Back in the Tarabba sector Lt. Sogan and his squad are emerging from hyperspace with the convoy of cargo ships behind them. As they come into view of Utapau he opens a comm channel to the entrenched battle sphere now serving as a command center. Using a secret rebel encryption code he calls for landing coordinates from the base. Garan, who had arrived the day before, enters the control room and informs the communications officer to comply with the request.
"Those are our supplies." Garan says.
While a few makeshift rooms had already been constructed the cargo ships will provide the necessities to begin setting up crew quarters, operations rooms and landing bays within the sinkhole passageways. Garan instructs the communications officer to inform Sogan that several temporary repulsor pads have been set up for the N-1 fighters. Realizing Sogan's squadron was on their way Garan made sure the pads were setup as quickly as possible since the N-1's aren't equipped with landing gear. Sogan receives the coordinates and informs the base they are starting their approach.
"N-1's on me." Sogan orders as he instructs the cargo ships that they will land first.
Shortly after the convoy enters the atmosphere two freighters emerge from hyperspace and open the same encrypted channel to Utapau. Garan notices the ships on the radar and orders the communications officer to hail them. The officer does as ordered and receives an encoded identifier in response.
"It's him." the officer states to Garan.
"Give him the coordinates but make sure he knows there is a convoy coming in ahead of him." Garan replies.
Unlike most of the sinkholes on Utapau the one chosen by Captain Balek does not have a reservoir of fresh water at the bottom. This enables the cargo ships to land at the bottom near the sphere. Once the third ship sets down Sogan and his squad begin landing just within the sinkhole walls on the repulsor pads. Garan comes out to greet Sogan as he notices the two freighters making their descent into the sinkhole. The freighters land near the N-1's as the pilots crawl out of their fighters.
"I recognize that freighter." Sogan states watching it land.
"You should, the owner flew with you in an Arc-170 during the Sullust battle." Garan replies.
Sogan thinks for a moment then says, "The Toydarian?" Garan nods as he walks over to the Arawak.
The port side hatch opens as the greenish Toydarian known as Gleim exits the ship. Followed by his copilot Xafus and their droids Ez-6 and R3-X5, the group walks over greeting Major Garan.
"Good to see you Gleim, everyone." Garan says shaking hands with the two pilots as the second freighter lands next to the Arawak. The pilot, a short brown furred Drall walks over next to Gleim.
"Major Garan, this is Pomek, Captain of the Asteroid Blaster." Gleim says.
Garan exchanges greetings with the Drall and welcomes him to the Rebel Alliance.
"You said you have a mission for us, where are we headed?" Gleim asks.
"Agamar." Garan replies. "There is an Imperial Senator there now on a diplomatic mission but she's actually working for us. She has the notion that the Prime Minister there might be sympathetic to our cause. I want you to take three freighters to back each other up. Set down in the suburb of Tondatha and wait for her signal, she might be able to secure some supplies for us. Have you conscripted the rest of your team yet?" Garan asks.
"All but one, well actually he's already agreed but he's waiting for his ship to be repaired. I can comm Tarmy and have her meet us on Agamar. We're bringing it back here right?" Gleim asks.
"Affirmative, do you guys need any fuel before you leave?" Garan replies. Gleim denies stating that he and Pomek fueled up at Ord Mantell before coming out to Utapau. "Alright, if you don't receive her signal within two days head back. Good luck, may the force be with you."
As Gleim and Pomek board their ships for take off Garan begins to feel a little guilty that he let Gleim continue to believe Jori had died. He wondered now that she was alive and well if he should tell him the truth. However he puts the thought out of his mind remembering that Jori planned to exile herself once she found the Solusar boy.
Having sacked out in one of the two bunks on the Skylux, Jori is jolted awake by a bone jarring shudder. Nearly falling out of the bunk she gets to her feet pulling her boots on as she stumbles to the cockpit.
"What was that?" Jori asks.
"Hyperdrive malfunctioned," Ahsoka states. ". . . our engine must have taken more damage from those fighters than I thought."
As Jori takes the copilot seat she notices the greenish looking planet before them. Suddenly she senses a tingling in the Force but is unable to determine the source.
"You feel that?"
"Nope, I'm a little busy right now." Ahsoka replies stating that the engine is on fire. "We have to set down or its gonna blow!"
"Shut it down, we'll take her in on sublight engines." Jori says. "That's twice in one month that's happened to me."
"Got it, shutting down now. Find me a good place to land on that planet." Ahsoka states.
Jori runs a quick scan of the planet and finds no cities or starports anywhere, massive life readings however. "It must be a primitive species, we've got no choice but to set it down and repair the hyperdrive." Jori replies.
"Strap in and take the stick, this landing isn't gonna be pretty." Ahsoka orders. "We're entering the atmosphere."
Realizing that it's possible they may not survive the landing Jori wonders if she should tell Ahsoka what she knows about Skywalker.
She's about to say something as Ahsoka reaches up to hit a switch on the overheard console when the ship begins shaking fiercely. The shaking takes Ahsoka by surprise as she slams head first into the console!
"Ahsoka!" Jori yells as Ahsoka slumps back in her seat unconscious.
Jori uses the force to tighten Ahsoka's harness then turns her attention to landing the ship as it plows through a group of trees. Jori pulls on the lever extending the landing gear and fires the repulsors as the ship breaks through another group of trees losing the arm gun in the process.
"Blast, you won't be happy about that." Jori says towards Ahsoka.
She groans pulling up hard on the stick as the repulsors finally slow the ship's momentum landing safely near a large pond. Jori slumps back in her seat amazed she was able to keep the ship from crashing. She rests for a few seconds as she throws off her harness to check on Ahsoka.
Finding her forehead already swelling from the blow Jori unbuckles Ahsoka's harness and carriers her into the cabin laying her on the bottom bunk. Jori finds a medkit in the small locker and places an ice pack on Ahsoka's head wrapping some gauze around her head to secure it in place. Once done Jori leans against the bulkhead for a moment.
"Well I guess I better see what I can do about fixing this tub of yours."
She walks into the cargo bay, finds a tool box and opens the rear hatch. As the humid swamp air fills her nostrils she feeling the same tingling through the Force she did moments before. Climbing down into the swamp she douses the engine with a fire retardant just in case there are any secondary sparks or explosions. After a few moments she removes the engine casing and at first site assumes that the hyperdrive isn't even fixable.
"What a mess." She says waving away the smoke as she grabs a hydrospanner.
She sets to work repairing the engine and after two hours she steps back covered in grease, frustrated at her apparent lack of progress. She takes a few deep breathes then tries again, a few minutes later stops hitting the hydrospanner against the hull.
"You had to buy the most worthless, outdated piece of slag didn't you Ahsoka." she says out aloud as she resumes working on the engine.
"Calm you must be."
For a moment Jori just thinks the voice is in her own head until she senses that tingling in the Force again. She stops for a moment, the hydrospanner still in hand, wondering what the Force could be trying to tell her. Then she senses the presence nearby! At first she assumes it is Ahsoka coming out of unconsciousness but then she realizes it is someone else. As the presence draws near Jori realizes she's unable to read them. She drops the hydrospanner as she spins around, calling her lightsaber to her hand igniting it.
"What do you . . .want . . ." Jori says readying herself in a fighting stance. The lightsaber falls from her hand almost in shock seeing the figure emerging from the shadows. "Master Yoda!" She jumps off the deck and runs to kneel before the Jedi Master.
"Glad to see you I am." Yoda says. "Did not expect to have visitors so soon I did."
"What is this place, I've never felt anyplace so pure."
"Yes, powerful with the Force this planet is."
Jori suddenly realizes that the tingling Force sensations she's been feeling came from Yoda.
"It was you I kept feeling!"
"Correct, sensed your arrival I did, although wanted to contact you, masked my presence I had to. Been watching you since learned of your return have I." Yoda explains.
"My return?" Jori says momentarily confused. As she begins to process Yoda's statement she suddenly theorizes that the Force tremor that sent her to Commenor was from Yoda. "It was you, you led me to Ahsoka."
Yoda proceeds to inform Jori that he felt her in agony when she was injured as well as her master's death.
"Watching Ahsoka as well I have been, sent you to her I did so you might bring her here to me." Yoda states.
"Master we didn't choose to come here, the hyperdrive malfunctioned and we almost crashed." Jori replies.
"Works in mysterious ways the Force does, hmm." Yoda replies with a playful smile.
Ever the teacher, Jori simply smiles humbling herself at the wisdom of the aged Jedi Master.
"Surprised I was when felt you and your master on Rhen Var, apologize I must that we assumed you gone. Never truly sensed that you had perished but no way to find you there was; however many things have I learned these past months since coming here."
Jori then begins to tell Yoda about Ranik's son and asks if he can sense the boy as he did her. Yoda closes his eyes and meditates for a few seconds.
"See a force sensitive on Agamar I do, unable to see if this is the son of Solusar."
"Thank you Master, once I find him we will go into exile so I can train the boy." Jori says.
"Ambitious you are, for one who is still ranked a learner herself." Yoda replies.
"I feel it's my duty Master, with Ryaan and Ranik gone there is no one to train him." Jori replies. "And we need every Jedi we can if the Order is to survive."
"Then confer on you the level of Jedi Knight, I do." Yoda says.
"Thank you Master. What about my trials?" Jori says curiously.
"Irrelevant, the trials are now. Survival now is the mandate of all Jedi, if find him you do take the boy as your Padawan you may. Besides, passed enough trials already you have."
Jori bows her head in respect and thanks Yoda again. "Master I'm curious, why Ahsoka? Are you concerned what she might do if she learned that her master fell to the dark side?"
Yoda flashes a surprised look on his face. "Know you do of Darth Vader's true identity?"
"It was a theory at first, Master Ryaan and I met with Senator Organa. He told us about the relationship Anakin had with Senator Amidala, the twins she bore him before death and that Master Kenobi became the caretaker of the boy. During the battle on the Sullust moon we engaged Vader and started noticing a few similarities between him and Skywalker. Then when I was impaled by Vader I think I sensed it in him somehow." Jori replies. "Is it really Skywalker?"
"Darth Vader he is." Yoda states.
"He's so powerful, I don't know how any Jedi can possibly defeat him."
"No normal Jedi will." Yoda says. "Failed we did, Obi-Wan and myself. Tried to stop the Sith but too powerful were they, for even me. The children, only hope they are now of saving Skywalker. If succeed they can, fulfill his own destiny Skywalker will."
"I thought about telling Ahsoka myself but I figured she'd have no reason to believe me. Is that why you sent me to her, so you could tell her?"
"No, amends I must make."
"Well she's out cold right now, she took a nasty blow to the head on our descent." Jori tells him.
"Attend to her I will. Return to fixing the ship you should, stay here long you mustn't." Yoda says.
"Yes Master Yoda."
As Jori returns her attention back to the engine and the hyperdrive Yoda, with the assistance of the Force, hops up to the loading deck and walks inside to find the cabin.
He limps inside supported by his gimmer stick finding the still unconscious form of Ahsoka laying on the bunk. He hops up to the bunk sitting next to her and places his three fingered hand on hers. Before anything else he delves into the Force checking to make sure no severe damage has been sustained from her injury. When satisfied with the results he begins to speak to her unconscious form.
"So here you are Padawan Tano, worried I have been for you, since the day you left the temple. Apologize I must, for the way the council handled the charges against you, which saw to your departure from the Order. Darkness was everywhere, clouding our judgment and darker times yet still lie ahead. Stood by you, we should have but now, feel I do that things happened as they should. The will of the Force it was that sent you from us, saved you it did from the purge." Yoda says rising. He walks along the edge of the bunk hovering just above her head placing his hand gingerly on her forehead as he whispers in her ear.
"Remember this you will not but proud of you I am." He says with a soft whimper. "Although your future uncertain it still is, one thing I do foresee. A force for good you will always be, follow your master's path to the dark side, you will not. Trust in the Force, trust in yourself and a Jedi Knight you will be. Farewell Ahsoka, may the Force be with you."
A few moments later still having no luck with repairs Jori notices Yoda walking out onto the loading deck.
"She come to yet?"
"No, and know of your visit here she must not." Yoda says looking out into the swamp.
"What? I don't understand." Jori says halting her work.
"Wronged Ahsoka was during her last days in the temple. Felt betrayed by the council she did, but now see I do that it was the will of the Force. Forge her own path from here she must, not ready to know about the fate her master suffered." Yoda explains finally looking up to make eye contact with Jori. "Tell her nothing of Skywalker, myself or Obi-Wan you shall."
"Yes Master."
"Good to see you both it is but never again can you return to Dagobah. Time it is for you to be on your way. If to train the son of Skywalker, remain hidden I must . . . . as must you both."
"Easier said than done Master, I think I got the engine almost put back together but it'll be a while before we can . . . "
She is interrupted as Yoda strikes the end of his gimmer stick on the hull of the ship twice. Suddenly the engines come to life steadily humming.
"How did . . . " Jori stops and looks at Yoda suspiciously.
"Nothing have I done. Worked well you have, hmm?"
Jori smiles suddenly realizing how much she's missed the playfully humble ways of the wizened Jedi Master. And just as suddenly she sadly realizes that this will be the last time she'll ever see him.
Sensing her feelings Yoda graces her with a comforting smile. "See each other again one day we will, may the Force be with you Jori Kai."
Although not quite sure what he meant Jori quickly gathers the tools strung about and loads up for take off.
As Yoda watches the ship ascend and disappear into the night sky he hears the voice of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn through the Force.
"That girl still has much anger in her, like her master." Qui-Gon says referring to Ahsoka. "If she ever learned the truth she would seek him out and Vader would only try to seduce her."
"Confront Vader she will not, for now Jori is at her side. Heed my instructions she will." Yoda replies.
"Exactly my point old friend." Qui-Gon adds. "Who will look after her when she leaves Jori's side."
"Concerned with that I am not, play an a important role I foresee she will, in the fight against the Empire." Yoda says still half in meditation. "A fulcrum she will represent."
Sensing the ship breaking free of Dagobah's atmosphere Yoda turns his attention back to the swamp. "Now, a long walk I have back to my hovel. Join me will you, to continue my training, hmm?"
"Very well." Qui-Gon replies after a short pause. As Yoda begins walking a group of twinkling lights descends from the trees following alongside him.
As the Skylux leaves the Dagobah system Jori sets a new course for Agamar. Focusing on Yoda's words and instructions she takes one last look at the planet then grabs the hyperdrive lever.
"Let's hope this works." As she pulls the lever starlines appears vaulting them into hyperspace. Jori smiles realizing she still has much to learn about the Force. She puts her feet up and relaxes as the Skylux heads for Agamar.
This was another chapter I really enjoyed writing. I had my ITunes playing Yoda's Theme from ESB and The Death of Yoda from ROTJ soundtracks continuously looped while writing it.
Obviously this chapter's title is quoting Qui-Gon from the Clone Wars Lost Missions episode "Voices". For those of you who are not up to date with Clone Wars or Rebels, shame on you! Lol. Some of the Lost Missions episodes will blow your thermal exhaust port! (Aka your mind)