Chapter 12: Captured for another time!

Palpatine's POV

I waited until the Jedi left before I let my face frown. Mason Rommel...now where have I heard that name before. I immediately head towards my secret files that carried some lawsuits and trials. I must of went over 50 trials before I got the report I wanted. It said 225 members of the Coruscant volunteers are to be sent to Kessel for crimes against the Republic. Crimes include of disloyalty towards the Republic, sedition against the Republic, theft, and plans to assassinate the chancellor. I kept reading and it also said that I authorized their capture once the ship landed.

NOW I REMEMBER! Those men were part of my contingency plan, if the Separatist were losing the war greatly or the Confederacy crumbled before it even began. To ensure the plan's success I used a brainwashing code of random numbers as well as force the people to work in the mines. That way, the inmates would feel hatred towards the Republic. They would rebel and gain strength causing a civil war. Those numbers would also reinforce their hatred by giving the inmates nightmares of torture from the Relublic. After several months of testing, an unfortunate prison break happened. Most of the prisoners in Kessel were killed and those that escaped were found and executed. However, when that happened, the Separatist Movement was already in effect. Now I have a new problem in the face of Mason Rommel. He not only escaped successfully, but he also proved to be an overpowering force of vengeance.

I began thinking of ways to kill him, such as having Dooku assassinate him, or maybe have Rommel have an "accidental" death. Suddenly, I realized something to get me more power. If I were to have the use of Rommel's reputation of quick invasions followed along with General Grievous' brutal conquering... I can use the fear of the Republic to not only ask for more power but also go for a propaganda campaign to gather more support for the war. This might still work in my favor, I just need to play my cards right.

Skylar's POV

Master Kenobi, Skywalker, and I are heading to Florrum under orders from the Jedi High Council. According to them, both Mason and Dooku, were captured by pirates. We headed towards the grey dome. Anakin stopped his ship and landed. We arrived on Florrum unarmed and we were met by a hotly crew of pirates with blasters. We were guided inside the dome. We eventually met a man with clothes from the wroonian nobility, square goggles, as well as a Desevrar infantry helmet. He has his legs up on the table, waiting for us. "Gentlemen and lady. Can I offer you something to drink?" I replied "No thank you." Master Kenobi said "Congratulations on your capture of Count Dooku. Very impressive."

The pirate leader sat up and said "Eh, even a Sith Lord is no match for my warriors." I looked around and saw his "warriors." Most of them were drunk. Now I honestly wonder how he captured Dooku. He started talking about his experience in capturing Dooku. Then, I asked him how he captured Mason. "How did you captured the general?" He sat back down solemnly before saying "Why it was simple! We all shot stun rounds at the general the moment we surrounded them. I may be a pirate but you don't survive the outer rim by being stupid!" I could only nodded my head as I pictured Mason's body get bombarded by stun rounds.

I asked him "Where are you keeping Mason?" I desperately needed to talk with Mason. The pirate answered "He is in the prison cell in the left wing. Why? Wait, I know the answer!" I raised my eyebrows before looking at both Master Kenobi and Skywalker. They too look just as confused as I am. "You are in love with the general!" "What!" I gaped in shock, head slightly tilted. "Yes, yes. Tell you what, I am a reasonable business man so I understand where love comes in. I know this one place..." I interrupted him "What gave you the idea I love him?"! The pirate held out his palm before opening it revealing a small black box with a ring inside it. He smiled "I found this in his pocket when we knocked the general unconscious."

I tried to form words but it didn't come out. I looked at Master Kenobi for help. Master Kenobi nodded in understanding before saying "Hondo, is it, you must understand that the Jedi prohibits attachments of any kind." Hondo waved us off before saying to me "How about this, I feel very generous today. I will give you the diamond and you head to your General." His face grinning in amusement. I gritted my teeth before accepting the diamond.

A few minutes of searching later

I finally found Mason's cell and entered, ring in my fist. I had a lot to contemplate. I know that Mason and I had been through a lot together. He protected me when I was getting bullied. He shown me many things in his hometown. We went on dates together, movies together. We always joked that we were unstoppable as long as we were together. Now, he is an enemy of the Republic. Fighting against his own home. Fighting for the sith. Does he even know it? Is he taking revenge on the Jedi? And why does he refuse to hurt me? I'm his enemy. Does this mean he still loves me?

I don't know. I know he cares for me but I can't break the Jedi code. If I do, I would turn to the darkside and I would cause more suffering. I must talk with Master Aayla about this. Maybe I could try meditating later. I wish this could be simpler. For now, I got to talk with Mason, and when we get back to Coruscant, I can help restore your faith in the Republic. In your home. You can finally stop fighting and this time I will be the one protecting you.

When I entered the cell, I saw a bruised and battered Mason in chains. He's sleeping, though a little...troubled. What is he dreaming? I rushed over to Mason to see if he is damaged even further than the bruising. Thank the force, it was nothing severe as internal bleeding. However, I felt something weird on his back. I slowly took off his shirt and jumped back in shock. There were distinct scars made from whipping on his back. I checked his right forearm and it read 4859. By the force, what happened to you?

Mason's POV

Flashback: Nine months earlier

"Put your backs to it!" WHIP.

I, along with other soldiers, marched towards the mines. We were the first to arrive. We were given a pickaxe and a flashlight. Our overseer has an electro whip. I realized that along with others that this was going to be a long day. We would dig and dig for hours without end. Some of the privates in my volunteer group demanded we were given a rest. I thought they were going to get whipped. Unfortunately, it was much worse. The overseer forced us together and at an instance, whipped one of the privates. I tried to intervene to protect the boy. As I tried to push through the crowd, I was spotted by another guard. He carried a small blaster pistol with him and he aimed for my legs. I tried to bulldoze the crowd to get to the private. Suddenly, I heard a shot ring out. I felt a searing pain shot up my leg as I fall to the ground. I tried to stand up but I was suddenly kicked back down.

I looked at my assaulter, and it was the overseer, flanked by two other guards. He said in his husky voice of his " So YOU are the one trying to rally up the men against me." I stared at him angrily. Not saying a word. I was then picked up by the guards and dragged out of the mines. There stands a pole with locks on the top. I thought to myself in horror. 'They are trying to set an example'! I was kicked from behind my knee cap that forced me to kneel. My hands were already attached.

I raised my head to see the crowd of shocked prisoners. I scanned the crowd for anyone I know. But I saw none. "Attention all prisoners. This is what happens if you resist. Let this be a lesson to you." I suddenly felt a short electric shock combined with my skin ripping apart. I tried to tense my muscles for every hit but it felt more painful. I tried clinching my teeth as I was getting hit. But I always release a large bloodcurdling scream making many inmates cringe.

Suddenly, it all stopped. I looked up and saw the shackles release. I attempted to stand but I was punched down once again. I stayed down and closed my eyes hoping they would leave me. I felt myself getting raised above the ground, as if an invisible hand had pulled me. I opened them again and came face to face with an angry Besalisk Jedi. "So YOU are the one that caused so much trouble." I didn't answer, too tired to speak. "I knew you would be a trouble maker. I knew you would try to cause a revolt. Thus, I will show you how we handle people like you." He suddenly ignited his lightsaber and brought it close to my face. I started breathing heavily, trying to get away from the blade.

He used his other arms to squeeze my head in position. My entire left cheek started burning as the lightsaber starts slicing my cheek. I couldn't help but release another blood curling scream as I felt that my entire left cheek being burnt away. It continued for 5 minutes before I was thrown away like a piece of trash. "You two pick him up. Get him out of my sight." Then I blacked out. I woke up a bit later in the infirmary. I looked around to see if anyone else was here. What surprised me was the presence of Kerta and the private I saved. They immediately noticed me and huddled me from view.

The first to speak was the private "Are you okay?" I replied "What happened?" Kerta answered "From what I heard, you tried to save your private from getting hurt. That was a brave thing to do. I never would've expected an Tsad Droten alor'ad stand up for his men." I looked at her quizzically "Tsad Droten alor'ad?" She answered "Republic Captain." I nodded sitting up "How long was I out?" The private spoke out "About a few hours, sir." He saluted me so I returned his salute. He continued "Sir, thank you for taking the punishment away from us. I never would've expected anyone to help us. You see, we were just so fed up, we just cracked and." I interrupted him "No need to thank me private, just doing my duty to protect you guys. Though, I want to know your name." He nodded " I am private Joseph Bowman, Corellian Bad Company."

The Corellian Bad Company were known for taking the most suicidal missions and actually accomplishing them. From what I hear, many of the soldiers there were scoundrels and smugglers out from prison and sent to fight on the government's behalf. Personally, I don't like Bad Company for their lack of discipline, that and some are criminals, but from what experience told me is that these guys know how to get the job done. I nodded " Captain Mason Rommel, Coruscant Volunteers."

Once, he left and I got something to eat, even though it wasn't much. Kerta asked me "You know Captain. We Mandalorians fight as a clan. A family. It would be understandable for you to protect someone from your family. Yet, you went out of your way to save a complete stranger from punishment. Why?" I thought about her question for a while. I wonder myself why I do it. I answered "If I don't do it, then who will? My job as a captain is to protect my men. If I fail to protect one man from trouble when I can, then I don't deserve to be a captain. I would forever brand myself a coward." She nodded her head. "Do you have a family captain?" "No, I planned to marry this one girl at home but... Forget it. Let's get to work." She stopped me "So, you don't have a family, your home has imprisoned you, and you still do what you believe in. Why?"

"I was raised by my father who always said that honor comes from principle. Create your own principles to live by, and do them. If you see injustice, then you fight against it. Honour always comes from your heart. If you don't follow your heart, your principles. Then your life means nothing." Kerta smiled "Are you certain you aren't Mandalorian?" I laughed "Not that I know of." Kerta then lightly punched my shoulder "C'mon, we must plan an escape." I nodded in agreement, I can't allow the Republic to continue this injustice any longer. The Republic must pay for what they done to us.

Present day

Mason's POV

I slowly opened my eyes expecting to be in my cell, alone. Apparently, I am not alone. My new prison mates are Count Dooku, two other Jedi, and Skylar. Wait... Prison mates? When was I moved? I sat up and took time to examine the Jedi. One is wearing a tanish robe with a brown beard. The second is wearing a blue and red robe. He was younger then the first one, scar on his right eye, brown hair. "Hello there General. I am Master Obi-Wan Kenobi of the Jedi Council, this is Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, and this is Jedi Knight." I finished his sentence "Skylar Noble. Yes, we met"

"Yes of course. Now we have a few questions for you." Then I heard the Count say calmly "Say anything and die." I ignored him and said "Go ahead." He said "What happened to the Coruscant Volunteers." I looked at him in shock. Out of all the questions he could ask, he asked that. That doesn't make any sense. I told him "Go ask the Chancellor, I am sure he has some answers for you." Kenobi looked doubtful of me before continuing "What prison were you held in?" I answered "Vorkuta, Kessel." That got an immediate shock on all the Jedi. Kenobi then said "I see, what did you do?" I said "I don't know."

Then I heard Anakin blurt out "Why did you betray the Republic." I responded "Why did they betray me?" Kenobi and Skywalker looked shock. Before they had a chance to speak, I said "Did you know that a Sith Lord is controlling this war. He manipulated the entire galaxy to his bidding. Now he is in the Republic itself. Hundreds of senators are following him, yet you Jedi still don't see it." Now everyone looked shocked, even the Count. Skylar was the first to snap out of her stupor and said "How do you know that?" I responded "Figure it out. We have bigger problems to deal with."

As we discussed plans of escape, a guard opened a door and dragged me and Skylar out. We were unfortunately blindfolded. When we someone took away the blindfolds. I was immediately beaten and stripped of my shirt revealing the grotesque scars on my back. I was then pushed into a torture device. One of them leaned onto my ear and said "Now here is how this is going to work. You will tell us any information about Separatist troop movement and we promise we won't hurt you." I heard many of them snicker at the word of hurt, so I kept my silence. "Not talking are ya, well we'll just have to change that." My face was instantly pushed into the device and I felt my skin get pierced by needles while an electric current pass through. I ended up screaming. I suddenly remembered Vorkuta. I remembered every time the guards would shock me. Some of them for saving other prisoners, other times just for fun. Every time, it was excruciatingly painful. Suddenly, just as how fast I went in, they pulled me out.

"That will teach you. Now, tell me the troop positions." I remembered a small method that helped me control my senses. In Vorkuta, every time I was shocked, I started throwing up. Kerta, like any good friend taught me a little trick. She told me to inhale for four seconds, and then exhale for four seconds. At first it didn't work, but as time moved on, it became effective. Suddenly, my face was put into the machine once again, releasing another blood curdling scream. I was brought back out, and I started doing the breathing exercises. Inhale four seconds, exhale four seconds. I suddenly heard Skylar start yelling "Stop it! I'll tell you the Republic troop positions. Just let him go." My torturer said "You'll get your turn soon enough. Just wait doll."

That got me into a rage as I screamed "Touch her and you die!" Just as I finished the sentence, I was slapped. Skylar then said calmly "You will release us immediately." The other pirates said "We will release you immediately." She continued "I think I want to get myself a drink." They parroted her, laughingly "I think I want to get myself a drink." As I noticed the pirates leave, I instantly saw Skylar undoing the restraints. "C'mon. Let's get out of here." I tried to stand up but I instantly fell forward. Just when I thought I will hit the ground, Skylar grabbed hold of me. "Here let me help." In her hand was my shirt. I immediately dressed myself and used Skylar as a crutch, much to my distaste. I tried to drag myself but she insisted. I relented because there is no time.

We staggered through the corridors, always on a lookout for other pirates. She told me that we got to free the others. When we reached our cell, they were all gone. "Looks like they escaped without us." I suddenly got hit in the back of the head hard, I hit the floor and I was then electrocuted in the back. The last thing I saw was Skylar getting electrocuted before blacking out.