"When I talked to your intelligence general, he couldn't assure me that our demands could be met. Independence is very important to us, though, of course, this could not happen without defeating the Emperor. If they are willing to work me me, I'm willing to work with them." Lux explained to Ahsoka.

"They told me they would let me have representation within the governs and protections, whatever that means. What makes you think this Torgruta can help you? I mean, I'm allowing them to use my ships, and they seemed happy to use them, but how do we know, they won't just repress us after?" Suprine stated roughly.

"It's TOGRUTA! Not TORGRUTA!" Ahsoka shouted out in frustration at Suprine, and his constant mispronouncing the name of her people did not help matters. This was beginning to remind her of some of the negotiations from the Clone Wars. Lux seemed to still be fighting in the past, and she could understand his point, but couldn't he realize that this would be a whole new government? The only reason she was even here was her past friendship with Lux Bonteri, and her association with members of High Command. Her past friendship seemed to be the only thing that was allowing him to even consider helping the Alliance as well. This was not what she signed up for. "I'm not really the one that can do this for you! I can get you in touch with Admiral Ackbar, and you will have to work this out on your own."

"Ahsoka, you know I remember the Old Republic and it's faults. I'm only being cautious. I'm sure Senator Mothma remembers them as well. We all have to admit what replaced that was even worse for the galaxy," Lux said calmly. "We do want to be on the right side of history, I just have a lot of people I feel responsibility towards."

As Ahsoka was beginning to send a comm to Admiral Ackbar, a loud noise was heard outside the door of the large storage room. Ahsoka got a sense of something hostile being on the other side and it seemed as if someone was trying to break down the door. The building had been deserted and the meeting was secret, even though High Command was aware that Ahsoka was meeting someone on the planet. This surely couldn't be rebel forces, could it? Suprine and Lux drew their blasters, and Ahsoka grabbed her lightsabers just to be ready. She sensed it was two individuals trying to break into the building. Lux and Suprine took cover behind a box. After some struggle, two individuals in stormtrooper armor, without the helmets, one a woman with short blonde hair, and a very young man with dark skin and a shaved head, battered and dirty looking and a bit on the beat up and rough side, entered drawing weapons.

Ahsoka stood there still with both shock and aggravation, ready to reach for her lightsabers or blaster if needed. The stormtroopers, or whatever they were, stared at her for a moment and shouted, "Rebel Scum!" and started to fire.

Ahsoka held off the blasts using the Force, as Suprine and Lux returned fire. The stormtroopers found cover behind boxes on the other side, but not after one of the stormtroopers had gotten a blast in the arm. Ahsoka drew her lightsabers, again diverting the blasts and shocking the stormtroopers. The fire from the stormtroopers stopped, they stayed undercover behind the boxes. Suprine and Lux stopped firing to avoid hitting Ahsoka. Ahsoka stepped closer to the hiding spot of the stormtroopers. "What are you! Are you like Vader!"

"No, I'm not like Vader. You know the Empire was defeated here? What were you doing here? Where's the rest of your uniform?" Ahsoka asked, some distant away from the two, but closer than she had been before.

The warehouse was silent for a moment. "Why should we tell you?"

"Are you representatives of the Empire or not? I mean, I don't often see half dressed stormtroopers," Ahsoka asked.

"We are stormtroopers. The Empire left us. We are just trying to protect our families from scum like you!"

"You don't even know who I am?" Ahsoka said figuring they were just a lone duo probably displaced from the rebellion takeover of the planet. "Is your family here?"

"We haven't been home. I was raised on Sullust, my family is here, wait a minute, why do you want to know?" The young man told her from behind cover. The young woman was muttering something under her breath as he said it.

"No, you look, put your blasters down. You aren't going to be able to take back the planet yourself. Why don't we just talk about this?" Ahsoka told them gently.

"Look, all I see is people outside standing in line for food and medical supplies. We were fine before you came here and messed everything up. The Empire paid us, we provided for our families, and we were all right before this happened."

Ahsoka looked at the two Imperials. She could understand their frustration in the situation. "The Emperor was making slaves of some of the people here, don't tell me you don't know at least one person who disappeared without a trace. Maybe even one of your own. Come on out, surrender, I promise you will be taken care of, and we can even make sure we find out what happened with your families."

The stormtroopers came out, and Suprine and Lux came out as well, both in a peaceful and careful manner with hands away from blasters. "You can come peaceful with us, if you like, I promise you. The Empire has abandoned you here, and I know it doesn't seem like you will, but I promise you will be treated fairly," Ahsoka assured them.

Suprine then sneered, "Or I can take you out right now, which is more to my liking."

Ahsoka shook her head and gave him a look. They were obviously well trained soldiers of the Empire, but young, and it was probably just a job for them, better than working in the mines here on Sullust. She knew enough about the planet that many who lived here resented the citizens who worked for the Empire in such a manner, but assumed the opportunities were too good to dismiss. They weren't native Sullustans, but many humans had lived here for generations and they seemed to be locals. She had to be firm though, she knew they still could not be trusted. Suprine had some binders and they found a rope and tied the hands of one of the stormtroopers behind their backs and used the binders on the other. "We'll take you to the Alliance, I promise if you cooperate you will be treated fairly and with respect and I will make sure your families are located as well. We aren't monsters."

Ahsoka commed Admiral Ackbar letting him know the situation, and he told her that he would send instructions for the prisoners, as well as give a location for Lux Bonteri to meet with him. Ahsoka took the prisoners personally to the outpost the admiral had described and were surprised to see similar individuals also being detained there. They weren't locked up in a cell, but just sitting in a room together, all without helmets, some without armor. A lot of locals who had been hired as stormtroopers or other Imperial services, now without a job. Some were being fed, and a few even had visitors outside waiting for them. It was going to be an adjustment for everyone involved, and not just those who had been oppressed here, but by those who were just trying to get by only taking advantage of the opportunity given to them. Lux thanked Ahsoka with all her help, and left with Suprine to the meeting location given by Admiral Ackbar. Ahsoka was given instructions to return to the frigate outside of Sullust air space for further instructions.

As she was returning to the ship, something nagged at her. She knew something big was about to go down, and she didn't want to abandon the Alliance, but she had the sudden revelation that she needed to go elsewhere. That it was more important. She wasn't sure yet what that was, but the Force was talking to her and swaying her in a different direction. She got to the ship, and Alliance members were frantically supplying ships and collecting various kinds of gear in the hanger. She was almost knocked down as she walked to her quarters. She tried to comm General Cracken, but got the lieutenant assistant, and was told that he would contact her as soon as he could. She went to her quarters and plopped down and tried to relax, but it wasn't long before she was disturbed again by her communicator, "Commander Tano, Cracken here, meet me in conference room G, immediately."

Barely having had much time to even catch her bearings, she found herself making her way to the conference room. Crowds of personnel were still hurrying back and forth through the corridors and the tension seemed high. She got to the room, where she saw General Cracken, his assistant, and another high ranking officer she didn't know.

"Commander Tano, have a seat please. This is General Madine, we were just going over a few things before departing for a meeting on Sullust. I'm afraid I don't have much time, but wanted to update you on some new developments. High Command and other personnel are also gathering on planet for the meeting, I would like for you to attend, however, it is not mandatory. I just didn't know when I would have the time to give you the details on another assignment regarding intelligence on the situation on Kuat. Yes, as you can tell, the something big we have been planning has been unfolding. We are gathering as many ships as we can in the space here and the meeting will give details to that effect, however, I'm afraid it's classified as of right now. You did good work, as Bonteri has agreed to the terms and his ships will meet our fleet for the operation."

"Thank you, Sir, but I really don't feel I did much..." Ahsoka started to say, but General Madine cut her off.

"Admiral Ackbar told me it was like herding tookas getting Bonteri to agree to join us. He informed Ackbar that it was his belief in you that allowed him to first agree to helping in the first place. You have no idea how much that will help, commander," General Madine commended.

"I may actually get myself into the action this time. I'm not at liberty to say too much, Tano, but it's going to go one way or the other, it will either be the beginning of the end of the Empire, or the end of the Alliance," General Cracken informed her gravely.

"And this is going to happen at Kuat?" Ahsoka asked.

"Oh no, your assignment will be unrelated to the operation, still, I need to tell you a few things first. It's possible that I may end up not being your superior officer in the future, as I will be lending the duty over to someone else. I will give you the details in the datapad. I'll be going with the others. It's about time that I got my hands directly in the fight again. The datapad will have all the information you need, your contact on Kuat, any personnel you would need to respond to, as well as any other information you need," Cracken said handing the datapad over to her.

"Actually, sir, is there someone already out in the field you could pass this on to? I didn't want to abandon you during your time of need, however, since it's not part of the operation at hand, I need to take leave. I just hoped it wasn't a bad time to bring this up. It's something I really need to do. Does this ultimately require my own personal expertise?" Ahsoka asked with a bit of guilt.

"Well, Tano, I understand, and I do have some already in the core who could take this assignment, that is if you really feel you need to do this? We could always use someone like you. I suppose I understand that you have something personal to attend to. I'm disappointed and it might have some bearing on your commission, but if you feel you must..."

"I do. General Cracken, it's been a pleasure," she took his hand, "but I feel my destiny is leading me elsewhere. We may meet again. I hope you have had some help to the Alliance in my return, and I wish you well with your operation. Who knows, I may even return yet again," Ahsoka shrugged and smiled.

"Well, I guess this is it then, at least for now. You may take the ship if you like, it's yours. Make sure you clear out soon though, the entire fleet will be departing in short time. Dismissed," Cracken said with a salute and Ahsoka saluted back.

Ahsoka left the conference room, and nodded to Captain Solo who was sitting outside. "You look to be in better shape than when I first met you, still throwing drinking glasses?"she said with a laugh. He just smiled and shrugged before he was called into the conference room she just left.

Back in her room, there wasn't much to pack. She hadn't kept much there and she really hadn't been there that long. It was generous of General Cracken to allow her to keep her ship, but she imagined that it wasn't that much of a loss to the Alliance, it being so unpredictable before she herself had made it her own. Cracken hadn't seemed to be too distressed at her wanting to take a leave of duty, so there was that off her mind, however, she still wasn't exactly sure where her thoughts were guiding her to go. She felt strongly though, and knew that it could have only been the Force telling her that she was to be elsewhere. As she made her way back to her ship with her meager belongings, she sensed a vision of a forest with celebrations and happy feelings. At least it was something that wasn't a dark cloud, and imagined it was the future for these stressed individuals busy in the halls preparing for what was to come. At least she hoped that was what it was. She also had a good feeling what she was doing was right. She felt something deep in the Force as well, as if something was missing with sudden urgency, deep within her own chest.

Near her ship, she saw Princess Leia going over a few things with some of the troops in the hanger. She would get the chance to at least say goodbye to her. After waiting for Leia to finish with instructions to a young pilot, she was able to get her attention.

"I know you must be busy, Leia, but I've come to say goodbye. I won't be needed for the impending operation, whatever it may be, so I have decided to take leave. I hope you understand," Ahsoka said with sadness.

Leia smiled sadly, "Just like Luke. We'll miss you, Ahsoka."

"Oh, Luke hasn't come back yet?"

"No, though I hope to expect him back anytime. I just hope it's before we leave. He knows how to find us though. We could really use him." Leia bit her bottom lip. "Chewie is just over there, let me call him over. I'm sure he would like to see you before you head out," Leia then spoke into the communicator and within minutes, Ahsoka could see the furry guy come bounding down the hanger in the distance.

Chewbacca roared and hugged Ahsoka. "It was good to see you again. You take care of yourself, all right?" Ahsoka spoke into his fur as Chewie roared back.

Ahsoka gave Leia a long look. She never knew if she would ever see them again, and she couldn't tell her anything she knew. She liked getting to know Leia and Luke during her time reuniting with the Alliance, and the knowledge of who they really were it was if they were long lost family to Ahsoka as well. She just gave Leia a big unexpected hug, and Leia was a bit confused, but could never understand what exactly Ahsoka meant by it. "You tell Luke I said goodbye, OK? I'm sorry I couldn't see him before I left."

"I will, it was good to meet you, Ahsoka Tano." Leia said as Chewbacca roared, but it wasn't long before Leia was brought back to duty by others working in the hanger.

Ahsoka boarded her ship, not knowing exactly where she was headed, but thought that going to Dagobah again may give her some answers. She got a powerful feeling while she was there, and she could check in on Master Yoda as well. She would need some provisions prior to heading there, after all she didn't know how long she would be able to stay on what she currently had on the ship. While in hyperspace, she meditated, and she had the vision again of the lights flying around her. She didn't know where she was, but it was complete darkness, a vast void of anything, as if floating in space, with the only light being the small orbs floating around her. She smiled, and they danced around her. The alarms went off indicating her destination, and she landed at a small outpost that was a good place to stop for refueling and supplies, and to dock the ship. It took most of her credits just to dock, so she looked for a few things around the ship that she could use to trade, and unfortunately, it wasn't much, but she figured she wouldn't need a lot. She could sleep on the ship, and not pay room fees which would help. It sometimes got rough staying at the docking bay, but she could handle herself quite well.

She got out and went to a cantina for something to eat and to listen for any news of what was happening with the galaxy, especially anything involving the Alliance. The holonet was always propaganda, but from the gossip she got it seems that word had gotten out that the Emperor had built another Death Star battle station, and that the Alliance had found it. She was unsure from the holos who was winning, and the rumors were rampant as to whatever side was, but it sounded like it was near a moon of Endor, and that the Emperor may or may not have been there as well. She went back to her ship to get some rest and to wait for the delivery of her supplies.

She woke up to the noise of a Duros man with a crate containing the items she was expecting. It was just some food and other essentials. As he was bring her crate up onto her loading ramp, he asked her, "Did you hear that the Emperor is dead? I'm not sure it's true, the holonet isn't saying it, but look at this holo!"

She picked it up and touched it in her hand and it flickered. It was Admiral Ackbar sending a message that the Alliance was successful and that Luke Skywalker himself confirmed that both the Emperor and Darth Vader were now dead. It was clear, the rebellion was not over, but the beginning of the end of the Empire's fall had begun. Ahsoka smiled. "They did it!"

The Duros smiled and played it again, "I've watched it 10 times already. It's incredible isn't it?"

It sure is, Ahsoka thought.

Ahsoka went back into the cantina one more time before leaving for Dagobah. She wasn't sure what she would find there, but she knew she wouldn't be able to keep up with any galaxy news on Dagobah, so perhaps she might pick up a few more trinkets of news before she headed out. She could see someone with a small holo of Princess Leia making the rounds and that too gave her comfort knowing she too had made it as well. The holonet itself on a screen in the room was playing a smashball game, but a ticker on the bottom was showing conflicting information to the holos that were being passed around the cantina. You could never truly trust the holonets, but Ahsoka knew you could trust Ackbar and the Princess. She got something hot to eat, and walked out, ready to head on to the next part of her journey.

It was some time before Ahsoka actually got to Dagobah, but once she got there, she knew that Yoda was gone. She imagined that it must have been while she was in the process of leaving the frigate, when she got that strange sensation in her chest. She found his home small but welcoming, and unpacked some of her things from her ship and made herself at home.

After what she concluded was probably a cycle, or a day, on planet, she went for a walk and took a deep breath trying to feel all the life on the planet. There were many small lifeforms and a powerful energy was here. She found a waterfall in the swamp that was quite beautiful and cool and sat next to it, allowing the sound of the water drift her off into a deep meditation. Again, she saw the lights dancing around her in the vast darkness like she had before. However, this time, when she came out of it, the lights were still there! She was no longer in meditation, or asleep, but fully awake. The lights danced around her bidding her to follow and follow she did. She came to a hollow in the ground surrounded by trees with a log bidding her to sit, and the lights disappeared as she sat down. She looked around relaxing and just trying to feel the Force around her. There were the noises of nature all around her and the sounds of things in the swamp, and in the background were some twigs snapping. She turned around and saw a familiar sight. She gasped. It couldn't be. Tears were running down her cheeks. She had to be dreaming. She didn't know how to feel and tried to feel out into the Force for the answer, until he spoke.

"Hey, Snips, are you losing focus?" he said, looking every bit the same as he did the last time she saw him, that is as himself, so many years ago. Her old master, Anakin Skywalker.

"This can't be happening! How is this happening! You? How?" She asked looking at him as if he was just a mirage in the swamp, he wasn't flesh and bone, but he wasn't exactly a holo or a ghost either.

"I knew you'd get here, Snips. I don't know exactly how got to this point myself, but Luke, well, he saved me. You and I have a lot to talk about." and he sat right next to her on the log.

"Is it really you, Skyguy?"

He laughed, and smiled. They looked at each other a moment, smiled and talked for a very long time. In the distance, the spirits of two Jedi masters looked on with peaceful smiles.

Thanks for reading. Ahsoka Lives!