Chapter 24

(Mon Cala Cruiser)
"Once our ship exited hyperspace, we found safety on an isolated planet for a few years. Occasionally, I would venture to worlds in the Outer Rim to get supplies. This also allowed me to learn about the Republic becoming the Empire. And which Jedi had been killed," Kira continued her story.

"I take it this included Master Ore?" Mara asked, to which Kira nodded.

"I'm afraid so. Our group held a service for him and others who passed on," Kira told the group.

"You have our sympathies," Leia added, as her family and friends had lost many also.

"Thank you, Leia…Now, to answer how I met Master K'Kruhk. I traveled to Saleucami and overheard some hunters discussing how a Jedi had been spotted outside the spaceport. And that a reward was being offered for their capture."

"Did you stop those going after the survivor?" Tenal wondered.

"I didn't, as I needed to see if this was true," Kira answered. "I secretly followed the hunters from a distance. Which led me to find a crashed ship that had been stripped for parts by scavengers. However, I did find some faint tracks which pointed me on the right path."

"This led me to an old farm. After looking around at first, I stopped to rest and had started to make a fire when I was jumped from behind. However, after pushing off my attacker and activating my lightsaber, I saw the one before was a young Wookiee. He looked surprised to see me holding a lightsaber and then asked me who I was,"

"I take it you told this Wookiee the truth?" Han asked.

"Correct, and after learning I was a Jedi, the Wookiee told me his name was Gungi and showed me his lightsaber. He asked me to follow him into the barn. There, I found another surprise. Inside was an ancient droid that I recognized from my time at the temple: Professor Huyang,"

This got Luke's attention. "And who is this Professor Huyang?" he asked.

"He's an architect droid whose model dates back to the Old Republic. Who specialized in the creation of Lightsabers for thousands of Jedi," the vixen explained.

Taking in this information, Luke hoped that this Huyang was still around on Arkinnea. But he was jumping ahead and decided to let Kira continue her story.

"At first, Huyang was cautious at seeing me. But Gungi vouched for me and asked me to show my lightsaber to Huyang, who recognized it after inspecting it. After this, he asked what I was doing on Saleucami. I relayed to him and Gungi what happened on Coruscant. Then he told me how they escaped the temple."

Kira paused for a moment, then continued speaking.

"When the clones came into the temple. Huyang was in the archives with Gungi and escaped using the secret passageways he knew. After that, they hid in the lower levels below the city until they could escape on a ship. Both were jumping from world to world, staying away from Imperial forces. However, during one stopover on Bothawui, the two encountered another survivor who told them about Arkinnea and Master K'Kruhk. But before they could go there, some Transdoshan hunters spotted Gungi and started shooting at him,"

"Not surprising, those lizards have a long history with Wookiees," Han remarked as he recalled Chewie telling him this during their smuggling days.

"Indeed, this conflict led the three to split up, but only after Huyang was given the coordinates to Arkinnea. Despite their best attempts, the hunters pursued them off Bothawi and to Saleucami, where their ship was damaged and crashed."

"Perhaps it was the will of the Force that brought them there. As it led them to you," Anakin suggested.

"That may be. After Huyang told me this, I agreed to help him and Gungi get off the planet. We traveled in the cover of darkness for hours back to my ship. And right as we were within reach of escape, we crossed paths with the hunters, forcing us to fight them to the death," Kira said grimly.

"Sometimes there is no other way," Leia remarked, as she knew from experience.

"All but true… Once we got off the planet, I took Gungi and Huyang to meet with Master Sinube and Monn. After they learned about Arkinnea, the two asked Huyang and me to check it out first, which led us to meet Master K'Kruhk. After meeting him, we talked about our survival stories and were shown the temple in person. Then later, I returned to inform the others of what we saw and brought them to Arkinne."

After saying all that, Kira took a deep breath, sipped her tea, and looked at Luke. "I hope learning this has answered your questions, Master Skywalker?"

Luke thought carefully while the others wondered what he would say.

"It has; I thank you for sharing this with us, Kira," Luke answered with a smile.

"Now then, I believe there's someone else I'm to speak with. You two wouldn't know where she is, would you?" Luke asked his nephews next.

Looking at each other at first, Jacen and Anakin were about to speak when they sensed the presence of Ahsoka nearby. Luke, Leia, Mara, and Kira also felt this, making them wonder who it was.

"Well, you are in luck, Uncle Luke. She's coming in right now," Jacen said as he turned toward the doors, where everyone saw someone enter the room.

Ahsoka looked around the room at first, then saw Anakin and Jacen at one table with their friends and family. Taking a calming breath at first, Ahsoka approached the table and stopped before those sitting.

"Master Skywalker, Captain Solo, Minister Organa. I am Ahsoka Tano. It's nice to finally meet you all in person," she said politely.

A moment of silence came after this as the Skywalkers and Solos took in Ahsoka's appearance. She wasn't quite what they expected as they saw she was a few years older than Jaina. And dressed somewhat like a soldier, which led to some questions they wanted to ask. But before they could, Luke stood up as he greeted the newcomer.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Miss Tano. I am Luke Skywalker, and on behalf of my family and the Jedi, we thank you for helping us," he said to her, offering his hand. Ahsoka shook his hand and was introduced to the others.

"Leia Organa Solo and this is my husband, Han Solo," Leia said next, followed by Han, who thanked Ahsoka for saving his kids again.

"I'm Mara Jade Skywalker," the red-headed woman said, to which Ahsoka greeted her back.

"Lando Calrissian, nice to meet you," Lando added next as she shook his hand.

When she came to the next one at the table, Ahsoka looked curiously at the alien before her. She was dressed like the Jedi from her time. But before Ahsoka could ask, the alien spoke first.

"I am Kira Nara; it's good to meet you, Ahsoka," the vixen said succinctly to her.

"Likewise. Would you happen to be one of Master Skywalker's students?" Ahsoka asked next.

"Yes, she is. I invited her to eat with us earlier. You're welcome to join us as well," Luke answered, choosing to keep Kira's identity a secret.

"I would be honored," Ahsoka replied to Luke, then went to get some food.

While waiting for Ahsoka to return, the group talked among themselves. They stopped when their guest returned with her tray of soup and bread.

"I apologize for not meeting you before. I was talking with the captain of this ship and the others from the fleet," Ahsoka said to Luke and Leia, then took a sip of her soup.

"Speaking of which, when we talked to you before, you never said anything about having a whole fleet?" Han asked next.

"I wanted to keep that part a secret. A wise commander never reveals all their forces at once during war," Ahsoka answered.

Luke and Kira both thought this sounded like something Master Yoda would say.

"Miss Tano, if it's alright with you, could you tell us how you saved the Strike Team from Myrkr?" Leia asked next.

Knowing this would come up, Ahsoka had devised an improvised story to tell them. "Of course, not long ago, my comrades and I allowed ourselves to be captured by the Yuzzhan Vong to sabotage their forces behind enemy lines. This led us to be taken to the Worldship at Myrkr, where we used our fleet to keep the enemy distracted in space while we caused damage on the inside."

While Anakin, Jacen, Tenal, and Tahiri knew this wasn't true. They understood why Ahsoka had to tell this fabrication of the truth for now.

"As we planted some bombs in different areas, one of our members discovered there were Jedi onboard. Upon learning this, we sought them out and later found them attacked by Vong warriors and the Voxyn. Acting quickly, our group came to their aid and helped destroy the next. Once we patched up those hurt, we made our way to escape from the Worldship, then spoke with your kids once safely away from Myrkr," Ahsoka explained, and she hoped the adults believed her claims.

They talked among themselves for a bit after hearing this. Luke and the others looked at Ahsoka.

"That is quite a story there, Miss Tano. And I'm sure there is more to this," Leia was saying with a severe look. Ahsoka worried for a moment, along with those who knew the truth.

"But given what we've all had a long day, that can wait for now," Leia added, which relieved Ahsoka to hear this.

"What you say is true, Minster Organa, as there are other matters to discuss. Not only from me but from my group as well," Ahsoka replied to Leia.

"Speaking of which, the others who are with you. Can they be trusted?" Mara asked.

"They can. Three are onboard the Star Destroyer, and the other Jedi are on. And two good friends of mine are with Jaina on her cruiser," Ahsoka answered.

"Speaking of which, we will need to contact her soon," Han added.

"Why don't we do that now, then turn in for the night? We're going
to need our strength for when we arrive," Leia suggested.

After finishing their meals, the group separated as most went to find a place to sleep while the Solos contacted their daughter.

As for Kira, she was trying to recall where she had heard the name Ahsoka Tano before while meditating in a spare room. Then, it came to her like a shot.

"Ahsoka Tano was the Jedi student of Master Skywalker's Father!"