Mira’s P.O.V.
“Well, how are you settling in?”
Mira glanced up to see Ahsoka watching her expectantly, her arms folded across her chest and a friendly smile on her face.
“Oh, all right,” Mira replied half-heartedly, straightening up.
Ahsoka let her arms fall to her sides before propping one hand on her hip. Her smile never wavered, but the skeptical light in her eyes was plain enough to see.
I guess I could’ve tried to be a little more convincing…
“What’s wrong?” the Togruta asked outright.
“Nothing,” Mira insisted, forcing a smile.
Ahsoka laughed lightly, “I can see that.”
Mira sighed, dropping her pretense, “It’s just...Rain.”
Ahsoka blinked, her smile fading. She took a step forward, placing a hand on Mira’s shoulder.
“Mira, trust me, you’re better off without her.”
Mira’s gaze was fixed on the ground, the loss of her sister weighing on her.
“I don’t know about that,” she said sullenly, “She always looked out for me when we were kids—”
“When you were kids,” Ahsoka emphasized, “But she abandoned you, remember? I was there. I know what it did to you.”
An image surged to the forefront of Mira’s mind, a memory of her white-knuckled hands grasping her sister’s old lightsaber while she sobbed and screamed at the empty bed beside hers.
Oh, Ahsoka...I know you mean well, but it was so much worse than you could know.
“And now I’ve abandoned her,” Mira said quietly.
“She had it coming,” Ahsoka insisted, “I didn’t want to say this, but a part of me always knew Rain would turn traitor. I only ever had one mission with her as a padawan, but she had so much darkness then.” She turned away, uttering a sigh. “I guess I failed her the same way I failed my master.”
Mira reached out to lay a comforting hand on the Togruta’s arm, resonating with grief and regret.
“It’s not your fault. It was out of your control,” she assured her.
She pulled away, clasping her hands tightly and dropping her gaze once more.
“I guess it was easier for someone more emotionally removed from Rain to see her darkness. In the years leading up to the war—even sometime after—she seemed...I don’t know...fine. More a Jedi then than she ever was. But maybe I just wasn’t looking close enough—”
“Don’t worry about it,” Ahsoka cut in, “That part of your life is long over.”
“I know, but another part of my life just ended, and ended badly.”
I said the worst thing I could’ve possibly said…
“It was always going to end badly, Mira. You did what you had to. Just give it some more time. I’m sure you’ll forget about it.”
No amount of time could ever erase the memory of my sister. I learned that the hard way, years ago.
But all she offered was a quiet, “Thank you.”
“Maybe this will help get your mind off it. I came to tell you that I have your first mission for you, if you’re up to it.”
“Of course,” Mira responded, her spirits lifting somewhat, “I’m here to help after all. So what’s this mission?”
“If you follow me to the bridge, you might find out,” Ahsoka replied teasingly.
Kanan and Ezra were both waiting by the holotable when the two women arrived, Ezra leaning against the holotable and flashing Mira a crooked grin.
“So, newbie, you ready for your first mission?”
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Kanan not-so-subtly elbowed his padawan in the ribs, causing him to straighten suddenly with a sharp, “Ow!” His hand flew to his side, rubbing the injured area tenderly as he took in Kanan’s stern glare. “What?” he asked innocently.
Mira resisted the urge to laugh aloud.
“Yes, I hope so,” she replied, looking to Ahsoka in anticipation.
The Togruta stepped forward, activating the holotable to reveal a crystalline planet all too familiar to Mira.
“Christophsis,” she blurted.
“Yes,” Ahsoka confirmed, “I take it then that you spent some time there during the Clone Wars?”
“Yes,” Mira said, her eyes poring over the map, “Rain and I accompanied Senator Organa on his relief mission to the planet.”
And when things went south, it was thanks to Rain’s efforts that we held out long enough for help to arrive. She put her life on the line that day in order to buy us the time we needed, only to undo her own work a mere two years later. It’s...ironic, I guess.
Mira looked up at the sound of Ahsoka’s voice elaborating her own connection to the planet.
“For me,” she said, “It was where I met Anakin.” She glanced away, her face a mask. “I guess we both have memories on Christophsis.”
“Not me. I’ve never been,” Ezra cut in, earning himself another jab in the ribs.
Ahsoka smiled, “Well then, this will be your chance to make some.”
“Though hopefully our visit won’t be too memorable?” Mira added, casting a questioning look at the Togruta.
A mischievous light appeared in Ahsoka’s eyes.
“Now where would be the fun in that?” She paused, turning to the holomap. “There’s a rebel element on the planet that calls themselves the Church of the Force. They’re one of many throughout the galaxy, all devoted to the Jedi principles. But the Empire has been robbing them of their kyber crystals. So they reached out to us for help. Now I don’t know about you three, but I think the Empire has taken more than enough away from us. Our friends, our legacy, now our beloved kyber crystals. I witnessed firsthand the destruction of Ilum,” she said, forcefully jabbing her finger into the rim of the holotable, her blue eyes blazing with anger. Her intensity took Mira somewhat by surprise. “The senseless greed that ravaged a pivotal part of the Jedi’s heritage,” Ahsoka continued fiercely, “It’s time we pushed back. We need to return those crystals to the right hands.”
“Yeah!” Ezra cheered enthusiastically.
“What’s our plan?” Kanan queried.
“We’ll meet with the rebels on Christophsis and figure it out from there.”
“When do we leave?” Ezra asked excitedly.
Ahsoka smiled, “Soon.”
Mira rested a hand on the Togruta’s shoulder, trying not to seem worried.
“Can I speak with you...alone?”
“Of course. Kanan, Ezra, if you could give us a minute.”
As soon as they had ventured out of earshot, Mira turned to face her companion.
“Are you all right?”
“Of course,” Ahsoka replied with an easy smile, placing one hand on her hip, “Why?”
“All this seems…” Mira hesitated, wringing her hands nervously. “A little too personal for you,” she finished.
“Nonsense. I just want to help our fellow rebels.”
Mira’s brow furrowed in confusion, “But...you said—”
“Mira,” Ahsoka cut her off, running a hand down her arm in an attempt to soothe her, “Really, you don’t need to worry about me. I was just trying to help motivate the team.”
Mira took a calming breath, trying to ease her slight irritation.
I know well enough what a desire for vengeance looks like. I’ve seen it many times in Rain. I can’t let Ahsoka fall prey to its ugly whim.
“Ahsoka, listen. I know as Jedi, we—”
“Mira, I’m not a Jedi,” Ahsoka reminded her.
“I know you left the Order all those years ago, but you still carry yourself as a Jedi, and in the briefing room you referred to the Jedi legacy as ours.”
“My time among the Jedi was an important part of my life. So I can’t help but feel like their legacy is my own.”
Then why insist on trying to distinguish yourself from them? Why not fully embrace that legacy?
Mira decided not to press the issue however, choosing instead to return the conversation to its original topic.
“Regardless of whether or not you view yourself as a Jedi, I understand how upsetting it can be to see their legacy tainted. But revenge is a dangerous thing—”
“Mira, I told you why we’re doing this. Why won’t you believe me?” Ahsoka queried, sounding hurt.
“I’m not blind, Ahsoka,” Mira pressed, her resolve hardening, “Not anymore.”
“This isn’t important right now,” Ahsoka insisted, her tone shifting from hurt to anger.
“It is. It doesn’t matter what you call yourself; the Jedi ideals are what set us apart from—”
“From Rain?” Ahsoka cut in, an edge to her voice.
Her eyes were as cold and blue as the ice caverns on Ilum when she spoke. Despite herself, Mira couldn’t help but feel angry and further confused by the Togruta’s behavior.
“From those we fight against,” she finished pointedly.
“Look, if you’re not ready for this mission, you can say so.”
Mira stared at her in utter bewilderment, “What?”
“It’s clear now that your personal issues are clouding your judgement.”
“My per—”
Mira stopped herself, remembering the last time she had spoken out of turn and the devastating consequences her words had had.
I don’t want to estrange anyone else…
She took another calming breath, releasing her anger.
“No,” she said quietly, “I’m ready for this.”
“Then I suggest you prepare for departure,” Ahsoka instructed coolly, folding her arms across her chest and striding away.
“Yes, Commander,” Mira replied flatly, watching the former Jedi take her leave.
I’m sure she means well, she reminded herself, but the thought seemed hollow.