Star Wars Rebels: Deep Dark Secrets

Chapter 9: Captured

(Ezra pov)

When I wake up, I'm secured to a lab table. My arm is bandaged and my sleeve is torn. I try to lightly finger the bandages, but my wrists, ankles, and waists are bound by thick metal straps to the table. I remember the Inquisitor slashing my arm with his lightsaber and passing out in pain.
I groan and then I hear a voice behind me. "Are you awake, Padawan?"
It's the Inquisitor. He walks from behind my head to stand in front of me.
I glare at him. "Go away."
"So persistent."
"Where is she?" I ask, rage clouding my voice. "Where's Jessie?"
He smiles cruelly. "Safe enough. She will be used to keep you in line. She is still unconscious, and we had to bandage her head. My stormtrooper hit her quite hard. But fortunately for you, she will live. Why do you ask? Does she mean something to you?"
"I'll make you a deal," I say, unsure of myself but knowing that I have to do this. "You let Jessie go, and you can do whatever you want to me. I won't fight you. I'll let you do whatever you want to me. Just let her go, unharmed and awake."
The Inquisitor considers this. "A very interesting offer. Why do it? She will only betray you in the end."
"That's a lie."
"Everyone only looks out for themselves, Bridger. I thought you would have learned that during your time on the streets." He walks over it my side and pushes a stray piece of hair out of my face. "They will all desert you."
I shake my head. "Lies. And I'm serious about my offer."
"Very well. Too bad that I will not allow it. I know you too well, Ezra. You will fight me no matter what. Even when you were unconscious, you still fought when I tried to bring you here."
A hopeless feeling settles itself in my gut. "But-"
I stop when the door slides open and a Phindian male in a lab coat strolls in. His long arms reach his feet, and his red and gold eyes have a look in them that scares me. A look that enjoys hurting people.
"This is Dr. Baftu. He is the former leader of the Syndicat on Phindar. He will be overseeing your torture. He specializes in torturing Jedi and extracting their information."
(AN: Baftu is a real character from Jedi Apprentice: The Hidden Past by Jude Watson. I think that's the name of the book and the series and it can be bought on chapters.com . I am taking him and giving him a new life after he was captured by the Jedi.)
Dr. Baftu grins evilly and opens a briefcase he was carrying. I flinch at the sight of the various torture devices and machines and pull against my restraints. The scientist's grin widens at my move.
"Not so brave now, are you, Jedi? I hate the Jedi. What with your 'peace and security' lines. And how are the Jedi now? Most are dead."
(I can't remember if Baftu has an accent or what, so I'll just make him talk like a human.)
I glare at him, despite the fact that he is probably going to kill me in a few minutes. He pulls out a needle and injects it into my non-bandaged arm. I wince as he pulls the needle out of my arm again.
I try to bend my fingers into fists but can't move them. A flash of alarm hits me and I try to turn my head, but can't. Panic flows through me and I gasp in alarm.
"An instant paralyzation drug," Baftu says. He turns to the Inquisitor. "He will not be able to fully move again for at least 4 days, and he will not be able to move at ALL for 48 hours. He will be able to talk and breathe, but not much more. And when it wears off, I will simply reapply the drug."
The Inquisitor smiles cruelly at me. "How lovely."
I narrow my eyes at him. "Kanan will know that you have me. Good luck even keeping me here long enough to reapply that drug."
The Inquisitor laughs. It's a cruel, empty sound. "I will not have to 'keep you here' as you put it. You probably won't even need another dose of paralyzation."
Baftu looks crestfallen at this. I shudder internally at what he must have done to other Jedi before me.
"You will stay here on your own. I have your girlfriend here." He activates a Hologram and I see Jessie lying unconscious on a hard duracrete floor. I wish that it weren't real, but I can sense that it is. Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith, stands over her, a lightsaber in his hand. Her lightsaber. The red one.
I cry out and Lord Vader angles his holographic head towards me.
"Padawan Bridger. We meet once again."
"Leave her alone!" I cry.
"Why? I can use her to keep you in line." Vader angles the lightsaber towards Jessie's neck and anger rushes through me.
"Unless, you would rather she die," Vader finishes.
If I could, I would shake my head. "No."
"I had a feeling that's what you would say. You are smart, Ezra. Smarter than people sometimes give you credit for. So remember: She can die at the push of a comlink button."
"Alright." I reply hopelessly. "What do you want from me?" My eyes never leave Jessie. I hope that she's alright. Well, as okay as she can be stuck in the Empire's clutches.
Darth Vader turns to the Inquisitor. "I will let you take it from here, Inquisitor. My Master will be here soon to take care of him."
The Inquisitor nods and bows before the Hologram. "As you wish, my Lord. What of Agent Kallus' rogue daughter?"
"I will handle that myself, with the help of her father. Ask the boy of her." The Hologram shuts off and the Inquisitor turns to me.
"What do you know about Arianna Kallus?" He asks. He waves a hand at Dr. Baftu, who hurries to stand behind me. I growl deep in my throat.
"That little liar? I know nothing. I barely knew that her name was Arianna, let alone that she was Kallus' daughter."
I have to tell the truth, or Jessie will die. But I can add a little acting for a more convincing act. So I'll pretend that I hate Arianna. But why didn't she mention that she was Kallus' daughter?! That little fact sure would have been appreciated.
"I have a feeling that you're lying. You know a little bit more than that."
The Inquisitor holds up a hand and I stare at the comlink in it, fearful. So much for that plan.
"Okay, okay. What is it you want to know?" Sorry Arianna. I have to help Jessie.
"Where she is now."
I laugh, despite the situation. "I'm here with you, how would I know? Last I saw her, she jumped out a window in a hangar bay."
The Inquisitor stretches out his other hand and probes my thoughts and mind. I sigh and let him, knowing he will find nothing. The pain is excruciating, and I feel my eyes begin to roll in my head. I slap myself mentally and force myself to stay awake. If I go unconscious, I might wake up and find Jessie dead.
The Inquisitor leaves my mind then. He scowls. "You truly do know nothing."
His comlink signals in his hand and he smiles. "The Emperor is here." He turns to Baftu. "Come with me."
Baftu obeys and follows. They leave then and I allow myself to close my eyes. I will need all the rest I can get.

Why is the Emperor here? Is it because of me and Jessie?
"Kanan, where are you?" I ask aloud. "We need your help. And fast."