While Bram was busy preparing his unit for deployment, Solo managed to squeeze out a moment to speak with Ahsoka alone.
"Listen, Ahsoka, do you remember our conversation when you were at the Medical Station?"
"Wasn't that just a dream?"
"No, it wasn't."
"Master, but how is this possible?"
"Hmm, that's a good question. The Force—damn it, it can do far more absurd things than this. I've read about it before, but I've never personally experienced this kind of... technique. This ability is called a Force Bond. What I'm saying is, if we can maintain this mental connection—"
"Oh, I get it! This is way better than comms! It works even in areas with strong interference, and it's just so cool! We could even use it to prank people—whoa."
Ahsoka grew more excited as she spoke, then suddenly realized she was rambling and quickly stopped herself.
Solo chuckled. "Typical Ahsoka."
"As long as you grasp the essence, Master," Ahsoka said, "I believe this technique will greatly aid your instruction. So, what should I do now? Try to focus my mind?"
Raindrops tapped against the cabin portholes as Solo and Ahsoka sat facing each other, cross-legged. An invisible force gently stirred the air around them, setting it in slow motion.
They closed their eyes, their hands resting naturally on their knees, their breathing gradually synchronizing.
Solo was the first to sink into meditation. His consciousness shed the shackles of his physical form, dissolving into a wisp of smoke that merged with the surrounding sea of the Force.
This vast sea of stars teemed with indescribable energy fluctuations—fluctuations as scorching as a supernova's eruption and as serene as a nebula's swirling mist.
He focused his awareness on sensing Ahsoka's presence—a vibrant, youthful energy signature that danced like fireflies in the dark, bright and warm.
Solo began to call out to the Togruta through the Force, extending tendrils of his consciousness as he cautiously approached that flickering firelight.
Fine ripples spread across the sea of the Force. At first, he encountered a faint barrier—Ahsoka's subconscious defensiveness. Instead of forcing his way through, Solo slowed the rhythm of his consciousness, gradually tuning his own energy fluctuations to match hers.
"Relax. Feel the Force. Feel me."
Solo's voice didn't come from his vocal cords. Instead, it transformed into a pure energy message, transmitted through the sea of the Force.
Ahsoka: Master?
Ahsoka's consciousness was initially panicked, like a fawn lost in the forest.
But guided by Solo's steady energy, she gradually calmed down and tried to open her mind.
Her consciousness timidly reached out, gently touching Solo's consciousness tendrils.
The moment they connected, a burst of profound understanding exploded between them.
Solo clearly sensed the lingering fear of explosions in Ahsoka's heart, along with her deep reliance on her Master.
Meanwhile, Ahsoka caught a glimpse of the exhaustion buried deep within Solo's consciousness, and the genuine concern hidden beneath his cold exterior.
Solo: Who else could it be?
Ahsoka: Oh, right.
Solo: Now try calling me.
The Force became an invisible bond, tightly entwining their consciousnesses.
They were no longer two separate individuals, but resonating entities within the sea of the Force.
After a moment, the girl's voice echoed faintly in Solo's mind, like a distant echo, yet he heard it clearly.
This sensation was utterly bizarre. All these voices in my head—it felt like I was suffering from schizophrenia or some other mental disorder.
Ahsoka: Master!
Solo: Hmm, it worked.
Ahsoka: It took me forever to manage it. That was tough.
Solo: Was it difficult to concentrate?
Ahsoka: Yes, you know meditation has never been my strong suit.
Solo: Well then, while we have time, you should practice this diligently.
This connection transcended the limitations of language. Without a single spoken word, emotions and thoughts flowed freely between them.
The Force surged between them, sometimes gentle, sometimes turbulent.
As they slowly opened their eyes, a momentary bewilderment flickered in their gazes before giving way to clear understanding.
"Master!"
"I am your Master! That's why I'm teaching you this! When have I ever given you bad advice?"
"Never," Ahsoka replied. "Alright, I'll practice meditation and communicating through the Force Bond diligently!"
Solo sighed resignedly.
It seemed the chattering voices in his head were here to stay.
Well, every solved problem inevitably brings two new ones.
Five young, intelligent beings—forced upon him to mentor—stood before Solo.
No, they were five aspiring Jedi. This was undoubtedly a tremendous potential power, but the accompanying troubles would likely be no less significant.
Ahsoka was manageable. She was still a child, and although spirited, she was relatively easy to handle.
But these five... Solo really didn't know how to deal with them.
Still, he wasn't completely at a loss. He had a small plan brewing in his mind.
Just then, the Black Ghost arrived with two clone troopers carrying a heavy case. They set it down with a thud, saluted, and turned to leave.
Solo cleared his throat, drawing the five apprentices' attention. "I won't beat around the bush. I'm not exactly thrilled about being saddled with you, but now your problems are my problems, and I intend to solve them.
I have absolutely no desire to report your deaths to Master Shaak Ti, so listen carefully—I won't repeat this a second time.
If you want to survive, you must follow my rules.
Ahsoka, what's the first rule?"
Solo: Ahsoka, play along.
Ahsoka: My pleasure, Master!
Through mental communication, the Togruta girl immediately assumed a solemn expression. To emphasize her seriousness, she raised a finger and declared loudly:
[ "Obey your Master's commands without question!" ]
Solo nodded solemnly. "That's right—if I say stop, you stop; if I say run, you run. And absolutely no backtalk during combat. Now, you'll undergo a brief but rigorous training session under the guidance of our heroic Alpha-Class ARC clone trooper, Black Ghost."
Having a subordinate who can take care of work I don't want to do is fantastic, Solo thought to himself. Besides, he deserves it—this half-assed sharpshooter.
"Understood, General," Black Ghost replied with little enthusiasm.
He walked to the crate, opened the lid, and retrieved a DC-15 blaster rifle.
"Alright, listen up. You all have lightsabers, but from now on—forget them. Your new weapon is this beauty." Black Ghost held up the blaster rifle for the apprentices to see. "It weighs five kilograms, has an effective range of four hundred meters, and under normal circumstances, one shot will take down a B-1 battle droid. If you're lucky, you might even get a B-2, but those tin cans are tough—you'll usually need two or three shots.
"You'll be deployed in the second wave of the assault, positioned one hundred meters behind the front lines.
"Your mission is to eliminate as many enemy robots as possible, prioritizing their saboteurs."
"Clone trooper, no one taught us how to use these blaster rifles," the Zabrak girl interjected. Solo remembered her name was Kass Todd.
"You should have learned that. I thought all Jedi were supposed to be skilled. Are you... not up to it?" The Black Ghost stepped closer, sneering at the girl.
The girl snatched the rifle from his hand. "You talk too much, Black Ghost."
Black Ghost? She adapted quickly!
Solo chuckled inwardly.
"That's more like it," the Black Ghost said, momentarily startled before regaining his composure. "Now, collect your weapons and ammunition, and follow me. Let's see if you're worth our time."
Ahsoka: Master, do you really think we need to be this... strict with them? They lost their master not long ago.
Solo: Precisely because of that. They need to be toughened up. Trust me.
"How's it going, Black Ghost? Can you handle this?" Solo asked the ARC clone who approached him.
"No problem, Commander. I'll call Lucky—our best sniper—to assess these younglings'... training level." The clone saluted and gestured for the apprentices to follow him.
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