Post by Mike on Mar 25, 2022 21:51:58 GMT -5
Red light shone into the room tangibly, as a fan of billowing sheets, reflecting off of the steamy mist that was rising from below. Each segment of the flowing fan came into the room through oblong slots in the metal decking common to the belowdecks and maintenance areas of Imperial Capital Ships, except where they were blocked by the under-lit silhouette of a man knelt in meditation. While sweat poured from his brow and down his back under the black, rough-spun robes he wore, even the steam from below could not suppress the chill that crept up his spine and straightened his posture.
The fear itself was uncontrollable, insuppressible, but it was comfortable in that he knew it would soon get worse. His presence alone was only the beginning of the fear. As if on cue from his thoughts, the next set of fear came - the heavy pounding of footsteps, much heavier than a man of his already imposing size should make. And then, the silence, followed the hiss of the maintenance shaft door opening before him.
And then, the most terrible sound of all - an unmistakable noise, an unforgettable one. A sound that anyone that lives after hearing it will be haunted by for the rest of their anxiety-ridden lives, worrying only about when the next time they hear it might be. It was that deep, rhythmic, mechanical, labored breathing.
Whoooo...pahhhhh!
Oh, how that sound sent chills through him! Suddenly, his sweat felt cold, and he began to shiver despite the steam.
He stood and turned in one motion, fighting to slow his movements against the adrenaline. He saw the unreadable stare of the mask, felt the torrent of pure rage that echoed with a cacophony of pain, regret, anger, and loss. Placing one fist on his chest and lowering his eyes, the Fifth Brother's hair fell forward from his shoulders and hung down from his hood. Stepping back with his left foot, he knelt on one knee before the imposing, black-clad figure that entered the room.
Whoooo...pahhhhh!
"What is thy bidding, my master?"
Silence.
Whoooo...pahhhhh!
"Our battle station has been destroyed, and Director Krennic's team has been eradicated." Whoooo...pahhhhh! "The plans to this battle station have also been lost - though one may still yet live that understands its inner workings. You will retrieve this Sadhric Tlin and bring him before me."
"Yes, my master," the Fifth Brother said immediately, not daring to look up.
Whoooo...pahhhhh!
"The Emperor wishes to recreate this weapon, and if you cannot bring this scientist to me, you will explain it to the Emperor."
Yes, my master," he repeated.
"You will find, Inquisitor, that the Emperor is not as forgiving as I am. Do not fail me, this time." The imposing figure raised a huge, black-gloved hand and pointed down at the robed man before him.
It stung, of course, that the Brother had failed previously - the Jedi, the escaped Corellian Padawan, had eluded his capture on numerous occasions. His report of failure had been...painful. He remembered only too-well that he could not bring her before his master to join the ranks of the Inquisitorius. Too many of his Brothers and Sisters had fallen, either in battle or under the blade of their terrifying overseer, and more were needed to quell this rebellion. She would join, or she would die.
Whoooo...pahhhhh!
"Yes, my master," he said again, though through gritted teeth.
Silence.
Whoooo...pahhhhh!
"Your anger will serve you well in your new position. Your brothers and sisters have fallen, nearly every one of them." Whoooo...pahhhhh! "Congratulations are in order, Grand Inquisitor. Rise."
Though many would feel accomplishment at a promotion, The Fifth Brother - now Grand Inquisitor - felt only more fear. He stood and used that fear to steady himself with the Force. "I will serve you well, my Master."
"See that you do, Grand Inquisitor."
Whoooo...pahhhhh!
With that, the figure turned to the door and a moment later was gone.
After returning to his ship and reviewing his mission report, Grand Inquisitor Ith'li Shaon set his course for the Agamar system.
As hyperspace blurred the light of the stars past him, a chill ran up his spine again. He wasn't sure when the next time would be that he would hear that noise, but he feared it may be the last.
The fear itself was uncontrollable, insuppressible, but it was comfortable in that he knew it would soon get worse. His presence alone was only the beginning of the fear. As if on cue from his thoughts, the next set of fear came - the heavy pounding of footsteps, much heavier than a man of his already imposing size should make. And then, the silence, followed the hiss of the maintenance shaft door opening before him.
And then, the most terrible sound of all - an unmistakable noise, an unforgettable one. A sound that anyone that lives after hearing it will be haunted by for the rest of their anxiety-ridden lives, worrying only about when the next time they hear it might be. It was that deep, rhythmic, mechanical, labored breathing.
Whoooo...pahhhhh!
Oh, how that sound sent chills through him! Suddenly, his sweat felt cold, and he began to shiver despite the steam.
He stood and turned in one motion, fighting to slow his movements against the adrenaline. He saw the unreadable stare of the mask, felt the torrent of pure rage that echoed with a cacophony of pain, regret, anger, and loss. Placing one fist on his chest and lowering his eyes, the Fifth Brother's hair fell forward from his shoulders and hung down from his hood. Stepping back with his left foot, he knelt on one knee before the imposing, black-clad figure that entered the room.
Whoooo...pahhhhh!
"What is thy bidding, my master?"
Silence.
Whoooo...pahhhhh!
"Our battle station has been destroyed, and Director Krennic's team has been eradicated." Whoooo...pahhhhh! "The plans to this battle station have also been lost - though one may still yet live that understands its inner workings. You will retrieve this Sadhric Tlin and bring him before me."
"Yes, my master," the Fifth Brother said immediately, not daring to look up.
Whoooo...pahhhhh!
"The Emperor wishes to recreate this weapon, and if you cannot bring this scientist to me, you will explain it to the Emperor."
Yes, my master," he repeated.
"You will find, Inquisitor, that the Emperor is not as forgiving as I am. Do not fail me, this time." The imposing figure raised a huge, black-gloved hand and pointed down at the robed man before him.
It stung, of course, that the Brother had failed previously - the Jedi, the escaped Corellian Padawan, had eluded his capture on numerous occasions. His report of failure had been...painful. He remembered only too-well that he could not bring her before his master to join the ranks of the Inquisitorius. Too many of his Brothers and Sisters had fallen, either in battle or under the blade of their terrifying overseer, and more were needed to quell this rebellion. She would join, or she would die.
Whoooo...pahhhhh!
"Yes, my master," he said again, though through gritted teeth.
Silence.
Whoooo...pahhhhh!
"Your anger will serve you well in your new position. Your brothers and sisters have fallen, nearly every one of them." Whoooo...pahhhhh! "Congratulations are in order, Grand Inquisitor. Rise."
Though many would feel accomplishment at a promotion, The Fifth Brother - now Grand Inquisitor - felt only more fear. He stood and used that fear to steady himself with the Force. "I will serve you well, my Master."
"See that you do, Grand Inquisitor."
Whoooo...pahhhhh!
With that, the figure turned to the door and a moment later was gone.
After returning to his ship and reviewing his mission report, Grand Inquisitor Ith'li Shaon set his course for the Agamar system.
As hyperspace blurred the light of the stars past him, a chill ran up his spine again. He wasn't sure when the next time would be that he would hear that noise, but he feared it may be the last.
