"You are clear on your orders?" Vader crossed his arms over his chest, and Piett was hyper aware that he was watching him fiddle with the earpiece he'd given him.

Piett took a steady, calming breath, mentally reminding himself that it was an honor to serve Lord Vader, and straightened up. "Yes, My Lord. As soon as your class is done, Luke Lars will call using the school's voice chat program. I will be logged in as you," Under my name, he added in his head, but he didn't dare say it, "and I will repeat everything you say, not a word less or more."

Vader seemed...as pleased as he could be. At least, if Piett was reading the way his shoulders seemed to release tension correctly. "Good." Then, he pointed at him. "Do not fail me, captain."

His mouth went dry and he tried not to notice his life flashing before his eyes. To think he could get killed over not pretending to be Darth Vader pretending to be him correctly… it wasn't how he pictured going out.

"Yes of course, My Lord."

Apparently pleased that everything was going according to plan, he turned and stormed off, probably to...go...to class…

Darth Vader. Second in command to the entire galaxy. Was going to class.

It was too...normal. Except, clearly, it wasn't since he was somehow roped into this situation.

At least if he survived, it would be an interesting story to tell his grandchildren. Preferably far, far away from Vader.

He quickly entered his own office. He still had an hour to go, but he suddenly felt like he was about to take one of the most important tests of his life. He prepared by straightening up his desk, then pulling up the sparse file on the boy he'd be talking to. Vader had sent it to him the night before, with orders to memorize it. It wasn't hard. There were only a few lines and a holo of a terribly young-looking boy.

Luke Lars, it read under the holo.

Age: Eighteen

Birth Date: Unknown

Planet of Origin: Tatooine

Experience: Farm hand with practical mechanical skills only

Additional Notes: Comments on everything I say and is far too innocent and positive for his own good. Wants to make friends with me. This must not happen. He is decently competent, however.

The fact that anyone wanted to make friends with Darth Vader was almost as wild as him going to school. But, then again, the boy didn't know he was trying to befriend a man who regularly choked those who displeased him. Poor kid.

When the time came, Piett logged onto the portal and prepared to receive the call. In his ear, the comm crackled to life. "Do you read me, captain?"

"Yes, my lord." Shortly after the words left his mouth, his datapad lit up with an incoming call. "Oh, he's right on time."

"Good. It seems he took my threat seriously then."

Threat? He shouldn't be surprised Vader threatened the boy, but then why would Lars want to make friends with Vader? He didn't have time to think about it as he answered the call, placing it on speaker so Vader could hear.

"Hey Firmus!" A youthful, boyish voice greeted with great enthusiasm.

Well. Lord Vader was right about him being overly positive. It sounded genuine, though.

"Of course he doesn't greet me properly," Vader growled in his ear. "Make sure you greet him professionally."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Lars." Piett replied smoothly. He seriously didn't know how he managed to sound calm. He was anything but. His hands were gripping the datapad so tightly, his knuckles had gone white.

The boy snickered. "Mr. Lars? Stars, that makes me sound ancient. Just call me Luke."

"The boy has no sense of decorum...tell him…"

"Very well," Piett repeated, trying to sound as firm as possible, "But remember this is a professional project. I aim to have the best results at the end of this. Our classmates will regret the day they decided to go against us."

He...didn't sound as dark and threatening as Vader did, and he knew the last line sounded flat.

But Luke didn't seem phased. In fact, he laughed, and it was so innocent and youthful that Piett instantly felt pity for the situation the boy was unknowingly leading himself into. "That would definitely be cool, but I don't think the project is meant as a competition."

"How naive." If Piett wasn't mistaken, it sounded like Vader was almost amused.

"All assignments should be treated as a competition. That is how you succeed in life." Piett didn't necessarily believe that but...he wasn't normal Firmus Piett at the moment. He was Darth Firmus Piett.

"Well, then you're right. We'll have the best project in the class." The boy sounded like he was grinning. Would he react that way if he really knew who he was speaking to?

"Ask him what land speeder he's had experience with."

"What landspeeder have you had experience with?" He tried to match the no-nonsense tone. He sort of pulled it off.

"Straight to business, huh?"

"Does he think I have all the time in the world-"

"Well the landspeeder I worked on a lot was our X-34. I've worked on other models of course, and I know the XP-38 is the more sought after model of that brand, but that's the one I have the most experience with. But I can work on any type! I have yet to meet a model I wasn't able to work with-"

"He is far too chatty. I will need to update the notes in his profile." Piett had to agree with Vader on this one. The boy was still going, listing a bunch more models he hadn't even heard of.

"That is enough," He interrupted at Vader's direction. "We will create our own version, but we can use the X-34 as a basis."

"Don't you have to make something completely different and new?"

"That was not part of the instructions, it is merely my own preference. However, do not believe the misconception that inventions are brand new constructs of the inventor. That is rarely the case. They are usually improving upon what is already in existence."

Stars, Vader could be quite wordy. He had to concentrate to remember every word and inflection.

"Well then shouldn't we use the XP-38 as a basis? Technically it's the improved version-"

"It is hardly improved. The computer itself is the same, it is the engine parts that set it apart. It's a waste of credits for anyone stupid enough to buy it."

Luke made a happy noise. Was this boy really eighteen? "That's what I said! Finally, someone who gets it!"

"Anyone with eyes could see it." Piett made a face even as he said it. He likely wouldn't have been able to spot that if he was in the market for a speeder. But Vader didn't need to know that. "Now, let us begin with-"

What followed was a conversation with so many technical terms, Piett felt like he was speaking a whole other language. There were some words Vader had him say that he barely knew how to pronounce, let alone spell, but thankfully it was only a preliminary conversation. He must have been doing well, because Luke seemed nothing but enthused by everything that he said, and responded using terms equally as confusing to Piett. He simply had to trust that Vader knew what to say, and he was never disappointed.

By the end of the call, Luke said, "Well, I think we have the makings of a good schematic. Maybe we'll win this not-competition-but-really-a-competition."

"We will win it." Piett repeated, even as he was thinking, really? We talked enough to create a schematic?

"It sort of makes me wish we could actually build this thing and sell it on the market."

"Maybe you can pitch it to the manufacturer when we are through." Nevermind that all Vader had to do was hand them the schematics and order them to do it, but he doubted his commander had time for that. Then again, who even knew what Vader would do anymore.

"Maybe. Anyway, tomorrow same time? We'll need to create the actual schematic now...do you want to share your screen or should I share mine?"

Piett began to panic. He hadn't thought of that...he didn't even know what these terms were. It would be obvious something was wrong if he was hunting for the right tools that should be obvious to someone like Luke or Vader.

But Vader evidently was not concerned, and he repeated with as much confidence as he could, "You are the one who will share your screen. I have made plenty of schematics in my life. It is you who must learn. Familiarize yourself with the tools of the program we will be using tonight. I have no wish to wait while you fumble around with it."

If Luke was offended, he didn't sound it when he said, "Sounds good. I'll take a look tonight. Man, this is exciting! I can't wait! We'll get the best grade for sure!"

"How is he so enthusiastic?" Vader wondered in his ear. "Does he drink some sort of happiness serrum every morning?"

Probably caf, Piett thought, but he didn't dare point out. Actually, the image of this boy drinking a ton of caf every day did explain the behavior…

But instead, Piett repeated, "Make sure you pay close attention, young one." He winced when saying young one...Luke wasn't so much younger than him that he could pull it off. "I will not teach you twice."

"Young one?" And for the first time, the boy sounded offended. "I know I look young, but if I'm old enough to leave Tatooine, I'm old enough to not be called young one."

Kid, just take the unfortunate nickname and deal with it, Piett wanted to say. But Vader didn't seem more than mildly annoyed when he instructed him to say, "I will call you what I wish. Be grateful it isn't something more disparaging. Now I must attend to important duties."

"Alright, alright," he sounded like he had more to say on the nickname, but he was dropping it. Thank the stars. He did not want to argue on behalf of Lord Vader. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."

The week was far more enjoyable than Vader expected. At least, as far as the project went. His real work was as boring as ever. Find Rebels, easily take out their ships, interrogate the unlucky prisoners…It rarely offered any interesting changes.

But his conversations with Luke through his captain were always engaging.

He watched Luke using the schematic program by watching a mirror image of Piett's datapad. The boy learned quickly, and there were rarely hesitations when he ordered him to do something. Even when he did get annoyed, the boy was as light and positive as ever. No matter what he had Piett say, he accepted it without fear.

It was annoying at first. He was Darth Vader. He was meant to be feared. But as the days passed, he found himself looking forward to their daily call.

Piett himself was...adequate. He always said exactly what he told him, and he even tried to match the same way he said it. He doubted most of the people on his ship could do better. But he was also so...unintimidating. Perhaps that was why the boy didn't seem phased by anything he said. The words were coming from a man with a relatively calm demeanor for a soldier.

He was almost disappointed when they finally turned the completed project in. With the project complete, there was no need to continue the calls. Technically not having the calls would work better for his schedule… He still had work to do, after all. But it was so rare that he was ever talked to with little fear. He'd almost forgotten what that was like.

Maybe there would be another project, he reasoned. He would...well, he wouldn't ask the boy himself. He had his pride to maintain, but maybe he could write something in chat that would prompt the boy to reach out again…

Unless the boy hadn't enjoyed working with him as much as he seemed to? Maybe his positivity was a facade, and he secretly feared and hated him as much as the rest of the galaxy did.

It was these thoughts that kept him up late the night after they turned in their project. He was logged in, working on another assignment for a different class, when he received a chat.

Luke Lars: Hey! :D I just wanted to say thank you for teaching me how to put an official schematic together. I've never met anyone who's had the time or the knowledge to teach me. I really appreciate it.

He stared at the message, a strange...feeling swelling in his chest. He didn't know what it was. He couldn't identify it...but it wasn't the usual fear or hatred he normally fed off of.

He didn't like it.

Firmus Piett: It is of no consequence. I did what I had to in order to ensure our grade was the best it could be.

That didn't quite explain his actions. He could have insisted he do everything, as had been his original plan.

Luke Lars: I know. Still, I wanted to thank you anyway.

Who was this kid? He was tempted to go back to Tatooine for the sole purpose of finding this boys parents and figuring out how he'd turned out so bright and sunny.

Then again...he was raised on a planet with two suns...If he hadn't known that Tatooine was a hell hole, he might have assumed that was the reason.

The boy messaged again.

Luke Lars: So I'll see you for the test in a few days, right?

Vader blinked. He read the message again. And again.

Firmus Piett: What do you mean?

Luke Lars: Well...you know. We have to take the tests in person still.

...What?

Instantly, Vader pulled up the syllabus for the class, scouring everything he could until he found the Testing section, where he read it over carefully.

Tests will still need to be done in person to avoid academic dishonesty, as per school rules.

He felt as though his heart dropped into his stomach, even as he quickly checked his other course syllabus'.

They were all the same.

How had he missed this?! This was an online course, what the hell were they doing, making people come in to take a test?!

Sure, he'd hacked his way into school and hadn't bothered to fully think this through, or even read the damn syllabus', but still. He couldn't walk in there….

His train of thought broke off.

The solution was obvious.

Firmus Piett: Yes. I will see you in a few days.

The moment he sent the message, he was comming the captain. It was the middle of the night cycle, but he didn't care, and it evidently didn't matter because he answered.

"Yes, Lord Vader?" He sounded slightly tired, like he was trying to hide the fact that he'd been sleeping when he called, but Vader didn't bother to care.

"Captain." He was aware that he sounded far too pleased about his brilliant solution. "I have a special long term mission for you…"