Chapter 4: Meet Lord Vader
“L-lord Vader is coming here?” “Scootaloo was scared.
Forren picked her up to hug her. “Shh, don’t worry. Just stay in your room until he leaves.”
“Good idea.” She calmed down.
Forren brought Scootaloo to her room. It didn’t take long, until he and Tokrin had to report at the hanger bay. They stood both at attention. An alarm could be heard.
Ian was nervous and so were Forren and Tokrin as the Shuttle of Lord Vader arrived.
“Lord Vader, it’s a pleasure and honor to see you on my ship.”
“Spare me the pleasantries, Captain. I’m here to interrogate the prisoners myself.”
“Yes, my lord. As you wish.”
The prisoners were Rebel troopers that had received an important component of the Death Star. They were captured but the component was nowhere to be found.
“Alert! Breach on the detention level! Nearby Squads are ordered to stop the escaped prisoners!” An officer and an alert could be heard through a P.A. System.
“Captain, I want them alive.”
“Yes, my lord. Lock all levels down, sweep the vessel and secure the hanger bay. Set for stun,” Ian ordered his first officer and a squad of Stormtroopers including Forren.
Forren had other plans however. He wanted to make sure that Scootaloo is safe. At the guest room he saw her scared. “Forren, I don’t want to die!”
“Shh, just lock the door. I come back to you once the situation is under control.”
Just as the door was closed, the Rebels came around the corner. “Stormtroopers! Blast them!” A Rebel shouted.
Forren got to cover. A Stormtrooper was hit and let out a certain scream.
Forren managed to hit a Rebel. Only three left. They were quickly stunned.
“TK-1138 reporting in, the Rebels have been stopped.”
“Good work. Lord Vader will be arriving shortly.”
Forren looked after Scootaloo. It broke his heart. She had buried herself into the blanket of the bed and cried her heart out. “Scoots?” he kneeled down to her.
“F-forren?” She looked up still crying.
“Shh, it’s over, calm down.” He patted her.
“I was… a-afraid that you would die,” She sobbed.
“No, Scootaloo, I’m still in one piece.” He wrapped his arms around her.
“When I heard the screams and the shots… I was afraid that they would take me.”
Forren wiped a tear out of her eye. “Don’t worry, those Rebel troopers were no match for us. Besides, I will defend you with my life. I could never forgive myself if something happens to you.” He tried to comfort her.
“I understand that you leaved me here for my own protection. But you’re the only one that is there for me.”
“If I should die or get injured, Tokrin would be here for you, as would Ian, my family and the rest of the crew. You always have someone for you.”
“But I want you to be there for me Forren.” He could tell that she had spent a lot of time with her father and that he reminded her of him.
“How about some hot chocolate?”
“I love hot chocolate!” Scootaloo exclaimed happy.
“Do you want to walk or should I carry you?”
“I want to walk.”
She looked with fear at the stunned Rebels. “Did you…” She asked with fear.
“No, we’re only stunned them.” With that, she let out a sigh of relief.
“Who is that little girl?” Lord Vader asked. Scootaloo hide behind Forrens back.
“Oh, Lord Vader. Err… Its take your daughter to work day and I know… I’m sorry for bringing her; you know my wife says I never see her… I must admit she’s right. Do you have kids?” He sighed, “I probably get fired for this, but screw it.” Forren said the last words very quiet and took Scootaloo’s hoof. “I love my daughter!”
Lord Vader was standing still for a few seconds before he held his fist to his chest. “That really hits me where I live.” Then he choked a Rebel trooper that had recovered from the stun shot. “What have you done with that component? Forren here, never sees his daughter because of people like you.” Then there was the same cracking sound Scootaloo had heard in her dream.
“I’m so sorry you had to see that.” Vader let the now dead Rebel go. “Are you having fun being at work with your father?” Vader looked at Scootaloo who whimpered in fear.
Vader laughed, “I know I’m scary.” Then he leaved with the prisoners. “Can’t believe he bought that. But now time for chocolate.” Forren smiled at Scootaloo to cheer her up. She returned the smile.
In the canteen, the cook gave her the cup. “There you go little one, a cup of hot chocolate.”
“Thanks mister. I hope I can pay you someday.”
“You don’t have to. For guests it’s free, and since you are unofficially a member for the crew of this ship and since all have sympathy for your story, a meal or a drink is always free for you.” He gave her a thumb up.
She enjoyed it with great pleasure. Tokrin came in. “Sorry to bother you two, but we have order to assist the Imperial forces at Abridon.” Scootaloo knew what that meant.
“Be careful, okay?”
“I always be careful, my dear.” Forren looked at the hologram. “And I will survive for you, Miro and Ray.” He entered with Tokrin the Shuttle.
Just as the doors of the shuttle were about to shut, a Turbulence came. It was strong enough to cause Scootaloo to lose her balance and fell into the shuttle.
Nobody noticed it as the Shuttle took off and flew towards the planet.