Last time, Tarkin ambushed Chuchi's ship and begun the search for Ahsoka and Barriss. Has our dastardly villain found the fleeing fugitives? I do not own SWTCW, it belongs to George Lucas. Enjoy

For a long moment I stood frozen staring at the painting of Ahsoka Tano. My usually calculating mind unable to process what I was staring at.

It was a trick.

Those words finally hammered home as the soldiers converged and likewise examined the painting.

"Order all troops to withdraw." I muttered, "They are not on this vessel."

I glared at the painting as though it was the cause for this disaster. Doubtless they had predicted my attempt to catch them red-handed and planned for the senator to distract me while they made their escape on another ship.

As I returned to the bridge she stepped out to meet me.

"Goodbye Admiral." Chuchi smiled pleasantly, with a touch of smugness, "I'll be sure to report this to the Senate. I doubt they will be happy that the military has started accusing senators of criminal activities without proof."

I met her eyes and we shared understanding.

I knew she helped them escape.

She knew that I knew.

But I had no proof. If I accused her right now with no evidence I might as well kiss my career goodbye.

"I apologise for the intrusion," I turned to leave, "Captain Rex have your men depart at once."

Determinedly not looking back at her smug expression I instead allowed myself to once again think of the future, a glorious human empire where aliens were subservient to the far superior race.

Now, where are those escapees?

(CARGO FREIGHTER/AHSOKA POV)

Our new Chiss friend, the one who smuggled us onto this ship, fired off a stream of words in several different languages as he pulled the tarp back.

"Basically he says the military intercepted Chuchi." Barriss glanced at me, "We're clear."

I nodded and smiled at the Chiss, "Thank you for your help."

He grinned and pulled the tarp back in place before calling to the other crew members that everything was fine.

"Now we just have to wait until we reach Onderon." I sat back against a crate, "You okay?"

"I'm fine." She stared at me, "But I still can't work out why you are doing all this after I was so horrible to you."

"Because if you hadn't then I would still be a gullible pawn to them. One to be discarded after serving their needs."

She stifled a cough behind her hand, "What are we going to do when we reach Onderon? If Tarkin is hunting us he'll work out your ties to Lux."

"I have a plan." I smiled.

(TARKIN'S CRUISER/POV)

I drummed my fingers on my desk as I waited for a report on any vessels that had left at the same time as the senator. The Chancellor needed agents and I would deliver, even if I had to drag those brats back to Coruscant myself. Personally.

The door opened and Captain Rex entered, he snapped to attention and saluted before handing me the report. As per my instructions all vessels had been scanned for specific statistics, as a fall-back plan.

"Three vessels left at the same time as the senator." Rex summarised, "One transport on its way to Naboo, a cargo freighter taking supplies to Onderon, and a-"

My raised hand cut him off, "A cargo freighter to Onderon? It was not due to depart until this evening."

"There was an urgent appeal from the representative of Onderon and the supplies were dispatched sooner."

"Lux Bonteri." I mused, "You and Miss Tano worked alongside him, what can you tell me about the relationship between them."

Rex thought for a moment, "Close. They were comfortable with each other and were certainly good friends."

"Thank you, that will be all." I dismissed the clone.

Once the door had closed I contacted the bridge, "Set a course for Onderon immediately. And look for this cargo freighter." I sent up the details and specs, "It may be transporting criminals."

"At once Admiral."

Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice... you don't fool me twice.

And that is that.Tarkin is hot on their trail and looking for the win. Now personally I don't know where this story is going. I just write what comes to me and it seems to be working so far. Anyway, there are a number of possible paths that this story is going to take.

Ahsoka and Barriss will elude the determined Admiral Tarkin and survive until after the Clone Wars.

Tarkin will find them... I leave what happens to your imagination

One of them will die

Both of them will die

Etc.

Stay tuned readers. Till next time.