Heated

32

Lord Vader thundered around the room, assigning orders left and right. My anxiety only deepened at his urgent orders.

"Pilot's oversee that all systems should be checked and operational. Be prepared for sudden rapid evacuation."

"Engineers maintain the hyperdrive and check in the security and defense systems."

All of them slowly trickling out with their new missions, except for me.

Saving the best for last I assume.

When I got back to my room earlier, I decided to take "another," shower hoping Stryker wouldn't notice and ask more questions.

The anxiety I have showering when Vader is on the ship has decreased. I know if someone tried anything while he was here, Vader would kill them.

I neatly folded Lord Vader's clothes and planned to return them. Stryker's voice echoes in my head and all I can think about is how accusatory it was.

No one knows that I hook up with their leader and it needs to stay that way.

Our little secret. I catch myself smiling at the thought, I barely realized I completely zoned out from boredom, waiting for my assignment.

I was so focused I didn't hear Lord Vader repeat my name over and over.

"-Are you even listening?"

"What? Yes."

He gives me a stern look. "You need to remain focused."

"Sorry." I squeak out. The sudden coldness of his voice makes me feel belittled.

"You have a special task."

"I do?"

"This needs to remain confidential."

Finally, I think to myself. Someone is finally going to tell me what's going on.

"There's this ship I need you to work on."

Really? That's it? I need to repair a ship?

"That's my," I use air quotes, "Special task?"

"Yes."

"Don't you have engineers already? Why am I doing their work?"

"You can either do that or mindlessly repair weapons all day." He says, clearly frustrated from my lack of enthusiasm.

"Okay," I smile, " I choose the weapons." I get up to walk away, but right as I make it to the door he slams it shut with the force.

"Stop." He orders.

I keep my back facing him, wanting to hide any vulnerability on my face.

"It's important."

Before I turn around to face him, I roll my eyes to myself.

"Why do I need to do it?"

"You knew how to reframe the ship's infrastructure to sustain climates they're not supposed to. Your skill level is beyond that of the engineers."

"But it crashed." I remind him.

"That wasn't your error, that was mine."

My focus goes down to my hands, as I think of this task. It's a lot of responsibility.

A leather hand comes under my chin, forcing me to make eye contact with him, sending a shiver down my spine.

"I know you can do it."

He expresses it without politeness, but rather in a very matter-of-fact way.

"I'm assuming I have no choice."