"Strange company you're keeping these day, Com- Miss Tano." Former Commander Cody slid into an open seat at the small square table.
"You're not the top of the list, either," Ventress said snidely, sipping her drink.
"It's Ahsoka, Cody," the former Padawan said kindly, shoving a glass towards him. "What's going on?"
"They're all dead," Cody said heavily, swirling the shocking green liquid slowly. "We...couldn't save them. All except Master Kenobi..." The two Force-sensitive females shared a look, they'd known that already. The Force had let them know in no uncertain terms.
"Anakin?" Ahsoka's voice held fear.
"I'm sorry, little'un," Cody said softly. "He's the fallen one..."
Ahsoka sighed deeply, this was no surprise. "So the galaxy is truly lost to the Sith," she murmured sadly.
Cody reached out, laying his hand on her shoulder comfortingly. "Maybe not, Co - Ahsoka. Master Kenobi mentioned something about 'a new hope' before he left. He wasn't very clear - maybe to a Jedi, but not to me - something about 'another Skywalker' and 'balance will come.' He did tell me to tell you all wasn't lost, but you will need to play your part. And Commander...you know I'm with you until the end."
Ahsoka squared her shoulders, nodding, determination flooding her. "You're right, Cody. There may be only two of us, but better than none at all."
"Excuse me?" Ventress' eyes narrowed over her glass.
Ahsoka looked surprised. "You hate the Jedi, why would you help us?"
"It's a matter of priorities," Ventress said darkly. "It's true I bear the Jedi no love, but I bear even less for Palpatine," she practically spat his name. "I'll help you overthrow him, if that's what you're planning - I'll even help you train Force-sensitive younglings."
Ahsoka nodded slowly. "Yes, the Empire will be hunting them down and destroying them," she murmured. "That is what we will have to do, find them before the Empire does."
"I might can help you there." A clone, bald with a shining head, slid into the seat between Ventress and Cody, carrying a 'pad. "Y'see, I just met this nice fellow, name of Ferus, not too long ago..." They all bent over Rex's datapad, unaware of the lasting impact this small meeting would have on the galaxy throughout the next twenty years, setting the stage for the Next Skywalker...
I confess - I am a total Ventress fangirl, and when she saved Obi-Wan, and then helped Ahsoka, and then let all the clones live in the squad sent out to capture our favorite Snips...well, my fangirlism only deepened. So I thought, how cool would it be if Ventress had a hand in starting the Rebellion?