Hello and welcome back to Guilty/Absolved!

GUYS I GET TO GO TO THE DENVER COMIC CON AND MEET DEE BRADLEY BAKER THIS WEEKEND. I AM SO HYPED. AND I'M PROBABLY GONNA CRY.

In other, cool news, I was invited as a fanfic author to the Emerald Library Discord server and kinda got my own channel! If any of you are interested, here's the link: discord . gg / elibrary(without the spaces because fanfiction . net is dumb) I think it's gonna be fun to have a better way to interact with you guys outside comments sections. Plus I can let you guys know about any delays waaaay easier. (it's free of charge if any of you were concerned) (also I'm not super familiar with how the server works yet but I think what you're supposed to do is say you're a reader when it asks and then my channel is under the misc fandoms/superhero section for some reason)

After the drama from the previous chapters, here's a calmer chapter with less Rex dying. There's still trauma though. It IS an ExecutiveCucumber story after all.

TW: Implied sexual assault/slavery

Mando'a translations at the end!

ABSOLVED: Chapter 30

"Senna, this is Ahsoka." Fives whispered into the trembling girl's ear. "Commander Tano. I told you about her."

Ahsoka smiled at Senna. Three days had passed since their return. The rescued clones had had their chips removed and were welcomed back with open arms by their brothers. The new Rebellion recruits were slowly being integrated into the main body. One, the Ithorian matriarch, had insisted on getting involved as soon as possible. Even now she was in the medbay, helping the medics after her training session. Her translator was still broken, but she followed directions well.

And then there were the poor girls from 79's.

They'd been in that mine for months. The slavers there had known what Senna and the others had been before. They had kept them for their own use.

Senna looked at Ahsoka and gave a tiny nod. She was lucky. She had Fives, someone she trusted beyond anything. The other six had no such solace. They were comforted somewhat by the clones, but Ahsoka could sense their constant fear.

"Thank you." Senna said. "For saving us."

"Do you know if there are any others from 79's out there?" Ahsoka asked.

Senna shrank into Fives' side.

"They kept us together." She breathed. "All of us."

"Then where are the others?" Ahsoka asked, though she was sure she knew the answer.

Senna squeezed her eyes shut.

"Dead." She said.

Fives began stroking her short, ragged hair as she continued speaking.

"They didn't- didn't just use us." She whispered. "They would make us work during the day too, as hard as the others. We wouldn't sleep much at night. The others just- just couldn't work anymore."

Senna trailed off.

"I understand." Ahsoka said.

The Zygerrians didn't have use for slaves that couldn't work.

"You're safe now." Ahsoka said. "They're dead. All of them."

Senna nodded, a grim satisfaction on her face.

"Ahsoka, a word?" Fives said.

Ahsoka nodded and they stepped away from Senna's bed.

"Ahsoka, she's in a bad way." Fives said in a low tone. "They all are. Is there something you can do for them?"

"I can help with current emotions," Ahsoka said. "But- I don't know, trauma is different. I don't know any specific techniques to help. I'm sorry."

Fives' shoulders slumped. He seemed so tired. Ahsoka wondered if he'd slept at all during his vigil over Senna.

"Well, thought I'd ask." He said.

"I'll ask Master Ti if she knows anything." Ahsoka said.

Fives nodded.

"Thank you." He said, and then paused. "Do you think you could help her sleep? Help them all sleep?"

"Of course." Ahsoka said. "Let me ask them."

The girls shirked when Ahsoka proposed the idea. Senna quietly explained that they had been drugged often in the beginning of their captivity.

"I understand." Ahsoka said. "But I won't be forcing you. It's more like I push away the things keeping you from falling asleep."

When they still looked skeptical, Ahsoka beckoned to Fives.

"Watch." She said. "I'll put Fives to sleep and wake him up right after."

Fives rolled his eyes but settled himself on the edge of Senna's bunk. Ahsoka touched his temple and sent the sleep suggestion. Fives succumbed to it faster than he should have, meaning he likely hadn't been sleeping. He slumped backwards, his breathing deep and even.

"Why don't you wake him up, Senna?" Ahsoka said. "Just to prove anyone can do it."

Senna glanced at Ahsoka, but leaned forward to touch Fives' shoulder.

"Fives." She said.

Fives shifted, but didn't wake up. Ahsoka grimaced.

"You may want to be a bit forceful." She said.

Senna tried again, shaking Fives.

"Fives!" She called.

This time Fives stirred. He groaned, pressing his forearm across his eyes.

"That was cruel." He said.

"Hush." Ahsoka said, before turning back to the girls. "How about it?"

One by one they agreed. Like with Fives, it was easy to coax them to sleep. Ahsoka winced at the jagged edges she found in their minds. Fives got up and went to hold Senna's hand as she drifted off. For good measure, Ahsoka sent a final suggestion to Fives. His head fell against Senna's.

Ahsoka allowed herself a smile at the sight, though she felt a pang of longing. Rex was still in the bacta tank and would be for a while yet.

She sighed and turned away. She wanted to go back and sit with her husband, but her first lesson in healing was today.

Ahsoka's stomach squirmed as she made her way out of the medbay. This was going to be uncomfortable. It was worth it if Ahsoka could learn to save the lives of her men.

It was Echo's turn to sit with Tech. Usually this would be at least mildly entertaining. Tech had never let an injury stop him from working and he liked to talk his projects through with Echo.

Except now.

Echo watched Tech just- lie there. He didn't speak. The others said that it just happened sometimes. Echo remembered what Fives had said, that there'd be residual effects from Tech's time under the slavers.

"Do you need something?" Echo asked, noticing Tech shift.

Tech shrugged slightly, but looked towards the entrance to the med bay. Taja Desai had come in. She paused to speak with a medic and then turned to come towards Tech's bed. Tech seemed to perk up a little as she smiled at him.

"How are you?" She asked. "Have they decided when you can be discharged?"

"Within the next few days." Echo answered for Tech.

Taja took a seat next to the bed.

"May I?" She asked, her hand hovering over Tech's.

Echo raised his eyebrows at the odd request and was even more confused as Tech seemed to seriously consider it. Eventually he shook his head. Taja did not seem offended.

"Talking or no talking?" Taja asked.

Tech shook his head again. Taja nodded. The three of them sat quietly together. Echo studied the way Tech watched Taja. He wasn't staring, but he kept glancing quickly at her face. His eyes were soft, an expression Echo had rarely seen in Tech.

Kriff, did Tech have feelings for this woman?

Echo no longer blamed her for her role in Omega's abduction, but it seemed odd to seek out a romantic relationship with the bounty hunter who kidnapped their sister. But then, Taja was looking fondly at Tech too.

Echo wouldn't know how it was supposed to work anyway.

A loud clatter rattled through the air. Tech jerked, clapping his hands to his ears. His fingers tightened as a clone medic started swearing just as loudly. Echo glared in the medic's direction, who had dropped a tray. Tech's sensitivity to noise had increased to the point he reacted to practically any noise that disturbed the quiet medbay.

Echo got up and went to the medic, Bruise from the 327th, after the swearing and loud complaining continued.

"We've got some sensitive vod'e here." Echo said in a quiet voice. "Try and keep it down, okay?"

"I know that, thank you very much!" Bruise said.

Echo raised an eyebrow.

"Then act like it."

Bruise shot him a glare, but stayed quiet.

"Thank you." Echo said.

When he turned, he found that Taja had followed him.

"How is he?" Taja asked in a low voice. "I know he's overwhelmed, but-"

She trailed off. Echo saw genuine concern in her eyes.

"He's having a rough time." Echo said. "Hasn't tried to do much. Hunter says that's unusual for when he gets like this."

He hesitated.

"What did they do to him?"
Taja's gaze hardened.

"Whippings, beatings, electrocutions, hard work, little rest or food." She said. "But for him, I imagine it felt worse."

Echo nodded. Tech had once told him of the possibility of sensory overloads. From what Echo had seen of the mine, it was a prime place to trigger one.

"You seem to know what you're doing with him." Echo said. "I'm not as familiar with- this side of him as the others are. What can I do to help him?"

"Keeping things quiet will help." Taja said. "Don't touch him without his permission. Don't push him to do anything, even if you think it would do him good. He just needs time and quiet."

"Nothing more?" Echo asked. "Things- things were bad down there."

"Listen to him if he chooses to talk." Taja said. "But- we don't have the resources to do more."

"You seem familiar with this sort of thing." Echo said.

Taja raised her hand to the stumps of her lekku.

"This was not the first time I felt the sting of a slaver's whip." She said.

Echo stiffened. Kriff, this had happened to her before? He could not imagine how it would feel to be back under the Techno Union's control. How was she so composed?

"How did you recover?" Echo asked.

"Time." Taja said. "And very wise people who knew how to help me. I can try to help Tech in a similar way, but I do not have the training they did."

Echo sighed and dragged a hand down his face. This was a mess. Rex had nearly died, Tech had been brutalized, and Fives had found that the woman he cared about had been enslaved. Not to mention that Omega was still gone and they were all on the run from the Empire.

"Kriff." He muttered.

"Tech will not be as damaged as I was." Taja said. "I've heard that clones are resistant to stress and we were only there for hours."

Echo finally gave a nod and glanced towards Tech. Tech was staring at them, his brow furrowed.

Taja and Echo returned to him. As they drew near, Tech made a quick motion, tapping the back of his head with an open palm a few times. It was directed at Taja. A quick glance told Echo that she had no idea what it meant.

"Hand signal." Echo told her. "Usually means headcount, but the Batch uses it more as a sitrep request. He's asking how you're doing."

Tech nodded.

"I am fine, Tech." Taja said. "The medics said I am healing well."

Tech frowned and tapped his head. Taja smiled sadly.

"I am experiencing some after effects." She admitted. "But nothing to what would have happened if not for you and your brothers."

Tech closed his eyes and let out a silent breath. Echo looked between the two. They knew that Tech had attempted to protect Taja when they had arrived, but they didn't know exactly from what.

They sat together in silence for a while longer. After a while, Echo noticed that Tech was watching the Ithorian matron they had rescued as she worked. She had caught Echo's eye too. She was back on her feet very quickly despite her age.

"Do you want to talk to her?" He asked Tech.

Tech hesitated, before shrugging. Echo took it as a yes. He got up again and crossed the room. The Ithorian woman glanced at him.

"My brother would like a word with you." Echo said to her, gesturing back to Tech.

She rumbled what Echo took for an assent. Though it was only a guess. He was guessing a lot, between the Ithorian and Tech. He was lucky Taja wasn't trying to communicate with him through interpretive dance.

The Ithorian made her way to the bed. She and Tech stared at each other for a moment before Tech reached out and tapped the broken translator the woman still wore.

"He can fix it for you." Echo said.

Tech nodded. The woman seemed to think about it a moment before carefully removing the device and handing it to Tech. Tech looked it over and then held up a finger.

"A day?" Echo asked him. Tech nodded. "He'll have it done in a day."

The Ithorian grumbled something and bowed her head in a thankful gesture before going off to continue her duties. Tech looked at Echo expectantly.

"I'll ask Wrecker to bring your tools." Echo said with a smile.

The edges of Tech's mouth flicked upward. He turned his focus back onto the translator. Echo and Taja looked at each other, relieved. This was a step in the right direction.

Ahsoka walked through the nearly deserted halls of their venator, one of the rescued clones, ARC Trooper Cuss, at her side.

"Barriss Offee." Cuss said. "Wasn't she a Jedi Commander? Why's she locked up?"

"There was- an attack on the Jedi Temple." Ahsoka said. "She was behind it."

"That's- news." Cuss said. "Must have happened before the Seppies froze me. Your own men can't guard her?"

"They could." Ahsoka said slowly. "But- well, many of the men here hold a grudge against her. She killed several clones and framed me. And I looked up your record. It takes a determined clone to stand up to Krell."

Cuss was quiet for a moment.

"Didn't do anyone any good in the end." He said. "That demagolka would have silenced me one way or another if my squad hadn't been captured."

"Talk to some of my men from the 501st, if you ever get the time." Ahsoka said. "They know how you feel."

Cuss shrugged, a shadow coming into his eyes.

"Why didn't you escape from the mines?" Ahsoka asked. "You were assigned to Krell's legion for a reason; your track record is immaculate. You could have gotten out."

"And leave behind my brothers?" Cuss said. "The Zygerrians watched me closely. If I tried anything they would have killed my vod'e."

Ahsoka nodded. Many clones would likely do the same.

"Anything I should know about Offee?" Cuss asked as they walked through the brig.

"She's mostly a healer." Ahsoka said. "But she does have a Force bond with Maul."

"Maul?" Cuss asked. "That bastard's still alive?"

"Yes." Ahsoka said. "We have a sort of- alliance with him at the moment, but that could change."

"Great." Cuss said. "But she herself isn't much of a fighter?"

"She's average for a Jedi Knight." Ahsoka said.

Cuss nodded.

"I can handle average." He said.

They reached Barriss' cell. Axel from the 327th was there with a few other troopers.

"Axel." Ahsoka said, reaching out to clasp his arm. "How are things?"

"All quiet." Axel replied. "That our replacement?"

Ahsoka nodded.

"Have fun being bored out of your skull." Axel told him.

"I'm a sniper." Cuss said. "We don't get bored."

"Well, you don't get to shoot anything at the end of doing nothing here." Axel said.

"You're dismissed." Ahsoka said before an argument could start.

Axel gave her a nod before leading the others down the corridor. Ahsoka focused on Barriss sitting within the cell. Barriss stared back, her face a mask of calm.

"Rex is going to make it." Ahsoka told her. "Thank you."

Barriss merely blinked at her.

"Did the guards relay my message?" Ahsoka asked.

"They did." Barriss said.

"Will you teach me?" Ahsoka asked.

"I do not know if I can." Barriss said. "You do not have the aptitude."

"That's true." Ahsoka said. "But things have changed since the Temple. I need to know if I can do this."

Barriss looked down.

"Very well." She said.

Ahsoka nodded to Cuss, who opened the cell. Ahsoka sat down and settled on the ground in front of Barriss.

"For beginners, meditation is key." Barriss said. "You must fall into a trance in order to heal."

"I understand." Ahsoka said. "But how do you do it?"

Barriss paused.

"It would be best if I showed you." She said.

"I have a few scrapes and bruises." Ahsoka said. "Would that work?"

Barriss shook her head.

"If they are minor, they will heal too quickly to truly demonstrate." She said. "Perhaps-"

A loud bang and crunch behind them made Ahsoka jump. She scrambled to her feet and whirled around to find Cuss holding his wrist. There was a fist shaped dent in the wall.

"What the kriff?" Ahsoka demanded.

Barriss flinched next to her. Ahsoka raised an eyebrow. Barriss had been around clones during the entire war, how was she unused to rough language?

"Think I broke at least a couple fingers." Cuss said with a grunt. "Will that work?"

"Y-yes." Barriss said.

"All right, then." Cuss said.

He opened the cell and stepped inside. Ahsoka stared at him.

Cuss sat down and held out his hand. Barriss hesitated before putting her own on it. Ahsoka noticed that Cuss had his vibroblade out.

"Don't try anything." Cuss told her in a bright voice.

Barriss nodded, her eyes wide.

"P-please put your hand on mine, Ahsoka." She said.

Ahsoka did so. She felt Barriss' mind timidly reach out for hers. Ahsoka connected them easily. She could feel that Barriss was surprised by the strength of the link. Ahsoka watched as Barriss focused on the first of the broken fingers. Then she began to heal.

It was- not what Ahsoka had expected. She had always had a picture in her mind of healing being a gentle art, one of soothing pains and coaxing wounds closed.

This was not the case.

Ahsoka felt Barriss tear part of her own Life Force away and give it to Cuss. It was a tiny piece, but Ahsoka was shocked by the action. And then Barriss did it again. And again. Over and over she eased her own Life Force into Cuss's broken finger, reconnecting the bone and sinew.

When the first finger was healed, Ahsoka was starting to understand.

Why do you use so little at a time? She asked as Barriss started on the second.

Healing is a dangerous art. Barriss replied. You can easily overtax yourself. It is better to give little by little until it is healed.

No wonder Ahsoka had not been considered to learn healing. She would not have had the patience.

Let me try this last one. Ahsoka said.

She easily reached out to her own Life Force. She tried to grasp it- and failed. It was as if her Life Force had flinched away from her. She tried again with the same result.

You will not be able to heal on your first attempt. Barriss said. Our instinct is to protect our Life Force. It is not easy to tear it ourselves. It takes time to learn to allow it to be separated or even be touched. That will be our next lesson.

Ahsoka felt a flash of frustration.
Let me try again.

She surged against her Life Force with more of her power. It still recoiled from her and Ahsoka reluctantly withdrew. Then, without warning, Barriss jerked away and severed the connection.

"What-" Ahsoka started, opening her eyes.

Barriss had not only pulled away in the Force, but she had backed away physically. Cuss watched, bemused.

"We not gonna do this last one?" He asked. "It hurts."

"What are you?" Barriss whispered. "You were never this strong in the Force."

Ahsoka nearly said you did, but she restrained herself.

"When I was- in the custody of the Republic," She said slowly. "Palpatine experimented on me. My connection to the Force has been amplified ever since."

Barriss stared at her and Ahsoka could feel the beginning of revulsion in her former friend.

"It's artificial?" Barriss asked.

Ahsoka cocked her head.

"Maybe at first." She said. "But most of the time, the Force obeys my call. I can feel that it approves of, maybe not how I was created, but what I do now."

Barriss looked at her, doubting. Ahsoka reached out her hand.

"Connect with me." She said. "Don't be afraid. You can feel it."

Barriss hesitantly took Ahsoka's hand and Ahsoka showed her. For a moment Ahsoka saw her own connection to the Force as it appeared to Barriss. Blinding, thick ropes of light linked Ahsoka to the universe, ready to guide her. Power coursed through the cords and waited to be called upon. Ahsoka barely seemed like a being from the material realm.

Barriss jolted away from her again with a sharp gasp. She stared at Ahsoka, eyes wide with fright.

"This- this is unnatural." Barriss hissed. "No being should wield so much of the Force!"

"If the Force didn't want this, do you think it would allow me to remain so connected?" Ahsoka asked.

"You ask as if it has not tried to stop you!" Barriss asked. "I saw your memories. Your body burns when you reach for powers beyond our mortal limit!"

"Why does it allow me to live, then?" Ahsoka asked. "I know the Force has a purpose for me."

"For the person you were before, perhaps." Barriss said. "But not as this creature you have become. Do you really need to break the boundaries to do the Force's will?"

Ahsoka balked at the idea. She had never considered that the pain she endured was a punishment. For a moment fear gripped her heart. Did she push the limits of the Force beyond its will? Wasn't her purpose tied to these powers?

She remembered the Force refusing to bend to her will when she tried to prevent her and Rex from crashing. No, the Force knew what it was willing to help her to do and it would not cross that line. Likewise, her interactions with Qui Gon had implied that she had the Force's blessing to use her abilities.

"I know my connection to the Force." Ahsoka finally said. "I know what it wants from me. But that's not important right now. Please heal Cuss's finger."

Barriss quickly did so and then backed away again. She seemed exhausted.

"Will you still teach me?" Ahsoka asked.

Barriss didn't say anything for a long time. Ahsoka frowned. Was that fear she sensed from Barriss?

"Yes." She said.

Ahsoka nodded, relieved.

"Will we need another injured person next time?" She asked. "Or does Cuss need to punch another wall?"

"No, we will not." Barriss said.

Ahsoka nodded again, and turned to go. She looked back.

"Thank you." She said.

"I had little choice." For the first time, something like bitterness entered Barriss' voice.

"Thank you anyway." Ahsoka said. "I would have accepted it if you had said no."

Barriss looked away, her hands clenched on her knees. Ahsoka could more clearly feel her fear and resentment now. As she and Cuss left the cell, Ahsoka's heart ached for her former friend.

"Barriss." Ahsoka said. Barriss looked up. "You don't have to stay here. I'll talk to Obi Wan. I'm sure we can figure out some way you can regain our trust. We're not the Jedi Order or the Republic you left."

Ahsoka was surprised by the cold look that Barriss gave her.

"No." She said. "You are something worse."

Mando'a:

Vod'e: brothers

Demagolka: someone who commits atrocties, a real-life monster, a war criminal - from the notorious Mandalorian scientist of the Old Republic, Demagol, known for his experiments on children, and a figure of hate and dread in the Mando psyche.

Okay, from the top!

Honestly, this is kind of a slow chapter, but I think we needed it.

Senna and the other girls from 79's are understandably TRAUMATIZED. If it wasn't clear, the Zygerrians would use them at night, work them as hard as the others during the day, and then kill them when they became too exhausted to do it anymore. My sister, during editing, said she was about to ask if the Zygerrians would really be that cruel and then she remembered the poor Togruta who were dumped in a pit to make Obi Wan sad. The answer is yes, they would be that cruel.

My sisters liked how I described sleep suggestions and one wanted it to happen to her.

Fives needs a nap. Fives receives a nap.

Wow an Echo perspective. That doesn't happen much. I do not write the Batch an equal amount. I obviously write Tech the most, then Crosshair, then Echo, then Hunter. I have never had a Wrecker perspective. Not for lack of love for him, he's just intimidating to write. I'm not sure if I can balance his inner voice between being simpler in language than other characters and also making sure he doesn't sound like a child.

Don't worry, Tech is not going to be down for much longer. I can only torture characters so much. He has gone nonverbal in this scene, which is something some autistic people do when they have been overwhelmed. I've had him go nonverbal during his shut down in Fives Effect, but this is the first time he's done it in Guilty.

I decided that Taja has gotten actual therapy for her trauma because someone has to. That, combined with her experience with an autistic sibling, makes her pretty good at helping Tech out. And Tech's already on the mend.

I've always wondered about Krell's original legion and I'm going to get a tiny bit of a chance to explore it in Cuss. Also Cuss is a great clone name. Krell purposefully sent Cuss and his squad into a trap. It's only chance that they were captured and not killed.

It was actually Sev instead of Cuss in this scene originally, but I realized that 1. Sev wouldn't really give a crap about helping the Rebellion and 2. I really wanted to have the guard punch the wall and break their hand so that Ahsoka and Barriss had an injury to heal, but Sev wouldn't be that helpful for some randos he just met. So Cuss was born, a clone created exclusively to have the personality to punch a wall to help.

I've kind of developed my own canon for Force healing. Any Jedi can do it, but if you don't have the aptitude, it's going to be really, really hard to learn. I struggled coming up with a way to describe the healing in a way that wasn't just 'and it just happens.' I think I did a good job. I like the concept of Force healing being dangerous and against all instincts. (for some reason my sister was REALLY bothered by this idea. She thought that you HAD to have the aptitude or you couldn't do it, at least in Canon)

My interpretation of Barriss in this fic is just the most conservative Jedi ever. She wants to stick to the Jedi code as closely as possible and is probably very about the letter of the law as she understands it. Also she's apparently anti science.

Okay, that should be everything!

Stay safe, remember to review, and have a great week!