"Where are you?" asked the hologram in front of Ahsoka. She was in hyperspace, heading to Onderon. Her best friend, Barriss Offee, had just contacted her. "Everyone in the Temple knows that you left. The Council is furious. They even called Master Skywalker back from the battle on Cato Neimoidia."
"I'm going to Onderon," said Ahsoka.
Barriss raised an eyebrow. "Onderon? Does that have anything to do with a certain Senator?"
"Maybe," said Ahsoka.
"Well, I've been wanting to talk to you. I need your help with something…big."
"What is it?" Ahsoka asked, curious.
"I…can't really talk about it on here. These conversations can be recorded."
"Why don't you come find me on Onderon?" Ahsoka asked. "You could request a retreat from the Jedi Council."
"Yes, I'll do that now," said Barriss. "I hope I'll see you soon."
"Good luck, Barriss," Ahsoka said, and Barriss disappeared. Her ship, which Ahsoka had named the Nebula, exited hyperspace and she guided it towards Onderon. She landed and made for the capital city of Iziz.
She could see the buildings being rebuilt and all traces of droids being removed from the city, signs of the rebellion that Ahsoka had taken part in before her exile. She knew where to find who she was looking for. He'd shown her where he lived before she left.
She arrived at the large house just before sundown. She knocked twice on his door. It was opened by none other than Lux Bonteri.
"Ahsoka!" he said in surprise. He gave her a quick hug. "What are you doing here? I heard that you were exiled!"
"Well, I was," she said. Lux's eyes grew wide. "But I left. I'm not exactly a Jedi anymore. I was looking for someone to share my adventure with. Care to join me?"
"You know I'm always up for an adventure," said Lux. "But King Dendup is hosting a Republic Conference that I have to attend. There's going to be people here from all across the Republic. Including the Jedi. Might not be safe."
"Eh, I've been in worse situations. Besides, no one knows I'm here except for my friend Barriss. She's meeting me here."
"Are you sure that's safe?" asked Lux.
"Barriss is my friend," said Ahsoka. "She won't tell anyone that I'm here."
"If you're sure," said Lux. "Now come inside. You never know who could be listening."
Ahsoka walked into Lux's luxurious home. Lux led her to a room. "You can stay in here. Let me know if you need anything."
"Thanks, Lux."
"Ahsoka…" he said. "I'm really glad you're here."
"So am I, Lux."
Once Ahsoka woke up, she made for the kitchen, where Lux was already standing.
"Morning, Ahsoka," he said.
"Morning, Lux."
Ahsoka's got a signal from her com link. She heard Barriss's voice coming from it.
"Ahsoka!" she said. "Ahsoka, are you there?"
"I'm here, Barriss," said Ahsoka. "What's up?"
"I got approved for a retreat. I'm coming to Onderon," she said. "But the Jedi Council will be there, too. Some Republic Conference. I'm not sure it'll be safe for you."
"It'll be fine, Barriss," said Ahsoka. "Besides, the Jedi Council will be too preoccupied with the conference to find me."
"If you say so," said Barriss, sounding unconvinced. "I'll see you soon." Her hologram faded away.
Ahsoka had Lux show her to the gardens so she could meditate. They were fantastic, although nothing could compare to the gardens at the Jedi Temple. Ahsoka sat in the middle of the gardens, with the Holocron in front of her. She called on the force and closed her eyes, attempting to open it. But when she opened her eyes, it was still closed.
Ahsoka frowned. She picked up the Holocron and examined it. She noticed several small indents in the centers of four of the sides. What was the point of them? Ahsoka asked herself. It was almost as if something was supposed to go inside of them.
Ahsoka thought back to her lessons in the Jedi Temple. She's once heard about an ancient Holocron that required Kyber crystals to open it. But where would she find four Kyber crystals? She couldn't use her own; that would leave her defenseless. Especially since she couldn't enlist the help of another Jedi.
Ahsoka scooped up the Holocron and was about to return inside when several large Republic ships appeared in the sky. The Jedi had arrived. Ahsoka quickly went inside. She didn't want to risk anyone seeing her.
It wasn't long before someone knocked on the door. Lux accompanied Ahsoka to the door, where she found Barriss waiting.
"Ahsoka!" she exclaimed, hugging her friend tightly. "It's so good to see you again!"
"Barriss, this is my friend Lux," said Ahsoka. "Lux, this is Barriss."
"Pleased to meet you," said Barriss, extending her hand to Lux.
Lux shook it. "The pleasure is all mine."
"If you don't mind, I need to steal Ahsoka away for a little while," said Barriss, grabbing Ahsoka by the hand and pulling her away. "She'll be back in a little while!"
Ahsoka and Barriss made their way to a small diner, where they sat together at a small booth.
"You mentioned that you needed to tell me something," said Ahsoka. "What is it?"
"Well," started Barriss. "It's kind of hard to explain. Recently I've been feeling…odd. Like something inside of me snapped. And I think it has to do with the Jedi."
"What about the Jedi?" Ahsoka asked.
"I'm not exactly sure," said Barriss. "The Jedi Order is changing. We're supposed to be peacekeepers, but we're turning into brutal warriors. I don't think this is the same war we started. The Dark Side is tainting everything, I can sense it. I just had to get away from it for a while, before I did something that I'd regret."
"I understand what you're going through," Ahsoka said. "I'm not exactly sure that I even want to be a Jedi anymore."
Relief flooded through Barriss's face. "I'm glad that someone sees it the way that I do."
"Why have you never talked to your master about this?" Ahsoka asked. "It's clearly been bothering you."
"Master Luminara is a very strict follower of the Jedi Code," said Barriss. "She's not exactly the kind of person I can have a heart-to-heart with."
"Oh," said Ahsoka. "What about Anakin? Master Skywalker, I mean. How is he?"
"Master Skywalker is…different. I think he misses you. He's becoming angrier that he used to be. The Council is not exactly happy with him."
"Do you think he'll be all right?" asked Ahsoka.
"He's gotten himself out of many difficult situations before," said Barriss. "I'm sure he'll be fine."
"What about you?" asked Ahsoka. "If the Council finds out you've seen me, won't they be angry?"
"I don't exactly spend a whole lot of time around the Jedi right now," Barriss explained. "I'm trying to stay away so I don't do anything rash."
An idea formed in Ahsoka's head. "Why don't you come with me?" asked Ahsoka. "You don't want to be around the Jedi Order, and you can help me open this." Ahsoka pulled the Holocron out of her pocket.
"Is that a Holocron?" asked Barriss. "I've never seen one that strong with the Force before."
"Yeah. It needs Kyber crystals to open, and I need to find some," said Ahsoka. "But if you don't want to, I understand."
"No!" said Barriss. "I do. Want to, I mean."
"Great!" said Ahsoka. The two left the diner and found more Republic ships arriving. "Just how big is this conference?" she asked.
"I think it's pretty big," said Barriss. "The Senate had been preparing for weeks."
Ahsoka tilted her head as she felt a presence that she knew. She turned to find a hooded figure across the street, who lifted his head. Their eyes met and Ahsoka knew who he was.
"Master…"