It's Commander Tano, Not Padawan

Chapter 16

It was only once Tup was safely transferred into the care of the Kaminoan doctors did Ahsoka allow herself to breath.

Sure, she may not trust the beings to be decent people, but Ahsoka knew, as far clones were concerned, the Kaminoans wouldn't let anything happen to their property.

Standing out in her traditional brown robes and colourful skin, Master Ti had appeared surprised to see her, seemingly caught off balance and unsure what to do with herself, if only for the briefest of moments.

Ahsoka wanted to think it had to do with the medical gown she had been forced into after her wound had been in need of rewrapping due to her aggressive defense of Tup.

However, the Commander was aware it was likely because it was her – the lost Jedi who had forsaken her path in the Order to fight like a common solider in the intergalactic war.

Thanks for giving her a heads-up, Anakin.

"Padawan Tano," the older woman said, greeting her in that soothing, accented voice.

Ahsoka bit the side of her cheek hard enough to taste blood. Now was not the time to correct her mistake, though the title gouged her like a blade between the ribs, seeking to contribute its own engraving to the still fresh gashes on her heart.

As the only Togruta Master, she had made it possible for Ahsoka to participate in their sacred cultural rite of passage in slaying the Akul.

Another bond broken.

Not now.

"Master Ti."

"I see you are up and doing well." The Master made her observation like a question, seeking some form of an explanation from the injured woman as they began following her down the sterile, white halls of the facility.

Her side still pulsed pain, but it was easier to ignore as the bacta did its job. Plus, the few hours of rest she had gotten while in hyperspace certainly had helped.

Ahsoka inclined her head, agreeing. "Yes. The Force had warned me that something was happening with Tup even before the battle began. I was fortunate enough to have been somewhat prepared. Paired with Fives' alert, I had enough time to shove him away and he missed."

Well, kind of missed. At least it wasn't my head.

"Hmm," she hummed, worry marring her typically serene face. "The Force... warned you?"

If she was getting at the idea that Ahsoka, on leaving the Order, was suddenly cut off from the Force, the younger woman wasn't sure what she would say. The notion was ridiculous and illogical. A sentient didn't have to be a Jedi to connect with the Force. That was a well-known fact.

"Yes, Master," Ahsoka said blankly, any resentment tightly restrained within her mind as she tried to give the General the benefit of the doubt.

"Curious. Is there anything else that we should take note of, Padawan?"

Commander. I am not a Padawan.

That time, she had to physically bite her tongue before she answered, digging her nails into the calloused palm of her hand, allowing the pain of the crescents she was creating to focus her.

"There is – When I first felt something off about Tup, I let myself enter the Force plane for a short period. In that time, I saw his Force signature waver. It was still technically him, but vital parts of his being were gone. This leads me to believe that this is not a virus or Separatist plot, but something more... sinister."