A Different Path [UNFINISHED]

Death Threats of Droids

The Emperor was pleased. There were three dependable people who could get a job done. One killed unnecessary employees that wasted the Empire's time and the other two were able to capture people he wanted--and he didn't need the help of any bounty hunter. How could it get better than this?

As Emperor Palpatine stood over his beautiful Empire, he heard something ringing from his desk. When he turned around, to his surprise, it was Darth Vader and four other people. He gladly answered the call and made a malicious smile when he finally saw them.

"Lord Vader! Inquisitors!" he grinned of pure hatred, then saw the blue-haired boy with his hands restrained behind his back, kneeling before him. "Jedi..."
"Emperor Palpatine," the three pro-imperials responded.
"Did you get the boy to answer your questions?"
"Unfortunately, no," the Fifth Brother sighed.
"I assume, he is stronger than you both expected?"
"Yes, my lord..."

Emperor Palpatine made a disappointed expression and saw the Loth-rat with his head down, surrounded by the two Inquisitors.

"Did you use every technique you could without the proper equipment?" the Emperor grimly inquired.
"Yes, my lord," the Fifth Brother replied. "We even utilized the Seventh Sister's droids to our best abilities."
"And he didn't say a word."

The Emperor examined the boy, who was kneeling ever so silently. So quiet he sat, that he could appear dead to someone else.

"Boy, look at me," the Emperor demanded.

Ezra slowly looked up with a brave face at the Emperor.

"Have you ever heard of a T0-D Droid?" the Emperor asked.

Ezra shook his head.

"Of course you haven't," the Emperor teased Ezra. "It's a test droid. Congratulations, my boy, you will test the T0-D Droid!"
"We will deliver the boy in a week, my lord," Darth Vader said.
"I will be anticipating your return, Lord Vader!"

The call was cut off and Darth Vader proudly marched past Ezra. Abruptly he felt the Fifth Brother lifted him up and forced him onto his feet again.

"Let's go, boy," the Fifth Brother grimly spoke.

Ezra slowly began to walk past the Fifth Brother and felt the Inquisitor push him forward, causing him to stumble forward and nearly hit the Seventh Sister. Ezra resentfully glared back at the Fifth Brother.

"Get a move on before we do anything else to you," the Fifth Brother threatened.

****

The rebels sat silently in The Ghost. Sabine was asked to scroll the information one last time as Kanan thought non-stop about Ezra. Every now and then, he would grow curious and peel back his sleeve to reveal the frightening symbol that was burned onto his skin.

"Woah...," Sabine murmured as she came across a line of information.
"What is it?" Hera asked.
"Well, I was re-reading the part about the mystery ship when I just realized there was a piece of information hidden in between it."
"What's it about?" Zeb inquired.
"It's about a T0-D Droid. It's a droid that's currently in testing and if and once it's approved, then it will be mass manufactured on the ship."
"What does it do?" Kanan curiously inquired.
"It's...it's an interrogation droid."
"What?" Kanan sprung up with anger in his voice. "Those are illegal!"
"Not anymore...I guess."

Oh Ezra!, Kanan worriedly thought, I hope you're going nowhere near that droid! Suddenly, everything turned black, pain engulfed Kanan, and he screamed.

"Tell us where they are!" a frustrated female voice screeched.
"I would never tell you!" Ezra angrily fought back.

The Fifth Brother came up behind Ezra and forcefully kicked him down. Then the Seventh Sister continued to manipulate his mind. Physical and mental pain combined was unbearable for Ezra...and Kanan was there helplessly watching it all. He couldn't speak or interact to stop anything happening to his padawan. Then someone knocked on the door and Ezra let out another shriek for help. The Seventh Sister unfocused and then went to the door where she saw a stormtrooper. The Fifth Brother grabbed Ezra before he could speak again and restrained him from letting out any other sound. The Seventh Sister opened the door and grimly stared down at the stormtrooper, who was very uncomfortable.

"Inquisitor--"
"Seventh Sister," she corrected him.
"Sorry...Seventh Sister, Emperor Palpatine would like to speak with you, the Fifth Brother, Vader, and the boy."

The Seventh Sister silently gasped and looked down at the stormtrooper.

"Is Vader here, now?" she nervously asked.
"Yes."
"Just a second. We'll get him ready."

Abruptly, everything flashed forward and Kanan was in another dark room where Darth Vader was standing. His heart began to palpitate as he thought Darth Vader was about to kill his padawan.

"Make him kneel before the Emperor and make sure he doesn't escape," Darth Vader spoke as they entered the room.

The Fifth Brother forced Ezra onto his knees and pushed his head down. He and the Seventh Sister stood on his side and Darth Vader began to call. Kanan watched as each agonizing minute passed of the conversation. However, as the nightmare continued, Kanan gained valuable information--information to help them get Ezra back.

"Kanan!" Hera shouted.

He woke up in a cold sweat and heavy breathing. Everyone was around him.

"Kanan, what happened?" Hera worriedly asked.
"We can get Ezra back next week!" Kanan gasped.
"What?" everyone questioned him. "How?"
"I saw him with the Empire! We need a plan!"

Kanan then sprung up from the ground and began to think.

"Woah! Hold it cowboy!" Hera said. "Care to elaborate?"
"They brought Ezra into a room with the Emperor, Darth Vader, and the two Inquisitors. They talked and said that they were going to bring Ezra to Coruscant in a week! I assume they're leaving from the Mining Institute."
"Well...," Zeb muttered. "Anything else you'd like to share?"
"They're torturing Ezra and said that he would test to T0-D Droid! Apparently, Ezra hasn't cracked yet!"
"That's amazing!" Hera gasped. "What kind of plan are you thinking of now?"
"It's kind of crazy...," Kanan said.
"Of course it is!" Sabine exclaimed. "Otherwise it wouldn't be your plan!"
"Same for the kid," Zeb added.
"Like master like padawan," Hera smiled as Chopper agreed.

The four of them laughed and then turned to Kanan who had an unamused expression on his face.

"Do you want to make a plan or not?" Kanan glared at them.
"Sorry...," Sabine weakly smiled. "We're all ears!"