Hiya readers! Thanks for reading my rambling up to now. Hope you're enjoying! New chapter up.
Darth Marr was already on his flagship, heading to Balmorra, when the holo came in that one of their outposts on the planet had a prisoner for him to collect. This wasn't just any prisoner though, this was almost certainly young Vala Shan, from the description given by the Imperial soldiers. This, and the simple fact that the prisoner was a Jedi and she surrendered to the outpost. She'd walked in with her hands in the air, her lightsaber tossed to the ground at the soldier's feet.
The premonition he'd had a few days previous to the holo had been correct. He sensed his young Jedi would soon return to him.
"We're approaching Balmorra, My Lord." Captain Bolvar said. Bolvar was the most senior officer on Marr's ship.
"Excellent. Send a signal to the outpost that we've arrived. Coordinate the collection of my new prisoner." Marr turned to face Bolvar. "And ensure she's not damaged in ANY way, do you understand, Captain?"
Bolvar stood at attention. "Of course, My Lord."
Marr turned his attention back to the glowing blue and green planet. His plan for young Vala had worked even better than he could have hoped. Obviously, his predictions about the Jedi's treatment had been correct, since a mole within the Republic had confirmed she went against his suggestion and told the Republic she'd been released from his custody, rather than lie about escaping.
The next part of his plan had to be timed perfectly. The young Jedi was confused. She was no longer sure about her path on the Lightside and she felt secure enough to reach out to him for guidance. It was time to show her what the Darkside had to offer. He had to ease her in slowly, though. He had to find the parts which would be most appealing to her and use them to push her closer and closer to the edge. Once there, she'd embrace the Darkside as completely as any other Jedi he'd turned. Maybe even more so.
Vala paced back and forth in the small holding cell she'd been transferred to onboard the Imperial ship. She'd hadn't been told if she was indeed on her way to Darth Marr, but she had the feeling the Sith had special interest in her, so he'd collect her quickly after her surrender. At least she hoped so. A different Stih would probably not treat her quite as kindly as Marr, though she was still confused as to why. If he wanted her to turn to the Darkside, why was he taking such a roundabout approach? Why would he risk releasing her at all?
The military officer who collected her upon her arrival on the ship had said nothing, only escorted her to her cell. He'd been almost indifferent about her treatment, not being kind but definitely not treating her as a typical Republic prisoner, either.
Vala, once again, found herself alone in an Imperial cell. She reached out through the Force and sensed a familiar presence. The presence made her smile without truly meaning to show the emotion. This time, this was exactly where she wanted to be.
To Be Continued...