This story will be more and more centered around Ahsoka was we go. Now, I know not many people read this but to those that do, please leave me some honest criticism.
She tried not take it personal. This was merrily the second round in their duel. Ahsoka had won the first one. Now it was on her to not lose.
She knew the drill. This wasn't the first time someone tortured her and judging by her track record it wouldn't be the last time either. That didn't help her much though.
Every time she nipped off they let her dance with the lighting. In other words did their best to make every waking as unpleasant as possible while making sure she didn't catch any sleep.
The drug cocktail she had received caused havoc with her body. Every muscle in her body seemed to be cramping at once. She was sweating hard and had a bad migraine.
Ahsoka had no illusions that things would get better. Her physical and mental exhaustion would soften her resistance. There was also no supervisor there and that meant that the people 'attending' to her were getting bolder by the minute.
A new waves of cramps hit Ahsoka's exhausted body. "If your ready to talk than this will all be over," Ahsoka tried to once again reach for her force abilities but couldn't. Perhaps there was some drug in her system made if impossible for her to use her abilities.
Suddenly she had a idea. There was no way she could escape by her own strength. Even if they freed her from her confinement and let her leave.
She doubted she'd make it to the lobby with out collapsing. But perhaps she could reach someone who in the past had helped her out.
Ahsoka closed her eyes and forced herself to calm down and was rewarded with another round of lighting. When the pain and screaming stopped Ahsoka was left gasping for breath, her entire body aching. "I wasn't trying to sleep you idiots," she growled tasting blood in her mouth.
When she calmed down somewhat she called out with her mind to the one person who might be not only be willing to help her but perhaps also be able to. She put all her fear, pain, and desperation into the call.
Max
At about three in the morning Max jerked awake. All drowsiness fell off him and less than a second later he was on his feet, a light saber hilt clutched in his hand. Something was off.
His gaze swept the dark bedroom. To a human it would have been to dark to see but alas, he was as much human as Yela was. Still, he grew up as human Jedi and usually self identified as one.
Then he heard the voice calling out in his mind. It was faint as if it came from far away and he could hear the pain and feer.
"Max!" He knew who that had to be. Maxwell sat down on the edge of his bed and closed his eyes.
"Ahsoka?" he sent back.
He felt a pang of relief coming from the other side."Good to hear your voice or thoughts. I may have gotten myself in a little trouble and wanted to ask for your help."
Max hesited, "I'm perfectly aware of your situation Ahsoka and while I wish the situation was different my hands are tied. You did break in and that puts me in a no win situation and the cost of getting you out is still to high. I'm sorry but you brought this on yourself. If things get out of hand I will intervene. Until then you are one your own."
"Okay, sorry for asking," Ahsoka replied.
Max groaned.
"I assume my brother wants to know why you broke in. Just tell him that what he wants to know. After that I'm sure I could convince him to hand you over to me. You'd still be a prisoner but..." He trailed off.
This time Ahsoka was silent for a moment. "You know I can't do that. Call it stubbornness if you want to. Don't feel bad about this. I know you worry. You really need to work on your bed side manners though. We'll talk about that when I'm free again."
Max was just about to reply when he felt Ahsoka loose consciousness. He sighed and rubbed his temples. What did Ahsoka expect. That he went into Castle Bay light-sabers blazing? He wasn't some knight in shining armor. Max hoped that Ahsoka knew that if just some other person were in her position he Max would barely spare the matter a second thought.
As a Commander Max had sent friends to their deaths knowing that they wouldn't return alive to achieve victory. If necessary he would even do the same with Ahsoka. However he cared for Ahsoka which would make the decision a hard one. Of course he had made harder ones in the past. In the past he had sacrificed entire star ships with their crews in war.
It was the first thing Max had learned as a commander. It was difference between spending the lives of those under his command to achieve and victory and wasting them.
Fighting his conflicting emotions Max got to his feet pulled on some cloths. This was a matter that need to resolved in the name of sanity. He needed to talk to someone objective seeing as he had only little experience with those kind problems and throughout his entire life there was one person he turned to when he was out of his area of expertise.
He headed straight to his office and called the military communications center. The image of a young male operator appeared. He looked tired, over worked and was holding a cup of tea. "This is private Leo Selos from Fort Midlife-crisis. Who may I connect you to."
Max turned on his recorders on. "This is Lord of Admirals Maxwell Bay. Service number 3479332. Priority code alpha."
The young private sat up straight and quickly put away his cup. "Sorry my Lord or Admiral. Wasn't expecting anyone tonight."
"Quite alright Private. I'll let you get back to your Tea momentarily. Patch me through to the main communication array and open a encrypted channel to Kamino. The call is for Jedi Master Shaak Ti. Add a urgency marker to the call." He added.
The guy hesitated for a second or two. This was probably the highest level call he ever made. "Okay sir. I established a connection. Servers exchanged hand shake protocols... Now it's on Master Shaak Ti to answer. "
Maxwell inclined his head. "I understand Soldier."
After a few seconds the image of his former mentor replaced that of the young private. "Greetings master." He addressed her in Shaak Ti's native language. In private they usually spoke the Togruta language.
The Jedi Master folded her hands. "Greetings Lord of Admirals." Her voice was unusually formal and she replied in Basic.
Max sighed and mentally scolded himself for not seeing it. "Don't worry. This isn't that kind of call." Max assured her also in Basic. "I am facing a predicament and require your advice on a personal matter."
Shaak Ti relaxed slightly. "Your very subtle response to the incursion of two Jedi and a Republic soldier on board your ship has been taken note of and the council does not view you as hostile to the Order. I will do my best to assist you."
Max explained his dilemma to his former Master who listened patiently. She took the news of Ahsoka Tano and Lux Bontary's situation with tranquility.
"So, what do you want from me? We both know that you can't help Ahsoka if you play by the rules."
Max folded his hands behind his back. "I've come to that same conclusion. I guess I'm at a loss. Either I do nothing and Ahsoka's suffering will be prolonged or I intervene which would have severe consequences and I'd likely have to leave Alderaan."
Shaak Ti looked thoughtful for a moment. "You know, the one thing I never needed to teach you was to remember your duty. Other Padawans started secret relationships or sneaked out and went to parties. You never followed your personal desires and always put the Order first up until the moment you left. We even had to encourage you to spend time with Yela."
Max couldn't make sense of this non answer so frased his question more directly. "I guess what I'm asking is what the right choice is?"
Shaak Ti pursed her lips. "What I'm getting at is that we both know you are capable of making the hard decisions when what you want and what has to be done are in conflict with each other. What you need to understand is that this isn't that kind of situation. If you want to take the moral approach than I suggest you ask yourself who needs you more. Forgive me but I have to end this call. It was nice to talk to you again. Until the next time old friend."
"Farewell and thank you. May the Force be with you. Maxwell Bay out." Max cut the connection and stared of into the distance.
Who needed him more? The answer was obvious. Ahsoka did. Alexander was the king of Alderaan and was doing well enough with out him. Most importantly he wasn't in any danger. Ahsoka on the other hand was being tortured under his orders.
Max sighed feeling exhausted. There weren't any wise choices. Only wrong ones. Of course Max knew where he stood. While Ahsoka had gotten herself in trouble she had turned from the perpetrator to the victim.
Max took notice of the change in his mood. He had a mission and now the warrior in him took over. The Admiral decided he would leave for Aldera at dawn. Of course that would extend Ahsoka's suffering but in Maxwell's experience acting in haste rarity worked out well.
Luckily Yela had left right after dinner. That made it easier to maintain the element of surprise.
Yela
The Queen of Alderaan stormed through the palace. Boss had briefed her on the prisoners status when she arrived and now the commando was doing his best to slow her down with limited success. Yela knew where the former Padawan was and there was no stopping her.
For one she had a problem with torture. Of course she tolerated it and used enhanced interrogation when necessary but Lux had already talked. There was no reason to harm Ahsoka. Yela also knew that if Ahsoka faced too heavy abuse Max would put a stop to it, no matter what he said earlier today.
In her opinion Alex underestimated how close Ahsoka and Max were. She had seen the way they interacted when Max let her free.
Yela simply ignored the security check points. No one seemed to be eager to stop the armed and pregnant queen of Alderaan. One of the men on guard hastily opened the final door to the room Ahsoka was being kept it. Something cold settled in the pit of her stomach as she made a quick damage assessment.
Ahsoka's body was covered in sweat and she was shaking. Perhaps from hypothermia, perhaps from pain. Maybe both. Blood was running from Ahsoka's nose and the corner of her eyes and seemed to be in a semi conscious state. "What is the meaning of this?"
She crossed her arms, her eyes sparkling dangerously. "The king ordered us to wear her down." One of the interrogators informed her.
"Did he now." Yela growled and considered her options. She couldn't counter the kings orders and everything else that she could do now would cause a lot more problems than it solved.
"I will have words with my husband." Yela spun around and briskly walked to the royal living quarters.
Lengendary &Winter Wolf over and out.