Amir saw not just one or two, but at least five or six children scattered around the lab, each surrounded by researchers performing various experiments.
And these were likely just a fraction of the total.
"You're different from them, Amir," Gideon said, walking up to a console and pressing a button.
A researcher in white robes approached and greeted him respectfully.
"Show him, John Mori," Gideon ordered.
The researcher quickly began operating the console, and a screen lit up.
On the screen appeared a sealed room—not located on this cruiser—where a teenage boy was warming up.
Everyone's attention turned to the display, including Amir's. He was curious to finally learn what kind of research this place was conducting.
A platform rose slowly from the floor of the room, ascending nearly five meters high. The boy suddenly sprang into action—he jumped lightly, his body seemingly defying gravity, and landed on the platform, which would've been unreachable to a normal person even by climbing.
He didn't stop there. Stretching out his right hand, he lifted another stationary platform off the ground through sheer will. It hovered up to his level, and just before it fell, he launched himself again, stepping on the platform mid-fall to gain another boost—executing a double jump that carried him to the room's highest level.
Training complete.
The footage continued. The same boy appeared again, this time wearing a visor over his eyes and wielding a lightsaber. Several opponents wielding blasters surrounded him.
Without hesitation, they began firing. But the boy, as if he could read the trajectory of each blast, swung his lightsaber in rapid succession, deflecting every shot.
The screen changed again. Another boy now faced a group of battle droids, screaming in pain and rage. Suddenly, he thrust out his hand, and the droids toppled like saplings in a storm, crashing into the walls in a heap of scrap metal.
Gideon looked at Amir, clearly waiting for a reaction.
But Amir remained calm. What others might find shocking or unbelievable, he had already surpassed. Everything shown on that screen—he could do.
If Xiao Jie had seen this, he probably would've screamed in amazement. Lango might've been impressed, but wouldn't care that much.
Gideon began speaking again:
"Do you know the Jedi, Amir? Every one of them possessed great power—this kind of power. But they were too weak. Bound by their own code. Shackled. Manipulated. Betrayed. Destroyed."
"We believe this power—The Force—can be so much more."
"The Force allows you to control the world around you, to bend nature itself. With enough strength, you can have everything—wealth, power. You can determine who lives or dies... even yourself."
"You have that potential, Amir."
Amir responded with just the right amount of shock and subtle yearning.
Gideon seemed pleased. He turned to the researcher beside him.
"John Mori, take our future hope to a room to rest. He must be tired. We'll tell him more tomorrow."
The bespectacled middle-aged man stepped forward.
"Come with me, Amir," John Mori said, leading the way.
An agent still supported Amir from the side, and most notably, the tall combat droid followed closely behind them.
Amir couldn't help but glance one last time at the children scattered throughout the lab like lab rats. But he finally turned his head away.
Not yet. Now isn't the time.
Meanwhile, a spider droid silently crawled into Amir's pants leg. It had just finished interfacing with the lab's data ports and had stolen a portion of its internal data.
Amir cooperated quietly, following the researcher through a corridor. After a turn, John Mori finally spoke.
"Amir, you might not recognize me, but I'm sure you remember Borris. He was once my teacher."
Amir didn't respond. If he had to guess, this man—John Mori—was probably the very reason he'd been captured.
"Where's Borris? I want to see him."
John hesitated for a moment.
"Borris... he can't see anyone right now. But don't worry, in two days, he'll be one of us. Then you can see him whenever you want."
Two days and he'll be 'one of us'?
Amir carefully considered the meaning behind that phrase.
From what Gideon had said, they had captured Borris to find Amir. But it was clear now—that wasn't the only reason.
There must be something else in Borris's head they want.
In two days, he'll 'talk'? How can they be so sure?
Amir suddenly recalled the children he saw in the lab. There was no doubt—they were Force-sensitive.
And there was only one source for Force-sensitive individuals like this: the Imperial Inquisitors.
Hunters of Jedi. Seekers of Force-sensitives. That had been their mission for years.
In the last decade, who knew how many children had fallen into their hands?
This lab had to be involved—an absolute beneficiary of the Inquisitors' efforts.
Which meant... if John Mori was so sure Borris would speak, could it be because they planned to use an Inquisitor?
Some Force users could search minds—extract memories directly from the brain!
Two days... That means an Inquisitor could arrive at any time.
I need to be ready to escape—at a moment's notice. And I need to save those kids...
My ship must still be aboard this cruiser. My wrist device already picked up its signal.
My biggest advantage now is that they know nothing about me.
John Mori's voice cut through Amir's thoughts.
"Amir, soon a research specialist will explain the specific process of our experiment. Once you understand it, you'll officially become one of us. We'll unravel the mysteries of the Force together."
"And as the most promising among us, you'll be the first to attain that power."
Amir nodded silently.
Everything Gideon had said today was just a pitch—a grand vision painted with pretty words. Enough to spark curiosity, but not enough to secure loyalty.
What they really wanted… was a completely obedient Amir.
A loyal test subject of the Empire.
Which meant the next step was obvious:
They would try to brainwash him.
-
-
-
🌌 Star Wars: Relics of the Past
📢 The Force Calls! 📢
This series has 100+ chapters ahead on Patreon! 🌠
Uncover ancient Jedi relics before the galaxy does.
🛑 Also on Patreon:
Star Wars: The Rise of Mandalore
Cyberpunk: The Relentless
Cyberpunk: Lucy Adopted Me and I Got a System
My Cyberpunk 2077 Simulator
My Girlfriend's a Cyberpsycho—Who Knew?
Game of Thrones: Secrets Beneath the Dreadfort
Dragon King of Ice and Fire
The Rebirth of Harry Potter
R18: Reincarnated in Her World
🔗 www.patreon.com/c/MrMagnus👤 SrMagnus🐦 https://x.com/SrMagnusBook
⚠️ Let the Power Stones guide future updates!