(a/n: Hello! Time to start off the New Year with a new chapter! Enjoy!)
Ch.1: Arrival on Lothal
Lola Sayu, 12 years ago…
"Lets try this again, shall we?" said Commandant Zant sweetly.
Barris Offee stared up at the blond haired man in the grey uniform blankly, trying her best not to flinch or move involuntarily. The perfectly dressed officer paced around in front of her slowly with his hands behind his back.
"You're barely eating, you're barely sleeping" said the officer, reciting from a small, invisible list that he's kept ever since she arrived "You've hardly even attempted an escape lately"
"It's pointless" rasped Barris, her throat was raw and dry "You're going to kill me any way".
It had been a few weeks since she arrived in the Citadel and already life seemed to grow even bleaker by the day. On her first day, she was introduced to her rather tiny, lonesome cell that was furnished with only a cold, metal bench for a bed and some lighting that came from the ceiling.
The food wasn't terrible but Barris was wary of eating, fearing that the imperials would slip something into her food or drink.
The former Jedi had also made several attempts to escape but failed horribly. However, Barris found it strange that she received more injuries and bruises from the escape attempt than from her captors. They did inflict some physical punishment but they merely scolded her and withheld a portion of her food.
"Kill you?" said the commandant in surprise "We don't want to kill you. Far from it, we want to help you" Barris rolled her eyes.
The commandant held up a hand "Please, allow me to explain"
"Explain? Explain what?" said Barris angrily "That you murdered all the Jedi in the galaxy, you brought tyranny and fear into the hearts of all people and have hunted me relentlessly for the last year or so".
The commandant frowned at the young mirialan woman and shook his head "You are sadly mistaken. We are not the villains, we're the heroes here"
Barris rolled her eyes again. The commandant continued "You see, we know who you are and that you had taken part in the Clone Wars-"
"Don't remind me" muttered the former Jedi bitterly
"-and were expelled from the Jedi Order due to your actions. The murder of all those civilians and your fellow Jedi" continued the commandant.
The former Jedi went rigid, feeling guilt gnaw on her insides like a disease. The faces of those that were killed appeared before her briefly but she shook her head. Barris looked up at the pacing officer and grunted "Your point?"
Zant stopped and turned to the former Jedi "My point is that you have a shot at redemption. The galaxy needs you".
The mirialan frowned in confusion and stared at the officer. The galaxy needed her? What did that even mean?
"The galaxy needs me?" repeated Barris slowly "what are you talking about?"
The commandant smiled a little and he said simply "The galaxy is in dire need of someone like you, The Empire is a powerful force for law and order and we can really use a woman of your skill set and ideals".
The former Jedi only frowned at the officer and chewed on his words. After a minute of silence, Barris let out a small humorless laugh.
"You're insane" said Barris "You think I'll help you monsters hunt down my fellow Jedi? Think again"
"But you're not a Jedi" said the commandant, reminding her of the obvious "You haven't been for several years. Not since your disgraceful trial, then the subsequent banishment then the escape during prison transfer, which only tarnished your name even further".
Barris clenched her fist angrily. She did her best to conceal her anger but the imperial officer could see it clearly. He pushed a little further.
"Its such a shame" said Zant "You really made a powerful statement when you attacked the Jedi Order. Yes some good people were lost but many had taken notice and had wanted a swift end to the war. Which helped sway public sentiment to help build the empire and its current policies".
Zant sighed and turned his back to Barris "The Emperor and Lord Vader believe that you can be of great help keeping the peace"
"I will never serve them!" spat Barris.
The commandant shrugged "Whatever you say. It's just that you could do a lot more good out there than in here. You can show the galaxy what the Jedi Order should've been. With the guidance of the Emperor and Lord Vader, you can start everything over. New life, a new Jedi Order to enforce the new, fragile peace of the galaxy. Sounds good don't it?"
Barriss said nothing. She sat there in silence and tried to think of something to say but the words didn't come. Either it was the logic or the lack of sleep and food, it all made sense to the former Jedi.
After a long moment of silence, the officer finally said, "I'll let you consider my offer. In the meantime, please…eat. It would be a shame for you to die of starvation".
He turned on his heel and marched out of the cell, leaving a confused Barris alone with her thoughts and the imperial officer's offer.
Now…
The transport rumbled as it entered the planet's atmosphere. The mirialan Inquisitor straightened the creases out of her robe and clasped her hands together and let them rest in her lap.
At a glance, one would deduce that she was nervous. But truthfully, she was excited.
She was excited to be back in imperial territory, back to civilization.
Granted she has to hunt down a bunch of rebels among some backwater systems but even the Outer Rim territories were civilized in her eyes. What she faced out in the Unknown Regions was savage and monstrous and had excited her but it felt so good to be back within normal space once more/
Especially now that, after all these years, Ahsoka Tano has emerged from hiding.
Barris, didn't hold grudges, but she had a piece of her mind and years of bottled up rage to give to her former friend.
The inquisitor glanced to her left to the large, figure dressed in similar inquisitor black. He was large, a few years younger than her and wore plain black battle armor and a helmet that covered his head. He had grey skin and mint green eyes that helped complete the surly look on his face.
Although he was larger than her, he wasn't as experienced as she.
As the transport glided to their destination, Barris glanced out a viewport and watched as they sailed over a glittering city and over the outer edge of the base they were arriving at.
Lothal, it's been a long time since she passed through this part of the Outer Rim. A brief image from the past popped into her head but she quickly dismissed it. No time for nostalgia and no time for memories.
It was time to hunt.
A few more minutes passed and the two inquisitors felt the transport touch solid ground with a thump that jostled them a little.
The inquisitor known as Barris Offee, and her companion, known to the public and the Inquisitor Order as Fifth Brother, rose to their feet.
As the ramp slowly opened, Barris inhaled deeply and smiled to herself. It's so good to be back home.
Fifth Brother disembarked the transport first, lumbering down the ramp like an angry beast looking for something to kill.
Barris emerged after him and glanced around to see a rather large turn out of storm troopers, all standing in formation to receive them, along with the local leadership waiting at the bottom of the ramp.
Certainly a warmer welcome than expected but rather unnecessary. Obviously they hoped to appear at full form and hopefully avoid the scornful judgment of Lord Vader's faithful servants.
Unfortunately for them, the two inquisitors were apprised of the situation long before arriving in the system and could practically smell the fear all around them.
From the reports, the local government officials and Agent Kallus had failed repeatedly to capture the rebels or even successfully hinder their growth.
Agent Kallus and the short blond woman, Minister Tua, looked confused seeing the two inquisitors exiting the transport and that confusion turned to fear when they saw Barris. Any inquisitor can cause worry in most but Barris could strike fear in her inferiors due to her rank as the "Prime Inquisitor", or more commonly known as, the First Inquisitor.
The two local officers were confused and afraid but they nonetheless put on their best faces.
"Inquisitors, welcome to Lothal" greeted Minister Tua "It is an honor to have you here on Lothal".
Fifth Brother grunted but Barris placed a hand on his arm and said gently "Brother, be polite". The larger inquisitor went rigid and looked ready to keel over from fear but he managed to bow his head a little as a sign of greeting.
Barris nodded then she turned her attention to Agent Kallus and Minister Tua.
"It is good to be here in Lothal" said the elder inquisitor in a formal tone "however, it's hardly an honor. We are here on behalf of Governor Tarkin, who wishes us to convey his sincerest apologies that he could not make it".
Minister Tua smiled a little "We'll we are grateful that you are here but we are quite surprised"
"So was the governor and myself when we both heard of has been happening on this planet" replied Barris coolly.
Tua's mouth opened and closed wordlessly. She struggled to find words for a moment then stammered "I-if you're referring to the insurgents I-"
"In the absence of Governor Price, you have had only one objective" interrupted Barris, her tone growing sharp "which is to protect the Empire's industrial interests and ensure the safety and security of its citizens through out the Outer Rim".
The blond woman swallowed hard and seemed to shrink under the inquisitor's gaze and sharp tone.
"However, not only have imperial interests suffered but you have also allowed a cell of insurgents to flourish beneath your nose. Am I correct Minister?"
Minister Tua stood there, completely petrified and had nothing to say for herself. She glanced around as if for help but found that nobody met her gaze.
Barris then turned her fury on Kallus "And Agent Kallus, have you stood idly by as these criminals assault our soldiers, destroy our property and hinder our way of life?"
The agent blinked and said without hesitation "I have exhausted every resource that I have at my disposal to capture them. But this group has proven to be…elusive"
"It's said their leader is…a Jedi" added Tua in a soft voice.
A smile appeared on Barris' face. "Ah yes, a Jedi. Figures that seem to leap out from fables and stories" said Barris dryly. She folded her arms across her chest "Tell me, Minister, have ever met a Jedi?"
The blond woman frowned and stammered "Uh, well, no."
The inquisitor continued, "Well I have. I knew them personally as living breathing beings, not stories or fables told to children at night. They were powerful yes but they weren't invincible or incorruptible ." She looked from Tua to Kallus "And do you know what happened to them?"
The two didn't were silent and didn't answer.
Barris answered, "They died…. when the Emperor ascended and when they openly defied his just rule." a small smile appeared on her face "Which is why we are here".
She placed a hand on the Minister's shoulder "We're here to right the wrongs. We're not here to lay blame or point fingers, we are here to ensure that these criminals are brought to justice and are properly dealt with".
Minister Tua seemed to brighten up a little and felt a small bit of anxiety leave her.
Agent Kallus seemed a little more relieved but Barris could sense that he still had some apprehension about something.
The senior inquisitor patted the Minister on the shoulder then turned "Now then, who are these insurgents that seem to be causing quite a stir in the Outer Rim?"
"I'll explain in my office" said Minister Tua, seeming a little more chipper.
Agent Kallus and Minister Tua led the two inquisitors out of the hanger, making their way towards the Minister's office.
As the small group walked down a long corridor, the minister and Kallus took turns describing the insurgents.
Although the two inquisitors were listening intently, Barris' mind seemed to be on other things. She heard the name of this Jedi that is leading the insurgents and it made her recall old memories. That name seemed…familiar.
She shrugged and then glanced sideways to her companion. Fifth Brother gave her a questioning look then nodded towards Tua.
She understood that he was wondering if Tua would be a liability. From first impressions, the senior inquisitor could tell that Tua was a good, honest person that was rather soft and lenient, which is not tolerated at all in the imperial government considering that the general policy that all insurrections and acts of sedition are to be harshly dealt with.
But that doesn't seem to be Minister Tua's style.
Barris nodded then her hand slid to the handle of one of her sabers that hung on her belt, meaning that if the minister had failed, had become too much of a liability or in someway outlived her usefulness, Barris would take care of it.
The larger inquisitor nodded silently and turned his eyes forward.
The two inquisitors were truthfully there to right the wrongs and lay blame. Their job was not only to hunt down these rebels but it was also to root out incompetence and all around negligence.
When they were done, Lothal will be purged of anyone or anything that stood in the way of progress.
Which was a shame in Barris' opinion. Although they had only met a few moments ago, the inquisitor had grown rather fond of Tua.
End of chapter
(a/n: What do you think? So yeah, i borrowed the scene from when Tarkin arrived on Lothal but changed it a little bit. Kind of a short chapter but i hope you like it. Next chapter will come but it'll take time, so please be patient. In the meantime, feel free to check out some of my other stories. Until next time, see ya!)
