I've been waiting for you eager readers. We meet again at last. Yeah, it's corny, I know, but I'm in a Vader-ish mood today. Thanks for all the reviews guys. This chapter is another slow moving chapter, but rest assured, action will begin next chapter. I took a few creative liberties in describing Shili, but I have almost no source material about it. The same can be said about Ahsoka's early narration.
It was cold. Why are cruisers always so cold?
Shili was, from Ahsoka's few memories of it, warm and dry. Not hot, but warm. She also remembered a scent with it: spicy, probably from the turu grass, and a cool refreshing breeze from the fresh water oceans.
She did not remember her parents. She could recall only three faces from her early childhood.
The first was a Kel-Dor: Plo Koon. She remembered being frightened by his mask at first, but his calm and collected nature removed her fears. He had brought her to the Temple to be trained.
The second was Shaak Ti. She had learned of her culture from Shaak Ti. She had always viewed the Jedi Master as a maternal figure. The elder Jedi had taught her everything about Togruta heritage, how the Togruta were one of the oldest species in the Jedi Order, how to hunt akul, and how to make a headdress out of their teeth. Shaak Ti had even given her the Togruta sash that she wore now.
"Wear it proudly youngling," she had said. "Always be proud of who you are."
The third was Adi Gallia. She had interrupted a lesson being taught by Master Drallig. Cin Drallig may have been the Temple's resident blade master, but he had a short temper. He was assailing the young padawan about her "sloppy form," and "haphazard movements." Attracted by the noise, the Tholothian had interrupted the lesson on behalf of the sniffling youngling. After scolding Master Drallig, she asked if the young Togruta had been introduced to Shien. Master Drallig tried to explain the Form V variant, but failed miserably. Adi had then showed up the esteemed blademaster with a lesson the younglings would never forget. They were hypnotized by her glowing red blade as she flowed through the forms. She offered the younglings an attempt at an imitation. The youngsters had failed as miserably as Cin Drallig had, save for one. Ahsoka showed promise, and was awarded several private lessons with the Council member and her Padawan, Siri Tachi. Siri had seemed like a big sister, and the two would spar on occasion. She had met Obi-Wan for the first time when he interrupted their lessons for a private meeting with Siri. The two had come back rather disheveled and panting, but neither Adi nor Qui-Gon Jinn seemed to notice. When Ahsoka had asked Siri about it later, Siri turned about as red as her masters lightsaber and instructed her to never mention it to anyone again. She still was trying to figure out what precisely had happened.
She missed Siri.
She missed all her friends. The war had spread the Jedi thin across the galaxy, and, Council reprimands notwithstanding, she never got a chance to really talk with them anymore.
Perhaps she would make a new friend on the Council out of Master Koth.
She knew of the great Zabrak. She had seen him tortured under Grievous' hand. She had heard of his courageous actions on Dreshdae.
It had saddened her to hear that the Master would not accompany them to Koru Neimoidia. He had asked them to meet him on their way at Quellor.
That's where she was now.
Freezing her butt off in the bridge of the Indomitable.
"You cold Snips?"
Anakin gave her a concerned look. He must have noticed her shivering. "I'm fine master. Just, thinking."
The Jedi wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "You know Ahsoka, a few years ago, I never would've thought that I would have a headstrong Padawan with authority issues, who at random times would have prophetic dreams and fall into deep thought."
"Am I supposed to take that as a complement, master?"
He smiled at her. "Coming from me? Most certainly."
They shared a brief hug.
The blast doors opened with a pneumatic hiss. Appo entered with Rex and Fox at his side. "Generals, we are coming up on Quellor. Master Koth says that we are running low on time, so he wants to meet you as soon as we arrive."
Anakin stood. "Thank you Commander. Come on Ahsoka."
She stood as well, and followed Anakin towards the bridge.
Admiral Yularen turned to face them. "General, we are coming up on Quellor. ETA two standard minutes."
"Very good, Admiral. Prepare a shuttle to take us to master Koth's ship."
Yularen gave the Jedi a look of surprise. "We are not landing then?"
"No, Master Koth has not broken through the Federation's blockade here. So we will meet Master Koth on his flagship."
A clone from one of the navicomputers stood. "We're coming out of hyperspace, sir!"
The streaks of outpaced light in the windows ceased and were replaced by the thousands of stars in the galaxy. Directly in front, the windows showed the glowing green-blue sphere that was Quellor. Floating through space was smoke, scattered debris, and the remains of a battle fleet, foremost the Venator class assault ship: Eeth Koth's Star of Iridonia.
Anakin blinked in surprise. "It looks terrible out here."
Admiral Yularen was unfazed. "You should get to your shuttle before the Separatists return. I have a feeling that they will."
XXXXX
Eeth Koth had a presence about him. He looked wise, weary, yet warm and alert. He was waiting for the Master and Padawan pair in the hold.
Ahsoka strode up to him. "It is a pleasure to meet you Master Koth. I am Ahsoka Tano."
Master Koth had a look of mild disdain. "Yes, I read your file. It seems that you are as incorrigibly headstrong as your master."
Ouch. Maybe that was why Grievous had gone crazy on him; Master Koth appeared to have very candid opinions and no reluctance in stating them.
Anakin gave the Zabrak a dark look. Perhaps he had heard of the skepticism Eeth Koth had proclaimed about the Chosen One's knight hood. Anakin looked ready to say something but remained silent.
Eeth Koth pinched the bridge of his nose. "Headstrong Padawans are something I have too much of. Master Tone and his Padawan went to Koru Neimoidia two weeks ago, but have gained absolutely no ground. The youngling's constant deliberate defiance of his master's will have halted all progress on the northern hemisphere. Tsui Choi is in the other hemisphere. He wanted to go and assist the two in their plight, but an atmospheric disruption has grounded all flights. I wanted to go out and join them, but the Separatists have my fleet pinned down here, and I cannot leave my men at the hands of these droids."
"Then, why exactly did you summon us, Master?" Anakin inquired.
Master Koth gave them a sincere look. "Because—despite both your infamous willfulness—your skills will definitely be an asset to the troops on Koru Neimoidia."
Ahsoka saw Anakin's chest swell a bit with the compliment and, knowing from experience, assumed that his ego was swelling in tandem.
The Zabrak gave the ghost of a smile. "As I said, the droids on Koru Neimoidia have Master Tone and his troops pinned down near Kanay-Si. Ruune Haako has holed himself up inside his palace in Naantray. As far as clone intelligence can gather, he is attempting to leave Neimoidia with his treasures, and that has given us the advantage of time. If he even hopes to leave Koru with thirty percent of his belongings, then we will have twenty-one planetary rotations before he can go."
"What makes you think that thirty-percent is the magic number?" Anakin inquired.
"The Seperatist forces are beginning to grow thin in the Thanium sector, largely due to the efforts of Master Secura, and the funds necessary for the creation of droids in enough number to retake that sector will cost approximately three hundred million credits, approximately thirty percent of the wealth the Trade Federation has stored on Koru. If we can stop Haako from leaving with the money, then we can hasten the end of this war."
Anakin slapped his fist into his palm. "Sounds simple enough. All we have to do is send in a fleet and level Naantray."
"If only it were that simple," Master Koth sighed. "Naantray is completely surrounded by an impenetrable energy field. I ordered Aiwha Squad in there at the beginning of the assault, but they have not made contact since, and I suspect that they have either been captured or killed. They also have placed an extremely sensitive orbital mine-field over the western hemisphere, so the only way in is from the east, and the droids were ready for us when we arrived. It was an absolute nightmare. What is worse is that Sora Bulq is leading the defense."
Anakin's face darkened. The fallen Jedi's infamy had spread since his defection to the Confederacy. "All the more reason to finish things. With this mission, we can bring the war to a conceivable end."
Eeth Koth smiled. "Very well. I shall remain here and impede any droids that attempt to use the Quellor Run. You both are to leave immediately. May the Force be with you all."
YAY! What did you think? I will upload the next chapter on the 25th. Think of it as my Christmas present to you. Perhaps you feel that you are being treated unfairly? Too bad!