Firmus Piett meets up with the Commander.

Firmus Piett is nervous.

You would think it is funny because of Lord Vader breathing down his neck but he is used to it now.

No, it is not Lord Vader.

It's because of the Commander.

Why isn't he here? He is an hour late. Firmus is starting to panic. Has something happened to him? Is he hurt?

He has been in the bar, drinking the same cup of Corellian wine for one and a half hours. The bartender starts to suspect him. If he could, he would assure him, he is not looking for trouble, but where on the Sith hell is Commander?

He makes up his mind. He finishes his drink with one large gulp. He turns to leave the bar. At the entrance, someone knocks on him, that person apologises and quickly leaves.

Firmus pauses, he suspects something is going on. He puts a hand into his pocket. As he expects, that person puts a flimsy in. He walks away from the crowd before taking out the flimsy and reading it.

Meet me at Lot A23

Firmus looks at the house entrance of Lot A23. He checks no one is around before nodding the door. Behind the door is not Commander, rather an old woman opens the door.

"Come in." She rasps. She gestures with her wrinkled and dry hand.

Firmus steps inside the house. The warm light shines on the surroundings making it feel like a cosy and warm house. He wonders why he wants him to meet at this place. Can the old woman be trusted?

"Have a seat, young man." The old lady points on the couch before she walks to the back of the house and leaves the house from the back door. He is confused by her action.

Isn't this her house? Where is the Commander?

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience, Admiral." A familiar voice he has been waiting for.

"Commander," he turns and greets the young Commander, "What's wrong?"

"I've been followed. It's best we don't meet up in public." Commander explains, "This place is the safest for now. Lady Brightlight is a respectable person on this planet, no one here would question her."

"That doesn't mean she won't lead you to a trap. " Firmus points out.

"On my last mission, I saved her from pirates. She said I owe her a life debt. Now she's returning the debt." Commander waves his hand, "Let's talk about important things. How is my father?"

Firmus pauses, how should he break this news to him? Or maybe he already knew how bad it was.

"Commander - Luke, he is not fine." He speaks slowly, "He does not take your absence well. Things back in the Lady are disastrous. He starts to punish - asphyxiate the incompetent."

Luke sits down and brushes his hair. He covers his face with his hands, breathing heavily. "He promises me not to do that again."

"Luke, I think you need to come back. Your father is…" He is finding a word to describe Lord Vader, "depressed." Very.

"I know. I can feel it." Luke closes his eyes, brushes his hairs, "Tell him I need some time to sort out the things."

Firmus winces inwardly, Lord Vader will kill him if he finds out that he is secretly meeting Commander Skywalker.

"Here," Luke takes out a holorecorder, "pass this to my father. There will be an answer. An explanation."

Luke must have detected his discomfort, he adds, "Tell him I ask you to meet up with me. He won't kill you, we need you. Besides, my father likes you."

Firmus frowns, Lord Vader likes me? That's an interesting discovery. He reaches the holorecorder and nods, "Understood, Commander."

Luke stands up, prepares to leave, he turns and looks seriously at him, "Be ready, Admiral."

Right, they are ready to move. Things are going to be interesting.