Forgetting what matters chapter 20
Admiral Riggs was sitting in his office and let out a sigh in exasperation. He had been reading over the new regulations and protocols that Vader's son had enacted and it was a long list. He had been tempted to speak to Vader about the rather drastic changes that his son had been making but Vader assured him that it would be fine and that he trusted his son. As his eyes continued to read over he was amazed by how many more taxes had been placed on the galaxies citizens a 'tribute' as it was called. Vader would have never done such a thing all he would expect was loyalty and obedience that wasn't asking for much seeing how people had been able to still live their lives in peace and for the most part do as they choose. Now however there were report of unrest in some of the work camps that had been set up to build statues of Luke and the amount of executions had been increased considerably from what it had been before.
For the most part on the ship nothing had changed aside from having the true Emperor and his wife on board and that there was to be no communication sent or received. Riggs was just about to turn in for the night when his datapad dinged again, he refrained from rolling his eyes as it was probably more laws being added to the ever growing list of new Imperial mandates and guidelines. He turned on the datapad once more and his eyes winded in shock, it wasn't new rules or guidelines but it was an update to the Empire's new most wanted list. He almost dropped the datapad when he read the names and saw the photos of the two people added to the list both under accusation of treason. Riggs shook his head it just didn't make any sense why would Leia the Emperor's daughter be accused of treason even more so her five year old younger sister Abby. Riggs needed to show the Emperor this immediately so he stood up and made his way out of his room toward the bridge where he was sure he would find the Emperor.
Abby had taken to sleeping with her bigger sister ever since they arrived on Tattooine. It made her feel safer and provide her with some comfort due to her parents 'disappearance' as she would call it. Leia was more than happy to let the girl do so but when Phantom climbed up on the bed it made things very cramped. "Sissy?" Abby asked looking up at Leia who had been apparently lost in thought for a while. Leia looked down at her "Yes Abby?" she replied. "Can I call bubba and see if he's better?" Abby asked curiously, slowly Leia shook her head "Abby…Luke he needs his rest alright and I don't want to disturb him" Leia replied softly. Abby looked disappointed and turned to rest her head against Phantom "I hope he gets better soon" she said before falling asleep.
Sometime during the night Leia was awoken by a dim light emitting from somewhere in the room. She was about to just roll over and fall back asleep until she heard a soft voice speak "Are you feeling better bubba?" Leia eyes shot up instantly and she sat up looking around the room for Abby. "Yes Abby I am much better, where are you guys I was getting worried when I couldn't find you" the holographic image of Luke replied. "Sissy said she didn't want me to get sick like you" Abby replied. "Well I'm feeling much better now Abby now where are you at hm, we still have that game you wanted to play" Luke asked. Abby smiled excitedly and was getting ready to reveal the location of where they were at when the holocommunicator suddenly crumpled up like a piece of paper and died.
Abby looked at it confused until she felt her bigger sister staring at her "Abby what are you doing!? I told you we cant call Luke!" Leia said. Abby turned around to look at her and her lower lip began to tremble when she saw how mad her sister was. "I wanted to talk to bubba" Abby said softly. "I said you cant its not safe" Leia snapped loudly. "B-but I just…I wanted to talk to bubba" Abby said and began to cry softly. "Its not safe Abby, he cant know where we are! I have to keep you safe and to do that you need to listen to me" Leia replied. Phantom began to growl at Leia as Abby cried harder "I want to talk to bubba" she repeated. Leia was beginning to scare Abby, she wasn't used to be yelled at not even by her parents.
"What did you tell him Abby?" Leia asked or demanded was more of the correct word. Abby didn't respond instead she buried her face in Phantom's fur and continued to cry. "Abby what did you tell him!" Leia said louder, Abby buried her face deeper into the nexu's fur "I want mommy" she balled loudly. Leia stopped when Abby mentioned their mother and let out a long breath, yelling at Abby was the last thing she needed it would only make things harder than they already where. Leia slid off of the bed and began walking toward Abby "No go away" Abby sobbed loudly. "Abby" Leia said softly reaching up to touch the girls head gently. Abby shook her head "Go away go away your mean!" Abby yelled pushing her hands out to stop Leia.
Leia felt strong emotions begin to rise within the five year old then the power of the force be channeled into her hands. Leia was tossed across the room completely surprised by the power she felt within the girl at that moment that she hadn't been able to put up a force shield in time. Abby looked up when she head the sound of something hitting the wall and she saw Leia, she looked down at her hands and began to tremble now. She didn't know what she did and didn't mean to do it she just wanted Leia to leave her alone and next thing she knew Leia had been sent flying across the room. Abby turned and ran from the room crying and Leia heard another door slam shut not soon after. Leia took a deep breath then sighed "Could have handled that a lot better" she said to herself before she stood up and went to go after Abby.
"Damn it!" Luke yelled as his fist slammed against his throne, he had almost had them. Abby had almost told him where they were then he could end there lives but the transmission had been cut probably do to Leia. When he got his hands on her he would kill her in the most painful way possible but for now he had to deal with the task at hand. He activated his holocomunicator once more and an image of a Imperial officer appeared "Report" Luke said. "Full out rebellion has broken out on several planets my Lord, minimal resistance at the most but we don't know how long this will drag out" the officer replied. "Execute them and starve the people into submission if they wont listen kill them and tell the orders that unless they want food and medical supplies they will do as I command" Luke ordered. The officer gave a curt nodded and the image faded leaving a very frustrated Luke sitting in his chair. His body relaxed at the touch of Mara's hand on his own and he looked over at her "You have to show them who is in charge Luke if you don't they wont respect you or they wont fear you. Burn a couple of villages if you have to, it will put the others in their place. Kill this rebellion before it has a chance to spread before it can grow into something bigger" Mara said.
Vader's eyes widened as he looked at the data pad Admiral Riggs had just handed him. He fist thought was that this was some sort of mistake after he read what his two daughters were being accused off. "What's this!?" Vader bellowed angrily turning to glare at the admiral. "It's a list of the Empire's most wanted, I just saw this not long ago myself" the admiral explained. "Why are my daughter's names on it!?" Vader demanded "I don't know sire that is why I brought it to you" Riggs answered. Vader stared down at the datapad again wondering why his daughters names on it and why they had been accused of treason. "Admiral" Vader addressed in a low tone, "Yes sire?" Riggs replied trying to keep his voice from shaking at the way his emperor addressed him. "Clear the bridge of all non essential personal then request Wraeththu to come to the bridge" Vader replied. The admiral bowed his head quickly "Yes sire right away" he said then turned and ordered most of the crew on the bridge to leave immediately.