Epilogue

Seti Gabril sat alone in the cylinder of light that bisected the pitch black room. His back was erect, as he remained still and meditative. The folds of his robes were undisturbed as if carved in terra cotta. He wore the impassive onyx faceplate that hid any emotion.

Seti Gabril lowered his head and raised his right hand, his fingers together. The ground shook as rock began to grind on rock. Stray pebbles broke free from the distant ceiling and rained down throughout the room. The small passage in front of him opened letting in the bright light from the mid-day sun on the planet of Lothal. A dark umbrage stood in the doorway.

"I have to admit," Gabril began. "You were the last person I expected to come through."

A Rodian entered through the doorway, pushing an astromech droid in front of him. He entered the shaft of light in the center of the room. It was Cheedo.

"Well, Sleenwai and I had a way to keep everyone else busy, while I snuck around," Cheedo said with a silver smile.

Gabril stood up. "Does this mean you will now be bounty hunting full time again?"

Cheedo laughed. "No, this wasn't bounty hunting. But a demonstration for Sleenwai. And now, the new head of the pirate guild is paying me well for my hybrids. I was never in real trouble. I just had to ensure Sleenwai's competition was eliminated. This droid just added to my coffer. You see, Sleenwai rigged the hyperdrive and gave me the code to disarm it, as soon as Cotrel was eliminated, I-"

"Enough, I don't want to hear more." Gabril shook his head. He went to the droid and knelt down next to it. His fingers traced the seams of the orange head assembly. It had chipped paint and carbon scaring but maintained its integrity. "Did you turn him on?"

"Yeah, and that was a mistake!" Cheedo replied. "That is one ornery droid you wanted."

Gabril made an almost inaudible chuckle, then removed a diagnostic pad and inserted it into the droid's access port.

After a minute of sifting through the pad's analysis, Gabril unhooked it. "Looks like his operating systems are intact. Some minor ancillary damage, but otherwise he's still operational."

"Any damage wasn't my fault," Cheedo said nervously. "The droid is as old as the Old Republic."

Gabril rose up. "You need not worry that I'll skimp you on the reward." He held out a data chip. "Three hundred thousand as agreed."

Cheedo's greedy green hand swiped it from Gabril. "Thanks. Glad to be of service to you. And if you are in need of any guard or tracking hybrids, I've got some fantastic crosses."

"No," Gabril said flatly. "I believe I'm done with you."

Cheedo checked the data chip on his wrist display and was pleased with the result. "Well, if things change, I'm around." He backed out of the dark room and into the dry air outside.

Gabril raised his hand and closed the rock face behind him. He let out a frustrated exhale and removed the onyx plate. He was a man in his fifties with blue eyes, and a fading scar on his left cheek. His head was shaved, but some black hair could be seen growing in.

"I hate working with that bounty scum," he said out loud.

"Watch what you say, Ezra Bridger," a woman's voice spoke from behind him. "I was a bounty hunter at one time . . . maybe more than one time." The female figure materialized from the shadow. Her black hair was graying at the sides, showing her age. She was dressed in a form-fitted maroon jacket and synthetic gray pants that were common casual wear for Mandalorians. A blaster slept on her hip. She walked up and placed her hand on Ezra's shoulder.

"I didn't mean that, Sabine," Ezra replied with a sigh. "It's just, I-"

"I know what you mean," Sabine interrupted and gave him an affectionate side hug.

Ezra nodded and smiled as he looked into Sabine's eyes. "Well, that data chip was the last of the reward you and Zeb got from the Resistance."

"A decent expense, for a priceless reward," she returned. "To have everyone back again; the entire crew of the Ghost."

"It's been too long," Ezra said. He bent down to look at the C1 droid again. "Do you think Chopper will recognize us after all these years?"

"There's only one way to find out," Sabine answered.

"I suppose you're right," Ezra exhaled. "Let's welcome him home." He reached around the back of the head assembly and switched the droid on.

Thanks so much for reading! Love you guys.

If by this point you still haven't read Dark Jedi and you're wondering what Ezra is talking about when he mentions the reward from the Resistance, check out my Dark Jedi fiction. Or even better, check out SaphireAlena's fictions. If you liked mine, you'll love hers. Thanks so much SaphireAlena for the beta and all the awesome reviews!

I'm currently writing a Han Solo prequel. Since I now have Episode VIII, IX, and a Boba Fett movie. I might as well finish the Disney line-up for future movies. So look forward to a Han Solo prequel, Dark Smuggler, and then a Rogue One style fiction, Dark Rogue. 2017 should be fun! Check my profile for more info.

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