Star Wars: The Lord in Exile

Naomi Naberrie: Relieved From Duty

Naomi walked around the small room, or rather the large cell, that the rebels had placed her in. She was wearing a sleeveless plain white tunic made of cloth that ended just below her waist, accompanied by a pair of brown pants that ended halfway down her lower legs and finally a pair of black boots. She was mostly recovered now and no longer needed constant supervision, but now she was handcuffed and getting regular visits from most of the fleet's upper command, including the Spectres. Aurelian was straightforward, he wanted information and he wanted an ally for the rebellion; Naomi saw that clearly in him. Hera was about the same as the prince, but the girl noted how the Twi'lek treated her like a young girl more than an enemy. Sabine visited rarely, mostly with Aurelian to try and help. Kanan was much more focused and determined, he treated Naomi with an air of caution and suspicion that she found reasonable. Zeb never bothered talking to the girl. Ezra visited her the most, and in her mind he was either being nice or was the best interrogator in the galaxy; as she started hoping he was the one behind the door when she got a visitor. Though unfortunately for her, she was being interrogated by Commander Sato and Hera right now.

"We know you have valuable ISB information," the Commander began. "Tell us what you know and we will ensure your safety."

"I'd argue my safety is already ensured." the girl countered. "I have information you want. I decide if I tell you that information... and given the lengths you've gone to keep me here I'd say I'm the most high valued prisoner you've ever captured. Not surprising, capturing an ISB agent is difficult."

The Commander narrowed his eyes, which made the girl smirked. "That's right. You present a new opportunity for our cause. Whether that be as a prisoner or an ally is up to you."

"Prisoner. Now can we wrap up for the day?"

"Naomi, why did you join the Empire?" Hera asked, kneeling in front of the girl.

"For peace and order. You like to think every Imperial is some power-hungry bureaucrat. But most of us believe in the Empire, in stability."

"We want those things too. But the Empire will trample over every planet that doesn't agree with them. They offer peace through oppression, I have a feeling you don't agree with that."

"Oppression? My own family oppressed me more than anyone else." the girl scoffed as she rolled her eyes. "Tell me, how does the Empire oppress people? Ask them to follow laws and regulations? Punish those who break those laws and regulations? By that logic, every government is oppressive."

"Captain Syndulla, a moment if you would." Commander Sato whispered, leading Hera outside the room. "What are you planning with this?"

"Trust me, Commander. If we can poke holes in her loyalty then things might go a lot smoother."

"Very well. Shall I give you the room?"

"I think that might help, she needs to see me as something beside an enemy. Having a skilled military officer in the room doesn't help."

"Good luck." he glanced back at the bored-looking girl. "You'll need it."

The Commander left, feeling more comfortable as a frontline officer than an interrogator. Hera returned to the girl with a warm smile, she genuinely did want to have Naomi join the rebellion but she also knew that her information was a priority for the fleet. The girl reminded her of Ezra when she first met the boy, confused and in need of guidance. So she wanted to try and set her on the right path, though she also knew how happy the blue haired boy would be if Naomi became an ally.

"Sorry about that, now where were we? Naomi, have you ever been to Ryloth?"

"Your homeworld? No."

"I was a child when the Empire took power, they had just landed and before anyone could blink they announced their authority. For a short time, they bargained, negotiated, shook hands and smiled. But the moment things got too complicated for them, they used troops and armies to subdue my people and strip us of our independence. The same thing is happening to countless other worlds in the galaxy, because of the Empire and its need for complete control."