Enjoy.
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The shuttle docked slowly and Leia gave Caden a quick hug before she deboarded. It felt strange to walk the corridors of her school while everyone was in class. She could hear the gentle murmurs of conversation behind closed doors as her footsteps echoed along the halls, It was nice being away from the overpowering darkness of Coruscant and Mustafar. In the Mid-Rim, nobody cared what the Emperor thought, nor did the Emperor care for the Mid-Rim.
A bell rang. Leia let the stream of students take her as people hurried to lunch. Despite the warm bodies moving around in and out of her personal space, she felt lonely. Nobody actually knew her, not even Syrena. The only people who could somehow understand were Caden and her father; they didn't count. Leia let her feet carry her out of the crowd and she leaned against the wall. Soon, lunch would be over and she would have to return to class. Franky, she didn't want to rejoin her classes. She wanted her father to wrap his arms around her and for him to say "I love you." He had barely spoken with her since the meeting with the Emperor; he was furious. She had felt his barely contained anger for the entire visit, but contrary to her expectations, it hadn't diminished as they left Coruscant. No, her father had remained furious and she had watched in horror as several times his temper slipped and he snapped the neck of an unfortunate officer.
Sometimes her dad would be upset after meetings and he would close his office door and scream… or cry. She would sit outside the door and wait. When she was younger, she would also cry. Then the door would slide open and warm arms would envelop her in a hug and a soft voice would whisper the phrase: "I love you Leia."
Her dad was gone… She felt herself slide down the wall and could feel her tears begging to be released. He was gone. A small sob broke free. There would be no more warm hugs or raised eyebrows as she returned from the garden covered in mud. There wouldn't be any stories about the Clone Wars or Alderaan folk tales as they sat in front of the fire. Her mother would no longer tuck her in every night or admonish her for not eating her vegetables.
Instead of warmth and love, she was now surrounded by the harsh coldness of Imperials. Her father would never be able to give her a warm hug or condone a blatant disregard of his instructions. He loved her, but it wasn't the same. Perhaps he couldn't love her like her dad or mom did. Tears began to flow. Lord Vader was not a warm figure; death followed him everywhere. And she, she was Leia Vader, the Emperor's reminder of what happened to those who defied him… and a show pony to be paraded around.
She closed her eyes as the execution began to play out in her mind. The red dress… the crowd cheering… the crimson lightsaber racing towards the exposed neck…. "Please!" she cried. She didn't know who she was begging too, but she just wanted it to stop. She didn't want to see her dad's broken face in her mind anymore. She didn't want to see his last moments and how his eyes locked onto hers.
"Shh…" Whispered another voice and warm arms pulled her into a hesitant hug. She clung to the stranger, unable to stop her tears. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to imagine it was her dad that she hung on and comforting her. But his smell was too acidic, his hands too coarse, and the voice too harsh. She scrambled backwards and regarded the stranger through the tears in her eyes. Furiously, she tried to rub the tears away, to pretend that she hadn't broken down. If her father knew….
A strong hand wrapped around her arm and pulled her to her feet. "Come Leia. It's alright."
She let Lieutenant Prazak guide her forward as she regarded him with dread. He had seen her in a moment of weakness and his questions… he would have more questions that she would be unable to answer.
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Lieutenant Prazak had been waiting for the girl to return. His conversations with Gerald had been informative, but the information he garnered only raised more questions. He hadn't expected to find her crying in a lone corridor outside his office; she was too proud to show weakness. As he aided her to a chair, he looked over her once more. Her face had settled into a mask again and only the red eyes and tear stains on her cheek hinted at her breakdown. Her eyes watched him warily as he poured himself a cup of Caf. "Tea?"
She shook her head. Shrugging to himself, he poured her a cup of water and sat down down in his chair. "You want to talk?"
She shook her head again. He took a sip of his Caf… too hot… way too hot… and set his cup down on the desk. "Too bad, I want to talk."
"There's nothing to talk about," she hissed.
He raised a single eyebrow. "Well, if you want to ignore whatever happened outside, be my guest, but we never finished the conversation that you ran out of. We could finish that."
Her eyes darted to the door and he could almost feel her preparing to dash.
"Just so you know," he picked up his cup again and took a sip, "I moved you to my Senior Advanced Tactical Class. You'll be the fifth student, so you'll have to talk to me eventually."
"You have no right!" Ms. Japor screamed and stood up, glaring at him from across the desk. "I'm not going!"
If she left, he would lose a rare opportunity to see her true emotions. "Technically, I'm the instructor of the class, so I have every right. Of course you can ditch class, but then you'll have detention with me, and if you skip those… Well I'm sure your father would be displeased."
Judging how her anger was quickly replaced with fear, he knew that he wouldn't inform her father of anything negative. Every fiber of his being was screaming at him that something was wrong.
"What do you want?" she whispered desperately.
"I want the truth… but I don't image that I'll get it. Every single thing about you, including the school file is a lie…. But I have to wonder how your file managed to be forged. So… I was right when I said your father was no mechanic. He is someone powerful… maybe a crime lord," he noticed the brief flash of disgust passing her face, "or a high ranking imperial… I'd imagine your father has quite a bit of power, so either he's a ridiculously influential Governor or Senator," pain flashed across her face, "or a Moff."
"If you have it all figured out, why are you still bothering me?"
He took a couple more sips of his Caf. His guess had been wrong, but he was close. Maybe her father was a Grand Admiral… he hadn't considered that one. "Your father's identity is just a mere piece of the puzzle that surrounds you. After all, while we are the most prestigious school in the Mid-Rim, I'm sure that someone who can forge Imperial Records for you, can get you into any of the Core World academies."
"The records aren't forged. This was the best school I could get into."
Her fingers rubbed together and he leaned back, his eyebrows raised.
"It's the truth!"
The Caf was rather delicious.
Exasperated, "Why don't you believe me?"
Her voice was cracking and he could see her chest heaving as she tried to calm herself down. Muscles coiled, eyes darting… she was like a nexu. Lieutenant Prazak found it slightly disconcerting. He was an Imperial Officer; he had had been in combat and faced death. She was a nexu, a predator, and when threatened it struck out until it could flee. A child… yet dangerous in ways he couldn't see.
"You mentioned you had seen your mother over a year ago. Records say your mother died when you were born. Both situations cannot be true at the same time."
"I can't tell you!" She hissed. Her eyes stared at him defiantly.
"Can't or won't?"
"Can't… My father… would be upset"
Lieutenant Prazak forced himself not to react as he stared in the hard eyes that shouldn't belong to a child.
The door chimed. Rolling his shoulders, he stood up. "Let's see who else needs my help today."
Ms. Japor's eyes narrowed in indignation, but before she could respond, the door slid open. Luther Tagge strode in confidently and looked around the room. "Hello Lieutenant Prazak, I completed the extra credit assignment."
He nodded and he observed the child's crisp uniform, and the almost too tight collar. Everything was impeccable, except the blond hair that escaped from beneath the cap.
Formally, he addressed the boy, "I'm busy with a student right now, I'll look at it later."
The green eyes darted across the room and found Leia. The rigid and confident posture disappeared and he could see a faint touch of color rising in his cheeks.
"Dismissed."
Cringing, the boy cast another longing look at Leia, before rushing out. As the door slid closed, he shook his head in exasperation. He hated dealing with teenage antics.
Leia's voice, now clear of any sign of weakness, rang crisply across the room as she stood up. "I have another class I should be heading to. Besides my friend will be wondering where I am."
He nodded. "Very well. I'll be expecting to see you in my Senior Advanced Tactical Class then. I have time." She frowned slightly, but grabbed her bag and turned towards the door. "You know Ms. Japor," her hand paused in palming the door open, "you are a child. It is okay to act like one. Make some more friends. I'm sure Mr. Tagge would be thrilled."
She rolled her eyes. "He wears the ceremonial uniform."
A small chuckle escaped from him. "Yes, he's eager to impress, but outside of class, I believe you'll find him to be more relaxed."
She shook her head. "His friends are all jerks. They hate Cindy on principle."
"So you judge a being based on the company they keep?"
Her eyes hardened. "Yes."
Her posture and conviction reminded him of a younger version of him fresh out of the academy. He could almost hear the rhythmic march of boots on the ground as he was called away on his first assignment.
"You cannot judge someone for the company they keep without knowing why Ms. Japor…" He trailed off. He had seen the cold eyes of one of his former friends as he stared down the terrorist without a shred of mercy. "And sometimes we remain oblivious to who people are under the mask." The scent of sulphur had permeated the battlefield and he found himself vomiting in the bushes. His superior officer had gingerly offered him a towel and led him away, so atypical to his normal self. "People can surprise us. People can change… for the better or the worst."
The all too knowing eyes stared at him. "I'll give him one chance." She palmed the door and stepped into the hallway, before looking back at him. "I'm sorry for your loss sir."
The door slid closed as she walked away, yet he didn't move. The chair was too far away and only years of training kept him standing. The battle field rose again around him. He could see his former friend happily executing the terrorists and he could see their families being whisked away into transports. Eventually they would land at labor camps and die from exhaustion. As his superior led him away, he kept straining to see what was happening. To discover the form of his family's execution.
"You made your choice when you joined the military," hissed his superior officer in his ear.
Perhaps he had chosen wrong. "But this is wrong."
Brown eyes speckled with blue stared into his, "You are a soldier. You follow orders. If you want to do what is easy, quit or shut your brain off."
"What about what is right?"
He could feel a deep weariness going through his S.O. "Then you choose the impossible path. Become better, become stronger, until you are in charge, so you can choose what is right."
His heart screamed in agony but he knew what he had to do. As he straightened, he looked at his S.O. in the eyes. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me boy."
A single tear escaped his eyes as he thought back to that fateful day. He had turned around and done his job with a heavy heart. He could still feel the accusing glare of his family as they were hauled onto the prisoner transport. Their faces still haunted him in his dreams even though he would never admit it.
The stale white room pulsed around him as he sat in the chair. On the table, sat his cup of Caf, untouched and growing cold. The two agents across him looked at him expectantly.
"I'm Agent Carlson and my partner here is Agent Ken. As you know, we're from the ISB. We just have a couple questions to ask about your family."
He could remember the intense feeling of disconnect. Part of him howled in despair and he watched through a long tunnel as his mouth answered questions on their own, without his guidance.
"Have you had any contact with your family in the last three years?"
"No."
"Did you know they harbored anti-establishment sentiments?"
"No."
The partner leaned forward and his voice was nearly forgettable. "Do you know your family at all?"
"Apparently not sir. Things must have changed when I left."
Agent Carlson pulled out his data pad. "You helped with clean up, even though your family was involved. Do you regret your actions?"
"No sir… They betrayed the Empire."
To this day, he couldn't tell if he had lied. A couple months later, he was promoted.
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The school days passed by slowly for Leia, yet also too rapidly. She could almost always feel Lieutenant Prazak's keen eyes watching her. Even here, in the cafeteria, he watched her discreetly. Cindy followed her as the two warily approached the table where Luther Tagge and his friends held court. Perhaps, the attempt would finally allow her some breathing room around the Lieutenant.
Taking a deep breathe, she walked forward and stood by the table with her tray. "Would you mind if we sat here?"
The guy sitting next to Luther sneered, but before he could open his mouth, Luther stood up. "Of… Of course you two can sit here."
He smiled and she could see his hand itching towards the ridiculous hat on the table. Luther turned towards his friends, "Hey Marcus, Antonio. Scoot over. Let's make room for Leia and Cindy"
Marcus… that was the name of the sneering boy. He and Antonio looked ready to protest, but grudgingly complied. As Luther made room for them, she had to admit that she respected him a little more; he had known Cindy's name.
As Luther sat down besides her, he grabbed the gray abomination of a hat. She rolled her eyes. "You're not actually putting that on?"
The hat was quickly shoved into his bag. Gently grabbing the fork, he took a bite of his food before turning to look at her. "I noticed you're not in our tactics class anymore…"
She nodded. "The Lieutenant decided I was too bored and moved me up."
Perhaps her annoyance had leaked through her voice, as Luther replied, "You should consider yourself quite lucky that he takes an interest in you. He's one of the best you know. My father reckons that if he hadn't turned to teaching he'd be an Admiral know, or maybe a Grand Admiral even."
Cindy turned to Luther in amazement. "Why is he teaching then?"
"I don't know although he was some hotshot back in the day. My uncle reckons he got in some trouble although I don't understand why he wasn't demoted then."
Leia shook her head as she took another bite of her mashed potatoes. "If he was some hotshot the Empire wouldn't want to make a big deal out of it. It is much easier to have the Lieutenant sink into obscurity than have a big scandal of a demotion or formal reprimand."
"Geez," Cindy whispered. "I wonder what he sees in me if he is willing to to be my sponsor."
Marcus's headshot up as he ceased sulking. "You mean he is your scholarship sponsor? How did you manage that?"
"Maybe it was pity," replied another one of the boys, "After all, aren't both your parents in prison?"
The table stilled and Leia could feel a flurry of angry feelings from her friend washing over her. She herself glared at the boy.
"Cassio," exclaimed Luther in outrage, "That's not nice."
Cassio shrugged carelessly, "I don't see the point in hanging around with degenerates. One of them is a criminal and the other," he turned and looked at Leia coldly, "She's just some doonium digger who lacks any manner."
White hot fury rose in her chest. She was the Princess of Alderaan, she had manners and technically an entire planet filled with rich luxuries. But, she couldn't say that. Imagining her Father's reaction was all that kept her face blank.
"Cassio!" Luther reprimanded sharply, "That's an unfound accusation."
"Sorry," he replied and then turned to Leia, "So what's your story? Or are you some parasite that will drag Luther down? At least judging from your table manners, you're also a pauper."
Leia couldn't help the small chuckle. "I know my manners, I just find no reason to waste my time with such tedious whims."
"Oh really?"
Marcus groaned, "Cut it out Cassio."
Leia ignored him. "For your information, you're holding the fork like you're supposed to hold a spoon. You want the the prongs to face down."
"Really," said Cassio, "And you know this how?"
Marcus smirked slightly, "Well that's how I'm doing it. It's the formal style on Coruscant." He paused and turned to Leia. "But I do wonder how you know that."
"My dad got invited to quite a few dinners to which I was dragged along. So I got a crash course in etiquette. Although any meal with more than two forks is a waste of time."
"Fascinating," Luther interrupted. "What's your next class?"
"It will be my first class on traditional weapons."
A smile bloomed on his face. "Wonderful. I'm also starting that class. Will Cindy be joining us?"
Her friend nodded eagerly, her mouth full of food. Leia wanted to bang her head on the table. Luther was the parasite.
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Obi-Wan Kenobi shivered in his cell and even through the Force suppressors he could feel Darth Vader's approach. The door slid open and he couldn't help reflexively flinching backwards as the rhythmic breathing filled the air.
"Hello Kenobi."
Obi-Wan stood up slowly as he stared into the blank lenses of the mask. "Anakin."
Vader took a step forward and Obi-Wan stumbled back, desperate to keep the distance. "You're a sentimental fool if you insist on clinging to that name."
Obi-Wan felt his back press against the wall, but Vader kept stalking closer. "You're a Sith, yet you love Leia and she loves you. Somewhere in that suit is the boy I knew."
The gloved hand almost gingerly wrapped around his neck and Obi-Wan forcibly kept still, his eyes still focusing on the emotionless mask. Slowly, the hand tightened. "Anakin is dead, but you hid for so long, so you must know where the remaining Jedi are."
"I don't know," he choked out and his hand desperately came up to his neck. "But I cannot believe Anakin is dead."
The hand let go of his neck and Obi-Wan fell to the ground breathing heavily. Vader crouched down besides him. "Haven't you seen enough of my deeds? Haven't you heard of the millions I've killed? Yet, you still cling to the hope that I'm… what, your foolish old Padawan? Is that what you think Master?"
His heart beat desperately against his rib cage but he kept staring up at the man who once was his brother. Nothing had prepared him to be locked up in a room with Darth Vader. "I saw the video of you slaughtering the younglings. I saw you choke Padmé, your pregnant wife, unconscious. I was never the perfect Jedi," he could see Vader shifting in disbelief and his hand reached upward unwillingly, "because I loved you. You were my brother and so every day I asked myself why. Why Anakin?"
"Lying again Master?"
"Never, Anakin." He looked up desperately. He wanted his former student to understand. He and Yoda hadn't believed that there was a path back from the darkside. They had seen only horror if Anakin found one his children. Yet Leia was happy, perhaps lonely, but Vader loved her. There had to be a bit of Anakin left.
"Then prove yourself. Tell me where the Jedi are?" rumbled Vader.
His heart screamed in pain and he could feel the tears threatening to well up in his eyes. Anakin… Vader… he was manipulating him. The worst part was that Obi-Wan wanted to help his former student. He wanted to cling on to the desperate hope that if he cooperated that Anakin would find his way back home across the dark sea.
"I don't know Anakin." He shook his in anguish. "I don't know. I cannot help you."
Vader grabbed his shoulder and pulled him up against the wall. "Surely you must know something!"
Unbidden, he whispered, "Yoda lives."
Vader pat him on the shoulder and then let go. "Good job Obi-Wan. Thank you."
Obi-Wan watched in amazement as Vader's demeanor shifted into a more reserved, and dare he say, caring role. The gloved hands were almost tender as the guided him back to his cot.
"Perhaps Master we'll become partners again," whispered Vader. "You just have to accept me as your Master."
The door slid closed behind Vader and Obi-Wan brought his hands up to his face. This was the game now. Every word Vader said was calculated, intended to undermine him. Was it all an act? Or was some of it real?
Leia…
He thought of her brown locks and eyes. No longer did she wear white, but a functional wardrobe. The way Vader was with her could only be described as tender, but he had just seen the rapid shift in his own cell. Perhaps he was wrong and Vader was lying, playing some sort of long game. Or, as his heart hoped, Vader was still Anakin.
His heart cried out again. "Please let it be real."
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Leia lined up with the rest of the class at the side of the gym and watched the instructor move rapidly through the gym course. The weapons teaching instructor was… interesting. He was an elderly gentleman, but Leia could see the muscles coiled under his shoulder. In some ways he seemed almost inhuman and the almost glowing nature of the blue speckles in his brown eyes seemed to confirm that theory.
Luther slid up besides her. "There's no way someone can move like that."
"There is," she replied, but she would imagine it would be with the Force, yet she couldn't feel it.
Finishing the obstacle course, the instructor landed softly on the ground in front of them. "Good, it seems you're all here." He stood up straight and walked in front of them, his eyes examining every inch of their bodies. "You're here to be introduced to traditional weapons. To succeed in archaic forms of combat, one must be fit. You'll be expected to complete that warm up, before the year ends."
The crowd gulped.
"You have until after Empire Day. You'll manage. Secondly, I'm supposed to give you a lecture on how the weapons we're using aren't toys and yadi yadi. I'm not going to bother." He paused and looked straight into Leia's eyes. "You fool around, you don't try your hardest, you get detention or more exercise. Understood?"
Hurried nods followed his proclamation.
"Understood?"
"Yes sir," they chorused.
He smiled. "Good. I'm Gerald Tanvich." His smile widened and Leia shivered. "Three laps go!"
Leia was the first one to move. Her breathing settled down into a steady rhythm as she led the pack. All the training with Caden was coming into handy.
"Faster."
"Yes sir," she cried and then looked down in embarrassment as nobody sounded off.
"I can't hear you! Faster!"
This time she wasn't the only to cry out "Yes sir." She completed her first lap and in the corner of her eye, she saw her classmates fall further behind. Her muscles pulsed in excitement as she finished the second lap. The smirk on the instructor's face was the only warning she received as the gym floor began to move. She hated Imperial training gyms. Muscle memory from Caden's training session pushed her forward. The Force was screaming around her and begging to be used.
No Force allowed.
A moving platform flew at her and she wheezed as it hit her in the chest. Her fingers scrambled to find a hold to pull herself up. Around her, her classmates weren't doing much better.
A whistle rang through the air. "Time is up!"
The moving platforms slowly floated back into their slots in the walls and the floor retracted to form its original state.
"Twenty pushups and you guys have to do the course again before you may leave." The instructor looked around. "Better conquer this soon, because I'm adding five days for every day you don't complete this course."
Groans filled the class. "Five more pushups."
Leia sank to the ground to begin her pushups. She could feel her muscles protesting and she wondered how all her classmates had a chance. She was struggling even with Caden's training. Coming up from her last pushup, she saw her instructor watching her.
"Get a staff girl!"
As she walked over to the storage container, she noticed Cindy barely managing to push herself up. Surprisingly, Luther managed to shakingly complete his last push up and follow her. She grabbed the staff from the box and gingerly balanced it in her hand. It was remarkably similar to the one she had practised using on Alderaan.
"You two partners!"
Leia turned around in surprise as the instructor matched her with Cassio. He eyed her coldly and she resisted the urge to sigh. "Don't worry, I won't hit too hard. I'd pay attention though because maybe you'll actually learn to respect your betters."
Leia glared at him in return. He was going down.
"Go!" yelled the instructor and everyone stared at him in confusion. He rolled his eyes and spread his arms. "Well what are you waiting for? Let's see what you know."
As Cassio charged at her, Leia found herself wondering how no one had died in this class yet. Quickly deflecting the staff to her outside, she turned the staff and lightly tapped him in the ribs before backing out.
Eyes narrowed at her and she smiled eagerly. He would not win this fight.
A double overhead strike flew at her head, and she shifted her stance sideways to let the blows slide down her staff. Her staff twirled after the block and he desperately jumped back to safety.
She could feel his apprehension through the Force. He hadn't expected her to be so difficult. She smiled. "Not as easy as you thought it would be?"
He charged and she blocked. His arms moved faster and the staff hit hers with satisfying clang. His staff kept moving faster. Fast enough to break a bone.
"Enough!" shouted the instructor.
She paused momentarily but Cassio hadn't heard. She felt, rather than saw him move closer. The Force screamed his threat and her staff twirled, relying on memories from years ago, to defend herself.
Three quick strikes later, Cassio was on the ground and his staff in her hand.
She could feel the appraising gaze of the instructor on her back. "You've learned the staff before ma'am?"
"Yes sir."
He nodded. "Your instructors did a good job, I'll enjoy sparring with you later." He turned towards her appointment. "Boy, what's your name?"
"Cassio Malvin sir," he replied defiantly.
"Detention. Your attacks were out of line."
"But…"
"That's another detention."
In the end, her first class of instruction was… interesting.
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Firmus Piett looked over his assignment card in disbelief. First assignment as a Petty Officer: student outreach. He shook his head slightly and checked his card again, just to be sure. No, no change.
"I'm assigned to the Victory, Firmus!" his friend loudly exclaimed looping his arms over his shoulder. "Brand new ship. There'll be new quarters and some real action!" He laughed in delight. "So where are you going man? Bet you're working under some bigshot Admiral. Always knew it, but that reassignment from nowhere… You got a lucky break there."
Firmus couldn't help the small chuckle as he regarded his overexcited friend. "It was nothing man. Like seriously, I still don't understand what I did to get a career boost. While it sucks to be further from home, I do think I can accomplish more."
His friend, two head tallers, slapped him on the back. "You're going great places man. I just know it… So where are you going? The suspense is killing me!"
Firmus shrugged. "I'm doing some guest lecturing at some Imperial Academy. Like seriously, don't know why me. I just became an officer, but I'm going."
The crestfallen look on his friend was hilarious. The expression didn't leave for the next two weeks.
As Firmus boarded his shuttle he gazed at his friend. "Cheer up Rick, otherwise you face will get stuck like that." Laughter filled his ears and he waved a final goodbye.
It was going to be a short trip and then he could find some real assignments like combating piracy or something. The thought filled his head as he jumped into hyperspace. He had managed to fight his way into the Imperial Academy from a crime infested world. He wouldn't let some assignment, probably from some higher up he accidentally pissed off, let his plans derail. There was no life left for him on his home. The Empire was his world's only salvation.
Too soon, he felt the familiar lurch of exiting hyperspace and the familiar rumbling of docking. Resigned to his fate, he walked down the ramp. "Ah Cadet Piett," A familiar voice caught his attention, "Although I believe it's Petty Officer Piett now. It's good to see you."
Astounded, he turned to face one of his former mentors. Lieutenant Prazak. The last he had heard, four years ago, was that the man had been reassigned. "Are you here for the lecture?"
The Lieutenant's eye sparkled in amusement although Firmus could detect faint signs of weariness in his demeanor, "In a way you could say I am, but actually, I'm the instructor."
"You got reassigned to teaching!" Piett stared at his former mentor in disbelief. "Why?"
The man shook his head but turned and faced to face the other passengers. "If you could all follow me, the class is to start soon and I'd rather start on time."
He turned back to Firmus and they walked slightly ahead of the group. "These walls are my prison. Let it be a lesson in pissing off the wrong people. I'm not good with people although teaching is growing on me, but it remains endlessly frustrating. There's a girl… well I'd be disappointed if you don't see."
Confused, he followed Lieutenant Prazak into the auditorium. A couple hundred students stared at him, but there in the front row… He pulled his eyes away from her although he couldn't help the hitch in his breath from surprise.. Leia Organa. He had encountered her on Coruscant before and although he barely met her, her eyes shone clearly in his mind. The Princess of Alderaan was in a Mid Rim Imperial School. One of the most brilliant genius minds was also here. Firmus was quite sure of one thing, he had just stepped in a landmine about to happen.
He ran on autopilot as the Lieutenant introduced everyone and gave his speech. He couldn't help but look at her and wonder. Too soon the questions poured in and he dutifully answered them, despite having his own. At last, he could stand, and he found his feet leading to the girl despite a part of him screaming that Darth Vader had adopted her.
Instead of high tailing out of there as fast as he could, he said. "I believe we met briefly." He held out his hand. "Firmus Piett."
She shook the hand firmly. "Leia Japor. And yes we've met. I'm glad to see the incident left you in good health."
Her gaze was sharp and he couldn't help the shiver that crawled up his back. He was so screwed. The Lieutenant walked up besides him and gazed between the two.
"You two know each other?"
Leia smiled sweetly and he could almost forgot the towering presence that had come to her rescue when they first met. "We met briefly once. He helped me in a little altercation I had."
Her statement was the world's biggest understatement but he kept his face blank. He didn't turn to look at the Lieutenant but he could hear the suspicion oozing from his voice. "I see."
The second that the class was dismissed, his feet led him briskly to the back door. Darth Vader's ward was here. Shivers shot through his body. He could still remember the Moff shoving him aside as he advanced on the young girl with an almost manic glint in his eyes. He remembered the abrupt horror as the Moff's body flung through the air like a ragdoll.
Still in shock, he had turned to look at Leia who was pressing herself against the wall and looking at something behind him. Yes, he could still remember turning around and looking at Darth Vader, although only one word seemed appropriate for the creature that had advanced on the Moff: death.
Even alone in the corridor, he could still hear the dark words. "When I send my assistant to deliver a message, I should not have to wait because of an idiot's ego."
Just like then, he felt so screwed. He wanted never to do anything with Darth Vader again. The cold snap of the Moff's neck had been enough.
He needed to leave.
Firmus turned and began the walk back to the shuttle. His heart hammered desperately and his mouth felt dry. He walked quickly because his life could very well depend on it. His feet carried him up the shuttle ramp and he shakingly sat down.
"Rather an extreme reaction to having met a so called brief acquaintance," noted Lieutenant Prazak.
Firmus turned around and he stared at the man with a sinking realization. The man didn't know who he was dealing with. He had no idea…
"I hope," he began, "that you never know the truth. I respect you, so let that be your warning."
The Lieutenant hummed slightly, "I admit that I requested for you Firmus to see how you were doing. I kept an eye on you." He walked over to the shuttle ramp and turned around again. "I wanted to know if you were still than honest man… I can't tell, but I hope that whatever got you that fortunate reassignment didn't take your honor."
Firmus shivered again. "My honor saved my life sir." He looked at the man's eyes, hoping to see something. They dark eyes felt empty like the harsh and desolate environment of outer space. "Leave… please."
Wordlessly the Lieutenant left and Firmus couldn't help the feeling that he had somehow failed. The feeling persisted as he finished his visits to the other academies and returned to his apartment on Axxila. Empire Day celebrations were fully under way and he knew that he'd have to wait until the end of the festivities for his new assignment.
The Holonet News flickered in the background as he stared out of the window. His sooty home world lit up in fireworks. He knew he should be out there, celebrating. He drained his glass of whiskey forlornly.
"And now, a message from our illustrious Emperor!"
He didn't turn around as the raspy voice began to exalt on the virtues of the Empire. He owed everything to the Empire, but Darth Vader? He would be happier to never see that monster again.
The Emperor paused and Firmus finally turned around. On the screen flickered an image of a beautiful young child. Leia… What had he done to be haunted by her?
"Many of you know her as the former Princess of Alderaan. Her father's betrayal hit us all hard, but we cannot judge a child based on the sins of their parent… Such a delightful child should not be contained. In my age, I know that life doesn't last forever."
The appropriate sound of discontent rang through the air. Firmus couldn't help but feel a sudden loss as he thought of the Emperor gone. Palpatine had done so much good for the galaxy.
"I grow weary, but seeing the blossoming relationship between Lord Vader and Leia fills my heart with joy… It is with great enthusiasm that I declare her Lord Vader's heir and heir to the Imperial Throne. Leia will once again be a princess, a role she was born for!"
The camera zoomed out and Firmus watched entranced as Lord Vader walked onto the stage. Besides him, dressed in bright red and with a veil obscuring her face, he could only assume was Leia.
The crowd cheered as the Emperor continued talking. "All hail Leia Vader, the Imperial Princess."
Horror. He was going to die.
His com ringed and he clumsily turned it on, while still staring at the screen.
"Firmus Piett, am I correct?" rasped a low voice.
His eyes widened and he turned to the com, almost dropping it again, as he quickly sank to his knee. "My apologies your highness, I wasn't expecting…"
Beneath the hood, he could see the faint outline of a smile. "I see you've gotten all caught up on the news. You met her a while ago didn't you."
He was so dead. "Yes your highness."
A slow nod. "Tell me about when you first met her."
Swallowing nervously, he collected his thoughts. "Some Moff was bothering her. He threatened me and then pushed me out of the way before attacking her. Then Vader came on the scene and killed him."
"Anything unusual you remember about the girl?"
"No your highness."
"Are you sure?" He asked again. "Think."
He thought of terrified face as he was pushed away by Moff Lewis. She had whispered something, before being knocked away: Vader.
"She… she said Vader's name before he arrived, but I can't think of anything else."
"Interesting…" Firmus shifted awkwardly as the Emperor trailed off. Loud cheers erupted from outside and his heart jumped. "Relax Firmus. I suggest you find a job at the academy."
He froze and forced down his protest. What had he done to deserve this punishment?
The Emperor chuckled. "It's not a punishment. It will probably be for less than a year. Afterwards… I can foresee you being a commander."
Firmus looked up, trying to understand if the Emperor was serious. "I do not think I'm qualified for such a role with all due respect your highness."
The lighting shifted and he could see the amused smile peeking under the hood. "Tell me Firmus, what's the difference between commanding adults and teaching children?"
"With adults there are more things that can go wrong."
The Emperor chuckled. "Adults are easier because they know what to do."
"But adults have a greater capacity for damage," he closed his mouth abruptly and belatedly added, "your highness."
"Oh my. I think Lord Vader will like you… Adults understand consequences so we say they're smarter than children. But as Lord Vader had discovered, children are impossible to reliably predict." He scowled. "Children are inherently chaotic."
Despite being unconvinced, Firmus nodded. "Thank you your highness although I don't quite understand what you want me to accomplish."
The Emperor shifted and the mouth disappeared again into the shadows. "I have… shall we say, an interest in the girl. Keep an eye on her and most importantly… Don't let her die."
"Understood your highness."
The Emperor leaned forward and Firmus could see his sinister smile. I'm sure you know the consequences if you even think to tell anyone of this conversation."
The com turned off leaving the room to be lit by the flickering Holonet. "Kriff," he whispered.
He was going to die. Life insurance might be a good idea.
"Kriff!" He screamed as he staggered into the kitchen to grab some Corellian Whiskey.
? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ? ﾝﾄﾾ?
Sorry how long this took. I'm hoping to get out another chapter before summer vacation begins, but considering how many things I have to do, that is a big maybe.
I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter.