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Trigger Alert – This chapter will deal with "light" torture. Or at least my estimate of what that might look like. If this topic seems like something that would make you uncomfortable skip to the bottom and I will summarize all the important information in the final story note.

Harry trudged up the dimly lit staircase, each step an effort as the weight of the day pressed down on him like a durasteel slab. Obi-Wan followed closely behind, his stride calm and measured despite the intensity of their earlier debrief with Captain Falco. The time since the raid on factory had been a whirlwind of activity and frustration, leaving Harry feeling drained. The towering walls of the stairwell seemed to close in around them, the faint hum of the city outside muffled by layers of duracrete and steel.

"You're brooding again," Obi-Wan noted from behind Harry on the staircase. His tone was light, but Harry heard the underlying reprimand.

"I'm not brooding," Harry muttered. He shoved his hands into his robes, eyes fixed on the steps.

"You are. And unnecessarily so, I know it wasn't the result we had hoped for," Obi-Wan said, breaking the silence. His voice was steady, reassuring, but Harry could hear the faint note of admonishment. "But we accomplished more than you realize."

Harry's hand gripped the railing tightly as he glanced back over his shoulder. "More than I realize? Jaxar slipped through our fingers! He's probably already planning his next move, laughing at us, while we …" He waved a hand vaguely, his frustration boiling over. "While we're stuck cleaning up the mess and answer several hours worth of pointless questions at CorSec headquarters."

Obi-Wan's brow furrowed slightly, though his tone remained even. "CorSec managed to arrest almost every single one of the cartel members present, both those from the Black Thorn cartel and those from the other cartels. That's no small feat. So we can't underestimate the value of the information we'll gain from them. Jaxar's men will talk—and if not them, then the members of the other cartels will talk, they owe him no loyalty and any potential loss for them is something that they will try to make use of."

Harry let out a sharp exhale, turning his focus back to the stairs. "And if they don't? What then? Jaxar's smart. He'll go to ground, and we'll be right back where we started."

"Perhaps," Obi-Wan conceded. "But he'll likely have to peak up at some point, if only to come continue to try and continue raising his profile before the senator's assassination. Especially since this little event will make him lose face and he will need to try and recover. Patience, Harry. The Force has a way of revealing opportunities, even in the most frustrating circumstances."

Harry shook his head, his grip on the railing tightening. "Patience," he muttered under his breath. It wasn't the first time Obi-Wan had told him that, and it likely wouldn't be the last. But patience felt impossible when every step forward seemed to lead to another dead end.

As they reached the fifth-floor landing, Obi-Wan placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, stopping him. Harry turned, his frustration plain on his face.

"I understand your feelings," Obi-Wan said, his gaze steady. "But frustration will cloud your judgment. Trust in the work we've done, and in the path ahead. The Force will guide us."

Harry sighed, some of the tension easing from his posture. "I just … I hate feeling like we're always a step behind. Like no matter what we do, it's never enough."

Obi-Wan gave him a small, understanding nod. "Then consider the lesson in this, Harry. Progress isn't always immediate, but it's there. You just have to trust in it."

Harry didn't respond, biting back a retort as he turned and briskly walked down the hallway towards their room, leaving Obi-Wan standing by the stairs shaking his head. Arriving at the door, Harry pushed open the door to their modest apartment. The small space greeted them with its spartan furnishings and faint smell of recycled air. A single window at the far end of the room let in the faint glow of Correlia's cityscape. Harry's exhaustion boiled over into frustration, and as the door clicked open with Obi-Wan opening the door, he spun on him.

"It feels like we wasted time!" Harry snapped, his voice sharper than he intended. He ran a hand through his hair, pacing toward the window. "All that effort, all that planning, and what do we have to show for it? Nothing!"

Obi-Wan, who had froze just inside the door, started to reply, but Harry cut him off with a raised hand as he reached the window. He rested his palms on the window pane, staring out into the neon-drenched skyline and seeing the reflection of Obi-Wan look back down to the datapad that Captain Falco had given him as they were leaving the CorSec building.

As Harry looked out over the skyline towards the city core, the frustration was still there, but it ebbed as his gaze caught on something peculiar. His eyebrows furrowed, then rose in recognition as his eyes locked onto a silhouette on the rooftop of the building across from theirs.

Someone wearing a hat.

But not just any hat—a broad-brimmed one, unmistakably belonging to Cad Bane. Harry froze, every nerve in his body suddenly alight with warning. A spike of danger rippled through the Force, sharp and immediate, pulling his attention away from the window and back into the room. He spun on his heel, instinctively drawing his wand.

"Obi-Wan!" he shouted, just as his senses screamed that the danger was emanating from the center of the room.

However, Harry didn't wait for a reaction. He cast an underpowered Expulso at Obi-Wan, the spell catching him squarely in the chest and flinging him backward out the door. Obi-Wan, who was still absorbed in the datapad he had glanced down at, looked up in surprise, his startled expression barely registered to Harry who followed up the previous spell with a quick Protego, the shimmering barrier forming around him just as the explosion detonated.

The blast originated from a small device hidden beneath the floor. The force of the explosion hammered against the shield, straining it to its limits, but the barrier held long enough to save Harry from the worst of the blast. Even so, the pressure wave flung him backward through the window he'd just been standing by. Glass shattered around him, the glittering shards catching the light as he was hurled into open air.

As Harry tumbled, time seemed to slow. The city lights blurred, and he barely had the presence of mind to wish he had his broom. He reached out his wand to cast a spell to slow his descent, but before he could utter an incantation, his body slammed into the roof of an enclosed speeder speeding by below. Pain shot through his body as the impact knocked the air from his lungs. He heard the speeder's driver yell in alarm, but the vehicle was moving too fast for Harry to recover. He rolled off the roof, plummeting the last several stories to the ground.

Harry hit the duracrete hard, pain exploding through his body. He heard a sickening series of cracks as his left arm and leg bore the brunt of the fall. The agony was immediate and all-encompassing, his vision narrowing to darkened edges as he gasped for air. Harry gasped for breath, but even that was agony—each inhale sent sharp knives through his ribs.

He tried to move, to push himself up, but the pain was too much. His head lolled to the side, and through the haze of pain he caught sight of his wand rolling to a stop beneath a derelict speeder just a few meters away.

Through the haze of pain, Harry's eyes fixed on his wand, lying just out of reach beneath the remains of what had once been a speeder. Get to it … Harry thought, desperation surging. He tried to inch toward it, but even the slightest movement sent waves of agony coursing through him. His vision blurred further as darkness threatened to consume him. Distantly, he heard the wail of sirens—someone must have heard the explosion or seen the aftermath of his fall. Help was coming.

Footsteps approached, heavy and deliberate. Harry lifted his head, forcing his eyes to focus. A scarred Twi'lek with a single lekku loomed over him.

Harry groaned, summoning what little strength he had. "My ... wand …"

However, the Twi'lek either didn't hear him or chose to ignore him, instead activating a communicator clipped to his belt.

"The bomb was a success," the Twi'lek reported. "No sign of the Jedi inside, but there's no way anyone survived that blast. The young one got lucky—if you can call this luck —blown out the window and managed to slow his fall on a speeder. Looks like he tried to go three rounds with a drunken and enraged Wookie … before losing badly." He laughed, a harsh, grating sound, as he nudged Harry's broken body with his boot.

Ignoring Harry's look of surprise he continued, "Want me to finish him off?"

Harry tried to summon strength, to move, to speak, but his body refused to obey. The Twi'lek pressed a boot down on Harry's chest, the pain from his broken ribs was blinding, his vision narrowing to a pinpoint, as the pressure nearly sent him into unconsciousness.

He barely registered the reply over the communicator, but the voice was unmistakable. "No. Grab the kid before CorSec arrives. The client will want to see him."

The Twi'lek grinned down at Harry. "Sounds like today isn't your lucky day, kid. Looks like you're coming with me."

Harry's head lolled to the side as darkness finally claimed him. The last thing he saw was the flicker of flames from the ruined apartment above, and a faint pang of worry for Obi-Wan before everything went black.

- HP - SW - HP - SW - HP - SW - HP - SW - HP -

Harry was unsure how long his mind swam as he drifted between conscious and obvlivion but when he finally woke, it was to the sharp sting of cold metal against his cheek, his head pounding as though a herd of banthas had trampled over him, and every breath sending sharp, searing agony through his ribs. His vision swam as he blinked, trying to make sense of his surroundings. The room was dimly lit, shadows playing across durasteel walls. A faint hum filled the air, like the background noise of an industrial facility.

Voices nearby caught his attention. Straining to focus, Harry spotted two figures in the room. Jaxar—the cartel leader they'd been after—was pacing back and forth, gesticulating angrily. Standing opposite him, leaning against a console, was Cad Bane, his wide-brimmed hat unmistakable. The Duros bounty hunter's calm demeanor contrasted sharply with Jaxar's animated frustration. Harry tried to make out their words, but the pain and the throbbing in his head grew too much. Darkness crept at the edges of his vision, and he passed out again.

The next time Harry woke, he was bound to a metal table, his wrists and ankles secured by thick restraints. The ache in his arm and leg, along with the fiery pain in his ribs, reminded him of the explosion—and the fall, although he felt in considerably less pain than he had been immediately after the fall or the first time he had woken up. His head lolled to the side, and he was met with Jaxar's smug grin. The man held a syringe in his hand, the needle glinting menacingly under the faint light.

"Ah, the kid wakes up," Jaxar said, his voice dripping with mock warmth. "Don't worry, you're safe. For now."

Harry's throat was dry, and his voice came out as a raspy whisper. "What's going on?"

Jaxar's grin widened. "You're my guest. Thought I'd keep you around for a chat." He waved the syringe for emphasis. "I've got some questions and you've got some answers to tell me."

Harry gave a weak laugh, though every sound sent jolts of pain through his chest. "Yeah, that's … not likely."

The grin vanished, replaced by a snarl. Without warning, Jaxar punched Harry squarely in the face, the force knocking his head back against the cold table. Pain exploded in his skull as stars danced in his vision, and for a moment, all he could hear was the ringing in his ears as a metallic taste filled his mouth.

"That's hardly polite," Jaxar said, stepping back and flexing his fist. "I could've left you to die in front of your building. Instead, I brought you here. My men spent the last two days patching you up. Fixed most of your injuries—at least the life-threatening ones. The least you could do is cooperate a little and answer a couple questions."

Harry's eyes snapped open. "Two days?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Two days since the attack? Obi-Wan ... was he okay? Had CorSec found him? He shoved the thoughts aside and focused on the man standing over him.

Jaxar's grin returned. "Two days. Time flies when you are having fun or unconscious. Now I know you might be a little nervous about talking But don't worry, we'll find a way to loosen your tongue."

"Well, you could always try asking," Harry said, his tone flippant despite the situation.

Jaxar's frown deepened, but he nodded. He turned to a nearby case, opened it, and retrieved a set of small vials filled with ominously glowing liquids. Picking one, he held it up for Harry to see the liquid inside glinting ominously.

"Personally, I prefer the old-fashioned way of getting answers, I find I like the … hands on approach. But these little things …" He chuckled, holding up a vial right in front of Harry. "These little vials work wonders."

Harry's gaze fixed on the vial as Jaxar loaded it into the syringe. "What's that?" he asked, his voice steadier than he felt.

"Toxins," Jaxar said with a malicious gleam in his eye. "Each one more potent than the last. Each one delivers pain like you've never imagined. Immediate, excruciating, and cumulative. By the third vial, there's no hope for a cure. That being said, most people can survive up to the tenth before what's left of their mind and body give out, but … trust me, you don't want to find out."

He stepped back to Harry, syringe in hand. "But let's start with a demonstration. Just so you understand what's at stake."

Harry stared at the syringe, his mind racing. "Seems like overkill," he said, shrugging. "Not that impressive."

Jaxar's smirk faltered, replaced by a slight frown. "Oh, you'll change your tune soon enough." Without waiting, he pressed the syringe against Harry's arm and injected the toxin.

He was unsure what he had expected but certainly was not expecting something on par with the Cruciatus Curse. The pain was immediate and overwhelming. It felt as though fire coursed through his veins, every nerve ablaze. Harry screamed, the sound raw and guttural, his body arching against the restraints. The agony lasted an eternity, waves of torment crashing over him until his throat was hoarse. When the pain finally subsided, he was drenched in sweat, his body trembling, and his breaths were coming in ragged gasps.

Jaxar leaned over him, his grin wider than ever. "How was that? Not a fun way to spend fifteen minutes, is it? Or at least I imagine it wasn't that fun for you. Now, let's avoid a repeat of that. Just answer my questions, and I'll let you go."

Harry managed a weak chuckle. "No, you won't."

The cartel leader's expression hardened. "You're smart, I'll give you that. But you're right. I won't."

Harry glared at him through half-lidded eyes. "It's fine do what you want, I … I've had worse," he rasped.

Harry had barely finished his sentence before Jaxar replied to the statement with a punch to Harry's gut, driving the air from his lungs. Harry wheezed, struggling to regain his breath as Jaxar began pacing.

Jaxar chuckled, patting Harry's shoulder. "Brave kid. But we'll see how long that lasts." He straightened and asked, "So, let's start simple. What do you and your Jedi friend know about my plans? For weeks my source inside CorSec says there is next to no progress and then you two show up. How did you find Cad Bane and get the information to interrupt my meeting?"

Harry coughed, then shook his head. "No idea what you're talking about. Never heard of any plans … or this meeting."

Jaxar's grin faded. "Wrong answer," he said, grabbing a second vial. "I'll make this simple. Tell me what CorSec knows about the Day of Joining and the parade."

Harry frowned. "The Day of what? I … I might have been joking with you before but I don't know what that is."

Jaxar studied him for a moment before nodding. "I like you, kid. You're strong. But I don't believe you. So let's make things more interesting."

He selected another vial from the case and loaded it into the syringe. Harry's heart sank as he saw the glint in Jaxar's eye.

"This one's a little stronger," Jaxar said. "Just so you know what we're dealing with."

Harry braced himself as the needle pierced his skin, but nothing could prepare him for the searing pain that followed. It was as if every nerve in his body was on fire, the agony consuming him completely. This time, he didn't just scream; he roared, the sound echoing in the small room. The darkness swallowed him again before the pain subsided.

When Harry woke again, his body was a symphony of agony. Every muscle, every bone felt as though it had been crushed and reassembled wrong. Jaxar's face loomed above him, smiling.

"Welcome back," Jaxar said cheerfully. "You're a fighter, I'll give you that. But everyone breaks eventually, why subject yourself to unnecessary torture. Now, let's try this again. What do you and the Jedi know about my plans for the senator?"

Harry forced himself to take a shallow breath, then another, in an effort to remain calm. "What senator? I try not to get involved in politics."

Jaxar laughed, shaking his head. "You've got guts, kid, I like that. I'll give you that. But you'll crack. They always do."

He changed tactics, leaning closer. "But fine you want to take a break from talking about that we have all the time in the world. We can talk about something else … Let's talk about your weapon. Where is it?"

Harry's eyebrows shot up in confusion.

Seeing this Jaxar shook his head and took out a third vial holding it in his hand. "That little thing you used on my men. What was it?"

Harry's heart skipped a beat, realizing he was asking for his wand, but he kept his expression neutral. "My blaster. Pretty sure whoever brought me in would have made sure to check me for any weapons."

Jaxar's eyes narrowed. "Not a blaster. That … thing. Small, wooden. I've seen plenty of weapons like that in my line of work but never something like that. Consider me intrigued. After you had been brought in my men searched you thoroughly but found nothing. Where is it?"

Harry forced a smirk. "Guess it got destroyed in the explosion. A shame, really. Maybe you should dock Cad Bane's pay for it."

Jaxar's face darkened, his jaw tightening. He muttered something about "that mercenary" before turning back to Harry. "I don't believe you."

Harry chuckled weakly. "Why ask questions if you won't believe the answers?"

Jaxar scowled and grabbed another vial. "Let's see if this changes your tune."

The needle pierced Harry's arm again, and though the intensity increased significantly, the pain that followed was mercifully brief this time, as Harry blacked out almost immediately.

When he woke again, Jaxar loomed over him, his expression oddly thoughtful. "That was the third one. I can't imagine you're enjoying this," he said. "So why don't you just cooperate and I'll end this?"

Before Harry could respond, the door opened, and a scarred man stuck his head in. "Boss, the corthalon just arrived. But there's … an issue."

Jaxar's grin faded as he glanced at the henchman, then back at Harry. After a second he smiled and said, "Don't go anywhere, kid. We still have plenty to talk about."

Kind Regards,

FavoriteAuthor

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Story Note 1 – And even more going on than the previous chapter! This was certainly a more intense chapter than most of the previous ones and dealt with a topic I felt a little uncomfortable writing. That being said I hope it was written in such a way it was believable and realistic. I do apologize if it makes anyone else uncomfortable.

Story Note 2 – Good on Harry for trying to save Obi-Wan first … at least sure hope he is alright. Maybe he will just pull a Rako Hardeen situation ... IYKYK.

Story Note 3 – Really enjoyed writing this non-canon arc with non-canon characters! This Jaxar guy doesn't seem like a really good guy. Please do let me know how it came across!

Story Note 4 – Good thing that corthalon arrived … whatever it might be …

Story Note 5 – Summary for anyone who felt uncomfortable by the topic of the chapter. Obi-Wan and a frustrated Harry, return from a long evening answering questions for CorSec after the raid on the factory that failed to catch Jaxar. Once they get into their apartment Harry sees Cad Bane across the street and manages to save Obi-Wan by using magic to throw him out of the room before an explosion goes off in the room. The explosion pushes Harry through the window where he ends up getting hurt upon landing, losing track of his wand when hitting the ground. After he passes out one of Cad Bane's men brings him to Jaxar for questioning as to what him and Obi-Wan know. Jaxar tries to torture the information out of Harry who proves resilient. Jaxar switches tracts and asks Harry about his wand, which he had seen in the factory before escaping believing it to be a weapon. This change of topic momentarily surprises Harry. Although before any information was obtained Jaxar is called out of the room as a shipment of corthalon (created material for this story) has arrived.

A large thanks to those of you out there who enjoy my stories, I promise to keep updating the stories as long as you all are enjoying them, and a special thanks to those of you who have taken the time to leave feedback or have reached out to me directly.

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BioHazard82, fraewyn x 2, sh777 - Thanks so much for the feedback and I hope you continue to enjoy the story as it progresses!

Per ardua ad astra - I certainly agree although this issue will be looked into.

Naedine-Daki - I appreciate your feedback alot. Thanks so much for taking the time to read it.

Maverick123214685 - That is a good catch and it will be looked into.

WhiteElfElder - Well that certainly would have been a good idea ... I hope he gets the chance.

Jostanos - I agree that it is always nice when HArry takes time to learn rather than running right into situations. Thanks so much! I'm glad the characters are coming off well! Well that was a pretty good guess!

insanecoop - That is totally fair and defintiely get that feedback, although I do try to mix in action/plot with the slow progression as well.

Monkey D. Conan - That is certainly an important lesson to learn in life. And I imagine he will start learning. Had been tossing the idea of when he'd get the lightsaber back and forth but since this was 'supposed' to be non conflict just observation the Jedi Council felt comfortable sending Harry something I felt was reasonable. But alas looks like it didn't work for them.

George Cristian810 - I'm not sure but its not like all spells have perfect accuracy plus I'd imagine some targets are more difficult to hit. Not sure of that is canon, but just because you cant do magic doesn't mean you can't see it.