"Wake up, Jedi scum. It is time to make use of you." The voice of General Grievous wheezed into my mind as I found myself waking up completely immobilised, suspended and captive with no clue as to where I was or for how long I had been unconscious. The sloped, hulking figure of the cyborg made his way around me, bearing a simple black cloak whilst the tips of his metallic feet scratched at the ground, occasionally causing small sparks to burst into life before dying out all too quickly. I noticed that he had already replaced the limb I had severed, much to my disappointment. I will admit, I would not have been opposed to the idea of the cyborg limping and struggling for a little while longer. Drawing in a deep breath, I tried to keep my sense of fear from overcoming me, not wanting to give this metal monster the satisfaction that I was afraid. "Ridding the galaxy of your kind brings me a great satisfaction unlike any other. However, before your inevitable demise, you should at least provide entertainment. A slow…agonising torture, until you beg for death in the end. I shall test the limits of your abilities, Jedi."
"Tell me Grievous, do you expect to use me as bait to lure in more Jedi who come to my rescue?" I questioned with laboured breath as my chest and lungs ached from where my arms had been elevated in suspension for such an extensive period of time. My entire body ached, and I suspected that I had not been treated kindly even whilst unconscious. "Because if that is the case, then I am afraid I must disappoint you. I have already made it clear to the Order that were I ever to become a prisoner of war, they were to make no effort to rescue me. So you see, you may as well kill me now, for I have no use to you whatsoever."
"We shall see. The Jedi will never allow one of their own to suffer in my hands, your kind are too soft and devoted to one another to let one of your own remain a prisoner." Grievous responded darkly, lifting a clawed finger to lift my chin and I could feel the sharp point threatening to pierce my skin as I looked up, doing my best to remain resolute against his psychological warfare. "If indeed no one cares enough for you to attempt a rescue, then you shall be granted your wish and die a painful, slow death to be made an example of to your fellow Jedi filth." And with that, the torture began. For the most part it was electroshock torture, overpowering my body with electric waves which threatened to stop my heart should too much be applied, but always at the last moment before it would become all too much, I would be granted the sweet bliss of relief before it would then resume after recovering.
In order to keep me physically weak, I was starved of food and water, meaning that gradually I was worn down and unable to recover at all, merely hang in suspension with nothing to focus on except holding onto the last reserve of strength which I was saving for the right moment, knowing that unless I saved myself, I would die here. I tucked that sense of self away, protecting it like my greatest treasure for the moment I would need it most as I swore that no matter what happened, I would not allow this monster to be my end. Any death would be better than becoming nothing more than a massacred, disrespected corpse to be sent back to the Council as a threat to the other Jedi.
To maintain my sanity, I would drift into a dream like state where I would recall all my fondest memories, focusing predominantly on those of Aayla, Ahsoka and Master Plo. I could only imagine what they must be thinking about my being captured, though since no one had actually come to my rescue, I assumed that Grievous was keeping himself well hidden for the time being. Despite having stipulated that should the event of my capture occur I wished not to be rescued, I knew my friends and master all too well, and nothing would get in their way of trying to get me back. Not only that, but I suspected Anakin and Obi-Wan would also advocate for my rescue, since I was good friends with Obi-Wan, and Anakin was never one to leave a fellow Jedi behind.
These thoughts kept me going, and I latched onto them as I drifted in the dark, and in that space, I found myself veering on the edge of the Dark Side once more. If I could just tap into that power for just a moment, I would have the strength to break free. I could escape, perhaps even find useful information to take back to the Council, or even attempt to capture Grievous myself. It was a temptation unlike any other, and several times I almost caved into it as the torture continued, but then I would remind myself that falling to the Dark Side was a road that was not easily left behind. A single drop of power once tasted would become an addiction, I would want more and more until I could not be satisfied with anything, no matter how strong I became. No, I had to steer clear of that path, because if I fell to it, I was certain that nothing and no one would be able to bring me back.
And so I waited, biding my time until finally, I received the impression that this was the moment I should free myself. In fact, I was released from the suspension restraint and made to walk by Grievous's own Magna-Guards, their staffs crackling with purple energy as I limped, staggered and almost dragged myself in the direction they wanted me to go, now beginning to sharpen my focus and find my way through the mind fog that hung over me. Now was the time, because I knew that if I reached Grievous, he would kill me there and then. Judging from what he had gloated and taunted me about before, he most likely intended to publicise my execution by sending it via message to the Jedi Order and the Senate. Apparently, the cyborg had a flare for the dramatics.
Still, I was not to lay down so easily and give up my life when I had fought so hard to protect it over the years. I had duties to return to, younglings to teach and people who I wanted to see again. I will not fall in this manner. So with this resolve, I released a powerful Force push which crippled the first two Magna-Guards before I then swung my leg up and around, knocking the third one aside in order to engage in a fight. They were swift to respond, striking at me with their staffs however I dodged their attacks, sliding and weaving between them before one then struck the restraints around my wrists, short-circuiting them so that they fell to the ground with a heavy clunk.
With a burst of energy and strength I grasped hold of one of the guard's staffs and turned it on the other, shutting them down before I then kicked the other off and stabbed it in the face so that the last one fell, leaving me completely alone on Grievous's command ship with no way out, and no exit strategy. All I could do was do what I do best, and that was to survive. First I needed to find a place to hide, somewhere I could remain undetected for as long as possible before then planning my next move. I was too out in the open here, and a droid patrol as coming this way. My energy that I had preciously hoarded was now depleted, but I forced myself to keep going as I dragged the bodies of the Magna-Guards out of sight and pushing them down a disposal chute so that they would not be discovered and kept a staff for myself. After all, it was better to have some kind of weapon on hand rather than nothing.
In addition, I could use it as a support to walk, which helped me to stagger forwards little by little until I could conceal myself in a droid reassembly chamber where they were all deactivated and in parts. Since it was quiet, I felt I would be safe here for the time being, whereby I curled up in a dark corner after having drank water from a storage tank meant to be used in coolant systems. My thirst was so great that I did not care about the source, only that I could drink, and despite the fact the water tasted metallic, it was so satisfying to finally be able to quench the dryness of my throat. With one need taken care of, I allowed myself to hide myself away and sleep properly for the first time in what could have been weeks. I had long since lost track of time, but now more than anything, more than hunger and pain, I just wanted to rest.
The sleep was dreamless and peaceful all the way up until the ship gave a huge shudder and quake, a ricochet of movement and sound which I felt as I had woken up in anticipation to it mere moments before it occurred. Something was shooting the ship. If there was conflict, then it could only mean that there were Republic forces nearby. If I could contact them, then I may be able to secure my escape from here. No doubt by now Grievous had noticed that I was missing, but if his attention is focused on the battle then he will not notice a single Jedi sneaking around his ship. At least, that was my hope.
With the ship on high alert since my escape from the Magna-Guards, it was almost impossible to move without running into droids since they infested the ship. The original battle droids, however, were not very stable when it came to the ship being hit repeatedly, the vibrations meaning that if they shot at me, they were often wildly off target and I could take them out with very little effort. In this manner I skulked around the ship until I found a communications panel, which I used in order to hail the Republic cruiser which was attacking Grievous and his fleet. Time was short, and I could not stay in position for too long, but I could not leave until I had informed whoever it was attacking that I was here, and that I would really rather not be blown up with the ship along with everything in it.
Suddenly the signal went through, and the moment I had an open communication, I began to speak. "This is Jedi Knight Theca Rouyn, I am currently a stowaway on Grievous's ship, is there anyone out there?" My voice was hoarse and cracked, coming as no surprise to me though it was odd to hear it in such a way as I had always thought of myself as having a rather soft, subtle tone.
"Theca Rouyn, this is Master Kit Fisto. Don't worry, we'll have you out of there in no time." Recognising the voice of Master Fisto, I had to hold back a sob of relief as I collapsed against the panel, feeling utterly weak yet relieved at the same time. "Listen to me carefully, Theca Rouyn, you must get to an escape pod and leave that ship before Grievous makes the jump to hyperspace. If you do not leave now, there is no knowing when we will find Grievous again to rescue you."
"Understood Master Fisto. I'll be there soon." Having run out of time and hearing the clanking of droids only a few feet away, I used the wall for support in order to move myself forwards, feeling every ache and pain like an uncontrollable spasm and stab which continued mercilessly. I was moving slowly, which was not a good thing for me because if Grievous's previous records were anything to show, then he would not stay in a losing battle for long. I had no idea how much time I had, no guarantee that this would even work since even if I did reach an escape pod, I could be caught in the crossfire and killed regardless of everyone's efforts.
Of course, nothing went simply to plan as by the time I reached the escape pods, all of them had been jettisoned into space, leaving me with nothing in which to use for my own purpose. I was still trapped, and worse still, an entire platoon of droids were waiting for me. They must have caught the transmission and known I was coming. It appears I was yet to overstay my welcome here, since Grievous seemed adamant to keep me here a little while longer. It sparked a flame of anger inside me, and that spark grew into defiance as I faced the droids with their weapons trained on me, surrounding me on both sides so that I had no means of escape. With no other choice, I surrendered myself to them allowed the droids to escort me directly to General Grievous who awaited me on the bridge of his command ship.
"Ah, so the lost rodent returns. So helpful of you to conveniently betray your own plans of escape, Jedi. Now I have you in my grasp once again, and this time, you will die." Thrusting his face directly into mine, my nose crinkled in distaste at the unpleasant odour that surrounded the cyborg and refused to validate his threat with a response. My silence angered him, and so he kicked me to the ground and crushed my head under the clawed foot, making my skull and head ache from the pressure though I refused to utter a single sound, gritting my teeth and glaring as best I could from where I was being held in humiliation. "Open a channel to the Republic cruiser. This is something they should bear witness to." Breathing slowly, I went still and lax as the communication was opened, and through it, I could sense Master Fisto on the other side.
"General Grievous. I see you are a poor host." The coldness in Master Fisto's tone betrayed his contempt, however this only increased the cyborg's desire to prove a point as he pressed his foot more firmly against my head, this time dragging a pained gasp from me as I struggled to hold out against the accumulating pain. "Release her immediately, or we shall continue with our attack and destroy your flagships. You have lost again, Grievous."
"I do not think so, Fisto. You cannot save this Jedi comrade of yours any more than you can save yourself." Grievous laughed mechanically, though the effort forced him to wheeze in order to drag air back into his lungs, which were probably one of the very few organic organs left in his body since his many alterations. "Soon your fleet will be nothing but floating debris, and you dead alongside it. Perhaps I shall throw this one out of the airlock so that you may join her in death." Now grasping hold of my neck, I was lifted off the ground and presented to Master Fisto, whose hologram I could now see. He was maintaining a calm façade, but I could sense his anger towards Grievous and his blatant disrespect for life.
"Do not concern yourself about me, Master Fisto." Managing to squeeze the words out with the very little air I could gather between the rigid clutches of Grievous's claws, I looked at Master Fisto directly. "If you can defeat this monster, then do it. Proceed with the attack!" I sounded braver than I felt, but that was only a small comfort as Grievous snarled then threw me to the ground and drew a lightsaber as I coughed, struggling to move as everything felt so excessively heavy. I was going to die, I could feel my instincts screaming at me to do something for the danger that was now swiftly approaching me but I decided that at the very least, I was going to look this cyborg in the eye as he finished me off, and hope that Master Fisto would deal with Grievous once I was gone.
He drew two blades, one green and one blue, and raised his metal arms high in order to strike me down in one blow, so I turned onto my back and pushed myself up as much as I was able to, wondering if I could perhaps summon enough energy to Force push Grievous through the viewport and suck everything else out into the vacuum of space with him. The blades gleamed, the brightness filling my vision as I prepared myself to become one with the Force, silently murmuring my mantra under my breath until suddenly, the entire ship quaked with a violence that made everything feel like it was about to rupture. "Run Theca!" Hearing Master Fisto's voice amongst the chaos, I realised that he must have fired upon the command ship to give me a second chance to escape.
Grievous had been thrown off balance, and I was already dragging myself to my feet as the ship continued to rattle and shudder, struggling to find balance before all at once, leaping for the exit. I had no idea where I was going or how I was moving, but my feet were running and I was blindly making my way through endless corridors and across platforms in order to escape Grievous, who was now pursing me by scuttling and crawling, using his clawed hands and feet to anchor him to the ship's ground as it listed and the shaking flung us both from side to side. My shoulder slammed against one side of the wall, making me cry out but the moment I was able to move again, I was pelting as fast as I could away from that monster.
I just wanted to get out of there, my senses scattering outwards to search for any means of escape until I sensed the Force ripple and push me towards the docking port, telling me that that's the direction I needed to go. Knowing better than to question the Force in a life and death situation, that's where I went, all the while dodging droids, explosions and the pursuing General Grievous who was enclosing in on me. A gust of flames blew across me, completely filling the crossing corridor and forced me to stop, the heat searing against my skin as I had naturally thrown up my arms to shield my face and eyes against it. "You cannot escape Jedi, you only rush to your doom!" With Grievous only moments away, I turned away from his rapidly approaching form and instead, ran straight towards the flames.
The fierce inferno blazed like a fury beyond reckoning, but still I chose to face this rather than the twisted being behind me. Pushing out my hands I then swept them aside, channelling the Force with all my remaining might to open just the smallest gap through to the other side, a tunnel to freedom, as it were. I leaped through it, stretching out and reaching for the other side as the Force drew back from the portal just as Grievous reached out to grasp hold of me. I felt his claws barely miss my leg before I disappeared into the flames, flying through the opening before landing on the other side where it snapped closed behind me and cut off the cyborg general from capturing me once more. His enraged cries howled over the sound of the roaring flames, but I only glanced back briefly to see them still towering high and filling the corridor with a thick black smoke, tearing through the ship piece by piece.
Between the heat and the smoke I could neither see nor breathe, stumbling my way forwards in lost confusion, unable to do anything more for myself. The last of my strength had abandoned me, leaving me to collapse onto the ground where I was bathed in an intense heat which grew closer and closer, threatening to swallow me whole until, without warning, I felt someone's presence near to me. They were rushing closer, but it was not Grievous or any droid, but one of my own. Master Fisto himself had come, docking his cruiser with the enemy ship all in the name of coming to my rescue, and when he reached me, his hands felt cooler than the ice of Ilum. "Theca Rouyn, can you hear me?" My answer was a hoarse croak, the smoke having affected my throat too much to be of any use, however I felt his hand stroke my hair to offer me comfort and reassurance before I was being lifted off the ground and carried away.
There were clone soldiers guarding us, weapons ready and firing at the image of Grievous behind a veil of fire on one side and a squad of droids on the other. "We're leaving, now! Everybody out!" Ordering the retreat, Master Fisto carried me to the safety of his own star-cruiser, ensuring that everyone was safely aboard before we detached and flew out of range before the enemy ship blew apart from the inside out, where I could only hope that Grievous had still been on board as it had exploded. I remember very little of what happened after my rescue, other than vague images of moments when I regained consciousness under the care of a medical droid, but sometimes I would see Master Fisto nearby and felt certain he spoke to me on several occasions, but that was little more than blurred lights and muffled sounds.
Master Fisto personally brought me back to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant where I could be properly treated, safely returned from an ordeal that I was in no hurry to repeat, and so once I was fit and healthy again to continue my duties, I returned to teaching and intended to stay there for as long as I could manage where I felt safe and did not have to worry about droids, cyborgs or nefarious plots to steal crystals to make a new type of super weapon for the Separatists. At the very least, it was a comfort to know that I had assisted in spoiling that plot, and the information the technical droid was able to provide proved invaluable. I had played my part, and now, I was ready to return to a quiet, uneventful life at home in the temple.