Dark Times: Chapter Two

Pale Shelter

Part 5

"Rhovan, Erwin, Imperial Interrogation Specialist Major, one-one-one-nine-six-three-eight-Delta-two." Rhovan quoted, dully but with a sparkle in his eyes. He smiled at Rieekan across the table. "That's my Imperial persona. I'm also known as," he paused for effect. "Dade, Escaal Resistance. Before that I was Daav, Cusrean Resistance and before that I was Derven Hasthaal Resistance. But you already know all this, General. Why don't we cut to the chase, you want to know what happened with Skywalker."

"We'll get to that point, Major," Rieekan advised him, firmly. "We have a few things to discuss before we speak about Luke."

"So I should get comfortable then," Rhovan stated, still smiling.

"It's difficult to believe that one of your reputation and stature within the Empire could also be so deeply involved with active resistance. Perhaps you could explain it for us?" Rieekan met Rhovan's gaze, held it until the man laughed and looked away.

"Okay, Carlist, perhaps you should get comfortable, we'll be here a while yet…."

ooOOoo

"What happened when I ordered the jump?" Narra queried.

Luke closed his eyes, recalling, watching the pictures from the past few weeks flow. "I took a hit from behind, lost a foil."

"Why didn't you eject?"

He opened his eyes, smiling without humour. "I thought I stood a better chance on the planet's surface." He shrugged, winced. "I was wrong."

"Talk me through it, Luke."

ooOOoo

Rhovan sighed, stood up and paced back and forth, agitated and tired. "Ayrn was getting closer. He's the worst kind of Imperial, he's what's wrong with the Empire."

"So what did you do?"

"Bided my time, tried to give Taln time, but Ayrn was persistent and I couldn't think of any excuses not to allow him into the Doctors interrogation."

"What happened?"

"The Doc gave their location."

ooOOoo

Luke took a shuddering breath, another sip of the water that Narra had offered him, this time he didn't spill any or choke on it. His hands felt numb, fingertips felt clumsy, and his wrists were throbbing beneath the dressings. His head was light and dizzy. He wanted this to stop, to end.

"Luke?" Narra questioned. "Are you ready to continue?"

"Yes," he lied, just wanting this over, just wanting to curl up on the bunk, pull the sheet over his head and wish the world away.

"And this was when you met Major Erwin Rhovan?"

Erwin, thought Luke with smile. Sounds like an old man's name. He fought a burst of hysterical laugher. It wasn't that funny, but Dade sure didn't look like an Erwin.

"Luke?" Narra repeated with a frown, not understanding Luke's smile. "That's when you met Rhovan?"

"Yes. They… they took me into this room, with a chair… and he was sitting in it," he stared at the ceiling, trying not to think.

"I know this is difficult, Luke, but I have to ask. What happened next?"

ooOOoo

"I ordered Luke to be taken down, allowed to rest. That's when Vader walked in." Rhovan balanced his chair on two legs, placed his feet upon the table and crossed his ankles.

Rieekan fought the urge to push him off balance. "Tell me what happened next."

"That's when it got interesting," Rhovan replied with a tight smile, remembering.

"In what way?" The General asked, his stomach twisting with mild anxiety, perhaps not for himself and the Alliance, but for a young man who had gained his trust, admiration and respect. He wouldn't like Luke to come out of this experience looking other than totally clear of possible repercussions. "What was said between Vader and Luke?"

"That's just it," Rhovan frowned. "It wasn't what was said, it was…"

The door to the interrogation room slid open and three men entered. They were dressed as Alliance personnel, but the markings on their uniforms identified them as Intelligence.

"What is this?" Rieekan demanded rising to meet them and addressing the ranking officer, a Colonel.

"I'm sorry, General Rieekan," the man answered. "I am Colonel Sparr, Alliance Intelligence, and this interview is terminated. All recordings and written notes are hereby confiscated and you, General, are under instructions not to disclose or discuss what took place here. Further more…"

"What? What?" Rieekan blustered through his fury. "On whose orders?"

The Colonel handed him a piece of flimsy. "Please shred this after reading, sir." Then he picked up from where Rieekian had interrupted. "Further more, Major Rhovan is now in our custody, pending his release and redeployment within the Alliance."

Rieekan scanned his orders, noted the signature, and looked in shock to Rhovan. The Major stood, smiled and shrugged at him.

"Sorry, Carlist, I was looking forward to our chat."

ooOOoo

"You gave Wedge's name?" Narra tried to keep his tone neutral, tried not to show his dismay at Luke divulging the name of his friend to the enemy.

"I…I… think I did…I… said his name. I said 'Wedge,' nothing else." He finished quickly, he felt ashamed, horrified at having to confess his weakness. "Vader was… awfully near…" His heart was hammering, the lines on the monitors squiggling faster and sharper. "… he… said something about my father. I…I think I spat on him, he…he hit me." His hand gently touched the side of his face where Vader's back-hand had landed. "It's hard…" he drew in an unsteady breath, fighting back tears, horrified at showing such weakness. "It's… "

"Easy, Luke. It's okay, there's no harm done here." Narra knew he shouldn't be saying this, knew it was not up to him to gauge where harm was done. That was Command's jurisdiction.

"I was drugged," Luke offered as way of explanation. "… Vader… he…" The memory was hazy, seen through swollen eyes and pain. Vader going behind him, igniting his lightsaber, cutting him down, ordering Luke to be taken to his ship where…

Luke?

He started, looked around with fright, sure he had heard the Dark Lord's voice. The room seemed to darken around him, shadows moved on the edge of his vision, he could hear the whine of droid servo motors, feel the tight binders around his wrists and Vader… He could feel Vader with him and…

"Luke?" Narra was looking at him strangely. "Are you all right?"

Was he? The darkness was still around him, Vader's nearness stifling, he could almost hear the Dark Lord's measured breathing. He was close, so close. "We have to get out of here…" he whispered.

"What do you mean, Luke?"

What did he mean? What had happened? The darkness was lifting and all he saw now was the make-shift Alliance medical facilities. But he had that feeling, that strong urge that something was going to happen, and this time he knew Vader was behind it.

He threw the sheet aside, swung his legs out of bed as the commander stood and moved to his side. His knees buckled and Narra caught him, helped him up, shouted for a medic.

Luke clutched his commander's arm, his grip weakened by his torture. "No, sir! We have to evacuate, now!"

ooOOoo

Mahkren shifted from foot to foot, placed his hands in the small of his back and massaged his spine as he waited for Vader to move, to speak. The Dark Lord had been still for so long and…

" Ra'imar," Vader announced, sounding triumphant. "Have my shuttle brought to me, tell Ozzel to prepare my ship and set a heading for the Ra'imar system."

Mahkren smiled as he bowed, relieved that the Dark Lord was leaving Escaal. "As you wish, my Lord."

TBC...