Forgotten Emotions- A Star Wars Story (Part 1)

Chapter 7: A Distant Echo

// Yes, I know this is one of the Clone Wars episode titles. I couldn't think of anything else. //

"Go, go go! Get to the Marauder!" Hunter yelled at Rex, carrying Echo over his shoulder.

"What about you?" he asked.

"We'll hold them off! We have two Jedi! Just get Echo to safety!" Crosshair collapsed on the ground in fear of the young Togruta Jedi. "And maybe Crosshair, too."

"Why spare the creep?" Ahsoka asked sarcastically, deflecting the blaster bolts back at the droids.

"We can't fight anymore! We have to get on the Marauder !" Anakin shouted.

The rest of the fighters booked it back to the ship. Tech hopped in the pilot's seat and tried to take off. Anakin rushed to the cockpit.

"Need some help from the best pilot in the Galaxy?" Anakin said, nearly tripping in his entrance.

"Some help would be nice," Tech said as Anakin sat down in the co-pilot's chair.
"It's okay, Crosshair. I'm not going to try to-" Ahsoka tried.

"Stay away from me!" he hissed.

"Now you know how I feel everytime you called me 'sweetheart'. You wouldn't survive a day in the Coruscant Underworld. That's why I have to stand up for the people who are innocent victims of what I saw in your mind, that you wanted to do to me. I won't get you executed or anything, we're friends now." She winked and left him to think.

"C...Commander? Y...You came for me?" Echo mumbled.

"Of course, Echo. Let's get you back on the right side," she chuckled. "I told you, Rex. It all worked out. Now, let's go home."

"Entering hyperspace," Tech called from the cockpit.

"Master, I need to talk to you."

"Of course, Soka." Tech excused himself to allow them to talk in private.

"I'm not sure I'm ready for the trials. The night before the mission, I had a dream. The last test was...complicated. A bomb had gone off on a transport. I had one choice. I had to chase the bomber, but that would kill all the people on the landing platform. I...I couldn't choose. Jedi aren't supposed to kill. We're supposed to be protectors of peace. If the Jedi want me to be a murderous puppet, I can't stay." She drew into a ball, sitting in the chair.

"Ahsoka, I know that you are ready to take the trials. You have every skill of a Jedi Knight. And I know that you will stand up for peace, it's what you're already doing. I believe in you, Ahsoka. You just have to believe in yourself."

"Thank you, Skyguy. I know what I need to do now." She hugged him tight, feeling herself melt into him.

"We're back over Annaxes. Better get the boys," Anakin said, sadly breaking away from the hug. He left Ahsoka in the cockpit. Hunter came in.

"Sorry to disturb, the ship won't land itself." Ahsoka slowly nodded. "Are you okay?" Hunter asked.

"I have something difficult to do, but I don't think I have the strength," she quietly sobbed.

"I'm probably not the best person for this counseling business, but I've always found that you have the strength, you just need to use it," Hunter said, putting his hand on her shoulder.

"Thank you, Hunter. Not everyone acknowledges how good of a friend you are. You're a wonderful soldier. Your squad is lucky to have you," she said, wiping tears from her eyes. "We had better land the ship, then." Hunter was speechless, not prepared for what Ahsoka had to say.

"I'm glad I get to call you a friend," he stammered.

"Me too," she said, leaving the cockpit.

"Soka, we've got company," Anakin called from outside the ship. She descended the stairs to see Obi-Wan and Master Windu, arms crossed.

"Mast-" Anakin tried, but General Windu held up his hand.

"Did you rescue Echo?" he asked.

"Um, yes sir, he's on board and needs immediate medical attention," Anakin stuttered. Ahsoka stayed silent, hiding behind her Master.

"I expect a full mission report by 1800," he said before walking away.

"You did it, Anakin. Let's get Echo into recovery," Obi-Wan said, helping Rex and Echo.

"Amazing job, Sergeant. Your team did good," Anakin congratulated Hunter. "You'll always be welcome alongside the 501st."

"If you can survive one night," Ahsoka commented.

"Very funny, Snips," Anakin said. "Sorry to keep this short, but we have a call to make, and a lot of people to talk to." He waved along his Padawan.

"Clone barracks, or the medics?" Ahsoka asked.

"I have a call to make first. She's been waiting on me," he whispered back. They slipped into their room and set down the comm. Ahsoka hid, waiting for Anakin's signal.

"Hey, honey. I know, I'm late again," Anakin greeted.

"Oh, Ani. Aren't you always?"

"We just got back from our mission," Anakin waved Ahsoka closer. She stepped to be next to Anakin.

"Does she know everything?" Padme asked.

"Yes, and apparently, so does the 501st. And Obi-Wan," he grumbled. Padme dropped her drink in shock.

"No one would know! Anakin, you gotta stop kissing your secret wife in public!" Ahsoka complained.

"Yeah, we heard," Anakin grumbled back. "In other news, Echo's back. Rex was right."

"Are you glad you believed in him?"

"Yes. We should be done on Annaxes and headed back to Coruscant tomorrow," Anakin said.

"Then you two should get some sleep. You should be exhausted," Padme chuckled.

"Yeah, you're right. Goodnight love."

"Goodnight. Sweet dreams, Soka."

"Goodnight, mum. No, wait, ugh!" she shut off the comm, blushing. "That's the second time that's happened," Ahsoka grumbled under her breath.

"Goodnight, Soka," Anakin said, turning out the lights.