THE FORCE WITHIN
© November 2017 Written by David Wicker
Please do not reprint without permission
CHAPTER 25 - "The Sinister Signal"
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This entry is Rated: EVERYONE
Back on the Star Destroyer, Vader had finished his meal.
It was clear to Smite that Vader was just "showing off" a bit by making such a sumptuous meal appear and to just nibble at it. He must eat privately in his own room and without the mask.
Smite looked hard at the imposing black helmet Vader wore. He wondered what kind of person lurked beneath it - and perhaps one to match the very darkness of the material that shrouded it.
"Thoughts ?" Vader asked in sepulchral tones noticing that Smite was staring at him.
Smite laughed, "Apologies, Lord Vader. I am somewhat distracted. It would seem that - "
Suddenly the table with the food beeped a strange tone. Vader's reaction was immediate.
He held up a gloved hand to cut off Smite and answered the request by touching a button to the side.
"You called me with an Omega alert." Vader said, not so much a question but a challenge as if it were never to be used except in emergencies.
A nervous voice on the other end spoke, "Yes, Lord Vader. It is that important. The contrail emissions were incomplete and could not be followed to conclusion. But we are now receiving a new pulsing and strong magnetic signal from Hoth."
He continued, "That planet is supposed to be completely uninhabited and the fact we are receiving a signal now can only mean one thing. The Rebels you seek ARE on Hoth. All indications point to this."
Vader lifted his head causing the triangle of his mouth to raise sharply. His breathing quickened from his raspy respirator. "At last." he told himself. Then to the speaker. "Good work, lieutenant. Send an attack fleet at once. Keep me informed."
Smite stepped up suddenly from the table but Vader held out a friendly hand bidding him to relax.
"No concern of yours, my friend. Let us finish and enjoy our meal here. I still have many questions for you."
Smite realized this was no friendly meal. Vader was going to find out everything about him before he could leave this particular dinner table. Smite bit his lip in fear but managed to smile, "Of course, Vader."
. . .
Back at the rebel base, Han and Luke had returned with their sample of alien metal.
It was quickly analyzed and a holographic display appeared above a raised dais in the floor. A digital voice spoke:
"Analyzation complete. Metal predates to Magellanic War. Material is Herculaneum, rare for this time period. Its location on this planet suggests - it is not a bomb or a weapon - but a communication device."
"Communication to whom ?" Leia asked as she was part of the investigation team.
There were some digital sounds as the computer rapidly accessed old storage tapes and recordings in an attempt to answer the question. One tape made a harsh clicking sound as it reached the end of its data, clearly not finding what it was looking for.
The digital voice spoke again and almost had an apologetic tone to it, "Target transmission of alien artifact cannot be determined at this time."
"Speculate." Han said, familiar with computers. You had to be very specific with your words to them.
The tapes spun some more. The voice returned, "Speculations indicate - it was sent via space unmanned during the Magellanic War. It crashed to the surface of Hoth and relays this signal to indicate its position in the galaxy to those who would seek haven on it."
Luke spoke now, "Could Vader have heard it ?"
The voice spoke with some degree of haughtiness, "Question is non-sequitur."
Han huffed angrily, "He's asking if the Empire received it you bag of bolts !"
The voice continued normally, "The signal has grown in strength since planetfall, its emanations can now be detected by standard roaming Empire galactic scanners and sensors."
"S**t !" Luke said, completely beside himself with dismay.
Han looked to the boy and smiled. "Yeah, there is that, kid."
The trio started to walk away when the computer spoke again, "New incoming information !"
Leia addressed the computer urgently, "What is it ?"
"Rebel galactic sensors now indicate a large movement of Empire ships headed towards this sector."
Luke was beyond words, he just held his mouth and eyes wide open. I mean, they had worked so hard to hide where they went and that stupid piece of space garbage just tattle-tale told their location.
Han rolled his eyes but reached to pull on Luke's shoulder, "Come on kid, we're not out of this yet."
. . .
Smite felt tired. It wasn't that Vader was being cruel to him, far from it. It was clear that Vader used some degree of the dark side of the force to probe his mind, and it left him feeling very weak.
Smite tried to rouse himself from the grogginess he felt. It was as if someone had drilled a hole in his brain and let all the contents flow out in a heaping mess.
He spoke with more strength than he felt, "Vader, I feel energized from this meal and I thank you. I need to take care of some business now if that is alright with you."
Vader's voice could not hide the level of victory he felt, "But of course, friend. Be on your way. We can talk again - later."
Smite dipped his head respectfully to the dark Sith and grabbing his walking staff quickly scampered away.
Vader waited until he was out of earshot and chuckled to himself.
One of the waiters heard the positive sound from Vader and returned. "I'm happy you're pleased with the meal, Lord Vader. Is there anything else I can get for you ?"
Vader stood up and with a power incredible to believe kicked and punched at the tables with the strength of a mastodon causing the food to fly out of its containers and straight into the air. Precious glass containers and phials holding rare spices smashed in pieces against the stony cold floor.
Miraculously no food had spattered on Vader but had hit the waiter all over him and his uniform. Warm soup dripped down from the upturned bowl on his head and his mouth was open aghast in shock of what just happened.
"You can clean this mess up." Vader said simply, and walked away to return to his quarters.
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