Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Her training with Skywalker was far more demanding than anything they did as younglings. Every evening, she almost fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow. On days when Anakin was busy, she either studied under Obi-Wan or sparred with a few of the clones.
Even her meeting with Master Shaak Ti held more surprises than she expected. The older Togruta helped her put together a simple yet effective list of important facts, like which foods or supplements should be part of every mission.
Just as Ahsoka was about to leave, Shaak Ti asked, "Those teeth on your head... they're an imitation, right?"
Ahsoka nodded. "I never had the chance to hunt my own, Master."
"Perhaps I can arrange for you to hunt real ones," Shaak Ti said with a gentle smile.
Ahsoka's eyes widened. She felt like an excited youngling again. "Really?" she beamed.
Shaak Ti chuckled softly. "Let me see what I can do."
Unfortunately, she would have to wait a little longer for that.
Skywalker had been assigned to oversee a trade route where pirates had recently tried to raid several ships. It wasn't a very action-packed mission, and nothing had happened since their arrival.
Until a call came in.
To Ahsoka's surprise, it was Master Plo and Captain Wolffe who appeared as holograms.
"Kotoya, Master Plo," she greeted with a slight bow of her head.
"Kotoya, little Soka," he replied warmly.
"Did you find the secret weapon?" Anakin who’d come over from the control panel asked.
"Yes. We located it in the Abregado system. We could use some assistance."
For Ahsoka, it wasn’t even a question. They weren’t really needed here anyway. Might as well help Master Plo. From what she’d heard, this "super weapon" was quite dangerous. She almost expected Anakin to immediately agree.
But instead, he said, "I have to ask the Council first. Our orders were to hold this position."
What?!
Ahsoka looked at him in disbelief. Since when did Anakin follow orders to the letter? She wanted to protest, but the hologram began to flicker.
"Master Plo? What's happening?"
The connection cut out.
Anakin quickly contacted the Jedi Council. Shortly after, Master Kenobi, Master Yoda, and... the Chancellor?
Why was he here?
"Anakin," the Chancellor greeted him with a smile that seemed way too fake for Ahsoka’s taste. And why was he calling her Master by his first name? That wasn't very professional. Ahsoka narrowed her eyes.
"What is the matter, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Master Plo Koon contacted us. He said he found the weapon in the Abregado system and needed help. Our connection was lost shortly after."
"I'm afraid I cannot allow you to go there," the Chancellor said smoothly. "Your position is too important. No one has survived an encounter with this weapon so far. The Separatists have made sure of that every time."
Ahsoka's heart dropped. What was this? Why weren’t Master Yoda or Master Kenobi saying anything?
"So we're just going to leave them to die?" she blurted out. "They could still be alive!"
Anakin cut her off.
"Of course, Chancellor. As you wish. Please excuse my impertinent Padawan. She still has much to learn."
With that, he ended the transmission.
Ahsoka was furious.
"How could you say that, Master? I know he's still alive out there!"
Anakin's expression darkened.
"Yes. I want to think that too."
"But then why—"
"No buts, Snips. You heard the command. The Resolute needs to hold position."
He turned and motioned for her to follow.
"You need to learn when to listen... and when to speak up."
Ahsoka huffed in frustration. Her Master was usually the one discussing every order until he could do what he thought was right.
"Where are we even going? Shouldn't we be 'holding our position'?" she asked sarcastically.
Anakin smirked.
"To the hangar. We have a weapon to find."
Ahsoka blinked.
"But... you just said—"
"The big ship will stay here. Us two? We'll make a 'quick side trip.' It’s not about if you follow orders or not, Snips. It’s about how you do it."
Ahsoka couldn't help but grin.
Now that was the Master she knew.
The Twilight emerged from hyperspace into what looked like an asteroid field. But as Ahsoka inspected the debris more closely, she realized that pieces of a destroyed ship were mixed in between the rocks.
"R2, scan for… large battleships," she ordered the little astromech, who, aside from them and a medic droid, was the only other one on board.
"No," Anakin corrected her. "Set the scanner to lifeforms."
Ahsoka turned to him, confused.
"I thought we were here to find that superweapon?"
Anakin shook his head.
"I won’t believe Master Plo is dead."
They waited in silence, floating through the debris field. The scanner remained silent. No signal. No life signs.
Ahsoka should’ve felt anxious. Maybe even scared. But deep down, she knew Master Plo was out there.
"I’m sorry, Snips," Anakin said after a while. "I don’t think there’s anything out here."
"No!" Ahsoka refused to accept it. "I’m not leaving without them."
"The scanners aren’t picking up anything."
"Maybe there’s a technical issue," Ahsoka argued. "The connection with Master Plo was interrupted, remember?"
Anakin sighed. "Then there’s no other way to find them. We should get back before we get into serious trouble"
Ahsoka hesitated for a moment, thinking.
She remembered something Master Plo had told her years ago — about bonds in the Force. Connections that existed between those who were strong in the Force and shared a close bond. Maybe... just maybe...
"I have an idea," she said. "Please, let me try."
Anakin raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Alright. If it gets us to them. Fast."
Ahsoka closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
She reached out into the Force, letting its calm, flowing energy surround her like weaving threads. Then, she focused on Master Plo — his voice, his presence, and most importantly, how he felt within the Force.
Suddenly, she felt something. A small, faint string in the web of the Force began to glow. Instinctively, she reached out with her mind and tugged on it.
At first, nothing happened.
Then...
A single word echoed through her mind.
Help.
Ashoka’s heart raced.
Could she really... communicate through the Force?
She focused harder.
Where? she asked through the bond.
No words followed, but the glowing string stretched out in front of her, forming a path. Ahsoka quickly memorized the direction before opening her eyes.
"I know where they are."
She grabbed the controls and steered the Twilight forward, following the invisible path only she could sense.
Anakin looked at her, bewildered.
"How do you know that?"
Ahsoka smirked.
"Force, Skyguy. Force."
She honestly wasn’t sure how exactly it worked — but Master Plo could explain that later. Right now, she just had to find him.
Her breath hitched as they rounded a large asteroid.
There, floating in the void, was an escape pod. And standing on top of it was none other than Master Plo Koon.
"Let’s get them inside," Anakin said.
Ahsoka grinned.
I knew it.
They pulled the escape pod into the Twilight and sealed the hatch. Four clones climbed out — Wolffe, Sinker, Boost, and Starshot. They a looked relief to finally be out of there again.
"Thank you for saving us," Plo Koon said, helping Boost over to the medic droid to treat the blaster wound on his side.
"Don't thank me," Anakin replied. "Thank Ahsoka. She refused to give up on you and found the way."
Ahsoka beamed with pride.
Master Plo turned to her, about to speak, when R2 suddenly began beeping frantically.
The Jedi spun around to see a massive ship emerging from behind the asteroid field.
The Malevolence.
The secret superweapon.
It hadn't noticed them... yet.
"Quick! Shut everything down!" Plo Koon ordered. "They're scanning for energy signals."
Anakin immediately began flipping switches, powering down the ship. Ahsoka quickly turned off R2, giving him an apologetic smile as he let out a sad beep before shutting down.
Then, they waited.
For a moment, it seemed like the Malevolence would pass by without detecting them.
But then, a pale purple light began building up on the side of the ship.
"That does not look good," the medic droid commented in its monotone voice.
Ahsoka's eyes widened in panic.
"The medic droid!" she exclaimed.
It was still running.
Anakin cursed under his breath. "R2, prepare for a jump to hyperspace!"
"He's turned off, Master!" Ahsoka reminded him.
Anakin's eyes narrowed. "Then hold on to something!"
He started flipping switches like a madman, reigniting the engines.
The Twilight roared to life just as the Malevolence fired its ion pulse, sending a web of crackling energy in their direction.
"NOW!" Anakin shouted, pulling the lever.
The ship lurched forward and shot into hyperspace, barely escaping the blast.
Ahsoka let out a long breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
They did it.
She did it.
Back on the Resolute, Anakin and Ahsoka contacted the Jedi Council to allow Master Plo Koon to report his findings.
"I see, Anakin," the Chancellor was the first to speak. "You disobeyed orders once again."
Anakin remained calm. "No, Your Excellency. The Resolute never left its position. Admiral Yularen had everything under control."
Obi-Wan let out a sigh. "Anakin does have... his own way with orders."
Ahsoka couldn't help but notice the hint of pride in Master Kenobi's voice.
"Very well then," the chancellor spoke. "You are excused. Master Plo Koon, please share what you have learned."
As the meeting continued, Ahsoka waited outside the council chamber. When Master Plo finally emerged, she stepped up to him eagerly.
"Master Plo, what happened back there? Did you... see it too? Did we really talk through the Force?"
Plo Koon chuckled softly behind his mask.
"Slow down, little one. One question at a time."
Ahsoka blushed slightly and gave him a sheepish smile.
"What you experienced is called a Force bond," he explained. "I once told you that such a bond can form between two Force-sensitive beings, but in truth, it can form between anyone. Those strong in the Force can use it to communicate across great distances, just as we did. A strong bond can also allow one to sense the emotions or even the pain of the other."
Ahsoka's eyes widened. That made sense... and it sounded incredibly useful for future missions.
Her mind drifted to her new Master. Would she and Anakin one day form such a bond? Since their last mission they had grown closer and also the training made her open up to him more. But she wasn’t sure about his side. There were so many things she didn’t know about him and sometimes he looked at her like she was just a stupid child.
As if reading her thoughts, Plo Koon added, "It takes time to build such a connection, young one. It is not something that happens overnight. It is a process that requires trust... and patience."
Ahsoka nodded.
"Thank you, Master Plo." She bowed her head respectfully.
Plo Koon gently rested a hand on her shoulder. "No need to thank me, little Soka. You are walking the path of a Jedi now. Follow the force and your instincts. I’m sure they will lead you to peace.“