Hey guys I hoped you guys liked the last chapter. This chapter will include a little more action hopefully. I also would like to point out a question posed by Dark Ace Demon. And that is yes Kota is blind in this story, but Kanan isn't. At least not yet. Without further ado. Here is Chapter 4 of brothers.
Aboard Imperial Star Destroyer Eternal 12:50
The Grand Inquisitor looked on at the bruised and bleeding form of Kanan Jarrus. He had so far been able to resist the torture methods put forward onto him by the inquisitor. But that would soon come to an end. For he planned to take something from him. As he went to continue the torture he taunted the Jedi knight.
"You Jedi were always weak. For even when the great sith empire reigned supreme. It wasn't the Jedi that defeated them. No it was the sith themselves." The inquisitor said. "Not even the most powerful of you. The green frog Yoda could defeat the emperor. But still. Your kind likes to be a thorn in the empire's side to this day. Why don't you just give in. Tell me what I want to know and I will make sure that you get training within the inquisition." He offered.
"I would never join you. I will never betray the Jedi way. Not again." Kanan finished off in a hushed whisper.
"I was afraid that you would say that." The inquisitor said, an edge of annoyance getting into his voice. Then he recomposed himself. "Perhaps, I should bring the mandalorian in here. Lay her bare as the day she was born and allow the stormtroopers to have their way with her. Then gut her like a Bantha." Seeing no reaction he continued. "Or maybe the Lasat. You know, their fur is in high demand. With their species being to the brink of extinction. Maybe I should skin him alive. And force you to wear his fur." Once again the Jedi just remained stoic. And continued to stare at the ground in defiance. "Or maybe the droid. I know how you Jedi form deep friendships with them. Perhaps I should take him apart and smash him to bits." That was a long shot even to the inquisitor. But then he continued. "What about the Twi'lek. She is most undoubtedly beautiful. I am sure one of the hutts would like to keep her as a slave. Of course she isn't very good slave material right now. She would need to be broken. I think I know of a few ways. It wouldn't be hard really. I could order the glassing of Ryloth. I am sure that she wouldn't want to see her homeworld destroyed. I could also remove her fingernails. Or perhaps put out her Eyes. She could just be a sex slave then. Not much good the Twi'leks are. Just for menial tasks like sex and house duties. She wouldn't need her eyes for those."
When he finished he could see the eyes of the Jedi staring holes through him and his anger was at an all time high.
"Ah. so the Twi'lek it is." The inquisitor continued. As he went to continue with the breaking of the Jedi he was interrupted by the first brother.
"Grand Inquisitor. Grand Moff Tarkin wishes to speak with you." He stated after bowing to the Grand Inquisitor.
"Very well. Don't go anywhere Jedi. You and I still have lots to discuss." And with that he waived on the torture droids and left. Hearing the screams of the Jedi he let a small smile erk out beneath his mask.
As the Grand Inquisitor made his way to the conference room he thought back to what he said. He definitely wanted to do what he said to the crew. The only problem being that he needed a more suitable place to do it. Suddenly a plan started to form in the evil, sick and twisted place of his mind. He could use their deaths to kill two birds with one stone. He approached the holo table in the conference room as the lights were dimmed. He then saw the hologram of Grand Moff Tarkin.
"Grand Inquisitor. Have you been able to break the rebels yet?" Tarkin asked with an arrogant tone.
"Not yet. But I will soon. In fact I may have a way that we can use their deaths to our advantage." The Grand Inquisitor started only to be cut off by Tarkin.
"You force types always seem to take your time in getting the answers we require. You must know that getting the location of their base is of utmost importance or have you forgotten? Maybe I should send word to your master that a lowly few rebels are too difficult for you to break." Tarkin said. As the anger in his tone shone through.
"Understand this Tarkin. You think that just because you are friends with my master you can say what you wish. But I will not tolerate disrespect. Now I have a plan to break the rebels and use them the empires benefit." The Inquisitor explained.
"Go on. And do hurry up. I have many things that need to be attended to." The Moff said.
"I will take them to the surface of the planet Kashyyyk and execute them before the Jedi. He will most surely break. And once broken, we can say that they were in fact members of the empire. On a deep cover assignment. Thus why they always seemed to get away. Then we will say that it was the uncivilized beasts that roam the planet of Kashyyyk that killed the main members of the crew. We can even produce the broken Jedi as proof. Say that he was with the inquisition. It will rally support for a full planetary blockade. And give us reason to shut up the insolent senators who seem to think that their 'treatment' is unsatisfactory as of now." The Grand Inquisitor finished, taking a breath after that speech.
"Hmm. And what if the rebels show up?" Tarkin asked.
"Then we say that they were the ones who sent them. They figured out they were working with us. And sent them to die unimaginable deaths at the hands of the beasts as punishment for their treachery." the Inquisitor stated.
"I like it. It seems a little flimsy in some areas. But I think that I can work with it. Go on ahead and do it. But do not forget. We need the information first and foremost." Tarkin said as he finished of the holo-transmission.
As the Grand Inquisitor sat there in the darkness he started to think. He wasn't a fool by any means. He knew he was expendable to Vader and the Emperor. So to help show he was worthy of the position he refired up the console. He knew that at any moment the rebels could launch a counter-attack. They still had the problem of dealing with fulcrum. So it was likely that the rebels knew where they were being kept. He sent out the transmission. And waited for a response.
Gar Saxon appeared before him. As Saxon looked at the short Inquisitor he asked him. "And to what do I owe the honor of you calling me up Grand Inquisitor."
"I need some of your Mandalorian troopers. I believe that the rebels are going to attack the Imperial contingent on Kashyyyk. Do you have any nearby troops that can support us?"
"And why would I want to put some of my troopers in to your employ?" Saxon asked.
"Do not forget your place Saxon. The empire made you what you are. We can just as easily take it from you." The Inquisitor warned, his patience already in short demand from his talk with Tarkin.
"I haven't. I have around forty troops less than one hyperspace jump away from Kashyyyk they should be there within the hour." Saxon said in a more reserved manner.
"Good. I will assume command of them when they get here. Be sure to let them know." The Inquisitor said. He shut off the console and turned to the first brother and sister.
"Get the prisoners ready for transport. And make sure that they have their weapons, but have them deactivated. We want this staging to look good." He ordered and walked out of the conference room.
Aboard the Rogue Shadow. 12:35 Same day.
Galen and Ezra were sitting in the training room meditating. Getting ready for the challenge that lay ahead. They were almost to the rendezvous point and should be coming up on it at any minute. So they decided to meditate to pass the time. They were wearing a set of robes that they found on Tython in one of its many temples. Somehow, through the force they guessed, the robes had not deteriorated at all in the thousands of years since anyone had inhabited the planet. The robes seemed to be made of a cloth that was both durable and light. In fact they had come in contact with a lightsaber on the lowest setting many times throughout the sparring sessions between the two brothers, but they did not show even the slightest bit of singeing. They did find that this did have a limit though. And when set to battle levels would burn just as regular clothing, however it still took a little longer.
They felt the ship drop out of hyperspace as they got up and made their way to the airlock. Juno would keep the ship running and ready to take off as soon as they got the information they needed.
Entering the airlock brought back many memories for them both. A few good, but most bad. This was the ship that Galen used when following the orders of Vader. However it was in this airlock that Galen and Juno had said their vows. With Bail Organa officiating and princess Leia acting as maid of honor. For most of Juno's family and friends were still with the empire and in fact disowned her when they were told of her initial branding as a traitor when Vader made his first attempt on Galen's life.
When they heard the airlock seal several soldiers were waiting there for them. Including one that seemed much older and wasn't wearing a helmet. In fact as they got a little closer it dawned on them that it was in fact an old Jango Fett clone used by the Grand Army of the Republic during the clone wars.
"You two must be the rescue team that Senator Organa spoke so highly of." The clone said as he stepped forward. "My name is Rex. I will be acting as your handler for this mission. Now lets hurry up. We don't want to keep Commander Sato waiting." He finished as he turned around and started to march towards the bridge on the Corellian blockade runner. They took time to study the rebel crew members that walked passed eyeing them as if they were an exotic animal, then turn and continue with the task at hand. Mostly scanning for incoming imperials.
They walked into the command center of the bridge and met a older gentleman, who looked to be of quite wealthy descent and had on a shirt that was mostly orange throughout the chest and sleeves and had a black/blue collar that stretched down a bit on the front and back. On his chest he wore the rank of commander and had a sharp haircut.
"Ah. You must be the Jedi that senator Organa spoke of." Commander Sato said, with an unmistakable, yet indistinguishable accent.
"With all do respect Commander. We are Je'daii, not Jedi. We follow the force. Not just the lightside. And try not to draw to close to one side or the other." Galen said. Seeming to test the waters on the rebel leader.
"Very well then Je'daii. I hope that you know that this mission is very important to us. We want to see that the Ghost crew is returned to us safely." He said. Not really caring what they called themselves or what they followed.
"We do know. Are only goal is to help the rebellion in any way, shape, or form" Ezra spoke.
"Good. Now here are the mission objectives. The crew that you are going after is one of our finest. And it seems that the empire knows this. They have them aboard the Star Destroyer Eternal above Kashyyyk. Although we received word from our spy that they are soon planning to move them to the surface for more, rigorous interrogation." Sato said, a sliver of worry making his way into his voice.
"Okay, just one Star Destroyer then?" Ezra said,
"No our intel reports at least three Star Destroyers in the vicinity. Along with a contingent of forty Mandalorians aligned with Gar Saxon to help them in blockading the planet." The Commander explained.
"Okay. And any talk with the wookies. Do you think they will be of much help." Ezra inquired.
"Probably not. The empire routed the last major wookie uprising many years ago." Galen said. Bitterness permeating his voice.
"That is correct. Most of the wookies are either in hiding, dead, or slaves to the imperial war machine." Sato said. "But that is a mission for another day." he finished with sadness in his voice. For he hated to see such a proud species put to near extinction on their home planet.
"Well who exactly are we looking for?" Ezra asked, he would console Galen later. Hoping that his brother could make it through the rest of the meeting without letting it be known he was born on Kashyyyk.
"For that I will turn you over to your assigned handler Captain Rex." Sato said as he stepped back and let the clone war veteran take over.
"Alright guys. The crew you are looking for are these five." He said as he activated a holo of the crew. "They should be able to tell that you are friend if you are seen fighting with the imperials but if not they will know that we sent you via the code phrase 'by the light of Lothal's moons.' understand?" the clone said.
"Yeah. We got it." Ezra said, surprised that his homeworld was used as a means of code-phrase.
"One other thing, as your handler. I want to accompany you on this mission. Nothing personal. Just standard procedure." Rex said.
Irritated that they were effectively being assigned a babysitter they two brothers looked at the clone. Then turned to another and spoke in a hushed whisper.
"Wollen wir wirklich, dass er kommt?" (Do we really want him to come?) Galen asked to Ezra.
"Ich glaube nicht, dass wir eine Wahl haben." (I don't think that we have a choice.) Ezra responded.
"Nun, in diesem Fall. Sie erzählen Juno von ihrem neuen Co-Piloten." (Well, in that case. You get to tell Juno about her new co-pilot.) Galen shot back a grin playing at his lips.
"Arschloch." (Asshole.) Ezra shot back.
Turning to the confused looks of those gathered around. The two brothers nodded and Ezra said. "Well get your gear together Captain. Because you are going to Kashyyyk." Rex smiled and turned to grab his gear from his quarters.
In one of the hangars aboard the Eternal
Kanan was led out of the cell by a contingent of stormtroopers. He had to rely on their support as his muscles were still twitching from electrical shocks. When he looked up he saw the rest of his crew. With binders around their hands but curiously their weapons in their proper places.
"Are you guys okay?" Kanan whispered to the rest of his family.
Before he could get an answer the Grand Inquisitor came into the room surrounded by at least forty Mandalorian troopers. As he approached he signaled to the stormtroopers that supported Kanan to move away and put him on his knees.
"Did you get a good look at your crew?" the Grand Inquisitor taunted. "See I figured that I can still break you without you having to see your crew die." He said as he moved so he was facing the others but right beside Kanan.
"You will just have to hear them die instead." the Inquisitor said with a laugh. As he drew his saber staff and brought it right into the Jedi's eyes. Permanently blinding him. Kanan cried out in pain as the members of the crew were shaken to their cores. Hera even allowed a few tears to leak out in sympathy for her husband. Unfortunately the Grand Inquisitor noticed this.
"Don't you worry dear Twi'lek. Your time will come. Just be consoled that he will still be mostly alive." He said with another hearty laugh.
Aboard the Rogue Shadow on it's way to Kashyyyk
Galen was busy giving the clone a tour of the Rogue shadow. And showed him the quarters he would be staying at for the duration of his trip. Meanwhile Ezra was meditating in the training room. As he sat there he suddenly felt a burning sensation on his eyes. Recognizing it as a sign from the force he implored deeper. Only to find that he could not see anything. But he could hear voices. And from what he could tell they were trying to comfort him. No, not him, he was connecting with the Jedi Kanan Jarrus, only one thing could mean why he felt the pain and why he couldn't see. He was blinded. And that only meant it was a matter of time before the crew was dead or worse.