Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic: Stolen Soul

Chapter Eleven: Heten's POV (Part One)

I coughed against the hands which were wrapped around my neck. I kicked and squirmed in an attempt to free myself. But it was of no use. I was bound tightly, and there was no hope of escape. I strained my neck to look over at my Master. Who was undergoing an experiment. I felt a tear roll down my already tear-stained cheek, I could not bear to see him in this state. It was a horrible scene. All of the fellow Jedi, and Padawans -strung up around the room, being prepared for the scientist.

When I hung limply, showing that I had given up fighting, the Mandalorian finally released his hand. Laughing the entire time.

"Ahh! The great and powerful Jedi Knight!" He mocked, "Look at what you are now, nothing but a weak, embarrassment of the great Jedi Order."

I lowered my head, not wanting to cause any more pain to myself.

The Mandalorian whipped his hand across my face, causing it to burn. I tugged at my bound hands, every ounce of my strength was trying to force my hands to my face. My eyes burned and tears began to trickle down my cheeks.

A loud shatter rang across the room, causing the Mandalorian to redirect his attention to the noise.

Alex had loosened one of his bindings, and managed to kick the Scientist, causing him to lose his grip on a glass cylinder, it fell to the floor and shattered.

He shot a glare at the Mandalorian standing in front of me. "Get away from her! You pig!" He snarled.

The Mandalorian looked back at me, then at Alex. Then his mouth upturned in a sinister grin. "Master and Padawan. What a delight!"

Still smiling, the Mandalorian pulled out a knife, holding it to my neck. I lifted my chin, trying to get away from the knife. I held my breath, and looked at Alex out of the corner of my eyes. He was still struggling to get out of the bindings, all the while yelling and kicking people away from him. Just as the Mandalorian began to move his knife closer to my neck, on of the assistant scientist hurried over to stop him.

"Sir, stop this. We need her for further experiments." She said, grabbing firmly on his arm.

The Mandalorian sighed, then pointed the knife in my face. "I'm not done here."

I watched wide-eyed as he backed away slowly, still with the knife pointed at me. The young scientist instructed the man to follow her out of the room. And I sighed in relief, but I also grew terrified by the second. I had no idea what was to come next. Whether it would be worse, or the worse was over.

Enough time had passed before I became used to the wailing of the people around me. I felt the power of the Force slowly escape us. And I became more frightened than I have had been before. I scanned around the room, watching for a chance to escape, or try something. Demagol, the scientist. Was reaching up to one of the Padawans, examining every inch of his body. He cried out in pain several times as Demagol stuck him with large needles, and extracted his blood. I watched, horrified at the sight.

"What was the point of this?" I asked myself.

I looked over at my Master, who was hanging, in defeat. I leaned in his direction, in hopes to somehow get his attention. My heart cried out to him, and I allowed the remaining Force inside to carry it. Alex slowly lifted his head, and wearily looked in my direction. I huge lump formed in my throat and my jaw clenched. I caught his eyes, and he gave me a reassuring smile. I choked and burst into tears. I did not know how much of this I could take. I felt as if this was in fact the end of my very existence. There was nothing beyond this. Through blurred eyes, I saw Alex struggling again, trying to move towards me.

Demagol saw this, and stood, studying our movements. Soon he noticed that we were Padawan and Master. He slowly came forward to me. He peered up into my face, lifting my chin with his gloved fingers. He glance over at Alex, who was struggling even more.

"Is that your Master, young one?" Demagol asked, nodding towards Alex.

I remained silent, looking in the opposite direction of Demagol.

The Scientist gripped my jaw, and forcefully jerked my face towards his. "I asked you a question."

I shook my head free from his grasp, and glared down at him. "And what is it to you?" My voice scratched against my throat.

Demagol smiled, and relaxed his hands, turning to Alex. He slowly walked over, and peered up at him. "Restless, are we?"

Alex's nose wrinkled, and he closed his eyes, raising his head high.

The Scientist motioned for his other assistance. They scurried over. "This one, bring him to my laboratory." He then glanced over at me. "The young one as well."

Alex began furiously shaking his head. "No." he said, repeatedly.

Two of the assistants walked towards me, and reached up to unfastened the binds which held me. Once they released the holds, I collapsed to the floor. Rubbing the rashes the bindings had formed on my wrists. They both put a hand under my arms, and lifted me to my feet, dragging my weak body alongside them. I turned my head to see them doing the same to Alex. He watched me, and his eyes relieved a horrified look.

I was dragged out of the large room, into a dark hallway. I slowly forced myself on to my feet, and walked with the assistants. I turned to look over my shoulder trying to catch a glimpse of my Master. I saw Demagol walked around the corner with Alex behind him, hands bound behind him. I felt somewhat of a comfort in knowing that my Master was with me. I swallowed, preparing for whatever was to happen within the doors of Demagol's laboratory. I kept reminding myself that I was a Jedi, and I had to remain strong, I could not let them break my spirits, no matter what was done to me or Alex.

The large metal doors swung open, and I was led in. The room was not very large. There were a couple of beds lying at either side of the room. With tables of utensils. There were rows of needles, and metal objects I had never seen in my life. I felt my heart skip, I had a horrible feeling about what was yet to come. The worst was not over. This was only the beginning.