Chapter 12

The Jedi Court, Jedi Temple, Coruscant, the Coruscant System

"Noc-Ta Tiri," Master Windu said, his voice echoing in the massive auditorium, "you stand accused of aiding a fugitive of the Republic. How do you plead?"

"Guilty, Master Jedi," Tiri replied.

"Do you have anything to say in your defense?"

"Only that I am not a citizen of the Galactic Republic, and as such, am not required to follow the laws of the Republic."

The Jedi Masters nodded their heads as they retreated out of sight to converse amongst themselves. After about half an hour, they returned to give a verdict.

"Noc-Ta Tiri," Windu said, "we have found you not guilty of the crime of aiding a fugitive of the law. We release you from our prosecution and permit you to go free."

"What?!" Anakin Skywalker shouted from the gallery. "You're just letting him go?! He let General Grievous escape custody!"

"There is no law requiring him to take Grievous into custody, Skywalker," Windu replied. "He is not a citizen of the Republic, nor is he a soldier in the Army, Navy, or Marines. We cannot do anything, Skywalker."

"This is absolute bullshit!" Skywalker walked up to Tiri with a glare that could freeze water. "I'm gonna be watching you, Tiri."

"I don't doubt it," Tiri replied calmly.

His point made, Skywalker stormed out of the courtroom. Tiri looked back up at the Jedi Masters.

"Is that all, Master Jedi?" he asked.

"One more thing," Windu said. "Because of your value to our ranks, we can grant you immunity to Republic laws. However, this is entirely up to you."

Tiri held his chin with his hand, his thoughts boiling in his mind. Finally, he made a decision.

"I accept immunity."


Noc-Ta walked out of the courtroom, immediately being met with Ahsoka and Snow.

"Sky-Guy walked out in a bit of a huff," she said. "What happened?"

"The Council couldn't imprison me," Noc-Ta replied. "He told me he'd be watching me."

"Oh, boy."

"Not that it matters, anyway. The Council granted me immunity."

"That's worse. Much worse."

"Yeah, it is. For Anakin, anyway. On a different note, how's Snow doing?"

Noc-Ta stooped down to Snow's level. He removed the glove from his right hand, revealing his pale skin.

"He's grown bigger," Ahsoka said, squatting down to the same level. "He's a little taller, and he's got more mass to him."

"Ram-dogs grow at a very fast rate," Noc-Ta said, his fingers stroking Snow's soft fur. "By the time he's a year old, he'll be big enough to carry you around on his back."

"Whoa. That is fast."

"If it was me or another Kelor, he would need another six months, but you're small enough."

Ahsoka looked at him with a playful look on her face.

"Did you just call me small?"

Noc-Ta returned the look, his body tensing like a feline's.

"Yes, I did. What are you gonna do about it?"

Ahsoka lunged at him, trying to tackle him, but Noc-Ta was prepared and jumped back. Ahsoka recovered quickly and chased after him.

Noc-Ta ran through the halls of the Jedi Temple, Ahsoka chasing after him, with Snow on her tail. Their chase sent them across Obi-Wan's path.

"No running in the halls!" Obi-Wan called out to no effect. He simply smiled as Ahsoka continued her chase after Noc-Ta.

Watching them leave, the Jedi Master didn't notice his former padawan approach him.

"You're not going to stop them?" Anakin asked.

"A little playfulness is beneficial for young ones, Anakin," Obi-Wan replied.

"I don't think he deserves the benefits." Anakin's face twisted into one of anger. "I'll be watching him."

"Didn't Ahsoka tell you? We granted him immunity."

"Immunity?! Against what?!"

"The Law."

"I can't believe this! First he's excused from one crime, now he's exempt from even acknowledging law?!"

"Anakin, I doubt that becoming a criminal is high on his list of priorities."

"You want to talk to me about priorities?! The Jedi should prioritize winning the war, not granting immunity to non-citizens!"

"Now you're starting to sound like Dooku."

Anakin's angry expression changed to shock upon hearing Obi-Wan say Dooku's name.

"I am nothing like that Sith scum!" he exclaimed defensively.

"Calm down, Anakin," Obi-Wan calmly said. "You're getting upset about something you have no control over."

Anakin was about to argue further, but he saw the wisdom in his master's words, and took a deep breath.

"Now, if it will help anything," Obi-Wan continued, "I'll talk to Master Windu about assigning Tiri to someone else."

"Thank you, Master," Anakin replied, his mind now calmed down significantly. "What should I do about Ahsoka?"

"She won't be working with him as often, but I advise against discouraging her from interacting with him. He's the closest thing to a brother she's ever had, and he sees her in a similar light."

"Since when do you support emotional attachment?"

"I have a varactyl on Utapau, remember? Besides, I'm starting to think that the Jedi are in dire need of a revamp."


Ahsoka and Noc-Ta slumped down against the wall. They had exhausted themselves in their little game of tag, and they needed a breather.

"You're a lot faster than I thought you would be," Ahsoka panted.

"Because I'm so extremely muscular that I look like I could hardly get moving?" Noc-Ta asked jokingly.

"No, because you're bigger than I am."

"You need more physical exercise, Miss Tano. I'm sure that Snow would be more than happy to help you in that regard."

Upon the mention of his name, Snow rubbed his head against Noc-Ta's leg as a sign of affection. As Noc-Ta started to turn his head, he noticed something on Ahsoka's face.

"What's this?" he asked, his ungloved hand moving to brush aside her lekku.

"What is it?" she returned, confused.

"There's something on your cheekbone. It looks like a tattoo."

It did indeed look like a tattoo, a tattoo that swirled in an elegant pattern reminiscent of a butterfly's wings.

Ahsoka was about to ask about it, but the contact with Noc-Ta's hand against her cheek froze her in place. She didn't know how it was possible, but it felt like lightning suddenly shot from his hand through her entire body.

"You alright, Ahsoka?" Noc-Ta asked, noticing her stiffness.

"I, uh... yeah! Yeah, I'm fine," she fumbled with her response. "What does it look like?"

Noc-Ta pulled out a metal plate that he kept as a spare part in his utility belt. It was polished so finely, it was basically a mirror. He handed the plate to Ahsoka.

"When did this happen?" she asked, more to herself than anyone else.

"It's possible that you've been blessed by Mothra," Noc-Ta said. "There have been accounts of people being blessed by the Titans and, as a result, they receive tattoos that they don't remember getting."

"What do I do?"

"My advice? Accept it. To refuse a blessing from a Titan is to insult their pride."