Episode 10 – Fall of Tano – Part 1
Darth Akul! Once Padawan Ahsoka Tano, apprentice to Anakin Skywalker during the Clone Wars, Ahsoka now sits as the Empress of the New Sith Empire! Knowledge of her position hasn't affected anyone more than it has her former Master! Even now, Anakin longs to know what made his former Padawan fall to the Dark Side of the Force!
Coruscant, 28 ABY.
It was late at night on Coruscant. The new Jedi Temple was still under construction and likely would be for some time. 501st Legion Stormtroopers stood guard along with several volunteer Jedi to protect the build site from anyone who would try to sabotage the building's construction efforts. The 501sts were dressed in standard Republic Military uniforms instead of Stormtrooper armor as they felt that it was poor taste for uniformed Stormtroopers to guard the building. While the temple was still being built, there was one structure that was already finished. It was a temporary structure that would be moved inside the temple following its completion. It was a memorial wall, listing the names of all the Jedi who were killed during Order 66 and the Great Jedi Purge that followed which included Jedi like Aayla Secura, Mace Windu, Ki-Adi Mundi, Luminara Unduli, Plo Koon, and many others. At the base of the wall was written the Jedi Code. This wall sat at the top of the very steps leading up to the temple that the 501sts and Darth Vader had climbed up to begin the terrible purge more than forty years ago.
That night, Jedi Master Maris Brood was standing guard, looking sadly up at the remaining structure of the original temple. Her watch was interrupted as she sensed a familiar presence approaching behind her. She also heard a familiar mechanized breathing sound and turned towards the steps in time to see a tall dark figure approaching. She recognized the figure right off: Anakin Skywalker.
"Master Skywalker?" She asked but Anakin remained silent, sadness emanating from him through the force. He had put on a black Jedi robe with the hood up over his helmet to try and hide his dark visage. He stopped next to Maris but said nothing, looking up at the age old statues depicting ancient Jedi from millennia past. Most of the statues had already been restored. Maris quickly realized that he meant to be left alone, that he was facing the ghosts of his past. He then proceeded onward towards the memorial wall, gazing up at it and quietly kneeling at the foot, his remorse as Vader still weighing heavily on his heart.
As Vader, he thought the Jedi deserved what they had gotten but now, his eyes were open and he realized the crimes he committed. However this wasn't the heaviest weight on his heart. The heaviest was the one he so longed to rectify, to figure out how his first apprentice, Ahsoka Tano, had fallen to the Dark Side. His mind flashed back to the scene in that very spot where, forty years earlier, he watched Ahsoka disappear down those very same steps, walking away from the Jedi Order, leaving it behind after having been falsely accused of a terrible crime, a crime committed by someone she had once thought to be a friend. He then felt the presence of the Force around him, the feeling that someone else was with him. He looked up and saw a familiar figure standing before him.
"Don't be too hard on yourself, Anakin." The spirit of Obi-Wan Kenobi said with a gentle smile towards his old apprentice. Anakin was too surprised to see Kenobi again to speak.
"You cannot bear the blame for Ahsoka's fall alone. Even I bear some of the blame." Obi-Wan said as Anakin lowered his head.
"If I had gone after her…tried to convince her to stay…maybe things would have been different." Anakin said.
"You cannot know that, Anakin. The Force is always in motion. We cannot change the past. All we can do is look back upon it. Wishing it were different achieves nothing." Obi-Wan said as Anakin let out a frustrated growl.
"Then is there some way to know? Some way to see how?" Anakin said.
"The Force allows a Jedi a brief glimpse of the future, allowing us to see things before they happen. These premonitions are how some of the greatest prophesies are seen. It is how the prophesy of the Chosen One, your prophesy, came to be. But the Force also allows us to walk back into the past, to see what has happened, to see events that predate the present." Obi-Wan said as Anakin looked up at him.
"Can you teach me this ability, Master?" Anakin asked, Obi-Wan smiling.
"It's been a long time since I've taught you anything my old friend. I shall teach you to walk backwards with the flow of the Force and look into the past, but with it comes a warning. You will be forced to relive the years of your enslavement as Vader. You will witness friends and loved ones, suffering, dying. Are you prepared to witness this?" Kenobi asked as Anakin took a deep breath.
"No…but I have no choice. If I am to know how Ahsoka fell, I shall have to endure my own suffering once more." Anakin said as Kenobi gave a nod.
"Prepare yourself then, Anakin, and remember the Force…remember that I will be with you…always." Kenobi said as he knelt down and placed a ghostly hand on Anakin's head. From Anakin's perspective, he noticed a light appear to his left. He turned and looked to see the Coruscant sun rising from the West but it usually rose from the east. Time was flowing backwards, the sun's journey across the sky quickly picking up speed until it had set in the East, plunging the city into nightfall again. This repeated at an alarmingly fast rate until Day and Night were almost impossible to distinguish from each other. This continued for several minutes until suddenly the reverse flow of time stopped, resuming like normal, and he beheld a sight he had almost forgotten…
Coruscant, 19 BBY
47 Years Ago
The Jedi Temple stood in all its glory, its five magnificent towers still standing tall and proud atop the fortress-like main structure. It was just after sundown as a teenaged Togruta woman climbed the stairs towards the Temple, a look of contemplation on her face. Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard the sound of a Jedi Airspeeder taking off high overhead. Her connection to the Force told her who was at the controls of this speeder but she could sense conflict within him as he flew towards the Chancellor's Office. She had spotted a gunship departing the temple a few minutes earlier, heading for the Chancellor's Office as well. As she approached, she spotted Jedi Master Cin Drallig out front with a young human female Padawan. Drallig noticed the Togruta's approach.
"Padawan Tano? Is that you?" Drallig asked as Ahsoka smiled lightly.
"Yes Master Drallig. But I'm not a Padawan anymore." Ahsoka said as Drallig motioned to the other Padawan to go into the temple before turning back to Tano.
"Forgive me. But what brings you back to the Temple? Something on your mind?" he asked.
"I'm…I'm here to visit someone. I wanted to visit my sister, Ashla. I wanted to make sure she was safe after the Separatists tried to invade the other day." Ahsoka said as Drallig smiled.
"She is well. The Temple wasn't targeted by the Separatists so the younglings are safe. As for your visit, most non-Jedi are usually turned away but in your case, I believe I can look the other way for you. Ashla has been asking about you lately. Perhaps your visit will help lighten her spirit." Drallig said as he motioned for Ahsoka to follow. As they both entered the temple, Ahsoka could sense a disturbance in the Force, as if she could sense the sudden passing of at least three Jedi somewhere on Coruscant. She noticed that Drallig sensed the same thing and it concerned him but he said nothing.
"So, what have you been doing lately, Ahsoka? Since leaving the Order?" Drallig asked, trying to make conversation.
"I've been to Shili. I tried finding mine and Ashla's parents but had no luck. I figured that, since I wasn't a Jedi anymore, I could find my parents without repercussions." Ahsoka said as Drallig, his brow furrowed.
"That's good." He said, absently just as he and Ahsoka sensed a fourth, familiar, death in the Force.
"Perhaps now wasn't a good time to come." Ahsoka said but Drallig gave a dismissive wave.
"No, no. It's fine. You should see your sister. Normally we don't condone such attachments to exist within the Order but there are special cases and yours and Ashla's is one of those special cases." Drallig replied, assuming she hadn't sensed the disturbances he had.
"Thank you Master Drallig." Ahsoka replied, falling silent for the rest of the walk through the temple until they reached a private room meant for mediation.
"Ashla will be here shortly. Patience." Drallig said with a smile.
"Where will you be if I need you, Master Drallig?" Ahsoka asked.
"I've agreed to help Padawans Whie and Bene with Form Three. Their skill with a lightsaber is far from Mastered. Speaking of which, your former Master has requested that your lightsabers be returned to you. The Council agreed that you can have them, if you'll take them." Drallig said as Ahsoka gave him a curious look.
"Do I have to rejoin the Order first?" she asked but Drallig shook his head.
"No, Ahsoka. You may take them or refuse them if you wish. The choice is yours. They're merely intended to act as a reminder of us. The Council believes it can trust you with them. I'll send them along shortly." Drallig said before stepping out of the room. Ahsoka sat down in one of the seats, a sense of unease washing over her. It wasn't being in the temple itself that brought about this feeling, but something else. It was like the force itself was urging her to leave. At least an hour went by before the door opened, revealing a pair of familiar faces: Ashla, her youngling sister, and Professor Huyang, the architect droid.
"Ah, Padawan Tano. Good to see you again. I've been instructed to bring Ashla here on Master Drallig's orders. Oh, and I was told you might want these." Huyang said, holding out Ahsoka's lightsabers to her. Ahsoka was hesitant but her instincts told her to take them. Ahsoka finally took both of the lightsabers, clipping them to her belt.
"Thank you Professor. I appreciate what the Council's done for me but…" Ahsoka said but Huyang raised his hands up in a motion to stop.
"You don't need to explain anything to me, Padawan. I understand. I'll leave you both alone now. May the Force be with you, Padawan Tano." Huyang said before bowing out of the room, leaving the sisters alone.
"So…I'm glad you're okay." Ahsoka said as Ashla sat down on the seat opposite her sister.
"I'm happy you came to visit 'Soka. I thought you'd forgotten all about me after you left." Ashla said but Ahsoka smiled warmly at her sister.
"I could never forget about you, Ashla. We're sisters. We may not always stick together but we'll never forget each other." Ahsoka said as Ashla nodded, smiling while glancing curiously out the windows at the nighttime Coruscant cityscape.
"I brought you something." Ahsoka said, reaching for a pouch on her belt and pulling out a small round red and light blue colored candy, the colors resembling Togruta skin tones and their lekku and montral colors.
"Here. I picked this up from Shili." Ahsoka said as Ashla took the candy, popping it in her mouth, and almost instantly puckering in alarm. Ahsoka had to bite her lip while smiling as Ashla glared at her in annoyance, spitting the candy out onto the floor.
"It's a recolored Alderaan Pucker Pod!" Ashla exclaimed as Ahsoka laughed.
"You always prank me like this! You're the worst big sister ever!" Ashla yelled albeit halfheartedly. She was more frustrated at Ahsoka's jibes than anything.
"Oh come on, brat. You know I only do that because you're so easy." Ahsoka said, earning an annoyed glare from Ashla. However Ashla's gaze darted back to the window again.
"'Soka…what are those soldiers doing?" Ashla asked, a look of confusion on her face. Ahsoka arched an eyebrow and cautiously turned towards the window, suspicious that Ashla was trying to prank her back, but to her surprise, she saw something that made her pause. It was an entire Legion of troops, familiar ones at that, the 501st, marching in orderly lines with a dark hooded figure at the front of them, leading them into the temple.
"What's going on?" Ahsoka asked, curiously as she and Ashla stood up, heading for the door.
"Wait for me!" Ashla said, following after her sister as she walked out to investigate. As they got closer to where the troops had entered, they suddenly started hearing blaster fire, lightsaber activations, and yelling echoing throughout the temple. The sisters could suddenly sense a massive disturbance in the force. The Jedi were dying and not just in the temple, but across the Galaxy. Ahsoka and Ashla soon entered onto a walkway overlooking one of the temple's large chambers and what they saw shocked and horrified them both. The Clone Troopers of the 501st were attacking the Jedi, gunning them down without mercy. The Jedi attempted to fight back but they were simply outnumbered and were being slaughtered. Ahsoka immediately looked down at Ashla and picked her up in her arms.
"Come on, we're getting out of here!" Ahsoka said as she rushed away from the scene, running back down the hall they had come from.
"'Soka?! What's going on?!" Ashla asked, clearly afraid.
"I don't know! We need to find Master Skywalker! Maybe he can tell us what's going on!" Ahsoka replied. As they approached the turn to an adjoining hallway, they saw a sudden flurry of blaster bolts fly past in front of them, striking the opposite wall, shortly before a figure toppled over from around the corner. It was Professor Huyang, his chassis riddled with blaster holes.
"Professor!" Ahsoka cried out in alarm. Huyang managed to turn his head towards the two, his photoreceptors flickering.
"RUN!" Huyang managed to order, his vocabulator crackling, before his photoreceptors flickered out.
"Over here!" Ahsoka heard a clone yell from behind them. Ahsoka turned to see three 501sts rushing towards them, blasters raised. Ahsoka quickly shifted Ashla onto her back and drew her lightsabers, deflecting the blaster fire away. As she deflected the shots, Ashla saw four 501sts rushing in from the hall behind them.
"We have them surrounded! Don't let them escape! Blast them!" one of the clones ordered as they raised their weapons. Suddenly one of the clones was struck down from behind by a white lightsaber. Ahsoka and Ashla turned and saw two more clones struck down by this same lightsaber as a hunched figure quickly moved between them, valiantly defending the two Jedi. Ahsoka immediately recognized this figure.
"Master Sinube!" Ahsoka exclaimed as the ancient Jedi Master struck down the last clone before stopping long enough to place his hand against the wall, catching his breath. He turned towards the two young Jedi, worry clear in his face.
"There's no time to stand around this time, Ahsoka. We must move!" Sinube said as he forced himself to start moving down the hall, Ahsoka and Ashla moving with him.
"Master, what's going on?" Ashla asked, still riding Ahsoka's back.
"We have been betrayed little one. The Republic has ordered our execution." Sinube replied.
"Execution?! What do you mean, execution?!" Ahsoka asked, shocked by the news.
"The Jedi! All the Jedi in the Galaxy are considered enemies of the Republic! I overheard some of the clones mentioning an Executive Order. Order 66, they called it." Sinube explained.
"An executive order? But only the Chancellor…only the Chancellor could've given that order." Ahsoka said, slowing to a stop as realization swept over her face.
"Yes. Master Windu spoke to me an hour ago. He said that Master Kenobi had killed Grievous on Utapau and that the war was effectively over. He and three other Jedi Masters went to confront the Chancellor, to make sure he returned emergency power back to the senate. I sensed them become one with the force not long after they left." Sinube said as they reached one of the secret maintenance corridors, slipping inside before any clones could find them.
"Wait, you mean…Master Windu is…" Ahsoka said as Sinube gave a grim nod.
"Yes. He and most of the council are now gone. I can also feel so many of our fellow Jedi, becoming one with the force even as we speak. I fear that this may be the end of the Jedi Order as we know it, Ahsoka." Sinube said but Ahsoka's thoughts were towards someone else.
"Wait, I sensed Anakin heading towards the Chancellor's office less than an hour ago! You don't suppose he fell into the same trap Master Windu and the others did, do you?!" Ahsoka asked, horrified for her former master's fate.
"I'm afraid I don't know, Ahsoka. I sense he's still alive but…there's something different about him. Anyway, I suspected something dark was on the horizon so I began gathering some of the youngling groups together in the Council Chambers. I had just loaded the second group of younglings into a transport when the attack started. I managed to get the younglings on the transport into these tunnels but the clones cut off any access to the council chambers. I can only hope they don't look there but if they do, I hope they show mercy." Sinube said as they reached a second corridor where Sinube motioned to be silent, the sounds of blaster fire could still be heard on the other side of the door. The blaster fire soon stopped, coupled with the sound of a lightsaber deactivating and hitting the floor.
"That's another one." A clone said.
"Why are we doing this? This Jedi was just a healer." A second clone asked.
"Order 66. Every Jedi is an enemy of the state and to be executed with extreme prejudice. Those are our orders, straight from the Chancellor himself." The first said. The second then sighed.
"I know. Where's the General gone?" the second asked.
"Just returned from the council chambers. Secondary team followed after him and found several younglings." The first said, Sinube and Ahsoka both holding their breath, waiting for more information.
"Younglings? Should I call for prison transports?" the second asked.
"Prison transports? Why bother. There's no one left alive in the chambers. General saw to that." The first said, Sinube and Ahsoka were both shocked and horrified by the news that even the younglings had been slaughtered. Ashla was too scared to realize what was happening. Sinube looked up at the ceiling in horror, bracing himself against the wall, Ahsoka clinching her fists in anger.
"The younglings too? Has the General lost what's left of his mind?! First he kills General Windu and then he leads this…slaughter?!" the second asked, clearly outraged by the turn of events.
"Orders are orders. Come on, let's go. Appo spotted more younglings trying to escape on a transport but they vanished before the transport left. He wants us to find where they are." The first said as the second sighed again and the sound of footsteps could be heard moving out and away from the room. Sinube placed a hand over his chest, a tear of sadness running down his face.
"Master, now isn't the time to weep. You said you got those other younglings to a safe place, right?" Ahsoka asked as Sinube nodded sadly.
"Yes, we must hurry or even they will fall victim to this-this…purge." Sinube said as they hurried through the door, quickly searching for any sign of clones and hurrying down the hall. Sinube led them to a secret passage that led out to a small service building outside of the temple. The room was a small domed room that used to serve as an observation room to oversee repairs to the temple at various points in the Order's history. Inside the room, they found only six Padawans, all of whom Ahsoka recognized: Zatt, Ganodi, Gungi, Petro, Katooni, and Byph.
"Master Sinube!" Petro exclaimed softly.
"What's going on?! There are clones all over the place! And the temple's on fire!" Katooni said in a scared whisper.
"Padawan Ahsoka? What are you doing here?" Zatt asked as Ahsoka set Ashla down onto the ground.
"Listen to me, younglings…we cannot go back into the temple. We must flee. We are all that is left of the Jedi Order. We must leave now!" Sinube said but the younglings were confused.
"What do you mean?" Petro asked.
"The clones…the Republic itself, has turned on us. The clones are the ones destroying the temple as we speak." Ahsoka said grimly.
"But what about the others-…" Katooni said but the grim looks on the other two Jedi answered her question for her, causing her to gasp, clapping her hands over her mouth in horror.
"No…no they can't be." She said, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Now is not the time for grief, young ones. Grief and sadness can come later. Right now, we must focus on survival. This way, I know where we can find a ship that the clones are not likely to find." Sinube said as he motioned for them to follow, leading them back into the passage leading back into the temple.
"Why are we going this way?" Ahsoka asked.
"Because our best chance of escape is this way. The clones aren't likely to find it, because they don't know we are looking for it." Sinube said, earning a confused look from Ahsoka.
"What are you talking about?" she asked as Sinube pointed out a small window towards a landing platform where several Theta class shuttles were landed.
"We're stealing, one of those." Sinube said as he motioned to stop, pressing a button on a secret panel in the passage way and opening a secret door that led into a sort of trench that led towards where the ships were landed. Sinube, Ahsoka, and the others quickly started to move towards the shuttles, but to their dismay, there were at least twelve clones guarding the shuttles and they were soon joined by three more, one of which Ahsoka recognized.
"Rex?" she asked, softly as the Clone Captain approached one of the clones guarding the shuttles.
"Lord Vader has ordered additional troops to scour the temple. He suspects that some of the more resourceful Jedi have started using a number of hidden passage ways. He wants those Jedi flushed out and dealt with before dawn." Rex instructed, although his tone implicated some degree of reluctance to give the orders. The clones saluted and hurried into the temple, leaving Rex and the other two clones behind. Ahsoka, Sinube, and the others were drawing closer to the shuttles, waiting for their chance to spring up and take one from under their noses. The three clones soon had their backs turned, Ahsoka quietly leaping up onto the platform behind them, motioning to the others to move. Gungi had Ashla held in his arms as they quickly hurried to the shuttle. Unfortunately, Petro tripped on a piece of debris, letting out a yelp as he fell, alerting the three clones.
"More Jedi! Blast them!"
"Hold fire!" Rex ordered, quickly stepping forward just as Ahsoka activated her lightsabers, standing ready to strike him down if necessary. Rex then turned towards his fellow clones.
"They're younglings! They're of no threat to us!" Rex exclaimed but the other two kept their blasters trained on the Jedi.
"Sir! We have our orders! Step aside!" one of the clones said as Rex looked at Ahsoka, Sinube, and the younglings who, save for Ahsoka and Sinube, were paralyzed with fear. Rex then sighed, drawing his blasters and aiming them at Ahsoka, his expressions unreadable due to his helmet.
"Yeah…orders." Rex said before quickly spinning around and blasting both clones, killing them instantly before they could fire a shot. Ahsoka and Sinube were both surprised by the move as Rex holstered his guns and removed his helmet before turning towards them. He then saluted them both.
"Captain Rex, reporting for duty, General." Rex said with a sober expression.
"Rex…what are-…" Ahsoka said, confused, as Rex sighed.
"Call me a deserter. I'm not about to kill children for anyone. Unfortunately I'm one of the lucky clones who can make that choice. The rest are bred to follow orders, not question them." Rex said as he put his helmet back on his head as he headed for one of the shuttles.
"We better hurry. My access codes will only work until they've realized I've deserted." Rex said as they quickly climbed aboard the shuttle, Rex and Ahsoka taking the controls while Sinube sat behind them. Before long, they were airborne, flying away from the temple as smoke rose from the burning building. As they headed for orbit, Rex quietly rose from his seat and opened a panel under the pilot's seat, ripping out a device and tossing it onto the floor before blasting it for safety sake.
"There. Now they can't track us." Rex said, retaking his seat as Ahsoka hunched forward, her head lowered in grief as realization set in.
"Why is this happening?" Ahsoka asked, tearful.
"The Chancellor ordered this. Order 66 forces all clones to execute any Jedi they come across, Youngling and Master alike." Rex explained, his arms crossed over his chest, his helmet tossed to the side, a scowl of clear anger on his face.
"But why? What did we do? The war is over! Why are we being hunted like this?" Ahsoka asked as the shuttle began to exit the atmosphere, ignored by the other ships as it passed. Sinube however had an inkling as to why.
"Captain, this General I heard mention of, this 'Lord Vader.' Who is he?" Sinube asked. Rex seemed to be physically pained and sickened by the question, although it quickly became apparent that it was the answer that sickened him.
"I heard reports of a fight going on in the Chancellor's Office. It was between four Jedi and the Chancellor. Reports said the Chancellor killed three of them himself but the fourth, General Windu, nearly killed him." Rex said, as Ahsoka and Sinube's eyes widened in horror.
"But how did the Chancellor kill three Jedi Masters?!" Ahsoka asked, shocked by the thought. Sinube's eyes narrowed, realizing what the implication was.
"So it was the Chancellor all along. We have been blind." Sinube said as Ahsoka turned towards the ancient Jedi.
"Master Sinube?" Ahsoka asked, confused and worried.
"You wouldn't know this, Ahsoka, but the Jedi Council has been looking for a Sith Lord for the past ten years, ever since the Naboo Crisis. We were first alerted to the Sith's existence with the death of Master Qui-Gon Jinn, Master Kenobi's late Master. Then Kenobi alerted us to the fact that this same Sith Lord, was in a position close to the Republic. We thought the information to be disputable as it had been given to Kenobi by Count Dooku on Geonosis before the war began. Now everything is clear. The Chancellor is the Sith Lord we've been looking for." Sinube explained as Ahsoka's eyes widened in horror.
"It can't be! Then, the Chancellor is the one who led the attack on the Temple?" Ahsoka asked but Rex shook his head.
"No, Ahsoka, it wasn't." Rex replied, a look of complete loss on his face.
"Who was it then?" Ahsoka asked, Rex turning to give her a pitying look. It physically pained him to even say it.
"The Chancellor ordered the attack but he wasn't the one who personally led it. Remember when I said, Master Windu had almost killed the Chancellor? The only reason he didn't succeed was because someone else stopped him. That someone was the one who led the attack on the Temple." Rex said as Ahsoka grew impatient.
"Tell me who it is, Rex! Tell me!" Ahsoka yelled, anger clear in her expressions. Rex sighed again, almost tearful and extremely hesitant to answer but he forced himself to answer anyway.
"Ahsoka…it is Skywalker." Rex said, Ahsoka's mouth falling open in shock and horror.
"No…no it's not true, it's impossible!" she said, tears welling up.
"It's true Ahsoka. It was General Skywalker himself. Only now he goes by a different name, one given to him by the Chancellor." Rex said as Ahsoka, crushed by the news, turned towards the front.
"Vader?" Sinube asked, Rex turning towards him.
"Darth Vader." Rex replied as Ahsoka broke down into tears of grief and anger.
"NO! NOOOOO!" she screamed as the shuttle jumped into hyperspace. Anakin had witnessed this all, his specter invisible to the others, a silent observer to the horrific scenes of the past. He was sadly moaning to himself, regretting his past actions. He didn't notice as Obi-Wan's Spirit appeared next to him.
"This was only the beginning for Ahsoka. This was where the seeds of the Dark Side were planted within her. Her true fall to the Dark Side of the Force would not happen for several years." Obi-Wan said, Anakin looking towards him.
"Then…I must see this as well. I must know how what drove her to the Dark Side, how she became the Emperor's apprentice. I must see this, Obi-Wan." Anakin said, Kenobi giving his friend a pitying look.
"Ahsoka's path to the Dark Side only started here. We know where she started down the path, but to truly understand, we shall have to view her life as it progressed in the wake of Order 66 and the Fall of the Jedi Order, to learn the fates of those around her as she grew closer to the Dark Side." Kenobi said as time shifted once more. The scene was now a quiet farm on the surface of a planet that Anakin remembered…
19 BBY
Saleucami.
"The attempt on my life has left me scarred and deformed, but I assure you my resolve has never been stronger…" a hologram of Palpatine's said in an address to the Senate, "…the Republic will be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire, for a safe and secure society!"
Rex sat at Dejarik table, glaring angrily at the hologram, disgusted by the roaring applause from the crowd. Across from him sat a man who, like him, was a clone. Cut Lawquane, a fellow deserter of the Grand Army of the Republic and owner of the farm. Rex, Ahsoka, Sinube, and the other younglings had managed to escape to Saleucami, ditching their shuttle and stowing away on a transport bound for the planet. Lawquane had granted the fugitive Jedi and fellow deserter shelter from the newly formed Empire. Sinube sat nearby, watching with sadness. Cut's Twi'lek wife, Suu, was also watching the broadcast with a look of fear and worry on her face from over her husband's shoulder. However, no one was as angry as Ahsoka, who stood between the two clones, her face contorting in anger even more with every passing second.
"Turn it off. I can't stomach another second of this." Rex said, Cut obediently deactivating the table.
"So that's it then. The Republic is finished. We win the war against the Separatists, defending everything the Republic stood for, and for what? Just so that the Republic can tear itself down and be rebuilt into a mockery of what we fought to protect." Cut said as Rex ran a hand over his face.
"And to think, this whole war was fought so that some politician could gain power over the rest of the Galaxy." Rex said. Ahsoka remained silent. Cut then turned to Sinube who sat with a sad look on his face.
"General Sinube, if there's anything I can do, just say the word. I've still got my old armor and blasters. I'll-…" Cut said but was interrupted by Sinube.
"You will do nothing with them. There is no point trying to fight this new Empire…not yet at least." Sinube said as the two Clones leapt to their feet.
"So you're saying that we're just supposed to sit here and do nothing?!" Rex asked, outraged.
"The Emperor has too much support from those in power. The Senate, the Courts…all are in favor of this Empire. Legally, there are no ways to oppose the Empire and there are too few willing to rebel at this juncture. We shall have to-…have to-…" Sinube stammered, his breathing becoming shallow and weak before he suddenly collapsed forward. The two clones, Ahsoka, and Suu quickly rushed to his side.
"Master Sinube?! Master Sinube!" Ahsoka exclaimed rolling the Master onto his back and lifting him up.
"Cut! Med kit!" Rex ordered but the other clone was already on it, racing into another room and retrieving the med kit.
"Ahsoka…" Sinube whispered weakly.
"I'm here, Master. Hang on, we'll get you some help!" Ahsoka said but Sinube looked at her with a weak and sad look, quietly grasping her hand.
"I'm sorry young one. I've tried to stave this off for as long as I could. I'm sorry but I leave you and our fellow Jedi to face these dark times alone. You must be strong. One day, the cry for freedom will drown out the voice of oppression. A killer of stars will step into the light and become a beacon of hope for the galaxy and the Jedi. Above all, you must have faith that Skywalker will return to the light. You must believe…you must…" Sinube said before falling silent and breathing his last, his head falling back slowly as he became one with the force, his ancient body simply unable to carry on any longer especially after the recent excitement. Ahsoka was in tears once more. Weeping against Sinube's chest as the two clones and Suu watched on. The younglings and Cut's two children both watched on from nearby, looks of uncertainty in their eyes.
…
That night, they burned Sinube's body in true Jedi fashion. Cut, Rex, Suu, Cut's children, the six younglings, Ashla, and Ahsoka all watched in silence as Sinube's body was immolated atop his funerary pyre. As they watched, Ahsoka felt a hand grasping onto hers. She looked down and saw Ashla, holding onto her for comfort, clearly saddened and beginning to come to terms with what was happening. Ahsoka then looked to the younglings, noticing their Padawan braids. She then stepped forward and turned towards them.
"Padawans, remove your braids." Ahsoka said, confusing the six.
"But Ahsoka, we're not supposed to remove them until we become Jedi Knights." Zatt said before earning an angry glare from Ahsoka.
"Cut them off! There are no Jedi anymore. If anyone sees those braids and knew what they represented, you could die." Ahsoka said as Rex gave a nod.
"She's right. Those braids will just make you targets. We'll also need to find you all some new clothes. Those Jedi robes will need to be destroyed too." Rex said as the Padawans looked at each other sadly before Katooni pulled Rex's combat knife from his belt, using it to cut the braid from her head, handing the braid to Ahsoka and then passing the knife on to the next Padawan. One by one, they went down the line, cutting off their braids and handing them to Ahsoka. When the knife came to Ashla, she flinched in fear of the blade. Ahsoka knelt caringly in front of her sister.
"Ashla, be strong. We may have lost our friends, but we at least have each other." Ahsoka said as she unclipped the Padawan braid from her sister's head. Now that all seven braids had been cut off, Ahsoka quietly rose to her feet and turned to the fire, looking at the braids in her hand with sadness before throwing them in. A short while later, the Jedi robes were tossed into the flames as well, the Padawans all dressed in simple farm wear provided by Cut and Suu. Now it was just Rex, Cut, and Ahsoka, watching the burning pyre. Sinube's body was nothing more than ash now. Ahsoka then looked towards Rex, looking his armor over.
"Rex…your armor." Ahsoka said but Rex was more hesitant.
"With respect Ahsoka, I think with a little repainting, I can still use this armor. What really needs to change, is this." Rex said, pointing to his face.
"Rex and I can't show our faces in public, especially now. We'll both need to have facial surgery to hide." Cut added.
"Not to mention vocal reconstruction. Our voices will give us away too." Rex said.
"We'll have to deal with that another time. For now, we'll have to consider our next move. We need to find a place that's safe for these younglings. Suu and I can take care of them for the time being and Force knows we could use the extra hands around here…but this isn't for them. A farm is no place for them." Cut said.
"There is no place for us, Cut. We're all fugitives." Ahsoka said.
"What are your orders, Ahsoka?" Rex asked as Ahsoka looked towards the night sky.
"We're leaving, Rex. We have to keep moving. The Empire will be focusing on eliminating the larger Jedi strongholds which will give us some time. We need to find a place for these Padawans to stay, where their presence in the Force won't be easily sensed." Ahsoka explained.
"Anywhere in particular in mind?" Rex asked as Ahsoka thought for a moment, a plan forming in her head.
"This Empire might be too powerful, but there have to be dissenters in the Senate, especially amongst the Delegation of 2000." Ahsoka said, confusing the two clones.
"The what?" Rex asked.
"Senator Amidala told me. She said that she and at least two thousand senators were bringing a petition before the Chancellor to try and force him to return emergency power back to the Senate. He obviously refused but she did list a few names. Senator Organa, Senator Mothma, even Senator Chuchi. If we could find one of those Senators, maybe they can help us find a safe place for the Padawans." Ahsoka said but Rex was hesitant.
"Not to put a breach in that bulkhead, Ahsoka, but those senators are likely going to be at the top of the Emperor's watch list. He's going to be watching them for signs of treasonous actions if they aren't simply eliminated to begin with. He has that kind of power now." Rex said, Ahsoka nodding.
"I know, but it's our only chance." Ahsoka said as Rex nodded understandingly.
"I'll follow your orders, Ahsoka. But for safety sake, perhaps we should go alone to secure this information." Rex suggested, Ahsoka nodding in agreement.
"Agreed. Better only the two of us go than the whole group. Cut, can you and Suu take care of the Padawans?" Ahsoka asked as Cut stood at attention and saluted.
"Yes ma'am!" Cut replied.
…
The following morning, Ahsoka and Rex stood outside of Cut's house, Cut and his family standing off to the side while the Padawans gathered to see the two off. Rex had a black poncho over his armor while Ahsoka had a tan poncho over her clothes.
"Rex and I will try and be back as soon as we can. We'll try and find a way to get all of you to safe places. Cut and his family will take care of each of you until then." Ahsoka said but none of the Padawans could look her in the eye.
"'Soka…" Ashla said before bursting forward, colliding into her sister, tears flowing down her face.
"Don't leave me again! Please!" Ashla cried as Ahsoka knelt down and put her arms around her.
"It's okay, Ashla. I'll come back for you. I promise. Then we'll be together. I promise." Ahsoka said, holding back her own tears as she embraced her sister. They then broke the embrace, Ahsoka turning towards Rex, giving a nod. Rex nodded back quietly, turning towards where a pair of Eopies sat saddled and ready to go. Rex glanced back at Cut who gave him a salute. Rex returned the salute before climbing onto his Eopie, the clone and Jedi riding out towards the rising sun.
"Where are we going, first Ahsoka?" Rex asked.
"Naboo. We're going to try and see Senator Amidala." Ahsoka replied, determination in her voice.
...
A couple of days later, Ahsoka and Rex stood hidden amongst throngs of people lining the streets of Theed, watching in awestruck silence and sadness as the body of Padme Amidala passed by in an open casket. They learned that Padme had died by unknown means, the cause of death had either been withheld from the public or was truly unknown but what was known was that she died the same day the Empire had arisen to power. Either way, Padme was dead. Ahsoka and Rex were hidden amongst the crowd, both with hoods over their heads as they watched from the sidelines. They then turned to leave, walking through the deserted streets of Theed towards the spaceport.
"What do we do now?" Rex asked softly. Ahsoka sighed heavily in response. She wasn't expecting Padme of all people to be among those killed. She privately suspected the Empire was involved but had nothing to back up the theory.
"We keep going. Senator Amidala was only one Senator on the list. We need to go to Coruscant. I need to speak with Senator Chuchi of Pantora." Ahsoka said, still visibly disturbed by Padme's death, Rex giving a nod.
"Right, then. We head for Coruscant." Rex replied, quietly taking note of a pair of clone troopers passing by on patrol in a completely stark white variation of their Phase II armor, with no customizations at all. Rex had noticed this a few times already on different planets, noticing that all of the clones had been forced to remove their armor customizations.
"But first, I'm going to need some white paint." Rex mumbled as the troops passed by.
…
Two days later, Senator Riyo Chuchi sat in her office on Coruscant, reading the latest list of reforms that the new Emperor was enacting, most of which she opposed but all she was really able to do was say she was opposed to it and even voicing opposition to anything the Emperor handed down would get her into trouble. The Senate was completely useless now that Palpatine had complete authority and complete autonomy. The Senate effectively acted as his advisors, capable of "recommending" changes but no votes could be held. Even if they did, the votes meant nothing and held no legal authority anymore, especially when the Emperor had to sign off on them first. Chuchi was strongly considering just resigning as Senator and retiring to Pantora to help Chairman Papanoida but even Pantora's government held little sway as the Sector Moffs and Imperial Governors now had all the real authority.
As she read the list through for a second time, sipping from a cup of Pantoran wine, she suddenly heard a knocking at her door.
"Open up! Open up!" the familiar voice of one of the Empire's new "Stormtroopers" could be heard ordering from the other side. Chuchi sighed in frustration.
"Come in." she replied, the door opening to reveal a Stormtrooper who entered and then closed and locked the door behind him.
"Routine inspection, Senator." The trooper said, reaching for a set of controls on the Senator's desk, dimming the room lights, causing Chuchi to look at him worriedly.
"I suppose then…my time has come. I'm to be eliminated altogether?" Chuchi asked the trooper but to her surprise he shook his head.
"No ma'am. I have no intention of eliminating a senator." The trooper replied.
"Really. And why is that?" she asked.
"Because he's not loyal to the Empire." A familiar voice said softly from behind her. Chuchi's eyes widened in surprise as she gasped, spinning around to see the outline of a hooded figure lingering in the shadows.
"Ahsoka?" she asked in a whisper but the trooper, Rex, quickly cupped his hand over the Senator's mouth.
"Quiet, we might not be the only ones listening." Rex said, softly, quickly checking the room for any sort of listening devices. Ahsoka quickly and quietly slipped towards Chuchi, close enough to whisper into her ears.
"I need your help. I need to find some place to hide. Can you help?" Ahsoka asked.
"I-I don't know how I can. The Empire has effectively stripped all its Senators of any real authority. Those foolish enough to speak out are being imprisoned or have been intimidated into silence." Chuchi whispered back.
"You still have access to ships, right?" Ahsoka asked, Chuchi thinking for a moment then nodding.
"Yes, I do. Platform T3-1. I have a transport. I can get you to another friend of the Jedi. He can help you even more than I can." Chuchi whispered as Ahsoka smiled appreciatively.
"You've been a good friend to me, Chuchi. I hope that this nightmare ends soon for all of us." Ahsoka said before stepping back into the shadows. Rex then pressed a button on the Senator's desk, reactivating the lights.
"Inspection completed senator. Carry on." Rex replied before unlocking the door and stepping out into the hall, leaving Chuchi to herself, albeit with a slight smile.
…
Rex and Ahsoka had made it off Coruscant, riding aboard Senator Chuchi's personal transport, a Consular Class Cruiser, decked out in Pantoran blue with red diplomatic markings. Ahsoka had assumed the guise of an Imperial Agent, and that Rex was her escort. Chuchi had told the crew that she was acting on Imperial Business and that Chuchi had been ordered by the Emperor to bring them to a specific location and leave them, a lie the crew bought. Rex, Ahsoka, and Chuchi were in the private salon on the cruiser.
"It won't be long now, 'ambassador' before we reach the rendezvous point." Chuchi said as Ahsoka nodded appreciatively. She had her hood up over her head for security purposes.
"I appreciate your help, Senator. Are you sure your contact will be of any help?" Ahsoka asked.
"Positive. But I won't be able to introduce you in person. We're heading to an abandoned Republic Asteroid Base near Anaxes. We'll drop you off there and my contact will pick you up." Chuchi explained.
"You're not talking about Fort Anaxes are you?" Rex asked.
"The same. Don't worry. The contact is already in the system, waiting for us to arrive and then leave. He'll know to pick you up after we're gone. That way there's no one to link us but the two of you." Chuchi explained before the ship's comlink activated.
"Senator, we're beginning our approach to the drop off point. Tell the Ambassador to get ready." The Captain ordered as the cruiser began its descent to Fort Anaxes, the cruiser touching down near the edge of the asteroid base's landing platform. The base had been deserted sometime during the latter half of the war as an old ARC-170 and a couple of gunships sat in pristine condition in the dark of the powerless base. Chuchi escorted the two down the boarding ramp, Rex following behind them.
"I can't begin to thank you for all you've done, Chuchi." Ahsoka said as Chuchi smiled.
"It's the least I can do after all that's happened. I am still loyal to the Republic, to democracy, and to the Jedi." Chuchi said as she and Ahsoka briefly hugged.
"May the Force be with you, Chuchi." Ahsoka said as Chuchi smiled back before quietly turning and walking back up into the ship, the cruiser's engines powering up as it prepared to take off again. Chuchi paused at the top of the boarding ramp, turning to smile at her friend one last time before the ramp closed up, the cruiser taking off into the space above, leaving the Jedi and the clone behind.
"There she goes." Rex said as Ahsoka frowned sadly.
"Yeah. I hope she comes out of this okay." Ahsoka said as the cruiser disappeared into space. Before they could move, a floodlight shone down on them from above. Rex instinctively raised his blaster but they both froze as they saw a CR70 Corvette with blue markings overhead, beginning to touch down at the facility.
"Looks like this is our ride." Ahsoka said as the corvette landed, the boarding lift extending downward and allowing for the two to board. As soon as they were aboard, they felt the corvette taking off. They were still in the lift when the doors opened, revealing several armed soldiers, pointing blasters at them. They all wore the uniform of the Alderaan Royal Guard. Ahsoka and Rex quietly raised their hands in surrender.
"Orders, General?" Rex asked her softly.
"That won't be necessary. You're among friends, Padawan Tano." A familiar voice said as the soldiers lowered their weapons. At this, Senator Bail Organa stepped out into the corridor, a warm and relieved smile on his face.
"Senator Organa?" Ahsoka asked as she stepped out of the lift while the guards confiscated Rex's weapon.
"Yes, Padawan. I'm relieved to see you, especially after all that has happened. But why did you bring a Stormtrooper escort?" Organa asked, motioning to Rex.
"This is Captain Rex. He used to belong to the 501st Legion but deserted during the attack on the Jedi Temple. He's been helping me for the past several days." Ahsoka explained as Bail smiled towards the clone as he approached, his helmet tucked under his arm.
"I'm pleased to hear at least one of the Empire's soldiers saw sense to abandon his post in the course of all this madness." Organa said as Rex saluted him.
"I am loyal to the Republic, sir, not any one man or Empire." Rex replied as Organa gave him an appreciative nod.
"Now then, on to the matter at hand. Senator Chuchi and I were unable to communicate any details at all. We used a simple flash code to send each other the coordinates for Fort Anaxes as one of our meeting points. We've done everything we can to ensure the utmost secrecy." Organa said as he led them down the hall.
"Senator, I know you were a friend to the Jedi. I know you would do anything to help us. But please, tell me, do you know of any other Jedi to have survived Order 66?" Ahsoka asked as Bail paused.
"I can honestly say that there are survivors. But for your safety as well as theirs, I cannot tell you who survived or where they are now." Bail said as Ahsoka gave an understanding nod.
"That's more than I could've asked. To know that some Jedi have escaped, is enough for me." Ahsoka said as Bail thought of something.
"Actually, there is one Jedi I can tell you about. Master Obi-Wan Kenobi survived, and while he is in hiding, he did leave something behind for every Jedi to have." Organa said as he led them into a private salon where a familiar white and blue astromech sat.
"R2?" Ahsoka asked, the droid beeping excitedly to see a familiar face, rolling towards her.
"It's good to see you too R2." Ahsoka said, rubbing the droid on the dome but Rex was curious.
"Wait, how did Skywalker's droid get here?" Rex asked. Ahsoka and Bail's expressions turned grim at the mention of Skywalker.
"R2-D2 was passed into my care shortly after Master Skywalker's death. He-." "We know the truth, Senator. You don't need to lie to us. You got R2 after Anakin fell to the Dark Side and joined the Empire. My question is, how?" Ahsoka asked as Bail looked towards her, a saddened look on his face.
"I'm afraid that I must remain silent on that as well. There are certain details that cannot be discussed. Too many lives put at risk with every person that becomes aware of them. In any case, R2 has a message stored for all Jedi to see." Bail said as he sealed the doors to the salon, the lights dimming as R2 turned and activated his holoprojector, projecting an image of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
"This is Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. I regret to report that both our Jedi Order and the Republic, have fallen, with the dark shadow of the Empire rising to take their place. This message is a warning and a reminder for any surviving Jedi. Trustinthe Force. Do not return to the temple. That time has passed, and our future is uncertain. We will each be challenged. Our trust. Our faith. Our friendships. But we must persevere, and in time, a New Hope will emerge. May the Force be with you, always." Obi-Wan's message said before fading out. Ahsoka had watched the message in silence, Rex watching with his helmet over his chest. As the message faded out, the lights came back on.
"Thank you, Senator." Ahsoka said quietly.
"It's the least I can do. You and the rest of the Jedi should've been hailed as heroes, not murdered senselessly for your actions during the war. But I promise to do whatever I can to help." Organa said as he sat down at the table, Ahsoka and Rex sitting with him while R2 sat next to Ahsoka.
"I know you will, and if you're willing to help, then I know of a few ways you can." Ahsoka said as Bail gave a nod.
"What might they be?" Bail asked.
"We know the location of seven Jedi younglings that were smuggled out of the temple during the attack. Rex and I helped them escape. They're hiding on a farm in a remote region of Saleucami. One of Rex's fellow deserters is watching over them." Ahsoka said as Bail gave a nod.
"I'll do what I can to relocate them to a safe place where Empire will never find them." Bail replied.
"The second is I need a new identity to help me escape and maybe a ship that I can use." Ahsoka explained.
"A ship? You don't intend to remain with the younglings?" Bail asked but Ahsoka shook her head.
"No. I need to keep moving or else the Empire might catch up to me, and my presence will endanger the younglings." Ahsoka said as Bail gave a nod of understanding.
"A fair request. I'll look into getting you new IDs and a ship but it may take some time. You will need to be patient." Bail said before turning to Rex.
"What about you, Captain?" Bail asked.
"All I want is whatever literature you have on Imperial Regulations. It might help to know what they are so I can find the loopholes. That, and so I can pretend to be a more convincing clone trooper." Rex explained with a smirk.
"I think the Empire is calling them Stormtroopers now." Bail said as Rex shrugged.
"Fitting. New name for a new age." Rex mumbled with a scowl.
"Well that's it then. I'll start making the arrangements as soon as we get to Alderaan. May the Force be with us all." Bail said as he rose from his seat, leaving the two alone in the salon, R2 rolling up next to Ahsoka with a sad beep.
"I know, R2. And thanks." Ahsoka said, patting the droid on the head.
"So where do you plan on going Ahsoka?" Rex asked but Ahsoka sighed.
"I don't know. I know some people that might be willing to help me stay hidden." Ahsoka replied, her head lowered in grief.
"I better come with you then." Rex said earning a surprised look from Ahsoka.
"Rex?"
"I'm not going to let you go alone, Commander and it will do you no good to go alone." Rex replied as Ahsoka smiled slightly.
"I think you can call me Ahsoka now." Ahsoka said, earning a smirk from Rex.
"I don't think I can…not yet at least." Rex said, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder, Ahsoka placing her own hand on top of his as the Corvette flew through space.
Back on Coruscant…
The newly named Emperor Palpatine, sat on his throne, still relishing his victory over the Jedi. He had just received word that his apprentice, Darth Vader, had just successfully exterminated a Jedi Encampment on Bothui and was pursuing more Jedi to another encampment on Dantooine. As he quietly savored the thoughts of more dead Jedi, the doors to his chambers opened, revealing a black cloaked figure that entered the chamber and knelt before the Emperor.
"What is it?" the Emperor asked, simply.
"Forgive the intrusion, milord. But we have recently discovered a traitor in our midst. The Imperial Intelligence Bureau spied upon a meeting between a member of the Imperial Senate and a figure we believe to be a Fugitive Jedi." The figure said as the doors opened again, revealing a pair of Stormtroopers who proceeded to drag Senator Chuchi into the chambers. Chuchi was partially conscious, having been drugged during a tortuous interrogation session. Palpatine gave a hideous grin as he rose to his feet, letting out one of his dark and twisted laughs as the Stormtroopers threw the senator to the floor. Chuchi looked up fearfully towards the Emperor as he approached, using a cane to descend the steps towards her.
"And what did the Senator have to say in regards to the Jedi?" Palpatine asked.
"Nothing. She's remained firm in her defiance, milord. However, we were able to make out a name from the surveillance recording we acquired from the equipment our agents set up in her office. A less than loyal member of the Stormtrooper Corps made an attempt to find any surveillance equipment during the meeting but failed." The figure said, still knelt before Palpatine.
"And what is the name of the Jedi?" Palpatine asked, grinning at Chuchi who was clearly in fear for her life.
"Ahsoka, milord." The figure replied. Palpatine's grin tightened at the mention of the name.
"Ahsoka? Ahsoka Tano?" Palpatine asked.
"Yes milord. What little we could make of the figure in the hologram would indicate that the Jedi she met with was indeed Ahsoka Tano." The figure replied. Palpatine turned slightly towards the figure.
"Have you informed Lord Vader yet?" Palpatine asked.
"No milord. I felt that this was a matter that should be brought directly to your attention first." The figure said as Palpatine placed his hand upon the figure's head.
"You have done well, my friend. Lord Vader must not be allowed to know that his former Apprentice still lives. Were you able to find out what the Senator did with her?" Palpatine asked.
"Regretfully, no, milord. The crew of the Senator's vessel purged the entire system of all information. Navigation, communication, hyperspace coordinates, everything, when we captured their vessel. Most of the crew was killed when we intercepted the Senator's ship near the Anaxes system. The surviving crew died in interrogation before they could reveal any information." The figure replied.
"It is of no consequence. It is only a matter of time before we find Lord Vader's missing apprentice." Palpatine said as he turned, climbing the steps back to his throne.
"Milord, what of the senator?" the figure asked as Palpatine turned towards them, Chuchi bracing herself for what she knew was to come.
"She must be punished for her treason and I have no further use for her. I suspect she will be considered dead after her ship was torn apart in the asteroid fields of Anaxes." Palpatine said, confirming Chuchi's fears.
"Does there need to be a body, milord?" the figure asked.
"That, I leave to you, my friend." Palpatine replied as the figure rose to their feet and turned towards the Senator, the Stormtroopers picking her up by the shoulders as she braced for her death.
"Do you have any final words, Senator?" Palpatine asked as he sat down in his throne, grinning towards her.
"Savor your power while you can, Emperor. In time, yours, like many other dictatorships throughout history, will meet a violent end and it will be by the hand of those whom you have betrayed. The Jedi." Chuchi said, Palpatine's grin widening.
"The Jedi are no more, Senator. And should they resurface, you shall not be there to witness their final destruction." Palpatine said before the hooded figure pressed an inactive lightsaber to the Senator's chest and activated its single red blade, stabbing her through the heart, killing her instantly. The figure deactivated the lightsaber before turning back towards the Emperor, kneeling before him again as the Stormtroopers carried away the corpse of the late Senator Riyo Chuchi, formerly of Pantora.
"What is thy bidding, my Master." The figure said as Palpatine waited until the Stormtroopers were gone before turning his throne towards the window, sitting at such an angle where only his right arm could be seen.
"Seek out Ahsoka Tano, find her, bring her to me, alive. Make no mention of her existence to Lord Vader. Erase all record of her survival." Palpatine instructed as the figure rose to its feet.
"It shall be done, milord." The figure said, pulling back the hood to reveal a green skinned face with long black hair, a pair of dark side tainted eyes, and black Sith Tattoos.
"Your work here is finished my friend. Go forth and do the bidding of the Empire, Inquisitor Barriss." Palpatine instructed.
"Yes, milord." Barriss Offee replied before turning and heading towards the doors.
To Be Continued…
End Episode 10
I wanted this to be a flashback episode, detailing Ahsoka's fall to the Dark Side. I had to spread it out into separate parts however and I didn't want it to be a "meaningless flashback." Meaning that we, as the reader/viewer, learn the details but none of the characters in the story do. That's why we're technically watching this all through Anakin's eyes as he flow-walks back to witness Ahsoka's gradual fall to the Dark Side. These episodes are also meant to cover what happened to some of the characters introduced in the Clone Wars series, whose fates are left unknown and unexplained.
Ashla Tano is a partial OC, in that she's based off an actual character of the same first name introduced in the films (specifically a Togruta youngling named Ashla seen practicing with training sabers with Yoda during a scene in Attack of the Clones). I created her as a mention in a oneshot I wrote set after the Clone Wars movie. Her character was later expanded on slightly in my other story, Star Wars: Eve of Shadows, that saw Ashla's return but as Darth Vandal. We'll be covering her fall as well.
One other thing. The "Lost Missions" (or Season 6) of the Clone Wars made it seem that the issuing of Order 66 would cause a sort of biological chip in the clones to engage and force them into submission into serving the Chancellor. I'm discounting this as false in this universe. I believe that the majority of the Clones were well aware of the order and, like Rex implied earlier in this episode, were conditioned to follow orders while Officers like Rex and Commandos like Sev didn't have such strict conditioning. To explain how Able, an ordinary soldier, was able to shake off this conditioning, we can assume that it came as a result of living and surviving on his own for over twenty years, that the solitude broke him of his conditioning.