A Soldier's Secret

Part 21

My head throbbed. My mouth felt like it was stuffed with cotton, a bitter taste that roiled in my mouth. I opened my heavy eyes, prying them open against the ache of my exhaustion.

I was still in the force suppressor, but my hands weren't bound anymore. My wrists stung, and I felt the scuffed blisters from the cuffs, neatly bandaged. If I closed my eyes, I could be in the med bay, not behind enemy lines, captured by my old General, and that Skywalker wasn't screaming his head off next door...

Wait

Why was he screaming?

"Skywalker!" I tried to shout, but my voice was a hoarse croak. I looked at where I had seen him last, and I only saw the metal wall "Skywalker!" I tried again, and I produced a sound 

"STUPID FORCE BLOCKERS!" he shouted, and it was followed by a crash of metal

"Idiot" I tried to shout again, and my voice still didn't cooperate, only making me sound like a dying toad. I frowned and realised what freeing him might mean until I had my helmet again. Being able to breathe unfiltered air was lovely though. 

I scanned the walls, searching for Kelish, or anything alive. Electronics spanned the walls, and I saw a tinted window. The door was barred and locked, but I could see a comm device in there. Perfect as soon as I get free. I don't know how Kelish used the metal wall, though, or where Skywalker's lightsaber was. If I could get him his sabre, He could do his thing and get both of us out. Having backup was going to be better, though. But first, getting free. I was pretty much at Kelish's mercy, and I couldn't even reach my helmet to change my voice. Talking to him wouldn't be optimal at the moment. As I mentally spoke of the devil, Kelish appeared from the darkness like an overgrown skunk.

"Cedar" Kelish said "What's wrong?" He asked. How did he know? Was it written on my face even though I tried to hide it? I sneered and looked away because his face brought back everything from the gorge, the scents and sight of everything that happened. He can feign niceness for as long as willing to, but he's changed now.

"CREEP!" Skywalker shouted

Kelish sighed "Well, I'll leave this to another day. It appears that the Jedi is kicking up a fuss." And he slinked back into the darkness, going to who-knows-where. I swallowed, feeling my throbbing throat protest. I really should have gotten a glass of water before I went searching for everybody back in the base. Skywalker started banging around again, and I sighed. Not being able to talk with him throws a wrench in any escape plans. Either he's going to figure something out, or I'm on my own.

First thing first, the bonds.

I wriggled my wrists around in them, feeling it out. Most technological, but there was a clasp. My refusal to eat brought me an advantage. Kelish had outdated information on me, so he was working wrong info. I twisted my hands to palm up and tried to pull my hands free, feeling my palms slide a half-inch through. I twisted my wrists over and over again, loosening the bonds. It fell off as soon as it was past my thumbs and the device that kept me suspended caught them. Now I had to get my body free.

Skywalker slammed his hands against the door, but he wasn't screaming anymore. Perfect. I slowly moved my arm to reach for my helmet. This device resisted me, but I pushed harder. 

Heavy footsteps alerted me to Kelish coming. My senses hadn't failed me yet, so I hauled my arm back in and pushed the handcuffs back on. I hung my head and made a gentle snoring sound, feigning slumber. 

Kelish strode in, his black boots leaving scuff marks on the polished floor. He glanced at me, his eyes lingering for a few seconds before he kept moving, to where Skywalker was. He snapped, and the metal wall came up. I was grateful for Kelish's bulky armour, and how it hid me from sight

"Anakin Skywalker, a Jedi Knight" Kelish said "You valiantly defend everyone in your unit, your Padawan, everyone you can protect. The true message of the Jedi order" His voice dripped with an emotion I couldn't recognise. "But yet, you cannot even push against me when I use a tiny fraction of the Force for my benefit, you can't stop me when I enter your base and harm those in your unit. You can't even protect one soldier under your control" Kelish motioned to me

"Go to Hell" Skywalker spat

"Mm" Kelish murmured "You are so oblivious, you can't even see the most loosely guarded secret of Cedar's, hm?"

"It's not my business what Cedar doesn't want to share" Skywalker barked "Why are you so interested in him, anyway?"

Kelish burst out laughing "You are the most idiotic Jedi I've ever met!" He laughed for even longer "Have you ever thought about why Cedar doesn't remove their helmet? Why they don't talk or take off their armour?"

"He's just strange. Cedar does what he wants to do, but he's the best scout I've ever worked with" Skywalker shrugged "So what if Cedar disobeys orders? He gets the job done faster than I've ever seen a clone do"

"And your observation is right since Cedar is- Well, how about I let Cedar tell you?" Kelish grinned, then stepped aside, letting my General see me without my helmet.