At the Factory, Morad, Eldra, Kaitis, Ezra, Kanan, and Chopper were all disguised and had just entered the Factory which manufactures AT-AT walkers and TIE fighters... But as soon as they arrived, Governor Pryce, Agent Kallus, and Lieutenant Lyste summoned the factory workers for an inspection, as Pryce ordered Kallus to make sure the workers were all present and accounted for!
Governor Pryce: Agent Kallus, make sure the workers are all present and accounted for...
Agent: Yes, Governor Pryce!
Ezra frowned; he recognized Governor Pryce as Kallus' new boss, whom Sabine had told them about!
Kaitis: So she's Kallus's new boss...
Ezra: Yeah... She must be the one Sabine told us about!
Agent Kallus tells all the workers to look sharp because they have been honoured to receive a surprise inspection from the Imperial High Command!
Agent Kallus: Look sharp... This factory is being honoured by a surprise visit from Imperial High Command!
However, the inspector turns out to be Grand Admiral Thrawn himself! While he thanks Kallus for that Marvelous introduction, he does not regard his visit as an honour but an investigation!
Grand Admiral Thrawn: Thank you for the introduction, Agent Kallus! My visit is not an honour, however, but an investigation...
Ezra frowned, knowing that this wouldn't be good!
Ezra: Thrawn...
Thrawn tells the disguised Rebels and all the other Workers that the vehicles produced by the Lothal factory have a far higher rate of malfunctioning than those produced at others... He then reveals that he believes that poor craftsmanship was to blame, and knows that it has caused the Empire to lose troops and in some recent missions! Warning that such malfeasance will not be tolerated any longer, he addresses Morad, who answers to the com number Worker 5473!
Grand Admiral Thrawn: Vehicles assembled in this factory malfunction at a rate far higher than that of others... I believe poor craftsmanship is to blame, and it has cost your Empire troops and missions... This will not be tolerated! Worker 5473!
As soon as Morad stepped forward, the Grand Admiral if he had been pressed into the Empire's service! Morad confirms that he was because he had lost his Farm when Ezra was Eight Years old!
Grand Admiral Thrawn: You were pressed into the Empire's service?
Morad Sumer: Yes, sir... After losing my farm when my friend's Adoptive Son was only Eight Years ago!
Ezra frowned nervously while Kanan and his Adoptive Siblings all watched with concern before Thrawn then asked whether or not Morad takes pride in his work, which Morad agreed that he does!
Grand Admiral Thrawn: Do you stand by your work?
Morad Sumer: I do...
Pointing to a 614-AvA speeder bike on display, Thrawn tells Morad it was the last model that he personally inspected himself before he asks Morad to demonstrate how quickly it can reach full speed as a stormtrooper drags a reluctant Morad to the bike, telling the former Farmer and the secret librarian that they don't have all day!
Grand Admiral Thrawn: This 624-AVA is the last bike you personally inspected and assembled! Please, demonstrate for me how quickly it can achieve full speed...
Stormtrooper 1: We don't have all day!
Kaitis tries to intervene, but another stormtrooper tells him to fall back in line as Morad begins to start up the bike!
Stormtrooper 2: Back in line...
But just then the engine begins to overheat, and Morad starts to power it down! Thrawn, however, was not finished with the demonstration and brought it to full power! As a result, the bike exploded, and Morad was killed, leaving only his blackened worker's helmet!
Morad Sumer: Something's wrong... It's overheating! Gonna have to shut it down!
Grand Admiral Thrawn: No... The demonstration is not yet over!
Morad Sumer: I can't stop it! No!
Morad's death horrified the workers, Ezra, Kanan, Eldra, Kaitis and even Kallus, whilst Thrawn is dispassionate! Lyste was vaguely disturbed and Pryce smirked sadistically! Seeing that he had gained the other worker's attention, Thrawn warned them all that whatever they built they would now test personally! He expects their malfunction rate will drop substantially, as he fussily plucks a bit of stray ash off his uniform due to Morad's exploded bike experiment!
Grand Admiral Thrawn: Now that I have your attention, know this... Whatever you build here you will test personally! I expect your malfunction rate to drop substantially...
Eldra attempted to charge at Thrawn, but Ezra held her back so as not to blow their cover, not just yet anyway... Not noticing them at all, Thrawn then ordered Kallus, Lyste and Governor Pryce all to ensure that nobody left the factory because he wished to inspect the line for sabotage!
Grand Admiral Thrawn: See to it that no one leaves or enters the facility... I wish to inspect the line for sabotage!
Lyste nods before he informs all the workers that the factory is now on full lockdown!
Lieutenant Lyste: Hold them here... The factory is on full lockdown!
Kanan tries to contact Ryder to warn about the lockdown and get help from Hera, but Eldra knows that he is unable to send a signal since the Imperials are jamming their comms!
Kanan: Ryder... Get word to Hera! We're trapped inside and need help!
Eldra: (Groans) It's no use... They've already jammed the comms!
Ezra and Kaitis both frowned, this just got a lot harder!
Kaitis: Okay, this just got a lot harder!
Ezra: Oh, come on...
YOU ARE READING
The Skywalkers Triplets Book 2
Science FictionWhen Ezra realizes who his true family is, Kanan knows that he'll never know or learn if he can trust his own student until he's actually tried it...! Or, an au story of where Ezra's real family is the Skywalkers...
