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."