Chapter Text
Counting the cracks on the cockpit wasn't exactly the best way to relax after a mission, it was more of a habit born from boredom, really, and by now Ahsoka had memorized all the markings, anyway. She was used to loneliness, she even preferred to work alone as a Fulcrum agent, but sometimes she missed having someone with a sharp tongue to be sassy with.
Maybe she missed the war.
Shaking her head, Ahsoka settled into the pilot's chair, looking up at the stars through the ship's window. In a way it brought her some comfort, space was the only thing that didn't seem to have changed. She sighed.
She didn't missed the war, she missed her friends.
Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by an alarm flashing on the dashboard, indicating a call from the Rebellion. It was unusual for her to be assigned for a new mission so quickly, the call seemed like a bad sign. The blue light from the hologram illuminated the cockpit as Ahsoka answered the call.
"Ahsoka, it's good to see you." The man said.
"It's good to see you too." She replied.
"How was your mission?"
"Well, nothing changed in the past three hours since our last call." Ahsoka raised one eyebrow. "You're not calling me to make small talk, are you?"
"You're right, I'm not. We need you back in the fleet." The image flickered for a few seconds before Bail continued. "We have an urgent situation to take care of."
"What happened? Are you in danger?"
“No, we are safe. One of our teams managed to steal a lot of sensitive data from the Empire, including some very important information. We may have found clues to the whereabouts of another Jedi.”
Ahsoka rose from her chair immediately. She knew that hope was a dangerous feeling after so many years unsuccessfully searching for survivors, but it was impossible to control the sparks that ignited in her chest. "Are you sure about that?"
Bail looked happy with the former Jedi's reaction. "Yes, this time the chances of the intel being correct are very high. It's not safe to transmit this information, the chance of someone intercepting it is small, but it's still risky. The Ghost crew is on their way to the fleet as we speak, the subject is of great interest to them as well. If we get to a conclusion on these reports we will need a rescue team, the Inquisitors may already be involved."
"Of course they are…" Ahsoka gave a sad smile. She couldn't tell how many comrades the Rebellion had lost at the hands of the Inquisitors, but she was still alive, she could still fight. "I'll be there soon."
"Thank you, Ahsoka. May the force be with you."
The cockpit sank back into darkness as Bail's hologram disappeared. Quickly, Ahsoka took the wheel and typed the coordinates for the rebel fleet. She would be there in a few hours, it would be enough for her to prepare herself.
"Ahsoka! You're here!" Ezra ran to meet his companion. "Bail said he would contact you to help with a secret mission."
"Yeah, I wouldn't pass this chance. The possibility of saving an old friend from the Jedi Time is too important to me."
Kanan greeted the togruta with a serious expression. "I'm glad that you're on this mission with us, Ahsoka. Come on, everyone is waiting."
The group continued resumed their walk, approaching the meeting room where Rex was waiting at the door, ready to receive his friend with a big hug. Rare were the occasions where Rex and Ahsoka were assigned a mission together.
"It's good to see you, Rex." Ahsoka muttered.
"You look good, Commander. Are we going to organize a rescue mission like the old days?"
"Seems like it. There's no rest for old war dogs like us."
Rex laughed and turned to open the door for his mates. The rest of the Ghost's crew were leaning against the large table in the center of the room. Bail Organa and two other members of the Rebel Alliance were talking quietly on the opposite side. Bail held up a hand to interrupt the conversation as everyone settled around the table.
"Welcome, Ahsoka. I apologize for the urgent call, but we couldn't continue without your presence." Bail indicated the two men beside him. "Now that we're all here, we can get started. These are Oxon and Nadren. They are responsible for the new intel from the Empire. Nadren, if you please."
A red-haired man stepped forward and cleared his throat. "Recently my men and I infiltrated an Empire facility to steal data on the location of prisoner transport ships in order to retrieve our kidnapped troops. Among the reports we found some information about the presence of a Jedi on several planets on the Outer Rim in recent years. Apparently the Inquisitors have already been informed of the last location they were seen. We tried to copy as much data as possible so that we could analyze all our alternatives and maybe plan a rescue mission."
"Nice! Show us what you got!" Ezra said, raising his fist, ready for action.
Oxon pulled out a datapad and, with a few taps, passed the information to the projector. Within seconds a file was shown for everyone to read.
Ahsoka's blood ran cold.
Olive green skin, sad blue eyes and black diamonds tattooed across a thin, elegant face. Out of the corner of her eyes the togruta could see that Rex was staring at her. Kanan tensed beside him, also realizing the implications of the revelation.
Barriss Offee could be alive.
Ahsoka only realized she was shaking when she felt Rex's hand on her shoulder. He looked just as uncomfortable as her. "Are you okay, Commander?"
"I…" Ahsoka swallowed. "No. I'm don’t think I am."
Ezra whistled. "Woah, who is she? She looks kind of young."
"We know who this is." Kanan sighed.
"I thought the Jedi were allies of the Republic in the Clone Wars, but right here it says she was a Republic prisioner." Sabine crossed her arms, trying to make sense of the situation.
Ezra continued to run his eyes over the information. "Let's see, let's see… She was accused of terrorism and treason against the Jedi Order and the Republic. Oh... Maybe that's why."
Kanan closed his eyes. "Barriss Offee was Master Luminara's Padawan. She used to take care of the younglings and supervise our training, probably one of the kindest and most caring Jedi I've ever met. She also practiced her gift of healing through the Force in the Hall of Healing. You two were friends, right Ahsoka? What else can you say about Barriss?"
Ahsoka knew that all the attention in the room was on her, her vision seemed to darken. She clenched her fists tightly, it was like the memories of her trial years ago were coming back to haunt her.
‘Barriss Offee, member of the Jedi Order and traitor.’
The memory wasn't helping her to remain calm.
"She bombed the Jedi Temple, killed my friends, killed innocents, then she framed me and left me to die. I don't think this is something friends do." Ahsoka didn't want to raise her voice so much. It was visible how the mirialan on the file was affecting her mood. "What does this mean, Bail?"
Bail crossed his arms. He didn't blame Ahsoka for her explosive reaction. "We believe the Emperor had other plans for her since her trial. Among the data we retrieved, some imperial records were tagged as crucial information for the Empire. If I may, Ahsoka, everyone needs to be aware of what we've found."
Bail wanted Ahsoka's understanding, but she just folded her arms. The man sighed. He was counting on her help for this mission and knew she would be ready to do anything for him if it wasn't such a delicate matter.
Ahsoka closed her eyes tightly. Rex's hand on her shoulder was the only anchor holding her steady at the moment. "You don't need to do this, Ahsoka. We can keep going without you."
She looked back at Rex. His was always a great friend, his eyes were as caring as ever, she knew she could trust him with her life. She covered Rex's hand on her shoulder with her own. "No. I want to continue. I want to find out what happened. My life turned upside down because of her. Everything I held dear and believed in fell apart in front of me, Rex. I need to find out what happened. This is my chance to put an end to this story. Please."
Ahsoka's last words were no more than a whisper. Rex squeezed her shoulder gently, offering a gentle smile. "I will be right by your side, Commander."
Ahsoka smiled.
She was not alone.
"Right. Let's take a look at the reports."