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happy father's day - blindrun
[Honestly? He's been here wayyy longer than he planned to be. He knew it'd be hard to escape, but it had to be possible. That's what he kept telling himself. Days turned into weeks turned into months and now? It's been over a year.
The other Inquisitors still don't completely treat him like one of them. Or maybe teasing is their way of doing so? He rolls his eyes whenever they call him "baby brother", thinking they could at least have some sense of professionalism. But everything's been going okay for the most part. As okay as it can be when you're an Inquisitor-in-training.
Except today was... well, it was something else. They were assigned to ambush a small rebel cell that was said to be working with a Jedi. It should've been easy, except for the part where it wasn't. The rebels got away and the Inquisitors had failed. Now Ezra's standing outside the Grand Inquisitor's office while the adults debrief. It's frustrating, being left out like this, but he also knows there isn't much he can do about it.]
The other Inquisitors still don't completely treat him like one of them. Or maybe teasing is their way of doing so? He rolls his eyes whenever they call him "baby brother", thinking they could at least have some sense of professionalism. But everything's been going okay for the most part. As okay as it can be when you're an Inquisitor-in-training.
Except today was... well, it was something else. They were assigned to ambush a small rebel cell that was said to be working with a Jedi. It should've been easy, except for the part where it wasn't. The rebels got away and the Inquisitors had failed. Now Ezra's standing outside the Grand Inquisitor's office while the adults debrief. It's frustrating, being left out like this, but he also knows there isn't much he can do about it.]
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Can you help me up?
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[He quickly moves to help Third Brother to stand up, and the good thing is they don't need Second Brother's help this time. He had been weird last night too...
As he helps him up, Ezra looks away, his voice quiet.]
I'm glad you're alright.
[And there's a glimmer, a spark of light in his presence leftover from yesterday.]
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yet then he feels the light again, a warm glow, and straightens up. senses sharpen and something in him recoils again. ]
This Resistance is getting stronger. [ he decides to say, wanting to divert the conversation away from his wellbeing or lack of. ] The Grand Inquisitor is going to increase our time off base. They must be crushed.
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If we can actually separate them next time, it should be easy. Without that Jedi helping them, they're pretty weak on their own.
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[ his hands fold in his lap, gaze steely as he looks to ezra. ]
Her name is Ahsoka Tano. For whatever reason, Darth Vader has taken an interest in her. He wants her brought in alive.
[ and that's the problem. no other jedi has been asked to be returned alive. it's always kill on sight. what gives? ]
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[Not like he'd actually say that to Vader's face. Er, helmet.]
You think he wants to turn her?
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[ but even that is strange. padawans like him were turned in the wake of the purges. the survivors, deemed with the potential to surpass their masters, were exposed to the truth. a truth that broke and resurrected them into the warriors they are now. but that was after the purge, and ahsoka is about the same age he is. he doesn't think she can be turned. ]
The thing about her is she's more than just a Jedi. She's a symbol. If we take her down, the resistance will crumble without her. The rest of them are easy pickings without her protection. Without her to give them hope.
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[It doesn't sound like he's listening, but he is. Just probably not in a way Third Brother would approve of. If she's gone, they'll be able to crush the Rebellion. He doesn't care for the Rebellion, considering it's what got his parents killed. But he still doesn't love the Empire either.]
When do you think my training will be complete? I'm tired of being called baby brother.
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[ the mean girls gonna mean girl. he motions a hand to his side, inviting him to sit with him at the bed. ]
The thing you need to understand is in raw power, you're already at our level. It isn't about that. The problem is you aren't loyal.
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But... he can't argue against that. He can try to talk his way out of it, though.]
I'm loyal to you.
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We serve only one master. Soon enough, the whole galaxy will serve him too. You must fall in line.
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[Perhaps he should be more grateful considering how many times Third Brother's saved his life. Unfortunately, using the dark side's done very little to fix his arrogance and selfishness.]
You've known from the beginning that's the one thing I'll refuse to do. You know my parents were rebels. You know I draw my power from my hate for the Empire. So whose loyalty is really the problem here?
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[ but... he knows ezra has some points. was he wrong to take him away? of course ezra was never loyal to the empire and he knew that, but he thought he could at least make him loyal to the dark side. to the power. but that doesn't seem to be enough because he can feel his hold on him weakening. he is strong in the dark side and there are glimmers of light he has yet to comprehend. third brother fears that faint light, and its potential to grow.
and to that end he sets a hand onto ezra's shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze. ]
You are strong, but you resist still. Why? Talk to me.
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[It's what comes naturally to him, after all.]
The Empire took my family from me. You guys might call each other brother and sister, but that doesn't make it true. Besides, it's not like you've all been very welcoming.
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[ he has a roof over his head. he has food, clean clothes, a room, and a family. ]
Do you know why we are called Brother and Sister, Ezra? It's because we have no family. None of us. We have no one in this world but each other.
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[Ephraim and Mira Bridger. Two other reasons he doesn't like being called baby brother. He'd rather be called Ezra.]
And you know you don't have each other either. None of the others would've cared if you died.
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his hand slips off his shoulder and, with new found strength, he stands. ]
Follow me.
[ and he walks out the room, sluggish compared to his usual stride, but resolute in his decision. ]
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[But other than that short quip he does as he's told and follows. Ezra kinda figures he's being taken to the torture room, but whatever, he'll get through it.]
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he leads ezra down the elevator, through the halls and arrives in one of the communication hubs. a central table with a holoprojector in the middle glows a dull blue as third brother walks over to an officer manning it. quietly he whispers something into his ear and the officer, though confused, nods and obeys. the man goes off to one of the computers and contacts the necessary parties to meet third brother's request.
third brother, meanwhile, turns back to ezra as they wait. ]
I think I understand the problem now. I should have seen it before, but it makes a lot more sense now. You lack loyalty because you have already entrusted it to your parents.
[ he leans against the central table, hands settling on the sides, leaning a little down as he stares directly at ezra. ]
You've never talked much about them, other than them being jailed for rebel activities. Tell me.
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Uh... well, I mean. They've been dead for nine years. I don't remember that much about them.
[That probably makes his obsession with them seem strange, but they are his family.]
They were nice, and understanding, and kind. Patient. They loved Lothal. I was just a kid, but they tried to help me understand just how important their work was. I honestly didn't listen back then. But their broadcasts made other people realize they weren't alone, and that if we stood together, we could fight back. Or that's what it was supposed to do. [There's a flicker of anger here as he thinks of Tseebo and the others, all too afraid to help his family. But then that flicker disappears, replaced by something very different.] I don't know. My dad made good space waffles? My mom's bracelets always made a twinkling sound when she walked.
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Sounds to me you remember more than you think. [ the small and big details. the officer who he spoke with comes back and offers third brother a datapad, circling back around the table afterward. he takes a seat on the other side and begins tapping away at the keyboard there. ] But there's one thing you've misremembered - your parents were taken to an Imperial prison, not executed.
[ such a detail would be hard to forget he thinks, so he's sure ezra has simply convinced himself that they died. ]
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[He didn't forget, he just filled in the details on his own.]
I wasn't there when the Empire came and took them. [That spark of anger returns, beginning to kindle into something bigger.] Sure, they were probably taken to a prison after that. But even a kid can tell you what happened next. The Empire doesn't just let rebel insurgents live.
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[ he can't fault the kid for thinking that. ezra, after all, has no reason to hope his parents are alive. even if they were, he would never see them again. they may as well be dead from the moment the Empire took them away.
Sir, they're requesting your confirmation.
third brother nods and pushes off his spot against the table to meet the officer at his screen. a few taps on the datapad and he hands it over; the officer tapping on it next to verify. his head turns to the monitor again, letting third brother see the details, as he makes the final approval. ]
You only get a couple minutes once the feed is on. You're not allowed to disclose your location, or ask for any personal information. Anything stupid and I cut you off.
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[But then the feed's on, answering his question for him. There's a man and a woman and although he hasn't seen them in years, even in pictures, he knows who they are. They're older now, more tired, weaker than he remembers.]
Mom...? Dad?
[Ezra asks in a small voice, like they'll disappear the next time he blinks. His parents brighten up instantly, despite the situation.]
Ezra! You're alright!
You're alive.
[His presence in the Force shines, lit anew with a hope he hasn't felt in years. The initial surprise wearing off, Ephraim and Mira notice their son's uniform and then begin to factor in the nature of this call.]
Is everything okay, son?
[All of a sudden, a wave of guilt washes over him, wanting to hide. Everything isn't okay, but...]
It will be. I'm going to save you, I promise! Where are you? Are you near Lothal?
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[ he says sharply to the prisoners, stepping over to stand behind ezra and make clear his presence. behind his parents as well ezra can see two storm troopers carrying their standard issue rifles. this may be a heartfelt reunion, but only under the heavy gaze of the empire.
suddenly he sets a strong hand on ezra's shoulder and squeezes tight. he doesn't do it as a warning to the boy though as he stares down the two past the hollow of his helmet. ]
Any attempt to exchange information will be swiftly punished.
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