OK in previous chapters I have said the factory was on Tatooine, but I have changed it so it's on Geonosia, like the movie and the animated series. Enjoy!
Chapter 8: The Plan and a New Friend
POV: Ahsoka
We walked side-by-side towards the council chambers. As usual we waited outside the large blue double doors until we were called in. We didn't say anything to each other. We just stood there. I found myself thinking about Jess and Keyla. I haven't seen them in a long time, I wondered if Anakin might let me go and see them later on. I should pay them a visit. They would be missing me, I would have thought. I decided to ask him.
"Master," I said, looking up to him. I know he didn't like it when I called him 'Master', but in public I had to, otherwise people might be a little bit suspicious of us.
"Yes Ahsoka?" He said, trying to sound formal.
"I was just wondering, I haven't seen Keyla and Jess in a while. I just wanted to ask if maybe I could go and visit them later on this afternoon."
"I don't have a problem with it, but we might be flying out for the mission later on, so that might cause a problem for you. And anyway," He looked around to make sure no one was around before leaning in to whisper in my ear, "I would much rather you stay with me." He said seductively. I giggled and he quickly kissed my lips before moving back again. He smiled at me and I felt my Lekku change to a darker shade of blue, I smiled too and turned away from him. Before he could wrap his arms around me the council called us in. We walked in together and gathered with the council. All the members of the council were there, and Master Luminara and her Padawan as well. I haven't met them but I have heard they are great Jedi.
"Welcome members of the Jedi council, Master Luminara and Padawan, Jedi knight Skywalker, and Padawan Tano." Master Yoda started. "News we have, of a secret separatist base, hidden on Geonosia. A huge advantage, we will have, if we destroy the factory. Master Shaak Ti, and Master Kit Fisto, devised a battle strategy they have, to destroy the factory." Yoda said calmly. He stepped back a little and Master Ti and Master Fisto stepped forward.
"There is one main entrance to the factory, which is along this narrow bridge, but we assume this will be heavily guarded. However underneath the factory are a series of Geonosian tunnels. A network, that leads to every area of the factory via underground junctions." Fisto said, pointing to a Holo visual of the tunnels.
"We believe if we have a big enough distraction at the entrance of the factory, two Jedi can access the tunnels and get into the factory unnoticed. Once inside the factory, they will find the main reactor in the centre of the factory and set timed bombs on the main core." Shaak Ti explained. "After the bombs have been set, they will need to make a quick escape. Once they are out of the factory, a flick of the switch and the factory comes down." She finished. All the Jedi in the room began to murmur among themselves, it was a great plan.
"An excellent plan, this is, but too risky, is it?" Yoda said.
"The biggest challenge will be trying to keep the Geonosian's focus on the distraction at the entrance, so that the Jedi in the tunnels will have no problems getting into the factory. If we tempt them enough, the plan will work."
"The best way to draw them out will be to march our troops up the centre, Jedi at the front for a bit of cover. It's the best way to keep their focus." Fisto added. I wanted to ask if I could be one of the Jedi to set the bombs in the factory, but Master Luminara's Padawan beat me to it.
"Masters, if I may, I wish to be one of the Jedi who set the bombs in the factory." Some of the Masters were a bit shocked by her request, but it didn't seem unreasonable – to me anyway. I plucked up my courage and asked if I could go too.
"And I wish to accompany her. We are small and agile. We can slip past any Geonosians without getting caught. Anakin looked to me, 'Ahsoka what are you doing?! Do you know how dangerous this mission could be?!' He said through our force bond.
'Master I can do this! I've had riskier assignments! You don't need to be so protective of me!' I countered.
'Well now that you're more than just my Padawan I am more protective of you. I can't lose you…I-I can't…' He sounded so pained. Just the thought of losing me hurt him…
'And you won't Master. I promise.' He gave me a weak smile and we turned our attention back to the discussion. I caught the Padawan's eye and she smiled at me. I had a feeling there was a new friendship coming along…
"I support my Padawan's request Masters. She will be well prepared and do her job well, I can assure you." Master Luminara said. I waited for my Master to support mebut the words never came.
"Skywalker, do you support Ahsoka's request also?" Windu asked. Everything went quiet as they we awaited Anakin's reply. After a few seconds he made up his mind. I couldn't tell what he was thinking because he had his barrier up, so I was as clueless as anyone else to whether he would approve or not.
"I believe this mission is too dangerous for a Padawan." He said calmly. I became annoyed and spoke up.
"Master we can do this! We will be prepared! I have had riskier assignments than this!" Only after I butted in did I realise how disrespectful that was.
"Padawan Tano, please remain silent." Windu said angrily.
"I apologise Master." He looked away from me and I looked down.
"Well Skywalker?" Mace asked again. Anakin sighed.
"I approve." I internally jumped for joy. I was so happy that this part of the mission was assigned to me. I felt I could prove myself and make Anakin proud of me. And I could get to know the other Padawan as well.
"Then it is decided. The Padawans will carry out the task of the destruction of the factory. Does anyone wish to assist with the distraction?" Windu said.
"I" Luminara said.
"And I" Anakin added. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Master Plo also volunteered.
"Very well. Ready yourselves. You will leave early tomorrow. Council and guests dismissed." Mace finished. Anakin was the first to walk out, followed by many other Jedi. I was pushed to the back of the crowd as I tried to reach Anakin.
'Master wait!' I exclaimed through the bond. I knew it got through to him, but from a distance I saw him continue storming down the hall back to our dorm. Once the crowd finally left I was able to walk normally again towards our dorm. I entered to see Anakin staring out over Coruscant from our large balcony window, arms crossed. I could sense he was unhappy with my input at the meeting. He wanted me next to him at all times, to protect me. But it was time he realized that I am growing up and I can protect myself. He needs to trust me. I closed the door behind me and slowly walked up next to him. I looked down, rubbing my left arm.
"Master I-" He turned to face me as he interrupted me.
"Ahsoka I don't want you to go on this mission. You're going to be on your own in a separatist factory and I'm not going to be able to protect you!" He basically shouted. He went and sat on the chair by his desk. I thought about apologising, but I needed to stand up for myself.
"Master, I understand you just want to protect me, and I'm very grateful for that, but I can take care of myself. I'm nearly 17 and I'm so much stronger than when I first met you. I need you to trust yourself that you have trained me well enough that I can survive on my own. Because I trust you and I really believe that I can do this." I was standing tall with my arms crossed. l felt kind of proud of myself for that. He seemed a little taken aback that I had gathered the courage to stand up to him, and give my side to the argument.
"You really think you're going to be okay without me there to protect you?" He said, starting to accept it.
"I know I can Master." I said, smiling at him. He stood up and pulled me into his arms.
"Just please, come back to me safely. I can't live without you." I returned the hug as he kissed my lips slowly.
"I promise." I whispered.
"I love you." He said.
"I love you too." I replied. I was happy he trusted me to do this. I would finally be able to show him what I can do and make him proud. I wanted him to be proud in saying I was his apprentice when someone asked him who his Padawan was.
"Well, I guess you should go meet Barriss." He smiled.
"Whose Barriss?" I asked, unsure of who exactly he was talking about.
"The Padawan you're going to be completing the mission with." He chuckled. So that's what her name is. I thought. We started walking towards their dorm, trying to maintain our distance from one another. I could tell it was getting a little frustrating for him to stay away from me. I smiled and giggled quietly, that was so cute! He suddenly grabbed me and pulled me into a spare dorm that wasn't being used at the moment. He slammed the door shut using the force and wrapped his arms around me tightly, kissing my neck. I was enjoying the moment until it was getting too intense for me to handle. I wasn't used to this much passion.
'Relax Master…'
'I'm sorry' He pulled away, panting a little. 'It's hard around you…to keep control…I…don't think I can keep control…' He said, painfully.
'I know you can.' I whispered into his mind. He nodded and calmed down. After a few minutes I decided it was time to leave.
'Ok let's go.' He said. We walked back out as if nothing had happened and headed once again for their dorm. After a small walk we reached the door to their dorm. Anakin looked to me before knocking on the door. Master Luminara answered the door.
"Ah Skywalker. What a pleasant surprise. I trust your Padawan is here to meet Barris. I'll go and get her." She seemed very kind. I smiled as she glanced at me before retreating back to her dorm to bring out her Padawan. A few seconds later she returned with her Padawan. They were both smiling, so I smiled back at them. Bariss had pale yellow/green skin and wore a headscalf. She wore dark robes but not black. Black was a Sith's colour. She had black facial tattoos just below her eyes, that matched her Master's.
"Ahsoka, meet Master Luminara's Padawan Bariss Offee." Anakin gestured to us as he spoke our names. She smiled at me again.
"Hello. It's a pleasure to meet you Ahsoka." She said happily.
"I feel the same." There was a bit of an awkward silence after that. We just stood there.
"Well," My master began. "We'll let you two have some time to get to know each other. Master Luminara and I will be in the War room discussing a few more battle strategies. We nodded and walked out together. She seemed a little shy so I thought that I should speak first.
"So, you're Master Luminara's Padawan. How long have you been training as a Padawan?" I said.
"Not long actually. I became a Padawan not long before you did. I still have much to learn, but I feel that I'm progressing. So, you have Master Skywalker. How is he as a Master?" She asked. She seemed really nice. She was a bit uptight though. I think she needs to relax and be a little more laid back. But then again, I was like that once upon a time.
"He's arrogant and stubborn and always likes things done his way." I said blankly. She seemed a little shocked, so I continued. "But he is also overprotective and very caring, and a great mentor. I wouldn't want another Master." I added. That made her relax. She actually thought I didn't like him as my Master. I internally chuckled. Never in a millionyears would I hate him. I loved him…
"Oh I thought you honestly despised him as your Master Ahsoka!" She laughed. I laughed as well.
"So what's your Master like Barriss?" I asked her.
"She is an excellent mentor. She is very wise and has very valuable teachings, but sometimes she is too focused an uptight. I think she needs to be a little more laid back. That's why I seem a bit tense sometimes." She smiled. It made sense now.
"I see." We talked for a couple of hours, getting to know each other. Suddenly Barriss' comlink beeped.
"Padawan Offee here." She answered. It was Master Luminara.
"Barriss are you and Ahsoka ok?! You have been gone a lot longer than we expected you to be!" She sounded a little worried.
"We apologise master we just got talking I guess." We giggled silently together.
"Oh, well ok. Please come back to the War room soon. It's getting late."
"Yes Master." She ended the transmission We both burst out laughing as we began walking back to the War room. We settled down once we reached the room.
"Padawans go and get some rest. We are leaving first thing tomorrow. I trust you have bonded over the last couple of hours?" Master Luminara asked. We looked to each other.
"Yes Master." We said in sync. She laughed lightly.
"Very well then. Go, rest Padawans." She said. We bowed and started walking to our dorms. We were first to reach mine. So we said a quick goodnight and went to sleep for the night.
I'm sorry if it seems a bit rushed! It's not the best but I think it just cuts it. I don't know when my next update will be, could be in a few weeks at the latest. But regardless how long it takes I AM NOT ABANDONING THIS STORY so please don't think I am. :) I hope you guys liked it!
Just-Dream-18