Hey everybody!
OneLittleSpark18: LOVE BACK
TragicFiction: Yeah, tattoos are such a big thing in clone culture I figured she'd eventually get one.
CHRF: I appreciated the onslaught of comments! Thank you so much, I'm glad that it's working for you! Ahsoka is a ground officer. She's going to function as she did before she left the Order. I'm going to go ahead and say she gets paid. There's no reason for her not to. And don't worry, Rex gets a nice prosthetic leg. Eventually.
Back to the plot! We're exploring Ahsoka and her Force problems! This chapter features one of my favorite OCs.
Mando'a translations at the end!
Ahsoka stepped off the Twilight into a torrent of rain. Kaladin IV was known for its raging storms and rocky jungles. She could barely make out the buildings of the compound where Master Gek lived.
"Just like home." Fives commented as he followed her with Tup and Kix. "I hope this Jedi Master doesn't have a leaky roof."
"I dunno." Tup said. "He might struggle with an attachment to dryness."
The other two laughed and Ahsoka bit her lip to keep from joining in. Could she laugh? She wasn't part of the Jedi Order anymore. She settled on a smirk and led the three troopers towards the closest building.
The smirk evaporated when the door opened to reveal a hulking Trandoshan.
The dark green Trandoshan grunted. Cream colored markings swooped across its scales.
"Tano, I assume." He muttered. "And some of the Republic's lackeys. Well, you might as well come in."
He stepped back to let them in. Ahsoka didn't move. An alarm was screaming in the back of her head. Trandoshan. Hunters. Wasskah. Kalifa-
The panic was slammed down by a mental touch with the subtlety of a rancor.
"A little prejudiced, aren't you?" The Trandoshan said testily. "You better get over that quickly if we're to work together. Now get in here before you drown."
It was Fives' hand on her shoulder that propelled her into the building.
The troopers stayed close to Ahsoka as they entered. Fives kept his hand on her shoulder. He'd been there after Wasskah, as had Kix. They knew how being hunted like an animal had affected her.
The room was warm and homey. The furniture looked worn and comfortable. Datapads, stacks of flimsi, and old tomes were cluttered about. The Trandoshan had retreated to the middle of the room, staring at them with violet eyes. His tall, muscular build seemed out of place in the bookish environment.
"Master Gek?" Ahsoka finally asked.
"I dunno about 'Master.'" The Trandoshan muttered. "The Council probably revoked the title at some point."
He looked up at the four of them, huddled and dripping on the doorstep. Ahsoka was still tense. Master Gek had stopped her panic but hadn't stopped her anxiety and apprehension.
"Stop that." He growled. "Something obviously happened between you and others of my kind but you need to get over it if we're going to work together."
"You don't know what happened!" Fives snapped.
Master Gek turned slowly and stalked up to them. Panic rose like bile in Ahsoka's throat. Fives and Kix immediately stepped in front of her. If she wasn't about to throw up, she would have protested.
"Let me guess." Master Gek said. "She got kidnapped and hunted like prey. Watched people die, struggled to stay alive for a few days, and miraculously escaped after brutally murdering the Trandoshans who took you."
He stared down Ahsoka through Fives and Kix, towering over even the clones.
"If my master could train me after going through that, you can deal with me for a few days." He said. "Your trauma does not give you permission to punish others."
He backed off and Ahsoka let go of the breath she'd been holding. Still, she was shaking from the encounter.
Master Gek sighed and ran a claw over his snout.
"We're clearly not going to get anything done tonight." He said. "The guest house is right next to this one. The door's open. Take the night to get a hold of yourself."
He scooped up a few books and stalked from the room.
Ahsoka and the other three didn't say anything for a while.
"We don't have to do this." Fives finally said. "We can just go back to the Twilight and get off this rock."
"They won't let me lead unless this guy determines me fit for combat." Ahsoka said. "He's an expert in Force anomalies. If anyone can figure me out, it's him."
She sighed and rubbed at her tattoo.
"He's probably right, too. I can't go around being terrified of every Trandoshan I meet."
"Well, let's get some rest." Kix said. "It was a bit of a shock. I'm sure it'll be better in the morning."
Ahsoka swallowed and nodded. Hopefully the medic was right.
Ahsoka didn't feel rested the next morning. She had dreamed of Wasskah again and kept waking with a start. Finally grey morning light filtered into the small building. Ahsoka decided to not wake the three troopers tangled together in the other bed. It wasn't often they got to sleep in, and even more rare that they got to sleep in a comfortable bed. Ahsoka smiled as she recalled Fives' face as he'd tested the bed and then declared that all three troopers would share it as 'it would be a crime for any one of us to miss out on this.'
Ahsoka would have thought it uncomfortable if she hadn't been part of a 'clone pile' multiple times after a hard battle. Somehow the clones had mastered the art of fitting themselves together as tightly as possible in a comfortable manner.
Right now was no different. Fives had his arms wrapped around Kix's arm, Tup's hair was in Fives' face, and Kix was using Tup's calf as a pillow. Yet their faces were the picture of contentment.
Ahsoka smiled again before peering out the window. The rain had stopped, though the sky was still grey.
Ahsoka pulled on her boots and stepped outside. The air was cool and humid, but not uncomfortable. She took a deep breath. The air smelled of rain and of wet plants. Birds chirped brightly despite the overcast skies. Ahsoka walked a ways on a pathway through some cultivated trees until she came upon an old stone courtyard.
The Force was calm here.
Ahsoka let it fill her body before falling into practiced stances. She hadn't had the chance to practice her katas for a long time, at least since Cut's farm. Her muscles strained pleasantly as she pulled them into positions they had not forgotten.
Master Gek was approaching. Ahsoka let the peace of the place overwhelm her instincts of fear and paranoia. Master Gek stood watching her for a moment before joining her.
Ahsoka finished her set and turned to face the Trandoshan Jedi.
"Good morning Master." She said.
Master Gek cocked an eyeridge at her.
"They told me you left the Order." He said. "But you still act like a Jedi."
"I've been a Jedi most of my life." Ahsoka replied. "The habits are hard to break."
"You'd be surprised." Master Gek said. "I've met a few ex-Jedi and some will do everything they can to separate themselves from their old lives."
He studied her for a moment longer before turning towards the main bungalow.
"Come on, let's get something to eat." He said.
There was a moment's silence as they walked, then-
"Why did you leave the Order?" Gek asked.
"Didn't they tell you?" Ahsoka asked.
"Something about attachment problems, which I assumed to be bantha fodder." Gek said with a shrug of his powerful shoulders.
"I left because they turned me over to the military based on circumstantial evidence." Ahsoka said flatly. "Knowing full well I could be executed."
Gek's expression didn't change but Ahsoka could feel a slight twinge of surprise from him.
"Sounds like quite the story." He said, curiosity evident in his voice.
So Ahsoka told him what happened, from the temple bombing, to Rex and the other clones' rescue. She gave the bare bones, and even then she found it hard to relate some of the events.
"Let me guess, they said it was the 'will of the Force.'" Gek said.
"They made it seem they didn't do anything wrong. Well, except Master Obi Wan and Plo." Ahsoka told him.
"They told my master the same thing when he'd been kidnapped by my family." Gek said with a snort. "Told him that he was supposed to be taken because he found me in the process. Forget that he lost an eye during the experience."
Ahsoka winced.
"In any case, you ran into the attachment conundrum." Gek went on. "The Council's so obsessed with proving they weren't attached to you they forgot to be compassionate. In my opinion, that's the more important thing."
Ahsoka nodded slowly.
"I'll be honest, attachment did play a part." She confessed.
They had come in sight of the buildings again. Fives, Tup, and Kix were waiting outside the guest house. All three lit up when they saw her. Ahsoka couldn't help but grin back and wave at them.
"Ah." Gek said. "I see."
"When you're put in charge of men who would risk anything for you, how do you not become attached?" Ahsoka murmured as the men started making their way towards them. "Men that are so good and kind despite everything?"
She could feel Gek's eyes on her, but she kept her gaze on her men.
"So what's the plan for today?" Fives asked as they drew near. "Meditation? Communing with the Force? Mind melding?"
"Breakfast." Gek grunted. "I assume you tube gremlins eat?"
Four pairs of eyebrows shot up.
"That's a new one." Kix muttered.
"Seeing as we are organic beings based on a human template, we do." Fives said.
"You can never be certain with cloners." Gek replied as he pushed past. "You could photosynthesize or the like."
"If you'd been to Kamino, you'd know we'd be dead if that were the case." Five said.
Breakfast was unsurprisingly meat based. Ahsoka was pleased and the clones were happy with anything not rations, despite there being no caf.
"You'll have to actually sleep here, Kix." Ahsoka told him.
"So." Gek said, pushing back his plate. "Let's get started. I've been monitoring your Force signature since you got here."
"And?" Ahsoka asked.
"There's something wrong." Gek said. "It's subtle, but the Force is strange around you. Nothing Dark, but strange."
Ahsoka felt her stomach drop a little. She'd hoped whatever it was had worn off.
"I want to do some tests, obviously." Gek said. "First, I'll need a blood sample."
Ahsoka sighed and proffered an arm. Gek pulled over a small case from which he withdrew a syringe. He quickly drew the blood. /kix hovered
"There's someone else who's studying what's happening to me." Ahsoka said. "A special forces clone. I can try and get into contact with him."
Gek grunted.
"Could be useful. I also want you to actively use the Force for me." Gek looked at the troopers. "Good thing we've got us some test subjects."
"You don't have to do anything if you don't want to." Ahsoka said to them quickly.
"Do you want us to?" Tup asked.
Ahsoka hesitated.
"It would be useful, if I'm working with Force suggestions." She admitted. "But please, if you don't want to-"
Fives put his hand on her shoulder.
"We trust you." He said.
Ahsoka found herself in the courtyard again, facing Tup and Fives. Kix had been excused from being a test subject, in case there was an accident.
"All right." Gek said. "Lift them."
"What?" Ahsoka said. "I thought we were suggesting-"
"Living beings, especially sentients are more difficult to lift." Gek said with folded arms. "This will test how strong your abilities have become."
"But if I can't maintain it, and they fall-" Ahsoka protested.
"I'll catch them." Gek said. "I don't want to deal with your complaining if I let them drop."
Ahsoka hesitated and glanced to Kix, who shrugged.
"We'll have to trust the lizard." He said.
"Are you ready?" She asked Tup and Fives.
"Yes, ma'am." Tup said, while Fives gave her a thumbs up.
"Okay." Ahsoka took a deep breath and stretched out her hands.
She tried calling on the Force, only a little-
Fives and Tup's twin screams mingled with Ahsoka's cry of pain. Fighting the stabbing pain, Ahsoka forced her eyes open to see two white and blue forms shooting into the air. The pain became too much. She released the troopers and fell to her knees.
The pain stopped increasing, but the agony remained.
Kix was immediately at her side, forcing her to look at him.
"Describe the pain." He said.
Ahsoka tried to describe the feeling, like burning knives plunging into her montrals, and the ache permeating her entire body.
Fives and Tup's screams cut off suddenly, and since there was no sickening crunch against the ground, Ahsoka assumed Gek had caught them. She winced as Kix injected a hypo into her neck. Her eyes drooped and she let them close.
"Well." Gek said. "That was enlightening."
"And terrifying." Tup said from somewhere above them.
Two soft thumps let Ahsoka know that Tup and Fives were safely on the ground.
"I've got at least an idea of what's happening." Gek went on. "Though I'll need a few more tests-"
Suddenly Kix was standing and Ahsoka felt rage pour off him in jagged sheets.
"You will not!" The medic snarled. "Look at her!"
"Not immediately, idiot." Gek said. "But once she's feeling up to it-"
"And have her go through that again?" Kix said. "You may not care that she's in pain, but I do!"
"I'd say it's up to her." Gek said coolly. "For now, let's get her somewhere she can rest."
"Can I pick you up?" Kix asked Ahsoka.
Ahsoka nodded and Kix gently lifted her.
"Is she okay?" Fives asked.
"I'm fine." Ahsoka managed. "What about you?"
"I'll tell you once my heart comes out of hyperdrive." He said. "Did you mean to launch us like that?"
"Of course she didn't!" Tup protested.
Ahsoka cracked an eye. Both troopers were distinctly disheveled. One of Fives' pauldrons was hanging off his shoulder and Tup looked like he'd been strapped to the top of a speeder in the fast lane. Despite his words, Fives had a light in his eyes, while Tup looked properly unnerved.
"Back to the house." Gek grunted.
But Kix and the others were already moving.
"I wish we could have brought Rex." Ahsoka mumbled. Whatever Kix had given her was making her sleepy and she closed her eyes again. "He's used to it."
Fives barked out a laugh.
"You're not serious!" He said.
"Threw him off a wall once." Ahsoka said. "Geonosis."
She could imagine Fives' delighted look.
"Did he scream?" It was Tup who asked.
"The whole way down." Ahsoka said. "While the wall exploded."
"I would give my kamas to have seen that." Fives said. "Next time he gives me osik about dignity-"
"Hush!" Kix scolded. "I gave her a sedative. She needs to sleep."
Ahsoka felt a distant twinge of annoyance. She hated sedatives. But her mind was fading and for a second she was able to forget that it was Kix and not Rex carrying her.
The pain in her head had almost faded when Ahsoka woke. She was back in the guest house with Kix sitting at her side.
"Only a few hours." Kix responded to her question before she could ask it. "It was only a mild sedative. How are you feeling?"
"Much better." Ahsoka said.
Kix's face, which always carried some concern, became even more worried.
"Commander, I think we should stop the tests." He said in a low tone. "You've recovered now, but we don't know what will happen if we keep forcing the condition."
"And then they won't let me lead." Ahsoka countered. "I promised Rex I would look after you all and if this is the only way, then we'll do it."
Kix looked up to the ceiling.
"What I wouldn't give for a patient who listens to me." He muttered.
Ahsoka smiled and patted his hand.
"I thought the clones were supposed to trust us Jedi." She said.
"One, you're not a Jedi anymore." Kix said. "Two, the Kaminoans left out the parts where you're all di'kut'e with no self preservation."
"It's part of the code." Ahsoka said as she got up. "No attachments, compassion for all, and sacrifice yourself at any and all opportunity."
Kix cracked a smile at that.
It was raining again and Kix led Ahsoka back to the main house. Ahsoka briefly wondered what the third and final building was for, especially since there seemed to be no one else on the compound.
Gek, Tup, and Fives were inside. Fives and Tup were cleaning their kit, while Gek studied a datapad, a pair of wire rimmed spectacles perched on his snout.
"Good." Gek grunted as they came in. "You ready to try something else?"
Ahsoka nodded. Fives and Tup exchanged glances.
"Let's try Force suggestions." Gek said. "And this time, medic, only the pain reliever. Repeated sedations wouldn't be ideal."
Kix stiffened besides Ahsoka. None of the clones seemed to like taking orders from Gek. Kix looked to her and she nodded.
"Sit on the couch." Ahsoka instructed Tup and Fives.
They did so.
"Tup, Fives, are you ready?" She asked.
They both nodded.
"Sleep." She ordered.
Like with Rex, the suggestion became a demand and both troopers slumped over. The pain blossomed again and Kix helped her to the ground. Another prick in her neck, but no sleepiness came with it.
"Pain's greater." She managed to say to Kix.
Gek was quiet, studying Ahsoka.
"One more time." He said. "I want to be sure. Meditate this time, see if it helps."
It was difficult to meditate with the pain. Even with the peaceful feeling of the planet, for nearly an hour Ahsoka had to focus on her breathing. Finally the pain began to recede, and she was able to sink into an actual meditative state. She found herself focusing on her bond with Rex. That small shred of his presence that was always with her was a comfort. She was determined to see her time with Master Gek through, but that didn't mean it was easy to perform the trying tests. Rex's small influence would help.
Ahsoka?
Rex's voice echoed in her head. Ahsoka's eyes snapped open. She hadn't been expecting a response. Rex was on Coruscant. They were far too far away to communicate with words. Weren't they?
Rex?
I thought you said we wouldn't be able to communicate while you were away. Rex sent with confusion.
I didn't think we could. Ahsoka thought with a frown. Are you still in the Temple?
Yes. Master Che has insisted on teaching me meditation. He told her. Gives me something to do while I wait to be shipped out.
That might be it. Ahsoka mused. It's always easier to connect to someone meditating, even more so if they're in the temple. And we still don't know what that drug's done to my Force abilities.
Could General Skywalker do this?
Ahsoka frowned.
I don't know. She admitted. And he's the most powerful Force user I know- whoa.
Her head began to spin and she realized her montrals were throbbing with a biting pain again.
What's wrong? Rex's thought was sharp. Is it like before?
No. Ahsoka thought with some difficulty. I guess I'm using the Force too strongly.
Rex's worry pricked at her mind.
We should stop. He said.
Ahsoka didn't feel up to sending a reply in words. Instead she sent a pulse of comfort and warmth as a way of agreement and goodbye. He responded in kind. Ahsoka released her focus and his presence receded into a pinprick at the back of her mind.
Her head still blazed. She tried to stand from her meditative position and crashed to the floor.
"Commander!" Kix immediately burst in. Had he been waiting outside the door? "What happened?"
"I used the Force again." Ahsoka grunted.
"It's too early for another shot of pain meds." Kix fretted. "What were you doing?"
"Talking to Rex." Ahsoka said.
"Rex? How-" Kix stammered.
"Get Master Gek, please." Ahsoka interrupted.
Kix pursed his lips but retreated. In moments the large Trandoshan came into the room.
"I felt that." He said. "What happened?"
"I was able to speak with a clone on Coruscant." Ahsoka told him. "We have a bond and he was meditating in the Temple."
Gek's eyes widened.
"Even still!" He said. "That's hundreds of light-years away. That's unprecedented!"
"Do you have enough data now?" Ahsoka asked. She wanted to lie down.
"I-" The Trandoshan frowned. "I understand what is happening, but-"
"But what?" Ahsoka asked, her heart sinking.
"I want to know the extent of your new abilities." Gek confessed.
Ahsoka stared at him.
"I'm here for one thing." She finally said. "For you to tell the Council I can serve again. I don't give a damn about how kriffed up I am as long as I can work with my men."
Gek stared at her.
"Aren't you curious?" He asked. "You have suddenly become one of the most powerful Force users I have seen and you don't even want to know if you can control it?"
Gek leaned forward, a glint in his eye.
"Imagine if you could control this! You might be able to end the war!"
Ahsoka hesitated. What could she do if she could control this sudden surge of power? How many more men could she save?
But right now her men were dying at Ringo Vinda because she was wasting time here. And they had no idea how long it would take to learn to control this new power, or even if it was possible.
Ahsoka looked at Gek.
"You have three days, starting tomorrow." She said. "Figure out what you can."
Gek gave a toothy grin.
They decided to halt testing for the day, meaning Kix was about to have a fit if they continued. Ahsoka managed to contact Cody, who had given her the Batch's comm frequency. They hadn't picked up, but Cody had assured her that was normal and to keep trying.
Despite having gotten used to Gek, Ahsoka still had nightmares that night. As much as it rankled her to say it, Wasskah had deeply affected her, as much as Umbara had affected her men. It was midnight when she decided a walk would be beneficial. She slipped out of bed, careful not to wake the clones.
To her disappointment, it was storming outside. She considered the walk anyway; the Force on this planet was so soothing. She wandered out to the main room, watching the rain from the large windows.
A small twist in the force let her know Tup was awake before his soft footsteps did.
"Commander? Are you all right?" Tup asked softly.
Ahsoka shrugged.
"Couldn't sleep. I'm sorry, did I wake you?"
Tup shook his head, looking out the window. He had always seemed so much younger than the other clones, especially now with his loose curls framing his face.
"I- couldn't sleep either." He said.
He slowly brought his hands up to grip his arms and continued to stare out the window. Something, Ahsoka wasn't sure what was warbling off him.
"It's been hard to sleep here." Ahsoka said, suddenly hit with an urge to be honest. "It's not Master Gek's fault, but I have a hard time around Trandoshans. It usually means nightmares."
Tup glanced at her.
"I've heard stories," He said. "Of what happened to you. Is it as bad as they say?"
Ahsoka nodded. Tup fidgeted, looking down.
"I, or should I say we, have nightmares." He said after a minute.
"That doesn't surprise me." Ahsoka said. "Things like Umbara-"
"No." Tup said. "Not- not like Umbara."
Ahsoka looked to him in surprise.
"Then what?"
Tup was agitated now.
"We don't talk about it, even though I know we all have them. Ever since we were littles. Ever since we were born." He whispered. "A mission. A mission that never ends."
The Force writhed around him, screaming his fear in speaking these words aloud. Ahsoka nearly took a step back. What he was saying echoed with lives in the balance.
"Normally we can't remember much about them." Tup said. "But for me, lately, they've been getting worse. I can't- I can't sleep much anymore."
Ahsoka was suddenly aware of the dark shadows under Tup's eyes.
He suddenly chuckled.
"Yesterday, when you made us sleep, was the best rest I've had in weeks."
Ahsoka put a hand on his arm.
"Would you like my help again?"
He looked down at her.
"You'd get overwhelmed again." He said. "I don't want-"
But his voice betrayed how much he wanted help, so Ahsoka gently led him back to the bedroom. He perched on the edge of the clones' bed and looked at her.
"Sleep." She murmured.
His relief shot through the Force as his eyes fell shut and he collapsed backwards onto Fives. Fives jolted at the impact, then muttered a curse before wrapping an arm around Tup. Ahsoka closed her eyes against the blinding pain now burning in her skull. She stumbled back into her own bed, deeply disturbed. The Force was whispering to her. What Tup had told her had the potential to save or take millions of lives. Ahsoka just didn't know how.
Mando'a:
di'kut'e: idiots
Uh oh, Tup's nightmares. And the rest of the 501st is on Ringo Vinda... To be perfectly clear, Gek is not a clone racist. He just doesn't like people in general. He comes from a concept of a person whose passion in life is something other than the Force, but just happens to be Force sensitive. He actually doesn't like being a Jedi much. He's barely considered part of the Order. Like I mentioned in Fives Effect, Ahsoka was 100 percent traumatized by the Trandoshans and may have a prejudice now. And my gift to you: clone piles. I could not resist.
Okay, wear your masks, remember to review, and have a great few weeks!