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."
