Oh, if it weren't for my meditation practice, my body would definitely be stiff. As it was, it remained tolerable. Finally rubbing my eyes, I washed up quickly and had a bite of something from my dry rations. Something told me I should hurry—clearly the machinations of the Force. I prefer to believe it...
With some difficulty recalling the way (my memory was failing me; it had been a long time, after all), I set off for the Tower where the Appointment Council "resided." They were busy assigning younglings to teachers. Well, "assigning" wasn't exactly the word—usually a Jedi would come there and announce that he was taking a certain youngling as his Padawan. In most cases, the Jedi's decision was not questioned. It was believed he knew better, because the Council held that the Force should bring teacher and student together. Those younglings who were not chosen as Padawans were usually assigned to the Agro Corps.
In exceptional cases, such as with Anakin Skywalker and Rama Kotha, the decision was made by the High Council. Ordinary cases were routine, meant more to record the decision in the archives—so as not to lose sight of the person, no less.
After taking the high-speed elevator up, I entered a small oval room where a lone Jedi sat. My memory, after a brief pause, identified her race as Codian.
"Honorable—"
"Ntorra Ailio is my name, Knight..."
"Mikore Vikt. Pleased to meet you."
"The choice of a Padawan brought you here, did it not?"
"You are absolutely right, Master Ailio." Well, why else would a Jedi come here?
"What is the name of your apprentice?"
"Ahsoka Tano, Togruta."
"Oh, I remember that youngling. She often acts impulsively and is prone to emotion. Only a couple of younglings from her class were not chosen as Padawans. Are you certain of your choice?"
"Yes. The Force tells me so." I knew I was lying, but it should work.
The Master closed her eyes.
"Very well, so be it. I hope she will become a worthy Jedi. I will make the necessary arrangements. You may go."
***
Ahsoka silently practiced her strike combination, though a storm raged in her heart. She couldn't understand why she was still a youngling. Many of her acquaintances had already become Padawans. Some had been chosen directly by teachers, while others had mustered the courage to ask Jedi to be their mentors. But no one wanted to take her.
She was talented! She had even assembled her first combat blade! Even Master Yoda had praised her!
If things continued this way, her fate would be decided by the Council. They could send her to the Service Corps. Or the Agro Corps.
No. That won't happen. A flare of anger seized the little Togruta, and she began to put more force into her strikes than was necessary.
"Look, look," someone's voice rang out from the crowd of younglings waiting their turn.
The girl glanced sideways without interrupting her exercises.
An unfamiliar Jedi Knight was standing in the passageway, leaning against the wall. Nothing unusual in that, except for one thing—he was the strangest Jedi she had ever seen. Beneath his cloak, the outlines of real, genuine armor were visible. The metal parts had a bluish tint; the gloves and collar were dark brown; his forehead was bandaged. Behind his shoulder, a bulky backpack was strapped. In general, he looked a little... worn out. And he was carefully scanning the younglings who were training.
Ahsoka continued to practice her strikes, but her thoughts leapt to a new possibility. Wow, this must be one of the Jedi who participated in the raid on Geonosis. In any case, I haven't seen him before. What is he doing here? Maybe... no, it can't be. Is he looking for a Padawan? And the war has started, and the news said the Jedi have been appointed generals. Oh, I wish I could go to war! I'd show them what I'm worth. Commander Ahsoka Tano—that sounds pretty good. But Padawan Ahsoka Tano—even better, and even more...
"Ahsoka Tano?"
The dreamy Togruta jerked and turned around. The blade of her sword, following an intricate trajectory, nearly cut into the body of the approaching Jedi—but was stopped by his own blade, which he barely managed to activate. Everyone froze. The sword Tano was training with was a combat blade.
"Ouch!" was all Ahsoka managed to say.
The Jedi smiled.
"That was close. You almost killed me, by the way."
Ahsoka fell into despair. Well, I screwed up. Of all things, this had to happen. No—what a disgrace. How could I not have noticed him?!
"I'm sorry, Knight, I—"
"However, I like your approach," the stranger interrupted. "First you strike, then you ask questions. I think you'll suit me."
Could he be...
"My name is Mikore Vikt. I am a Jedi Knight," the man said with a smile. It was clear from his face that the youngling's mental anguish was no secret to him. "Ahsoka Tano, will you be my Padawan? I have already been to the Appointment Council..."
"Yes. I agree!" The Togruta replied instinctively, almost a cry from the heart, while her brain lagged behind, afraid to believe what she had just heard.
"Excellent. Come, we need to talk."
Turning, the Jedi headed for the exit of the training hall. The girl hurried after him, blinking in a daze and almost forgetting to turn off her lightsaber. Whispers followed her from all sides, only fueling the storm of emotions raging in her soul.
Yes, yes, yes! I've become a Padawan! Finally!
"Ahsoka," her companion broke the silence as soon as they stepped into a more deserted corridor, "I will take you as my Padawan, and you won't have to go to the Agro Corps. But before that, we need to agree on something." The Knight turned and looked intently into her eyes.
Can he read minds or something?
"What?" Ahsoka asked cautiously, unable to think of anything better, though fearing the worst. Truthfully, she didn't even know what "the worst" meant, but she was afraid anyway.
"First, we're going to war. So don't argue with me in a combat situation! I'll allow it before or after—I even insist you express your thoughts and criticize my ideas. But during combat, if I say 'Forward,' you go forward. If I say 'Stop,' you stop. If I say 'Run,' you run—even if you don't understand the reason at all."
"Jedi don't retreat!" she blurted reflexively, then immediately shut her mouth.
"Yes, yes. 'If we retreat, it means we are advancing—in the opposite direction,'" the Knight mimicked someone, smiling ironically as he looked away.
Ahsoka felt the blood rush to her cheeks...
"So, do you agree with this point?" Vikt continued.
"Yes," the embarrassed Togruta managed to say.
"Then the second condition: joking and making fun of others is allowed and even encouraged, if it doesn't harm the cause. But," the Jedi emphasized the last word, "you can't make fun of me."
"Um... why is that?" It wasn't that the condition upset her greatly—Ahsoka never thought she abused this practice very much. She had no idea what others thought of it. Well, almost... And they were wrong anyway, that was all! But still—it was strange. And unfair, yes!
"So you're against it?" The man tried to raise one of his eyebrows, but since he didn't have any, it looked... funny.
"No, Master," Tano said, barely managing to hold back the sarcasm that hovered on the tip of her tongue.
From the expression on the Knight's face, she realized he didn't really believe her.
"Well, then let's go. Get your things together. I sense we'll be setting off soon."
***
What can I say? Ahsoka Tano looked exactly as I had imagined. Although, truth be told, I couldn't quite take a thirteen-year-old girl seriously. And I had little idea what I could actually teach her. She could probably teach me a thing or two. By the way, it would be good to have a couple of training fights. Hopefully I don't get knocked out in the first few minutes. A silly smile crept onto my face.
Following my Padawan down the winding corridors of the Temple, I stopped in front of the door to her quarters.
"I'll wait for you here."
"I'll be quick, Teacher!" And my student disappeared behind the door.
"Quick" took a little longer than expected, but while I was waiting, the comlink built into my armor—already set up with the settings from my predecessor's old device—chirped loudly. Surprised, I activated the connection.
"Mikore Vikt?" A small projection of Master Shaak Ti appeared before me.
"Yes. How can I help you?"
"As you know, the Senate has appointed the Jedi as generals in the new Grand Army of the Republic," she said. I had just discovered the same news while glancing at the holonet as I searched for Ahsoka. "If you are ready, you must report immediately to hangar three-er-fifteen. You have an assignment and your first mission."
"I'll be there soon."
Well, that was it. My vacation was over. My first battle awaited me.
"Ahsoka, stop eavesdropping," I called toward the door, behind which I had sensed the girl's presence a few seconds earlier. The Force is a wonderful thing, but the little one didn't know how to hide yet. Then again, neither did I, so I'd have to make up for that oversight. "Hurry up and pack your things. Let's go."
"I'm ready, Master." The young Padawan immediately jumped out, proudly showing me a small backpack.
"Then let's not keep Master Shaak Ti waiting..."