Warmachine375: Best review ever.
Dr. Vadam: I just choose her to be human because all the rest of the Inquisitors were non-humans. The majority of the Jedi always seemed to be humans so it made sense that there should be a few human Inquisitors within their order. Her age would about the same as Ahsoka's as they were both Padawans around the same time.
Old Jho's shop was completely silent as he stepped inside but the Force was practically screaming within Ezra's mind. He had grown accustomed to the wave of emotions projected by everyday people inside of cities and large population centers. He would sense people's joy, their anger, their sorrow, but now all he sensed was fear. It was radiating from everyone inside the cantina as they eat their meals and downed their drinks. Even Old Jho, the Ithorian owner of the establishment, felt it and it was apparent with HoloNet News airing on the large screen above the bar counter. He never had that playing except whenever Imperials stepped inside his shop but now it was playing not a single Stormtrooper in sight.
Thanks to the Ghost's energy dampeners and static jammers, the ship was able to elude the multiple Star Destroyers in orbit. Hera chose to land near pit stop as most cities across the planet were too dangerous to go near and for the moment, they needed information. Old Jho's was often a safe haven for the crew of the Ghost. Old Jho and most of his customers hated the Empire which made it the perfect place to start finding out anything about Kanan, Sabine, and Zeb.
Hera had to land the ship a few kilometers away in case any Imperials were around but thankfully once she arrived with Ezra and Sister, there weren't any Imperials in sight. But you wouldn't know that with how tense everyone was. Chopper wasn't happy being left behind to guard the ship and he wasn't the only one. Though she didn't say it out loud, it was clear Hera was uneasy with having the former Inquisitor along for the ride. She didn't trust her and Ezra could understand that. He knew having Second Sister aiding them could possibly backfire in his face but someone with her power was the only way to save Kanan, Sabine, and Zeb.
The former Inquisitor decided she needed to dress more appropriately if she was going to leave the ship. Dressed in Imperial armor would only attract attention so she borrowed some spare clothing. Sister took a pair of black trousers along with a dark jacket with a black tank top underneath. She also grew her hair out in the past few weeks and now just allowed it to hang freely down her neck and shoulders whenever she wasn't wearing her helmet. Her yellow eyes were a result of the dark side and were the one thing that would stand out in public. Yet before joining Ezra and Hera, her eyes had changed to brown which must be her natural eye color. Second Sister explained it was a technique in the Force to conceal changes caused by the dark side. It was a trick she wasn't taught but found out on her own. Who knows what other tricks she found out over the years.
The three of them took seats at the bar counter. While he didn't know Sister, Old Jho instantly grabbed three glass cups and set them in front of his new customers. Ezra was about to say something but the Ithorian moved his trigger finger back and forth, letting them know to stay quiet. Ezra resisted the urge to glance around and see who else was inside the diner. There wasn't any Imperial in uniform but that didn't mean there weren't any in plain clothes or maybe informants watching this place.
"What'll it be?" asked Old Jho.
"Juma juice for me, Blue milk for him and…" Hera answered, not sure what to get Sister.
"Nysillin tea please," Second Sister spoke.
The Ithorian nodded and started filling up their cups. While he was filling Ezra's cup, Jho subtly slide a small and thin data pad underneath it like a cup holder and slide both across the bar table. Unfriendly ears in the room. Sorry about your friends was displayed on its screen.
Ezra nodded and picked up his cup, subtly picking the pad up with it. He took a drink while setting his the pad in his lab. Ezra glanced at his side to see Hera glancing at the pad. He tapped in a message to respond.
"So where are you headed to?" Jho asked, treating them all like regular customers.
"Felucia. There's a Nysillin shipment we need to pick up," Hera played along.
Do you know where they're being held? typed Ezra as he finished his drink. Hera gave a slight nod before Ezra put the pad underneath his cup before sliding both back. Jho took the cup and the pad before slowly shaking his head. It was a slight disappointment but they were only starting.
"We interrupt this broadcast to bring you a special report. We go live to Alton Kastle," the newsfeed announced.
The smug annoying face of the Imperial propagandist appeared on the screen with the captions BREAKING NEWS flashing underneath him. "Authorities on Lothal have apprehended three of the terrorists responsible for the destruction of the Lothal Communications Tower," Kastle announced. Instantly Ezra's eyes widened as everyone else in the room turned their attention towards the broadcast. Pictures of Kanan, Zeb, and Sabine appeared on screen back to back.
"Kanan Jarrus, known smuggler and insurgent. Responsible for countless attacks on Lothal, Gorel, Kessel, and Gorse. Garazeb Orrelios, known war criminal who escaped capture on Lasat. Responsible for the massacre of multiple Imperial soldiers taken prisoner during the campaign for pacify his violent race. Sabine Wren, deserter and traitor who disappeared from the Imperial Academy of Mandalore. Responsible for the destruction of countless imperial property and murder of numerous military and civilian officials. By order of Grand Moff Tarkin, these three terrorists will face justice. They will be tried for their crimes in the Government Tower starting tomorrow morning," said Kastle.
Ezra almost leaped to his feet but thankfully he managed to mask his shock. Hera glanced at him with worried eyes while Second Sister's face was completely unreadable. You'd think she was watching paint drying on the wall.
"Thanks for the drink but we need to get back to our ship," Hera said, finishing her juma juice. She pulled out some credits, paying for their drinks before the three left. Heading back to the Ghost, they were silent until they were far enough away from any building or person.
Ezra was the first to speak. "They're going to be put on trial?!"
"A public trial. They never give any insurgents a public trial," Hera thought out loud.
"It's a trap. They're still looking for the two of you and this is the best way to draw you out," remarked Sister.
Hera shook her head, "It can't be that simple. They have to know we wouldn't be so reckless."
"But…" Ezra blurted out. He didn't finish his sentence as he knew they were right. Rescuing their friends there would be exactly what the Empire expected.
"You're right," sighed Ezra. Hera gave him a sympathetic look.
"Reckless should be the name of your little terrorist cell," quipped Sister. Ezra wasn't sure if the Inquisitor intentionally told a joke to make him feel a little better and though it wasn't the best joke, it made him slightly feel better.
"That should be the name of our product line. We'd make a fortune on Lothal," joked Ezra.
"Dead weight could have his own flush toy that says 'Karabas' every time you squeeze it," chuckled Sister. Zeb would be furious if he heard that and that thought made Ezra burst into laughter. Hera threw him a look and it surprised Ezra that she actually looked concerned.
"Are you okay?" Ezra asked her.
"I'm fine. I'm just worried about the others," Hera replied. Ezra had known her long enough to know that she was lying.
"Where are we going?" Kanan repeated the same question he asked ever since a group of five Stormtroopers and the Grand Inquisitor were escorting him from his cell. They weren't going to answer him but he's been held out in isolation for the past few days so he felt like talking even if no one talked back.
Kanan knew he had been onboard a Star Destroyer but after shackling him, he had been led to the hangar bay and put onboard a shuttle. Eventually it landed and after disembarking, Kanan was put onto an Imperial Troop Transport and not allowed to now where he was going. So he decided to pass the time by talking and never stopping. He'd been tortured for the past few days so he jumped at the chance to irritate the Grand Inquisitor and a few Stormtroopers. But Kanan got bored of that and started singing a few pub songs.
"I used to work in Coruscant in a department store. I used to work in Coruscant but I don't anymore. A Stormtrooper came into the store one day and said the Empire was raising taxes on my wages. My fist in his teeth he got," sang Kanan.
"Shut up," sighed an annoyed Stormtrooper.
"But you didn't let me get to the time Grand Moff Tarkin came into the store dressed as a woman," Kanan mockingly complained.
"Sarcasm masking as fear. How amusing," the Grand Inquisitor chuckled. He was the only Imperial who didn't seem affected by Kanan's annoying singing.
"Actually it's masking my boredom. Are we there yet?" Kanan shrugged.
"Soon enough," smiled the Pau'an. He never once seemed frustrated during the past week torturing Kanan. Time to see if that'll hold.
"Are we there yet?" Kanan asked. No one answered him so he repeated, "Are we there yet?"
Several Stormtroopers groaned in annoyance. "Are we there yet?...Are we there yet?...Are we there yet?" Kanan smirked.
"Shut up!" a Stormtrooper shouted, raising his E-11 blaster rifle. The Grand Inquisitor suddenly raised his right hand and the trooper was hurled across the inside of the Troop Transport via the Force, crashing hard into the blast door.
"Control yourself trooper," the Grand Inquisitor said sternly. That was a bit extreme to do but maybe Kanan's nagging was starting to get him and the dark sider needed someone to take out his anger on.
"Y…yes…sir," the trooper groaned as he struggled back to his feet.
It wasn't long before the transport came to a halt and the blast door opened. Kanan was marched out to find himself inside of a parking lot filled with numerous military vehicles. The Grand Inquisitor took the lead with Kanan following escorted by five Stormtroopers surrounding him as they marched into a hallway. He saw no one but dozens of military stationed near every possible escape. The Imperials weren't taking any chances.
They entered a cargo elevator and went up in silence about twenty floors. The elevator doors opened into a long metallic hallway that Kanan and his escorts walked through. There were multiple doors on both sides but they passed by most of them. There were no door signs which made knowing where they led impossible to determine. The Grand Inquisitor stopped and opened a door before stepping inside. Kanan's Stormtrooper escort didn't give him a chance to catch up before they shoved him inside, causing him to lose his balance and fall to the floor.
"Kanan!" a familiar voice shouted. Kanan glanced up to see two faces he never expected to see. Sabine and Zeb were standing inside a circular platform with guardrails surrounding aside from a small opening. Both of them had their wrists shackled together but other than that, neither of them seemed any worse for wear. Kanan didn't doubt they were tortured but thankfully it didn't look like any permeant damage was inflicted.
"No delays," the Grand Inquisitor said. He lifted up his hand and Kanan suddenly felt his body lifted to his feet via the Force. The Pau'an then grabbed Kanan and shoved the Jedi through the opening and onto the platform. The instant Kanan was inside, the guardrails extended themselves to completely encircle the platform. An energy shield then slowly began to form, enveloping the entire platform and preventing any chance of escape.
"Enjoy the spectacle," the Grand Inquisitor smiled before turning and leaving the room.
"Are you two alright?" Kanan asked.
"The Imperials decided to use me as a shock toy but aside from my fur standing straight up, I'm fine," replied Zeb.
"They made me watch as they tortured you," sighed Sabine.
"Yeah well it'll take more than that to break us," Kanan tried to smile. He didn't need to ask whether the two of them had broken under torture. Sabine and Zeb were as tough as they come.
"I get the whole torture thing but what are they doing now?" wondered Zeb.
"Yeah…it's not like the Imperials to put three dangerous prisoners together in the same room," agreed Sabine.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Kanan nodded.
The door reopened as an old man in an Imperial uniform with a matching olive-gray cape. He had a snow-colored beard, brown eyes, and olive-colored skin. Putting on a pair of glasses, the man opened a folder in his hands and quickly skimmed through its contents. "Why do I get cases like these? You don't see Atticus ever taking them," he grumbled to himself.
"Who are you?" demanded Zeb.
"I am Lieutenant Commander Harmon Kowell. I've been assigned to assist you in all legal matters during the duration of your trial," the man introduced himself.
"Trial?!" all three of the rebels shouted in disbelief.
"Why are all my clients so confused whenever they hear that word?" Kowell muttered to himself.
"Maybe it's because the Empire doesn't give people a trial," Sabine snapped.
"Nonsense," Kowell shook his head. "I've been an arbiter for defendants since before all of you were born and my case load has only increased since the Empire was formed."
"And how many cases have you won?" asked Kanan, finding all of this absurd. It wasn't like the Empire was going to give them a fair trial.
"Many," Kowell defended himself.
"How many since the formation of the Empire?" inquired Zeb.
"…Uhhhh….none," admitted Kowell.
"I feel better already," Zeb grumbled.
"It's not my fault the Empire is incredibly thorough in its investigations," protested Kowell.
"Thorough? You call torturing people into confessions through?!" snapped Sabine.
"Where is all this hatred coming from? I'm trying to help you," sighed Kowell.
"I'm sure you're good at what you do but I think we'll defend ourselves," said Kanan.
"You don't get a choice in the matter. You're standing in an Isolation Platform. The force field surrounding you not only prevents you from escaping but a simple setting adjustment can also prevent sound from getting through. This will be active throughout your entire trial. Should you attempt to cause any scene during the trial proceedings, a third setting will activate and electrify the platform you are standing on," Kowell explained.
The three rebels all stared at the ground nervously. "Now I've gone over the prosecution's case and it's beyond solid. The only chance either one of you stands a chance is to make a full confession and agree to cooperate," Kowell continued.
"Why does that not surprise me?" muttered Zeb.
"Kriffing Bantha fodder we will!" cursed Sabine.
"I am trying to keep the three of you alive. Treason and terrorism are a capital offense punishable by death. You can't win this case and cooperating is the only way the prosecution will take the death penalty off the table," Kowell argued.
"Tell Grand Moff Tarkin he can take his offer and shove it," Kanan said.
"Governor Tarkin didn't make any offer," protested Kowell.
"Sure he didn't," Kanan scoffed.
"So run back to Tarkin like a good little lapdog and tell him our answer," Zeb ordered. Kowell sighed, shaking his head as he turned and left the room.
Zeb's confident facade quickly faded once the Imperial goon was gone. "We are in big trouble," he grumbled.
"Ya think?" replied Sabine.
Kanan wasn't sure how long the three of them waited inside their little circular prison but eventually a chime caught their attention. A few seconds later, a circular hatch in the ceiling above them opened as their platform began to levitate upwards. They ascended into a large room filled with numerous people on one half but what stood out was the raised desk (the Bench) on the far wall along with two desks (plaintiff and defendant desks), one of which was situated right next to the Isolation Platform. This was a courtroom and judging from the amount of people and cameras in the gallery, this was going to be quite the celebrity case.
"You know I actually thought that guy was kidding when he said we were going to have a trial," muttered Sabine.
Kowell, the rebels' advocate, entered the courtroom through a side entrance carrying a briefcase. He took a seat as the defendant desk then opened his briefcase, pulling out numerous papers that Kanan couldn't see good enough to tell what they were for.
"Oh you've got to be kidding me," Zeb growled. He was looking at Velken entered via the same side entrance as Kowell. The major gave the rebels a smug smile as he took a seat at the plaintiff's desk. Now they know who the prosecutor was.
"All rise for the honorable Grand Moff Tarkin," the bailiff announced.
Everyone in the room rose to their feet as the Grand Moff entered the courtroom and took a seat at the Bench. Kanan wasn't surprised by this in the slightest. The Grand Inquisitor did say, "Enjoy the show." and he wasn't kidding because that's exactly what all of this trial would be. The verdict was already decided, now it was just a matter of the play being acted out.
"Why does this not surprise me?" sighed Sabine.
"What I don't get is why they are doing this at all?" wondered Kanan.
"What do you mean?" asked Zeb.
"Why bother going through all of this? We all know Imperial trials are a show but why put us through it? The Empire never puts insurgents and rebels on trial. That tends to turn them into martyrs," pointed out Kanan.
"Maybe they're trying to lure out the others," suggested Sabine.
Zeb shook his head. "They'd never do something as stupid as trying to rescue us," he said.
"Be seated," Tarkin said, his voice emitted through multiple speakers. The audience all took their seats while Kanan realized he and his friends were never given any seats. The Imperials probably did that out of sheer spite.
"As the defendants are charged with committing crimes against military targets, they will be tried according to military doctrine," Tarkin announced.
Hours passed as the Empire trotted out numerous different witnesses, all of them Imperial military officers. They recounted the different attacks conducted by the rebels, how much damage they caused, and how many causalities were inflicted. Minister Maketh Tua later took the stand and informed about the impact the rebels' attack have had on the economy. Taxes had been raised on the local citizens to make up for the damages and numerous jobs were shipped off world as they were considered too dangerous to be on Lothal. Kanan was starting to realize what was really going on. This was a nothing more than a giant smear job designed to turn the entire populace of Lothal against them. Kowell was all but useless despite asking a few tough questions. In the end, he never challenged any witness about the Empire's methods or horrible practices.
"The state calls Morad Sumar," Velken called his next witness.
"What?" gasped Zeb. Kanan and Sabine were just as shocked as she was as the farmer Ezra and Zeb saved from the Imperials entered the courtroom. Morad Sumar owned a farm that the Empire wanted to nationalize. When he refused, the Imperials arrested him and his family. Ezra and Zeb managed to rescue him during that time they stole a Tie Fighter.
The farmer took the stand as Velken rose to his feet. "Please state your name for the record," he said.
"Morad Sumar. My family owns a farm just on the outskirts of Kathol," Morad spoke.
"Owns? He doesn't own that farm anymore. The Empire took it from him by force," said a confused Zeb. His words were unheard as the Imperials had activated the mute setting on the Isolation Platform, blocking all sound from getting in or out of the force field. Speakers on the platform are what allowed them to hear what was going in the courtroom.
"Could you explain how you know the defendants?" Velken asked.
"The Empire wanted to nationalize my farm. Their price was quite reasonable and they were even willing to allow me to continue operating the farm under their employment," explained Morad.
"What?! That's a lie!" shouted Zeb.
"It was these insurgents…," Morad said, pointing to the three rebels. "…who demanded I refused their offers. They said anyone who doesn't aide their cause is a traitor and that they'd kill me if I took the Empire's offer."
"That is not what happened!" shouted a furious Zeb. He banged against the force field, accomplishing nothing as the field repelled all his blows.
"Zeb calm down. This isn't helping," Kanan tried to talk reason with him. Suddenly currents of electricity ran through the floor, running up through the bodies of all three rebels who all screamed in pain. It only lasted a few seconds but it felt like an eternity. When it was over, the three all collapsed for the floor in pain but still conscious.
"The defendants will refrain from another outburst or the penalty will be increased," Tarkin's voice echoed inside the Isolation Platform.
"I can't believe this! That backstabbing schutta!" Ezra shouted. He was watching the trial on the holochess board in the commons area with Hera, Sister, and Chopper. Morad was a friend of his parents and always seemed like a good person. And now he was spewing lies about the very people that helped him when the Empire arrested the farmer and his family.
"Ezra calm down," Hera urged him.
"But how could he do this?!" snapped Ezra.
"Maybe the Empire threatened his family," suggested Hera. She was handling this whole matter a lot better than Ezra was.
"Or they simply bribed him. Everyone has their price," remarked Sister.
Chopper chimed in with how didn't care what the reason was and agreed with Ezra that Morad was a schutta.
After Velken and Kowell finished their questions, Morad stepped down from the stand. He didn't even look at the three rebels as he made his way out of the room. Kanan knew the Imperials wouldn't play fair but even he wasn't expecting something like this. Zeb was livid and who could blame him? He was one of the people who actually saved Morad and his family when the Empire arrested them.
"The Empire must have gotten to him and put a blaster to his family's head," Sabine sighed.
"Maybe," growled Zeb, not so certain.
"The state calls Adira Udar," Velken called his next witness. That wasn't a name that Kanan recognized and nor he did recognize her face as a young human girl probably in her late teens walked up to the stand. She took a seat and her eyes instantly glared at the three rebels. If looks could kill, Kanan and his two friends would be dead.
"Miss Udar can you explain your connection to the defendants?" Velken asked.
"My father was a technician who worked at the Imperial Airfield in Kathol. Seven months ago, he was working a late shift when the outpost was bombed by her!" Adira shouted, pointing at Sabine.
"The distraction," Sabine muttered under her breath. Kanan knew what she was referring to. A few weeks before they discovered Ezra, the Ghost Crew was tipped off about a shipment of medical supplies. The plan was to steal the shipment and dispense it among the refugees in Tarkin Town. Getting the supplies was easy, the real problem was the nearby airfield filled with Tie Fighters. Sabine took on the task of disabling it by herself and managed to pull it off. The destruction of the airfield allowed the rebels to steal the supplies unopposed and distracted any Imperials in the immediate area.
"My father suffered severe third degree burns and spent the last hour of his life in intense pain. He never hurt anyone or stole anything, he wasn't even a part of the Imperial military. He was just a man who wanted to put food on the table for his family," Adira spoke, pain and anger mixed in with her tone.
Ezra quickly left after Morad stepped down from the stand. Hera couldn't blame him after witnessing such the betrayal of someone he thought was a friend of his parents. She didn't know if Morad did this because the Imperials threatened him and his family or he was bribed but it didn't really change anything. Kanan, Sabine, and Zeb were being condemned now not just for things they actually did against the Empire but crimes they didn't commit. It didn't surprise Hera the Imperials would pull something like this.
The next witness was almost more unnerving. Adira Udar was the next of kin from a technician who died during a bombing conducted by Sabine. Hera knew that the Mandalorian recruit, while living up to the skills of her ancestors, didn't love violence and abhorred killing civilians. The man was probably killed by accident but that didn't change the fact that Adira didn't have a father anymore. Sabine showed no emotion on the holovid but Hera knew this had to be difficult to hear. Sometimes collateral damage is inevitable no matter how good your intentions are. It's a harsh reality Hera learned growing up on Ryloth.
Chopper soon decided he had seen enough as well and rolled off, leaving only Hera and Second Sister to watch the rest of the trial. Hera at first thought the Inquisitor was watching simply out of boredom but if that were true, she probably would have stopped watching before Ezra did. The Twi'lek Captain hadn't felt safe after her at all since she first came aboard and even though Sister was now helping them rescue the others, Hera still didn't trust her. It didn't help that Ezra refused to explain whatever was said between them back on Nar Shaddaa which obviously was what convinced Sister to remain.
After Tarkin dismissed the court for the day, the feed ended. Sister got to her feet and was about to leave. "Why are you really here?" Hera asked.
Sister turned her head. "Excuse me?"
Hera frowned, "You made it abundantly clear that you don't care about our cause or saving innocent people so why are you helping us now?"
"Maybe I didn't want all my training sessions with Kanan to be for nothing," suggested Sister.
"Or maybe you decided there was something you wanted from this ship," replied Hera.
"If I really wanted something from you people, I would have already taken it," Sister said.
"Not an it but a who," Hera spoke. That caught the former Inquisitor's attention judging from her silence. "Kanan always told me that Ezra has the potential to become a powerful Jedi. But now that's he gone, someone else could step into his shoes and mentor him only not on the path of a Jedi."
"Are you afraid I'm going to corrupt him?" mocked Sister.
"The thought did cross my mind," admitted Hera. "And I won't let you tarnish everything Kanan has taught him."
"Stop acting that you and Kanan taught him the ways of the Force out of nobility," spat Sister. "You took a kid off the streets and brought him on board your little terrorist cell, making him a target. And if that wasn't bad enough, now you've put delusions of Knighthood in his head. Using the Force and holding a laser sword puts an even bigger target on his back. He's only what? Fourteen? Fifteen? And thanks to you, he's not just on the top of the regular Imperials hit list but the Inquisitors' as well. If you people really did act in his best interests, you would have never let him on board this ship."
Sister didn't bother letting Hera get another word in before storming off. The Twi'lek sighed in frustration, trying not to let the Inquisitor's words sink in. True Kanan and Hera baited Ezra into discovering Kanan's holocron but ultimately it was his choice. Kanan never lied about how difficult the life of a Jedi was but Ezra still wanted to learn. He wanted to help others and being a Jedi was the best way to do that. Hera was now worried that without Kanan's guidance, that same desire will fade and a new one will replace it. If they couldn't rescue the others, Ezra might turn to someone else to fill Kanan's spot. Someone to help make him strong enough to protect those he cares about, regardless of whether it was the Jedi way or not. That person would be Second Sister.
What frightened Hera the most was she was starting to question whether that might be a suitable option at this point. She believed in the Jedi but Kanan was the only one left that she knew about. If anything happened to him, then maybe the rebellion would need something other than Jedi to help them succeed against the Empire.
Kanan didn't like how silent Sabine was as the three waited inside their prison platform. After the trail was concluded for the day, their pod descended back into the room below it where they've been waiting ever since. The Imperials were taking their time coming to get them and Kanan was starting to get worried that the bucket heads might just leave them here overnight. His wrists were starting to get a little sore from the restraints.
"They going to make us wait all night?" grumbled Zeb.
"Probably," muttered Kanan, his focus on Sabine. The Mandalorian was seated leaning against a railing, staring at the ground. She started acting like this when Adira Udar gave her testimony.
"Hey you okay?" Kanan asked her.
"Do you ever wonder if we're doing more harm than good?" Sabine whispered.
"Don't tell me you actually believed anything that kid said was legit?" scoffed Zeb.
"You think she was lying?" asked Kanan.
"Just like Morad," Zeb nodded with a growl.
"Then you'd be wrong animal," a voice spoke. The three glanced over the now open doorway where Major Velken was entering the room.
"Just what we needed," Zeb grumbled.
"I just wanted to inform you all about how quickly the planet is beginning to turn against you. Already the unrest and riots started in your names are gone and there has been a large sense of enthusiasm among the masses to witness your executions," smiled Velken.
"If you think a few staged witnesses are going to change people's opinions of the Empire on Lothal then there's a bridge on Alderaan I want to sell you," Kanan mocked.
"Their opinion of the Empire may not change but their opinions of you have. Senator Tua's testimony of job losses due to your actions was bad enough considering Lothal's current economy but add in Mister Samar and Miss Udar, they will never see you as heroes again," retorted Velken.
"What did you do to Morad? Did you threaten his family?" demanded Zeb.
"Threaten? Who do you think we are? Savages?" smirked Velken. "We found him at that village of vagabonds you call Tarkin Town. He and his family were homeless and unemployed, desperate for work. So the Empire made him an offer. Speak at this trial and regain the deed to his farm."
Zeb growled. If they weren't stuck behind a force field, the Lasat probably would have murdered the Imperial.
"It's frustrating isn't it? Knowing how quickly people will turn against you?" mocked Velken.
"You can bribe and threaten anyone you like but it's not going to change that people will never stop fighting you. Kill us and others will take our place," Kanan said firmly.
"Yes but they won't be Jedi will they. The only other one is your little brat Ezra Bridger. The Grand Inquisitor is planning on gutting the boy once he finds him but if you could be so kind as to inform me where Second Sister is, he'll go after her instead," retorted Velken.
"Go frag yourself and tell that ugly Pau'an to do the same," answered Kanan.
"Can't say I didn't give you a chance. Well I'm off to prepare for my next set of witnesses tomorrow. I wanted to thank all of you. Being your prosecutor has caught the eyes of several prominent officials on Coruscant. I've been told that the Imperial Ruling Council is even considering making me the next Moff of an available system," taunted Velken.
He turned to leave when Sabine asked, "Adira Udar. Was her father really killed?"
Velken spun around and replied, "Miss Udar was the one witness I didn't need to prep or coarse. She just wanted to confront the person responsible to murdering her father. Did you really think blowing up a base wouldn't inflict causalities? I'm assuming you don't count Stormtroopers but they aren't droids underneath those helmets. They are people with families and every time you shot down a Tie Fighter or blasted a trooper on patrol, you killed someone's father, mother, brother, sister, son, or daughter. And I plan to let every last one of them speak against you."
He turned and left, leaving the prisoners to contemplate his words.
(So don't expect Hera to trust Varra anytime soon. She does want the former Inquisitor's help but only because she's desperate. If they can't rescue Kanan then Ezra will enter a dark place and turn to Varra to fill in Kanan's shoes. I also wanted Varra's motives to helping the rebels to seem not so clear cut. Is she actually helping them or bidding her time to wait until Kanan is lost and sways Ezra under her influence? I also wanted all of the rebel's previous actions to come back to haunt them as the Empire either spins them to suit it's purpose or remind them of the people they've killed. As Velken said, it's not droids underneath those Storm trooper helmets. Hope you enjoyed and please review.)