Things start to roll forward now. Some old friends get together and Ahsoka gets some welcome news.
Thanks to new followers Professor Etcetera and teamxcution.
Chapter 42: Reconnecting
In hyperspace returning to Felucia from Shili, 0 ABY, 8 months, 28 days
Four more days passed. Ahsoka and Shaak were getting ready to leave Shili and return to Felucia. They had returned to the city of Corvala and had a sendoff meal at the family restaurant. Shaak's father, Kaa'shaan Ti, took her aside before she could board the Corvala Dawn.
"My dear Shaak, of course we were all so glad to see you and we are happy you are looking well. We also wish you success in your plans over the next few months. I am not entirely sure you can displace Emperor Palpatine but will be most proud to become the father of the Empress of the entire Galaxy. I know you will be a good one. You heart is true and your mind is second to none. I knew this when you were just a small child. You were so fascinated by your surroundings and paid such close attention to nature. I certainly had no idea at all that you would go on to have the life you've had – it's truly remarkable. We just want you to know how much we love you and will be thinking of you always. Thank you also for bringing Ahsoka into our lives as well, she is a treasure. So sweet and thoughtful. It's wonderful to have a grandchild after all these years."
Shaak smiled, then hugged and kissed him. "And I will be thinking of you all as well. It was so nice to see both you and Mother, and of course, Tuuk as well. You seem to be doing well. I will keep you in my heart as I go forward. Unfortunately, I cannot give you much in the way of detail about my plans at the moment, but in time, you will learn everything. We will see you all again soon …"
Shaak and Ahsoka waved to them as they ascended the ramp and boarded the ship. Soon they were off and headed back to their homes. R8-ND took the helm of the ship as mother and daughter went to the lounge to relax.
"Would you like something to drink, Mother?"
"I'll have some caf …" She laughed. "What?"
"It's not like you, to require stimulants in the morning …" Ahsoka snipped as she poured a cup for Shaak.
"We have a lot to do over the next three months, if I am to assume the throne."
"Well," Ahsoka took a deep breath, "I guess we have to review all our plans for the battle, to make sure we haven't forgotten anything."
Shaak started a full summary. Once all of the base materials and equipment were in place, they would let it slip to the Empire that a Rebel base, apparently an active one, was on the planet Hoth, in the northern, snowy reaches. Five of the new cruisers would then depart from Felucia and go to Hoth but remain cloaked, waiting for the Star Destroyers to show up. Each cruiser would carry twenty of the TIE Defender Starfighters and also have about 100 of the droid satellites, modeled after Chelli Aphra's original design for Almania. Ahsoka and Maris would take Corvala Dawn to the battle area and wait for the cruisers to emerge from stealth mode and launch the Defenders and also deploy the satellites. As the battle commenced, Ahsoka and Maris would then launch a Circle of Light attack on one of the Star Destroyers. They would eliminate and badly cripple another, giving it time to evacuate its crew and personnel, sending them to the planet below. The Rebels would allow the evac to complete, then Ahsoka and Maris would finish off the other Star Destroyer. The evacuated personnel would then put out a distress call, which would bring more Imperial forces. At this point Shaak would send a communication to the Imperial Palace telling Palpatine that her forces will continue to destroy Imperial ships and there would be nothing he could do to stop it. Once the Emperor arrived, Shaak would then face him.
"Then what will happen next, Mother?" Ahsoka asked, clearly wondering.
"Then I will neutralize him and then he will agree to go into retirement, which will leave the way clear for me – for us – to assume control."
"Neutralize?" Ahsoka asked in a snippy tone. "Do I even want to know how this will work?"
Shaak's face became a broad grin, something Ahsoka could not recall ever seeing from her. "We will discuss that at another time, dear."
"I see …" She said, but of course she did not see, not at all, but knew that the Grand Master would have nothing more to say on the matter. Ahsoka knew it was better to change the subject, but somewhere in her mind, there was something about Shaak that was just a bit alarming. For her part, Shaak acted as if there were no worries at all and she started to hum a soft melody that Ahsoka had never heard before. Shaak then stood up, walked over to her, and embraced her.
"This is the way of things, my dear."
Felucia, Shaak's home, 0 ABY, 8 months, 28 days
Later, after they had landed, it seemed that everyone on Felucia wanted to meet with either Ahsoka or Shaak. Leia just wanted to say hello to Shaak and let her know that she was starting to train with Maris. Shaak simply said, "that's nice …" with a smile. "I'm glad to hear it."
Han Solo, who had carried out the assignment of retrieving the shuttles, was happy to see Ahsoka, especially after she, with some consideration, decided to pay off Han's debt to Jabba the Hutt – provided he formally joined the Rebellion. He accepted the deal and Ahsoka told him she would decide where she wanted him to serve.
Shaak then took a call from Valles Santhe, who told her that they were making excellent progress on her order and they should expect full delivery on time. "I somehow knew your people would get it done," Shaak replied to her. After that, Shaak closed herself off from further interruptions and disappeared into her home, wanting to meditate.
A few hours later, she felt refreshed and opened her door and there was Darth Vader, patiently awaiting her.
"How long were you waiting for me, Anakin?" She asked pleasantly.
"Not long, my master," he stated.
"So, then. I think you have a few things to tell me. Am I right?"
"Indeed, Master Ti. I am hoping you will come to see this as I have. Visiting the Emperor at this time I believe would be counterproductive. Even if I were to attempt a show of loyalty by fighting his latest group of loyalists, he will see through me and know my ultimate loyalty lies elsewhere – and I do not wish to compromise your current position."
Shaak chuckled, then motioned him inside. "A beverage, Anakin?"
"Yes, Grand Master … some more of that cold herbal mix, if you please."
"Coming up!" Shaak was considerably more charming than Vader had expected her to be. It seemed to him that her visit to Shili went well for her. She filled a glass canister with it and handed it to Vader, who produced his drinking tube and proceeded to consume the beverage. "I am pleased that you enjoy it so much, Anakin. It's my private blend. Frehya had told me it was your personal favorite."
"It is most refreshing, Master."
Shaak nodded, then turned to the matter at hand. "Anakin, your assessment of the situation with Emperor Palpatine matches my own. Frehya informed me you have been reviewing some of the holocrons with the conversations from the Palace. I trust you gained your perspective."
Vader removed his drinking tube, took a breath, and then answered. "An accurate perspective. Master Shaak, he fears you, I can tell. Mostly because he still doesn't know who you are. But he has sensed your power, my Master."
She chuckled again. "I have come to the same conclusion, Anakin." Shaak then also took a couple of breaths and stared at him for a second, stroked her chin, and said, "How goes it with your assignments for the upcoming battle?"
He answered evenly. "Everything is on target, Master. We are training pilots on the Defenders now. My son is among them. With Master Tano away accompanying you, I felt he could benefit greatly from the experience. He has excellent skill and takes after his father."
"That he does. I saw much the same during the Yavin encounter with the first Death Star."
"May I presume to ask you something, Master?"
"You may."
"Rumors are circulating that the Empire is starting construction of a new Death Star."
"That is correct. In fact, Valles Santhe and I were discussing it a couple of weeks back."
"Ah, Lady Santhe. I rather admire her. Such a competent business leader."
"She has kind words for you, too, Anakin. Apparently you impressed the teenage Valles back during the war. But I think she has moved on …"
"Understandable, a lady such as she would not have much use for someone in my condition, but we can surely work together … Master, am I correct in suspecting that you are supportive of the new Death Star project?"
"You are … except for one thing. I am in agreement with Valles that it should be named the Peacekeeper."
Shaak goes on to explain to Vader the overall battle strategy that she had shared with Ahsoka earlier. He is in agreement that the strategy would seem to be adequate for luring the Emperor into their web.
"He is out of practice, I believe, at present. But do not underestimate what he is capable of."
"I would never do that, Anakin … but I have been taking the measure of him for a long time. I'm going to share with you something that I have yet to show anyone else, even Ahsoka and Maris, though they will learn of it soon enough."
She then led him outside and summoned her speeder. Together they rode for a few minutes and then stopped. When they got out, she proceeded to demonstrate her new power of Force Severance that she had been perfecting since first trying it out a few weeks earlier. As Vader examined the devastated section of woods that Shaak pervaded, he reflected in awe.
"A most impressive power you now have, Master. Something I had no idea even exists. I see now the reason for your confidence. The new era of the Second Empire will begin soon. I am proud to be your loyal servant."
Shaak smiled and extended her hand to him, and Vader bowed to one knee (feeling more flexible than usual) and approximated a kiss. He felt privileged that his master had now raised her level of trust in him, and silently vowed to do whatever required to keep it.
"Onward, then." She stated, continuing to smile.
Felucia, 0 ABY, 9 months, 5 days
Another week passed. More Rebel soldiers arrived from Pantora and some other allied worlds, including Chandrila. Knights Xendar and Lumoxa conducted a briefing for them and they were instructed to pitch tents to sleep in while they participated in the construction of more barracks. Additional landing platforms were also under construction and the planet – at least in a concentrated area – took on more of the look of a military base.
Ahsoka also conducted a separate meeting for pilot training, and realized that they were going to need more experienced hands in this capacity. Fortunately, she received contact later that day from her old friend Hera Syndulla, who formally joined the organized rebellion and become a general in the rebel forces. She kept this role and supervised some of the move to Pantora from Yavin, and was expecting to help out with the new decoy base on Hoth – except most of the Rebel forces did not realize it was going to be a decoy, as they were not privy to the strategy from the high command.
Hera wanted to come to Felucia and confer with Ahsoka. When they made contact, Ahsoka was glad to hear from her and urged her to come. As Hera was already en route in the Ghost, she was only three hours away. Once she had landed, the Togruta made her way over to the ship in her new personal speeder (a gift from the members of the Order in recognition of the place she held in their hearts) and met her Twi'lek friend, who invited her aboard. Hera hugged Ahsoka a little longer than usual, and as she released her friend, she let out a sigh.
"Ahsoka, so good to see you. Really."
"Talk to me, friend."
"So much has happened. You may have heard that Kanan died …"
Ahsoka gasped. "No! Oh my …"
"Yes. I got into a jam on Lothal. Had to crash land after my squadron got torn up by Thrawn and his TIE Defenders. They tracked me down and took me prisoner. Pryce was giving me electro-shock to get me to talk about where the Rebel base was. Kanan and the others came to help me, but we got trapped on top of a fuel tank near the Defender factory."
Hera took a breath and turned to Ahsoka. "Would you like something? I'm going to pour some whiskey. I'm a wreck."
Ahsoka looked at her with her eyes starting to tear up.
Hera steadied herself, and poured a shot, then one for Ahsoka.
"So tell me what happened next."
"That idiot Pryce wanted to kill us so badly she ordered them to fire on the tanks. Kanan used the Force to keep the blaze away from me and the others so we could escape but he gave his life."
Ahsoka shook her head, took a sip of the whiskey. "I feel awful for you. I know how much you liked him, though you never talked about it."
Hera nodded. "That's just it. I should have talked about it – with him. I finally worked up the courage, but it was the same night he died. I just feel so stupid." She cradled her forehead as she bent over, slowly shaking her head.
Ahsoka just looked at her. "What can I do?"
"Not much, really. What's done is done … but I could use some new scenery, maybe here. You guys need a good pilot?"
"We sure do. And you're the best. But tell me … what about Ezra? Sabine?"
"Well … Sabine went to Mandalore, to be with her clan, and Ezra … I'm not really sure. He knew – finally – that Lothal is just not a safe place any more for someone who is wanted by the Empire. I wanted him to come with Zeb, Chopper, and me to Pantora. But I'm not really sure where he is now."
Ahsoka took her left lek in her fingers and stroked it, as she thought about it, then looked at Hera. "I'd feel much better if I knew where he went. He's a known Force-sensitive, therefore he is wanted in the Galaxy at large. If he came here, we could look after him. I do hope he shows up. Maybe Master Shaak will know what to do."
Hera nodded, then thought for a bit. "Master Shaak … say, how is she, anyway? What's it like being with her?"
"It's great … I mean, she really is someone I love and respect. She's taken such good care of me … I've become her adopted daughter."
Hera's eyes widened. "Seriously? That's such a big step for you. I mean, how long have we known each other … at least ten years, and I've always thought of you as a loner. She must be special. I've heard some of the troopers and the pilots on Pantora talk about her – some amazing stories."
"Hera, she will be quite happy to see you. She knows all about your history and your abilities."
"So tell me, Ahsoka, what do you all need me to do?"
"This is likely going to surprise you, but we need you to take over a fighter wing of TIE Defenders."
Hera's jaw dropped. "What? Here I am, almost losing my life to those things and now you want me to fly one?"
Ahsoka chuckled. "Funny how things work out sometime. I can tell you from my experience in test driving them, they are super-capable. A really excellent design. With you in the cockpit, it will be state-of-the-art."
"Ashli, I must say I'm a little confused. Aren't you guys part of the Rebellion – what are you doing with Imperial ships?"
"You may want to discuss this with Master Shaak, but the truth is we have a contract with the manufacturer of them and not only that, we've also purchased ten heavy cruisers."
Hera shook her head in disbelief. "I'm really looking forward to meeting with her."
"She is rather busy, but I will put in a good word for you."
Felucia, Ahsoka's home, 0 ABY, 9 months, 7 days
Two days later, Frehya and Jocasta came to Ahsoka with some good news. They finally found some detail on her background before she was taken into the Jedi Order.
"So what exactly does it say, Jocasta?"
"Dear Ahsoka. As you know, you were taken at age 3. You were your parents' first baby, but they were somewhat impoverished. They – and you – appear to have come from the planet's southern hemisphere."
Ahsoka looked at them and smiled. "I guess that's a start. Do you have more?"
Jocasta nodded in the affirmative, and Ahsoka invited them into her small Felucian home. She offered them ale, which was kept cold in her miniature fridge. As they sat down and opened the bottles, Frehya continued.
"Ashli, your parents' names were Koto'ma and Ala'ka Tano. They were farmers, but apparently never really made all that much doing it. With some help from your Uncle Tuuk, we were able to piece together more of their story. As they are both over 70 years of age, and unfortunately, of failing health, they were eventually moved to a home in Corvala."
Ahsoka sighed audibly. "Wow. So who moved them there?"
"That's the good part, Ahsoka," said Jocasta. "You have a younger brother. His name is Mako'ta and he is a businessman in Corvala. He was able to get a decent education and actually went on to higher levels and moved to the Core world of Brentaal for a while, but then came back to Shili. They say he is quite handsome. He married a few years ago and has two children of his own."
Ahsoka's jaw dropped. The expression of joy in her big blue eyes was hard to miss.
"This is amazing … but now I wonder how my biological parents will feel about Shaak being my adoptive mother."
"You'll just have to find out, I guess," Frehya noted as she looked Ahsoka in the eye.
Felucia, Assembly Hall, 0 ABY, 9 months, 21 days, 12 hours
Another two weeks passed. Leia Organa Skywalker was in a training session, pitted against Padawan Reema Andujah, the apprentice of Maris Brood. Over the preceding days, the former Princess of Alderaan was doggedly training hard, rising early and running through the steamy Felucian jungle, and little by little, was starting to get into fighting shape. This was not the first session she'd had with Reema, who had practically bullied her at first, dazzling with quickness and using assorted Force tricks. Maris had taken notice and spoke to her apprentice, telling her that it was too early to throw such tactics at Leia. "There will be a time for that soon enough."
So, Reema eased up but was determined not to let Leia potentially undermine her position as Maris's trusted Padawan. For her part, Maris had no intention of replacing Reema, but she said nothing, thus bringing out the scrapper in her apprentice. Leia was a bit discouraged at first, plainly sensing that Reema didn't much care for her and was contemptuous of the ex-princess. After all, how could the cushy life of an Alderaanian royal compare with someone who'd survived the mean streets of underground Coruscant?
For a while, Reema's grit and hard edge flummoxed Leia, who couldn't find a way through her defenses. Reema was becoming quite adept at two lightsabre forms already – the defensive Soresu and the acrobatic and aggressive Ataru. Maris had wanted them to train in more open spaces and this was suited to Reema's growing skills. Leia had started working with training sabres and was starting to show some ability, and looked forward to someday having her own sabre. Maris had a tendency to show no favoritism when she was working with those at the beginner levels and though she liked Leia – a bit of a surprise, she realized – the Alderaanian would have to earn her way. Leia indicated that that was more than fair and she was determined to show Maris – and especially Reema – that she could fight.
This training session seemed somehow different. Leia had come to realize that the Force was clearly within her and she and Luke had spent some time together talking about it. Her brother was finally starting to do Force telekinesis on his own without assistance from Hedala Fardi and he was starting to practice the technique, using it to retrieve his lightsabre – the same one that had been his father Anakin's, so long ago. He tried to show her the techniques he had used but started to realize – all on his own – that the Force would speak to each potential user in a personal way. Leia, then, had to find her way, just as Luke had. Sure, Hedala – who had opened up to him about her amorous feelings – was very helpful in his development, and no one felt better than she did when his ability started to emerge. Luke knew this was just the beginning. He had to put in the work, but now he realized, for the first time, why Ahsoka and Shaak had seen the promise in him, as Obi-Wan likely had earlier, but had been prevented by Uncle Owen from training him.
Leia went into the training room with a purpose this time. She was not going to let Reema Andujah make a fool of her any longer. Her blade-work was steadily getting better and Maris had started to praise her – something, she was told, that Maris didn't do a lot of. Still, Reema was not about to roll over for her. The room they were using for this session had some seating, which allowed visitors to enter freely and observe. Maris arrived and took a seat and soon after, Han Solo and Chewbacca came in too. Leia didn't notice them at first because she was only concentrating on Reema. The two opponents bowed to each other in the center of the room, then each of them took two steps back and ignited her sabre (at training level intensity of course).
Leia decided to go on defense first and Reema quickly moved in. With both hands firmly on her newly crafted purple sabre, the Coruscanti feigned an attack at Leia's midsection from her left flank, but then spun neatly around to go high and attempt a downward thrust. Leia somehow was able to narrowly block it and then tried to stay on her toes, leaning slightly forward. She attempted some thrusts at Reema, who casually blocked them, and it seemed that this session was going to end up like the others, with Reema getting the upper hand and essentially finishing Leia off (under training rules of course). But Leia this time started using a little bit of deception, something that Luke had shown her. She faked one direction and quickly went the other, almost scoring a clean hit on the Coruscanti – who was some two years her junior. Reema saw her tactics and decided to get a little acrobatic, but Leia was able to evade the eventual blow when it came and then something happened. Leia started to concentrate, in the way that Luke had told her, and things started slowing down, despite Reema's quickness.
Andujah tried a wild slash off a forward roll – something Maris had warned her about earlier – and Leia, instead of stepping aside, decided to try a Force push, like Master Tano had once shown her. This caught Reema completely off guard and she rolled out of control and was just able to get her sabre free. Leia then used a tactic to knock the loose lightsabre away from Reema and then stepped forward with her own blade high, ready to drop the winning blow on her opponent. However, at the last second, Reema launched herself high in the air, vaulting over Leia and pulling her own sabre back into her outstretched hand. As she came down, she spun around and Leia was waiting. Their blades clashed and were throwing off sparks as Leia was fully determined to win this encounter. Reema was starting to get a bit angry and she withdrew from the blade and again hit the mat and rolled away. Leia followed up and had the high ground, coming down with a clinching blow that scored as it hit Reema in the back.
Maris then blew a whistle, signaling the match was over. Both combatants rose to their feet, then bowed to each other and walked off together for a minute, Reema grudgingly congratulating Leia on the win, her first in two weeks of trying.
As Leia returned to the bench to get a well-deserved rest, both Han and Chewie came up to her and congratulated her.
"Not bad, princess," Han chuckled. "Always knew you had it in you." Chewie gave what seemed to be an approving groan-like growl and he took her and pulled her in for a Wookiee version of a bear hug.
Leia looked at Han, and smiled. "What are you doing here, nerf-herder?"
Han laughed. "I deserved that. But yeah, I'm with the Rebellion now, Ahsoka got my debt paid off and paid for the parts to fix the Falcon."
Leia shook her head and smiled. "Can't for the life of me understand what she sees in you. I guess you're a pretty good pilot, though. And she's a good judge of those things."
"Yeah, Master Tano has me doing busy work right now. Chewie and me, we had to go fetch a couple of Imperial shuttles from Lianna last week. Not sure what she needs those for."
Leia scoffed. "She's got her reasons, you can bet on that. So, how do you like Grand Master Shaak?"
Han pursed his lips for a second. "I don't know … she's awfully mysterious. She always looks at you with those eyes, like she knows exactly what you're thinking."
Chewie made some curious sounds, as if to add his opinion.
"Right?" Han added.
"Hey, she's on our side, guys," Leia reminded them. "And it's a good thing."
Felucia, Assembly Hall, 0 ABY, 9 months, 21 days, 13 hours
While Leia and Han were chatting, Maris took Reema aside.
"What happened there?"
"I got beat, Master," Reema answered, in a disappointed tone.
"Uh huh, and why do you think that is?"
"I got stupid. Lost my patience. She finally figured out how to fight me." Reema said glumly, shaking her head.
"So what are you going to do about it?" Maris asked sternly.
Reema exhaled and stared at her master for a second. "Get back to work."
Maris smiled just a little, then said, "That's not all. I hope you learned a valuable lesson today, my apprentice. Never take an opponent for granted. That person will always be looking for the way to beat you. Leia is talented. She learns from her mistakes. Don't be fooled by her privileged background. She knows that counts for nothing with me. I only look at results."
Reema started to smile. "I understand, Master. I did congratulate her, though."
"But you have to mean it, young lady. Try to remember we are all teammates here, as Grand Master Shaak always says. We show respect to our teammates because we need each other. We need that support. I think Leia admires you. She knows where you came from, how hard your life was. Who knows, maybe you two can be friends."
"Master Maris, are you going to take her on as your apprentice, too?"
Maris shook her head. "No. I think she may well end up training with her father, when he is ready. I am at least helping her to get in shape and learn the basics."
Reema smiled and nodded. "I guess I shouldn't be mad. She seems like she could become good. You're probably right, master. Maybe I could be friends with her. I just didn't like her much at first. She acts kind of snooty."
Maris nodded. "I know. But she was a princess, after all. She's not so bad when you get to know her. Reema, my friend, just do your very best – always – and hold your head high. You don't have to prove yourself to me, I know what you can do. But it never stops. You can always, always, be better. Even Master Shaak is always adding to her knowledge and power."
"I like her, Master. She's so strong, but always kind. Do you think she likes me?"
"I am sure of it."
(to be continued …)
