Just a note to say that this chapter happrns at the same time the previous chapter did, only from Quinn's POV. Content somewhat dark, but I wanted to show how evil the emperor really is and how he turned them from skilled teenagers into heartless and ruthless warriors.
Please reveiw!
Quinn stared at the holopad in his hands. Somehow he found himself reading the same line over and over again. It was all he could do to keep himself from falling asleep right there at the desk where he was studying.
Who knows how long it's been since I slept last, he thought to himself. Not like anyone cares.
His comlink buzzed. He leaned over to make sure it wasn't one of his instructors trying to contact him. It was Anakin. Quinn winced. He knew he should have at least tried to contact Anakin before now, but he was always thinking of excuses like,"I'm too busy" or " I'll bet he's training right now".
Quinn silenced the humming device. Now just wasn't a good time. He had to finish reading this report titled "The X-7.52 Defense Protocol" or something like that. He leaned back in his chair and forced his eyes open. His com buzzed again. He leaned over and was about to silence it, when he notice the ID.
Krif, he thought, knowing the consequences would be severe if he had ignored that call. He pressed the button and Asajj Ventess' voice was emitted.
"Starkiller, you are to come to Section 4 immediately. Come as you are." (end transmission)
Quinn stared at the comlink like it had just bit him. His thoughts were racing. Section 4 was the last place he wanted to go. Especially today. It wasn't on his schedule, but were these "standardized training sessions" ever scheduled? No. He got up to head towards several hours of pain (or more), turned and ran into Mara. Her face lit up when she saw him.
"Hey, you're just the guy I'm looking for," she said. "Anakin just contacted me and said he has tomorrow night off. He wanted to know if we could meet him at the old cafeteria. I'm sure we could sneak out for at least an hour." She paused and looked at him with a scrutinizing glance. "You okay? You look sick."
Quinn shook his head. "I'm fine. Tell Anakin hey for me. I won't be available tomorrow night. I've got STS again.
Mara looked at him in shock. "Again? But they had you doing that last week."
"Look, I know. But Vetress just called and said they needed me in Section 4 immediately. Just tell Anakin hey, alright?"
"Okay, but he'll be disappointed."
"He'll have to deal with it. Look, I gotta run. Hopefully it won't take long."
Quinn walked as fast as allowed, got on the elevator, and said, "Section 4."
"Authorization code is necessary for this area," the mechanical voice said in its monotone.
"Quinn Starkiller, authorization code 260884."
"Clearance accepted."
Quinn leaned against the wall. He knew the wait would be a long one. Section 4 was deep underground.
Finally the elevator stopped, and the mechanical voice said, "You have reached Section 4. Please exit the shaft."
Quinn walked down the hall and took a left, went to the third door, and let himself in. Ventress was already there. And, much to Quinn's surprise,(and dismay) so was the emperor.
"Ah, Starkiller, how wonderful for you to join us," the emperor said smoothly. "I hope my presence doesn't...disturb you. You see, Ventress has been telling me how quickly you've been progressing with this particular type of training. But you could do better. There are certain things which she is incapable of teaching you. That's why I'm here. To teach you not only to use you power to block out the pain, but how to use the pain to strengthen yourself." He nodded to the platform in center of the small room. It was tilted up, so Quinn's feet were on the ground as the guard attached the restraints to him.
"Now we begin," the emperor commanded. The guard took his place at the small control panel to the side of the platform. Quinn could hear the humming of the machine as it warmed up.
"Thirty percent charge, Lt. Ortan," Ventress said evenly.
"No, make it sixty, lieutenant," ordered Sidious. "He must learn to deal with his pain."
"As you wish milord."
As it started, Quinn felt like all his insides were being fried. He closed his eyes in an attempt to block out the pain like he had so many times before, but something wasn't letting him. Sidious, he thought. His presence makes it difficult to block out anything.
The pain was getting unbearable. He vaguely heard Sidious tell the lieutenant to up the percentage. Quinn bit his lip. It was all he could do to keep from yelling. Suddenly, he heard a voice in his head. It was the emperor.
"Starkiller, think. What could you do to make this stop? Who is controlling this machine? Who has the power over this torture? You're angry at him? Good. Focus all that anger, that hate, on him. Remember, he's the one causing you pain."
The emperor's words suddenly made sense. Quinn focused everything he had towards the lieutenant. He thought of chocking the man. That seemed of good way to end his worthless life. The more the machine sent its electrical charges into Quinn's body, the angrier he got. He could almost see the life force leaving the man.
Suddenly, the pain stopped. The machine's humming slowed to a quiet buzz. Quinn slowly opened his eyes and squinted in the bright lights. Why was his body smoking? He saw Ventress staring at the floor near the control panel. He leaned his head forward as far as he could. Then he saw the reason for her shock. The lieutenant was lying there, lifeless. The emperor was the only one who seemed pleased.
"That was good, Starkiller. Ventress wasn't lying when she said you learn quickly."
Quinn leaned his head back onto the platform. The rush of power he had felt while being tortured was fading. It had felt good, (the power, not the torture) but all to soon, it had disappeared, leaving him having trouble breathing. Every inch of him felt like it was on fire. He didn't even care that he had just killed someone. The guy had it coming. The emperor's voice interrupted Quinn's thoughts.
"Ventress, contact someone to remove Lt. Ortan's body. As for you," he said turning to Quinn,"you did well for your first time, but how about we try again tomorrow. Yes?" He turned to leave the room, then paused and said,"Don't bother about undoing his restraints Ventress. Just leave him there."
"Until tomorrow, milord?" She asked, puzzled.
"Yes." The emperor smiled hellishly. "Until tomorrow."
