Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Anakin, Obi-Wan, Captain Rex, and Ahsoka stood around another holotable.
"The shield generator is somewhere in this area," Rex said, pointing at the map. "They're slowly expanding the shield's diameter, keeping it just ahead of our troops. Even our heavy cannons will be useless against it."
Without thinking, Ahsoka blurted out the first thought that came to her mind. "Why don’t we just take it out?"
Anakin gave her a look. "Easier said than done."
Surprisingly, Obi-Wan agreed. "But she has a point. Someone needs to get to the generator and destroy it. That’s the key."
Ahsoka's heart raced. This was her chance to prove herself. "I’ll do it," she volunteered.
"And get yourself killed? No, not happening," Anakin shot back. Ahsoka felt frustration bubbling up. How could she prove herself if Anakin never let her take risks?
Once again, Master Kenobi stepped in. "Why don’t you do it together? It could be a great opportunity to get to know each other better," he suggested. Without waiting for Anakin’s approval, he continued, "Rex and I will engage the enemy here. That should give you a chance to slip through their lines undetected."
"Sounds like a plan," Ahsoka said, not giving Anakin a chance to argue. "You can trust us."
"Yes, you can," Anakin added, her Master added not sounding very amused about the fact she just spoke out for them. Be quicker next time, Skyguy, Ahsoka thought with a smirk.
"Come on, my Padawan. We have a generator to destroy. And if we survive this, you and I are going to have a talk, Snips," Anakin added with a sigh.
Ahsoka didn’t know if she should laugh or roll her eyes. But at least her Master also liked to use nicknames. One thing we have in common .
Ahsoka was sure that he didn’t mean for her to catch it, but her Montrals were much better at hearing than normal human ears.
"Those two kind of fit together, don’t they?"
Ahsoka smiled to herself. Maybe this mission would turn out better than expected.
She had heard Anakin Skywalker's plans were risky—some even said crazy—but now, as she crouched with her Master under a metal box in the middle of the road with droids approaching, she thought they were outright suicidal. The floor vibrated beneath her, and she was overwhelmed by too many sensations at once: the metallic clicking of the droids, the low rumbling of the tanks, and the occasional blaster shot. It all felt too close. Her breathing quickened.
No, not now! She tried to remember the technique an older Togruta had taught her. Reaching into the Force, she held onto it, blocking out every unnecessary sensation. Ahsoka felt herself calming down again. She focused on the small window of vision they had and narrowed her eyes. A shadow was moving directly toward them. Anakin seemed to notice it too.
"On my signal," he whispered.
Ahsoka readied herself.
"Now!"
Anakin threw away their cover. Ahsoka barely had time to take in her surroundings before she had to leap away and hide behind a fallen piece of crystal as a tank rolled over the spot they had been just seconds before. That was close. She felt sweat forming on her forehead and adrenaline pumping through her veins. Still, she grinned. It had worked. They were alive and now behind enemy lines.
Ahsoka looked around and spotted Anakin behind another piece of crystal. After a quick glance left and right, she darted across the now-empty street toward him.
"Ahsoka, watch out!" Anakin shouted.
In the last second, Ahsoka managed to dodge a bolt fired by a Droideka. Immediately, she felt her Master's presence next to her.
"Nice work, Snips," he said sarcastically, igniting his saber.
Ahsoka scoffed but did the same, holding it backhanded. The weight felt new but good in her hand. They slowly moved backward, deflecting bolt after bolt. Reflecting them was useless as long as the droid's shield was up.
Suddenly, Ahsoka had an idea. "Run!" she shouted at Anakin and turned to sprint away.
Her Master actually listened and followed her. As she hoped, the Droideka curled up to follow them. Just as expected! Ahsoka suddenly stopped and pulled the droid through her ignited saber with the force. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Anakin doing the same to the two halves she left behind.
"Nice work, Snips," he told her. "But next time, I'm the one giving commands."
Ahsoka beamed. They really were a good team.
"Now, let's go and destroy that generator."
"As you say, Master," she replied with a smirk.
They ran and jumped through the ruins until they reached the source of the strange red shield. Ahsoka grabbed the first set of bombs and rushed to plant them.
"No, Ahsoka, no!" Anakin shouted.
Before she could react, she was yanked back by the Force.
"What are you doing, Mas—" she began to protest, but her words were cut off by an explosion that erupted right where she had stood moments ago. Crystal shards flew through the air in all directions. That would have been her.
"Wait. Until. I give you a command!" Anakin scolded her angrily.
Ahsoka nodded, still in shock.
"Good. Now, copy me."
This time, she had no witty remark. She watched as Anakin lifted the bombs with the Force and guided them toward the generator. With slightly trembling hands, she followed his lead.
After placing all the bombs, Anakin handed her the detonator.
"Here. Let’s make some distance, and you can blow this up," his voice softened.
"Come on then," she replied and started running.
From a safe distance, they stopped, and Ahsoka turned back to the generator.
"Bye-bye, shield."
The explosion was so loud it left her montrals ringing. She really needed to work on suppressing sounds, or she'd be deaf in no time.
On their way back to the others, Anakin and Ahsoka spotted reinforcements arriving in the sky.
"Time to clean up what’s left of the clankers," Anakin shouted. "The one who takes out more wins!"
"What?" Ahsoka shouted back.
So much for a serious Master.
The fight was over, and the battle was won. Christophsis was theirs once again.
Anakin and Ahsoka stepped up to Obi-Wan, who wore a stoic expression.
"There you are, Anakin. I was just talking to Master Yoda. If you're really not ready for a Padawan—"
Anakin interrupted him, "No, wait a minute. I think I'll keep this one. She may be a little rough around the edges and needs to learn how to listen, but with training, she might amount to something."
Obi-Wan smiled. "Kind of reminds me of someone."
At that moment, Rex approached them.
"Generals, I hate to disturb your victory, but we need to leave soon for Teth."
Anakin looked confused.
"Oh, right. The message Ahsoka was originally supposed to deliver," Obi-Wan explained. "Master Yoda told me about it while you were busy… counting droids."
"Then let's head to the cruiser. While Master Kenobi fills me in on the mission, Rex, would you be so kind as to show Ahsoka to Coric?"
"Sir, yes sir," the Captain replied, signaling Ahsoka to follow him.
Back on the Resolute, Ahsoka followed Rex, who had taken off his helmet. Ahsoka looked confused. "Why do you have blond hair? Did you dye it?" she asked curiously.
"Hm? Oh no, that would be too high maintenance," the captain replied. "It's some sort of gene defect. It happens sometimes."
Ahsoka nodded. To avoid the awkward silence, she asked another question, "Who is Coric, and why are you taking me to him?"
Rex chuckled. "Coric is our medic."
"But I'm not hurt?"
Rex stopped in his tracks. "With all due respect, little 'un, but you have crystal shards sticking into your skin."
Ahsoka frowned and looked at her arm. Small pieces, almost like glass, shimmered in the ship's lights.
"Oh." How could she not have noticed? Shifting slightly, she could feel them pricking her skin uncomfortably.
"It's normal. The adrenaline usually suppresses pain to a certain level." Rex pressed a button, and the door opened with a hiss.
"Captain, what can I do for you today?" a clone's voice sounded from within.
"Not for me. I brought someone," Rex replied.
Ahsoka followed him inside the med bay. She immediately hated it. The walls were too white, the lights too bright, and the stench uncomfortable. Coric, the medic, wore the same blue markings on his armor as Rex. She had seen them on other troopers as well—probably a clone thing to show they were part of the same battalion. His face looked like his brothers, but he had a small scar over one eye.
"Who is this small child? Someone you saved?" Coric asked.
Ahsoka huffed, "I'm Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker's Padawan." How often had she said that in the last few hours?
"My apologies, sir. Please, come and sit here."
Ahsoka did as she was told. The shards were growing really uncomfortable, and she wanted them gone. Coric came over with a small pincer and started removing the shards from her arms.
"Do I want to know how you got them all over you?" he asked while working.
"Just an accident," she replied.
"Jetii," the medic mumbled under his breath.
Next, he began working on the shards in her montrals. For better stability, he reached to place his hand on her shoulder but accidentally brushed the underside of her back lekku. Ahsoka flinched and growled instinctively.
Coric was taken aback. "I'm sorry, General."
Ahsoka was shocked by her own reaction. "No... no, it's fine. Just, please try to avoid touching there."
Her eyes wandered to Captain Rex, who was still standing by the door. His face was unreadable.
Her comlink beeped. Obi-Wan had given it to her before they boarded the cruiser.
"Ahsoka, when you're done, please meet me on the bridge," Anakin's voice sounded through.
"As you wish, Skyguy," she answered. "Am I done, Coriii?"
"Just two more pieces, General."
"You really do love nicknames, don't you?" Rex asked from the door.
"Of course! Are you mad you didn't get one? Let me think. Rexy? No, too similar to the others. Cap? Nah... Rex... Rex... Rexter! That sounds good."
Happy with herself, Ahsoka jumped to her feet as Coric finished removing the last shard.
"Well then, guys, see ya!" she called and stormed out.
Rex shared a look with his medic.
"What do you think?" he asked.
"She reminds me of Skywalker. And she seems to dislike the med bay as much as he does," Coric sighed. "I didn't get time to disinfect anything. And I think we all need a crash course on Togrutan biology."
"I just hope she doesn't die soon. She's still so small, almost a child," Rex said sadly.
"We're not much better. We're barely ten."
"That's what she said too. But we're bred for war. She's not. She deserves a childhood!" the captain exclaimed.
"Then we have to make sure she gets to live as long as possible."
Rex nodded. "For her sake and ours."
"Ours?" Coric asked, confused.
"I just got a message from Commander Wolffe. Let's just say he threatened us if we let harm come to the 'little lady.'"
"Our first real mission will be on Teth," Anakin explained to her. Ahsoka suppressed the urge to tell him she already knew that. Patience. And listen.
"We need to rescue the son of Jabba the Hutt," he practically spat out the name. Ahsoka didn't even need her heightened senses to feel his anger. She herself wasn't too happy about helping a Hutt, but she would always aid those who couldn't help themselves.
Dance at a Hutt's place. She never searched or asked what exactly Vin Dorro had meant by that, too afraid of what she would find. Maybe it had just been a cruel joke. Hutts weren't exactly known for their kindness.
"Obi-Wan will handle the negotiations. He's already on his way. We will save Jabba's son, who is being held in a monastery," Anakin said as he pointed at a map in front of them. "We will land right here," he marked a point, "and then go through here."
Ahsoka tried to memorize everything.
"We won't know exactly what awaits us there, so be prepared for anything. For now, you can get some sleep if you want or grab something to eat in the hall."
Ahsoka didn’t really feel tired, but as Anakin had mentioned food, she realized she was indeed hungry.
The hall was the biggest room on the ship so far. It wasn’t full; just some captains and clones sat at the tables. She grabbed a plate. A droid attempted to serve some green-looking slime, but Ahsoka interrupted him.
"Do you have meat?"
"Everyone eats the same," the silver droid replied.
"I asked if there’s meat. I’m a Togruta, a carnivore. I eat meat."
"We have seafood."
That would have to do. With her plate filled with some greyish-looking glibber, she looked around and decided to sit at a table where four clones were gathered. Time to get to know them.
"Hello, soldiers," she greeted and set down her food.
The clones stiffened. "Hello, Commander," they greeted in unison.
"No need for formalities now. I just wanted to get to know you better."
The clones shared a look, then the one with a tattoo on his head answered, "CC-5..."
"Your names, please. I’m Ahsoka Tano, Master Skywalker’s Padawan."
"Okay then, my name's Jesse. The one with nine fingers is Perk, next to me is Sharp, and the shiny one is Tup."
"Shiny?"
"That’s what we call new troopers. Because their armor is still clean and shiny," Sharp explained. He was a clone soldier with a shaved head.
Ahsoka nodded. "That’s why your armor hasn’t any markings yet?" she asked.
"Exactly. After the first battle we survive, we’re allowed to paint it. Tup just got here."
"After Teth, he can get them then," Ahsoka stated. It wasn’t a question. It was a statement.
Teth was a strange planet. On the one hand, it was filled with tangled jungles and strange, twisted trees. On the other hand, the surface was covered with rocks in weird shapes. The atmosphere had a purple hue, and fog wavered over the ground.
They had managed to land relatively safely on one of the rocks near the monastery where they were told Jabba's son would be held. No droids in sight. Still, Ahsoka felt something in the Force. Something bad.
Anakin gave the sign to move out.
"I don't like this at all. It's too quiet here," Jesse complained.
"Hush," Rex told him.
They were almost at the entrance. Still no fighting. Ahsoka was beginning to feel nervous. They were supposed to fight against... something here! But still, they entered without any incidents.
A clattering sound had them all raising their weapons.
"Please don't shoot," a small, innocent-looking droid came into view.
"Where do you keep the Hutt?" Anakin demanded.
But the droid ignored him. "What is a servant girl doing here? This is no place for a lady."
There it was again. Servant, dancer... Why did no one take her seriously?
"Do servants carry these?" she asked, pointing her ignited saber towards it. "And now tell us where the Hutt is!"
"All right, all right. My apologies, young lady. He is on the lower levels. But I'm not sure you can just take hi—"
The droid was interrupted by a blaster shot straight into its chest. Rex put away his blaster, following a sign from Anakin. They are a good team.
"Let's go," her Master commanded.
It had been going so well. They had managed to get the little Huttling, and Ahsoka had planned to put him in her backpack. But as she lifted him from the bed, she immediately noticed two things: First, he was burning with heat, far too hot to be normal. Second, there were vibrations in the air.
“Master, I think he’s sick! Really sick! We need to hurry!” she exclaimed.
At the same time Rex interrupted, his voice urgent, “Droids! Start the fire!”
“Sorry, little guy,” Ahsoka muttered as she slung him onto her back, igniting her lightsaber. She blocked shots, making her way toward her master.
“Did you hear me? The Hutt’s sick!” she called out.
“I heard you loud and clear, but first we need to get out of here alive!” Anakin countered.
They fought their way up the stairs, droids falling left and right. The adrenaline surged through Ahsoka, giving her a confidence she hadn’t expected. This is going great, she thought, though her mind remained focused.
They reached the entrance level.
“There! The exit! Let’s go!” Ahsoka shouted, darting towards the door. The Huttling needed to get out of here as fast as possible.
“No, Ahsoka, no!” Anakin’s voice cut through her excitement.
“But it’s the fastest way!” she argued, already halfway to the exit.
“This is not the time to argue! Just follow. My. Orders!” he snapped.
Ahsoka hesitated, just for a second. But that second was too long. Behind her, a bomb detonated. The explosion sent a shockwave through the air, causing the ceiling to crumble and collapse, blocking the exit.
“See?” Anakin’s voice rang out, filled with a mix of frustration and urgency.
Before Ahsoka could respond with a snappy retort, the air was pierced by a scream.
“Back! Move back!” It was Rex voice. His usual steadiness was laced with fear.
Through the new hole in the ceiling, alongside several Super Battle Droids, a tall woman dropped down. In her hands, she wielded two red sabers, their crimson glow cutting through the chaos.
“Welcome, Jedi,” she sneered.
“Ahsoka, get the clones and yourself out of here,” Anakin ordered, his voice suddenly grave with urgency. “I trust you with this. I’ll handle our new guest.”
There was no mistaking the seriousness in his tone—there was no room for disagreement.
Ahsoka provided cover for the clones as they backed up, eventually reaching a corner before breaking into a run. With a sense of relief, she spotted another exit at the end of the corridor. It led to a garden. For a moment, everything seemed safe. She scanned the area quickly. Two options came to mind: the fast route straight through the middle and out the gate in the wall, or a slower, more discreet route along the wall behind some bushes. The garden stretched far and taking that path would mean moving cautiously and slower.
A whine from the Huttling on her back broke her concentration. Feelings of pain and fear radiated of the little Hutt. So, the fast way it was.
“Run!” she commanded.
The second the words left her mouth, Ahsoka knew it was the wrong choice. From the sides of the stone path, small spider droids shot up from the earth. The clones immediately opened fire, but the little droids were too fast and agile to hit. They leaped onto the clones and began tearing through their armor with sharp, jagged claws.
Ahsoka had an advantage with her lightsaber, cutting through the droids before they could get close.
Agony surged from somewhere to her left. She spun around just in time to see one of the spider droids tear through the armor of a clone, reaching his flesh where his arm met his torso. Blood stained the white plates, and the trooper desperately tried to shake the droid off, but it was useless. More and more droids climbed up his body, and his knees buckled under the weight.
Ahsoka reached out with the Force, trying to pull the droids off him, but her focus kept wavering as she fought to protect herself. The droids began stabbing their sharp legs into the gap beneath the clone's helmet. Time seemed to stop. Ahsoka watched as blood sprayed from the soldier's neck. He collapsed slowly, a gut-wrenching scream echoing through the air.
It was a sound she would never forget.
And all Ahsoka could do was keep cutting through as many spider droids as she could.
Then, everything rushed back into focus. The air was filled with screams. Ahsoka whipped her head around to see the terrible scene unfolding around her. Everywhere, troopers lay motionless on the ground. Some were drenched in blood, others missing entire limbs. The last three clones still standing had formed a circle, doing their best to hold off the killing machines.
For the first time in her life, Ahsoka felt truly helpless. How could she help them? She was barely managing to hold her ground herself.
Instinct took over. Reaching deep into the Force, she boosted herself, leaping in front of the remaining clones.
“Sorry, guys,” she said under her breath, and with all the power she could muster, she pushed them backward, sending them flying through the gates behind the wall. It would give them time and cover.
She didn’t stop to think twice. With her saber ignited, she slashed through every piece of metal that came near her, each stroke an extension of her survival instinct. The Huttling on her back was nothing more than a distant thought. She was in pure survival mode—protecting her life and the one she carried.
Slowly, the number of spider droids dwindled until only one remained, its parts scattered across the ground. Ahsoka took deep, steadying breaths as she deactivated her saber and made her way to the last clones standing: Rex, Jesse, and Tup.
Everyone else... gone.
When she reached them, no one spoke. Not a word was exchanged until Ahsoka finally broke the silence with a command.
“Let’s move.”
The soldiers nodded and turned without hesitation. Ahsoka allowed herself one last look behind her. The scene in the garden made her stomach turn. Every inch of the ground was stained with a mix of white clone armor and black droid parts. It might have been almost beautiful, if not for the horrific splashes of red that covered everything.
They walked for a few minutes in silence until Rex asked, “Where are we heading, Commander?”
Ahsoka stopped. Now that Rex mentioned it, she realized she had just been moving in a random direction, not really thinking, matching the emptiness she felt inside.
“I…” she began, but she was interrupted by the sound of a ship flying overhead. She followed it with her eyes as it landed not far from them, and she could feel the familiar presence of Anakin.
“This way,” she said, motioning toward the ship.
“Ahsoka Tano reporting back,” she announced as they reached the cruiser. She held out her backpack with the Huttling.
“Here,” she said, handing it over.
“No, you can keep him,” Anakin replied, waving her off. “Let’s get him back to his father.”
With no word he commented the at least ten missing troopers on her side. Ahsoka didn't know if she liked it or not.
“What about the woman from before?” Ahsoka asked as the ship took off. She hoped that talking about something, anything, might help her feel a little more grounded again.
“Her name is Asajj Ventress,” Anakin replied. “She says she’s trained by Count Dooku.”
“So, the Separatists are behind this?” Ahsoka asked.
“Seems like it,” he said, his tone flat.
A heavy silence settled between them as the ship soared through the sky.
When they finally landed on Tatooine, Ahsoka felt a wave of relief wash over her. The medic droid on the cruiser had been able to stabilize the Huttling and bring his fever down. At least they were bringing him back healthy.
Jabba’s palace was an odd place. Different species lingered in every corner, watching them as they walked through, especially eyeing Ahsoka. Jabba himself wasn’t much better. If his son could be called cute, Jabba was just disgusting. He gurgled something in Huttese.
“His Greatness Jabba likes to thank you,” a protocol droid translated.
Anakin took the speaking role, but Ahsoka barely listened. Her mind was occupied with something else.
Next to the Hutt, two women were dancing—one a Twi'lek, the other a Togruta. Both wore almost nothing. Now Ahsoka finally understood. That was what Vin Dorro and the droid at the monastery had meant.