Chapter 51
Obi-Wan set the autopilot to take them into deep space. They could figure out where exactly they wanted to go in time. For now, they just had to get away from the Empire, and also, Obi-Wan wanted to talk to Ahsoka. He wandered the ship until he found her in the cargo bay, sitting on a food crate and staring intensely at the ground. He went over and sat on another crate across from her, but she didn't look at him, not even when she spoke, saying, "Rex was there. I saw him." Obi-Wan nodded sadly. "I know. I felt him arrive with Vader, but I could scarcely believe it even when I saw him. All the same, I'm not much surprised that Anakin would go after him." Ahsoka nodded. "Anakin trusted Rex with his life. We should've expected Vader would pervert that trust into something like this." She looked up at Obi-Wan and said, "I heard him, you know. Right before the Purge, I heard voices in my head. I heard Anakin. It sounded like he was telling Master Windu not to do something, but then the Dark Side invaded, attacking them. I ran to Rex to tell him that Anakin was in trouble, and… he tried to kill me. I never would've guessed that the Dark Side would've consumed Anakin, turning him into Emperor Vader." Suddenly, their discussion was interrupted by Leia walking into the room, saying, "Master Windu? He was the Jedi that used the Dark Side, right?" Obi-Wan smiled and answered, "Only on special occasions. He was more disciplined than most Jedi. A mighty warrior and a good friend, if a little… overcautious at times."
Leia came over and sat on the crate next to Obi-Wan, and Obi-Wan turned his head to Ahsoka, saying, "My apologies, Ahsoka. I don't believe you two have ever met. Ahsoka, this is my apprentice, Leia. Leia, this is Ahsoka Tano, your father's former apprentice and one of the finest Jedi I ever had the honor of knowing." Ahsoka and Leia both seemed surprised by the information in the introductions, but both smiled at each other and said in sync, "It's good to meet you." They laughed for a moment until Leia said, "So, you were Anakin's apprentice?" Ahsoka smiled and answered, "I was. He was a wonderful Master, though I believe Master Kenobi here as well as Master Yoda tricked Skyguy into taking me as his apprentice." Obi-Wan faked a look of innocence, causing Leia to laugh, as Ahsoka turned to face him. "However, Master Kenobi… did you call Anakin Leia's father?" Obi-Wan looked down and sighed before nodding. Ahsoka somehow looked unsurprised, and she asked, "Padmé?" Obi-Wan nodded sadly. "Padmé." Ahsoka chuckled and told a confused Leia, "Your father was a skilled Jedi, but a terrible liar. I think the entire 501st Legion suspected his romantic interest in Senator Amidala. So, Leia, you're a Skywalker, huh?" To Ahsoka's surprise, Leia shook her head and quickly answered, "A Kenobi, actually." Ahsoka looked at Obi-Wan for explanation, and he winced, saying, "Adopted. Sort of. It's a long story. Anyway, Ahsoka, how did you find us?"
Ahsoka sighed, leaning back against the wall. "The Rebel Alliance. I've been doing what I can for them, under the codename Fulcrum. They sent me to extract you guys. I didn't know it was you, but I'm glad we got to meet." Obi-Wan leaned forward. "You're with the Rebels?" "Sort of," Ahsoka answered. "For the most part, I'm more of an informant. I set them up with a program of anonymous benefactors, various Fulcrums to give them information, but occasionally I do other jobs for them as well, like saving the skin of a couple of Jedi being chased by the Emperor." "Obi-Wan leaned back against the wall and stroked his beard for a moment before asking, "Can we trust them?" Ahsoka looked down and said, "To be better than the Republic, if they win? Not likely. To be a better alternative than the Empire? I believe so. We Jedi are peacekeepers and defenders. We're not politicians, and I think that the Alliance is our best choice to replace the dictatorship set in place by the Empire, so I'm helping them any way I can." Obi-Wan bent over in resignation, but nevertheless nodded in understanding. "All right. I don't trust them, but I trust you, Ahsoka. We'll work with you." Ahsoka smiled and got up, going to the cockpit to bring them back to the Rebel Alliance.
A/N: Sorry it's been a bit, I was on a trip, but I hope that the first 50 chapters kept you guys occupied!