Whispers. Even in the farthest region of the Empire, where clones died every day, people were afraid to speak out loud about the rebellion. Rebels. The Empire holochanel had called them terrorists, anarchists. She smiled. The Emperor was so arrogant and so confident of his soldiers that he didn't care about the irony of this statement.

She sighed. She had heard repeatedly over the past 10 years since the Clone wars, about the Rebellion but 3 months ago something had caught her attention. Jedi. 2 Jedi had been leading a breaking into the Empire's most secured prison. The woman had seen the announcement about the famous Master Unduli being alive and moving to the prison. She knew the Miralan had been dead but apparently these 2 hadn't. But instead of being exterminated by the Emperor's elite force sensitive agents, they had killed him and had walked out alive.

And as she raised her head again to look at the ruble of a temple in Malachor, she felt sorrow. That surprised her but she ignored it. This hole full of rocks had most probably become the graveyard of the popular then and now Ahsoka Tano. She didn't know the kid had survived Order 66 but apparently it was not for a long and quiet life. The recording said that she was one of the rebel leaders. Stubborn as her master had been. And still it was better than succumbing to the Dark Side as he had done. It was better than just betting and winning so she can continue to exist. At least the Togruta had used her gift for something bigger than herself.

The woman was using the Force only for her need. So she could predict the next bet. A bitter laugh escaped her. The first thing the Jedi learnt was that they should not have possessions or be selfish. The first thing the Sith learnt was that power was the purpose for living. That the Force sensitive were born to rule. She had declined both. She was neither Sith nor Jedi. She wasn't even a Grey Jedi or some other class denying both orders. She didn't even know what she lived for anymore. But there was one thing that prevented her from killing herself. Fear. Fear of the anonymous, fear of leaving her race forgotten.

Her attention was dragged to a table with people playing cards. One of the men radiated shock. He had probably just lost the last of his money. But when she turned back to her drink, she found that the glance cost her much more. A blaster was pointed to her ear and she felt 3 more behind her. The man next to her was drunk. And he wanted to have fun. Despite the years the woman hadn't lost her slender body and some of the criminal junk were looking for just females like her. However, these one had brains and carried weapons. Others had learnt not to touch her, the hard way. She had their noses broken and one of the men brought to the hospital. But these knew that without something for leverage, they had no chance. And they had blasters.

She could use the cylinders, hanged on her belt but it would cause much more problems than what these thugs would do to her. Even a Force push would attract attention but she had no other choice. She was about to knock the blasters of their hands when another force pulled the weapons out of the criminals' grasp. They stared in shock at the cloaked figure that approached and then quickly disappeared. The figure lifted her hood slightly and the woman recognized her.

"So you've survived the Order. What made you come here?" she asked quietly. The people in the inn had turned back to their business but she knew she should be careful nevertheless. People, like the woman in front of her, were being hunted with fierceness by the Inquisitors. Her savior sat down and sighed. The waitress neared and a bottle of rushko was ordered.

"I am searching for the traitor. Do you know the location? I know you see each other sometimes. Which I suppose feels like comradeship. After all you both have made mistakes that you are sorry for. So am I right, Ventress?

Ventress. She hadn't been called by name for a long time. It felt….right. The former Sith nodded.

"I know where the hideout is. But although I am sure it's not the reason, I should ask if you plan to eliminate my….comrade."

Her companion nodded in understanding. Then she pointed at the holo TV.

"I know you aren't keen on involving yourself in the rebellion. But I am and I need other Force sensitive. I heard she found a boy. Is he…?" Ventress nodded. The boy was Force sensitive and her "comrade" was training him. Ventress shook her head and motioned the woman to continue. "Well, I know she made bad decisions but if she has taken an apprentice I see that as a good sign and I need to ask her."

"She will be in great sorrow, now that Ahsoka is dead." And then she saw it. A flicker of light. She breathed. "You think the kid is alive?" When she received a nod, she shook her head. "If you tell her this you risk to fail in persuading her."

"I know. But I will try."