Chapter 18 – Returning Home
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Seeing as how everyone in this chapter is a Togruta and the chapter takes place on Shili as well, just assume that everyone is speaking in Togruti. Because there is only one language used in this chapter I'm not going to use different "…" or /…/ and whatnot.
If there are different languages in a chapter, I will add a little note.
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Ahsoka's point of view
"And then what happened?" Lilo asked me. I chuckle. "Well, seeing as those Geonosians stole our bombs but left us a tank, Barriss and I decided to use their tank to blow up the base's power core." I shrug. "It worked well, the base was destroyed and we were buried in the rubble." I tell the group with a smile. I promised Shaden that I would tell them what I meant in that cave, about what happened on Geonosis. So now, he, a few other H'Raani M'Kai soldiers, Zaa and Zolar Vashee and my sisters were with me in my room listening to my story. I may still be mostly unable to move and restrained to my bed, but that doesn't mean that I can't tell them a story. They were quite impressed with what I told them, about the scale of the battle and also how Barriss had been able to completely memorize the layout of that large hive tunnel.
"How did you survive being buried under a factory?" Zaa Vashee asked confused. "That tank we were in was some kind of elite tank. It had very strong ray shielding, so even though we had a ton of rubble on top of us we weren't flattened like pancakes." I explain. "Ray-shielded tanks? Sounds extremely effective in battle." Shaden said. I nod. "You have no idea. Not even the artillery cannons were able to penetrate that armour. Anakin said he and Master Unduli destroyed the bridge underneath the tanks to get rid of them." I reply. Shaden nods thoughtfully. "So how did you both get out of the rubble?" Marina asked. "I used a little trick Anakin taught me to fix my comlink and sent out a little signal so they could locate us. Then he and Master Unduli used the Force to remove the debris and free us." I finish my story. The other in the room looked incredibly surprised and shocked by my story. "Wow, Jedi certainly have some crazy adventures." Zolar Vashee said chuckling. I turn my head and look at him. This is the first time I've been able to get a good look at both him and his sister. They both share the same dark orange skin and facial markings, except the markings below Zaa's eyes are sort off mirrored compared to his. Zolar is about Marina's age while Zaa is about my age. "You have no idea." I reply. Everyone laughs at my remark.
We continued talking for a little while before everyone left so I could get some rest. My injuries still needed to heal and I was still very weak. I really needed my rest. "We'll make sure to wake you when we are preparing to land again Ahsoka." Marina said as she pulled the blanket over me. "Thanks." I replied sleepily. Marina and Lilo chuckled a bit before they followed the other out of the room. I look at the door for a moment before drifting off to sleep.
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General point of view
Several hours later
Marina and Lilo are both sitting in the dining chamber aboard the ship. They had both just finished eating when princess Zaa Vashee approached them. "Hey, can I join you?" she asked. Marina and Lilo nodded. "Of course milady." Lilo said. Zaa sat down next to them with a slight frown on her face. "Is something wrong?" Marina asked. "No, everything's fine. It's just…" Zaa sighed before continuing. "I'm just amazed by your sister. I mean, she almost died saving me, a complete stranger, and yet she seems so…well, happy. She doesn't seem worried or upset at all." She said. "I mean, she's seventeen, right?" Zaa asked. "Almost, in a couple of weeks she will be." Marina replied. "That's what I mean, she's even a bit younger than me and I just can't believe how brave she is." Zaa said. Lilo nodded. "Yeah, we've noticed that as well. Ahsoka is very strong and not afraid to risk her live in order to protect others. It's really quite amazing." She replied. Zaa nodded. "I spoke with Senator Bonteri a few hours before you arrived on the Jedi's ship. He also said that she has a very selfless nature." She said. Zaa looked at the two Togruta. "Don't get me wrong though, I'm extremely grateful for what she did. That Separatist was a very cruel man. I don't even want to imagine what he had in store for me or Shili." Zaa said with a slight hint of fear in her voice. Marina nodded. "I think that Ahsoka had a pretty good idea of what might've happened." She replied. Zaa looked at her slightly confused. "Ahsoka mentioned that she was among the Jedi that freed Kiros and rescued our people from Zygerria." Lilo explained. "She went to the planet of those slavers. I don't even want to know what she's been through there." Zaa looked a bit shocked. "Wow, I've only heard a few rumors about that. But to think that she was actually there… Unbelievable." she shook her head. "I know." Marina replied. "Ahsoka fought in the war for almost three years. She's seen some of the horrors of this war up close. From padawan Offee's hint on the ship I can tell that she's seen some very intense battles." Zaa smiled at the two sisters. "Well, no matter what, I'm going to find a way to thank her for this. She's done Shili a massive service and I'll see that she gets a proper reward." She said enthusiastically. Marina and Lilo smiled as well. "We'd be very happy to help you with that." Lilo replied.
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Ahsoka's point of view
A rumble or something rocks the ship and wakes me from my sleep. I open my eyes and sit upright as best I can. I start looking around the room. I can't figure out what just happened. As I stare around the room the door opens and Marina steps in. She looks a bit surprised to see me awake. "Oh hello Ahsoka, have you been up long?" she asks as she sits down on the bed. "No, I only just woke up. Something woke me, but I'm not sure what." I reply. Marina nods. "Well, we just excited hyperspace and will land in about fifteen minutes." She says. "So that's what I felt, the ship dropping out of hyperspace." I reply. Marina smiles at me. "I guess so. I came here to wake you up and get you ready to land." Her smile fades before she continues. "Mom and dad have been very worried about you." She says a bit sadly. "I see…" I say. "I didn't mean for them to worry." Marina grabs my hand and squeezes it comfortably. "Well, you didn't mean to get blown up, did you?" she asks a bit teasingly. I chuckle a bit at her response. "They're very proud of you Ahsoka." Marina says softly. I smile. "Thanks sis." She smiles back. "By the way, where did all of my things go?" I ask. I had no idea what had happened to my things after the explosion. I'd imagine that the armour Shaden had given me is a pile of ashes right now. I have Lux' locket still here next to me on the nightstand, but I had no idea where my lightsaber is. "Don't worry Ahsoka. Your friend Barriss made sure that those clone soldiers collected your things from the battlefield. Everything, including your lightsaber, is packed up in one of the suitcases in the cargo hold." Marina informs me. I let out a deep breath of relief. "Thanks Marina, that's good to know." I reply. She smiles. "Anytime Ahsoka. Now then, let's get you ready to disembark." Marina said as she began to inform me of how they were going to move me of the ship.
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About twenty minutes later the ship had finished the landing sequence. The others had already disembarked and now I and my sisters were following them. Two medics moved my of the ship in a stretcher while my sisters followed walked next to me. When we reached the end of the ramp I could see my parents and Rosette looking at the king and queen who were currently occupied with hugging their daughter and being relieved with her being safe. When they see me they immediately made their way towards me while Marina went to her daughter. "Ahsoka!" they both said relieved when they reached me. "Hi mom, dad." I reply. Mom moved next to me and kissed my forehead making me giggle a bit. Dad placed his arm on my uninjured shoulder. "We're so proud of you Ahsoka." He says. I can't help but smile. Hearing that from my parents gives me such a different feeling than when a Temple instructor mentioned such a thing after an exercise or a test. When they said it, it just felt like a few a simple words, a short moment's praise. But when my parents say it, it feels like so much more. Mom gently strokes my face. "I'm so glad to see that you're safe Ahsoka. We were so worried when we heard what happened." She said with the relief obvious in her voice. I feel a little ashamed, I didn't want them to worry. "I'm sorry I made you worry." I say softly. "Don't be, it wasn't your fault dearie." Mom replies. Marina walks back towards us with Rosette in her arms. "Auntie 'Soka, are you alright?" Rosette asks when they reach us. I look at her. She looks adorable, even with the look of worry on her face. "I'm just a little sore. I'll be fine Rose, don't worry." I reply. "You promise?" she asks softly. I smile. "I promise." Rosette's face lights up. "Okay!" she says happily. I chuckle a bit at her happy reaction. It's difficult not to smile with her being so enthusiastic.
The king and queen make their way towards us, Zaa Vashee following them. "Ahsoka Tano, you have my deepest gratitude. You saved my daughter's life and for that I will be in your debt." The king said. "It was my pleasure sire. I was glad to be of help." I reply. He smiles. "Because of the earlier circumstances I have not been able to introduce myself properly. My name is Zhorin Vashee. This is my wife Sarisa." He says while also gesturing at his wife. "It's a pleasure to meet both of you." I reply with a slight nod. "The pleasure is all ours. Who knows what would've happened to our daughter if you hadn't been there." Queen Sarisa said. "I think it may be best not to think about that." I say with a slight tone of unease in my voice. After all, I know just what kind of damage the Separatists are capable of… "I suppose you're right." The queen replied. "Nevertheless, you have done not only us, but all of Shili a great service. We will do our best to repay you for your actions." King Zhorin added. "But first, we'll let the medics take you to the hospital. We'll continue this talk when you've recovered." He said with a smile. "I'd like that, I'm not really feeling like myself now. I don't like being this weak." I reply. Everyone chuckles a bit at my response. "Alright then, you just rest now. You've more than earned it." The queen says. "Thank you milady." I reply as the medics begin to take me to the hospital. My family follows behind me. "Goodbye Ahsoka, I'll make sure to visit you later." Zaa Vashee yells after us.
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Sometime later I had been installed in one of the hospital rooms. "Princess Vashee wasn't joking when she said you'd be getting the finest treatment available. Look at this stuff." Marina said as she looked around the room. She certainly was right about the medical care. I look around the room as well. Several types of very expensive looking machines are situated around the room. Ready to be used if they had to. The staff of the hospital had done some scans of me earlier. Fortunately, they had concluded that any type of surgery wasn't necessary. With enough rest and some medicine now and then I'd be completely fine in a few weeks. After a couple of days they would allow me to leave the hospital as well. Thanks to Barriss' earlier healing work, they expect me to be able to walk normally again in a matter of days. I'm glad to hear that, I really don't like being in a hospital.
"Are you glad you can return home in a few days Ahsoka?" my mom asks me. I smile and nod at her. "Definitely, you have no idea how much I dislike being in the hospital." I reply. Everyone laughs for a moment. "We have to go now, the doctors aren't going to let us stay past the visiting hours. But we'll be back tomorrow." Dad says. "Alright then, I'll see you all tomorrow." I reply. I lie down in the bed to go to sleep. Mom tucks me in before she and the rest of my family leave the room.
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I'm going to end this chapter here.
I'm really glad I was able to finish this one today. I've had a pretty busy week with school. Some teacher decided that the timetable on the school website was 'wrong', so as a result, we had to finish some big project in less than two days instead of the scheduled two weeks….
Next chapter will be for Barriss again. They will be arriving on Coruscant again. Will everything there go well? Probably not, there always a lot of things that can go wrong.
Until next time.