Chapter Text
“No.”
Ahsoka ground her teeth. “But if we circle around, maybe there’s another—”
“No.” Her taciturn companion continued surveying the revolutionaries guarding a city checkpoint.
They had been like this for ten minutes, and she was going over the edge. “We can’t hide behind a stack of crates forever.”
Sharp eyes flicked across the space for what had to be the hundredth time. “We will be here longer if you keep disrupting my concentration.”
“My apologies. Please, don’t let me interrupt the riveting sight of armed civilians pacing in circles.”
There was no response, so Ahsoka provided one for the woman. ‘Your input has been noted, Princess. Now, shut up and wait for me to save your life.’
Continuing her imagined conversation, Ahsoka replied, ‘If I do, will you stop acting like I’m a useless child forced upon you?’
‘No.’
Giving up her nonsense monologue, Ahsoka slumped against the building behind them. Her mind soon drifted into places she didn’t want it to go. Her father’s hugs, her mother’s kisses, her sister’s laugh, her brother’s smirk, her niece’s giggles, her grandfather’s voice, her uncle’s smile, even her tart aunt’s scowl—all things she would never have again.
Pulling knees to her chest, she tucked her face into them. Ahsoka Tano wanted to go home. But she no longer had one. The revolutionaries had seen to that. She was the sole survivor of a lineage that spanned centuries. It was her duty to carry on. What that meant, she didn’t know.
The youngest princess was just that, a bright face for the ceremonies, an afterthought. Yet, here she was—alone and on the run with a hired escort, who didn’t respect her any more than anyone else would. Maybe she should simply let these rebels capture her. This could all end now.
Locking arms around her legs, she scrunched herself tighter and swallowed rising tears. She may be the youngest princess, but she was still a princess. And princesses didn’t cry.
A hand brushed her shoulder. Jerking up, she saw a hint of something different in her escort’s gaze. Ahsoka didn’t know what the emotion was or whether she was imagining it. Still, the expression gave her a tiny sense of comfort.
Then, the eyes reverted to stony indifference. “Let’s go.”
Ahsoka pasted a grin on her face. “About time.”
Crouching by the edge of the crates, she drew her weapon. “Follow my lead.”
“Don’t I always?”
As was becoming a habit, the lack of response prompted Ahsoka to supply her own. ‘Actually, you tend to do the opposite.’
‘Yeah, but you like me anyway, right?’
‘No.’
Taking a deep breath, Ahsoka prepared for yet another fight to keep her alive.
_______
Ahsoka watched her escort stretch sinewy muscles. The removal of the Mirialan’s cloak had allowed her first glimpse of what lay underneath.
Her lithe figure fit perfectly inside a full bodysuit of matte leather. It couldn’t be normal leather, though. The material seemed to mold itself to the body occupying it, conforming to whatever shape was needed at any given moment. An outer layer of overlapping scales subtly rippled with each motion. The entire effect evoked the hide of a pterayi dragon while in flight.
Realizing she was staring, Ahsoka fidgeted with her own clothing. The fitted sleeves kept riding up her arms and cutting off circulation. Flexing tingling fingers, she cursed her choice of attire for the fiftieth time.
Her escort’s dry inflection once more sounded inside Ahsoka’s head. ‘Yes, Princess. Why did you choose such an impractical outfit?’
‘Oh, come on! So sorry I didn’t wake up and think… Hey, you know what? Better not wear a fancy skirt today, Ahsoka. There might be a revolution.’
‘That’s no excuse.’
She curled fingers into her palms. Ahsoka also didn’t know today would be the day her life fell apart. Casting about for a distraction from that line of thought, she blurted, “I like your outfit. Do those scaly bits provide protection from blaster bolts or enhance stealth or something? Or are they just to make you look extra badass?”
The Mirialan slipped into a fresh cloak. Unlike the dingy gray she’d been sporting, this one was a more pleasing royal blue that nearly matched the woman’s eyes. Digging into her pack, she tossed another cloak at Ahsoka. “Swap.”
Shaking it out, she hummed appreciatively. “Now, that’s more like it. Green is my favorite color. I mean not those neon kinda greens, but how this is—green like a forest, you know?” Receiving no response, she changed her approach. “Are we switching because someone near the last checkpoint might give them descriptions of our clothing?”
“Yes.”
Ahsoka pulled on her new cloak and tried again. “Blue is cool too, though. Like your lightsaber. It is a lightsaber, right? I’ve never seen one in real life, but it looks the same as the holos. If we get a chance, can I chop something in half?”
“No.”
“Not even if I say pretty please?” She produced what her sister termed the A+, Ahsoka’s annoyingly adorable grin to acquire almost anything.
Her escort repacked the modest-sized slingbag that somehow fit the myriad of items the woman kept magically producing from it. “No.”
“Ok, I get that. But if we survive, could I at least hold it? Sorta as a reward for staying alive?”
The eyes that gave her nothing to work with ran over Ahsoka’s figure. “Hood up.”
Flashing another grin, she flipped it over her montrals. “It’s a deal then.”
That got an exasperated breath, which Ahsoka totally considered a victory. Her companion slung the pack over a shoulder and strode back onto the street. “Let’s go.”
Ahsoka raced after her. “So, are you a Jedi?”
The woman’s stride hitched. “It’s time to work our way to the city gates.”
Undaunted, she continued, “I know it’s not my business. I find Jedi fascinating is all. This may sound stupid, but I always wanted to be one.”
‘Yes, that is stupid.’
‘Right, but could you maybe just humor me with an actual conversation?’
‘No.’
Keeping her tone light, Ahsoka actually said, “Where are we going, once we reach the gates?”
Halting at an intersection, her escort surveyed the area before moving again. “It’s wiser if we proceed silently.”
Whether it was good advice or not, she didn’t know. Ahsoka did know she couldn’t handle another several hours talking to herself. “The terrain surrounding Korvala isn’t easy to navigate. It’s unsettled and pretty barren. There are tons of predators and limited water sources. Only organized hunting parties usually venture outside of the city. Wouldn’t it be better to steal a ship from the spaceport?”
“No.”
“Because it’s too heavily fortified? Or because they’d blow us out of the sky if we took off from there? I guess that means the revolutionaries captured it too? How else will we get off Shili? I assume we want to get off-planet, anyway, since staying here seems like a bad idea. But maybe they told you to take me somewhere else. Where are we supposed to go and what happens when I get there? I mean why would anyone tell me anything? I’m just the Princess.”
A growl erupted, and the Mirialan shoved Ahsoka into a nearby alleyway. Gripping her arms, she bit out, “We are going to my hidden ship in the dunes, which has the power and speed to potentially evade their air defenses. We both may die in the process. Whether you think this is a game or your disregard for the seriousness of our situation is some sort of nihilistic personality trait, I don’t know. At least, appreciate that I’d prefer to survive this job and follow my instructions without unnecessary questions or gratuitous commentary.”
She stared into the now fiery blue eyes. It was the longest string of words the woman had uttered. Ahsoka grinned. “Ma’am, yes ma’am.”
There was a muttered curse as she released her hold. “Why did I bother? Let’s go, Princess.”
Ahsoka crossed her arms. “Only if you stop treating me like a wayward child.”
“Then, stop acting like one. Respect is earned.”
Sudden anger flared. “What do you want from me?! My family was murdered, my home is burning, and I’m being hunted by people who’d like to finish the job. Meanwhile, a hired mercenary, whose conversational forte consists of one-word answers, orders me around with no explanation. Understanding the seriousness of our situation doesn’t mean I have to obey your every command without question, Escort.”
The woman blinked and tilted her head. She ran the same gaze over Ahsoka that she employed when appraising guards at a checkpoint and then grunted. “We need to keep moving.” Heading back onto the street, she added, “You can call me Barriss.”
_______
Ahsoka watched the humming blade polish off the last guard with her usual admiration. “I don’t know why we needed to sneak up on these guys when you were planning to slash right through them.”
She returned the weapon to her belt and proceeded through the checkpoint. “Keep up.” Replacing her hood, the woman started sprinting down the next street.
Grumbling to herself, Ahsoka ran after her. Dusk turned to night as they weaved through what felt like half the city at an unyielding pace. Their circuitous route doubled back several times, which Ahsoka could only assume was to leave a false trail. About the time she’d decided her legs were in serious danger of detaching themselves from her body, they halted at a dilapidated warehouse.
Examining the rusty lock panel, her escort jiggled it and the door screeched open. Glancing around the deserted alleyway, she ordered, “Inside.”
Panting heavily, Ahsoka held her side and eyed the pitch-black darkness. “Erm, can I get a second option?”
“Now, Princess.”
Too tired to argue, she edged into the unknown. Immediately sidestepping, Ahsoka found a wall to feel her way down. Senses heightening, she crouched in a ready stance and waited for her eyes to adjust. Togruta had minimal night vision, but it was better than nothing.
Something brushed against her arm, and she spun into a panicked kick. Ahsoka heard a grunt as her foot connected with a solid object. She shot away from the wall and scanned for the threat.
“Well,” a dry voice commented, “you can certainly move fast when you want to.”
“Oh. Um, sorry. Didn’t think about it being you.”
“Obviously.” There was rustling and then light flared. Her escort appeared, holding a compact lantern. She shined it across the entire perimeter of the abandoned warehouse. “Feel better?”
Seeing the utter emptiness, she cringed. “So what now?”
Setting the lamp down, the woman rummaged through her slingbag and tossed Ahsoka a small blanket. “Sleep.” Spreading her own, she flicked a switch embedded in the bottom corner. There was a whoosh as the flat piece of fabric inflated into a person-sized cushion.
“Right. Of course.” Ahsoka dried sweaty palms on her cloak. “We’ve been going non-stop. Need to stay on top of our game, right?” She squeaked a laugh, surveying the darkness beyond the lantern’s dim radius once more. “Can’t have you passing out in the middle of a fight for our lives.”
The silence prompted her mind’s usual filling of the gaps. ‘Top-notch analysis, Princess.’
‘I promise I’m not trying to be annoying. It’s just this situation isn’t exactly normal for me. I didn’t get lessons on being a fugitive, you know. Or lessons on anything that would be useful right now. I mean my home was a protected palace yesterday. I’ve never slept in rundown buildings at night while people attempt to kill me every hour. A princess isn’t supposed to say she’s scared but I am, ok? Maybe throw me a bone here. Hey, you’re doing great all things considered? Chin up, Ahsoka? A bit of friendly conversation? A smile? Anything?’
‘No.’
Crushing the blanket against her chest, Ahsoka gazed at a scuff in the steel flooring.
“Sleep, Princess.”
She jumped. “Huh? Oh. Right.” Forcing herself into motion, Ahsoka examined the area on the opposite side of the lamp. She brushed away some metal filings and then inflated her thin cushion. Positioning it as close as possible to the light source, she pulled her cloak tighter and curled up facing the other woman.
The Mirialan laid flat. Gripping the saber in her left hand, she rested it on her stomach. Her right reached over to the lantern, and she twisted her head. “We need to save power and avoid detection.”
Ahsoka’s muscles seized, fresh beads of sweat springing along her forehead. Jamming hands into her armpits, she stuttered, “Y-yep. Makes sense. No problem.”
Her lips pursed. “I was hired to protect you. I always fulfill my commitments.”
She tried a grin. “Nice to know. And I guess you have a high success rate, being the best and all. Like eighty or ninety percent, yeah?”
An eyebrow cocked. “One hundred.”
Ahsoka stared. “Well, that’s… even better to know.”
“Good.” She hesitated for another moment but then switched off the lantern.
Darkness enveloped the space. She locked every sense on the shadowy blob across from her, until the woman’s figure solidified. Then, Ahsoka anchored herself to the only thing she had to hold onto.
“Sleep, Princess,” a quiet voice said. “It’ll be light again soon.”
Maintaining the laser focus on her protector, Ahsoka let her eyes close. She listened to the rhythmic rise and fall of the woman’s breathing. Tension ebbed from her muscles, mind fading in and out. As exhaustion won the battle, she murmured, “Ok… Barriss.”
_______
“There’s no choice, Ahsoka. You’re the last remaining heir to the throne. They won’t stop hunting you.”
She searched her uncle’s face. “What about you? They could come for you too.”
“I’m a sick, old man with no claim to anything. They haven’t even bothered to raid my estate. I’m clearly not a priority to whoever is leading this chaos. Either way, an arduous escape is not something my body can handle. I would only put you in more danger. You must go without me.”
Ahsoka crossed her arms. “What if I’d rather stay with you? Die fighting if I have to.”
He put a hand on her shoulder. “You are all that’s left of our family, and I intend to see you and it survives. Please, Ahsoka, give me that peace.”
She slumped. “Alright. For you, Uncle, I’ll go.”
Letting out a relieved exhale, he pulled her into a hug. “Remember, my feisty girl, change is the fabric of life itself. The day may come when you return and take your place once more. Or this may be your first step into a different future. Only time and you can say. However, you will never know if you do not live to see it.”
Holding him tighter, she choked out, “I love you.”
“As I do you. Now, you must go.” He waved at his guards. They admitted a cloaked figure into the room. “This is your protector. Your father’s friends spared no expense and procured the best. She will escort you to safety.”
Ahsoka barely glanced at the newcomer as she fought rising tears. “I’ll see you again soon, right?”
He rubbed her cheek. “Your family is always with you.” Nodding at her escort, the man limped toward the door with a slight wheeze. “Come.” They reached the back entryway, and he delivered a gentle kiss to her montrals. “Live, Ahsoka. Live.” Giving her an encouraging smile, her uncle retreated down the corridor.
Her escort swept out an arm. “This way, Princess.”
A knot twisted in her stomach as Ahsoka followed the woman from the house. She stepped through the rear gates and then flinched when the metal doors screeched shut behind her. Angling her gaze above the protective walls, she kept the top of her uncle’s home in sight while they wound their way out.
Even after they’d entered the edges of the city and her uncle’s estate vanished behind an upsurge of buildings, Ahsoka continued glancing back. On her fourth such turn, she gasped. A column of smoke was rising into the sky. She pivoted and pelted toward it.
Footsteps gave chase behind her. “Stop!”
Ahsoka shot into a flat run, faster than she knew herself capable of going. She made it just past the outskirts of the city. Right when her uncle’s residence came into clear view, she was tackled to the ground.
Struggling under the iron grip, Ahsoka managed to lift her head. “No!” The front gates had been blasted apart. The part of his home visible through the massive gap billowed flames. Heavy military vehicles and clumps of armed figures surrounded it. “Let go of me! They probably think I’m there. We have to save him!”
A voice hissed in her montrals. “There is no one to save. He either escaped or is dead. It’s the same choice you now have. The one he sacrificed to give you. Don’t make it in vain.”
Jerking up, Ahsoka sucked ragged breaths and squashed palms into the warehouse floor. Body trembling, she tried to expel the dream from her mind. It refused to fade. The memory kept cycling from one image to the next, every detail etched in perfect clarity. No matter what she told herself, it felt as real as the first time. Even the aroma of scorched metal and smoky air filled her nostrils.
Laying back down and gazing into darkness, Ahsoka Tano watched the last remnant of her life burn. But she didn’t cry.