SoftWare: You were expecting this, here it is.

Chapter Nine

Gakowa Raso

(EV Leto, Earth's orbit)

Gakowa stood in the starboard central hangar, watching Chancellor Mon Mothma board a shuttle to negotiate with the United States. It wasn't to add Earth to the Republic, it was to make the alliance official. The Togrutan Jedi Knight watched the shuttle's ramp close, before he sensed his mother approaching. He faced her. She walked towards him. "The Apollo II has been crewed and supplied, but there's another development. Scientists found what appears to be a frozen Togruta in Antarctica. Gakowa faced her in interest. "I thought the people of Togru didn't have ships before we did." Ahsoka sighed. "According to carbon dating, he's been in there for over 3,000 years. He has the facial markings of the Raso clan." Gakowa faced her. "I'm assuming that bloodline was wiped out?" Ahsoka nodded. "They also mentioned that they found vital signs. He's still alive." Gakowa sighed. "And you're telling me this, because I'm a Togruta?" Ahsoka shook her head. "Because there was only one Raso who ever left Shili. Gakowa Raso, your namesake." That got his attention. "My namesake?" Ahsoka nodded. "He was believed to have been killed while saving the lives of countless others. He sacrificed himself, by separating the majority of the cruiser they were in, from the section he was in, which was closest to a black hole. He fell in, and his efforts that day were recorded by the Unified Jedi Order, which preceded the Jedi Order of today." Gakowa faced her, after thinking it over. "Did the scientists want us to check it out?" Ahsoka shook her head. "They wanted you to handle it. I'm not supposed to be involved in any way." Gakowa nodded. "When do I leave?" Ahsoka gently stroked a lekku. "As soon as you're ready."

(Antarctica, 20 miles south of McMurdo)

Gakowa stepped off of the shuttle that dropped him off, while wearing his winter coat. A guard approached him. "Welcome to Antarctica, Colonel. We're about to thaw the individual that Master Tano identified as Gakowa Raso." Gakowa nodded. "Let's go inside." Gakowa watched the thawing process, before he was asked to wait outside while the doctors examined Gakowa Raso for any illnesses. Several minutes later, he was asked to come in. The long lost Jedi Initiate lay on a medical stretcher, and groaned. Gakowa Tano gently approached him, and spoke in Togruti. /Are you all right?/ Raso opened his eyes, and saw a Togrutan male standing over him, wearing a winter coat, with lightsabers hanging on his belt. "I can speak Basic, in case you didn't know." The Togruta above him appeared confused. "You speak English?" Raso faced him. "I don't know that word." The Jedi Knight of Earth sighed. "You're on a planet in another galaxy. I grew up here. It has a variety of climates all over the world." Raso nodded, and said, "I don't think we've met." The other Togruta nodded. "I'm Gakowa Tano, Jedi Knight of Earth, and commander of the Earth Vessel Apollo II. The first Apollo was destroyed. I also commanded that ship, but that's another story. I do know who you are. My mom told me. Gakowa Raso?" He nodded. "You're of the Tano clan?" GakowaT nodded. "The only men left are myself and my grandfather. My mother was born of the Tano clan. I don't know who my father is." GakowaR nodded, then said, "I assume this planet's name is Earth." GakowaT nodded, and said, "We also call it Terra." GakowaR nodded, then asked, "Are you related to Gakowa Tano of the First Jedi Order?" GakowaT nodded. "Distant Great Great et cetera Uncle. I have his crossguard lightsaber, but I limit my uses of it. I don't want to be too dependent on it." GakowaR nodded. "Who trained you?" GakowaT grinned. "Jack Hudson, who was taught by my mother, who was taught by her mother." GakowaR spoke up. "Are you a part of the Unified Jedi Order?" GakowaT shook his head. "It's been over 3,000 years since you fell into the ice. Coruscant now has the Jedi Knights of the Republic, led by Master Yoda. We're not a part of them, we're just allies with them right now." GakowaR nodded.

A/N

SoftWare: Before anyone asked, McMurdo is a research station in Antarctica.

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