Cozzizzie: Thank you for reading it!;)
Light flickered, and images of trees and waterfalls hovered in the edges of Ahsoka's vision. The sun shone down over a green planet. No one told her, but she knew it was Bythal… she could recognize it easily. Somewhere in the distance, she heard a voice—familiar… comforting. Her mind refused to focus on the words—the words spoken in a language she didn't understand—but she smiled anyway—she knew who it was; Cody.
A sharp knock on the door forced the images away, leaving Ahsoka grasping at wisps of smoke and sunlight from a memory she had never had. She sighed, opened her eyes, and let out a frustrated sigh. The knock came again, more insistent this time. "Okay, okay, I'm coming."
The young woman stood up from her meditation mat, and strode slowly to the door. Putting on her best smile, she hit the button and the door slid open.
"Commander Tano, General Skywalker requested I come find you for the mission briefing." Luston's voice was flat as a dirt moorland. He tried to keep it that way. He wore his helmet, and it effectively hid his annoyed expression.
Ahsoka smiled up at him. "Thanks Luston. How are you this morning?"
"Busy." He stepped away from the door, figuring they would be walking together.
"One second," Ahsoka stepped back into her room, pulled her light-sabers from on top of her nightstand, placed them on her belt, then stepped back to the door. She crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe, briefly studying the new commander. After a moment, she stepped into the hall beside him, and started forward.
He walked on in silence, arms held by his sides. He tapped his teeth together, hoping to focus on something else other than his irritation. The transfer had not been like he'd expected, certainly, but he had been assigned by the Jedi Council.
"So, Commander—what do you think of the 212th?" Ahsoka asked, putting her hands on her hips and walking backwards, so she could look at him while she talked.
"They're unorganized after CC-2224's defection." The Jedi really like talking. He couldn't exactly tell her to stop, she technically was his commanding officer. Luston ground his teeth together – they would crack one day.
Ahsoka stopped dead ahead of him. "Cody didn't defect." Ahsoka's tone was stern, and the smile she'd had previously was gone. "Everyone just made an assumption based on the word of a woman who may or may not have been inebriated at the time of the supposed incident." She'd known Luston for a week now, and he hadn't seemed to thaw out one bit.
"There was more than just one account of the fight," Luston returned, "And every one, inebriated or otherwise, reported seeing a lightsaber. He must have stolen it from the Jedi." Luston tried to continue walking. He hated traitors; and he was coming to feel somewhat the same about this chipper, thoughtless attitude he had seen since arriving.
"Both myself and Master Kenobi—your commanding officer—checked. No Jedi was missing a weapon. I'll see you at the briefing, commander." Ahsoka smiled, but her eyes were distant and icy.
"Yes-sir." Luston started moving down the hallway, scowling.
Ahsoka shook her head, watching the clone leave. As a general rule, she liked the clones—they were good people. But Luston—though loyal to the Republic—was not one of the more likeable ones.
Shaking her head, Ahsoka turned and decided to take the long way to the briefing. Yes, her master would berate her for being late, but she'd rather be scolded than keep Luston company. As she walked, her gaze fell to the floor, watching only feet before where her feet landed.
Her thoughts drifted back to the dream—or what is a vision—she'd had. The effect of what she'd seen had calmed her; like some unanswered question had finally been dealt with. And she was sure now—more than she had been in the past weeks—that Cody was all right. Besides, he had her comm number. If he needed to contact her… he would. She hoped…
Her thoughts had pulled her from the present, and the distraction was enough for her to miss the person in the hall before her. She ran headlong into a clone. Ahsoka gasped. "Sorry!"
"It's fine, Commander," Rex replied with a smile, taking his helmet off. "Are you all right? You look a little… distracted."
"I am…" she sighed. "…I think I…" Ahsoka hesitated. If there was anyone she could trust at this point, it would be Rex. "I had a vision—or, I think I did." She smiled.
"A vision, sir?"
"Cody's safe. I don't know what exactly he's doing, but he's safe. He's with someone—but I didn't see who." Ahsoka shrugged. Whoever Cody was with, she hoped they were watching his back…
"Ah… That's good, sir." Rex paused for a moment, looking deep in thought. "He's gonna be on the run the rest of his life." There was another pause, and a cringe; the woman already had enough to think about. "Sorry, I just mean… He'll need to be careful. And if I know him, that's exactly what he'll be, and then some."
Ahsoka nodded. "He'll be careful… but as long as I'm able, I'm going to look for a way to prove he's innocent—or, at very least, get the GAR and the Council off his back. He shouldn't have to run."
"Yeah, and if there's anything I can do…" Rex let the sentence hang. No need to finish it.
"Thanks, Rex." Ahsoka put a hand on his shoulder.
Rex gave another sideways-smile, his eyes brightening slightly. "Of course, Comander Tano. Cody's still a brother."
Ahsoka nodded. "Well… Guess we've got a briefing to get to, then?" She started forward, walking along beside Rex.
She knew Cody was safe. For now, that was enough. It would have to be enough.
