CHAPTER 2

Ahsoka found herself barely able to sit still. She just kept fidgeting with tools and items lying about the ship. She felt very uneasy about this mission because she was concerned with what could possibly lie ahead for them. She also felt very confused, as of recently she has been seeing the Republic in a new light, after spending time with her Master's girlfriend, what she would call Padme, and traveling to a Separatist area she learned that the war isn't as black and white as she once thought. Not only that, but she was also concerned with the question, what if the Seppartist are right? Right about the Jedi, right about the corruption in their system. Entire planets, with entire civilizations, wouldn't just leave the republic without a real reason, right?

She wasn't entirely honest when she said that she was in the temple library studying. In the library yes, studying no. What she was actually doing was trying to make contact with Lux. Ahsoka has kept in contact with him since they first met. Secretly, of course. To be honest, Ahsoka was just happy to have a friend that wasn't a Jedi, senator, or clone. They would talk about various things, how their days were going, funny stories. For a few moments, Ahsoka would feel like a normal teenager when she was with him, not a commander forced to fight in a war that she wasn't even entirely sure was about.

One night, however, when she was fast asleep in her quarters she got a transmission from him. Realizing that it must be important she quietly walked out of her quarters and took the long way to the roof of the temple to avoid her Masters's quarters, just in case he was there. Anakin had a way of keeping secrets from her, but he got mad when she kept secrets from him. When she answered Lux's transmission, it was obvious that Lux was crying. He told her that the Separatist secret police had arrested his mother and he was hiding because he was scared they would come for him next. Ahsoka, acting very much like her Master, told him that she would find a way to get off-world to help him. Lux convinced her otherwise though, saying he didn't want to draw unnecessary attention and he was calling to say goodbye.

"I'm sorry Ahsoka, but I don't think the war is playing out in our favor. I am going to try to get to Mandalore, but if I don't make it… I just wanted to Thank you for your friendship. I wish there were more Jedi like you, the war might actually end if that were so."

Then his transmission ended and Ahsoka was left speechless. Over the next few weeks, she would try very hard to reach him. She took a trip to the underworld, to try and find out if someone had heard of anything. The only thing she learned though was that Lux's Mother Senator Bontari was going to be executed. Livid, she pondered the idea of bringing the situation up to the council. Maybe they would allow her to do something, Bontari after all was in favor of ending the war, and Jedi were peacekeepers so maybe they could do something. She decided this was her best bet, so one day she tested the waters with Master Windu and Master Tiin when they were walking through the halls of the Jedi Temple.

"Master Windu, Master Tiin could I speak with you." She asked them.

"Why of course Padawan Tano." Master Tiin stated.

"Is it concerning your Master?" Master Windu asked.

Ahsoka was taken aback for a moment at Master Windu's comment, but then she brushed it off. "No, it's regarding news on the Bontari's." She then went to explain that Senator Bontari was a good friend of Senator Amadala and wanted peace, then she talked about the rumor that Senator Bontari was going to be executed and asked if it was true.

"Yes, it is." Master Windu replied.

"Are we just going to let it happen?" Ahsoka asked, confused.

"It is none of our concern." Master Tiin Stated. "How did you come across such news?"

"A rumor, I am sorry, I just thought that since she was such an important senator who wants peace that we would try and stop it."

Master Windu and Master Tiin glanced at each before Windu began. "Senator Bontari choose the side when this war began, and unfortunately she choose the separatist, we can not interfere in their business."

Ahsoka was shocked, she wanted to stop right there and began arguing with them to bring up how if it was any of the Republic's senators, the Jedi would be dispatched immediately to save them. However, if she argued she would be taken off of active duty and explaining that to her Master would be a nightmare so she played it off by saying that she was curious, bowed and left. She held it together until she reached her quarters, and then she couldn't take it anymore, she let go of all of her emotions that she was holding in and cried.

She didn't just start crying she started bawling. She had never actually let herself cry like this before. The situation was so unfair, and it made her so confused. She thought the duty of the Jedi was to protect those who could not protect themselves, regardless of their political beliefs. If Jedi really wanted to bring peace wouldn't they at least talk to those Seppartist Senators who also wanted peace and align themselves with them. Why were the Jedi taking sides with the Republic, in fact, why were they leading this war at all, shouldn't they try to negotiate with both sides? That made more sense. After a long cry Ahsoka found herself feeling much better, so she cleaned herself up and rushed to the temple library to try to contact Lux, and that was when she got a transmission from Obi-wan asking her to meet him and Anakin in front of the council chambers, and now here they were.

"Ahsoka!" Anakin's voice brought her out of her thoughts.

"Yes, Master?" She asked.

"Are you with us? I was calling your name a few times." Anakin stated.

"Yes...Sorry I was just thinking." She stated.

"Well quick thinking and let Rex and his men know we will be landing soon," Anakin stated sharply but gave Ahsoka a concerned look as she left the room.

"This should be interesting," Obi-wan commented as the ship came out of hyperdrive to reveal a large blue planet surrounded by debris.

"Well, look at that for a planet that doesn't have space travel, they sure have a lot of space junk! How do you think that got there Master!" Anakin made a sassy remark to Obi-wan.

"Well, maybe it just grew wings and flew away." Obi-wan sassed back trying not to give any credit to Anakin.

"Sure it did," Anakin stated.

Anakin piloted the ship into the Atmosphere to reveal large blue oceans and vast landscapes. Obi-wan looked down out the window. It was a very beautiful planet. In Fact, it was one of the most beautiful planets Obi-wan had ever seen. The planet seemed to be made up of the main ocean. The Vast dark Blue Seas surrounded Large landmasses that had multiple ecosystems on them which included: nostalgic snowy Forests, light brown plains, and bright yellow beaches. Even the deserts looked appealing. This must have been what Coruscant looked like. Obi-wan thought to himself.

"This planet, sure has many different ecosystems, try landing at coordinates 38° 34'43 N 121° 36' 35 W," Obi-wan stated.

Anakin compiled by piloting the ship through some clouds revealing large cities that spotted the globe. Obi-wan led over to take a closer look at the cities, what he saw made him very uneasy. All the cities looked almost deserted compared to the hologram of the city they saw earlier.

Anakin then finally found the coordinates and he very nicely and easily landed the ship down onto an empty field.

"Well, this should definitely be interesting." Obi-wan started while Anakin locked down the ship.

Rex and his squad of clones walked out first. With their blasters in a ready position, but when they got out it was quiet.

"Clear sir!" Fives told Rex.

Rex took a look around. It was quiet, there was supposedly a city that was populated about 3 miles east of where they landed, however, the silence proved otherwise.

Anakin, Ahsoka, and Obi-wan walked out.

"Thanks, Rex, unnecessary but appreciated," Anakin started putting his hand on Rex.

"It's so quiet and cold," Ahsoka stated as she looked around. The city wasn't too far away, but it didn't look inviting, it looked dark and depressing. Everything had this ugly tone of grey, even the green grass and the pink flowers that covered a large field towards the city had dark grey undertones. The sky was grey as the clouds looked as though they were about to release what they had in it.

"I don't like this planet," Anakin stated. "Something feels wrong."

"Yes, it certainly seems as though it's inhabitable," Obi-wan stated crossing his arms. Just then he felt a chill go up to his spine, making him shiver. "My senses are telling me it's about to rain."

"Wow really Master, I'm glad your senses could tell you that because it's not like the sky has black clouds in it or anything."

Obi-wan gave Anakin a look but then smirked as he wrote a come back in his mind. "Wow, Anakin I didn't know you could make observations!"

Anakin frowned. He opened his mouth to say something back but was interrupted by a low grumble that filled the sky around them.

"Sir, maybe we should find some cover," Rex suggested to Anakin.

"No." Obi-wan stated, "We need to find Civilians so we can figure this mystery out."

"Wait!" Ahsoka stated. "I hear something." The sound of footsteps filled the air and immediately everyone turned to where it was coming from. Behind the ship.

Three figures walked out from behind the ship. One tall figure and two small figures who were holding the taller' figures in hand. All the figures look the same as they wore Dark grey baggy pants and Long Trench Coats that were buttoned up all the way. Along with Black boots. But what scared the group the most was their faces. More so that they had none because they were covered by a hideous mask. They had what appeared to be a breathing device where their mouths were. And their eyes were covered with black circles. Their heads seemed to be made of a dark metallic fabric. The three walked, not even paying attention to the ship or the group of clones.

"Identify yourself!" Rex yelled while he and the clones pointed their blasters at the three. But the three just kept walking, not even acknowledging them.

"Rex you and your men stand down!" Anakin barked. "They seemed to be unarmed."

The three were walking very quickly.

"Hey wait!" Ahsoka called. "We are friends." But they ignored her. Ahsoka then walked up behind them to them. "Don't go, we just want to talk!"

The tall figure turned around. "Zài zhèlǐ shuō chūlái huì bèi shā sǐ." The figure stated, then turned around and kept walking.

Ahsoka just stood there dumbfounded. The figure was not phased at all by them.

"Well this is odd," Obi-wan stated.

"I'm gonna follow them from a distance," Ahsoka stated.

"What!" Anakin stated. "Ashoka No! We are gonna wait here until the storm passes."

"I don't like waiting. You always say to follow your instincts, and my instants say to follow them."

"Well, my instincts say to wait!" Anakin stated.

"Am I hearing this right, are your instincts actually telling you to be patient?" Obi-wan sarcastically asked Anakin.

"Yes as a matter of fact they are!" Anakin stated.

"Well then, there must be something seriously wrong with this area if your instincts are telling you to wait," Obi-wan commented.

"Hey!" Anakin stated.

"I for one agree with Ahsoka, let's follow them into civilization, the quicker we find civilians the quicker we can understand this mysterious planet."

"Well then you and my Padawan can go into town and I will stay here with Rex and his men, and then come to rescue you when you inevitably call," Anakin smirked.

"Sounds like a plan, come along Ahsoka," Obi-wan said, turning around with Ahsoka following.

"It is best your Master doesn't come anyway," Obi-wan stated to Ahsoka as they began to walk away. "We all know how diplomatic he is with new civilizations."

Anakin then stopped, he was expecting Obi-wan to give in and agree with him, but he didn't. And there was no way he was gonna let Obi-wan corrupt his apprentice's mind with stories of himself as a padawan because the last thing he needed was her getting some new ideas.

"Kriffing nerf herder!" Anakin mumbled to himself before giving orders to Rex. "Rex, you and your men stay with the ship, we will try to be back before sundown."

"Yes, sir!" Rex stated, before gathering his men up.

"Wait!" Anakin called to Obi-wan and Ahsoka as he jogged to catch up. "I'm coming."

"That's unfortunate, I was really looking forward to a peaceful walk." Obi-wan smiled as he mocked Anakin.

"Whatever, you win this one old man!" Anakin pouted.

"I should receive a medal, winning against you is such a challenging thing." Obi-wan sarcasm rang through the air.

Ahsoka chuckled at the remark and Anakin just rolled his eyes.