While we were hanging around in space, waiting for a signal from the Jedi on the planet, one day passed, and then another began. We didn't have any urgent or pressing matters to attend to, so I decided to resume my lessons with Ahsoka. It wasn't that she wasn't studying at all, but damn it, there were things besides fencing that were just as useful.
After rummaging through the materials I had copied from the Jedi Temple Archives, I picked out a few exercises and techniques that might prove useful to Ahsoka. The only problem was… she could probably master them, but I likely couldn't. I simply didn't have enough strength.
"What are we doing today, Master?"
"We're going to try something new. You can leave your lightsabers—you won't need them."
"Huh?"
"Yes, yes, put them on the table," I said, using telekinesis to pull one of the training droids closer.
"And what should I do?" Snips asked, looking at me doubtfully.
"Try to calm down. Concentrate. Then imagine in front of you… a wall . A bubble. A shield. Call it whatever you like. But remember: you must not attempt to dodge."
The technique was actually called Force Barrier. It was both an offensive and defensive Force technique and wasn't tied to either the Light or the Dark side. A sufficiently gifted Force-user could create a barrier or wall of Force energy around a target—either themselves or an ally. But the simpler the explanation, the easier it was to grasp.
Ahsoka covered her eyes and held her hands out in front of her. After a couple of minutes, I asked,
"Are you ready?"
"Yes, Master."
After activating the training droid, I set its charge power to minimum. When it hits the body, you will feel a slight sting.
"Ouch!" Ahsoka scratched her arm. "Master, it's not working!"
"Did you expect it to work on the first try?" I muttered.
Still, I tried to send a wave of calm and confidence toward the girl through the Force, helping her focus.
"Ready?"
"Let's go, Master!—Ouch!" The girl jumped as the charge struck her thigh.
This is going to take a while…
***
Sitting in the dimly lit room of the mansion, the mercenary watched the powerful datapad at work, equipped with a recognition system…
Aurra Sing had been born on Nar Shaddaa. Her mother, Aunuanna, was Human and addicted to spice; Aurra never knew her father. At a fairly late age, she was taken to be trained by the Jedi Order and assigned as a Padawan to the Dark Woman. However, after some time, Aurra left the Order. Fear of loneliness and betrayal took root in the girl's heart, shattering her trust in the Jedi.
Another turning point in her life came when she was captured by the criminal Hutt lord Wallanooga, who handed her over to a group of Anzati mercenaries. The Anzati turned her into a ruthless killer and implanted a biocomputer that provided enhanced sensory information.
Since then, she has become a hired assassin, and a successful one at that—she has never failed a single assignment. However, she has not only killed ordinary sentient beings, but Jedi as well. She had killed eight traitors.
Aurra mentally scrolled through their names, savoring each one: Mana Viridi, Sharad Hett, Reess Kairn, Pierce J'Mikel…
Shaking her head, the mercenary refocused on the present. The arriving guests did not inspire confidence.
A blue Twi'lek in a chic pale-pink dress that revealed almost everything. A chain of precious stones encircled her stomach.
"Identification successful. Tuula Donite. Father: Has Donite. Head of the Ryloth Ventures trade and industrial corporation."
Whore.
An old man—judging by his gray hair—in a simple but sturdy suit, his face lined with wrinkles and scars.
"Identification successful. Miles Croft. Veteran of Stark Hyperspace War. Business intermediary in the service of Ryloth Ventures."
Chain dog.
A woman in a cloak. Her face was barely visible, only snow-white strands of hair peeking out from beneath the hood. Then she raised her head, responding to her mistress.
"Identification successful. Saba. Servant of Tuula Donite."
Aurra Sing stared at the screen.
"A servant?" She let out a dry laugh. "Ha. I don't think so…"