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!"