Ahsoka and the Rebellion – Chapter 21: Conversations

Good to have everyone back for the latest installment of Ahsoka's life and times during the rebellion and the galactic civil war. Thank you to WrathKing104 for adding me as a favorite.

Chapter 21: Conversations

Ahsoka, Maris and Tri'ku were in a bar near the spaceport in the city of Pirin on Sullust. They were being hosted by Maris's old friend and fellow female Zabrak, Sugi. They had just been served a round of ale and Ahsoka opened the discussion by mentioning the Death Star project.

Sugi feigned surprise. "I'm sorry, the what?"

Maris whispered something in her ear, and she nodded. "Oh, thaaaat. Yeah, we saw that thing on the scopes yesterday. Thought it was some type of station like the Wheel."

Ahsoka displayed a holo image of the battle station, based on the pictures they had taken months earlier. "We're thinking this is still more or less what it would look like now."

Sugi nodded again. "Yeah, that's it. How big is that thing anyway?"

"About 160 km in diameter. And it has enough power to destroy an entire planet."

Sugi whistled softly.

Maris spoke next. "We were hoping to see it again. Have you heard much?"

Sugi shook her head. "Friend, you probably know more than me right now. But I keep my ear to the ground. There are always Imperials coming through here, and they are known to spill. Especially to the right person. Hold on, let me make a call."

She pulled out her com device and punched in a few digits. "Hey ... Yeah … If you have some time, could you come down here and join us? We will make it worth your while."

"Who was that?" Maris asked.

"Someone who works here. She's an escort. Not crazy about the job but they pay in hard cash."

While they waited for Sugi's friend, she chatted up Tri'ku. He told her about his home planet and she asked if he and Ahsoka were seeing each other, to which he smiled and nodded. Maris and Ahsoka were having a side conversation about an unrelated matter. After about five minutes, another individual came over to join them. She was a Twi'lek of average height and deep purple skin, dressed somewhat provocatively in a teal sequined dress. Sugi turned to her.

"Ah, Kalama, so nice of you to join us. These folks are Ahsoka, Maris, and Tri'ku."

Kalama smiled and nodded to each of them. Sugi brought a chair over for her. "What are you drinking?"

"Just water, thanks." Kalama laughed. "What can I do for you all?"

Ahsoka spoke up. "We were wondering if you might know anything about this." She again showed the holo image of the Death Star.

Kalama stared at it for a bit, then answered. "As a matter of fact I might. What's in it for me?"

Ahsoka opened her handbag and flipped a 100-credit chip onto the table in front of her. "Might this help your memory?" She snipped at the Twi'lek.

Kalama quickly snapped up the chip and deposited it somewhere in her dress.

"Ah … Ahsoka, is it?" She asked, pretending to have already forgotten. Ahsoka nodded.

"All right … It just so happens … I was with a gentleman last night. He was stationed on that thing. Seemed rather proud of it, too."

"Go on …"

"Well, I had served him some whiskey and he seemed to like me, so for some reason I guess he thought I would be impressed so I pretended to be. He said it was the most important thing in the whole galaxy or something like that."

Tri'ku then spoke up in a soft tone, smiling at Kalama. She immediately turned to him and her mood seemed to shift.

"Miss Kalama … did he say they might be coming back to Sullust? We'd heard they were here only one rotation ago."

"Mister Tri'ku …" Her eyes sparkled and her lekku crossed seductively in front of her, then started to twitch. "Yes. He made a point of telling me that. Said he wanted to see me again."

Tri'ku nodded to her. "Very good. By any chance did this man tell you his name or rank? He was an Imperial officer, right?"

Kalama looked at him and smiled sweetly, her voice softening considerably. "Oh yes, sir. Said he was a Captain. His name … hmm. I think it was Enlegher or something like that."

Tri'ku quickly entered the Basic characters on his com screen and showed it to her. "Does that look correct, Miss Kalama?"

"Oh, yes …" she smiled again.

"Thank you so much, you've been a big help." He pulled a 100-credit chip from his pocket and handed it to her. "I hope this helps."

"Ooh … very much so, kind sir."

Kalama and Sugi entered into a discussion amongst themselves, with Maris joining them, while Tri'ku turned to Ahsoka.

"My love, this could be quite helpful. The name checks out in the database I have for Imperial officials in the South sub-region. This is of course where the Death Star project started. This man is one of Grand Moff Tarkin's selected admins. From the sound of it, he must have enjoyed spilling those details to our lovely friend here."

Ahsoka laughed. "Men and their needs. How typical. How helpful, though … our purple friend here likely had a big night. I'm sure she wouldn't mind another."

Tri'ku nodded to her. "Exactly. Perhaps Kalama might do us another favor."

"You should be the one to ask her. She seems to like you. Me? Not so much." Ahsoka tossed her head backwards and her lekku jiggled in different directions as she laughed some more.

Tri'ku stood, cleared his throat and walked over to Kalama, who was gesturing vigorously as she explained something to Maris and Sugi. Upon seeing him again, her voice dropped several decibels. Tri'ku pointed in the direction of the bar, then put his arm around Kalama, and they walked off.

Ahsoka then joined Maris and Sugi's conversation.

Sugi gestured in the direction of the bar. "Did you find my friend useful, Ahsoka?"

"Perhaps. We're checking out a lead she gave us."

Tri'ku and Kalama shared a drink together and she agreed to make a recording of her return visit with the Imperial captain, for which Tri'ku promised her 500 credits – upon delivery. They would meet with her again the next night. As they returned to Ahsoka and Maris, Kalama whispered to Sugi, then excused herself. At this point, Sugi turned to Ahsoka.

"I almost forgot … Ahsoka, dear, it seems another old friend of yours passed through here recently."

"Do tell…" Ahsoka laughed.

"A certain Saw Gerrera?" Sugi cocked her head and smiled broadly.

"Oh really? We caught up with him awhile back."

"Indeed, he mentioned the same. Said you were with a very powerful lady who created her own tornado and cleared out and scrapped a few hundred droids. Rather useful skill, I should say …"

Ahsoka's expression changed momentarily upon hearing the reference to Shaak, but she quickly recovered.

"Might he still be on-world?"

"Possibly. He told me he had info to pass on to you. Would you have a contact?"

Ahsoka thought about it for a second. "Maybe. Just in case, could you give me the one you used?"

Sugi nodded. "Sure thing, Ahsoka."

She motioned for Ahsoka to follow her over to the bar. Once there, she offered her old friend a friendly toast with some rather intoxicating spirits. Tri'ku and Maris followed them, watching with interest. After more merriment, Ahsoka decided they needed to get back to her ship to spend the night. From Corvala Dawn, Ahsoka then tried to contact Gerrera. Her earlier information turned out to be inoperative, but Sugi's new contact worked fine. Saw answered and was quite happy that it was Ahsoka calling.

"Hello friend! Very happy to hear your voice …"

"Saw … can we meet? My friend – and yours – believes you are still on Sullust."

"It will have to be soon. I will be leaving tomorrow."

"Fine. Can you come to my ship? It's on landing bay E-25…"

"I'm there. See you in a bit."

When Saw Gerrera arrived and came on board, Ahsoka first introduced him to Maris and Tri'ku, and then he got right to business.

"Ahsoka, my friend, I believe you are here because of the Death Star. I had also heard it would be here."

"Yes, my Master and I are running a very sensitive network that tracks various things around the Galaxy. Maris here had some friends on Sullust and we met with one tonight – the one called Sugi. She had a Twi'lek friend that met an officer from the battle station, who said they left yesterday but were coming back. It seems they had some business here on Sullust, then they were headed somewhere further out."

Saw nodded. "I'd gathered much the same from other contacts. They are going to a planet called Jedha."

"That's an ancient Jedi holy place, I think."

"Yep, and it also is a good source for Kyber crystals. We now know that's what they are using to power the main laser on the Death Star. Ahsoka, remember what I told you about Galen Erso?"

"Right. Anything to add to that?"

"An Imperial pilot recently defected. I met with him on this planet. He had heard the same rumors about a built-in flaw. Only that now they think the flaw in the Death Star is some type of exhaust port for the main reactor."

Ahsoka was silent for a second while she contemplated this idea.

"Makes sense actually. There might even be more than one, with something that big. How else do you bleed off enough thermal energy to prevent the thing from overheating?"

"That's my Ahsoka. Always figuring things out."

"Saw, did that guy have any idea about how to find that schematic of the station?"

"Sorry. Only Galen had that – and he's in Imperial custody."

Ahsoka gasped. "Ooh, that's a setback."

"Maybe not. You need to meet with his daughter, Jyn. She was the last one to see him."

"Where can I find her?"

"At the moment, I'm not sure. I will keep in touch. Ahsoka, I have to get going. May the Force be with you and with your Master Shaak. I know the two of you will be the ones to stop the Empire."

Ahsoka nodded. They exchanged hugs and Gerrera left Corvala Dawn.

The next day, Sugi came to meet them after Maris gave her the location of Ahsoka's ship. Sugi asked for them to take off and orbit the planet, so she could show them certain details of the surface from high above. Once they were in orbit, the Death Star suddenly reappeared, dropping out of hyperspace. Two Star Destroyers followed and they took up positions on either side of the battle station. Ahsoka decided to quickly land on the planet and their earlier landing bay was still available. They wanted to wait until Kalama could meet with Captain Enlegher, the Imperial officer, again.

As the Death Star returned to Sullust after a short hop to Eriadu, Darth Vader had been given a full tour of the station and its various components, including the huge laser batteries on the northern hemisphere. He realized the implications of what he had seen and that the weapon would indeed be as forceful as originally promised. While ruminating over these possibilities in his private quarters, he started thinking about Grand Master Ti and Master Tano, how they had shown him sympathy and essentially gave him a new chance. He would help them, he vowed, and he fully intended to keep that promise.

At this time, he suddenly detected the Force presence of Ahsoka Tano. She's on the planet below, he realized. Vader decided he had to meet with her and find out what she and the Grand Master were thinking. He took an Imperial shuttle and landed on Sullust, near to where Corvala Dawn was secured. At this point, he then reached out to Ahsoka with the Force.

Ahsoka immediately felt his presence as well, and that he wanted to meet with her. She and Maris left Tri'ku with the ship and ventured over to Vader's shuttle. Once they could see it, they both scanned it and determined that Vader was alone. They boarded the shuttle and he was waiting. His familiar breathing rhythm could be heard, and he welcomed Ahsoka aboard.

"Master Tano. I am honored by your presence."

Ahsoka laughed and then snipped cheerfully, "So how are you, Skyguy?"

Vader inwardly scowled at this reference but showed no sign of it outwardly. It was a bit jarring to hear that name again, but it reminded him of much happier times.

"Anakin, this is Maris."

Maris lowered her head slightly. "Lord Vader, my apologies for that rude welcome I gave you on Drewwa. It was my emotions overreacting."

"I am much better now, Knight Maris."

Ahsoka turned to her. "Could you keep watch for me? I will meet with our friend in private."

"Yes, Master Ahsoka, I understand."

After Maris left them, Vader remarked, "You will understand that I cannot address you as Snips."

Ahsoka chuckled. "I suppose not. Anyway, what progress do you have to report to me?"

"The Death Star will be making several stops along the Outer Rim in the next two months. We will be testing the lasers with a low-power shot."

Ahsoka nodded. "And what of Jedha?"

"There is still a need for more crystals, so we will be stopping there as well. I cannot give you the precise timetable."

"All right, fair enough. Whom do you have overseeing the laser development?" Ahsoka wanted to compare notes, so as to gauge the accuracy of what Saw had given her earlier.

"Director Orson Krennic. A bit annoying but effective."

"I had been given another name, a man called Erso."

"He is no longer with us – but he was the chief architect of that part of the project."

"Anakin, thank you very much for bringing this information. I also appreciate your discretion."

"My pleasure, Master Tano. Please give my regards to Grand Master Ti."

"I will be sure to do that. We will be in touch."

With that, Ahsoka bent her knees slightly in a half-curtsy, smiled and turned away. Vader stood watching her, hoping silently that Shaak would be pleased with his cooperation. Maris stood at the exit of the shuttle, waiting for Ahsoka. They then walked out together.

While the events with Ahsoka and Vader were taking place, Shaak Ti was making another trip, alone (save for a pair of trusted droids that had long been in her service), in her ship Intrepid V. Her course was set for the distant Northern world, Muunilinst. This was the planet where the Inter-Galactic Banking Clan (IGBC) was based and from there, they carried out the financing of many operations for the Old Republic, and were doing much the same for the Empire. As she orbited, she picked out the city of Mariunhus, now remaining as the key center of financial activity on the planet. The other major center, Harnaidan, had been badly damaged by battles during the Clone Wars.

When her ship touched down on the landing platform, a group of dignitaries, all IGBC members, arrived to meet her and escort her to her destination, a large office tower with a commanding view of the city and the lands beyond. Shaak was dressed in one of her finer garments, a platinum embroidered black velvet robe covered in various jewels, over an elegant gown in a pale silk fabric. She carried her newly fashioned sabre – named the "razor of elegance" by its owner – mostly concealed but with its platinum-tipped hilt still visible. Her hosts were all members of the Muun species, a group of tall and elegant people who were mostly very serious in their outlook toward life. They were also experts at mathematics, a discipline shared by Shaak but one she mostly kept to herself, as was often her custom. Normally, a Togruta like Shaak would seem to have little in common with the Muuns, as Togruta were thought to be a species of hunters, aggressive and uncivilized. However, Shaak's days with the Jedi established her reputation as an even-tempered woman and she was often thought to be the "conscience of the Jedi" in that she rarely took sides in disputes, preferring to give a fair hearing to both viewpoints before making a decision. This was why her advice was usually trusted by Yoda and Mace Windu.

Her hosts brought her to see Mak Plain, who had long been a leader in Mariunhus finance. As she entered his office, the others left the two to discuss matters privately. Mak bowed to her as she entered, which she returned with a soft smile.

"Greetings, Grand Master. We are honored by your presence. What may I do for you?"

"Ah, Sir Mak, it's been too long. I simply had to make time to visit your lovely world. Far too few understand what a wonderful place this is to visit." Shaak said as she looked out the windows and extended an arm outward to signify the expanse below.

Her host gave a thin smile in return. "You are most welcome, Master Ti."

Shaak nodded and was seated. She gazed across at him and spoke.

"I first want to tell you I will be moving another ten billion credits into my account with you. My new Order is establishing a firm financial foundation."

"Very good, Grand Master. We appreciate your wise foresight and are pleased to partner with you."

"Yes …" She tilted her head back and looked around for a bit, then smiled again. "I also would like to add my newly adopted daughter, Ahsoka Tano, as a co-guarantor on the account. She has become a shrewd and most capable manager of our assets. She is to be treated as you would myself."

"It shall be done, Master Ti. Are there any other requests?"

"Yes. I will be staying overnight on your world. I would like appropriate transport for the duration."

"At once, Grand Master."

With that, the banker made a call with his com device, then rose and approached her. She extended her hand to him, before which he duly knelt and kissed. After that, she rose, gathered her robe and smiled again. Mak escorted her out of his office, then to an outdoor platform on this, the 310th floor of the building. Soon, an elegant limousine speeder arrived, which Shaak boarded. It took her out of town, about 20 km, to a more ordinary-looking structure of about five stories on the outer reaches of the city.

Shaak was helped out of the speeder, which would wait for her return, and shown inside. She then proceeded to another office, this one far more utilitarian. As she entered, an older orange-skinned Twi'lek greeted her warmly.

"Ah, Shaak, my friend. Sure is great to see you out here. You're more beautiful than ever, as well."

Shaak laughed and tossed her head back, causing her lekku to jump around vigorously.

"Whattaya got for me, Tor?"

Tor Bohcala was a mining prospector who had a "native sense" about finding rich veins of precious metals. Muunilinst was known for its vast deposits of these, which were used to anchor the value of the galactic credit standard in both Republic and Imperial times. Shaak was financing a clandestine operation to remove large amounts of platinum and gold off-world, which she would then have deposited at much greater rates of return on other planets, including those of the Core worlds such as Corellia and Chandrila. She would then send part of her profits back to Muunilinst, where her preferred bankers would pocket huge sums for their handling of her business.

"My lady, we have just located another huge deposit of platinum in the northern reaches of the planet. There's enough there to last for years."

"Oh, my …" She chuckled. "No need to move fast on this. But file all the documents. I want clear title to everything you find."

As Shaak winked at him, her mind went through the calculations. Carefully placed, this could yield trillions of credits if leveraged properly, giving her the ability to control the finances of many worlds. But it was not a card she was in any hurry to play. The Muuns were usually (and understandably) suspicious of outsiders, but Shaak spoke their language and her manipulative skills were good at harnessing their greed to her own pursuits. 'Keep every palm greased' was an old maxim in the financial circles of the Galaxy and she was adept at making everyone happy. Her Force abilities enabled her to know exactly what was required.

Tor smiled to her and clasped her hand firmly as they worked out all of the details. He agreed to take her up to the mine site the next morning. She then made out a draft in his name against her account for one million credits.

"Lady Shaak, you are always so generous. May I escort you to dinner? I promise your gourmet Togruta tastes will be most pleased."

"Only if you put on some decent clothes …" She laughed again, and the Twi'lek joined her.

"But of course … gotta look like a millionaire with a classy dame like you."

The next day, Tor Bohcala was waiting for her in the lobby of the elegant hotel she was staying at. After she rose and had her breakfast brought to her room, the young human female servants assigned to her room drew her a hot mineral bath after gently washing her body and preparing her. As she sat back in it, letting the warmth radiate through her body, she meditated lightly for a while. Her thoughts immediately went to Ahsoka and Vader and she was expecting some progress to be made regarding the Death Star. She also thought about Yavin IV and the rebellion.

Once she finished her bath, she dressed and went down to meet her friend. Bohcala then took her via shuttle craft to the mine site up north. It didn't take long for her to see that it held all the promise he spoke of. She expressed a desire to keep this discovery very quiet, but to start extracting the ore right away, only at a slow and deliberate pace, to not arouse undue suspicion. Her business on Muunilinst thus complete, she made a return visit to banker Mak Plain, who served her a private lunch of the best cuisine the planet had to offer. After that, she bid him a fond farewell and returned for her ship Intrepid V, which whisked her home to Felucia some 24 hours later.

Back on Sullust, Ahsoka and Tri'ku waited for the return of the escort Kalama after her follow-up date with Imperial Captain Enlegher. She had done as they asked and made a surreptitious recording of the night and all the talkative officer had to say. It turned out that he provided similar info to what Vader had told Ahsoka earlier that day. The Death Star was to go to Jedha and test fire the giant laser there, before returning to Scarif. They would remain at Sullust for another two weeks or so until that voyage. Tri'ku thanked the young Twi'lek and paid her the amount promised. Upon returning to Corvala Dawn, Tri'ku, Maris, and Ahsoka tried to piece everything together. They decided to return to Felucia so they could bring the Grand Master all of what they had learned. One thing was for sure. Things were starting to heat up in the Galaxy. Once the Death Star had been tested, there was no telling where the Empire might take it – and who else might soon feel the power of its lasers.

(to be continued …)