Chapter 8: Breakout

Third Person POV

General Rommel and Viceroy Nute Gunray has been captured by Senator Amidala and are being loaded onto a Republic cruiser. Now, they are being held at the coms room as clones are guarding them as Padawan Ahsoka Tano and Jedi Master Luminara Unduli are preparing lift off.

Rommel's POV

What a mess I put myself in. It was suppose to be an easy op. Protect the Viceroy, eat good food, establish a barracks, and go home. Ever Since I met that senator, everything gone bad. First, she escapes; next she destroyed my battle droids; then she aims a gun at Gunray; finally, she convinced me to surrender. This has been an awful fine mess I got myself into. I looked around the coms area to see if there is anything interesting, unfortunately, a clone shoved my back and told me to look forward. I did what I was told. I looked at Gunray, he must of mistaken my poker face to be a "bribe the guards" because instantly, he smiled and went up to a clone with a reverse Mohawk "I am a man of considerable wealth. I can be very generous to my allies." For a second I wanted to facepalm because after he said that, the clone ended up putting both of us in cuffs. Gunray looked back to me with a sad face. I just shrugged my shoulders and gave him a sad look in return. We both knew something, from the look in his eyes, that this is going to be a long ride to Coruscant.

Third Person

As the a republic cruiser heads towards the Venator-class star destroyer to put the Confederate prisoners in the brig for interrogation. Meanwhile, master Unduli and Padawan tano head towards the bridge to update the Jedi High Council of the new development.

Ahsoka Tano's POV

I saw Master Luminara walk up to the ship's communicator and started contacting the Jedi High Council. "Masters, we have not only captured Viceroy Gunray, but also General Rommel!" General Rommel, so that's the seppy with Gunray. "I see, well head back to Coruscant, with any luck we could end this war once and for all." Said Master Obi-Wan. Wait...if the Viceroy and the general are so important in the war...that means they would have important secrets that could end the war! We have got to interrogate them. "Master...are we going to interrogate the prisoners." Master Luminara looks back at me and said "Yes, with any luck, we may be able to get information off them and win this war.."

We made our way to the ship's brig where the slime ball Neimoidian and the seppy General was being held. We separated them in different cells across from one another. The Neimoidian was nervous at the sight of us Jedi. Good, he won't take as much effort to break. But the seppy general just looks straight at us, anticipating our arrival. His posture shows confidence and he his ice cold eyes tell me he is a hardened veteran of some kind. He might need a little persuasion.

Master Unduli entered first with me following behind her. She looked at the prisoners debating who to interrogate first. If I were her, I go for the general, he looks like he knows all the troop positions and tactics the separatist would use. As if she read my thoughts, Master Unduli goes towards the general and entered his cell "I am Jedi Master Luminara Unduli, and you are General Mason Rommel." That really surprised the General "How do you know my name?" Master Unduli replied "I am sure you heard of Jedi Master Adi Gallia." The general nodded putting his head down "Yes, I do." "And I heard you served under her." The general looked back "Yes, I did." "I also assume you were born on Coruscant." I scoffed the idea in my head. Anyone from Coruscant betraying the Republic? That's ridiculous. "Yes, I was born on Coruscant." What? "Then you won't deny that you betrayed the Republic." He angrily stated "I didn't betray the Republic, they betrayed me."

I stared at him in disbelief. He was a Republic citizen and he switched sides. Why? Why would he betray the Republic. He said the Republic betrayed him...he must have been one of the rich people that lost his fortunes and the Republic did nothing. That could be the reason he felt betrayed. General, you must realize that the Separatist are just using you. The Republic couldn't have betrayed you. You could have been brainwashed into believing them. "Then where was the Republic when I was falsely accused of a crime, I couldn't have committed?" Both master Unduli and I looked at each other. She was about to reply when Rommel interrupted "Where was the Republic when my rights were being stripped away? Where was the Republic when I was tortured?" Master Unduli looked at the general sad and went up close to him. He turned his head away trying to avoid her touch. "I sensed great resentment in you general. You resent yourself for failing those underneath you." He looked back at her worried "Stop." "You resent yourself for not being strong enough to save your men." He looks really terrified now "Stop it." "You resent yourself for not standing up with your men, when you knew you could." "Stop it." The General collapsed on the floor. "I also feel your anger, your hatred for those that hurt you." He looked back up angrily "Stop...It...Now." I looked worried for Master Unduli, but she waved me off saying she will be alright. "And you also feel...fear."

That is when I looked at the general and I saw tears coming off his eyes. A seppy general...crying? "You fear of failing those you promised. You fear being weak again. And I feel fear for your..." Suddenly, the general rushed from the floor in anger, and put his hands around her neck. Even master Unduli looked surprised and she was face to face with an angry general. I pulled out my light saber and raised it towards him, ready to strike. "Don't You DARE say anything more." I expected him to keep squeezing master Unduli's neck, but he surprised me and apparently master Unduli by releasing her and collapsed on the floor. He sat down, knees bent, face down, with hands covering his face. I could barely register what he said but he told us to get out of the room.

I looked at master Unduli and she shook her head for us to leave him. We went over to Viceroy Nute Gunray, and the look on his face looked horrified. I'm not surprised seeing he saw one of his loyal soldiers collapse on the floor crying. "Please, I beg you, don't hurt me. I'll tell you everything you want. Please don't hurt me like you did him." Master Unduli replied "Viceroy Gunray, we are Jedi, we don't torture people to get information. Your general only did it to himself because he couldn't take the guilt of himself anymore." Wait, he attacked you just because of guilt?

We started to interrogate Gunray for a while now. However, he is showing much more resilience than I anticipated. Could this be what Master Unduli has been telling me? To never underestimate my opponent.

Few Minutes Later of Interrogation

Master Unduli said "Your thoughts betray you, Viceroy. I can sense your concern, the fear that you will lose the wealth and the power that the war has given you." Gunray sputtered out "I have no idea what you're talking about." She replied "You hide a great many things: the names of your secret allies, the locations of their bases." He lied another time "I am an innocent pawn in all of this." I just don't understand why we just force the information out. He has been lying to us for ten minutes now. "If you're merely a pawn, then who are you protecting?" Gunray lied again "No one. I know nothing." Okay, that is it, I had it with Nute Gunray's constant lying "Liar! Liar! I'm tired of all this whining. Tell us what we want to know right now, or I will gut you like a rokarian dirt fish." I was suddenly pulled back by Master Unduli "Padawan, terror is not a weapon the Jedi use." I replied back "I wasn't serious. But the only way he'll talk is if he's scared enough." Gunray got up from the ground and said carefully "Perhaps I was too hasty. Let us negotiate." Suddenly, we were trying to stay stable as we felt explosions. Master Unduli immediately yelled "Captain, status report." "Droid Fighters incoming. They brought boarding ships." We were under attack.

Rommel's POV

I eventually stopped crying after the Jedi left. Damn that senator. She tricked me into surrendering in order for me to be interrogated and sent to prison. Alright, calm down Mason, calm down. The senator probably had no idea what happened. Just calm down.

For the time being, I listened to Nute Gunray's interrogation. So far, no good. He keeps sputtering out lies rather than compose himself. If he keeps this up, he will reveal the secrets in no time. What actually surprised me was how the Togruta threatened the Viceroy. From what I learned from the Jedi was that they don't condone force to get answers. I sat back down, knowing I would be next for interrogation after Gunray, suddenly, I heard and felt an explosion. I listened into the Jedi's conversation. Apparently, a rescue force has arrived. Though I wonder how many droids the rescue team is bringing because they might need thousands upon thousands to rescue us.

I eavesdropped on the conversation a little bit longer. So far, Super Battle Droids have breached and taken control of the hangar. They are making their way to the detention centre. This is not good. The droids will never make it...unless they're only a diversion. If the droids are a diversion, then who is sacrificing them? Better stop thinking about this before the Jedi catch on. "Commander, I'll need your assistance" "Let's go." I saw Master Unduli look at the padawan "You will stay here with Captain Argyus." Wait Argyus...where have I heard that name before 24...3...6...7...21. I snapped out of those number sequence and looked at the padawan bowing her head in submission "As you wish master."

I leaned against the energy shields listening to the outside "It appears you are in no position to negotiate after all, padawan." That was definitely Gunray, always bragging whenever he has a chance. "Perhaps after my rescue" Then a new voice joined in "Rescue? Maybe they're here to make sure you won't talk." I looked outside and saw the padawan. I decided to call her over to talk. "What's your name." She turned around looking at me confused "What?" I hate it when people don't listen the first time. "What is your name?" "I am General Skywalker's padawan, Ahsoka Tano." She said it like if I should know. "One question...who is Skywalker?" She turned around flabbergasted "How do you not know who General Skywalker is." I shrugged my shoulders. She sighed "You know what, forget it, you're probably making fun of me." Now this time I'm insulted. If a Jedi knows who I am and what my past is then wouldn't she tell her padawan. Wait, she isn't master Luminara's padawan, and she probably doesn't know my past. But if the master knows what my past is then...did they plan on arresting us. Wait no, now you're making accusation without proof. I sighed quite loudly as I sat back on the chair of my cell.

I decided to listen to the quiet air around me until a com went off. "All droids destroyed." "Sounds like your rescue didn't work out after all." Nute Gunray sighed "I am ready to discuss our bargain again." She turns around to face me. "What about you. Are you ready to talk." I replied back as honestly as I can "Its going to take more than a failed rescue attempt to get me talking." She looked slightly upset about it but still showed an aura of confidence. Suddenly, I saw a Senate Commando approach the padawan "Padawan Tano, may I have a word?" So that's her last name. She replies "Certainly, Captain."

Then she looks at us and taunts "If I leave, you won't go anywhere, will you?" Nute Gunray and I said "Oh Ha ha." Interesting, looks like Gunray and I have something in common...our hatred for people that taunt. Anyways, I listened into their conversation. The commando said "I've got the all-clear. The enemy has been repelled." Strange, I swear I heard that voice before...11...22...63. Padawan Tano replied And their attempt to free Gunray has failed?" Suddenly, I heard the sounds of light sabers cutting through metal, metal being thrown, and heads getting knocked about. "If it isn't the hairless harpy." I swear this padawan is getting on my nerves. "If it isn't Skywalker's filthy, obnoxious little pet."

Okay, whoever that was, I do not like her. The padawan replied "Oh how nice of you. I'll tell you what. I'll give you a merciful death." Okay, this padawan is scaring me. I thought the Jedi were to control their emotions and show no hatred. But from what I'm hearing, there is a lot of hatred being showed. How far has the Jedi fallen? "Shoot her!" Instantly, I heard blaster fire, and in between the shots I distinctly heard our rescuer say "Skywalker's not here to rescue you." "Good thing I don't need saving!" This padawan is arrogant. Something I hate. Arrogance. I looked over to Gunray and he literally shouted "Over here. Open my door as well as the one on the other side and I'll buy you a planet." I couldn't help myself but laugh. Unfortunately, my laughs sounds like a diabolical and insane laugh. It scared myself on several occasions. Instantly, I saw the padawan pushed back into the cell that was opened during my laughing fit and Gunray shut it closed. Okay, I better stop distracting myself. Gunray looked back at the padawan."Yes, yes such delicious irony!" I decided to speak up "Hate to break up your fun but can you please open up this cell as well." Gunray looked back at me "Of course, assassin."

The laser doors shut off and I walked out. I turned to the left and I saw the assassin. She has gray skin, a sharp face. She's bald and well... beautiful. I was awestruck at her stunning beauty. She is wearing a blue...dress? I have no idea what those are called...I never seen anything like it. Wait stop! Stop! What am I doing! I have a girlfriend. Prison must be messing with my mind now. I shook myself out and stuck out my hand. "My name is General Mason Rommel. Thank you for rescuing the Viceroy and myself. May I ask what your name is?" Apparently, the assassin was a bit surprised. I looked into the cell and I saw the padawan looked shocked. I looked at the assassin and she purred "Now that you said it so politely, I am." Suddenly, I turned and saw Jedi Master Luminara charging with her lightsaber "Halt assassin!" I looked around for a blaster while the assassin prepares for the oncoming attack.

I suddenly, heard the cell door open. I yelled "Look out behind you!" She instantly blocks the blow forum behind. Confident in her ability, I continuously try to find a blaster to no avail. I turned around and I saw the assassin holding off the Jedi. I then heard the elevator open. Those must be the clone reinforcements. "Surrender." She then slowly put her hands up. I was about to as well when I saw her wrist. There was a red light beeping. I instantly dropped to the ground hands on my head. The Jedi turned to see what I was doing, but it was too late. The entire ship rocked. I was okay for the most part. As soon as the ship stabilized, I saw it as my chance to run. I instantly ran over to Gunray, hauled him over my shoulder and ran, only to be tripped by three bodies. Well, this is the end. I don't know if I could escape now. I guess I am forced to give in to senator Amidala's advice.

Ahsoka Tano POV

I attempted to follow Ventress, but master Unduli stopped me from following her and ordered me to guard the prisoners. I tried to tell her how dangerous she was but master Unduli told me she would handle this. So now I'm stuck with a lying Neimoidian and a depressed seppy general.

"Luminara Unduli may be a Jedi master, but she has no idea what that bog witch is capable of...I can't let her face that lowlife alone!" I continue ranting "Wouldn't we have a better chance of stopping her if I helped?" I turned to Captain Argyus for his opinion. He replied "Sometimes being a good soldier means doing what you think is right...that's why we're superior to droids." "I completely disagree." I turned to see the seppy standing up and approach the cell lasers. "Battle Droids are just stupid in general...it doesn't take a lot of creativity to take down a platoon, maybe even a division." I rolled my eyes and turned to face commander Gree. "I can't just disobey a direct order and leave my post,...can I ." Commander Gree turns towards me "I wouldn't." Then I heard that sleemo talk "All I know, I wouldn't risk my skin if I don't have to." I turned towards him "What?"! I look at the general, who has his hand covering his face.

I shook my head, feeling sorry for the general. I decided to leave to help Master Unduli with Ventress. Let's hope I am not too late.