Strange World • New World by TruView
FanFiction Author's Note: Severely wounded, Ahsoka is taken back aboard the Osprey. Amid all the turmoil, the viability of her pregnancy is now in question. Is the safe and healthy delivery of her unborn child still possible? While Omega, and the remaining crew of Clone Force 99 make a heady retreat, a rebuffed Sith Lord is not so forgiving.
This was to be the final arc in the 'Ahsoka ~ Hard Goodbyes' series but too much time has elapsed for this to merely be appended to that sequence. In any case, it can be enjoyed as a standalone and probably should. For those of you interested in its genesis, please feel free to check it out.
Star Wars_V — Mission Critical
[Aboard the Osprey, in critical condition]
"Ahsoka! Ahsoka! Breathe! Just breathe! Please just breathe!" Omega cried hysterically.
"Omega please calm down. AZI's here now. Let him work." Said Hunter.
"AZI do something! She's not breathing. She's pregnant!" Omega cried.
"Yes, I am aware and have been for months in fact. Have you forgotten Omega?"
"She's deeply impacted by what she sees AZI," Hunter informed. "Just do what you can for Ahsoka."
Immediately, the medi-droid took charge but paused briefly allowing its internal algorithm software programs to choose the appropriate course of action on how best to proceed regarding the Togruta physiology.
"Not to worry Omega. I'll do all I can." AZI assured her.
The hovering robot injected Ahsoka with something which had miraculously resuscitated her though she was still unconscious. When Omega's pleas became unbearable, AZI floated towards its longtime friend ready to administer a mild sedative before Hunter blocked its path.
"No! You focus on the patient, and I'll see our friend."
Facing Omega, he took her by the arm and led her out of the area. Even after the use of strong nanofibers to dry out the skin, he still felt wet, cold, and rickety coming out of the bacta tank so soon after going in but the ship's captain was in much greater need of its healing services than he was. Outside, he began to speak to the young adult female clone, his sister. Wiping away her tears, he spoke softly in an effort to calm her down. He gave her a strong embrace afterwards but this act had the reverse effect of what he was actually going for as her crying became even more vociferous.
"Omega," He began somewhat sternly surprising even himself, "If you're going back in there," "you'll need to be self-controlled otherwise you'll just be in the way."
Reluctantly acknowledging this fact, she nodded hastily drying her eyes with the back of her palms.
"Good." Said Hunter looking her square in the eyes. Noting the sudden return of determination to that indomitable spirit of hers, he smiled. A handful of times in the past, Hunter had to get down on one knee just to be level with her but now, she was at just above his shoulders. When did that happen exactly, he wondered. The young girl had also developed significantly in other ways thus turning a few heads of late… and not just of the other male commandos, merchants and tradesman either. Though she was no longer a child, she was still his sister and so he spoke the next set of words out of love but more than anything, out of respect.
"I have every confidence in you Omega. You've come such a long way and you'll go even farther. You'll have to." Hunter sighed while he imagined the gears in her still-developing brain working overtime in a genuine effort to reconcile the pain of her emotions with the wisdom of his words.
"Look, I'm not hoping for anything bad to happen here but did you really think Ahsoka would live forever? Do you think I will always be here?" With fingers spread far apart, both hands turned inward indicating himself. "Or the boys up front?" A slight head tilt in their direction was made by the aging veteran.
Omega's eyes fully dilated absorbing the cruel possibility of death for all her loved ones. It was a new level of awareness in her. Before now, she had plateaued. However, a child doesn't quite pick up on the notion of mortality until it hits closer to home. With the burning impression of Wrecker's demise still fresh in mind, Omega was indeed beginning to accept new realities.
"One day, you'll be running the show Omega. You'll be calling the shots which means you'll have others under your command –perhaps even other children you'll be responsible for. Just know tha-"
The ship lurched sharply and a voice came over the intercom.
"This is Echo, Hunter get up here."
"On my way!" He called out.
Refocusing on her, he quickly added, "I don't mention what I about to say often enough, but I love you and I'm so very proud of you. Now you get in there and tell her the same. And do whatever AZI needs you to do. You copy?"
"I copy, sir!"
"Very good. I'll go check on our situation." Hunter left her in the solace of her own doubts.
Not wanting to spend too much time in such a place, Omega took a Coruscanti-minute to compose herself before reentering the communal area of the ship where Ahsoka lay unconscious under the watchful care of the machine attendant.
[In Ahsoka's slumbering mind]
"Ahsoka..."
The repetitive frequency of her name sounded a faint whisper as it came in distantly over the lapping waves washing over her cherubim features like the persistent but gentle waters of her home-planet, Shili; it was the very same ocean in fact where she had been bathed as a new born by a doting but proud mother –one steeped in the ritualistic traditions of the Togruta. For the briefest of moments, the woman's image had shown clear as crystal. Peering up through her infancy with adult comprehension in this purgatory of awareness, Ahsoka tracing the strong features in her mother's facade caught a sense of profound sadness in those deeply intelligent and expressive eyes. And then it occurred to her: Mom had already suspected that I was gifted. Somehow, she knew! And indeed, she did know… long before the Matriarch of their humble village located at the edge of a dense jungle had divined it. Not saying anything sooner had given them more time together which was pivotal in ways that only someone with Force insight could fathom.
"Ahsoka…"
Another wave had passed over her and the comforting arms of her mother cradling her sleepy daughter had suddenly disappeared. Instead, Ahsoka found herself alone in that same ocean staring out into the void. She was floating on her back atop still waters. The planetary sky was a purplish-orange. And because Shili was not technologically developed, light pollution was virtually non-existent allowing its serenading moons to fully blossom against the backdrop of a starry context. Very much like her life, it had been relatively easy for someone strong in the Force as she was to contend against the hardships of existence in a way that made it all appear seamless. And then suddenly, without any warning whatsoever… the waters immediately receded, depositing her nude body on the seabed. The ocean floor was soft save for the jutting rocks and other protrusions coming out of the ground. She stood up partially in a daze and surveyed the wide landscape curious as to where the sea had departed too. Walking, she saw vaguely familiar items: Damaged pieces of an enemy TIE-fighter star ship; the sable cloak of somebody she use to call friend but whose face she had a hard time remembering for some reason. She recoiled at the sight of it and went on; and then finally, a pair of light sabers, which instinctively drew her outstretched hand in its direction. Strangely enough though, the two blades did not rise to meet the open palm in midair.
Why did I do that? Ahsoka thought to herself. Did I expect them to fly to me… like I have magic powers or something? She scoffed. Then she stopped moving and thought more. Do I have magic powers? Like… like… some Je Jed Jedi? I think I might. And then she smiled. I am a Jedi… a Jedi of... of… the living Force. I remember! With greater resolution, she raised that same hand and this time, her blades did obey.
The rolling sound of thunder up in the heavens had shaken her out of her reverie. The sunlight was dying and behind her in the distance, a storm was brewing. She saw lightening within and a few seconds later heard it scream out at her. And then she saw something that took her totally by surprise: The receding water was coming back in a huge squall. It was one massive tidal wave rushing towards her at incredible speeds. Ahsoka took off in a Force run, at times even leaping over huge obstacles. And then suddenly she fell to her knees skittering across the surface bruising parts of herself. She had been grabbing at her belly and writhing in sharp pains. She turned to look up back over her shoulder just in time for her world to come to a crashing end.
"Ahsoka! Ahsoka!" Came a familiar voice. "Look AZI, she's awake!"
"Finally," Said the Med droid. "Unfortunately, due to the injuries she's suffered, a natural birth is no longer possible. We'll have to try for a cesarean birth I'm afraid and the statistical…"
"We get it!" Omega broke in. The young woman quietly tried to comfort the waking Togruta.
"Whasss happen-ing?" Ahsoka's speech was slurred.
"Just try and relax, your vital signs are still critical and…"
Hunter's voice came in over the com system.
"Hold on to your lunch everybody. We're not out of the woods yet!"
Cannon phasers rocketed the ship causing the interior lights to flicker.
– to be continued