Summary:

Ahsoka and Rex go to Coruscant and talk to Barriss about the New Order.

Ahsoka and Rex pay the Martez sisters a visit.

The two run into someone unexpected.

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33.

Ahsoka and Rex wore cloaks to conceal their identity when they arrived on Coruscant. They headed to the lower levels in order to meet up with Barriss. The lower levels were narrow and not as glamorous as the upper levels. It was the prefect place if you wanted to go unnoticed. Overhead, the transit lanes were full of ships flying back and forth. Different races walked around the streets.

Ahsoka spotted her friend first. She was waiting at the corner of a street. Her hood was up on her dark blue cloak. Ahsoka casually walked by her without looking.

"Come on. Let's get off the street."

Barriss was startled, "Ahsoka?"

"Not here. Let's go."

"Oh, of course. This way."

Barriss led Ahsoka and Rex through the streets towards a large tunnel system that feed water to lower levels of Coruscant. The tunnels were like a maze with endless twists and turns with several pathways. The place was empty. It was the perfect place for a private meeting.

Barriss turned around and gave Ahsoka a hug. Ahsoka returned her hug with a smile, but it soon slipped when she saw the worry on her friend's face.

"Barriss, what's wrong?"

She lowered her gaze for a moment and said, "I fear the Jedi have forgotten their true purpose as peacekeepers and guardians of the galaxy. I've tried talking to as many of our fellow Jedi as I could to join the peace movement, but many won't listen to reason. They are fine with obeying the militaristic will of the Senate. I fear many are blind to what the Jedi have become. This cannot go on, Ahsoka. Something must be done."

Ahsoka placed her hand on Barriss' shoulder and said, "I understand, and I want to help. I have a friend who suggested a very interesting idea."

Barriss raised her brow and said, "Friend? Do you mean your clone friend? Can he be trusted?"

Rex said, "I'm not the one Ahsoka is talking about."

Ahsoka said, "I'm talking about Master Jinn."

Barriss frowned and said, "I don't know Master Jinn. How did you meet this person?"

Ahsoka said, "It's complicated. He's a friend. I trust him. He's not a normal Jedi. In fact, he's plan is a little-unconventional."

"Now I am intrigued. What is your friend's unconventional plan?"

The Togruta teen took a deep breath and said, "He wants to start a New Order. One that doesn't answer to the Senate."

Barriss' eyes were wide with shock. She didn't know where to start. She shook her head and said, "Ahsoka, what you're suggesting-it's-it's-not such a bad idea."

"Really?"

Barriss turned away to think and said, "Yes. It's a radical idea. Normally the very thought of splitting the Order into two separate factions would be unthinkable, but our current situation leaves us little choice. The High Council won't even meet with the peace movement. To be honest, I thought we might have to do something extreme in order to get their attention, but your friend's idea of starting a New Order is something I never considered."

Ahsoka was relieved. She knew from her own timeline just how extreme Barriss was willing to go. She was glad she was able to stop her from making the same mistake. The peace movement and the New Order were helping to change things for the better.

"Barriss, do you think the other Jedi would consider building a New Order?"

"Yes, many feel that the High Council no longer protects the people. However, who will lead this New Order? It's not like we have someone like Master Yoda to guide us."

Ahsoka said, "I was hoping Master Jinn would help us figure it out."

Rex said, "He has a lot to do already, Soka. He has to look after his apprentice and his partner, not to mention our horned friend. Maybe we should figure out who's in charge after we figure out how many are willing to join."

Ahsoka smiled at her Captain and said, "You're right, Rex. One step at a time. Barriss, how soon can you find out if the others want to join the New Order?"

Barriss was noticed how close Ahsoka was to her clone friend. She was also acting a lot more mature than normal. However, Barriss assumed it was because of the situation. What they were doing was very dangerous. She was sure that plotting to split the Order alone was grounds for getting expelled, yet Ahsoka was handling it well. She admired her friend's confidence.

"I'll start sending out the message. I'll know by tonight."

Ahsoka nodded her head and said, "Good. Please tell those that want to join that they can come with us. It won't be safe for them if they stay here."

Barriss was shocked and said, "I had no idea you thought so far ahead, Ahsoka."

"There's something else you should know, Barriss. The New Order maybe a lot more radical than you think. Master Jinn is a student of both the Darkness and the Light. All Force-users are welcome to join and form attachments."

"Well, Ahsoka. You are certainly full of surprises. However, like you said before, we should take things one step at a time. I'll see if anyone even wants to join us first."

"Thank you, Barriss."

"No, Ahsoka. Thank you."

The two girls hugged and then parted ways.

XXX

Once they left the tunnels and entered the main streets again, Ahsoka paused for a moment and rubbed her chin. Rex noticed she had stopped walking and turned to face her.

"Soka, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just thinking about some old friends. In our timeline, after I left the Order, I met the Martez sisters. I learned from them just how much this war was hurting ordinary people. They lost their parents and had to survive as best they could by themselves. I was thinking, maybe we could offer them a job transporting supplies to Endor. It would give the Martez sisters honest work and we'd have access to a civilian ship."

Rex said, "Sounds like a plan, but I can tell there's something else on your mind."

Ahsoka met his gaze and said, "Yes, I don't want them to get in over their heads."

Rex smiled and placed his hand on her shoulder and said, "I know you do, cyare. Though, you can't protect everyone. I think no matter what, there's a risk but at least they'll have you looking out for them."

Ahsoka returned Rex's smile and took his hand off her shoulder and held it. Rex blushed. He still wasn't used to showing affection out in the open. Most of the time he had to pretend that they weren't a couple to protect them both from being punished. He had to remind himself that he was dressed like a civilian and not a trooper. No one would think twice seeing them together.

"Thanks, Rex. Come on. Let's go pay them a visit."

Ahsoka pulled Rex forward with their joined hands. Rex felt like an idiot for being so happy about simply holding hands. He and Ahsoka had done a lot more behind closed doors, but the innocent act showed the world they were a couple and it made his heart soar.

Rex wasn't going to waste this opportunity. He pulled Ashoka back. She looked at him puzzled till he used his other hand to lift her chin. He closed his eyes and gave her a kiss. Time felt like it stopped. Rex felt like they were the only two people in the world. When he pulled away, he was satisfied to see how breathless Ahsoka looked as she gazed up at him with her beautiful blue eyes.

"Not that I'm complaining, but where did that come from?"

Rex blushed and said, "I always want to kiss you, cyare. I just don't always have the opportunity."

XXX

It didn't take long for Ahsoka and Rex to find the Martez sisters' shop. Ahsoka wondered if things were different in this timeline, however she discovered that the Martez sisters were in the same situation as when she first met them. Trace was working on her ship while Rafa was trying to talk her into her latest scheme.

"Come on. I know you can do it."

"Rafa, I have no experience fixing those kinds of droids."

"Well, there's a first time for everything. What matters is that the client is rich and willing to pay up if we can fix his droids quickly."

Ahsoka cleared her throat to get their attention. The two sisters turned around to face her. Rafa crossed her arms defensively around her chest and eyed the two of them. She clearly judged them as a waste of time because she gave Ahsoka a glare.

"What do you want?"

Ahsoka stepped forward and said, "My friend and I are looking for a ship to run cargo transport runs for us. I noticed your ship and wondered if you're available for the job."

Rafa's attitude suddenly changed. She uncrossed her arms and wrapped her arm around Trace's shoulders and said, "Oh, Trace here is an ace pilot. A cargo transport job is a piece of cake. So, let's talk price."

Rex raised his brow and said, "Don't you want to know where you need to go in order to make the transport first?"

Rafa said, "Of course, but I need to know if it's worth our services."

Trace nervously said, "Rafa-"

Rafa glanced at her sister and said, "It's alright. I got this. So, do you have the credits to pay us?"

Rex was seriously annoyed at the girl's tone. He knew these two were Ahsoka's friends, but they didn't act any different than common scum. However, instead of putting them in their place, Ahsoka reached into her pocket and placed a small bag full of credits on top of a table. Rafa and Trace's eyes were glued to the credits spilling out of the bag.

"Here, consider this a small advance. I'll give you double that if you can complete the job. Now, if the money isn't good enough than my partner and I can take our business elsewhere."

Rafa smiled and said, "There's no need for that. We'll take the job."

Ahsoka grinned and said, "Good. My partner will give you contact information. We'll be in touch."

Rex walked over to Trace. The teen fumbled for a bit before getting a data-pad in her workshop and offered it to him. Rex smiled to himself and shook his head as he entered Fives' contact into the pad. He figured since Fives oversaw the smuggling the cure and the medic team, he'd be the one to know what their base needed. Though, he wondered if the Martez sisters had what it took for a smuggling job. Rex decided that he'd need to talk to Fives about assigning them a babysitter till they got the swing of things.

When he was done, he handed the data-pad back to Trace. "Here you go, kid. You should hear word from that contact in a few days."

"Oh, thanks. Though, it's not, kid. My name is Trace and that's Rafa."

Ahsoka said, "I'm Ashla and this is Jaig."

Rex raised his brow. He wondered why Ahsoka chose to use aliases instead of their real names, but let it slide. It was probably for the best that the Martez sisters didn't know who they really were. It would likely only get them into trouble. Though, Rex had to admit he rather liked his alias.

Rex turned to Ahsoka and said, "Well, I guess that concludes our business here, ladies. Ashla and I have other business we need to get to, so we'll be leaving now."

Rafa replied, "Great. We'll be in touch."

XXX

Once they left the sisters, Rex gave Ahsoka a concern look. Ahsoka sighed when she saw the look on his face. Without a word, Ahsoka led Rex to an elevator to the upper levels. They were the only two inside the elevator. Ahsoka waited till the elevator doors closed before speaking.

"I know. They aren't exactly ideal for what we need."

Rex huffed and said, "That's an understatement."

"They just lack experience."

"I don't know, Soka. I know you want to believe in them, but I've got a bad feeling about this."

"Come on, Rexy. Everybody starts out a shiny."

"Alright, but not all shinnies make it. I think we should assign a trooper to watch over them till they find their feet. I'll talk to Fives and get him to assign someone."

The Togruta teen grinned before shyly twirling the end of one of her lekku. "Sounds like a plan. Thanks, Rex. So, since we've got some time, how about we go out on another date?"

Rex smiled and said, "Sure, why not. Where would you like to go on our second date, cyare?"

Ahsoka noticed they were still holding hands. She felt her heart flutter as she felt Rex absently rub her hand with his thumb. She was about to answer, when the doors to the elevator opened and on the other side stood Anakin.

"I thought I sensed you here, Snips."

She stepped out of the elevator and stood in front of him. Rex followed her and tensed. He wasn't sure if it was because they had gotten caught being inappropriate again in an elevator or if it was the dark mood the General was in. Rex suspected it was a little bit of both. Though, Rex knew better than anyone just how dark the General could be.

Anakin made a pained face as he rubbed his chest and said, "Tell me, did you find him?"

Ahsoka grabbed his arm to support him and said, "You're in no shape to be walking around, Master."

He frowned and said, "Answer the question, Ahsoka."

Rex interrupted and said, "If you're referring to Master Jinn, General then no, he isn't here. Though, knowing you, you probably left the healers before they were done with you."

Anakin said, "I'm fine. It's nothing."

Ahsoka raised her marked brow and said, "Master, Jinn could have killed you. If he had used his lightsaber instead of his sword then you would be dead."

Irked, Anakin said, "You're starting to sound like Obi-Wan. Jinn caught me off guard. If it had been a real fight, then this wouldn't have happened. Now, do you have a lead?"

Ahsoka and Rex shared a look. Rex knew telling Skywalker where Master Jinn was, was probably a bad idea. However, Rex was a terrible lair. He knew he couldn't be trusted to lie. He was grateful when Ahsoka answered.

"No, not yet. Is Obi-Wan here on Coruscant with you?"

Anakin sighed and said, "Yeah, he's at a High Council meeting. The ship is also undergoing some repairs. Whatever Jinn did messed up some of the controls on the ship as well. Now, why are you two here in the lower levels?"

Ahsoka said, "Following up on a lead but it was a dead end."

Anakin frowned and said, "Can't you do that trick you did on Dathomir and find Jinn that way?"

Ahsoka inwardly cursed. She was hoping Anakin wouldn't bring up the fact that she could locate Jinn through the Force. She didn't know how Anakin would react if he found out that she was helping Jinn. She didn't know if she could trust him.

The Anakin she knew had betrayed her and everything who he had ever loved. He had done such terrible things. She didn't know if the changes she and Rex had made would make a difference. She didn't know if she could prevent him from falling. The anger that her Anakin felt was so strong that it had destroyed him.

She had two choices.

If she chose to trust Anakin, then there was a risk he could betray them. He could report them to the Jedi or worse, to Sidious. Countless lives depended on her. The clones depended on her for the cure and the removal of the biochips. The resistance she was building could help so many ordinary citizens. The New Order could potentially save some of her fellow Jedi. Countless thousands depended on her. She couldn't afford to fail.

If she chose not to trust Anakin, then she and Rex would have no choice but to break all ties with him. It would mean the two of them would be on their own. However, that didn't scare her like it did when she was young because this time, she wasn't alone. She had Rex. He was with her then and he was here with her now.

Rex noticed her hesitation and said, "Uh, she-she uh can't?"

The two turned to face him and exclaimed, "What?"

Rex nervously fidgeted as the two stared at him. He knew he should have never opened his big mouth. He was a terrible lair, but Ahsoka was taking so long to answer that he was worried she froze on him.

"Uh, the trick thing. She-She can't?"

Anakin narrowed his brow and said, "Care to explain that, Captain?"

Ahsoka jumped in and said, "Jinn is blocking me somehow."

The amber Jedi had many abilities. It didn't seem such a stretch to give him one more. Though, Jinn had confessed to her that tracking an individual through the Force without a bond was something he didn't know how to do. However, Anakin believed her lie with a huff and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Well, I don't want you two looking for him alone. He's too dangerous."

Ahsoka frowned and said, "Master, didn't Obi-Wan explain to you why Jinn reacted the way he did?"

The Jedi Knight replied, "I don't care about his reasons. Jinn tried to kill me. Obi-Wan said I should try and have compassion, but Obi-Wan is letting his feelings cloud his judgement. He's letting his relationship with Jinn blind him from the truth. Jinn has clearly fallen and has become a Sith."

Ahsoka knew she couldn't let Anakin go on thinking that Jinn was a Sith. Yet, she was afraid to reveal the truth. What she and Jinn were planning would go against everything Anakin ever believed in.

"Anakin, wait. I need to explain-"

He interrupted and said, "I told you. I don't care about his reasons. You two can do what you want, but report back to the Temple by 1800."

She grabbed his arm as he turned away and said, "Anakin, stop. We're not coming back."

Anakin turned to face her and said, "What do you mean?"

Ahsoka closed her eyes and looked away from him. She let her hand slip from his arm and said, "Rex and I aren't going back to the Temple. As long as the Jedi obeys the Chancellor than there will be no end to this war. I thought we could stop him by exposing him and bring him to justice, but I see now that there is no one left who can help us. He already has control of the Senate, the Separatists and the Jedi. If we want to stop him than we have to do it ourselves."

Anakin was unnerved by what Ahsoka was saying. He knew the High Council weren't always right, but he believed that the Jedi were made up of good people. He believed that the people depended on him to protect them, but he only had to protect them because the Sith created the war. He knew the Chancellor was the Sith Lord, but it never occurred to him just how far his Darkness had already spread across the galaxy.

He suddenly balled his flesh and blood hand into a fist. He didn't want to admit it, but Jinn was right all along. They needed to kill the Sith Lord and they needed to do it now. He was too dangerous. He was too powerful. The only one strong enough to defeat Sidious was him. It had to be him.

He narrowed his brow and turned to the streets.

Ahsoka called after him. "Anakin, where are you going?"

"What I should have done the moment you told us who the Sith Lord was. I'm going to kill him."

XXX

TBC

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