25

"Lord Vader, we have a message here from Coruscant."

Vader walked over to the comm. station to where Lieutenant Piett was pulling up the message.

"What is it about?" Vader asked.

"It's….rather unusual, sir," Piett replied. "See for yourself."

Piett stood back to allow Vader to read the message. It was from the Imperial Palace.

Star Destroyer Exactor- be prepared to rendezvous with the Imperial shuttle Endeavour in twenty-seven hours at the following location.

Vader noted that cited location was only two parsecs away from their present location. It was obvious that the emperor knew exactly where the Exactor was at all times. What are you up to now, my master?

"Is there any more to this message?" Vader asked Piett. "This is very strange."

"That's it sir," Piett replied. "I suppose we have more passengers coming on board."

Vader frowned under his mask. More passengers we do not need, he thought angrily. "Perhaps so," he replied. "Still, see what you can find out, Piett. I want to know what is going on before I take on any more passengers."

"I shall find out what I can, sir," Piett replied.

Vader briefly considered contacting the emperor for clarification on the order; but realized that he was tempting fate to do so. Palpatine had punished Vader for far less, and given the current state of his health, Vader could not afford another assault from his master.

"My lord, the reports you requested," a junior officer said as he handed Vader a datapad.

Vader took the datapad and activated it, scanning over the report quickly. His mind was not focused on it however; he was anxious to hear what, if anything, Piett had been able to learn. He did not have to wait long. Efficient as ever, Piett had managed to find out more about the mysterious order. Vader looked up as he noticed Piett approaching him.

"You've learned something?" he asked.

"Yes, milord," Piett replied. "It seems we are taking on passengers after all. Admiral Motti is coming on board, and we are to transport him to the Death Star."

"Motti," Vader grumbled. "That pompous windbag is coming on board my ship?"

Piett nodded, doing his best to suppress a smile. "So it seems sir. I understand that he has recently been appointed senior commander in charge of operations for the Death Star."

Vader folded his arms over his chest. "I suppose they are expecting him to remedy the mess Tarkin has made," he remarked. "I wish him luck."

Piett indulged in a smile. "Shall I arrange for appropriate accommodations for our guest, sir?"

"Yes, do so," Vader replied. "As far away from mine as possible," he added. Padmé and the twins- he mustn't find out who they are. "I have something to attend to," he said as he began to walk away. "You have the bridge, Piett."

"Yes milord."

Vader headed for the apartment, part of him dreading telling his family. Is this how it is to be from now on? Every time someone comes on board? Forever hiding them and living in fear of discovery? No- only until he is dead- and then everything will change. No more hiding, no more secrets…Vader stopped in his tracks as he realized the irony of the situation; there had never been a time when he could acknowledge his marriage to Padmé openly. They had always been forced to live in fear of discovery. But this time it will be different- this time I will not lose her, I will not lose them.

Entering his family's home, he found his daughter alone at the computer terminal. She turned to him when she heard him enter and smiled.

"Hi," she said.

"Milady," Vader replied with a slight bow. "Are you alone?"

Leia nodded. "Yeah, Mom and Luke are swimming."

Vader walked over to her. "Why didn't you go with them?"

"There was something I wanted to look up," she said. "I've wanted to see if there's something I can do to help Mom."

"Help her in what way?"

"With what she's going through," Leia explained. "She's not herself at all, and I'm worried about her."

Vader looked at the screen. Leia was reading an article entitled Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. "She had a nightmare last night," Vader told her, scanning over the page Leia was reading.

Leia looked up at him. "That's why you were here, isn't it?"

Vader nodded.

"It says on here that she will have nightmares," Leia said, looking back at the screen, "as well as flashbacks, depression…" she stopped. "Poor Mom," she said softly.

Vader put a hand on her shoulder. "She will get through this, with your help, with Luke's help..."

"And yours," Leia told him. "She needs you, Dad, we all do."

Vader did not respond, but was saved from doing so by the entrance of his wife and son into the apartment. He could tell at once that Padmé was not herself, despite the smile she gave him.

"I'm glad you're here," Vader said as he walked over to her. "I must talk to you about something."

Padmé frowned. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"It is nothing to be concerned about," he told her. "Please, sit down."

"What's going on, Dad?" Luke asked as he sat down with his mother.

"We are taking on a passenger in a few hours time," Vader told them. "I have been ordered to transport him to his new assignment on board the Death Star."

"Oh no," Luke groaned. "We aren't going to be stuck in here again all week are we?" he asked.

"No, but it would be prudent if you remain on this level. While Motti is not capable of sensing your identities, he would no doubt be suspicious to see younglings on board."

"What's his name, Dad?" Leia called from the computer.

"Motti," Vader repeated. "Conan Antonio Motti, Admiral."

"Conan??" Luke repeated. "What a name!"
"It suits him," Vader remarked. "As pretentious and idiotic as he is."

Luke laughed at this comment. "I guess that means you don't care for the admiral, huh Dad?"

"You could say that, Luke," Vader replied.

"Luke, check out this guy's nostrils!" Leia said with a laugh. Luke jumped up and ran over to the computer terminal where he burst out laughing upon seeing the image of the admiral.

"Such disrespectful children," Padmé commented with a smile.

"The man deserves no respect," Vader assured her. "I promise you."

"Sounds like you have something of a history with this man," she remarked.

Vader nodded. "We've had…disagreements. I do not relish the thought of having him on board."

"No, I don't imagine so," she replied.

Vader watched her, sensing her melancholy. "Are you alright?" he asked.

Padmé was startled by his question. "Yes," she replied, not convincing him. "A little tired is all; I didn't sleep much last night."

"Understandable," he replied. "Neither did I."

Padmé smiled, knowing that in his own, economical manner, he was telling her that he was worried about her. "So how long will this admiral be on board?" she asked, changing the subject.

"Only as long as it will take to reach the Death Star and jettison him out into its gravitational pull," he replied wryly.

Padmé laughed, appreciating his attempts to lighten her spirits. "Pity I won't get to meet this Motti," she said. "He sounds rather entertaining."

"He would recognize you, Padmé," Vader reminded her. "You were rather well known when you were in office."

"Yes, I know," she said with a sigh.

Vader considered this for a moment, realizing that the distraction would probably do her good. "Perhaps there is a way you could observe him without him recognizing you. I think you might find him…amusing."

Padmé smiled. "I'm sure I would. But how could we do that?"

"Leave it with me," he said as he stood up. "I will think of a way."

Padmé looked up at him. "Thank you," she said.

"I haven't done anything yet, Padmé," he replied as she stood up.

"Yes you have," she said, taking one of his hands. "More than you know."

Vader said nothing, but merely squeezed her hand lightly, and then left. Padmé watched him go and then walked over to where her twins were still reading up on their VIP visitor.

"Look at the smug expression on his face," she said shaking her head.

"I'd love to see Dad take him down a few pegs," Luke said with a smile.

Padmé smiled too. "Yes, so would I."

The shuttle of Conan Antonio Motti, admiral in the Imperial fleet, was brought on board the Exactor several hours later. Motti was accompanied by several other officers, junior officers, who were well trained at fawning over the arrogant Motti and followed him wherever he went on the ship. Vader had delegated the job of greeting Motti and his entourage to the ship to his second in command, feeling that Ozzel was more efficient in the groveling department. Vader knew that he could not avoid the admiral for the duration of his stay on the ship; but figured that he would do well to stay away from him as long as possible.

Along with the human passengers, there was another who was somewhat forgotten in the shuffle. Having seen to the accommodations of Motti and his entourage, Captain Ozzel was left alone in the shuttle bay with the last passenger- a medical droid.

"What is your designation?" Ozzel asked the droid. "What is your assignment?"

"Designation Three-Six Bee at your service," the droid replied. "I have been programmed to serve Lord Darth Vader."

Ozzel frowned. "Lord Vader? He wasn't aware of any medical droid being assigned to this ship. Check your programming, there must be some mistake."

"There is no mistake," the droid replied. "I was sent by the emperor himself."

Ozzel's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Oh, well," he said, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. The last time he had failed to report an order of the emperor to Lord Vader, he earned the ire of the Dark Lord. "In that case, let me take you to Lord Vader at once," Ozzel said at last. "Come with me."

"Dr. Thek, perhaps you can help me with this."

Thek looked up from her work and was surprised to see Captain Ozzel in her office. Beside him was a medical droid, one of the latest models.

"What can I do for you, Captain?" she asked.

"This droid has just come on board," Ozzel explained, "and claims to be programmed to serve Lord Vader. Do you know anything about this?"

Thek walked over to the droid. "No, I don't," she said. "You said you're programmed to serve Darth Vader? In what capacity? Who programmed you?"

"I am Three Six Bee, medical droid, equipped with a medical diagnostic computer and a treatment analysis computer. I have been sent by the Emperor Palpatine as a special assistant to Lord Darth Vader, whose personal physical well being I am to monitor and treat."

Thek frowned. "I am Lord Vader's personal physician," she told it. "That is my job. He doesn't need…"

"The emperor wishes it," the droid interjected. "He is concerned about Lord Vader's heart condition, and has deemed it necessary that Lord Vader be receiving supplementary care."

Thek's face reddened in anger and indignation; but she knew that she could do nothing. If the emperor wanted it, then that was how it was to be. She could only imagine Vader's reaction when he found out…

"If the emperor commands it, then so be it," Thek said at last. "Captain Ozzel can escort you to Lord Vader, I'm sure," she added, looking at the captain. Ozzel did not particularly relish the idea of springing this unexpected boon onto his commanding officer; Vader was not above shooting the messenger after all.

"Come along," he said at last. "Thank you, Dr. Thek," he said tersely.

Thek smiled. "Any time, Captain Ozzel."

And so Captain Ozzel went off in search of Lord Vader, with the droid in tow. He found Vader back on the bridge.

"My lord, this droid belongs to you," Ozzel said indicating Three-Six Bee.

Vader looked at the droid. "I do not own such a droid," he stated. "Take it to the infirmary."

"My lord, it is a gift, apparently," Ozzel said nervously. "From the emperor."

Since when does the emperor give gifts? Vader reflected suspiciously. "What is this about?" he asked, addressing the droid. "Speak!"

"I have been programmed to attend to your personal health issues, Lord Vader," the droid replied. "The emperor is concerned about you and wanted to ensure that you are well cared for."

Vader frowned under his mask, alarms going off in his mind. There is something very suspicious about all this, he thought to himself. Yet, what could he do? If the emperor had given him this droid as a gift, there was no way he could refuse it.

"I see," Vader replied at last. "You are not needed at present. You will go to my quarters and shut down until you are needed."

"My lord, I have been instructed to be operational at all times," the droid replied.

Of course, Vader thought. "Go to my quarters," he said again, "and stop questioning everything I say."

The droid complied at once, and turned around and left the bridge.

"I don't like this," Vader said aloud.

Ozzel turned to him. "My lord?"

"The emperor does nothing without a reason," Vader replied. "There is more to this than meets the eye."

"I thought so as well, sir," Ozzel replied, although he had done nothing of the sort.

"Did you see to our guests?" Vader asked.

"Yes sir," Ozzel replied. "I have already ordered preparations for a formal dinner to be held tomorrow evening. I hope that is acceptable."

"It is," Vader replied, his mind still preoccupied with the droid. "I shall return shortly," he said, deciding upon a course of action. "You have the bridge, Ozzel."

"Yes, milord," Ozzel replied.

Vader made his way to the medical wing to have a word with Dr. Thek. It was his hope that she knew something about the droid, that she had requested it on his behalf. Otherwise, it seemed that there was a serious problem in the making.

"Dr. Thek," Vader said as he entered her office. "A word with you."

Thek looked up, bracing herself. "Yes sir?"

"This droid that has come on board," he said. "Do you know anything about it?"

Thek shook her head. "No, not a thing," she replied. "I was as surprised as you to see it. It claims to be a gift from the emperor."

"Claims?" Vader repeated. "Do you suspect some sort of duplicity?"

"Well, no," she said, "droids are incapable of that." She hesitated before continuing, unsure if what she felt compelled to tell him would anger him. "I ran into the emperor while I was on Kamino a few days ago," she told him. "He seemed very interested in what I was doing there."

Vader did not reply as an idea started to formulate in his mind. "What did you tell him?"

"I …I told him about the problems we've been having with the clones," she told him, "and that I was hoping to find some solutions on their database."

Vader nodded. "Was he satisfied with your explanation?"

"I don't know," she replied. "It's hard to say with him."

"I wonder," Vader muttered.

"Sir?"

"Just be very mindful of that droid," he said. "And discuss nothing about your plans for surgery with it or in its presence."

"I understand sir," she said, starting to grow fearful.

"I will try to think of a way to …deactivate the blasted thing," he said. "Without arousing the emperor's suspicious, of course."

"Of course," she replied. "Do you think he suspects something, my lord?"

"It's possible," he replied. "We must be vigilant, Doctor. If the emperor did discover your plans, both of us would be in serious jeopardy."

Thek nodded, her fear growing. "I will be sure to keep all my research in a secure location, sir," she assured him. "The droid will learn nothing from me."

Vader nodded, and then left her, a new source of anxiety growing within him.