Disclaimer: Fine! You caught me! I don't own any of it! Well apart from my wonderful made up characters, (Haden Patrick, Deeken Elliot, Roddy Wright, Enx Godson, Erik Howe, Jack Burnett and Marcus O'Dell) I don't own anything. But those characters listed above are mine. MINE, MINE, MINE!!!!!!!

Imperials

As the black figure brushed past, Deeken held his breath and stared determinedly at his computer screen. All of a sudden the complicated codes he'd been studying for months didn't make sense anymore. All the knowledge he possessed had been replaced with shear terror of the man that was walking slowly away from him. His ears were full of the hollow breathing sound that came from deep within the armoured helmet. It was the sound every imperial cadet heard by day, and the sound they heard at night in their worst dreams.

Deeken may not have been on the bridge for long, but he had seen at least three people die at the hands of Darth Vader, for making, what seemed to Deeken anyway, easily fixable and unimportant mistakes. Obviously Vader didn't think in the same way as Deeken, and obviously, 'Forgive and Forget' was not a phrase in the Dark Lord's vocabulary.

Even though Deeken was sure Vader hadn't even bothered to look twice at him, since he had arrived on the Executor there was something about the way he moved around, like an enormous black cloud, which made Deeken shudder every time he was mentioned. It was the thought of Vader that made Deeken take such care in his work.

Deeken was suddenly jerked out of his stupor as someone grabbed his lower arm firmly.

"Deeken? Deeken, you alright?"

Deeken looked up into the face of his cousin, Enx.

"Yeah," he said after a considerable pause, "Yeah, I'm great."

Somebody laughed quietly, to Deeken's right and he turned his head to Roddy, who was trying extremely hard to keep the volume down.

He managed to splutter, "Vader's freaking him out again Enx, pay him no mind. Besides," Roddy glanced over his shoulder to check for officers and then continued in a hushed tone, "Holding your breath and hoping ain't going to help you if Vader's on the prowl."

Deeken looked both confused and nervous, "What do you mean, Roddy?"

"I've heard rumours," Roddy whispered, "I've heard, he has the power to enter the minds of others. Tell what you're thinking. All comes with being a Sith Lord. He can do what ever he wants, and there's nothing anyone can do to stop him."

Deeken gave a terrified look at Darth Vader, who was now at the enormous screen, staring out into space.

Enx however, just snorted. Jedi and Sith are all part of children stories. The only thing Vader does is look impressive and order guys like us about."

Deeken shook his head, "I wouldn't say that if I were you, he could be listening."

This time it was Enx that laughed at Deeken, "See what you've done to the Kid, Roddy? He used to have some brains in him. Now he's paranoid to the extreme and he thinks we're being constantly watched and overheard. 'He could be listening.' Honestly."

Roddy became suddenly serious, "You're a fool if you don't fear Vader," he said fixing his stare on Enx.

Enx carefully avoided Roddy's eye, "Of course I fear him," he muttered, "I just don't believe in all this Force malarkey, that's all. Magicians tricks in my opinion. Magician tricks and a few hidden wires."

Deeken could tell Roddy was about to reply scathingly. He had known Roddy since they had been boys on Tatooine and he had always had a firm belief in the Force, something Enx had constantly sneered at. And now that they were Imperials, Roddy had to hide his faith completely.

But he never got a chance to express his opinion.

A cold voice was heard behind him, just as he was about to retaliate, "Back to work Wright or I'll report you to General Burnett!"

Roddy sat quickly back in his seat. Commander O'Dell was towering over him, a glare set onto his wrinkled, old face. He was completely bald, earning him the nickname, 'Skinhead' among the lesser workers.

"Yes Sir," Roddy murmured, as he looked down at his keyboard, "Right away Sir."

Skinhead glanced around at Deeken and Enx, "Elliot, Godson. You too!"

"Yes Sir," the cousins said simultaneously.

The older man nodded curtly and strode away to inspect the other workers.

Roddy watched him go, an expression of loathing on his face, "One day, I hope he ticks Vader off. Get the old tin can nice and mad, so he crushes Skinhead's throat."

"Let's just hope you're alive to see it, Roddy!" Enx said and he started to type again, burring himself in his work.

"Dunno, the blood might be a bit much for me," Roddy said dreamily, rubbing his hands together.

Deeken couldn't believe Roddy sometimes. He didn't understand his sense of humour. Deeken didn't see how Skinhead getting his throat crushed was funny and besides, it wouldn't help there situation. If skinhead went then, Erick Howe or 'The Erk' as he was called on the bridge would be in charge. He was much worse than Skinhead.

Enx checked his watch, "Shift's nearly over."

"Thank the Force," Roddy breathed, "I would fall asleep right now, if Vader weren't coming this way."

"What?!" Deeken looked around wildly, only to see Vader still standing on the deck, looking out at the stars.

By the time he had realised what Roddy had done to him and was considering smacking him hard around the head, skinhead was walking past again and the three men were forced into an unnatural silence. By the time the commander had gone, Deeken thought it was best to let it pass, he was too tired for another argument.

On his right Roddy grinned silently.

Works like a charm.

A.N I love my wonderful characters! Especially Deeken and Roddy. By the way Enx is pronounced Enz, because several people at home have asked.

This chapter is dedicated to my mate Dogbiscuits, who helped me with the spelling A LOT!!!!!

In the next chapter..........Watch out, the Rogues are coming!

Thorney