Hello readers, Sensey here … I hope you all are enjoying this tale. I've got much more to go here but this is the most important day yet for Ahsoka.
Chapter 5: Expect the Unexpected
Alderaan, House of Organa, 1 BBY 9 months, 22 days, 7 hours
Ahsoka Tano awoke the next morning to a lovely Alderaanian day, but her mind was still reeling from the news she had learned from Senator Bail Organa … Anakin had literally choked Padmé half to death, and even though she still was able to bear a daughter and son – it was the last thing she would do. I wish had been with them on Naboo to pay my respects, she thought wistfully. Now Anakin was a raging monster, spreading hate and fear throughout the galaxy on behalf of the maniacal Emperor, who turned out to be the epitome of evil as the foul Darth Sidious – a Sith lord with demonic powers and Force abilities that were likely superior to anyone still alive. She began to wonder just who could be safe in such a situation – and just how successful any revolt could ultimately be against such concentrated power. She also felt certain the Empire was up to even more foul deeds in private as they seemingly would stop at nothing to enforce the tyrannical reign of Palpatine – the man who had once seemed so contrite and mild-mannered as the Republic's Supreme Chancellor – but in reality had fooled everyone, even those who were as perceptive as the great Jedi Masters Yoda and Mace Windu. But Ahsoka Tano was not the kind of person to just throw up her hands in despair. At the end of the day, they are still just people, she noted pointedly. And like anyone else, they had weaknesses. I just have to understand what those are.
With that, she arose, got dressed and went to look for Frehya Lumoxa. It was time to make plans, she realized. The beauty of Alderaan would cloud her thinking if she stayed on it too long, like so much "spice," it would become habit forming. Her apprentice had already arisen and was waiting for her in the hall outside her room in the Royal Palace. The two women complimented each other on their choice of dresses and conversed:
"Princess Leia wants to have breakfast with us, Ahsoka."
"That will be fine. I think this is not just a social occasion. She seems to be a very driven young lady."
"So, did you get the info you wanted from her dad?"
"Yes, unfortunately. I will share that with you once we're on our way."
"Where are we headed, actually?"
"Back toward the Outer Rim. I think I should catch up with Hera, but I still need to do that in private. The fewer people that know I'm alive, the better."
As they headed toward a reception area in the palace, Leia and her (adoptive) father spotted them and approached …
Leia greeted them cheerfully. "Good morning, Ahsoka!"
"And to you, Leia. Hello, Bail."
"How are you feeling this morning?"
Ahsoka gave him a knowing look. "I will be fine, thank you."
Leia spoke. "Frehya, is it?"
"Yes. Thank you for remembering!"
"How do you like things here?"
"It's just beautiful … like something out of a fairy tale, almost."
The four of them laughed heartily at that, and they headed off together. At breakfast, Leia asked about rebel movements on the Outer Rim. Ahsoka told her about the base they were able to establish near Lothal, on the sparsely populated planet Atollon. She left out any mention of the trip to Malachor and the happenings there.
Leia took her aside. "Ahsoka, before you go, there is someone I want you to meet. When I told her you were here, she got very excited."
"What is her name?"
"Hedala Fardi."
At the mention of the name, Ahsoka's mind returned to the time she spent on the distant world of Thabeska, when she was the Fardi clan's trusted pilot and mechanic. One particular afternoon, she discovered that their young daughter – no more than about four years of age at the time – had Force sensitivity and ability. It was likely very similar to her own childhood experiences on Shili, when Jedi Master Plo Koon had discovered her. But these were very different times. The Empire wanted to find – and destroy – anyone that had those abilities, and Ahsoka was quite concerned over Hedala's future. So, over the next decade or so, she would occasionally take the time to look in on the girl, who, quite responsibly, was taking great care to hide her abilities, while still finding time to further practice them. Ahsoka instructed her on meditative techniques and encouraged her to use any opportunity to increase her knowledge. She had even provided access to Jedi knowledge and techniques used to train younglings such as Hedala. Over time, Ahsoka had lost track of Hedala and often worried about the girl's well-being, what with the rampaging Inquisitorium combing the galaxy in search of Force users that they might recruit to their nefarious gang. All she knew was that Miss Fardi had left Thabeska a few years back. So, she was here – on Alderaan – working as some type of intern in Queen Breha's employ. Ahsoka's mind brimmed over with quiet excitement.
Leia then motioned for Hedala to join them. As she walked over and saw Ahsoka, she could barely contain her excitement. Hedala was an inch or two taller than both Ahsoka (not counting her montrals) and Frehya, with soft blonde hair and fair complexion.
"Lady Ahsoka!" she gushed, and Ahsoka stepped forward and grasped both her hands. "It's been too long … you look wonderful."
"I've been working on Alderaan for over a year now. Everyone is so nice. I've been able to study so many things."
"Well, I would say that it's time to catch up. How would you like to take a trip with me?"
"I'd love to."
"Let's talk privately for a minute." They stepped into a small sitting room.
"I've been thinking about you, but had no idea where you were. By my reckoning, you must be about 19 years old now." Hedala nodded.
"Are you keeping up with the practice exercises I showed you – and – are you keeping yourself in good physical shape?"
"Yes, my lady … I've been waiting for the day you would return to see me. Just seeing you again is so great. I'm ready to join you now if you will have me."
"Absolutely. It's time. So, we leave soon, and we are heading for the Outer Rim. More details once we are under way."
They exchanged heartfelt hugs, then smiled at each other and returned to Frehya, Bail and Leia. Ahsoka introduced Hedala to Frehya and informed her they have a new companion. Frehya seemed to be okay with it but Ahsoka could sense she was a little confused. We'll have time to straighten that out, she mused. The group then shared some common sentiments and Leia wished to ensure that Ahsoka and her subordinates would keep her up to date as things happened during the rebellion.
Ahsoka assured her: "I will learn what I can from my end, and I'm sure Bail will do the same. I've also got to get back to my new home sector and check on the progress my consultants are making on Almania …"
"We look forward to hearing from you, friend. May the Force be with you."
"And with you … and with everyone on this wonderful planet."
The three of them turned to go and were soon on their way back to Ahsoka's ship, the Corvala Dawn, which had been made ready by the talking astromech, R8-ND … As the ladies ascended the gangplank to board, Ahsoka introduced the newest member:
"Randy – say hello to Miss Hedala Fardi. She is my other apprentice."
"Good morning, Miss Fardi …"
Hedala laughed. "Good morning! He's so polite … I had no idea there were astromechs like this."
"Oh, I consider it a most worthwhile feature … but it's a little strange when you first meet him. Randy is my go-to guy around here. He takes care of almost everything."
(Little to Ahsoka's knowledge at that moment, R8-ND had taken the liberty of meeting with the Organas' two well-known droids, R2-D2 and C-3PO, and arranged a data exchange. This would be helpful for both sides to keep up with each other.)
As the three women were seated in the lounge, Randy rolled in to inform Ahsoka.
"Doctor Tanner, there is a strange signal coming in – it insists on contacting you directly."
"Seriously? All right, I will take it here."
"Patching it through …"
"Greetings, Lady Tano … (the voice was somewhat sped up and impossible to identify.)
"To whom do I have the pleasure …?"
"This is a message from Thanium Sector … an old friend is reaching out to you … stand by for coordinates."
"Old friend? Can you be more specific?"
"Negative. I have specific orders but can assure you no hostile intent. When you arrive in system, you will receive further instructions. Over and out."
Ahsoka hesitated for a few seconds, closed her eyes and remained motionless, apparently reaching out to the Force for some type of guidance. Then she turned to her apprentices … "Well, who's up for adventure?" she snipped, and laughed.
Frehya was a trifle concerned. "I don't know – can we trust them?"
Hedala agreed. "Right …"
"I have a good feeling about this. The Force is channeling someone from my past it seems. I must go to it. Randy, can you see the coordinates?"
"Affirmative, Doctor Tanner. They are coming in now."
After the course was set, R8-ND engaged the engines and they all waved goodbye to Alderaan, with sincere hopes they would return – but of course, not knowing when that day might come. Ahsoka turned to Hedala and Frehya and informed them the journey would take about 18 hours. They decided to rest a bit. Hedala got in some reading as she brought along a data pad with some of her course materials, while Frehya went to the training room and did a little stretching and lifting. Ahsoka preferred to spend time in meditation.
As she did, she started concentrating on the Thanium Sector. There were a number of important destinations there, but the one Ahsoka remembered well was the planet Felucia. During the Clone Wars, she had been taken captive by some nasty Trandoshan hunters who liked to stalk and kill innocents who had been taken for just this purpose. She led her fellow captives to turn the tables and they ended up killing their captors. Ahsoka slashed away with her twin green sabres and trashed more than a few of the Trandoshans. She also met Chewbacca the Wookiee during this time (this was well before he started working with Han Solo). It was one of her most successful adventures of the entire war and helped make her reputation as a leader. Anakin was so proud of her (when he later learned of what she had done) … she remembered fondly.
The Corvala Dawn continued on through hyperspace and Ahsoka explained Hedala's background to Frehya, who was happy to have a companion – despite the large difference in their ages – and felt her life experience could be useful for the younger girl to draw on. When they engaged in training together, Ahsoka pitted them against each other at times, and also had both of them take her on. Hedala seemed like a natural with a sabre and so Ahsoka got out the simulators to test her reflexes. Frehya watched with interest as the younger woman quickly grasped the concept and soon was ably blocking most shots. Ahsoka then sped things up to see where her limits were. After two hours of rigorous training, Ahsoka called for everyone to rest, well pleased at how the session went and also the cooperative attitude between her two apprentices. I'm really lucky to have found them, she realized.
Felucia, Thanium Sector, NE Outer Rim, 1 BBY 9 months, 21 days, 17 hours
Finally, after some periods of sleep and a nutritious meal (Ahsoka had made sure that the best quality was stocked in her galley), the ship dropped out of hyperspace. Everyone went to the bridge to see where they had arrived. Indeed, it was Felucia – a planet covered in lush vegetation that showed green and blue from a distance. Ahsoka took manual control of the ship and put the craft in orbit around the planet. In a few minutes, the signal emerged again. The strange voice welcomed everyone to the planet and gave a landing coordinate. Soon they were on the ground, in a cleared-out area, surrounded by tall and lush trees. A small group of sentients then approached, led by a solemn figure dressed in long black robes, with its face obscured from view.
As the three women came down the ramp from the Corvala Dawn, Ahsoka calmly stepped forward to meet the leader. She whispered "I think I know who this is," and her assistants nodded to her with relief. As the two of them came together, the hooded figure pulled back her robe and Ahsoka was looking upon a fellow Togruta, but one clearly older, with montrals several inches taller than hers and lekku descending past her waist. Her face was mostly red, with large white circles around her eyes. She calmly gazed at Ahsoka and then smiled gently. "Welcome to my humble world, my child," she said softly.
Ahsoka gasped for a second. "Master Shaak Ti! But how …"
Shaak looked at her directly. "As you may discern, rumors of my demise … were greatly exaggerated."
"Yes. How good it is to see you again, Master."
"And to see you as well, Lady Tano. And who might these two ladies be?"
"These are my apprentices. Shaak Ti, meet Hedala and Frehya." They both curtsied to the elder Jedi.
Shaak scanned them carefully. "And fine apprentices they are. You shall be most proud of them, Ahsoka."
"I would agree, Master."
"Come, all. We have some things to discuss …"
Shaak Ti led them on foot to a small structure in the woods that seemed to be made entirely of local wood and branches. Ahsoka signaled to R8-ND to keep watch over the ship, though in her mind it would be quite safe. As they walked, all other inhabitants of the area paid deference to Shaak, and it soon became clear that she was the leader of at least this local area of the planet Felucia. They walked into the structure, which seemed very hospitable despite its rustic appearance from the outside.
Shaak then introduced various members of what she called her "acolytes" – locally trained Force users that she was instructing in various stages of sabre combat and aggressive uses of the Force. After a chance to "break bread" (actually – some local vegan-type dishes made from various local herbs and greens) and some interaction with Hedala and Frehya, Shaak and Ahsoka went off together into the jungle for some private talks.
"Listen carefully, my child, to all of what nature tells you … the trees, the waters, the animals. Each has its story, and each can inform you of your place in the Force – in the universe."
Ahsoka took some deep breaths and relaxed. "Yes, Master, I truly feel it. This place is strong with the Force. Very strong."
Shaak invited Ahsoka to sit together with her on the ground facing each other, and continued:
"I am sure you have many questions. Now is the time for answers – and much, much more."
"Yes, indeed, I do. The first thing I want to know is how you have survived and then come to this place."
"On the day of the Order – 66, I believe it was … it hardly matters now – I could sense the change in Knight Skywalker. He was no longer what we had come to understand, and I felt that he was no longer in control of himself. He had come to do violence to the Temple and all of our ways."
Ahsoka nodded. "Yes …"
"I knew I had very little time and I was unprepared to face him. So I made immediate plans to leave Coruscant. But in so doing, I told my plans to Jocasta Nu and she helped me to remove many Jedi holocrons from the Temple. Together, I took these – with my most powerful acolyte, whom you shall meet tonight – and we departed."
"Before Anakin knew what was happening?"
"Indeed."
"So, what was your feeling about him?"
Shaak leaned back and twisted her neck slightly, then continued.
"I never agreed with Master Yoda's decision to give you to Anakin as his Padawan. Though you learned much from Skywalker, I felt you should be with me. My child, you have tremendous potential, and the time has come for you. The galaxy is not a safe place so long as the Sith are rampant …"
"Yes. I feel it."
"But the Sith have many weaknesses. They are over-confident. We shall find these and exploit them."
Ahsoka then looked at her more intently. "What do you know of the rebellion against the Empire?"
Shaak smiled. "It is like a small child, only learning to walk. You, my child, are far advanced. Your destiny now lies along a different path …"
"Tell me more, Master. I am intrigued."
"I can sense that … let us meditate and ruminate together, my child."
As they began to meditate deeper, Ahsoka was most curious. Master Shaak seemed different, and there was a strange aura about her, a supreme sense of confidence. She radiated raw – but focused – power. After some twenty minutes had passed, she awoke from her trance and spoke.
"My very dear Ahsoka, do you know how long I have observed you? From the day you arrived on Coruscant as a wee youngling, Master Plo told me of you. As you progressed thru the Order, I took careful notes. You were one of our finest students. Everything came to you so quickly and so I did my own midichlorian count on you …
Ahsoka was astonished. "Really?!"
"Yes … but I kept the results confidential. There was no reason anyone else should know. You see, my child, you are – you were – a Jedi, but you are also a Togruta. It is time for you to embrace your heritage."
"Please explain …"
"We Togruta are a proud people. We are children of nature. Each of us has the natural understanding of our surroundings … do you know the pride I felt when I watched you in action? You are a brave and beautiful being, my child. When you realize your destiny, there will be nothing – and no one – to stand in your way."
At this, Ahsoka felt a twinge, an uneasiness as she absorbed what the Master was telling her. As usual, she was not accustomed to such praise, but now the days of the Jedi Order were behind her and the old ways no longer applied. Shaak had always been a woman of few words, but now she had much to say. And, as she no doubt realized, her gifted student was ready to hear them. It was never the Jedi way to talk of racial or species identity, but it was a way to build trust between them. Sure, there was always the ideal of Galactic harmony and unity, but that was never meant to preclude pride in identity. As the Empire was not only oppressive, it was also very chauvinistically bent and considered humans "first among equals." And somehow, when Shaak Ti referred to her as "my child" it was clearly not a pejorative but a term of profound endearment.
The Master continued and spread her elegant robes on the ground behind her, giving an air of majestic dignity to her – to the both of them.
"Ahsoka, have you ever wondered what abilities you may still be unaware of?"
"Yes – I have … but I didn't know what I might be able to do with them."
"That day has now arrived for you, my child. I have been many years studying the holocrons that I now possess. It is time to share with you this knowledge."
"I am ready, Master."
Shaak slowly rose to her feet and turned to face her fellow Togruta. "Rise, Master Tano."
Ahsoka got to her feet and asked, somewhat sheepishly, "did you just promote me?"
Shaak smiled and noted, "as you had been accepted as a Knight by the Council, I have examined you carefully and thus deemed you worthy of the title of Master."
"Would that make us equals?"
"Not exactly … Grand Master Yoda and I have been in communication. As he is growing old, he has decided to pass the title to me. I am now Grand Master Ti. Your training continues under me."
"You've been talking to Yoda? I just learned where he went."
"Yes, the world called Dagobah … I knew that Bail Organa would tell you. You see, I have been keeping track of your movements."
Ahsoka gently shook her head. "It's probably silly for me to ask how … so you know what happened to me on Malachor, then?"
"Yes. And you handled it quite well. Protecting your friends. It's one of the things I've always admired about you."
"But it was hard seeing what has become of Anakin. You know how much I loved him … and now he wants to forget about all of it."
Shaak looked at her fondly. "Well … you know that Palpatine corrupted him. Took advantage of his weakness."
"Would it have been different if I had stayed in the Order, Master?"
"My child, you did what you had to do. Your love was unlikely to save him, as he loved another."
Ahsoka started to tear up again. "I know … And it's so sad, he likely killed her, too."
Shaak spoke in a soothing, almost mesmerizing tone, and she gently took both of Ahsoka's hands in hers. "That's the tragedy of life – and love – our fear causes us to lose what we value the most. But now we must do what is necessary to protect Anakin's children."
Ahsoka nodded solemnly. "Because the Emperor will try to turn them, too."
"Correct."
Ahsoka was silent for a minute, then stroked her lekku and looked at Shaak.
"Master, do you ever worry about what he might try to do to you – and your followers here?"
Shaak scoffed. "Worry? No … that would be wasted energy – but I do intend to prevent that. My child, once you have become what you were always meant to be … together, we will defeat him. But now we must prepare."
"But it's too late for Anakin, then?"
"Most likely so … but he will not interfere with my plans," Shaak stated firmly.
Ahsoka nodded. "He is powerful but he can be beaten, I have seen that – but I don't want to kill him."
"You will not have to. I foresee great power in you, my child. But now we rest some more. And I want you to know my acolytes. In time, they will be yours as well."
As the two Masters headed back to the gathering in the wooden structure, Ahsoka had much on her mind. So much to think about … she reflected.
