The cruiser wasn't the warmest place in the world, or the quietest. There was always a low murmur of a constant hum from the ship and the occasional beeping from monitors and passing droids. Padawan Ahsoka Tano and her Master Anakin Skywalker sat in the mess hall alone in what would be assumed the middle of the night. After all, it was a bit difficult to tell what time of day it could be when you're floating through dead space. The ship had taken quite a beating from a Separatist ambush not too long after their launch from Coruscant.
"I don't think there's ever a dull day during this war, eh, Master?" Ahsoka chided, clinking her fork to her plate.
"Right on that one, Snips. But hopefully tonight we'll get some much needed rest. We've been on the move for a week straight now. I was hoping for a longer stay than just a few hours on Coruscant," Anakin stretched his arms above his head as a few of his vertebrae popped.
"I've taken a nap or two here and there, but it's hard to keep a peaceful sleep when you might get blasted in the middle of it," the Togruta rolled her eyes, swallowing her last mouthful. It was the first bit of time the ship hadn't been under attack or the crew fulfilling orders, and in a weird way, it was peaceful for this quietness. Quiet except for the constant hum of engines. Quiet except for footsteps in the hall way. Anakin looked towards his apprentice who nodded her head in confused agreement. The both of them headed for the door, a hand on the hilt of their lightsabers, ready for confrontation.
They rounded the corner quietly, Skywalker with a finger to his lips indicating Ahsoka to remain silent. No one in the hallway. They silently traveled down the hall, peeking behind crates and generators to make sure no one was lurking behind them. Ahsoka raised an eye marking at her Master.
"There's nothing out here, Master. Let's go back and finish eating so we can get some sleep," there was a hint of annoyance in her voice. She started to head back, but Anakin stayed and looked around intensively. "Master?" the Padawan questioned.
"The vent. It's crooked. Look," he pointed a finger at the overhead vent. It had been put back in its place, but remained slightly crooked.
"Are you sure, Master? I've walked past this vent a few times today, and I'm pretty sure it's always looked like that," Ahsoka said, scratching her forehead.
"Alright, Snips. I don't trust it, but I'll take your judgment," he yawned. "We should go and try and get some sleep. It's too quiet to be awake," he chuckled, guiding the Padawan back down the hall.
The vent had been crooked all day, but it hadn't been yesterday. Because it was this morning that the cruiser had left Coruscant, and it was this morning that there was a stowaway in the vent system.