Secret Rebel Headquarters, Atollon

Rex was keeping himself busy and distracted by upgrading his weapons. Ezra barged into his quarters. "We've got a new transmission from Fulcrum ! No time to waste, Hera wants you to be at the briefing."

"Sure thing, kid. Coming." He left his old pistol on the table and made his way outside where everyone was gathered.

Everyone listened intently to Fulcrum's message. "There has been rumors about a surviving Jedi on Onderon. His or her location is unknown, but should the Empire discover this person, we'd have one Jedi less to lead the Rebellion. It would be in your best interest to convince him or her to join your efforts."

Realization hit Rex like a wall of durasteel. "Onderon ? Could it be that Ahsoka might be there ?"

Kanan stroked his beard. "Hmm. I'm not sure about that… It could be somebody else. Captain Rex, what makes you think it could be Ahsoka ?"

Rex paced around, trying to stay optimistic. "Back during the Clone Wars, General Skywalker and Commander Tano were tasked to help train rebels on Onderon so they could free their planet from Separatist occupation. Myself, as well as General Kenobi accompanied them. With the rebels was a boy named Lux Bonteri. His mother used to represent the planet in the Separatist Senate. Following her assassination, Lux represented the planet in her stead. Anyways, during the brief insurgency, Lux and the Commander seemed to be getting a bit too close for comfort. I wouldn't be surprised that she eventually found herself with Bonteri not long after she began to play a part in the current Rebellion."

"Before we head out, we should consult with Bendu. Rex, why don't come along with us ?" Kanan offered.

Rex took a speeder of his own. "Don't mind if I do, Kanan. I would really like to know if Ahsoka's still alive and what happened to General Skywalker."

Moments later, they arrived at his spot. He stirred when they arrived. "Ah, so you've brought a new friend, hmm ? I sense you have burning questions to ask."

Kanan did the introduction. "Bendu, this is Captain Rex, a veteran of the Clone Wars. We've just received a tip about the possibility of a friend having survived against all odds. Do you know anything ?"

"The one whom represents the purest of Light is alive and well. Still emotionally scarred from her vision, though…"

Rex gazed in awe at the being before him. "So you're saying the Commander is alive ? Then why didn't she come back to us ?"

Bendu scratched his chin. "Had your friend able to return on her own, she would have. But she was rescued and had to attend to her parenting…"

Ezra felt a bit of hope well up inside him. "Someone went to pick her up…. And she had kids ?! Who would've thought, huh ?"

Rex chuckled at the mental image. "Heh heh, I guess if the Commander survived the Clone War, she could survive raising a kid or two. But how does she find the time with all her missions ?"

"When you have children to look after, you make time. Perhaps you'll experience this, my friends."

Kanan scoffed. "Heh, not as long as the Empire is around. That's a risk I'm not willing to take !"

Rex changed the subject rather abruptly. "Bendu, was it ? No doubt you're knowledgeable about a great deal of things. What was that vision that scarred the Commander so much ?"

Bendu took a deep breath before answering. "You will not like it, but it is the truth, nonetheless. The prophesized "Chosen One"… By manipulation of the Emperor, he has become what he sought to fight against."

Rex backed a few steps. "What ? Are you saying General Skywalker became an Inquisitor ?!"

Kanan turned to Rex. "Worse. Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader are one and the same."

Rex's eyes widened in horror. "No… He couldn't ! General Skywalker always cared about everyone ! No way could he be that monster ! NO ! This isn't true !"

Ezra swallowed a lump in his throat. "N… now I understand why Ahsoka wanted to stay behind… She wanted to make amends for leaving the Order and him back then…"

Rex fell on his knees, crying. "Why didn't I see the signs ?! I knew that the war didn't seem to be progressing for either side… We were all… puppets… But who was pulling the strings ?"

"The most powerful man in the Galaxy remains as such." Bendu answered.

"The Supreme Chancellor ?! Yes, I remember now. When Commander Tano and I were on the run from other clones, we had heard the announcement of the Supreme Chancellor naming himself Emperor… Thus the Galactic Empire was born… He… he used us all… and even turned General Skywalker into a monster… We were all fooled pretty damn well !" Rex shook his head. "I've heard enough ! Let's get to Onderon before it's too late !"

"You will find someone… just not who you're looking for !" Bendu warned just as the trio left in haste.

Bonteri Private Residence, Onderon

Lux was in the middle of an unexpected transmission. He couldn't see the person and its voice was garbled, making it impossible to recognize. "You will be receiving a visit from the Admiral of the 7th Imperial Fleet. I suggest that if you are aiding known Jedi, they should be kept out of sight during his visit. I trust you know the consequences if you're discovered to be a Rebel sympathiser. You must act swiftly."

Mina walked into the room as the transmission ended. "Why would an Imperial Officer visit you, dad ?"

Lux grabbed his daughter by her shoulders, kneeling to her height. "This isn't just any Imperial, Mina. It's Grand Admiral Thrawn, a cold, calculating son of a Bantha ! He cannot see you at all ! I'm going to have to find a way to get you out of here before he arrives. In the meantime, help me conceal any and all evidence of your mother's presence."

The two worked together to stash away all family pictures and Jedi related items. On a drawer laid Ahsoka's old Akul-Tooth Headdress and her old Togruta Sash. In her haste, Mina forgot to take these items away. Just as they finished hiding the evidence, the door rang. Mina was about to run to the door to answer, Lux stopped her in her tracks. "No, don't answer. It could be Thrawn. Go hide in your room, quick !" He whispered.

As Lux opened the door, he was greeted with a pleasant sight. "Senator Bonteri. It's been a while, my friend." Rex shook hands with him. He was accompanied by Kanan and Ezra.

Lux breathed a sigh of relief. "Captain Rex ! Thank the Force, I thought it was Grand Admiral Thrawn. How did you sneak past all those Imperial patrols ?"

"We have our ways. We were given a tip that there was a Jedi on this planet. Do you know about this ?" Kanan made his way through the entrance, feeling with the Force.

Lux rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh… I suppose you mean Ahsoka ? Well, she left for Dagobah a rotation ago. But wait a moment. Mina, come down ! It's all right ! They're friends !"

When Mina walked down, Rex did a double-take. "Comm- No… The Commander's daughter ? I'll say this, little 'un, you're the spitting image of your mother when she was your age…"

Mina couldn't help but be amused. "Yeah, everyone that knew Mom during the Clone Wars tell me the same. So you're Captain Rex ? Mom and Dad told me a lot about you !"

"You can share stories later. Thrawn will be here momentarily. Captain Rex, can I trust you with her well-being ?"

"You saved the Commander from certain death when she was stranded on Malachor, right ? I'm more than happy to help your family. Come along, little 'un." Rex urged Mina to follow with Kanan and Ezra.

Lux made himself a cup of caf after Mina was gone with the rebels. "My nerves have been shot enough so far… I need to calm down. I need to be ready to come up with believable alibis once Thrawn starts to question me."

Minutes later, Thrawn rang the door. Lux quickly opened the door. "Grand Admiral Thrawn ? This is an unexpected surprise ! Please, do come in."

Thrawn walked inside, followed by an officer, gazing at various pieces of art for clues. "A pleasure to meet with you, Senator Bonteri. I trust that the Imperial Senate isn't giving you too much problems ?"

Lux held a chair for the Grand Admiral. "No, Admiral. Things are proceeding normally."

"Thank you." Thrawn introduces his officer. "This is Captain Slavin, he has worked with me when the Empire overtook Ryloth."

Lux offers a chair to Slavin as well. "My pleasure, Captain. Please, have a seat."

"Onto business then. Senator, there are rumors that you are offering housing for a certain former Jedi. Are these… rumors merely rumors or is there a bit a truth to it ?"

Lux shook his head. "Definitely not, Admiral. I don't know where these rumors came from, but I can assure you, my loyalty to the Empire is true."

Thrawn rose from his chair and scanned the living room. "I've been studying on several Jedi of the Old Republic. One of them I find particularly fascinating. I trust that the name Ahsoka Tano is familiar to you ?"

Lux cleared his throat. "Well, yes. She had helped free Onderon from the Separatist occupation during the Clone Wars."

Thrawn produces a datapad. "So it has been stated here, Senator. Tell me… what do you know of her now ?"

Lux just shrugged his shoulders. "I'm afraid I haven't seen her since the Clone Wars…"

"I see…" Something had caught the Grand Admiral's eye.

Lux cursed himself. "Force ! I forgot about Ahsoka's old headdress and her sash ! Hopefully, he won't know anything about it…"

He picked up the headdress. "How curious… Captain Slavin, do you know what this is ?"

Slavin just thought of a random answer. "Some old Onderonian piece of jewelry ?"

Thrawn rolled his eyes at Slavin's ignorance. "It's an Akul-Tooth Headdress… Made from the teeth of the namesake beasts that Togrutas hunt on their homeworld of Shili. Worthless to the outsider, a proof of a Togruta's strength to its owner, therefore a personal heirloom." He turned to Lux. "Now why would an Onderonian Senator have an artifact from Shili ?"

Lux fought against an upcoming panic attack. "Merely a curiosity, Admiral. I appreciate the culture and art of other people."

Thrawn gave off an unsettling smile. "So you appreciate art as I do. Perhaps I could show you my collection of artifacts from all over the Galaxy one day."

"I would like that, Admiral. Is there anything else I could do for you ?"

Thrawn made his way towards the door with Slavin. "Please accept my apologies, Senator Bonteri. It seems I've been following a wrong trail… However, should you come across any Jedi, I can trust you'll do your duty and turn them over to the Empire, will you not ?"

"Of course, Admiral. It would be folly to side with the Jedi these days." Lux opened the door, allowing the two outside.

"Thank you for your time, Senator. Good day." Thrawn turned away and took a speeder towards the Iziz spaceport.

As Lux closed the door, he collapsed on the floor, trying to slow his beating heart. "Phew ! That was TOO close…"

Yoda's Home, Dagobah

After a long flight through hyperspace, Ahsoka had finally reached the planet where her former Grand-Master took exile. Having landed near a muddy pond, she trekked through the heavy rain and finally reached his home.

Yoda was handing out a homemade brew from the planet's plants. "A long time, since we last seen, yes ? A story to tell me, have you, hmm ?"

Ahsoka took a sip and found the drink bitter. "A lot has happened since I left the Order, Master. At first, I scavenged in the lower levels of Coruscant. Other than when I agreed to help with Maul on Mandalore, I've been planet-hopping since the Empire was formed. Eventually, I found my way to Alderaan and met with Senator Organa. At the same time, I met Senator Bonteri again since the Onderon mission. While we all worked together to shape the Rebellion, Lux and I… fell in love. Several months later, I was married and pregnant.

My contributions to the Rebellion slowed down a little bit when Mina was born. By her 2nd birthday, I had to leave her with Lux, which pained me to do. I had to stay away from Lux and Mina, in order to protect them. If the Empire found out he was married with a former Jedi and also had a child, she would likely be taken away from us to serve the Empire. Lux and I would likely be executed for treason."

Yoda took a cup of his own. "Much happened to you, I see. Stronger with the Force, you have become."

Ahsoka narrowed her eyes at the diminutive Master. "Do you know what happened to Anakin ?"

Yoda sighed sadly. "Know what happened, I do. Prevent Skywalker from turning, I could not. Failed to defeat his Master, Darth Sidious, I did. An agent of Evil, Skywalker is now."

Ahsoka struggled to not break down in front of him. "I had a vision while I was at the Jedi Temple on Lothal. I saw Anakin, angry and cold. He asked me why I left ? He… he said I was selfish. Said that I failed him, abandoned him. T… then, he asked me if I knew what he became ? That's when I realized that what I felt through that Sith Lord was truly Anakin. Beneath all those layers of hate, rage and fear, Anakin was somewhere deep down… He was right… I… I've failed him…" She couldn't hold it anymore and wept.

Yoda pointed his cane at her. "No. Failed Skywalker, you have not. Abandoned him, you have not. Brought this fate upon himself, he has. Trouble with attachment, Skywalker always had. Married Senator Amidala in secret, he has. Broken the Code. Good children, Senator Amidala gave birth to. Lights of Hope, they are. Together, when the time comes, defeat the Emperor and Vader, they will."

She dried her tears. "So… is my role over or do I still have a part to play in this war ?"

Yoda pondered for a moment. "Hmm. Cloud everything, the Dark Side does. Difficult to say."

She huddled herself, choking a sob. "All that I know is that since I've fought against him on Malachor, I've been feeling a lot of guilt about his fate. I've tried all sorts of things to stop feeling guilty, but it keeps eating away at me. Can you do something ?"

"Strong I am with the Force, but not that strong. Help you with this, I cannot. Heard of a wise man, I have. Wiser than me. On a distant planet, he lives. Help you, he could."

She raised an eye marking. "Can't you be a little more specific ?"

Yoda shook his head. "No. Yet another trial stands for you. Conquer your guilt and doubt, you must. Guide you, the wise man will. Use your feelings, and find him, you will."

She stood up, almost bumping her montrals on the low ceiling. "Guess I better start to trust my feelings then."

Before she headed out, Yoda offered some final worlds. "Feel guilty for Skywalker's fall, you should not. With time, face him again, you will. Then, and only then, fully at peace, you will be."

She walked through the heavy rain back to her ship. Within minutes, she was out of the atmosphere and back in space.

Pau City, Utapau

A Separatist shuttle landed where General Grievous once commanded his battle droids. General Kalani stepped out, followed by a couple of battle droids. He turned to one of them. "B1-268, survey the platform and locate the remains."

The B1 Battle Droid complied. "Roger, roger !"

Minutes later, they came upon what they were looking for. "General ! I've found the remains of General Grievous."

Kalani scanned the remains. "Excellent work, B1-268. I calculate the chances of successfully reanimating him are set to 0.03%. The neural tissue is damaged and will require some grafting. We will also require new lungs and a new heart. The eyes and brain are still in decent condition, despite the charring done by the blaster bolts. We must seek out Kaleesh donors. Notify me of results."

In due time, the Emperor would soon discover that it was a mistake to pull Grievous' strings.

In Deep Space

The Ghost was flying through space as quickly as possible, maneuvering through all the Star Destroyers and Tie Fighters. Mina had been given the duty to man the nose gun. Another Tie Fighter met its demise. "Another one down, guys !"

Hera kept giving her encouragement. "Nice work, Mina. Keep a sharp eye, don't get cocky !"

Zeb had his hands full with the rear guns. "Karabast ! Hey, Hera ! You plannin' to get us out of here soon ? They're boxing us in like womp rats !"

"Just a bit more and we'll out of here ! Hang tight !" Hera turned to her astromech. "Chopper, get ready to divert all power to the forward shields and calculate the jump to hyperspace !"

Of course, Chopper grumbled about his new task. Hera quickly whipped back to him. "Those Star Destroyers aren't shooting at us, so get on with it !"

Within several intense moments, the Ghost finally entered hyperspace, away from the Imperial Fleet. Mina hopped off her position and climbed back down to sit next to Hera. "What a rush ! I never thought shooting Tie Fighters could be so much fun !"

The rest of the Ghost Crew convened in the cockpit. Ezra had to throw roses at Mina. "How long is she going to be with us ? I mean, she's good at everything ! She beat me at every lightsaber duel, her shooting is spot on ! No doubt you'd probably fly this thing better than Hera."

"That remains to be seen, Ezra. Mina, do you have any experience in piloting ships ?"

Mina's lekku darkened a bit. "I'm afraid not. Neither Mom or Dad ever had the chance or time to bring me to fly my own. But I'm a quick learner. If you give me the chance, I'm confident I could fly this thing… reasonably well."

Kanan placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You'll have your chance. You've beaten Ezra in all lightsaber duels. Why don't you try your skills against me ?"

"Careful, Kanan. Despite being my age, she's already a master at Jar'Kai. Two sabers versus one will make things tough for you." Ezra winked towards Mina.

Mina playfully punched Ezra on the shoulder. "I thank Mom for my training, but I don't brag about it… unlike you."

The two went to the hangar for their skirmish. As expected, Kanan was unable to beat Mina.

Mina turned to the rest of the crew. "We'll be dropping her off back on Onderon once we deliver these extra supplies to Commander Sato. I'm sure her father will be relieved to see that she's perfectly fine."

Grand Admiral Thrawn's Office

Thrawn was pacing about, caught up in his musings. "The Akul-Tooth Headdress was no coincidence. No doubt he is hiding Ahsoka Tano. I'll let him fall into a false sense of security. When he least expects it, I'll have him arrested with a fake charge. With his capture, perhaps we can draw her out of hiding. Lord Vader will be pleased."

Of course, Thrawn is no fool. While he has all the right cards at the moment, his fortune will change little by little. While Yoda isn't capable to help Ahsoka clear herself of her guilt, he points her to another direction. The reanimation of General Grievous will play a big role for countering and defeating Thrawn. For the time being, Mina is enjoying herself with the Ghost Crew. She will play a vital role later on. Over the next chapter, we'll see Mina meeting with the Phoenix Rebel Cell, impressing Commander Sato by her abilities. Ahsoka, on her end, will visit a certain world and meet with a certain wise man. Don't you love my ambiguity ? It's so much fun to keep people guessing =P Lux will end up being captured by Thrawn. Will he be able to escape certain death by Darth Vader ? Feel free to leave a review.