Chapter 6
Nute Gunray’s Big Escape!
Ahsoka huffed in frustration and shut off her holopad. The headline was all over the news. Every time the Jedi failed at something—or even slightly stumbled—the entire galaxy seemed to know about it within minutes.
She sighed and flopped onto her bed, exhausted. It had only been two hours since she returned from her mission, and all she wanted was some well-earned rest. Instead, she was met with a flood of articles detailing Nute Gunray’s escape.
Luckily, none of them mentioned her by name. The reports only stated that “Master Luminara and a Padawan failed to secure the transport of the Separatist leader.”
Ahsoka scowled. One day, I will stop you, Ventress!
That Sith assassin—whatever she actually was—had once again disrupted her mission. As much as Ahsoka hated to admit it, Ventress’s fighting style was undeniably effective. And, if she was being completely honest… it was pretty damn cool.
Maybe she should try dual-wielding lightsabers, too.
No way Anakin would allow it. He’d probably say something like, “Master the style you’re using now before trying something new.”
With nothing else to do, she picked up her holopad again and checked her messages. Two notifications.
The first was an update about their battalion, the 501st.
She skimmed through it until two names caught her attention—Fives and Echo.
Ahsoka smiled. Captain Rex had recently started also sharing the names to new clones in their unit whenever they were assigned.
I should probably check in with them later
But first—some much-needed sleep.
Ahsoka found the clones exactly where she expected—in one of the hangars designated for the 501st.
“Well, hello, Commander,” Jesse greeted her as she stepped inside.
The tattooed clone had recently started speaking more casually with her when they weren’t on missions, and Ahsoka appreciated it. It made her feel like she was truly part of the squad.
“Hi there, Jesse! Have you seen our new additions?”
Jesse nodded toward the far side of the hangar. “Right behind that gunship, I think. Rex was talking to them about some ‘captain things.’”
“Thanks,” Ahsoka said, quickly making her way over before the new troopers could disappear to Force knows where.
As she rounded the ship, she had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.
Rex stood beside a freshly painted graffiti on the side of the gunship—a clone trooper helmet with oversized sunglasses perched on top. It looked absolutely ridiculous, but she had to admit, whoever did it had some serious artistic skill.
“And please don’t do things like this,” Rex was telling two clones, gesturing toward the graffiti. “Hardcase might try to talk you into it, but please, just don’t.”
The captain sounded exhausted.
“Captain, no need to be such a killjoy,” Ahsoka teased, making her presence known. “There’s nothing wrong with a little art.”
“Commander, please, not you too,” Rex sighed.
Ahsoka chuckled, then turned her attention to the new clones.
“Echo, Fives?” she asked, and both immediately straightened and saluted.
“At your command,” they responded in unison.
Ahsoka smiled. Even without the Force, she could see it—the connection between them, the invisible threads tying them together. That’s what Master Plo meant when he said non-Force-sensitive beings could form bonds.
“I wanted to ask if you two wanted to join me for—”
“Ahsoka?”
She turned at the sound of a familiar voice.
Master Shaak Ti?
She glanced back at the clones apologetically. “Never mind. I have to go. But when I get back, you’re both welcome to join me for lunch anytime!”
Without waiting for an answer, she rushed off to find out what the Togrutan Jedi Master wanted.
Master Shaak Ti stood in the doorway to the hangar. Every time Ahsoka laid eyes on her, she felt a twinge of jealousy—not the bad kind, but the I want to grow up to be like her kind.
“I spoke to the Council and your Master,” Shaak Ti said. “If you want to, you are allowed to return to Shili with me. For a your hunt.”
Ahsoka’s heart hammered in her chest.
“Right now?”
“We could leave tomorrow morning.”
“Yes! I mean—thank you, Master. It means a lot.”
That night, Ahsoka could barely sleep. To hunt an Akul. Normally, every Togruta her age would have done it two or three years ago, but normal didn’t apply to Jedi. And with Master Shaak Ti by her side, she wouldn’t just be a Jedi—she’d be a Togruta among her own people.
The next morning, as they boarded a small ship, Shaak Ti explained, “For this hunt, I don’t want you to think of me as a Jedi Master. We’re not doing this for the Order or the Republic—we’re doing this for you and our culture.”
She led Ahsoka to a table, where several weapons were laid out. “I brought along some traditional hunter’s weapons. If you want, you can choose from them, or you may use your lightsaber.”
Ahsoka inspected the weapons—spears, machetes, and daggers. She picked up two medium-sized daggers, testing their weight. They felt somewhat familiar, reminiscent of her saber, though definitely shorter.
“I think I’ll use these.”
Shaak Ti landed the ship smoothly on a small hill covered in pale yellow grass. As Ahsoka stepped outside, she took in the vast landscape. On one side, an endless sea of grass stretched to the horizon; on the other, a dark green pine forest loomed, thick and mysterious. The air smelled fresh and alive.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Shaak Ti said softly. “I come here whenever I have the chance.” There was a wistful melancholy in her voice.
They made their way through the tall grass, Ahsoka feeling more at ease than she had in a long time. There was no rush, no war, nothing to be afraid of.
Eventually, they arrived at a small village, its houses made of stone and topped with colorful grass. Children played outside while the elders sat together, talking. The moment the villagers noticed them, Ahsoka felt a wave of excitement ripple through the air.
“Ti!” A bright-skinned Togruta with golden-yellow skin rushed toward them. “It’s been forever! It’s so good to see you again!”
Shaak Ti’s expression softened. “Too long, Shara. It’s been too long.” She gestured toward Ahsoka. “This is Ahsoka Tano. We’re here for her hunt.”
“This is so exciting!” Shara practically bounced with enthusiasm. “Well, I won’t stand in your way. You’re staying at the usual place?”
Shaak Ti nodded.
Ahsoka glanced between them, realizing just how much her Master must have visited over the years. For the first time, she wondered—had Shaak Ti ever hunted her Akul here too?
They made their way through the village toward the outskirts. On a small hill, slightly isolated from the rest, stood a modest house with a roof covered in dark orange grass. Various types of plants hung from the eaves, drying in the warm air.
Shaak Ti knocked on the dark brown door.
“What? Who is it?” a male voice asked, clearly irritated. Footsteps approached, and the door swung open to reveal a tall Togruta wearing a light brown fur coat. His skin was a soft shade of orange, and his large montrals bore greenish-blue stripes.
The moment his eyes landed on Shaak Ti, his expression shifted from annoyance to shock.
“Du meh’a,” he whispered, pulling her into a tight embrace and pressing a kiss to her headpiece.
Ahsoka didn’t need to search her memory for her Togruti—she understood instantly. My love.
She also noticed something else. Both of them wore beaded bands tied to the back of their heads, similar to her own Padawan braid. The difference was theirs looked far more intricate, the colors carefully woven together—each in the shade of the other.
It was a common tradition among Togruta. A symbol of devotion, exchanged between lovers.
Ahsoka cleared her throat subtly. The two separated, and Shaak Ti spoke, a rare sheepishness in her voice.
“This is Ahsoka Tano, a Jedi Padawan,” she explained. “We’re here for her hunt, and I thought… maybe we could stay here?”
The male Togruta smiled. “Of course you can. How could I ever say no to such a beautiful lady?” Then he turned to Ahsoka. “My name is Jako Alda. Pleased to meet you.”
Inside, the house had a natural warmth to it. Sunrays from the setting sun filtered through the windows, casting soft golden light across the room. They sat on the floor around a low wooden table as Jako served them food—fresh raw meat, rich in flavor. Ahsoka had never eaten anything so good.
A lot of people forgot that Togruta were originally predators. Their bodies still functioned that way.
“Trust me,” Shaak Ti said between bites, “you’ll miss this.”
By the time they finished eating, exhaustion from their journey had fully set in. Shaak Ti and Ahsoka settled onto simple mattresses on the floor. The nights on Shili were warm, and a gentle breeze drifted through the open window, carrying the distant sounds of the grasslands.
Ahsoka sighed in contentment. Tomorrow, her hunt would begin.
Shaak Ti woke her early in the morning. Quietly, so as not to wake Jako, they slipped out of the house and made their way to where the grasslands met the forests. They carried fresh meat with them, which they laid out on a patch of earth where the grass was lower. It would serve as bait. Then, with swift, practiced movements, they climbed into the sturdy branches of a nearby tree, finding a good vantage point.
Akuls had incredibly sensitive feet, detecting even the smallest vibrations in the earth. Their noses were keen, but their eyesight and hearing were poor. A high position in the trees was the safest place to wait.
Ahsoka sat silently, watching the grass sway in the wind. But after a while, an uneasy feeling crept up her spine. Someone—or something—was watching her. She scanned the area, stretching her senses, but found nothing.
After hours of waiting in silence, boredom took over.
“So… you and Jako?” she asked cautiously, keeping her voice low. She may have been a Padawan, but she still enjoyed a little gossip now and then.
Shaak Ti let out a soft chuckle. “It’s a long story. When I was stationed here to guard a senator, I met him on a walk. We talked, and then he started writing me letters. Real ones—not over the Holonet.” Ahsoka listened, sensing the warm but steady emotions radiating from the older Togruta. “One day, when I came back between missions, Jako asked me. And I said yes.”
Ahsoka smiled. “But isn’t it difficult?”
Shaak Ti sighed. “Yes, it is. But he knew what I was, and I knew I wouldn’t always be able to see him. Still, I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the galaxy.”
Ahsoka nodded, appreciating the honesty.
The first day passed. Then the second. And the third. No Akul appeared.
On the fourth morning, as they made their way to a new hunting spot, the tall grass in front of them rustled.
Ahsoka tensed, drawing her daggers and shifting into a defensive stance.
The grass shook again. Without hesitation, she leaped forward, tackling—
A clone?
The man beneath her had the distinct features of a clone trooper, but his hair was long and unkempt. His armor was gone, replaced by dirt-stained clothes. Scratches and scars covered his skin. He smelled of sweat and desperation.
“A clone?” Shaak Ti echoed as she caught up.
Ahsoka quickly rolled off him, allowing him to stand. He staggered, his eyes darting between them.
“Jedi…” he mumbled, his voice hoarse. “Don’t… don’t send me back. Please. I’m not broken.”
Ahsoka exchanged a confused glance with Shaak Ti.
“We’re not here for the Order or the Republic,” she tried to reassure him.
“Yes, yes, good. That’s good.” His breathing was erratic. His fingers twitched. “Need to warn them. The chip—the chip!”
“What chip?” Shaak Ti suddenly sounded alert, concerned.
“Need to tell Jedi… Jedi…” The clone groaned and clawed at his hair as if trying to rip something out of his skull.
Ahsoka took a step forward, wanting to stop him from hurting himself—
His eyes locked onto hers.
And she saw it.
Madness.
“Jedi…” His breathing hitched. “Jedi kill Jedi kill kill—”
He pulled out a blaster and aimed it directly at her.
“Run,” Shaak Ti ordered.
And Ahsoka did.
The daggers in her hands felt useless. They were fine for hunting, but against a blaster? She was defenseless. She missed her lightsaber.
Blaster shots rang out behind them, but the clone was weak, his aim erratic. Soon, the shots faded as he fell behind.
Ahsoka slowed, her heart still pounding. “What was that?”
Shaak Ti didn’t answer immediately. She was deep in thought, her expression grim.
“I don’t know,” she admitted, “but if we could catch him, maybe we—”
A scream tore through the air, followed by a deep, guttural growl.
Adrenaline surged through Ahsoka’s veins.
“I don’t think that’s going to work anymore,” she said.
Shaak Ti nodded, her gaze sharpening. “This is your chance. Go. Follow your instincts—they will guide you.”
Ahsoka took a deep breath and let go. Let go of logic. Let go of thought.
She let herself feel.
A growl ripped from her throat as she leaped into the air.
Below, through the shifting grass, she first sensed it—then saw it.
The Akul.
It was massive, its orange fur bristling, its fangs stained red with fresh blood. The poor clone’s remains were barely recognizable beneath its claws.
Ahsoka didn’t hesitate. She landed on the creature’s back, slamming both daggers into its thick fur.
The beast roared in fury, thrashing wildly. Ahsoka let go and rolled, landing in a crouch.
Blue eyes met deep brown.
Ahsoka bared her teeth.
The Akul lunged.
She dodged, twisting to the side, then slashed her daggers across its face. A pained howl echoed through the plains as she blinded the beast.
It lashed out in rage, stomping and snapping its jaws. Ahsoka remained light on her feet, circling it.
Then—her chance.
The Akul reared onto its hind legs.
Ahsoka leaped.
Gravity became her ally as she drove both daggers into its neck and dragged them downward, slicing through flesh and bone.
The beast collapsed onto its side, its whimpers fading into silence.
Ahsoka exhaled heavily.
She approached the head, whispering the ancient words, and began pulling out its sharpest teeth—her trophy.
By the time she finished, Shaak Ti had arrived at her side.
“There’s not much left of the clone,” she murmured, inspecting what little remained.
Ahsoka wiped the blood from her hands. “Do you have all you need?”
Shaak Ti asked. Ahsoka nodded. “Then let’s go. I need to get back to Kamino as fast as possible.”
“What about Jako?”
A shadow crossed Shaak Ti’s face.
“No time for that now.”
Ahsoka understood. There were bigger things at stake.
She shouldered the bag of Akul teeth.
“Then let’s go.”
On the ship Ahsoka watched as Shaak Ti walked up an down. „What do we do now?“
Shaak Ti exhaled, her gaze distant. “We wait. We watch. And i try to find out anything.”
Ahsoka didn’t like that answer. Waiting wasn’t her strong suit. But she also trusted Shaak Ti. If the Jedi Master thought this needed to be kept quiet for now, there had to be a good reason.
Finally, she sighed. “Alright. But if you find out anything, you have to let me know.”
Shaak Ti met her eyes, serious and resolute. “I will.”
The ship rumbled softly beneath their feet as they approached their destination. Ahsoka leaned back in her seat, staring out at the swirling hyperspace lines. The excitement of her Akul hunt had faded, leaving her with a strange mix of accomplishment and unease.
She had her trophies, her proof that she had honored her people’s tradition. But she had also stumbled into something much bigger than she understood.
And she had a feeling this was only the beginning.
When she left the ship the first thing she heard was Anakins voice. „Snips, what happened to you?“
Ahsoka stared at him in confusion. Then she realized. There maybe was a little bit of blood all over her.
Anakin was still staring at her, eyes flicking over the dried Akul blood staining her tunic, her arms, even the lekku that hung over her shoulders. “Seriously, Snips, what the kriff happened?”
Ahsoka waved a hand dismissively. “Just a little hunt. Nothing to worry about.”
“Nothing to worry about?” Anakin repeated, incredulous. “You look like you bathed in a battlefield!”
Ahsoka snickered. “I mean, kind of? It was a traditional hunt, Master. I finally took down an Akul!” She puffed out her chest, proud. “And now I get my real headdress.”
Anakin’s expression softened slightly, recognition flashing in his eyes. “Right. Togruta tradition.” He folded his arms. “Still, would it have killed you to at least comm me before showing up looking like you wrestled a Rancor?”
She rolled her eyes. “I didn’t have time. Maste Shaak Ti just dropped me off“
Anakin sighed. „All right all right. Please wash yourself before you give Rex or someone else a heartattack.“