Disclaimer: Disney owns Star Wars, not me. All the characters and places (except for my OCs Analise, Meeka, Gaspar, Myra, Sibar, and Sierra) belong to them.
"aaaa"-talking out loud."aaaa" (bold and intellics)-talking through a holo or com. 'aaaaa'-inner thoughts. aaaaa-talking through a Bond. "aaaa" (bold)-another language.
AN: Thank you for the reviews:) You'll find out soon Aniu16 why Sibar and Sierra hate Ahsoka. Also as for an Ahsoka pairing...I was leaning more towards Rex.
For the record...I don't like being mean!
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Chapter Six
"The Jedi are a curse on the Republic!"
Meeka's voice rang throughout the small hut. Togrutas of all ages and of both genders leaned forward. Many of them were dressed in rags, the lowest of the low on Shili. The worst of hunters who could only bring in the worst of game; fighting each day for a scrap, for the one thing that would be them honor and lift their family from the mud. Others were clothed in fine robes and jewels. Honor dripped from the top of their montrals. They did not fight to live. Instead an hand extended was soon filled with whatever they wished, so high on the social ladder they sat.
Those in between were neither rich nor poor. Their clothes were rough rags or fine silks. No jewels adorned them, but neither was she able to count their ribs for they were well feed. They sat quietly, gazing at Meeka. They thirsted for words that would make sense, to solve the unsolved mysteries of the galaxy for them.
It was to those in the middle that Meeka talked to.
Hate for the Jedi was fleeting for those rich or poor. They would hate the Jedi today and love them tomorrow. A child selected by the Jedi brought honor. A war lead by the Jedi brought money for the rich and created jobs that even the poor could take hold of. A curse to the order might fall from lips plump or bony tonight, but in the morning that curse could be a blessing.
No...It was to the middle classes that Meeka spun her web around. Shouted her lies to.
For a moment, maybe two the middle classes would feel no danger, no tightening of belts as this war lead by Jedi started. They might even welcome the war for the same reason the rich and the poor did; the money and jobs. Wars did not stay good though. If it dragged on than soon the middle classes would feel the pinch. While the wealthy lost little and gained much, the middle classes gained nothing and lost some. They would see the poor gain, only to loose. Refugees would fill their planet, take their homes. Battles, bloody and horrific might be fought.
Meeka played on these fears. The fears of middle classes everywhere. The fear of comfortable lives, a good job, all could be lost because of a select group. A powerful group who only wanted to play at war like a child might play with toy soldiers.
"I say it without fear. Without any need to look over my shoulder. The Jedi are a curse on the Republic! A blight! They steal children and keep them captive in their so-called Temple, brainwashing them. They turn them in machines, devoid of any emotions. They put blades in their little hands and teach them how to kill. They rob our future! Now they start war! This is not the Republic's war! It is the Jedi's war! They will not be happy until they rule the galaxy and we are all pawns in their game! Guard yourself against them my friends! If you or a family member or a friend has a child the Jedi want, defend that child. Remember what I have told you...Better to sell a child into slavery...Better still to kill the child so that the Jedi will never reach them!"
Meek's arms flew over her head as the hall erupted into cheers. Blood-lust, anger became cheers and shouts; chants aganist the Jedi.
Too easy.
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"Leader Meeka?" She had seen the two before. Brother and sister, children of two who been the best hunters in their village before the village was destroyed. Before their parents were killed.
Meeka would know. She had lead the attack on the same village where she now held court. She had killed the parents of the two Togruta that now stood before her, hope shinning in their eyes. Hope that Meeka would be able to help them.
"What is it I can do for you my friends?"
"It is our sister, Ahsoka Tano. She is a Jedi." Sibar spoke for them both. "She is here to do an Akul Hunt starting tomorrow so that she might be granted the title of Padawan." He sneered. "Our aunt and uncle think it is an honor, but it is not. Ahsoka shames us by calling two of them her brother and sister. She claims no ties with us when all knows that blood runs true."
"Indeed Friend Sibar, blood runs true." Meeka spread her hands wide. "How old was she when she was stolen?"
"Three."
"Ahh...Then my friends it is too late to save her. The Jedi have had her for too long. Her free will is gone and she clings only to them now." Her face took on a sad cast. "Sell her and the Jedi will only be able to find her, so well do they know her. There is but one option for your sister now."
"Death..." Sierra laid a hand on her brother's shoulder. "Only her death will heal our disgrace..."
"But you hesitate because she is your parents' child?"
"I am a hunter, death is not a thing to fear for me and I hate my sister for because of her our parents are dead and this village was once destroyed...But I do not think I can raise a hand to take the life of my sister. Ahsoka is still my blood, whether or not she is brainwashed by the Jedi. Blood runs true."
"Worry not Friend Sibar, Friend Sierra. Let me life this burden from your shoulders. There is no shame in being unable to kill one who you once loved. Let me be the one to take hold of the knife." The offer was one of regret. As if Meeka wished that she could return their sister to them instead of kill her. As if Meeka was upset that only death at her hands could free the child in question from the Jedi.
"You will do this for us?"
"Of course. She will enter the grasslands tomorrow and what better place for a disgraced Togruta to rest? She will not suffer and the akul will eat her bones."