Palpatine knew that Lady Melinoe was obsessed with finding the Jedi she had fought on Takodana. He also knew that she was torn between the Dark and Light sides of the Force, so he encouraged her trip to Byss. In his desire to see her remain completely committed to the Sith way, he believed that a return to the planet where she first embraced the Dark Side would snuff out any remaining loyalty to the Jedi she was still feeling. What he didn't know was how deep her relationship with this one Jedi had been in her past. So when she didn't report in or return from her mission, he knew that something had happened. As Darth Vader had returned from his own secret training session with Starkiller, and then left again to rejoin the Imperial Navy; Palpatine decided to make his own return trip to Byss to learn of what Melinoe had discovered, and where she had gone. When he arrived and recalled the files from the Archives, he once again had to face his fears as Darth Plagueis had taught him since he was first apprenticed to the Sith Lord.

"Tython, it does exist. Despite the legends surrounding the Jedi and Sith, this one seems to be true. If this is where Darth Melinoe went, then I must know what happened."

After arriving on the planet, Palpatine could feel the Force guiding him to the place where his apprentice and the Jedi had their fateful duel. As he stepped forth from his shuttle, he could feel the Light side pushing at him, trying to maintain balance. But his interest was solely in the broken remains of two lightsabers, one he could tell had been carefully constructed in accordance with what he knew of the Jedi design, and the other a curved hilt, the one he had seen Melinoe battle Darth Vader with. Making his way further across the battlefield, he recovered her other lightsaber; still intact. When he picked it up he could sense the battle between the adversaries, and knew instantly that the fight had not gone her way. Echoes of their mental interaction through the Force tore away at his mind. Only finding her robe last, and no remains of her TIE Interceptor he knew she had fled the planet after turning her back on the Dark Side.

"Melinoe has failed. I had such hopes for her as my apprentice. Now I must take more drastic measures to locate her. She knows of Byss, and could lead the Jedi directly to me. I cannot allow this."

While Ahsoka was piloting the Interceptor through space, the vessel's signature was well known. Any passing ships stayed away from her for fear of destruction. What she didn't know is that before presenting her with the ship, Palpatine had placed a tracking device in the controls so he would always be able to find her. He activated the device from his shuttle on Tython and while he didn't know where she was headed, he could track her indefinitely and recapture her on his own time. He would turn her back to the Dark Side; never to let her escape again. But she had plans of her own, even if she had no idea Palpatine could track her, she did know he wouldn't let her leave so easily. Landing the ship on Nar Shaddaa, she retrieved the lightsabers that had belonged to Barriss, kept hidden all this time, and tucked them in her clothing. Her last option was to trade the TIE for housing, which she did; to a Bounty hunter wanting to get off planet after his previous vessel had been destroyed. With a place to stay, she attempted to settle down and rebuild her life away from anything that reminded her of what she had done, but her nightmares were not as easy to escape.

After leaving Tython as well, Andros did return to the Ghost. Kanan and the others were ecstatic to learn that he had survived. But they all had looks of sympathy that they didn't let him see after he told the tale of his battle with Ahsoka. When he tried to sleep, his dreams were focused on her, and how he just let her walk away. He could still feel her presence in the Force, but didn't try to track her down as she had requested he not do. But fate was conspiring to bring them back together as he received an alert that the tracking code for her TIE had been silenced. Immediately he thought the worst, and blamed himself for letting her go, yet not following. On Coruscant; Darth Vader has just returned from both the training of his secret apprentice and the mission Palpatine had tasked him with. He had followed the tracking signal of the TIE Interceptor, being ordered to bring her back alive, so she could be reconverted to the Dark Side. Vader knew that Palpatine wanted her back as his apprentice and he was rapidly losing favor with the Emperor. This is why he had taken on his own apprentice as well. So when he located the Interceptor, he immediately engaged it in battle. Through the Force he could sense his adversary. The pilot had no Force sensitivity and his skill behind the controls were nowhere near what a Jedi or Sith was capable of. The flight took them into an asteroid field where a perfectly timed laser blast knocked the Interceptor off course, causing it to veer into the path of an oncoming asteroid, and getting destroyed in the process. When he returned to the Star Destroyer, his report to the Emperor was not well received.

"You were supposed to bring Lady Melinoe back alive, Lord Vader. Why did you fail me?"

"She attempted to flee, Master. She flew into an asteroid field and I followed. But she clearly had no intention of turning back to the Dark Side. She attacked and I was left with no choice but to defend myself. A laser blast knocked her off course and she flew directly into an oncoming asteroid. The ship was destroyed, nothing remains."

"I am most displeased with you. This should never have become a battle at all. She was to be our weapon against the Rebellion."

"If she had escaped Master, she could have led them directly to us. Now the rebels will never know what transpired. Her death was a necessary loss."

"Perhaps it was. Now you must return to the Death Star. It is so near completion that the station will be the end of the Rebellion. You must assist Governor Tarkin in keeping the weapon on schedule. Leave me."

Darth Vader departed for his shuttle to ensure the completion of the space station. He had a feeling his Master knew that he only received half the truth. But Vader was also growing displeased with Starkiller's progress, and his secret apprentice had been feeling a call to the Light Side of the Force. With that regard, he knew Ahsoka was still alive and planned to find her, turning her by himself and using her for his own gains. Even though Palpatine suspected he was not told the whole truth of the destruction of Melinoe's Interceptor, he could not feel her presence in the Force, and if she was alive, he would find her. But time would give him that, so he resumed pushing anti-Rebellion propaganda in the Senate.

Across the galaxy, Ahsoka's nightmares continuously intensified. When she woke, when she tried to sleep, she could still feel Vader forcing himself into her mind, and she could feel her flesh burning from the Emperor repeatedly attacking her with Force lightning. She didn't feel safe, even on Nar Shaddaa. Try as she might, even reciting the Jedi code did nothing to ease her mind. Her fears were so strong, that she was constantly looking over her shoulder, just to make sure the Sith hadn't found her. But she had no idea that her own problems were plaguing Andros as well. For what seems like the hundredth time since he returned, he's wandering the corridors of the Ghost, unable to sleep.

"Come on Andros, you're putting too much pressure on yourself. No one expects you to be Anakin."

"I know, but it's very rare for a youngling to be chosen as a Padawan in their ninth year at the Temple. Aside from Anakin…,"

"But you did it because you worked for it. Anakin was granted the status because Master Jinn believed he was the Chosen One. Master Kenobi had to fight for this. What is it you're so worried about?"

"Failing the trials, 'Soka. What if I let Master Togar down? The Jedi are all I know. If I have to leave the Order behind because…,"

He briefly smiles at remembering calling her 'Soka, he had been worried she wouldn't like the nickname, but she did say it was better than Snips.

"Don't even think that way; you've already proven yourself a capable negotiator, and you have an affinity for lightsaber combat. You pushed Anakin to his limits yesterday, not many can."

Andros wasn't sure what brought him back to those particular memories, but despite his brief negative feelings, they were some of the best he had. Little did he know that just two years later, he and Master Togar would be tasked with a mission from the Council, a mission that kept them away as the both the Jedi Order and the Republic fell. He can still remember the day that they received the message from the Temple, with the warning from Master Kenobi.

"The Jedi Order has fallen. Our Clone troops have turned on us. It's clear now that the Clone Wars, all of this was orchestrated by the Supreme Chancellor. To any Jedi still away from Coruscant, stay away. Do not return to the Temple. Safety lies only in staying hidden. May the Force be with us all."

"What are we going to do; Master?"

"We do exactly as Master Kenobi has instructed Andros. We stay away from the Capitol. We dare not set foot anywhere near the Temple."

"But what about the other Jedi still out there? How many could have received this warning?"

"Hopefully enough to rebuild the Order someday. You're worried about Ahsoka; aren't you?"

"She's my friend; Master. I know she chose not to return to the Order when she was accused and acquitted of murder. But she's out there all alone. What if the ones responsible track her down?"

"Ahsoka is quite resourceful. Anakin trained her well, I trust that the Force will guide her, she will be fine. For now, we must survive. Someday, we will see her again."

With the rest of the crew at their stations, Andros returned to his quarters to meditate. Concentration was difficult and his memories began to take a darker turn, leading him to what may be a vision of the future.

"You should have known you couldn't hide from me, Ahsoka Tano. You have had a taste of what it means to be a Sith. Return with me and I will complete your training."

"I will never return to the Dark Side, Anakin. You can escape it too, come with me…,"

"There is no escape. Join me, and we can destroy the Emperor. Even he did not know how truly powerful you could become. Become my Apprentice once again, and I will teach you how to be one of the most powerful Sith that has ever lived."

The vision faded as Andros was expelled from his meditations. In all the history of the Jedi, he had never heard tales where one knight had been mentally linked with another. He had been very adept with technology and science in his studies, and he could only think that this was an after effect of being inside Ahsoka's memories at her turning point when she rejected the Dark Side on Tython. Instantly, he was fearful, fearful that Vader would find her, and that she would return to the Emperor. He cared too much for her to let that happen, even though he was trying so hard to honor her request to not come looking for her. Of the entire crew, Rex and Kanan knew something was bothering him, but not what.

"You're pushing yourself too hard, Andros. Do you even sleep anymore?"

"Why do you ask, Kanan?"

"Because you're always doing one of two things, roaming the corridors, or working on the Ghost's fighters."

"He's right, you may not think anyone has noticed, but all of us have seen you."

"Maybe I'm just trying to keep busy, Rex. I need a purpose, if I can put my skills to good use, then what's the problem?"

"Why don't you tell us? You've been closed off; usually your thoughts are so loud, even someone who isn't a Jedi can almost hear them."

"So you've been in my head; Kanan? Is that it?"

"If I had, I'd know what's been bothering you."

Andros was so lost in thought as the trio moved through the ship together that he didn't notice them entering the ship's meeting room. Even though he was talking, he was extremely distracted. It was just the three of them there, and he couldn't help but feel that this was an intervention of some sort.

"You two aren't going to let this go are you?"

"Not until we know what's going on with you. You saved Ahsoka, and you should be happy."

"I should be, Kanan. But you're right, I'm not sleeping and it's because I can't help but feel that Ahsoka is in danger. I should have followed her."

"But she told you to let her go, to not follow. You said so yourself."

"That I did, Rex. But ever since that battle, I can feel her in my head. I keep dreaming about her and I don't know why."

"Dreams pass…,"

"Don't say it, Kanan. I'm not even sure these really are dreams, they're more like visions. Visions of the past, possibly the future."

"What do you see in them?"

"My life in the Temple, spending time with Ahsoka. But every time I remember something good, the images always take a darker turn. I see her alone, and tempted by Vader, and then inevitably I'm either forced awake, or expelled from meditation, quite violently. I never see the end."

"Don't you think you're reaching a bit, we all know that her tracking signal was silenced, her TIE Interceptor destroyed. She's gone Andros, you've got to let go."

Andros accepted their reasoning with a slight nod. He was the first one to get the signal of her TIE being destroyed, and if she had survived she hadn't made any attempts to contact them to say she was okay. For a while, the visions stopped and he finally slept without trouble. As a month passed, he was even assigned to a fighter squadron. While serving with this team, they took out several Imperial pilots, never sustaining any casualties. He even became so respected in the Rebellion that he was assigned an undercover mission to investigate Nal Hutta and Nar Shaddaa as intelligence revealed a potential deal between the Empire and The Hutts. When he was set to leave, Rex was there waiting.

"This isn't your mission, Captain. It's mine."

"Yeah, but you're not going alone. Besides you were assigned to check both the Hutt's home-world, and the Smuggler's Moon. A two person search might yield better results."

"I'm not going to risk your life. I can handle this by myself."

"Ever dealt with a Hutt before?"

Andros knows that if he argues the point any further, Rex is still going to go whether he likes it or not. But in answer to the question, he has to shake his head no.

"Thought not, so let me tell you something about them. They're greedy, vile, gangsters. They'd feed you to the Rancor faster than looking at you. You don't want to deal with their kind, and they're immune to Jedi mind tricks. You'd be recognized, but me…,"

"All right, so you may have a better chance at getting into Nal Hutta better than I do. But how do you know you won't be recognized either?"

"I won't be because there are many clone troopers who left the service and became bounty hunters. When the Empire started recruiting, there wasn't much use for us. That's how I'll get in."

"I suppose then, that any arguments I make to convince you not to go would be useless?"

"Yes."

Without another word the two companions would take separate ships for their destinations. The risk of being discovered was highly likely, so they had to stay in radio silence. Rex barely needed to conceal himself, but did take proper precautions to avoid being mistaken for an older Jango Fett. Andros; on the other hand before leaving had to grow out a short beard, start wearing an eyepatch in addition to leaving his Jedi Robes behind. He had adopted the identity of a smuggler before, but he always had Master Togar with him, this time he was on his own. He wasn't sure what to expect, but he was going to do his best to blend in. His first stop was the Burning Deck; a bar in the Corellian Sector. He took a seat next to a pilot and his Wookiee companion.

"Haven't seen you around here before."

"What?"

At first Andros barely heard the man over the loud conversation. He hadn't expected to be spoken to, and was taken aback when he caught the man staring at him, a bemused look on his face, while the Wookiee was more curious.

"I said, I haven't seen you around here before. Most of the Smuggler's on this Moon are regulars. You're new."

"What's it to you?"

"Nothing, but you stick out like a sore thumb. Han Solo, and the Wookiee is my co-pilot, Chewbacca."

Andros wasn't sure how to respond, or even if he should. Making any kinds of connections on this moon could pose a threat to his mission. So he just stared in dumb-founded silence as he tried to think of a fake name.

"Jacen…Jacen Antilles. No, I'm not a regular. Just passing through."

"Figured as much…,"

A series of growls and grunts comes forth from Chewbacca. He has his own questions for the newcomer as well.

"Chewie wants to know…,"

"He said I don't look like much of a smuggler. He wants to know what I'm doing here."

"You speak Shryiiwook?"

"I do, so?"

"Not many can."

"You do, so it shouldn't be a surprise that another human can."

"Yeah, well I ain't just anybody. So why are you here?"

"Looking for my next pay day. Heard the Hutts are looking for more pilots. Supposedly even in Imperial Sectors."

"Do yourself a favor, kid. Stay away from jobs involving the Empire. Trust me, I know how bad those kinds of runs can be."

With that bit of advice, Han finished his flameout and left the bar. He was halfway to the door, and didn't hear Chewbacca speaking to the other man.

"Yeah, I'm a hardly a kid. Do me a favor Chewie, keep what you know about me a quiet."

The Wookiee grunted an affirmative, and turned to follow his partner. He had fought alongside Jedi during the Clone Wars, and knew they were better people than the Empire made them out to be. Shryiiwook has always been a difficult language to learn, and no one other than Han and Andros spoke it there that day. When he finished his own drink, Andros set out to see what information he could get regarding the Empire making deals with the Hutts, all the while contemplating Han's warning. He was barely watching where he was going, when a presence through the Force hit him like a ton of bricks, and the revelation caused him to run into and anger an already angry Trandoshan.

"Smuggler scum; watch where you're going."

"Sorry, I…"

"You stink of Wookiee, where did it go?"

"Don't know, I'll just be on my way."

The Trandoshan Bounty hunter made to grab Andros' arm and stop him, but rethought that when he saw the blaster hooked to his quarry's belt. Being unarmed and searching for a new weapon, he wasn't going to get into a fight right at this moment, especially when the Wookiee was his primary target.

"You watch yourself here, boy. Others won't hesitate to kill you, even though I'm not going to."

Andros turned away, thankful that he didn't have to continue this confrontation. Trandoshans are mainly bounty hunters and slavers, but also fierce warriors. If the situation had escalated, he may have had to rely on the Force, and doing so would jeopardize his mission. But the most troublesome feeling was the sense of a Force adept on Nar Shadaa. Who was this person, and would they be friend or foe?