IV. THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM

One word sprang to Ryder's mind as he clumsily bounded about, and clapped along with a multitude of yodeling Wookiees: relief. Evidently, once they had exchanged weapons with their new hosts and proven that they could indeed be trusted, he and Tavora had been welcomed with open arms. The very tribe that he had previously feared would tear him limb from limb had not only accepted the two smugglers, but had seen fit to include them in their festivities. A grand feast had kicked off nearly an hour earlier with the pounding of drums, and the distribution of gorimn wine.

Delicious… and extremely alcoholic.

Now, as they performed what his second–in–command had called the Waita Tar, Ryder could see the Honor Clan not only as a band of fierce warriors, but a group of friends, allies and kinfolk merely embracing the simple pleasures of life while they still could… in a sense, he envied them that.

Illuminated by the ring of fire burning brightly in the middle of the encampment, young and old alike partook in the celebration; trying their best to forget about the constant, ever–present menace that loomed just overhead, and threatened to lay waste to everything they held countless other worlds throughout the galaxy, their planet had been targeted by the Empire. And like countless other species, the Wookiees had been shown no mercy. But they would not allow this to dampen their resolve. Clearly, they had no intention of giving up without a fight.

Freedom. Most wanted it, but few had it.

It took Ryder a moment to catch his breath when a nearby clanmember gave him a spirited slap on the back, and the wind was knocked out of his lungs. Not wishing to show just how fragile humans were compared to the likes of the Kashyyyk natives, he continued to smile and clap his hands together while the female Wookiees proceeded to dance around their male counterparts. The ground almost seemed to quake as the thunderous rumble of drums continued to resound and intermingle with loud, boisterous singing. Tavora had attempted to explain the ritual to him beforehand, but he still hadn't been quite sure what to expect. He had simply been following her lead, as usual. Unfortunately, he had lost her amid the throng of cavorting Wookiees some time ago, and had been forced to improvise ever since.

Once again searching the vicinity for the missing Pantoran, Ryder's gaze eventually settled on a group of clanmembers huddled around their chieftain a short distance away. Legs crossed and tucked beneath her perpendicular frame, she sat among the gathered Wookiees while they ate their night meal. Hoping to avoid drawing attention to himself, Ryder discreetly withdrew from the dancing and made his way toward his crewmate. Noticing his arrival, she gestured for him to join her with a subtle nod. He said nothing as he took a seat on the ground beside her.

"Lowenta was just regaling us with tales of his youth," she spoke up, leaning closer so that her voice could be heard over the commotion. Extending her hand, she then offered Ryder an earthenware bowl before returning her focus to her own dish of Xachibik broth and wasaka berry dessert. "Try that, you'll like it."

Skeptical, Ryder studied the strange meat and wroshyr leaf combination. "What is it?"

"It's a vrortic cocktail," Tavora answered. "Don't worry, there's nothing in it that's going to kill you. Trust me."

Ryder opened his mouth to retort, but stopped himself when he realized that he was being scrutinized by numerous expectant Wookiees. Mustering a weak smile as not to seem ungrateful for their hospitality, he reluctantly scooped up what he considered to be a moderately sized portion of the food.

"More than that," Tavora said, rolling her eyes. "It's soaked in grakkyn nectar for weeks before it's served. Believe it or not, some off–worlders consider it to be a rare delicacy."

Not this off–worlder…

Struggling to contain a grimace as he scooped out a larger portion of the cocktail, Ryder held it up for the onlooking clanmembers to see and rubbed his stomach in an exaggerated show of approval. However, after taking a bite, he was surprised to find that the dish was actually quite good. Even sweet. Grinning, Tavora continued to enjoy her own supper while the Wookiees and their chieftain sat in quiet anticipation.

"Hey, it's not bad," Ryder finally broke the silence.

Most of the Wookiees erupted in delight while Tavora translated for those who didn't understand Basic. "Waag mam ga moo."

It wasn't long before the others joined in the howling and booming laughter. Shaking his head in amusement, Ryder glanced over at his second–in–command while she laughed along with them. He had known her for just under a year, yet she still never ceased to amaze him. To most outsiders, the Shyriiwook dialect sounded like nothing more than a series of animalistic barks, roars, moans and growls that conveyed little more than emotion. But Tavora wasn't like most outsiders… not only did she understand the main trade tongue of the Wookiees, but she had revealed on various occasions in the past that she was also fluent in at least six additional languages.

Very impressive.

Dozens of torches flickering overhead, the smuggler didn't grimace as he took another bite of his dinner.

Ryder could feel a cool, light mist on his face as he stood and admired the magnificent waterfall rushing down before him. Not wishing to show disrespect or interrupt the festivities, he had left the Honor Clan's encampment to contact his disgruntled flight mechanic and inform him of their situation. According to Tavora, tradition demanded that they wait until the night meal had concluded before conducting any business. Once again, she had proven herself an integral part of the team. If not for her vast knowledge and insight, he realized that their dealings with the Wookiees would have been far more difficult, if not impossible.

Staring out at the stream flowing just in front of him, he watched a small, birdlike creature while it hovered over the water and plucked several tiny insects from its shimmering surface. With a flutter of its feathered wings, the avian took to the air and vanished an instant later.

"There you are…"

Turning with a start, Ryder smirked when he spotted Tavora making her way in his direction.

"Did you reach Diggs?" she questioned, stopping beside her captain and joining him as he returned his attention to the sparkling water. "I can only assume he is still sulking."

An accurate assumption.

"I told him to sit tight and await further instructions," Ryder answered, his smirk broadening into a lopsided grin. "And no, he wasn't happy about it."

Arching a brow, Tavora continued to peer straight ahead. "So, what are you doing all the way out here? You shouldn't wander off too far."

"This is my first trip to Kashyyyk," Ryder replied. "Or to any jungle, for that matter. I thought I'd take a look around and do a little exploring of my own."

"Haven't you ever seen a waterfall?" Tavora teased.

"I'm not sure," Ryder said without thinking.

Somehow, he felt as if he had… like he had seen this place at one time, or something very similar. It was a feeling that he couldn't quite explain.

Familiar. Reminiscent.

"You can't remember?" Tavora inquired.

Realizing that he may have divulged too much information, Ryder merely shrugged. "Maybe a long time ago."

Folding her azure arms across her chest, Tavora shot him a skeptical look before turning back to the stream. An impish smile spread across her lips when she glanced over at the waterfall. Taking him by the wrist, she pulled Ryder behind her as she started for a rock formation protruding from the rippling water near its base.

"What are you doing?"

"Come on, I'm going to show you something," was the Pantoran's blunt response. "You wanted to explore, didn't you?"

She didn't release her hold on him until they reached the formation. With an ease and grace that he couldn't help but marvel at, he remained where he was while she leapt out over the water and landed atop the rock.

"You coming?" she asked, sparing a brief glance over her shoulder before turning and jumping through the waterfall.

Taken aback by the abruptness of her action, Ryder knew that his mouth must have been gaping open as he watched her disappear from sight.

"Tavora?" he called out, but received no answer.

I sure hope I know how to swim.

Gathering his wits, he hesitated before following in tow and leaping out onto the rock. Taking a moment to recover his balance, he moved into a crouching position and braced himself. He then jumped through the iridescent torrent of water, but nearly lost his footing on the slick rock when he landed behind it. Luckily, a pair of hands grabbed his tunic and steadied him just as he began to topple over completely.

Drenched from head to toe, Ryder let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks, I owe you one."

"Just one?" Tavora quipped.

Chuckling, Ryder took in his new surroundings. Resting behind the waterfall, he found himself standing in a dark alcove just large enough to accommodate both he and his mischievous companion. It wasn't until he caught his first glimpse of the cascading water from behind that he understood why exactly she had led him there. Pouring down from above, it shone with a brilliant green and blue; the stars and moonlight creating an almost otherworldly luster. From their vantage point, the mist swirling through the air reminded him of thousands of glowbugs drifting to and fro.

Truly a sight to behold.

"It's incredible…" he trailed off; losing himself in the depths of the translucent light in its pure splendor.

"There's nothing else like it," Tavora agreed.

The natural display was undoubtedly the most spectacular sight he had ever laid eyes on. That was, until he turned back to the radiant figure standing beside him just in time to catch her loosening her usual messy ponytail. His breath was taken away as her long, lilac–colored hair spilled over her shoulders, and fell down to frame her face. If he hadn't been gaping before, Ryder was sure that he was now.

Beautiful. Like an angel…

Unaware of his lingering gaze, she delicately ran her slender fingers through her wet, disheveled locks. "Well, not such a scary place after all, is it?"

Ryder suddenly found it difficult to speak. Puzzled, Tavora looked over at him when he gave no reply. She halted her movement after he acted on an impulse, and lifted a hand to gingerly wipe a stray strand of hair from her cheek. Slightly faltering, his confidence began to waver until, at last, he felt her lean into his touch. The reaction gave him all the encouragement he needed…

Maybe it was the Cortyg brandy that he had ingested, or whatever had been in the ceremonial pipe that the Wookiee elders had insisted they share, but he quickly discovered that he was feeling much bolder and more adventurous than normal. Or perhaps, that was simply what he chose to tell himself.

Slowly, he closed the distance that separated them until they stood only a few inches apart. He could feel the warmth of her breath as his lips brushed against hers, and there were no longer any barriers between them. Replaying their first kiss back on Coruscant over and over in his head, he wondered if the second would be like he imagined. There had been a tenderness in his crewmate that night… a tenderness that he had never before seen in her.

Wincing, Ryder couldn't hide his frustration and disappointment when his commlink unexpectedly chimed. He frowned as Tavora sobered and motioned toward the metallic device.

"You should probably get that," she said, softly.

I'm going to kill him.

With a labored sigh, he grudgingly retrieved the commlink. "What do you want, Diggs? I'm a little busy."

"Not as busy as you're gonna be in a few minutes," the mechanic's distorted voice responded. "We've got some incoming company, boss. Two ships, maybe three. Imperial by the looks of 'em."

Ryder blanched. "How long do we have?"

2 Days Later…

The smuggled stood in stunned silence as his captor pulled back her hood and finally revealed herself. His eyes grew wide when he saw her smooth sienna skin, and the striking lekku that had previously been concealed beneath her heavy cloak.

Togruta.

It was obvious to Ryder the moment he saw his visitor's face that she was not aligned with the Imperialists, or their oppressive regime. The Empire had always emphasized human, and to a lesser extent, humanoid supremacy. As a result of its bigotry, 'non–humans' were not permitted to enlist in its army, and were seldom appointed positions of great power or authority. This, coupled with the fact that he had not yet been subjected to the typical intimidation tactics and methods of torture that had given the barbaric government its infamous reputation, made him wonder what had truly transpired back on Kashyyyk after his fall.

"You're not with the Empire, are you?" he deduced.

The Togruta woman nodded. "No, I'm not…"

"The Rebellion?" Ryder wondered aloud.

"Not exactly," she answered.

Standing firm, Ryder continued to glare at her. "Where am I? What happened to my crew?"

"You're on a planet called Shili," the woman replied, her tone calm and even. "I'm sorry, but I don't know what happened to your crew. It was only by chance that we found you when we did."

"I don't know what you want from me, but you can't keep me locked up forever," Ryder retorted. "Sooner or later, you'll either have to kill me or let me go."

"We have no intention of harming you," the Togruta assured him. "And you're right… we can't hold you here forever. You're free to leave whenever you'd like."

Ryder watched in stunned silence a second time when the woman stepped aside, and presented him with a clear path to the cell's only exit. The durasteel door was open, taunting him to dash through it, but something about the mysterious Togruta held him back. He wanted nothing more than to run as fast as he could; to flee her company and make his escape, find his way back to his ship. But his legs wouldn't comply. And so, he stood there, transfixed and unmoving. She knew something, some secret, that he didn't.

Something important.

Already, Ryder had told her more about his past than he had told any other living soul. Why he had opened up to her, he wasn't sure. For some reason, he knew that she could be trusted. At least, he thought she could. It was another feeling that he couldn't explain, but he had followed his instincts and survived enough scrapes because of them to know that they didn't steer him wrong often.

"Who are you?" he questioned.

"A friend," the woman replied. "Somebody that can help you."

Ryder took a cautious step forward. "What makes you think I need help?"

"It must be difficult… living your life without knowing who you are," came the woman's disconcerting response. Her words then became gentle, oddly soothing. "What if I told you there was a way to get your memories back? What if I told you that we can help you remember?"

"You've imprisoned and interrogated me," Ryder snapped while he suspiciously narrowed his eyes and took another step forward. "I don't even know your name. Why should I believe anything you say?"

The enigmatic Togruta exhaled before speaking again. "You're right. How can I expect you to take a leap of faith if I am not willing to do so myself?"

There was a long pause.

"My name is Ahsoka Tano."

Author's Note:

Sorry for the delay, but I had some technical issues with the update. Hopefully, this chapter turned out okay and was worth the wait. As always, your reviews are much appreciated and I own nothing (apart from a few OC's)!

~ThoseWereTheDays

P.S. In Wookieespeak, 'waag mam ga moo' means 'the food is good'. Just a bit of trivia for you Wookiee lovers out there…