Chapter 15
So, a late celebration of May The 4th Be With You. I can say that The Clone Wars finale ruined me. I watched it at 00:30 in the night. Couldn't sleep for the rest of the night. I just kept crying. I'm still not over it. Damn what a beautiful way to end the series. I'm fortunate to have been there for the end.
Now, something about the story: with the finale now out there, I'm doubting about something. Whether to change the start of this story to follow canon, or put a disclaimer that it does not follow s7 from the moment Maul and Ahsoka start to fight (because I will take everything before that into my story. It fits.)
The next morning Ahsoka was feeling much better. The night had done her good. She had a dreamless sleep, which were the better ones for sure. Being with Leia had really helped. The girl just had something calming. She was just so innocent and happy within the Force. Her presence always felt playful, happy, peaceful. It was refreshing.
Ahsoka was ready to go and arrived at the shuttle around the same time as she others. She noticed Bail was there. That meant Breha had told him, at least. She smiled at him, and only then did she notice the presence that accompanied him. Leia was here too. Ahsoka approached them.
Leia hugged her once she got close enough. "I don't want you to leave Ahsoka. You have to stay. I need help with flying things," the girl pleaded. Ahsoka gave her a sad smile.
"I'm sorry princess. I have to leave again. But I'll be back before you know it and then I will teach you even more. Until then, keep practicing. And remember, don't tell anyone about this Leia. It's an important secret," Ahsoka said the last part in a hushed tone.
Leia nodded eagerly. Ahsoka would be back, she would teach her something new, and she got to keep an important secret! The little girl felt so important.
Ahsoka then turned to Bail. "Goodluck Ahsoka. Be careful. I don't know how to explain it to this one if something happened." It was said as a joke, but Ahsoka understood the meaning behind it.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I know why Saw's doing this and I'll do my best to do something about it," Ahsoka said with a confident smile.
"Then I won't keep you any longer. We'll see each other when you return."
Ahsoka gave a nod and made for the shuttle. Her team was already waiting for her.
"Alright, let's go. We're in serious need of a break, so the faster we get this done, the better," Ahsoka stated. The others all let out words of agreement. They sped through the start-up sequence and lifted the shuttle off the ground. Then they flew away, off to Onderon.
=O=
It wasn't a very long flight and most of them took the opportunity to rest a little bit more this morning, so it was a quiet and peaceful flight. Up until the moment they dropped out of hyperspace. Ahsoka assumed the controls and veered them into the atmosphere.
"Alright, so, obviously you know this planet and these people better than we do. With that I'm assuming you have a plan. Care to share?" Jax asked Ahsoka.
"Why, Jax, you should know better by now than to doubt me," Ahsoka said with a smirk. "I do indeed have a plan. You'll see."
And with that Ahsoka steered the shuttle planetside.
=O=
"Don't tell me your plan is to just land in the middle of some base?" Jax groaned out when Ahsoka was about to set down.
"Despite what you think, it has a purpose," Ahsoka stated as she softly touched down. "This base belonged to Gerrera and his Rebels back in the Clone Wars. Even if it's abandoned now, they would still have surveillance around so that nobody will just drop in unannounced. If we'll wait here, they will show up in no-time. Figured it would be a lot easier than going out to look for people who don't want to be found." And with that she gave Jax a pointed look.
Jax didn't say anything back. Ahsoka had a point. It would be easier if it worked. So, they waited. Ahsoka looked out the viewport, focused on the bushes surrounding the open space. It took a little while, but she finally saw movement within the tree-line.
"There they are," Ahsoka said softly. "We wait a little longer. They'll come out and reveal themselves as long as we stay put. Right now, they're inspecting from a distance. I want to draw Saw out," she said to the team. They all nodded.
It didn't take long after that before he made himself known.
"Come out of the shuttle with your hands up and no one will get hurt. Refuse, and we're going to have to resort to more drastic measures," the voice of Saw Gerrera rang out.
Ahsoka smiled. "That's our que." And with that statement she opened up the ramp and started to walk out.
"Saw Gerrera. Long time no see. It appears you've been busy," Ahsoka said, as she strode down the ramp with confidence.
Saw studied her for a second. "Ahsoka Tano. This is quite a surprise. Why are you here?" he asked. "And how are you still alive?" he asked shortly after that.
Ahsoka let out a chuckle. "I'm here for you. We're both against the Empire, or so I've heard. For how I survived. I got lucky."
Saw looked at her skeptically. "You're against the Empire?" he asked.
"Why of course. It wouldn't make much sense for me to join the people who tried to kill me. They destroyed everything I cared about. I figured I'd return the favor. I imagine you know how that feels."
It stayed quiet for a little while. Everyone on both sides stared at the two leaders. Then Saw stepped forward and held out his arm. Ahsoka took the remaining few steps and shook it. The rest of Ahsoka's team sighed in relieve, though they would deny it if you ever said anything about it. This operation was a lot easier if they got along.
"Welcome back to Onderon. A lot has happened since you were last here. So, what brings you here now?" Saw asked.
"I'd love to tell you all about it, but first I would like to introduce my new team. From left to right we have Lorey, Jax, Cornan, Dara, Thea and Deo. We've been helping civilians in need all over the Galaxy," Ahsoka said.
Saw inclined his head in greeting. Then he asked her "What about your two Jedi friends from last time?"
Ahsoka looked down. "As you can imagine, with the purge and all, they're gone. I don't know how or when, but I wouldn't know where they are, if they were alive at all." It was a lie, of course. She knew exactly where they both were. Well, not an exact location in Vader's case, but still.
Saw nodded. "Unfortunate to hear that. I'm sorry for your loss."
Ahsoka smiled gratefully. It was the sentiment that counted.
"Now let's not keep you all out here in the open. We'll take you to our new base. We can talk there," Saw said, harder now so everyone could hear. "Your shuttle can stay here. It won't really be noticed as odd staying in this place. Let's go."
And with that said, the whole opposing group began to move. Ahsoka motioned for her friends to come with. They locked down the ship and started walking. At first Ahsoka walked with her friends.
Lorey turned to her. "So, all pleasantries aside, how are we going to play this? Do we just… say that we don't agree with what he does?"
Ahsoka shook her head. "Let me deal with that. We'll figure it out. The main goal is not to let this escalate in a fight or rivalry. We're all against the Empire here. You just observe as much as you can of this place. If we somehow need to get out of here quick, it's better to know where to go. We'll figure this entire situation out."
And with that Ahsoka stepped forward, away from her friends, and fell into step beside Saw. He stopped his conversation with one of his men and turned to her.
"So, how have the last years been treating you? What have you and your rag tag band of rebels been up to?" Ahsoka asked.
Saw sighed. "All was well at first when you left, you know. Yes, it was hard of course with having lost Steela, but we were at peace again. The Republic presence was known for a bit, but not terribly so. And then came the announcement of the Chancellor."
Ahsoka nodded. "I know. I was here, on the planet when I saw it too. It was quite a shock."
"Yes, indeed. It didn't take long after that before we were invaded. Not necessarily military, but suddenly a dome was being landed in the capital and the presence of stormtroopers increased. Taxes went up and curfews were implanted. So, we got back together to fight it. We've been doing that ever since."
"So I've heard. Your attacks on the Empire have reached even us, and we weren't even close by. You have a reputation, you know. They think you're ruthless."
"Yes, well. The Empire doesn't care about casualties either. Why should we?"
Ahsoka sighed. "Steela would've cared," she said carefully.
Saw stopped dead in his tracks. The others didn't pay him much mind and kept walking.
"I would be careful with what you say. Steela is gone. Neither of us could save her. I do things differently. Are we going to have a problem with that?" Saw said with a stone-cold face.
Ahsoka stared right back. "Depends. But let's talk about that later. I wouldn't want to spoil the mood." And with that she turned to continue walking, confidence in her step.
Saw continued walking as well. Both of them stayed completely silent for the duration of the track.
Lorey watched from the back and couldn't help but doubt how this would be going. She had a bad feeling about this. Ahsoka said she knew these people and what she was doing. Lorey didn't doubt that, just the fact that she was rushing through this. Ahsoka was used to making enemies, that much was already obvious. Lorey could only hope she wouldn't make an enemy out of Saw Gerrera.
=O=
Once they reached the new base, some rebel immediately came up to Saw.
"Saw, we have some information on the new plan of attack you might-" the man was not allowed to finish. He was being cut off by Saw.
"Not now," Saw said dangerously low as he motioned with his head towards Ahsoka and her team. He must not know that Togruta montrals were more sensitive than human ears, because Ahsoka heard it. She knew this attack was going to be something they were against.
"Welcome to our base. Please, come with me so we can talk," he said. His tone was anything but friendly. It was obvious words were going to be exchanged. The group followed him dutifully.
Once settled in what appeared to be a made-up meeting/strategy room they started talking.
"I get the feeling you aren't here to support any of us here or for the pleasantries. So why don't we skip over all of that now and get right to the point," Saw said. His voice was laced with an impatient tone.
"I'll give it to you straight, then. We indeed aren't here to make friends. I told you we help civilians all around the Galaxy who have been victimized by the Empire. Lately, more and more whispers came from Onderon that civilians were being targeted in attacks, but not just by the Empire. You can imagine we were not pleased to hear that. What you're doing here, Saw, goes against everything I've pledged myself to save."
Ahsoka leaned forward against the table in waiting of what Saw would say to her statement. The rest of the team looked from one to the other. Only one thing had been said by either of them and the tension was already through the roof. Ahsoka was not backing down and it looked like Saw wouldn't either.
"That is quite a statement, Ahsoka. What I take away from this is that you're here to oppose me? What will you do? Take me in to face justice? In case you hadn't noticed, there is no justice anymore! You can't take me back to your Jedi friends to change my mind because they're gone. Everything collapsed and we have to make do with what we have," Saw said menacingly.
"Does that mean we have to harm innocent people? Those civilians out there did nothing to deserve the way you pick them off. I read the file of the recent attack on one of the control posts around the city. Yes, you hit they supplies and several stormtroopers. But do you know how many civilians lost their lives? 5. 5 families will now miss someone. You of all people should know how hard that is to deal with. Now you're the one causing it."
Saw huffed. "What would you have me do, huh? Go around saving people after the Empire has attacked, like you? That isn't helping anyone either. I'm making a difference. I wouldn't be able to say the same about you."
"I've fought in a war, Saw. I know how they work. This will not win you any favors with the people, even if you managed to win a victory against the Empire. They wouldn't want it. Let me help you do it differently. Just like the Jedi helped you back then," Ahsoka said, eyes hard.
"What will you and your Jedi ideals do? Talk about peace?" Saw shot back.
"I'm no longer a Jedi. I left the Order long ago, even before it was destroyed. I do things my way. And this isn't it. At least let us try. Most of us can, in fact, fight. Share with us your new plan, which I know you have, and we'll see if we can do it together. In a family friendly way. Does that sound fair?"
With that statement Ahsoka held out her arm. She knew it was a bold statement to make. She just hoped he would take it.
Lorey was doubtful. This situation did not look good. But then the unexpected happened. Saw started to laugh.
"You're bold and straight to the point, still. I knew I liked to have you around. I'll try it." And with that he took her arm. They were in agreement.
To say the rest of the team was surprised at the sudden turn of events was an understatement.
=O=
Not long after that and the meeting room was filled with other people. Chatter rang out all across the room. Ahsoka and her team were also silently conversing in a corner. But then Saw called for attention.
"Alright everyone. Let's talk business. We have an attack to plan. For those of you who don't know, this is Ahsoka Tano and her Rebel team. Ahsoka was once a Jedi and helped us take back Onderon from the Separatists. We can trust them. Now, before we continue in our planning, I need to catch them up to speed first. It wouldn't be a bad thing for all of you to listen. It might refresh your memory.
The Empire has installed a new factory several months ago. Its main production line is military equipment. What, precisely, is unknown. But that doesn't really matter. Anything military is a bad thing. Our plan is to blow it up. We've acquired the necessary bombs needed for the process and have memorized the guard rotation system. We were planning on taking it down in the next few days."
Ahsoka took all of the info in. She turned to look at her teammates. They all exchanged looks. Lorey was the one to speak up.
"What about the workers?" Lorey asked. "What is your plan for them?"
"We have thought about them and picked out the time that the least amount of people will be present," another person spoke up.
"How many is the least amount?" Ahsoka asked.
"50 people," Saw said.
Ahsoka sighed. "That's too many, Saw. We can't agree to that. You'll be breaking up 50 families. I won't let you. There must be another way. Let us think this over, please."
The it was the other group's turn to exchange looks now but Saw cut the doubt off.
"Very well. You have time to come up with something better if you can. You can cut in anytime if you want. We'll continue with our preparations in the meantime if you don't mind."
Ahsoka nodded. The team moved to the back of the room.
"50 workers are 50 too many, we can all agree to that. We must find a better way to do this," Lorey said.
"Well, we don't know the schedule these people have. We have no idea when the best moment would be," Jax interjected.
"We can't just do nothing. We're here to help people, not be complicit to blowing them up," Thea hissed.
And they bickered on like that for a little longer. But Cornan stayed quiet. He was thinking of a plan.
"I might have something," he eventually said.
All the others fell silent, a sign for him to continue.
"What if we issue a warning to everyone inside the factory. The personnel would evacuate. Any Imperial who wants to stay is welcome, of course. That way we won't have innocent casualties. A blow to the factory alone would be enough to be a major setback for the Empire here on Onderon."
After he finished explaining, it stayed silent for a bit. Again, they all exchanged looks. "Cornan, that is the best idea for this situation. Thank you. Let's inform our oh-so-friendly host," Lorey said.
They all turned back to the central meeting.
"Saw, we have an idea. If you're willing to hear us out, of course," Ahsoka said. It was a challenge. One he would now back down from.
"By all means, share your plan," he said and motioned around the room.
Lorey nudged Cornan forward. "What if we warn the factory beforehand. If there's no one inside, we can't hit innocent targets…" he trailed off. He wasn't the best at public speaking.
"Then what is the point?" someone in the room asked.
"The point would be the factory. Blowing that up would hit them hard enough for your goal to be achieved. Whether Imperials are inside or not," Lorey stated.
Everyone in the room looked at each other and thought about it.
"How do you propose we do that?" Saw then asked.
Ahsoka smirked with determination. "Don't worry. We can figure that out together. I'm sure we can come up with a great message to give the people and the Empire."
Something else was supposed to happen in this chapter, but I started typing and this jsut became a monster of 7000 words, so I split it. See this as an introduction to this new phase in the story that is coming. Because that's really what this is starting. A new phase.
Constructive critisism/feedback is very much appreciated :)
