Chapter I

She never packed much since her exile to the Outer Rim, after the fall of the Republic and the execution of Order 66. In fact, the most she ever really settled was only briefly on the moon of Raada. That was until the Empire arrived and she found herself fighting in another war, all while trying to hide her past of once being a Jedi Padawan. Although she refused to be called a "Jedi", she left the Order years ago and no longer carried the title of Jedi.

Ahsoka moved from planet to planet in order to avoid being detected by the Empire. She works under the name Fulcrum and is head of Rebel Intelligence. She was given the position a while back by Alderaan's senator, Bail Organa, but the position still feels new. She trusts Bail; she knows and feels that it is in his best interests to help the galaxy and protect his daughter.

Jarvana is a very run down hotel. Ahsoka thought the location would make a perfect hideout for a few days while she relay's Imperial secrets to the Rebels. The majority of occupants in the hotel are just smugglers and traveling salesmen looking for a night's sleep. Ahsoka figured the building is so dilapidated, Stormtroopers wouldn't take any interest in making any routine searches. She's not even certain that the people in the building have valid ID's, something she certainly does not have.

Ahsoka holds down on the voice dilator button, "The Empire has decreased their defenses in order to attract Rebels. It's a trap. Once you enter the reservoir they will signal for the rest of their forces. Do not go near it."

The green Twi'lek in the hologram crosses her arms, clearly she is frustrated by the change of plan. They had been planning for weeks to pull a raid on an Imperial supply reservoir in the Lothal Sector.

She sighs, "Understood. Keep us informed on any changes. We need to resupply for another drop, and soon."

"I will search further, stay strong. Fulcrum out."

The hologram fades out and the room goes dark again. Ahsoka takes the hood off her cloak she got from Bail, her montrals that have grown since her skirmish on Raada. Thankfully though, the hood still keeps her face from being easily seen.

Ahsoka doesn't know much about the contact Bail gave her. She doesn't even know the Twi'lek's name. Bail at least provided her with her groups codename, "Phoenix". What Ahsoka does know, is that Phoenix has been active in the Lothal Sector. They have been running mercy missions to some of the planets and moons most affected by the Empire. Phoenix steals food and rations from the Imperial's and gives them to those who are starving. The Empire, however, has taken notice of the recent raids, and in turn have made attempts to capture the thieves.

She walks to the window, leans into the wall, and looks through the blinds. The streets of Tunka City are quiet at night. The Thakwaash pass the hotel with their only concern being their own business. There are humans and other offworld species, but most are just drifters that are looking to keep their distance from the Empire. The Empire does have some presence on Thakwaa, it's very little, but still enough to keep Ahsoka on her toes.

The Empire has tried before to have a military occupation on the small planet. However the Thakwaash have made it difficult for the Empire to settle in. Not that the Thakwaash necessarily hate the Empire, not that they like them either. The problem is that Thawaash tend to have unpredictable moods and have lashed out before on Imperial troops. Due to their shier size and strength, Stormtroopers are no match to them in close combat.

A small patrol of Stormtroopers stop in front of the hotel. The patrol's commander looks up at the hotel, specifically in Ahsoka's direction. Ahsoka doesn't pull away from the window, not wanting to raise the commanders alarm. So instead she looks away from the patrol and waits for them to leave. The commander waves his hand in the air motioning for the patrol to keep moving. He looks away from the Jarvana and continues on his route without giving the hotel a second look.

Typically the Empire sets up a notice of new laws and Imperial policy—set to all citizens of any planet they occupy. Thakwaa however has had no notice. There is no curfew, raise in work hours, limit in food supply, and the cantinas haven't been limited on their liquor sales. Ahsoka knows it's not like the Empire to simply overlook their policies. No, she thinks there is something more to the Empires sudden gesture of kindness. Likely they are trying to gain the support of the Thakwaash, or since there is little military on the planet, they don't want to set the Thakwaash in another mood.

Two particular people catch her eye as they walk down the street. One, a male human, and the other a Rodian, only she can't tell what gender it is. She can however tell they are distraught by something. Every now and then they look over their shoulder as if they are being followed. Ahsoka can also see a sense of worry on their face. There is very little crime and influence on Thakwaa, the planet is of no importance to the Black Sun or any other syndicate. Ahsoka rules that it must be the Empire they are being cautious about.

Still, She thinks to herself, Everyone is cautious around the Empire. But these two are acting as if they are trying to hide something.

Ahsoka decides to investigate the two strange offworlders for herself. She puts her hood over her montrals and it casts nicely over her face. At night it is near impossible to make out her face. She locks the door to her room as she leaves. There isn't anything in her room to steal, nor anything that would raise suspicion if the Empire ever decided to search the building. She has her backpack and supplies on her ship which she kept hidden in a cave not that far along the vast plains outside of the city. The cave is well hidden and far enough that if need be she can make a quick escape.

The only things she does carry with her are a holopad and voice dilator for her to communicate with Phoenix. A bag she carries at her side with a handful of credits and a couple ration packs. She is also wearing her weapons belt that she uses to carry her lightsabers. However, she left her blades hidden in the cave. She doesn't carry them unless she knows she needs to. If the Empire captured her and found her lightsabers, they would know she is a former Jedi and connect her to the what happened on Raada. All Ahsoka has for a weapon is a blaster she keeps at her side. It's mostly for show, but it's good to know she has some type of defense if ever needed.

As she walks out the door of Jarvana's lobby, she is stopped by the hotel owner. The raggedy old Thakwaash sits behind his desk and wipes the crumbs of his dinner out his hair. "I need the rest of your payment Ms. Larte." he grumbled through chewing his food.

Naturally, Ahsoka couldn't give her name when she rented a room, so she put her name down as Sonya Larte. She hopes using Kaeden's last name isn't exceeding her friendship boundaries. However considering she is safe on Alderaan and there aren't many Togruta's around named "Larte", she thought using her name this once would be fine.

"I'll get it to you tomorrow," Ahsoka assures, "I have the rest with a friend here in the city."

"You're awfully trusting Ms. Larte. A Thakwaash may one month be perfectly trusting, the next they've spent all your money."

Ahsoka narrows her eyes at him, "I trust him enough. You'll get your money, Jarvana."

Ahsoka exits the lobby and into the street. The night is calm and the air is damp and cool, and the sky is hazy with dark clouds as far as the eye can see. She can faintly hear the wind rustling through the tallgrass on the plains surrounding the city. Ahsoka looks down the street and sees the human and Rodian through a mob of Thakwaash. She follows them carefully, she doesn't want them to notice her.

The two walk into a cantina and Ahsoka goes in not long after. She doesn't stop to look around as she enters the dimly lit watering hole. She navigates around patrons who are having a drink with friends and listening to the band play in the corner. The distinctive smell of ale and smoke lingers in the air. The faint yellow glow of floor lights highlight Ahsoka's face and body. Some of the customers - male species in particular - hoot and whistle as she passes by. Ahsoka rolls her eyes and ignores their antics, she focuses on solely getting to the bar.

She sits on a barstool with her back to the two she followed in. She took quick glances at the two as she walked up to the bar, she knows they're not alone. There are two others who were waiting for them at a booth, they've deliberately separated themselves from the other patrons. One is a Thakwaash wearing a pilots jacket. The other a female human wearing the uniform liner of an Imperial walker driver, and a worn leather vest hugs her torso.

The cantina is loud with the banter of customers. Ahsoka ignores the patrons laughing and loud conversations and listens only for the group.

She finds one of their voices and is instantly filled with worry as the man says, "I think we were followed."