“Apologies Rex, as you could see the debriefing had to wait.” Ahsoka said, walking up to her oldest friend as he surveyed the departing ships.
“I have a bad feeling about that mission Ahsoka, the Koureye is pretty rough space.” Rex said in return, lost within his own thoughts as he stared up at the departing shuttle.
Ahsoka followed his gaze as the shuttle engaged its maneuvering jets to align itself with Raada’s gravity well, then watched as the Ion engines flared to life just before it sped away and out of sight. “I have a feeling we’re headed toward a similar fate.” She offered in return, doing little to offer any hope to the clone’s remark.
Rex brought his gaze down to meet hers, crossing his arms before his chest, “There was no sign of Quinlan Vos Ahsoka, Sandr mentioned as much prior to arriving.” He said with a chortled laugh. “I suppose there is some irony in an ex-Republic clone trooper and a former ISB agent asking a local populace about a Jedi’s whereabouts.”
Ahsoka found it impossible to hold in her own laugh, “We did mention that before you two departed if you remember.” She added with a wink. Her expression turning more serious, she continued, “We will see what becomes of our attempt. I still believe the two of you sent the right message to those who would conceal the path, which is what is important.” She said with an air of finality, expressing outwardly an innate satisfaction, inwardly wishing the venture had been more successful. “We will try again Rex; we cannot lose sight of hope.”
Rex sighed slightly, an effort to keep from asking the question that was nagging him, “What of Bridger?” He brought himself to say, not surprising Ahsoka one bit.
“Still nothing.” She said blowing out a breath, “These things take time however.” She finished, recovering from her perceived downcast remark. She had, on multiple occasions, reached out through the Force to sense his presence, without anything to speak of for the attempts.
“As you said Ahsoka, we cannot lose sight of hope.” He repeated her words, clasping a strong hand on her shoulder, “which reminds me.” He said with a glance to her side, Ahsoka turning to see Sabine, Kallus and Kowani approaching them.
“You know the impossibility of reaching young Ezra Ahsoka, why delude their hopes?” T’zar asked, breaking the silence that had settled between the two for some time.
‘Because I believe there is hope still.’ Ahsoka thought in return to the spirit of the Zeltran that resided within her own conscience. ‘The galaxy is a very big place T’zar.’ she reminded him.
“We both know he does not reside within this galaxy if he yet lives Ahsoka.” He returned, speaking through the lens of realism.
She did not respond knowing full well he was right. “Ahsoka?” Sabine asked again, pulling her attention back out of her own mind.
“Yes, sorry...go ahead.” She said to the small semi-circle of friends around her, N’dali even present residing in a small projection of herself in Kowani’s hand.
“Alexsandr, if you would continue.” N’dali spoke directly to the matter at hand.
“Yes, what we didn’t find on Debberic pales in comparison to what we DID find.” He said, proffering a data pad that elicited whistles of approval from both old and new Mandalorians as they both crammed together to scan the contents of the find simultaneously. “N’dali, we’ve sent you the manifest as well. As we haven’t the ability to transport any of this, we were hoping you could find a solution.”
The quartet waited in silence as they watched the tiny form in Kowani’s hand analyze the manifest, Ahsoka leaning over to view what they were all looking at. She elicited a short but severe inhale as she scanned the data pads screen.
“This is all in one place?” Ahsoka asked with an unintentional rise in pitch.
“It is.” Kallus responded, “However, we have no way of moving it.”
“I don’t know that the entirety of the Rebel Fleet has the capability Sandr.” N’dali added, “this will take some time, but I’ll see what I can do.”
“Fourteen TX-130 Sabers, ten Mekun Trackers, KAAC Freerunners.” Ahsoka rattled off the first few entries..
“Nine intact, parts for another two or three operable.” Kallus added.
“Sixteen AT-AP?” Ahsoka trailed off immediately after picking up where she had left off.
“There are also countless scout bikes of various make and design, munitions for all the heavy weaponry, A-380 blaster rifles, mag mines for the Sabers and look what the Trackers are armed with.” Rex added for everyone’s benefit.
“Ion disruptors?” Ahsoka questioned.
“MK-2e Ahsoka, second generation. These things were designed to drop Imperial walkers. As we’ve stated though, getting them off world is the issue.” Rex continued.
“As well as manpower to actually use them I might add.” Kowani chimed in, although she knew N’dali was already ahead of her with a counter argument.
Ahsoka dropped the pad to her side and turned her head to stare directly at both Rex and Kallus, “how exactly did you find this cache?” She asked lifting an eyebrow.
She noticed a short glance from Kallus to Rex as the old clone began clearing his throat, “Well, one of the individuals we spoke to regarding Vos had a hard time keeping his lies straight.” Rex began.
“A Sullustan.” Kallus clarified.
“Yes Sandr, a Sullustan, thank you. And we followed him directly to the armory where we found all this. It is our belief that, although he didn’t trust us regarding the Jedi, he did, or they had agreed, to assist the cause in at least some way.” Rex winced briefly knowing how ridiculous it sounded.
Ahsoka understood the facial expression and rested a gentle hand on her old friend’s shoulder, “perhaps your right, and if so, a return trip may solve both issues.”
Alexsandr Kallus swung his gaze through everyone before deciding to ask the question he knew he wasn’t the only one thinking. “Do we notify Rebel Command?”
Kowani was the first to blow out her breath in exasperation, “So they can discuss how best to not use it? Besides, we don’t technically own it do we, someone else is clearly amassing a force for purposes outside our knowledge.”
Ahsoka couldn’t hide the pride she felt upon hearing Kowani utter the words, the woman was right on all counts, but more than that, displayed yet again the values the Mirialan often lived by. “Well stated Ani. Until we can gather more information I think it best to see how things play out.” She said.
“We did notice heavy carbon scoring on the Mekun’s.” Kallus said, lifting a hand to stroke his thickening beard.
Rex immediately began nodding, “It looked recent too, those things have seen some heavy action Ahsoka.” He added quickly to follow up.
Ahsoka noted the tone in her old friend’s voice, gravely, almost coarse. She focused her eyes on the aging clone trooper, noting how the corners of his eyes were more downturned, almost saddened looking.
At once Kowani turned away from the group palming the side of her helmet, “Check again, I need you to be sure.” The rest heard her say.
“What is it Ani?” Sabine asked.
Kowani dropped her hand and turned back to face them, “You’ve been tracked.”
Both Rex and Kallus looked at one another in wonderment, then swiveled to face the “Liberator.”
“No. Not the ship.” Kowani said, walking toward Ahsoka, offering a hand toward the data pad at her side. “This.” She said taking the item from the Togruta. “I’ve had R3 on continuous scan since Nar Shadaa…” Trailing off as her comment reminded her of the narrow escape from the Nal Hutta moon.
Ahsoka looked at Rex, “Was there any point in time this wasn’t in your possession?” She asked, offering up the data pad.
Kallus smacked a palm into his forehead, “The Sullustan.”
Rex spun on his heels staring up the sky with his hands on his hips, “The Sullustan.”
“This Sullustan sounds more intriguing by the second.” Sabine offered.
“Freebo Tam. If that’s even his real name.” Kallus added, chiding himself.
Ahsoka adopted a thoughtful expression, piecing together the duo’s time on Debberic. She closed her eyes briefly and opened herself to the Force fully. “I don’t sense any sinister motives so this may fall in line with our earlier estimate in that whatever group he represents is simply trying to assess whether they get involved or not.” “Sounds logical, but probably best to leave here and discuss this off planet.” Sabine said, entertaining sound logic herself.
Ahsoka pinched her eyes in thought as an idea began to take shape, spinning toward Kowani, “Ani would you mind lending me Master Windu’s saber.” She whispered into the Mirialan’s ear.
Kowani turned her head to face Ahsoka, looking deep within the Togruta’s eyes to discern any meaning she could from the odd request. “Not at all, what are you thinking?” She whispered in return.
“Breadcrumbs.” Is all Ahsoka said in return as Kowani reached into her hip pack to retrieve the carefully wrapped saber hilt and place it into Ahsoka’s outstretched hand. “I’ll explain when we’re off planet, I promise.” Ahsoka said with a smile, returning to face the assembled consortium.
“Which leads us to them.” Kallus said with a finger pointing toward Zeb who was seated with Conda and Bren next to the ‘Phantom,’ “we can’t just leave them here.”
Ahsoka thought about the question, turning slowly to face the two troopers. “I suggest Bren accompany you to Lothal. I feel she could be an asset.” She said after a few moments, a feeling expressly shared by Miara without a word passing between them. “I will need to talk to Conda again, I don’t know what he wants to do.
Rex lifted his comm to his mouth, “Chop get us warmed up.”
Ahsoka swung to face him. “Rex, we’re going to need you with us on this one.” She said without hesitation, watching as his face lit up in genuine surprise, the facial creases that worried her moments before vanished in the blink of an eye. Kallus raised an eyebrow but saw Ahsoka’s wink and understood, nodding with an approving smile.
“I guess I don’t have to grab my gear then.” Stated Rex, crossing his arms before his chest.
“You’ll be ok without me then?” Kallus mockingly asked, showing teeth with a wide grin.
Rex looked from Ahsoka to Kowani then back to Kallus, “I’ll be alright, I’m in good hands.” He said with his own slight laugh walking toward the man. He reached out his hand to grab Kallus’ forearm, Kallus returning the gesture in a mutual shake of brotherhood. “Stay safe brother.” Rex said under his breath, only loud enough for Kallus to hear as he slapped the man’s shoulder with his free hand.
Kallus snickered slightly, “You do the same you old fool.” He said in return, the smile diminishing somewhat, “Don’t do anything stupid Rex...I mean it.” Slapping the old clone on his own shoulder, he gave it a slight squeeze before turning to head for the ‘Liberator’ to grab his own gear. Rex couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss even though there wasn’t any reason for it. It was an irrational feeling, he knew, but he had felt it many times before. Fellow brothers sharing farewells for the last time. He believed every word he had uttered as his gaze lingered on the departing man, he knew he would be fine at Ahsoka’s side but something else tugged at him nonetheless, a foreboding sense that he wouldn’t see Kallus again. He shook his head to scramble the thought into nonexistence.
“Anything wrong?” Ahsoka asked him.
He turned to her, stared into her familiar eyes, and let a slight smile crease his lips. “Nothing Commander, let’s go to talk to Conda.”
Agreeing, she handed Rex the saber Kowani had given her, “Please put this into the pack I am going to ask you to retrieve for Conda.” She said as they walked slowly toward Zeb and the trooper.
Looking at the item, Rex returned to stare directly into her eyes then nodded without uttering a word.
Sabine threw her arms around Kowani, “Just for the record, I’d always wanted a sister. Better when you get to choose who it is.”
Kowani understood that better than Sabine may ever know, she thought. She had felt the same way after N’dali had beaten her for the twentieth consecutive time while playing Djarik through their first few weeks on Keno. Although she felt a deep kinship with Sabine and had been adopted into the family after all, she would never forget the promises both she and N’dali had made to one another. Promises to remain as blood sisters should no matter what may happen, who may come across their paths, even despite differences. Nothing was stronger than the family she chose, and with that thought fresh, she had to admit that, yes, Sabine did understand how deep those bonds ran.
“Where are you headed anyway?” Sabine asked thoughtfully.
Kowani had no idea, only looking toward Ahsoka, hoping the Togruta wasn’t going to suggest meditating once in orbit on that subject. “Honestly I have no idea.” She replied after a few moments, her gaze falling to the saber hilt at Sabine’s waist. She was glad the helmet was on as it hid her wince knowing full well they were looking into a lead Ahsoka may have come across in her search for Ezra. She was never sure how much the two shared in relation to that topic, only that Sabine had promised Hera she’d be at her side through the pregnancy. She was certain Ahsoka wouldn’t hide anything from Sabine but would omit so as not to contradict her commitments. Kowani thought on that for a fleeting moment, knowing full well she would do the same, knowing full well she had done the same in retrospect.
“Well, stay safe sister, we’ll get some color on those pauldrons when you get back.” Sabine said, letting Kowani off the hook, and although Sabine had her helmet on Kowani knew she was smiling, just as she was.
“Will do sis and thank you….thank you for everything.” Kowani said in genuine gratitude. “You mean everything to me Sabine.”
Sabine took her helmet off and swiped a tear from her cheek, “First day your Mandalorian and you’re getting soft on me Ani, sheesh.”
Kowani tore off her helmet and shared the same tears, wrapping both her hands around Sabine as her helmet dropped to the rocky ground at their feet. She held the hug tight for several minutes, squeezing her eyes shut. She felt the surge of camaraderie, of compassion and of togetherness. She felt the surge of family. Opening her eyes as her head lie on Sabine’s shoulder she watched Sandr and Zeb talking to Bren, her previous thoughts couldn’t have been timed better as she saw Bren shaking Kallus’ hand, playfully punch Zeb in the stomach and head with the duo up and into the ‘Phantom.’ Family she thought as assuredly as a new member was just added to the mix. She picked her head up and smiled once more into the face of Sabine as they broke their embrace. Kowani picked up her helmet as Sabine started off for the ‘Phantom’ herself. She paused after a few steps and half turned back to Kowani, “Make sure you spar with that saber Ani, and don’t hold back.” She said laughing as she pulled her helmet on and continued her way.
Kowani slapped the cool black cylinder clipped to her belt, “I’ll let her have it!” She yelled after her. She chuckled mildly to herself as she turned her gaze yet again to Ahsoka and Rex approaching Conda. “He won’t come.” She said to herself as she began walking toward the ‘Liberator’.
Conda saw the two approach and knew exactly what was about to transpire. His mind made up; he had already prepared his response. “Before you lay into your recruitment speech, I’ll start by saying thank you.” He said as both Ahsoka and Rex were within arm’s reach. He picked himself off the ground to face them, “thank you for saving me...us,” He paused, “back on Trunion.” He could see them working through whatever they had prepared to say, “but,” he raised a finger, “I’m going to stay here.”
Rex looked to Ahsoka whom hadn’t taken her eyes off the trooper. He could tell she was falling back to counter arguments and contingencies and was quite surprised when she replied.
“I understand. We’ll leave what we can for you, rations packs, survival gear and such but I would recommend heading for the settlement on the horizon, it’s a safe place.”
Conda wasn’t prepared for her response at all, surprised by the acquiescence. “Oh, ok..uh, thank you...again then.”
“Honestly, I thought there was a chance before. I already know that all changed after Tovic…” She trailed off.
Conda felt ashamed immediately. She had read him like a well-worn book. This Togruta that understood his home, knew his people, spoke the language and that had taken the time to learn his name also knew his thoughts. Rex, reading the path of the conversation was already turning around to race back to the ‘Liberator’ to grab the promised items. “Ahsoka? Yes?” He continued after her slight nod, “Ahsoka, thank you for understanding. I’ve seen enough of this war. I’ve seen what it can do to the best of us.” He tried continuing but his emotions were getting the better of him. After choking back tears he had yet to shed for his fallen comrade, he continued, “And I’ve seen enough of Imperial protocols to never look back.”
Ahsoka adopted a simple grin and nodded toward him, closing her eyes as she placed a hand on his shoulder, “the Force will be with you Conda, good luck.” She said as she opened her eyes and smiled broadly.
Rex had already returned with a pack slung over his shoulder, “should be enough in there for a week on your own, rations, change of clothes...and here,” he said offering a pair of boots, “they’ll serve you well.” Conda took the offered pack and swung it over his own shoulder. “Take care of yourself Conda, hope to see you again one day.”
Conda nodded his thanks to them both and turned on his heel, heading in the direction of the settlement Ahsoka had mentioned, not once turning back.
Ahsoka continued staring after him for a few moments, “You gave him your own boots?”
Rex laughed, doing his best to avoid the bellicose guffaw he was narrowly holding back, “He’ll get a lot further in life without that lousy armor on, especially those boots...their hell on the heels.” He placed an arm on Ahsoka’s shoulder as they both stared after Conda’s retreating form. “Can we get out of here already?”
Ahsoka was silent for a moment, genuinely hoping the trooper would find some good soon, something that could help him believe again. Believe in himself perhaps or even something greater than himself, either would be an improvement. “Let’s go.” She said finally.
The two turned silently toward the ‘Liberator,’ Ahsoka gazing at the departing ‘Phantom’ as it swayed lightly, knowing Sabine was servicing her final farewell. Rex stumbled aside her after tripping on something half buried between hard ground and stone. He swiveled to inspect the implement of his near fall to find a rusted dull blade several centimeters in length protruding from a limbed crack at his feet. Bending down to pull it from its natural sheath, he struggled momentarily before it released into his meaty hand.
“Reaping blade from an old thresher.” Ahsoka said, startling him as he looked up to see her staring at the item.
Returning his gaze to the blade, Rex turned it over several times in his hand, inspecting its edges, the layers of built-up rust and the damaged coupler adorning the opposite end.
“I’m old Ahsoka.” He said suddenly without taking his eyes off the blade, “I’m getting slow….” he started, then paused, “forgetting things.” He continued.
She knew this was coming. She had sensed something troubling her old friend for a few months now, and although she still saw him as the old clone Captain she had always known and loved, she did have to admit that his former prowess had diminished. “Maybe a bit slower Rex but we knew that was going to happen over time.” She wasn’t quite sure she had phrased that right, but they’ve had this discussion before and she knew he wouldn’t accept any placating comments that didn’t speak directly to the truth, one that the two had forged over decades of fighting side by side. “I didn’t ask you to come with us in an effort to tell you what I thought you wanted to hear.”
“I know you better than to expect anything of the sort, Ahsoka.” He chimed in with a short burst of laughter, then quickly turned his head down and eyed the blade again, his laugh dying in the air before them. “Slow. Slow I can deal with. Forgetting things, letting the obvious slip by my notice….” he blew out a breath, “Can get us killed.”
Ahsoka slapped an arm around his shoulder, taking the blade from his hand. “If this is about Debberic, Kallus missed it too. Any of us could have.” She twisted the blade in her hand a few times before quickly swishing her wrist and burying it halfway into the hardened clay beneath them. Kicking at it, she removed her arm from his shoulder and bent down to yank it from the ground. With a strong tug she wrenched it free leaving several layers of rust behind and although not shiny by any means, the blade’s tip was smooth. “Appearances may be deceiving my friend.” She winked at him and threw her arm around his shoulder as they commenced boarding the vessel.
“It’s about time you two.” Kowani scolded them as they finally made an appearance through the cockpit hatchway, R3 chiming in his own derogatory report.
“Beep Boop Whirrrrr….”
“And I thought I was impatient…” Kowani answered as she raised a hand to the earpiece of the headset she had put on. “Copy N’dali, keep us updated. Take care sis, love ya.” She turned back toward Ahsoka and Rex with a slight smile on her lips. “And where are we headed?” She asked, while toggling through her take-off preparations. The repulsor generator firing to life with a massive hum. ‘Missed you too girl.’ She said to herself, as she engaged the ion drives and shot from the planet’s surface and out into low orbit.
“Bravo two.” Ahsoka said casually, causing both Rex and Kowani to face her.
“Iskalon?” Rex beat Kowani to the question.
“We need supplies, fuel…...and time.” Ahsoka said lifting a finger to her chin.
Kowani almost forgot her helmet wasn’t on but caught her eye roll in time, ‘...and we’re meditating.’ She said to herself as she gently removed the headset and moved to pull herself from the pilot’s seat, tapping Rex on the shoulder.
“Why not just dock with the ‘Challenger’ while it was in orbit?” Rex asked openly.
Ahsoka didn’t answer immediately, lost in thought as she stared out into space beyond the transparisteel, “We needed to debrief in person Rex, and I needed you to talk to those troopers.”
“Rex, the ship is yours.” Kowani said as she lowered her head and motioned toward the empty pilot’s seat, let him pass her, then slid next to Ahsoka. Placing a hand on the Togruta’s elbow, she slowly ushered her toward the hatchway, Ahsoka providing no resistance. “We’ll be in the aft hold…..meditating.” She was proud of herself in that she at least pulled that off without sounding completely disinterested.
Rex shrugged and dropped himself into the pilot’s seat and set coordinates into the navicomputer for Iskalon. Flipping the shipboard comm switch, “And we’re off.” He said, giving the women a moment to brace themselves. With a crack the stars elongated, and the ‘Liberator’ shot from Raada into hyperspace. He watched the star lines for a few minutes before retrieving the blade from his vest pocket. Turning it over in hand, he noted the difference between the rust that had shed itself after Ahsoka had thrust it into the ground and the thicker layers that remained toward the rear of the tool. Getting up from the seat, he took a few steps toward the tool cabinet at the rear of the cockpit and retrieved a small container of thick oil and a scouring pad. Sitting at a small work desk adjacent to the cabinet, he dipped the pad into the oil and began working the abrasives into the rusty metal. “Appearances indeed.” He said for his own benefit as he began working the oil in deeper with circular motions.
“Ani, I know this isn’t your favorite activity…” Ahsoka began as they sat facing each other on woven mats given to them by refugees from Chalacta a few months ago. Although intricate in Kowani’s eyes, they seemed damned appropriate. “Apologies Ahsoka, it’s just been an extreme day. I am committed to my studies, and I understand that this is just as important as sparring.” Kowani interrupted.
“I am glad you said that and that you feel that way, because you’re taking the lead.” Ahsoka continued with a nod.
“Taking the lead?” Kowani was baffled, “I’ve never...umm...I don’t even know what we’re trying to do this time?” Her voice betrayed any confidence she may have had.
“That is exactly why it should be you Ani. We’ve been chasing rumors with no leads to Ezra’s whereabouts, and I feel I may be too involved emotionally to remain impartial to what the Force may be trying to tell us.” The words came slowly and articulated. “I felt our strongest link to him would have been the natural bond he had with Lothal itself. He said as much when I saw him last, or at least I thought he had, but the Force is silent for me on Lothal, and I don’t understand why.”
Kowani could not help but feel empathy for her. She had never spoken to her like this before, revealing a weakness in the process. She knew Ahsoka was losing patience with the search despite her earliest recollections of the Togruta committing fully to her promise to the young man. She felt terrible for her, wanting to see the weight of emotions and pain finally recede from Ahsoka. As Kowani had been almost literally attached to her, she had seen nothing but mission after mission, pleas for help, her own emotional turmoil yet unresolved from the events of Mustafar, or even Malachor after she had shared that in its detail some time ago. She understood exactly why Ahsoka was asking her to take the lead now. A change in perspective may just lead them to the purpose they both wished desperately to fulfil.
“What does T’zar think?” Kowani asked, curious over her lack of comments regarding him despite knowing the inhabiting spirit was anything but silent.
“Nothing.” Ahsoka said, “He has been preoccupied it seems, for lack of a better way to describe the silence.” She had thought it odd but had also decided to let him be for now. “Struggles in the physical realm don’t always end in the physical realm Ani, there are many secrets within the Force itself...” Ahsoka paused as the admission so readily on her tongue felt heavy, foreboding. “Secrets that it doesn’t readily share.”
Kowani stared into Ahsoka’s eyes, sensing the sincerity in her words, the internal doubt the Togruta was beginning to wear like a pair of gloves and the guilt she was stockpiling over failed attempts to answer her questions. Kowani had a thought, “I think I know where to begin then….Master.” She said crossing her legs before her, straightening her back and giving Ahsoka a sly wink before closing her eyes.