Harry slumped, both hands bracing himself on the edge of the desk that held the comm station. He shot an accusing glare over at Ahsoka before staring back at Salporin
A moment later Shaak Ti, who had moved from the table over to the com when she heard the initial news, stepped up next to Harry, "This is Jedi Master, General Shaak Ti with General Aayla Secura. What sort of forces are we looking at?"
Harry backed away from the com, allowing the two Jedi to step forward to speak to the Wookiee and giving Shaak Ti sole possession of conversation with the Wookiee.
He leaned against the wall, a hand on his face only partially listening to the conversation.
"The fleet is definitely an invasion force. Most of the ships are dropships for ground troops. This is a massive offensive and our planetary defense ships won't even make them flinch." Salporin explained to the general. He hadn't even batted an eye at her presence there or in the communication.
Ahsoka was listening to the conversation intently, but her eyes were focused solely upon Harry. He had slumped against the wall, his head was bowed and fingers were slowly rubbing the bridge of his nose. Through her newly forged connection with him, she could sense weariness, and the amusement and levity that was always just on the surface ready to be unleashed was gone from him. In its place was uncertainty...and tiredness?
"Have you contacted the Republic reinforcements?" Shaak Ti asked.
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"All long range transmissions were jammed the instant they jumped into the system and they have multiple Recusant-class light destroyers amongst their fleet. We've tried sending two ships out with no word as to whether they've managed to get far enough to get a signal out or not." Salporin answered. "A full invasion and subjugation force." Shaak Ti murmured after translating to Aayla.
"Intelligence never reported they had anywhere near the resources ready to do this on a planet such as Kashyyyk," Aayla replied, glancing at Shaak Ti in disbelief.
"Obviously they were wrong." Shaak Ti replied blandly.
Harry snorted at Shaak Ti's dry comment but didn't make any comment or move The two Jedi glanced at Harry but quickly looked back to Salporin.
"Where are you evacuating too?" Aayla asked focusing on the Wookiee once more. Ahsoka only vaguely listened to the details the Wookiee was giving them. Instead she looked back to Harry. He wasn't making comments or acting at all now. As if he could sense her appraisal, he lifted his head and met her eyes.
Ahsoka didn't say anything as simply stared back into his unblinking gaze. She could read the indecision in them. Something that she wasn't used to seeing. His expression was torn, as if he was on the cusp of something he absolutely dreaded approaching.
She had her own similar feelings, she was sure. Her rank and privileges had been stripped from her, and she had no means or authority to truly participate in any conflict that occurred on this world. But that wasn't going to stop her from helping the Wookiees. Harry's eyes focused on Ahsoka's. And he didn't even need legilimency to read the intent as a look of determination crossed her face.
His expression was replaced by one of concentration, tinged with reluctance as if he was attempting to figure something out.
Ahsoka watched with rapt attention as the emotions she could feel from him, mirrored the ones that crossed his face. But she couldn't sense the slightest wisp of Force use. It seemed that Aayla and Shaak Ti were completely unaware of it as well as they continued their discussion with Salporin.
Harry closed his eyes once more time, and for a brief moment an infinitely weary look crossed his face as his body slumped and he sighed. Ahsoka heard the words "It never ends, does it?" from him.
And if she hadn't been watching his face she would have sworn he had spoken them. But his mouth hadn't moved at all.
This wasn't the Harry that laughed and joked, or spent time throwing sexual innuendo around like it was going out of style. This wasn't the one who had teased her about lightsaber colors, or turned Aayla pink.
This was the Harry she had passively observed as he stared with a sad expression at the slaves he had liberated from ship on Nar Shaddaa. This was the Harry she had seen in his mind the night before as he let her see a few brief glimpses from his life. Glimpses he promised to give her more context for later. This was the Harry she knew had been seen war and its effects far more than he had even hinted to her thus far.
For Ahsoka, she saw the expression on his face. One she couldn't even put into words despite being able to feel the emotions in him. His eyes met hers for a moment that stretched out, and she met his gaze unflinchingly, allowing him to see the concern and worry in her mind. For just a moment she wished it was within her power to protect him from seeing war and its effects once more.
Harry's emotions reflected surprise briefly and then … then his countenance slowly morphed.
He straightened slowly and his expression cleared. The indecision fell away first, and then weariness dropped, To Ahsoka it was like someone had plugged in a power synthesizer to charge a droid's critically low battery.
Harry seemed deceptively relaxed now, like a predator strolling through a room full of other hunters that it knew it outclassed in every way. Harry stepped forward and very firmly, physically pushed the two Jedi out of the way of the communication unit, interrupting their conversation.
"Harry!" Aayla protested as she was pushed away.
"Salporin. Where are their primary ground forces landing? And how long do we have?" Harry demanded, the tone making it clear he wasn't brooking discussion he just wanted answers.
The Wookiee didn't seem too startled as Harry once more dominated the view screen. "They'll make landfall in less than an hour. Our defense forces are already keeping advanced scouts from the cities and landing for the bulk of their primary force is projected at the coast near Kachirho."
Harry nodded. He recognized the city name. He was familiar with the topology of the world, if they wanted to get a foothold they chose a good place. It was as coastal a city as Kashyyyk possessed. If the invasion force could take that city they'd have an entire staging area on the top level of Kashyyyk's vertical environment.
Landing on the trees would be stupid and no sane strategist would do so, not knowing what would and wouldn't support a ship, and in the city was at least somewhat risky because of its defenses.
"Okay look Salporin, I know you're busy, but I'm going to need you to take my call if I call back. Keep me abreast of any changes and try to get a better idea of what specific force we're looking at," Harry commanded, waiting only for an affirmative response from the Wookiee before he spun on his heel and walked out of the room decisively.
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