I'm not making any money with this story. I'm doing it just for fun.
The Star Wars universe does not belong to me. I just like to play in it.
* * *
"So what exactly is your plan?" Inquired Corran quirking an eyebrow at Luke. The two stood in shadow across the street from the spaceport where several ships were off loading personnel and supplies from the circling Star Destroyer overhead.
"We need to get up to that Star Destroyer and those ships seem to be the only way."
Corran nodded in agreement "Yes but trying to get on them is another thing entirely!"
Luke cocked an eyebrow and smirked, "There is no try do or do not."
Corran rolled his eyes "Now how did I know that you were going to say that?"
Luke smiled, "and in terms of getting onboard we'll just order them to take us."
"Right," said Corran, "and they'll just jump at the chance to take orders from the man at the top of the Empire's most wanted list."
"No," said an unfamiliar voice, "They'll jump to take mine." At the sound of the voice Corran unholstered his blaster and trained it at the man nearly before he had finished speaking. In Luke's place a sneering bland faced Imperial Commander stood uniform and all, shimmering briefly the force illusion fell away to reveal a wryly, smiling Jedi in the Commander's place. "I believe that should do the trick," said Luke. "Can you play the unruly prisoner bit?" He inquired pulling a set of binders out of his pocket and tossing them to Corran.
"But once we reach the destroyer your disguise will disappear," said Corran neatly fielding the binders and inspecting them with a frown.
"True," shrugged Luke, "but we only need this to get onto the shuttle. After the shuttle docks on the Star Destroyer we can disable the pilots and...erm... 'borrow' their uniforms."
"Wait I think I've heard this one before," said Corran sarcastically. "Aren't we both a little short to be stormtroopers?"
"We won't be stormtroopers we'll be pilots," said Luke seriously. "People see what they expect to, and the average Imperial isn't all that bright. The uniforms should be enough to help us blend in while we disable the tractor beams and find the others."
"Right," said Corran shaking his head incredulously and twisting his arms behind his back to fasten the binders. "Can you explain to me how between the two of us- a Jedi Master and a former CorSec agent-we choose the plan that has 'shoot me' written all over it!" Corran shook his head incredulously and then smirked "Maybe it's so crazy that it'll actually work."
Luke grinned roguishly "We can only hope," and with that he began striding toward the spaceport.
* * *
Yari lay on the cold metal cot in her cell and stared up into the darkness. She hadn't seen anyone since she's been captured and thrown in here and the wait had begun to get on her nerves. She had had a few close calls while working for New Republic Security but had never been revealed or captured before and her imagination was beginning to get the best of. She shivered involuntarily recalling some of the stories that had circulated about victims of Isard's torture, those who had been programmed to be loyal to her, killing their own families simply because she had ordered them to. She sat up irritably tossing her hair as if to shake such thoughts. Corran had been Isard's prisoner before and he had escaped relatively unscathed, she just had to hold on. They would come for her eventually and she would face them. She was determined to not appear afraid.
As if in answer to her thoughts the cell door slid open in a burst of light revealing two men in imperial uniforms. She tensed, her blood pounding through her veins in a sudden rush of adrenaline. "Yari?" Called a familiar voice, "It's us." Corran stepped through the door and reached a hand toward her. "Are you ok?" He asked concernedly. Relief flooded through her as her mind finally caught up with her eyes. She jumped up and gave Corran a fierce hug "Yeah I'm fine, I thought you were them." She said her voice stumbling over the last word. "How did you get here?" She inquired incredulously, "Is it just the two of you?"
Luke grinned and motioned them both out of the cell "Yes it's just the two of us, and we'll be happy to answer all of your questions, but preferably not in Imperial custody. We need to get Pash, Wedge and John and get out of here." Moving quickly Luke consulted a datapad he had lifted from the guard station "I think that Pash is in here and that John is in that one. If this is right Wedge is further down the corridor." Luke hit the release of the cell nearest him and light flooded into it. Pash threw up a hand to block the light and squinted irritably at them "Where have you been? You're late."
Luke smirked and shook his head "Only a Rogue would say something that idiotic. Let's go."
Pash stood and climbed out of the cell "What now oh fearless leaders?"
"John," said Luke, nodding toward a cell a few doors down from where they were standing.
"Right, I'll get him why don't you three go find Wedge." Said Yari putting action to her words. Nodding the other three jogged down the hall.
Stepping to the cell door Yari hit the release, the cell was dark and nothing moved. "John?" She called hesitantly. She stepped into the cell "John," she called again. He lay unmoving on the cot, his face turned toward the wall. She stopped unsure of what to do. Reaching out a hand she laid it on his shoulder. He jerked convulsively at her touch and pulled his body into a tight ball. "John. It's me." Said Yari, "You need to get up. We have to get out of here."
He slowly got up, his gaze not meeting hers. "It's too late for me." He said in a muffled voice.
"That's nonsense," she growled. "Come on we're going to get you out of here." He stood slowly and followed her out of the cell when she took him by the arm. "Come on." She said pulling him into the light.
Further down the hall the three men had found Wedge's cell and palmed the release. Corran ducked through the door and moved to the still form lying on the cell's floor.
"Wedge?" He called hesitantly, sinking to his knees he turned the still form of his friend over. The light hit Wedge's face and Corran heard a sharp intake of breath as Pash saw the dark bruises and cuts that covered Wedge's face.
"Wedge?" Corran tried again, his eyes sparking angrily as he contemplated what Isard had done to his friend. ~She probably vented her frustration on him when her troopers didn't get Luke and me~.
Wedge's eyes opened and focused blearily at the three worried faces staring down at him. Luke smiled in relief "Hey Wedge, we're gonna get you out of here. Do you think that you can walk?"
Wedge managed a weak grin, "Anything to get out of here."
Yari appeared at the door of the cell "Did you find him?" She asked shooting gazes down the hallway behind her "We need to get out of here now." Pash nodded and helped Wedge to his feet. "How far to the docking bay?" he asked.
"Not that far. It won't take us long, but we'll have to move pretty fast. Corran and I disabled the tractor beams, but it won't take them long to fix if they find you all gone."
Luke and Pash supported Wedge as he stood up and walked out of the cell, and they all began down the hallway out of the detention bloc.
Behind Corranj Yari watched distractedly as John fiddled with something in his pocket. "John?" Ignoring her inquiring tone, John kept his eyes averted, sweat shone on his forehead. Muttering almost as if to himself he said, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry, she wants me to."
Yari looked at him uncomprehendingly, "John?" Pulling a comlink from out of his pocket John triggered the call button, and almost immediately the alarm klaxon began to go off deafening them and alerting the whole ship. "John!" Yari yelled her voice betrayed. In shock Yari stared at him, pulling out her blaster she fired.
"Yari! Don't!" Shouted Corran but it was too late
The small group watched in horror as John slid unmoving to the floor, the alarm wailing in each of their ears, a shrieking death knell tolling their doom. Yari was shaking and swearing her breath coming in small gasps. "Why did he do it?" She exclaimed in a shaken voice. "Why?"
"Isard." Was all Corran said, "He must have been an Imperial prisoner before."
"We better get moving." Said Wedge, his exhausted voice snapping the rest out of their stunned stupor. Luke and Pash were the first to stir, slinging Wedge's arms over their shoulders they hurried down the hall, supporting most of Wedge's weight between them, heading for the command center and the scant shelter that it offered. Pulling Yari with him Corran followed leaving behind the crumpled body of their unwilling betrayer, Yari and Corran easily caught up with Luke and Pash. Corran glanced worriedly at Wedge and winced sympathetically, his commander and friend was relying heavily on Luke and Pash, his breathing labored and his eyes glazed in pain, but he pulled himself doggedly forward refusing to give in to his body's screamed demands for rest.
Reaching the command center Luke and Pash set Wedge down, gently easing their friend's broken body against the support of console and Luke turned to face his companions. There was only limited cover and he could already hear the heavy footsteps of stormtroopers racing to surround them. "Options?" He inquired, but Yari. Corran and Pash simply shook their heads miserably, there were none.
Down the corridor and beyond the concealing consoles, stormtroopers surrounded their position blasters ready. They were helpless; the four of them supporting their wounded friend couldn't prevail against the entire crew of a star destroyer. With the force it may have been possible, but the ysalimari were still blocking any and all access to the one thing that may have been able to help them. A feeling of desperation welled up in the back of Corran's throat. ~Not this, I can handle anything but this. ~
Down the hall Isard rounded the corner, eyes gleaming, face set in a predatory smile, "Throw down your weapons." She commanded her voice echoing down the long cold corridor. "You are surrounded. You have no backup. You cannot escape." The last was a sibilant whisper, not quite disguising her triumphal glee. Silence met her demand. Nearly hissing her displeasure, Isard spat, "If you do not surrender within the next ten seconds I will not hesitate to open fire." Down the hallway Corran met Luke's eyes and grim understanding passed between them.
The fleet was on its way. Isard needed something, or someone to distract her. Corran rose to a low crouch and quickly gripped Wedge's shoulder, giving Pash and Yari a slight nod he stood up. Yari bit back an oath and tried to reach out to stop him, but Pash caught her and held her to his chest as a single tear traced down her sorrowful face quickly replaced with a weary understanding she bowed her head and when she looked back up Corran was gone.
"Isard!" Corran shouted his voice harsh, "It's me that you want. Let them go!" He stepped into the hallway blaster raised. He advanced slowly, eyes hard, staring into the face of his enemy. Ranging options coursed through his mind, he had her in his sights, it would be so easy to simply pull the trigger saving himself the humiliation and pain that was sure to come and ending this monstrosity's life.
He was tempted, the possibility whispered through his mind like a seductive breeze. ~End it~. He gave a mental shake of his head, he couldn't do it, Mirax's face flashed across his mind's eye, ~I'm sorry baby~, he pushed down his fear and continued down the hallway.
He could not condemn his friends to instant death by pulling the trigger. There was still some hope. For them at least. "Let them go." He repeated coming to a halt a few short yards from Isard and the straining blasters of the stormtroopers. Mismatched eyes bore into his razor edged green gaze.
"Put down your weapon Lieutenant." Fighting the fear that queasily knotted his stomach Corran slowly reached down and placed his blaster on the deck. Raising his arms he stood back up, his eyes defiant, all fear and doubt banished from his mind.
Isard's next words glittered with ill contained amusement, "You cannot possibly presume to know what I desire Lieutenant. But you will serve as a beginning." Her eyes shone with a malicious excitement, "Take him."
The stormtroopers surrounded Corran and slammed him brutally to the cold deck, quickly checking him for any concealed weapons they cuffed him, and pulled him back upright to face Isard.
She backhanded him, hard, snapping his head back and causing brilliant flares of light to encroach upon his vision. "You disappoint me Lieutenant. I was at least expecting some resistance." She leaned into him her breath hot against his cheek and whispered to into his ear. "I will not injure your friends for now." She pulled away from him and grinned, sending icy shards of despair into Corran's heart. "I'll even let them watch."
She turned addressing Rillen, "Secure the other rebel's surrender and bring them to interrogation room three's viewing room. Do not let them escape. You two," she gestured at the two stormtroopers closest to Corran. "Bring him and come with me."
Corran's heart ached; he had bought his friends at least a little time before she turned her attention on them. Hopefully it would be enough. It had to be.
The two stormtroopers rybet marched Corran after Isard and he watched her stride confidently ahead with a sinking heart. She had been looking forward to this moment for years, and he wondered just what was the worst torture that such a deranged mind could create.
Finally, Isard stopped in front of a forbidding cell door; she palmed it open and strode inside. Bare metal walls met his eyes, in the center of the room dangled a chain with a pair of cuffs at waist level attached to it. The stormtroopers uncuffed Corran and one led Corran toward the restraints as the other kept his blaster aimed at his midsection.
"Take off his shirt." Said Isard before the stormtrooper cuffed him. The trooper grabbed Corran's collar and ripped the thin shirt off of his chest.
Corran raised an eyebrow. "You could have just asked."
The trooper merely grunted and chained Corran's hands in front of him. Corran turned to face Isard who was fiddling with something he couldn't see at a small table in the corner of the room. She finally turned to face Corran with a small loaded hypo in her hand. She nodded at one of the stormtroopers and he depressed a small button on the wall. Pulled by the chain Corran's hands shot above his head until his feet were left just brushing the floor.
Isard stepped forward her face inches from Corran's defiant gaze, raising the hypo she jabbed it into his stomach. Corran didn't flinch as the needle dug into his skin. Skirtopanol or some derivative of it, he thought as the foreign substance flooded his body. He could feel it slowly spreading from his stomach until the room flexed and danced in his sight. Acidic fire spread through his veins pooling in his stomach and leaving him gasping for breath.
Isard appeared before his wavering vision, her face set in a saccharine sweet smile.
"I've improved upon my interrogation drugs since last you visited us." She stepped back a neuro-whip clasped almost carelessly in her hand.
"It is an interesting mix," she continued. "For on the one hand it blurs the mind and weakens the will. While on the other," she grinned maliciously. "It heightens the sense of touch." Her voice almost caressed the last word as she disappeared from his line of sight.
The first strike of the neuro-whip came from nowhere and Corran's body arched his back, his breath leaving him in a rush, as the crackling energy of the neuro-whip lacerated his nerves, not tearing and shredding flesh but sending shrieking pain across his already heightened senses in a wash of agony. Corran bit the inside of his cheeks to keep himself from crying out. Isard wanted his screams and she would get them, of that he had no doubt, but he would hold out for as long as possible.
While he was still reeling from the neoro-whip a fist crashed into his stomach, and he doubled over his knees collapsing beneath him his arms shrieking in silent anguish as all of his weight came crashing down on his straining shoulders.
Soon each strike blurred together in a sea of pain and Corran's agonized cries echoed throughout the small cell and into the viewing room beside it.
* * *
General Sean Rillen stood in the corner of the small viewing room, dividing his gaze between the shocked and sickened faces of the rebel's friends and the rebel himself. The rebel's sacrifice had shocked him, and looking at the faces of his friends he could no longer simply dismiss them as raving fanatics waving the flag of some misguided cause.
If the cold-blooded brutality in the next room was the measure of what the Empire had become he was not sure that he wanted to be a part of it anymore. Rillen shuddered slightly as he closed his eyes and saw Isard's leering face burned into his memory. The prisoner's cries stopped and he glanced up in time to see one of the guards dash a bucket of icy water on the prisoner's face, which was all but unrecognizable beneath the vivid bruises and swelling.
Rillen shook his head sickened, Isard was not even asking the rebel any questions. When the water failed to wake the rebel Isard snarled at the guards to lower him and take him to a cell, as Rillen watched the man's broken body hit the ground with a dull thud, something within him broke. He left the room shaking his head. Such an honorable man as Lieutenant Corran Horn deserved a better fate than this slow inexorable slide into death.
* * *
Dark, yes I know. I never said that this fic would be all sweetness and light, but I swear I will get our heroes out of this mess. Remember that impossible is their stock in trade! I'm very sorry for the wait, but here is yet another installment. I will get the next one out as soon as possible. Please do review it is very encouraging to receive them.
* * *
"So what exactly is your plan?" Inquired Corran quirking an eyebrow at Luke. The two stood in shadow across the street from the spaceport where several ships were off loading personnel and supplies from the circling Star Destroyer overhead.
"We need to get up to that Star Destroyer and those ships seem to be the only way."
Corran nodded in agreement "Yes but trying to get on them is another thing entirely!"
Luke cocked an eyebrow and smirked, "There is no try do or do not."
Corran rolled his eyes "Now how did I know that you were going to say that?"
Luke smiled, "and in terms of getting onboard we'll just order them to take us."
"Right," said Corran, "and they'll just jump at the chance to take orders from the man at the top of the Empire's most wanted list."
"No," said an unfamiliar voice, "They'll jump to take mine." At the sound of the voice Corran unholstered his blaster and trained it at the man nearly before he had finished speaking. In Luke's place a sneering bland faced Imperial Commander stood uniform and all, shimmering briefly the force illusion fell away to reveal a wryly, smiling Jedi in the Commander's place. "I believe that should do the trick," said Luke. "Can you play the unruly prisoner bit?" He inquired pulling a set of binders out of his pocket and tossing them to Corran.
"But once we reach the destroyer your disguise will disappear," said Corran neatly fielding the binders and inspecting them with a frown.
"True," shrugged Luke, "but we only need this to get onto the shuttle. After the shuttle docks on the Star Destroyer we can disable the pilots and...erm... 'borrow' their uniforms."
"Wait I think I've heard this one before," said Corran sarcastically. "Aren't we both a little short to be stormtroopers?"
"We won't be stormtroopers we'll be pilots," said Luke seriously. "People see what they expect to, and the average Imperial isn't all that bright. The uniforms should be enough to help us blend in while we disable the tractor beams and find the others."
"Right," said Corran shaking his head incredulously and twisting his arms behind his back to fasten the binders. "Can you explain to me how between the two of us- a Jedi Master and a former CorSec agent-we choose the plan that has 'shoot me' written all over it!" Corran shook his head incredulously and then smirked "Maybe it's so crazy that it'll actually work."
Luke grinned roguishly "We can only hope," and with that he began striding toward the spaceport.
* * *
Yari lay on the cold metal cot in her cell and stared up into the darkness. She hadn't seen anyone since she's been captured and thrown in here and the wait had begun to get on her nerves. She had had a few close calls while working for New Republic Security but had never been revealed or captured before and her imagination was beginning to get the best of. She shivered involuntarily recalling some of the stories that had circulated about victims of Isard's torture, those who had been programmed to be loyal to her, killing their own families simply because she had ordered them to. She sat up irritably tossing her hair as if to shake such thoughts. Corran had been Isard's prisoner before and he had escaped relatively unscathed, she just had to hold on. They would come for her eventually and she would face them. She was determined to not appear afraid.
As if in answer to her thoughts the cell door slid open in a burst of light revealing two men in imperial uniforms. She tensed, her blood pounding through her veins in a sudden rush of adrenaline. "Yari?" Called a familiar voice, "It's us." Corran stepped through the door and reached a hand toward her. "Are you ok?" He asked concernedly. Relief flooded through her as her mind finally caught up with her eyes. She jumped up and gave Corran a fierce hug "Yeah I'm fine, I thought you were them." She said her voice stumbling over the last word. "How did you get here?" She inquired incredulously, "Is it just the two of you?"
Luke grinned and motioned them both out of the cell "Yes it's just the two of us, and we'll be happy to answer all of your questions, but preferably not in Imperial custody. We need to get Pash, Wedge and John and get out of here." Moving quickly Luke consulted a datapad he had lifted from the guard station "I think that Pash is in here and that John is in that one. If this is right Wedge is further down the corridor." Luke hit the release of the cell nearest him and light flooded into it. Pash threw up a hand to block the light and squinted irritably at them "Where have you been? You're late."
Luke smirked and shook his head "Only a Rogue would say something that idiotic. Let's go."
Pash stood and climbed out of the cell "What now oh fearless leaders?"
"John," said Luke, nodding toward a cell a few doors down from where they were standing.
"Right, I'll get him why don't you three go find Wedge." Said Yari putting action to her words. Nodding the other three jogged down the hall.
Stepping to the cell door Yari hit the release, the cell was dark and nothing moved. "John?" She called hesitantly. She stepped into the cell "John," she called again. He lay unmoving on the cot, his face turned toward the wall. She stopped unsure of what to do. Reaching out a hand she laid it on his shoulder. He jerked convulsively at her touch and pulled his body into a tight ball. "John. It's me." Said Yari, "You need to get up. We have to get out of here."
He slowly got up, his gaze not meeting hers. "It's too late for me." He said in a muffled voice.
"That's nonsense," she growled. "Come on we're going to get you out of here." He stood slowly and followed her out of the cell when she took him by the arm. "Come on." She said pulling him into the light.
Further down the hall the three men had found Wedge's cell and palmed the release. Corran ducked through the door and moved to the still form lying on the cell's floor.
"Wedge?" He called hesitantly, sinking to his knees he turned the still form of his friend over. The light hit Wedge's face and Corran heard a sharp intake of breath as Pash saw the dark bruises and cuts that covered Wedge's face.
"Wedge?" Corran tried again, his eyes sparking angrily as he contemplated what Isard had done to his friend. ~She probably vented her frustration on him when her troopers didn't get Luke and me~.
Wedge's eyes opened and focused blearily at the three worried faces staring down at him. Luke smiled in relief "Hey Wedge, we're gonna get you out of here. Do you think that you can walk?"
Wedge managed a weak grin, "Anything to get out of here."
Yari appeared at the door of the cell "Did you find him?" She asked shooting gazes down the hallway behind her "We need to get out of here now." Pash nodded and helped Wedge to his feet. "How far to the docking bay?" he asked.
"Not that far. It won't take us long, but we'll have to move pretty fast. Corran and I disabled the tractor beams, but it won't take them long to fix if they find you all gone."
Luke and Pash supported Wedge as he stood up and walked out of the cell, and they all began down the hallway out of the detention bloc.
Behind Corranj Yari watched distractedly as John fiddled with something in his pocket. "John?" Ignoring her inquiring tone, John kept his eyes averted, sweat shone on his forehead. Muttering almost as if to himself he said, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry, she wants me to."
Yari looked at him uncomprehendingly, "John?" Pulling a comlink from out of his pocket John triggered the call button, and almost immediately the alarm klaxon began to go off deafening them and alerting the whole ship. "John!" Yari yelled her voice betrayed. In shock Yari stared at him, pulling out her blaster she fired.
"Yari! Don't!" Shouted Corran but it was too late
The small group watched in horror as John slid unmoving to the floor, the alarm wailing in each of their ears, a shrieking death knell tolling their doom. Yari was shaking and swearing her breath coming in small gasps. "Why did he do it?" She exclaimed in a shaken voice. "Why?"
"Isard." Was all Corran said, "He must have been an Imperial prisoner before."
"We better get moving." Said Wedge, his exhausted voice snapping the rest out of their stunned stupor. Luke and Pash were the first to stir, slinging Wedge's arms over their shoulders they hurried down the hall, supporting most of Wedge's weight between them, heading for the command center and the scant shelter that it offered. Pulling Yari with him Corran followed leaving behind the crumpled body of their unwilling betrayer, Yari and Corran easily caught up with Luke and Pash. Corran glanced worriedly at Wedge and winced sympathetically, his commander and friend was relying heavily on Luke and Pash, his breathing labored and his eyes glazed in pain, but he pulled himself doggedly forward refusing to give in to his body's screamed demands for rest.
Reaching the command center Luke and Pash set Wedge down, gently easing their friend's broken body against the support of console and Luke turned to face his companions. There was only limited cover and he could already hear the heavy footsteps of stormtroopers racing to surround them. "Options?" He inquired, but Yari. Corran and Pash simply shook their heads miserably, there were none.
Down the corridor and beyond the concealing consoles, stormtroopers surrounded their position blasters ready. They were helpless; the four of them supporting their wounded friend couldn't prevail against the entire crew of a star destroyer. With the force it may have been possible, but the ysalimari were still blocking any and all access to the one thing that may have been able to help them. A feeling of desperation welled up in the back of Corran's throat. ~Not this, I can handle anything but this. ~
Down the hall Isard rounded the corner, eyes gleaming, face set in a predatory smile, "Throw down your weapons." She commanded her voice echoing down the long cold corridor. "You are surrounded. You have no backup. You cannot escape." The last was a sibilant whisper, not quite disguising her triumphal glee. Silence met her demand. Nearly hissing her displeasure, Isard spat, "If you do not surrender within the next ten seconds I will not hesitate to open fire." Down the hallway Corran met Luke's eyes and grim understanding passed between them.
The fleet was on its way. Isard needed something, or someone to distract her. Corran rose to a low crouch and quickly gripped Wedge's shoulder, giving Pash and Yari a slight nod he stood up. Yari bit back an oath and tried to reach out to stop him, but Pash caught her and held her to his chest as a single tear traced down her sorrowful face quickly replaced with a weary understanding she bowed her head and when she looked back up Corran was gone.
"Isard!" Corran shouted his voice harsh, "It's me that you want. Let them go!" He stepped into the hallway blaster raised. He advanced slowly, eyes hard, staring into the face of his enemy. Ranging options coursed through his mind, he had her in his sights, it would be so easy to simply pull the trigger saving himself the humiliation and pain that was sure to come and ending this monstrosity's life.
He was tempted, the possibility whispered through his mind like a seductive breeze. ~End it~. He gave a mental shake of his head, he couldn't do it, Mirax's face flashed across his mind's eye, ~I'm sorry baby~, he pushed down his fear and continued down the hallway.
He could not condemn his friends to instant death by pulling the trigger. There was still some hope. For them at least. "Let them go." He repeated coming to a halt a few short yards from Isard and the straining blasters of the stormtroopers. Mismatched eyes bore into his razor edged green gaze.
"Put down your weapon Lieutenant." Fighting the fear that queasily knotted his stomach Corran slowly reached down and placed his blaster on the deck. Raising his arms he stood back up, his eyes defiant, all fear and doubt banished from his mind.
Isard's next words glittered with ill contained amusement, "You cannot possibly presume to know what I desire Lieutenant. But you will serve as a beginning." Her eyes shone with a malicious excitement, "Take him."
The stormtroopers surrounded Corran and slammed him brutally to the cold deck, quickly checking him for any concealed weapons they cuffed him, and pulled him back upright to face Isard.
She backhanded him, hard, snapping his head back and causing brilliant flares of light to encroach upon his vision. "You disappoint me Lieutenant. I was at least expecting some resistance." She leaned into him her breath hot against his cheek and whispered to into his ear. "I will not injure your friends for now." She pulled away from him and grinned, sending icy shards of despair into Corran's heart. "I'll even let them watch."
She turned addressing Rillen, "Secure the other rebel's surrender and bring them to interrogation room three's viewing room. Do not let them escape. You two," she gestured at the two stormtroopers closest to Corran. "Bring him and come with me."
Corran's heart ached; he had bought his friends at least a little time before she turned her attention on them. Hopefully it would be enough. It had to be.
The two stormtroopers rybet marched Corran after Isard and he watched her stride confidently ahead with a sinking heart. She had been looking forward to this moment for years, and he wondered just what was the worst torture that such a deranged mind could create.
Finally, Isard stopped in front of a forbidding cell door; she palmed it open and strode inside. Bare metal walls met his eyes, in the center of the room dangled a chain with a pair of cuffs at waist level attached to it. The stormtroopers uncuffed Corran and one led Corran toward the restraints as the other kept his blaster aimed at his midsection.
"Take off his shirt." Said Isard before the stormtrooper cuffed him. The trooper grabbed Corran's collar and ripped the thin shirt off of his chest.
Corran raised an eyebrow. "You could have just asked."
The trooper merely grunted and chained Corran's hands in front of him. Corran turned to face Isard who was fiddling with something he couldn't see at a small table in the corner of the room. She finally turned to face Corran with a small loaded hypo in her hand. She nodded at one of the stormtroopers and he depressed a small button on the wall. Pulled by the chain Corran's hands shot above his head until his feet were left just brushing the floor.
Isard stepped forward her face inches from Corran's defiant gaze, raising the hypo she jabbed it into his stomach. Corran didn't flinch as the needle dug into his skin. Skirtopanol or some derivative of it, he thought as the foreign substance flooded his body. He could feel it slowly spreading from his stomach until the room flexed and danced in his sight. Acidic fire spread through his veins pooling in his stomach and leaving him gasping for breath.
Isard appeared before his wavering vision, her face set in a saccharine sweet smile.
"I've improved upon my interrogation drugs since last you visited us." She stepped back a neuro-whip clasped almost carelessly in her hand.
"It is an interesting mix," she continued. "For on the one hand it blurs the mind and weakens the will. While on the other," she grinned maliciously. "It heightens the sense of touch." Her voice almost caressed the last word as she disappeared from his line of sight.
The first strike of the neuro-whip came from nowhere and Corran's body arched his back, his breath leaving him in a rush, as the crackling energy of the neuro-whip lacerated his nerves, not tearing and shredding flesh but sending shrieking pain across his already heightened senses in a wash of agony. Corran bit the inside of his cheeks to keep himself from crying out. Isard wanted his screams and she would get them, of that he had no doubt, but he would hold out for as long as possible.
While he was still reeling from the neoro-whip a fist crashed into his stomach, and he doubled over his knees collapsing beneath him his arms shrieking in silent anguish as all of his weight came crashing down on his straining shoulders.
Soon each strike blurred together in a sea of pain and Corran's agonized cries echoed throughout the small cell and into the viewing room beside it.
* * *
General Sean Rillen stood in the corner of the small viewing room, dividing his gaze between the shocked and sickened faces of the rebel's friends and the rebel himself. The rebel's sacrifice had shocked him, and looking at the faces of his friends he could no longer simply dismiss them as raving fanatics waving the flag of some misguided cause.
If the cold-blooded brutality in the next room was the measure of what the Empire had become he was not sure that he wanted to be a part of it anymore. Rillen shuddered slightly as he closed his eyes and saw Isard's leering face burned into his memory. The prisoner's cries stopped and he glanced up in time to see one of the guards dash a bucket of icy water on the prisoner's face, which was all but unrecognizable beneath the vivid bruises and swelling.
Rillen shook his head sickened, Isard was not even asking the rebel any questions. When the water failed to wake the rebel Isard snarled at the guards to lower him and take him to a cell, as Rillen watched the man's broken body hit the ground with a dull thud, something within him broke. He left the room shaking his head. Such an honorable man as Lieutenant Corran Horn deserved a better fate than this slow inexorable slide into death.
* * *
Dark, yes I know. I never said that this fic would be all sweetness and light, but I swear I will get our heroes out of this mess. Remember that impossible is their stock in trade! I'm very sorry for the wait, but here is yet another installment. I will get the next one out as soon as possible. Please do review it is very encouraging to receive them.
