Ahsoka had never seen anything quite like what she was seeing now. The oldest and the youngest members of the Jedi Order were absent, but everyone else had congregated to hear what had been decided. While she stood in the back of the room, she watched everyone settle down to hear the news.

While the Padawans had cared for the Younglings, all of the Knights had elected a new, temporary council to take over leadership of the Order. Aayla Secura seemed to be the head of the council, but other members included, but were not limited to, Quinlan Vos, Jocasta Nu, and Stass Allie. The only member of the original Council that had not been taken, Master Eeth Koth, was stationed in the Outer Rim, or he would have led the new council.

Aayla stood up, and the room quieted down to listen to her. They wanted answers, they wanted to know that there was a plan to get the others back.

"We've received an update from the Detention Center," she began, speaking loud enough so the whole room could hear her. "The twelve Changelings have been put into custody, and the interrogators have made some headway. They were hired by Separatists, but do not claim loyalty to them. Unfortunately, they have not revealed any coordinates or whereabouts to their employers, and claim that they were never told any useful intel."

Quinlan propped his hands under his chin. "Which means we have no angle to go at about retrieving the High Council, for the time being."

No one spoke, but Ahsoka glanced at Caleb, O-Mer, and Jinx, all of whom were sitting together in the middle of the room. They had all turned to each other, no doubt worrying for their masters.

Madame Jocasta continued the announcement. "All resources are currently being put to use trying to locate the missing Jedi. Until we find something, however, all missions are delayed. Lessons and training shall continue as normal, but no Jedi is to leave the Temple without the permission of the emergency council."

Ahsoka could almost hear Anakin protesting in the back of her head. Waiting around for answers won't help save anyone! he would have argued. We have a better chance of finding them by going out and looking. Ahsoka had to agree. If the Changelings didn't know where to find them, then no one would be able to tell the Order that might want to.

Anakin...maybe she did have an angle to go off of. She decided to wait until the Council was alone.

Aayla had continued to give instructions. "For the time being, we are also implementing a rule of pairs. No one should be in the Temple alone, except for in their private quarters. Assignments for guarding the quarters will begin tomorrow morning. For now, everyone is to rest for the evening. May the Force be with us."

The Padawans and Knights made to leave, but the Ahsoka walked through the crowd and up towards the front of the room. Caleb, O-Mer, and Jinx followed her.

"Ahsoka, please tell me you have a plan," Jinx pleaded. "We can't just sit around-"

"I know," she assured him. "Come with me."

The current of people finally thinned, and only the emergency council was left sitting at the front of the room. It wasn't as big as the original council, only eight people instead of twelve. Ahsoka felt guilty for not remembering them all but now was not the time.

Madame Jocasta noticed her first. "It has been a long time, Ahsoka Tano. Welcome back to the Jedi Temple."

"And thank you for alerting the clone troopers, I might add," Quinlan added. "Who knows what kind of damage the Changelings might have caused if you hadn't shown up."

"I'm happy to help," Ahsoka told them, "but I believe that there may be a way to find the missing Jedi if you will let me explain."

A Jedi, who worked as a medical expert in the Temple, seemed suspicious. "You know how to find them?"

Aayla looked over at the speaker. "Ahsoka Tano has been capable of impressive feats before, Rig."

Rig, as her name was, still didn't look convinced. "I am well aware, but that was over a year ago."

It seems like the Jedi remember me more than civilians do, Ahsoka thought. The Padawans opened their mouths to defend her, but she held a hand up behind her back motioning for silence. She did not want them risking their necks for her, not right now.

"The Inquisitor is dead," Madame Jocasta scolded her. "Miss Tano certainly seems alive and well to me. The Senate cleared her name after Barriss Offee was captured, and I see no other reason not to believe her."

"Even so, any intel is better than none," Quinlan argued. "At the very least, we can begin eliminating options. I want to hear what she has to say."

No further objections followed, and Aayla nodded at Ahsoka, so she explained her idea.

"Every Force user has a signature, identifiable by those familiar to the person in question," she started. "Master Plo, Master Gallia, and Master Billaba all have students who are familiar with their signatures, which are very strong and noticeable. Their combined efforts may be enough to locate the missing Jedi."

She looked at the Padawans, who were staring right back at her. Ahsoka knew they weren't expecting to be a part of her plan, but they were the only ones who had relationships with the Council that were not frowned upon. If she had brought up her bond with Anakin, it would have been questioned, more on Anakin's part than hers. A master/apprentice attachment was the only approved connection in the Order.

Aayla looked at Jocasta Nu. "Is this possible?" She asked, confirming with the librarian.

Madame Jocasta looked at Ahsoka. "It is somewhat difficult, but the signatures of their masters are particularly strong. If they worked together, they could give us a good sense of where to begin."

"If they have a map of coordinates, they can pinpoint the Jedi Masters," Ahsoka added, specifying what equipment they would need. "It has been done before."

"I certainly don't hear any better ideas," Quinlan noted, smiling down at Ahsoka. "And it certainly couldn't hurt to try."

Aayla looked at Caleb, O-Mer, and Jinx. "Are you prepared to attempt Miss Tano's idea?"

"Yes," O-Mer answered for the three of them, and they all nodded in agreement, but Caleb had an idea of his own.

"If I may, Masters, I believe it would be helpful if Ahsoka-Miss Tano, helped us locate them."

Rig didn't like the sound of that. "Miss Tano is not a Jedi. She had helped us quite enough by charging in here with the clones and wiping out the Changelings. She has proposed her idea, that is more than what we asked her to do."

Agen Kolar, a Zabrak, objected. "If it were not for her work here today, all of us would still be in the library. It seems as though she understands this endeavor she has suggested, it would be foolish not to allow her to stay for the execution of said endeavor."

"That's enough," Aayla declared, and the two quieted down. "Let us put it to a vote. All those who want Miss Tano to assist in finding the Jedi, raise your hands.

Four hands went up. Four remained down. It wasn't enough to keep her there.

One person, on the far right of the group, spoke up. "I do not raise my hand, but I have not made my decision. I wish to ask a few things of Miss Tano before deciding."

Aayla nodded. "If you cast your vote to allow her to stay, the Padawans of the Council will work with her to find the missing Jedi."

Ahsoka didn't know what type of questions the Jedi would ask of her, nor what he was looking for. She didn't even know his name, but he was the only person who could convince the council to let her stay.

He began his questioning. "What does that symbol on your left shoulder stand for?"

All eyes in the room turned to her shoulder. She was wearing the jacket she had received on her birthday, that had been made especially for her. Ahsoka had grabbed it quickly when leaving that morning and had all but forgotten she was wearing it.

"It is an emblem representing those who have served in a Coruscant militia. If a person is wearing it, they are a war veteran," she answered.

"And what does that symbol mean to you?" the Jedi asked.

Ahsoka thought for a moment before answering. "It means that I have risked my life so that others might not have to."

The Jedi nodded slowly. "Did you ask to be marked with that emblem?"

"No."

"Have you engaged in combat ever since we last saw you?"

"Only to protect the general public in emergencies."

"Why did you come to protect the Order, when you are no longer a part of it?"

"The Jedi Order is the best defense Coruscant and the Republic has. Half of the galaxy is vulnerable if the Order is compromised."

The Jedi, still unknown to Ahsoka, turned to Aayla. "I cast my vote. I believe she should stay."

Three of the new council members' faces fell, but Aayla paid no attention to them. "The four of you are permitted to go upstairs and use whatever equipment you need to locate the High Council and Anakin Skywalker. I will join you shortly to receive an update. You are dismissed."

Ahsoka and the Padawans walked out of the room before any objection could be made. When the doors sealed shut behind them, O-Mer breathed a breath he had been holding in. "I was worried for a minute. I thought they might make you leave."

"What were all of those weird questions for?" Jinx asked. "I've never heard anything like that."

"He wanted to identify my intentions," Ahsoka guessed, still a little confused herself. "He wanted to know why I was willing to help."

Caleb ran up the stairs. "It doesn't matter now. We have you to help us, so let's get to work. The sooner everyone comes back, the better."