TBB - TCW - Andor - Our fates intertwined - The Axis and the Fulcrum (Luthen Rael/Ahsoka Tano)
By Gun Roswell
Preface
Not so long ago
Setting up shop
Axis, meet Fulcrum!
Preface
Set somewhere in the Star Wars the Bad Batch and the Clone Wars galaxy of things with a hint of Andor in it. (A Multiverse of Star Wars Fan Fiction by Yours Truly)
Luthen Rael, the Axis. The one small size grinding pebble in the very large boot of the Empire's.
Ahsoka Tano, a Non-Jedi now. Unsure of herself, her place in the galaxy. Her very future after Order 66.
Their fates had touched during the good old times. And now, those fates had led the two on a path about to cross once again.
This is a glimpse into the politics of things, of the kindlings of the rebellion during the Empire/Rebellion era.
Part of the Axis and the Fulcrum (Tales of Andor) series.
The storyline has a tie-in to the Clone Uprising series.
(Cast: Ahsoka, Luthen Rael, Mon Mothma, Riyo Chuchi, Bail Organa, Senators and the Senate, Palpatine)
Notes:
This is a companion storyline to the Clone Uprising. It doesn't have to be read to understand the plot of the main story. Still, I suggest you read the two side by side to get the full effect.
Not so long ago
'Sometimes, straying from one's path might just be good for the soul. Even if it hurts at first.'
"Why did you do it?"
Luthen, for whatever reason had come to see the prisoner held in the cell before her trial and sentencing was to take place. Death. It was the Jedi code after all. One simple punishment for such a horrid crime.
But even if Luthen had been the one to bring her in, having seen all the evidence stacked against her. As seemingly there being no doubt whatsoever that this Padawan was indeed guilty of the heinous act of bombing the Jedi Temple.
Having even sided with a known Sith, Asajj Ventress. And rather openly at that hadn't she!
So, why was Luthen there now? What could have been a possible reason could Luthen, a Temple Guard, have in visiting this… monster?
The Padawan did not look up. Simply sitting there with her knees bent as if meditating. But Luthen could sense she was not. She was simply existing in the moment. Her mind, empty.
Luthen stood there for a long moment debating on whether to leave or not. After all, this was all out of his hands at this point in time. He had done his bit and it was up to the Jedi Council to sentence the Padawan.
So why did he not budge? Simply standing there, glaring at the young woman in front of her. There was something clearly bothering Luthen in all of this, the notion blurry at best. But it was still there. That inkling of a thing there was more there than met the eye.
A spell, then few passed. The silence inside the darkened cell continued.
Until.
"What do you want?" Ahsoka finally spoke, her tone having a hint of defeat in it.
Luthen sighed. "I am here to…" Why was he there. Really? "…help you."
Was he? He could not be sure. But something, in the Force, had compelled Luthen to come there. To talk to Ahsoka. To find out what there was to find out. Whatever it just might be. As he was certain there was something there to figure out.
Ahsoka seemed to contemplate the words for a moment. At least that was what Luthen was sensing form her even if her mind was mostly closed to him.
But.
"Why would you care what happens to me?" There was so much defiance in her words now.
Luthen sensed the shift in the Padawan. Her becoming more sure of herself than she had been when Luthen had entered the cell.
And then, Ahsoka got up and stepped closer to the dividing red wall between them. Standing there with an unreadable glare in her eyes. No, Luthen could read it. Clearly. Defiance.
"Because…" Why would Luthen help her? He had been the one so sure of Ahsoka's guilt having been the one arresting her. Well, per given orders. But surely the Jedi Council was in the right?
Ahsoka stepped even closer. Standing a hair away from the ray shield. Her gaze burning Luthen's skin. If this was a scare tactic then she was really good at it. Luthen, despite his current position in the Jedi Order was far from being as strong as he could have been. His powers only beginning to reach their full potential. And he had seen how this, Padawan had been fighting against her would be captors. Having heard the stories and read plenty of files on her and her Master as well.
But, there was something inside of Luthen which made him question whether the orders had been right after all. Whether there was something they had overlooked. And so, he was here. Trying to find out what it was nagging him in this supposedly clear cut case.
"Yes?" Ahsoka was still waiting for the answer. Some of her impatience felt by Luthen. Her guard relenting somewhat.
"There is something, about the incident which bothers me." Luthen had read the reports over several times by now. And the nagging feeling had remained even if it all seemed to be on the level.
Ahsoka glared at him with those eyes. Those big big eyes on him. Judging him. But if she was the guilty party then why did Luthen feel like the one under scrutiny? Shouldn't it have been the other way around?
"Maybe, it is because I am not guilty."
Luthen seemed rather shocked to hear the words out loud from the suspects mouth no less.
Sure, it was in the report as well. Just when the Padawan had fought the troopers trying to assure them she had not done the deed she was accused of. But hearing them now for himself? Seeing the determination in Ahsoka's eyes. It all hit Luthen like a ton of bricks.
"The evidence…" Luthen tried to make some sense of it all finally.
"The evidence, is wrong." Ashoka cut Luthen off before he could continue. "I was framed."
And so, there were those words again. Spoken out lout. By Ahsoka.
Luthen felt it now. Felt her through the Force.
Either Ahsoka was really good in twisting the Force for her own purposes which was highly unlikely. Or then she had simply convinced herself of her innocence and believed it so strongly it felt like she was in earnest with her statement.
But, there was more than that present there. And Luthen had become more and more sure, not because of the words exchanged between them as there had been only a few. But the overall feeling, the connection through the Force he could feel that Ashoka wasn't lying.
That was why Luthen had come there. To listen to the words unspoken. To feel the Padawan's true self rather than hear her pleading her case in front of her accusers.
"I believe you." Luthen was finally sure Ahsoka was telling the truth.
The reason for him coming to the cell in the first place. The simple fact that this Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, was telling the truth.
Now the only thing remaining was for Luthen to figure out whom the real culprit was and find the evidence to support the suspicions. But Luthen needed help and he also knew exactly where to find it.
"I will help you." Luthen told Ahsoka then.
And with those words, Luthen left the rather confused looking Padawan in her cell. Because time was of the essence and Luthen needed to act quickly, to be able to help Ashoka escape her fate.
Setting up shop
'The Empire might be all high and mighty. But sometimes, it only takes a courageous few to make the change happen. Sometimes.'
"There is someone I would like you to meet my dear." Mon was being vague on purpose all fake smiles.
And well then again, these days one needed to be really careful in their dealings even if it was with someone familiar. Acting as she was there to arrange something personal for her dear friend and in a manner of speaking she was.
"Why Mon, I didn't realise you were running a dating service now." The shopkeeper, Luthen stated playfully to Mon, her having stepped into his den of antiques on this fine day.
At least it was today. As Luthen having finally gotten some good news from one of his contacts in the Senate. Contacts he had accumulated plenty of since al of this had started. The silent war against the empire. Because having friends in all the right places was a must. "I hope they are gorgeous." Luthen stated in his rather flamboyant way, his smile filled overacting for the benefit of the several patrons currently occupying the space. Business was booming after all and for whatever reason and Luthen could not have been happier. His transformation from Temple Guard he had been to this role. The shopkeep. The undercover agent he now was. None of it having been an easy. Fast though, that much was sure. But Luthen was nothing if not adaptable. Having been always able to land on his feet no matter the situation he had found himself in. And the cost? Well, that was a whole other matter. But here Luthen was, prepped and ready to serve the Cause.
"But of course Luthen dear. You know how much I hate for you to be all alone. So, I thought they would be most perfect for you." Mon smiled gingerly supposedly emerged in their private conversation and yet keeping a keen eye on her surroundings at all times. These were trying times and one could never be too careful as to whom was around and listening in to any conversation.
"Well then. Guess I have little if no option in accepting your proposal." Luthen looked like he was totally enthralled by his friends setup. For any of the patrons there having possibly been listening in to the conversation either out of curiosity or some more sinister reason… Well, it simply looked like a friend had just set up their best friend on a date with someone they thought would cheer said friend up. And if Luthen looked anything but the part he was playing right now? Well it was a money back guarantee for the audiences. And today that was not going to happen! Luthen was fully submerged in the role.
"So, you're free tomorrow evening then?" Mon needed to setup the meeting as soon as possible with news from both Riyo Chuchi and Bail Organa having not been encouraging at all. Mon having been on a leave of absence for a few weeks due to personal matters during which tie the Senate had had the vote on the Defence Recruitment Bill and it having gone through. Which had been the Emperor basically stating it as a fact without any notable objections. Meaning the clones were in trouble. And so, their small rebellion having gotten a little bit more difficult in the wake of it as well.
Luthen knew his schedule by heart of course. There wasn't much else at the moment filling his life beside the shop during the days with his night activities with the time spent running undercover ops for the Cause. Mostly in Coruscant while trying to rally up supporters from wherever he could. The secret meetings with those willing held in the late hours of the night in the shadows where no one else dared to thread. It was a good cover for sure. Hitting the streets like a common working person. But with a slightly different agenda for his patrons.
"Please, give me a moment if you will my dear. I need to check my calendar. " Luthen waved Mon over to the counter where he could speak a tad more freely.
Mon followed Luthen as they two of them then supposedly huddled over the calendar to hammer down the details for said date.
"So, you care to tell me more about this mystery contact of yours then?" Luthen spoke in hushed tones his grin never leaving his face as did his eyes never leave the floor to the shop making sure nobody was paying too much attention to them.
"All I can say is, that they are very important for the matter at hand."
Luthen glanced at Mon while still pretending to talk about the calendar. The date. The well choreographed ballet the two of them were moving along with at the very moment was perfection for any onlooker. The two of them having honed this down to the minute details, the practice already having started way before the Empire had been established. As the signs of trouble having been all out there written for those to read, for those with their eyes open to see. And Luthen and Mon surely had both read and seen.
"So, you're not going to give me a name?" Luthen already knew the answer to his query. They needed to keep things secret to the last detail. The intel shared on a need to know bases only. As for now it was their only way of survival keeping themselves and others around them safe. Maybe it would change at some point. But for now, this was the way.
"You know how we operate. You will find soon enough if you keep the appointment." Mon let out a small laugh for the show.
Luthen joined her. A hardy chuckle reverberating from somewhere deep down inside of him.
"Alrighty then. Tomorrow evening. I will send you the coordinates in the afternoon. I have to make sure the place is safe first. One can never be to sure." Luthen alternated the meeting places every single day. Taking a good look-see before even considering getting his contacts to any point where they would become too exposed. The Empire had eyes and ears everywhere. Even in the shadows.
Luthen laughed again and Mon joined in. Swatting the shopkeep playfully. Playing their parts like being on some fine orchestrated stage show. Which this was for sure. The whole galaxy becoming part of some dramatic holo novel while sometimes turning up the odd laugh.
None of the others present there the wiser though what the two were planning. And so, they were safe for now. The meeting having been agreed.
Axis, meet Fulcrum!
'Aiding and abetting? Guess some might call it that. Except this, is the Rebellion. So all bets are off!'
Luthen was in place. The dark alley somewhat familiar to him having observed the place for the better part of the afternoon. And so, the location sent to Mon, Luthen was only waiting for his contact to show up.
Luthen glanced from one end to the other. Having a perfect view to either end. His escape route also planned. Two options. Always, two options. Alas for now there was no one there. Not even a wild tooka insight.
As the clock ticked by there was still no sign of whomever it was he was supposed to meet and Luthen was beginning to get somewhat worried. He decided to give it another few and then leave if the contact was a no show.
It was then when he heard the soft sound. Like wings flapping as the air around him changed with the cool gust hitting his face.
Luthen glanced around and that was when he saw it. A hooded figure standing close by. The silhouette painted dark against the few dim lit streetlights.
His contact, had arrived.
The figure stepped closer. The person hidden under the cloak coming to view. But before Luthen could speak his contact spoke first.
"You!" Ahsoka's face in view, clearly dropped seeing the person she had least excepted for Mon to set her up with. "What, are you doing here?"
"Well, it's good to see you too Ahsoka Tano. It's been a while." Luthen harrumphed amused. Having seen the feisty Jedi a few years back and here she was. Having grown more annoying and feisty if even possible?
"So, you're the one Mon said could do us good?" Ahsoka walked around Luthen before settling in front of him. It was a scare tactic for sure. Alas Luthen was hardly fazed by such things.
"Good? I am already doing great." Luthen was giving it back as good as he was getting. After all, he was a key player in their small rebellion fraction even if they had only begun to organise some time ago. But it had been long time in the planning and he had been part of it ever since the beginning. Having seen the dark clouds in the horizon way before others. Or rather having felt them even before Order 66.
Ahsoka squinted her eyes threateningly. Assessing Luthen for a moment before speaking again.
"I can't feel you." She simply stated.
"Neither can I you." Luthen had a soft smile on his face. They both knew what it meant of course. The Force. Lost to them both now. By choice.
"So we should be good." Ahsoka had been one of the lucky few as had Luthen. The Jedi, the Force wielders having survived the Order. And the only way they could keeping living was to hide themselves. To disconnect from the Force.
"We are." Luthen could not be sure of course. None of them ever could be. But if they weren't wielding the Force the Sith, the Inquisitors, the Emperor. Any of them could not detect them.
A spell in silence passed between them.
"So, guess I should trust you then?"
"You did once. I did not fail you then either." Luthen assured Ahsoka.
"No. No you did not." Ahsoka was reminded of the one true ally she had had when all others, those closest to her had failed her.
But Luthen had come through for her during that time even if they had been perfect strangers. And so, feeling she at least owed the former Temple Guard the option of listen to his proposal.
"Well then. You are aware of the new legislation the Emperor approved." It wasn't really a question as Luthen knew Mon would have updated Ahsoka on what had happened and what needed to be done.
"I am." Ahsoka looked sad all of a sudden, her voice failing her and her gaze falling.
This was after all hitting too close to home. The clones she had once called her allies, her friends even. Were all now in grave danger. And none of them deserved the fate the Empire had decided to bestow upon them.
"So, you are in agreement on what needs to be done?" Luthen was probing just a tad. But he was sure if Ahsoka wasn't quite up to par of Mon, Bail and Riyo's plans then she would surely have her own opinions on what needed to be done. Or then she would not have even have shown up.
"I am." Ahsoka looked up and at Luthen. "We need to save them at all costs."
"Wow! Hold on sister!" Luthen raised his hands seeing the fire in Ahsoka's eyes. Knowing what it meant exactly having seen it before there. The ex-Jedi ready to raise hell! "Not so fast!" Luthen tried to roll back a bit.
Ahsoka leaned in just then, her eyes on Luthen's. Ready to lay out the law for the other former Jedi. "We both know what the Empire will do to them. There is no choice for us other than to push through."
Luthen had to back up a little as the force, without the Force even used coming from Ahsoka was powerful for sure.
There was a stand still just then. Taken in a silent nonmoving battle as neither party was backing up. Neither's eyes faltering the other's glare.
"Fine, fine!" Luthen finally threw his arms in the air in surrender. "I will do what I can. Gather as much intel as possible." Luthen had yielded under Ahsoka's pressure not that she was wrong either if Luthen really thought about it. "I understand you have some contacts who can help as well." It wasn't a question really.
"I do. They will be here when I call them." Ahsoka assured Luthen.
"Good. Then guess our business has concluded." Luthen was only too happy they had managed to get on the same page.
As despite his earlier hesitation for this particular ops. Not to mention seeing Ashoka being part of it as well. Luthen was still willing to fight the good fight just the same.
Before Luthen could say anything further Ahsoka was already gone.
"Well, guess we'll set up another meeting. Soon then." Luthen mumbled under his breath and made his own exit.