A Dangerous Game

[Darth Kravos]

Darth Kravos made his way down the hallway of the base on Ziost. The seat of the Imperial military was well-defended enough that there wouldn't be anyone coming to save the two Jedi. They had been delivered to the Empire after the fight on Makeb. Jedi delivered to the Sith was something that the Dark Lord had personally taken interest in.

Each of the prisoners had been strapped to an interrogation table, side by side, with shock restraints around hands, feet, and neck. Any attempt to use the Force would be quickly and brutally cut off with several million volts. It could distract or it could kill. Whatever he needed and controlled either by his own device or the guard outside and out of sight.

Percival and Thrash. A man and a woman who were now at the mercy of the Empire. What happened to them would be... well, it would be up to them. There was a version of this where they could both go home, there was a version of this where they were both turned into vegetables, and there was a version of this where they both died.

The Dark Lord paused outside the room before making his way inside. He was dressed in his full gear and his saber hidden under his robes. He could immediately see the variety of interrogation utensils and drugs laid out on the table where the prisoners couldn't see.

Shall we begin? he asked as he made his way in. There was no point in introductions. They knew who he was and he had read what information there was about them.

I'm going to be as direct about this as I can be. I'm going to ask questions, and you will answer them truly and fully. I will know if you are lying and none of your thoughts are hidden from my sight. If you answer my questions in full and truthfully, then you may be able to leave here alive, he said. He didn't want to give this spiel, but somehow he had the feeling that these two were going to try a lot of Jedi-grandstanding.

I will get the information out of you even if I have to rip your minds apart to get it, but I'd prefer to save myself time and I'm sure you'd rather save your minds, he said, looking to them for some sort of indication that they understood what he was saying. He could sense their thoughts, fleeting and otherwise, and no matter how much they may try, shielding their minds from someone like him was all but impossible. @Aurius Pheonix @Faded Truth

 

[Arhena Espaa]

This would be a rather short life, it appeared. Dragged from Tanaab after surrendering, as any Jedi would, to save the life of his partner. Though he couldn't describe the treatment given to him by the Empire as fair, he couldn't yet say it had been unduly harsh. Though he got the ghist it was about to get a lot worse, as two Imperial Shocktroopers escorted him from his cell and placed him in the most horrific contraption ever made. He could've tried to escape, but that would be impossible. He'd considered simply snapping his own neck, but despite himself he did want to live. When the Sith that would interrogate them entered the room and his voice boomed to the two of them, his heart ran hot and red. He knew this one. The one that claimed to have killed his father.

He was not afraid. That was something that surprised him, no matter what happened here seemed to be no issue, he was numb and cold. But he was also dangerously close to losing his cool, he was inches away from the man who caused thousands of people - himself included - countless suffering. Inches away from the possibility of ending his life, or at least trying to avenge the people butchered by his hand. The more he thought about it, the more he tried to shove the thoughts away and calm himself down. Trying to resist him would be trial enough, if it came to that, he'd have no choice but to die. He had no doubt the questions asked would be important ones, but there were certain things he both didn't know by choice, or would incite the Sith to kill him long before he said anything too damaging.

"Skip to the part where I die and be done with it."

His voice was a low growl. Maybe this man gave off an aura of anger and that was affecting him, or maybe Kathry had cast some sorcery on him that bent his emotions, but for the life of him he couldn't keep them in check. Every single time this man spoke, all he saw was graves, people weeping around them, the countless names he'd listed down for the records of the dead. The lists that just kept piling higher and higher, to the point were he'd given up his library to try and do something about it. This, he supposed, is what he got for that effort. His fists tightened.

I'm going to kill you, you... There is no emotion. There... is peace.

"Be careful what you wish for, Kal."

Arhena prayed the name would either stir some resurgent memory, or at least throw the Sith off-guard. He'd studied each and every one of them, they all served as perfect example of everything a Jedi shouldn't be, or shouldn't do. As a librarian, he had access to that information, a record of who they'd been in the Order before turning into these parasites. Part of him expected he already knew the question he was going to ask, and if he was right there was absolutely no way he could answer. Not willingly, not with knowing it would put the lives of anybody else in danger above his own. He could force the machine to kill him, he knew he could, and so he exhaled and closed his eyes. Of course, there was a version of this were Kravos got exactly what he wanted, and because of it ended up just as dead as the pair might be.

The second possible question was one he wouldn't mind answering, if for no other reason than to watch from the heavens while their forces were stomped into the ground.

The game of information went two ways, and he could learn some valuable things while here as well, assuming he lived to tell the tale. If he didn't die or sacrifice himself, or worse yet, attempt attacking the one who'd murdered the three his sister had recently laid to rest. His real sister, not the monster that had turned him in to this slice of delusional, god-complex psychopath. His mind would seem singularly focused on butchering the Dark Lord, and he made no attempt to hide the various scenarios he purposefully envisioned in his head. The only other person in the Galaxy he was utterly willing to kill, for what had been taken from him and the ones he cared about. Kravos would know it, the Sith would be able to feel the weak but kindling hatred that seemed to spark only for him, but he might not be aware as to why. Or maybe he would know, but Arhena somehow doubted it would matter.
@Phoenix @Faded Truth

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[Thrash]

.

Short life indeed, as she thought to herself, finally coming out of the grogginess of the stun bolts. She had been foolish, blindly attacking the two Sith who managed to overpower her and also placing Arhena's life in danger. Regret and anguish filled her mind, something she knew that the powerful Darth Kravos could easily ascertain as he would surely glance into the emotional content of the young Jedi Emissary.

Eyes shifting from her Jedi friend over to the Dark Lord, mustering up a weak smile as she greeted him. "Darth Kravos.." She coughed, "I never thought a Jedi like myself would get the pleasure. I see that you are enjoying your new life as a lord of darkness.." She leaned her head back momentarily, resting against the platform to which she was tied to. Gathering some stamina before she continued, "No..Arhena, you are here because of my mistake, I must take the responsibility of failure.." She stated, before attention shifted back to Kravos. "What is that you seek, Dark Lord?"

@Phoenix

 

[Darth Kravos]

Kravos rolled his eyes behind his mask at the Jedi who decided he wanted to play the grandstanding fool. Just as he had anticipated he would. It was all rather dull and illustrated the exact arrogance that had driven Kal Vox away from the Jedi Order. His attempts to puff his chest out were comical given his current position. Even wiser Jedi Masters had recognized the dangers of the arrogance that had begun to invade the Jedi Order. This one did not, and was in fact caught in the throes of it himself. It seemed the recruitment and training had become even more lax since Kravos had left the Order. More the pity.

Kravos let out an ice cold chuckle at the Jedi's words. Clearly you learned nothing from Jedha, he said. The Jedi temple had been leveled because of one Jedi Master who, in his arrogance, thought it was a wise idea to insult the Empress. Insults wouldn't buy the Jedi what he wanted, it would buy him whatever he didn't want, and if there was one thing Kravos knew it was how to make people suffer.

The woman, however, seemed to have a head on her shoulders. Even if she chose not to tell him what he wanted to know, she at least was prudent. He spoke to her, ignoring the other Jedi for the moment and any further foolish outbursts from him. The Jedi have a new base. We already know this. I want to know where, he said. Though they hadn't discerned the location of Tython yet, he could see into her mind and would be able to sense if she were lying. @Aurius Pheonix @Faded Truth

 

[Arhena Espaa]

But yet what had the Dark Lord expected from the seventeen years old kid he'd strapped to a torture device? The wisdom of a Jedi Master? The serenity of someone who'd reached inner peace? There was no wisdom of rational thinking behind his actions at present, he was driven by a very different determination. He was acting through his fight and flight instincts, and he could not fly, so his mind defaulted to the fighting state. Arhena could not possibly have learned to control himself in the limited time he'd been a member of the Order, though Kravos was apparently unaware. To his benefit, he did try to calm himself, but it wasn't for the sake of the Sith. He wouldn't say a thing, and there lied the issue of the situation. The only true advantage he had was living for something else, because when you lived for something else you were willing to die for what you believed in.

But it will make no difference. He'll tear it from my mind, unless I make sure my mind isn't intact enough to tear through. And even then, Trash would be left behind.

He didn't bother scoffing at the comment. For one so informed, he knew precious little about Arhena, and it was beginning to show. Maybe the Sith didn't have as long an arm as they'd like to have the Galaxy believe. He'd never been to the temple on Jedha, before it was razed to the ground, his training had taken place on Lothal prior to it's capture, and he'd since trained while moving. He'd only recently decided to leave his duties as a librarian to join the ranks of the Order's active combatants, half of the reason he was in this situation today. Indeed, the Dark Lord expected much from a child, much more than he was willing or able to give. Arhena knew if they told him what he wanted to know, chances are the entire Order would be wiped out, and neither of them would leave alive. It would make no sense for their enemy to allow them a chance at freedom. It made no sense for this one in particular to show any leniency, when the Dark Lord was known for showing none at all. They would die today regardless.

The situation only became worse when you considered that the boy didn't have the passage to Tython memorized. The navi-computer on his freighter might have given them more information than he could, but they hadn't captured the freigher. At most he could tell them the general location of the planet, he'd quite purposefully avoided memorizing the location because of a situation like this. He was always on the move, his time on Tython had consisted of a meeting and a funeral before setting off again. Of course, it meant that the path did lie in his mind, but random images of starship travel would not help the Sith discover his goal. Thrash? He didn't know if she knew, but he hoped she wouldn't say. Their lives weren't worth the trade of the last stronghold they could call safe. No scenario in his head would make that a worthwhile sacrifice, assuming they'd walk. Kravos was a tactician and would never allow the two to warn the Order or prepare to fight at it's side, that would be foolish. So, the only logic he could find behind any offer he'd make was deception and lies. It was a Sith trademark, after all.

Well that confirms it, then. You want to know something I can't tell you, which is great for them but horrible for me. That's the situation I was placed in, do whatever you want.
@Phoenix @Faded Truth​

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[Thrash]

.

Thrash remained silent for now as the two males conversed. If Darth Kravos sought to know such intricate details, he likely would have been better suited to capture more knowledgeable jedi. Thrash had been an emissary largely, spending the last several months in Coruscant and Alderaan before returning to Ossus during the invasion. She had never been to any temple on Tython and certainly her mind would not harbor the imagery needed to secure such a location. Needless to say, she was not sure on which new base he inquired about, if at anything, she may have been led to believe that he cared more for the resistance efforts at Ossus than he did regarding a new place of operations.

The young jedi was no match for the most powerful Sith other than Andraste. However, her valiant efforts should have been commended, even from the Dark Lord. Her mind fluttered with thoughts and pictures of the various planets and the sparingly happy moments of her life, including childhood. These thoughts raced in attempts to shield her from any mental invasions Kravos had planned, though she knew that she would likely not be successful in resisting him, it only mattered to her that she tried.

A light smile came to her face, features pleasant as she looked upon the Sith. "It's okay Arhena, I like to believe that the Dark Lord would be a man of his word, afterall, one cannot lead an Empire and resort only to deceit and cruelty. Your question is valid, Darth Kravos, however I am sorry that I cannot be of further assistance. As you would expect any within your order to guard such precious secrets, I in full moral conscience cannot risk the lives of many just so that we can bargain for leniency. In my short time, I have seen many accomplishments, the rise of your empire as well as the resilience of our Order. I knew the risks when I became a Knight."

She stated simply, taking a momentary pause before she began to speak once more. "Killing us will accomplish you nothing, perhaps I can ask for a different consideration? Allow my friend to depart unharmed, and I will allow you to fully corrupt my soul with the essence of the dark side. I will offer no resistance, and will aim to serve the Empress with devotion to the fullest of my abilities till the end of days. I think it is a fair offer, no?"

@Phoenix @Aurius Pheonix

 

[Darth Kravos]

Kravos was quite attentive to the things going on with his prisoners. Even if the young one had never been to Jedha, he would have known what happened there if he didn't live under a rock. Whether a Jedi chose to learn anything from it was a Jedi's prerogative. More interesting to Kravos was the images and flashes of concern he had about Tython. Tython of all places. Maybe he shouldn't have been surprised, but he was. The Jedi resettling Tython... he couldn't decide if it was genius or incredibly foolish.

He turned his attention back toward Thrash next. The fact was that it was impossible for the two to be Jedi and not know about Tython. It was where their Grandmaster had declared his position, after all. Even if they'd not attended, such a massive change of leadership would be known to everyone no matter what they did in the Order.

In short order, the blue-skinned woman was telling him that she was not going to answer his question. He admired her loyalty to an extent, albeit feeling it was misplaced. He gave a slight sigh, though. It was unfortunate that they chose to take this position. It would only delay the inevitable. He had more than a little experience prying through a mind, and no matter how much they tried to resist, it would only slow him down.

Her offer of service was an interesting one, but ultimately one that Kravos was unlikely to accept. Corruption of that nature... well, true corruption was slower than that as far as Kravos was concerned, even if the Jedi might have disagreed.

Awfully eager to join our little band. Fancy yourself a Jedi Shadow? he asked, not directly responding to her offer yet, instead opting to redirect. More likely than not this was seeming as if it was going to result in an unpleasant end for one or both of them. But your attempts to sacrifice yourself won't save anyone. It was just an offer to save yourself, he said with a slight shake of his head.

Fine, let's try something one more time, he said. Alterations to the Order's structure, tell me about them, he said. With the new upper and lower councils, he wanted more information about appointments if there were any and what the positions held. Of course they would know this, so more attempts to tell him they didn't know - or wouldn't tell - anything, would be futile. It was the last chance before things went down hill. In truth, he was already expecting them to refuse, and he would be prepared. @Aurius Pheonix @Faded Truth

 

[Arhena Espaa]

I think it's pretty clear we're on opposing sides... Thrash, don't push him...

Now, Arhena didn't like deception, and he didn't like betraying anyone. He realized, however that his thoughts had to be on the present situation, not what could happen days down the line. They still had a chance to do something about this, maybe, but that possibility was better than nothing. He could already feel, from the relative calm of the Sith's reply, that he likely already had what he wanted. In truth, he couldn't see why the Dark Lord would care about hierarchy, beyond a personal vendetta of some kind. But then he remembered these were Andraste's Exiles. Of course it was a personal vendetta. He wanted to know ranks? That's something Arhena didn't regard as extremely secretive. But still, he would start with the obvious. He couldn't allow Thrash to do whatever it is she was planning, it wouldn't end like she thought it would. So now the question remained; live to fight another die, or struggle and fail all the same.

"Wyck is the Grandmaster. We now have one hundred and one honorifics restored from the old days before the war. We've divided into subdivisions to circumvent all the fractures that was happening in recent years. Our main concern so far seems to be rebuilding what you destroyed."

At this point, his nature kicked in. He was an open book by default, it was no surprise the Dark Lord could sense his thoughts with ease. If telling him what he wanted to know didn't involve the bases of the Order, he wouldn't mind talking. He considered this question nothing more than secondary intel, but intelligence nonetheless. A betrayal, one that he regretted, but a necessary sacrifice. They would never know the Sith were coming, they would never have a chance, unless one of them somehow survived this encounter. The chance to prevent him from getting what he wanted had past, but there was still something to be done. His heart still burned, but the fire had calmed itself. He breathed calmly, and allowed his book keeper's instincts to take over.

"The Council of First Knowledge, Reconciliation, Reconciliation, and Command. What, in specific, do you want to know? They're a lot to go through when it comes to the ranks. A lot has changed since you left."​

I'm sorry.​

@Phoenix @Faded Truth​

 

[Thrash]

.

Thrash appeared a little unsettled, she was hoping that Arhena had given her more time to communicate with Darth Kravos. She hoped that perhaps he would have agreed to compromise on an arrangement, at least perhaps spare the life of the young boy Jedi. Realizing that they had given information he sought without asking for anything in return made her sigh deeply before shifting attention to Darth Kravos.

"I suppose your question is fair Lord Kravos, and Arhena has answered it truthfully. With the demise of many of our elders, especially a few on Manaan, we have repleted our ranks with younger masters. The formation of the three councils is new, to create a more systematic approach at leadership."

@Phoenix @Aurius Pheonix

 

[Darth Kravos]

Well at least they'd figured that part out. He didn't count on that being much good for the future questions, but they'd opened up at least a little. Unfortunately, he was expecting the next question to not go over so well. He gave a nod as he contemplated those answers.

And where are the new Councils housed? Are they on Tython now? he asked. He was guessing they wouldn't be a fan of this answer, but they would answer or bad things would happen. And he was braced for that. He didn't shy away from killing, death, or torture anymore. The Sith Empire was going to be built up no matter what he needed to do and the Jedi Order would be torn down.

The truth was, Kravos wasn't surprised that Wyck was Grandmaster now, but that didn't mean he found the thought any less despicable. He hated the little green frog for the betrayals at the trial and the truth was he would never forgive him until he was dead. That wasn't really forgiveness, though, was it?

What is the Order's plan for building up forces and resources to confront the Empire? he asked as a follow up question. There was no point in dragging these questions out and he anticipated that there would not be answers to them anyway. @Aurius Pheonix @Faded Truth

 

[Arhena Espaa]

You smug sonova-

He inhaled hard. There it was again. That lingering flame that felt like it wanted to burst out of his chest and attack Kravos on it's own will. Arhena was trying desperately not to do something stupid, but all he could remember was this man's name. Aliyah wanted to find him too, and he knew that if she succeeded it would mean her death. Even Kathry, he had to hope, still wanted vengeance for their father's death. But it was more than that. Arhena wanted this man to burn in the flames of his own rage and agony, he wanted the Lord to feel every ounce of pain he had ever caused thrown back upon him tenfold. But... the rational voice in his mind whispered once again, that perhaps he was hating the wrong man. Perhaps this Sith had nothing to do with the matter, perhaps...

Perhaps he would find out. He could sense Thrash's hesitation and frustration towards him through the Force, and scoffed. She was trying to bargain with nothing of value. If she believed either of their lives were bargaining chips to the Dark Lord, she was wrong, to him their lives were meaningless unless useful. His sister had taught him that much.

"You know that answer. You've already taken it from my mind."

He wanted the truth. For everyone he cared about who ached for the answers. The statement was a confirmation, and the Dark Lord would know it, even though the boy couldn't explicitly say 'yes'. Arhena was past caring who approved of his actions, this was an opportunity he couldn't pass up, and if they escaped they had a chance to prevent this man from ever reaching the planet in the first place. Arhena would answer his questions, he could do that without guilt so long as the girl went free, but he also needed to know who was responsible for his father's death. If it was Kravos himself, he already disliked the Sith in the extreme, though the intensity would likely change. If not... at least he would know who in the Galaxy would need to die. For his family, for the one they'd lost, and the ones they'd lose if they continued this mad crusade for clues.

"Mainly we're recapturing old or abandoned shipyards. Collecting allies from anywhere we can to scramble opposition. The usual. I'll give you specifics, no issue at all..."

He leaned up as far as he could, turning his body to fully face the Dark Lord. His eyes looked directly into the eyes of this man. But he did not stare at him with hatred, or indignation. He looked through the mask, through the web of pain and hatred, seeing directly into the soul of the man that had been Kal Vox. He didn't know what he would find in those eyes, but it was obvious from his own expression what he was about to ask was a matter of honor. He prayed to the Goddess that this man still believed in the concept and would not simply rebuke him... and perhaps this would at last, be mutually beneficial. Arhena could not conceive of a future were he would ever feel anything but disdain for Kravos, but he had read the records of who Kal had been. This was for that memory, for that man, for the Jedi he'd once been.

"...and then you can torture at will, I don't care. I just want two things, Kravos. Two things, on whatever is left of the man you were. The girl goes free. And the name of the one who killed my father. The name of the one who murdered Venatus Phoenix.

Before you start arguing, Thrash, listen to me. No, listen. Sorry, I'm pulling rank, sister."

I may not be the oldest, but I do have the experience. I'm sorry, girl, but that's just not how this is going to go down.
@Phoenix @Faded Truth​

 

[Thrash]

.

The pantoran Jedi lofted a brow, "Pulling rank? No, you are the descendent of Venatus, you must carry on your line! You do not have the obligation to sacrifice yourself to free me." She snapped back at him, turning her attention to Darth Kravos. "Please, Dark Lord, do not let the boy make this deal with you. You understand the importance of such legacies as I am well aware that you would protect such in the Sith as well. Allow him to go free for the information he has provided you, I will gladly serve as your imprisoned companion for as long as you wish." He stated to him.

She sighed as she finished speaking, Arhena had given Kravos what he sought, well at least enough ample answers that two young Jedi Knights would be able to provide. Other than this, her thoughts did not race around any other pertinent information which the powerful Sith would find entertaining. Her genuine concern was for Arhena and whether their captor would oblige with her pleas.

@Phoenix @Aurius Pheonix

 

[Darth Kravos]

Kravos listened to what the young Jedi said, and then things started to go downhill. He'd given them ample opportunity to work with him. He'd offered - and would have followed through with his offer - to let them go if they cooperated. But they had other plans. Grandstanding, outright refusal to respond, and now making demands: three strikes and you're out. He'd tried to save himself time, but that clearly wasn't going to work. They wanted to treat and barter, but they had nothing to offer him that he couldn't already take.

The Jedi tried to stare the Dark Lord down, but the mask he found himself staring back into betrayed nothing. He'd grown weary of this, though. I would have let you both go if you'd cooperated. Now neither of you will leave, he stated bluntly. As he spoke, he flashed a pair of signals and an electric current shot through both Jedi Knights. It wouldn't kill them or even be as painful as it could be (this wasn't with the intent of torturing), but it would prevent them from using the Force if they got any ideas or tried to put up resistance.

As that happened, he didn't even have to flinch as he delved into the brain of the younger Jedi. He didn't even bother waiting for them to finish addressing each other. He pounded into the man's head like a sledgehammer. It would be agonizing physical pain that stimulated every pain receptor in his being as the Dark Lord took a stroll through the Jedi's brain. Memory was a funny thing: even if one couldn't consciously retrieve the information desired, it was still encoded in there somewhere. Kravos saw the route to Tython and continued to push. He rifled through Wyck's speech and declaration as Grandmaster, catching pieces of the plans the Jedi held. He could see Byss and her shipyards. So they planned to take the fight to the Sith? Interesting. He could see Hapes and the Jedi's work in conjunction with the Republic and so much more.

The Sith Lord continued to pound away at memories with all the subtlety of a bull in a china shop and by the time it was over, there was nothing left. The Jedi would inevitably try to resist, but in a battle of wills, the far more experienced Sith Lord would win the day handily. Arhena's mind was little more than scrambled egg and he was gone. He would never recover, and there would be no restoring what was gone. His mind was lost to another world and the Dark Lord withdrew when he was satisfied he had what he wanted.

The woman would be next and he didn't give her any benefit because she was a woman. She was his enemy and he was a ruthless killer. He had been for years and it was as much the Jedi Order's fault as anyone else. He slammed into her mind as he had done with the other Jedi and unceremoniously ripped apart every wall, barrier, and preventative element she would put up with ease. He could see Byss again and several other planets, catching glimpses to fill in what he'd missed from the other Jedi's mind. As with the younger Jedi, it would rip apart who she was and that would be all.

Finally, he withdrew. The two of them would lay there in their chairs, bodies still convulsing from the electric currents, but they were gone. What a waste, he stated with a shake of his head. He couldn't stand waste, and that's what this was. They both could have left, but they'd opted for another route and now they paid the price. He snapped both of their trachea just for good measure before glancing to the guard.

Dispose of the bodies and get the room cleaned up for our next guests, he said before striding out of the room. On the bright side, that hadn't been a complete waste of time and now he had new information about the Jedi to work off of. Perhaps not a total waste.

//Exit @Aurius Pheonix @Faded Truth