Luke steps into the Deathblock. The entire block is constructed of glistening black metal designed to foster fear and hopelessness in the hearts of detainees. A short corridor opens straight ahead into the interrogation arena. Detainment devices crowd the center of the chamber, but each is carefully positioned so the interrogator can reach the victim from all angles.
Along the walls, manual and robotic torture devices lurk in the shadows meneath the second floor balcony. Though the light is too dim to see clearly, the long, twisted appendages protruding from the soulless machines send shivers down Luke’s spine.
To his right, a personnel lift rises into the murky depths overhead. Somewhere in the darkness above, 50 stormtroopers lie in wait with nothing better to do than watch Luke. Given the dimness of the block, they will not trouble Luke when he goes to Erling’s cell. But escaping will be another problem – the block is just bright enough to show two forms leaving instead of one.
Luke takes the lift to the second level. As he walks down the balcony, it rings with every step. He forces himself to walk close to the rail despite his desire to sneak through the shadows near the wall. Luke is scared; he would not be human if the sinister ambience here did not frighten him. He cannot imagine sitting in a dark cell while another prisoner’s anguished screams echo from the block’s durasteel walls.
Luke stops at cell 205 and orders Artoo to open it.
A quiet buzz sounds from the door and Luke pushes it open. The cell interior is black as Tol Ado itself. “Erling Tredway?” Luke steps inside.
“Who else, Imperial slime?”
Luke admires Erling’s defiance. “I’m not Imperial,” he answers. “I’ve come to rescue you.”
“Rescue me?”
Erling’s surprise puzzles Luke. “Before Parnell kills you – or worse.”
“How unfortunate. You’ve wasted your effort, I’m afraid.”
“What’s wrong?” Luke asks. “Are you shackled or injured?”
Erling chuckles. “Neither. I don’t wish to be rescued.”
Luke can’t believe his ears. “I thought you just said you don’t want to be rescued.”
“That’s correct,” Erling replies. “So just be on your way. I don’t want any bloodshed on my account.”
They don’t have time for this argument! “That’s very noble,” Luke says, his voice betraying his impatience, “but you don’t understand what Parnell has in store.”
“He’s already begun. With all that screaming out there, I haven’t had more than four hours of sleep in a row.”
“Your turn will come, you know.”
“Then I shall endure in the name of freedom and dignity. When the Senate hears of my imprisonment -“
“The Senate!” Luke exclaims. “Emperor Palpatine disbanded the Sentate months ago!”
Erling remains determined. “Then my hardships shall instpire the natives of Sil’Lume. They will rise in rebellion.”
“Is this your idea of rebellion?” Luke hisses, waving his arms in an invisible gesture at the unseen walls. “Sitting in the dark waiting to be toruted to death? The Rebellion can do without that kind of leadership.” Although Luke cannot help respecting Erling’s courage, he is growing tired of the man’s foolishness. “He’ll make you talk. Nobody can avoid it under torture.”
“I know nothing of value to Sebastian – not even the names of my followers.”
Luke sighs in frustration. “Then Sebastian Parnell knows something you don’t. He didn’t arrest you to avoid trouble – a martyr is twice as much trouble as a speechmaker.”
“Precisely my point. Now, won’t you leave?”
“Why are you determined to die?” Luke snaps.
“I am not determined to die,” Erling replies. “Sebastian is determined to kill me.”
The asteroid belt aristocrat’s reply is so smug that Luke loses hold of his temper completely. “What am I doing here?” he growls. “General Dodonna’ll have my wings for this!”
“Dodonna!” Erling gasps. “The Alliance sent you?”
Luke sees his first glimmer of hope, but he does not dare risk revealing his affiliation with the Alliance to a man who is determined to be tortured. In fact, letting Dodonna’s name out was a mistake. “I came,” he says noncommittally.
“Why?” Erling’s voice betrays a not of resentment.
“I thought you needed help,” Luke says. “I’m sorry if I interfered with your funeral plans.” Luke’s comlink beeps twice; it is Artoo’s danger signal. “I’ve got to go. Please hold off telling Parnell about me as long as possible. It’s going to take forever to find the asteroid with my X-wing.”
“I can help you,” Erling says. “Where did you leave it?”
“I can’t say,” Luke responds. “Parnell will get it out of you.”
“Probably,” Erling admits. “But I can tell you exactly where to find any asteroid in the Belt. My interrogation will not be rushed. By the time I break, you can be safely away.”
Luke hesitates.
“We may not fight in the same manner,” Erling says, “but we fight for the same thing.”
The young Rebel pilot has to admit there is truth in that statement. “Okay.”
If Luke left his X-wing on the asteroid Milton, Click Here
If Luke left his X-wing anyplace else, Click Here