Chapter 23
A/N: Potential spoliers for The Mandalorian
"This statue is of Tar Vizla, the only Mandalorian to ever be a jedi", Sabine explained as she examined the image of the statue coming from the holocron. "He's the one that made the darksaber, right?", Luke asked her as handed the holocron to Ahsoka. "I see you payed attention to our conversation Luke, and yes he did make it. Its now passed on through generations, the one that wields it becomes the ruler of Mandalore", Sabine said sadly.
"What happened to it?", Ahsoka asked her, "Last time you told me you had it, right?". Sabine stayed silent, tears threatening to come out. "I gave it to Bo-Katan", she quickly said before turning away from the two force users, "When the Empire found out that Mandalore was starting an uprising, they attacked us with full force", she explained, "To keep it simple, we won our liberation, but at a heavy price. We all scattered, many clans have since fell, including my clan. Not many are left. Bo-Katan gave her life to liberate our people, and no one has seen the dark saber since", Sabine finished as she wiped away the tears rolling down her, "I'm sorry, but I can't help you guys. This place brings back to many bad memories".
Ahsoka put her hand on the young mandalorian's shoulder as she tried to comfort her, "Sabine, I know its hard. We all lost something to the empire, but we need your help. For Ezra's sake, help us locate this statue", she said as she sent a comforting wave to Sabine through the force. Sabine slowly calmed down, and she looked at Ahsoka, "Your right, I need to continue. For Ezra's sake", she managed to say. "Let's get to it then", Luke said softly before walking to the nava computer.
"There are two statues that have ever been made, one out of copper, and the other out of clay. The one you showed me was made out of clay, suggesting that its older than the other" Sabine explained as she pointed out to dots on the map, "I know where it is, the problem is getting there".
"Can't we just fly the shuttle to the statue?", Luke asked as he stroked his chin. "Unless you want to be instantly shot down, be my guest", Sabine commented, "Clan Saxon, one of the only clans still standing, rules that area. Their dignity became so low, even the Fett's are more honorable than them now", she said with disgust in her voice. "Then how do you suggest we get there, we can't exactly use speeders. Mine was destroyed on Oricon, and the one we took off of Korriban is barely in working condition", Ahsoka asked.
"The only option is to walk", Luke concluded. Artoo started chirping about all the risk they could encounter, which was a high estimate. "Artoo's right, we'll be exposed to sniper rifles, and we have another problem", Sabine declared while looking at Luke. "And that is?", Ahsoka asked confused. Sabine stared at Luke, her eyes asking if he should be the one to speak. Luke huffed as his hand hit his forehead, "Ahsoka, your injured", he finally pointed out.
"So your saying that I'm the problem? You think I should be here alone?", Ahsoka asked now feeling insulted by the two younger humans. "No", Sabine and Luke said in unison. "You'll have Artoo with you, we can have you see our moves and alert us of any incoming hostiles", Sabine reassured her as she handed Ahsoka her comlink. Ahsoka grunted a small thanks, curse those Knights of Ren, she said to herself. "The terrain around the statue is rocky Luke, I suggest you to get some good gear out of our supply room", Sabine warned him.
"I'm from Tatooine, that place is filled with sandy and rocky terrain, I'll be fine", Luke said as he entered his room. Sabine looked at her datapad to see what time was best to leave, "I think at dusk we'll leave", she said to Ahsoka, "Judging by the distance to get there, we should be back at the early stages of dawn". Ahsoka silently nodded as she grabbed the datapad, "In case you both don't come back, I'm going after you", Ahsoka said grimly. "Well let's hope that doesn't happen", Sabine said before entering her room, leaving Ahsoka and Artoo in the cockpit.
Ahsoka stayed in the cockpit meditating, or at least tried to. The pain in her lower thigh was unbearable, she tried healing herself to see if she could perhaps persuade Luke and Sabine to let her join their expedition. She hated it when she was treated like an incompetent person, she could handle things by herself, injured or not. She led groups of padawans back to safety after encountering Grievous, bounty hunters and pirates. A little blaster bolt wouldn't stop her. Soft footsteps echoed in the ship, it was Luke, he slowly walked towards the cockpit.
"Hey", Luke said softly as he opened the doors. Ahsoka stayed in her meditating position, still with her eyes closed. "Listen Ahsoka, I know you want to help us, but-", he said before being cut off. "But what Luke? Because I'm injured? I dealt with more dangerous mission, and in way worse condition than I am now. Do you and Sabine think I'm incompetent for this mission?", Ahsoka argued, now fully facing him. Luke open his mouth to speak, but he couldn't find any words to help Ahsoka understand what he wanted. It wasn't his decision, the force kept screaming at him to keep her safe. "Ahsoka", he finally said, "You being injured isn't the issue. I made the decision for you not to go with us, I just needed Sabine to give a reason able explanation to why you needed to stay".
"Why? I know you care deeply about me Luke, but why did you think that I should stay. If it's not about my injury, then what is it!?", Ahsoka asked him. Luke closed his eyes for a second, gathering his thought. "I need you to be the last line of defense", he said getting closer to her. "What do mean, your coming back", Ahsoka said in disbelief. She noted that Luke was avoiding eye contact, "Luke, what are you hiding", she said in suspicion. Luke looked at Artoo, then back at Ahsoka. "I didn't want to tell you until after we have found Bridger", Luke began, "Back on Korriban, your friend Zyon, isn't who he seems to be".
"Luke, he stops anyone from reaching forbidden powers of the darkside. I get he may have said a few offensive things to you, but he is a good man", Ahsoka argued. "Ahsoka, you don't understand", Luke argued back, "He sent the Knights of Ren to the tomb. And if I'm correct, he is their master. If they somehow followed us, I need you to finish our mission, without interference", he said lowering his voice. Ahsoka couldn't believe what she was hearing, it was a bit suspicious that Zyon was even on Korriban, but she trusted him. They were friends, and she couldn't handle another loss, what Luke was suggesting was beyond her imagination. Ahsoka frowned, glaring at Luke, "No, what your saying isn't true, it isn't impossible", she yelled at him.
Luke took a step back, he sensed her anger boiling. "Ahsoka", he began. But he was interrupted by Sabine. "Hey", the young Mando said as she entered the room, "It's time to go Luke". There was an uncomfortable silence in the room, but it shortly ended as Sabine quickly left, leaving Luke, Ahsoka, and Artoo in the cockpit. Luke faced Ahsoka again, only to be greeted with the sight of an angry Togruta. "Get out", Ahsoka said darkly, "Get out". She raised her hand to open the door behind Luke, signaling him to leave. Luke looked at the floor with a conflicted look on his face, but he quickly hid his reaction. He glance at Artoo, who was sitting in the corner. "Take care of her, Artoo", Luke whispered to his little blue droid. Artoo let out a deep chirp, before cautiously rolling towards the Togruta sitting in the center. With that, Luke left the room, not glancing back at Ahsoka.
Luke stepped out of the T-6 Jedi shuttle, Sabine was already there waiting for him, holding a stormtrooper helmet as part of his disguise. "You ready", she asked as she tossed the helmet towards him. Luke caught the helmet and stared at it, he quickly glanced behind him before putting the helmet on. "Yeah, let's get going".