Chapter 15 – Interrogation

DISCLAIMER: We do not own Star Wars or any of the characters in it, though we wish we did. xD

Author's Note: More of Anakin's past comes to light... ;)

~ Amina Gila

While he finds sparring enjoyable, Obi-Wan doesn't get the same thrill that Ahsoka does or that Anakin seems to. It should be obvious. They both prefer aggressive forms, while he usually uses defensive ones. Watching Anakin fight off the MagnaGuards yesterday, Obi-Wan was able to get a feel for the other man's style. He clearly favors Djem So, while Obi-Wan has become used to Soresu. Ahsoka, on the other hand, uses a form of Shien enabling reverse grip and dual lightsaber usage.

Anakin and Ahsoka circle one another, their lightsabers ignited. Obi-Wan is careful to keep his distance from the two Sith standing next to each other near the arena. If the stakes weren't so high, he might actually be able to enjoy the duel. Anakin attacks first, his red lightsaber slicing towards Ahsoka's side. She blocks him, following the strike with one of her own which Anakin readily parries.

Though neither of them talks, their eyes track each other with a detached calculatedness, betraying their complete absorption with the fight. Obi-Wan knows he's supposed to join, but Sidious didn't want him to participate immediately. He's waiting for the signal to be given. The pair trade a few more leisurely blows back and forth, before Anakin grins, eyes glinting yellow as he lunges. He rains blows on Ahsoka so fast that Obi-Wan can't even keep track of them. She hastily accommodates by backing up when necessary as she struggles to hold her ground. Even with two lightsabers, she's clearly at a disadvantage.

Dooku motions to him, and he ignites his own lightsaber, the blue blade hissing to life as he leaps to Ahsoka's aid. Blue meets red, and as Obi-Wan looks at Anakin, the expression on the other's face can only be described as challenging. He's so clearly enjoying this. Anakin slows down the pace of his assault, keeping his movements quick and deliberate as he blocks their combined attacks, clearly working to lull them into a false security.

Obi-Wan presses the dual, moving more quickly and taking the initiative to attack first to draw Anakin fully into the fight. After parrying several strikes, Anakin spins his lightsaber, nearly hitting Ahsoka's arm and forcing her to leap back to protect herself. He doesn't give her a chance to recover, pressing the attack until one of her lightsabers is knocked from her hand, sending it skittering across the floor.

Humiliating is probably the word to use for their defeat. Obi-Wan still isn't entirely sure how Anakin managed, but he did. Though his face is neutral as he bows to Sidious, Obi-Wan can sense a hint of smugness through the Force. He beat both Obi-Wan and Ahsoka in record time, and he's proud of it. Really, Obi-Wan should have known he couldn't expect anything else. Anakin was trained as a warrior, as an assassin. With his Force sensitivity to boot, he would have to be a stellar duelist, especially since Dooku, who was known as one of the best duelists in the Order, has trained him.

Sidious looks inordinately pleased at the results. "This is the true power of the Dark Side," he hisses gleefully. "Embrace it, and you will be stronger than any Jedi."

Despite the hood pulled up over his head, Obi-Wan can almost feel those cold yellow eyes burrowing into him. Unlike Anakin, who is all passion, Sidious seems to suck emotions right out of the air and into a void. Cold. Calculating. Emotionless. Does he even have a heart? Can he feel? Obi-Wan pushes the thoughts away. That line of questioning will get him nowhere, and Ahsoka right. One of them needs to remain level-headed and untouched by the horrors and guilt all around them.

He rubs his hands together, grinning darkly. "We have an issue with the prisoners," he declares. "It is not a secret that Lord Vader has aided in their training –" Obi-Wan glances sharply at Anakin, who is staring down at the floor, subdued. "– and it is important that we know who else is aware. Normally, clones do not discuss their trainers with the Jedi, but it is a possibility I am not willing to overlook."

"We have identified the most high-ranking clone among the prisoners," Dooku speaks up. "There may be a Captain, but that has yet to be confirmed, so this officer will be interrogated instead." He's not telling the full truth. Last night, he'd said there was another, but that is obviously information he's unwilling to divulge. Whatever game he's playing at, Obi-Wan doesn't know.

"I would be pleased if you would join me," Sidious smiles. "As former Jedi, your insights could prove invaluable."

"That isn't an offer," Anakin adds sharply as if Obi-Wan didn't already realize that.

He wants to say something, to protest or object, but he's smarter than that. In the end, he'll go there because that's what Sidious wants. "Lead the way," he says instead.

Sidious does so willingly, sweeping from the room with a pointed, wordless glance at Dooku. He quickly takes their lightsabers, sealing them away inside a cabinet once more, before falling in step at the rear. Much as Obi-Wan wishes he knew what Anakin was thinking, or even Ahsoka for that matter, their expressions are carefully blank. Torture, Dooku had said. Obi-Wan believes it, silently bracing himself for what is bound to come.

**w**

Anakin follows Sidious down the familiar halls into the normal detention area. It was built for regular prisoners, not Force-sensitives. Against his better judgement, he lets his eyes flick to the cells. There are no guards down there – none are needed – so whoever is imprisoned here can talk freely. Despite the security cameras located in strategic positions, the feed is rarely viewed. The prisoners clearly hadn't expected them to arrive, if their carefully restrained surprise is anything to go by.

He counts eleven men in the separate cells. The twelfth must be in the interrogation room already. He's already dreading entering. Ahsoka's footsteps falter next to him, and he glances over, giving her a reassuring nod, at least he hopes it's reassuring. None of them can afford to show weakness or Sidious will exploit it. Sidious extends his hand, and the door at the end of the hall soundlessly slides open.

Everyone follows him inside. In the center of the room, the clone is sitting on a metal chair, restrains keeping him cuffed in place. One side of his face is swollen, and he must have other injuries which Anakin can't see. None of them stop him from looking up defiantly. Sidious tuts under his breath. "Resistance is futile," he warns.

"This is CC-1119, known to the clones as Appo," Dooku informs them.

Anakin sucks in a quiet breath, reaching out with the Force to confirm Dooku's words. Yes, it's Appo. He feels just as Anakin remembers him. He can't recall many of them, but there were a few who he could never forget. He didn't interact too much with most of the clones, though there were a few he was fond of. One, in particular, he does remember. CT-5555, known as Fives. He wouldn't go so far as to call the clones friends, but – but they had something beyond a simple instructor-trainee relationship.

As he was often prone to do, he'd slipped up once in front of two of the clones. They weren't supposed to know that he was Force sensitive, so he'd sworn them to secrecy. One of them, he still thinks it was Appo, had told some of the others, including Fives. They were all part of the 501st Legion, which Anakin himself had put together. Suddenly, he can understand his master's concern. The clones know him only by his Sith name, and if the Jedi find out, the game will be over. Sidious's identity could be compromised, which isn't something they can afford, especially not Anakin, because it will be his fault.

"Master Kenobi, you may do the honors," Sidious tells him lightly. "We must know if any of the clones have reported their trainers to the Jedi." Obi-Wan looks at him quietly, raising an inquisitive eyebrow. "Mind tricking," Sidious finally concedes, and Anakin lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He's been forced to rip through minds before, and it's never a pleasant experience, especially if the victim is fighting – they usually are.

"We need to know if they would recognize a holo of me," Anakin murmurs to Obi-Wan.

The Jedi Knight clearly wants to object, but he doesn't, stepping forward and raising a hand. "You will tell us what we need to know," he states firmly.

Appo clenches his jaw, visibly struggling against his restraints. "I – I –" He's fighting the Force suggestion with remarkable strength. It's to be expected. Jango was anything but weak-minded, and his clones bare a similar mental fortitude.

Ahsoka shifts uneasily next to him, eyes riveted on the man before them. Dooku remain impassive as Obi-Wan tries again, putting more effort into the command. "You will tell us what we need to know."

"I – I will t-tell you what you n-need to know," Appo repeats haltingly. It's obvious that he's fighting the order wrapping itself into his brain. Anakin finds he can admire that courage, almost, almost but not quite wishing he could emulate it. He learned long ago that resisting anything Sidious wants is pointless. It only leads to more pain. Maybe that's why he hasn't yet tried to overthrow him. He's too scared.

"Who trained you?" Obi-Wan keeps a thread of the Force in his words, prompting Appo to continue complying.

"He – he called himself Vader," the clone answers almost immediately. Clearly, it's not something he cares to hide. Not good. If they don't care who knows, they could have told the Jedi. That cannot happen.

"Do the Jedi know?" Obi-Wan presses.

Appo clamps his jaw shut. The question is a bit open-ended, and if he knows something, he's clearly not planning to share. He narrows his eyes at Obi-Wan, the clarity in them proof that he freed himself from the mind trick. "I'm not telling you anything," he spits.

"You will answer my questions," Obi-Wan says quietly. Anakin can sense his discomfort through the Force. He definitely is not enjoying doing this, but he's likely convinced himself that it's necessary to prevent more unnecessary pain.

"I'm answering nothing!" Appo yells back defiantly.

"Lord Vader, electrocute him," Sidious snaps. "Perhaps then he will be more willing to tell us the truth." He looks at the clone with something akin to disgust on his face. "The information we are asking you to provide does not in any way harm the Republic. You should have no qualms in sharing it with us."

"Knowledge is power, and I'm telling you nothing," Appo insists.

Anakin gives the man a disbelieving look before letting lightning spark from his left hand, arching into the clone's body. It's drawn like a magnet to the metal of the chair, racing up and down his body as it electrifies his nerves. He's clearly struggling not to scream, but Anakin doesn't let it affect him. This is his job. None of it matters. He repeats that, holding firm to the Dark Side as he directs the electricity towards Appo's mind to weaken his shields.

He stops when Appo starts screaming. The clone is slumped limply against the chair, breathing raggedly. After a moment, he raises his head, expression seeming distant. "Good soldiers follow orders," he mumbles so quietly Anakin can hardly hear him. Before he has a chance to react, Appo bolts up from the chair, lunging towards them, murder written on his face.

The restrains break open, and Anakin distantly suspects that the lightning must have shorted them out before Appo is slamming into him, tackling him to the ground. "Skyguy!" Ahsoka exclaims, the word likely escaping unintentionally. As Appo tries to strangle him, Ahsoka drags the clone backwards, pinning him to the floor with Obi-Wan's help.

"That shouldn't have happened," Dooku murmurs, frowning as he gets another pair of energy binders, clamping them on Appo's wrists.

The clone struggles to break free, jerking around uncontrollably, mumbling the same phrase repeatedly. "What's happening to him?" Ahsoka demands.

"It seems he has malfunctioned," Sidious muses thoughtfully eyeing the clone as Obi-Wan and Ahsoka secure him in the chair once more. Anakin glances speculatively at his master before turning his gaze onto Appo. This isn't natural. He shouldn't be acting like this. "Knock him out," the Sith decides, "It will make this easier.

Anakin doesn't hesitate, clenching his fist and choking him into unconsciousness. Hopefully, this ordeal will make Appo cooperate, though with his current display, Sidious will probably order his execution. Malfunctioning. What does that even mean? Dooku seems to know if his pensive expression is anything to go by.

He doesn't have a chance to ponder the situation for long, because Sidious turns to Obi-Wan, the hint of a pleased and smug smile playing on his lips. "It appears that no answers will be immediately forthcoming, Master Kenobi, so I ask that you use the Force to extract the information from this man's memories."

Anakin doesn't need the Force to know that Obi-Wan is scandalized at the suggestion. If he does what he's being asked – and how Anakin hopes that he does – he'll be forced to carry the guilt of hurting someone in one of the most intimate ways possible. The mind is sacred even above the body, and Obi-Wan must know it.

The Jedi Knight's eyes dart between the Sith Master and the unconscious prisoner before he resolutely shakes his head, sending the tiny bit of hope inside Anakin plummeting into oblivion. "No," he asserts calmly, fearlessly meeting Sidious's gaze. "I won't use the Force for something as perverted as that." Oh, he's brave all right, but that bravery will get him killed. Anakin braces himself for the reaction he knows will be coming.

"Are you refusing?" The deadly calm terrifies Anakin even though it's not directed at him. If Obi-Wan doesn't want to face a brutal and possibly deadly punishment, he needs to do as he's told. He won't, of course. Anakin knows that.

Obi-Wan doesn't answer, seeming uncertain for the first time that Anakin can remember. "I think, my Lord, that you understood my meaning perfectly." Anakin nearly forgets how to breathe at Obi-Wan blatant display of insubordination. If he wasn't so scared, he'd probably be proud at how skillfully the other man wielded his words – mixed with irony – as a weapon.

"Fool," spits Sidious, raising his hands. Lightning arcs through the air, sending Obi-Wan writhing to the floor. Anakin casts his gaze away, unable to watch. He doesn't – he doesn't dare get involved, but when the Sith Lord doesn't let up, even after several seconds, Anakin fears that he never will. He cannot watch Obi-Wan die. Not like this.

When the lightning draws a strangled cry of agony, something inside Anakin snaps, and he stops thinking. Gathering the Force into a tight shield, just like he'd shown Obi-Wan and Ahsoka in the cell, Anakin throws himself in front of Obi-Wan, fearlessly catching the lightning with his palms and deflecting it outward to the walls. Even as the barrage increases, fueled by Sidious' anger – and how it terrifies Anakin – the shield doesn't falter.

Weaving a net of the Force around his cybernetic arm, he protects it, manipulating the molecules to prevent it from catching any of the stray bolts. He can't stop now. Holding this much power is euphoric, as he finally allows himself to access the Force to his full potential. He's not nearly skilled enough to control it, but he can feel it engrained in every fiber of his being. Years ago, he was called the Chosen One, and maybe he is – he doubts it – but he's certain he has a stronger Force connection than any other living being.

He is proud of what he's done for all of five seconds, before his mind catches up with his actions. He – he challenged his master. Nothing can undo what he's just done. Nothing. But he can't drop the shield now, or he'll probably die. He can feel how angry Sidious is, and his life is in serious peril. This was a mistake. Scratch that. Everything has been a mistake. Force, what was he thinking? Why? Why?! Now –

Sidious ceases the attack, yellow eyes filled with malice and raw hatred. He clenches his fist, choking Anakin. "You defied your master." The words and the possible implications send a chill down Anakin's spine, even as he struggles to draw in oxygen.

"You... were going... to kill him..." Anakin retorts weakly, struggling to break free. Now that reality has caught up with him, all he wants to do is run away and hide. He could fight – it would be safer – but they hadn't planned for this. This wasn't supposed to happen. Besides, he's not strong enough to defeat Sidious. None of them are! He can vaguely sense Dooku's spike of concern mixed with Ahsoka's fear. If they know what's good for them, they won't intervene in whatever punishment is concocted.

Sidious throws him backwards, slamming him into the wall hard enough to see stars. Anakin barely has time to catch his breath – it was knocked out of him at the impact – before his master begins electrocuting him and Obi-Wan. Ahsoka makes a move, but Dooku grabs her arm, keeping her in place, as he says something which Anakin can't even hear over his own screams. All he can feel is pain. He's experienced it so many times, but it never gets any easier.

Technically, he could still fight back; if he could focus long enough, he could Force shove the Sith Lord backwards to stop him. It might work, but he's scared. The fear has been beaten and tortured into him from childhood. Nothing, not even one moment of resistance, will make it go away. He already knows that he won't resist. He's never fought back against punishments since he learned that they were more painful if he did when he was still a child. He might have a different master now, but it remains true.

Slaves don't fight back, and that's what he is. A slave. He shouldn't have let himself believe, if only for a few days, that he can be anything more. And he certainly shouldn't have let himself bond with Obi-Wan and Ahsoka. Doing so just made this hurt even worse, but he can't find it in himself to care. He doesn't regret befriending them, and he never will. He holds onto that thought, even as his vision begins to fade to blackness. Mercifully, the attack ceases before it could have killed him – again – and he succumbs to unconsciousness. And yet, perhaps he'll never awaken. He doesn't know.

Final Note: We started releasing another fanfic called Whirlwind of Chaos! I think y'all will enjoy it. :P

What if the Jedi thought that Ahsoka was the Chosen One? When Qui-Gon finds the nine-year-old slave girl on Tatooine, he knows the Togruta is special. Ahsoka struggles with her troubled past, and her seeming inability to fit in at the Temple only increases her burden. Unbeknownst to her, she's caught the eye of a Sith Lord, one who is determined to win over the alleged Chosen One.

Also, in a few weeks, I'll start releasing another fanfic on Sundays, so you'll only get chapters in Brotherhood every other week. I'm not writing it as fast as I thought I would. Lol.