Walking along the shining white corridors, Sabine couldn't help but feel a little nervous. She was about to meet Luke Skywalker, hero of the Rebellion. Of course, she had been part of the Alliance long before him, but she still respected everything he had accomplished in the past few years, and that respect gave her the jitters as her and Ahsoka were escorted by several rebel soldiers. Seeing the troopers in their black jackets and grey overalls, with their little white helmets, again caused Sabine to think back to Phoenix Squadron. She wondered if any of the pilots she used to know were still alive today. Her thoughts were interrupted when the automatic doors ahead of them opened up with a hiss. The four soldiers escorting them each moved to the side of the corridor, gesturing for the pair to enter the bridge. After a moment of hesitation, they entered, and as Sabine saw the numerous technicians busily working, she was reminded of Commander Sato's old corvette, the Liberator. In the centre of the chaotic scene, leaning on a holo-table, stood the general that she had been so nervous to meet, Luke Skywalker. He truly was a sight to behold, dressed in a black uniform with a light brown Jedi cloak wrapped over his shoulder. His outfit caused him to stand out from the rest of the rebels on the bridge, and rightly so, he was a hero in every definition of the word. But despite his status, he seemed so human. He smiled warmly at the pair and, with a gesture of his hand, beckoned them to join him.
"Sabine Wren. It's an honour, I've heard all about you. Nice work on Lothal" Skywalker said in a gentle tone, Sabine found herself amazed at his normality.
"Thank you" she said in a tone of slight embarrassment, unused to being the centre of attention.
"And you, now tell me, are you who I think you are?" Luke asked, turning to Ahsoka with a truly curious gaze.
"I imagine so" the togruta responded with a smile.
"You served with my father in the Clone Wars? You were his apprentice? I'm sure you can tell me some great stories of him, before...well...you know" Luke said, initially excited but turning a little sad towards the end of his sentence.
"You wouldn't believe them if I told them. You know he once rode a reek in the centre of a gladiatorial arena?" Ahsoka replied, causing Luke to raise his eyes in shock.
"Wow, I could hear those tales for hours, but considering our situation right now, I would say the better idea would be to ask what you want. Are you here to help with the operation? I sense not, what other path do you follow?" Luke asked.

Ahsoka smiled mysteriously. The trio moved out of the centre of the room and off to a small bench in the corner to continue their conversation with a little more privacy.
"A long time ago" Ahsoka began in an enigmatic voice "a Jedi was lost. We intend to bring him home".
"The only possible Jedi I have heard of that you could be referring to would be, well, would be Ezra Bridger. Is he the one you seek?" Luke asked, curious to hear more.
"Yes" Sabine spoke up quickly "do you know anything that could help us?"
"I just might. A little while ago, I investigated a faraway planet called Pillio, the site of one of the Emperor's old observatories. I was seeking this, a compass" Luke explained, pulling a small circular device from his pocket and presenting it to Ahsoka.

The togruta gasped at the sight of it, as if she recognised it from a time long since passed. She carefully took it from Luke's hands and held it up, examining the symbols printed across it.
"This is an artefact indeed, I once saw something similar in the vaults of the Jedi Temple. I sense it will lead you to new places" she commented before respectfully passing it back.
"What does all of this have to do with Ezra?" Sabine asked, not as well versed in this talk of the force as her company.
"The compass was not all that was inside that observatory, and thanks to some...personal motivation, I do believe that the imperial I encountered there did not destroy the place. I sense that it would be a good place to start with your search" Luke explained, carefully placing the mysterious compass back in his pocket.
"Thank you, we simply needed somewhere to start" Ahsoka stated, beginning to stand up.
"Before you go, I have to ask..." Luke began.
"Yes?" Ahsoka questioned curiously.
"If you have been alive, all of this time, why not help the cause? I know from records that you used to be part of the Alliance, in the early days. You called yourself Fulcrum. Where have you been all of these years?" Skywalker asked, using a tone that sounded almost like betrayal.

Ahsoka lowered her head, out of shame, or some other negative emotion, she had clearly been expecting this question.
"I tried to do the same thing as you, I tried to persuade...Anakin...that his path could still be changed, but I failed. I couldn't face myself after that. All of these years...I've known that if I would have stayed with the Jedi, with Anakin, at the end of the war, I could've prevented the chancellor from corrupting him" she explained slowly, the sadness and bitterness evident in her voice.

At this point, the togruta had turned away from Luke and Sabine and was looking off into the distance, clearly haunted by some past memory. Sabine marked how distant the look in her eyes seemed, and how clear the regret was on her face. But then, something truly unexpected happened. Luke gently grabbed Ahsoka's hand and took it into his, earning her attention with a small gasp. He stared at her with a warm look.
"What happened to him...what happened in general, the Empire, everything...there's nothing you could have done. If the force wills something, it will happen, we can only hope that our path from here on out is one of peace" he said in a quiet voice.

Ahsoka smiled at him, he truly was a new Jedi, the kindness and empathy, the understanding. She really could imagine him walking around the temple of old and fitting in perfectly. She nodded her head in thanks, and stood up, gesturing for Sabine to follow. The Mandalorian had felt slightly side-lined in this conversation, and had to confess herself a little disappointed. Still, she couldn't have expected to be a major part in the meeting of Darth Vader's son and his former apprentice. But, as the pair began to leave the bridge, Luke called after them.
"Oh, and Sabine?! I like the hair!" he shouted, causing the Mandalorian to beam widely.

The door came to a close behind them, and the pair were left in high spirits. Meeting Luke Skywalker had truly been beneficial, within a few minutes of conversation they had gained a lead and thus a boost in morale. One of the rebel soldiers that had escorted them previously suddenly walked up to them, saluting as he reached them.
"Ma'am! Ma'am!" he started, looking at them each in turn. Ahsoka and Sabine couldn't help but share a brief grin at the soldier's actions, neither thought they could ever get used to being called "ma'am".
"General Skywalker has organised a dormitory for the pair of you, you are very welcome to remain on The Redemption while the fleet continues to prepare for Jakku. In fact, he recommends that you stay here for at least one night, to help get ready for your journey" the soldier explained, standing tall with his back straight up.
"We are eager to set off" Ahsoka said in a quiet voice.
"General Skywalker is very wise though, maybe he has his reasons for recommending this. Surely one night can't do any harm" Sabine commented as a counter. After a moment of consideration, Ahsoka conceded to Sabine's opinion and nodded towards the soldier, causing him to smile.
"I will lead you to your dormitory, he's assigned you a private room" he explained.

The room that they'd been assigned to was large, by warship standards, and seemed to have most of the comforts of Sabine's apartment back on Lothal. A pair of double beds lined one wall, bathed in white linen duvets, and several white lockers stood on the other wall. In the corner of the room was a small bathroom, and in the centre was a large circular glass table surrounded by several chairs. It seemed like the room was built for many more than two people, General Skywalker had been kind to lend it to them. Once the pair was alone, they were free to express their true feelings.
"I don't know about you, but I find it...difficult...being back on a ship like this. It only serves as yet another reminder of my own failures" Ahsoka said quietly, taking a seat on the edge of one of the beds.
"I never liked these places anyway, all of the white, just want to kick over a can of paint here" Sabine commented, causing Ahsoka to smile a little.

A silence ensued, and it made Ahsoka a little uncomfortable, so she tried to find a way to break it.
"So...we just met the hero of the Rebellion" she stated in a less than enthusiastic voice.
"Everybody in the Alliance is a hero, I respect and am amazed by General Skywalker's feats, but everybody who fights for the freedom of the galaxy is a hero in my books" Sabine answered, causing Ahsoka to nod in agreement.
"Still...you looked a little nervous at first" Ahsoka said slowly and quietly, a mischievous smile on her face.
"Okay...you got me there...I admire him, that's all. It's like...it's like meeting an artist you look up to" the Mandalorian stuttered in explanation.
"I've already met an artist that I look up to" Ahsoka stated, referring to her friend in a less than subtle manner. Sabine made a genuine smile and nodded in gratitude.
"I think I'm going to get ready for bed, it's been a long day" the Mandalorian stated, and Ahsoka nodded in understanding, laying down on her own bed.

The artist strolled towards the corner of the room, entering the bathroom and sealing the door behind her. This room was small and tightly packed, containing a sink, toilet and small shower. One by one, she removed the beskar armour plates from her bodysuit, laying them gently on a nearby storage rack. She then slipped off her fingerless gloves, and placed them next to her armour, sighing in exhaustion. It may have seemed like she'd only been sleeping a few hours ago, but that was merely a nap, and after weeks of sleepless nights, she was struggling. In a tired trance, she ran cold water from the sink and scooped it up in her hands, splashing it up onto her face. She then grasped the edges of the sink with her hands and stood there for a few moments, looking at the reflection of her face in the mirror. Staring into her own hazel eyes, she wondered what the future could hold. Would they truly be able to find Ezra? If they did, what would she say? How do you greet a friend who's been lost for so many years? These questions barrelled through her tired mind, but they were irrelevant now, first she had to actually find him. And she would never stop searching, not while there was life left in her. She was determined to bring Ezra back, she wanted to show him a free Lothal, show him the shrine that the people had made of the Ghost crew and after that, after everything was done, maybe then she'd settle down. Sure it wasn't the Mandalorian way, but she was also an artist. And what could be more artistic than settling down after so many years of fighting? All she had to do now was find Ezra, and as she prepared to go to sleep that night, she could never have imagined the adventure that such a path could cause.