TheBridge

“You have a high priority comm from Grand Moff Tarkin sir.”

The entire bridge became remarkably still—- that feeling of silent winter chill in the air.

It was highly unusual for Tarkin to contact the Executor, particularly if Lord Vader was not present.

Given that the man had just ordered the death of two different planets in a matter of days, it was perhaps not all that surprising that his name struck such fear.

Piett’s jaw tightened.

“Very well. Please send it to the Senior Conference Room.”

“Yes, Captain.”

He glanced to Tom whose tension was quite apparent in his expression.

“You have the bridge, Commander,” Piett told him in what he hoped were calm tones, before he turned to walk with measured stride off of the bridge.

He made it halfway down the corridor when Veers fell into step beside him from a joining corridor.

“That was fast, even for scuttlebutt,” Piett murmured.

“I was on my way here already when I heard,” the General replied. “You know what he wants.”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/48214471/chapters/122366380

“Lady,” he said. “Please adjust the biometric controls in here so I can breathe.”

She complied immediately and he sat on the single chair in this room, removing the helmet and then unclipping the mask, to peel it off and set it aside.

“This is what I am now, Artoo,” he said, his voice sounding weak and feeble to his ears. Well. What was left of his ears. “What Obi-Wan did. No doubt you think I deserve it.”

The blue droid swivelled his camera slowly over him.

[By my assessment,] Artoo told him flatly [you should have died. Why didn’t you?]

Ever gentle and considerate, this droid.

“That…is a good question,” he answered, willing to think about it more in depth for the first time in years. “The Emperor got to me in time. Got me medical aid.”

Artoo gave a blat.

[That bag of poodu can’t raise anyone from the dead . Even if he got you medical care right away, you should not have survived.]

For the first time, Vader could detect a little doubt in the droid’s tone.

“What are you saying, Artoo?” he asked.

[I do not have a conclusion,] his old friend said. [I am merely pointing out facts based on what I can see. Your ship can verify.]

Here’s a little snippet of the latest work for Multifaceted because I’m enjoying it so MUCH.

Inspired by this post.

Such a tiny girl, but her persona was massive even at such a tender age. And her contempt for the Empire radiated in the Force with the power of a thousand suns.

She was like steel wool on raw skin.

She was like sand in the eyes.

She was like a knife in the gut.

She was a Force damn nuisance in every way.

And he was fighting all the memories she evoked every time he was in her presence.

Such as now when she lifted that delicate chin toward Grand Moff Tarkin and narrowed those burning brown eyes.