So, this is a short one but it's… interesting. Minimal dialogue, just a whole bunch of character stuff.

Next up, we've got Avethelia and Corrin again. Review and whatever – the next chapter will be up on Halloween, most likely (Watch Dogs: Legion comes out tomorrow so… I'm gonna be busy).

Zeffo, Outer Rim Territories

15BBY

The Tower on Zeffo was a place of despair. No-one ever came out of there. A thick stone turret carved out of the black stone, looking almost as though it had grown out of the planet itself. It reached up high into the clouds. One way in – the same way out.

The petty prisoners were stored at the bottom. They were less likely to escape, so they'd do less damage. The higher one climbed, the more dangerous the prisoners became. Terrorists, slicers, enemy spies… but a handful of cells remained at the top. Most of them were empty, except one.

First Brother clenched his hand within his black leather glove. He began pacing back and forth, looking at the man behind the ray-shield. He looked to be calm, knelt down with his hands placed on his lap.

First Brother knew him well – he was one of the most famous war heroes there was. Ving Ximara had always been arrogant – thinking he knew more than anyone else. As if he was so special as to know the will of the Force better than everyone.

If First Brother had it his way, he'd open the ray-shields and behead him there. He was far stronger than this broken excuse of a Jedi. But First Brother's Master had plans for the Jedi. They were not to be made martyrs. If it weren't for the sheer absolute dread that filled First Brother's bones, he'd give in to that burning hatred and kill the Master – rid himself of that presence. But the presence was what he needed. It made him strong.

"I know you," First Brother said, his voice mechanical in the mask. "A Jedi? Without a lightsaber?" He smirked behind his mask.

Ving looked up at First Brother. Stripped of his armour, clad in nothing but simple robes. His light brown eyes stared through First Brother's black helmet, peering up through the visor at the yellow eyes and corroded skin. Ving remained silent.

"I'm going to break you," he informed Ving. "Just as I broke the other Jedi."

Ving calmly rose to his feet, walking closer to the ray-shield and examining First Brother's helmet. "And who broke you?"

First Brother's hand curled into a fist. He let out a low rumbling growl. He'd break Ving – tear him limb from limb if his Master allowed it. He took a step closer until there was but an inch on either side of the ray-shield dividing them. "Jedi scum…" He snarled before turning on heel and storming by the jailors.

"Have guards monitor him day and night," First Brother ordered, "never let him out of his cell and find his lightsaber."

"Lord Inquisitor, there was no-" One of the jailor began. First Brother drew his lightsaber and ignited the scarlet blade, delivering a blow of might that left nothing but two sizzling halves of the outspoken jailor.

"I want his lightsaber," First Brother's voice erupted in a yell as he pointed the blade at the second jailor.

"Of course, Inquisitor," he replied.

First Brother looked around at the other guards that walked towards him. He wanted to rip their helmets off and kill each of the pathetic wretches. He took his finger off the switch and marched away, flexing his shoulders as he gripped the durasteel hard.

That foolish Jedi – it was useless to resist. He'd be turned and First Brother would be the one to instill loyalty into the sorry excuse of a war hero. He knew how treasonous Jedi could be – how misguided they were. And there was Ving – he always openly disobeyed the Council back in the days of the Republic, and here he was – defying the Empire just as well. He needed a lesson in humility – he needed to learn that he was nothing but an insignificant speck of dirt to the power of the Empire. His treachery and arrogance would be punished until he learned that all served the Emperor or died.

First Brother walked down the pit of ray-shields holding other traitors. Defected pilots, conscientious objectors, aging clones that defied their orders… any and all who betrayed the Empire were housed here for the rest of their days.

There was something strange. Another presence. Not old and still like Ving's, but… freshly scarred. Like a bleeding wound.

"Stormtrooper," First Brother barked at one of the guards, who jogged over to him.

"Inquisitor?"

"You have another Jedi here."

"I'm sorry?"

First Brother turned to face him slowly. "Do your ears work, Stormtrooper?"

"Yes, Inquisitor- Sorry, Inquisitor-"

"Interrogate every new arrival – alert me as soon as you find out which one is a Jedi."

"Yes, Inquisitor."

First Brother turned around and listened to the muffled shouts, pleas, cries and despair that gripped the room. It fuelled him – made him strong. It made him smile.

Again, short but sweet (hopefully). Or… short but sour? I don't know – I'm slowly starting to come up with the proper main story – the past 2 books and this one are just a preamble so we know the characters.

Anyhoo, as it stands, there ought to be around 16 or 17 chapters in this instalment. I'm honestly still kinda figuring out Mera's story… and Ving's as well for that matter.

See y'all in a couple of days.