IE XVII: AN ANSWER, A PRICE

Eva hits the concrete floor of the cell, her body aching as the impact forces the oxygen from her lungs. The heavy pounds of boots shiver the floor as two, cold hands grasp her arms and lift her from the floor. Her feet slide over the floor until she is thrown on a metal chair. Eva groans with pain, her head throbbing with a burning headache. Gasping, she blows a strand of hair from her face and glances with frantic eyes around. Eva notices she's been put in a claustrophobic cubicle with bare walls, a single fluorescent overhead, and a metal table between her and the door, filled with dents and scrapes.

The light overhead burns in her eyes as Eva tries to keep herself sane. Calm. Calm. Calm. Even then, her nerves are scorching her alive, refusing to cool down. She glances down at her hands. Streaks of blood drip down from her wrists as her cuffs bite into her skin like Lurcas. It feels like a thousand shards piercing through her flesh, the pain rushing in at her in waves. Each wave makes her lungs shudder as she can barely hold back the tears. Okay. Deep breaths, Eva, deep breaths. I can take this.

Her eyes dart to the lone Rebel guard standing outside the cubicle. She's come here to exchange the Artefact with the life of Eline. When will she get to see her? Why haven't they brought her to her sister already? Do they need more from her? Eva can't be sure.

Seemingly knowing she's watching, the guard turns around for a brief moment, glancing at her. In his eyes, Eva notices something. She notices a subtle hint of fear flickering in the corner of his eyes, afraid of something. Can it be her? Is he afraid of her? No. It cannot be. Eva knows she's done some real stuff against them, but did she really scare some Rebels off so much that she can see it in their eyes? That doesn't add up. And he is not the only one with those eyes.

As she was pulled by her wrists through the ever stretching corridors of their hide-out, Eva slid past many Rebel soldiers and officers. What they all shared was the fear flickering in the corners of their eyes. They all had it, but it wasn't because of her, because why would they? Why would they be scared of her?

Eva cannot think of any answer. However, she is certain that something, a spirit of doubt or a higher power, is keeping the Rebels on edge. There is something here.

However, that is the least of her concerns. Whatever is holding them afraid, Eva hopes to see Eline. Just her face, her sparkling eyes, a single, gentle word, is enough.

Then, the electricity in the atmosphere shifts. A blizzard rushes into the room as Eva glances at the door and sees the shadow of a Twi'lek entering through the doorway. Her robes sway in an unexistent storm as the alien's eyes are cold, the colours twisting into something dark.

Though Eva can feel an unsettling sense in her stomach, it is overshadowed by the scorching temperature of her blood, starting to boil as she fills with silent rage. Her eyes narrow at the Twi'lek, a demonic hellspawn from the depths of fire that dared to take her sister from her. The lust for vengeance, a feeling long lost to time, rushes back like a tidal wave, unstoppable and merciless.

But through the rage, Eva knows she cannot let it overtake her. She is no longer a soldier in power but a prisoner whose fate is not in her control, but in that of demonic, kidnapping scum.

The Twi'lek tilts her head, her eyes sharp. "So, we meet again, trooper."

Eva keeps her mouth shut. The wounds in her wrist start aching more.

The Twi'lek inhales with seemingly unease. "I suppose we haven't met each other appropriately," and she extends her arm, reaching with an open, inviting hand to her. "Hi, I'm Kishtung Sorren, Padawan of Jedi Master Tilman of the Jedi Order."

A hiss escapes from Eva's mouth, her eyes as sharp as blades as she slowly leans forward with rage combusting inside of her. "You kidnapped my sister," her voice cracks.

Kishtung drops her floating hand as her eyes cast downward with a hint of guilt flickering in her bright-pink eyes. "You may not believe me, but kidnapping your sister was not what I wanted. Unfortunately, it was the only way to get the Artefact back in this world of… complete authoritarian control, omniscient security." The colour in her eyes twist with fear. "Believe me, I would've fought differently if the galaxy hadn't changed so, so abruptly; if everything remained the same as the time of the Republic."

Kishtung leans onto the table heavily, almost shivering from what Eva recognises as fear. Her eyes stare into oblivion, burning two gaps in the metal surface of the table as she seems deep in her thoughts. Then, her glance shimmers and Kishtung shakes her head. "Anyway, I appreciate your bravery and your effort. It's-,"

"Bravery?" Eva spits. "You took her."

Kishtung flinches slightly, but she straightens her back, seemingly regarding Eva with an unnerving calmness, trying to convince herself of her own righteousness. "I know I did. My reasoning being that I had no choice."

"You took her!" Eva screams. She lunged forward, banging with her chest against the table. The jagged restraints dig deeper into her wrists as fresh blood splash on the floor. Her body shivers, barely holding in her fury as Eva's eyes grow sharper than blades. A tear streaks down her chin. "We had a deal. The stone for her life. I kneeled. I sacrificed. But… I am still here-still your prisoner. What more do you want?"

Kishtung's gaze flickers. She pulls back, stepping away from the table and seemingly embracing herself in her arms, tugging on the edges of her robe. Her eyes narrow slightly as she presses her lips tightly. "I know. I know I've crossed lines."

"Lines?" Eva scoffs. "You took my sister. That's more than lines."

Kishtung remains silent, but Eva sees a flicker of pain in the corner of the alien's pupils. Eva leans back, letting her wrists rest from the biting chains. Her chair squeaks with agony.

"You think this is something to say sorry for? To apologise for?" Eva breaks into a brief chuckle, recognising the foul blindness from Kishtung. "No word, no deed will ever make that right. A so-called Jedi, knight of the galaxy. You're not. You're a criminal, a monster! I want my sister back!"

"I know," Kishtung whispers, trying to get between Eva's words. "Stop it-"

"You're no better than scum," Eva growls, gasping as her lungs burn in flames.

Kishtung drops her head, her eyes slowly growing sharper with unease flashing in her twisting, pink eyes, seemingly starting to get possessed by something darker. "Alright," her voice turns hard. "That's enough. I understand."

"For what you've done," Eva barks, "you deserve to burn like all the others of your kind!"

"Enough!" Kishtung lashes out and slams the metal table into the bare wall with invisible force.

A crash erupts as Eva shudders with a combustion of panic. The table breaks into pieces as the light falls down from the ceiling and hangs from a single cable. Swaying around, the flickering light burns in her eyes, focused all on her as Kishtung is shrouded in the dark. Occasionally, the broken light flashes in the alien's face. Her eyes glow like a furious spirit as Eva's hands clench, her nerves electrified.

"You have no idea," Kishtung snarls, "but I sacrificed myself to get hold of what you had, to complete the mission I was assigned to centuries ago with my masters now dead for years. You have no idea what the Artefact is." Her voice grows louder and colder. "I know it's inexcusable. It's a horrible deed, but I did not come here for your forgiveness or anything else that comes out of your brainwashed mind."

Eva gasps, her eyes slowly watering as the swinging light burning into her face turns blurry in the corner of her eye. "Then why am I still here?"

Kishtung crosses her arms. "You're still here because I need information. You know the Empire from within, and I need data on internal security and planetary defense systems."

You need… what?

Eva recoils at her demand, her heart hammering like artillery shells. "What?" She shrugs. "I know nothin about either of those."

"I know you don't," Kishtung responds. "But we have you and so we can use you."

Eva drops her head, her eyes casting down on the floor as the thought of betraying her Empire echoes through her mind. A hint of panic surges through her veins as she knows that, even if she shows a hint of Rebel collaboration, the Imperial Security Bureau would crack down on her. In the hands of the ISB, death would be a blessing, saving her from the most horrible things they are capable of. Torturing her every second she is breathing, every time her heart beats and pumps her ever diluting blood through her veins until she has nothing left. Her lifeless body in the confinement of an ISB facility under the waves of the ocean of some backwater, hidden world flashes before her eyes like lightning. Even if loyalty is not a thing, Eva would never dare.

With a pounding heart, Eva's lips twist with fear and anger. "I'm no traitor," she snarls. "I'd die. I'd kriffin' die before I could ever see my sister. And even if I dared, even with your saber at my throat, I wouldn't tell you anything."

"You think?" Kishtung asks, almost taunting.

Eva scoffs. "Is that even a question?"

But before she can say more, Eva feels an invisible claw catching her throat. Her gasps turn into agonising wheezes as her body is lifted into the air like a lifeless doll. Her lungs empty as her feet no longer touch the floor. Her legs kick against the metal chair and her last contact point with the ground crumbles away as there is nothing to push against but the thick, choking air. Eva tries reaching for her throat, trying to free the invisible hands that strangle her as her watery eyes dart to the glowing eyes of Kishtung, her hand lifted in the air, strangling her in the sky. The colour of her eyes twist like blood in water.

"You think?" Kishtung repeats, her voice colder than ice.

Eva wheezes as her throat burns. She tastes the foul blood on her tongue, suffocating her as she forces an answer out of her throat. "Piece of shit," she hisses.

Kishtung's eyes narrow, the fingers of her hand closing as Eva feels the grip on her throat intensifying. Her legs kick in the air, trying to get her airways to open, but all she can breathe in is her own breath. The room blurs as the burning light turns into a vague haze bleeding into her vision. The Twi'lek turns into a shadow in the corner until she can barely hear the blast door sliding open, scraping over the floor.

"Ma'am," says a male voice. "You are summoned by commander Girkin."

In an instant, the invisible hands release her throat and Eva falls almost lifelessly on the floor, unable to soften her landing as she crashes into the hard floor. She erupts in a shriek as the pain ripples through her bones. Gasping heavily, her sight slowly returns as she twists around and her eyes focus on Kishtung in the corner of her vision. The darkness that possessed her eyes like an evil spirit has now disappeared, completely gone from her bright-pink pupils. No longer do they glow in the dark. Kishtung's face is bathed in the gentle light coming through the open doorway. Her eyes linger on Eva with a hint of unease or even panic flickering in her pupils, until she turns away to the Rebel that is standing out of sight, in the doorway.

"I'm coming," she responds, calm and devoid of any hostility. "Clean her up. Give her the best attention your medics and guards have to offer."

"Will be done, ma'am," and the Rebel walks into view.

As Eva lies there, gasping for air, the world is still as blurry as before, twisting and spinning as tears roll over her cheeks. Her wrists throb with a burning wave of pain. She can feel the trickling blood leaking out of her wounds as drops of it streak over her hand and onto the cold floor. Sobbing, Eva curls up on the floor, reaching for her legs as the freezing atmosphere bites into her skin, until two hands pull her up from her wrists. Her legs slide over the floor, bumping over the doorstep as she leaves a thin trail of blood behind.

As the corridors seem to twist quicker and quicker, Eva suddenly hits the concrete floor with a crash. She shrieks with pain, her voice echoing through wherever she is as the impact forces the oxygen from her lungs. She hears the sinister, taunting chuckles of two men as steel bars lock into place with a clang. The dragging has stopped. They have released her.

Mildly intrigued, Eva lets out a deep sigh of relief now that she's let go of. As her lungs drown in the cold air, Eva pushes herself up and blows a strand of hair from her face. Her wrists continue to throb as her steel handcuffs are smudged in red stains.

"Hey, kid." Eva glances at the steel bars where one of the Rebel guards looks into her cell with a grin etched on his face, from ear to ear. "Leave the military to the adults. You should've stayed at school doing your tests. Some sucker should've pinned you to the wall to teach ya some lesson."

Eva's jaws clench. Rebel scum.

Her eyes narrow as her fists clench with anger, longing to pull the knife and slash their throats, but before the urge to say anything back overcomes her, she holds herself back. Especially after Kishtung's battery, giving any response might make things infinitely worse.

Instead, Eva casts her eyes on the floor as the blood from her wrists makes small spots of red stains on the cold floor. She clenches her jaws as the pain in her wrists feels like knives cutting into her skin. She puts her hands on the wounds, trying to stop it.

With mocking voices, the Rebel guards walk away as one throws her backpack on the floor across the corridor, far out of her reach. Eva glances at her backpack, her thoughts drifting to the medicinal inhaler stashed inside. She hopes Eline is alright. She needs her inhaler as soon as possible. With a burning heart of worry, Eva crawls to the back of the small prison cell with shaking hands. She curls up, hiding herself in her arms as her thoughts spiral downward. Where would Eline be? Eva tries to form a plan, but her mind keeps spiralling out of control with fear and anxiety.

But then, a soft, familiar voice breaks through her inner chaos. "Eva?"

She spins around, her heart skipping a beat. Her eyes widen as a small figure in the cell next to hers, separated only by the steel bars, looks at her with blue eyes and long hair.

"Eline!" Eva gasps and scrambles to the bars, reaching for her sister.

Eline embraces her with her arms, her hands warm and her blue eyes sparkling with pure relief. Eva reaches for her head, tugging the soft strands of her hair as she kisses her on the forehead, her heart burning with happiness, wanting to squeeze Eline in her arms so badly. "You're here," Eva whispers, her voice breaking.

Eline glances at her with watery eyes, the tears splashing down. "I knew-, I knew you'd come." Her small hands clasp Eva's through the bars. "I knew you would."

"I-, I'm so sorry I wasn't there," Eva whispers, a tear rolling over her cheek.

Eline nods with a shiver, choking back a sob as she holds the arms of Eva tightly.

"Eva," Eline stammers, but before she can continue, she erupts into coughing. Her lungs wheeze as her face turns red with agony. "I lost-, my inhaler when they got me," she squeezes out of her tightening lungs.

At last, Eline's lungs squeeze out a final, agonising cough. Eva's stomach turns as droplets of blood hit the concrete floor as Eline curls up with her arms squeezing her chest.

"Eline…" Eva stammers, gasping. "You're coughing up blood."

"I know," Eline whispers, her head buried in her arms. Her voice is strained with agony as her grip on Eva's hand tightens.

To Eva's horror, Eline's conditions are worsening from little coughs a few days earlier, to coughing up blood from the depths of her lungs. Her skin even seems paler than before, bleaker than a Snowtrooper's armour, and as Eline glances at her, her eyes seem red and drained of energy. Her faint gasps as she tries to breathe are shallow, striking Eva's heart as it sinks deeper into her chest, intensifying her firm grip on Eline's pale hand.

"Does it hurt?" Eva stammers, her voice cracking.

Eline nods, faintly. "A lot."

Eva swallows hard, pressing harder against the steel bars. A sudden flood of guilt overcomes Eva's senses, her lungs shuddering, realising she should have been there. She should have been there to protect Eline. But she wasn't. She could not do what she promised to her. It breaks her heart to see where her absence has led to.

Eva wipes a tear away as it goes along her chin. She moves closer to Eline, pressing her head against the cold bars. "I-, I'm so sorry, so sorry."

Eline shakes her head with uncertainty. "Sorry… for what?"

"Sorry for your… misery, your torture," Eva stammers. "I should've been there for you."

"You couldn't," Eline responds. "It's not your mistake."

"I promised you that I would always protect you. Anywhere,-"

"Anytime," Eline snaps, "and it's not bad that you couldn't."

Eva glances down at her feet, the grim floor staring back at her with uncertainty.

Eline shuffles closer to her, as close as she can. "Eva. You were gone so you could save the Empire. You haven't yet, but you're right on track, I guess."

Eva chuckles. "Right on track, huh?"

Eline smiles, even when her agony is trying to drag her down.

Eva squeezes Eline's pale hand tightly as her fingers tremble, watching her little sister struggling for each breath, almost choking on the wounds of her lungs. Her heart burns with pain, torn by Eline's blue, sparkling eyes and the anguish at her horrifying condition. As Eline's lungs erupt into heavy coughs, Eva's finger draws to her sister's lips and wipes the blood away.

They make eye contact, but neither can force out a word. Neither can speak. The bars draw long shadows on the cold floor, but all Eva sees is her sister-alive, but barely holding on, barely pushing through. Eva presses her head against the bars, her deep gasps echoing through the detention block as Eline slowly shifts closer, her head touching hers. Eline's cold hands land on Eva's. Tears escape Eline's eyes, splashing on the concrete floor. Eva closes her eyes, feeling Eline's warmth after so long.

As it feels like her heart is pounding in her throat, Eva glances at Eline, still locked in a tight headbump. "Eline, I will get you out of here. I will end this," she stammers. "I won't let you down this time."

Eline's hands tighten their grip as she glances at her with watery eyes. "You never did," she murmurs. "You never did, sis'…"

Two fists slam on the table. The Artefact shivers as Kishtung glances up with confused eyes and sees commander Girkin leaning towards her with stern eyes.

"We have to talk." His voice echoes through the chamber, a storage hall repurposed into a strategy room.

The fluorescent lights high above flicker faintly as Kishtung leans back against the backrest. Her hands meet on her lap, squeezing each other as she tilts her head. Why does he need to speak with her? "Okay? Go on."

"Kid, you have gone too far." Girkin straightens. "You kidnapped a child from a camp without even notifying me. I have one question. What the hell were you thinking?"

Kishtung's jaws tighten. "What I thought? It was the only way to get the Artefact back," and she points at the stone lying on her table. "It was what we agreed upon. I help you. You help me."

A heavy sigh escapes Girkin as he steps closer. "Kidnapping children is not what we do," his voice is calm, for now, but Kishtung can hear it is ready to explode. "It is not what the Rebel Alliance stands for. We are the beacon, the light, the hope of the galaxy, of free thinkers, of futurists. We cannot abduct children and turn them into tools."

Kishtung clenches her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms. "I know that I crossed a line. I know. I know it is morally wrong, but does it matter if it is not possible to do it right? That girl's sister had the Artefact. I would've had to go through her, to kill her to get it back. That is the worst outcome for any of us. Eline has a tight bond with her sister. Would Eva die by my hands, so would Eline. She's a means to an end to avoid suffering."

"A means to an end?" Girkin steps back and shakes his head slowly. "What end? What is this goal you are working towards?"

Kishtung stands up with her nails digging further, knocking her chair back. "My master gave me a mission. I was chosen to bring back the Artefact to the Temple for containment and investigation. And I am 400 years overdue. I have to finish this."

Girkin's expression softens. "I understand that it is hard for you to believe, but the Order is gone, kid. The time of the Republic has long ended. Any remaining Jedi are scattered or dead. Agents of the Empire have been hunting them for over twenty years. No one is left to see you at the Temple, to see you finish your mission, to see you come home."

Kishtung's lungs falter as her fists tremble. "I don't know what else to do. I fell into a world of darkness, of complete, oppressive control. This mission is my only grip on what is still left."

"Grip?" Girkin crosses his arms as his eyes flicker with distress. "You call that grip? Or is it an obsession?"

"It is duty," Kishtung snaps.

"Is it duty if it is driving you to do things you swore to never do? To weaponise the kidnapping of children in conflict? Is that how the Jedi solved crises, when there were times of desperate need?"

Kishtung stares at the floor as her heart races in her chest. It is hard to accept it, but Girkin has a point. The Jedi are peacekeepers solving problems with patience and wisdom, not force and fear. It is not the Jedi way. Her heart is struck with pain as she remembers who she is. Swallowing heavily, she shakes her head. "It is not."

Girkin watches her, his gaze remaining locked on her as he inhales deeply. "Whatever you do is up to you. Your choice, if completing this old mission is what you want. But if you keep going down like this, you will be alone." He reaches for his jacket and pulls something small from its pocket-a holocron, shining faintly as he puts it on the table. Its faint, blue light casts a soft glow over the worn metal surface. "Don't be tempted by the darkness of this world."

Kishtung's eyes widen as she stares at the holocron, the faint glow burning through her retina. Her hands tremble as she reaches out. Her fingers hover above the shining cube as her fingers are unable to touch it. Then, her eyes dart to the Artefact. The stone draws a shadow over the metal surface as the holocron's blue glow is reflected off of its sides. "But what if the Artefact can restore it?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. "What if the Artefact is the solution?"

Girkin steps back, giving her space. "I don't know, but don't let it pull you for your sake," and he turns, walking towards the door. His footsteps echo through the chamber until the door slides shut behind him.

Kishtung is left alone in the dim light. The rain outside tickles on the skylight as she stares at the holocron. Its soft glow flickers like a dying star. She can hear its voices calling her, while the pull of something darker whispers louder.

Trembling, she does not know which one to follow, which whisper is what…