Daughter of Mortis

Deal With A Devil

She saw him again. He looked older, sadder, more angry now than the last time she had seen him. He couldn't see her. Perhaps he wasn't searching. She didn't entirely believe that, though. Every now and then, she felt a brush of his presence. It was enough to keep her going, the thought of seeing him again.

She reached out a hand and brushed his arm. She had been doing this since she'd been taken. He looked around, as though he had actually felt her. Maybe he had. A jerking sensation began to rouse her. She held on to the dreamlike state. She didn't want to face what would happen when she woke.

Ania blinked her eyes open in the cell. She was still strapped to the electrolined platform. They had tilted her upright. From her position, she could see out a large window. The city of Coruscant winked at her. How could something so spectacular house such a dark secret? The door hissed open and her persecutors strode in.

"Ah, you're finally awake. It's been almost two days this time," Grand Moff Tarkin smirked. "I thought you were trained to withstand pain."

Throat too parched to speak, Ania shot a poisonous glare at Tarkin and looked back out the window. The other, one she had learned was an Inquisitor, struck out, a fist colliding with her jaw. Ania spat onto the floor but still remained silent. She didn't know the Inquisitor's name, but she did know she was female.

"Let me try again," the Sister suggested. "As her body deteriorates, so does her mind. Perhaps this time I will be able to influence it."

"You are in charge of interrogation. I trust you know the methods to use. Report to me if you make any progress." Grand Moff Tarkin left the room.

The Sister went around the desk in the cell and hit a button. The blinds closed over the window. She made her way back to Ania and tilted her head. "You are a curious phenomenon, young Jedi. Many of your age would have succumbed by now."

Ania still didn't speak, but her thoughts were rude enough. The Sister held up a hand before Ania. "Tell me the location of the Rebel Base." Nothing. "You WILL tell me where the base is." Ania furrowed her brows in concentration.

"Who are your supporters within the Senate?" Ania closed her eyes, resisting the mind control. "Who brought you to Coruscant? Who helped your friends escape? Where are they? Who is Fulcrum?"

Ania blinked her eyes open, gasping. The Sister moved closer, bringing her hand closer to Ania's face. "Answer me! Who are the Rebel leaders within the Senate? Where is your cell? Who brought you here? Who helped your friend escape?"

Reach out.

A familiar voice broke through the Sister's demands in her mind. Ania followed the guidance. She grabbed onto the Force, letting it flow through her. "Who is Fulcrum? Where are the Rebels?"

Find her, the guide directed. Ania did as she was told. The Sister's violent presence wasn't hard to find. Control her.

I can't.

You can.

Ania struck out, wrapping her grip around the Sister's mind. The hurled questions broke off. Ania opened her eyes, maintaining her grip. The Sister's eyes were wide and she was clutching her head. She glanced at Ania with pure hatred. "Let go of me!" She gasped.

"You will release me," Ania rasped through a dry throat. The Sister resisted. Ania pushed harder at her mind. "You will release me."

"No!" The Sister gripped her head in agony.

"You will release me!" Two voices emerged from her mouth. Her own, and the guide.

The Sister released her head, compliance falling over her features. She pressed a few buttons on the platform. It dropped Ania to the ground. Her blue senate disguise was tattered. Ania grabbed the Sister's lightsaber. "You will sleep now," the two voices ordered. Instantly, the Sister dropped down, fast asleep.