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Chapter Five

The Enemy Revealed

It didn't take too long after the ship was captured for their captors, or captor for that matter, revealed herself. Of course, as soon the ship was set down, she had made sure they all suffered a mild case of unconsciousness. An hour or so later, Ahsoka awoke in a cell, suspended in midair by Force-binders.

"You! It can't be, you're dead!" Ahsoka snarled.

"Oh, yes I am supposed to be, aren't I? How unfortunate for you. I survived my little fall off the cliff after you cut my hand off. And now, I'm going to make you feel the pain I have felt a thousand times over. You will die a slow death." Ventress replied darkly.

"You can torture me until I die and I still won't tell you anything, you hairless harpy!" Ahsoka exclaimed. As soon as she said it, she was hit with a wave of electricity. She groaned in pain, but regained her composure as soon as the electricity vanished. Then she was hit again. She realized instantly that one of the Force-binders have broken, because she now had some connection to the Force. It was just enough to hopefully call out for help.

'Help me!' she screamed as loud as she could through the Force, then was knocked unconscious by a fist smashing into her head.

As Anakin and Aayla boarded the Resolute, Anakin heard his Padawan's call for help. Sure, she was no longer his Padawan, but for as long as he lived, he would never stop considering her his Padawan. Aayla sensed Anakin's sudden tension and glanced at him.

"What is it?" she asked.

"It's Ahsoka. She called to me through the Force." Anakin replied.

"Can you ask her where she is?" she asked again.

"No. I only sensed her for a second. I could feel her pain as she called out through the Force. She's hurt and there's nothing I can do about it!" he growled.

"Do not let your anger for whoever is doing this to her get to you, Skywalker. We will be at Tygokor in a few hours and we can then do whatever is necessary to saver her, Barriss, and your son." Aayla told him. Anakin frowned. His son. In his moment of anger and despair he had completely forgotten that he had allowed him to go on this mission with Ahsoka.

Hours later, Ahsoka awoke to find that the Force-binder was still broken. Ventress had most likely forgotten about it in her anger and stalked out as soon as she had punched her. She was vaguely aware of the bluish-brown bruise on the side of her face, and was almost certain her cheekbone was fractured. She drew a deep breath, then felt through the Force for her Padawan and Barriss. Unable to sense anything other than the fact that they were alive didn't help matters either. Ahsoka also knew that she didn't have long before Ventress came back to either question her or cause her more pain. Only then was she aware of her Master's presence in her mind. She didn't have time to converse with him however, as Ventress all but plowed through the door and used the Force to instantly sever the connection. She then replaced the broken Force-binder.

"I do hope you haven't been asleep for too long. I was so enjoying hearing you whimper." Ventress sneered. It was too painful to talk, so instead she went to kick her, and was painfully reminded of what was holding her in place. Ventress laughed, then drew her lightsaber, activating it. She swung it towards her leg, and held it close enough to burn the skin. She did the same with her arms and her other leg, leaving several burn marks. Ahsoka could only cry out in pain. After hours of bruising and burning her body, Ventress left her unconscious form on the floor, Force-binders still attached to her wrists and ankles.

Anakin expertly landed atop an emergency exit hatch of one of the enemy vessels that held Ventress, Ahsoka, Luke, and Barriss inside. The plan was to, with help from Commander Rex and a small platoon of clones, covertly extract Ahsoka, Luke, and Barriss, kill Ventress, then call for the fleet to take out the ships. Commander Gree had remained on the Resolute to assist Yularen. Anakin knew his latest vision was connected directly to Ahsoka and Ventress. His heart screamed for him to help his son, but his instincts and the Force told him otherwise. The last time he had trusted his heart he had almost fallen to the dark side and killed everyone he cared about. He wasn't about to let that happen again.

"I know you want to find your son. I will go find Tano, you…"

"No. My visions are linked to her and Ventress. To face them, I have to find her. You go find Luke and Barriss. I'll rescue Ahsoka." Anakin said, cutting her off. Aayla looked at him, surprised, but nodded and went off down the hall, trailed by two clones. Commander Rex emerged with one other clone seconds later.

"Remind you of something, Rex?" Anakin asked.

"Yes, sir. The mission to Saleucami where we rescued General Koth."

"Thought you'd remember that one." Anakin answered. Rex smiled a little in reply, though through his helmet no one could tell.

"Alright. Here's the plan. General Secura took two troopers to go after General Offee and my son. Our job is to find Ventress, take her prisoner or kill her if we have to, and rescue Ahsoka, preferably not in that order." Anakin said.

"We're with you, General." Rex replied, and the three of them all but ran down the hallway opposite the direction Aayla had gone. After thirty minutes of searching through at least three decks, Anakin stopped.

"General? Are you alright, sir?" Rex asked.

"Ventress is close by. I can't sense Ahsoka, but I'm willing to bet that she's in the same room as Ventress. Come on!" Anakin said. They checked a few rooms out to find nothing, then came to a locked door. Anakin closed his eyes, stretching out with the Force. Anakin nodded to Rex, and the two troopers stood poised on either side of the door. Anakin ignited his lightsaber, cut a perfect circle in the door, and bolted through, Rex and the other trooper right behind him. The first thing Anakin noticed entering the room was Ahsoka suspended in mid air by Force-suspenders. However, Ventress wasn't immediately visible. Taking the advantage while it lasted, stabbed at the power source keeping Ahsoka suspended, and she fell into his open arm. It was then that he noticed the multiple bruises on her body. Anakin's anger surged. How could he have let this happen? Realizing who was still in the room, he let his anger go into the Force.

"Trooper, take her back to the ship. Rex and I…"

"No sir, I'll take her. Trooper, stay here and aid the General." Rex said, cutting Anakin off. Anakin glared at him.

"She's my commanding officer, General. It's my responsibility to see her to safety."

"Alright, go, and get the ship warmed up. We may need to make a quick getaway."

"Yes, sir." Rex replied, then jogged out into the corridor.

"Alright Ventress, I know you're in here. Suppose you stop hiding like a coward and face me?" Anakin challenged.

"Skywalker. I was hoping to get the chance to kill you. You may have rescued your little pet of a Padawan but you will not defeat me." Ventress replied as she jumped down to their level, igniting her lightsaber and pushing the clone trooper hard against the wall with the Force, knocking him unconscious.

"She's not a Padawan anymore, Ventress. She's a Jedi Knight. You will pay for what you did to her."

"Going to kill me, Skywalker?"

"Not if you're planning on coming with me quietly for trial."

"I don't think so." She replied. Just then, explosions rocked the ship. The Republic fleet was here. While Anakin was caught off guard, Ventress sprinted into the hallway and made her way to her private ship in the hangar and escaped.

"Damn! Master Secura, I hope you have Luke and Barriss, because we need to get out of here!" Anakin called into his comlink.

"I have them. They are awake and safe. We are already at the ship. I suggest you meet us at the hangar by your position." Aayla responded.

"I'll be there." Anakin answered, then pulled the now conscious trooper to his feet. They then sprinted down the hallway to the hangar, where Aayla's ship was waiting. As soon as the ship left the hangar, the enemy vessel exploded. The others went to hyperspace and escaped.

"General Skywalker, this is Admiral Yularen. One of the ships has been destroyed, but the other two, along with Ventress' personal craft escaped. Should we pursue?"

"No, Admiral. Plot course for Coruscant and prepare to make the jump to hyperspace. We'll contact the Temple and let them know what's happened." Anakin answered as they made their way to the Resolute. As they neared the ship, Anakin went in back to check on Ahsoka and the rest of her team. Aayla entered the proper coded and contacted the Temple. A moment later, Obi-Wan and Yoda appeared via holo-projection.

"Master Secura. News, you have, of your mission?" Master Yoda asked.

"Yes, Master. Our mission was a success. At least partially." Aayla replied.

"Partially, you say?" Yoda asked.

"We were able to complete our rescue mission with no fatalities, however Ventress has escaped." She replied.

"Where, might I ask, is Anakin? Is he not with you?" Obi-Wan asked.

"He went aft to check on Ahsoka and the others."

"And how are they?"

"Barriss and Luke will be fine. It is Ahsoka that is not. She appeared to have been tortured when Commander Rex brought her aboard. She was beginning to wake, but I put her in a healing trance. Even so, she will awaken before we reach Coruscant, and when she does, she will need Anakin's help." She replied.

"That is rather disturbing news. Knowing Anakin, he'll refuse to leave Ahsoka's bedside until she wakes up and he is certain that she is alright." Obi-Wan said, worry evident in his voice.

"I don't mind looking after Luke for a time. At least until we either return to Coruscant or Ahsoka awakens and either she or Anakin are ready to take charge of him again." Aayla answered, already seeing where this was heading.

"Decided, it is. Aayla, watch over young Skywalker, you will. Knight Tano, Master Skywalker will watch. Know her best, he does. Help her, he can." Master Yoda said.

"When do you return to Coruscant?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Five days at least. We pushed the hyperdrives to get here in time. We may need to stop for refuel as well. I must leave you now, Masters. We are docking with the Resolute." Aayla told them.

"Very well. I shall see you when you return. I will attempt to contact Anakin later. I have no doubt he feels responsible for this whole mess, but I'll let him see to your passengers first. May the Force be with you, Master Secura."

"And with you, Masters." Aayla replied.

I am SOOO sorry for the long wait! Things here at home are still really busy. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Next Chapter: After a swift and decisive rescue, Ventress escapes. Anakin is left to help Ahsoka get over the pain of being tortured while Aayla temporarily agrees to train Luke.

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