V.E.: Hello, everyone! Now I know it's been awhile…
(Rotten fruit and vegetables thrown in succession before the authoress repels them all back at her hecklers, making some rather messy individuals.)
Now hold it there! First off, I was writing a big battle sequence in one of my other fics and as any good writer knows, that takes time you idiots! Um, excuse the 'idiots' thing. Sometimes I can get mad at you guys just as you get mad at me for my choices and not updating.
To General Ripper: I am only going to say this once; STOP HELPING. If I wanted your opinion or ideas on how this work would go, I would ask for it. I don't mind reviews, but I am telling you to stop telling me how to write! So if I see any more helpful reviews, I will delete them.
Now that's settled, time for the final verdict for what Ahsoka is doing! I'll explain my choice in this in the ending author's note so no flaming until. Let's start rolling!
Ahsoka felt ready to groan as she walked next to Luke, who was suited up and ready to go into one of the x wing fighters.
"Stop smirking."
His voice didn't seem to follow that order as he answered.
"I wasn't."
Ahsoka didn't stop staring at Luke with a stern expression not unlike one her Master had fixed on her. As the two walked through the busy hanger with C3PO and R2 nearby, Ahsoka was slightly annoyed on how she wasn't suited up to fly like Luke.
Both had gone through the flight simulation, but unfortunately Ahsoka didn't qualify. At first, she was angry as she knew that she was not a horrible flier. Then she remembered her biggest problem in the simulation, flying with that specific ship. Apparently being over twenty years out of the loop when it came to the latest ships.
Leia had been there to hear the news and asked if Ahsoka wanted to run air traffic instead, which she accepted gratefully. At very least, she wanted to be able to do something useful.
That didn't mean she wasn't going to give Luke some advice as they made their way through the busy hanger, activity going on all around them.
"Seriously though Luke, this isn't bulls-eyeing womp rats back home. This is real."
Luke's lips quirked in a smile for a few moments as they walked.
"You were listening to that?"
She shot him a look that bordered on reproving.
"Of course I was listening, we were right next to each other."
She stopped and turned him around to face her then to give him a serious look with his full attention, unaware the droids had stopped with them.
"Just be careful out there."
Luke went quiet as he realized how serious the Togruta was being and gave a solemn nod.
"I promise."
Ahsoka sighed with semi relief, letting go of Luke's arm as the small group proceeded onward. The two rounded the corner to stop again at the sight not too far away from them.
Han and Chewbacca were in front of some boxes, most likely containing their reward in Leia's rescue. They seemed to be deliberately ignoring the activity going on around them, as the loud speaker sounded orders.
"All flight troopers, man your stations. All flight troopers, man your stations."
Ahsoka was hardly surprised at this, but Luke went over with a slightly faster walk (the two droids not too far behind him) and spoke his mind to the smuggler captain.
"So, you got your reward and you're just leaving then?"
Ahsoka caught up with the teen as she stood beside him, her voice filled with reprimand. He turned to Han when that was done and gave her thoughts.
"LUKE. Can't say I'm surprised."
Han seemed gruff as he hauled some of the stuff while answering, bout going less gruff at the end as he faced Luke.
"That's right, yeah. I got some old debts I've got to pay off with this stuff. Even if I didn't, you don't think I'd be fool enough to stick around here, do you? Why don't you come with us, Luke? You're pretty good in a fight. I could use you."
Luke looked at Han as if he was serious as he gestured to the activity going on around them, speaking angrily.
"Come on! Why don't you take a look around? You know what's about to happen, what they're up against. They could use a good pilot like you. You're turning your back on them."
Ahsoka moved into to stop Luke from going any further.
"Luke, if Han doesn't want to fight, he doesn't have to fight. Just as you don't have to fight, but you choose to."
Han nodded to her gratefully before speaking again to Luke.
"Thanks. Besides, what good's a reward if you ain't around to use it? Besides, attacking that battle station ain't my idea of courage. It's more…like suicide."
Ahsoka cringed at the knowledge of that fact.
Luke nodded at that, still angry but knowing that he was never going to get his point across to Han
"All right. Well, take care of yourself, Han. I guess that's what you're best at, isn't it?"
Ahsoka stayed behind as Luke walked away, wanting to speak to Han but Han cut that off as he called out to Luke.
"Hey, Luke!"
Luke stopped to turn around to the smuggler. Chewie was still loading stuff up as Han spoke to his new friend sincerely.
"May the Force be with you."
Luke's lips twitched as if they wanted to smile, but turned away to go to his ship as he was still steamed.
Han stared off as Chewie groaned at his captain, causing him to turn back at his copilot.
"What're you lookin' at? I know what I'm doing."
Ahsoka smiled in amusement of it all.
"I wonder about that."
Han turned, looking surprised to see her still there. The Togruta commented on what just happened.
"What was that about 'hokey religion and nonsense' earlier?"
Han shrugged to that, almost embarrassed she brought it up.
"Let's just say that little thing of yours back in the trash compactor was pretty impressive. So, you're staying here too?"
Ahsoka nodded.
"Yeah, though I'll be on air traffic instead of flying."
Han noncommittally nodded to that, venturing to ask a question.
"You know, everyone here seems to know you. Seems like you're a pretty big deal."
Ahsoka was almost ready to roll her eyes at that.
"Don't remind me, it's pretty of weird for everyone to know you out of nowhere."
Han seemed to agree to that.
"I guess so. Mind if I ask why? I mean, I get that you're some Jedi…"
Ahsoka interrupted him firmly.
"Ex Jedi. The reason everyone knows about me is because of what happened nineteen years ago."
Han perked up in interest at that as even Chewie stopped unloading stuff, perhaps figuring her race aged much slower than others.
"What happened?"
Bitterness crept into her voice as she spoke.
"The Council kicked me out of the Order because they thought I was involved in bombing the Temple. The fact I was in possession of nano driods and ran didn't speak well for me either."
Han looked at her for a split second before speaking.
"You didn't do it."
Ahsoka's eyes went down for a moment, reliving that moment in the courtroom when her Master came in with Bariss.
"No, I didn't. My best friend did and framed me for it."
Han looked really sorry he said anything at that.
"OH."
Ahsoka sighed tiredly.
"If it weren't for my Master, I probably would have been executed and Bariss could have…well, you get the idea. After that, the Jedi Council asked me to come back, but I honestly couldn't trust myself or them after the way they threw me to the Senate."
Han smiled at the girl's spirit, glad she had shown those idiots some nerve.
"Good for you, kid."
Ahsoka could only manage a sad smile as she remembered her lekku braid in Anakin's hand, his smile falling as she closed it and her life in the Jedi Order forever.
"The only thing I really regret is leaving my Master. I wish I could have made him understand that it wasn't his fault. That was the last time I saw him."
Han didn't speak, but his stance spoke volumes as their eyes met for a moment. She never suspected that Han would look so understanding at this kind of thing, but then it hit her. Han probably could understand, what it was like to be screwed over and have some bad things you'd rather forget. She read a history of close calls and short breaks in that look. She wanted to know more, but refrained from asking. He didn't seem like the type to talk about his past.
Han seemed to have no reservations on asking questions though.
"So, how come you're sticking around? I mean, Luke's here, you don't have to be here anymore."
That was actually a pretty good question and might have stumped any other person, but Ahsoka simply smiled at those words.
"Call it worry maybe, I still want to be around him for a little while. But I guess the reason I'm sticking around is…I have faith."
She looked right at the smuggler captain at that.
"And I trust in the Force. That's all there is to it."
She turned around and started to walk away, not knowing about the dumbstruck look on Han Solo's face.
"See ya, Han."
Han shook out of his frozenness and called out his own opinion as her back was still turned
"I doubt it, kid!"
Ahsoka simply smirked as walked even more away towards the ships.
It took her a few minutes to catch up with where all the ships and their pilots were loading up for, but she soon saw where everything was and started to go say her final goodbye.
On that way, Leia was walking nearby, stopped when she saw Ahsoka.
"Ahsoka, where were you?"
"Saying goodbye to Han."
The princess' face seemed to fall at that, though perked at the second sentence.
"Luke is disappointed with him, I hope he'll be okay. Although, he also said that I sounded like you when I said it was Han's choice."
Ahsoka smirked at the princess.
"I might have said something similar when Luke was with Han. I'll see you in the control room in a little while. I just want to see Luke one last time."
Leia nodded with a look of understanding, with maybe just a little tint of looking forward to spending some more time with Ahsoka.
"I'll see you then, Ahsoka."
Ahsoka nodded as she walked on from the Princess. Once this was all over, she'd like to get to know more about the Princess of Alderaan.
If you stay.
Ahsoka shook those thoughts out for now. After this was all over, then she would figure out what she should do. Whether she would stay on with the Rebellion or leave for whatever mission the Force had for her. For now though, she was completely focused on what she could do to make sure this run could succeed.
Finally, she found Luke talking animatedly with another person. This person had dark tanned skin along with almost black hair and a moustache. She caught the two's attention.
"Well, what's going on here?"
Luke smiled as he introduced the two to each other.
"Oh, Ahsoka this is Biggs, he and I grew up together back on Tatooine. Biggs, this is Ahsoka Tano."
Biggs looked pretty impressed at only her name.
"Wow! So you're the Jedi they're all talking about!"
Ahsoka had to cringe slightly as she corrected him.
"Ex Jedi, but yeah I am."
Biggs nodded with enthusiasm before his eyes went to a ship nearby, presumably his own.
"Cool. Seems like it's about time to get aboard. Listen Luke, you'll tell me your stories when we come back. All right?"
Luke stopped Biggs' exit who turned around to hear him.
"Hey Biggs! I told you I'd make it someday."
His friend had to smile at that.
"It'll be like old times Luke. They're never going to stop us!"
With that, the man went to his ship. Luke was about ready to go into his ship as well, as Ahsoka stopped him again.
"Remember what I said about being careful?"
Luke smiled, as if thinking she was worrying too much.
"Yeah, yeah."
"You better come back, Skyguy."
Once again, Luke's face was purely annoyed.
"Don't call me that!"
Ahsoka smiled mischievously before going back to calm and assuring.
"Whatever you say. I'll be in the comm room so you'll hear me all the way. Any way, you better come back."
Luke nodded, making a promise as he started up the ladder into his ship.
"I will."
"Hey, Luke!"
He turned half way up to glance back at the Togruta at the bottom. She simply smiled.
"May the Force be with you."
That got a really big smile out of Luke, knowing very well that Ahsoka meant it. He restarted climbing the ladder, one of the crew chief working on the ship for last minute things as R2 was being hoisted up. Just before Luke got into the cockpit, the chief pointed to the little astro mech unit.
"That R2 unit of yours seems a bit beat up. Do you want a new one?"
Luke seemed to laugh at the thought of that idea.
"Not on your life! That little droid and I have been through a lot together. You okay, R2?"
R2 beeped in agreement to that as Luke hopped into the cockpit and put on his helmet.
"Good."
Ahsoka had to laugh at the exchange. It was completely what Anakin would have said and once again she was amazed how Luke and Anakin were different in some ways and alike in others.
C3PO walked up next to the Togruta on the ground, his voice worried for his silver blue counterpart.
"Hang on R2, you've got to come back."
The little droid beeped in agreement at its longtime friend, the protocol droid not as confident.
"You wouldn't want my life to get boring, would you?"
R2 beeped again, most likely in some witty retort, as it was fasted in to the ship.
Ahsoka noticed all the hurried activity around her as she began to lead 3PO.
"Come on, 3PO. We better get to the control room where we might be able to do something."
The golden droid nodded at the Togruta's suggestion.
"Quite right Miss Tano…yet I'm worried.
"Don't worry. They'll be fine, especially since it's those two."
V.E.: Now before you all pelt me with your rotten fruits and veggies, let me explain why Ahsoka is not going up.
1) In practicality terms, a few of you pointed out that Ahsoka should not be able to fly those new x wings. You're very right, so at the very least it's not that she doesn't want to fly and support Luke, she just can't. She could help the rebellion more with regular fights at this point. Although, she will get more familiar with the ships in the future when she has the time to.
2) Big reason for me, this is Luke's time to shine. Having Ahsoka there would distract Vader and this is how Luke first really came to his father's interest and led him to search for his identity.
So for these reasons, Ahsoka is helping in the control room with Leia.
Please don't review too badly because of this decision. At least, I hope you all read the Author's Notes for this explanation.