In Command (#1 Post-Order 66 Series)

In Command - Part 24

Suddenly, she felt the cold grip in her chest again. He's coming. The single door in the room hissed open, and the Inquisitor stepped in, followed by an Imperial in a light gray uniform and an interrogator droid. Oh no.

Senna jutted out her chin defiantly as the Inquisitor strode over to the table, hitting a switch to raise it to standing position so that Senna was staring directly into his face. She gnashed her teeth and struggled against her bonds, and he chuckled quietly. "You and I both know you've already tried that and know it won't work, Master Aven. Let's cease with the cliché intimidation act. You'll need to save your energy."

"Stop calling me that," she spat.

"Apologies, were you not raised to the rank of Jedi Master prior to your final deployment? I understand you showed exemplary command of the Force and a technical prowess that impressed the Council, particularly your own Master, Shaak Ti. She was a great champion for you. A pity she died along with the rest of the Council."

Senna lowered her eyes, her anger and pain glowing white hot under her skin. "It doesn't matter now. I'm no longer a Jedi. There are no more, you and your kind made sure of that."

He smiled, slowly circling around her so that he could speak quietly into her ear. "You forget that the clones played a part in that as well. They were actually the ones that did most of the killing."

Her rage bubbled hotter. "But you were the puppet masters. They had no choice."

The Inquisitor leaned in closer. "Perhaps you are correct. And perhaps you are no longer a Jedi. A Jedi certainly wouldn't have taken a lover. Attachments such as the one you share with the clone were expressly forbidden."

Senna stared straight ahead, chewing the inside of her cheek. She felt her pulse throbbing in her neck as the Pau'an took her in, watching her reaction. "You love him. What a shame he'll have to perish with the rest of the traitors."

Her anger surged and she strained against the restraints again. The Inquisitor chuckled darkly. "I can feel your rage, your hatred for me. I see that you have strayed from the Jedi teachings in more than one way. Perhaps...a bargain can be reached."

Senna glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "I won't help you."

"Not even if it means sparing the life of the one you love?" He leaned closer, and she felt his breath on her ear. "You could save him, Senna. You could have him all to yourself."

She turned to face him, glaring into his yellow eyes. "I will NOT. Help. You."

He grinned in her face. "You're already helping me, Master Aven. I can feel your hatred and anger flowing through you. I can feel your control of the Force returning to you, albeit slower than I had anticipated in some areas. I have no doubt you could serve the Empire as an Inquisitor. All you'd have to do is help me track down the remaining traitors, and once we have completed our mission, you and Captain Rex could live happily on any world you choose. He wouldn't even have to serve as a soldier again. You could have the life of peace you both so desperately desire."

Shame prickled at Senna's cheeks at the warm feeling that filled her at the thought of her and Rex spending their days together. At what cost? "You'd hold him as a hostage so that I'd do your bidding," she hissed. "The Empire thrives on fear, and I will not allow you to use me to perpetuate that."

He laughed again. "You don't understand, Master Aven. Willingly or not, you will help me. There are more incentives to work with me of course, but we shall do it the more difficult and painful way if that is what you prefer." He placed his hand on her forehead and Senna's head slammed backwards into the table as she fought against him.

Senna Aven, where are your friends hiding?

She felt the coldness of the Dark Side creeping through her mind, and she focused all of her energy into pushing back against the tendrils reaching into her memories. A bright red line shot in front of her optic nerves and it felt as though her head was splitting open. She shouted a string of curses as she fought against it.

Where are the other Jedi? Where is the rebellion hiding? What do your traitorous friends have planned?

Senna closed her eyes, veins in her neck and forehead straining against the Inquisitor's probing. She barely felt his fingers on her face as she pushed back, reaching for the light that centered her. Abruptly, it was over. The Inquisitor withdrew his hand and her chin slumped forward onto her chest as she tried to regain her breath, sweat dripping from the tip of her nose.

"You'll...have to do...better...than that," she gasped.

The Inquisitor was no longer smiling, his mouth a thin tight line. "I see your connection to the Force has strengthened more than I realized. No matter. We have tools to loosen your hold." He nodded at the Imperial that had been silently standing in the corner of the room. He stepped forward, taking a control pad from his hip, and the interrogator droid hummed closer, its needles glinting in the room's harsh light.

Senna's screams echoed throughout the corridor outside.