THREE MONTHS LATER...


Tantive IV - Polis Massa

Jarik POV...

Ever since my encounter with the Grand Inquisitor on Mandalore, I've decided to lay low for the time being. Especially since Vader is still alive, and will no doubt be searching for me and Obi-Wan with everything he has for revenge. When I found out, I was shocked and horrified at the fact that we brought Luke to live on his home planet of Tatooine, but eventually thought better of it. From what I knew, Anakin loathed Tatooine, and anything that ever related to going back there, most likely because of his upbringing as a slave. So I had forced myself to calm down and trust in the Force that everything would be alright.

"So how is the search going?" Senator Organa's voice asked me.

Oh yes, I was currently met up with him on the Tantive IV to discuss how things were going at the moment. Right now the groups who would rebel against the Empire were exceptionally small, with it really only being under Bail's command. I helped out with finding people to recruit whenever I could, however I was still mostly focused on finding Ahsoka. I continued to fiddle with her lightsaber in my hands underneath the desk as I respond.

"Not very good. I've had to lay low after that fiasco on Mandalore," I tell him.

"I won't be able to keep you hidden forever you know," he points out and I nod in understanding.

"I know. That's why I leave periodically from time to time," I say.

"Well, have you found any clues?" he asks me curiously, sitting down at the desk. "I've been busy the last few months with lots of things."

I take his word for it, and hold up Ahsoka's lightsaber for him to see. He eyes it in surprise. "Is that what I think it is?" he asks.

"It's her lightsaber," I confirm. "It was buried on Mandalore to give the impression that she was dead."

"But you know better?" he replies knowingly.

"Hmm hmm," I say in response, frowning uneasily. "When I picked it up though, I saw a memory. It was originally left behind on another planet."

"Another planet?" Bail asks, and I nod my head. "Then how did it end up on Mandalore?"

"The Empire found it, and used it as bait to lure me in," I explain, sighing bitterly. "I thought it might be a clue, but now that I have it, my trail's gone cold."

I decide not to mention how exactly the Empire found it, a bit uneasy with the whole idea; about the possibility of who's hunting me. Darth Vader is a mysterious, shadowy figure that has sprung up within the service of the Empire recently. Very little is known about him, only that he serves the Emperor directly; but I know better... more specifically, I know who Vader is. Who he used to be.

Anakin Skywalker.

I thought he died on Mustafar during his fight with Obi-Wan; at least, that's what Obi-Wan said. I don't know how he managed to survive whatever occurred, or what exactly put him into the state he is now, but the fact is he's still alive. And I can't imagine there to be anything he despises more than me and Obi-Wan. As I thought about this, Bail leans back in his chair with a troubled frown on his face, although it turns into a more thoughtful one as he looks back up at me.

"I may have an idea, and it possible lead. I don't know if it's a Jedi, much less Ahsoka, but it's something."

"What is it?" I ask him, intrigued.

"I've been surveying intel gathered from across the Outer Rim, a few 'happenings' I suppose you could say," he tells me. "Things that would normally be dismissed by others."

"Such as?" I question.

"Small acts of kindness dotted here and there in no discernible pattern: a pirate ship thwarted, food being delivered to a planet, among other things," he explains, glancing around warily before continuing. "But what got my attention the most is this: Imperial reports of Jedi activity on a moon called Raada."

I widened my eyes in surprise, and stare back at him intently.

"Are you sure?" I ask him.

The possibility of another Jedi survivor, or of this being Ahsoka herself was wonderful news. Even if it isn't Ahsoka, to know I had found another Jedi would be wonderful.

"I can't be certain of anything, but I sent Artoo and two pilots that I trust, Chadri and Tamsin, to meet them," he told me.

"Discretely of course?" I ask him.

"Yes, although they don't know the possibility that it is a Jedi," he informs me.

"Probably for the best," I reply with a nod of agreement. "If they knew that's the king of person they were looking for, it would be dangerous for them and for the Jedi."

"That's what I thought as well," he says, checking his chronometer before standing up. "I have some business to attend to shortly."

"Well, I hope your meeting with the Jedi goes well, if you even get the chance too at all," I say, bidding him farewell as I head out the door to my ship.


After leaving the Tantive IV, me and R5 headed out for another wonderful clue to Ahsoka's whereabout's right now.

I probably wouldn't have discovered it if it weren't for the help of R5's constant surveillance on radio chatter, which he speaks about with much smugness. All I know is that someone on the planet Bardotta had caught wind of her location, but hasn't said anything except to the person he was communicating with. She was also mentioned in code form as the 'Fierce Commander.' It wasn't much to go on, not by a long shot, but it was more than anything else I ever had before. And I was willing to take it.

That's why I am now currently walking through a small town on the planet where the transmission was last heard. Currently, R5 was watching over the ship while I traveled through the town, wearing my robes and hood up to conceal my identity as always. Stormtrooper squads patrolled through the streets as usual, and up ahead at the end of the road there was even a scout walker. Not a good sign. I'm not entirely sure of what or who I'm looking for, but made sure to carefully reach out through the force for any indication of the person I was looking to find.

Then I felt it. Recognizing the type of person that was walking, I stiffened in surprise and displeasure before moving in the proper direction for who was at the end of it. Once I got close enough I had visual confirmation of who I was feeling.

The person I was looking for had a beard, with a cap on his head and a heavy coat, but there was no mistaking the look of a clone. I narrowed his eyes angrily and suspiciously, discretely striding towards him through the crowd of people. To my brilliant luck, the clone decided to turn down an alleyway that was separated from other people. All the more easy for me to interrogate this guy.

I turned down that direction and sneaked along the walls, using the shadows to my advantage. The clone then began to tense up as he realized he was being followed, but it was too late for him to do anything. I jumped into action, leaping forwards and kicking him in the face, causing the clone to stumble into the wall. I rushed forward and put my left arm against his throat while pulling out my lightsaber, pointing the hilt at his head.

"Scream, and your finished!" I whisper harshly.

The clone stopped moving, already knowing the warning I was implying. Then to my surprise and suspicion, the clone's eyes widened with a hint of recognition.

"Commander Shan?" he asked me.

I pressed my arm closer against the clones throat.

"Who wants to know, clone?" I demand coldly.

"Commander, it's me! It's me Rex!" he says quickly.

Hearing him say that, I widened my eyes in surprise, not expecting that. He definitely looked different, however I couldn't trust him fully yet.

"And why should I believe that you are Rex?" I ask him suspiciously.

"I helped Ahsoka escape," he starts to say, and I allow him to continue. "The rest of us clones, my brothers… they were controlled by chips in our heads! I learned this from Fives before he was killed!"

"What happened?" I demand.

"After we apprehended Maul, we brought him onto the cruiser and left Mandalore to return to Coruscant. We were both on the bridge when... the Order came in," Rex explains, and I listen intently, searching for any sign of deceit. "Commander Tano freed Maul so he could serve as a distraction while she and I attempted to make our escape."

"She freed Maul as a distraction?" I question, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes sir," he nods quickly in response. "Unfortunately for us, he somehow managed to singlehandedly destroy the hyperdrive of the cruiser, which sent us on a collision course for a small moon. Commander Tano and I managed to escape the ship before it crashed, but the others... they didn't make it."

Hearing the grief in his voice I soften up a little bit, lowering my lightsaber and releasing him from the wall.

"I'm sorry to hear that Rex," I tell him apologetically. "At least tell me that Maul died in the crash too?"

"No. He stole the shuttle we were trying to use, forcing us to take a bomber instead," Rex tells me.

I frown angrily at the news, growling internally at the idea that Maul's actions almost resulted in the death of another person I loved. Sighing, I force myself to calm down with a few deep breaths, shoving my anger away and refocusing on Rex.

"Nice to know you're still in one piece," I tell him.

"Glad to hear it, Commander," he replies with a small smile.

"Oh no, I'm not a commander anymore so you can just stop saying that," I say with an eye roll, and he nods in understanding before frowning.

"Speaking of which, how did you find me?" Rex asks me in confusion.

After a moment's hesitation I replied, trusting him but still wary. The Empire had eyes and ears everywhere after all.

"I… picked up a trail that was hard to follow. Barely caught wind of a clue in a transmission with the words, 'Fierce Commander,'" I explain.

Hearing this, Rex widened his eyes in recognition.

"I said that. When I was sending a message to Commander Wolffe!" he exclaims.

"Commander Wolffe?" I question with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes sir- um, Jarik. I managed to convince him to remove his chip as well before the Order came," he quickly explained to me.

I nod my head, already knowing this from Boil. Speaking of which...

"And has Boil found you yet?" I ask hopefully.

Before Rex can answer, a shout at the end of the alley comes to our ears.

"Rex!" someone cries out.

We turn to look, and to my surprise two clones are there, one with a cybernetic eye and the other very familiar... The clone with the cybernetic eye, who has to Wolffe raises his blaster at me, about to open fire and I tense up.

"Whoa whoa whoa, easy there Wolffe!" his partner says, and I recognize it to be Boil, much to my pleasant surprise.

"But he's a-" Wolffe goes to protest.

"It's alright Wolffe, we're all friends here," he says placatingly, and I relax after Wolffe lowers his blaster, although hesitantly.

"Well, it's nice to see you still alive and kicking," I tell Boil.

"You as well commander," he replies, and I roll my eyes again.

"How many times do I have to remind you?" I mutter to myself.

"Woah, a Jedi?" another clone voice calls out, although it sounds slightly messed up.

I glance to the side to view another clone step out of a building, eyeing me with fascination. I raise an eyebrow as I take notice of the state he's in. He looks like he's been through a bunch of crap a some point, skin still scarred heavily in some places, and his mentality through the Force was a little on the loopy side. I'm sure he's still very good and intelligent, it's just more like he's on constant alcohol or something, probably because of whatever battle he went through.

"Gregor, not so loud will ya?" Rex scolds irritably.

"What? I haven't seen one in years Captain!" he cries out with a grin.

"Wait, Gregor, as in Clone Commander Gregor?" I ask in surprise, recalling the mission that Artoo went on with a few other astromech droids.

"Ah ha! That's the one!" he exclaims.

Boil coughs into his hand.

"Excuse me sir but, shouldn't we take this somewhere more... private?" he suggests.

I glance around and nod my head, and so does Rex.

"Yeah, good idea. We have a place nearby, and were just about to leave tomorrow actually," Rex tells me.

"Alright, well lead the way guys," I say, gesturing forwards.


"So... you're leaving for Seelos tomorrow?" I ask for confirmation.

The five of us were all gathered in the main room of their apartment, although Wolffe was standing against the wall nearby, a little distrustful. I wouldn't blame him considering these tough times.

"Yeah. Gonna spend our retirement there." Rex tells me.

"Isn't Seelos basically an empty dustball of salt and desert?" I point out.

"Sure is, but we're gonna be living it up in a tank and everything!" Gregor says enthusiastically, and I shake my head in amusement.

"Leave to you guys to spend retirement in a kriffing tank," I remark.

"Well you can never be to careful commander. Never know when we might need to defend ourselves from some baddies out there," Boil says with a grin.

"Yeah, 'baddies,'" Wolffe murmurs quietly.

"Right," I say in response. "So... do you have any idea of where Ahsoka might be Rex?"

He sighs sadly in response.

"Wish I did, but we haven't had contact since we split up," he replies, before frowning thoughtfully. "However, I have heard rumors of Jedi activity over there on Mandalore recently."

"That... may have been my fault," I reply with a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of my head.

"Wait, really?" Rex asks in surprise.

"Hah! What the heck were you doing over there, sir?" Boil asks with an amused grin.

"I had reason to believe that there was a clue on Mandalore that would help me find Ahsoka. Once I got there, I followed a trail through the city which led me to this," I explain, showcasing Ahsoka's lightsaber in my hand. "Apparently the Empire found the wreckage of your cruiser, Rex, and Ahsoka's lightsaber. They used it as bait to lure me in."

"Glad to hear you made it out okay," Rex says in relief.

"Was it deadly? What kind of action went on over there?" Gregor asks eagerly.

"Well, they tried trapping me, but I escaped, and blew up a docking bay door in the process." I him, and Boil scoffs.

"Bet I could've made a bigger explosion then what you might have done," he says challengingly.

"Trust me Boil, you wouldn't have," I tell him cautiously, thinking about the Grand Inquisitor.

They didn't need to know about the Inquisitor's yet, since it didn't concern them. It's not like the Inquisitor's were hunting clones after all, much less ones that were already believed to be dead.

"Well, I better get going then," I say, standing up. "Nothing more for me to do here."

"Glad to know you're still alive commander," Boil says happily.

"If you do manage to find Ahsoka, let her know I'm doing alright, will ya?" Rex asks, and I nod my head in acknowledgement.

"You got it," I promise him.


After returning to the ship, parked on the outskirts of the small town, I entered the ramp towards the cockpit, where R5 was waiting. To my surprise, the ship's control console was blinking, signaling an incoming message. I click the button to accept the call, and a hologram pops up. It was Senator Organa.

"Senator? What's going on?" I ask him in confusion.

"We've found her," he says briskly, going straight to the point.

I blink my eyes in shock, stunned and unsure if I heard him right.

"Wait, are you serious?!" I exclaim in surprise, and eagerly.

"Yes. We spoke with each other, and right now she's headed back to Raada," he tells me. "However there's a bit of a problem."

"What problem?" I demand, narrowing my eyes.

"She and I believe that someone is waiting for her; a gray creature that carries a lightsaber. I believe it to be one of these Inquisitors you spoke of," he informs me.

I widen my eyes in worry, before narrowing them in determination. I won't let Ahsoka face this guy alone.

"I'll be there as fast as I can," I state firmly.

"I'll be there as well to help take in any refugees. May the Force be with you," he tells me, disconnecting the transmission.

At long last, I know where Ahsoka is, and apparently so does an Inquisitor. It's time to reunite with her once and for all.