Competition: Canon Fodder Episode 1 - The Inquisitor

I'd like to submit my story "The Otoh Gunga Affair" for the competition.
As a long time fan of Star Wars, I realise I've never written much about it. Taking a break from my professional writing work, I enjoyed writing this story, attempting to draw from Jason Isaacs' sort-of-Shakespearean performance of the Inquisitor while also having an excuse to write about my (non-ironically) favourite species, the gungans.
I hope you enjoy reading. My other (fantasy and otherwise) work can be found at https://farpastures.wordpress.com/

Benjamin David Knight

Somewhere in the jungle depths,
Naboo,
19 BBY

Like a panther in the jungle, the Inquisitor stalked the low shrubs for the tracks and traps laid within. His pale forehead furrowed and concentrated upon what was in front of him, with his fiery golden eyes glaring ahead. As his silent footsteps marched him further into misty jungles, he cupped a handful of mud and pasted it onto his white forehead and skull. The idea of revealing himself so early was not a factor, and certainly not an option. His senses were poked by something ahead, as if his personal bubble was being pressured. The Inquisitor concentrated further to gaze ahead with his mind, and his deduction was something inanimate. His mind ran through the options, possibly a Rebellion vehicle like a tank or speeder. Yet this was much larger and firmly trenched into the mud. His mind then approached the idea of an Imperial base already here, however his mission briefing mentioned nothing of a base made by the Imperials on Naboo. The only other option he enjoyed planning out, the Exile lived here. He only had one goal on his mind, kill the Jedi.

Like a stalking cat, he launched himself into the trees and fluidly jumped through the branches and vines above. The gap between the leaf litter floor and himself was rising, as the Pau’an agent rose into the canopy. From above his senses became clearer, like an eagle soaring high in a scan for prey. He made one final jump into a tree that looked similar to a domed bunker. His light hands gripped onto a vine as he flew through the branches and carefully jumped onto a strong and old limb, slightly lower than his previous position. From here, he could clearly see why his senses were slightly more perked than before. There was a human-sized hut trenched into the swamp below, with arched windows from wicker and a glowing light flowing smoothly.

“There you are.” The Inquisitor whispered, as a grin sharpened on his face.

Then the Sith slowly stepped off and jolted down to the swamp floor, seamlessly evading the limbs and vines of the forest layers. His face was relaxed and almost appeared to be in a deep sleep, with the Pau’an’s eyes closed and his breathing slow and steady. Within feet from the leaf litter, his legs snapped and bent open and his arms bent with his hands clawed wide. The Sith landed gracefully and silently as he could onto the floor, with only some leaves flowing around him, as if they’re trying to escape. Now he could see clearly inside a small arch located at the back of the hut. He did not care if his presence was detected as the Pau’an could clearly see the Jedi. A Togruta painted in red, white and black. Her robes loosely fell from her shoulders and covered her bare feet. With her montrals only slightly scraping the roof, the rest of her body perfectly appropriate for this hut. Then her yellow eyes met his, and his heart jumped.

“I have been waiting for you, Inquisitor. Release me.” She whispered, the Pau’an could sense complete serenity and peace within her.

With one swift movement, his crimson blade ignited and he impaled her chest quickly. The Jedi Togruta collapsed into the table behind her and fell onto the floor whilst the wood of table legs broke and covered her. Her last breath was put into mouthing ‘Thank you’ before her eyes closed and the life faded from her. Confused and filled with a sense of relief, the Inquisitor murmured ‘Finally’ and faded back into the jungles.

SW Lucyeth
#13700