We are going to continue with Ahsoka starting to regain her memory in this chapter. Sabine of course helps, and then the two decide on what to do next. Another old friend gets involved.

Chapter 2: Remembrances

Planet Lothal, Dominus Sector, NE Outer Rim, 4 ABY, 3 months

Sabine and Ahsoka continued catching up on various events involving Mandalore and other aspects of the Rebellion. Sabine did most the talking and then she asked, "So what do you remember … I mean, when you were fighting Vader?"

Ahsoka remained silent for a while, and Sabine could see she was trying hard to concentrate. Finally, the Togruta began to recall.

"After I pushed Ezra back, a partition of some sort started to descend – that's when I had to face him … the creature. He spoke to me in a deep voice, and he claimed the Emperor would 'show mercy' on me if I would tell him where the other remaining Jedi were."

Sabine chuckled. "As if …"

"Anyway, I wasn't about to betray anyone. What kind of rebel would I be? He took a step toward me, then Force pushed me off the platform. I came at him from behind, jumped him and slashed open his mask. He stood for a second, then said my name – and his voice was different. He sounded like the Anakin I remembered. My heart went out to him and I told him I would not leave him … like I did before."

Sabine looked at her, somewhat puzzled. "Before?"

Ahsoka sighed, "Yeah, that's a long story, maybe I will tell you about it someday. But anyhow, he wasn't having it, and decided he had to kill me."

"Wow … he didn't play."

"Not even a little. It was on at that point and mostly I played defense, but he was starting to wear me down. I barely had time to consider my options. But then, the strangest thing happened. It all just seemed to fade away. I'm having a hard time remembering it now."

Sabine looked at her, and grasped Ahsoka's forearm and squeezed it slightly, as a reassuring gesture. Ahsoka smiled.

"Maybe I can help." Sabine ventured.

"OK, let's try," the Togruta responded.

Sabine thought about it for a few seconds. All of her education and training never quite prepared her for something like this.

"Ahsoka … you said it all just faded away. Is that really all you can recall? Concentrate. Maybe more is there."

Ahsoka sat quietly, and stared at the Mandalorian. She closed her eyes and started to drift back – the moment in question was, in actuality, about six years prior – but then a glimmer of recognition started to form.

"Wait, I'm starting to remember. Everything got very bright. I could no longer see Anakin or the creature he had become, not even his red sabre blade."

"What did you see?"

"Just a whole lot of bright, white light. Ah … but then, something else. It's like I was in this room, one where the walls, the floor, the ceiling … they were all in white. But … then ..."

"Yes?"

"Well, hmm … Wait. I was actually sleeping, or something. I got up and I was no longer in my battle gear and I had on this white gown that was incredibly light. I was barefoot and I started walking … and … I can see long white halls ahead of me. On and on, until … ah, some kind of window. I am looking out onto some kind of land, and there's a door of some kind that just opens for me and now I'm outside and there's a huge field of some kind of strange plant – it's all green and purple."

"So, it seems you were on some kind of planet." Sabine rubbed her forehead, and thought some more. "This is all very strange, Ahsoka. Like some kind of dream."

"But I've been gone six years. There must be more to it. I mean, I still have the white gown – I'm wearing it – it's almost like I don't want to take it off. There is more, much more."

Sabine stared into the Togruta's eyes and then reached out to take her hand. Ahsoka instinctively surged energy into her, while taking her other hand. Sabine froze for a second, but then relaxed.

"Ahsoka! How did you do that? It feels great."

"Just transferring some love to you via the Force. Like Barriss and I used to do."

"Barriss?"

"She's an old friend – a fellow Jedi – that later betrayed me – but we put it behind us and got past it. I now still consider her a friend. We both tried to help the rebellion."

"What happened to her?"

"I don't really know. She just seemed to disappear one day. I was sick with worry over her, but I learned to accept the loss. I really thought the Empire found her and now I wonder what Anakin's role in it was. But I have no confirmation."

Ahsoka then released Sabine's hands and the two women looked at each other for a minute. It seemed they had connected in a new way.

"Someday maybe you can explain the Force to me, Ahsoka. I've never really understood it. Ezra once tried to, but he really couldn't do it."

"Speaking of Ezra. You said that Kanan was dead, Hera out somewhere in the Galaxy, and Zeb went to the new Lasat home world. Where did Ezra go, exactly?"

Sabine laughed. "Exactly? We don't know. What we do know, is that he was aboard Thrawn's star destroyer when these strange creatures showed up. They seemed to surround the ship and prevented it from doing anything. That's how we won the Battle of Lothal and drove the Empire off the planet – at least, partly."

"What happened next?"

"Well, the creatures just seemed to take the Imperial ship with them and they jumped to lightspeed."

"How? This is most unusual. But, of course, no more unusual than what happened to me. Sabine, I'm beginning to think there is some power out there much greater than anything we've ever seen or known about."

The Mandalorian pondered it, then continued. "And we don't know where they were taken. But Ezra did record a message – that he gave to Chopper – saying he would return."

Ahsoka stood and put a hand on Sabine's shoulder. "Finding them won't be easy. Tell me about this Thrawn character. I don't remember him."

"He's a strange one, that's for sure. Blue skin, with red eyes. The Imperials who would talk told us a little about him, but he's very closed off. Hera spent some time with him, too, but she never liked talking about him either."

"We need to find her. Can you contact her?"

"I think so. Last I heard, she had returned to Ryloth and was helping to drive the Imperial remnants off her home planet."

Ahsoka thought this over. "Maybe we could help. I'd like to find Ezra but have no idea where we would even start looking."

Sabine nodded. "My thoughts as well. How are you on fuel right now?"

"You know … I hadn't really thought about that. I seemed to have all I needed." She checked the gauge. "Looks like I still do – enough to get to Ryloth, anyway."

"We need to be careful going there. The Imperials are still around. I've been hearing that now, with the Emperor gone, no one's really in charge."

Ahsoka nodded. "We can still contact Hera, and ask her how we might be able to help. I have a long history with her home world, going back to the Clone War."

Sabine turned to her. "I'm game if you are, Ahsoka. It would be good to see Hera again."

Ahsoka turned to her astromech.

"R6, prepare the ship. Our course is Ryloth. Sabine, this is a rather long journey, even for the fastest ships."

Ahsoka then realized she had little idea just how fast her ship actually was – as she still could not remember how she came to possess it. Sabine had no problem with the length of the journey and asked if she might sleep on the way.

"Sure. I've a got extra staterooms for guests. I guess whoever gave me this ship wanted me to be a good hostess."

They both laughed at that. Soon, the Essence II had lifted off from Lothal and was on its way to Ryloth. Unbeknownst to its passengers, the ship was taking a short cut by entering the "wild space" region which bordered the eastern and southeastern reaches of the galaxy that R6 internally knew as the "Primary Galaxy of Group 17."

Traveling through hyperspace in Wild Space, Eastern Outer Rim, 4 ABY, 3 months, 5 days

While Essence II was coursing through hyperspace, something strange happened. Both Sabine and Ahsoka were asleep, but the Togruta received a visit while in-flight. About four hours into the journey, she was awakened and came face to face with the mysterious entity that appeared to be directing things from some unknown place. As she appeared, her full 2-metre-plus frame in all its elegance was visible to Ahsoka.

"Greetings, my child. I trust you have been catching up on all you missed while you were away from the Primary Galaxy. Not to worry. I trust you shall find the current environment far more to your liking."

Ahsoka rubbed her eyes and realized the image wasn't going away, so she decided to engage in discussion with whomever this person might be.

"Hello … yes. I'm glad the Empire was defeated but there is much to do now. I want to play a part. Can you tell me who killed Anakin – if he is truly dead? Oh – and may I ask, how should I address you? I think you might have saved my life but I'm not really sure."

Whoever it was did not respond and the communique seemed more like a holo-message. After a few more seconds, it continued.

"Miss Ahsoka, I am sure you have many questions for me. Rest assured that they will be answered. I shall see you soon – in person."

At that, the image faded away. Ahsoka then went back to sleep.

The planet Ryloth, Gaulus Sector, SE Outer Rim, 4 ABY, 3 months, 7 days

Hera Syndulla and her father Cham were meeting in a secret location on the planet with some of the officers in the re-cast Free Ryloth Movement. They had a plan to dislodge the remaining Imperial presence on the planet. The regional Moff had already been driven out of the sector and the Rebels had the upper hand. The only remaining obstacle was the Star Destroyer Mistreater III, which had maintained a steady presence in the system for the past year.

Things were at something of a stalemate, as, over the past few months, the forbidding Rylothian landscape had made any Imperial occupation attempts a gamble. The Twi'lek insurgents on the planet had cleverly carried out a series of raids that lured Imperial troops into ambushes. The local commanders seemed to have no clear answer, and now, with the deaths of the Emperor and Vader (still mostly kept secret, but their absence could surely be sensed as the rumors spread around the Galaxy), the command structure had fallen apart as ambitious underlings were attempting to make their mark. And few troopers wanted any part of further operations down on the planet's surface.

Cham Syndulla, a veteran of insurgent tactics, saw the opportunity, and his daughter was in full agreement.

"Hera, we need one of your Rebel squadrons to make a run at them. Then we can target some sensitive spots on the ship as a diversionary tactic, while we put a crew onboard to go in and target the main reactor and the hyperdrive."

She laughed. "I know you did that almost twenty years ago, why do you think it might still work?"

"You know as well as I do that the Imps are too complacent to change procedures. Still thinking they have the upper hand by sheer force of numbers."

Hera could see the agreement on the faces of the others in the room. The mood was upbeat as they felt it was time to strike a blow against the hated occupiers.

"Okay, Dad, but I'm not sure how many pilots want to help in this. The Rebel Alliance command is more concerned with going after key planets like Kuat or Lianna, where the major armaments makers are. Ryloth just isn't a high priority."

"Darling, I hear you, and if I were running the Alliance, I would play it that way too. But we need only about ten fighters, ones that know how to evade and destroy the TIEs. The Mistreater isn't even using the advanced models. This should be doable."

The meeting went on this way for a few more minutes, with Hera agreeing to scare up some pilots that might want to help, if for nothing more than a personal favor to her. They agreed to reconvene in a few days to see where things stood.

A few hours later, the Essence II had arrived in-system. Ahsoka cautiously had the ship drop from hyperspace well away from the planet so she could scout the situation. Sabine had joined her on the flight deck and was checking the screens.

"There!" The Mandalorian called out. "An Imperial Star Destroyer. Just as we suspected."

"But only one," the Togruta noted. "This planet can't be that important to them anymore. I wonder who is in charge here now. Sabine, do you have a way to contact Hera privately?"

"Yes … at least I did. Let me try." She pulled out her com device and found the contact info, then selected it. Soon she got a reply.

"This is General Syndulla." Hera answered, then noticed who was calling. "Sabine? Hey, it's great to hear from you. How are things on Mandalore?"

"They're good, thanks. But I'm here to see you … and you'll never guess who's with me."

Hera chuckled, "Try me."

"Ahsoka is back. For real. And she wants to help."

The signal was quiet for a few seconds as Hera processed this bit of news. Finally, she responded. "Can you put her on the line?"

Sabine handed her the device.

"Hera? … Yes, it's really me … Oh, you wouldn't believe it if I told you, in fact, I'm still coming to terms with it."

Hera was greatly elated to hear from her old friend. "You really want to help us? We'd be delighted …"

"So, we're coming in my new ship. I can land below. I've got cloaking and jamming capability so the Imps won't see me. Just tell me where."

Hera then transmitted the coordinates. "Thanks, friend. Looking forward to seeing you," Ahsoka replied. "Tano out."

She handed the com device back to Sabine. "Let's take her down."

As Essence made its approach, they noticed the ISD disappear over the horizon, and Sabine remarked, "Your cloaking must be excellent, Ahsoka. I was trying to monitor their activity level and the place seemed dead."

"I didn't even have it engaged yet," Ahsoka said, shaking her head. "Not sure what's up with the Imps."

"What they don't know won't hurt us, I guess." Sabine said with a chuckle. "Still …"

Ahsoka nodded.

Soon they were on the ground and night had fallen on this side of the planet. Ahsoka and Sabine stepped out of the ship and walked down the ramp as it descended. The Togruta switched on the shields remotely just to be cautious. Both she and Sabine were dressed in battle gear now and carrying weapons. After they had walked a for a few minutes, they were met by a single Twi'lek scout.

"Commander Tano?"

Ahsoka stepped forward, "That would be me." She neglected to mention she no longer had any formal rank.

"General Syndulla is waiting. She sent me ahead to meet with you." He turned to Sabine. "Greetings, Lieutenant Wren."

They boarded a speeder and headed off. A few minutes later, they ducked into something resembling a cave and then descended a bit. Sabine and Ahsoka then hopped off and entered a lift that took them a few levels down. As they emerged, they were met by both Syndullas. Hera immediately stepped forward, and, without saying a word, embraced Ahsoka fervently. They hugged for at least ten seconds, then the Twi'lek stepped back a bit.

"It really is you!" Hera exclaimed. "We've had a lot of good news recently, but this may be the best yet."

Ahsoka smiled and stated, "It's been far too long, old friend. Far too long."

Sabine stood and watched, smiling from ear to ear. Hera turned to her briefly. "And where have you been? I can't tell you how many times recently I've said, 'if only Sabine were here.'"

Hera then turned to her father, "Come on, time to bring them up to speed. Girls, we've got a mission for you. Time to strike a blow for what is right."

Cham simply nodded and then bowed to Ahsoka briefly before shaking her hand. "So good to see you again, Commander. So good."

Ahsoka laughed. "I'm really no longer officially anything … but I don't mind. Let's get this done."

To be continued …