The Scrape Of Death

A few weeks after encountering Lord Vader, Maz kept doing her work. Now and then hear mechanical breathing from down the corridor.

Lord Vader has chosen to stay on board for a little while longer to find the signal so he can personally track it. Things have been tense after the meeting, a bruise that showed is slowly disappearing but ensigns still like to have a look. When it was prominent lots asked how, when, and most of all ''how did you not die?'' questions, and Maz shoved it off as she did not have the answer either. But one thing for sure the Ensign who did help spoke up and her words became true to the Sith Lord.

***Kronn POV***

Security is high, Lord Vader prowling every hour for updates it's taking a toll on me, how do you explain to a Sith Lord that if anything has changed I'll be the one coming to him not him coming to me.

Taking a deep breath I focus back on the screens continuously scanning for that signal again. I notice Miss Kirman walking down the corridor, 'what has she got that I haven't?' I say to myself, going up to her I see her focused in something on her tablet not paying attention where she was walking or whom she could bump into. ''Miss'' I say seeing her jump and quickly turn her tablet off, ''Sorry Admiral I got too intense in something and forgot where I was, it won't happen again sir'' Miss Kirman replies stiffening her back to him in a formal manner.

''It is ok Ensign just be careful I don't want you bumping into someone higher up'' I reply with a sly smile, I watch her nod and start to walk away, ''how about you take the rest of the day off, you look like you need some rest'' I shout out and see her turn with a concerned look forming on her face, ''Erm sure sir'' she replies and departs out of his bridge.

'I will find out what she knows soon' I say to myself, having a hunch that she might be involved in it all.

***Mazzra POV***

Walking down the corridors to get to my quarters I feel weird having the rest of the day off, unlocking my tablet I re-enter the group chat from other Ensigns on my squadron.

Have you heard about one ensign who got strangled by Vader and survived? One Ensing starts

Oh shut up with the rumors it's codswallop. Another says causing a massive rift between the group.

Off the subject guy's Lord Vader is coming down I heard a warning from one of the Stormtroopers walking down. Laura replies and quickly logs out.

'Lord Vader visiting my station' I say to myself nerves creeping back up but then Kronn's words reassured me that I will be ok taking the rest of the day off. 'Maybe more looking through codes won't hurt' I say to myself as I open up the door to my room.

***Kronn***

Flicking through the screens seeing the normal activity of other Star Destroyers lines up and Tie fighters doing as told, he picks up his tablet to read any further news on the hunt of the signal.

A loud thudding of boots and regulated breathing crept up quickly to his side making him straighten his back and greet the Sith Lord. ''Lord Vader what a surprise to see you this soon'' Kronn says but immediately cut off, ''Where is Ensign Kirman?'' Vader says suddenly making Kronn open and close his mouth, ''she is not at her station'' Vader then says making him snap out of his trance '' Ah you see I sent her off for the rest of the day she hasn't stopped and I thought a few hours rest could help her regain full concentration my Lord'' Kron replies bowing his head down, ''if you don't mind me saying My Lord I am tracking her as I think she may be involved in the rebellion'' Kronn then says looking straight to Vader's mask who was staring at him the whole time.

''What makes you think that Admiral?'' Vader says sharply disagreeing with what he said, folding his arms across his armored chest. Clearing his throat he uploads video footage on the screen for Vader to see, ''as you see here, Miss Kirman is in the cantine fixated on her tablet, typing, reading, when someone gets near she shuts her tablet off so no one else can see. She is more fixated on that than her job My Lord'' Kronn says stopping the footage at where he approached her earlier on to tell her to take the rest of the day off.

The atmosphere changed when he said that Vader still has his arms crossed and stiff posture watching the image of him and Kiman on the screen breaking the quietness and background beeps ''you see if I may watch her every move to gather more evidence that she is involved, it explains how she found the signal quickly it may be a trap, my Lord..'' Kronn says but then feels a tight grip on his throat ''Enough! May I have to remind you, your position Admiral?'' Vader replies his mechanical voice deep with annoyance, ''take this as your last warning Admiral Kronn'' Vader says letting go of his throat and walks away his cape swaying behind him.

***Vader POV***

Walking down the corridor annoyance grows through my body, with every step a shudder on the ship's floor echos through letting people know my presence is near.

'What is wrong with me' I say to myself getting angrier knowing I defended an ensign I hardly know and could most possibly be involved with the scum of a Rebellion. 'She couldn't' I say to myself letting my mechanical legs take me down corridors.

Thoughts of the meeting with the ensign flashed back into my mind, feelings I have not felt since.... I shake it off and found myself in the apartment quarters. Feeling my cape hit my back, I look around thinking what if Kronn is right? What If he is wrong? Why am I second-guessing?

standing still I watch and hear Ensigns bow their heads and greet me wondering if this ensign will magically appear or do I invade her space.