Chapter 13
Hoth was a barren desolate and bitter cold planet. All who worked there had to bundle up just to keep warm. Yes it was a good defensive position, safe and out of the way. However the cold was a far greater threat. The rebellion was at breaking point. Not only had there supply routes been cut in half but a large chunk of rebel had broken off and left. Setting up their own rebellion. Many clones had gone with them; the rebellion had lost a very large chunk of skilled and well trained solders. They were left with ill equipped and poorly trained solider. General Rex had done his best but he was only one man trying to train a rabble of people. Recruits for the rebellion had been in short supply since Ahsoka's speech.
Riyo was standing in the command centre looking over the scans of the space around Hoth. She had been sent to Hoth to take charge, but she knew it was so she would be out of Mothma's and Organa's way. Her relationship with them had only gotten worse since her out burst on Home one.
"You look like you could use this" A voice said as a hand, handed her a hot drink.
"Thank you Lux" Riyo said grateful Lux had recovered from his mental attack by Ahsoka, but it had left him scared. He barley slept and when he did he had nightmares. His personality had changed he was far more serious; it seemed that Ahsoka's attack had pulled all the happiness out of him. He was also demoted to just a Captain, in charge of some of the troops stationed on Hoth. It was his decision. He didn't want to be a high ranking member and know too much, just in case Ahsoka tried to attack him again.
"You can look away from those screen every once in a while. You know" Lux said simply.
"I know. It's just this base in not invulnerable as many would believe." Riyo replied.
"I know but with the Ion cannon, the defensive trenches, mines, artillery cannons and General skywalkers fleet in close proximity. If they did turn up it would take a lot to capture this base. No to mention the vast sensor web we have above the planet. We would see them coming with plenty of time to prep." Lux said trying to reassure his friend.
Riyo nodded he wasn't wrong but she was always on edge now. They had been on the run for so long and so many safe places had fallen. It was hard to be confident in anything. "Talking of Skywalers, where's Luke?" Riyo asked.
"He's on patrol with Captain Solo. Checking out the south quadrant. They had to use Tauntauns" Lux said simply.
"Still having trouble with those speeders then?" Riyo asked.
"Yep we only have two squadrons ready to go. I'm told they'll all be ready in the next few days. However I'll believe it when I see it." He replied dryly.
Coruscant
To say Ahsoka was in a bad mood would have been a major understatement. She had just come back from the medical centre. Admiral long had been wounded in a surprise attack from the rebellion on Naboo, one of the most loyal worlds. It just proved what Ahsoka had been saying all along destroying planets would not stop the rebellion, they would have to destroy every planet in the galaxy and still thy might miss them. On top of that her tie-defender project had stalled due to lack of materials, which was infuriating especially once Ahsoka found out they were being sent to an outer rim world of no importance. What was more anger inducing is that it was Padme who had signed the order. Gong behind Ahsoka's back and not telling her, the mother of the Nightsisters what she was doing. So Ahsoka had sent a spy to investigate. What she found was the reason she was heading for the palace. Padme was building another death star a bigger one, after it had been proved to be ineffective and Against Ahsoka's express orders. This would not stand.
Ahsoka stormed down the halls of the palace, every Nightsister, Nightbrother and security office virtually jumped to the side, they could tell Ahsoka was very angry. As she walked a protocol droid walked in front of her, Ahsoka growled and cut the droid down before moving on.
Eventually Ahsoka reached the throne room and was surprised not to see Nightsister guarding the throne room. Instead she saw two guard dressed in all red with long robes. As she approached they raised their weapons.
"That would not be rise. Do you know who I am" Ahsoka said cruelly her voice dripping with malice.
"It does not matter no one is to approach the empress" one of the guards said "Now leave" he demanded.
Ahsoka growled "I see I have to educate you" she said as she summoned green mist that wrapped around the guard and began to crush them. Their armour creaked and cracked "I am Mother Ahsoka Tano, leader of the nightsisters and master of dark side alchemy. You do not challenge me. You obey." She said as she dropped them to the ground. She then taped her com =^= Mother Tano to the healers. Two guards outside the throne room need your assistance. =^= she sad coldly.
=^= What happened? =^= the voice asked
=^= They got in my way=^= Ahsoka replied blandly. Before closing the com and walking into the throne room. Padme looked up from her throne ready to scold whoever had disturbed her. However when she saw Ahsoka she paled slightly.
"Padme" Ahsoka said as she began to walk the room looking at a few of the items in it.
"Ahsoka" Padme said simply forgetting the tone of respect that was supposed to be used for Ahsoka and forgetting her title, and the proper way to address her.
Ahsoka turned and faced Padme "I see being stuck in this room has made you forget your manners." She said calmly but her tone was dangerous. Padme knew that.
"Ah, of course. My apologise, mother" Padme said bowing her head. She wondered what she was doing she was the empress; she shouldn't have to bow he head. However her instincts told her she was in some serious trouble. "How can I help you, my mother" she asked.
Ahsoka began to walk the room again getting slowly closer to the throne and Padme. The tension in the room was thick the air seemed heavy with it. "I have found out a few interesting things and I was hoping you can clarify them for me." She said not looking at Padme but instead picking up Padme's Naboo blaster that was on display.
"Let's start with something small shall we." Ahsoka said pausing for a moment "Why did you replace your Nightsister guards with those red armoured fools. That I crushed before coming in here?" She asked spinning the blaster with the force.
"What you crushed me guards" Padme said but remembered who she was talking to "I thought the Nightsisters where more useful helping you defeat the rebellion then guarding me, that's why." Padme said lying.
Ahsoka scoffed "I thought we made you a better liar then that. However that can be sorted in time" she said simply getting closer to Padme but still swirling the Blaster with the force "My biggest question is, why are you building another death star. I did not think you were that stupid." Ahsoka said her tone full of scorn.
Padme blew up "How dare you I am the empress of the galaxy I can do as I wish when I wish. If I want to change my guards then I will. If I want to build a weapon that can destroy the rebellion then I will. You cannot stop me. I do not have to answer to you I am now this galaxy." She said defiantly bit then she realised what she had done.
Ahsoka crushed the blaster and propelled it across the room just missing Padme and embedding it into the wall behind her. Ahsoka was full of rage, green mist circled around her and power crackled off her. Ahsoka rounded on Padme picking her up and slamming her against a wall the force shattered the glass window next to the wall and everything in the room was picked up ad began to float angrily in the air.
"How dare you. You insolent, disrespectful little cur. I have told you time and time again, that a death star will not defeat the rebellion. They pride the fighter above all else. To destroy the rebellion we need to destroy their fighters. Your insolence has cost me enough already. My defender project has stalled; my empire has sent resource on a fool's job. You have forgotten your place. Everything you have everything you are is because of me. I am not your servant you are mine. I can take it away so easily." Ahsoka said as she tightened her grip on Padme's throat. Tears stained Padme's face as she gasped for what little air she could get. She realised what a fool she had been, she had never been in control. She had got carried away on a control that was not hers. It was all Ahsoka.
"Yes you realise it now. I control Mandalore, I control Naboo, I control Coruscant and Dathomire. The armies of the empire report to me. Even your own daughter is mine to control. If you forget this again I will make sure you do not live to regret it and you will meet a very painful end am I clear?" Ahsoka asked loosening her grip with the force.
Padme caught what air she could then looked at Ahsoka "I understand my mother. I beg for your forgiveness" she said between gasps of air.
"We shall see about that. You will cut the supply of materials to your project by all but a third. They will be transferred to my defender project. You will also bring all your ideas and plans for orders to me and get my approval before you act on anything. Do this and I may begin to forget you transgressions." Ahsoka said coldly as the objects crashed back to the floor along with padme.
"As you wish" Padme said. Just then Ahsoka's com beeped, Ahsoka answered it. =^= this is mother Tano=^= She said
=^=Mother we have found the rebels=^= Came the voice.
=^= excellent. Prepare my ship for launch and contact admiral Ozzel and my acolytes=^= Ahsoka said as she headed for the door. *Now I can vent my anger on some pathetic rebels.* she thought cruelly as she walked past the Nightsister heals seeing to the two guards she had crushed earlier.
"The empress needs new guards. Make sure they are loyal to me and me alone" she ordered.
The healer nodded "Yes my mother" she replied. *Now I can keep an eye on Padme. She had gotten far too used to power* Ahsoka thought.
AN: Hi all I'm back. I know I said that last time but I am truly hopeful I am now. Everything got too much for me. Hopefully that's behind me now. So as always I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
L
