Although the issue of Padme's danger had passed, Jupiter remained concerned for the warnings of Ahsoka's future. She had cautioned Anakin to be wary and keep an eye on his padawan before he had left to go to battle again, however Jupiter was still not at ease with how the visions continued to plague her. She took to meditating longer hours, connecting deeper with the Force as slowly, more and more became clearer to her.
She could see Ahsoka clearly now, her panicked expression burning into Jupiter's mind as the padawan ran. Seeing further into the premonition, Jupiter also saw three other faces. More padawans, or rather younglings, long since believed lost. She could hardly believe it, they were trapped somewhere, but where? The Force was being irritatingly stubborn, not giving Jupiter more than small fragments at a time however she remained patient, biding her time until finally, she saw the final piece that finally made her understand.
Tandoshans. She had seen their large reptilian faces chasing Ahsoka and the other younglings. Now Jupiter understood. Ahsoka would be taken by the Trandoshans to be hunted for sport, unless she had already been taken. Jupiter had been so wrapped up in her meditation that it had already been several days since Anakin had left. She must act quickly, there was no time to waste. Rising to her feet Jupiter left her chambers and instantly made to leave.
"Roo, ready my ship. We have to leave immediately, bring it around to the temple." Jupiter ordered, communicating to her droid companion who bleeped back at her to confirm he'd heard her. By the time Jupiter had exited the temple and pulled up her hood, Roo was landing the ship right in front of her, opening the hatch so she could spring inside. "Ahsoka is in trouble. All of my senses are telling me that we have to find her before something terrible happens." Roo instantly responded with an urgent insistence that they hurry. "I could not agree more."
Guiding the ship off the ground they went directly into outer space, leaving Coruscant behind as Jupiter exhaled deeply, focusing on her connection with the Force as Roo asked what coordinates they needed to jump to as he guided the starfighter towards their deep space travel ring. "I do not know yet Roo, give me a moment." She answered him, breathing measuredly before slowly, she began to feel an odd sensation.
She was being guided towards a certain sector, her fingers moving of their own accord to slowly enter the coordinates, her mind sinking into a blank daze however when she awoke, Roo had already orchestrated the jump to hyperspace. "Let us hope we are right. Where do these coordinates take us Roo?" Jupiter questioned, keeping a track of the space weather, their course already plotted to avoid an asteroid field. Roo beeped back in answer, making her frown. "Trandoshan moon Wasskah. It must be one of their hunting grounds."
Instantly Roo wailed in protest, head spinning madly and Jupiter chuckled at his rapid fire accusations and demands that came filtering through her system. "No Roo, you won't get eaten again I promise. Yes it may be dangerous, Trandoshans are not foes to be taken lightly. If it makes you feel better you may stay in the starfighter. I may need you to help me by flying the ship yourself whilst I search for Ahsoka." Jupiter knew that she should contact Anakin, however she did not want to fill him with false hope when she did not know for certain that her instincts were correct. They were faint and darting about the place, making it difficult to set herself on a direct path, so she maintained the current one she was holding.
Roo alerted her when they were about to come out from hyperspace so Jupiter sucked in a breath. "Please Ahsoka, please be alright." She murmured before all at once, the moon of Wasskah. Without hesitation Jupiter disengaged from the hyperspace ring and went directly for the planet's surface, sensing a great disturbance in the Force the closer she got. It was severely unbalanced here and it made it even harder to focus, however Jupiter cleared her mind and allowed all of her training and experience to take over. "Set us down in the clearing over there, near the beach but then take off again immediately, Roo. Do not allow yourself to become caught."
He whirred back with a promise that he would be alright before proceeding with the landing sequence. The moment Jupiter stepped onto the ground, she could smell a dense foulness to the air caused not by the forest's natural aroma but by the stench of death that clung to its branches. This was an evil place, full of darkness and terror. "I will comm. you when I need you." Jupiter murmured before entering the forest, closing her eyes to fully submerge herself in her surroundings.
She could hear the insects and animals, the soft rustling of the leaves until finally, she picked up on the sound of a skirmish. Blasters and high pitched screeches. Trandoshans. Jupiter flung herself into a run, powering through the forest and scaled a tree, racing over the sloping branches and thick tree roots to leap and glide her way forwards, hood pulled low over her face as her heart calmly beat in her chest, fists clenched tightly in anticipation until finally, she had arrived.
Two male younglings were running upon the ground trying to escape a Trandoshan hover pod, the three reptiles shooting them down. A Twi'lek and a Cerean, both muddy and bruised, exhausted from running for their lives however the Cerean tripped, accidentally dragging the Twi'lek down with him. "O'Mer!"
"Jinx!" They hastily scrambled to try and get up, however their fall allowed the Trandoshans to catch up to them. Jupiter stopped running, now positioned on a high tree branch looking down upon the two younglings as the Trandoshans bore down upon them. She could see the terror in their eyes, the fear of death and the glaring red of the blasters burning into the memories. When the time was right, Jupiter spread her arms and jumped from the branch, tucking in her knees and drew her lightsaber, holding it above her head as she vaulted from her vantage point and descended downwards with quick rotations.
As death stared the two younglings in the face, a flash of orange suddenly emerged from above and sliced through the entire hover pod, making their mouths drop further as a grey clad figure landed in an artistic crouch, the lightsaber held outwards as the three Trandoshans plummeted down and hit the ground with a sharp yell, falling silent as the fall knocked them unconscious. The younglings stared, alarmed but now unafraid as the figure looked up, revealing softly feminine features with a warm smile of reassurance which made them instantly feel safe. "It's alright younglings, you are safe now. Help is on the way." She murmured to them softly before her hand jerked out, Force lifting one of the Trandoshans who had tried to crawl for a blaster to lift him off the ground.
Her eyes narrowed, glaring at the Trandoshan as it squirmed, clawing at its throat before Jupiter flung him away, ensuring that this time he would not awaken for a long time. "Come, we must find Ahsoka. She is with you, is she not?"
"We lost track of her and Khalifa when we got separated, master." The Twi'lek, Jinx, informed as he and O'Mar stumbled to their feet. "I'm Jinx and this is O'Mer, we're Jedi younglings, we were captured by the Trandoshans and brought here when we were on a training mission some time ago."
"There were more of us but…we are the only ones left." Jupiter nodded her head as she sheathed her lightsaber and reached out, placing a hand on both their shoulders.
"You have gone through a great ordeal, younglings, but your time of fear and suffering is over. Once we have found Ahsoka and Khalifa, we will ensure that no other youngling will suffer your fate before returning home to the temple. Now, will you be able to keep up or shall I carry you both?" She questioned, standing up straight however both younglings insisted that they were alright and could keep pace. "Good. Follow me, younglings." Turning Jupiter followed her senses, seeking out Ahsoka's presence and allowed it to be her guide, pulling her closer and closer.
Climbing up a tree Jupiter jumped from one bough to another, rising higher and higher before she began to slow, lifting a hand to warn the two younglings with her to be cautious and quiet, creeping forwards. Looking below, Jupiter could just about see Ahsoka making her way towards a tree branch where she pressed herself against it into the shade, the other human youngling whom Jupiter assumed was Khalifa backed away from a Trandoshan who gloated.
"Not so tough, are you? Even so, you have the honour of being my first Jedi kill. The first of many, I hope." Jupiter sensed the two younglings make to move forwards however Jupiter halted them, pressing her hands against their chests to keep them back as she observed Jupiter.
"Wait." She wanted to see how Ahsoka would fair. Of course, Jupiter would step in if necessary, however she felt that this would be an appropriate test to see how far Ahsoka had come since beginning her training with Anakin.
As the Trandoshan aimed its weapon, Ahsoka launched herself from her concealed hiding place to jump down, a foot slamming against the Trandoshan's mall to send him flying onto his back. For a moment he just lay there, however Ahsoka did not relax as she quickly had to jump vault to avoid a blaster bolt aimed directly for her. As the group began to move, Jupiter also sprang to a different branch, aware of the fact that another group of Trandoshans were not too far away, also watching the battle.
Ahsoka held her ground, using the Force to throw the gun off target each time the Trandoshan pulled the trigger before engaging with hand to hand combat. She managed to throw him back once more but he very quickly overpowered her, a claw going into her face and Jupiter jerked forwards, almost making to move but she held herself back. Ahsoka managed to throw the reptile off of her, allowing her to make an escape but a heavy claw grasped her ankle, refusing to allow her to get away. Silently, Jupiter willed Ahsoka on.
The young padawan managed to break free and the two began to circle, Jupiter walking calmly along the tree branch overlooking the small platform of a tree trunk that they stood upon. Ahsoka fought rather smartly, getting onto the Trandoshan's back and pummelling his ears with her fists but once more, she was dragged off and buried into the ground. Jupiter remained calm, her pulse never once quickening even as the Trandoshan lunged for her, as she knew that she could have faith in Ahsoka's reactions and senses.
Spinning herself around at the last moment, Ahsoka kicked upwards with her foot and flung her Trandoshan attacker over the edge, however below was a nest of thorns which instantly impaled him, making him gargle in pain before finally, he fell still. "Master…what do we do now?" Jinx whispered to Jupiter who slowly smiled, a proudness touching her heart on Anakin's behalf.
"Trust me, younglings. I know what I am doing." Jupiter assured them both as Ahsoka went to Khalifa and pulled her arm over her shoulder. Knowing full well that the other Trandoshan's would seek revenge for losing one of their own, Jupiter dropped down and began to quickly descend the trees, expertly moving with agility and speed before sliding down the last stretch, her lightsaber thrumming brightly as she deflected the bolt that would have struck Khalifa, sending it back where it burned a scorch mark into the bark of a tree.
"Jupiter!" Ahsoka cried out in relief as more shots began to fire, a desperate wail coming from the Trandoshan leader.
"You Jedi whelps killed my son…you'll die!"
"Ahsoka, take cover in the trees." Jupiter ordered, focused completely on the task at hand. There was too much foliage for the hover pod to move closer, however with so many younglings to protect now, Jupiter could not risk leaving their side to go deal with these other Trandoshans in case more arrived. She had to move quickly. Pushing out her hand, the hover pod suddenly jerked backwards and slammed against a tree, sending both Trandoshans spiralling out of control. "Now move, all of you!"
"Where do we go?" Ahsoka questioned however Jupiter had already picked up the youngling Khalifa, cradling her in both arms as she clutched her wounded side.
"Wherever we can lose their scent, follow me." Jupiter instructed. "Do not get left behind. Stay close where I can keep you safe."
"But how did you find us? Is Master Skywalker coming? Who else is here?" Ahsoka kept on questioning however when Jupiter told her to save questions for later, she focused on running. The three younglings, Ahsoka and Jupiter disappeared into the wilderness, however as it gradually grew darker O'Mer and Jinx led them all back to their hideout, showing Jupiter the way before finally, they were all safe. At least for the time being.
"Easy now, move slowly." Jupiter cooed, using her softest voice as Khalifa groaned, clutching her side. "You have broken a rib but do not worry, I can heal you in no time. Just lie still." Placing a hand over the wounded area, Jupiter closed her eyes and instantly Khalifa felt herself being flooded with warmth, the pain easing away until suddenly, it was as if it had never been there at all. The younglings all stared in disbelief at the miracle they had just witnessed, never before seeing the Force being used in such a way.
"How did you do that?" Jinx asked in wonder, staring as Khalifa slowly sat up, touching her side to find no damage at all.
"Some Jedi are gifted with various aspects of the Force uncommon in most. My specialty just so happens to be healing, something that has been invaluably useful to me and many others." Jupiter informed them, standing up and looking over them all. "You must be tired, rest here whilst I gather good and water. I will make contact with my ship and have a transport come to collect us."
"Thank you, we…we didn't think anyone would ever find us." Khalifa admitted before smiling warmly at Ahsoka. "But Ahsoka brought us hope. She reminded us who we are and that we cannot give up. Not now or ever." Arching an eyebrow with amusement, Jupiter turned to look at the padawan who looked a little sheepish.
"Yes…Ahsoka tends to have that effect on people." Jupiter agreed before chuckling. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Jedi Knight Jupiter. General of the one hundredth and twelfth regiment. At your service." She gave a cheeky bow, making the younglings laugh as they made themselves comfortable in their little nests, looking more relaxed and at peace than they had done in years. "Rest while I gather, Ahsoka, stay with them for now. I will be back shortly."
"Yes master." Ahsoka nodded her head, taking up a watchful seat as Jupiter jumped down from the tree and landed on the ground. She could hear water not far away, however she quickly searched for leaves to weave into a basket or for some kind of vessel to carry the water in. thankfully she found all the materials she needed. A large leaf served as a sling to carry food and Jupiter found large fruits similar to shape and style of coconuts.
The contents were inedible, however once scooped out and washed, they provided the perfect bowls to carry water. Jupiter filled several to the brim before carrying them with the Force back up to the tree, not spilling a single drop even as she entered. "Here, drink first and then eat." She instructed, guiding one large bowl to each youngling and Ahsoka before keeping one for herself, however instead of drinking it she carried it over to Ahsoka and pulled out her mother's handkerchief, dipping it into the water. "You are covered in dust and filth, Ahsoka, what will Anakin say if he saw you now?" She fussed, wiping away the smudges on her face, her crown and shoulders as she giggled under her breath.
"Please master, that tickles!" Jupiter insisted, wanting to nurture and care for them all as much as she could, helping Khalifa to clean up as well as they all ravenously devoured the food Jupiter had collected.
"We never ate much before, we didn't know what was edible and what was not. I had no idea you could eat these roots." O'Mer said as he chewed on a bush root which was highly nutritious and sweet but extremely chewy and sometimes difficult to swallow. "How long until reinforcements arrive?"
"Patience, youngling. One thing at a time." Jupiter cautioned. She forgets how impatient younglings can be. "It is important that we see to your health first and then carefully plan our strategy. Ahsoka defeated the Trandoshan leader's son today, which means that he will not let us go lightly. He will hunt us across the galaxy in order to find us and then kill us, one by one. For a task such as this, it would not be difficult for him. He'll know exactly where to find us."
"So…we have to kill him?" Jinx questioned and Jupiter paused slightly, carefully considering her options.
"A Jedi will always avoid a fight if it is possible, we are peacekeepers, not warriors. However, when in maintaining the peace and safety of others, you must wield your lightsaber and yes, even take a life sometimes, it is important to find balance and harmony within yourself before striking the blow. If you can commit to the act and feel at peace with the knowledge that you are about to take life, then only then should you make that choice." She educated them and they eagerly listened. "The Trandoshan leader will seek revenge upon you younglings, and you Ahsoka, so I as a Jedi Knight cannot allow any of you to be put in danger. Tomorrow, we will end this once and for all."
"So do you have a plan?" Khalifa questioned, inching a little further forwards as she gripped her knees, looking with wide honey brown orbs however when Ahsoka laughed, everyone looked at her quizzically.
"Believe me, you will not like any plan that Master Jupiter comes up with. Jupiter is famous for carrying out the most insane missions ever heard of, though she does always seem to pull them off somehow." Ahsoka gave a mischievous smile to Jupiter who rolled her eyes and shook her head humorously, chuckling softly to herself.
"This is true, however I will be most careful with your lives, believe me. The last thing I want is for you all to get hurt." She promised. "Now, get some rest. I will take care of everything. All you must do is sleep well and await tomorrow, when you will all finally be going home."