Chapter Text
I’m probably going to have to lay low for a while after this, Hera thought as she hurried across the empty street towards her destination. The surrounding area was exceptionally empty given the fact that the nightly curfew had started an hour ago. Thankfully, if she stuck to the plan and things went well, she could be back to the Ghost before the next patrol showed up. Luckily she’d been able to lie her way out of capture the last time, but she didn’t want to press her luck. Not all Imperials were stupid and gullible. Some of them were downright cruel and would delight in the opportunity to take her in.
Hera shuddered at the thought as she reached the door. She looked both ways before gently knocking. The man- Ephraim- opened it. Despite the cloak she was wearing that she’d pulled up over her head, he recognized her quickly and ushered her in. He too looked down the street before ducking back inside and closing the door behind him.
Hera surveyed the room. It had been a while since she’d last been here, but from what she could tell nothing had changed. The Bridgers didn’t have much, but then again, most people didn’t- not with the Empire in power. “Do you have it ready?” she asked, her voice almost surprising her. Since she didn’t have any crew members, her work- and life- was often solitary and quiet; there was little need to talk. It was a lonely existence, but she took what missions she could handle and did good work. It was difficult at times, but worth it.
Mira, Ephraim’s wife and the one who had caught Hera’s attention in the first place many months ago, nodded. She slipped a data card out from one of her pockets and handed it over. Hera took it and gently gave her hand a squeeze. “I’ll get it delivered as soon as possible,” she promised. Then she turned to face the door, and stopped. Movement had caught her eye from outside through the blinds. She was about to dismiss it as paranoia when she heard the transport vehicle come to a halt. Then came the voices. She counted at least three- two officers and a squad commander.
Hera cursed and whipped back around, frantically deciding between finding another exit and helping defend the Bridgers and their home. Obviously had she gone the former, she would’ve taken them with her. She would never leave helpless people to the Imperials, not if she could do something about it. But there was no other exit. Ephraim caught her arm. “We’ll distract them,” he said. “But you have to protect Ezra. He’s extremely gifted.”
The Twi’lek studied him for a moment, aware of the fact there was little time. But she made her decision and nodded. Mira slid aside the round chair on the floor, revealing a hole and a ladder. That’s new, Hera thought. But she’d ask questions later. So she went down the ladder to the bottom, where there was some equipment… and a young toddler. Mira closed the entrance. Though the lighting was dim, Hera was still able to navigate her way towards the child. I thought she was talking about a cat, not a person. She sat down next to the kid, keeping enough distance while still being in arm’s reach.
Up above, there was a loud knock at the door. Ephraim opened it to see the two officers standing in front of the stormtrooper squad. “Are you Ephraim and Mira Bridger?” one of the officers asked.
“Is there a problem, Officer?” Ephraim asked, trying to hide his wariness and fear.
“I asked you a question, Loth-scum,” the officer spat out.
“Yes, we are. What seems to be the issue?”
“Move,” the officer said, pushing past him. “Search the place for contraband,” he ordered the troopers. They swarmed in and started tossing things aside. Mira noticed the other officer remove something from his breast pocket and put it on the counter before moving on as if nothing had just happened.
“Excuse me-” she started to say.
The first officer stepped up to her and slapped her hard. She doubled over in pain, and Ephraim rushed over to support her. “No speaking unless spoken to,” the officer warned.
“Look, sir!” one of the stormtroopers had found the placed item.
The senior officer saw the item, then looked back at the Bridgers and grinned. “Well, would you look at that? Contraband.:
“It’s an Imperial data card,” the stormtrooper said.
The officer stepped closer. Mira flinched. “Now, why would Loth-scum like you two have access to an Imperial data card?” They said nothing. “Well, no matter. What we’re really here for is this.” He pulled out a holoprojector and turned it on. It played a voice recording made by them. “Now, here of course you don’t use your real names, but this is you, right?” They still said nothing. He addressed two of the stormtroopers next: “Arrest them. And make sure you give them a couple of good whacks out in the street to send anyone else thinking about committing treason a message.”
The two stormtroopers took the Bridger adults and shoved them outside the door. The senior officer took another look around before making a gesture. “Okay everyone, let’s move out.” One by one, the rest filed out. Soon after, the Imperials drove away, leaving the area quiet again.
Hera waited a few minutes before deciding it was safe enough to come out of hiding. She moved the chair aside and peeked out, and saw no signs of anyone nearby. “Hey kid,” she said, looking down at him. “We should get going. The Imperials could be back at any moment. We don’t want to be here when they do.” But he stayed still and said nothing. “Kid,” she said again. He still didn’t move.
She sighed and climbed back down the ladder to get level with him. She knelt down, careful not to spook him. “Ezra,” she prodded gently. His bright blue eyes focused on her for the first time. “I know it’s scary. But your parents asked me to look after you. You can trust me.” She gingerly held out her hand. But he surprised her by leaping into her arms. She cradled him as he clung to her. “Let’s go to my ship, where it’s safer.”