Hello again everyone. First of all, I'm so, so sorry this update has taken so long! This was by far the most difficult chapter for me to write! I can't say that I'm particularly happy with it either.

Plus, on top of keeping up with the writing, my life has been insane lately! I'm currently in the process of moving house, my parents are going their separate ways, and work has been really demanding! But, I got there in the end.

I hope the wait has been worth it.

Hope you enjoy!


Ahsoka's dreams had been peaceful for the majority of the night. Her breathing was steady as her imagination ran wild, turning her hopes of post-war peace into reality before her very eyes for a few precious hours. She envisioned blue skies, mountains, forests, and sunlight shining down on fields as the grass rippled in the wind like the surface of an ocean. The sight of so many civilisations living free from fear of Separatist threats left her feeling tearful and overjoyed. It was a brief reminder of the life she remembered before tensions boiled over and ignited the beginning of the Clone Wars. How she solemnly missed it.

Then, all of a sudden, she realised she was beginning to lose control. It felt as though something was weighing her down on her bed; she couldn't move a muscle. What had initially presented itself as overwhelming joy began to transform into a nightmare. The lucid paradise before her began to crumble. The trees and grass were burning, buildings were collapsing into rubble, and the sunlight was extinguished behind a blanket of clouds that turned the glistening sky into a grey mass of pollution. Ahsoka felt a searing heat pulsate across her skin, although she was incapable of crying out in pain. Even when she tried to breathe, it felt as though her lungs were full of toxic smoke. Her whole body was in agony. Furthermore, she could no longer see clearly. A thick haze of smoke surrounded her, causing her to cough until her throat felt raw.

Despite her distress, she maintained enough sense to know that this was no ordinary nightmare. It was a disturbance in the force. There was a familiarity to this sensation that she had not felt since her nightmares had foreseen Aurra Sing's attempt on Padmé's life during that trip to Alderaan not too long ago.

Closing her eyes tight for a few moments, she was desperate to try and wake herself up. She hoped that when she opened them, she would be back in her room, shaken up but unharmed. After taking a deep breath, she finally opened them again. What she now saw before her caused her blood to run cold. While her eyesight was still hazy, she had no problem making out what was going on around her.

The sound of explosions echoed from all directions, causing vibrations to pound against her stomach. There were flames glowing within buildings and from destroyed vehicles in the streets. Smoke from the destruction stung her eyes as she gazed around, trying to comprehend what was going on. She soon realised that it was a large city that was burning. Citizens were screaming as they tried to run for cover. Parents held their children close, tears rolling down their faces as they were forced to flee from their homes, leaving them to burn. Others were joining this desperate bid for escape, though they were left with no choice but to trample over dead bodies scattered in the street while they ran.

It didn't take Ahsoka long to realise what species were suffering this devastation. Moreover, she recognised this city! All these people were Pantorans. This must be Pantoran City, which was seemingly under attack. How could something like this be possible?

Ahsoka wanted to rush over and help these people. But, instead, she found herself incapable of moving from where she was standing. It seemed that whatever she had sensed wanted for her to concentrate on everything that was unfolding.

Suddenly, she heard a familiar marching rhythm pulsating down the street, heading straight towards her. Through the smoke and blaster fire, she saw hundreds of droids rapidly closing the distance, along with tanks and air support descending on the city. She realised that she was witnessing a full-scale invasion unfold. And from the looks of things, the Separatists weren't interested in taking hostages. This was murder! Closing her eyes tight once again, she decided that she could no longer bear to look.

At last, Ahsoka forced herself to wake up. She shot up on her bed, panting fast with a few beads of sweat trickling down her face. It took her a few moments to calm down enough so she could think clearly again. The images she'd been forced to watch were still fresh in her memory.

She only hoped that her dream had been nothing more than her imagination. She was hoping that all those Pantorans she'd seen being shot down like wild animals were perfectly safe and that their homes were still standing.

However, deep down, she knew there was often little deception when she sensed such malevolence in the force. She would have to assume that something terrible was indeed unfolding. Whether such events were occurring right this second or if she'd been provided with an insight into what was yet to come, she knew she had to tell Anakin. Not yet did she feel confident enough to bring this forward to the Jedi Council. There were differences between the attempt on Padmé's life and the battlefield she had just seen. There was nothing that indicated a premeditative sequence of events, only merciless slaughter.


Anakin recalled Aurra Sing's scheme on Alderaan all too well. The fear he had felt for his wife's safety, along with not being there to help, had nearly caused his feelings to manifest into something that he feared might overwhelm him. All he could do was remind himself that he held complete faith in Ahsoka's abilities when it came to protecting Padmé. Moreover, he knew that his wife wasn't exactly incapable of looking after herself. He managed to restrain his fear with the belief that both of them would remain one step ahead of Aurra.

It was because of this past experience that he knew Ahsoka's dream was not to be ignored.

"And you're certain this is a similar disturbance to what you sensed before?" he asked.

"I . . . can't quite be sure, Master. Everything I saw was changing so fast. My dream started out so colourful, so . . . peaceful, but before I knew it, there was only death and destruction to behold. Although, I have to say, the strangest part was how it affected my emotions . . ."

"How do you mean?"

"It's hard to describe as a memory. I remember I felt . . . cold and helpless. I think that for a while, I truly believed I was going to die! It was like something was eating away at me!"

Anakin grimaced. It upset him to see his Padawan so distraught.

"I understand how that must have made you feel, Snips, and I'm in no way trying to contradict what you're saying. But, at the same time, the effects that a simple nightmare can have on us shouldn't be underestimated. There's always a chance we can jump to conclusions and act impulsively if we happen to see something connecting itself to the lives we live in the real world. Before we say anything to anyone else, I have to know that you are absolutely convinced that what you said you sensed was the same as what you experienced prior to what happened on Alderaan."

Ahsoka could feel herself growing increasingly frustrated.

"I'm telling you that this was no ordinary nightmare, Master. The evil I could feel was so dominant that it was actually kind of sickening. I just have a terrible feeling that the battle I saw on Pantora was a vision from the dark side of the force . . ."

"That's quite a bold statement to make, Ahsoka. I hope you understand the risk of scaremongering when you go around saying things like that! Tell me, right now, what makes you believe it was connected to the dark side?" Anakin interrupted.

"You've always told me that the force is with me everywhere I go, Master. After all the Separatist atrocities that you and I have faced, you could say that recognising the presence of the dark side has developed into some kind of instinct. Death, hatred, and anger are always radiating from it. Trust me, I know what I felt!"

Anakin frowned. "Have you spoken a word of this to anyone else?"

"No! Absolutely no one! I would only ever bring something like this to you first, Master. I'm aware that there's still a great deal that I don't understand yet," Ahsoka insisted.

Anakin sighed and rubbed his eyes.

"You were right to come to me, Snips. But going forward, I'm not sure that we should keep this quiet. I think it's best that we inform the Jedi Council. After all, the force has given us extraordinary foresight before. I think it's only right for the Council to decide how we should proceed with this matter."

"And if nothing comes of it?"

"Then at least we'll have expressed our concerns."

"I don't know. Do you think . . ."

"These are dangerous times, Ahsoka," Anakin interrupted. "All of us who are fighting for freedom and democracy are living with all sorts of threats hanging over our heads day in and day out. I've survived so many battles, ambushes, and betrayals by this point that it's becoming all that more difficult to determine who to trust anymore. As you know, it's easy to begin jumping at shadows when paranoia sets in. That's why the force is one of the most trustworthy allies we have, and if there is any possibility that you've sensed the presence of the dark side, then we shouldn't keep it a secret. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Yes, Master. If you truly believe my nightmare to be of any meaningful significance, then I agree with informing the Council right away.


Ahsoka felt awkward as she stood in the centre of the large room, with Anakin by her side. A number of Jedi masters were seated in their chairs around the chamber, encircling the girl. A gentle shine of the evening sun that outlined Coruscant's skyline of skyscrapers reflected a shadow on the marble floor. There was a muffled hum from the traffic in the skylane as thousands of airspeeders passed by the windows. The meeting hadn't been going on for long, but it had only taken a matter of minutes for the council to decide that they were interested in what Ahsoka had to say.

"Dreams giving us a glimpse into the future? Not unheard of, but still considerably rare," Mace Windu rubbed his chin gently. "And you say you've felt this way before?"

"Yes, master. I remember that in the run-up to Aurra Sing's attempt on Senator Amidala's life, I suffered a nightmare that kept repeating itself over and over again. I was hesitant to believe in myself, and that indecision could have cost the Senator her life had I not decided to finally accept what the force was telling me. The similarities are too close to be ignored with this new nightmare. I just know that there is more to this than a harmless image of my imagination. If I'm to place my trust in the force, then I know there is an evil presence on Pantora. Whether something is unfolding now or forthcoming!"

"Have either of you been in contact with any of the Pantoran representatives? You'll have to forgive me, but I've forgotten the name of their Senator," Mace continued.

"That'd be Senator Chuchi, Master. She's a good friend of mine. I have already tried to put through a transmission to her, but with no success, unfortunately. Master Skywalker has been in contact with Senator Amidala to see if she could help," Ahsoka said.

"Senator Amidala?"

"Out of all the representatives in the Senate, she's probably on the closest of terms with Senator Chuchi. Plus, she has a direct line straight to Chuchi's office on Pantora. She said she'd be in contact if there were any developments," Anakin interjected.

Shaak Ti appeared uncertain. "I don't wish to downplay the situation, but is there a chance that we're jumping at shadows? Putting forward such inquiries could risk making the Jedi appear paranoid in front of the Republic. Especially if we start involving other Senators . . ."

"Master, Senator Chuchi has always been such an outspoken and committed person. And as we all know, Pantora is one of the Republic's closest allies," said Ahsoka. "For Chuchi to suddenly go quiet, then I know something is wrong! Since that trouble with the Trade Federation's blockade of Pantora, Chuchi has become a prominent presence in the Senate. However, I fear that Pantora's loyalty to the Republic might have caught the Separatist's interest."

"Would this, by any chance, be in connection to the substantial amount of funding they have put into defence and deterrence since that incident?" asked Obi Wan Kenobi.

"That's what Ahsoka believes," Anakin replied. "And I think that by this point, I do too!"

Obi Wan sighed and rubbed his chin.

"The Republic has been developing advanced military equipment on Pantora since Chairman Papanoida put forward his proposal to construct allied bases on the moon. If I recall correctly, one of the main reasons the proposal was passed in the Senate was that Pantora's isolated position in the Outer Rim made it a suitable location for keeping such operations confidential from Separatist intelligence. However, as we know too well, loyalty is a delicate subject during wartime. Individuals are easily misled! After all, there're a number of ways the Separatists might have managed to penetrate our security. Count Dooku would only be too keen to get his hands on that weaponry were he to get word of the Republic's operations."

Yoda frowned. "Hmm, Dooku, a man who holds no boundaries, he is. True, any chance to soften the Republic's efforts, he will take. Padawan Tano's dreams; ignore them; we must not. His plot, she may have foreseen. I fear that only further death and destruction will likely come of this."

At that moment, the meeting was interrupted by a faint beeping in Anakin's pocket. Retrieving a small holoprojector disc, he prepared to answer the call.

"Excuse me, but it seems that Senator Amidala might be finally getting back to us," he said. "Let's only hope she's got good news."

"Display the call for all of us to see, if you please," requested Mace Windu.

"Of course."

A few seconds later, a ghostly hologram of Padmé Amidala appeared in the centre of the chamber. Straight away, Anakin could tell that something was troubling her. Her normally warm smile was nowhere to be seen. She looked worried.

"Senator Amidala, it's good to see you again. Thank you for sparing us your time," he said.

"My pleasure, Master Skywalker. You know I'm always happy to be of any assistance I can to the Jedi."

"Of course, and I appreciate you going out of your way to do us such a favour. Did you have any success in contacting Senator Chuchi?"

Padmé momentarily gazed down at the floor. When she looked back up, Anakin noticed that her initial concern had worsened. He began to dread what she might have to say next.

"As a matter of fact, I did. I had been meaning to get in contact with Senator Chuchi as soon as I'd had the chance anyway. The Senate was due to discuss economic and trade sanctions on a planet that has been suspected of sympathising with the Separatists. Every representative was expected to attend to a matter as serious as this. However, I realised during the meeting that she was missing from the chamber. I know Chuchi well, and she'd never miss a meeting like that after the trouble the Separatists and Trade Federation have already caused her people."

"I assume she told you why she failed to attend," said Obi Wan.

"That's the strangest thing of all, Master Kenobi. Whenever I tried to inquire about the reason for her absence, she became defensive and tried to divert to a different topic. I couldn't quite believe how defensive she was being! As a matter of fact, she almost seemed irritated over me having contacted her."

"That's not in Chuchi's nature," said Ahsoka. "I've never known her so much as to even raise her voice!"

"My thoughts exactly, Ahsoka. She's normally such a kind and soft-spoken person who would give up any moment of her time to discuss such matters with others. You could almost say that it felt as though I were speaking to an entirely different person! Furthermore, she seemed very keen to bring the conversation to a close as soon as she could . . ."

Anakin scowled. "I don't like the sound of this. First Ahsoka's dreams, and now you say Senator Chuchi is attempting to keep limited contact, as well as failing to attend a Senate meeting. There's no way this can be coincidental!"

"There's definitely something strange going on," agreed Obi Wan. "And I think it's within the Republic's duty to get to the bottom of it. We shouldn't take any chances if there is any kind of Separatist plot underway, no matter how subtle the hints of their involvement may be at this point . . ."

"While I agree with delving further into this matter, I'm not entirely certain that a political issue as delicate as this is any business for the Jedi to get involved," said Luminara. "Let's not forget, we are keepers of the peace, not detectives!"

"Tensions are still very low. If we are indeed dealing with a Separatist plot, then what's stopping us from making the first move while we still hold the element of surprise?" Anakin retorted. "It'll take time to find a volunteer in the Senate to travel to Pantora. Ahsoka and I could . . ."

"Anakin, there have been many occasions when I have wanted to step beyond the Jedi code and do what I believe to be right. However, this time, I am inclined to agree with Luminara. The Jedi have come under enough criticism during the course of this war for leading the Clones throughout so many battles across countless planets. As peacekeepers, political issues are simply not for us to get involved," Obi Wan's voice was slightly raised.

"But, Master . . ."

"No buts, Anakin."

Obi Wan turned his attention away from Anakin to speak to Padmé.

"Please excuse me, Senator; we all appreciate the time and effort you've put aside for your assistance. Nevertheless, I must request that we end the transmission here. There're a few more things we need to discuss as a council, and I'm afraid that we must keep them confidential. I apologise and hope you understand."

"Of course, Master Kenobi, I'm glad to have been of help!"

There was a faint echo from the hologram's pixelation as Padmé's image disappeared.

Obi Wan turned back to face Anakin.

"I understand your frustration, Anakin. But as I've previously stated, this is not a matter that the Jedi can be seen getting involved in. I'm afraid such steps can only be taken once we know for certain that we are dealing with Separatist influence. We can't act on what is currently nothing more than a theory."

"I understand that, Master. But what if Ahsoka and I pay a peaceful visit to Pantora? With them having developed such close ties with the Republic now, I'm sure we could come up with a reason for our presence. Plus, if we do indeed discover any kind of trouble, then there will at least be a valid reason for the Jedi to get involved. It's not as if we haven't undertaken similar assignments before!"

"No, Anakin, you're needed elsewhere. As it's already been stated, our numbers are pushed. Let's not forget that our troops are already struggling to repel Count Dooku's forces on Soteth. We can't afford to spare anyone, even for that kind of trickery . . . unless."

"Unless, what?"

"An idea has just occurred to me . . . actually, no, forget it."

"Please, Master Kenobi, what have you thought of?" pleaded Ahsoka.

"Well . . . if Ahsoka is in agreement, there is nothing stopping her from travelling to Pantora by herself. After all, she'd be going as a concerned friend of Senator Chuchi. Furthermore, there would technically be no Jedi involvement. If Senator Amidala also has her suspicions, then that's enough to convince me that we've somehow got to get to the bottom of this."

"If Chuchi and Pantora really do need help, then I'm more than willing to do this by myself, Master. I'm more than capable!"

"Bring myself to agree with this; I cannot. However, uncover the truth; I see little other option," said Yoda. "Settled it is then, Padawan Tano. Travel to Pantora, you shall. No Separatist involvement; we shall hope and pray."

"Thank you, Master."


The night sky of Coruscant was polluted by a whitish haze, blocking any glimpse of the stars. A moderate breeze had also begun to blow, making any journey through the skylanes a bit more uncomfortable.

Ahsoka shivered as she and Anakin stepped out onto the landing pad.

"Don't forget to keep your Comlink channel open at all times," he instructed. "I'm not willing to take any chances over your safety if there actually is something going on. After all, how many times have you and I been ambushed or betrayed?"

Ahsoka smirked and rolled her eyes. Anakin's occasionally overprotective nature made him all the more like an older brother to her.

"Enough times to know we never have a boring mission together! Don't worry, SkyGuy; I'll keep you updated. I wouldn't want you to think I'm ghosting you!"

Walking ahead of Anakin, Ahsoka took a few steps up the shuttle's ramp. However, an unexpected moment of doubt caused her to grind to an abrupt halt.

"Ahsoka? Is something bothering you?" asked a concerned Anakin.

Ahsoka frowned and turned back around.

"Do you think I'm being a little overconfident here? Pantora's a long way from Coruscant, and if I do happen to run into trouble while I'm there, who knows how long it would take for help to arrive? Do you know what I mean?"

"Of course," replied Anakin.

Ahsoka then noticed that a sly smirk was beginning to grow on his face.

"Buuut, I also had a feeling that you might have your doubts before you left. That's why I may have asked someone else to tag along, just as backup."

Ahsoka was surprised and nonetheless confused.

"You did? Who?"

All of a sudden, directly behind Anakin, the door to the landing strip opened. Through the bright light of the corridor from within the building, Ahsoka could see a silhouette approaching the shuttle. Though, once the gap had been shortened a little, she could make out dark robes with a hood pulled over the person's head. In an instant, she realised who it was.

"Barriss?" she gasped.

"You were expecting somebody else?" The Mirialan smiled as she stood by Anakin's side. "I couldn't very well leave you to do this by yourself."

Ahsoka smiled over how wonderful it would be to have Barriss accompany her. There was, however, something that concerned her with her friend's presence.

"I'm so pleased to see you, Barriss! I have to admit, I wasn't exactly looking forward to making this journey alone. But I have to ask. How did you convince Master Luminara to allow you to come with me?"

"You have your Master to thank for that," Barriss said softly. "He has . . . impressive negotiation skills. You should have seen him!"

"What did you say, Master?" Ahsoka asked cautiously.

"Oh, nothing much. Although Barriss didn't hesitate to accept my request. When it came to approaching Luminara, I merely expressed my concern over my Padawan travelling to the Outer Rim by herself. Plus, if I recall correctly, Barriss is also on friendly terms with Senator Chuchi."

"And Luminara said yes, did she?"

Anakin grinned awkwardly and brought up a hand to scratch his neck.

"Uh, in a way . . ."

"Master?"

"Alright, the only thing I might have told her is that you both would be escorting Senator Amidala as she was due to hold a meeting with the Pantoran government. It's not as if the Senate isn't already concerned over Chuchi's absence."

"So you lied," Ahsoka said, crossing her arms with a raised eyebrow.

"Hey, come on now. Haven't we already said that this will most likely be a trouble-free assignment? If things go smoothly, then I don't expect you'll be gone long enough for Luminara to find out. At least have a little faith in me, Ahsoka," smirked Anakin.

"And when she does find out? What're you going to say then?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. But don't worry; whatever happens, I'll take the blame. That's at least fair, right?"

With a frown, Ahsoka glanced over at Barriss, who was calmly watching the interaction between Padawan and Master. It looked as though she was trying not to laugh.

"I too shall take any responsibilities if my Master questions me, Ahsoka. I'm just glad to be coming with you! Although we may now be on something of a time limit, it would be better not to waste a second of it. Are you ready to head out?"

Ahsoka didn't yet look convinced. However, she also knew that there was no turning back at this point.

"Sure, we'd better get going. Go on ahead and start the shuttle, Barriss. I'll be there in a moment."

"Of course," the girl nodded. "I'll be waiting."

Before ascending the ramp, the Mirialan turned back to face Anakin, bowing her head in respect.

Her parting words were short.

"Master Skywalker"

Before following her friend up the ramp, Ahsoka turned to Anakin.

"I have no idea what might lie ahead. I'm almost feeling a little scared to tell you the truth! But I promise we'll be back as soon as we can."

"Try to stay calm and don't rush things," he said. "If you do happen to stumble across anything suspicious, just remember not to make any impulsive decisions. After all, this is meant to be a friendly visit. Although, don't be afraid to do a little digging if need be. Just don't forget to contact me as soon as you find something! The Republic will need to know as well."

Ahsoka mannerisms suddenly became mischievous.

"Master, aren't you forgetting something?"

"Oh, such as?"

"It's me! Don't worry yourself; I'll be in contact!"

Anakin chuckled and shook his head as he watched the ramp close behind his Padawan. He stood to watch as the shuttle lifted from the landing pad; its main engines took a few moments to kick into life. It left behind a thin trail of vapour as it disappeared behind the blanket of clouds that sat just above Coruscant's skyscrapers.


Both Padawans had made this journey to Pantora enough times for the route to have become second nature. Yet that didn't shorten the distance they still had to cover. They had a long way to go! Despite his questionable method of persuasion towards Luminara, Ahsoka was thrilled that Anakin had sent Barriss with her; the trip could get awfully boring!

"As wonderful as it will be to visit Chuchi again, I do wish Pantora could be a bit closer to Coruscant!" Ahsoka sighed while she set the shuttle to auto-pilot. "I just hope this trip ends up being worth it."

Barriss was seated in the co-pilot chair. There was an eerie silence that accompanied the low level of light within the bridge. A faint glow from the control panel's lights reflected onto the girls faces.

"The journey may be long, but I'm optimistic that Riyo might be more willing to tell us what she was hiding from Padmé when we speak to her face-to-face. Although, you know what happens when we're together!" she faintly smiled. "Someone will probably want us out of the picture. Remember, we're both magnets for trouble!"

"I'm not going to argue with you there," chuckled Ahsoka. "However, it would be nice, for once, to visit a friend without uncovering some massive Separatist scheme. It doesn't seem as though we can even leave the temple anymore without finding ourselves in danger!"

"I know what you mean, Ahsoka. Though, I suppose we didn't pledge ourselves to the Jedi to live free of risk. We are, after all, meant to keep peace across the galaxy. We put our lives ahead of others so that they may live free of threat. Can you imagine the terror that would ensue if we weakened our stance against the Separatists and Sith?"

"I understand that. I guess this is more my nerves talking than anything. There's just a part of me that has a bad feeling about what's to come. If the war has finally reached Pantora . . . I don't know. I've seen so many people lose their lives since this began . . . I couldn't say that a victory for the Republic would feel all that meaningful to me anymore. All those people who couldn't be there to see it happen!"

This rare moment of pessimism troubled Barriss. She knew Ahsoka to be a realist with no delusions about the dangers that awaited those who ventured out into the galaxy. Normally, there was always an ambiance of optimism whenever she was in Ahsoka's company. It was one of her favourite traits of her best friend.

This time, however, that courageous spirit of Ahsoka's was nowhere to be found.

Reaching over, Barriss gently placed a hand on her shoulder. Ahsoka quickly turned to face her when she felt the hand make contact.

"I understand how concerned you are, not only for Chuchi's safety but for the people of Pantora. I'm not going to lie; I'm worried too, Ahsoka! This war has been so horrific that I guess it's only inevitable that we're constantly scared for the safety of our allies. I realise there's only so much I can say. The Separatists have demonstrated such cruelty and destruction. Like you, I go to sleep every night, hoping that it will all be over when I wake up! But, for now, please try not to jump to any immediate conclusions. Remember, what you saw in your dream could have been a combination of so many different things. The force is too complicated, I think, for even our Masters to fully understand. It would only be wise to be patient and see what answers may come forward in time."

Ahsoka looked away from Barriss, the corner of her lips faintly curving upward into a smile.

"Thank you, Barriss," she said softly. "You're right, I've allowed my paranoia to build up to such an extent that I've started listening to my fear instead of allowing the force to guide me."

"Pessimism is a common enemy during these times. I'm not saying that feeling concerned for the welfare of others is a bad thing, Ahsoka. But one of the kindest things we can do for our friends is trust that they are capable of looking after themselves while making sure they know that we'll always have their backs. Just how I'll always have your back, as I know you'll have mine," Barriss said, looking upon Ahsoka with sympathy.

She recognised a familiar twinkle in Ahsoka's eyes. She couldn't help but smile when she saw the life restored to her friend's demeanour.

"Of course, I will!" she replied. "Though I have to ask, Barriss. How do you come up with these words of wisdom? Sometimes I get the feeling I'm speaking to the Jedi Council when I hear you speak from the heart," she finished with a chuckle.

Barriss smiled shyly and looked away for a moment. Her hand retracted from Ahsoka's shoulder and rested back in her lap.

"I couldn't say," she replied. "Most of it likely comes from my Master when she tries to help me strengthen my connection to the force . . ."

She turned back to Ahsoka.

"This is merely a suggestion, but since we're now a good distance from Coruscant, why don't you go and rest for a while? Perhaps you'll be able to see things much clearer in a more peaceful environment. If your visions still feel a little hazy, it might be just what you need. I'll have no trouble watching things in here."

The Togruta girl sighed.

"You know, I didn't want to say it before we left; I reckon a little sleep wouldn't do me any harm. I just need some time and space to focus on what the force might be trying to tell me. I could be missing something, after all! Of course, that's if you don't mind . . ."

"Of course not," smiled Barriss. "We've got a long journey ahead of us. So please, take all the time you need. The autopilot has everything under control."

"What will you do while I'm gone?"

"I think I'll meditate for a while. It'll do me good to clear my head as well."

Ahsoka smiled and rose from her chair. After strolling across the room, she turned just as the door hissed and slid open when she got close.

"Hey, um, thank you for everything, Barriss," she smiled at her friend. "It's a great comfort to know that I have someone to speak to over matters such as these."

"My pleasure, Ahsoka," the Mirialan said warmly with a slow and respectful nod. "Now, please, go and rest."


Ahsoka had fallen asleep feeling confident that she would be able to retain a focused mindset should that same nightmare likely decide to repeat itself.

However, when she realised that the dream was indeed beginning all over again, Ahsoka immediately began to panic. She'd forgotten that she was lying safely on her bunk and instead was overrun with fear as she desperately ran for cover in the street. She cried out in her sleep as she found herself trapped in a ferocious battle throughout the streets of what looked like Pantoran City. Every so often, she would try to resist, relying on her connection to the force to bring a steady balance to the constantly changing visions. Nevertheless, whatever was causing these visions had grown stronger, and she could feel it.

Then, all of a sudden, amidst the deafening blaster fire and echoes from artillery shelling, she heard a voice. Almost immediately, her panic began to ease when she sub-consciously recognised who it was.

"Ahsoka? My goodness! Are you alright? Wake up!"

The girl stirred on her bunk when Barriss's gentle voice disturbed her drowsy state. Feeling a pair of hands on her shoulders and shaking her softly, her eyes shot open.

Her friend was standing over her, her hands still holding a firm grip on her shoulders. There was a combination of concern and empathy on Barriss's face.

"Barriss? I . . . Is everything alright?" she mumbled.

"That's the very question I should be asking you!" The Mirialan frowned, removing her hands from Ahsoka's shoulders. "I could hear you from the bridge. You were crying out loudly in your sleep. Was it that same nightmare?"

Ahsoka grumbled and rubbed her tired eyes. After sitting herself up, Barriss proceeded to take a seat on the edge of the bunk.

"It . . . it was, unfortunately," said Ahsoka quietly, looking away from Barriss. "I thought I might hold more control going into that nightmare a second time. I couldn't have been more wrong! Everything was intensifying. I felt so cornered! It was just . . . horrible, Barriss!" she squeaked as her voice threatened to crack when her emotions began to take effect.

The Mirialan scooted closer and laid a sympathetic hand on Ahsoka's knee.

"It's okay, now, Ahsoka. It was just a dream. I understand how frightening it must have felt. But you're safe here, and no matter what, I'm with you every step of the way. Would you like to talk about it? Sharing these things can be a great help."

Looking up at Barriss, Ahsoka couldn't help but smile over her kind words.

"Thank you, Barriss. It was just a bit of fright. I'm already feeling much better. I'd rather not talk about it right now if that's alright . . ."

"Of course. However, don't hesitate to speak to me if you change your mind. As long as I know you're alright," she said, slowly retracting her hand.

Ahsoka nodded. "I appreciate the concern, but I'm fine now, really. There's no need to worry. I just got myself a little worked up."

"So, I guess there was no progress on understanding the dream a bit better?"

"Things started out calm, as they did before. However, the moment the fighting started again, I began to panic. I can't believe I let go of my focus! It just felt so real!" Ahsoka sighed.

"These things happen; you can't be hard on yourself," Barriss said, making an effort to comfort her friend. "Both of us still have a lot to learn when it comes to the ways of the force. I know too well how easy it is to get distracted."

"Maybe you're right," shrugged Ahsoka.

There was silence before Barriss decided it was an appropriate time to change the subject. Seeing her friend in a state of distress left a nauseating sensation in her stomach, plus she didn't want to be sitting in the dimly lit room any longer.

"Perhaps we ought to head back to the bridge? I can't imagine it'll be long before we're ready to drop out of hyperspace," she said. "We can discuss all of this again when we get round to meeting with Chuchi."

"Sure thing. I don't feel like trying to go back to sleep any time soon."

The girls stood up from the bunk and made their way back out into the corridor. Following a short stroll, they reached the doors to the bridge. Once inside, Ahsoka proceeded to sit herself back down in the co-pilot chair while Barriss took a moment to study the guidance computer.

"According to the system, we have a little over an hour until we reach Pantora!"

"Still an hour to go? Man, I hate this journey!" groaned Ahsoka, spinning in her chair.

"So do I!" Barriss agreed. "Fancy a game of Dejarik to pass the time?" she suggested. "We might as well use the time to touch up on your skills!"

She displayed a subtle, but mischievous, smirk.

"The cheek!" chuckled Ahsoka. "I forgot you deem yourself the unofficial champion of the game!"

"Do you feel like trying to take that title away from me?"

"Absolutely, anything to wipe the smirk from your face!"

"You are feeling brave! I'll go and set up the table then," Barriss grinned.


Much to Ahsoka's annoyance, Barriss's pride remained intact as she proved herself unbeatable as the hour passed by. The Mirialan demonstrated exceptional strategic skills, seemingly being able to predict each and every move Ahsoka would make. Yet, despite her frustration, she shook her friend's hand after shutting down the holotable.

"Well played, Ahsoka. I have to say, you're definitely getting better at this game! I'm impressed!" Barriss warmly smiled.

Ahsoka chuckled. "Thank you for the confidence booster. But I don't think there really was any moment that I actually stood a reasonable chance against you."

"Don't knock yourself. You did great," replied Barriss as she stood from the table and made her way over to the control panels. "I've spent a lot of my spare time studying the strategies behind Dejarik. The game's usefulness when it comes to a real-life battle shouldn't be underestimated! You're still only developing your tactics."

"We all have our own ways of honing our skills," said Ahsoka. "Mine, unfortunately, seems to be constantly putting myself in life-threatening situations instead of a table game. I've only learned to become a stronger fighter after having stared death in the face so many times."

"You can believe that to be a disadvantage; I would instead suggest that everything you've been through has built you up to be an extraordinarily courageous and strong-willed person, Ahsoka. There's only so much another person or a game can teach you; the world has its own unique ways of connecting with us, so you shouldn't shun what experiences come your way . . ."

"I'll take that onboard," chuckled Ahsoka.

Barriss was busy working with the navigation computer when Ahsoka sat herself back down in the co-pilot seat.

"You'd better strap in; it seems as though we're finally ready to come out of hyperspace," she said, fastening her seat belt across her waist. "You know there's always a little jolt."

"Of course, how could I ever forget?" Ahsoka replied, clicking her own belt into place and pulling the strap tight. "I'm just glad we're finally there!"

"As am I!" said Barriss.

A few seconds passed before the simu-tunnel that their ship had been suspended within vanished in the blink of an eye. The stars around them appeared to be stretched for a moment before they regained their state as a distant twinkle across the abyss of the galaxy.

Ahead of them was Pantora. The moon gave off a feeling of loneliness with its isolated position at the very boundary of the galaxy.

However, the peaceful sight that would have normally greeted the two padawans was nowhere to be found. What they instead saw horrified them!

Surrounding the moon was a massive fleet of ships and fighters. Separatist Dreadnoughts were busy finishing off what was left of the Pantoran air forces, while other ships focused on launching ground reinforcements that were carefully navigating their way to the surface amidst all the chaos.

"What the . . . This is a full-scale invasion!" Barriss cried as she significantly reduced the shuttle's thrust. "Look at all these ships! How could the Republic not have known that this was happening?"

Ahsoka, taking a moment to assess the situation, pointed to a series of contraptions that represented the design of a satellite.

"My best guess would be those. The Separatists must have placed jammers in Pantora's orbit. It's no wonder that Chuchi couldn't contact anyone for help. The barrier they put up against radio signals is close to impenetrable."

"But Padmé spoke with her long before we left . . . unless, of course . . ."

"Probably some good old trickery! It must be easy enough to fake a hologram and someone's voice when you have complete control of a planet's communications! I knew there was something off about Chuchi's message."

As well as reducing the shuttle's thrust, Barriss also shut down the shields.

"We need to contact Master Skywalker and tell him to scramble all available forces! I'm going to reduce power to the absolute minimum. That includes losing our shield for now. We may remain hidden from their radar if we use as little power as possible."

"It might work for a while. Although I don't know how effective it'll be once I open up a direct channel to Coruscant. Just keep your eyes peeled! We need to act fast if they realise we're here," Ahsoka instructed as she rushed over to the holotable and began searching for the correct frequency.


Ahsoka had been right about the distress call giving away their location. It took only a matter of minutes for a nearby Dreadnought to intercept the outgoing transmission. With so many radio waves passing between a vast number of ships, their discovery was almost unavoidable.

General Grievous was on the bridge when the signal was intercepted.

"Um, sir, we're picking up communications from a shuttle holding its position a small distance away from the barrier we've set up," the B1 pilot announced to his commander.

Rising from his chair, Grievous stormed forward to assess the computer.

"Put it through," he snarled.

"Roger, roger."

The droid took a few seconds to tune the signal. There was a faint interference, causing the speaker to sound distorted. Soon enough, though, the broadcast cleared itself, and Ahsoka's voice was audible. Grievous curiously listened to the padawan's message.

"This is Padawan Ahsoka Tano calling the Jedi Council. Do you hear me?"

Grievous chuckled when he heard that familiar name. While he knew that nobody had yet learned of the unfolding conflict, he couldn't believe the convenience of these circumstances. The Jedi had unintentionally delivered one of their most talented learners straight to him on a plate. There was no way he was going to waste this opportunity. Besides, by the time Padawan Tano was dead and the battle for Pantora was eventually discovered, it would be too late for anyone to stop him and his forces.

"So, we meet again, Jedi scum," he spat. "Commander, re-direct a squadron of star fighters and blow that ship to pieces!" he commanded. "She won't get away this time. I want to see her body parts amongst the wreckage!"

"Roger, roger," the droid bleeped.

"Tell them there's also no need to rush. Take out her hyperdrive first and leave her stranded. I want to see her struggle before she dies."

"Roger, roger."


While Ahsoka continued her efforts, Barriss was getting a full view of the incoming fighters. "Ahsoka!" she called to her friend. "Are you going to take much longer? We've got enemies incoming!"

"I can't get a clear signal!" cried Ahsoka. "It's not picking up anything!"

Running back across the room, she strapped herself back into her chair.

"We've got no choice. If we stay here, we'll be blown to smithereens! I'll programme the hyperdrive coordinates. We need to get back to Coruscant now!"

"You'd better do it quick. Once those fighters start firing on us, we won't have long, even with the shields back online," said Barriss.

Gazing through the window, Ahsoka spotted half a dozen fighters closing the distance with their shuttle, and fast! Before they were even in range, they opened fire on the shuttle. Barriss fired up the throttle and did her best to dodge the scattered bombardment of the enemy's cannon fire. Ahsoka had never seen her friend pilot a ship before. She knew that Barriss had been through standard flight training like any other Jedi. Nevertheless, despite the fact she had never offered to take the controls in battle before, Ahsoka had to admit that what she was seeing so far in terms of her skills was more than impressive! She threw the shuttle into a series of barrel rolls before increasing the throttle and performing the occasional loop. Whatever she was doing seemed to be causing frustration for their pursuers!

Yet, despite Barriss's admirable piloting, there were simply too many enemies for them to avoid being hit. The shuttle shook violently as it tried to withstand repeated strikes against it.

"I don't know how much longer we can last if we're taking this much torture!" exclaimed Ahsoka.

"It makes things a little harder when we have no weapons to use! Are you nearly done with the coordinates?" asked Barriss without even looking at her friend.

Ahsoka was working frantically on the navigation computer. Her breathing was growing increasingly rapid as panic began to set in.

"I'm . . . nearly there . . . just a few more . . ."

All of a sudden, the ship jolted so violently that both girls would have been thrown from their seats had they not been strapped in.

Barriss was dazed by the impact but quickly managed to bring their ship back under control.

"That didn't feel good!" she groaned as she rubbed her head. "We'd better run a diagnostic scan. If the hyperdrive's been damaged, then . . ."

Quickly turning to Ahsoka, Barriss was horrified to find her friend slumped forward in her chair. Her seatbelt was all that was stopping her from falling to the floor. She hoped that she had only been knocked unconscious.

"AHSOKA!" she cried.

She wanted desperately to unbuckle herself and tend to her friend's aid. However, she knew that if she stopped focusing on steering their ship to safety for even a second, that was all the time the enemy needed to destroy them.

Knowing their survival now rested entirely on her shoulders, Barriss quickly programmed the coordinates that Ahsoka had managed to enter. With more fighters having joined the pursuit, she knew she would have to take a chance and hope that the jump to lightspeed would not destroy the shuttle instead if Ahsoka had entered anything incorrectly.

"Come on, come on!" she cried as she finished programming the system.

Suddenly, much to her horror, the navigation computer reported an error, and no matter how many times Barriss tried, there were no signs of life from the hyperdrive. They were trapped!

The shuttle shook again as it took another hit. This time, the enemy succeeded in taking down their shield. A thin haze of smoke was beginning to rise from the panels as the controls started to fail. Barriss knew they were now a sitting target.

Glancing to her left, she caught sight of Pantora. This gave her a dangerous idea. Although, by this point, she realised there was no other option, she would be forced to perform a crash landing on the moon's surface. Of course, this would place her and her injured friend right in the middle of a war zone. Even if they survived the landing, even if their damaged engines lasted for the whole journey through the atmosphere, she knew they likely stood no chance against the mass force of the droid army. All Barriss could hope was that they would last long enough for the Jedi Council to grow concerned over their lack of communications and send Republican forces to help.

With a deep breath, Barriss made her mind up and increased the shuttle's throttle to full power, hoping to create some distance from the fighters as she navigated their ship through the blockade and towards Pantora's atmosphere. Fortunately, it seemed many other Separatist ships were too occupied sending reinforcements down to the surface to notice a small shuttle passing by.

The yoke shuddered as the shuttle's speed started to increase once gravity began to take effect. It was a battle in itself to keep their descent steady. Barriss knew that this was going to be a rough landing!


Well, that's a wrap!

I hope you enjoyed it. I promise I'll try and not keep you waiting so long for the next update.

Until next time.