Bounty hunter on Kashyyyk!, using his militia spies to gather intelligence on the wookiee home world Jedi Master Rahm Kota discovered multiple assassination attempts on members of Kashyyyk's royal families. After putting padawans Barriss Offee and Ahsoka Tano in charge of the investigation master Kota gives the love struck Jedi one final chance to prove themselves. Complete the mission and both earn their chance at the trials, fail the mission, both are banished from the Jedi order.

Chapter 19: A Quest For Love

Kashyyyk, capital city

Barriss had to fight her jaw from dropping as she stepped off the metal loading ramp and onto a large docking bay, the docking bay itself was pretty standard with the AT-TE's taking up almost all of the long metal walkway. But it was the sight beyond that stopped the padawan in her tracks. It was with a sudden unease at their height that she realized the entire bay they now stood on was compromised of only a single branch of a giant tree that sprang forth ahead of them. Looking upwards the tree easily spread several kilometers in the sky, blocking most of the sunlight from the area around her.

Before she could gasp at the sight in front of her Ahsoka apparently noticed the look on her face, with a slight smile the young Togruta used her grip on Barriss' hand to turn her towards the edge of the docking bay. The gasp finally escaping her Barriss looked over Kashyyyk's landscape, dozens of trees exactly like the one she stood on towered from the planets base, each completely filled with hundreds of wooden buildings jutting out from their exterior. "Wroshyr trees, most of the planet is covered with them" Ahsoka waved her arm around them "each is basically it's own city".

Fighting against the tug at her gut Barriss chanced a look down below, what looked like miles of nothing but air eventually led to a lush forest spanning the entirety of her view "I can barely see the forest below".

Ahsoka followed her friends gaze with a slight nod "more of a swampland than a forest, but yeah it's quite a drop down".

Barriss let her hood fall to her shoulders as a strong gust of wind blew a few loose bangs against her face, running a hand through her hair she instantly raised an eyebrow "my hair feels like it's brushed, I didn't brush it". Letting go of her hand Ahsoka started down the docking bay at a brisk pace as Barriss continued to shake her head "I know I didn't brush it". Taking a few quick strides to catch up with her friend she shot Ahsoka a weird look "did you brush my hair?".

Ahsoka turned from her friends gaze "I woke a few hours before you, there's surprisingly little to do on a Jedi flagship". Barriss opened her mouth to mention that given they were in charge of said ship there was in reality hundreds of things to do but decided it better to let the matter drop. Exiting the docking bay they quickly made their way to a large circular structure jutting out from the tree, a holo-projector sat in the middle of the wooden circle surrounded by several wookiee warriors. The wookiee she recognized as Chewbacca moved from the side of the projector and let out a slight roar in Ahsoka's direction.

Barriss led master Kota to stand by the holo-projector as Ahsoka embraced the wookiee in a short hug, one that lifted the young Togruta from her feet "ugh!, it's...good to see you too Chewie". With another roar Chewbacca set Ahsoka back down "I'd like you to meet fellow Jedi Barriss Offee and Rahm Kota, Barriss is...".

Holding back an awkward laugh Barriss took a few steps closer to Chewbacca "uh perhaps an explanation best saved for later, a pleasure to meet you Chewbacca" sharing a short bow with the wookiee warrior she took her place back in front of the holo-projector.

Clearing her throat turned all heads towards Ahsoka, the young Togruta moved proudly beside Barriss before speaking, raising her voice for all to hear "alright people lives are at stake here, what have we got?". Chewbacca stepped to the side along with his fellow warriors as a wookiee almost double their size moved forward, designated by his thick armor and headgear as the general of the group the wookiee hit a button on the holo-projector as he began a series of deep growls.

Switching her gaze downward Barriss studied the hologram, depicting a large home built into the very top of a wroshyr tree as the wookiee general continued his explanation. Seeing an obvious blank look from master Kota she began to translate "apparently the royal family were training their youngest in the woods outside their home when a strange rustle sent all but the father back into the hut. The father went off into the woods in search of what he thought would be a simple bantha, instead he found nothing. On his way back he came under repeated blaster fire from an unknown source, he was hit several times in his legs and arms but managed to make it back to his hut".

As Barriss stopped to take a breath Ahsoka continued the translation "since that incident several events almost identical to this one have taken place all over Kashyyyk, each injuring one or two members of every royal family but so far no deaths have been reported".

Both Ahsoka and the wookiee general stopped talking at the exact same moment, giving Kota a moment to step forward. The Jedi Master leaned against the holo-projector as his gaze studied the hologram extensively "it obvious now this bounty hunter was hired only to scare the royal families, but we still have no idea who he is or where they hide in between these attacks".

At the last of Kota's words Chewbacca stepped into the conversation, nodding slightly to tell Barriss to translate his words "there was a report a few days ago, a pack of children were playing down by the shore when they saw a strange ship fly into the swampland, deep into the swampland".

Kota nodded in Chewie's direction "so this bounty hunter is no doubt hiding out in the lower levels, this complicates things".

Barriss raised an eyebrow "why's that?".

"Kashyyyk's ecology exist on seven levels" Ahsoka answered "the one we're on now is the seventh, the others start as you enter the swamplands. The problem is they get increasingly dangerous as you descend, even the wookiee's most proud warriors won't go into the bottom levels".

Barriss easily committed all she had just learned to memory before turning towards the wookie general "if this bounty hunter is hiding in the lower levels we must find him before he decides to strike again, we'll need someone to guide us through the levels". The wookiee general looked to the squadron of warriors standing behind him, each warrior either took a few steps back or shook their heads defiantly. The wookiee general let out a rage filled howl, something involving useless teddy bears Barriss felt didn't warrant translating, but still no one stepped forward.

Looking at the otherwise proud warriors with a mix of fear and confusion Barriss found her gaze finally shift to Chewbacca as the wookiee moved forward and howled proudly to Ahsoka. Ahsoka smiled as she shook Chewie's hand "I knew you wouldn't let me down Chewie" turning to master Kota Ahsoka explained "Chewbacca's gonna do his best to guide me and Barriss through the lower levels".

Kota bowed to the young Togruta "excellent Commander, and your orders for me and the crew?".

Barriss stole a glance back towards the docked Eclipse before answering "the militia are to stay here and provide assistance where needed, I want you to visit the last royal family to be attacked and get a more detailed description of what happened".

Ahsoka nodded "you'll need someone to translate, can anyone in your militia understand the wookiee dialect?".

Kota took a moment to think "yes, yes I believe captain Ace can, with your permission we'll depart immediately Commander".

As they headed back towards the crowded docking bay Ahsoka took off at a run up the metal ramp leading into Kota's flagship "I'll get the transport necessary to get us to the shore, you two wait here".

Barriss watched Ahsoka's form disappear into the ship before leading Chewbacca to the edge of the docking bay, both stepping around the large circle of silent AT-TE's that had formed on Ahsoka's command. Taking a few deep breaths of Kashyyyk's fresh air Barriss finally turned towards her new friend "so Chewbacca, about what Ahsoka started to say before. Do you have anyone...special in your life?".

Looking down to match her gaze Chewbacca let out a series of low growls "a wife, ya know I've never seen a female wookiee before. Anyway Ahsoka is like that but for me, I mean we're not married but...". Barriss felt the wind ripped from her lungs as Chewbacca lifted her from her feet, wrapping two furry arms around her body as he growled happily "whoa!, well thank you Chewbacca but...ugh!...you're sort of crushing me!".

With one last roar Chewbacca set the girl back on her feet, Barriss took a moment to regain her composure before bowing to her friend "I'm glad you approve Chewbacca, Ahsoka speaks very highly of you. But to answer your question I'd have to check the archives but I'm pretty certain children will be impossible". Another light growl forced a small laugh from Barriss "yeah, something like that".

The sound of a small rocket engine roaring to life caused both Barriss and Chewbacca to turned back towards the Eclipse as two brown speeder bikes bellowed out of the loading ramp, each leaving a thin trail of dust behind them as they stopped just short of the docking bay. Watching Ahsoka hop of the nearest bike Barriss stretched her arm out just time to catch a pair of black goggles as they were thrown to her. "I think we're short a speeder".

"Kota only had two" Ahsoka explained "you're riding with me". After giving Chewbacca a silent nod to take the speeder behind them the young Togruta pulled her goggles back onto her face and hopped on the speeder beside her. "Hop on sweetie".

Barriss felt a smile tug at her lips as she strapped on her own goggles and slid on the back of the speeder "I knew that would catch on". Wrapping both arms around Ahsoka's waist Barriss felt the engine roar to life under her legs, the strong motion sending a slight vibration through her body.

With a twist of Ahsoka's wrist the speeder took off down the docking bay, leaving the metallic structure behind in a matter of seconds as they roared by a number of huts in their way down the many wooden walkways. Being careful to keep her mouth closed as the wind whipped against her face Barriss took one hand off her friends waist long enough to wave to a pack of wookiee children playing at the side of the walkway.

After chancing a quick look back she lightly tapped the shoulder in front of her "Ahsoka not that I don't trust your judgment but shouldn't Chewbacca being leading?".

"Please, I know exactly where I'm going" throwing her entire body into a sharp right turn Ahsoka doubled their speed as they traveled down a short platform "I'd tighten your grip".

Barriss glanced over her friends shoulder, the wooden platform they were currently speeding across not only came to rather unsafe end just a few feet ahead but their current speed and the glaze in Ahsoka's eyes told her they wouldn't be slowing down anytime now. "Ahsoka I'd much more comfortable jumping down, this is no time for unnecessary risks".

Ahsoka squinted her eyes as she focused ahead "you haven't been Skyguys padawan long enough, we'll be fine".

"I'm afraid you might have been his padawan for too long" taking her friends advice Barriss wrapped her arms tight around Ahsoka's waist and fought her instinct to close her eyes. With one last rev of the engine Ahsoka plunged the speeder off the walkway and into the air, for a few seconds time seemed to slow as Barriss finally realized her friends plan 'okay, this could be fun'.

Docking bay of the Eclipse

Master Kota watched with what he liked to call patient anticipation as captain Ace finally stepped inside the shuttle of the T-6, although he was wearing the same mix of a dark blue militia uniform and thin metal armor the captains deep green eyes and thin brown hair easily set him apart from any other captain on the ship. Waiting until Ace took his place in the co-pilots chair Kota began to prep the ship "tell me captain, exactly how much of the wookiee dialect do you know?".

Ace took a moment to think as he messed with the controls in front of him "I took a brief semester class my last year of college sir".

"Well this should prove interesting" Kota half joked "lets hope Barriss and Ahsoka have an easier time with their mission". After finally gripping the ships controls master Kota slowly brought the T-6 into the air, expertly piloting the ship out of the Eclipse's docking bay and into the cool evening air of Kashyyyk's capital. As the ship made it's way straight up the giant wroshyr tree that encased it's entire view port Kota turned to the captain at his side "I know there's something you want to say Ace, out with it soldier".

Ace hesitated for a moment as he rubbed his head nervously "it's nothing serious sir...but, on our way to Kashyyyk I did some research on our new Commanders. I'd never question your command sir but are you sure putting two young girls in charge of the entire crew is a good idea?".

"Age doesn't always bring wisdom captain, sometimes a young mindset is precisely what the Jedi lack. That being said I have the utmost trust in both girls skills, both Barriss and Ahsoka know how much is riding on them completing this mission". With the last of his words Kota pulled back on the ships controls, narrowly avoiding a large branch as the T-6 punched through to the wroshyr trees top. The trees top easily bested anything the Jedi master had seen of the wookiee planet to date, branches wide enough to land a cruiser on spread off in every direction while leaves off all shapes and sizes covered the entire top in a thick canopy, giving the top of the tree the illusion of housing its own personal forest. Kota's trained eyes easily spotted the small wooden hut in the very middle of the canopy "there, looks like these branches can support the ships weight".

Working in a silent unison both captain Ace and master Kota brought the T-6 to rest directly beside the wookiee's hut, once docked Kota stood from his seat "be on your guard captain, I've got a bad feeling about this".

Following the Jedi master down the ships ramp and into the blistering sun as they made their down the long branch that served as a walkway captain Ace pulled the blaster rifle from his back, giving the weapon a quick check over before strapping it back in its place "you always do sir".

Barriss held her breath as Ahsoka's speeder bike all but slammed into the bark of the wroshyr tree, only allowing herself a breath when another turn of Ahsoka's wrist steadied the speeder and sent it accelerating down the side of the giant tree at a slant. Fighting the bile in her throat back down Barriss chanced a look behind as Chewbacca perfectly copied their action, the wookiee gave his speeder a quick rev forward and feel back in line behind them. "Next time could you at least tell me what your doing before we go air born?".

Ahsoka kept her gaze straight ahead as they neared the base of the tree, aiming for a root that gave way to a sandy white beach the young Togruta bit down on her bottom lip. The speeder hit the beach softer than either had expected, sending only a small cluster of sand into the air as Ahsoka brought the speeder to a stop. Smiling mainly to herself Ahsoka stepped off the speeder as Chewbacca pulled up beside her "you were right Chewie, that was fun".

Simply shaking her head at her friends Barriss slipped the goggles off her face and hopped off the speeder "your both painfully insane, it would have been easier and faster to fly down in a ship. Not to mention...". A small chill forcing her sentence short Barriss looked down to her boots, the white sand beneath her feet was growing increasingly soggy as the waves behind them lapped upon one another. "The tides coming in, we should probably get moving while there's still some daylight to light the way".

After a soft roar from Chewbacca Ahsoka nodded to the wookiee "good idea, Barriss could you give me a hand?". Rather than wait for a reply the young Togruta raised both her hands towards the speeders setting a few feet away, letting out a few loud grunts as both speeders lifted into the air and slowly started moving to the closest root of the wroshyr tree. Sensing her friends discomfort Barriss raised her hands to help, focusing intently on the speeders as she worked with Ahsoka to set them gently on the root that rose several feet above the beach. Sharing a silent nod with her friend Barriss turned her gaze towards the start of the swamplands.

More of a sudden maze of trees than an actual entrance both Barriss and Ahsoka pulled their main saber from their side, igniting the blue and green blades as the fell in line behind the wookiee in front of them. Reaching around his shoulder Chewbacca pulled his bowcaster from his back, quickly checking the weapon before taking the first step inside the swamplands. Almost instantly all three found the sunlight ripped from their view as the trees towering above them plunged them into darkness, even squinting Barriss found it impossible to see anything farther than a foot in front of her.

They walked for what felt like hours in an endless sea of black before a soft roar from Chewbacca stopped all three in their tracks. Putting a hand on the wookiee's shoulder Ahsoka squinted at the mess of tree's around them "what is it Chewie?". Another roar caused the young Togruta to shake her head "are you sure?, I don't sense anything".

Stepping around the wookiee warrior Barriss pulled her second paired saber from her waist, using both blue blades to light the small path ahead, nothing but darkness met her gaze "you're letting your feelings get the better of you Chewbacca, try and relax". Taking a single step forward Barriss felt a small puddle of water soak into her boot "I think there's a swamp ahead, we should probably check the surrounding area before venturing any deeper".

"Navigating this forest is gonna be difficult" Ahsoka stated "we can't risk getting split apart once we leave the trail".

Deactivating both her sabers Barriss clipped the weapons back to her side "you'll have to lead Ahsoka, you have the best eyesight out of the three of us".

Ahsoka nodded, moving her green saber in front of her as she took Barriss' hand "whatever happens do not let go". Meeting the Togruta's eyes through the darkness Barriss nodded while moving her free hand back to Chewbacca and taking his furry hand in her own. Chewbacca kept his bowcaster at the ready, aimed directly behind them as Ahsoka took the first step off the path that had guided them this far. As slow as they had moved on the path it was doubly so as all three walked hand in hand through the deepest parts of the swampland, tripping over vines and small stones with almost every step Ahsoka let loose a few obscenities as they finally took a moment to rest.

With her only Togruta instincts to rely on Ahsoka led all three to a large boulder and sat down with her friends "this is crazy, you'd have to be insane to camp out down here".

Completely ignoring Ahsoka's words Barriss found herself transfixed, a single blue dot that looked to be miles away in the darkness sparked in and out before disappearing entirely "in that case I think I found our nutcase, there's something up ahead". As Barriss tried to stand she was pulled back down by Chewbacca's strong grip "ow!, Chewbacca what's the problem?". A small whimper from the wookiee warrior sent her heart racing "a giant weaver, how close?". At the last of her words the area around them exploded in a searing red light, all three heads moved up simultaneously as Barriss felt her throat go dry "oh".

Hanging above them in a thick web of vines sat eight long red legs easily the size of the average human, connected at the base by a monstrous abdomen leading to a face covered in two fangs spewing forth a thick green goo. Ahsoka tightened her grip on her saber "whatever it was you saw, lead the way!".

Master Kota climbed the small set of steps to the royal families wooden hut, a small porch housed a number of wooden benches surrounding a small table. Two wookiee's sat at the table, turning as he approached the larger of the two stood to his full height, easily towering over the Jedi. As he bowed to the wookiee in front of him Master Kota could sense the confusion surrounding the situation "relax friend, my name is Master Rahm Kota, I'm just here to talk". At a loud roar from the wookiee Kota turned to the captain at his side "what did he say?".

Ace took a moment before answering "he wants us to relinquish our weapons sir".

"Very well, do as he says" pulling his lightsaber from it's holster on his back Master Kota floated the weapon to the nearby table, doing the same with Ace's pistol and rifle as the Captain removed them. Once all three weapons hit the table the second wookiee jumped down from his seat, revealing himself to only be half the size of the larger wookiee. Turning back the larger wookiee growled lightly to his comrade, with a silent nod shared between them the smaller wookiee walked across the porch and disappeared inside the house. "The larger of the two just told his son to wait inside sir, he would like us to take a seat" Ace promptly translated.

Following a wave of the wookiee's arm both Kota and Ace sat down at the small circular table, the wookiee sat across from them and immediately started into a series of low growls. Ace translated as fast as he could "he...apologizes for the precaution but ever since the attack on his family he's been a bit on edge. He wants to properly introduce himself...wait I know this...wait...he says his name is Watt Sombarr, yeah I think that's right".

Master Kota stretched an arm across the table and shook the wookiee's hand, holding back a wince at Watt's painful grip "a pleasure to meet you Sombarr, I was hoping I could ask you a few questions about the attack on your family?". Watt slowly nodded before pointing off the huts porch and into the mess of leaves and vines ahead "he's afraid he can't tell you anything you probably don't already know, the shots came from that direction and he didn't see who shot them".

Kota clasped his hands on the table in front of him "tell me Sombarr, you've no doubt handled a blaster at some point in your life. Taking were you and your kid were standing at the time of the attack into consideration, would hitting you have been a difficult shot?".

A loud roar even Kota could recognize as a laugh filled the area as Watt shook his head, starting another series of growls Ace followed along "he says both him and his son were standing completely in the open when the first shot was taken, there was no wind, no direct sunlight, he says even the smallest wookiee infant could have made the shot".

Shielding his eyes from the sunlight Kota looked outward from the porch "so whoever did this was obviously not hired to kill you, only scare you, interesting".

"Sir if I may?" after a slight nod from Kota Ace turned in his seat to face the wookiee "Sombarr is there anything at all you remember seeing during the attack that seemed even slightly out of the ordinary?". After a soft growl from Watt Ace nodded "he says no, but his son has apparently been spouting some nonsense ever since the attack about seeing something odd".

"Anything's worth a look" Kota stated "may we speak with your son?". Watt rose from his seat and walked to the door of his hut, opening the door long enough to growl loudly inside. In a matter of seconds Watt's son exited the door, sharing a short conversation with his father before walking over to the table and taking a seat beside his father.

A disapproving look on Watt's face the son started hesitantly, Ace took a moment to nod at the small wookiee before translating "the son says while they were running to the hut he saw what looked an antenna out of the corner of his eye. He says the antenna shined brightly from the suns reflection before ducking into the leaves and disappearing, apparently his father has told him he was seeing things but he insists he knows what he saw".

Kota looked to his lightsaber setting across the table as he took in the kids words "an antenna, Sombarr after the attack did your scanners pick up any electronic equipment, maybe a ship or a thruster pack?".

Watt quickly shook his head as Ace translated his growls "nothing at all sir, it's as if whoever fired the shots simply disappeared. Sir with all due respect this is going nowhere, you'd practically have to be force sensitive to make it down this tree without any assistance".

Kota nodded to the Captain "the shots came from a long distance, the kid says he saw an antenna, and the attacker apparently scaled down the wroshyr tree with no equipment to aid in the drop". Getting a confused look from everyone else at the table Kota brought his com-link to mouth "Barriss, Ahsoka, we have a positive id on the bounty hunter".

Barriss pushed off the boulder with all the strength she could gather, feeling the wind from the weaver's fangs just graze her back as she took off into the dark forest. Chewbacca started directly after her, his powerful legs allowing him to easily keep pace. Last off was Ahsoka, the young Togruta swiped her green saber at the weaver, forcing the giant insect to take a few steps back as she took off after her friends. Barriss kept her gaze straight ahead as she ran through the darkness, well aware of the bright red light quickly approaching from behind as Ahsoka finally caught up beside her "we can't outrun this thing!".

"I might have an idea!" Barriss stole a glance back to the wookiee running behind her "Chewbacca does this thing have a weak point!". Chewbacca offered a loud growl in reply "perfect!, get ready to shoot!". Fighting her instinct to flee Barriss stopped running and turned to face the charging insect, the weaver easily smashed tree after tree out of it's ways as it plowed towards them. Barriss brought both her hands up as she closed her eyes, drawing on the force as much as she could as the weaver drew closer.

Only a few feet from them the weaver stopped in its tracks, its many eyes looking all around as it clawed out at an invisible force. Moaning loudly Barriss fell to one knee "shoot now Chewbacca!, I can't keep it dazed for long!". Chewbacca brought his bowcaster to his chest and squinted down the weapons sight, taking only a moment to sight his target before pulling the trigger. A single red blaster bolt sped across the forest and met the weavers open mouth all in the blink of an eye, finally releasing her grip Barriss and the weaver both fell to the ground, the latter shaking the ground as a violent hiss filled the forest.

When a deathly silence once again surrounded them Ahsoka ran to Barriss' side "Barriss are you okay!".

Pushing away Ahsoka's hand Barriss help herself back to her feet "I'll be fine, I made friends with an entire group of rancor's when we formed the force meld and know it takes everything I have to daze one oversized spider".

"Jedi don't crave power Barriss, just relax you did fine. But we need to get moving, weaver's usually hunt in groups".

"No kidding" Barriss took a quick look around the darkness before the same blue spark caught her eye, taking a few steps towards it she jumped backwards as a small jolt traveled through her body. In a split second the entire section of forest lit up in a bright blue light as a giant electric fence sparked to life, forcing all three to shield their eyes and take a few steps back.

Squinting her eyes against the light Ahsoka looked to the top of the fence "we have to get over this thing, all this light is bound to attract every creature in the damn forest". Before anyone could move an inch all three found their focus shifter back behind them, all across the forest the shining red light of several giant weavers created a cascade of light that barreled towards them. "Okay!, up and over Chewie!" Ahsoka and Barriss both focused their energy in the wookiee warrior, lifting Chewbacca into the air and all but throwing him over the electric fence.

Barriss shared a small nod with her friend before running towards Ahsoka clasped hands and pushing off the hands with all her strength, easily sailing over the fence and landing on her feet on the other side. Watching Ahsoka jump over the fence behind her Barriss felt her heart skip for a moment before a deep breath got her emotions back under control. Ahsoka's boots hit the ground directly beside her, all three turned back to the fence just in time to leap backwards as the first giant weaver charged into the electric flow. An ungodly scream followed as the spider like creature was burned to a crisp the second he made contact, hitting the ground with a loud enough thud to stop the remaining weavers in their tracks.

A moment of silence went by as the weavers looked between the burnt corpse of their comrade and the electric fence separating them from their prey. One by one the weavers lost their red glow and disappeared back into the forest, knocking over more than a few trees in the process. Barriss turned to Chewbacca once the coast was clear "you okay Chewbacca?". A low growl from Chewbacca brought a smile to her face "too close seems to be a mainstay for the Jedi, you get used to it".

"No" gathering both her friends attention Ahsoka pulled both lightsabers from her waist "not her, not again". Barriss raised an eyebrow before following Ahsoka's gaze, taking up the majority of room in the circular fence sat an idle ship she recognized as a slightly modified Firespray-31. But the look on Ahsoka's face made it clear this ship being here was no coincidence.

Barriss pulled her paired sabers from her waist as she moved to stand beside Ahsoka "Ahsoka what's wrong?, who's ship is this?".

Before Ahsoka could answer a loud static from both girls wrists brought their com-links to their mouths, Master Kota's strong voice eventually broke through the static "Barriss, Ahsoka, we have a positive id on the bounty hunter".

"I think Ahsoka may have beat you to it Master, let me get back to you" giving her friend one last worried look Barriss activated her sabers "who are dealing with Ahsoka, Cad Bane?, Greedo?".

"Your friends pretty slow to put the pieces together isn't she?" following the faint voice the loading ramp of the nearby ship opened with a loud hiss, Ahsoka's gaze visibly hardened as a strange female alien started down the ramp with a smile spread on her face. Looking to Barriss to be nearly human the girls slender form and alabaster skin quickly gave her identity.

Meeting the bounty hunters eyes Ahsoka ignited both her sabers and moved them to their regular Shien stance "Aurra Sing, you're the one behind these attacks?".

Aurra let a crocked grin cross her face "my dear you sound surprised, and all this time I thought we understood one another. With the credits the separatists are paying me to scare these fur balls I'd have to be an idiot to pass up this job". Pulling her blaster pistol from her waist Aurra switched her gaze to Barriss and Chewie "aw you brought friends this time. Cute. Do I get an introduction Mirialan?".

Choosing to ignore Aurra's strangely calm demeanor Barriss swung her sabers in a few loose circles "lay down your arms bounty hunter!, we can still end this peacefully".

"ugh" simply rolling her eyes at the proposal Aurra trained her pistol on Chewbacca "how about you wookiee, any words of wisdom?". A loud roar and the sights of Chewbacca's bowcaster on her face from Chewbacca made no change in Aurra's fierce eyes "didn't think so".

Ahsoka took a few steps closer to the bounty hunter, attracting Aurra's attention instantly "it's three against one Aurra, do the smart thing and surrender".

"Oh you know I'd love to my dear" Aurra mocked "unfortunately I just received new orders, turns out I get to finish the job on the wookiee's precious royal family after all. Really I just came out to leave you a few parting gifts, here's one". In one fluid motion Aurra raised her pistol back towards Chewbacca and let loose on the trigger, a single red blaster bolt pierced the darkness before finding its mark in the wookiee's chest.

"Chewie!" Ahsoka deactivated her lightsabers and ran to Chewbacca's side as the wookiee quickly fell to the ground, a small cloud of smoke rising from the hole in his chest.

Barriss watched dumbfounded on what to do as Aurra once again fired her pistol, sending the electric fence around them into a fit of mad sparks before it shorted out completely "and there's two, have fun Jedi".

The thick darkness once again surrounding her Barriss took a few quick strides to chase Aurra as the bounty hunter disappeared inside her ship "Barriss let her go!, Kota can handle her just get over here now!".

Stopping in her tracks at Ahsoka's words Barriss turned her back to Aurra's ship as it took off while raising her com-link to her mouth "Master Kota Aurra's on her way to kill the royal family!, we'll give chase as soon as we can but we got a situation of our own down here!".

Kota's voice answered instantly "understood Commander, we'll be ready for her".

Barriss fell to her knees beside Ahsoka, the young Togruta held Chewbacca's hand in her own as the blood covering the wookiee's chest began to seep into his fur. Her training kicking in almost instantly she felt her heart drop "Ahsoka...there's nothing I can do".

"What?" Ahsoka tightened her grip on Chewbacca's hand "Barriss this is what you've trained for, how can there be nothing you can do?".

Ahsoka's grief stricken words punching a whole in her heart Barriss ripped a piece of cloth from her robe, wrapping the black cloth around Chewbacca's chest "look Ahsoka I know what you're feeling right now but we have to be realistic about this, Master Kota may need our help protecting the royal family".

"You're not suggesting we just leave him?" Ahsoka met Chewbacca's distant eyes "what about our force healing?, maybe we could at least close the wound?".

Barriss quickly shook her head "I've been practicing my healing for years and it takes everything I have to heal a simple cut, even together it wouldn't be enough. Unless...".

"Unless what?" Ahsoka pleaded.

"Well...the force meld let us do incredible things before. Who's to say it wouldn't give us enough power to help Chewbacca?".

A short silence followed as both girls took a moment to go over Barriss' words in their head, well aware of Chewbacca's constant short breaths Ahsoka was first to pull herself together "lets do it, lets reform the force meld".

Barriss raised an eyebrow "Ahsoka are you sure?, the council may not agree with this decision".

"I don't care, Barriss I know this isn't exactly what a Jedi Master would do right now but I refuse to leave a friend to die when I know there's something I can do to stop it. If the council doesn't agree with this decision than they can either live with it or kick us out". Letting go of Chewie's hand Ahsoka took a few steps back and sat down in the darkness, quickly crossing her legs and meeting Barriss' eyes "if I get banished saving a friends life, I'll proudly walk out of the temple with my head held high".

"There's the girl I fell in love with" rising to her feet Barriss took a moment to make sure the cloth on Chewbacca's wound was in place before moving to Ahsoka's side and setting down beside her. Without a second thought as to the repercussions, the consequences of their actions, both girls closed their eyes and let the force envelop one another.

The feeling of the meld forming was unlike anything Barriss had felt before, and at the same time it was instantly recognizable. Completely indescribable, pure ecstasy and unbridled pain mixed perfectly together washed over every inch of her body, forcing every pore to stand on end as she held back a small moan. Seconds screeched to a halt as Ahsoka's force presence mixed with her own, everything that was and ever would be Ahsoka Tano flashed through her mind in the time it took one to blink. Then, as quickly as it started, it was over.

Both girls reopened their eyes and stood to their feet in perfect unison, Ahsoka immediately ran to Chewbacca's side before glancing back to Barriss 'please tell me you can hear this?'.

Despite the grave situation Barriss felt a smile tug at her lips 'perfectly, lets just hope this works'. Moving to Chewbacca's opposite end she slowly lowered her hands onto the wookiee's chest, the still warm blood covering her palms as she did so 'put your hands on top of mine'. Doing what asked of her Ahsoka closed her eyes along with Barriss, both girls began to feel the force energy enveloping their hands. A number of minutes went by with no progress as both girls focused intently on the force energy around them, slowly drawing it through them and into Chewbacca's wound. What happened next did so so suddenly it forced both girls to remove their hands and rise to their feet.

Chewbacca took in one giant gasp, rising into the air covered entirely in a faint blue aura as both Barriss and Ahsoka felt their jaw drop. The wound in Chewbacca's chest slowly began to close, the blood surrounding it all but disappearing as the wookiee's eyes finally reopened. Barriss rose a hand and slowly lowered Chewbacca to his feet as the blue energy left his body, finding his footing after a quick stumble Chewie looked to Ahsoka with wide eyes and roared. Ahsoka rushed forward and wrapped her arms around the wookiee's waist "yes Chewie I'm fine, I'm so glad you're okay".

Barriss waited for Chewbacca to pick Ahsoka from her feet and return her hug before speaking "I don't suppose you two remember where we are?, perhaps we could have this heart warming moment somewhere not infested with giant insects".

Promptly putting Ahsoka down Chewbacca retrieved his bowcaster from the ground and strapped the weapon back onto his back with a low growl. Ahsoka nodded in reply "Chewie's right, how are we supposed to get out of here?".

Barriss smiled towards her friends, already hearing the blood curdling calls of several giant weavers nearing their position "you leave that to me".