And another one bites the dust. Chapter 6 in all its small glory.
Thank you for following along with the tale so far and I hope you all enjoy.
Disclaimer - I own nothing, just to be clear.
It didn't take long for Piett to secure Luke onboard his shuttle and to issue commands concerning the Accuser. It would take weeks to weed through all personnel involved with Nisca's mutiny and he had to report to Lord Vader before then. The Executor was a three days ride away but Piett was sure that bringing Luke immediately to his father was the right course of action. Once Vader had his son by his side, he would more than likely assist in cleansing the Accuser and replacing all the captured personnel. Captain Nisca was the only one that Piett had confidence in arresting and so he would also come on board the shuttle to be punished by Lord Vader when the commander saw fit. The two squadrons of loyal troopers would remain on board the Accuser and maintain order while Piett was away. Once the shuttle had lifted away from the flagship and they were settled into hyperdrive, Piett went to the medcenter to hear a report on Luke's health before contacting Lord Vader.
Piett walked into the medbay and waited for a nurse or doctor to arrive, when none showed up to escort him he began to walk down the hall that lined the four separated rooms of the medical center on board the shuttle. The first three were empty and the last is where Piett found Luke. Two doctors were in the room with him, one holding Luke down while the other tried to inject something into the boy's arm. Luke was lashing out and struggling against the man who held him down, kicking and scratching wildly as he tried to get away. Piett entered the room hurriedly and catching what the doctor with the syringe was saying.
"Don't let him kick me like that Matthews! Listen, rebel! If you don't stop fighting us I'm going to give you a sedative that will knock your butt into next week, so I'd stop thrashing if I were you and behave!"
Luke only struggled harder at the doctors words and finally managed to throw the doctor holding him down off. Immediately Luke was up and scooting to the far side of the bed, tucking his body as far as he could into the corner. His eyes were on the doctor but shifted to take notice of Piett. The Admiral though that there was a brief flash of recognition in Luke's eyes but his attention was soon turned back to the doctor who was approaching him.
"That's it, you rebel scum, I'm ordering restraints put on you and your going to be drooling your brains out in just a moment."
"That is not an option, doctor," Piett made his voice low and threatening, "harm or secure that boy in any way I will personally see you demoted to janitor on some backwater outpost."
The doctor turned around quickly and saluted the admiral.
"Admiral Piett, I am sorry sir but I simply have been able to get no where with this rebel. He has refused all treatment and he is becoming a danger to my staff. I must insist that we restrain him in some way. Not only for our sakes but for his as well. No good can come of allowing him to fight us tooth and nail for a simple anti – biotic." The doctor held up the hypostray in front of him, showing Piett.
"Doctor," Piett remained calm, "Do you see the man's arm? You see all the little bruises and discoloring on it? You are the professional you tell me what could have made those."
The doctor glanced at Luke's right arm, which had had most of the sleeve torn off the dirty flight suit that he still wore.
"It looks like he has been receiving regular doses of some kind of medication." the doctor said stubbornly refusing to see where Piett was going with the questions.
"And who do you think were giving him those, 'medications'. A mommy- like nurse with only his best interest in mind?"
"No, sir."
"Perhaps they were making sure, aboard the Accuser where the commander was held for two weeks, that their prisoner was up to date with his vitamins?"
"No, I don't believe so, Admiral."
"Neither do I. The injections were a form of torture, as I am sure you are aware. After two weeks of nothing but pain and suffering I think I might be a little wary of needles as well. Wouldn't you?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Then we are agreed that we will have a bit of patience for the commander in the future and refrain from giving him reason to believe that he is still in danger."
At this the doctor lifted his head from looking at the ground and glanced from Luke to Piett in confusion.
"You are trying to make me believe that being transferred from the Accuser and into the hands of Lord Vader is a promotion. This rebel is done for once Vader gets his hands on him. No use lying to the rebel and making him think freedom is at hand. Two days and his situation goes right back to where it was."
Piett flared up in anger. Not only was this doctor disobeying his orders, but he was making Vader out to be a monster in front of the sith lord's child, though of that fact the doctor was wholly unaware. Piett had hoped to smooth things over, as much as he could, between the estranged relatives before they actually met one another. People, such as this doctor, where reversing the affect he had hoped to have.
"You are dismissed doctor," Piett said and pointed towards the door, "You are no longer required to treat the commander and will not enter this medbay again until we reach the Executor."
The doctor threw down the hypospray that he had been holding and stormed out of the room with a backwards glare that encompassed both Piett and the boy. The other doctor stepped up from the corner he had retreated into during the confrontation and picked up the hyposray the other doctor had left.
"You are now promoted to chief medical officer until further notice," Piett said, "Is that injection necessary?"
"Yes, sir," the officer replied, "This and several others. I was able to run a pulmonary scan of the boy while he was unconscious. He has several cracked ribs, an infection in his lungs that could turn serious if not treated, his right leg and left arm are dislocated, most likely from pulling against restraints and his right hand is missing. That injury, however, appears to have happened a couple months ago though it has been cut open and agitated since. I think he had a prosthetic on it at one time and that may be why it reopened so easily. Then there is the obvious ailments you can see. The cuts and bruising, he is near being starved and extremely dehydrated. All of these things I can fix relatively easily but not with him kicking everything I offer him my hand. I understand his trauma but he is going to die if I can't minister to him soon."
Piett nodded then turned to Luke.
"Doctor, could you leave us alone for a moment. I will talk to him and see if I can make him understand your intentions. I will call you back in momentarily."
The doctor nodded and headed out, somewhat relieved to be free of their unruly ward.
Piett stayed where he was, center of the room, a good distance between Luke and himself. Luke remained where he was as well, though Piett thought he might have relaxed slightly once the doctor was out of the room. When Piett spoke it was with an even and soft tone.
"Luke, do you remember me? Do you know who I am?"
Luke gazed at Piett a moment, fear still in his eyes but then answered,
"Admiral Firmus Piett"
"Yes," Piett was surprised, "And do you know who has sent me to rescue you?"
"Darth Vader," Luke intoned and began to stray deeper into the corner.
"Do you know who he, Luke?"
Luke didn't answer but tears began spilling down his cheeks at the thoughts that were racing through his head. He noticed his tears and wiped them away hastily, embarrassed. It was the most normal behavior Piett has seen in the boy yet.
"I know that he is your father. That is why I was sent to pick you up. You have nothing to fear from him. He only has your well fare in mind," Piett saw Luke's eyes widened and he moved his right arm up to hold it protectively against his chest. Did Luke's missing hand have anything to do with Vader? If so, than no wonder the boy was fearful of meeting his father again. Still, it was Piett's duty to try.
"Didn't you reach out for your father to come and help you while you were imprisoned. He heard your call and sent me as fast as he could. No matter the past, Lord Vader was concerned for you and wanted to rescue you himself."
"Why didn't he?" Luke asked and let his hand fall to his side once more.
"He did not think it wise to draw the attention of the emperor or risk losing you because he was injected with the same drug that was given to you."
Luke nodded and his face suddenly seemed to frown in concentration as though he was trying to remember a forgotten memory. Piett took the opportunity to slowly approach the bed.
"May I sit," he asked and gestured to the end of Luke's bed. Luke inclined his head but kept to his corner.
"You are going to meet a lot of people who do not like you on this ship. You are a famous rebel pilot and many had friends or relations on the Death Star that you destroyed." Luke looked up at Piett with sorrow in his eyes, apparently this was something that had happened already, "However, if there is one person that you need not fear, it is your father. He has not extended all this effort to see harm come to you," Piett did not know if what he was saying was true. He hoped, for the boy's sake that it was.
Luke didn't look convinced but he began to relax onto the bed a little more.
"I am sorry that I fought your staff," he said suddenly and looked down at his hand which was in his lap, "I know that they are not going to harm me, but I can't help it. I am sorry."
Piett stood up and looked down at Luke, "There is no need to apologize. I am going to stay here and call the doctor back in. He is going to give you some anti – biotics and medications that are necessary to improve your health. Are you prepared for that?"
"Yes," Luke looked just as scared as before but sat still and quiet. Piett called the doctor in and watched as Luke was given the medications and treatments he needed. It looked painful, even to Piett, who could hear the fleshy pop as Luke's limbs were moved back into place and bacta was placed on the minor cuts and bruises that litter the boys body. Luke sat and stared at the doctor with wide eyes, tears spilling down his cheeks as the only testament to the terror and pain he felt. He was trying his best not to struggle against the man and Piett could see it took an enormous amount of effort, again the determination that Piett had seen before was concreted in the boy's eyes. It only broke and Luke displayed resistance when the doctor moved to remove the commander's shirt to wrap his ribs in a bacta compress. One moment there the doctor was working steadily, the next he was flung across the room by an invisible hand. Piett had let his mind wander as the treatments dragged on and only came back to the situation when the doctor came flying past him. Piett was up and helping the doctor to his feet in an instant.
"I'm alright," he wheezed, "just knocked the wind out of me. How did he do that? I didn't even see him move to hit me!" The doctor was looking apprehensively at Luke. Piett didn't answer but went to the boy's side.
"I'm sorry," Luke was muttering, "I'm so sorry! I didn't think I would be able to do that. It was an instinct and I've been on the drug so long I didn't think it would work!"
Piett tried not to let his apprehension show on his face. He did not want to make the already unstable and now potentially dangerous man know that he was beginning to become nervous. Still he moved to the boy's side and lightly place a hand on Luke's shoulder.
"It's alright, the doctor's fine. It's understandable that you are sensitive. That will wear off with time but for now please let us know when you feel uncomfortable and we will try to accommodate your needs. Now, I think your ribs will feel better for having the bacta wrap but that is something that you can apply yourself. Why don't you use the refresher and then try to rest. We are going to leave but you may use the com at the side of your door when ever you need anything, the door will remained locked. Does that sound alright?"
Luke, who had flinched under the admiral's touch but allowed the hand to rest there, nodded and looked up gratefully into Piett's eyes. He gave the admiral a hint of a smile before nodding,
"Thank you, Admiral. I appreciate your patience with me."
Piett nodded and then turned to leave with the doctor. Luke was left alone in the room, though constantly surveyed by the security tapes and Piett, assured that his charge would be safe for he moment, left to make his report to Lord Vader.