(Dr. Vadam pointed out that Varra seemed a little aggressive with the clones in the previous chapter. Allow me to explain. Varra had just been chastised harshly by Krell for openly questioning him in front of the clones. So she was trying to seem completely behind him after that and she was angry with Rex because Hardcase, Jesse, and Fives disobeyed orders to use the Umbaran fighters and Rex was clearly trying to cover for them. Hope that clears some things up.)
Major Velken entered the interrogation room where the one they call Zeb was being held. Unlike the Jedi and Mandalorian, the Lasat was suspended in a blue containment field that encased his entire body and hung him several feet off the ground. The technology was so effective, it could even hold Jedi. The Lasat glared at the Major as he slowly circled the alien, getting a bearing on his foe.
"Comfortable?" Velken asked.
"Actually this thing seems to be going wonders for my back," snorted Zeb.
"Where is Second Sister?" Velken demanded.
"Don't have a sister and even if I did, she wouldn't be interested in you," quipped Zeb.
"That traitor stole a valuable piece of equipment. The Enigma decoder, where is it?" Velken asked another question.
"It's at your place. Your men and I are throwing you a surprise party complete with cake and presents," chuckled Zeb.
"Humor masking as fear. How transparent of you," Velken smiled.
"Let me down from here and you'll see how terrified I am," Zeb challenged.
"Such hostility. I really don't understand where all this hatred comes from," remarked Velken.
"Your Empire attacked my world and slaughtered my people!" shouted Zeb.
"True but they deserved it," nodded Velken. Zeb growled, straining his limbs against the field.
"Are you growling at me like an animal?" laughed Velken.
"When I get out of here I will kill you!" threatened Zeb.
"I think it's time the animal was broken in," Velken remarked, pressing a button on the control pad he was holding.
Zeb screamed in pain as jolts of electricity coursed through his body. After a few seconds, Velken deactivated the torture device. "The next time the charge will be increased now tell me where Second Sister is and the Enigma device," he warned.
"Go stick your head in an exhaust port," spat Zeb.
"Very well," said Velken before activating the torture device. This time he left it on for a few more seconds, Zeb screaming the entire time.
"Do you know where I learned my interrogation tactics from? Zygerrian Slavers. Vile creatures but they do know a thing or two about conditioning their slaves," Velken explained.
"And you're even worse than them," Zeb groaned, in pain after that last series of shocks.
"That's only because you don't see the bigger picture. Everything I do, no matter how violent or cruel, is for the good of the Empire and the good for the galaxy. If aliens like your kind did the same, the Empire wouldn't need to exist. But instead of doing what is best, you defy the wishes of the Emperor and encourage chaos and disorder just like aliens like you created during the Clone Wars," scoffed Velken, letting his true feelings out.
"I fought for the Republic during the Clone Wars!" shouted Zeb.
"But you didn't stay loyal as you should have. Your people rebelled just like the Muuns, the Neimoidians, the Umbarans, the Twi'leks, the list goes on and on. It was humans who created the Republic and expanded it into the galactic power it became. It maintained peace and order throughout the galaxy…until the Republic allowed aliens to gain citizenship. Greedy creatures not even worthy of being called sentient polluted and tarnished the Republic until it became nothing more than a quagmire of decadence and corruption. Then Emperor Palpatine created the Empire and restored prestige to this once mighty civilization. Finally humans were in their rightful place as the true leaders of the galaxy once more and I won't allow rebel scum like yourself to impede progress," Velken spoke.
"Listening to you spout on is even worse than the electricity," scoffed Zeb.
"We'll see about that," smiled Velken as he activated the torture settings again, upping the voltage.
Intense bursts of electricity, chemical concoctions overstimulating the pains nerves of the body, mechanical tools removing appendages and other parts of the body. Instead the torture was complete and utter silence. The room was completely devoid of any noise. No hum of the engine, no flicker of the lights. The only thing she could hear was the sound of her own breathing.
Sabine Wren knew she'd be tortured when she was captured but none of that happened…at least not yet. She had been brought aboard a Star Destroyer, she knew that much and taken to an interrogation room. She was seated at a metallic table it and the chair Sabine was sitting in bolted to the floor. Her ankles were strapped to the chair legs and her hands shackled to the table. Once they finished securing her, her three Stormtrooper escorts left the room. For the next several hours, no one came.
Sabine supposed it must be an interrogation tactic, let her sit isolated and alone long enough to get her rattled but they were going to have to try harder than that. What really worried her was what Zeb and Kanan were enduring right now. She didn't doubt that they were going to be tortured and could handle themselves but no matter how strong they and Sabine were, everyone breaks. The only question is how much time it will take. It may in a month or a year but eventually the pain will become too much to bear and they will either confess everything they know or their bodies will die from it.
Sabine tried to pass the time by reciting numbers inside her head just to be sure the Inquisitor wasn't nearby. It was a trick Kanan taught her to block force users from using mind probes on her. She wasn't a Jedi which meant her mind wasn't completely shielded but if your mind concentrated on something and stay focused on it, it made it difficult for anyone to see anything other than those particular thoughts. Two times two equals four. Four times five equals twenty. Twenty divided by 2 equals ten. Ten times four equals forty and so on and so forth. Repeats things like that inside your head and any Inquisitor or Jedi peaking inside will have a hard time shifting through all that.
Her isolation ended once the blast door to the room slide up to the ceiling, revealing ISB Agent Kallus. "Well if it isn't Agent Incompetence. How in a Kath Hound's backside do you still have a career with all your screw ups?" mocked Sabine.
The agent said nothing, stepped inside and closing the blast door behind him. He calmly strolled up the desk and took a seat opposite of the prisoner.
"I've always wondered what you looked like under that helmet," remarked Kallus.
"Aww you think of me. That's so sweet," Sabine mocked.
Kallus smirked in amusement. "I see you have as much fire inside of you as your explosives," he commented.
"Take these off…" smirked Sabine, holding up her shackles hands. "…and I'll show you just how explosive I can be."
"As interesting as that would be, I'm afraid we're just going to talk," Kallus replied.
"Ahh no torture?" Sabine mockingly sighed.
"You're just as defiant as you were back at the Mandalore Academy," remarked Kallus. Sabine didn't respond to that. "Sabine Wren. Born of Clan Wren of House Vizla. Joined the Mandalore Imperial Academy at age 12 where you were among the top of your class. You were proficient in everything from piloting, weapons, battle tactics, mechanics, and especially explosives. Every platoon sergeant from here to Coruscant would have killed to have someone of your talents under their command. You had a bright future ahead of you but you threw away your future when you went AWOL with another cadet Ketsu Onyo. That alone would get you put in front of a firing squad."
"Then just do it already," muttered an annoyed Sabine. "Anything's better than just listen to you drivel on."
"Oh we're not done. Intelligence has reports of a certain demolition loving Mandalorian working as a bounty hunter in several Outer Rim systems. Not the brightest career move but you could have easily made a fortune selling your services to the Hutts or some other criminal scum," Kallus continued.
"Bantha poo doo has a more pleasant odor then those oversized slugs," quipped Sabine.
"You'll get no argument from me," retorted Kallus. "Then around a year ago, a certain bomber destroyed every Tie Fighter on an outpost within the system as well as defacing a picture of our Emperor."
"Which carries the bigger sentence?" Sabine asked, genially curious.
"Does it matter?" replied Kallus. "That's the time you joined the rebels and I already know the identity of your other friends. Kanan Jarrus, Ezra Bridger, Garazeb Orrelios, and Hera Syndulla."
"You know their names and yet you can't catch them. Doesn't bode well for any future prospects in your career," mocked Sabine.
"What I want to know is the identity of the one you call Fulcrum," demanded Kallus.
That caught Sabine off guard. The fact that they knew about their contact with other rebel cells was disturbing. Fortunately she didn't know who Fulcrum was. "It's Blasto, the secret Republic agent with twenty tentacles and a gun in each one," laughed Sabine.
Kallus sighed, "If you won't talk, I can't help your friends."
He made a motion with his hand and a holographic screen appeared on the table. Sabine gasped when she realized she was watching a video of Kanan strapped to a torture table and being interrogated by the Grand Inquisitor. The Jedi screamed as the Pau'an activated the shock settings, sending hundreds of volts of electricity coursing through his body.
"Tell me who Fulcrum is and his torture will end. Be silent and you will be forced to watch your friends suffering," warned Kallus. Another holo-video appeared alongside the other one, showing Zeb screaming from shock torture. Sabine glared daggers at the ISB agent, straining against her restraints as the Grand Inquisitor started shocking Kanan again.
Tarkin, the Grand Inquisitor, and Kallus were all waiting in the Moff's office as Velken returned from his 'interrogation' of the Lasat. Truthfully all the torture was a show to frighten the Mandalorian into revealing what she knew but Velken allowed his true feelings to emerge during the session. The idea of the major being a sadistic soldier with a hatred for aliens was sure to get under the Lasat's skin. Velken didn't actually enjoy torture per say, it was just a method of extracting information to him. If a better option presented itself, he would have qualms about using it instead of inflicting pain. He also didn't hate all aliens. Some like Admiral Thrawn and the Grand Inquisitor have proven their worth. It's just that most are selfish scum.
"Did the Mandalorian reveal anything?" Velken asked.
"No. She only threatened to kill me," replied Kallus.
"Perhaps the Inquisitor could redirect his…talents to the others. The Jedi might be able to resist mind probes but I doubt the others are so resilient," added Velken.
"Every rebel cell we've managed to capture and interrogate was never told vital information except among their leaders. Sabine and Zeb will know nothing about Fulcrum or any other Jedi but Kanan Jarrus will." stated Kallus.
"Then perhaps we should try again. Only on the Jedi," the Grand Inquisitor suggested.
"Make him watch his friends suffer?" asked Velken.
"The Jedi of old all always strove to help those they considered to be in need. Being unable to help his own friends will be even worse," agreed Tarkin.
A chime indicated someone was at the door. "Enter," ordered Tarkin.
A cadet of about thirteen entered the room, carrying a datapad. Ever since the destruction of the Communicatons Tower, messages often had to be sent via couriers. "Message from Minister Tua sir," the cadet spoke, standing at attention.
Tarkin approached the boy and took the datapad from him. "Thank you cadet. You are dismissed," he said.
The boy saluted and left the room. The others waited as the Grand Moff shifted through the data. Velken had known the Governor long enough to know when he was irritated. It usually came in the form of a slight squinting of the eyebrows, much like he was doing now.
"Unrest has broken out among at least seven different cities on Lothal. Other settlements have reported growing anti-Imperial activates. All of which began after the rebels' signal went out," Tarkin spoke.
"We'll need to establish curfews, set up checkpoints, and increase patrols. Also we'll need to deploy reinforcements from this ship should a full scale revolt occur," suggested Kallus.
"Publicly execute the Lasat and the Mandalorian. That will destroy the people's spirits," suggested the Grand Inquisitor. "Keep the Jedi alive for me to question."
"Do that and you'll only make them heroes," Velken said.
"And what would you recommend Major?" frowned Tarkin.
"A trial," answered Velken. Everyone inside the room all stared at him, probably questioning his sanity. "Hear me out. No matter what we do, the rebels are now seen as heroes to the people of Lothal. Kill them or imprisoning them won't change that. But what if they found out these terrorists' nobility was a lie?"
"Go on," said an interested Tarkin.
Ezra knew Hera was angry just from the slight change of tone in her voice. It was a subtle thing but live with her long enough and you could pick up the signs. She seemed more suspicious then grateful at Second Sister's offer of assistance but still accepted it. Hera though had eyed Ezra afterwards and he knew they were going to have a talk about this. He didn't think she was angry at having Second Sister aiding them, the Twi'lek was probably just suspicious of how Ezra managed to convince Sister to help. The former Inquisitor wasn't exactly the charitable type and it didn't help that she refused to tell her reasons when Hera asked.
After refueling, Hera piloted the Ghost off Nar Shaddaa and plotted a course back to Lothal. The inevitable talk occurred after the ship had entered hyperspace. Second Sister left the bridge and headed back to her old room to meditate, leaving both Hera and Ezra alone in the room.
"What did you offer her?" Hera asked.
"I didn't offer her anything," answered Ezra.
"Ezra don't lie to me," Hera said sternly.
"I'm not lying," protested Ezra.
"You actually think I'd buy that she's doing this all from the kindness of her heart?" frowned Hera.
"Look Hera I didn't make any deals with her okay," Ezra explained.
"Then why else is she here? She's not the type to stick her neck out for anyone unless she gets something in return," Hera replied. "What did you say to her on that landing pad?"
"Hera do you trust me?" Ezra sighed.
"Ezra this is not about…" Hera protested.
"That's exactly what it's about. I wouldn't say she trusts me but I think Sister's become more honest with me and I'm not going to violate that trust any more than I would want to violate yours. Just know that I didn't make any deals with her, I let her know that it helps to have friends," Ezra answered. Hera clearly wanted to say more but decided to drop the matter. Ezra didn't like keeping things from her but Sister had told him about her problem in confidence, he wasn't about to ruin what little trust they had.
"So how do we get them back?" Ezra asked, changing the subject.
"I don't know and I'm not so sure we can even with Sister's help," sighed Hera.
"No we're not going to let them die. The Empire has already taken my parents, they won't take anyone else!" snapped Ezra. Hera threw him a concerned a look and Ezra realized he lost his temper.
"Ezra I want them back too but unless we have a plan that at least has a chance of success, we have to let them go," Hera said. Her voice was sympathetic but it didn't make him feel any better.
"What about Fulcrum? Can he help?" asked Ezra.
Hera shook her head. "I'm sorry Ezra but we're on our own for this," she said.
"I need to…clear my head," Ezra sighed. He left the bridge, feeling Hera's saddened eyes watching as he walked away. Ezra knew that attachments were forbidden according to the Jedi Code but that was much easier said than done. To not let anyone so close or to matter to you was something he wasn't even sure was possible. How did the Jedi of old do it? Ezra understood that the Jedi needed to be humble and shouldn't be concerned with trivial things such as wealth. But to completely remove oneself from feeling emotional bonds with other people was something else entirely. Things like joy, happiness, love, these were things that every sentient race experienced all over the galaxy. So did the Jedi want to close themselves off? Ezra supposed it was to remain emotionally balanced but it made them sound like droids. That wasn't something he wanted to become.
Ezra wandered down the crew quarters and stopped in front of Second Sister's room. He could feel her inside, her presence in the Force unmistakable.
The door suddenly slide open, revealing Sister seated inside. She was sitting with her legs crossed underneath her and her eyes closed. "You wanted to say something?" Sister asked.
Ezra couldn't help but feel a little humbled. The Inquisitor always seemed to now whenever he was around and whenever he needed to talk. Some of it had to do with the Force but it probably had to do with how well she probably could understand people.
Ezra stepped inside the room and Sister used the Force to close the door behind him. "Hera said we can't rescue them unless we have a plan. A good one," he spoke.
"For once the two of us are in agreement but that's not the only thing you want to say," remarked Sister. Perceptive as always.
"The Jedi taught that non-attachments were necessary but I don't see how that's possible. How can anyone just not care about their friends or their family?" asked Ezra.
"Makes it easier to brainwash you," replied Sister. "The easiest way to control someone is to shape their minds to reflect your beliefs at an early age. The Jedi used to take Force sensitive infants, separating them from their parents and severing all contact between them. They did this so the initiates would view the Jedi as their parents and their family. From the moment they are born till about the age of twelve is the time sentient beings are most amendable. After that, their personalities are difficult to change. That's why taking Padawans past that age was eventually forbidden."
"I have a funny feeling Kanan might say there's another reason," frowned Ezra.
"They were a cult that wanted absolute obedience. That's why they never wanted any Jedi to have attachments or emotional connections with others. Because any one that did might start to question the Jedi Code and the authority of the Jedi Council. They wanted you to believe the Masters of the Order were infallible and all knowing. The truth was they were nothing more than people, corrupt and as incompetent as the Republic Senators they served."
"You were a Jedi Padawan weren't you? Before the Jedi Purge?" Ezra asked. He suspected for quite some time but she never really confirmed it. Sister didn't confirm or deny it. She just simply closed her eyes and went back to meditating.
"One of these days, you're gonna tell me what happened to you," stated Ezra as he turned to leave.
"Keep thinking that kid," chuckled Sister.
"I'm persistent," Ezra smiled as he opened the door and left. Second Sister was a lot of things but Ezra was starting to think she was becoming something resembling a friend.
Varra, escorted by Sergeant Appo and three troopers, approached the tarmac as two Umbaran fighters landed inside the airbase. She wondered what happened to the other fighter as she saw Captain Rex and a trooper named Tup was speaking to the pilots Fives and Jesse. Varra knew they did more than just scout the immediate area based on how long they were gone and the fact that they were missing one pilot. They had to have attacked the supply ship like Rex had suggested to Master Krell. The clones noticed her approaching and prepared themselves.
"Fives, Jesse, where's Hardcase?" Varra asked.
"He…didn't make it. We couldn't have done it without him," sighed Jesse.
Varra was silent for a moment before asking, "Was your mission successful?"
There wasn't any reason to lie to her at that point. "Yes sir. The supply ship has been destroyed," answered Fives.
"I don't know whether to court martial you two or recommend you both get the Republic Medal of Honor," sighed Varra.
"The latter would be preferable sir," Jesse smiled nervously. That comment got a slight chuckle from Rex, Tup, Fives, and even Varra herself.
"Master Krell wants to see you both in the tower," stated Varra.
"No way he's giving us a medal," Fives whispered to Jesse as they marched towards the Communications Tower.
Varra exited the elevator into the control room at the top of the tower with Rex, Appo, Fives, and Jesse all following behind. Krell was standing in front of the main holo console, going over scans of the area. Probably mapping out how they'll approach the capital but thanks to Fives and Jesse, they should be able to march through the terrain without fear of bombardment. Without their supply ship, the Umbarans will exhaust their remaining supplies of missiles very quickly.
"You wanted to see them Master?" Varra spoke.
"Indeed," Krell said, something odd in his voice. It wasn't calm but it wasn't angry either. "It seems they have accomplished a very brace act. Unfortunately, they've also committed a serious crime by directly disobeying my order."
Rex stepped forward. "With all due respect sir, the order to attack the cargo vessel was mine. If there's a punishment to be given it should be directed at me. I'm their commanding officer," he said.
Varra eyed his suspiciously but said nothing. There's no way Rex would have ordered his men to undo a possible suicide mission. Fives, Jesse, and Hardcase had to have volunteered for such a mission.
"General," protested Fives. "Captain Rex is attempting to take the blame for actions that were clearly mine."
"Fives!" hissed Rex, trying to shut him up.
"I request his admission of guilt be denied and full blame placed on me," insisted Fives. Varra couldn't help but admire the loyalty the Clones showed towards one another. It was the reason why she found them to be far superior then the cold logic driven behavioral cores of battle droids.
"Oh do you?" sneered Krell. "You willfully countermand my direct order and now you have the audacity to request whom should bear the punishment of your insurrection?"
"Master, will all due respect, insurrection is a bit harsh. They did disobey orders but…" Varra spoke up.
"Let me clear," Krell interrupted her. "The treasonous acts committed by Arc Trooper 5555 and CT-5597 will not go unpunished."
Krell then stared directly at Rex and said, "They will be court martialed, they will be found guilty, and they will be executed."
Varra's jaw nearly hit the floor. She couldn't believe what she just heard. Rex, Appo, Fives, Jesse, and the rest of the clones inside the room all went motionless with the same stunned expression.
"Make no mistake for crossing me you will pay the price," Krell said as he turned back to his console.
"General…" Rex started to say.
"Take them to the holding cells immediately Captain," ordered Krell, not interested in anything Rex had to say.
Everyone was so shocked, it took Appo and his men a second to register what they had to do. They grabbed the pair of stunned troopers Fives and Jesse, taking them back to the elevator. Rex was clinching his fists so hard, Varra swore he was break his own hands. But the Captain turned and followed the rest of the clones out.
Once the elevator doors shut, Varra couldn't hold back anymore. "You're going to court martial them for treason?" she almost yelled.
"It's what they are guilty of," scoffed Krell.
"Treason is an act of betraying the Republic. Fives and Jesse are guilty of disobeying orders but they did it to save the lives of their battalion. They blew up the Separatist supply ship for crying out loud!" snapped Varra.
"That's not the point!" Krell shouted back. His glaring gaze would have normally made her wither and buckle but not this time. This time her Master was crossing a line. She always knew he could be stern and even harsh but never like this.
"ARC Trooper 5555 and CT-5597's actions undermines our authority. If we allow the clones to run off and execute their own plans despite ordering them not to, what kind of message would that send? The clones will start seeing orders as optional and any army that cannot obey the commands of their superior officers is doomed for failure," Krell explained.
"Then lock them up. They may have disobeyed orders but they don't deserve execution. Not when they risked their own lives to save us from marching on a suicide mission," protested Varra.
Krell spun around and marched right up to her, leaning down to speak directly in her face. "This is not about them or us. This is about every clone in the Grand Army. They must be shown they are accountable for their actions or their discipline will wither. In war, apathy is death. I have led us to victory in every campaign we've been assigned and do you know why Varra? Because I don't allow myself to become attached to these clones. They were bred for two things and they are to obey orders and fight. If they cannot do one, they are useless and must be cast off. There is too much at stake for things like sentiment. If we fail, the Republic will fail and the darkness the Council has warned about will consume the galaxy. I won't allow that to happen. Now we march to the capital in five hours. Go see the troops are prepared. Dismissed," he ordered.
Varra wanted to yell at him but what go would it do? Krell had already made up his mind. Fuming, Varra turned and headed towards the elevator. She tried a breathing exercise as she rode it down to the ground floor. A Jedi needed to maintain emotional balance, not let things like anger cloud their focus but it was all Varra could feel. She knew deep down this wasn't right but what other choice did she have? She was only a Padawan and he was her Master. She was expected to obey and carry out his orders. She might try going above him by speaking to the Jedi Council but that was out of the question. Communications were jammed and besides, they generally frowned upon Padawans going behind the back of their Masters.
Varra exited the Communications Tower with more anger boiling inside of her. As she passed by a stack of cargo crates, she unleashed her anger in a blast of telekinesis. The crates were all sent flying across the tarmac. The commotion had caught the attention of several nearby clones but Varra didn't care at this point.