Erstwhile

Music

Terror gripped me like a hand around my neck, and if it weren't for the Storm Troopers prodding me along, I would've stopped moving altogether. It wasn't that I was thankful for their presence; in fact, if I could just get my body to cooperate, I'd fight. I'd go for the one on my left first, and then the right.

It wouldn't be hard, for I knew I was more skilled than them. If I'd had just a few minutes more, I would've overcome this fear and executed my plan. But i soon realized that my time had run out as Agent Kallus came up from behind.

"Greetings, Sabine," he said and smirked at me, destroying any courage I'd mustered. "Right this way."

Immediately I dug my heels into the ground, but thanks to the soldiers behind me, I soon followed after the black-clad officer. Once again, my fear rose up to meet me, but I swallowed, pushing away my nausea. I was going to get out of here; I was going to rescue my friends, and ultimately, Ezra.

The only problem was that I had no idea how to do that.

Coming to the end of a long corridor, Agent Kallus stopped and typed in a code to the left of a door. Unfortunately, although I'd been able to catch the combination, I knew that this information was useless. As the sheets of metal slid apart and we stepped inside, a certain feeling of hopelessness overcame me.

Unless something catastrophic happened, I would never leave here.

Inside the room, there was a metal chair. At first glance, it didn't appear menacing, but as we approached, I spotted the handcuffs attached to the arm rests. Hanging above near the light fixture were other various utensils for discomfort, but I knew that those particular toys would hurt much more than the handcuffs.

Roughly, the troopers shoved me into the seat and clamped the shackles around my wrists and ankles. As they did, I attempted to fight them, but they quickly overpowered me. After receiving a nod from their superior, the two soldiers promptly left, leaving Kallus and I alone.

"You have quite the record," he commented as he skimmed through a list on the data pad in his hand. "Stealing, pirating, kidnapping, suspected murder, and of course, your signature felony, vandalism."

"I got by," I said stiffly.

"Hardly," he disagreed, "It's overwhelmingly clear to me that you had a rough childhood, and I can't hold that against you. Easier to blame circumstance, yes?"

I said nothing.

"However, the law doesn't care about your feelings. All it cares about is that it's been broken, and that someone needs to be punished." He stared at me. "In this case, that person is you."

Once again, although my hands began to shake, I said nothing.

Chuckling, he sat down in a swivel chair. "A little tight-lipped, are we? Well, not to worry, for I'm prepared to make you a deal."

"It's just a trick."

"No, I assure you, Sabine, my offer is anything but," he said. "Tell me everything you know about the rebellion, and I'll let you go. I'll clear your record. I'll even help you disappear. You could start a new life somewhere far away." He smiled. "All you have to do is talk."

To my chagrin, I was tempted by his suggestion. Who wouldn't be? To start over, away from all one's past mistakes and troubles, it was a miracle. "What if I refuse?"

"I wouldn't suggest it," he replied and pointed at the ceiling, where tools of torture waited.

Immediately, my hands began to sweat. Yes, I longed to accept his offer, but that would mean betraying my friends. Through thick and thin, they'd stood by me, and now was my chance to stick by them. I glanced at the ceiling. I wouldn't be able to outlast his interrogation. Regardless....

"No," I spat, "I won't betray the people I love."

"Love?" He sputtered, "What does a Mandalorian like you know about love?"

"It's loyalty," I said, remembering Ezra, "Something that goes deeper than blood ties."

"I will have that information," Agent Kallus said as the tools on the ceiling lowered.

"You might," I admitted, "But I'm going to give you hell first."

When the needle touched, a fierce electric current shot through me. My body thrashed against the restraints, and I struggled to hold back screams. I'd received several painful wounds in my lifetime, but nothing felt like this. It seemed that a blade was splitting every cell, yet as quickly as it had come, it was gone. Relief came in frantic gulps of air, and I sagged against the chair. Darkness clawed at my vision, and I soon had to tears that threatened to spill over and onto my cheeks. One look at Kallus's smirk dispelled any thoughts of my misery.

"Miss Wren," he said slowly, his face portraying fake sympathy. "Are you ready to answer my questions?" Too out of breath to reply, I shook my head.

He grimaced.

This time when the electric current tore through me, I was prepared. Instead of focusing on the pain, I attempted to think about something else. I tried to dissect the torture device in my mind, but this effort was futile, for my thoughts were too choppy to mean anything whatsoever.

As a result, I screamed.

Halting the torture, Kallus spoke, his eyes pleading, "Please, just talk."

I laughed, my eyelids drooping, and my throat dry. "You can surrender whenever you're ready."

Kallus pursed his lips into a thin line, but before he could commence my torture, the both of us picked up on a muffled sound, and my eyes widened. Even through walls upon walls of thick metal, even with the pain that made my body treble, I would've recognized the sound anywhere.

When the Ghost crew had first joined the rebellion, I'd made a point to inspect and make note of every gun and bomber in the rebellion's fleet. I made a repair here and there, but for the most part, I was astounded by everything I saw. However, the thing I'd loved the most was the sound of the main guns as they fired. To some, it sounded like war, but to me, it had sounded like music.

I was now hearing music.

"Hera," I whispered.

Hello!!

So sorry I haven't updated in forever. My vacation ended, and then school started, and things got crazy busy really fast. As the school year continues, I am afraid that may updates will keep being delayed, and for that I am sorry. You all, my readers, are so encouraging, and I want to write because of y'all. I'll keep writing this fanfiction; I just want to apologize in advance.

Anyway, what did you think? I really wasn't sure how Sabine was going to get out of this one, but things may be looking up. Please comment and vote!!

All my love and appreciation,

Julie :D