CHAPTER THREE
Luke paced Vader's quarters, carefully trying to map out his plan of attack. He still couldn't believe that he had to command the Imperial Navy, attack one of his own side's bases, and kidnap... himself.
He wondered what Vader and his body were doing...
Han sat across from Vader, his eyes trying to peer through his Sabacc adversary. Lando sat to Vader's right, leaning his cheek against his fist. Wedge, one of Luke's friends and a pilot who had survived the battle of Yavin, Vader had learned, was leaning back away from the table. They had folded; it was just Vader and Han.
And Vader knew that Han was bluffing.
Vader also had discovered that Han knew what Luke's tells were to know that he had a poor hand, so Vader was fidgeting, studying his fingernails, and smiling awkwardly at Han.
Han placed his last bet. Vader met it.
"Okay, kid, lemme see what'cha got."
Vader laid down his hand. Wedge whistled. Lando cursed. Han's jaw dropped.
"Sabacc! How the hell did you... are you cheatin', kid?"
Vader's eyes narrowed, the room temperature seemed to drop a few degrees. "You're calling me a cheater, Solo?"
Han tried to stare him down, then laughed uncomfortably, "'Course not, kid." He pushed the winnings across the table to Luke, "It's all yours."
Vader smiled.
Han stood. "Let's go get something to eat."
Sitting in the mess with Han and Leia, Vader suddenly started when he heard his son's voice in his thoughts.
All right. I'll be there in ten hours.
You have a plan?
No, I'm gonna wing it.
You cannot. This must be handled correctly.
I never handle anything correctly, haven't you figured that out?
Quite. What are you bringing for ships?
Just the Executor.
Bring the Avenger and the Judicator as well.
I don't want a bunch of ships there!
The Alliance will not be intimated by one Star Destroyer.
Who's in charge of this operation?
Me, technically.
Yeah, well... fine, I'll be there in ten hours, with the Avenger and Judicator.
Very good.
Vader lay on his back on Luke's bunk, staring at the ceiling, waiting for his flagship and her two companion ships to drop out of hyperspace and send the rebel base into frenzy. He had his hands tucked behind his head, and his ankles crossed. His eyes started to close, when he suddenly heard a knock at his door. He groaned and pulled himself up from the bunk and answered the door.
A young woman with blonde hair cascading down to her shoulders was leaning against the doorjamb. Her arms were crossed against her chest, over her very tight flight suit.
"Hey, Luke," she said in a soft voice; it almost sounded like she was purring. "I heard you had another run in with Vader." She reached up and touched his forehead while slipping inside and shutting the door behind her. "How do you do it, Luke? Two confrontations with that monstrous man! You are so brave."
Vader folded his lips into his mouth and wet them nervously. LUKE!
What?
There's a girl in your room!
Vader felt Luke looking through his eyes at the young woman advancing on him.
ARGH! That's Estrie Talamaur! I have such a crush on her! What is she doing there?
She just showed up!
Vader felt the frustration radiate from his son.
Okay, look, you need to get her out of there without making her think I don't like her.
Vader smiled awkwardly at Estrie as she wrapped her arms around his neck. How?
Sith, father! I thought you were the Great Dark Lord of the Sith! Are you telling me you can't handle a girl?
No, I'm telling you that as you, I cannot handle a girl.
Okay, repeat after me. 'Oh, Estrie, it's so great to see you.'
That's ridiculous, I'm not saying that.
You're not saying it! I am! Do it!
"Oh, Estrie, it's so very nice to see you."
That's not what I said.
It's good enough.
Luke groaned. Now say: 'Vader is still after me. He won't rest until he finds me. I'm afraid for those close to me until he is defeated. Then... then I might be able to find someone to share my...'
Oh, stop it. "Estrie," Vader brushed two fingers over the girl's face. "I really like you, but your spice addiction and habit of frequently visiting the male pilots' barracks has me concerned for our future. I am a very respectable and dignified young man, and I cannot associate with one who involves oneself in such practices."
Estrie stepped back, shock made every inch of her body rigid, and then she scowled in rage. She slapped him. "Why you no good— nerf herder!"
She let out a sob and fled from the room.
Luke was silent for several moments before saying, I didn't know that about her...
Vader gave a satisfied smirk. Naïve farmboy.
Are you going to do that to every girl I meet?
Vader didn't even pause. Yes.
Luke strode from Vader's quarters with the menacing aura of his father. He mentally crossed his fingers, hoping that he was going the right way. He kept his pace steady; having already learned that if he slowed down, the cape would tangle between his legs and threaten to trip him. Who knew that a piece of fabric could be such a menace?
He finally found the lift and stopped before it, pressing the button.
The Executor's Admiral stepped up next to him. The man inclined his head, "Milord."
"I trust that the fleet is prepared for departure—" Luke glanced down at the man's name badge, "Admiral Piett."
Piett nodded, "Yes, Milord... what part of the fleet you have chosen to take is prepared, Milord."
"Do you question my reasoning, Admiral?" Luke asked, clasping his hands behind his back.
"N-no, Milord, I simply do not understand why we would not strike the rebels with our full might."
"Not everything is about strength, Admiral."
Piett nodded, and swallowed nervously, "Milord, I... Milord, why are you using this lift?"
Luke looked at the lift door, and then at Piett, "Do I usually walk?"
Piett's eyes shifted back and forth nervously, "You have a private lift, Milord."
"Oh," Luke said.
The two men stood there in the corridor before the lift doors for an awkward moment.
"Well," Luke said after the moment of thick, uncomfortable silence, "I guess I'm off to that private lift of mine then." He started back down the corridor.
Piett stood, watching the Dark Lord retreat, and then followed. "Milord?"
Luke glanced back over his shoulder and walked faster.
"Milord?"
Luke began to jog.
"Milord!"
Piett caught up with him just as he reached the controls to Vader's quarters; frantically he punched in the code and dashed into the room. Piett slipped in behind him, knowing that if he was wrong, he'd probably die.
"Milord, I—"
Darth Vader's form held up his hand. After a few brief moments he said, "Okay, you have to promise me that you won't tell anyone..."
Piett was staring at his commander with a particularly pale hue growing on his cheeks. Finally, he found the courage to speak, "Milord, I mean no offense, but you have been acting strangely since the... incident."
Luke went to the leather armchair placed across from a matching sofa and fell into it. He waved for Piett to continue.
"I mean, Milord, the one visit you made to the bridge you... fell onto the navigation officer's station..."
Luke cringed at the memory. That was the damned cape's fault.
"... the four or five times you've been lost on B deck and C deck, the stormtrooper who had a heart attack because you thanked him..."
Luke held up his hand, "Okay, I get it."
Piett's eyes' narrowed, "And you have developed a rather uncharacteristic habit of speech and... posture."
Luke glanced down at the leg he had propped up on the small table between the chair and the sofa.
Luke pulled himself to his feet and began to pace. "I like I said," he began, "You can't tell anyone." And then he started from the beginning, "So we fell into this giant strobe light..."
Piett leaned against Vader's desk and asked if there was any alcohol stocked in these quarters.
Luke shook his head, "Trust me, I've looked."
Piett took a few deep breaths then peered closely at Luke's mask, "How extraordinary..."
"Yeah, well, if you're done marveling, I'd like to get my body back."
Piett nodded, "Yes, yes, and doubtlessly Lord Vader feels the same."
"So, you'll help me... capture him?"
"We've been hunting down Commander Skywalker for sometime, to just pick him up so easily..."
"But I'm Luke Skywalker!" he whined desperately (or, the best he could manage). "And Vader wants to be captured."
"Yes, but we will arouse suspicions."
Luke rolled his eyes. "I think we'll arouse a few more if I play Darth Vader for much longer."
Piett looked at him seriously, "Point taken."