Episode 11 – The Rise of Akul – Part 2
Ahsoka Tano on the run! With the aid of the spirit of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker has flow-walked back in time to witness his former Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, and her fall to the Dark Side! Witnessing Ahsoka's escape from Coruscant at the beginning of Order 66, Anakin has now learned that the late Emperor Palpatine was aware of Ahsoka's survival and has dispatched fallen Jedi Knight: Barriss Offee, now one of the Empire's new Inquisitors, to hunt down and capture the former Jedi Padawan!
Coruscant, 28 ABY.
Anakin was still knelt before the memorial wall that listed the names of the Jedi killed during Order 66 and the Great Jedi Purge. Nearby, Jedi Master Maris Brood stood watching the older Jedi Master, quietly pondering what the former slave of the Empire was feeling. She could tell the force was around him, sensing a strong presence in the force. She wasn't sure if it was the radiant aura of the Force emanating from the ruined temple or something else entirely but she maintained her watch over the old temple. However, things were different from Anakin's perspective, much different…
17 BBY
45 years ago…
"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. Trust in the 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." The image of Obi-Wan Kenobi said as Ahsoka sat on the edge of her bunk, watching the message on a holocron provided to her by Bail Organa.
Two years had passed since the fall of the Jedi Order and the Republic. Ahsoka and Rex were now partners in crime, literally, since they were both fugitives from the Empire. She and Rex had become smugglers and bounty hunters in that time, the two just trying to get by and survive, while staying out of the Empire's reach. The six Padawans were relocated in secret to Alderaan where they lived in a secret hideout for Jedi, all six being taught by surviving Jedi. Ashla, Ahsoka's younger sister, had been left in the care of Cut Lawquaine, the clone deserter, and his family on Saleucami, at Ahsoka's request. Rex had been teaching Ahsoka how to use a blaster since even so much as carrying a lightsaber was grounds for arrest and possible execution.
Ahsoka herself, now eighteen years of age, had changed only slightly. She was taller now, her lekku had grown longer, and her montrals had grown more rigid. She had assumed the name Keena Shel, an alias created and maintained thanks to Senator Organa's assistance. She had also learned that Senator Chuchi, a close friend of hers, had died in an accident near the Anaxes system but Ahsoka suspected foul play by the Empire and privately wondered if she was responsible for Chuchi's death.
Rex still looked and sounded like the clones which became increasingly rare as time drew on and as the Empire began supplementing its Stormtrooper Corps with non-clone volunteer soldiers and additional clones not of the Fett variety. Rex had even recolored his armor, giving it a custom feel but partially retaining his old 501st Legion colors of blue and white while also updating it with some new pieces of the new Imperial Stormtrooper armor. He kept a full, unaltered, suit of Stormtrooper armor just in case he needed to masquerade as one. Rex's only noticeable physical changes were the addition of a few extra wrinkles due to his accelerated aging, and he had let his hair grow out enough to have a military style cut although he still bleached it blond. Rex went by the alias Tyran Asaur.
He and Ahsoka were the pilots of a beat up old freighter that had been skillfully acquired by Bail Organa at an Imperial impound auction, acquired and passed through several owners until it eventually ended up in Bail's control who then handed it over to Ahsoka and Rex for their personal use. Their ship was named the Requiem. It was a modified Gozanti-class cruiser decked out in white and blue colors.
Ahsoka was seated in her bunk on the Requiem, having just re-watched the holocron recording from Obi-Wan Kenobi. She wore a brown jacket over a black short sleeved shirt that left her midriff exposed, black trousers swiped from a CorSec officer, black boots, black utility gloves, and had a pair of goggles on her forehead. She sighed as she stepped out into the main corridor, leading to the cockpit where Rex sat at the controls, the Requiem approaching the outer rim planet of Tatooine.
"You alright, Kee?" Rex asked as Ahsoka sat down in the copilot's seat.
"I've not been alright for the past two years, Rex." She replied, sullen and melancholy.
"Well…look on the bright side. Once we deliver this lot to our client, we'll have enough credits to keep the ship flying and maybe even enough to repair that busted power converter." Rex suggested with a small smile, trying, fruitlessly, to cheer his partner up. Ahsoka just sat with her feet up on the console, watching Tatooine approaching in front of her.
…
A few minutes later, Ahsoka and Rex were walking through the desert streets of Mos Espa, Rex wearing his customized armor. Stormtroopers didn't bother pestering people who owned old clone trooper armor since they were outdated and discontinued. Behind Ahsoka rolled a white and blue R5 unit, towing three repulsorlift powered cargo containers, Rex following the R5 to make sure no one tried to disrupt their shipment. Ahsoka led them to a nearby junk shop owned by a certain Toydarian.
"Watto! Get your gas bags down here!" Ahsoka yelled, in Huttese, into the shop, the Toydarian soon hovering down from a perch hidden above the shop floor.
"Keena! You're not gonna make much-a money from-a me callin' me names! Especially when you keep bringin' that thug of yours, Tyran, with you!" Watto grumbled, hovering so that he was eye level with Ahsoka.
"We've got your gear and you better pay up. This was a rather popular shipment and we weren't the only ones interested in it." Ahsoka said, popping the lid on one of the containers, revealing it to be full of second-hand parts from an array of droids, ships, and other machines. Watto hovered over to one of the containers, inspecting the merchandise. After a moment's inspection, he finally turned to Ahsoka.
"You say there were others interested in it, eh?" Watto asked as Ahsoka put a hand on her hip in annoyance.
"Yeah, so?" she asked.
"These interested persons wouldn't happen to wear white plastic armor and carry blasters while flying around in big grey arrowheads would-a they?" Watto asked, Ahsoka scowling.
"We had some trouble with the Imperials but they never ID'd us." Ahsoka replied as Watto flew backwards in alarm.
"You tryin' to-a swindle me by-a sellin' me Imperial wares?! You think I am just going to-…(sigh) One hundred?" Watto asked, exasperated. Ahsoka was disgusted by his proposed price.
"Five hundred, and not a credit less." Ahsoka said as Watto groaned in frustration as he hovered over to behind his counter, collecting the credits needed from his safe.
"I miss the days when I could barter in truguts or wupiupi. Then Empire comes in, makes everyone conform to single currency. Doesn't bother me that much but I do miss being able to throw outlanders out for wanting to pay only with credits." Watto grumbled as he hovered up to Ahsoka and dropped five hundred Imperial credits into her hand. Ahsoka quickly counted the credits before pocketing them and giving the R5 unit a nod. The R5 beeped its response before detaching its tow cable from the containers which dropped to the floor with a loud thud.
"They're all yours Watto. Pleasure doing business with you, as usual." Ahsoka said in a sarcastic tone with a small two fingered salute as she motioned for Rex and the R5 to head for the door.
"Fine-fine. Say, while you're here, I've got a fresh shipment of power regulators in!" Watto called.
"After the last regulator you sold us? Forget it!" Ahsoka called as she walked out, passing a figure in a hooded cloak on their way into the store. As she passed the figure, she sensed a disturbance in the Force, a familiar presence that caused her to pause. She glanced behind her to see the figure entering the shop.
"Kee?" Rex asked, noticing Ahsoka's reaction. Ahsoka turned back towards the front, a look of consternation on her face.
"It's nothing. Go on back to the ship without me." She ordered.
"What about the new regulator?" Rex asked. Ahsoka merely reached into her pocket, tossing the credits to him.
"You take care of getting us ready to go. There's something I need to investigate." Ahsoka said as Rex gave a light sigh and nodded.
"Don't do anything foolish 'Soka." He said softly before turning and walking away, the astromech following after him. Ahsoka quietly lingered near the shop, leaning against the wall of a nearby building that offered a clear view of the shop. After a few minutes of waiting, the cloaked figure she had seen enter the shop came back out, stopping just outside the entrance and looking straight at Ahsoka. Their eyes met, narrowing at each other. The hooded figure started off down the street, ignoring Ahsoka who started following the figure, following at a safe distance. She followed the figure as far as the edge of town where a Landspeeder sat with an old reprogrammed B1 Battle Droid sitting at the controls. The figure proceeded to stop at the speeder, dropping a satchel into the speeder before turning towards Ahsoka.
"Don't think I don't recognize you, Jedi. You're Skywalker's former apprentice." The figure said as Ahsoka's eyes narrowed at the sound of their voice.
"Ventress." Ahsoka said softly, scowling, her hand near her blaster. Sure enough, beneath the hood of the cloak was the ex-Sith Acolyte, Asajj Ventress.
"If you're interested in settling some old score, need I remind you that killing me would draw unnecessary attention to you and we both know why that would be a bad thing." Asajj said as Ahsoka's scowl to twist into an annoyed sneer as she knew Asajj was right.
"What are you doing here, Asajj?" Ahsoka asked.
"Same as you. Trying to survive in a galaxy that has forsaken people like us." Asajj said, Ahsoka glancing around, taking note of a pair of passing Stormtroopers who paid them little attention.
"I suppose there isn't much point in trying to fight you anymore, is there." Ahsoka said as Ventress gave a slight nod.
"War's over, Jedi, and we both lost." Asajj said simply, her words surprising Ahsoka.
"We? I would've thought a Sith Schutta like you would be satisfied with the near extermination of the Jedi." Ahsoka said but Asajj only frowned.
"Believe it or not, I get no satisfaction from seeing the Jedi wiped out. I abandoned the Sith before the war ended. I wanted nothing more to do with either side. I didn't care which side won in the end, but I wasn't prepared for what happened two years ago. I wasn't prepared to learn of the betrayal that destroyed the Jedi. You didn't deserve that." Asajj said, Ahsoka sensing only sincerity in her.
"Well…it is, what it is. We can only keep going, and hope that the Empire doesn't catch up with us." Ahsoka said, Asajj nodding.
"Agreed." Asajj said as she turned towards the speeder, pausing briefly as she looked into the speeder. Ahsoka quietly turned to leave when she felt a gentle tugging at her shoulder, causing her to stop.
"May the Force be with you, Ahsoka Tano." Ventress said softly before climbing into the speeder, the speeder roaring to life and disappearing into the Tatooine deserts. Ahsoka quietly watched her leave before continuing on down the street.
…
A short while later, she met Rex at the local cantina, Rex sitting in a booth while a Twi'lek woman crooned a bar song in Huttese in the corner. Rex was looking over a list of his recent transactions.
"Anyone we know?" Rex asked as Ahsoka sat down next to him.
"No one of importance." Ahsoka replied, taking a sip of jawa juice that Rex had ordered for her. Rex then produced a small datapad, offering it to her.
"Seen the latest news? Queen of Naboo was executed for harboring Jedi fugitives." Rex said. Ahsoka gave him a curious and oddly hopeful look but Rex predicted her question and gave a slow shaking of his head in response.
"No survivors." He replied. Ahsoka let out a heavy sigh, taking a swig of the jawa juice.
"I hate this. Living on the run, always in fear that we'll be discovered." Ahsoka mumbled.
"I don't like it any more than you do, 'Soka. But what can we do? We're fugitives. What can one ex-Padawan and an aging clone do against an entire Empire?" Rex asked. Ahsoka quietly glanced away from him in thought.
"Not damn much." Ahsoka said, downing what was left of her drink before slamming the empty cup on the table.
"Come on. We need to find some work." Ahsoka said as she got up, Rex putting his helmet back on his head as he followed after her. As they exited the cantina, they couldn't help but notice a trio of Stormtroopers detaining a man and woman with a three year old blond haired boy. One of the troopers was mercilessly looking through their bags.
"Please, we're just here getting new equipment for our moisture farm. It's our nephew's birthday in a few weeks and we were getting him a gift too!" The man begged.
"There's been an increase in weapon smuggling in this sector. The transport of unlicensed and unregistered weapons is a felony punishable by life servitude at Kessel. We are authorized to stop and search anyone we deem suspicious." The Stormtrooper Lieutenant replied. About that time, the trooper searching the bags found something, holding up what appeared to be a small hold-out pistol.
"Lieutenant!" the officer reported.
"Good work private. I'm placing all three of you under arrest for weapon smuggling." The lieutenant said as he and the other trooper held the three civilians at blaster point. Ahsoka and Rex were watching this in silence, Ahsoka's fists clinched in anger.
"Rex." She said in a low tone. Rex sighed slightly.
"Let's make it quick." He replied as Ahsoka raised her hand towards the lieutenant, using the force to subtly deliver a hard smack in the back.
"Hey! What the-?!" the lieutenant yelped as he and the other troops turned around just in time for all three to be gunned down, Rex using both of his blaster pistols and Ahsoka using her own blaster. Rex and Ahsoka quietly began to approach the shocked family, Rex swiping the Stormtroopers' blasters while Ahsoka quietly helped put the family's belongings back into bags, picking up the "blaster" and pulling the trigger. The blaster proceeded to make the sound of a firing blaster and lit up as such but was clearly a toy. She handed the toy back to the boy who looked at her in silent awe.
"Thank you." The boy said, smiling at Ahsoka. Ahsoka quietly smiled and tousled the boy's blond hair.
"We're just poor moisture farmers from near Anchorhead. We don't have anything to repay you with but is there anything we can do to thank you?" the man asked but Ahsoka shook her head.
"Just go. Run. More troopers are bound to arrive after hearing those blaster shots." Ahsoka said, handing the woman the bags of their belongings before she and Rex turned and ran, running for the spaceport. Before long, they were watching Tatooine disappear behind them. Ahsoka propped her feet up on the console with her arms crossed, her usual melancholy look on her face.
"For what it's worth, you did the right thing in my book, 'Soka." Rex said as Ahsoka sighed.
"Yeah…getting us put on the wanted posters is exactly what I wanted to do." Ahsoka replied.
"It'll pass. It always does. Besides, there weren't any surveillance systems in place to spot us." Rex replied.
"Yeah. That's comforting." Ahsoka said sarcastically as she got up and headed for the door, leaving Rex to watch her leave, a look of helplessness on his face. Ahsoka arrived in the main hold, sitting down at a Dejarik table and activating the holoprojector, tuning into the Imperial News stations.
"In recent news, the valiant 501st Legion, also known as Vader's Fist, have reported the discovery of Jedi Terrorists, subverting the will of Naboo Queen Ampilana. Imperial Troops arrived to arrest the Jedi Insurgents when they, and a contingent of indoctrinated Naboo guards, attacked the 501st. The 501st, undeterred, brought swift justice to the Jedi. None survived for interrogation. On a sad note, the Jedi executed Queen Ampilana in a public display of force. The Emperor has called for a day of mourning to honor the senseless death of a much beloved monarch. The Queen's death comes only two years after the untimely death of one of her predecessors, Senator Padme Amidala, who is known as an instrumental figure in liberating Naboo from the threat of the now defunct Trade Federation, approximately fifteen years ago." The Imperial news broadcaster reported as Ahsoka scowled at the spinning Imperial emblem before shutting off the table projectors and burying her head in her arms.
Elsewhere in the Galaxy…
Inquisitor Barriss Offee, stood on the bridge of a Venator Star Destroyer, the Star Destroyer bearing the traditional grey color of the Empire. As she stood, watching the Imperial fleet on maneuvers, one of the Imperial Officers approached her.
"Pardon the interruption, Inquisitor, but we just received an urgent message from one of our Outposts on Tatooine. It appears that there has been some form of incident. Three patrols were gunned down in the streets of Mos Espa." The officer reported.
"And that should interest me, how, Lieutenant?" Barriss asked, impatiently. The Officer swallowed nervously before answering.
"Eyewitness reports identified one of the gunmen as a humanoid in outdated clone trooper armor and a female Togruta, an estimated eighteen galactic standard years." The officer said as Barriss smiled darkly.
"Did we get any sort of name?" Barriss asked.
"Yes Inquisitor. A local junk dealer gave us the names Keena Shel and Tyran Asaur. They're smugglers and part time bounty hunters." The officer said as Barriss turned towards the officer.
"Do they have any known bases of operation?" Barriss asked.
"Regretfully, none that we are aware of, but they have been observed making occasional visits to Onderon, their ship stopping at the capital city of Iziz at undetermined intervals of time. We believe that this is where they find work." The officer reported as Barriss started to walk towards the turbolifts.
"Excellent. Inform the Onderon garrison of my impending arrival." Barriss said as the Officer saluted.
"Yes Inquisitor." He replied, Barriss disappearing into the turbolift.
"After two years of searching, we will finally come face to face at long last, Ahsoka Tano." Barriss said to herself.
On Onderon…
The Requiem flew across the Onderon sky, headed for Iziz.
"Cheer up, 'Soka. I've noticed that coming here to Onderon always seems to perk you up somewhat. Don't suppose you're still attracted to that young senator, are you?" Rex asked Ahsoka as she sat looking out over the sprawling forest passing by beneath them.
"The Jedi Order forbids attachments." Ahsoka mumbled. Rex frowned at this.
"'Soka, you've got to move on. I'd say you've formed an attachment to holding on to what we've lost. We need to move on. Focus on living to see the day this Empire will fall." Rex said as Ahsoka glanced at him.
"Yeah that'll happen. Twenty years from now perhaps." Ahsoka mumbled sarcastically. Rex just sighed, guiding the ship in for a landing at Iziz spaceport. Soon the two were walking through the streets of Iziz. As they walked, they heard cheering coming from the square.
"Wonder what's got them all excited." Rex pondered as Ahsoka looked over a fruit stand.
"Probably some high ranking schmuck making an appearance." Ahsoka said as Rex pulled out a pair of electrobinoculars, looking towards the square.
"I dunno. I see large holoscreens, walkers, troops…oh…it's a parade." Rex grumbled, putting away the binoculars. However Ahsoka arched a curious eyebrow.
"A parade? For what occasion, I wonder." Ahsoka commented as Rex shrugged.
"Like you said. Probably some high ranking schmuck." Rex replied as Ahsoka started heading towards the gathering, Rex following after her. Just as Rex described, it was a parade of Imperial troops and walkers, all forming up outside of the Royal Palace. Ahsoka quietly climbed up onto the top of some nearby crates, giving them a higher vantage point and pulled a pocket-sized pair of electrobinoculars, using them to get a better view of the diplomats on the stage outside the Palace. On the stage was the reigning King of Onderon, the Imperial Governor, and a face Ahsoka knew very well.
"Hello again, Lux." Ahsoka said, a small smile forming on her face, admiring how handsome Lux Bonteri had grown over the past couple of years. She quietly noted a slightly dissatisfied expression on his and the King's face. As to whether they were dissatisfied by the fact that an Imperial Governor had usurped their authority over Onderon or something else was hard to determine.
"Can't form attachments my shebs." Rex mumbled.
"What was that?" Ahsoka asked, annoyed, but Rex just smirked up at her although the smirk was hidden by his helmet. Finally the Governor approached the podium, silencing the crowd.
"Citizens of the Empire! Today we are granted a rare honor! Today we are granted the honor of a visit from one of the Empire's most respected soldiers! An Inquisitor!" the Governor announced, the crowd starting to cheer again but Ahsoka's eyes widened in alarm.
"Uh-oh." She said, pocketing her electrobinoculars. She and Rex had both heard rumors that the Inquisitors were Palpatine's first Dark Jedi, second to Vader, loyal to the Emperor and to him alone. They still answered to Vader who was considered their Commanding Officer. Their duty was to track down Jedi or other potential threats to the Empire and find a way to confine them so Vader could arrive and execute them. Ahsoka had no desire to run into her former Master again and they knew they had to get away quickly.
"Strategic withdrawal?" Rex asked as Ahsoka gave a nod.
"Double time." She replied before they both turned and started running towards the spaceport. As they ran, they noticed a number of holo-billboards had activated across town, showing a live broadcast of the governor's speech.
"The Inquisitor, unfortunately, has been detained on Imperial Matters and is not able to join us for today's ceremony, but has asked us to be extra alert for any suspicious activity. The Inquisitor has reason to believe that there are enemies of the Empire here on Onderon at this very minute! As such, the spaceport has been blockaded by members of the Imperial Stormtrooper Corps." The Governor announced, Ahsoka and Rex sliding to a stop at the news.
"Oh no." Ahsoka gasped.
"We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause but the Inquisitor is adamant that this cancer to the Empire be removed before it has a chance to spread!" the Governor announced amidst the cheers from the crowd.
"That's not good." Rex said, looking to Ahsoka.
"We need to leave before that Inquisitor finds us." Ahsoka said as Rex nodded.
"Agreed. If they search the ship, they'll find-." "They won't find anything." Ahsoka said, opening the left side of her jacket slightly, showing Rex the Holocron and one of her lightsabers inside. The other saber was presumably on the inside of the other side of the jacket.
"I didn't think you still carried them." Rex mumbled, slightly surprised.
"This weapon is my life." Ahsoka whispered back, a hint of sadness to her voice as she quoted one of the lessons that every Jedi was taught upon completing their first lightsaber.
"Well, what do we do?" Rex asked.
"Only one thing we can do." Ahsoka said, fingering her blaster. Rex nodded.
"Distraction?" he asked.
"Make it good." Ahsoka asked as Rex pulled a small comlink from one of his pouches. It had been stolen from one of the Imperial Stormtroopers he and Ahsoka had killed earlier on Tatooine.
"This is TK-421, I've spotted a suspicious figure near the spaceport! I'm in pursuit! Suspect is wearing a brown cloak and carrying a blaster! Requesting assistance!" Rex said into the comlink.
"Affirmative, TK-421. We are locked onto your comlink signal. Sending assistance now." A trooper on the other end replied as Rex pulled a small round device from another pouch, attaching the comlink to it, and then pressing a button on the device which caused it to start to spin. Rex then tossed the device onto the ground, allowing it to suddenly take off, rolling down the street at high speed, carrying the comlink away from their location. Rex and Ahsoka quickly rushed away towards the Spaceport, ducking into an alleyway as a squad of Stormtroopers passed by. Within a matter of minutes they managed to duck the Imperial patrols and reached the vacant spaceport where the Requiem was docked.
"Almost there." Rex said before Ahsoka suddenly slid to a halt, her eyes widened in alarm. Rex noticed Ahsoka and stopped and turned towards her.
"What's wrong?" he asked. Ahsoka slowly started to turn around where a single hooded figure stood in the entryway. The figure began to slowly walk towards the two, a dark grin on the figure's green skinned face.
"I've been waiting for you, Ahsoka. We meet again at last. The last time we met was when I got caught for perpetrating that bombing. The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was the criminal, now you are the fugitive." The figure said, activating a single red lightsaber. Ahsoka's eyes were widened in shock, recognizing the voice.
"No, it cannot be…" Ahsoka said as the figure pulled back the hood, revealing the face of Barriss Offee underneath. Rex was unsure of what to do. Ahsoka was stunned.
"How did you find me?" she asked.
"It wasn't easy. I've been searching for you for the past two years. Fortunately, the Empire has eyes everywhere. I know all about you and the deserter, Captain Rex, over here, Ahsoka. Or is it Keena and Tyran?" Barriss asked as Ahsoka grimaced. If Barriss knew their aliases, then it was likely the Empire knew them as well.
"Rex…" Ahsoka said softly, catching the clone's attention, "…get the ship ready to leave."
"What?" Rex asked, surprised. He then saw Ahsoka reach into her jacket with both hands, pulling out a pair of grey metal cylinders.
"Barriss and I have a score to settle." Ahsoka said in a low tone, glaring at Barriss who smiled in dark satisfaction as Ahsoka activated her lightsabers.
"You're no match for me now Ahsoka. I'm twice as powerful now than I was as a Jedi." Barriss said as Ahsoka started walking towards her.
"It doesn't matter to me, Barriss. You framed me for that bombing! You sided with those that killed our friends! You betrayed my friendship, my trust, my entire faith! I will never forgive you for that!" Ahsoka yelled as she leapt at Barriss, their lightsabers clashing together. Rex was shocked as he watched the two former Jedi exchanging blows. He was suddenly distracted as he saw several Imperial Stormtroopers rush into the hangar, watching the fight between the two force users.
"Hold fire men! Our orders are to capture the Jedi alive!" one of the troopers yelled. Rex quietly ducked into the Requiem, hurrying to the cockpit, his disappearance unnoticed by the Stormtroopers. The two ex-Jedi continued their fight, Ahsoka proving to be an even match for even the Dark Side enhanced Barriss.
"I trusted you! We all trusted you! And you betrayed us! What would Master Luminara say if she knew you had fallen this far?!" Ahsoka asked angrily between strikes. Barriss only grinned.
"Oh Master Luminara knew. I've still got a recording of her expression as she saw the face of her executioner!" Barriss said as Ahsoka's eyes widened in shock and horror before she snarled angrily, her serrated Togruta teeth bared in fury.
"Then you truly are lost! Just like Skywalker!" Ahsoka yelled before leaping up into the air, landing near a number of large crates, deactivating her lightsabers before closing her eyes and raising her arms in a lifting motion. The crates around her suddenly started to float in the air. Barriss grinned as Ahsoka started throwing the crates towards her with the Force, the Imperial Inquisitor deftly slicing through the airborne crates, not even breaking her stride as she approached Ahsoka who continued to hurl things at her. The spectating Stormtroopers were watching near the entrance when one of them noticed a small blaster turret extend from a hidden compartment beneath the cockpit and open fire at the Stormtroopers.
"Blast him!" the squad leader ordered as they ran for cover, firing at the Requiem as Rex sat at the controls, the astromech controlling the turret.
"This is for your own good, brothers." Rex said in a low tone of voice. Meanwhile Ahsoka and Barriss were still engaged in their duel, the two leaping up and landing on the top side of the Requiem. Rex noticed this and started to take off, the two now being forced to ride the moving freighter as it took to the air but it didn't stop them. The two struggled to maintain their footing on the top of the vessel, making crude swings at each other. Ahsoka finally deactivated her shoto blade, clipping it to her belt and drawing her blaster, firing at Barriss who deflected the shots. In the cockpit, Rex activated the Requiem's dorsal mounted laser cannon turret, the turret turning towards the two fighting ex-Jedi, aiming at Barriss as she was closer to the gun. Barriss sensed the turret's activation and quickly spun around, deflecting a shot from the laser cannon. Unfortunately that was enough for her as she spun around just as Ahsoka launched towards her and with one swing, sliced off both of Barriss's hands, her lightsaber being called to Ahsoka's hand with the force, Ahsoka bracing herself between the turret barrels as Ahsoka stood over her, both lightsabers in hand. Fear flashed across Barriss's face as Ahsoka snarled at her.
"You were my friend! After all we'd gone through together during the Clone Wars, you stabbed me in the back! Then you join the Empire and to prove it you then kill your own Master?! You are truly a Jedi no more! You're nothing but a Sith! And you know what Jedi do to Sith, right?!" Ahsoka asked as she reared back both lightsabers.
"Wait! No! Ahsoka! N-!" Barriss screamed but her screams fell on deaf ears as Ahsoka let out an angry yell before decapitating the Inquisitor in a single swing. Ahsoka stood staring at the headless corpse of her former friend, watching with a scowl as it fell loose from between the turret barrels and was carried away off the back of the ship as it flew over Onderon's surface. Ahsoka deactivated the lightsabers, looking at Barriss's custom made Sith Lightsaber for a moment before hearing the hiss of the top hatch opening behind her. She quietly clipped the sabers to her belt, climbing down into the Requiem as the ship started to leave Onderon's atmosphere, Ahsoka in a solemn mood.
"'Soka?! What happened up there?! I lost video feed after the Inquisitor deflected the blaster shot!" Rex called from the cockpit as Ahsoka stepped inside, sitting down and looking at the Sith Lightsaber in silence, saying nothing to Rex as Onderon started to shrink behind them, the Requiem making the jump to lightspeed almost immediately afterwards.
On Coruscant…
Palpatine sat alone in his throne room, his eyes closed and a blissful grin on his face.
"Wait! No! Ahsoka! N-!" he heard Barriss's voice echo through the force before suddenly sensing her become one with the Force. As he sat mediating, he sensed his apprentice, Darth Vader, approaching the throne room. Vader soon entered, walking towards Palpatine's throne and dropping to one knee, his head bowed forward.
"I sense a great disturbance in the Force, my Master." Vader said but Palpatine wasn't concerned.
"One of the Inquisitors, one of your old friends, Barriss Offee, was killed by a Jedi." Palpatine said as Vader looked up towards Palpatine.
"I shall find this Jedi at once and end him, my Master." Vader replied but Palpatine rose to his feet.
"Do not concern yourself with this Jedi at the present time, my friend. The Jedi responsible will have fled by now, and our spies have received word of another Jedi in hiding on Kashyyyk, Jedi Knight Kento Marek. He is likely to organize the Wookiees against us. This pitiful Rebel band must be extinguished before it gets out of hand. As for this other Jedi, we will find them eventually." Palpatine said as he descended the stairs, placing his hand on Vader's shoulder.
"Yes, my Master." Vader said as Palpatine gently pat Vader's shoulder before the Dark Lord rose to his feet and turned to leave. Palpatine watched him leave, staring at the doors to his throne room for a moment with a dark grin. He then turned towards his throne and with a wave of his hand, pressed a button on one of the arms with the Force. Within seconds Mas Amedda entered and bowed to the Emperor.
"Order my shuttle prepared and a special detachment of my elite guard organized for immediate departure. There is to be no record of these actions, save for my own private records." Palpatine instructed as Amedda bowed silently and departed to carry out the Emperor's orders.
On Alderaan…
The Requiem touched down in a secret mountain facility, landing inside of a hangar bay that was at least three thousand years old but had only recently been crudely refurbished. The bay was dark, the only illumination coming from the midday sunlight outside the hangar and the lights from the Requiem itself. Ahsoka and Rex quietly disembarked, Rex with his blaster ready, waving it around with an illuminator attached to it as he made sure the coast was clear.
"Do you think we were followed?" Rex asked.
"After all the jumps we made between Onderon and here, I'd hope not." Ahsoka replied sullenly as she reached out with one hand and opened a doorway with the force. The two then quietly crept through the halls, opening and closing doors with the force as they went, until they reached one door that was partially open and had a light coming from inside of it and voices echoing from inside. Ahsoka quietly opened the door, revealing a part of the base had been converted into crude living quarters for several people, all of whom Ahsoka and Rex knew.
"Ahsoka! Rex!" Petro exclaimed as he, Gungi, Zatt, Ganodi, Byph, and Katooni saw her enter. The living quarters branched off into a few more rooms, also lit and occupied by more people, all of them Jedi. Petro then turned to Gungi.
"Quick, tell the Master that Ahsoka's back!" Petro said, Gungi roaring affirmatively before turning and rushing into one of the next rooms.
"Hey guys." Ahsoka said with a small but sad smile.
"What are you doing here? We haven't seen you in months." Katooni said as Ahsoka sighed.
"For good reason. I didn't want to risk the Empire's following us." Ahsoka said as Gungi returned followed by a diminutive humanoid with a hood over their head. The figure then lowered their hood as Ahsoka approached.
"Padawan Tano." Depa Billaba, greeted with a sad smile on her face as Ahsoka bowed to her.
"Master Billaba." Ahsoka greeted back, Depa looking to the others.
"Leave us, please." She asked politely, the Padawans all quietly obeying her order, watching Ahsoka and Rex as they left. Finally it was just Ahsoka, Rex, and Depa alone in the room.
"What news do you bring, Ahsoka?" Depa asked as Ahsoka produced Barriss's lightsaber, handing it to Depa.
"Barriss Offee is dead." Ahsoka said as Depa looked at the lightsaber hilt, a look of sadness and surprise on her face as she saw the black and grey hues of its hilt. Her expression turned to greater sadness as she activated the blade, seeing its red color.
"Barriss…" she said, hoping for an answer, as Ahsoka scowled and looked away.
"She'd become an Imperial Inquisitor. She had us cornered on Onderon. I had no choice." Ahsoka said as Depa deactivated the lightsaber, putting it away inside her robe.
"Did she offer any news on her former Master, Luminara?" Depa asked as Ahsoka gave a grim nod. Depa lowered her head sadly in response.
"How many more of us must the Emperor kill or turn before he is satisfied?" Depa asked, earning a glare from Ahsoka.
"You know the answer to that, Master. He won't stop until every last Jedi is either dead or on his side." Ahsoka said as Depa gave a grim nod.
"It's true, he won't." Depa said, sitting down on an empty crate.
"We brought some supplies, as usual. It's not much but it should last you a few more weeks." Rex commented as Depa gave him a grateful nod.
"Good. We appreciate your efforts. You take a great risk every time you come here but we appreciate your help." Depa said as a young human boy in his mid-teens with brown hair, came rushing in from the next room, a look of worry on his face.
"Master! We just got a secret message from our contact in the capital! A Star Destroyer just dropped out of hyperspace and is deploying fighters. Their trajectory indicates they're heading straight here!" the boy reported.
"Caleb, are you sure?" Depa asked, worry on hers and Ahsoka's faces.
"Positive, Master!" Caleb Dume replied as Depa hurried towards him.
"Caleb, you need to flee. Now. Use the escape tunnel and follow the route to the rendezvous point. Make sure it's secure! We'll join you there! Hurry!" Depa ordered, Caleb giving a nod back.
"We'll see if we can't buy you some time in the Requiem." Ahsoka said as she and Rex turned and hurried back the way they came from, rushing back towards the Requiem. As they entered the hangar, they saw R5 emerging from the boarding ramp, beeping something as he emerged and carrying something in one of his graspers.
"Is that what I think it is?!" Ahsoka asked as Rex ripped off his helmet in alarm, staring at the device with a horrified expression.
"A tracking device! They must've planted it on the ship while we were out before Barriss cornered us!" Rex exclaimed as he and Ahsoka exchanged glances and then hurried up the ramp into the Requiem, R5 rolling back up the ramp after them.
"With any luck we'll leave and they'll think this is just a smuggler's hold." Ahsoka said as they entered the cockpit, Rex sitting at the cockpit controls, Ahsoka taking copilot. The Requiem roared to life, the ship taking off and flying out of the old hangar. As they did, Ahsoka suddenly shivered, looking upwards in alarm.
"What was-…no…no it can't be!" Ahsoka gasped, a look of absolute horror on her face, sensing a disturbance in the Force.
"It is! Incoming Imperial fighters! TIEs! Lots of them!" Rex replied as the Requiem flew off, flying away from the mountain, at least eight of them chasing after the Requiem while four more escorted an Imperial Dropship towards the mountainside which didn't go unnoticed by Rex.
"They're landing that the base! Any chance that-." "They're not gonna believe that it's just a smuggler's den. There's no way." Ahsoka said, clearly distressed.
"What makes you so sure?!" Rex replied as he attempted to escape the TIEs, R5 engaging the dorsal and ventral turrets on the Requiem to fight them off.
"Because Rex…the Emperor is here." Ahsoka said as Rex looked towards her, a look of horror on her face.
"Palpatine? Here?!" Rex asked in disbelief.
"I sense his presence. He's here at Alderaan." Ahsoka replied, gripping the armrests of her chair. As they made for orbit, she suddenly convulsed, eyes widened in horror.
"No…NO!" she cried out, suddenly sensing powerful disturbances in the force as she sensed the Jedi in the base becoming one with the Force one-by-one.
"'Soka! 'Soka I need you right now! We've got more trouble!" Rex exclaimed as they broke orbit where three Star Destroyers sat waiting for them with even more TIEs. The Requiem suddenly shook as it was struck by laser fire, one of the machines in the back of the ship letting off a shower of sparks.
"AUGH! We just lost our port engine! Power coupling blew!" Rex groaned.
"Can anything be done?!" Ahsoka asked but Rex looked completely lost, looking at Ahsoka with a look of dread. Ahsoka realized what he meant and looked away, a defiant look in her eyes. Suddenly the ship shook again but not from laser fire.
"What's happening?" Ahsoka asked, confused as Rex checked the controls but soon didn't have to answer as they saw the ventral hangar bay of a nearby Star Destroyer getting increasingly closer.
"Tractor beam." Rex replied as Ahsoka blinked in surprise.
"They mean to capture us. Let's at least go down with a fight." Ahsoka said, hurrying to the boarding ramp, Rex putting his helmet on his head and prepping his rifle. As they passed, they found R5 slammed against a nearby wall, a large hole in the front of his chassis that was giving off sparks, the droid having been damaged beyond repair when the engine was destroyed. Ahsoka looked at the droid for a moment before climbing the steps to the top hatch, reaching for her lightsaber but pausing as she realized something was missing. Her lightsabers were still there but the Holocron from Kenobi was missing. Rex was waiting at the boarding ramp, setting thermal detonators before rushing to his quarters and slipping on a jetpack.
On the Star Destroyer, there were entire rows of Stormtroopers, all of them watching as the Requiem began to touch down inside the hangar. Soon the boarding ramp opened, the first group of troopers rushing for the ramp but the minute they reached the top of the ramp, the detonators Rex had set exploded. At this, Ahsoka leapt from the top hatch, Rex rocketing out behind her, both hurrying to a safe distance just as the Requiem exploded in a chain reaction, knocking most of the Stormtroopers in the hangar to fall to the ground or run for cover. Ahsoka and Rex landed nearby together, Rex quickly finding cover behind a stack of crates and opening fire on the Stormtroopers while most of them were still down. Ahsoka also leapt over the crates, activating her lightsabers, beginning to cut through the Stormtroopers, doing her best to evade their shots, not deflect them, stopping only long enough to cut through a few of the troopers. Rex was continuing to fire at them, chucking a thermal detonator at a group of them, blowing them away. Ahsoka was cutting through the troopers in a fury, not stopping for a moment until suddenly the troopers ceased firing and started falling back towards the hangar entrances, Ahsoka and Rex watching them back away in confusion for a moment before they heard laughter coming from one of the hangar doors. Ahsoka's eyes widened, recognizing the voice behind the laughter.
"Good. Good!" The voice said, laughing again as Ahsoka and Rex both turned to see Emperor Palpatine himself entering the hangar, alone with only his cane. The troopers were leaving the hangar as fast as possible, leaving only Ahsoka, Rex, and the Emperor alone in the hangar.
"Palpatine." Ahsoka hissed, remaining ready to act at a moment's notice.
"Ahsoka Tano. I have waited a long time for this." Palpatine said, grinning towards her but Ahsoka remained silent, continuing to stare towards him. Rex kept the Emperor in his sights, his blaster raised at him, ready to fire in an instant.
"Tell me, Jedi, what do you intend to do? You cannot stop me. The Jedi on Alderaan are being exterminated as we speak, all thanks to you." Palpatine said as Ahsoka snarled at him. This made Palpatine's grin widen.
"Yes. I can feel your anger. I am defenseless, Jedi. Take your weapon. Strike me down and your journey to the Dark Side will be complete!" Palpatine challenged but Ahsoka refused to move. Rex however…
"For the REPUBLIC!" Rex shouted.
"REX NO!" Ahsoka yelled but before he could fire, Palpatine had suddenly raised his hand and released a powerful surge of Force Lightning, launching Rex backwards and into a bulkhead, the clone falling to the ground. Ahsoka rushed to his side, Palpatine grinning as he watched. Ahsoka quickly pulled off the clone's helmet, smoke rising from him, and painful burns all across his face and presumably the rest of his body.
"Rex? Rex! Speak to me! Come on!" Ahsoka pleaded but Rex didn't respond. A look of shock on his stilled face. Ahsoka began to tear up as she sensed his life force was gone, the old Captain, killed by the man he had once sworn allegiance to. Ahsoka quietly closed his eyes for him before a look of anger swept across her face, rising to her feet as she turned towards the Emperor who was grinning at her, basking in her pain.
"He was a traitor to the Empire. He would not have survived long. He should never have betrayed me." Palpatine said as Ahsoka's gaze grew darker.
"Him, betray you?! You betrayed him! You betrayed everyone, the entire galaxy! I don't know which makes me angrier! The fact you tricked the Jedi Order and the Republic for so long or the fact that you tricked my Master to your side!" Ahsoka yelled but Palpatine only laughed.
"I did not trick Skywalker to my side. He turned to the Dark Side of his own will. The Dark Side was always with him, Ahsoka. If anyone betrayed you, it was Skywalker. I am guiltless of any trickery when it comes to Skywalker." Palpatine said as Ahsoka snarled at him.
"You lie! Anakin would never have turned to the Dark Side willingly! He had even been made a member of the Jedi Council before Order 66!" Ahsoka yelled but Palpatine laughed again.
"So naïve. I see your heart, child. You loved him." Palpatine said, Ahsoka straightening up in mild alarm.
"I'd grown to love him like a brother. He was my Master and I cared for him like any Padawan would! How dare you take him away from me!" Ahsoka yelled, her feelings towards Anakin clearly more than she let on, but Palpatine opened his arms in a gesture of innocence.
"I could not have taken him away from you. He never loved you, child. There was always another with Skywalker. Did he ever tell you that he had a wife?" Palpatine asked but Ahsoka scoffed in disgust.
"Now I know you're lying. The Jedi Order forbade attachments like that. If he had a wife, he would've been expelled from the order!" Ahsoka said.
"But had a wife he did. Padme Amidala, the Senator of Naboo, married him in secret at the dawn of the Clone Wars. Search your feelings, you know it to be true." Palpatine said as Ahsoka looked more and more confused with each passing second. She had always found it curious as to why Anakin was continuously in the presence of Padme Amidala. She had sensed a strange attraction between the two but had always discounted it as a remnant of the friendship they had forged during the Naboo Invasion ten years before the Clone Wars. But now, she could sense truth to Palpatine's words. She had indeed loved Anakin, possibly more than she had initially realized or intended.
"No…no, it's not true. You're lying!" Ahsoka accused but her expressions indicated clear conflict within her.
"Skywalker would never love you the way you would want him to. You were too young and didn't the council force you upon him despite his objections? The Jedi are as much to blame for this as he is." Palpatine said but Ahsoka snarled, activating her lightsabers.
"Shut up!" she ordered, tears beginning to run down her cheeks.
"Skywalker was the one who betrayed you. The Jedi are the ones who betrayed you. Didn't Barriss Offee betray you by blaming you for the bombing?" Palpatine asked as Ahsoka flew into a rage.
"SHUT UP!" she yelled, charging towards him but was suddenly launched backwards as Palpatine unleashed a powerful surge of force lightning against her, causing her to drop her lightsabers, crying out in pain as Palpatine electrocuted her. He stopped for a moment, Ahsoka catching her breath for a second before Palpatine unleashed even more lighting against her, causing her to scream in agony, writhing on the floor.
"Skywalker is the one you should hate! Betrayal is something Skywalker has learned well from the Jedi!" Palpatine declared over Ahsoka's pained screams, stopping for a moment as she tried to lift herself up off the ground. She tried to stand up but Palpatine unleashed more lightning on her again, her screams echoing through the hangar bay.
"You are not the only one Skywalker has betrayed! Skywalker has betrayed me as well! Together we can punish him for his treason!" Palpatine said, snarling while continuing to electrocute the poor Togruta, finally stopping, Ahsoka lying on her stomach, trying to crawl but in too much pain to move, painful electrical burns covering her body and smoke rising from her.
"Skywalker's traitorous ways can be stopped…but only by you." Palpatine said with a weak and saddened voice, almost fearful of Skywalker. It was an act of course but Ahsoka seemed to react to this, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.
"What?" she asked.
"Skywalker is too strong for me, Ahsoka. I am too weak. But you…you may have the chance of stopping him, but not on your own. He is too powerful for any Jedi…but there is a way to make you strong enough to destroy him and stop his treachery for good." Palpatine said as Ahsoka looked away from him, remaining silent. Palpatine started to snarl slightly.
"Only with the power of the Dark Side can you hope to defeat Skywalker. And to learn the ways of the Dark Side, you will need someone to show you this power." Palpatine said as Ahsoka looked towards him again, a look of curiosity on her face.
"Who? Who can show me this power?" Ahsoka asked, her hatred for Skywalker and his betrayal proving greater than her hatred for the Emperor, as Palpatine smiled.
"My dear child. I will show you the ways of the Dark Side. I will teach you to become stronger than Skywalker. It will not be a painless path but every ache and every scar will make you stronger! Then, when you are ready, we shall eliminate Skywalker and you will take his place at my side." Palpatine said as Ahsoka staggered to her feet, glaring at him as she caught her breath. After a moment she called her lightsabers to her hands with the force, but instead of activating them, she clipped them to her belt and dropped down on one knee, her head bowed.
"What…is thy bidding…" Ahsoka asked before raising her head, her eyes a red and yellow color, as she finished…
"…my Master?"
Palpatine grinned and approached her, placing a hand on her head between her montrals.
"We have much to do, my young apprentice." Palpatine said, grinning with dark satisfaction.
…
On Alderaan below, Senator Organa stood on a balcony of the Alderaan Royal Palace, staring out towards the mountains in the distance, the sight of smoke rising on the horizon. It had been hours since the Imperials had arrived, representatives from the Empire saying that they had uncovered a smuggler's den but he knew what really had happened and his expressions showed it. As he stood watching out towards the mountains, his wife, Breha Organa, stepped onto the balcony with him, a worried look on her face.
"Bail, something's wrong. Leia won't stop crying. She acts like she's in pain." Breha said before noticing a tear forming in her husband's eye.
"I think I know why." He said sadly, turning away in grief, knowing that the Jedi he'd help to spirit away had been killed despite his efforts. He quietly walked into his private office, collapsing down in the chair, mourning the fallen Jedi when the door to his office was opened, Captain Raymus Antilles bursting in.
"Senator!" he exclaimed in an urgent whisper, a look of urgency on his face.
"What is it Captain?" Bail asked in defeat.
"Senator I just received a report from the Fire Brigade. They were on their way to put out the fire when they found a runaway farm boy in the mountain near an abandoned watchtower." Antilles said. Runaway farm boy was their code for a Jedi Padawan. Bail looked at him in surprise, quickly leaping to his feet.
"Where?" he asked, hurrying for the door.
"He's being brought to the hospital in the city. I uh, took these off of him for safe keeping." Antilles whispered, holding up a small box, opening it to reveal a lightsaber, a long braid of brown hair, and a familiar holocron. Bail looked at the items in the box for a second before looking at Antilles.
"Any others?" he asked but Antilles shook his head sadly.
"We checked the area to see if there was anyone else with him…there were none." Antilles replied but made a subtle motion with his index finger, indicating only one survivor, implying the single Padawan. Bail gave a sad sigh in response, holding his head in defeat.
"Did he have any ID?" Bail asked.
"Yes sir, we've ID'ed him as 'Kanan Jerrus.' We've run him through Imperial records. He's an orphan with no living relatives or guardians." Antilles replied.
"I see. Well see to it that he is given the best treatment available. And make sure he gets these back as soon as possible." Bail ordered as Raymus saluted.
"I'll keep these in a safe place until then sir." He replied before walking away. As he did, Bail turned again to look out his window, watching the rising smoke in the distance with a pained heart. He hadn't met any of the Jedi he had helped spirit away since helping Ahsoka, the news of Chuchi's death having been enough to intimidate him to remain out of the way while intermediaries took care of the Jedi for him. He only knew where they were. As he watched, he was unaware that every moment was being viewed by Anakin Skywalker, only from 47 years into the future.
"Ahsoka's path to the Dark Side might have started the day the Republic fell…but it was the Emperor who turned her against you." Obi-Wan said to Anakin as he watched in sadness.
"Had I but known…I…" Anakin said softly, his voice breaking.
"These paths cannot be altered, Anakin. But perhaps by knowing the road Ahsoka traveled, you may have a chance to bring Ahsoka out of the darkness she dwells in now." Obi-Wan said as Anakin took a deep breath.
"I must know, then. I must know more." Anakin said, Obi-Wan placing a phantasmal hand on his friend's shoulder.
"I warn you Anakin. The Ahsoka you will see from the rest of this journey onward, will not be the Ahsoka you knew." Obi-Wan warned.
"I know. But it is as you said. If I know why she fell, then perhaps she could be turned away from the Dark Side. Besides, the deeds of her past likely pale to mine." Anakin said as Obi-Wan gave a nod and rose to his feet from the seated position he and Anakin had been in.
"Then come, my friend. We have witnessed the fall of Ahsoka Tano…so now we must witness the rise of Darth Akul, with the hope being that by witnessing all of this, you will be able to save her."
End Episode 11
And this has been the Mid-Season Finale for Season 2 of The Shadow Wars.
This episode was designed to highlight what happened to Rex and to the Padawans. Depa Billaba's fate was a matter of debate in both official Canon and Legacy-canon so to resolve the issue, at least as far as this universe is concerned, I included Depa to resolve her fate. Caleb Dume, the Padawan, is of course Kanan Jerrus from Star Wars: Rebels.
Also to see what Barriss and Ahsoka looks like at this point in time, I recommend going to DeviantArt and looking up the artist: Brian-Snook who has created a marvelous array of kitbashed images of what some Clone Wars characters would look like in Star Wars: Rebels. This includes Barriss as an Inquisitor, Ahsoka as a smuggler, Rex as a Bounty Hunter and so on. I based much of how I envision Ahsoka and Barriss off of his images. He's also got a pretty cool image of Lumiya, a young Kanan as a Padawan, and more. His work is definitely worth your time and is marvelously well done.