All my random stories

Rebels Short Story: Pain

This is a story I formed that was inspired by the Rebels TV show. It contains my main OC Iolande. Hopefully, y'all enjoy.

"What do we have here? A Jedi Master who should have died a long time ago."

"Do what you want to me, but you will never break me."

"We shall see about that."

Commander Thrawn left the prison cell where iolande was suspended in the air. This wasnt how she pictured the mission going. If that stupid droid would have kept his mouth shut and his meddling nose out of things, she wouldnt be in this situation in the first place. Iolande inspected the bonds that held her prisoner. She tried breaking it, but sheer force would not make the bonds break. She tried using the force to open the key hole but nothing happened. Iolande slowly realized that she wasnt getting out unless someone rescues her or she is set free. Closing her eyes, iolande meditated and saw the facility in her mind. The door opened, startling iolande. Opening her eyes, iolande saw Thrawn and another person standing in her cell.

"Master Jedi, let me introduce you to our leading physician, Doctor Maliki."

"Pleased to make your acquaintance."

Iolande said nothing, but just stared at them.

"She is a little shy. But I have faith that you will make her open up or you will break her. Good luck, doctor."

Thrawn left the doctor to do his work. Doctor Maliki opened the case he had brought with him. Iolande immediately recognized the types of tools he had with him. They were specifically used to break Jedi. She had seen them once before. In the Citadel, the shining example of a place created and designed only to break the strongest of the Jedi. Doctor Maliki must has seen her flinch at the sight of the tools.

"Dont worry, these wont hurt a bit."

"Like I said to Thrawn. Do what you want to me. You will never break me."

"I have heard those words so many times from traitors like you. What makes you think that you are any different?"

Iolande closed her eyes. What did make her different? She wasnt the strongest Jedi in the galaxy.

"Becuase I have already been broken before. And you cant break the broken."

Maliki lifted a needle with some liquid and injected it into her forearm.

"We'll see about that."

The drug cruised through her blood stream. She felt it burn at the injection sight, but she gave no indication of pain or discomfort.

"Now tell me, what has broken you before? What makes you join the Rebels and create chaos when all the Empire wants is order?"

"You want the truth?"

"Only if you are willing."

"The truth is a hard pill to swallow. Simple minds like yours can become broken with the truth I know."

"I'll take my chances."

"Very well. You say you serve the almighty empire that rules with what you think is peace and prosperity. But this empire has been built on the forced cooperation of the citizens. They control their people that they 'protect' by the use of fear."

"That is really untrue. The empire and the emperor protects everyone who is under their reign."

"What has the empire done for you? For me, they've done a really good job of taking my friends and family away. All because we believe that living in fear is not freedom."

"You have no idea what good the empire has done for the galaxy."

"Really?? Do enlighten me on some of these good deeds the empire has displayed."

"They help the people on the planet Wootoine, and the people in the outer rim when their mining companies fell apart."

"Did they really?"

"What do you mean? Of course they did. It was all the talk about it in the academy on how they saved the people from the likes of you and your friends."

"What exactly were you told?"

"You had set bombs all over the planet's surface and were going to detonate then if they didnt submit to your rule."

Iolande just sighed. Dr. Maliki noticed the unhappy smile she wore.

"It is very unfortunate how the empire has been able to wear their mask for so long and fool the people in the core worlds and in the outer rim."

"What do you mean?"

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you've been told that the likes like me have terrorized the galaxy for years. That we are cold blooded monsters that have no heart and concept of mercy."

"But you are. Your weapons have the blood of millions on them."

"How many Jedi have you seen kill innocent people? How many have you seen with your own eyes slaughter their enemies in cold blood? How many of my people have begged for mercy from you?"

Dr. Maliki opened his mouth to answer but closed it almost immediately. He hadn't seen many Jedi in action before. He had many Jedi patients that he interrogated but none gave away the indication that they had killed innocent people. In fact, many told him about the families and lives that they were leading before the empire came and destroyed it. Lives of peace and love.

"What you have been told are just stories fabricated to make people fear the group who are trying to set them free. It is only a matter of time till there are no longer any Jedi left to fight for the idea of peace and prosperity. Of freedom and equality. After we are all gone, there will be no one left to protect them."

At that moment, Commander Thrawn entered the room.

"Have you discovered anything, doctor?"

Dr. Maliki didnt answer. He was so lost in thought that he didnt hear the question of his commanding officer.

"Dr. Maliki."

Maliki snapped back to reality.

"Oh, apologies, Commander Thrawn."

"Apology accepted. Now, did you discover anything yet?"

Maliki just looked at the helpless Jedi master. He had discovered something. The truth. But Thrawn is not interested in the truth.

"No, sir. Nothing quite yet."

"Well, it is early. Continue your good work."

Trawn left the room. Iolande just looked at Maliki.

"What?"

"I'm just curious, you could have had me killed for saying such profane things against the empire. So why didnt you?"

"Because Thrawn doesnt care about truth. Whether I use it against you or him. All he cares about is bringing the people that pollute our galaxy with their ideals down and to justice."

"So, for Thrawn, it wouldn't have been justice if he were to execute me?"

"Not justice for the people who want to be free."