Walker Audenhoen continued staring at the long elegant hallway and sealed doorway long after Director Ysanne Isard had exited his office, his hands folded tidily upon his desk’s lustrous surface while he measured his breaths evenly through his nostrils. ‘Divergent anomalies?’ He questioned yet again, utilizing the only secure method he had at his disposal to scrutinize the multiple levels of circumstance taking place around him. Audenhoen laughed to himself, a simple chortled guffaw that spoke of the innumerable ironies surrounding him. ‘Start at the beginning…’ he composed himself while wiping the mental slate clean. ‘Lothal.’ Absently, Walker raised a hand to the stubble at his chin, reminding himself of the lunacy of events that seemed unrelated to the untrained eye.
What had begun months prior in his office of Deputy Director had ended with the final image of a Togrutan female that would forever be etched into his memory. ‘It isn’t Lothal at all...it’s you isn’t it?’ He had half a mind to lean over his data entry port and pull up whatever file remained of the woman. ‘Ahsoka Tano,’ but quickly reminded himself that any entry on his part would trigger an immediate duplicate from those assigned to watch his every move, the previous conversation staged for just such an audience. He shook his head as he felt the clinging mire of irony staring him in the face, seated upon the pulpit of truth yet ensconced in misleading lies, determinedly detrimental politics and plays for power that had cast a shadow throughout the valley of his own beliefs.
‘No. That was only my beginning.’ Walker thought to himself as he shook off the wide-ranging ideas and processes that his imagination conjured, focusing himself on the current stream of escalating events surrounding the Togruta, ‘Ahsoka.’ Damning himself mentally, he leaned into his desk and tapped away at the inlaid keys as a flat panel flashed to life within the console and swiveled itself into an upright position displaying his name and title. Prompted to enter his passcode, he happily typed out the five characters that mattered to him: TRUTH. A small aperture slid silently open just above the inlaid keypad and he smoothly inserted his readied code cylinder into the open port. ‘Areti, I wish you were here…’ The thought trailed off with his sudden urge to remain in its space, tied universally to the very thought of confidence in someone, or something, outside of himself.
Audenhoen inhaled deeply and held the breath there for a moment while the screen refreshed itself, waiting patiently to assist the man in whatever endeavor he deemed necessary. With an exhale, he relaxed his body as he typed the name he was sure would elicit some response, and assured action, from those assigned to mirror his own: AHSOKA TANO. Then: WHEREABOUTS. Prompted to enter data scope and range, he sat back in his plush chair, lifting a hand to his chin again in thought. Walker had only the most recent activity committed to memory and needed to understand the motivating factors of all parties concerned, factors which would require a history. He leaned forward again with a subtle smile: ALL.
The return was extensive as the cited entries sped down the screen in a frantic pace. Forgetting for a moment that his access had been expanded immeasurably by the occupation of the seat he now held, he noted the dates as they flashed briefly before being replaced by the next, and the next, and so on, history that was now spanning back decades and well before Imperial inception. Entries that detailed her adoption into the Jedi order made him pause as the screen steadied itself on the very first date within the block of his query. ‘She would have been just a child…’ Looking at the date, he reminded himself that the information at his disposal was now encompassing the entirety of the Jedi archives as well as collective Imperial data...
[{7944.223.0923crc}] Jedi Master Plo Koon registers Togrutan Female: Ahsoka [given] Tano [familial] of Shili, as his charge to mandate training within the Jedi Order.
[Special Notations: Classified.]
-Jocasta Nu, CL.
-Tera Sinube, witness
“Classified?” Walker identified the red flag immediately as it singled itself out boldly in Arabesh, ‘why would the Jedi themselves classify the basic entry of a youngling?’ He knew the question would likely never be answered but it did not stop his imagination from running rampant. ‘Precisely what I am trying to avoid,’ he identified the pitfall internally as he scanned through accreditation after accreditation, meritorious mentions, pausing only to review an assessment by Jedi Masters Mace Windu and Yoda claiming her proficient in all basic lightsaber combat forms, dated 7953.112.1016. Audenhoen was certain his version of basic was quite different than her overseers through the endeavor but calculated that she would have been nearly twelve or thirteen years old at the time, not knowing precisely how old she actually was when accepted initially but exhaled nonetheless in astonishment.
Audenhoen continued scrolling through the entries, beyond the multiple commendations speaking to her, ‘excelling pace, advancement beyond her peers, and notable accelerated learning recommendations,’ toward an entry he himself was familiar with, the date stamp more to the point, 7955.308.1922. “Christophsis…” He said aloud as he pushed himself away from his desk:
[Learner: Ahsoka Tano, assigned as padawan to Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker]
-Jocasta Nu,CL
-Yoda, AW
“Skywalker…” Audenhoen was caught between facial contortions, his eyes wanting to narrow with determined focus while his mind raced with the familiar name. ‘That means….’ he trailed off in thought as he backhanded his own brow, removing thin trickles of beading sweat from his furrows with his left hand while racing forward to a date that meant something to him in particular:
7957.98.1231:[Lola Sayu]: annotated success.
-With regrets, Jedi Master Even Piell succumbed to his wounds, witnessed by padawan Ahsoka Tano
-Nexus Route coordinates compromised in equal parts, padawan Tano retaining half, Republic Captain Wilhuff Tarkin retaining the remainder
- ‘Fractured Hand’ commended all merits of valor…..
✦
He stopped reading, he knew it by heart as it mirrored the commendations presented by his Republic superiors. “Not only were you there Tano, you were an integral part of our shared mission…” he couldn’t help saying through wavering emotion, the respect kindled through his Admirals stoic resolve as the echoes of memory screamed for attention. He could still see the sun filtering through the transparisteel, the webbing of their frames casting shadows across the rock of human flesh Barton Coburn had been. Cold calculating eyes framed by an emotionless resolve that had planted those coveted seeds of confidence and pride so far behind enemy lines. The same calm and cool-headed resolve he himself had adopted after idolizing. Audenhoen cupped a hand over his mouth before proceeding, realizing that any thought toward a unifying coincidence would be wasted effort, but not quite ready to move beyond the memories of the now ailing man that had been his benefactor since the mission.
Numerous accounts through myriad entries submitted by endless allies and staunch supporters either commented directly to the Togrutan’s unflinching character or their own personal accounts to the woman’s credit for reasons spanning the dichotomy of sentient interactions when he finally chose to proceed. In the back of Audenhoen’s mind, thoughts began to entertain his questioning nature, ones that centered specifically on the unhindered amount of data at his disposal, how it could be used or manipulated to vilify his current actions or influence his detractors. There was no logical conclusion to any of those particular avenues he decided as he moved beyond the firsthand accounts of accusatory defamation regarding the Togruta’s role in the Jedi Temple bombing incident. Brought to trials before the chancellor himself by the very Captain she had played an integral hand in helping escape Lola Sayu. ‘Interesting.’ Walker thought to himself as he continued, particularly curious over the entries involving her acquittal following the evidence supported by her own Master, again, Skywalker. “There is more than a connection there.” He said to himself softly, his mind working out multiple avenues the comment could convey.
“Director Audenhoen?” His adjutant issued over the inlaid comms device, the voice inquisitive rather than its usual brash natured directness.
“I asked not to be disturbed.” Walker replied then quickly tapped the device, turning it off outright. He concentrated on the enormity of evidence brought forward by Skywalker in support of the padawans innocence, contrary to the laughable circumstantial presentation offered by the prosecution. ‘How could, or why would perhaps, the profile of one decorated so highly at every turn be upended so quickly?’ The question should have been a common-sense defense tactic employed by the Senator that had willingly stood by the Togrutan’s side, however her focus had been to point out the circumstantial evidence and divert attention from her charge altogether. ‘Some friend…’ he thought absently.
Proceeding, Walker came across an interesting entry falling, now, outside the confines of the Jedi archives and directly into the Imperial data base:
7959.156.0936 [Seraphyx System/Mandalore Sector] (0,7)
:Seraphyx Prime/21.335
-Lithoros [Gas Giant:CL3]
-Eiskadia[M7/13]
:Tribunal crash site: No survivors: Fugitive Tano presumed deceased.
-Crest
Audenhoen wasn’t surprised. The chaos the galaxy had been plunged into that day could, and had, skewed the memories of everyone on some level. ‘Who the hell is Crest?’ He couldn’t help but shake his head, noting the immediate drop off concerning accuracy and accountability, knowing full well everything going forward would require a measured dose of skepticism. “Well miss Tano, that is one presumption you’ve proven wrong.” He said aloud again, rerailing his thoughts into a common thread, one he continued to weave meticulously into the tapestry he was creating.
7967.258.0532 [Raada: Caelia System/Thrasybule Sector]
-Elysia 31.556
-Raada [M1/1]
-Rations initiative/Supplemental: Compromised. Noted Rebel activity: Jedi Ahsoka Tano at large. Facilities neutralized:Evac complete.
‘Not only are you not dead, you can’t seem to stay in the shadows…’ The thought intrigued Audenhoen as he began to formulate his profile based on the history lesson thus far and its coincidental run in with the mutually connected moon mentioned so prominently. He couldn’t help but roll his eyes when searching the entry for its author, assuring himself then and there that accuracy would truly be beyond suspect going forward. “Or perhaps you can…” He trailed off looking quickly at the following time stamp:
7975.178.1642:[Takobo: Taris System/Ojoster Sector]
-Takobo 54.897
-Fugitive Ahsoka Tano[aka ‘Fulcrum’] sighted [subsequently escaped]
-Eldon Nakrath, Imperial Inquisitorium
‘Eight years of effective shadow work.’ Audenhoen thought, remembering the charge filtered down through Yularen’s directive to apprehend the ‘Fulcrum’ initiative in its entirety, a measure that had rocked the ISB to its core as it turned out. ‘Kallus,’ Audenhoen almost blurted out as invasive emotion began piercing the shell he had skillfully erected to prevent such things. Walker considered beginning a new search thread based on the very prominent name that had authored such a simple yet startlingly informative notation, yet held himself in check, unwilling to involve anyone else, let alone the Inquisitorium, within the folds of this particular practice.
Audenhoen began internalizing the data he had consumed thus far, noting the particular instances upon which the Togruta was mentioned so prominently in relation to the known activities for which she was suggested to be responsible. Equations that he had formulated began to wither and crumble as he continued scrolling through annotations, personal notes and associated media links involved with each entry. ‘The woman is fighting for those without a voice, despite her ability to remain elusive.’ The thought framed the erected profile in an entirely different light. Although he held fast to his own faith and beliefs concerning Imperial agendas, those tenets flowing through terms such as peace, justice and order seemed almost trivial in the face of massive starvation, homelessness and wide spread chaos, the very things he had vowed to uphold presented as polar opposites. ‘She could have hidden in the shadows and evaded any form of Imperial interest, yet she does not.’
Audenhoen was at a loss to explain it from his perspective, even through associative practices, he struggled to understand the Togrutan’s seemingly insatiable need to help others. A few entries following mentioned the very core of his deepest concerns as they were very particular when combining action with Phoenix Cell and his own, continuing, obsessions with the factories on Lothal. Although his own query didn’t mention it, the engagement over Attolon seemed to contain the same imprint, the same modus, and qualities that this newer, refined, profile was generating. Perhaps she was an unseen part of it. Walker balked at the next entry, from its textual flavor to its known false information.
7975.078.0 [Malachor: Malachor System/Chorlian Sector]
- Malachor 41.665
✦
-Anarchist/Jedi Fugitive Ahsoka Tano Deceased.
The events taking place on Attolon, distant by months from the entry, mattered little as the Togrutan was never deceased to begin with. ‘Could she have been there?’ Audenhoen thought, remembering some of the peculiarities within the strategic implementation of what should have been annihilation. He knew Thrawn was formidable, one of the Empires elite tacticians, yet even his accounts negated any mention of suspect interventions or miraculous interference, only the mutiny of one of his fleet commanders. However, he did remember an account from one of Thrawn’s own junior commanders mentioning a Mandalorian intercession that had incapacitated the gravity well projection, allowing the rebel fleet an avenue of escape. ‘Mandalorians again.’ The thought perplexed him as he closed his straining eyes to the displayed script and lifted both hands flat to the dome of his bald head. ‘What is the connection?’ He thought quickly in return, forcing his mind to bridge a relation between this particular rebel cell, the Togruta and the two Mandalorians seen in the Trunion incident some months earlier.
“Ahhhh.” Audenhoen voiced his frustration, dropping his hands to the sides of his chair and pushing himself to his feet. He stood fully erect, tugged at the hem of his uniform jacket, and turned slowly toward the view outside his office. A manufactured rain battered the transparisteel panels obscuring the abundant activity beyond them. Shadows and silhouettes raced in archaic patterns in streams of gray, black and brown, blending into a confusion of movement that lacked order or purpose. He crossed his arms before his chest, wrapping each broad hand around opposing elbow and tugged hard to stretch his shoulders, an attempt to disassociate with the visuals presented and how they mirrored the mire his thoughts were quickly becoming.
In defiance of Imperial policy, Walker Audenhoen tasked his audio output with the cold, somber trilling’s of the Ithorian A’grello. The complexities of the rich resonance at the lower register exacting the provocation of emotions he would normally keep in reserve and as far removed from his work as possible. This was something different, a path towards truth had seen to that. He closed his eyes to the wavering sounds of the haunting strings, letting them ease his mind bereft of agitation or Imperial aggravation as he sought to identify that pattern within his own thoughts. He let himself be drawn into the chords as they began incorporating the middle register in a way only an Ithorian could on the massive instrument. The moving piece that dredged up memory without thought, placed subject over object and calmed him into a fluid conduit of existential fluidity, began to flow about the room that had never been designed for acoustic versatility.
Audenhoen began to bridge the remainder of the entries he had memorized, those that had been extoled by his former assistant and shared between the two as well as those that may not have had anything to do with the Togruta at all but carried her flare if not her signature outright. He closed his eyes as he imagined himself running a Camsu Bow over the metallic cables of an A’grello himself, coursing his arm through movements far too sweeping for human anatomy. ‘Her involvement has resulted in escalation after escalation, extoling an inordinate amount of Imperial assets in their wake,’ was she so keen to destroy herself? ‘No.’ He thought quickly, her profile had proven that, ‘she is after something...or someone?’ The question made sense, but not the time frames. If she were after something in particular she wasn’t particularly good at carrying out her plans, ‘if she has even had a plan…there’s well over twenty years of history here…’
Those incidents Audenhoen had committed to memory, detailed reports of her actions as of late, were all highlighted by the incident on Nar Shadaa. Walker closed his eyes as he turned from the windows, the obfuscation of the rain only allowing confusion to manufacture itself, despite the relaxing tones of the current overture. The woman on the Hutt moon was aggressive, vile, and rife with unpredictable fury, someone, in his opinion, that would likely have no problem achieving any preset goal. ‘Which only means she doesn’t have one.’ The thought struck him as odd but legitimate.
And then there was Mustafar.
The destruction of Lord Vader’s citadel had neither the flare for which she had unknowingly created nor the signature of reason. Audenhoen held far too many suspicions regarding the official reports to believe she was the one responsible in any event as the charred ruins carried the hallmark scorching and scoring of high powered, semi close proximity, turbo laser bombardment. Only an Imperial vessel would be capable. There was no official record of Imperial involvement in the matter either which caused Audenhoen pause. He narrowed his eyes as the thought became clear, assuring himself with a thin-lipped smile that he knew of only one fleet that operated without impunity, that self-governed outside of one man, “Sylde.”
‘Ahsoka Tano,’ Audenhoen said to himself, ‘the Citadel was not your target was it, rather, its owner.’ It was the only objective that made any sense to him. He quickly retreated through the entries, noting those involved within the Malachor report. Again, a confrontation involving both Vader and Tano that had concluded with her demise, or so it was written, yet she had survived both. A lazy thought relating to Vader’s compassion was dismissed as quickly as it entered his mind, yet the thought that he had allowed her to live was undeniable. Walker’s eyes widened beyond the creases and time earned wrinkles that framed them, ‘Ambria.’ A second interpersonal but third confrontation nonetheless, subject to hazy account and ridiculous rumor, but, again, the two found themselves connected. In that moment, Audenhoen understood the silence that had accompanied both he and the Dark Lord as they sped from the planet’s surface together. ‘You faced Tano again, didn’t you.’ The thought birthed itself before he could interject reason, surprising himself with its haste. ‘What is the connection?’ He teased the cords of relation to bridge themselves, knowing he had already come across the information necessary to construct it.
Several seconds of scrolling hastily in the opposing direction, his heart beginning to beat faster in response to an elevation of adrenaline, Audenhoen found the entry he was looking for that had previously referred to both parties. ‘The Tribunal…’ He thought to himself as he focused on the scant information available, centering his attention on the Republic vessel, the time stamp itself, and more importantly, its final resting place. ‘Mandalore Sector, and roughly a year following the formation of the Galactic Empire.’ Walker quickly tasked his holoemitter with a detailed visual of the mentioned sector. He scanned the flickering display for several minutes, screwing his eyes tight to find the small system mentioned. With a flourish of screen taps he waded through a detailed zoom of the system, finding the moon, Eiskadia hovering several hundred thousand kilometers from its host Lithoros and finally highlighted the moon altogether, the sphere distinguishing itself with a contrasting red glow amidst the shades of blue.
Audenhoen could feel the blood in his veins elevate its pace as the adrenaline began to flood throughout systemically, his mind focusing with diligence to the tones of the A’grello as he stared with a curious eye at the hovering red dot. ‘I need more information.’ Walker quickly saved his progress through the data search and opened a new query window as he let the natural effects of his inquisitory mind take control.
7958.331.3[RSD Tribunal:]
-Origination: Mandalore
-High Security transport [Maul] overseen by Ahsoka Tano.
Any further information had been redacted but Audenhoen had pinpointed the information he was after in any case. The date, significant to most in the galaxy, was the final entry, that he could find, within the Galactic Republic addendum to the data base and with the origination point, Walker turned his attention back to the holoimage and tasked the emitter to display the Mandalorian home world with the same red contrast to the field of blue. Two points. Precisely what Audenhoen needed to plot trajectory. He assigned a solid red line to run straight through both red points, offering his present location as terminus. With that information locked away mentally, he began assessing the only other information available. ‘What were you doing overseeing transport of a Force sensitive crime lord, fugitive Tano?’ He thought, noting earlier that the Togruta had voluntarily left the Jedi Order outright. The answer transcended his own question however as memory served itself with a fresh reminders of the Mandalorian plight prior to Imperial inception, and again the Togruta’s involvement regarding another mention of the Mandalorian home world.
To Audenhoen, the bridges of connectivity just seemed to exist without any mental prodding whatsoever. Whatever sentiment Ahsoka beheld the people of Mandalore, it was apparent they meant a great deal to her and had in fact saved them from themselves as history was the only witness necessary. Those bridges widening with her infusion and association with Phoenix Squadron, the Wren girl in particular, and again, Lothal. Returning to the previous entry regarding ‘Tribunal,’ he noted the recording name again, ‘Crest,’ and overlaid a new query with detailing parameters that could extend the significance of the Tribunal entry at that particular time:
Crest:[CT-33-7887]:Lt. 501st Batt.
-[Company Recorder]
“Ok…” He said aloud, lost as he was in his own thoughts and mind, the voice sounded out of place and only then realized the dulcet tones of the A’grello had ended some time ago. Audenhoen shook off the useless thought and focused on the Five O One, ‘Vader…’ The coincidences were no longer that for the man, ‘Search and rescue would not have been assigned so late, this was a personal mission.’ Again, the connections were making themselves as he sat back in his chair, resting his head against the plush high-backed cushion. Vader had never offered so much devotion to anything outside of their Emperor, what makes this Togruta different. ‘Has she changed?’ Audenhoen asked himself as he mentally reviewed the very particular profile he had formulated. ‘Not one bit.’ “Then….wha….” he began as shock and revelation fired through his body, his subconscious mind congratulating the marriage of thought and reality with an overwhelming wave of euphoric ecstasy while at the same time churning his stomach with a raging nausea as that reality began to sink in. ‘Skywalker…’ he knew to keep the thought internal, knew to keep his mouth shut at all costs, despite his own assurances that the room was free of electronic intrusion. This level of knowledge could get him killed.
Audenhoen took quick action to clean up his work space as he powered down each tasked device only after efficiently scrubbing all of the information from their records. What was learned would only remain locked safely away in the confines of his own mind. In the silence that followed, he could only stare ahead of him at the crimson wall adjacent the long hallway to the outer doors. The bridge that he sought was one built very unexpectedly, almost traumatic in light of its significance and possible effects. ‘Master and Apprentice.’ He thought, understanding the urgency her apprehension was with every sighting, how she would remain a priority until such time, and the obsessive nature of both the Emperor and Lord Vader. One who would defy death, in spite of the very course nature took, could be his Dragon.
Audenhoen was abruptly startled out of his thoughts by a small blinking green light on his desk and three slight raps on the office doors. He quickly composed himself, running a hand over his face and the dome of his head to wipe away the droplets of sweat that had accumulated through his revelation. He depressed the button that accompanied the green light upon his desk top, “Enter.” He said, his voice edged with a defiance he did not intend as he pushed himself to his feet again, ‘I don’t even remember sitting down…’ the thought struck him as peculiar given its timing but had been through his mental practices enough to realize that it didn’t matter.
“Director...I have been trying to reach you…” His adjutant adjusted his inflection to catch up with his breath.
“As I have stated more than once, I wish not to be disturbed.” Audenhoen rebutted, his voice straining against the will to convey that same defiance.
“Of course, Sir...its Former Director Coburn Sir….” The man labored, ‘had he run from another floor,’ Audenhoen thought, his investigatory mind refusing to shut down.
“Yes?” Audenhoen dropped the defiance altogether, the mention of his protege eliciting a natural calm demeanor.
“Sir...he’s passed away.” The adjutant responded, his hands on his knees in support of the lunging effort to draw breath.
Audenhoen turned to face the rain pelted concavity of the transparisteel panels, the movement beyond resembling the tumult within him. Anger rose irrationally, followed by a remorse that nearly took his feet from under him. The two emotions battling for supremacy before his mind interceded and restored a natural order to the internal chaos. He felt a welling in the ducts beside his eyes but refused to elicit the response that was sure to follow in front of anyone else. “Has the scene been disturbed?” He asked politely, turning to face the young man that wasn’t laboring for breath at all but fighting the same battle he was, and losing. “Compose yourself Kinsey...has the scene been disturbed?” He asked again.
“The scene?” His adjutant replied, his lips quivering with the sorrow he clearly felt but turning into a light smile upon hearing his name.
“Yes, Kinsey, the scene. We both know the man was in declining health but was far removed from anything so simple as natural causes.”
“Of course, Sir...no the ‘scene’ has not been disturbed, only observed by the housekeeping staff, and reported directly to me.” Kinsey returned, wiping away offending tears as he stood up straight.
“How long ago?” Audenhoen asked, staring into the adjutant’s eyes.
“When I first paged you Sir, minutes.”
Audenhoen continued his stare, making up his mind on the spot, “get a transport ready for us, and contact your backup...your coming with me.”