* Set after the end of Season 5 of the Clone Wars. All characters and the Star Wars Universe belong to George Lucas and now Disney. No profit to me, I just imagine in this universe. So please don't sue. (I haven't any money anyway!)

The data R2 presented Anakin from the captured ship left him gaping in confusion. More cloning experiments. But this was a pirate vessel, apparently unaligned. Were they just a mercenary hire working for Dooku?

Artoo's squeal of surprise jerked him from his reverie.

"What, Artoo?"

Artoo pulled up a holo security cam. It was dated several months ago.

"It can't be. That's Barriss."

In the video, she appeared unconscious and was hauled into a cell. They'd dropped her off on a world called Dal Seven, which was basically a moon in the middle of nowhere. It made no sense.

"I'm calling the temple, Artoo. Cross reference the data with Barriss' movements before…..you know." Anakin couldn't bring himself to say 'her fall'. Or before she framed his padawan. His heart still ached for his apprentice. And he was amazed to realized how lonely he was without her. Obi-Wan on one side, Ahsoka on the other, Padme waiting at home….he had never wanted a padawan, but somehow, she had grown on him. Now she had left the order, for who knew where. He was amazed how large a hole she'd left in his heart.

Ahsoka Tano, former Jedi padawan, was already plowing through a trail of confusion. She peered at the files Lux gave her, while he stared at her in concern over a cup of juma juice. "Are you sure you want to do this? It won't change anything?"

She sighed. "No. But she was my friend. I want to know when that changed. And I don't know what else to do. It's a good a place to start as any."

"There is a gap in the data then. She was supposed to be on a mission to Anturos medical mission to deliver aid. But she showed up two weeks late. Meanwhile, she'd actually finished her previous mission early." Lux tapped his finger to the pad. The holo file rotated. "She just disappeared off world. She had no exit records. In fact, her ship is still there."

"I assumed her ship had been lost in a battle. That's what her mission debrief said anyway." Ahsoka frowned. "I think I'll check it out."

"Be careful Ahsoka. It's a big dangerous galaxy for anyone on their own. I wish you'd come with me, or go back to the Jedi."

She smiled at him, grateful for his kindness.

"I will come to you Lux. As soon as I have answers." And the fact that her friend betrayed her wasn't enough. She had to know why. Some of what she had spouted had the ring of truth. But none of it explained her framing of Ahsoka.

To be continued...