The next day, Ahsoka and her team of rebels arrived back into the village. The chief had lent six huts out to the group of twenty-three. There would be four rebels staying in each hut, with Kaeden, Ahsoka and Miara sharing the last one.
They found their designated living spaces and began to unpack their things and get settled.
Miara dropped her bag down and settled on the thick, furry rug that she'd be sleeping on. "This is so soft."
Kaeden ignored her sister and began to unpack her essentials and a change of clothes. "Miara have you received any more information from your intelligence squad?"
She nodded and bought up a data pad, "They sent this to me about fifteen minutes ago. No news about the Empire yet, so it seems that they either haven't picked up the child's force signature yet or they just haven't sent a team out yet. We haven't been detected, so luckily that ran smoothly. They said it's likely that they won't send an army, but they can't be sure of that yet." She informed, flicking through the pages of aurebesh quickly, skimming the words to check if she'd missed anything.
"That's helpful," said Ahsoka, "It'll be fortunate for us if they only send a small team. We can eliminate them quickly and override the ship and communications a lot easier if they only dispatch a small group."
Miara continued, "It says here that with other cases of force sensitive children being discovered, the Empire usually send an inquisitor..." Miara trailed off, feeling slightly anxious at the thought of meeting one of those monsters again. It terrified her, the first time. She never wanted to relive it again.
Ahsoka raised a hand to her chin and thought deeply, "I'd say let's hope they don't, but if that's the likelihood, I will have to fight them. My people are excellent warriors when it comes to hunting, but fighting somebody who practises with the Force? They won't stand a chance. Miara, please inform the other rebels." Ahsoka asked.
Miara nodded and got up from the fur blanket, slipping the data pad into her pocket. "I'll give you two some alone time." She flashed a cheeky grin at them, which earned a scowl from her older sister.
Ahsoka walked towards the exit of their hut, "I'm going to tell the chief about the information Miara has just told us. I'm going to see if they have an army or some fighters, just in case we need some extra defence. Keep an eye out for any new information, please."
"Sure." The dark skinned girl replied.
"I'll be back soon."
When Ahsoka arrived back in the chief's tent, he was not alone. A Togruta girl, also suited in armour, stood beside him as they chatted. She looked to be a little older than Ahsoka, most likely mid or early twenties. Her face was hard and she was also quite large - tall with bulging muscles on her arms and legs.
"Ah," said the chief, "Fulcrum, there is somebody I'd like you to meet. This is Riyah. She is the leader of our tribes warriors. Should all of this result in combat, Riyah will help command the assault."
"It seems you've read my mind, chief. I have just received information from one of my intelligence advisors that whenever this has happened before, the Empire has sent out an inquisitor. Inquisitors are Force users and they use lightsabers as weapons. They are very dangerous and show no mercy, they will not stop until they have finished what they've been assigned. It's likely that they'd bring a small army of troops. Your army, if it came down to it, would be useful against the troops." She nodded in acknowledgment to Riyah.
Riyah spoke, and Ahsoka was surprised by how deep her voice was. It wasn't as deep as the first armoured Togruta, but it was a fairly deep voice for a girl. It suited her though, it would be a little strange if someone with her physique had a higher pitched voice. "I will fight the inquisitor myself."
Ahsoka bit the inside of her cheek. "With all due respect, I don't think that's a good idea. They are very quick and agile. I've come into contact with one before and defeated them. I think it would be better if I fought them - and lead the army."
Riyah seemed frustrated. Ahsoka could sense it though the force, and could see her visibly grinding her teeth.
"I am this tribe's greatest warrior. I am trusted and well respected. They will not sit kindly knowing that a stranger will be leading our army into battle." She said flatly. "You say you're a good warrior but how are we supposed to know when you haven't demonstrated anything to back up this information?"
Ahsoka noticed that the chief looked deep in thought.
"That's true, I haven't demonstrated anything, because I haven't had to. You need to put your trust in me and my team. This is my job - I do these things for a living." She added, trying to convince the two Togruta. She didn't want anyone putting themselves into danger, especially against an Inquisitor.
Riyah turned her nose up and glared at her thought slit eyes, "I doubt a runt could put up such a good fight and lead an army."
This time it was Ahsoka who began to feel frustrated and irritable. She took a slow breath, not wanting to show her negative emotions. "I think you'd be surprised. This runt is a Rebellion commander - keep that in mind."
The chief rose to his feet suddenly and raised both of his hands, indicating for the girl's to stop. "Riyah, please don't treat our visitors without respect. Fulcrum and her team are here to help."
Riyah was about to protest but the chief intervened, "I have a proposal. We can settle this debate the traditional way, through combat."
"What?!" The girls exclaimed in unison.
These kinds of fights between warriors who wanted to gain a status usually resulted in death, which was the last thing Ahsoka wanted. They needed all the numbers they could get.
"Don't worry," he continued, "it won't be one of those trials. Instead of swords, you both use staffs. The winner will lead the army and battle the Inquisitor."
The girls made eye contact and nodded slowly. "I guess that's a fair way to settle it." Ahsoka said. Since it was combat through using staffs, Ahsoka felt confident. With her Jedi training, as well aid from the force, she would be able to beat Riyah, who did indeed look like a strong and reliable warrior. Ahsoka wouldn't defeat her straight away, though, she didn't want to make it look too obvious she was a lot better than your average warrior.
"Very good." The chief put his hands together. "The fight will happen tomorrow at noon. I will provide you with staffs now. Practise if you must."
A middle aged red skinned Togruta woman bought over two thick, wooden staffs. Like the chief's chair, they were carved with intricate engravings that Ahsoka assumed were something to do with Togruta culture.
"Thank you." They both said in unison. Riyah shot Ahsoka one last glance as Ahsoka turned on her heel.
She didn't need to practise, nor did she have the time. Ahsoka and Kaeden were beginning their investigation today.
Kaeden was already one step ahead of her and was waiting outside the giant hut. "How'd it go?" She said enthusiastically.
Ahsoka shrugged, "I'm fighting the tribe's greatest warrior tomorrow." She said flatly.
Kaeden looked shocked, "What happened to defending them and protecting them at all costs?"
Ahsoka chuckled, "It's nothing like that. The woman who leads the army doesn't like the idea of me leading them. We're settling the argument with a duel of sorts tomorrow. The winner commands and decides the battle strategy."
Kaeden shook her head in amusement. "If you say so." Then she lowered her voice, "Can you sense the child?"
Ahsoka nodded, her voice quiet too, "I can. I don't think they're too far away."
Ahsoka led the way with Kaeden at her side.
While they walked silently, Kaeden admired the planets strange culture. Visiting a new planet was always strange for her, since she had never left Raada until she had met Ahsoka. She hadn't really known anything about other planets, and had no idea about the wide variety of cultures and species.
She had always thought there was only orange skinned Togruta, like Ahsoka and Selda. These people of Shili had mostly orange skin, but there were many with a darker red tone and some that were even a light grey.
She liked Ahsoka's skin. It was a light orange, and it reminded Kaeden of the sun setting over the fields she used to work in. It made her think of fire, a stark reminder of Ahsoka's fierce and fiery determination to do good and make a difference.
Yeah, she liked orange.
They arrived at a small hut, just on the outskirts of the village. The huts seemed a lot smaller out here and more unkempt.
"You think this is the one?" Kaeden questioned, picking up a small toy on the ground. She examined it before dropping it back on the dusty ground. Kaeden answered her own question, "There's a few toys out here, so we know these two have children."
Ahsoka nodded and they stood outside the tiny hut. Since there was no door, Ahsoka felt like just walking in would be intrusive, so she offered a small hello.
Almost immediately a petite, old woman stepped out. She smiled sweetly at them. "Can I help you two?" She said in a crackly, yet friendly voice.
"Hi. We were wondering if you had any children with you? We may have some surprising news for you." Ahsoka said kindly, choosing her words carefully so not to startle the fragile lady.
"Well, I'm sure you're talking about my grandkids. I still class my daughter as my little one." She gave a wrinkly smile, which the girls returned.
The older lady led them in, her dull lekku swinging slightly as she held back the fur curtains for them.
It was small inside, too, but looked very cozy. There was easily enough room to fit a small family, but it still looked tight.
There were fur rugs all over the floor, which Ahsoka assumed were where the family slept.
Inside was a middle aged female Togruta with dark orange skin. In her arms was a tiny baby, wrapped in a bundle of blankets. Next to the woman was a small boy, around the age of five. He was playing cheerfully with some rainbow coloured balls, rolling them around and kicking them with his bare feet.
As soon as Ahsoka saw him, she knew. His Force presence was vibrant and would probably be easily noticeable for the Empire - that was a problem; it would only give the Empire more determination to eliminate him - or worse.
Ahsoka smiled at them and settled down opposite the woman, crossing her legs underneath her and sitting up straight. Kaeden sat beside her, mimicking her position, but she soon became uncomfortable.
"Hi. Do you mind if I could have a word with you privately?" Ahsoka spoke directly to the woman.
The older woman, who Ahsoka assumed was the younger woman's mother, took the tiny Togruta out of her arms and lead the boy out by his hand.
The woman seemed scared and worried.
"Hi there. Please don't be so alarmed," Ahsoka smiled warmly at her in an effort to ease her, "What's your name?"
"Hashee." She replied timidly.
"Well, Hashee, we're with the rebellion. Our intelligence teams have noticed something special about your son. He is Force sensitive. Now, we don't want the Empire to take him away so-"
"Please don't take my son away from me!" She pleaded, her emotions becoming wild. Her eyes were pleading, her love for her son evident in her glistening orbs.
"No, don't worry," Ahsoka shushed. "We don't plan to do that. We would never do that. We're here to teach you about his special abilities and learn how to help him mask his Force signature. That way he can live in secret and they won't be able to pick up his location, or even his existence. You'll all be safe that way." Ahsoka said reassuringly, trying her best to keep the woman calm while delivering her information efficiently.
It seemed to take her a while to process Ahsoka's words. "Is this the kind of special power that the Jedi would have been interested in?"
Ahsoka nodded her head, "Yes. If the Jedi Order was still around they would have taken an interest in your son." She paused, "He is gifted. I can help you, if you let me. Our best interest is to keep your son, your family and your tribe safe from the Empire."
Hashee nodded her head, "Okay."
Ahsoka smiled, "Very good. So first of all, I'm going to tell you what to do and what to say, should you ever encounter the Empire..."
...
Ahsoka and Kaeden returned back to their designated huts after a long day. Ahsoka and Kaeden had spent hours informing Hashee on what to say in many different situations should she ever come into contact with the Empire. Ahsoka had instructed her to tell her family and close friends the information she had learned, and pass it on.
Ahsoka flopped down on her fur bed, taking a deep breath. It had been a long day, and tomorrow would be an even longer day. After her duel with Riyah, she planned on returning to Hashee's hut and teaching the force sensitive child, who's name was Zan, how to mask his Force signature. Ahsoka would be able to use the force to aid this, since the child did not have enough experience or understanding of the Force.
Kaeden suddenly huffed, bending down to pick up a datapad on her pillow. She read it out, "Kaeden and Ahsoka, I've nipped out to sleep in Levi's tent, thought I'd give you two some alone time. Sweet dreams!"
Kaeden let the datapad drop to the bed again. "She is convinced we have something going on, huh?" She said nervously, subconsciously scratching the back of her neck.
"It would seem so." Ahsoka smiled awkwardly. There was a painful moment of silence, "So, are you coming to watch the duel tomorrow?"
Kaeden grew excited and bounced on her bed, "Of course! You said this girl wasn't happy about you waltzing in, you'll totally kick her butt."
Ahsoka lay back on her bed, her arms behind her head, supporting it, "I hope so. I'd be a pretty lousy ex-Jedi if I didn't."
They laughed, soon falling asleep to the calming sounds of each other's breathing.
...
Chapter 3 is donneeee. Now when I write these, because they're on my notes on my phone, I actually don't know the length of each chapter, which is annoying. I usually aim to do between 2000 and 3000 words on each chapter, so I apologise if some are a lot shorter than others.
We don't really know a huge amount about Togruta culture so I hope my version of things makes sense. Basically, like a lot of pack animals, a runt is usually the weakling and it can be tough to compete against other for things such as food. They can also face rejection by the mother. Ahsoka has always been quite little in my opinion and so I thought making her the runt might add a little more to the story.
Please review! Thanks for reading!