Mirien Valdier
Chief Inquisitor
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- 58 posts
Reputation: 22
Excellent
Posted 11 September 2013 - 08:40 PM
Oh to be young and stupid. There was a tinkling sound on the stairs behind her. Mirien could only guess at want it was. Thinking like she always did, people trying to constantly murder her left her with a certain level of paranoia. You hear "fire in the hole" ... you think grenade, bomb, explosive or incendiary device. No matter the form it's something that is going to kark things up big time. By the time it had reached her it was really too late. Enough time had passed on the internal timer that things were about to hit the fan and hard at that.
Mirien acted quickly, wrapping herself in a protective bubble of the force. Hopefully it would be enough. Hope was all she had as she closed her eyes. Flash bangs are interesting things, mess with you in the strangest of ways. The shockwave, certainly does damage, but the sound and light just as much. Messes with everything from vision, to balance ... to hearing. One thing is for certain there will be no concentration that you will be capable of by time time it's over.
The sound wave rippled out, the shockwave not far behind it, and the light, even with her eyes closed nearly blinded her. Even with the deafening sound, she could feel the shift of the stairs beneath her.
Oh in the name of the seven hells ... a flashbang will be the death of me? How karked up is that? Was the only thought she had time to form as the stairs beneath her feet crumbled away. Try as she might the force was no longer with her. She couldn't focus, couldn't concentrate. Nothing was working for her as she started to fall.
It might have been a good thing that she couldn't see when she opened her eyes. Falling is not so bad really but its the sudden stop at the bottom that gets you. At least that she could not see, though Mirien knew damn well it was coming. The stone fell just as quickly as she did, smashing into the stone floor, three stories below. Somehow, someway, she was able to put up a small and weak protective bubble around her body at the last second. It wasn't enough to save her from harm, but enough to keep her breathing for now.
Her chest rose and fell slowly, almost strangely on one side as the lung was no longer expanding. One of her lung collapsed in the fall. She had more broken bones than could be counted, but it was her head that was probably the most concerning as blood started to pool beneath the brunette. The back her head, a large cut was present, slowly bleeding out around her. The woman did not stir, did not move, completely unconscious.
#12
Akio Kahoshi
Atrisian Vice Admiral
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- 1,056 posts
Reputation: 162
Excellent
Posted 11 September 2013 - 09:21 PM
If the white helmet were not hiding it, the dumbfounded look on the privates face as the staires collapsed would have almost made up for the sheer stupidity of what he had done. As he stood motionless, still not entirely sure what had happened as the gears in his mind failed to turn, more experienced (or at least less shell shocked) stormtroopers swept in.
Soon enough they had rigged up a cable lift using the cable from their utility belts and a string of stormtroopers acting as the winches. Once four had gotten down they could see how badly the intruder was injured, and none of them wanted to be the one to tell General Yu or the Admiral that the prisoner they had wanted alive had died due to stupidity. So to go with the cable lift system, they managed to device a sling that allowed them to get her up without hurting her more.
There a stormtrooper with medical training carefully wrapped her head to try and stop the bleeding, then she was rushed to the waiting hovercraft and back to Jar'kai. Once in the capital she was brought to a military hospital where her wounds were properly treated. Her belongings, and the tablet that had been on her person, were quickly taken away while she was stabilized. At first only a pair of stormtroopers guarded the injured prisoner, but it did not take long before a solemn faced man in an IIB uniform appeared as well. Interestingly not long after the fact that she carried a lightsaber was discovered.
After the doctors had done all they could, all that was left was to wait.
#13
Mirien Valdier
Chief Inquisitor
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- 58 posts
Reputation: 22
Excellent
Posted 12 September 2013 - 01:42 AM
And wait they did. Four days passed before the woman started to stir. A flutter of the eyes at first, a soft groan, followed by a tug of her wrists, trying to pull them up to her face and roll over. Feeling horrific pain in that action, as she found not only was she hurt somehow, but bound to the bed. Groggy chocolate eyes snapped open with a look of utter and complete confusion. She tried to lift herself enough to see what was holding her, but the pain shot through her like lightening. Everything hurt, her head especially. Her lungs ached badly, legs ... arms... As she tried to shift to somewhat sit up, the pain drew a scream from her. Tears soon followed as panic and pain began to overwhelm her completely.
From her restrained position, she struggled, panting for breath and each breath hurt more than the last. Her vitals were stable, until she woke. Now they were all over the place as the panic grew worse.
"Ahhhhh!" She cried out, her head shifting from side to side, trying to see anyone, anything. Trying to figure out how she got here in the first place. Right now not much was coming to her, a thought that she was quick to push away.
"Please ...." She whimpered through panted breaths,
"Someone .... Help .. Me... Please..." She pleaded, still not sure what was going on, how this had happened to her, or even where she was at that moment.
"Anyone?!" Her voice grew louder, as did her panic. She despite the pain, struggled more violently against the bonds that held her down.
"Please! Someone!"
After that, she let her head fall back to the bed, sobbing and whimpering. Her heart rate was nearly triple what it should have been, bordering on dangerous. It couldn't be helped. She was confused, unsure of what happened, not sure where she was or why .... why she was restrained? It beyond terrified her, and in these fragile moments everything was worn on her sleeve for all to see.
"Gods please!" It was now less sobbing, and more panicked breaths ... more screams. A panic attack now taking over the small woman. She pulled even harder against the restraints, freaking out completely as no one had come yet, no one responded to her. At this rate, she was going to do some serious damage to her weakened body, if not reopen her wounds. The bandage on her head, already red with blood, even some seeping through onto the pillow beneath her. Right now, she needed help, right that second and not seeing anyone, and unable to really lift her head to look only made it all worse for her. Feeling trapped, certainly not helping her fragile mental state. Still one thing had not dawned on her yet .... That there was nothing, absolutely nothing that she could recall before waking in this room. Other matters, such as her pain, her panic and fear were more pressing matters, and she hadn't had the time to truly sit down and think about everything.
#14
Akio Kahoshi
Atrisian Vice Admiral
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- 1,056 posts
Reputation: 162
Excellent
Posted 12 September 2013 - 04:30 PM
When she first awoke, the man dressed in the IIB uniform held up his hand to stop anyone from going to help. His expression held a cold curiousness, the kind of look a scientist might watch a petri dish with. He wanted to see what she would do in her restraints, and judging from his expression whatever he had been expecting was different from what was really happening.
Even still he waited, possibly to see if it was an act, possibly waiting for something he was not going to share. Eventually he stepped forward, when it became obvious she was beginning to do serious harm to herself.
"That will be quite enough." The worlds were carefully spoken, and contained enough menace that even the other Imperials in the room seemed to shrink back. Another motion brought a doctor rushing over to inject the prisoner with an anesthesia to stop her from thrashing anymore.
"I shall return in an hour, when that wears off," the man said cooly.
"You have that much time to think, and to learn to behave yourself. Otherwise I might have to do something unfriendly."
#15
Mirien Valdier
Chief Inquisitor
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- 58 posts
Reputation: 22
Excellent
Posted 12 September 2013 - 04:49 PM
She howled at the injection but it spread quickly and soon she found herself unable to move at all, though completely aware. Nothing would respond to her, not even her eyes which had remained open. Pain still radiated from every limb, every part of her in agony yet she couldn't even cry out now. Slow tears oozed down from her open eyes. This, she did not understand.
Why? What? What happened? Where am I? Who are they? Fear grew steadily inside her mind, frightened of the man who had done this to her. People seemed to be taking orders from him, and were terrified of him, but why? That she wanted to know.
Her heart rate slowed, breathing normalized, by force. She had no control over what he had let the doctors do to her. Nothing made sense to her, and yet she could feel a cold anger and frustration building within her body. While he left a doctor came over, lifting her head to check the wound as more blood had seeped down onto the pillow. A couple of her stitches had popped in the struggles. Soon enough that was repaired and her head laid to rest back in a more comfortable position. It left her to stare at the ceiling above her, unable to blink, unable to look away. The more she tried to move, the more frustrated the woman got. Finally a glass beaker sitting on the shelf nearby exploded. Having little idea that she'd been the one to do it, left her even more fearful of the environment around her.
Slowly now, completely trapped in her thoughts, things were starting to come together for her. It finally dawned on her, she couldn't remember where she had been before this, couldn't remember what she had been doing, couldn't remember a damn thing. Her name? She couldn't recall that she had one at all. A thought that left the tears rapidly pouring from her open eyes.
Time passed slowly, seeming to take an eternity in the state she was trapped in. But eventually she found herself able to move her eyes, close them. Slowly very slowly she was gaining more control over her body. Tears kept flowing, her pains hadn't lessens in the least which given what she had just discovered only made matters worse as she began to sniffle and cry softly. This time, she didn't struggle, didn't pull on her restraints. She left everything alone and closed her eyes to try and be alone with what little thoughts she had, what little she could recall. It seemed a much safer place behind closed eyes.
#16
Akio Kahoshi
Atrisian Vice Admiral
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- 1,056 posts
Reputation: 162
Excellent
Posted 12 September 2013 - 05:15 PM
At sixty minutes on the dot, the solemn faced man returned to her side. His time away had not been wasted though. He had seen everything that had occurred in his absence, and what he had seen had confirmed his suspicions. Much of that time had been spent arguing with the Vice Admiral over the best course of action, eventually they had come to a compromise. Ultimately the course of the prisoner's life rested on what she chose to do from now on. Her options were... somewhat limited.
"So you have calmed down I see," the man said in his usual warmthless voice.
"You are wanted by the Admiral, and I am to lead you there. Attempt resistance and you shall be eliminated."
Following his words, doctors began to quickly unstrap her restraints. It did not seem that he cared that her body was injured and weak, for he left her to follow on her own. Sure he moved more slowly that he might have otherwise, but he did nothing to help her. Luckily the walk was very short, leading to a doctor's office that had been borrowed for the moment. Inside was the Vice Admiral seated behind the desk, and no chairs beyond the one he occupied. The solemn man moved to stand beside the Admiral, apparently the prisoner was expected to stand before them.
"Tell me," Akio began,
"Who are you?"
#17
Mirien Valdier
Chief Inquisitor
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- 58 posts
Reputation: 22
Excellent
Posted 12 September 2013 - 05:55 PM
Her eyes snapped open hearing that same terrible voice. Her body responded in kind, remembering the last time he had been with her, now trembling.
"Resist? You have to be kidding. I can barely move!" She protested, feeling too much broken, too much hurting. Even a glance to her body told her just how karked up she was. For a moment she just blinked a few times as he headed off, no wheelchair, not an aide to help her ... Nothing.
"Where in the hells am I?" She asked, but had a feeling he would not answer.
Mirien feared things were going to get worse if she did not at least try to follow. So slowly she gathered the courage after the restraints were pulled away. With great care she started to sit up, a cry of pain was what she was rewarded with. She shook her head, trying to fight the pain within her body.
Insane, this is insane. Why am I doing this? For a moment she thought on it, but she kept moving, just having that feeling that her life might end if she didn't. A scream followed as she put her feet on the floor and tried to stand. Her legs nearly collapsing beneath her body. In her casts and whatever else was supporting broken bones, she could feel the pressure, feel them grinding on one another. After a moment, nearly passing out, she managed a couple of steps, still clinging to the edge of the bed.
A few more steps were taken before she collapsed on the floor. Tears were streaming down as she struggled hard trying to get back up. Agony was an understatement. Still she pressed forward, crawling her way to the wall and used it to pull herself to her feet once more. Whimpers, and soft cries could be heard the whole time, every step more painful than the one before it. Now dizzy, bordering on truly passing out, she made it through the door with the Admiral. A look of utter confusion as she glanced to the men and the lack of a seat. Reaching up she clutched at the back of her head, waves of pain rolling through it from the wound in the back. Nothing was making sense to her, absolutely nothing.
More stumbled and awkward steps and she collapsed once more in the floor in front of the two men. Blinking, her head bobbed forward, darkness threatening to pull her under. She couldn't stand. There was no way, too weak, too hurt. It wasn't going to happen, even though they seemed to expect it of her.
Then came the question ....
Who are you? It resonated through her mind. Closing her eyes, she tried to remember, pushed hard to dig for the name of the woman she was. But soon, only agony was her reward for trying that. On an instinctual level she tried to use the force to help her, but no ... it wasn't working. She clutched at her head, crying out. Tears came faster now, as she looked up to the Admiral through pained eyes,
"I... I ..." She stammered, biting at her lip, trying so hard to remember, something, anything at all.
"I don't know." She finally managed, her voice cracking and trembling at the words that fell from her lips, scarcely believing it was true.
#18
Akio Kahoshi
Atrisian Vice Admiral
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- 1,056 posts
Reputation: 162
Excellent
Posted 12 September 2013 - 07:41 PM
Something that might have been sympathy touched the features of the Admiral, but while he might feel sorry for the woman's current state his job came before her comfort. When she professed to not know who she was, he studied her for a moment before turning to the man beside him.
"So it looks like your suspicions were right. If she is telling the truth, of course."
"I believe she is."
"So do I," Akio said turning back to the woman.
"You, to put it bluntly, are a criminal One who would very probably be dead already for your crimes if not for your current...circumstances. Perhaps this incident will offer you a chance to redeem your previous self's transgressions. This man is Chief Inquisitor Lai. Inquisitor Lai, you know our agreement."
"I still think Moff Shu would disagree with this."
"Moff Shu left the matter to my discretion, as he often does."
"Hmph." The Inquisitor did not seem impressed, but he knew well enough not to argue in front of a prisoner. Turning back to the woman, his solemn expression turned dark.
"What do you remember about the Force?"
#19
Mirien Valdier
Chief Inquisitor
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- 58 posts
Reputation: 22
Excellent
Posted 12 September 2013 - 08:45 PM
Mirien sat quietly for a moment, trying to absorb what had been said to her. She shook her head frantically at the mention of the word criminal. She wasn't a criminal, was she? It felt so wrong. Everything felt wrong.
"No ... no.." Her eyes searched the ground in front of her as if it might hold the answers she wanted. But alas, nothing came to her. Nothing at all.
"I .. can't be." Both hands went to the sides of her head, pushing fingers into her hair, confused, and afraid. "
I'd ... surely ... remember that." But you don't remember anything do you? Slowly dropping a hand, she wiped away a few of the falling tears. That realization that she could have done anything, came hard. Hitting her like a ton of bricks. It left her briefly gasping for air. Simple fact was there was no way to discern if they were telling her the truth, or baiting her.
She paused in her thoughts, and looked the Admiral directly in the eye,
"What have I done? Why I am here?" She took a breath trying to calm down,
"What happened? Something happened, for me to be this way. This ... hurt. Memories gone. What happened?" The girl repeated more firmly but no less afraid.
She looked up to Inquisitor Lai. The title gave her little bearing to his true purpose. Her brows knitted together and she tried to think, recall something, anything that would help her.
"The Force?" The statement alone clearing up exactly how much she recalled about the force. Still she fought trying to put something together, anything but it wasn't happening. The more time passed the more she realized just how far gone her mind and memories were. She seemed baffled by the word, unsure of where the man was coming from.
"I don't ... recall anything. No force?" She cocked her head to the side strangely, a bit like a child would.
#20
Akio Kahoshi
Atrisian Vice Admiral
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- 1,056 posts
Reputation: 162
Excellent
Posted 12 September 2013 - 08:56 PM
"You committed a capital offense, you need not know more than that." the Inquisitor said flatly. In this case both he and the Admiral agreed the less they said the better. It almost seemed like her not knowing about the Force had put him into a bad mood. Almost because his face did not really change at all.
"The Force is the most powerful tool in the Galaxy, one only a few chosen can wield. It has power beyond what most normal people can imagine." As if to emphasis his point, the Inquisitor reached out and pinched his fingers together. In responce, the Force closed around the prisoner's throat, closing off the flow of air. When the Admiral realized what was happening, he shot a warning glance to the other man.
"Lai, that's enough."
Dropping his hand, the Force grip vanished.
"You too are a Force-user. A weapon. Weapons must be either controlled, or eliminated. That is the choice you have. Either become an Inquisitor and swear complete loyalty to Atrisia and the Inquisition, or die."
"And," Akio added out of sympathy,
"we will give you your name back to you. You're real name."
"Unless you would prefer to die never knowing it," Lai apparently had to add.