Chapter 8
The first thing he felt was warmth, like a soft cocoon wrapped gently around his body. Then the sensation of weightlessness.
Soft brown eyes flew open in confusion.
He was floating in a large glass tank. It practically engulfed his small body, making him feel as though he were swimming rather than serenely floating as limbs began to flail in a mild panic.
Where was he? Where was Luke?!
A nose-plug was clipped firmly over his nose and a breathing apparatus was clamped within his mouth. Even though his vision was blurred from the strange liquid, he spotted another patient in the neighboring tank. He didn't need perfect eyesight to recognize the unconscious, floating body of his best friend.
Jordy began to lightly bang a fist against the glass. A vague outline of a white lab coat briefly appeared next to the tank before flitting away out of his line of sight. He began to feel claustrophobic and his desperate pounding against the glass resumed until he felt his body being lifted. The young boy hadn't even noticed the harness he was strapped in as a mechanical arm lifted him up and out.
A doctor appeared beside him and began to unhook him from the harness. With vision still a bit cloudy from the tank fluid, the young boy ripped the nose-plug off, just as the breathing apparatus was removed from his mouth. He greedily sucked in a breath of air after he was finally detached from his odd prison.
Jordy shivered as he yanked the monitoring patches off of his chest and arms and scrambled out of the doctor's reach. He heard the outraged cry of the Imperial medic as the young boy tried to put distance between them.
"Hold still! I'm just trying to dry you off! I'm not going to hurt you," the doctor huffed in exasperation as he all but chased the mute boy around the med-bay with a large white towel in hand. The doctor nearly slipped in a puddle of bacta that the stubborn child created during his harried escape.
If Jordy had a voice, he would be screaming in that moment. When the doctor stopped chasing him to turn his full attention to the monitoring station beside Luke, Jordy flipped from frightened child to fearless bodyguard. Baring his teeth in a silent snarl, Jordy ran for the doctor, swiping a nearby scalpel off of a medical tray. He couldn't let this man harm his brother! Luke was helpless in that tank! All grownups ever did was hurt them...
Brandishing his new weapon, he let loose a silent battle cry and was stunned when an invisible force wrapped around his body, stopping him mid-step just a few inches shy of the medic.
That's when Jordy heard it… heavy, rhythmic, mechanical breathing. Unable to turn his head, he had no choice but to remain frozen where he was. His eyes widened when the tall, hulking form of Darth Vader quickly filled his vision. He was stunned when an invisible force ripped his weapon of choice from his hand. He watched it fly into the outstretched, black leather glove of the Dark Lord. A different kind of fear filled his chest and began squeezing at his heart. Did he do something wrong? Was he about to be brutally punished?
"What is your prognosis, doctor?"
Jordy began to blush profusely when he realized to his growing horror that he was clothed only in his undergarments. His face grew hotter when the doctor spoke.
"This child has finished his bacta treatment and needs immediate bedrest, my lord. IF I can get him dry, that is..."
Jordy felt a growing embarrassment when the reality sank in—he was standing in the presence of the Emperor's chief enforcer...in his underwear. He was relieved when his body was released from that weird, invisible, suspended animation and immediately began signing in BSL, or "Basic Sign Language".
/I'm sorry, Sir. I thought he was going to hurt Luke./
Jordy saw the clear confusion on the medic's face and felt dread growing in his stomach. Could they not understand him? It was always a great frustration to the boy when he ran into a language barrier.
Then to his great surprise, the intimidating Lord Vader began signing back to him.
/What made you believe that Luke was in danger?/
Jordy paused as he examined the question. He began to hesitantly sign back.
/We don't trust grown-ups...or anyone for that matter. It's how we survive./
A chill raced down the mute boy's spine when Lord Vader did not return an immediate response. He felt invisible eyes behind the red lenses of the mask raking across his body, appraising him from head to toe. Much to Jordy's relief, the dark Lord began to sign.
/I can see how protective you are of him. Luke is lucky to have such a devoted friend by his side/
Jordy was stunned into a stupor. Why was the Dark Lord so concerned about Luke's life? Little did the mute boy know, that Vader had only just recently received test results from the medic, regarding Luke's true parentage.
/Sir? Why do you care so much about Luke and I? We are just slaves…/
Suddenly the air around him grew cold, causing the still damp boy to shiver hard enough that his teeth began to chatter. He sensed rage rolling off of the Dark Lord in waves and he would have cried out in alarm if he had a voice when nearby trays and medical equipment began to shake and rattle as glass test tubes began to mysteriously shatter. Jordy instinctively shrank away, going to so far as to raise an arm up to shield himself from the pain that was sure to come...but it never came.
He felt a gloved hand, gently grasping his wrist. Jordy defensively jerked away as panic began to build in his chest. The Dark Lord merely lowered the child's arm to expose his frightened face. The hulking Vader knelt down on one knee and began to sign.
/What is your name?/
The child averted his eyes, no doubt an ingrained habit from his time as a slave. That would soon have to be corrected...
/Jordy Higgins, Sir/
"Look at me, child." Vader sternly rumbled in a tone of voice that brooked no argument. Once he had the boy's full attention, he returned to BSL.
/Jordy, you are no longer a slave. Neither is Luke. The Empire has set you free. We were going to return you to your family but they could not be found. You may stay here for now, until they've been located./
The boy nodded with wide eyes. He could hardly believe his good fortune. Rescued, given top-quality medical treatment, and granted a temporary home in one day. He did feel torn at the prospect of being reunited with his family. He missed them dearly...but Luke was family too. Soft, brown eyes turned to look at the unconscious form of his best friend still floating serenely within his bacta tank.
He didn't want to leave him...
Vader rose up to his intimidating height. He turned to regard the medic. He spoke in that deep baritone voice.
"How long before Luke regains consciousness?"
"I would give it another three hours, my lord. He was submerged in the bacta hours after the other boy and that blaster wound was a through-and-through."
Jordy winced as he slowly approached Luke's tank. He could see the wound the medic was talking about but amazingly, new flesh was already sealing up the injury.
"Very well. See to it that Jordy Higgins is properly cared for and alert me when Luke regains awareness."
"As you wish, milord." The medic stiffly bowed before turning back around to resume his work.
Vader turned his masked head to briefly regard Jordy seconds before he strode from the med-ward.
Jordy returned his attention to the attending medic and frowned when the Imperial approached him with towel in hand. After ensuring the child was dry, he ushered the boy into a nearby fresher and handed him a small change of clothing. White leggings and a matching tunic.
The clothing was a close fit but still a bit big on his lanky frame. Regardless, it didn't stop the medic from putting him to bed.
The second Jordy's head hit the pillow, his eyelids began to grow heavy and an exhaustion he hadn't noticed before, quickly made itself known. Within minutes, he drifted off to sleep.
"COMPANY...HALT!"
The deafening sound of marching boots came to a brisk, synchronized stop.
"Left, face!"
Hundreds of pairs of boots turned sharply, clacking together simultaneously.
"Prepare for inspection!" Commander Cody shouted as a grey, uniformed Imperial officer stepped forward from where he'd been observing on the sidelines. He had his hands clasped stiffly behind his back. Sharp, steely eyes appraised the assembly of stormtroopers.
Rex was relieved that it was an Imperial Captain and not Darth Vader, who would be conducting this surprise inspection…
"Helmets off!" The man strictly ordered.
Rex, aka Flash, obeyed without hesitation and tucked his scout trooper helmet beneath his right arm and made sure to stand at rigid attention as the officer began to walk past row after row of soldiers.
It took an entire hour for the officer to complete the inspection. Only three troopers, young new recruits and not clones, were harshly disciplined for neglecting their appearance. One of them especially had the gall to show with dirty, un-polished armor and muddy boots.
Once the officer made it to Rex, he paused to regard him.
"You are a veteran clone I see."
"Yes, sir!"
"I'm a bit astonished that you are not with your brethren in the 501st legion…"
"I'm being transferred to Lord Vader's flagship at the conclusion of this inspection, Sir!"
The Imperial officer narrowed his eyes as he gave Rex a quick once-over from head to toe.
"How did you wind up on Tatooine?"
Captain Rex was nervous under the constant questioning, yet the veteran clone kept his cool composure. Keeping his eyes focused straight ahead, he smoothly responded.
"I was transferred, Sir."
"Under what circumstances?" The officer narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
Rex knew exactly what to say but never got the chance as Commander Cody himself came to his defense.
"He disobeyed a direct order, Captain."
The uniformed, officer's eyes seemed to light up as a sneer crossed his face.
"Did he... and he wasn't court-marshalled?"
"Flash refused to abandon his injured men who were dying on the field. He ignored the order to push forward with his commanding officer in what would have been a suicide campaign. Instead, Flash remained behind and saved his entire squadron. Thanks to Flash, 12 soldiers were saved but his commanding officer was killed in an ambush later that day. Flash was then transferred to Tatooine to atone for his rebellion."
"No wonder Lord Vader didn't want him…"
"On the contrary, Captain. Flash is perfect 501st material. As it turned out...his commanding officer was found to be a rebel sympathizer and would have purposefully gotten his entire company killed."
Rex wasn't sure how he felt in that moment. Cody must have dug up his falsified service record. It was a cover story that would hold for now but was not designed to endure. It would only be a matter of time until the former Republic Commander discovered the truth.
"Flash is to be transferred to Lord Vader's flagship upon conclusion of this inspection. Please, carry on Captain," Cody cordially nodded as he left the Captain's side.
Rex had to suppress a relieved sigh once the inspection was finally over and he was dismissed.
The clone veteran transferred to Lord Vader's flagship that afternoon as ordered and immediately retreated to the barracks as soon as he was aboard the imposing star destroyer. All he carried with him, were his Empire issued gear in a black, military issued duffel bag. He'd left his twin blasters and personal supplies in a security box back in a Mos Eisley bank vault until he could safely return for them.
In the meantime, Rex needed to contact the Rebel spy currently taking up residency in Vader's midst. He had to be extra careful not to expose either of their undercover identities. Rex was relieved to know that Luke was receiving proper treatment in the medical wing. He was tempted to visit the boy but decided against it. It would be far too suspicious. Until he could figure out a way to get Luke safely off of Vader's personal flagship, his identity and presence needed to be kept secret from the child…
He had to plan carefully and stay beneath Lord Vader's radar. Luke's future and his fate, depended on Rex. If he couldn't find a way to rescue the boy from the Empire...he feared, no one could.
-Security Camera Status: Offline
Location: Med-bay B13 North-
Slender fingers flew across a keyboard, using CMO clearance to shut down the medical bay's security systems and visual logs. He needed to move fast if he was going to succeed with his brilliant plan...
The medic currently overseeing both of the boys in the medical ward, made sure that the pictures he'd taken of their brands were clearly visible. Once Ignum saw these photos, the medic was going to be a very rich man. He wondered if Ignum would pay him double or even triple if he delivered both of the boys himself.
After careful consideration, he made the choice to only take the mute boy. No one would hear his screams and taking Lord Vader's son would be suicide. Lord Vader probably wouldn't even miss Jordy.
The mute boy was nobody and in the medic's eyes, nothing but a payday.
After sending an encrypted message to the Red Sun Syndicate, informing them that he was enroute to their rendezvous of choice with prized merchandise, the medic left his personal belongings behind. He would only take himself and the child.
The devious medic filled a syringe with a mild sedative to keep his new captive complacent. The last thing he needed was to drag a thrashing child throughout the corridors. Smiling wickedly to himself, the medic gently inserted the needle into Jordy's vein and injected the syringe's contents into his bloodstream, pleased that the child remained in a deep slumber.
He made sure that Jordy was strapped down on the hover-gurney and only when the medic felt confident that the boy would not awaken, he quickly submitted a report that the boy's family had been found on the planet below. No one would question it or notice the subtle mistakes until it was too late.
Without delay, the assistant chief medical officer pushed the gurney out into the corridor and headed for the hangar bay.
It was time to return Jordy home to his former 'family'.
No one would miss him.
No one but Luke…
TO BE CONTINUED!
Author's Note: I'm sorry this chapter is short but it had to be so I could make the next one longer lol. Thanks for reading, reviewing, and adding this story to alerts and favorites! :D
