#tom venka

[musewrangler]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/67201804/chapters/173557312#main

FROM THE ASHES OF ENDOR

Chapter one

Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine are dead. Veers is missing. And Piett has surrendered himself to the Rebels because he is operating on orders given to him by Lord Vader. The thing is, the only Rebel who will believe him and aide him is floating unconscious in bacta at the moment.

He and a very frustrated Princess Leia would really appreciate it if Luke Skywalker could come out of his healing trance so that Piett can offer the Executor to the Rebel Alliance. Now if the Lady could just be convinced not to violently release her Admiral as that would put a bit of a damper on friendly negotiations.

[musewrangler]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Dad’s back was to him, sweat soaking a line up the center of his t-shirt as he welded the needed piece in place. Then he pushed up the goggles and turned to look at Zev.

“You want to do the honors?” he asked. Those grey eyes were serious, but Dad, accepted his hand to his feet.

“All right,” Zev said, trying to ignore the way his heart thundered in his chest. He trotted back to the cockpit and blew out a breath as he stared at the control board. The start up sequence was three buttons. Power down was one—the orange toggle to the left.

Life and death represented in those little pieces of plastic.

Zev nodded to himself and tapped the start up sequence.

Immediately the shuttle hummed into life, everything glowing about him and then—-

“Shut it off!” roared Dad, and Zev smelled acrid smoke.

He slammed his hand onto the control and immediately the ship went dark again. He stumbled back toward the hold where Dad knelt before the panel, swearing filthily as he ignored the burns on his hands in order to pull at a wire.

“What happened?” Zev asked breathlessly, nauseating dread filling his stomach.

“This wire fritzed and started melting the plasma casing,” Dad panted, using clippers to detach it from the part. “I don’t think it damaged the interior. But…”

He held up the burned wire.

“Do…do we have another one?” Zev asked, hoping he didn't sound like a scared child.

[musewrangler]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

“Sir!” called an officer from comms.

Venka turned to face her.

“Sir, the Rebels are demanding to know why our engines are powering up.”

The Captain glanced to Dad.

“You may inform them that we are doing what they didn’t have the moral fibre to do,” Dad said, utmost contempt in his voice. Inexplicably, Princess Leia’s mouth curled as she watched this.

“Several Rebel capital ships are powering up, Captain!” called Defense.

It was Captain Venka’s turn to look disdainful.

“As though they have a hope in hells of stopping us,” he said. “General—say the word.”

Dad looked over to the Princess who nodded.

“The word is given,” Dad said, looking out the star destroyer’s viewports. “Go.”

And gathering herself like a hunting Loth wolf, the Lady jumped into space.

[musewrangler]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Vader said nothing, but entered ahead of his two subordinates, barely allowing the doors to close behind them before he whirled on Piett.

“Do you think I do not know what you are doing, Admiral? It is only because of the Lady that I left the bridge at all. You will now move aside. You have tested my patience too far.”

Piett swallowed and straightened as much as he was capable of, lifting his chin and forcing himself to look at the eyes of that terrible mask.

“My Lord. With great respect, I cannot do that. Captain Needa answers to me directly and therefore, I must take responsibility for the Falcon’s loss. All of the Captains in this fleet were working on my orders, my Lord, and so I am the one who ought to bear your displeasure.”

“Firmus—” Needa said in horrified tones behind him.

Vader took two furious steps to loom directly over Piett hand raised toward his throat.

“You dare!” he boomed through the vocoder, the hiss of it as vicious as a snake. “You DARE defy me!”

[musewrangler]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Leia’s eyes flicked to Luke’s again. “Our agent has uncovered evidence from the very top levels that Lord Vader has two living children. The Emperor knows this.”

Piett’s shock was palpable, but he schooled himself admirably.

“Lord Vader has never given any indicator regarding that,” he stated firmly.

“There are a few possibilities for that,” Luke said. “One, he knows and is protecting them. Or two, he doesn’t know, but they are still a threat to Palpatine.”

It was odd to be speaking about himself like this.

Piett glared at his leg. He had the air of a man who needed to pace and that option was not open to him at the moment.

He opted instead to gently tap his finger upon the table top.

“I grant,” he said at last, “That this seems ridiculously elaborate as a way to get me to give you sensitive information. I would appreciate some time to consider my own course of action.”

[musewrangler]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Down in the courtyard, Piett exited the Palace, warm blue cloak about his shoulders and thick nerf leather gauntlets protecting his hands against the cold.

Leia noted the moment Aunt Sola spotted him from where she was giving instructions to the Stable Master. She finished the conversation and crossed the snowy stones to reach the General who waited for her in a side alcove.

He smiled broadly as she reached him—-his face unguarded and glowing with his love for her Aunt.

Her Aunt who—--kark’s sake , Aunt Sola!

Leia huffed aloud as Aunt Sola didn’t even hesitate to step right into Piett’s arms and claim his lips with what must surely be bruising force.

The Lady made a sort of contented ‘krrrrr’ sound without opening her eyes, and Leia raised an eyebrow at her.

“Really? You approve of such a display? Anyone walking by could see them! I can see them!”

The Lady opened her beak in a slow, lazy yawn and cracked one eye to look at Leia with judgement.

“Yes, all right fine,” Leia sighed, mouth curling, as she watched the lovers. “I’m not actually shocked.”

Fifteen years after all.

And she was so deeply happy for both of them—-if only all of the country could feel as her Aunt and Piett did in this moment. The General tucked Aunt Sola close to his chest, his blue cloak around them both as he rested his head on top of Sola’s.

At least in some parts of the kingdom, all was right and all was well.

[musewrangler]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

And over the water came the war chants from the enemy.

Sola drew her sword.

The first boats reached the shore and troops clad in black began to leap from the gunwales to the water, their swords clanging up and down the coastline in a strange cacophony.

“Archers!” Sola yelled, and all of them turned as one to dip their first arrows into the coal buckets behind them.

The first Imperial soldiers had formed a line and were beginning their run up the beach. This was the moment they must all hold their nerves as the distance between them was perhaps a hundred yards. The oil line had been poured twenty yards from the surf, taking into account the tides.

“HOLD!” Sola called. They must be certain and get as many of the enemy as possible. The second line was following the first…

Five yards.

Two.

“FIRE!” she screamed, and brought her sword down.

[musewrangler]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

I could see he was self conscious about all that had been done for him. I understood it.

“No one aboard would change a thing that we did,” I continued.

Piett cleared his throat a little.

“Well. What can I say to that but— thank you?”

He held out a hand and I grasped it.

“It was a pleasure. I only wish we could have saved more people,” I said. “I would remind you as well, Lieutenant, that it was you who battled to survive as well. We all could do only so much. The rest was in your hands. Stubborn, aren’t you?”

He laughed a bit then.

“So I’ve been told.”

“Shocking,” I remarked.

“You don’t have to agree so readily, sir.”

He quirked an eyebrow at me then, and I saw a man with a sense of humor, and that certain… something. That spark of life— of drive and passion. Here , I thought, could be a friend.

“My name is Max,” I told him. I saw the uncertainty in his eyes.

“Ah…you’re also a superior officer, Colonel.”

I grinned and crossed my arms.

“Oh yes. And don’t you forget it. But I’m army. And you’re a naval man, I’m told. So—-not really a protocol issue.”

His mouth quirked upward again.

“Not really sure that is how it works, but ah, thank you. I’m Firmus.”