Chapter 7

They flew to a deserted moon not far from Kashyyyk. They put the ships on the ground. Every one of the team filed out of their designated ship to rendezvous at their own shuttle. It was a successful mission. A few hiccups, but in the end they were successful.

Ahsoka was very happy about that. This was the first time she did a mission like this without the backing of the GAR. It felt weird. But it did show her how much a small team could truly do.

A few of the Wookiees went with them to the rendezvous. Ahsoka recognized a some of them, like Chewbacca and the general that helped save them way back when.

"You're free to go your own way now. We're sorry for what happened to you. We wish we could stay longer, but we must get back to base. We do hand you this jammer as a parting gift. It'll make sure you'll continue to your preferred destination without imperials getting in your way," Lorey said to the Wookiees. They said some things back to her in Shyriiwook and Lorey looked at Ahsoka helplessly.

"They thank us for our help and hope we have a safe journey back. They'll make it on their own from here on out," Ahsoka translated. Lorey smiled.

"We thank you for your help. It was greatly appreciated. We'll be departing now. A big group on a deserted moon can be spotted easily. Safe journeys," Lorey said.

Ahsoka said her goodbye to Chewbacca and the team departed in the shuttle. "That was quite the hectic mission," Thea said. "And I have another person to add to my 'hate their guts' list."

"Who?" Jax asked. "That monstrosity that was 'Moff Tarkin'," Thea replied. Ahsoka grimaced. That didn't go unnoticed by Thea. "I see I have someone who agrees with me," she said with a smirk.

Ahsoka looked at her. "To say I hate him would be an understatement."

"Spill it girl. That's why we're a team. We share things," Thea said, still with the smirk. Ahsoka wanted to wipe it off her face. This wasn't a funny story.

"He tried to have me executed," Ahsoka simply said. That got the smirk off Thea's face real fast. All the others stared at her. "What do you mean?" Dara was the first to ask.

"6 years ago, I was accused of bombing the Jedi Temple," Ahsoka said. She could see realization in all their eyes. She shouldn't be surprised. There weren't many people who had missed that news.

"You were accused of that?" Lorey asked skeptically. Ahsoka nodded. "I was only investigating with my master. We captured someone who had something to do with it. When she requested to talk to me in her cell, she got choked to death with the Force. Right in front of me. To this day I still don't know how, but I was accused of it. One conspiracy let to the other and suddenly I was in a cell awaiting trial for murder and terrorism. I escaped but was eventually captured again. I stood trial in front of the Chancellor. Tarkin was the one who led the offence. Senator Amidala of Naboo was on my defense. If Tarkin had gotten it his way and I was ruled guilty I would've gotten the death penalty. Luckily my master found the real culprit just in time and I was released. But I will never forget the face or Tarkin. The predatory way he was trying to get me to be incriminated for something I didn't do." Ahsoka looked down. It stayed silent for several minutes.

When Ahsoka looked back up she noticed everybody staring at her. "What?" she asked. They all shared glances with one another.

"That's some heavy shit right there. Geez Ahsoka," Cornan said. They all made noises of agreement.

"I'm sure I haven't had the worst life here. I was a Jedi. I probably had it the best. I was raised in the Temple. I had great teachings and everything I could ask for. My year in the lower levels of Coruscant taught me how good I had it there. I don't deserve your pity treatment," Ahsoka said matter-of-factly.

"That's not what we're doing Ahsoka. I know fully well the Jedi were living like that. but that doesn't make the things that happened to you any less terrible. We've all had bad shit in our lives. We all care about it and talk about it and we all help each other through it. That's what we do as a team. You're one of us now so we react that way to the shit in your life. That comes with the invite to this team," Lorey said. She'd started serious but at the end of her speech she was smiling. Ahsoka smiled back. She felt like Lorey and her were a lot alike in character.

=O=

The rest of the journey back to Alderaan was spent in relaxed chatter. They talked about a lot of things. Important and gossip alike. It was a nice thing for Ahsoka. Something she hadn't done in so long. This was what building friendships was like.

Ahsoka couldn't help but think that she was really in the right place, doing rescue missions with this team.

The first mission had been hectic, but now that it had all calmed down again Ahsoka could say she'd felt in her element. This was what she liked to do. The entire team was so welcoming. She'd never been more grateful.

Arriving back on Alderaan meant getting their gamefaces back on. They had to report to the higher-ups.

Ahsoka and Lorey, being team leaders, were led to a meeting room where everyone of importance had been gathered. Lorey had called upon them in the shuttle, telling them they had important things to share about this mission that everyone should hear.

When everyone was settled Bail spoke up. "Tell me, what was so important about your mission Captain?"

Lorey and Ahsoka exchanged glances, silently debating who would speak up. Lorey went first, given the fact that she'd been the one directly spoken to.

"For everyone's information, my team was sent to rescue captured Wookiees on Kashyyyk. Sounds pretty normal, I know, but we have reason to believe there is more going on here."

Everyone in the room looked around now, exchanging glances and obviously wanting clarity. Ahsoka continued what Lorey had started.

"We have reason to believe that this is a very special, high ranking operation. Why do we think this? Someone was overseeing this operation, who I believe to be a high ranking official within the Empire. Can anyone confirm for me if Tarkin has become a Moff?"

Bail was she first one to show recognition, being a senator in the Imperial Senate and all. He confirmed Ahsoka's suspicions. "Yes, Tarkin is a Grand Moff in the Emperors court. He has been appointed governor of certain reaches in the Outer Rim as well."

Ahsoka nodded. "He was there, together with some 'Director Krennic'. They were talking about a special project. We know the Wookiees were being used for something special but given the involvement of Tarkin and this Director. I feel that it is a lot more serious than we originally thought."

Bail nodded at that. "For someone to get the title of Director would mean there is a bit project going on. We need to put someone on that right away. If this turns out to be dangerous, we better figure out what it is they're doing. And fast."

The meeting went on for an hour after that. Strategies were planned, an intelligence team was formed to gather intelligence on this new project.

In short, Ahsoka came out of the meeting tired. Meetings were never her strong suit, but at least back with the Council they were always dismissed after the important part. Here she had to sit everything out.

After leaving the meeting room Ahsoka immediately went to the training rooms. She needed to let off some steam. She hadn't noticed before but seeing Tarkin and fighting like that again had taken a lot out of her and put her under stress. She needed to let it out.

It was in these moments Ahsoka missed Anakin most. He was the perfect sparring partner when you needed to let off steam. He was also the only one who could ever truly understand her. If only he hadn't just taken the cowards way out and fallen to the Dark Side. She wanted to hate him for it, she really tried to. Yet she couldn't. she hated what he'd become, sure. But not him, never truly him. He was her truest friend.

There she stood in the training room, alone. She activated an old practice droid and went to work. She tried to repeat a mantra in her head. It would be okay. It would be okay. Everything would work out.

It would be okay.


So, a waaay shorter chapter but this is the end of part one of this story. I had no better way to end this, since this was part of the arc I couldn't figure out in my head so I decided to just cut it off. Next chapter will start the next arc.

Thanks everyone for reading! I appreciate all the follows and favorites and reviews. Don't hesitate to let me know what you think :)