At this point in the exercise, I knew what to expect. When I regained consciousness, I used the Force to stop the impending headache before it started. I sat up and looked around, assessing the situation. My hands were locked in front of me, trapped in an unfamiliar device. On it was a timer, which was counting down.

I scrambled to my feet, trying to formulate a plan of attack.

The only other item in the room was a remote at my feet. I picked it up, and unwrapped a piece of white paper that was pinned to it. On it, in scarlet letters, was this message.

Ahsoka,

The device in front of you can open your cuffs. If you put in the right combination. Every time you get it wrong, they will tighten. I'll give you this one hint, the combination is in the back of your mind.

I dropped the note and looked at the device. It looked like a normal remote, with numbered buttons.

Alright, think. What could the combination be?

I steeled myself and punched in the numbers that corresponded with my birth date. Then I hit enter.

A red light flashed and the pressure around my wrists increased.

Damn. I thought. What else?

I tried 'Ahsoka', 'Anakin', 'Snips', 'Jedi', nothing seemed to be working. My time was running out, and the pain was becoming unbearable.

I gave it one more try, punching in random numbers. The cuffs dug even farther into my wrists and blood started to trickle down my arm. A message on the remote screen popped up.

YOU HAVE EXCEEDED YOUR NUMBER OF TRIES

Then it went black. Frantic, I tried to get the device to respond, but nothing worked. Screaming, I threw it down.

In a total panic, I ran to the wall. Slamming my still bound hands against it. "Dammit Skyguy! Let me out! I can't do this, get me out of here!"

I pounded the wall with my fists. "Please!" I begged, desperate. I was beginning to think I would never get out of here. "Master!" I cried.

The door slid open and Anakin ran into the room. He dashed towards me and grabbed my shoulders.

"Hey, hey, hey, it's alright. It's just a drub, it's not real." he whispered soothingly.

I looked up at him, confused. "What?"

"You're alright Snips, you're okay."

I sank to the floor, holding my bound wrists out to him.

"Shut your eyes." he ordered. I obeyed and felt the pressure around my wrists release. I braced myself of the sight of my injuries. I opened my eyes, but there where only two small puncture wounds on my arms. One on the top of the wrist, one on the bottom.

"I gave you some drugs while you were out to clot the blood quickly if necessary. It also causes fear and anxiety. You need to learn how to draw peace from the Force. Remaining calm is crucial in a survival situation."

I nodded, embarrassed at my loss of control. "I want to try again." I said firmly.

"You sure?" he asked. I nodded, determined to not let this beat me. After a moment's pause, he conceded. "Run your lap, and we'll begin again."


When I came to the second time, I did not rush into the situation. Instead, I pushed myself up into a meditative pose. I took a deep breath and relaxed as bits of memory floated to me.

Combination to the lock...in the back of my mind.

I dug deeper, searching for the key.

Don't make things harder than they need to be, Ahsoka.

"That's it!" I cried, jumping to my feet. I have to take the clue literally!

I reached my hands back behind my head and felt around, my hands coming to rest on my padawan braid.

I yanked it off and brought it forward. It's just the beads.

I smiled, my sharp eyes finally catching it. The itty bitty, teeny tiny numbers painted on the small beads.

I punched the numbers in. I was rewarded with a whirr, a small click, and the cuffs fell off.

I broke into a run and smacked my hands against the wall.

Anakin came in. "Great job, Ahsoka. Let's break for noon meal, then we can finish up."

A/N: Sorry for the late update. Life gets in the way, but I hope you enjoyed this installment. Ch. 5 to come soon!