A/N: Hey guys, I know it's been awhile since my last update. I'm sorry about the unexpected hiatus, it's just been a difficult time. I make no promises about future updates, but I hope I can get back into writing some more. Hope y'all are doing well in the world.
Summary: Bounty hunters weren't known for their altruism, especially when it came to the most ruthless and fiercest ones. Aurra Sing worked alone and only looked out for herself. There had been a time when that wasn't the case, when she had something she really loved, only to lose it. But one message shows her that isn't true, in the form of one Jedi Padawan who has no idea of their history.
Part Seven: 2/2
When Anakin pulled up to the side of the escape with Master Windu, he was pleased to see that the cadets were alright and there was Ahsoka's ship docked on the top hatch. Likely she went into check on the passengers, to make sure they were alright. However when he looked through the window, he didn't see her inside and she wasn't in the starfighter either. A brief flicker of panic went through him, but he assumed she likely was just out of sight and would appear in a moment.
When his eyes met one of the clone cadets with shorter hair, close enough to the typical buzz cuts the clones had if not for a stray strand on his forehead, he had a feeling that something was wrong. With his senses, he reached out into the Force and found that he couldn't feel Ahsoka nearby, she wasn't there. Anakin watched as the clone cadet looked down then lifted his hands to show an object. The communications with the pod were shot, there was no other way to communicate at this point. In the clone cadet's hands was a lightsaber, Ahsoka's lightsaber and she was nowhere to be found inside.
Panic flooded Anakin so strongly, he struggled to get it back in gear as he asked out loud, "Where's Ahsoka?!"
"Is she not in the pod," Windu asked him over the comm, his tone almost annoyed despite the even tone.
"No," Anakin answered sharply, "Her fighter is there, but she's not in the pod and one of the clone cadets has her lightsaber."
In that same frustratingly even tone, Windu replied, "It seems our suspicion that the assassin had messed with the pod had been correct. Though for what purpose remains hidden."
Anakin could barely keep himself together as a million scenarios rushed through his mind as to what had happened to his Padawan. His Padawan was missing! She'd been taken and it was all his fault. He never should have let her fly around with an assassin on the loose, he should have been with her, they could have taken the attacker together. She must have been taken defending the cadets. Anger boiled in Anakin, no one hurt his Padawan and got away with it.
"I have to find her," Anakin said determined, ready.
Windu spoke again, "Our priority is to get these cadets to the transport. From there we can question them on what happened."
It made sense to Anakin and he knew that just jumping into hyperspace wouldn't do anyone any good, least of all Ahsoka. They needed to learn what happened here, it would give clues and vital information onto who even had Ahsoka, possibly where to look for her. It had taken several painstaking minutes and every bit of Anakin's limited patience before they could question the cadets. Getting them to transport safely wasn't difficult, but it did take some time. Time that he wanted to use going after his padawan.
When the cadets had made it safely onto the transport, Anakin was more than ready to question and even demand some answers from the cadets, wanting to know every detail that occurred on the escape pod. However it was the sharp look from Windu that forced him to keep his mouth closed and let the cadets meet with their sergeant. He had to remind himself that these cadets were still young and had just been caught in what was more excitement than they bargained for this early. After a few moments, one cadet moved past his sergeant to speak with the Jedi.
"General Skywalker and General Windu sir, this was Commander Tano's," said the cadet with short hair as he extended the lightsaber to them.
Anakin took it, gripping it tightly he asked, "What's your name, cadet?"
"Jax sir," said the cadet.
"Alright cadet Jax, tell us what happened," Windu ordered, expression still neutral that bothered Anakin.
Cadet Jax spoke quickly, "Commander Tano had landed on our pod first and came in to check on us when another ship arrived. I don't know the model, but it appeared similar to a Firspray. Commander Tano stood ready to defend us when the hatch opened to reveal a chalk skinned woman and a Trandoshan." Jax paused for a moment, looking disappointed. "Cadet Lucky wasn't a cadet, his real name was Boba and he had brought those two here to attack the ship. As Commander Tano was defending us, Boba knocked her out with some kind of dart and the woman took her and Boba away."
"This woman, did you get her name," Windu asked and Anakin noticed his voice almost sounded, concerned.
"Boba called her Aurra sir," Jax answered.
"Wait Aurra, as in Aurra Sing," Anakin questioned this.
Windu nodded gravely, he looked visibly uneasy about that, "So it would seem. Thank you cadet."
The cadet nodded his head once, "I hope you find her sir."
With that, the cadet returned to his group leaving Anakin clutching her lightsaber like a lifeline. The bounty hunter Aurra Sing had taken his Padawan. Aurra Sing was well known among the Jedi, her hatred for them ran deep though most didn't know why she hated them so much, only that she did. Jedi Killer had been one of her more colorful monikers after Nashtah. While Anakin didn't know everything about the woman, he did know that she was incredibly dangerous and she usually didn't take prisoners unless they were a wanted alive bounty.
This brought forth the questions to Anakin. Why would Aurra Sing take Ahsoka and not kill her? Obviously he was thrilled to know that she was alive, he could still just barely feel her life essence in the Force which meant she was at further distance or unconscious. It didn't make sense for Aurra to hold Ahsoka as a hostage considering she was only a padawan. Anakin didn't think Ahsoka was only a padawan, but in the eyes of the Republic and even some Jedi, she was more expendable than a Jedi Master. If Master Windu for instance was held captive, it would hold more weight. So why take his padawan?
Truthfully the why didn't matter that much to Anakin. What mattered was finding Aurra Sing, stopping her and taking his padawan home. If the bounty hunter so much as put one scratch on Ahsoka, Anakin knew he would not hold back. The Jedi did not take revenge, they showed mercy and often times looked the other way, but Anakin had never been a typical Jedi. Ahsoka was his padawan, his responsibility, and he let her get captured. If she got hurt, the blame fell to him. He had to find her, as soon as possible.
"We need to find her," Anakin said as he turned to walk away, Windu with him, "Why would Sing take her in the first place? We have to find her, before she gets hurt or worse."
Windu gave him an unimpressed look, but Anakin could feel his nerves despite the man speaking calmly, "Mind your feelings Skywalker. It won't help Padawan Tano. All we know is who has her and likely we won't be able to find her until Sing makes another move with Boba."
Anakin frowned, "As in Jango Fett's son."
"Yes," Windu answered, his eyes straight ahead as they continued their walk. "I killed his father in the first Battle of Geonosis. It seems this was a revenge plot."
"But why take Ahsoka," Anakin asked with a frustrated look on his face, "Do you think they intend to use her as leverage?"
Windu visibly hesitated in his answer, "It is not impossible. I will inform the council of this development, you need to orangish a search and rescue party for the cruiser on Vanqor. I will join you shortly."
Anakin was ready to protest, ready to argue that they needed to go after Ahsoka right now because time may not be a luxury they can afford. He didn't know everything about the bounty hunter, but he did know she was ruthless and described as borderline psychotic. He needed to get Ahsoka out of that woman's care before she had the chance to hurt his padawan. At this very moment, there was no telling what Sing was doing or planning. Would Sing torture her? Would Sing just kill her to make a point? Fear swirled inside him. He had to get his Padawan back, he had to get her back.
"We can do nothing to help Padawan Tano now without any leads as to where Sing has gone," Windu said, practically reading his thoughts, "There could be survivors down Vanqor and therefore, they are our priority. I will meet you down there after I inform the council of what has transpired here."
Anakin's eyes were narrowed at those words. Ahsoka was his priority, but he swallowed those words and would do his job to help the survivors below. The sooner he did that, the sooner he would be able to leave and find Ahsoka. Without saying a word to Windu, he simply nodded his head in understanding and practically stormed away, not caring how childish it might have been. His padawan, his fourteen year old padawan, was out there alone with a ruthless Jedi killers and he was about to comb through debris. He contacted some troopers and started to get a search party ready.
On any other day, Windu likely would have been annoyed at the display and obvious emotions Skywalker was leaking, but today was not an ordinary one and therefore he let it go without a reprimand. A day, while not unexpected, had arrived without real warning and one of council's guarded secrets was unraveling at the seams. The bounty hunter, Jedi killer, Aurra Sing had been here, in cohorts with Boba Fett, to kill him. Though he realized Boba was here for revenge on his father, there was a strong possibility Aurra had come in for a second reason. To not only avenge her fallen friend, but to kill the one who warped her daughter's mind.
In the months since Padawan Tano's encounter with Bane, the council had removed any and all information they had on Aurra Sing on the chance that the padawan start to look into the bounty hunter. Not to mention, they started to keep closer tabs on Aurra as well, taking note of where she was, what jobs she was taking and using that to ensure Ahsoka not be anywhere near her. There too much at stake. And after the comm incident with Tano, the council had been on alert for Sing knowing that she would be hellbent on revenge for the loss of her child.
Windu arrived to one of the command centers and asked for the room to be cleared. Once it was, he contacted the Jedi council members who were aware of Padawan Tano's situation. Jedi masters Mundi, Ti, Yoda and Koon were the ones who knew, including himself. Former councilwoman Depilba knew as well, but she was out of commission at this time and not on the council anymore, she didn't need to be informed. There had been discussion on informing Obi Wan of the matter as well as the entire council, but it was decided the less people who knew of the secret, the better.
"Awful, this is," Master Yoda said, "But in danger, Padawan Tano, is not."
Shaak Ti spoke next, "Perhaps not. However that does not change the fact that Ahsoka could get her memories back while in Sing's care. This could lead to her becoming the very thing we tried to prevent her from becoming."
"I must agree with Master Ti. Should her memories return, I think we would have made a bigger threat from her than she would have been had we left her alone," Mundi said next with a shake of his head.
"Ahsoka is grounded in the light," Plo Koon argued, not passionately, but certain, "Regardless of if her memories return, she would not fall."
Windu crossed his arms over his chest, "Perhaps not fall, but she would likely become bent on revenge in the way young Boba and Aurra are."
Shaak Ti asked next, "What are you and Skywalker going to do?"
"We have no choice, but to wait for Sing to make a move," Windu said, clearly not pleased by it, "Considering we have no idea where they could have gone and know they intend to finish me off, it is likely their next move will be soon to catch us off guard."
Shaak Ti brought a hand to her forehead, "May the Force be with us now."
Though no one spoke, all the members agreed with her sentiment.
Aurra was having a great day would have been an understatement. Sure the plan had failed, but what was life without some failed plans and having to improvise? It certainly made life more interesting, made things much better if she was being honest. However she knew the joy coursing through her veins would settle soon enough and be replaced that burning anger she had. Though she had her daughter physically nearby for the first time in years, the now fifteen year old had no idea who she really was.
Aurra stretched out her senses in the Force, the reading she got on Ahsoka was that she was still asleep and her memory was altered. It had been altered so meticulously, if it hadn't been her daughter, she would have been impressed. Though it still begged the question as to why the Jedi did it to her girl. Why would they go through so much effort? Truthfully, Aurra had no idea and was curious.
"Are we sure we want to continue with the plan," Bossk questioned as he stood by her side.
They had just returned from the cruiser after killing all the survivors, save for three, and planting the bomb down below that would kill Windu. That was still the plan. Nothing had changed about it.
Aurra didn't glance at him, "Boba and I want that man dead. You should as well."
"But what if he's the only one who can bring back Ahsoka's memories, did you consider that," Bossk asked her, his slit gaze turned to her as he went on, "Why do I have to be the one who thinks through all this stuff?"
Aurra glared at him, but knew he had a point. Though she doubted Windu would be the only one able to reverse what he'd done, she also knew that it might be beneficial to get him to undo it then kill him. Of course the problem with that came in the form of he likely wouldn't undo it. The only reason she was even certain it was him who had, and it had nothing to do with already bribing hatred for him, but because of the signature. The remnant of his signature existed in those altered memories which meant he had the heaviest hand in it. The one right next to him was another Jedi who she believed was a Kel Dor. Regardless, she would deal with the Kel Dor later. Windu was closest, killed her friend and altered her daughter's mind, she was pissed.
"I've been combing through her mind, been able to plant some things of my own in her head to help unravel what he did," Aurra told him, her clear gaze fixed onto Ahsoka.
Ahsoka was lying on her side, her left wrist cuffed to the post and face slightly scrunched as her eyes fluttered in sleep. No doubt the things in which Aurra had placed there were causing that reaction. There wasn't a block on her memories, Force knew that would have been easier to deal with, but her memories were there, only edited to an alarming degree. Aurra knew she couldn't go in and alter the memories back to normal. No, she only needed to adjust them slightly so that Ahsoka's mind and Force presence would deal with the missing pieces and put it back together on her own.
"Alright then," Bossk said plainly, "Meet you outside to watch the show."
Aurra nodded once, but could not bring her gaze away from the sleeping Togruta. Five years had passed, five whole years had passed since Aurra thought her young partner had been killed, taken from her too soon. It was time to check on the crash, that bomb would go off soon as the Jedi found the helmet Boba left behind. Poetic. Regardless of that, she knew she needed to get out there, but she still did not want to leave the ship with Ahsoka alone.
She needed to be here when she woke up, or else Ahsoka would likely just take off. Bringing her along was out of the question, no telling what the girl would do to try and get away from them and sabotage their chances of taking down the Jedi. Aurra felt her anger simmer at the thought of the Jedi, Windu would pay and so would Skywalker and any other Jedi who had anything to do with this. Aurra turned to leave the ship when a groan sounded in her ears, coming from the waking Togruta padawan.
Headache was the first thing Ahsoka registered as she pulled herself out of sleep. For a moment she couldn't remember where she was or what had happened, but then she recalled the cadets, the woman, the cruiser being attacked. With a start she sat upright, then regretted such an action instantly as nausea washed over her from the dart.
"The feeling will pass soon," came a voice not far from her.
Ahsoka snapped her had up to look at the owner. It was the woman from before. Chalky skin, silver green eyes, long brown hair though a mostly bald head and dressed in an orange jumpsuit. All kinds of weapons along there, though Ahsoka was surprised to see some were slugthrowers instead of blasters.
"You said Jewellyn before, you're Nashtah," Ahsoka inquired, a knot forming in her stomach.
The woman leaned against the doorframe, "One of many names I have, Aurra Sing being the main one."
"Bounty hunter and Jedi killer, great," Ahsoka said, she tilted her head up, "So you tried to kill Windu and failed. Now what happens?"
"Not your concern," Aurra said as she walked into the room, then kneeled in front of her, "Not until your mind is back in the right spot."
Ahsoka narrowed her eyes, "My mind is fine, it's yours that needs help."
"So I've been told," Aurra replied with a slight shrug. "Regardless of that, you're going to learn the truth real soon. Those Jedi are not to be trusted, I taught you that and they erased it."
"You didn't teach me anything. I'm not the one you're looking for," Ahsoka argued, so certain.
Aurra raised a brow at that, "I wouldn't go through this much trouble for the wrong girl. No doubt about it, it's definitely you."
Ahsoka disagreed with that, but she said nothing in response. Nothing she said would change the bounty hunter's mind, perhaps it was better to stay silent on it. Though Ahsoka was never one to do things quietly or not egg someone on with her snippy attitude, she kept her mouth closed. The Force… it was acting weird. It felt, it felt like there was something she was missing right in front of here, though she had no idea what.
At her silence, Aurra continued on, "You feel that don't you? I've never been a Force whisperer, but I do know when it has something to say you listen. What did I say about that?"
"To pay attention when it makes noise brat," Ahsoka answered, not quite a kneejerk reaction, but close. Her mouth had moved on it's own accord, the words almost natural.
The smile on Aurra's face was genuine, "There's hope for you yet Jewel. Hope for you yet."
I'm you're jewel and you're my Seela.
Ahsoka swallowed, she shook her head, "You're wrong about me."
"No, you're wrong about you. No fault of your own either," Aurra said as she rose to stand on her feet, "I'll be back shortly. We have plenty to discuss."