XLIX: Residency

Rebecca paced in her quarters back and forth. She had been discharged from sickbay earlier that day after spending two and a half days under medical supervision. She remembers her father saying they were no closer to finding out how the poison got on board. The waiting game made her nervous. She kept hearing reports that more men were falling ill. Luckily, as far as she knew, no one had died.

She thought about what Darth Vader said to her before; how there was a chance this was enacted by a member of of the imperial crew. The mere thought made her shiver, how an Imperial among them could be willing to destroy their own. The life here on this warship differed greatly to what she knew both from her home world and even Coruscant. She never thought those on the same side could be so cut-throat to each other. She had a great deal to learn about wartime, that was sure.

Time went by, and Rebecca realized her father was late to meet her, by at least an hour. Oh dear Maker...what if...

She decided to take matters into her own hands and go out finding him. She stepped out into the corridor and was nearly knocked over by officers and crewman racing past with equipment in their hands, hard at work getting to the bottom of this predicament. She looked both ways before continuing.

Much time had passed, and Rebecca soon found herself back to where it all began: the officer's lounge. She peeked inside, expecting to find the area bustling with science officers and medics examining every inch of the room searching for more toxin. To her surprise, the room was vacant, as if nothing happened at all. She stepped inside and walked over to the counter where the coffee pot used to sit. The appliance itself was gone as well as every other source of food in the cabinets.

"Are you always this rebellious, Milady?" boomed a voice from the doorway. Rebecca whirled around to see Lord Vader standing there with his arms crossed. "This is now the second time you disobeyed my orders."

"I...I'm sorry." She sighed.

"I do not want your apologies." He barked and stepped forward to her. "...Merely your cooperation."

"You have it." She said, making a move to the door, only for Vader to thrust out his arm into the door frame to block her path.

"You will return to your quarters. Now. And you will remain there until I call for you. Is that understood? Or do I have to lock you inside..."

 Rebecca bit her lip. "Quite clear."

"Good." He remarked and lowered his barrier, allowing her to pass. As she walked back down the corridor he followed close behind.

"I don't need an escort."

"I am merely ensuring you heed my instructions. This crew is on high alert. We don't need you turning up where you do not belong."

The pair walked the rest of the way in silence. As she hit the control panel to open the door to her quarters, she half turned to Vader. "How...how is my father?"

"Okins? Why?"

"I left my quarters because he didn't come for me like he said he would. I was worried. I have a bad feeling..."

It took several moments for Vader to respond. "Your feelings serve you well."

"...what?" she asked, taken a bit by surprise. Something was wrong and he seemed so calm? Well...as calm as Lord Vader could ever seem.

"Admiral Okins has been poisoned." He replied.

"WHAT????" She shrieked. "And you're just telling me this now?!" She turned to head back down the hallway, towards the infirmary but Vader was too quick for her. He grabbed her by the arm and ushered her into her quarters, a bit rougher than necessary. "Ow!"

 "You will remain here." He snapped. "I will not have you in the way of my staff performing their duties."

"But he's my father..."

"My orders stand, Milady. His condition is far worse than yours and my best personnel are attending to him. I will come for you when he is stable enough for visitors."

"But...."

"Silence." Vader turned and left her quarters, but before shutting the door, he glanced in her direction. "I have been patient with your disobedience twice now. Try it again and you'll find me a far less accommodating host." The door closed behind him, and for a moment, Vader stared at the control panel, toying with the notion to lock the door from the outside to ensure she didn't leave. I believe my point has been made... With a cape flourish, he stalked down the corridor.

Rebecca stared at the sealed door in shock and horror. She sank to her knees, feeling so useless. What she wanted more than anything was to be by her father's side. Who knows what will happen now....

~**~ 

Several hours later, Lord Vader returned to her quarters and let himself inside when she didn't answer the chime. The room was so quiet the Sith Lord wondered for a moment if she was still inside. He peered around the corner to the bed but it was empty. It wasn't until he turned around did he see her laying on the couch. Upon closer inspection, he realized she was asleep. 

"...Milady." He crossed his arms and impatiently waited for her to stir. 

"Hmm?" She stretched and sat up on the couch. Of course, she snapped herself awake the instant she realized Lord Vader was standing before her. "Oh my.... what are you doing in here?" 

Lord Vader replied, not amused. "This is my ship, have you forgotten?" 

"NO. I haven't." she sighed. "You could have rang." 

"I DID. If you didn't sleep so soundly you would have heard it." He said, hoisting her to her feet. "Now come along. Or do you no longer wish to see your father?" 

"Daddy?!" She asked, following him out of her quarters. "How is he? Is he alright?" She had so many questions. 

"The Admiral is unconscious but no longer in death's grasp." Vader replied, walking beside her. 

"Death's grasp??" She couldn't believe this. "He was dying??" 

"For a moment." 

"And you didn't think to come for me?" She asked, rounding the corner.

"Did I, or did I not inform you of your place on this vessel?" 

Rebecca huffed. "You did, Lord Vader. But even you can't be immune to the bonds of family." 

He replied bitterly, "I have no family." 

Rebecca opened her mouth to reply but couldn't, stunned by his words. "I'm...I'm sorry." 

"Your pity is unwanted." He said and stepped aside so she could enter the infirmary first. 

Okins was laying on a cot off to the side. There was a breathing mask over his face and several feeding tubes protruding out from under the blanket. A medical droid was on the one side of his cot, recording his bio signs. 

"Daddy..." She whispered to herself  as she rushed over and sat down on the edge of the cot beside him. Gently, she moved the blanket aside and took one of his hands into her own. It felt cold, but she could feel his pulse beating strong. "Fight it..." 

"He is strong. He'll survive." Vader said, standing at the foot of the cot. 

"You said he was hit worse than I was." She said quietly, taking notice of dried blood around his mouth and on the exposed torso of his uniform. 

"You and several officers were lucky. Okins was not." 

"Will he be alright?" She asked, giving Okins' hand a gentle squeeze. 

"In time." 

"In time...." she repeated him as if it would make her feel better. It didn't. "Can I stay here with him? Until he wakes? ...Or is this a quick visit so you can throw me back into my quarters." 

"You will do more than you know." Vader replied, resting his gloved hands on his belt. "You are to remain on board with him as long as I see fit." 

"Gee thanks. That's a big...." Her voice trailed off as she fully registered what he was saying. "Wait..." She whirled around to face the Sith. "You want me to stay here...on your ship??" That couldn't be what he just said... 

"Do I need to repeat myself?" 

Kriff....he DID say that... "No. You...you took me by surprise." She said, glancing back towards her father's body. "Are you sure about this?" 

"Quite." He said. "I know a strong bond when I see one. And you, Milady...your place is with your father. So long as he serves this vessel, you may remain." 

"He's the only family I have left."  

"Which strengthens my decision. Of course, you have every right to refuse. I will not force decision on you." 

Rebecca bit her lip. "I want to stay. I want to be with my father...." 

"Then I will send for your personal effects brought on board." 

Rebecca nodded, then sighed, "Daddy isn't going to like this. Me living here...permanently. He might blow a fuse.." 

"I will deal with the Admiral. His wrath is nothing compared to mine." 

"I think my safety is more his concern. There are how many men on board?" 

Vader's chuckle caught her off-guard. "I assure you, my men will give you the same respect they would give the Emperor himself. I will make sure of that." Vader stepped closer to her and took her free hand in his own. "Welcome to the Executor, Milady." 

XLVIII: Investigation

Okins stood at a safe distance and watched as the medical personnel and droids circled the bed where Rebecca lay. The doctors were able to stop her violent coughing but Okins was afraid the damage was already done. His fists clenched on and off as various suspicions flooded his mind. No bad batch of mere coffee does that to anyone. This was a deliberate attack. He thought to himself, but was interrupted when Lord Vader strode into sickbay.

"Admiral," Vader bellowed. "What is the meaning of this?"

Okins sighed and pointed to Rebecca's bed. "There was an accident in the officer's lounge. My daughter was injured."

"Injured, how?" Vader demanded. He moved towards the bed and pushed a droid aside to survey the damage for himself.

"L-Lord Vader..." The chief medical officer stammered. "We're still investigating the cause of her spasms but by the Admiral's description of her symptoms I'd say she was poisoned."

"WHAT?" Darth Vader said. His left hand clenched a fist and one of the medical beakers across the room shattered. "I want to know how this happened."

"I can tell you that." Okins said. He stepped forward. "The coffee. I poured her and myself some. She had the unfortunate fate of taking the sip first." He glanced down towards the floor, angry with himself for not being able to prevent this from happening.

Vader turned to face his officer. "Don't wallow in pity, Admiral. There is much work to be done. You are to investigate where that shipment of coffee came from and who allowed it past inspection."

"But Rebecca--"

"--will survive." Vader interrupted. "Now go, Admiral. There could be more to this incident than mere food poisoning. Rebels could be involved, and I intend to catch them before they go too far."

~~**~~ 

Rebecca opened her eyes slowly. She squinted at first as there was a bright light directly over her. Where am I? She wondered and tried to look around. Everything was a bit fuzzy. The last thing she could remember was talking to her father in the officer's lounge. Then...she collapsed. She swallowed, and felt a burning sensation in the back of her throat. What...what happened? As she shifted her posture she could feel her medical shift rub against her skin. The material was much rougher than the finer materials of her own clothes and the difference made her skin itch. Rebecca sighed and struggled to push herself into a sitting up position, only to feel a large hand push her shoulder back down. 

"Not so fast." Vader's voice rung loudly in her ear. "You should not move so quickly." 

Rebecca groaned a little as she made contact with her pillow again. "What happened?" 

"You were poisoned. I suspect part of a rebel attack." 

"Rebels??" Rebecca asked, a bit of panic in her voice. "But...what...er...how?" 

Vader crossed his arms over his chest before speaking again, "We suspect they intercepted one of our supply deliveries and tainted our food reserves." 

"But why?" 

"To cripple my forces. If half or more of my crew is as ill as you...or dead, suddenly the Executor becomes an easy target. Taking the Empire's flagship would be a significant victory and could change tides of this war." 

"Oh..." Rebecca replied, not sure what else to say. 

Vader turned to her. "Tell me...what associations do you know of that sympathize with rebels?" 

Rebecca blinked and forced to sit up again, shoving his returning hand off her shoulder. "You're accusing me of this??" 

"Don't twist my words." Vader replied darkly. "I'm merely looking for information. What do you know?" 

"Well I don't know any rebel allies." Rebecca replied. "I don't even have any enemies! I haven't angered anyone in nearly five years!"

"You're fortunate." Vader remarked. "I on the other hand, am not. I apologize, Milady, for getting you caught in the brutalities of our war."

Rebecca sighed. "How long will I be stuck here?"

"Until the poison has completely vacated your systems." Vader replied. "Admiral Okins is leading the investigation. You will remain on board until we find the answers we seek. It is possible the admiral himself was a target and you were merely the means of exacting the revenge."

"That's awfully dark." Rebecca sighed. "I only just came aboard."

"It could very well be a member of this crew." Vader pointed out. "Someone who would like your father, the admiral, destroyed.You will find there is always constant danger on a Star Destroyer. We could enter battle at anytime...with rebels, or ourselves. It is the nature of war. To ensure your own safety, I demand you remain here in this sickbay until you recover, and then your quarters."

Rebecca sighed and nodded slowly. "I understand."

"I mean it, Milady." Vader said, pointing an accusing finger in her direction. "I can see you are a curious being, and it is your own curiosity which got you ill in the first place. I recall suggesting you remain in your quarters for my return the first time. If you had done so, this would not have happened." He paused to make sure his words sunk in. "I trust you will not make the same mistake again."

XLVII: Poison

Rebecca paced around her quarters waiting for Lord Vader to return. After a while, she gave up and decided to do a little exploring of her own. She left her quarters and looked both ways down the hall, ultimately deciding to turn left when she heard commotion from further down the corridor. Along her journey she passed several weapon training rooms, crew quarters and what looked like a bare conference room. At the end of the corridor she took the turbo-lift up several decks, taking note where she started from.

If I'm not too careful I'll never find my way back... 

As the lift doors opened, she walked right into her father trying to come into the lift.

"Daddy!" She exclaimed, giving him a hug. "Fancy seeing you here!" she grinned.

"Rebecca! I thought you were with Lord Vader. What are you doing here by yourself?" He stepped into the lift.

"Just some exploring." She shrugged a little. "Lord Vader said he needed to contact the Emperor. I uh...got tired of waiting."

Okins shook his head. "Please remember this is a warship. His warship. It's probably best if you don't just go wandering by yourself. Who knows where you'll end up."

"Daddy, you make it sound so ominous."

"War is ominous, sweetheart." He sighed. "Well, since Lord Vader is otherwise detained, I'll take it upon myself to give you the tour of the ship."

Rebecca grinned. "Sounds great! Where's our first stop?"

"Officer's lounge. Care for a bite to eat? I need some coffee." When the lift doors reopened Okins led her into the lounge.

She looked around the scarcely populated room and took a seat at an empty table in the corner. "Maybe just some coffee. I'll need the energy to keep up with my tour guide."

"Fair enough. You'll need it." Okins said, setting a coffee cup down in front of his daughter, then pouring another for himself.

Rebecca took a long sip. "Do you know what parts of the ship I'll be seeing? Bridge? Communications? Prison?"

"It's called the 'brig', and I doubt you'll see that." He replied.

"Well I'm sure the...rest..." Rebecca's voice trailed off as she let go of her mug and pressed her hand over her stomach. What's...going on? Such a sharp pain...weakness....where did this come from all the sudden?? 

"Rest of what?" Okins asked. He turned around to face Rebecca, and then noticed her expression. "What's the matter?"

She stood up, clutching her stomach. "I don't know...it hurts all of the sudden..my stomach," she pauses, wincing as her hand moves over her chest. "Daddy, I...don't feel so good." As she tried to step forward, she felt a sudden onset of dizziness and fell to the ground.

"Rebecca!" Okins tossed down his mug and kneeled down beside her. Her forehead felt clammy to his touch and he quickly jerked his hands away when she began violently coughing. Small bits of blood started out the corner of her mouth with each cough. He held her close and tried to wipe some of it away with hopes that her spasms would stop. Instead, they continued and became stronger. Her coughs brought up more blood than before. The admiral then grabbed his comlink.

"Okins to the infirmary...I have a medical emergency in the officer's lounge!"

XLVI: Coming Aboard

Admiral Okins paced back and forth on the bridge of the Executor. The Star Destroyer had established orbit over Coruscant several hours earlier that day, and it would only be a matter of time before Rebecca's shuttle docked in the hanger. After reluctantly checking his wrist chrono, waiting, he motioned over his relief and then exited the bridge. 

Okins then took the turbolift to the observation deck where he found Lord Vader gazing out of the viewport. 

"Lord Vader, sir." 

Vader turned his head slightly. "Yes, Admiral, what is it?" 

"My daughter's shuttle will be arriving any minute now." Okins said with a hint of uneasiness in his voice. 

"Very well." The dark lord said, turning to the officer. "You will return to your post. I will see to her arrival personally." 

Okins nodded. "Understood, Milord." He said, however continued to stand at attention. 

"What is it, Okins?" 

"I'm just...concerned for her well being while she's here. This is a warship after all." 

Vader crossed his arms over his chest. "Do you question my judgement, Admiral?" 

Okins shook his head. "No sir, but she is my daughter, and I know this crew. Fending off several thousand men will not be an easy task." 

"Your daughter will not need "fending off" because she will not spend a minute alone on this vessel. I will accompany her myself while you tend to your duties." Vader said, starting to the door. "If all goes as planned, your daughter's visit will be brief enough, much of my crew will not be aware of her presence." He stalked off towards the hangar. 

Rebecca's shuttle finished landing as Lord Vader entered the hanger. As he arrived at base of the shuttle Rebecca had started coming down the ramp. 

"Welcome to the Star Destroyer Executor, Milady." 

Rebecca stopped in front of the dark lord of the Sith and took a deep curtsy. "Thank you, Lord Vader." She said with a small smile. As she straightened, she looked around the hanger, searching for her father. 

"Admiral Okins is otherwise detained at the moment." Lord Vader said, resting his hands on his belt. "I will be your escort in his stead."

"Ah, I see. Thank you, Milord. Your hospitality is most appreciated." 

"It is not necessary to display gratitude. Your father serves admirably. Such loyalty can be hard to find." He replied, leading her out of the hanger and down the corridor. 

Rebecca took in her surroundings. "I'm lucky to have a guide. I don't think I could find my way around without one. All of these corridors look exactly the same." 

"With time, one finds their way." Vader held out his gloved hand. "Give me your comm-link." 

"My...comm-link?" She asked, puzzled. Fishing around in her dress pocket, she pulled it out and handed it to Lord Vader. She watched as he began altering the settings. 

"I programmed this with my encrypted frequency. Should you require immediate assistance, you may call for me." He said, handing it back. 

She stared at the device for a moment, surprised. "T-thank you, Milord." 

"This is my flagship, Milady. I make certain everything is run in an orderly fashion." Vader stopped in front a set of doors and hit the control pad, opening them to reveal living space. "You may use these guest quarters." He motioned for her to step inside. 

Rebecca entered and looked around the spacious living area. She set her bag on a nearby table and turned back to her host, "All of this space is for me?" 

"Is it not adequate to suit your needs?" He asked, crossing his arms. 

"No no!" She exclaimed, waving her arms. "This is fine, Milord, just bigger than I had anticipated." 

"You are pleased." With a nod he backed away towards the door. "I will return as your escort once I make contact with the Emperor. I suggest you rest. This ship is massive, and navigating its maze of corridors will require much time." With that, Vader left the room, the doors closing with a hiss behind him. 

Rebecca took some time to explore her quarters, finally settling down on the bed. "Rest he says...easier said than done."