Today's Senate meeting was no different from the dozens that had come before it — the same empty talk and pointless delays. Amidala unnoticeably clenched her hands into fists—her loose-fitting robe allowed her to do so. That small gesture was the only display of emotion she allowed herself.
It had been a while since she and the Chancellor had insisted on sending Jedi and clone forces to Jabiim. Much had happened since that conversation in the Jedi Council.
First, she had endured an unpleasant discussion with her supporters — particularly Bail and Mon Mothma. After all, her actions, like her cooperation with Palpatine, were at odds with the policies pursued by the Loyalist Committee. Yet after a couple of days, Organa, having learned the details, concluded that all was not lost. He reasoned that forty thousand clones were not nearly enough to control the planet. "Most likely, their fate has already been sealed by the hasty decision of the Jedi Council, which means there is still a chance for a diplomatic solution."
Secondly, after a few days of negotiations, they agreed that at the next Senate meeting Bail would try to push through a diplomatic mission to Jabiim. But the bureaucracy of the Senate was so massive that Organa had only now managed to secure permission to deliver his full speech — two weeks later.
During that time, she had visited several worlds, meeting with planetary governments. The discussions had centered around problems growing like mushrooms after the rain: food shortages on some planets, the stream of refugees, emboldened pirates, and slave traders…
She had also managed to spend some time with Ani… He had accompanied her on her trip to Naboo. Those were four unforgettable days. But everything ends eventually, and now she sat listening attentively to Bail's speech. He had been speaking for over an hour, using all his eloquence to persuade the politicians to make the decision they desperately needed.
"...Dear Senators and Delegates! As a representative of the Loyalist Committee, I appeal to your common sense! Important issues cannot be solved simply by brute force! We ask you to support our proposal for a peaceful resolution to the conflict on Jabiim! We must send diplomats there — not additional troops! A war on Jabiim will be a filthy battle in which our forces will face both rebels and the Confederacy's droid army. I fear the Republic will suffer severe losses, and I sincerely hope this costly campaign can still be avoided through diplomatic action!"
Sparse applause rippled through the hall. Mas Amedda called for order. Then Chancellor Palpatine took the floor.
"Honorable Senator Organa! I would like to support your decision, but the situation is extraordinary. With the loss of Jabiim, the Republic has lost too much, and the recent victories of the Grand Army of the Republic may be lost. I hasten to inform you that the Jedi Order is preparing a major offensive on the planet in order to return it to the Republic and restore to its inhabitants the democracy and order that the usurper and separatist Alto Stratus has deprived them of! We cannot allow this demarche to escalate — not even at such a cost! The Republic is indivisible and indestructible, no matter what!"
The Senate applauded thunderously.
Amidala shook her head in despair.
The attempt has failed.
Ahsoka was suspended in some kind of white fog. It enveloped her on all sides, cutting her off from the outside world, cutting off sounds and sensations.
Am I… dead? So that's what it is… Too bad. I let my Master down. He must be very sad… And I never did…
Suddenly, the fog began to shimmer with the entire color spectrum, and the noise around her grew louder. The white mist was abruptly replaced by the blackness of space—only there were no stars here. Ahsoka didn't have time to be surprised before something incomprehensible appeared before her eyes. Flashes... visions? Again? But those didn't come true…
…The sand of huge dunes spread out under her feet, hindering her from running. A quick glance over her shoulder. In the distance, two lightsabers danced against the backdrop of the setting sun—one barely noticeable white, the other bright red…
"...!"
...Two fleets clashed in a desperate battle above the planet's asteroid field. She spun around in her fighter, performing desperate maneuvers…
"...A…!"
...Icy gusts of wind threw snowflakes into her face. The hum of a lightsaber. Streams of hot blood spread across the ice…
"...A…ka!"
…A feeling of loneliness and a dim light through a barred window. Heavy shackles lay on her…
"...s…ka!"
...She climbed the steps, and behind her she could hear the measured, staccato footsteps of thousands of boots…
"Ahsoka!"
"Master?" Ahsoka asked uncertainly.
"Yes, it's me. Whew, I managed to reach you somehow."
"What happened to me?"
"You were… wounded. Nothing serious—you've already had surgery."
"I remember. Hurts. My stomach. But just before I lost consciousness, I heard your voice, and it made me feel better."
"Yes, you caught some shrapnel. But it's okay. Nothing serious. In a couple of days you'll be running around like new."
"The battle! How… What happened?!"
"Don't worry. We… didn't lose."
"Um, Master, but how are we talking? I'm not conscious, am I?" Only then did she realize she was still in the fog.
"I don't really understand it myself. I was meditating, you see… Anyway, Ahsoka, rest. Gather your strength."
"Okay."
Finally, warmth enveloped her. Ahsoka smiled. Everything was fine—her Master was nearby.
***
I was lying on my bunk. The darkness in the cabin helped me focus.
"So, what do we have…" First, let's figure out what happened after Ahsoka was wounded. No, everything is clear up to a certain point. At the sight of the wounded Ahsoka, I lost my concentration, and the wave of pain that came to me from her—by the way, how?—shook my calm and focus… but then… the dark side of the Force. Insidious and merciless, I almost succumbed to it. I was very close to breaking down. It's scary to imagine what that could have led to. But one injury shouldn't have caused that… unless I unconsciously took her pain upon myself. Though I've never heard of such a thing
The second option was a Force-bond, also known as a Force Chain or Jedi Kinship—an innate ability of the Force to form connections between individuals through the Force itself. The extent to which this was possible depended on the degree of sensitivity to the Force of the beings being bound. This meant that the more powerful they were, the stronger their bond would be. Although most beings, including many Force-adepts, had an extremely low capacity for this ability, some were said to have a particular predisposition for it.
This seemed more likely. Did we communicate? Yes. Did I feel her pain? Yes. But… how could this bond have formed? Ahsoka is outstanding, sure, but I'm not…
Although… wait! Blood transfusion! Could it have triggered this "kinship" between us? It's possible. One thing is certain: there was no sadness…
Although all these options are vague, and the facts are unclear. This isn't a game where everything is written down to the smallest detail. The Force has no characteristics, no specific parameters; its power is practically limitless. So we can guess until the cows come home.
Okay, no time for sad thoughts—let's count the bonuses. What does this connection give us? Remember what mentor Derek said?
"…Through this connection, two adepts of the Force could influence each other, exchanging feelings, thoughts, and images over long distances and achieving greater coordination in battle. Through such connections, the Force flowed easily, sometimes allowing one's will to support others or, conversely, to rely on their strengths."
Hmm. It seems I can use this for training, and it will help me control Ahsoka—she sometimes gets carried away in battle, and with this, I could cool her head. Not bad. I'll have to experiment to see how far this thing works.