FREEDOM FIGHTERS KANAN EZRA inside the cantina with Zeb the burly Lasat who was Ezra's friendly nemesis and Sabine the gutsy artist who was the most colorful member of the crew Ezra wished he could've joined them He longed for an ice-cold fizzy that he could sip in a dark corner away from everyone else Today was a day he'd just as soon fast-forward and forget
Can we do this another day Ezra asked We can do it now Kanan held a rock in his hand Focus Ezra huffed The sooner this stupid training session was over the sooner he could get away from everyone Just throw the rock will you Kanan tossed the rock into a patch of weeds A wild Loth-cat jumped out snarling and hissing in defense of his territory I don't think he wants to connect Ezra said You're resisting He can sense it Kanan said He can sense it What is he like a Padawan cat As if it understood the Loth cat pounced at Ezra It was a ferocious little feline all tooth and claw Ezra tussled with the beast trying to avoid being bitten or scratched You don't seem to be getting this Kanan said 5
I get that this furball is trying to kill me With great effort Ezra shoved the Loth-cat off him into the dirt Now give me your lightsaber and I'll make the connection you want Kanan gave Ezra a stare that would make a Hutt feel guilty Excuse me Ezra swallowed One thing he'd learned was that sarcasm wasn't part of the Jedi Code I just don't see the point of this The point is that you're not alone You're connected to every living thing in the universe But to discover that you have to let your guard down You have to be willing to attach to others Kanan waved a finger and smiled at the Loth-cat Within seconds the beast was purring at his feet Kanan made it appear so easy Ezra looked away resigned Then maybe I'll never be a Jedi Kanan turned to Ezra Kid whatever's going on with you you need to spill it 6
7 Spill it That was Kanan and Hera's jargon for revealing what troubled them so that another person could offer support But Ezra's problem couldn't be solved by talking because there wasn't a solution to Ezra's problem I'm sorry Kanan I don't mean to wear you out Today's just not a good day Ezra said Today Ezra grunted Empire Day As if on cue a squadron of Imperial TIE fighters shrieked through the sky Three of the hexagonal-winged starfighters broke from formation to land at the pit stop The black-suited pilots climbed out from the TIES eyeball-shaped cockpits What are so many TIEs doing out this far Ezra asked Nothing good Come on Kanan said They followed the three TIE pilots into the crowded cantina Humans humanoids and even droids packed the booths Unlike some
