A story I have long wanted to write but never got around to. A middle-act in my rewrite version of the Movies ( Episodes 1-3 and 7-9 ), this takes place between Episodes 3 and 4. At first, I wanted to write something about Obi-Wan and Padmé. Yes, in my version of the prequels, Padmé survives and is also intrumental in creating the Rebel Alliance. This story floated around in my head for 2-3 years, and then I saw Ahsoka Tano on screen in the Mandalorian… And I knew I wanted to return to this idea and write it down. In my original version of my rewrite of Episode 3, Ahsoka makes a small cameo and dies. But now, that she has been portrayed as a live action character, I intend to go back to my Episode 3 and adjust it.
The plan is that Ahsoka gets wounded in the opening scenes of the story, while in a dogfight in space. She is then visited by Anakin as she recovers from her wounds in hospital. Then, in the end, when Anakin goes rampage in the Jedi Temple, Ahsoka manages to escape.
AMIDALA
A Star Wars Story
A large Imperial facility, a factory/refinery, is located on a planet covered in gigantic coralls. Leaving the facility are two large walkers carrying a massive cargo-container each. They head for two landing-platforms located a bit away from the main facility. Once there, the cargo-containers are loaded onto transports.
In the control-tower, officers overlook the procedure. "Transports Zeta Three-Nine and Zeta Three-Six, confirm cargo is secured."
Over the comms we hear the transport crew responding.
"Zeta Three-Six, cargo secured. We are good for launch."
"This is Three-Nine, everything checks out. Ready for take off."
The officer in the control tower nods. "Understood. You are cleared for departure."
The two transports takes off while the walkers head back to the facility. Both transports heads for space, but before reaching the clouds, one is hit by two blaster-rounds from the surface, knocking out an engine, sending it crashing towards the ground. The pilots desperately try and keep it under control as they crashland. The transport strikes ground and digs up long trench in its wake. One of the pilots climbs out, wounded and beaten up. Looking around, he spots a ship coming in fast, almost reckless in its approach. It lands and six people disembark; one of them is Padmé Amidala, hardened by wars and conflict. She walks up to the pilot and guns him down.
Amidala turns to her crew. "Secure the cargo."
Moments later, Amidalas ship, now carrying the large cargo-container, heads for space.
XXX XXX
Amidalas ship heads towards a planet, flies past Rebel ships in orbit, enters atmosphere and comes in for a landing at a rebel base. As the cargo is unloaded from Amidalas ship, she walks across the landingplatform and is greated by General Dodonna, touch of grey along the sides of his black hair and on the chin of his black beard.
"Good work, admiral" Dodonna says, looking at the cargo being unloaded.
"Will you please stop calling me that" Amidala says. "That was a long time ago… Another life."
Dodonna smiles. "Good work, nontheless. This was a good catch. We already have a deal set up. Fuel and weapons from a Neimoidian trade-baron."
They head back towards the base together.
"It will come in handy" Amidala says. "We cant keep doing these smalltime strikes forever. Sooner or later, we must hit the Empire where it truly hurts."
"You dont need to convince me" Dodonna says. "Its the senators on Coruscant you need to listen to reason. Without their support, we are nothing but pirates."
Amidala shakes her head as they enter the base itself. "Any news from Guerrera?" she then asks.
Dodonna nods. "Managed to hijack a shipment of Kyber crystals."
"Another one?" Amidala says, a bit worried.
Dodonna nods. "Yes. Both ship and cargo were listed as being under the direct command of Director Krennic. What ever Krennic wants with the Kyber crystals, its bad news for the galaxy. Guerrera says he'll go to Jedah and set up operations there. He hopes he can come across some clues what the Empire are using the crystals for. And where they're taking it."
"Well, if he needs any help, me and my crew having nothing better to do."
"On the contrary" Dodonna tells Amidala. "We've been waiting for you to return."
Amidala stops, hands resting against her hips. "What's going on?"
Dodonna and Amidala enter a small briefing-room where one other person is waiting. Turning around to face them, it is Ahsoka Tano!
"Hello again, Padmé" Ahsoka says.
"Ahsoka" Amidala replies. She then looks at Dodonna. "What's the job?"
"You said you wanted to hit the Empire where it hurts?" Dodonna says. "It just so happens that Agent Fulcrum might provide you with the opportunity."
Amidala turns to Ahsoka. "I'm all ears."
Ahsoka is next to speak. "It is no secret that our allies in the Senate are reluctant to commit to the cause fully. That they rather continue with their cloak and dagger politics. The reason is quite simple. They dont believe that we, as the military arm of the Alliance, can go up against the Empire in a fight and win."
"Not without their support" Amidala points out.
Dodonna cuts in. "They have always asked for a decisive victory against the Empire to prove it can be done. To prove that we can win."
"They ask for that because they dont think we can provide the victory" Amidala points out. "And they're right. We can't. Not without their help."
Ahsoka smiles. "Well, I think its time to change that. I think it's time to show them it can be done."
Amidala is intrigued. "How?"
Ahsoka activates a holographic map. "A week ago I discovered the location of a high security prison, located in the Karagash system. The Empire use it to hold and interrogate political dissidents from all across the galaxy. Including Merg Roddund."
Amidala is disapointed and looks at Dodonna, a bit in disbelief. "Roddund? That's your great scheme? Rescuing a Moncala politician? We need to strike their dockyards, their training grounds, their factories! We need to show the galaxy that the Empire can be defeated!"
Dodonna explains. "It's about showing the galaxy that it can be done. That we are a force to be reckoned with. That we can challenge the Empire. And when we do, more will rally to the cause. More rebellions will errupt across the galaxy. And more senators will join us and support us. Roddund is considered a hero on Moncal. He was considered a voice of reason by many senators on Coruscant, even during the last days of the Republic. He has many friends in high places. And he has many friends on his homeworld."
"Propaganda" Amidala says. "That's all this is? A stunt to gain popularity?"
Dodonna sighs. "I know you want to fight them head on. Kill as many of them as you can. But we are not ready to go to war. Not yet. You said so yourself. We cant win this without support in the Senate."
Ahsoka looks at Amidala. "This is how we will gain that support. I have made friends, powerful friends, and I have promised them this victory. If I make good on that promise, it will change everything."
Amidala is a bit hesitant at first, but then gives in to her curiosity. "Alright. What's the plan for all of this?"
"The plan" Dodonna says, "is to gain detailed survailance on the prison and use that information to device a plan so Roddund can be rescued."
Ahoska is next. "Centuries ago, the Jedi Order positioned listening-posts all across the Old Repubic in order to have secure communications, but also to scan for pirates and other threats. During the Clone War, when… Anakin, and I, planned the assault on Frelink 3, we used the listening-post in the Karagash system to provide detail information on General Trenchs forces. The problem is off course, that I do not know the location of the listening-post. I only know it exists. But, once we do find it, it will provide us with everything we need to know in order to get Roddund out of there."
Amidala crosses her arms over her chest. "So how do we locate it? Just fly in there and trust your Jedi instincts?"
Ahsoka sighs. "I wish it was that simple. The only way to find its exact location, is to go through the files detailing the listening-outpost grid."
"And where do we find those files?" Amidala wondered.
Ahsoka is silent for a brief moment. "With a little luck they are still intact… in whats left of the old Jedi Temple, on Coruscant."
Amidala cant believe her ears. "What?! Are you insane?! That's impossible. The emperor has made it his personal retreat! It is the most well guarded Imperial stronghold in the entire galaxy!"
"It can be done" Ahsoka assures them. "But, we require the help of someone with intimate knowledge of the Jedi Temple. Someone who knows every twist and turn within its walls. And, who also can access the Jedis most secure datafiles. Sadly, I am not that Jedi."
Amidala shook her head with a smile in disbelief. First, she looks at Dodonna and then at Ahsoka. She realizes they are both serious about this mission.
"It will never work" Amidala says. "There's just no way we can pull this off."
Dodonna is next to speak. "We have already prepared for a small team to travel to Coruscant undetected, and arranged for a safe extraction. All we need know is the knowledge on how to enter the old temple, and how to access the old files."
"And that's why we need your help" Ahsoka says.
"My help?" Amidala is not entirely sure what she could do to help.
Ahsoka looks serious. "I believe only you can convince him to join us on this mission."
Amidala is still confused. "Convince who?"
Ahsoka looks Amidala straight in the eyes. "Obi-Wan."
To be continued…
