Shaak and Maris – A Star Wars Story: Chapter 4 – Reaching Out

Our two protagonists start making more concrete plans for their life on Felucia, then review some Jedi history, including what happened to Ahsoka Tano; we also fill in the background for the former Padawan of Anakin Skywalker, mostly based on the events of the Ahsoka novel by E.K. Johnston.

Thanks to new follower: Wolfdog67

Chapter 4: Reaching Out

Felucia, Shaak and Maris's settlement area, 17 BBY 6 months

Master Shaak Ti had been able to move about twenty holocrons to Felucia from the original one hundred that she had stored on her home planet of Shili. After some extensive research, she and Maris had completed some rudimentary maps of the area around their new base. They found a cave that ended up linking to an underground cavern, and after some study of the seismic activity in the area, Shaak was able to do the test digs (via the Force) that would allow her to work out the construction of an underground vault. This vault would be within 10 km of their original encampment. Once this determination had been made, Shaak and Maris started to expand the structure they were living in. The first thing they did was to tap into the underground water table and dig two separate wells. Then she tapped the water flow and set up some hydro-powered mini generators and then was able to lay wiring for a primitive electrical circuit. This was expanded on and eventually became the basis for the current setup they would need in the years to come.

One night, Maris and Shaak had concluded an hour-long meditation session. The Master then brewed up a beverage made from some Buu'raa plantings that she was cultivating elsewhere in the jungle. By this time, the two of them had a productive garden, one that grew various herbal types – some were medicinal, others hallucinogenic, some were delicious vegetables they could digest along with the various meats they were consuming.

It was a beautiful starry night, one without the usual shroud of fog that would often envelop the Felucian sky, due to the planet's high humidity level. Because Felucia was so watery, the temperature drop at night would lead to heavy levels of condensation and Shaak's various experiments with plant life would give results and bear fruit. Felucia had two small moons, each of which was about 400 km in diameter and mostly rocky. The two Jedi had made some trips to both of these in the Intrepid and had set up observation and relay stations, which enabled full triangulation with any location on the planet below. Felucia itself was around 9000 km in diameter, but since its axis had only about 5 degrees of tilt, there was little variation in terms of seasons during the 260 day revolution period around the star, which was named Fe'lix (hence the name they later gave the planet) by earlier explorers.

As their meditation ended, Shaak pointed up into the night sky. A particularly bright star was clearly visible, about 75 degrees overhead from the horizon.

"Look, my dear," she said, "That is the Lianna System. It's very important to the Empire now."

"Why is that, Master?" Maris queried.

"An organization called the Santhé Corporation is headquartered there, and they include what was once Sienar Fleet Systems. These firms have the contract for much of the Empire's star-fighter production, including the TIE line. They also consult on many onboard systems used on the Star Destroyers. Before the Empire, they worked with the Republic."

"What happened during the War, Master?"

"The Separatists fought battles on the planet and much destruction resulted, but I have recently learned that most of it has been rebuilt over the past year and a half. These people are incredibly resilient and have the latest technology."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Maris, remember how I always stress how important it is to be aware of one's surroundings. Because this world is reasonably close to us, I've decided to quietly monitor some of the traffic that goes to it. Lianna sits at the intersection of four major hyperspace lanes so the amount of trade and wealth on that planet is huge. So, my dear, we are in position to see much. In the years to come, I intend to build a galactic network of small satellites that will allow us to do many things."

Maris looked at her intently for a few seconds.

"Master, does this mean what I think it does?"

Shaak chuckled. "It could. These ideas are only in the formative stages."

"Ah," Maris nodded. "I think we've made great progress here on the ground. The fact that the moons here have plenty of metal has given us another opportunity too, correct?"

"Indeed. You and I together can create some basic parts from that metal. We are going to procure a few droids in the days to come. Not far from here – to the southwest – is a place called the Wheel – in the Maldrood sector. It's a giant space station. A place where many transactions and business dealings take place, and no questions are asked."

Maris then asked, "How can we get credits?"

Shaak smiled. "We already have them."

"How?"

"It's very simple. Maris, I was the member of the Council entrusted with looking after all of the accounts for the Jedi Order. I went to great pains to establish a network of secret banking deals with some friends of mine on Muunilinst. We have access to all of those accounts if we need them."

"Who else knows about this? What if the Empire …"

Shaak smiled as she cut her off. "Just another example of something Sheev Palpatine overlooked in his haste to destroy the Jedi Order. He likely assumed we obtained all of our funding from the Republic."

Maris laughed. "I think I get it, Master. One more question – how did you know his name is Sheev?"

At that, Shaak laughed loudly. "Ha-Ha! Oh, he hates to be called that, but it was well known on Naboo."

Maris shook her head and smiled. "You know, I am so lucky it was you that found me. You are such a genius … could I get some more Buu'raa?"

Shaak laughed again, a bit quieter. "I've been thinking over the type of units we will need. Once we have them in place, much more will be possible here. But I still intend much of the structures we build to be made of wood, and I've been considering an even more durable kind of wood – from the planet Kashyyyk and the Wroshyr trees that grow there."
"Can we go to Kashyyyk? I knew that was the home of the Wookiees."

"It's a bit farther than I want to go at this time, but I'm thinking we might be able to talk to some people from that world at the Wheel. Wroshyr wood is one of Kashyyyk's best exports."

"Why do you want to mostly use wood?"

"It's less prominent when planetary scans might be conducted from Imperial vessels. We want our footprint to be as minimal as possible. At least for now. Someday, I intend to set up a system that will allow us to conceal much of this world from prying eyes as possible. When that happens, we can talk about beginning to set up a true base of operations and a new order of Force-sensitive people."

Maris took a deep breath. "Wow. Master, could we really do that? Rebuild the Jedi? On Felucia?" Her words came quick as her excitement began to build. Life on the jungle planet was beginning to hold ever more possibilities.

Shaak chuckled. "Yes. I think we can. But one thing at a time. However, I'm not so certain I want to recreate the Jedi entirely. Of course, I still envision an organization that will honor the Will of the Force and all it has to offer. Palpatine and his apprentice – once our fellow Knight – have perverted and corrupted the understanding of the Force with the vile selfishness and evil ways of the Sith. We were so certain we had removed the stain of that evil from the Galaxy. So much so, that we became complacent, certain we were the last word on all dealings pertaining to the Force. But of course we were mistaken."

Maris just looked at Shaak, nodding solemnly. Shaak returned the nod, while her opaque black eyes gave nothing away. Maris had grown familiar with this aspect of her master, and though many might see this as cold and unforgiving, she saw Shaak's serenity as a source of comfort. It was as if so long as she was in her master's presence, no harm might come to her. Shaak would always protect her.

"Maris, dear, I've been studying holocrons 12 and 13 more recently. They of course deal with history. It seems there were many disagreements at one time about how the Force was to be utilized. Much like we saw more recently, the Jedi of those ancient times had grown restrictive and were unwilling to consider different approaches to using the Force."

Maris pondered this for a few seconds. "Were there any examples? What did they want to do differently?"

"I'm still studying that. I think it was more of a case of being willing to explore areas that others considered forbidden. There is a strong current of thought in the Jedi Order that certain ideas or powers can lead an adherent toward the Dark Side. Master Yoda always warned me about that when I was younger. My response was usually that my knowledge was always to be in the service of the Republic, that I was doing the greatest good for the greatest number, something he had stressed in my days as a youngling in the Temple. Master Windu would say much the same thing."

"Hmm. Were you and Master Windu close?"

"Yes. We became that way. We shared many views together. One area we agreed upon was in the development of Anakin Skywalker. He had great talent, it was easy to see, but he was unbelievably reckless. Ultimately, we felt, this would lead him in the wrong direction. Of course, we were correct. Sheev saw the same things we did. We were unfortunately too late in reaching this realization – and now he is in the service of evil, maniacally bent on destroying every trace of the Jedi in the Galaxy. I think he does this almost without thinking, almost as an automatic type of behavior. His master commands it, and he must obey – without question. This was never meant to be the Jedi Way."

"Master, you once mentioned Ahsoka Tano. What exactly happened to her? I heard that she was involved at Mandalore in the final days of the War."

Shaak nodded. "Ahsoka is one of those things I truly regret. As a fellow Togruta, I should have taken a more hands-on approach to her training, but I was ashamed of how my earlier Padawans both had died and I held myself responsible. If I spoke up about her, I felt I would come into criticism over that, so I kept quiet. But … did I want her as a Padawan? I surely did. Her ability was outstanding, we all knew it. If I couldn't have her, perhaps Knight Kenobi would have been a worthwhile stand-in. But they gave her to Anakin – and he had only been a knight for a few months – in the hope that having this responsibility would make him a more serious and careful leader. In a way, I think it did. The two of them grew close – almost too close – and he grew attached to her."

"And that's not a good thing?" Maris knew the answer, but wanted to hear Shaak say it for herself.

"Not the way they did. But I started to get the feeling that Anakin had something else affecting his behavior, something that he wouldn't want anyone to know."

"Such as?"

"I'm not entirely sure. Perhaps another, more serious, attachment. But this is speculation on my part."

"Did you like Knight Anakin?"

"I admired his tenacity, his inner strength. I felt he could have become a great Master one day, perhaps even Grand Master. Maybe I could have trained him … but I just don't know. I will tell you this much. Obi-Wan did the best he could, and I'm not sure if anyone could have done any better. Perhaps Master Qui-Gon, had he lived."

Maris sighed and took another deep breath. "Master Shaak, you shouldn't blame yourself. Sometimes things are just meant to happen. Master Yoda would say it was the Will of the Force."

Shaak chuckled. "Yes … of course he would … but anyway, you asked about Ahsoka. We did her wrong, very seriously."

"How?"

"By not trusting in her innocence and believing the worst about her. I'm sure you heard about the Temple bombing and the deaths of 26 people – six of whom were Jedi."

"Oh, yes, of course. A horrible thing, and Knight Offee was guilty, but they blamed Padawan Ahsoka."

"And as someone who watched her career closely, I should have taken her side and called for her to be presumed innocent. But the military had taken over the matter and we didn't try to overrule them. Tarkin – who had been promoted to Admiral – seemed to think it would elevate him in the eyes of the Chancellor if she was convicted and executed. Thank goodness Barriss was found by Anakin in time."

Maris nodded again. "I never really knew Ahsoka, but I think I would have liked her. She was a great fighter, everyone said, and extremely loyal."

"She was all of those things, and when we had to face her and let her know that she was allowed back into the Jedi, she decided to turn us down. It hit Anakin rather hard. We realized then how much he depended on her and why we had to be careful about attachments. But, when I look back, I'm not so sure we handled all of that the right way."

"So, Master … do you think it was over her that he may have eventually turned to the Dark Side?"

Shaak took a swig of her beverage. "Hard to say, actually. But Sheev clearly saw the opening after Ahsoka left us. He planted an evil seed in the young man and it grew into a raging beast within. How else could he have calmly killed the younglings? Not to mention so many of our friends."

Maris grew quiet after that and they both finished their beverages. Then they walked into their new home and hugged each other warmly before retiring for the night. As she lay down, Maris laid awake for some time, thinking about much of what they had discussed. Her thoughts flowed …

So much evil runs in the Galaxy now. I knew when we were fighting Dooku's droids that it wouldn't end well. The constant battle wore us all down – but was it really just a lie? Palpatine wanted power and he devised a way to get it. Now Dooku is gone and we have Vader instead. But was Vader created by his love for Ahsoka … or was there someone else? Maybe we will never know.

Outer Rim, Southeastern reaches, (various places and events), 17 BBY 5 months

Elsewhere in the Galaxy at this time, Ahsoka Tano had met up with Bail Organa, still a member of the Imperial Senate, representing the planet Alderaan, a Core region world about one hour east of Coruscant. It contained some lovely mountain scenery and was home to over one billion people. The House of Organa had governed the planet for decades and life on Alderaan was considered one of the best in the Galaxy. Ahsoka had come into contact with Bail Organa a month or two earlier after she was discovered by agents working with his fledgling Rebel alliance. She had been involved in skirmishes with Black Sun and other organized crime groups.

Organa had intercepted Imperial communications that reported possible Jedi activity on the moon Raada, located in the Outer Rim of the Galaxy southeastern reach, in the Tammuz Sector. Tano was living on this moon for the past few months after leaving Thabeska, another planet in the nearby Outer Rim sector of Quiberon. For about one year after the events of Order 66 and the Jedi Purge, Ahsoka had been living on Thabeska in the employ of the Fardi smuggling clan, but had to leave as she became concerned that she would be placing them in danger when Imperials paid a visit on the one-year anniversary of "Empire Day" (declared by Palpatine as the day his reign commenced in 19 BBY).

Ahsoka went to stay on Raada, a small agricultural community where she could more or less blend in, and she posed as a mechanic and general handy-person, fixing the locals' equipment when it broke down. Unfortunately, after about a year, Raada came to the attention of the Empire, who saw its food production as ideal for providing rations for Imperial Storm Troopers and their agents paid a visit. They declared they would now oversee operations on the moon and stationed a garrison there. Life on Raada for the locals quickly went downhill and Ahsoka, who had diligently kept her true identity hidden, realized she would have to help them. For a while, she returned to Thabeska and the Fardis, but, while flying missions for them, she came into contact with the pirates and, soon after, a ship that Organa had dispatched to find her. The ship attempted to capture her with a tractor beam but Ahsoka knocked out Tage and Tamsin, the men Organa had sent, and then boarded their ship in an attempt to disable the tractor beam. In the process, she discovered the astromech droid R2-D2 aboard. R2 informed her that he now worked for Bail Organa, and when the senator arrived in his ship Tantive IV, she met him and they caught up with each other over what had happened since the fall of the Republic. He also informed her of his emerging rebellion against the Empire. She declined serving directly in it, due to her Clone War experiences, so he offered her another job, but first wanted her help for a mission to liberate Raada.

The Imperial Inquisitor Sixth Brother had been sent to Raada to find the suspected Jedi. She went there and confronted him, defeating him by using the Force to destroy the hilt of his lightsabre, which killed the Inquisitor in the ensuing explosion. She then took the Kyber crystals from the fallen Inquisitor and used them to build her own new pair of sabres, using parts she had collected during the prior year working on the moon. Using the Force, she reversed the "bleeding" process of the crystals and caused them to change from red to white. Armed with her new weapons, Ahsoka led a successful revolt on Raada, aided by fighters and transport ships that Organa had sent. They proceeded to evacuate most of the remaining farmers and she left aboard Tantive IV. On the ship, Ahsoka also met Organa's adopted daughter Leia, then a toddler less than two years old. Organa offered to bring the evacuees to Alderaan, but they wanted instead to join the rebellion. He agreed to take them to another agricultural planet where they could blend in for the time being.

[For more background on this planet, see the story Way of a Siluan by author "heatherxenia".]

Ahsoka and Bail discussed various possible roles she might play in the rebellion and they settled on her being the head of a new intelligence network for the fledgling alliance. She was given her own ship and the code name of "Fulcrum", using a symbol based on the facial markings on her forehead. Unknown to Ahsoka at this time, another Imperial Force-sensitive agent known as the Grand Inquisitor, had become aware of her activities – though not her identity – when he traveled to Raada to investigate the disappearance of the Sixth Brother. After concluding it had to have been a Jedi – as he learned of the use of lightsabres she used to defeat the Imperial occupation – he then informed his boss Darth Vader of the events. For the next thirteen years, Ahsoka Tano would aid the rebellion by transmitting intelligence around the Galaxy that was used to coordinate movements among its forces while evading the Empire.

[At some point, Shaak contacts Yoda via Force transmission – a power she discovers during her research.]

The Wheel space station, Maldrood Sector, Northeast Mid-Rim, 17 BBY 4 months, 15 days

Shaak and Maris traveled in the Intrepid to The Wheel and booked a landing slot and some accommodations for two nights. They were traveling under assumed identities and were associated with a business on Shili that had ties to mining operations on the northern Outer Rim. After landing, they checked into their room at an upscale hotel on the station, then changed into something resembling business attire, with Shaak donning a pair of sunglasses, while Maris put on a hat to cover the horns on her head.

Their payment credentials that used the accounts that once belonged to the Jedi Order raised no eyebrows and at breakfast the next day, things proceeded smoothly. Soon they were joined by an individual that seemed almost human, but was a well-concealed droid.

"Greetings, friends … I am Mister Pee-Ten Dee-Ate. What may I do for you? I understand you are in the market for some construction and mining units." He spoke, in Mid Rim accented Basic.

"That's right," Shaak replied. "We will require about ten digging units and four of the all-purpose welders and fitters. We are looking to take delivery in about ten days. Can you meet that timetable?"

"Indeed we can, Madam Zi. And where would you like to take delivery?"

Shaak turned to Maris and winked, indicating she should respond to the salesman. The Zabrak cleared her throat and spoke. "At these coordinates on Moon 3 of the planet Stenos."

"Very well, Madam Ex-Cal. I will generate your invoice." He paused for a second, then continued. "Including delivery charges and all maintenance kits and spare parts, your total comes to … thirty-two thousand, seven hundred, and sixty-five Imperial credits."

"Reasonable enough," Shaak responded. She then transmitted account information to him. The meeting having concluded, the three of them rose and briefly shook hands. Pee-Ten Dee-Ate then handed Shaak a business card with the name Droid Gotra on it. Shaak's expression changed slightly.

Anticipating her question, the representative stated, "Madam, we are an organization that advances the rights and dignity of mechanical sentient beings throughout the Galaxy. To build confidence in our business relationships, we stand 100-percent behind our work. We look forward to a fruitful arrangement."

Shaak chuckled as she took the card and filed it away in her bag. "Thank you, sir."

A few hours later, Shaak and Maris had emerged from their room after a long nap, and proceeded to a bar, where they were offered whiskey and spice. Shaak declined, asking for some fruit juice, while Maris wanted a shot of Centarian rye (from a planet in the next sector over) and then an ale to wash it down with. Shaak observed her apprentice's hard drinking ways with some interest, but said nothing. Instead, as they sat down at a small table, an attendant brought a video unit over, as Shaak handed him a 25-credit chip as a tip. He tipped his cap to her and walked away.

"Maris, my dear. Let's first try something." She removed a small tool from her purse and made a couple of quick modifications to the video unit, then set it on the table and switched it on. A basic control panel lit up the screen in front of them and Shaak started touching various places on the screen, and then entered some Basic characters via the Force. She then spoke into what appeared to be a type of microphone.

"Good evening, old friend."

A female voice answered after a short delay. "Ah … Master Zi. I have been awaiting your transmission. We've been faring well on my end. I have a new recruit."

"That's well, Doctor Jay. How goes the project?"

"We have a new location. Near the Core."

"I will send present coordinates. How is the funding coming along?"

"We will need some help."

"Send me your preferred location."

As the information flashed on the screen, Shaak took out a small device, no larger than a pea. She quickly scanned the entire transmission, then placed the device back into her handbag.

"Got it, Doctor. I will be in touch … give me 10 hours."

Shaak then shut off the video and returned it to its earlier condition with her tool, then switched it back on. A menu appeared and they ordered some meat snacks to eat, then another round of drinks. Shaak actually felt like something alcoholic and a bottle of dark wine was brought to the table. Maris then checked for a gambling game, but Shaak glared at her and she quickly abandoned that idea.

"Your prior master may have given you some undesirable habits," Shaak said tersely.

Maris, feeling somewhat embarrassed. "Yes, he was always playing those stupid pod races they run on Malastare. Anything to take his mind off the war. I'm sorry, Master. He also taught me about odds in games of chance."

"No, I'm not upset with you. In fact, it's been a long time since you got to do anything interesting or even fun. We've been so focused on our own survival, it's crowded everything else out."

After they were finished eating and drinking, the two ex-Jedi went back to their room. Then Maris asked Shaak what she'd been dying to know, but didn't want to ask in public.

"Master, who was that you were talking to … and, why did you have to do it from the bar?"

Shaak smiled. "That was Master Nu. We've been having regular exchanges these past months. So far, I need The Wheel and its strong transmitting capability to carry on a conversation through hyperspace. Eventually we will have this capability ourselves but I still lack certain parts. The droids I just ordered will make it easier to construct what I need."

Maris simply nodded at these revelations. But she smiled inwardly, thinking: Master Shaak has started to put her plan in motion. Things will start to get interesting now.

Shaak then signaled she was ready for bed, and as she lay down quietly, her mind ran through the developments.

Ah, Jocasta. Glad to see you are making progress and you have a new Padawan. The money I now have is starting to serve the purpose I always knew it would. It's good to have choices. You told me last month about rumors of a possible rebellion brewing in the Core worlds and in the Coruscanti Underground. We must tread softly. Palpatine and Vader must always feel they are in control and things are running smoothly. If I know Anakin – anything about him – it's that you must never underestimate him. We will take the next steps. I must meet with Senator Organa. I sense he has news for me.

To be continued …