Chapter 6

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The flight was rather uneventful. They went over strategies of how to engage the rescue operation and what to do and what definitely not to do. They agreed over a plan rather quickly and that made the rest of the time quite boring.

Ahsoka was deep in thought, staring at the hyperspace lane, when suddenly everyone got called to the cockpit.

"We're arriving at Kashyyyk. Everybody, get ready to engage. Here it goes."

It was Lorey who said that. She was sitting in the copilot seat, ready to take over Cornan's position if they had to use evasive action. Ahsoka hoped it wouldn't come to that. This plan would work.

The shuttle dropped out of hyperspace and the first sight that greeted them was an enormous blockade of Imperial Star Destroyers. This was the first time that Ahsoka encountered this new class of destroyer. They were larger than the Venator-class Destroyers they had used back in the war and a lot less refined. It was an imposing sight.

"Keep going Cornan. Keep her on a normal course. We don't want to seem out of place" Lorey said. The shuttle kept its course forwards towards the blockade.

That's when there came static over the radio. "Shuttle T-146, state your business in this system. We don't have you on our list of arrival," a voice over the radio said. It must be an Imperial officer.

"This is shuttle T-146, here to inspect the current transfer on Kashyyyk. We were called upon this morning, Sir. Sending our codes now," Deo responded. Ahsoka had to give him credits. He sounded a lot like some high ranking official just now. Cornan sent the codes over to the closest Star Destroyer.

"We were not informed of your arrival. Shut off your engines while we check," The voice came over the radio, again, after a few minutes of silence. They most likely checked the codes.

Everyone on the shuttle exchanged glances. If the Empire checked and their codes or arrival didn't check out, they would be caught. Cornan shut off the engines as told and they waited nervously, letting the shuttle drift in space. Ahsoka decided to improvise. She had a vast knowledge of technology and how to connect that to the Force. It was one of the things she had in common with Anakin. They used to work together on shuttles and speeders using the Force. It was a nice way to spend their downtime and bond together.

Ahsoka reached out with the Force to nearest Star Destroying, which they drifted closer and closer to. She felt herself connect to the systems and tried to become familiar with them. It hadn't changed all that much from the Venator-Class ones. It took a little while, but she found the log of all the arriving shuttles. She manipulated the system to add them to the list, although hidden. If it looked too easy, they would know it had been tampered with.

Ahsoka released her grip when she was sure it was done and collapsed down onto a seat. It was a handy trick but very, very tiring. That's why they almost never used it.

Everybody turned to stare at her. "Are you okay Ahsoka? Something wrong?" Dara asked.

"No, I'm fine. Just tired. I used the Force to get us into the system. They should let us pass right about… now."

And just as she finished talking the radio came back on and the officer started talking again.

"We have confirmed your arrival. Proceed towards planet surface."

Everyone let out a sigh of relief and again turned to Ahsoka.

"How did you do that? I didn't know that was possible." Deo asked.

"It's a trick I developed with my master. It was meant for small ships to mess with their systems. For fun. I figured it could be used on this one as well. It's very hard, though, so I need a little time to recover."

Everybody nodded in understanding. They were obviously impressed. Ahsoka would never admit it, but these reactions sure did her self-confidence some good. She'd never been the most powerful in the room. Now she clearly was. Not to brag of course.

=O=

They approached the surface and set down on the ground not far outside the capital. Even from the air it was obvious they had picked the right place. Whole groups of captured Wookiees were paraded around and prepared for transport.

Now it was time for the next part of the plan. Getting the Wookiees out of here. Everybody got out of the ship and made for the city, while Cornan stayed behind with the ship. It was never certain how they would get off planet and they couldn't leave their own shuttle with all their intel behind.

The others all made their way up the trees towards the city. Reaching the border, they split up. Two teams. One would be the distraction while the other would free the Wookiees. Thea and Deo would be the distraction while Lorey, Dara, Jax and Ahsoka would free the Wookiees.

They circled the perimeter to get behind the party gathered in what was obviously a temporary slavery camp, while Thea and Deo made their way up front.

"We're in position," Lorey told the others in her commlink.

"Affirmative. We're going in now," Deo answered. And there they were. They just walked into the camp.

"Who's in charge here," Deo boomed. All the workers present looked up startled.

"Who are you?" one of them dared to ask. "This is an important Imperial senator, here to oversee how the transfer is going. Now, take us to the one in charge. We have business to attend to. She is a busy woman. We would like to make this quick," Deo answered.

While Deo stated his whole story to those poor workers, the other four snuck into the camp from the back, swiftly taking out the stormtroopers guarding the perimeter. They never even stood a chance. Ahsoka could only think how incompetent they were compared to the clones. She sighed softly.

Ahsoka had to keep herself from laughing at the ridiculous antics Thea and Deo were pulling here. She could hear them more clearly as they got closer. She checked if they were still okay, and saw they had the complete attention of all the workers in sight. The group moved further in towards the prison block where most of the Wookiees in this camp were kept.

They entered without anyone having seen them, but the Wookiees saw. They were on alert in an instant and started making a lot of noise.

"Shh calm down. It's okay. We're here to rescue you," Ahsoka said, as she radiated a calming wave through the Force. It seemed to work, because the Wookiees quieted down rather quickly.

Someone still came to check on them, sadly enough, and the four rebels quickly hid between the mass of Wookiees. Again, this proved to Ahsoka how incompetent these new troopers were. They hadn't spotted them at all and left after looking over the group a total of two times.

All four of them made their way through the massive room and cut free the Wookiees. Ahsoka used her lightsabers, for it was ten times faster than any normal equipment. Apparently, it sparked something familiar in one of the Wookiees because she was suddenly pulled up from behind.

"What the-" she began, but then she felt something. His presence was familiar. "Chewbacca!" she said happily. "It's so good to see you! I'm so glad they haven't taken you yet," she exclaimed.

Chewbacca said something back towards her in Shyriiwook. Due to the fact that Ahsoka had to instruct a Wookiee youngling back at the Temple she was able to understand him quite alright. "Yes, I know you got captured but we're here to rescue you. You're gonna be fine."

Again Chewbacca said something but before she could respond she was interrupted by Lorey. "Not to ruin what is obviously a reunion, but who is this?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Ahsoka had forgotten he still held her in her arms and motioned for him to put her down. "This is Chewbacca. I met him some years ago. We'd both been taken by Trandoshans. We were dumped on a planet and hunted. We worked together to get out. He's very skilled. I believe his help is very welcome," she said with a smile.

"Well, alright then. Good to meet you Chewbacca," Lorey said, nodding her head to him.

Ahsoka had Chewbacca rounded up all the Wookiees. It was easier to have one of their own who was also on their side. They worked quickly. Had everyone divided in groups in a matter of minutes. It was easier to get them out in small groups.

Ahsoka checked around the corner of the prison block for a second to see how Thea and Deo were holding up and had to keep herself from gasping when she saw who they were talking to. Two men stood in front of her team members. One she did not know, the other on the other hand she knew all too well. Tarkin. Of course he was with the Empire. That was not good. She quickly hid back inside.

"We need to leave, and fast. I know the man who's in charge of this operation. If we don't get out soon, we'll be mercilessly captured and never see the light of day again," Ahsoka said hurriedly. She kept her voice down, suddenly very much on guard. The Wookiees picked up on the change in her mood and started to shift as well.

"What are you talking about Ahsoka?" Lorey asked skeptically. Ahsoka couldn't blame her. She had probably never met Tarkin. The man who tried to have her executed in her trial way back from before she left the order.

"The man outside is ruthless. He tried to have me executed back when I was in the Order. He's very much buddies with the Emperor. We can't have him spot us," Ahsoka said hurriedly.

"So, let's go. Group one, move out!" Lorey said and motioned for Jax to take his group to a shuttle to transport them.

"No! We don't have enough time. We need to get them out, now!" Ahsoka said, now desperate. Was she biased in this situation because she feared Tarkin? No. Not at all. How dare you even think that.

"Ahsoka, I understand you have a history with this guy, but we can't endanger the mission because of that. I know you're new to this kind of-" Lorey tried to talk to Ahsoka but was cut off by voices from outside.

"You'll get to see the Wookiees and then you'll leave, senator," a man said, emphasizing the word 'senator' in a disgusting manner. Ahsoka assumed it was the other man she saw. She and Lorey looked at each other.

"Okay, change of plan. Everybody out now. We'll make for the tree line. Move!" Lorey said, and everyone tried to make their way out. It was chaotic, and they were immediately noticed. Stormtroopers began shooting and Ahsoka mourned the fact that she could not use her lightsabers to deflect. She could not give herself away.

Several Wookiees were hit, but at least 90% made it into the trees. And down towards the ground. Ahsoka, Jax, Dara and Lorey stayed in the back to check if everybody was with them. Then they heard a voice.

"You would be wise to hand yourself over now, or your friends will not see the end of the day," Tarkin's voice boomed. Ahsoka's blood ran cold. "You picked the wrong day for a rescue. Now that I'm here we're not going to let you go so easily."

Ahsoka looked at her captured teammates. They were held within a tight circle. Many troopers stood guard around them. Next to them was Tarkin and the other official who remained unknown.

The four team members looked at each other. They made a silent plan to split up again. They would have to fight.

"I can't use the Force. I can't reveal myself. Tarkin will know who I am and will tell the Emperor. He'll have me killed within days," Ahsoka said. The others nodded in understanding. Jax handed her one of his swords. Ahsoka thanked him for it. At least now she wasn't unarmed.

They split up in teams. Dara and Jax went left while Lorey and Ahsoka went right. They pinged each other's comms when they were in position. They waited a few more seconds before they charged.

To Ahsoka's surprise they weren't the only ones that charged. Wookiees came from everywhere. She heard a call beside her and saw Chewbacca. Should've seen that one coming.

Stormtroopers met their assault, but it became quite obvious they were outmatched, real fast. The team broke off from the Wookiees and made for the two high ranking Imperial officers.

Ahsoka arrived first and tried to engage the other officer only to be stopped by a stormtrooper who was much better trained than the others. He wore different armor as well. In fact, all the troopers around the officers wore different armor. Must be a different squad then.

Ahsoka engaged in battle and saw that her teammates had as well. At one point her opponent turned away from her. Ahsoka tried not to be offended that she was apparently so boring he could just leave her but was quickly being engaged by another 'special' stormtrooper. She somehow still managed to notice the fact that the other started to say something. "Director Krennic. You need to leave. This facility is overrun."

The man, director Krennic apparently, nodded to the trooper but Ahsoka didn't see more because the stormtrooper she was fighting was making good use of her distraction. She cursed herself. The director turned to Tarkin. "The trooper is right. We can't risk the project."

That's all Ahsoka heard before she was suddenly kicked back. She landed several meters away from the center fight. She tried to make her way back to the officers, but her way was blocked by other fights going on around her. It felt like forever before she reached the core fight again but was too late. The officers had left. But their friends were left behind. Ahsoka scoffed. They apparently weren't worth it. Leave it to Tarkin to decide his mission was more important than people.

It was good news for her team, though. Now it would be less hard to get them back.

But with Tarkin gone, Ahsoka had no reason to keep herself back. She reached out with the Force and suddenly all the troopers collapsed, unconscious. She walked to Thea and Deo and cut them lose with the sword she'd borrowed from Jax.

"Let's go before they wake up again," Lorey said.

Everybody made their way over to shuttles. The occasional stormtrooper came their way, but her teammates or the Wookiees took quick care of them. Eventually they had 3 ships full of Wookiees and their own shuttle. Now it was a matter of how to get past the blockade, again.

"I have an idea," Jax said. "It might sound stupid, but if we're quick it might work." Everyone looked at him expectantly. Jax pulled up the map of the planet. "They're only orbiting this ring of the planet. If we fly straight down and jump to hyperspace immediately, we might evade them."

Again, everyone stared at him. It couldn't be that simple, right? But it was their only option right now. It was no question that reinforcements were being called in. They had to get off the planet.

They split up the four pilots in the team. Each took a shuttle. Set the coordinates for hyperspace and flew to the underside of the planet. They hovered there. Ahsoka's comm beeped. "Let's go," she heard Lorey's voice.

Ahsoka powered up the engines together with the other ships and made for orbit. As soon as the shot out of the atmosphere she punched the hyperdrive. And it was a wonder, but it actually worked. They got off the planet. First successful mission was completed.


This was a hard chapter to write, because I didn't really know how I wanted this to go in detail. I hope I made something presentable out of it, at least.

Oh, and did I just make up a whole new Force ability because I felt like it fit? Yes, yes I did.

About Jax's last plan. I always found it stupid that blockades were only in one ring in orbit. So I used that in this plan.