

Maul lets out a feral growl before reaching towards what must be an earpiece. "Converge on the house!"

NO!

Attacking Maul with a slice towards his head, Maul blocks it and spins away from me, retreating toward the street. "Anybody hear me? All forces—"

"Are either dead or captured. Surrender…or die." I give Maul the ultimatum.

I want to kill you.

You took my friend, you took my girl, you took that trust…

YOU'LL DIE…for that.

Maul yells and swings at me. I block the single blade before Maul finally activates the other one and swings it at my ankle.

Somersaulting, I avoid the blade before batting his riposte at air away. I counter with a chop while also finding the hilt.

Know where the hilt is. The dual blades cannot go anywhere the hilt cannot go.

Maul stonewalls my chop and pushes my blade off mine physically—

Oh? Do you really think you're stronger than me?

"…Shhh…" I exhale, then bring down a merciless combination of a chop, block and slice that Maul has to lean back from before attempting to engage me in a blade lock.

Insulted, I shove his blade off mine so hard he falls onto his backside before scrambling back to his feet. "You are not stronger than me."

Maul doesn't reply, instead opting to flee by leaping up over the fifteen-foot tall fence into the other neighborhood.

I SAID. NO.

Pursuing him, screams ring out as I'm in the air, causing my heart to leap just before I land—

Oh shit.

We're in the wrong backyard.

Pandemonium breaks out as everyone in the backyard begins running for the house as Maul rotates his lightsaber and moves to cut down one of Matt's offensive linemen.

Blocking the killing blow, I sweep his legs out from underneath him and while he's on the ground, push him away just before—

You DO have men that escaped!

Of course the Jedi failed!

Maul's man barely has time to raise his weapon to fire before I pull first his weapon, then his throat to me, and knock him unconscious. Maul meanwhile, is getting back to his feet—

Cinder block.

Maul slices the first block I fling at him in half, then has to raise his hand to stop the second, giving me time to close the gap between the two of us and swing protectively.

Not one more step.

Panic overwhelms everything else thru the Force as Maul pivots to counter my swing with a chop. I block it with my right hand and slap his blade off mine before Maul turns to his right, my left, clearly worried about my other hand.

Cinder block.

With a snap of my wrist, I pull another one of the cinder blocks that are stacked up against the side of the backyard fence while also displaying my open palm to Maul.

"Made ya look." I taunt Maul, an instant before the block collides with Maul's head. Maul's eyes cross and he drops like a stone in front of me, clearly dazed before I open the back fence.

You're outta here. You weren't invited to this party.

Tossing Maul thru the back gate, I find his other lone associate and grab him as well, flinging him thru the open gate before advancing—

Behind me something very heavy hits me in the back, sending wood tumbling all around me and causing me to stagger a step and for my lightsaber to clatter out of my hand.

That's not Maul's people. That's…

"Gushhh…shhhh…"

YOU IDIOTS! DON'T YOU SEE WHAT I JUST DID?

Rising back to my full, lofty height I pull my lightsaber back to me as the offensive and defensive linemen that swung that wooden chair at me seem to realize what they've done and move to run for their lives.

Run. Go away.

Screams suddenly reach my ears before I turn my back on the idiots and pursue Maul's dazed—

He's not there.

WHERE'D YOU GO?!

I leap out into the alleyway and look out in time to spot Maul on top of the fence, running for his life

"Maul's fleeing!" I bark out, then catapult over the fence and bust open another gate in pursuit. "Cut him off!"

I don't catch the reply and ignore the terror behind me from the homeowners whose gate I just wrecked and stride out into—

Oh, more.

Closing my fist, I knock one of the three associates who is fleeing from me, led by Maul.

Coward. Leaving your men to fall to me as you try to save your own life.

"I—I—Lord Mau—AHH!" He calls out desperately as I deliberately walk towards him, then stomp him out and keep it moving.

Out of nowhere, a white police car comes flying into the neighborhood, sirens not blaring but lights flashing while it pulls right out in front of—

Door!

Maul's second associate gets caught heavily by the door of the police car. His final buddy turns back and sees the car before raising his weapon—

NO!

As he moves to pull the trigger, I leap in front of the opening door to protect the police officer and deflect the bullets as best I can towards the sky and the car before seizing the gun in his very hands and knocking him out with it.

Idiot!

Maul is the last one standing, only for him to already be caught in the dead-end of a cul-de-sac with the Jedi Order's white SUVs blocking off any avenue for escape.

Maul's hands are up. But his lightsaber is still in his hand.

While Maul's attention is on the Jedi in front of him, I stalk him and creep up behind, then—

"AAAUUUGHHHH!" Maul screams as I'm on the follow-through, having severed the hand holding his lightsaber.

No.

Maul falls right to the concrete, clutching at his now stub of an arm before his voice starts quivering "Mer-mer-MERCY!"

SHUT UP!

"There is no such thing as mercy." I remind him coldly, then lift him into the air using the Force then begin focusing my attention—

"Stop!" A familiar voice calls out to me. "That's enough!"

Master…Tano. Fine. I'll stop.

Indifferently I drop Maul from his height. Unable to break his fall, he careens right onto his face, where he goes limp and moves no more.

He's unconscious.

It's over then.

Glancing behind me, I see that the street is filled with LAPD police cars, officers at both sides and both doors with their pistols trained on me.

I'm a friend…

Opening my palm to them, I extinguish my lightsaber and pull out my Jedi Identification badge and flash it to them.

That action seems to push the Jedi themselves into motion and they split off, some to seize Maul and some towards me.

"Hey, you alright?"

Jarrus.

"Fine," I answer shortly then turn to Tano. "Can you tell them I'm alright?"

I'm not. But let's see how long I can play this—

NO! SHOOT ME!

"Lower your weapons men, he's alright…hold your fire." Rex calls out to them as I see Zeb emerge from one of the vans with multiple Temple Guards flanking him.

"You sure about that?" One of them calls back as about half of them do as they're told. "He just tore thru that whole neighborhood!"

Taking a deep breath in…the mask gives my breathing audio before—."…shhhh…"

"Yeah, to protect people!" Zeb calls back while two of the guards stick with Zeb. "Stand down."

The moon breaks thru the clouds above me, getting a passing glance before I hear "You alright there Blue?"

"Just glad it's over."

I—

SHOOT ME!

No. You shut your mouth, Bridger.

I'm in charge now.

Mocking him, I roll my neck as much as I can due to the bulky nature of the neck portion of the mask before—

He's suspicious.

"Blue…look at me. Eyes up."

"I'm fine big guy." I brush him off before moving to—

"Stop." He orders me, just before I hear multiple rifles get trained on my body.

Karabast.

"And if I—" I begin, before—

"SHOOT ME!"

The words eject themselves out of my mouth before I can stop them, and I freeze up.

"Take him down." Orrelios orders, just before I turn back and see—

Multiple projectiles collide with me and I peer down in time to see darts sticking out from all over me…

"NO!"


(Matt Saracen POV)

"NO!"

My strangled, panicked yell escapes me before I can stop it—

Oh please god no, don't tell me—

Beams of light come from all directions, blinding me before I stick up my hands protectively—

"FREEZE!" Multiple voices yell powerfully, and I obey by showing them my palms.

"I'm his friend! I'm…"

I think I'm his friend.

"Hold your fire." A female voice says curtly, just before a few of the beams of light dim in time for me to peek out and see the Togruta Jedi from months ago striding towards me.

I know you.

"Yeah…you know me. You're Matt." She says before more beams of light drop and another Jedi steps forward.

I know you too. You're the little kids' dad…

Kanan I…think.

"I…" I gasp, then peer out past them to where the monstrous Zabrak Sith Lord is getting handcuffed with his face down in the grass before looking to where—

Vader is lying, unconscious with his head drooping on the cement.

"Is that…Ezra?"