AN: Hi all I'm so sorry that I haven't updated in so long. I have been so busy and had so many things to deal with that my enthusiasm for updating had been destroyed. I'm hoping I can get updating more regularly but I can't promise anything. I've written a long chapter to try and make up for it. I understand if many of you don't want to continue reading this fanfic.
L
Coruscant was full of it's normal hustle and bustle. Being the capital of the empire it was one of the most heavily guarded planets in the galaxy. Ahsoka walked along the corridors of the imperial palace, she had some news to deliver and she knew it would not be pleasant.
Ahsoka reached the throne room in a matter of minutes; she could walk the place blindfolded. In fact she had to better train her senses. Once inside she walked over to Padme. Padme was standing at one of the windows looking out over the planet.
"How bad is she?" Padme asked without turning to face Ahsoka.
Ahsoka sighed heavily "She's on her way to Dathomire. Katooni had only sensed the very tip of her injuries. It is far worse than we thought" She said softly handing Padme a thick file
"This is all of her injuries" Padme said as she skimmed through the document
Ahsoka nodded "Yes. It makes for very grim reading. The healers in the palace and the temple are not enough. She needs the life waters on Dathomire, they are her only hope." She said watching as Padme slowly walked over to her throne and fell on the seat.
"They did this to my daughter, my little girl. We don't even treat are worst prisoners like this." Padme said it was clear she was in a state of shock, mixed with sadness and anger. Ahsoka beckoned to one of the handmaidens to get Padme something to drink. Padme took the drink and gulped it down in one go.
"I have to go and see her. I urr have to address the senate. Umm I need to, I need to umm" Padme said quietly. That was when Padme felt a hand on her shoulder.
"What you need to do is go to your daughter. Nothing else" Ahsoka said in a comforting manner "I'll address the senate. You are a concerned mother going to her seriously injured daughter. Go I'll worry about the politicians" Ahsoka said simply. Padme just nodded and walked slowly towards the door. Ahsoka had no idea how Padme was feeling. Her only daughter could die due to mistreatment. Ahsoka may be 'evil' but even she would be destroyed by the news.
Senate hall 1 hour later
The senate had been called to an emergency meeting. Many of the senators had no idea what it was about, but they knew the penalty if they didn't attend. Some knew what it was about being rebel sympathisers they had been informed of the loss of one of their key bases. They didn't know anything else. Many of them where in for a shock.
As the meeting was started they all looked as the empress's pod rose through the floor. They were surprised to see Ahsoka standing there instead of Empress Amidala. No one could figure out why the empress was not present but they assumed they would find out soon enough.
Ahsoka looked at the hundreds of senators. Keeping the senate had been Ahsoka idea; it was far easier to control the galaxy when you can deal with the representatives of each planet at once.
"Members fi the senate. As you know I am mother Tano leader of the Nightsisters. Many of you may be wondering why I a dressing you and not the empress. That is the reason I am here." Ahsoka said making sure she had everyone's attention.
"The empress is with her daughter. Two months ago, my apprentice and the daughter of the empress; Princess Liea Amidala. Was captured by the rebellion. Her ship was on its way back from a relief mission. The so called rebellion attacked her ship and caused it to crash. Many of her ships company where killed in the fight or the crash. However we have learned that aside form Leia there where twelve survivors. Ten wounded and two medics, they were executed by the rebel troops. These brave clones, who had fought for your freedom against the separatists, stopped the Jedi and have continued to defend you against these terrorists. Where murdered in cold blood." She said as gasps broke out amongst the senators. Ahsoka looked to senator Thorn, the old clone was horrified.
"As you know the execution of the wounded and those who tend to them. Is against galactic law. The wounded and medics are and should be protected by the conventions we set up at the very beginning of our new age. I therefore have no choice but to call these actions a war crime. These are not the only war crimes the rebellion has committed. Princess Leia once she was captured was subject to constant torture. She was beaten, drugged, tortured and violated by the rebellion. All in an attempt to get information from her. If you feel up to it please see the data packets you have been sent. This is a list of injuries sustained by Leia during her capture. I must warn you the details are very graphic and may prove distressing to many of you." Ahsoka said as she again watched the room, she could see many senators looking disgusted and shocked. That was when one Pod came forward.
"Forgive me mother Tano but do we have any evidence that the rebellion knew of this treatment. I find it hard to believe that the leaders of any organisation would be ok with this treatment" King Lee Char said.
Ahsoka nodded "A Fair pint. Here is the answer. Last week I personal led a raid on a large rebellion base. It was hear that I found Leia looked in a cell terrified to come near me. After an extensive search, we were able to access the bases computer. Amongst the files where the names of the rebel leaders, fleet position and several messages between the commander of the base and the rebel leaders. The following is the last order sent to the base before my raid." Ahsoka said as she pressed a couple of buttons. The centre of the senate was filled with the hologram of bail Organa and Mon Mothmer "you have our permission to Do what every it takes, to get that information" Bail Organa said.
Ahsoka allowed the image to sink in "As you can see. This was a direct order from rebel high command. And where are they now, Organa's planet has suffered a natural disaster that has killed millions and where was he. Plotting with his rebel allies to torture a nineteen year old girl. Who has sent aid to Alderaan? The empire not the rebellion. Pantora has a civil uprising on its hands, who has sent aid? The empire not the rebellion." Ahsoka paused for a moment and took a sip of water, trying to hide the smirk on her face; she had the senate right where she wanted them. "The rebellion claims that they want to bring peace and prosperity to the galaxy by restoring the republic. However they have forgotten one thing, while they are rebuilding their republic hundreds of worlds will be defenceless. Prime targets for pirates, scavenger, murderers and slavers. Many of which provide the rebellion with materials and arms to fight against us. Is this a coincidence I think not." She said simply.
"I know many of you are sympathetic to the rebellion and some of your planets supply them. However I beseech you to stop. You're supporting terrorists who will do anything to get there way. They will resort to means that we would call barbaric. Killing the sick in their beds, torturing children and allowing the scum and villainy of the galaxy to run wild. We must stand united as one empire, with one purpose and we must keep the peace we have enjoyed for eighteen years. So I ask you are you with me?" Ahsoka asked. For a moment there was silence as her words sunk in and then the senate exploded in cheers. Calls of 'down with the rebellion' and 'we're with you' sounded.
Ahsoka raised her hand and a hush formed over the senators "Now that you are with me. I propose a new set of rules when dealing with these terrorists. Any confirmed rebel will be exiled form their home worlds, regardless of social standing. We will force them out and then bring justice down upon them" Ahsoka yelled earning a standing ovation form the senate. *all too easy* Ahsoka thought to herself.
Two weeks later, home one
Riyo Chuchi was furious. She at first had been sad and hurt that she had been exiled form her home. However she realised that the attack on her home world, and her exile was all due to the fact the rest of the command, thought torturing a girl was a good idea. She had opposed it form the start but no one listened to her. So here she was going into an emergency meeting her blood boiling.
She tried to remain calm but it was no good. She walked into the war room and right up to Mothma and Organa "What the hell where you thinking." She yelled "thanks to you my planet has been bombarded, my home destroyed and I am now an exile form my own world. Pantora has refused to help us any longer, the clones are virtually rebelling and six people have defected to the empire. All because you though that torturing a nineteen year old girl was a good idea. I warned you about the repercussions and you ignored me. Well was it worth it. Was watching you home planet worth all the information we got. Oh wait we didn't get anything. Instead the empire got everything." She yelled her anger getting the better of her.
Bail looked head in Riyo's eyes "Remember who you're talking to. I have lost everything as well" he said simply.
"No you haven't you still have your wife. Alderaan will still help us and you have a ship full of native Alderaans who will help you. Many of us have nothing like that. You gave that order and now we're no better than the empire, in fact now we are worse." Riyo said before Bail could say anything he was stopped by another voice.
"And it's not just the lack of support; the empire has destroyed over half our bases and fleets in a few weeks. They know where we all are." Hera said as she entered the room her flight suit was ripped and the visor on her helmet was cracked.
Mothma looked at Hera "General are you alright what happened?" she asked.
"Our fleet in the Goland sector has been destroyed. Only myself and two starfighters made it back. Moral is at an all-time low." Hera said sadly
"We must keep up the fight we can bounce back I am sure" Mothma said looking over the room. To say everyone looked defeatist would be a massive understatement.
"I guess we'll have to. After all many of us don't have anywhere else to go. This alliance is shattering." Riyo said before turning and leaving she couldn't be in that room. To many mistakes had been made in that room.
Once Riyo had left Bail, Mothma and Hera all gathered around a holo-map showing the galaxy "She's not wrong. The alliance is breaking. We need to find a place for a new base. Somewhere out of the way, hidden. A place that none would initially suspect." Hera said as she searched the map for a location.
"What about here. It's out of the way, unimposing and it's sits very close to a space lane. It also has a natural defence. This asteroid belt" Bail said pointing to the planet and then the field around it.
"That will work." Mothma said "What's it called?" she asked
"Hoth. The planet is called Hoth. Only an echo of what it once was thousands of years ago" Bail said simply.
"That's where we'll set up our new base. Echo base on Hoth. I doubt the Empire will find us easily there." Hera said. Maybe just maybe they could find hope there.
