Kalluzeb

Kalluzeb is the slash ship between Alexsandr Kallus and Zeb Orrelios from the Star Wars fandom.

Season 2
THE HONORABLE ONES

The crew of the Ghost end up on a seemingly deserted imperial base, only to find Kallus and his men there. Zeb and he get into a one on one fight, causing Zeb to be delayed in the escape. He makes his way to an escape pod and sets it to launch only for Kallus to find him. The two get into a fight that causes the pod to be damaged, and them to crash land on an ice moon. Kallus is badly injured in the process as the two end up passed out. When they wake, Zeb pulls his gun on Kallus, only to pause when he sees that he's injured. Instead he takes Kallus' gun and opens the escape pod. He drags Kallus out, who demands to know what he's doing, when he throws him to the ground and holds his gun on him. He had been thinking about crushing his head, but lowers his gun and says that he'd rather wait for him to heal so he can finish their fight fair and square. Kallus laughs at Zeb's idea of his friends finding them, and says that if anyone does it will be the Empire. He says that Zeb will be captured, but Zeb says that won't happen when Kallus tried to crawl towards his gun.

Zeb steps on it before he can grab it though and says that's not going to happen. Kallus says that it's going to be night soon, and Zeb taunts him, asking if he's afraid of the dark. Kallus points out that it won't just get dark, but also cold and that they're little light won't keep them warm. Zeb jokes that he though Geonosis was a desert planet, and Kallus angrily points out that they're on one of its moons. He asks how Zeb has beaten him so many times and Zeb tells him to get a sense of humor. He crawls back into the escape pod and finds a transponder, which Kallus assumes is broken. He suggests repairing it so that the Empire can find them before they freeze, when a noise sound, prompting Kallus to say that something worse might find them. Zeb says he'll take his chances with the creature, as he knows what happens to Lasat's in Imperial Prisons. Kallus says that if he cooperates, he'll get a trial, but Zeb doesn't believe him. The noise sounds again and Kallus says that he better decides soon.

Zeb gets the transponder fixed and adjusted it so that anyone can find them, and Kallus says that he might not die today. But he believes that the Empire will end up winning as more people come to their side. Zeb points out that just as many become sick of the Empire and join the rebels. Their light then goes out, just as Zeb sees an organic one. He grabs it and sees that it's warm. Kallus wants to know what he found, and Zeb isn't sure, just that it's warm. He tosses it to Kallus to warm himself, when the creature makes a noise again. Kallus asks if he really thinks he'll survive the temperature or the cold, and Zeb says that he's very quick to give up hope. He reminds him that the transponder is working and Kallus says the signal will never get through the ice. Zeb says that he's probably right and says that he'll just climb up to the surface, and places his weapon down so he can make the climb.

Kallus watches as Zeb is unable to grab purchase falls back to the ground. Kallus says he's going to end up hurting himself, but Zeb just tells him to shut up. He tries again, just to fall as Kallus laughs at him. Zeb threatens him, when the creature makes an appearance and chases after him. Kallus is backed into a corner, and is able to grab his gun. He switches between aiming at Zeb and the creature before finally picking the creature. The two fight it off, and Zeb asks what it was. Kallus doesn't know, just that it might come back. Zeb think it'll have friends with it, and Kallus says that's normally the order of things. The strong surviving while the weak parish, and Zeb asks if that's what happened on Geonosis. Kallus says that he didn't ask why the population was gone, and Zeb says that maybe he should start. He asks if he's afraid of the answers he'll get, that they were wiped out by the Empire. Kallus asks what the point of that would be, and Zeb says that if he chases the answers he'll find the truth.

Kallus says that Zeb won't get out of there without his help and Zeb points out that he's in no shape to help anyone. Kallus says that he knows exactly how to get out of there, and Zeb decides that they'll work together. He picks up Kallus' gun and examines it, and sees that he's modified it, which Zeb find impressive. He says that Kallus shouldn't have the lasat weapon though, as it's not a trophy. He then uses it to help set Kallus' leg, who is able to at least stand up with some help. Kallus says that the guard he fought gave him the rifle, and Kallus says it's a tradition where one gives their weapon to a superior warrior. Kallus says that what he did was under order, and wasn't personal, but Zeb says that what they did to Lassan, he'll never forget. Kallus tells a story of his first mission where he was nearly killed by a Lasat, and questions why he lived. Zeb says he can't judge all Lasat's that way, and Kallus asks if that applies to imperials, and Zeb says only the one he knows. Kallus offers to hold his gun for the climb, but Zeb throws it and the rest of the weapons through the hole. He says that they'll get it when they reach the top, and has Kallus climb onto this back. Kallus tells him to climb the pillars instead of the walls, but Zeb says that they'll never hold up their weight. Kallus says that they hold up the cave, when they hear the sound of the creature again. Zeb says that if Kallus is wrong he'll feed him to the creature and Kallus decides that's fair enough.

They start climbing and Zeb says that it's a terrible idea, but Kallus tells him to keep climbing. Two creatures arrive and Zeb grumbles "Karabast". Kallus is annoyed by the word, and almost causes them to fall, asking what it even means. Zeb says right now it means that Kallus is heavier than he looks and continues his climb. Kallus falls, but Zeb is able to catch him with his foot, and tells him to hold still. He then uses the gun to throw Kallus so that he sticks into the ceiling momentarily. He then lands on the creatures so that he is able to be right under Kallus as he falls, catching him bridal style. He then throws him to the top where Kallus find the gun and grabs it, just as Zeb is hanging on for purchase. It seems that Kallus is about to shoot Zeb, only to shoot one of the creatures instead. He then pulls him up and the two share a look of exhaustion before turning on the transponder. Zeb says he'd rather freeze then be eaten, as he eyes his gun, which Kallus gives back to him.

They find shelter, and try and stay warm around the rock. Kallus asks if Zeb thinks his friends will find him and Zeb says it depends on if the Empire gets there first. Kallus says that on Lassan it wasn't supposed to be a massacre, but realized that the Empire wanted an example and he took credit for it. Zeb says that he moved on from Lasan, and tells Kallus that his name is Zeb. Kallus says that he knows, which Zeb is surprised by and the reach a comfortable silence.

At some point in the night they fall asleep against each other, only to wake up and push each other away. A ship flies overhead, and they question who it belongs to. Zeb stands and helps Kallus up, helping him walk as they see the Ghost. Kallus says that Zeb's friends did find him, and Zeb says that he told him so. Zeb says that they'll treat him fairly, but Kallus says that he'll take his chances with the Empire. Zeb gives him a bow, and Kallus does the same, before Zeb returns to his friends as Kallus watches. Zeb gives one look back to Kallus before joining the rest of Ghost team as they fly off. Kallus watching as they do so.

Behind the Scenes
"Well hopefully [Zeb]'ll head to Lira San and start a family with Kallus. That'll be canon."

- Steve Blum

"From the very first time Zeb and Kallus appeared together, I joked that someday they’d become a couple and end up on Lirasan together. I had NO idea that it would actually happen! It was the greatest gift anyone had ever given me in terms of a character’s evolution. I’ve been thanking Dave Filoni ever since. The shippers went out of their minds and I wholeheartedly encourage that. Could just be buddies/brothers, but I love the idea that they could be more."

- Steve Blum

Fanon
Kalluzeb is one of the most popular ships in the Rebels fandom. Fans of the ship are often fans of "Enemies to Lovers" style pairings. The ship had a minor following that grew after "The Honorable Ones". As besides showing off their dynamic fully, it also showed a different side of Kallus that made fans want him to join the good side. Making fans more comfortable shipping him with Zeb.

After Zeb's appearance in "The Mandalorian", many fans immediately took to the internet to ask where his "husband" Kallus was. Many shippers following Steve Blum's example and believing that he was back home on Lira San watching their kids. Many speculated that Kallus might appear in that same season, or would appear alongside Zeb in one of the spin-off's.

On AO3, Kalluzeb is the most written ship for both Kallus and Zeb. It is also the second most written ship in the Star Wars: Rebels tag.

Fandom

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Trivia

 * Steve Blum (Zeb) is considered the founder and captain of the ship.
 * When the official Star Wars twitter tweeted out a video discussing Kallus' new look, Steve Blum in reply tweeted "Karabast. That’s my man...".
 * According to Steve Blum, when Kallus and Zeb end up on Lira San, Kallus becomes a gardener and Zeb becomes a hanydman.
 * The official Star Wars twitter account posted several variant cover comics, including one of Agent Kallus which was captioned, "His Pre-Kalluzeb days."