“Understand, I do not, the insistence upon going to Mustafar. In confronting Vader, you would only replace him!” Master Yoda was beside himself in a way Ahsoka had never experienced as the conversation began in full upon her return to the tiny hovel.
“Master, I understand the optics, fully, but this is not what it seems.” Ahsoka rebuked. “There is more on that world that has yet to be understood, some of which involve Anakin but not him directly.”
“Ahsoka.” Qui-gon interjected, “The optics, I am afraid, are all there are to go on without more information. The matter of perspective is not what is being debated, only intention at this point.”
“Masters, forgive me in advance for being direct and perhaps in some cases rude, but think for moment. Anakin could have chosen to take residence on thousands, tens of thousands, of other worlds. Why this world?” She paused but held up a hand to prevent anyone else from disturbing her next words out of turn. “The place must have meaning to him. Some would say that I know him better than most, and I feel that I do, so please trust my instincts on this, as well as me.” Ahsoka finished with a sincere look on her face and a tear in the corner of her right eye.
Kowani was shifting uncomfortably, seated cross legged close to the small fire, wondering why these two were having such a challenging time seeing her reason. Although, in truth, there was extraordinarily little reason being given and a whole lot of trust being asked. She supposed her instinct to trust Ahsoka completely had a more profound effect on her opinion in the matter. She had already trusted her life to this Togruta more times than she had reason to fear for it the past few days, a bond that these two would not know, and from her understanding through context, never would.
Master Yoda released his breath bringing a short stubby hand to his forehead. “Prevent you from leaving, I will not. Understand I do the need for closure; however, care must be taken to prevent the Emperor from interceding.”
“Again, I insist that this isn’t about me” Ahsoka said with a hint of exasperation. “For lack of a better term at the moment, I am asking you to unlearn what you have learned Master.” That got his attention, fully. “Mustafar was of importance to the republic for only one reason in the past, that had nothing to do with Anakin at the time. Force sensitive children were hidden there in seclusion by Palpatine if you recall and I believe there are still clues left hidden that could help me determine where to focus my attention. They have not stopped in any endeavor to identify and segregate force sensitive beings of any age quite frankly and that is a travesty.” She paused unsure how to phrase her next statement.
“Ahsoka, speak your mind. Tell them.” Kowani encouraged her.
Master Yoda cracked a knowing smile as he glanced slowly in Kowani’s direction, nodding his head.
“Master Qui-gon, I feel you would have understood this had you been in my situation as your need to be heard, sometimes defiantly, was almost legendary.” She began, and paused again, taking a deep breath. “Master Yoda, I do not understand this.” She spread her arms wide with an expressive look around the small dwelling. The need for secrecy and hiding I do, but to disengage fully? We lose much ground behind the scenes day by day to the workings of a fully operable and engaged Empire, yet our leaders offer no support or guidance except by chance? With Kowani’s help we have learned of Keno but that is but one place in a galaxy full of many. I ask you, Master, reconnect, if but for a moment, and see. The truth is out there.” Ahsoka finalized with a deep exhale.
There was no sound in the hovel for a few minutes, yet there was no measure of palpable tension preventing it. Her words seemed to cascade to every corner and crevice the residence offered, a cleansing of truth bathing it, and everyone in it, non-corporeal or organic, in a much-needed wash of honesty. Master Qui-gons image simply folded its hands into its robes, a subtle nod to Ahsoka and short wink assuring her he would have indeed taken that same stance as she had suggested. Kowani, beaming with pride as she looked back at Ahsoka with a mix of dignity, self-respect, and honor.
Master Yoda widened his eyes slightly as the last syllables of her statement faded from his hearing, then began to close as he lowered his head. Time seemed to slow for all present. The always audible cacophony of the sounds of life outside dialed down its own volume, yet not from menace of any sort, but seemingly out of respect for what was transpiring inside the unassuming domicile. The dancing firelight, being the only true measure of reality, tamed its wild nature to fall in line with the moment. Master Yoda leaned heavily upon his gimmer stick and for the first time in her life, Ahsoka saw a single tear fall from his eye and streak down his cheek. It pooled for an instant at his chin before breaking away from the tensive hold his skin had and fell slowly to the ground, landing with a small splash of dried dirt at his feet. He picked up his chin and opened his eyes to shroud Ahsoka in the warmest gaze she had ever felt from any being.
“Understand your concern, I do. Defensive, it is pointless to be, as friends here we all are.” He mustered with a shaking voice. “Danger, my presence would incite, as searching the Emperor, and his minions are, for anyone surviving the purge.” He hobbled over to an exposed root on the ground a few paces from where he was standing and with audible effort seated himself before continuing. “My reasons are many Ahsoka, yet for my safety I am unconcerned. My lightsaber, lost it was in my duel with Sidious. Disconnected from the force I must remain until its whereabouts are confirmed. With it he could find me, with me he could rein an even more terrible destruction upon the galaxy, or perhaps even beyond. He would enslave my memories, my knowledge, and take for himself what he cannot learn through teachings of the Sith. Understand you must the importance of that fact.” Ahsoka understood immediately but was unwilling, nor did she feel it warranted to, retract her statement. She sensed there was quite a bit more he could have added, and probably would if she pressed the matter, but his answer was sufficient in its directness and most certainly in its point.
“Ahsoka, show it to him.” Qui-gon interjected.
She needed no prodding and knew precisely what he was referring to. “Master, this came into our possession,” nodding in Kowani’s direction “through an altercation with an Iktochi named Anaem Mos, on Tatooine of all places.” Again, a nod toward Kowani signifying the ‘us’ as she removed the gold hilt of Master Windu’s saber from her belt and presented it to Master Yoda.
His eyes widened again as he looked upon the hilt, his mouth open in genuine surprise.
“Unfamiliar the name is, however relevant the saber is to our conversation.” Yoda said barely audible, reaching out to touch the item.
“The holo we stumbled across presented this as partial payment for a contract on my capture.” Ahsoka added.
“Contracted by whom?” Yoda said looking up at Ahsoka.
“Pestage, and by extension no doubt, Palpatine.”
“Carefully you must tread Ahsoka, precisely the fear I mentioned. With that in your possession, to Master Windu you may lead them if he yet lives.” Yoda said with a genuinely concerned tone.
“Possibly Master, but I have no direction and with that no place to even begin searching. I don’t even feel that is my destiny to be honest, I barely knew the man.” She said flatly and, in all honesty, “His disdain for my master kept our paths separate, almost exclusively.”
“Misdirected your presumptions are Ahsoka, a great respect and admiration Master Windu held for Skywalker.” Yoda interjected quickly “Too much like himself Anakin was.” He said quietly, trailing off.
“There is much I did not know about a lot of things it seems.” Ahsoka said with a hint of annoyance.
“Notorious for subtlety Master Windu was.” Yoda exclaimed, Master Qui-gon nodding in complete agreement.
“All well and good, but not helpful at present. Apologies for the directness but there is more.” Ahsoka broke the interlude.
She gripped the hilt, stood back slightly, and ignited the blade. The immediate snap hiss response was not lost on her onlookers.
“How is this possible?” Qui-gon asked, truly befuddled.
“I know, it surprised me too. The power cell should be long dead. The only way it could have been replaced is by either its creator or someone extremely powerful in the art of lightsaber construction. This may seem off topic, but do either of you know of Quinlan Vos?” Ahsoka asked.
“Of course.” came the shared response from both Masters.
“Precisely what I was going to suggest Ahsoka, well thought out.” Master Yoda added.
Her blank stare in return prompted Yoda to elaborate,
“Aid you greatly his ability would. If not to determine Master Windu’s present condition, perhaps at least to learn the truth behind what transpired.” He concluded.
Ahsoka understood his meaning quite well as the truth behind the lies were her primary objective. To learn what had truly transpired in the Chancellor’s office the day Master’s Windu, Kit Fisto, Agen Kolar and Saesee Tinn were rumored to have placed Palpatine under arrest, and by many accounts, set forth the downfall of the Jedi order.
Shaking her own head to do her best to remain on topic, “Do you know if he is still alive, and if so where he can be found?” She asked quickly.
“Where precisely, no” Qui-gon interjected. “Although Debberic would be a good starting point to finding him as many of the refugees he has aided seem to end up there.”
Yoda whirled around to face Qui-gon with that speed again, belying his age.
“I am not completely without resource Master Yoda.” Qui-gon spoke before Yoda could, giving his old friend a quick wink. “And, yes, he is alive.” Facing Ahsoka again, “To answer your question.”
Ahsoka gave Kowani a knowing glance, and completely on cue she filed the information away.
Extinguishing the blade, she returned the hilt to her belt and hesitated briefly before moving on to the next subject for Master Yoda’s ears. She slid her right hand over the hilt of her newest addition and almost reeled back from the ice-cold surface. Determined not to make a scene and to ‘just get this over with’ she took the hilt into her hand and held it out for Master Yoda’s inspection.
“Master, initially, my intention here was to ask for your guidance in deciphering what was happening to me. I believe I have answered my questions regarding most of that simply by being here, but I need to inquire about certain aspects of what is regarded as Dark side teachings.” Failing to mention the saber in her hand did not escape Yoda’s notice but he decided to attempt a stronger approach in any case.
“Ahsoka, your debriefing of your Mortis adventure you remember well?”
“Of course I do.” She said, wondering what that had to do with anything.
“Pertain it does to every question you could possibly manufacture.” He said flatly.
She took a moment to connect the dots in her mind, the conclusion, however, remained elusive.
“Spoken at great length Master Obi-wan and I have about those particular events over the years.” Yoda said, looking remarkably older than he had only moments before.
“The forces bound to Skywalker through that ordeal bound themselves to you as well young one, perhaps even to a greater degree. Did not the paradox of being enslaved to the Son coupled with the sacrifice of the Daughter ever catch your notice? Who do you think holds the seat of the Father now? Why you can enter and withdraw from the realm of the force, seemingly at will, tap into powers never seen before and why that winged creature follows you everywhere?” He motioned to the hole in the wall serving as a window and she followed his pointing finger to spot her Morai, posited sedately on the ‘sills’ smooth surface. Opening its beak, it uttered a simple ‘hoot’ at her notice.
Ahsoka’s eye shot wide open, and she audibly gasped her own surprise as those dots finally found all the connections they needed to finish the image forming in her mind.
She felt her knees grow suddenly weary and an unnatural weakness wash over her. Kowani shot to her side as Ahsoka slid from her feet and would have fallen into a heap had her friend not been there to support her. She felt her eyes flutter and a blackness creep into her view that was ever expanding and threatening to steal her eyesight from her. Her mind slipped in and out of conscience. Concerned voices she thought she knew where in and out of focus. Finally, all senses relented, and the blackness consumed her completely.
The crunch of drifted snow as it gave way under foot was a welcome relief, as were the ice formations adorning the rock face so far above the tree line. The swirling complexity of their surface refracting the setting sun light in all directions. Night was close at hand, but she was near enough to the tree line, and the path down that would provide cover when the evening winds redistributed the snow cover into a blinding cloud. For now, however, Ahsoka was content to embrace the view before her. Alderaan’s sun was at her back and the capital city of Aldera lie before her sidling the expansive Royal Palace in a brilliant display of color. The tall spires of the Palace adorned with golden ornamentation reflected the light onto all the city proper which was well kept and equally adorned throughout. She felt no sense of urgency, nor weight of burden. There was only a peace she had long sought, a peace, she felt, that was shared by all. Only the wind could be heard, just the precursor to the daily gale that would follow, but the serenity it spoke, a cleansing of sorts, was exceedingly long overdue, she thought. She pulled the hood back from her montrals and let the chill air soothe her skin as she closed her eyes and breathed in deeply through her nose. The air was fresh, clean, and energizing, a hard contrast to the smog choked filth she remembered on Coruscant. It felt like another life. One last breath before she re-slung her pack and headed back down. The breeze brought a single note to her hearing, and she looked toward the source. Perched daintily on a small rock exposed through the snow, was her Morai, or The Morai, she was never quite certain. It hooted again at her notice. Just a single solitary hoot. “I know little guy, we’re going.” The creature fluttered its wings for a moment to shake the snow loose then took wing to land at her shoulder, and together they began the short trek to the high road leading out of the Triplehorn Pass.
She was aware of her surroundings as snow gave way to thatch and shrub and finally thick forest and startling patches of bright green grasses and wildflowers of all sorts, life pattering, humming, and buzzing all about her. ‘With the ease of travel, sometimes it’s nice just to put boot to ground’ she thought. She meandered the little, if ever, used thoroughfare and broke away for a considerably underused path that led to the northern gardens of the Palace. Her feet, and those of the Princess’ security detail in an endless search for the rascally Leia’s exploits, shared this path with no one. It was hers alone, a promise made by Bail to keep his door open to her should she need it. She scarcely took him up on that, for his own safety, until now.
“Bail, the time has come. You need to leave.” She said matter of fact.
“We’ve been over this; I will not leave while the people cannot.” Bail returned, just as smooth. The two stood on the wide balcony overlooking the Triplehorns just outside of his Palatial office. “We haven’t the ships, nor the time Ahsoka. And where would we go? We’ve been marshaling in the galaxy’s refugees for the better part of a decade! Aldera by itself serves as home to over eight hundred million, Crevasse, another seven hundred, Sanctuary, Montar, Cyill…. the list is endless, and more refugees arrive by the day.” Losing his composure somewhat, he shook his head in irritation. She was right.
“Bail, I understand your concerns, but you are not the few. You SERVE the many, and with Mon Mothma in exile yours is the last sane voice in the Senate.”
“You would ask me to choose myself, that of my family, over my people Ahsoka. Frame it however you’d like but even the idea is inconceivable to me. Don’t ask again.” He said with a renewed measure of calm. They both turned from one another to view the mountainscape again.
“You two at it again I see.” Breha said angelically, her voice almost a song Ahsoka always thought. It was easy to identify with her people when she spoke.
“She insists we leave my love, something, again, about impending doom.” Bail said half-turning, outstretching his hand to his wife.
“Apologies Ahsoka.” He quickly added “Sarcasm is a gift I am somewhat lacking.” Kissing Breha gently on the cheek, “I just feel so distracted these days.”
“That, he is.” Breha said with a smile. “The two of you could do with some down time, you’ve been running yourselves ragged for ages.”
“That is an understatement.” Ahsoka said.
“Two more meetings tonight alone my dear, no rest for me.” Bail responded looking out onto the city.
Ahsoka felt a tinge, of what she could not say, but something was off. “Where is Leia?”
Bail telegraphed a look to her that she caught immediately, unfortunately, so did Breha.
“Yes, Bail, where is our daughter?”
“On her way to Yavin, I hope.” Bail said straight away, not having the patience now for ‘elusive negotiations.’
“Yavin? Why?” Breha asked with a not discreet look of concern.
“Why is it so dark?” Bail wasn’t even listening to his wife.
“What are you talking about?” Breha was becoming quite worried.
Ahsoka looked up, surprised she didn't notice the darkness herself, the sun was down, yes, but the moon should be out, and full. Breha just stared at Bail wondering why, of all times, he was evading her questions.
“Breha, look.” He waved his hand out before him, and she finally did.
“The Works would have illumination in full force if the moon would not have been full, which it is supposed to be Breha.”
She looked and was surprised that, she too, had not noticed. “I suppose I just took it for granted.” “Now is the worst time to be doing things like that.” Ahsoka chimed in, gaze still turned to the heavens with ever squinting eyes. A flutter passed where the moon should have been, and she took three unintentional steps forward focusing intently on that spot in the sky. The flutter that continued brought with it a dim light this time. She closed herself off completely from her immediate surroundings and willed the Force to aid her perception. The dim light began to waver between bright and star-like to that of a planet’s refraction. She realized a moment later that she was seeing the sun’s reflection off something metal, something manufactured, something enormous. The truth hit her harder than anything ever could as the moon finally made its return to the night sky, eclipsed by the Empire, between it, and them. ‘Why here?’ She thought. All the information the rebels had amassed over the last few months was most certainly true, but more importantly, why was it here?
A second truth slammed into Ahsoka’s psyche, “Bail, you said Leia was on her way to Yavin?”
“Yes...WHY?” Bail asked frantically.
“Because she isn’t.” Ahsoka stated.
Bail went from stately and distinguished to disheveled and crazed as he shot glances in all directions “Not here, there.” she said with a finger pointed to the heavens. Bail followed her finger.
“I don’t see anything! Nothing at all!” He screamed, pulling on his hair with one hand.
Ahsoka felt the impending doom from deep within her, the inevitable incineration that was about to be unleashed. There would be no pain as obliteration is painless. She closed her eyes, dropped her outstretched arm, and blew out her final breath as a flash of green sped toward them.
“BAAAAAIIIILLLLL!”