Redemption

Plans

Hera is captured on Lothal. Kanan arranges her rescue. The Ghost meets them on top of the fuel depot in the capital city. Governor Pryce fires at them from her AT-AT walker. Kanan uses the Force to shield the other Spectres from the explosion. His eyes are clear as he pushes the ship away and allows the fire to consume him. Hera cries out but it's too late.

Ahsoka awoke with a gasp. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and began to roll up her sleeping mat.

"Awake, you are, yes?" Master Yoda called from the kitchen.

"Yes," Ahsoka responded shakily.

"Hm. Bad dreams, were they?"

Not exactly. Just another reminder of how much pressure is on me.

"Sort of. But I think I know what I have to do next."

"Next is breakfast."

She chuckled.

After breakfast, Ahsoka prepared to depart the planet.

"Luck, I wish you, Ahsoka."

"And I, you, Master."

They smile and wave at each other before Ahsoka ascends the ramp of the Phantom.

She plotted a course for Atollon. It had seemed a pretty permanent Rebellion base so she figured she could meet up with everyone and return the Phantom once she got there.

She turned on autopilot and grabbed a spare datapad. She had to meticulously plan every aspect of preventing Kanan's death. She began by writing everything she knew from her visions and the World Between Worlds.

Hera gets captured. Kanan gets a haircut and rescues her. They escape the prison and climb onto the fuel tanks. Governor Pryce shows up with a couple AT-AT walkers and fires on them, destroying the fuel depot and subsequently Lothal's economy (note: Governor Pryce is not a very good governor).

Ahsoka paused. She didn't want to write about Kanan's potential demise. Besides, all she really needed to do was stop Pryce from firing on them. The best way to do that was to hijack the walkers, right? It was what Anakin would have done.

"I'll be distracting the imps so Kanan and Hera can escape but I'll need to escape, too. I can't exactly park the Phantom on a nearby roof," Ahsoka mused aloud.

Ahsoka sighed. I wish Artoo was here.

"Wait! That's it! I can get an astromech!"

She sincerely hoped they had a spare droid on at Chopper Base on Atollon.

They didn't. There was nothing but scorch marks and empty buildings.

"What happened here?"

Ahsoka felt a strong presence in the Force respond to her question.

Bendu.

She had met him, once, before Malachor. Ahsoka set off, following his presence. The krykna thankfully didn't bother her.

Once she came upon an innocent-looking cave, she paused. The presence was much stronger here.

"Bendu?" Ahsoka called.

The cave started to move and pretty soon, Bendu's face could clearly be seen.

"Ahsoka Tano," he greeted. "Did your time on Malachor change you?"

"You're the one who said I would change. Have a guess," she deadpanned.

Bendu chuckled. "I believe I was correct."

"So. Where is everyone?"

"Grand Admiral Thrawn attacked my home so I sent his fleet away. Your friends escaped as I expelled the Empire from my planet."

"You wouldn't happen to know where they are now, would you?"

"I prefer not to involve myself and in the affairs of the galaxy."

Ahsoka rolled her eyes. "Must you constantly be so cryptic?"

Bendu's laugh felt like an earthquake. "I promise you, Ahsoka Tano, it is much more fun that way."

Inwardly, Ahsoka had to agree. "There's nothing for me here, then?"

"I did not say that," he answered with a twinkle in his eyes. "There is always something, if you put the pieces together."

"I understand now," Ahsoka lied. She really wanted to be done talking to a walking riddle.

Bendu gave her one last smile and disappeared back into the landscape.

So, there's something for me back at the base that I have to piece together... Ahsoka thought as she trekked back to the former base. I suppose I can start by taking a more thorough look around.

Ahsoka looked and looked and looked. No stone was left unturned. She found a couple of spare parts that she pocketed but aside from that, it was a fruitless search.

She was getting ready to give up when she heard a convor squawk.

"Morai?" Ahsoka looked up.

There she was, circling one of the buildings. She must have gotten bored waiting on the ship.

"I already checked that one."

Morai squawked impatiently.

"Fine, fine, I'll check again. But you're coming with me this time," Ahsoka said, holding out her right arm. Morai obediently attached herself to Ahsoka's arm.

The building was empty, the same as before.

There has to be something I missed, Ahsoka thought as she studied the markings on the floor. There were marks where equipment used to be, but the newest marks were evidence of fleeing. There was one thing that intrigued her, though: some tracks in the dust. They led to a downwards staircase that she hadn't noticed earlier.

"Good job, Morai!" Ahsoka exclaimed. Morai hooted in acknowledgment as they descended the stairs.

The stairs led to what Ahsoka assumed had once been a storage room. Crates that hadn't made it out were scattered haphazardly on the floor.

"I know you're down here, I saw your tracks upstairs. You can come out, I'm not here to hurt you. Though that does sound like something someone who wanted to hurt you would say," Ahsoka realized. "Guess you'll just have to trust me on that."

She heard a mild bleep and looked around for the source of the noise. It was an astromech, peeking out from behind a crate. Ahsoka knelt down to level with it.

"Hey. Sorry you were left behind. It's pretty impressive that you managed to survive by yourself for this long, though."

The droid beeped in agreement. Ahsoka took a closer look as it edged towards her. Sparks were flying from it at odd intervals.

Ahsoka winced. "That must have been painful. I can help with that, you know," she offered, showing the droid spare parts she'd pocketed.

The droid rolled up to her and beeped. Ahsoka smiled and went to work. Thankfully, the damage was minor and Ahsoka could fix it with what she had.

"So," she began, "what's your name? My name is Ahsoka."

Beep!

"R-4 E-4? Got a nickname?" The droid shook its head. "Mind if I call you Raea?"

The droid beeped happily.

"Alright, Raea, good as new," Ahsoka said, gently patting Raea's head. "Ready to get off this planet?"

Instead of answering, Raea activated her jets and flew up the stairs. Ahsoka chuckled.

"Enthusiasm is good. We have a risky journey ahead of us. I assume you know how to fly a ship?"