After retrieving what troops were left on the ground Admiral Soelin contacts the Prime Minister of Ryndori to inform him the rebels have been routed. While inclined the leave a garrison on the planet Soelin knows his order could be contradicted given that the planet is not apart of the Empire.
"I appreciate the gesture Admiral but given the fact that those rebels know you where here is likely enough of a deterrent. I don't expect them to be back but I thank you for bringing your service and for showing us who they really were. You have my condolences for those that you lost." Replies the Prime Minister.
"You are probably right, thank you for your cooperation." Soelin replies.
As Soelin and the crew of the Havoc's Cry make ready to jump to hyperspace he issues an order to both Star Destroyers, demanding that any clone that is able to identify either of the Jedi they encountered are to come forward immediately.
Over the next hour Soelin sifts through several reports most of which give the same description of the female human Jedi Soelin suspects is Padawan Jori Kai. Almost every clone is unable to identify the second as they remained cloaked throughout the battle. However he comes across the report from the few surviving troops from Captain Fynner's recon team. Those being the one that Pax ordered down the ascension cable to follow the Jedi. Out of those men three of them claimed that the younger Jedi was female and a Togruta.
"Togruta you say?" Soelin says as he speaks to them in person.
The three clones inform the Admiral that they cannot be sure but given the red skin tone of her face and forearms and extended height of the cloak covering her head they believe so.
"That or she was a Twi'lek." One of the clone adds.
As Soelin walks back to the bridge he begins rummaging through the files on his personal datapad. He'd never heard or seen a red skinned Twi'lek before so he assumes the troopers' claim that the younger of the two Jedi was a Togruta was accurate. As he continues looking through his datapad and comes across the file on Cato Parasitti. He scans through it again and suddenly realizes that the Padawan that apprehended her during the Temple heist was also a Togruta! The only Togruta Jedi he could recall by name was Master Shaak Ti. He checks the report on Cato's apprehension and finds the name Ahsoka Tano listed. Suddenly the name reminds him of something else, he scrolls through more files and almost passes over the one originally brought to his attention by Mepone on the Mirialan Jedi Barriss Offee whom he instructed Cato in impersonate. He scrolls back looking through the file and realizes the Jedi whom Barriss framed for her crimes was none other then the same Togruta.
"Ahsoka Tano, apprentice to General Skywalker." Soelin says to himself.
He remembered Skywalker from the mission to Devaron, he was reckless, unorthodox but he got results. If this cloaked Jedi truly was this Padawan Tano, Lord Vader would likely want this hunt for himself. It was rumored that Vader killed Skywalker himself. Grinning from ear to ear Soelin closes the datapad and quickly returns to the bridge, perhaps now he would ascend to one of the Moff positions. Although the information was good news he was enraged at the thought that she escaped. He knew that would be a disappointment to Vader. As soon as he arrives on the bridge he orders the ship into hyperspace, despite any remaining repairs that needed to be completed.
Several hours as later the Havoc limps back to Coruscant followed by the Krayt's Tooth Soelin orders them to make contact with Lord Vader.
Once he and Mepone are standing in front of the large holo of Vader he gives his full debrief of the last few days events. Including his forces engaging the Jedi.
"I ordered you to keep me informed Admiral." Booms the dark lord's voice.
"I understand my Lord, given our location I had no choice but to reinforce the recon team that discovered the Jedi." Soelin replies.
"And yet you still were unable to defeat them!"
"You have my apologies Lord Vader, however I do have some good news. We identified one of the Jedi as Padawan Jori Kai and I suspect the other . . . . . agh . . . . .aghh"
While taken by surprise Mepone remains at complete attention as he notices the Soelin gasping for breath out of his peripheral vision.
"That is not possible, I killed Padawan Kai myself over a month ago. You have failed me for the last time Admiral!" Vader says snapping his neck through the Force. As the body falls to the floor Vader turns to address Mepone. "Major Mepone."
"Yes Lord Vader?" Mepone replies.
"Once you arrive on Coruscant oversee repairs on the Havoc's Cry. Once completed you will receive a new battle group and new are in command now Admiral Mepone!" Vader states.
"Thank you Lord Vader." Mepone replies as Vader image flickers off. Mepone breathes a sigh filled with relief and yet excitement then looks down at his former superior. "Looks like I got that promotion after all Admiral." he says as she snaps his hands for two clones to remove the body.
A few hours later once the Arawak arrives over Naboo, Gleim is given landing coordinates for the lake house. As they land Gleim receives a transmission from Pomek stating that he relayed his message to Captain Balek who sends theirs and someone called Consul Harke's thanks to the Jedi.
"Copy that Pomek, I'll tell them. Tell the unit to stick with Balek for now and I'll regroup with you all later." Gleim replies.
"So you joined that Rebellion huh?" Jori says smiling.
Gleim hesitates and with a subtle smile he nods.
"That's good, I'm proud of you Gleim and Ryaan would be too."
"Thanks Jori, I'm glad that you're alright." Gleim says embracing his friend once more.
"I'd love to say I'll see you again but I . . ." Jori is cut off as Gleim anticipates what she's going to say.
"I know . . . you need to remain in exile." Jori gives him a bitter sweet look in response. "It's okay really. I understand what you have to do." Gleim says as he opens the port hatch. "I really hope you find peace here kid."
Jori thanks him again, says goodbye to Xafus and the droids then exits the ship.
"One more thing Gleim . . . ." she says as she hands him a piece of flimsi with a set of coordinates on it. ". . . .that is the location on Dantooine where Ranik burned Ryaan's funeral pyre. I thought you'd want to know, maybe now you can have the chance to say your goodbyes to him personally." Gleim sheds a small tear and wipes away as he says thank you.
"Who knows Gleim, perhaps one day when the Republic is restored maybe we'll see each other again." Jori adds.
"I'll buy the first round kid." Gleim says smiling.
"May the Force be with you Gleim." Jori says turning to Ahsoka and noticing her vacant stare. "Let's go . . . Snips."
"Wait, I'm not staying Jori." Ahsoka finally says.
"What?"
Ahsoka nervously looks at Gleim then back at Jori and walks towards her.
"Ahsoka what are you talking about?"
"I think the Force is guiding me to something different, something other than exile. I don't know how to explain it but I feel I'm meant for something more important than that."
"Ah . . . Ahsoka," Jori says not knowing what else to say. She thinks hard on Master Yoda's words before she left Dagobah.
"Forge her own path from here she must, not ready to know about the fate her master suffered."
Jori closes her eyes delving into the Force for a moment as she senses clarity that Ahsoka if following the right path.
"I don't want to see you go, it's been nice having a friend around . . . " Jori says smiling. "but I understand what you have to do. May the Force be with you Ahsoka Tano."
Ahsoka stifles a tear from forming as she embraces her friend tightly.
"You too Jori, I'll miss you." Ahsoka says turning to face Gleim. "Can you give me a ride?"
"Sure thing." Gleim replies then looks back at Jori. "If you ever get too bored with exile you know how to find us."
Jori smiles and says, "Don't count on it."
He closes the hatch as Ahsoka steps back aboard the Arawak; seconds later it lifts off the ground and heads space-wards.
Jori lets out a deep breath of relief sensing through the Force that she has no reason to worry for Ahsoka. She watches as the Arawak disappears into the horizon then walks back to the lake house.
"So where to kid?" Gleim says realizing that term doesn't quite apply to Jori anymore.
"Whose you're contact in the Rebellion?" Ahsoka asks.
"Major Garan."
"Take me to him." Ahsoka replies.
"You got it, so is your name really Snips?"
"It was once, my master used to call me that." Ahsoka says staring out the viewport reflecting on the past, wondering what became of Anakin and embracing her unknown future.
"So what do I call you?" Gleim asks.
After a long pause to extend her senses into the Force Ahsoka finally says, "Call me Fulcrum."
I had a lot of fun re-writing this book, everything regarding Ahsoka came out better than my original draft which saw her facing down Vader. Now that I've kept it in line with the continuity I can't wait to see that on Rebels! Obviously she's now heard the name Darth Vader from Jori but doesn't know anything about him so there's no reason for her to suspect anything at this point. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did, Epilogue will be uploaded soon! Please review, appreciate the feedback.