Dawn broke over Coruscant as it usually did. Nothing ever really changed on the planet. It was one giant city after all. It may have gotten dark, but the city never really slept.
It was thus that Ahsoka struggled to sleep. Whilst usually it would have been down to the noise, this time her mind had not slept, mainly due to the Chancellor's offer.
She had debated long into the night what to do. If she accepted, she could be comfortable again, but she ran the risk of either becoming complacent with the Chancellor's offers, or running into people she would rather avoid.
If she declined, she would be forced to make her own way in life, which while mentally rewarding, would mean she was stuck in this small dingy flat working as a cleaner in a kitchen everyday.
In the end however, she had come to a decision, and it had been impacted by two factors alone.
One: The Chancellor was offering her a job that involved helping people in the long run.
And two: Anakin trusted the Chancellor.
For those reasons alone, Ahsoka steeled herself and headed towards the Senate building on Coruscant, bound for the Supreme Chancellor's office. She hoped he wouldn't mind her dropping by. After all, he had told her to come.
The journey towards the Senate building was rather uneventful. The majority of the people Ahsoka encountered along the way were simply going about their daily business. Ahsoka wouldn't be surprised if half of them worked directly in the senate itself, either as aides to senators or bodyguards.
Her entry into the building was also surprisingly easy. Apparently someone had told them she might be coming, and had directed her towards Palpatine's office immediately. Ahsoka had smiled sweetly and accepted without issue. There was no reason to start an argument or anything.
Passing through the long halls of the building, Ahsoka briefly entertained the idea of popping in to see Padme beforehand, before promptly dismissing the idea. She would no doubt be busy, and the Chancellor had said the situation was urgent.
Several minutes later, Ahsoka found herself standing in the open space of a lobby, one that possessed a grand look about it. She had been here in the past, when her master had visited the Chancellor. Usually she would be asked to remain outside whilst whatever it was the Chancellor wanted to discuss with Anakin was done in private. Now however, it appeared that she would be the one alone with the Chancellor.
'Funny how the situation has changed.' Ahsoka thought briefly, before moving through the lobby and entering into the office of the Supreme Chancellor himself.
Upon entry, Ahsoka spotted the Chancellor behind his desk, a report in his hands as he read through whatever information was on it. His face emanated a myriad of emotions, from frustration to anger, as well as what seemed like acceptance, and even boredom.
Ahsoka could understand his frustration. One of the most annoying parts of being a military commander had been writing up reports on engagements. More often than not she had to write the report rather than Anakin. At the time he had said it was a way of teaching her, and that it would benefit her temple work when the time came.
Truthfully though, she knew Anakin hated the paperwork equally as much as she did, and that he only gave it to her to get out of doing it himself. It was selfish in a way, but she understood, and would never hold it against him. He had done things for her time and again as well.
Stepping further into the Chancellor's office, but not right up to his desk, Ahsoka waited to be acknowledged. The last thing she wanted to do was burst in and come across as rude after all.
As she waited for the Chancellor, Ahsoka shifted her gaze around the large office of the most powerful man in the galaxy. It was ornate in a way. The Chancellor clearly had a taste for both culture and history, if the statues that were scattered around the office were anything to judge by. Ahsoka couldn't say that she recognized who the statues represented, but they were obviously important people of the past. Why else would they have statues made of them?
"Ah, Ahsoka, I didn't hear you come in. How can I help you?" The Chancellor's voice interrupted Ahsoka's study of the office, drawing the Togruta's attention to the elder man, who now had a smile upon his face, the report he had been reading discarded.
Taking that as an invitation, Ahsoka moved over to stand on the opposite side of the desk to Palpatine before replying.
"It's about the offer you made me. I've decided to accept, assuming you'll still have me?" Ahsoka spoke, keeping her tone as professional as possible. She needed to make a good impression after all.
The Chancellor's response was instant. The elder man rose from his seat, moving round the desk clasping one of Ahsoka's hands in his, shaking it gently.
"Of course the offer is still open, and I very much look forward to working with you Ahsoka. Now, to business." The Chancellor spoke, gently gesturing Ahsoka into the chair opposite of his desk, before promptly returning to his own chair and pulling another datapad from below his desk.
"I still have not been able to attain much information about this possible bioweapon, so I am afraid you will be going in blind. The only intelligence my spies were able to attain was that the Separatists are conducting some sort of research at a hidden facility in the jungles of the planet Myrkr." Palpatine spoke, handing the datapad towards Ahsoka, who took it and began to survey what little information was on it. The only really significant information was a set of possible coordinates, no doubt the location of this hidden facility.
Myrkr was not a familiar planet to Ahsoka, and from the sounds of it was no doubt either out of the way somewhere, or under Separatist control. Neither sounded appealing to Ahsoka, considered she lacked any means of getting there. She hoped that Palpatine would provide her with the means.
"So, assuming I find this facility, what should I do? Destroy it?" Ahsoka inquired, placing the datapad back down on the Chancellor's desk.
"No, this mission must be discreet Ahsoka. I need you to recon the area, and acquire any information you can about this possible bioweapon. Until we know exactly what is happening at this facility, we cannot risk an open attack. They could be experimenting on civilians after all." The Chancellor replied, his voice grim.
Ahsoka nodded in reply. It as simple enough. Get in, recon the area, get out. Hopefully she wouldn't run into any real resistance. If she did, she would have to improvise.
"I'll do my best Supreme Chancellor. Thank you for this opportunity." Ahsoka spoke, her voice full of respect, again in hopes of pleasing the Chancellor.
Yet another warm smile came to Palpatine's face at her response, before he passed her yet another datapad. This one contained a schematic of some kind, one that resembled a ship design. The design had similarities to a T-6 shuttle, commonly used by the Jedi Order. Yet there was something about it that was different.
"I've taken the liberty of gifting you this experimental ship republic research and development have been working on. No doubt you are familiar with its design?" The Chancellor explained, gesturing to the datapad.
Ahsoka was. She had flown such ships before, usually on missions for the order, and once during an escort mission with Anakin and Padme. Usually T-6's were unarmed transports, yet the one on the datapad seemed to have been retrofitted with standard ship cannons for combat, should the need arise. It also seemed to sport a sharp red and black paint job. Why those colours Ahsoka didn't know, but they contrasted well with each other.
Yet none of that explained why the ship was experimental. Hopefully Palpatine could clear that up.
He did, and boy was Ahsoka surprised.
"You may have read the reports surrounding the first battle of Christophsis at the start of the Clone War. General Skywalker used an experimental stealth ship to destroy the flagship of the Separatist blockage. Since then we have been working on a way of developing the stealth drive itself so that we can intergrate it with other vessels. Whilst we are still a long way off mounting it upon our capital ships, our research teams recently managed to succeed in getting it to work on the T-6 shuttle you see before you. It should in theory allow you to move completely undetected in the heart of Separatist space, and I am giving it to you for your assignment." The Chancellor detailed, his expression one of excitement at the possibility of having someone test this new toy.
Ahsoka had to say that she was impressed. Stealth technology was a difficult thing to master. Nine times out of ten it went horribly wrong.
But from the sounds of it, this experimental T-6 shuttle was fully equipped with a working stealth drive.
And it was hers for this mission.
Part of her wondered if Anakin would go green with envy if he heard about this.
"Thank you Chancellor. It sounds perfect. I'll be able to get to Myrkr without being detected now." Ahsoka replied, handing the datapad back to the Chancellor, who took it to store somewhere.
"It is of no concern Ahsoka. I have taken the liberty of loading the ship up with supplies for your mission, but I am afraid they are minimal at best. Any weapons and equipment you need will have to be obtained on site for this assignment. Still, I have full faith in your abilities. You did after all, learn from Anakin."
Sensing that the meeting was over, and that the Chancellor wanted her to leave for this mission immediately, Ahsoka stood from the chair.
"Where can I find the ship then Supreme Chancellor?" Ahsoka enquired as the Chancellor rose from his seat as well, clearly intending on escorting Ahsoka out of his office personally.
"Not far from here. It is waiting for you at my private docking station. Remember Ahsoka, recon only. Do not get spotted if you can help it. I'll have your reward ready for you when you return to Coruscant." The Chancellor answered, his voice friendly as he guided Ahsoka to the door.
Said door slid open at their arrival, and Ahsoka stepped back out of the office and into the lobby outside. As she moved to leave the Chancellor, he spoke one last time to her.
"Good luck Agent Tano."
The title caught her by surprise. She had not been expecting any form of official position as of yet. Or maybe he was being polite and respectful.
Nevertheless, she turned back around and bowed to the Chancellor.
"Thank you your excellency. I will have what you seek shortly."
The Chancellor nodded in reply, before turning back around and heading back to his desk, the door sliding shut after him, separating Ahsoka's view of the man.
Anakin was right. Chancellor Palpatine was a trustworthy man, one who she could rely on.
Now all she had to do was prove that he could rely on her.
Steeling herself, Ahsoka pivoted on her heels again, and made to move out of the senate building.
It was time to get her ship.
Author's thoughts
Another short dialogue centric chapter I know but it was necessary. Next time round, the first major mini arc of this story begin. I wonder what the Separatists are up to on Myrkr?
Also, wasn't it nice of Palpatine to gift Ahsoka a new experimental ship for her mission. He really is a nice person isn't he?
Anyway, updates may be a bit slow on this story for a while. Internet had decided to become incredibly slow all of a sudden. Plus other stuff has been keeping me busy from writing.
Still, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, even if again it was a bit brief. The chapters will be shorter to begin with, but as the story goes on as will ther length.
Next time, Ahsoka takes her new experimental ship to Myrkr.
As usual, comment and speculate at will. Speaking of which:
Jaco2553alpha: You are assuming that she will be using white lightsabers in this story? Muhahahaahahaha!
TerminatorJedi1995: Why is everyone so convinced Palpy is evil!? He's not!
All jokes aside, I'm glad you liked the chapter. It was fun to write the beginning of their dynamic together.
Jayson-Master Of Storm: Nope, no Sidious reveal this time. I wanted it to be different, rather than him just outing himself. So we get kind gentle Chancellor Palpatine instead. Glad you liked it. :)
SLE's fave guest: You got exactly what I was trying to get across. They both have Anakin in common, and all Ahsoka wants to do is help people. You can be assured that Palpy will use that to his advantage. I only wonder what sort of role it will play in the future.
The bioweapon is not a reference to Tiplee's comment. I had actually forgotton about that. What was that weapon anyway? Did we ever find out?
Mysterious Guest number one: Welcome back then my friend, I only hope you enjoy this story. I wanted a whole fresh slate when writing this, hence the new AU and use of post 'Wrong Jedi' timeline. It is in interesting space of time that could have many different directions. This story aims to show but one. Glad you liked it so far.