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Author	Topic: The Hunt for the Executor--Similar to "The Hunt for Red October"--New post 12/2
DarthIshtar Title: Former CR Registered: Mar '01	Date Posted: 6/14/06 7:14pm Subject: The Hunt for the Executor--Similar to "The Hunt for Red October"--New post 12/2 - Date Edited: 12/2/07 9:51am (17 edits total) Edited By: DarthIshtar
	Notes: Thanks to the following people: 1) Tom Clancy for writing The Hunt for Red October and inspiring this story. 2) RK_Striker_JK_5 for helping me with some of the more manly aspects. 3) Noelie for the medical/practical advice ***** THE FIRST DAY Super-Class Star Destroyer Executor There seemed an unusual chill to the air on the Executor this morning. After an extensive time spent in spacedock, the climate controls were always reset so that it would have only been comfortable to someone born and reared on the ice plains of Hoth. Admiral Firmus Piett knew, however, that the urge to shiver was not due to the temperature alone. He had felt the cold settle into his bones from the moment that he left his bed this morning and it only seemed to get worse as the hours passed. After all, there were only a few minutes left before the last official left the Executor and from that moment, it would be only a handful of seconds before the dock controller gave them clear skies. That meant that, roughly speaking, he had ten minutes before the point of no return. “All systems are functional,” Captain Michel Decher, a dark-haired Alderaanian, reported with the air of a proud father announcing the birth of a healthy child. “As soon as our shuttle has returned from the station proper, we’ll be on our way.” “That’s good to hear,” Piett said in complete sincerity. “Do we have the personnel manifest finalized?” “We do,” Decher confirmed, handing over the appropriate datacard for his perusal. “It seems almost unnecessary with a skeleton crew on board…” “On the contrary,” Piett interrupted with one of his rare smiles. “It is on this sort of mission that I prefer to know the name, face and disposition of every person on my ship.” Decher’s mouth twitched at the reference, since there were very few people in the Imperial Starfleet with enough audacity to refer to Lord Vader’s favorite toy as their own. He did not argue the point, however, since it was generally acknowledged by everyone from bridge security to Vader himself that the Executor had never been run by an officer so faithful as Piett. “Yes, sir.” “Don’t look so nervous,” Piett chided. “It will be a quiet trip with few unpleasantries.” “Yes, sir,” Decher responded dutifully. “While we’re on the subject of unpleasantries, Commander Thurn is waiting for you in your quarters.” He shouldn’t have been surprised by this, since all new missions began with the odious formality of going over both the orders and the procedures with the Intelligence officer. It was, however, customary to maintain some level of privacy and letting Talex Thurn into one’s personal quarters was not the most efficient way of going about that. “Thank you, Captain Decher,” Piett said without allowing emotion to enter his voice. "You have command of the bridge until my return." "Yes, sir." The corridors were rarely empty, even in the dead of ship's night, so the lack of personnel only served to highlight the realization that he might well be utterly alone in this effort. It was the first time he had heard every footfall on the durasteel beneath his boots, but he forced the thoughts of abandonment from his mind. Thurn was no Jedi. He would not be able to read Piett's mind, but he had trained under the Isards and would know each and every emotion that crossed the Admiral's narrow features. For the first time, therefore, he found himself wishing that he had become an actor instead of an officer. The skills of deception that were a lethal pretense in the presence of the Dark Lord were things that would have been invaluable in this situation. The quarters that he had taken were midship, inconveniently distant from the bridge, but in a place that he would have not left for anything. Most officers, when assuming command of their own vessel, would have occupied the most spacious quarters. Piett had insisted on remaining in the small room that he had first inhabited as a brevet captain under Admiral Graff. Many things had changed since the blockade at Yavin, too many things, but he had always preferred to be a simple man whose duties were never subordinate to his ambitions. This seemed to disgust Thurn, who had taken up station on the neatly made bed with a certain degree of difficulty. He was a full head taller than his commanding officer and had attempted to make himself comfortable. It was an impossible task for someone of Piett's stature and had to be a self-inflicted torture for the Intelligence officer. He obviously recognized this, since his expression was even more sour than normal. "Commander," Piett greeted him. "Admiral," Thurn replied. He turned to retrieve the solitary chair from its position at the desk and took a seat with his hands resting comfortably on his thighs and his back ramrod straight before continuing the conversation. Thurn was less formal, with his legs spread comfortably his back curved as he hunched rather eagerly over the datapad that contained the operational orders. He obviously thought as most Intelligence officers did, since most officers treated them as something more than men but less than gods. The Intelligence officers were some of the few who had no qualms about taking up arms against a fellow Imperial and every officer was aware that a moment of indiscretion could trigger that instinct. As a result, Thurn acted as if he were the one in control of the situation. For the moment, it was only natural to let him think that. He was certainly a major influence in the pace of Piett's heartbeat and was the reason why the hands that rested in his lap were cold and damp. "I hope I did not keep you waiting long," Piett said politely. "Not at all," Thurn responded as if he hadn't counted every moment that had passed in waiting since he entered the room. "I understand the extent of the preparations that you have had to oversee." Piett nodded. "I appreciate your patience," he commented. "What does the admiralty have for us today?" Thurn smirked as if he were a parent withholding a treasure from an impatient child. "So eager to know the particulars, Admiral?" he asked with a teasing note in his voice. "We will be underway within ten minutes," Piett retorted. "I would like to have some idea of what course to set." The man forced a laugh and entered his security clearance with an air of joviality. "Fair enough," he conceded. "Tell me, what does the Fleet require of us?" The document was customarily terse and no-nonsense, laying out an assignment that was entirely expected. "We are to proceed from here to Endor," he stated, "passing through both systems that have formerly been affiliated with the Rebellion and those where the remainder of Lord Vader's fleet are regular guests. Once we have rendezvoused with the fleet at Endor, we will be restaffed and receive further instructions." "A good deal of stealth, then," Thurn mused. "It will certainly be a worthy challenge of the crew that has remained here." Indeed, he had been permitted to assign the hundred seventy-five finest soldiers of the Executor's crew to this skeleton crew. Thurn had probably thought it a matter of ego rather than a survival tactic. "It will be a challenge to move a spaceborne metropolis undetected," he agreed with a wry smile, "but I have every confidence in these men." "Excellent," Thurn said tersely. "I am sure that you will live up to Lord Vader's confidence in you as well." The words or else went unsaid. "If you'll excuse me," he said as he stood, all good humor having disappeared as soon as the need to flatter Piett had ended, "I will need to transmit the confirmation of our having read the orders to Command." He turned to face Piett with a shrewd look. "You will be posting the orders shortly, I trust?" "Of course," Piett replied dryly, getting to his feet as well, hands clenched as he crossed to his desk; he set down the datapad next to his personal comm station, then let his hand retrieve a single object from the drawer as Thurn turned to leave. "A pleasure to work with you as always," Thurn called over his shoulder. And in that moment of distraction, Piett struck. There was no need to overpower the taller man, since this would have been virtually impossible. Instead, he slammed into him with his full weight, taking advantage of the momentum to knock the man off-balance. The hand that had dipped into the drawer of his desk came up and before Thurn even had a chance to cry out, he pressed the hypoinjector to the side of Thurn's neck and hit the 'empty' button. Immediately, Thurn slumped forward, landing face-down without having made a single sound in the course of the struggle. Piett nearly let out a sigh of relief, but knew that the worst was yet to come. Moments later, Thurn pitched onto his back, arms and legs rigid in muscular tentany, muscles pulsing in violent, unconscious spasms. Piett dropped to his knees, rolling the man onto his side while reaching for his commlink. He dialed to the medcenter's frequency with cold efficiency, half-startled by the fact that he felt no remorse for the obvious agony that he had caused. "Admiral Piett here," he blurted with all the urgency that he could manage allowing his voice to tremble. "There is a medical emergency in my quarters." The medic asked few questions and arrived in less than three minutes. Piett moved out of the way, folding his arms over his chest so forcefully that it was difficult to breathe. His shoulders hunched inwards as if he were anticipating a blow. All in all, it was a convincing impression of someone badly shaken by what they had just witnessed. "It's all right," Medic Jhas said breathlessly. "He is alive." "Any idea of what caused it?" Piett asked, voice strained. Jhas' mouth pinched tight. "He had earlier neurological difficulties," he confessed. "He had been medicated until it was under control, but there are some things that medicine cannot resolve." This was hardly news to Piett, since he had used very little of his power to access Thurn's records. It had taken very little effort to decide on the course of action once he had reviewed the facts of the previous 'difficulties.' "What can you do for him?" he asked. "Will he regain consciousness soon?" "I can't be certain of that," the medic confessed. "It was fairly severe, but I have given him a dose of ilerem." "Ilerem?" Piett repeated blankly. "A suppressant," Jhas explained. "It will ensure that he will not have another seizure." The suppressant, Piett noted, had been administered to the neck. A fortunate turn of events for the purposes of concealment. "He will be fine," Jhas insisted, "but we will need to care for him at the medcenter." Piett let his shoulders relax and his arms dropped to his sides as he nodded. "I understand," he lied easily. ***** With the confirmation that Intelligence had been awaiting, the original datacard was left in the incinerator and a new set of orders went out to the crew left on board the Executor. Operational orders 6/9 24 AI Fleet Command orders that the Executor exercise all methods of stealth in conducting a search of suspected Rebel systems. Absolute radio silence must be maintained in order to avoid detection. The staff will board after the conclusion of this two-week exercise. Appended to the brief statement of the mission was a set of initial coordinates for the helm, sensor calibrations for the bridge officers and an order for the Executor to proceed to their first destination at .3 past lightspeed. He had made sure that the most extraordinary commands had been accompanied by the ordinary instructions. All precautions in the drafting of the orders ensured that they would assume that they were to avoid detection by their own forces as well. The crew would have no reason to suspect differently until the moment that Piett had the pleasure of turning Lord Vader's personal command ship to the Rebel High Command himself. -----signature----- "I feel like a more down-to-earth Pink 5 when I'm writing Leah. Same attitude, less lip gloss." ~Me on how to get in the right mindset for Twilight fanfic.
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JediMormon Registered: Apr '06	Date Posted: 6/14/06 7:37pm Subject: RE: The Hunt for the Executor--A post-ESB AU of defection and deceit
	Great job, Ishtar! Two of my favorite things: Clancy and Star Wars, all wrapped up conveniently into one fanfiction! I just started re-reading The Hunt for Red October so the story is fresh in my mind. Please put me on the PM list if you make one. I'm looking forward to your next update. ~ The Mormon Jedi -----signature----- Zoe: Preacher, don't the Bible have some pretty specific things to say about killing? Book: Quite specific. It is, however, somewhat fuzzier on the subject of kneecaps.
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RK_Striker_JK_5 Registered: Jul '03	Date Posted: 6/14/06 9:38pm Subject: RE: The Hunt for the Executor--A post-ESB AU of defection and deceit
	Now that was great, Ish. Piett's gone rogue. And he's got one of the most powerful battleships under his command. Whoa. -----signature----- E-married to the wonderful DarthIshtar. Now also her Padawan. Member of the Y.J.K. Revolution Staring into the Darkness http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/27537567/p1/?23
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Sara_Kenobi Registered: Sep '00	Date Posted: 6/15/06 1:19am Subject: RE: The Hunt for the Executor--A post-ESB AU of defection and deceit
	Oh, I gotta see if Piett pulls this off. Great begining, Ish. -----signature----- Flight of Raven's http://boards.theforce.net/non_star_wars_fan_fiction/b10808/30284518/p1/?0
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Noelie Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 6/15/06 6:54am Subject: RE: The Hunt for the Executor--A post-ESB AU of defection and deceit
	This is really good Ish. Took me awhile after last night to want to come and comment, as none of the seizure stuff is good memory, and all too present in my life if the ex should wish to do something as simple as play baseball, as his ward will call me when the inevitable happens. I got to thinking the last time I took care of this was just a year ago. But it is excellent and is described just about the way it looks if you are dealing with it from the outside. -----signature----- The relationship that has been created in this unique universe is so memorable, and so beautiful. It makes the heart ache. As far as I'm concerned, it's canon.~Ratna on the Noelaverse Proud member of the UPR
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Idrelle_Miocovani Registered: Feb '05	Date Posted: 6/15/06 7:05am Subject: RE: The Hunt for the Executor--A post-ESB AU of defection and deceit
	Tee hee! I remember you telling me about your plot bunny for this... and how I had no idea what "The Hunt for Red October" was. Great start! A rogue Piett... this will be very interesting. -----signature----- Nat is my new Muse. Yes, you may have one of those flowy Greek-robe things you say you can't spell. This Time Around: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/27062943/p1/?2 DarthIshtar's Padawan
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Araxie Registered: Mar '06	Date Posted: 6/15/06 7:37am Subject: RE: The Hunt for the Executor--A post-ESB AU of defection and deceit
	Oh, I'm excited to read this one! You can PM me updates for this story as I'm sure I will miss plenty of them. -----signature----- story index on profile Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present. Speak not Evil of the absent for it is unjust. ~George Washington Member of UPR
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sdhfs Registered: May '04	Date Posted: 6/15/06 8:08am Subject: RE: The Hunt for the Executor--A post-ESB AU of defection and deceit
	great story, keep me updated if you can. -----signature----- http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/16229314/?30 Up is obidala at it's best love chooses you you don 't choose it. Death is but death why are you afraid of it ?
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dm1 Registered: Jun '04	Date Posted: 6/15/06 8:09am Subject: RE: The Hunt for the Executor--A post-ESB AU of defection and deceit
	This is intriguing! So Piett is defecting to the Rebels with Vader's flagship? Wow, he's got guts, that's for sure! Good luck to him! If you have a PM list,let me know when this updates! -----signature----- Internet Mom to HSG! Hey, HSG, watch those explosives, be careful!!
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laurethiel1138 Registered: Feb '03	Date Posted: 6/15/06 8:28am Subject: RE: The Hunt for the Executor--A post-ESB AU of defection and deceit
	Oh! my... Wow, wow and triple-wow! Great idea, Ish. Now the question is: is Darth Daddy in on the plan, and is the defection of the Lady Ex a taste of more interesting things to come? PM me when you update. MTFBWY, Lauré -----signature----- "You don't fall in love, you rise up to it." - Padawan Lunetta's 'Shadows' Lioness of Kele-en's Serenity-2 crew Elf of TKeira_Lea's Wraith Squadron Links to my SW and non-SW fics in bio
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DarthIshtar Title: Former CR Registered: Mar '01	Date Posted: 6/15/06 10:45am Subject: RE: The Hunt for the Executor--A post-ESB AU of defection and deceit
	JediMormon--Thanks, Mormon! You know of my Tom Clancy obsession, of course! I'll definitely keep you posted. RK_Striker_JK_5--Thanks, Jon. Piett's gone rogue for some very interesting reasons, it will turn out. Yes, he has one of the most powerful battleships of the Imperial fleet under his command, but it's just one ship... Sara_Kenobi--Sara, hi! Thanks for reading and I hope you like the rest of it. Noelie--Thanks, Noelie. I do appreciate you patiently going through the particulars of a grand mal with me yesterday, since it's not an easy thing to do. Your help made it, I hope, credible. Idrelle_Miocovani--Uhoh, Padawanly teehees are always a scary thing! Thanks! It will be very interesting. Araxie--Glad you're excited for this. I'm excited to be writing it at last. sdhfs--Thanks, will do. dm1--He's got guts and hopefully brains! Thanks! laurethiel1138--LOL, really? Darth Daddy is not in on the plan, which will make this extremely complicated! Thanks! -----signature----- "I feel like a more down-to-earth Pink 5 when I'm writing Leah. Same attitude, less lip gloss." ~Me on how to get in the right mindset for Twilight fanfic.
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Darth_Kripp Registered: Oct '05	Date Posted: 6/15/06 11:08am Subject: RE: The Hunt for the Executor--A post-ESB AU of defection--Similar to "The Hunt for Red October"
	SoPiett becomes a cold-blooded calculator! That's an excellent beginning. I wonder, though, where's Vader in all of this! Does he approve? Does he even know? Perhaps he is behind. I see you leave the suspense! Please, keep it up, and if you have a PM list, add me to it! -----signature----- "Use my knowledge, I beg you!" (Chancellor Palpatine) The Forcefather (ESB AU): http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=23789577&brd=10476&start=23817802 The Defendant's pleading (RotJ AU): http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/26069511/p1
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reagan64 Registered: Feb '06	Date Posted: 6/15/06 11:35am Subject: RE: The Hunt for the Executor--A post-ESB AU of defection--Similar to "The Hunt for Red October"
	Ooh. Good. I've been waiting for someone to do a Red October-esque fic. Liked Piett's taking care of the Intelligence plant. Just like that guy from the book, the whole "medical emergency, nice touch. I'll have to keep an eye on this one! -----signature----- TIE Fighter: Unknown Regions: http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/25329844/p1/?2
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AdmiralWesJanson Registered: May '05	Date Posted: 6/15/06 11:58am Subject: RE: The Hunt for the Executor--A post-ESB AU of defection--Similar to "The Hunt for Red October"
	175 men as a skeleton crew on a 12 mile long ship. That's impressive. Please add me to the PM list -----signature----- Duke of Corellia Join the Corellian Browncoats in their fight against the evil Alliance! Fix the K-Wing! No more XJs! Make the next X-Wing a T-65K!
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Crazydan Registered: Apr '05	Date Posted: 6/15/06 6:08pm Subject: RE: The Hunt for the Executor--A post-ESB AU of defection--Similar to "The Hunt for Red October"
	Nice. That should be a good story. Can you send me PMs when this story get updated, please?
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jedi_princess18 Registered: Jun '05	Date Posted: 6/15/06 6:26pm Subject: RE: The Hunt for the Executor--A post-ESB AU of defection--Similar to "The Hunt for Red October"
	Awesome beginning. So Piett is going to defect- and with Vader's ship too. He's got a lot of guts. I'd love to be on your PM list if you have one! -----signature----- Would it help if I got out and pushed?
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