AN: Thanks to everyone who has made it this far in the story, now to be known as Volume One of the Ahsoka Trilogy. Things are drawing to a close here, but there are still a few remaining details to attend to …
Chapter 46: The Day of Reckoning
Endor, Aboard SSD Ravager, 0 ABY, 11 months, 23 days, 5 hours
A few hours later that same day, Admiral Rae Sloane had been shuttled aboard the Imperial dreadnought Ravager and was in a private meeting with Fleet Admiral Gallius Rax.
"Well, Rae, what do you have to say for yourself?" Rax prodded gently.
"Sir … many of us were wondering when the rebels would again show their capability. Our wait was over – today. Why is it we have no answer for this?"
"I was going to ask you that same thing …" he nodded his head and smiled.
Sloane started to explain her theory.
"It seems like they somehow target our reactors. We had already started hardening these facilities but it didn't seem to matter. Before we knew it, the bulkheads were split open and massive radiation leaks ensued. We tried to seal the area but it was of no avail. Soon the leaks started up again, with even more intensity. I am at least happy to report they allowed us to evacuate most of our people – of course they have been taken into custody on the planet below, with the shuttles being impounded."
Rax shook his head in wonderment. "That's a large number of crew members, across two ISD's … and the rebels built detention facilities to hold that many? They have obviously been planning this assault for a long time."
Sloane nodded. "What do you make of their commander … Master Ahsoka Tano?"
"She was a hotshot young Jedi during the Clone Wars. Most believed she had perished somehow back when the Empire started. It appears they were mistaken. Her strategy was brilliant."
Sloane was silent for a few seconds, mulling over the possibilities. "Hmm … Tano. She was a Jedi, right? Do you think she was using that power they were supposed to have had – the Force?"
Rax chuckled. "You would do well to respect that power, Rae. It's quite real." He looked her in the eye. "But if Tano used the Force to split open our reactors she is most dangerous indeed. What's to stop her from ravaging the rest of our fleet, given enough time?"
Sloane's expression was grave. "That's the question, for sure..."
Coruscant, Imperial Palace, 0 ABY, 11 months, 24 days, 8 hours
The next morning on Coruscant. Emperor Palpatine had just been informed by his old friend Gallius Rax about the outcome of the battle in the Hoth system and the loss of two more Star Destroyers. Rax relayed his theories and about the presence of Ahsoka Tano. The Emperor thanked him, then signed off, knowing it was time to meditate.
Sabla Mandu … so your agent is Ahsoka Tano. And you are truly powerful. Taking out my ships whenever you please. If you could be turned, Lord Vader will be nothing but a painful memory. Lady Darth Mandu, I am looking forward to meeting you.
After another hour had passed, the Emperor rose from his meditation session and called for his Imperial class shuttle to be made ready. He planned to go to Endor and join Fleet Admiral Rax.
Hoth, 0 ABY, 11 months, 24 days, 10 hours
A group met on the surface of the planet Hoth, which consisted of Shaak, Ahsoka, Maris, and Vader. After they had sat down, Ahsoka spoke first.
"Well, Mother, do you suppose the Emperor has now heard about what happened?"
Shaak laughed. "I sure hope so."
Vader felt some apprehension about Shaak's overly calm demeanor. Although he had witnessed her new powers first hand, he knew from experience the old man always had more cards to play. As he knew he could hide nothing from Shaak, he decided to be open about his concerns.
"Master … I am somewhat concerned over this. Do we truly have the power we need?"
Shaak turned to him and smiled, then touched his organic hand with her gloved fingers.
"Anakin. I can understand your sentiments, but you will just have to watch. I feel the time is not far away."
Maris weighed in. "If it's all the same to you three, I'd just as soon get this over with. I've never been the patient type."
Shaak continued to smile and then turned her gaze toward her newest Master. "Maris, my dear. That is something you and I will have to work on. True power always comes to the one who is patient."
Ahsoka chuckled. "I had to learn it too. But I had a lot of time alone to do that. It made me stronger. Anakin, I can still remember how you taught me to wait for the right moment to strike. That's what we are doing now, isn't it, Mother?"
"Indeed, my child."
The meeting broke up after some more discussion about what to do with all the Imperial personnel being held captive. Shaak made it clear she wanted everyone to be treated humanely. After all, she explained, these folks would soon be among her loyal subjects. Before she went off to meditate, she gave each of her three most trusted associates a short energy handclasp and left them feeling warm and deeply respectful of her. And they each started to reflect.
As Vader walked away, he still was not entirely convinced that his new master could defeat his prior master, yet he personally felt a glow coming from Shaak that he had never before seen from anyone, even Palpatine. This energy he felt had a strange quality to it, very potent, but very unique and unlike the Dark Side or the Light. Vader knew that he was only beginning to understand who Shaak Ti was, and that he had never even begun to do that at any time in the past. Certainly not prior to that day on the Almanian moon of Drewwa where he had been ambushed, taken down, and left at the mercy of Shaak, Ahsoka, and Maris. Those three ladies whom he came to stand proudly beside, as allies and trusted friends. And they had indeed shown him mercy – when he had every reason to believe they would destroy him. Had he not tried to kill them all? But after Ahsoka and Maris had blasted him with 20 kW of electric current, Shaak showed up as a figure of nearly divine grace, floating in gently and then soothing his pain with a wave of her hand. Vader – again beginning to see himself as Anakin Skywalker, and no longer ashamed of that legacy as he now had a fine young son and a strong yet beautiful daughter to call his own – finally realized at that moment that his life did not have to be a constant dull aching pain, and that there was finally a way out. For that, he would become and remain eternally grateful to Shaak and willing to follow her every command.
Ahsoka felt her adoptive mother's power and was inwardly proud. She was proud of the woman who had befriended her almost three years earlier and took it upon herself to train Ahsoka and bestow great powers and abilities upon her, ones that she had grown ever more comfortable using. Yet, even now, these powers were causing conflicts within Ahsoka as they were very aggressive and not at all in keeping with the traditional image of the Jedi that she had been taught since she arrived on Coruscant as a toddler over 33 years prior. However, Ahsoka had decided to bury these conflicts and embrace her new self, as that was what she believed Shaak expected of her – and she did not want to disappoint Shaak.
She reasoned that she had always been an aggressive sort, particularly during the Clone Wars when she fought alongside Anakin and his own brand of aggression. Those years would form the core of her sensibilities, that life was for those who were unafraid to live it. Ahsoka also had come to believe that her honor was also very important and that she wanted to stand as an example to others about what it meant to live with integrity and stand for what you believed in – and what Ahsoka Tano believed was that it was the duty of the strong to stand and defend those who, for whatever reason, were not able to stand for themselves. There was certainly evil in the Galaxy, she knew in her heart, and even if it could be defeated, it would surely rise again at some point. All of her studies of history had taught her this, along with Shaak's magnificent collection of holocrons and the great lady's many lessons and lectures.
And standing beside Ahsoka was Maris Brood, once a troubled young Zabrak until Shaak found her and helped her escape certain death on Coruscant during that crucial first day of the Empire. Little by little, Maris had come to find herself by standing alongside Shaak and receiving daily doses of Togruta wisdom, but also a kind of love and affection. Because Maris, in her own unique way, saw Shaak as a motherly figure as well. Who else cared so much about her and watched over her as she grew in knowledge, ability and self-confidence? Maris reflected on the recent ceremony at which she was finally promoted to Master and received an outpouring of love she had never known nor even believed could exist. And for the first time she could remember, she was actually happy.
As she meditated, Shaak went over all of the components in her mind, then she reached out with Force and started to concentrate on Palpatine – Darth Sidious – and quickly detected he was on his way to somewhere in the Outer Rim, in particular the southwestern region, where she had recently been and where the new "peacekeeper" was under construction. Then Shaak was able to target him directly via Force projection. Ah, my friend, good day to you. I see you are on your way to me now. Further directions will be provided. Make yourself comfortable. This is your day of reckoning.
Hoth, Aboard SSD Ravager, 0 ABY, 11 months, 24 days, 15 hours
A few hours later, the Emperor arrived in the Endor system and landed in a hangar bay on the Ravager. As he greeted his old friend, and tried to relax, he found that nearly impossible to do. Such was the excitement he felt about finally solving the riddle of Sabla Mandu and potentially gaining a powerful new apprentice. After a few minutes, he had detected a strong Force presence on Hoth and directed Rax to take the Ravager to that system. So off they went and a few hours later the dreadnought was dropping out of hyperspace.
Shaak had been tracking Palpatine the entire time and now realized the hour was at hand. So she Force projected one more time. I have been awaiting you, Sheev … come down, my friend. I promise it will be most worthwhile. Soon the Ravager had gone into orbit around the snowy disk of Hoth and Palpatine's shuttle was being prepared. Those around him weren't quite sure what to make of his behavior but they didn't dare question him. Rax even thought to himself that the old man seemed possessed over something. He's smiling with that twinkle in his eye like a kid about to get his birthday presents.
Palpatine, for his part, was seemingly elated. Finally the losing streak was over – the Death Star, Cymoon 1, Vader, and six Star Destroyers – all lost and gone forever. But now, finally, there was a promise of something better. "Sabla Mandu" was here, and she would make it all so much better. Come, my dear, I am here, he beckoned through the Force. As the shuttle descended to the planet below, he was looking around and trying to sense something, but something seemed to be blocking him. This seemed somewhat strange, but he paid it no mind. Soon they came to a cleared area on the other side of a large complex of interlocking buildings and he directed the pilot to land. The crew members on the shuttle looked at each other with an air of resignation. They had gone to an area where night had descended over the planet, but they were near enough to the equator that the air was not overly frigid.
As the Emperor walked off the shuttle into the cleared area, he felt an immediate Force presence. His anticipation rose as he walked forward, but then a familiar presence was ahead of him … Vader. Astonished for a second at his one-time apprentice's boldness, he scowled at the Dark Lord. But before he could speak, from behind Vader there was another presence. As the black-helmeted figure yielded, the old man could plainly see the elegant form of a Togruta female. This one was wearing a beautiful robe covered in sequins of various colors and her lekku seemed to gleam in the light being cast on the clearing from the buildings nearby. This was what he had come for. Sabla Mandu!
Ahsoka calmly walked forward and passed Vader, then stood in plain view of the Emperor, who came forward to face her. But instead of the haggard visage that Sidious usually showed, he now seemed much younger and reminded her of the Chancellor from twenty or more years ago.
"Commander Tano." He greeted her warmly.
She nodded in return and smiled. "Master Tano I am now," she stated simply, then allowed her robe to open, revealing her twin sabres on her waist. For some reason, she appeared as a beautiful Lady of the Galaxy to him. Although Palpatine usually disdained "alien" species, he'd always had a warm spot in his cold heart for the Togruta. Their basic elegance and common-sense approach to life he had respected for years, and he was well aware of his general popularity on their home world of Shili. And here was Ahsoka Tano, the one he had craved for many years, even as the impudent teenager she was when he had last laid eyes upon her at her trial on Coruscant. But on this day, she seemed beautiful, a polished lady, elegant and refined.
Then something strange happened. As Ahsoka stood there smiling, Vader came up to her side and placed an arm around her shoulders, as if to say that she was somehow his. Palpatine sneered at his onetime apprentice.
"Lord Vader …" he snarled. "A long time since I have seen you."
And then another figure appeared from the shadows. A female, of lighter complexion, who then emerged. This one was a Zabrak, like his onetime apprentice, Maul. Maris then stared daggers at Palpatine, but knew she must not show even an ounce of fear.
The Emperor acknowledged her. "And whom might this be?" He spoke with a slightly amused air.
"My name is Maris – Master of the Order," she said defiantly, her red eyes glowing malevolently.
The Emperor could scarcely believe his good fortune. Here was Tano, every bit as magnificent as he had pictured her, glowing with a commanding Force signature, strong and confident, no longer Jedi and ready to embrace the power of the Dark Side. And she seemed to have her own apprentice, this one called Maris – someone he could not recall having ever seen before – who fairly radiated power and energy with a menacing air about her. With these two, we shall quickly proclaim the power in this Galaxy. Nothing can stand before us … my elegant and wonderful Sith ladies! Ready to rule at my side …
But soon his mood was suddenly broken. Vader stepped forward, then gave Ahsoka and Maris each a Force push, which shoved them a good ten metres apart. Palpatine reacted quickly and moved forward, thrusting his hands outward toward Vader, preparing to blast him with lightning. All of a sudden, both Ahsoka and Maris each quickly unleashed a torrent of lightning directly at Palpatine, catching him completely off guard. It was all he could do to hold them both off with his own electricity. He was able to meet both their blasts, each with one hand, but Ahsoka gave Maris a quick nod and they both doubled their level of current, taking it from 10 kW to 20 kW. This started to turn the tide and the Emperor could feel them starting to bear down on him. It took almost everything he had to hold them both at bay. He furiously tried to concentrate and make sense of what was suddenly happening to him, when an ominous new presence could be felt.
Palpatine mustered up all the strength he had and had started to neutralize Ahsoka and Maris, but then, suddenly, something started to swell and move toward him that resembled a miniature storm with terrifying intensity. Vader had stepped aside to allow it to pass and it was almost on top of the Emperor when an absolutely blinding light poured forth seemingly from within the storm and briefly turned night into day. As both Maris and Ahsoka relinquished their electric blasts, Palpatine was bowled over by the storm and the intensity of the flash. He quickly lost consciousness and dropped to his knees, no longer looking like the chancellor of old but instead an even more haggard and tired old man than he had ever looked before.
The storm stopped, and the light died down, and then standing alone in front of him was Grand Master Shaak Ti, adorned in a robe of pure platinum, its every ripple catching the light and making her appear as a transcendent figure as her lekku seemed to have a neon blue gleam. Soon she was raising Palpatine's body in front of her and extending his form horizontally. Maris, who quickly rebounded from the tiring effort of keeping her part of the lightning going, had summoned what appeared to be a stretcher and placed it under the Emperor's body as Shaak gently lowered him onto it. Ahsoka and Vader also came up next to the GM and stood ready to assist her.
Vader was stunned over what had just taken place. All too easy. "He is still alive, my Master," he spoke toward Shaak.
"Yes …" she noted, with a satisfied look on her face. "Prepare my ship," she ordered Maris and Ahsoka.
"Right away, Mother," Ahsoka replied, as Maris nodded.
Within about five minutes, the form of Emperor Palpatine, still unconscious, had been loaded aboard the Intrepid V, and was being watched over by Maris. Ahsoka's ship Corvala Dawn was also being prepared for departure. Before they left, Shaak summoned Knight Xendar Silkaw and Commodore Tri'ku Je'har to her. They both gave her crisp salutes and awaited her orders.
"Gentlemen, proceed with the plans as we discussed. Fleet Admiral Rax will be awaiting your transmission of my orders and we shall move to assume command of the Navy. You will proceed to Endor and await our return within 72 hours."
"Yes, my Empress," Xendar said proudly, echoed by Tri'ku. "It will be done."
They quickly strode away to begin preparations. Shaak then turned to Ahsoka and Vader. "Maris will travel with you. I shall watch over former Emperor Palpatine alone. We have much to discuss about the next few days. Now … we head for Avalonia."
In Hyperspace en route to Avalonia, 0 ABY, 11 months, 25 days, 0 hours
As the Intrepid made its way across the Galaxy, Shaak carefully observed Palpatine and ensured that his vital signs were all working properly. He had just absorbed a tremendous amount of energy, first from Maris and Ahsoka, as their electric blasts forced him to spend much of his energy just holding them off. That ordeal set him up for Shaak's vortex and modified version of Force Severance, which she had spent the past months perfecting. She had wanted to deliver a blow that would knock him unconscious and give her the option of when to revive him.
On Corvala Dawn, Ahsoka was quietly in meditation while R8-ND monitored the ship, and Maris and Vader were talking quietly in the ship's lounge. Vader had started to see Maris in a different light, knowing that her loyalty was first and foremost to Shaak and that she would fight valiantly to protect her friends and the Order. But he was also seeing a side of her that was increasingly clever.
"Master Brood – I was most impressed with your performance tonight against the Emperor. He was clearly not expecting that from you. I think he was most surprised to learn that you even existed."
She laughed – something she was doing more often as of late. "Lord Vader. I think we got off to a bad start. If you are willing to let things from the past stay in the past, I suppose I am too. I can tell you this – Master Shaak was not ready to trust you at first. You owe so much to Master Ahsoka."
"I realize that, Master Maris. She has become so strong. I don't think her blast at the Emperor even made her breathe hard. I can tell that he was expecting her to be powerful and he wanted to turn her to his side, to be his new apprentice."
Maris scoffed. "Not a chance. Ahsoka would never betray Master Shaak – or me. We have a solid bond now."
Vader nodded. "I can see that. I am proud to be associated with the Order. The Grand Master is a wise lady and more powerful than I ever realized. I will be happy to bow to her as my empress."
"And she will be a great empress, Lord Vader. She has so many plans." Maris laughed again. "And I have so much studying to do."
Vader then made a statement to her that he could scarcely believe as the words left his mouth. "I would be happy to assist you, Master Maris. I know you will be the Empress's Hand and you will need to ensure the military stays loyal to her. I know these people very well. Together, you and I will ensure the Empress's rule is respected."
Maris smiled, then turned to him and offered her hand in friendship. He took it and they clasped hands for a few seconds, exchanging Force energy together. "Thank you, Lord Vader."
After a bit, Ahsoka came to join the two of them, smiling as she sat down.
"Can I get you something, Ashli?" Maris asked.
"Whiskey and water, Mare …" Ahsoka then sat down next to Vader. "So, Anakin, what did you think of that little pyrotechnic show Mother put on?" she said with a chuckle.
"Of course, I was quite impressed. She'd tried to show me some of this power but I was skeptical she could use it against Sidious. Shaak Ti is already legendary."
Ahsoka nodded, as Maris brought her drink to her. "I too wasn't entirely sure how it would go. But I should know by now never to doubt her. She never makes claims she cannot back up."
"Why do you suppose she's taking him by herself on this trip?" Vader asked, somewhat puzzled.
"She didn't offer any explanation. Come to think of it, Mother usually never does, except when she's offering up a lesson of some sort. Take my ability with lightning. I had zero idea she was planning that, until all of a sudden she just blasted me. Maris, did she do the same to you?"
Maris felt uneasy for a second as the memory came back to her. She nodded. "Yes. She did. I thought she was angry with me for some reason and that she was going to kill me. I was so scared. But she made sure I was all right, and I recovered. That's why I wasn't worried after she did it to you."
In Hyperspace en route to Avalonia, 0 ABY, 11 months, 25 days, 0 hours
Meanwhile, on the Intrepid, Shaak was carefully observing Palpatine. She had hooked him to a series of monitors that were recording his brain function and vitals. While this was taking place, she had started feeding some "alternative programming" into his mind that was meant to counteract much of the hatred and aggression that had built up since his childhood on Naboo. By utilizing the forbidden power of Force Severance, Palpatine was cut off from the force by the extreme burst of light she had unleashed. The trick was to be able to control and pinpoint the energy onto a single point of attack, but with the combined energy of what amounted to a miniature star. Hitting him simultaneously with all three powers – electric, kinetic (in the form of the vortex), and nuclear (in the equivalent of a tightly-controlled fusion reaction) – the Emperor's source of power was depleted. The fusion reaction drew some of its fuel directly from Palpatine, and the rest came directly from the Hoth system's star.
Shaak had studied diligently the nature of this power and came to the realization that it had never before been used in such a manner. Though outward appearances gave the impression that Sidious was not the force he had been some twenty years earlier, Shaak believed he had been deliberately hiding his power just as he had when he fooled the Jedi and confounded their ability to detect him. It was as if somehow he knew that another power had arisen in the Galaxy to oppose him – as the Force must always be in balance. Of course I must realize that even as I now assume power, somewhere, somehow, and someday, another will rise to oppose me. I am powerless in the end to stop that, as it is the Will of Za'an Kaa'duul.
At this point, Palpatine's body started stirring, but Shaak waved a hand gently over him and he fell into a deeper sleep. Rest now, my friend. You have a big day ahead of you. The Galaxy will come to know of your sacrifice and your commitment to honor.
Avalonia, 0 ABY, 11 months, 25 days, 12 hours
After another few hours, both ships finally arrived at the newly transformed world of Avalonia, which had once been barren and nearly lifeless as Malachor, but now fairly teemed with an abundance of vegetation in vivid highlights of pink and green. Soon, the Corvala Dawn and the Intrepid V had touched down, and a group of individuals in pink robes had assembled to greet them. When they saw Shaak emerge from her ship, they quietly approached her and it was clear that they were all Togruta females.
The other ship's hatch opened and the three passengers debarked. Ahsoka came to Shaak's side, while Vader and Maris stood a few metres away, observing the proceedings. A group of four separated from the other Togruta and faced Shaak and Ahsoka, all curtsying to them simultaneously, while lifting their elegant and sumptuous pink robes, as they each got down on one knee.
"Greetings, Empress Ti and Crown Princess Tano. Your majesties, everything has been prepared according to your precise specifications. May we be among the first to honor you and proclaim the beginning of your glorious reign."
Shaak smiled at them, then commanded. "Rise, all. My ladies, a splendid effort you have given us. Everything looks wonderful."
Ahsoka was a little confused, and she looked at her mother with a blank expression on her face. Shaak caressed Ahsoka's rear lek and stroked it gently. "These four exquisite ladies will be our palace maidens. They will be accompanying us on our royal travels and will be apprentices to us. They are all Force-sensitive and may someday join the Order. Today they earn their distinction by express selection from a Council of Elders on Shili. They are all well-educated in Galactic history, the sciences, affairs of state, and are among the best and brightest our home world has to offer."
Ahsoka's mind was spinning as she glanced at each girl in turn. They appeared to each be no older than twenty years, but it was hard to tell with Togruta as their exotic facial markings and bright lekku and gleaming jewelry concealed much. But there was no mistaking their worthiness. As Ahsoka started scanning them, each of them seemed to welcome her intrusion and returned it through the Force in a most soothing manner. Ahsoka then felt a distinct sensation of bliss. I guess I really am a princess now. I had better be a good one. But the entire scene left her wondering, as she had done quite often before, about what Shaak had been up to most recently. Just relax and enjoy, she told herself.
Maris and Vader watched with rapt attention. Shaak was certainly setting a distinct tone already and her tenure as Galactic sovereign was maybe one day in duration thus far. Soon Shaak had summoned Palpatine's still-unconscious body from the Intrepid and another group of Togruta – a mix of males and females, dressed in less formal work gear of a dark blue hue – came to attend to it, transferring it to a custom-made litter that was taken inside the bright white structure they had landed near. Maris was not sure if this was a different building than the one she had seen on their previous visit, but everything on this new planet seemed to blur together.
The four maidens proceeded to fetch two elegantly appointed speeders, one each for the Empress and the Princess, and once everyone had been seated, these whisked them away for what seemed several kilometres until they arrived at a much grander structure, also in white but with pink and gold highlights and accents. As they entered past the outer gates, a grand courtyard stretched before them and they soon reached the foot of what was clearly the Empress's new palace – at least the one on Avalonia. Vader and Maris had followed behind them in a more utilitarian speeder, but they were also treated with honor, as would seemingly anyone in the company of the Empress.
As they entered the palace, they were struck by its opulence and elegance. On every wall and staircase, gleaming surfaces of gold and pink quartz crystal could be seen. As Shaak and Ahsoka were given a tour, they rode on elegant anti-gravity repulsor chairs and eventually were taken to the top level and shown the apartment area that had been lovingly detailed just for them. Ahsoka thought to herself, this whole place has the distinct touch of Valles Santhe, and she chuckled quietly. The maidens then helped both Shaak and Ahsoka, who entered their fantastic bedroom suites, each with fully stocked closets that reflected the clothing tastes of both of them. Ahsoka immediately found herself wishing that Tri'ku could be there. Malachor sure has changed. Both Shaak and Ahsoka were weary from a very busy few days and it wasn't long before both of them were sleeping soundly, looking forward to what lay ahead, but also very much in the moment – a moment they both felt they had truly earned.
(to be continued …)
