(70 shifts later...)
"Inmates, on program. Low yield rows in position." The PA announcer's voice boomed over the loudspeaker following the sound of the buzzer.
"Row 1 takes the shift by 10 crates!" Elizabeth announced, clapping her hands together as everyone rose from their seats before assuming the given stance. "Row 7 in the box. Let's go."
Sighing, Casi trudged to the dark grey tiled area known as the Box to get what was coming. Inez gave her an apologetic look as the PA announcer reiterated his message.
"It's always Inez's fault," Another inmate, Vinny complained. "If she wasn't chatting and distracting everyone, we wouldn't even be in this position..."
"Don't blame Inez," Casi chided. Seconds later, the electric currents came upon the 7 inmates standing in the box, thoroughly frying them. Through Casi's blurred vision, she could see Captain Madreth look down at the room from above... and she could swear she saw him smirking.
After a good 10 seconds, the floor went cold again, sending everyone collapsing onto the floor, some onto each other. Casi groaned, dragging herself back on her feet as Elizabeth yelled at everyone to line up by the blastdoor that led to the skybridge.
"You know," Essa said from behind as they walked across the bridge. "I think I know a way outta here."
"Funny, coming from the one with the least number of shifts left," Vinny scoffed. "What good is an escape plan once you go home?"
"I'm not," Essa said matter of factly. "No one is."
"What do you mean-?" Kepira, a girl from Row 4 turned around to face them.
"You heard me." Essa just looked forward, stepping into the sleeping quarters with the others. "No one's getting out. We're all just gonna rot here and die, and those stupid guards will bring in another batch of girls to replace us and die. That's just how it works around-"
"That's enough, Essa," Elizabeth cut in sharply.
"You know it's true." Essa trudged into her cell, followed by Kendall, Elizabeth, Inez and Vinny. Casi stepped into hers before sitting down on her bed, considering her words. Was Essa correct? How long did the Imperials really plan to keep everyone in this facility...?
--
5 BBY, Space
"... Fortunately, there's not much sign of physical or mental degradation." Dr. Keith Rendas glanced up at Eli from his datapad, pushing up his spectacles. "Besides the ones that come with age, that is, along with some... past traumas that involve a good amount of electricity."
"Yeah, I've been in and out of Imperial captivity," Eli said, studying his features for a moment. He looked almost like his brother Odyn would have by now, had he survived the Purge. The only difference was that he appeared to be much more lanky and frail... probably as a result of being raised by a mad scientist.
"I can tell," Rendas mused, drawing out a breath. "Other than that, you are perfectly healthy. I don't see why Ahsoka sent you here."
"Well, it's complicated," Eli explained, leaning back in his hospital bed. "See, I've been hearing things... I'm not sure who, but..."
Rendas crossed his arms, deep in thought. "And this voice calls out to you... how often?"
"Regularly for the past few weeks now." Eli sighed softly. "I'm either going crazy, or..."
YOU ARE READING
Earthlings 3: RISE
Fanfiction"Oppression breeds rebellion." For more than a decade, the Galactic Empire has had the galaxy in its iron fist. Any traces of the past Republic have all but been erased, and all opposition has been suppressed. Or has it...? After the death of Eliez...
