Chapter Text
“First meeting time,” I sighed, getting my paper and pen together.
I turned around, watching as Talia fiddled with the pack of gum I had set on my desk. She plopped down on my bed, crossing her legs and popping a piece in her mouth. It was my first meeting since moving onto the death star a day ago. I had known her since I was born, and now, we were working closely together.
“You’ve got this, I told you they’d like you,” she sat up.
“I’m thrilled,” I agreed. “I have a few more after this one, so I’ll try and see you later.”
“Sounds good, I’m cleared for now,” Talia shrugged expectantly.
She was an officer, not as high in the ranks as I was, but she seemed to like it that was. Talia was not as much of an obedient worker as I was. It was a good balance; Talia was impatient, a classic risk taker, and had a sharp tongue. Meanwhile, I was patient, a classic rule follower, and had strong empathy towards others. We complemented each other well, helping one another in certain ways.
I was the newest admiral to join the empire, going through the interviewing process smoothly. It paid well, and offered many benefits like housing, food, and other complementary things. Still, I understood I was considered young based on who else would be in that room, and I refused to fear it. I would do what was required of me and exceed it.
“Alright, have fun,” I laughed, the two of us leaving.
We parted, and I quickly headed to the meeting room, following the directions I was given yesterday. I arrived on time, taking a seat at the end of the round table and greeting those near me. We made small, getting to know one another until it started.
“There are traitors amongst us, rebel syndicates sent to report back on our plans,” the Grand Moff announced while I jotted down quick notes.
“The rebels are a joke, they pose no real threat to us,” Admiral Motti said without hesitation.
“If we enter with that mindset we may lose,” I softly spoke, having patience knowing I was still considered new.
The conference room was silence, everyone far too intrigued with the conversation at hand to let it stop. I was the newest of the bunch, replacing another admiral that was recently removed. Grand Moff Tarkin settled at the front of the long table, Lord Vader right behind him.
He was giant, well over six foot, being taller than anyone else on the death star. A hood covered most of his head, a shiny back mask covering his mouth. All you could see was Vader’s eyes, and a hint of his hair at times. Otherwise, the dark lord’s outfit was entirely black. He had broad shoulders that led to well built legs and arms, a flowy cloak draped around him. His armor glowed, with a custom uniform that looked like a tunic. There was a belt around his waist too, lightsaber to the side.
Darth Vader was the most powerful man in the galaxy, and everyone was aware of it. He held the highest Midi-chlorian count to date, wielding the force like no one had ever seen.
“Are you questioning the power of the empire?” Motti asked.
“Why would I question the empire if I willingly joined it?”
"Perhaps you are a rebel spy, your natural instincts getting the better of you,” he hissed, standing up in his chair. “You are new.”
“You said the rebels don’t pose a threat to the Empire, yet deep down you fear the idea of them being in our walls. I do not appreciate your questioning of my allegiance Admiral Motti, I hold high hopes of helping the Empire, not bringing it down.”
“I apologize,” his tone quieted, sitting again. “This station is now the ultimate power in the universe, I suggest we use it against them if they are here.”
“The death star is insignificant next to the power to the force,” Vader’s deep voice suddenly boomed in the room. “I will lure them out.”
“I believe this meeting is over,” Tarkin cut in immediately after, making no room for argument.
Everyone stood up, including myself. Small whispers were shared between the old men as they formed a line and started to leave. I shook hands with all of them, planning to stay to look over what I wrote. Motti was the last, his grip firmer than them all. I didn’t pay much mind to it though, having been too focused on my notes. I was staring at them, not paying any mind to the two men still in the room. The admiral didn’t seem to notice Vader either, adjusting his cuff and mumbling something under his breath.
“He tries so hard to frighten us with his sorcerous ways,” Motti mumbled.
“Admiral?” I questioned in shock that he would insult someone like that.
I went to meet his eyes, but before I could, he was lifted off his feet. Motti was thrown into the wall, being forced onto it by air. He was trying to yank something off his throat that didn’t exist, choking noises coming from the admiral’s throat.
“I can stop your heart from beating with these ‘sorcerous’ ways, Admiral Motti. There is no trying in frightening you.”
“M-y lord-“
“What do you really think of me Admiral? Deep down in the crevices of your mind.”
Motti’s facial expression scrunched, moans of pain erupting from his throat as he struggled to breath. He was being tormented.
“No!” he screamed.
“I believe we have found the first rebel.”
Motti, his face beet red from suffocation, pulled a commlink out from his belt.
“He kno-ws, youneedtoescape,” the man’s last words slurred. Once his head dropped, Vader released his force grip.
“I have discovered the traitor, lock down the wing. Do not let anyone pass without authorization, they may be armed,” Vader sent his own orders through his own commlink.
Suddenly, alarms went off down the hall, my body turning to the sound out of practice. I wasn’t sure where to go, still new and not in the loop.
“You will stay with me; I will protect you. It is not safe for you to be on your own,” Vader said, his voice breaking through the blaring noise.
My head whipped to him, knowing my mind was like an open book for the man to read. Vader had gotten closer, his broadness covering my line of sight towards the dead admiral.
“It is, that is a very good way of describing it,” he spoke, softer than earlier.
“Thank you.”
Vader’s commlink went off, quickly responding to it without hesitation.
“We found him my lord, he has a lightsaber,” the trooper warned, sounding like he was running.
“Follow me,” Vader waved me over before using two fingers to open the door without touching it.
We exited, both of us fast walkers pacing down the hall. He knew where he was going, most likely sensing the rebel in the force. I followed all his actions, watching his cape billow in the wind he made from his swift moves. Those in the hallways immediately moved aside, not making eye contact, fearful in their body language. Eventually, noise started to pick up, having gone down what felt like a maze of corridors. It sounded like blaster shots, like they were being deflected.
I entered another much larger door, to see war right in front of my eyes. It was several stormtroopers versus a man with a blue lightsaber. The blade glowed vividly, deflecting green lasers at an incomprehensible rate. The traitor wore an officers uniform, forehead dripping with sweat, although you couldn’t see much from the smoke filling up the room. The exhaustion from the guns had caused it.
With one hand outstretched Vader force pushed the rebel back as he deflected one last shot. I watched in horror, as it flew at unregistrable speed, and hit a trooper in the lower shoulder. He fell back onto the others, groaning in pain.
“Do not shoot,” Vader ordered before heading over to the traitor.
I took off my jacket, dropping on my knees to where the stormtrooper was once Vader got out of the way. I didn’t care about anything else around me but him, I wouldn’t let him die.
“I’ve got you,” I promised, taking off my officer’s jacket.
I ripped off a long strip off the bottom of my shirt, exposing my waist to the hot air. I took the strip of cloth around his shoulder, tying it a few inches above the wound. It was bleeding and needed to be stopped as soon as possible. Using the pen, I had taken notes with earlier, I started to make a tourniquet.
“What’s your name?” I asked softly, hoping to distract him.
“TK-875, admiral,” he answered.
“No, your real name.”
“Copper, but you should call me TK-875 admiral,” he assured.
“Do you like being referred to that way?” I started to turn the tourniquet. I could see Vader and the rebel fighting out of the corner of my eye, a red and blue blur clashing. All the troopers had gathered around the two of us, watching as I worked.
“No,” he laughed, wincing while doing so.
“Copper it is then. Do you think you can walk?”
“For sure,” Copper nodded.
“I need to get you out of here,” I spoke urgently. “Do you know where the med bay is?”
“Yes.”
“Alright,” with that, I hoisted him up, his un-injured arm around my neck. He was weak, the air knocked out of him from the blow.
“Do you need some help admiral?” one of the stormtroopers asked, glancing at Copper.
“No, thank you for offering though,” I smiled.
For a moment, I saw Vader standing there, watching us. His cape covered most of the hallway behind him, but from the way he was standing I was sure the rebel had been taken care of. Still, that’s not what caught my attention, it was just him.
I didn’t linger on it, turning around and pressing the button on the door so we could leave. Copper was heavy, as any soldier should be, but I could handle his body weight. I was unfazed while we went at quick speed to reach the med bay.
“Right on the left,” he pointed weakly.
“Thank you,” I hustled to the door.
Immediately when opening it several nurses rushed over along with a 2-1B Medic droid.
“He was injured during the emergency lockdown,” I explained, handing him over to the nurse.
“You brought him all the way here?”
“Yes,” I answered simply.
“You made the tourniquet as well?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you, admiral, we will take it from here,” she turned to him.
I watched for a moment, seeing him get seated on a cot and start to be treated. The stress from the ordeal started to wear off, and I backed up to leave. The hall was silent, the alarms had stopped, everything was unlocked. I checked my schedule, seeing everything was mysteriously cleared. Exhaustion rested over my head, even though I hadn’t had food I ignored it, heading back to my quarters.
The imprint of Talia sitting on my bed earlier was still left, my bed neatly folded otherwise. It reminded me I told her I’d see her, so I texted her telling her I was tired and that we should have breakfast together. She agreed, and that was the last of what I did, sleep overtaking me.
My dream was peaceful, the best sleep I would ever experience in forever. The only thought that lingered in the back of my mine was Vader, of all things.