The Force's Shepherds
Chapter 83
Innocence Lost
Oh crap!
Morgan stared at the shattered glass by her feet. The glass was a display case. One that held a particularly valuable sculpture prized by Emperor Palpatine. That sculpture lay on the floor among shards of glass now. Headless… armless… completely broken.
Her teeth chattered. She whipped her head over to the small room the Emperor, her new Master, had walked into in order to make a call. Did he hear the glass shatter? Did he hear her shout a loud apology? Hopefully that apology counted for something. If it didn't, she had a feeling the Emperor would not longer train her.
I'm overreacting.
Morgan tried to reassure herself as she knelt down among the broken shards of glass and grabbed the statue's broken head and body. She cringed as she tapped the two pieces together. Somehow hoping they would magically fit back together again.
I'm overreacting.
Another limb fell off of the sculpture and hit the floor with a small thud. Morgan stared down at the limb.
I'm so screwed!
"Morgan?" The Emperor's quiet voice called as he emerged from the other room.
Morgan flicked her wrist. The glass shards all shot behind the sculpture's pedestal. She snatched the shattered sculpture with her hands and hid it behind her back.
Emperor Palpatine gave her a curious look.
"Is something the matter?"
She shook her head, "Nope!" She gave him a nervous smile, "Everything is fine. Totally fine. There is no broken glass or sculpture in here."
Real smooth dumbass.
The Emperor frowned. Morgan felt a bead of sweat drip down the side of her head.
"Morgan." The Emperor sighed.
He waved his hand. The shattered glass floated out from behind the durasteel pedestal and drifted over to a trash bin in the corner of the Emperor's office. Morgan let out a heavy, guilty sigh. She revealed the broken sculpture.
"I'm sorry." She mumbled. Head bowed. Eyes staring at her feet.
Palpatine shook his head and walked up to her. He placed a gentle hand on her head.
"If you and I are to have a good Master and Apprentice relationship, Morgan, we must trust each other. We cannot try to hide mistakes. We cannot afford to have secrets." He took the broken sculpture from her hands, "Why would you try to hide what you did?"
Morgan bit her lip, "I was… afraid you would stop teaching me."
Palpatine sighed, "And why would I do that?" Morgan blinked as he spoke. The sculpture floated over to his desk as he remained standing in front of her, "Morgan, you have been an incredible apprentie. You have learned to control the force in an incredibly short period of time. So much so, that you even managed to lift dozens of shards of glass without much effort."
Morgan felt a twinge of pride as her Master praised her progress.
"You still have a long way to go." Palpatine admitted, "And actually, I think this little accident is a perfect transition into the next phase of your training."
Palpatine moved across his office over to his desk and chair. He sank down into the plush, swivel chair and let his arms rest comfortably on the arm rests. Morgan followed him. She stood waiting across the desk from her Master.
"Part of being a powerful Sith is to understand the mind. In order to understand the mind, you must know both how to defend your own mind, and how to attack others. Many battles between force users are won and lost in the mental aspect. I knew that you were lying to me because I sensed the lie in your mind. Your intentions."
Morgan nodded in understanding.
"We have brushed on this topic before. Even started constructing some mental defenses for your own mind. But you have yet to fully understand the concept." Palpatine sighed as he glanced at the sculpture, "I have a feeling that a more hands on approach to this will benefit you."
"Hands on?"
"Yes." Palpatine nodded, "You need to understand the mind. You must learn how to break into a mind. Shatter an enemy's mental defenses. Win the battle before violence can occur."
Palpatine smiled at her as she nodded in understanding.
"Alright." Morgan exhaled, "What exercise do you have in mind?"
Palpatine's smile widened. He never had a student so eager to learn as Morgan. Maul had been a tool. A blunt force instrument only interested in causing pain and havoc. It was not until he was no longer Sidious's apprentice that he began to appreciate the finer aspects of the force. Tyrannus felt he was already far too learned in order to delve deep into Sith teachings. He sought out knowledge, but more so out of curiosity than out of a voracious appetite to learn. And Vader… well, the disappointment had not earned Palpatine's more refined instruction yet.
Is this how Plagueis felt when he took me on as an apprentice?
"Do you know of the Inquisitors, Morgan?"
Morgan arched an eyebrow, "I think so? They are a special arm of the Imperial military. Meant for discreet, highly dangerous missions. Usually involving a recently discovered Jedi Knight."
"Correct." Palpatine nodded, "Tell me, what do you believe the nature of their missions are?"
Morgan thought for a moment.
"Hunting." Morgan answered.
"Very good." Palpatine said, "But there is more to it than hunting. Often times, a Jedi will attempt to hide in plain sight. Blend in with the local population. It is up to the inquisitors to not only hunt that individual down, but to discover who they are. That often involves interrogation. And one of the things I am adamant that they be adept at is mental interrogation."
"Mental interrogation?" Morgan questioned.
"A way to avoid physical interrogation. They will gather up suspects and attack their mental defenses. A jedi will have staunch mental defenses. Often they will try to repel the attacks. That is how the inquisitors discover who their target is." Palpatine steepled his fingers in his lap, "I want you to accompany the Inquisitors on such an interrogation. That will be your hands on lesson."
Morgan blinked, "An actual mission?" She gulped, "Do you think I am ready?"
"You will have to be." Palpatine sensed her anxiety, "Morgan, I am sure you will perform well in this mission." The Emperor rested his hands on his desk, "Now, I am uncertain of the details of their current mission. I just know they have identified a Jedi and aim to make them confess to their crimes. I will warn you, sometimes the Inquisitors can be rough with their suspects. But that is only to ensure that the correct suspect is apprehended and brought to justice. Their methods make for a much more efficient, pain free process."
Morgan nodded, "Sounds good. Where do I have to go? Who am I meeting? And when?"
And there was Morgan's more analytical side bursting forth. During her few lessons with him, Sidious found her remarkably logical and astute. She sought out the most efficient methods of learning. Desired to learn the best tactics to taming the force. She did not like to bother with many tedious details. Preferring instead to know her objective and how that objective was to be achieved. Very similar to Vader in that respect.
Except she still has all of her potential in the force. Whereas Lord Vader is nothing but a shell of what he could have been. Sidious thought to himself.
"They will fetch you." Palpatine answered, "For now, go rest back home. Once your mission is finished, we will resume your lessons."
Morgan beamed at him, "Sounds great!" She turned on her heel and marched for the door. She paused when she reached the door to his office, "Master, this gives you some time to catch up on your other stuff, doesn't it?"
Palpatine chuckled, "I will admit, there is some paperwork I have fallen behind on. Nothing for you to concern yourself with. Go get rest. I'm sure the Grand Inquisitor will fetch you soon."
Morgan smiled, "Okay. See you soon, Master."
The door slid shut behind her. Palpatine waited a few moments. Sensed her leave the floor, step on the lift with her death trooper guards, then enter a speeder bound for his palace. Once he knew she was gone, he exhaled.
The illusion fell. His more youthful appearance crumbled away. Revealing the scarred, deformed face of Darth Sidious. His sunken, yellow eyes lingered on his office door
"Yes, Morgan." He started to cackle, "I will see you very soon."
….
Aches and pains rocked her body. Drums beat in her head. Hammers pounded against her skull. Her arms and legs felt heavy. Her head felt like a stone. She struggled to raise her head from the hard ground she lay on.
Morgan winced and squeezed her eyes shut.
Did she fall out of bed? She stayed awake in her room at the palace for a long time. Waiting patiently for the inquisitors to come and grab her for the mission. After several hours of waiting, the constant drone of Coruscant lulled her to sleep.
Morgan blinked her eyes open. Through her bleary vision, she saw a cold, metal floor. No cushions, no sheets, and no blankets. The metal kissed her cheek with icy lips. A shudder ran down her spine.
Morgan blinked again as she struggled to wake up. A low, sinister chuckle rang out around her.
She turned her gaze to the low chuckle. It came from someone behind her.
Her heard lodged itself in her throat when she saw the other occupant in the room. A strange looking man. An alien. Pau'an from the physical appearance. But he appeared very gaunt for a Pau'an. His eyes were yellow and sunken into dark sockets. Razor sharp teeth flashed as his thin lips curled into a stomach churning grin.
"Sleep well?" The Pau'an male asked as sat on a metal stool. One black boot tapped against the metal floor. The other remained still as he rested his hands on it.
Morgan blinked again. The lights in this room were dim. She had a hard time making out details. She did see that Pau'an wore all black. Some shiny bits of armor protected the vulnerable areas of his body. A circular device rested against his hip. A handle rested in the center of the circular device. Morgan gave it a curious look. Her curiosity faded away when the Pau'an snarled at her.
"Focus." He growled.
Morgan sucked in a sharp breath.
"So," The Pau'an eyed her, "You are the Emperor's new apprentice?" He scoffed, "Pitiful."
Some anger flashed in Morgan's eyes, "Hey! I am a lot stronger than I look."
"Are you?" The Pau'an chuckled evilly, "I shall be the judge of that."
Morgan furrowed her brow. Who was this man? Her eyes widened.
"You're an inquisitor." She breathed.
"Not just an inquisitor." The Pau'an snarled with contempt, "I am the Grand Inquisitor."
Morgan arched an eyebrow, 'You don't look so grand to me." The Pau'an clenched his teeth as Morgan sat upright, "In fact, you look like you could use a heavy meal or two."
"Silence!" The Grand Inquisitor hissed.
Morgan's breath hitched as she felt some sort of force grab her by the hood of her coat and drag her to the Grand Inquisitors feet. His left boot pressed down on her back as she stood on all fours in front of him.
"Such foolish innocence." The Grand Inquisitor sneered, "Naivete like that will get you killed."
He removed his boot from her back. Morgan exhaled as the pressure on her body lifted. She raised her gaze. More anger rushed through her. The Grand Inquisitor smirked.
"Good. Get angry. Let that anger fill you. Use it to your advantage." The Pau'an rose from his seat, "The Emperor gave you a mission. You were tasked to find a Jedi."
Morgan took a deep breath as she tried to calm herself down.
"I was." Morgan said as she pushed herself up to her feet.
"Well," The Grand Inquisitor said, "We did the hard part for you." He nodded behind Morgan.
Morgan gave him a puzzled look. She slowly turned around.
The room was completely bare. No furniture except the metal stool the Grand Inquisitor sat on. No windows. One, bright, cold light in the center of the ceiling. And three other occupants.
The three other occupants kneeled at the center of the room. Their hands bound behind their backs with strange, glowing cuffs. Heavy, burlap sacks covered their heads. Hiding their surroundings from them.
Morgan recoiled when she saw them.
"There are your three suspects." The Grand Inquisitor told her, "Figure out which one is the Jedi. When you figure it out, let us know. You will receive further instruction then."
A door hissed open behind the Grand Inquisitor. The man stepped back into the dark room beyond the door. Before Morgan could open her mouth to speak, the door hissed closed and became a solid wall once again.
Morgan blinked.
What?
She strode over to the wall and stared at it. She searched for where the door came from. But there were no indentations in the wall. Not a single crack. The door vanished entirely.
"Hmm…" Morgan frowned and ran a hand along the wall, "Strange." Some panic hit her, "H-hey! What if I have to use the bathroom?"
No answer. No door opening. Just silence and stillness. Morgan frowned.
"Okay." She muttered, "Ignore me then."
I really don't like that guy.
She turned around to face the three, hooded suspects. Her studious eyes took in what details she could see.
The suspect on the left was male. A reptilian male. Trandoshan perhaps? Tall, and muscular. That matched that species profile. Right down to the three toed, clawed feet and scaly skin on his arms. There were tears in his outfit in several spots. Some scorch marks as well. He had been in a fight recently.
The middle suspect was a human woman. She wore an elegant, deep red gown with sparkles twinkling all over it. She did not have much muscle. Rather diminutive in stature. Morgan noticed some spots and wrinkles along the exposed neck. An older human female.
The suspect on the right was an even bigger enigma. Dark robes covered the suspect head to toe. Hiding any physical features beyond size and build. If Morgan were to guess, she would say this one was also a female. Very humanoid in appearance. But she seemed even frailer than the center suspect. Barely able to hold her body upright as she kneeled in the center of the room.
"Find the Jedi." Morgan breathed, 'Find the Jedi."
She walked across the room. Her boots clacked against the metal. The sound echoed around her. It startled the suspect on the left.
"Wh-who's there?"
The suspect had a distinct rasp to his voice. One typical of Trandoshans.
Morgan crouched down in front of the suspect. Her eyes level with the sack on the immense alien's head. She heard his breaths rasp in and out.
He sounded afraid. Panicked.
Morgan frowned.
"Are you a Jedi?"
Might as well start with the direct approach. Maybe I'll get lucky.
The suspect drew back in shock.
"J-jedi? N-no! Why would I be a Jedi?"
Morgan frowned. Not off to a good start.
"I'll get back to you."
"What!?" The first suspect cried, "What do you mean? What is going on?"
Morgan sidestepped over to the center suspect. This woman did not seem very afraid. She held herself tall and elegant. Chin high. Almost arrogant.
"Before you ask your ridiculous question." The center suspect huffed, "I am not a Jedi."
Morgan scowled at the woman.
I don't like you either.
She scooted over to the last suspect. This suspect looked sickly. Weak and frail. Her arms were so skinny, Morgan felt she could wrap one hand around them. Her head stayed bowed even as Morgan stooped over her.
"Are you a Jedi?"
Silence at first.
"No." The woman replied.
Oh. So you are female. Morgan thought, I think I might be getting good at this.
She drew back and rubbed her chin. She should have known she would not get that lucky. Why would a Jedi reveal themselves with such a simple question. This wouldn't be a mission if it were that easy.
I need to figure out who these people are. Deduce their lives that way.
She glanced over at the first suspect. Before she addressed him, she recalled why her Master gave her this mission. She needed to learn how to attack the mind in order to fully understand the mind with the force. The first step, she suspected, was to try and sense the other person's mind. Their thoughts and feelings. Their intentions.
She reached out with the force. Dark tendrils seeped out of her and hit the Trandoshan clumsily. The reptilian man hissed in pain as she brushed against his mind.
"Wh-what the hell!?"
Morgan winced. He was in pain. A broken rib or two. Fear filled his mind. She could sense him trying to think of a way to escape. To get out of this situation.
A jedi would want to escape.
"You're afraid." Morgan said.
"Of course I'm afraid!" The Trandoshan cried, "I have no idea where I am at. I have a sack on my head. Why wouldn't I be afraid?"
"You tell me." Morgan replied.
"I-I-I-"
Morgan rolled her eyes. He was still petrified. She would get nowhere until he calmed down a little bit.
"I'll get back to you."
"Stop saying that!"
Morgan scooted over to the center suspect. The human female sniffed at her.
"I am not afraid of you."
Morgan frowned. Her Master did say that a Jedi did not feel fear easily. This woman could be the one she sought. But she was not certain.
She reached out with the force. The woman's breath hitched. Morgan sensed anger and frustration. That anger born out of fear. She hid her fear well, but not well enough. Morgan smirked.
"You can't lie to me. I can sense your thoughts." Morgan said.
"S-sense my- how dare you!" The woman bellowed, "What gives you the right to traipse about my mind?"
"You tell me?" Morgan replied, keeping her tone even and calm.
"Hmph!" The woman turned her head. She would not give an answer either.
Morgan uttered a small sigh. Two difficult suspects. This was going to take a while.
She moved over to the last suspect. The enigmatic woman kept her head bowed. Morgan reached out with the force.
She felt some resistance at first. Which surprised her. But that resistance quickly fell. Morgan felt some fear. But most of all, she felt… resignation. This woman thought she knew her fate. Morgan recalled her master said that a Jedi would have some resistance to her mental probes. But would a Jedi's defenses crumble so easily. Morgan was not an adept at the force's mental techniques. Anyone could be stubborn enough to resist for a few seconds.
One common thing she felt among all three suspects was fear. That concerned Morgan. These suspects were all very afraid. An innocent person would not be completely terrified in this situation. They would have the belief that they would be exonerated calming their mind.
Why were they all so afraid?
Morgan took a few steps back and observed all three suspects. Her arms folded over her chest. One hand tapped against her arm. Morgan pressed her lips into a thin line. She was getting nowhere fast. And even worse…
I need to pee.
….
The Grand Inquisitor scowled as he observed the new student work. He watched carefully as the human girl, Morgan, moved from one prisoner to the next. Doing nothing. Accomplishing nothing. He let out an annoyed sigh.
"You should have seen this coming." A woman's venomous voice said.
The Grand Inquisitor glanced over at one of his comrades lounging in a chair off to the side of the observation room. The Mirialan Inquisitor had one leg kicked up on the armrest while the rest of her lithe body leaned against the other. Her green lips bore a frown as she watched the monitor. She snorted and shook her head.
"That girl is useless." Her circular lightsaber hilt floated from her belt and into the air over her chest. She mindlessly twirled it around as she lounged in her chair, "What does the Master see in her?"
The Grand Inquisitor hummed to himself, "I'm not sure." He muttered.
"Maybe he made a mistake?"
The Grand Inquisitors yellow eyes flashed with fear, "Watch your tongue, Seventh Sister." He warned, "Lord Sidious could arrive at any moment."
The Seventh Sister gulped loudly. The reminder of their master's approaching presence caused some trepidation to fill her heart. Lord Sidious did not interact with them often. When he did, he made sure his presence was felt. The first time the Seventh Sister met the Emperor, he brought her to her knees with his sheer power. He did not even lift a finger. All it took was a small pulse of the dark side for her to realize how insignificant she was to him.
And for some reason, their all powerful master, the ruler of the galaxy, saw potential in an innocent, naive little girl.
She watched Morgan back away for a moment. A low groan left the Seventh Sister's lips when she saw the girl hop up and down.
"Humans and their weak bladders." She grumbled.
The Grand Inquisitor chuckled, "She will not be leaving that room until the target is found. Those were Lord Sidious's orders."
"I am pleased to see you diligently carrying them out, Grand Inquisitor."
Both the Seventh Sister and the Grand Inquisitor jumped as Darth Sidious entered the observation room. His deep hood drawn over his head. Hiding any facial features from them. The heavy robes hung over his frail frame like thick curtains on a thin rod. But the frail appearance was a facade. Both the Grand Inquisitor and the Seventh Sister understood the power their master commanded. And when he entered, both dropped to a knee and bowed their heads.
"Master." The two inquisitors hummed.
"Rise, both of you." Sidious commanded.
The two inquisitors rose to their feet.
"How long has she been interrogating them?" Sidious asked.
"An hour now." The Grand Inquisitor answered, "The results have been rather lacking." He glanced at his master. The Sith Lord seemed undisturbed, "Master. May I ask-"
"What do I see in Morgan?" Sidious finished for him.
The Grand Inquisitor gulped. He forgot just how easily his Master could slip into his thoughts and read them without him noticing.
"I see… power. Untapped and raw." Sidious answered, "She needs a proper nudge in the right direction to unlock that power."
"And this is the nudge?" The Seventh Sister asked.
Sidious did not reply. He kept his burning eyes focused on the monitor.
Morgan stamped her foot and hopped up and down some more.
"Frustration." The Grand Inquisitor noted.
"Pain." Sidious corrected, "It seems she needs to use the restroom."
"Shall I go in and-"
"No." Sidious cut him off, "Let her be in pain. Let her become angry. Let her take that frustration out on the prisoners that refuse to speak."
The Grand Inquisitor nodded in understanding. The Seventh Sister let out an indignant snort.
"I'm not cleaning up the mess."
Sidious's eyes flicked over at the insolent inquisitor. The Seventh Sister swallowed hard and quickly shut her mouth.
Sidious returned his gaze to the monitor. Morgan took a seat in front of the three prisoners. Her head turned towards the Trandoshan. The Dark Lord reached out with the force. His movements were subtle. He did not want Morgan to know he was here.
He sensed great frustration from Morgan. Anger at the prisoners for not speaking already. Anger at herself for not figuring out how to make the prisoners talk. And… his lips curled into a pleased grin. He sensed anger directed at the Grand Inquisitor.
"HEY!" Morgan bellowed from the room, "DID YOU HEAR ME BEFORE!? I NEED TO PEE!"
The Seventh Sister uttered a dark snicker at her screams.
"And I'm getting kind of hungry! How long do I have to do this before I get a break!?"
"A spoiled child." The Grand Inquisitor scoffed.
Sidious's grin grew as he sensed more frustration building in young Morgan. A spoiled child indeed.
Memories flashed in his mind. He saw his home on Naboo. His parents, giving him everything he ever wanted and more. Speederbike racing through the countryside and swamps outside of Theed. The one thing beyond studying forbidden knowledge that gave him a thrill in his youth.
"Yes." Sidous breathed, "So was I."
….
Morgan grit her teeth. She did not know how long it had been since she woke up in this stupid room. But she was running out of patience. She rose from her seated position. She could feel liquid rolling around inside of her. A sickening feeling that made her utter a loud exhale
"Don't think about water." She breathed, "Don't think about water."
I'm really thirsty. STOP IT BRAIN!
Morgan growled. This interrogation was taking too long. Her master expected her to perform well on this mission. He expected her to find the Jedi.
What if she failed? Some fear lanced through her heart. Would he stop teaching her then? Would he refuse to reveal the secrets to unlocking her memories? That had been the biggest reason she agreed to his tutelage. She wanted to rediscover her past. To remember everything about herself.
Who was her father? She had a vague image of him in her mind. But she could not recall the finer details. Who was her mother? Nothing but a blank everytime she thought of her. Where was she from? Did she have friends? Other family? Was someone looking for her? Where did she get these powers from and why?
She could not answer those questions if she did not learn the force. The force held the key to unlocking the secrets of her mind. And her master was the way to achieving that key. She could not fail this mission. She could not fail him.
She stomped over to the Trandoshan. The blubbering creature had finally calmed down enough to think clearly. She barely stood taller than him as he knelt on the floor.
Asking direct questions had not worked so far. Probing their thoughts and feelings did not work either. There were not enough clues to work on that way.
Why are they all here?
Morgan sucked in a sharp breath. A proud smile crossed her face.
"Trandoshan?"
"Y-yes?" The reptilian alien rasped.
"Who are you?" Morgan asked.
"I-I," The prisoner took a deep breath, "My name is Exx Dagg. I- I'm a bounty hunter."
"Really?" Morgan replied, "How long have you been in that profession?"
"Um… two years now."
"Oh? So you are a new bounty hunter?"
Exx Dagg gulped, "Y-yes."
"What did you do before you decided to track down the scum of the galaxy?" Morgan asked.
The Trandoshan swallowed hard, "Wh-what does this have to do with my situation?"
"Oh, everything." Morgan said, "This could be the difference between freedom and a cell." Morgan put a finger to her chin, "You must have done something that made someone angry. Angry enough to capture you."
"Capture me? I-I-" Exx Dagg sagged, "I will admit, I have done some things I am not proud of. I- I was a mercenary during the Clone Wars."
Oh, progress. Morgan smirked a little bit. The Jedi were prominent warriors in the Clone Wars. Maybe he was still trying to trick her into thinking he was not a Jedi by saying a half truth about his life?
"I played both sides of the war. I… I killed lots of people." Exx Dagg admitted, "But it was a war, you know? Casualties are a part of war."
A sick feeling hit Morgan's gut.
"You killed innocent people?"
The Trandoshan let out a small whimper then nodded.
Morgan grit her teeth as some anger filled her. What kind of monster would kill innocent people already suffering from a war? Her fists balled up at her side. It took everything in her not to lash out at the cowardly man.
She learned more about him. Knew who he was now. But that did not bring her any closer to discovering who the Jedi was. This could just be a clever ruse by the Trandoshan. A way to throw her off. To keep her from discovering his true identity.
She reached out with the force again. He recoiled.
Morgan snapped. She whipped out a small blow with the force. Exx Dagg let out a small, pain filled cry as the force smashed into his sack covered head.
"Stop that!" Morgan snarled, "I want… I want this to be over with already. Tell me what I want to hear and this will all end."
"I already told you everything." Exx Dagg whimpered, "Please! I know nothing about any Jedi. I've never even seen a Jedi before!"
"Lies!" Morgan snarled. She gripped the Trandoshan with the force and tossed him backwards, "You were in the Clone wars. The Jedi were generals in that conflict. Surely you saw one?"
"I-I was never… never that close to the front lines." Exx Dagg whimpered.
Morgan grit her teeth, "A murdering coward then." She used the force and dragged him back to his spot, "That is all you are in the end."
Exx Dagg's shoulders sagged as she walked away from him and stepped towards the center prisoner.
Morgan stood over the old human woman in the center. She folded her hands behind her back and glowered down at the still defiant lady.
"I will not tell you anything." The human female snarled.
Morgan's eyes flashed. It had been the same thing with this woman for what felt like hours now. Nothing but venom and hatred. Vileness and disrespect. It grated on Morgan's nerves now. She had tried to be extremely nice before. And how did this woman repay her? She wasted her time. Belittled Morgan despite her precarious position.
Morgan's hand twitched.
The woman floated up in the air. Morgan's frustrated gaze followed her.
"I don't want you here. And I don't want to be here." Morgan snarled as the woman squirmed in the air, "I'd much rather be at home reading a good book, honestly. I'm sure you'd much rather be at home too. You can go home, if you only tell me what I want to know."
"I-I-"
A victorious smirk crossed Morgan's lips. The woman was scared now. She remained suspended in the air.
"I don't know anything about any Jedi!"
"I did not ask about the Jedi this time." Morgan corrected, "I want to know about you instead." Morgan folded her hands behind her back. The woman gently floated back down to the floor, "What is your name?"
The woman let out a ragged, fear filled breath, "Shi Falla."
Morgan nodded, "Very good. And your occupation."
"None." Shi Falla breathed, "I am just a loving wife to a wealthy man."
"Loving?" Morgan clicked her tongue, "I doubt that. And I doubt you are just some loving wife. After all, you had to have done something in order to end up here."
The woman huffed, "I don't know! Maybe I directed a derogatory or snide comment at the wrong person. Perhaps this all one big scheme to get revenge on me for gossiping about certain senators or business leaders. How am I supposed to know how I ended up here!?"
Morgan scowled, "That is all?" A disappointed sound left her lips, "Perhaps I need to be more persuasive?"
Because I am out of patience.
"No no! That will not be necessary." The woman's shoulders sagged, "Maybe… maybe I made some disparaging comments regarding the Emperor. And maybe those comments were overheard by some journalists. I'm not sure."
Morgan arched an eyebrow. Why would someone be considered a suspected Jedi for gossiping about the Emperor?
Then again, a Jedi would want to undermine the Empire any way they can. Including discrediting the leadership.
"That is enough." Morgan muttered.
"Thank god."
Morgan stepped towards the final suspect. The frail, enigma of a woman who had not spoke a word since Morgan initially tried speaking to her. Morgan glowered at her. She opened her mouth to speak.
"I am nothing but a prisoner." The woman whispered, "I have been nothing but a prisoner my entire life."
Morgan blinked.
"What do you mean by that?" Morgan asked, genuinely curious now.
The woman snorted, "I am nothing. I was raised to be nothing. Nothing but a sacrifice for the greater good." Morgan felt something brush against her mind, "As you are being raised to be nothing. Nothing but a pawn. Like me."
Morgan drew back, "Wh-what is your name?"
The woman stayed silent.
"Answer me." Morgan hissed.
Silence.
Morgan grit her teeth. Her fists shook at her sides.
"Answer me!" Morgan roared.
A pulse rushed out of her body. Tossing the three prisoners against the far wall. They all groaned and tried to prop themselves back upright. Morgan snarled and waved her hand. All three were placed back on their knees against the far wall.
"I-" Morgan swallowed hard.
What am I doing? I-I'm not like this… am I?
"I want to be done." She looked back at the wall where the door was supposed to be. Some tears brimmed her eyes, "I want to be done!"
….
Hours passed. Or… what felt like hours. Morgan did not really have a concept of time anymore. The cold light above her never wavered. Her surroundings remained the same. Except for the small puddle off to one corner. But she preferred to not look at that.
Her prisoners remained the same. Uncooperative. Not saying a damn word to her. Not giving up any information she needed.
She sat in front of the trio. Legs tucked close to her chest. Arms wrapped around her shins. Chin resting on top of her knees. Eyes focused on the three suspects: Exx Dagg, Shi Fall, and Enigma.
Her mouth felt so dry. Her stomach would not stop rumbling. Her eyes felt heavy. But if she fell asleep, she risked failing this mission. She could not sleep. Could not leave this room. Not until she discovered the Jedi.
She glanced at Exx Dagg.
A cowardly trandoshan. Claimed to be a mercenary turned bounty hunter. Claimed he had no connections to the Jedi. Had never even seen a Jedi to be precise. She asked him more questions regarding his old life as a mercenary. Often in a not so nice manner. And he answered every question with the hope that he would be shown mercy.
The more she learned about him, the more she believed him. He did not have a Jedi's resolve. Did not have their anti-fear training. He practically wet himself whenever she reached out with the force and touched his mind. A Jedi would not be so mentally weak.
She turned her gaze to Shi Fall.
A Mandalorian woman. Wife to a successful businessman who owned a major news outlet on Coruscant. Made disparaging comments about multiple powerful figures in the Empire. Her and her husband held favorable views towards the Jedi during the Clone War. That little fact slipped when Morgan asked about the articles her husband's news outlet wrote. Shi Fall then told her, with no small amount of pride, about the award winning report regarding the Jedi Temple bombing and the tragedy of it.
Jedi sympathizer. But an actual Jedi? Morgan shook her head. Shi Fall's mind had been too easy to read. Her stories too plausible to ignore. Morgan wished she had a datapad in order to access the holonet. That would have helped immensely in making sure Shi Fall spoke the truth.
She did not sense any deception from the old woman. That was the key. Shi Fall believed her story. Believed the potential lie. Did that make it the truth?
Morgan's weary gaze finally stopped on Enigma.
Not a peep. Not a sound. Morgan spoke and listened to her own voice echo in return.
A prisoner. Someone who belonged in a cell, a cage. Someone who had always been in a cage. Someone who viewed their life as insignificant. As nothing more than a pawn in a game she did not understand. A sacrifice to be sent to the slaughter. Nothing more.
Enigma's mental defenses were hardly sturdy. But there was something there. A faint flicker in her mind. The remnants of a once potent connection to the force. Morgan focused in on her.
The barrage began. Morgan viciously attacked Enigma's mind. The woman uttered a gasp of shock.
Morgan hit mental barriers. Strong walls. Like stone. They appeared out of nowhere. A relieved gasp left Morgan's lips as she ended her assault.
Enigma uttered rasping breaths. Morgan rose from her seat and stood over the mysterious woman.
The woman raised her bowed head for the first time since the interrogation started. Morgan reached down and grabbed the sack over her head.
She wrenched it free. Revealing the haggard, green skinned face of a starving Mirialan woman. A very young woman at that. Not much older than Morgan herself.
The Mirialan raised her gaze to meet Morgan's. A defiant gleam lingered in the woman's eyes.
"I am no Jedi."
"You lie." Morgan hissed back. She turned to the door, "I found her!"
Silence.
The door opened. The Grand Inquisitor entered the room. Striding in with him, was another Mirialan woman. This one had a sneer on her face as she regarded Morgan and the prisoners.
Another inquisitor. Morgan realized.
The Grand Inquisitor glared at Morgan.
"You have?"
Morgan nodded and pointed at Enigma, "It's her."
The Grand Inquisitor glanced over at the woman. Morgan noticed some recognition flash in his yellow eyes. He knew this woman.
"Yes.. you are correct." He whispered with shock.
The Seventh Sister snickered, "What do you know? She's actually useful for something."
Morgan glared at the inquisitor. The inquisitor scoffed at her.
"Do not test me, girl." The Seventh Sister warned.
The Grand Inquisitor raised a hand. Silencing them both.
"Well done, Morgan." The Grand Inquisitor praised, "Now, justice must be done."
Morgan nodded, "I agree. What is her sentence?"
"All Jedi carry the same sentence." The Grand Inquisitor said.
The next word rang in Morgan's ears.
"Death."
Morgan blanched, "D-death?" She glanced at Enigma, "Why must all Jedi die?"
"They are a blight on the galaxy." The Seventh Sister snarled, "Traitors and war mongers."
"They must be punished for their many crimes. And you shall carry it out."
A knot formed in Morgan's throat. She gave the Grand Inquisitor a shocked look.
"I-I was only supposed to find her and-"
"And now that you found her, she must die." Morgan saw the fear in the Mirialan Jedi's eyes as the Grand Inquisitor spoke, "Let me put it another way." Morgan gulped, "If you do not kill her, I will."
Her blood ran cold.
"And her death will not be merciful then."
"No." Enigma's voice rattled, "No please! I am not a Jedi!"
"Silence!" The Grand Inquisitor hissed. He glared at Morgan, "Well, will you give her the mercy she obviously begs for."
"Please don't!"
Morgan gulped, "Wh-what about the others? They're criminals too."
"Oh how cute." The seventh sister chuckled, "She cares about the others too."
"Their fate depends on your decision, Morgan." The grand inquisitor said, "Choose wisely."
Morgan did not miss the threat. If she did not kill the Jedi, then the Jedi would die a horrible death. And so would the other two prisoners. The ones she had no quarrel with. Morgan gulped.
One life… for two others.
"I don't think she's going to do it." The Seventh Sister said with a roll of her eyes. She reached for her lightsaber, "Let me. I'll have fun with this."
The Seventh Sister's eyes widened as static built up in the air around her. The Grand Inquisitor took a small step back as lightning sparked from Morgan's fingertips.
The Jedi let out a terrified howl.
"NO! PLEASE! HAVE MERCY!"
Lightning surged from Morgan's fingertips. The Jedi barely let out a pain filled howl before going silent. Morgan poured all of her power into the blast. Every ounce of energy she had went into the lightning. Every shred of frustration, anger, and fear culminated into the single biggest blast she had ever conjured.
Within seconds, the Jedi's body fell limp to the cold, metal ground. Small swirls of smoke drifted up from her still form.
Morgan exhaled loudly.
As quick as I could make it.
The Seventh Sister started to cackle, "I can see why Master likes her."
The Grand Inquisitor nodded, "Indeed. Well done Morgan."
Morgan felt sick. They praised her for killing someone.
Maybe they're glad I made it quick? She thought with what little optimism she had left, Maybe they're glad I was merciful?
The Grand Inquisitor stepped between the other two prisoners. Morgan waited with bated breath. Expecting him to undo their binds and guide them away from here.
"You made the right choice."
The Grand Inquisitor's dual bladed lightsaber thundered to life. Both ends shot through the sides of the final two prisoners. They both uttered loud, pain filled screams as the blade burned through them.
Morgan watched with horror as the lightsaber deactivated. The two bodies fell into limp heaps beside each other.
"Wh-what?" Morgan felt some tears dripping down her cheeks. Her lips quivered as she stared at the smoking wounds in the prisoners that were supposed to go free, "Why?"
The Grand Inquisitor leaned close to her ear. His hot breath brushed against her skin.
"There is no mercy in the Empire."
….
Palpatine hurried through the halls of his palace. His feet carried him swiftly towards the turbolift that led to the private quarters. Once on the lift, he punched in the code for the proper floor.
The lift hummed upwards. As it shot towards the top floors of the palace, Palpatine drifted into his thoughts.
Morgan's mission could not have gone any better.
He witnessed all of it. Her initial buildup of frustration. Her sudden outbursts of anger due to that frustration. Her stewing as she struggled to grapple with the prisoners minds. And finally, her triumph in discovering the 'Jedi'.
Palpatine chuckled to himself. Poor Barriss Offee, she died being deemed the thing she hated most. How fitting for someone like her.
The lift came to a halt. Palpatine stepped off of it and marched over to Morgan's room.
Her two DeathTrooper guards stood outside her he approached they snapped to attention.
"Your excellency." They both said.
Palpatine nodded at them. The pair stepped away from the door.
The Dark Lord of the Sith shuddered with anticipation. Morgan had done it. She had broken into a Jedi's mind. Her progress astounded him. He had never witnessed anyone grow so swiftly in the dark side of the force. It was like she was born to wield such power.
He wiped the smirk away from his face. She could not know about his pride on the matter. He needed to wear the gentle persona of Palpatine now. Not the ruthless one of Sidious, as much as he preferred that one.
He stepped into Morgan's room.
The girl lay flat on her back on her bed. Her precious coat flung over a nearby chair. The tint on her windows set to the darkest shade. Only a single lamp lit up the entire space.
"Morgan?" Palpatine called.
He heard a sniffle. Morgan raised her head from her pillow.
Tears. Many tears had fallen down her cheeks. Palpatine suppressed some anger with her. She still had a purity to her. Still possessed some innocence. But most of it had been shattered thanks to her mission.
Instead of lashing out at her, Palpatine rushed over to her bedside.
"My dearest Morgan, what happened?"
Morgan sniffled again, "I-" She swallowed hard, "I killed her."
Palpatine feigned shock, "Killed who?"
Morgan's lips quivered. Fresh tears bubbled to the surface.
"The Jedi. I killed her." She gulped, "Th-the Grand Inquisitor told me to kill her. He said he would spare the others if I did it."
Palpatine felt some glee on the inside. But he wore a mask of worry on his face.
"Oh no, Morgan."
"He didn't spare them." Morgan sobbed as she surged towards Palpatine and clung to him.
He froze for a second. This was not a reaction he had been expecting. After some hesitation, he wrapped his arms around the sobbing girl and gave her back a gentle rub.
"Shhh ... let it out." Palpatine consoled.
"I'm a murderer!"
He shook his head, "No Morgan. You are not."
"Yes I am." Morgan whimpered as she buried her face into his shoulder.
"You did what had to be done, Morgan. Were you deceived in the process? Yes. And I will make sure the Grand Inquisitor is punished for such deception. But you did not make a wrong decision."
"I killed someone in cold blood." Morgan shivered.
"You killed a Jedi." Palpatine held her away from him for a moment, "Do you know why you had to?"
Morgan sniffled and shook her head. She reached up and tried to wipe tears away from her eyes. But more cascaded down her cheeks.
"The Jedi are… terrible people." Palpatine explained, "They helped start the Clone Wars. A conflict that killed billions of people throughout the galaxy." Morgan blinked in shock, "They did nothing to stop a corrupt government from taking advantage of innocents. They did nothing to try and prevent the war. But they were more than happy to join in the slaughter. They were more than happy to lead armies that decimated worlds." Palpatine sighed, "I tried to reel them in but… they did not appreciate that very much."
"So you outlawed them?" Morgan asked as she took a deep breath.
"Yes.'' Palpatine nodded, "But they found out before I could execute that order." Palpatine gave Morgan a concerned look, "Do you want to see the vile work of the Jedi?"
Morgan's eyes widened in fear.
"Do you want to see why they are so dangerous? Why they must be rooted out and possibly destroyed entirely?"
Morgan gave him a small, uncertain nod.
Palpatine gave her a sympathetic look, "I-I must warn you this is rather grotesque to see."
Morgan's eyes widened in shock as her Master's visage shimmered. The kind face of the Emperor disappeared. Replaced by the hooded, robed man she first met. Only this time, she could see under the hood.
Her blood ran cold.
"This," The Emperor croaked as Morgan beheld his scarred, deformed visage, "is what the Jedi did to me when I tried to end the war."
Morgan covered her mouth with her hands. Terror gripped her heart.
"This," The Emperor said, "is what they do to people who get in their way."
"Naga above." Morgan breathed, uncertain as to where the expression came from. But far too shocked to care at the moment.
Sidious rose from her bedside, "I am sorry you had to see me like this. Perhaps now you understand what the rogue Jedi are capable of." Sidious looked at Morgan with sickly, yellow eyes that burned like fire, "This is why you did the right thing."
Morgan's chest rose and fell in heavy, horrified breaths.
"You must help me now, Morgan. I am much too feeble in this state to do what must be done myself." He gave her a pleading look, "There are still Jedi that escaped justice. They still have sympathizers in the galaxy that shelter them. That actively resist the peace and order the Empire provides in favor of Jedi lawlessness and chaos."
Morgan stared at him in shock. How could anybody harm a man who wanted to end such a bloody conflict as the Clone Wars? Were the Jedi really that evil? If so, what did the Emperor want her to do about it?
How could she help?
"I will need you to assist me in bringing justice to the galaxy."
Morgan took a deep breath. That was how she could help. The galaxy needed justice. Chaos needed to be brought to heel. The Jedi must be stopped before they caused any more harm.
"How can I do this?" Morgan asked.
The Emperor gave her a pleased smile.
"Pledge yourself to me, Morgan. Pledge yourself to my teachings. Pledge yourself, to the path of the Sith. You shall bring justice to the galaxy." The Emperor smirked as he thought of the final push, "And, you shall gain the power needed to remember everything."
Morgan absently rose from her mattress. She stood in front of the Emperor, spellbound. She fell to one knee and bowed her head.
"Teach me, Master."
Sidious felt triumphant. He had done it.
"Rise… my apprentice."
And chapter! This is probably the darkest chapter I have ever written. A very character heavy chapter. One that pushes Morgan further down a very dark path. It will be interesting to see where she goes from here. And Sidious has found his possible replacement for Lord Vader. I wonder how he will react when he discovers Morgan? It'll be very interesting.
Anyways, let me know what you all think of this chapter! As always, I hope you all enjoyed! Have a nice day!