New Friends
The group sat at the conference table in the Helicarrier bridge.
Fury was the first one to speak. “Senator, how bad is the situation in the Galaxy?”
Bail released a tired sigh. “It is only getting worse every day. The Emperor is appointing Military Governors in every system. Enforcing harsh occupations. Slave labor. Taxation on the Outer Rim. Arresting any who oppose his rule. This fight can not be won in the Senate. Which is why I and a few other Senators are building a network of rebels who are or will fight the Empire.”
“How’s it going so far?”
“Senator Mothma and I are the ones funding it. I have started an organization based on Alderaan that is dedicated to providing aid to planets suffering under Imperial rule. And we have created an intelligence apparatus that intercepts Imperial transmissions. I keep an eye out for acts of kindness in this new galaxy of ours. When there’s a concentration of them, I try to find out who is behind them, and then we have a talk.”
“What do you talk about?” Ahsoka asked.
“The Rebellion, Padawan Tano. I look for people who will fight against the Emperor, the Empire, and everything it stands for.”
“How efficient is this intelligence apparatus?” Maria questioned.
“Everything I’m trying to build is too new and too fragile. We’re not as secure as I’d like us to be, and things slip through the cracks as a result.”
“We can help with that,” Fury offered. “We are willing to provide agents who seal those cracks. Such as Agent Tano over here.”
“I want only your most trustworthy people. If we are exposed I will not be the only one to suffer. My entire planet, my wife, and my new daughter.”
Ahsoka’s eyes widened at that part. She wanted to talk more about it but knew now wasn’t the time.
“Have you found any surviving Jedi?”
Organa paused, debating whether or not he should tell her. “I suppose I should tell you. You do have a right to know. Masters Yoda and Kenobi are alive and well. But they will not be joining this fight. They have a new purpose now.”
Rex and Ahsoka smiled at this. Even though Anakin was gone, it was still good to know that Obi Wan and Yoda were okay.
“Any others?” Director Rambeau asked.
“None that I can find. But I am searching for them and any Clone defectors as well.”
“That’s where I’ll be involved,” Rex chimed in. “I want to find any rebellious Clones and bring them to Earth..” The Captain turned to Fury. “Where will they live anyway?”
“We’re currently building a settlement for them in northern Canada. It gets cold up there, but t’s isolated. They’ll be safe.”
Rex nodded.
“Now that we’ve established how you can help my cause, let’s discuss how I can help your planet.”
“S.W.O.R.D. is responsible for defending Earth from outside threats. If the Empire comes here, we’ll need the firepower to fight back,” Monica stated.
“I can provide you with ships and weapons, as well as standard Galactic technology that can improve your civilization.”
The two Directors shared a look. “It won’t be easy introducing new technology. There are a lot of powerful people who would see it as a threat to their investments.”
“Sir,” Hill spoke up. “Perhaps he can introduce the technology. He does have a habit of throwing rules out the window.”
Fury massaged his temple. “I can’t believe we’re considering making Stark a bigger headache.”
“Who’s Stark?” Ahsoka questioned.
“He’s a former weapons developer. Now he uses his genius to invent technology that improves society. He’s also the one working on reversing the Clones’ fast aging process,” Hill answered. “Which reminds me, you’ll have to meet with him so he can study your DNA.”
“If he helps my brothers, then I won’t have any problems.”
“Now Senator,” Fury spoke up. “What information do you have so far?”
After a long conversation of exchanging knowledge and planning Earth’s defense, Ahsoka finally had time to talk to Organa alone.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you. We adopted her a week ago. And my life is all the better for it.”
“I’m happy for you. What’s her name?”
“Leia.”
Ahsoka smiled, but it turned into a frown soon after.
“What’s wrong?”
“…Padme was pregnant…with Anakin’s child…”
“…Yes…”
“I just wish-I wish I could have known them…” she said, staring at the ground.
Bail frowned deeply. He knew It was risky, but they weren’t in Imperial Space. There was no way for anyone in the Empire to find out. And he knew from Padme that Ahsoka was like a sister to Anakin. So that basically made her the children’s de facto Aunt.
“Funny you should mention that, because…you can.”
Ahsoka’s head moved so fast it would have given her whiplash if she cared. “What?”
“Who do you think Leia’s birth parents were?”
Ahsoka’s jaw dropped. She stayed like that for a full minute before devolving into tearful laughter.
While this revelation was taking place Hill and Rex were explaining the situation to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s two best agents.
“Jesus, Hill! That’s a lot to put on the two of us,” Clint complained.
“What’s our objective, then,” Natasha asked, ignoring her best friend’s.
“Your objective is to accompany Agent Tano and Captain Rex here to the Empire, and extract as many Separatist ships as possible. The C.I.S. military was given a shutdown command. There are now thousands of ships just sitting there. It’s an opportunity we can’t ignore. Our window is small, but if we’re fast enough, we can get entire fleets from the planets the Empire hasn’t reached yet.”
“No offense Hill, but why isn’t Fury the one telling us this?,” Barton asked.
“He’s meeting with a contact who’s help will be invaluable on this mission.”
Clint nodded. “Alright. Where we heading?”
“Sereno for starters. The entire defense fleet is still there. Same with Hypori and other worlds in the Outer Rim,” Rex answered. “Senator Organa informed us that the Republic Venators are being phased out. There are already many at the scrapping world of Bracca that still are in good condition.”
Natasha and Clint nodded at this.
“Is there a safe way to travel there?”
“There is,” Maria stated. “We’re converting Quinjets for Space travel and equipping them with hyperdrives. And the hyperspace logs on the Y-Wing and the Inquisitor’s ship have given us a clear route to the Galaxy. We know this because we sent this data to Senator Organa, and he arrived here without a hitch.”
“How did the Inquisitor get here?”
“We don’t really know,” Rex admitted. “Agent Tano has a theory, but you’ll have to ask her
“I want to meet her anyways,” Romanoff said. “See what she’s made of.”
Rex smirked at the spy. “You won’t be disappointed.”
Fury walked through the streets of Moscow alone. No one besides Maria could know where he was going and who he was meeting with.
He turned a corner and arrived at the front door of his destination. He was greeted by three familiar faces.
“Soren, Gaia, Gravik. It’s good to see you.”
They each hugged him in turn.
“You’re early,” Gravik noted.
“Well, what I’m about to share with the Council will determine all of our futures.”
“It’s that bad, huh,” Gaia stated more than asked
“And good.”
Fury placed a hand on Gaia and Gravik’s shoulders.
“Because I’m keeping my word.”
Their eyes widened.
“Come on. Let’s get inside.”
After entering the building Fury walked into a room where five individuals sat. One of whom he knew very well.
“Talos.”
Said Skrull got up from his seat and embraced his friend of twenty years. “It’s good to see you, Fury.”
The two sat down and the Director pulled some files out of his coat and passed them around.
“What’s this?” Talos questioned.
“Our new threat. And I don’t just mean Earth. I mean allof us.”
Each Council member opened their respective files and began to read. Their faces paled with each passing minute.
“Dear God. This Empire could be a bigger threat than the Kree!” Sergio Caspani exclaimed.
“If they become as lucky as your new recruits and this Inquisitor, then our Galaxy will be just as doomed as theirs,” Shirley Sagar noted. “They have a form of Space Travel far superior to our own.”
“Which we have obtained the schematics for,” Fury cut in. “So now you’ll be one step ahead of the Kree.”
The Council adopted more relaxed looks.
“At least there’s comfort in that,” Chris Stearn stated.
“I’ve got more good news. There are three point two billion habitable planets in that galaxy. And only forty million of them are inhabited.”
Everyone’s eyes widened at the implications.
“I promised I’d find you a new home. Make your pick. Just pick one that’s beyond the Empire’s domain, but close enough where we still reach you.”
The Council members all had misty eyes.
Except for Talos. His brow was furrowed.
“Fury, we’ve lived here for twenty years now. I believe it’s possible for us to coexist on this planet-”
“We can’t even exist with each other, Talos. We’ve been at war since we could walk upright. There’s no room or tolerance for another species.”
Pamela Lawton raised a brow. “And there is for these Clones? One point seven billion men who all look the same can blend in better than all one million of us shapeshifters? You don’t even have the resources to feed that many people.”
Fury released a sigh. “It’s not that simple. Not all Clones will be living here. This is for those who choose to leave the Empire. That’s currently not all of them. And if that many do come here, then they’ll live in ships orbiting the planet. And Senator Organa will provide resources if we can’t. Besides, I’m not just doing that out of charity.”
“What do you mean?” Talos asked.
“Look, I just need you to trust me. I made you a promise. This is me keeping it. Take it or leave it.”
The Council members looked at each other before nodding in agreement.
“We accept your offer,” Caspani said.
“Good. Now there’s just one more thing.”
“Let me guess,” Talos began. “You want us to infiltrate this Empire?”
“I don’t see you saying no.”
“True. Where do we start?”
“Oh, I already know where you can begin.”
Fury placed a hologram projector on the table, and it displayed a man who looked exactly like Talos’ human form.
“His name is Orson Krennic. He’s an Imperial officer working on a very secret project. And it appears to be the Empire’s biggest secret.”
“And you want me to find out what it is.”
“And sabotage it if you can.”
Talos released a heavy sigh. “Sure, why not.”
Fury grinned.
Ahsoka stood in the center of a training room, surrounded by Organa’s guards. Natasha and Clint stood in the watching.
“Fire whenever you feel like it. Keep her on her toes. See how long it takes to stun her,” Rex ordered.
Ahsoka pulled out the two lightsabers she made from the pieces of the Inquisitor's, activated the white blades, and stood in her signature stance.
She eyed the men around her.
They each wrapped a finger around the triggers.
“Begin!” Rex shouted.
The guards proceeded to fire stun rounds at Ahsoka. She jumped and spun in the air, dodging the blasts. Another round made their way towards her. She twirled around and blocked them with her lightsabers.
The two S.H.I.E.L.D. agents watched this occur with the slightest smirks on their faces.
“She’s good. How long can she go on like this?” Hawkeye questioned.
“Her record is five minutes,” Rex answered.
“Impressive,” Natasha nodded. Her smirk then disappeared as she looked closer at the Togruta. “How old is she?”
“Seventeen.”
Natasha adopted a neutral expression.
Clint frowned at that. He’d known his best friend for years and had gotten pretty good at reading her. And he knew that she definitely didn’t like that piece of information.
Before he could ease her worries, he was cut off by the arrival of a certain Senator.
“I hate to interrupt the demonstration, but it’s time to depart.”
The guards stopped firing and Ahsoka put away her lightsabers. The guards, Senator, and Rex left the room. Ahsoka was about to join them when the Black Widow stepped in front of her.
“Agent Natasha Romanov,” she introduced with an outstretched hand.
Ahsoka shook it with a smile. “Agent Ahsoka Tano. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Fury and Hill have said a lot about you.”
“Good things, I hope.”
“They said that you’re the best.”
Romanov had a neutral expression, but Ahsoka could feel her pride at that statement.
There was something else though. As Ahsoka looked deeper she found that the spy was rather unsettled.
Ahsoka crossed her arms. “Something’s bothering you. But it’s not the mission.”
Natasha raised a brow. “Really? And how do you know that?”
“They didn’t tell you? One of my abilities is sensing people’s emotions. And I sense that there’s something about me that’s upsetting you.”
After nearly a full minute of staring each other down, the Black Widow released a sigh. “How old we’re you when you started fighting?”
Ahsoka’s eyes widened, not expecting that question. “About three years, now.”
“Since you were fourteen?”
“Yeah.”
“Is this normal where you’re from?”
“It was for the Jedi Order.”
Natasha’s eyes narrowed. “Was this your choice?”
Ahsoka sighed. “Yes and no. Jedi are meant to be keepers of the peace. Not soldiers. Yet all I’ve ever been is a soldier.”
The spy’s expression softened. “You know, it’s not too late. Your young, younger than anyone in your place should be. We can help you live a normal life. Are you sure this is what you want to do?”
Ahsoka didn’t need the Force to tell that this woman had been in this same situation once.
“How long have you been fighting?”
“I was officially trained to be an assassin when I was eleven.”
The former Jedi’s eyes widened considerably.
“I defected to S.H.I.E.L.D. a few years ago and killed the man who made me what I am. Now I try to make up for everything I’ve done.” She looked Ahsoka right in the eyes. “You don’t strike me as someone with the same problems. You can walk away and no one would judge you.”
“I thought about doing that. I really did. But when I saw that Inquisitor kill those agents…I can’t let the Empire continue to hurt people. I may not be a Jedi anymore, but I will stand by and watch trillions suffer when I know I can do something.”
Natasha continued to stare at the Togruta. Soon that stare turned into a grin.
“Welcome to S.H.I.E.L.D., then. You may be more of a soldier, but I can show you how to be a spy. Now come on, we have a ship to catch.”
Romanov turned to the door to leave the room and stopped.
“Oh, and call me Natasha.”
Ahsoka blinked at this.Then she shook her head with a small smile and proceeded to follow her new teacher.
Two Months Later
“You sure about what these Martez sisters said,” Clint asked.
Ahsoka nodded. “I’ve known them for a while. If they say that they found a bunch of rouge Clones, they’re right.”
“Get ready for Hyperspace, then. Cause we’re going to Ord Mantel,” Rex stated.