Ahsoka and her team continued down the empty hallways in silence, each mourning the loss of Wolffe. Rex was up front, and judging by his posture, he was angry.
Ahsoka understood, she felt the same when Yoda had fallen. They would be avenged, Ahsoka would make sure of it.
She just hoped that Rex wouldn't do anything foolish due to his rage. She needed him level headed if they were to pull this off. After all, they still had a long way to go.
Approaching the end of another corridor, the small team came across another door that needed opening. If all went to plan, this would lead to the hanger bay they had planned to regroup in.
Crouching down at the control panel, Gregor worked swiftly, opening the door in seconds.
As the door slid open, Ahsoka spotted movement on the other side. They were indeed in the hanger bay they needed to be in…
But so were a squad of Deathtroopers.
Rex opened fire first, his aim scoring a hit of a Deathtrooper, who fell to the floor, a hole burning in his head.
Hondo moved in next, tossing a terminal detonator into the mix, forcing the Deathtroopers to scatter.
As the explosive device went off, Ahsoka dashed forward with her sabers ignited, and cleaved one Deathtrooper in two, before turning to deflect the blaster fire from another.
The skirmish continued for a while longer than Ahsoka had expected. Deathtrooper were the elite of the elite, and that clearly showed. They seemed to demonstrate far greater tactical intellect than most Stormtroopers ever did.
That being said, they were up against a former Jedi and a pair of clone troopers.
As well as a pirate.
Hondo moved again, blasting a Deathtrooper who had been focused on Ahsoka in the back, before turning to blast another who had Rex pinned down.
Several seconds later, the last of the Deathtroopers fell to a shot by Gregor, and the hanger bay was secure.
Glancing around the space, Ahsoka saw no more contacts, and they was only one ship present in the hanger bay, an oddly shaped imperial shuttle that looked like it belonged to some high up imperial leader.
Still, she did not have time to dwell on whose shuttle it was.
Reaching for her comm link, Ahsoka spoke.
"Second team, what's your position?"
Garbled static came through the other end, as well as the unmistakable sound of blaster fire.
"We're pinned at the door. We need it open NOW!" Fenn Rau's voice came through in static bursts, clearly showing desperation.
Signalling to her team, Ahsoka began to dahs towards the door at the far end of the hanger bay. On the other side, she heard the sounds of a ferocious battle, as well as the hums of lightsabers swinging and deflecting.
"Get this door open Gregor!" Ahsoka called out to the commando, who did just that. Finding another control interface, Gregor worked for a few seconds, before the doors slid open.
"Come on!" Ahsoka called out to the team as the doors opened.
The battle on the other side was chaos. The lightsaber wielders were up front, creating a barrier with their blades, deflecting what shots they could.
The Wookiees came through the door first, Custos backing in slowly, releasing a roar of anger as she fired a blaster she had acquired, and scoring a hit on a Stormtrooper down the hall.
Zeb was through next, supporting an evidently wounded Sabine, followed shortly by her brother Tristan.
Kallus came next, side by side with Saw, firing down the hallway.
Then came Cham, who turned and dashed through the threshold of the doorway.
Watching the chaos, Ahsoka spotted that Rau was up front with the saber wielders, playing the role of leader well. The rest of the second team began to back up, making it through the threshold of the doorway quickly.
Maul came to stand by Ahsoka's side, his crimson blade rotating and deflecting more shots back at the approaching imperials.
"Everyone's through. Seal the door!" Ahsoka called out to Gregor once the remainder of the team had made it inside. Gregor worked for a few seconds, crossing a few more codes and wires before the door slammed shut.
As the doors closed however, a stray shot made it past the threshold, and slammed into Fenn Rau, knocking him off his feet.
"Rau!" Ahsoka called, moving over the support him.
But rather than fall backwards, the Protector shook off the hit, regaining his balance, and locking his gaze onto the Togruta.
"I'm good commander. Beskar always holds up against such standard blaster fire."
Breathing a sigh of relief, Ahsoka shot a small smile at Rau, before stepping away to assess the team.
Ezra was crouched by Sabine and her brother, administering first aid to a nasty wound on her back. Clearly her jetpack had taken a hit.
As Ahsoka glanced around, she noticed something. Someone was missing.
"Where's Ryder?" Ahsoka inquired, concern in her voice. Deep down she already knew the answer, she just needed to hear it.
"He fell." It was Cham that confirmed it, sorrow in his voice at the loss of the former Lothal Governor.
Shaking her head in despair, Ahsoka mourned his loss, and vowed to avenge him.
"Wolffe?" Zeb spoke aloud next, looking around in worry.
Internally, Ahsoka cringed. She could still hear Wolffe's agonizing screams in her memory as he was ripped apart. What was she going to tell them?
Luckily, Rex seemed to take it upon himself, speaking with a sombre, yet respectful tone.
"He's with his general now."
It was no secret just how much Wolffe had respected Plo Koon, and the loss of the respected Jedi Master had damaged the Wolfpack commander severely.
The fact that he was now back at his side was small comfort to Ahsoka.
"Karabast." Zeb whispered in reply, his hands coming to his head in despair.
Glancing at the rest of the team, Ahsoka saw that they were growing weary. They had lost people they cared for.
And they would likely lose more.
Reaching for her communication device, Ahsoka spoke.
"Hera, do you read me?"
The Twi-lek replied instantaneously.
"Ahsoka, sorry about before. Repairs are nearly complete. Have you reached the hanger bay yet?" The Twi-lek's tone was enthusiastic, despite the situation.
"We have Hera, but we took some casualties. Yoda, Ryder and Wolffe are down." Ahsoka replied, waiting for the reaction. Around her, the team did the same.
Hera was silent for a few seconds, before a sigh came across the comms. Ahsoka had to say she felt the same.
"Understood commander. I've been doing some planning ahead. From where you are you need to get to an adjacent cargo storage area. It's through the door at the far end of the hanger bay you are currently in. From there, you can access a corridor that leads straight to the centre of the station."
Ahsoka glanced at the opposite end of the hanger bay, spotting the door in question. If that led to where they needed to go, then that's where she would go.
"Understood Hera. Now I need something more from you. We rescued some Wookiees held in captivity here. We have secured they hanger bay we are in. Can you fly round the station and extract them? That way we can use this as our escape route once the crystal has been destabilized."
It was a tall order, Ahsoka knew this. But if anyone could do it, it was Hera Syndulla.
"Copy that Ahsoka. Once repairs are complete, I'll fly the Ghost round to the hanger bay."
Nodding to herself, Ahsoka shifted her attention to the Wookiees, specifically Custos.
"Custos, I need you and your pack to remain here until out pilot can extract you. Is that ok?"
[Of course. Hunt well Commander.] The Wookiee replied, before moving over to what remained of her pack.
Glancing around the hanger bay, Ahsoka made another decision. She couldn't leave the Wookiees undefended. Sure, they were Wookiees, but they had been kept prisoner for so long, they wouldn't be in the best decision.
That meant she would have to leave some people behind to defend the landing zone, and safeguard the Wookiees until Hera arrived to extract them.
The question was, who?
Sooner or later the door they had just come through would open, and imperial reinforcements would flood through.
She needed people who not only worked well together, but could provide a robust defence alongside the Wookiees that could fight.
Glancing around at her team members, Ahsoka came to a decision.
Levelling her gaze at two specific individuals, Ahsoka spoke.
"Kallus, Zeb, I need you two to hold this position until Hera arrives with the Ghost. Defend the Wookiees and keep this extraction secure. Can you do that?"
Zeb seemed surprised at being assigned such a task. He was more of the brute force kind of fighter, not the defensive. Kallus meanwhile seemed up to the task, saluting once at Ahsoka.
Glancing to his side, Zeb saw Kallus' acceptance, and too nodded his.
"We'll hold the line Ahsoka." Zeb spoke with confidence.
Ahsoka smiled and nodded her head at her two allies, before moving towards the doorway they needed to get through, the rest of the team following behind.
"Hey, Lasat?" Gregor's voice echoed across the hanger bay. The team turned to watch Gregor approach Zeb, his rotary cannon in his hands, before passing it to Zeb.
"You might need this."
Again, Zeb looked surprised, but reached out to accept the heavy weapon regardless.
"Thanks old-timer." Zeb gruffly replied, humour in his voice.
Gregor chuckled aloud, before moving to re-join the team as they approached the door they needed to get through, leaving Kallus and Zeb behind to prepare for their defence.
Ezra worked on the panel this time, inserting his data spike into the panel, and sorting through the various bits of information present.
Ahsoka stood waiting for the door to open, flanked by Rex and Maul. If there were enemies on the other side, she would catch them by surprise.
Then, the door began to open.
"Good work Ezra." Kanan called out from beside his apprentice. Ezra however, seemed surprised.
"I didn't do that." The young boy said with confusion. His tone alerted the team. Something was wrong.
Gripping the hilt of her lightsaber, Ahsoka braced herself.
The door then opened fully, revealing a single figure on the other side, dressed in the white of an imperial higher up.
The figure wasn't armed, and carried only what looked like a datachip in his hand.
But that wasn't important at the moment. As Ahsoka locked eyes with the figure, she felt anger build up inside her. It had been many years since they had last met, but she recognized him immediately.
And clearly he recognized her.
"Commander Tano?" The figure spoke, both with shock and what appeared to be fear in his voice.
Bearing her Togrutan incisors, Ahsoka released a harsh push through the force, sending the man flying backwards into the wall of the corridor behind him. The figure crashed into the wall, slumping down so that his back was against the wall.
Shaking off the impact, the figure looked up from his now seated position, only to come face to face with a bright white beam of plasma pointing directly at his face.
Ahsoka snarled aloud before speaking, disgust in her tone.
"Colonel Yularen. Look at what you have become!"
Wullf Yularen stared up at the deadly blade, fear, yet understanding in his eyes. Perhaps he realized why exactly Ahsoka was threatening him.
"Commander, it is good to see you again, despite the situation." Yularen spoke. Ahsoka noted that his voice had not changed. Over a decade later, and his accent was as crisp as ever. That sent a wave of unwelcome nostalgia down her spine.
Ahsoka had long since wondered what she would say to Yularen if she ever met him again. They had served together well during the clone wars, and Ahsoka had believed that Yularen was a good man.
But when the republic had fallen and the empire had risen, Yularen had stayed with the empire, rising through the ranks to head the ISB, which was practically the equal of the Fulcrum network that Ahsoka had established.
So despite their past, as far as Ahsoka was concerned, Yularen has willingly sided with a tyrannical racist leader who endorsed killing children. Unless he had a kriffing good reason for doing so… she would kill him here and now!
Beside her, Ahsoka felt Rex shift to stand alongside his friend, his blaster pointed directly at Yularen. Cleary the old clone felt the same way as Ahsoka did.
"Stow the pleasantries 'Colonel' and tell me why? Why did you choose to empire?" Ahsoka spat, gesturing with her blade lightly. She'd give him an opportunity.
One opportunity.
Yularen visibly gulped at the obvious threat, before looking down at his lap in shame.
"I, I don't know. I thought that maybe, just maybe, Palpatine would make something good come of it all. We needed unity after the clone war. The empire seemed liked the best way to do that."
So far, Yularen had not convinced her. At this rate, he would not be leaving alive.
"And what about the Jedi? Do you feel no guilt knowing that you supported a monster who ordered the deaths of children? What about the clones? Did you do anything to help them?" Ahsoka spoke again, her voice raising a level in tone. Around her, the team waited, watching out for any unexpected attacks, whilst listening to the conversation.
Yularen didn't raise his gaze from his lap. Clearly he was ashamed.
"No, I didn't do anything. The Jedi didn't deserved what they got, much less the younglings. And the clones, they are people, and they were willingly cast aside." Yularen continued, sounding even more downtrodden than before.
Remorse was good, but it wouldn't save him.
"You do realize you work for the Sith now don't you? Did you ever stop to wonder who Darth Vader was? Where he came from?" It was Rex that added a line of questioning this time, his voice clearly agitated, but not quite as malicious as Ahsoka's was.
Yularen's gaze lifted from his lap, a look of contemplation on his face.
"I figured Palpatine was a Sith. It would explain the Inquisitors. But Vader, I never did find out anything about him." Yularen spoke.
"He was a Jedi. Specially, he was Anakin Skywalker, my master." Ahsoka answered for the Colonel, spite in her tone at the mention of the word 'master'. Ahsoka no longer cared to associate herself with that man, not after what he had done.
Yularen was clearly shocked by the revelation. For a moment, it looked like he would deny what he had been told, like many others would.
But in the end, his gaze dropped again, and the old man sighed.
"I'm sorry Commander, I didn't know. It must have been hard when you…"
"When I killed him. It was at first, but he made his choice, as you did yours." Ahsoka finished for Yularen, the blade retracting slightly. She still hadn't decided his fate, but the remorse he was showing was a good sign.
Yularen sat for a few moments, before moving his hands to his sides, pushing himself up slowly, as if expecting to be pushed back down by the force.
Rather than do what Yularen expected, Ahsoka allowed her old commanding officer to rise to his feet. Better to die on his feet than on the floor.
"The Empire is not what it once was. It does not seek to benefit the galaxy, nor its people, I see that now. This weapon, and many like it are tools of fear. Used only to consolidate and expand Palpatine's power. He must be stopped." Yularen spoke clearly, his tone reaching the familiar levels of confidence that was reminiscent of the clone war Admiral. Ahsoka lowered her blade, but did not extinguish it.
As he spoke, Yularen reached his hand out, offering the datachip to Ahsoka.
"After the recent Meeting of the Moffs, I started doing some digging. Apparently the Emperor has some sort of contingency plan that could threaten the whole galaxy. Whatever Operation Cinder is has been kept the upmost secret. Not even I was privy to such information. So I hacked into the private databases of both Admiral Versio and Admiral Rax, the officers in charge of the project."
Ahsoka listened. It didn't surprise her that Sidious has a backup plan. Whatever this 'Operation Cinder' was would clearly be a problem in the future. No doubt it would be another issue to resolve one day, assuming they survived today.
Yularen reached out with his hand, taking Ahsoka's free hand in his grip and depositing the chip at the same time.
"I downloaded and decrypted what I could. Take it, please. Find out what this contingency plan is and stop it. Do what I could not, that's all I ask." Yularen finished, bowing his head in both shame.
Ahsoka grasped the datachip hard. The information on it would prove useful to the rebellion, despite her current predicament with them. Yularen had given her information that could save lives.
In that moment, Ahsoka made up her mind regarding Yularen's fate.
Extinguishing her lightsaber, Ahsoka took a step back from Yularen.
"Thank you Colonel. I don't trust you, but you have helped us today when you didn't have to. Now I suggest you get off this station before we destroy it." The Togruta woman spoke as a small smile came to her face. Yularen, after hearing her words smiled too, before saluting at her.
"Of course Commander, thank you for the second chance. May the force be with you." The Colonel replied, before moving past Ahsoka and Rex, who nodded at Yularen as he passed by.
Yularen was about to enter the hanger bay before he turned around and spoke again.
"Word of advice Commander Tano. Tiber Saxon and his supercommandos are waiting for you up ahead. Expect a tough fight."
Ahsoka turned her head to look at Yularen before replying.
"Thanks for the heads up. Good luck Colonel Yularen."
Yularen nodded again before heading into the hanger, towards the shuttle that was waiting.
Ahsoka didn't watch Yularen go, instead, she moved to re-join her team, leading them down the hallway they were in.
From Yularen's warning, they were in for a tough fight.
At least this time they knew what to expect. That was one advantage that would work in their favour.
Author's thoughts
Oh look, no deaths this time around. Hope that's ok. :)
Although, I did seriously consider killing off Yularen. In one draft, Rex killed him, but I decided to spare him instead.
Anyway, I hope you have all enjoyed you holiday period, even if you are not back yet. I got the Thrawn novel, so I am now slowly reading through that at the moment. (no spoilers or Thrawn falls down a flight of stairs!)
In regards to last chapter and the fate of Wolffe, I'm glad you all enjoyed the shock of it. It was overly brutal I agree, and evil of me, but I'm sorry. And ot be fair, it was sort of foreshadowed earlier in the story.
Now, as for my plans for a future Anakin and Ahsoka centric story, I want to thank those that replied with ideas and opinions. I think that for now, I will focus on the one shots rather than plan a whole new story. That being said, I will write an Ahsoka and Anakin centric story at somepoint, when I feel I have a solid idea.
As for my one shots, a few of you asked what sort of things will be in them. Whilst I can't name everything that will happen, as some of them will spoil the ending of this story, I can reveal a few topics of one shots that take place before this story, thus not spoiling the outcome. There are as follows:
1. Maul and the Dagobah force cave
2. Kanera fluff. Lots and lots of Kanera fluff
3. Eighth Brother's adventures after Malachor
4. Vos and Order 66
5. Kaeden Larte visting the grave of someone she loved (ominous much, muhahahaahahaha)
6. Vader before Malachor
So there, hope this little tease gets you excited.
Next time round, Thrawn recieves a report about the Chimaera, and Ahsoka and her team run across some Imperial Supercommandos.
As normal, comment and speculate at will:. Speaking of which:
Jxjxjx: Thanks, I'm glas you love this story, and that you like the characterisation of the characters. Hopefully I don't upset you with the deaths... unless I already have, in that case, sorry. :(
Mysterious Guest number one: I'm glad you enjoyed the garbage monster scene. I was fun to imagine. Your welcome about Rex by the way. I'm not his greatest fan, but I know most others are.
jamese765: Poor Ryder and Wolffe. I felt so bad. Let's hope no one else falls.
Travis Middleton: Don't worry about the delay in reviewing. Everyone is busy this time of year, I don't mind. Glad you enjoyed the fight between Kallus and the Royal Guard. I wanted Kallus to have a badass moment.
As for Wolffe, yeah it was a bit brutal. I'm so sorry Wolffe.
Angry Rex is angry now, and that means trouble.
The deaths are taking a toll on Ahsoka. Let's hope she keeps her darker side under control.
SWGoji2001: Looks like it wasn't the Eighth Brother, but Yularen instead. Hope you liked.
I'm really really really really really sorry about Wolffe, but it was either him or Rex. Wolffe's fate is by far the worst so far. Wonder if anything can top it.
I do have a tendancy to have characters die protecting someone else don't I. Methinks I need to think of new ways to kill people off.
Hope the list of topics is a good enough tease for you. :)
Cranky Paws: Hope you had enough tissues to get through the last chapter. It was a pretty dark and depressing one.
You are completely right about Wolffe. That is exactly his character.
More stories in this AU are coming, hopefully you will enjoy them.
As for Vader... I must be the only person in the universe who is against the idea of redemption for Vader. As far as I am concerned, he is beyond redemption the second he kills the younglings in the temple in ROTS. Killing Sidious, and then dying immediately afterwards does not qualify as redemption in my eyes. (my opinion of course. Everyone disagrees by the looks of it. :D)
SLE's fave guest: Yeah, I wanted to one up that clone death in the Citadel arc, hence 'ripped apart by buzz droids.'
Hope you are not too mad at me. At least it wasn't Rex. I changed it for fans of him like you. :)
FossilQueen1984: The rebels are falling fast at the moment. Let's hope it doesn't continue. Glad you enjoyed the chapters.
ItsJustABook: Glad you enjoyed the chapter, despite Wolffe's grisly fate. Only time will tell what happens to the other clones.
As for your question. I will generally only kill one character at a time, placing more significance on thier deaths as individuals, rather than eliminating the whole team in groups. In one draft however, four people died in the bridge scene at the same time. I promptly scrapped that draft.
Your advice was also very helpful. Something Anakin and Ahsoka related will come along in time. Just not sure when... or what.
Mogor: Stupid buzz droids! I felt bad for doing that to Wolffe, and especially bad for Rex's reaction to it. We can only hope that no more fall. Down with Palpatine!
Chiara Polairix Edelstein: I'm sorry for upsetting you with the death of Wolffe. It was sad and upset me too.
I'm also glad you like one of my ideas. Something Anakin and Ahsoka related will come in the future, I'm just not sure when.
boban094: I'm glad you are looking forward to the climax of this story. Hopefully I can deliver a strong ending that people like.
Thank you for your honest reaction to my idea. Truthfully, I am still going back and forth on what sort of story to write for the two chracters. The idea I presented was one of many I have been having for them. (including a cheesy and downright stupid time travel idea that would link to this AU)
Thanks again for your support. Hope you enjoy the rest of this story.