Seeking Ahsoka

The Mission


            Torel Janks was excited to be assisting Tortai Haar on a very important assignment. After two years on the desolate mountainous world of Tergaluis Eight, completing his Jedi training, he felt that he was ready to go out and apply his master’s lessons. His master, Cyrano Hermange agreed, giving him his approval to leave and assist the togrutan rebel agent on her mission. Torel was also glad to see an old friend again, having not heard from Tortai since he went to Tergaluis. As the old Theta-class shuttle traveled toward their destination at light speed, she did some catching up with him.

              “I just can’t get over how big and powerful you’ve gotten,” Tortai smiled. “Kaalia would be very proud of you.”

               “I doubt that,” Torel grabbed a stick of Rycrit meat from the consumables pack. “You know how little she thinks of the Jedi.”

              “Yeah, but she liked you and wanted all the best for your training.” Tortai giggled. “She was even thinking of coming back and getting you to use your powers to help her in her smuggling.”

              “Well, she can forget it,” Torel took a bite. “I had a good run with her as her co-pilot, but now that I’ve completed my master’s training, I shall use my powers to fight the dark side. Not just for someone’s personal profit.”

               “Wow, even your attitude has become more forceful,” Tortai grinned. “I could only imagine how Kaalia would react.”

               “I think she might be impressed,” Torel cockily smiled. “She’d probably say that I’ve finally come out of my shell. Not that I mind the chit chat, but I think it’s time we got down to business, mind telling me what this assignments about?”  

              “Not at all,” Tortai folded her arms. “The Alliance has been searching for a former Jedi commander named Ahsoka Tano that served during the Clone Wars; she’s an experienced military tactician and a powerful Jedi that could prove useful to our cause. She currently goes under the alias Lyma Varness and it’s been reported that she was last seen working as a spacecraft mechanic on the backwater world of Gelpto. We don’t have much else on her at this time since most of her records were deleted by the Empire. My job is to seek her out and try to get her to join our cause.”

               “Ahsoka Tano,” Torel snapped his fingers. “She was that togrutan Jedi, the one that was Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan until she left the Order after the Jedi Temple bombing.”

                “The very same, the leaders of the Alliance believe that she would be a valuable asset in rebuilding the Jedi Order.”

                 “Ok, so why did you need to bring me along?” Torel asked. “From what I’ve heard about Ahsoka, she was always willing to fight for a noble cause.”    

                 “Back when she was younger, she was. But there’s speculation that ever since she left the Jedi Order, she might be disenchanted with the Jedi and resistant to fight,” Tortai looked at him with her blue eyes. “I figured that maybe if I brought a long a young Jedi, it could give her a little hope. Besides, I thought maybe you would like to come along and meet an old famous Jedi.”

                “I would, I definitely would,” Torel smiled as he finished his rycrit. “I’m just wondering what my role is on this assignment.”

                “All you have to do is stand there and be my young Jedi defender and let me do all the talking.” Tortai crossed her legs and leaned back.

                “Will do.” Torel saluted her.

                 It was a bit of a change to see Tortai like she was. She was more professionally dressed than normal wearing a dark green uniform with slacks, a matching blouse with a red Rebel Alliance symbol stitched on the right shoulder and black boots. Of course, Tortai was a bit taken a back herself when she saw Torel in his dark brown Jedi robes. She just couldn’t seem to get over how muscular he’d gotten from all his training, making him feel a tad awkward by feeling his right bicep when she’d first saw him back on Tergaluis. But Torel knew she couldn’t help it; she’d always been one of those excitable types, especially around her closest friends and family.

                  As the shuttle dropped out of hyperspace, they moved to the cockpit and observed the lush green sphere that was agricultural planet of Gelpto. The mirialan captain handled communications while Torel helped him land the ship at the planet’s only spaceport. As they were vectored for approached, Torel couldn’t help but note how much farmland there was, there were even crops growing inside the spaceport.

                  “It is part of the Imperial directive,” Tortai told him as she pulled the hood of her cloak over her montrals. “This planet is to remain an agricultural colony and provide food to citizens of the Empire. It’s a deal the leaders made to prevent a Garrison of storm troopers from being stationed here. It’s a pretty rotten deal considering they barely have enough food to feed themselves now. Unfortunately, we aren’t here to fix their politics; we have our own mission to accomplish.”

                  “Right,” Torel stood up and pulled the hood up on his Jedi robes. “Hopefully the Rebel Alliance will come someday and free this planet from Palpatine’s oppressive grip.”

                 “One can hope,” Tortai smiled and then turned to the mirialan male in the captain’s seat. “Stay with the ship, Captain Geroff, we should be back within half an hour.”

                “Yes, Ma’am.” The captain nodded to her.

                 With that, Torel and Tortai departed the ship. The data Tortai had acquired from the Rebels that said the former Jedi was working at a small personal spacecraft shop on the other side of the spaceport. They went to the shop, hoping they would catch her there. They found the shop a short ways from landing pad. It was a small block building with slightly chipped paint. They went in and found a dreary dimly lit office. An average sized, orange skinned togrutan female stood at a desk on the opposite side of the office, she looked very similar to Tortai except that her lekku extended all the way to her waist. She was dressed in a dark blue jumpsuit that was covered in grease stains. She looked up to them and Torel instantly recognized her as Ahsoka Tano from her distinct facial markings, but he kept quiet so he wouldn’t give away her identity.

                “Hi,” The former Jedi grinned, setting down some paperwork. “Is there anything I can help you with?”

                “Are you Lyma Varness?” Tortai asked her.


                “I sure am; who are you?”

                “My name’s Tortai Haar,” She motioned to Torel. “And this is my Jedi escort, Torel Janks. We’re from the Alliance to Restore the Republic. We know who you really are and have come to recruit you to our cause.”
The former Jedi let out a long sigh.

                 “So, another group of idealists wants me to help them out, huh?” She shook her head. “I’m sorry, but my fighting days are over.”

                 “Miss Varness the galaxy is in a bad way,” Tortai insisted. “The Alliance is doing all it can to battle the Empire, but we need more help. You were a highly respected Jedi commander during the Clone Wars; we could really use your skills.”

                 “Forget it,” Varness grabbed the papers and filed them into a drawer, slamming the drawer shut. “I gave up being a Jedi for a very good reason. I don’t intend to go back on that decision.”

                “But the dark side has nearly encompassed the entire galaxy,” Tortai argued back. “And the Empire is hunting for you.”

                “Don’t you think I know that,” The mechanic gnashed her teeth. “That’s why I came out here, to get away from all the patrols, all the evil, and all you foolish idealists who think that I can actually help make a difference!”

                “Miss Varness, please,” Tortai motioned for her to calm down. “I understand that you’ve been through a lot…”

                “You can’t even begin to understand what I’ve been through!” The former Jedi shouted, interrupting her. “All those years I gave loyally serving the Jedi Order and the Republic during the Clone Wars, fighting off countless waves of battle droids, risking my life on multiple occasions, having to escape capture more times than I can remember and what do I get for it? The Order banishes me and the Republic puts me on trial for crimes I didn’t even commit! Not to mention the fact I was betrayed by my best friend and my master…” She whimpered a little. “My master… he turned to the dark side. I wanted to stop him, but by the time I sensed the shift in the force I was light years away from Coruscant. All I could do then was go into hiding. When the Purge started, I was completely finished as a Jedi and I haven’t looked back since.”

                  “I-I had no idea about your master.” Tortai stuttered.

                  “Of course you didn’t,” Varness snapped. "It was covered up after the Emperor deemed the Jedi enemies of the Republic. That’s why I’m out here, away from it all. My job may not be as glamorous as being a Jedi, but it is good honest work that has to be done by someone. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got more important matters to attend to.”

                    As the former Jedi walked toward the door to the hangar, Torel couldn’t help but feel sorry for Tortai. It was the first time ever that he’d seen her completely hopeless and defeated. He knew he wasn’t supposed to say anything, but he just couldn’t let someone who held the morals of the Jedi so close to her heart slip into obscurity without saying something.

                    “Miss Varness,” He stepped toward her as the door slid open. “I sense your feelings, you feel as if there’s nothing more you can do. That since your master turned the dark side; there is no possible chance to overcome it. But there is hope, and it’s only if the Jedi that are still strong enough to fight band together to release galaxy from the evil of the Sith.”

                     She stopped and leaned against the door frame, but said nothing.

                    “I also sense a strong connection to your former master Anakin. I understand you learned a lot from him and formed a strong bond with him, but you can’t let your emotions cloud your judgment. My master has taught me all he knows in the ways of the force. I’m eternally grateful to him for that, but I know he wouldn’t want my bond with him to cloud my thoughts.  He also taught me that it’s every Jedi’s duty to do what they can to defend the innocent from the evils of the dark side. I know I’ll never be able to understand what you’ve been through, but I do know that as a Jedi, I must stand up for what’s right and restore peace to the galaxy. I know that you feel the same way, even if you won’t admit it.”
   
                      Tortai looked at him in total shock, obviously not expecting such a speech from the young Jedi. Varness just leaned her head into her right hand, seemingly unresponsive.

                    “I guess we’ll be going now,” Torel nodded to Tortai. “I’m sorry if we wasted your time, Miss Varness.”

                   They turned to leave.

                  “Wait,” Varness finally spoke up.

                  They turned around and found the togrutan Jedi standing up, smiling.

                 “The force is strong with you, young man,” She approached him. “Whoever trained you must be a wise man. There may be hope for the Jedi after all.”

                     “So, you’ll join the Alliance?” Tortai asked.

                     “Why not,” She turned to her. “I actually have some experience aiding freedom fighters. If there are more Jedi like him out there, you guys might actually stand a fighting chance.”

                    “Splendid,” Tortai smiled and extended her hand. “Glad to have you on our side, Miss Varness.”

                      “Please, call me Ahsoka,” She smiled, shaking her hand. “I was actually getting tired of that alias.”

                      Ahsoka then unzipped her jumpsuit, unveiling her gray tank top and green shorts. She slipped off her sneakers, pulled off the jumpsuit and put it on the desk.

          “Well,” Ahsoka patted them both on the shoulder. “Let’s go, we have a Rebellion to support.”

           Disbelief

            Tortai was shocked as she boarded the ship with Torel Janks and Ahsoka Tano. The togrutan Jedi had been one of Tortai’s idols growing up, now that she was coming to join the Alliance, Tortai was elated. When they got the Rebel planetoid base out near Florrum, she walked Ahsoka to her quarters as Torel went to explore the hangar.

                  “It’s a real honor to meet you, Ahsoka.” Tortai smiled as they walked the halls. “I idolized you growing up back on Shili; you were one of my favorite Jedi. I studied about all your exploits during the Clone Wars. You truly are a credit to our species.”

                    “Thank you,” Ahsoka smiled back. “From what I’ve heard about you, you’re not doing half bad yourself.”

                    “I do what I can,” Tortai shrugged. “I’m surprised you’ve actually heard anything about me, I haven’t gone by my real name on an official Imperial document in over five years.”

                    “Maybe not, but they certainly haven’t forgotten about you. I’m actually quite impressed with your ability to change your face.”

                   “That’s nothing,” Tortai chuckled. “Just some face paint, a different pattern and I’m a whole new person. Although I fear that one day I may  run out of faces.”

                     “I’m sure you won’t, you seem quite clever.” Ahsoka told her.

                     “Yeah, but I’m nowhere as a clever as you are,” Tortai smiled. “I was really impressed with your work on Onderon, especially since I’m now a part of a rebel group myself. ”

                      “That was a harrowing experience.” Ahsoka stated emphatically as they stopped outside her room. “Speaking of Onderon, do you know whatever became of Lux Bonteri?”

                       “He died shortly after the Clone Wars ended,” Tortai sighed. “He left the senate to try and defend his home world from Imperial invasion. He was killed during the opening battle at Iziz. Palpatine tried to brand him as a traitor, but everybody that had any sense knew he died trying to protect his planet from the subjection of the Galactic Empire.”

                       “Hmm,” Ahsoka somberly bowed her head. “Well, at least he died honorably. Thanks for everything, Tortai.”

                      “My pleasure, Ahsoka,” Tortai shook her hand. “I’ll see you around. May the force be with you.”

                      As Tortai departed from Ahsoka’s quarters, she felt glad that her childhood hero was now out of the shadows. Despite all the tragedy she was now facing, Tortai knew that in time, Ahsoka would gather her thoughts and become a valuable asset to the Alliance.

        Moving On

                            After a week of private meditation, Ahsoka Tano was finally coming to terms over her former master. She knew could never completely break herself of the bond she’d shared with Anakin, but she did her best to remember him from the times before he’d gone to the dark side. When she was his Padawan and had educated her in the ways of the force. For the first time in years, she actually let herself relax and accept the spirit of the Force again. She changed into a loose fitting knee length gray dress with her purple Togruta sash and black boots, picked up her original light saber which Tortai had given her and decided to help the young Jedi Torel Janks further his training. For the next couple days, they went to the battle simulator room and practiced their light saber technique. She found Torel to be a formidable opponent, but managed to best him in every duel.

                       “Your master has taught you well, young Janks,” Ahsoka smirked as she shut-off her green light saber. “But you’ll never be able to out duel me.”

                       “Oh, I know that,” Torel said, turning his blue light saber off. “I’m just trying to learn combat form from a more experienced Jedi.”

                      “A wise choice on your part, Torel, there’s nothing like learning from the best,” Ahsoka nodded. “What did you say your master’s name was?”

                      “Cyrano Hermange.” Torel said.

                      “Huh, can’t say that I heard of him.”

                      “He did a lot of undercover missions deep in Confederate space,” Torel stated. “When the Purge started, he was so far undercover that he was able to slip away virtually unnoticed. He hid out on Tergaluis Eight in complete solitude for fifteen years until I showed up.”

                      “That’s an awful lot of waiting.” Ahsoka’s eyes widened.

                         "Yup,” Torel grinned. “But when I completed his training, he said it had all been worth it.”

                         “He would be proud in how well you’ve applied his lessons,” Ahsoka motioned to the door. “C’mon, let’s go get something to eat.”
They walked out into the hall and headed toward the cafeteria.

                         “What of your master?” Torel asked. “What was it like training with Anakin Skywalker, before he turned to the dark side?”

                         “He was an interesting man,” Ahsoka smiled. “I think you’d have liked him. Most of the people we met did, he had a charm about him that a lot of people seemed to take to. He was also very daring and adventurous; he was constantly on the move. He was certainly a man with a lot of character. I learned a lot of valuable life lessons from him as well as the ways of the force.”

                          “And now, you believe the ‘Chosen One’ has become Darth Vader?”

                         “Sadly, I know this to be true,” Ahsoka closed her eyes. “He was the only Jedi strong enough to cause such a shift in the balance in the force. It’s the main reason I disconnected myself from the force, I didn’t want him to find me. I was afraid he would come to turn me to the dark side and I’d forced to kill him, or be killed by him.”

                         “Crazy,” Torel shook his head. “I always heard Anakin had died when the Jedi were ‘overthrowing’ the Republic. I had no Idea that he’d become Palpatine’s apprentice.”

                         “That’s probably because that lousy old man hid that fact to further his hold over the galaxy,” Ahsoka fumed. “The Council had always been suspicious of my master’s relationship with the Palpatine. I only wish that someone had acted earlier and prevented that creep from manipulating Anakin into becoming his apprentice.”

                         “Dang,” Torel shook his head. “It’s no wonder why you distanced yourself from the force; I couldn’t imagine how I would deal with something like that.”

                        “It’s been rough,” Ahsoka gave him a reassuring grin. “But I’m coping with it a little better every day. It helps to remember all the lessons he taught me when I was his Padawan.”

                        “That’s good to hear,” Torel stated excitedly. “Someday, with our combined efforts, we could begin to fight the Empire and free the galaxy for the grip of the dark side!”
 
                          “Someday,” Ahsoka patted him on the back. “But be patient, young Jedi, we must let clear heads prevail if we are to defeat the Sith.”

                       “That is very true.” Torel smiled as they entered the cafeteria. “You’ve certainly become a lot wiser with age.”

                        “I don’t know about that.” Ahsoka chuckled. “I just know there’s a time for everything young man, and now it’s time to eat, not talk about war.”

                         Torel agreed and they went to go eat.