Chapter 13: Broken Dreams

Third Person

Mason, Skylar, Obi-wan, Anakin, and Count Dooku have been separated into two different cell. Anakin, Obi-wan, and Dooku in one cell; Skylar and Mason in another. As Obi-wan converses with the others for their plan of escape. Skylar and Mason stare at one another.

Skylar's POV

We looked at each other for what felt like ages. The silence was killing me. I decided to try to convince Mason to return to the Republic. "Mason, I know you must hate the Republic with all your heart, and maybe even the Jedi, but why don't you hate me? I am loyal to the Republic and I am a Jedi." He looks at me saddened "Don't you even recall our time together. All the things I done for you. All the time I chased you around. The dates, the late nights... The promises." He looked down to the floor for a bit before saying "What happened to you, you used to be cheerful, now, you're so cold, distant, and emotionless."

I looked at him sadly. I didn't know what else to say really. We been together for a long time. Now he is accusing me of forgetting all the times we had. I never forgotten though. I still recall my earliest memory of him. I was walking home one day but Mason was following me. I told him to leave me alone or I will call the police. He smiled happily before saying he isn't going to stop following me until I agree to date him. I relented and we went on a date together. After that, we started talking more, going out more, and having fun together. Now here we are, 17 years into the future, fighting against each other.

I decided lower my Jedi training and I said "Mason, I still remember. Believe it or not I still remember you." Unfortunately, I ended up blushing while saying this. "I... I have your... ring...and I want to..." I raised my hand to give the ring back but Mason closed my hands. We looked at each other and Mason smiled softly "Keep it. For me. Please." He picked up the ring and placed it on my ring finger. The ring was absolutely beautiful. The sparkles that the ring gives off is so... so magnificent. But, I can't accept this. I am a Jedi and I can't keep such luxury items. Before I can say something, I saw our torturer arrive once again to drag us out. We were dragged to the same place again. I was put onto an electric binding, in full view of Mason's exposed back. I witnessed the torn up skin bulging out his back like small mountains on a holo map. It was absolutely disturbing. He then hooked up Mason on the machine again.

Oh no. Not again! I calmed myself before saying "Stop, you don't have to do this. I know my troop positions, just leave him alone. He hasn't done anything to you." Suddenly, I was given a backhanded slap across my face. My cheek stung as I moved my face up again towards my torturer. A shocked Mason stared at me with concern before flying into a rage "I swear, once I'm out of these straps, I will kill you with my bare hands." Mason started struggling to free himself from the straps until he was dunked into the electric needles again. His blood curling scream must have been heard throughout the building. In my heart, I felt like it was shattered. My ex boyfriend is undergoing torture and I'm powerless to stop it. He pulls him out to repeat the question "Where are your troop positions." Even after that, Mason refuses to talk. Once again, he put him into the device, releasing another scream. The pirate seemed to have enough before he unhooked Mason and started manhandling him. He started beating him to a pulp as Mason tries to cover up most of his vital areas with his arms and legs.

The pirate looked exhausted, running out of ideas. Suddenly, he started snickering happily. He put Mason on the machine again before saying "Well if you won't talk, them maybe this Jedi will." That immediately got his attention as his eyes bulged out. "No wait please. Let's be reasonable. I'll tell you everything I know plus some plans for future operations. Just don't touch her." he said desperately. The pirate smiled "Sorry chum, you had your chance." He pressed a button and I felt the currents rushing through my body. I heard Mason screaming, begging him to spare me. "STOP! STOP IT! PLEASE, I'LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING! JUST STOP!" I felt the currents die down as I started breathing heavily. I looked towards Mason as he started to shed some tears. Before Mason could speak, the pirate started beating him again and put him through the torture device again. He smiled before saying "Good, now since you'll cooperate, where are the Separatist troop positions." Mason was released and was kneeling before a galaxy chart.

Mason started divulging information to him. He told him all the troop positions. Battalions to Ryloth, divisions to Alderaan, and an attack on Mandalore. The pirate smiled before beating Mason to a pulp. "See, you could of said it in the beginning, but you had to do it the hard way." He then turned towards me "Now for your turn." I prepared for the worst, when I suddenly saw Mason rise from his spot trying to attack the pirate. However, it turned into a very one sided match with the pirate beating him. Before Mason could recover, the pirate pressed the button and the current flew through my body once again. Mason looks at me with absolute horror "NO! Please I'm begging you... stop. What more do you want from me?" The current stopped. I took time to re-catch my breath while I saw Mason kneeling In front of the pirate... Crying. "I think we'll stop it here."

He then blindfolded Mason and then me and we were pushed back into the detention area. I was pushed into the cell with Master Kenobi, Skywalker and Dooku, while Mason was on the other side. I noticed how he instantly curled up into a ball. I think I heard him sobbing saying I'm sorry multiple times.

Master Kenobi looked at me before saying in concern "What happened?" I told him the events that transpired. Master Kenobi, quite frankly, was shocked. Not surprising.

Several Minutes Later

Mason's POV

I finally calmed down after the torture. I suddenly heard the cell doors open and I was once again dragged out. I half expect it to be another torture session considering the fact I lied about the troop positions. Instead I was dragged on to the Cantina where I sat in front of Hondo. He ordered us some drinks before he said "I have heard your screaming as of late. At first, I thought you were trying to escape. But after I heard about the torture... Well, I decided to give you some nice Weequay hospitality." He gave me a cup. I looked down at it.

"Do not worry, it is not filled with drugs I assure you." I decided to sip a little bit. I said "Why?" He looked at me with confusion "Why what?" I elaborated "Why at this time, you decided to be kind?" He looked at me with stern eyes "Because, I do not condone in torture. If my hostage is broken, he is worth less, and I want to maximize my profits." I nodded my head in agreement "Glad you and I can see eye to eye on that one." He replies "Indeed, now tell me... Tell me why you turned your back on the Republic?"

I gritted my teeth once I heard that sentence. I thought for a while before I calmly said "I served with the Republic throughout the Occupation of Kharthakk . I was their loyal soldier. But once I used up my usefulness, the Chancellor threw us away and forced us to work in Kessel." He nodded his head "Ahhhh, so I see that the Republic has betrayed you." I nodded in agreement. "To think that the Jedi would have some honor. But that leaves to another question. Why did you prevent your Jedi friend from getting tortured?"

"I don't want to talk about it." He nodded, smirking a bit. "I can only assume its for love." I didn't say anything. He sighed before saying "I am sorry for what has happened to you. You didn't deserve that. It would have been better off if you were kept nice and clean. Now you have scars all over your back." I looked at him in surprise "Yes well. Those scars came from Republic guards in Kessel. Not here." He ignored me "Yes I know, I know but I can raise the price for you.." We were suddenly interrupted by another pirate. "Captain!"

"Excuse me for a moment. Well Turk, did the Republic arrive with my spice?" The pirate shook his head "The Republic deceived us!" That instantly got me on edge. Hondo noticed it too, but had a look for the pirate to continue on. He said "They didn't send the ransom, they sent an army. They ambushed us on Doshar fields. I suggest we counterattack with tanks." Hondo looked absolutely shocked. He asked "Where are your men?" The guy responded "I was the only survivor. I think they will attack us to try and free the Jedi." I looked at Hondo and he looked absolutely furious. He seethed "I warned them! I didn't want to torture anyone! But now, in a galaxy at war, you hope to find some honar!" Turk looked at Hondo enthusiastically "Let me take our tanks. I'll make them pay!" Hondo instantly gave the order "Go. Stop them before they reach the compound. I will deal with the Jedi."

After he left, I instantly said "Wait, do you mean to torture ALL the Jedi?" He looked at me considering to answer before saying "Yes." I feared as such. But maybe I could bargain with him. "Listen Hondo. I know you're angry with absolute good reason. But I want you to not torture Skylar." He looked at me "Tell me. Why would I do such a thing?" I answered "She was tortured as well. She doesn't deserve torture again." He didn't look convinced so I did the one thing I can do. Beg. I instantly went on my knees saying "Please, I will do anything to keep her safe. Just don't torture her. Her, of all people, do not deserve it." He contemplated before saying "I will do it. But first I want your guarantee." I looked at him hopeful, but at the same time humiliated. "Name it." He said "I want you to make sure that Count Dooku doesn't attack us." I replied "I can hold him off for a few days but then it's impossible...unless." He looked at me "Unless what?"

I leaned in close before saying "I am going to be an intelligence officer thus I need info on everything happening in the galaxy." He smiled "Oh so you need me, HONDO, to give you information." I smiled back "Exactly. I promise I can pay well... in spice." He said excitingly "Deal." And we shook on it. I hope this would be enough to satisfy him. I then took a long chug of my drink in satisfaction.