Ahsoka Tano - Undeserving

7

The wind swept past Ahsoka, ruffling her skirt the slightest bit. Her orange palms were planted against the ground and her legs were crossed in front of her, and she breathed in deep and slow. Her eyelids flitted closed and she disappeared into the sounds around her that were once so overwhelming. The padawan had acclimated quickly to the jungle ambiance, so much so that now it was almost comforting.

Their trio had waited for approximately four hours before the rest of the clones had arrived, and then their trek to the rendezvous point with her master was another two hour journey. Originally Krell and Skywalker had decided to only meet up for the attack, but then decided against it and wanted to meet beforehand to discuss plans and iron out any kinks in their battle strategy. Because Krell was on the other side of the stronghold from them, they decided to meet in the middle.

The rest of the 501st had beat them to it; Ahsoka could spot the subtle camp from a parsec away. Luckily they were shrouded by dense jungle so the stronghold wouldn't detect them, so once she settled in she decided to meditate until her own battalion arrived. She wished she was looking forward to it.

The sun set slowly, and right at dusk Ahsoka felt his presence. She suppressed a shiver and stood up, rolling out her shoulders and bracing herself. Her vacation was about to be cut short.

Anakin walked forward with Rex, approaching Krell and his captain. Ahsoka followed close behind, standing next to Rex and giving her master a hint of a smile and nod that he ignored. "General Skywalker, Captain." He looked down at Ahsoka. "Padawan."

"Master Krell." Anakin responded warmly. "We're glad you could make it."

"Of course, far be it from me to delay an attack." The Besalisk clasped both pairs of hands behind his back. "Shall we?"

Anakin, Rex, Krell, and his captain all walked away while the rest of the battalion dispersed and talked amongst the 501st. Ahsoka took a moment, then followed them, knuckles white and clasped together behind her back.

A large flat rock acting as a table for the group laid alone, away from the rest of the clones. Anakin approached first, followed by Krell who stood on the opposite end of the table. Their two captains accompanied them, and Ahsoka stood between the two once she arrived.

"So," Krell began, placing a holoprojector on the table with one of his arms and displaying the layout of the stronghold. "As we discussed, this tower has two main entrances: a hangar several levels above ground, and a ground entrance. Both are guarded, however the hangar entrance is less so. Skywalker, your battalion will be in charge of distraction at the ground level while my troops will enter through the hangar. I will also lend you half of my battalion, as you will need it."

Anakin nodded and Ahsoka perked up, hoping that she would be a part of that battalion. However, her hopes were dashed immediately. "I will take care of the infiltration, along with my padawan."

"Understood, I'll prepare my troops immediately." Skywalker and Rex exited the immediate area, and Ahsoka felt her nerves rise as she was alone with her master for the first time in a few days.

A few moments of silence followed, with Ahsoka growing more and more tense as they passed. Her master stared down at her with a grim frown, the only expression he seemed to know how to make. A subtle but gruff grunt escaped him and Ahsoka winced instinctively.

"I assume your trek here was uneventful."

"Yes, Master."

"Good. You will need to be ready for tomorrow. Go get some rest."

Ahsoka nodded, slightly surprised. Then again, she had done quite a bit of walking that day. She just wasn't expecting him to care. "Yes, Master."