Major Malavai Quinn. What kind of man was he?
Psawl had met the major a few times in the past, mostly during the business with the Revanites. His first distinct memory of the man was an awkward confrontation on Rishi, involving Quinn, Rusk, and leveled blasters. After getting that mess sorted out, he'd had little thought to spare for Otienoh's retinue, the fate of the galaxy hanging in the balance and all. For all intents and purposes, Quinn was a stranger. And as much as he wanted to grant Otienoh's request to pardon the man, Psawl had to think of the Alliance first. He had to know whether Major Quinn could be trusted with his freedom.
His inquiries into the major's character had met with mixed results. Many former imperials seemed to respect the man due to him eliminating some disliked Moff. Not exactly the most encouraging of virtues, though further digging revealed the Moff in question had been throwing away men faster than a soldier goes through ammo clips, so it wasn't exactly damning either. His meetings with Quinn's former shipmates were more confusing still. Pierce had reacted with total disdain, and Broonmark had started howling and ranting about "cleansing the clan" and had to be tackled to the floor and sedated before he hurt somebody. Only Vette offered any real insight.
"I don't know how much Otienoh told you, and I'm not going to tell you anything he might not want you to hear. But I can say Quinn is arrogant, speciest, has a pole a mile long lodged up his exhaust port, and he's made some really bad mistakes. But deep down… he's trying to do the right thing. I don't like the man much, but I'd trust him to cover my butt in a firefight any day."
With all the mixed messages, Psawl decided he'd just need to get the feel for the man himself, so he scheduled a meeting in the detention area. When he informed Colonel Siwala of his brilliant plan, however, things went a bit south. He legitimately thought she was going to have a heart attack, or punch him, or something.
"With all due respect, commander, are you insane?!"
Psawl thought about that for a second. "No more than usual."
"You honestly want a private meeting with the man who, less than a week ago, planted and triggered an explosive in one of our shuttles, was complicit in the empire's plan to seize a weapon of mass destruction to use against us, and has a known history of betrayal?"
"…Yes?"
Siwala sighed and held the bridge of her nose. "I can't stop you, can I?"
"Nope."
"Fine. But I'm going to oversee a few security arrangements fist."
And so here he was, in the detention center, surrounded by an excessive number of bodyguards, waiting for Quinn. Or rather, for the guard who would take him into the meeting room once Quinn was… secured.
"I feel ridiculous," he muttered to Siwala.
"Tough," she muttered back. "Part of my job is keeping you safe. You may be a Jedi, but you're not invincible."
"This is overkill. You just don't like the guy."
"You nearly died last week, sir. I don't think it's out of line to insist you have a little extra protection until you're back on form."
"'Little?'" he pouted, but begrudgingly admitted – to himself – that she may have had a point. Any retort from Siwala was cut off by the arrival of the guard.
"The prisoner is ready to see you, commander," she said. "If you'll follow me?" So, accompanied by his entourage of weapon-wielding mother nunas, he entered the room.
Major Quinn looked surprised when Psawl entered the room. The man had been sitting stiffly at the table with a carefully neutral expression when the door opened, but his eyes had gone wide when he caught sight of Psawl's face. He had quickly schooled his expression back to blank, but the flicker of astonishment was unmistakable.
"Good day, major," Psawl smiled cheerfully as he settled into the chair on the opposite side of the table. Quinn studied his face.
"Commander," Quinn nodded his head. "To what do I owe this honor?"
Psawl stretched his awareness in the Force to read the man's emotions. He had a solid, dependable presence, and Psawl had to fight his instinctual desire to relax and trust him. Got to keep on guard, after all. Quinn was curious, nervous, and guarded, but fortunately not afraid like he had been after his arrest.
Psawl folded his hands in front of him on the table. "As I'm sure Otienoh told you, I'm considering potentially granting you a pardon. So before I make my decision, I'd like to get to know you a bit."
The major stared at him in confusion. "Get to know…?" His eyes widened in understanding, and a wall closed around his mind. Impressive, for a non Force-sensitive. Psawl tested the barrier. He could break through it if he really wanted to, but he risked hurting the man if he tried. Psawl frowned.
"Quinn. I'm not going to probe your mind. I just need to know your feelings and intentions. Blocking me will only make me more reluctant to grant you your freedom."
Slowly, Quinn lowered his defenses." My apologies, commander. I suppose it's become a habit after working with the Sith for so long."
"I can imagine," Psawl said with a smile. "So, you served on Otienoh's ship?"
"That is correct, commander." When Psawl just continued smiling, Quinn elaborated. "I captained his vessel for several years, after assisting him in his missions on Balmorra, and being promoted from lieutenant."
"You were pretty old to still be a lieutenant, weren't you?"
"I… yes." A strange mix of shame, anger, and pride radiated from him as he answered. "I disobeyed the orders of a superior when they put the men and mission in jeopardy." He shuffled his feet. "My actions salvaged the mission, but my superior had me demoted and blocked any chance at upwards mobility for years." The rage sharpened into hatred, then cooled. "But that's in the past."
The way he said it was ominously final. Psawl hid a shudder, trying not to let himself imagine said superior's fate at the hands of a livid imperial officer, and a powerful Sith who was very protective of his allies. He decided to change the subject.
"Your records indicate a deep dedication to the betterment of the Empire. So why abandon them now?"
Quinn's mind closed off again, though this time he seemed to be trying to stave off emotions he didn't want to feel himself, rather than specifically hiding them, so Psawl let it slide. The man's mind became cool and calculating as he probed the question for traps.
"I served Lord Otienoh for many years. He is an honorable man who wants the best for the Empire. If he follows you, I trust his judgment."
"And if he were to turn on me? What would you do?"
The room became dead silent. Quinn furrowed his brow as he considered the question. A maelstrom of emotions broke through his control, and he tamped them down, only for them to surge forward again. Now the major was afraid. He was conflicted, guilty, sickened, worried, frustrated at the unfairness of the question, and angry at himself for his hesitation. Finally, all of the strings of emotion coalesced into a knot of resignation. He lifted his chin and looked Psawl squarely in the eye.
"I would follow my lord's lead. I am his to command until the day I die." There were angry murmurs from the guards in the room, but Psawl silenced them with a sharp glance. Quinn was staring at his hands now, defeated.
"I appreciate your honesty," Psawl said, keeping his voice neutral. "Your loyalty is admirable." Quinn looked up, surprised. Psawl eyed him shrewdly. "What happened between you two, to inspire such devotion?"
Quinn's emotions were locked down tight once again. Only the barest hint of deep sadness and shame oozed through the cracks. "If my lord has not told you, then the details are not mine to give," he said finally. "Suffice it to say… this is not the first time Lord Otienoh has shown me mercy when I was undeserving. I owe him everything, and it is a debt I will never be able to truly repay."
And there it was. An honest answer. No attempts to hide it or pretty it up, subconscious or otherwise. Major Quinn's soul was finally laid bare before Psawl. It was ragged and broken, like so many souls that had been touched by the war. But it was solid, dependable, and honest, with strong dapples of light among the dark.
Psawl rose from his seat. "Thank you, Major Quinn. I think I have what I need." Psawl could feel through the Force that Quinn thought his fate sealed, but he drew up the strength to respond politely nevertheless.
"It was an honor and a privilege, commander. Thank you for your consideration."
Psawl hummed softly to himself as he left the detention block behind. He had to touch bases with Lana and Theron, of course, but he sensed he would have some release papers to sign very soon.