The galaxy was becoming more and more dangerous for outlaws. Clone troopers, now known as stormtroopers, began showing up everywhere to ensure order in the Empire, and their military officers replaced some governors on many planets. The Senate was being filtered through, and any planet that wanted to leave the Empire was brought under military control.
The safest place for Ahsoka to go was Corellia. The planet was remote enough for outlaws but industrialized enough to be able to blend in to the crowd. Ahsoka, Boba, and Nari took a cargo ship to the planet, getting off in Coronet spaceport. They walked out of the spaceport, surrounded by skyscrapers and crowds of people. The sun was setting, causing the clouds to turn pink. Ahsoka, wearing her Jedi cloak, found a small, abandoned building at the edge of the city. Inside, there was a large room with windows and a long counter in the center. It was probably an abandoned cantina.
Ahsoka pushed a button on her communicator. She knew that others would get the message of where they were, and she settled down to wait. Boba and Nari found some chairs and sat by the counter, quietly talking.
A knock on the door made everyone turn their heads. Ahsoka's communicator beeped, and she got up to open the door. A tiny figure stepped through the entry, her elegant blue cloak shimmering in the sun's rays.
"Chuchi!" Ahsoka gave her friend a big hug.
"Thank goodness!" Senator Chuchi replied, her accented voice filled with relief. "When I got your message, I was so glad you were safe." She removed her cloak and nodded to Boba and Nari. A few minutes later, another knock on the door came. The door opened and the lean form of Lux Bonteri stepped inside.
"I suggest we find another place," Senator Bonteri whispered to Ahsoka. "There are stormtroopers swarming everywhere."
Ahsoka nodded, and they all exited through a back door to the breezy prairies outside. Chuchi's little starship waited for them outside, and they glided over the savannah for a while before finding a smaller town called Tyrena. There, they climbed a tall tower to an office complex high above the streets. The allies walked in, getting situated with the rooms.
Chuchi walked into a small room with a long table, throwing her cloak onto a chair. "The Senate has been torn over the new rulers," Chuchi began.
"Onderon has been forced to the Imperial side," Lux said angrily. "The civilians are outraged."
"We can't allow this Empire to rule!" Chuchi exclaimed.
Chuchi, Lux, Boba, and Nari stood around the table, debating. After a while, they looked around, wondering why Ahsoka wasn't there. Finally, the young togruta entered, her eyes wide and filled with pain. The allies stared at her, waiting for her to speak. Finally, the Jedi looked up.
"I... just got off the communicator with Master Kenobi." Ahsoka took a deep breath. "Padme... is dead."
Chuchi gasped, and Lux closed his eyes. Ahsoka continued softly.
"Obi-wan caught up with Padme and Anakin on Mustafar. It seems... Anakin broke her heart. She went into labor and gave birth to twins." The Jedi bowed her head, then looked up at her friends. "You should all know that my former Master, Anakin Skywalker, has turned to the Dark Side. He's now known as Darth Vader."
Ahsoka stepped towards the table. "We need to stop this Empire. Chuchi, Lux, what do you think?"
Chuchi glanced at Lux. "There are many Senators who are willing to leave the Senate and begin a rebellion. I've already talked with Mon Mothma and Bail Organa. Soon, they will set up a headquarters on Alderaan..." The Senators began discussing plans for fighting against the Imperial Senate. Boba and Nari were talking to each other on the other side of the room. Finally, Boba came up to Ahsoka.
"Look, Jedi," Boba began, "We wish you the best with your rebellion, but we're not Senators. I think we're a little out of place."
"We can accept anyone's forces," Ahsoka said.
"We'll help, but we don't want to be around when something political begins. We would like to be anonymous."
Ahsoka nodded, and Boba took Nari's hand, heading out the door. Ahsoka turned back to the Senators, thinking about Obi-wan and the children. Senator Bail Organa had taken one child, and Obi-wan had taken the other.
Ahsoka was lost in her thoughts when suddenly she heard a noise behind her. It was Boba and Nari, breathless from running.
"Stormtroopers," Boba gasped. "Outside."
All of them ran to the windows and looked down. An army of soldiers were marching through the streets, led by a single commander. Ahsoka peered down at him, then stared in shock when she recognized the familiar blue symbol on his armor.
Rex.
