Entry 114
I fumed during my entire interrogation. I was stuck sitting in a small debriefing room on an uncomfortable metal chair centered behind a cold steel table. After about ten minutes of questioning I came to the conclusion that Major Rayos is moron and Colonel Vilanter is an even bigger idiot. Right now the two are attempting to play the good detective, mean detective game, but they are so amateurish when it comes to their interrogation techniques that is more like a game of dumb investigator, incompetent investigator.
Major Rayos took on the role of the hardened interrogator, which is laughable. He is gaunt, pasty skinned human that looked like he has never seen the inside of a gymnasium. He was as intimidating as a willowy Quermian. "Captain Colay, you must admit that the Empire's success in finding a boy that the New Republic was unable to located for months is a bit convenient. It wasn't until the Senate began discussing the dissolution of the Galactic Concordance that you, a young and fairly inexperienced Imperial intelligence officer, miraculously discovers the location of the boy."
I took in a frustrated breath and blew it out. "It wasn't miraculous. Jedi Skywalker asked the Empire for assistance in finding Ben Solo. My senior commanding officer made locating the boy a priority because he knew the New Republic would try to blame the Empire for his disappearance. It may appear miraculous to you, but to me is simply good intelligence gathering."
Colonel Vilanter, an old, greying Bothan with a disarming smile jumped into the conversation. "Captain Colay, whoever abducted young Solo knew he would be at the amusement park that day. The kidnappers had inside information."
I stared at him blankly, wondering where he was going with this line of questioning. When he didn't elaborate I said, "So? I didn't know the Solos were going to the amusement park for his birthday."
Major Rayos scoffed. "Please, you mean Jedi Skywalker never once mentioned to you the Solos' planned outing?"
"What?" My brow furrowed in confusion. "No, he never mentioned anything to me. Why would he?"
The Bothan ran a hand over his furry jaw. "We all know that pillow talk is an excellent source of information. It is common knowledge that you are in a romantic relationship with Jedi Skywalker…with the intent and purpose of spying on the New Republic. Why else would you cultivate such a challenging, long distance relationship?"
I laughed. "Maybe because he's good in bed." I gave the Bothan a wink. "You must have heard about Force-enhanced sex."
"Be serious!" Rayos yelled. "It can't be a coincidence that the Imperial officer having a relationship with Jedi Skywalker is the person who recovers Ben Solo. You used your relationship with Skywalker and his close association with the Solo family to gain intelligence that facilitated the boy's kidnapping."
I rolled my eyes. "When the son of an Imperial Admiral went missing I requested Jedi Skywalker's assistance. He found the boy and when the child was returned to his parents the Empire didn't detain him and question the New Republic's involvement in the abduction. Luke didn't have to endure an interrogation. He was presented with the Distinguished Civilian Service Award." I leaned forward in my chair and glared at the officer. "The Empire knows how to properly treat individuals who assist us."
"That may be so, but I doubt he refused to answer questions as you are." Rayos pointed out.
"We didn't ask him questions." I folded my arms across my chest and huffed. "I am not refusing to answer your questions because I don't wish to cooperate. I am an Imperial Intelligence officer. I need permission from my commanding officers before I divulge any information."
Rayos leaned his bony backside against the table. "Your command has been notified."
"Good." I leaned back in my chair. "When I get permission from my commander I will discuss this incident with you. Until then, I'm not talking."
The two investigators glared at me in irritation before leaving the room. A few minutes later the door opened and Luke entered looking sheepish. "Sorry Litassa. I didn't know this would happen."
I motioned for him to take the seat across from me. "I know."
"I contacted Commander Darten. He'll meet us on Chandrila to protest your treatment."
"Yeah," I said dully.
"Litassa," Luke said softly as he reached across the table to grasp my hand. "Don't worry. At this moment Leia and Han are addressing the senate via the holonet. We should have this all cleared up shortly."
I nodded silently before reaching out to him through the Force. 'What did you tell your government?'
He startled when my voice popped into his head. 'I told them what I know. Holonet chatter led us to K'don, but a former Imperial group heard the same intelligence and got to Ben first. They immediately contacted the Empire and Commander Darten contacted you.' He paused in thought. 'We both said we wouldn't lie to our governments. You told me not to tell you any actionable intelligence because you would report it. I said I would do the same.' He squeezed my hand gently. 'I hope you don't think I betrayed your confidence in any way.'
'No.'
"Commander Darten is days away," I said out loud. "Can you get me released to a private room until then?"
"Sure." He gave my hand another squeeze before standing. "I'm not going to let them hold you in the brig."
'Hey,' I called out through the Force. Luke stopped and gazed at me expectantly as a grin spread across my face. 'Tell them you are using your bedroom skills to pry Imperial intelligence out of me. Maybe they will give us a room together.'
He smiled warmly. "I'll see you soon, Litassa."
Entry 115
Luke must have worked his charm on somebody because twenty minutes later I was escorted to a small stateroom probably used for visiting dignitaries. A few minutes later Han and Luke showed up.
"I'm so sorry for this Litassa," Han said as walked into my quarters and reached out giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Leia is still discussing things with the senate. Luckily this ship has a transceiver that can work while in hyperspace. Hopefully everything will be resolved by the time we get to Chandrila."
"I hope so." I gestured for them to enter and sit in the quarter's small sitting area. I flopped down on the small couch. Luke sat next to me while Han took the seat across from us. I looked around the room. "Is it safe to talk here?"
Luke shook his head. "Probably not."
Han smirked as he pulled a signal scrambler out of his coat pocket and activated it. "It is now."
I shook my head in amazement. If we were being monitored Han just pissed off some senior New Republic officer. "Han where you really going to pull a blaster on that ensign?"
He gave a casual shrugged. "I honestly wasn't thinking clearly at the time. I guess pulling a blaster is just a habit."
I turned to Luke. "And I saw you reaching for your lightsaber. What were you going to do?"
He threw a thumb in his brother-in-law's direction. "I was going to deflect any blasterbolts coming our way." I gazed at the Jedi intently, my face a mask of incredulity. Luke blushed slightly. "Okay, I admit it, I flinched. I don't know what I would have done if you didn't volunteer to go." He pulled in a deep breath before continuing. "So why exactly are you balking at answering questions? Are you just following your orders to the letter…or did you discover something that might be actionable intelligence?"
I shrugged. "I found out something of interest." I looked over to Han as a cold chill ran down my spine. Supreme Leader Snoke may have done something to his child. I don't know what, but General Iwanuk was on edge when he talked to me…and the ruthless Agent Kyramud was not a man easily spooked.
Han noticed my gaze. "What? You are keeping something important from me. Did the Cult do something to my son?"
I wanted to wait for my commander, but Han and Leia should know. "Han, if I tell you…you have to keep the information to yourself and Leia until my commander gives me authorization to talk to the New Republic. Can you promise me that?"
The smuggler nodded. "Yes, or course."
I glanced over to Luke. "How about you, Farmboy?"
Luke thought about it for a few seconds before nodding his head.
"Okay," I said slowly. "I found the strong Force user who put those suicide suggestions into the Inquisitors' heads."
"The Sith?" Luke whispered.
"No, I don't think he's Sith, but he is powerful and there is darkness in him." I turned to Han. "When I went to retrieve Ben from the group of Former Imperials I talked to General Iwanuk…the man who helped us find Leia when she was abducted. He said this Force user spent hours alone with your son. He appeared fearful that he might have done something to Ben."
"What!" Han yelled as he rose out of his seat. "What did he do to my son?!"
I made a placating gesture. "Han, it might be nothing. I have no proof that anything was done to Ben. But you should know there is a possibility that a Force suggestion might have been given to your son."
"What kind of suggestion?" Han was practically shouting now. "A suicide suggestion?"
I shook my head. "No, I doubt that. This Force user…"
"Stop calling him that." Han shouted at me. "Who are we talking about, Litassa? Who do I need to hunt down and kill if something has been done to my boy?"
I hesitated. I shouldn't be telling anybody but my commander about what I learned…but I consider Leia and Han friends…and Luke…he was something much more. I closed my eyes and sighed deeply. When I opened them I gazed sadly at Han. "His name is Supreme Leader Snoke. He is in command of a group of former Imperials called the First Order. I don't know how many people are within the group or their goals or anything else. I was brought to him to retrieve Ben. He commented that Ben was strong in the Force." I looked over to Luke. "He also mentioned that any child of Luke Skywalker would probably have Force powers that rivaled Darth Vader's." I frowned deeply. "He said that would be something he would like to see."
Luke groaned. "Do you think he is looking for an apprentice?"
"I don't know. He returned Ben. I don't know why. Commander Darten thought it was to lure me in so they could draft me into their organization…but that didn't happen."
Han dropped back down into his seat. "Can you guys fix Ben if a Force suggestion was put in his brain?"
I looked over to Luke questioningly. "Did your Jedi Master teach you anything about that?"
"No."
"Me neither."
Han looked to Luke and then me. "You two together can take this guy on, can't you? Capture him and force him to undo anything he did to my son?"
My gaze went to the floor, not wanting to look Han in the eye. "He's strong in the Force…stronger than me or Luke combined. I believe he draws from the light and the darkside of the Force. Somebody would have to match his skills. Luke and I draw on the light side of the Force. I think the only way to take him on was if Luke had the help of…" I trailed off not wanting to even suggest what I was thinking.
"Help of what?" Han asked.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Luke is strong with the lightside of the Force. If he teamed up with somebody steeped in the darkside…perhaps with their combined strength they could take on Snoke."
Luke shook his head adamantly. "No, you are not going to delve into the darkside." He reached over and grasped my shoulder while staring me in the eyes. "Promise me you won't entertain this horrible idea. We don't know if this Snoke is hostile to the New Republic or if he has done anything to Ben. So don't even think about touching the darkness." He gave me shoulder a light squeeze. "Promise me."
"I promise."
He dropped his hand and sat back in his seat. "We will watch Ben closely. We don't know what garbage the Cult of Vader put into his head. He is going to need therapy. We'll worry about Snoke later.
"Yes," I agreed. "Later."
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