Ahsoka, Daughter of the Light, Book 7: Hunt

Chapter 1: Setting Things Up

AHSOKA TANO-BONTERI

These leads were big, and couldn't be ignored. Not only had the Inquisitors found a Jedi, but they had also found some potential force-sensitives.

Of course, the New Jedi Order had Bail Organa and his network of spies to thank for managing to intercept this vital information. Ahsoka couldn't thank the kind Senator enough.

But of course, there was still a tough call to make: Would Ahsoka go to Shili and pursue the leads there, or would she try to retrieve the Jedi on Bracca? Of course, it wasn't like they couldn't accomplish both. There were plenty of other Jedi that could take the missions, but few of them were as powerful or as skilled as Ahsoka. Whichever mission was the hardest, Ahsoka would have to take it. And she already knew what mission she was going to take up, as the plan formed in her mind.

Ahsoka walked at a hurried pace. If she was to act on Bracca, they would have to be quick. The Inquisitors would be much more urgent in trying to catch an at least partially-trained Jedi than they would a freedom fighter or a royal baby.

She quickly thought of who could take the mission. One name that came to mind was Master Quinlain Vos, but he wasn't around, and probably couldn't make it in time. Despite Ahsoka's insistence, the Jedi master wasn't around much. But maybe it was for the better. He was very skilled at smuggling younglings across the galaxy and leading them to the New Jedi Order. In fact, that's what he did even prior to learning of the New Jedi Order, before uneventfully bumping into an Organa contact who told him of its existence.

She continued going through her mental list.

Lux? No, he'd want to come with her. Morra Sevarro? No, just came back injured from another mission. Huk Mar? No, he was much happier with Jocasta Nu's old job with the Archives.

Then, she landed on some names that were available. Quickly, Ahsoka changed course to one of their nearby quarters.

Finally, she came to her destination. On the door that was in front of her, there was a little sign held up that read "MEDITATING, DO NOT DISTURB."

This lead wasn't going to wait for Verla to finish her meditation session. She knocked on the door to her quarters.

A few seconds later, the door slid open.

"Verla," Ahsoka said.

"Master Tano?" Verla replied. "I take it this is urgent, you aren't one to interrupt meditation sessions. I would've taken your knock for that of an annoying Youngling, had I not sensed your presence."

"I have something for you, a lead we might want to follow up on."

"You're sending me on a mission?"

"If your training has showed me anything, it's that you're a very promising Jedi."

"I've only just become a Knight," Verla replied. "I'm not ready for a solo mission yet."

"I never said it would be solo. Your old master will be coming with you."

"Master Gladal?" Verla replied.

She was referring to the Jedi Master who had taken her in as his padawan after she was retrieved from Mon Cala. Fenhet Gladal, a male Caskadag, was a Jedi Knight who had escaped with Ahsoka and a lot of others on the Crucible during the Jedi Purge, and was given the rank of Jedi Master at the same time Verla was knighted after he showed immense skill during his close escape on Denon, when he and Verla managed to rescue the Arcona Jedi Roag Von.

Much like Verla's previous "master," Ferren Barr, Master Gladal was known for being an idealist who supported a people's uprising against the Empire. However, he draws the line well before things like Barr's plot to instigate an uprising on Mon Cala, knowing full well it will result in orbital bombardment and his own death at the hands of Darth Vader.